The relationship between Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the great German writer, and Christiane Vulpius, a village girl, is one of the instantaneous and fiery passion. They lived together for 28 years, 18 of these living in sin, 10 a married couple. Christiane's rival, Charlotte von Stein, a former favorite of Goethe, begins plotting and scheming against her. Christiane puts up with countless insults and humiliations like having to 'disappear' with their son into the servants' quarters and to stay at home on official occasions. Goethe marries her when she saves his life during an attack by plundering Napoleonic soldiers. Her new social position as Goethe's wife is resented and envied by all. When she is openly attacked by the snooty, jealous people, Goethe is only half-hearted in coming to her defence. But she stays with him for he is her great love, even when she turns to the charms of many youthful admirers...
Veronica Ferres
as Christiane Vulpius
Herbert Knaup
as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Sibylle Canonica
as Charlotte von Stein
Christoph Waltz
as Herzog Carl August
Franziska Herold
as Charlotte Lengefeld-Schiller
Christian Hockenbrink
as Christian August Vulpius
August Diehl
as Fritz von Stein
Friedrich Wilhelm Junge
as
Rüdiger Vogler
as
Maria Happel
as
Fritzi Haberlandt
as
Jörg Schüttauf
as
