Am Rande der Welt

Summary

The old miller lives in quiet contentment with his family near a border village. He runs his mill and enjoys his modest but happy life. One day a peddler arrives who turns out to be spying for the neighboring country. He finds employment at the mill and has a miller's boy, whom he has bribed, install a telephone line so that he can contact his customers when the time comes. Eventually he falls in love with Magda, the miller's daughter, but she rejects him. When war breaks out, the mill is occupied by enemy troops. John, the millers' son, is arrested for defying the soldiers and faces execution. Magda begs the enemy officer who has fallen in love with her for mercy, but ignores his clear offers. When the spy, who also loves Magda, realizes that she reciprocates the officer's feelings, he betrays his own men to the enemy out of jealousy. A dramatic battle ensues. At the end, Magda and the officer find each other despite the enmity of their home countries.

Source: Bundesarchiv (Translation)