
The movie depicts the events from July until September of 1914 which led to the defeat of the German troops at the Marne. While Sebastian Haffner explains and comments on operations and decisions on the basis of situation maps, key scenes are depicted by actors. A main focus is thereby placed by Haffner onto the controversial mission of lieutenant-colonel Richard Hentsch who is said to have, during a war patrol to the various army high commands, contributed to the abortion of the operations significantly.

as Generaloberst v. Moltke

as Oberstleutnant Tappen

as Oberstleutnant Hentsch

as Kaiser Wilhelm II.

as Reichskanzler v. Bethmann-Hollweg

as Generaloberst v. Kluck

as Generalmajor v. Kuhl

as Generaloberst v. Bülow

as Generalleutnant v. Lauenstein

as Generaloberst v. Hausen

as Divisionsgeneral Joffre

as Brigadegeneral Berthelot

as Oberst Alexandre

as Major Gamelin

as Divisionsgeneral Lanrezac

as Divisionsgeneral Galliéni

as Kriegsminister Messimy

as Kriegsminister Millerand

as Feldmarschall French

as Generalleutnant Murray

as Generalmajor Wilson

as Self - Host