Imperial Game (Kaiserspiel)

Imperial Game Kaiserspiel Movie Poster Country Germany Directed by Christian Twente Release Date November 27, 2021 Language French German Studio Gruppe 5 Filmproduktion Distributor ARTE Main Cast Character Actor Otto von Bismarck Thomas Thieme Wilhelm I Peter Meinhardt Napoleon III Hubertus Hartmann Eugénie de Montijo Anna Tenta / Marie-Anne Fliegel Luise von Baden Petra Kelling Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm Holger Daemgen Louise Michel Oona von Maydell

Imperial Game is a German 2021 docudrama that illuminates the historical turning point from several perspectives, supplemented by documentary elements. A scenic dialog forms the narrative framework: Eugénie, the widow of Emperor Napoleon, and Luise von Baden, daughter of Emperor Wilhelm I, meet at Arenenberg Castle in Switzerland. Against the backdrop of the negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles, which sealed Germany's defeat in the First World War, the two very old women look back on the time of the founding of the Reich and take stock of the relationship between the Germans and the French, which was burdened with heavy mortgages in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Castle in 1871 and 1919.

The following weapons were used in the film Imperial Game (Kaiserspiel):

Revolvers

Colt 1851 Navy

A Colt 1851 Navy is handled by Louise Michel (Oona von Maydell) taken from a French officer.

Colt 1851 Navy - .36 caliber

A shoulder view of Louise brandishing the Colt Navy.

She fires the Colt.

Rifles

Dreyse Model 1857/67

Prussian soldiers are armed with Dreyse Model 1857/67 rifles which are not entirely incorrect for this setting. Nevertheless, it would be more accurate to see a M/41 or M/62 as this model was largely issued to second-line troops. Some French soldiers can also be seen with them. The rifles appear to be the ones used in the 2014 Danish miniseries 1864.

Zündnadelgewehr Modell 1857/67 U-M - 15.43mm

A promotional image gives the best view of the rifles. Note the larger rings and no cheekpieces on the stocks. The rifles are also equipped with the improved bigger frame sight of the Model 1862.

Prussian soldiers stand guard while Wilhelm I (Peter Meinhardt) and Friedrich Wilhelm (Holger Daemgen) visit the captured French Emperor Napoleon III (Hubertus Hartmann).

Two Prussian soldiers in front of Versailles hold their Dreyses during the night of January 17, 1871.

A closer view of the bolt handle as one soldier as he lies down on the ground.

Chassepot Mle. 1866

The Chassepot 1866 is used by French soldiers.

Fusil Chassepot modèle 1866 - 11mm

Two Chassepots are seen on the right.

Louise encounters a French soldier with a Chassepot. The other ones hold Dreyse rifles.

Another view of the rifle which has a different cleaning rod.