Ein Dorf wehrt sich: Das Geheimnis von Altaussee

The last days of World War II: Even as the Allies close in, the Nazi regime is still in control of Altaussee. This mountain village is where art treasures are to be stored until they can be displayed in the „Führermuseum“. Soldiers stand guard as miners carry valuable paintings and sculptures, all of them looted, into a salt mine. Among these miners is Josef Rottenbacher, who is silently hoping for an end to the war. He’s always tried to stay out of things - unlike his best friend, Franz Mitterjäger, and Franz’s wife, Elsa, who sneak supplies to partisans and deserters hiding in the mountains. In spite of all precautions, Franz attracts the attention of the Gestapo. Josef warns him, but Franz is shot and killed while attempting to escape. The Nazis refuse to allow him a funeral. Finally, Josef takes a stand when he and Elsa get the corpse and more and more villagers join in, thus ensuring Franz a proper burial. Shortly before the German surrender, Gauleiter Eigruber orders the detonation of the salt mine: better to destroy the works of art than to have them fall into the hands of the enemy. But the miners resist - led by Josef und supported by Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the local head of the Gestapo. Bravely, the miners and the partisans confront the detonation crew to prevent the destruction of their mine and the art it contains. (Filmfest München)