A young shoemaker is arrested for stealing a small amount of money, and is jailed for fifteen years. Upon his release, he wants to get a permit to get a job and start anew, but finds that without a job he can't get a permit, and without a permit he can't get a job. Ensnared in the absurd net of Prussian bureaucracy, he can't see any way out. That is, until he enters a thrift shop and spots a Prussian officer's uniform that fits him like a second skin...

Credits

Helmut KäutnerDirector

Heinz RühmannWilhelm Voigt

Martin HeldDr. Obermüller

Hannelore SchrothMathilde Obermüller

Willy A. KleinauFriedrich Hoprecht