Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was the author of Werther, the romantic novel that was transformed into a play during Goethe's lifetime and which initiated the whole German romantic movement. The book's story tells of young love and suicide. In this East German film, based on a book by Thomas Mann, Lotte (Lilli Palmer) was the woman who served as the model for the heroine in the novel Werther. She comes to Goethe's hometown for a visit, and her experiences there eerily re-create episodes from the book. Goethe comes across as a pompous old bore, and his friends as pandering sycophants, in this very proper communist party-sponsored, anti-heroic movie.
Lotte
Goethe
Kellner Mager
August Goethe
Adele Schopenhauer
Ottilie von Pogwisch
Charlotte, Lottes Tochter
Professor Meyer
Dr. Riemer
Landkammerrat Ridel
Diener Karl
Klärchen
Amalie Ridel
Frau Riemer
Frau Meyer
Frau Kirms
Frau Coudray
Stephan Schütze
Hofkammerrat Krims
Oberbaurat Coudray
Bergrat Werner
Bauer
Rühring
Ferdinand Heinke
Frau Elmenreich
Diener
Junge Lotte
Junger Goethe
Kestner