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.
Generaloberst v. Moltke
Oberstleutnant Tappen
Oberstleutnant Hentsch

Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Reichskanzler v. Bethmann-Hollweg

Generaloberst v. Kluck

Generalmajor v. Kuhl
Generaloberst v. Bülow

Generalleutnant v. Lauenstein

Generaloberst v. Hausen
Divisionsgeneral Joffre

Brigadegeneral Berthelot

Oberst Alexandre

Major Gamelin

Divisionsgeneral Lanrezac

Divisionsgeneral Galliéni

Kriegsminister Messimy
Kriegsminister Millerand
Feldmarschall French

Generalleutnant Murray
Generalmajor Wilson
Self - Host