A conniving, ambitious Jewish businessman, Suess Oppenheimer, snares a post as treasurer to the Duke of Wurttemburg by showering the corrupt duke with treasure and promises of even greater riches. As the Jew's schemes grow more elaborate and his actions more brazen, the dukedom nearly erupts into civil war. Persuaded by the Jew, the Duke all but scuttles the constitution and alienates the assembly by lifting the local ban on Jews in Stuttgart. In a final outrage, the Jew rapes a wholesome German girl and tortures her father and fiancée. When the Duke succumbs to a sudden heart attack, the assembly of Elders try the Jew and sentence him to death for having "carnal knowledge of a Christian woman."


    The film as based on a historical novel, "Jud Süss "written in 1925 by best selling author Lion Feuchtwanger, a Munich born playwright, novelist and also a Jew. Feuchtwanger's Jud Süss was an international bestseller and was translated into over twenty languages.

Summary of the storyline and plot of the film Jud Süss

    Duke Karl Alexander of Württemberg takes an oath to the constitution as he begins his reign, promising to do everything "according to old Württemberg loyalty and honesty." But shortly after becoming duke, he wants to hold his own with neighboring sovereigns, and demands a personal guard, an opera, and a ballet.

    The provincial council, headed by Counselor Sturm, turns down the duke's demands. But he knows what to do. He sends Herr von Remchingen, a practiced courtier, to Frankfurt to find the Jew Süss Oppenheimer, who sees his chance. Like a thief, he sneaks across the Württemberg border and shows the duke how to make money. "Does not the emperor in Vienna have his financial advisers, whom he allows to collect taxes, customs duties, and bridge tolls?"

    The citizens of Württemberg complain, but the small rebellions that break here and there against the steadily growing taxes and crude methods of the Jew's officials are brutally suppressed. The smith Hans Bogner is hanged because, driven to desperation by the Jew and his lackeys, he answers force with force. The duke is satisfied with his Jew. Süss transforms Württemberg into a land "flowing with milk and honey."

    He finds new ways to finance the duke's expensive tastes, and Süss himself gets rich too. Karl Alexander rewards the Jew for his matchmaking services with new privileges and with a letter giving him immunity from the law. The ban on Jews is lifted. Hundreds of Jews move to Württemberg and Süss makes sure that they can all get rich.

    Röder, the duke's war comrade, attempts in vain to make himself the spokesman for the ruined farmers and citizens. Karl Alexander brusquely rejects him. The old Rabbi Loew, who knows how to read the stars, vainly warns Süss Oppenheimer: "The Lord punishes Jews who forget who they are!"

    Süss continues on his way, even attempting to marry Dorothea, the daughter of Counselor Sturm, who is engaged to Faber. Sturm stops him, and Faber and Dorothea are married. Under the pretext that Sturm is leading a conspiracy against the duke, Süss has him arrested.

    When the council resists the duke's arbitrary use of power, he dissolves it, thus breaking the oath he took upon becoming duke. Following the advice of the Jew, he determines on a coup to make himself the absolute monarch.

    This forces Süss's opponents to act. Until then they had hesitated, but now they must rouse the people. They send Faber out with secret orders. He is arrested at the city gate. The password has been changed that night. Faber is accused of treason. Since he will not reveal is accomplices, he is tortured.

    Afraid, Dorothea goes to the Jew. Süss releases Faber. But at what price? A few hours after his release, Faber carries the body of his young wife from the Neckar River.

    Now rebellion breaks out! Röder is the leader. The duke, who would gladly be out of the situation that Jew Süss has got him into, uses the presence of the emperor's emissary in Ludwigsburg to leave Stuttgart, giving Süss a free hand to carry out the coup.

    He dies of a heart attack during the festivities at Ludwigsburg, which renders void his grant of immunity that gave the Jew immunity for all his crimes. Süss is arrested as he tries to escape.

    He is tried and condemned to death. The smith's relatives build the highest gallows ever constructed for the Jew. And all Jews have to leave the province within a month.