The Standard (1977)
A haunting WWI drama pitting one officer's sense of duty against the survival instincts of a crumbling empire's last soldiers.
The Standard - Movie Information
The Standard - Plot
During the final days of the First World War, Officer Menis does his duty in defending the battle flag of the defeated Austro-Hungarian empire, while his fellow troops, a motley gang recruited from several different countries not loyal to the royal family, simply try to survive by any means possible.
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The Standard - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ottokar Runze
Main Cast
- Simon Ward
- Siegfried Rauch
- Gerd Böckmann
- Robert Hoffmann
- Jon Finch
- Peter Cushing
- Lil Dagover
- Wolfgang Preiss
- Maria Perschy
- Rudolf Prack
Writers
- Herbert Asmodi
The Standard - FAQs
What is The Standard (1977) about?
The Standard follows young Officer Menis, who clings to duty and honor by defending the Austro-Hungarian battle flag during WWI's chaotic final days. Around him, a ragtag multinational unit — men with no allegiance to the crumbling empire — simply want to stay alive, creating a powerful tension between idealism and raw survival.
What does the battle flag symbolize in the film?
The battle flag — the “standard” of the title — represents the dying ideals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For Menis it embodies duty, honor, and a world order already collapsing around him. For his men, it's an abstraction not worth dying for, making it the film's central moral and emotional battleground.
Where can you watch The Standard (1977)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for The Standard on JustWatch, which tracks availability across rental, purchase, and subscription platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country.
Who are the main actors in The Standard?
The cast is a fascinating mix of British and European talent. Simon Ward leads as the idealistic Officer Menis, with horror legend Peter Cushing as Baron Hackenberg, Jon Finch as Charbinsky, Siegfried Rauch as Botenlauben, and veteran German actress Lil Dagover as the Archduchess, among others.
Is The Standard based on a novel or true events?
The Standard is based on Alexander Lernet-Holenia's 1934 Austrian novel Die Standarte, a celebrated work of interwar literature. The novel draws on the atmosphere of the Habsburg Empire's collapse, though it is a work of fiction rather than a direct account of real events.
Who directed The Standard and what is notable about it?
German director Ottokar Runze helmed the film, bringing a thoughtful, literary sensibility to the material. The production was a multinational co-production between Spain, Germany, and Austria, which mirrors the film's own story of a multi-ethnic army struggling to hold together under impossible circumstances.
What are some similar films to The Standard?
If The Standard appeals to you, explore other WWI-era dramas like The Trench (1999), In Love and War (1996), and Sarajevo (2014). For broader wartime survival stories, Blood & Gold (2023) and The Great War (2019) offer compelling viewing in a similar vein.
What language is The Standard filmed in?
The Standard was filmed in German, reflecting its Austro-Hungarian setting and its origins as a German-language literary adaptation. It was a co-production between Spain, Germany, and Austria, and was released in Germany in November 1977.
More About The Standard
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