In a scheme to keep legitimate heir Kaspar Hauser (André Eisermann) from ascending the throne, the conniving Comtesse Hochberg (Katharina Thalbach) has the boy kidnapped and imprisoned. Deprived of all social contact for 12 years, he emerges from his captivity a primitive "wild man." Director Peter Sehr also penned the screenplay for this critically acclaimed drama, which won German "Oscars" for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture.