Des Teufels General (play)

Des Teufels General (English: The Devil's General) is a play written in 1946 by German author Carl Zuckmayer. It is one of the most successful and controversial German-language plays of the post-World War II era.

The play portrays the fictional Luftwaffe General Harras during the Nazi era. Harras is a flamboyant and highly decorated World War I flying ace who initially embraces the opportunities offered by the Nazi regime but remains politically naive and indifferent. He prioritizes his love of flying and hedonistic lifestyle above political allegiance.

As the play progresses, Harras gradually becomes disillusioned with the Nazi ideology and witnesses the corruption and brutality of the regime firsthand. He discovers sabotage within the Luftwaffe and is implicated in the plot, facing the consequences of his earlier indifference and complicity.

The central theme explores the moral compromises made by individuals within a totalitarian regime, the allure of power and prestige, and the struggle to maintain personal integrity in the face of overwhelming pressure. Harras’ character is complex; he is portrayed as both a charming rogue and a tragic figure who ultimately recognizes his moral failings and attempts to atone for them.

Des Teufels General generated considerable controversy upon its release in Germany. Some critics viewed it as an apologetic portrayal of the German military, while others praised it for its nuanced depiction of individual responsibility and the complexities of navigating a morally compromised environment. The play continues to be performed and studied as a significant work of German postwar literature, offering insights into the psychology of individuals living under authoritarian rule. The title itself is a colloquial expression alluding to someone who, despite working for evil, ultimately finds redemption or acts against it.