Franz Jägerstäter (1907 – 1943) was an Austrian farmer and concientious objector during World War II. When German troops moved into Austria in 1938 he was the only person in his village of Sankt Radegund near Salzburg, to vote against the Anschluss. Local authorities suppressed his dissent and announced unanimous approval. After several exemption (being a farmer & religious objector) and delays Jägerstätter was finally called to active duty in 1943. His refusal led to his arrest and subsequent death sentence.
This play examines the way in which an ordinary peasant was clear-sighted and brave enough to go against both his peers and his superiors in resisting Nazi oppression. He had no idea that the stand he took would ever be known outside his immediate circle. In fact his story was not well known until 1964 when US sociologist Gordon Zahn published his biography and a film by Axel Corti starring Kurt Weinzierl was produced in 1971. Jägerstätter was beatified in 2007.
