Film tells the story of how Switzerland came into being - albeit in a slightly different way to the historical circumstances we have known up to now: William Tell proves himself a national hero against his will in the midst of the comic chaos of court intrigues, mishaps and misguided love of country. Habsburg occupiers and Swabian tourists stand in the way of the Confederates' fight for independence, but a parodic all-round attack ensures that all patriots learn their history lesson - and in the process are relegated to their respective national borders.