Schulmeister, l'espion de l'Empereur

Seasons & episodes

S1 · 6 epS2 · 7 ep

Schulmeister, l’espion de l’empereur (Schulmeister, the Emperor’s Spy, 1971–1974) follows the adventures of Charles Louis Schulmeister, a cunning Alsatian merchant recruited by Fouché to serve Napoleon I. A master of disguise and intrigue, he foils royalist and British plots across Europe: Holland, England, Switzerland, Austria... Season 1 features a series of standalone missions in which he manipulates enemies and allies to protect the Empire. In season 2, at the height and then decline of Napoleon's reign, he tackles more political affairs: the Austrian surrender at Ulm, intrigues in Vienna, international espionage, and even the Hundred Days. Surrounded by loyal followers such as Hammel and Suzel, he faces formidable adversaries, always turning situations to his advantage. Part historical epic, part suspense thriller, part comedy, the series combines meticulous reconstruction, lively dialogue, and a fast pace.

1. 1Episode 123 Dec 1971 · 52m · ★ 8.0Savary, aide-de-camp to the First Consul, prepares for his boss's visit to Strasbourg. The police arrest Joliet, a courier for the émigrés, who confesses the purpose of his mission: to make contact in the city with a certain “schoolmaster.” The problem is that there are 150 Schulmeisters (schoolmasters) in Strasbourg. One of them is a suspect because he is a former smuggler. The courier Joliet recognizes him in order to save the real one, but he proclaims himself a Bonapartist and offers to find the real culprits himself. Savary agrees and organizes a fake escape. With Hammel, one of his friends, Schulmeister infiltrates the heart of the conspiracy and recognizes the man giving the orders: his own cousin, Neubacher, the real “schoolmaster.”
2. 2Episode 21 Jan 1972 · 52m · ★ 8.0Schulmeister's first official mission: to find a valuable agent in England whose life is believed to be in danger and bring her back to France: the Countess of Fréville. Schulmeister's wife, Suzel, is less than enthusiastic and finds that her husband, who had always been a quiet man, is embarking on a very strange undertaking. In fact, the adventure gets off to a bad start. Instead of kidnapping the real countess, Schulmeister is duped and brings back to Paris a certain Arabella, known as “Petit Matelot,” a French woman who has gone over to the service of the émigrés. The real countess is taken to the Tower of London and sentenced to death. Unmasked, Arabella flees, and Fouché, who is fighting against Savary's parallel police force, scores a point. Arabella has infiltrated the empress's laundresses at La Malmaison and is sending messages to her leaders. How can they be intercepted? It is Schulmeister's wife who one day has the idea of taking a closer look at Arabella's embroidery...
3. 3Episode 33 Jan 1972 · 55m · ★ 7.0Schulmeister, accompanied by General Savary, meets his friend Hammel to carry out a mission with the French armies occupying Austria. An uprising is feared, supported by a secret society known as the “Tugenbund.” Schulmeister infiltrates the conspirators and attends one of their meetings, while Hammel impersonates him among the Austrians. The noble families of Westphalia also wish to drive out the French. The Tugenbund plans an attack on the imperial commissioner, but Schulmeister manages to thwart it while gaining the trust of the society’s members. Betrayed, he is arrested by Westphalian officers, who reveal a plan to unite with the Tugenbund to overthrow King Jérôme, Napoleon’s brother. The plot fails, and the situation in Westphalia calms down.
4. 4Episode 410 Jan 1972 · 55m · ★ 7.0Schulmeister and his friend Hammel travel to Holland to rebuild the support network for King Louis, Napoleon’s brother, who is threatened by the English counter‑espionage services. He meets General Monnet and King Louis himself, but the latter refuses to commit the Dutch army to bloody battles. Using the king’s signature, he drafts a forged message ordering the troops to repel the English landing. After the victory, he receives King Louis’s pardon.
5. 5Episode 517 Jan 1972 · 55m · ★ 8.0Led by the Count of Beaumont and supported by England, an uprising against Emperor Napoleon is being prepared in Normandy. Weapons are hidden throughout the province, buried beneath clusters of white lilies. Schulmeister and his friend Hammel are tasked with uncovering them and thwarting the plot.
6. 6Episode 624 Jan 1972 · 55m · ★ 8.0Paris awakens in a climate of unease: a lightning‑fast rumor announces Napoleon’s death. Seizing the chaos, General Malet launches a daring coup, armed with forged decrees and an icy composure. As the authorities waver, Schulmeister catches the scent of deception and plunges into a tense pursuit, where every clue could tip the Empire into ruin. In this night of confusion, he must unmask the conspirators before the fraud becomes irreversible.