Full Synopsis

The newly widowed Bailiff rehearses a Christmas carol with his young children on a summer evening. Since the death of his wife, his eldest daughter, Charlotte, has been looking after the family. Two of his drinking friends stop by and discuss the young poet Werther, who is to escort Charlotte to a ball that evening. They also ask about Charlotte’s absent fiancé, Albert. After they have gone into the house, Werther appears and reflects on the beauty of nature. Charlotte returns, dressed for the ball, and Werther watches as she gives the children a treat and then leaves them with Sophie, her 15-year-old sister. Touched by the idyllic scene, Werther departs with Charlotte. The Bailiff sets off to join his friends at the inn and Sophie remains alone as night falls. She is surprised by the arrival of Albert, who has returned after a long absence. They talk of his impending marriage to Charlotte and go into the house. 

Charlotte and Werther dance at the ball. In the moonlight, they return to the Bailiff’s house. Werther praises Charlotte’s beauty and devotion to her family; she recalls her mother. Werther passionately declares his love for her and they are about to kiss when the Bailiff calls out from the house that Albert is back. Charlotte admits that he is the man she promised her dying mother to marry. Werther is devastated.

It is late September and the 50th anniversary of the Pastor’s marriage is being celebrated in the village. Charlotte and Albert have been married for three months. Werther has maintained a friendship with them but is tormented by the idea that Charlotte belongs to another man. Albert tells him that he understands why Werther is so depressed: he knows all too well what it would mean to lose her. Werther assures him that he only feels friendship for them both. Sophie enters and happily invites Werther for a dance but he evades her. When Charlotte appears he cannot prevent himself from speaking of his love and recalls their first meeting. Charlotte reminds him of her duties as a wife. For both of their sakes, she says, he must leave town and not return until Christmas. Alone, Werther gives in to his despair, musing on the idea of suicide. Sophie returns to invite him to the festivities but he brusquely replies that he is departing forever and rushes off, leaving her in tears. When Sophie passes on the news, Albert realizes that Werther is still in love with Charlotte.  

Christmas Eve. Charlotte obsessively re-reads Werther’s letters, admitting to herself that she still loves him as much as he loves her. Sophie arrives and tries to cheer her up, but Charlotte gives in to her despair. Suddenly Werther appears, utterly desolate. Werther tells her that he’s still in love with her and that she must admit that she loves him. He becomes increasingly wild and she becomes fearful, torn between giving in to him and escaping from him. She panics and runs from the room, telling him they will never meet again. Left without hope, Werther declares she has delivered a sentence of death and leaves. Albert returns, knowing that Werther has come back. He questions Charlotte as a servant hands him a note from Werther: he is going on a long journey and asks to borrow Albert’s pistols. Albert orders his wife to hand them over. As soon as Albert leaves the room, Charlotte rushes off to save Werther. 

Charlotte runs through the snow to Werther’s room. Werther contemplates suicide, writes a letter and abandons it. He uses one of Albert’s pistols to shoot himself. 

Charlotte finds Werther mortally wounded in his study. He asks her not to call for help, happy to finally be united with her. She admits she has loved him since they first met. Werther dies in her arms as the children’s Christmas carol is heard outside.