Michael and Margaretha arrive in their new home and meet Wilhelm Reublin, one of the Anabaptists banished by Zwingli. He makes a case for Michael to join his church. Before he can attend a service to decide what Wilhelm has to say, he is arrested by Zwingli because of his association with Wilhelm. Michael signs a paper stating that he is not a follower of Wilhelm’s, and is released, even as many of the other Anabaptists are imprisoned. Margaretha is cautious about Wilhelm as she seems to have more questions for him than he has answers. The Protestants and the Catholics have a fierce battle over their conflicting beliefs, and many of the Protestants, the Radical followers included, are killed. Wilhelm does not fight, but hides in the woods and makes his way to Michael and Margaretha’s. As they learn to weave cloth, ideas come to Michael for his own church. Using some of Wilhelm’s ideas and a lot of his own, he becomes the natural leader of the Radical movement as they travel through the area and grow in numbers. The Radicals are forced to meet in barns and caves because Hoffman has spies everywhere that report back to him on their movements. Michael and the others travel to Schleitheim where he chairs a meeting and they write “The Schleitheim Confession” which are the articles of their faith, and their doctrine. The Radicals celebrate the official birth of their new church, but their celebration is short-lived as they are arrested by Hoffman, except for Wilhelm who has managed to escape again. Michael, Margaretha and the others are imprisoned and put on trial for treason and heresy. Margaretha is offered her freedom by Countess von Zollern if she will renounce her beliefs, but she refuses. Michael is taken to a torture chamber and warned by Hoffman to stop his nonsense and return to a proper chuch. He warns him that is he doesn’t renounce his beliefs that he will have him killed.  Michael refuses. Thanks to Producer Robert A. Nowotny for this photo. He is seen here as the Tortured Man. Michael is found guilty and tortured with hot tongs, has his tongue ripped out, and is burned alive. Margaretha is drowned a few days later. Much more detail and many more images from the film can be found within the 20th Anniversary Tribute book, or on The Radicals Movie website. Back to Page 1 of The Radicals Official Fansite     © www.norbert-weisser.com, 2011                                           This is the Official Fansite for Mr. Norbert Weisser                                  Site Design By:  JT eDesigns