Der Hauptmann von Köpenick is based on a true story that took place in Germany in 1906.

A poor cobbler named Wilhelm Voigt purchased the second-hand uniform of a Prussian infantry captain.

Wearing this, he travelled to the borough of Köpenick and ordered a troop of guardsmen to place themselves under his command.

He then declared the town hall to be under military law, ordering the arrest of the mayor and treasurer and confiscating all the funds in the exchequer.

Voigt's orders were obeyed without question and he temporarily got away with the caper, although he was eventually caught.