Movie Description:
ACT I Village of Burglen, in the Uri Canton: The people are jubilant, thepeasants preparing garlands while a fisherman sings a song. Only William Tell stands to one side, meditating plans of revolt against the oppressor,while his wife Edwige and his son Jemmy are busy with their rustic labours. Enter Melchthal, who has to celebrate the marriage of three couples ofshepherds. He urges the folk to resume their singing and exhorts his son Arnoldto consider thejoys of marriage. Arnold meditates upon his father`swords. He is torn between his love for Matilda, the Austrian princess whom he saved from an avalanche, and that of hiscountry. William notices Arnold`s troubled mind and indicates him to struggle against the oppressor. The nuptial celebrations have begunagain, with singing and dancing. Melchthal blesses the bridal pair. Meanwhile, in the distance can be heard the sound of hunting horns. Gessler andhis followers are pursuing someone. Thefestivity is abruptly interrupted by thearrival Leutold, who displays a blood- stainedaxe and asks for protection fromthe peasents. He has killed a soldier who had raped his daughter and now he isbeing chased bythe Austrians. The fisherman refuses to ferry him acrossthe river, so William carries him safelyto the other side, thusrescuing him from the revenge of the soldiers captained by Rudolf, who threaten toburn the village to the ground and slaughter its inhabitants. Melchthal istaken hostage.
