Silent movie adaptation of Lessing's play. Set in Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, it describes how the wise Jewish merchant Nathan, the enlightened sultan Saladin and the (initially anonymous) Templar bridge their gaps between Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

The cooper's daughter, Zsuzsi, is being wooed by Peter. Her father doesn't want to hear a word of it, as Peter drinks heavily. Before God, Peter vows never to drink again, and thus wins the hand of Zsuzsi. Peter becomes a hard-working man, earning the envy of the whole village. A conspiracy ensues-- the men get him drunk, and soon, Peter's life spirals out of control.