In 1964, Switzerland presented and looked at itself in a great national Exposition in Lausanne. One of the main attractions was this critical self-portrait in five short movements that deals as much with the nation’s beloved clichés as with its problems.

War mobilization in 1939: the clumsy Läppli, a loudmouth and busybody, is imprisoned for anti-military speeches. When he is later promoted to officer's orderly, he continues his mischievous behavior. He acts without suspicion, comes across as slightly dim-witted, a silly simpleton, talks nonsense and, in his harmless naivety, repeatedly creates situations that make us laugh at the malice of chance or stubborn militarism. His environment, the officers' staff area, is portrayed with irony, but without malicious scorn.