All language subtitles for The Damned (La Caduta degli dei) - Luchino Visconti 1969

- Janek!
- Here I am, Baron.

Come on.

Rub hard.

- Everybody here?
- No, Baron. Not everybody.

Who's missing?

Mr. Bruckmann
and Hauptsturmfuehrer Aschenbach...

who still have to arrive from Oberhausen.

And the old man? Baron Joachim.

Come on, talk.

Baron Joachim is in his apartment.

He's getting dressed for dinner,
and so are the others.

- And my son?
- Can't you hear him?

Gunther.

- What do you want, Thilde?
- Come.

Come.

What do you want?

See.

Just like last year, Thilde.
No more, no less.

Yes, but last year
I was part of the audience.

Instead, this evening it will be different.

- I hope I don't forget my part.
- It will be a grand debut.

Tomorrow, your name
will be in all the newspapers.

All right. Thank you. All right.

A little compromise today and tomorrow...

and one fine day
we won't even be able to find our chairs.

Yes, dear.

I'm almost ready.

You know how Uncle Joachim
insists on punctuality...

- especially this evening.
- Please, help me.

- Darling, stay still.
- Thank you, dear.

You see, one can't always be saying "yes."
They're not reasonable people.

The more you give them to eat,
the more ravenous they become.

Darling, it's 40 years
that Uncle Joachim's been at the helm...

and always with equilibrium and firmness.

Equilibrium. You've used the right word.

A favor to the Liberals,
one to the National Socialists.

A favor to me, and one to Konstantin.

Herbert, you're not being fair.
Joachim is certainly not soft with that...

- particular gentleman.
- Because he's a snob.

If Hitler wasn't the son of a customs agent
and a servant...

Joachim would have already
thrown himself in his arms.

Yes, but you must admit
he took your advice...

and didn't give a mark
to the National Socialists.

That's only because he's so miserly.

- The children?
- You'll be hearing them soon enough.

They must be so nervous.

- Come on, Herbert. Let's go, we're late.
- Thank you.

- Come, darling.
- Yes.

"Now I can feel

"now I can feel them in my little heart

"But there are too many
and I can't repeat all of them

"If you wish to read them

"come closer

"Put your head on my breast
and listen carefully

"listen carefully"

Happy birthday.

Best wishes for your birthday.

Come here. I thank you.

I thank you, too, my little dear.

Happy birthday, sir.

Janek.

- Listen. Do you hear them?
- Yeah.

Ever since she was born, she was told,
"You are the most intelligent...

"you're the richest, the most envied,
you're the Baroness von Essenbeck."

How can I ask her
just to become Mrs. Bruckmann?

The wife of an ordinary executive
of the steelworks which bear her name.

An ordinary executive
is not exactly the right term.

You have Uncle Joachim's confidence.

And Herbert and Konstantin
would never make a decision without you.

- Doesn't that mean anything to you?
- Something.

But it's not enough for Sophie.

I've made a career for myself,
but I'll always be one of her employees.

If we decided to get married tomorrow...

old Joachim would lose
that confidence and liking for me.

He likes to believe
that she's the inconsolable widow...

of the adored son, the hero.

Idiot!

He'd probably sack me on the spot,
you know, Wolfe.

No, Frederick, you're wrong.

Today, not even his 10,000 slaves
working in his mines and factories...

not even his money, his castles,
have enough power to put you out...

because we have the power...

and we want you to remain where you are.

If anything,
we want you to climb even higher.

Over whom should I climb? Herbert?

Though the fact that Herbert's
got to climb down is no news to anyone.

His hostility towards
the National Socialists is too apparent.

- But Konstantin...
- Konstantin?

Does he have that much effect on you?

Well, he's a member of the SA.

He has connections with Roehm.

Our large industries
will need men like you.

And our chancellor
has a weakness for big industrialists.

In any case,
it wasn't Konstantin I had in mind.

"Can you feel?
Can you feel how much I love you?

"Then I don't have to write it down
for you"

Do you think they would agree
to an encore?

I think even more than one,
so don't risk asking for it.

Then I will give up the idea.

That was beautiful.

Wonderful, my dear.
You were perfect, Thilde.

Come, sit down. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Bravo.

Very good.

You are the first to hold yourself back.

You seem to be ambitious,
but you're only a social climber.

Sophie wouldn't be happy.

You worry too much
about Herbert and Konstantin.

And you forget, there's somebody much
more important than they are: Joachim.

You must realize that today, in Germany,
anything can happen...

even the improbable,
and it's just the beginning.

"Personal morals are dead.

"We are an elite society
where everything is permissible."

These are Hitler's words.

My dear Frederick,
even you should give them some thought.

Tonight, for example.

Wonderful, my dear. Perfectly good.

I've so enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

I know it doesn't matter to you,
but your son is really talented.

- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

I'm sorry. Telephone.

A little silence, please. Silence, please.

In Berlin, the Reichstag is burning.

Stop! Did you hear, stop it!

The fire started half an hour ago.
A conspiracy, no doubt.

But I think
they've already arrested the guilty one.

A Dutchman.
A member of the Communist Party.

Communist, of course!

A grave Communist crime
against the new government.

Bullshit!

They could've chosen another day
to burn the Reichstag.

Right, Grandfather?
They ruined your birthday.

It was my headquarters in Berlin.

They still have not been able
to put out the fire.

The Berliners are on the terraces
enjoying the spectacle.

Perhaps I shouldn't be here.

The SA have been confined
to their barracks.

Keep calm, Konstantin.
The coup d'état has failed.

Whatever your battleground is,
it's not Berlin...

or at least it never has been until now.

In any case, the fact that we've uncovered
the leaders of this conspiracy proves...

What conspiracy?
It's clear it's only a pretext.

That's far-fetched, Herbert.

Herbert's theories are always far-fetched.

It's a deliberate provocation.

It can only be somebody
who's against the government.

If there is anyone who doesn't need
a parliament to govern us...

it's your chancellor.

Herbert, please.

All Germany knows
there's a list of proscribed people.

Now's the moment to get rid of
all opposition without trial and publicity...

with all Europe looking on!

The internal order of Germany
cannot interest Europe.

What internal order?

The kind that allows his friends
to enter homes and kill?

Herbert, please.

Didn't your Goering
promise the enemies of the Third Reich...

- enough rope to hang themselves?
- You're losing your head, Herbert.

Goering refers to the Communists.
Perhaps you're a Communist, too.

Today it's the Communists.
And tomorrow?

Don't worry about tomorrow.

At this very moment,
there's someone in Berlin...

who's already doing the worrying.

- Isn't that so?
- Well said, cousin Sophie.

Our only worry should be the
celebration of Uncle Joachim's birthday.

Even if this is not a night
like all the others.

Happy Birthday

For a long time...

I have intended telling you...

what I am now about to say.

The dramatic events...

which occurred in these last few hours...

force me to overcome any hesitation...

and uncertainty...

and go ahead.

In all these years...

you know that I have had only one object:

To hold on to
the unity and prestige of our firm.

For that reason,
I always tried to adjust our work...

and our structure...

according to the circumstances.

During the Great War, during peace...

during...

crisis.

Now, in the face...

of these recent dramatic events...

I maintain...

that it is more than ever necessary...

to protect the Essenbeck Steelworks...

from eventual political pressures...

or from...

even greater risks.

You must admit
that I never yielded to this regime.

And everybody knows I never had...

and never will have a rapport
with that... gentleman.

Nevertheless, in the interests
of the factory...

our production activity...

compels us to keep in daily contact...

with these people.

This is why I feel an indispensable need...

to have at my side a man...

in favor of the regime...

- who can guarantee us...
- All right.

My resignation
has been ready for some time, Joachim...

if this is what you're asking.

I am forced to do it, Herbert...

against my will
and without strong conviction.

- But the steelworks...
- Yes.

Right or wrong,
they must always come first.

That has always been your creed.

You sent your son to the slaughter,
so you could say:

"The Essenbecks put children and cannons
into the world with the same sentiment."

And with the same sentiment
they'll be buried.

Forgive me.

I congratulate you, Konstantin.

You'll be the vice president
that we deserve.

Come, Herbert. Please.

I hope I don't follow in the footsteps...

of my predecessor.

Agreed, Frederick?

"Children, tonight I'll go
and make a choice

"A man, a real man

"Children, I'm sick and tired of young men

"A man, a real man"

If it suited him, Aschenbach
would stab me in the back. I know that.

But not this time. He's on my side.

On our side, Sophie.

Herbert was right.

They did set the Reichstag on fire.
Coming here in the car tonight...

Aschenbach was perfectly clear in his own
mind that it was going to be successful.

We talked about you and about me,
about Joachim, about the steelworks.

And underneath all that...

he was saying:

"Tonight, you will be
given a special opportunity.

"It's up to you to decide
whether to take it or not.

"Whether to be with us or against us."

You understand what that means, Sophie?

I can't believe they'd put Joachim's name
on the proscription list.

He's much too important
to the steelworks.

For Herbert, perhaps, it's probably over.

Strange things
will happen tonight, probably.

And the only losers will be the onlookers.

I feel as if I've been given
a special mission.

And if I accept it, if I take that chance...

they'll give me all their help.

And there won't any more be a Herbert...

or a Konstantin, or a Joachim.

I will be in command.

I will make decisions. You and I, Sophie.

What have you decided?

It would be the first decision I'd taken...

without consulting you.

You did well, Frederick...

even if I will never know
how to push you enough.

Go, and go to the limit.

None of them are worth
even half of what you are.

You did well to wait,
or to say yes, to thank them.

But now you must make it pay!

All the times
that Herbert tried to push you aside...

that Joachim looked down on you...

and Konstantin, with his protective air,
always trying to help you...

to offer you a hand. He's the worst of all.

Don't be afraid, Frederick.

I'm not afraid.

All we have to do now
is to convince your son...

- that I can do the job.
- I'll take care of Martin.

I know Martin's desires.

He has no sense of values.

The steelworks or a Rolls,
it's all the same to him.

We will throw him the bait. Leave it to me.

- I've won!
- Yes, you've won.

- Where's Erika?
- Erika, come!

- I've won, you can come out now.
- Erika! Where are you?

- Here I am.
- There you are, you naughty little thing.

Come here. Now it's your turn. Come.

Put your hands over your eyes. Like that.

Now count up to 100, out loud.

One, two, three...

four, five, six...

seven, eight, nine...

ten, eleven, twelve...

thirteen, fourteen...

Erika. Come!

Drink! Let's not talk any more. Drink!

- I will not leave my school.
- You'll leave that dirty hole!

You'll come with me to the factory.

I'll drag you if necessary.

But I swear, in 10 years,
you will be in a position of command.

In a position to even throw me out.

At the cost of breaking
that damn cello over your head.

You're getting to be like your mother.
The same delicate stomach!

Never wanted to put her foot
inside the factory.

The heat of the ovens made her giddy.

- Listen, Papa, I have decided...
- I'll decide for you.

I know. You can't bear me.

But even I don't ask that you love me.

On the contrary.

I don't intend to leave that seat...

to that eager Frederick, neither to Martin.

I'll tie you to it...

when your time comes,
and God help me if I don't.

Those bastards have poisoned your mind.

But we'll tear
that school of yours to pieces...

including all their bloody damned books!

Gunther!

- Erika.
- Do you want her to find us quickly?

Come in.

Come in.

All right.

As I foresaw.

Before daybreak, Herbert will be arrested.

Poor Herbert! And to think
that we're so close to the border.

Will there be a trial?
Is there a specific charge?

I don't believe
such formalities are necessary.

We just have to be careful
of their substance...

and the substance is this:

Before the flames of the Reichstag
are put out...

the men of old Germany
will be reduced to ashes.

Nevertheless, a semblance of legality...

can also be useful sometimes.

But now you must excuse me.
I'm tired and would like to retire.

If you need me.

But to leave like this, like thieves.

We are not the only ones, Elizabeth.

Every day there are a lot of people who
have to leave for other parts of Europe.

We are among the more fortunate.
At least we know where we're going.

- We have friends.
- But when?

The time it takes to get ready
and hand over the office at the factory.

It's all over, Gunther.

It was our fault. Everyone's, even mine.

It does no good to raise your voice
when it's too late...

not even to save your soul.

All we have done
is give Germany a sick democracy.

The fear of a proletarian revolution...

which would have thrown the country
to the Left was too great...

and now we can't defend it any longer.
Nazism, Gunther, is our creation.

It was born in our factories,
nourished with our money.

I know what you're thinking:
that I shouldn't run away...

- and perhaps you're hating me for it.
- No, Uncle Herbert.

- We'll keep in contact, won't we?
- Yes.

It's so late. What are you doing?

- Where's Thilde? Do you know, Erika?
- I don't know.

Thilde!

Herbert, they're here.

They've come to take you.
You haven't a moment to lose.

- Elizabeth.
- No!

Herbert, you haven't got
a moment to lose. Hurry!

- Herbert.
- Hurry!

- You're mad to take that. Give it to me.
- No!

I'll get rid of it for you. Now hurry.

Herbert! Darling, quickly.

- Take care of the children.
- Go, my love.

Herbert, don't. This way.

Open!

You, too, recognize this weapon?

Yes.

The weapon apparently
belongs to Mr. Herbert Thallman.

Should we continue
with our investigation?

Let's leave it to the legal authorities.

Mr. Thallman has taken a file
of compromising documents...

concerning the most recent research
in the steelworks.

It could be very useful outside the Reich.

He cannot make any concrete use of it.

"To the prosecuting attorney.

"February 18, 1933.

"Subject:

"The incrimination
of Herbert Thallman, fugitive...

"for the first-degree murder...

"of Baron Joachim von Essenbeck."

I know what you are feeling,
my dear Martin.

But you can't, from one day to another...

assume such a big responsibility...

without feeling, let's say...

afraid.

But neither I nor Frederick
will leave you alone.

We say, however...

that you have all the time
to continue your studies...

and to take in hand
the problems of the firm.

They aren't small problems, believe me.

Meanwhile, Frederick and I
will keep the business going...

as we have always done in the past.

I had really hoped
that you wouldn't have to assume...

the presidency of the steelworks...

under such tragic circumstances.

But unfortunately...

I still wanted to say that...

Grandfather was right.

In these times, our plant...

Yes, after all...

either it is in agreement
with the government...

or else our business, our advantages...

I don't pretend to be a businessman,
not even a politician.

However, this I know, too...

it's a matter of fact of special production.

There are technical problems.

Good.

Very good.

You've even made a crowning speech.

Now, however, don't exaggerate.

Let's try to give this meeting...

a rather more familiar tone?

- Joachim's intentions...
- I beg you, Konstantin!

Martin has not finished.
He's still saying something.

Let's listen.

Uncle Konstantin,
I will respect all of Grandfather's will.

He has nominated you vice president,
and it's fair that it should be so.

But I think that in a moment like this...

I think, yes, in a moment like this,
the presidency...

above all, needs a technician.

What kind of a joke is this?

It's not a joke.
Enormous interests are at stake.

And Martin thinks...

As far as I know, it's the first time...

Martin ever used his head to think.

I inherit the major stock,
and it's up to me to decide.

It is up to me to decide!

I nominate Frederick Bruckmann...

president of the administration...

and general director
of the Essenbeck Steelworks...

and all its associated member groups.

Frederick Bruckmann.

I pulled you up like this
from the nothing that you were.

Herbert's pistol...

Aschenbach's testimony,
the arrival of the SS.

Too much fantasy, Konstantin.

You come with me.

Today, you, too, learned something.

Things you are not taught
in a school like yours.

Come.

Don't have any illusions.

This war has just begun.

Gunther, come!

To the first model, with the hope
that we will quickly hear its music.

Will this entertainment last much longer?

Your place is here, Martin.
You can't leave now.

All right, sir.

Mr. Bruckmann.

I don't understand...

I knew your father
at the French Front in 1916.

A true Essenbeck, and a heroic officer.

I know.

The General Staff is quite firm
on this point. Either Roehm goes or we go.

It's naked extortion.

The SA is a knife at the throat
of the high finance and the Reichswehr.

Consequently, it'll be necessary
to stop the flow...

of the heavy artillery
into the barracks of the SA.

Is that your personal opinion?

It is the opinion of the general staff.

And also of the Chancellor,
if you don't mind my saying so.

The army is the army,
and the SA is the SA.

We are not concerned with internal order.

And we will not divide
our traditional duties with others.

Traditional duties?

I'd like to know
where the Prussian generals were...

when we cleaned up Germany
from top to bottom?

- This country will never be clean enough...
- I beg your pardon.

Gentlemen.

No one doubts the merits
of the attack formations, dear cousin.

We ourselves would not be here
without the work of the SA.

But heavy arms are not needed
for public order.

All you have to do is look around.

Germany is the most orderly country
in the whole world.

It's a pleasure
for the American and English tourists.

What more do you want?

And so, gentlemen, we're all agreed.

Not one single machine gun
leaves this place...

unless it is requested by the general staff.

We are close to the elections, Frederick...

and we must win them at all costs
if we want them to be the last.

But you know that takes a lot of money.

Essenbeck is late.

Joachim's stubborn hostility has created
this disagreeable state of affairs.

All the other industrialists
have paid their quota...

Excuse me. It is difficult to set aside
such a large sum of money...

without juggling the balance sheets.

This is a corporation...

and as you well know,
Konstantin can be a problem.

If Konstantin wants
to become a problem...

well then, I say that a problem
always can be resolved.

Don't you think so?

"The state cannot but crush
the innocent little flower...

- "if the flower obstructs its path."
- I am not the state.

I've done everything I was required to do,
and I will involve myself no further.

Come on now!

Don't take me up on every word.

They are words of Hegel, you know.

He'd turn over in his grave...

at the idea of Konstantin being
compared to his innocent little flower.

Don't you think I could go? It's late.

Yes, go, Martin.

Thank you. Goodbye.

You will answer for everything
that may happen here.

Remember that.

ESSENBECK CAST- STEEL FACTORY
H. ESSENBECK

Hermann Street, please. Drive quickly.

- She's not here now. She's gone out.
- Thank you, I know.

Thomas and Heinrich Mann,
Walter Rathenau...

Erich Maria Remarque...

Arnold and Stefan Zweig...

André Gide...

Helen Keller...

Margaret Sanger...

Jack London...

George Bernard Shaw...

Emile Zola...

Marcel Proust.

Come here.

I had to open it. I'm sorry.

I'm obliged to read the mail,
specially foreign correspondence.

Herbert Thallman is my uncle.
It's absurd that I can't receive...

Listen to me, von Essenbeck.

If your uncle had good sense,
he wouldn't write to you here.

Where would you like him to write to me?
He needs help.

- You read that yourself, didn't you?
- I don't want to know anything.

I don't want to be involved in it.

I only want you not to drag our institute
in this mess.

And then, I can't believe...

I refuse to believe what your uncle writes.

- I ask permission to leave.
- Go.

And get your hair cut, von Essenbeck.

Yes, sir.

Yes, I believe that's all of it.

Request for renewal, tax deposit, stamps.

- Reason for the trip?
- Vacation.

Vacation. Going alone, Mrs. Thallman?

With my children.

Thilde, age eleven. Erika, eight.
Is that correct?

Yes.

Do you intend joining your husband?

No.

Perhaps you don't know where he is.

We are always well-informed, you know.

I can't see the difficulty.
We only wish to leave.

Has someone caused you some difficulty?

No, not exactly.

Do you know that your husband
has committed murder?

That's absurd. A disgrace.

Are you sure? Then why don't you
convince him to come back?

- He could prove his innocence.
- But I don't know where he is.

What have the children or I
got to do with it?

Is there some charge, perhaps, against us?

We only want to leave, just to get away.

- Is someone forcing you to leave?
- No, they're stopping me.

Who's stopping you, Mrs...

Thallman. Elizabeth Thallman.

Perhaps you mean to insinuate.

Answer. Don't be afraid. Answer.

- Good morning.
- Your friend is not at home.

Yes. Okay. Thank you.

She had to go out.
She said she would be back late.

All right.

Lisa.

Look what I've brought you.
Do you like this little horse?

- Yes, thank you.
- You can ride on it. Do you like it?

You can caress it. Try it, Lisa.

- It's all yours. Do you like it?
- Yes.

You must take care of him.

You know, he likes you very much.
He really does.

Lisa!

Lisa, why don't you answer me?

- You're a wicked girl, Lisa.
- No!

What do you think you're doing?
I've told you not to waste time.

You never do any work.

You stay here and play all day.
Look at the disorder in here.

Stop crying, or I'll really give you
something to cry about.

I told you to stop. Didn't you hear me?

Start cleaning up the room.

And the plates need washing.

Come on now. Get to work!

Martin.

It's you.

- I didn't expect to find you here.
- What's the time?

- It's 2:00.
- 2:00.

It's so late.
I had a lot of work to do tonight.

Help me, I implore you. Help me.

I know you're the strongest,
and you can prevent me from going.

But I don't see what's the point.

You can't still be afraid of Herbert.

Yes, before maybe, but now!

Now his papers aren't worth anything.
No one's going to listen to him.

Germany can do as she wishes.

You yourselves can do anything you like
in the whole of Europe.

Nobody's going to lift a finger
against you. So why keep us here?

Oh, yes, because one day
we might remember.

We might say to ourselves what we know
about you, about everyone.

But do you think that day
is going to come, Sophie?

No, it's not.

Herbert still deludes himself.
I don't anymore. You never believed it.

So why? Why keep us here?

Just my presence here
must be unbearable to you...

because it makes you remember
when you want to forget.

I, too, I only want to forget.

So let us go away, Sophie. Let us go.

Just one word, one word from you.

One word is enough.

Go. Leave. If this is what you want.

Don't fool yourself, however, Elizabeth.

Don't dream of coming back one day
to find a Germany...

which was so dear to your heart.
It's finished, that Germany. Forever.

There will be no other Germany
but this one.

And you will not be able to escape it
or avoid it.

For it will spread before you know it,
all over Europe, and everywhere.

Hauptsturmfuehrer Aschenbach.

Baroness von Essenbeck.

Lisa.

Come.

Come, I'll show it to you.

Why were you crying the other day?
I heard you, you know.

Did someone hit you?

Your mother?

Does she do it often,
on your little tiny ass?

Why?

Stop it, Martin.

Stop it, darling. I've got to go.

- Where are you going?
- I'm going to pose.

To pose?

No, stay with me.

I'm late.

I've got to go, darling.

Didn't you have enough?

I'm late, darling. I've got to go.

Stop it! Please!

Where the devil is that dress?

Darling, please.

Stop it.

That's enough, Martin.

If you want to be of some help,
why don't you tidy up this room a bit?

Look what a mess you've made.

And that stupid little girl is ill.

- Who?
- Lisa.

I've got to pay for her doctor as well.

What's the matter with her?
What's she got?

How should I know? Can't understand it.

She's got a high temperature.
Last night she was delirious.

I'm so late.

Martin, what's the matter with you?

Why don't you do as I told you?
This room is in such a mess.

Now, I really must go.

Darling, when you leave,
lock the door, please.

Goodbye.

Lisa.

- You won't forget us?
- I promise.

We are going to miss you so.

But you know that you're welcome with
Herbert and I, anytime you want.

- Try to come.
- Yes, I'll try. I really will.

Imagine how excited the children are.
We're all going to see Herbert.

Give him my love.

What happened? What are you doing here?

What do you want from me?

I don't know anything!

What do you want?

Look, the house is full of gifts.
Expensive things.

I don't know anything!

When I heard that it concerned
the Baron von Essenbeck...

I took the liberty of calling you.

Otherwise, I would never have dared.

As you can see, I haven't forgotten
all the things you have done for me.

There's no formal charge yet.
Only the usual evidence from the family...

and a name spoken in delirium
by the poor victim.

By the child, I mean. Nothing else.

Nevertheless, the young baron
was seen coming out of a club.

One of those clubs, you know.

On Grabenstrasse.

I'll take care of it.

Take her with you.

I don't want to go to the police!
Get out of here!

I don't want to go!

- Go away!
- Shut up!

Read this.

It's incredible.

- What does it mean?
- That's what I want to know.

When has Martin ever shown
this kind of initiative?

To call an extraordinary meeting
of the board of directors.

Of course,
he is the major shareholder, Sophie.

He can do as he pleases.

But why does he want to call a meeting
of a board of directors?

We'll know soon enough.

- Do you know where he is?
- No.

I've been looking for him.
He can't be found, Sophie.

He was last seen
in a bar in Duesseldorf three days ago.

- Now they've lost all track of him.
- He must be found.

We'll turn Germany upside down
if necessary.

- But the president...
- The president is not here!

In his absence, you will do as I tell you.

But we have received direct orders
that do not...

I assume every responsibility.

The whole shipment must be diverted
to Stuttgart...

and delivered to the area SA command.

You understand?

Hello.

- What's happening, Frederick?
- All right, don't worry.

We'll find him.
We've got half the city looking for him.

Try Aschenbach again.

- It's too early.
- It's almost 3:00. You can always try!

Hauptsturmfuehrer Aschenbach. It's urgent.

Frederick.

Bruckmann, Frederick Bruckmann.

From the castle at Gleisberg.

Yes, I'll wait.

Martin.

What are you afraid of? Answer me!

Why does Konstantin keep you in here?

What does he want?
What have you promised him? Martin!

Konstantin?

What happened, Martin?

- I'm afraid. I'm in his hands.
- No, Martin.

- I'm afraid.
- No.

- I'll help you. Tell me everything.
- No.

I must know everything in order
to help you! Tell me, Martin.

Speak, Martin.

Is he the one
who made you write that letter?

No!

Is he the one
who made you write that letter?

I'll take care of it, dear.

Your mother will protect you.

Then the moment has come
to crush the innocent little flower...

because the flower obstructs our path.

I have already pre-announced
to Frederick a similar occurrence.

But Frederick has not developed well
his sense of the Hegelian system.

When is the board of directors meeting?

Within a month, according to the bylaws.

And what will be the procedure?

Very simple. Konstantin will ask
for verification of the powers.

There will be a vote.

Martin, who has the major stock,
will withdraw his support from Frederick...

Will pass it on to Konstantin.

But how did Konstantin
get his hands on Martin?

He has many friends in the Police, SA,
even the Gestapo.

Another cord to cut.

Very soon, however,
the files regarding Martin will pass into...

more important hands.

Come.

These are the most complete archives
ever to be conceived.

This is the secret Germany.
Nothing is lacking.

You can even find your history,
and Frederick's.

Can you believe it?

You see, it's not very difficult to enter...

into the lives of people.

Every German citizen today
is potentially one of our informers.

The collective thinking of our people
is now complicity.

Don't you think that this is
the true miracle of the Third Reich?

If you wish, we can read
Konstantin's future together.

If he has one.

Konstantin will always have a future
as long as his friends are in power.

If I were you, I wouldn't be so pessimistic.

You see, Sophie, if we needed the SA
to conquer Germany...

to conquer the world, we need the Army.

But the Army wants no part of the SA.

The generals have been explicit.
"Either us or them."

Do you want the Chancellor
to be displeased with our fine generals?

Do you think Hitler is willing
to put his friend Roehm in the background?

In the background? A man like Roehm?

That wouldn't be enough,
and too much of a risk.

Certain things are not done halfway.

Konstantin is your risk as much as ours.

- For you, it would be easy.
- No, cousin Sophie, that is not so.

It's nice of you to try to save...

Frederick from such a distasteful task...

but the terms are very clear.

We also share the disadvantages
of our alliance.

Frederick will do what must be done.

But I would like you to help me never
to expose him to this sort of thing again.

What do you mean?

I would like you to help to transform
the Essenbeck Corporation...

from a family enterprise
to a company with a sole owner.

And since Frederick's name
is not Essenbeck...

- It's impossible.
- Nothing is impossible in this country.

A decree is sufficient.

And Frederick will be able to obtain
the name and the title of Essenbeck.

Don't you think you are demanding
too much?

You are also demanding.

You know the hostility that still interferes
with our marriage.

Yours is a beautiful love story.

An exemplary story.

But I don't see how it is directly connected
with the life of the Third Reich.

It's not just a love story.

To wage war, they want cannons.

They won't have enough
without the Essenbeck Steelworks.

Watch out, cousin Aschenbach.

In this negotiation, I don't have
less of an argument than you have.

What made you suddenly
become such a miser with concessions?

That's not difficult to answer.

In every question of power...

always an alternative is necessary,
even hypothetical.

- It's the first rule in the art of governing.
- Enough. I understand.

That means, it doesn't seem practical
to put everything in Frederick's hands...

even that which is Martin's.

He's your son, Sophie.

Must I always be the one
to remind you of that?

I can't believe it's possible.

- When?
- Soon, Frederick.

Much sooner than you think.

And Aschenbach?

Aschenbach is against it.
But what does that mean?

He, too, will find himself faced
with a fait accompli.

Can't you understand
that you count more than he does by now?

Aschenbach produces words.

You produce cannons.

It's the one thing that carries weight,
believe me...

above all, to the chancellery.

The decree, Frederick. Don't you think so?

Frederick von Essenbeck.

Power. All the power or nothing.

Remember?

Then we'll get married. Very soon.

You and I together, forever.

And Martin?

Martin has never been a problem.

And Konstantin,
has he never been a problem?

You have to do it.

It's your move.

Oh, God.

I am not afraid, Sophie.

Joachim...

Konstantin...

and tomorrow?

God, the complicity grows.

And I know...

I'll be trapped with Aschenbach all my life.

When you are at the peak of the pyramid...

not even Aschenbach
will have power over you.

Oh, my God.

I've accepted a ruthless logic...

and I can never get away from it.

When?

Aschenbach will tell you where and when.

WE WELCOME THE SA TO BAD WIESSEE

I've not been in Wiessee since Munich.

Those were bad days. Now it will be
all right, don't you think so?

When I think of Munich,
I think of a putsch...

a whore, and a flea-ridden cell.

Me, too. The putsch and the cell
must have been the same.

And I bet it was the same whore.

Ready!

Fire!

Nothing happened to the old one.

Today Hindenburg might be the problem...

but tomorrow they could hang
the Chancellor as well.

He's been getting on my nerves forever.

This is the boss.

He arrives by car
because he gets sick on the train.

I have no shoulder to cry on.

Roderich, you and I will end up in
the heavens.

So don't kick me out of here.

I've got no one in the whole world.

Roehm would be a fool
to be let down by Hitler.

Fool, how can you say that?

The two of them are very close,
their hearts and souls together.

- Don't you think so?
- I can only tell you that if he doesn't stop...

making difficulties for us,
only his moustache will remain.

Damn! We've brought him to the position
he now holds.

Now he wants to drive us away
and suck up to the Wehrmacht.

How long do you think
this nice vacation will last?

We will stay here until they have agreed.

And if they do not agree?

Then there will be a fight.

What else?

Come on in. You are missing the best.

They're all dead. Let's go.

Let it... Let it...

I realized immediately what she was
about to do. I understood.

I don't know why, but I understood.

I did not move. I did nothing to stop her.

I sat in Olga's room
without moving a finger.

There was a deathly silence all around.

And when night came,
I stayed there, waiting.

Calm yourself.
I didn't bring you here to blackmail you.

Konstantin has already tried.

It didn't bring him any luck.

And then to put you in real trouble,
you, the son of a hero...

the true hero, the only von Essenbeck.

Just because a little Jewess...

had the bad taste to hang herself.

Didn't you know? Jew.

According to the new order,
yours isn't even a crime. In fact, it's...

But that's not enough
to say we are friends or allies.

Allies?

If you wish.

I thought that you and Frederick...

I thought so, too, until yesterday.

Frederick thinks
he's become irreplaceable...

but he's mistaken.

Only he who acknowledges he can lose
from one day to the next...

everything he might've gained,
thanks to our support:

That, yes, is a trustworthy friend.

But he who wants to become
master of all, even of himself...

who deludes himself into thinking...

he is able to make his own decisions...

to think by himself:

That, no.

You don't have these pretensions.
Right, Martin?

But isn't it too late? The decree?

The decree. Suddenly, that piece of paper
has got a tremendous value...

as long as the receiver is in a position
to enjoy it.

They are using National Socialism
as an instrument for their own ambitions.

They still don't understand
what National Socialism really is.

But they've already cut me out!

Frederick can appoint his own successor.

As far as I know,
Frederick has no sons... yet.

Your mother, on the other hand, has one.

You, Martin.

It would be so easy.

But if you're afraid...

I'm not afraid. I have waited years for this.

I don't say afraid of Frederick,
but of your mother.

I could do anything
to destroy her security, her strength...

and her power.

Anything!

I was always kept apart.

She only wanted to humiliate me.

She never realized
that I loved her and needed her.

And I really did.

But now, all that changed to hate.

I hate her.

Very simple.

I want to see her weak...

ruined and alone.

Help me, please. I'll do what you say.
I'll do anything.

- Anything to accomplish this.
- Yes, Martin.

I will help you.

I won't give them any peace.

Gunther, pay a little attention.

Uncle Frederick has something to say.

I bet that you're now going to tell us
the date of the wedding.

- I shall try not to miss it.
- You won't miss it, Martin.

Neither will any of the others.

You mean the ones who remain?

I assumed total responsibility
not only of the steelworks...

but of this entire family.

And therefore, I intend to stop this habit...

of taking liberties.

Excuse me, Frederick.

You don't mean to include me
amongst your subjects.

I'm simply a guest.

No, dear cousin. I wouldn't dare.

But if you're a little patient, you can...

Excuse me.

Gunther! I haven't finished yet.

They're not problems which concern me.

They concern you
because you live in this house!

I didn't ask to stay!

And I won't stay very much longer.

I order you! Get back into your place!

At least this can be a moment for truth.

Neither one of you condescended to come
to the opening of the new steelworks.

For one reason or another...

you decided to miss
a most important family obligation.

Your absence was conspicuous to me.

And I insist that this kind of behavior
never happens again!

What is the meaning of all this control?

The impromptu visits, the secrecy,
the spying.

The investigations carried out
by the secret service...

against some of
my most trusted colleagues.

What is all this?

For some time,
the works have seemed to be besieged...

and I know very well that none of this
could have taken place...

without your full knowledge.

So what is it?

I assure you...

that no one will leave this room...

until all that has to be said is said.

Can I sit down?

I was sitting here that night.

I don't have much to say.

Elizabeth and the children took the train
to Salzburg on the morning of June 18.

They never arrived.

You know where they were taken?
Not even you?

They took them where you decided.
To Dachau.

To the internment camp.

I know you didn't mean any harm
to any of them...

but you just wanted
to compel me to return.

In the interest of justice, of course...

and the steelworks.

And to get rid of anyone
who one day might say:

"Yes, it's true, it was Herbert's gun
that killed Joachim von Essenbeck...

"but the hand was another's."

What do you want?

Nothing.

You have succeeded with your plan.

I have returned to give myself up
to the Gestapo.

In exchange, they will release the children.

They won't talk. They can't harm you.

And Elizabeth won't talk.

She's dead.

It's not true.

It is, Gunther.

Someone has to know and remember.

And tell the others,
because they also must know...

and remember.

Uncle Herbert! Wait for me.

Gunther, where are you going?

Gunther! Stop.

Where are you going? Idiot!
You haven't heard the best yet.

- Idiot.
- Martin!

Come with me. Come.

Look at him.

It's he who killed your father.
He! With his own hands.

Don't you believe it?
Why don't you ask him?

Tell him! How many shots did you fire?
One, two, three?

You can tell him now. Who could prove it?

Why did you do it?

Because Frederick said that we have
to say everything that needed to be said.

I cooperated. Isn't that what you wanted?

The sole owner.

I'll make you pay for that, you little swine.

But don't you understand
that something's changing in this house?

I'm not afraid of you anymore, Frederick.

And even if it seems paradoxical to you...

if anyone should be afraid among us,
it's you...

from now on. And you, too, Mother.

What do you want of Frederick?

- Everything.
- You're crazy, Martin.

I want everything, Mother.

And I'll take everything.
Everything that belongs to me.

I won't let you!

- Mother!
- Ask my pardon.

Kneel and ask my pardon.

Mother!

Kneel, and ask my pardon, on your knees!

No, Martin, no. On your knees.

On your knees!

Tomorrow Martin will repent, you'll see.
He'll ask my pardon.

He will repent.

Come.

Gunther.

I will kill them. If you want, I will kill them.

You see, Gunther, you, tonight...

have acquired something
truly extraordinary.

The brutality of your father,
Frederick's ambition...

even the ruthlessness of Martin.

But all that is nothing
compared to what you already possess.

Hate, Gunther! You possess hate!

It's a young hate. Pure. Absolute.

But be careful. This potential
of energy and fury is too important...

to use it in a paltry private vendetta.

It would be a luxury. A useless waste.

To destroy Frederick,
the venomous bite of an asp is enough.

You will come with me.

We will teach you to administer
your immense wealth.

To invest it in a better way.

You understand, don't you?

Come.

Gunther...

come.

Martin, what are you doing here?

Go away, Mother. Go away, please.

It's he who sends you.

Why do you hate him so?

And me? Do you also hate your mother?

Go away, Mother. Please, go away.

You don't know the risk you are running...

by putting yourself
into Aschenbach's hands.

How can you have faith in him?

Should I have faith in you?

Listen, Martin.

You listen, Mother.
It's not Aschenbach who makes me afraid.

It's not Frederick.

It's you, Mother.

You, who's always been my nightmare.

You, with your oppression, with your will
to subjugate me at all costs...

in every way.

With your idiotic wigs and lipsticks.

You've never loved me. Never.

You have always preferred him.

You gave him everything,
everything that belongs to me.

My factory, my money, my house,
brick by brick.

Even my name! And your love.

You're the worst.

So it's you I hate!

You can't imagine the evil I wish you!

I will destroy you, Mother.

Martin!

Martin! No!

Sophie, we must do something.

We can't stay inside. Isolated.

Prisoners in our own house.

Hunted just as Aschenbach
wanted us to be.

Sophie.

I will not be destroyed in this way!

I've learned to kill.

The game isn't over yet.

And I'll go to the very end.

But you must want it, too.

You must help me.

I will not let Martin strip...

I won't let Martin strip me
of all the things I have gained.

We can still break him.

I only need you.

Sophie, I only need you.

I need you.

I need you!

Don't abandon me now!

I beg of you.

Don't abandon me now.

Not you, too.

Mommy and Martin

Martin kills Mommy

Come.

I brought some of my friends with me.

Otherwise, what kind of celebration
would it be?

You seem depressed.

And it's your wedding day,
Frederick von Essenbeck.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

It's just a piece of paper, Frederick.

You were wrong to place
so much importance to it.

These days, decrees are very unreliable.

Aschenbach said
that you haven't understood...

anything of National Socialism.

And yet it's not a very difficult thing.
Even I have understood it.

Now hurry up, Frederick.
Mother is waiting.

Come on. Light the candles.

Come on.

Do you claim to be of the Aryan race?

- Yes.
- Yes.

Do any hereditary diseases
exist in your family?

- No.
- No.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.