Original subtitles

S. S. ADRIA, Destination New York, USA, 14 August 1938

[British accent] My watch should be too fast, captain.

I am the first officer, and your watch is accurate.

Shouldn't we then already cast off?

We are waiting for an important passenger. Order from the company.

But he must be here any moment.

My name is Mc Iver.

You now believe that I can't wait calmly? As also some other people here.

They behave as if they have devil behind their neck.

A hideous feeling,

and not easy to get rid of, if one sensed it once.

You on the continent should be used to it already.

There is nothing really new in what happens to you these days.

This time, it seems to be something new, Mr. Mc Iver.

Even you might soon start to feel it on your island.

Excuse me please.

Ah, here comes somebody.

These three suitcases in Mr. Czentovic's cabin, and this in mine.

Mr. Czentovic? I am the first officer, Nadis.

Couldn't you find a better ship?

There were no others, Mirko. And we must keep our schedule.

One almost could take it for a refugee ship.

One almost would be right. Mainly Austrians and Czechs,

but you will also easily find some of your compatriots.

I believe, I hardly have the time to worry about them.

Czentovic. Czento,... Czento...

Do you play chess, Mr. Mc Iver?

But, of course!

Your noteworthy co-passenger is the world champion, of all people.

Ah, yes, you know, as someone who spent quite a time behind the chessboard,

I am very grateful, that you waited for him.

Well then. Only Mr. Czentovic is not the one we are waiting for.

How? How you got me out?

Don't think about it anymore, Werner. That's over, that is cleared now.

Ah, this is never over.

Nobody is chasing you anymore, Werner. Try to understand finally.

You are no more in the occupied Austria, you are in a free country.

Do you believe, this matters anything for THEM?

You did so much for me, eminence, I see it, otherwise we won't be here.

And I thank you.

We will never reach the ship, never.

We will be there soon.

Soon, soon, soon. What this "soon"? We are already 34 minutes late.

A ship also has rules. A schedule.

Tell the captain, I insist, that we cast off immediately.

Of course, Mirko, but I don't believe that we...

Yes.

Of course, I don't want to suggest, that I am a match for him,

but after all, I have won some tournaments.

And you, do you also play chess?

Certainly. From Budapest to Prague. ln coffeehouses.

But I am afraid, that I am a hopeless amateur.

But surely you, as a man of church, [clearing the throat] ... of faith...

... Well, I mean, I think you had enough time to play,

and surely play extraordinary well.

Well, now and then. But when I had time,

my thoughts were mostly occupied with other things.

We cast off shortly, Mr. Czentovic, and the captain regrets the delay.

But in such unsettling times, one cannot follow the rules so exactly.

Strange attitude.

On top of that, I just figured out, that we do not sail directly to New York.

We will go tomorrow to Venice, for a short stop.

Another couple of passengers will come on board.

You mean, even more rabble.

You seem not to take your schedule so exactly, as I my tournament dates.

I hope, I can still keep them. Set up the pieces, Baranov.

Please excuse the disturbance, sir. My name is Mc Iver.

I had hoped to see you in Scotland last year,

but, well, something had cropped up.

The chess club of Glasgow, you wanted to give an exhibition match there.

Oh, I would be glad to play with you. Of course, when you are both ready.

O-oh, excuse me, but this is only a practice game.

Only for Mr. Czentovic alone. His training.

But a real game can be much more useful.

You know, something like a contest,

A few of us against you, with the right, to consult between the moves.

[Laughter] this should be of some interest to you?

I don't think so. Please excuse me now.

You will understand, but Mr. Czentovic must be alone now,

he cannot be disturbed.

Ok, then after your... Psst.

Then, after your training hour.

You probably don't know this, but Mr. Czentovic is a professional player and...

naturally, doesn't play against amateurs. Of course.

Well, listen. I am, after all, no beginner.

To the contrary, in Glasgow...

You must understand, Mr., We play only for money.

Undoubtedly a rule.

Yes. As his manager I must insist on certain rules.

Noon, well, how high is the price?

You are Scotsman, right? Then it would be 50 pounds in your currency. Per game.

50 pounds for a single game? Yep.

Can I make a suggestion, Mr. Mc Iver?

You play against me, for free; and win, on top of that.

Excuse me. You will understand,

but under the current circumstances... we must unfortunately insist on cash.

The check is from the bank of England, this is as good as cash.

Well, today maybe yet... - Next year also!

The uncertainty forces us into it, regrettably.

My dear friend, behind this check, stands the British government, personally.

I can assure you, there is not the slightest uncertainty there.

My respect. You are one of the sages of this world.

If you can say with certainty what awaits you, or all of us.

[Basil] You see? What did I tell you?

[People] well, there... You were just lucky...

My truck... Please, my deepest apologies...

Do you believe me now? They don't care about you anymore, Werner.

They are after other people. After other confrontations.

Please, give the master a sign after each move. Like this.

Presumably also a rule. The great man cannot even sit with us.

Not even during the game.

... well, finally.

Well, but however, what did I tell? How much did I betray?

Yes, but I must know this. How much did I betray?

You are now safe, at last. Come.

Can I tell you, how honored we are, that you are with us.

I believe that sir von Basil would like to go into his room immediately.

Yes, sir. And the sir's luggage?

I seem not to have any, or?

You have yourself. One can replace all the rest.

The cabin steward is at you disposal. You have only to say what you need.

Please tell your captain, that we are very, very grateful to him.

And we to you, bishop Ambros.

Why...?

Why do you do all this for me?

Why? Because we respect you very much, sir von Basil.

On our ship you are as highly regarded, as in your country.

Maybe you would like to get some rest.

Your trip must have been exhausting.

Dinner is at 20 o'clock, sir von Basil.

The captain would be glad, to see you at his table.

At his table?

With other people?

Only a few, sir von Basil.

I don't believe, that I can do this... Please...

... thank the captain, and excuse me now.

Whatever you decide, is alright with us.

If you want somethig, please, just ring.

If I want something? You have only to ring.

Only to ring?

Only to ring...

Tell me, how often should we give him these signals?

Perhaps he would like that we shatter the glass with every move.

To make his performance more striking.

Patience, gentlemen. Just patience. He will ready for you right away.

Mirko...

The question is, if WE are ready for him, Mr. Mc Iver.

The pawn to F5, this is the recommended move in this position.

Our last move was a also "recommended".

Friends, do not be afraid, we are just going to

set a wonderful trap for him.

You have built an excellent trap, Mr. Mc Iver.

And he hunted us exactly into it.

[Czentovic] Baranov. Yes, what?

Order one glass of hot milk into my cabin. Of course, Mirko.

Maybe some biscuit. Yes, please.

I will leave soon.

Biscuit, hot milk...

That is the option, that I see. Correct me if I am wrong.

Well, until now, we didn't succeed with this.

Gentlemen, we do not want to quarrel over this.

Thus, you propose, to convert our pawn into a queen?

[Mc Iver] of course.

[Thin man] if I ever smelled a wrong move...

What do you think, rabbi?

Me?

I believe in survival.

[Rabbi] and if our new queen will keep us afloat...

Keep afloat?... this gives us the whole new start.

Well, beautiful. Thus, you agree...

No, you cannot do this! Please?

If you make a queen from this pawn, he takes it with the bishop.

Though you can then take it back with the knight.

but he moves the pawn forward to D7 and threatens your rook.

If you then make him a check, you lose a figure and,...

... and then in 9 to 10 moves the whole game.

This is practically the same constellation, that Aljechin played

in the international tournament in Bad Pistyan, 1922, against Bogoljub...

O, forgive me. Excuse me please.

No, please stay.

We welcome your help. What would you propose?

Whatever you do, do not convert the pawn.

You must move the king from the danger zone G8 to H7.

[Mc Iver] hold, hold.

Why are you so sure, that that is the correct move?

Well, this is quite obvious.

The opponent will then transfer his attack on the other flank,

you parry this with the rook, and after one more move, you can force a draw.

A draw? Tie.

Yes, you cannot achieve more.

And compared with what awaited us, this would be an unparalleled victory.

Now the rook from C8 to C4.

Heartily welcome.

Here, sit down on my place. Make some room, please.

Gentlemen, please, please. The master thinks.

Can I spare you the way?

Take as much time as you want,

but whatever you do, the game is a draw.

[Mc Iver] D-r-raw.

Out. Over. Finita.

[Czentovic] Draw.

You made it. You made it.

And against the world champion.

Didn't you know it? You played against THE Czentovic.

My gentlemen, if you are interested to play again tomorrow...

[Mc Iver] of course, we certainly are.

But then, you must play against him alone.

After 3 o'clock, I am at your disposal.

But my gentlemen, this is absolutely impossible. I infinitely regret,

but I do not have any right, to mix me in here.

He will be here. We will take care of it.

I would like to know, why we did not meet until now,

and where else did you play?

Nowhere. I have never played at all.

This knight, that I just pulled against you,

is the first piece, that I ever touched in my whole life.

[Karl] Sir von Basil. Welcome to the hotel Metropol. Welcome.

Thank you, Karl. That you didn't also say "Heil"

I heard enough of it already. Fed up for the rest of my life.

Yes, they marched in fast. This morning Austria, this night...?

still Austria. Whatever happened, we are still here.

The ball is not called off, and Strauss is still being played.

A ballroom in Vienna is not the whole nation. But I must tell you,

more than a few people thought, that it should be called off.

they said, it's imprudent, a demonstration, a provocation.

And you? What did you say? It is your hotel, after all.

What did I think? I thought what would Werner von Basil think of me,

if I give in to them so easily.

Karl. Yes, this is so.

And more than a few people dance over there only because they asked the same question.

Nonsense. They are here, because they wanted to be here.

But you helped them to want it.

This is crucial.

Thanks. Thank you, Karl.

Hello. Hello.

I found out by chance, that he completed today his legal transactions,

as if nothing is at stake. Apart from the interests of his clients, of course.

I wonder, if it is not better and more sensible,

to participate, to look the facts in the face.

Just smiling at you is in my opinion a high treason.

Thus, you are ready, to give up all, to lose everything,

only to prove your unshakable righteousness?

I look at it only from their side. Of course they can see it only as a provocation.

...a deliberate insult.

O-oh, they will react strongly, you can be sure.

I also feared this. We have seriously considered

to invite the Gestapo. Do you think we made a mistake?

I think you are joking as usual, Werner.

Who would DARE to do this? Delighted to see you, your Grace.

We wouldn't miss this ball for anything in the world.

Right, Kurt? Kurt?

Prima ballerina Andreny.

Who is the lucky man THIS season?

As far as I can see, she still wears the necklace from the secretary of commerce.

If this proves anything.

You are not in the least updated on the latest developments, countess.

The minister was discharged two month ago. By HER.

Shortly after the change in the economic circumstances of the MINISTER.

Who may be this NEW one over there? Do you know him, sir von Basil?

Never saw him.

But the only thing important to me, is that she CAME.

My dear sir von Basil.

Out of all your lovely greetings this is one of the nicest.

We are very excited, that you want to spend this evening with us.

Then, we should thank my friend - he invited me.

I don't think that you know each other. Hans Berger.

Though we were not yet introduced,

but sir von Basil's reputation is very well known to me.

Here I am at a disadvantage with respect to you, Sir.

Mr. Berger will be deployed in Austria on behalf of Gestapo,

for the great German empire. He was appointed today.

P-ff. It's not easy for me to say, who of you two works faster.

Weren't it better said, that it all happens in the spirit of new order?

You are a specialist in... in what, h-m-Mr... Berger?

ln culture. Hm-m.

I had hoped, to meet some of your other friends, Irene.

Ah, you should be indulgent with them, Mr. Berger.

But the Viennese waltz always produces an irresistible effect on us.

It may be less exciting than your music,

but the tastes happen to be sometimes different.

This may sound shocking to you Mr. von Basil, but...

... we know and admire each bar of your adorable Johann Strauss. Uhum...

As if he were one of ours, but he belongs to Vienna. So it should remain.

Brilliant. Then, you have certainly nothing against,

if the ballerina dances her first Viennese waltz with a VIENNISE partner.

And this may sound shocking to YOU, Mr. Berger...

Please, don't say this.

... but just incidentally, this waltz is NOT from Strauss.

Why did you insult him? Usually this is not your style.

And why did YOU insult AUSTRIA?

You confuse your Austria with that of other people.

Not everybody necessarily think like you, not even those present here.

If I look around, I can tell you, who will survive, and who not.

By learning how to bend?

Who doesn't bend, breaks. I learned it, at least in dancing.

For whom is a broken man of any use? Neither for Austria nor for anyone else.

I know these vocables. I can almost hear them from his mouth.

And you recite them very well.

I can be even clearer. He surely knows more about you,

than about those two. This knowledge is also more important to him.

It is not about what you signify for many in this country,

but rather what you did for one certain group.

The moneys, the art treasures, which are now safe beyond the borders.

Your friend does not really produce an impression of an art connoisseur to me.

Despite his cultural position.

The money interest him more, but he appreciates both,

and I believe he wants them back.

I would be very glad to know, why are you telling me all this?

I cannot really call us friends,

though we often met. We were friendly to each other,

let's leave it this way. I have to go back.

You can do something else for me.

Tell him that I know nothing,...

... and that you did not get from me a bit of new information.

Ah, forgive me. Did I offend you?

Not only now. You also invited me for a dance, only to provoke him.

I ask for forgiveness.

It was really not my intent, to disturb such an advantageous relationship.

It would also not allow you to do so. Good evening, sir von Basil.

[disappointed] good evening.

You go so early, sir von Basil. Well, it was an exhausting day, Franz.

Many thanks, sir von Basil.

[reproachfully] good night, my boy

sir von Basil.

Let's drive home. There are still a few, who do not change, right?

[Hitler from radio]... and Germany wants nothing more, than equal rights in life...

... and equal freedom... Hey, Josef. Cannot you put on something more friendly?

Excuse me please.

[Hitler] ...for this spirit... I caught the station accidentally.

[Hitler] ...the freedom will ... certainly... ["heil"]

Josef.

There is nothing else in there. What should I put on?

Stop it finally! As you wish.

Do you need something?

No, excuse me.

I want nothing. Or at least I should be wanting nothing now.

But Josef, this is not our way home!

No, sir von Basil. I just wanted to come to this.

Bishop Ambros.

[Josef] His eminence asked me an hour ago to drive you here.

Yes, but here in Prater? Who would expect that you are HERE?

This is exactly with what I reckoned. No, no, I get into you car.

I don't know, if I am well suited for such things, but I want to try it.

And since when your eminence undertakes these mysterious excursions?

Since I know that you are in serious danger.

New gentlemen are informed about everything that you did for me,

for the cloister, and for the whole Austrian diocese.

This topic was already brought up once this night.

Yes yes, quite right, Josef, drive home,

and we'll see, if his eminence preferres port or sherry today.

Listen, Werner. You are endangered.

They will never forgive, that you brought church treasures out of the country,

and will apply all means, to get from you where they are now.

Well, they should try it.

They are already at it. Bishop Fr�hlich was questionned for 10 hours in a row.

Now, Father L�cke is there. Sooner or later it will be you.

Werner, please, do me a favor. Leave Austria.

Now, in this situation...

I know what you want to say. Now, more than ever, Austria needs you.

But it needs you intact. And not as a shattered human being.

Allow me, sir von Basil, but this car follows us since some time already.

That's mine. I forgot that I said my driver that he should follow us.

Let's have a look, probably I might have something even better.

A good old Napoleon-Cognac. Ahem?

No. I have to go back to my cloister.

But first, I want to know your answer. Also the church needs you unhurt, Werner.

Ah, there are still a lot of things to do...

[Basil] ...documents to destroy, while they incriminate the diocese.

How long will you need for this? One week, ten days...

Too long, Werner. Far too long.

Please, eminence.

This is something, that I must decide myself. And do not see wraith everywhere.

We keep in contact.

Well then. I will wait.

This would be totally superfluous, to ask you "to make yourself comfortable", right?

Your butler brought it [cigar] for you, when he let me in.

He was extraordinarily friendly. Apparently he has done such things quite often before.

I should have a chat with him sometime. One cannot be TOO well-bred.

Will you drink "to us" with me?

I have no time and you also don't. Your arrest warrant is already issued.

I know it, I was there as he signed it.

Your friend, Mr. Berger?

You have 3 or 4 hours at best.

Maybe only a few minutes, and therefore I must go now,

... so comfortably as it is with you. Oh, wait one moment.

...in case's you have any papers or reports,

That can be dangerous to you, destroy them all as fast as possible.

Is this true, what you are saying here?

No, it is a trick. Of course it should be. I do it only to benefit from it.

[Basil] well, please... I went under some pretext.

I have to go back now. To him?

Yes.

Well, I was just thinking about it. But he will never forgive you this.

You put your own interests at stake, right?

But, come on, these are interests, not worthy of representing them,

am I not right, sir von Basil?

Yes... anyway I am very grateful to you for what you did.

Maybe some day I will also have the chance to find out,

... why you did it.

You will hardly believe it.

Berger offered me a contract for the opera which I never had before.

Congratulations.

And this evening I met new interesting people.

All in all it was a very successful day.

And I came here now only to pay off a part of my obligations.

A small courtesy for Austria.

You must hurry. You also.

I thank you.

Please don't. I'll find the way out alone.

Department 5 [Gestapo sub-unit]

Cannot you please ask them to handle the furniture a bit more considerately?

No reason to bother. With requisitions,

... the federal government takes full responsibility for all damages.

Karl, have you heared something? Yes, the Metropol has a new management.

Now, we are already TWO HOURS here.

If they already do not want to speak with us,

then, they shall at least let us sleep.

Well, maybe that's what they'll do. I had to vacate the whole East wing.

I even had to abandon my own office for them.

Well, I'd rather not see you under these circumstances...

[Basil quietly] ...no greetings here.

Nothing will happen. To anyone of us, my gentlemen.

sir von Basil, your Excellency... and ... Mr. Taube, right?

my gentlemen, I really don't know what I should say. Other than maybe,

that when one has to move in, in such an unusually short time,

unfortunately it doesn't go without small mishaps.

Marek, there was not the SLIGHTEST reason,

to let these gentlemen to come here tonight.

Believe me, I regret this extraordinary.

Do you want to say that we can go? Now?

But of course. It suffices completely, if we meet tomorrow morning.

And my gentlemen, in case you won't have any driving opportunity,

don't worry. I will arrange that you are picked up.

Ah, one moment please, sir von Basil.

[Basil] Yes?

I didn't mean that YOU should also leave us already.

I didn't assume this either.

I thought namely, that we could have a little chat, in my office.

It won't last long. I can vividly imagine how tired you are.

I am afraid I am as well [tired], a bit.

Vienna, sir von Basil, what a city.

Have you really made an effort to go for a sightseeing?

Yes, just now. Under the excellent guidance of your prima ballerina.

She is one devoted fellow compatriot, isn't she?

Yes. From Stephan's cathedral, through Viennese forest, till in her apartment.

She is a real Austrian, Mr. Berger.

She does everything, to make a tourist feel like at home.

... please.

Maybe it's interesting for you,

that we talked this evening about you, Irene and I.

Oh, how flattering for me.

We, I am glad to admit it, both of us, would be pleased, when

you can accompany us through Vienna, maybe also on some small excursions,

united in the spirit of good cooperation...

As symbol of fraternization...

Let me speak frankly, sir von Basil... Didn't you do so until now?

We are both no average people, and, as I hope, reasonable.

You can win a lot, as well as your country,

if you recognize the situation, accept it...

... and approve of it, in all publicity.

I expect that you realize in time the conterproductiveness of your behavior.

Start finally to look at the situation realistically.

I mean this in regard to the church treasures.

Which you would like to bring to Germany? That's what you mean, don't you?

Also Austria is now Germany, sir von Basil.

Yes, here you are right, temporarily.

I admit openly, that the force, or the kind of it, that

some of my compatriots believe we must use, is extremely unpleasant.

Please, don't use this agains me.

There is no such danger.

And especially in your case, it upsets me, that I have to alter my attitude.

I greatly appreciate this.

One achieves only little with force, not with intellectuals.

One should overcome them by totally different methods.

With which methods?

Through the intellect. One must starve them out spiritually, sir von Basil.

One must withhold from them the last gramm of mental food.

Does this really succeed?

It had never failed. At least, not with me.

Can I now speak totally frankly with YOU, Mr. Berger?

But, of course...

As I got to know you this evening, I thought that you,...

... a bit more refined, of course,...

... do not, essentially, differ from your people.

I understand...

And since then... Yes?

... I actually had no reason, to amend my opinion.

Perhaps, you are even more evil, because you are intelligent.

If you imagine, that I voluntarily will harness myself...

... into any of your disgusting machinations...

... then I can only deplore you.

You mean voluntarily?

Sir von Basil will stay with us, after all. I would say, in his case,...

... approximately three weeks, no way longer.

You probably know the East wing of this house very well, sir von Basil.

Your neighbors should be not unknown to you.

The suite of the former chancellor Schuschnigg lies directly beside yours

and Baron Rothschilds...

... that of the baron is even nearer, you should like it.

I only see, how much you like it. Now, I am really tired.

Forgive me. This gentleman will accompany you.

[Berger] Ah, and sir von Basil, one more thing:

If you have any complaints, or..., or suggestions,...

...or if you shall have the wish to speak with me, about anything, ...

... you need only to ring.

Though I don't know the price for this charming suite,...

... I assume, it will be within reasonable bounds.

Don't you think so?

No?

Ah-a.

Yes...

Maybe you want to see, what else I still have with me.

Here, for example, an Austrian passport.

Already seen one?

Hmm, my suitcase. I always said: If one doesn't have...

... first-class housing, one should at least be glad about the friendly service.

Ah, very orderly.

did you pack all this yourself?

Ah, such a shy person...

Oh, please, can I help you?

O, a newspaper article, it's of no value, anyway.

At least the pencil you can leave me?!

your forgot my shoes!

A-a, Moonface?

What tasty surprise have you chosen for breakfast today?

Two boiled eggs, maybe, a? Do you really want to spoil me?

Or a fragrant poppy strudel, as a side dish for the morning newspaper?

[trivializing] oh, rolls, that's so nice of you.

You made my f-a-avorite breakfast, do you know that?

Dry rolls, with jam.

[upset] This is really... well, but it isn't Sunday today, either.

Or is it? Hey, you, of course it's Sunday.

Moonface, today is...

... today is the fourth Sunday, since I am here.

You... you are not deaf, can you hear me?

You know very well, that today is the fourth Sunday.

Listen, ask him again, how many more Sundays he wants?

You speak with him, or with any of them, do you?

Ask him again. Ask those below, OK? Ask them!

And Moonface...

... Moonface, then... then say them...

... I make four more Sundays, or ... or twenty, or as many, as they want!

their method doesn't work,

Not with me.

[yells] tell them this, Moonface! Moonface, tell them this!

This was wonderful.

Marvelous. Wonderful. Fantastic.

And do you know why?

Because you didn't for a moment, for a single moment, follow this dirty...

... ballet for geese, this abominable thing, that thinks of itself as if...

... and which really is ...

... a genuine cultural contribution, expressed imaginatively, an experience of special quality.

[faked surprise] oh, Mr. Berger, how are you?

Irene!

I didn't expect you so early, and not in this mood.

Excuse me, that was... it was a real bustle this morning.

I thought we could eat at some cosy place.

Well, we could drive to the suburbs, maybe to Kurwenzel?

This won't do today unfortunately. The weather is not good enough.

And besides the weather?

I am really angry, if you indeed want to know.

My department head from Berlin can arrive any moment.

I must stay in contact with the office, in case he needs me immediately.

Anytime, so to say, between the soup and the dessert, report for duty, as swift as possible.

But, he cannot blame you about lack of success.

This man expects miracles. If just one case lasts somewhat longer,

one single case, he acts, as if one had only failures until now.

One moment, it won't last long.

Hans,...

... maybe this sir von Basil will never give in.

He must.

The method is good. He has no chance to win.

Not the slightest.

This is only question of time.

Time...

Thus, because of the unfavorable weather conditions the aprico...

... apricot harvest in 1922 was far below that of the previous year...

Thus, because of the unfavorable weather condition(s)?

the apricot harvest in 1922 fell far below that of the previous year... years...

far below the previous one(s)...

Ah, Moonface, my faithful Moonface, come in, welcome,

don't be afraid,

A-a, today is shaving day.

You know, I think we can easily skip it today.

I decided not to go out today. It rains over there.

Have you heard? I do not want any shave!

Moonface, you hear me, don't you? You are not deaf?

Moonface, you are a human being, aren't you?

You can hear,

speak,...

... and read.

Moonface, do you know, what this means... to read?

See printed words on the paper...

Moonface!

Answer!

Will you answer? Will you answer?

You shall open your mouth, or I kill you!

... even if I kill you. Do you understand? I will kill you...

... kill you...

...will kill you.

yes, but, but.... Moonface...

Please, forgive me.

Please, forgive me, Moonface.

I didn't want it. Please forgive me.

Come...

Forgive me...

Forgive me, Moonface.

One more thing... [loud] Moonface, please!

[quietly] go down and say them...

... say them, that I am ready,...

..., to speak with Berger.

[Hartmann] You failed, Berger. Is this clear to you?

How long he holds you already with your game plan, a? Six weeks? Seven?

I can only say, Mr. Hartmann,...

... that with some it takes longer than with the others.

People are different.

They must be handled differently.

Yes?

Excuse my disturbance, but Ms. Andreny says,

that she cannot wait longer. - Tell him that we'll meet in the evening.

Ms. Andreny says, she will see you in the evening.

Excuse me.

You are absolutely right. Every case must be treated individually.

The question is only,... One moment, please.

Irene!

[Secretary] I told her to wait for you.

I am really sorry, but now I am ready soon.

And then we dine together, this time without interruptions.

[demanding] Berger!

I will be at your disposal immediatly.

Please... Wait for me.

If you hurry up.

Then see you soon.

Mr. Berger is a very successful man.

What I wanted to say, BEFORE the interruption,...

... with my method there are no detours, direct way is the best.

If we need confessions, we simply squeeze them out.

Cannot you comprehend, that I am...

Oh, that's you?

What do you say?

Now?

Bring him here.

Excuse me, what did you just say?

Apparently nothing, what could interest you.

You are right, Mr. Hartmann.

No, no. I am interested in it, only...

... I do not fully share you opinion.

ln future please be so kind, and first report to ME,

And then I will report to Mr. Berger,

I, not YOU.

These are the rules. And the rules do not change, certainly, definitely not here.

And the sooner this will become clear to you, the better for you.

You cannot go in unannounced.

That's OK.

The lady is welcome. And close the door, please.

You saw him.

I kept him as a surprise for Mr. Hartmann.

The man, that upset you so much, is ready.

He gives in.

Can I introdu... Sorry.

Yes? - [male voice]

Understand. Yes, sir.

You should wait for a moment.

It works to wear down... to wait...

Irene, can I introduce you Mr. Hartmann from Berlin.

A pessimist par excellence.

Irene Andreny. My pleasure.

Hans Berger told me how helpful you were,

introducing him to your friends' circle.

Don't you want to sit down, Ms. Andreny?

May I say you, how grateful I am for this service,

that you provided to your friends. Not to mention us.

... very amusing ...

Helmut...

You should have heared,...

... how a moment ago I rightly jolted some of these fellas.

There are some people here, who bloody remind me

the parvenus of French revolution.

Do you understand what I mean? - ye, well.

Parvenus.

Blockheads, full idiots,...

Jumping jacks, tin soldiers...

Who were they in civilian life?

I tell you: conductors, shoeshiners, street sweepers,

bailiffs, bureaucrats,...

... and full idiots!

I immediately recognize such guys, Helmut.

I was myself inspektor at the gasworks.

This is an alive proof, that the method and the procedure,

if pursued consistently, are correct.

If one leaves the opponent not the slightest advantage...

Enough already, Berger. Enough of this.

...then the system must win, unavoidably.

[Hartmann] yes. - [Berger] Irene.

Please, excuse me.

Not now, please. I wanted to talk to you about this evening.

Maybe Mr. Hartmann would like to join us?

This would be a great pleasure for me, Ms. Andreny.

A small celebration? You can now bring him in.

Werner... Ms. Andreny...

You wanted to tell us something, weren't you, Mr. von Basil?

Please, excuse me.

Should I sit down, or do you prefer if I stand?

As you want.

Then, I will stand.

The issue itself is rather trivial.

What interests us most, are certain services,

that you provided to the church.

[Basil] the church? Yes. What else wanted you to talk about?

- Over apricots. - Come again?

Apricot harvest. In this disastrous year 1922.

Don't you remember? I thought, nobody could forget this.

The question now is, how can one ANALYZE the EXPERIENCES from the year 1922?

This is absurd!

Ah, Mr. Berger, not for a FARMER.

He holds you for a fool.

If you can follow this at all. And you hold me [for a fool].

Mr. Hartmann, I have... The study of your infallible system,...

... costs me somewhat too much time.

Do you mean by this,

that you cannot join our small celebration this evening?

How regrettable. But maybe sir von Basil can take his place.

Bring him back.

Better we cancel now the evening altogether. And all the following also.

Irene, don't speak nonsense.

I already have another date, even if he is here and I am not.

Don't you think, that such a date will soon lose its allure?

I will become accustomed to it.

I will sense when you are here.

You are treating me so, because you think, I have failed, right?

No.

Something happened. Something has changed him.

I will find out what this is. And I will break him.

It is too late for you. Far too late.

May be for me also.

Fare well, Hans.

What was it?

What was it?

150 chess masterpieces

Aljechin against Bogoljubov... Bogoljubov.

lnternational tournament, 1922.

RC4 to C8.

NBxD4, B to C3.

PxR, P to D3.

The knight takes the bishop.

R is rook.

Rook goes from A3 to A6

Black pawn... P is pawn, yes.

Ah, Moonface.

I missed you in the last days.

Were you not well? Were you seriously ill?

This has its advantages, right?

When you are not here, you can at least talk,...

... chat with your family. Do you have family?

Or with your friends.

Friends...

Ah.

Oh!

Hmm.... black...

Very good, black.

Really, very good move.

Be careful. Very dangerous, white.

Very dangerous, white. We must cover this.

Start a totally new combination.

A new combination. Start combination.

C4, C5 and then C6 Yep.

And how do we parry this now?

How do you parry this now?

What an unhoped-for honor...

You are stockpiling bread, sir von Basil? - Yes.

Do you think, we can possibly run out of it?

Well, can be. I can take a small bite before sleep.

You seem to take it into the bed as well.

Is this healthy, to have the light on the whole night?

This seems to be a new habit of yours, according to our men.

I suffer lately from insomnia.

No wonder, if you eat at night.

In you place I would relinquish it. I do not want that your health suffers.

I greatly appreciate your concern, Mr. ... Berger.

But maybe this is not meal at all? What do you mean by that?

It could be the consequence of some distraction, if you know what I mean.

A mental stimulant.

For example...

... a book.

Yes, a book could easily cause this.

Fascinating toy.

Chesspieces, almost as amusing as people.

I think we better remove the light completely.

Sir von Basil should not be denied even a single moment of rest.

Irene.

I would like to speak with Ms. Andreny.

Excuse me, but Pepi and I have to discuss something job-related.

It takes only one moment.

Irene, it just occurred to me, I have to finish something yet.

May I?

This will interest you.

Your friend's days as guest in the Metropol are quickly running out.

Why not, after all?

We will find out shortly, what we wanted to know.

Unfortunately, we had to take away from him a small book that he found.

It was something of a lifesaver to him.

He doesn't need any lifesaver, he will never give in.

He is exactly at it.

Though he does not know it himself yet, but it is so.

All signs, all symptoms speak for it.

And this time, nothing can rescue him anymore.

Is this the reason that you wait for me,

or follow me, or whatever else you do,

to brag about the success, you seem to be so sure about?

With some things I have no success at all.

With them, I am extremely unskilled.

I missed you very much, Irene.

But as you want so desperately,

that I lose this duel with your friend,

maybe I can reveal something to you.

If I lose, then he REALLY loses, and, in fact, much more than I.

Torture, or something of that kind?

My department head, Mr. Hartmann, never uses this word,

but he swears by the methods of physical persuasion.

We are in the same boat, Irene.

At least in a sense.

We don't have too much time.

I wish us luck...

It was nice to see you again.

rook pulls to C4, if takes the pawn,...

... yes, pawn C4, takes.

Three squares to the right, white rook,...

... still there, good.

Let's see...

And now, black, let's start to see,...

... what we can do.

Woh-o, amusing... amusing,... this worries me, yes...

... I am afraid, white has it in for us.

Very arrogant, white, very arrogant, after the last two games.

How can he do this!?

Ah, calmness, concentrate all caution,...

... white pawns on the line, white bishops

cover the pawns...

It seems, as if white is a bit careful with his bishop

a-ah, then black knight to C6 ...

... and this makes the way free for the black queen.

Yes!

move... pulled...

Xo-xo... From hopeless position a draw.

Yes-yes-yes. Do you agree with our opinion, white?

Yes,...

... draw.

Bishop Ambros.

And you are Ms. Andreny, of course.

I remember that we have already met, your eminence.

I know that I am not one of those, whom you expect to see in this ambience.

My car stands there, I will not keep you long.

Everyone is welcome here. Anytime.

Especially, if one has worries.

It is about Werner von Basil.

It will surprise you even more,

that I know, what he did for you, and for the church.

However, what I am burning to know, is,...

... what have WE done for him?

Yes.

We prayed.

Forgive me, eminence.

If I were a faithful woman, I won't probably dare to say it,

but your prayers didn't help, and he has no more time to lose.

Surely, you can do something for him, at least the church can do it.

Something, that influences people, which neither have the time for prayers, nor understand them.

Some devoted women would probably feel less compassion,

but they would have shown maybe a bit more understanding for the church.

Along the line, that you indicated, we cannot do anything.

Then, I bothered you in vain, and I have only little time.

I will try to use it.

What do you plan?

Something that you won't approve, eminence, definitely not.

It is based on the knowledge, that I have about a certain man.

Fare well, eminence. Thanks.

Hotel Metropol.

White... white pawn on B2.

There you belong, there, where I put you.

Remain there! Stay! Stop, stay, remain!

All figures at their places.

Black, ready... start!

White, black,...

White, black,...

White, black, white, black,

White, black, white, black, white, black,...

Ah!

White pawn moves.

Where is my pawn then?

Where is my pawn, it should be standing there, sure!?

Black, you removed it.

You stole it.

You are a swindler. Yes, you are a swindler!

A mean, disho...

... dishonest swindler are you!

I don't want to play with you... I don't want to play with you...

I don't want to play with you! I don't want...

Please, hurry up.

They will bring him down now.

Hmm, they brought him down once already.

But this time, they can bring him directly ALL THE WAY down.

I go along.

That won't be necessary in my opinion, Mr. Hartmann.

Never before have you seen a more cooperative person.

8 more prisoners to take care of.

No, no...

They cannot let them staying like this.

Here, out from this square!

Hey, black rook, here!

Here!

Two, white queen, here, here!

Stay as you shoud,

White tower,...

C5 is here, so! That's not your place!

Here, here!

Sit down! I cannot play if you stand there!

Don't you understand!?

Cooperative, you said,...

Cooperative...

Look at him, this is not a human being anymore.

Washed-out, finished, to whom is he of any use now?

You have left nothing for me.

Mr. Hartmann, I really don't think,...

... that it is so hopeless as it looks?

There is still something in there, that's what you want to say, right?

OK, good! I give you one more chance to prove it.

But this time with my methods, not with yours.

Bring him down.

Excuse the disturbance, Mr. Berger,...

... I tried, to reach you, Ms. Andreny is here.

I HAD to see you.

Why?

To ask you,...

..., to ask you, whether you want to have me back?

You must tell me, Hans, if you want me.

If I ever needed you... Then, show me now,

that you are a human being, Hans.

The proof is simple, very simple. A bit of understanding and help.

I should let von Basil free.

Mr. Hartmann is waiting for you.

And you wanted to do this for him?

Sell yourself.

Negotiate the price, like a vulgar streetwalker.

And you wanted to do this to me, to me, you, mean, wretched...

Keep her here.

Now, sir von Basil, try to offer us your attention.

To me, sir von Basil. Offer your attention to me.

We have a lot to discuss.

What did I tell? What did I tell?

What have you got from me? How much?

Please, sir von Basil, your move.

Answer, you...

I have no idea whatsoever, what you are talking about.

I don't know why we are still playing.

Resign, finally!

You should answer, did you understand!?

I want to know, what happened, I want to know what did I reveal!

Please calm down, keep cool, sir von Basil, what is it with you?

He didn't harm you.

He doesn't know you. You don't have any idea!

You don't know what he did with me!

Please, sir von Basil, won't you better interrupt the game?

This would be the best.

Judging by this game, he should better not play at all anymore.

The passengers from Venice are boarding now. - Let me go!

Can I escort you to your cabin?

All, what I want, is an answer.

And he will give it to me. He will give it to me!

What did I reveal? Answer!

What did I reveal? - [Irene] nothing.

[Irene] nothing, Werner.

You didn't tell anybody anything.

Neither Berger, nor Hartmann.

[Irene]: nobody.

Irene... Irene...

Don't you want to finish this endless game at last?

Yes, but,... You said,... Berger...

...have arrested me?

That was his next mistake.

The Gestapo had no usage of me anymore,

and then also no more for Mr. Berger.

This is unbearable.

Would you please to shut you up for one moment?

He had to go, Werner.

He vanished just as suddenly as he appeared.

He had to go, because he failed.

You are the winner.

You were stronger, you defeated them.

Pardon, please excuse me,

You... you must excuse me, Sir.

I confused you with...

Something in you reminded me of...

I almost believed...

... You were one of those.

Shall this mean, that you finally resign?

Why?

Do you want that I pull?

Here,...

... Mate.

[Czentovic]: Mate, mate...

Does any of you see here a mate?

I, for one, see only some unthoughtful, pointless move.

Right, that's no mate.

Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?

I am sorry, Mr. Czentovic,

but the longer I look at it, the more distinctly I see the mate.

In any case, Mr. Czentovic, you remind him of one of those, who...

And if I think about it,...

Baranov, even you see that there is no mate here, right?

No, no, no!

There is nothing at all here,

not the slightest.

Now, everything will be OK.

I only wanted to know this.

Irene...

I came just so... I... I brought nothing with me.

That's how it should be.

Then, we also take no [bad] memories with us.

What a pity...

He was not such a bad player...

... for a dilettante.