Original subtitles

THE BALLAD OF BERLIN

Attention! Attention!

Owners of a telecinema:

Here is the test signal.

The home cinemas should be adjusted

to short wave 43.8 in the 40-meter band.

This film is not stereoscopic or in color.

These are images from the Museum of Photography, shot 100 years ago, in 1948

Please adjust your prism antennas.

If you're in a public cinema, please take off your 3D glasses.

Dear fellow man:

This is the Berlin you know, the Berlin you see every day from your hell.

The Berlin of 2048.

At the new Berlin International Airport,

jet planes of the New York-Moskou World Airline are taking off and landing.

It's located where the so-called Grunewald is said to have been.

But Berlin wasn't always as big as today.

Suburbs Küstrin and Magdeburg have only recently been annexed.

100 years ago, in 1948, in the good old days, things looked quite different.

Berlin had 3,25 million inhabitants,

and nowadays, no one understands where all these people had lived.

The majority of Berliners were so-called "average Joe's".

Hey, you!

Please come over here. Yes, you!

Tell me, are you an average Joe? And what's in your bag?

Why would you want to know that?

Oh, just because. Cigarette?

Light?

Now tell me!

I got hold of some potatoes.

But don't tell anybody.

- I won't. - Anything else.

No, it's fine. You can go now.

Like you see, anyone who had adapted...

No, it's got nothing to do with you! Thanks, we're done.

See you!

Like you see, anybody who had adapted, knew his sources.

But whoever came back home after a long absence, like this man,

was a real average Joe.

"Oh sure!", moviegoers then would've thought when seeing these images,

"Yet another homecoming film!"

Because pictures like that were shown every day.

This man wasn't attached to the city just because it was where he came from,

but he loved it with all his heart.

But he didn't recognize it:

Almost everything was ruined, and just a few buildings were raised again.

The young man saw the monuments of foreign victory

and contemplating, he turned to the national Victory Avenue.

Hey, you! Hello!

Yes, you! Yes, you!

Listen, young man!

Yes, I mean you.

Do you know this man?

Did you happen to be enlisted together?

This was Victory Avenue, in ruins.

They removed every military,

Prussian and monarchist element from the townscape.

Even the lamp standards, that had many elements of the past.

Hello! Excuse me, I'd like...

- No, no... - Isn't that enough?

Excuse me, I'd...

This damned begging! You just got something, didn't you?

- Excuse me please, I'm searching for... - Not only you! We're all searchers.

All mankind is searching.

But he who has received the power to search, also has the power to find.

This leaflet might show you the way to salvation.

- I was actually looking for Salvation Square. - Go with God.

Even this Salvation Army lieutenant couldn't help him.

If you're an average Joe, you should help yourself.

Finally he stood in front of his home, which was gaping at him quite literally.

- Where do you want to go? - To my place!

- Hello! - Hello!

Hello!

- What are you doing here? - What are YOU doing here?

If you don't get out immediately, I'll call the police!

If you don't let me in, I'll call the police!

- You know what you are? - Yes! I'm the occupant!

How are you going to prove that?

These are my demobilization papers, and my name is on the door.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry.

My name is Zeithammer, and this is Mrs. Holle.

- Please come in. - Please come in.

- After you. - After you. I'm at home here.

Well, I'm at home here.

Whereas the Allies in Berlin didn't succeed peacefully under the same roof

these three Berliners succeeded at once.

Let's be honest

it's not very big, more of a room.

But you made it pretty in here.

So the state has compensated for the bomb damage?

No, my dear, I had to pay it all by myself.

Damn!

So where's my stuff?

My beautiful Tyrolean cabinet was right here!

Be happy you were not here those days!

They plundered everything! A few small things are still there.

Yeah, they just plundered everything.

We had to sacrifice everything. We were completely powerless.

In my room upstairs everything had to be redone as well. Please!

You won't understand what you see here at first sight,

therefore I'll explain:

This ladies room - excuse me, boudoir,

Oh, it's already over. Remind me to talk about this later.

We're in the hallway and we'll continue to the room

the friendly subtenant has left for our householder.

From this room one had a beautiful view

but he didn't like it much.

Here's a welcome home drink!

"Here's to the new!", Otto thought, while he remembered the old.

1940!

They were winning!

1941!

They were evacuating.

1942: It got dark.

You turned on the light and didn't hang your head, simply because of the block warden.

1943: The first,

the second, the third.

Those were all the windows.

One could become afraid sometimes.

Rosenberg was in front of his library,

hiding Thomas Mann.

The fear of the neighbours,

the fear of being drafted

- indeed.

Otto did like many people:

he made a cup of coffee in which the spoon could stand.

He swallowed Pervitin,

and just to be sure he did it again.

He smoked a moist cigar

and he ate sardines that had been three days in the sun,

to make sure the bile had something as well.

He ruined his health to save his life.

And his heart beat faster...

and faster.

What is wrong with you?

I have to join the military.

You don't have to run! The war will last long enough.

Man, why are you so excited?

I'm completely calm, staff surgeon.

- That's what you call normal?!? - Completely normal.

Whenever I get upset, or make an effort, it beats even faster, of course.

I even fall down sometimes.

Fit for service!

Up!

Down! Up!

Down! Up!

Down!

Up! Down!

After his release, he tried to get a foothold in southern Germany.

No!

I'm sorry, I only said he tried.

I said NO.

If you are registered in Berlin, go back to Berlin.

Show me your residence permit.

- I would like to get one from you. - I only hand out immigration permits.

Then please give me an immigration permit.

To do so, you have to show me your employment certificate first.

Where could I get that, please?

Ask over there.

You'll only get an employment certificate when you show me your immigration permit.

No immigration permit without employment certificate!

- Immigration permit first! - Employment certificate first!

- Immigration permit! - Employment certificate!

I've had enough!

Cut it off!

I'm going to Berlin.

- I'm going to Berlin. - To Berlin?

- No, please sit down. - Yes, I have to go.

Why would you go to Berlin? The city is so crowded, there's no place for you!

If I only told you how people say things are going over there!

Because it's so crowded that you can't move an inch

all the people are very angry with each other. Very angry!

If I only told you how people say things are going over there!

All of it is exaggerated.

- Well, you should be going. - Yes, I'm going. - Please stay!

- You've got nothing to look for there. - I do!

And when you're there, you have to do forced labour,

like a slave, like a thief.

And the allies are in it, of course.

Please stay!

My father's a Nazi. He can help you with your papers!

Are you determined to fall into the hands of these robbers in Berlin?

In Berlin you can't walk the streets by night anymore!

If only I told you how the people say things are going over there!

Do you believe that?

- Yes, down here we do! - Well, good night then.

Please, why don't you stay! It's so nice down south!

And besides, you won't get over the border.

- There are no borders for me. - Darling!

Here's to the future, Otto!

That's how Mr. Normalverbraucher began his life between three walls.

Sleeping, and maybe dreaming as well.

Dreams come from the stomach, in this case out of the empty.

- Do you need onions, miss? - How much?

How much for one onion?

Listen, I'm not a retailer.

And I don't have any money.

Well, when you're in bed all day, you won't earn anything!

Good night!

This left him cold, just like his stove.

His enterprise had dropped with the temperature.

Just like that of almost all average people.

They did like the animals - Watch out!

They did like animals: they pupated and hibernated.

He's back in his pastry shop.

In the mean-time, we'll look around in his room:

His taste wasn't as bad as it seems here,

but all the good things he evacuated were burnt and looted,

and the rubbish had been preserved.

Unfortunately, this World War I shell had been hit by a World War II shell,

and couldn't be used as a cigar cutter any more.

They left him his books as well.

Now Thomas Mann was in front, and Rosenberg back.

Buddenbrooks had defeated the myth.

But the paper war was another thing:

Forms with fingerprints, that's what we need!

The most beautiful gift for practical Germans: a form!

Before, only criminals could give their fingerprints.

Away with this privilege! Now everybody was entitled to them.

So-called fingerprint thumbs.

Back to civilian life. But what was left of him?

A tailsuit, and this here.

It didn't suit him at all.

Not that one.

And the most important:

Ration stamps.

It was hard to get them, and you didn't get much for them;

and whatever you should get, you didn't even get sometimes.

Could I have some sugar as well? - Unfortunately...

Bummer! For the sugar was exactly what he had needed.

Wait, Otto! Just a minute!

In 1946, in the first year after the war, it was precisely the lack of sugar

that caused a general deficiency symptom. Wait, Otto!

You shouldn't forget to pay!

Anyhow, I was telling that lack of sugar caused a new ailment:

forgetfulness, which a lot of people had.

Wait Otto, Otto!

Don't forget the most important: the ration cards!

People forgot everything.

See you!

They forgot - goodbye! -

they forgot to be happy, to be nice to each other, even to help themselves

and they had many knots in handkerchiefs without remembering why.

Hey, Otto! How are you doing?

- Thanks. How are you? - Splendid!

I'm happy you remember me.

Now listen.

The other day I met Julio. You know Julio, don't you?

Well, imagine, this Julio! I'll be damned, he doesn't know me anymore!

He doesn't want to know me, we know that these days

Of course now I'm through with him.

Very nice you're still there, Otto.

Now listen, Otto, if I could make you happy with a hundredweight of apples,

you'll let me know, will you?

- Oh, sure! - You don't have to pay them.

I see you're a bit short by now. You will come, won't you?

Where should I come? Where do you live now?

Still the same address! See you later, Otto!

Next, please.

- Normalverbraucher. - Köppfchen - Yes.

- I guess it's because of worries, doctor. - Is it? Well, get these off!

But that was the problem. No-one could get his worries off.

Well, dear Mr... Mr...

- Normalverbraucher. - Right.

You're suffering of a malnutrition deficiency that's called...

...it's called...

Like you have noticed yourself, the symptoms are...

- ...they are... - Forgetfulness!

Right! A similar case came in yesterday. There was this...

...well, whatever. The only thing you can do about it is...

...is...

I'll write it down!

But prescriptions didn't help him. He just lacked the right food.

It has increased!

Sell... what?

What?

That?

Line up over there!

The world is waiting in long beats

Waiting till it's hunger is satisfied

The fisherman is waiting for a catch

The hunter is waiting for the game

Many dry gardens are waiting for rain

Hoping the trees will bear fruit

The movie often has to wait for the sun

We're all waiting steadily

In life's big waiting room

Everyone is waiting for happiness

Most of us wait to no avail

Which doesn't stop them from waiting

And if we can't force happiness

If even our last hope is far away

We're standing firmly on the ground

Soon the next waiting time arrives

New roses are awaiting the new bride

People wait till one boxer falls down

One man is waiting for his pants

another one waits for a better world

We're waiting for milk on our first babbling

We're waiting for the plumber to arrive

We're waiting till the bars will finally fall

We're all waiting patiently

In life's big waiting room

Everyone is waiting for happiness

Most of us wait to no avail

Which doesn't stop them from waiting

Humans and machines are waiting

to be relieved from waiting

Resting turbines are getting rusty

That's how the best time is gone

All the wheels had stopped

But sometimes, someone came up with initiatives

or coals to get them turning again

First they ran the presses: pressure in Berlin was huge.

Average Joe got back into production as well,

for 65 pennies an hour.

The main thing was that something was done at all.

At least this made one feel he could go on with his life

and this made him very proud.

Dear listeners, here's the News of Berlin.

At the moment, we're in one of Berlin's biggest companies.

The machines are working; every manufacture in this factory is manufacturing.

Next to our microphone, we have the foreman of these laborers.

I'll ask him a few questions: Dear sir, what is it exactly you do here?

We're producing plates that are indispensable for every big and small Berlin factory.

- Right, so you make billboard plates! - No, no billboards actually.

And how long has your factory been manufacturing?

It started 1 .5 years ago with 5 to 6 boards a day.

In the meantime, production output has increased immensely.

Please, come over here! Young man, what are you doing here?

- I'm shoving the plates back and forth. - Very interesting!

That's an encouraging sign of the revival of Berlin's economy.

And your plates are highly in demand?

You could say so! Our sales are 7,000 to 8,000 plates a day.

That's wonderful!

Finally I'd like to know: what's the text on your signs?

OUT OF STOCK

In 1929, please notice the well-fitting tailsuit!

In 1936, please notice the well-fitting tailsuit!

In 1948, please notice the abundant tailsuit!

No, don't get sentimental. Trade it!

But who needs a tailsuit? The tailsuit rental.

The first new suit after the war;

well, it wasn't that new. But compared to others, it was.

The colleagues at the print shop will be astonished!

OUT OF STOCK So they had been astonished already.

Didn't matter, there were plenty of vacancies. There just weren't any for his profession:

He used to be an insurance agent for hail damage. And there was no more hail.

Wouldn't come back either.

Night porter maybe? That wasn't so bad.

Not too hard. You could do what you wanted during daytime.

But Otto! You can't sleep here! You're at work!

This proves again:

Guys with no brains are often better dressed...

That would be nice!

At least, just for an hour...

For once a big lady...

Otto! Otto!

Stay awake! Don't dream...

Yes, cakes...

He's through with it, as you see. No meat on his cheeks.

Still he could wake up. Another little lullaby would be better.

Egon, let's stay clean!

That's enough. Thanks!

Enough! Stop, it's enough!

Stop, it's enough!

Stop, it's enough!

Stop, it's enough!

Shut up, Franz.

I didn't say anything!

Stop, it's enough!

He makes me completely nervous. Come.

It's a hard job.

Help!

Hello! Hello!

Who's there!?!

Turn it off!

So they know, right? So they know, right?

This man has absolutely nothing to do with this film.

He's one of those who couldn't be glad about anything anymore,

certainly not about this man.

He was one of the most important personalities these days:

His majesty the electricity meter controller.

Power was rationed these days.

Whoever used more, was punished or made sure not to be caught.

- Mr. Zeithammer, could I speak with you? - I've used way too much.

I can't open up, my daddy isn't at home.

Tell your daddy I'll be back the day after tomorrow.

He's got to be home at the same time.

See you, Mr. Zeithammer!

- All-clear. - Could I talk to you, Mr. Zeithammer?

We need a brandy first, because of the shock.

The Berliners owe this liquor to the guy we see on this picture:

The English sailor Sir Francis Drake,

who imported potatoes to Europe.

The liquor wasn't too strong, but neither were the people.

They couldn't bear any stronger drink.

I woke up, and it was gone! Everything was gone!

The clothes, the criminals, everything was gone!

Then came the boss, and I was gone as well!

Mr. Zeithammer, it's like I can't even sustain myself anymore!

Nobody is stainless. I'm not.

My conscience is stained, because I'm a trafficker.

- But Mr. Zeithammer! - Yes, I'm a trafficker.

I'm an asi... asiocial element.

But I don't care!

These times have to be endured.

- Got it!?! - Yes!

My power belongs to the state.

The power is there, just the state isn't yet.

Be my friend, don't call me mister. My name is Anton.

I'm Otto.

Otto, you're a decent guy.

That's your misfortune! It's also my misfortune!

But Anton!

I'm suffering!

I suffer like an animal when I look at you.

I'm sorry to hear that.

You are hungry, and I had roast goose. That's why I'm suffering.

Just be happy you're doing well!

No!

- But I can't do... - Yes, you can!

When you could earn 100 bucks an hour...

why would you only earn 65 pennies?

- Forgive me. - You should know what I'm going through,

seeing all this misery.

- But Anton! - No, you have no idea.

You couldn't know. It's tearing me apart.

The decent people are hungry, but the indecent are suffering!

These men, that were not only tolerated by the Nazis,

but even made a living from them...

In those days, Berlin had four sectors and four parties.

That meant sixteen different opinions.

In every party people wanted to fight the hardships of their fellow men.

With huge idealism, and huge company cars as well...

Let's have a look at the western zone:

The guys who are boasting over there, what are they?!?

Nothing but dolls...

in the hands of the monopoly of capitalist puppeteers!

Yes!

Thanks, Sir. Were you there?

How was it?

He had a great speech.

Oh, you mean Schneiderling? Yes, he's a great lecturer.

But I mean this one here.

I've had it for 42 years.

When it was young, it was in the Sedan festivities.

It served under Ebert, near Stresemann,

in the Liebknecht building, in the Reich Chancellery.

And now it's a hall decoration for the new fraternity.

But our good Lord still won't let it grow into heaven. Now if you'll excuse me.

You should go to the Märchen Hall tomorrow:

Bollman, of the other party, is making a speech then.

You should go in the eastern zone for once:

the guys who are boasting over there, what are they?!?

Nothing but puppets in the hands of the totalitarian system!

Yes!

In these days, every Berliner was expected to know the cardinal points:

east or west.

Yesterday you heard one, today another.

Which did you like best?

Well, if you only knew who is wrong...

I can tell you exactly!

And now, he told him who was wrong.

Because they want to fight, and fighting is always wrong.

I didn't fight all my life, but despite that, I got my laurels.

Maybe that was the point:

As long as average Joe knew, they had fought around him.

Fights, fights, fights.

And now they did it once again.

The brave German man rejoices when he can fight over something

The war has muted the will to fight; the fighting spirit was quite worn-out.

But today the brave German man is ready for a mini fight again.

A small word dazes him, and there he's back, ready to fight.

Fight the moths, fight the taxes,

Fight the rats, fight the Bavarians,

Fight the right way of writing, we want to write with left, fight the axes,

the clothes louse has to go as well.

We're fighting over the choices in the elections, we're fighting the soccer cup,

We're fighting corruption, we're fighting over the golden sax.

We're fighting snobbishness, existentialism, ism shmism!

Federalism and capitalism are shit. Where there's capital, it has to go.

We're fighting the fight for everyone, we're fighting over every wet fart

It's a cross, it's a cramp,

when will we finally fight the fighting?

The struggle for life was the only fight Otto was still prepared to fight.

He was looking for a job again.

Maybe this was something.

"Assistant waiter for luxury bar". That could be nice.

But he needed his tailsuit for that.

He could probably buy it back where he traded it.

But he needed money to do so.

Maybe his friend Zeithammer would give him some in advance.

In the end, you need a little luck.

It's hard to hold your balance in life, and not fall flat on your face.

You have to be lucky. Whenever a man falls, it's all about

getting back up. You have to be lucky.

You're already quite the man if you don't lose your guts,

and you're even better off if yo really stand your ground.

You have to be lucky!

Whenever you tip over, it's lucky that there's still the luck to be lucky.

You can buy your tailsuit back, with surtax, of course.

With surtax? It has been worn out even more since then!

You bet it is worn! It works somewhere else every day.

Last month it was in an operetta, then a philatelist's congress,

tomorrow it will attend a wedding. Afterwards you can pick it up.

When exactly?

Come in after ten, when the bride and groom have gone to sleep.

Cheer up! Things can't go completely wrong. Don't fear!

Cheer up! Things will go wrong if you're afraid!

Believe in a profitable life!

My lawyer says two years.

At best, you'll end up in the gutter.

See you tomorrow at 7 AM at the health department.

You should only think of today, then you're right. - 50.000, that's it.

All these worries and dark mornings aren't important.

We should await the next conference.

Cheer up! Things can't go completely wrong. Don't fear!

80 people froze to death!

Cheer up! Things will go wrong when you're afraid!

Two carat, flawless.

If the world will perish, so will you!

We will go to pieces with decency. Cheer up!

- Waiter! - Yes, sir?

We have some drinks please?

Okay sir, what would you like? Martini, Manhattan, Old-fashioned?

- What will you have? - Oh thanks, I had too much last night.

- Bring me a Martini. - Martini, three Martini.

No, one Martini. Make it very dry.

- Hello, waiter. - What do you like please?

- A bottle of Burgundy wine, please. - Sure, of course!

- Make sure it's room temperature. - That's all, sir? I'll see to it!

Waiter, the menu please! Hey, we know each other.

Of course, we understand each other.

What would you like, sir?

We'd like to have a little drink, but non-alcoholic, please.

What would you recommend?

You'd rather be careful. In that case, I could recommend a bowl of...

- Now that's it. - That's it.

Berin was an international city.

Bonsoir - How-do-you-do - Dos vedanya - Good evening - Dobry wieczór

It won't get any more international:

A German theatre in the Russian sector playing an Italian opera,

in which an American officer has a relationship with a Japanese girl.

So you know, don't you?

This man is distracting us completely!

What was I saying? Oh yes, this room:

before I didn't have the time to explain, but now you see how it works:

Mrs. Holle's Love Centre.

Have you decided which gentleman it will be?

- Yes, this one. - That was number 2376.

That's a nice gentleman, miss!

You have a good taste. This one has been very popular.

Let's hope you're lucky, because he's very picky.

- That will be 15 Mark. - Just for the address?

Yes. Did you think you would get a two-year warranty as well?

Please, sir. Did you bring a picture for our album, so you can be chosen?

- No, I didn't. - Go over there first and have your picture taken.

This was a new Berlin invention: the love card index.

The lady of your heart in portrait format; your dream guy in shiny pictures.

People had their photographs taken and...

many decent youngsters found a young...

but still mature partner...

for sluggish family life.

I'm sorry, Sir, I can't transfer another woman today.

- Which one would you like? - That one, please.

I'm sorry, she isn't available anymore.

Well, maybe this lady could be the chosen one for me?

You don't have to worry about her. She'll still be available tomorrow.

But I'd like to know today...

Yes, but please, be quick. It's closing time.

Goodbye, Otto, and don't be frightened, and no publicity please.

I'll prove my innocence somewhere else.

I only bow to violence, but all this is a big mistake.

If there's any mail,

please give them my new address: Moabit house of detention.

Come in! - Oh, Mr. Normalverbraucher, I'm honored.

Well, that's it, we don't have any more. You can go, it's closing time!

- So you're finally visiting me! - Dear Madam,

They just came to pick up Mr. Zeithammer. Criminal investigation!

That was bound to happen. I'm just wondering why:

because of the 7 million briquettes or the minor twins in the back of the house.

This time it will take longer. He'll have to serve his sentence.

Why don't we sit down?

But didn't you see it coming?

No, you're such a naive fool.

You know, I earn my money in a decent way, I make a living of love.

Are you free tonight?

Yes.

Why don't we go out together?

There's so much to do in Berlin! I know where.

Well?

Do you have a girlfriend?

Who would want to be involved with me?

Now, listen, you have every possible opportunity.

In Berlin, there are six women to every man.

- Don't you have a little spirit left? - I do!

Wait, I almost forgot I was frying potatoes!

In Berlin, there are six women to every man...

And now we'll hear "Melodies of the Heart", a broadcast for people in love.

Thousands of hearts are looking for love

in the big sea of stone.

Thousands of hearts are looking for love

but many are alone.

People are just going on

with only disappointment as their companion.

How they would like to

endure life together.

Thousands of hearts are staying lonely

and the longing doesn't stop.

Oh Henry, will you love me just as much when you're down in New York?

No, in Chicago!

I'm learning English diligently:

I am cold, I am hot, I am sorry.

That is my meat.

Yeah. My Father's got the biggest meat packing plant in town.

Why, one day's output would feed a whole darned city.

I think I'd feel very lonely over there, at first.

We handle two thousand steers a day.

That's more than anybody's ever seen in Europe.

And if all the beautiful girls look at you? What will you do?

They're slaughtered, processed, packed into cans and sealed!

Always be true to me, Henry!

Yeah. It's all done by machines.

I'm so happy whenever you kiss me!

Yeah. It's terrific. Best in the world!

- Come with me, darling! - How are you doing, sweety?

Thanks, miss.

- Lulu is my name! - Look at my legs!

- Sweetheart, do you have any chocolate? - Thanks, ladies! You aren't ladies!

I want to hang on your lips and smoke a cigarette together.

- I'm squeezing your ribs. - I'll also smoke your butts.

- Come with me, darling! - No, come with me, sweety!

Come! Come! Come! Come!

I've got an old air raid shelter bed, in which dreams are sweet!

- Come with me, darling! - No, come with me, sweety!

Come, we'll take you around the corner! Come! And he's gone!

One, two, three, four, five...

One, two, three, four, five, six are coming for one man.

Six, six, six, six...

You don't want any cake today?

Who gave you the idea to ring the bell? - I just wanted...

You don't have the right to do so! - But when I...

Only the ticket collector can ring. - But listen...

You think nowadays anyone in Germany can do what they want?

- I'm the boss here, no-one else! - But...

Except for the Führer [driver]! The tram conductor, that is!

- Why don't we continue? - Don't ask stupid questions!

I'm not asking stupid questions, sir.

When you're pulling one string, you have to go through with it...

Are you protecting these elements?

We have discipline, but you want anarchy!

You'll remember what it means to ring while being a passenger!

You know what that means? Passenger subversion! Got it?

Down! Up!

In Berlin's big everyday masquerade,

there was also this sergeant in disguise.

In 1947 there were also real masquerades,

like in this deserted air-raid shelter.

Hey, Waiter!

Take care, move along!

Hey you, with your love centre!

You palmed this lady off on me two days ago!

Now listen, I don't palm off ladies; you picked her yourself!

This is the third guy she's dancing with tonight! That's not what I paid 15 Mark for!

You can't handle a spirit's distiller like that!

Oh, so you're a spirit's distiller! You should get her jealous!

Come, have a dance with me! Otto, I'll be back soon!

- Did you order already? - No!

Some substitute coffee and cake.

You'll have to get the cake yourself, over there.

We're all out!

What would you like, sir?

A piece of cake, please!

Unfortunately there's no more cake. I've finished working.

But I've kept two pieces for private use.

I'll be happy to give them to you, if that would please you.

Great!

Please come to the backdoor for a minute,

then I'd happily give you the cake.

I can't do it here, because my co-worker would notice.

Are you here on your own?

Yes.

Oh, there he is! Otto! Hello, Otto!

Otto! Otto!

That's him daddy, the guy with the big nose!

Sir, you physically insulted my daughter!

- Me? - Yes, you! Here, and here!

Hey you! Yes, you! You didn't pay.

You owe me 32.50 Mark!

Me? I didn't eat here at all! Look!

I'm not interested in what's behind the mask.

You had food at table 21 with this nose.

So pay me the money, or I'll have you arrested!

If you don't pay attention, they just clear off!

Ah, so that's how you are! You ordered a coffee with me...

and then cleared off! You didn't pay yet!

What a world we live in!

That will do, Otto.

This film is not a love story. No use for a happy ending!

Stop it, Otto! You're not the central figure here!

The bell has been ringing, Otto. Go home!

Are you deaf?

- So what's your name? - That's all in the cake package.

Go, sleep well!

Do you have to wake up everybody in the house with your ringing?

- Oh, it's you! - I forgot my keys.

Yeah, I noticed.

Enjoy your meal. -Eva Wandel-

In days when thousands of couples got divorced, Otto decided to marry.

Berlin was a music loving city.

And even the victors were dancing and playing for the defeated.

Things were happening in Berlin. It was a great fun fair.

Average Joe's marriage was an eternal carousel as well.

Get up!

The early bird gets the worm!

Breakfast!

Harmony.

Lunch.

Spring cleaning.

Jealousy.

Harmony!

Taking a bath Saturday night.

Mad?

Sunday walk.

Harmony.

Cleaning the oven.

Extra rations.

Tired.

Harmony, nay, never! Money for housekeeping!

The Mark was tumbling. But not just his Mark

the Mark was tumbling all over the country.

It's June 1948.

Berlin was dominated by the so-called monetary reform; the first of seven.

For a few days, everyone was equally poor or rich.

Finally you could trust the money you had in hand.

Finally it made sense to save money again.

But the people weren't happy.

They didn't believe in the famous silver stripes.

They had a sense of impending doom and they were afraid of it.

Because this storm would blow away the roofs that just had been repaired,

it would break the new windows,

and the three years of being busy as a bee would've been in vain.

They were hoping no storm would come. Yet it seemed very likely.

Also in the political skies the clouds seemed to be massing.

The politicians in charge were just as afraid as the common people.

Millions of people were hoping that behind this door, unity finally would be achieved.

But this time they didn't yet reconcile.

Nonetheless they weren't demoralized. They gathered again.

Maybe this time, it would be successful.

This happened too often to show every separate meeting.

Therefore we'll speed it up a little.

Finally, they decided to have an open door policy.

Thus at least the slamming would stop.

They were proud to have this door always open,

for whoever wanted to come or go.

That's how we're able to have look at one of these meetings.

The gentleman who just spoke, said he was dead against it.

They asked him why.

He said he was against them asking why he was against it.

They couldn't do anything about that.

In the meantime the sky was darkening even more.

Outside of the city, the storm already ravaged some things.

It tore away railway sleepers. It made canals useless.

From the west, the city could only be accessed by sky.

Otto, here!

Goodnight, my friend. As you can see, I'm back.

It took a bit longer than I expected, but it's over now.

But hence the long face? Like you've been out in the rain for days!

If it only was a few days...

Cheer up! I'm back now.

The party is on! Let's have a drink!

Hello Zeithammer! So there are still judges in Berlin!

They can't prove anything. Bring us three beers, I'll pay for them.

But what a face you're pulling, Otto! Did they tell you the latest joke?

An American meets a Russian at the North Pole.

So the American says...

Don't make stupid jokes! You still don't want to understand, do you?

I'm not surprised you think it's funny.

But we don't want a compromise.

The only human solution is war.

You'll be surprised.

Within two days, the East can be at the canal with its tanks.

Just a minute. You think the West is asleep, but you'll be surprised!

When the first fortresses arise near the Oder river, then it's on.

Shut up, with your politics!

Keep quiet!

This is ridiculous.

Allow me a brief, but shrill laugh: ha ha!

You want to be strategic? You can't conquer areas by air!

Take the word of a former tank commander for it!

And the supplies! How about the supplies?

I was a dive bomber squadron commander. I should know!

I tell you,

one bomb on your single-track rails and you're left empty-handed!

Well, I...

Excuse me, could I have one of your cigarettes?

Here you go, comrade.

Thanks!

Would you mind getting me a beer in return?

My pleasure!

Cheers!

Oh, sorry.

Now imagine, this is the Rhine river.

When we take the Schlieffen Plan and our experience in 1940 as a starting point,

a tank breakthrough there is inevitable.

You're underestimating our bomber jets, Sir.

When you've finished rattling with your tank bangers, all of your breakthrough is busted!

One push, and your capital is a dump.

That's another thing: one push, and your capital is a dump.

The question is who will push first, and then with the second...

Stop!

This is bringing bad luck!

Bad luck? Quite right.

- Bad luck is always for others. - Tell me...

why are you spying on us anyhow?

You're not in the position to put anything forward, got it?

- This is a graver matter then you think. - To be or not to be, that's the question here!

Nonsense! It's about the total picture! Stay here!

It's about the nation's honour! Come over here!

It's about the division of the nation! Come here!

It's about the unity of the people!

Listen, I'll explain...

Just come to think about it...

I'll explain it to you...

The Berliner was pulled to and fro.

No, I tell you... Be careful...

Otto didn't want ruin his relations with either of them, that was his bad luck.

Otto, Otto, don't make such a big thing out of it! It wasn't that serious!

It will be alright!

Seven, eight, nine, out!

Otto! Stand up!

You don't say!

Coffin...

Raise!

In step - march!

You see, Otto? We told you!

The coffin of unity hadn't been nailed well

and the public health officer examined you a bit hasty.

Such a good Berlin heart doesn't stop beating so soon.

Sorry, Otto. We had to sell your suit.

How else should we have paid your coffin?

Now hurry, or you'll be late for your own funeral.

Gentlemen, please allow me,

as an authorized district official,

to speak a few empathic words.

Today, it is our sad duty to bury the last, the very last person

of the Normalverbraucher lineage.

No.

I changed my mind.

We won't give up so soon.

I'm Otto Normalverbraucher.

I feel like I'm born again.

Now we're here for a funeral,

I know so much we should bury without a doubt.

As for me, I'd like to bury fear, for example.

Fear of people, fear of the future,

fear of war...

and the fear of peace.

Does anybody else have something he'd like to bury?

Anton?

Anton Zeithammer,

how about burying your selfishness?

And indifference.

And resentment.

Well, you know, yes!

And hate!

I wouldn't even think of it!

Don't you ever learn?

And hate!

In the meantime the thunderclouds had moved away,

the average Joes could go on with their lives,

and the seemingly inevitable world-wide catastrophe could be avoided

because last-minute, something unexpected came to them:

Common sense.

This happened in 1949, if I'm not mistaken.