All language subtitles for Destiny (1921)

For Destiny, three camera negatives
were used in editing.

These negatives and tinted copies
from 1921 were lost.

Black and white prints and dupes
created since the 1930s

were made from two export negatives.

One duplicate negative
from MOMA, New York

was used for the 2016 digital restoration
of the Murnau Foundation, Wiesbaden.

Selected shots came from a black and white
print at the Cinémathèque de Toulouse.

For the intertitles, reconstructions
from the Munich Film Museum were used,

based on flash titles
from the Gosfilmofond, Moscow.

Missing titles were reconstructed from
the Národní Filmový archives, Prague,

and the Cinémathèque Royale, Brussels.
Newly created titles are marked FWMS.

The lost tinting was simulated
using contemporary release prints

of other Decla productions.

The digital image restoration in 2K was
done by L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna.

DESTINY: A GERMAN FOLK SONG
IN SIX VERSES

Written and Directed by Fritz Lang

THE CHARACTERS AND PLAYERS

Somewhere, someday.

THE CREW

Authentic Oriental and Chinese
artifacts and costumes

provided by the Heinrich Umlauff Museum,
Hamburg.

Praise the Lord!

FIRST VERSE

Lost in a valley, as if in a dream,
there lay a little town

to which two youths,
drunk with love and filled with life,

were drawn.

But as the golden leaves
fell from the trees like tears

thickly in sunset's glow,

there at the crossroads,
where so much had passed,

stood Death, awaiting them in silence.

A town lost to memory...

Every evening,
the local dignitaries gathered

at the "Golden Unicorn" Inn
for their nightcap.

His Importance, the Mayor.

His Reverence, the Vicar.

His Learnedness, the physician.

His Measuredness, the notary.

And the new schoolmaster.

Every evening, the wise,
antique figurine of the lamp

would hear the news
of important goings-on in town.

But lately the honorable dignitaries
had but one topic of conversation.

The stranger. Again and again,
nothing but the stranger.

One day the gravedigger
was approached by a stranger,

who asked the way to town.

He seemed strangely familiar to him

although he had never come
face-to-face with him before.

Who owns the land
adjoining the graveyard?

The town magistrate has reserved it
for the cemetery extension.

I think it unlikely that
the magistrate would be willing

to let you have the future cemetery land.

Why the devil
are you so set on having it?

I am a wanderer who is very weary.

I wish to plant a garden there.

Next to the cemetery?

In the council meeting,

there was heated debate
over the stranger's request,

but the gold the stranger offered
proved too tempting.

The stranger's offer
was unanimously accepted

and the cemetery annex
was leased to him for 99 years.

But joy at the town's bulging coffers
did not remain unclouded,

for the stranger erected a wall
around his land

as invincible as the barrier
his ways had created

between himself and others.

See for yourselves, gentlemen!

I have walked all around the wall
but found neither door nor gate!

Men, your efforts are in vain!

Only I know the gate that opens this wall!

And to this day

no one has found a door
in the eerie wall?

It is a time-honored tradition

that young couples take
their first drink at the "Unicorn"

from our bridal cup.

One can see right on your faces
that you are sweethearts!

Excuse me, could you tell me
where my fiancé has gone?

My dear child,
your fiancé left with the stranger

who was sitting at your table.

SECOND VERSE

She seeks her love both here and there
and wanders every alley.

She has strayed beyond the town.

There in the moonlight, grave-by-grave,
lies the old cemetery wall.

A cold stream of pale figures
flows around her.

The bell tolls, the watchman cries.

Love wrestles with death and believes.

Hear my words, my good townsfolk.

The clock has just struck ten.

Take care lest too much wine you drink,

and end in the Devil's realm.

There are herbs
that draw mysterious powers

from the magical light of the full moon.

David's harp and Solomon's seal,

boxthorn and centaury.

No one knew this better
than the old apothecary.

The old pharmacy has watched its owner

since childhood days
when he stuck his nose

into his father's
retorts and melting pots.

But today, for the first time ever,

it found him together with a young girl.

Poor child, you're trembling with fever.

Just wait, I'll brew you a strong tea.

That will make you feel better.

THE SONG OF SOLOMON

Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
As a seal upon thine arm.

For love is strong as death,
Passion is cruel as the grave.

It blazes up like blazing fire,
Fiercer than any flame.

For love is as strong as death.

Hear my words, my good townsfolk.
The clock has struck eleven!

What, my child,
do you seek in my realm?

I did not summon you.

I want to go where my beloved is.

Where is he whom you stole from me?

I did not steal him.
His time was merely up.

What you see here are the lives of men,

they flare up and burn for a time.

But then they are extinguished
at the hour the Lord decides.

Believe me, my task is heavy.
It is a curse.

I am weary of witnessing
the suffering of men

and earning their hatred
for obeying the Lord.

O Death, is there no way
to awaken to new life

a light that's been extinguished?

Is there no way to overcome you?

I do believe:
Love is stronger than death!

Is your love stronger than death?

Do you wish to fight he who is eternal?

I would bless you
if you should conquer me.

See here three lights
about to flicker out.

I place it in your hands to spare them.

If you should succeed,
even though it be just one,

I will grant to you your beloved's life.

THIRD VERSE

CHARACTERS IN "THE FIRST LIGHT"

THE STORY OF THE FIRST LIGHT

The city of believers.

Come, believers, come to pray!

Ramadan.

Allah, Allah il Allah
Muhammad rassul Allah!

Zobeide, the Caliph's sister.

The Frank.

There is no God but Allah,
and Muhammad is his prophet!

Are you crazy?
Do you wish to destroy us both?

I haven't seen you since Ramadan began.

Night after night
I await the messenger

who will summon me
into your arms again.

But all in vain.

Tonight I will send you Ayesha.

But now, I beg you, leave this holy place

or you are lost!

A Frank! An infidel! A giaour!

A giaour has desecrated this holy site!

Back!

Do not defile this holy ground
with the blood of an infidel!

The Caliph.

Zobeide? My sister?

We do not know
where the Frank abides,

but heed my advice, Caliph.

What do I care for the fate of a giaour?

I merely wanted to spare this holy place

from being defiled by his blood.

Then you will be glad to hear

that the desecrator
shall not escape punishment.

We are on his trail

and I have placed
a ring of guards around the city.

His every attempt to flee

will only drive him
into my hands all the faster.

You must go to him, Ayesha!

You must bring him to me
by the secret path!

Only here will he be safe.

In the very palace of the pursuer
they will not seek the pursued.

El Mot, the gardener.

Come when darkness falls
by the secret path!

My mistress will hide you in the palace

until the anger of the mob has subsided.

Surround the palace of Princess Zobeide!

Let anyone in, but no one out!

That night.

Come with me so I can hide you

until the henchmen's watchfulness wanes.

The Caliph!

What was that?

They're probably hunting down
a mangy dog.

Your command
has been fulfilled, Master!

The night is beautiful, my sister.

I desire to spend it on the palace roof.

Will you join me?

Who is digging in our garden
so late at night?

El Mot, the gardener.
He wants to surprise you.

FOURTH VERSE

CHARACTERS OF "THE SECOND LIGHT"

THE STORY OF THE SECOND LIGHT

Carnival.

Monna Fiametta.

Giovanfrancesco.

Girolamo.

I'm pleased to see
a smile on your face for once,

my beautiful betrothed.

How near to death men often are
without suspecting at all.

They believe
an eternity remains to them,

yet they do not even outlive
the rose with which they trifle.

The Council of Fourteen
deems Messer Giovanfrancesco

politically all too suspicious.

It's unlikely he'll live to see the dawn.

It's not in vain that I'm the best
swordsman on the Council of Fourteen.

For when Carnival heats the blood,

it is easy to be drawn into quarrels
that often prove deadly.

I know you hate me, Monna Fiametta.

And up until the hour of our wedding,
which now you curse in vain,

you are free to do so.

But I hope you spare
a smile for me then as well,

and a rose, as you did for another,

who will long be rotting in his grave.

Cockfight.

Letters.

Take this letter to Messer Girolamo.

Tell him I send it
with my most beautiful smile.

Take this letter to Messer Giovanfrancesco
as quickly as you can.

But in secret. No one must know.

Especially not Messer Girolamo!

Summon the Moor!

I, Monna Fiametta, bid you
to be my guest this evening.

I believe we have much
to say to one another.

Come when the clock strikes ten.
My nurse will guide you.

Madonna Fiametta sends you this letter
with her most beautiful smile.

Do you perhaps have
a second letter to deliver?

I have an enemy, Moor,
who I have invited here tonight.

He must not leave this house alive.
Do you understand?

Dearest, flee! The Council of Fourteen
wishes you dead,

and Girolamo is to be your executioner.

Avoid any quarrel!

Flee without delay
and do not return home until I call you.

The fate he intends for you

shall be meted out
to Girolamo himself tonight!

I kiss your eyes and heart! Fiametta.

I will lure him with the tip of my sword
to where you stand.

And when he turns his back to you...

Madonna Fiametta sends you this.

And this letter...

I, Monna Fiametta, bid you
to be my guest tonight.

I believe we have much
to say to one another.

Come when the clock strikes ten.
My nurse will guide you.

...and good advice!

Not a word, not a whisper,

if you value your life
and Monna Fiametta's honor.

No matter what happens, remain silent.

The tenth hour.

Carnival!

Now!

FIFTH VERSE

CHARACTERS OF "THE THIRD LIGHT"

THE STORY OF THE THIRD LIGHT

The highly honorable Mr. A Hi,

greatest magician
in the Middle Kingdom,

has just received
a most disturbing letter.

O Venerable One! O Millenarian!

O Beacon of Wisdom! O Jewel!

Tomorrow is my birthday
and I have commanded

that there shall be great joy
throughout the Middle Kingdom!

Upon my birthday, I wish that you,
pearl of all magicians,

dispel my imperial boredom
with never-before-seen magic tricks

from the treasure vaults
of your illustrious spirit!

With kind regards,
DJOU SCHUAN WANG, Emperor

PS: Should, contrary to expectations,
you bore me as well, O Venerable One,

I shall be forced, with deep regret,
to have you beheaded!

The Above.

Tiao Tsien! Liang!

Would you be so kind
as to bring me my Sunday wand,

the one made of jade?

Whereupon the honorable Mr. A Hi

freed himself
from the cause of his vexation.

We will go on a journey!

The Son of Heaven!

The Emperor's archer.

Son of Heaven, forgive the dirty toad
that kisses the dust at your feet.

Mr. A Hi is away and not to be seen
on any of the roads.

O Son of Heaven,

forgive the miserable
earthworm at your feet.

There is no sign of Mr. A Hi
on any of the rivers.

A Hi!

Come then, let's see your magic!

Abracadabra, witch's fat,
thrice black cats!

Venerable Son of Heaven!

To protect you from your enemies
for all time,

allow me to present you with a complete,
well-organized army for your birthday.

Salute the venerable Son of Heaven.

Imagine what this will cost!

My dear A Hi, your gift is beautiful,

but she who presents it is even more so.

I shall keep her as well.

O Son of Heaven, allow me to give you,

instead of this little toad
that is totally unworthy of you,

a magic horse, unique the world over.

Dear Mr. A Hi,
I am very pleased with you.

I shall keep the horse
and the girl as well.

O Most Venerable One,
that is impossible!

I cannot do without the girl
when working magic!

Really? You cannot?
Let me show you how well you can!

Either...

Or...

O Son of Heaven,
your eloquence is irresistible.

Take him away to the highest pagoda!

Tomorrow morning he shall be beheaded!

You must make her
submissive to me, A Hi.

Otherwise... Well, you know!

You will help me, won't you?

Be sensible, Tiao Tsien!
What can poor Liang offer you?

But the Emperor...

Give back my wand!

You... You miserable, ugly cactus!

The escape.

The pursuers.

We must continue on foot, Liang!

The path grows too narrow.

My jade piece from A Hi's magic wand

grows smaller and smaller
each time I make use of its powers.

Onward! Onward!

They're at our heels!

Demons of fire,
block their way with flames!

That night.

Take A Hi's magic horse
and bring me those two,

dead or alive!

The magic horse.

SIXTH VERSE

Undefeated, Death has won the battle,

though he places
a turn of fate within her reach.

Once again,
he looks kindly on her distress.

"May the Lord mercifully let you win
the life of your beloved!

May He gather you both to Him
for your passion and suffering!"

Do you understand now, my child,

why I grow so tired and weary of my task?

I am the eternally invincible.

Go back among the living, and live!

Grant me the life of my beloved!

There is one final way!

Within the span of one earthly hour

bring me another life,
one that has not yet expired,

one for whom years,
days and hours lie ahead.

Then I will return to you
the life of your beloved.

The clock has struck eleven!

Take care with fire and the light
so that none shall come to harm!

Praise the Lord!

Death has taken my beloved from me.

I wanted to follow him.

Old man, you have enjoyed life so long.

What more can it offer you?

Give me your life.

Grant me the last few days
you are still allotted.

Help me to save the life of my beloved.

Not a single day,
not a single hour, not a single breath!

The beggar!

Beggar, do you seek an end
to all of your suffering?

Give me your life!

Not a single day,
not a single hour, not a single breath!

The infirmary.

The woman in childbed is well
and the child is healthy.

But the young lad
who was brought in this evening

died shortly before ten.

Oh, my Lord, the poor boy!
So young, yet he had to die.

For the likes of us, we'd be glad
no longer to wake up in early morning.

Death seems to have passed over us.

If you have grown so weary of your life,

which of you will give me yours
for compassion's sake?

That was the last one!

My child!

Another life,
one that has not yet expired.

I was not able to overcome you
for that price.

Now take my life as well!

For without my beloved
it is less than nothing to me!

I shall take you to the man you love.

He who gives up his life shall gain it!

Hear my words, my good townsfolk.
The clock has just struck twelve!

Take care against
ghosts and apparitions!

Let no foul spirit enchant your soul!

THE END