1 00:00:09,815 --> 00:00:12,410 THE PRESIDENT 2 00:00:12,411 --> 00:00:17,496 A novel by Karl Emil Franzos 3 00:00:21,149 --> 00:00:30,756 Karl Victor v. Genblingen's lineage. 4 00:00:43,982 --> 00:00:56,631 THE STORY PRECEDING THE MAIN STORY The three generations: 5 00:00:56,632 --> 00:01:01,798 The story is set towards the end of the 19th century. 6 00:01:01,799 --> 00:01:04,833 In a modest abode outside the town Franz Victor v. Sendlingen... 7 00:01:04,834 --> 00:01:09,058 is living out the last days of his life. 8 00:01:18,615 --> 00:01:23,665 June the 3rd. My son tells me that my cheeks are dark red... 9 00:01:23,866 --> 00:01:28,575 but I know all too well that it is the roses of death... 10 00:01:28,776 --> 00:01:34,188 that are blooming on them. And that is why I today... 11 00:01:34,389 --> 00:01:38,476 will let him know what his kin is forbidden to do. 12 00:02:10,559 --> 00:02:13,332 The son Karl Victor. 13 00:02:52,940 --> 00:02:55,690 The ruins of Sendlingen castle, once so proud,... 14 00:02:55,691 --> 00:03:01,749 now a playground for the children of the poor. 15 00:03:57,953 --> 00:04:00,618 Escaping. 16 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:49,782 My son, I have lived a wretch and I shall die a wretch.... 17 00:04:49,783 --> 00:04:55,278 But I shall not bemoan my fate if it serves as a waning to you! 18 00:05:21,857 --> 00:05:27,823 I asked about the maid and learned that she was the daughter of the new porter. 19 00:05:38,925 --> 00:05:43,113 I met her again a few days later. 20 00:05:59,887 --> 00:06:02,671 I offered to take her on the water... 21 00:06:49,020 --> 00:06:52,385 Our trysts were clandestine and frequent. 22 00:06:52,386 --> 00:06:54,999 She utterly bewitched me. 23 00:07:16,517 --> 00:07:23,559 She was now with child; she demanded that we be wed... 24 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,725 or shed would tell my father, so she wrote. 25 00:09:09,127 --> 00:09:13,601 The nuptials will take place on Sunday; a Sendlingen may be reckless,... 26 00:09:13,602 --> 00:09:16,016 but never a villain! 27 00:09:25,479 --> 00:09:29,403 The following Sunday the wedding took place. 28 00:09:37,105 --> 00:09:42,112 Will you take this woman in matrimony? 29 00:11:09,172 --> 00:11:14,208 Then swear by our family honour that you will never marry a commoner. 30 00:11:14,209 --> 00:11:20,086 For no good ever comes of it, naught but curses and remorse. 31 00:11:35,686 --> 00:11:39,860 I have done my duty and now I am ready... 32 00:11:54,614 --> 00:12:00,598 30 YEARS LATER 33 00:12:15,868 --> 00:12:20,788 Karl Victor V. Sendlingen, the highly esteemed and much belover president of his home town... 34 00:12:20,789 --> 00:12:24,633 returns from a prolonged absence and is welcomed at the station by Vice-president Werner... 35 00:12:24,634 --> 00:12:30,361 who was served as deputy in his absence. 36 00:12:38,538 --> 00:12:41,631 The president's trusty servant, Franz. 37 00:12:57,843 --> 00:13:00,016 Brigitta. 38 00:13:11,688 --> 00:13:16,090 Today president von Senligen returns from his four month travels. The townspeople sincerely welcome him... 39 00:13:16,091 --> 00:13:20,733 back to the office that he constantly fulfils in accordance with the von Sendligen family motto: 40 00:13:20,734 --> 00:13:29,194 The majesty of justice is the holiest on earth. 41 00:14:27,104 --> 00:14:32,024 Here is a list of the prisoners awaiting trial. 42 00:15:02,508 --> 00:15:07,292 CRIMINAL CASE NO. 337/82 A NAME: Victorine Lippert 43 00:15:07,327 --> 00:15:12,392 PROFESSION: Governess ARRESTED FOR: Infanticide 44 00:15:12,393 --> 00:15:16,430 REMARKS: Pleads guilty VERDICT:______________ 45 00:17:34,706 --> 00:17:40,328 Although I do not curse you, but wish with all my heart... 46 00:17:40,363 --> 00:17:45,950 that you have not sacrificed me and my daughter... 47 00:17:45,951 --> 00:17:48,662 whom I have named Victorine after you, in vain. Hermine 48 00:17:57,956 --> 00:18:00,519 The next morning. 49 00:18:20,192 --> 00:18:23,502 He has not been in bed at all. 50 00:19:17,028 --> 00:19:22,167 "Dear friend, I shall come to you in order to talk to you about the wretched Victorine Lippert... 51 00:19:22,168 --> 00:19:27,864 "infanticide, whom I am to defend. Werner always applies the death penalty in such dread causes... 52 00:19:27,865 --> 00:19:34,127 "as you know, and I therefore beseech you to take over the bench in this case. Your devoted friend Georg Berger" 53 00:19:42,298 --> 00:19:44,552 Counsellor Berger 54 00:20:29,531 --> 00:20:33,266 "I dare not hear this case." 55 00:20:38,719 --> 00:20:44,180 "The young woman to be sentenced tomorrow is... my... daughter." 56 00:21:12,558 --> 00:21:15,263 "I had just graduated and was appointed... 57 00:21:15,264 --> 00:21:18,843 to serve the judge in the town of S... 58 00:21:18,878 --> 00:21:21,730 where my uncle, Count Warnberg resided. 59 00:21:52,797 --> 00:21:55,604 "I often accepted my uncle's invitations... 60 00:21:55,605 --> 00:22:00,039 mostly because I was deeply in love with his little daughter's governess." 61 00:25:10,573 --> 00:25:14,607 "A Sendlingen may be reckless... 62 00:25:14,642 --> 00:25:18,307 but never a villain. She is to be my wife!" 63 00:25:29,912 --> 00:25:34,367 "Do not forget the oath you swore when your father died!" 64 00:26:02,754 --> 00:26:07,284 Darling, I cannot marry you, although I love you. I cannot... 65 00:26:07,285 --> 00:26:11,231 An oath that I swore my father renders it impossible... 66 00:26:11,232 --> 00:26:15,277 Try to forget me, and believe me, an alliance between us... 67 00:26:15,278 --> 00:26:19,294 would be our ruin... Your Karl Victor 68 00:26:34,814 --> 00:26:38,464 "A year later I received this letter". 69 00:26:43,248 --> 00:26:47,369 Although I do not curse you, but wish with all my heart... 70 00:26:47,370 --> 00:26:51,547 that you have not sacrificed me and my daughter... 71 00:26:51,548 --> 00:26:56,153 whom I have named Victorine after you, in vain. Hermine 72 00:26:58,672 --> 00:27:02,202 "Poor friend � and poor, poor girl!" 73 00:27:27,877 --> 00:27:30,875 "I am to leave for my son's tomorrow, and have come to beseech you... 74 00:27:30,876 --> 00:27:33,869 to grant me the favour of taking the bench... 75 00:27:33,870 --> 00:27:38,878 in the trial of Victorine Lippert." 76 00:28:19,452 --> 00:28:22,988 "My honour as a judge must not be stained. 77 00:28:23,023 --> 00:28:27,273 All my life the family motto has been my guiding light... 78 00:28:27,308 --> 00:28:31,950 and may God permit that it continues to be so." 79 00:28:41,937 --> 00:28:44,512 Before the bench. 80 00:29:56,081 --> 00:29:58,820 "Silence for the counsel for the prosecution!" 81 00:30:08,615 --> 00:30:12,141 The representatives of the local newspapers. 82 00:30:44,441 --> 00:30:47,685 "Her crime, which was clearly with malice aforethought,... 83 00:30:47,886 --> 00:30:50,860 reveals that she was corrupted at an early age." 84 00:30:55,648 --> 00:30:59,248 "The daughter of a woman of easy virtue." 85 00:31:00,512 --> 00:31:02,954 "A lie! A damned lie!" 86 00:31:07,642 --> 00:31:11,168 "I admit that I deserve death, and I want to die... 87 00:31:11,269 --> 00:31:15,920 But as God is my witness: My mother was noble and good... 88 00:31:16,021 --> 00:31:21,192 Where she erred was in trusting an unworthy man." 89 00:31:33,075 --> 00:31:36,890 "I ask for the death sentence." 90 00:31:38,629 --> 00:31:41,269 "Silence for the counsel for the defence!" 91 00:31:47,330 --> 00:31:54,068 "Your honours! Permit me to describe the suffering of this young lady." 92 00:32:07,845 --> 00:32:12,213 "Only 17 years old, she lost her mother.... 93 00:32:12,214 --> 00:32:16,991 Soon afterwards she was engaged as a governess by the dowager... 94 00:32:16,992 --> 00:32:19,843 countess at Graskowitz, an arrogant, heartless woman by all accounts." 95 00:32:55,506 --> 00:33:00,880 A few months later, the countess's son visited his mother. 96 00:34:12,165 --> 00:34:16,711 From that day forth, the young woman, who was all alone in the world... 97 00:34:16,912 --> 00:34:22,033 formed an everlasting attachment to the young master of Graskowitz. 98 00:34:45,126 --> 00:34:51,595 Unused to kind words, she believed in his assurances. 99 00:35:10,407 --> 00:35:15,040 "Do you recall the ballad about the dandelion?" 100 00:35:19,376 --> 00:35:24,214 The maiden sighs To the dandelion seeeds: 101 00:35:24,415 --> 00:35:29,134 O little flower, how long will it be Until my wedding day? 102 00:35:29,335 --> 00:35:33,900 A hundred seeds remain On the dandelion bloom... 103 00:35:33,901 --> 00:35:38,006 A hundred years! At the seeds the maiden stares Her heart full of sorrow. 104 00:35:57,214 --> 00:36:01,372 Shortly afterwards he informed her that he was going abroad... 105 00:36:01,573 --> 00:36:05,043 but promised to marry her upon his return. 106 00:36:30,742 --> 00:36:34,229 When she realised she was going to become a mother, she wrote to him... 107 00:36:34,230 --> 00:36:37,817 letter upon letter, but no reply did she receive. 108 00:37:06,355 --> 00:37:10,657 But the young master wrote to his mother. 109 00:37:23,939 --> 00:37:26,979 Well, mother dear, now I have confessed to you... 110 00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:30,849 You must admit that she is at least... 111 00:37:30,950 --> 00:37:34,806 as much to blame as I am, and I hope that... 112 00:37:35,007 --> 00:37:37,696 you will sort things out as well as possible." 113 00:38:57,467 --> 00:39:02,020 And now the noble lady was so brutal as to evict... 114 00:39:02,221 --> 00:39:07,297 the poor girl from the castle in the dead of the night. 115 00:40:16,011 --> 00:40:20,455 Trembling with fever, weary unto death... 116 00:40:20,656 --> 00:40:23,898 the wretched yougn woman staggered towards the nearest village. 117 00:40:32,467 --> 00:40:35,151 But she never reached it. 118 00:40:47,636 --> 00:40:51,284 Next morning she was found unconscious... 119 00:40:51,485 --> 00:40:54,834 her dead child beside her. 120 00:42:10,479 --> 00:42:15,185 In these long nights I have prayed to God... 121 00:42:15,686 --> 00:42:19,290 that I would not be acquitted, for I long for death. 122 00:42:59,064 --> 00:43:03,746 "Although I see that your votes are equal and mine... 123 00:43:03,947 --> 00:43:06,363 is the deciding ballot, I am not afraid to vote for the sentence of death... 124 00:43:06,564 --> 00:43:10,070 for it seems to me that it is the only just penalty in this case. 125 00:43:39,628 --> 00:43:42,472 "...to forfeit her life!" 126 00:44:41,730 --> 00:44:44,276 A grave responsibility. 127 00:44:54,365 --> 00:44:57,391 "The result is... death!" 128 00:45:31,318 --> 00:45:36,158 "I have decided to see my daughter and speak to her... 129 00:45:36,359 --> 00:45:42,361 as my only friend, I ask you to accompany me to her cell." 130 00:46:15,006 --> 00:46:18,838 The two friends agree that Berger shall prepare... 131 00:46:19,039 --> 00:46:22,213 for the father's visit to the young woman. 132 00:47:10,292 --> 00:47:13,741 Victorine recalls the death of her mother. 133 00:47:57,854 --> 00:48:01,728 ...but if fate should ever lead you to your father... 134 00:48:01,929 --> 00:48:05,579 tell him that I have forgiven him. 135 00:49:24,566 --> 00:49:27,022 "Father!" 136 00:50:18,360 --> 00:50:22,593 "I shall go home, and I shall petition for clemency this very afternoon." 137 00:51:08,063 --> 00:51:13,022 "Thank God I am alive and able to repay my debt!" 138 00:51:17,761 --> 00:51:20,335 A week later. 139 00:52:18,951 --> 00:52:22,573 The minister of Justice has authorised me to inform you that you have been promoted... 140 00:52:22,808 --> 00:52:27,128 to president of the residency town, and that you are to take up your post within four days... 141 00:52:27,363 --> 00:52:32,022 Accordingly, you will avoid having to carry out the death sentence passed upon the infanticide... 142 00:52:32,257 --> 00:52:37,356 Victorine Lippert, whose petition for clemency has been turned down. 143 00:53:23,306 --> 00:53:26,389 "The petition for clemency has been granted... 144 00:53:26,590 --> 00:53:30,997 and when it's official in a couple of days' time, you will be released." 145 00:54:25,319 --> 00:54:29,509 I hereby inform you that your petition for clemency... 146 00:54:29,544 --> 00:54:33,373 for the condemned infanticide Victorine Lippert... 147 00:54:33,408 --> 00:54:37,159 has been turned down. O. Krause. 148 00:54:51,668 --> 00:54:58,871 "I am so glad you came so that I can thank you from my heart." 149 00:55:05,704 --> 00:55:09,694 "For I'm sure you are aware that I have been pardoned... 150 00:55:09,895 --> 00:55:13,847 My father has just been to tell me." 151 00:55:26,082 --> 00:55:28,538 An important consultation. 152 00:56:05,399 --> 00:56:09,886 Four days later. In honour of the promotion of the president... 153 00:56:10,087 --> 00:56:14,459 and his journey to the residency town, his fellow councillors... 154 00:56:14,660 --> 00:56:18,140 are bidding him farewell at a ceremony at the town hall. 155 00:56:44,808 --> 00:56:50,389 "Now we longer have you as a shining example of judges virtue among us... 156 00:56:50,524 --> 00:56:56,555 your features on this frieze will be a constand reminder of your justice." 157 00:57:07,738 --> 00:57:10,703 "Your efforts have proved that it is the judge's duty... 158 00:57:10,904 --> 00:57:13,856 to act in accordance with the law... 159 00:57:14,057 --> 00:57:17,340 even if it breaks his heart to do so." 160 00:57:35,416 --> 00:57:38,666 At the same time as the ceremony at the town hall... 161 00:57:38,867 --> 00:57:41,022 the townspeople gather for a torchlight procession... 162 00:57:41,323 --> 00:57:43,565 in honour of the president. 163 00:58:18,284 --> 00:58:20,870 The town watchman. 164 00:59:15,676 --> 00:59:19,525 If you want to know the hour Master, maiden, lad 165 00:59:19,726 --> 00:59:23,750 it is time to go to bed And commit your soul to God 166 00:59:23,951 --> 00:59:29,151 Be diligent and wise Tend candle and fire 167 00:59:29,152 --> 00:59:32,315 Our clock has struck ten. 168 01:00:10,194 --> 01:00:14,098 "Urged by thousands, the council hereby awards you... 169 01:00:14,299 --> 01:00:19,132 the keys of the town, dear von Sendlingen." 170 01:01:20,910 --> 01:01:23,969 "The procession is approaching." 171 01:02:27,460 --> 01:02:31,891 "He who has won suck a love must be a happy man." 172 01:02:43,927 --> 01:02:46,456 Half an hour later. 173 01:06:35,782 --> 01:06:39,892 To his Excellency the Minister of Justice. I hereby tender my resignation... 174 01:06:40,093 --> 01:06:44,908 I am ailing, and under no circumstances am I able... 175 01:06:44,909 --> 01:06:49,409 to undertake any task save that of my own recovery... 176 01:06:49,610 --> 01:06:54,301 Your humble servant Karl Victor von Sendlingen. 177 01:07:32,783 --> 01:07:35,691 "Oh, here you are! We have been looking for you everywhere... 178 01:07:35,892 --> 01:07:37,981 Your train leaves in a quarter of an hour." 179 01:08:27,089 --> 01:08:31,010 "I am deeply touched by your kindness, and I hope my fellow... 180 01:08:31,211 --> 01:08:36,352 townspeople and colleagues will never amend their opinion of me." 181 01:08:49,811 --> 01:08:52,352 Twenty minutes later. 182 01:09:36,329 --> 01:09:39,552 "Drive as fast as you can.... 183 01:09:39,753 --> 01:09:42,706 We must be across the border by dawn." 184 01:09:51,372 --> 01:09:56,202 Now the black night is passing and day is drawing nigh 185 01:09:56,403 --> 01:10:01,116 O god, defend us from those Who would make us sigh 186 01:10:01,317 --> 01:10:06,392 The clock has struck three O pious Father 187 01:10:06,593 --> 01:10:09,789 Come to our aid Grant us mercy! 188 01:10:13,618 --> 01:10:16,224 Next morning. 189 01:10:18,160 --> 01:10:23,022 I know that you cannot forgive me, and I do not ask you to... 190 01:10:23,223 --> 01:10:28,142 Promise me but one thing: Do not give up hope that one day... 191 01:10:28,343 --> 01:10:32,610 you will again consider me worthy of your respect. 192 01:10:32,811 --> 01:10:34,712 Your friend, Karl Victor. 193 01:11:06,248 --> 01:11:11,045 On a river boat on a journey abroad, Councillor Berger meets Weyden, 194 01:11:11,246 --> 01:11:14,492 a plantation owner from Java... 195 01:11:14,693 --> 01:11:19,187 who has come to Europe to get married. 196 01:11:38,319 --> 01:11:40,803 "Victorine!" 197 01:13:01,330 --> 01:13:04,814 Birgitte is finishing a monument... 198 01:13:04,815 --> 01:13:07,255 to commemorate a friend who died recently. 199 01:14:56,840 --> 01:15:02,596 "Tell him that I shall always remember him with love and respect." 200 01:15:06,883 --> 01:15:11,345 "With respect: do not forget that, Franz!" 201 01:15:14,938 --> 01:15:19,361 And the following Sunday the wedding took place. 202 01:15:48,181 --> 01:15:51,102 A belated wedding procession. 203 01:16:01,646 --> 01:16:06,062 "Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?" 204 01:17:15,443 --> 01:17:19,878 The blind organist strikes up the wedding march. 205 01:19:18,292 --> 01:19:21,657 "Pack this very afternoon, Franz; 206 01:19:21,858 --> 01:19:24,556 tomorrow we are going home." 207 01:19:27,253 --> 01:19:32,240 Two days later. Karl Victor, whom no one has ever suspected... 208 01:19:32,441 --> 01:19:36,386 confesses his crime to president Werner. 209 01:20:04,471 --> 01:20:10,803 "I have come to demand the punishment I deserve as a criminal." 210 01:20:36,534 --> 01:20:39,308 "What you have told me must remain a secret. 211 01:20:39,509 --> 01:20:42,809 If it came out, it would completely... 212 01:20:43,010 --> 01:20:46,729 undermine confidence in the judiciary!" 213 01:20:50,793 --> 01:20:56,211 "If you deny me my punishment I shall confess in public." 214 01:21:07,933 --> 01:21:11,490 "If you do not drop the matter of your own free will... 215 01:21:11,691 --> 01:21:15,349 I swear we shall find your daughter... 216 01:21:15,550 --> 01:21:18,995 and execute her sentence." 217 01:21:36,534 --> 01:21:40,262 "I bow to your will. 218 01:21:40,463 --> 01:21:43,595 God forgive me for what you have done to me." 219 01:21:49,483 --> 01:21:51,486 That night the president wrote... 220 01:21:51,687 --> 01:21:53,720 his last will and testament. 221 01:22:01,457 --> 01:22:05,383 and past the old place of execution he walked the last... 222 01:22:05,584 --> 01:22:09,490 burdensome mile to the ruins of his ancestral castle. 223 01:23:17,099 --> 01:23:22,681 When darkness Earth does blind And the day is done 224 01:23:22,882 --> 01:23:27,471 That time shall remind us Of Death's dark grove 225 01:23:27,672 --> 01:23:32,110 Enlighten us, gentle Jesus, Every step of the way 226 01:23:32,311 --> 01:23:35,395 To where the grave does lie And give us a blessed death 228 01:24:11,474 --> 01:24:16,560 This film has been restored by Marguerite Engberg from a master print... 229 01:24:16,761 --> 01:24:21,939 made from the original negative. Dreyer has left directions for the tinting of the film. 230 01:24:22,140 --> 01:24:28,388 The English intertitles are translations from the original Danish ones.