Original subtitles

Max.

Max!

Max!

Max!

Max!

Is that you, Max?

Who is there?

THE VIRGIN OF NUREMBERG

There now, she'll sleep soundly for several hours.

Is it serious?

I can't make any positive diagnosis right now.

We'll know more tomorrow when she can speak to us.

It's obvious that she suffered a severe shock.

If she becomes restless and upset you better give her a second injection to calm her nerve.

Very well, doctor.

How did that happen?

It's not easy to determine, doctor.

Last night, during the storm,

a beam struck a farm building.

When I heard the sound of the siren, I rushed to help fight the fire.

Mary was sound asleep and didn't know a thing.

- I thought it was better not to wake her. - Of course.

We arrived late yesterday evening after a flight of twelve hours.

This is the first time she's been to Germany.

Perhaps she was exhausted from the trip, I don't know.

She can't be expecting?

A baby? No!

I think we can safely exclude that hypothesis.

Where did you find her?

Here in the museum.

If you please.

Thank you.

Over there.

She was here, Doctor.

Fainted.

What is it that interests you?

You don't believe that story of Mary?

These instruments are already out of use for more than 300 years.

- Since he was alive. - Who do you mean?

The Punisher!

That was as he liked to be called.

He wrote the rules in this region.

And he used to punish adultery with death.

It seems he killed many women...

torturing them to death

in the "Virgin of Nuremberg".

Well, now let me introduce you to my ancestor.

Was he a moralist or a maniac?

The fair Virgin of Nuremberg?

That's quite a poetic name to apply to what is after all a brutal instrument of torture.

Does your wife knows this tale of horror?

What tale of horror?

The history of the Punisher and his victims.

Yes.

I told it to her yesterday while we were visiting the house.

My wife likes any sort of game. She's like a child.

Yesterday, on the moment we arrived, I pretended to be a guide on a tour.

I showed her the rooms, the marvels. And also the horrors contained in this castle.

Excuse me.

I told her about the old legends about medieval torture.

But it was only a game, nothing more. Believe me, Doctor.

- Do you think she made her imagination run away? - Perhaps that's the reason.

Sometimes, human consciousness reacts strangely to certain suggestions.

Why did your wife decide to travel here with you?

I feel she had her reasons.

I have to come here every six months on business.

And she, unfortunately, couldn't come before.

After all, this castle is hers as well is mine.

That's right. I trust you forgive me for asking.

I was only trying to understand all the facts involving this strange case.

I'll call again tomorrow.

Fritz, follow the doctor out.

- Thank you. - Not at all, goodbye.

Is there anything else you require, sir?

No, nothing, Fritz. Thank you.

Mary, what are you doing out of bed? You know what the doctor told you.

I feel better now, thanks.

I must speak to you.

Now go back to bed, please.

You know you're not well.

- Max, I have something to tell you. - What is it?

Before, when the doctor was here, I didn't want to speak of it.

Last night

when I was going down the stairs...

I thought I saw a shadow.

A tall man, his head was completely hooded... he was moving slowly towards the sarcophagus.

And that's not all, while I was still there on the stairs...

footsteps sounded from down here.

It's true what happened tonight, Max.

You have to believe me, it's true!

Darling, it was only a bad dream.

Must be a reaction to the gloomy atmosphere, or jet lag...

or even the lightning during the night.

But calm down now. Nothing happened.

Promise me: you won't tell anything about this anymore.

But I can't! I can't, Max!

You didn't see, so you can't possibly understand!

Now listen, Mary. I understand you perfectly but...

You have to get over it. We'll leave here soon.

I've many appointments today and will do everything to deal with them as quickly as possible.

- Then I'm coming with you! - Don't talk nonsense. Go back to bed at once.

But when are you coming back?

Soon, I promise you.

Erich...

He's one of the best people in the whole world.

Were you afraid of him?

There's no need to be.

Erich, this is your new mistress.

No, thank you.

- What's in there? - That's the way to his office.

But what does he do?

Erich?

He's the custodian of the museum.

Does he live here?

Yes, it was my idea.

He helped my father during the war.

He would've done anything for his General. Yes, no matter what it was.

And now that my Father's dead, he transferred his devotion to me.

- Where was he last night? - He was with me.

Now don't worry.

I'm sure he's not the monster of your nightmares.

Try to imagine him without those scars on his face.

He was a good looking man. But then he was wounded.

He came out of the war the way he is.

You hate war, don't you?

Anyone who has lived through that kind of hell, would hate it.

It leaves you bitter.

But during the war, you were a little boy.

Yes, I was a mere youngster.

But the war has the faculty of aging people before their time.

I can recall everything of those days like a strange and unreal nightmare.

Those are the things that stay inside us, unfortunately, for the rest of our lives.

Things that leave a scar forever.

The wound left on my spirit is in a worse state than Eric's face.

But it doesn't show.

And as long as it doesn't show...

you can pretend that isn't true.

What's wrong?

Nothing, why?

There is something that upsets you.

Your foolish fears, what you give way to,

and what you suddenly permit...

Come in!

Did you ring for me, sir?

Yes, please bring me a glass of water.

I left it there, sir.

Sorry, I didn't see!

Thank you.

That's all, Fritz.

Is there anything else that you require?

- Yes, thank you. Please send Hilda to me. - I may send Trude.

- Hilda has left unexpectedly. - When?

Last night, I think. Since none of us saw her since this morning.

Perhaps Mrs. Martha knows something.

No, it doesn't matter.

How many other persons are here living in the castle?

What do you mean? Just the two of us.

I meant the servants.

I don't know, but they're quite a few.

Old Martha can tell about it. She is the one who manages the lot.

What is it?

Tranquilizer. The doctor prescribed them.

Sleep well. You need to rest.

Trude, wait!

I don't know if Hilda will return. Anyway, you have to replace her.

- The gardener's wife will help you. - Very well, Madam.

I'll tell you what to do. First put the laundry.

I'll show you the tasks, so you can do it yourself tomorrow.

Are you looking for something,

Mrs. Mary?

No, Erich, I just wanted to speak to my husband.

I thought he came in here.

Mr. Max is taking out the car to go to the city.

And perhaps can you still find him in the garage.

- Well, how do I get there? - You'll have to go back to the saloon...

and get out through the main entrance to get in the park. There's no other way to get out.

But I could swear I saw Max went through here. I'm sorry.

You are interested in surgery, aren't you, Erich?

Those instruments were the property of the general...

Madam.

The father of your husband.

I never knew his Father was a surgeon.

In any case, I'm happy to see the way you keep them.

Here it smells so much of alcohol that it's obvious you clean them every day.

It wouldn't be such a bad idea to do the same with the furniture.

You gave me a fright!

Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to!

- But you're not German, are you? - Indeed. But who are you?

My name is John Selby.

I'm here because I'm very curious.

I'm making a tour on the castles of the Rhine. And I especially wanted to see this one.

However they tell me the owners returned...

and the visitors are not allowed in the castle itself.

So I thought at least to take a look at the garden.

The owner is not here at the moment but anyway...

- I wouldn't deny a little favor to a foreigner. - Thank you.

- Miss... - I'm Mrs. Hunter.

- Are you the wife of the owner of this castle? - Yes.

But tell me, why are you doing this trip?

Let's say it's an instructive travel.

May I walk through the park?

Of course!

What's wrong? Why are you looking so frightened?

Nothing.

You're frightened, I can tell from your face.

There's nothing wrong, I'm telling you.

Don't try to fool me. Anyone can see you're afraid.

Perhaps I can help.

- If you just tell me what it is... - I can't!

I mean because there's nothing to tell you.

I'm sure.

Do you intend to stay longer in this neighbourhood?

I don't know yet, it depends. Depends on many things, I...

Excuse me, I better be going. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again.

- How do you feel? - Better, much better.

- Where did he go to? - Who?

The man who I saw that was talking with you here.

What was he asking you?

- Why are you so interested? - You must take care of what you say. He's a police officer!

- A police officer? - Yes, he's after him.

You shouldn't trust that American, he...

What are you saying? Who is "he"?

Besides...

I have no doubt of what you saw last night.

He's come back finally. After 300 years.

- This is sure madness! - I know this is not madness and you know as well as I.

He's come back to bring terror to the shameless women.

And punish them for their sins.

- Last night... - Don't say it! Don't say it! I refuse to hear another word!

It's useless not to hear.

He's come back and you know it. After a long sleep of centuries,

but no one dares to say a word!

Because everyone is afraid, because he's the Punisher!

Stop, I tell you! I forbid you to torture me with these horrible stories!

Erich.

Erich!

Master!

Master!

Master!

Where are you?

What are you doing here?

You cannot escape.

I'm gonna show you what I'm capable of doing!

Master!

She was young and pretty, lifeless lying on the cold stone...

What are you doing here?

I brought your dinner. I've prepared it in your room.

I thought you'd prefer to eat it here.

And besides, I have something to tell you.

Well, what is it?

Lock yourself in your room for the rest of the night.

And don't open the door to anyone.

I have much appreciation for Mr. Max,

and if something happens to you...

Max...

When he come back?

I think that Max won't return that night.

Get out! Get out!

Lock the door and don't open to anyone!

He can't leave me here all alone.

Now I know that it wasn't a nightmare.

Why did you leave me here alone?

Doctor, Mr. Selby wants to see you.

Show him in.

- Come in, Mr. Selby. - Doctor.

- Sit down, please. - Thank you.

I apologize for bothering you, making you come here at this hour.

- I believe that will interest you. - Well, Doctor, what is it?

You're an FBI agent, aren't you?

How did you know about that?

We know everything even in a small town as provincial as ours.

The wind carries news from tree to tree.

And the news is that between the trees of the Hunter's garden...

you spend the whole day spying the castle. Why?

What's the reason for this interrogation, doctor?

I'm not sure.

Perhaps the circumstances.

I can't explain why I prefer to speak to you...

instead of local police, but I'll be honest with you.

I don't want you to find me a madman or someone who believes in everything.

But some stories indicate

that there's a monster in the castle.

And there's proof of this, Doctor?

The young wife of the current owner...

told him that she saw things that are more than strange.

I wish were not true, because...

what I have here can serve as a real proof.

Who is it?

Who is it?

It's me.

Max!

No, you're not Max.

It's not a ghost!

It's daybreak!

It's daybreak!

But... it's your statue!

Albert? Albert?

Is that you, Albert?

Don't be afraid.

You thought I wanted to abuse your body?

On the contrary.

I have something else in store for you.

Not over there, Erich. It's better here inside.

No one will find it here.

Remember to close the other tomb as well afterwards.

Max!

Max! Let me out!

Max!

You're hungry, aren't you?

Observe the shape of this cage.

Curious?

You have never seen one like it?

And do you know why?

It has been forbidden since the fifteenth century.

Because it's too barbaric.

It's known as far away as China.

Instruments of torture are more or less the same wherever you go.

The mind of man is ever at the service of evil.

Nowadays great progress has been made with the aid of science, of course.

But the old ways are still the best.

Believe me, they had an extremely diabolic imagination...

our ancestors!

Who are you? What happened?

I'm Edna. I don't know what happened.

Albert had been waiting for me, as always.

I sneaked out of the house and went to meet him in the park.

I don't know what happened then.

Somebody grabbed me, and that's all I know.

I can't remember anything!

My face! My face!

I can't live with my face like that! My face!

No! Erich! No!

- You can't! Stop, Erich! - My face! My face!

Max!

Max!

No! It can't be true!

Mary! Mary! Please, wake up, darling!

Mary, I beg you, speak to me!

Max!

- How did we arrive here? - Erich brought us up here.

- What have you done? - Nothing! It's nothing!

- Mary, you must forget what happened tonight. - How can I forget?

Max, what have you done to that girl down there?

Erich has taken her to the doctor. She'll be alright, you'll see.

Now you must promise me you'll forget everything.

No, I want to know!

Yesterday you told me I was only dreaming. That it was all an illusion.

Now you ask me to forget what has to be terminated.

What are you, Max?

What are you turning into?

Mary, you are right, I know.

It was foolish not to listen to you.

Please, I beg you, Mary!

You must give me just 24 hours! After that I'll be free to tell you the truth.

Why are you asking me that?

Think what you want, I know you think I'm a monster!

But give me more time!

After that we'll leave this place once and for all!

Just give me one day longer!

No! I want to know what you're hiding from me!

Why were you wearing those clothes? Tell me the truth, why?

Please be calm, Mary!

I'll tell you everything. Everything!

It's horrible. Maybe it's best that you know the whole truth.

Or you might suspect I'm guilty, as you probably do.

Maybe you won't believe what I have to tell you. But it's true!

Max,

I saw you dragging that poor girl before she was so severely tortured.

No, Mary! That's not true!

When you saw we I was carrying the body of Hilda.

Hilda?

Yes, she was the dead woman you saw inside the Virgin.

We found her body last night.

Mr. Max!

Mr. Max, you must go down to the cellar right away!

What's happening?

Fritz...

I heard some screaming and I followed the sound and it came from the old cistern.

He's there!

Call Trude, get everyone away immediately.

Hurry, I'll go down there.

What's happening now?

Nothing. Nothing.

Don't be afraid. Have confidence in me, I beg you!

Just let me have the few hours I'm asking of you.

I wouldn't be here imploring you if I were guilty.

You mustn't stay here. You must get away before the nightfall.

- Do you remember that hotel at the airport? - Yes. - Go there and wait for me.

I'll join you soon as I'm finished. If things go right...

Otherwise,

return to America.

- I'll make it easy for you to get a divorce there. - Why do you say that?

Mary...

Whatever happens to me, whatever you hear about me...

remember that I always loved you.

And I'll love you as long as I live.

Max...

- Trude, please pack my things right away, we'll leave here at once. - Shall I pack too?

Yes, of course. I'm taking you with me.

Martha, you know, don't you?

What do I know?

You know who this monster is.

- He is not a monster. - How can you say such thing?

Do you know what he did?

That's true, I know. But he's not a monster.

He is a sick man. A very sick.

He's a degenerate maniac!

- Tell me his name! Who is he? - I will not betray him!

I prayed that he would die without his misfortune becoming known to the world.

Just thinking about the noble name of Hunter...

Max!

- Does Mr. Hunter have a brother then? - No, Max has no brothers.

What do you mean then?

What did you say about the "Name of Hunter"?

Max...

So that was what he wanted to tell me.

Max...

I don't know what you're talking about.

You'd better think about having your packing done now.

Max will join you at the hotel.

He can tell you...

all you want to know.

Have you packed, Trude?

Yes, Ma'am. My bag is in the front hall.

Is Martha ready too?

I believe that she's already in the car. Will you be driving, Ma'am?

Yes.

- Can you carry yours too? - Yes, I can manage.

- Why is this door locked? - I guess Martha must've locked it.

Perhaps she used the service entrance.

This one is locked too? Is there any other way out?

The door to the garage in the cellar.

- And Martha, where is she? - Maybe she's not quite ready yet.

Her room is down the hall.

If you like we can go and have a look.

And while you look for her, I'm going to check the garage door.

If it's open, I'll take the luggage down.

Martha!

Martha!

Mrs. Mary!

Mrs. Mary!

The cellar door to the garage is locked. Where's Martha?

- Martha? I didn't found her in your room, but she might've gone out. - Where?

Are you sure there is no other outside door?

Yes, there's one at the museum. It's a door for the visitors.

To tell you the truth, I never used it myself. I feel...

Maybe Martha has left that way. Let's go and see if she did.

Mrs. Mary! Mrs. Mary!

- Do you know where the entrance to the museum is? - No.

But then we have to look for it. Put the luggage down somewhere.

We'll pick it up later. If the door is locked, I'll smash it down with this.

- What's that thing over there? - It's just an iron statue.

What is it?

It's only an ancient instrument of torture.

But there's a skeleton inside! It looks horrible!

No, it leads back inside.

Run, Trude, run!

It's dead!

It's dead!

You won't fright me ever again!

You won't fright me ever again!

Trude!

You must be dead!

I killed you just now!

I killed you just now!

You didn't hit me! You destroyed my statue!

There's no escape!

You will die!

Quickly! Quickly!

He locked all the doors! It's impossible to get in!

He will kill everyone! We must get the police!

Why didn't you speak of him before?

- Now may be too late. - Because you would've executed him.

You would've condemned him to death.

He is a war criminal! And he must be judged!

You don't know the truth!

You don't know what happened! Why he went mad!

You weren't here.

You don't know.

- You can't judge him! - But the Court can!

Germany's situation was a desperate one.

We couldn't resist any longer.

But Hitler insisted on continuing the fight.

One day,

several generals decided to make an attempt on his life.

But their plan did not succeed.

Their identities were discovered.

The entire group was executed.

Some were shot,

others taken to the gas chamber.

But for him, they reserved a more weird punishment.

He was imprisoned,

then sent to a surgical laboratory...

where in the name of science...

some depraved doctors tortured and killed innocent men without mercy.

Slowly.

One operation after another the "Human Skull" experiment

went to its end.

He was the fruit of modern science.

The "Living Skull"!

They drank a toast to him.

To their masterpiece!

The Virgin!

Help!

Mary!

- Help! - Mary!

Mary! Mary!

Help!

Max!

Max!

Max!

Max!

Stop, Father! Stop!

You can't do this to me! You can't! Don't be afraid!

I'm your son! Your son! Don't you know me?

I'm your son!

Max! Max! Hurry, Max!

Hurry up!

After him! Fast!

There must be another door on the other side of the castle!

Max, take me away from here! Take me away!

Block all every possible exit from the estate.

Come with me!

Hurry, take them to the park.

Erich! Erich!

What you're doing? Can't you see that everything's in flames?

Quickly, go for reinforcements!

I'm sorry I had to do this to your father.

But he left me no other choice.

Please forgive me, Max.

I never dreamed that he was your father.

Master!

Master!

General!

Master!

General!

- Who are you? - Erich, Mr. General.

What happened to your face, Erich?

It's all in flames.

The war is over and lost.

But we're still sending thousands of men to death.

- We must stop this slaughter! - Yes, yes, Mr. General.

We will have peace again... Erich...

We will be as we were before... Erich...

Erich...

Yes, Mr. General.

As we were before.