Original subtitles

Central Film Studio of Children's and Youth Films

named after M. GORKY

By commission of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR

on Television and Radio Broadcasting

SEVENTEEN MOMENTS OF SPRING

Part 11

Starring

Stierlitz - Vyachaslav TIKHONOV

Müller - Leonid BRONEVOY

Bormann - Yuriy VIZBOR

Pastor Schlag - Rostislav PLYATT

Kät - Ekaterina GRADOVA

Schellenberg - Oleg TABAKOV

Krauze - Vladimir KENIGSON

Scholz - Lavrenti MASOKHA

Narrated by Yefim KOPELYAN

Stierlitz.

I'd like you to stay...

for a minute.

Bern, Switzerland

No, Mr. Krauze, no.

As a former state official of Germany,

you're responsible not only for its past,

but also for the future of our miserable country.

Dear Pastor, I'm a politician

in exile.

Unfortunately.

Anyone who's absent is always in the wrong.

I'm no longer of interest to London, to the White House,

because there politicians hold real power,

and I hold none.

No one loses their skills faster

than a politician without power.

Who, do you think, is a serious

politician in Germany now

that Hitler liquidated the best of the opposition?

The most serious German politician

is Himmler.

He's Germany's disgrace.

He wields real power.

-May I... -I'm sorry.

A politician with real power is a force.

Only those of equal weight

deal with him.

Do you really think Americans and Englishmen

who profess Christ

will agree to negotiate with the Antichrist?

Dear Pastor, politics doesn't use

terms like Christ, Antichrist, good, or evil.

Politics presupposes the observation of the balance of power.

Here it is.

Read it.

My friends

helped me get hold of a recording of a conversation

with a key SD representative, Count Gogenloe.

He's Himmler's close friend.

He met with one of the top American intelligence officers here,

Mr. Dulles.

It was a year ago.

A whole year, my friend. Please.

I forgot my glasses.

The main idea of the conversation is as follows:

Both sides acknowledge the threat of Bolshevism.

Both are concerned about Germany's future,

and the question of keeping National Socialism alive

needs to be looked at

in proper perspective.

Maybe this document was cooked up by the Nazis.

I don't believe that.

I'd like to agree with you,

but I have every reason to trust this document.

Hitler is living out

his last days as a political figure.

And Göring and Bormann

may already be thinking about taking power.

Of course, I don't believe Himmler could become

some special figure and step forward.

But certain circles in the West would like that option.

Still, I think that public opinion

would never accept

that democrats would negotiate

with a man who embodies all the horrors of National Socialism.

Yes...

In spite of that, I'm still convinced

that Himmler is the most powerful figure in Germany today.

I can't see how they could sit down together

at the negotiating table on the one hand,

and still manage to

keep Germany in line

without Himmler on the other.

Do you think

such negotiations are possible?

They're happening right now -

here in Bern.

The talks are being run by Himmler's personal envoy, Karl Wolff,

and the representative

of the American intelligence,

Dulles.

How reliable is your information?

Dear Pastor, a politician in exile

usually relies on well-verified rumors.

Are you sure these negotiations are real?

Yes.

My German friends asked me to explore

the possibility of serious talks with the Allies

to stop the bloodshed.

Who are the people

Who exactly asked you?

They're honest men.

Men from the Foreign Ministry,

party officials, and even men from the SD.

By the way, the SD men

who helped me come here

warned you Germans

never to trust Himmler.

You must not trust him at all.

You should never negotiate with him or his people.

All right.

I have a question.

Do you...

trust the people who sent you here?

I fully trust the person

who sent me.

Then listen closely.

My friends...

My friends...

filled me in on the issues

that come up

in the meetings that Dulles and Wolff have so often.

Pay special attention to this document.

Top secret. Bern, to Dulles.

I suggest we codename the operation with Wolff

"Sunrise Crossword."

General Donovan, chief of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services.

Bert Johansson, Sveavägen 7,

Stockholm, Sweden.

Aunt Elsa stayed with us in Bern, in Lausanne. She is well,

but she's homesick and writes home every week.

Gustav.

In two days, this message will reach Moscow.

In Bern and Lausanne talks are underway between

Himmler's personal envoy Wolff, and Dulles.

I'll report the details of these talks every week

through the established channel.

Now answer my question.

Where is Pastor Schlag?

You should have begun with that.

I know better what to begin with!

I know you were excited, but don't be tactless.

Gruppenführer, allow me to be frank.

Allow myself? What about me?

Gruppenführer, I understand

that all of Bormann's telephone calls

are sent to the Reichsführer after Schellenberg looks them over.

I understand

you have to carry out the Reichsführer's orders

even when they're pushed by your friend - and my chief.

I'd like to think

Bormann's driver was arrested on your superiors' orders.

I'm sure you were ordered to arrest that man.

Why do you think so?

You were ordered

to set me up by any means,

for any reason, in any way,

so I couldn't meet with Parteigenosse Bormann.

I noticed how you planned your day.

Everything was as usual.

But you lacked inspiration, because you knew

who'd benefit - and who wouldn't -

if my meetings with Bormann stopped.

I'll tell you why

only when I return.

I'm short on time. Bormann expects me at 5:00 p.m.

I don't think you'll gain

by getting rid of me.

Where will you meet Bormann?

Near the Natural History Museum.

-Will there be a second driver? -No.

We know he was recruited by Schellenberg through the Gestapo.

Who are "we"?

We - the patriots of Germany and of the Führer.

You'll take my car.

You'll go to the meeting with Bormann in my car -

for your safety.

Thank you.

Put a dictaphone in your briefcase and tape the talk with Bormann.

Discuss the driver's fate with him.

You're right.

I had to use the third level

of pressure on him.

After that, you'll come here and we'll listen to the recording.

The car will be waiting by the museum.

It's not wise.

Do you know where I live?

Here's the key. Go there.

Last time, Bormann drove me home.

If the driver

had confessed, you wouldn't have made me suffer for

seven hours.

I might

have had to carry out my order,

and your torment

would've ended seven hours ago.

If that had happened, Gruppenführer,

you'd have faced many enemies

here - in this building.

And I'm not sure

you would've won.

Heil Hitler!

Stop it. I'm sick and tired of it.

I don't understand.

Stop playing dumb.

You know exactly what I mean.

The Führer can no longer make decisions.

And we can't confuse

Germany's interests with Hitler's.

Do you realize...

Yes, yes, yes... Yes!

I do realize.

There's no bugging gear here.

And no one will believe you.

You'll never dare repeat it.

But you...

if you don't play a subtler...

game than the one you're trying

to force on me...

you'd better understand that.

Hitler...

has brought Germany to collapse.

And I see no way out of the present situation.

You follow me?

I don't see...

Sit down.

Sit down.

We have 20 minutes left.

You need only ten minutes to get there -

12 at most.

Do you think Bormann has his own plan for saving the country,

different from the Reichsführer's?

Think about that.

Himmler's people have been exposed abroad.

He demanded results but gave them no cover.

And not one person from the German-American,

German-British, or German-Brazilian networks

has been arrested.

Himmler can't vanish from this world.

Bormann can.

That's what you should consider.

And explain to him - tactfully -

that he can't do without professionals

when everything, very soon,

comes crashing down.

Please sit.

Most of Himmler's foreign-bank deposits

are in Allied hands.

Bormann has a hundred times more - and no one knows where.

Helping Bormann beat his enemy

is a way to secure your own future.

Himmler's gold is nothing. It's pocket change next to Bormann's.

Hitler understood well

that Himmler's gold was uncontrollable -

used only for quick tactical needs.

But Bormann's gold - the Party's gold - isn't for lousy agents

or "turned" ministry drivers

who sneak mistresses in under Schellenberg's eye.

It's for intellectuals

who'll understand - long-term -

that there's only one path in the world: the path of National Socialism.

The Party's gold is a bridge to the future.

A message to our children - the ones now up to three years old.

Those who are ten now need neither us nor our ideas.

They'll never forgive hunger and bombings.

But the babies -

will see us as a legend.

And a legend must be fed.

We must shape the storytellers who'll explain our words

to those living 20 years on.

If somewhere, instead of "hello,"

you hear

"heil"

when someone greets you -

know that's where our rebirth begins.

How old will you be in 1965? About 70.

You'll be lucky to reach that age and play your game.

70 is peak age for politicians.

I'll be about 80.

That's why I'm anxious about the next ten years.

If you want to stake your claim

with my backing,

remember: Müller of the Gestapo

is an old, worn-out man who wants to spend

his last years

on a small farm with a blue swimming pool.

To get that, I'm ready to play games.

And one more thing.

Remember it - and don't tell Bormann.

It takes time to get from Berlin to a small farm

in the tropics.

Soon the Führer's bootlickers will bolt - and fall into the trap.

But when the Russian cannonade

rolls into Berlin,

when they're fighting for every building,

then you can leave

without slamming the door.

To leave

and take with me the secret of the Party's gold,

known only to Bormann and the Führer.

And when the Führer is gone...

then you'd better make yourself useful to Bormann.

Bormann will be the Monte Cristo of the 20th century.

Your real test begins now, Stierlitz.

But the real reason...

is just one.

Only one.

Simple and clear

human nature.

You may go now.

Thank you.

What is it?

Bittner will hand you a dictaphone by the car.

And don't tell me you still believe in Hitler's victory.

No, don't answer.

Just think

about what I told you.

And remember this:

I recruited you in five minutes,

and without any theatrics.

We'll talk about Schellenberg later.

Tell Bormann he won't manage without me in Switzerland.

In that case

he'll need you.

And I'll be in the way.

No.

He knows I won't be able to do anything without you.

I don't have many agents inside your chief's department.

Well?

They searched the whole district but didn't find her.

What about the agents at Stierlitz's place?

No calls, no visitors.

Let them stay there for a while.

When Bormann's car...

When Bormann's car

reaches Babelsberg, tell them to leave.

And stop watching the apartment.

Tell the police to detain all young women

with a baby.

If she's carrying a baby, detain her.

-Any photographs? -Yes, they've been sent out.

16 Mar 1945 7:55 p.m.

-Your ticket? -I don't have any money.

It was left in the bombed-out apartment.

Really?

You should go to the refugee centre.

Yes?

I'll do that.

Wake up! Air raid!

What's happening?

-Air raid. Let's go. -Where?

To the shelter. Let us carry your babies.

No.

-They stay with me. -Then hurry.

-Please help me. -Yes?

My house was destroyed.

It's gone. I don't even have diapers.

I'm listening.

Well... I just don't know what to do.

-Please help me. -I'll try.

How far can I trust him?

We'll decide that later.

Interesting.

And what about the talk with the driver?

The tape had run out.

I couldn't just tell Bormann, "I need to rewind the tape."

I told him I'd learned

that you had done everything

you could to save the driver.

What did he say?

He said...

the driver broke under torture,

and he couldn't trust him anymore.

He wasn't interested so you've got a free hand.

Keep him in your custody,

just in case. And make sure he's fed.

We'll decide later what to do.

You don't think anyone will care about him?

Who would?

Bormann.

Why would he?

The driver?

He's expendable.

I'd keep him, just in case.

Where's the Russian "pianist"?

She'd be very useful now.

How is she?

Has she been released from the hospital?

I don't see

how she could help us.

She'll play her part in the radio game, but...

That's true.

What about getting her

connected

with Wolff in Switzerland?

No?

-Utopia. -Maybe.

I'm just imagining things.

And then...

-On the whole... -What?

Nothing.

I was just thinking about your idea.

I moved her elsewhere. Let Rolf work with her.

I don't think you need her anymore.

Has he pushed her too far?

A bit.

And he was killed for it.

That's my business, Stierlitz.

Let's...

make a deal.

Whatever you need from me,

you'll know.

I don't like it

when someone spies through the keyhole.

From which side?

I don't like being played for a fool

in that old Polish preference game.

I'm a player,

but not a fool.

Always?

Almost.

Fine.

We'll talk about that as well.

Please play that section again, about eight to ten meters.

All right.

Should I make more coffee?

Yes.

-Some cognac? -No, I hate it.

It has tannins.

-Really? -Yeah.

And vodka just warms you up. I like it.

Just vodka - it's good for the blood vessels.

-Will you write the text down? -No, I'll remember it.

There are some curious turns in it.

Does Dulles know that Wolff represents Himmler?

I think he does.

"I think" isn't an answer.

If I had solid proof

that they see Wolff as Himmler's man,

we could seriously talk about breaking up the coalition.

If the Western Allies agree to deal with Himmler,

I'll need the recording of their conversation.

It can be handed to Goebbels.

And if it's broadcast on the radio,

I can't predict

how events will play out in the Kremlin,

in London, or at the White House.

And here in Berlin?

That goes without saying. It doesn't worry me.

Can you get such a recording?

First, Wolff has to prove

he's representing Himmler.

Why don't you think he already gave Dulles that assurance?

I don't know. It's only a supposition.

Enemy propaganda is trying to diminish the Reichsführer.

They paint him as a monster.

They'll probably dodge the question about whom Wolff represents.

What they'll really want to know is how strong he is

and whom he represents in military terms.

I want them to hear from Wolff himself whom he represents.

From Wolff himself.

At least coming from you.

To carry out the operation,

I need to know and understand the initial goal.

We could avoid that if I worked with a team of agents,

each contributing a piece of information

so the full picture emerges from the parts.

In that case I wouldn't need to know the goal.

I'd just do my part of the job.

Unfortunately, we don't have that option.

Do you think Stalin will be pleased to find out

that his Western allies are negotiating

with Himmler?

Not with a clique of generals trying to surrender,

nor with that scoundrel Ribbentrop,

who's already completely demoralized,

but with a man

capable of turning Germany into a bastion against Bolshevism.

I don't think Stalin will like hearing that.

Stalin won't believe it if I tell him myself.

But what if an enemy of National Socialism tells him?

Say, your pastor, or someone else?

Shall we pick someone with Müller's help?

He could find a suitable man and arrange his escape.

Müller is always trying to do me a favour.

I know he's in a difficult position now.

He can't take risks like I can.

He's too conspicuous.

Besides, he's directly subordinate to Himmler.

If you understand all the obstacles,

you'll agree no one could do this job better than him,

provided he feels you're supporting him.

Yes. That covers the details.

Now, the main point.

Your task is

not to hinder the negotiations but to assist them.

Don't hide the link between the Bern conspirators and Himmler,

but to expose it.

Expose it to compromise

Himmler in the Führer's eyes,

Dulles in Stalin's eyes,

and Wolff in Himmler's eyes.

If I need help,

whom should I contact?

Follow Schellenberg's orders. That's your guarantee of success.

Don't overlook the embassies - it annoys them.

My party adviser will be informed about you.

What if I need some help...

against Schellenberg?

There's only one man who could help me in that case - Müller.

To what extent can I rely on him?

We'll decide that when the time comes.

17 Mar 1945 5:18 a.m.

This phone's dead.

-Where can I make a call? -At the next station.

Do you really have to call?

-Yes. -Then let's go.

Extremely dangerous criminal!

WANTED Kathrin Kinn

All right.

I'll use this channel only. Thank you.

As for your last question,

I think that in a few days -

two or three at the most -

I'll give you the exact...

-Excuse me, Gruppenführer. -That's all right.

This is Stierlitz.

Speaking.

Yes.

I...

Yes, Parteigenosse.

I'll be there right away.

Yes.

It's me.

Where shall we meet?

What's the best way to get there?

I'm at the subway, by the police station.

What?

I came here to call you.

Where is it?

At Märkisches Museum.

All right.

There was no time to lose.

If his line was still tapped, Müller wouldn't get the intel until morning,

though he'd likely have cut the tap already.

It wasn't in Müller's interest.

He'd told Stierlitz too much to worry about being checked up on.

Right now the most main thing was to save Kät.

Now - only Kät.

All right. Understood.

Thanks.

Maybe you'll wait for me?

Scholz will rush off to report to Himmler

that I'd been gone for more than three hours.

You didn't tell me he was going to call you.

Didn't you hear? He wants to see me immediately.

Come to my office right after the meeting.

You think Scholz has started working on the master?

I'm afraid so.

He's a fool.

I've always kept foolish but dependable secretaries.

That's fine only when you're on the winning side.

But when the fight's almost over, everyone is out to save himself.

A fool.

He thinks I want to die a hero.

The Reichsführer's no better. Even Scholz knows about

his attempts to make peace.

More coffee?

No, thanks.

17 Mar 1945 6:05 a.m.

Half an hour later Kät and the kids were in Stierlitz's car.

For another half hour he drove around the city, watching

to see if anyone was tailing him.

Listening to Kät's story,

he tried to figure out whether her release was part

of Müller's devilish game,

or one of those rare cases every intelligence officer knows

comes along only once in a lifetime.

Katya, move to the back seat.

What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine.

Everything's fine now.

We're the winners now, aren't we?

Be careful.

Just a moment.

I'll take her from you.

Settle the kids in and try to get some sleep.

I won't turn off the heater. I'll lock you in.

Where are you going?

No one will touch you in my car.

-Where are we going? -It's not far.

Try to get some sleep. You need it.

Tomorrow there'll be plenty to deal with.

What kind of worries?

The good kind.

Stierlitz stopped the car a block away from Schellenberg's house.

"I wish he were at home," repeated Stierlitz.

"I wish he hadn't gone to Himmler or to Gerhard.

I wish he were at home."

He had to persuade Schellenberg

that he must go to Switzerland.

He had to get all the necessary papers at once.

Brigadeführer,

Müller knows about Wolff's mission in Switzerland.

Are you out of your mind?

That's impossible.

Impossible.

But how do I know about it?

And how do you know about it?

Müller offered me a job.

Why you, of all people?

I suppose his men spotted the pastor.

Sit down.

His men spotted the pastor.

That'll save us. I must go to Bern.

I'll "lead" the pastor,

and after my signal you'll recall Wolff.

Go to Bern. At once.

What about the papers? Shall I use the "window"?

No, that's foolish. The Swiss police will catch you.

By the end he'll be licking the Russians' boots.

Go to our office and pick the most reliable document.

I'll make a call.

No. You'd better write it.

Have you got a pen?

Use yours instead.

I'm not fully awake yet. That's why.

Stierlitz was driving to the border. He had two passports:

one his own, the other his wife's - Ingrid von Kirstein.

Border checkpoint

Von Kirstein, please.

Ingrid, help me.

Are you deaf?

Find out what's wrong.

Border post.

Control point, listening.