All language subtitles for RDA - Joachim Kunert - Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt.en

THE ADVENTURES OF WERNER HOLT

Werner!

Sergeant! Reinforcements
are coming, right?

Of course!
Heavy artillery, too.

Sergeant! Were new weapons
deployed in the East last night?

It'll be announced as soon
as I get official notice.

- Will it start soon?
- Of course!

- Pickets are in place.
- OK. Go on.

Vetter! Move one Pak anti-tank gun
into position there,

- the second 300 meters back.
- Yes, sir!

It's crazy to fight with your squad.
Most aren't properly trained.

Werner, get the regiment
on the line!

They must send self-propelled gun
carriages and 7.5 cm Pak cannons.

- I'll speak with Wehnert.
- Yes, Gilbert.

Private Holt, did you understand me?

Yes, Sergeant!

Pick 3 cellars on the
marketplace with rear exits.

Deploy the machine guns,
and bazookas as well.

Sergeant!

Sergeant, what about us?
You're really going to fight here?

We have our orders.

Move this junk.
We need a clear line of fire.

- Second Company in place.
- Thank you.

- Where is the commander?
- He's changed command posts.

And me... You'll follow me
to the command post!

- I'm an officer! Are you nuts?
- Vetter, get the keys.

- What are you doing? I order...
- The commander ran away!

And you want to split too,
you cowardly swine!

Deserters get strung up!

Winkler!

Lt. Wehnert, I'm relieving
you of your command.

You're under arrest.

- You'll answer for this!
- Scoundrel!

Winkler! You'll be complicit
in mutiny if you...

- Vetter, kill him.
- Yes, kill him!

Or better yet: find some rope.

Find some rope.
Yes, Sergeant!

Winkler, help me!

The Fuhrer said those who fear an
honorable death shall die in shame.

This isn't possible.

For God's sake!

Not hanging!

When I think about
how he left us to rot.

Hang him!

Wolzow!

Wolzow.

I'm an officer!

There should be SS nearby.
They'll clean up.

And if he runs? We have
nowhere to lock him up here.

Anesthetize him!

And what about the battalion?

The battalion will fulfill its
assignment whatever happens.

The battalion is under
my command.

It's senseless
to keep fighting.

Where I'm in command, we'll fight.

Don't just stand there, Holt.
Make contact with the regiment.

- Making contact with the regiment.
- We need those gun carriages!

Now you'll drink this down!

Along a 100-km front, our brave
troops chipped away at the

Bolsheviks, who have far more
manpower and material.

All incursions, south of
Frankfurt and Wriezen and

on both sides of Seelow,
were halted by counter-attacks.

Midday yesterday, the US struck
Magdeburg. In heavy combat

the enemy gained ground in the
direction of Dessau and the Elbe,

but were repulsed south of Dessau
by a spirited counter-attack.

Brave resistance by the garrison
in Halle and the resolute defense

of our troops in the Leipzig area
hindered the enemy...

We have a duty to fight.
Nothing else concerns us.

- Come, Winkler.
- ...the enemy attacking

from West, South & East,
but made little headway.

Drink up, buddy!

Hello?

I hardly think lvan will attack
us here with a strong tank force.

- South of Frankfurt?
- Seelow from both sides.

If they come to us, we'll
let the first ones into the city.

Everyone's run away.

Pigs!

I'll see about the gun carriages,
otherwise we're done for!

- Try over the radio!
- Trying the radio!

Hurry up!

Eagle here. Eagle.
Calling Falcon. Falcon.

Eagle to Falcon.
Falcon, come in please!

Eagle here. Eagle.
Calling Falcon. Falcon.

Eagle to Falcon.
Falcon, come in please!

Listen up!

- Now it's Knack's turn.
- You'll get in trouble.

I'm not afraid of teachers.
That's for others,

even if they know better
than everyone else.

- Do you mean me?
- Who else?

Attention!

Heil Hitler, comrades!

- Heil Hitler!
...Comrade Knack.

- Who was that?
- It was me!

Holt.

I'm giving you a demerit and
putting it in the class book.

This un-Aryan impudence!

Maybe it was acceptable
in your previous school,

but I won't tolerate it!

Now make it snappy.

Sit!
Stand!

Sit!

We left off with the Volk or
nationalist concept of history.

Here, Mr. Knack!

Wolzow.

To the front.

History is war.

From 1469 BC...

to 1930 AD there were...

- What's wrong, not feeling well?
- only 264 years of peace, but...

- I think I'm getting sick.
- 3135 of war.

Stop challenging Wolzow.

You'll get the short end of
the stick. You don't know him.

The Reich intentionally built on
the ancient, mythic beliefs

- and strengths of the Reich.
- Of the Volk!

Of the...

Wolzow.

The Reich intentionally built on
the ancient, mythic beliefs

and strengths of the Volk.

A community of the people,
work, leadership...

4 o'clock, Raven's Rock.
But be on time.

I don't like to wait.

No better ideas than a beating.

But you're afraid of teachers.

I'll earn my third demerit now!

He's got guts, you must admit!

Now you're at the end
of your rope - eh, Wolzow?

Gilbert, no kidding!
Maass will expel you!

Who's afraid of teachers?

You're finished, Wolzow.

Even without a confession:
finished.

Our institution once ruled by
a strict spirit of

studiousness and obedience,
has nonetheless been poisoned

by the virus of your anarchy
and lack of discipline.

Your father can't sanction
this a second time and

we will finally be free of you.

I congratulate myself
on this victory.

Take your bag and
leave this school right now.

You are expelled.

The director's letter will
be hot on your heels.

Just a moment.

The director's letter
will not be hot on his heels.

Wolzow didn't do it.

I did.

Wiese will attest to it.

Yes, it was Holt.

I witnessed it.

Well, what do we have here?

Even though this rascal
was rebuked for

un-Aryan impudence
this very morning...

It's... it's scarlet fever!

He already looked strange
on the way to school.

Gilbert.

How's it going, old fighter?
Man, you've got it good here.

Like in the officer's hospital.

When you get out,
come see me, Werner.

Ok, Gilbert.

If the acid nitrate works,
then I'll make dynamite.

- What do you want with dynamite?
- To make bombs! Real bombs.

Not these gunpowder
firecrackers.

Please excuse me.

- Did any mail come?
- No.

No?

No. No mail?

No mail.

Why?

Why doesn't he write?
Why doesn't he write?

My God! Maybe something
happened to him.

I can't bear it anymore. I...

I can't bear it anymore.
Philipp!

Philipp...

Always the same drama, since
father left for the Eastern Front!

And she calls herself an officer's
wife. She'll never be a Wolzow!

She'll end up in the madhouse.

Man, dynamite...
No stone will be left unturned.

Imagine placing a
bomb in the school.

Or tying a bomb to the
headmaster's ass!

He gave me another F,
don't remind me.

Study a little Latin, Gilbert.

- I'll help you.
- Nonsense.

What do I need Latin for?

But you should read
Schlieffen, my boy.

Schlieffen's Cannae.

No! First, a paperback
history of war in keywords,

with strategic and
tactical annotations, as well as

a chronological account
of every engagement, battle

and skirmish in world history,
and the armies concerned. Ow!

Ah, crap!

Werner.

I made inquiries.

As of August,

we can sign up.

We'll become officers.
Commanding troops is the best!

You'd stand at the map table,
cap on your head,

casually tapping the map
with a red pencil:

one strike from here...

another one like this...

then you give orders.

Your word decides the battle.

Join the tank corps with me!

Sure, Gilbert.

I'll join you!

Eagle here. Eagle here.
Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

Eagle here. Eagle here.
Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

By the way -

you stopped my getting expelled -

I'll never forget that.

If you ever ask me for anything,
remind me of this hour.

I'd be a rat if I didn't
do anything you asked.

Gilbert,

we should be friends.

Only death can separate
two old fighters like us.

When I had scarlet fever,

I dreamed of you.

I'm going in the water.
You coming?

I'll mess up my hair
I don't have a swim cap.

There aren't any to be had.

Don't know what I'd give for one.

I'll get one for you.

Can I ask for something, then?

I'll get you a cap and you must
let me kiss you. Yes or no?

- We'll stay together always.
- Maybe you really mean it.

But I'd never fool myself
that someone like you means it.

A high school student
and a factory girl?

- They don't belong together.
- I'll bring you into our circle.

If anyone says one word,

Gilbert and I will beat
them black and blue.

In the end,
you all stick together,

you in your social circles.

I'll introduce you to
my friends today.

- Do you know Meissner?
- The patrol duty leader?

Yes, he was at
our school.

And have you heard
of Ruth Wagner?

Yes... I heard she was
in an accident. And?

"And?"

Beforehand... she came to see me.

She was pregnant.

Meissner gave her money
so she could get rid of it.

Who knows what he threatened?

But she became really desperate.

She threw herself from
a moving train.

That's how it was, with the...
"accident."

Then her father found
a letter from her.

She had put in her
wardrobe beforehand.

He ran to the station
and made a ruckus.

He never came home again.

No one knows where he is.

You see?

That's why I'm suspicious
of someone like you.

What do I have to
do with Meissner?

You're one of them too.

Don't worry about it.

I have to go do Work Service -

as of tomorrow, I'll be gone.

My father's been killed.

Gilbert.

Uncle Hans arrived last night,
straight from Russia.

He's being sent to Berlin.

Well, a soldier's a soldier.

Come, I'll introduce you
to Uncle Hans.

My friend, Werner Holt.

They drank like fish all night.

Gilbert's friend.

To Philipp's memory.

Knoth!

Take care of the alcohol issue.

Sergeant Knoth!

Yes?

Knoth, I can't remember
where Schreyer went.

Major General, sir, this morning
he went ahead to his wife.

Right.

Sibylle, you must get ready.
We're leaving soon.

Did you hear me?

Get the car ready at once.

- We've got another stop first.
- Yes, sir.

Dismissed!

I'll get your mother
out of here.

Only electroshock...

- can help her now.
- They'd best keep her in there.

Any other concerns?

School.

- Stupid or lazy?
- Lazy, naturally.

Don't worry about it.

Come along.

Now then.

To Philipp's memory.

See this? It's an 08.

Geez, a Parabellum.

- "Si vis pacem, para bellum."
("If you wish for peace, prepare for war.")
- You get a straight A.

A Walther 7.65 -
I haven't ever seen one of these.

A Belgian Browning.

Gilbert.

Tell me, do you know
a Ruth Wagner?

- You've heard about that too?
- Well?

- What's your position on it?
- It doesn't concern me.

The mess Meissner made
really doesn't matter to you?

It does not concern us.

- We should go to the police.
- The police!

They'd say it's
anti-Party agitation.

I mean, Meissner isn't a nobody.

And justice?
It's about justice.

- We will avenge Ruth Wagner.
- Nonsense. You're nuts!

Gilbert.

Do we have a shred of self-respect?
Yes or no?

Don't get worked up.
I don't care about that hussy.

But Meissner...

He was my commander
in the Hitler Youth, you know.

I told him he was a military
idiot in front of everyone.

He ruined my career
as a Hitler Youth leader!

I don't even want to
think about it.

Never mind.
He's off to the SS in 8 days.

And beforehand, we'll give him
a good beating!

Careful, my friend. Assault
on a Hitler Youth leader...

You know what that means?

And your uncle?

- Can't he help in a pinch?
- No.

As a German officer he can't
tolerate anything like that.

He's been in the
Nazi Party since 1930.

A beating wouldn't be so bad,
but we'd have to do it ourselves.

He has to know why
we're beating him up.

Something in writing, perhaps?

A confession.

We'll let him sign one, right?

You like the Browning?

You can keep it.

Man, Gilbert!

What? What do you want from me?

- Can you read this?
- You have to sign it first.

- And if I won't sign?
- You will sign.

There're a lot of nice things...
if someone doesn't want to.

And if I still won't sign?

We'll take you in the woods
and shoot you.

You have time to think it over.

Three minutes.

- What if he refuses?
- He doesn't have the guts.

- And if he still won't?
- Either he signs, or we kill him.

I'll fake a suicide.

Time's up.

- Have you thought about it?
- I won't sign it!

- Even if you beat me to death!
- Enough.

Put the pistol away.

Stop!

Help!

- Sign it!
- Sign it!

Alright, I'll sign.

Take the pistol away.
Take the pistol away!

Done.

The 3rd Pak anti-tank gun goes on the hill,
the 4th in the town.

3rd hill, 4th town!

Eagle here. Eagle here.
Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

Dismissed!

If he makes trouble,
kill him, okay?

Okay.

Eagle here. Eagle here.
Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

I'd give a lot to be your friend.

But I guess you have
to be like Wolzow.

I was always the weakest.

I always thought my weapon is
the spirit, the mind.

Anyways,

I'm first in the class.

But you could be too.

I once read in Nietzsche:

"Our belief in others betrays

"that which we'd like
to believe in ourselves.

"Our yearning for a
friend will betray us."

We can be friends.

Keep playing, Peter.

You've improved lately.

But we'd prefer it if you played
less and worked out more.

It's not awkward for us that you're
ineligible for air defense duty.

Mr. Holt, perhaps you
could motivate Peter a bit.

A young man like you
would be a good friend for him.

My husband wants Peter to be fit
for service in all circumstances.

Dunk him in the water and
challenge him with your friends.

It would do him good.

At times when the fist,
not the intellect, is decisive,

flexing one's so-called wisdom
is utterly superfluous.

The Fuhrer wants the young body
to steel and harden itself,

so life doesn't
find it too soft.

I'm totally alone in the city.
I don't have anyone.

Why don't you live
with your parents?

My parents... are divorced.

I didn't want to stay at
my mother's any longer.

But she sends me
money every month.

And my father...

- You don't want to talk about it?
- No, I do.

My father was a
university professor.

Now he's a food inspector.

In other words, he's
politically unreliable.

My father was to take over
an important war assignment,

but he refused. I think my mother
divorced him because of that.

In any case, your father seems
to have a strong character.

How do you mean that?

The draft papers are here!
It's happening! Finally!

Miss Barnim!

- Miss Barnim!
- What are you thinking?

Even you are not allowed to
come here without prior notice.

Wait!

- Hip hip!
- Hooray!

Werner!
Goodbye to school!

- We made a first class eggnog!
- 50% alcohol!

Only one thing matters anymore:
to save the Fatherland!

Comrades, a toast:

In a fight, I'll fight for two,

- and when death comes...
- I'll be there too!

Such a disgrace... at your age!

A young man like you -
drunk as a skunk.

You threw up all over
the staircase.

Out!

- I'm sick.
- You're hung over.

You should leave.

Hello, Miss Dengelmann.

Well, how are you?

Man, Wiese...

- What happened?
- You were really drunk yesterday.

You ran right into the
Hitler Youth supervisor's arms

in the marketplace.
He called the police.

But I managed to get you away.
No one noticed in the chaos.

Uta Barnim asked me
to give you this letter.

- I'm sorry. I didn't know then...
- It's already forgotten.

I first found out you'd enlisted
from Peter Wiese.

One so often does things
one wishes one hadn't.

You're the most beautiful girl
I've ever seen.

You must go to war,

and it could last a long time.

But it's all for nothing.

For nothing? I don't understand.

What else do you
need to wake up?

I don't understand you.

Don't try to understand me.

It's all in vain anyway.

I don't understand you.

Forget what I said.

Forget everything.

Forget... why?

It's war.

We don't know what's coming.

It's war.

I couldn't wait to go to war.
Now I want to stay with you.

You'd soon get bored
if it stayed like this.

- I'll write you.
- Yes, of course!

You'll write to me.

- Morning, battery!
- Morning, Captain!

Eyes front!
Battery - at ease!

Listen up!

At 8 a.m. sharp...

the battery is to report
combat-ready!

It's about time that
something happens here.

It makes me sick, when those
pigs swoop around overhead

and I can't let 'em have it!
Our combat mission is

to protect the surrounding
industrial and residential areas.

Shut up, you!

A word to the rookies:

I don't care if you shit your
pants in your first engagement.

But woe to you who wimp out!
If the brothers don't

toe the line, the Chief
Assistants'll show 'em how.

Self-discipline is still
the best method.

Hey, rookie!

What do you mean, rookie?

My name is Wolzow,
and don't you forget it.

If you shoot off your big mouth,
you'll be up for self-discipline.

Leave us be.

- Shut your mouth, you pup, or...
- Or what?

What the hell's going on here?

How dare you, you wretches!

Tie them to a tree and
whip them!

Rookies thrashing experienced men!
What's that about?

Pardon me, Captain.
I saw it from B 2.

The rookies are less to blame.
Gunsche threw the first punch.

I see. Then I won't get involved.

Gunsche! Pingels!
You assholes!

God, if you act that dumb, you
deserve to get beaten by the pups!

Now calm down, gentleman.

Or I'll get involved -

and punish all of you together!

- You'll pay for that!
- Shut your mouth!

You should get to know me.

- I'll send you to the hospital!
- Enough, Gilbert!

Heil Hitler! I am Chief Assistant
Gunter Ziesche.

Deputy Gun Commander of Anton.

- Where is there a free locker?
- Up front.

Those idiots! If the Chief
Assistants want to fight, then...

- Who's this?
- Our Deputy Gun Commander.

So you're one of us.

- I'm the Chief Assistant.
- Chief Assistant?

I don't want to spoil things
with my old comrades.

If your old comrades
don't leave us in peace,

I'll take them on, one by one.

Don't take on too much.

Let them line up outside,
your precious Chief Assistants!

For all I care, they
can all come at once!

- Shall I tell them that?
- You son of a bitch!

We'll grind you to dust!

Don't do that...

Attention!

The Chief Assistant's mama
would cry her eyes out.

Isn't that right, Wolzow?
You're still angry?

- Yes, sir!
- You see?

I see it in your eyes.

I learned it from
an old shepherd.

He knew everything
from people's pupils.

Belly aches, hernias,
secret pregnancies...

- Holt!
- Yes, Sergeant?

You'll accompany him,
so he doesn't feel lonely.

Otherwise, I won't be able to
have a quiet chat with him.

- You want to come, right?
- Yes, Sergeant!

Excellent! You see, Wolzow?
That is friendship!

Wolzow, Holt, with me.
Look sharp!

Carry on!

Down! Up! Run, run!

Down! Up! Run, run!

Down!

Up! Bunny hops!

And turn!

Attention!

Right, Wolzow?
That's torture.

- Yes, Sergeant!
- Are you still angry?

Sergeant, I report that...

I'm sick of bunny hops.

Sick of them?

Holt, did you hear that?

Wolzow, that's a word.
That really pleases me.

For the first time, Wolzow is
sick of things in the military.

And now, down to business.

You're making my life hard.

You've made the Chief Assistants
into your enemies.

They will give you
a terrible beating.

Sergeant, I don't mean to brag,

but I'm not afraid of anyone.

You see -

that's just what I'm afraid of.

I spoke with the Chief Assistants.

"Wolzow will get a beating,"
they said. "Holt too."

I forbade it.

But what's the point?
The Chief has nothing against it.

Then everything must
take its course, Sergeant.

There is one way -

and the whole drama
will disappear like fog.

Someone above the Chief must...

Do you understand, Wolzow?

I'll let you telephone your uncle
alone in the office.

A general has other
concerns, Sergeant.

What a shame.

- Oh, what an honor!
- You can clean our shoes.

We're to get along from now on.

We can get along,
once you've had your beating.

Go on - clean my shoes!

So this is what's called
camaraderie?

I had imagined enlisted life
differently.

There are unwritten
laws in the military.

We should be a
tight-knit community!

- Heil Hitler!
- Heil Hitler!

A comrade.

Werner Holt, my mother.

Would you kindly explain
that I'm your stepmother?

My stepmother, then.

We're going to the movies.

I changed my mind.
I don't really feel like it.

We could have
stayed home, then.

You know what? Let's go home.
I'll make tea and we can chat.

Do what you like.
I'm going to the movies.

- Heil Hitler!
- Heil Hitler!

I've got my hands
full with that boy.

You know, his mother was
a "super-blond." Aryan.

He just can't accept me.

And you?

Will you leave
me alone too?

If you'll permit,

I'll escort you.

Air raid warning!
Ready positions!

K 1 ready!

- K 3 ready!
- K 5 ready!

K 2 loaded!

Battery: fire!

How nice of you to come.

All former co-workers,
operetta singers.

That's right! You don't
know I was a dancer.

I was the prima ballerina here
for a few years. I wasn't bad.

My God, those were the days!

Watch out for the girls -
they're just part of the chorus.

I don't like having them here,
but the men need dance partners.

Enjoy yourself.

You're being rude. You must
dance with the lady of the house.

Do you like it here in my home?

I like nothing better
than visiting you.

Really?

Not even writing to
a certain Miss Barnim?

Are you spying on me?

A little.

In any case, I got something
important out of my stepson.

Namely?

That you're apparently not the
sort to brag about a conquest.

That you, in short,
can keep your mouth shut.

- Do you love me?
- Yes.

That's not true, you don't love me.

What's love, then?

Surrender?
What else?

Airman Holt returning
from overnight leave.

You were lucky.

Holt.

I see everything
in your pupils.

I once knew an old shepherd who...
But you know that already.

If your morale suffers
because of this,

I'll revoke your overnight leaves.

Yes, sir!

By the way, you got some mail.

Seems like
a nice girl, your...

- Uta.
- Sergeant, please...

this correspondence is private.

Unfortunately, I have to
make random checks.

The mail is usually distributed
at noon, but...

See how well I treat you?

Try to find another
superior...

who'll play Cupid.

Here.

- Thank you, Sergeant.
- Dismissed!

Why are you married
to this man?

I hate him.

He really is the most hateful
man I can imagine.

Then why did you marry him?

At some points in life, everyone
bets everything on one card.

And you bet it all on
a man you loathe?

I told myself:
he has a lot to offer.

So I snapped up the offer.

You sold yourself to this man?

When I met Ziesche,
he was District Chief.

Then he got ahead quickly.

I was always only above average
among provincial dancers.

You think of the future.

Now things are going downhill.

Who knows if the magic
won't collapse one day?

Gertie...

In Russia, things
are clearly laid out.

There, the unit of organization
has been Germanic,

not Slavic, Zemtzki.
Do you understand?

Yeah, I got it.

No, you haven't understood.

You, with your Slavic name.
You're a problem, anyway.

What do you mean by that?

Your name isn't Aryan either!

My name evolved
from a pure Germanic root.

An evolved German.

Even if the Slavs aren't as high
quality as the Nordic races,

they are still Aryan.

Jewish Bolshevism has destroyed
the foundation of the Slavic race.

- Clubs.
- Quit your chatter! Double.

Chatter, you say?

What, you think you're
the only good Nazi?

Gilbert, how long must we
listen to this crap?

What you call crap,

is my holy, fanatical
belief in the Fuhrer.

Man, Ziesche!

You're really the biggest
dope I've ever met.

One look at your face makes people
start doubting the Germanic race.

The pimply Teuton shrimp!

I won't put up with
this any longer.

This qualifies as
undermining morale!

As a National Socialist,
I won't let you insult me.

I won't allow you to
mess up my career path, Ziesche!

Now listen carefully:

Either you drop this charge,

or in the next attack I'll hit you
in the neck with the wrench!

An accident.
Do we understand each other?

- You're threatening me.
- No.

I'm warning you.

Werner, leave Ziesche alone.

Now it's over!

- Evening, boys!
- Get 'em!

- Shit!
- You pigs!

What's going on here?

These bandits are
killing each other off.

- What's the meaning of this?
- This is self-discipline, Captain.

Bah, nonsense!

And now this monkey
business is over!

I've thought a lot about why we
thrashed each other so stupidly.

It's a spasm.

On principle,

only on principle.

According to Fontane, one has
no desire to duel

and knows it's nonsense.
But he'll duel on principle...

even shoot someone
dead, out of principle.

If something senseless happens
on principle,

then the principle is wrong.

For us, the "injunction to act"
is compulsory.

- Right heel.
- Right heel!

Step back.

- Left heel.
- Left heel!

Step back.

- ID tag.
- ID tag!

Battery: alarm!
Make ready to fire!

Situation in the air:

Strong combat units with
fighter cover over Holland...

on approach to the
Reich border!

In the Cologne-Essen region,

scattered transports
and training aircraft!

Primary approach 2!

- Hurry, pull in the target!
- Our planes are still up there!

Hang on!

You can't pull it in yet.

It's regulations, General.
We're ready to fire.

The bombers will be
here in a few minutes.

Leave the target there!

Your way won't work either.

You can't follow the
regulations to the letter!

Keep waiting!

Battery: Fire!

Excellent.

Direct approach on battery
from direction 3!

- Pick up target from direction 3
- Pick up target, direction 3!

Pull the target in!
Pull the target in!

- Get the target in, you rowdies!
- Me, me, me, Captain!

You two were close to Zemtzki.

Help me write a letter
to his mother.

"In devoted fulfillment
of his duty..."

What are you looking at? I can't
really include the target business.

Zemtzki would still be alive.

His parents will find out.

In this war, millions have
already died:

soldiers, women, children -
you know that.

But it didn't bother
you until yesterday.

- Sergeant, it'd be more honest...
- Hold your tongue!

You think I'm here to talk about
the haze clearing from your brains?

Ziesche is keeping a journal.

Ziesche registers every word
you say in front of him.

Gomulka!

I'm asking you to keep
your mouths shut.

Especially you, Holt -
with your father.

Don't give me any grief.
I've got it hard enough.

- Do I make myself clear?
- Yes, sir!

Out, now!
Dismissed!

To Zemtzki's memory!

Ziesche, you Teutonic shrimp. If
you didn't always talk so weird,

- we could be best friends.
- We must remain combat ready.

You can't even drink.

Come on, old fighters!
I have a grenade.

Begin.

Sepp,

we've got to become obstinate.

All soldiers are obstinate.

How else will we
survive the war?

There's a lot you can't
discuss with anyone.

I once thought...

a father was there so you could
talk everything over with him.

And now?

The old ones don't know what
they want. First this, then that.

What did he mean...

about your father?

I don't know.

I don't know!

After 4 years,

you finally found
your way to me.

You know what?

First, I'll make us some coffee.

Real coffee.

I've been waiting for you
a long time, my boy.

- You live rather humbly here.
- What?

- I mean, compared to before...
- Ah, well... yes.

Father?

Why did mother really
divorce you?

In her own way, I think your
mother is still a loveable woman.

Without a doubt.

But because of that...

But what happened?

Tell me,

why did you give up your
position in Leverkusen?

The job didn't suit me.

Please!
You really left the university

to find better-paid work
in industry, right?

And then suddenly
the job didn't suit you anymore?

No, all of a sudden
it didn't suit me anymore.

But here, in this hole -

being a small-time chemist -

this suits you?

Yes. This suits me.

Father, you once said to me:

"Man must have a mission, or
else he'll live like an animal."

But you had your duty
in Leverkusen!

Yes, I said that.

But there's something
even more important.

Conscience.

Accountability.

Being true to yourself.

Tell me the truth.

Please.

I couldn't break my
oath as a doctor,

and that was required of me.

According to my colleagues
- and your mother too -

I not only needlessly
ruined my livelihood,

but also acted dishonorably
and traitorously.

But I'll have
a pure conscience

when this is all over with.

When what's all over with?

The so-called "Third Reich."

You came to me.

You asked me to tell
you the truth. Ok.

At IG Farben I was to work on
particular developments,

which were geared to result
in the extermination of humans.

I refused.

We have to be ready for
everything. Even gas warfare!

You can't talk any other way,
Werner.

I know that today the SS
is killing hundreds of thousands

with this poison in the
concentration camps.

That... that can't be true.
That's horror propaganda.

You wanted to hear the truth,
and now you've heard it.

They're gassing people.

I had to sign a statement,

which threatened the harshest
penalties if I ever

informed anyone else of this.

Under this emblem that
you wear on your arm -

in Germany's name -

the Nazis have unleashed the
most barbaric war in history.

And they're losing it -

unequivocally and thoroughly.

Isn't it pretty here?

Gertie.

What's your husband
doing in Krakow?

Ziesche calls it "debilitating
a lesser race."

He's got a hand in everywhere the
most hair-raising things happen.

In the General Government
in Poland...

- What exactly?
- Let's not talk about it.

What are we, Werner?

Our life is like an
endless path, an aimless path

over which the prophecies of
our destiny brew like a storm.

We are small pawns
in a big game.

No one will ask about us.
No one.

Rutscher.

Rutscher.

Rutscher!

Rutscher.

Rutscher.

Medic!

Now Ziesche would say:

"The Fuhrer clearly said that we
are destined to become

"witnesses of a catastrophe...

"which will be the most powerful
confirmation of the

"truth of our racial theory."
Why worry about the Russians?

We shouldn't allow it, Gilbert.

Leave me alone
about the livestock.

Look at that.
He's beating them.

Should we stand for this?

Gilbert, you once swore if I
asked you for something...

You can handle this guy
on your own.

If I had a general for an uncle,
I'd need no other.

Shit!

This'll go badly.

Keep shoveling.

Keep shoveling!

Thrash the Russians in the camp, but not
here in our battery.

- Get out of here!
- Are you crazy?

Next thing you know,
Germans will be shooting Germans.

You did your friend a disservice.

The Gestapo picked him up.

I know Wolzow -

he wouldn't
have lifted a finger.

You're behind it all, you and no other.

Sergeant, I request
a report be filed

stating I was
the instigator.

So. You did do it.

Now you think you're so noble,

with so much Teutonic candor,
huh?

You are an idiot!

Inconsiderate and stupid, Holt!
That's a little much.

That was and will remain a
stupid childish prank.

You understand?

Wolzow loves beating people up.
Everyone knows that.

Wolzow beats everybody up,

by chance even an SS soldier.

He doesn't need a reason:
he beats people up for fun.

We'll go with this story, Holt.

Yes, Sergeant!

Keep it in mind,

if the Chief or anyone else asks.

And you...

disappearing would be best.

If someone asks me,
I'll tell them you're on leave.

We'll win time that way

until his general uncle
intervenes from above -

hopefully.

Pray to God or whomever that your
friend can keep quiet that long.

I can't do anything more
for you.

Dismissed!

And how are you involved?

I incited Wolzow to do it.

I know it wasn't
right to do it...

but if Gilbert's uncle doesn't
help us...

I don't know what I'd do.
I'm at my wit's end.

Gertie, you have to help me!

No.

I don't have the slightest trace
of sympathy for this.

I'm a German woman.

It's your personal slackness,
an un-German tolerance.

It's the result of the whisperings
of your "clean" father.

What do you mean?
And what all did you say to me?

Not like this, my dear.
Absolutely no way.

You'd like to implicate
me in this matter?

Don't push me so far,
that my husband...

Threatening me with your husband.
Huh!

I could tell him a thing or two.

You're really turning out nicely.

I thought you'd help me,
you'd stand by me.

But you're so indescribably
false and dishonest.

You have no right to
speak to me that way!

No?

Then I'd like to know when one
does have that right.

Get out.

Leave my home immediately!

Werner!

Wait.

Sergeant Gottesknecht, please.

This is Mrs. Ziesche -
please pardon my Intrusion.

I've heard about certain
events in the battery.

Yes?

I see.

Well, that is most pleasing.

Thank you.

Now then...

Tell me: don't you
owe me an apology?

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Gilbert!

That was the first and last time

I'll let you drag me into
something like that.

If Uncle Hans hadn't
gotten me out then...

You and your damned
humanitarianism!

- You're too soft.
- Gilbert, you...

I'll never forget...

that you didn't rat me out.

Nonsense!

Only death'll part
two old fighters like us.

BREACH

Help.

Help!

Leave the child!

Help me!

- Come on!
- Leave the child!

I don't want to
go in the fire!

Keep going!

Leave the child!

Dead.

You could've saved yourself
the trouble.

Eagle. Eagle here.
Calling...

Tanks! Hundreds of tanks are
holding position in Greifensleben!

Hundreds of tanks are
holding position in Greifensleben!

Hello! Do you hear me?
Hello! Hello!

Greifensleben...
They'll drive past us.

Wolzow!

The tanks could be here
any second... and you?

It'll take a little longer.

I know the Russian tactics.

Ivan's coming!

A few tanks have changed course.
They're heading right for us.

Out!

Dismissed!

I wish I were a fanatic.

This contemplation and rumination
will be the end of me, Sepp.

Contemplation won't
be the end of you -

only the senseless rumination.

What are you thinking about?

Was it bad, your Flak
anti-aircraft duty?

Oh...

Keep playing, Peter.

Your anti-aircraft service
suits you well.

I don't know.

Peter wants to become
a pianist.

We've come to terms with the fact
that he's unfit for military duty.

He plays beautifully,

doesn't he?

Gilbert.

I'd be interested
in those diaries too.

Read something aloud.

Your father was a colonel?

There must be
interesting things in there.

We've been retreating
for a year - everywhere.

The Russians are
already in Vilnius -

soon they'll be on
German soil.

What will happen with us?

Listen!

A new chapter is
starting for us.

Now it's getting serious.

We'll defend Fortress Germany
with our last drop of blood!

Whoever loses nerve and leaves
Germany in the lurch

in its hour of need is a swine!

The war will last at least
two more years, God willing,

and we'll show them what
German officers are, right?

Another power outage. Shit!

If only we could
finally get to the front!

Werner,

all or nothing! The Devil take
the fence-sitters.

We stand by the Fuhrer!

In a fight, I'll fight for two,

and when death comes,

I'll be there too!

Pass it on: let them come
as close as possible.

Let them come as close
as possible. Pass it on.

Ok - let's go.

Take over fire protection!

Fire! Fire!

Fire!

Cannons 1 through 4:
Fire at will!

Man, Winkler's there!

Stay here, you son of a bitch!

Vetter should attack.

Vetter should attack!

We're attacking!

Counterattack!
Over the top!

March! March!

Hurrah!

Werner, come back!

Who's that?

She's been evacuated. Now she's
doing her public service year.

But she's not alright upstairs.

Apparently she was buried alive
in a heavy air raid.

When they opened the cellar a
week later, everyone was dead.

Only she lived.

My name is Werner Holt.

I'm an anti-aircraft assistant,
on leave.

Stay.

I'm a stranger here too.

I went to high school here -

but only a few months.
Then I joined the Flak.

The others say, you cut yourself off

and avoid everyone.

Yes, that's right.

Some people know nothing and
tell you to pull it together.

The others know only half of it
and are sympathetic,

or pretend to be.

I can't bear it.

And, above all,

I don't fit in with them.

I don't even know your name.

Gundel.

Gundula Thiess.

- Will you be here tomorrow?
- Yes.

"...conscripted and
have to come in on..."

Man, it was the
day before yesterday!

"...to report to the Reich Labor
Service, Section 2/461."

Werner, we have to
go there today.

Come on, get out of bed!

Gundel.

I have to leave today.

Today?

Yes. I must talk to you again.

You can't come here.

Are you coming to the river?

Gundel! Who are you
gossiping with?

Good day. What do you want?

Heil Hitler!

It's 'Heil Hitler', not 'Good day!'

How's something
like this possible?

- You don't need to tell me that!
- What's happening here?

What's wrong? She greeted me
like in Polack-land.

You got a dirty mouth again?
Go on, get out of here!

You too.

Now relax, comrade.
What do you want?

I... uh...

want to visit the parents of a
fallen comrade, Zemtzki.

They must live somewhere
around here.

Zemtzki?

Well, you're on the wrong track,

but come on up.

Everyone out!
Hagen, Wulf - get lost!

Annegret, take the little one
with you. Chop chop!

Please excuse me, Junior Squad
Leader, I didn't know...

Take a seat.

Sit down.

It's just fine. You're right.

These women, in general -
they don't act right.

I've tried everything, but...

- Tell me: where are you from?
- Gelsenkirchen.

Oh yes: the boys from around here
are all down there.

How's it look there?

How it should look:
the people are tough.

- Well then...
- No, thanks.

I've heard reports of
demoralization and such.

Our girl puts on airs,

just because something fell
on her head in Schweinfurt.

But I see through her.

The bitch just wants to get
out of work.

I got my enlistment notice from
the Reich Labor Service today.

The train leaves at 4:10.

I have to go to the registration
office beforehand for my address.

- Well, time is short.
- Where are you going, anyway?

Somewhere in the Protectorate.

If it's Slovakia,
you've snagged a nice spot.

Chin up!

Hagen, Wulf, Annegret, Hella,
Heidrun: you can come back in.

- At the river at 3.
- Get on with your work!

I am extremely happy that Sepp
has a friend in you, Mr. Holt.

In these times, when any one of
us could find ourselves in the

most extraordinary of situations,
it's good to have a friend.

To a reunion soon.

You must survive.

I will survive, mother.

For sure.

Stay well, my boy.

Doctor,

may I speak with you
a moment?

It's confidential.

Please speak your mind.

As you know, I'm in the Party,

but you don't need any timidity
concerning that.

Does it concern your father?

My father?

No.

Sepp informed me your father
was reprimanded.

Yes...

No,

it's about something else.

I know someone.

She's a very young girl.

Her name is Gundula Thiess.

Thiess?

Thiess...
Yes, now I remember.

There was a proceeding -
a guardianship case.

Today I was where she's doing
her service year.

You can't imagine
the environment there.

Oh, I can imagine it.

I know the man.

He's employed in a certain
section of the prison.

Even otherwise he has
the reputation

of being a model
National Socialist.

Can't someone get her
out of there?

- Can't someone help her?
- No. Believe me, there's no way.

None whatsoever...

...for now.

There are many
similar cases.

You can take
a lawyer's word for it.

And there are much
worse cases.

You can only join the
army of waiting people.

Waiting?

For what?

Are you aware of the events that
brought about her parents' death?

No.

The girl's father lost his life
in a concentration camp

by way of an "accident."

Her mother was convicted of
preparing to commit high treason

and executed.

I assume this will
prompt you to reassess

your relationship with this girl.

Gundel!

Gundel!

Attention! Track 3 for front
soldiers on leave

headed for Pressburg, with a
scheduled departure time of 4:10.

Please board now.
The doors are closing.

Werner.

Be careful of the train.

Stand back!

Here's my father's address.
Maybe you'll need it one day.

You can tell him everything.
Everything.

He'll definitely help you.

Thank you, Werner.

Farewell, Gundel.

Werner!

Goodbye, Gundel.

Come back again, Werner!

Man, Winkler!

If you hadn't gotten
us out of there...

Thanks.

We have to fight
from the buildings.

Regroup the companies.

Companies?

Companies.

There are no more "companies."

Only 50 men.

They're exhausted.

They have to recover.

They have to keep fighting.

- I say give them some schnapps.
- Cognac.

Keep fighting...

This is madness.

Madness.

What is madness?

Huh?

- Vetter?
- Yes, Sergeant?

Prepare the buildings
in the old city.

- Leave sentries outside.
- Yes, Sergeant!

Dismissed!

Looks like we hit the jackpot.

- This mission's like vacation.
- Let's wait and see.

Look at that. What pretty girls
these Slovaks have!

That's the caretaker's daughter.
She's called Milena.

- Hey doll!
- Idiots! What'll she think of us?

- She'd be just right for me!
- She's coming here to get water.

Well girl, you want us to pump
you a little bit of something?

No German, huh?

What we want is international.

- What's with you?
- Pull back your leg!

- Are you crazy?
- Act like Germans, not pigs!

- How do you mean that?
- Attention!

Dirty pigs, right?

You want to be ground down
until your navels shine.

You wet bags!

Holt, Gomulka -
deploy to the outpost!

Yes, sir -
deploying to the outpost!

And you - you beasts, you...

To the barracks! March!

Why did you come to
her defense at the pump?

So she'd know that we're not
all like that. I tell you,

- if Schulze had done...
- You have no chance against him.

He'd just wring your neck.

- Gilbert would take care of him.
- Ah, Gilbert.

We pulled off something
like this before.

It was with Meissner, the
Hitler Youth patrol duty officer,

whom we hospitalized.

Meissner was to blame for
Ruth Wagner's suicide.

Meissner's never said
a word to this day.

That was a year ago.
Gilbert is different now.

Should I just look on while
that ape assaults that girl?

Werner, you only get so worked up -
and don't take this personally -

because it involves a girl.

And the Russians in the battery
back then? Were they girls too?

No.

Listen!

It sounds like a real battle.

It won't be 8 days before the SS
finishes with the troops here,

- Gilbert said.
- "Gilbert said!"

No one'll get them out
of those hills that fast.

Why are they all against us?

Hello.

Let me carry that.
To the shed, right?

- Yes.
- You understand German?

Go!

Have you seen Schulze? He was
sneaking after that girl again,

with his tongue hanging out!

Schulze!

He can't hear you now -
he's busy.

- Are all the guards asleep here?
- Attention!

- Where's Schulze?
- Guards!

Schulze is dead, sir.

Come with me.

He's gone.

Sir! The caretaker's daughter.
He went after her, and

when I wanted to find him, he was lying here.

Criminals! Against the wall.

Put that whore against the wall -
her old man too!

Guards!

Turn to the right!
In lock-step: March!

Turn to the right!

In lock-step: March!

On orders of the staff sergeant:
take them to the cellar!

Taking them to the cellar!

- Come.
- Come with us.

Come on already.

Come on - maybe you can
move a bit faster!

They have to be
questioned first.

- Attention!
- Wolzow?

- Here, sir!
- Take over the squad.

I just spoke with
the staff sergeant.

He wants the two of them
interrogated when he gets back.

He says it stinks, stinks everywhere.

And it stinks real bad here too.

Tonight, the guard will be doubled.
I have to go to the bridge.

You'll report to the staff
sergeant when he returns.

- Clear?
- Clear!

Squad One is
under my command.

The staff sergeant
still wasn't there.

If there's any gunfire,

they're to be killed.

Who says that?

Staff sergeant's orders.

Gilbert!

Shit! They're smoking us out.

Werner, here's
the cellar key.

Kill them both!

But they're supposed
to be questioned!

Orders from above.
Hurry!

I'm supposed to
shoot you,

but you've got to
get out of here.

I can't let you out this way.
They'd shoot me.

The tool is over there.

Make it quick!

Come on!

You have to be out of
here in 5 minutes.

And if you reach your
people later tonight,

think of me.

Battalion: halt!

Rifles down!

What's going on?

Apparently they smoked the bandits
out and we're to stand guard.

- You may smoke.
- What's going to happen, sir?

Wait and see.

- Nice area.
- Shitty area!

- Plenty of places to hide.
- But the SS cleaned up.

Go on!

Listen up:

As soon as the SS leave the area,

we have to occupy it
and cover the crossroads.

The SS have cleaned
up around here

and we have to ensure that
order is maintained.

- Understood?
- Yes, sir!

Reassemble your weapons.
At ease. Wolzow!

Yes, sir.

Assemble a command squad,
then set up in the village.

Make sure the gentlemen of the SS
haven't eaten everything up.

- Yes, sir
- Boy, am I thirsty!

Werner, Sepp, Christian
and 2 others -

come with me to
set up quarters.

He could've left
us in peace.

Listen!

It sounds like a saw.

They're already working here again.
It's not as bad as we thought.

Keep going.

What was that?

No idea. Keep going.

- There.
- Like someone's being massacred!

Onwards!

Look - just like rabbits.

- The SS must've killed some people.
- Hostages.

You go in that direction
and have a look at the houses.

The three of us will
head to the sawmill.

Sepp!

- Sepp.
- My God...

Don't go in there.

They put a person through...

No... go on in there!

Go ahead! Go on in!

What's the matter?

Earlier... we heard the scream
...the saw. Go in there.

Let's get out of here.

If they catch us, they'll kill us.

It's a disgrace to leave us
sitting here like this!

- I don't understand the SS.
- The farmsteads are in order,

but there aren't any pigs in the
barn - not even a rabbit.

The SS cleared everything out.

No. Stay here!

I'll inform Bohm. Our people
have to see this

so they understand why we're
fighting to the last man!

What's wrong with you?

- You look like you saw the Holy...
- Shut up!

Come with me.

I knew the SS were
doing such things,

but I didn't believe it.

Now I believe everything.

They'll do the
same things to us.

If we don't win,
may God have mercy on us all.

Win?

It's impossible -

It can't be possible that
something like this wins.

We must win.

We must.

Gundel Thiess writes that
she visits your parents often.

- Your mother's taking care of her.
- Yes, I know.

Sepp,

I have to ask you something.

When you were standing behind
the caretaker in the schoolyard...

I don't know if it makes a lot of
sense to go on about it.

If Bohm had ordered it, would you
have shot them? Yes or no?

Back then?

Yes.

And today?

Today?

I'd shoot at Bohm.

I'd shoot all around.

I'd be finished anyway for
refusing to obey the order.

But then one of the scum who gives
that kind of order should die too.

Would you really do that, Sepp?

I'd like to.

But whether I have the courage -
I don't know.

Do you think there are others
who'd refuse such an order?

- I believe so.
- But orders are orders.

That's the highest
law of the soldier.

The "highest law."

Here:

"It is not envisioned in the rules
of engagement that a soldier

"can be exempted from punishment
for an ignominious crime

"by claiming he was given an order
by his superiors,

"especially if their orders stand
in blatant contradiction to the

"international protocols
on warfare."

- What do you think of that?
- That?

That's the Geneva Convention, right?

Think of the sawmill.

Goebbels recently wrote this in the
Volkischer Beobachter.

He means the American planes
that are bombing our cities.

- But that's right.
- Oh, really?

And who determines what
constitutes an ignominious crime?

And what are "human morals?"

What does that mean?
"Human morals."

There's just no scale
by which to measure

what's just and
what's unjust.

There's a very simple scale.

We Germans are right. Always.

- We're allowed to do anything.
- But it cannot be like that.

There must be some forum
where no one may lie,

where you can say:
"Here's the proof."

It must be something intrinsic
to the world's very being.

- Aside from him, perhaps?
- You mean God?

People talk about God constantly -
about providence and destiny.

That doesn't appeal to me.
It's primitive.

So what should one believe in?

In the few things that
are clear-cut.

- In the sawmill?
- Yes.

That's enough.

We swear to God
this holy oath: to give

the Fuhrer of the Greater
German Reich and Volk,

Adolf Hitler -

the highest-ranking commander
of the military -

our unconditional obedience

and to be ready, as
courageous soldiers

to lay down our lives for
him at any time.

"These are the days that we will
later say we didn't like."

Ecclesiastes 12, Verse 1.

Holt:

Lock and load!

Gun locked and loaded!

Pity.

It took half a second too long.

Now I'll drill you 'til
you're lame!

Come on, you two:
Stand up!

No, I know something better.

You will pray to Heaven for no
harm to come to me in the war.

Report to me with
Vetter tonight.

You will pray for me.

I don't understand why they
drafted Peter Wiese.

We can't win with his kind.
Lousy Peter!

Exactly!

You know Revetcki?
He's perverse.

No one will believe
what we've had to go through.

Werner, it's time.
Off to Revetcki.

Gilbert, do I have to do this?

You don't have to.

I don't understand you, Holt.

Go pray for Corporal Revetcki.

You've got a degree -
Revetcki's just an actor.

After the war, you can
become a drama critic

and you'll write in the paper:

"Alois Revetcki, that mediocre extra,

"does not even come close to
having the necessary skill

"to give life to a role."
Or something like that.

Look:

I have a small factory at home.

I make fine souvenirs.
Wonderful things!

A little piglet with "Good Luck"
on it and other things (Steirerbuam)

with "Greetings from the Bastei."
And garden gnomes.

Our commander, Major Reichert,

- is one of our salesmen, the jerk!
- I won't be worn down.

Not like this.

You can complain and
you'd definitely win, but...

Think about it.

The instructors will think
you're a spoilsport.

- He just wants to have some fun.
- But I don't want to!

Maybe I am a spoilsport. If they
want to finish me, then finish me.

Then it'd finally be over!

- Pull yourself together, Werner.
- Oh, comrades.

After the war,

someone will knock at my door.

I'll be eating breakfast.
My wife will say: "Fritz!

"There's a salesman,
a certain Mr. Reichert."

Then I'll say, "Let him wait."

It will be glorious, comrades!

Stop it, already!

Come on -
let's get going.

I won't pray.

Be careful.

Go easy on your fingers, Wiese,

or you'll never make
it to the conservatory.

Do you like Schumann, Wiese?

- Yes, sir!
- As you were.

I really like Schumann.

I lose myself in him.

And Rubinstein...
Do you know Rubinstein, Wiese?

Yes, sir...

Corporal.

His Bal Costume...

You'll have to play that
for me sometime, Wiese.

Keep going.

It's indescribable, Wiese.

When the war's over,
If you're still alive,

I'll come to your concerts.

But go easy on
your fingers, Wiese.

Semper bonis artibus...

Yes?

Oh, here come our
handsome recruits!

I've decided to become pious
because among you devils

I run the risk of leading a life
that's not so pleasing to God.

Holt:

Recite a prayer for me.

I don't hear anything.

On your knees.

Please pray, Holt.

A little louder.

I... am small,

my heart is pure, and there no
one will reside, save Jesus alone.

Amen.

Help me! I'm shitting my pants!

There's a medium wave radio with an
80 Watt transmitter in the attic,

so they can stay in touch with our
fighting men crying for help.

The 4th company is readying the
anti-tank vehicles for action

and they'll move out tonight.

The radio operators are coming
from our company.

Attention!

As you were.
Wolzow - to the lieutenant!

I'm set for life. I've got
this wonderful stiff knee.

It'll last forever, guaranteed
until the end of the world.

You think we'll be deployed soon?

Hey!

He can't wait anymore.

I've been a soldier since 1938.

You're right, Sepp.

The waiting, this uncertainty
is perhaps the worst part.

Perhaps.

Attention!

- Room's occupied...
- Comrades!

Germany. Notions of heroism.

National socialist ideas... Surely
I didn't tell them to you in vain.

I wasn't speaking to the wind.

No, that cannot be.

The Russians crossed the border
into Silesia - the very country

our forefathers brought into
the Reich with their heroic swords.

they're advancing into the
industrial zone and into Breslau.

Danger! The hour of reckoning
has come.

The final stage of the
war has begun -

the war of nerves.

Better nerves will win,

and we will have
the better nerves.

In this hour, the Fuhrer has
ordered the formation

of a volunteer anti-tank division.

It's up to you alone

to make this division
an elite troop, on which

the last contingent of Bolshevism
will tear out its rotten teeth.

Our comrade Wolzow has
been the first to volunteer -

I expected nothing
less from him.

Who will follow him?

Lieutenant, sir!

I volunteer for
the anti-tank division.

Who else?

The Fuhrer specified that
whoever destroys six tanks

with close combat weapons will
be awarded the Knight's Cross.

Six tanks? Knight's Cross?

Well...

Lieutenant, I'll join!

Werner!

Man!

Lieutenant, sir,

I will too.

You four?

I thought as much, comrades.

Thank you.

Tomorrow, you may sleep in
as long as you want.

Be in my office at noon
to pick up your routing slip.

- Good night.
- Good night, Lieutenant!

And the others?

The others?

So you want to live forever, boys.

But you will regret it.

The anti-tank mission is short,
but remorse is long.

As of tomorrow, I'll break you of
your self-preservation instinct.

You swine! You filthy pigs!

I'll make heroes out of you yet.

Even if you die in the process.

Pick up the tempo, Horbeck.
Scared, huh?

To the greatest swindle
in the world.

Kids, you have no idea how
much we've been swindled.

Go! Go! Forward! Come on!

My God - refugees!

Now see the results.

But you are assured of
our Fatherland's gratitude.

Kids, have we been swindled!

- You have no idea.
- People:

Enjoy the war.
The peace will be terrible.

Go on, Horbeck. There must be
some sort of staff back there.

Well? See to it that
we get through here!

Wolzow!

I have to take a look around.

You take care of the
combat mission, got it?

- Got it.
- I'll be back in a half-hour.

If I'm not back, head out
on your own.

What obnoxious behavior
for a sergeant first class!

He's out of booze and
it's making him nervous.

I'll be right back.

Anti-tank division?
Nonsense on paper!

Why did you volunteer?

Don't bother.

Sepp, if something should
happen to me,

here's my father's address.

- Give the news to Gundel Thiess too.
- So you really want to die?

Werner, shouldn't we think
about how to make it through?

How do you mean that?

Well, somehow or other.

You can think about it.

Well, is the engine acting up?

We'll see.

Wolzow wants to fight
something fierce.

What's with Wolzow?

Wolzow doesn't listen to anyone -

but sometimes
he listens a bit to Holt.

And him?

Man, everything's all haywire here.
No one knows what's going on.

They say the Russians
will be here soon.

There isn't an
anti-tank division yet.

That's a bad sign. But I still
have a clear combat mission.

Hold the tanks at the gates
as long as possible,

until a line can be
drawn here.

- Troops are on the way.
- On the way?

- Yes, sir!
- So then let's go.

And Burgkert?

Who knows if he'll come back?

We'll wait for him.
His battle experience is valuable.

Come on, let's go!

Or else we'll never
get out of this mess.

We already have our papers.
We don't need him.

Ok - Move out.

Now I'll tell you why
I volunteered.

I'm done with this.

Sepp!

We swore an oath.

It doesn't matter:

then I'll break my oath.

Werner, come with me.

Defect?

- Don't think too long.
- Come on!

It'll be too late
once the tanks come.

Werner!

Wolzow's coming.

This was lying in his car.

You scoundrel!

Arrest him.

Wolzow!

I have something
to say to you.

I fought in the
anti-aircraft brigade.

I thought it was for Germany.

I didn't want to see or hear how
it all had been dirtied

and Germany had been
made a fool.

But then it all
became clear to me.

It finally became clear
to me in the sawmill.

- Don't make a murderer out of me!
- Lower your gun! I'll count to 3.

- One!
- I'll gun you down.

- Two!
- Wolzow!

You guys are nuts! Drop
the guns or I'll pull the cord.

- No one can stop me.
- The gun, Gilbert!

Sit down.

Put away the gun.

Get out of here.

If the Russians catch you,
they'll beat you to death.

- They're killing everyone.
- Yes, in close combat.

When it finally occurs to you
to defect, it'll be too late.

But not if we come quietly by
car... I know a little Russian.

An anti-tank mission? Never!

It's over for me, friend.
The war is over.

Werner, come with us.

Werner.

Don't think so much. Come on!

I can't go to the Russians.

- I'm a German!
- Man, quit your chatter!

- Men with guts still fight.
- Yes - and for what?

I'll tell you what for!

Though you wouldn't get it
anyway, you piece of trash -

- For my soldier's honor.
- Then go ahead and die for it.

Come with us, Werner!

So everything we've done
is now wrong and in vain?

I can't.

Come on, let's go,

before this guy
goes crazy again.

Werner!

Gilbert!

From now on,
every traitor will be shot -

even if it's my best friend!

Christian!

Christian!

Gilbert!

Gilbert!

They don't have any papers.

Clear the way!

I'll bet the three ran off.

The situation demands we save the
officers, our most valuable men.

The situation? The situation
demands battle to the last man.

If I see anyone run away,
I won't even waste a bullet,

I'll hang the scoundrel
from the lamppost.

I abide by the Fuhrer's orders.

Oh, Peter.

I'd rather be sitting
at your house right now.

You'd play for me.

Yes.

Do you think people will ever
go to concerts again?

- Listen to music?
- Absolutely.

I couldn't bear
all this otherwise.

Just imagine:

there are lights shining in the
streets again.

No more fear.

And I can attend the conservatory.

Man, I'm starving. Shit!

I'm going to eat my iron rations.

The lieutenant forbade it.

You should eat something too.

Peter,

stop dreaming.

Now we need to be tough.

Man, it's a concentration camp!

Peter!

Peter!

Wiese, man!

Peter.

Pull yourself together, man!

Wiese's just not worth someone
like you getting upset.

The sourpuss was always crazy.

Best in the class... Why should
these criminals concern him?

Come on and shovel.

Order executed.

Everything's been set
up for house-to-house combat.

- Go get some shut-eye.
- It'll be getting light out.

Wolzow!

We're only 50 men - the rest of
your company and mine.

We'll stay the course!

- Kill the wimp.
- Shut your mouth!

Holt, get ready. In 30 minutes,
the troop should be battle-ready.

The troops will retreat
or surrender.

Are you crazy?
Christian!

Winkler!

Enough, Wolzow! Winkler?
You take over command

but don't go back.
There are SS nearby.

You'd best surrender directly.

- Come on, Holt.
- I'll be right after you.

This is treason.

The troops are still good for
a day of house-to-house combat.

We were 200 men yesterday.
How many of us are left?

I'm leaving.

I don't feel a calling
to become a hangman.

But don't cross my path again,
Wolzow. Hide somewhere,

- but don't let me see you.
- You criminal!

Wait until the SS is here.
They'll hang you all!

Next to Wehnert!
I'll see you hang!

Holt!

Holt!

Werner!

Wolzow, they...

they want to hang him.

The SS is looking for you too.
It's Meissner -

you know him -
Meissner's their leader.

Get going!
Wehnert's with them too!

Come back again, Werner!

Ok!

Go!

Move out!

The Adventures of Werner Holt

Based on the novel by
Dieter Noll

Directed by
Joachim Kunert

Subtitles by Matt Beisler
and Evan Torner
...edited by SiSe

2009 DEFA Film Library
University of Massachusetts Amherst