Original subtitles

The Great Sacrifice

Our member Albrecht Froben

returns from a voyage which has led him from Hamburg across the Atlantic ocean, across the old German colonies in Africa to the Japanese islands.

and which we proudly call a pioneer enterprise, undertaken in the service of the German Colonial Association.

The Hamburg section of the German Colonial Association

is aware that Froben, the Hamburg senator's son, in whose blood has been the global traveler since generations....

therefore we couldn't offer him a more appropriate token of out esteem

than the whole world.

This is where I went off the boat for the first time, Portuguese Guinea

the Sudan, our old colonies Togo and Cameroon

Belgian Congo

Somalia

- The suitcases have arrived, shall I bring them in? - Yes, bring them in

Open the big black one, here's the key

Then on board again

To Ceylon

In Ceylon I stayed for four weeks, because there's our main tea depot

Then onward, passing Singapore

The Philippines

Japan

You've made the first stop because of me, haven't you?

Not exactly, but I know your passion for East Asia

I've brought you something that will interest you

I quite liked the way the gentlemen honoured me today

but after all it's been no big deal

to undertake such a trip nowadays

You've accomplished something, and it had been no small matter

After all you've renewed connections which had been cut off for Germany in the last years

To conquer something back again is more difficult that to stay put on it

A Japanese warrior

of the Ashikaga Shogunate

around 1500

You see, I've been there, but you know much more about it

But now I'll show you something that will interest you most

A beautiful Buddha

That's not a Buddha, it has eleven heads. That's a Kwannon

The eleven faced Kwannon

Or a Kwannon, what's the difference

No, this is something special

A special goddess

The Buddhist goddess of mercy

The eleven faced

According to the legend, a princess who knew how to defend her virtue against all attacks

Then she'll suit you

You allow me to let me give her to you as a present, won't you?

Albrecht, you don't know what a great pleasure you've given me

I'm just writing a book about East Asia

About the old Japanese beliefs up to the cult of Shintoism

This here isn't probably as interesting for an art historian and scholar

A kimono? for whom?

I'll find someone

Albrecht, Albrecht...

You're now a dignified and famous man. you can't afford such affairs any longer

Your position demands it

(speaks with Hamburg dialect) oops! don't tread on my toes

the most beautiful thing in life is the pro water ???, as the old Hummel used to say

??? and if you imagine that I shall refrain from taking a Hamburg girl out on the Alster or something like that,

then you're wrong

Say

Isn't it Octavia?

By the way, you'll have to pay a visit to the uncle, the senator

How is he?

Still busy with his humanistic studies?

Still reading Horace and Virgil?

How one can give one's daughter a Latin name nowadays, I can't imagine

Octavia

What does she do?

She's what she has always been

The most beautiful thing the Alster has ever seen

Where did you get the painting?

She gave it to me

I say, it doesn't fit into your Buddhist shop

It will have to fit

I see

Is she already married?

No

No one dares to, is that it?

Yes you're right, that's it

Look at this!

The eleven faced Kwannon

The princess who knows how to defend her virtue against all attacks

Well, you'll have to visit their house on the Elbe anyway, even though she has a Latin name

Is the family away on a voyage?

No

Because the blinds are down

The family doesn't like the sunlight

But the senator and the lady of the house have gone out

Please give my card to the senator when he comes back

Shall I announce you to the young lady?

Miss Octavia is playing the piano?

Yes, please do

One of these hours will be your last

Octavia

A return after three years of wandering around?

I hadn't really thought of returning, Octavia

It's more like a very short visit

Is that a difference, Albrecht?

Yes, it is

"Returning", that sounds as if someone expected you

Really?

Would you like to come up?

Very pretty

Much more pleasant than down there in that old hall

Here one may enjoy life

Beautiful

Very beautiful

That clock is also nicer than the one downstairs

It doesn't remind one of one's own mortality

The good old clock

It goes all the way back to grandfather

And great-grandfather probably

I don't know, I don't even notice it any more

Yes, what one has always seen in one's childhood, what one grew up with...

that you don't see any more.

but once you've been away for a while, then you see it again.

and with new eyes

Does world-travel make one so pensive?

No, but one gets to see things from a distance, Octavia

Alster boat race

My consolation prize from last year

Matthias couldn't do better than that

He's more of a scholar than a sportsman

He doesn't risk enough perhaps?

Perhaps the dinghy isn't agile enough

Constructed in a far too solid way, is that it?

Old Hamburg

I've come back to a completely different kind of life

- I haven't had breakfast. Will you have a coffee with me? - With pleasure.

Shall I fetch an armchair?

No thanks. I always sit on the floor

You played the piano just now

That's my great passion

It's my life

On Sundays, we all sit together down there, we're playing in a quartet

The old Sanit�tsrat Terboven plays the first violin

Matthias the viola and when papa has the time, he plays the cello

- Milk? - No, black

I don't have the patience any more to listen to a quartet

- That had never been your style. you need the wind and the waves, the glare and the lust of the sun... - yes.

The wind and the waves

The glare and the lust of the sun

No arm's length

must be between us any more

One of these hours will be your last

You see Albrecht, this is how we're sitting here every Sunday morning

It's so to speak our spiritual hors d'oeuvre before the Sunday roast

We've another hour till dinner. read us something, papa

What do you want to hear?

Perhaps a Dionysian dithyramb by Nietzsche?

A what?

A Dionysian dithyramb

I see

Albrecht doesn't know that

Let's listen to it

The most beautiful one: "The sun is sinking"

That's Nietzsche's death premonition, one of the deepest poems ever written

The sun is sinking

Not much longer will you thirst, burnt heart

The air is filled with promises

from mouths unknown a wind blows

The great cooling arrives

The air is strange and clean

Doesn't the night look at me with alluring eyes?

Stay firm, my brave heart

Don't ask why

Come, golden serenity

You, death's sweetest and most secretly anticipated pleasure

Did I walk on my road too fast?

Only now, when the feet grow tired, your glance catches up with me

Your happiness catches up with me

seventh loneliness. never have I felt nearer to sweet security

Warmer the sun's gaze

Doesn't the ice on my summits still glow?

Silvery, light, a fish

My boat glides away

Very beautiful

Yes, very beautiful

But I think it's terrible

What is terrible?

The poem?

Nothing against your recitation, papa, but...

What is it you don't like, Albrecht?

Don't smile in such a patronizing way, Matthias

Apparently you think I'm too stupid to understand the poem

Albrecht, why are you so irritable?

Don't you want to tell us, Albrecht, why you find Nietzsche disgusting all of a sudden?

Go on, I'm ready to listen to reason

It's been a misunderstanding, you must excuse me

I had no intention to teach you reason, papa

But why do you think it terrible, Albrecht?

That's why

But my boy, open the other blinds too if you don't like to sit in the dark

The blinds have nothing to do with Nietzsche

But they have!

Unfortunately they have.

Can someone tell me, why you're sitting here every Sunday feeling gloomy?

Nothing against the poem

But you lower the blinds and you're saying: "The sun is sinking."

Albrecht, please!

And outside the sun is shining

Matthias, don't interrupt me for once

you've asked me what I think is terrible

Here you are, just look outside

We've been sitting here for three hours, talking about philosophical matters

playing nocturnes

night pieces

by Chopin

Reading the thoughts of a genius written shortly before he went mad

Is that how a Sunday morning is supposed to be?

It hadn't just been the death premonition

It had been the approaching madness he felt before his sun sank

Night night night, nothing but night

and death

and outside the sun is shining

Say,

don't you think it spooky?

Don't be angry

but that's beyond me

I'm sorry

Bravo, Octavia

I'm a tough case

You won't have it easy with me,

but we can arrange our life later just like we want to

or like you want to, but...

There's still another hour till dinner

Let's get away

You get away. no one will be angry at you

But I have to stay here

We have guests

Look around, row out with the boat, stretch out on the planks

There you have your wind and your waves

and your glare of the sun

Very well

Ro vidare! (Don't stop rowing)

Go on

Faster

Jag ber dig hj�rtligt, var god och va' f�rn�m, och titta inte f�r noga p� mig (I beg you, be kind and noble, and don't watch me too closely)

I beg your pardon?

If you stop rowing, my dress made out of the waves will become too transparent and I shall have to leave you

also, the water caresses me better if you row faster

Min v�nlige sl�pare. (My friendly puller)

You just cling to the boat

I'm not the least bit curious to resolve this magic

We're very far out now

If you aren't a mermaid with a fish's tail it'll soon become dangerous

Can you swim out that far at all?

I'll turn back now

and you won't follow me

just like you wouldn't follow a real mermaid

Tack s� mycket (Thanks a lot)

She lives over there in the next house

- �ls? But that' s not a name? - �lskling

Actually �lskling, but everyone calls her �ls

- Is she Swedish - I believe she's Finnish,

but I'm not sure

Anyway, she's from the north

Her step-father gave her the house before he died,

but she lives rarely here

She like a migrating bird,

comes along, settles and is off again the next day

She spends a few months every year in her homeland, the land of a thousand lakes

That's what you call it I guess

And in the winter she's somewhere in the south,

in the autumn in Africa or somewhere like that

She has indeed a very... how shall I put it...

a very unconventional way of living

You know how people talk. I don't know the details.

�ls... sounds charming after all

And it suits her

And it suits the mermaid who had appeared in your backwash

I have no use for her

I never had

A pity really

I think she's a nice girl

Are you on friendly terms with your neighbors?

Good heavens! First, she lives there all alone, and then...

You know how we are around here...

Even if someone lives next door, we don't know each other

Here every house is a world in itself

Had always been like that, and will stay that way forever

Good morning

Good morning

I still owe you thanks for your pulling-service

Don't mention it

or do you demand payment?

If it's all the same to you, I'd rather accept payment

What kind of payment would you like?

For instance...

going out for a ride with you

You'll see, one day I'll ride in the Derby myself

Thank God that's still men's business

But it would have been beautiful

I'd place a bet on you immediately, victory and place

Place? That's not very gallant

If you'll bet, then it'll have to be only victory

Earth's paradise lies on horseback

You're saying this?

I thought sailing was your passion

But there you depend on the wind, Miss...

???

How may I call you, by the way?

Just call me �ls, like everybody else does

The name is a dear memory to me

My mother gave it to me

�ls

May I accompany you on your rides?

�ls?

Of course, only until you tire of me

with that concession, I'll agree

Well, good-bye. Tomorrow at six,

but I'll have to be back at seven, then my day begins

Get back in there, you tramps

Heisann (Bye then)

Good morning

You've been waiting for me?

You don't say!

Let me check first what your pulse has to say about that gallop ride

Don't look so serious, Sanit�tsrat. I feel splendid

The pulse says no

Very clearly no

But I have forbidden you to swim, to ride, to run around

Let's sit down

Why don't you listen to me?

My collegue Wildbrand made an analysis of your blood

I must confess it doesn't look good

You are not as splendid as you say you are

Leave that

I believe the doctors always want to make you a bit more ill, that's how they make their money

Don't be angry, Sanit�tsrat

I tend to keep my worries a secret from my patients

because they have to feel healthy first in order to get well

But with you I mustn't act like this, Miss Flod�en

because you're unreasonable

I know what's the matter with me, Sanit�tsrat

I think I know it even better than yourself

Really? Rhat do you know then?

How long do I still have to live, Sanit�tsrat?

I wasn't prepared for such a direct question,

but no one could seriously answer that

Anyway, I believe...

that if you're reasonable...

What if I'm unreasonable?

Well, if you're unreasonable...

Do you want to be unreasonable?

I want to live.

I don't want to linger

I don't want to think all the time whether I may do this or not

I'd rather live a shorter time

What does it matter if one dies at 25 or at 26?

But I want to get something out of those 25 years!

I've seen it for years in my mother

Taking one medicine after another, always sparing herself

That had been her life,

leaving one sanatorium for the next

Artificially prolonging her life

and all she got out of it was a prolonged suffering

A prolonged torture

What is that torture you want to prolong?

Are you in pain?

I am not, that's the point.

And that's why I'm such a bad patient

You see,

nature has arranged this wisely, pains and all

pains protect us from decay, pains can be the elixir of life

You don't have that natural protection, Miss Flod�en

and you completely forget that fate had given you already a clear sign once before

Do you know my silver Danish mastiff Peer?

You have so many dogs, how can I...

But I have only one Peer.

I liked him best of all.

But when he got ill and couldn't enjoy his life any more...

I myself killed him.

My gardener couldn't bring himself to do it.

and I didn't want to take him to the veterinary

He should be with me

I had been more merciful

Excuse me, Miss Flod�en, as a doctor I cannot hold such a conversation

It's my profession to make men well and to keep them alive as long as possible

and that's why I am telling you, quit riding

You know it, first you perspire, then cool off, then you catch another cold

and you cannot afford such a cold

Be merciful with yourself

�lskling

Mama's crying

It's too much for you, �lskling

Otherwise the child will fall asleep again

Come to me

�lskling

�lskling, you're an unreasonable person

That's what the doctor's been saying to me too just now, Gitta

Do you imagine it's as easy for me as it is for you to be reasonable?

I live under a different law

just like your mother

Yes, that's how it'll have to be,

but I had always hoped that I'll have my child with me one day, and...

and that it wouldn't have to grow up among strangers, like I had to

Strangers?

Gitta, don't be angry

You've been my nurse

and I've believed for a long time that you were my mother

and you've always been like a mother to me

Now you're a mother for Susanne

You see

Only, I often think...

I have my beautiful garden

my beautiful house

Why can't my child live with me?

With an ill mother? but we've gone through all this before. we both decided that we won't try that again.

- The child will suffer most by it - Yes

It wouldn't make sense anyway

You're hardly here, you lock up the house again, move south...

or north, and then it'll have to leave anyway

or do you want to take it with you everywhere?

That's not suitable for a child

There must be order in its life

�lskling, let's not talk about those old things anymore

you know it's impossible

Susanne doesn't lack anything, �lskling

As long as I live, she lacks nothing

and you won't get talked about. That would be unnecessary.

I don't care about that,

but it's nobody's business. It doesn't have to be.

Then it's best that way I guess

but when I'm well again, we'll build a house by the sea

Next to the beach, so that we'll see the sea all the time...

then I'll buy a pony for Susanne, and...

A pony? are you mad? a wild animal? that's just like you

and I'll have to be afraid again, like in old times, when the little �lskling started to gallop off, no

You see, you'll cry and shout and we won't listen to you again

Does it always have to be like that?

Yes, it always has to be like that

It's always like that...

That you have to fear losing what you hold most dear.

- A hot spiced wine? - That would be best

- One spiced wine - Two, you mean

Two

Two spiced wine

A small adventure makes life more interesting

Wipe your face and your hands

Water doesn't harm a mermaid

I had hoped to meet you yesterday when I had been rowing

I have searched the whole Elbe

The mermaid is no longer

Once you know the mermaid's name the magic is gone

but if her name's �ls...

�ls isn't a name

Nice and warm

You see, you're cold

I'm not, but still. H�rligt varm (nice and warm)

Will you be staying longer in Hamburg this time?

Why?

Miss Froben told me that you're only passing through here

Now, this time I'll stay longer

I'm treated by a specialist. You know him, Sanit�tsrat Terboven

I would have thought you a model of health

You see how one can be wrong,

but I'm healthy alright

Only a remainder from the tropics is bothering me now and then

What business do you have in the tropics?

Haven't you been told yet that I'm a migrating bird?

I've already heard that you were a migrating bird

Bravo

That was great, �ls

Shooting from a standing position is not difficult, Miss Froben,

but from a galloping horse, that's different

Bravo

I'll be back!

Bravo

Yeah!

�ls!

Not too far into the water!

It gets deep suddenly

�ls!

Do you imagine my horse cannot swim?

Don't be so reckless! Otherwise I'll have to follow you

Out here there are no waves

???

You were splendid, �ls

But you're reckless all the same

Why?

The horse will shy at the surf

What if it had thrown you in the water?

You could easily have gotten under its hoofs

That's no big deal

No big deal?

The horse might kill you with its hoofs if it gets nervous

Then I'll be dead, what of it if, Herr Froben

It'll have to be one day anyway

I say, how can you talk of death like that at your age?

What has age got to do with it?

One is always close to death, and it's a good thing if you smile at him from time to time

and if you tell him: please, my friend

you'll come when I can't go on any further

What are you saying? I think you'll have some time left still...

before he takes you in his cold arms

Perhaps...

and perhaps not, one never knows

You see the rainbow?

The bridge which swings over

Who knows who'll have to cross it soon

This is my favorite spot, here at the lighthouse

Today it's beautiful, but in the autumn, when the migrating birds arrive from my homeland

Then it's sad here

Why?

Then they fly against the lighthouse because they think it's the sun

and in the morning they lie on the ground with their skulls smashed

Sometimes whole flocks

A sad picture

Terrible

But �ls

You're so full of life and happiness

That doesn't suit you, thinking about death in the wind and the sun

Do you think so?

What am I supposed to think about?

You?

Yes, I only think about him

Only about Albrecht Froben

You're the only one who knows it, Gr�llen

but you don't tell anybody

You carry me in your soft and light trot

and I must have said it aloud very often

Albrecht Froben, Albrecht Froben

I didn't mean it

Only when I saw you prick up your ears listening, then...

then I too heard me say it: Albrecht Froben, Albrecht Froben

I didn't want it

We galloped

I wanted to cover it all with the sound of your hoofs

but again and again it got wilder for the both of us

Ah, Gr�llen. It's good that you're here

so that I can tell at least one person

how often I think about him

and it's so hard to keep silent

Especially if you're a woman

You're thinking about the other woman

Not about Octavia, only about the other one

What makes you think that?

I can tell by your face

Do you know my face that well?

I hope I do

That is, at the moment I'm afraid I do

Albrecht

I have to tell you something

I think it's...

I think it's...

impossible

It's hard to find the right words

Perhaps I can give you an example what the both of you...

One can pack a Kwannon or a silk kimono into a suitcase

but not into a life.

You've put that splendidly

Kwannon and kimono

You're a poet!

But you don't know �ls at all

Be so good as to stop using that endearing name

That's ridiculous, everybody calls her like that

Her name is Miss Flod�en

After all she is a registered resident, not a figure out of a fairy tale

But even Octavia calls her like that

and you object that I call her by a name which all the world uses

and think it's incredible that you compare her and Octavia in such a ridiculous manner

Kwannon and kimono!

One cannot compare the two of them, one wouldn't do justice to any of them

Octavia is just heavenly, and �ls is...

Earthly, isn't she?

Yes, earthly, if you want

You don't seem to be very proud of your comparison

We know very well that we're closer to earth that to heaven. we've been made out of earth

You don't have to give up heaven just because you love the earth

One doesn't have to, but one does occasionally

even if you find me ridiculous again

It means something that you faithlessly gave up your passion for sailing

Excuse the word faithlessly

And that you've suddenly become a passionate horseman

You ought to start working again, you've already had a long enough holiday

It only gives you silly ideas

Say, Matthias...

do you doubt my love for Octavia?

I don't want that, for Octavia's sake I don't want that!

That's why I tell you as a friend, don't place yourself in danger

even if you don't die doing so...

Think of Octavia.

Does your cousin know that you're here?

No, nor does my cousin Octavia

So it's just you who are worried, Herr Froben?

Yes

Fortunately, Octavia doesn't seem to know about that trouble yet

You speak of such things...

I would be ashamed to call them by name

Don't you now that it's very dangerous to interfere with fate?

You've said something aloud

which had remained carefully unspoken between Herr Froben and myself

One shouldn't speak of everything

that might have evil consequences

At least I thought it my duty to talk with you about it

but I hadn't expected, Miss Flod�en, that we would understand each other

Of course, you cannot share my feelings for the Froben family

Why have you turned to me and not to your cousin Albrecht?

I already did so.

And?

I don't think I have achieved anything by it.

And you thought you'd achieve more with me?

You're wrong, Herr Froben

If it were like that...

as you suppose...

then you should especially refrain from approaching such feelings.

You should know that I would fight for my happiness

So it's war

Very well

It all depends on who is the strongest, Miss Flod�en

and you must know that Albrecht loves Octavia

and she'll be his wife

The couple will move away from here

and I hope the distance will determine you to separate from Albrecht emotionally too.

As of a sudden he immersed himself into work

He didn't even want to go on a honeymoon

He cancelled everything

We couldn't move to D�sseldorf fast enough

Are you comfortable in the hotel, Octavia?

I don't think we'll stay long in this town

Then Albrecht isn't be looking for a flat?

He sends me out to look for one

and I've had a look at lots of flats

but when I think of our house on the Elbe...

then I can't make up my mind

That doesn't sound very happy, Octavia

I am as happy as Albrecht is.

And is Albrecht happy?

Good gracious, he has his work

and many social engagements

He has so many obligations

I could go to a party or a ball every night

but you know me

No one can overcome one's limitations

That's it I guess

But I accompany him, you'll see tonight

I'm even looking forward to it

"The slide", that's what the ball is called

I've even got a mask

They won't recognize me

A mask?

Octavia with a mask?

We'll proceed like this: We'll arrive at different times...

No one knows what the other will wear

and we'll have to look for each other on the ball

But I'll show my mask to you

Albrecht won't mind if you stayed at my side

I felt a bit uncomfortable anyway to go there all alone

Octavia's mask?

Yes

Are you terribly shocked?

On the contrary

I think it's wonderful that you join in

Octavia's mask

But Octavia, you won't find him that way

You've the whole evening before you

Do you think I might take off that disgusting thing?

Keep it on

I think such a mask is a good thing

That way you can remain incognito for a while

One glass of champagne

I feel that you think of me. during the night the souls are closer to each other than during the day

or is it just my longing which lies to me?

I wanted to fight for you

but I mustn't take you away from Octavia

I know how much happiness I would take away from her

I hope that I'll have the force to keep silent from you always about how infinitely I love you

but I may tell you in my diary

Each of its pages shall speak of this love

because this love alone fills my days

Good night

My beloved

You cannot recognize him behind the mask and the domino

but you can recognize his company, can't you

Come

Tell me, beautiful mask, are you looking for something special?

Sure, whether you wear a wedding ring, or whether you're still free

Masks will be taken off only at midnight

What a pity

Octavia

You're wrong, sir

Have drink, Octavia

Are you that sure?

I would recognize you among thousands

A bit more distance, sir

Matthias

Play-acting isn't your strong point, Octavia

but whoever you may be, let's go down the slide just once, the whole life's a slide anyway, come along

Madam, please!

Albrecht!

I surely am allowed to kiss my own wife

I don't like your wife at the moment

I don't see whether you've blushed behind your mask, Octavia

Once a year

at carnival

we all store away our decent clothes

and slip into fools' costumes

Let's wake up the holy ghosts of life

which have been sleeping on the sunny shores of the Rhine for centuries

Here innumerable feasts have been celebrated in homage to beauty

and let's pay our own tribute to beauty's triumph

for the most beautiful of masks we have the most beautiful thing which grows on the shores of the Rhine

A cask of old R�desheim wine

I'll raise a toast with the first glass of this delicious drink

to the most beautiful mask

to whom the jury has unanimously awarded the first prize

The golden mask in the white dress

The prince of carnival arrives in his splendor

Descending to us, the dust-born

Where is she? - She sits in the car, about to drive home

But how will it look, Matthias, I have a position here

Embarrassing for her

Why? no one has recognized her. That's what the masks are for

Well I guess you're right

Say Albrecht, don't you ask too much of her?

You must admit she had been splendid tonight

Participating in everything, even going down the slide with you

Yes, and she screamed like mad

You cannot ask more of her

but don't overdo it

Octavia

Yes?

You're already in bed?

Matthias has come with me

but you were to stay there

You see, I didn't want that at all

I didn't want to spoil your fun

But you haven't spoiled it

Octavia

Let's finish celebrating our carnival in here

I've ordered champagne

You won't mind, won't you?

I was afraid you were angry with me

You're so sweet to me

Now go to Matthias

I'll be with you soon

Fine

Well, will she get up again?

I have a bad conscience

Couldn't do you any harm

I ought to apologize to you

because I've spoiled your evening with my lack of humour

But you haven't, Octavia

Octavia

I have an announcement to make

- You... - I don't deserve this.

I don't want to play down my faults, but I had been really angry when you ran away

But Matthias gave me a good talking-to, he told me that I had been very egoistical

I didn't say that!

Perhaps you didn't use the word, but I can read between the lines, anyway you were right

Cheers

I wonder what will be the outcome of that?

The outcome is perfectly clear

We'll pack and return to Hamburg with Matthias

There's nothing which holds us here

Octavia, I didn't advise him that

Don't hurry things, you're always so terribly volatile

Very well, then in the spring, but we'll leave as soon as possible

Over-seas interests me much more than inland navigation

Besides your father offered us the house for the spring, they will be leaving for their place in the country

Think of it, Octavia

The house on the Elbe

But Octavia

You mustn't cry

I am so happy, Albrecht

We'll return home

I didn't know that she was still in Hamburg

She told me at the time that she would be going away

I don't remember either that she ever stayed the winter in Hamburg

but Dr. Terboven says her illness was persistent, perhaps that had been the reason

Yes, it'll be her old complaint, a remainder of a tropical illness

How do you know?

She told me

Strange that she would talk about it, since she is so secretive otherwise

This morning I've sent her our most beautiful orchids from the hothouse with greetings from the both of us

You don't mind, do you?

And now you'll go riding

I hope you won't find it boring, being alone

I'll take a few more riding lessons, then I'll accompany you if you want me to

I'm not sure if it had been right to send her flowers

How now, out of bed?

You're no good patient

Will you believe me, Sanit�tsrat

There's no better medicine for me than to be able to look into the garden once again

Look out into the street

to see a bit of life

and to see a horse

It didn't do you any harm, you're looking better

Then I might allow you the walk to the window after all

The walk to the window doesn't make me well either

I want to be allowed to drive down to town just once

But what business could you have in town these days?

Now let's listen to your heart

I have an urgent duty to perform, professor

Very true

Towards yourself, towards your health

Not only that

I haven't just myself to look after

Yes I know, Susanne

But she's fine, isn't she

She is, but I want to go out

Back onto the horse, is that it?

That too

A few days patience, if the heart helps us along...

Do you think it's the heart?

I don't know what had been helping us so suddenly?

I do

Wonderful the way the grey gallops

You like him better that the brown?

I like them both

Only the brown is lame

I'll have to send for the veterinary

or do you know something about it?

Let me have a look

The back leg?

Yes, the left

I've made a bandage, but I think it better if...

We love each other, my friend

and it will be terrible

terrible

Why did you ever take me back to Hamburg, Matthias?

I have?

I beg your pardon? I have taken you back to Hamburg?

You should have told me that �ls was still here

But I didn't know it

What is she to me?

Ok, you're right

It's just a subterfuge to accuse you. I'm accusing myself

but that's of no use at all

I don't understand

- You've told me yourself... - Told you, rubbish

You don't have to remind me of the things I have told you at the time

Of the things am I telling myself all the time?

But what use is it if I tell myself that Octavia is infinitely more beautiful

More noble, better

The superiority, the grace, the nobility running in her veins

What's the use?

- It's of no use to you? - No it isn't

It's of no use at all

Not a bit

I can tell myself a hundred times,

but when I'm with �ls, then...

then I'm just happier...

It seems there will always remain an arm's distance between Octavia and myself

That's the way it had been on the day of our engagement

and that's the way it is today

But that's terrible, Albrecht

But I love Octavia

No, my dear Albrecht, that's impossible!

You cannot make it that simple!

After all you're a man, not a savage

You couldn't possibly hold one woman in your arms and claim to love the other

But I haven't held her in my arms, Matthias

You've had so many affairs

I shouldn't have spoken to her, Matthias

I won't be your ally against Octavia

I don't understand what you think you're doing, Albrecht

If you don't respect yourself, at least show some respect for Octavia

Well

I always believed true friendship knows no bounds

but today I realize there are things

one must solve alone

Is it that difficult?

Go on, answer me

Octavia

I had been so sincere at the time

when I wooed for you

and now it is to have been just a betrayal?

It cannot be all bad

because it gives you a force, a joy, a sweeping movement which I had never seen in you before.

Am I to love you less because of that?

Octavia

You're so...

good

so so...

Yes I know

But this matter is about yourself

Not about myself

Octavia

That is so...

so...

superhuman

Lugna lite, lugna lite. Jag kommer snart tilbaka. (Calm down, calm down. I'll be back soon).

Stanna kvar. (Stay here)

Octavia

Octavia

What's the matter?

Where are you going?

I see

Octavia, what do you want?

How is it going to end?

I don't know

I want to, I just want to

Octavia, what do you want, what can you want out here on the street?

Octavia, I am afraid for you

It didn't leave me in peace at home

I had a feeling that you might need me

That's why I came

Octavia

this is not the right road you're going now

Octavia, that's not like you at all, following that woman

It is

If you knew what I have suffered these last days

Not every narcotic takes away the pain

But that's not a narcotic

Look at this!

The way men look after her

Nobody ever looks after me on the street

Even though everyone tells me I'm beautiful

You've told me many times yourself

Albrecht has told me

What's the secret?

She's like a magnet

Yes indeed

Octavia, you should be glad that nobody looks after you on the street

You're such a pure person

No, that's not it

She is one too

She's just more powerful that I am

It's no use pretending

Octavia you're beside yourself, I beg of you, come home now

No. Don't you see, she's looking for something

Dovenfleet (Hamburg harbor area)

Look

She is about to enter a building

You see?

Does she have a child?

I don't know

I didn't know

Say, you're losing your bandages

Kom til mig, Gr�llen. (Come to me, Gr�llen)

Spring inte ifr�n mig. (Don't run away from me)

Stanna her. (Stay here)

V�r rar mot mig, Gr�llen. (Be nice to me, Gr�llen)

I have to hold my horse

I can't afford it

I don't have your way with animals, �ls

I love smelling the hay

That's how I got to know you at first

A picture of health

When I think about how I greeted you at your window the first time

How pale you looked behind the window panes

You should never have gone away

For two months I lay in that boring room and nobody had been there sending greetings to my window

Leading me back to life

Had it been that dangerous?

The old Sanit�tsrat Terboven thinks so

But now all that is over

�ls

You mustn't break apart

�ls

En gang kommer et �gonblikk der du gl�mmer all ting omkring dig. (Once there is a moment where you forget about everything around you)

Min �lskling.

What does that mean?

Beloved

Min �lskling.

�lskling, that's what you are

You too

To die like this

That would be the happiest death

�ls

What are you saying?

And when I'm dead, do you hear...

I want my ashes to be scattered into the sea

I beg of you, �ls

And when the waves will be caressing your foot

Then you shall know that it is I

Your �ls

�ls, don't talk like that

You're frightening me

It had been so close, Albrecht, when you were away that long

If you hadn't returned...

I think I would never have overcome my fever

We're like that, we're different from you down here

When we love, then we're like that.

N�r vi �lskar (When we love)

s� �r vi s�nn: (we are like this)

I skillsmissan

visnar vi

som en bloma utan sol

That means:

In separation we perish

like the flowers without sun

Do you love me that much?

Do you know if my husband has gone out?

Herr Froben has just gone out for a ride with Miss Flod�en

I see

Why do you cry?

I love you

And you're crying because of that?

Because there had been a love in my life before

Without you

Madam

I've made you a cup of tea

Have I been asleep for long?

Perhaps an hour

Had the Sanit�tsrat... hand me my back seat

- Had the Sanit�tsrat been here? - Yes

But he's left now

He said he couldn't prescribe anything better than sleep and rest anyway

I don't feel well

I think I have a high fever

Will he return this afternoon?

He didn't know. He has so much to do right now

There's an epidemic in town, he says

An epidemic?

That sounds bad

What is it?

Typhus in the harbor area

It's in the papers too

In the harbor area?

Whereabouts?

Read it to me

"As we've just learned, in the harbor area near the Dovenfleet, alarming illnesses have appeared"

Dovenfleet?

Yes, Dovenfleet

Which show symptoms of typhus

Unfortunately there have already been a few fatal cases

At the moment they deliberate whether stricter police measures ought to be taken

Good heavens

I must get up

Hand me my clothes

Call a taxi

But Miss �ls, you cannot get up now

The Sanit�tsrat said it was dangerous and that you need rest

Give me my clothes

But Madam, this will end badly

I can't take the responsibility

Please lie down

I'm too weak

My friend. I mustn't write to you, but I have to. An epidemic reigns in Dovenfleet bearing a terrible name. A child is in danger, my friend, my child. It lives at 22, Dovenfleet with Frau Steinkamp. Take the child. They will give it to you. If there's no one there to look after it, take it wherever you want to, only away from the danger. I'll wait for you by the window at 6 o'clock, till you come. And when you ride by, I'll know whether it has been saved. Hurry! Äls

I had just arrived in time.

The mother is ill, you say?

Typhus?

The foster-mother

The child is healthy

We'll keep it here for a few days for observation

Symptoms of typhus are bound to appear very soon

I'll bring that news gladly

But it had been unwise to fetch the child. you might have been infected

You leave things like that to an ambulance

The mother had been worried about the child

She waits for the news, I'll bring it to her

Do you need anything else, madam?

No, I don't need anything

You may go

You may go

But it can't be pleasant to look out into the rainy weather for an ill woman

If it were the sun...

The sun...

I've seen so much of the sun in my life

Go now

Leave me alone

Riding into the stable, Herr Froben, you almost would have smashed your head in at the gate

Are you unwell, Herr Froben?

Good gracious

Herr Froben

I'll call the lady of the house

No, it's nothing

Nothing to my wife

I don't want her to...

or someone...

Help me

Octavia

I hear you, Albrecht

You mustn't open the glass

Typhus is very infectious

Do you want to tell me something, Albrecht?

No

But I must tell you

It weighs on my heart like a stone

What is it?

I am afraid for �ls

Don't be afraid

Fate knows better what will become of us

I can see life above you

and a light and happy future

Only above myself?

Not above the both of us?

I don't know, Albrecht

You know it quite well, don't avoid, Octavia

Above yourself

and above my love.

Yes

Wherever you will go to be happy

My love will always accompany you

In this rain I have greeted �ls for the last time

and now she'll be waiting

and...

And what?

And die

One doesn't die that quickly, Albrecht

You don't know her

At the time, when we were away in D�sseldorf

She couldn't get well again either

She once said to me:

In separation we perish

Like the flower without the sun

That's what she said

and no one had been there

to send greetings up to my window

and to call me back to life

Then I'll conclude the last will

Yes

He isn't inside the room yet

but I can feel him sneaking round the house

Who's sneaking around the house?

The friend

Friend?

Friend Heil

I see

Friend Heil the death

I think madam, you look at things too gloomy

You're seeing ghosts, don't you

Don't say anything

And the heir's address

Dovenfleet 22

Susanne

Now it'll come to nothing

with our pony

with our house by the sea

Susanne

I beg your pardon

Six o'clock

Notary, please go now

I must be alone

I'm expecting someone

You're expecting a visitor?

And you're talking of dying!

If he doesn't come I'll not survive this day

Yes, even an embrace can bring death

Even a child's embrace

So be careful in the future

This time you've been lucky

You'll get over it with your robust health

Oh well

Aren't you glad?

I am

But...

But?

Why don't you tell me how Miss Flod�en is, Sanit�tsrat?

You're her doctor

You ought to know how I long for news

or do you think that you owe it to Octavia not to speak of it?

Octavia does not need a sacrifice

She is making a sacrifice

Well,

for her, our marriage has been a great sacrifice

One great sacrifice

Yes, there are natures such as this, Herr Froben

and that's why �ls doesn't have to wait in vain for you and your greeting.

There stands a rider at the gate,

at �ls' garden gate,

offering her the lover's salute

she is waiting for daily.

Who?

Who is standing at the gate?

Octavia

�ls

I will have to hurt you very much

�ls

I know, Albrecht

I know it

I know everything

I am so sad, Albrecht

even if I see your figure from my window,

but you're so far away from me

My love is so far away from you

I don't feel it any more

Albrecht

But I'm not at the gate, �ls

It is Octavia who greets you

It isn't you?

But it's you

I can see you, Albrecht

Is it really you?

Who can say what really is?

What do you want here, my darling?

To say farewell, �ls

Do we have to?

Before Octavia's love

Everything else must be extinguished and pass away

Do you see this?

Yes

Forgive me, �ls

That I am so cruel

But I must tell you

I love Octavia

I know it

I know

Beloved

Farewell

and be happy

�ls

I cannot see you any longer

�ls

Don't call me any longer

I don't want it any more

Listen to me, Albrecht

So far away

am I

Far away

The sea

is far away

Are you gone?

or

is it I

who is going away?

We

cannot know

Step aside, Albrecht

Stand clear of the gate

It had been her last wish to have her ashes scattered into the sea

She has returned

The wind and the waves had been her elements

Now she is wind and wave

Subtitles serdar202 & knappen