Original subtitles

Tales of the Uncanny

Script:

Photography: Sound:

Construction manager: Unit manager:

Directed by:

Starrring:

Hurry Frank, I have to be on stage in 20 minutes.

Then we must have some water.

The water in the radiator is boiling.

I've told you a thousand times I don't want that cat around here.

I can't understand what you've got against this animal.

It hasn't done you anything.

How long will you be working in the middle of the night?

What's that for?

What does that concern you?

You'll find out soon enough.

Let it go! Don't blame the poor animal!

You, you've ruined my hard work!

Give me the cat! Give it to me!

Let it go!

- Come now! - One moment...

Hurry!

Look! The black cat!

- Are you superstitious? - No...

- Hurry, hurry! - Oh, so you are supersitious?

Let me go! Let me go!

Are you crazy?

Wasn't that a scream?

You're dreaming. Hurry up, I'll be late!

Go by yourself. I'll go back!

Just don't interfere with other peoples affairs again...

- That's my job, dear. See you later. - Yeah, yeah...

Betty...

Betty...

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

What do you want?

Who was screaming here?

Here?

No one.

I'm laying bricks.

Oh...

Please excuse me...

I could've made a mistake!

- What does the report say? - Report?

Four reports.

- Since when is the woman missing? - Sunday the eleventh, for three days.

I'll go there at once. Come with me, inspector?

Please, Mr. Briggs. You journalists think you're on to something sensational.

And get four columns on the front page...

But who knows, maybe you're right?

- You're coming? - Yes, yes.

We'll take my car, right? Great!

Open up!

Open up!

- Who's there? - The police, open up!

- What do you want? - Where's your wife?

She's not here.

Not here? Since when?

Since sunday.

You're not concerned that your wife has been gone for three days?

Do you mind?

- There's been a complaint. - Against me?

For beating your wife.

Officer, that must be a mistake.

I wouldn't hurt a fly.

So who was screaming here last sunday?

Screaming? Here?

- No one. - But this gentleman heard it.

- Well if you don't believe me... - Please show us your rooms.

So you heard a woman screaming here?

And you call the police? That is outrageous!

Sending the police to decent people...

Just look, gentlemen! Please, look for my wife!

Maybe she's here!

Here is the bedroom.

Please!

Look around, young man.

Maybe she's under the bed?

Oh, she's not there...

Maybe in the wardrobe?

Here! Here! Here!

She's not there either! Huh?

Come gentlemen.

We'll proceed!

I have other rooms. Come here.

Here!

Please, come inside!

She's not there either. Isn't that true, young man?

I have no empty rooms up there.

Maybe it was an imagination, Mr Briggs?

But it's odd that you don't know where your wife is.

And where's the cat?

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

Come here...

Here kitty, kitty, kitty...

Cats usually prowl around at night.

I'm sorry...

that I can't fulfil your wish, young man.

You probably thought you had discovered a little murder.

- Dispense with the comments. - The fact is that your wife is missing.

- Please show us your basement. - Sure I've got a basement.

Please gentlemen, come and have a look at my basement.

I can show you some interesting things.

Just come with me, here's the way to the basement.

What's your occupation?

Inventor.

Well, gentlemen?

You've found nothing!

So have a look!

Just look!

Maybe she's here? Here or here?

What do you say about this house?

Isn't it a very well built house?

Impossible to find nowadays.

This house is very solid.

Very solid!

Hello?

Hello!

Hello?

Anyone there?

Anyone there?

Yes!

Yes!

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

Who's there?

What do you want?

Haven't you heard? Someone must've gotten in here.

We're looking for a criminal.

Young man, in the middle of the night?

Here at my place you can find plenty of criminals.

Come...

Sternickel... Haarmann...

Landru

The Captain of K�penick.

Come here

Here

The carriage of Marie Antoinette!

- Haven't you heard any noise? - I sleep at night, young man.

Here...

You see?

Jack the Ripper.

Kaiser Maximilian.

Shot in 1867.

Good God...

- Are you hurt? - No.

Oh God, you've gotten a good cut.

Come, there's a first aid kit over there. Come...

What's wrong?

Help me... Water...

Insane asylum

Insane asylum

Insane asylum

No! I don't want to! I don't want to!

I've killed my wife...

I just couldn't know that the cat was walled in with her...

- Right? - Hmm, yes yes... Syringe!

There, there...

I'm scared, doctor...

Just calm down, it's only your imagination. No?

No! No!

It's not an imagination. I'm telling you, I killed her.

Yesterday. - Yes yes, come here now...

They won't catch me. No, the won't catch me!

Come with me over here a while? There we go...

- Is he asleep? - Yes.

Good evening, doctor. I'm wounded.

Yes, we'll get you something. Jod.

How did this happen?

- Evening, doctor. The car. - Yes, over there.

A real good cut you've gotten.

Some jod. A bit more... There.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Looks better already.

- An accident? - No, a mentally ill.

- Your name please - Frank Briggs.

- The editor? - Yes.

Oh, then maybe this case might interest you?

The man they just carried away suffered from terrible delusions.

He imagined he'd murdered his wife

and walled her in with his cat.

Crazy, huh?

Where was he taken?

Birkfield, yes. The Birkfield Institute.

- That could fit your newspaper, huh? - Yes, very interesting...

- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.

I have to talk to the chief physician at once, but hurry. Here's my card.

Can I use your telephone in the meantime?

Hello, the editorial office?

I repeat, the story hits the first page, four columns with the headline:

Wifekiller revealed by our reporter.

How do I find the chief phycisian?

Well, first you go straight forward, then left, then right

then keep going straight forward.

- Good day, Sir. - Good day.

...of her kindred...

...no rose bud is nigh.

To reflect back her blushes...

...or give sigh for sigh.

'Tis the last rose of summer...

...left blooming all alone.

All her lovely companions...

...are faded and gone.

No flower of her kindred...

...no rose bud...

...is nigh.

To reflect back her...

Please, please,,,

Poor girl.

Your mistaken.

That's my niece.

Pardon me....

- Your name? - Frank Briggs.

Have you been suffering long from these delusions?

No... I'm a journalist.

Imagines himself...

to be a journalist.

But I am a journalist, I'm not delusional.

No, no, no...

I'm tracking down a criminal who was brought here this evening.

A criminal?

I know nothing about that.

Although...

A new case was taken in this evening.

I came from him just now.

A very interesting case.

With a cat!

Could you let me see this man?

He's been given a sedative.

But when he wakes up, sure!

In the meantime...

I'll be happy to welcome you as my guest.

Thank you.

I'm the keeper! Call the police at once!

I'm the chief physician! Release me!

I'm not insane! Set me free!

I'm the keeper!

It's true! Believe us, they've locked us up!

I'm the keeper! Call the police at once!

Well, well... The poor ones...

They don't know they're insane.

No insane person knows that.

Open! Open up!

Set us free! Help!

Free us!

Terrible...

Here we're well prepared.

One more place setting.

I'm expecting friends and relatives for dinner.

I'll introduce you.

This is my right hand.

The gentleman is from the press.

Dear professor, it was a lovely idea to invite us here this evening.

Highness...

Please be seated, dear guests.

Thank you.

Thank you.

But, but...

What the...

This is for the professors!

Back, get back!

Back!

Dear friends. Dear relatives.

I'm pleased to be able to welcome you here

at this strange hour

after accomplished work.

Enjoy your hours in freedom.

Contrary to my usual custom, I've provided for plenty of alcohol.

And I'm particularly pleased

to welcome at our small party

a representative of the public.

Please.

Please. - Thank you.

I didn't have the oportunity earlier to tell you how beautiful your voice is.

'Tis the last rose of summer...

...left blooming all alone,

All her lovely...

You did promise me wine.

Wine, wine!

First you go straight forward

then you go left, then you go right

then keep straight... Good day, sir!

Get back to your portier's lodge

and don't move until I say so.

God, professor, there's nothing but sick people here!

But dear friend, keep your seat.

Please, sit, sit...

Surely we'll eat...

We won't let you leave that easily!

Here you're in good hands.

Hello, is that the office?

Please send me a bottle of wine right away, Miss.

But the best kind!

They're coming! They're coming!

I hear them! The planes! The planes!

Calm down, Ellen.

No one is coming.

Sit down!

We, the Empress of Europe...

Queen of America...

Princess of Labrador...

Duchess of the Midlands...

They're coming! They're coming! They're dropping bombs!

Hurry to the basement! Hurry to the basement!

There! There is one!

We're having fun here...

Just wait, now we'll dance!

Hello, the fire brigade?

Big fire, big fire! It's burning!

Hello, the fire department?

It's burning! It's burning! It's burning!

You've been chasing me for years, wanting to kill me. Now I've got you!

Hey, children... Your mistaken.

Maybe I want to help you all?

Being inside these walls is no help.

You must be free, all of you!

You, you... Oh, you...

Help! Help!

Release us! Help! Help!

Help! Help!

I'm the chief physician! The paitients have escaped!

Set me free! I'm the chief physician!

Set me free! Set me free!

Help! Help!

No! Help! Help!

You've been chasing me for years, wanting to kill me.

Now I've got you!

Do you know who this man is? He's a...

Do you know what this man wants?

He wants to set free the doctors and keepers that we overcame tonight,

and lock us up again!

'Tis the last rose of summer...

...left blooming all alone,

Don't believe him, he's a murderer

who wants to escape the law by persuading you poor people!

Please sit, your highness.

Is this the man you're looking for, Mr. Briggs?

Yes!

Is this a murderer? - Yes!

Is it true what this man is saying?

Slander!

Good.

Then you can leave.

Be back tomorrow morning at nine for the main trial.

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

Stop him!

The penalty for slander is death.

Yes. I'll sign the death penalty right away.

No mercy, your highness?

No mercy.

Otherwise I'm good-natured, very good-natured

but I have to say... here there's no mercy.

You've been chasing me for years, wanting to kill me. Now I've got you...

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, your highness...

The accused has forfeited his life

but I beg you not to shoot him.

I beg you not to shoot him!

I beg you to consider life imprisonment.

Mercy?

No mercy.

His life is forfeited.

He's not really a chief physician, he's a barber.

Chief physician...

Chief physician...

You want me to shave you?

We'll dance!

Music!

I'm the chief physician!

Get out!

I'm the chief physician, not a barber!

I'm the chief physician, not a barber!

Professor, could you give the paper an account of the attack?

The patients overpowered you and your personnel.

That must've been awful.

And this happened last night?

And the leader was this barber claiming to be a chief physician.

It was murder.

Well, then we finally have one of the missing.

It's a task for the press to calm the public, Mr. Briggs.

That's not calming, inspector.

In the past 2 months, 12 people have disappeared without a trace!

Now one of them is found murdered.

The public uproar is understandable.

At least we now have a lead to go on, if we put all our energy on that...

Hopefully, inspector.

That's also one who's missing.

Been missing for 6 months.

Without a trace.

- A letter came for you. - Thank you.

A new club, that's your stuff.

Dear Sir, as I assume your interest in all things uncommon...

All things uncommon? That's my stuff!

...I have to ask wether you are aware of the existence of a suicide club.

There's a suicide club.

I suggest you take a look at their establishment

at Old Tower Street 13.

From an old subscriber.

Who?

- It's probably a gamblers club. - I'll go there anyway.

Then let me advise you, when you've lost a pound: run!

A suicide club...

Old Tower Street 13...

- Do you know the way into this house? - I don't.

- But there's no door? - I'm not interested.

- Does no one live there? - Take a look, then!

I won't play tonight. He can do what he wants.

I don't want to die. - A new member?

Frank Briggs.

I'm not playing, I don't want to.

I don't understand why the president made you a member.

Every night the same fuss.

Because I've come to my senses! - Calm down now...

Maybe you'll get the ace of spades tonight?

Then everything'll be over!

Yes, look at me...

I've been playing for 5 months and every evening I get another card.

But the anxiety...

the fear of death... The daily game over life...

it excites me!

Hopefully I'm the one to get the ace of spades tonight.

What is this, where am I?

You're at the suicide club.

And what's with the ace of spades?

Every evening we play a game over life.

If you get the ace of spades you've won. - Won what?

The winner will be dead in 15 minutes.

Who kills you?

That we don't know.

We're alone with the president and he releases you.

Mr. Briggs

Come in to me. I have to talk to you.

Excuse us, Mr. Briggs, we're only doing our duty.

It's you?

So you've succeded in luring me here.

What do you want from me?

I haven't underestimated you.

I've known that you'd come. - So what do you want from me?

I have to talk to you.

Sit.

I'll call the police. You won't escape me again.

I've read your articles.

You're interested in those who've gone missing recently.

Do you realise that you hereby cross my path once again?

But you won't hand me over to the police.

You won't alert anyone against me again.

But you'll become a member of our club.

How much money do you carry? - Why?

The membership fee to our club is usually 100 pounds.

Expensive!

But you get a lot for it.

The club commits itself to give you a lifelong high standard.

Lifelong?

Well... that entails a certain risk for us.

For some it lasts long

for others just a few days.

And you as a representative of the public are of course

very welcome as a member even without money for the entrance fee.

Let me out at once!

You think I'll consider that?

Those who come in here don't get out again.

Help! Help!

Scream all you want, no one will hear you.

The game begins.

I won't play tonight

I don't want to die

Let me out of here.

Here everyone has the same chance.

This is a crime! Do you know who this man is?

He's a murderer the whole city is looking for.

Ladies and gentlemen, the game begins.

Please.

Each of you will see a card.

The one who gets the ace of spades has won.

You start this evening, please.

5 of hearts. - Another 24 hours of agony.

You, please.

Maybe now's the time...

Seven of spades! For the eighth time!

You, please.

King of spades.

You, please.

At ease, ladies and gentlemen, we're all excited.

Come on now!

Don't make me nervous now...

Come on, look! - Let go!

But please, please!

But please!

Seven of clubs.

Not yet...

Six of hearts.

What was it?

Two of clubs.

You, please.

You.

I won't play.

You hear? I won't!

Let me out of here, I beg you.

Let me out of here.

I know for sure, it's my turn for the ace of spades.

Let me out, don't you hear?

Murderer! I won't play...

He's passed out.

Put him in his room.

Mr. Briggs

Would you like to see a card?

I'll not.

Then I'll see for you.

You don't want to see?

I don't understand...

What a coward, I'd like to switch with him.

It would be a real lucky shot to get it on the first evening!

Ace of spades.

You've won, Mr. Briggs.

I didn't expect anything else.

Ladies and gentlemen, good night for this evening.

I'm sorry it was so fast, that's a pity.

I would've liked to get to know you better.

Well, tough luck!

I envy you!

So now you'll kill me?

Please, go ahead.

I've pressed the first button.

You can't get up again.

Try it!

And now, pay attention.

Look at the clock, its mechanics.

Its wheels, its springs.

These switches and buttons.

All of it my invention.

Do you remember my house?

It's now... seven minutes to twelve.

In seven minutes everything will be over.

You'll regret these seven minutes!

But you'll experience something.

Something out of the ordinary.

A sensation.

When I press this second button,

you will be dead.

But I won't do it

not yet...

It is still five minutes to twelve.

Being a good journalist, I assume you'll want to

use your last five minutes to write your final article?

When I press here, on this third button

all the doors will open.

Even the front door, the one you didn't find.

Because every house has a door, of course...

Here's ink, pen and paper...

Still four minutes.

You wanted to catch me?

As this clock strikes twelve, you are dead.

But for now I'll release you from your uncomfort.

Help!

Can't someone hear me? Help!

Help! Help!

Help! Help! Oxygen! Oxygen!

I'm suffocating! Help!

I've pressed the first button, you can't get up again. Try it!

When I press this second button, you will be dead.

But I won't.

Because I'll hand you to a judge.

Jacques! Baptiste!

Jacques! - Yes, scream.

In here you can scream all you want, no one will hear you.

When I press this third button

all the doors out will open.

I'll do that now.

What has happened? How'd you do it?

Is that possible?

- Call the police at once. - Yes, yes!

You've saved my life!

I thank you!

From this day on, I'll never touch cards again.

Never again.

But what have you done...

What'll happen to me?

The police were after me

it was my only solution

Dear god. Now the hunt will start again, like before.

Thank you!

I wanted to end my life but have regret it a thousand times!

Jacques! Baptiste! Knock him down!

You got what you deserved.

Now we'll get rid of you.

Now they'll finally do you in.

But now look what you've done...

I'm still wanted.

I swear I'm innocent!

Who were you supposed to have killed?

A bank director Brown.

You seem unaware of that the real killer was convicted four months ago.

Tell me, Mr. Briggs...

I've run off from my ship.

How long will my imprisonment be?

How long has it been?

Six months.

Not longer than till next dispatch.

You called me a coward, because I didn't want to die.

A young person like you should know that suicide is never a solution.

It's the act of utmost despair that is impossible to undo.

Yes...

Release me

or kill me right away.

You only have to press that second button.

I'm not a judge.

But tell me, man to man

why have you committed all these terrible crimes?

I don't know...

if there exists a person who in every moment of their life

is master over her thoughts and actions.

Oh, crime or insanity...

That's your point?

Crime...

...or insanity.

I don't know.

In the name of the law, you are under arrest.

Executed,

October the fifteenth...