Original subtitles

Previously on Babylon Berlin...

Who profits from our downfall?

These gentlemen wanted to get revenge on the Armenian financier of the film.

Hostage situation!

The first suspect is the lighting technician

but he gets eliminated.

I personally managed to identify and match the projectile with the crime weapon.

-What do you want, money? -No.

That's not why I'm here. I want you to carry on.

-With the sabotage of the film shoot? -With the murders.

The hunt for the Phantom, that's a good story.

You lost.

There's a lawyer. He represents our comrades.

I know he'll have your case reopened.

I'm sure your chances are good.

Greta, if you take all this on the chin, you'll spare the real perpetrators.

Your death only helps the ones who abused you.

They'll get off scot-free.

Execution after such a short time?

Yes, it is indeed unusual.

-Who instigated this? -The Ministry of Justice.

In five days.

Five days.

FOREIGN OFFICE OF THE REICH 3,10.1929

Thank you for finding time for me so soon, Councilor.

What I want to discuss with you requires a certain discretion.

Can I count on that?

-Of course. -Good.

I asked you to come here

because I know you are influential in certain circles.

In circles which, let's be frank, show great disdain for our politics.

If Seegers and his men recognize that politics come first,

then we will recover from this thanks to the great economic boom

that the world is experiencing.

We can achieve much more working together than we can working against each other.

At what price?

If you mean the concept of the nation state,

that has outlived its usefulness since the last war.

At what price should I exercise my influence?

You tell me.

How about the position of chief of the police?

Why not?

How about the Prussian Ministry of the Interior?

If you offer me the Berlin police, why not think bigger?

Don't overestimate yourself.

How about the home office of the Reich?

Councilor, you are being presumptuous.

Prussian officers are not for sale.

Councilor, I'm afraid you have to go now.

It appears that you are badly informed, Mr. Stresemann.

I'll become the chief of police either way.

So if you want to negotiate, do it properly.

Talk to me about the role of the military.

The SPD will have to leave the current government in the coming months.

We're working on that.

The President of the Reich will appoint a new chancellor

who will come from our circles.

You, Minister, are welcome to participate

in a nationalistically oriented government.

Your party can co-govern.

You can even keep your position.

If you recognize that the military and the German people have priority.

You're absolutely right about one thing, by the way.

The army leadership around Seegers is a rotting bunch of old men.

Men who are lost in the past.

Are you unwell?

A doctor. Get a doctor, quick! Hurry!

We need a doctor.

Quick!

Anyone here?

Stop! Freeze!

Freeze! I'll shoot!

Stop!

Henning! Henning, quick.

Boss!

-Are you all right? -Yes.

He's out of commission.

We know by now

that the starting point of this unprecedented series of crimes

was an act of revenge.

The murderer of Betty Winter had a score to settle

with a personality of Berlin's underground.

Can you confirm that this person is the so-called Armenian, Edgar Kasabian?

That's speculation.

Your business, not mine.

Next.

Counselor, how can we trust the police

when there are criminals and murderers in their ranks?

When suspects get murdered in police headquarters?

The incident you are referring to is highly regrettable.

But you and your readers should trust the police,

just like you trust your fellow citizens.

Go on, get in.

Naturally, most of us are well-trained and tested, steadfast officers.

But there are black sheep in the best of families.

We can only do our best and keep identifying

and arresting those black sheep and traitors in our midst.

The incident you mentioned has painfully confirmed this.

But it goes without saying that it should never have come to this.

The cold-blooded actions of these perpetrators leave no doubt

that this is an internal affair between rival underground gangs.

The brutality of this crime tells us

that we are only at the beginning of a relentless battle.

It smells like war.

The war of the underground for control of Berlin.

-What are you doing? -They're moving me.

Why?

Why?

It's the rules.

Tomorrow is the day.

What?

What about Litten?

-Greta, what about Litten? -He was here.

-And? -I signed something.

-And the revision? What-- -I don't know.

Thank you. And farewell.

I'll see you again.

For sure.

Don't forget me.

The car is waiting outside.

It's yours.

Farewell.

Both of you.

I've had enough of you two scoundrels.

Why do you want him to leave?

We've discussed everything.

But that doesn't mean we're doing it that way.

-Esther, come on. -Don't you start!

Just because he tells you to bend over, you go ahead and do it?

And we never see each other again?

No, my friends.

I'll tell you how it'll be. He stays, and so do you, and so do I.

-Esther, stop it. -I won't stop.

-Stop it. -I won't stop!

I won't stop.

You wanted to see me?

I wanted to know if the lawyer--

-if my lawyer has been informed. -Yes.

Mr. Litten has been informed. I called him.

Even though this is not in compliance with the rules.

Thank you.

You still don't want the chaplain?

But... a piece of paper, please, and a pen.

If that is possible.

I will be there tomorrow morning.

You are very brave.

I have taken careful note of all of your repeated adverse decisions

regarding our application for a stay of execution,

but I insist that you please bear with me in the case of Greta Overbeck.

The sentence is to be executed today at 10 a.m..

I implore you to at least agree to a stay of execution.

We mustn't deny our democracy the chance

to do its duty and properly conclude this trial.

Respectfully yours, Litten, Attorney at Law.

Yes.

-Done. What now? -We'll take the letter there personally.

I'll take Hindenburg's office, you the Ministry of Justice.

We'll meet there at 8 a.m..

And you think he'll read this? Before the act of state?

His office is manned around the clock. Of course he'll read it.

Excuse me.

-What did you just say? -I wondered if someone will read it.

Before the act of state. Stresemann's funeral is about now.

Help me search.

-For what? -Special decrees.

No, no, imperial decrees of His Majesty Wilhelm II, 1890-97. A green book.

Here, this one?

Very good.

There.

"Decrees on public celebrations."

You! Gosh, that's clever.

This sovereign decree was included in the constitution in 1918

and this, is still valid.

I quote, "On days of national mourning,

all acts must cease."

End of quote.

The execution of a felon is such an act.

And, Your Honor, if you don't stop this execution, woe betide you.

Sign this stay of execution.

Right now!

And now call the prison.

I can't reach them.

Keep trying.

We'll go there.

Who'd have thought I'd be grateful to old Willy one day?

-Taxi! -No.

In this case, the law is unambiguous.

-Keep talking. -Imperial special decree.

I can't stop them now.

From far above the heads, the helmets

and the top hats, the coffin can be seen wrapped in the Reich flag,

the green and floral colors of the wreaths.

Behind the coffin we see

the Reich President following the coffin on foot.

From the pale glass of the street lamps

resting on their heavy stone pedestals,

the electric light shines faintly,

deathly into the light of day.

What's going on there?

You can't get through here.

-What's happening? -Stresemann's funeral.

-We need to call them. -Who?

The prison.

-Keep the change. -Why?

I don't trust the judge.

I have to try to get the warden herself on the phone.

-There. -Okay.

-Give me the paper, I'll-- -No, I'll come, too.

You phone, I'll try to get there.

Hurry.

Yes, operator?

Women's prison on Barnimstrasse, the security entrance gate, please.

-Barnim ten. -Attorney Litten speaking.

-I need the warden. -You what?

-Get me the warden. -I'm not authorized for that.

-Get her on the phone. -No, she's busy.

-Interrupt her. -I can't--

Of course you can.

Go out there and tell the warden

that Hans Litten, lawyer of the condemned is on the phone.

-No, I won't. -I have crucial information.

I've got my orders. You need to call the warden's office. Goodbye.

Hello?

Excuse me. Excuse me. May I?

May I?

This is an official court paper. Exceptional urgency.

Let me through. It's a matter of life and death.

You'll have to wait until the end of the procession.

Hey, miss!

I need to get through! Let me through!

Let me through! I need to get through!

-Let me go. -Stop!

-What do you think you're doing? -Let me through!

Stop! Stop immediately!

Come back!

Get her back!

No. No!

Let me through! I need to get through!

I'm CID, let me through.

Greta Overbeck, I will now read you your sentence.

I'm CID. This is a stay of execution, signed by the judge.

The execution of Greta Overbeck must be stopped immediately. Right now!

Let's see what you have here, okay?

If you don't intervene immediately, we'll ruin you so much

-that you'll never smile again! -Listen, I'm only doing my job.

Exactly!

Greta Overbeck, born on June 14, 1907, in Groeningshusen,

was sentenced to death by the district court of Berlin on September 26, 1929,

for the insidious murder of Councilor August Benda

and his daughter Margot Benda according to current law.

Be brave and composed on your last, difficult path.

Executioner, exercise your duty.

Oh, God.

Don't! Open up!

Open up!

What are you doing?

Unlock this door immediately!

Unlock this door right now!

Open the door!

Open the door! Open the door!

No! No!

Open this door! Open this door immediately!

No!

Greta!

Greta!

Greta! No!

No!

No!

My little boy,

when you read these words, I'll be with you.

Very close by.

Just like I am with you all the time.

Because I am watching you from the cloud I'm sitting on.

You are probably thriving splendidly and never think of your mother.

But I just want to tell you

that she is with you.

And she loves you.

Your mom.

We're to blame.

We arrested, questioned and sentenced her.

Come on.

Rath.

Detective.

I wasn't expecting you at all.

Councilor.

What can I do for you?

I just need a moment of your time.

Okay. I'll just put the horse away.

Shall we take a walk?

If you don't mind, I'd prefer to stay here.

Okay.

It must be hugely important if you've come all the way here to see me.

Yes. It is important.

I know it was you who set up the murder of August Benda.

I also know that you covered all your tracks.

That you got rid of all your accomplices.

You forced the sentence of Greta Overbeck and expedited her execution.

And your motive...

is nothing but personal gain.

Your career.

Personal gain is not important to me.

Our country stands to gain

from the removal of Jews and Bolsheviks from influential positions.

Our country would also stand to gain

from the police not having murderers in leading positions.

You see, Rath, I must take responsibility for actions

that will be deemed groundbreaking

for the reconstruction of the German Reich.

But I can't expect you to understand this perspective.

You're a simple policeman with a simple assignment.

Yes, that I am.

Why don't you arrest me?

Because I can't prove anything.

Yes, when it comes to criminal law, if it can't be proven

it's the same as if it never happened.

It doesn't exist.

Even though I am responsible for everything you have mentioned,

you can't pin any of it on me.

That's why this conversation is a waste of time.

Goodbye, Detective.

Did it work?

I think so.

Why don't you arrest me?

Because I can't prove anything.

Yes.

And when it comes to criminal law, if it can't be proven,

it's the same as if it never happened.

It doesn't exist.

Amazing.

This is really remarkable.

Even though I am responsible for everything you have mentioned,

you can't pin anything on me.

That's why this conversation is a waste of time.

-May 16, you say? -Yes.

Ah, yes, here.

Erwin Trollmann and wife.

On May 16, 1918, two days.

Erwin Trollmann.

They came every year. Hang on.

-Always in summer. -Yes?

Yes, always room two, and later with his son.

With his son?

-Yes. -What were they doing here?

Fitness. Physical exercise in the park.

Seems to be making it, the little one.

May I?

Yes, but don't touch.

RUKELI TROLLMANN VS. CHALLENGER ERWIN PESCHER BOXING

Rukeli Trollmann.

I can imagine this will turn into something long-term.

Hey!

What are you doing here?

Hands off my sister.

Don't you have any manners? We're just neighbors having a chat.

Not you, you rat. Come on!

Let go of me.

So that's where you got the money for the birds from.

Look at me!

How could I be so stupid? Come upstairs.

You can't tell me anything.

-Why, who else? I'm your sister. -No, you're not.

What?

-What did you just say? -You're not my sister.

My real sister is blind. Because of you.

-Mrs. Petersen. -Colonel.

All the brass today for a change.

You have to look impressive as chief of the police, Colonel.

That's exactly right.

ZÖRGIEBEL RESIGNS DUE TO MAY 1ST SUCCESSOR APPOINTED TODAY

-The large clasp? -The small one will do.

Chief Constable?

Come on in, Rath.

Excuse the chaos.

You are resigning.

Happens to everyone sooner or later.

I only hope that the aftereffects won't be too unpleasant.

Yes. The moment is inopportune.

Every office comes to an end.

The Secretary of the Interior is announcing my successor as we speak.

In the face of this unexpected resignation...

the Prussian Ministry of the Interior

has decided on a successor you all know.

It is therefore a solution

appropriate to this special position,

in which experience was the decisive factor.

Who?

Take a wild guess.

I myself...

will therefore take up the office

that I held before I entered politics

one more time.

Grzesinksi. Thanks to your help.

Grzesinski himself?

He was it before me,

he is my successor.

Where does it say

that you youngsters can do it better?

Goodbye.

Farewell. All the best to you

here at headquarters and with everything else.

Thank you.

I'm Red Rieke.

That's Buxe, Peppi,

Olschen, and, well, the rest.

And you?

Toni.

Toni is a good name.

Yes, Toni is good.

She can stay.

The film that was never meant to completed is finished after all.

And they are all here. The mayor, Pommer, Lilian Harvey,

Fritsch, Helm.

Even Max Reinhardt.

And Charlotte Ritter!

The most sparkling star of the Berlin police.

Good evening.

-What are you doing here? -Looking around.

And? Does she have some inside intel for me?

Backgrounds, motives, and so on?

Pity. We would have made a dream couple. Purely professionally, of course.

-Why? You have him. -He won't say anything.

Why are you two wasting away at the police? Why not at Ullstein?

It's the same job, just pays much better.

-A writer, me? -Yes.

Something bold and edgy. Young women are doing well at the moment. And you?

Take pictures of living things for a change, not just of the dead?

If the shroud fits, let him photograph it.

Mrs. Korda!

"DEMONS OF PASSION"

STARRING BETTY WINTER TRISTAN ROT

AND ESTHER KORDA

I can't see where you're going

When silence reigns and loneliness

makes my mind heavy

And a wind of grief and sorrow blows.

DEMONS OF PASSION

Elsa, listen.

I won't share you.

Never, ever.

You will have to, Balthasar.

It's the new era.

Where have you been all night long?

Balthasar.

If you don't say anything, I'll go.

-Balthasar. -Elsa, I...

I'm not the man I once was.

Not anymore.

The bond of our love will break.

I can feel it.

We're losing each other.

We're losing each other!

I'm tumbling. I'm falling!

Now!

Balthasar!

Look what you have done.

Stop.

I can't.

I can't do it!

A look into infinity

It tears my heart out

But you are spared the pain

-Empowerment is will -Will

-The right and the urge of fate -Urge

-So scream only in the silence -Silence

-Feeling is only compulsion -Compulsion

THE END

Bravo!

The premiere of the new Bellman film Demons of Passion last night

was an eagerly awaited event.

What the audience witnessed

was an indigestible patchwork of outdated expressionism,

melodramatic amateurism

and a story that was obviously constructed only in retrospect,

making brazen use of various literary classics.

As if the death of the leading actress during the filming

hadn't been enough of a tragedy,

the film's other big tragedy is its wasteful expenditure,

which were insipidly squandered for nothing.

For a decorative gesture of nostalgic romanticism.

And even Tristan Rot can't save the film,

who just a few years ago he terrified us with his fascinating demonial possessions.

But what's the point?

The masses will still pour in.

The desire for the dream world is too great,

as is the fear of reality.

The attempts of German film...

It is time to tell Bellman

that these painted mannequins no longer have anything to do with us.

It is time for films that look life in the face.

I AM LEAVING. DON'T LOOK FOR ME. TONI

What are you doing here, mister?

If I may politely ask you to get out of our bed.

Hey!

Yes.

What kind of depraved individual are you, to be lying here all the time?

You aren't allowed to be here now.

Turn around!

You?

Who else?

I don't bite.

25 OCTOBER 1929

Oh. Excuse me.

Yes?

-Mr. Nyssen? -Speaking.

This is Wegener. Prices on Wall Street...

They fell.

Yesterday.

They hit rock bottom.

It has started.

We need to go to the stock exchange. Immediately.

-Boss! -What's the matter?

Something with the stock exchange.

People are ganging up on the banks and demanding their money.

-Why is this our business? -There's been an emergency call.

One of our guys lost his head.

Who?

You have ruined me!

I'll finish you off!

Look at the bastard.

He's as much a filthy swine as the rest of you!

To the side entrance.

I've had enough. He set me up!

Henning, I'll take the side corridor.

I want my money!

I demand that you give me my money back!

-Or I'll shoot you all! -Böhm!

What is this nonsense? Don't do anything stupid.

Henning.

They've cheated us all.

Böhm.

I'm putting the gun down now.

Put that thing away.

We'll just walk out of here.

You don't have to do this.

You have a life.

It doesn't belong to the money.

Not to the bank.

Not to the debts.

Your life.

You are a good policeman.

You have a wife.

You have two children.

What do we do with him now?

Like I said,

go home.

We'll keep the gun.

Get a good night's rest.

Tomorrow is another day.

Come on, Böhm.

Gereon.

Ready for the next session?

We will find a path

that makes the wounded soul invulnerable.

What are you doing here?

Helga?

You have embarked on a journey, Siegfried.

To the truth...

to the light.

You are not afraid.

You are free of pain and fear.

Your path inevitably leads us to the fusion of man... and machine.

We will create the new human.

We will create the human-machine.

An android, free of pain and fear.

A mind damaged by war

provides an ideal foundation.

Only such a mind knows the depths of the soul

so profoundly that the will to be numb...

comes naturally.

Our new synthetic substances...

will remove all feeling from the destroyed soul.

Thus, freeing it from pain and fear.

Will you lead us?

From darkness to light?

Bring the truth to light.

To the truth, to the light.

Subtitle translation by Stephanie Geiges