Original subtitles

COUNCIL OF THE GODS

THIS FILM IS DEDICATED TO THE FRIENDS OF FREEDOM

ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THE CHARACTERS IN THIS FILM ARE FICTIONAL.

THE PLOT IS BASED ON FACTS TAKEN FROM THE MINUTES

OF THE NUREMBERG TRIAL OF WAR CRIMINALS FROM I.G. FARBEN

AND OTHER AMERICAN SOURCES.

RHINELAND INDUSTRIAL ZONE JANUARY 1933

Don't worry.

You'll recover. Fresh air is on its way.

A devilish brew. This series is bunk.

Nothing of any use has come out of the chlorine compound.

The stuff attacks the lungs viciously. We'll discontinue the series.

Extract hydrazine from this sulfide tomorrow.

- You can dismantle the apparatus. - Dismantle what?

- What are you discontinuing? - Dr. Huettenrauch, you're still here?

All 500 experiments have been failures.

We're stopping here. I'm switching to rocket fuel and drugs.

Just imagine, Miss Weber.

We may fly to America in a rocket airplane one of these days.

Most likely we won't be able to pay for a seat.

Dr. Scholz, may I remind you

that your job is testing all derivatives.

Including those whose applications you can't foresee.

- Hello, Hans. - Hello, Uncle Karl.

Call it a day.

You can't stand your father up on his 60th birthday.

- You're right. I'll knock off. - It's getting late.

- Where's Kaetchen? - At the Rhine bridge.

They must be hatching a big egg.

They're putting a rabbit in master magician's hat.

He'll pull it out in his Concordia Room speech.

Chairman, you know how to make a deal.

His bargaining position is weakened.

The Nazis are shaky.

The man isn't as strong as he thinks.

Colonel, he'll be as strong as we make him.

He's the one to get us out of the woods.

He's dynamite!

Dynamite, if he blasts away the obstacles.

Dangerous, if the blast goes farther.

We can limit the mine's charge.

Technically speaking.

You want to take the risk?

We had to choose between the red peril

with unemployment in the millions and him and his New Order.

- That's no choice. - If he didn't exist, we'd invent him.

- Chairman... - Put the case in my study.

Then go home and celebrate. I'll send something over.

- You think... - Excuse me.

Right this way, gentlemen.

Hitler can appreciate what we have done to pave the way.

What we have done in the public interest.

Our synthetic gasoline and rubber

could make Germany self-sufficient.

You follow me, Colonel.

But we can't carry the ball alone. The public has to help pay for it.

- The public Reichswehr. - Right.

That's what I'm driving at.

The military as primary consumer should get involved.

Enjoy.

Our friends in steel and coal filled National Socialist coffers.

Smart move.

Hitler's rearmament will prime the mines and mills.

Our turn will come a bit later.

Hitler will implement his whole shebang even if the sky falls in.

That is not our aim.

A VOTE FOR HITLER IS A VOTE FOR WAR

Ban the fascists!

Watch out! You're ripping my coat!

The streets are in turmoil.

- This can't go on. - The Fuehrer will usher in new times.

I have a feeling about this. I heard that promise once before.

You didn't get the evil by its roots. The capitalists are still at it.

But Gerd...

Holy cow! Mother, you went all out again.

Just sit down and enjoy yourselves.

Wilhelm, big brother, in 10 years we'll celebrate your 70th, I hope.

What's your opinion of the rising star on the political horizon?

He mixes gray coats with black pants and tops it with a silly mustache.

What do you think, Dr. Ten Boom?

My analysis is...

...is still in progress.

If Goering takes over, things will boom. The sky will be black with aircraft.

We will require heavy investment.

I estimate 300 million for the first round of the arms race.

The 3 million you gave the Fuehrer is a drop in the bucket.

Gentlemen, we will have to discuss numerous details.

But our discussions are classified.

- We'll call the arms program "Case A". - Where there's an A, there's a B.

- Is there a Case B? - Yes.

What is it?

War, gentlemen.

We'll have nothing to do with it.

- I don't want to be a pest, Miss. - You're no pest.

- Glad to see you, Mr. Schirrwind. - The pleasure is all mine.

These old-timers in this old house are a bore.

Mama and I get away often.

- You travel a lot? - Yes.

But we spend months at Gut Bergfried. You're invited.

- Where? - Upper Bavaria.

- I can show you some photos. - Do that.

- Have a look at this. - Very nice, indeed.

I'll come if duty allows me to.

I need some relaxation.

I'll show you the beautiful scenery. We can ride horses there.

It's not at all like here.

With these stacks I don't dare open a window.

- Smoke is necessary. - But living next to it isn't.

- A hangover idea. - A productive hangover.

- But mountaineers are non-smokers. - My hobby isn't climbing. It's dogs.

Greyhounds, gazelle hounds.

- I need a raceway and electric rabbits. - I'll get one at Wertheim.

Don't make fun of me. Convince Papa.

It would only cost 20,000.

A pittance, and Papa thinks a lot of you.

- Don't exaggerate. - I know what I'm saying.

We could make a cavalry charge now.

The Council of the Gods is in session.

- Council of the Gods? - A divine joke.

The members of the board call themselves that.

It's like the ancient Greeks. Olympic gods above the fray.

They pull the strings on earth's firebrands.

You have a vivid imagination.

Reichswehr Case A contracts aren't enough.

- Germany's too small. - But Germany is our prime target.

Tilgner, old boy, our own back yard can't be safe.

We need the Balkans and raw materials in the East.

We have to get control there. Think in global terms.

Then I'll take a little pleasure trip to the Balkans and the rising sun.

Now you're talking.

We'll expand hydrogenation capacity. Synthetic gas will be decisive.

What's the latest on hydrazine and our rocket fuel?

- Do you have the brains? - Yes, Dr. Scholz.

Hello, Pappy. Your cute mustache gets 60 kisses.

As secretary of the Council of the Gods I have the honor

to deliver a token from the cellars of the chairman.

Let's have a ball. Uncle Karl, Gerd, open a bottle.

She's a good organizer.

- Look, Mother, real silver. - Real silver?

Everything's ready. Here's to Grandpa.

Fireworks!

- He's a born chemist. - You'll set our home on fire.

Potassium makes cold fire, right?

Sit down, you rascal.

Good thing our boys don't quake at the smell of gunpowder.

Keep the boy out of it.

Hitler Youth would test his bravery.

War games are not child's play.

- One lost war is enough. - We won't lose the next one.

- But, Gerd... - What are you talking about?

Kaetchen's mom got TB filling grenades. Kaetchen won't have to do that.

We'll put cowards like you away.

That's what politics does for you.

You were always a radical. Did you change the world?

Right, Wilhelm.

We, at least, have come up in the world.

Read that.

For loyal ex-worker, Wilhelm Scholz, on his 60th birthday.

Our good old chairman.

Tilgner, call a meeting of the board the day after tomorrow.

Invite the planning chiefs.

We're starting the countdown for Case A.

Our goal has been set.

German workers to the grindstones!

We don't have fuel deposits.

So we built factories. They will provide the fuel.

Rubber doesn't grow on our trees so we built factories.

We have rubber.

Now we have all the means we need to conquer our enemy.

Dr. Scholz.

This is Director Von Decken.

He was in economic policy.

- He wants to see research at work. - Right.

Would you fill him in?

I'm in charge of hydrazine.

It is a vast field. Miss Weber, the chart.

We've outlined it.

Here it is.

First we limited our research to medications.

Then we tested dyes from tartrazine and the like.

My specialty is rocket fuel. That will get us somewhere.

Dr. Huettenrauch, you were right.

Poison gas is a by-product of the chlorine tests.

Chloracetane. By the way...

Management wants to expand research in this area.

We want to explore new agents.

We must be involved in all production phases.

- What for? - All processes were done here.

Now some are completed elsewhere.

We don't see the practical results of our theories.

Practice is not theory. It isn't the business of you scientists.

Products and components now all require code names.

- We never hear what is produced. - It is all classified.

We have a security clearance. It's our responsibility, not yours.

I believe the meeting is starting.

- Scholz is weird. - He lacks transparency.

Think we can trust him? His talent scores with the chairman.

- We'll have to sound him out. - Look into the matter.

- What's that? - A police raid.

Listen up!

Turn tools in when you go.

Half of Shift B is being transferred.

- Where to? - I don't know.

- How many of us? - I don't know.

- What does that mean? - Can't you figure it out?

They're hiding their cards from us.

They have an ace up their sleeves.

- You know what suit? - No.

Clubs. War clubs.

- Two sides need clubs to make a war. - Don't exaggerate.

Close the doors. Nobody leaves.

- What happened? - They found pamphlets.

Keep your mouths shut.

They took him from police custody to the hospital.

When I tried to visit him, they didn't let me.

- Were many arrested? - Quite a few.

Paul said all former union and party leaders.

That's a bad thing.

But I'll go there myself, Kaetchen.

- If they lock you up where the SA... - For visiting my uncle? Never!

Appeal to the chairman.

- I'll take care of it. - If you see him, say hello from me.

Tell him everything is fine at home.

Fritz and Paul send their love. They've stashed the goods.

Be careful, will you?

- You know what I mean. - Don't worry about it, Kaetchen.

Go home. I'll let you know.

Well, Uncle Karl.

What happened to you?

Fell down a few steps.

Tell me, Uncle Karl, can't you let it be?

All oppostion is senseless.

Remember, there's no unemployment. New factories are mushrooming.

But what for, Hans?

What for? To produce goods.

What kind of goods?

Synthetic dyes, textiles, medicine, soda and fertilizer.

Can't you see they're playing with us? With you also.

I'm a scientist, not a politico.

You don't need to be.

Just open your eyes.

Can they buy our whole family?

Your dad wore blue collars with pride. Now he's kowtowing to the chairman.

And you!

The family jewel. You finished college.

You're abetting our slide into another war.

And Edith?

- I was bored while you were away. - No other suitors?

Fewer than the girls down there.

Our Balkan foothold is growing.

- BUNA products are making headway. - Did the women make headway?

I spend my first day home with you.

And you grill me about harems.

My conquests were of a different kind. Big deals in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria.

- Oh. - We're at Russia's door.

Case B?

How does your brother know about Case B?

Why? What do you mean by that?

- Not from me. - Huettenrauch heard him use it.

Your brother knows the code word.

- Von Decken told the boss. - The bastard!

He also said you meet foreigners clandestinely.

Americans, French and Swiss.

- Are you supposed to watch me? - Naturally.

- What's the verdict? - Case dismissed.

Keep an eye on your brother.

He should watch his step. I want to make him department head.

We're putting our cards on the table. Want to work on our new projects?

Of course.

You can take your pick of three departments.

Synthetic dyes? Explosives?

Or mustard gas.

Pick one.

Right now?

A choice with grave consequences.

I am sure Dr. Scholz won't take the easiest.

He'll pick the most interesting.

The color industry is the most competitive.

That leaves explosives and gases.

Yes, explosives.

Slow-burning rocket fuel would be a real challenge.

- But that's a long-term project. - It may be speeded up.

Poison gases, you said.

Why are we producing poison gases?

What for? Didn't you ever hear of pesticides?

Right, sorry about that.

Chairman,

I think I will take on the explosives department.

Dr. Scholz, I welcome you as the new department head.

- Hello, Hans. - I have a company car and a chauffeur.

Work B director has his own livery stable.

I'm so happy for you. Congratulations.

Heil Hitler. The march wore Dieter out.

We had to bring him home.

Dieter, my boy. Come inside right away.

Heil Hitler.

Was I excused by the followers' leader?

- You'll be excused permanently. - You can't do that to me!

Don't do it! Don't you ever think about us?

Ridiculous war games.

General Schirrwind, that was quite informative.

- Is that how the Wehrmacht sees it? - Indeed, war clouds are gathering.

So Case B is imminent, and how is the mood?

Excellent.

Is it clear that it may last a while and take on major proportions?

The Fuehrer is counting on a blitzkrieg.

Our natural resources are limited.

We assume you have acted to maximize resources.

Of course we have.

It's all in good hands.

I don't handle the details myself.

I'm abducting the general.

We just finished. General.

Chairman.

- Bye, Papa. - Good-bye.

It's Mauch. Listen, Tilgner.

You've been bargaining three weeks with Standard Oil.

Things are coming to a head.

It's serious.

Step on the gas! Make a deal today.

I'll do my best.

If we give you our methane licenses we want 50 percent.

All I can say to that is we Americans refuse to yield an inch.

Can I have a word with you alone?

Okay.

- Mr. Lawson, I don't understand you. - It's mutual.

Fifty percent of aircraft fuel profit is nonsense.

What if a war breaks out?

Our Japanese friends will cut you off from Malaya and the Dutch Indies.

Every child knows they supply 97 percent of the world's rubber.

No rubber, no tires for your cars.

If we give you no molybdenum for your converters

you can't make synthetic gasoline.

No gas, no fuel for your tanks.

As your delegation's legal aide you know

that the 2,000 patents we transfer

include methane and BUNA processes.

Our chemists say the U.S. will soon synthesize rubber.

It goes into production soon.

I happen to know better.

We know your butyl.

Did we come here to wage war on each other?

Of course not. Just to get a feeling for each other.

Do we have a deal?

Miss Scholz, amend Article 7.

"50 percent of the profits".

Gentlemen, the final wording.

You have to see it, mademoiselle. Come with me on my yacht.

A full moon over Lake Geneva. Chillon Castle.

A bottle of burgundy.

Sure we'll visit you, Monsieur Hoelzli.

Can't we stay with him a week before we go to Genoa?

- You're coming to Geneva? - Yes.

Come on. I understand a pretty girl with no aid.

You're laughing over here. The others are so sullen.

You mean solemn, Miss Lawson?

Solemn? Yeah!

You too, Mr. Tilgner?

Two years ago in New York you were such fun.

So... charming. A boyish man.

Just wait until I'm in New York again.

- I won't disappoint you. - Really?

Really.

In America friends call friends by their first names.

Call me Mabel.

The contract will facilitate our cooperation.

It won't stop us, even if America declares war.

That's clear. We'll find a modus vivendi.

A war will be good for business.

Your new fuel will go like hotcakes.

Your crude will sell too.

Won't our spheres of interest overlap?

We're abiding by the Munich treaty.

We concede you Central Europe and Russia to the Chinese border.

And you get the rest of the world?

You have a healthy appetite.

Takes one to know one.

You aren't thinking precisely enough.

The balance of power is not at all as you would like it.

Let's deal like rational businessmen who know their merchandise.

You get 2,000 valuable patents.

And you get raw materials from Standard Oil.

You get vital foreign exchange and half of aircraft fuel profits.

- You breed special dogs. - Salukis.

Aryan gazelle hounds. Brown bulldogs with black markings.

- Ask him. - Right.

Think Gen. Schirrwind feels at home?

Looking every inch the son-in-law.

No, no. Please stay, Mr. Hoelzli.

Lawson should know if our U.S. dollars

will be available in Switzerland in any event.

- Toujours. - Even if a conflict arises?

We met our obligations in the Great War.

Has anything changed?

Your bank will handle all stipulated transactions?

- We can bank on your neutrality. - Sure.

Council of the Gods.

Oh, I get it. Homer and the ancient Greeks.

Don't let us down, my good man.

Our factories

are vulnerable from the air.

You can rest assured. We'll take care of it.

Your plants...

will be unscathed.

- What was it? - It's all right.

But using leaflets is a risky business.

- We have to change tactics. - To what?

Regroup stray comrades.

Organize more triumvirates in the shop.

- Lift their spirits, give them tasks. - Like what?

Help the families of those arrested.

Raise money and give them clothes.

But Hitler is on a roll.

Most of us are shaking in our boots.

The higher the monkey climbs, the more he reveals.

Watch out. They couldn't nail you the first time.

Next time is the end.

Reliable workers gave me a tip.

Wednesday and Saturday nights at 9.

Shortwave, 28.5 meters.

Hello, Claudia.

Hurry up or miss breakfast.

- Well, I'll be darned. - What is it?

- Those things can happen. - What?

The party congress was postponed.

A million people were going.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Morning.

Heinz!

Did you read it?

It was to be expected after the news from Danzig.

- How much longer? - Hard to say, Pop.

An official telegram.

The answer. "Required in Berlin immediately."

Luftwaffe units bombed Warsaw again.

The downtown area is under artillery fiire.

That was the Wehrmacht bulletin.

- Way to go! - Blitzkrieg!

- It will be over in six weeks. - France and England next.

Then we hop over the pond and invade America.

We'll march to the Chinese border.

An 8,000-km walkover.

- An eight-day excursion. - You're teasing.

- As long as we win, it doesn't matter. - Naturally.

- Like in 1918. - Cut it out, you faultfinder!

Mr. Tilgner, may I remind you that our gas hydration stops

if we don't get converters pronto.

Don't worry.

Miss Scholz, how much moly is due? There have been some bottlenecks.

750 tons of molybdenum concentrate via Shanghai.

- China? - Don't fret.

Made in U.S.A. Shipped directly via Brazil.

I hope it arrives on time.

Don't worry, Mr. Muehlhardt.

He never learns.

- We have to ship it to America. - Which way is it going?

Through Switzerland to Genoa. Ala Littoria flies it to Brazil.

Oh, right.

Standard Oil is still supplying fuel for Italian aviation.

But for how much longer?

For as long as the U.S. wants our products.

Your Standard Oil contract.

You finalized it in the nick of time.

Lawson's modus vivendi.

Normal mass production in Buildings 19 and 34.

Then we have a new facility for a new product in our line.

Dr. Scholz, Dr. Scholz.

The new unit is malfunctioning.

What's the matter?

Hurry, the pressure gauge is red.

Maybe a snag in the condensing line.

Go help them!

Hello, Werner. Reroute the nitric to the adjacent unit!

Scholz speaking.

Stop the hydrazine flow.

To play it safe, open Unit 16.

Calmly redirect the product to the next unit.

Repair the damage.

- He's cool. - Yes.

But is he trustworthy?

Get him to join the party?

- He has dozens of excuses. - Is that so?

Now he will have to take sides.

Let's see if cool waters will boil over.

- Sorry, it was an emergency. - Dr. Scholz.

Plant F13 is running an interesting test.

Using hydrazine derivatives.

- I'm interested. - Come and have a look.

- Now? - Come along.

Poor doggy.

- It closes like a safe. - Or a coffin.

- Ready for the experiment? - Yes.

Step up, Dr. Scholz.

We feed it with 5 percent zyklon.

Go ahead.

Gas!

Turn it off and vacuum the gas.

But Dr. Scholz!

You always wanted to see what your research can do.

- Dad. - I'm busy.

I have an important question.

Know Paul Huettenrauch? He told me a yarn.

- Paul who? - Dr. Huettenrauch's son.

- He worked with you in B13. - What about him?

He said our company is helping to do away with Jews and subhumans.

What was that? What are you talking about?

With zyklon and tabun.

For God's sake, keep quiet!

Such talk can get us in big trouble. There is no such thing.

But there are concentration camps.

They are really work camps for antisocial elements.

Paul didn't dream it up.

- Don't you know anything? - Nothing.

But I'll check again.

Dad, you have to tell me the truth.

Mr. Von Decken's office must be around here.

He's in administration beyond B13.

That way and right down the hall.

That's under construction. Go through shipping.

- Ask again over there. - Thanks.

POISONOUS GAS STANDARD PACKAGE FOR AUSCHWITZ

- On the fritz? - The sixth time I patched this tube.

- I need a new one. - Your birthday is coming.

Dad, you were going to check.

- What's the story? - Nothing to worry about.

Stop spreading rumors.

I think I owe you an apology for troubling you.

You can ask me whatever you want, but me and nobody else, understand?

Yes, Father.

You don't expect me to believe you heard it from your son first.

That you only found out by chance.

That's what's so depressing.

That's the funny thing about a monster company.

You discover a basic formula.

You pass it on to another man in another department

You don't know the outcome.

Years later you are shocked by the final product of your research.

Your soldering is polluting the air. Can I open the window?

That's not right, Hans.

Would you give a razor to a three-year-old?

You know the men you give your formula to.

How should I know?

They know it overseas, but we Germans are blind again.

It's like our plant.

Bypassers smell the gas odor miles away.

The workers inside don't notice it.

Remember.

It's on at 11:30 every night. Tune in to 28.5 meters.

Take it easy. Good-bye.

- Bye, Hans. - See you.

Say hello to everybody.

The facts from eye witnesses who returned from Poland.

Turn it off.

They're gassing inmates in Dachau.

German chemists developed the lethal agents.

- What are you doing? - Damned poison gas!

Poison gas! You were never involved in that.

You don't understand.

It isn't your department?

No, it isn't my department.

How will it end?

- Care to follow me, Pop? - Yes.

- A good life. - Good father-in-law.

- Like the Van Mayen? - A rare gem.

Flight from Troy. My buddy got it for me in Paris.

- Where are these icons from? - The stores are full of them.

- Let's send assets to Switzerland. - You're going too far.

Wehrmacht disengagements are multiplying.

Stalingrad lost. Africa lost. Russia advances relentlessly.

I think we deluded ourselves.

In this case Switzerland is our primary safety net.

You think the war is lost?

We have to save the essential assets.

Patents, trade secrets and foreign exchange.

If we knew what the Joint Chiefs plan.

We should woo Standard Oil.

Standard Oil is one thing.

Roosevelt and his warlords are another.

We must get assurances for the case of capitulation.

- Case C. - How will our business partners react?

Tilgner, find out.

A wire from Geneva for you. It's signed by Mabel.

Must be Miss Lawson.

Rendezvous Hotel au Lac. You're putting eggs in a new nest.

Right, and you're going with me.

- Come on. It's getting chilly. - It was charming of M. Hoelzli.

You should see him when he is doing business.

Did you ladies like the view? That hasn't changed.

But good old Switzerland has lost some of its flair.

C'est la guerre.

I like it, war or no war. I've traveled more since war began.

Mabel's a diehard warlady.

Real men need war to thrive, I think.

Well girls, leave the battlefield to us men.

Let's be seated, gentlemen.

We have no choice but strategic retreat.

When the men deplete their reserves,

they'll join us.

Why try to deceive you?

Germany is not on top of the world.

It's not our fault.

Our precision industry supports your war machine.

In the best interests of our Anglo-American clients.

We preserved our independence and your deposits.

Good for you.

We're caught in a crossfire.

Our Gls are closing in on you.

Your position is not hopeless.

- Now listen! - We were partners.

Now we're opponents. But rivals must become partners again.

We'll cut you in, but how?

Germany may very well be FDR's Public Enemy No. 1.

After all, we here at this table have only one common adversary.

Say that again.

- If the Russians get too strong... - It's a deal.

Golly, its nice here.

Germany's pretty gloomy.

Seize the moment.

War scenes haunt me even here.

Sorry to bring that up.

Are you still talking about war? Let's get in the swing together.

The two of us have concluded peace on earth.

- All set, Hugo? - Yes, Mrs. Mauch.

- I hate to leave the house. - But Mama!

It's safer in Bavaria. They may fight in town.

- The Americans are 80 km away. - Our beautiful city.

I bet you forget or damage half the furnishings.

Don't worry. Lt. Boettcher is in charge.

Attention!

Carry on!

- He's off and not singing. - This dame has 10 hands.

That's capitalist greed.

Lawson kept his word. It's intact.

They must have fabulous radar.

What happened, Mother?

Thank God you're here. Dad isn't back from the shelter.

The others are back.

It's all burned down. You have to get out.

When Father comes.

Come, Edith. Chin up, Mrs. Scholz!

Get help from plant welfare. Stop fussing, Edith!

Edith, don't leave me here!

The last train is gone.

- I have to help. - Your last chance.

- Can't it wait? - No!

Oh, these poor people!

The trip was grueling.

The road is full of troops and refugees. There were a lot of detours.

Why did I have to come?

My dear Scholz.

I'm an old man.

In times like these, I trust my confidants.

Tilgner will fill in for me. You must assume more responsibility.

I have to evacuate my family to friends on Lake Constance.

No, friend, that's out of the question.

Times are hard. You have to manage Plant B.

- But, sir... - You're on your feet again.

Stay in your chair.

You see, Dr. Scholz? I'm here on doctor's orders.

I'd love to steer the ship.

But our own feelings must come in second.

My family is not here. The company comes first.

I'm giving you this top-priority letter.

When the Americans occupy the city give it to the commandant for Lawson.

SURRENDER?

NO

What's that?

Notre Dame in Paris.

Capitulation.

Ceasefire.

Hitler's dead.

Shot himself and Eva Braun in the Chancellery bunker.

It's over.

Coward!

Limpdick!

Hero of the word war!

It's about time!

He wasn't worth a penny.

We invested millions.

Hundreds of millions!

Yes, we're finished. We're down and out.

Not so fast.

We can still add and subtract.

Don't be sad, Heinz.

You can do some gardening with me.

You deserve a break.

It's not that simple.

Heinz must disappear for a while.

- Why? - Get Miss Scholz to take dictation.

- Going to dictate? - Yes.

The world didn't end. Life goes on. My job too.

Whatjob?

My job of peacetime service.

Will alcohol vapor clean these units?

- Can we use them for fat hydration? - No sweat.

- Hey, Karl, glad you could come. - What's going on?

Hi, Uncle Karl.

The Yanks want to know if we're operational.

- We came up swinging. - We can use you.

We've been at work for 14 days. The Voice of the People.

- By Jove! - What are you going to make?

Dieter, give me the sketches.

Dr. Hardt, outline the main project.

Building 17 will be converted.

We'll be making soap and cooking oil.

The explosives plant will be producing fertilizer.

Now we scientists can show what we can do in peacetime.

Company for you.

- Look who I brought. - I heard you were back.

I would have come yesterday, but I had to attend to my mother.

She's deteriorated terribly. Dad's dead, the house in ruins.

And Gerd didn't come back. A series of tough blows.

Did you survive unscathed?

You see our new quarters.

One boarding room.

- Is it your kettle? - I put water on.

- I'll get it. - Make tea, please.

- How is Hans? - He has some big plans.

- But I'm worried about him. - How come you're worried?

Didn't you read about the Potsdam Agreement?

- Think they can pin anything on Hans? - On Hans? What could it be?

- He was last department head. - Not on Hans.

Tilgner is more vulnerable. Not to mention the others.

Don't worry. We have excellent connections.

Everyone has to jump on the bandwagon.

- How's that? - Total realignment.

I'm not staying a secretary.

Kaetchen, why don't you come more often?

Duty every other night is tiring.

- Are you at the U.S. Army Hospital? - At the rescue mission.

- You won't inherit much there. - I'm there to help.

Are supplies adequate to cover production?

That's great, old buddy.

Send me the list.

We can go ahead.

Hello, Dr. Scholz.

Mr. Tilgner, so we meet again.

News that the plant is back in business reached Gut Bergfried.

I admire your energy. But I have a question.

Who ordered the facilities to be converted?

The workers' idea.

The old line is dead. Consumers need the new line.

- We have to put people to work. - An ideal solution.

But you acted without asking the stockholders.

What do you mean? We followed Potsdam stipulations.

From the military government. A U.S. officer is here for Mr. Tilgner.

- For me? - Thanks very much, Miss Mueller.

The last word has not been spoken. I'll be back.

Mr. Tilgner, what's wrong?

My fellow workers, I have some very bad news.

The military government warns that our product needs a license.

It can't be granted until ownership is clear.

- Unbelievable! - An outrage!

Another thing. They just arrested Mr. Tilgner.

- Enough sleep, Tilgner? - Yes, and you, Decken.

Why not? I only need some exercise.

- Xaverl. - Yes.

- You can massage me later. - Yes, director.

Tell me, Tilgner.

Would you have imagined this in your fondest dreams?

Until now I only knew Nuremberg from bratwurst labels.

Life is full of surprises.

Don't overreact.

However, the mustard gas was a risky business.

Overruled! The patient is not fit to take the stand.

As attending physician I inform you that excitement would harm him.

Your testimony would be in your own interest.

Otherwise, you could be convicted in absentia.

The indictment.

CHARGES IN CHEMICAL TRIAL COPY 79

Does the prosecution have more questions?

Yes, Chief Justice.

We just saw evidence

of the killing of 4 million people in concentration camps.

Your trust produced 95 percent of the lethal gas.

Mr. Von Decken,

when did you hear about Auschwitz?

As a matter of fact, today.

In pre-trial hearings you said December 1944.

I heard rumors.

You knew lethal gas was used in some eastern camps.

There was occasional talk, but...

But we executives had greater concerns.

What did you do when you knew your gas was used for genocide?

- I was appalled. - Did you do anything about it?

I would have been executed at once. Don't forget the Gestapo.

Who approved production of poison gas?

The Chairman of the Board was Mr. Mauch.

Defendant Mauch!

Did you okay poison gas production?

Me? I was general manager.

Details were none of my business.

We took orders from Gen. Schirrwind. From the Air Force.

Is that correct, Mr. Schirrwind?

I was an order courier.

I had nothing to do with making or executing them.

It's maddening. Mailmen and messenger boys!

Mr. Mauch, did your board call itself the Council of the Gods?

Didn't you wield Germany's toughest economic fist?

To a certain degree. Until 1933.

You can't blame Hitler on us.

He disempowered us.

I assure you, if we had any power, it would have been a lot different.

During your time of impotence your firm's annual profit soared.

By 2,000 percent!

We'll drop that. Department Head Tilgner, you know it.

- Who is responsible for poison gas? - It was based on Dr. Scholz' research.

- Hydrazine. - His baby!

- Mauch is my witness. - Mr. Mauch!

Who is responsible?

Our top scientists enjoyed our trust.

They had a free hand from management.

Dr. Scholz will bear me out.

In his area I let him take the initiative and full responsibility.

Take the stand.

Respond to this charge.

Why aren't you answering?

My department had nothing to do with poison gas.

But Dr. Huettenrauch, you and Dr. Scholz witnessed it on...

On September 18, 1939 you observed an animal gassing.

Is that right?

I can't remember anything.

You must have had a strong sense of guilt after the experiment.

- You suffered a nervous breakdown. - Is that correct?

Did you ever see a test like that?

Did you protest?

An inventor of poison and munitions!

The brainfather! You should have raised hell.

Yes, I bear some of the guilt.

I can't deny that in your plant I saw combat agents made during peacetime.

I can't deny I was muzzled.

Tempted by promotion. Scared of the Gestapo.

I can't deny my brother, father and thousands of Germans

lie under debris because I kept quiet.

But do I bear prime responsibility?

How about the defendants who deployed the poison gas?

They told researchers not to ask why. Are they innocent bystanders?

Chief Justice, do we have to tolerate the ranting and raving of a madman?

This clear confession is all we need for conviction.

This clear message impresses me more

than your whitewashing of the managers.

Mr. Tilgner, I ask you for the last time: How deeply was the board involved?

This time I pass.

The court should act on my petition to call U.S. defense witnesses.

Chief Justice, my patient can't handle this uproar.

I move for adjournment.

The 15th session is adjourned.

Mr. Wood, I object to your trial conduct.

Did you weigh the consequences?

Scholz' propaganda tirade is sidetracking us.

Dismiss the idiotic scientist. He's not all there.

Did you have to agitate Tilgner?

Tell me something.

Don't you realize you are damaging the image of our country?

By exposing German war crimes?

By undermining confidence in our industrial leaders.

You know Tilgner deals with Standard Oil.

Probing German industry means revealing our shit.

We are not teaching anatomy, butjustice for all.

While I'm prosecutor,

gold scissors won't cut the hangman's noose.

- Humanity can't take more barbarity. - I see.

Want the world to see the skeletons in our closet?

Pravda will have a field day.

As military counsel I advise you

that the U.S. witnesses Tilgner wants will not be allowed to enter Germany.

As American prosecutor, I forbid you

to hock America's credibility,

obstructjustice and jeopardize humanity.

Humanity is not the plaintiff. Don't be silly.

But I am going to charge you with un-American activities.

You follow me?

I object to this blackmail and your un-American activity.

- Hello. - What do you think of Mr. Wood?

I'll call Washington. He misinterprets his mission.

That's what I think.

It's scandalous. Like in a gangster movie.

I can finally visit you.

- That's a treat. - Here are a few things.

You'll be hungry and thirsty.

Thank you.

What? You're an artist?

Yes.

Caricatures, funny cartoons.

Drawings of this funny old trial.

They'll be in the papers.

- Where is Mr. Von Decken? - In the next suite.

Now we'll mete out ourjustice!

- This God damned trial is a travesty. - Damned right! I'm going to sing.

- The trial will get a different tune. - Keep your mouth shut.

Daddy will fix things.

- Thanks, Mabel. See you soon. - Good-bye, Mr. Tilgner.

Mr. Howard?

My attorney said the prosecutor wanted to see me.

The prosecutor is now me.

You don't mind?

You refuse to testify and want us to call witnesses from the U.S.

That will delay a verdict.

No, it will precipitate a verdict.

- It contravenes objectives. - What are they?

I have studied the minutes and find irregularities.

Tell me why you demand witnesses from the U.S.

I'd be glad to.

Standard Oil and Royal Dutch heads should be heard.

About whether they collaborated with us during the war.

Whether our German trust profited

from sales of fuel to the RAF

and the U.S. Army Air Corps.

As you know, they dropped bombs on German cities.

Did we or didn't we?

I believe answers to these questions will clarify the case considerably.

Aren't you afraid this bomb

could turn your foreign friends into enemies?

I advise you to rescind your demand.

If that's your advice, Mr. Howard,

I rescind my demand.

We are both delighted to see you again at last.

Uncle Karl is coming.

- Dad just returned from Nuremberg. - That was a circus. Tell me about it.

We followed the trial in the paper and on the radio.

It was an open and shut case.

- Open and shut? - It was to run two more months.

- Sensational revelations were billed. - There were loads of revelations.

The chief prosecutor was replaced.

A few got mild sentences. Most went scot-free.

Even old man Mauch got a jail term. He's 71.

Let's wait and see.

A wire, Mr. Chairman.

For Mrs. Chairman.

Released from prison for frailty. Will arrive tomorrow. Father

I was four days faster. A negative record.

Our wartime links via Geneva and Madrid were faster.

How do you see the future?

Your venture has to go back into operation.

Ourjoint venture!

That's the old spirit.

Another hand will help us forget our woes.

A new hand. This time it's your deal, Mr. Lawson.

Watch out for Dr. Scholz.

You witnessed his antics in Nuremberg.

Pay him off and send him to a sanitarium.

If he refuses, take off the kid gloves.

People like him must be tied to their benches.

At work he'll be his old self.

Hans, pull yourself together. You can't go on like this forever.

Give me some housekeeping money.

I don't have any money.

The firm sends your salary each month.

It's going back untouched. I'm no longer in their employ.

- Good evening. - Sit down and eat supper.

It's getting more and more interesting.

Two new rotary kilns were installed.

The plant wall had to be demolished to get them in.

Who can pick the man up again?

- Chlorosulphonic acid? - Yes.

- Hydrazine hydrate? - Righto.

- Hi, Dieter. - Watch it, Dad, it spits.

What are you doing here?

I toured the plant. Nothing has changed.

- What do you mean it hasn't? - Do you think I'm blind?

Do you know what we're producing?

I can't talk about it.

You should take up biochemistry.

Study artificial protein.

Get out of here.

Instead of poison and explosives we could bake bread from thin air.

Half of us would be out of work.

Why? Science can produce miracles.

Things humanity never dreamed of.

Does half of R&D have to go for war and annihilation?

Let's redeploy a tenth of efforts

that we dedicate to atom bombs and overkill.

Let's devote them to life sciences.

We could open 100 new plants.

- Why isn't it happening? - Yeah, why not?

We have to remove the veil of secrecy.

Technology is not to blame. We could work wonders.

Utopias.

Must good be utopia and horror reality?

Don't be a dreamer. There will always be wars.

Our products are licensed.

Where will it all end?

It need not be your concern. We will assume the responsibility.

I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

Responsibility for what happens here will fall in your lap one day.

But, Mr. Scholz, talk sensibly.

You are upset and your nerves are frayed.

You should get away from the grind. Broaden your outlook.

Think in global terms.

I have a splendid proposition for you. Come hitch your star to the U.S.A.

You had one lousy lab here. We'll put you in charge of 20 labs.

I'm not a babe in the woods. You want me to develop hydrazine.

I know what for and you can count me out!

Who said anything about hydrazine?

You can choose your department.

No, thanks!

I'm through working in a plant that markets death.

That's very unpleasant.

There goes one of our best brains.

Our propaganda is too weak.

People here don't understand the nature of our democracy.

I thought you were burying yourself.

Still unsure what to do?

I visited Dieter. Know what they're into?

No, but I can imagine.

The same products. V-2 propellant.

Nothing has changed.

This was the time to draw the line. I was ready to take my punishment.

But the old products and the old masters.

I told Mauch and Lawson what I had in mind.

- It must be possible to convince people. - You're barking up the wrong tree.

Appealing to men with no use for your revelations.

Approach the millions for whom it's a life-and-death matter.

Talk to them.

- Hans! - Kaetchen in a nursing uniform.

She's coming from the hospital.

The girl looks good.

- Hi, Kaetchen. - Hello, Hans.

She's on the right bandwagon.

- Going full speed. - You'll find a job you like too.

Dieter is making something of himself.

- The plant! - Dieter!

- Where was the explosion? - Gate 17.

Did you see my son, Dieter Scholz?

Stand back! Move along!

Stand back! Move along!

Kaetchen, I can't find Dieter!

- I didn't see him. - Check in the hospital.

Your attention, please. All those not involved in rescue tasks

are requested to leave the company premises.

Clear the yard immediately!

I'm a plant employee.

Let me get to my son, Dieter.

Let me through! My son Dieter is in there!

- That's all we needed. - An explosion after the war!

Don't say explosion.

Don't mention explosives.

- Not to the press. - It's screaming for facts.

- Didn't you call a press conference? - It's set for 10 p.m. in the front office.

Our press speaker will read the board statement.

Security devices were in working order.

Accident prevention and guards just passed inspection.

Negligence is ruled out.

In this chaos it's too early to specify the exact cause.

But the wreck of a tank car filled with ether

suggests the same cause as 27 years ago in Lower Rhine.

Combustion of ether vapor.

This catastrophe was triggered

by the minor explosion of a tank car.

This set off a second explosion of rising clouds of ether.

- How many dead and injured? - We can't say yet.

You'll get a list when casualties are identified.

They say over 400 dead.

We don't know the total ourselves.

Our press speaker, Miss Scholz, is at your service round the clock.

Mr. Tilgner, don't you make explosives?

- The Voice of the People. - Are you a specialist?

- It's a crucial point. - Maybe he's right.

Remember your responsibility.

Limit your reports to our reliable source.

Don't print unverifiable rumors and speculation.

That would create public unrest.

Have mercy on the bereaved.

Get back. Watch yourselves.

Is there still hope?

Building 14 is being cleared.

Those buried alive are knocking.

What's the meaning of this, Mauch?

You let women besiege you? How much longer?

- Give instructions. - Instructions?

To eject the crowd by force? War and disaster worked them up.

Nonsense! You're getting soft.

Casualties are heavy. The police fears rioting.

What can we do?

Go down and talk to the crowd like a friend.

Will that work?

Then tell the people plainly that we can dismantle the factory.

If that's what they want.

The coffins are being closed. We are in the dark.

Be patient. We hope to get them out soon.

It's maddening!

I have to know if my husband is still alive!

The excavator.

They stopped digging.

Open up. What happened to Dieter?

Let me get to my boy!

Dieter is alive. He'll be out in a minute.

Let me through, to my boy!

Let him in. It's our Dr. Scholz.

Can you move?

Are you in pain?

Father, you were right.

Who cares?

I see it all now.

Don't torture yourself.

- I shouldn't have got involved. - First you have to get well.

Naturally. Father?

What, son?

I want to work with you.

Yes, there's so much to talk about.

So much.

The ambulances are here ready to load.

- I'm going. - Jump in.

What did you find out?

I saw Dieter.

He's alive, but we're through here. We're starting over.

You want to back out?

Look.

Good people, dear women.

It goes without saying. Management is shocked.

We profoundly regret your sorrow and loss.

- What's going on? - Believe it or not, it's Mauch.

Human precautions can't prevent all disasters.

- That's the lot of our trade. - That's pure hypocrisy.

You get their full pension.

We'll help you bear the burden of this ordeal.

Is my husband alive?

We must bow to an act of God.

Keep God out of this human mess. This disaster is on your hands.

- How dare you? - He's right.

Is it my fault an ether car exploded?

You maintain that ether exploded?

Sure. All the experts agree.

Mr. Mauch, do you know this expert?

You know him.

Mr. Mauch, you know chemistry like me.

What color is ether vapor?

- White. - Right.

What did the explosive cloud look like, Mr. Mauch?

He knows full well and so do you.

Don't listen.

- What color was the cloud? - Black! Black!

You and I know what that means.

You were producing explosives.

You blew up your plant and your people.

Women, you know us better than that.

We always acted in your best interest.

That's why our men are in coffins.

Folks, don't let him inflame you!

A man who deserted this company in an hour of desperate need.

- Liar! - Slanderer!

- War criminal! - Lynch him!

I wanted to quit because this company is criminal.

They say crime doesn't pay. Or does it, Mr. Mauch?

People like you made billions on the last war!

You are working for a new war!

So you can make new billions.

Is money taboo in the presence of the dead?

We have to talk about it. They are your husbands and sons!

They aren't accident victims. If we don't stop these people

they are the first victims of World War III.

That's the truth. The whole truth.

Nobody can say again they didn't know it.

- Were you there? - What's the story?

- How did they react? - It was a big mistake.

I told you so.

The rabid crowd stoned me.

Why did you let me go?

Why no suggestions?

What next, Mr. Lawson?

We'll call in the tanks. We'll use tear gas.

Is that the best reaction? That could make things worse.

No other proposals?

- Other proposals? - Listen, Chairman.

Mr. Lawson is dead right. Who can stop us from doing it?

I'm afraid these people will.

WE PROTEST AGAINST THE WAR CRIMINALS

WE SALUTE THE YOUTH FIGHTING AGAINST IMPERIALISM AND WAR

PEACE, UNITY AND DEMOCRACY

PEACE THROUGH SOLIDARITY

FRIENDSHIP TOWARD ALL NATIONS PEACE TO THE WORLD

Copyright * 1999 TITELBILD, Berlin Subtitling: Brauner and Wildblood