All language subtitles for Council of the Gods (1949)-en

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