Original subtitles

Telewizja Polska presents

PLAYlNG FOR HlGH STAKES

''THE EXCELSlOR HOTEL''

Written by

Music

as lieutenant Kloss

Starring

Photography

Production manager

Directed by

- Thank you. Good-bye. - Good-bye.

Are you going on leave?

Yes. l'm going to Thuringia on Saturday.

- No, you're going to Danzig. - Something wrong?

Our group in Danzig has been paralysed.

Our boss, Number One, is dead.

We suspect that one of the members is the traitor.

Listen ! Number Two, The First's successor. ..

will be at the ''Excelsior Hotel'', room 21 7, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

l don't know who he is. You must find out if you can go there.

- Who reported that? - You'l l meet this man.

Look at the street-plan when you've left the station.

Excuse me, lieutenant. l have to check your documents.

- Here. - Thank you.

- You're on leave? - You can read sergeant, can't you?

Everything is in order, lieutenant.

- Have a good time! - Thank you.

Quickly! Go to the shelter!

To the shelter!

Hurry up!

- You too, Fryderyk! - But someone has to stay here.. .

l've told you to go to the shelter. l'l l stay here.

But you have to go up, to the roof, don't you?

- Have you got any free rooms? - Go to the shelter at once!

We have a room for you, but now you have to go down.

Thank God, it's been called off. Excuse me, lieutenant.

Serve this gentleman, Fryderyk.

l have to tell our guests that the alarm has been cal led off.

We got off cheaply today. What can l do for you?

l'd recommend you an apartment with bath and direct phone.

The other rooms have phones too, but you have to go through the operator.

And, of course, the price is different too.

l'l l stay only for a week. l'll take an apartment.

Good choice! l'l l give you room 222, on the first floor.

Would you fil l in this form , please?

- Who's that? - l've brought your shoes.

One moment!

They're beautiful ly polished. Thank you very much.

l'm sorry, l forgot to ask you when l could clean your room.

Soon.

l'm sorry too. l forgot to thank you. Here.

Thank you.

Good morning, lieutenant. l hope you slept well .

Those damned Englishmen didn't bother us at night.

lf there are any more raids at night, don't wake me up, please.

Actually, al l our guests should go down during a raid...

but we never wake up the officers who are here on holiday.

Mr Georg?

l'm at the railway station in Oliwa.

That's right.

ln front of the cathedral, in an hour.

- May l sit down here? - Yes, please do.

Excuse me, could l take your newspaper for a while?

- l'm sorry, it's yesterday's. - Do you have matches?

Cigarette?

- No, thank you. l smoke cigars. - Which brand?

Before the war l used to smoke ''Pedro Gomez'' cigars.

Nice weather, isn't it?

This time last year it was raining.

- lt was sleeting. - Alright.

l thought l'd messed something up. ''Cathedral'' means ''Dwor Artusa''. ..

''ln an hour'' means ''in a while'', but you didn't come up to me.

l'm always very careful .

You informed the Headquarters that our boss had died.

- How did you know that? - l found that out in the usual way.

ln the box, in which l used to leave messages for Hubert,

.. .our boss, l found the message saying he was dead...

and that the flat he had rented as Erich Kopke had been exposed.

- Who else knew about the box? - Only Number Two.

- Do you know who it was? - l'm afraid l don't.

You know what the organization of the net is like.

Each of the five members knew only the boss: they didn't know each other.

And besides, they might have known different names of the boss.

He used three at least.

Number Two knew everyone but no one knew him.

Who were they?

Our agents. For instance, the gymnastics teacher Diederlisch.

A German?

He must be German. Like everyone else here.

Hans Diederlisch is simply Jan Derlacz.

l see...

What do you know about Number One's death?

Nothing yet.

According to the instructions l informed the Headquarters.

l placed a triangle on the board at the station and waited.

We have to find out, together with Number Two, who betrayed our boss.

We can't exclude a coincidence.

And l can't make any move without Number Two's consent.

- What if Number Two is the traitor? - That's out of the question.

l wouldn't be talking to you now if he was the traitor. Unless we were.. .

- confronted by Gestapo. - That's an argument.

Has the date of your meeting with Number Two been set yet?

Yes. l came here early to look around.

- l'll check the others. - See you tomorrow.

We have to check if everyone is in place.

Without taking any risk, of course.

We have to check if no one has changed their addresses.

OK. l'l l leave you a message in the cemetery in Siedlice.

The grave of the Viebig family. The first path on the right.

l'm coming.

One moment!

Good morning.

Mrs. Heizer!

- Good morning. Come in, please! - l've come only for a while.

- Where are the children? - Stil l at school.

Sit down, please.

l'm sorry for the mess. l worked all night.

l haven't had time to clear it up yet.

Would you like some tea?

Yes, with pleasure. Here are some biscuits for the children.

You're spoiling my kids, Mrs Heizer.

l don't know what l could do for you in return.

The money l earn is hardly enough for potatoes.

Maybe l could clean up your cafe or house?

That's alright, Mrs Kluge.

Sit down, please. l'd like to ask you about something.

What is it, Mrs Heizer?

You've told me that a Danish or Dutch representative.. .

of a soap factory stays at your hotel sometimes.

That's right. He's a very nice gentleman. He always gives me...

a few bars of soap. You know, in these days...

Yes, l know. l've also run out of soap.

And the soap available in the shops here is good for nothing.

Maybe this gentleman could sel l me some?

He isn't here now. But l'll let you know when he comes.

l'l l be very grateful to you.

Very good tea.

But l have to go now. Say hello to your children.

l'l l bring them some sweets again soon.

Maybe you need money? l can lend you some.

You know l hardly get by. lf you reall y can lend me some. l'll give it.. .

- back to you when l get paid. - There's no rush.

l don't know how l could thank you. lf it wasn't for you. ..

- Good-bye, Mrs Kluge. - Good-bye. Thank you.

Nothing. ..

Bubi!

- Thank you. - You should take better care of him.

Please, come in, lieutenant.

What can l do for you?

l've lost weight lately. Could you take in this uniform a little?

Of course, with pleasure.

This is a nice uniform. lt has hardly been worn.

Such are the times. Gala uniforms are hardly ever worn now.

l'll take your measure.

- You're on leave now, aren't you? - That's right.

Wouldn't you like to wear civilian clothes while you're on leave?

This is a very nice suit. lt'd fit you very well .

You could buy or lend it. ..

l've often wanted to change into civilian clothes.. .

but now, l think, l can no longer wear them .

l understand.

We, Germans, feel like cripples if we're not wearing uniforms.

- lt'l l be ready for tomorrow. - For tomorrow? Great!

You don't have much work although now all Germans wear uniforms.

But you yourself said that now gala uniforms are seldom worn.

Lovely dog!

- l'm sorry. lt's my nerves. .. - l understand you.

We can talk here. lt's a good place.

Good idea! Something new?

l have some information concerning the Excelsior Hotel .

Our boss had an apartment there which he visited once a month.

Von Hagen - a rich man.

- Which room was it? - 21 7.

Our informer says they're stil l waiting for Mr Hagen at the hotel .

lt means, Gestapo doesn't identify Mr Hagen with Mr Kopke,

- who committed suicide in his flat. - This is something new.

How do you know it was suicide?

l've received a report from Number Two.

lt says that a minute after Gestapo got into his flat,

an ambulance arrived in front of the house.

Then his body was taken to the hospital mortuary.

The symptoms were typical of potassium cyanide poisoning.

Let's go to the bar.

What about our people?

Emma Schmidt hasn't changed her address orjob.

She's still looking after the Gruppenfuhrer's child.

lngrid Heizer is still running the cafe.

l'l l visit her.

Ernst Pfeifer is taking in my uniform.

ls the informer a reliable man?

He's the cook's mate. He's a Pole who's been brought here for hard labour.

He gave us one more piece of information l don't understand.

He heard one of the waiters abusing the manager of the hotel.

The manager listened to him submissively...

although he's known for being very severe on people.

lnteresting.. . Take care of that waiter.

l've found out that he's a sluggard and drunkard. ..

and that he hardly ever leaves the hotel.

We have to know how long he's been working there.

l see you underestimate me.

He's been working there since the 1 6th of the last month.

So he started two days after Hubert had disappeared...

Maybe Gestapo has identified Mr Kopke with Mr Hagen after all?

Listen !

The day after tomorrow, at 6 p.m. we'll put the waiter out of action.

There's no need to kill him . lt's enough to make him drunk.

- You've told me a lot. - l trust you.

- Not quite. - Absolutely.

But we both know we mustn't say anything that isn't necessary.

Let's go! The interval is almost finished.

Look discreetely at the staircase. lt's her, lngrid Heizer.

One, two, three, four.. .

One, two, three, four.. .

Good.

Bravo!

The officers won't have any problems with them.

They're fantastic, aren't they?

You're a very good teacher, Mr Diderlisch.

You know me?

l'd like to talk to you. Could you let the boys off?

Certainly.

Stop! Dismiss!

- What is it? - Not here.

l'm an Abwehra officer. You'l l come with me.

Of course. May l just fetch my jacket? lt's in the school .

l'l l be waiting for you by the car.

He's a cool guy. He talked to me without flinching.

What if he comes with us?

We'll try to squeeze something out of him.

Some officer asked about you.

l know. Mr Schulz, please tell our headmaster l had to leave.

- For a few days.. .family matters.. . - Alright.

Mr Diderlisch left 1 0 minutes ago. You must have seen him.

- ls there any other exit? - Yes, through the boiler room.

But why should he use it?

He'll be back in a few days. Do you want me to tell him something?

No, thank you. This is quite enough.

So we've settled everything, haven't we?

Are you on duty in the hotel in the afternoon too?

No, only in the morning. lf you'd like. ..

No, never mind.

Thank you once again, Mrs Kluge.

Buy something good for your children for me.

You shouldn't do that! You've always been so good to us.

lf there's anything else you need.. .

- Good-bye, Mrs Kluge. Thank you. - Good-bye. l'l l be waiting.

- With saccharine or with sugar? - With sugar, please.

And with a smile.

Can you make one more cup of tea?

You're waiting for someone? lt'l l cool down.

l'm waiting for you to drink with me a cup of tea with sugar.

- And with a smile? - Of course.

- What if some other guests come? - Never mind.

Alright, butjust for a moment.

Here you are.

- Supposing lngrid saw me.. . - lngrid?

This is ''Cafe ''lngrid''. Mrs lngrid Heizer is the owner.

Heizer? l've known a man whose name was Heizer. He's dead.

Mrs Heizer's husband is dead too. He was an officer.

Well , it's war-time. My friend, Otto Heizer, was a captain. Wonderful man. ..

You said ''Otto''? Otto Heizer? You must meet Mrs Heizer.

Her husband's name was Otto and he was a captain too.

Did he die in the Greek Campaign?

Yes, l think he died in Greece. You must wait for Mrs Heizer.

l'll meet my friend's wife with pleasure. He loved her very much.

He showed me some photographs of her. l guess she's pretty?

Yes, very pretty. Here she is.

Mrs Heizer, lieutenant Kloss knew captain Heizer.

Good afternoon. Take my coat, Lutzi.

You want to see me?

Well , Lutzi mentioned your name and l told her about my friend.

The photographs did you justice. You're real ly beautiful .

Otto showed you my photographs?

Yes. We were together in the Greek Campaign.

- Sit down, lieutenant. - l feel honoured.

Poor Otto visited me here three weeks before he died.

He was afraid to go back there. He had a premonition.

lt's not easy to go back after a holiday.

l'll have to experience that in a few days.

That's why l'm so happy l've met you. l don't know anybody here.

l can be your guide and show you around Gdansk if you like.

l wouldn't even dream of asking you for it.

- Lutzi ! Get me a cup of coffee. - Yes, madam.

My husband's friends are my nicest guests. His close friends in particular.

When could we meet?

lf your free today we can meet tonight.

This gate, Haupsturmfuhrer. Number 66.

Thank you.

- You suspect me, don't you? - And you suspect me?

l suspected you only for a while. l have potassium cyanide with me.

ln such situations l don't think about potassium cyanide.

What about our people?

l have a message from Number Two. The meeting is tomorrow, the appointed time.

The gymnastics teacher escaped from the school to the other hide-out.

But he had to tel l his former landlady about it.

She informed one of my men that he had gone to the countryside.

Leave a message for him in his box. Write that it was only a false alarm.

Tell him to go back to school . The next one.

The tailor, Ernst Pfeifer, hardly ever leaves the shop.

He didn't even try to telephone anybody.

My informer from Gestapo has had his phone tapped.

l have no news about lngrid Heizer.

Christianson is a representative of a Danish soap company.

Go on.

Emma Schmidt has Wednesdays off. Tomorrow is Wednesday.

Report immediately if you see someone is looking for contact.

The person will certainly be Number Two.

Good evening, lieutenant.

- At your service. - What's the news, Fryderyk?

The papers always say the same.

New success on the front. We've left the enemy behind.

For you, civilians, leaving the enemy behind is no success.

l'm not a civilian, lieutenant.

l remember leaving the French behind in 1 91 6.

We were so happy!

But let's not talk about war. We'll have enough time for that after we've won.

- Here. - Thank you, Mr Christianson.

- 223. - 223? My neighbour?

Before the war we used to let 223...

and 222 to the couples who wanted to spend some time together.

You know what l mean, don't you?

These two rooms are connected? l haven't noticed that.

They have a common balcony.

l wish Mr Christianson were a beautiful woman then.

Good night.

- Something wrong, lieutenant? - Have you seen anybody passing here?

- No, nobody. - Where's the back staircase?

Over there.

Quickly!

Wolf! Heel !

l'm sorry. lt's you, lieutenant.

Wolf must have recognized you and showed how happy he was.

- lt's very nice of him. - Your uniform is ready.

You were to drop in today so l waited for you.

- What a coincidence that we've met. - Yes, it's amazing.

We come here e very day. lt's our evening walk.

Wolf has to be let loose sometimes.

When do you want to come and pick up your uniform?

l'll come tomorrow. You've got a wonderful dog. He's very well trained.

Good night.

You're here, lieutenant? There's something wrong with me today.

A while ago l saw a woman leave but l hadn't seen her come in.

l saw you go upstairs and now you're coming in again.

lt's because of those raids and sleepless hours.

lnteresting. May l use the phone?

Yes, please do.

There's no signal.

lt must be blocked again. lt's out of order all the time.

Mr Lemmer wanted to buy a new one but it's a hard thing to do.

You know, everything's under control.

No problem. l'l l make this phone-call from my room.

l have a direct connexion with town.

What would you like to drink?

- What will you drink? - Cognac please.

- And you? - l'll have cognac too.

- Two cognacs and one beer. - You look wonderful today.

How about the business, Mr Christianson?

l can't complain, Obersturmfuhrer.

To victory!

- Some more cognac? - You're spendthrift, Hans.

Do you know how many coupons you'l l have cut out for this?

My leave is coming to an end. l don't have to save the coupons.

Waiter!

Where are you leaving?

Two more cognacs, please.

To my unit's stopping-place.

But l can tell you, a German officer's widow,

that l'm going back to the Governor's Headquarters.

That's nothing l'd envy you.

That's why l have a request to you.

l'd like to ask you to spend a day with me.

lt'll be the most beautiful day of my leave.

My pleasure, Hans.

Thank you very much. l'll never forget this day.

So tomorrow?

I didn't expect that, Hans. Tomorrow I hae a few important matters to settIe.

Let's put it off til l the day after tomorrow.

l'm sorry l'm very busy then. What a pity!

But we could arrange it for you to be back at 6 p.m.

Why do you think l should be back by 6?

The shops are open to 8. l thought you wanted to do shopping.

lt's getting late. Let's have the last drink.

Do you know why l agreed to meet you today?

Because l like you. l like you so much. ..

that l don't pay attention to details.

Lies, for instance.

Lies? l don't understand.

My husband wasn't in Danzig 3 weeks before his death.

We hadn't seen each other since the war had broken out.

We had split up.

And he can't have shown you my photographs because he hated me.

- lngrid! - Let's go, Hans!

Call on me to say good-bye before you go away.

- l'l l see you off. - No, thank you. l can manage.

Forgive me, Hans, but l've had enough of your company today.

Gestapo was informed that someone listened to the London station.

They mistook the floors.

Hubert was highly-strung so when he heard them behind the door. ..

l understand.

ls it certain information?

lt's as certain as al l other pieces of information. ..

l get from Gestapo.

l've received another report from Number Two.

Christianson came back early and is staying at the Excelsior.

l know. Room 223.

That's right.

On the day following the one Number One was arrested,

and then committed suicide,

Christianson was going to meet him...

and give important microfilms from Ruhra coal-field.

Number Two knew about that meeting.

lt's obvious that if Christianson had given away Number One,

he wouldn't have had the microfilms with him.

Number Two has checked it. Christianson has the microfilms.

What else?

While l was coming here l happened to see Emma Schmidt...

- pay Pfeifer a visit. - lnteresting...

Listen careful ly, Georg.

lf l don't come to the meeting today, it'll mean l'm in trouble.

Then you'l l have to inform the Headquarters immediately.

l won't breathe a word to them.

You'l l liquidate everything and lose touch with the other five.

- l hope you're protected somehow. .. - l'll go there at the last moment.

lf the curtain is drawn aside, it'll mean we're in danger.

Like in a novel.. .

Did you manage to squeeze something out of Mrs Heizer?

No, it was her who squeezed a lot out of me.

Do you remember that Sturmbannfuhrer with whom she was at the theatre?

He's probably her lover.

That's a good observation post. ..

Sturmbannfuhrer's bed.

You've drunk again, you idiot!

- Listen, Fritz! - Be quiet!

l gave you that chance only because you're my brother.

An SS officer who took photographs of a concentration camp...

and then let them get to the West, deserves to be shot, understand?

You'd have been lost, Eric, if it wasn't for me,

if it wasn't for my loyalty to our Fuhrer.

l've told you l didn't know.

l've read the reports. You were dead drunk then.

lf you don't give up drinking.. .

l promise, Fritz. But try to understand!

ln that rotten hotel you can get bored to death.

lt's awful to dance attendance on the guests.. .

like l'm an informer, not a Sturmfuhrer.

What are we waiting for?

We're waiting for a man...

who'l l mention the name ''von Hagen''.. .

and will take the room 21 7.

That's the only way to find the trace of the enemy's spy net.

lnnocent people don't usual ly poison themselves.

That stupid Kopke had died before he managed to say anything.

We don't even know who he worked for,

we don't know what his function was or whom he contacted.

But catching the man who'll take the room 21 7...

will let us capture al l of them.

And you've contributed to that a lot, Eric.

l'l l tel l the Reisfuhrer about it, and you'l l regain his favour.

But you have to give up drinking.

- When will the man come? - Don't be a fool, Eric.

He may come today, but he may just as well come in 2 months.

But he is sure to come. And then one call will do.

Yes, madam? l'm sorry, we don't have any free rooms.

l'm supposed to meet Mr Hagen here. Has he come yet?

- No, he hasn't. - But he gave you notice. ..

Yes, indeed, Mr von Hagen told me...

to give the keys to anyone who'd mention his name.

Here you are.

Room number 21 7, the first floor. A bathroom and a direct phone.

Are you going to stay here for the night?

lf you are, please fill in the form.

lf l make up my mind to stay, l'll check in in the evening.

lf someone else wants to see Mr von Hagen, ask him to go to the room 21 7.

Here is the money for the room for the next 3 months.

Mr Hagen asked me to give it to you.

Thank you very much.

What about Eric?

He'l l get over it by the morning.

Damn this phone!

What's the matter, Mr Lembel?

- May l? - What is it?

l'm sorry l've come so early, but l'm afraid. ..

Come in, please.

What happened?

Some people are prowling about here. l'm afraid they know something.

ls it you who sel ls bone buttons for fur-coats?

Yes.

l'm sorry l took you for a salesman...

and you're the manager of the hotel , aren't you?

lt's me who should be sorry.

- l forgot about it. - What's the matter, Mr Lemmer?

Go to see Eric.

What's the number to 21 7?

1 7 - 297. But this phone.. .

lt's working again. Go!

Hallo? But why are you shouting? What's going on there?

Something has happened in 21 7!

Fryderyk!

A man has just run towards the back exit.

lt's too late. He's managed to run away.

That was a shot from a short distance.

We didn't hear anything.

Well. .. Go out, please!

Who is she?

She came a few minutes ago. She said she'd check in tonight.

l phoned to ask her to fil l in the form.

All of a sudden she started screaming. So l came here.

The murderer must have been waiting for her.

Let's go, Fryderyk.

Call the police.

Don't touch anything. Everything must be left here as it is.

l know, lieutenant.

Such a beautiful woman. ..

- Did you see that man who ran away? - l didn't see anyone.

There was no one in the hall when l got there.

This leg is a damned reminder of the battle of Verdun.

And soon after that l met you. Now we have to wait for the police.

lt's already five past six.

l dropped in only for a while. l'm supposed to meet someone at 6. 1 5.

But there was that accident here. .. l have to make a phone cal l.

- ls the phone stil l out of order? - No, it's alright now.

l don't think so. lt's dead.

lndeed, it's dead. l don't understand.

The manager used this phone to call that lady.

l've told you, lieutenant, that yesterday.. .

l saw a woman leave but l didn't see her come in.

l'm sure it was that beautiful lady.

The police should be here any minute.

May l have a word with you, lieutenant?

Was it you who wanted to sell me bone buttons for fur-coats?

Buttons? What are you talking about?

That story has put your nerves on edge.

- You should have some rest now. - Yes, you're right.

l'm a little nervous. l'm sorry.

l must go now. l came here when it was all over.

You and Fryderyk can testify that if the police ask you about it.

- l'll be back in an hour. - Alright.

lt's good you've come.

l was worried about you so l came early.

- Number Two has been murdered. - Who was it?

- lngrid. - Do you know who kil led her?

Yes, but l don't know why.

What is important is that the net is unstained. The traitor was a stranger.

Tomorrow we have to get back to work again, Georg.

Yes, sir.

lt's you, lieutenant.

These English bandits didn't let you sleep, did they?

- Do you want to take a look at them? - No, l've come to talk to you.

l sell only mother-of-pearl buttons.

Easy, Lembel !

We can talk.

- Why did you kil l her? - She was a Gestapo agent.

You're lying! You are a Gestapo agent!

- You betrayed Mr von Hagen. - No, l didn't.

That Sturmbannfuhrer said that they came to his room by mistake.

He had the reserve key to the room 21 7.

During the night they searched all the hotels. Then they took me away.

- Did they beat you? - No, but they showed me other.. .

people being beaten. l was loyal to Mr Hagen. l didn't betray him.

Why were you loyal to Mr Hagen?

You don't want to speak? l can help you.

Mr Hagen knew something you didn't want Gestapo to find out.

That's why you killed that woman. You were afraid she knew that too.

What was it?

Secret Service?

Yes. l worked for the French. Von Hagen knew that and he blackmailed me.

And that woman would be questioned by Gestapo soon. ..

- and she'd tell them everything. - About you.. .

- And about you too. - Who helped you?

Eric was supposed to help me but he got drunk.

l don't want to kill you. You'll do it yourself.

Potassium cyanide. Take it.

No!

l'm putting it here.

You've got one minute.

No!