Original subtitles

Early in the 1800s,

the fearful sounds of war once again shook the heart of Europe.

Not far from the field of battle,

there was another sound... Soft and gentle...

Yet it has echoed down the years

to be heard long after the guns were stilled

and the battles forgotten.

If you listen closely, you can hear it... Now.

Ahem!

Well, grimm, how goes the work today?

Mr. Gruber! Forgive me.

I didn't know you were here.

And does my presence disturb you?

Your hands are trembling.

My brother has not been feeling well, Mr. Gruber.

His health is really not...

And still he continues to work.

What heroic devotion to duty!

It's... nothing.

On the contrary, grimm.

On the contrary.

His grace the Duke will be most grateful...

And find ways to show it.

Uh, may I examine the fruits of your labor?

But it isn't complete.

Wouldn't you rather wait until the entire manuscript...

No. No.

"And as he fell, he ceased to be a frog

and turned into a prince with beautiful, kind eyes."

And where does this event occur

in the Duke's family history, hmm?

Well, I... I heard this little story,

and while it was fresh in my mind,

I thought I'd borrow just a few minutes.

Borrow?

Borrow.

You call it borrowing, do you?

Stealing!

You are stealing from the Duke,

who is paying you to write his family history.

When you steal from the Duke,

you are committing a crime...

For which he could put you behind bars

like any other thief!

Uh, need I say more, gentlemen?

Don't be angry, Jacob.

Anger poisons the mind and sours the stomach.

Wilhelm, these are perilous times.

Work is hard to find and money is scarce.

I swear... word of honor.

I'm a reformed man.

You have a responsibility to your wife, your children.

You're right, absolutely.

You see, I heard this wonderful, wonderful story

from the old flower vendor...

I don't want to hear it.

About this beautiful young Princess

playing with a golden ball.

The ball falls into the well,

and she thinks it's lost...

When suddenly, a frog offers

to fetch it up for her,

but only if she'll invite the frog to dinner, and then...

Wilhelm!

Off in the clouds again.

The poor moonstruck ninny.

The whole world on fire, and he can't even smell the smoke.

Forgive me, ladies, but I do smell the smoke...

And the gunpowder.

True, the whole world is at war.

Blood is flowing everywhere.

Wilhelm!

Real blood, ladies.

Not dragon's blood, which isn't harmful,

nor witch's brew, which can turn an old hag

into a beautiful young Princess.

That is my world, dear ladies.

If you prefer yours, I beg you keep it...

With my fond blessings and a cordial good-day.

Wilhelm!

I honestly believe his mind is going.

Gone, my dear, never to return.

That was the last gasp from the old Wilhelm.

From now on, you'll see.

Jacob!

Jacob grimm!

You see what he wants. I'll go and buy the bread.

All right, but hurry. We're late already!

Jacob!

Come here!

Mr. Grimm! Don't you want to buy a Rose?

No. No, no, thank you.

I have another one for you, Mr. Grimm, a darling story...

No, no more stories.

About a funny little man who spins gold out of straw.

Spins gold out of straw?

No. No, no.

How does it go?

A pretty girl is locked in the king's castle.

"Spin this straw into gold," he says, "or you will die."

Such a sweet story.

Yes, yes. Go on, go on.

That's a little better.

Now, if you could possibly manage

to look a little less gloomy, eh?

If you called me to criticize my appearance...

No, my friend Jacob, no.

Your gloominess is only a symptom.

Now the diagnosis:

Too much work, no pleasure,

too many hours alone.

Look, I feel fine.

Don't be absurd.

Symptom, diagnosis...

And now, the cure.

I must...

Miss Greta Heinrich, may I present Mr. Jacob grimm.

I don't believe it...

A man so young?

Why, I saw you on the street,

and it never entered my mind that you could be Jacob grimm,

the author of all these marvelous works!

Well, I... That is not precisely true.

I collaborate with my brother.

Ah, the married brother, yes.

You will be thrilled to know

that miss Heinrich has bought one of your books...

One that you wrote all by yourself.

I can't wait to read it!

Legal antiquities?

A marvelous choice.

Old laws are so much nicer than new ones.

I told miss Heinrich if she waited,

the author would write something in the book.

Yes, but... What shall I write?

Anything.

Respectfully...

Sincerely...

Affectionately...

Would it be all right if I just signed my name?

Oh, of course.

It's not the words, but the thought that counts.

Miss Heinrich is visiting from Berlin

with her aunt.

Doesn't know a soul in town.

There are many young people here.

She won't be lonely.

Well, thank you, Mr. Grimm. You're very kind.

Not at all.

Jacob!

Jacob, look, I want to talk to you!

My brother Wilhelm, miss Greta Heinrich.

Delighted.

Mr. Grimm.

Wilhelm. Stossel.

I do hope we'll see each other again.

It's inevitable.

Oh, really?

In such a small town,

one's always seeing everyone else.

Oh. Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, miss Heinrich.

Thanks very much for coming in.

Good day, Mr. Stossel.

Well, what's the matter?

Your muttonhead brother. I introduce him to a charming girl

who goes out of her way to buy one of his dull books.

To you they may be dull.

To everyone! Look here.

German grammar, volume 1.

German grammar, volume 2.

Analysis of German grammar.

Pfff!

As a good friend, I give them space.

As a better friend, I say to you:

Write books people will buy!

Write about girls!

Oh, about... you mean...

No, I mean about... Hmm, hmm, hmm!

But what do I know about girls?

Nothing. About everything that's important,

you know nothing.

Stossel, don't you dare talk to my brother like that!

Jacob is the wisest, most kind, most generous...

Where is the bread?

The bread? Oh, yes.

Jacob, I wanted to talk to you about that.

So you bought another story

from that villainous flower vendor,

and the bread money is gone.

Just this once, if you will lend me some money, I promise...

Well, I swear...

Word of honor, never again.

You see? He's a prince among men!

He's a fool!

Next to you, the biggest fool in the world!

But it's not too late to change.

For me, for your dearest friend,

please... Write about girls.

Jacob, write about girls...

We are already 57 minutes late.

I hope you have an explanation.

Have you ever known me when I haven't had an explanation?

Look, the reason we're late...

Is we stopped to buy our roses.

We stopped? Our roses?

After all, you paid for them.

Besides, you stopped to force your attentions on a pretty girl.

I paid for the bread.

Oh, no, no. I insist, I insist.

You take half the credit for the roses...

And half the blame for being late.

Daddy, daddy!

Wait till you hear what happened!

Come on! Come on!

Oh... oh!

Oh, help! Help, help! Savages! Mad dogs!

Help! Save me! Ooh! Aha, aha!

Now, my little pretties, it's my turn!

I'll make you pay and pay dearly!

I'll grind your bones

and snip off his arm!

And for you, my dear,

I have other plans.

Where have you been...

For one whole hour that dinner's been kept waiting?

What kept you? What's this, Wilhelm?

A tribute to your kind, sweet, gentle, beauteous...

Where's the bread?

Bread? What bread?

Children, go and wash your hands, will you?

I gave you money for bread,

instead of which you come back with... shh!

What am I to do? I don't have two children, I have...

Jacob, you should know better.

We've barely enough money for...

For bread.

You didn't forget the bread.

No, dorothea, he didn't forget.

And don't you forget...

Man does not live by bread alone.

That's a strange sentiment from you.

It's not from me. It's from the Bible.

And from stossel's bookshop.

You see, a young lady came in and bought one of his books today...

Asked him to write in it.

A very beautiful young lady, eh, Jacob?

I... I didn't notice.

Well, she obviously noticed you.

What was her name? Do I know her?

Um...

Rita Albrecht.

Greta Heinrich.

You see, that's our Jacob boy...

Can't remember a face, but never forgets a name.

If dinner is ready, why don't we eat?

Oh, right away.

They're lovely.

They're just lovely.

It's my turn.

It is not! It's my turn.

It was your turn yesterday!

No, it was your turn yesterday.

How could it be your turn today

if it was yours yesterday?!

Children!

You may share the honor.

Bless us, o lord, and these, thy gifts,

which we are about to receive from thy bounty.

Gruber... that shriveled husk!

He doesn't know the meaning of the word "happy."

And as for our gracious patron, the noble Duke...

Someone might hear you and tell him.

Good! It might reduce his bloated ego.

Might also throw us out of this house, which he gives us rent-free.

Might also put you in jail.

You're right... And so are you.

The Duke doesn't want scholars, he wants toadies...

To sing the glories of his illustrious name...

So that he can be a toady to the king of prussia.

However, we need the money, so to work.

No, Jacob, I'll go to work.

I'm going to make up for the borrowed time.

Don't look so surprised.

I'm a reformed man.

Well, don't disturb the children.

The children would be wise not to disturb me.

What was he doing to make gruber angry, hmm?

Jacob, what was he doing?

Just being himself.

Not here.

Now, let me see... They must be there.

Fooled you! We fooled you!

Shh! Now, that's enough. Into bed. Come on.

And to sleep, instantly. Come on, come on.

We want a story.

No, absolutely not.

Oh, papa, just one?

No. No more stories.

No more stories?! Not never?

"Not never"? Not ever.

You should be studying your grammar.

"Not never"! Why, that's atrocious grammar.

Well, grammar's too hard.

Nothing's too hard, son, nothing.

If you want it badly enough, you'll get it.

Now, remember the woodsman?

What he wanted was impossible. Nevertheless, he...

What woodsman?

Well, you know... the woodsman

who lived in the forest all alone.

What did he want so badly?

How did he get it?

Well, it happened that on a day... a very special day...

He decided to embark on a great adventure,

a journey far from the forest that was his home.

♪ I dream of winning a Princess ♪

♪ la la la la la la la ♪

Ah...

♪ La la la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ happy and gay am I ♪

Ah!

Come in.

Good morning, dear gypsy!

I've come to bid...

Bid me good-bye.

Who told you?

The cards.

Who else would ever speak to me?

What else did they tell you?

That your purse is empty...

And your heart's full to overflowing.

With love for you!

No, not for me, but for the king's daughter...

The loveliest flower in all the land.

And you hope to win this flower.

I shall try. Good-bye, gypsy.

Woodsman, wait!

I have something for you.

No one has ever given me a word of kindness but you.

When others have scoffed,

you alone have smiled.

Give me one smile in return, and I'll be happy.

That you shall have...

And something more.

Hold out your hand.

Hold out your hand!

Now you see it...

And now you don't.

My hand!

Take this cloak of invisibility.

It will hide you from men's greed

and protect you from their envy.

Will it help me to win the Princess?

That you'll never know until you try.

You'll need this, too.

Thank you.

Bye, gypsy!

♪ I dream of winning a Princess ♪

♪ dreaming a Princess is mine ♪

♪ la la la la la la la la la la ♪

♪ dreaming with love less than mine ♪

He bows very well, doesn't he?

Oh, very well, indeed!

Stop it, stop it, stop it. That's enough.

Who are you?

No, no, no, let me guess.

You are a prince in disguise.

Duke?

Baron?

Varlet?

Knave?

Your majesty...

I'm just a humble woodsman.

Oh, that's wonderful! That's marvelous!

A woodsman!

That means that you are accustomed to the ax!

Ha! "To the ax"!

Uh, the rules.

Ahem.

"He who..."

Discovers how my daughter...

"Walks holes through her slippers

every night..."

Without telling me how she does it.

I tell you, another pair every night.

It costs me a fortune!

Uh, proceed.

"He who discovers the why and wherefore..."

Gets half my kingdom.

Oh, yes... and the Princess, too.

Now... tell him the bad part.

"Whoever shall try and fail..."

As all others have tried and failed,

shall have his head separated from his body for evermore.

Aah!

That's the good part, really.

But please, my daughter's very sensitive.

Promise you won't tell her?

Cross my heart and hope to die.

Oh, delicious!

Ha ha! Delightful!

Ha! Good luck, woodsman, but remember...

Don't lose your head!

Ha ha! "Don't lose your head"!

Ooh, he is the handsomest by far!

Don't you want to look, your highness?

Certainly not. Fetch the sleeping potion.

Good evening, woodsman.

You may rise.

Here's some warmth for the long, cold night ahead.

Is something wrong?

Yes. Yes, I expected you to be beautiful.

Am I not?

Oh, no, Princess. You're divine.

Well, uh... Cheers!

Ahh!

Well, we certainly don't get

wine like this in the forest!

Oh, I'm sure you don't.

Well, good night, woodsman.

Excuse me.

Pleasant dreams, woodsman.

Don't forget... Return before dawn!

Or the king will surely find out.

Aah!

Coachman! Have you seen him?

A man with a mask.

No, Princess, I have seen no one,

but there is another man waiting at the castle

that you must marry if you are late.

Giddyap!

Giddyap!

Hah!

Giddyap!

Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah!

Hah! Hah!

Pllllt!

Giddyap!

Hah!

You tried and you failed.

How sad. Too bad.

Get to work.

Just a moment!

Your majesty,

I know how the Princess wears holes in her slippers.

I don't believe it... not a word!

Princess!

Where does she walk?

Nowhere. She dances... All night.

Fiddlesticks!

Alone in her bedroom?

No. She goes through a hidden door

and then rides this carriage...

Ooh! Ooh! I've got you now.

I know every hidden door, secret room,

and sliding palace in the panel.

Uh, panel in the pal...

Botheration! Off with his head!

Wait a minute, now!

Unh! Unh!

Now, wait a minute!

Let me explain! You wouldn't... oh, yes, you would!

I'm the king, you fool!

Now, let me show you.

Nobody tells me anything!

You see? He guessed your secret...

Every night, dancing and prancing!

I'd love to dance, but nobody asks me.

Well, a bargain is a bargain,

so now we'll have a great big party!

There'll be no party! I shall never marry him!

Tut, tut, tut, tut, my girl. You're not the king.

You're only a Princess, which isn't as good.

Besides, I gave my word.

And last night, I gave my heart...

To a stranger.

And they lived happily ever after.

Shh!

Well... I gave them a severe talking-to

about their grammar.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I told them one story.

A story that will give them nightmares?

Oh, no, no, it was a beautiful story...

About the dancing Princess and the woodsman.

You mean the tailor.

Tailor? The way you heard it, it was a tailor?

The way I heard it, you were a reformed man.

Well, you aren't.

You're absolutely beyond redemption.

All I can say for you is...

I love you.

I, uh... I have work to do.

The work is almost done.

Go to bed.

What is your object... To make me feel guilty?

My object is to finish this wretched thing on time.

Mm-hmm.

By the way...

You remember the story of the dancing Princess.

Whom did she marry... A woodsman or a tailor?

A farmer.

A farmer?

An honest, conscientious, hardworking farmer.

A farmer.

It was a fisherman.

A fish...

How do you know?

Because I'm a man of infinite wisdom

who has heard the story a thousand times.

But that's terrible!

Tailor, woodsman, farmer, fisherman.

4 different versions.

Now, isn't that terrible?

It is terrible. Come on.

You know, that proves my point.

These stories should be written down.

Better you should write about girls.

Talking about girls, this Greta Heinrich...

Yeah?

Will you tell her something for me?

Wilhelm!

We'll be late!

I'll be there!

I'll be delighted!

It was a delicious dinner, Mrs. Grimm.

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Won't you sit here, miss Heinrich?

Oh, thank you.

We hope, miss Heinrich... Jacob and all of us...

That you like our town.

Oh, I do.

The people are so friendly.

It must seem very quiet to you

after living in Berlin.

Still, we hope... Jacob and all of us...

That you won't hurry away.

Well, it was to have been just a short visit,

but I wouldn't mind staying indefinitely.

Wilhelm, it's getting late.

Thea, get the children. It's time to go to bed.

Now, say good-night to miss Heinrich.

Good night, miss Heinrich.

Good night, uncle Jacob.

Good night, uncle Jacob.

That's right.

Come on, off you go to sleep.

Run along.

Your children are charming, Mr. Grimm.

Thank you.

Children are a speciality of the grimm family.

We hope that yours will be equally as, uh...

Yes, well, uh... Ahem.

It's getting late. I think I'll go on up, too.

Oh, stay! And talk awhile with us.

Tell miss Heinrich one of your stories.

Wilhelm has a very fertile imagination.

Oh, really?

Oh, yes. You would hardly believe

what fantastic thoughts occur to him.

Go ahead, Wilhelm.

Let us have one of your stories.

Funny... I just can't seem to remember any.

Oh, they come and go, slip away.

It's a pity there isn't

someone to write them down.

Oh, well.

Good night... Good night.

It was most kind of you to take pity on a stranger

and invite me here.

To be honest, it was not I who invited you.

I thought...

Well, that is, I was given the impression

that it was your idea.

Say yes!

In all honesty, no.

It's a rare experience, Mr. Grimm,

to meet a man so honest.

I shan't inquire whether you wish to take me home,

but since it's getting late...

But, uh, honesty, miss Heinrich,

requires the whole truth.

Although it was not my idea,

I'm very glad you were invited here...

Equally glad that you accepted.

Tell me about your work, Mr. Grimm.

Oh, I...

No, Jacob! Don't, please!

I'd like to ask you a question, miss Heinrich...

A rather personal question.

How did you like my book?

Oh, I was enchanted.

Enchanted?

By legal antiquities?

Oh, well, the subject isn't important.

I beg your pardon?

What enchanted me was the tremendous knowledge and intelligence

it took to write such a book.

Forgive me, Mr. Grimm, but I must be honest, too.

You are a brilliantly fascinating man.

Nonsense!

I'm a conscientious scholar

dedicated to his work, that's all.

Aah!

Gruber!

Your grace, if this portrait is to grace the cover

of your grace's family history,

may I ask that your grace face this way...

And smile?

Gruber!

Sir?

You've finished reading it, your grace?

Have the brothers grimm

done you proper justice, your grace?

Are you pleased, your grace?

You're very good at asking questions. Now answer one:

Do I look pleased?!

Ooh!

Get those brothers and bring them here!

Stossel!

You've always been a good, true, loyal, and dear friend.

Uh, good morning, dear ladies.

Now I'm going to give you a chance to prove it.

May I prove it later? I'm waiting on these dear ladies.

What are they looking for?

Mr. Stossel knows my tastes.

Who doesn't? Ah! Just the thing.

History of the hundred years' war...

Every page reeking with blood and Gore.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Really, Wilhelm, come on!

Listen! We've just finished writing the Duke's family history.

Now I can concentrate on collecting and writing stories!

Stories about girls?

Oh, stossel, you worry me.

A priceless literary heritage is dying.

Now, listen, if these wonderful fairy tales

aren't written down and published,

they'll soon be forgotten.

Now, look, you know a man called vantino.

Vantino, yes... the foremost publisher of Berlin.

That's right.

A good, true, and loyal friend. Yes, yes.

I'm sure he'd agree that you are a complete loony.

Who'd want such a book?

Anyone with a desire to be happy.

I would.

They would!

They? Who are they?

You, you, you, and you. Come on! Come inside!

Really, they should lock him up.

Shh! Now... Now, don't be frightened.

I just want to ask you: Do you want a book of fairy tales?

No, sir.

Of course you do! Why not?

I can't read.

Well, you can hear, can't you? Yes.

All right, then...

Ah, ah! Come here!

Wilhelm, what are you doing?

Sit down.

Madam...

My dear!

If you please.

And not another word out of anyone!

Now, listen...

Once upon a time...

There was a cobbler...

An old, old cobbler.

He had snowy-white hair,

a big, thick mustache,

and bushy eyebrows riding on a sea of wrinkles.

He worked very hard, day in and day out.

But for various reasons, his customers were not pleased.

Cobbler!

Yes? The mayor!

Are my shoes ready?

Not yet, your excellency.

Not yet?!

Why, the king's Christmas party is tomorrow afternoon.

If my shoes aren't ready, it will go hard with you!

To be sure, your worship, but...

No buts! I shall return tomorrow morning... Early!

I'll try my very best.

♪ Pure of heart and mind and hand ♪

♪ I shall dwell in Christmas land ♪

♪ in my heart, the Christmas spirit ♪

♪ listen closely, you can hear it ♪

♪ Christmas land, Christmas land ♪

♪ I shall dwell in Christmas land ♪

♪ on my cheeks, two roses grow ♪

♪ on my nose, a flake of snow ♪

My slippers, they are finished, dear cobbler?

Are they? Are they? Are they?

Regretfully, I've been so busy...

Without my slippers, how am I to dance for the king?

I'll try, your ballerina ship.

If I do not dance, the king will be mad with rage.

And I would hate to see you...

Boiled in oil.

Ah...

I would not care much for that myself.

Cobbler!

Your... your hunting boots, I know, but...

They're not quite ready yet. I hope...

If they're not by tomorrow,

instead of hunting wild pig for the king's table...

I'll be hunting tame cobbler.

You understand?!

Yes, your marksmanship.

Aah...

I suppose you're going to the king's birthday party, too.

No.

We came to sing for you.

Why?!

'Cause you like us.

Do not!

Why don't you, um...

Get jobs or get married?

Nobody asked me.

Well, then, go and see your good-luck elf.

They handle those things for you.

Orphans don't have good-luck elves.

Nonsense!

Everybody's got good-luck elves!

If you don't believe in them,

they won't come to you.

I'll, uh... I'll tell you about it sometime.

Now, go home. I'm busy...

Very, very busy. Go home.

You do like us, don't you?

Do not.

Do, too.

Do not!

You've got to,

'cause nobody else does.

Ah! Ah!

Well, I'm up.

All right! I said I'm up!

But... why?

What?

Why, what?

Why am I up?

Um, ask him.

Hey, why am I up?

How should I know?

Why am I up?

Because it's Christmas Eve.

Aha!

I've got it!

He's got it!

He can have it!

Christmas is the time for good cheer.

Good cheer is what we bring,

because we're good-luck elves.

I'd rather be a bad-luck elf!

Why?

'Cause he gave me a crooked mouth, that's why!

Don't you like your mouth?

No!

Then keep it shut!

Unless those shoes are finished by morning,

he's in terrible trouble!

Good! Serves him right!

Get to work. Everybody!

Get to work.

Begin.

Get busy.

Commence!

Go!

What's wrong?

How do you fix shoes?

Ah... ooh.

Ah... ooh?

Ah! I know!

You cut!

Ah ooh...

You stitch!

Ah ooh!

You glue!

Ah ooh!

You shine.

Ah ooh!

I tack.

♪ Ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ it's fun to whack with a tack and a hammer ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ to whack with a tack and a hammer, ah ooh ♪

♪ your eyes light up and your heart goes boom ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ hoo hoo ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ to brush some glue on the shoe's what you do ♪

♪ for the hee ♪ ♪ for the hee ♪ ♪ for the heel ♪ ♪ hoo hoo ♪

♪ you brush some glue on the shoe for the heel ♪

♪ you do get sticky, but, gee, you feel ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ to whack away on shoes ♪

♪ will chase a stack of blues ♪

♪ we'll make like Jake when you're awake ♪

♪ and dreamy when you snooze ♪

♪ ah ooh... ♪

♪ To shine from the front to the back with a whack and a wham ♪

♪ a wham ♪

♪ from front to back with a whack and a wham ♪

♪ if that ain't heaven, don't know what am ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

Oof!

Oof!

Not so hard!

I'm paying him back for my crooked mouth.

Shh!

♪ To whack away on shoes ♪

♪ will chase a stack of blues ♪

♪ we'll make like Jake when you're awake ♪

♪ and dreamy ♪

♪ when you snooze ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ to shine from the front to the back with a whack and a wham ♪

♪ a wham ♪♪

♪ from front to back with a whack and a wham ♪

♪ if that ain't heaven, don't know what am ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ aooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ to whack with a hammer and tack, ah ooh ♪

♪ it's fun to whack with a hammer and tack ♪

♪ to whack with a tack from the front to the back ♪

♪ from the front to the back with a hammer and tack... ♪

Go!

♪ Ah ooh, ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh, ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪ ♪ ah ooh ♪

♪ ah ooh ♪

Oh, it's finally Christmas!

Oh, we've got Christmas presents!

Oh, it's so nice to have it!

Cobbler! Open up!

Blast you, cobbler! My hunting boots!

Open up! Cobbler!

Open the door! I need my shoes!

Oh, my dancing slippers! They must be ready!

Uh, ladies and gentlemen...

Your worship, your ballerina ship,

your marksmanship...

Um, I'm afraid you're not going to like

what I have to tell you.

Just what do you mean by that?

Well, uh, you see, it's, um...

Ahem. It's Christmas.

And, uh, some people...

Little people, but very, very important people...

Were forgotten, so I decided that, uh,

since it was Christmas that I would...

Oh!

How beautiful!

Wonderful!

Good and sturdy, cobbler! Ha ha...

You had me worried,

old rogue!

There you are, my man! Well done! Heh heh!

Thank you.

Twice your usual price, cobbler,

and a merry Christmas to you.

Well, a merry Christmas to you, your lordship.

I shall dance like a Princess,

and the king will know it's all because of you.

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas.

I didn't.

How could I?

Maybe I did.

I must have.

Hmm...

♪ Pure of heart and mind and hand ♪

♪ I shall dwell in Christmas land ♪

♪ in my heart, the Christmas spirit ♪

♪ listen closely ♪

♪ you can hear it ♪

♪ Christmas land ♪

♪ Christmas land ♪

♪ I shall dwell in Christmas land ♪

♪ on my cheeks two roses grow ♪

♪ on my nose a flake of snow ♪

♪ warm and calming in my hand ♪

♪ I shall dwell in Christmas land ♪

♪ Christmas land ♪

Wilhelm! The Duke!

Just a minute, thea. Well?

Did you like the story?

Yes.

Where's Jacob?

In the park with Greta.

Would you like...

Would you like a whole book of stories?

Uh-huh.

You would? You really would?

Oh, marvelous, marvelous!

Bless you!

Just a minute.

How much money have you got?

None.

You? None.

How about you?

One kreutzer.

One kreutzer.

Out, out! All of you!

Now, stossel!

Write about girls, please?

Wilhelm, the Duke wants to see you and Jacob!

Oh, but where is Jacob?

In the park with Greta.

Oh, yes, yes! That's right!

Oh, can't you think of anything except money?

And girls, at your age... really!

Wilhelm!

Oh...

Jacob!

Jacob!

Jacob! The Duke... He sent for us!

Excuse me, Greta. But-mbut you're not Greta.

I thought you said you were t

terribly sorry

excuse me um.

I khangt e qec@iemee

well, the question?

Will you marry me?

When?

"When"? You mean you will?

Well, of course!

Without even thinking?

Oh, Jacob, the first time I saw you,

I knew I was going to fall in love with you.

Amazing.

I have fallen in love with you,

and more than anything in the world

I would like to marry you.

Are there any more questions?

Just one...

May I kiss you?

Of course.

Very well.

Jacob! Jacob, the Duke...

He wants to see us right away!

Excuse me, Greta. We are going to be married.

I'm terribly sorry. Come on!

Ma-married?

Oh! Oh, that's wonderful!

Oh! Oh! I'm so pleased!

Mmm! Come on!

Correct me if I'm wrong.

By the terms of your contract, you guaranteed

to write a complete and accurate history of my family:

Notable deeds,

meritorious service in war and peace, et cetera.

That is correct.

I said correct me if I'm wrong.

Said family history to be dedicated and presented

to his majesty, the king of prussia...

On the forthcoming anniversary of his coronation.

What are you doing?

Um... just sneezing, your grace.

Don't touch that. It's priceless.

Yes, sir.

Uh, this is the complete history?

Yes, your grace, and may I point out

that we finished two days early?

May I point out you've chopped off

one whole branch of my family...

The rheinburg branch...

Represented by my third cousin,

baron ulrich of rheinburg?!

Yes, sir, but I thought...

I don't pay you to think!

I pay you to write!

Uh, in point of fact, sir,

you haven't paid us at all.

Ah! The minstrel speaks...

That tale-teller, who steals my time

to collect frogs and dogs,

hags and dragons!

Haven't paid you, eh?

Have I given you a house for 6 months, renthfree?

S, utl um

ye but yowidl receivm noúmon

atd myhilltrqouspschglarg no t dn, hxouhomghtlp

thure'c verypmittle about the bheifbur

'sothvera flatteringn and, f ctddp

Á

atgr a miei á

I... see, sir. Well...

We'll be back at work first thing in the morning.

First thing in the morning,

you'll take the boat to rheinburg.

In the cathedral archives,

you'll find all names and dates.

Baron ulrich himself will correct all lies.

But... but this is very difficult for us, sir.

We have only two days left and I doubt

that we can finish on time.

Oh, you will, because if you don't,

I will throw you out of your house

and into debtors' prison,

where I will make it difficult for you

beyond anything you can possibly imagine!

What are you doing?!

I'm... I'm so sorry, your grace.

Go!

Purely unintentional, your grace.

Go! I apologize, your grace.

Go!

Go!

Go!

♪ ...and dreaming ♪

♪ dreaming and dreaming ♪

♪ I dream of winning a Princess ♪

♪ bringing love's light to her smile ♪

♪ it does seem unlikely ♪

♪ for some fellow like me ♪

♪ to dream in so royal a style ♪

♪ crystal and sun is the Princess ♪

♪ strength and hope am I ♪

♪ all I know it seems ♪

♪ dreaming in extremes ♪

♪ dreaming of princesses mine ♪

♪ there the dreams, I've told ♪

♪ silver into gold ♪

♪ dreaming with love less than mine ♪

♪ dreaming with love less than mine ♪

♪ dreaming with love less than mine ♪

What's going on? It must be a celebration.

Go directly to the church

and talk to the priest in charge of the archives.

Look! It's a festival tree!

It is a celebration!

Pardon me, but what are we celebrating?

I said what are we celebrating?

It's a wine festival.

It's a wine festival! Did you hear that?

And did you hear what I said?

Yes. Go to the church, talk to the priest,

collect all important data on the rheinburg branch of the family...

Especially anything relating to the king of prussia...

And report back here at 5:00.

Thank you very much!

Here you are. Not at all. Not at all.

Thank you very much!

It's a pleasure. It's an absolute pleasure. I...

The boat leaves at 5:00.

We must be on it. Remember that.

Don't worry. I never forget a thing.

Wilhelm!

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

I'm very grateful, father.

It's been a pleasure delving into the past with you.

You were bored to death, Mr. Grimm,

and I respect you for it.

Nothing is quite so dull as digging up obscure names and dates

which should be allowed to rest in oblivion.

Give me young, living voices singing Mozart.

Father.

Pay no attention. Today is Friday.

Friday?

Oh, yes, yes. So it is.

Every Friday, long as anyone can remember,

the children of rheinburg have been invited to visit otta richte.

There are some who call her a witch.

Do you believe in witches, Mr. Grimm?

Witches?

Oh, you don't? I should have thought you did.

Well, uh...

Yes. As a matter of fact, I, uh...

She's no witch.

She only has the power to bewitch and beguile,

create a world of beauty that even Mozart would envy.

She tells the most wonderful fairy tales ever heard.

Fairy tales!

Is, um, is that where they're going?

Ahem. Shh.

Father...

When I was his age,

I used to do the same thing every Friday.

I'd gladly do it again right now,

but it's too late.

Only children are invited.

Um...

Well, I... I must be going.

You've been most helpful. A million thanks.

Good-bye. Good-bye.

What do you want?

Good afternoon, ma'am.

My name is Wilhelm grimm. I've heard that you...

You have heard that I'm a witch, I suppose,

and you've come to scoff and jeer, like everybody else.

No, quite the contrary.

If I may, I'd very much like to come inside...

I won't have it.

Go away.

Oh!

Your foot is in my door.

Yes, I'm... I'm so sorry.

Might I just come in and sit quietly and listen...

Children only.

Oh, but I'm much younger than I look.

Uh, people tell me...

You, little monkey... You were late.

My mama made me take a nap.

Well, I hope it did you good.

Now, my young scamps,

what shall we have?

Settle down, settle down.

Which of you would like to laugh today?

I can see you'd rather I made your blood run cold.

Yes! Scary, scary story!

Very well. A scary story it shall be.

Shh.

Once upon a time...

Long, long ago in a faraway land,

there lived a huge and fearful dragon.

He was as tall as the tallest tree in the forest.

When he walked, it was an earthquake!

When he breathed, a forest fire.

All the people lived in terror of this monstrous beast

who had invaded their land from no one knew where.

He ate up their crops, devoured their cattle,

and carried off all the young children to his lair.

What for?

Dessert.

Oh.

Didn't anyone try to stop him?

Of course, they did!

King sent north, south, east, and west,

offering half his kingdom to anyone who would

come and slay this horrible beast.

Many came to try and earn the reward,

but the dragon sizzled them...

Then he frizzled them.

Then he gobbled them up!

And he picked his teeth with their bones.

Now it happened, one fine day, that two men...

A knight named Ludwig

and his servant hans...

Set out in search of adventure...

♪ O high am I, thirsting and throbbing and bursting ♪

♪ in the relishing bask of the ghastly adventure ahead ♪

♪ what sayest thou, red? ♪

♪ 'Cause you're courageously ♪

♪ outlandish, outrageously brave ♪

♪ why am I not daunted by fear that would haunt the most fearless? ♪

♪ 'Cause you're outrageously brave with a courage courageously peerless ♪

Heh heh! ♪ And now ♪

♪ and now ♪

♪ we go ♪

♪ we go? ♪

♪ To add a dragon to my ego ♪

We're in luck, master!

The dragon's at home!

Not so loud.

♪ A d-r-a ♪

♪ g-o-n ♪

♪ dragon ♪

♪ a 53-foot monster snorting fire ♪

Aaaahh!

♪ A 53- or maybe even higher ♪

Oooohh!

♪ I heard one thrashing through the forest ♪

♪ crashing, and it seems ♪

♪ a smashing day to bag him ♪

♪ a d-r-a ♪

♪ g-o-n ♪

♪ dragon ♪

Dragon!

All right, lad. In you go.

I'll stay here and protect your rear.

That will take a bit of doing.

Go on, go on!

Go on, you silly sausage!

Is he there?

Speak up, pudding brain!

Oh, he seems to have gone, master!

Aha!

Well, let me at him!

Charge!

Ouch!

Are you sure he's gone?

I've looked all over the cave, master.

Well, help me up!

Ow! Oh! Fat feet!

No doubt the filthy beggar took one look at me

and realized he'd met his match. Ha!

Right now, he's probably 100 leagues from here running for his life. Ha!

It's a pity, in a way.

I should enjoy puncturing the ugly brute.

Ee ee ee!

Ee ee!

Aahh!

Hans, kill him!

Yes, master!

Aahh!

Ha ha ha ha!

Charge! Ah!

Huh?

Ah!

Yaaa! Ha! Ha!

Hans, kicking: Ha! Ha! Ha!

Don't anger him! Just kill him!

Ah!

Uh! Ah!

Ah! Whoa!

Ooh ooh!

Ooh woo!

Whoa!

Whoa!

Ow!

Uh!

Aah!

Hmm.

Ah! Hans! Do something, you bumbling booby! Ooh ooh!

Umph!

Watch out, master! Here I come!

Oh oh! Ah ah ah! Whoa! Ah ah!

Master, don't leave me!

I'm not leaving you, crybaby.

I'm going for help.

Oh! Ooh! Ah!

Whoa! Whoa! Ah ah! Whoa!

Whoa! Ah ah!

Whoa! Whoa!

Ah ah!

Oh! Whoa! Whoa ho!

Ooh! Whoa! Oh oh! W-Whoa!

Oh oh! Whoa!

Ooh! Ooh! Ow!

Whoa oh!

Yoo-hoo.

I say. Help.

Here now, dragon. Oh!

I'm not as tasty as I look.

Aah!

Oh! Aah! Aah! Aah!

Oh, no!

Uh!

Oh oh oh! Aah!

M-m-m-master!

Help.

Master!

What is it?

The dragon is dead!

Dead?

Are you sure that he's not just pretending?

Oh, I... I... i'd bet my life on it.

Oh... well, we can't claim the reward

without the creature's head, can we?

I'd be more than happy...

No. No. Give me the sword.

If you want something done right, I say, do it yourself.

Stand back, lad.

Ooh. Well, hans... You must be tired.

Rest here awhile.

Have a drink of water.

Oh, thank you, master. You're very kind.

But after you, sir.

No! No, no. A good commander always looks after his men first.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Oh! Oh, no!

Is it too blood-curdling, children?

Shall I stop?

No! It's only make-believe.

Please! Don't stop!

Don't stop. Please. Go on.

Very well. So... Because he feared that someone might discover it was the servant

and not the master who had slain the dragon,

greedy Ludwig killed hans and buried him under the apple tree.

Anna, voice-over: While Ludwig went on to claim the reward

and dwell in a fine castle,

good hans lay beneath the ground.

Spring passed, and the earth's breast was warmed

by summer's gentle touch.

Autumn came, painting the leaves with rainbow colors.

The north wind brought winter into the land,

covering it with an icy blanket of purest white.

And then it was spring again. Spring... a time of awakening.

With the dragon gone, everyone felt safe again,

and the countryside flourished.

And so, one fine day, a Shepherd with his flock passed by the apple tree.

Suddenly, he saw something at his feet.

"With a bit of carving," the Shepherd thought,

"I could make a fine flute to play on and soothe my flock."

Straight away, he took out his knife and began to whittle holes.

♪ Oh, Shepherd ♪

♪ listen to my tale ♪

♪ I sleep beneath the tree ♪

May I ask your majesty

why my presence was requested here?

I have discovered a new musical instrument

which I thought might amuse you.

As ruler of half your kingdom,

I would like to remind you that I simply loathe music.

As ruler of the other half...

I suspect that you will change your mind.

Uh, Shepherd, will you play us a tune?

Thank you so much. Some other time, perhaps.

♪ Oh, king, pray listen to my tale ♪

♪ I sleep beneath the tree ♪

♪ my master Ludwig raised his sword ♪

♪ and drove it into me ♪

♪ I'll never walk the earth again ♪

♪ or hear a bird or plant a seed ♪

♪ till the man who slew me says ♪

♪ he's sorry for the deed ♪

Well, sir Ludwig?

Your majesty, it was an accident.

You see, my sword slipped, and poor hans happened to be directly underneath.

Because it was poor hans who slew the dragon

and not you, isn't that so?

Yes, he was holding the sword when it entered the beast.

Mercy, your majesty! I didn't know what I was doing!

Mercy, I beg of you!

The court will pass sentence.

You have been found guilty

of the crimes of greed, treachery, and murder.

The penalty is...

Wait!

Don't do anything hasty!

I'm sorry I did it. Truly sorry.

I really am!

Ooh!

Well, fancy that!

My boy, you are just in time

to hear sentence passed on an evil person.

Hans! Don't let them kill me!

If you'll overlook that one little incident...

I was always a good master to you! Heh heh!

It's true, your majesty.

He was a good master.

Any bit of old clothing he couldn't use,

he'd give it to me.

And on a cool, bitter night,

he'd let me sleep next to his nice, warm horse.

And any scrap of food his dogs wouldn't eat,

he'd let me have them.

I implore you, your majesty.

Spare his life.

So be it.

His life shall be spared.

Thank you, your majesty.

Well, help me up, crumpet face!

Wait!

I have not finished.

You, Ludwig, shall spend the rest of your life

as servant to hans.

Oh, no!

Come here, my boy.

Hans...

Hereafter to be known

as sir hans, the dragon killer.

Yay! Yay!

Oomph!

Don't you worry, sir.

I'll be just as good a master to you as you were to me.

Thank you, sir hans.

Yay!

...another one like this!

Tell us another one.

No, no.

It's getting late. You must go home.

No! Please!

No! No arguments now. Off you go.

Bye, auntie Anna.

Good-bye, my boy.

Bye, auntie Anna.

Good night, dear. Good night.

Good-bye, auntie Anna.

Good-bye, my boy. Look after the girls now, won't you?

Good-bye.

Good-bye, my dear.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmm.

What is it?

What's the matter?

Nothing. It will pass.

Hmm. Thank you.

I'll go and fetch a doctor.

No, no. Get me a hot cup of tea.

Uh...

And have some yourself.

You're soaking wet.

Thank you.

Ah.

I told you to go away.

What were you doing outside?

Listening.

You know... You shouldn't live here all alone.

I'm not alone.

Death's been my companion for some time now.

You've many good years left.

I shall only regret leaving the children.

But they'll remember me because of my stories,

like their parents before them.

Those stories don't just belong to a few children.

They belong to children all over the world,

now and forever after.

I like you, Wilhelm grimm.

Enough to tell me some more stories?

But there are so many of them.

There's one about a little boy that was no bigger than my thumb.

Then there's the poor little girl

whose face was always covered in cinders.

And the other one, whose skin was as white as snow.

Would you like another cup of tea?

No. No, just the stories.

...when she saw the blind prince,

she wept for joy.

Two of her tears fell into his eyes,

and suddenly, he was able to see.

The boat... It must be getting late.

I really must go.

How can I ever thank you?

You have. You have.

Jacob, I...

The boat waited 10 minutes.

I went to the church.

I lost all track of time.

They told me you'd left over an hour ago.

That's true. I did.

Jacob, listen.

I... I found this wonderful old woman.

The stories she tells...

What... if only you could have seen

the happy faces of those children

with their eyes wide and their souls warm.

Look. These... These are pure gold.

You can't realize how valuable they are.

We have worked over 6 months

on the Duke's family history.

Unless it's delivered tomorrow, we won't be paid.

That's how valuable they are.

But we'll get there somehow.

We can hire horses... Or a coach.

We might even be able to catch them on the next landing.

What's the matter?

Where is it?

Where's the manuscript?

I don't know. I...

I must have... I slipped while crossing the river.

You fool!

6 months...

Thrown away.

Our whole career ruined! But these are safe!

Jacob, forgive me.

Ask the Duke to forgive you.

You've always an explanation ready!

Go on! Explain to the Duke!

But this time it's up to you, because I won't be there.

I'm not going back.

What? But... but where will you go?

Wherever I can find work by myself!

I can't work any longer with you.

You ruin everything you touch.

I know you don't mean it.

You-you're very angry and you've every right to be,

but... well... We need you, all of us.

I've got needs of my own!

A wife, a home, and time to do work that's important!

I'll never have anything as long as I'm tied to you!

Jacob! Jacob...

I'm sorry, Wilhelm.

But I'm much more sorry for your family,

with nothing to live on but dreams.

It's not enough to lose the manuscript,

not enough to Rob me of my gift to the king.

Here's my poetry! Step on it!

Wipe your boots on my face!

You and your illustrious brother.

You are very pleased to see me made ridiculous.

No, sir.

And you mustn't blame my brother.

I'm entirely responsible.

Do you hear that?

He's a man of honor, our minstrel.

Takes full responsibility for the crime.

Brings to mind the old saying "honor among thieves".

What shall I send to the king of prussia instead?

A pretty basket full of frogs and dogs

and hags and dragons?

Your grace... May I please be excused?

Full responsibility you'll take and full punishment.

To begin, you get no money!

I expect none, sir.

Well what do you expect? Answer!

Your grace, I... I can't think. I...

I could punish you in a way you couldn't even imagine.

Fortunately for you, I'm a civilized man.

I'm very glad to hear that.

Listen to him.

Detect a note of sarcasm!

Unmistakably, sir.

It wasn't meant to be.

For 6 months, I've given you a house rent-free.

You owe me that rent, and you'll pay!

I'll try, your grace.

You will not try, you'll pay.

I'll give you 3 days.

3 days?

If not, you'll be evicted and sent to debtor's prison!

Your grace. I can't. It's impossible.

Not in 3 days.

Please wait! Your grace!

How is he, doctor? Is he better?

I can't truthfully say he's better.

I can only say he's no worse.

No, not just words, doctor. I want to know the truth.

In the morning, we shall all know.

He's been ill before.

Not this ill.

Not for such a long time.

Come.

Such a fool, he is!

So little strength,

and he throws it away chasing daydreams.

My father is not a fool.

Oh, no, darling.

What Mr. Stossel means is that it's foolish

for your father to give so much of himself,

to... to be so unselfish.

That's what I mean.

The whole world should be made of such foolishness.

It's late. It's time for bed.

Greta, would you..

Oh, of course.

Good night.

Come along, children.

Children don't understand.

We scold most the ones we love best.

Mama? Will it help if we pray for papa?

Yes, my darling.

Mr. Gruber...

Come in.

I bring a communication from the Duke

regarding your husband.

That's very thoughtful of his grace.

Mrs. Grimm, the communication is an order

to evict your husband and his family from this house.

Evict?

A man who may never see tomorrow?

You can't do that.

I must. Unless he's able to pay 6 months' rent.

He's not able to sit up, to raise his head.

The Duke has given the order.

May I give you an order, Mr. Gruber?

Jacob! Oh...

Tell his benevolent highness he will get his money.

Darling!

Oh, I'm so glad you're here.

May I ask when the Duke will receive the money?

As soon as I sell my library.

Sold. You'll get your money in the morning, gruber.

Or would you prefer to put me in debtor's prison?

Now please understand.

I'm only obeying the Duke's orders.

We do understand.

If there were no Duke,

there would be no gruber.

Exactly.

If there were no dogs,

there would be no fleas.

This way.

Jacob... Don't go!

I'm... I'm here.

Please. Come back, Jacob.

I'm right here, Wilhelm.

Come back. Forgive me.

You've got to listen.

Can you hear me?

Forgive me.

I won't go away.

When you are well, we... we'll start working again,

just as before.

I... I promise you.

Just... just get well, Wilhelm.

It's gone. The manuscripts.

I'll find it... I'll find it...

Jacob?

Dorothea?

Who is it?

Is this the residence of Wilhelm grimm?

I'm... Wilhelm grimm.

Who are you?

I'm a...

Giant.

Don't be absurd.

There are no giants.

Tsk tsk tsk.

He's a lot sicker than we thought.

We? Who's we?

Friends of mine.

Go away.

I'm dying.

Everybody knows it.

You stop that.

My friends are pulling at my trouser leg.

They want to see you.

I don't want to see anybody.

Tired...

Very tired.

Easy, you overgrown ox!

That's him?

Please... go away.

I want to sleep.

You be quiet now. He says he's dying.

We must be respectful.

Why? Why? Is he respectful to us?

Please leave me alone.

You see? You see? No respect at all!

He's mean and selfish!

You're a nasty little man.

Nasty little man!

I am only nasty to them what's nasty to me!

And nobody is nasty to me

until I'm nasty to them first...

And that includes everybody!

He thinks he's clever

because he can spin gold out of straw!

Can he... Really do that?

Stop talking about me! When people talk about me, my beard itches,

and I can't stand an itchy beard!

He has quite a temper, hasn't he?

Yes, and he really enjoys it!

Why you little pipsqueak,

I could crush you under my foot!

Do you... what is your name, anyway?

I don't know. What is my name?

How should I know?

You see? "How should I know?"

He doesn't care whether we live or die!

All he's interested in is himself.

And anybody who's only interested in himself

is not interested in anybody else, too!

I... don't know...

What you're talking about.

What he means, Mr. Grimm, is that our lives depend on you.

If you die, we'll never be born.

We will never be born?

Oh, now, stop that!

You promised if I brought you along you wouldn't cry.

They're very sentimental, Mr. Grimm.

And I'm... I'm so tired.

I have no more life left in me.

Well, if you're going to die,

the least you can do is give us names.

Please, Mr. Grimm...

Would you?

Without names, we're nobody.

We're nothing!

Please give us names.

Please.

Would that be asking too much, Mr. Grimm?

Well...

Since you're... No bigger than my thumb,

we'll call you... Tom thumb.

Tom thumb? Tom thumb!

Hooray, I got a name!

Tom thumb!

Your... face is dirty.

It's from cinders.

Then you should be called...

Cinder... Ella.

Cinderella.

I like that very much, Mr. Grimm.

Thank you.

And I?

You're... white as snow.

You're snow white.

Thank you, Mr. Grimm.

Thank you, Mr. Grimm.

Hansel...

Hansel.

Gretel.

Gretel.

Mr. Grimm?

This is easy.

You're...

Little red riding hood.

Thank you, Mr. Grimm.

What about me?

You forgot about me?

Don't I get a name?

Rumpel...

Stilt... skin.

Why, that's ridiculous.

Whoever heard of such a name?

Rumpel... uh, rumpel...

What does it mean, anyway?

I... I can't see you.

All things die differently, Mr. Grimm.

We die like dreams,

fade into forgetfulness.

No... don't.

You mustn't.

We haven't much more time.

When you reach your last heartbeat,

we reach ours.

But it... it isn't fair.

Why must this be on my conscience?

Say good-bye.

Good-bye, Mr. Grimm.

Good-bye.

And thank you, Mr. Grimm.

Come back.

Didn't you forget something?

Bye.

Tell them to come back.

Tell them!

Only you can call them back.

Only you.

Wait!

Only you...

Don't leave me!

Only you...

Where are you?

Only you...

Where have you gone?

Wilhelm!

Dear!

Don't go in. I'll go.

Jacob, I've got to. Please let me.

It's gone! The fever's gone!

What's this?

"Once upon a..."

"Once upon a time, there was a tiny little boy.

His name was Tom thumb."

Of course it's difficult for him.

By his own admission,

the Duke is a civilized man,

and if we go on paying our rent,

he will graciously permit us

to go on living in our house.

Of course, he's raised the rent, but...

Well, that has a strange sound to it...

As though you plan to go on living there, too.

When my brother was ill, I made him a promise...

That I would stay and work with him.

You also made a promise to me.

They are very different.

One is...

You might call it a duty,

but it's much more.

The other much less?

No, darling.

But, I... I have only so much money,

and the family has to be taken care of.

But it's his family, Jacob, not yours!

He's my brother.

Does that give him a claim

on your whole life?

I know he needs you, but so do I.

Oh, it's humiliating to beg.

But I don't care.

With you I have no pride.

If only you would wait awhile.

How long is a while?

A month? A year?

I don't know.

Forever?

Greta, I love you.

You love me and I love you,

and there's nothing more to say, is there?

Well, there's nothing to be gained

by tormenting each other.

I'm going home.

Wait, I...

I'll take you.

Not my aunt's home.

My home...

In Berlin.

Good-bye, Jacob.

Jacob! Where have you been?

Have you had supper?

I wasn't hungry. I felt like walking.

This is for you.

Your flower vendor drives a hard bargain.

Still, it's quite a good story.

It's about a... about a tailor,

who kills 7 with one blow.

7 flies, that is.

The townspeople misunderstand,

and they are amazed.

So am I.

I thought that fairy tales

were just a waste of time.

Yes, I...

It's true, I did feel that way.

How do you feel about Greta Heinrich?

Miss Heinrich and I have reached an understanding.

I know.

She came to say good-bye.

She was crying.

Good-byes are sentimental occasions for women.

In fact, sentiment often blinds them to practical matters.

Uh-huh. Such as?

I need Wilhelm to complete my work.

He needs my help to complete his stories.

We'll start first thing in the morning.

Good night.

What are you doing here?

We'eanqna q orór

papa, can we...

Not tonight. Papa's too tired.

Oh, just one?

Just a teeny weeny one?

No. You heard your mother.

Come along.

We'll never get to hear a story!

Come along. And no complaining.

And don't annoy your father.

He's been much too sick.

But he's better now.

Shh. Into bed, I said.

I will tell you a story.

You don't know any stories.

You're wrong.

I just heard one today from the flower vendor.

Did you pay her?

What did it cost you?

What did it cost me?

Enough.

Ha ha ha ha!

Wilhelm!

What is it? What's the matter?

The Duke! He's here! He's downstairs.

Well... What's the trouble?

We pay the rent.

Maybe he's raising it again.

More likely throwing us out.

Why, that miserable...

Don't keep him waiting.

You know what a temper he's got.

Jacob!

My illustrious scholar!

My gifted man of letters!

I came here the moment I heard.

Heard what?

How are you?

I'm...

I'm very much better, thank you.

I am happy to present my distinguished protege,

Jacob grimm

and his brother.

Mr. Vantino from Berlin.

The vantino?

Very honored to meet you, sir.

How do you do, sir?

Have you met our friend stossel?

We have been in communication.

I know all about it.

All about what?

Silence!

Silence!

I've been commissioned by his majesty,

Wilhelm III,

king of prussia...

A man of honor, courage, wisdom...

A man I'm humbly grateful to.

Ahem.

Continue.

To inform you gentlemen

that you have been elected to membership

in the Berlin royal academy.

Did you hear that?

Royal academy!

Surprised, huh? But not I.

I want you to know I was the first

to recognize the talent.

I know all about it.

I told him.

Oh.

The induction ceremony will take place in Berlin.

I present you now

with your certificate of membership.

Excuse me.

"In recognition of the literary and scholarly excellence

"of the German grammar, Serbian grammar,

"legal antiquities,

"grimm's law of consonants,

Latin poetry..."

Is something wrong?

No, it's...

It's just that there's no mention of the fairy tales.

Fairy tales?

Never mind.

It's not important.

Fairy tales. Ridiculous!

Frogs and dogs and hags and dragons!

Frogs and dogs and hags and dragons!

There's a sign!

What does it say?

Berlin. We're getting close to Berlin!

We're almost there!

Quiet, children.

Now be quiet.

Let uncle Jacob read what he's going to say.

Uncle Jacob knows what he's going to say.

"Members of the academy,

"I am deeply grateful for this honor,

which, I regret to say, is an outrage."

That's not very polite.

Nor sensible.

It's your day. Stop resenting it.

Look, whatever work we performed,

we performed equally.

Whatever honors are received

we should share equally.

You know, if you're not careful,

you'll also share in my reputation,

such as looney, mad.

You're nothing of the sort.

Neither is Jacob, I hope.

We're being honored for your work, not mine.

You were right about the fairy tales.

They were a waste of time.

A quick reading, quickly forgotten.

Never mind that. It is an outrage.

In my speech, I'm going to tell them that...

Jacob.

Just tell them...

Just tell them that I'm your brother.

The Berlin royal academy welcomes you.

As president of...

We want a story! We want a story!

We want a story! We want a story!

Just tell them I'm your brother.

We want a story! We want a story!

We want a story! We want a story!

Once upon a time,

there were two brothers.

Captioning made possible by Turner entertainment group

captioned by the national captioning institute... www.Ncicap.Org...