Original subtitles

The restoration of Fritz Lang's SPIONE was carried out between 2003 and 2004

by the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung in Wiesbaden

on the basis of a nitrate copy from the Národní filmový archiv in Prague.

Additional copies from the Filmarchiv Austria in Vienna

also from the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra

and the Cinematheque Française Parisienne.

Some of the original intertitles survived in the Vienna copy,

and a flash title in a dupe negative at Gosfilmofond Moscow.

Lost opening credits were reconstructed on the basis of the censorship cards.

The copying was carried out by L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna.

The master negative of this edit was used for the 2K digital version.

SPIES

Distributed by UFA.

Script: Thea von Harbou.

Director: Fritz Lang.

Sets: Otto Hunte, Karl Vollbrecht.

Camera: Fritz Arno Wagner.

Cast:

Haghi... Rudolf Klein-Rogge

Sonja... Gerda Maurus.

Kitty... Lien Deyers.

Morrier... Louis Ralph.

Police Chief Jason... Craighall Sherry.

No 326... Willy Fritsch

Franz, the chauffeur... Paul Horbiger.

Lady Leslane... Hertha von Walther.

Dr Matsumoto... Lupu Pick.

Colonel Jellusič... Fritz Rasp.

The novel Spione by Thea von Harbou was published by Scherl-Verlag, Berlin.

Throughout the world, strange events transpire...

SENSATIONAL THEFT OF DOCUMENTS

FRENCH EMBASSY - SHANGHAI

TELEPHONE

EXTRA!

Assassination attempt on the Minister of Trade!

The Minister dies from his wounds important documents have vanished.

No trace of the perpetrator!

Are the officials in charge of state security so asleep on the job

that our most important documents and secret files

can vanish without a trace -?!

I know... who...

Almighty God - what power is at play here -?!

I

POLICE SUMMONS

Regarding the case Hans Pockzerwinsky

you are requested to appear 17A Halle-Strasse

on Wednesday, 15 August 1927 between 10 and 11am,

presenting this citation.

You are requested to bring your identification papers.

POLICE STATION

POLICE SUMMONS

From: The Minister of the Interior.

To: M.B. Jason, Head of Secret Service by messenger.

Dear Mr. Jason!

Enclosed please find several new caricatures and opinions

expressed by the public concerning your department.

Isn't it time to bring this ridicule of the helplessness of the Secret Service to an end?

The Minister of the Interior.

What's the use of all your precautions bringing me here

when I am secretly photographed by one of you staff in your own office?

Who's paying you, you scoundrel, to spy on me -?!

I'd sooner die like a dog than become a traitor -!

Your fate is in your hands, Vincent... Who are you working for -?!

Find out for yourself -!

And may God have mercy on you if you find him -!

Who is he talking about -?

If you knew, No 326, I wouldn't need you -!!

And the public wouldn't be making a laughing stock of us -!!

It's easy for you to laugh because, fortunately for you,

you prevented your picture falling into the hands of this... damned spy.

And no one knows what this man looks like -?

A few - people have known... but...

Nr. 76. Shot dead.

Nr. 216 Suicide (?) Cause unknown.

Nr. 217 Died in car accident - Murdered?

Nr. 325 Died in hotel fire. Doors blocked.

Nr. 398 Stabbed to death. Killer unknown.

Nr. 610 Found dead. Killer unknown.

I would be so sorry, No. 326,

If I had to put a cross After your name as well...

The Enemy...

Copy photos 4 and 6...

Distribute to all members of the surveillance squad.

His headquarters...

Morrier kidnapped from the gallows!

Sensational act prior to execution.

Masked perpetrators escape.

This time, Morrier, I have saved you from the noose,

Because I can make good use of scoundrels like you...

But if ever I sign your death sentence -

I am a scoundrel, sir but a grateful one...

is on her way

to the Haghi Bank.

Miss Barranikowa shall report to me immediately

when she returns from Colonel Jellusič.

Colonel Jellusič, a man of interest to many people...

Are there letters waiting for me at this box number?

Which box number did that man just pick up letters from?

Excuse me, Lady Leslane,

General Director Haghi would like to see you...

It will only take two minutes... a formality.

As milady just happens to be here...

I would like to make a proposal, Lady Leslane!

I would like to find out from you, as the wife of Roger Leslane,

when and where the Japanese Secret Treaty will be signed...

and who will be present!

If I hear nothing within 48 hours,

your husband shall find out, the 49th hour,

just where his wife spends her Tuesday and Friday evenings...

Your efforts are futile, Lady Leslane have the negative...

I'm richer than Ford, Lady Leslane, even though I pay significantly less in taxes.

The day after tomorrow, You will deliver the data in writing

to the owner of the opium bar you know so well,

And in exchange you will get the negative.

How far have you gotten with Jellusič?

I've got him eating out of my hand.

And for a kiss he'd sell me all his fortresses and the entire army of his country!

You know what you have to do. expect a report tonight!

Save me – I shot him -!!

...he invited me to come see him about a tour...

he - he tried to force me... I didn't know what to do, so I shot him...!

If you really want to help me — just let me leave!

It will be better for you and for me If we never see each other again!

Choose whomever you wish for this project —.

But keep me out of it! I don't want to work against this man...

He reminds me... of my brother Sascha...

All the more reasons for you To fight our enemy in the form of this man.

Enemies who were also the enemies of your father, of your brother.

Have you forgotten -?

SENTENCED TO DEATH

They died innocent, to victims of The Okhrana or your Russian Czar...

...because they weren't smart enough to keep their thoughts to themselves!

My friend!

My friend!

I owe you an explanation.

I must see you again.

You haven't fallen with this fellow, have you.

My friend! I owe you an explanation and must see you again.

Come tomorrow at 4:00 to

...a glass of real Russian tea with the woman you saved —.

Parkstrasse 24.

DIARY AS LIFESAVER

...so that you will cry no more!

I am so happy – so happy -!

I, too...

From Russia?

In memory of my father and my brother

they died victims of the Czarist Okhrana...

But, is there nothing at all that you want.

EIGHT O'CLOCK EVENING EDITION

Final Edition -!

Make me a gift of this evening.

I'll pick you up at 9 o'clock We'll do to Danielli's – all right -?

Wear at forever will bring you luck!

At 12 o'clock sharp everyone is at his post...

Danielli.

Go immediately to J – H.

Pay Jellusič the price demanded.

In exchange for all the mobilisation plans in his possession.

On condition

that he crosses the border tonight.

You will not return home, but will report to me immediately. H.

The condition is

that you have to cross the border tonight...

night is still young, my lovely Sonja

and you had promised...

He's waiting for the documents...

A farewell kiss, beautiful Sonja -!

A cavalier does not betray his lady.

Drive home!

Are you satisfied now -?!

So you love the young man -?

Your house has been cleared out

you shall live at headquarters

and not leave your room without my permission —.

If the Barranikowa woman had not, once again, been warned in time,

would have raided her house tonight...

You are hardly the first to have fallen into the trap of this master spy...

Nothing must deter a man.

From the path of duty

not even a woman.

Why don't you go home, my child?

Please – let me stay here.

Don't send me away again

I won't take up more any space Than a little dog -!

Have I offended you? Must I leave again?

For the fellow early this morning,

he had already decamped without a trace!

I show you pictures of all the people suspected of being spies.

That were taken over the last month...

Colonel Jellusič left this morning at 2:40 on the Orient Express.

Opera Ball 13 Poste Restante, Main Post.

I'll have this man watched By one of our agents as soon as he arrives...

A plane leaves in 45 minutes that will arrive down there.

Two hours after the Orient Express!

The Secret Service

reserves two seats

on the Aero-Orient Express.

People like Jellusič can be had for money.

If I offer him enough

he'll betray those who are paying.

Jellusič has to be put out of commission.

Denounce him as a spy to his Commander in Chief.

At General Headquarters!

Good evening, Mr. Jellusič, ,

So you don't deny...

You are granted one last request, Mr. Jellusič...

I beg – in all humility – for...

Surveillance Report Re: Signing of the Japanese Secret Agreement.

Location: The small conference room at the Japanese Embassy.

Time: 5:30am.

Present: The two treaty parties and Chief of Secret Service Dr Matsumoto.

The Embassy will be subject to The most stringed security measures.

I shall have this treaty my hands tonight!

Gentlemen!

One of these envelopes contains the most important treaty

Japan has signed in a century.

You'll take three different routes to Tokyo.

Whoever does not deliver his letter with its seal unbroken

is not worthy of being Japanese.

Whose blood am to wear around my neck, Haghi?

I have called you, Sonja,

In order to clear things up

between you and me...

Where is he?

He's trying to trace you through Jellusič.

SUDDEN DEATH OF COLONEL M.O. JELLUSIČ

As we learned after press time,

Jellusič, colonel extraordinaire at General Headquarters,

has died of a heart attack shortly after returning from a holiday.

20000 pounds... in new bank notes

with consecutive serial numbers!

A blank telegram, please!

Find out immediately to whom the State Bank has issued notes.

In denominations of one thousand.

From number 52H 0319726 to 0319745 STOP.

Return by next plan.

A special operator call.

What? The bank note numbers?!

You have to make up your Are you on my side.

You still don't seem to know what I am capable of!

I have other irons in the fire.

I will come back, my child the house shall be yours

you will live there as a little princess.

I have to leave, Kitty!

But not so fast! Not so fast!

Just a few more hours -!

A few meagre hours -!

Don't you see that I will die If you leave me!?

As surely as I shall win this battle, Sonja, I shall defeat him...

Do you nevertheless stick to your decision.

And how long are you planning to keep me prisoner?

Until one of us is the victor, Sonja — He or I!

No. 326 has sent us a radiogram that falls into your field of expertise...

Read it for yourself!

This matter has to be taken care of before No. 326 returns!

Find out immediately to whom the State Bank has issued.

Notes in denomination of The thousand

from number 52/H 0319726 to 0319745 STOP Return by next plane.

So I'll come to your dressing room with No. 326 tonight!

I'll take care of the postal censorship!

You see to it borders are closed!

If the treaty falls into the wrong hands, war in the East is all but declared!

It's the last car -

and will happen in the tunnel -

if No. 326 falls into the trap.

I have told you, Sonja, you will be free When one of us two man triumphs.

It is I who have been conquered! Because you need me!

No one but you is skillful enough

to bring the photos of the treaty across the closed border.

Do me this one last service

and the road to the man you love will be open.

You swear that he will be safe from you the future if I say yes.

I believe they'll use a foreigner to take the stolen treaty across the border...

And the sudden departure of the Russian courier is,

at the very least, suspicious...

The more so now that 719 has determined

that the bank notes for Jellusič also came from Russian hands...

Unfortunately I cannot leave here Without destroying my cover

and jeopardising my work as No.719

but in any event I have reserved the sleeping compartment

next to that of the Russian courier.

Around 6am you will cross the border

that is the decisive moment!

I almost forgot what I found the other day...

The last car of the express train

crashed in the tunnel —.

You wretch!!

Did Haghi send you to make sure that his damned plan was successful?

You don't intend to betray us, do you, you scoundrel —?

Attention, HQ! Attention, HQ.

Attention, HQ! Attention, HQ.

Attention, HQ! Attention, HQ!

No. 326 is alive Sonja has betrayed us.

We wish to talk to Director Haghi.

Gentlemen, what could the police Be looking for here??

A criminal — and the proof of his crime!

I order you to hand over the keys to all of the bank safes!

If the bank is not vacated 15 minutes of receiving this note,

and the police have not withdrawn completely,

the woman you love, whom I hold in my power, will die.

You have 14 minutes to live, Sonja!

If he chooses not to obey me!

People's lives in danger.

The bank must be searched Within 13 minutes

and Haghi's secret room found. Do you understand? —.

Burn all papers... dynamite the safes...

In 10 minutes the bank will be filled with gas!

Soon, Sonja, you will know all about the secrets of death...

Take with you a secret from my life!

The bank has been searched right down to its foundations.

There is no trace of a secret exit.

Where is Haghi?

10,000 MARKS REWARD!

Has anyone seen the man pictured above, Bank Director Haghi, since midday today?

Anyone providing information Leading to his arrest,

shall receive the aforementioned reward.

REWARD

Not even a mouse would be able To leave the city – he must be here.

There's a small error... I want to report...

It's just that... the numbers on the thousand-pound notes

for which I have to deliver a receipt...

the telegram contains different numbers...!

No. 719 has switched the telegrams! Nemo the Clown is Haghi!!

Mr. Conductor, please – a little music -!

Curtain -!!