Original subtitles

...together with major contributions...

by many others, present:

A film in 13 parts with an epilogue, based on the novel by Alfred Döblin.

So now it's little Franz's turn.

Mieze!

Oh, yes! You promised. We agreed...

that I would wash you from head to foot.

And you said that maybe I could wash your whole shoulder, too.

I just said that, Mieze. I didn't mean it.

When you say something, you have to stick to it.

All right, then, if you must.

Mieze!

What's up?

Stop it, Mieze!

- Aren't I doing a good job? - Sure you are.

You're just so thorough.

One has to be.

There!

Tell me,

are you all doing something again...

- with Pums? Another job? - Why?

I just thought I'd ask.

No idea. Maybe.

No!

No, stop it, Mieze! That's enough, please!

It tickles.

Since when don't you like being tickled?

Not like that!

You usually like it when it tickles.

It's the first time I've been washed by a woman. It's strange.

It's a new experience for you.

Say,

why don't you take me along when you meet those guys...

or when you go to your bar?

Because it's nothing for you.

I don't want you to mix with scum like that.

Why not?

If you can mix with them,

I can mix with them.

Besides, I'd like to get to know...

the people you hang about with.

Take me along sometime, Franz.

Please!

OK. If you want to.

Come on! Scratch my back! It itches.

Further down!

To the left a little!

No. Further left! That's right.

No. Further right again!

Down a bit!

Yes!

That's it.

Harder! Harder!

Ouch!

Now I've hurt you, haven't I?

A little pain can't do any harm.

Maybe it's a good thing sometimes.

The girl is unbelievably gentle,

and everything is so clean in her room,

with flowers and ribbons, just like a little girl's.

Franz, stop it!

Hey!

Well, my dear,

this is the thieves' den I always come to.

Hello, Biberkopf!

Hello!

Hello, there!

- Hi, Max! - Hello!

This is Mieze.

She just had to see your joint once before she dies.

Well, here it is.

How do you do?

Hello!

Don't overdo it, Maxie! It'll only go to her head.

Sometimes you just have to ignore him.

It's a real pleasure to meet you.

Thank you.

Mieze!

This is Meck.

He used to be my closest buddy.

He's the only one out of this bunch...

who's basically OK - apart from Maxie, of course.

You can confide in Meck if you ever have a problem.

When all's said and done, he's OK.

Hello!

Hello!

My name's Mieze.

Mieze...

It's a pretty name,

Mieze...

and not very common.

Franz gave me the name.

My real name's Sonia,

but Franz gave me a different name.

Now I'm Mieze.

Give me a Kümmel with a beer, Maxie! What about you?

A glass of wine.

OK, give her a drop of wine if you have a good one.

Something sweet.

She's fond of sweet things.

She doesn't think she's sweet enough herself,

she has to eat sweet things, too.

He's running round again full of himself...

and showing off with his woman.

As if there were anything special about it!

She was pretty revolting the other day,

blubbering when Franz beat her.

But...

maybe I'll take her away from him yet.

- Here you go! - Thanks.

I hope you like it.

- I'm sure I will. - Yes.

Let's sit down!

Cheers!

Cheers!

- Give me another one, Max! - OK.

Bruno, come over here!

What does he want?

Why has he brought her along today?

He's never brought her here before.

No idea.

Ask him yourself if you really want to know!

Take a look at the elegant guy at the table back there.

That's Pums.

Which one?

My God! The one sitting with Reinhold.

Reinhold's not sitting at the table. He's standing at the bar.

OK, so Reinhold's not sitting at the table.

You mean the distinguished guy with the grey temples?

Yeah, that's who I mean.

Hi, Franz!

Hi, Reinhold!

Good evening, miss.

The last time we saw each other,

things weren't so amusing.

But you've...

recovered quite nicely, I must say.

Well,

it looked a lot worse than it was.

I'm glad to hear it.

Say, how about a rematch,

a little game, huh?

OK, if you want.

Go over to Meck for a while, baby.

We've a game to play.

That'll only bore you.

And Meck can tell a good story. Go over to him!

OK, let's get started!

Here I am again.

But if I'm disturbing you, I'll go.

What makes you think that?

On the contrary,

you'd never disturb me.

Thank you.

One thing I don't understand, though,

is that he sends you to me.

He hasn't spoken with me in ages.

Yes...

I don't understand that either.

When he talks about old times,

he always speaks very well of you...

and says he likes you.

I don't know anything.

I've no idea...

what kind of problems...

there may have been,

or may not have been.

To be honest, I know nothing about Franz.

I just love him.

I'm happy for Franz that you love him.

He deserves it.

Franz is a good guy.

Despite having messed up so much in his life,

basically...

he's a good guy.

Just look...

how hard he tries with his one arm.

Yes,

that one arm.

Yes,

that one arm.

By the way, Pums is planning something new.

Yeah? Do you know what it is exactly?

No, but we'll soon find out.

It won't take long.

There!

I'm sorry!

You weren't up to scratch today.

One day I'll manage...

to win a game even with just one arm.

Come on, Mieze!

See you some other time, Reinhold.

Yes, I'll see you sometime.

I must see that chick alone once.

And what's that got to do with me?

You must set it up.

He introduced her to you,

and she trusts you now.

I don't think she likes me so much.

I'm not helping you with a dirty trick like that.

- No way! - You really won't?

Part 12: The Serpent in the Soul of the Serpent

Should I tell Pums where the missing mink coat went last time?

Do you really think that would be better?

I must go to the bathroom. I'll be right back.

May I?

Of course.

Thanks.

You said just now...

that you know nothing about Franz.

Well, I was thinking...

if you'd like to, we could get together sometime and...

That's very friendly of you,

really very friendly.

When you live with a guy,

but don't know much about him...

Well... You know what I mean?

Sure I do.

When...

when could we get together?

When?

Well,

tomorrow...

I can't.

The day after tomorrow... No, that's not certain either.

But Monday...

On Monday at two.

And I'll say...

Well,

I'll think of something.

OK. Monday at two.

Near your place, round the corner in Clemensstrasse.

I have a black car. It'll be parked there.

I'll be waiting for you.

So, you've made friends already?

That was quick.

Oh, I'm sorry.

She's a nice girl,

a real nice girl,

and I think she's just right for you.

That's my business...

and nobody else's.

Was he bothering you?

No, not at all. I think he's really very nice.

Yeah, he is really.

It would have surprised me.

No, no. Meck...

is a guy you can rely on.

Cheers!

Monday, September 1st, 1928.

You haven't said a word for half an hour again.

What's the matter?

You know very well...

that's the meanest thing you can do to me,

simply not speaking with me.

Say something!

Say, "One, two, three," or, "It's a long way to America,"

or, "Alone at night is no one's delight," or something.

Why do you stare out of the window all day?

Anyone can stand there saying nothing.

My mother always did that,

when I'd done something she didn't like.

She simply didn't speak with me.

Once it went on for 20 days. I nearly died.

And I didn't know what it was all about.

I always feel so alone when you're away.

Every time it's two to three days.

I never know...

what to do with myself all on my own.

I don't want to be with others either.

I just don't understand it.

I've come back to you every time.

Besides, you should be pleased when I go away.

You can do what you like then.

Don't you ever feel the need for another girl?

It's unnatural.

Any normal man would be interested in another woman sometime,

even if he loves the one he's with.

Suddenly he meets a girl whose hair's a different colour,

or what do I know?

It's not normal...

if you're not interested in anything else at all.

It's my job, after all.

Sometimes he wants to go away with me.

He has a conference somewhere or whatever.

It's boring for me, too, lying around all day in the hotel,

but that's how things are.

One thing I can tell you, though:

if you don't say something,

something nice, before I leave, then I'm not leaving.

You've just got to say something.

Come on! Say something!

Anything!

"Silent night, holy night; all is calm, all is bright..."

"I am small, my heart is pure..."

"Siegesmund can't help it if he's handsome.

"Siegesmund can't help it if he's loved..."

"From heaven high I hail, and bring you a new tale."

That's mean.

That's so mean!

Do you still love me?

I must go. I'm late already.

I look forward to coming back again.

See you!

"Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!

"What lovely dream there hangs on thee."

"What are you up to with your knee, my dear Franz,

"with your knee, my dear Franz, when you dance?"

"Who will weep when saying goodbye,

"when another stands at the corner nearby?"

"Where should I turn...

"when grief and pain oppress me?

"To whom shall I tell of my delight,

"when with joy my heart...

"takes flight?

"To You, to You,

"O, Father,

"in pain...

"and suffering..."

Ah, it's really nice when you tell me about Franz.

It's really nice.

Where are we actually going?

I thought we'd go to Freienwalde.

It's lovely there.

What, Freienwalde?

I was there only recently with Franz.

Were you?

Yes, after we had that fight.

To celebrate making up again.

But I don't mind going there.

Really!

It's a good place for me.

Tell me more about Franz.

Please, please!

It's so exciting...

to hear all these things, when I knew so little before.

At least I know something now...

and... maybe I'll get to know more.

Then I'll know who Franz really is.

I love him so much.

Oh, I see!

That's how it is.

That's why you wanted to see me.

And then you say you like Franz...

and you're a friend of his.

Don't get me wrong, Miss Mieze.

I think it's in your interest in the long run,

and in Franz's too.

Are you telling me the truth, Meck?

Yes.

It's the truth.

I believe you.

Maybe you're right.

There is a reaper whose name is Death, with power from Almighty God.

He whets his knife; it cuts much better now.

Hello!

Come and join me!

This is Miss Mieze, Reinhold. You know each other, don't you?

We've met briefly,

very briefly.

It's my pleasure, miss.

I was just saying to Meck how lovely it is out here.

You like it here, too?

Oh, yes. It's one of the loveliest places...

within easy reach of Berlin.

Shall we sit down?

I'm very pleased...

you've come.

I was really looking forward...

to meeting you.

I really was...

Very much.

Thanks for the bouquet.

Even if they're not straight, I've a soft spot for compliments.

Afterwards we can take a stroll...

in the woods if you like.

We can chat a bit and walk...

Ah, it's lovely out here in the woods.

I've been here with Franz.

We love going for a walk out here.

I see.

You've been here before with Franz.

Yes, I've been here before with Franz.

I'd like my big ice-cream sundae, with fruit...

and lots of cream.

Like last time, madam?

Yes, just like last time. The ice-cream sundae was very good.

- And you, sir? - Just a cup of coffee.

No cake, nothing, thanks.

Well,

here we are.

Just tell us what you'd like...

to talk about, Miss Mieze.

I'm quite fond of a little...

chat now and then.

Oh, I don't mind.

You talk and talk, but what you talk about...

doesn't really matter.

The main thing is you're happy...

and enjoy life.

Funny,

right now I feel real wise, like a preacher or...

a politician or something.

Strange, isn't it?

Yes,

very strange.

Is there a Mr Meck here? A call for Mr Meck!

That's for me.

Just a minute! I'll be right back.

Do you really have to resort to such stupid tricks, Mr Reinhold?

You never know in advance whether you'll need tricks or not.

Usually they're necessary. Sometimes, thank God, they're not.

And that's how I prefer it.

I far prefer that, Miss Mieze.

With me, Mr Reinhold,

you don't need any tricks.

You can talk straight with me. Do you understand?

With me you can,

if you know how,

talk straight.

OK?

I'm afraid I can't join you on your walk.

I have to wait here for a call.

An important decision's being made today.

Oh, what a pity!

A stroll out here is lovely.

Am I right, Mr Reinhold?

I agree entirely.

A stroll out here is one of the nicest things imaginable.

The trees do not cease to sing.

It is a long sermon.

To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose beneath the heavens:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant and to pluck what is planted.

To everything there is a season:

a time to kill and to heal, to break down and build up;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to rend and to sew; a time to keep silence, and to speak.

For everything there's a season.

That's how I know...

there's nothing more beautiful than being happy.

There's nothing finer under the sun than laughing...

and being happy.

It is dangerous to walk too long without speaking.

You've got scars all over your hand,

and you're tattooed.

Are you tattooed on your chest, too?

Sure.

Want to see?

Why do you have yourself tattooed?

It depends where, miss.

So I can imagine.

I knew a guy once before Franz...

The things he had tattooed on him!

You can't imagine it.

It hurts,

but it's nice.

Would you like to see, miss?

Cover yourself up again, Mr Reinhold.

Take a good look!

Kiss it! You must kiss it.

Let go of me!

Don't make such a fuss!

I'm going.

I haven't done anything.

I'm buttoning up my shirt again.

My God!

You must have seen a man before, surely!

You've messed up my hair.

And you hurt me.

It was just a second, just...

a tiny moment.

"There are sometimes moments in life..."

You didn't have to grab my head.

Stop grousing, Mieze!

Shall we make up again?

All right,

but behave yourself, then.

It's a deal.

That wasn't so terrible.

Our bark is worse...

than our bite.

Why do you have an anvil there?

Some guys have a naked woman or a heart or something.

But an anvil!

What do you think?

Nothing.

I don't know.

No idea.

It's...

my coat of arms.

An anvil?

Sure.

Because someone has to lie down on it.

You're a swine!

Why didn't you have a bed put there instead?

I think an anvil's closer to the truth.

Are you...

the blacksmith?

That, too, a little.

The likes of us are everything.

But you don't understand that yet...

about the anvil, Mieze.

No one should get too close to me,

or there's trouble.

You're all like that in Pums' gang, huh?

Maybe.

Maybe one or the other,

or maybe another one and yet another, too.

Who knows?

What do you guys do exactly?

Oh, Mieze, ask your Franz!

He knows just as well as I do.

He doesn't tell me anything.

He just doesn't tell me anything.

It's...

just as well,

and above all it's wise.

Keeping your mouth shut...

is always the best thing.

Yes, but he could tell me.

Why won't he tell me?

My God, what do you want to know, girl?

What you guys do.

Do I get a kiss?

If you tell me.

To everything there is a season:

a time to plant and to pluck up;

a time to get, and a time to lose.

I can't breathe!

Let go of me! Stop it!

It's so hot. Not so tight!

You'll kill me!

Let go of me, Reinhold!

You're crazy!

Get away from me!

You need a cold shower!

It's stupid! You get your pants dirty here.

Wait, I'll take off my jacket.

Help me!

Oh, that's very nice of you.

Tell me something.

He soaks it up obliviously: sheer bliss, lust?

Wild abandon: every movement is preordained.

And let no one come to stop anything here,

or there'll be a rupture,

such as no hurricane or rockfall can hinder.

It is a cannonball, a mine flying through the air,

smashing through anything in its path, thrusting it aside.

On it goes, further and further.

Not so tight, Reinhold!

Mieze!

Yes, Reinhold?

What are you sizing me up for?

Nothing.

I was just considering...

what you're doing to me.

Tell me one thing:

how long have you known Franz?

Your Franz?

Yes.

Is he still yours?

Who else's?

And who am I?

What do you mean?

Yes. Who am I?

OK, Reinhold,

just let go of me!

Say, my girl,

what do you really want?

Nothing.

To be with you.

Well,

doesn't that make me yours, then?

Yes...

Reinhold, tell me about Franz!

You've known him so long.

I can't tell you anything.

Yes, you can.

I'm not saying anything.

No, I don't want to.

Don't be so stubborn!

Let me get up! Everything's getting dirty.

And if I were to tell you something?

That would be great.

What would I get then, Mieze?

Whatever you want.

Everything?

Everything?

You're lying so heavily on me again.

All right.

Then I'll tell you something about your Franz.

Last winter, when he was still selling newspapers,

that was when I met him.

Yeah.

Then... there was that business with the broads.

Is that really true?

You bet it is!

But that was my idea.

He can't brag about that.

It was my idea.

Don't imagine he set me up with a single one of them.

Him and his broads!

No, thank you!

If he'd had his way...

we'd have gone to the Salvation Army,

for me to mend my ways.

You wouldn't mend your ways.

No.

You see:

there's no helping me.

You have to take me as I am.

You, though, you're a cute little thing.

Why do you have to pick a guy like that,

with one arm,

when you could have ten for every finger?

Hey, cut the baloney!

Well,

love may be blind in both eyes,

but that beats everything.

He wanted to send me to the sinners' bench. Me!

But he didn't pull it off,

your Franz.

And that's what he still is: your Franz.

He's still your Franz.

He still is, isn't he?

Don't knock Franz like that.

I can't stand it. Do you understand?

I can't bear it when people knock Franz like that.

Tickle-ickle-ickle.

I know he's your Franz,

your dear Franz. I'm aware of that.

That shouldn't bother you.

It doesn't.

Didn't he ever tell you...

about his arm?

No.

But you're his doll.

At least, you were.

Come here, Mieze!

What do you want with him,

with a jerk like that?

Don't try that number with me!

Be glad you're rid of him!

What am I supposed to be glad about?

Now...

he can whine.

Now he's got no Mieze anymore.

Don't squeeze me so hard. I'm not made of iron.

No, you're made of flesh,

lovely, firm flesh.

Come on, Mieze!

I told you before not to squeeze me so tight.

And don't get any dumb ideas.

"Your Mieze" indeed! How stupid...

Why are you screaming?

Am I doing anything?

Shut up!

He left you in one piece.

Be careful! With me it's different.

I won't scream.

So much the better.

OK...

now beat it!

I don't assault women.

In all my life, I've never done that.

But don't get me riled up either. Do you understand?

That's the way.

Getting on her high horse! And she's just a cripple's whore.

I thought as much.

You're just a dirty, little swine.

What did you say?

I said you're just a dirty, little swine.

I don't think you realise...

who you're talking to.

Maybe you can talk to your jerk like that.

When you want to slaughter a calf, you tie a rope around its neck,

lead it to the block, lift the calf up,

lay it on the block and bind it fast.

I...

I'm not sure what I should do.

Lie down!

Me?

And don't start screaming again!

I like you,

otherwise I wouldn't have come here.

And don't play games with me!

That never did anyone any good,

not man, woman or child. I'm sensitive about that.

Just ask your Franz.

Maybe he can tell you something if he's not too shy.

Or I could tell you,

so you'll know who he is and...

where you stand when you get involved with me.

Once I had him in a car, your Franz,

back then, after one of our raids.

And he goes on and on with that bunk...

about what a damn decent guy he is.

I didn't know what to do with him.

He's got such a big mouth and keeps bugging me.

Then I see this car behind us,

and I think:

"OK, my boy, with all your decency..."

And, bam, he flies out of the car!

So,

now you know where he lost his arm.

You murderer...!

Swine!

You see,

now you'll fall in line.

You bastard!

You wanted to kill him.

It was you who made him so unhappy.

You swine, and now you want me.

Yes, I want you.

I spit on you, you swine, you, you...

Help! Murderer!

Franz, come here!

Your Franz will enjoy this.

It'll keep him busy a whole week.

I want to go.

Yes, you want to go.

You're not the first one to want to go.

You lured me here...

to pump me for information.

And now,

now you yell "murderer!"...

because now you know the things you just had to know.

OK, so now you know.

My name is Reinhold...

...his season...

to be born and to die,

to be born and to die...

for everything.

Fury: Fury is a reaper...

with power from Almighty God.

End of part 12, with

Subtitles: Peter + Waltraut Green