Original subtitles

No! Help! Help!

No!

So you're still determined to go to this town, Doctor?

See. That's the kind of welcome you get. Death.

I'd like my 50 crowns now, Doctor. This is as far as I go.

I'm sorry but I'm too afraid.

I only brought you because I need the money.

It's just a little further to the inn through that arch.

You won't have any trouble finding it. It's the only one in town.

When a place is as bad as this, it's been cursed, I tell you.

Nobody ever comes down here.

Go back, Doctor, before it's too late.

Hey!

Giddy-up.

I'm looking for the inn. Can you tell me where it is?

It's over there, sir.

I'm looking for the Inspector.

Inspector Kruger.

Yes. You must be the coroner.

Coroners are never welcome around these parts.

Hold your tongue!

- Dr Eswai? - Yes.

This way, please. The Inspector is waiting for you.

Enough!

I told you all I know about Irena Hollander.

I didn't even know her, Inspector.

You're like all the others here - didn't see or hear a thing.

Why do you all say the same nonsense?

What do you take me for? Some idiot?

Why can't you speak up?

What keeps your tongue tied? Are you afraid?

What are you afraid of? Tell me why!

A charm to ward off evil.

That's what keeps you from speaking.

Superstition and ignorance.

But I'll get out of you what you know about Irena Hollander.

You'll see!

It's about time you came.

- I've been worried about you. - I left as soon as I heard from you.

But it's not an easy place to reach, Inspector Kruger.

We might as well live on the moon. Hardly anyone comes our way.

This is Karl, the burgermeister.

That's all for now but wait downstairs with the others.

How long have you been in town?

I arrived the day before yesterday.

I need your assistance with a very serious matter.

Read this letter.

It was written by Irena Hollander,

a young girl employed as a maid in a local villa.

Baroness Grape' villa.

"I cannot take it any longer. Now I must speak out and break away

"from the ring of murder around me.

"Please come at once, since I feel the next one to die is me.

"Irena Hollander."

When that letter was delivered to the police,

I set out at once to talk to her. To see if she was telling the truth.

But when I got here, the poor woman was dead.

- She'd fallen on the spikes of her gate. - Homicide?

I don't know yet.

They want me to believe it was an accident.

But that letter suggests otherwise.

That's what you're here to establish, Doctor, by performing an autopsy.

Burgermeister, we will resume the interrogation later.

No one is to leave town.

What have you discovered so far, Inspector?

It's like running headlong into a wall of silence.

They're afraid of everything. They're afraid of my inquest.

It's as if they live in fear for their lives.

I suppose we must make allowances for their distrust of any strangers.

You are the first legal authority they've ever seen.

Their only creed is superstition.

Earlier they were rushing a coffin to the cemetery...

- What? When? - Just now, as I arrived.

I know what that means.

They want to prevent an autopsy being done on Irena Hollander.

Please, Doctor, we must hurry.

Rufus, Hans, stop!

What's the meaning of this? Who gave you the order to bury her?

Didn't I tell you not to?

The Doctor came here especially to perform an autopsy first.

Shouldn't touch the dead. It's against nature.

Take her to the mortuary.

- How soon can you begin, Doctor? - Immediately.

But I need a witness with the proper qualifications.

It's customary and I must insist.

I told you to take the corpse inside. At once.

I have already found you the right witness.

Inspector...

Inspector Kruger, I've been sent by the burgermeister.

Come back to the inn right now, he says.

Those men you wanted to question have all run away.

He says he must speak to you right away.

Very well, tell him I'll come.

You can go ahead, Doctor. Join me when you're done.

OK.

Herr Karl.

Herr Karl.

- Why did they all leave? - I'm sorry.

I couldn't help it.

I tried to reason with them to stay a little longer,

but once it got wind that you were interfering with the burial...

they ran away.

Evidently, my dear sir, you have no authority with your citizens.

You're wrong. It's not a question of authority.

Inspector, I beg you. Don't let the doctor perform an autopsy.

You too, Karl.

You can't touch the body of Irena Hollander.

I was hoping you would cooperate.

You and the others are trying to keep the truth from me.

No.

Inspector Kruger, I feel the time has come to explain.

This silence is not a conspiracy.

They are not trying to protect anyone...

...but himself because he's scared.

And I am not ashamed to tell you

that I, too, am scared...

...at what I must be risking here.

As I reveal to you...

...the secret of Villa Grape.

- Villa Grape? - It may sound unbelievable.

I know if you insist on the laws of science,

you'd find it hard to believe.

But I'm sure that Irena Hollander

didn't die of either an accident or a murder.

Dr Eswai?

I'm Monica Schuftan.

The Inspector told me I was needed as a witness.

Well... I wanted a physician to help me.

I study Natural Sciences at Grottenburg.

No one else could be of any use to you here.

You're from here then?

Yes, I was born here.

But I went away when I was one year old.

Oddly enough, I came home for the first time on the day she died.

Have you ever witnessed an autopsy?

No, never.

I can't explain it.

How can anyone have put a coin into her heart?

People have a saying like that here.

A very old saying that goes back centuries.

They say that only with a coin in the heart,

will one who suffers a violent death ever rest in peace.

Even so, we still can't prove whether it was an accident or suicide.

But that coin.

Who could have wanted to put it in the girl's heart?

- And why? - Don't think about it, Monica.

Let's leave it to Inspector Kruger. He'll find out the truth.

I hope he does soon.

Well, I don't go any further. I'm staying here.

At Frau Morgan's place.

Monica, I don't want to sound curious,

but why did you come back here?

If you want to know, I came to visit my parents' graves.

I never knew them but I was left a small inheritance

and that's what I used to live on, you see.

Thank you, Monica. I think you're a very brave young lady.

Thank you.

- And now I should say goodnight. - Goodnight, Monica.

I warned you once not to profane dead bodies, Doctor.

Anybody who does, will pay with his life.

You should have listened.

You should have let us bury that girl.

Why didn't you?

Stop!

Doctor.

Doctor.

The Inspector's gone to Villa Grape because it was urgent, he said.

He went out over an hour ago. He left you a message upstairs.

Did he tell you when he'd be back?

You don't come back from Villa Grape.

What? What makes you say that?

I didn't say so. I didn't say it.

No, I swear. I never said it.

You'll find your supper ready in your room upstairs, Doctor.

No, no! Not to me.

- I didn't say so! - What is it, Nadienne?

- I saw her face at the window. - You saw her, Nadienne?

- What's wrong? - The child has seen her.

She's after our daughter and now there's no help for her.

I'll get Ruth. Maybe she can help her.

Fetch her right away. Go and fetch her. Run!

You were looking for me, weren't you?

I sensed that you needed me.

"Dear Dr Eswai,

"Burgermeister Karl has told me something that strikes me as incredible.

"I feel it is my duty to go to Villa Grape

"since only the Baroness herself can confirm the story.

"Join me there as soon as you can. Inspector Kruger."

Don't be afraid, Nadienne. It won't happen.

The curse will not fall on you.

Take off her blouse.

Death.

Where you can find no door, you will come no more.

Lift your hand from her flesh and her blood.

Keep away.

Keep away.

Keep away.

I heard her. She's here. I heard her.

- She's waiting to punish me. - Don't say that, Nadienne.

I swear I heard her.

This will protect you.

Don't remove it.

I've finished.

No, go out this way so no one sees you.

I witnessed your sorcery.

Why did you cast a spell on her?

If you'd only help me. Surely you know a lot about this town.

Why do they call you to practise your magic?

What are they afraid of?

A terrible curse hangs over these people.

Be careful. You're in danger too.

Irena Hollander was driven to her death.

- What drove her? - Go away, Doctor.

It's something your science cannot explain.

The Inspector must be warned, all the same.

If you value your lives, leave tonight. Don't go on with this inquest.

Inspector Kruger is at Villa Grape looking for information.

A thorough, level-headed man like him can't be held back by superstition.

He'll uncover the truth.

Which way is it to the villa? He wants me to join him there as soon as I can.

Don't go there, Doctor. Take my advice. Don't set foot in that place.

You all speak of this villa as though you were afraid to mention it by name.

That's another mystery I want to clear up.

Villa Grape is there.

One moment.

Can you tell me anything about this coin?

I found it today in Irena Hollander's heart.

I was hoping you would help me to understand.

I told you, I don't know anything.

Go to the house if you like.

But it's not too late to turn back.

Thank you. I hope to see you again.

If you ever make it out of that villa.

Oh, Karl. My dearest.

What is it?

We've another one.

It's a chain of bloodshed that there's no use trying to break.

At Villa Grape

you find death.

Yes, you find death.

And only death can put an end to it.

But hurry, Karl. Order a car to fetch this tonight.

He must be buried before the sun rises

and the weight of the earth keeps him there forever.

They'll never make you one of them.

You'll rest in peace.

Kruger!

Inspector Kruger!

What do you want?

Excuse me. I'm looking for Kruger.

- Inspector Kruger. - There is no inspector here.

But the Inspector left this evening. to call on Baroness Grape.

I am Baroness Grape and I should know.

No one ever pays me a call or a visit here.

- Now, go away. - No, wait.

Get out of my sight or you'll be sorry.

No... No!

Leave me in peace.

Hello.

Tell me, what's your name?

Melissa. My name is Melissa.

Melissa!

Melissa!

No... no, no!

Frau Morgan, open the door!

What do you want?

Please, Frau Morgan, I'm frightened. Please, open the door.

Go away. I don't want you near me.

You should never have touched that dead girl.

Paul!

What are you doing here, Monica?

- I was coming to see you. - What's wrong?

I had a nightmare.

I got scared. I couldn't stay there anymore.

The nightmare was brought on by the autopsy, that's all.

The rope isn't moving.

Paul, take me away. Take me away from here.

See? It was the wind.

No, Doctor. It wasn't the wind.

It was hate that moved it.

It always rings like that when anyone is marked for dying.

Ever since she bled to death.

Who?

A 7 year old girl.

She tried to pull the rope with that bell to summon help.

Her name was Melissa.

Melissa?

Look, this young lady needs a room for the night. Please see to it right away.

By the way, is Inspector Kruger back?

No, I haven't seen him.

Martha!

Martha, run upstairs and make sure a room is ready for this young lady.

Yes, right away.

Paul, did you realise what he said?

It wasn't the wind that made that bell toll.

Monica, you can't really think that.

Something in this town is supernatural.

Even the church has been deconsecrated.

People appear to have no faith.

No, they're just poor and superstitious.

Your room is ready.

Goodnight, Monica.

Goodnight, Paul. And thank you.

Nadienne.

Nadienne, what's wrong? You're burning with fever.

How do you feel?

What are you doing here? Leave her alone. It's none of your business.

Isn't she suffering enough? Don't you dare touch her!

A leech vine!

What have you done? Are you insane?

Do you want to kill the child?

Fools. This sorcery is nonsense.

She could have bled to death with that around her.

My daughter is going to die anyway.

Nothing can save her.

Hold your tongue! Don't frighten her.

There's no danger, Nadienne. You're going to be well very soon.

It's all right. Don't worry.

They've chosen me... They've chosen me.

They've chosen me!

I know it. I can't be saved.

I know it.

She's been in shock and her pulse is irregular.

What shall we do?

The best thing is to let her rest. I'll give her a sedative.

I left my bag upstairs. Come with me please.

Give this to Nadienne when she wakes up,

- but no more than twenty drops. - I will.

- Call me at once if she needs me. - Yes, thank you, Doctor.

"Furthermore, I feel the official report should include

"what burgermeister Karl told the undersigned Inspector Kruger,

"after much hesitation and with great reluctance.

"According to the burgermeister,

"the town lives in a nightmare under a curse

"which began with the death of a girl, Melissa Grape.

"Since then the inhabitants believe that this child returns among the living

"Incredible as it may seem, every person who has claimed to have seen her

"has died in mysterious circumstances

"which the local peasants attribute to the supernatural."

Come on, keep digging. We haven't much time.

Faster, faster!

Paul, I just saw a light in the cemetery.

- What's happening? - I know. I saw it too.

Perhaps it's Inspector Kruger.

He must have found something.

No, don't go out there.

It probably isn't Inspector Kruger.

What would he be doing there at this hour?

I don't know, but I'll find out.

Kruger.

No... No!

The burgermeister lives here.

Karl!

Herr Karl!

Yes, I'm here. Come in.

Come in, Doctor.

I've been waiting for you to call.

I've just found the corpse of Inspector Kruger in the cemetery.

I know. I had to take him there.

Somebody shot him in the head.

Don't raise your voice with me, Doctor. I didn't say I killed him.

You'll say he's a victim of the supernatural evil.

I bet he had a coin in his heart too.

Yes, but merely to keep his ghosts from committing crimes...

...like Melissa's.

Something that must seem far-fetched to a man in your position.

I read what you testified to Inspector Kruger.

Nobody will listen to the ridiculous legend.

I thought it was at first.

But then I learned that it's not a legend. It's the truth.

In the past few years,

more than ten persons in this town have met similar deaths.

All were in good health and carefree. They had no enemies.

Anyone here is in danger of the same fate, Doctor.

Listen to me, Eswai. Leave here as soon as you can.

And you, young lady, should leave too.

You shouldn't have come back to this town.

I was born here, and my parents are buried here.

The graves where you laid flowers are not where your parents are.

The Schuftans didn't have any children.

But that's impossible. It can't be true.

- You made that up. - I'll prove it to you.

The Schuftans placed certain documents in a sealed envelope in my keeping,

to be delivered to you if you ever returned.

The seals have never been broken.

The Schuftans were employed at Villa Grape.

As you will learn, Monica,

your fate too is linked to that villa.

I'll go and get those documents now.

As for you, Doctor,

the facts you're looking for can only be found at Villa Grape.

Do you think he's telling the truth?

Karl!

Karl!

Karl!

No... No!

Open the door!

Monica!

Monica!

- Monica! - I can't stand it anymore, Paul!

- I can't stand it anymore. - Get a hold of yourself.

- They're going to kill us all, Paul! - Calm down.

We have to get help from someone.

Come on.

Come outside.

The burgermeister is dead, you cowards.

You'll all be killed if you don't help each other.

Nobody is going to help us. They're too afraid to.

Let's go.

Murderer.

You've killed my child. Isn't that enough for you?

Go away. Go away.

You monster.

It's your fault that my daughter died. Go away!

Go or I'll kill you.

Come!

Monica!

Monica!

Where are you?

Monica... Monica!

Monica!

- What is it? - It's strange, Paul.

I came here as though I knew exactly where to find this passage.

I feel as though I've been here before.

Paul, I know I've never been in here,

but still this place seems very familiar to me somehow.

We're locked inside without a key!

We can't possibly break out.

Let's see if there's another exit.

This must be the Grape family tomb.

Melissa Grape.

Maybe we can get out through here.

No, it's impossible. It's far too high.

- Paul... - That's Melissa.

Melissa... Melissa.

My baby girl.

My daughter.

But what are you doing here?

You've no right disturbing my child.

Why have you come?

There's something going on in this town that's frightening us all.

These people deserve it.

They have always hated the Grape family.

They were the ones who let my little girl die.

It was twenty years ago.

There was a village festival. Everybody was drunk.

They trampled her with their horses.

She begged for help.

Begged desperately.

But they ignored her. They didn't want to be blamed.

And so she bled to death.

Animals!

Now come along.

Come and see.

Come.

I go to her room every night.

Look. This is where she used to play.

She was full of life.

She was such a happy, carefree little thing.

She liked to look at herself.

But she wasn't tall enough

so she had to stand on tiptoe to reach the mirror.

This was her favourite doll.

Nothing has been touched since Melissa arranged it.

These are her dolls. She had lots.

Melissa.

- Melissa. - Paul!

Paul!

Paul!

Paul!

No.

You've recovered, Dr Eswai.

You're lucky.

I found you in the park just in time.

You were delirious. You were walking to your death too.

The silver coin.

There's nothing else I can do for my poor Karl.

The silver in his heart will give him eternal peace.

I tried everything in my power to prevent his death.

I've dreaded this moment as long as I've known him.

I've loved you so much.

What's there for me to live for without you?

I'll avenge you, Karl.

Even if it costs me my life I will go to Villa Grape.

Monica... Where's Monica?

I'm afraid there's no hope for Monica.

She's Melissa's sister and also Baroness Grape' child.

Yes, Monica. You too are my baby girl.

I knew you would come back to me. Wait.

The Schuftans were only my servants.

It's I who provide for your education.

But if you really are my mother, why couldn't I stay with you?

Well, because it was dangerous in this villa.

I was afraid you'd be killed.

Here, Monica. You were only 2 years old then.

And this is your sister, Melissa.

After Melissa's accident

everyone else here died.

They were victims of her hate.

How could Melissa hate?

- She's dead and buried. - No!

No. You've seen her. She's still here.

She uses me to return to the living.

I am a medium and I possess supernatural powers.

I just can't control them when they come.

I am a victim of these irresistible forces.

Through me, they find the strength

that keeps them alive.

I know they are evil.

But I'm unable to stop them. I'm their slave.

They always force me to call them.

Not a word you say is true. I won't listen.

I must find Paul. Help me, I beg you.

Save yourself. Go away.

I know. They're coming now. I hear them. Ah!

Let's leave this villa.

I can't, Monica.

Run away. Run away, I tell you!

They want to get you too.

Melissa has waited for you for twenty years.

Run! Run for your life!

Melissa.

- Melissa! Melissa! - Stop!

Baroness Grape, you have killed for the last time.

I've made up my mind.

I have come to put an end to this bloodshed.

Ruth... you are inviting your own end.

You are destined to die in this villa.

Nothing matters to me anymore.

I'll break the curse.

No, that's beyond your sorcery.

- You'll die too. - I swore to avenge Karl.

You shouldn't have targeted him.

Your day has come. You're going to pay for what you did.

To him and all the other innocent victims.

- You are the cause of it all. - No.

You called Melissa from the dead,

to murder those you have hated

since your child died.

No, it's not my fault.

They make me do it.

It's not my fault. They make me do it.

With your powers you summoned Melissa

to possess and drive the people of this town to death.

You took away their free will. And they could not resist you.

But your evil power is coming to an end.

- You think so? - You're an insane killer!

You would even let her kill your daughter Monica.

Yes, I hate her too.

The Schuftans made off through a passage leading to the church.

They never thought Melissa would overtake them.

I hate you all.

You'll die. You will obey my will. All of you.

Monica!

Monica!

Monica! Monica!

Monica, let me in! Open the door!

Die, murderess.

And take your evil creatures with you!

Monica!

Now the nightmare is over.

The deadly chain

is finally broken.