All language subtitles for Jakob The Liar Eng

[ Man Narrating ]
Hitler goes to
a fortune-teller and asks,

"When will I die ?"

And the fortune-teller
replies,

"On a Jewish holiday."

Hitler then asks,
"How do you know that ?"

And she replies,
"Any day you die
will be a Jewish holiday."

[ Man #2 ]
Curfew in half an hour !

[ Narrator Continues ]
So you ask me as a Jew,

"How could you tell
a joke like that
at a time like that ?"

That's how we survived,

and those were some
of the things
that kept us going.

Everything else,
the Germans had taken.

They built high walls
covered in barbwire
to shut us in the ghetto.

We were isolated from
the rest of the world
for years without any news.

So we relied
on the little things--

a dark joke, a sunny day,

a hopeful rumor.

That's why I would go and sit
by the ghetto wall...

and look at the tree
where I first kissed Hannah.

And it was by that wall
that it all started.

With a single sheet
of newspaper.

[ Train Horn Blaring ]

[ Chattering ]

Mama ?
No !
It's too dangerous.

Mama ?
Where can she go ?
No !

Mama ?
Hurry. Run.

Please leave.
Go, go, go !

Darling !

We'll see you soon !
We love you, Lina !

- [ Man ]
Halt !
- [ Gasps ]

What are you doing there ?
Trying to escape
from the ghetto ?

Name !
Heym.
J-Jakob Heym.

Don't you know
it's punishable
by death for a Jew...

to be in the streets
after curfew ?

You're right.
Of course you're right.

One hundred percent correct.
But I don't think
the siren went off yet.

Oh, a smart Jew.
Go over there.

Present yourself to
the officer on duty...

and tell him you were out
after 8:00.

- But it's not 8:00.
- Are you arguing ?

- No.
- Go !

[ Man Shouting ]

û [ Swing ]

[ Women Singing ]
û Roll it out, roll it out
Roll out the barrels û

û [ Vocalizing ]

û Sing a song of good cheer
'cause the whole gang
is here û

û Roll it out, roll it out

û Let's do
the Beer Barrel Polka û

û [ Ends ]

[ Man On Radio ]
This is the radio of the
German Armed Forces Network.

Heil Hitler.
[ Crowd Chanting ]
Sieg Heil ! Sieg Heil !

[ Chanting Continues ]

We will now broadcast
a special bulletin.

[ Beeping ]

In the course
of a hard-fought
defensive battle,

the heroic troops
of the Fatherland,

under the command
of General von Hartung,

succeeded in driving back
the Russian forces
near Bezanika.

Bezanika ?
Bezanika is a very
strategic point...

of this sector.

We will now broadcast a
message
from our fuhrer.

Bezanika ?
The Russians are there.

Only 400 kilometers away.

They're in Poland.

What are you
doing here ?

The sentry in the marketplace
said I should come
to Your Royalness...

for my proper punishment.

[ Shuts Radio Off ]
Although I hadn't heard the
siren, and with due respect,

if his watch is right,
then your clock is wrong.

But that is for you
to decide.

Decide ?
What ?

My appropriate
punishment.

Even though--
I take the liberty
of repeating myself--

it's not yet quite 8:00.

It still isn't 8:00.
It's only three minutes
to 8:00.

No.
Two minutes to 8:00.

[ Chuckling ]

Then the gentleman--
the sentry was just
making fun of me.

Just because
a war is going on
doesn't mean that...

people should
stop playing jokes
on one another.

May I ?

We Jews are partial
to jokes too.

[ Air Raid Siren Sounding ]

Do you live far
from here ?
Ten minutes, if I run.

Then hurry.

[ Shouting ]

Please,
may I have a pass ?

[ Dog Snarling ]

[ Jakob ]
Now what do I do, Hannah ?
I'm locked outside.

It's crazy, Hannah.
I may be the only Jew
for 400 kilometers...

trying to get back
into the ghetto.

Hurry.

To get across that distance,
you have to be a mouse.

Oh, God of the Jews,

why didn't you make
Your people
a race of mice ?

I ask You quite frankly,
what good does it do
to be a man ?

I'm going. I go.

- Not yet !
- [ Startled Gasp ]

You have to wait for
the searchlight to go by.
Who are you ?

Lina Kronstein.
I'm ten and a half.

How old are you ?
Watch out !

What are you doing
here anyway ?
Trying to escape ?

Where ?
A Jew would not last
five minutes out there.

So you're going
back in ?
Yes.

May I come with you ?

With me ?
Huh ? Me ?

Why me ?
Who else ?

All right.

Come on.

Wait.
Oh, you're scared ?

No. Terrified.

Come on !
This way !

[ Train Chugging ]

Here.
Thank you, little mouse.

[ People Chattering ]

[ Jakob ]
Hide ! Police !

Here.

[ Chattering ]

Bye-bye, little girl.

Thanks for saving my life.
You'll have to excuse me.

I'm very tired.
I'm going home.
You should do the same.

Maybe I'll take
the train.

Yeah, bye-bye.

Ding-ding.
Ding-ding. Ding.
All right.

Where would you like
to go ?

Do you have any money
for your fare ?

Come on.
You can't stay here.
You have to go home.

Where are your parents ?

û [ Singing ]

Come on !

Our apartment is
much nicer.

We have a living room.

Yeah, well, when there were
ten people crammed in here,

I'll show you
no living room.

If you don't like it,
find another hotel.

That's not a nice thing
to say to me.

Oh, excuse me.
Where do I sleep ?

Upstairs. Come on.
Why can't I sleep here ?

Because if you sleep here,
some nosy neighbor might
see you and then denounce me.

Then the Germans will come.
Come on.

[ Meowing ]

Hey, kitty.
Leave the cat alone.
[ Hisses ]

Don't you like cats ?
No.
I'd prefer a rat.

I don't want to see you
playing with that cat.

And I certainly
don't want to see you try
to catch it and eat it.

Any cat that lets itself
get caught is sick.

All right, but what
am I supposed to eat ?

You don't have any
ration coupons for me.

That's true.

I'll burn that bridge
when I get to it.

Here we are.

Look, huh ?

There's heat
from the chimney.

Here.
It's a book about Africa.

You read this,
you forget you're hungry.

- Don't worry.
I'm used to it.
- Yeah. Come on.

- What's wrong ?
- I lost my doll.

Sorry.
I don't have any dolls.
Why not ?

Well, me and my wife
didn't have any children.

Where is your wife ?
Did they put her on a train ?

No, they shot her !

Under a tree.

Don't ask me what kind of
tree.
I didn't bother to ask.

Time for sleep, hmm ?

It's crazy, Hannah.

I manage to more or less
smuggle myself through
the war.

I even got out of
the Kommandantur alive.

And now I'm supposed
to take care
of a little girl.

Yeah, I know
we wanted a child.

But you usually have them
as babies, and you get
a chance to know them.

That's true.

But what if the Germans
find her ? I'm the one
who's going to have to pay.

If the Russians
are that close, well,

it's only
a few days, right ?

[ Men Shouting In German ]

û Bezanika

û Germans are dying
each day û

[ Shouting Continues ]

û [ Humming, Whistling ]

û Bezanika

û [ Whistling ]

û Russians are
on their way û

Kowalsky !
We're closed.
We're closed.

Time to open.
Leave me alone.
Go away.

Damn it.
What are you doing ?

You can't kill yourself.
You got a reason
why not ?

I have a good one...
that's just between
you and me.

You won't believe this.
Yesterday evening,
something very funny happened.

Actually, not that funny.
What ?

You might not find it funny,
but that's why
I caught this cold.

- Get to the point.
- What the point is,
my friend--

Yesterday, after curfew,
I was in the Kommandantur.

- Are you an informer ?
- Are you out of your mind ?

No Jew leaves
the Kommandantur alive
unless he's an informer.

Don't tell me lies.
I'm desperate, not stupid.

- Get out of here, please.
Please leave me alone.
- Fine. Go ahead.

Do you want the last thing
people to say is Kowalsky
didn't

keep his part of a bargain ?

- What ?
- I'm entitled to a shave
and haircut every day.

In exchange, you're entitled
to eat as many pancakes
as you want in my cafe.

You haven't made pancakes
for three years.

What can I do about that ?
The Germans don't let
any potatoes in.

- That doesn't stop
your beard from growing.
- That's not my fault.

A deal's a deal.

Good. Here.
What are you complaining
about ? You have a dull razor.

Would you sit down,
please ?

Barber with a dull razor's
like a blind moyel.

No insults. Sit down,
please. Here we go.
Thank you.

Here. Enough.

Good. Good. Enough.

Good.
Good, good.

Mischa. Mischa.

- Professor.
- No, thank you.

[ Man Shouting ]

Excuse me.
My respects, Professor.

I'm afraid I caught a cold
last night. Do you have
some medical advice ?

You know my prescription.
A fine cigar and a brandy
taken in Monte Carlo.

Give me your hand.
Thank you.
Thank you.

You have a good night ?
Good night ?

If you call three suicides
balanced by one birth
a good night, yes.

Splendid,
wonderful night.

- [ Shouting ]
- [ Whistle Blowing ]

[ Dogs Barking ]

[ Whistle Blowing ]

[ Man ]
Line up ! Two at a time !
Pick a partner !

[ Shouting In German ]

[ Shouting ]

û
Music !

Herschel,
you need a partner ?
Yes, but not with cough.

Professor.
Two weak men
don't make a strong man.

I need help.
Help me.

Mischa, you forgot me.

Okay, but I unload,
you carry.
What's in it for me ?

Pleasure of my company,
Jakob.

û [ Continues ]

I have to eat.
Do I have to feed you ?

Jakob.

Jakob.
Uh--

All right.
Come on.

[ Whistle Blowing ]

- [ Shouting Orders ]
- [ Whistle Blows ]

û

You all right ?
Yes, thank you.

Mischa ?
Where are you ?

Sneaking a cigarette ?
Is that it ?

Huh ?

Oh, my God !
Are you meshuga ?
It's forbidden to do that.

Forbidden ? It could be you
and me in here one day.
Don't you

think we should do something ?

You want my opinion ? The best
thing to do is nothing.
I don't want to be shot.

What way would you prefer
to die, huh ? Go away.
Don't stand around here.

I can't let you
do something stupid !

Can you stop me ?
I'm your manager.

Yes, well, you're not
a very good one.

You're not
a very good boxer.

You want to try me ?
We're not
the same weight class.

- Oh-ho !
- Guard.

[ Man Shouting In German ]

The guard is coming.

You'll make
a good-looking corpse.
Yes.

Maybe I'll take
one of those bastards with me.

No, don't !
The Russians are
in Bezanika.

Mm-hmm. And I heard Hitler was
applying
to be chief rabbi in Berlin.

It's the truth.
Let go.

I heard it on the radio.

It's forbidden to talk.
Go to work.

[ Forced Chuckle ]
Yes. We--

[ Laughs ]

What are you
laughing at ?

Forgive me,
but I just heard
some very good news.

- [ Shouts In German ]
- [ Groaning ]

Go, go !
[ Shouting In German ]

You'll get shot.

You have a radio ?
Who said that ?

You said that.
You did.
No, I didn't. I did not.

What have we been
talking about ?
Shut up !

- [ German ]
- [ Shouting Over Megaphone ]

[ Dogs Barking ]

You sneaky bastard.

You had a radio all this time.
I can't believe it.

I don't have a radio.
I just said that to keep
you from getting shot.

Nobody would tell you
he has one if he doesn't.

I hope you realize the penalty
for having a radio is death.

I was lying !

Lying, huh ? If you had
the radio and you didn't
want anyone to find out,

the best way to make sure
of that would be to tell
people you had one,

because they'd know you
were lying, because no one
who owned a radio...

would be stupid enough
to admit it,

and they'd leave
you alone, which means--

What does it mean,
Jakob ?
I don't know.

[ Chuckles ]
It means
you've got a radio.

I don't have a radio.
Yes, yes.
Shh.

I understand.

Go, go.
Shh.

Psst ! Don't worry, Jakob.
You can trust me.

I'll keep it
under my hat.

You better,
because if you don't,

you better start
the Kaddish now,
because I'm a dead man.

Jakob ?
What ?

- I'm going to start
training again.
- Tell your new manager.

Hello, Ana.
How are you ?

[ People Chattering ]

[ Door Opens ]

Are you taking
a trip somewhere ?

I think it's too dangerous
for you if I stay,

so I should go
with my parents after all.

May I take your book ?

You're not going anywhere
until you eat your supper.

Aren't you eating ?
Eat. Always eat.

It's not good
to stuff yourself
till bursting.

[ Pounding On Door ]

[ Man Praying ]

Mischa. Have you been
in another fight ?

No, it's nothing.
I have very good news.

Good news ?
What good news ?

Hello, Mrs. Frankfurter.
Hello.

Hello, Mr.--
Shh.

How are you today ?

Mr. Frankfurter,
I have something to ask you.
Shh.

I've already
beaten you, Papa.

Until the last line
has been spoken,
the curtain...

cannot come down.
Cannot come down.
Yes, yes.

Excuse me.
Mr. Frankfurter.
Shh.

You have something
to ask me ?

I am prepared to help you
with the overcrowding
in this apartment.

[ Nervous Chuckling ]

Oh, before I forget,
for you.

Two rutabagas.

I know it's not much.
It doesn't seem
a fair exchange for--

[ Clears Throat ]
Mr. Frankfurter.

Mrs. Frankfurter.

I am here to ask
for the hand of your daughter.

Come with me
for a minute.

You know
where we are ?

Over there are trains coming
to take us away and you're
making matrimonial plans ?

Young man, we have learned
to live without firewood,
without potatoes,

without decent clothing,
without the sound of children,

but no one can live
without a future.

We have a future,
Mr. Frankfurter.
The war's about to end.

Yes, someday, but who'll
be here to see it ?

We will. Our war is nearly
over. You can almost count
the hours.

Don't do this to my family.
Don't come here and fill
our heads with false hope !

Do you know where
Bezanika is ?

Do I know where Bezanika is ?
I played King Lear there
three times.

"As flies to--"
"To wanton--"

"As flies to wanton boys
are we to the gods.
They kill us for their sport."

Then you know that
Bezanika is less than
400 kilometers away.

So what do I care ?
And the glorious Red Army
is there tonight.

Probably even closer by now.
Stalin called to tell you
this news personally ?

In absolute confidence,
just between you and me...

and Rosa
and Mrs. Frankfurter...

and Avron and Judith and--

- Hello.
- Hi.

Jakob Heym told me.

Oh, Jakob Heym,
the illustrious pancake
vendor.

Well, if he said it,
it must be true.

He's got a radio.

Please, don't tell
anyone. It could be
dangerous for him.

And you never said anything
about it. You've been
listening to a radio.

Don't worry. It doesn't even
have a plug. And I'm going
to reduce it to splinters.

Close the door.

We couldn't just
listen to it
for a moment ?

Excuse me. Would you be
so kind as to tell me...

what happens when
Gestapo finds out that the
pancake vendor has a radio ?

Answer--
they will search the ghetto.

What will they find ?
This radio.

I can explain that
I never listened to it.
They will shoot me anyway.

For an encore, they'll hang me
in the square by the neck
right next to that idiot Heym.

Morning.
[ Indistinct ]

Good morning,
Jakob.
[ Chattering ]

Gut Morgan.

Gut Morgan.
Ja.

û [ Humming ]

So, what's--
what's new ?
Hmm.

Nothing much, you know.
Kvart's wife left him.

Ohh !
Yeah.

Under the circumstances,
seems a little pointless.
Ohh. That's too bad.

You know, women.
Since Adam.

Hmm.
You don't say.
Yeah.

Do you have anything to keep
my hair from falling out ?
How long have we been friends?

What does it have to do
with my hair falling out ?

Do you have that green stuff
you used to rub
on Stamtisch's head ?

You come every morning for a
free shave, and you never
said anything about a radio.

What radio ?
I have as many radios
as I have potatoes.

Everybody knows that
you got a radio.

What do you mean,
everybody knows ?

Not everybody, but it's
traveling at least as fast

as the news about Kvart's
wife.

Really ?
So by the evening,
the Gestapo will know.

You still have that rope ?
I may need it before you.

Mischa says
the Russians killed
so many Germans,

they were able to drive
the tanks across the river
on their bodies.

Did Mischa say that ?
Yes, he did.
Is this true ?

Is it ?
Jakob ?

[ Chattering, Indistinct ]

Hello.
Jakob,
I was looking for you.

I want you to be the first
to know I'm engaged to Rosa.
Oh !

Mazel tov !
But what about
Thank you. our news ?

I only told family and friends
and Frankfurter.

Schmuck !
You told a barber !
[ Man Shouting ]

A barber--
the biggest mouth in town.
Off you go to work !

Murderer.

Move !
I'm sorry, Jakob.
You want a partner ?

û [ Polka ]
Jakob, you need a partner ?
You need a partner, Jakob ?

[ Voices Overlapping ]

He is my partner.
No !
I work with Samuel.

I'm your partner,
Jakob. Me.

û [ Continues ]

Stop. I know bubkes.

[ Man Shouting In German ]
[ Whistle Blowing ]

So, how many kilometers
did they make today ?

Get off my back.
[ Groans ]

Excuse me. Your friend
Jakob, did he tell you
about the front line ?

Well, he asked me
not to say.

What ?

Mischa,
can he get the B.B.C. ?

Huh ? Huh ?
B.B.C. ?
Of course.

Please, Jakob,
give me something.
Go away.

Don't tell me you haven't
listened since yesterday.
Yesterday ?

Oh, yesterday !
Yesterday, there was
a program of dance music.

Maybe after work,
I could teach you the tango.

Shit !

Listen.

There was a program
of music yesterday.

Russian music.

I'm telling you,
we'll never see the Russians.

Shh.

[ Planes Passing Overhead ]

[ Air Raid Siren Sounding ]
We'll never see the Russians,
huh ? So what are those ?

- [ Men Shouting ]
- [ Siren Continues ]

[ Grunts ]

Mr. Frankfurter,
the Russians.

They're going to bomb us.

This is the good news ?

Germans.

They look like
Germans to me.

According to your information,
they were retreating
under Russian attack.

Well, uh--

They're, uh--
They're flying east and, uh--

And-And use your
brains a little.

If the Germans are headed
in that direction,
which is where Bezanika is,

and the Russians are
headed there also,

so they tell us,
I think--
Exactly.

If the Russians are there,
they're not going to sit
and have a picnic. Huh ?

I wouldn't think so.

For this bread,
three rutabagas.
Two turnips.

No, for two turnips,
half a bread.

Three-quarters
because it's you.

[ Siren Sounds ]
[ Man ]
Achtung. Achtung.

[ Speaking German ]

Achtung !
Achtung !

Stay away
from the train !

Don't shoot !
Don't shoot, please !

Roman, I heard voices
coming from those boxcars.

Are you crazy ?
Come on. Come on.

The show is over !
Back to your work.

- I heard voices, I tell you.
- Pretend there are just
potatoes in there.

Oh, yeah. It's the latest
German invention--
potatoes that talk.

It's human voices !
We've got to speak to them.

What can you say
to the dead ?

What's the matter
with you, Jakob ?

You're the one who told us
the Russians would be here
any moment.

You want to keep that
to yourself ?
It's none of our business.

What's wrong with you ?
Sit down.

They have the right
to know.

Eat.
I don't want to eat.

[ Chattering ]

[ Woman ]
Someone help me !
Someone help me, please !

Hey !
Do you hear me ?

We have information.
The Russians are almost here.
They're at Bezanika.

We all saw the plane.

Yes, please believe me.

Please.

You don't understand.
We have a radio--

Roman, no.

Roman !
You want to get killed too ?

- Roman--
- You did this !

Did you have to shout
from the rooftops
that the war is over ?

Look where it got us !

[ Sobbing ]

û [ Singing ]

Don't blame yourself.

If Herschel wanted
to save the world,
that was his choice.

We need more Jews
like Herschel.

At least he tried to give
these people some hope.
He's a hero, like you.

I'm not a hero.
I'm a latke vendor.

A latke vendor
with a radio.

Who just killed
a friend.

If you hang yourself,
I'll kill you.

Jakob. Jakob.

Are you going
to listen to London ?
No.

I can't take any more.
You must tell me.
The Russians--

No Russians, no radio,
no nothing !

Understand ?
What do you mean ?

What do I mean ? I mean
I don't have the slightest
idea where the Russians are.

I'm a liar.
All right ?

You'll burn them.
Let me do it.

I'm perfectly capable
of frying mushrooms.

I know. I ran
a restaurant before the war.
A restaurant ?

Oh, yeah.
A very quaint one.

We made latkes.
You know, potato pancakes.

And blintzes stuffed
with apricot jam.

And in the summer,
ice creams and fruit juices.

Did your wife
work with you ?

Why are you always
asking questions ?
Why do you never answer them ?

I already ate.
Eat.

And after you've eaten,
you can do the washing up.

I hate washing up.
I did the cooking,
didn't I ?

When the war is over,
can I be a waitress ?

What about school ?
I'll go to school
in the morning.

And afterwards,
I'll serve customers.

You don't have to pay me.
Just let me eat
as many pancakes as I want.

Ah.
Just like Kowalsky.

Open the window.

[ Coughing ]

Look, your friend
the boxer.

Are they fighting ?
No. Maybe later
they're fighting.

Looks like Mischa thinks
the war is over.

He's trying to get her
to go to his apartment.

Doesn't she want
to go ?

Very much.
Then why
doesn't she go ?

Well, you'll discover
these things
when you're older.

When ?

No more questions.
Come on.

Spirit,

if the Russians
have reached Pry,

knock twice.

Ask it something useful,
Max.

like where your daughter is
this time of night.

She's with Mischa.
That's what I'm afraid of.

He's involved with
this troublemaker Heym.

They're gonna drag
Rosa into it.

On the other hand,
if Rosa doesn't
sleep home, it's better.

If they arrest us,
she won't be here.

Some consolation.
Max !

The days are so difficult now.
Let them do what they want
with their nights.

So ?
Did you listen to the radio ?
Any progress at the front ?

What's the news ?
Did the Russians
shoot down those planes ?

Stop torturing me.
The Germans are already
doing a fine job.

[ Woman Sobbing ]

Samuel.

Ah, Samuel.

- Is it suicide ?
- He didn't need to.

He just gave up and pulled
the blankets under his chin.

Stupid thing for Samuel
to do when the Russians
are that close.

Because they are,
aren't they ?

Yes, Professor.
What ?

The radio says they are.

[ Praying ]

[ Jakob Narrating ]
So, Hannah,
the truth can kill.

Samuel died because
I told him the truth.

And that crazy Herschel died
because he believed in news...

from a radio
that doesn't exist.

So that's dangerous too.

Whatever I do, I'm wrong.

Hunger for hope may be worse
than hunger for food.

So, what's new ?

I have to feed them
something, Hannah.

But what ?

Well--

Elements of the 16th Army,

supported by flamethrowers
of the shock troops...

of the Leningrad Division,

are advancing with
mechanized armored units...

of Stalin's Soviet
6th Brigade...

in a easterly direction
under massive air cover.

Easterly ?

Then they're headed
the wrong way.

No, no.

It's just a feint.
To throw the Germans
off, right ?

- Exactly.
- Why would they announce
that on the radio ?

Strategy.
To make the Germans think
they're going to invade China.

- You have to remember,
it's a world war.
- Exactly right.

For example, in Africa...

there are tribes
of man-eating cannibals
who've never seen a white man.

- We don't want news
about cannibals.
- Why not ?

We want to know
if the Russians are
finally going to get here.

Well--

Technically, they're
retreating, but strategically,
they're advancing.

- What does that mean ?
- Let me show you.

Hmm ?
Ahh.

Here is the front line.
Here is Bezanika.

The Russians have that.

Here's Pry.
The Germans have that.

Here is the railroad junction
at Rudna.

That's what the Luftwaffe
were trying to protect
yesterday.

Exactly right.
And the Germans don't want
the Americans to take that.

So the Americans
are in the war too ?

Well, they didn't say they
were there personally.

They have problems of
their won.

They're fighting on
another front. But for now,
they're sending tanks.

Tanks ? How many ?

Not many.
But enough.

And brand-new,
right off the boat
from Chicago.

Chicago ?
Yes.

How could you tell
they were American ?

Well, you-you get
to know the difference.

American tanks,
it's a different noise
entirely.

What kind of noise ?
Clean.

Yeah.
You can hear the horns.

On the tank ?
No, the band.
The jazz band.

Jazz band ?
They sent a jazz band
to cheer up their allies.

Saxophone ?
Clarinets.

Sounds like Benny Goodman.

Lady singers ?
Andrews Sisters ?
Three of them.

Maybe their cousins.
Sounds so beautiful.

And all the time
in the background I could
hear the Russian guns.

It's the most beautiful thing
I've ever heard
in my whole life.

You know, the jazz band,
the artillery, everything.
[ Sighs ]

[ Mischa Chuckling ]

It seems
liberation is near.

Jakob Heym may not
be the messiah,
but he could be a prophet.

Prophets speak in the name
of God. All the pancake
vendor has is a radio.

Shh !
He's saying the same thing
Isaiah said--

"People of Israel,
I will lead you
out of bondage."

"Out of bondage."
If this is what
we get from Isaiah,

I can't wait
to find out the results
from the pancake vendor.

He must be stopped.

Yeah.

Yeah, it is crazy.

I know, Hannah.

But when I started
to make up those things,

I almost believed them.

I know.

The point is,
what am I going
to invent tomorrow ?

In my whole life,
my greatest invention
was an apricot pancake.

A latke.

[ Chuckles, Sighs ]

My crowning achievement.

Latkes and lies.

[ Muttering ]

[ Whispering ]
Lina ?

Lina !

What are you doing here ?

Look what I made for you.

I'm not hungry.

What do you mean,
you're not hungry ?

This is turnip soup,
made from real turnips, huh ?

Oh, it's delicious.
Try it.
No, thank you.

You haven't eaten cat,
have you ?
Of course not.

Then it's the mushrooms.
Those mushrooms were bad.
Don't worry.

It's better not
to be hungry than
to be hungry, isn't it ?

[ Mischa ]
Sneaky bastard. He's got
the radio in the attic, Rosa.

He's trying to get to London.
I'm sure of it.

Are you going to marry
Jakob Heym or me ?

Rosa, we're not the only
two people in the world.

Think about the resistance
that's going to get organized
because of this radio.

Maybe I should have put up
a little more resistance.

Then you'd pay
more attention to me.

Do you want
more attention ?

Maybe.

[ Fajngold ]
Come on. Let's try
to get some sleep.

Napoleon always
made sure he got
a good night's sleep...

before his big battles.

- And he didn't do too badly.
- [ Sighs ]

[ Chuckling ]

[ Cat Meowing ]

[ Jakob ]
Go, go !
Get away, you bad cat !

[ Meowing ]

Something is going on.
I knew it. I have to see
where he's going.

Mischa, it's curfew.
I know.

What if the Russians attack
and I'm lying around here ?
Where's my hat ?

- Mischa !
- I love you.
You know that.

I... love you too.
[ Door Slams ]

Look at this.
Look here. Look.

Your Mischa leaves our
daughter at home alone so he

can run around with
this Jakob.

Something must be done
about this nonsense.

Max !

[ Gasps ]
Mischa !
You frightened me !

So, that snob Kirschbaum
is in on it too ?
Why, because he's a doctor ?

Yeah, because
he's a doctor.

Go.
Leave me alone !

I know you think I'm stupid,
but I'm not stupid.
No.No, I know what's going on.

You heard a message from
London, and now you're going
to tell Kirschbaum.

That's it, isn't it ?
You were hit in the head
too many times, Mischa.

[ Door Unlocking ]

Good evening.
Professor doesn't see patients
at this time of the night.

I'm a personal friend
of the doctor's.

Professional colleague
at the freight yard.

Your name ?
My name is Jakob Heym.

The Jakob Heym ?

I imagined you
much taller.
So did I.

Come in.

û [ Singing ]

- Jakob Heym !
[ Chuckling ]
- Professor.

Please sit down.
Thank you.

My diploma.
Forty years ago.
More than forty years.

I always knew this diploma
would come in useful.

So, what can I do
for you ?

- I have a girl in my attic.
- I'm a doctor, not
a confessor.

Oh, no, no, please.
She's only ten years old.

She escaped from one
of the transports.

I've been taking care of her.
I'm doing my best,
but I think she's very sick.

[ Sighs ]
Come.

I'll show you my pharmacy.
Thank you.

There's nothing there.

Here, look.

All I have.

The only medicine
we could give her is some
of that good news of yours.

Like the American tanks.

I mean, even if
the jazz band...

was a little too much.

Benny Goodman.
[ Chuckles ]

Don't you think so ?

That's a wonderful medicine
you have, Jakob. Wonderful.

I admire what you're doing.
I really do.

So let's go and see
this little friend of yours.

Esther, my bag
and my coat, please.

Pancakes.

[ Snoring ]

[ Moaning ]
[ Knock At Door ]

[ Gasps ]

Oh, my God !

[ Avron ]
Kowalsky !

You need
an emergency shave ?

The Russians will be here
whether Heym has a radio
or not, won't they ?

I have no idea what
you're talking about.

Mr. Kowalsky.
Hmm ?

You and I are in
the same profession.

After all, who knows
more about human nature
than actors and barbers ?

You have your stage,
I have mine.

Now I risk treading
on yours to make
a solemn plea.

Tell your friend Jakob
to destroy the radio
before it destroys us.

Destroy it ?
The radio ?
Yes.

Your friend Jakob
is preparing an uprising.

That's ridiculous.
This isn't the kind
of ghetto that rises up.

Even to think of it
is blasphemy.

Jews put their trust
in God to protect them.

Yes, well, we have to admit
that that line of reasoning
hasn't gotten us very far.

If you don't believe me
about the uprising,
answer this--

What are Jakob Heym
and the prizefighter doing
walking around after curfew ?

- Mischa is in this ?
- Up to his neck.

[ Avron ]
Stupid, stupid.
Oh, my God.

[ Kowalsky ]
Anybody could see us here.

What do you think ?
They don't have eyes ?

[ Men Murmuring ]

[ Frankfurter ]
Shh ! Quiet !

[ Door Creaks Open ]

[ Jakob ]
Professor, it's really
very important to me.

It's not very far.
Right this way.

[ Kowalsky ]
Could somebody please tell me
what's the point of this ?

Shh. Shh.
Shh. Shh.

There. You see ?
What's he doing out
this time of night ?

What are we doing out
at this time of night ?

What's this ?

When a man loses his fear
of the Almighty,
he's capable of anything.

Yeah ?

I hope to God not
to find out disgusting
things about Heym.

What do you mean,
disgusting things ?

His private affairs
are none of our concern.
Look for the radio.

Only a complete idiot would
hide a radio in the kitchen.

- Maybe we should try
the cellar.
- Yes, the cellar.

Let's go. Come on.
Let's get out of here.
Let's go.

This way, Professor.
Oh, my God !
He's here.

Not so fast.
Only one more floor,
Professor.

[ Excited Whispering ]

- Shut up !
- Slow down.
I have a heart condition.

I am exhausted.
Right here.

Wait, wait, wait.

I need to rest.
I need to rest
a little bit.

Professor, what if the
Russians
said that ?

Yeah, you're right.

Yes, Kirschbaum is part
of the resistance.
I would have bet money on it.

He keeps it
in the attic.

Jakob, there are thieves
in your apartment.

My apartment ?

What's to steal ?

Now, come on.
Lie down.

And you do everything
the professor says.

Let's see.

Stick out your tongue
like a frog trying
to catch a fly and say "Ah."

"Ah."
"Ah."

All we have here
is a little tummy ache.

Too much ice cream.

Chocolate, maybe ?
Huh ?

She is very sick.
Boiled water only.

And some of your
medicine maybe.

It's in here.

If they are listening
to the radio, we could be
considered accomplices.

Oh, my God !
We'd better wait
for them there.

That's a very good point.
I love your point.
Let's get out of here.

- What are you doing here ?
- Hello.

My God, Kowalsky.
You too ?

Yes, you know,
I think it's really
for the best, Jakob.

Mr. Heym.
I really do.

Mr. Heym,

I don't know if you realize
the danger in which
we have been placed.

There are informers
in the ghetto who will do
anything for a few potatoes.

Therefore, I beg you,
as a father and a husband,

please destroy that radio
before the Germans
find out about it.

You want me
to destroy my radio ?

I do, yes.

All right.

I'll destroy it.
It's a dangerous thing.

I admit that.
Good. Good.

Destroy the radio.

But since Mr. Heym
has accepted to share
the information with us,

there has not been
a single case of suicide
in the entire ghetto.

This is true ?
It is true !

[ Jakob ]
The professor has
a very good point.

Very good point.
Think about it.

Now-- It's--
[ Sighs ]

It saves lives.

That's a very good reason
to keep it.

- I have a suggestion.
- What ?

We could listen to
the latest news,

and then destroy
the radio.
That's a very good idea.

My God !
These idiots want to
defy You once again.

Stop them !
I beg You.

[ Jakob ] It's a power cut.
[ Roman ]
It's a miracle.

[ Chuckling ]
Sorry, gentlemen.

No more radio.
No more news.

Good night.
Thank you for coming.

[ Avron ]
No electricity.
Nothing.

It's sabotage.
It's sabotage
of the resistance.

Stop !
We go back.
Oh, my God.

We can't go back.

[ Roman ]
Thank You.
[ Laughing ]

It's a miracle.

[ Avron ]
It's sabotage. It's sabotage
of the resistance.

Miracle !
Sabotage !

Miracle,
miracle, miracle !
Shut up !

Here, here, drink.

Because you've got
to get well,

because your parents
are coming back.

And when they do, we're going
to have the biggest party
you've ever seen.

I'll be back.

Jakob, is it true
you've got a radio ?

Not you too ?

Please.
I've heard you have a radio.
I'd really like to see it.

I was a baby when
they took ours away.

If you promise me
to get well,

I promise you,
you can listen to my radio...

if the power comes back on.

- Do you mean it ?
- Would I lie to you ?

So, what's new ?
New ? Oy.

û [ Humming ]

Anybody would think you're
happy about the power cut.

Well,
God's will be done.

I think that green stuff
is working.

Stamtisch never complained.
So ? Yeah ? Hello.

I know I'm not
a member of the club,

but, uh, I thought you might
want to hear my idea anyway.

I don't.
You see ?

Mischa was thinking, Mr. Heym,
if the electricity
can't come to your radio,

maybe you can take your
radio to the electricity.

What are you
talking about ?
[ Chuckles ]

Electricity.

Voila. You see ?
It's only certain streets
that are affected.

We could bring
the radio here.

Bring the radio here ?
Mm-hmm.

That's a great idea.
I love this idea.

It's the best idea
I've ever heard in my life.
What a wonderful idea.

Bring radio here.
Absolutely.

You put up a big sign
in Polish and German...

so that everyone will know
there's a radio in my shop.

I could charge admission, with
reduced prices for the Gestapo
and soldiers in uniform.

Put up loudspeakers.
I could sell refreshments.

What about dances
in between news reports ?
We could have dances.

I could invite the Luftwaffe
and give them all shaves
before they hang me.

It won't work.
I'll tell you why it
won't work.

I know Jakob better than
anyone, and he won't give you

the dirt from under his
fingernails--

begging your pardon, Jakob--
let alone lend you
his precious radio.

- You're saying I'm cheap ?
- What else do
you call a man...

who's got himself free shaves
every day for four years...

without giving so much
as a sniff of a pancake
in return ?

I thought you
were my friend.

Friends can say these things
about each other.

So, shall we, uh,
go and fetch it, huh ?
Yeah.

- What if the Germans
see us with it ?
- What if they damage it ?

It's a shame there are no
children left. We could have
put it in a child's coffin.

The Germans don't pay
much attention to
dead children. Oh, no.

- [ Spitting ]
- Let's go.

No. We can't.
It'd never work.
[ Mischa ] Why ?

No, no. He'll never
let you do it.
Why ?

He'll say it costs him
too much in electricity, hmm ?

- What ? Now you're saying
I'm cheap ?
- You're not cheap ?

- I'm cheap ?
- Oh, you are.
Yes, you're cheap !

-You're cheaper. -Every day,
you're supposed to

have one pancake for
one shave.

But no, you don't have
one pancake. You eat
five pancakes every morning !

And you stuff your face
until you can't get up
from the table !

Bring the damn radio.
I'll show you how cheap I am !

- [ Kowalsky Yells ]
- No, you're not that cheap.

Now, that's a mensch.
That's not a mensch.
That's a meshuggenah !

Kowalsky, wait !

I didn't mean it.
You're not cheap.

[ Woman Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Shouting In German ]

What are you waiting for ?
Go.

Can't do it.

Why not ?

My nerves.
I'm a coward.

You get to know
these things about yourself.

There are some people, they
look inside, they find things
nobody ever knew were there.

Like Jakob.

Then there's the rest of us.

Kowalsky.

You can't force a man
to risk his life.

I'll keep it at my place.
The power will come back
sooner or later.

And by then, the news
will be even better,
won't it, Jakob ?

Yeah, like cheese.
[ Whistle Blowing ]

Hey, Kowalsky,
you need a partner ?

[ Whistle Continues ]
û [ Polka ]

[ Shouting, Indistinct ]

[ Man Speaking German
Over P.A. ]

û [ Stops ]

Take off--
Take off your hats !

[ Dogs Barking ]

[ Speaking German ]
[ Nathan ]
Hardtloff.

The Liquidator.

What's he doing here ?
What do you think ?

It looks like it's time
to pack our bags.

What does our prophet
have to say about this ?

[ Shouting In German ]

[ Frankfurter ]
What's the prognosis, Doctor ?

Supraventricular
tachycardia. Could be.

Good.
Sounds serious.
It is serious.

How long can you
live with that ?

How long can we live with
him ?
That's the question.

[ Groaning ]

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Ah.
Feeling better.

Tonight is Shabbat.

Great.

We'll fast like
every other night.

You're not a very
good Jew, are you ?

Hannah used to light
the candles.

Don't you believe ?

I believe we are
the chosen people,

but I wish the Almighty
had chosen somebody else.

But you're still a Jew,
aren't you ?

In the eyes of the Gestapo,

I'm the biggest Yid
they've ever seen.

The light.
[ Siren Wailing ]

No miracles for
part-time Jews, huh ?

Do you remember what
you promised, don't you ?

I remember.
I got better since then.

[ Chuckles ]
And now you want
to listen to the radio.

Well, you can't.
I got rid of it.
Why ?

Why ?
I gave it to Mischa.

Why ?
"Why," "why."
Always "why."

He was driving me crazy.

[ Pounding On Door ]
[ Man ]
Gestapo ! Open the door !

I don't think
it's very clever
hiding under a bed.

This is not a discussion.
[ Pounding Continues ]

Hello.
You ?

If the German electricians
only knew the trouble
they were going through...

just to get your radio
working again.

It's funny, isn't it ?
May you die laughing.

What do you want ?
I want to listen
to the radio.

Please, Jakob. I have to know
what's taking them so long. I
have to make my wedding plans.

That's quite impossible.
Why is it impossible ?

"Why, "why."
Everybody's "why."
Yes, why ?

It's not even
your radio anymore.
It belongs to everyone now.

[ Chuckles ]

You're waiting for someone ?

Hmm ? Who is it ?
You can tell me.

[ Jakob ]
And then you'll tell
everyone else.

And soon the Gestapo's
knocking on the door for real.

You're hiding someone, huh ?

Yes.

Why couldn't you think
this quick in the ring, huh ?
Someone important ?

Oh, very important.

I'll tell you all about it
tomorrow, but right now
we need our privacy.

To think that of all people,
my old manager, Jakob Heym.

[ Grunts ]

[ Whispers ]
Schmuck !

Mischa need the radio.

All right, I lied.

I lied...

because it's a sin
to listen to a radio
on Shabbat.

But you don't observe
Shabbat.

Where does it lead ?

To the radio.
But you must do
everything I say.

Promise ?
All right.
Promise.

[ Lina ]
So, this is your restaurant ?
It was. More of a cafe, but--

You sit here, huh ?

All right ?
And, uh, don't move.

If you move,
the radio won't work.

I'm, uh-- I'm going
to go turn it on,

and we both are going
to listen to it.

But if I see you get up,
the radio goes right off.

Hmm ? Hey.
All right.

Now I turn it on.

[ Grunts ]
There.

It takes just a few moments
for the tubes to heat up,

and once they're warmed up
you'll hear talking, huh ?

It's heating up now.

[ Imitating Radio Static ]

[ Mock German ]

Whew.
We don't want him, huh ?

[ Imitating B.B.C. Announcer ]
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.

This is the B.B.C. in London.

Tonight we have
a special guest,

the prime minister
of Greater Britain,

the very honorable
Winston Churchill,

who is just now
coming into the studio,
putting out his cigar.

[ Popping Sound ]

[ Imitating Churchill ]
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen...

and everybody in Poland.

He likes the Polish,
doesn't he ?

Of course.
We're his allies.
Psst !

[ Announcer ]
Mr. Churchill, if we only have
a little bit of time,

I would like you to
bring us up to date
on the events around Bezanika.

[ Churchill ]
I'd be delighted.

That is my area of exper--
[ Sneezes ]

[ Sneezing, Coughing ]

[ Announcer ]
Gesundheit, Mr. Churchill.

[ Churchill ]
Excuse me.

The cigar smoke
gets up one's nose.

Where was I ?

[ Announcer ]
Bezanika, in Poland.

[ Churchill ]
I know where Bezanika is.
I'm not stupid.

And I was on the phone
with Mr. Stalin,

who told me his troops
were doing wonderfully.

Is that not so, Mr. Stalin ?

- [ Imitating Stalin ] Da.
- Does that mean
it's nearly over ?

[ Churchill ]
That's a very good question.

He heard me !

[ Announcer ]
We remind our listeners
not to ask questions,

as that might interfere
with reception.

And please,
don't look at the radio.

[ Churchill ]
But it's still
a very good question.

And the answer is yes !

The whole megillah
will soon be over,

and that shmendrick Hitler
will be gone.

[ Announcer ]
And that brings to an end our
special bulletin for Poland.

We remind our young listeners
to brush their teeth before
going to bed. Seige-sund.

- I turn it off now, huh ?
- What about music ?

Music ?
Turn around.

Music.

û [ "Hava Negila" ]

Now, in memory of peacetime,

which will soon
be with us again,

a little dance music.

From the Grand Ballroom
in London,

an evening concert.

û [ Polka ]

May I have this dance,
mademoiselle ?

Do you know how to polka ?
I teach you.

Stand on my feet, huh ?
û [ Continues ]

[ Chuckling ]

There you go.

Good morning.
Good morning.

What's the latest ?
It's not up yet.

What ?
Good morning.

[ Laughing, Chattering ]

[ Mischa ]
But I have some good news.
I saw him yesterday.

He's hiding a parachutist
from London.

[ Fajngold ]
A parachutist ?

[ Jakob Narrating ]
Now they have parachutists.

How do I beat that ?
Flying tanks ?

They need news,
but I have no new ideas.

What can I invent now,
Hannah ?
Submarines ?

Ha ! The latest.

Ask anybody else.

I'm the only one
in this whole ghetto
who's got no news, Hannah.

[ Kowalsky ]
Hey, what are you doing ?

You gonna work today or
is this a one-man strike ?
[ Grunts ]

Hey, come on. Come on.
Jakob, what the hell
are you doing ?

I have to go.
Dysentery.

Jakob, are you
out of your mind ?

You're gonna commit suicide.
That's a German toilet !

Can't wait.
[ Shouting In German ]

You're gonna get shot,
you crazy bastard.

[ Panting ]

Ah !

"Massive traffic in Munich."

"Miracle cure for
hemorrhoids."
Shit !

"Sunny with occasional
showers in Berlin."
[ Grunts ]

"Heidi, I miss you. Franz."
[ Grunts ]

"In memoriam. In memoriam."
[ Grunts ]

"In memoriam. In memoriam.
In memoriam." "Loyal son
of the Fatherland."

"Dear Nazis."
Good news. Bad news.

Ah ! News.

"The Luftwaffe Reserves
beat the Kriegsmarine...

3-2 in a hard-fought
but fair game."

Thank You. The Jews
will rejoice at this news.
[ Whistle Blowing ]

Oy.

- [ Gasps ]
- Oh ! [ German ]

[ German ]

[ German ]

God, a miracle, please ?

All right.

[ German ]

[ Kowalsky ]
û Your father cleans up
after horses û

û Listen to me closely
I'll explain
Oy vey û

û Your mama sleeps nights
in the park û
Hello ? Hello ?

û Your father's doing time
in prison û
[ Blowing Whistle ]

û Your sister sleeps
with a chozer
Oy vey û

û Your sister sleeps
with a chozer
Oy vey û

[ Groaning ]

[ Groaning Continues ]

Kowalsky,
you're out of your mind !

Are you all right ?
What does it--

What does it matter now
that you, Jakob Heym,

the illustrious pancake
vendor,
get to crap like a king ?

So, now that you've
shared a toilet seat
with the master race,

maybe you'll feel good enough
to tell us the news, huh ?

Yesterday, Churchill
addressed the Polish people.

The Polish ?
You want the latest news
or don't you ?

Shh.
Our apologies.

The main item...

was that the Luftwaffe soccer
team beat the Kriegsmarine
by three goals to two.

That's it ?

You want the latest news ?
Su ganush. That's it.

Churchill is on the B.B.C.
giving out German Army
sports results ?

Nothing about a front line ?

I mean,
if Churchill has nothing
more important to announce,

it means to me--
well, it means to me
the war is pretty much over.

That's right.

What if three to two
is a code ?

Hmm ? Could mean
the Russians outnumber
the Germans three to two.

Or maybe they are
32 kilometers away.

No, I don't think so.

I think that that means
that they are maybe--
I think 32 hours away.

Shh. If we listen
hard enough, maybe we
can hear their artillery.

Yes. That's what
the noise was last night.

My wife thought
it was the heating pipes,

but there hasn't been
any steam in them for years.

I heard it too.
Oh, you heard it too.

[ Avron ]
Yes, I heard it too.

"Et tu, Brute ?"

I think it's time
to organize.

[ Whistle Blows ]
[ Shouting In German ]

Professor,
did you hear this Avron ?
He plans to organize.

Well, maybe he's right.

Maybe we can save a few lives
if we have an organization
and a leader.

For God's sake.
For all we know,

the Russians may be pushed
all the way back
to Siberia by now.

[ Groans ]
Hardtloff is here.
You know what that means.

What ?
You're going to fight
the Germans barehanded ?

And what do you suggest
we do ?

Just sit down and wait ?

My dear Jakob,
hope is all very well,

but sometimes it takes
a little action too.

A man like you
will understand this.

It's going to be a massacre,
all because these Jews believe
the dreck I feed them.

But you started this,
and now you have to go on.

Let's only hope that
your lies were true.

Let's hope that.

Yeah.

What is it ?

You know what it is.

Jakob.

Forgive me, but Jakob,
uh, he's right.

- And I am wrong ?
- And you are wrong.

[ Knocking ]

Oh, you smelled the cooking,
Mr. Frankfurter.

Come in.

Mr. Frankfurter.
Papa.

I'm happy
you still remember.

How's Mama ?
Oh, you know
how mothers are.

She hasn't seen you
in a few days, so--

So I said to myself,
"Today is Sunday.

"I'm going to see
our only daughter
and bring her her things.

And that way if they come
to take us away, she will
still have her trousseau."

Oh.

- It's beautiful.
- Yes, but is it
what we need right now ?

I know what you need
right now.

I once played Sherlock Holmes
in The Hound of the
Baskervilles,

and I always insisted...

on authentic props.

Young man, I realized
I care about more people
than my immediate family.

In other words,
perhaps I'm wrong and
your friend Jakob is right.

Yes, and while
I'm baring my soul,

I must tell you that I did not
play King Lear three times.

That was a lie.
I played it once,
and I forgot half my lines.

Mr. Frankfurter--
Try not to get killed
before you marry my daughter.

And remember:
"Until the last line
has been spoken,

the curtain--"
"The curtain
cannot come down."

[ Indistinct ]

[ Kirschbaum ]
Well, gentlemen,
I think the person we need...

has to have physical
as well as moral courage.

He has to be a man
who has proved that he is
willing to take risks.

And I think he should
also be a man...

who's brought hope--

hope and dignity
to the ghetto.

Here.
Thank you, Esther.

It sounds like
the professor to me.

Uh-huh.
We will see.

"Jakob Heym."
Let's see. "Jakob Heym."

"Jakob Heym."
J--

"Blumethal."
Hmm. Blumethal.

"Jakob Heym." "Jakob Heym."
"Professor Kirschbaum."
There, you see ?

"Jakob Heym." "Jakob Heym."
"Jakob Heym." "Jakob Heym."

"Jakob Heym." "Jakob Heym."
"Jakob Heym." "Jakob Heym."

[ Applause ]
Congratulations.

A little apricot liqueur.

I was saving it
for a special occasion.

Gentlemen.

To Jakob Heym.
To victory.
To victory.

[ All Together ]
L'chaim.

[ Pounding On Door ]

I'll get the door.

[ Mischa ]
Gestapo ! Open the door !

Why are you running ?
It's Mischa.

Good joke.
Very good joke.

I know.
I know.

I'm not invited.

But I have something I think
you will find interesting.

[ Esther Gasping ]
My God !
Where did you get that ?

You have a radio.
I have a gun.

German steel.

At least we can count on them
for something, eh ?

So, now that you're the
leader, what's out next move,
Jakob ?

We have to wait
for the signal.

[ Mischa ]
The signal ?
Yes.

And then we start
the insurrection.

- B.B.C. said so.
- What's the signal ?

Something very special,
like, uh,

"The chicken is in the pot,"
or, "The baby is singing."

But our signal is top secret.
I'm not at liberty to tell you
at this present time.

Further evidence that you are
in the best position...

to lead us, Jakob.

Yeah.

But if I'm your leader,
I will only do it
on one condition:

We must be disciplined.

All of you.

Now, we only have
a little time left,
right, Professor ?

And in that time,
if anybody, anybody,

does anything stupid,
you have to answer to me.

Hmm ?
[ Man Pounding On Door ]
Open up ! Gestapo !

- That's not Mischa.
- Open the door !

[ Pounding Continues ]
Yes ?

Open the door !
[ Lock Rattling ]

Yes ?
Does the Jew Kirschbaum
live here ?

Professor Kirschbaum
lives here.

Do you have an appointment ?
We don't need one.

Tell the professor
this is urgent.
Wait here.

I shall tell him
you are here.

Come in.

Take a seat, please.

We have some visitors.

[ Knocking ]
Andre, dear.

Some gentlemen
to see you.

Good luck, Jakob.

Shalom.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Shh !
Shh, shh, shh.

[ Mischa ] There's only two of
them [ Jakob ] That's
two too many.

Give me the gun.
It's my gun.
No.

I am the leader.
[ Scoffs ]

[ Kirschbaum ]
Gentlemen,
what can I do for you ?

[ Man ] Please get your bag.
General Hardtloff
has suffered a heart seizure.

That's the first good news
I ever got from a German.

Hardtloff ?
Huh.

Oh, uh, he's not my patient.
I presume he has his own
doctor. Are you refusing ?

Uh, no, I'm--
I'll get your bag.

[ Kirschbaum ]
Thank you, Esther.

I put in the other pills,
the ones for your heartburn.

With a little luck,
you will not need them.

Unfortunately,
I think I will.

Thank you, Esther.

[ Door Closes ]

He'll be back.

Thank you, sir.
Thank you.

Oh, it's a nice place.
It's a very, very nice place.

Come on !
Let's go !
Meyer !

I'm sorry.
Idiot !

Oh, it's a great honor
for me, Professor.

I used to attend all
your lectures in Berlin.

û [ Opera ]
Berlin ?
The good old days, yes.

Please.
Yes, yes.

It seems this little town
is home to one of the greatest
cardiologists in the world.

Yes, I had the honor
of teaching in Berlin.

And now, I am a professor
of, uh, latrine cleaning...

in the freight yard here.

I see.

Well, the ghetto is going
to be emptied tomorrow.

I can see to it
you are not on the transport.

- Why so generous ?
- I'm surrounded
by incompetents.

These doctors are unable
to do anything for me.

And the pain is unbearable.

[ Kirschbaum ]
Open the jacket, please.

Let me see.

I know this sound, yeah.

I have a similar condition.
It's pretty painful,
isn't it ?

[ Chuckling ]
Yes.

But only here,
I have a little problem.

On the one hand as a
physician, I'm obliged to
help you.

On the other hand,
if I save your life--

I mean, you'll
liquidate the ghetto.

And if you do not,

my men will liquidate you.

û [ Ends ]
[ Crowd On Radio ]
Sieg Heil ! Sieg Heil !

[ Man On Radio ]
This is the radio of the
German Armed Forces Network.

Heil Hitler.
We will now broadcast
a special bulletin.

- Our troops are engaged
in the Battle of Normandy.
- Ah, news.

[ Radio Continues ]

[ Radio Shuts Off ]
Sorry. Perhaps you would like
to hear how the war is going.

But, of course, you have
your own sources of
information, your own radio.

In the ghetto ?
You think
we are stupid ?

We have informers.

I know that you listen
to the B.B.C., that you're
dreaming about resistance.

Why don't you give me
the name of the criminal
who owns the radio ?

I'll save you.
What do you say ?

It's-It's a hard decision
to make, yes.
It's a hard decision.

Yeah.

May I-- May I--
May I have a glass
of water, please ?

If it helps you
to make up your mind,
why not ?

Water.

Oh, thank you.

[ Sighs ]
Excuse me.

Excuse me, sir, but I--

[ Glasses Hit Floor ]

Poison !

It was poison !
You bastard Yid !
I forbid you to die !

You really shouldn't
get excited.
Take my advice.

You know,
I am a world-famous
cardiologist, yes.

[ Groaning ]

A world-famous cardiologist.
[ Chuckling ]

I'm a...
world-famous cardiologist.

- Esther.
- Professor. Professor !

[ Meyer ]
Stop. He's dead.
Boys.

You let this
dirty Yid defy me.

- But Herr General--
- I want to see this radio
here tomorrow morning !

Go !
Heil Hitler.

[ Shouting,
Whistles Blowing ]

[ Shouting Continues ]

[ Gunfire ]

[ Man Over P.A. ]
Achtung, achtung !

A criminal terrorist is hiding
a radio in the ghetto...

in defiance of regulations.

Unless the man responsible
brings himself
and the accomplices...

to the Kommandantur
by midnight,

ten hostages
will be shot in reprisal.

Achtung, achtung !

A criminal terrorist is hiding
a radio in the ghetto...

in defiance of regulations.

Unless the man responsible
brings himself
and his accomplices...

to the Kommandantur
by midnight,

ten hostages
will be shot in reprisal.

[ Man On P.A. Continues,
Indistinct ]

[ Kowalsky ]
Hello ?

Are you there ?

[ Knocking ]
Hello ?

[ Shivering ]
What do you want ?

Oh, is that a way
to greet a visitor ?

Sorry.
Shall I go to the basement,
fetch a bottle of champagne ?

No wonder you never had
any customers.
Yeah ?

Yeah. So,
I wanted to tell you about
that green stuff, you know ?

Never worked for Stamtisch,

didn't work for me
and it won't work for you.

Oh.
[ Man On P.A. Continues ]

The last cigarette,
before you tell me
to turn myself in.

Yeah, well--
No, that's between
you and Him up there.

If He is up there.
Yeah.

No, actually, I wanted
to ask you about the signal.

I-I was wondering if-if--
That-That signal
must have come by now.

I think, uh, at least
any minute now.

What do you think ?
Huh ? Hmm ?

What ?

For what I'm about to say,
I'd rather be in the dark.

I don't have a radio.

I've never had one.

And if I did,
I wouldn't have had the guts
to listen to it.

So how did you know
where the Russians were ?

Well, I made it up.
Most of it.
No, no, I don't think so.

I don't think you
can make that up.
I don't think so. I did.

The battle for Rudna,
you had the battle
for the tanks,

the Luftwaffe, the Churchill--
Yeah, the jazz band.
Yeah, all of that.

Actually, the soccer score
was genuine,

thanks to your dancing
that day.

[ Chuckles ]
And Bezanika, I really did
hear that in the Kommandantur.

But as for the rest of it,
it's lies.

All lies.

Sometimes I amazed myself.

But it's lies...
and wishful thinking.

- You're telling the truth ?
- Finally.

Go ahead.
Tell me how much you hate me.

[ Chuckling ]

Do you--

So that-that was--

Our dear friends, the Germans,
and half the German Army,

they were tearing
the ghetto apart...

for a--
[ Stammering ]

for a radio that
doesn't even exist ?

[ Laughing ]

[ Coughing ]
Don't tell Mischa.
It'll kill him.

[ Laughter Continues ]

[ Boards Shuffling ]

You're not sleeping.

You shouldn't ruin
your eyes like that.

I'm not going to see
my parents again, am I ?

The Russians aren't coming,
are they ?

Yes, they are.
A whole battalion of them.

Straight from Moscow,
with tanks and a big band.

Is that another lie ?

No.
Why should I
believe you ?

Would I lie to you
about something like that ?

Yes.

I heard you talking
to your friend,

but I understand
why you did it.

You wanted to be--
to be good.

That's from Hannah.

She told me she wishes
we had a little girl like you.

Where are you going ?

Well, I have something
I have to do,
and you should get some sleep.

Why ?
Well, I--

Questions.
Always questions.

I have to give
the Germans my radio.

But you don't have a radio.
[ Chuckles ]
That's a problem, isn't it ?

You know, maybe I'll go and
explain it all to my good
friend in the Gestapo...

and he'll see
the funny side of it,

and we'll have
a good laugh about it.

That one's from me,
maidelah.

[ Pounding On Door ]

[ Rosa ]
Be careful.

[ Jakob ]
Mischa, open the door.
It's me, Jakob.

Has the signal come ?
Not yet,
but I need your services.

Are we going
to rescue the hostages ?
That's being taken care of.

But your mission
is to go to my attic.

I'll get my clothes.
No. Not now.

Tomorrow, if I don't
show up at work,

you must go up to my place
under the cover of darkness...

and transfer back here
something special I left
for you to take care of.

The radio ?
Something special.

I understand.
Good.

Where's my gun ?
No.

This mission
does not require a gun.

It requires a good brain
and a strong heart.

So I chose you,
our best man.

Mazel tov.

All right ?
Good-bye, my friend.

[ Kowalsky's Voice ]
"Dear Jakob,

"you'll probably hold yourself
responsible for my death,

"and if you look at it one way
you'd be right.

"But when you look at it
a different way,

"your imaginary radio
gave me a reason...

"to keep going for
a few more days anyway.

"Much as I'd like to,
I don't hold anything
against you.

"With a bit of luck,
you'll find some other schmuck
to shave you for free.

"Until I see you again,
I remain your best customer,

Kowalsky."

Shalom, chozer.

[ Dogs Barking ]

Remember me ?
The smart Jew ?

Why are you out
after curfew ?

It's about my radio.
I must see the
officer on duty.

I wish to give myself up.

Maybe you're not
such a smart Jew.
Keep going.

I know the way.

[ Telephone Ringing ]

It's in here.

So, here we have
the famous Jakob.

Did you bring your radio ?

Yes and no.

[ Vehicle Approaching ]

[ Yelling, Shouting ]

[ German ]

[ Whistles Blowing ]

[ Shouting Continues ]

Papa !
Papa !

[ Muffled Screaming ]

[ Shouting In German ]

[ Cocks Weapon ]

Please ! Please !
Please !

[ German Soldier ]
Halt !

[ Screaming ]

Mischa, come here.
Come on.
Come on.

Come on !

You're crazy.
You're going to get us killed.
Shh. I have to go to Jakob's.

[ Yelling, Shouting Continue ]

Rosa, go !
Go, go !

Halt !
Halt !

[ German ]

Halt !
[ Gunshot ]

[ Gasping ]
The radio ?

The--
The hostages.

[ Panting ]

Nothing yet ?
Another few more minutes,
Herr General.

All right.
Continue.

Tell us about the radio,
I will see what I can do
for the hostages.

[ Electrical Humming ]

[ Gunfire In Distance ]

[ Mischa ]
Look by the window.
There's nothing here.

It has to be here somewhere.

[ Breathing Heavily ]

Mischa. Mischa,
I hear something.

[ Both Gasp ]

- I'm sorry if I frightened
you. - Who are you ?
What are you doing here ?

I'm Lina Kronstein.
I live here, but
it's a secret.

You're Mischa, aren't you ?
Jakob said you would come
and take care of me.

What do you mean,
take care of you ?
Of course we will.

We'll be happy to,
won't we, Mischa ?

Listen to me very carefully.
This is very important.

Do you know where Jakob
has hidden the radio ?

- Of course I do.
I've heard it.
- You do ?

-[Imitating B.B.C. Announcer]
This is the B.B.C.
from London.

-You actually heard
this radio ?

But I'm not supposed
to tell anyone.
Where is it ?

[ Groans ]

Where is your damn radio ?

Lina, where the radio is
matters a great deal
to a lot of people.

Do you think Jakob would
trust us to listen to it ?

[ Panting ]
Hey ! Stop.

I'll show you.

I'll show you my radio.

[ Shouting In German ]

Go, Lina ! Go, go !
Forget about the
radio, Mischa.

[ Barking ]

That...

is my radio.

You've just told
your last joke, Yid !

[ Blow Lands ]
Stop.

[ Shouting In German
Continues ]

Go ! Go !
Run !
Mischa !

Trust me !
Run !

[ German ]
Don't shoot.

Please, don't shoot.
Don't shoot !

It was you,

the Jew who was out
after curfew.

And it was your radio
I heard.

[ Scoffs ]
Excuse me, sir.

Is that a problem for you ?
You're the one with
the problem, my friend !

That's true.
That's certainly the case.

I can't argue with that.

But to let a Jew hear a radio,
that's a serious offense,
isn't it ?

You can shoot me,
but you still don't have
my radio.

[ Clock Chiming ]

So, we both have a problem.

Don't we ?

May I ?

[ Shouting In German ]

[ German Officer ]
You will stand up
in front of the Jews...

and tell them
there was no radio.

You made it all up,
everything.

There is no radio,
no resistance.

In return for your confession,
I won't shoot you.

But you will put me on
a transport to the camps.

It's the same thing,
isn't it ?

That's not much
of a deal for me.

You may be a good soldier,

but you're not much
of a businessman.

Excuse me for saying so.

Who knows ?

You might survive a week
in the camps.

Two weeks, six months,
until the Russians...

or the Americans
or the British arrive.

You know how close
they are, don't you ?

There's always hope.
Isn't there ?

What man doesn't want to see
the next day...
and the one after that ?

[ German ]

[ Groans, Coughs ]

[ Groans ]

You all know this man.

He told you
he had a radio.

He told you that
you should resist...

the German authorities.

He will now tell you that
this was all a lie.

He will tell you that
there never was
such a radio...

and that resistance...

is pointless.

Tell them.

Tell them.

[ Birds Cawing ]

Y-Y-You...

tell them !

Jakob !

[ Shouting In German ]

Jakob !
No !

[ Jakob Narrating ]
So that's how it ended.

I never got a chance
to be the big hero
and make my big speech.

I swear, I had a speech
all prepared about freedom
and never giving in.

But somehow--

Yes, that's how it ended.

[ Train Whistle Blowing ]

And they all went off
to the camps
and were never seen again.

But maybe
it wasn't like that at all.

Because, you know,
as Frankfurter says,

"Until the last line
has been spoken,
the curtain cannot come down."

Mischa.

About 50 kilometers
out of town,

the train was stopped
by Russian troops...

who had just taken
Bezanika and Pry.

[ Soldiers Shouting
In Russian ]

[ Chattering, Shouting ]

û [ Polka ]

û

[ Mouthing Words ]
Jakob.

û Roll it out, roll it out
Roll out the barrel û

û [ Vocalizing ]

û Sing a song of good cheer

û 'Cause the whole gang
is here û

û Roll it out, roll it out

û Let's do
the Beer Barrel Polka û

û [ Ends ]