Original subtitles

Mama, please.

It's getting late.

I'd better wake the boys.

Yes.

Stephan.

Go away.

Don't. Get away.

Time to get up. You'll miss your train.

Huh? - Train.

I forgot. In a couple of hours we'll be on a train.

Think of that. A train.

Karl. - Hey, Karl.

Empty.

Hey, look at him.

He would rather plow than go to college.

Hey, Karl.

Karl.

Karl.

Karl.

Hello.

Morning. - Time to quit?

Been up long? - Since dawn.

I wanted to finish this field. - I understand.

It's the last field you'll ever plow. - Probably.

When you're a surgeon, you can come any time and plow until you're stiff.

I guess it wouldn't be the same. - No?

I'll have changed. - Changed?

I'll have a head full of science and surgery. That's all I'll be thinking of.

You can't forget this.

No matter how famous you became.

You'd come back sometimes.

No, Lotti.

When you grab success, success grabs you.

You never come back.

You'll forget me too?

You little fool. When I graduate, we get married.

There would be no success without you. You know that.

Truly, Karl?

There's two things I'm going to get.

My doctor's degree and you.

I can see us now in a little flat in Vienna.

In Vienna.

Wouldn't we be happier here?

Oh, Karl.

Well, maybe we'd better forget it.

Come on. I'll just finish this furrow.

Alright. I'll help you.

You'd better hurry too. - Giddyap.

Karl Brenner.

Will you explain to these other students the answer to my last question?

Yes, sir.

In this case, the middle meningeal artery is completely ruptured.

Fine.

Will you illustrate that please?

This rupture caused a large hemorrhage in the intercranial cavity here.

Affecting all the vital parts.

Look.

Stephan should be a little unlucky at cards the next time we play, eh?

Look. Please don't. Oh, alright.

Look at this depressed skull fracture.

From its location it would give sensory symptoms in the lower extremities.

I cannot retain another fact.

Come on, Willy. Be serious, will you?

More education passed through my head in the last hour ..

I know. You're not through yet. Look at this plate.

There's your compound fracture. Badly reset.

See the displacement and shortening. - How should I know?

What does it look like?

To me, it rather looks like the Danube river run dry.

Willy.

My curiosity may deprive me of a weekly check if it brings something to light.

But why does your father pay me to tutor you?

Do I interrupt?

Just in time. Good old Stephan.

Thank you.

Well, Willy. What have you learned tonight?

Nothing.

Now there's an answer above criticism.

You tell it all so concisely.

School is dismissed. Come on.

Get out of here.

I'll get your big coat.

To save himself for posterity.

Don't forget. Tomorrow night at eight.

Is it worthwhile? Am I benefiting?

Well, I am. So persevere.

See you tomorrow.

Good old Yorick.

I see you had a time for yourself.

I explain it this way.

If it's silly to drink more than you can carry.

Why is it wise to carry more than you can drink?

Thoughtful of you.

Wait a minute.

Something I had left over from dinner, no doubt.

On a liquid diet?

I get bored when you're not with me, Karl.

Thank you. But playing with you don't pay the rent.

I found that out the last time the landlord was here.

Rent can't hurt you.

Rent is merely a nervous condition.

I came home to get the rent off your mind.

I can do that much for you. Come on now, drink up.

I have to struggle with my valedictory speech.

Sure.

Next month you're going to graduate with honors.

I'm going to graduate ..

The failure of the class.

Not fair.

Why should I have all the fun?

All of it.

You just get stuck with the honors.

Come on. We'll go out and we're going to have a good time.

Wait a minute. You've had enough.

But you haven't. You haven't had a drop for a week.

We're going out. - I want you to sit down.

But we're going out. - Sit down.

I want to go out. - Alright. Alright.

If you want to drink, then we drink here.

You stay there.

That's alright with me as long as we drink.

You know, not drinking at all is bad for you.

Bad. - Alright.

This is medicinal. - Purely.

Purely. It puts iron in the blood.

A dose is one glassful every two minutes.

Until all the bottles are used up.

All the bottles? - All the bottles.

Something I had left over from dinner. No doubt.

And lunch. And breakfast.

Going to give up? - No.

Alright. You win.

You lose.

Because when you're unconscious I can work.

You think you can put me to bed, do you?

You won't know about it.

Wait a minute. Where you going?

I want to go. - No. Sit down.

I want to go. - Alright.

Alright. We'll go.

I got to have a ball.

Here is a bowling ball.

A nice ball.

Roll on.

Roll on. - Wait.

What's the matter?

Ready? - Sure.

Go. - Alright.

Hey. You promise to drink up every one I knock over?

On one throw? - Yep.

Sure.

Quiet.

Quiet there.

You students were supposed to have your lights out long ago.

What's the matter? What happened?

It gets me here sometimes.

Come here. Lie down. - Thanks.

Karl. Get me a drink, will you?

Here you are.

Thanks.

This is getting serious.

I've heard you do this before, but .. - That gets one.

What's the matter? Any blood?

No. Of course not.

Listen. You have to cut down on this night life.

Your system won't stand it.

'Graduation exercises will be in two weeks'.

'Come. Even if you have to sell the cows'.

'It will mean nothing to Karl and me unless you two are here'.

Here is the biggest news of all.

Bigger than going through college without getting into trouble?

What is it?

Karl has been made valedictorian of his class.

Yes?

What is this .. this 'valedictorian'?

It means he's won the highest honors.

He is the first man in the university.

Why not?

Why not?

And where is Stephan?

It does not say in the letter.

I guess he is tagging along.

Like the tail to a kite, eh?

Well, what does it matter?

The kite is going high.

They are both my boys and they'll go together.

As I look at all these familiar faces.

A thought saddens me.

It's unlikely that all of us gathered in this hall today will foregather again.

Will ever foregather again.

We're accepting a grave responsibility.

Some of us will take up surgery. Others pathology or medicine.

Hello Stephan. Maybe you can help me.

My speech.

'As I gaze upon all these familiar faces a thought saddens me'.

'It is unlikely that ..' - Karl.

Too trite, do you think?

Karl, I'm in a mess.

How much this time? - No. It's about Anna.

How that woman's love endures. But cheer up.

In three weeks you're out of university and freedom is just round the corner.

I won't be out of this mess.

What has happened?

I performed an operation.

You what? - We had a fight.

Over money.

I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing.

I promised her some money.

From time to time. You know I haven't got any.

I told her once and for all I was through.

I started away up the steps and she stopped me.

She pulled me back and said something. I lost my temper.

I must have hit her.

She rolled all the way down to the foot of the steps.

I went after her.

I carried her upstairs to the room. She was unconscious.

I made a quick examination and found out ..

That her abdomen had been ruptured by the sharp end of the balustrade.

I was afraid to take her to the hospital.

I know they'd expel me from the university.

And discover everything about Anna and I.

I stopped the flow of blood as best I could.

I went to work on her.

I was crazy. I know I shouldn't have done it.

I realize now I should have taken her to the hospital and took the consequences.

That happened early this evening.

I've been at her bedside since.

You fool.

You have no right to even set a broken finger until you graduate.

I was drunk. I let her talk me into it.

You were drunk? You operated drunk? - You think I'd have done it sober?

The same excuse for every jam you get into.

Please, I'm half out of my head now. - The ambition mother has for you?

Tonight she has a temperature of 104.

Where is she? - In her room.

Will you go and see her?

Yes.

How fast is her pulse? - It's 140.

And her blood pressure? - Very low.

Come on. Let's hurry.

Where's her room? - 2nd floor. First door up the stairs.

Look out for the janitor and his wife.

Have they ever seen you? - No. But they know someone visits her.

Alright. You go home and wait for me. And don't drink.

Thanks.

What ails her?

She'll be alright. - You'd better call Dr. Swartz.

Wait a minute. - Go on, go on.

Fetch me a basin of water. - Hadn't you better wait for Dr. Swartz?

Fetch me a basin of water and some soap and a towel.

Here is your water.

Blood poisoning?

Yes, sir.

Did you perform an operation?

Yes, sir.

Are you a surgeon?

No, sir.

A medical student.

Oh, only a student.

That's too bad.

Your name?

Karl Brenner.

Karl Brenner.

You'd better send for the coroner.

Young man, continue.

He didn't even know where she lived. I took him there after it happened.

When I thought she was dying.

You took him? - Yes.

Why weren't you with her? - He sent me home.

You went? - Yes.

Believing she was dying?

I was so upset I didn't know what I was doing.

So the blame falls on your brother? - I didn't think he'd be found there.

I only wanted him to save Anna if possible.

Strange that neither of you were seen about with this girl.

I visited her house secretly. - That's good.

She was in my room three weeks ago. The watchman saw her leave.

I bribed him to keep quiet. - But she came to see me.

Untrue. He was in the Winegarden then. People saw him.

Listen, sir. - One moment.

Any extraordinary reason why he should take the blame for you?

Yes. For mother's sake.

He isn't my real brother but she brought him up as if he were.

I see. Gratitude.

He owes everything to mother.

What do you say to that?

I'm doing what he'd do if he were in my fix.

Can't you see he lies? Look at him.

Would he be so calm if he was really guilty?

If he were, he'd be half out of his head as I am.

Get the truth from the facts in the case.

I guess we can. Bring in the others.

Dr. Swartz.

Did you ever see this man before?

Never in my life.

You two.

Look at him carefully.

No, sir. No, sir.

Me neither. - How about this one?

He was the man I saw.

Well, doctor? - Yes.

I found him in the woman's room when I came.

He was present at the time of her death.

And you madam?

Well, I heard the poor girl screaming.

I ran up to her room and found him standing over the bed.

I thought there was something wrong.

So I sent my husband for the doctor.

Even though he said he was one.

Something about his looks I didn't like. - That will do.

Deacon?

You will be responsible for this boy, Stephan Brenner, until we need him.

Yes, Major.

This is the most unfortunate occurrence in the history of our community.

Yes. Too bad.

The other boy is remanded to custody.

I'm not worth it, Karl.

I never will be.

You'd better be.

Get rid of that cough and settle down to some real work.

Come.

You made a chivalrous attempt, my boy.

Whatever else may be said of it.

Frederich von Holscht.

Congratulations. - Thank you, sir.

Anthony Arbacht.

Congratulations.

Karl Brenner.

Pardon me.

There must be a mistake.

Oh? I am sorry.

Stephan Brenner.

My congratulations.

Stephan.

You have lost another patient.

Sorry.

First Karl. Now you.

It looks as if the wrong one went to prison.

When it happened that time, I thanked god it wasn't you.

That must have been a great comfort to Karl.

After all, you are my son.

When I married your father.

It was his dream to become a great surgeon.

He wasn't any older than you are now.

The day he dropped dead at the plow from overwork.

He was trying to earn money for an education.

He was trying to make us something more than mere diggers of the soil.

I tried to carry on.

I gave you that chance. You. His son.

And what have you done with it?

You are still here. Little better than a peasant.

You can't even become a respectable country doctor.

Mother. Lotti.

Mother.

Lotti.

Karl.

You're back, darling.

So Stephan is gone?

Stephan is gone?

Karl.

Have you forgiven me?

Stephan told us everything just before he died.

What can I say, Karl?

Oh, my boy.

We all did our best, mother. You most of all.

When I think of how you worked for us, what I did was easy.

I was wrong. I know it now.

You loved the farm and I tried to drive you from it.

But I am punished for my selfishness.

You mustn't say that. You were right.

The things we do for the best don't always turn out.

I suppose because we belong to the soil, we can't leave it.

It seems as if the hand of god has been holding us here.

But it's not just. It's not just.

After all, won't we be happy here?

You will. And Lotti.

Yes.

It made it easy in prison thinking someday I'd be out in the fields again.

I could, hardly wait to feel the handle of a plow.

I know.

But the first thing you must do is to go out and take down your brother's sign.

We have no doctor now.

We'll sell all of his instruments. We'll sell everything.

And try and forget.

But you will be happy, mother.

I will try, Karl.

I'll try.

The car. Whose is it? - I don't know.

Never mind the car. Help.

Is everybody alright?

Bring that boy to the house.

Right over here.

You are a doctor?

Is this your son? - Yes.

What is it, doctor? - I don't know just yet.

I'll have to see. His legs are alright.

No fractures here.

Maybe his head.

Lotti, bring that light closer.

Closer, dear.

There we are. He's hurt his head.

Mother .. wash off that mud.

Let me help.

What is it, doctor?

A cerebral hemorrhage and skull fracture.

What does that mean?

It means it requires an operation. - An operation?

Then I'll call my surgeon from town. Dr. Niergardt.

He can be here by midnight.

This boy cannot last two hours.

The nearest hospital is 20 miles away. You can't move him.

Then you must save him.

Doctor. Are you capable?

Why.

Why.

I'll do my best.

Lotti.

Let the gentleman hold the lamp. I want you to help me. Come here.

Take this.

Use some hot water.

I want you to boil these instruments and these gloves.

I'll give you some more in a few minutes. Run along.

You'll be alright, son.

You'll see. You'll be alright.

Thank you, mother.

You'll be alright, son.

I thought Niergardt would be here hours ago.

Don't worry. It's bad weather.

He couldn't do any more than my boy has done.

What is it? - Dr. Niergardt is here.

Thank heaven.

In a few moments we'll know.

Mother, why did you let Karl do it?

He had to. - He did not.

If the boy dies, they'll put him in prison again.

You should have more faith in Karl.

That boy will get well.

When was the operation? - About seven.

We should know by this time. - This is Dr. Niergardt.

Will you come this way, doctor?

Dr. Brenner, this is Dr. Niergardt.

What has been done?

A deep compression. I had to remove the blood clot.

I trust there was on unnecessary haste?

It had to be done at once or the patient would have died.

I see.

Where's the patient? - This way. I'll show you.

If you don't mind, I will see him alone.

You will find the chart on the bureau. - Thank you.

Karl.

What will he find?

Everything was done that could be done.

Don't worry.

Did you perform this operation?

Yes, sir.

Doctor? - Your son will live.

Thank god.

I did not catch the name.

Doctor ..? - Brenner.

Brenner.

May I see your operating facility?

Yes, sir. Right this way.

May I see him, doctor? - Yes. But don't disturb him.

Let me see.

Is this all you had to work with?

Yes, sir. It may seem reckless to you but the thing had to be done.

Dr. Brenner.

For sheer nerve and surgical skill.

This is one of the most remarkable feats that ever came under my observation.

Thank you, sir.

Is this your consulting room?

Yes, sir. The consulting room and the operating room all in one.

'Stephan Brenner'.

A Munich man, eh?

Yes, sir. - That accounts for it.

I taught that technique there. - Yes. I know, professor.

It's had its results.

You've been out of university three years?

Yes.

I can't believe a man of your ability should be lost out here in the country.

Well.

I happen to love the country. - You've done some work in the city?

No. Never.

He came straight from university, doctor.

He thinks he loves the farm.

Wasting his time among country people. They're never sick.

Don't you think it wicked, doctor? - I think something must be done.

I have it. How would you like to come with me to Vienna?

Vienna? - Yes.

We leave tonight to work among the Italian earthquake victims at Messina.

You'll have plenty to do.

Why.

I appreciate your offer, but ..

I can't accept it.

That's nonsense.

Forgive an older man speaking plainly but I question your right to refuse.

There are things that make it impossible.

You don't look like a man who avoids moral issues.

I believe, when nature sends gifted men into the world.

She gives them to the human race.

Even if what you say is true.

There is a reason why .. - Stephan.

Shush.

Stephan Brenner. I want you to pack up and come with me today.

Will you?

You've no choice. - None.

Mother. - None.

Doctor, the ambulance has arrived.

Talk to him.

We must leave in about ten minutes.

Mother, why did you call me Stephan? - Hush.

You hoped I'd go with him to Vienna?

To use Stephan's name and Stephan's diploma?

Well, why not?

To practice illegally? To be an imposter?

No. A saviour of the dying.

A benefactor. You heard what he said.

'When God sends gifted men like you into the world'.

'He gives them to the people'.

But mother, without my own diploma every operation I perform would be a crime.

If it's a crime for you to do what you did for that boy, go and commit them.

Thousands of them.

Is the need for your name on a diploma to stand in the way of God's plans?

It is insane.

Take the diploma. Call yourself Stephan Brenner and go.

It's madness.

If you refuse, you're shirking a duty. - I wonder.

I don't know. Maybe you're right.

I know I'm right. Go.

Time to get ready. Go.

We're ready. - Just a moment.

Goodbye mother.

Goodbye son.

Chin up. Don't be afraid.

Darling.

Remember.

From now on, he'll be my brother.

Only my brother.

Yes.

My congratulations.

Close your left eye.

Follow this.

Feel any pain here in the temporal region?

Yes.

Changes in the eye membrane caused by a tumor pressing on a ventricle.

The X-Ray indicates the exact location.

Here, gentlemen.

The cell count proves this diagnosis. - How long has he complained?

I've examined every day for four weeks. - Doctor.

What's happened? - Patient in 35 has a weak pulse.

Salt solution in the vein. - Thank you, doctor.

Gentlemen, excuse me. - Don't you think we should operate?

Absolutely. As soon as possible.

Sir Henry has come for his bill. - Show it to him.

Good morning, doctor. - Good morning.

Hello.

Once the patient is ready, prepare the theater and prepare the patient.

No. I won't need that.

Alright, I'll be there in half an hour.

Doctor, Mrs Gulliver at eleven. Is that alright?

Yes. That's alright.

Glad to see you looking better. - Thank you.

Look here, doctor. Have I read this correctly?

Would you please recapitulate this statement in its entirety once more.

One thousand dollars. It's correct.

Any doctor can set a broken arm. - That is the point.

You kept me away from patients who need me and couldn't afford to pay a doctor.

That is our system. - Doctor, surgery is waiting.

Excuse me.

I say, is anybody here?

Hello. How is the baby today?

Fine thanks, doctor.

You look fine.

I'll see you in a few minutes. - Thank you, doctor.

How are you? - Fine.

Thank you for the doll you gave me. - Glad you liked it. How is the arm?

Fine. It doesn't pain anymore.

That is splendid.

What is the charge, doctor? - That's alright.

I could not accept this.

You've been looking after the girl for two months.

Well then, fifty cents.

Fifty cents for setting an arm?

That is our charge.

Thank you so much, doctor.

You are quite welcome.

Goodbye.

But doctor .. - I'll see you again.

Look.

Did anybody call? - Miss Brenner waits in your office.

I'm not to be disturbed. - Yes, doctor.

Lotti.

It's been weeks and weeks since I've seen you.

I know.

What's the good of mother and me living in Vienna if you never come to see us?

What made you phone me to come here at once?

I wanted to see you away from mother.

Lotti.

I am going to quit.

What?

I've wanted to for a long time.

I am tired, Lotti. Tired out.

I can't go on forever like this without you.

But your career?

There's something more important in life than a career.

Your work here is not finished yet.

At your age .. - I've done my share.

25 years' work in five.

Besides, I'm getting too well known.

Look at that. - You see, it proves ..

It's not possible to go on like this and not be caught.

Then, after all my work. Prison again.

Karl. - No.

Tonight my resignation goes in to Dr. Bergman.

That will end the career of Dr. Stephan Brenner.

Tonight? You must think it over.

Think it over? That's all I've done for months.

I stayed away from you purposely just to make sure.

Then there is mother. - Mother?

Yes. I've thought about her too.

I paid my debt to her in the years I've lived without you.

Listen, Lotti. I have it all planned.

I want you go home and pack your things. Tonight I'll come for you.

We mustn't think of anybody but each other now.

We'll go to Paris and be married there.

Won't you? Don't you want to?

You know, dear.

I'll throw you out of here before you change your mind.

You'll think up too many excuses.

Darling, I'll come for you tonight at eight.

Will you be ready?

Lotti.

It's just.

It doesn't seem possible.

I never thought this time would come. - It has come.

Tonight at eight.

Congratulations. - Thank you, Major.

Who could dream that such happiness would come out of our first meeting?

I'm sure they'll be very happy. - They ought to be.

What's the matter, Lotti?

Nothing.

Excuse me, Franz. I'll be right back.

Can I help you? - No.

I won't be long. - Alright.

What's the meaning of all this?

A coming home party? - Karl. We'd better stay here.

I must talk to you.

What about? - It was so hard to tell you.

We took things so for granted.

I couldn't tell you.

Tell me about what? - Well.

The reason why I can't go.

You can't go? - No.

I can't.

Lotti, what is the matter? What are you trying to tell me?

Well.

It's Franz. - What about Franz?

We are engaged to be married, Karl.

You are what?

Don't you see? I had to forget you.

What you proposed today was a mad dream.

Long ago, I knew I had to forget you.

So you tried to make yourself love Franz?

It didn't seem possible at first.

After a while .. - I know.

It was easy.

Lotti, don't you realize what you've done?

Our love. Our plans.

I realize.

Then.

I guess this is the end.

Don't tell mother I was here.

And forget everything I told you today.

Good luck, Lotti.

Goodbye, Karl.

Lotti.

Lotti.

Lotti. What's the matter, dear?

Mother.

I sent Karl away, and I love him.

I love him until I can't stand it.

Don't say that, Lotti. Don't.

It's all your fault. You made me do it.

I was trying to show you your duty.

Duty? That's what you always say. I'm sick of it.

I have some right to happiness.

Against that suffering mass of humanity you mean nothing.

I.

I mean nothing.

I'm glad you told me that.

Then it doesn't matter where I go. I can go to him. Be with him.

We can have each other.

Stop. Don't talk like that.

How can you go to Karl? You know you can't marry him.

No. You've seen to that.

But I can go to him just the same. - Without marriage?

You wouldn't dare.

Wouldn't I? What do I care now?

I love him and I'm not going through life without him.

Have you no shame? - It's passed that.

You've had your way. Now I'm going to have mine.

If I do this, it's because you drove me to it.

Lotti, you shan't go. - You won't stop me this time.

I am going to him. I'm going to him now. Tonight.

Lotti.

Lotti.

It's raining outside.

Please, mother. No use trying to stop me.

Can't you wait until morning? - I'm not going to change my mind.

Of course not. I didn't expect you to.

Why shouldn't you and Karl be together?

What's come over you? What made you change your ideas?

I've been sitting downstairs thinking things over.

Maybe we're making mountains out of molehills.

Why shouldn't you marry Karl?

You ask that?

Why should those doctors care now whether it's Karl or Stephan?

He's proven he's a better doctor than any of them.

They'll wink their eyes at something he did years ago to get his start.

Lotti, dear. Don't you see everything is working out right?

For you and Karl after all.

I wish it was as simple as all that.

The doctors might wink at it but the authorities certainly won't.

If the doctors are satisfied. Who's bothering about the police?

Mother.

No use pretending to me. To cheer me up.

I'm not a child.

I know like you that he broke the law.

And if he's found out he'll go to prison again.

Good evening.

Good evening.

A wet one.

Yes.

I misdirected a letter. I would like to have it back.

Who is it to? - Dr. Bergman, Vienna Sanatorium.

I'll have no trouble finding it.

You are getting wet.

I didn't realize it was raining until I came out.

Here it is.

'Dr. Bergman'.

Yes. That is it. - Vienna Sanatorium.

Yes.

What is the hurry?

It is so cold out here.

Yes. Isn't it?

Misdirected, eh? - Yes.

Where do you want it directed to?

I have the address.

Since you put a stamp on it and put it in this box.

It belongs to the government.

You don't understand. It's about my boy.

I made a terrible mistake.

Doctor. I have just lost my first case.

I am sorry.

He died on the table.

Look. That autopsy man hovers around here like a vulture.

He seems to know even before the operation starts.

It is unnerving. - I know.

There are some things we can't help.

Just keep on going.

[ Telephone ]

Hello.

Yes.

Lotti?

What?

Yes. Yes, Karl.

They found her on the street.

I don't know how it happened.

Yes, dear. I'll be there right away with an ambulance.

Hello. - Sir?

This is Dr. Brenner. Get an ambulance right now over to my mother's residence.

Yes, sir.

It's the same man unquestionably.

Are you quite sure of the date?

Let me have it again please.

Yeah. Nineteen hundred and twenty-four.

Thank you.

I see.

I see.

I am convinced you're right. It's an embolism.

Hardly a doubt.

Fortunate you are here. - I hardly think that I ..

It is your own surgery, Stephan.

Better have her sent down at once.

For surgery immediately.

If you like I will assist. - Please. By all means.

In about twenty minutes.

Your sister.

What is it, Karl?

Don't be alarmed.

Do you know what caused a nervous shock?

She's worried about several things. - Something sent her into the street.

It can't imagine. It was raining. - Whatever, it was a severe shock.

I'll have to operate, Lotti. - Karl.

Doctor, you are wanted in the boardroom. - I haven't any time.

You sent for me, gentlemen?

Dr. Bergman, will you please explain?

I shall be as brief as possible, Dr. Niergardt.

An investigation reveals.

That this brilliant young member of staff, Stephan Brenner.

Served a 3-year sentence in the state prison in Munich.

For performing an operation.

Under the name of 'Karl' Brenner before he had graduated from the university.

What is that?

One moment please. I beg you.

But I can't believe it.

Here is the proof.

A letter from the young man's foster mother.

Mother.

Miss Brenner. It will be better if you wait outside.

Are you ready, doctor?

Yes. Right away.

Dr. Bergman would like you to come to the boardroom.

Ridiculous. I'm going to operate.

Doctor, it is very important. - You heard what I said.

Yes, doctor.

My son.

Where is Niergardt?

Doctor. It is imperative.

The professor of the board wants to speak to you on the phone.

I thought I told you that I ..

Stop that anaesthetic. If she needs adrenalin, give it to her.

Dr. Brenner is here.

Hello. Brenner speaking.

You must come immediately, doctor.

No. I can't do it. I am just about to operate.

No, Bergman. I tell you it's impossible.

What are you doing?

We had orders to return the patient back to her room, doctor.

Who from?

Whose orders? - The Superintendent.

The superintendent?

Has everyone gone crazy around here? - There must be a mistake.

You'd better see the superintendent. - I'll see him.

He's in the boardroom. - Have the patient ready when I return.

Better take her back in the theatre.

What's wrong? - Nothing.

Nothing. I'll be back.

I tell you gentlemen, this delay endangers his mother's life.

What is there to be done?

Our hands are tied. You know that as well as I, Dr. Niergardt.

Don't talk rot. Wait until after the operation.

Bergman. What do you mean by interfering with my case?

Of all the colossal fool impudence. What is this gathering for?

You think I care about this meeting with a patient lying on the table?

Phone up and countermand that order.

We can't permit you to operate, doctor.

What do you mean?

What are you talking about?

Unless you prove you're Stephan Brenner and not his foster brother, Karl.

You served three years in he state prison at Munich.

For performing an operation without a license.

It may save time by telling you we have been in touch with the prison people.

Perhaps these will interest you?

I am very sorry, doctor.

You must try to understand that we are ..

Simply doing our duty.

We're your friends, understand, Stephan.

No criminal action will emanate from us.

Gentlemen.

What happens to me doesn't matter.

I admit anything.

Everything.

But that woman upstairs is my mother.

She is lying there waiting.

For heaven's sake let's talk of this later.

I'll not run away. Put a guard at the door.

Do anything you like.

Don't you understand?

We cannot let you operate.

But I tell you this is my mother's life.

Every minute counts.

The patient being your mother makes it doubly hard.

But we have a standard to uphold. - Someone else must do the operation.

Someone else? Well, who?

She has faith only in me.

Well.

Who will take the responsibility?

You?

You?

Heaven help the man who fails.

Come on.

You don't dare.

You know that at her age she couldn't ..

I broke the law.

I've broken the law for five years to save lives. Why stop me now?

Because if the operation fails.

We would all be found equally guilty with you.

So, you are thinking of your own reputations.

If one of your mothers were up there in her place you'd beg me to operate.

Wouldn't you?

Yes. They would.

No matter what you are.

You'd come to me on your hands and knees.

Gentlemen, that's all I'm asking of you.

A chance to save my mother's life.

She's up there waiting.

Her power of speech is gone but her mind is clear.

She is waiting. Confident I'll come back and save her.

Imagine the disappointment of that poor, puzzled mind if I don't come back.

You can't keep me helpless like this. It isn't human.

Put me in prison afterwards. Do what you like.

Only let me do this one operation.

Alright, Dr. Brenner. Go ahead.

Pull yourself together, my boy.

You need all you have for what's before you.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Let me have Brenner's operating room.

Start the anaesthetic.

He does that before each operation.

Just remember.

Your mother has the best surgeon in Europe.

We don't see one of these every day.

We're in luck. My thanks to the patient.

Something is wrong.

A fine technique.

I am proud of you, my boy.

He has done it.

Gentlemen.

I thank you.