Original subtitles

- Janek! - Here I am, Baron.

Come on.

Come on, rub hard!

- Has everybody arrived? - Not everybody, Baron.

Who's missing?

Mr. Bruckmann and Hauptsturmführer Aschenbach.

They have yet to arrive from Oberhausen.

What about the old man, Baron Joachim?

Come on, tell me about him.

Baron Joachim is in his apartment.

He's getting ready for dinner, as are the others.

- What about my son? - Can't you hear him?

Günther. Günther.

What do you want, Thilde?

Come.

- Come and see. - See what?

Come.

Look.

It's exactly as it was last year, Thilde, no difference at all.

Yes, but last year I was part of the audience.

This evening will be different.

Let's hope I don't forget my part.

It will be a great debut.

Tomorrow, your name will be in all the newspapers.

That's all right. Thank you. That's all right.

A compromise today, another compromise tomorrow,

and one fine day we'll no longer be able to find our own chairs!

Yes, dear.

I'm almost ready.

You know that Uncle Joachim insists on punctuality, especially this evening.

Can you help me?

How can I help if you won't stay still, darling?

Thank you, dear.

One can't always say yes. Those people aren't reasonable. Don't you understand?

The more you feed them, the more ravenous they become.

Honey, Uncle Joachim has been at the helm of this ship for more than 40 years

and always with balance and firmness.

"Balance." You used the right word.

A favor to the Liberals, another to the National Socialists.

A favor to me, another to Konstantin.

You're unfair, Herbert.

Joachim was never soft with that "particular gentleman."

That's because he's a snob!

If Hitler were not the son of a customs agent and a servant,

Baron von Essenbeck would have thrown himself in his arms.

Yes. But you must admit he took your advice

and never gave the National Socialists a mark.

That's only because he's so miserly.

What about the girls?

They're almost a revelation. You'll see.

I think they're very nervous.

Let's go.

Thank you.

- Come, Herbert. - Yes, dear.

Happy birthday, Grandpa.

Thank you. Come here.

Best wishes for your birthday.

Let me give you a kiss.

Thank you.

I thank you too, honey. My little Erika.

Janek!

- Can you hear them? Those two. - Yes.

Ever since she was born, someone was always there to tell her

that she was the most intelligent, the richest and most enviable -

that she was Baroness von Essenbeck.

How can I ask her to become Mrs. Bruckmann,

the wife of an ordinary executive in the factories that bear her name?

"An ordinary executive" is not quite the right term.

Uncle Joachim trusts you.

Both Herbert and Konstantin would never make a decision without you.

- Doesn't that mean anything to you? - It does mean something.

But it's not enough for Sophie.

I've undoubtedly made a career for myself,

but I'm still one of her employees.

You see, if we chose to get married,

I would suddenly lose the trust and friendship of Joachim von Essenbeck.

He likes the idea that Sophie remains the inconsolable widow of his beloved son,

the hero.

Idiot!

He'd probably fire me on the spot.

No, Friedrich, you're wrong.

Today, not even the 10,000 slaves who work in his factories

nor his millions and castles give him enough power to cut you out.

Because we are the powerful ones.

And we want you to stay where you are.

If anything, we want you to climb even higher.

So whose place should I steal? Herbert's?

The fact that Herbert's got to go is hardly news to anyone.

His hostility towards National Socialism is far too explicit.

-Still, Konstantin - -Konstantin?

Do you really find him that important?

Well, he's a member of the SA.

- He's very close to Röhm. - Our industry needs men like you.

And our chancellor has a soft spot for big industries.

In any case, I wasn't referring to Konstantin.

- Do you think they'd grant me an encore? - Even more than one.

But don't risk asking for it.

Then I must give up on the idea.

- Erika. - You were so good.

Very well done, Thilde. Really good.

Now sit with me. And thank you.

Congratulations to the young lady too. Thank you.

You're the first one to hold yourself back.

You act as if you're ambitious, but you're no more than a social climber.

Sophie would not be pleased.

You worry too much about Herbert and Konstantin,

but you forget there is someone who is more important than them -

Joachim.

You need to realize that anything can happen in Germany today,

even the improbable.

And this is just the start.

"Personal morals are dead.

We are an elite society where everything is permissible."

These are Hitler's words,

and you should give them some thought too, dear Friedrich.

Tonight,

for example.

Very well done, Günther. You're really good.

Executed perfectly. Thank you. My heartfelt thanks.

I know you don't care, but your son has a real talent for music.

Good evening, sir.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Excuse me. The phone.

Spring arrives, the sparrow calls Scent of flowers in the air

Surely I'm in love with a man But do not know which one

I don't care if he's got wealth Love is rich enough for me

Boys, for tonight I'll choose just who I want

A man, a real man

Boys, I'm so tired Of all these young ones

A man, a real man

A man whose heart burns with desire

A man whose eyes are filled with fire

In short, a man Who knows how to kiss

A man, a real man

Men you'll find, both thin and fat Tall and short and well-built

Others elegant and chic Bashful or strong-headed

I don't care just how they look Any type will fit the bill

Boys, for tonight I'll choose just who I want

A man, a real man

Boys, I'm so tired Of all these young ones

A man, a real man -

A little silence, please.

Silence, please.

In Berlin, the Reichstag is burning.

A man whose heart burns with desire

A man whose eyes are filled with fire

Enough now, please! Enough, I said!

The fire started half an hour ago.

A conspiracy, there's no doubt.

But apparently the culprit has already been arrested.

A Dutchman, a member of the Communist Party.

A communist! Of course!

Another communist crime against the new government.

They could've chosen another day to burn the Reichstag.

Right, Grandfather? They ruined your birthday.

I just spoke to my headquarters in Berlin.

They say they haven't been able to put out the fire yet.

The Berliners are enjoying the spectacle from their terraces.

I can't stay here. The SA may have been confined to their barracks.

Calm down, Konstantin.

The coup d'état has failed.

After all, your battleground is certainly not Berlin.

Or at least it never was until today.

In any case, the fact that they've already unmasked

the organizers of the conspiracy proves that -

What conspiracy? It's clearly just a pretext.

That's a far-fetched statement.

Herbert's statements are always far-fetched.

It's a provocation.

Only the enemies of the current government could be behind it.

If anyone doesn't need a parliament to govern us, it's your chancellor.

Herbert, please.

The whole of Germany knows about the proscription lists,

and this is the chance to convict the opposition with no trials or publicity.

And the whole of Europe will look on!

The internal order of Germany cannot interest Europe.

What internal order?

The kind that allows his friends to enter homes and kill people?

Herbert, please.

Didn't your Göring perhaps promise the enemies of the Third Reich

enough rope to hang themselves?

You're losing your head, Herbert.

Göring was referring to communists.

Are you perhaps a communist too?

Today, it's the turn of the communists.

What about tomorrow?

Don't worry about tomorrow.

Right now, someone is already doing what is necessary in Berlin.

Isn't that so?

Well said, Cousin Sophie.

Our only concern should be to celebrate Uncle Joachim,

even if this is an evening unlike any other.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

No, don't worry.

For a long time,

I have been meaning to say the words I am about to speak.

The dramatic events that took place in these last few hours

urge me to overcome any hesitation and uncertainty

and to speak clearly.

In all these years,

I have always set a single and constant goal for myself -

to protect the unity and prestige of our firm.

This is why I adjusted our tasks

and our structures

to the circumstances of each occasion -

during the war, during peace

and during... the subsequent crisis.

Now, in the face of these latest dramatic events,

I believe it is more necessary than ever

to protect the Essenbeck steelworks

from any political pressures

or from even greater risks.

You must admit that I have never yielded to this regime.

And, as you all know, I have never had

nor do I ever intend to have any relation with that particular... "gentleman."

Nevertheless, in the interests of the firm,

our production activity

forces us to keep in daily contact with those people.

This is why I feel the indispensable need to have by my side

a man who is appreciated by the regime and who can ensure that we -

Fine. My resignation has been ready for a while, Joachim.

If this is what you want.

I am forced to do this, Herbert,

with regret and without strong conviction.

But the steelworks -

Yes. I know. Right or wrong, they come first.

This has always been your creed.

You even sent your son to the slaughter just to prove that the Essenbecks

put children and weapons into the world with the same sentiment

and bury them with the same sentiment!

Forgive me.

The girls.

I congratulate you, Konstantin.

You'll be the vice president we deserve.

Let's go, Herbert. Please.

I hope not to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor.

Do you agree, Friedrich?

Boys, for tonight I'll choose just who I want

A man, a real man

Boys, I'm so tired Of all these young ones

A man

A real man

I'm well aware that if it benefited him, Aschenbach would stab me in the back.

But not this time.

He's on my side.

On our side, Sophie.

Herbert is right.

They set the Reichstag on fire, and, as we drove here this evening,

I am sure that Aschenbach knew exactly what was going to happen.

He spoke about me and you, about Joachim, about the steelworks.

But he actually wanted to tell me something else altogether.

He meant to tell me,

"Tonight you will be given an exceptional opportunity.

It'll be up to you to decide whether to take it or not...

whether to join us or oppose us."

Don't you understand, Sophie?

They can't have inserted Joachim in the proscription lists.

He's still too important.

Herbert perhaps. Probably Herbert.

Great things will take place tonight,

and the only ones to lose will be the bystanders.

It's as if they have given me a position of trust,

a secret mission.

And if I accept it,

if I take the opportunity,

I will have their help in exchange.

And there will be no more Herbert,

Konstantin or Joachim.

I will be the only one in command,

the only one who decides.

You and I, Sophie.

So, what have you decided?

It would be the first time I took a decision without first consulting you.

You were right to do so, Friedrich,

even if I will never know how to push you enough.

Go! Go! And go all the way.

None of them is worth half of what you are.

You were right to always say yes and to thank them,

and now you must make them pay.

All those times when Herbert set you aside,

when Joachim humiliated you.

And Konstantin, with his protective air, trying to help you, to offer you a hand.

He's the worst of them all.

Don't be afraid, Friedrich.

I'm not afraid.

There's just one thing we have to do -

keep your son at bay

so I can do what I must.

I'll take care of Martin.

I know his desires well.

He has no sense of the value of things.

The steelworks or a new Rolls, it's all the same to him.

We'll throw him the bait. Leave it to me.

- I've won! I've won! - Yes, you have. Where's Erika?

- Erika. Come out. We've won. - Erika. Erika.

- Where are you? - Erika.

- Erika. - Here I am.

There you are, you clever thing.

Come with me. Now it's your turn. Come on.

There you go. Put your hands over your eyes now. Like that.

Now count to 100, out loud.

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, ten,

11, 12, 13, 14...

Come, Erika.

Here, have a drink and let's put the topic to rest.

Drink.

- I don't want to leave school. - You'll leave that foul shack.

I'll drag you if necessary.

And I'll force you to come to the factory with me.

I guarantee that in ten years you'll be able to take over

and in a position to kick me out, too, if you want.

I'll break that damn cello over your head if you fail to understand.

You're just like your mother.

The same delicate stomach.

She never wanted to set foot in the factory.

Never. Not once.

The heat of the ovens made her dizzy.

-Listen, Dad, I've decided that - -I alone will decide for you.

Yes, I know. You can't stand me.

But I'm not asking you to love me.

Quite the opposite.

I just don't intend to leave that seat to that hungry Friedrich,

and even less to Martin.

I'd rather nail you to that seat when it's your turn.

I know it well. It's those bastards who are poisoning your mind.

But we'll tear that school of yours to pieces.

With all those damn books of yours inside!

Günther.

Günther!

Erika.

Don't let her hear you. Do you want her to find us so quickly?

Come in.

Günther.

Come in.

Yes.

All right.

Just as I expected.

Herbert will be arrested before daybreak.

Poor Herbert. To think we're so close to the border here.

Is there a specific charge? Will he have a trial?

I don't believe such formalities are necessary.

We go straight to the essential.

And... the essence of things is this.

Before the flames of the Reichstag are put out...

the men of old Germany will be reduced to ashes.

However, a semblance of legality

can be useful... sometimes.

But now you must excuse me. I'm tired and would like to retire.

Sophie.

Friedrich.

If you need me, you know where to find me.

But having to leave like this, like thieves...

We're not the only ones, Elisabeth.

Every day, people like us have to leave for different parts of Europe.

We can claim to be among the more fortunate.

At least we know where to go. We have friends.

But when?

As soon as we are ready

and once we have handed over the office at the factory.

It's over, Günther.

And the blame is ours alone.

We're all to blame, me included.

Raising one's voice when it's too late is useless.

It won't even help to keep up appearances.

We fought to give Germany a sick democracy.

The fear of a proletarian revolution -

pushing the country into the hands of the left -

was too great, and now we're too late to remedy the situation.

Nazism, Günther, is our own creation.

It was born in our factories. It fed off our money.

I know what you're thinking, that I shouldn't leave.

- And perhaps, deep down, you despise me. - No, Uncle Herbert.

I -

We'll keep in contact. All right?

Yes.

Erika, are you still up? What are you doing?

- Where is Thilde? Have you seen her? - I don't know.

Thilde.

Thilde.

Thilde.

- Where has she gone? Don't you know? - No.

It's time to go to bed. Immediately.

It's very late.

Thilde.

Thilde.

Herbert! Herbert!

They're here. They've come to take you. You haven't a moment to lose.

Elisabeth.

No! No!

You must escape. Don't waste time. Be quick.

- Please, my love, leave. - Quickly.

You'd be crazy to take that with you. Give it to me. I'll get rid of it.

Get out now. Hurry!

Please, Herbert. Hurry.

Take these.

- Leave, my love. - Take care of the girls.

No, Herbert.

This way.

Open up! Open up!

Do you recognize this weapon too?

Yes.

The weapon is identified as belonging to Herbert Thallman.

Should we continue with our investigation too?

The legal authorities will handle it.

Mr. Thallman took some compromising documents with him,

a file on the most recent activity at the steelworks.

He could easily use it outside the Reich.

He won't be able to make any concrete use of it.

Write this down. To the prosecuting attorney...

February 18, 1933.

Subject -

incrimination of Herbert Thallman, fugitive,

for the murder of Baron Joachim von Essenbeck.

I can imagine what you're feeling, my dear Martin.

But you can't, from one day to the next...

take on such a great responsibility

without a feeling of... consternation.

Nevertheless, neither Friedrich nor I will leave you on your own.

We were just saying that you'll have all the time to continue your studies

and become familiar with the problems of the firm.

These are not small problems, trust me.

In the meantime, Friedrich and I will keep the business going

as has always been done in the past.

I didn't expect to have to assume the presidency of the steelworks

in such tragic circumstances.

But, unfortunately, I -

I am forced to do what -

I - Grandfather was right.

Nowadays, our firm... Yes.

What I mean is...

Either we meet with the approval of those who govern us,

or our business, our profit...

I'm no business expert, nor am I an expert on politics.

However, this I know too.

We are speaking of a specific production.

There are technical problems.

Good.

Very good.

You've even given your coronation speech.

Now, however, let's not exaggerate.

Let's try to give this meeting

a slightly more... familiar tone.

-Joachim's intentions - -Please, Konstantin.

Martin hasn't finished.

- He still has something to say. - Let's hear it then.

Uncle Konstantin, I want to respect all of Grandfather's will.

He nominated you vice president, and it's fair that it should be that way.

But I think that in a moment like this -

Yes, that's it.

In a moment like this, the presidency should be held above all by a technician.

What kind of a joke is this?

It's not a joke.

Enormous interests are at stake,

and Martin thinks...

As far as I know, it's the first time Martin thinks with his own head.

I am the heir to the majority stake, and it's up to me to decide.

It's up to me alone to decide.

I nominate Friedrich Bruckmann as president of the administrative board

and general director of Essenbeck Steelworks

and all other enterprises affiliated with the firm.

Friedrich Bruckmann.

I raised you from the nothing that you were.

Herbert's pistol,

Aschenbach's testimony, the arrival of the SS.

It's perfect.

Your imagination is running wild, Konstantin.

You come with me.

Today, you too have learned something.

They don't teach this stuff in schools like yours.

Come.

Don't fool yourselves.

The war has only just started.

Günther! Come on!

To the first model.

With the hope that we will soon hear its music.

Will this entertainment last much longer?

Your place is here, Martin. You can't leave.

Very well. As you command.

Mr. Bruckmann.

You're certainly aware of...

I met your father on the French front in 1916.

- A true Essenbeck and a heroic officer. - I know.

The General Staff is firm on this point. Either Röhm is out or we are.

This is pure blackmail.

The SA are a knife at the throat of high finance and of the Reichswehr.

We must therefore stop heavy weapons from flowing into the barracks of the SA.

Is that your personal opinion?

It's the opinion of the General Staff.

And above all of the chancellor, if you don't mind my saying so.

The army is the army, and the SA is the SA.

We do not deal with internal order,

but we don't want to share our institutional duties with others.

Institutional duties?

I'd like to know where the Prussian generals were hiding

while we were cleaning up Germany from top to bottom.

-This country will never be clean enough - -Let's calm down.

Please, gentlemen.

We have no doubts on the merits of the SA, dear cousin.

We ourselves wouldn't be here without their work.

What's more, heavy weapons aren't needed to maintain public order.

All one needs to do is look around.

Germany is the most orderly country in the world.

And American and English tourists visit the country joyfully.

What more could we ask for?

So we all agree, gentlemen.

Not a single heavy weapon will leave this factory

unless requested by the General Staff.

The elections are coming up, Friedrich,

and we must win them at all costs if we want them to be the last.

But we need money. A lot.

The Essenbeck firm is late.

Joachim created this disagreeable state of affairs with his stupid stubbornness.

-All the other industrialists have paid - -No, wait a minute.

It's hard to set aside large sums without falsifying the balance sheets.

This is a corporation,

and you know that Konstantin may become a problem.

If Konstantin wants to become a problem, then I would tell you

that problems must always be resolved.

Don't you agree?

"The state cannot but crush the innocent little flower

- if the flower obstructs its path." - I am not the state.

I did what I was asked to do,

but I don't want to be involved any further.

Oh, come on now.

Don't always take me up on every word.

Those words were written by Hegel, not by me.

He must be turning in his grave, at the idea of Konstantin

being compared to his innocent little flower.

Do you think I could...

It's late.

Yes, go, Martin.

Thank you. Goodbye.

You will answer for everything that happens here.

Don't forget that.

ESSENBECK STEELWORKS

Emmerstrasse, please. Drive quickly.

A real man...

- The miss isn't in. She's gone out. - Yes, thank you. I know.

...hundreds of people in Berlin, carrying the flags of the party.

One by one, the flags appear and are rising up from the cellar vaults.

The flags are being carried to the scene.

We hear the singing. Everyone is singing.

People! People!

People bearing great slogans for our nation...

GERMAN STUDENTS MARCH AGAINST UN-GERMAN THOUGHT

Please come forward.

I had to read it. I'm sorry.

I am forced to do so, especially with foreign correspondence.

Herbert Thallman is my uncle.

-I find it absurd that I can't receive - -Listen to me, von Essenbeck.

If your uncle had any sense, he wouldn't write to you here.

So where should he write to me in your opinion?

He's asking for help. Isn't that what the letter says?

I don't want to know anything,

and I don't want to be involved.

I just don't want you to drag my institute into this sort of business.

Furthermore, I can't believe - I...

refuse to believe the things your uncle writes.

- I ask permission to leave. - Go ahead.

And get your hair cut, von Essenbeck.

Yes, sir.

Yes, everything seems in place. Let's see.

Application for renewal, bank transfer, stamp.

- What is the reason for this journey? - A holiday.

Holiday.

- Are you leaving alone, Mrs. Thallman? - With my girls.

Thilde, 11 years old, and Erika, eight years old.

- Is that correct? - Yes.

Do you think you will be joining your husband?

No.

No?

Maybe you don't know where he is. Would you like us to tell you?

I don't understand these issues. I just want to leave.

Did someone raise any issues?

No, not exactly.

Are you aware that your husband is accused of murder?

It's absurd. It's slander.

If you're so sure, why not convince him to return?

- That way, he can prove he's innocent. - I don't know where he is.

What do I and my girls have to do with it?

Are there any accusations against us?

We just want to leave,

to go away from here.

- Is someone forcing you to leave? - No.

On the contrary, I'm being forced to stay.

Who is forcing you, Mrs. -

Thallman. Elisabeth Thallman.

Do you mean to imply something?

Answer.

Don't be afraid. Tell me.

- Good morning. - Your friend isn't at home.

Yes, I know. Thank you.

She had to go out. She said she'll be back very late.

All right.

...of purple color is his little coat

Say, who can be this little man

Who is standing alone in the woods

With his little purple coat?

The little man is standing in the woods On one leg

On his head, a tiny black cap...

Lisa?

Look what I've brought you.

A pretty little horse.

You can play with it, you know.

- Do you like it? - Yes. Thank you.

Stroke it.

Try for yourself, Lisa. It's all yours.

- Do you like it? - Yes.

You have to be nice to him.

You have to give him plenty of love.

Because he loves you too, you know.

Lisa? Lisa.

Lisa. Why don't you answer me?

Now I'll teach you. Here you go.

What are you crying about? You have to work, not cry.

You do nothing but waste time.

You never do a thing. You spend all day playing.

It's no use crying, you know.

Let's see if I can teach you once and for all.

I told you to clean up. Look at this mess.

You have to obey. Do you understand?

Come on.

Stop crying.

Do some work instead.

Do something.

Martin.

Martin.

Oh, it's you.

I didn't expect to find you here.

What time is it?

It's late. Two o'clock.

Two o'clock?

I'm so tired. I had to work late this evening.

Help me, I implore you. Help me.

I know you're the strongest and you can prevent me from leaving.

But I don't see how it benefits you.

Are you really afraid of Herbert?

Yes, before maybe. But now?

His papers are worthless now. Nobody will listen to him anymore.

Germany can do whatever it wants.

You yourselves can do whatever you like,

and nobody in Europe would be willing to raise a finger against you.

So why keep us here?

Oh, yes. Because, one day, we might remember.

And maybe we could say what we know about you and all the others.

But do you really believe that day will come?

No, it won't.

Herbert still believes it will, but I don't. And you never believed it.

Why then? Why keep us here?

My very presence here should be unbearable for you

since it reminds you of what you'd rather forget.

I, too, wish only to forget.

Let us leave, Sophie. Let us go.

All it takes is one word from you.

That's all it takes, Sophie.

Go. Leave.

If that's what you want.

But don't fool yourself, Elisabeth.

Don't hope that one day you can come back and find the Germany you so care about.

That Germany is finished forever.

There will be no other Germany but this one.

And you won't be able to avoid it or escape from it.

It will soon start to spread all across Europe and beyond.

Don't fool yourself.

Hauptsturmführer Aschenbach.

It's Baroness von Essenbeck.

Lisa.

Come here.

Come.

Look at this.

Do you like it?

Why were you crying the other day? I heard you, you know.

Was someone beating you?

Was it your mother?

Does she often smack your little bottom? Tell the truth.

Why?

That's enough, Martin.

- Cut it out, darling. I have to go. - Where are you going?

I have to pose for some photos.

Do you let them take nude pictures of you?

Yes, of course. You know.

- Stay a while. - I can't. I'm late.

Didn't you have enough?

I told you, I'm late. I have to hurry.

Stop it. That's enough.

Where's that damned dress?

- Oh, come on. - I implore you. Wait.

Cut it out.

Let me go, Martin.

If you want to be of some use, why don't you tidy up the room a bit?

Look at the mess you've made.

And that fool got ill too.

- Who? - Lisa.

I'm even going to have to pay for her doctor.

What happened to her? What's the matter?

How should I know? It's hard to understand.

She has a fever. Last night, she was delirious.

Oh, I'm never going to get there on time.

What's the matter now, Martin?

Why don't you do as I told you? Look at the mess we made.

I really have to leave now.

Darling, when you leave, please remember to lock the door.

Bye.

Lisa?

Lisa.

Come and see us.

When the academic year is over,

- you'll have time to visit us. - Of course.

As soon as we get there, I'll write you a letter.

- Promise you'll visit us. - I promise.

We'll miss you.

You'll always be welcome whenever you come.

- Herbert and I will be happy to have you. - Thank you.

If you knew how excited the girls are. They haven't seen him for a long time.

- And I'm even more excited than they are. - Give him a hug from me.

What's going on?

What are you doing here?

What do you want from me?

I don't know anything. I don't know anything!

- What do you want? - He filled her house with gifts.

Expensive stuff.

I told you. I don't know anything. How can I make it any clearer?

When I learned that Baron von Essenbeck was involved,

I took the liberty of calling you.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared.

As you can see, I haven't forgotten what you did for me.

There's no formal charge.

Just the testimony of the family

and a name spoken in delirium by the poor victim.

By the child, I mean.

That's all.

Nevertheless, the young Baron was arrested an hour ago as he was exiting a club.

One of those clubs, you know. On Graffenstrasse.

I'll take care of it.

Bring her to the police.

I'm not going to the police. I've done nothing wrong.

I don't want to come! Let me be! No!

Read this.

It's incredible.

- What does it mean? - That's what I'm wondering.

How could Martin have conceived of an initiative of this kind?

"An extraordinary meeting of the administrative board."

He is the majority shareholder, Sophie.

He has the right to do this whenever he likes.

What could he possibly want from the administrative board?

We'll find out soon enough.

- Do you know where he is? - No.

I looked everywhere for him.

He's nowhere to be found, Sophie.

He was last seen in a bar in Düsseldorf three days ago.

After that, he became untraceable.

We must find him.

We'll turn the whole of Germany upside down if necessary.

-But the president - -The president isn't here.

In his absence, you will do as I say.

But we have received specific orders -

I take full responsibility.

The whole shipment must be diverted to Stuttgart...

and delivered to the local SA command.

Have I made myself clear?

Hello?

What's happening, Friedrich?

Please relax.

We'll find him. You know half the city is looking for him. We'll find him.

Try Aschenbach again.

- It's too early. - It's already three o'clock. Try again.

Hauptsturmführer Aschenbach. It's urgent.

Friedrich.

Friedrich.

Hello, it's Bruckmann.

Bruckmann. Friedrich Bruckmann.

From the castle at Kleistburg.

Yes. Thank you. I'll wait.

Martin.

Martin.

What are you afraid of? Answer me.

Why is Konstantin keeping you in here?

What does he want from you? What have you promised him? Martin.

Konstantin...

- What happened, Martin? What did you do? - I'm scared.

- I'm in his hands. I'm afraid. - No. No, Martin.

No.

No.

I'll help you. But tell me everything. Everything.

I have to know everything if I'm to help you.

Do you understand? Tell me.

Martin. Martin!

Speak, Martin.

- Did he make you write that letter? - No.

Did he make you write that letter?

No!

Don't worry, Martin.

Your mother will protect you.

So the time has come to crush the innocent little flower

because the flower obstructs our path.

I had already preannounced a similar occurrence to Friedrich.

But Friedrich has yet to grasp the sense of the Hegelian system.

When is the board meeting?

In approximately one month's time, as set out in the by-laws.

And what will the procedure be?

It's very simple. Konstantin will request a verification of the powers.

There will be a vote.

Martin, the majority shareholder, will withdraw his support for Friedrich -

And will pass it on to Konstantin.

But... how did Konstantin manage to blackmail Martin?

He's a member of the SA and has many friends in the Gestapo, in the police.

Another cord we must sever.

However, very soon, Martin's file will pass into more important hands.

Come.

This is the most complete archive ever to exist.

It contains the whole of private Germany. Nothing is missing.

Here you can even find your history and Friedrich's.

Were you expecting that?

You see, entering people's private lives is not so difficult.

Today, every German citizen is potentially one of our informers.

The collective instinct of our people is now complicity.

Wouldn't you agree that this is the true miracle of the Third Reich?

If you like, we could read about Konstantin's future together,

if he has one.

Konstantin will always have a future as long as his friends are powerful.

If I were in your place, I wouldn't be so pessimistic.

You see, we needed the SA to conquer Germany.

To conquer the world, we need the army.

But the army wants nothing to do with the SA.

The generals were explicit. "Either us or them."

Do you think the chancellor would displease our fine generals?

Do you really think Hitler is willing to relegate his pal Röhm to the shadows?

A man like Röhm in the shadows?

That would be too little and too risky.

Certain things cannot be done halfway.

So Konstantin is your adversary as much as he is ours.

- For you, it would be easy. - No, Cousin Sophie.

That's not the case.

It's nice of you to try to save Friedrich from such an unpleasant task.

But the terms are clear.

We must also share the disadvantages of our alliance.

Friedrich will do what he has to,

but I'd like you to help me see to it he's not exposed to this sort of trouble again.

What do you mean?

You should help us transform the Essenbeck firm

from a family enterprise to an enterprise with a sole owner.

-And as Friedrich isn't an Essenbeck - -It's impossible.

Nothing is impossible in this country.

All it takes is a decree.

And you can help Friedrich obtain the name and title of the Essenbecks.

Don't you think you're demanding too much?

You are demanding too.

You know the hostility that still interferes with our marriage.

Oh, yours...

is a beautiful love story.

Sophie.

An exemplary story.

But I can't see what it has to do with the life of the Third Reich.

It's more than just a love story.

To fight a war, you need cannons.

And you don't have enough without the Essenbeck steelworks.

Be careful, Cousin Aschenbach.

In this negotiation, I don't have less of an argument than you do.

What suddenly makes you such a miser when it comes to concessions?

The answer is simple.

In every question of power,

an alternative is necessary, even if merely a hypothetical one.

It's the first rule in the art of government.

Yes, I know. I understand.

I mean that it doesn't seem convenient to place everything in Friedrich's hands,

even that which is Martin's.

He's your son, Sophie.

Must I really be the one to remind you?

I can't believe it's possible.

When?

Soon, Friedrich.

Earlier than you think.

What about Aschenbach?

Aschenbach seems to be against it, but what does it matter?

He, too, will have to face a fait accompli.

Don't you understand you're far more important than him by now?

Aschenbach produces words.

You produce cannons.

That carries weight, trust me,

above all, with the Chancellery.

The decree, Friedrich. Can you imagine?

Friedrich von Essenbeck.

Ah, power.

All the power or nothing.

Do you remember?

Then we'll get married, Friedrich. Very soon.

You and I together, until the end.

What about Martin?

Martin has never been a problem.

And Konstantin?

Is he not a problem either?

You have to do it.

It's your duty.

Oh, God.

I'm not afraid, Sophie. That's not it.

I'm not afraid.

Joachim.

Konstantin.

And tomorrow?

I'm wrapped up in it forever.

And I know that...

I'll end up in Aschenbach's hands for the rest of my life.

When you'll be at the top of the pyramid,

not even Aschenbach will have power over you.

Oh, my God. I...

have accepted a ruthless logic...

and will never be able to rid myself of it.

Oh, Sophie.

When?

Aschenbach will tell you where and when.

BAD WIESSEE WELCOMES THE SA

I've not been in Wiessee since Munich.

Those were bad days. Now we're fine. Don't you agree?

When I think of Munich, I remember a putsch, a whore and a flea-ridden cell.

Me too. The putsch and the cell must have been the same.

And I bet it was the same whore.

Take aim!

Fire!

Nothing happens to the old one.

Today, it's Hindenburg.

And tomorrow, maybe the chancellor.

That's a wonderful idea. He gets on my nerves anyway.

Halt, this is the boss.

He arrives by car because he gets sick on the train.

Do you see it, friends?

Don't you see it?

Raise the flag The ranks are tightly closed

The SA marches on With firm and steady step

Our fallen comrades

Brought down By the Red Front and Reactionaries

March on in spirit amidst our ranks

Our fallen comrades

Brought down By the Red Front and Reactionaries

March on in spirit amidst our ranks

Now clear the streets For the brown battalions

Now clear the streets For the men of the storm division

Upon the swastika Millions now look with hope

Their day of freedom and plenty Soon will dawn

Drink, drink, brother, drink

And leave all your worries at home

Drink, drink, brother, drink

And leave all your worries at home

Forget all of your worries

Forget all of your woes

Be happy, be carefree

There is no place...

There is no place where I dare let my tears flow but here.

O, by all, Roderich,

that you and I hope and expect from heaven,

do not cast me out from this place.

I have no one, no one upon this wide earth.

No one upon this wide earth.

Röhm would be a fool to be let down by Hitler.

Nonsense. How can you say that?

They're bosom buddies. What do you think?

Nonsense!

I can only tell you that if he doesn't stop making difficulties for us,

only his mustache will remain.

We've brought him to the position he now holds.

He wants to chase us off to impress the Wehrmacht.

What do you think?

How long will these nice holidays last?

We will stay here until they have agreed.

And if they do not agree?

- Then there's going to be some shooting. - Shooting...

What else should we do?

Come back in, or you'll miss the best part.

- Come on! - There will be some shooting!

The rotting bones are trembling

Of the world before the war

We have routed this scourge

And won yet another victory

And we will go on marching

Though the world to pieces falls

For Germany hears us today

And tomorrow the entire world

And we will go on marching

Though the world to pieces falls

And though from war and battle

The whole world should lie in ruin

For us, the devil may care

We'll build it right back up

And we will go on marching

Though the world to pieces falls

For Germany hears us today

And tomorrow the entire world

And we will go on marching

Though the world to pieces falls

For Germany hears us today

And tomorrow the entire world

- Good night! Sleep well. - Let's go now.

How he sweetly

Opens his eyes

Do you see it, friends?

Don't you see it?

Lighter and lighter

He is illuminated

Bathed in stars

And lifted high

Don't you see it?

Don't you see it?

Don't you see it?

Don't be foolish. Put the gun down!

All dead. Let's go!

No! Don't shoot! Don't shoot!

No!

Let's go! Go!

Is... Is that...

I understood immediately what she was about to do.

I understood. I don't know why, but I understood immediately.

I didn't move.

I did nothing to stop her.

I just sat in Olga's room, unable to move a finger.

The house was so silent,

and I stayed there waiting, waiting -

You can relax now.

I didn't bring you here to blackmail you.

Konstantin has already tried,

but it didn't bring him any luck.

What's more, why get you, of all people, in trouble?

The son of a hero, a great hero - the one and only Essenbeck.

Just because a little Jewess...

had the bad taste to hang herself.

Didn't you know? A Jewess.

According to the new order,

yours isn't even a crime.

On the contrary.

But this isn't enough for us to claim to be friends or allies.

Allies?

Of course, if you wish.

-I thought you and Friedrich - -I thought so, too,

up until yesterday.

But Friedrich thinks he has become irreplaceable

and is mistaken.

Only those who accept that, from one day to the next,

they can lose everything they earned thanks to our support

are truly our trustworthy friends.

But he who wants to be the master of all - even of himself -

he who is deluded enough to believe that he can make his own decisions,

that he can think... with his own head,

that's no friend of ours.

You don't have these... pretensions.

Do you, Martin?

But isn't it too late?

That decree...

The decree?

Yes, of course. That piece of paper is tremendously valuable

as long as the receiver is able to enjoy the benefits it entails.

They think they can use National Socialism to satisfy their own ambitions.

They still haven't truly grasped what National Socialism really is.

But they've already cut me out.

Friedrich can nominate his direct successor.

As far as I know, Friedrich has no children...

yet.

Your mother, on the other hand, has one.

That's you, Martin.

It would be so easy.

But if you're afraid...

I'm not afraid.

I've waited for years.

I don't say you're afraid of Friedrich,

but of your mother.

I'd do anything to rid her of her security, her strength

and her power.

Anything.

She always kept me on the sideline.

All she ever did was try to humiliate me.

She never noticed how much I loved her

and how much I... needed her.

But now all I feel is hate.

I hate her.

It's very simple.

I want to see her weak

ruined... and alone.

Help me, I implore you.

I'll do anything you want. Anything.

-Anything to accomplish this - -Yes, Martin.

Yes.

I'll help you.

I won't give them any peace.

Günther, why don't you pay more attention?

Uncle Friedrich has something to say.

I bet that he wants to announce the date of his wedding.

I shall try not to miss it.

You won't miss it, Martin.

Nor will any of the others.

You mean the few who remain?

I have assumed full responsibility not only for the steelworks,

but for the whole family as well.

Therefore, I want to end this habit of taking certain liberties.

Excuse me, Friedrich.

Surely you don't mean to include me among your subjects.

I am merely a guest.

Oh, no, dear Cousin. I would never dare.

But if you wouldn't mind being patient -

Excuse me.

Günther!

I haven't finished yet.

These problems don't concern me.

They do concern you, as you live in this house.

I didn't ask to stay here.

And I won't be staying much longer.

I order you!

Go back to your place immediately!

Perhaps now is the time to speak openly.

None of you condescended to attend the opening of the new production plants.

Due to one reason or another,

you failed to carry out a definite family obligation.

I was made aware of your absence.

Therefore, I demand that such episodes never occur again.

What is the meaning of all these checks...

these sudden visits, the inquiries, the spying,

the investigations conducted in secrecy by the Gestapo

on some of my most trusted colleagues?

What does it mean?

For a while now, the production plants have seemed to be under siege,

and this couldn't possibly be happening without your approval.

So, are you going to explain it to me?

I can assure you

that no one...

will leave this room

until all that needs to be said has been said.

May I sit?

This is exactly where I was sitting that evening.

I don't have much to say.

Elisabeth and the girls took the train to Salzburg on the morning of June 18.

They never arrived.

You know where they took them? Don't you know either?

They took them where you had decided -

to Dachau, to an internment camp.

Yes, of course. I know. You didn't mean to hurt them.

You just wanted to force me to come back,

in the interests of justice, of course,

and those of the firm.

And to get rid of someone who one day might have said,

"Yes, it's true. The gun that killed Joachim von Essenbeck was Herbert's...

but the hand was someone else's."

What do you want?

Nothing.

You have achieved your goal.

I have come back to turn myself over to the Gestapo.

In exchange, they will release the girls.

Don't worry.

They won't talk.

Nor will Elisabeth.

She's dead.

It can't be.

It's the truth, Günther.

Someone has to know and remember

and tell others so that they know, too,

and remember.

Uncle Herbert!

Wait for me.

Günther. Where are you going?

Günther.

Günther.

Stop. Where do you think you're going? You fool.

Do you want to leave before the best part?

I won't let you go.

- Martin! - Come with me.

Come. Come!

Look at him.

It's him. It was he who killed your father.

He did it with his own hands.

Don't you believe me? Try asking him.

Tell him. How many shots did you have to fire?

One? Two? Three?

You can tell him now. Who could prove you wrong? Who -

Why did you do it? Why, Martin? Why?

Because Friedrich said that we must say everything that needs to be said.

I cooperated.

Isn't that what he wants?

The sole owner.

I'll make you pay for this,

you little swine.

Don't you see that something has already changed in this house?

I'm no longer afraid of you, Friedrich.

And no matter how paradoxical you may find this,

if anyone among us should be afraid,

that's you... from now on.

And you too, Mother.

What do you want of Friedrich?

- I want everything. - You're crazy, Martin.

I repeat that I want everything, Mother.

I will take back all that belongs to me, all that is mine.

I won't let you.

- Mother! - Ask for my forgiveness.

Kneel and beg for my forgiveness!

Mother!

Kneel and ask for my forgiveness. Kneel...

No! No, Martin.

Kneel. Kneel...

No.

Tomorrow, Martin will repent. I'm sure of it.

And he'll ask me to forgive him. You'll see.

He will repent.

Come on.

Günther.

I'll kill him.

I'll kill him if you want.

You see, Günther,

tonight,

you have acquired something truly extraordinary.

The brutality of your father,

Friedrich's ambition,

even Martin's cruelty...

these things are absolutely nothing compared to what you now own.

Hate, Günther.

You possess hate.

A young hate. Pure, absolute.

But you must be careful.

This potential of energy and fury is too important

to be used for a personal vendetta.

It would be a luxury, a useless waste.

The venomous bite of a snake is all it takes to destroy Friedrich.

You will come with me.

We will teach you how to manage this immense wealth of yours,

how to invest it in the right way.

You understand, don't you?

Come.

Günther.

Come.

What are you doing here, Martin?

Martin.

What are you doing here?

Go away, Mother. Please.

Go away.

Was it he who sent you?

Why do you hate him so?

What about me?

Do you also hate your mother?

Go away, Mother.

Please go away.

Please.

You don't understand the risk you're taking

by putting yourself in Aschenbach's hands.

How can you trust him?

So should I trust you?

Listen, Martin.

You listen, Mother.

It's not Aschenbach I'm afraid of.

Nor is it Friedrich.

It's you, Mother.

You've always been a nightmare for me

with your oppression, your desire to always subjugate me at all costs,

in every way,

with your ridiculous wigs and your lipsticks.

You never loved me. Never.

You always preferred him.

You gave him everything, everything that belonged to me -

my factory, my money, my home, brick by brick.

And even my name

and your love.

You're the worst of all of them.

And it's you I hate!

You can't imagine the evil I wish you.

I will destroy you, Mother.

Martin?

Martin! No!

Sophie.

We must do something, Sophie.

We can't stay here, isolated,

prisoners in our own house,

besieged just as Aschenbach planned.

Sophie.

I will not be destroyed in this way. I -

Sophie.

I have learned to kill.

The game isn't over yet,

and I'll keep going until the end.

But you must want it too.

You must help me.

Surely Martin won't be the one...

Surely Martin won't be the one to strip me of everything I have conquered.

I could defeat him...

but I need you.

Sophie, I only need you.

Sophie.

I need you.

Sophie!

I need you!

Don't abandon me now.

Don't abandon me.

I implore you.

Don't you abandon me too.

Don't...

Don't leave me.

I -

MOMMY AND MARTIN

Come on.

I brought some friends with me.

Otherwise, what sort of a ceremony would it be?

You look depressed.

And it's your wedding day.

Friedrich von Essenbeck.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

It was only a piece of paper, Friedrich.

You were wrong to give it such importance.

Nowadays, decrees can't be trusted.

Aschenbach says you haven't understood anything about National Socialism.

And yet, it's not that hard.

See? Even I have understood.

Hurry up now, Friedrich.

Mother is waiting for you.

Come on, light the candles.

Let's go.

Come.

Do you claim to be of the Aryan race?

- Yes. - Yes.

Was any member of your family affected by hereditary diseases?

- No. - No.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.