Original subtitles

In 200 years things never changed as much in Schabbach...

as they did in the 10 years after the war.

There, you can really see it in me. Look how I've changed.

We had an economic miracle in the Hunsrück...

the same as everywhere else.

But what Anton, Maria's eldest son, achieved was a real miracle.

There he's coming back from captivity.

Maria is amazed and happy that her favourite son is back.

Anton was always her favourite.

She bought him a camera and a film camera...

she took him to Hamburg...

In the war he was a camera assistant in the propaganda division.

He was always interested in optics.

There he married by proxy.

And then he was captured by the Russians.

Anton walked 6,500 kilometres...

across Turkey, Greece and the Tyrol...

to get back home.

Just imagine how he longed to get home to the Hunsrück.

And here, he's sitting in the kitchen back home.

That was the time Anton was telling everyone...

he had 27 parents in his head and was going to build a factory.

We all wondered whether he'd gone a bit mad in captivity.

This is Anton today.

And that's when "Simon Electric Detroit, USA, Post Box"...

came on a visit with his black chauffeur and big car.

We'd never seen anything like it in the village before.

There he's sa ying goodbye to Maria.

There he's sitting in his posh car, the American.

Just before he left, his mother Katharina died.

We buried her after he'd gone.

Maria, proud of her boys she was.

That's Ernst, her second son, who was always keen on üying.

Then, he was shot down over France in his fighter-plane.

But he is still crazy about üying.

There's Maria again with the youngest, Little Hermann.

Her bastard child from Otto.

And in four years, on the meadow inherited from his grandfather...

Anton actually built a factory.

"Without any capital" he always said. But we knew better.

Paul, his father in America, helped him out with dollars.

Maria's been very lucky with her sons.

Little Hermann, the youngest, as soon as he was old enough...

she sent him to the school in Simmern...

so he'd be the first one in the family to go to University.

LITTLE HERMANN

- Hermann, how fast are We going? - 40 kph.

- My brother's house. - Lt looks like a castle.

They don't stand on ceremony there. Ernst is all right.

- Can We stay the night there? - I don't know yet.

My brother, Ernst Simon, lives here, doesn't he?

Of course.

He lives here, but he is not at home.

Can you tell me Where to find him? We've come a long Way.

He's in the forest.

Up there, Where they cut the trees.

See those WOOdS up there?

Right at the top.

The patch Where they're felling timber.

How about that?

Is Herr Simon here?

He just took off With the helicopter.

- When Will he be back? - In ten minutes.

Can We sleep at your place tonight?

- Have you been there? - They send us up here.

Look things over, but don't touch anything.

- That surprises you, eh, Hermann? - Ls it yours?

- Of course. - Lt must have been expensive.

You bet. I paid out my Whole Nibelungen hoard for it.

- Ready? - Yes.

That's the last toothpick for today.

You Want to fly With me?

- My bike, my guitar... - Shove it in, We'll take it.

Ask your brother if We can come, too.

It won't Work.

With the Weight below, it's a bit much.

- Are We so heavy? - No.

Make yourself at home, Little Hermann.

Flying a helicopter is different from flying an aeroplane...

even if the cockpit looks much the same.

The only thing...

that's completely different is this.

But it's all-imponant.

In ordinary flying, keeping moving is half the battle.

Here it depends on the rotation, that's the Whole battle.

When the rotation and pitch are correct...

you can do What you Want.

You can fly backwards, or stop in mid-flight...

but you mustn't get out!

When I think of our ancestors...

dragging timber laboriously from the forest, metre by metre.

War is the father of everything.

That's Where We learned to overcome transpon problems.

Transpon today is everything.

I know What I'm talking about.

After the War I staned With a bicycle.

With the timber underneath it's like handling raw eggs.

If you're sick, it'll cost you a crate of beer.

My father-in-law is the timber king of Trabach.

He owns the sawmills, the entire forest.

But the Sikorskie is mine.

It's one thing old Bausch can't interfere With.

Look! Your friends.

- The ground's pretty damp. - There's a row up there.

They could have let us sleep indoors, With such a big house.

Not too cold for you?

You're used to it.

- Need anything else, Hermann? - No.

I'd have liked to let you sleep indoors...

but my in-laws are a bit awkward.

Will the gate be open in the morning?

- No, but go down the back steps. - We don't Want to be locked in.

Well, if you've got everything, I'll go back up.

They're waiting for me.

- Will you go to the fair? - No, We're too tired. Thanks.

Well, take this anyway, for food.

I wouldn't like to be in his shoes.

He's henpecked; Look at his old Woman up there.

They're a bit shon on domestic bliss.

To hell With all families!

It's strange to walk in the fog...

Lonely is every bush and stone...

Nobody knows the other...

Everyone's alone...

The cunain rises, the king enters.

Where are you, my noble damsel?

Here, Father, on the stage.

Why so pale, and yet so blushing?

Who between you legs has been rushing?

The page! The page!

Grab this arse! Crack his nuts!

All heard With stupefaction...

the king's nutcrackers snap into action.

Pity! Pity! I only touched her titty!

Cheers, sweetie! You sticking With us?

- What horrible stuff. - Lt tastes like mothballs.

Another four glasses of mothballs.

What do you call it? Do you like it?

It's so nice and green.

That rump over there floats over the dance floor.

I can't keep my eyes off it.

They've never any ideals.

- Old cynic. - I'm an existentialist.

I exist, so I'm an existentialist, too.

Now comes the act of liberation.

She only tangos.

I only dance When I harmonize With the girl.

Want another?

- Ever kissed anyone? - Of course.

- I bet you haven't. - I have.

- Let's go outside. - I don't Want to now.

Pay attention.

I always open my mouth and shut my eyes.

Tongue out...

Is that a torch in your trouser pocket...

or do you really love me?

- You're just like all the others. - What do you mean?

The description of the eerie landscape...

on the evening ride to Sesenheim...

and the dissolving of the tension...

into the exultation of love is enchanting.

The ovenNhelming experience of his love for Frederike...

allows Goethe to find notes in his verse...

Which We've never heard...

in the generally sugary poems of earlier periods.

May I just quote...

from Welcome and Farewell, Strasbourg, 1771.

My heart beat fast, ' to horse, that's best!

It was no sooner thought than done.

The evening lulled the earth to rest and in the mountains night was hung.

Already cloaked in fog, the oak assumed a risen giant's size.

And from the bushes, darkness broke...

and peered with hundredjet-black eyes.

Goethe wrote this poem in Strasbourg in 1771.

Can anyone tell me the year that Goethe Was born?

1749.

The first great excitement...

of love for Brigitte von Sesenheim allows him to find, in his verse...

new notes that up to now We have not known in him.

Hermann! Must you? You give me a seizure every time you come.

This is something for you. Gerhard, move over.

- Boss, We're behind schedule. - Never mind, let Hermann try it.

He's got the fingers of a real precision instrument craftsman.

Simon hands, you can see it at once. It's in his blood.

Right, Fritz? Are you Surprised With your peasanfs hands?

Look, What paws.

Look at Hermann's hands.

It takes three generations to get fingers like that.

Think so, Herr Simon?

I'll show you.

Hermann, if you feel like it When you finish school...

you'll be Welcome in the business; Then I'll show you everything.

That won't get rid of your double chin.

You must keep saying "Hen's bottom."

Chick's arse!

Hermann, get out! You're embarrassing me.

You must go in and see this function...

Simon Works guarantee of quality.

Cabaret, Magic show, Talent Contest.

The cabarefs over, but not the magic.

Come in! There are seats at the back and some food, too, on the firm.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm a magician, too. Look here!

I said this morning We'd get rain.

Herr Simon's asked me to say a few Words of introduction.

You've probably guessed Why I've invited you.

Having a good time?

I'll explain in detail.

You know I Was born here in Schabbach...

and I think anyone can achieve things...

if he's aware of the signs of the times.

The teacher says to the children, "Make up a sentence With 'dough" '.

And a kid stands up and says, "Teacher, What do you mean?"

"Do you mean dough the baker makes bread With?"

"Or do you mean doe, a Wild animal?"

"Or do you mean doh as in 'doh-re-me'?"

And now here's some real 'do-re-me' from another talented group.

I'd like to introduce "The Six lmmaculates".

Immaculates lenses, big and small, the firm of Simon makes them all.

Who's going to cry then, when one love affair is done?

When on the other corner stands another one.

You say Auf Wiedersehen and as you drink your Wine.

You're thinking that the next girl will be just as fine.

God, people are so sentimental...

they let love drive them all mental.

Erich, tell me honestly.

Nobody told me I'd be an inventor...

or manufacturer of optical instruments.

Yet I've taken a Whole new road...

and broken away from the Hunsrück traditions.

Because of that, you can all do it, too.

Above all, the young people Who have their future before them.

Maybe your father or grandfather has told you that, once...

the poor Hunsrück farmers couldn't feed their children.

We had to change.

A few years' apprenticeship With me and you've quite different hands.

Iwalked home 5,317 kilometres from a prisoner of War camp...

and in that time I got these ideas for my business.

Not everyone's got a father in America Who helps us.

The main thing is that you choose the right job.

And Who does the farm Work?

Should We sell out to your brother-in-law Wiegand?

I Was born in Schabbach, just like you.

Here there are twelve farmers Who Work to survive.

The thineenth is Wiegand, your brother-in-law.

He's my uncle, not my brother-in-law.

And you know What I think of him.

Conditions are changing everywhere.

It's nothing to do With Wiegand or me.

I see you're back again.

I've just been outside. The Water's rising, like the tide of prosperity.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, here's a great song number.

Our much loved and respected chief secretary, Lotti...

and from my depanment, Klärchen...

With the assistance of the three graces from the despatch depanment.

Casanova, can you hear me?

Casanova...

comfort me.

I know your heart at night...

belongs to another.

I know that it lies when it swears to be true.

Our staff, Glasisch.

Anton, can I sing, too?

Shine your light, Glasisch.

Maria's still awake.

Waiting for us With her rolling-pin.

No, it's Little Hermann.

- Still doing homework? - Yes. Latin.

Think We'll be in tomorrow's paper?

Know What I see? I'm lying in the bathtub...

and all around me it's all lovely, warm pee.

What are you laughing about?

- Never mind, - It's not for little boys.

He's not so little any more.

- Can't you be quiet? I can't sleep. - Don't be a killjoy.

Either in or out.

Shut the door.

- What's that? - Want a drop?

Welcome to the visitor's gap.

- No glasses? - We're drinking from the bottle.

Someone's here!

- Is your mother still awake? - I don't know.

We must make it darker here.

Whenever I drink champagne, I think it's New Year's Eve.

The champagne's got quite warm from us.

Like pee.

- You didn't spit in this? - Only a bit.

Every time I lower the bottle, it equine.

I just can't drink out of a bottle.

You must leave an air gap.

You can't do it, either. You and your stupid air gap.

Pieritz always Wanted to teach me.

Pieritz. He's a crafty one.

When I Was Wiping the floor yesterday...

he staned chatting me up.

But you just can't be angry With him.

No, you can't.

I've known him for so long.

Comical man.

Klärchen.

I saw behind the stage Where the magician hid his doves.

Where?

I'm not telling. I'm going to practise doing it With our hens.

He's from...

I think it's Kassel.

No, he's from Düsseldorf, he's in a cabaret there.

Rubbish, he's on the radio.

He does his tricks on there.

I got a fright just now.

I thought Maria Was at the door.

That Would have been a catastrophe.

What Would We have done?

I'd have held the door and not let her in.

Suppose she'd knocked and asked What We're doing.

I wouldn't have known What to say.

You'd have had to do it.

I'm pretty good With excuses.

Beforehand, I never know What to say, then suddenly something comes out.

I surprise myself.

But We've got away With it again.

We've been lucky again.

Where are you taking the bedding?

Come on, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Now you can go.

You've overslept. It's eight.

It's far too late now.

The train's gone.

What have you been up to?

What's the matter With you?

You're not your usual self this morning.

You've had no breakfast.

There's no point now, Hermann.

Marie-Goot, go inside.

It's thiny kilometres to Simmern. You'll never do it.

Hermann, last night, you know, you Were very lovely.

Go now.

"The moon, shining White..."

Aren't you asleep yet?

- What have you there? - I've Written something.

- In your diary? - Yes. I've translated something.

I thought you Were asleep.

- Shall I read it to you? - Yes, softly.

The white moon in the forest shines.

Round each branch soon the light entwines.

Benea th their cover, you're my lover.

Lovely. It's French, isn't it?

That's a poem by Verlaine. I've tried to translate it.

But it's hard to say in German...

because it has quite different Sounds.

"For K".

For me?

I can feel you, Hermann.

It's lovely.

Don't say anything.

This is our secret. I'm going now.

I've done it for five minutes.

When I lie here and hold my breath, I hear a singing in my head...

as if it Were a machine factory, or an electricity Works.

A music from all Sounds at the same time.

It makes me think. A thought factory.

The electricity Works thinks about itself.

And now it's thinking, I.

Who am I? I am.

Cogito, ergo sum.

Sum, sum, sum, in me it stans to hum.

You're a philistine.

The philosophy of the future, of anticipation.

The action is anticip.

But it can also be dissip...

consumm, confirm, exhorl.

And degrad.

If We clarify it, that's clarific - action.

That's something completely new.

When I really listen to a Word, it becomes empty.

Like War, War, War...

In less than five minutes the Word is dead, finished, gone.

Gym, gym. Gym"-

Teacher, teacher...

Factory, factory...

The philosophers' gym class, you pipsqueaks!

There'll be no philosophising here.

- No more War! - What does that mean, Simon?

- Think about it, Herr öller. - Don't be cheeky, Simon.

- A healthy mind in a healthy body. - Quite right.

By the left, march! Healthy minds make me sick.

Can you imagine Hölderlin doing gymnastics?

- Don't make me laugh. - Spon lacks poetry.

If you don't join in, you'll get no marks. Remember that.

Now he's offended.

He's running bandy. He always does When he's offended.

Whither then I...

mortals live on wages and work...

alternating toil and rest.

Is everything cheerful?

Why then does the horn sleep only in my breast?

Rose - oh, pure contradiction.

The longing to be nobody's sleep beneath so many eyelids.

I like that music, Klärchen.

Is that the mambo?

Yes, Marie-Goot, that's the mambo.

Waggle your hips, you have to look like a rooster.

Look at the Way they dance.

Right, Hermann. That's right.

Mind you don't tread on Lotti's feet. Girls don't like that.

You should have seen me dance When I Was young.

Now leave Hermann in peace.

He'll learn that soon enough.

He can do the mambo now, and he does the rumba and samba already.

Our dance teacher says sambas and rumbas are feminine...

mambos are masculine.

- Have you learnt your Latin? - Yes, Mother.

Lotti, now leave him alone...

or it'll be so late he won't get up in the morning.

I always Wake him now, since he overslept.

Hermann, study!

You're always so pale in the mornings, Hermann.

Sleepy, too.

- Don't you like going to school? - Of course I do.

I'm so proud of you.

You must go to university.

Your father, Otto...

always Wished he could study.

He only learned engineering at technical school.

You'll be a graduate engineer.

Everybody wants me to be an engineer. Anton... and you, too.

But my favourite subjects are German and music.

Can you remember your father, Hermann?

You sat there.

Yes, you sat there.

And wouldn't give him your hand.

I can still see it. Don't you remember?

You Were four years old When Otto Was here.

Don't you remember? He loved you so much.

Mother, I Was only four.

Give me your Latin book.

What's "to entrust"?

"To request"?

Principal pans?

Was that correct?

Mother, I think that's enough. Let me go on studying maths.

I learn so many new things With you.

I'd like to be a mouse in your school and prick up my ears in class.

Mother, you think it's all fun.

You never tell me anything nowadays.

You always used to tell me all about your lessons.

About South America, about heredity...

how things look on the bottom of the sea.

Remember, Hermann?

Mother, now We're doing trigonometry...

if you know What that is.

You're all I've got left. Don't you understand that?

Yes, I know, Mother.

Let me go on learning.

Will you put your hand in my pocket?

- Do you like that? - Yes, a lot.

You've got a hole in your pocket.

It's all hot.

I can hardly keep on Walking.

Recently I had a dream.

I saw you Walking in the meadow With your trousers open...

letting it hang out.

Then you moved towards me.

- Did you like What you saw? - Yes.

I could Walk With you for hours through the night.

If We went through the village like this...

you'd let your jacket cover it a bit...

and nobody Would guess What I have in my hand.

It's better if We Walk in step.

Now We'll Walk straight ahead towards the moon...

until We're in space.

I'm a fantastic harpist.

You think I can't play With them.

Christian's in a class of his own.

Christian slipped a four page love letter...

into my book.

You, too?

There Were seventeen spelling mistakes in it.

Frau Gerloff, come over here. Just listen to that.

I'm putting a stop to that!

Can you play a bit more harmoniously?

Though, frankly, I'd prefer you not to play in here any more.

Frightful!

That Was a ninth, Frau Gerloff.

You'll find that in Beethoven, Wagner and Strauss...

if they mean anything to you.

But that really huns.

- An must hun. - Not in my house.

But, Aunt Gerda, Where are We to go?

Listen... Why don't you come to us?

You can't play there, but We can listen to records.

What are We to do, Hermann?

I'm going to Schabbach.

Humpty and Dumpty sat on a hill.

What fat thumbs.

I'd like to be With you. I mean, really close.

I'd like it, too. But I'm scared I might have a baby.

If your mother noticed anything, she'd strike me dead.

Do We always have to think of others?

If We're really careful... do exactly What I tell you... We'll do it.

Maybe very soon. I promise you.

We've known each other like this for sixty-three days.

Have a look.

Is that your mother?

And Marie-Goot.

Upside-down.

They're at the Cemetery, thank God.

So close.

They can't hear us.

Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf_.

Malapane, The Skin.

Narcissus and Goldmund.

The Glass Bead Game.

Ls that the book you told me about?

Close your eyes.

First I thought you Would put something in my mouth.

You've got a filling there.

That Was a good idea With the telescope.

With it, I can see the ring around Saturn.

When I see that, I always hear music.

Will you sing again the song I wrote for you?

The stalks stand, right and left, like walls...

restricting us to narrow paths.

In secret to the nicest lanes.

And our summer-brown hands...

wave gaily at the many landing-stages...

that reach out over light-ñlled Waves.

They murmur under small stones there.

In fields where we are scared and hide.

Where, in the shadows, red snails glide.

Beside our naked legs so bare.

That Was beautiful.

I can't hit the note With the snails.

You said you wrote the song for me.

Why did you include such a high note?

At the stad I did Write the song for you...

but then the composition itself took over.

- Do you understand that? - Yes.

Kiss it. Then it Will become a prince.

- I'd rather kiss you. - I'm already a prince.

Come, toad.

You must wait a bit longer.

Someone's coming.

Is Anton there?

I'll get him.

Manha, is Anton here?

What are you doing here?

First you make such a noise outside and suddenly you're so quiet.

Our flier!

That Was a crazy landing. I thought you'd get caught in the power lines.

It's only the heavy insurance that's crippling me.

Look at the last two years' balance Sheets.

And here's the assessment of my Commander, LL-Colonel Beck.

Ernst, you don't realise that War's over.

Maybe this Was possible in the Air Force...

Where money didn't matter.

The War Was a bankrupt Operation.

Now you're going bankrupt the same Way.

Do you remember, I told you from the stad that this Would happen.

The business might prosper...

if you transponed gold instead of timber.

But even for that I wouldn't lend you the money.

It's only the two insurance premiums.

Thiny thousands marks. No problem for you.

I'm more than ever cenain of my idea.

Ernst, you're an adventurer, and you'll stay one.

I see that, just as your bank does.

- Won't you even read these? - No.

Are you staying tonight?

I've nothing left.

And now old Bausch wants to sue me, too.

But you've got your wife, or won't she stick to you?

Lotti, you don't know upper-class women.

When you're doing Well...

then you're somebody.

But now, I'm a pedestrian...

I just can't understand it.

Good thing I never met your wife.

That makes it easier to accept that it's over between you.

Has your wife got a horse for riding?

Yes. Why?

That's how I imagined her, like in the magazines.

That's only an adven, Marie-Goot.

You must go back, Ernst.

Mother, I'm glad I've got away.

And so is she.

You must fight, Ernst.

Now eat, boy. I made you lentil soup especially.

You always liked it so much.

Remember When you Were small?

You Were twelve...

and you ate seven plates of lentil soup.

- We didn't think it Was possible. - That Was long ago.

Stay a few days.

Tomorrow I've an appointment at the bank.

Then you'll have to go. Do you hear?

Where did you get it from? This ability.

Two days ago We Were in the quarry and now it's become a poem.

It Was exactly as you Write it, yet it Was quite different.

I don't understand it.

I've never seen anything like this before.

It's to make Thursday between four and five immonal.

Because you Were there.

With holy will, to write something on a gigantic sheet.

In the damp silent mountain, in a world of corridors we meet.

The torch burns out, the will becomes faint.

Your living skin, a land that's waiting...

you are.

And /ay in my hand lightly on the sheet.

Her eyes, look, how quiet she is.

Close your eyes.

Klärchen, your skin is much more beautiful than music or poetry.

I think you Were born to be something special.

I Want you.

Recently, When I went to church With Mother...

I thought, ifthafs sin With us...

I'll stop believing in God.

Did you confess that?

No. Because it's no sin.

I know that for cenain.

Glasisch, how time flies.

Remember going on our bikes from brook to brook?

We Wanted to buy the Whole World.

And We didn't even get into the dance hall.

But it Was nice.

With the bell-ringer...

and the yellow shoes.

When I imagine...

in two hours I could fly With Fräulein Klärchen...

from the despatch depanment...

and be in Paris, on the Promenade...

in that blaze of lights.

Paris. On the Promenade.

We're too old for that.

No. How time flies.

I've been in this spot now for eighteen years.

Go away, Lotti!

What are you doing?

Tell me What's up. You'll kill yourself.

I'm pregnant, by Hermann.

I can't have this baby, as I'm sure you agree.

- Are you quite sure? - Yes. Now let me get on With it.

- Does Hermann know? - He mustn't ever know.

- Understand? - Just don't get excited.

This is no solution. At the most, you'll only kill yourself.

I'm almost twice Hermann's age...

and I ought to have married long ago.

I've no family and nowhere to go.

I'm getting old and Wrinkled, can't you see?

I won't stay here any longer, either.

You Were the only thing that kept me here. You and your love.

Don't say that, Hermann.

I will say it.

Itried Anton again this morning...

but he said he no longer needs me at Work.

He's always preferred Lotti.

I've been there as long as Lotti, but She's head secretary now.

I still do all the dinyjobs.

Well, I'm not a member of the family. That's how things go in the Hunsrück.

I hate that Anton.

When I went through the village this morning...

I said goodbye to it all.

The path and the steps and everything.

- I shan't stay here, either. - You have to take your exams.

That's imponant for you.

I'm not like the others.

What I Want to become...

I can't do it in the Hunsrück, anyway.

I know you're different from the other boys...

With your music and your poems.

You're my only love, my great love.

God Wanted it this Way.

Don't say that, Hermann. You'll be in love With so many other Women.

- No. - Yes, you Will.

I'd compare them all With you; It Would be a betrayal.

Klärchen, I'll marry you...

and We'll go far Way Where no one knows us.

I'm eleven years older than you.

- So? - Some day you'd be ashamed of me.

I'm yours alone.

If We ever lost each other, I'd live like a monk.

Another Woman Would be a sin for me.

You say that now. In a few years things Will look different.

I've lived nine years With you. I don't Want to go away, but I must.

How do you think I'll feel? I come home and you're not there.

I'll see you everywhere and you'll be gone.

It's like your poems, so much sadness in them.

As if you'd sensed it While Writing.

I often sense thing like that.

We can Write to each other sometimes.

I'll Write you a letter every day.

I'll Write, too. I'll tell you everything I'm doing.

I don't understand Why he's sacking you.

He can't know about us.

There's no other reason.

You Work harder than all the others.

I don't understand it, either.

Just now, When I feel closer to you than I've ever done before.

Why, in What Way?

The sun shines brighter in the sky When Pieritz With the mail comes by.

Herr Simon, here's the post.

Could I have that stamp from Pakistan?

I'm too busy now.

That's just how We like it.

Yes, two hundred lines.

What's that?

It looks like dust.

Dust?

How did that get in here?

The air's full of dust.

Cover everything! Stop production!

This is scandalous!

- It's Herr Wiegand. - My uncle?

Yes, he's experimenting With insecticides on a large scale...

I've heard.

This is incredible!

Stop in.

He's going to hear a thing or two!

Who?

That farmers' Führer, that SS-peasant.

He'll pay for this!

Filthy swine!

Polluting all the Hunsrück air!

Just take it easy, Anton.

Wilfried, are you at home?

No, Uncle Wilfried. You're not getting away With this.

There are measures required Which Will cost millions.

This is quite normal development in agriculture nowadays, Anton.

We're the last to realise it.

The German chemical industry leads in this field.

There's no reason Why We can expon such products to Peru...

Right, Wilfried!

And not introduce them here.

And there'll be more, Anton.

Pesticides, fungicides, herbicide...

And the other cides, too!

Yes. And all the fenilizers.

But not at my expense.

Yes, at your expense. What are you talking about?

I settled here because of the air...

With a very complex branch of industry.

Twenty-four people from our village...

our village, that he wants to pollute...

depend on me for a living...

and I won't be let their job be jeopardized by anyone, nor by you...

While you're raking in state subsidies paid for by our taxes...

for your automatic milking plants, you automatic silos...

automatic feeding sheds and automatic manure disposal.

Do you think We pay no taxes?

We have to earn every penny With our brain and our labour.

You don't give that impression!

That's Why you must pay for an automatic filter system for my roof.

- That's the limit, damn you! - Calm down.

I can raise the matter at the next CDU pany meeting.

I'm not Without influence there.

Maybe something can be done With public money.

But I can't promise you anything.

While We talk here, our production's halted.

Don't get so worked up; They'll soon be finished down here.

You're always on the right side.

So What? We're always on the right.

Yes, first With the SS, then as the Regional Farmers' leader...

then Chairman of the Farmers' Union...

then you got into the CDU...

and now a testing ground for BASF Chemicals.

There's a gulf between us.

Go to the devil!

Hermann, What are you doing here?

Don't just stand around.

- You're disturbing us. Get out. - You throw out What disturbs you?

Yes, I throw out What disturbs me. The rubber-stamp stays here.

And you threw out the girl Who used the rubber-stamp, too.

Did she disturb you?

You're all I need today! Everyone's getting in my hair like flies.

Plutocrat!

Where did you get that expression?

Please leave this office at once.

I have something to dictate to Lotti.

Chucker out!

Hermann, go now.

- Why do you think I sacked Klärchen? - Because she told me.

She gave notice and put us in a fine mess.

She left us at the lurch, didn't she, Lotti?

Yes, Hermann, it's true.

Klärchen Wanted to leave.

You're all lying!

You're a pack of liars! You bourgeois!

What's up With him?

You're crazy. You know how things like this can end up.

When you're eighteen, get a license.

Don't touch the canvas, or the rain Will come through.

It's pouring.

It's nice, sitting here in the dry.

I'm so happy you're not angry With me any more.

I Was so afraid...

that I'd hun you and your studies Would be disrupted.

But it Was something of both of us, you and me.

If We'd had a baby, I'd have stuck by you.

I'd have loved it as much as I love you.

I know you're like that, but it's better this Way.

What if I'd stayed in Schabbach and everyone had found out?

They'd have persecuted us.

And I thought...

You mustn't suffer, too. Do you understand that?

I want to share everything With you. I love you.

- It must have been terrible for you. - Yes, it Was terrible.

The nuns in the hospital treated me like a criminal.

When I came out of the anaesthetic...

the sister made me look into a bowl.

It Was lying inside.

And then she said...

"That's so you can see What you've done, murderess!"

How vile.

It keeps on raining.

We'll be Washed away With the tent.

It's stopped.

Just a few drops from the trees.

Toni, heard the latest?

Benha, over there, second house, has had a baby. Know Whose?

I don't know either, but that's Why she stayed in Simmern.

I don't believe it.

- Toni, do you like my outfit? - You're an elegant chap.

I've been waiting like...

- I don't believe it. - Let's have a look.

No time!

Pick yourself a nice shin.

- All right, Marie-Goot? - At my age, you belong in a museum.

- You'll go on for ages yet. - I'm too old for this Work.

- What have you got for us? - Morning.

A letter for Hermann Simon, for collection...

but I thought I'd deliver it as I'm here.

He often has letters for collection now.

From Klärchen Sisse?

I must talk to you.

- My train, sir. - Take the next; This is urgent.

You're intelligent, but a lazy hound.

When it's critical, you race ahead, then wait for others to catch you up.

I've checked your marks in other subjects.

They're up and down.

1, 5... all the time; That son of thing annoys a teacher.

We're all human, damn it.

Don't look like that, be frank With me.

You're one of my favourite pupils; That's no flattery.

I've simply specialised in German and music.

- What do you Want to be? - A Composer.

- Have you a Woman? - No.

What's going on here?

- Storm brewing. - Why?

I'll be in in a moment, Mother.

Ernst, What's going on?

Mother, What is it?

- You know What this is about. - No, What?

That's for me. Who opened it?

We know everything. The Woman is eleven years older than you.

Besides, for What She's done, she can go to prison.

That's rotten of you. Really rotten.

They're my letters. You have no right to read them.

The Woman mentioned everything in the letter.

That's enough to prosecute.

You're still a minor, Hermann.

It's a crime against a child.

We'll make sure you never see her again.

He's not going to wreck his Whole life.

Doctor Keim in Mainz is a sman lawyer.

With him, We'll be in good hands.

Have you had anything to eat, Anton?

Open the door, Hermann.

I've brought you dinner.

I know it's not your fault.

You can't help it.

Don't do anything silly.

I'll break the door down.

Open at once! This won't lead anywhere!

I've brought you your dinner, Hermann.

Hermann, my dear Hermann.

Now I'm alone again, yet I don't feel lonely or deserted.

I still feel the warmth of your face in my lap and of your warm hands...

which give me so much strength that I feel like shouting aloud...

and hugging people half to death...

so that they have a little of our love.

When we cuddled together in that little tent...

and kept each other warm...

then there was only you and me and eternity.

I don't know how long that is...

but even if it lasts just one day, that's fine.

Isn't it crazy? I'm pretty old now and grown up.

/know you'll laugh when you read this...

but I've remained a little girl.

And now there's you in the world...

and nothing bad can happen to me again.

In that lovely long time with you at home...

everything had to happen secretly.

Now it's all so simple and clear I'm no longer afraid.

We mustn't be sad any more and cry, will you promise me that?

At your mothefs, from whom we hid our love...

our baby couldn't have lived, either, I'm quite sure of that.

But in a few years, if we still love each other...

then we'll have a child, or two, or three, or ten.

Hermann, I love you. For always. Your Klärchen.

Ernst, now come over and eat at the table, like the others.

Anton. An autocratic ruler, six letters.

Kindly shut your trap!

Tyrant.

Despot fits, too.

You've given your family a perfect example...

of how to conduct one's life.

In a boom period you've gone broke. Quite an achievement.

No Wonder your Wife's divorcing you.

Icouldn't get him to go to school this morning.

I kept begging him to go.

He should have gone. At least there he'd get some peace from you.

Ernst...

you talk to him.

- He won't listen to me any more. - Me?

I'm supposed to Speak to him?

If you drop the prosecution.

Only then.

We're waiting.

They're checking at the factory whether She's done anything else.

With such a person, anylhing's possible.

Besides, Who introduced her into this house?

Just look at Anton.

Look at him closely.

Eyes popping, face twitching...

hands trembling.

He's beside himself.

Anton, just between brothers...

you're not plain jealous, are you?

Just imagine.

I've given him all my love.

No Wonder he wouldn't Wake up in the mornings.

The bad marks he brought home from school.

Why he Was always so pale.

And I thought the boy Was ill. You can't imagine.

- Mother, it won't go on like this. - I hope not.

Depend on me.

We've got things in hand, Mother.

I've locked the door again.

I've locked the door again.

It worked.

FOR HERMANN

I advise you to destroy it after you've read it...

burn it, don't take it home.

If you're careful, you can go on getting your post through me. O.K.?

I'm so excited that we'll see each other on New Yeafs Eve.

Whatever happens, you'll find me on 31s! December...

at 8.05 pm at Boppard Station, and I'll wait there for you.

But please be careful nothing happens to you on the way.

You mustn't write to me here so often...

as the family/ work for here in Königswinter is very nosey.

Sometimes I think the doctofs wife goes through my things.

You're right when you say that love and suffering /ie so close together.

Your Klärchen.

Hermann, What are you doing? You haven't a driving license.

Come and celebrate New Year With me?

I thought it Was the Chancellor! That's Anton's car.

- You're beautiful. - For you.

This business With the car...

Know What I've brought you?

Your favourite cake.

What else?

Wine...

and eggnog.

We're really living it up.

Do you know What I'd like to do tonight?

We should go to a real New Year's Eve ball.

Yes, We'll do that.

Wait here for me. I'll ask.

It's no good here, either.

I saw. The Way they've dressed up.

Don't be cross. After all, We're together.

What now?

They can shove their New Year's Ball.

How lovely.

I've never seen that in all my life.

A Chinese invention.

The Chinese invented fireworks?

I love you.

Did you make a Wish?

If you kiss at midnight, you can make a Wish.

- What? - I'm not saying.

Or it won't come true.

- I'll tell mine. - Don't.

I have the feeling I'm not at home anywhere.

I feel it now especially, With you gone.

But it can't be othenNise.

So sated, so stuffed With food...

and so lacking in ideals as they are at home.

Do you think your mother no longer loves you?

Oh, her...

But she loved you so much. I remember how she doted on you.

All the things she did When there Was nothing to be had, after the War.

Do you know What my mother is?

She's one of the mass.

I'm still trying to understand her.

She admires Anton, because he's got a factory...

because he feels a father's responsibility towards me.

But my father is dead.

I'm not related to them at all.

I Was put into their nest like a cuckoo.

And because they have no ideals, they're mass people.

The masses cry out for a leader.

They'll soon see once again Where that gets them.

We must eat something...

or We'll become sad and We won't love each other.

Maybe all this is the beginning of the end.

Maybe the atomic mushroom Will destroy all of us.

Do you sometimes think about War, too?

Yes, I'm often scared about it.

But We two are an island, aren't We?

The time goes so quickly. It's almost eight.

Happy New Year!

Before I say goodbye, I must give you something.

I've had it With me, but I didn't Want any sadness...

in our shon time together.

- It's as if We'll never meet again. - Yes.

Read the letter When I'm gone. It's from your mother and brother.

When you read it, you'll know What to think.

I'm never going back to Königswinter, I've been sacked there.

You mustn't come after me.

Wait here until I've gone, then turn around and drive home.

- Promise? - Yes.

Dear Klara Sisse.

You are an adult...

and we needn't explain what our laws provide for in your case.

What you have done with our boy, who is a minor, is a crime.

We are watching every step you take.

If you should ever again dare to pester Hermann...

with your filth y mind...

we'll have you prosecuted.

We'll destroy you.

We've given full details to the family...

whose nursemaid you are.

They ought to know whom they're sheltering.

Doctor Bongart appreciates the danger to his children.

He's dismissing you as from 1st January 1956.

Something else.

Nothing on earth will allow you ever to see Hermann again.

All your letters will be delivered to us. We've taken care of that.

And if you try any tricks, don't forget you could go to prison.

After years of trust...

you have disgracefully abused, we now know you.

You're a wh...

Hermann, too, sees that and has promised to forget you.

Anton Simon, Simon Optical Works. Schabbach.

When Hermann was eighteen, he left the village for ever.

He studied music in various Capitals and became a composer.