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THE ADVENTURES OF WERNER HOLT

Werner!

Sergeant! Reinforcements are coming, right?

Of course! Heavy artillery, too.

Sergeant! Were new weapons deployed in the East last night?

It'll be announced as soon as I get official notice.

-Will it start soon? -Of course!

-Pickets are in place. -Ok. Go on.

Vetter! Move one AA gun into position there,

-the second 300 meters back. -Yes, sir!

It's crazy fighting with your squad. Most aren't properly trained.

Werner, get the regiment on the line!

They must send self-propelled gun carriages and 7.5 cm Pak cannons.

-I'll speak with Wehnert. -Yes, Gilbert.

Private Holt, did you understand me?

Yes, Sergeant!

Pick 3 cellars with rear exits on the marketplace.

Deploy the machine guns — and bazookas as well.

Sergeant!

Sergeant, what about us? You're really going to fight here?

We have our orders.

Move this junk. We need a clear line of fire.

-Second Company in place. -Thank you.

-Where is the commander? -He's changed command posts.

And me? You'll follow me to the command post!

-I'm an officer! Are you nuts? -Vetter, get the keys.

-What are you doing? I order ... -The commander ran away!

And you want to split too, you cowardly swine!

Deserters get strung up!

Winkler!

Lt. Wehnert, I'm relieving you of your command.

You're under arrest.

-You'll answer for this! -Scoundrel!

Winkler! You'll be complicit in mutiny if you...

-Vetter, kill him. -Yes, kill him!

Or better yet, find some rope.

Find some rope. - Yes, Sergeant!

Winkler, help me!

The Fuhrer said those who fear an honorable death

shall die in shame.

This isn't possible.

For God's sake!

Not hanging!

When I think about how he left us to rot.

Hang him!

Wolzow!

Wolzow.

I'm an officer!

There should be SS nearby. They'll clean up.

And if he runs? We have nowhere to lock him up.

Anesthetize him!

And what about the battalion?

The battalion will fulfill its assignment whatever happens.

The battalion is under my command.

Is it senseless to keep fighting?

Where I'm in command, we'll fight.

Don't just stand there Holt. Make contact with the regiment.

-Making contact with the regiment. -We need those gun carriages!

Now you'll drink this down!

[Along a 100-km front, our brave troops chipped away]

[at the Bolsheviks, who have far more manpower and material.]

[All incursions south of Frankfurt and Wriezen]

[and on both sides of Seelow, were halted by counterattacks.]

[Midday yesterday, the US struck Magdeburg.]

[In heavy combat the enemy gained ground]

[in the direction of Dessau and the Elbe,]

[but were repulsed south of Dessau by a spirited counterattack.]

[Brave resistance by the garrison in Halle and the resolute defense]

[of our troops in the Leipzig area hindered the enemy ...]

We have a duty to fight. Nothing else concerns us.

-Come, Winkler. [-... the enemy attacking]

[from west, south and east, but made little headway.]

Drink up, buddy!

Hello?

I doubt Ivan will attack us here with a strong tank force.

-South of Frankfurt? -Seelow from both sides.

If they come to us, we'll let the first ones into the city.

Everyone's run away.

Pigs!

I'll see about the gun carriages, otherwise we're done for!

-Try the radio! -Trying the radio!

Hurry up!

Eagle here. Eagle. Calling Falcon. Falcon.

Eagle to Falcon. Falcon, come in please!

Eagle here. Eagle. Calling Falcon. Falcon.

Eagle to Falcon. Falcon, come in please!

Listen up!

-Now it's Knaack's turn. -You'll get in trouble.

I'm not afraid of teachers. That's for others,

even if they know better than everyone else.

-Do you mean me? -Who else?

Attention!

Heil Hitler, comrades!

-Heil Hilter! -... Comrade Knaack.

-Who was that? -It was me!

Holt.

I'm giving you a demerit and putting it in the class book.

This un-Aryan impudence!

Maybe it was acceptable in your previous school,

but I won't tolerate it!

Now make it snappy.

Sit! Stand!

Sit!

We left off with the [vOlkisch-] concept of history.

Here, Herr Knaack!

Wolzow.

To the front.

History is war.

From 1469 BC ...

to 1930 AD there were ...

-What's wrong? Not feeling well? -only 264 years of peace, but ...

- I think I'm getting sick. -351 of war.

Stop challenging Wolzow.

You'll get the short end of the stick. You don't know him.

The Reich intentionally built on the ancient, mythic beliefs

and strengths of the Reich.

Of the [Volk]!

Of the...

Wolzow.

The Reich intentionally built on the ancient, mythic beliefs

and strengths of the [Volk].

A community of the people, work, leadership ...

4 o'clock, Raven's Rock. But be on time.

I don't like to wait.

No better ideas than a beating.

But you're afraid of teachers.

I'll earn my third demerit now!

He's got guts, you must admit!

Now you're at the end of your rope — eh, Wolzow?

Gilbert, no kidding! Knaack will expel you!

Who's afraid of teachers?

You're finished, Wolzow.

Even without a confession: finished.

Our institution, once ruled by a strict spirit

of studiousness and obedience, has nonetheless been poisoned

by the virus of your anarchy and lack of discipline.

Your father can't sanction this a second time.

We will finally be free of you.

I congratulate myself on this victory.

Take your bag and leave this school right now.

You are expelled.

The director's letter will be hot on your heels.

Just a moment.

The director's letter will not be hot on his heels.

Wolzow didn't do it.

I did.

Wiese will attest to it.

Yes, it was Holt.

I withessed it.

Well, what do we have here?

Even though this rascal was rebuked

for un-Aryan impudence this very morning ...

It's ... it's scarlet fever!

He looked strange on the way to school.

Gilbert.

How's it going, old fighter? Man, you've got it good here.

Like in the officers' hospital.

When you get out come see me, Werner.

Ok, Gilbert.

If the acid nitrate works, then I'll make dynamite.

-What do you want with dynamite? -To make bombs! Real bombs.

Not these gunpowder firecrackers.

Please excuse me.

-Did any mail come? -No.

No?

No. No mail.

No mail.

Why?

Why doesn't he write? Why doesn't he write?

My God! Maybe something happened to him.

I can't bear it anymore. I ...

I can't bear it anymore. Phillip!

Phillip ...

Always the same drama since Father left for the Eastern Front!

And she calls herself an officer's wife?

She'll never be a Wolzow!

She'll end up in the madhouse.

Man, dynamite ... No stone will be left unturned.

Imagine placing a bomb in the school.

Or tying a bomb to the headmaster's ass!

He gave me another F, don't remind me.

Study a little Latin, Gilbert.

-I'll help you. -Nonsense.

What do I need Latin for?

But you should read Schlieffen, my boy.

Schlieffen's [Cannae.]

No! First, a paperback history of war in keywords,

with strategic and tactical annotations

and a chronological account of every engagement, battle

and skirmish in world history and the armies concerned. Ow!

Ah, crap!

Werner.

I made inquiries.

As of August,

we can sign up.

We'll become officers. Commanding troops is the best!

You'd stand at the map table, cap on your head,

casually tapping the map with a red pencil:

one strike from here ...

another one like this ...

then you give orders.

Your word decides the battle.

Join the tank corps with me!

Sure, Gilbert.

I'll join you!

Eagle here. Eagle here. Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

Eagle here. Eagle here. Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

By the way —

you prevented my getting expelled —

I'll never forget that.

If you ever ask me for anything, remind me of this hour.

I'd be a rat if I didn't do anything you asked.

Gilbert,

we should be friends.

Only death can separate two old fighters like us.

When I had scarlet fever,

I dreamed of you.

I'm going in the water. You coming?

I'll mess up my hair. I don't have a swim cap.

There aren't any to be had.

Don't know what I'd give for one.

I'll get one for you.

Can I ask for something then?

I'll get you a cap and you must let me kiss you.

Yes or no?

-We'll stay together always. -Maybe you really mean it.

But I'd never fool myself that someone like you means it.

A high school student and a factory girl?

-They don't belong together. -I'll bring you into our circle.

If anyone says one word,

Gilbert and I will beat them black and blue.

In the end, you all stick together,

you in your social circles.

I'll introduce you to my friends today.

-Do you know Meissner? -The patrol duty leader?

Yes, he was at our school.

And have you heard of Ruth Wagner?

Yes... I heard she was in an accident. And?

"And?"

Beforehand... she came to see me.

She was pregnant.

Meissner gave her money so she could get rid of it.

Who knows what he threatened?

But she became really desperate.

She threw herself from a moving train.

That's how it was with the ... "accident.”

Then her father found a letter from her

that she'd put in her wardrobe beforehand.

He ran to the station and made a ruckus.

He never came home again.

No one knows where he is.

You see?

That's why I'm suspicious of someone like you.

What do I have to do with Meissner?

You're one of them too.

Don't worry about it.

I have to do my Work Service —

as of tomorrow, I'll be gone.

My father's been killed.

Gilbert.

Uncle Hans arrived last night, straight from Russia.

He's being sent to Berlin.

Come, I'll introduce you to Uncle Hans.

Come, I'll introduce you to Uncle Hans.

My friend, Werner Holt.

They drank like fish all night.

Gilbert's friend.

To Phillip's memory.

Knoth!

Take care of the alcohol issue.

Sergeant Knoth!

Yes?

Knoth, I can't remember where Schreyer went.

Major General, sir, this morning he went ahead to his wife.

Right.

Sybille, you must get ready. We're leaving soon.

Did you hear me?

Get the car ready at once.

-We've got another stop first. -Yes, sir.

Dismissed!

I'll get your mother out of here.

Only electroshock ... can help her now.

They'd best keep her in there.

Any other concerns?

School.

-Stupid or lazy? -Lazy, naturally.

Don't worry about it.

Come along.

Now then.

To Phillip's memory.

See this? It's an 08.

Geez, a Parabellum.

-"[Si vis pacem, para bellum]." -You get a straight A.

A Walther 7.65 — I've never seen one of these.

A Belgian Browning.

Gilbert.

Tell me, do you know a Ruth Wagner?

-You've heard about that too? -Well?

-What's your position on it? -It doesn't concern me.

The mess Meissner made really doesn't matter to you?

It does not concern [us.]

-We should go to the police. -The police!

They'd say it's anti-party agitation.

I mean, Meissner isn't a nobody.

And justice? It's about justice.

-We will avenge Ruth Wagner. -Nonsense. You're nuts!

Gilbert.

Do we have a shred of self-respect? Yes or no?

Don't get worked up. I don't care about that hussy.

But Meissner ...

He was my commander in the Hitler Youth, you know.

I said he was a military idiot in front of everyone.

He ruined my career as a Hitler Youth leader!

I don't even want to think about it.

Never mind. He's off to the SS in 8 days.

And beforehand, we'll give him a good beating!

Careful, my friend. Assault on a Hitler Youth leader...

You know what that means?

And your uncle?

-Can't he help in a pinch? -No

As a German officer he can't tolerate anything like that.

He's been in the Nazi Party since 1930.

A beating wouldn't be so bad, but we'd have to do it ourselves.

He has to know why we're beating him up.

Something in writing, perhaps?

A confession.

We'll let him sign one, right?

You like the Browning?

You can keep it.

Man, Gilbert!

What? What do you want from me?

-Can you read this? -You have to sign it first.

-And if I won't sign? -You will sign.

There're lots of nice things... if someone doesn't want to.

And if I still won't sign?

We'll take you in the woods and shoot you.

You have time to think it over.

Three minutes.

-What if he refuses? -He doesn't have the guts.

-And if he still won't? -Either he signs, or we Kill him.

I'll fake a suicide.

Time's up.

-Have you thought about it? - I won't sign it!

-Even if you beat me to death! -Enough.

Put the pistol away.

Stop!

Help!

-Sign it! -Sign it!

Alright, I'll sign.

Take the pistol away. Take the pistol away!

Done.

The 3rd AA gun goes on the hill, the 4th in the town.

3rd hill, 4th town!

Eagle here. Eagle here. Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

Dismissed!

If he makes trouble, kill him, ok?

Ok.

Eagle here. Eagle here. Calling Falcon. Calling Falcon.

Falcon, come in please!

I'd give a lot to be your friend.

But I guess you have to be like Wolzow.

I was always the weakest.

I always thought my weapon is the spirit, the mind.

Anyways,

I'm first in the class.

But you could be too.

I once read in Nietzsche:

"Our belief in others

betrays that in which we'd like to believe in ourselves."

"Our yearning for a friend will betray us.”

We can be friends.

Keep playing, Peter.

You've improved lately.

But we'd rather you played less and worked out more.

It's awkward for us that you're ineligible for air defense duty.

Mr. Holt, perhaps you could motivate Peter a bit.

A young man like you would be a good friend for him.

My husband wants Peter to be fit for service in all circumstances.

Dunk him in the water and challenge him with your friends.

It would do him good.

At times when the fist is decisive, not the intellect,

flexing one's so-called wisdom is utterly superfluous.

The Fuhrer wants the young body to steel and harden itself,

so life doesn't find it too soft.

I'm totally alone in the city. I don't have anyone.

Why don't you live with your parents?

My parents... are divorced.

I didn't want to stay at my mother's any longer.

But she sends me money every month.

And my father...

-You don't want to talk about it? -No, I do.

My father was a university professor.

Now he's a food inspector.

In other words, he's politically unreliable.

My father was to take over an important war assignment,

but he refused.

I think my mother divorced him because of that.

In any case, your father seems to have a strong character.

How do you mean that?

The draft papers are here! It's happening! Finally!

Miss Barnim!

-Miss Barnim! -What are you thinking?!

Even you are not allowed to come here without prior notice.

Wait!

-Hip, hip! -Hooray!

Werner! Goodbye to school!

-We made a first class eggnog! -50% alcohol!

Only one thing matters anymore: to save the Fatherland!

Comrades, a toast:

In a fight, I'll fight for two,

-and when death comes... -I'll be there too!

Such a disgrace... at your age!

A young man like you — drunk as a skunk.

You threw up all over the staircase.

Out!

-I'm sick. -You're hungover.

You should leave.

Hello, Miss Dengelmann.

Well, how are you?

Man, Wiese...

-What happened? -You were really drunk yesterday.

You ran right into the Hitler Youth supervisor's arms

in the marketplace. He called the police.

But I managed to get you away. No one noticed in the chaos.

Uta Barnim asked me to give you this letter.

-I'm sorry. I didn't know then... -It's already forgotten.

I first found out you'd enlisted from Peter Wiese.

One so often does things one wishes one hadn't.

[You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.]

[You must go to war,]

[and it could last a long time.]

[But it's all for nothing.]

[For nothing? I don't understand.]

[What else do you need to wake up?]

[I don't understand you.]

[Don't try to understand me.]

[It's all in vain anyway.]

[I don't understand you.]

[Forget what I said.]

[Forget everything.]

[Forget... why?]

[It's war.]

[We don't know what's coming.]

[It's war.]

I couldn't wait to go to war. Now I want to stay with you.

You'd soon get bored if it stayed like this.

-I'll write you. -Yes, of course!

You'll write to me.

-Morning, battery! -Morning, Captain!

Eyes front! Battery at ease!

Listen up!

AL 8 am. sharp ...

the battery is to report, combat ready!

It's about time that something happens here.

It makes me sick when those pigs swoop around overhead

and I can't let 'em have it! Our combat mission is

to protect the surrounding industrial and residential areas.

Shut up, you!

A word to the rookies:

I don't care if you shit your pants in your first engagement.

But woe to you who wimp out! If the brothers

don't toe the line, the Chief Assistants'll show 'em how.

Self-discipline is still the best method.

Hey, rookie!

What do you mean, rookie?!

My name is Wolzow, and don't you forget it.

If you shoot off your big mouth, you'll be up for self-discipline.

Leave us be.

-Shut your mouth, you pup, or... -Or what?

What the hell's going on here?!

How dare you, you wretches!

Tie them to a tree and whip them!

Rookies thrashing experienced men! What's that about?!

Pardon me, Captain. I saw it from B-2.

The rookies are less to blame. Gunsche threw the first punch.

I see. Then I won't get involved.

Gunsche! Pingels! You assholes!

God, if you act dumb you deserve to get beaten by the pups!

Now calm down, gentlemen.

Or I'll get involved

and punish all of you together!

-You'll pay for that! -Shut your mouth!

You should get to know me.

-I'll send you to the hospital! -Enough, Gilbert!

Heil Hitler! I am Chief Assistant Gunsche Ziesche,

Deputy Gun Commander of Anton.

-Where's a free locker? -Up front.

Those idiots!

If the Chief Assistants want to fight, then ...

-Who's this? -Our Deputy Gun Commander.

So you're one of us.

-I'm the Chief Assistant. -Chief Assistant?

I don't want to spoil things with my old comrades.

If your old comrades don't leave us in peace,

I'll take them on, one by one.

Don't take on too much.

Let them line up outside, your precious Chief Assistants!

For all I care, they can all come at once!

-Shall I tell them that? -You son of a bitch!

We'll grind you to dust!

Don't do that ...

Attention!

The Chief Assistant's mama would cry her eyes out.

Isn't that right Wolzow? You're still angry?

-Yes, sir! -You see”?

I see it in your eyes.

I learned it from an old shepherd.

He knew everything from people's pupils.

Belly aches, hernias, secret pregnancies ...

-Holt! -Yes, Sergeant?

You'll accompany him, so he doesn't feel lonely.

Otherwise, I won't be able to have a quiet chat with him.

-You want to come, right? -Yes, Sergeant!

Excellent!

You see, Wolzow? That's friendship!

Wolzow, Holt, with me. Look sharp!

Carry on!

Down! Up! Run, run!

Down! Up! Run, run!

Down!

Up! Bunny hops!

And turn!

Attention!

Right, Wolzow? That's torture.

-Yes, Sergeant! -Are you still angry?

Sergeant, I report that ...

I'm sick of bunny hops.

Sick of them?

Holt, did you hear that?

Wolzow, that's a word. That really pleases me.

For the first time Wolzow is sick of things in the military.

And now down to business.

You're making my life hard.

You've made enemies of the Chief Assistants.

They'll give you a terrible beating.

Sergeant, I don't mean to brag,

but I'm not afraid of anyone.

You see,

that's just what I'm afraid of.

I spoke with the Chief Assistants.

"Wolzow will get a beating," they said, "Holt too."

I forbade it.

But what's the point? The Chief has nothing against it.

Then everything must take its course, Sergeant.

There is one way —

and the whole drama will disappear like fog.

Someone above the Chief must ...

Do you understand, Wolzow?

I'll let you telephone your uncle alone in the office.

A general has other concerns, Sergeant.

What a shame.

-Oh, what an honor! -You can clean our shoes.

We're to get along from now on.

We can get along, once you've had your beating.

Go on, clean my shoes!

So this is what's called camaraderie?

I had imagined enlisted life differently.

There are unwritten laws in the military.

We should be a tight-knit community!

-Heil Hitler! -Heil Hitler!

A comrade.

Werner Holt, my mother.

Would you kindly explain that I'm your stepmother?

My stepmother, then.

We're going to the movies.

I changed my mind. I don't really feel like it.

We could have stayed home, then.

You know what? Let's go home. I'll make tea and we can chat.

Do what you like. I'm going to the movies.

-Heil Hitler! -Heil Hitler!

I've got my hands full with that boy.

You know, his mother was a "super-blond.” Aryan.

He just can't accept me.

And you?

Will you leave me alone too?

If you'll permit,

I'll escort you.

Air raid warning! Ready positions!

K-1 ready!

-K-3 ready! -K-5 ready!

K-2 loaded!

Battery: fire!

How nice of you to come.

All former co-workers, operetta singers.

That's right! You don't know I was a dancer.

I was the prima ballerina here for a few years.

I wasn't bad.

My God, those were the days!

Watch out for the girls, they're just part of the chorus.

I don't like having them here, but the men need dance partners.

Enjoy yourself.

You're being rude.

You must dance with the lady of the house.

Do you like it here in my home?

I like nothing better than visiting you.

Really?

Not even writing to a certain Miss Barnim?

Are you spying on me?

A little.

In any case, I got something important out of my stepson.

Namely?

That you're apparently not the sort to brag about a conquest.

That you, in short, can keep your mouth shut.

[-Do you love me? -Yes.]

[That's not true, you don't love me.]

[What's love, then?]

[Surrender? What else?]

Airman Holt returning from overnight leave.

You were lucky.

Holt.

I see everything in your pupils.

I once knew an old shepherd who ... But you know that already.

If your morale suffers because of this,

I'll revoke your overnight leaves.

Yes, sir!

By the way, you got some mail.

Seems like a nice girl, your ...

-Uta. -Sergeant, please ...

this correspondence is private.

Unfortunately, I have to make random checks.

The mail is usually distributed at noon, but...

See how well I treat you?

Try to find another superior...

who'll play love's messenger.

Here.

-Thank you, Sergeant. -Dismissed!

Why are you married to [this] man?

I hate him.

He really is the most hateful man I can imagine.

Then why did you marry him?

At some point in life, everyone bets it all on one card.

And you bet it all on a man you loathe?

I told myself: he has a lot to offer.

So I snapped up the offer.

You sold yourself to this man?

When I met Ziesche, he was District Chief.

Then he got ahead quickly.

Among provincial dancers I was always only above average.

You think of the future.

Now things are going downhill.

Who knows if the magic won't collapse one day?

Gertie ...

In Russia, things are clearly laid out.

There, the unit of organization has been Germanic,

not Slavic, Zemtzki. Do you understand?

Yeah, I got it.

No, you haven't understood.

You, with your Slavic name. You're a problem, anyways.

What do you mean by that?

Your name isn't Aryan either!

My name evolved from a pure Germanic root.

An evolved German.

Even if the Slavs aren't as high quality as the Nordic races,

they are still Aryan.

Jewish Bolshevism has destroyed the foundation of the Slavic race.

-Clubs. -Quit your chatter! Double.

Chatter, you say?

What, you think you're the only good Nazi?

Gilbert, how long must we listen to this crap?

What you call crap,

is my holy, fanatical belief in the Fuhrer.

Man, Ziesche!

You're really the biggest dope I've ever met.

One look at your face makes people start doubting the Germanic race.

The pimply Teuton shrimp!

I won't put up with this any longer.

This qualifies as undermining morale!

As a National Socialist, I won't let you insult me.

I won't allow you to mess up my career path, Ziesche!

Now listen carefully:

Either you drop this charge,

or in the next attack I'll hit you in the neck with the wrench!

An accident. Do we understand each other?

-You're threatening me. -No.

I'm warning you.

Werner, leave Ziesche alone.

Now it's over!

-Evening, boys! -Get 'em!

-Shit! -You pigs!

What's going on here?!

These bandits are killing each other off.

-What's the meaning of this?! -This is self-discipline, Captain.

Nonsense!

And now this monkey business is over!

I've thought a lot about why we thrashed each other so stupidly.

It's a spasm.

On principle,

only on principle.

According to Fontane, one has no desire to duel

and knows it's nonsense. But he'll duel on principle ...

even shoot someone dead, for a principle.

If something senseless happens for a principle,

then the principle is wrong.

For us, the “injunction to act” is compulsory.

-Right heel. -Right heel!

Step back.

-Left heel. -Left heel!

Step back.

-ID tag. -ID tag!

Battery: alarm! Make ready to fire!

Situation in the air:

Strong combat units with fighter cover over Holland ...

Approaching the Reich border!

In the Cologne-Essen region,

scattered transports and training aircraft!

Primary approach 2!

-Hurry, pull in the target! -Our planes are still up there!

Hang on!

You can't pull it in yet.

It's regulations, General. We're ready to fire.

The bombers will be here in a few minutes.

Leave the target there!

Your way won't work either.

You can't follow the regulations to the letter!

Keep waiting!

Battery: Fire!

Excellent.

Direct approach on battery from direction 3!

-Pick up target from direction 3. -Pick up target, direction 3!

Pull the target in! Pull the target in!

-Get the target in, you rowdies! -Me, me, me, Captain!

You two were close to Zemzki.

Help me write a letter to his mother.

"In devoted fulfillment of his duty..."

What are you looking at?

I can't really include the target business.

Zemzki would still be alive.

His parents will find out.

In this war, millions have already died:

soldiers, women, children - you know that.

But it didn't bother you until yesterday.

-Sergeant, it'd be more honest ... -Hold your tongue!

You think I'm here to talk about the haze clearing from your brains?

Ziesche is keeping a journal.

Ziesche registers every word you say in front of him.

Gomulka!

I'm asking you to keep your mouths shut.

Especially you, Holt — with your father.

Don't give me grief. I've got it hard enough.

-Do I make myself clear? -Yes, sir!

Out, now! Dismissed!

To Zemzki's memory!

Ziesche, you Teutonic shrimp. If you didn't always talk so weird,

we could be best friends. We must remain combat ready.

You can't even drink.

Come on, old fighters! I have a grenade.

Begin.

Sepp,

we've got to become obstinate.

All soldiers are obstinate.

How else will we survive the war?

There's a lot you can't discuss with anyone.

I once thought ...

a father was there so you could talk everything over with him.

And now?

The old ones don't know what they want.

First this, then that.

What did he mean...

about your father?

I don't know.

I don't know!

After 4 years,

you finally found your way to me.

You know what?

First, I'll make us some coffee.

Real coffee.

I've been waiting for you a long time, my boy.

-You live rather humbly here. -What?

-I mean, compared to before... -Ah, well ... yes.

Father?

Why did Mother really divorce you?

In her own way,

I think your mother is still a loveable woman.

Without a doubt.

But because of that ...

But what happened?

Tell me.

Why did you give up your position in Leverkusen?

The job didn't suit me.

Please! You really left the university

to find better-paid work in industry, right?

And then suddenly the job didn't suit you anymore?

No. All of a sudden it didn't suit me anymore.

But here, in this hole —

being a small-time chemist —

this suits you?

Yes. This suits me.

Father, you once said to me:

"Man must have a mission, or else he'll live like an animal."

But you had a duty in Leverkusen!

Yes, I said that.

But there's something even more important.

Conscience.

Accountability.

Being true to yourself.

Tell me the truth.

Please.

I couldn't break my oath as a doctor

and that was required of me.

According to my colleagues and your mother too,

I not only needlessly ruined my livelihood,

but was also dishonorable and treasonous.

But I'll have a clean conscience

when this is all over with.

When what's all over with?

The so-called "Third Reich."

You came to me.

You asked me to tell you the truth. Ok.

At IG Farben I was to work on particular developments,

which were geared to bring about the extermination of humans.

I refused.

We have to be ready for everything. Even gas warfare!

You can't talk any other way, Werner.

I know that today the SS is Killing hundreds of thousands

with this poison in the concentration camps.

That ... that can't be true. That's horror propaganda.

You wanted to hear the truth, and now you've heard it.

They're gassing people.

I had to sign a statement,

which threatened the harshest penalties

if I ever informed anyone of this.

Under this emblem that you wear on your arm —

in Germany's name —

the Nazis have unleashed the most barbaric war in history.

And they're losing it —

unequivocally and thoroughly.

Isn't it pretty here?

Gertie.

What's your husband doing in Krakow?

Ziesche calls it "debilitating a lesser race."

He's got a hand in everywhere the most hair-raising things happen.

In the General Government in Poland ...

-What exactly? -Let's not talk about it.

What are we, Werner?

Our life is like an endless path, an aimless path

over which the prophecies of our destiny brew like a storm.

We are small pawns in a big game.

No one will ask about us. No one.

Rutscher.

Rutscher.

Rutscher!

Rutscher.

Rutscher.

Medic!

Now Ziesche would say:

The Fuhrer clearly said: "we are destined to become

witnesses of a catastrophe ...

of the truth of our racial theory." Why worry about the Russians?

Of the truth of our racial theory." Why worry about the Russians?

We shouldn't allow it, Gilbert.

Leave me alone about the livestock.

Look at that. He's beating them.

Should we stand for this?

Gilbert, you once swore if I asked you for something ...

You can handle this guy on your own.

If I had a general for an uncle, I'd need no other.

Shit!

This'll go badly.

Keep shoveling.

Keep shoveling!

Thrash the Russians in the camp, but not here in our battery.

-Get out of here! -Are you crazy?!

Next thing you know, Germans will be shooting Germans.

You did your friend a disservice.

The Gestapo picked him up.

I know Wolzow —

he wouldn't have lifted a finger.

You're behind it all, you and no other.

Sergeant, I request a report be filed

stating I was the instigator.

So. You did do it.

Now you think you're so noble,

with so much Teutonic candor, huh?

You are an idiot!

Inconsiderate and stupid, Holt! That's a little much.

That was and will remain a dumb childish prank.

You understand?

Wolzow loves beating people up. Everyone knows that.

Wolzow beats everybody up,

by chance even an SS soldier.

He doesn't need a reason: he beats people up for fun.

We'll go with this story, Holt.

Yes, Sergeant!

Keep it in mind,

if the chief or anyone else asks.

And you ...

disappearing would be best.

If someone asks me, I'll tell them you're on leave.

We'll win time that way

until his general uncle intervenes from above —

hopefully.

Pray to God or whomever that your friend keeps quiet that long.

I can't do anything more for you.

Dismissed!

And how are you involved?

I incited Wolzow to do it.

I know it wasn't right to do it ...

but if Gilbert's uncle doesn't help us...

I don't know what I'd do. I'm at my wit's end.

Gertie, you have to help me!

No.

I don't have the slightest trace of sympathy for this.

I'm a German woman.

It's your personal slackness, an un-German tolerance.

It's the result of the whisperings of your “clean” father.

What do you mean? And what did you say to me?

Not like this, my dear. Absolutely not.

You'd like to implicate me in this matter?

Don't push me so far, that my husband ...

Threatening me with your husband.

I could tell him a thing or two.

You're really turning out nicely.

I thought you'd help me, you'd stand by me.

But you're so indescribably false and dishonest.

You have no right to speak to me that way!

No?

Then I'd like to know when one [does] have that right.

Get out.

Leave my home immediately!

Werner!

Wait.

[Sergeant Gottesknecht, please.]

[This is Frau Ziesche — please pardon my disturbance.]

[I've heard about certain events in the battery.]

Yes?

I see.

Well, that is most pleasing.

Thank you.

Now then ...

tell me: don't you owe me an apology?

I'm sorry.

Forgive me.

Gilbert!

That was the first and last time

I'll let you drag me into something like that.

If Uncle Hans hadn't gotten me out, then ...

You and your damned humanitarianism!

-You're too soft. -Gilbert, you ...

I'll never forget ...

that you didn't rat me out.

Nonsense!

Only death will part two old fighters like us.

BREACH

Help.

Help!

Leave the child!

Help me!

-Come on! -Leave the child!

I don't want to go in the fire!

Keep going!

Leave the child!

Dead.

You could've saved yourself the trouble.

Eagle. Eagle here. Calling ...

[Tanks! Hundreds of tanks are holding position in Greifensleben!]

Hundreds of tanks are holding position in Greifensleben!

Hello! Do you hear me? Hello! Hello!

Greifensleben... They'll drive past us.

Wolzow!

The tanks could be here any second ... and you?

It'll take a little longer.

I know the Russian tactics.

Ivan's coming!

A few tanks have changed course. They're heading right for us.

Out!

Dismissed!

I wish I were a fanatic.

This contemplation and rumination will be the end of me, Sepp.

Contemplation won't be the end of you —

only the senseless rumination.

What are you thinking about?

Was it bad, your Flak anti-aircraft duty?

Oh ...

Keep playing, Peter.

Your anti-aircraft service suits you well.

I don't know.

Peter wants to become a pianist.

We've come to terms with the fact that he's unfit for military duty.

He plays beautifully,

doesn't he?

Gilbert.

I'd be interested in those diaries too.

Read something aloud.

Your father was a colonel?

There must be interesting things in there.

We've been retreating for a year — everywhere.

The Russians are already in Vilnius —

soon they'll be on German soil.

What will happen with us?

Listen!

A new chapter is starting for us.

Now it's getting serious.

We'll defend Fortress Germany with our last drop of blood!

Whoever loses nerve and leaves Germany in the lurch

in its hour of need is a swine!

The war will last at least two more years, God willing

and we'll show them what German officers are, right?

Another power outage. Shit!

If only we could finally get to the front!

Werner, all or nothing!

The Devil take the fence-sitters.

We stand by the Fuhrer!

[In a fight, I'll fight for two,]

[and when death comes,]

[I'll be there too!]

Pass it on: let them come as close as possible.

Let them come as close as possible. Pass it on.

Ok — let's go.

Take over fire protection!

Fire! Fire!

Fire!

Cannons 1 through 4: Fire at will!

Man, Winkler's there!

Stay here, you son of a bitch!

Vetter should attack.

Vetter should attack!

We're attacking!

Counterattack! Over the top!

March! March!

Hurrah!

Werner, come back!

Who's that?

She's been evacuated.

Now she's doing her public service year.

But she's not alright upstairs.

Apparently she was buried alive in a heavy air raid.

When they opened the cellar, a week later, everyone was dead.

Only she lived.

My name is Werner Holt.

I'm an anti-aircraft assistant, on leave.

Stay.

I'm a stranger here too.

I went to high school here —

but only a few months. Then I joined the Flak.

The others say, you cut yourself off

and avoid everyone.

Yes, that's right.

Some people know nothing and tell you to pull it together.

The others know only half of it and are sympathetic,

or pretend to be.

I can't bear it.

And, above all,

I don't fit in with them.

I don't even know your name.

Gundel.

Gundula Thies.

-Will you be here tomorrow? -Yes.

"...conscripted and have to come in on ...

Man, it was the day before yesterday!

"... to report to the Reich Labor Service,

Section 2/461."

Werner, we have to go there today.

Come on, get out of bed!

Gundel.

I have to leave today.

Today?

Yes. I must talk to you again.

You can't come here.

Are you coming to the river?

Gundel! Who are you gossiping with?

Good day. What do you want?

Heil Hitler!

It's 'Heil Hitler,' not 'Good day!

How's something like this possible?

-You don't need to tell me that! -What's happening here?

What's wrong? She greeted me like in Polack-land.

You got a dirty mouth again? Go on, get out of here!

You too.

Now relax, comrade. What do you want?

Il ... uh ...

want to visit the parents of a fallen comrade, Zemzki.

They must live somewhere around here.

Zemzki?

Well, you're on the wrong track,

but come on up.

Everyone out! Hagen, Wulf — get lost!

Annegret,

take the little one with you. Chop chop!

Please excuse me, Junior Squad Leader,

-I didn't know ... -Take a seat.

Sit down.

It's just fine. You're right.

These women, they don't act right.

I've tried everything, but ...

-Tell me: where are you from? -Gelsenkirchen.

Oh yes: the boys from around here are all down there.

How's it look there?

How it should look: the people are tough.

-Well then ... -No, thanks.

I've heard reports of demoralization and such.

Our girl puts on airs,

just because something fell on her head in Schweinfurt.

But I see through her.

The bitch just wants to get out of work.

I got my enlistment notice from the Reich Labor Service today.

The train leaves at 4:10.

First I must go to the registration office.

-Well, time is short. -Where are you going, anyway?

Somewhere in the Protectorate.

If it's Slovakia, you've snagged a nice spot.

Chin up!

Hagen, Wulf, Annegret, Hella, Heidrun: you can come back in.

-At the river at 3. -Get on with your work!

I am extremely happy that Sepp has a friend in you, Herr Holt.

In these times,

when any one of us could find ourselves

in the most extraordinary of situations,

it's good to have a friend.

To a rapid reunion.

You must survive.

I will survive, mother.

For sure.

Stay well, my boy.

Herr Doctor,

may I speak with you a moment?

It's confidential.

Please speak your mind.

As you know, I'm in the Party,

but you need not be timid because of that.

Does it concern your father?

My father?

No.

Sepp informed me your father was reprimanded.

Yes...

No,

it's about something else.

I know someone.

She's a very young girl.

Her name is Gundula Thies.

Thies?

Thies ... Yes, now I remember.

There was a proceeding — a guardianship case.

Today I was there where she's doing her service year.

You can't imagine the environment there.

Oh, I can imagine it.

I know the man.

He's employed in a certain section of the prison.

Even otherwise he has the reputation

a model National Socialist.

Can't someone get her out of there?

-Can't someone help her? -No. Believe me, there's no way.

None whatsoever ...

... for now.

There are many similar cases.

You can take a lawyer's word for it.

And there are much worse cases.

You can only join the army of waiting people.

Waiting?

For what?

Are you aware of the events that brought about her parents' death?

No.

The girl's father lost his life in a concentration camp

in an "accident."

Her mother was convicted of preparing to commit high treason

and executed.

I assume this will prompt you to reassess

your relationship with this girl.

Gundel!

Gundel!

[Attention!]

Track 3 for front soldiers on leave]

[headed for Pressburg with a scheduled departure at 4:10.]

[Please board now. The doors are closing.]

Werner.

[Be careful of the train.]

[Stand back!]

Here's my father's address. Maybe you'll need it one day.

You can tell him everything. Everything.

He'll definitely help you.

Thank you, Werner.

Goodbye, Gundel.

Werner!

Farewell, Gundel.

Come back again, Werner!

Man, Winkler!

If you hadn't gotten us out of there ...

Thanks.

We have to fight from the buildings.

Regroup the companies.

Companies?

Companies.

There are no more companies.

Only 50 men.

They're exhausted.

They have to recover.

They have to keep fighting.

- I say give them some schnapps. -Cognac.

Keep fighting ...

This is madness.

Madness.

What is madness?

Huh?

-Vetter? -Yes, Sergeant?

Prepare the buildings in the old city.

-Leave sentries outside. -Yes, Sergeant!

Dismissed!

Looks like we hit the jackpot.

-This mission's like vacation. -Let's wait and see.

Look at that.

What pretty girls these Slovaks have!

That's the caretaker's daughter. She's called Milena.

-Hey doll! -ldiots! What'll she think of us?

-She'd be just right for me! -She's coming here to get water.

Well girl,

you want us to pump you a little bit of something?

No German, huh?

What we want is international.

-What's with you? -Pull back your leg!

-Are you crazy? -Act like Germans, not pigs!

-How do you mean that? -Attention!

Dirty pigs, right?

You want to be ground down until your navels shine.

You wet bags!

Holt, Gomulka - deploy to the outpost!

Yes, sir - deploying to the outpost!

And you - you beasts, you...

To the barracks! March!

Why did you come to her defense at the pump?

So she'd know that we're not all like that.

I tell you, if Schulze had done ...

You'd have no chance against him.

He'd just twist your neck.

-Gilbert would take care of him. -Ah, Gilbert.

We pulled off something like this before.

It was with Meissner, the Hitler Youth patrol duty officer,

whom we got hospitalized.

Meissner was to blame for Ruth Wagner's suicide.

Meissner never said a word, to this day.

That was a year ago. Gilbert is different now.

Should I just look on while that ape assaults that girl?

Werner, you only get so worked up — and don't take this personally —

because it involves a girl.

And the Russians in the battery back then?

Were they girls too?

No.

Listen!

It sounds like a real battle.

Within 8 days the SS will finish the troops here,

-Gilbert said. -"Gilbert said!"

No one'll get them out of those mountains that fast.

Why are they all against us?

Hello.

Let me carry that. To the shed, right?

-Yes. -You understand German?

Go!

Have you seen Schulze? He was sneaking after that girl again,

with his tongue hanging out!

[Schulze!]

He can't hear you now — he's busy.

-[Are all the guards asleep here?!] -Attention!

-Where's Schulze? [-Guards!]

Schulze is dead, sir.

Come with me.

He's gone.

Sir! The caretaker's daughter. He went after her,

and when I wanted to find him, he was lying here.

Criminals! Against the wall.

Put that whore against the wall - her old man too!

Guards!

[Turn to the right! In lock-step: march!]

[Turn to the right!]

[In lock-step: March!]

Orders of the staff sergeant: take them to the cellar!

Taking them to the cellar!

-Come. -Come with us.

Come on already.

Come on — maybe you can move a bit faster!

They have to be questioned first.

-Attention! -Wolzow?

-Here, sir! -Take over the squad.

I just spoke with the staff sergeant.

He wants the two of them interrogated when he gets back.

He says it stinks, stinks everywhere.

And it stinks real bad here too.

Tonight, the guard will be doubled. I have to go to the bridge.

You'll report to the staff sergeant when he returns.

-Clear? -Clear!

Squad One is under my command.

The staff sergeant still wasn't there.

If there's any gunfire,

they're to be killed.

Who says that?

Staff sergeant's orders.

Gilbert!

Shit! They're smoking us out.

Werner, here's the cellar key.

Kill them both!

But they're supposed to be questioned!

Orders from above. Hurry!

I'm supposed to shoot you,

but you've got to get out of here.

I can't let you out this way. They'd shoot me.

Tool is over there.

Make it quick!

Come on!

You have to be out of here in 5 minutes.

And if you reach your people later tonight,

think of me.

Battalion: halt!

Rifles down!

What's going on?

Apparently, they smoked the bandits out

and we're to stand guard.

-You may smoke. -What's going to happen, sir?

Wait and see.

-Nice area. -Shitty area!

-Plenty of places to hide. -But the SS cleaned up.

Go on!

Listen up:

as soon as the SS leave the area,

we have to occupy it and cover the crossroads.

The SS have cleaned up around here

and we have to ensure that order is maintained.

-Understood? -Yes, sir!

Reassemble your weapons. At ease. Wolzow!

Yes, sir.

Assemble a command squad, then set up in the village.

Make sure the gentlemen of the SS haven't eaten everything up.

-Yes, sir -Boy, am I thirsty!

Werner, Sepp, Christian and 2 others -

come with me to set up quarters.

He could've left us in peace.

Listen!

It sounds like a saw.

They're already working here again. It's not as bad as we thought.

Keep going.

What was that?

No idea. Keep going.

-There. -Like someone's being massacred!

Onwards!

Look — just like rabbits.

-The SS must've killed some people. -Hostages.

You go in that direction and have a look at the houses.

The three of us will head to the sawmill.

Sepp!

-Sepp. -My God ...

Don't go in there.

They put a person through ...

No ... go on in there!

Go ahead! Go on in!

What's the matter?

Earlier ... we heard the scream ... the saw.

Go in there.

Let's get out of here.

If they catch us, they'll kill us.

It's a disgrace to leave us sitting here like this!

-I don't understand the SS. -The farmsteads are in order,

but there aren't any pigs in the barn — not even a rabbit.

The SS cleared everything out.

No. Stay here!

I'll inform Bohm. Our people have to see this

so they understand why we're fighting to the last man!

What's wrong with you?

-You look like you saw the Holy... -Shut up!

Come with me.

[I knew the SS were doing such things,]

[but I didn't believe it.]

[Now I believe everything.]

[They'll do the same things to us.]

[If we don't win, may God have mercy on us all.]

[Win?]

[It's impossible -]

[it can't be possible that something like this wins.]

[We must win.]

[We must.]

Gundel Thies writes that she visits your parents often.

-Your mother's taking care of her. -Yes, I know.

Sepp,

I have to ask you something.

When you were standing behind the caretaker in the schoolyard...

I don't know if it makes sense to go on about it.

If Bohm had ordered it, would you have shot them?

Yes or no?

Back then?

Yes.

And today?

Today?

I'd shoot at Bohm.

I'd shoot all around.

I'd be finished anyway for refusing to obey the order.

But then the scum that gives that kind of order should die too.

Would you really do that, Sepp?

I'd like to.

But whether I'd have the courage — I don't know.

Do you think there are others who'd refuse such an order?

-I believe so. -But orders are orders.

That's the highest law of the soldier.

The "highest law."

Here:

"It is not envisioned in the rules of engagement that a soldier

can be exempted from punishment for an ignominious crime

by claiming he was given an order by his superiors,

especially if their orders stand in blatant contradiction

to international protocols on warfare."”

-What do you think of that? -That?

That's the Geneva Convention, right?

Think of the sawmill.

Goebbels recently wrote this in the [Volkischer Beobachter].

He means the American planes that are bombing our cities.

-But that's right. -Oh, really?

And who determines what constitutes an ignominious crime?

And what are "human morals"?

What does that mean? "Human morals."

There's just no scale by which to measure

what's just and what's unjust.

There's a very simple scale.

We Germans are right. Always.

-We're allowed to do anything. -But it cannot be like that.

There must be some forum where no one may lie,

where you can say: "Here's the proof."

It must be something intrinsic to the world's very being.

-Aside from Him, perhaps? -You mean God?

People talk about God constantly — about providence and destiny.

That doesn't appeal to me. It's primitive.

So what should one believe in?

In the few things that are clear-cut.

-In the sawmill? -Yes.

That's enough.

[We swear to God this holy oath:]

[to give the Fuhrer of the Greater German Reich and Volk,]

[Adolf Hitler,]

[the supreme commander of the military,]

[our unconditional obedience]

[and to be ready, as courageous soldiers,]

[to lay down our lives for him at any time.]

"These are the days that we will later say we didn't like."

Ecclesiastes 12, Verse 1.

Holt:

Lock and load!

Gun locked and loaded!

Pity.

It took half a second too long.

Now [I'll drill you 'til you're lame!

Come on, you two: stand up!

No, I know something better.

You will plead Heaven for no harm to come to me in the war.

Report to me with Vetter tonight.

You will pray for me.

I don't understand why they drafted Peter Wiese.

We can't win with his kind. Lousy Peter!

Exactly!

You know Revetzki? He's perverse.

No one will believe what we've had to go through.

Werner, it's time. Off to Revetzki.

Gilbert, do I have to do this?

You don't have to.

I don't understand you, Holt.

Go pray for Corporal Revetzki.

You've got a degree. Revetzki's just an actor.

After the war, you can become a drama critic

and you'll write in the paper:

"Alois Revetzki, that mediocre extra,

does not even come close to having the necessary skill

to give life to a role." Or something like that.

Look:

I have a small factory at home.

I make fine souvenirs. Wonderful things!

A little piglet with "Good Luck" written on it and a [tannenbaum]

with "Greetings from the Bastei," and garden gnomes.

Our commander, Major Reichert, is one of our salesmen — the jerk!

I won't be worn down. Not like this.

You can complain and you'd definitely win, but ...

Think about it.

The instructors will think you're a spoil-sport.

-He just wants to have some fun. -But I don't want to!

Maybe I am a spoil-sport. If they want to finish me, go ahead.

Then it'd finally be over!

-Pull yourself together, Werner. -Oh, comrades.

After the war,

someone will knock at my door.

I'll be eating breakfast. My wife will say: "Fritzl!

"There's a salesman, a certain Herr Reichert."

Then I'll say, "Let him wait."

It will be glorious, comrades!

Stop it, already!

Come on — let's get going.

I won't pray.

Be careful.

Go easy on your fingers, Wiese,

or you'll never make it to the conservatory.

Do you like Schumann, Wiese?

-Yes, sir! -As you were.

I really like Schumann.

I lose myself in him.

And Rubinstein ... Do you know Rubinstein, Wiese?

Yes, sir ...

Corporal.

His [Bal de Costume]...

You'll have to play that for me sometime, Wiese.

Keep going.

It's indescribable, Wiese.

When the war's over, if you're still alive,

I'll come to your concerts.

But go easy on your fingers, Wiese.

[Semper bonis artibus] ...

Yes?

Oh, here come our handsome recruits!

I've decided to become pious because among you devils

I run the risk of leading a life that's not so pleasing to God.

Holt —

recite a prayer for me.

I don't hear anything.

On your knees.

Please pray, Holt.

A little louder.

I... am small,

my heart is pure and there no one will reside,

save Jesus alone.

Amen.

Help me! I'm shitting my pants!

There's a medium-wave radio with an 80-watt transmitter in the attic,

so they can stay in touch with our fighting men crying for help.

The 4th company is readying the anti-tank guns in Halle for action

and they'll move out tonight.

The radio operators are coming from our company.

Attention!

As you were. Wolzow — to the lieutenant!

I'm set for life. I've got this wonderful stiff knee.

It'll last forever,

guaranteed until the end of the world.

You think we'll be deployed soon?

Hey!

He can't wait anymore.

I've been a soldier since 1938.

You're right, Sepp.

The waiting, this uncertainty is perhaps the worst part.

Perhaps.

Attention!

-Room's occupied ... -Comrades!

Germany. Notions of heroism.

National socialist ideas ...

Surely I didn't tell them to you in vain.

I wasn't speaking to the wind.

No, that cannot be the case.

The Russian crossed the border into Silesia — the very country

our forefathers brought into the Reich with their heroic swords.

He's advancing into the industrial zone and into Breslau.

Danger! The hour of reckoning has come.

The final stage of the war has begun —

the war of nerves.

Better nerves will win

and we will have the better nerves.

In this hour, the Fuhrer has ordered the formation

of a volunteer anti-tank division.

It's up to you alone to make

this division an elite troop, on which the last contingent

of Bolshevism will tear out its rotten teeth.

Our comrade Wolzow has been the first to volunteer —

I expected nothing less from him.

Who will follow him?

Lieutenant, sir!

I volunteer for the anti-tank division.

Who else?

The Fuhrer specified that whoever destroys six tanks

with close combat weapons will be awarded the Knight's Cross.

Six tanks? Knight's Cross?

Well ...

Lieutenant, I'll join!

Werner!

Man!

Lieutenant, sir,

I will too.

You four?

I thought as much, comrades.

Thank you.

Tomorrow, you may sleep in as long as you want.

Be in my office at noon to pick up your routing slips.

-Good night. -Good night, Lieutenant!

And the others?

The others?

So you want to live forever, boys.

But you will regret it.

The anti-tank mission is short, but remorse is long.

Tomorrow I'll break you of your self-preservation instinct.

You swine! You filthy pigs!

I'll make heroes out of you yet.

Even if you die in the process.

Pick up the tempo, Horbeck. Scared, huh?

To the greatest swindle in the world.

Guys, you have no idea how badly we've been swindled.

Go! Go! Forward! Come on!

My God - refugees!

Now see the results.

But you are assured of our Fatherland's gratitude.

Guys, have we been swindled!

You have no idea.

People: enjoy the war. The peace will be terrible.

Go on, Horbeck.

There must be some sort of staff back there.

See to it that we get through here!

Wolzow!

I have to take a look around.

You take care of the combat mission, got it?

-Got it. -I'll be back in half an hour.

If I'm not back, head out on your own.

What obnoxious behavior for a sergeant first class!

He's out of booze and it's making him nervous.

I'll be right back.

Anti-tank division? Nonsense on paper!

Why did you volunteer?

Don't bother.

Sepp, if something should happen to me,

here's my father's address.

-Give the news to Gundel Thies too. -So you really want to die?

Werner, shouldn't we think about how to make it through?

How do you mean that?

Well, somehow or other.

You can think about it.

Well, is the engine acting up?

We'll see.

Wolzow wants to fight very badly.

What's with Wolzow?

Wolzow doesn't listen to anyone —

but sometimes he listens a bit to Holt.

And him?

Man, everything's all haywire here. No one knows what's going on.

They say the Russians will be here soon.

There's still no anti-tank division.

That's a bad sign.

But I still have a clear combat mission.

Hold the tanks at the gates as long as possible,

until a line can be drawn here.

-Troops are on the way. -On the way?

-Yes, sir! -So then let's go.

And Burghard?

Who knows if he'll come back?

We'll wait for him. His battle experience is valuable.

Come on, let's go!

Or else we'll never get out of this mess.

We already have our papers. We don't need him.

Ok — move out.

Now ['ll tell you why I volunteered.

I'm done with this.

Sepp!

We swore an oath.

It doesn't matter;

then I'll break my oath.

Werner, come with me.

Defect ...7

-Don't think too long. -Come on!

It'll be too late once the tanks come.

Werner!

Wolzow's coming.

This was lying in his car.

You scoundrel!

Arrest him.

Wolzow!

I have something to say to you.

I fought in the anti-aircraft brigade.

I thought it was for Germany.

I didn't want to see or hear how it all had been soiled

and Germany made a fool.

But then it all became clear to me.

It finally became clear to me in the sawmill.

-Don't make a murderer out of me! -Lower your gun! I'll count to 3.

-One! -I'll gun you down.

-Two! -Wolzow!

You guys are nuts! Drop the guns or I'll pull the cord.

-No one can stop me. -The gun, Gilbert!

Sit down.

Put away the gun.

Get out of here.

If the Russians catch you, they'll beat you to death.

-They're killing everyone. -Yes, in close combat.

When it finally occurs to you to defect, it'll be too late.

But not if we come quietly by car. I know a little Russian.

An anti-tank mission? Never!

It's over for me, friend. The war is over.

Werner, come with us.

Werner.

Don't think so much. Come on!

I can't go to the Russians.

-I'm a German! -Man, quit your chatter!

-Men with guts still fight. -Yes - and for what?

I'll tell you what for!

Though you wouldn't get it anyway, you piece of trash.

-For my soldier's honor. -Then go ahead and die for it.

Come with us, Werner!

So everything we've done is now wrong and in vain?

I can't.

Come on, let's go,

before this guy goes crazy again.

Werner!

Gilbert!

From now on, every traitor will be shot -

even if it's my best friend!

Christian!

Christian!

Gilbert!

Gilbert!

They don't have any papers.

Clear the way!

I'll bet the three ran off.

The situation demands we save the officers,

our most valuable men.

The situation?

The situation requires fighting to the last man.

If I see anyone run away, I won't even waste a bullet,

I'll hang the scoundrel from the lamppost.

I abide by the Fuhrer's orders.

Oh, Peter.

I'd rather be sitting at your house right now.

You'd play for me.

Yes.

Do you think people will ever go to concerts again?

-Listen to music? -Absolutely.

I couldn't bear all this otherwise.

Just imagine:

there are lights shining in the streets again.

No more fear.

And I can attend the conservatory.

Man, I'm starving. Shit!

I'm going to eat my iron rations.

The lieutenant forbade it.

You should eat something too.

Peter,

stop dreaming.

Now we need to be tough.

Man, it's a concentration camp!

Peter!

Peter!

Wiese, man!

Peter.

Pull yourself together, man!

Wiese's just not worth someone like you getting upset.

The sourpuss was always crazy.

Best in the class ...

Why should these criminals concern him?

Come on and shovel.

Order executed.

Everything's been set up for house-to-house combat.

-Go get some shut-eye. -It'll be getting light out.

Wolzow!

We're only 50 men — the rest of your company and mine.

We'll stay the course!

-Kill the wimp. -Shut your mouth!

Holt, get ready.

In 30 minutes, the troop should be battle-ready.

The troops will retreat or surrender.

Are you crazy? Christian!

Winkler!

Enough, Wolzow! Winkler? You take over command

but don't go back. There are SS nearby.

You'd best surrender directly.

-Come on, Holt. -I'll be right after you.

This is treason.

The troops are still good for a day of house-to-house combat.

We were 200 men yesterday. How many of us are left?

I'm leaving.

I don't feel a calling to become a hangman.

But don't cross my path again, Wolzow.

Hide somewhere, but don't let me see you.

You criminal!

Wait until the SS gets here. They'll hang you all!

Next to Wehnert! I'll see you hang!

Holt!

Holt!

Werner!

Wolzow, they ...

they want to hang him.

The SS is looking for you too.

It's Meissner — you know him — Meissner's their leader.

Get going! Wehnert's with them too!

Come back again, Werner!

Ok!

Go!

Move out!

The Adventures of Werner Holt

based on the novel by Dieter Noll

Directed by Joachim Kunert

Subtitles by Matt Beisler and Evan Torner

©2009 DEFA Film Library University of Massachusetts Amherst