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THE DEVIL STRIKES AT NIGHT
Summer of war 1944
… and to our führer Adolf Hitler you will be grateful.
I am appointed as his spokesperson here.
"Operation Harvest" serves the people and soldiers on the front.
Your sacrifice is a stone in our large building.
Moreover, it gives the example for the generations to come.
Girls...
girls of the town of Hamburg, overpowered by mourning but oh; So proud...
in the name of our chief farming community...
I thank you for having volunteered...
and for your effort in "Operation Harvest" for youths of the Party...
for Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein...
I do not hesitate to encourage you...
to urge you: Continue thus!
To our great führer Adolf Hitler. Sieg Heil!
That's it for the official part.
And now for a small surprise. They are 32?
31. One of them is sick.
It is the good will that counts, and your engagement.
To have helped with the harvest, and your brothers of race...
I will thank you by giving a small gift...
a bag of flour and one of rye.
Silence!
And now, I'll give you a small personal souvenir.
Hold this.
A cornflower for each one of you.
The German flower of the harvest.
The flower of our great Queen Louise.
The flower of fidelity.
- Your name? - Henny Jansen.
- Do you have a boyfriend? - No.
- You worked like three, is that right? - Of course.
She ate like three!
She did well!
The one who works well has the right to eat well.
I knew a sculptor who preferred models like you.
But let us continue…
- Hertha von Pfeil. - Is your father a general?
No, general agent of insurances.
Good…
- How old are you? - I will be 16 years old soon.
Heavens! Impressing! Your father?
Johannes Kopp, born Tressler. It is my mother, uh, my father…
Not be intimidated. I do not bite.
Quite the contrary.
Let us continue to the gifts from your brothers of race.
A bag of flour, and one of rye.
Come and get them.
I also have some small flags to brighten your farewell-festival.
They're in my car.
Frنulein.
The usual. Potatos and sauerkraut.
What? More potatos and sauerkraut?
You're crazy.
A portion of potato and sauerkraut!
My friend was called in for the military service.
I want to give him a farewll-party.
I'll pay everything!
What's your name?
Take the broad one, ship boy!
- Is Lucy here? - Upstairs.
Ouch! Are you insane?
Willi! Suits you right.
I do not let anyone grope me without knowing who it is. Where have you been?
Look at that, it bleeds!
You're like a little boy. That's just a tiny scratch.
I thought it was the old codger, since the old girl is away...
- You finished? - Not here. If the owner…
- Trude will take over for me. - I have a nice gift for you.
Good, go ahead, I'll meet you. But don't make any noise.
- I want to pay. - That'll be 2.80 marks.
90, three, four…
- The telephone, please? - Over the street, in the baker-shop.
And five. Did that taste you?
That's no magic. A little remainder like that!
What's your problem?
Do you want to pay for this bottle?
They get stranger by the hours, nowadays!
24, 25,
26, 27...
31.
Alarm.
There should be 32 of them.
Maybe they short-changed you for one?
Fat is fat!
Here we have 32 pieces of gratitude on behalf of our brothers of race.
It doesn't matter who...
all for one…
Lucy...
If I still had my left finger...
I would be at the front tomorrow.
You? Don't make me laugh!
You remember Klaus who worked at the counter?
Yes, my pal, Klaus Schmides. I envy him.
He is a soldier.
He was. He died.
Fell in the war. Astonishing, eh?
Fell? Perhaps…
But for the Führer and the people.
"Our mourning is our pride, Emmi."
How will we continue without goods, incomes?
I did not get one tip today.
Tips!
In the north, south, east and west...
the soldiers fight for the survival of the Reich and…
And you, right in the middle of it with your 32 slices of bacon!
Don't give me any tall stories. Do not start with me!
How's that?
You give what claim to the Nazis? A family, for example?
"The rampart of the people, is the family" says Adolf Hitler.
It is true…
I am married, but…
You know it well, Lucy…
My wife cannot give me children.
Are you crazy? Perhaps you would like me to make some for her?
What a joke!
No, no. Even if one is made the moment one is together, but…
- My little whale. - Good grief!
You make me sick when you open your mouth!
- Have a drink. - No!
I want something sweet.
Canned fruits.
Excuse me a moment.
There're still bottles of cherries hidden in the pram.
In the pram?
Yes, that's because the porter is a real thief.
I put all my delicacies in my old pram.
Under the staircase which leads to the cellar. Nobody will steal them from me.
One fights for the survival of Reich...
and this girl eats cherries!
Alarm!
Lucy, where are you?
Aren't you finished with your damn cherries?
- Not the porcelain tiger! - Yes!
Take it easy. It's the same thing every night.
- They are just above us. - Quickly! Alarm!
Quick! Get out!
Everybody to the cellar! Alarm!
Frau Hansen! Quick! To the cellar! There's…
That will fall on us from above, Herr Police chief.
Someone from the Gestapo is here. That will make the air thicker.
Enter.
Am I interupting?
On the contrary. But I expected somebody from the Gestapo.
Come in!
Good to see you. Sit down Kersten.
I hope that doesn't crumble.
I hope so too.
How is your leg?
I can't complain.
I still have to be a bit careful, though.
Very convenient, a shell-splint in the knee!
You seem to have lost your thirst for heroism.
Well; I don't want to revisit the "brothers" on the other side.
Russians, they are the hard ones to cook.
Understandable!
I signed your request for transfer under my service.
I am very grateful.
You are content to be back in Berlin?
I saw too many horrible things in the East.
In the homicide division, things are quiet.
The spine should curve easily!
I understand you completely. Kersten…
this world is afflicting and absurd. The homicide division...!
Every day, thousands of soldiers dies on the front...
while I control an enormous machine for some petty criminal cases.
Here, an certain Willi Keun...
strangled a waitress in Hamburg. It's all over the headlines.
But when thousands of soldiers...
are killed on the front, one reads:
"Our losses are negligable."
The man must have been a tough one.
For 2 or 3 years ago, there was a similar case. It wasn't solved.
It's a case for you!
For me?
I leave it to the colleagues in Hamburg.
It is undoubtedly an error, Herr Inspector.
One must quickly repair it to avoid the anger of the Grüppenführer.
You have a strange sense of humor.
To put an SS-officer before your civil court of shit!
This man committed a crime…
A crime? Who cares!
Besides, we are the only ones able to judge this case.
The man drank too much and behaved badly, I agree to that.
But he was at the front!
And received all the honors!
The court will take this into account.
And he failed to kill anybody at the front. The casualty survived…
It is of no importance! A foreigner!
They are believed when allowed to.
I think you don't understand the times we live in.
But I am member of the party.
A self-made man, right?
And who are you? Remain seated.
I wasn't going to stand up.
It's inspector Kersten. He just came from the military hospital.
He was the commander of a battalion.
No, only a battalion-leader.
Why "only"?
I knew officers much smarter than certain generals.
Herr Kersten will be working under me.
Very well.
I look forward to co-operate with you. My name is Mollwitz.
Central Office of Security.
We need to uphold an faultless exchange of information with the homicide division.
We all dangle from the same rope, do we not?
Bِhm, find us an intelligent solution...
in this unfortunate case.
That will not be easy.
Then make an effort. Good appetite!
I will do like you. The spine should be curved.
But I wonder if we will arrive there, in time.
I am certain of it.
Presently, it is not gained. Be careful!
Give me the the Kaiser; And what's in him.
Heil Hitler!
Frau Paschke, cigarettes, please.
Without a coupon? Frنulein Hornung!
What about my accounts? I don't want to grab the devil by his tail!
- Let me remove that for you. - Thank you; No problem at all.
Wait!
Did it take long to work this trick out?
I intended to open an umbrella-store but the summer is dry.
I was only joking.
May I?
Thank you.
Frنulein, the German steak, is it large?
And how! It comes from an Ukrainian horse!
Silence! Bulletin from Wehrmacht!
The supreme commander of Wehrmacht has this to say:
North-American Bombers has passed the borders of the Reich...
and attacked the west and south of France...
the residential districts of Munich, Mannheim...
and Karlsruhe, the damages are substantial...
And nothing in Berlin?
Here. I don't smoke.
How practical!
- And your wife? Your friends? - Friends?
Who has any friends at times like this? Take one!
- Too timid? - No, but I'm being wary.
Frau Paschke! Cigarettes!
The history of the umbrella led me on. Detective.
I thought you apprenticed in tapestry.
A kind of disguise? Very skilful!
My name is Kersten. I work with Bِhm.
Here we go! You are an inspector?
Yes. What do you think?
General as a civilian, perhaps.
You have a poor impression of me! Thank you.
What do you plan to do with these?
You will laugh: I hope to use them as wallpaper.
But I have to do all the work myself; Because all the tapestry makers in Berlin are on the front.
If you ever should run short of adhesive…
Spoiled child, huh?
Enormously.
In fact, I know a tapestry maker.
A formidable craftsman. But he only works on Sundays.
In secret. You understand?
Give me the address. I will send it to you.
That would be splendid. I'll write it down for you.
Helga Hornung,
Weberstraكe 14.
- Is he reliable, this man? - Enough.
A little difficult, a recluse.
I'm not going to marry him. He must know how to paper and bring a stool.
Cigarettes.
A friend of yours?
Not yet. But he could become one any day.
There are always joint interests with the Central Office of Security.
That's possible.
Hey; Anna.
Anna… - Hello, Bruno.
Is this any way to walk around?
Where have you been all this time?
With the obligatory service of work.
- I gained weight, huh? - I can't tell.
Will you stay here now? Will you dance with me?
We'll see. I have only just arrived!
- These bags are killing me. - These small things?
- I will take them for you. - That's kind of you Bruno.
How are you Bruno? You earn your living well?
There's always enough potatos and schnapps around to pay me.
But your father is broke…
- And I'm on the road a lot. - On the road?
- In Bamberg. - What do you do over there?
And sometimes in Hamburg, Kassel. I leave with the truck-drivers.
And with my earnings, I buy potatos, alcohol, cigs.
Thank you very much, Bruno.
When will you come to dance with me?
I don't know yet. I have so much to do.
I train as a nurse at the Red Cross hospital.
Where is it, the hospital of the Red Cross?
In the district of Wedding.
I know Wedding well.
Excuse me, Weberstraكe 14?
It is right over there. The number-plate fell.
- These damn bombs! - Bombs in Berlin? No way!
The number-plate got scared of the breaking news!
Thanks.
What a bitter disappointment!
I come here for a flirt and you send for a tapestry maker!
I never flirt with anyone within the family.
Tell me at least which strategy you mean to adopt with this bottle of yours?
It is for the tapestry maker. Hands off! You've been drinking enough for this evening already!
Not as a private. Only as a pilot!
You know what our Führer want from his heroes.
True heroes, either dead-drunk, or stupid like a foot!
And as I do not want to make a false move with our adored Führer…
Thomas, come to your senses. I don't know this man.
You don't know him, but still you offer him drinks?
Heil Hitler!
I didn't know that you had visitors, Frنulein Hornung.
It doesn't disturb you when I start do make a mess of your house?
No, No.
Thomas, here's the man who claims to know how to paper.
This is Commander Wollenberg.
Well met!
I hope that my presence will not have a harmful effect on your art.
I don't think so. It's the first time I try spreading paper out over a wall.
Bravo! Germany needs courageous men!
Herr Kersten is an inspector in the police.
On Sundays, he works incognito.
You could have mentioned that it was you, who was the difficult recluse.
I would have saved you a bottle; If I knew you were coming.
Didn't you guess it?
You, who works as an assistant in the police...
But not a very gifted one. I only work with the central data base.
This bottle is thus free, so to speak.
I propose that we drink for our beloved Führer...
and for his inevitable final victory.
Darling, you washed the glasses from yesterday evening?
Do not be so insolate!
They're over there.
Did you invite him here...
to protect you from me or to speak of political matters?
Herr Wollenberg is my cousin.
Cousin in the fourth degree!
His grandmother was the cousin of the aunt of my mother.
To success!
I did not refer to the tapestry.
With what, then?
My angel, you invited this man...
to protect you from me or to speak of political matters?
To work, then!
My wound obliges me to stick the underlayer at the bottom.
Take the top, Herr Major and Frنulein Hornung, the middle.
Why me?
I am a cousin and a pilot, so to say. Not in any case, will I be made a tapestry maker.
But I can undertake the schnapps.
How unexpected.
The schnapps is the preferred beverage of the cousins, aviators and tapestry makers.
In heroic periods, it is the beverage for everyone.
It gives you wings.
You're using information flyers from your work as underlayer?
My profession sticks to my skin.
Is it funny?
Yes, an old murder-case. Does that interest you?
Why not? Divert us a little you too!
"In the evening of September 23, 1937..."
"in a wood close to Hagenow..."
"Vera Fenner, age 38, was killed by a unknown person."
Thank God, I have an alibi for that day.
"The victim died of continuous pressure applied to the tongue-bone which fractured."
Damn; That had to be an athlete with the hands of a giant.
Odd, that points out something to me…
Recently, there was a case like that in Hamburg.
It doesn't matter. It doesn't have anything to do with me.
Can't we speak about something else?
I second that.
What do you think about love?
Potatos from Lehmann!
Second floor, but nobody's home.
- Then, I leave them here, huh? - No.
They will be away until next harvest.
I can't let you in because his wife has tuberculosis.
They paid me with eggs and I am a man of my word.
Heil Hitler!
Good, go upstairs and ring the bell. Three long rings, and two short.
They will probably open to you.
Wait!
Remember, I didn't say anything.
Three long, two short.
I come with the potatos.
Potatos… Very well.
Thank you very much.
I leave them here?
Forgive me...
Could you carry the bag to the kitchen?
It's over there.
Hot today, isn't it?
I'm hungry. One doesn't get one's lot with the coupons.
Can I make you a sandwich?
I wouldn't say no to that, Frau Lehmann.
Please...
I've had enough of it. Too much work and nothing to eat.
I prefer being on the road. I like the countryside.
I leave the next week.
You leave on a journey?
Yes, I leave with the truck-drivers.
You are a co-driver?
And where do you go?
- Everywhere. - Everywhere?
You think you could take me along?
I would give much to get away from here.
Yes, there's a lot of space in these large trucks.
Really?
I must tell you something.
I am not Frau Lehmann. I only live here for the time being.
But please sit down, Herr…
Bruno.
I'm not intruding?
No, I am all alone.
I am content when I have company.
Always alone.
Yes, since my husband died.
Damn war…
My husband died in Auschwitz.
I don't know that place.
He was a doctor. Professor Weinberger.
Maybe you've heard the name before?
No. I never get sick.
Then you're always alone?
I'll make you something to eat first, yes?
I didn't know where to go. I'm Jewish…
but the Lehmann's were very nice.
And it wasn't just to pay back their debt to my husband.
They are people of true kindness.
But because of me, they are always in danger. I must leave.
And where are they now, the Lehmann's?
He works at Siemens and she works at the Post office.
Do they return late, then?
Seldom before 22 pm. Obviously, they are tired.
I am so happy for the opportunity to speak with somebody.
I can't go out in the streets.
Always alone… Aren't you ever afraid?
Yes, I am always afraid.
Not so much of death but rather of humiliations.
I hear terrible things.
Why are people so mean?
No idea. Me, I don't concern myself so badly.
Perhaps I'm afraid of death nevertheless. I don't know.
I am not so old either. How old do you think I am?
No idea. Forty, around fifty.
Do I look that old?
These last years were…
I was such a pretty woman…
my husband adored my hair.
Did you see what became of them? With no hairdresser or soap.
My God!
It's me! Frau Lehmann!
Frau Lehmann!
The door is open.
Or is it?
Did you close it?
Me? Why?
It was me, then. I live in fear.
I do it without thinking. Excuse me.
I'll be right there, Frau Lehmann!
This is Herr Bruno. He brought potatos.
Why are you here so early?
Shells crashed into the central office. They're repairing the roof.
Tomorrow, I will finally get to sleep in.
- Thank you, for the sandwiches. - Not at all.
If you're in the neighborhood, do not forget:
Three long rings, two short.
It pleases me when I get visitors.
And don't forget about the truck.
If there is a possibility…
Please...
But Why?
Why should I kill her?
She was my girlfriend. I gave her everything!
I had been drinking a little, but I know my limit.
I am not a violent man. I've never beaten my wife!
And that thing with the bacon… I will make up for it.
We're all alike, sometimes one succumbs to temptation.
Always in action!
Always in action! That is what you must say, Herr lawyer!
I have the Military Cross.
- When do I get out of here? - Get out?
The only way out of here is when they come to put you on the gallow outside!
I will plead "crime of passion in a state of drunkenness"...
with total Amnesia.
I remember everything! I came from the hallway…
Lucy had gone to the pram downstairs to find her cherries.
Her cherries? In the pram downstairs?
You are familiar with paragraph 51?
Do not mistake the judges for imbeciles!
But the story about the cherries is in your file.
Haven't you read it?
I rushed through it.
But you are to be familiar with my case!
You are my lawyer!
Officially appointed lawyer.
But you must know every aspect of the case!
The whole thing started with the festival.
A kind of harvest festival.
I always do one of them at the end of the service for the girls.
I found Lucy by chance.
- By chance? - Not really.
I went there, then I went to the house, then we took a couple of drinks.
- And you had a fight? - Not precisely!
We spoke about the general situation and we didn't agree.
And the scratches on your hands?
They are traces of a fight.
Judges aren't stupid!
Neither am I! These indices are worth 3 hangings.
You're going to fast. Tell me...
Is it true that you miss a tip of your finger? May I see?
As a kid, I had an accident with a saw.
What a misfortune! I volunteered 4 times!
Can I see the other hand?
Soft hands. You didn't do sports?
I had a heart-condition as a child too. Afterwards, I didn't have the time.
I believe that the prosecutor doesn't press himself too much.
He doesn't believe me! My own lawyer doesn't believe me!
Tell me, can you defend me without believing me?
That's my own business!
With a little luck, you will receive extenuating circumstances.
I don't want you as my lawyer!
My lawyer must believe in my innocense!
This is stupid! I am a member of the party!
I sacrificed my health for the Führer.
Don't blow your top.
Most important, do not mention the party at the time of the lawsuit.
They will give you hell where you stand.
Good, Keun, think about it. I will return tomorrow.
For you, I am HERR Keun. You hear?
Herr Keun...
I do not believe you are guilty.
- Good evening. - Good evening, Frنulein Helga.
- Please come in. - Thank you.
It's dark in here! Are your bulbs roasted?
No.
But sometimes, I like to put candles on...
to create an festive atmosphere.
Oh... maybe it's your birthday today?
No, but I have a very sympathetic guest.
Still this agitator? What was his name again?
Thomas Wollenberg. He's my cousin. How many times do I have to tell you?
The sympathetic guest, that would be you.
Honestly, I don't deserve it.
Can I turn on the light for a moment?
One minute. I will turn it off immediately.
Won't you eat? The dinner's getting cold.
Of course, just a moment.
What are you doing?
That's well detached.
What is detached?
The tapestry. Tell me, Frنulein Helga…
Did you keep a small piece, about this size?
- No. What that good for? - If it misses a short piece…
If my memory doesn't fail me...
in this place...
there is an incriminating evidence...
- transformed into underlayer. - Good appetite.
Good appetite.
Don't you remember? That old information flyer.
A country-girl from Hagenow.
No.
I do.
It was here.
What are you doing?
This will be a hard blow to your tapestry and my good intensions.
The wolf killed and it will kill again.
I track a mass murderer who's still out there.
That's just crazy!
That's not crazy. In my opinion, it is the monster of the century.
And you, the tracker? Earlier, you were satisfied and called it...
- the dust of the files. - That is true.
But in Hamburg, a prisoner already has a noose around his neck.
Perhaps rightly, but perhaps wrongly.
We only have one head...
one is enough with these things.
"September 1937".
Let's see.
- Shall I put the tea on the heater? - No, thank you. I'm finished.
Vera Wenner or Fenner, it doesn't matter.
There it is, at the bottom.
"Died of continous pressure on the tongue-bone..."
"by strangulation."
I never forget an injury!
It's the 5th case.
What do you say now?
Nothing. The tapestry is damaged...
and curiously, all this doesn't give me a good feeling.
I would have preferred that you stayed away from the tapestry.
I don't care about the tapestry. It's only tapestry.
I'll buy you a pretty picture to hide the spot.
Something that makes fun of the Führer.
You never tire.
I'm sorry, but it was important for me.
That's for sure.
This is really beautiful.
And all these delicacies! Just as in peace-time.
I think I'll turn off the light, now.
Forget it. One sees better this way.
But for the small festive occasions...
I find the candles prettier.
Angry?
My practice with being a guest seems to be a bit rusty. You should invite me more often.
You've made yourselves like home since you came through the door!
You disagree?
Only if my pieces of furniture and tapestries suffer too much.
And get back in that chair!
As you command!
Get away!
Bruno the beast! Bruno the beast!
- It's nice of you to come Anna. - What was all that ruckus?
Only some kids. Sit down.
I don't have the time. It must be at the house right away.
Why? Your father's not there.
I know; But I have work to do.
Anyway, I shouldn't be here.
What's that? A waistcoat?
Oh, the waistcoat.
It was a gift.
Don't lie to me. That's a woman's waistcoat!
Bruno, do you get visits from ladies, eh?
You better not let my father find out!
Anna!
I will be able to leave soon. Look!
- From where did you get that? - I found it in the street.
Bruno! It should be returned!
No way! Finders keepers.
It's not yours. It should be returned to the police!
I don't give a shit about the police.
You will go to the police! I will go with you to make sure you return it.
The owner must have lost it after a binge.
I don't think so.
It doesn't matter what you think. Bruno!
You always were an honest person.
Of course, but it's over 300 marks... and that would give us a way out.
One can leave for less than that!
Let's go to the police station right now!
You stay right here.
You'd like that, wouldn't you! Are you bored?
Hurry, take the handbag and follow me.
Come on!
Thank you.
- Hello. - Heil Hitler!
Frنulein Hohmann, Has Bruno here been giving you any problems?
No, Herr Lüdke found a wallet, and...
Since when did you start addressing me as "Herr Lüdke?"
I've always been stupid Bruno!
I found it. It's mine, now.
Look at that! Where did you find this?
On a bench in the garden by the town hall.
But Bruno...
there aren't any benches there anymore.
It was elsewhere, then.
This is a bit strange. I will draw up a report.
He is so honest, that he come by his own free will to deliver the money back.
By his own free will? Bruno is an old acquaintance!
His file is piling up:
Cruelty towards animals, arson, etc.
You can't do anything to me, thanks to article 51!
I'm insane. And you can't do anything to me!
Inspector Kersten? Follow me, please.
An order from the Central Office of Security.
- I don't understand. - I'm sorry, it is an order.
Can't this wait untill tomorrow? I have an appointment.
I see. No, sorry.
What's going on?
No idea. A surprise invitation...
from the Central Office of Security.
Frنulein Hohnung, could you please...
go see Chief of Police Bِhm?
Yes, of course.
And tell him...
- A cigarette? - No, thank you.
- Can I make a phone-call from your office? - No, sorry.
This isn't going to take long, I hope.
What makes you think so?
Your strange behavior, among other things.
You'll always be able to say you're sorry to the Gruppenführer.
Inspector Kersten, Gruppenführer.
I'm sorry about this little informal invitation.
But between former soldiers…
please, sit down.
You are excused.
Have a seat.
You have been working hard. I received a report on you.
One does what one can, Herr Gruppenführer.
But please, no false modesty.
You are about to solve a very particular case.
Always on the move...
Hamburg, Kassel, Lübeck, Schwerin, etc.
Very interesting.
A cigarette?
No thanks. I don't smoke.
Congratulations.
One moment.
Who gave you this report?
A liaison officer in your service.
He doesn't mean any harm.
Sometimes, there are friends where one least expect to find them.
His name is…wait…
he is called Brühl.
Our assistant Brühl?
Your record is perfect. You have a medal from the war...
enormous success in your profession and…
Good grief.
You are not a member of the party?
That's of no importance. You have your reasons, that is clear.
Tell me everything about your mass murderer. Perhaps we'll speak more afterwards.
As you are familiar with the case, I will not dwell on the details.
In my opinion...
all these crimes were committed by the same killer.
And he's always on the move.
That would mean that many cases should be re-opened.
And?
They are miscarriages of justices!
That shouldn't happen in our German Rule of law. Or?
Good, continue.
In all the cases, a fractured tongue-bone was the cause of death.
That is extremely rare.
The killer must be in possession of an incredible strenght.
His motive is always the same one.
One moment. Fracture of the tongue-bone?
Where is that? I know nothing of anatomy here!
Could you give me a demonstration?
Yes.
Alright. It's like this…
He places the fingers like this.
And then?
While squeezing with extreme force, the hyoid bone breaks...
and the victim dies choking on its own tongue.
Horrible.
I can't even imagine it.
I have to stop there. Unfortunately, I do not have enough force.
"Unfortunately?"
Kersten!
"Unfortunately!"
Are you only after me, or the SS in general?
But, Herr Gruppenführer!
The killer must be strong as a Turk.
Perhaps an circus-artist. In any case, an abnormal man.
Halt.
Sit down.
This is exactly what I wanted to hear from you.
A man with abnormal physique, with a genetic deficiency...
whose father perhaps was a drunk.
A man that lives near the railways...
or perhaps a coffee boy, or a circus-artist.
Bring me his personal file.
And at nights, he kills women.
Only one or a dozen or more…
A sizeable citizen of this city without any prior history.
Without antecedents. He doesn't even care to conceal the silver spoon.
But when one take a closer look at his family...
an uncle is found who died in a lunatic asylum...
or a grandfather that drank himself to death.
In all cases, a village idiot...
a physical or mentally disabled person.
Have you read about racial theories?
- A Little. - Read everything.
The health of the race is our supreme duty.
Would you question the superiority...
of the Germanic race? No, of course not. That is very smart of you.
The elite should be cultivated, my dear Kersten...
while at the same time carrying out an even cruel rigorous selection.
Let us follow the natural laws...
while eliminating pathological alternatives.
My little bandit, where are you?
It's the alarm. We would like to continue the party in the cellar.
Little one, you can see that I have a visitor.
Bring your friend, then.
It is necessary that you admire the bar of my little bandit.
I'm throwing a little party. It's a good thing, now and then..
Where was I?
You made me lose my focus.
Ah, yes: The elimination of pathological elements.
You provide me with the exemplary case.
Bring me this abnormal serial-killer...
in order to terrify the population.
I need him for a law thingy...
a law which applies to certain people.
You need any assistants? Procurations? Cars?
All doors will be open for you, and also all the accessible files.
I don't know if I'm the man you need.
My war-wound made me a little motionless...
but I can recommend several people to you.
My God, were you stationed at Podwoliszicka?
In that godforsaken, lice-filled hole.
By the train-station, there's a slope.
How long were you stationed there?
Two months.
I lingered there for two hours.
You wouldn't like to go back there, eh?
The mere thought of it makes me want to scratch myself.
We have to disinfect everybody, from Beuthen to Moscow.
Where was I? You have full responsibility for the case.
With you at least, one can speak as a true German.
On the front, during the bombardments, we used to say: "Enter!"
- Are you nervous? - No.
An authentic Wouwerman.
I bought it in Holland...
they are making money there, thanks to us.
Go ahead, I'll be right there.
Enough, enough.
Follow me, Kersten.
Another beer, commander?
No. I'd prefer a cognac.
But with a good label.
A barrel or a case of 24 bottles?
No, just a bottle.
You don't want to start bringing it here, right?
As you say.
I'm going for a tankard of beer. Just a second.
You worry too much, my little cousin.
Is there something between you and your clandestine tapestry maker?
Of course not. What should that be?
Let us say, courtly love. He is a nice bloke, right?
Yes, it's true. I like him a lot.
You already have feelings like that?
Since you must know everything: No.
Good, I will have to put him on my list of my protected ones.
While it's still possible.
Your cousin is on his way to change locale.
You were transferred?
- To the front? - I cannot say more.
Secret orders.
Besides me and my radio-operator, nobody knows anything.
Say, you've already been to Sweden?
No, that would I do in Sweden?
You have family over there. Süderstrِms, for example.
Right then, you have my phone number.
If your tapestry maker ever get into trouble...
give me a call.
Here's the beer tankard.
I talked with the owner. You soldiers are good for the business!
Heil Hitler! I came to ask about my hand-bag.
Why?
Well, if nobody comes to claim it, it's mine, according to Anna.
It was I who found it.
Wait for two years, then we'll see.
Does it take that long?
Where is my hand-bag, then?
No idea. It was conficated.
Another service claimed it.
Maybe the owner showed up.
How could that be?
Gruppenführer Scharf. At your service.
Thank you. What's with the goods...?
- It is your ration. - Which ration?
You will receive them every tenth day. It is like that.
- The canned food will be here soon. - Canned food?
Put them all in the safe...
as it is a State secret.
French brandy.
Russian tea cultivated in... China.
Soap, that's nice.
Cigarettes. How about that?
Good grief!
You are a hard-working man, Brühl. Do you smoke? Or drink?
I'd like to drink a decent cup of coffee.
It will have to wait. The cans will be here soon.
I think I'll help myself to a little piece of soap.
In shitty times. It's good to keep ones hands clean.
Finally, something good.
The found object was received? The hand-bag filled with money?
It was deposited this morning.
Here it is.
Thank you.
Here is the receipt:
"Deposited to police station number 185..."
"by a certain Bruno Lüdke, current adress Jنgerstraكe 14..."
"accompanied by Anna Hohmann, living at the same address…."
Hello, Bruno. How are you?
What do you want?
I'm looking for a strong man.
I don't work for money anymore.
What good is it? It's not worth anything anymore.
It's necessary to eat. I want cigarettes and drinks.
Let's talk about that.
- What is this? - Danish Aquavit.
Pop the cork, then!
I agree. It helps the negotiation.
- Do you have a corkscrew? - Sure do.
I don't see it any more.
Forget it. I have another solution.
Damn thing! Is this welded on, or what?
You have to use force... a lot of it.
I spilled it.
- What's your name? - Axel.
You're alright. Have a swig.
You opened the bottle pretty quick with that trick of yours.
Even in Hamburg, you had your admirers.
Lucy Hansen, for example.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean. The waitress...
that you killed. She was to be…
Man! How did you do that?
Nobody has never been able to...
Brute force isn't everything. I know many tricks.
You must teach me! Where did you learn it?
They are taught on our premises. In the police force.
Oh, you're a cop.
But I thought you wanted to give me a job?
It's not normal to say that I killed somebody.
I don't like that.
Are they yours?
You can't do anything to me!
I am protected by paragraph 51! I'm crazy!
Come along Bruno. Here.
OK. Axel. Let's go.
According to your own statements, you've committed several murders.
How many?
I didn't count. Around fifty, hundred...
Then you know how to count? Count, then!
One, two, three, four...
Axel, I think that they're making fun of me. When are we finished?
Bruno, enough of your comedy...
You promised me that you would be sincere.
I know stuff...
Name the 5 continents!
East, west, south, north.
How long is your little finger?
One meter.
Don't let me impose upon you, gentlemen.
Do you sometimes go to church?
Before, yes. Now I don't go there anymore.
- And why not? - Because I am in prison.
Do you pray in your cell?
"Dear God, make me pious. So that I may go to Heaven."
"I want to be good. I will never do that again."
Tell me...
you do see that he's making fools of us?
He's playing the idiot. He tries to deceive us.
But all his confessions coincide with the facts!
We have proof of 55 murders.
Listen well!
Who was Bismarck?
It was Hindenburg!
Now listen! You cannot carry out a investigation like that.
It's your strategy! Asking him trick-questions at my expense!
It's difficult in public. But later tonight, we'll have him for ourselves.
They want to make a moulding of his head for the museum.
Then I will tighten the screw a little.
Do as you please.
This case must be irrefutable. If not, it doesn't serve me any purpose.
Furthermore, for me, the stakes are enormous.
And for you too!
You have an excellent memory, Bruno.
I'm counting on you.
You know the place where we will go tomorrow.
You will guide us, and say to us where and how things happened.
Give us all the details.
You know, my boss is a very meticulous person.
He wants to know everything.
Axel, are you there?
I wish this guy would finish soon! It's dark in here!
And now, Bruno?
Over there, on the left. Where the hill slopes.
I love the early morning air, Axel.
Hurry up! Get that horse moving!
Cut that out, Bruno! Are you insane?
You know I am! It was only a joke!
You got no sense of humour! You work too much!
Release him.
Ah, the champignons smells good.
I don't know him.
There is a lake on the other side. Let's go bathe. The others can stay there.
Work first, Bruno. Where did it happen?
Not here. Come with me.
And then...?
- What about my cigarette? - Work with us first, Bruno. Talk.
Why must I always talk...
Don't complicate things. Talk.
Alright, only because it's you...
Some time ago, I had some problems with my legs.
I sat down here to rest.
I had a potato in my pocket, and then I ate it.
And then she came...
She was very pretty.
She wore a blue dressing gown. A blouse.
She had... a bunch of flowers.
And she sang.
It was "The golden buttons."
I said to myself: Let her sing for a little while.
Then I rose...
and I followed her.
She didn't see me.
Suddenly, she lost something.
She was leaning...
to find it.
I hid behind a tree.
Then, she must have noticed me, and she got scared.
She started running.
I ran after her. I was faster.
"Go away! Don't hurt me!"
"Wait till I catch up with you, you little slut!"
I caught her here.
She didn't move.
I had to bury her.
Then, I dug while looking around me.
I was on all four, digging...
while looking around me.
Nobody came.
Is this her?
Yes, that's her.
And my cigarette?
My man Bruno; You have an excellent memory. You deserve it.
One moment!
There! I had hidden it.
You didn't find it!
So? Are you convinced?
And then some!
You have broken new grounds with this case!
- A mouthful? - Thank you.
My name is Wolf-Dieter.
I'm Axel.
Axel, there were rumors in the corridors...
and I have a very fine ear.
Our case with the Cro-Magnon will be presented in higher places.
- To the SS-Reichsführer? - Even higher.
To the Führ...
Alright.
Let's go.
What's this, then? We cannot continue?
Looks like sabotage to me.
Herr Gruppenführer; About your conversation with the Führer...
was it successful?
Your curiosity is simultaneously comprehensible and incongruous.
I can tell you this small thing today, though:
Department M1/7 is being dismantled.
We didn't want to turn a blind eye on certain things in Berlin.
I'm waiting for Kersten who is behind schedule for a report regarding this matter.
The Führer hopes to see the execution order tomorrow morning. Clear enough?
By all means, I will try to arrange for all this in Berlin.
Try to arrange? That is an order.
You need to learn when to read between the lines.
Our Führer is such an brilliant man...
that to please him by our work is an great asset to the whole greatness of Germany!
The idea that the Lüdke case helped to popularize...
… the elimination law of degenerate beings...
… that was very tempting at the outset, But what will the consequenses be?
And the reactions from the commoner?
Possibly a feeling of insecurity.
He has killed 80 times…
You're talking about fear?
A true German never feels fear. He is too dangerous for that.
For 11 years, right under our eyes; That monster has acted with shrewdness.
Think about the confidence...
…to an institution of the Reich as important as the police.
If only he was a jewish lawyer, or at least, a foreigner…
Are they still not finished? Let's kill these stupid sheep! Drive!
- To your health. - Thanks.
Within three weeks, everything will be over.
That's a new one.
Not for me. My intention is...
That their files will remain resting under the dust.
There will always be some small adjustments to everything!
You know, Helga? As of today, we have a private life.
I kind of imagined my private life differently!
A marriage with Wollenberg.
Thomas is my cousin! When will you start to listen to me?
On the other hand, I am worried about him. He's talking about doing stupid things.
Like what?
He is planning a trip.
You think that he wants to desert?
- Is that worth the pain? - Maybe he has a good reason.
You are the darling...
of the Gestapo - Ouch...
concerns the men that are 18 years of age...
and also the women between 25 and 55 years of age.
How old are you? 55?
The Court in the city of Hamburg has pronounced today…
the judgment against Willi Keun, aged 44.
In response to the evidence presented, the defendant has been condemned to death.
Those bastards! They promised us the suspension of the trial!
Helga, I must do something! Right now!
You can call Mollwitz in Berlin.
Mollwitz? At this time of day he's probably in a bar over there!
Probably in every bar in the city!
- And Rossdorf? - It's Saturday!
All the offices are closed.
These gentlemen like to pretend that it's peace-time.
We must go immediately to Hamburg. Tomorrow it will be to late.
Excuse the mess. Everything is temporarely stored here…
These incessant bombings! Please sit down.
The hour is a little unusual, Kersten.
The situation also, Herr judge.
Yes, I thought so.
But for Keun, the judgment has already been pronounced.
Keun is innocent. I have with me the confession of the killer.
Interesting!
The indications can be deceptive.
Can I see the file?
Well...
There is a problem.
At this moment I am not authorized to present it.
It is necessary to obtain a permission from Hamburg.
I am not the esteemed court. I presided over the court, that's all.
I know.
The office of the public prosecutor was bombed. We don't know its new location.
You know the way to the court.
It's closed. Tomorrow is Sunday.
I don't have any guarantee that the irreparable thing can be avoided.
Wait…
You seem to be very sure regarding the Keun-case, Herr Kersten.
Absolutely.
It's not only the confession. The tests are conclusive.
Anyway, you lack documents. The Public prosecutor is very meticulous.
May I call Berlin?
By all means.
A short conversation with Gruppenführer Rossdorf.
What's the number?
007003.
Rossdorf.
In Hamburg?
A private party, eh?
I've been looking forward to talk to you Herr Kersten!
Who? Keun?
I do not know him. It's of no interest to me!
This is your case.
I recommend that you leave that file alone.
And remember that this is a now a national matter.
Return immediately to Berlin!
I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow. Heil Hitler, Herr Kersten! Goodbye!
Understood Herr Gruppenführer, I will give the file to Dr. Schleffien.
Heil Hitler! Goodbye.
Do you think that Rossdorf…
… heard your last remarks at all?
Herr judge…
…this is about a man's life and of the general Right.
Right?
"The Right is what the German people use. But not to harm..."
I'm only citing a famous plea.
We do not live under a lucky star.
The Right is a rare thing. It was killed off long ago.
I will take off the bandage. It already starts to bother me.
Rossdorf!
I do not like to be bothered by night.
Dear Kersten, I am thankful for your visit.
Keep me updated on everything that happens and…
be careful.
In every possible way.
Good night.
Thank you.
Well, Keun.
Prepare your things.
- I'm innocent! - You must be a man with good connections.
Never tell anybody that you left this cell alive.
Come on, let's go.
They have left me without soap, those thieving pigs!
"Tell me of the only the current news of everything that has succeded."
Helga...
Relax.
"He is as careful as can be, as long as possible."
I knew it!
Axel!
The car is waiting.
I'll be right there.
I'll call you later.
Inspector Kersten, Gruppenführer.
Thank you, you may leave.
So?
Talk to me, Herr Inspector!
I'm very curious!
Considering that my work is done...
… an explanation regarding the private agreement would be in order.
So that's what you think?
So the Central office of Security doesn't have the right…
… to retract that agreement?
- I don't understand you. - That's how it should be!
- I went to Hamburg. - I know that.
I talked to you on the telephone.
Keun was condemned to death.
I'm aware. It was part of a way…
… a very arbitrary one.
Who are you really, Herr Kersten?
Continue...
Keun is innocent.
We have the evidence proving that Lüdke killed the waitress.
Herr Kersten...
The name Bruno Lüdke will soon be swiftly forgotten.
You don't understand...
it is official: The hunt is over.
The file has been buried by orders from the Führer himself.
Do you now understand our mission?
No. My intellectual capacity isn't sufficient enough.
That is to be expected. Well.
I am going to have to have to put this to you clearly:
It is seriously detrimental to us…
… to reveal the existence of a mass murderer.
Get it?
That Keun is only…
a grain of sand in our machinery!
A grain of sand in the machinery? So it can be sacrificed?
What do you mean, Herr Kersten? I don't like your tone.
And your lacking sense of initiative even less!
You has forced to us to take measures with the purpose of eliminating him!
Do I have a surprise for you!
Not so quickly, no. It must be crystal-clear to me.
This very loyal gesture, it will have to wait.
And put your efforts in a file for me to peek through when I decide!
You have worked against us!
Your irresponsible attitude has forced to me take measures!
To execute Keun would be a travesty of justice!
- That insignificant Keun! - He is a member of the Party.
My God! Who isn't a member of the Party?
Even you were on the verge of landing there!
Should he be saved by being a Nazi? Is that so?
I do not want to contradict you totally.
Now you play brave, but the desperation starts to seep through.
And that doesn't surprise me at all.
I have with my own eyes seen people rebel against God and the Führer…
… I am used to that.
Now get down from that high horse of yours, Herr inspector!
You are the only person responsable for the death of Keun!
That will be difficult to prove.
Difficult?
He could have left for home tomorrow if you hadn't opened your mouth!
But you were the one who began to speak of Lüdke.
Trivialities!
And to spread state secrets!
If you want to commit suicide, do it alone!
You'll pin a judicial homicide to my back?
This is a situation of your own making!
Only his death brings back your conciousness! You charlatan!
That is utter mischief disguised as cleverness!
I have done my duty, that's all. But the death of a man…
… doesn't mean anything to you.
That's right.
Maybe not yours, either.
But I believe that…
Believe! Believe!
Those words smell of naftalin!
Do you perhaps believe in God?
Yes.
Doubtful. We cannot count on it. Come here.
One day, the Right will again become the Right!
We will probably be dead by then.
You probably, but not me. But this brings us to the matter at hand.
A court martial was planned for you…
… regarding the violation of a state secret. If I was happy with that…
… it was because I didn't take into account the military situation.
This is Courland.
There is commotion there…
I will reserve a place to you there to put you on approval...
as the "face" of the front, so to say.
Not as an officer, but as a soldier.
We are going to do this for you, to return you to the fold. Heinrich!
Before starting off for the front, Herr Kersten is to be placed under house arrest.
As you order.
Do not forget, Herr Kersten...
… to erase the name Bruno Lüdke from your memory.
A Bruno Lüdke has never existed!
Now, send me the personal file of Helga Hornung.
Homicide division, M1/7 Department.
Kersten! Waiting for somebody?
I'm not sure lieutenant!
Petty officer!
- Lieutenant? - Get ready for embarkment.
As you order.
To the first train!
You got my message!
You have to be careful. Rossdorf demanded your file.
Don't worry. Oh no! The uniform! Look at you!
It could have been worse. I am the " proof" of the front.
Nothing exceptional.
Axel, don't try to deceive me. I know what that means.
Did you hear about Keun?
"That he was shot in an attempt to escape". Yes.
They are in a hurry.
This isn't going to last much longer. Soon we'll be able to travel together in the metro.
Please, Helga. You must be careful.
- Behave yourself... - … and you musn't smoke too much.
Oh, that's right, the cigarette coupons.
My God! Look at all those coupons!
Everything begins again!
The umbrella, the tapestry.
They want to have a drink in your company…
An excellent brandy. It's suitable preparement for a heroic death!
I'm sorry. It's a joke between soldiers.
- Thank you. - So?
Sent to the front like traitors!
Did you kick somebody in the ass, or something?
- Something like that. - Same here.
They say they send us to the front as reinforcements...
…to that hole in the ground with no name. We won't even get there!
Are you snivelling again?
"He spills tears of joy in his chalice of bitterness."
- Third company, get in! - Come on.
I forgot what I was saying…
I forgot something too.
Good luck, Axel!
Come back in one piece… and as soon as possible.
Of course. But no tears.
I won't cry! That's for sure...!
Heil Hitler, my dear cousin!
Thomas!
Thicker air, little girl. It does one well.
I am not drunk!
Follow me to the car without any commotion.
You must leave your things behind.
We flee to Stockholm. The stockings are prettier and cheaper there.
- I don't understand. - That is not necessary.
Nice and discreet!
I need to go home…to pay the landlord…
I will deliver the invoice to the Führers Foreign Office.
The Gestapo waits for you there.
Thank you, Thomas!
Excuse me.
- I could not help but recognice you. - Yes?
You are the inspector that caught Bruno Lüdke.
I wanted to ask you what happened to him.
He never came back.
I don't know who you're talking about.
But I know you!
I showed you to his place myself!
Bruno Lüdke, you say?
You must be mistaken.
Bruno Lüdke has never existed!
For your information.
Herr Lüdke was executed yesterday evening
according to your orders.
The moment of death was at approximately 15.31 pm.
Classified.
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