A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
[ominous music playing]
[shouting in Samoan]
THE STORY IS BASED ON TRUE EVENTS.
[choir singing "O Bruada, Schau Hin"]
THREE MONTHS AGO EASTER 1900
[male voice] What's a successful brewer from Nuremberg doing here in Munich?
[chuckles]
[inhales deeply] I'd like to share a story with you.
The story of this little boy.
The story begins in the year 1861.
The young boy's first time at Oktoberfest.
-[indistinct chatter] -[rain pattering]
Together with his father, they journeyed all the way from Berlin
to present their very own beer at this legendary festival.
While his father was busy working,
the young boy used the time to explore the festival site
and he was given on that day…
his first ever penny.
[chuckles]
[thunder rumbling]
With that single penny…
he buys himself his first stick of candy floss.
He takes a bite of that heavenly sweetness
and but one wish remains…
that his father will find success.
And… was he successful?
Yes.
Great success.
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[rain pattering]
Mr Prank…
Hm?
Why are you telling me this?
I want Oktoberfest reinvented.
Gone are the days…
of small beer stands.
[distant clamouring]
I'm going to build a tent for 6,000 people.
I will build a fortress.
[children cheering]
Six thousand seats!
That is the future!
[crowd cheering]
BEER TENT CURT PRANK
[cheering]
[applauding, cheering]
[exhales]
[laughing]
Herr Prank, with all due respect…
I admire your fantasy… [laughs]
but a… a tent of the size that you speak of
at the Wiesn…
You're not even a pub keeper in Munich, which is… [inhales]
the very first condition to be met.
And what of the five small tents you'd bury underneath that monstrous
all-consuming construction, do you suppose?
These sights,
which families have paid the lease on for generations,
[exhales deeply]
By all means, try your luck at a funfair, but not at the Wiesn.
It's out of the question.
-Not as long as I'm in charge-- -No, no, no, no, no!
It must happen at Oktoberfest, you hear? I want to start construction
in three months' time at the latest. This innovation…
in the future, will mean people from all over the world will come to Munich.
Your Oktoberfest…
with my beer burgh will be world-renowned.
Hm.
[children yelling]
[commissioner] Mr Prank…
I haven't been the commissioner of Wiesn for very long
but…
of the Munich traditions…
I do know a thing or two, you see?
You see that young boy, there? He's not part of your family,
but your children envy him because he's found the biggest Easter nest.
[chuckles]
I see that you're proud of your son.
I suggest you forget these grand beer tent plans of yours.
[Prank] He's not my son.
He's yours.
Do you recognize her?
The young lady next to your wife.
It was long ago.
Do you know how grateful she was to finally get some help?
The last few years have not been easy for her.
The dishonour, an out-of-wedlock child, the pressure
of having to keep that hidden, it's just… it's certainly unenviable.
One word from me and the boy will call you "Papa"
as he runs here, right before your wife's eyes.
Stop that nonsense.
Oh, I'd rather this…
you help me and I'll help you.
Having enemies can be honourable, Urban.
Let's be friends for now, though.
[fair music playing]
[opening song playing]
[woman] The Deibel Brewery's had a store
at Oktoberfest long since before I was born
and you can rest assured that that belongs to us.
[bells chiming]
The payment, Frau Hoflinger, for said stall has not been received.
[exhales]
[paper rustling]
My apologies.
You may tell Herr Urban we will pay the high rent that he's asking for,
but after the festival.
You'll have to release your tent space back to us.
I'm sure you're aware no exceptions can be made--
We're purveyors to the Royal Court. Consider what you're saying.
Have you a permission today there from your husband to speak here.
[chuckles]
Leave our family affairs alone or you shall be sorry.
The remaining balance will be paid.
Good day.
[dramatic music playing]
NINE WEEKS UNTIL OKTOBERFEST
Whenever I'm nervous I get the urge to smoke,
but my doctor forbid it.
Do me a favour.
I love the smoke.
But I'm not a smoker.
My God, just this once, if it's not too much.
[horse neighs]
[carriage door opens]
I'll be there in a moment, darling.
I wanted to show my daughter my five new beer tent sites
as soon as she arrived here in Munich. Where are they?
[horse neighs]
[Prank] Hm?
There are only four.
[Urban coughs]
We've not yet acquired the site from Hoflinger.
[sighs] That's right, there are only four.
Herr Urban,
you're hoping to-
to win over the magistrate, you told me, even the damn mayor, for God's sake,
and yet you struggle with Hoflinger?
The Hoflingers have debts.
I had thought that would go sooner.
-I even raised the rent through the roof-- -I thought they were bankrupt.
The young man…
is… hard to break,
-and his wife is equally tough-- -This is the first you thought of it?
[insects humming]
Clara!
[sighs] Papa.
[sighs joyfully]
-[Prank] How was your journey? -It was wonderful.
I imagined the festival grounds somewhat differently. It's so desolate.
Hm. You just wait, my love.
Now, let me look at you.
-[giggles] -Mm-hm.
-You haven't changed a bit. -Is that good, would you say?
Come. See your new home.
[Clara sighs]
DEIBEL BREWERY
[man 1] Ladies! Here comes the beer cavalry!
What else does a cowboy need but a good beer and a pretty girl?
All your saloon is missing is our beer.
[woman laughs]
Hey sweet talker!
Is that pretty boy your brother?
I'm offended.
I'm pretty too.
[women giggle]
[man 2] Gerdi.
Nice of you to come by.
I'm only here because of you, Ignatz.
I don't know why you'd insist that I bring two of my girls with me?
Is that Maria lettin' you down? [chuckles]
[Ignatz] Nonsense. They're not for me.
For my two boys.
[women and man 1 chatter indistinctly]
Ludwig's a little shy, I'm afraid. He needs a bit of encouragement.
-[Gerdi chuckles] -[woman giggles]
And Roman shouldn't go without either.
Can you give us a good price? Hm?
-[Roman] In we go! -[woman giggles] Oh!
-Is your father always this generous? -Definitely not. I wish he was.
-And a-one, and two…ugh! -[shrieks, giggles]
[sighs]
[Roman] I'm tellin' ya,
when I'm finihsed with ya, you'll have fallen in love with me.
Big-headed fool!
-[laughs] -Why?
I heard when you really like someone,
it's twice as much fun between the sheets.
I've also heard that too.
All right. I've enough for two rounds, do you?
-[woman giggles] -[both moan]
Can you also draw them in ice?
[Ludwig] What do you mean "in ice"?
I remember seeing a fox, you see, in winter.
It was frozen in the middle of the lake.
The expression on its face was as though it hadn't even noticed.
[breathing heavily]
[uplifting music playing]
[horse neighs]
[chuckles]
So?
It's all been taken care of, my love.
We're keeping our spot at Wiesn for good.
[both laugh]
-[Maria] Are you coming? -[Ignatz] Just a moment.
[exhales]
[dog panting]
Glogauer.
You've got some nerve, you wanker.
My answer was "no" and it remains "no".
[Glogauer] My client has since doubled his offer.
Get out of here or I'll send my people after you.
What will make you change your mind, Hoflinger? Huh?
Tell me a price.
Get out of my brewery.
Do you understand?
[dog growls]
Go.
Stop standin' around like idiots. There's work to do.
-[dog growls] -[Glogauer] Good boy.
REFERENCES
[gasps]
-[both gasp] -Do excuse me! The door was open.
I've come about the advertised position. I do hope that I'm not too late.
All the other ladies are in the parlour already.
If you wouldn't mind following me, please. Herr Prank will be with you shortly.
Excuse me. I must take a moment to freshen my face.
-Herr Prank will arrive in five minutes-- -Five minutes is plenty.
[butler exhales]
[Colina breathing heavily]
[exhales softly]
Good day, my ladies.
My name is Antoinette Prank
and I have the honour, bestowed upon me as head of this house,
of approving you for a position here. If you would stand up.
As was announced in the advertisement,
we are not only seeking the person who has the best references
and the most impeccable character,
but also outstanding physical health and fitness.
Please take your blouses off.
[sighs]
I too, for many years, have suffered from frigidity, [sighs]
which means in this position,
in exchange for extra compensation of course,
we'll require some extra services from you.
[moans gently]
My husband will, with each of you, gladly, ensure you know what's needed.
[sighs]
Let's go! I am not waiting here to win the lottery.
Anyone not willing to comply can leave immediately.
The servants' door is back there to the left.
Hm?
[exhales]
The chaperone candidates are assembled in the parlour, sir.
-Very good. -Chaperone? For me?
[Prank] Munich is not Nuremberg.
You'll need someone to accompany you and provide you with a moral compass.
For a while, at least.
[clock ticking]
-[uplifting classical music playing] -[Prank] Mm-hm.
[music stops]
[birds cawing]
[woman] She's a pretty little thing.
The mother is still in Nuremberg?
The mother passed away.
Oh… My apologies.
[Prank] Hm.
-[woman] I'm… afraid you misunderstand… -[purring]
my position, Herr Prank.
[inhales] Frau Brockmann,
to avoid further misunderstandings from my side…
hosting your reception at my villa is my suggestion.
I would be the host, in a sense, and your new acquaintance.
You would introduce Clara into Munich's high society
and I cover all the costs that you may have.
This introduction, for Clara, is of utmost importance.
She's of an age and you come recommended.
You're at the centre of high society in all social circles in Munich.
-[distant applauding] -[inhales] You know, Herr Prank…
-[exhales] -[cat purring]
I'm recommended for these introductions more than I care to mention [chuckles]
…and they often come from people that I- [inhales]
…I've know longer and a great deal better than I know you. [exhales]
[Prank chuckles]
I'm terribly sorry, Herr Prank.
[clock ticking]
Is there no way I can persuade you to change your mind?
I'm afraid not.
[gasps] But…
I'm certain though…
you will find many other ways, I feel,
for your daughter to be happily married.
[cat purring]
[sighs deeply]
Fraulein Colina Kandl.
I don't mean any disrespect, but…
chaperones are usually rather old and withered.
[sighs] If you want to put a single rose on show within a garden,
you don't place another rose close by.
Specially, if it be somewhat
damaged, that is.
[Colina] Thank you for still considering me a rose
despite my damage…
and a…
bedraggled rose.
Am I correct in assuming the young rose
would rather have fresh weeds by her side if it was left up to her?
[sighs]
It's just not fun to watch dogs.
The watchdogs in Munich aren't the worst thing here.
For everyone's safety, it's better to know one's way around,
specially, as women.
[clock ticking]
What places are there to fear?
If Fraulein Prank would be so kind as to prepare for her viola lesson.
[classical viola playing]
[butler] Herr Prank?
The preparations for reception on Sunday are all underway.
Thank you, Hubertus.
Franz Ferdinand?
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty. Oh, morning, Albert.
-Have you seen Franz Ferdinand? -[Albert] Afraid not, my lady.
[Frau Brockmann calling] Franz Ferdinand! Franz Ferdinand!
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
Where are you?
[screams]
[sinister music playing]
[soft background chattering]
[footsteps approaching]
Frau Brockmann!
Herr Prank.
Gentlemen… [inhales]
I'd like to introduce you to the host of my little soirée this evening.
[exhales] A…
[inhales] good friend and successful entrepreneur from Nuremberg
who very recently moved here to Munich.
Herr Curt Prank
and his beautiful daughter, Clara.
[male voice] May I ask the nature of Herr Prank's business in Nuremberg?
[Prank] I own a brewery and several guesthouses.
Oh!
-It seems you're one of us. -[Prank chuckles]
Am I correct to assume what brought you here, to Munich, was business, eh?
[Prank] Business takes care of itself.
Anatol Stifter.
Chief Officer, in charge of the Capital Brewery, the city's finest.
[Prank] My pleasure.
Hm?
Your daughter is a… welcome breath of fresh air.
Otherwise there's nothing here but old men with fat bellies and shocking manners.
Tell me more about your businesses, Prank.
This would be less interesting for you.
I see that the gentlemen are busy.
Come with me, my dear.
-Thank you, Frau Brockmann. -Good.
[classical music playing loudly]
[horse neighs]
[bells chiming]
[waltz playing]
[inhales deeply]
-[groans] -[Ludwig chuckles]
[whispers] My God!
Where am I?
The Old Deibel pub.
-In Giesing. -[exhales]
Giesing?
No.
[sighs]
Yes, naturalism is a dying art form, in my opinion. [exhales]
-I'm learning, though. -Show me.
Your caricatures are good.
And this naked one in ice here…
it's good.
Are you at the academy? What do they call you?
Ludwig.
This is our inn.
But I dream of the academy.
Then, come to Schwabing and I can show you my paintings there.
[Ludwig chuckles]
Well, good luck then.
Maybe we'll study under a famous painter like Lenbach or Stuck, but if not,
you could come to Schwabing, and discover what you're really capable of.
Wherever is loudest is where you'll find me.
[chuckles]
Luggi… Luggi! There's work to be done.
Get the beer to the Grubingers' table.
[Ludwig clears throat]
Excuse me. Four beers, gentlemen.
[laughs]
-What is it? -Oh, nothing.
[laughs]
It's a lovely pastime, you've got there, but
you'll never make any money from it, you know?
You're a Giesing boy.
Not a Schwabing cockrel.
And you know better than that. Hm.
[dramatic music playing]
[Roman] Vitus! Finish there!
Fire it up and the hops go in!
[sinister music playing]
[sighs]
[men chattering softly]
[Stifter] If I were you, these people would bore me to death too.
What do you say? You old enough to enjoy a glass of champagne with me?
Thank you.
[Stifter] What exactly are you looking for in Munich?
An adventure?
[laughs] Perhaps culture?
What do you enjoy reading?
[Clara] "In the great, milky white glass domes
high above the causeway, an electric light
suddenly shines bright
flooding the dusky and dark street
with blinding light."
[Stifter] "What is the most precious thing that love can give you?"
"Peace."
[whispers] "she said softly."
Lou Salomé.
You ough to read Wedekind.
[sighs deeply]
His "Lulu" is…
prescient.
The waiting animal…
[breathes heavily]
the wild, savage…
animal.
[breathes heavily]
-What are you implying-- -What's meant by yoy
If you hadn't grown up in this privileged house,
what would your life have been like?
Not here, in this world,
but in another world,
the real world, of the streets.
[Clara breathes heavily]
Would you just take whatever…
that you wanted?
[Hubertus clears throat]
Herr Stifter?
I must leave now.
[Stifter] I'll be seeing you.
I'd rather you show a little constraint when speaking to men. [sighs]
I don't want you to act like a woman of the night.
No decent man will ask for your hand if you act like that.
That's of no interest.
That was not the arrangement.
[Prank exhales]
Get used to the idea.
[classical music intensifies]
CAPITAL BREW - SHIPPING BEER MUNICH - EXPORT
[dripping echoes]
[footsteps approaching]
[Ignatz] Capital Brew.
I don't understand what they see in that disgusting water.
Well, they all drink it.
What's wrong?
We lost four inns this year.
Gerdi's brothel will be the fifth one.
We need to broaden our range, brew new beers,
a lager and a wheat beer, at least.
Otherwise the big brands will win.
[Ignatz] Uh-huh.
We're losing clients, but you suggest brewing more beer.
What other answer do you have?
Beer in a bottle's no true beer.
Real beer comes from a barrel.
We must start exporting.
That means taking out a loan, investing, even if it means more debts.
That's how it's done these days.
If something new isn't brewed, people will stop drinking our beer.
Then we'll be brewing for our own inn alone.
You want us to export, do you? And where to? To overseas?
-Yes… to America. -[Ignatz scoffs]
At the World Trade Fair, they already deal in Munich beer.
They're already drinking it in Chicago.
Pschorr, Spaten, Capital. They're all there.
We must be too!
We have the best beer, Father!
There's no reason not to be.
Look.
I've gathered the contacts here. This is our financial plan.
And this is the plan for bottling our beers.
[Ignatz sighs]
You've got flies in your eyes.
We already have good beer.
It's always got us through hard times in the past.
This statement is exactly the issue,
you old man.
Now, you listen to me, son.
Your time will come soon enough,
but only when I say so.
We'll wait for Oktoberfest.
If we make good money this year,
then I might consider your plans.
You have my word.
Wait there,son.
[solemn music playing]
[keys jingle]
Let's make some changes.
That's all I'm saying.
[Ignatz] Because you're stubborn as a mule.
["You Want It Darker" by Leonard Cohen playing]
♪ If you are the dealer ♪
♪ I'm out of the game ♪
♪ If you are the healer ♪
♪ It means I'm broken and lame ♪
♪ If thine is the glory ♪
♪ Then mine must be the shame ♪
♪ You want it darker ♪
♪ We kill the flame ♪
♪ Magnified, sanctified Be thy holy name ♪
♪ Vilified, crucified In the human frame ♪
♪ A million candles burning For the help that never came ♪
♪ You want it darker ♪
-[song continues] -[dogs barking in the distance]
-[music stops] -[dog barks in the distance]
I can't sleep anymore, Maria.
[Maria] Because of your bad conscience.
[chuckles]
I know you had Gerdi come here.
The boys didn't talk about anything else for days.
-[Ignatz] Hm. -And you? What did you do?
You waited for me?
-Mm? -[Ignatz inhales]
[whispering] Maria.
[inhales deeply]
We stopped making enough money.
Has Roman told you about his exporting ideas?
Of course.
And he's right too.
He's such a smart boy.
Flies in his eyes.
He's smart, but he's still a boy.
We must carry on as we always have, just as my father did, God rest his soul.
Our tent at Oktoberfest will help us through these hard times then we tackle
the next mountain in front of us.
[both moan]
[Ignatz] Wait… Wait.
[Maria chuckles]
Maria.
[Maria] What?
What if somone wanted to make us an offer on our tent?
[Maria gasps]
For our stall?
We would never!
This is our legacy, Ignatz.
There are going to be better times, I promise you.
[both moaning]
[footsteps approaching]
[humming]
[Clara] Where are you going, Fraukein Kandl?
I- uh, I'm going to a party.
My father intends to marry me off.
[sighs]
Fraulein Clara… [sighs]
you really believed you'd be able to do whatever you wanted while you were here?
[Clara] What kind of party is it?
Nothing special.
Servants and housemaids getting together to have a little innocent fun together.
Fine. I need to borrow one of your dresses.
No. [chuckles]
Absolutely not. This isn't a party for you.
No. No!
[whispering] No.
[Clara] Fine.
I'll tell my father tomorrow morning to have a closer look at your references,
at their sources.
As if I believe that you're a real chaperone.
Hm. [chuckles]
-[Colina sighs] -[Maria and Ignatz laughing]
-[Maria] You are naughty. -[Ignatz] Ah.
[both moan]
-[Maria] I should go and have a bath. -I'll be right behind you.
[Maria sighs]
[chuckles]
[exhales deeply]
[sighs deeply]
-[crowd cheering, shouting] -[uplifting music playing]
[music stops]
[dog panting, growling]
[Ignatz] Glogauer.
Pretty bold of you to show up at this light hour.
My client wants to offer to pay off all of your debts,
at once.
No, I do not accept.
And "no" means "no".
My client will only accept that "no" delivered by you personally.
-[dog growls] -[wind howls]
-[band playing a waltz] -[crowd whooping]
[Colina] One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three,
one, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three.
-[indistinct] -[Clara laughs]
-[horse carriage trotting] -[sinister music intensifying]
-[waltz playing] -[crowd whooping]
[female guest laughing] Whoo!
[Clara and Colina panting]
[Roman] Pardon me.
-Would you like a sip? -No, she wouldn't. Run along
or you'll have me to deal with.
-[Roman] You're sure I didn't hurt you? -[Colina laughs]
[Clara] I can't do this!
[female guest shrieks]
My throat is dry.
I'll go fetch us a drink.
No, I will.
You stay right here.
The view is best from over there. Don't forget,
if anyone asks, you're a simple chamber maid, remember.
Don't forget that.
Mm-hm.
[sighs]
[female voice] Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
-[horse carriage trotting] -[eerie music playing]
[flame roars]
[no audible dialogue]
[waltz plays again]
[female guest] Hey, stay here! Roman!
[music stops]
[wind howling]
[footsteps tapping]
[clattering]
[shouts] Glogauer!
[softly] You dog.
[creaking]
[dramatic music playing]
[Clara] Hm.
[distant chattering]
[Clara sighs]
[Ignatz grunts]
[sinister music playing]
[Ignatz grunts, gasps for air]
[screams, chokes]
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd whooping]
[Clara breathing heavily]
[gasping for air]
[grunts]
[music stops]
[breathing heavily]
[both moaning]
[Ignatz coughing]
[Ignatz grunts]
-Aaaah! -You bastard!
[dog growls]
[snarling]
[angelic voice singing]
[Clara moaning]
-[dog growls] -[grunts]
[Roman cries out]
[dog growls]
[choir sings "Die Nacht']
Subtitle translation by John Turner