A film based on the tragicomedy by
Bakery and Confectionery
Now we have to hide the ladder.
-Man, it's almost 6! -Shhhh!
What's that? Quiet!
How was it, anyway? Do tell!
Hans, you may be my best
friend, but you wouldn't understand.
Why not?
-I don't understand it myself.
What is there to understand?
-Shut your mouth!
Oh, I have met a person, Mettke!
A person... -I know, I know, like
no other person on earth.
An old story. Say, is she pretty? Is
she blond? Huh?
Both. I'm going to get engaged to her.
Wha... What?! That's too much!
Who is she?
-Miss Link.
What, the actress?
-Yes.
Say, you have gone completely bonkers.
What's your father going to say?
Your whole family!
I told you you wouldn't understand.
We'll see.
Anyway, you Zedtlitzes already had an
unpleasant reputation in the Middle Ages.
Get up!
Guys, I'm looking forward to
the Easter vacation.
Tell us, Klausing, is Olga so slim, or
did she just tie her waist tight?
Hey, she's very much in love.
-You see?
Yeah, just recently, when she brought
soup, she leaned against me, I tell you!
Hey, who stole my shaving brush?
What are you doing?
-Every decent person shaves on Sunday.
Last Christmas I got
a pair of shiny boots.
Mettke just told me something amazing!
Zedtlitz was there the whole night.
...engaged to her right away.
-Yeah!
He's a gentleman. He can't
stay celibate much longer.
To whom is he engaged, anyway?
-Yeah, to whom?
To Lydia Link. -What, the actress?
-A Hungarian chick.
Boys, we'll serenade him.
-Oh, yeah!
And? You're still sitting here.
Have you been having nice dreams?
I didn't sleep at all.
We congratulate! We congratulate!
We congratulate!
The Niemeyer alumni, on whose behalf
I have the honour of speaking,
are proud to wish their eldest roommate,
von Zedtlitz, the best of luck in advance,
for his upcoming engagement to Lydia
Link, Germany's most famous dramatic
actress, and herewith
to hand over gifts.
But gentlemen, what are you doing?
This is not acceptable!
You're spraying water everywhere.
No, no, no!
My dear von Zedtlitz, I'll have to
report this. -Are you serious, Schimke?
But you can't expect me to let this pass.
I mean, what happened last night...
Well, I don't like to do it, but
I'm an old soldier. Duty is duty.
Yes, but boys, I might
get the blame for it.
I was involved in 1870-71, but such
things? No, no... -Yes, that's true.
No! No, your confession...
-Come on, take it.
No, your confession is irrevocable.
No, I'm just doing my duty.
-That's all right, Schimke. -Ok then.
Mr. Schimke! -What is it, my child?
-There's a coin here. Did you lose it?
What, a coin?
Oh God, once again my wife forgot
to sew the hole in my pocket!
Well, gentlemen, tomorrow morning,
11:20, arrival of His Majesty.
Welcomed by the head of the
administration. Honour guard salute.
Drive past the cheering masses.
At 1 o'clock, breakfast at city hall,
at the same time as on the town square,
where they will unveil the monument
of Kaiser Wilhelm the 1st at 3 o'clock, in
the presence of his noble grandchildren,
and His Majesty, Kaiser Wilhelm the 2nd.
Cheers! -Cheers!
Major, this visit might be a damned heavy
blow to the pinkos of our city, no?
Thank God, the pinko gentlemen
were unsuccessful at
sabotaging the construction
of the memorial to the Kaiser.
Tell me, dear assessor, how many Social
Democrats do we have in our city?
78, Health Officer. 78!
-Terrible!
It's becoming rampant.
-You know every one by name.
What has me concerned is this endless
pageant of Professor Niemeyer,
which will be displayed tomorrow
in front of His Majesty.
Listen up. Professor Niemeyer has cut his
pageant to accommodate the ceremony.
Our headmaster always shows
the most selfless generosity. -Yes!
He's a fine man, a noble man. My
sons are very pleased with him.
Yes, your nephews too!
If only it were dependent on
the senior class.
But the high government.
And the stern county commissioner.
-Yes, yes, sadly I have noticed
that there seem to be certain small
tensions between the two gentlemen.
Tensions? Tensions are good.
You favour discreet phrasing, yes?
But it's high regrettable, no? A man
with such a charming wife should
be without rival. -Precisely an old
Prussian like our county commissioner.
He has a damned sense of beauty!
Maybe it vexes you that such a mossy
old Greek teacher snagged
himself such a swift little antelope.
Antelope... -I-I must say the
headmaster's is simply a sexy woman.
Fabulous.
Please, I assure you. I've only once
had the pleasure of meeting his wife.
It was at our last Sederer Ball.
Wonderful.
Very nice, madam.
And what madam feared...
...is not there.
-Do you really think so?
Yes. May I take this opportunity to
remind of the bill from summer, madam?
I mean, suppliers don't like to wait.
Are you starting with that
too, Ms. Wetterhahn? Huh?
Send me the bill tomorrow, by mail.
No, no, no, miss, this is too much!
This is the fourth time I have
come for nothing.
Your students pay on time, after all,
and I'm always supposed to wait.
Well, what can I do about it? Do you
think I eat the 50 buns myself?
Oh, no, no.
-What's going on here?
Hahaha, um... oh, miss,
that's wonderful, it is.
Yes, take a look, honourable
Mrs. Headmaster,
ultimately, I want to see a little money,
too. I mean, otherwise I can't
deliver the goods anymore.
-Well, then we'll just go to Moldenhauer.
Oh, I... -You're ultimately not the
only baker in the world.
Oh, Mrs. Headmaster, that's just a joke.
-Do you want me not to enjoy your
triple buns?
-I say! My triple buns? Madam...
Mr. Schladebach, today is a holiday.
I told you once. Come back tomorrow.
But tomorrow, Mrs. Headmaster, is also a
holiday. Here it's always a holiday.
Goodbye, Mr. Schladebach. See you tomorrow.
-But, Mrs. Headmaster... -I assume you
will give me the pleasure of a visit...
-Yes, naturally, but can't you give me
just a little bit?
-Goodbye, Mr. Schladebach.
Look, Olga, can you see to it that these
people with the endless bills don't
get in the way of the professor. Where
is Fritz? -I've gone to the young man's
room three times, but... -And?
-...the young man doesn't want coffee.
He'd rather have two Aspirin.
Don't you want to finally get ready?
-If it could be avoided in any way, no.
Your father will be back from church any
minute, so kindly hurry up.
Don't you have some pickled
herring or a small light beer?
Do you have to go there every night? -What
am I supposed to do? One can go crazy here.
Luckily, the semester begins soon.
Golly! It's very beneficial.
-Very easy. Just a little change.
If my old man ever finds out about your
deficit balance, then I wouldn't want to
be my stepmother.
-Don't get fresh!
Oh, don't be like that.
-If I got into debt because of you...
Because of me? That's rich. But if you
are, you can give me a hundred marks, huh?
I just gave you 30 marks last Sunday.
You're not considering my last
payment of 14 days ago.
It totally slipped my mind, my
most expensive Klytaimestra.
But you were so kind to cash it and to
disperse it so carefully.
So, God rest his soul!
-How am I going to manage all this, Fritz?
That's your problem. I don't care.
If only you could educe as much energy
for your teacher exams.
Don't start with private matters. I don't
care about yours. Don't care about mine.
What's that supposed to mean?
-That means that the blindness of my
father is starting to give me
a mild case of the creeps.
I don't understand you. -All the
better. Anyway, I might be mistaken.
Perhaps the lady was just
wearing your hat.
The gentleman was definitely
Assessor Mollwein.
Rascal! -See, now you're becoming
the cruel mother again.
When the warriors have grouped themselves
in a painterly fashion on both sides of
the stage, then the Bengali
lights will be lit.
In the orchestra, a quiet thrum will
resonate. A sort of tr-tr-tremolo.
The Genius of Joy come onto the
stage in festive tunics, and
there follows a truly noisy finale,
which brings our poet to a nice end.
Well? Hmm? I mean, may I read this to
you, or are you gentleman a tad weary?
No, why don't you stop... -No, as long
as it isn't too strenuous for you.
I think we can tolerate a little more.
-So, as I said, Jesus is standing
on the podium. The head warrior lifts
the flag in front of him, and everyone
sings the banner song a capella.
What, is the church service over already?
Well, to make it quick, gentlemen,
now there are still delightful
verses to come.
The allegorical curtain in the
background, with the poplars with all
German branches, parts. Goddess of
Victory, rifle fire, the close, finished!
Magnificent. -What, the end?
-No, the rifle fire.
Of course! Yes, yes! -Very decent.
-Yes, it's good. The shorter, the better.
Felix Dahn didn't write anything
more poetic than that.
Oh... I'm convinced, no other city, as
far as the German tongue can be heard,
has, at the unveiling of a monument to
Kaiser Wilhelm the Great,
produced such a tour de force as
a reverential show of gratitude
for the merciful gift of a
visit from His Majesty!
Assessor, enjoy your beer!
-Major, allow me to drink it ice-cold.
Good morning, gentlemen.
-Good morning!
Nasty cold, wolf's frost, but spiffing!
If it goes on like this, there will
be a roaringly lovely hunt.
Jorg, 4/5 Jamaika, no water, then
Arosentaler. Get going!
Well, Major... -What is it? -Did you
skip the church service again, Major?
You too, you old heathen.
I'll report you. The government
bench was half-empty again.
We're supposed to be exemplars.
-Commissioner, I've been sick recently.
I mean, these unheated churches.
No, but all joking aside, you gentlemen
have not missed anything again.
Our good old dean is declining terribly.
That he will belt it out at the
unveiling's gala sermon...
I have very serious doubts.
Oh, I can't wait for the whole
rigmarole to really be over.
But it has been a big burden, councillor.
-Come off it, burden! One does one's duty.
That's why one is here. But if one spends
long days, morning to night, thinking
about nothing else but whether it will
happen, whether it will succeed...
If such God-damned messes are added...
-Why, what happened? -Oh, this
disastrous Niemeyer.
The devil should take him!
Our gala poet?!
-Yes, what's wrong?
After this morning, our headmaster
is dead to me.
You don't say!
-Tell us more!
I'm sitting with my coffee, reading a
report from our senior forestry official
that they need more land in the winter.
Suddenly, my secretary, Kruemmel, comes -
by the way, normally a totally
respectable man - and brings me the
lovely myth that last night young
Zedtlitz, Niemeyer's finest boy,
has been where?! Believe it or not!
In the green room of Golden Pheasant!
But not alone as in "coeur solo".
Not at all!
With Ms. Lydia Link from the municipal
theatre! Bottle of champagne!
My goodness!
-Oh, my!
And that just has to happen a day
before His Majesty comes.
Under these media conditions.
Just read the editorial of our
splendid People's Herald.
"Immoral conditions in the
Kannavos Kingdom", or...
"Regal high school and urban womanhood."
It can't be allowed to happen.
Bloody hell! I can empathize
with you about that.
This could cause serious problems
for poor Niemeyer.
Yes, but quite frankly,
Commissioner... forgive me,
when a young rascal is
with a young girl...
I mean, quite frankly, I can't see
anything terribly risky about it.
On the 1st of October, it will have been a
year since the old man was seconded here.
was relocated here. From Day One,
I zeroed right in on that man.
He doesn't have the faintest idea of the
heavy responsibilities of his office.
He lets his boys use his dreadful
idealism to engage in the most
disgraceful of activities.
What the man could accomplish
as a free university teacher!
That's his problem! He should have
married a proper professor's
daughter 25 years ago.
And if only he at least hadn't
fallen for this number two as well.
For this little doll, Jadwiga. -How so?
The man isn't to be pitied when he has
such a pearl at home.
Really? Well, then I wish you
their expenses for toiletries.
Incidentally, we're talking about
a sergeant's daughter.
Born Czesnowski, from Poznan.
What?
She wasn't good enough for the
immortal parents-in-law.
She is the main reason this man
was foisted upon us.
And I should allow my wife to socialize
with such a woman forever? No, gentlemen!
Well, gentlemen, it is
certainly damned unpleasant.
Well, thank God his days in
my district are numbered.
For months I have had his
students constantly watched.
Climbing rope, duplicate
keys, surmounted walls.
Outrageous how they are hoodwinking him!
The man is totally blind!
The boys are right. They couldn't name
it Romulus, so the called it Traumulus.
And of the results of your police
investigation, you have never once,
in 15 months, given Headmaster Niemeyer
a cautionary notice, Commissioner?
Oh, Solicitor Falk. I didn't notice you.
I greeted you when you came in,
Commissioner.
Pardon me, I must have
missed it totally.
The position of the headmaster, who, by
the way, is my old, esteemed teacher,
is so difficult in this city, that I am
of the opinion that the government
should at least not be
working against him.
Esteemed Mr. Falk, let me tell
you something.
Whether a royally Prussian government
makes its arrangements this way or that,
that is, well let's not be coarse,
none of your business.
But since you have partaken so
amiably in our discussion,
please, wouldn't you like to take a
seat? -No thanks. -OK.
Just so you know, in no way did I inform
your highly-regarded teacher of
my investigative research!
Of course not! -But that would have
interested Headmaster Niemeyer greatly.
Esteemed Solicitor,
Headmaster Niemeyer will no longer be
able to avoid disciplinary action.
And, were I in his shoes, I would advise
myself to get a really capable lawyer.
Much obliged, Commissioner.
Naturally, I see it as my duty to be at
Headmaster Niemeyer's disposal.
Maybe I can show him a bit of gratitude
for all he did for me and my classmates.
Gentlemen, I wish all of you a pleasant
Sunday. Good morning! -Good morning.
These old fraternity brothers...
unpleasant patrons.
Well then. To the health of
the whole society.
Don't exaggerate! Cheers!
If it's any consolation to you, I saw
nothing, I heard nothing.
Cheers! That was great!
-Cheers.
Good morning. -Good morning, Headmaster.
-What! You're coming so late?
Well, I'm not going to leave my little
Sunday get-together in the lurch.
That would be sinful.
-Come take a chair, Headmaster.
(?????) where are you, gentlemen?
Cheers to all German men!
Well, well, you are enjoying
a small pre-celebration.
It smells almost like champagne.
Roses scattered on the path,
and the grief is forgotten.
A short span of time was
allocated to us.
Today, in the dance of Spring,
the boy still hops.
Tomorrow, the death wreath
lies on its grave.
This is really sublime, that you are all
still sitting here so happily.
A small Zeltinger, my child.
It's an honour, Commissioner.
-Morning.
Oh, the sunshine is mellow. Lovely!
Yes, nature.
-Yes, well, as you know, Major,
whoever preserved his heart
for her receptively,
she compensates him for other things.
My flower.
-To you health.
Well?
Assessor, you aren't really lugging
around files on a holy Sunday morning?
Files? No, why?
That paper there looks so
familiar to me. -Ah, yes.
You wouldn't have burdened the gentlemen
with the worthless product of my muse.
As the chairman of our literary
committee, I indeed took the liberty.
All I can say, Headmaster, is that your
poetry made a huge impression on me.
Yes. -Really?
Yes, highly patriotic.
Yes, I certainly enjoyed it.
-Very studious work.
I'm glad. That really makes me happy.
Well, you see, I had the following in
mind: a performance by professional
actors. Not that I wish to offend our
hard-working state troupe.
With such opportunities,
one always has something...
I want to say mechanically unhallowed.
Therefore, I very secretly made an
attempt to capture in flesh and blood
the fantasy shapes of my piece through
our maturing youths.
The sole female lead role I entrusted to
a talented beginner
from our local stages.
Perhaps for their own great joy, may
I tell the gentlemen that
this attempt was truly exciting for me.
The young enthusiasts took to their
roles with such a love and fire
that I really felt young
and vital again.
I mean, how much more would such a
performance mean to His Majesty,
whom our youth rightfully, as to their
sanctuary and leader, look up to.
I may assume, Commissioner, that
you, too, will have the same impression
of my piece tomorrow evening.
-I doubt that very much.
But I assumed that you would be present.
-I will certainly be present.
That you are a personal adversary of
mine is well known to me, Commissioner.
I sensed that from the first moment,
when I had to start at square one here,
but that you can't separate the personal
from the professional. -Excuse me!
Or do have you something against my opus?
-I don't know it, and I don't want to.
Commissioner Kannewurf!
-It might be better if...
No, no, I ask you gentlemen
to stay inside.
I would like not to speak to the
commissioner in private again.
Or might you have secrets
to share with me?
Secrets? What, the sparrows that
sing from all roofs?
No, no, please, gentlemen, stay. I am
not embarrassed if you witness this.
I also think... -I plead with you
to stay. -But it's embarrassing.
You'd be doing me a service if you stay.
What are the sparrows singing from roofs?
That your resident pupil, the senior,
Kurt von Zedtlitz, was tramping around
with a well-known courtesan in a
nightclub of the most infamous sort.
Zedtlitz?
That's impossible! That must be a
mistake. -A mistake?
Yes, I checked the school at exactly
10 o'clock last night, and found
all pupils in their rooms.
The boy, Zedtlitz, along with seniors
Klausing and Poehlmann, had a break
from Theatre, and all three were reported
as present this morning by my caretaker.
After saying goodnight to good, old
Schimke the youngster took the usual way
over the wall. -His room is on the 3rd
floor, to which only I and the caretaker
have access. -Perhaps, but at your
school there's a rope ladder,
a prop that goes around among your
pupils as required.
How do you know that? -I don't
owe you an answer to that.
You seem to be unaware of the decree,
which orders that the state police
are required to support the school board
in maintaining discipline.
So, you should have told me of
your information immediately.
That I, very deliberately, didn't do
this, I will defend at the proper venue.
I am eager to hear this defense,
Commissioner. -You may be.
But you will in no way succeed in
overcoming the educational example
what, on this night, your pet student
was up to at the Golden Pheasant.
I... I don't know this Golden Pheasant.
-That I believe!
But that's just it! You should be
oriented about where insufficiently
guarded youth has its best abilities.
I am expending great energy
to sit here listening to you.
But at this moment I don't have to
defend myself over what seems to me
completely superficial, but rather my
student: the best of the my seniors.
A young noble nature that
makes me proud.
That young man couldn't possibly have
been seen at that time in this ugly town.
My informant did see him!
-Well, one can be mistaken.
This mistake was confirmed to me early
this morning on the way to church
by two additional witnesses, in fact
with the greatest insistence.
Chief Commisioner of Reitzenstein and
his war advisor, Becker.
How can such gentlemen visit
such a dubious premises?
That's the gentlemen's issue.
And even if the young man was seen in
such a disreputable dive, and at that
with such a lamentable creature, how can
you always immediately assume the worst?
Well, listen, a young actress, full of 20
Marks' worth of champagne. That's enough!
Now you're saying an actress. Earlier
it was something completely different.
I said exactly the same thing.
-Instead, you said "infamous courtesan".
Well, Ms. Lydia Link from
the city theatre!
This artist is a highly respectable
lady! I can vouch for her.
Well, if you think those two prayed to
the rosary with their bottle of champagne.
The woman is engaged!
-Congratulations!
But even so, she seems to have
a fondness for young flesh.
I wouldn't have thought I would stumble
upon such an attitude from a man
of your social standing.
You ask me to impugn my boys. Based on
some inane gossip you accuse the son of
an old noble family, whose honour up to
now hasn't seen the slightest blemish.
Oh, that's absurd! -To have such a mind-
set, which only sees filth everywhere.
Which only knows the basest instincts.
Such a pitiful mindset...
I feel sorry for it. I'm also sorry,
dear gentlemen, that I asked you to
be witnesses to such a thing.
I would rather be chased out of office
and dignities on the spot, than to ever
lose belief in the good of our youth.
It goes without saying that I will start
a rigorous investigation immediately.
You won't hold it against me if I
take my leave now.
But Professor...
-What about our pageant?
Oh, as far as I'm concerned, put an
ill-treated robber baron on stage...
(Missing video)
...one can't stand it.
Boy waiter! Another bottle!
I've asked you again and again to stop
this constant fondling of the servants.
Jealous?
-What impudence!
Pardon me, madam. I just
wanted to speak with Mr. Fritz.
Go ahead. Nobody will interrupt you.
-Thank you very much, madam.
By the way, Mr. von Zedtlitz, today's
meal is your favourite: Silesian Pork!
You're spoiling us, madam.
-And you don't deserve it.
May I speak to you for a moment? -If it
doesn't pertain to anything immoral,
dear Zedtlitz, then of course. -Well,
I'm in an awful pickle. -What is it?
I don't lend money out of principle.
You know that. -That's not it.
Well then? -I did an unbelievably dumb
thing. -Well, what was it?
Last night, after the theater, I went
with Ms. Link to the Golden Peacock.
That's all? With the lovely Hungarian?
The wild Hungarian paprika tour, huh?
-We drank champagne! -Ohhh!
At dinner, one can
experience something....
War Judicial Council Becker saw us.
Man, if that comes out, you'll be in
shit! When did you come home?
This morning. -Golly! Well done.
You must know what you're doing.
Until early at 5 he goes out,
then you'll surely come home...
So, how was it, huh?
Was she at least nice, Zedtlitz?
A moral one, huh? Well, that's normal,
at her tender age.
And when you were homeward bound
this morning, Kurtie briefly bowed.
Did War Advisor Becker see
you again there?
No, Schimke... -Oh, Schimke! He won't
say a thing. He wouldn't betray you.
But listen, if it comes out, I'd rather
tell your and my father the truth.
Man, have you gone crazy?
Were you bitten by a wild monkey?
Do you want to be thrown out on the
spot? Do you want to go back to your
father as an expelled student?
And to your devout mother, man?
No, I couldn't.
-Gosh, what an oaf I am!
It just occurred to me! You can't
have been away last night!
Why? -Because my ladder is going to bite
the dust right away if this comes out!
Do I have to spell it all out for you?
He practically paired you with Lydia
Link thanks to all this pageant to-do!
Good God! I didn't even think of that.
I could never make up it.
-Come on, be reasonable.
My old man's a good guy. He's a dozy
optimist and negligent family provider,
but we all have our faults.
Listen, the thing with the Golden
Peacock; you admit to that.
We can't avoid that. It'll come out.
But I'll massacre you, man...
I'll murder you by the pound if you
admit that you didn't come back to
this youngsters' convent until 6 a. m.
Then it's all over! Your little club
where you are the top fox is finished.
Then you'll walk around the rest
of your life without a ribbon.
He's coming. Pull yourself together.
He can't be allowed to sense anything.
I'll take care of Schimke. He has a
good way of pleading. He'll bluff it out.
Thank you! -Don't thank. That way you
will be a better advocate for our story.
Olga, can't we speak to each
other tonight? -No.
I... I have something so
important to tell you.
Oh, leave me, Mr. Klausing. I have
to set the table. -Oh, Olga!
Always on and on. Leave it.
My apron will come loose.
That doesn't matter. I'll tie
it for you again.
Man, I don't have peace for a second!
Aw, you can't even guess what... -Oh, I
know what it is, but you are too rough.
Mr. Von Hatter is much nicer.
-What? -Yes. -Klausing!
Man, you big idiot!
Olga, honey bunch.
-Well, you old bugger?
So, how's tonight at 8?
-That's fine.
Before that we're going to be
boozing in the baker's basement.
At Schladebach's. Foundation anniversary.
-Yeah, until you are caught sometime.
Oh, Dad, there you are!
Gotthold, good that you're here. The
soup is already on the table.
Good day, my child. Get Zedtlitz.
-Well, don't we want to eat lunch?
I told you to get Zedtlitz.
Did you not understand me?
Yes. Of course. I'm sorry, Dad.
-So please get him. -Of course.
We'll eat later.
-Always these boys!
You socialize with Ms. Link, don't you?
I got to know her through you.
Did nothing about her ever occur to you?
I mean, is there gossip about her?
Nothing in particular has come
to my attention.
I got to know her that time
at the theatre ball, and...
at any rate, she was recommended
to me by the best people.
She's an outstanding actress. Remember
her pomp in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Ms. Link is engaged, right?
-But of course.
I showed you her engagement card
myself at the time.
What about her?
Gentlemen, we have to wait.
-What? -Why?
There's a thunderstorm on the way.
-What! -Another hour or so. -No!
So, today lunch will be replaced
by standing to attention!
So now you stay totally silent and
don't let on anything.
You admit to the Golden Peacock. All
else you vigorously deny. -Yes.
Man, in 2 months you have graduation, and
now these misdeeds with little girls...
It's a matter of honour.
No, no, no, it can't be true.
It's totally out of the question.
Zedtlitz? -It's simply impossible. All
of them for all I care. Just not Kurt.
It's just foolish gossip. You
don't have to take it so seriously.
I can't permit these lies to
besmirch the boys for one moment.
Come in.
This is miserable gossip trash!
Where were you last night
in the theater?
Headmaster...
I beg you to forgive me.
So it's true.
Zedtlitz, you have no idea
what you have done to me.
Headmaster... -I mean, you
were my favourite pupil.
I have been watching over you
since 3rd Grade.
Your father was the only one who had
full confidence and trust in me.
And he maintained it, even though, God
knows, I have been put through a lot of
turmoil and harassment.
I was proud of you.
Now, with this one careless prank you
have ruined everything for me.
Everything.
I didn't think...
-What didn't you think?!
That I would cause you so much grief.
-You violated my command.
You know it is forbidden for students
to patronize a public bar.
I didn't make this decree in order
to restrict your freedoms. No.
Youths should have freedom.
Rather, I wanted to protect you from
dangers of which you have no idea.
Do you have any idea what
the golden peacock is?
Yesterday was my first time there.
How did you come to
be in this nightclub?
Where did you meet Ms. Link?
-In front of the theatre.
Was she alone?
-No...
She was with Director Pausen, Ms.
Hiller... -The female juvenile? -Yes.
And the lieutenant von Bibra.
-In uniform?
No, in civvies.
-There, you see?
Lieutenant von Bibra invited me,
so I went along.
And, uh, then you drank champagne.
At first we drank Pilsner,
and then the others left.
And you stayed behind by yourself.
-Yes.
We spoke of our performance tomorrow,
and Ms. Link insisted that we toast
to a great success.
Who paid the bill?
I still had my Christmas money.
Your Christmas money.
And then you... accompanied Ms. Link.
Yes. To her front door.
And then you went home?
-Yes.
Kurt, are you telling me the truth?
The whole truth?
You can tell me. -I have told
you everything I have to tell.
I believe you.
Well, my dear Kurt, even if the affair
isn't as serious as I initially feared...
I don't want to insult you, but
if you had fallen into the
hands of a strumpet,
who would have dragged you, in your
blossoming youth, through the dirt...
Moral purity is still the cornerstone of
development for the individual
as well as for society.
Oh, you don't even know what kind of
abyss you were standing in front of.
I will remember this moment
for the rest of my life.
Then you must agree that you
have earned a punishment.
I will refer this incident to the
teaching staff, and they will decide.
Until further notice, you will be
confined to your room, and
you also won't be eating with
us at the communal table.
But I will see to it that we spare your
father an exceptional notification.
Go to your room.
Headmaster, I...
-Go, just go!
What did he say?
-Don't put up with anything!
I wouldn't put up with any crap.
Ultimately, he's a baron,
and Traumulus isn't even satisfactory.
The young lady will be here
shortly, Headmaster.
Schimke, come here a second.
Come here, Schimke.
Why did you give me a false
report yesterday? -Me?
You know, I should fire you on the spot.
You are a completely unreliable official!
But, Headmaster, what...
-When did Zedtlitz come home yesterday?
Well, um... that was probably
almost nighttime...
Oh, I can't trust a thing
you say anymore!
But, Headmaster, I felt so sorry
for the young man.
Above all, you have to do your duty. -Yes,
and I won't do it again, but he begged
me so much. -Nonsense! If we all thought
that way, where would discipline go?
Schimke, look at me.
Look at me, Schimke!
There is a rope ladder secreted in
this house.
We did you not report that to me?
I'd have to have seen it first!
-You should have seen it!
But if there isn't one! -There is one.
The students are deceiving you!
The state has no use for men who
can't be depended on!
Do you understand me?
Listen, Schimke, improve yourself.
Oh... -What do you want? Why did
you come in without knocking?
Forgive me. Ms. Link is in the parlour.
-Ms. Link, yes. I'm coming.
Schimke, you can go. -Yes, and I am
very grateful to you, Headmaster.
What would I do with a rope ladder?
Hello, everyone.
-Hello.
There's about to be trouble!
Most gracious Headmaster, I'm the
grateful actress for the celebrated poet.
Ms. Link, I have summoned you for
a rather awkward matter.
You don't want to take my role, do you?
-No, the play has nothing to do with this.
You are scaring me, Headmaster.
You were seen late last night with one of
my pupils in a venue of dubious repute.
I don't know anything about that.
I was with a small party, which Mr. von
Zedtlitz also joined, and we went to
a very nicely appointed restaurant.
I very much enjoyed myself there.
There were, in fact, several
officers there.
But only in civilian clothes.
-What does that matter?
Those gentlemen like to have fun
sometimes, too.
Under no circumstances should one of
my students be in this bar.
My dear Headmaster, you didn't reprove
Mr. von Zedtlitz for that, I hope.
Such a gracious young man.
I could never forgive myself.
So you were the one who invited him?
Yes. We celebrated, most innocuously, in
advance of your lovely poetry reading.
It might have run a little late,
but Mr. von Zedtlitz was chivalrous and
walked me the short distance to my home.
Or should he have been so ungallant
as to not do that?
And to abandon me at the garden gate
to the crudity of nightly passersby?
Headmaster, if someone
had spoken to me...
In the interest of my pupils, I would
have preferred if you had
said your goodbyes in front of the bar.
Headmaster, I find that hilarious.
Headmaster, should I now reveal
to you the horrible details?
Your wonderful young lad even
unlocked the Schladebachian front door.
Isn't that frightful?
But my house key truly is
sometimes too hard to turn.
Miss, your merriment proves to me that
I didn't get you wrong to begin with.
But you have to admit, if
someone had seen you two...
At the very least, I can't spare you
criticism for your sheer carelessness.
Yes, well, I have probably earned
a very small reprimand.
But you wouldn't punish a grown young
man like a little high-school junior.
Headmaster, can I really not help him?
My dear, if it makes you feel better,
inasmuch as you are able to help our
young friend at all, you have done so
already, namely by unknowingly confirming
his confession.
Am I interrupting?
-Most gracious Mrs. Headmaster.
Zedtlitz wants to speak to you again.
So unusual; he's so agitated.
Well, I always have to beg for our young
men when they have to take the rap.
My husband really is too
stern sometimes.
So, may he come in? -Zedtlitz is
confined to his room, but...
...if you think so. I don't
want to be too severe.
Good day, Miss.
-Most gracious lady.
Tell me, what does the county
commissioner have against you?
Mr. Von Kannewurf?
Nothing that I know of.
Well, he made remarks about you
that really appalled me.
Headmaster!
-Please, miss, don't get upset.
You have to tell me right now what
Mr. von Kannewurf said about me.
But I... -What did Mr. von Kannewurf
say about me? -But I beg of you!
I'll sue the man and call you as a
witness. Then you will have to say.
For God's sake, no court hullabaloo!
-I want to know! I must know!
Do you promise not to hold me
responsible for the insult?
Yes, I promise you. -Very well. He
dared to question your good reputation.
And I'm supposed to stand for that?
Seeing that I am engaged!
Now that my luck has changed?
No, I can't do that! And...
...that is too much to ask of me,
Headmaster. -Dear miss, I beg you,
control yourself! The young man
could enter any moment!
Let him come in. He should come in.
I demand that he joins us!
He must confirm in front of both of us
the we had nothing between us!
Not the slightest thing, Headmaster!
-But who claimed that? No one said that!
But yes, you said it! You claimed
it! And I won't countenance that!
Mr. von Zedtlitz.
You will now attest to the fact that
we had nothing at all between us.
Not the slightest thing.
Why are you not coming to my defence?
One doesn't allow a lady to be
insulted. So say something!
I met you last night.
We were in the most proper company.
You accompanied me home, and
there you bade me goodnight.
Right? That's how it was.
That's how it was!
Yes, that's how it was.
I knew you were a good guy.
Believe me, I'm sincerely
sorry that you...
Ms. Link, the matter is now settled.
Don't worry, nothing will happen to him.
Naturally, I can't allow his guilt to
go without atonement.
Can't you really just temper
justice with mercy?
No. -But Headmaster, even if I ask you
very, very nicely? -No, not even then.
But we really behaved like pure kids.
OK, I will waive Mr. von
Kannewurf's punishment.
It's good enough for me
that I despise him.
My dear Headmaster, Mr. von Zedtlitz.
I regret to have caused you such an
upsetting altercation.
Now, my dear Zedtlitz, what's
bothering you.
I shouldn't have come again.
I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
I'm a bad person.
I wanted...
Yes?
To ask you for forgiveness again.
But dear Kurt, now I almost
feel like a sinner.
Was I too tough on you?
Did I hurt you before? -No. No, in fact
I'd like to ask for a strict punishment.
You're making it difficult for me
to give you any punishment at all.
I don't deserve your benevolence.
Zedtlitz.
What is the postillon drinking? Water!
What is the postillon drinking?
We demand Cantus Ex!
One Zwolle for the singers.
Cheers!
Catilina, are the weapons in order?
-Noble Spartacus, they are.
Brothers, it's a joyful day
for our blood alliance, Anti-Tyrannia.
Away from the hated pressure of our
spectacles-wielding headmaster,
today we celebrate, in sunny freedom,
our sublime foundation anniversary.
Sadly, one of our compatriots
is missing.
Brutus. Our grand Brutus has
been confined to his room!
The malicious Traumulus
has constrained him.
Because Brutus walked where?
On the rose-lined paths of freedom?
Ha, you brothers!
-Ha!
Revenge!
-Revenge!
We'll cheat on the next surprise test.
Like never before! -That in any case.
Shut your mouth, you crass Fox,
and put it in the mug!
Down with Traumulus!
-Down.
Hannibal ante portas!
-Traumulus kommt!
Lights out! -Where is the
alley? Get out, fast!
To The Golden Peacock
Good evening.
-Good evening.
Good evening.
Oh, Professor! Headmaster, if I'm
not mistaken.
Yes. Please show me the green lounge.
-Green lounge. After you, Professor.
But it's early. There's nothing going
on, Professor. So, here you are.
This is the green lounge.
Shall I reserve a table for
Professor for tonight?
You can be totally unashamed here.
We can draw the curtains, and, um...
But, Professor, what's the matter?
But...
It's nothing! Come back!
-He went over to the Golden Peacock!
To your places, you cowards!
-To your places.
Silence! Turn on the light!
And nevertheless I tell you, the
nation is in peril!
Even if the blind old man is searching
for the bottle of champagne
emptied yesterday by our grand
Brutus and his nymph, Lydia.
This is simply incredible! -The
headmaster should be ashamed of himself!
Oh, what do you mean "ashamed"?!
I don't think it's such a big deal,
if a young man and a young woman...
But listen... a student.
-Pfft, student! He's graduating soon.
Then he can anyway.
You know, this assessor is an
ornament for the whole city.
One sees him walking
around with all kinds of women.
Not decidedly dignified for an official.
At any rate, it's highly embarrassing
for the esteemed headmaster. -I agree.
Shhh, not so loud! The
son is sitting over there.
Ha, I will say no more.
Which one? Which one?
The one there with all the keys?
Can it be? Why does that
old ape keep staring at me?
He bears no resemblance to his father.
-I agree... I have no idea.
That's the last straw. Now the old twit
put on his monocle and is staring at me.
That's the last straw!
-Stop it! -It's absurd!
Just a moment.
Pardon me. Let's step outside
for a second. Follow me.
Can you explain what's going on, please?
-You were staring at me the whole time!
You think I'd choose your stupid face if
I wanted to stare at someone?
That is grand. That is
just unparalleled!
Please imagine yourself
morally slapped in the face by me.
I'm honoured. May I ask
you for your card?
You can expect to hear from my man.
-Oops. -Pardon.
Kids, Traumulus, he just nodded to me.
But he didn't notice anything.
We got quite a scare. -If you only
knew! -That would be a nice mess!
Traumulus is a good guy.
-Long live Traumulus!
Listen, let's celebrate him!
Spartacus, what do you think?
Such a small salamander, eh?
Salamander!
Silence! We'll prepare the salamander.
-Bravo! -Hats off!
From Exerzitium Salamandres
on Traumulus!
One, two, three, what did you say?
-What did you say? Oh, yes.
One, two, three, Salamander Ex!
Freshmen clap last.
-Pfft!
Always these freshmen! Well, kids,
that tasted good, didn't it? -Yes!
Well, what will it be, Master? The
dough is long since finished.
Oh, yes, I totally forgot. Excuse me,
boys, I have to tend to my oven.
We'll help!
-OK, OK, come on.
Then we'll still have to wait
on the lawn, eh?
Then you can help me with the wood.
You can throw it better.
OK, open the door.
So, fatso, in with the tyrant!
-In with you!
This here, this is Big Julius. Caesar!
-In with you!
And now, Ivan. Ivan the Terrible!
-In with you!
Bible!
-Oh, bible?
You're going to get a spanking.
Here, this is the county commissioner
of Kannewurf.
I've had it in for that fat boy
for a long time.
Are you ready? In with you!
-In with you!
Down with the dogs of opposition!
Blood must flow, thick and fast!
Long live, long live the German Republic!
Oh, this kiss for the whole world.
This old student alliance is
really unbelievable.
23 men, and 12 of them
Niemeyer's pupils.
Yes, Commissioner. -Almost the whole
school. He sure can be proud of that.
So, my dear Hoppe, you quash the nest
right away, various boys will be seized,
and transported here to
the police station.
Zedtlitz is here!
-Zedtlitz!
Zedtlitz!
Cheers, Brutus! Since you escaped
jail, we greet you! Hail Brutus!
Hail!
Listen to me for a minute. I stand here
with the request to dissolve our
alliance right away.
-Why?!
No, it's not nonsense! It's the only
reason I came here from my confinement.
But it's sheer madness.
-Hear me out!
Excuse me, Commissioner, but
why the arrests today,
on the eve of His Majesty's arrival?
No, no, especially today.
Don't lose any sleep over that.
Restriction orders might seem severe,
the boys' fathers will throw a fit,
but bend without breaking.
As soon as the transfer starts, come and
get me. -At your command, Commissioner.
Yes, but Hermann, the main outrage, the
thing with Zedtlitz and the actress:
the civil servant actually saw him
going into the house with her.
Commissioner, you can rely
completely on the report.
For God's sake, we don't want to claim
what we can't clearly and exactly prove.
No, no, every doubt has been
ruled out, Commissioner.
It's a real scandal. One can feel
sorry for old Zedtlitz.
I'm telling you, we have no idea
who Niemeyer really is!
He's the most decent guy I've ever met!
-You're resting on the teat of the tyrant.
Zedtlitz the teacher's pet. -I couldn't
care less what you think of me.
But let me tell you one thing: whoever
speaks ill of Niemeyer in my presence
will get a pounding from me!
In front of him this morning, I felt
ashamed for all of us.
We behave like swine to him!
-What?!
Now, don't think that I want to
teach you guys morals.
But one thing I know for certain:
This carnival, of which I was the
ringleader, is at fault for everything
that has happened.
You call it a carnival?
-Yes, I call it a carnival!
There are worse things
it could be called.
If even a tenth of all this got out,
our headmaster would be finished.
Then we'll just get a new one!
Very easy.
Maerus, you have no idea how low
you just were.
I'm not going to put up with that.
Take it back right away!
Forget it, man. You know this bullshit.
-I won't retract anything.
I must sincerely ask you,
not only for silence,
but also that you moderate your
tone towards Zedtlitz.
Very true. After all, we aren't
a bunch of dumb boys.
Please obey my request to dissolve our
alliance immediately!
I'd like to have the floor.
-Well, what do you have to say?
Why should we care if Zedtlitz
screws stupid dames?
We do some, too. But of course, when
someone so idiotically gets up to it and
appears so publicly with his sweetheart
over in the Green Peacock,
then he endangers the whole shebang.
Very regrettable, but, forgive me,
Commissioner, I don't know under
which title the investigation against
Ms. Link should be directed.
Well, Schladebach of course. We'll get
the old rascal under the pimping statute.
Link as witness. Is it clear?
Yes, completely, Commissioner. Ms. Link
is over there, if you would like to...
No, for God's sake! Thank you.
Forget about it!
Particulars are your concern.
-At your command, Commissioner.
But, when the headmaster brings his
boys here later, that's my department.
Please call me then. Goodbye.
-Goodbye, Commissioner. Goodbye.
I'm making a categorical motion.
Firstly, to end the debate,
and secondly to flatly reject
Zedtlitz's outrageous request.
He should face the consequences alone.
Who is for ending the debate?
-Everyone.
The debate is closed. Who is in favour
of the request to dissolve the alliance?
Who is against?
Herewith, I'm a vacating my
presidium and leaving the alliance.
You'd like to do that, eh?
So, you can make up with you dear
headmaster? You think it's that simple,
but we also have something to say...
-Another word from you!
What are you going to do?
I demand that Zedtlitz be banned from
our alliance with infamy.
Police!
-There you are.
Out the back!
Your headmaster will be especially
happy about you, Baron von Zedtlitz.
I don't belong to the alliance anymore.
-What?! You're altogether the worst!
March!
Hurry up, march!
Why I'm interrogating you is my business.
-Fine. Proceed with your impertinences.
You are in the police station!
-I can tell by your coarseness.
Tamaschke! Well, why are
you not writing?
I'm writing.
-OK, then. Write:
"In the investigation against
Schladebach, et al, by proxy..."
Do you have "by proxy"?
-Yes, I have "by proxy".
"...because of pimping." -Don't
worry, Mr. Tamaschke, just write it.
I know exactly whom I can turn to.
-"...appeared, subpoenaed anew..."
So you both want to lose your office.
That's fine with me.
But don't think that you can apologise to
me again then. You are sorely mistaken.
"The previously interrogated witness,
Lydia Link, actress, Protestant, single,
et cetera. As before.
The rest we'll leave for now.
So, Ms. Link, you live in one room at
Schladebach's bakery? -Two.
Two, please. Besides, Schladebach
is a pastry chef.
Mr. Tamaschke, please put on
the record, "pastry chef".
And you're sticking to your first
statement. Mr. von Zedtlitz said
goodbye to you at the front door.
Where else would Mr. von Zedtlitz have
said goodbye to me?
I am not a person, after all.
Tamaschke!
-I'm writing, I'm writing!
I certainly can't force you to
give a different statement.
But I'd like to once again
make you aware...
that the magistrate can demand
you be put under oath.
Yes, in fact, he will demand it.
And for perjury you'll get
10 years in jail.
So, perhaps you'll want to
consider your story again.
I have nothing to consider.
-OK, then.
The senior students! -They need
discipline! -Beat those brats' asses raw.
May I leave now? -No, no, stay, Miss.
You will know shortly why you are here.
Your bridegroom is just being delivered.
All of you come in.
-Hurry up! Come, get in position!
Well, how many are they?
-Twenty three.
23 students are here! -Is von Zedtlitz
among them? -Yes, Inspector!
Tell him to come in.
-Yes, sir!
My dear Inspector, Mr. von Zedtlitz
really isn't such a young man.
It's really highly embarrassing to me.
-You should have thought of that before.
Oh, you think Mr. von Zedtlitz will
contradict what I said.
We'll see about that.
Please come in.
Mr. von Zedtlitz, last night Constable
Patzkowski saw you and Ms. Link enter
the Schladebachian house around 1:30,
and he saw you leave shortly after 6:00.
Ms. Link claims you said goodbye
to her at the front door.
Which of the two statements can
you corroborate truthfully?
Why are you hesitating?
After you already attested to everything
I said in front of the headmaster.
That we had nothing, absolutely
nothing at all, between us.
Well...
...did you forget everything?
I'm sorry, Inspector. May I ask a
question on behalf of the headmaster?
Yes, of course.
Am I obliged to give a statement?
You have the right to refuse to give
a statement about facts that could
bring dishonour to you.
Then I will decline to give a statement.
-Phooey!
Tamaschke, get them to shut up
out there. -Yes, Inspector.
Please sign.
-I'm not signing.
I don't care! I decide what
happens to my student!
The headmaster!
-Seems so.
May I go now?
-As far as I'm concerned, yes.
And I? -You will wait here
until all students are gone.
Should I perhaps stay overnight?
I have had enough patience with you! If
you don't shut up I'll put you behind bars!
This is too much!
-How could you do something like this,
Inspector? My students don't belong in a
police station. You are encroaching on my
rights. -I regret it greatly, Headmaster,
but the Commissioner ordered it.
But if you absolutely insist, there are
no legal grounds to hold them.
So, set them free.
-At your command, Inspector.
Zedtlitz... you?
You, too?
Man, is this your room confinement?
This is how you repay me for treating
you like a respectable human being?!
And you? What are you doing here?
Inspector, what is this lady doing
in your office?
She's a witness in the case against the
baker, Schladebach, because of pimping.
Pimping?
-Yes.
Constable Patzkowski swore
on his job that
von Zedtlitz was with this
young lady last night.
It's all false. This is an
outrageous, outrageous lie!
Please don't believe him, Headmaster!
So you lied to my face.
Inspector, is this lady's
presence still necessary?
No.
Then please get her out of my sight.
OK, then, come with me.
Gentlemen!
You are going to leave my house today.
You are the most morally squalid young
person I have come across in my life.
If you could have anticipated what that
moment has shattered for you.
Dear Headmaster... -Yeah, you want to
lie some more. Go ahead, keep lying.
I want to tell the truth now.
-Yes, you and the truth. Ha!
I have earned your treatment.
You should become an actor. You already
have the first necessary link to theatre.
I have erred badly, Headmaster.
I regret it.
Regret, regret! What you have brought
about can't be undone.
Even I don't know how I could
debase myself like that.
But when it became clear to me this
morning what consequences my recklessness
would happen for you if my severe
transgression became public, then...
...then I thought how I couldn't
possibly tell you the truth.
That's magnificent! So then I should
actually be thankful to you.
Do you know that your temerity is
the straw that broke the camel's back?
I came again and wanted to tell
you the truth, but then...
...then I simply didn't have the courage
anymore. -The courage, yes!
But to reward my bottomless blind
confidence to give you room arrest
in an unlocked room. That audacity to
deceive me right away for the second
time with the same rotten deviousness!
You had that audacity, that sorrowful
courage! -I wanted to...
Don't interrupt me! I'm finished with
you! I don't know myself anymore!
I had only the best of intentions,
Headmaster. I wanted my fellow students...
Wonderful! Lovely! Beautifully thought-
out. You haven't lost your composure.
Now you're going to tell me that you
only went to the baker's basement to
appeal to you comrades' conscience, eh?
You persecuted innocent, you!
You aristocrat, you! Go become
a waiter in America!
Well, why aren't you defending yourself?
Why are you not answering?
Don't you have enough of a sense of honour
to defend yourself when you are maltreated?
I won't fight back against you, Headmaster.
-Of course. Too craven to defend yourself!
Go home right away. I'll send you
report card to your room.
I don't want to see you anymore. I
can't see you anymore, man!
Why are you hesitating?
Didn't you understand me?
I beg you to forgive me, Headmaster.
I'm finished with you.
-It's my last request, Headmaster.
You have forfeited all possible pleas
to me. You are a delinquent.
Headmaster...
-Pardon me, Headmaster.
The Commissioner would like
to speak with you.
Speak to me? The Commisioner? I don't
know what I have to talk about with him.
Can you tell him something nice to get
rid of him? -Forgive me, Headmaster, but
this errand... Wouldn't you be so kind
as to speak to him yourself?
Very well. If the Commissioner prefers,
I'll say it to his face.
Commissioner, please come.
Headmaster.
-And, why are you still here?
You know, I don't understand you.
I beg you again...
-So, then I have to leave!
Excuse me!
You had students of my high school
dragged to the police station like a
horde of vagabonds. That really caps
off your vendetta against me.
What else do you want? -I don't want to
prolong your distress, Headmaster.
Frankly, you should be thinking about
retiring. -Even if you had 10 times as
many aces up your sleeves,
I won't do you that favour!
Patzkowski!
-Yes, Commissioner?
Please find out for me if young Mr. von
Zedtlitz has in fact gone home.
Yes, sir! -Zedtlitz is under
my authority, Commissioner!
I'm not arguing that, but his father is
an old friend of mine, and I'm concerned
about the boy right now.
He seemed rather peculiar to me.
I would have put my hand in fire
for him, and he lied to me...
and betrayed me. Trust is foolish.
Benevolence is idiocy. Leniency is
a crime.
-You only know black and white.
I thought you preferred to forgo
official positions and dignities,
than to lose all faith in your boys?
Do you still feel the same?
Yes! And I will to the end. I can't
allow this one sad incident to change
my entire outlook!
-Very commendable!
And this horde of vagabonds, as you said
yourself, has also not made a dent in
your touching convictions. -No, you
made the young men out to be vagabonds!
Namely in the eyes of an amused rabble,
in front of which you led my boys to jail.
That's rich! Now I'm the sinner! -Yes,
your conduct towards me was a perfidy!
A perfidy! You should have
been my ally!
And you debased yourself
to become a spy!
State workers should support each other
mutually, not turn their backs!
I may have been blind.
You were dishonest.
So then, soldier, you're not going.
-No. -Tomorrow, a fight to the finish.
And if I play va banque with you, in the
name of three devils! Va banque!
The rest we'll leave up to the ministry.
You're going to lose. -We'll see.
A pity I wasted my time and effort.
-Same here.
And?
Von Zedtlitz went from here to the
school, stayed a short time in his room,
but he left very soon thereafter.
-Do you know whereto?
No, when I got there
he was already gone.
Do you have a guess, Headmaster?
No, I don't understand... He was
to be strictly confined to his room.
When you made the arrest earlier, did
you notice anything with the young man?
No, Commissioner. He was the quietest
of all. He said he no longer belonged
to the club. He had withdrawn.
-Withdrawn?
That's right. He only went in to appeal
to the consciences of his comrades, but
they laughed at him.
-Really?
Yes. The other boys affirmed
what he said.
I fear I have caused the poor
boy the gravest injustice.
Yes... He wouldn't do anything
stupid, would he?
For God's sake, Commissioner.
For God's sake!
Inspector! -Commissioner?
-How many men do you have available?
Patzkowski, Bellert, and Tiegs.
-Bellert, you take the upper forest,
Tiegs the New Town, and you the harbour.
Dear Commissioner... -Yes, yes, we have
to search for him. Come along...
On the granite!
Listen! Grand Tattoo!
Nothing. Nowhere.
Is someone there?
Oh, it's you, Headmaster.
Good evening, Headmaster.
Is Zedtlitz here?
-Unfortunately not yet, Headmaster.
Where is my son? -Fritz? Well he left
at 3, for an early evening drink.
My wife?
-Your wife is upstairs.
Oh, don't always be so clumsy.
You'll ruin my whole hairdo.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Don't poke me, either.
-No, no.
The new hat is lovely.
-Really?
Except for my old feathers.
Costs almost nothing.
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Good evening. Imagine, Zedtlitz
is still not back.
Don't worry, he'll come. You should be
used to that from your seniors' night.
If only I had believed him.
It's the first time that I was tough.
My God, you're acting as if the boy had
already cut off his own head.
Get me the curling iron.
He's a nice person with good manners,
but we have had many like that.
No, we haven't had one quite like him.
You really can't judge it.
-Well, if I can't judge it...
That's fine, Olga. You can go.
Don't make me nervous.
I really don't have any time to
talk about these childish matters.
I have to go to the casino ball.
One thing I know for sure:
If the boy doesn't come back...
If the worst has really happened...
I couldn't stomach it.
Then it's all over for me.
Then I'm finished.
What's that supposed to mean?!
Are you saying you would hand
in your resignation? -Yes.
That's delightful. And what is to
become of us then?
We'll just have to bear our fate.
-We?! You are comical!
What can we do about it?
Surely you can't expect us to be
victims of your sentimentality.
How can you speak to me like that?
You seem to think retirement
is awfully easy.
You're going to get half of what
we've been getting up until now.
We don't have a fortune, but
we have debts. -Debts?
Where do we have debts? With whom?
Oh, you are truly naive!
Do you think the reduction of your
income would leave us untouched?
On which planet are you living?
And then you are surprised that you ruin
not only yourself, but your surroundings.
You just admitted it yourself. Poor
Zedtlitz is also on your conscience.
Shut up! I'm shaking here over
the life of a human being.
I'm ripping my heart out. And you dicker
over miserable pennies like a gold digger.
For you, I put up with all this rubbish,
all this stuff, all these years.
I sat here many nights and calculated
how I would manage.
For your sake, I took on the private school
under which I suffered, like no one else.
I saddled myself with it as if whipping
myself with a riding crop.
And now... you, from whom I had hoped to
find my last foothold, my refuge,
in this difficult night, you are the
first to abandon me.
I despise you.
What, you despise me?
Listen, you!
So this is the thanks I get for
sacrificing my youth for you?
That I tolerated for five years a man
whose son could be my brother!
Do you want more?
Oh, that's what you're waiting for?
No, I won't tell you anything!
And I made you my wife.
It was a misdeed of yours, that you
chained my little zest for life to your
50 years. And while your talented son
Fritz wastes his life, he blackmails me,
because I can't pay my clothing bills.
-Keep talking...
A nice gentleman, your sweet son from
your first loving wife! -Keep going!
Yes, keep going so that you finally
learn all about it.
The woman you despise kept your boy
out of jail. -What?
I paid off a counterfit bill.
-What, my son's? -Yes, your son's!
You even misjudged your son!
I wish you hadn't told me that today.
Jadwiga!
Fritz, don't tell him I told you.
I shouldn't have told you that.
I was just being imprudent. He should
have just cashed in a debt of honour.
Get away from here, Fritz!
-But why?
Gosh, what a sweet mommy I have.
-Leave me alone!
But why?
-Your father!
Oh, good evening, Daddy.
What's going on here? A beer
forum is in session, huh?
Go to your room.
He's upstairs.
-We have to speak to him urgently.
Zedtlitz?
-Yes, he's here.
We found him.
-Where? Where is he?
He was spotted.
-Well, why didn't you bring him?
Why don't you come down?
Where is he? -Up here!
Well, where is he? Why
didn't you bring him?
He walked past me when I went
through the Naundorf Gate.
That was less than 15 minutes ago.
Well, where is he? I have to go to him!
But whatever could have happened
has long since already happened.
We're coming right from the police station.
Inspector Hoppe drove away immediately.
And your boys even ran into him.
-No, I have to search for him myself.
No, please, you stay here. As a doctor,
I forbid you to expose yourself to (?????).
Please have just a little patience.
The worst is over with now.
Anyway, you have to start
thinking about yourself.
And about your family.
-My family...
I am...
It's as if I am shattered.
Who of us would have ever
thought that the
old teacher would seek solace
from one of his students.
Dear Headmaster, you make me happy.
It serves me right.
Why was I so blind?
He's still alive.
Right? He's still alive.
You are convinced
that he's still alive.
He's really alive. You have...
You ensured me that he's still alive.
You, Falk.
You're not keeping something from me,
are you, friend?
No, dear Headmaster, listen to me. We
guarantee that he's coming back.
Yes? You see, I want to
start a new life.
Falk, I want... my life is still
in front of me.
Imagine all that I can still accomplish.
My 55 years are not old, after all.
No, today should be a beneficial
lesson for me.
Yes, I'm almost standing up again.
I have found myself again.
Well then, despite everything,
today is your lucky day.
Yes. Yes, Falk, that it is!
Whether you want to or not,
this hour must be celebrated.
This afternoon we missed our
bottle of Burgundy,
so we'll break it open now.
"Hurray to children", in bottle form.
And the Greeks, drunk with victory,
richly laden with the spoils,
...sat atop the tall ship,
along the Hellespontos beach.
Yeah, it's so nice that you
remembered that, my friend,
but don't think that I'm
just a bookworm.
So, my dear Falk...
To a fresh fight and a breezy victory.
No, I can't.
-What's wrong?
I can't. The glass will shatter.
-But Headmaster, you are superstitious.
No, call it what you want. It
seems sacrilegious to me.
No, no, this is all lunacy. It's...
It's all lunacy. The police, Hoppe...
I shouldn't have stayed here.
I should have continued...
What is it?
-Did you hear? What was that?
I didn't hear anything. There was
nothing. Really! -But, yes. Yes!
Listen!
Yes. It's still ringing in the air.
It's still trembling.
It was like a bang. Very distinct.
Falk, you're lying to me.
I may not be worth much anymore, but
my hearing is still good.
Dearest Headmaster, regain your composure.
You're fantasizing. It's nothing.
He'll be here in a few moments!
In a few seconds he'll appear!
No, you're lying to me!
Falk, it was... it was
something terrible.
No! No!
No!
Helmets off for prayer!
So you did come back
to me, Kurt von Zedtlitz.
Even though I sent you away and
forbade you to return here.
What a curiously disobedient senior.
Did you really know of no other
way to apologize,
other than this silent reaction, to
which no one has an answer?
This way, you ended up being right.
I am at fault for your death. -Please,
Headmaster, nobody here is at fault.
This is a terrible accident.
We shouldn't create a furor,
especially now.
No, Mr. von Kannewurf, I
alone am at fault.
Tomorrow I will vacate my office.
Well, I am no longer your teacher.
You call me Traumulus. I know.
Only, we aren't here to dream.
To love people blindly and then to
abandon them when they are in need.
I didn't lead you. I didn't
know you. I failed you. I'm...
...stepping down.
My God, now you children are standing
there and thinking he, there, was a hero.
No, he was not a hero.
And we weren't sent here
to run away from him,
but rather to conquer it.
That's why, steel and harden yourselves.
Fight, conquer yourselves.