All language subtitles for Mephisto 1981 1080p BluRay DD2.0 x264-EA

Cast

Screenplay by

Music by

Director of Photography

Directed by

No!

No!

What happened?

What do you want? Go away!

I don't need you now!
Go to hell!

My friends, we're invited
to a boring banquet.

Sorry, but we have
to attend it.

Can't you stay with us for
a bit longer, Dorchen?

No, we're much too late.

Sorry. Excuse me. Good evening.

I wanted to say
you were marvelous tonight.

You were fantastic.
It was a real pleasure.

You fraud! You didn't even
see the show.

Never mind.

You're talented, they say.

Me? Talented? Say it louder.

Yes, you're very talented.

I'm sure you'll soon be able to
show just how talented you are.

We're really late.

Böck! Seven marks!

If you need money, I can lend you 50
marks until the end of the month.

Don't get involved.
I don't need your 50 marks.

Böck likes giving me money.
Quick!

- Good evening, Miklas.
- Good evening.

Thank you.

So...

Mr. Kroge would
let me starve.

- So, you old sinner... Take a seat.
- As you wish. The accused sits.

Good evening, Director,
how did you like it?

What's getting you
down, Hendrik?

That I'm a provincial actor.

Is that all? Nothing else?

Hello.

You're late.

One day, I'll come to fetch
you, no matter your dread.

Don't you dread that, Heinz?

- Please don't call me Heinz.
- Why not? That's your name.

But I dislike it. Understand?

I understand everything.

Even the fact that you can't drink

a pint of beer like a regular man.
Shall we start?

What was that about beer?

Even just hearing you say the
word beer doesn't feel right.

'A pint of beer' sounds
phony when you say it.

I don't drink, Juliette.

I know, Heinz. Take
your shoes off.

What are you waiting for?

Do not just stand there like
you have just shat yourself.

And one, two,
one, two, three, four.

- Too quick.
- Another time!

One, two, three, four.
one, two...

That's it!

Don't fall down now.

Faster! Faster!

So what are your
bones made of?

You want to be an actor and
show off for money, too?

You are but a comical
picture of misery.

If you liked music, you
wouldn't get tired, Heinz.

You always laugh at
me, Juliette, always!

Come on!

It's because I can't cry, Heinz.
Would you love me if I could?

I love you anyway. Even
though you can't cry.

You only love yourself, Heinz,
and even then not enough.

Keep talking. I like
listening to you speak.

Anyway, you never pay
attention to me.

Your only concern

is pretending...

You always have
a mask on, you know?

I, too, have skin and bones
and a body with weight,

eyebrows and fingernails,
just like you.

I, too, shudder in the cold.
I can be hungry and thirsty.

I, too, think of my
mother sometimes.

And I know there are
Bourgeois and Communists.

But...

...my eyes are not my eyes.

My legs are not mine,

my face is not mine

and my name is not my name,

because I am an actor!

Do you know what it
means to be an actor?

An actor is...

a mask...

among human beings.

- Come! Come!
- You!

Juliette...!

Juliette...!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

here we are again, gathered
to rehearse a brand new play.

May I introduce our guest,

Miss Nicoletta von Niebuhr,

who will be the female guest
lead in this production.

Do you mind if my friend watches
the rehearsal, Director?

I have no objection, Miss.

Two cognacs and
one absinthe.

Three beers.

- Two cognacs and one absinthe.
- Thank you.

- Cheers, ladies.
- Thank you.

Please excuse me, ladies.

Old Hansemann...

Will we look lovely in this play?

Why? We are lovely.

May I introduce my best
friend, Barbara Bruckner?

Nice to meet you.

- What?
- You have a nice smell of lavender.

Oh, yes? Can you smell
the lavender, too?

How shocking! A man that smells
lavender! For me, it is essential.

A little on the temples
and the neck is as good

as a night's sleep.

Sleep would be better,
but there's no time.

A beer and a mineral water.

We'll hear what the
old man has to say

use the good bits,

and then play it our way.

He's good, but old-fashioned.

The future of the Hamburg Art
Theatre is me, obviously.

I mean the two of
us, Ulrichs and me.

Most of the plays here are
shallow bourgeois stuff.

But me and Otto, we visualize
theatre that will involve everyone.

Even the workers and the
dockworkers of Hamburg.

Where will you perform
this theatre?

It doesn't matter. In the
docks, factories, cellars.

Hendrik, we promised the comrades
the play would be ready last week.

They'll get it, Otto, don't fuss.
Let's get this premiere over first.

We must prove

that theatre has a political function.
But it's not easy.

Before it can be political or
revolutionary,

it first has to be good.
It's very important, it's essential.

Which actors will be in
this sort of theatre?

All who think like us.
Even workers.

It's what we say,
not how we say it.

But I've no qualms even if
Hendrik stages our plays.

Why are you looking
at me like that?

Am I not allowed to?

If it pleases you, go ahead.

Without you, I'll be finished.

There's too much evil in me.

Alone, I'm too weak to overcome it,

but you could help me.

I can't talk anymore.

So many thoughts are
just parts I've played.

I love you, Barbara.

I'm in love...
with another woman.

Juliette, do you think
I am a good-looking man?

I've never seen you on stage.
Maybe you're handsome there. But...

...frankly, I've never found
you good-looking, Heinz. Except...

...your cold cheating eyes
that are those of a sad child.

You use it well.

Who have you fallen for?

- A girl.
- Great.

You falling in love...

One day you may just learn
how to walk, not just dance.

Love the girl, Heinz.

But don't tell me
anything about her.

Let's leave it at that and meet
again when the time is right.

Yes.

You know what?
I'm coming with you.

I have nothing
to lose, Heinz.

Are you crazy?

See a psychiatrist, Heinz.

Though, I'm sure you wouldn't
dare talk about yourself.

Go. We'll meet soon anyway.

Even if I don't want to.

Excuse me, Grandma,
would you have some time for me?

- I'd like to introduce...
- Your fiancé.

I have to take a closer
look at my new grandson.

Not bad at all.

Excuse me.

My mother apologizes, she
will be here shortly.

Her being late is
totally normal.

Loving mothers rarely want
to hurry along

their son's marriage

and thus their only
son leaving the nest.

Hello, Sebastian.

That is Sebastian.

Mom.

I'm pleased, really pleased.

My dear child...

I'm Nicoletta von
Niebuhr, a relative,

the bride's best friend,
almost her sister.

Often the
bridegroom's mistress,

only on stage, of course, as
instructed by the director.

And I hope things
stay that way.

May I call you Aunt Bella?

Of course, Nicoletta.

Mr. Höfgen,
would you come with me?

I'd like to show you my
garden and my trees.

I'd love to see it.

Have you unsettling
memories, too?

Memories

that give you the creeps
but you can't help

but think about them?

When I was about twelve,

I got into the
boys' choir of our school.

I was overjoyed. I thought

I could sing
better than the other boys.

We had to sing

in church at some wedding.

I wanted...

...to show off.

I was so proud of
my soprano voice.

When the choir started to sing
I got the idea

of singing one
octave higher than the others.

As I stood there,
proudly singing

the choirmaster noticed me
and looked at me at length,

more in disgust than in disapproval,
and he said softly,

'Just keep quiet.'

Just like that.
Do you understand?

Softly and dryly he said,
'Just keep quiet.'

When I felt I was
singing like an angel.

Do you have such memories?

No.

You've never had to feel
ashamed in your life.

I often have.

I often have to feel

awfully ashamed of myself.

So ashamed I could
sink down into hell.

Do you understand that?

This is the basement room.
The windows face the street.

Here's a lamp post
and here, too.

Behind it is the bakery

- with women lined up for bread...
- Stop!

Great.

Mrs. Schulz, you come up past
the window and you stop here.

Barbara, can you put
a lamp post here

with a light to dazzle the audience?
You see?

Then you come here and start to
recite Mrs. Queck's monologue.

'I'm Mr. Queck's widow,
who hasn't paid the rent...'

Then listen. Barbara, we could have
two or three more lamp posts

in the auditorium,

so people feel they're really

in their filthy street.

We'll cover the walls
with posters,

recent political slogans,
painted, glued, all jumbled up.

At the back, a
grocer's shop,

with nothing to sell, of course.
Do you understand?

Everything in the hall must
express what we talk about.

Then from time to time,
two policemen appear.

They can patrol the rows
and stare at the audience.

An end, once and for all,
to passive watching,

to the isolated actor.

The public must play
an active part.

The days of the peepshow and
the proscenium theatre are over.

The actor with his text is only
one element of the performance,

not it's focal point.

The hall, walls, lights,
movements, sounds,

everything bears importance.
They create a singular effect.

That's real theatre

and we have to show it
to the workers.

A total theatre that
shocks and arouses them.

"I am Mr. Queck's widow,
who cannot pay the rent."

"Because I'm a widow,

I work for the
baker, for I live in his house."

"It's the only way I can feed
my seven hungry children."

"Wait! The half-hour
has to be paid for."

"We've been waiting
for half an hour."

"Here reigns logic and hunger."

"I owe you 51 marks
and 25 pfennigs."

"I've had nothing these
past few days..."

Silly goose!

And you're sabotaging our work!
And I know why.

Miklas or one of his
damn party friends

has put you up to it!

What do you want from me?

You don't do your work!
Why don't you prompt her?!

It's useless, anyway.

Revolutionary theatre
or any sort of theatre

can't be staged with provincial
hams, with amateurs!

Even revolutions
need professionals!

I'll buy you a drink
to celebrate

the revolutionary theatre's big flop.

Cool down, my son.

Hello. Hello.

Two schnaps, please.

How about
a rebellious evening?

I'd like to invite
you for dinner.

Me?

- Good morning.
- Morning.

- You're still half asleep.
- I'm awake.

I've even phoned our grocer.

He's a bit impatient
over our large bill.

I'm sorry if I don't present

a picture of early
morning freshness.

If I, like you, went
riding every morning,

I'd probably look
more attractive.

But in our circles, such noble
sports were not customary.

You play the offended husband well.
A real touch of Molière.

Oh, stop enjoying yourself.

How can you

sit all night at a
Nazi thug's table.

Miklas is not a thug.

All Nazis are thugs.

You must avoid their company.
Their dirt rubs off on you.

I'm really sorry that you
can't understand it.

It must be your family's
well-known liberalism.

You only pretend to care, but
for others it's a belief.

You view his convictions
as psychological quirks.

I feel sorry for this boy.

He aspires to success,
but suffers from hunger.

You all treat him very
badly, you and the others.

He's just looking for a
helping hand from the Nazis.

Oh, how wonderful! So much
understanding for that lousy brat.

We treat him badly... How would they
treat us if they came to power?

God forbid!

And yet you sit and chat with him.

I know, Barbara, it's
your bourgeois tolerance:

to be understanding, even
with our greatest enemies.

I'm sure when
the time comes,

you could even excuse
fascist terrorism.

Your liberalism might even get
used to a dictatorship, right?

No, thank you.

May I make a
comment, sweetheart?

It's common practice

to eat an egg
from its shell and with salt.

I know in the Bruckner
household you eat it from a glass

with six spices.
That's very original,

but no need
to make fun of those

unaccustomed to
such originality.

- Who's the leading man in Halberstadt?
- Herbert Boltz.

Where's Mrs.
Türkheim-Gawernitz now?

She plays mothers in Heidelberg.

- And Hannelore Kühn?
- In Mannheim.

- And who's Othello in Dresden?
- Max Krause.

- And Iago?
- Johannes Fiedler.

- And Desdemona in Leipzig?
- Käthe Müttel.

Who's the ingénue in Jena?

A stupid cow called
Lotte Lindenthal.

Yes!

Why would you call her that?

I don't know, but she really is.

I know why you insult her,
Mr. Höfgen.

Because she's friends with a
National Socialist leader.

I'm only moderately interested

in the names and titles
of Miss Lindenthal's lovers.

Must be quite a long list.

Watch your tongue!

You won't insult a lady
because she's in

the National Socialist German
workers' party

and friends with a national hero.

You won't stand for it?

My, my...

You're drunk.

I'm not.

On the contrary.

Apparently, I'm the only one here
with a spark of honor left.

Nobody in this Jew-ridden business
cares if a lady is insulted.

Let go of me!

No!

- Hans! Calm down!
- Let go of me!

I'll gladly believe
you're not drunk, Miklas.

You have no excuse to
fall back on, then.

As for this Jew-ridden
business you're in,

you won't suffer it much longer.

That I promise you.

Perhaps you're right.

I agree, the fellow's
behavior was intolerable,

but I can't just fire a
poor, sick man like that.

Sick? He's not sick at all.

Why this indecision and
compromise all the time?

It's just like our
government parties.

Excuse me, Barbara.

We must show this murderous pack
it can't get away with anything.

I beg you, don't insist that
he be sacked on the spot.

It's punishment enough

that he won't be hired
back next season.

He has no idea what he said
last night, he just went wild.

I'm amazed, Otto.

I'm really amazed

that you, of all people,
should say that.

Don't get personal.

I don't want him
made a martyr.

- In the current climate...
- Excuse me, Otto, if I interrupt.

This interesting but purely hypothetic
conversation is quite pointless.

The case is way more
simple: it is me or him.

Either Miklas leaves
the theatre...

or I do.

That's nonsense.

Be sure,

the boy will be fired.

Go on, higher, higher!

Enough! Stop!
This isn't a funeral march!

Again from number nine.

Lights!

Sorry to interrupt.

Mr. Kroge asks you to immediately
approve the premiere's poster.

It must be taken to
to the printer's.

Can't I get my name spelled
correctly even in this theatre?

My name is not
Henrik, but Hendrik!

Hendrik Höfgen!

One day, they'll all
have to mark my name.

Try to understand, Mr. Kroge.
I can't and won't tie myself down.

It's a great strain.

To stay under contract is to give up
one's freedom. I want to be free.

I can't be a provincial matinee
idol anymore. I've had enough.

No, no, no...
I've really had enough.

You want to leave
us for good?

I don't know yet,
nothing is sealed.

The Professor
offered me a part.

One never knows where a
part in Berlin may lead.

Dora Martin will be my partner.

In that case...

Accept the offer.

Thank you.

Berlin!

Thank you, ladies.
See you tomorrow.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

So you are Mr. Höfgen.

You have a lot of friends, Mr. Höfgen.

Some of them, who understand
theatre, recommended you to me.

And your father-in-law, too,

when we met at the
Ministry of Culture.

Along with Dora
Martin most recently.

In real life, I may
seem a bit nondescript,

but not on stage.

My dear father-in-law
once aptly described

my ability to
transform myself.

Well...

I hope we'll get on well,
Mr. Höfgen.

Don't expect too much. I cannot
offer you any major parts.

You were probably used to a
reasonable income in Hamburg.

Here, at first,
you'll have less.

Are you hard to satisfy?

Money doesn't interest me.

My needs are modest.

All I need

every day is a clean shirt
and a drop of cologne.

Discuss the details with Miss
Bernhardt, she will explain everything.

Please give my regards
to your father-in-law.

- Hendrik Höfgen.
- Oh... Bernhardt.

- Nice to meet you.
- Here's your contract.

Thank you.

- May I?
- Please.

Thanks.

- 700 marks a month, before tax.
You agree to play as cast. - Yes.

So...

Could you please
give these flowers...

...and this card...

...to Mrs. Martin?

Will you?

THANKS!

Well, Hendrik Höfgen...

Now you're a beginner again.

Hamburg's fame, routine and
safety all lie behind you.

Now you must summon up all
your strength, old boy.

And we'll start by...

...working off...

...that blubber.

- Who is that? - Dora Martin's
Hamburg actor lover.

- No, Miss Bernhardt's.
- You're misinformed, dear.

So glad you were able
to come, Mr. Höfgen,

despite all your work.

May I introduce you to some of
your most fervent admirers?

Mr. Cäser von Muck
and Mr. Müller-Andrea.

Make sure you aren't
influenced by the prevailing

cultural Bolshevism,
which had struck Kurfürstendamm.

What do you mean?

That German culture
can only be renewed if it returns

to its national roots, to its essence
of ancestral blood and soil.

Russian ravings
or French farces

are alien to the spirit
the German nation needs.

Lenie, have you met Mr. Höfgen?

"Berlin's new star"... according
to tomorrow's London Times.

I've seen you on stage once.
You danced, didn't you?

Yes, I like dancing.

I had a good teacher.

What a distinctive face!
I'd like to model your head.

No necktie and
no gold we've got.

We're just a very shabby lot

at which the
bourgeois spits.

The bourgeois with polished boots
and medals on morning suits

and every morning he ablutes
for church, or for the Ritz.

Where does the
bourgeois get it all?

His guns, his celebration ball?

He steals it where he can

He makes it hard for us to rob
Takes it all, the greedy slob

Exploits the poor and wrecks
the job of every working man

Oh, if so wealthy I could be,

Commit like him grand larceny

All honored since my birth

If then I met someone I knew,
You filthy lot,

I'd spit at you
That's all you dogs are worth!

That's all you dogs are worth!

- No! No! Let me go!
- Come here!

Stink Jew!

- Get lost!
- Sure, I'm gone!

Drunken pigs!

One of the most famous State
Theatre actors, Hendrik Höfgen.

Let's forget the State
Theatre and fame.

I am your comrade,
Hendrik Höfgen.

What does
the proletariat want?

That nobody should rule!

What does
the proletariat want?

That nobody should rule!

Nobody shall give orders

Nobody shall be a slave

Freedom, equality for all souls!

I'll dictate. Headline:

"Actor Hendrik Höfgen wins

Berlin workers'
hearts overnight."

New paragraph.

- Hendrik?
- Hello.

There's an antique dealer in
Woltersdorf.

I went there and bought some things.
You don't mind?

Why should I mind?
On the contrary.

I'm going to change real quick
and show you afterwards.

I love you, Barbara.

Not only your father
and grandmother, but I, too...

I, too, love you.
Hendrik Höfgen.

Welcome to my home,
dear Sebastian.

I need to leave.
The theatre awaits me.

When I'm back,

we'll have a talk.
All three of us.

Up!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Six!

We're here. We are young and strong!

Together, we shall
create a new world!

- What does your father do?
- He's a road digger!

- And yours?
- A farmer!

- And yours?
- A teacher. He educates the people.

- And yours?
- A baker. He bakes your bread.

Mine's a miller.
He grinds grains.

A doctor. He cares for us.

A bricklayer. He has
built our houses.

- A railway worker.
- Electrician!

We are the sons of one people,
and we all have the same goal.

- Unity and strength! We'll win!
- No!

That's not convincing enough.
Too soft.

We are the sons of one people
and we all have the same goal!

Unity and strength!
We'll win!

Again! One, two, three, and!

Unity and strength!

One more time!

Unity and strength!

- Louder! Again!
- Unity and strength!

We'll win!

Blood...

is quite a special fluid.

Have no fear I'll
break this pact!

Let the depths of sensuality
satisfy my burning passion!

No goal or measure's
set for you

do as you wish, nibble at everything,
catch at fragments while you're flying,

enjoy it all, whatever
you find to do.

Now grab at it, and
don't be stupid.

It's not joy we're
about: you heard it.

I'll take the frenzy,
pain-filled elation.

Loving hatred,
enlivening frustration.

Believe me,

many a thousand year
they've chewed hard food,

and yet from the
cradle to the bier,

not one has ever
digested it!

Trust one of us,

this Whole thing
was only made

for a God's delight!

In eternal splendour
He is dwelling,

He placed us in the
darkness quite,

and only gave you
day and night.

But, I will!

That's good to hear!

Yet I've a fear,
just the one:

time is short,
and art is long.

I think you need instruction.
Join forces with a poet: use poetry.

Let him roam in imagination,

You'll gain every noble quality
from your honorary occupation,

The lion's brave attitude,
the wild stag's swiftness,

the Italian's fiery blood,
the North's persistence.

Let him find the mysterious
meeting of generous and devious,

while you, with passions young and hot,
fall in love, according to the plot.

I'd like to see such a
gentleman, among us,

and I'd call him
Mister Microcosmus.

What am I then,

if it's a flight too far, for
me to gain that human crown...

I yearn towards with
every sense I own?

In the end, you are -
what you are.

Set your hair in a
thousand curlicues.

Place your feet in
yard-high shoes,

you'll stay forever

what you are!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Wonderful! You were
fantastic, Hendrik!

I knew that you could do it.

You were born to play Mephisto.

You say that...
...with a touch of malice.

Not true, Hendrik.
To each their own.

Anyway, I'm so glad
you came tonight.

Let's skip the pleasantries.

- What are your plans?
- I'm learning English.

English? Why?

- I'll be leaving for America.
- America? But why?

Because here, my friend, all is over.
Haven't you noticed?

You're at the top here.

Thousands adore you.
Hit after hit. So why go?

Thousands... Soon they'll
be raving about others.

Dora...

There'll always be
theatre, believe me.

No matter what
happens in Germany.

Then...

Well, all the best, Hendrik.

We won't be seeing each other soon.
I'm leaving in a few days.

What? Already?

Waiting around is pointless.

But you'll always do
well, Hendrik Höfgen.

No matter what
happens in Germany.

It's open!

Have you forgotten, Mephisto,
that I never lock the door?

I need neither chains, nor
bolts, nor life insurance.

- I bet you've taken one out.
- I need no life insurance either.

Sit, my good sir.

You could have gotten
me a nicer flat.

- Have you registered?
- Yes, sir.

What about the landlord?

- What did he say?
- Nothing.

He was drunk, humming
a stupid song:

- No neckties, no gold we've got...
- Yeah, of course.

He gave me the key
and I moved in.

I've been longing
to see you.

And how's your wife, Heinz?

She's with her
father, thank God.

They're now worried together

about the Re-pub-lic...

About the Republic...

In Hamburg, the
foreigners are also

very worried about Germany.

And about German culture,

whose Number One Parrot you are.

As if a peril threatened it...

What are the Jews planning
against Germany?

Everybody's talking about it.
Even the whores wonder

and they don't care about
their clients' pants' colour.

Barbara understands
politics, doesn't she?

Is she taking care of you?

No.

Mostly her opinions are
the opposite of mine.

- Have you told her so?
- No. What would be the point?

Often, words don't say everything.

You...

You know that I'd like
very much to sleep with you?

Shall I make the bed?

Yes!

Hendrik! Hendrik!

Hendrik, wake up! You hear me?
Wake up!

What happened?
You're here already?

I took the morning
train because of you.

- What's the matter?
- When did you go to bed?

I'm tired. I was filming all night.
Why?

The Nazis have won the elections.
You know who became Chancellor?

No.

Do you hear that?

Do you hear that?

So that blowhard has
been elected Chancellor!

Read it.

I thought

the Nazis were
not to be taken seriously!

Remember that awkward business
with Miklas in Hamburg?

I don't have a lot of friends
among them...

- That could have unpleasant
consequences now. Right?

- Yes.
- Very unpleasant.

Keep a clear head

and don't panic

only because that
Austrian clown

has become Chancellor.

But there are still
opposition parties, no?

Communists and
Social Democrats.

They'll make sure he doesn't get
too big for his boots, right?

Perhaps there'll even
be armed resistance.

And even if the Nazis stay in
power, why should it concern me?

I don't have anything to fear.
I'm from the Rhineland.

So is my father and my mother.
What can happen to us?

On top of that,
I'm only an actor. No?

Every night, I go to the theatre,
play my parts as best I can,

then go back home.
That's all!

Some actors are drawing
their own conclusions

and steer clear of trouble

by leaving when cooperation is
no longer possible.

You want to act like

nothing outside of theatre
concerns you...

Barbara! These were elections

in a democratic state!
One party won, that's all.

History has been through this.

I've never been interested
in politics, so why now?

Now? Don't you realize
what's happening here?

Don't answer it!

I'm not here.

I'm sick or...
Say what you want.

Listen. Do you think that
solves anything?

To lock yourself in,
to hide, to not be at home?

Don't think you can shirk
your responsibilities,

they will force you to
clearly take a stand.

Here is my stance:

- Hamlet! Shakespeare!
- No, my friend.

Either we take a stand or go,
if our freedom is in danger.

This is the only form of
freedom for me, for an actor.

You can't hide behind Shakespeare
in the State Theatre.

Barbara, I'm an actor, you see,

an actor in Germany
at all times.

You can go away. Your father, too.
His works can be translated.

You can design sets anywhere,
go to concerts or buy antiques.

But I need the
German language!

I need the motherland!

Don't you see?

- Who's there?
- Ulrichs.

- Who?
- Otto.

- Sorry, I must talk to you, Hendrik.
- You want some coffee?

- No, thanks.
- Tea?

I came to ask you to act
with us again at the Petrel.

It's the only reply we can
give to these events.

An appearance by all
of us, a common front.

To show them we still exist

and to preserve our future.

Do you want to get the
audience beaten up?

We must work out
our tactics.

Tactics will force
us to our knees.

We must fight this
crushing demagogy.

It's our job to tell
the hesitators:

now is the time to

resist dictatorship!

Otto, we are actors.

I'm not talking about a protest
on the street, but on the stage!

I don't agree.
I think we should wait a few days.

We must make our
voices heard tonight.

Otto...

I'd rather stay
out of this now.

Thank God I've no
performance today.

IMPERIAL POSTAL SERVICE

Film contract...

abroad...

...leading role.

Production Manager
Altenburger.

You were right. She is a beauty.
She's kneeling by the altar, praying.

Cut! Very good!
The second one.

Now the scene
where the officers

follow the young lady
and approach her

at the Fishermen's Bastion.

What's going on?

What's going on?

Are we done for today?

- The Reichstag was burned down.
- What?

They say the Communists
set fire to it.

Your wife went to Paris
with her father.

She's waiting for you there.

She didn't dare phone you.

Don't go back to Berlin.
I'm staying in Vienna.

Many of your Berlin friends have
vanished in the past few days.

Otto Ulrichs is one.

I fear the worst. That we'll
never be able to return to Germany.

The Nazis have been making
blacklists for years.

The professor, your father-in-law
and you rank high on one of them.

Please, don't go
back to Berlin.

Promise me that.

Please!

Cheers!

- Cheers!
- Cheers, to all of you!

To the most beautiful
actress in Europe!

When are you going home?

I'm staying in Budapest for
a few more days.

What a beautiful city! Then I'm going
to see about a contract in Vienna.

I understand you, Hendrik.

I can tell you now:

I'm not going back
to Germany, either.

I signed you for this part so you, too,

could slip away...
if you want to.

Dear Hendrik, I've learned
that you were in Budapest.

The film studio gave me your address.
I hope my letter reaches you.

I'm in Berlin now.
I've landed a part in a comedy.

During the shoot I met
the actress Lotte Lindenthal.

She's friends
with a National Socialist leader,

one of the most powerful.

Lotte Lindenthal is
a wonderful woman.

She never flaunts
what great influence she has.

I told her you were abroad

and didn’t dare
return to Berlin.

"What's this eminent actor
afraid of?"- she asked.

She saw you play Mephisto.

"We need such actors."
She promised

to speak to her friend about you.

This morning, she said:

"No matter what silly things
this Höfgen might have done,

when it's a valuable artist, my
friend is very understanding.

The general has promised that
nothing will happen to you

if you return, regardless
of past mischiefs."

Hendrik,

Berlin awaits you.
You have nothing to fear.

Nobody can replace you
in the State Theatre.

It's evident for me

and for those
who rule our lives.

Theatre, ever so tiny,
is a happy shelter,

at least for me and
people like me.

Just as it would be
for you, Hendrik.

Theatre is a mission.

Your longtime friend,
Angelika Siebert.

- Name?
- Hendrik Höfgen.

Profession?

- Actor.
- Where?

At the State
Theatre in Berlin.

- Is something wrong?
- Not at all.

Here you are.

Thank you.

I don't know if you'll feel at
home again here, Mr. Höfgen.

The spirit is different from
what you were accustomed to.

Cultural Bolshevism is over.

There will no longer be a chance
to appear in your friend's plays

or those popular
French farces.

We perform German art now.

Frankly, I saw

no great reason
to recall you from abroad.

But Lotte Lindenthal wants
you as her partner

in her little
comedy debut here.

I didn't want to
displease her.

The role of elegant friend

and seducer

shouldn't cause you
any difficulty.

I'm so cold.

I'll warm you up.

What? Your room isn't heated
in this dreadful weather?

Is this how you anticipated my visit?
Nice... Very nice of you!

There's a warm
room over there. Come.

No, I'm in a great hurry today.

It would warm us
up real quick.

No, I'm not staying
here, it's too cold!

This is because of my new maid,
who doesn't know her duties yet.

You should have told her
your visitor needed warmth.

You're right, but I've
only just returned home.

That's another thing.
You should have returned earlier.

I'm someone you must look
forward to seeing, impatiently.

For hasty meetings,
I have my husband.

And besides,

where did
you get this new maid?

She's far too pretty!

It's an honor to
act with you.

It's so nice to hear a simple
and warm humane voice again.

I'm happy to hear you say that,
I know you're no flatterer.

Me, a flatterer?
I'm notorious

for telling people the truth.

I like honest people.

If she turns around,
everything will be fine.

If she also waves,
I've scored a triumph.

After the Reichstag fire, Miss
Mohrenwitz and I

were kicked out.

Bonetti wears a uniform
to rehearsals.

The other day, he pushed me
outside, grabbed me and said:

"We've had it with your
kind, little Böck!"

My landlady told me
to get a new place.

I had to leave Hamburg.

Are you upset
that I've come?

When I heard you
were in Berlin,

I found new hope

and I thought it was
a celestial sign.

- Are you angry with me?
- Of course not, Böck.

Pack your things
and come live here

till things settle down,

but don't tell anyone.

Make up a story or simply
disappear without a word.

To tell you the truth...

I would commit suicide
if I were you.

I'll buy you a radio, so you'll
know what's happening outside.

But don't go outside and
don't speak to anyone.

I've got nobody else but you
and I'm scared for you.

- Is Budapest beautiful?
- I don't know...

Yes, quite nice.

I could have met you there.
Barbara wasn't with you.

No, no, they wouldn't have
let you cross the border.

I'm German, the same as you.

My father was a pure German from
the North. Why can't I go out?

This is very important, if
you refuse to understand,

we'll both get in trouble.

- You're horrible! Like a prison guard!
- And you're an idiot!

Go to hell! You... you actor!

Dear Lotte, may I
ask you a great favour?

I have to play Mephisto. Do
you understand? I have to.

I'll see what I can do.

I really look forward to seeing you

again as Mephisto.

Just between the two of us,

it's thanks to me
you're playing Mephisto again.

Certain ministerial circles
had some apprehensions.

They feared you might revive
your old Faust spirit,

the spirit of cultural Bolshevism, as it
was called, in our new representation.

Well, I succeeded in

dissipating those fears.

Cäsar, I'm very grateful to you.

Thank you!

THANK YOU!

Please give these flowers
and this card...

- Yes?
- ...to Miss Lindenthal.

Here you are.

Good morning.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Höfgen.

Mr. Miklas.

- Still alive?
- Morning.

Fine.

I'm only here momentarily,

I've come, filled
with humility,

To speak to, and to stand before,
one who's spoken

of with awe.

Your courtesy delights me greatly!
A man like other men you see.

Have you studied
then, elsewhere?

I beg you, please,
enroll me here!

I come to you strong of courage,
lined in pocket, healthy for my age:

my mother didn't want to lose me:
though I'd like to learn and to know.

Then you've come
to the right place.

To be honest, I'd
like to go already:

there's little pleasure for me at all,
in these walls, and all these halls.

It's such a narrow space I find, you
see no trees, no leaves of any kind,

and in the lectures,
on the benches,

all thought deserts
me, and my senses.

It will only come
to you with habit.

So the child takes its mother's breast
quite unwillingly at first, and yet it soon

sucks away at her with zest.

So will you at Wisdom's breast, here,
feel every day a little zestier.

I'll cling to her neck with pleasure:
but only tell me...

...how to find her.

Explain, before you travel on
what faculty you've settled on.

- Is this where the cut comes?
- Yes?

To grasp the spirit of
Medicine's easily done:

You study the great and
little world,

until, in the end, you let it carry
on just as God wills.

Useless to roam round,
scientifically:

everyone learns
only what he can:

the one who grasps the Moment
fully, he's the proper man.

You're quite a
well-made fellow,

you're not short
of courage, too,

and when you're easy with yourself,
others will be easy with you.

Study, especially,
female behaviour:

their eternal aches and woes,
all of the thousand-fold,

rise from one point,
and have one cure.

And if you're half
honourable about it,

you shall have them
in your pocket.

A title first: to
give them comfort, you

have skills that far
exceed the others,

and may grant you a glimpse of

which another schemes
for many years.

Take the pulse firmly,
you understand,

and then, with
sidelong fiery glance,

grasp the slender
hips, in haste,

to find out whether

she's tight-laced.

That sounds much better!

Grey, dear friend,
is all theory,

and green the golden
tree of life.

That's the way.

I bow to the learned lord!
You certainly made me sweat, in style.

- How are you named?
- A slight question

for one who so
disdains the Word,

is so distant from appearance: one whom
only the vital depths have stirred.

We usually gather from your names
the nature of you, gentlemen:

it's plain what you are,
we all too

clearly recognise one who's
called Liar, Ruin, Lord of the Flies.

- Well, what are you then?
- Part of the Power

that would always wish Evil
and always works the Good.

Beneath thy riddle what meaning lies?

I am the spirit that denies!

And justly so; for all that time
creates, he does well who annihilates!

Better if nothing
came to be.

So all that you call Sin,
you see, destruction,

in short, what
you've meant by Evil

is my true element.

The General has invited
you to his box.

Yes...

It's all going like clockwork.

May I introduce you to my distinguished
colleague, Hendrik Höfgen?

Ah, our Mephistopheles...

Congratulations.

Your mask is perfect.
It's evil itself, sacred evil.

Yet your eyes are
so kind close up,

and your handshake so soft, Höfgen.
strangely soft.

Yet it seems the
secret of acting is

to portray strength and
hide one's weakness.

Well, yes.

I imagine...

you've prepared for this role for a
long time and with great intensity.

All my life, Prime Minister.

That's the only way.

That is the secret
to greatness.

Best of luck.

And... carry on
with the good work.

Höfgen residence.

Lotte Lindenthal.

Höfgen.

- Hendrik?
- Yes.

- What's your program?
- Nothing.

- Have dinner at our place.
- Yes.

- There'll be just a few friends here..
- With pleasure.

- Thank you.
- We expect you to come.

Thank you.

Böck!

Just a few friends will be there...

Just a few friends will be there...

Little Böck!

Tell me, am I a rascal?

Why a rascal?
You're successful.

To the renewal of German
culture, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Long live the actors.

Cheers! Cheers!

Sadly, our theatres still retain
many non-German elements.

We must set up an intellectual customs
control system for culture smugglers

to stop foreign elements
from poisoning

German language, literature
and theatre.

It's not an easy task. This can't be
left entirely to our border guards.

All men of culture
must do their part.

- Am I understood?
- Yes, General.

There are many who
don't understand.

Look at this painting,
my Mephisto.

A masterpiece of
German romanticism.

Where do you think
I found it?

An art dealer with a
foreign accent had it.

I had it restored.

No, no...

The future of painting doesn't
belong to the Liebermanns.

Your Mephisto still
occupies my mind.

You've brought this character alive,
dear Höfgen. He's a hell of a guy.

Isn't there a little
of him in all of us?

I mean,

isn't there a bit of
Mephistopheles in every German?

Wouldn't our enemies love it
if we had nothing

but the soul of Faust?

No, no. Mephisto is also

a German national hero.

It's just something we
mustn't tell people.

Sadly, I must go now.

You know, what? Come to
my office at 10:30 in two days.

There will be journalists.

French, Belgian, English, American...
they want to know many things.

Above all, what 'Germany' means today,
and what German culture means.

I'll tell them.

You can give

specific examples about theatre,

painting, architecture,
sculpture.

Plenty to write about.

I want them to be
informed by experts.

Would you look at that, why would
anyone have such a limp handshake?

- Perfectly true.
- I am convinced of it.

- Russian propaganda?
- Sadly, in your countries...

So, we meet again.
How time flies!

You were wonderful
as Mephisto.

He has grown more forceful.

But I liked the other one, too.

I sensed in it the seed of what
can now be unfolded fully.

I also liked you in
the play with Lotte.

Lotte Lindenthal is the
ideal German woman.

Tell me, what are
we doing here?

And what do these ugly Americans want?
Do you know anything?

The PM said

they were interested
in German culture.

I suppose they will ask
us a few questions.

- So you have spoken to him.
- Yes.

How are you?
Nice to meet you again.

I hope this cocktail party

won't last long.
I'll have to go see the commander.

All these problems
with the old statues.

Deciding which ones to tear down,
to destroy. Tremendous work.

As though a statue
were that important.

I'd like to sculpt
a bust of you, Höfgen.

Who are you now?

Your own face differs amazingly

from Mephisto's.

You look almost shy,
nothing diabolical.

I want to sculpt your face, Höfgen.
But should I use stone or bronze?

- What is your face made of?
- Perhaps a mixture.

I very much enjoyed your Mephisto.

I only had eyes for you.

I'm having an exhibition.

The General wants a
preview of my sculptures.

Try to come.

- Here's my number.
- Thank you.

Give me a ring. If you have time,
come to my studio.

You can relax while I model you.
How strange your face is, very determined.

A German face, yet it
changes every moment.

That's acting. The rest is
diligence and hard work.

I've discovered your
secret, Mephisto.

It's the surprise
effect, right?

The unexpected.

I've been watching the
way you appear on stage.

It's always different.

Sometimes it is quick

without any reason, then,
unexpectedly, it slows down.

But it is always
unpredictable.

Thus you create the feeling
of something original, even if

the spectator knows your lines
by heart. This is your secret.

And your glib tongue,

your deliberate pauses,
your precise emphasis.

I'm learning a lot from you.

It's important to
be unpredictable.

Spectators needn't know

what my next step is, what movement
I make, or where I'm going.

- They're not prepared, it's a shock.
- Exactly.

Yet often it is but
a change of pace,

or a slightly longer
pause to breathe in.

In theatre, it's the others
who make the king king.

But what matters most is
to be precise in one's design,

the alternation of
pianos and fortissimos.

Naturally, you need a certain
flair, artistic talent, intuition,

or as I usually say,
a high degree of culture.

When I hear the word culture,
I reach for my revolver.

Bourgeois nonsense!

Yet even the Bolsheviks
have learned to preach it

to win over intellectuals.

To say nothing of artists.
Isn't it so?

General, I wasn't untouched
by Bolshevik trends, either.

And I must admit that for a
while I flirted with the left.

Well...

Anyone can get involved
in some folly.

Those were troubled times.

Let's have a drink.

Other deserving artists

committed the follies I did.

They now must atone for sins

for which I've been
generously pardoned.

It's haunting me.

Please, let me...

plead for a certain person...
for a friend.

I guarantee he's reformed.

General, I'm pleading
for Otto Ulrichs.

Otto Ulrichs?

Who is he again?

He used to run a communist
cabaret called the Petrel.

Well...

He must be a
pretty bad fellow.

No, he's not bad.

A bit rash, I admit. A bit
thoughtless, but not bad.

If anything,
he's too decent.

Once he gives his
word, he keeps it.

And I am welcomed back
to the State Theatre...

The funny thing is,

I simply can't believe it.

Just as I can't believe
I'm sitting here.

I know it's reality,

but I can't feel it.

- Great.
- Magnificent, really.

A real German work of art.

Not every German artist
is capable of such work.

It is a courageous piece.

Come, Mephisto.

You sign, too.

This is magnificent!
Let me congratulate you.

Thank you.

You rascal, so you make
secret visits here.

If I may add a personal note:

I believe these are
courageous pieces of art.

Courageous, because
they capture our time,

the beauty of strength
without sentimentalism,

without bourgeois snobbery.

Contrasting the
degenerate taste

of the loud-mouths
of culture.

We see muscles and
clear-cut features,

man

as healthy people want to see it.
Strong and beautiful

in his strength.

Warrior-like and victorious
in his struggle.

Hello, Hendrik Höfgen.
Great speech.

Nicoletta!
What are you doing here?

- You know each other? I had no idea.
- Very well.

You're in Berlin?
Since when?

I came back to have
dinner with you.

I haven't seen you for so long.
But I have read everything about you.

So where will we have
dinner, Hendrik?

Your choice.

How's Hamburg?
Surviving without me?

Hamburg... I'm in Berlin to have
dinner with you. Hamburg is history.

Things turned out differently.

Have you heard that Kroge is in
Switzerland? He just vanished.

He just straight out left the whole
theatre. Didn't even tell Mrs. Motz.

- He disappeared.
- Kroge is a traitor.

Why must you appear with
them and give speeches?

Why? Because they
asked me to.

They ask others, too.
You needn't go.

Do you think I could refuse?

You can't refuse, none of us can. If
anyone says they do, they're lying.

Besides, the General's a nice guy
and he knows a lot about theatre.

He's not as close-minded
as the others.

And you're a well-behaved boy.

Who always wants
to behave well.

- You want to take advantage of it.
- Yes,

I like to be well-behaved.

- It brings me joy.
- Then you should be.

But you can only do one of
two things: either you stay

with me or you
stay on your best behavior.

The damned black
minx, right?

I can't help being different
from what's allowed here.

And it's plain to see so anyone can
spit on me in the open street.

I can't do anything about
it even if I wanted to.

I couldn't change
my skin or my hair,

even if I wanted to,
even if I was ashamed of it.

Yet I am German.

A black German and German
is my mother tongue.

What am I supposed to do?
Where should I go?

I don't know. I don't even know
what will become of me.

You think only of yourself.

And like an idiot, I dreamt of us
having a child,

- a little girl...
- That's the last thing we need.

What are you saying?

Is the child to blame
for standing in the way

of her father's career?

That's enough now!

That's enough!

Yes, it is enough!

Enough!

I can see

why your wife
couldn't stand living with you.

Here! I stole this
photo of you once.

Take a good look at it.

Do you recognize yourself?

I'd like to talk to you.

To say to my face what you
usually say behind my back?

I don't know what you mean.

Höfgen would step over corpses.
Something like that.

Didn't you say that?

I won't dispute
that I dislike you.

- What do you want?
- Your signature. Your authority.

My signature? What for?

You want a raise?

Or do you collect signatures

because theatre safety
regulations are a bit unsafe?

From a moral standpoint,
much seems unsafe.

This applies to more
than just theatre.

And what are you
protesting against?

Against a leadership that
disregards our rights.

But you're a member
of the Nazi Party.

You have been since Hamburg.

I'm leaving the party.

That's your business.

I'd like to ask you, Mr. Höfgen,
to read our protest

and sign it.

Regardless of my opinion, you are
today's leading German actor.

Listen, Miklas,
I won't even read this thing.

Be careful not to get yourself
or others in real trouble.

Miklas, get the
hell out of here!

I won't let a piece of
shit like you provoke me.

Dear God...

Congratulations,
my dear Höfgen.

Yes, yes, you put it precisely.
Some people deserve

to be told to go to hell.

If you were a soldier, I'd promote you.
I'm very pleased.

By the way, you don't need
to worry. You needn't be afraid.

For the fun of it,
I checked your horoscope.

An old habit from when I was a pilot.
It said only good things.

- Best of luck, Höfgen.
- Thank you.

What's going on here?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Get walking!

To our deepest regret,
we must

inform you that Hans Miklas
has been killed in a car accident.

Direction of the
State Theatre

How awful, such a
young fellow...

Although I wasn't a big fan.

There was something disturbing about
him. Don't you think, Hendrik?

Disturbing...

That was no car accident.

Miklas came to see you,
too, two days ago, correct?

Are you insane?

How can you talk
such nonsense?

Why wouldn't it have been a car
accident? Like the notice said.

Do you really think the government
needs to stage

a car accident
to kill a third-tier actor?

We're not in some
cheesy play.

People shouldn't run across the
road with cars coming and going.

I have plans for you.

It's just you and me, you can
say no and remain an actor.

But then you can't do as much
for our cause as you could.

Your opening speech made me realize
you were more than an actor.

You said what was
most important.

Write your CV, Hendrik,
and hand it in to me

as soon as possible.

Höfgen!

You will manage the
Prussian State Theatre.

Your task is easy:

a full house at all times
in the State Theatre,

and a wildly enthusiastic
German audience.

Do you understand?

The Hamburg thing...

is best not elaborated
upon in your CV.

Also no need to
specifically mention...

the Revolutionary
Theatre and so on.

Just mention some of
your roles there.

What were you actually thinking
at the time in Hamburg?

How could you
have conceived,

you, as Germans,

promoting Russian Bolshevism?

Incredible!

- Where is your wife now?
- In Paris, I believe.

No, she's in Amsterdam,

actively working against
her Motherland.

They're publishing
a newspaper.

You don't correspond
with her?

We have no contact at all.

You'll get a divorce easily.
I'll see to that.

German citizens who
have left Germany

couldn't wipe us out, so they
signed their own death sentence.

Where weakness perishes,
humanity becomes healthy.

Politics, like theatre,
is a continuous fight.

Every time we rebuild,
a new war begins.

But we're not talking
about that now.

Hamburg...

"As I was standing
at the harbor..."

Lots of foreigners,
night clubs, bars.

I get it.

But what is this Hamburg memory

- no offense meant -

doing here in Berlin,
the Reich's capital?

Juliette Martens.

Is she kept by you?

You once said during a
party, and rightfully so,

that Professor Bruckner was
not a man of the future.

And, even more rightly, you
parted ways with his daughter.

If you have such good instincts
when it comes to healthy attitudes,

why would you put up
with this Negro female?

Mephisto...

This is race disgrace.

Don't even keep her
picture at home.

- General...
- Wait, I'm not done.

I hope you have
understood me.

Completely.

- Yes.
- So?

- Make sure she isn't harmed.
- Leave that to me.

I'd like to request,
Prime Minister,

that... she be allowed to
leave Germany unharmed.

Agreed.

She'll be taken to the border
and... adieu.

Let's not say another word.
Case closed.

You'll hold a press conference,

giving information
about the theatre in general.

About the repertoire, your
plans and your ideas.

In October,

there'll be a big cultural
event at our Paris embassy.

I'd like you to attend it.

Böck...

I bet they know
about him, too.

Böck! Böck!

Bring me my notebook.

Böck is staying.

- Here is it.
- Give it to me.

I want to talk to a friend.

I need to call a
friend urgently.

- Find me a friend, will you?
- But you've so many friends.

Friends...

Try Miss Niebuhr,
Nicoletta von Niebuhr.

Find her number
and call her.

You want coffee or tea?

What should I do?
Should I say yes?

Should I become director?

Can I?

May I?

Is it my duty?
Can I make myself useful?

I mean, can I help anyone?
And if so, why me?

Or shall I look at
it as a new role?

Or shall I emigrate to America?

I can earn as much
in films as Dora Martin.

If I accept such a mandate
from this government, then...

Do I really want this?

They need me.

I was about to emigrate,

and the Prime Minister is
now begging me

to rescue their theatres.

Tomorrow morning I must
give him an answer.

One would say...

that Heaven has
great plans for me.

Then you've won.

Will you help me?

I'll be proud of you.

Yes, I'll help you, Hendrik.

If only one could
live forever.

Here's your passport
with a French visa.

You have five minutes
to pack your things.

But why?

We're waiting.
You're coming with us.

You needn't thank
me for this raise.

I made it a condition for
taking over this job.

Everything's
covered with dust.

Listen, if you don't clean

the extras' dressing room with
the same care as the rest,

I will have to kick you out

of the Prussian State Theatre.

I hope we'll get along.

If you have any
problems, come to me.

I would like to treat
you all to coffee.

Allow me...

to give you the money.

I'm sorry, I have
no time to join you.

Mr. Joachim would
like to speak to you.

Fine, let him in.

Stop, Hannelore!

Like so.

Now he can enter.

Please consider what
your goals are for me.

You're not like the other directors.
One can speak with you.

You pay attention to what
people say, you are different.

I must act as if I was paying
attention to what he's saying.

When you talk to actors,
you must put them at ease.

That goes for me, too.

These premieres are awful.

You have to wear

a frozen smile
and greet everyone.

It makes me nauseous.

Do you like it?

I don't! I think it's
a terrible costume!

Good morning, Mr. Kappelmüller.

- How are you?
- Good.

- How's the family?
- Fine, too.

Your daughter is a hairdresser.
Maybe we can offer a job for her.

- Thank you.
- Good-bye.

Good morning.

Haven't you noticed?

New suit, new shoes,
new director...

No?

"...that ex-Bolshevik
Hendrik Höfgen,

director of the
Prussian State Theatre

is letting his former comrades appear
in his new version of Hamlet."

- Hannelore!
- Yes?

Has the cast list for
Hamlet been posted yet?

Not yet.

Good. Let's wait
another two days.

Thank you.

I must offer them more
than old party members.

We must cultivate connections
and friendships.

That's the essence
of the system.

I thought it was time for me to go to
that famous Prussian State Theatre,

with that, what's it
called now, oh yes, Faust!

With Mephisto as its clown!

Fooling around the whole
time, incredible.

And he's their favourite, this
Höfgen person, do you know him?

I'd rather go to the Bavarian
People's Theatre. Goodbye then.

Why am I doing this?

I must enjoy it.

I can barely keep all the
amateur authors away.

When I hire an actor, he has
to be blond. No matter his ability.

Most of them completely lack talent.

Or what happened in
Frankfurt a few days ago.

Marquis Posa's 'Give us freedom
of thought' scene

was applauded. In response,
they cancelled Don Carlos.

In Munich, 'The Robbers' was withdrawn.

Schiller, our national poet!
Crazy!

And they want us to
promote German authors!

But what authors?
There's nobody left.

Our good authors have
long since emigrated.

Those who haven't aren't
allowed to write

or won't.

No, it's simply
impossible...

It's simply impossible to offer
theatre worthy of the name.

Unless... I dig up
some old farce.

With Rococo wigs
and white faces.

The funniest part is that...

the regime has discovered

Shakespeare as a real
author of the people.

Let's do 'As You Like It',

where the banished return.

Show the opponents of dictatorship
that the will for freedom still lives.

I didn't hear that, Otto!

I can't possibly
have heard that!

Aren't I a terrible thug?

Am I not doing something
deeply wrong?

"Hans Meier Fürst and Niklisch,
both members

of your theatre's staff
must be dismissed

post-haste for security reasons."

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

How are you?

Fine.

Fine, thank you.

- We are short on time.
- We will make no mistake, sir.

"The two stage hands in
question, Fürst and Niklisch,

...are indispensable.

The loss of their services would
jeopardize...

...the theatre's work."

Full stop. Date.
End formula. Signature.

GERMANS! DO NOT TOLERATE
NAZI OPPRESSION ANY LONGER!

GERMAN IMPERIAL EMBASSY

Haven't you brought me anything
from Germany? A nice leatherjacket?

- A leatherjacket?
- Yes.

It's very trendy in Germany.

The ones who took me to the border
and interrogated me had one.

It's the new
fashion for men.

Your eyes are so dead.

Your look is so...

- Empty?
- No, listless.

That's possible.
I'm feeling listless.

You see? You have
never been like that.

- I've thought a lot about you.
- Yes?

I believe I should be
very grateful to you.

Without you, I'd be in a
concentration camp or already dead.

You know what, Hendrik?

If you still like being
with me, then stay here.

I'll look after you.

You needn't even leave
the house, not at first.

I'm sure you'd find a job eventually.
You're so gifted.

- I could have gone to America.
- There you go!

I think I really was gifted.

But also a terrible coward.

What would I be elsewhere?
An extra?

A stage hand?
A technician?

Do you think these hands
were made for manual labor?

I'll provide for you.
What else do you want?

Success.

Hendrik Höfgen, just imagine...

if you were all mine...

Juliette...

I have to go now.

Shall I see you again?

I don't know. I must
go to the hotel.

- Should I come to the train station?
- No.

It's not a good idea.
You would stick out.

Alright, forget the train.
Do as you wish.

That's what I'm doing...

I'm here with you.

Juliette,

I'd rather you
stopped writing to me.

There aren't many
people here.

- Would you prefer to sit in the sun?
- No.

Though I haven't had
much sunshine lately.

May I ask you something?

Do you still live alone?

No, I've got friends. And you?

Friends? In times like these?

It's difficult.

How can you still
live in Berlin?

You can very well see
what's happening.

- Why are you staying there?
- I live in the theatre.

And that is in Berlin!

Yes, but I don't think you
can judge things from Paris.

You're more than an actor now.

You took an oath.
You're the director.

I didn't take the oath,
I just moved my lips.

Someone has to save our
values for a better world.

I'm playing Hamlet,

whether those in power

like Shakespeare or not.

You're well aware of
what theatre means

for the powers that be. It's their
crown jewel, a bragging right.

You can't stay in Berlin.

Barbara, I have family in Berlin.

You know I'm married
to the theatre.

I can help people who
are having a hard time.

If I leave,

who knows what will
happen to them.

Empty words!

It's always the
same with you.

Your method of self-deception
is still at work.

Even if you save a
few individuals,

it's only an elegant
gesture to your friends.

You legitimize the government
via your presence

and become a partner in crime.

You can't choose where you're born.

It is imposed upon you.

An entire nation can't emigrate.

And I, as an actor, I'm obliged
to stay behind with them

and watch them.
And to show things as they are.

Yes, I live there.

And I can tell you, there are
decent people among them.

I've always hated so-called
café intellectuals,

just as I hate café
resistance fighters.

Real values, such as theatre
and art,

always rise above.
That's my conviction.

And that's right.

Why did you want to meet me?

Well...

I'm not really sure anymore.

It might even be
dangerous for you.

Tell me, Barbara,

honestly...

did you ever really love me?

How can you ask me
such a question?

I have come here to clear things
up, don't you understand?

How can you accept what's
happening in Germany?

And if not, why do you
still work for them?

What does freedom
mean for you?

I don't even think
you need it.

Being loved and applauded
is enough for you.

Being applauded is enough.
It means I am loved.

And the hatred of the
envious does me good.

Barbara, don't make me
responsible for your impotence.

- Mr. Höfgen? - Mr. Davidson,
this is a surprise.

The check.

The check, please.

Have I come too early?

Farewell, Barbara.

May I pay?

What could I do here?

Freedom...

What for?

Oberon and Titania.

I greet...

I greet this new couple,

a German couple in the
grandest and deepest way.

Two young and fresh,
yet mature people

of purest race and noblest
blood, who are serving

to the best of their ability
our new German society

Hurray!

Thank you, dear Doctor.

- Congratulations!
- Thank you. This way, please.

Marietta! I am so glad
to have you here.

Very nice of you.

General...

Happy to see you.

They can say what they want.

For me, Grunewald
is the most beautiful.

So nice of all of you to come.

I'll remain a German patriot,

no matter who may rule my land.

Grunewald is my favourite place.

And where does one find beer as
good as in our German cellars?

Cäsar!

Happy to see you.

Síc itur ad astra!

Here...

You can even hold your rehearsals
in this villa, Hendrik.

We're very proud of the
way you spoke in Paris.

The simplicity with which you
answered all the questions and...

the honesty with which you
described the state of things...

Carry on dancing. Carry on.

Good evening.

Now that's a surprise!

I won't say no to that.

- Congratulations, my dear Mephisto.
- Thank you.

And now, as old Admiral
Tirpitz used to say:

"Target sighted!
Full speed ahead!"

Full speed ahead!

- I'm looking forward to your Hamlet.
- Me too, me too.

Your interview in Paris...

- made a great impression.
- Really?

My dear!

Congratulations!
Congratulations!

And lots of healthy
German boys!

Thank you.

Beautiful.

That's something.

Yes, very much to my taste.

It's lovely.

Thank you.

Cheers!

We have no working
hours, just work.

I'm sorry, I must go now.

Be very happy...

Hamlet.

Do you know, Nicoletta, what I've
been wondering about lately?

Do we actually
deserve all this?

Well, even if I'm strict,

I must still say 'Yes'.

We alone,

representing
individuality and art,

can and must rise above

all that happens
in the world.

We serve as an
example and...

as encouragement to others.

No matter how
filthy the world is,

true art will always
remain pure and true.

Won't it? I'm
married to theatre.

And so are you.

I've tried to contact

Otto Ulrichs about his raise
and his contract

for the next
season, but he was not home.

I sent a messenger to his flat,

but his neighbour said that
two men arrested him two days ago.

Call the Prime Minister

and put him through to me.

If he's not there,

ask for an appointment
as soon as possible.

- Hello?
- Give it to me.

Höfgen here.

I'd like to talk to
the Prime Minister.

Good afternoon.

Please follow me.

Hello.

- What's going on?
- Your Excellency...

Recently you helped me
regarding a coworker.

I come to ask you
for another favour.

It's about...

Otto Ulrichs.

A few days ago,

he disappeared from his
flat without a trace.

- Is this why you've come?
- Yes, Your Excellency.

Go away. I'm fed
up with you.

I've nothing to tell you about these
things, they fall outside your remit.

Keep your nose out of such affairs.

I'll give you some good
advice: stop meddling.

You'd do better minding
your own business,

so you don't get
crushed like a bug!

Who do you think you are?

Ulrichs was involved
in dirty work.

My State Theatre's director
ought not show

such interest in a traitor.

Now go!

Get out, actor!

I know how much I and the
theatre owe to the General.

I also know that to a great
extent we owe it to you.

That's why I'm asking
you, dear Lotte,

to intercede on
Ulrichs' behalf.

I'm so worried.

Worried?

But he's dead.

Didn't you know?

They say he
committed suicide.

Suicide?

He knew what he was risking.

I think he's more
to be envied.

And here is the
Prince of Denmark

who renounces rank,

youth and love,

and fights as a lone knight

for the loftiest of ideals,

the ideal of purity
of blood and race.

Hamlet is a complex
character, too.

A noble, yet simple man.

At the risk of repeating
myself, I must point this out:

our Hamlet is a man of the North
who kills...

...without hesitation.
But, in his self-destructive battle

he shows us the way
to the future.

He commands us to lead a pure life.

That is his bequest to us today.

I must add

that generations of actors
have wrongly seen him

as neurotic or as a fool stricken
with an Oedipus complex

or as a decadent.
No, I do not believe that.

Hamlet is a hard man.

Our staging of it will show him

as an energetic, resolute hero.

Hamlet also warns the
German people of a danger.

We over-analyze, something
we must overcome.

For it is time to act
instead of just thinking.

Never mind weary thinking.

Hamlet is the tragic conflict

between action and inaction.

He has to choose

between hesitating
and acting.

And we, the bearers
of German culture,

have to know
what to make of that.

Hamlet is a popular play,

neither religious,
nor aristocratic

or bourgeois,

yet for the people, not
unlike Greek tragedies.

Given its

popular character,
we'll abolish the barrier

between audience and actor.

Everything - space,
movements, sounds, lights

and even the spectators

merge into one common effect.

We shall bring about
total theatre,

a theatre that shocks.

and arouses passions.

Apparently it cost 60,000 marks to
decorate the theatre for tonight.

Not to mention the losses
due to this five-day break.

- A modest birthday!
- Yeah.

Being part of this is
such a punishment.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

- Good evening.
- Mr. Director.

- Good evening, Mr. Director.

Only in Berlin can you find
a place to have fun.

Dearest Bella,
we haven't met in ages.

How are you?
Don't you miss Cologne?

You must have a wonderful
position here.

How is your marvellous son?

Good evening.

- Dear Höfgen, how are you?
- Very well.

- How is the party going?
- People seem to enjoy it.

Congratulations
on your Hamlet.

You were magnificent.
The boss was quite taken.

After the premiere,
we went to a party

and he spoke only of you.

Of you and of the theatre.
I envy you.

Success is strange. Sometimes
you have it, sometimes not.

My dear Höfgen!

You give people something.

Yes, you create.

Here they come.

How are you, Mephisto?

Very well, Your Excellency.

Hendrik, I must admit I found
your Hamlet wonderful.

Thank you. Allow me
to say a few words.

Mr. Prime Minister,

dear Madam,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are proud...

proud and happy to be able

to celebrate this day
with you here.

Since I have the honor

of greeting you on behalf
of everyone present,

allow me, Mr. Prime Minister,
to greet in you not just the statesman

and soldier, but, more than anything,
a friend and generous patron of the arts.

For without patrons,

art is but a bird
with broken wings.

We admire you as
our role model,

love you as our friend
obey you as our master.

As the poet says:
"May the gods protect you

and may the heart of Rome
beat for your aims."

The Prime Minister
wishes to speak to you.

He is waiting for you outside
in his car. Follow me, please.

You alone.

Nicoletta will take you home.
I won't be long.

Well, Mephisto?

A great force is
staring you down.

Can you feel this force?

This is real theatre!

Look at this arena.
It's almost ready.

I will be the one staging
performances here.

Don't blink, Hendrik,
look history in the eye.

What an echo!

Hendrik Höfgen!

We shall rule Europe
and the world.

We are building a
thousand-year empire.

Hendrik Höfgen!

Move!

Get going!

Into the middle!

Hendrik!

Höfgen!

Well, how does the
limelight make you feel?

This is the real
light, isn't it?

What do they want from me?

What do they want?

I'm only an actor...