Original subtitles

Central Film Studio of Children's and Youth Films

named after M. GORKY

By commission of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR

on Television and Radio Broadcasting

SEVENTEEN MOMENTS OF SPRING

PART 5

Starring

Stierlitz - Vyacheslav TIKHONOV

Pleischner - Yevgeniy EVSTIGNEEEV

Pastor Schlag - Rostislav PLYATT

Physicist Runge - Grigory LYAMPE

Bormann - Yuriy VIZBOR

Schellenberg - Oleg TABAKOV

Müller - Leonid BRONEVOY

General Wolff - Vasiliy LANOVOY

Dollmann - Yan YANAKIYEV

Allen Dulles - Vyacheslav SHALEVICH

Gäwernitz - Valentin GAFT

Güsmann - Aleksey EYBOZHENKO

Holthoff - Konstantin ZHELDIN

Eismann - Leonid KURAVLYOV

Himmler - Nikolai PROKOPOVICH

Hitler - Fritz DIEZ (GDR)

Göring - Wilhelm BURMEIER (GDR)

Narrated by Yefim KOPELYAN

Track down this agent for me.

Make sure only three people know about this:

You, me and him.

How long are you gonna feed me this crap, you bastard?

If you don't start talking, you son of a bitch, I'll skin you alive.

Listen carefully, Runge.

I don't want you dead, I want to help you out.

In return you must do me a favor. You hear me?

I don't understand what you want.

I want you to tell me honestly

how you ended up in that prison hospital,

you - a perfectly healthy man - what?!

My medical tests came out bad.

How long are you gonna keep lying to me, you bastard?

Tell me, who?!

I questioned the prison doctors.

They said you're fit as a fiddle.

Well? You're in perfect shape.

Who? Who!

What the hell are you doing? That's outrageous! Stop it!

Get out of here!

Try to understand him, Runge.

His wife and his two kids were killed in yesterday's bombing.

Want a cigarette?

Thank you.

-Thanks. -Don't cry. Don't.

Calm down.

Why did he yell at you like that?

You don't mean Stierlitz sent you to that hospital?

You're funny, Runge.

Stierlitz is one of us.

You didn't want to let him down, right?

You can't be responsible for our man's actions.

He himself suggested sending you to that hospital, right?

Yes.

Write down exactly what happened and we'll call it settled.

They're bringing you coffee now.

Here's a pen. Sit down, write it down, then get some sleep.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good. He's cracked.

Let him sleep about ten minutes, then wake him and question him again.

Beat him until he starts howling. Keep asking just one thing:

What deal did the man who questioned him offer?

That's what I want to know.

You need to beat the truth out of him - if not today, then within two days.

Excuse me, can you help me?

How did you get here?

By the stairs.

-Do you have a pass? -Sure.

We're evacuating.

-I can see it. -Come back tomorrow.

Tomorrow I'll be busy. Please, help me today.

Depends on what you need.

I need a book by Meyer, 1857 edition, published in Leipzig.

Then you should have gone to Dr. Nikenberg,

but he's in the hospital right now.

Too bad. So, no one can help me?

I really don't know.

Then try Professor Pleischner.

-Thank you. -Anytime.

You've come to me?

Right. Good day.

Good day.

Good day, good day...

-Mister... -Stierlitz.

Mr. Stierlitz. My God, it's been ages.

-And I've seen you quite recently. -When?

Ah, you were...

-I came to ask you a favor. -Welcome.

You were at the funeral.

Excuse me, what do you want?

I need a book by Meyes, published in Leipzig.

Oh, that's a very rare edition.

I'm afraid we've sent it to the depository in the mountains.

But I'll try to look for it.

You're a clever man.

Asking me for a book by Meyer

is like asking you for a ton of margarine.

You wanted to see me, that's it.

I'm sorry.

Not it, not it...

Not it.

I'd say the Greek art is by far too humanist, too vague.

The Romans are tougher - probably more like us, Germans.

Not without reason, Mussolini considers Julius Caesar the first fascist in history.

The Greeks are focused on man,

while the Romans - on the idea, on inner logic.

A hero.

A role-model.

Kids are supposed to play him. Right?

Why aren't you saying anything?

Why don't you argue? I guess you don't agree with me.

You must hate muscular torsos

and proudly set, square heads.

No?

-You had big problems, didn't you? -Problems?

If you can call a concentration camp a "problem."

You know, I was taught to argue

only with those I can completely trust.

I trusted only one man - my brother.

How can anyone live without trust? How do you manage?

I manage. Yes, I do.

I don't know why, but I trust you.

Frau Bau, please go down to the air-raid shelter.

But why?

You know very well I can only make it halfway down the hall.

Then I guess it's better to stay here.

The fear reflex.

Nothing can be done about it.

So... where were we?

Right, here's your book.

You said you trust me.

Why?

I don't know.

Information for consideration: BORMANN

The Reichsleiter - the Führer's Nazi party deputy.

Married.

Father of eight children.

Has a criminal record. Incomplete secondary education.

Like everyone else in the Reich, Stierlitz knew very little about Bormann.

There was word he'd served time for assassination,

but either escaped or was released under amnesty

and then joined Hitler's party.

He became Hess's private secretary,

the only man privileged to be on a first-name basis with the Führer...

After Hess fled to England, Bormann took over his position

and authorized the Gestapo to eliminate all his former colleagues

from the party office.

As before, he stayed out of sight, avoided cameras,

and rarely appeared at receptions.

He showed exaggerated respect for Göring, Goebbels, and Himmler.

He changed only after the Führer called him

"his shadow."

Bormann wrote

Hitler's most important political speeches.

Every morning, Bormann reported to him

on domestic and foreign affairs.

Bormann decided whether the Führer would receive Goebbels

or refuse to see him,

whether he would invite Mussolini to dinner or not.

Stierlitz, like many others in the SD,

knew that in the recent years the Führer

had made no major decisions without consulting Bormann.

Thinking about Bormann,

Stierlitz kept coming back to one crucial detail

he'd once learned in a talk with Schellenberg.

Schellenberg had said:

"He's already setting a trap for him.

You can expect anything from that man."

Stierlitz decided to bet on Bormann,

first, because he'd figured out Himmler's position,

having betrayed his Führer by opening talks with Dulles,

and second,

because there was no one else he could rely on.

Neither Göring nor Goebbels had any real power left.

So, Hitler's shadow -

Martin Bormann.

It was this man, Martin Bormann,

who received through SD secret mail

a letter stamped "Top Secret. To be opened personally,"

which ran:

"Party Member Bormann!

"Behind the Führer's back, certain people I know

"are playing games with envoys of the rotten

"Western democracies in Sweden and Switzerland.

"All this is happening while total war is underway,

"while the future of the world is being decided on the battlefield.

"As an SD officer, I could inform you

"of certain details of these treacherous negotiations,

"but I need guarantees,

"because if the SD gets hold of this letter,

"I'll be eliminated at once.

"For this reason, I'm sending this letter unsigned.

"If you consider my information important, I ask you

"to come to the Neues Tor Hotel tomorrow at 1 p.m.

A loyal Nazi Party member, faithful to the Führer."

Good morning, Reichsleiter Bormann's office.

Good morning, Mr. Ribbentrop.

The Reichsleiter is meeting with army officers right now.

I'll connect you in ten minutes.

Make it 30.

"What is it? A provocation?" Bormann thought. "Hardly.

"Written by a lunatic? No, not that either.

Seems genuine."

His first impulse was to call the Gestapo chief Müller.

He knew Müller owed him a favor.

But what if the author of this letter is from the Gestapo?

And what if Müller was in on it too?

Rats are leaving the sinking ship - anything's possible.

Still, this could turn out to be

a trump card against Himmler.

Then I'll manage, Bormann thought,

calmly and quietly, ignoring that bastard,

and transfer all Party funds to my people's accounts, not his.

Bormann thought it over for a while

but couldn't reach any definite decision.

02 Mar 1945 11:40 a.m.

Stierlitz was on his way to meet Bormann.

God knows why, but he was sure Bormann would show up.

When they're in trouble, he thought, they suddenly turn very obliging.

Stierlitz made another loop to check if he was being followed.

If he'd been tailed, he'd shaken them off.

Hey, pal, there you are.

It has been a long time. Glad to have you back.

Step inside.

Have a beer. We've got Bavarian today.

This way.

Here, read the latest news. It's good today.

Bring some beer here!

Another customer's come in.

War or no war, when it's Bavarian beer, everyone shows up.

They crawl in on all fours, but they still come every day!

Hey, buddy!

Paul, you're a real soap bubble, that's what you are!

Looks like you haven't lost any weight, either.

You came. Glad to see you.

Come on in.

Go enjoy your beer. We've got Bavarian today.

I prefer vodka.

Never mind, have some beer. It won't kill you.

Bring beer here!

They've been tailing me. Yeah, they've been tailing me.

If they start following me again, it means something's up.

But what could've happened?

What could've happened? Stierlitz kept asking himself.

He wasn't expecting any radio contact, so no slip there.

Some old business?

They don't have time for the new ones anyway.

Hold on.

Erwin.

What if they found the transmitter?

Hey, old friend.

He made a mistake.

He should've checked every hospital. What if someone's been hurt?

He never should've trusted the phones.

I'll have to look into it myself.

And fast - today.

No one's tailing him now.

Stierlitz thought: "Maybe it's my imagination?

"Maybe Schellenberg was testing me before the operation with Schlag?

Or maybe it was just nerves."

He was supposed to cross this park to reach another street,

toward the Natural History Museum,

He walked through a park that belonged to the Charité clinic.

He was completely unaware

that this was exactly where Kät was staying.

On this square, by the Neues Tor hotel,

an hour later he was to meet Bormann.

He'd picked this place on purpose.

From here you could see clearly in any direction.

It was calm and quiet on the square.

However, Stierlitz thought they could place their men in the hotel.

If Bormann had informed Himmler, that's exactly what they would do.

Otherwise Bormann's people would be hanging about

here, by the entrance on the opposite side.

Stierlitz came here rather often.

At the Reich Security Office, they knew

that he often met with his agents at museums.

The curator, who'd been here for many years

and was no doubt an informant himself, knew him personally.

It suited Stierlitz very well.

He had 20 minutes before the meeting.

Agent Klaus was supposed to come here to meet him right now.

That morning, he sent a coded message to his address through the secretariat.

Express telegram, please. I want my agent to meet me at 12:40.

Your watch is two minutes slow.

Since all knew that he met his agents at museums,

this telegram could serve as an excuse,

should anyone wonder why he was here.

By inviting Klaus he pursued two goals.

Primarily - it was an alibi in case Bormann told Himmler about the letter,

and have them search the area and every building around.

And secondly - to reconfirm, albeit indirectly,

his alibi in case Klaus was missing.

But it didn't work as Stierlitz had planned.

Bormann never showed up.

Probably, Bormann didn't get the letter, Stierlitz thought,

and for that reason didn't come?

Meanwhile Bormann was in the meeting with the Führer.

It was not on his agenda to go to the Neues Tor hotel.

He desperately wanted to see the man, who'd written the letter,

but decided not to rush the events and to wait.

If it's serious, this man will definitely

make contact again, Bormann thought.

Go down carefully.

Quick. Don't make any noise.

Be quiet.

V-192 - to Müller.

Top secret. Only copy.

The owner of the Mercedes-Benz,

at 12:27 he entered the building of the Natural History Museum.

Since you'd warned of the high

about the subject's professional skills,

I avoided following him inside the museum with just one or two visitors.

My agent Ilze was assigned to bring

some students for a class in the museum halls.

The information provided by Ilze shows

that the subject contacted no strangers.

V-192.

Müller speaking.

Mr. Shelendark sends his regards to Mr. Müller.

Or do you prefer "Mister"?

Just "Müller" will do.

Categorical, modest and tasteful.

I'm listening, buddy.

Straight to the point, or he'll dodge - you know him, a real fox.

Buddy, I have Stierlitz here now.

You remember him, right?

Good.

He feels kind of confused.

Either criminals are following him -

even though he lives alone in the woods -

or your men are tailing him.

Help me sort this out.

What's the car model?

Your car model?

-Mercedes-Benz. -Mercedes - Benz.

Don't cover the receiver with your hand.

Hand it to Stierlitz.

Are you a clairvoyant or what?

Heil Hitler.

Good day, buddy.

Tell me, is your license plate number

661125 by any chance?

Right, Gruppenführer.

Where did they start tailing you? On Kurfürstendamm?

And where did you lose them? Veteranenstrasse?

Exactly.

You noticed them, didn't you?

And what do you think?

I'd wring their necks. They're doing a fine job!

Relax, Stierlitz. Those following you aren't criminals.

Live peacefully in your forest.

They're our men.

They're tailing a "Benz" like yours, owned by a South American.

Keep on living as before.

But if they mix you up with that South American again,

and report you frequent the "Blue Beard" bar,

I won't cover for you.

But what if I have to go there for work?

Doesn't matter.

If you need to meet your people in shady spots,

go to the "Mexico" bar instead.

"Mexico"? Thanks.

That was Müller's trap. Counterintelligence ran the place.

Stierlitz knew it from Schellenberg.

There was a special order

forbidding party members and officers to enter.

That's why naive braggarts thought they were perfectly safe,

not knowing every table was bugged by the Gestapo.

Alright, thanks then.

If you approve, I'll hold my meetings

at the "Mexico."

But if I'm cornered, I'll come to you for help.

You're welcome. Always glad to see you. Heil Hitler.

Stierlitz didn't believe Müller.

Still, that evening, on some important business,

he called for an office car.

Werner - to Müller. Top secret.

Only copy.

At 19:42 today, the subject requested

an office car, a Wanderer, plate 956183.

He asked the driver to drop him off at the Mittelplatz station.

He got off there.

Attempts to find him at other stations

were unsuccessful.

Werner.

Never thought I'd miss you.

I don't know what you do,

I only know you were my late brother's friend.

But I've always enjoyed your company, Mr. Stierlitz.

Thank you.

This way.

-You freezing out here? -Yeah. Freezing to death, really.

What can you do? Everyone's freezing these days.

Hitler's bunker is nice and warm, though.

That's for sure.

The Führer's has to stay warm.

How can our troubles compare to his worries and concerns?

Who are we anyway? Just ordinary people.

But he has to care for all the Germans.

Come on, Professor.

That crazy maniac sent millions to die under the bombs,

and now he's hiding like a coward in his bunker,

watching movies with his henchmen.

You agree?

Here we are.

Your brother, and my friend,

he was an antifascist,

a member of the underground.

For years he led a Resistance group.

He helped me.

You never asked what I do.

I'm an SS-Standartenführer and also in military intelligence.

No. No, and no again.

My brother couldn't have been a provocateur - I don't buy it.

He never was. But me? I'm truly in military intelligence.

Soviet military intelligence.

Do you remember your brother's handwriting well?

Sure.

This is your brother's death-letter to me.

"My dear friend.

"Thank you for everything.

"I've learned so much from you.

"I've learned how to love,

"and in that name of love,

to hate all those bringing slavery to the German people."

"Pleischner."

He wrote in this way, fearing the Gestapo.

But, as you see, slavery is brought to Germans

by Bolshevik hordes and American forces, right?

Or maybe Hitler brought it to you?

And the Nazis?

Stierlitz regretted saying all this,

and that he'd come to the poor man with his business.

"But why my business?" he thought.

"It's mainly theirs, the Germans' business.

"Which means it's his business too.

I'm just doing their job for them."

I understand.

Now I get it all.

You can fully rely on me.

But I was in a concentration camp.

I must warn you,

if they

strike my ribs

with a whip,

I may break.

I understand.

What did you feel when I told you about myself?

Relief.

Big relief.

Then we'll do the job.

And do it well.

What should I do?

Nothing. Just live on.

And be ready any minute to do what's required...

For whom?

-For Germany -For whom?

I mean Germany, not the Reich.

You have to admit, there's a world of difference between those two.

Absolutely.

Italy. Emergency military airfield, Boltsana.

If they shoot you down, anything can happen in war.

You are to burn this letter

before unbuckling the parachute straps.

I won't be able to burn it before unbuckling.

I'll be dragged against the ground otherwise.

But the first thing I'll do after unbuckling is burn it.

Let's agree on that plan.

Here's the letter.

Destroy it even if you're shot down over the Reichstag.

Karl Wolff had good reason to be afraid.

If the letter fell into anyone else's hands but Himmler's,

his fate would be sealed.

Seven hours later, Himmler unsealed it.

Dear Reichsführer,

shortly after arriving in Bern,

I began sorting the data collected by our secret agents here,

at Allen Dulles' office in Bern,

and drew one major conclusion.

Dulles, like us, is concerned about the real prospect

of Communist regimes forming in Northern Italy,

which could create a communist belt

from Togliatti to Maurice Thorez in France.

I just returned from a meeting with Dulles' envoys,

Gäwernitz and Güsmann.

Tomorrow, Thursday, March 8, there's a meeting with Dulles.

08 Mar 1945 3:30 p.m.

BERN Residence of the U.S. Special Service

Fabulous contralto.

I'd say, Italian voices are the best in the world.

What?

I'm saying Italians have very special voices.

Either because of the sea -

a warm sea, while in Germany it's cold -

or maybe it's...

the Italian sky.

It's kind of mystical.

Seems this clock is slow.

-No, it shows the correct time. -Really?

Then my watch is fast.

Two minutes fast.

I hate waiting. How about you?

-When I have to... -Wonderful contralto. Wonderful.

-How do you do? -Good day.

-Did you have breakfast? -Yes, thank you. This way.

Allen Dulles, chief of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services in Europe.

What a beautiful day, isn't it?

Very beautiful.

Another of our men is due to arrive now,

and then we'll start.

He'll be here any minute.

General, do you realize

that Germany has lost this war?

Yes.

I understand that Germany has lost the war.

But should we start these negotiations

with such a painful auto-da-fe for me as a German?

Do you understand that unconditional capitulation

can serve as the practical basis for these talks?

I do.

I understand.

However, in case you

intend to speak for Himmler,

these talks will collapse before they start.

Mr. Dulles will be forced to withdraw.

I reckon continuing this war

would be a crime against both the German people and European culture,

especially now that we've taken steps toward negotiations.

You.

We.

Both America and Germany.

I'm ready to place my organization at your disposal -

it's the most powerful in Germany, the SS and the SD -

at yours and your allies' disposal

with one aim: to stop the war

and to prevent communist regimes from taking hold

either in Italy or Germany.

I assume that before these discussions with me,

and before agreeing to begin official negotiations,

though they're meant to be secret,

you made inquiries and learned that my rank in Germany is

SS-Obergruppenführer.

And I hold the position

as Chief of Reichsführer Himmler's private headquarters.

General, you just said

you're placing the SS and the SD at our disposal.

Do you mean to say

you'll take control of the Wehrmacht,

and with Field Marshal Kesselring in particular?

Or will Field Marshal Kesselring

carry out your orders?

I understand what you mean.

I understand you, Mr. Gäwernitz.

But I need your guarantees,

tomorrow I can start discussing it with Field Marshal Kesselring

in depth and in detail.

All right, that sounds reasonable.

But you must understand

that as soon as Kesselring orders capitulation here -

in Italy, where we control over 1.5 million men -

it will trigger a chain reaction on the other fronts.

I mean the Western Front - Norway,

Denmark, and western Germany.

Thus on the Eastern Front,

the fighting could continue with increasing force.

If I have your guarantees,

I'm willing to commit myself to prevent Italy's destruction.

And it's already been ordered by Hitler.

We have orders to destroy all art galleries

and all landmarks.

In other words, to level to the ground what belongs to human history.

At the risk to my life,

I've already rescued and

hidden paintings from the Uffizi and Pitti galleries,

and King Victor Emmanuel's coin collection.

Do you have Titian, El Greco, Botticelli there?

Yes - El Greco, Botticelli.

What would that be worth in dollar terms?

They have no price. These masterpieces are priceless.

I'm ready to work with you, General Wolff.

But you must give me guarantees.

First, you won't contact anyone but me.

I suppose I don't need to say it twice.

The fact we are negotiating is to be known only to those

present here now - you, me,

your man,

and my friends.

In that case we could hardly call a truce, Mr. Dulles.

Since you're not President of the United States,

and I'm not Chancellor of Germany.

Tell me, Allen, shall I report to the President,

or will you?

For now there's no need to report to the President.

Don't take your eyes off the road, Güsmann.

We might crash - that'd be a shame.

The war is ending.

Defying the President's policy?

It's the first time I feel like a criminal.

The first time in my life.

And you, Güsmann?

-It might cost us our heads. -Sure.

Every day, every hour, every minute could cost us our heads.

We'll inform only our chief, Donovan,

and see what he decides.

Anyway, the only chance to save Europe from Bolshevism

is to make a truce with Germany quickly,

without delay and without wasting time on politicians.

And what about the Russians?

Russians?

Once the document is signed and comes into effect,

they can say whatever they want - it can't be undone.

Let's wait and see.

In politics, the first move matters - resolve, determination, and a clear goal.

The rest, the future will forgive us.

08 Mar 1945 5:10 p.m.

Today, on March 8, the troops of the 53rd Army

of the 2nd Ukrainian Front in Czechoslovakia

liberated the town of Banská Štiavnica.

The armies of the 3rd Ukrainian Front

continued resisting massive enemy tank and infantry attacks

at Lake Balaton.

In the battles at Lake Balaton,

the squad leader of the 1288th Infantry Regiment

of the 113th Infantry Division under the 3rd Ukrainian Front,

Guards Sergeant Smyshlyayev

blew up an enemy tank and died a hero's death.

In the battles at Lake Balaton,

the leader of the 239th Anti-Tank Detachment

of the 113th Infantry Division

under the 3rd Ukrainian Front.

Junior Sergeant Nelyubin

blew up an enemy tank and died a hero's death.

Today, the Communist Party Central Committee issued a decree

on March 8- International Women's Day.

Highlighting the great role of Soviet women

in the Great Patriotic War,

the Central Committee expressed its belief

that through new heroic feats both at the rear and on the front line

they will bring closer the hour of our ultimate victory.

It was also announced today

that on February 1, 1945

the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet

decorated with orders and medals

72,196 women soldiers of the Red Army.

44 women soldiers

were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Armies of the 2nd Belorussian Front

are successfully advancing toward Danzig.

Good evening, Pastor.

Sorry I'm so late. Were you sleeping?

Good evening. I was sleeping, but it's alright.

-Sorry again. -I've already forgiven you.

I'll just turn on the light over there.

Has anything happened?

Yes. It has.