Original subtitles

Max...

Max!

Max?

Max!

Max!

Is that you, Мах?

Who's there?

THE VIRGIN OF NUREMBERG

There we are. She'll sleep for a few hours.

Is it serious?

I really can't make a diagnosis at the moment.

We'll see tomorrow when she's feeling better.

She's had a very bad shock, though.

If she gets agitated again,

give her another dose of tranquilizer.

Very good, doctor.

What exactly happened?

It's hard to say, doctor.

During the storm last night,

a bolt of lightning struck a farmhouse.

When the farmer gave the alarm,

I hurried off to help.

Mary was asleep. She hadn't heard anything.

I thought it was better not to wake her.

Very true.

We got here yesterday afternoon after a twelve-hour flight.

It's the first time my wife's come to Germany with me.

I don't know, perhaps she was tired from the journey.

She's not expecting...?

A child? No!

I think we can exclude that hypothesis.

Where did you find her?

Here, in the museum.

This way.

- Thank you. - Please.

Here.

She was here, doctor.

She'd fainted.

What are you examining?

You surely don't believe Mary's tale.

These machines haven't been used for 300 years.

Since he died.

He who?

The Judge.

That's what he called himself.

He was the law around these parts.

He punished adultery with death.

Apparently he killed more than one woman

by torturing them

in the Virgin of Nuremberg.

Here, allow me to introduce you to my ancestor.

A lunatic

or a fanatic.

The Virgin of Nuremberg...

A poetic name for such an appalling torture device.

Does your wife know the story?

Which story?

The one about the Judge and his victims.

Yes.

I told her about it yesterday while I was showing her the house.

My wife loves joking around. She's like a little girl.

As soon as we got here yesterday,

I pretended to be an official guide

and I showed her the wonders

and the horrors of the castle.

Excuse me.

So I told her the old legends about medieval torture.

But believe me, doctor, it was all in fun.

Do you think I upset her?

Perhaps.

The human psyche often reacts strangely to certain tales.

Why did your wife decide to come on this trip with you?

Well, I think she has a perfect right to!

I have to come here every six months to take care of business

and she would never come,

though the castle belongs to her as much as it does to me!

Forgive the question,

but there's something about this strange case I'm trying to understand.

I'll come back tomorrow.

Fritz? See the doctor out.

- Thank you. - You're welcome. Goodbye.

Do you need anything, sir?

Nothing, Fritz. Thank you.

Mary, what are you doing up? The doctor said...

I'm much better, thank you.

I need to talk to you.

Go back to bed, please.

You're still not well.

Max...

- I have to tell you something. - What?

I didn't want to say anything while the doctor was here.

Last night,

just as I was about to faint,

I thought I saw a shadow.

A man, tall, hooded,

walking towards the Virgin.

And another thing. While I was eating dinner in the hall,

I thought I heard footsteps.

What happened tonight was real, Max!

You have to believe me! It's true!

Darling,

you had a terrifying dream.

Maybe it was these gloomy surroundings,

tiredness from the journey, the storm last night...

But calm yourself, nothing happened!

Promise me you'll try not to think any more about it.

But I can't! I can't, Max!

You can't understand, you didn't see her!

Stop it, Mary. I understand, but...

You must forget about it.

We'll leave as soon as possible.

I have a lot of appointments today, but I'll try and get all my business concluded.

I'm coming with you!

Don't talk nonsense, go back to bed.

But when will you be back?

Soon, I promise.

Erich?

He's the kindest soul on Earth!

Was it he who frightened you?

He shouldn't have.

Erich?

This is your new mistress.

No. Thank you.

What's through there?

His room.

Who is he?

Erich?

The museum guard.

And does he live here?

Yes. I wanted him here.

He was my father's lieutenant during the war.

He'd have done anything for his general!

Yes, anything.

And after my father's death,

he transferred his loyalties to me.

Where was he last night?

He was with me.

Don't worry, he's certainly not the monster of your nightmares.

Try and imagine him without those terrible disfiguring scars.

He was a handsome man once.

Then he was injured.

It was the war that made him like that.

You hate the war.

Everyone who went through that hell hates it.

It brutalized us all.

But you were still a child.

Yes, I was just a boy.

But war has the power to age us before our time.

I remember it all, like some strange, surreal nightmare.

Unfortunately, it's the kind of thing that stays inside you forever.

Something that scars you for life.

It scarred people's souls worse than Erich's face.

But it doesn't show.

And what you can't see,

you try to ignore.

What's the matter?

Nothing. Why?

There's something tormenting you.

This fear of yours

that dominates you

and that you mustn't have.

Come in!

You rang, sir?

Yes, I'd like a glass of water.

It's over there, sir.

I hadn't noticed it.

Thank you.

You can go, Fritz.

Does the lady require anything?

Yes, send me Hilde, please.

I can send Trudy. Hilde had to leave.

When?

Last night, I think. None of us saw her this morning.

Perhaps Miss Marta knows.

No, it's fine.

How many other people are there in the castle?

What do you mean? Just us.

I mean the staff.

I don't know exactly, but quite a few.

Old Marta will know. She runs the place.

What are these?

Tranquilizers.

The doctor prescribed them.

Take them.

Sleep. You need to rest.

Trude, wait.

I don't know if Hilde will be back soon or not.

The gardener's wife will help you.

Very good, ma'am.

I'll show you. There's all the bedding to sort out.

I'll show you where it goes.

So from tomorrow on, you can do it.

Are you looking for something, Mistress Mary?

No, Erich. I just wanted to speak to my husband.

I thought he was in here.

Master Max is taking the car to town.

Perhaps you'll find him in the garage.

How do I get downstairs?

To get to the garden you must go through the hall and out the front door.

There's no other way out.

Forgive me, I was certain Max had come in here.

Are you interested in surgery, Erich?

Those instruments belonged to the general, ma'am.

Your husband's father.

I didn't know he was a surgeon.

In any case, well done on taking such excellent care of them.

The smell of alcohol is so strong that you obviously clean them every day.

It wouldn't be a bad thing if you did the same with the furniture.

You startled me!

Forgive me. I didn't mean to scare you.

You aren't German.

No, I'm not. And who are you?

My name is John Selby.

And I only find myself here because I'm very curious.

I'm making a tour of the castles of the Rhine

and I wanted to visit this one, too.

But I discovered that the owner had returned

and that visitors are no longer admitted,

so I decided to take a look at least at the garden.

The owner isn't here at the moment,

but I certainly wouldn't deny a foreigner a small favor.

Thank you, Miss...?

Mrs. Hunter.

- Are you the wife of the castle's owner? - Yes.

And why are you making this tour?

Let's just say it's an educational journey.

May I look around the garden?

Certainly.

What is it? Is something wrong?

No, nothing.

You're lying. Why that face?

No, I tell you, nothing's wrong.

You can't fool me, it's clear you're afraid.

Maybe I can help you.

Give me a clue, tell me something- - I can't.

I can't because there really isn't anything wrong.

I assure you.

Do you think you'll be staying in these parts for long?

I don't know yet.

It depends on many things, I... - Mistress Mary?

Excuse me, I really must be going.

A pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again.

- How do you feel? - Better. Much better.

- Where did he go? - Who?

Him. That man you were speaking with a moment ago.

What did he ask you?

Why are you so interested?

Be careful. He's a policeman.

A policeman?

Yes. He came for him,

but you can't trust these Americans, they-

Who are you talking about? Who is this "him"?

Well...

Perhaps you saw him last night.

He's returned, finally.

After 300 years.

You're insane!

No, I'm not insane, as you know very well.

He's returned to spread terror among immoral women.

They'll pay for their sins. Tonight-

Shut up, that's enough! I don't want to hear it!

There's no point trying not to listen.

You know he's come back after a centuries-long sleep.

Everyone knows but they won't speak about it.

Because they're afraid! Because he is the Judge!

Stop it! You're scaring me with your stories!

Erich?

Erich!

Master?

Master!

Master!

Where are you?

What are you doing here?

You cannot escape!

I want to show you what I'm capable of.

Master!

Young, pretty and dead,

she lies there on the bare rock.

What are you doing in here?

I brought your dinner.

I thought you'd prefer to eat here in your room.

And I wanted to speak to you.

What do you want?

Lock the door of your room tonight.

And don't open it to anyone.

I'm very fond of Master Max.

And if something happened to you...

Max...

When will he be back?

I don't think the master will be coming back this evening.

Get out.

Get out!

Keep the door locked. And don't open it for anyone.

He can't leave me here on my own.

Now I know it's no nightmare.

But...

But why has he left me here alone?

Doctor?

Excuse me, Mr. Selby is here.

Very good. Show him in.

A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Selby. - Pleased to meet you, doctor.

- Please, have a seat. - Thank you.

Forgive me for disturbing you at this time of night

and obliging you to come here.

But it's about something

that I think will interest you.

I see, doctor. What is it?

You are an FBI agent, correct?

How did you find that out?

In a little provincial town like ours, everyone knows everything.

The wind carries the news from tree to tree,

and they say that you spend whole days under the trees in the Hunters' garden,

spying on the castle.

Why?

Why this interrogation, doctor?

I don't know.

Perhaps to help you.

I don't know why I decided to contact you

rather than the local police.

But let me be sincere,

I wouldn't want you to think me delusional or credulous.

But there are stories about the existence of a monster at the castle...

What proof do you have of this, doctor?

The owner's young wife

told me some rather strange things.

I hope they're not true because if they are,

this might actually turn out to be evidence.

Who is it?

Who is it?!

It's me.

Max!

No, you're not Max...

He's no ghost...

The dawn...

The dawn!

It's the statue!

Albert? Albert!

Is that you, Albert?

No!

No!

Do not fear.

You thought I wished to ravish your body,

but no.

I have something very different in store for you.

Not down there, Erich. Inside is better.

No one will find her there.

Remember to close up the other grave later, as well.

Max! Let me out!

Max!

You're hungry, aren't you?

See the shape of this cage?

Strange, isn't it?

You've never seen one like it.

And do you know why its use was prohibited after the 15th century?

Because it was too barbaric.

It's known even in China.

Instruments of torture are the same wherever you go.

Humankind's mind is at the service of evil.

Obviously, science has made immense progress,

but the old ways

will always be the best.

Believe me,

our ancestors had a truly diabolical imagination.

Who are you? What happened?

I'm Elda! I don't know what happened!

Albert was waiting for me like every night.

I crept out of the house in secret.

I was supposed to meet him near the garden of Hunter castle.

But I don't know what happened then!

Somebody grabbed me and I don't know what happened after that!

I don't remember!

My face!

My face!

I can't live like this!

- My face! - Master! Master!

- No, Erich, no! - My face!

- You can't! Stop, Erich! - My face!

No!

Max...

Max!

It can't be true...

Mary!

Mary!

Wake up, darling!

Please, Mary, answer me!

Max!

How did we get here?

Erich brought us upstairs.

What have you done? Nothing!

Mary, forget what happened!

Forget?

Max, what did you do to that woman?

Erich took her to the doctor.

They'll save her, you'll see.

- But you have to promise me you'll forget. - No.

I want to know.

Yesterday, you told me it was a nightmare.

An absurd dream.

And now you're begging me to forget things that should be reported to the police!

Who are you, Max?

What are you?!

Mary, you're right, I know.

I was mad not to listen to you.

But, Mary, please, I beg you,

just give me another 24 hours.

And then I'll be able to explain.

Why do you ask me that?

Think what you want, think I'm a monster, Mary,

but just give me 24 hours,

then we'll sell the castle and go away.

But give me the time I'm asking you for.

No! I want to know what you're hiding from me.

Why were you wearing that cape? Tell me the truth!

Calm yourself, Mary, please!

I'll tell you everything. Everything!

It's terrible.

But maybe it's for the best that you know.

Otherwise, you'll suspect me.

In fact, you already do.

You're free not to believe what I'm about to tell you, Mary,

but it's the honest truth.

Max...

I saw you carrying the body of that poor woman to be tortured.

No, Mary, it's not true.

When you saw me we were carrying the body of Hilde.

- Hilde? - Yes.

She was the woman you saw in the Virgin.

We only found her body last night.

Master Max?

Master Max, come downstairs quickly.

What's happened?

Fritz...

I heard a cry so I went down into the tunnel of the underground cistern.

He's in there...

Call Trude and all of you leave. Immediately.

Go. I'll come downstairs.

What's happened now?

Nothing! Nothing.

Don't be afraid.

Just trust me, I beg you.

Grant me the few hours I asked you.

If things were the way you think I wouldn't be here begging you.

You can't stay here, you must leave before night falls.

- Do you remember the airport hotel? - Yes.

Go and wait for me there.

Until this is all over.

If it ever is.

Otherwise,

go back to America.

You'll have no problem getting a divorce.

Why are you saying that?

Mary...

Whatever happens,

whatever you hear,

remember that I truly loved you.

And I will love you for the rest of my life.

Max... Oh!

Trude, start packing my bags immediately. I think we're leaving.

Mine, too?

Yes, of course. You'll be leaving with me.

Marta...

- You know, don't you? - What?

You know who this monster is.

He's not a monster.

How can you say that? Don't you know what he did?

I know everything.

But he isn't a monster.

He's just sick.

- Very sick. - He's a monster!

- Tell me his name! Who is he? - Never!

I just wish he could die without his misfortune coming to light.

If I think that the name of the Hunters...

Max?!

Does Mr. Hunter have a brother?

No. Max has no siblings.

Then how can you say something like that?

What did you mean about "the name of the Hunters"?

Max...

So that's what he was trying to tell me.

Max...

I don't know what you're talking about.

Pack your bags.

Max will meet you at the hotel.

He will be able to tell you

everything you want to know.

Are you ready, Trude?

Yes, ma'am, my bag is downstairs.

Is Marta ready?

I think she's already downstairs. Will you be driving, ma'am?

Yes.

- Is that your bag? - Yes. Don't worry, ma'am, I'll carry it.

It's locked!

Perhaps Marta locked it. Let's go out through the servants' entrance.

Is this one locked, too?

Is there another way out?

The door to the garage in the cellar.

Where's Marta?

Perhaps she's not ready yet. Her room's at the end of that hallway.

We can go and see if you like.

Or you have a look and I'll try to get downstairs.

I'll come and get the bags when we've got the door open.

Marta?

Marta!

Mistress Mary?

Mistress Mary!

The door downstairs is locked, too.

Marta... Marta...

Isn't in her room. Perhaps she's already left.

How?!

Are you certain there's no other way out?

Yes, there's the door in the museum.

The visitors' entrance.

But to tell the truth, I've never used it. It sca-

Perhaps that's how Marta got out. Let's go and see.

Mistress Mary!

Mistress Mary!

- Do you know where the exit is? - No.

We'll have to find it, then. Put the bags down here.

We'll get them later.

And if it's locked, we'll break it down with this.

What is that thing?

An iron statue.

What is it?!

An old torture device.

There's a skeleton in it! How awful!

No, this leads back inside.

Run, Trude! Run!

He's dead...

He's dead!

You don't frighten me anymore!

You don't frighten me anymore!

Trude!

No...

It can't be!

I killed you!

I killed you!

It wasn't me you hit, it was the statue!

- But you won't manage to kill me! - No!

- You will die! - No!

No!

Hurry! Hurry!

He's locked all the doors.

It's impossible to get inside.

He'll kill everyone!

We have to call the police!

Why didn't you tell anyone?

It's too late now.

Because you would have killed him.

You'd have condemned him to death.

He's a war criminal.

And he must be tried.

You don't know the truth.

What he went through,

why he lost his mind.

You weren't here then.

You don't know.

You can't judge him.

But the court can.

The whole of Germany was in flames.

We couldn't hold out any longer,

but Hitler insisted we carry on fighting.

One day,

a group of generals decided to try and assassinate him.

But the attempt failed.

They were identified,

the whole group rounded up.

Some were shot,

others taken to the gas chamber.

But for him, something worse was waiting.

He was imprisoned,

and then sent to a surgical laboratory,

where in the name of science,

a gang of lunatics tortured and killed

innocent men without pity.

Slowly,

operation after operation,

they carried out

the "human skull" experiment.

He is the fruit of modern science!

A living skull...

What a success for them.

They raised their glasses...

Raised their glasses to toast their masterpiece.

No...

No!

No!

No!

Max!

Max!

No!

Max!

No!

Into the Virgin!

Help!

- Mary! - Help!

Mary!

Mary! Mary!

No!

Help!

No!

No!

Max!

Max!

No!

No!

Max!

Max!

Stop, father!

Stop!

You can't do this to me! You can't!

Don't be afraid!

I'm your son! Your son!

Don't you recognize me? Your son!

Max!

Max! Hurry!

No! Don't-

There he is! Hurry!

It was horrible!

Capture him, quick!

Are there entrances on the other side of the castle?

Max, take me away from here!

Take me away! Please!

Break open the other doors

and put guards on every entrance.

Follow me!

Quickly, take them down to the garden!

- Erich! - Stop!

- Erich! - What are you trying to do?!

Can't you see it's all on fire?!

Quick, go and call for backup.

I'm sorry we had to shoot him.

But there was no choice.

Forgive me,

I didn't know he was your father.

Master!

Master!

General!

Master!

General...

- Who are you? - Erich, General.

What happened to your face, Erich?

Everything's burning, see?

The war is lost,

but we keep sending thousands of men to their deaths.

- We have to stop him! - Yes, General.

You'll see...

Peace will return...

We'll go back to being ourselves, Erich...

Erich...

Erich...

Yes, General.

Yes.

Like we once were...