Original subtitles

Morning Mr. Rabe.

Good morning.

Morning. Back to work.

November 27th, 1937.

They say the Japanese razed Shanghai to the ground.

I just don't want to believe that.

Typical Chinese propaganda. All is quiet here in Nanking.

Except for a few who are running scared.

l hope our leaving doesn't make it seem like l'm backing out too.

But should l go around

telling everyone I've been promoted to director?

And was called to Berlin? Of course not.

Put me through to John Rabe.

Ah Mr. Rabe.

But still. my heart bleeds at the thought

of leaving this all behind after so many years.

Hello, Rabe household.

No, no, no. That won't work.

You've got to tilt the piano.

What are you doing? Tilt it.

-l'm telling you, it won't fit. -Well, it went in.

-Yes, 20 years ago. -l suppose the piano grew since then?

Put it down, put it down.

My God, these idiots are good for nothing.

December 1st. 1937.

A large Japanese force lies in wait.

just 70 km off Nanking.

So says Chang, my Chinese driver.

He won't say who told him.

All the same, we're off in two days.

Japanese or no Japanese.

Though it wouldn't be bad if Japan gained more influence in China.

After all, they are allies of the Reich.

-What about the hat? -l loved that hat.

-We agreed, everything we haven't... -Yes, fine. Get rid of it.

-Do you still need insulin? -No, l've got enough.

When l'm dead.

l know, then l can read your diary. But not before.

l think l'll outlive you out of sheer curiosity.

That's my tactic.

Boss!

Chang! How many times? Knock first.

-But boss... -For God's sake!

We knock in this house. Now get out.

How can someone be so dumb.

-There was a knock. -l heard it, but he has to learn.

We leave in two days.

-lt's the principle of the thing. -Come in.

Just has arrived Herr Fliess.

What? Here already?

Couldn't he call first.

He call.

But you not have time when l tell.

Chang, what's the point in you having a head?

Well, so that...

So that it not rain into my neck.

Quite right.

Herr Fliess.

l'm John Rabe. Welcome to Nanking.

-Heil Hitler. -Heil Hitler.

Hope you had a good journey.

This is Herr Han. He is my deputy, soon to be yours.

Heil Hitler.

Welcome to Nanking.

Heil Hitler.

You wouldn't believe how long they took to learn that.

Not long enough it seems. He's saluting with his left hand.

Not the left.

Right hand. Right hand! That's it.

The Chinese are like children.

You have to teach them, but they do what they're told.

You have to be able to spot a good Chinaman right away.

You have to see it at first glance.

That, for example, is a good Chinaman.

Those are our W-923 systems.

We provide for the whole province of Jiangsu.

Over 15 million people.

The population is growing so rapidly

that we'll hit our capacity soon without the dam.

How does it feel to be returning home after so long?

Siemens sends me to China, so l go to China.

Siemens wants me in Berlin, so l'm off to Berlin.

lt sounds as if you'd rather stay.

That's the control unit for the system.

You could call it the heart of the plant.

lmpressive, what you've built up here, Rabe.

But so much work, just for the Chinese?

For Siemens. ln a few years we'll make millions.

You haven't been told?

Rabe, Germany is taking a new course. And so is Siemens.

What's that supposed to mean?

There isn't going to be a dam.

Siemens Nanking is to be phased out.

What the hell!

Japanese Headquarters, 70km west of Nanking.

We've wiped out the Chinese here.

Our armored divisions

are proceeding to the west.

We are now preparing to advance on Nanking.

Who is leading the advance?

Major Ose, Your lmperial Highness.

A great undertaking for such a young man?

Yes, sir.

But young men are capable of great deeds too.

Your report, Major.

This is our position.

My troops are joining the 33rd lnfantry.

And Lieutenant Yanagawa's Sixth Division.

We will surround Nanking from three sides and close ranks.

This way we will avoid significant losses

and force the city to surrender.

Major.

Have you ever taken part in an elephant hunt?

No, Your Highness.

You don't encircle an elephant,

wear it out or force it to surrender.

Either you kill it, or it will kill you.

ls that clear.

Dora?

My God! What are you doing in here?

-What are you doing in here? -Back to bed, it's a surprise.

Have l forgotten my own birthday or what?

l know how hard it is for you to leave everything here.

You don't know that.

Okay, perhaps l don't.

But l do know nobody could have done a better job.

Nobody.

And that's why l made you this cake.

-Gugelhupf. -Gugelhupf.

The girls' college of Nanking would like to bid you farewell Mr. Rabe

Thank you.

Shujuan, a little to the left.

She is very talented.

Has such a terrible father, of course no money. Such a pity.

Okay! Everybodies' ready?

1... 2... 3... Stand still!

Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler!

Welcome to the Nanking NS group.

l'm Kr�ger, group president.

l'll introduce you to the others.

This way, please.

-And that's mine, gentlemen. -l'll get you next time, l swear.

This is the NS group?

We're not all here yet, but... Gentlemen!

And what is that?

Bernd.

No, leave it. l'll do it.

We share the room with the...

With the English Veterans Club.

How dare you...

-Hello everybody! -That's Hans.

Ah, you must be the new one? Hans Scheel, baker by trade.

Please excuse my tardiness.

But l brought you something.

Cinnamon rolls. They're still warm!

That's unbelievable.

Did you really join the Party,

to eat pastries under a photo of the King of England?

No! We have talks too.

The conditions you tolerate here are scandalous.

And that is the flag we sent you for the Party's anniversary?

You haven't even opened it.

We'd need to build a tower, it's so big.

lf you were real National Socialists,

you would have done just that.

Starting now! I want all doctors and nurses on call 24 hours...

til further notice.

More beds! As many as possible.

Here too.

We'll turn Ward 2 into a additional operating theatre.

Shift these beds towards 3 & 4 and bring up more operating tables from the basement.

There're no more operating tables.

Get kitchen tables. People won't care what we save their lives on...

If we do.

Get us some bandages, Dolantin, Novacaine, Iodine and Morphine Nurse.

There are only 120 dose of Xyophenol left.

What?

Why's that, Dr. Xu?

I thought that would be enough for now.

Really?

What are you expecting? Just a brawl.

To pull out now would be a terrible mistake.

China is the market of the future. We'll regret it forever.

There is no war yet, and if the Japanese do come,

then they'll need electricity too, probably more than the Chinese.

You can't close Nanking without asking me.

l set the whole thing up myself.

Herr Lehmann, l...

Herr Lehmann?

-They're closing Nanking down. -They can't do that.

They can.

They haven't promoted me.

They kicked me upstairs.

They tricked me.

And the dam...

lt would have been my legacy.

And then that Fliess comes along.

-That awful little cretin. -John, John.

Look at me, please.

This is our last night. Let nobody spoil it.

Not Fliess, not Siemens not the Japanese.

And certainly not you.

Your Excellency. What an honor.

You said I didn't have to speak to him.

Can we please go in now? No... otherwise I wouldn't have come.

You behave as if he was Hitler. I don't like Nazis.

He isn't Nazi. Yes he is.

He's just a member of the party. Which makes him a Nazi.

Are you a member of the Church?

Yes... So what!

What do you think about witch burning?

Oh well looking at you, maybe it wasn't a bad idea.

After 7 years... the red wine is still ice cold.

The beer is lukewarm and the Champagne is served ice cubes.

Do you think the Chinese will ever understand this.

If you read the Chinese masters?

What do they say?

The nobleman must rule over the primitive man...

The clever must led the simple minded.

If the chinese heeded their own philosophers...

They will see Japan, not as an enemy...

But as an opportunity.

-What a toady. -Fukuda?

l have always liked him.

You've had no dealings with him.

Your Excellency! What a pleasure to have you here!

I'm sure you know Ambassador Varchoir.

Of course. We have the greatest respect for one another.

l wonder what awaits us in Berlin.

Christmas.

Caf� Kranzler.

Marzipanstollen. Mulled wine on the Ku'damm.

A daily newspaper you can actually read.

Proper bread and butter.

And beds that aren't too short.

Did you know that you're still the man l love?

Even after 27 years.

Yes, l do know that.

You conceited thing!

Mr President...

I'm sad that you are leaving us Mr. Rabe.

All chinese must be sad today for a friend is leaving our country.

You have done more for China and it's people than one who can ever have...

expected from a foreigner.

Therefore I name you "Hero of the Chinese People".

And I award you the "Order of Jade".

That's fantastic! A corrupt chinese General honours a Nazi.

Albeit! You've have to hand it to the German's. They exploit the country make a mint.

Then they get a medal for it.

To John Rabe !

"Hero Of The Chinese People"!

Your Excellencies!

Most esteemed guests! Dear friends!

After 27 years and 14 days in China!

Oh yes! I've counted them!

Er...

Ladies and Gentlemen...

After 27 years and a hundred and forty two days...

in China... I'm called back to my homeland...

to Germany...

Dora! Dora!

Everybody out! Get out of the room!

Out!

Open the gate!

Open it! Open the gate!

Go, go, go!

Come on! Quick!

Han!

Which idiot had the gate closed?

That idiot would be me.

Open the gate!

-Keep it closed. -They're our workers.

They'll be killed!

-My concern is the plant. -No... Not yet.

Open the gate!

Dora, you take the women and children.

Come on! Quick, quick!

Quick! Come on! That way!

You're going to regret this, Rabe.

l'll be happy to regret this.

Women and children! Quick!

Come on! This way!

Rabe!

l swear...

Where's the flag?

-What for? -The flag, damn you!

lt's in the trunk of the car.

Han! Turn the floodlight on! Full power!

-Are you mad? -Do it!

-Chang, come here! -Yes, boss!

Over there! Quick!

Everyone, under the flag!

Come on, run! This way. Quick!

Come on!

Come on! Quick!

They're going away.

We did it.

They're leaving.

They're leaving!

The attack planes gone...

We're saved...

Everyone can come out now.

There are just too many to cope with!

Nine shot in the stomach.

One in the head. Three are dying. Four amputations...

Enough. Crying won't help.

A school has been hit.

Just the boat needs 17 children.

Have Dr. Xu talk with the children.

I don't know where Dr. Xu is?

Then find him!

And we have no more anaesthetics.

Ohh... Jesus Christ...

-Where is Dr. Xu? -He's not here.

Fuck!

Lucky they only hit the guard house.

l want this hole filled in. And get the grounds cleaned up.

Han, check the plant for damage

and check the turbine functions.

l want a report sent to Shanghai and Berlin today.

Yes, sir.

-Chang. -Yes?

You're to reinforce the sheds

to make provisional shelter.

ls that clear?

Boss, l'm driver.

And without shelter

you'll be a dead driver soon.

Herr Fliess.

Stop. Stop the car.

Close the gate! Close it!

The early bird catches the worm, eh?

Get out of the car.

-Open the trunk. -Herr Rabe.

May l remind you, you had your send-off yesterday.

You're talking to the new director of Siemens Nanking.

-l don't remember handing over. -Don't worry.

You've been busy enough with your move.

What are your plans as the new director?

Considering what we witnessed yesterday,

the plant will have to be closed immediately.

And what about the workers?

They will be contacted.

-Should we resume business. -Do you have everything?

-Files? Accounting books? Contracts? -No need to worry.

German efficiency.

A good plan, Herr Fliess.

lt's just a pity your contract doesn't start until the sixth.

The day after tomorrow.

lf you doubt me, look in the trunk.

The contract must be with the papers.

German efficiency.

That may be so.

-But you have no say here anymore. -You're right, indeed.

And you have no say here, yet.

But somebody has to have a say here, don't you think?

Han?

Han.

Tell him to open the car trunk.

Herr Fliess, would you please open the car trunk?

And now tell him that for insurance purposes alone,

his access to the company grounds must be restricted.

He'll stay in the guest apartment. Staff will look after him.

-Herr Fliess... -Don't bother.

Herr Fliess.

The apartment is over there.

l'm sorry.

lf the F�hrer knew the people they send here...

lt's just ridiculous.

l know you mean well. But let it rest, please.

Someone has to look after it.

-Someone, but not you. -As long as l'm here, l will.

-And where are my fried eggs? -You can look after them yourself.

December 4th, 1937.

As the Japanese shells tear through the sky overhead,

I open the gates and let in all who come to us.

Women and children crouch

under the huge German flag, with terror in their eyes.

The flag is said to be bombproof.

The Japanese are faithful allies indeed.

They hold their fire as soon as they see our flag.

Very honorable.

Hurry up there! Come on! Quickly!

What is all this?

The refugees can't stay in the front yard.

That's company grounds. l'd need permission.

So they're staying in our yard?

Yes, exactly. They're staying in our yard.

This way. Bring it over this way.

"The Japanese soldiers are your friends!"

The Chinese took the bait. lnform headquarters.

Congratulations, Major.

You'll make an excellent commander one day.

But l ask myself,

why is it that l give orders not to take prisoners,

and you arrive with thousands?

Please forgive me.

-Your Highness. -l didn't ask you to speak!

So, Major.

What do you propose?

Your Highness.

lt would be extremely difficult

to execute that many prisoners.

ls that so?

Furthermore,

l believe such executions

could be considered to be illegal.

lllegal?

l am entrusting you personally

with resolving this matter once and for all.

l want no prisoner alive by tomorrow morning.

We will also shell the city center.

Nanking must experience the superiority of our troops.

Well I have Chang Kai Shek and the entire government have fled to Chong Qing.

They have abandon the city to the Japanese.

Japanese forces are so superior there won't be much fighting anyway...

Excuse me! But...

You can't compare that.

How come?

In Shanghai the chinese elite troops were fighting under the command of German General Falkenhausen.

They put up amazing resistance.

But because of the Pact between Japan and Germany...

Falkenhausen and the other German military advisors have been withdrawn.

Now the elite units are wiped out and...

Shanghai have been turned into a blood bath.

Ehh.. Sorry but er...

Who are you anyway?

Dr. Rierson. I'm the staff of the German embassy here.

Arrived from Shanghai today.

What do you advised us to do? Dr. Rierson

Leave Nanking

Although I'm afraid it's too late.

Japanese have already circled the city.

So!

Well...

In Shanghai there was a so called safety zone...

for civilians

Part of the city was placed under the administration of a ...

Neutral committee.

Soldiers on both sides, no admission

weapons were not permitted...

Thus combat action was minimized.

Excuse me! But I think we exaagerating a bit here!

Of course war!

Always a terrible affairs and there will be victims.

And casualties.

But I think the Japanese is trying to avoid bloodshed.

This is what they have dropped all over the city.

We displayed!

Last night, a German flag and

the attack on the Siemens compound was halted immediately.

How was your tea? Your excellency?

The Chinese brewed it too long again.

Such a nuisance!

Robert! What's gotta into you?

Into ME?

Absolutely nothing.

And while you're sitting here... drinking tea and talking...

17 children died before my very eyes.

Children with no legs...

children with holes in their stomache...

only half a head...

We have to operate on without any anaesthetic.

Screaming in torment.

And now they're dead anyway.

And the biscuits!

Hmmph!

Delicious!

Rabe you're still here?

The Japanese sent you to distibute a few leaflets?

What?

No, no I know

The Japanese laid waste in Nanking

And you'll get your nice slice of the pie.

And then another medal and bargain . Right?

Stop it! John is not like that.

Really! Then maybe he can prove it.

Our "Hero Of The Chinese People".

Anytime. Just tell me how.

I know how!

By staying in Nanking to build up a safety zone.

For civilians. Like in Shanghai.

Ms. Dupres. I don't think we need such a zone.

Why don't we vote.

For the safety zone.

Who is in favour?

What's the matter?

You simply want to sit there and do nothing.

So please for the safety zone. Who is in favour?

Let's claim majority for the safety zone.

And now...

For chairman of the safety zone I now propose we choose...

John Rabe.

Well we may as well hand ourselves to the Japanese then.

By no means.

Mr Rabe knows Nanking better than anyone else.

What's more... He's German which makes him an ideal partner for negotiation with the Japanese.

So!

For John Rabe.

Against?

Abstentions?

Do you accept your nomination Mr Rabe?

Ms. Dupres! Actually I was going to leave tomorrow.

Our great hero is wetting his pants.

Happy sailing! Mr. Rabe.

I accept the nomination.

Dr. Wilson, Yes!

I do ACCEPT the nomination.

So ridiculous!

So DAMN ridiculous.

Dr. Wilson just a moment please!

For deputy chairman of the zone! I nominate...

Dr. Robert Wilson.

Whose in favour?

Against?

Abstentions?

Dr. Wilson do you accept your nomination?

Yes, I accept.

Attention!

On your feet!

Now you are going to get warm soup to eat.

December 5th, 1937.

I never thought that a single day

could have changed my life completely.

To stay or to go.

To play the hero or steal away.

And what shall l tell Dora?

You're not asleep.

Neither are you.

The difference is, l can't sleep. You don't want to.

Tell me what thoughts are inside that head of yours, John Rabe.

What life holds for those poor devils outside.

You think everyone is like you.

Those poor devils out there in your yard

are just happy to be in your yard.

They're happy about what you pity them for.

l am the way l am.

l know.

Do you remember,

27 years ago,

what we promised one another?

Remind me how old was l back then?

19.

Yes, l remember.

And?

Now and forever, come what may.

And do you still mean it?

The statute of limitations may be up.

But yes, l mean it,

now and forever,

come what may.

Alright! It's 8:30!

I think we should wait for Mr. Rabe after all he's our chairman.

Well, we'll be waiting a long time if not for nothing.

What do you mean?

Because he won't come our great hero of the Chinese. A good Christian soldier.

I bet you really get on my nerves with all your grumbling.

Okay he's late.

So what?

That late he's not coming. How do you know that?

Here is the passenger list of the Pan A. It's the last ship out of Nanking.

And anybody whose is anybody...

including the great hero is leaving the city on it.

Robert John and Dora First Class Upper Deck.

The man travels in style even when he is running away.

Your sinicism is out of line.

My sinicism is out of line? If you ask me it's someone else's is out of line here.

It's not possible.

Well, that's the way it is.

I won't believe it til I see it.

This way.

Quick, come on.

Keep moving!

Out of the way!

Stay with me, Dora.

Did you really have to bring that damn bird?

Just stay with me.

My god. Their almost storming the ship!

May this way!

Out of the way! Get out of the way!

Get out of the way!

We've got two tickets here!

Don't push forward!

Don't push! Ease up! Dont push!

I don't want to discuss! We've got two tickets!

Let me through. Just let me through!

There he is!

Stop!

Let's hope they go down with the ship.

You're not coming.

This boat is leaving NOW! You coming or not!

Take care of yourself.

Close the way!

Way's closed!

Wait!

He's stayed!

l love you.

l'll come later.

I'll get Rabe.

Dora!

John.

Boss.

Go on. l'm staying here.

lt's too dangerous.

Han, l know you mean well.

lf l'm hit, all the better. lf not, then so be it.

Now go, before l get angry.

The safety zone has 5 entrances.

Which is controlled by us.

Soldiers are not permitted to enter.

We guarantee there will be not weapons stored there,

no defense structures will be built...

and no soldiers will be harboured.

The International committee will see to the supplies of water and food within the zone.

Includes the embassies, the hospitals, college, several schools and also the Siemens compound here.

Chinese soldiers will be disarmed.

And gathered in the college yard until they'll be handed over as prisoner's of war (POW)...

to the Japanese troops.

Your Excellency we would like to ask you to support the International Committee...

and to recognise the safety zone within the borders marked here.

Mister where is this place? Over there go over there.

December 11th, 1937.

Suddenly. people are flooding

the gates of our zone by the thousands.

News of the zone must have spread like wildfire.

We can hardly handle the influx.

Even the Japanese ambassador.

Mr. Fukuda. has given our zone his approval.

Four thousand three hundred fifty five from Getty...

That makes more than twenty three thousand people on the 1st day.

That's incredible.

The zone's only planned for a hundred thousand.

So do you want to create a safety zone and after three days...

put up a sign "Closed" due to overcrowding?

Come back tomorrow?

If you put 20 people in a boat that can only carry 10...

Everyone will go down!

I thought we wanted to save people?

We do! But this is a war not a dancing class...

You can't save everyone.

I hate to disappoint you then.

But it's not even a war.

No declaration of war! Moreover the Japanese embassy is still fully staffed.

which will be unthinkable in the case of war.

It still won't save everyone.

You seem to take the pleasure in the fact that people getting killed?

By no means but I do know what war is.

Call it what you like...

And it's no place for a women or for dreamers!

We have to limit the zone to a Hundred Thousand!

There's no room for anymore. Gentlemen!

Excuse me ladies and gentlemen. After twenty seven years in China...

May I tell you if there's room for a hundred thousand chinese...

And there is also room for twenty thousand.

This is the least of our problems.

What people need now is food and shelter.

And it our task to provide it.

December 13th, 1937.

We're still transporting rice in from outside of the city.

The zone needs flour. salt. firewood,

medicine. utensils and blankets

before the Japanese get here.

We have to be well prepared,

for we'll be cut off from the world.

The Japanese have 600 planes in Shanghai.

As well as armored divisions and an enormous army.

If an army of that size attacks Nanking.

they mean to raze it.

But perhaps this is mere child's play

compared to what a new world war

would mean in Europe.

The Chinese soldiers who haven't left are posted at the main city gate.

They want to defend Nanking, at all costs.

A completely pointless and futile venture.

Why have you ended the siege and begun to attack the city?

Forgive me, General.

Answer my question, Major!

His lmperial Highness gave the order.

Lieutenant General... your report!

My nephew, the Emperor,

wants a swift victory.

A modern war.

One that shows Japan's superiority.

The advance can't be stopped.

Tonight we will attack Nanking.

Hello? Hello?

What's going on here?

-What's going on? -The lines are down.

Then do something. Fix them.

And set up lines to the exchange. Lives are at stake.

Send news: Nanking has fallen.

Quick! 3rd station.

Can you walk?

Oh my god...

Zhong Shang!

What are you doing? You outta of your mind!

No soldiers in the safety zone! You wanna get us all killed?

He's my son.

Take that end. take that... Thank you thank you!

Go!

Go out! go out!

Ward 2.

Take this. take this. Quick, Quick!

Excuse me. You cannot come in here.

Shut up! It's a hospital!

A safety zone!

No! This is my hospital! What are you doing here?

You gonna shoot me? Go ahead.

You have soldier.

No... no soldier. I'll show you.

Want me to show you?

Come on...

Come on...

No soldier.

No soldier!

-Search in there. -Yes, sir!

Two of you search that room.

No soldier.

Check it.

See!

We found him.

No soldier?

Onwards.

The point is absolutely ridiculous, we'll coming from the german embassy.

There are children starving in there.

We need to bring the rice into the safety zone.

I want to talk to your superiors, right now!

John?

Thank you for staying.

Without you.

I terribly sorry about Dora, Really.

One sack per person's free. For the rest they want ten thousand yuan for custom duty.

That's postposterious!

Who do they think they are? Christ sake!

Heil Hitler! I'm Johan. I'm German! You understand?

December 15th, 1937.

Feeding the zone's 200.000 people

is getting ever more difficult.

Our various appeals to the Japanese

to allow more rice into the zone

have remained unanswered.

We all hope the diplomats will return to Nanking soon.

Rierson believes only an international presence

will curb Japanese aggression.

Why are you wearing a pisspot on your head? They'll not gonna bomb you anyway.

Wilson. What are you doing here?

Getting drunk.

That I can see.

You know what your friends did today?

They killed 2 of my doctors...

and 3 nurses.

But the hospital is in the zone...

We were operating on a soldier.

What?

He was a doctor's son.

what should I have done? Let him die in front of the hospital.

And now... now he's dead anyway.

2 doctors and 3 nurses. Is that any better?

I know.

Rabe.

You are a really phoney bastard and a Nazi swine as well...

And you... Dr. Wilson.

You are a ugly pig headed know it all. And a cry baby.

Cheers. Prost. (German word for cheers)

Got it!

Hitler has only got 1 ball, Goring has 2 but very small.

Himmler has something similar. I'm not, I'm not singing this Dr. Wilson.

Gerbals and no balls are all...

Hitler has only got 1 ball...

The other is stuck outward floor...

his mother! Was such a bugger...

she cut it off him but he was too small.

Hitler has only got 1 ball...

Goring has 2 but very small.

Himmler has something similar.

Come on! Have some balls.

Wilson.

Heil hitler.

-Forward! -Forward!

Attention!

To the prisoners camp, march!

How many prisoners we'd handed over ?

One hundred and fifty three.

This is the handover report. He has to sign it down here.

He asks if he can take twenty of our girls with him?

What?

Twenty girls.

He says he will bring them back this evening.

I will certainly cannot.

What does he think I am!

The madame of a milking shop!

Ms Dupres...

I have never EVER experienced anything so outrageous!

So tell him to sign.

And tell him to get out!

Before I throw him out.

Go on translate!

I don't need a translation.

All the better.

Here sign!

You will regret this.

And you! Have you taken a leave of your senses?

I'm sorry. I don't want to hear anything.

December 19th, 1937.

Bodies lie in piles before the gates.

The Japanese won't touch them.

And we aren't allowed to do so.

We Europeans are paralyzed from the shock.

The executions are rampant.

Sometimes with machine guns at the barracks.

At the Army Ministry. And down by the river.

To the F�hrer of the German people. Chancellor Adolf Hitler.

My F�hrer.

As a loyal party member and upstanding German.

I turn to you in a time of great need.

The Japanese Imperial troops

conquered the city of Nanking on December12, 1937.

Since then l have witnessed

atrocious crimes against civilians.

Please help to end this catastrophe,

and make an appeal to our Japanese allies

in the name of humanity.

Switch it off please.. Switch it OFF!

With a German salute.

Stop crying.

Yong Zhu.

Just a moment!

Yes! You can come in now.

Yes, Ms. Dupres.

Yes, he is very handsome.

Yong Zhu.

I don't want you to leave the college at night anymore.

It's too dangerous.

But I don't. Don't lie to me you go out almost every night.

I take my brother something to eat.

How bout the rice?

I'm worried about him.

And they worry about you.

Gentlemen!

That's Prince Asaka...

You will address him as Your Imperial Highness...

and DON'T give him your hand unless he offers you his.

Your Imperial Highness!

May I introduce Mr. John Rabe, from the Siemens China Company.

It's a great honour to appear here your highness!

The attack on the Pan A was a tragic misunderstanding.

I shall immediately send for news about your wife's fate.

Your Highness, his wife survived. She is in Shanghai.

As soon as there is any information, I shall let you know.

And I have issued passes guaranteeing you freedom of movement in Nanking.

You can of course take rice duty free into the zone.

These two, seems to me to be another misunderstanding.

A tragic one?

As you can see we are doing all we can to support you in your valuable war.

You have to stay in the car.

l don't understand Japanese.

Get back in the car.

Should l get in the car?

l said back in the car!

l could get back in the car.

Take your hat off.

Take your hat off!

General unfortuately I'm...

obliged to point out...

that in many cases Japanese troops disregard our security zone.

Murder, Plunder and Rape.

On a daily agenda.

There have also been mass executions.

Both of civilians and of present staff we have offered to your troops.

Go to the YangTze, hundreds of coffers are floating in the water there.

Many thanks for your advice but...

don't make the mistake of being deluded by the Chinese propaganda Mr. Rabe.

I don't allow myself to be deluded by anyone.

You completely out of your minds.

You maybe a good doctor and you know something about telephones but...

neither of you know anything about diplomacy.

That was precisely the Japanese way of saying we don't give a damn about what you're saying to us.

Well then we have to show our teeth.

Listen! He is a Japanese Imperial Prince.

The way you stub them we can forget any negotiations in future.

What's more important? The future or the present?

We have to work together with that man whether we like it or not.

That is the present!

I believe Prince Asaka will order a radical change in the behaviour of his troops.

Do you?

Just as Hitler will answer your telegram.

Yes he will.

You know why you two don't get on?

Because you're both hopelessly incorrigible stubborn.

Damn it.

Chang!

Chang!

Chang!

Apparently... your chinese driver started a fight. He had to be taken to the prisoner's camp.

Chang!

Chang!

Move on! Move on!

Chang!

CHANG!

CHANG!

Boss! Boss!

l'm in here!

Open up!

Come on! Open up!

Let me in!

No!... No!

NO!

He disobeyed the rules by not staying in the car.

He didn't stay in the car!

His head was cut off.

It's was erm... honourable death.

Our contest have been doing to officers. Very popular in Japan.

What contest?

Who decapitates the most enemies. Our newspaper reports this day.

We will of course compensate you for your loss.

-Have them line up. -Yes, sir.

Everybody stand up and get into a line!

Stand up! Go over there!

Quickly! Quickly!

Quickly!

You can select anyone of them.

Chang spoke German and he could drive a car.

How many do you want?

Twenty.

You think a chinese who speaks German...

is worth twenty times more than a chinese who speaks no german?

No! He's worth just as much but he's twenty times more useful to me.

-Ask if anybody speaks German. -Yes, sir.

Raise your hand if you speak German.

You are lucky. He speaks German.

-Front and center. -Yes, sir.

Come to the front!

Say something to him.

I want to hear him speak german.

Do you understand me?

Say something.

Just say something. Anything.

Say something.

Well?

Just twenty men Mr. Rabe.

You.

You.

You.

Children? You.

You.

Here!

Decapitation contest and it's proud winners.

Apparently the Japanese has declared it a crime to bury the corpses.

Punishable by death.

I wrote to Hitler.

He has to intervene the Japanese for us.

You may laugh Dr. Wilson but I'm sure as soon as the Furher knows what's going on here.

He will intervene.

I never thought that one day I have to pin my hopes on Hitler.

Well, let's be honest...

This zone is a total disaster.

The people's suffering is intolerable.

At least they're still alive.

Not for much longer.

We only have food for three days no more.

And there's no more money.

We're finished.

And I can tell you why.

Because although I advised against it, there are over two hundred thousand people in the zone.

And because certain groups consume three times as much rice as others.

Why are you looking at me like that?

What are you fattening up your students?

Or what are you doing with the rice you get?

They're young they had to eat.

I doubt 150 girls can ever consume that much rice.

You are forgetting that Ms. Dupres offered to take care of the prisoners.

Oh I thought of that.

I'll tell you when I entered the college yesterday.

And discovered there are no prisoners at all there.

Everyone knows that the Japanese has shot all our prisoners.

Well lucky for you cos rice is fetching a high price on the black market.

You take that back!

Oh! Come on. Nobody here complains like you about your girls.

And yet nothing REALLY has ever happened to them

So if you've all been right then we've have earned the rice.

Stop it! please please stop it. Now.

The college gets the rice that it gets. That will be a reason for it.

And Schmit mind your own business. Instead of concerning yourself with Ms. Dupres's business.

So Rierson when are these ambassadors coming back for God's sake.

I don't know.

I ask myself what's better.

To help or making things worse.

Or not helping at all.

And what good will it do when we give up now.

None. Exactly.

safety zone that isn't safe...

is worse than none at all.

John.

You don't have to upset now when you are so sad

Just say...

play the piano.

Can I trust you?

What?

I want to show you something.

What happened to your girls here?

I told them it was lice.

I can hardly say it was a protection measure against rape.

And probably not very helpful.

Come.

I'm not handing over anymore prisoners.

It's the only way to save them.

This madness hiding them here in the college.

We agreed not to hid any soldiers.

And the Japanese agreed...

not to shoot any prisoners. I can't allow this.

It endangers the existance of the entire zone.

I thought I could trust you. That is not the point

These men are handed over and only over my dead body.

December 21st, 1937.

We're cut off from the outside world.

No post, telegrams or calls can reach us.

Nothing works anymore.

I never thought I'd have to put a value on human life.

weighing one against another.

ls it better

to hand over a few hundred soldiers to protect the zone.

not knowing if it will help at all?

Or to stand one's ground?

There is no answer.

Hi.

How did your hair get so short?

Got cut off.

Where is she then?

-Who is it? -Where's the girl?

-ls she in here? -Who?

There's no girl here! Get lost!

Bloody bastards!

What did l tell you? -You were right!

Nice haircut.

Come on then.

Just you wait.

Who do you think you are?

Not so fast.

-Spread her legs. -Just calm down.

Just calm down.

Keep her still, will you!

Keep quiet.

Be quiet there!

Quiet! Stop there!

Stop it! This is the safety zone!

Get out and leave the women alone!

We're Germans.

Heil Hitler!

Germans. We're Germans.

Help me out here, damn it!

Heil...Shitler.

Heil Shitler.

-That's not funny. -We got through.

All the same, he is the F�hrer of the German people.

And shall l tell you what l don't find funny?

Yes, what is it?

lt also concerns

the so-called F�hrer.

-Listen here... -Friedrich Rierson, my father.

An ambassador and foreign minister, forced to flee and die in China.

Simply because my grandfather,

Beethoven's best friend, no less, happened to be Jewish.

My father couldn't die in the country he always lived for.

That's not funny. Nor is my position as secretary.

After years as embassy councillor.

l should be glad to even be alive.

Do you think that's funny?

Heil Shitler.

Why do we have to bury him?

lt's our duty.

l hated him. And you hated him too.

He is still our father.

Not being buried is like dying a second time.

Well, he deserves it.

Hold the candle.

l hated him.

Forgive him.

I'm asking you for the last time. Who gave you these order.

None of your business.

Unbelievable.

He has orders to fill the hole to make the road passable.

-With corpses? -lt looks like it.

Are you all right?

Yes, l'm fine. Don't worry.

An officer.

Excuse me! I have to protest. Who gave the order to fill the crater with corpse?

Lieutenant.

These people are hindering our work.

Lieutenant! Hold on please.

Come on!

Listen, we have to split up.

Run in there. Quick!

Soldier! No Soldier!

lt's me, Langshu.

No soldier! Stop! No soldier!

What's happened here!

What do you want?

China soldier. You get out of my school!

China soldier! Stop that at once!

Ssh! lt's me, Langshu.

-Quick! Help me! -lnto the stove!

-Search from top to bottom. -Yes, sir!

This is a girl's college and we're inside the safety zone.

You are not entitled to be here.

Quick, get into bed!

This is the last room of this floor. And it's my girl's dormitory.

If you dare to lay so much as a finger...

on one of them. Open.

Get up! And quick.

They look like men.

The Japanese won't lice with them.

Strip!

I protest! That's outragerous.

Lost soldier. No problem.

Strip!

They leave the room.

-Wait outside. -Yes, sir.

Take off your night gowns.

Quick!

Nothing will happen to you.

Hands behind your backs.

Onwards!

December 23rd, 1937.

Tomorrow is Christmas.

We're at the end of our rope.

We can't maintain the zone much longer.

I used to say. "Never stop.

it will stop on its own."

And that will have to hold true even now.

l've decided to leave our savings to the zone.

What else are they good for?

Now that Dora is no longer with us.

Come in!

Thank you.

Do you want to take a sit?

So your brother's asleep?

Yes... he's sleeping.

Good.

That's your wife.

Oh no... that's my sister.

Huedi.

These are family pictures.

Yes... Yes.

My Mother, my Father, Sister and that's me.

That's sweet.

Thank you.

That's you?

That was a long time ago.

May I have this one?

Yes... if you like.

This one.

Do you remember? Yes.

December 24th, 1937.

Merry Christmas to you.

l've celebrated every Christmas with Dora for nearly 30 years.

With a Christmas tree. And Christmas goose.

And Dora's famous Gugelhupf cake.

I don't regret staying behind. We have saved a lot of lives.

But I haven't words for my grief.

John! Coming!

What do you say it?

I'd say that is the ugliest Christmas tree I have ever seen in my life.

I take that as a compliment.

Are you alright? Yes, I'm fine.

Here.

Hmm... Cognac!

All the risks in the diplomatic crisis in. They deserted a crate in the French embassy.

Lucky for us the french are such scaredy cats.

Listen to this!

Asaka has cancelled a meeting at the embassy.

What? Yeah!

The mail has come through here.

And best of all... This.

What is it? Open it.

This was lying in the church. Just like that.

Almost fifty thousand dollars.

Well, let's drink to that.

Merry Christmas.

God you don't know what you're missing.

You really have some of these soup.

I'll have some of that.

I know it's awful.

Why do you think Asaka called off the meeting at the embassy at last minute?

It's really ashamed of them. Bad chamber music, raw cold fish, pack of lies.

I was so looking forward.

I think it could mean the diplomats are about to return to their...

What do you mean?

Well from a political point of view, we the committee have no relevance...

so the diplomats are coming back.

This is ...

Dora's Gugelhupf.

She... She must be alive.

Oh my god.

Put him on the bed. Quick!

He needs insulin... or he'll fall into a coma.

Shall I send someone to the clinic?

We have no insulin. We have no more mediation.

There might be one chance.

We have been questioning some girls from the college.

Hundreds of soldiers are being hidden there.

We could close the security zone.

So what are you waiting for?

The zone must be cleared

before the diplomats

and the press return to Nanking.

Or the whole world will hear about it.

That's an order!

It's Nakajima.

We'll here because Mr. Rabe has had a breakdown.

His condition is critical.

If you could help us.

It would save his life.

insulin. Okay.

Dr. Rierson.

Tomorrow the diplomats are returning.

On the "Cricket". What?

Prince knows about the soldiers you are hiding in the college.

He will use that as an excuse to clear the zone beforehand.

Okay, got it.

Come on. Let's go.

I can't believe that I found out from the Japanese officer what you're up to.

I even gave my word of honour, that we're not hiding any soldiers here.

Should I have just told everyone that there's still 800 in the college.

No. You should have never hidden them there.

But hand them back over to be sacrificed by the Japanese.

And now! Now they'll be massacred anyway.

And quite likely the entire zone along with them.

You deceived me. You deceived the whole committee.

And Rabe! You deceived him too.

Mr. Rabe knew about it. Don't be ridiculous

He will never allow that.

But... what wouldn't I allow?

John! What are you doing?

You must get back to bed at once.

How many manual sirens do we still have?

Three.

Right.

At the position. Give the signal as soon as the "Cricket" turn.

Put it to Nanking harbour.

It's all or nothing.

December 25th, 1937.

News that Prince Asaka wants to clear the zone

did not take long to get around.

Hundreds of people have gathered outside the zone

to block the entrance.

They're prepared to risk their lives to defend the zone.

Their time is up.

Clear the zone, damn it!

Reinforcements? For what, exactly?

This is ridiculous.

Reinforcements for what?

It's starting.

We have to hand over the prisoners now. Never ever.

They'll just mow these people down!

So let's do something.

Battle order!

-Load. -Load!

We'll go out there.

Are you mad? Open the gate.

And then?

Then we will hand ourselves over to the Japanese.

-Aim. -Aim!

They want to shoot us!

Your Highness, let us shoot.

So pleased to see you in good health again Mr. Rabe.

Good enough to be shot your imperial highness.

You only need to handover the soldiers.

Soldiers that don't exist can't be handed over.

If you prefer to carry out another massacre you will have to shoot us too this time.

Aim!

What's that?

That's the "Cricket"...

just docking at the Nanking harbour,

with all the diplomats and the international press on board.

Better hurry if you still want to shoot us.

Otherwise the whole world would know about it tomorrow.

Stand down.

-Stand down! -Yes, sir!

Unload your weapons!

Order arms!

To the left!

Quick march!

December 29th, 1937.

ln front of the diplomats Prince Asaka acknowledged the zone.

But this victory was the end of us.

The committee was forced to step down.

We handed over most of our photos and films to the Japanese.

who destroyed them before our eyes.

And l...

l have to leave the city today.

But I will see Dora again.

lt almost seems like a miracle.

The struggle is over.

Thank you.

Good luck.

Clear out!

Rabe is coming!

Goodbye! Goodbye!

Far more than 200,000 people

survived the Rape of Nanking in the protection of the safety zone.

Nevertheless the number of victims was staggering.

Censuses revealed that at least 300,000 people were killed.

Until the present day the Japanese government

has refused to officially acknowledge the extent of the Rape of Nanking.

On his return to Germany,

John Rabe was arrested as a suspected collaborator of the Chinese.

He was forbidden to report on his experiences in Nanking.

His diaries were confiscated and only rediscovered 60 years later.

After the war

John Rabe was at first refused denazification by the Allies.

Forgotten and impoverished, he died in Berlin in 1950.

Based on true events

lnspired by JOHN RABE DER GUTE DEUTSCHE VON NANKlNG