Original subtitles

East German Diplomatic Mission Bonn, West Germany - 1983

Schweppenstette.

It's me. Turn on the TV.

Hang on.

Oh no, give me a break!

I'm on my way.

East-West Border Crossing East Berlin, East Germany - 1983

What about these books?

They don't sell Shakespeare in the West?

Yes, but they cost more there.

Students like us can't afford such expensive books in the West.

You couldn't afford them here at the official exchange rate, either.

But the exchange rate was better on the black market!

These two felt they deserved a better deal.

The greatest privilege of socialism is freedom.

Freedom from greed.

The kind of greed that caused you two to break our laws to get a better deal.

Ever thought about that?

Of course not, you're much too busy thinking about yourselves.

Next time you decide

to take East German laws into your own hands

ask yourselves: who will win?

You greedy Capitalists...

or we, the Socialists,

who work together for the collective good?

-You. -Excuse me?

You.

Of course.

You'll win.

Go on, get out of here.

Move!

Uh-uh. The Shakespeare stays.

Take Marx. You might learn something.

East German Foreign Intelligence Service HQ East Berlin, East Germany

He called us the "evil empire."

He's an actor. He's playing it for the applause.

It's an open threat, Walter.

The West is on the offensive.

We must be alert to an attack.

You also think Moscow is right?

Good.

Then we need proof.

War plans, military targets, everything we can get our hands on.

A new aide-de-camp

is slated to start out at Ferdinand Braun base in West Germany

...under General Edel.

He's close to the top brass at NATO.

Two stars. NATO Security Commission...

-Did you bring me real coffee? -Next time. I forgot.

-This general sounds like a hardliner. -We need to get someone close to him.

And this aide-de-camp?

Moritz Stamm, now in Braunschweig.

24 years old, top-of-class, loves soccer.

-Chess player. -Hold on, Lenora.

24 years old?

Where am I supposed to get someone like that?

You're kidding.

No.

-He has no training. -He can do it.

And he has the right profile.

A family member?

Rauch Family Home Kleinmachnow, East Germany

-Martin! -Hi, how are you?

Hello. The army is doing you good.

Thanks. Have a nice evening.

Bye!

Mom?

Mom!

-Hi. -Martin!

How nice you came!

They gave you leave after all.

Just for the weekend. How are you?

-Good. -Yeah?

-Congratulations. -Oh, thanks.

Evening, everybody.

Did you bust a West German theater troupe at the border again?

Something like that.

-Is Annett inside? -I think so.

-Till later, then. -Yes.

-Hi, Lenora. -Hi, Martin.

I didn't expect to see you here.

It's my sister's birthday.

So, how are things in the West?

The West is going crazy.

That Reagan is a danger to mankind.

I'm looking for Annett. I'll see you later.

-Some cake, Martin? -No, thanks.

Martin!

Hi.

-Hey, Martin, what's up? -Welcome home, man!

Hey. I helped your mom carrying some things.

-So she invited me. -Great.

Did you miss me?

How cool is this!

How's the dialysis going?

It's fine.

-And in the long run? -I'll need a kidney transplant.

But the hospitals here only do it for special patients.

Recovery requires special pharmaceuticals from the West...

I almost forgot.

Here.

-For you. -Wow!

That's nice of you.

And this...

is your actual birthday present.

Thank you.

(West German Chancellor Kohl) If the Soviet Union is not prepared

to ensure security in Europe through disarmament,

then we must attain security

by deploying medium-range American missiles.

(East German Leader Honecker) It would be the suicide of humanity,

and that is why humanity has the right

to demand the end of the nuclear arms race.

What's going on?

-How did you get in? -The door was open.

We'd like to speak to Martin.

-He's still sleeping. -At 3:00 p.m.?

In here. This way, please.

Would you wake him up, please?

I knew you were up to something.

Martin. Good morning.

Morning.

Comrades Schweppenstette and Hartmann.

They have a few questions for you.

Hartmann.

Have a seat.

Your aunt speaks very highly of you.

You have the right class perspective,

and a spotless record

as a border guard.

Do you play chess?

Martin is my only child, Lenora.

He's all I have.

You have me too.

If Martin works for us,

I can get you on the kidney transplant list.

At our 10th Socialist Party Congress, East German Leader Honecker pointed out

that securing our material and cultural achievements

would require unprecedented economic efforts.

Further economic strategy for the '80s included...

improved use of science and technology,

notably microelectronics, nuclear energy, lasers,

a better supply of consumer goods

and increased production without added labor.

Checkmate.

Well played, Comrade Rauch.

Well...

Thanks.

-No, we're not done yet. -Please sit down again.

-Sorry, my girlfriend's expecting me. -Who taught you to play chess?

Your father?

I don't have a father. I played with my mother.

-How's your English? -About as good as my Russian.

English was part of my army training.

-Are you interested in soccer? -Of course.

Which teams played for the West German cup two weeks ago?

1. FC Cologne and Fortuna Cologne.

Pierre Littbarski shot the deciding goal in the 68th minute.

-You play piano? -Me? No.

-I don't play piano. -Yes, that's the only thing.

Fritz? Make us a good cup of coffee.

-One last question... -Yes?

Would you sacrifice everything for the Party?

-Of course. -Also your life?

Yes.

So you're prepared to serve your country?

I'm sorry. I don't get what you mean. I am already serving my country.

The HVA is an elite organization. This is about a more important post.

-In the West. -What? In the West?

No way, Annett is here, my mom's sick, I can't...

Calm down a moment.

Here comes the coffee.

Let's have a coffee first.

Thanks.

I'm sorry, as much as I'd like to...

Just drink.

Let's see your hands.

-Ah! You broke my finger! -It's just sprained.

It'll be fine.

I'm not doing it! I won't go to the West for you.

NEW PARTNERS

Good morning.

Where am I?

At my house. In Bonn.

What Bonn? In the West?

Your country needs you.

-And who are you? -I'm Tobias.

Tobias Tischbier.

Tobias is a professor at Bonn University.

-Where's the guy who broke my finger? -Who?

I have to call Annett.

Impossible. No one can know where you are or what you're doing.

What am I doing?

Going undercover in the West German Army. As aide-de-camp.

To a General Edel.

General Edel works with the Americans on Pershing II missile deployment.

He meets regularly with his U.S. counterpart.

-A General Arnold Jackson. -And?

You're going to get to the confidential documents

Jackson carries in his briefcase and photograph them.

Why me?

You and Annett will get an apartment. Maybe even a car.

I don't want a car, I want to go home!

And Annett? What does she want?

It's just this once.

Get changed. These should fit.

Let's hope this doesn't backfire.

It won't.

The million-Deutschmark loan was allegedly the price of this visit.

Strauss spoke with Erich Honecker at Lake Werbellin.

Come on.

You think this is a game? You can't just run away.

-I just want to go home. -We all do.

But somebody has to make sure that there is an East Germany

to go home to.

I built my whole career here in the West,

to service the East.

I came here to study in 1961.

22 years ago. Around when you were born.

So, pull yourself together,

and just for once, stop thinking only about yourself.

The Americans are deploying nuclear missiles. Aimed where?

At your home, Martin.

The Cold War is getting hotter. We're this close to World War III.

You must be hungry.

What do you want to eat?

Do you like it?

It's really tasty.

It's full of chemicals.

People's health is irrelevant here.

Western governments want to keep their citizens fat, lazy and complacent.

I imagined Bonn differently.

-Where do they hold their parades? -Parades? They aren't into parades.

-East Berlin is more impressive. -Lesson number one.

The true luxury of the West is that no one pays attention to you.

They call that freedom.

-Are you going to eat that? -No, thanks.

-Do you go home often? -Never.

Never?

Home is inside of me. Here.

And your family?

I don't have a family.

Let's go.

In the coming weeks, I'll train you

in the key technical aspects of your mission.

I'll teach you to use micro cameras to photograph documents,

how to read texts upside down and to pick security locks.

What you got?

We'll practice the brush-pass until you can do it in your sleep.

Don't be conspicuous, don't ask questions,

and don't try to play the hero.

From now on, you eat Brötchen not Schrippen for breakfast.

Plaste is called Plastik and the Kaufhalle is called Supermarkt .

It's an orange. Say Apfelsine and no one will get you.

Learn the whole book by heart.

You are taking on the identity of a real person.

You're a first lieutenant in the West German Army.

General Edel's right hand man.

We'll teach you all the skills you need.

Your name now is Moritz Stamm.

Your code name is Kolibri.

I'll call you Moritz, so will Lenora. Everybody will call you Moritz.

The name will become part of you.

-What about the real Stamm? -Don't worry about him.

Study the story of his life until it becomes your own.

You grew up in Braunschweig, lost both parents at age 12.

You had no siblings.

Grew up with your great aunt, your mother's mother's sister.

You went into the army at the age of 19.

You're no longer Martin Rauch, from Kleinmachnow,

now you're Moritz Stamm from Lower Saxony.

First Lieutenant Stamm...

Ferdinand Braun Bundeswehr Base Daun, West Germany - 3 weeks later

Ferdinand Braun Bundeswehr Base Daun, West Germany - 3 weeks later Our man on the base will meet you there.

First Lieutenant Stamm?

General Edel trusts him blindly. His name is Karl Kramer.

First Lieutenant Kramer.

You can turn to him in a serious emergency.

This way.

Otherwise, you're on your own.

You're late, First Lieutenant.

Not a great start.

At ease.

Reporting late, Sir. I broke my finger playing soccer.

That's no good.

I had hoped to hear you play the Goldberg Variations.

I'm sorry to let you down...

when it comes to the piano, General.

Your desk is next door.

Leave your things at the barracks. Mrs. Netz will show you the office.

Standing down, General.

Homesick already?

No, nobody was around, so...

Alexander Edel.

First Lieutenant Stamm, Moritz Stamm.

My father's new aide.

Come on, I'll show you your room.

Have you read it?

By Green Party founder Petra Kelly?

No.

You should. She understands what's going on.

Over there, on the far right.

What's your take on the arms race?

War or détente?

I don't think we have a choice.

We have to build up our nuclear arsenal.

To keep the Soviets in check.

We have to show those commie assholes who's boss.

If we don't, we might as well pack it in. Right?

You sound like my father.

See you later.

General Edel is meeting U.S. General Jackson tomorrow.

You have to gather all phone logs and intelligence reports.

For internal calls, dial 1. Dial 9 to call out.

And the red button is the direct line to the General.

Don't they have phones in Braunschweig?

Where do I get the phone logs?

East Germany is 546. Soviet Union is 548.

We monitor East Germany from Building G, the Soviet Union from Building H.

-Next door. -And who's monitoring us?

You must make some interesting calls.

I most certainly do not.

Stamm, come in!

Coming.

General?

Go to town and buy cigarettes for Jackson.

Camels, no filter.

We want him to feel comfortable here. We need him on our side.

Get them at the train station.

Aren't all the Americans on our side, General?

-See to it that you get the cigarettes. -Of course.

Wilhelm Pieck School Kleinmachnow, East Germany We end gym class with a loud "Sport is...

...over!"

-Sven? -Yes?

-What's this? -My jacket!

-Thanks. -You're welcome. Bye!

-Where is he? -Who?

Martin!

Where else? I told you, at the base.

No, he's not there.

I called, and couldn't find him. So I went there.

What?

I spoke to Stefan. Martin hasn't been back since the party.

Aren't you worried?

I'm worried that you're asking too many questions.

But he just disappeared! Without saying a word.

It isn't like Martin.

You have to be patient.

How much more patient can I be?

(West) Russia has threatened with yet another round of armament

if new American missiles are stationed in Western Europe.

According to NATO Supreme Commander Rogers,

a Soviet attack on Western Europe would trigger a nuclear strike.

(East) Hysterical anti-communist agitation.

The United States justifies its militaristic policy

in reckless fashion.

Come in!

Sir. General Jackson.

General Edel!

My new aide, Stamm.

-Coffee? -Love one.

General? Your cigarettes.

-Thanks, but I stopped smoking. -Really?

Now I do this, and I chew gum.

Can I do anything else for you? Take your briefcase?

No thanks, my briefcase stays here.

The coffee tastes great, Mrs. Netz.

Important meeting today, huh?

How long do the meetings usually take?

The Pentagon has nearly completed the strategic analysis.

Our experts think a nuclear target profile on Moscow's nerve center

plus disabling strikes on its missile silos

could guarantee us victory.

Victory?

If you sacrifice West Germany.

No!

On your maps, Russia might be very far away,

but it's as close to Bonn as, say, Ohio to Washington D.C.,

the fallout alone would destroy us.

The Pershing IIs are mostly a psychological deterrent.

-Can you guarantee that? -I don't make those decisions.

-And I didn't order the damn things. -Right.

-Sure. -Great.

You can leave your briefcase here. I'll lock the door.

-Are you sure? -This is the safest room on the base,

and this base is probably the safest place in Germany.

Stamm!

This song is playing everywhere.

-Aren't you hungry? -Not yet.

Do we pay the East Germans in bananas or cash?

In steroids. For their bearded female athletes!

Strauss will probably take it across the border himself.

Moritz Stamm. My dad's new aide-de-campe.

-Globowski. -Gerlach.

Stamm.

And? How are negotiations going?

-So far so good. -Jackson's bragging about his new toys?

He brought the Pershing IIs in his briefcase.

Someday one of those things will go off.

I just hope I get laid before it happens.

No, Mrs. Netz had to visit her mother.

-General. -Stamm.

General, I was about to go into town for some gum.

Thanks, but I have enough.

-General. -Thanks.

Stamm, since you're going to town...

Yes?

I'm having a BBQ for Jackson tonight and I need charcoal.

-A big bag. -Sure.

The coals ready, Stamm?

Yes, General.

Looks good.

Stand down.

Yes, Sir.

Are you leaving already? You have to eat something.

-Wolfgang? -Sure, if you say so.

-Thanks, Mrs. Edel. -Don't mention it.

You're lucky to be here today.

My daughter is in from Cologne. She's going to perform.

-She sings beautifully. Right, honey? -Like an angel, when she wants to.

-My sister, Renate Werner. -It's a pleasure, Mrs. Werner.

Potato salad?

Sure, I'd love some.

-General Jackson? -Hi.

The meeting was a success?

-We're on the right track. -Yeah.

Follow me.

Stamm, what are you doing here?

Edel!

I got the BBQ going.

And your mom asked me to stay.

-Want a beer? -Sure.

Sausage and beer is all you men need, right?

Yvonne. My sister.

Moritz. Dad's new aide.

I heard you sing like an angel.

My dad has his own ideas of how angels should sing.

Yvonne's having an identity crisis.

Am I?

My dad wants me to study classical singing

but I'm more into soul.

What about you?

Do you listen to black music?

I once danced salsa with a delegation from Cuba.

They were all black.

Cuba?

-It's a club in Braunschweig. -Right.

-We should check it out sometime. -Definitely.

My dear guests, your attention please!

My daughter Yvonne, after tough negotiations, has agreed,

in honor of General Jackson. Where is he? There.

-Heidenröslein? -Yes.

To sing Heidenröslein.

Nowadays artists need applause in advance. So...

Annett Schneider.

-Annett, it's me. -Martin!

-I've been trying to call. -Where are you?

It's complicated, I'm in the West.

- What are you doing in the West? -I'm coming back soon.

Ursula.

Mrs. Werner heard me making a call... To the East.

I made a mistake.

That's a serious mistake.

Who were you calling?

-I have to tell you something. -Not now!

Put some of this in her drink.

And then?

Shut up.

-Yvonne! -Ursula!

Can I help you, Mrs. Werner?

Not you.

The music was lovely, General.

The sausages were great.

Do you still need me here? Otherwise, I'll be off.

Look.

My silent friends.

Yvonne is a live wire.

A... lively wire.

Yeah.

And we can always count on my wife's sister.

She never misses a chance to embarrass herself.

-Stamm? -Yes?

Get yourself a drink. Do you want a Scotch?

Sure, I'd love one.

Ah, the joys of family life.

No one here has a clue what is really at stake.

Excuse me, General?

From 3,500 miles away it's easy for Reagan

to call the Soviet Union the evil empire.

The SS-20s won't be hitting his house.

They'll be hitting yours, though.

Exactly.

We're sitting right in the eye of the storm here, so to speak.

Should I drive Mrs. Werner home, General?

That would be great.

Okay. Then have a nice night.

Stamm?

Yes?

Forget it.

Your parents must have done something right.

What's wrong?

Mrs. Werner is gone.

Is she dead?

That'd be convenient.

Then you wouldn't have to kill her.

Excuse me?

She won't remember anything tomorrow.

-Take her. -Hold on.

I got her.

Now what are we going to do with her?

Drive her home.

What did you think?

I got your delivery.

Good. Now I want to go home.

Do you know what your photos showed?

This is a list of 17 sites in East Germany.

Runways, munitions depots, even the military intelligence base.

It's a list of targets, Moritz.

The Americans are planning an attack.

You must find out when.

Not me.

One mission. That was the deal. I must return to Annett. And my mother?

I'll take care of her.

She'll get on the transplant list at the Charité hospital,

and you stay here.

And if I don't?

Then...

I'm not sure if I can help her.

What? You're talking about your own sister, Lenora!

The lives of millions of East German citizens are at stake.

Not just one.