All language subtitles for Harnack-1951-La-hache-de-Wandsbek_DasBeilVonWandsbek_EN

THE AXE OF WANDSBEK

HEAVEN

HELL

Get off that bike!

Have to play right here?

It's a long street.

- I gave it to them!
- They're terrified of you.

- They don't play outside other shops.
- Only here.

It's probably Dr. Neumeier
from the Board of Health.

- Hello Frau Barfey.
- Hello.

So, is everything all right?

Nice of you to visit Tom.

Don't know what to say.

I'm so worried about him.

- Worried?
- Yes, doctor.

The new law
to curb hereditary diseases.

It was in the paper.

People with bad genes
will be sterilized.

But Frau Barfey!

He can't change my past.

Slaving the whole
day at the wash tub�

Poverty's not a genetic disease.

As long as I'm in office,
Tom will be okay.

Hello, Tom!

Hello! Nice of you to visit.

It's my job,
but I like visiting you anyway.

- I have something that will amaze you.
- You don't say!

Dr. Meibaum disappeared.
His wife thinks his books are in danger.

Heinrich Heine.

Freud,

Remarque,

Feuchtwanger,

Friedrich Wolf,

Thomas Mann.

Very impressive.
I couldn't keep books like that.

- Why? You're a party member.
- Exactly.

Karl Marx: Das Kapital.

- You're out of your mind.
- But it's in my flat.

- You'll end up in jail.
- Karl Marx? Let 'em come.

- Any bigger ones?
- Not in that style, Herr Trowe.

But here's a really nice one.

Will you never learn?
Those are for party officials.

They're very popular
at the moment.

I sold two of them last week.

Life is tough then?

I may have a new customer for you.

Footh, the shipowner.

Small company but very influential.
Colonel in the SS.

Just what we need!

He entertains a lot.

It might help if you
offered to do his laundry.

I know him. He's not an extremist.

I'll write a letter of recommendation.

Back to my place?

I have to look after my old man.

Bad mood or just bored, Annette?

How could I be bored
with my Footh around?

Do you still love me then?

If you stay so cute, forever.

But I have to go to Father.

He's still plagued
by the four Reeperbahn convicts.

They'll be thinking�

he's a communist.

Why?

Father's only the prison warden.
He can't help it that the men weren't�

- You know�
- But he is responsible.

He must see it's in the court's
interest. The whole city's interest.

The F�hrer won't come to Hamburg
until those men are executed.

He's blamed for
Hitler's absence.

Father can't
execute them himself.

They know Dencke's sick.

Dencke? Oh, I forgot, the executioner.

Why is the shutter down?
Can you see at all?

People don't need to see me
doing all your dirty work.

- Albert?
- What, Stine?

That old axe is still here.

Grandpa's axe.

Really something, huh?

Sheffield steel.

Listen to this sound.

Music.

Money sounds better.

Just sell the thing!

We don't need it anyway.

No way.
I won't part with it.

- How much did we take today?
- Just under 25 marks.

It was never less.

- Maybe it's the heat.
- Rubbish.

Then I don't know.

This can't go on.

I know who's to blame.

The new meat department
in the Wandsbeker Chaussee store.

- People love it.
- It's no wonder.

Refrigerators keep meat fresher,
and it's cheaper.

And what did the F�hrer
offer the little guy?

- An awful lot.
- And now?

- The sharks still eat the small fry.
- But, Albert!

It'll take time, of course.

It's all a matter of money.

We have to be competitive.

You're right.

Refrigerators, tiled walls.

- Nice window displays.
- Flowers.

A pig's head in the window.

Lemon in mouth,
parsley on its ears.

Box trees outside.

- Where are you taking that?
- To the Barfeys.

- Tom likes my treats.
- You wrapped it smartly.

Well, Fietje! Back with them old boots?

They don't like you marching so much.

Fix the sole. We fall in at nine.
I can't go in slippers.

Don't trample so much.

Tread gently, my boy, always gently.

If we had always trodden softly,
we wouldn't be in power now.

His voice, his voice.

It must fascinate everybody.

I heard the F�hrer in Kassel in 1932
and nearly cried.

- Have you seen his eyes, Herr Teetjen?
- You bet.

Have you ever seen such hidden fire?

He's a genius.

The eyes of a political visionary.

Dr. Goebbels can speak too.

- Heil Hitler!
- Heil Hitler!

Heil Hitler, Chief Secretary.

- Albert! Come quick!
- What's up?

- I have an idea.
- Let's hear it.

Am I right? You used to get
on okay with shipowner Footh?

Get on okay?
We were buddies in the Great War.

We stuck together
in the Baltic fiasco.

Didn't you save his life?

Well yes, maybe.

We were ready for anything.

We requisitioned
pigs for the brass.

- And Hans Peter Footh-
- He's in your debt.

Now look what I have.

How did you get that?

Dr. Neumeier recommended
Frau Barfey for a job with Footh.

It's too far away
for Frau Barfey.

So, I took the envelope.

- And?
- And what?

Footh is an important man.

He's rich and he can help you.

I can write to him
without her envelope.

Maybe, but that doesn't
mean he will read it.

He knows Neumeier's handwriting.

They're good friends, and
he'll read personal mail.

But it's like begging.

It's nothing of the kind.

I don't want to ask for alms.

You saved his life.

Don't forget that!

Come on.

Write the letter now!

Well, if you say so.

Go on, do it!

How do you start?

Dear Comrade-in-Arms Footh.

What have you been up to?

I don't need that, Doc.

- It's no use anymore.
- I'll decide that, Fr�ulein Prestow.

Lene Prestow is no more.

Pills won't change that.

Don't talk to me about TB.

But you can help me another way.

I'd like a few minutes alone with you.

Okay.

Lene, who knows what will be,

but if you need
spiritual help�

A guide to heaven?

No, Doctor,

I'd rather deal with
God personally.

Something's on your mind.

You know how I
come to be in here.

- Perjury, wasn't it?
- Right.

That's what the files say.

Lena Prestow - 18
months for perjury.

Heil Hitler. District Attorney.

Do you also know that
there's not a word of truth in it?

- I haven't seen the file.
- You don't need to.

It says two men in brown shirts
swore on their mother's grave

that they saw me
on January 18, 1933

at six o'clock in the
evening at Ferry 7.

And where were you?

That's the thing. In the
Reeperbahn shootout.

From start to finish.

Stuck on Gro�e Freiheit corner,

between Merzenich
and Friedel Timme.

Friedel Timme?

Yes, Friedel�

Now there's a man.

A real comrade.

Above all nobody's fool.

He saw that the SA only
wanted to provoke us.

Why do you say that?

I saw it all.
One of the SA men shot

his leader in the stomach.

Of course, it was blamed on us.

The Reichstag fire was the same.

The Nazis commit the crimes.

People are led to
believe it was us.

But, Lene!

Then a few bribed
witnesses appear.

They swear that Friedel Timme
and his comrades were guilty.

But it won't help them.

The truth cannot be killed.

Even if they murder four
upstanding comrades.

I didn't know.

That's exactly the point.

You're not told
and won't be told.

You cover your ears

and shut your eyes.

Don't talk too much.

It's not good.

Don't keep quiet, Doctor.

That's no good either.

I know Otto Merzenich.

I know he's never
pulled a trigger.

Now they want to kill him.

Bastards.

Splendid figure, Herr Colonel!

Really� A superb profile.

Enter!

Excuse me, but Senator
Heldt is on the phone.

Oh!

Heldt.

Oh yes� fine.

Senator, Footh here.

Yes, indeed.

I quite agree.

A non-Aryan company is anathema
to German Shipowners Association.

Yes.

That's final?

Good.

Heil Hitler, Senator.

- Will it work?
- Looks good, my dear.

The Senate seconds
the Association.

They want me to take
the tankers under my wing.

There's only Berlin
now. Any mail?

Not from Berlin.

Bring the rest upstairs.
I'll get rid of the tailor.

So, we can go on.

Sit down on the stool, dear.
But only the important stuff.

Shipbrokers, Lloyds' annual
report� That's late in coming.

Mrs. Reymer's obituary.

We'd better send a wreath.

- From the Health Board, Dr. Neumeier.
- Maybe an invitation. Open it!

Bit tight here.

Shouldn't be.

- Dear Comrade-in-Arms Footh.
- "Comrade-in-Arms" can't be right.

It's been a long time.

I hope you're well,
since I am not.

My butcher shop is losing trade.

Competition from bigger
stores is probably to blame.

Who's it from? Show me!

K�the Neumeier's return address.

It's signed: Albert
Teetjen, butcher.

To business, Koldewey.

Prisoner Prestow died yesterday.

TB - a lost cause.

I see. Prestow.

Sad. A young girl.

Sorry?

Oh, I see.

She was still young.

In the Reeperbahn
trial, wasn't she?

Yes, I know.

Tell me, Koldewey.

Do you think we're right
not to speak up sometimes?

In the Reeperbahn case?

It's possible�

but I haven't seen the files.

I have seen them.

The whole case is
a rather dark affair.

But the verdict was
objectively right?

Objective, Doctor?

The judges live
in the Third Reich.

You mean the
verdict is untenable?

I was once very closely
involved with the socialist left.

They included Friedel Timme.

A decent, clever man.

I liked him a lot.

Innocent typesetter Friedel Timme
sentenced to death in Reeperbahn trial.

Right? He's not guilty.

At least not of the murder.

One could assume so.
I assume so.

Listen, Koldewey.

Not everyone is as daring
as Timme and his comrades.

But we should at least
dare to be consistent.

To say yes,

or say no.

Not just say nothing.

Can I look through
the Reeperbahn file?

Certainly.

I'd like to hear
your opinion on it.

The Timme files,
Reeperbahn trial.

Yes, sir.

Scharnhorst, Scarlet Fever,

Slayer.

Person who is ordered to
inflict capital punishment.

Germany has employed
professional slayers since 1200,

although amateur executions
continued until the 16th century.

Today, they are only appointed

on a case-by-case
basis by the courts.

No special qualification
is stipulated.

Get me the District Attorney
on the phone.

But first Herr
Teetjen. Tomorrow�

at� 9 Stock Exchange,
10.15 Shed 86.

At 12.

Meet at 12 o'clock in
Schuemann's Oyster Cellar.

Remember eating
whole pans of caviar?

No bread at all, but
up to our ears in caviar.

That was� in the central sector.

Schaulen, Lithuania.

That was precarious.

One Teuton every 200 kilometers.

- Wish we'd had the SS then.
- Our time will come.

The F�hrer will see to
that. He'll see them off.

They're in for a shock.

Oh yes, your letter.

I wanted to speak
to you about that.

You know�

A bottle of Cognac
and two glasses.

Right away, Herr Footh.

It was right of
you to come to me.

After all, we are old
comrades from the Great War.

And you've bailed
me out a few times.

It's okay, we can manage.

Cash is what it's all about.

Breathing space, hm?

My store is a little dated.

Big stores have icemakers.

Window decorators.

- But ours�
- Modernization's the answer.

How did you get an envelope
addressed by K�the Neumeier?

It was a recommendation for
Barfey, but she didn't need it.

Tell me, Teetjen.

Do you still have guts?

Come on. Out!

Out!

Schr�ter!

- Here.
- To the right!

- Timme!
- Here.

To the right! On the double!

Merzenich!

Need a scented invitation?

- Asshole.
- Tired of living?

Mengers!

All others go down to the yard!

Bind them and take them away.

Are the Reds finally for it?

No, not quite.

Just moving to death row.

- What's up now?
- Am I Jesus?

How should I know?

Maybe Dencke's cured his gout

and your lease on life is up.

A nice change of pace for you.

In the best interests of
the city, and all of Germany.

You know that?

Yes, they're four
rogues. Criminals.

It needs redressing, with
the full force of the law.

Our F�hrer won't come here
until it's cleared up, you know?

No, why? They're
locked up and powerless.

But it soils the city's image.

Between you and me.

Hamburg breeds reactionaries.

The brothers balk.

The F�hrer loves
this city, I know,

so he wants it to be clean.

He gets what he wants.

Okay, you'll do it then?

Me? Why do I have to do it?

I don't get you. It's
only like the war.

Maybe, but I'm more
worried for Stine's sake.

People talking.

Nobody would recognize you.

First, nobody's
around. Second�

Well, just wear a black mask.

Top hat, tails, mask.

- I've got no tails.
- Rent some.

From Bornemeier Costumes.

I rented a Maharaja
outfit there.

And the axe?

No problem there, pal.

I have an axe, an old heirloom.

Sheffield steel.
It's shaped like this�

Seems perfect for this job.

- It's a butcher's dream.
- Two thousand�

could come in handy.
It's easy money.

We sure could use it to
get us out of the woods.

Okay, but promise me one thing.

You'll do a neat job.

I have time to
think it over, don't I?

Come, Albert. Time to move on.

Why are you weeping,
Sweet maid of the garden.

Stine!

You're home late.

Business is business.

- You were a long time.
- Well.

Another bar, then another�

Footh can drink like a fish.

- You kept afloat too.
- You know me.

If it's business,
I'll allow myself a little drop.

So, out with it then.

It's not that simple, any of it.

Hold your horses.

What's up?

Will he help you?

Two grand in cash.

A loan?

Would I take something on loan?
I'm willing to take Footh's oysters.

But not his money.

So, you'll earn it?

Hang on. What work is
there at a shipping company?

I mean for a butcher?

- Listen, Stine.
- What's going on?

This is kind of confidential.

Is it illegal?

What we discussed
is beyond reproach.

In the interest of the F�hrer.

Well in that case.

And I'd appreciate it, Stine�

if you'd just trust
me in this case.

You know, the conservative
citizen of Hamburg

is a born reactionary.

Negroes?

I've sailed to Africa 19
years, the Near East for four.

I can't fault my winchmen.
They're faithful as dogs.

- Cheers!
- Cheers!

Karstensen.
A missionary at heart.

I don't know any Negroes.

Maybe they are as
loyal as the captain says.

I could say the same
of my Doberman.

Very true. The Germanic
race is born to lead.

The world needs us to thrive.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

- It's a question of time.
- Roast beef, please.

Roast beef? Why?

Oh, Herr Colonel Lintze.

Just a matter of time, and
our country's colors will fly,

our swastika will wave

from Cape Town to
Rio, Frisco to Shanghai.

God, who is this windbag?

Kralle. He's aryanizing
Samuel Stern Shipping.

A VIP.

The Third Reich's
star is rising.

Heads� I do it.

Tails.

Shit, two grand
says I do it anyway.

Important call in your study.

Thanks.

Left to me, it would go ahead.

No need to worry then.

Your influence should swing it.

Other owners want to get their
hands on Stern's Jewish tankers.

Lately I heard,
"If Kralle says 'yes', it's final."

- Berlin goes along.
- That's overdoing it.

I have my connections.

How does our Footh
find the Reich Governor?

He doesn't say.

He should get in there.

The seamen are certainly
enjoying themselves.

Our medical friend
appears to have left us.

K�the starts early tomorrow.

- Very sensible, Achim.
- We ought to go too, Aga.

Please don't leave
on our account.

The man just called.
It's all sorted out.

Excellent Footh.
Congratulations!

Good news for the
Reich Governor.

Down with the F�hrer's foes.

Cheers!

Five by six.

30 square meters.

The flooring is okay. The
wall tiles cost much more.

We can use simple floor tiles.

Wall tiles. You're right.

How about a smaller
deposit on the refrigerator.

Who pays cash?

The store will look
great and we'll prosper.

Repayment will be no problem.

Good idea.

Looking at the figures,
2000 isn't all that much.

Of course it is.
2000 marks!

2000 marks is a fortune!

We'll make sure it's enough.

It's not much for that job.

It must be torture
for you at Footh's.

Torture?

I suppose
you could put it that way.

- What's up?
- Hear that?

- Time's up.
- Who for?

The Reeperbahn Four.

Hey? Did you hear that?

Heads are to roll.

- Who then?
- Timme and comrades.

They're done for.

Dear Lord,
Thou art our shelter,

who showeth mercy unto us.

Return to us-

Shut up!

Stine.

Stine, it's time to get up.

I've been awake for ages.

You get ready first.

Will you buy me the suede shoes?

- Why?
- I mean with some of the 2000 marks.

Sure, we'll keep
100 just for us.

Should be enough.

Won't you tell me
what you do there?

Think I know anyway.

Oh yes?

Footh has some meat supplies
which he doesn't want inspecting.

You conduct a secret slaughter.
Be honest.

No no, Albert is not a criminal.

It's not my scene.

No, I just thought.

Because you're so secretive.

You have a great
figure. Can't deny that.

Work groups as usual. 20
men on laundry, 12 in the yard.

Three men to do some weeding.

The rest work inside.

Thanks. Anything else?

Yes. Last night, a lot of
telegraphing took place.

- That's nothing new.
- Obviously.

But the messages said
that the Reeperbahn men

are to be executed.

I wanted to ask you,
if that is the case.

Well, it's not definite yet.

I was informed

that an amateur executioner
will cover for Dencke.

Come in.

- Ah, Doctor Neumeier.
- Dear Koldewey!

The Reeperbahn files.
I had a good read.

Take a seat.

To put it mildly,

a shocking case.

- Above all the verdict.
- Yes.

We discussed it recently.

I want to visit the men.

As an official here,
it should be okay.

No, it shouldn't be
a problem for you.

What do you hope to achieve?

Did they plea for clemency?

Schr�ter did.

Timme, Merzenich,
and Mengers didn't.

I would like to help them.

- Why didn't they all make an appeal?
- They chose not to.

I don't know why.

Timme was involved in
the Soldiers' Council in 1918.

- That won't count in his favor now.
- Quite the contrary.

But Colonel Lintze was
his former commander.

He's very influential.

Maybe he could be of use?

Teetjen, where are you?

Lehmke? Oh, the bar.

Are you alone?

No, can anyone overhear?

I have� bought a
large quantity of beef.

For two ships.

It needs to be expertly cut,
with an axe, you understand?

Just a second. What's up?

I'm going now. Bye.

Still there?

At the slaughterhouse. Hall 4.

Every day from 11
o'clock. Is that clear?

No, it's better like this.

You won't be handling
soup bones, you know.

Albert, what are you doing here?

- You a slaughterer now?
- You could say that.

Wouldn't it be better,
Mengers, to grab the lifeline

offered by a clemency plea?

If the Reich Governor
didn't mess with the courts.

Maybe.

We Jews are accused of
showing great understanding.

Don't be mad if I
see things differently.

This execution
will never happen.

Foreign relations are tense.
This regime would risk its own neck

by allowing such excesses.

Think about the Soviet Union.

A power whose enormous dynamism

is now being recognized.

Solidarity among workers
is not a hollow phrase.

I believe in our case,

Germany stands at a crossroads.

But that good

will overcome evil.

I want to believe in justice.

Are you sure you won't appeal?

I don't want your efforts
to have been in vain.

Anyway, I have to tell you

that I am not afraid to die.

Nemo ante mortem beatus.

I had a lot of time to think.

I made peace with myself.

Don't raise your hopes,

but the penal system
has seen cases

where last minute
reprieves have been granted.

At least you were sensible and
submitted a plea for clemency.

Goodbye, Schr�ter.

The only one who's scared.

The other three are hard men.

Above all Merzenich.

You might want me
with you. He can be wild.

I'll be all right.

You can stay by the door.

Okay, Doctor.

Visitor for you.

- What's going on?
- Hello Merzenich.

- Heil Hitler.
- About time you woke up.

- Shut it!
- Watch it!

Would you mind?

What then?

I'm the doctor for
the women here.

I know. Want to
take my tonsils out?

No need for your art, lady.

All in good order,
head included.

But it does feel
a little delicate.

Herr Merzenich.

I need to speak to you.

Got news for me?

Not really, but if you want
a message passed on.

Something at least.

Who's in there?

The women's quack.

Dr. Neumeier, pepping him up.

Is it true the time has come?

No one knows for sure.

A trusty picked up on it.

Some amateur wants
to practice on these guys.

I thought it'd never happen.
It seems I was wrong.

It could even be next week.

Who is the Third Reich?

Those assholes who've occupied
the police and army barracks?

Juvenile delinquents.

They shoot at honest workers.

Do you think the entire
nation will tolerate that for long?

Hmm, they know exactly.

They're already shaking.

Look at that for example!
That clown there.

How long before he's in here?

Merzenich.
Don't make matters worse.

See what I mean?

An idle threat to a doomed man.

"Don't make matters worse."

They don't buy it themselves.

Clear off and take
that gun with you.

Mr. Prison Guard.

I asked you to wait outside.

Listen to me, Herr Merzenich.

You have strange ideas
about what's going on out there.

Many of the people who
could help you or change things,

are in the same boat as you.

There aren't enough jails.

But the best, most active

are all taken care of.

The facts will prove it.

It won't take long.

The red flag will
fly on St. Michael's.

As for a mercy plea,

I won't submit one.

I don't want mercy, but justice.

I've been giving some thought
to Lene Prestow's grave.

I promise you

I'll take care of it.

Those flowers,

I think they're called daisies.

She used to like them.

Man, he makes a clean job of it.

Timme, a visitor for you.

Dr K�the Neumeier M.D.

Who'd have thought it.

There's really no danger here.

Nice of you to come.

How are you?

Must be shocking to see
an old friend driven to this.

Take a seat.

You haven't submitted a
plea for clemency, Friedel.

I would like you to do so.

I intend to ask Colonel Lintze,
to state your case to Berlin.

Lintze? Don't know him.

Is he really a colonel?

I knew comrade
Neumeier could go places.

Always looking upwards.

Don't bring that up.

God forbid, K�the.

If you're worried about
your red tainted past,

my lips are sealed.

So, Colonel Lintze is
to be put on the case.

He was commander
of your regiment.

He has pull in Berlin.

The issue with the
Soldiers' Council.

You were a greenhorn.

You fought at the
front, were decorated.

And that will lower
the sentence?

Well�

I was decorated before
I got the death sentence.

Listen, K�the.

For many years I tried hard

to teach you the ABC
of political developments.

Now you've forgotten
it all. You're dreaming.

You need another lesson.

Step by step.

Guns in the background.
Reins held tight.

German generals plotting
revenge for 1914-18.

All obstacles must be removed.

The Reds, the pacifists.

Even parts of the church.

Presiding over all the
private's brown shirts.

The army was always
a feudal organization.

These men don't do the killing.

They get others to do it.

The SA, SS, Gestapo.

While obstacles like
me are cleared up,

a mighty German war machine
is gearing up in the Ruhrland.

Then it's up and at 'em!

Hurray!

K�the Neumeier, before
the likes of you realize it

thousands of bodies will again litter
the barbed wire on the battlefields.

Listen:
The plea for clemency is futile.

It would go straight
to the trash can.

If you really want
to help, get me a file.

A motorcycle filled up and
ready north of the prison yard.

The rest is up to me.

Friedel�

You can't expect me to do that.

You really should
come to church.

Particularly at this time.

How do you mean that?

To thank God for all that money.

God had little to do with it.

I'll have to do
it for you again.

Well it's time you
got up anyway.

For today we hold just Germany,

But tomorrow the
whole wide world.

We'll march until all shatters,

With proud flags held unfurled.

For today we hold just Germany,

But tomorrow the
whole wide world.

We'll march until all shatters.

But dear K�the,

what a strange idea!

Moreover, a bit late.

Not while they're alive.

Due process takes time.

If granted a reprieve,
which I doubt,

it wouldn't make the funeral.

There must be another way.

People's lives are at stake.

I only go by the book.

Please, dear K�the.

Timme, one of the
Soldiers' Council.

Have you no sense of patriotism?

At the present time, as
commander of a regiment,

soon a division, I
cannot risk my neck

pleading for a
condemned communist.

Unworthy of sympathy.

If it helps you,

although there's
not enough time,

I'm going to contact Berlin.

A man in the Ministry.

- Are there no public executions?
- Why ask?

- Would you go to watch?
- Don't be silly.

Why not?

Very pretty, Madam.

Do you like them?

They're super.

You can pick them up tomorrow.

It's inevitable, really.

There's no space for real
art in Hitler's Germany.

If the masters don't like it, it's
branded bolshy art and burnt.

Nazis. How uncivilized!

There's no chance of a
last minute reprieve then?

The deadline is the morning
of the execution, right?

The DA can still
grant a reprieve

and reduce the
sentence to a prison term.

I wonder what the
final decision will be,

if heads will roll or not.

Dear Lintze, I didn't think
you would go through with it.

Well Aga, what do you think?

Well since we're here now.

As long as it is not a
problem to sleep here?

That's no problem, Frau Lintze.

You must rise early.

As an officer's
wife I'm used to it.

We'll retire now.

Four o'clock is
early even for us.

- Is one blanket enough?
- I think so.

This way, please.

- Will you wake us?
- No, the maid will knock.

You're sleeping here?
Good night then.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Yes?

I was asked to wake you.
It's five to four.

Thank you.

It's okay. I'm up already.

- Frau Doctor!
- Thank you.

Siegfried Mengers.

Executioner,
carry out your duty!

How stupid.

Aga, got my cigars
by any chance?

Otto Merzenich.

Executioner,
carry out your duty!

- Stop it! Stop it!
- Soon be over.

Criminals, against
F�hrer and army.

Be strong, stay strong.

Friedrich Timme.

You will meet a bloody end,
but the future belongs to us!

Executioner,
carry out your duty.

Aga, come away from there.

It was stupid to
watch it anyway.

Now the F�hrer
walks on to the podium.

He greets a full complement

of Reich ministers.

His deputies.

A quarter of ground beef.

It's very fresh.

Real party today,
with the F�hrer here.

- For you?
- Two chops.

The new shop looks great, Herr Teetjen.

- Inheritance?
- Not far off.

Thirty-five.

The daisies were
Merzenich's last wish.

Sometimes I think
we'll never forget.

- You really want to go to Italy.
- I think it's best.

Now it's over with Footh,
I can't go on here.

It's unforgivable how we just
stood and watched it all happen.

Why did we do it?

Frau Lintze insisted.

And I was hoping for a reprieve.

Then Footh hired
the executioner.

How did he find
this dreadful man?

- With your help.
- With my help?

Yes, Footh explained it.

He received a letter with
your address on the envelope.

- I addressed it to Footh?
- Yes.

Hang on!

That could only be�

I must find out at once.
Will you come too?

No, I want nothing
more to do with it.

You can't remember who
you gave the envelope to?

It's no problem. We
gave it to Stine Teetjen.

They wanted something from
Footh. It was too far for Mom.

- Much too far.
- Teetjen the butcher?

That's appalling!

You couldn't see his eyes, but�

somehow he looked familiar.

So Teetjen the butcher
was the executioner

of the Reeperbahn Four.

Teetjen?

That's where the money came from.

Was there no way to save them?

A file,

and a motorcycle.

We're all to blame.

To a greater or lesser extent.

God forgive us.

Unlikely he'll do that.

God, I think I'm
quite drunk already.

Stine, I think
money is a blessing.

My late father beat into me,

"You are what you own".

You don't know how
much he had to beat me.

I was a slow learner.

He was some guy.

There should be more
chips off his block.

Sweet Stine. We're
a pair, aren't we?

- We made it.
- Yes, Albert.

Thank God.

We made it.

No more today.

They should stick
to the opening times.

- Oh, Frau Barfey.
- Evening.

- Are you busy?
- No.

Tom says hello, and
returns the harmonica.

With many thanks.

Eh? Doesn't he want
to play anymore?

Yes. No. It's just�

He has a lot of work to do.

He won't have the time.

Come in! Have a drink with us.

Hope it still works.

Thanks anyhow, but I have to
put Lehmke's wash in to soak.

Well then. Good bye.

Good bye.

That's why on the Rhine

It is so fine.

On the Rhine

So fine.

You're a good girl, Stine.

Cheers!

But you have no idea
how I got the money.

If it's a criminal offense,
go ahead, and confess?

Criminal?

Comrade Footh didn't ask
me to commit crime.

The opposite. The F�hrer's will.

- I do what he tells me.
- Authority must be obeyed.

- Says in the Bible.
- You and your Bible.

My father's lesson
was much simpler.

Like this.

Listen carefully.

I stood in for the executioner.

In the Reeperbahn case.

That is what I did.

- What?
- Carried out the sentence.

Sent four Reds to their deaths.

Is that true?

Whoso sheddeth man's blood,

by man shall his blood be shed.

Says the Lord.

But Stine.

Little Stine.

Better hope nobody finds out.

Where does he live?

17 Wagnerstrasse, Wandsbek.

Executing four men.

What was he thinking of?

His master's precept.
Bang, and don't think about it.

We'll smash his windows.

Then what? You get the
Gestapo on your back.

Four decent comrades.
It needs doing right.

Everyone should know who the pig is.

Patriotism
should be publicized.

- Heil Hitler!
- So, off we go.

Ugh! Not going there again.

- Scary.
- They won't hunt you.

When our customers catch
on, and know they supply us.

- They'll stay away.
- Think we're the only ones who know?

Nobody knows that he
wore the morning suit.

I really don't care.

I want it out of here.

If I have to give it away.

There's human blood on it.

No cleaner can change that.

Hey, Albert.

Look at that.

What did that woman want, Albert?

I don't know.

No business for weeks.

How can that be?

Think I know?
Ask the people themselves.

Do you think they know?

Who cares if they know?

I'd like them to accuse
me of serving the nation!

Yes, a national service.
The SS recognize that.

He looks like anyone else.

This murderer.

All should hear there's
blood on his hands.

He pockets 2000 marks,

and helps give
the Nazis free rein.

To prepare for a new war.

Revenge for 14-18.

The death of our comrades.

- It's a signal.
- Yes.

Continue their fight.

Let people know. Warn them.

Stine, it couldn't go on.

We needed money.

Then Footh had this idea.

Albert, the axe is bad luck.

- Get rid of it!
- But Stine.

Get rid of it.

For my sake.

Okay, I'll do it now.

Put it in the trash.

That was that.

Albert, I'm scared.

Scared?

Of me?

What will become of us?

Two installments are due.

Workmen want money.

And no customers.

Every day it gets worse.

We'll get a loan.

That won't help.

Or should we hang ourselves?

These brothers
begrudge me my tankers.

Stinkers to a man.

Let them.

Say I must have fiddled,
to get hold of them.

You did too. Everyone knows how.

Oh, now you join the chorus.

You forget the governor
personally thanked me for my work.

Without me, the F�hrer
wouldn't have come.

Enter!

A Herr Teetjen for you,
sir. A private matter.

I won't hear of it.

Speaking of the Devil.

Tell Herr Teetjen, please,
this is not a welfare office.

I don't want to
speak to him again.

He's a nuisance.

- 200 marks is no chicken feed.
- I know.

- But our radio could be collateral.
- We have one.

You have a mahogany
bedroom suite.

What?

- My bed?
- Yes.

I also need bedding.
If you have any left.

We have six changes.

But my bedroom suite and linen.

Well, it's up to
you, Frau Teetjen.

As long as you pay me
back. It's no great risk for you.

But, as you wish.

- I must have the money.
- Well then.

50, 100, 150,

20, 40� 200.

Now all you must do is sign

that I get your
bedroom suite and linen.

- Six sets of bedding?
- Yes.

It's damask from my trousseau.

There's damask and damask.

So, sign here please.

- Thank you, Frau Lehmke.
- Any time.

Look at her, pawning her stuff.

But still wearing suede shoes.

Beef 2.40,

Liver sausage 0.20,

Pork sausage 0.80.

Well, how did it go?

Footh wasn't there.

They said I can go back.

Thank God.

I've sold quite a lot today.

There was quite a rush on.

Strange.

Whenever I'm away
business booms.

Heil Hitler, Herr Schlittmann.

- Here for your money?
- You bet.

Hang on!

This must be�

some kind of mistake.

I think you're right.

- Okay.
- You'll definitely get it next week.

I'd better.

That was in the trash.
A mistake, right?

Look at that! What
was I thinking of?

I kept wondering,
"Where did I put that axe?"

Many thanks.

Most men would
do it for 2000 marks.

If they had the guts.

- And the skill.
- Drop it, Albert.

You did as the F�hrer asked.

The war was bloodier.

Bonehead garbage man.

Dragging the evil axe back home.

Get rid of it again.

I know where to hide it.

- Permanently.
- Hope no one sees you.

At half past midnight?

It's gone.

Thank God for that.

Albert. Now the axe is gone,

I think things will get better.

- When was it?
- Just before one.

I wanted to meet you,

but when I checked
if the coast was clear,

I saw him digging a hole.

Hope you were careful.

Hope nobody saw
you with the axe.

Karl.

- Evening.
- Evening.

- What an hour!
- Want the leaflets?

Get some shuteye.
Be ready in an hour.

Listen, comrades.

Something important.

Friedel Timme's farewell letter.

His mother gave it to us.

It affects us all.

All workers.

"Dear Mother, Dear Comrades.

"My last day draws to a close,

"and it's time to say farewell.

"Farewell to you, whom I love.

"To life and my
life's great struggle.

"And to you, my comrades.

"I leave, knowing that
our ideology will triumph.

"Even if we vanguards fall.

"We wanted to spare
people from the horror.

"Do not weep at our graves.

"Draw from them faith and strength
to further our fair and just cause.

"Fight for a better,
brighter future.

"Now do your duty.

"Your Friedel."

Oh my God!

The axe.

They're out to get me.

The Reds, comrades of the four.

"Dear Herr Teetjen,

"If the three remaining
installments are not�"

Then come and
get the bloody thing.

There's nothing I can do.

So, to the right. Lift!

Oh, that looks just like
someone is moving out.

Running away?

Make sure they don't
take your bed and linen.

- Two more beers.
- Okay.

- I'm going over to see.
- Wait, Mom, I'm coming too.

Really no need to
worry, Herr Drilling.

The eviction date is set.
On the first he's out.

And if he pays?

I have three houses
and 17 sets of tenants.

I know when people
can pay and can't.

He can't, he's broke.

It didn't last long.

His blood money.

This rabble.

They want to get me.

Alone they're cowards.

They all come together.

I'll beat their heads in.

I can't handle this anymore.

You?

You can't handle this?

Who do they want?

It's me they want.

Don't cry like
that, my little Stine.

It's all got to go tomorrow.

- What's got to go?
- Everything.

The bedroom suite and linen.

I pawned it all.
Over at Lehmke's.

We had to live!

But Stine.

On the assumption Footh
would give you some money.

Calm down, Stine.

Together we'll
manage to pull through.

If it's not too late.

Nonsense.

And I'll throw the accursed
axe in the harbor tonight.

Hello, Albert.

Haven't seen you for ages.

Oh, it's you, Trowe.

Had a few, I see.

Your respiration
precedes you, eh!

Hey, they're after me. A
damned bloodthirsty mob.

- Who?
- All the Reds.

The whole Wagnerstrasse.

No credit, no merchandise.

Cooler gone, landlord
kicking me out.

Here, this is why
they want my blood.

What's in there?

That?

My grandfather's axe.

Best Sheffield steel.

I've got to throw it in the sea.

You are really drunk.

What's up with the axe?

I used it to�

Well�

The Reeperbahn Four.

The whole city knows.

That's why they're after me.

I have 70 pfennigs,
and no inventory�

Well I never!

You wiped out the four brothers.

Got a problem with that?

Hell no, Albert, old pal.

My squad was in that
shootout with the Reds.

Come to the bar.
I'll see you right.

Don't take it wrong,

but they're selling bedding.

I want to know what
we can expect from you.

We still have time.

That may be.
But we need to know.

Come on, Mom.
We have to get home.

It's all there.

Two, four, six pillow cases.

Two, four, six sheets.

- Two, four�
- Seems to be in good condition.

Frau Lehmke!

What are you doing?

The furniture looks
half decent too.

It's bit much, isn't it?

Why? 200 marks
are on the line here.

Right! Get
yourselves out of here!

You vultures!

- Get out!
- Come quick, Mom.

You bloodsucking leeches.

In my own apartment!

And the third?

- And the third�
- Go, on!

He just looked at me.

He was a madman.

I didn't expect a fuss.

Man must stand up
for what he does.

Maybe he thought I was scared.

He doesn't know Albert Teetjen.

Comrades, listen to me:

Today the man is with us

who fulfilled the F�hrer's request.

He ended the Reeperbahn case by
removing the heads from the Reds.

That is a warning
to all enemies.

Opponents of the
F�hrer will be crushed.

Our comrade, Albert Teetjen's
act served the F�hrer more

than millions of idle citizens who
proudly don the swastika today.

The Reds are dogging him,

so I now command,

that this squad buy this axe.

The axe used to clear a path for
the F�hrer to come to Hamburg.

To be auctioned off and bought

by a member of this squad.

Comrade Teetjen will
receive the proceeds.

This axe

should be given a place
of honor in the squad's bar.

To conclude, a "Sieg Heil"
to our F�hrer.

Our beloved F�hrer!

- Sieg!
- Heil!

Whoso sheddeth man's blood

by man shall his blood be shed.

Says the Lord.

Man's blood.

Shed.

Forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those
who trespass against us.

They're in a blue funk.
And I'm roaring drunk.

Two hundred big ones.

Stine's eyes will pop out.

Stine!

What's that?

Stine!

Stine!

Everything will be okay.

We'll sort it out.

Everything will be okay.

You're a sensible person.

But never mind.

You can rely upon Albert.

You will meet a bloody end,
but the future belongs to us.

Copyright � 1999 TITELBILD,
Berlin Suhtitler: Peter Chivers et al.