Original subtitles

The events and people depicted in this film are based on real events and personalities.

However, some events and names of real people have been fictionalized for dramaturgical reasons.

KIDNAPPED 14 Days of Survival

- Gotcha! - You can't catch me!

Yes, I'll catch you!

- No! - Yes!

Watch out, out of the way!

Sorry.

Hello! Into the pool!

- Into the pool! - No, stop!

You come down here now because Daddy is about to give his speech.

Come.

So!

Since you are all already helping yourself to my champagne so eagerly,

you must now endure me for a moment.

But seriously, it is a great pleasure for me to welcome all of you to our

first summer party of the year.

And as always, all thanks go to my wonderful Gaby.

Without whom, we would only have pretzels and beer here.

And I don't know how she does it.

But Gaby, you are the most wonderful hostess in the world.

So, a little surprise.

Whoever catches the cork will win 10,000 Marks.

Here we go!

Oh, too bad, tough luck.

Maybe we'll try again later.

By the way, if anyone leaves the party with less than a BAC of 0.2 percent…

then you won't be invited next time. Just so you know.

Have fun!

Thank you, dear.

- Thanks to you. - Did you have 10,000 Marks in cash here?

I practiced shooting corks into the pool with Snugglebug all morning.

The risk was completely manageable.

- Well shot, Daddy. - Yeah?

Crazy.

I need to discuss something briefly with Montgomery.

- What? - It won't take long.

But why now, Jochem?

If it does, it will cost him dearly.

- Jochem? - Have fun!

- Monty! - Nice party!

Based on a true story

Cologne 1980

The United Artists deal, unfortunately, fell through, I'm sorry.

I want in, but my lawyers can't believe that this is legal.

The loss is a gain.

You deduct that from your taxes and generate up to a 250% tax advantage.

And it's all legal, because in Germany there's no law that claims the opposite.

Not yet.

Very nice. Collect together.

Yes, very good.

Yes, wonderful.

Very nice. Fantastic. Thank you very much.

Have fun.

So, because it's you, I'll give you one last chance to stay on board.

Thanks, man! You're the best!

We could go to the cinema together or something.

- Well, if you want. - Andreas wants to kiss you!

Andreas wants to kiss you!

- Quick, run away! - Are you crazy?

You can't catch us!

- Is it good? - Whoa!

You can release me from here.

Why? We are almost there and it's already after eight.

So they don't talk.

Should they talk?

Or am I embarrassing to you?

Not you.

Do you see?

I love you, my darling.

Now get out of here.

Have fun!

Johannes!

Darling!

Hey!

Come here!

Don't let them get to you, they are just jealous, hm?

Go on!

Bye, have fun!

How many cars do you have?

And tomorrow you're coming with a helicopter!

We don't have a helicopter!

We have a Leerjet.

I baptize you with the name: Delta, Charlie, Oscar, Oscar, Lima.

Very good!

Come, come! Get on board.

Man, give me some too. I want some too! You had it the whole time!

Alright, now stop arguing about this thing all the time!

Do you have to work all the time again?

Believe me, I'd much rather be running wild at Disneyland with Mommy and you guys.

Not Disneyland again.

Then just come with us!

Unfortunately, I have to visit the investors of my film on set.

Can we come to the set too, Daddy?

Of course, you can even be in the movie, hm?

And Mommy too!

Unless the leading actress gets jealous.

- Mr. Erlemann! - Yes!

There's a bad weather front ahead of us, it might get turbulent.

Boys?

Do you feel like going on a bit of a rollercoaster? Yes?

Well?

- Have you read the newspaper yet? - I'll do that on the jet soon.

But you wanted to go boating with us.

Another time, Snugglebug, hm?

One only has to look at this Trump. Quite a strange guy.

Now please have a look!

Yes, and?

Jochem, that's the Chancellor.

And now I won't get any breakfast because of him, right?

Just be careful, please.

Always.

We'll call each other.

Stomach ache again?

Mommy!

- Mommy! - Yes?

Are we going on a trip again?

Andreas is in the hospital.

It's nothing serious.

The doctors just want to do a few tests and then we may have to travel to Zurich.

And why to Zurich?

That's where the best specialist is, Daddy found him.

But then it's serious.

Does he always have stomach pain because of that?

Grandma is already on her way.

And we will talk on the phone every day.

- Where's Daddy? - In Kuwait.

Are you okay being with Grandma?

Yes. You don't need to worry about me.

- Daddy said the same thing. - Snugglebug will handle it.

Yes.

Imagine, the Cologne Sharks are becoming champions again, and you're within it.

Three times in a row would be really great.

Maybe you'll get to hold the championship trophy again too.

Where is he?

Andreas has to stay in Zurich for now.

What do you mean, he has to stay in Zurich?

Andreas has cancer.

Is he going to die?

Andreas is young, his body is strong. He will make it.

He had surgery on his colon.

But he will get healthy again.

Luckily they have detected it early.

Johannes?

Above all, we won't let ourselves be easily defeated, will we?

Hello, dear Andreas.

I miss you so much.

It's so quiet without you.

Daddy said it's better to catch it early.

Because then the body can deal with it better.

I admire your bravery so much.

Your Johannes.

P.S. When you come back, we can play baseball together.

Any news from Andreas?

The first surgery went well. Now we're waiting for further test results.

You could at least give her a nice perfume.

Who?

That's the million-dollar question here. Who am I giving what to?

Thank you, Daddy.

I know about the flight to Paris.

Coincidentally, Cher was also there.

Funny, isn't it?

Gaby, I was in Paris because things are heating up there. That should interest you.

I don't ask you what you were doing in Düsseldorf either.

What's that all about?

Go to the bank, withdraw what you can get. If we're lucky, it hasn't been frozen yet.

I love you.

Take good care of Mommy for me, Snugglebug, okay?

- I'll be back soon. - Jochem!

Everything's fine, gentleman. Wife and child are in the vehicle. I won't resist.

- Daddy! - Everything is fine, Snugglebug.

Fritz, come on, let it go. The family is watching.

Mr. Erlemann, you are under arrest.

Good day, Mrs. Erlemann.

I'm sorry you had to witness that. Sometimes there's no other way.

- Daddy! - Everything is fine, Snugglebug.

- Daddy! - Johannes.

How's Mommy doing?

She said she'd give us a little time alone.

Why are you behind a window?

Johannes…

Johannes, I haven't done anything that would justify them locking me up here.

You have to believe me.

I do.

But Daddy, can you make them believe you too?

I'll make sure of it.

You know, Johannes, out there, there are a lot of jealous people.

They will say your father is a liar, your father is a fraud.

And you have to be strong so that you don't believe that when everyone says it.

But you know what?

I know the truth.

And I keep it inside me.

And you, you have to decide for yourself what and whom you believe.

You have to find your truth.

And preserve it.

If you've convinced them, then you'll come back home, right?

You'll manage, Snugglebug.

The news of John Lennon's death spread like wildfire.

That same night, hundreds of mourning Beatle fans gathered in front of his house.

The last vinyl record of John Lennon and his Japanese wife Yoko Ono

had been autographed for the assassin just a few hours before the attack.

Just shot down.

- There are some sick people out there. - Yeah.

Wow.

That's beautiful.

This is worthless, it's from me.

My application piece for the art school.

I think it's really good.

Hey, I went through Jochem's bookkeeping.

Did you know about the apartment in Paris?

Just asking.

I didn't have a key.

Did Cher have one?

Hey, you really need to sort that out with Jochem.

What are you doing with that painting there?

That belongs to Daddy.

And we'll make sure it stays that way.

My sweetheart, Andreas is coming home.

- Hello. - Hey, what's up?

Look, we made this for you.

- Very cool. - Welcome home, Andreas.

Very cool. Thank you, guys.

Hi Jochem.

You already know that the accounts are frozen.

Not a day goes by without new creditors showing up.

In the last few weeks, there have been over a thousand.

Andreas is holding up bravely.

Johannes hasn't left his side since he came back home.

So you don't have to worry.

I hope you get out as quickly as possible. Your sons need you at home.

You better go out.

- I need to change the bag. - Can I stay?

If you want. It stinks though. It's just poo.

So what? It stinks for me too.

And I'll tell you, with grandma… Phew.

It was a bit late yesterday.

Yes…

It was a bit late yesterday.

Mrs. Erlemann?

Main Customs Office Cologne. Berners. Good day.

We know it's difficult right now, but I need to seize assets from you.

How much are you owed?

2,467,324 Marks.

Can you spare 5 million?

Is there cash in the house?

I can't even give my children their pocket money.

Oh, tears are welling up.

Mommy, who's this?

Not now, Johannes. You need to leave.

But Mommy, I have an idea on how we can get some money.

You need to go to school. Tell me later, okay?

Okay.

- Bye, Jonny. - Bye.

Good day.

Should we watch 'Zorro' at your place?

I don't even know if we still have a TV.

- Hello. - Good day.

Why do you want to sell the train?

Because we need money.

He can only put something up if he buys something too. That's clear, right?

It's always been that way.

I'll only lend it to you until you're rich again. We're friends after all.

Thank you.

I'll pay it back.

With interest.

1.85.

For sale. Complete model railroad Emagine 7859 set. If you are interested please contact:

Get up. Come up.

There you go, come on.

Head down.

Ouch, ouch!

There.

If they pay, nothing will happen to you and you'll soon be free.

That won't work.

Why?

Because we have no money left.

- I told you! - Shut up!

My daddy is in custody, and that's why the state froze our accounts.

- Shit! - Now pull yourself together!

No. No.

No!

Stop!

I'm thirsty! It's dark here! Help!

DAY 1

We can only sell this under the table right now.

But then you'll get significantly less for it.

No.

Better less than no money at all.

I mean, Johannes already wants to sell his train set.

Where is he anyway?

He should have been back a long time ago.

Gaby?

If you don't shout, I'll take off one of your handcuffs tomorrow.

And you can choose which one.

Did you tell Mommy?

Did you tell Mommy?

Yes, yes.

They're bailing out already at that age, huh?

He's eleven.

- I've called all his classmates' parents. - Don't worry, calm down first.

Go home. He's probably already in front of the fridge waiting for you.

- And if not, come back in two hours. - Are you serious?

Johannes!

Excuse me, have you seen a boy, blond hair?

No, unfortunately not.

Johannes!

And?

I went through the entire park, all the way to Rodenkirchen.

I was to the corner store, to his tree, nothing.

Yes, the police thinks it's too early to report an eleven-year-old boy missing.

- I… - Okay, come.

Johannes!

Johannes!

Johannes!

Shit!

Johannes!

A blue jacket with a yellow collar.

White sneakers.

Blue jeans.

And a gold chain with a pendant in the shape of a gold bar.

From Cartier.

We are looking for Johannes Erlemann.

Who has seen him after 5:50 PM?

We are looking for the eleven-year-old Johannes Erlemann.

Who has seen him after 5:50 PM?

Mr. Erlemann.

Please come with me.

Has something happened?

Now tell me what's going on. It's something with my son Andreas.

How do you know?

You pull me out of my cell in the middle of the night. What else am I supposed to think?

Your son Johannes is missing.

- I need to speak to my wife immediately. - Well, one thing at a time.

First, we have a few questions.

Johannes has been kidnapped.

We've had suspicions for weeks that this could happen.

I need to speak to my wife immediately!

I didn't mention anything about a kidnapping.

Mrs. Erlemann, do you or your husband have any enemies?

Enemies?

Leonard Groß.

Farzad Azimi.

Those are, as far as I'm not mistaken, your business partners.

Perhaps they're afraid I'll testify against them. They have a score to settle with me.

Or you with them.

Can you imagine that your husband is involved in Johannes' disappearance?

My husband?

The timing between your husband's arrest

and the disappearance of your son is remarkably close together, don't you think?

Please, let me go home until my son is back.

My wife is alone with my other sick son. They can't manage without me.

Otherwise, I won't say anything else.

You haven't really said anything yet.

What do you want from me?

Have you heard anything?

DAY 2

So, Johannes Erlemann is the son of Jochem Erlemann, whom we know very well.

He is currently in pre-trial detention.

Tax fraud in the millions.

Jochem Erlemann, who is an expert in depreciation,

has sold his clients a stake in a gas container business,

which, however, only existed on paper.

Erlemann himself professes his innocence.

His business partners in the matter were Leonard Groß…

Come on…

and Farzad Azimi, whom Erlemann, as he says, feels deceived by.

And it is precisely these two that Jochem Erlemann now suspects

of being involved in the disappearance of his child.

That's why he offers to reveal details about his business affairs.

In return he wants furlough.

That alone could indicate that Erlemann himself is involved in the abduction.

Or wants to take advantage of the situation to escape.

- I don't believe that. - What?

Why do you think he wants furlough, Fischer?

To find his son.

Who, coincidentally, disappears a few weeks after his old man's arrest?

You are observing his house and shadowing his wife.

Huber and Post, you're flying to Saint-Tropez and searching his villa.

And Meier and Hermann, you're going to Kütrai, to his chalet, and check there.

We're investigating in all directions, but we won't be fooled by them.

Yes, come on, let's go!

If you hadn't opened your mouth, we might be flying to Saint-Tropez right now.

Just the way Erlemann looked at his family during his arrest,

he most likely has nothing to do with the abduction.

That means we have to wait now until a lead is found.

Why?

What are you planning?

Investigation should indeed be conducted in all directions.

Let's just investigate in another one.

Herbert, your wife called.

Don't forget to get your gift for Lissi.

The tracks ended in the forest

Child searched for again

Police unit combed the area between the highway and the Rhine

Left or right?

Right.

Read it out loud.

But you said Mommy already knows about it.

The sooner you do this, the sooner she will know.

"Dear Mommy, please pay the ransom of three million."

What was that? Are you finding this funny?

No, why?

Because you're reading it like a crummy postcard from camp!

- Yeah, because Mommy will then worry. - She should, damn it!

This is deadly serious!

"Dear Mommy, please pay the ransom of three million."

"Comply with the demands of the kidnappers."

"No police investigations, no press involvement."

"Today is Sunday evening, and by Saturday I'll be back with you."

And Mommy, you don't have to worry about Andreas' birthday.

Even if I'm not there, please don't cancel the party.

And you can sell the model train too.

Start with 700, and if it goes below 600, better not.

I love you all.

"We demand immediate news blackout."

"Three million Deutsche Marks in cash:

"1.5 million in hundred bills,

"1.5 million in thousand bills by Friday, March 13, 1981, no matter how."

"No police investigations."

Leave right away, you're jeopardizing my child's life.

Mrs. Erlemann, all abductors say that.

Of course they don't want police, they don't want to get caught.

Out!

You heard Mrs. Erlemann.

Please.

And tell the prosecutor to impose an immediate press blackout.

What don't you like?

These engine sounds.

They're getting closer and moving away.

They're too slow for a car.

Or a truck.

A ship?

Or a tractor.

Oh great.

Either it's by the Rhine, which is 1000 kilometers long, or a place with tractors.

We wouldn't have needed to send the tapes to Karlsruhe for that.

They are nearby.

Definitely.

I mean, they want ransom, they're definitely not in Friedrichshafen.

Muffled, narrow sounding resonance.

Albers is so off the mark.

Jochem Erlemann would never have a part in the abduction.

It sounds more like the boy is in…

In a small, enclosed space.

He must be terrified.

Yeah, we're sitting here and can't help him.

He's alive.

He sounded strong and composed on the tape.

He is being fed and given water.

He's okay for now.

The kidnappers said they won't harm him as long as everything is followed.

How much do they want?

Three million by Friday.

By then, we need to place an ad in the Cologne Express that the money is ready.

They will contact us again after that.

Do you think he still has money?

Of course.

He just wants to get out and disappear with it.

And the boy?

He's probably sitting in a five-star hotel on the Côte d'Azur.

We don't have the money, right?

I can find it, but not from in here.

Gaby, please, you need to talk to the prison director,

so I can go home until Johannes returns.

The police believe that we and your business partners are involved.

They don't even believe the tape is real.

Listen, you need to contact the banks so they release the frozen accounts.

Our son's life is at stake.

Yes, I'll do it.

Okay.

Hello!

The lamp is going out!

DAY 6

I know the accounts are frozen, that's why I need a loan.

You're the CEO of one of the biggest banks in Germany,

you should be able to figure something out.

Jochem is in pre-trial detention, so the presumption of innocence applies.

As if you ever cared where our money came from.

You made millions with us and now suddenly you can't help us anymore?

Man!

That was the last one.

This can't be happening.

Helen.

She will definitely help us.

Maybe you still know someone from the list.

- He's not coming anymore. - Yes, he promised.

Happy Birthday, Johannes!

You have the helm.

You decide the direction, no matter how stormy the seas are.

Never forget that.

What's this about?

Hm?

Are you used to better?

Well, you'll eat eventually.

I won't eat until you do something with me!

Play something with me!

Anything!

Please!

Hey!

Hey!

Helen?

It's bold of you to show up here.

- You do know that… - It's about Johannes.

Why? What happened?

He was kidnapped.

And now they want ransom, and we just can't pay it.

Please help us.

- What's this? - Ransom.

From friends and neighbors.

600,000 from Helen.

...

...

We have it.

We even have more than they want.

Good day, Erlemann here.

I would like to place an ad.

White Persian cat, name Hannibal, reward…

She has the cash.

We have the ransom together.

I placed the advertisement.

The banks didn't give anything.

But your partners, our friends and your father gave more than enough.

All for Johannes.

Now we can only wait until they contact us again.

All this wealth.

This abundance.

The jet. The parties.

If we'd just led a completely normal life, this wouldn't have happened to Johannes.

What does a normal life mean?

If we had been a normal family.

Why are you talking about us in the past tense?

I know about your apartment in Paris.

DAY 7

Today is Friday, March 13, 1981.

I wish Andreas all the best and love for his birthday.

And sad that I can't be there with you.

They want the money on Monday.

You should be ready on Monday morning.

Please do everything exactly as the people want it.

The people say we only have this one chance.

Otherwise, they will end it immediately.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday dear Andreas ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Why isn't Johannes here?

He will come. Just not today.

Okay?

And he said we should celebrate your birthday, even if he's not here yet.

With the two of you? Great.

My dad is in jail.

My brother is kidnapped somewhere.

And I can't take a crap without the plastic bag.

What should I do with the bike?!

Andreas…

You're right. I'm sorry.

But I firmly believe that you will be better soon and then you can ride again.

I just wanted to make him happy.

What if…

he doesn't come back?

He will come back.

And what makes you so sure?

Andreas needs his brother now more than ever.

And I can't give him false hope.

He has been disappointed so many times already.

I'll go check on him.

What are you doing there?

Hey!

You're a policeman!

- Where is your ID? - Let the office know.

- Give me your ID. - I take care of Mrs. Erlemann

- Where is your ID? - Mrs. Erlemann!

Mrs. Erlemann, get off the street!

- Excuse me! - Get off the street

Albert for Central.

Helge has been exposed.

I know you!

If you expose an investigator on an open street, you're endangering your son's life.

Come.

They said, no police.

Yes.

Come in, you'll get sick otherwise.

Do you also believe that the whole kidnapping is staged by my husband?

No, I don't believe that.

Do you have children?

Yes, a daughter. Lissi.

Sweet.

How old is she?

Six.

Is she already going to school?

She'll start this summer.

Is she excited?

She will face the seriousness of life.

At least that's what her uncle told her.

And ever since, she's been terrified of this seriousness.

Johannes actually enjoys going to school.

But he gets picked on all the time.

Because of us.

I didn't notice him.

Do you know what the worst part is?

The waiting.

My child is out there alone somewhere and I can't go to him.

I have to wait.

Wait and hope that those sick bastards won't hurt him.

What if the handover doesn't work out?

Mrs. Erlemann, we are really doing our best.

You will get your son back.

DAY 8

- Can you play poker? - Yes.

What should we play?

It's no fun without money, is it?

Okay. Alright.

And what's your stake?

Flashlight.

You write it down.

DAY 9

A hundred.

A hundred?

I'm in.

DAY 10

We were at 250.

Plus 10, 20, 5…

that makes…

285.

You're cheating me.

No.

- I was just better than you. - Huh?

Who's better?

Your father is a rotten cheat.

You're lying! I know you're lying!

My daddy is innocent!

Hands off. Hands off!

I won the flashlight!

Fuck!

We're sitting on three million ransom, and suddenly no one cares.

I don't understand.

We did everything they wanted.

No press, no police.

Was it the right newspaper? Cologne Express.

It was the right newspaper.

You did everything right, yes?

Yes, now… You don't have to calm me down right now.

I just want Johannes back.

Continuous rain keeps Cologne on edge.

The level of the Rhine river rises and rises.

DAY 11

No, come on.

No.

No, no.

Hello!

Hello!

Where are you?

Can someone come again?

It's raining inside!

Please!

Please don't leave! Don't leave me here anymore!

No!

Get me out of here!

Mommy!

Mommy, get me out of here!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Daddy!

Andreas!

DAY 12

DAY 13

DAY 14

Ow!

Good morning, Johannes.

The money handover is tonight. After that, you'll be set free.

Have you seen me?

No.

Come here.

Have you seen me? Have you seen me, damn it?

- No! - You're lying!

Have you seen me?

I didn't see you. It blinded me. I couldn't see anything.

Maybe we're better off not letting you go after all. Hm?

Oh, shit!

Hey!

It just arrived in a taxi.

"No one except you may read this letter."

"Nothing will happen to you."

"Take only this letter, the money, a city map, and a flashlight with you."

"Leave immediately."

"You are entering an area that we have completely under control."

"Just think about your boy."

"No police."

Go, go, go!

The taxi driver just called.

She's already on her way. We will observe everything from a safe distance.

- When she meets the kidnappers, we strike. - How do we even know she's on her way?

We have a tracking device on her car.

What? We can't do that. The well-being of the child is top priority.

I've led SOKOs (Special Unit) here when you were still wetting your pants.

You can stay here if you want.

Yes…

We are behind.

It's time. Come.

I think she's got the key and she's closing it.

That's it.

Now we're off.

Yes.

Can't.

Mau

Mau-Mau.

- Another round? - Hm.

- Andreas? Günni? - We are here!

Hello.

- And? - Yes…

I did everything as they wanted.

I was at the wildlife park.

And there was a box, so I put the money in there along with the key, and I locked it.

And that's it.

And now?

Now we have to wait and hope that they release him very quickly.

- I'm downstairs when they call. - Thank you.

What if they don't release him?

14 days, Albert.

14 days?

14 days.

Hopefully, they'll let him live.

There's a car coming.

And?… Stops?

Well, it's driving by.

Maybe they're just waiting until we're gone.

Please.

Please come!

Please come!

Please, please, please.

Please, please get me out.

Please.

Please, please, please, please.

Please, please, please, please.

...

Shit!

Mommy!

- What is she doing? - No idea.

Where are you?

What is your plan?

What?

What are you doing here?

They've been messing with us the whole time.

- The Surveillance was your responsibility! - But we had a radius of 500 meters.

What does that mean?

Where are they? Where is the money?

Where the hell is my child?

Andreas?

Andreas, where is my handheld computer?

Andreas?

Andreas?

Please don't.

Ah!

You thought I was dead.

That's not funny!

Aren't you afraid?

No, if I were afraid, then I would die.

But I don't want that.

So I prefer to focus on life.

If you rat me out, I will find you, no matter where you hide.

And I'll get you all. And not just you.

Your mother, your old man, your brother.

I will wipe out your entire family.

Did you understand me?

One word. And I will kill all of you.

Hands together.

Put your head down.

Johannes, that's it.

Here are your 600 from poker.

If you betray us, you're dead.

And your family too.

What is he doing, going into the car?

He won't get run over, you can see that.

He has seen us!

Absolutely not! He didn't see us!

Close it! Close it!

Shit!

Fuck that!

Hey kid, what are you doing here alone?

I need a taxi, please.

A taxi?

Yes, then please have a seat.

I'll buy you a drink too.

Have you run away?

He surely did something wrong.

I didn't do anything wrong.

I am Johannes Erlemann. I was kidnapped and just released.

Good heavens.

Who are you calling?

But not the police.

- Well, hello. - No, they'll take me to the station.

But I want to go home.

- You can sort that out with them. - I need a taxi right now!

You seem familiar to me somehow.

Yes, that could be. I am the son of Jochen Erlemann.

- Erlemann, who's that? - Hmhm.

Maybe you know me from the newspaper.

He was a boy.

Around eleven years old. Blond.

He said his name is Johannes Erlemann.

- Keep the change. - Thank you.

- Police! - Police!

...

...

- No one touches the boy! - Secure traces!

- Johannes! - Mommy!

- Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! - We have to undress the boy!

- We need his clothes - Mommy! - Johannes!

- Mommy! - It must be.

Mommy!

- Mommy! - Not now. We need his clothes.

- Johannes! - Mr. Erlemann, I can understand you.

But we have to secure the traces.

Let me go immediately!

- Let me go, for god's sake! - Stay calm!

I understand you!

I want to get through!

Please! Please!

That's enough now! Get away!

Get away! Let me through!

Everything's…

- We just need the pants, right? - Everything's fine, Johannes.

- Just the pants, right? - Mommy!

Just the pants now.

- So, do you have everything? - Yes, we have everything.

It's barely there anymore.

The TV crew is here.

Why do they know already?

The news embargo has been lifted.

What do they want?

An interview in front of the camera.

My darling, you don't have to do that now.

They can wait. Yes.

It's fine.

Johannes! Johannes!

- Hello. - Johannes, look over here.

Johannes, is it true that you were released in Mönchengladbach?

Yes, in a small village in the field, that's where I was released.

And then I took a taxi here.

And you can't say approximately where you were held, right? Did you see anything?

No, I couldn't say where it was.

And how did your kidnappers treat you?

Pretty good as well. I got food and stuff.

Were you tied up?

With handcuffs.

- The whole time? - Yes.

And what did the kidnappers look like?

I don't know, they were masked.

Always?

Yes, always.

- Alright, is that enough? - Thank you, Johannes.

The police want a statement from you.

But we won't allow that.

Not now.

You need to get some rest first.

They said…

if I say anything…

then…

then they will hurt us,…

hurt us badly.

The kidnappers?

They can't do that.

They just wanted to scare you.

Come in!

Good day, Johannes.

Hello.

Have a seat.

Let's get right to the moment when you were thrown into the car.

Do you have any memory of the journey?

After five minutes, we got onto a highway.

It lasted about 40 minutes.

Then there was a stretch with a lot of curves.

And you were able to remember that?

In your situation?

Yes.

When they pulled me off the bike,

they pressed the cloth against my face so tightly that I couldn't breathe anymore.

So I immediately pretended to be unconscious

and tried to remember everything as well as possible.

So according to the plan, this should be the last possible exit.

But it rained non-stop for three days last week, right?

Yes. And?

That's why they waited so long for the money exchange.

Because of the flooding.

Otherwise, they would have drowned down there.

It's also not the worst place to escape unnoticed with three million.

No.

Albert!

What is this?

No idea.

Is that an anchor?

What is this?

I have an uncle who once worked in a wire drawing mill.

I'll call him in, maybe he can help us.

He will.

But we still have to make a little detour to my mother's.

- What? - Yes, otherwise he won't come.

What? To your mother?

Yes.

Is that the uncle who scared Lissi with the seriousness of life?

Exactly him.

Ah, great. I'm really looking forward to it.

Thank you.

So, next time you invite me, bring the recipe with you.

Your mother is doing something else, I would like to know.

- What do you have that's nice? - Can you tell me where the wire is made?

Well, that used to be a fishing net, I can tell you that much.

- A fishing net? - Yes, in terms of material.

This is very good material, very thick material.

Could be from an English company.

They are known for producing very high-quality fishing equipment.

So, let's see if we can find something, if there's somehow a name on it or something.

There, look at that.

Do you see that? There's a stamp on it.

These are probably initials.

Do you have a magnifying glass? That way I can read it.

Let's see.

It should say Barnstead or Barnsley.

Police completely in the dark

My name is Weinreb. I am the police psychologist.

Let's have a little chat today, shall we?

Well, it has to be somewhere in or around Barnsley.

Yes.

Kidnappers had boat in canal "Unique in the history of crime"

The police swim behind

Eleven years and so confident

- Daddy! - Johannes!

Mommy says you are very brave.

Snugglebug.

Everything will be alright.

I am so proud of you.

I miss you so much, Daddy.

I'm so sorry.

Meeting in the cell

So, please tell me a bit about your dad.

Why?

Well, he's an important person in your life, right?

Millions were ready in a week

Would you do that?

Oh, thank you.

How many times do I have to go in here?

My darling, I would love to spare you from this.

It's okay, Mommy.

I'll pick you up at exactly six o'clock, okay?

Johannes, we have been closely studying you for eight weeks now.

And now we want to ask you a few more questions.

We want to catch the guys.

Hm?

It's also in your best interest.

Yes.

Yes.

On the first day of questioning, you said, that one of the kidnappers had blonde hair.

A week later, you expressed to Dr. Weinreb, that the same kidnapper had brown hair.

But I have told you everything.

Just the way it was.

And the kidnappers, they were masked.

And it was dark.

You're going to tell us the truth now.

And above all, what role your father plays in the matter.

We don't believe a word you're saying.

Not a word.

Is everything okay, my darling?

Yes.

- Nothing happened at the precinct? - No.

All good, Mommy.

- Hi Dirk. - Hi Johannes.

When are you coming back to school?

I'm at the precinct every day right now.

Should we fly kites again?

I'm not going out right now.

Do you think they will come back?

I wouldn't put anything past them.

Because of the money, I was in debt.

I won some. Playing poker.

But then the police took it away from me, because it was ransom money.

- You played poker with them? - And I won.

Dirk, come on in with us.

Okay.

You're going to tell us the truth now.

I know the truth.

Your father is a rotten cheat.

We don't believe a word you're saying.

I will find you, no matter where you hide.

Not a word.

You must find your truth and preserve it.

I'm sorry. I didn't know you were inside.

Andreas!

Will you please stay?

Sure.

Thank you.

Mrs. Erlemann?

You can go back home now. We'll take him from here.

- Can I speak to you for just a moment? - Yes.

I'll be right back.

- Come in, please. - I would like to accompany him today.

I think he's not feeling well.

Trust us.

It is easier for Johannes when he can concentrate on details

without having a close person around him.

It's a challenge, which you must not underestimate.

It would torment him to have to say certain things in front of you.

I don't believe that.

But that's how it is.

I promise you, I'll keep an eye on him.

And if something happens, I'll contact you immediately.

Then we need to briefly put you back in.

- So. - But what good does it do?

You have to trust us.

These are investigative methods. They are not yet comprehensible for a boy like you.

But one day, you will understand.

In you go. We want to get it over with.

Come on.

We'll take a little ride, and then we'll let you out again.

We believe that afterward, you'll remember details that you don't recall now.

There.

- Toyota HiAce. - What?

The van, it was a white Toyota HiAce.

A jogger saw the car in the park, didn't think much of it at first. Why would he?

But now he remembered that three figures were assembling a crate in the forest.

I'll have the records searched for all white Toyota HiAce vans.

- Okay, come out. - You can't be serious.

You didn't do that.

Stay here with me.

Come, I'll take you home.

What's this, Fischer?

You guys have lost it.

You're not right in the head.

- You're on the verge of being suspended. - That's the car, get in.

Here.

Get in.

Do you know why they don't believe me?

I told them everything just as it happened.

My daddy has nothing to do with this.

You know, Johannes, adults are sometimes just not as flexible in their thinking.

If they think they know how things were, then they can't be persuaded otherwise.

But you believe me.

Yes, I do.

Just between us?

We're different in that regard.

And once we've caught them, no one will tell such lies about your dad anymore.

Promise.

I saw one of them.

Really? That's wonderful. Thank you.

They've checked all sorts of factories and finally found the one. And you know what?

They've only sold ten of those nets to Germany.

All to a single fishing store here in North Rhine-Westphalia.

That was indeed once a fishing net.

That's a nice shelf warmer.

I sold one of them.

I had it specially sent over from England. We don't have such quality here.

- Do you remember who you sold it to? - Yeah, nice young guy.

But a terrible haircut.

And Johannes, do you recognize the man?

Yes, that is him.

Like this?

Yes, exactly.

He was driving a Toyota HiAce.

What's this now?

They were in the parents' house of the two arrested kidnappers.

This is the new evidence room now, right?

Yeah, I'm dying laughing.

A brothel owner called.

He apparently has two customers who have been throwing money around for days.

And one of them looks like the police sketch.

I had them taken into custody, you know?

Just to be clear, I hate cops, but when it comes to kids, it's no joke.

Police, move away, move away! Come here!

- Come here with your face to the ground! - Down! On the floor!

You think you're so clever, huh?

The ransom is still missing. Who knows who has it.

In the end, I might be right.

Johannes?

Mr. Fischer is here.

- Hello, Johannes. - Hello.

We caught your kidnapper.

And how do I know you have the right ones?

Uh, they confessed.

And the one you described, he looks exactly like the police sketch.

It went so fast because of you.

- Who are they? - They were three brothers.

And an accomplice.

Together, they had a refrigeration company, and were a hundred thousand DM in debt.

That's why they kidnapped me.

Yeah, it looks like it.

What do you think, do you dare to tell the judge that you recognize one of them?

My darling, you don't need to be afraid anymore. You can go out and play again.

Say, Johannes, is that a Eumag 2000?

- Yes, why? - Where did you get it from?

I've been looking for one for my daughter everywhere, but it's always sold out.

My daddy brought it back for me from his travels.

If you want it, I'll give it to you.

- No, that's out of the question. - Yes.

I don't play with trains anymore anyway.

Please.

Well, if so, then I'll buy it from you.

What do you want for it?

Hundred Marks.

- Okay. - But…

I'll only give it to you if you promise me that you'll play with your daughter.

Well then, take care, you two.

- Thank you. - Thanks, bye.

Bye.

You did well.

Shit, press everywhere.

Go to the back then.

Okay, Johannes, now. Come.

Hey, don't think that you're special now because of your kidnapping.

- Maybe a special asshole. - You can't touch me anymore.

Yes, please.

We now know where the ransom money is.

Where is it?

Gaby Erlemann has put out 15% of the ransom as a reward for finding it.

Now the kidnappers' lawyer wants to cash in on that.

He had it specially notarized, it doesn't matter where it is.

I want to know where the ransom is.

Oh, in the gas cylinders.

Bloody hell!

I don't want to go in there.

Alright.

I'm calling it off.

I can think of something.

When he came home, I thought the nightmare was over.

But it's still ongoing.

And it will continue until these men receive their just punishment.

Thank you, Mrs. Erlemann.

Any further questions from the parties involved in the proceedings?

Defense?

Good, you may now leave the witness stand.

- Mrs. Erlemann. - Yes?

You must now leave the courtroom.

We will now question your son.

I can't leave my child alone with these monsters in a room.

Watch your language, Mrs. Erlemann.

As a witness, you must now leave the courtroom.

"We always treated him well", you wrote that, didn't you?

What did you hope to achieve with this lie?

Should I be grateful to you now for not killing my child?

Mrs. Erlemann.

That's enough.

You have destroyed his childhood!

"Snugglebug will handle it."

Daddy always said that.

And?

Is Snugglebug handling it?

Snugglebug doesn't have to do this.

He doesn't do it either. I'll do it.

Johannes, we have to.

Come.

Come.

Come, sit down here.

You can do it.

So, Johannes. This won't take long.

As you know, you are here in court.

Your statement is very important for this procedure.

That's why, as a witness, it is extremely important that you tell the truth.

If there is anything you're not completely sure about, then you can say it openly.

Then look over there, where those men are sitting.

Go on, take a look.

Well, you helped create a very accurate composite sketch

of one of your abductors, right?

Do you recognize any of the men?

You need to look there.

Johannes, look there.

You were only allowed to speak with one of the abductors.

Is that the man you saw?

And is that man sitting over there in the defendant's seat?

Johannes!

Johannes, your statement is very important for our case.

Do you understand?

Johannes, point to the man you saw.

Is he sitting over there?

Johannes!

Johannes, go ahead and point!

Johannes!

I saw him!

In the name of the people, the following verdict is issued.

The defendant Holger Kruse is guilty of joint extortionate kidnapping

in conjunction with abduction of a child and robbery.

He is sentenced to ten years in prison.

Wolf Kruse to 8 years, Martin Kruse to 3 years, Lutz Heimbrecht to 8 years.

The court has determined that the claim made by the defendants

that the kidnapping victim was a purely random choice, could not be disproved.

Hey.

Shall we go for another round?

Are you staying for dinner?

You don't have to sleep on the couch if it gets late.

English subtitles by Alf Capone and DreamScape