This is the older generation of the Simon family.
Mathias and Katharina.
They were born around 1870 in Schabbach.
That's our village.
They had three children, lanky Eduard...
...Pauline...
...and Paul.
Mathias was the village blacksmith...
...like his father, his grandfather and his great grandfather.
That's Eduard. He made it big.
He became the district mayor.
His wife, Lucie, was from Berlin.
She always wanted him to be somebody.
She always wanted something better.
They built a villa with 52 windows.
They borrowed the money from a Jewish bank...
...so the rumour went.
That's me and Wiegand.
He had the first telephone in the village.
What did he do with it? Speak to his son in Berlin, Wilfried.
That's him on the photo.
He was in Berlin with the SS.
And there we go...
That's Christmas 1935.
And what had he brought from Berlin? A Christmas tree.
"Dr Goebels bought the very next one"...
...he said...
...as if there weren't enough Christmas trees in the woods.
Eduard took snap after snap.
We had the best Christmas ever, with a roast goose!
And Lucie...
All she cared about was her villa, her most prized possession.
She always said...
..."The villa is like a harbour waiting for the big ships."
And they came too...
Rosenberg, Frick and Ley...
...top people in those days, Nazi bosses they were.
They spent three hours in the villa.
As for all the food...
...in the end, they had to eat it themselves.
Oh yes, Maria...
At that time, she only lived for her kids...
...Anton and Ernst.
Sometimes you'd think she'd forgotten her husband Paul...
...who'd gone missing over 10 years ago.
That was winter 1938, yes.
THE HlGHWAY
Alone am I in the night.
My soul has taken flight.
Oh heart, do you know why...
...all the palm trees sigh?
The wind has brought me a song...
...about a love strong.
What my heart needs, it knows;
for whom it beats and glows.
See Zarah's apron? Hand-embroidered.
- Do you think she made it? - No, they have people for that.
She's in a new film with Viktor Staal To New Shores.
We'll come and see it.
You're so lucky, Pauline, having a cinema around the corner.
It's lucky there's no cinema in Schabbach...
...or we'd never get to bed.
Let's go home.
We'll put Gabi in bed with Robertchen...
...then you can sleep there.
Oh, Maria, if we didn't have the children.
Look, Pauline, they've got three.
Yes, Maria, but we two together have four.
Pauline, I get really carried away by a film like that.
When Zarah Leander... she's from Sweden, you know...
...when she falls for the bullfighter...
Where's Robert got to?
He went to ldar-Oberstein to buy stock for the business.
It's late. Aren't you scared?
No, he went in the car.
But, Pauline, with all that gold and silver in the car.
That's good stuff.
If only we could be young over again.
I saw a hat recently, in blue velvet, with a little feather.
I tell you, I almost weakened.
Know something? I wish I had the courage to start again from scratch.
Somewhere far away in the world.
That's how I feel.
Don't laugh. You don't believe me, do you?
Sometimes I think I've never really lived at all yet.
But you've got two children, almost grown up.
Anton is taller that you are.
When I saw him this morning...
...I thought, "That might be my little brother."
It's all like another life.
Paul... and the time that's passed.
Maria, that's just the wine.
Just once in my life, I'd like a trip to ltaly.
Venice, Naples and Lake Garda.
Robert doesn't understand that.
He could leave the shop to his assistant for a fortnight.
But he thinks it can't do without him.
He wouldn't sleep a wink, away.
I've heard that for the highway thousands more men
from Thuringia and Saxony are coming to the Hunsrück.
Wohlleben, the engineer, told me.
You know, the man who's lodging with us.
You have no idea the money they spend in our shop.
And they only want genuine gold and silver articles...
...and real stones, too.
Rolled gold is out of the question.
Those lovely rhinestones that we've always sold a lot of...
...they say, "No cheap stuff for us, we want something expensive."
They say the road from Koblenz to Trier will be built in a year.
- Do you believe that? - Why not?
Don't tell anyone.
Swear not to, then I'll show you something.
I swear.
And the coat, Pauline, it's a dream.
Put it on.
I bought it with Robert in Koblenz.
I haven't dared to wear it.
You look like Zarah Leander. Stand back a bit.
When you look over your shoulder...
...with the light from the lamp.
You just told a lie...
...about the hat.
You bought it, didn't you?
You're right, Maria.
For some months, I diverted money from the till.
Robert didn't notice.
He doesn't know what these things cost.
A deer nearly collided with my car.
What are you so merry about?
We went to the pictures.
Show me what you've bought.
Bracelets.
Good, the amber jewellery is there, and the pearl necklaces.
They're in such demand. That's good, Robert.
And the rose crystal bracelet for Frau Sulzbacher;
She'll be so pleased.
And here are the rings.
They're nice, too. You've done well.
I found a manufacturer
who will supply these for 3.30 marks each.
Silver, hallmarked.
- We can sell them for... - 9.50 marks, I'd say.
You didn't hear that, Maria.
They're frightening.
Those red eyes seem to stare at you.
Those cost 12 marks each; the eyes are real rubies.
Who buys stuff like that?
That's the best selling item ever.
The Hunsrück road workers...
...all the engineers and the Labour Corps...
...the Todt Organization men, they keep buying death's head rings.
Death's head brooches, pendants
and even death's head ear-rings.
For their wives in Erfurt and Leipzig.
They feel guilty about being unfaithful.
I think the wine has gone to my head.
Now, good night and sweet dreams.
Robert and I will be very quiet, not to disturb you.
That's 1,275 marks, Pauline.
That's 138 marks more than yesterday.
See, Robert, the business runs even without you.
They prefer to buy from a woman; I'd better serve alone in the shop.
Then I can really flash my eyes at them.
They don't dilly-dally.
When they look into my eyes, they buy.
I've noticed that, too, Pauline.
- Look, how do you like it? - Just say that again.
- How do you like it? - Your voice is just like Zarah's.
Robertchen, are you awake?
I knocked the towel down.
You're wide awake.
I'm taking a photograph.
What's in your picture?
Left, the site office. Right, the cart.
Centre, Herr Wohlleben.
Why is he standing on his head?
It has to be like that.
If you like, I'll make you a copy of the picture.
What a state you're in, Anton.
Mother, I must go into the dark room.
Where have you been this time?
Maria, this was the last time.
You can hardly get the stuff into the car.
I hope it's the right one, at least.
Let's see.
Yes, Viking-K 2.
That's what Ernst wanted from the catalogue.
Do you know it cost more than 70 marks?
70 marks for a glider!
Wilfried, it's no concern of yours what I buy for my children.
From my money.
You should worry.
The boy is technically gifted, and he gets what he wants.
Then send him to the Hitler Youths, they make things.
He doesn't like going there...
...and he needn't if it's no fun for him.
It's not a question of fun.
Fun keeps you going in life.
You can't just have fun in life.
I daren't think how you spoil your children.
I don't spoil them.
They learn things this way, that's what it's about.
It's more important than marching and singing.
Just add it all up.
The Märklin building set and three boxes of accessories.
The Kosmos building set, the steam engine.
Anton's photography and now Ernst's second model glider.
Bigger and bigger.
Soon, you'll be able to sit in one.
And I want Anton to have the film apparatus
and the lens grinder.
And Ernst is getting that fat book about aerodynamics.
You can bring the glider with you.
A drive to Koblenz for a glider that will crash in ten minutes.
70 marks!
Wilfried, it's not your business, drop the subject.
Then send someone else to Koblenz.
I will, I'm going there very soon.
You can afford it.
Yes, believe me, I can.
You now why? Because you're paying for it.
That's all of my inheritance I'm claiming at present.
You're not the sole heir.
I'm not only my children's mother, I'm their father.
You'll see, I'm making sure they become something.
That they have fun out of life.
I want them to get what they're entitled to.
I don't want them to be like me...
...forced into things by circumstances.
Yes, well, good evening.
- Where have you sprung from? - My laboratory.
Look how pale he is.
In the army, in 3 years' time...
...he'll collapse if he has to double about.
The children must do more sport.
How about your sports badge, Anton?
We can ride a bike instead of swimming.
You can't swim?
Leave Anton in peace.
You'll find out where that attitude gets you.
Your fingers aren't clean.
Isn't that Herr Wohlleben?
The next must be smaller, because the wings taper.
I'll draw it for you.
Uncle Otto, I'll shoot you down.
We'll see about that.
Come on, Ernst, bed.
Look how far we've got.
Aren't you bothering Her Wohlleben in his free time?
You've one of those rings, too. Lots of people are wearing them.
I didn't think I'd see you with one.
They're alike, but they mean something different to every wearer.
Now, bedtime. Shoes off.
Everything was fine until you came.
Don't you feel well?
I'm alright, just tired.
Come on, bread and cheese, then off to bed.
Go on the meadow with that, or it will get smashed.
- But I can run about with it. - Yes.
Frau Simon, isn't it a lovely day?
Yes, it would be a nice day for a trip.
He should hold the marker vertically, Pieritz.
Oh God! The other direction.
They've sent us another Saxon.
I didn't hear that, Herr Wohlleben.
He's asleep.
How were the angles?
- Mark 1. - PP 23.
Mark 2.
That's nice.
- Why nice? - Very nice, Pieritz.
Give me Mark 1 again.
Take your time, Pieritz.
Want to look?
Something nice and warm in this cold place.
Cut out the stupid remarks, Pieritz.
Look, isn't that the glider...
...you constructed with the boy?
You're not with the newsreel.
It flew very well.
Now look at the spirit-level.
Frau Simon, can you hear me?
Forgive me for disturbing you so late.
Herr Wohlleben had an accident at work.
He is in the car.
Please let us in.
At once.
Excuse us, Frau Simon. We've come from Simmern.
What happened, for heaven's sake?
Just imagine...
...I was beside Herr Wohlleben, just looking through the theodolite.
Suddenly, the whole stand fell over.
I saved the theodolite...
...but the stand hit Herr Wohlleben.
Is anything broken?
You should have heard what the hospital sister said.
We're special.
A complicated multiple fracture, she said.
Fractured in three places.
But he wouldn't stay in hospital.
But I can soon take you back there, no trouble.
Have you eaten anything?
Will you have something, too?
Thank you, but I think I'd better go.
What's going on?
Go to bed, Mother. Everything is alright.
Herr Wohlleben has been injured but I'll tell you tomorrow.
Then we'll do it another way.
What was going on?
Mathias, let's get back to sleep.
I think we must look after Maria's children a bit more.
She must have more time to herself.
She's had such a hard time of it all these years.
Can you help me? I think I've lost my way a bit.
You've gone completely astray, lady.
Didn't you see the barrier?
Am I hearing right? You must be a countryman of mine.
- I'm from Kölleda. - And I'm from Glauchau, next to it.
Someone's having me on.
This road is marked as open on the map.
Impossible. Here we are slaving away...
...and it's shown as finished.
Where did you get this joke?
In Berlin.
They're in a hurry.
- Where are you bound? - Trier, to see Jesus' Holy Robe.
But my friend Lucie lives near here...
...so I thought I'd make a little detour.
Are you Catholic?
Not very, but the Holy Robe helps others, too.
How do I get out of here in one piece?
Herr Wohlleben, shall we carry her over?
That's some undertaking, eh?
Something like this is no problem for us.
What brought you here to the end of the world...
...you muscle men?
Don't you ever get a bit of fun here sometimes?
Work, eat, sleep, and once a week a National Socialist Party directive.
And sometimes a little song.
Doesn't anyone make you Saxony potato cakes for afters?
Only pork belly and meatballs.
And when someone belches, you lose your appetite.
Listen, my dears, my friend Lucie...
...has a huge villa and I'll tell her and you'll all be invited...
...and I'll make potato cakes for you.
Give me your address.
- You're Otto Wohlleben? - No, that's our engineer.
He's got the telephone in the site hut.
Well, take care. Thanks a lot and I'll see you soon.
Lads, give her a push.
Would you like to sit on the hard side or the soft side?
The hard side, it's safer.
I thought it was "Tod", the Death Organization.
No, it's "Todt", with a hard T at the front...
...and a soft D and a hard T at the end.
Well, now I know.
Everybody's wearing these rings now. You, too.
The rings are private.
You said they mean something different to everybody.
What does it mean for you?
Herr Wohlleben's sitting with Frau Simon.
What are you thinking of now?
Of a woman?
You're right, there is a woman in my life.
And now there's you, too.
It's got me all muddled up.
Is she beautiful?
Yes, she's beautiful.
And she's far away.
I can't get used to it.
I've seen her.
I looked in the bedside table drawer...
...and she was lying there.
Are you angry with me now?
No, Maria, I'm not.
It's not a very nice story. You see, she's my cousin.
We're starting. Shut the door.
What is it?
Newsreel Number 1, 1938.
A balloon being prepared for ascent...
...and the Führer's tribute to the faithful.
- What's the Führer babbling? - The Führer doesn't babble.
See the strip on the left? That's the sound track.
You hear it in the cinema.
One day I'll add sound to my projector.
Fifteen cars at the Nürburgring start.
Caracciola's leading...
...pursued by Rosemeyer.
Now Rosemeyer's leading.
That was car 27. Caracciola's in car 28.
But for the first twenty minutes we won't see anything.
We don't know their speed.
There'll be no storm, don't worry. I can tell by my cellar steps.
But we're here at the Nürburgring...
...and I'm telling you that Caracciola will win the race.
Rubbish! Make me a pork sandwich, will you?
...speaking to Saxony, Thuringia...
...Australia, New Zealand and other islands.
A direct broadcast from the Nürburgring.
Hallo, come in, South Bend.
This is South Bend.
There's a huge crowd cheering on the cars.
On my left, 8000. On my right, 8000.
That makes 88.000 watching me.
- Here comes another one. - They can't be here yet, Pauline.
Hallo, Carousel, come in.
Nothing's going around at Carousel yet.
Pieritz is quite a comic, isn't he?
In a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes...
...that's the Mercedes of von Brauchitsch.
He's overtaking Lang.
This is Start and Finish. The crowd's wild with enthusiasm.
In the seats of honour we can see the Reich representatives.
Hermann Göring, the motor-racing fan...
...next to Rudolf Hess and Gauleiter Simon.
They're just like us...
...joining in a really popular event.
Here they come!
Von Brauchitsch has overtaken his stablemate Biondetti.
Maria, what was that?
Paul Greize from Sul really did go by in a BMW.
Pieritz is a card, eh?
And I didn't see it.
Greize has also gone past.
When she comes down we'll all get a good look at her speciality.
Her potato cakes?
Reinforcements!
Eat up, there's plenty, but mind, they're hot.
Miss Martina, your speciality has given us a lot of pleasure.
You're a ray of sunshine. We don't have much fun here.
I understand, my dears.
Far from home and no loving hand available.
Martina, please come in.
At once, madam.
I've been telling you since yesterday...
...but you pay no attention.
Don't keep saying "Edu, my darling" to my Eduard.
And don't keep calling me madam.
Otherwise you'll have to leave, sorry as I am.
It just slips out. I wasn't hinting at anything.
You simply have to realize where you are.
You're right, Lucie.
This lovely house...
...the expensive furnishing, all these rooms.
I keep thinking of how it was in Berlin...
...the two of us and the girls.
But you've got it much nicer here, Lucie.
Different, Martina. It's different.
And if you think to lure men here with potato cakes, you're wrong.
Lucie, just one or two.
It's for my savings, nobody will notice.
And the poor chaps need it occasionally.
Stop that sort of talk.
Here in the Hunsrück there's none of that sort of thing.
It's not even thought of.
Have you understood, Martina?
Have you understood?
Yes, madam.
Thank you for collecting the plates. Put them down anywhere.
Best wishes from Miss Martina, and I wish you all the best, too.
Leave them, I've got a maid for that. Just put them down there.
What Eduard means is the credit we built our house with.
Bielstein of the Jewish bank...
...has been arrested for foreign exchange fiddling.
Now Eduard's scared the party will find out about our loan.
But the Party's said nothing...
...and we've heard nothing from the Jew, either.
Nobody wants the money.
That's the trouble.
Something's brewing.
If anything happens to Bielstein...
...I don't want to be guilty of his death.
Besides, debts are debts.
It's immaterial to whom you owe the money.
I always say Eduard Simon got into debt...
...through building up the movement.
And the law of 29th August for the cancellation of old debts...
...has settled the matter officially; the Führer gave the order.
Lucie, Martina isn't the authorities.
Thank God, at least we've one human being in the house.
Those were marvellous times in Berlin with you.
I thought I could bring a bit of that into my home...
...for ever.
- Do you still need me, madam? - No, Gudrun, you can go to bed.
An angel flew by.
This is the precise moment that time ought to stand still.
Everything we've achieved ought to remain just so.
The new highway, the whole new life.
And it ought to remain for ever, for everyone.
And we shouldn't want any more at all.
And everyone would remain healthy, everyone we know.
Including Bielstein, with his bank in Mainz.
Then you'd have debts again.
Martina, I haven't seen my parents for five years.
That's how long I've not been in Berlin.
Have you stood it for so long?
I'd like to have them here.
We've so many empty rooms, they've really earned it.
They all worked so hard. We all worked hard, didn't we?
THE HlGHWAY