His name is Leopold Kessler.
My God!
Isn't he aware of the situation in Germany?
No! I don't want any gratitude.
If your nephew is ready, we'll begin the check-up.
Thank you, Herr Kessler.
There's no need for further examination.
Your nephew is of sound health.
Standard fee, please.
Humility, Kessler,
never forget humility.
Close it!
There's nothing to see!
- Good evening, Herr Kessler. - 'Evening, Fraulein Schulze.
- Tonight you'll be on train 317.
- Frankfurt - Berlin.
- Tomorrow, train 212.
- Berlin - Munich.
Then on train 522.
Timetable, list of sales, receipts, electrical chart, green cheque-book.
Book of tickets, account book, and the green journal.
Thank you, Fraulein Schulze.
The inspector wants you to go to turntable 3.
Really?
I've promised not to say any more...
...but I think he has a surprise for you.
I see the young Herr Kessler has not yet paid his guarantee.
I thought I'd tell you right away.
Car 2306 is back in working order.
- Is it, inspector? - Yes.
Your nephew is off to a great start.
You may turn the handle, please.
Track 8, Kessler.
You will have the honor of serving on the first First Class sleeper
to run under the revived Zentropa company.
We have worked night and day
to get this train back on the track.
I understand you specifically wish to become a sleeping-car conductor.
A fine choice.
But there was also a symbolic element
in the management's decision of giving the job to a foreigner.
We are dealing with the important matter of human transportation, -
- which no borders should impede.
I also started out as a sleeping-car conductor.
Those were my happiest days.
An engine-driver's work is exciting.
The same goes for the systematics in the tower.
But only the conductor comes into direct contact with the passengers.
He can say: "I promise you a pleasant journey."
"You can all enjoy a peaceful sleep."
- Right, Kessler?
- Certainly, inspector.
I call this a mythological task.
You will accompany your uncle while you are training.
After your exam in three months' time, you can move on.
But you can read all about that in the service rule book.
Here it comes.
First class tickets only!
First class tickets!
Money... please... Give us some money.
You can make the bed.
Please forgive me, it's my first trip.
Herr Kessler, you are a true idealist.
Let me tell you, it is most frightening.
Young Kessler, you're a blockhead!
Wake up! Leo, you have to hurry.
My nephew, Leopold Kessler, has been invited to dine at seven.
He is entirely to blame for any delay.
I leave him in your hands. I will wait for him in the kitchen.
They've already sat down to eat.
"...at the right hour You feed them."
"You open Your hand and bless all who dwell there.
Amen."
Our guest has arrived.
So sorry I'm late.
Never excuse yourself, young man.
Life is too short.
Kat tells me you have recently joined our company.
I'm very pleased.
Father is pleased you're American.
He'd like Zentropa to be international.
Germans are ill-regarded right now.
Rubbish, Larry. Let's eat.
My sister's got her eye on you.
Calm down, both of you.
It's very brave of you to come to Germany at such a time.
A great tragedy has befallen this part of the world.
What kind of question is that to ask our guest?
- I'm afraid I'm not very religious.
- Herr Kessler is a sensible man.
He realizes that if the scars of this war are to heal -
- then we must turn to one another.
My sister says you're a deserter.
In my father's opinion, so am I.
That's enough, Larry.
My son was too ill to join up.
Ill! My father has never understood my illness.
He thinks it stems from my mother spoiling me till the day she died.
Excuse me.
I apologize for my son's behavior.
- I thought you didn't like excuses.
- Damn it! Excuse me, Father.
In war, life is so simple.
It's only afterwards that complications arise.
- Don't you agree, Father?
- Certainly. Religion is important in wartime, -
- but even more so when the silence of arms toys with our peace of mind.
When we pray to God in time of war, -
- we can only rely on His support if we have faith in our cause.
Excuse me, Father...
But what about the other side?
Why, of course, Herr Kessler. God is on everyone's side.
But when you fight for a cause with all your heart
then God finds it easier to forgive -
- if, in doing so,
you disobey His commands.
Who does God not forgive?
Those who do not believe.
Those who remain lukewarm, who don't take sides.
They are condemned to eternal wandering.
He shows them no mercy, Herr Kessler.
"Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, -
- I will spew thee out of my mouth."
They're about to blast them.
The Allies are blowing up cranes in Westhafen. They're dismantling...
To prevent another German military power from rising up.
They're destroying everything that could be used for military ends.
I fail to see how the few cranes we have left might pose a threat.
The food supply situation will become even worse.
You're so naive, Kat.
The cranes are loading coal for IG-Farben.
The Americans are clever.
They get hold of the chemical patents -
- and then they destroy the plants to prevent production.
All in the name of demilitarization.
So that's that.
You can serve the coffee now.
You must understand, Leopold...
Our family has always treasured international contacts.
Pay us a visit from time to time. How about dinner on Friday?
I'm sure you'll like Alex.
We studied together in Berlin and now he's back in Germany.
Colonel Harris.
Thank you for a pleasant evening.
I must go and check on the church before curfew.
I'm afraid we won't have time for chess tonight, Colonel Harris.
Come and sit down.
Your uncle wants to leave now.
He's waiting in the hall.
Goodbye, Fraulein Hartmann.
Herr Kessler.
I'm a friend of the Hartmann family.
They said I could ask a small favor.
My nephews are going to Cologne.
Would you please look after them?
They'll be picked up at the station.
The tickets and papers are in order.
You can stay in here.
Sekt for Ravenstein.
The Allied command in Frankfurt has appointed my husband mayor.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
- Are you the engine-driver?
- I'm the sleeping-car conductor.
I don't wish to impose...
But my family and myself lived in London during the war -
- and now we're returning to Wolstadt.
But my wife is suddenly refusing to get off the train.
She's very upset about the state Germany is in right now.
Would you be so kind as to help me set her mind at rest?
If you could perhaps reassure her -
- that Wolstadt has been spared the havoc of war.
We live at 43 Sachsenstrasse.
I don't know Wolstadt,
but what I've seen from the train looks bad.
But you must help me.
I'll never get her off the train.
Wolstadt is our home,
we can get a taxi from the station...
My dear, I have encouraging news.
Please repeat what you told me.
I don't really know Wolstadt...
But you did tell me Wolstadt had been spared.
I only know what I saw from the train.
Did you hear?
Next station is Wolstadt.
You'd better get ready.
- Palestine
- She wants us to live in the desert.
We are Jewish, but we are German, but we are Jewish.
Savages!
It's outrageous!
We have problems with the heating,
but we can offer you blankets.
We have problems with the heating,
but we can offer you blankets.
Give the children some chocolate.
- We'd like another bottle of sekt.
- Of course, right away.
Go on, have another piece.
Chocolate?
Papers, please.
I insist on a return game today, Colonel Harris.
I've never understood how anyone could be proud to be German.
If I had my way, I'd be on a plane bound for America today.
You find that hard to understand.
I think the war was a waste of time.
It's how you would feel if you were to attend the good Father's Mass.
The ceremony might be colorful, even entertaining, -
- but to an unbeliever it's simply a sophisticated waste of time.
Shoddy too, when the sacrament is nothing but a dry cracker.
She's flirting with you.
A bit scheming, don't you think?
Why not dance with her?
Not today, I'm a little tired.
It's time, Max. The Jew is here.
Marie...
Bring me those silly papers.
They're the rules.
I must ask: do you know this man?
Max Hartmann is my friend.
He gave me food and hid me in his cellar.
No more!
I won't do it again.
Do what you like!
Is it my move?
What am I doing?
No... I think I'll retire now.
No need to disturb the Father and Alex.
- Good night to you both.
- Good night, father.
Your uncle has always been a good man.
Don't forget that whatever happens, -
- you must always do what you think is right.
Never let anyone tell you otherwise.
Katharina...
Put the lamp out.
The lamp.
I am a werewolf!
Yes, I'm afraid I have to admit you have won.
It's just a game.
It's time to go home, Colonel.