The Step off the Road
After the novel "Effi Briest" by Theodor Fontane
Friedrich, Rollo lies at the stone again.
Well Luise, the creature's instinct.
I always say:
we takes ourselves far too important.
Don't talk like that, Briest.
Ever since our poor child has been buried there, I have been blaming myself.
Maybe we were guilty after all...
Maybe she had been too young after all.
Forget about it, Luise.
All that is a wide subject.
- How are you, Miss Effie? - Thank you, I'm fine, Herr von Instetten.
A handsome man.
Just like a knight.
He looks like Lohengrin.
Good heavens, Effi, not so high. I'm getting all dizzy.
- Aren't you afraid? - I am.
I'm a bit afraid.
But that's just what I like.
I always wonder whether the hooks will hold.
And what if they don't hold?
They will.
Effi!
- Effi. - Yes Mama.
Coming.
I'm coming presently, Roswitha.
Always on the swing, always the daughter of the airs.
Effi, you are so passionate, so wild.
I always worry about you when I see you like this.
Please take the gooseberries, I've something else to do.
I suppose we drove your Mama away.
Not at all, she's expecting a visitor for dinner, you just saw him, Baron von Instetten.
Why is he calling again? He's only been here yesterday.
He's an old childhood friend of Mama.
Don't leave the peels on the ground. Mama hates that.
- She always says people might slip and break a leg. - She's quite right.
- You don't say! Doesn't she look as if she expected at any moment the Archangel Michael ...
Effi, not so fast.
You're just cut out to be an old maid.
I hope to get married soon, and earlier than you.
You don't imagine I'll wait for that. Rollo!
Rollo, come. Let's go out in the boat.
The District Commissioner, Baron von Instetten, Reserve Cavalry Captain of the Cuirassier Guards Regiment of Berlin.
Well, that early?
it's just.... Good day, my dear Instetten.
Always eager, on duty as well as on a visit.
Good day, my dear Herr von Briest, I'm a bit early.
But I thought, perhaps an occasion for a little talk.
I see, you want to have a bit of change, you must be worn out after maneuvers, if you please...
But here is something more in your line,
something very fine, Bismarck cigars.
They be should particularly your taste, since you're in great favour with the Prince [Bismarck].
Deservedly so, of course.
I couldn't say whether I've deserved it or not.
But the Prince has been very gracious to me ever since I under served him in '71 at Versailles.
You don't say. Please sit down.
And now you're in luck, as District Commissioner in Kessin, you are almost the Prince's neighbour at Varzin.
That's a chance not to be missed.
And it won't be missed, my dear Briest.
I know, my dear Instetten, I know.
This position may suit you fine, but I couldn't have done it, no offense intended.
Always having to look upwards, always minding one's superiors.
I live my life here, rejoice over each green leaf, over the vine creeping over the windows...
Briest is on his romantic trip again.
Madame.
I seem to have become a rather frequent visitor.
Now we've eaten all the gooseberries.
Doesn't matter, we'll collect some more. And now the peels will be ceremoniously sunk.
And we'll sing something sad.
- What shall we sing? - Anything, doesn't matter.
But it must rhyme with "U", "U" the vowel of grief.
I know: Flood flood makes everything well again.
Wonderful!
Flood flood makes everything well again.
Once more.
Flood flood makes everything well again.
Now we have sunk our guilt.
Which makes me think of poor unhappy women who were sunk in earlier times from such a boat.
Because of infidelity of course.
But surely not here!
Of course not here. Nothing like it could ever happen here.
But in Constantinople!
Effi!
Come at once to the house, you must change, our visitor has arrived.
Already! Good gracious!
Effi! Careful!
But Effi, you're still in your apron!
You're always late.
Mama, don't scold me, it's only 3, why did he come so early?
A cavalier doesn't come too late, but rather too early.
Effi, I think it's best you stay as you are.
Yes, stay like this, you look so unprepared, not dressed up at all.
And that's all that matters for the moment. Because I must tell you...
come with me ...
- Because I must tell you... - But Mama, what's the matter?
I'm getting all frightened.
My sweet Effi, I must tell you...
that Baron von Instetten has just asked for your hand in marriage.
For my hand in marriage?
Seriously?
Yes, my child.
Good gracious.
This is no joking matter.
He's of course older than you, which is fortunate after all.
He's a man of character, of position and of good manners.
And if you don't say no, which I cannot believe my good Effi would do,
you'll have arrived at 20 where others will only get at 40.
You'll outdistance your Mama by far.
But Mama, I hardly know him.
Since we're now on "Du" terms, let's establish the "order of the family ranks".
Mama had better stay Mama.
Whereas I don't much care for the honourable title Papa and would prefer to be simply called "Briest".
As to you two, Effi stays Effi,
and Instetten will be called Gerd in the future.
If I'm not mistaken,
"Gerd" means a slim and tall trunk of a tree.
So Effi would be the ivy twining around it.
I beg you, Briest, poetic metaphors are quite beyond you.
You are possibly right, Luise, let's drink to that.
- Your health, Louise. - Dear Mama. - Your health, Gerd.
Kids, I've become engaged.
Engaged? With whom? Is he the right one?
Of course he's the right one. I'll be Frau von Instetten, Baroness.
But Effi, don't you think it a bit embarrassing?
I do, it's a bit embarrassing.
But I think I'll get over it.
Welcome
So, welcome home.
Thank you.
Good gracious!
This is our servant Afra.
She's from the Mark too, your neighborhood, if you consider Pasewalk still as part of your county.
I hope we'll get along well.
My, a wolf!
Even inside the house.
What's he doing here?
These things belonged to my predecessor, a most peculiar gentleman.
Really spooky.
It'll be cozy soon.
That's all, Afra.
So this is where you work.
Yes, one cannot deal with everything at the office.
Lots of letters have accumulated.
This is almost solemn.
You haven't seen the most beautiful yet.
But that's Rollo!
And not only Rollo.
Roswitha!
He brought us here earlier, but we weren't allowed to tell.
Rollo!
I've a lot to tell you, Roswitha.
But first you'll make us a nice cup of tea.
God, how glad I am.
I would be very happy, if you liked it here.
The beautiful screen.
And the carpet.
I even think it's Turkish.
And the fish bowl.
And the beautiful flower arrangement.
The way you're spoiling me.
Yes, my dear Effi, you'll have to accept all this,
that's what it means being young, pretty and charming.
The people of Kessin must have heard about it too,
God knows how, because I plead not guilty of the flower arrangement.
Ah, Gieshübler, Alonzo.
I forgot to tell you about him.
Doctor Alonzo Gieshübler.
Physician and chemist.
Poet and eccentric.
But first of all,
which is the most important thing, a soulful human being.
I'm sure he'll call tomorrow and humbly lay his devotion at your feet.
Because that's the way he talks.
I am very happy...
and terribly curious already
about how everything here is going to turn out.
She's too young, I'm telling you.
She's still a school girl.
What do you know about it?
For our kind it's a different matter.
But a District Commissioner's wife shouldn't be that young.
Better too young than too old.
Already?
Already, you say?
To make fun of me, of course.
Not at all.
It's true, I'm not very punctual.
But I don't sleep late.
In that respect I have been brought up well.
In all respects, my sweet Effi.
You only say that because we're still on our honeymoon.
But no, we're out of it already.
Good heavens, Gerd, I almost forgot, we've already been married six weeks.
Six weeks and one day.
That makes all the difference.
Then I don't take it as flattery, but as the truth.
Effi, you're a charming, dear creature.
You don't know how much I feel it, and how much I want to show it to you, at every moment.
There's lots of time, I'm only 17, I don't intend to die yet.
At least not before I do.
But when I die, I'd rather take you with me.
I don't want to leave you to another. What do you say to this?
I'll have to think about it.
But let's drop it.
I don't like to speak of death, I'm all for living.
Is the Baroness already receiving visitors?
I hope I'm not too early?
Not at all.
The Doctor is always welcome. May I?
No, I'd rather present it myself.
I hope I'm not disturbing.
Herr Doctor Gieshübler.
Let me tell you what a great pleasure you gave me yesterday with your beautiful flower arrangement.
And when I mentioned it to Instetten, he told me...
that we shall be good friends.
The good District Commissioner, did he talk so kindly of me?
Flowers again?
How pretty.
The District Commissioner and you, my dear Madame, if I may say so,
two very dear human beings have formed a union.
What kind of a human being your husband is, that I know.
And what kind of a human being you are, that I can see.
Since friendship has already been established, please excuse me.
I'm expected at the office.
Good bye.
If you please.
If only you wouldn't look at me with too friendly eyes, I'm still very young and youth ...
My dear Madame, don't say anything against youth.
Youth with all its faults is still beautiful and charming.
And old age, with all its virtues, is no good.
Just like a young man,
our District Commissioner.
Yes yes, our dear Kessin will soon be a little Paris.
First you, my dear Madame, and then, in a few weeks, another important visitor.
But I've been keeping you far too long.
On the contrary, you're make me curious.
Then I'll tell you the big secret.
A young niece of mine, a girl from our town,
Miss Marietta Tripelli,
traveling from Paris to Petersburg, will drop by for a day.
In her infinite goodness, the Tripelli has promised to spend one evening at my home too,
and interpret some songs of my own choice, because she can sing anything.
Would you, Baroness, with Monsieur your husband, consent to attend this musical soirée.
A proper invitation will be sent out later.
But of course, with greatest pleasure.
One must profit of every occasion to find some amusement around here.
You're quite right, my dear Madame, one must profit of every occasion.
Otherwise the years will go by and life will remain poor and empty.
We'll be there for sure.
And thank you for your kind visit.
Please don't trouble yourself.
Forbidden beach area The District Commissioner of Kessin
Thank you, I'll tell Madame.
What's the matter, Afra?
Monsieur lets us know that Madame shouldn't wait for him,
he's visiting the Prince at Varzin and will be back late.
Again? Very well, Afra.
Gerd!
Did I frighten you so much?
Oh Gerd, thank God you're back!
Now all is well.
Why didn't you go to bed?
You must never again leave me!
You must never again leave me alone!
But dear Effi!
I don't leave you alone out of selfishness or a whim,
but because I have to.
I'm a man who holds a position.
I couldn't possibly tell the Prince: "Your Grace, I can't come, my wife feels lonely."
or even: "My wife is afraid."
If I said that we would look quite peculiar.
I certainly, and so would you.
You are right, Gerd.
and I too have realized that our career takes precedence. Only, it's a bit ...
Yes please.
Now the Baroness will be pleased.
How do you know?
It was open already.
Dr. Alonzo Gieshübler ... Marietta Tripelli
You don't have to announce me!
Gerd! Gerd!
But Effi!
What's the matter?
Here.
Gerstenberg, will you leave me alone with my wife for a moment.
But what's really the matter?
Nothing really.
I only thought...
but I felt so happy...
But my dear Effi,
this is no reason to come to the office.
But we must answer at once.
Of course we will answer at once.
But there's time for it tonight.
Surely you realize that.
Here at the office we have more important matters to attend to.
Here a District Commissioner has no time for his wife,
even if she's as charming as my little Effi.
So, darling...
Herr Gerstenberg.
Come on Rollo, they don't want us here.
God, how beautiful!
Well, little Miss, you seem to like it.
I can understand that, I like it too.
How dare you address me like that!
Isn't this the way to address a pretty young lady?
You are impertinent.
Who are you then?
Guess.
Maybe a cowboy.
But there are no cowboys around here.
Apparently there are. How about a little horse-riding wild-west style, without saddle?
I'd rather not, too dangerous for me.
Don't be afraid, it's nothing.
Say, don't you have anything better to do than to hang around the horses?
I have, to keep you company, for instance.
You are impossible!
You're not the first person to call me that.
Come on Rollo, we're leaving.
Good bye, Rollo.
Herr Consul Grützmacher, my niece, the great singer Marietta Tripelli.
Pleased, I'm sure.
Frau Consul Grützmacher, my niece, the great singer Marietta Tripelli.
Pleased, I'm sure.
Miss Sidonie Grützmacher ....
My niece, the great singer Marietta Tripelli.
Pleased, I'm sure.
Lieutenant von Zitzewitz, my niece the...
- Tripelli. - Zitzewitz.
So pleased.
My dear Baroness.
My dear District Commissioner.
It is a great honour to receive you in my house.
May I introduce ...
my niece, the great singer Marietta Tripelli.
I am very pleased to meet you.
You have already completed conquered the heart of my fatherly friend Alonzo.
- Instetten. - Pleased.
My goodness.
Herr und Frau von Baubke, my niece, the great singer ...
May I present to you Major von Crampas.
Now one of our most successful horse breeders.
Frau von Fallas, good evening.
Good evening Major.
I would prefer cowboy.
The lady and the gentleman know each other already?
Know him? I wouldn't say that.
Ladies and gentlemen, will you please form casual groups now.
We're about to be treated to an exquisite enjoyment of the arts.
My dear Marietta, if you please.
We'll bring you as first piece
the Sapphic Ode by Brahms.
Allow me, Frau von Papen?
That's kind of you, Crampas, that you prefer an old woman like me.
May I have your attention please.
# Roses from the dark hedge I plucked at night,
# They breathed sweeter fragrance than ever during the day,
# But the moving branches abundantly shed
# The dew that showered me.
# Thus your kisses' fragrance enticed me as never before,
# As at night I plucked the flower of your lips,
# But you too, moved in spirit as they were,
# Shed a dew of tears.
And what will you offer us now, dear master?
Now something of my own choice.
A French love song.
# O, in my father's garden The lilies are in bloom,
# The birds of all the world Come there to build their nests.
# Ah, near to my blonde lass, how good it feels,
# Ah, near to my blonde lass, It's so good to sleep.
# And my pretty dove Who sings both day and night.
# Who sings for all the girls Who haven't got a husband.
# Ah, near to my blonde lass, It's so good to sleep.
# What would you give, my beauty, To have a boy-friend?
# I would give Versailles, Paris, and Saint-Denis.
# Near to my blonde lass, how good it feels,
# Near to my blonde lass, how good it feels to sleep.
Your art of interpretation, my dear Marietta, is so great, that the a bit risqué Parisian lyrics are ennobled by it.
May I tell you what a pleasure your great art has given us.
Thank you. And you have such an intelligent way of listening.
Oh, Mirambeau, another one of Gieshübler's antiquities.
No thank you.
May I have a look at the score? Of the first song...
That Sidonie is really intolerable, look at the way she offers the wine, she might become a waitress any time.
Just like the stock she comes from, how will it end I wonder?
I wouldn't know, Madame.
Tell me, doesn't every public performance expose one to constant danger.
Yes, constant danger, most of all to the voice.
Lieutenant, do keep an old woman company.
May I call to your attention this liquor, my own recipe.
My dear Gieshübler, I hope you haven't mixed stuff from your poison-cupboard into it by mistake.
The Major can be at ease.
And I would feel greatly honoured if the ladies and gentlemen would inspect the secrets of my "poison-kitchen".
Allow me to show you the way.
Just like it was 200 years ago.
We Gieshüblers have been here that long.
And if there were such a thing as a nobility of pharmacists...
That's the famous poison cupboard.
How gruesome.
Life can be much more dangerous than death.
Afterwards, what's there to risk?
If you please.
What's this?
It looks quite harmless.
This is just the most dangerous, my dear Baroness.
A love potion.
But only for my clients from the village.
Just between ourselves, thyme mixed with salt.
Thyme mixed with salt.
Do people still believe in that nowadays?
A love potion.
Thank you.
Gerd?
Our relationship, that's not just thyme mixed with salt, isn't it?
But Effi,
I think Gieshübler with his potions has completely turned your head.
Because I have to tell you something, Gerd.
But close your eyes.
Otherwise I can't tell you.
Now what do you say, Wilke?
I do not presume to say anything.
You old bachelor, one cannot talk with you about things like that.
That's why I permitted myself to say nothing.
Now I need a hot rum, Wilke,
What a cold.
Like Siberia.
Always busy with the outfit for Effi's heir.
Briest!
She's a mighty fine girl, isn't she? Kids are a real pleasure.
A Moorish pharmacist arrives with sweets today,
and instead of myrrha and incense, he brings pistachios and almonds.
The good Gieshübler, how kind of him.
Every week he thinks of something else.
A good man's devotions are so beneficial.
Don't you think so, Gerd?
Certainly. In fact, it's the only pleasure one has.
Or rather, the only pleasure one ought to have.
You know something, Effi?
You seem all different.
Till Annie came along, you were a child.
But all at once...
you seem all different.
But it becomes you.
You please me a lot.
You too please me.
And suddenly something crosses my mind,
- don't you want to put on your uniform once more? - But Effi!
Gerd! Ever since our engagement I haven't seen you as a knight.
It's a bit crazy, but since it gives you so much pleasure ... very well
It gives me pleasure.
Herr von Crampas
Please show him in.
Good day, Baroness.
Good day, Herr von Crampas.
I've come to hear the news about my little friend Annie.
How nice of you to ask about her.
She's fine.
Roswitha has just taken her to the garden.
By the way, in front of your house I met Mirambeau.
I bet our friend Gieshübler has sent you another of his famous love potions.
By the way, I don't believe they work.
Young women don't believe in anything much.
But then again, they believe in many things they had better not believe in.
Are you referring to me?
No.
What a pity.
How this "what a pity" becomes you!
I really believe you would think it perfectly all right if I made you a love declaration right now.
I wouldn't go that far, but I want to see the man who doesn't hope for this.
Crampas! You are...
- You are... - A fool...
No, again you exaggerate, but you are something else.
In Hohen-Cremmen we always used to say: the vainest thing on earth
would be an 18 year old cavalry ensign.
And now?
And now I say the vainest thing on earth is a retired major of 42.
You make up for everything by letting me off two years.
I say!
The Cavalry Captain in gala uniform?
Don't joke, Crampas.
It was my idea.
The whims of women...
I wouldn't dream of joking.
I have no intention of getting myself in front of your gun barrel,
also I think it's a charming idea.
Especially when one looks so handsome in uniform.
That's not the point at all.
Of course not.
And if Bismarck calls to arms, we will all put on our coloured coats.
I think these things are far too grave to joke about.
Even the gravest things, one shouldn't take them too seriously.
Why did you take off your uniform, Herr von Crampas?
Why did I take off my coloured coat?
Well, opinions differ about that.
Some say, because of women,
some say, because of card games, but there's more to it.
I just enjoy to be with my horses most.
My God, how sweet.
Seven weeks old.
What a beautiful soft skin you have.
- That'll be a horse. - May I give it to you as a present?
No that's impossible, we have our hands full with our two lame carriage horses.
Of course it'll belong to you, but it shall stay here.
And when it's grown up, nobody else may ride it but you.
Maybe all this is far too beautiful for me.
Arabia must sent me her most beautiful horse.
Harnessed with gold, to carry a sweet child,
and I off to war, to the sound of trumpets.
And where the siskin has built its nest, twirping in the elder bushes,
a summer residence shall be built for you,
in pleasant spacious rooms my Käthchen shall receive me on my return.
My Friedrich, my adored one,
whatever shall I think of this speech?
You want? You say?
It's nothing, my sweet child.
That Crampas is a handsome man.
Only a bit too self assured.
Certainly, he hasn't got stuck with his lines once.
And our Baroness, doesn't she look like out of a fairy tale?
- Roswitha! - Effi. It was so beautiful!
All those flowers.
It was a beautiful night.
Yes Herr Baron, it was too beautiful.
But what I liked most, that was my charming little wife who turned everybody's heads.
Don't say that, Gerd. I'm vain enough already.
Vain enough? That may be so.
But not as vain as the others?
How gallant you are. If I didn't know you I'd think you're up to something.
May one approach?
Not even Kleist could have imagined his Käthchen more perfect. If you permit...
The laurel has luckily arrived in time.
You are all far too good to me.
Pretty.
One could almost wear it.
I would be most happy.
You can wear it without scruples, Effi, one only receives what one has earned.
You are always such an original.
Ladies and gentlemen, take your positions for the quadrille.
- And how are you? - Fine, I have an excellent husband.
- You are so restless today. - Not at all.
I'm only very happy.
I'm glad you are so happy.
I used to have an excellent husband too, but that doesn't always help.
And how's everything with you? No temptations?
Oh well, Madame ...
Dear Dr. Gieshübler.
- Well Kruse, everything's all right? - Yes sir, everything's all right.
Good bye.
I wouldn't have thought that you had such a talent as an actress.
I used to recite poems as a child quite often.
There's one I remember very well.
It's called "God's Wall".
God's Wall? A pretty title.
And what about it?
Just a little story, very short.
There's a war going on somewhere, a winter campaign, and an old widow who was afraid of the enemy
prays to God that He might build a wall around her to protect her from the enemy.
And then God lets the house disappear under the snow.
And the enemy passes by without noticing.
Pretty story but not very credible.
I believe in it.
What's happening?
I don't know, everything used to be all right earlier.
This must be last year's hole.
I think it's rather tonight's liqueur.
- We're stuck. - I think we'll have to push.
Great, I'll help.
Please remain seated, Madame, we'll move on presently.
I'm not afraid.
Give it to me.
1 - 2 - 3
- Doesn't move. - Again.
Effi!
Has my wife gone out alone for a walk?
Yes.
But Roswitha always meets her at the copse.
There she is.
Has my husband come home yet?
The District Commissioner is waiting.
I wonder where Roswitha has been.
Excuse me, I've kept you waiting.
But I really must scold Roswitha, she's always missing me.
How pretty you look.
Still a bit pale, but very becoming.
But I always drink the iron medicine Gieshübler has prescribed for my anemia.
And I regularly go out for my walks.
I have a diversion for you.
We're invited at the Glasenapps next week.
I'd rather not go, and you must excuse me because of my health cure.
So the cure will be your excuse again.
This is just a pretext.
The truth is: my little Effi doesn't like the Glasenapps.
You know the Glasenapps' dinners.
Brawn and eel in aspic, on top of that all those spicy liquors, that would be the death of me.
When you leave I'll accompany part of the way, I'd like that.
Maybe till the forest path ...
the crossing with the Moorwitz path,
or rather
up to the mill...
I'll get off there and take a stroll back home.
Roswitha, hold the leather tincture bottle for me.
I must clean the harnesses and meet the master at the station, he notices everything.
Even if he doesn't say so you realize that he has noticed.
If you touch me like that again, I'll paint your moustaches all black.
Roswitha, I wouldn't mind at all.
Why Roswitha, you're so gay.
- How's Annie? - Sleeping, madam.
Roswitha, my jacket.
I must call to your attention the fact that Kruse is married.
I know, Madame.
One knows all sorts of things.
And yet one acts as if one doesn't know them.
You're such a good and sensible person otherwise.
You just beware!
I can tell you that.
With a husband, nothing good will come out of it!
It's not supposed to be anything, Effi.
No, leave it. Please hand me the lamp.
So Gieshübler has sent the new magazines.
The things one takes up for distraction.
A pretty lady with a muff.
Then with a half-veil.
Fashion dolls.
But it's the best to take my mind off other things.
What's the news in Kessin?
What's the news in Kessin!
Our Miss Sidonie will get married at last.
You don't say! Did the Lieutenant get hooked after all?
He did.
And our District Commissioner? He went to Berlin?
Yes he did. What do you think?
One hears all sorts of things.
I believe our District Commissioner may expect great things.
Anything interesting in Berlin?
More than that.
You'll be surprised.
Tell me Effi, what would you say if one day we didn't live in Kessin any more?
Good heavens Gerd, you haven't been transferred?
Not only transferred, but promoted as well.
The Prince has called me to the Ministry.
To Berlin?
That's it.
And you'll be the wife of a Privy Councilor, and live in Berlin,
and in six months you'll hardly remember that you've been here in Kessin,
where you had nothing but the dunes and the sea.
Thank God!
Get up Effi, what's the matter?
I thought you were happy here!
And now you say "thank God", as if everything had been terrible here.
Or... was it something else?
How can you ask?
I've always been afraid here.
Happy days... certainly
but also other days ...
I just couldn't tell you...
in fact, there were several things I couldn't tell you...
but now I want to tell you...
I've always been so alone when you were away...
and I don't know if you had the right to leave me alone that much...
I had no one...
except Gieshübler...
and Crampas...
So?
but sometimes...
I even had to be afraid of him too...
Pardon me, Effi. I was so surprised...
probably my fault...
I've always been far too occupied with myself...
but all that will change in Berlin.
When are we leaving?
As soon as I've found a flat for us in Berlin.
That late?
But Effi,
we couldn't possibly decamp here right now!
We must pay our farewell calls first.
Yes of course.
Then we'll have to stay a bit longer.
What's happened? What's the matter with our Baroness?
The baroness doesn't feel well. I think she has a fever.
I'll look after her at once.
Doctor, please, I must ask you:
How much does one have to administer of the love potion?
It hasn't worked till now.
Not too much, dearest, not too much.
That would only put the man off.
How good of you to come, dear Doctor.
My dear Madame, what's wrong, how can we help?
Dr. Gieshübler, it's constantly changing.
Right now it's blown away.
Let me feel your pulse.
What's the matter with my wife?
Is Dr. Gieshübler still with her?
The Doctor has just gone in.
The District Commissioner needn't worry.
There's nothing much wrong with Madame.
Doesn't the District Commissioner want a cup of coffee?
I have other worries.
Besides, the stuff has been tasting of thyme lately.
I can't wait.
Tell Dr. Gieshübler, I'll call him later.
In the beginning I thought it was rheumatism, now I believe neuralgia...
And you don't seem to have a fever.
My father suffers from neuralgia, I saw it as a child.
Maybe inherited?
What is it?
Herr von Crampas has called.
I already told him that Madame is ill.
Yes, tell him that I am not well at all,
and that it is quite uncertain when I will recover.
Yes indeed.
Unfortunately it is quite uncertain.
But with troubles of that kind rest is the best cure.
I see.
Well, I wish her to get well soon.
Wait, my dear Herr von Crampas, I'll accompany you.
- There's no joking about colds like that. - So it seems.
You see, Effi, first you couldn't move fast enough to Berlin, and now you've fallen ill.
Oh Gerd, I'll be well again till our departure.
Then it'll be warmer, and we could go by the first summer steamer.
You know?
I had wished for it so much.
And now adieu, my dear Dr. Gieshübler.
And let me thank you.
You were the best thing here.
I couldn't forget you even if I lived to be 100 years old.
But my dear Madame!
Will the Baroness accept this smelling salt for her voyage?
It's refreshing.
Thank you.
And if my eyes are filled with tears from it, I'll think of you.
Adieu, dear friend.
And give my greetings to your friend, the Tripelli.
Well Kruse, what will you do now?
I'm not worrying about myself, District Commissioner.
The new District Commissioner will surely need an experienced coachman.
Effi?
May I?
Thank you, very kind.
Such a pity that we couldn't receive you lately, but you know my wife was unwell.
Yes I know.
I think it's time.
If you please, smile, and hold up the glass, that's it.
Make it pretty.
It's for my little daughter.
Steady, Rollo. You know Mama said that you ought to play with me while she's away.
"Miss Annie von Instetten - fragile"
Little Annie! What's the matter?
Did you hurt yourself?
I've knocked my head.
But it's not Rollo's fault.
Good God, you're bleeding.
Afra!
- Now you just sit still. - What's going on here?
Don't ask, we'll have to bandage the child at once.
With what?
There must be bandages in the sewing table, Madame left it there last winter when she sprained her ankle.
But it's locked.
Don't fuss, Afra, that lock is just a toy.
You're still working, colleague.
Urgency matters, my dear Wüllersdorf.
You've know my point of view for some time by now.
No urgency matter becomes more urgent by leaving it alone.
You know, in fact, I envy people like you,
who are such good workers, and still have the talent to take their work lightly.
I can't be like this.
You're coming to Habel's tonight, won't you?
Is it your birthday?
But Instetten, my first "star".
Even though it's only the Cappadocian Lion.
But of course, pardon me, my congratulations for the well-earned decoration.
Well, the Lord provides. But it's worth a good bottle of wine at Habel's. All the other colleagues have already accepted.
I'll come with pleasure. But you know, my wife's away, I'll have to take care of my daughter first.
That's right, how is the dear Baroness?
By the way, if I had such a pretty wife I would certainly accompany on her voyage to the spa.
My dear Baroness.
Excuse me.
- I'm always delighted to meet you here. - And look at you, my dear!
- Where do you have your dresses made? In Paris I suppose. - Of course.
The good Kotschakoff doesn't accept anything less.
The poor dear, he absolutely wants to marry me.
But I prefer my freedom.
One gets talked about of course, but they always invite you back.
You astonish me! Wouldn't people want to invite you as well if you were the Princess Kotschakoff?
If I married Kotschakoff it wouldn't last long.
And as a divorced woman...
even you would have to cut me.
My ladies, a nice souvenir perhaps?
What's happened?
Nothing, sir.
Annie has fallen and hurt her head.
Whatever will Madame say, thank God she didn't see it.
It doesn't hurt, really it doesn't.
All the same, Roswitha, we must call a doctor.
You're always so wild, you take that after Mama, always like a whirlwind,
but nothing good will ever come of it, except something like that.
But you don't cry, that's very brave, so I'll forgive your wild behaviour.
What's happened to the sewing table?
We had to break open the drawer to get at the bandages, they were in the back.
Käthchen von Heilbronn
Please meet me again this afternoon at our spot behind the mill. I'm desperate that you want to leave me. Kessin, 8 Oct. '80
Privy Councilor.
Privy Councilor!
Annie says dinner's getting cold.
I'm going out, I may be an hour or two...
???
- o gazen ??? - zum Rasen
- aber weh ihr nach Samta ??? - verdammter
Ah Instetten, so you've come after all.
May I speak to you alone for a moment, Prince?
Of course, excuse me.
The good Instetten seems to be all upset. Maybe he's been transferred to Samta ??? too.
I must ask you for two things.
First, to deliver a challenge to a duel.
And to act as my second in the affair.
The one thing is not agreeable, the other thing even worse.
May I have your answer?
A challenge? I am at your disposal of course.
I thank you.
Pardon me, just a question...
Is it necessary?
I mean, we are both getting on, you're too old to take up a gun,
and I to participate.
It is a matter of...
a matter regarding my wife.
The man was my friend...
as well as her friend.
Instetten, that's impossible!
It's not impossible, it's certain.
Please read.
So it was six years ago, or six and 1/2 years.
Those six or seven years seem to impress you.
There is a limitation of time, yes of course.
But I don't know whether we have a case here where we can apply that rule.
I don't know either.
I frankly admit, this is the whole point of the affair right now.
You're in doubt that a duel is necessary?
Instetten, your position is terrible and your life's happiness is lost forever.
But if you kill the lover...
you life's happiness will be twice lost, so to speak.
And you will be adding to the pain of suffering once received
the pain of suffering inflicted upon another.
The whole point is the question:
do you absolutely have to do it?
Do you feel so injured, insulted, outraged, that one of the two must be wiped out? Him or her?
Is that it?
No.
The fact is that I am deeply unhappy.
I love my wife.
Strange to say...
I still love her.
And even though I find all this so horrible...
I am still so enchanted by her loveliness...
that I, despite myself,
deep in my heart,
am inclined to forgive.
I utterly agree, Instetten, I'd probably feel the same.
But that being so, why the whole affair?
It must be!
I've thought it all out.
One isn't alone in this world.
One belongs to a whole.
And it is this whole we must consider constantly.
One is perfectly dependent of it.
In people's living together something has been formed, something which exists after all.
One cannot break their rules.
Society despises us, and
finally we will despise ourselves.
I have no choice, I...
I must!
Even if you were silent as a grave,
you'd know about it,
from this moment on I'd be the object of your pity.
Every word you hear me exchange with my wife, would be subjected to your control,
whether you like it or not.
and when my wife speaks of fidelity, the way women talk,
passes judgment over others,
then I wouldn't know where to look.
Am I right, Wüllersdorf?
Yes or no?
It is terrible that you are right,
but you are right.
When?
If I may ask you, as soon as possible.
And who wrote the letter?
Major Crampas (ret.), Kessin.
Do you still have the English tobacco?
The Major just has to pick and chose.
Thank you.
Say, you are a university graduate, aren't you, Dr. Gieshübler?
I passed the exams for doctor of medicine.
Excellent.
Because I would like to ask for your help in a small matter of honour...
I can't think of a better second for this affair.
A duel?
But why?
God in heaven!
There are things one doesn't talk about.
Things one does.
Good evening, Madame Privy Councilor, we haven't seen each other for some time.
But we have, right now.
... a few days ago, in the seaside resort of Kessin in East Pomerania, a duel took place between Privy Councilor v.I. and Major (ret.) von Crampas. Herr von Crampas was killed.
It is rumoured that there was a relationship between him and the Councilor's wife, a young and beautiful woman.
Ah, there you are.
Good morning, my dear.
I don't know.
People are behaving so strangely to me today.
Hasn't your husband written to you lately?
Not for five days, I've been wondering myself.
You shouldn't think it tragic.
I don't think it tragic.
But one begins to worry.
That's not what I mean.
Something has happened.
Good heavens! Nothing about Annie?
Not, nothing about Annie.
Here. You'll learn about it anyway.
By the way, I wouldn't have thought you three had so much guts.
Good heavens!
Did you love him?
No.
Maybe I didn't even love him.
But now,
now I almost think I love him,
because he has died so senselessly.
What am I going to do?
I can't begin to think what will happen.
You must leave at once of course.
Talk to your husband.
Not that!
Out of the question! Never again!
But of course, I will leave, at once!
I'm going home, to my parents.
A letter for the Baroness.
Briest - Hohen-Cremmen
Käthchen von Heilbronn
Did Instetten write?
No, my parents.
I think I had better stay by myself.
My dear mama
I am glad that you are happy.
you ought to realize, at the office we deal with important matters
a District Councilor doesn't have time for his wife here
you're so wild, Effi, so passionate
I always worry when I see you like that
Let it be, that is a far too wide subject.
Effi!
Did you call me?
Can I get you something?
Do you need anything?
No Roswitha, there's no need.
I don't need anything.
You know what I'm missing.
# farewell Luise, wipe off your face, not every bullet hits its aim...
Does the Baroness want anything?
No, I...
Instetten has been promoted again.
The three months of fortress imprisonment after the duel didn't harm him after all.
I wonder what Effi might be doing.
You can say what you want, Briest, but it wasn't right to shut our door to her.
One doesn't live in the world just to be weak and tender,
and treat everything with indulgence which is against law and order,
and what people condemn, and for the time being are right to condemn.
And the fact that the child will grow up without a mother?
Is that compatible with your idea of law and order too?
Let it be, Luise, that's a wide subject.
Besides, the court has passed a verdict,
there's nothing we can change about that.
But Effi, what's the matter?
I've seen Annie again.
I wonder if she still thinks of me?
I am longing to see her so much.
I've had enough of it. Tomorrow at this hour, Annie shall be here.
But how are you going to manage that?
I don't see why I can't take Annie out for a walk for once.
- But the master has give express orders that... - That doesn't concern me. - Is that so?
Since the whole disaster is your fault.
- What? - Yes, you broke the lock of the sewing table.
That's something one should never do.
One cannot break open a lock another has locked.
Is that so? Let me tell you something:
the letter was already all yellow, that's how long ago it was.
How can one shoot a man because of such old stories.
You are too stupid, Roswitha,
with your "so long ago".
That only proves that you don't understand anything at all.
If the master hadn't done anything about it, all the distinguished people would have cut him.
And we know what that means.
But you're from the country.
And your father was only the village smith,
shoeing horses.
That may be so, that I don't know about these things,
and I don't want to know about them.
But one thing I know, that you are making eyes at our master.
You may laugh, but I've noticed it for some time.
There is something weird about you, thank God our master doesn't care for such things.
The poor woman...
Annie!
Little Annie, my sweet child.
How glad I am.
Come,
tell me,
Annie
you know, I saw you sometimes.
Yes, Roswitha has told me.
How tall you've grown.
And that's the old scar,
when the naughty Rollo threw you off.
Roswitha has told me about it.
Now come Annie,
sit down,
we'll be comfortable.
If I may.
Of course you may.
You're so polite.
In school too?
You must be a real model pupil.
What's your best subject?
I don't know.
But surely you know that.
One knows such a thing.
- Where did you get the best marks? - In religion. - You see.
So you know it after all.
That's very good.
I wasn't so good in that subject.
Who does your homework with you?
Afra.
That's right, Afra.
What has she been doing?
She usually takes me out for a walk, and I think she will be angry.
I'd rather not keep her waiting for long.
I see you are considerate.
I ought to be pleased about it.
Only, one has to divide one's consideration.
But you're not eating!
Have something.
Tastes good.
If I may.
And now tell me, Annie ...
Would you like to visit me more often now?
Certainly, if I may.
We could go for a walk in the Tiergarten.
Certainly, if I may.
Or we'll go to Schilling.
Ice-cream.
Pineapple.
or vanilla.
You've always liked that best.
Certainly, if I may.
I think Annie, it's about time.
You'll have to go home.
Roswitha.
Come with me, child.
Roswitha.
Thank you, it was delicious.
Very well, Roswitha.
You can take Annie home, Afra will get angry.
But it's not that late!
Believe me, Roswitha, it's time, it's high time.
Go now.
So this is how a reunion looks like.
God in heaven, forgive me what I have done,
I was a child,
no no, not a child,
I was old enough to know what I was doing,
I knew it too, I don't want to belittle my guilt, but this is too much,
this this ... meeting with the child, this isn't God who wants to punish me,
it's him, only him,
he taught the child,
always the schoolmaster,
"certainly, if I may"
You don't have to "may" any more!
I don't want you all any more.
I hate you all.
Even my own child.
It's too much.
Honour, honour, honour...
and then he went and shot the poor guy
whom I didn't even love,
whom I had forgotten, because I didn't love him.
It was just foolishness.
Now blood and murder, and I'm guilty?
I'm disgusted at what I have done.
But what disgusts me even more,
is your virtue!
Life disgusts me!
Well, it won't last forever.
A letter, Herr Doctor.
A letter for me? I'm coming.
Probably from my niece, Marietta Tripelli.
Here you are, Doctor.
Dear Herr Doctor, you're probably surprised that I'm writing to you.
but it's because of my Baroness
who has been lying ill in bed for weeks.
And so I thought, since you are a doctor,
nothing to worry about, but we often have a fever of 40°,
and it won't go down.
I've tried everything,
your humble servant, Roswitha Gellenhagen, c/o the Baroness von Instetten
Mirambeau, my suitcase, anti-pirin ..
Don't forget the cuff links.
Eskamomilla, from my herb cupboard,
fennel and arnica,
no, cupping glasses are better,
the great medicine manual, slippers,
I'm traveling.
Is it really that bad, Doctor?
Not bad, but this time it's not a pretended illness, my dear Baroness.
But you are protected doubly here.
But it would be better, if, on a nice feverless day, you would drive over to Hohen-Cremmen.
The country air will do you good.
To my parents?
But that's impossible.
It will be possible.
Just let me arrange it.
When one sees her like this, one thinks everything is as it should be.
But sometimes I am afraid.
She has lost a lot of weight.
And that brilliance in her eyes
when she looks at me questioningly...
What do you think will happen?
Does she have to die?
Don't drum, answer me.
What can I say, Luise?
The fact that I'm drumming should tell you all.
Such a beautiful autumn.
That I could still be that happy.
A few weeks ago I wouldn't have believed it.
If you would only get well again, my dear Madame.
Happiness will then come on its own.
Not the old one, but a new one.
There are thank God many kinds of happinesses.
You'll see, we'll find something for you.
But my dear Madame!
I'm getting all dizzy!
I just wanted to try it again.
How good the fresh air feels.
It seemed to me as if I was flying into the heavens.
Will I go to heaven, I wonder.
Tell me, my friend.
You'll know.
please, please...
Yes Effi, you will.
That may be so, Instetten, I can see what you mean, but it is of no use to you now.
I'm now 45.
If I had found the letter 25 years later,
I would have been 70.
Then you would have told me:
"Instetten, don't be a fool."
And if you hadn't told me, I would have told myself.
If one drives a matter to the utmost point, one always exaggerates,
and one is exposed to ridicule.
But where does it start?
Where is the limit?
Had the limit been reached already, crossed even?
When I think of Crampas' last glance,
resigned and even smiling while dying,
that glance meant:
"Instetten - always the stickler to the rules"
"You could have spared me,
"and you could have spared yourself."
He was right perhaps.
You must be careful, Effi.
The evenings are getting cool.
You are both so good,
and in fact, I have changed your lives too,
and turned you into old people before your time.
My dear Effi, don't talk of such things.
Roswitha says you're so feverish.
Roswitha is always so fussy.
I can tell, she thinks I'm dying.
Well, I don't know,
but she thinks everyone ought to be as fearful as she herself is.
Are you so calm about dying, Effi?
Very calm, Mama.
Aren't you deceiving yourself?
You shouldn't talk about dying at all.
It only excites you.
No no
Saying what's in my soul doesn't excite me,
I find it calming.
So I wanted to tell you,
I shall die, reconciled with God and men,
also reconciled with him.
Let him know that.
And that I shall have died with that conviction.
It will comfort him,
straighten him,
perhaps reconcile him,
because there were many good sides to his character,
and he was as noble as someone could be
who is without true love.
Don't you want to go to bed, dear Effi?
Turn out the light, Mama.
I want to look at the stars for a little while.
Baron, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your promotion to Senior Councilor.
Herr and Frau von Briest announce the death of their daughter Effi
I wonder if we haven't been guilty after all.
I wonder if she hadn't been too young after all.
Let it be, Luise,
that is a wide subject.
The End
Engl. subtitles: serdar202@KG