Christopher and His Kind (2011) - full transcript
In 1931 budding author Christopher Isherwood goes to Berlin at the invitation of his friend W. H. Auden for the gay sex that abounds in the city. Whilst working as an English teacher his housemates include bewigged old queen Gerald Hamilton and would-be actress Jean Ross, who sings tunelessly in a seedy cabaret club. They and others he meets get put into his stories. After a fling with sexy rent boy Caspar, he falls for street sweeper Heinz, paying medical bills for the boy's sickly mother, to the disapproval of her other son, Nazi Gerhardt. With Fascism rapidly rising Christopher returns to London with Heinz but is unable to prevent his return to Germany when his visa expires. Years later Christopher, now a successful writer, returns to Berlin for a final meeting with Heinz, now married with children.
-[Christopher] It's 40 years since
I first wrote about my time in Berlin.
And the book I'm now writing is perhaps
an attempt to set the record straight,
well as straight as it's possible to be.
I destroyed my Berlin diaries you see
so I've had to rely a good deal on memory.
As to why I went in the first place
my friend Wystan Auden was there
and encouraged me to join him.
I could also say I went because
of what was happening politically.
But in fact I went because of the boys.
To me Berlin meant boys.
(applauding)
(speaking in foreign language)
♪ One man has hands that are tender ♪
♪ One man has hands that are strong ♪
♪ If I should choose to surrender ♪
♪ My choices are bound to be wrong ♪
♪ I might find my ideal lover ♪
♪ If I search both far and wide ♪
- But my dear that simply won't do.
You're the very last person
who ought to go there.
Berlin isn't the right
place for you at all.
- What on earth do you mean?
- It's German darling.
- Wystan Auden thinks it's
the most marvelous place.
- Auden, such an untidy boy.
And besides what about medical school?
- But Mummy I am not cut
out for medical school.
- That's exactly what
you said about Cambridge.
Really Christopher you cannot
go through life shirking it.
It's time you buckled to.
- I'm a published novelist.
- Of course you are darling.
But wouldn't it be so much
nicer to be a doctor as well?
- It isn't a hobby you know.
Any normal mother would be proud.
- And I am proud my sweetheart.
You know I found your
novel most interesting.
I thought it was
ingenious the way you used
your antipathy to me to
such creative effect.
But you cannot expect life
to be one long holiday.
-[Christopher] I'm not
going there on holiday.
I'm going there to get away from you.
-[Kathleen] Couldn't you go
somewhere a little closer?
Like the Isle of Wight?
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ It would be such a shame
to end up on my own ♪
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
-[Kathleen] Of course
you must do as you wish.
-[Christopher] I fully intend to.
- It's only natural that you
should want to flee the nest
just as I'm bound to get more lonely.
When I think of what I went through
to bring you into this world.
Months and months of
feeling really quite seedy.
Oh well.
So be it.
You won't forget will you darling
that the Germans killed your father?
(acoustic piano music)
- Take me with you.
- You have to stay and look after Mummy.
- But for how long?
- I'm afraid I can't answer that.
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
♪ Should beauty belong to one person ♪
♪ No surely the sun and the stars ♪
♪ They belong to us all ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ I believe I only belong to myself ♪
(audience applauds)
(speaking in foreign language)
(train engine rumbling)
- I was wondering.
Do forgive me dear boy I
didn't mean to startle you.
- No no.
- Could I trouble you for a light?
- Yes of course.
- I seem to have mislaid my lighter.
Suspect it, oh thank you dear boy.
It may have been, would you mind if I?
- No no.
- How kind.
It may have been stolen.
- Oh dear.
- One has to be so careful
nowadays don't you find?
Are you going all the way?
- Excuse me?
- To Berlin.
- Oh yes.
-[Gerald] Holiday?
- I'm hoping for a little more than that.
- Ah yes well.
Berlin has so much to
offer in certain respects.
- Do you live there?
- For now.
One never knows what a new dawn may bring.
(contemplative music)
I hope you don't think
I'm prying dear boy but
do you have accommodation in Berlin?
- I do as it happens.
- The reason why I
venture such impertinence
is that my landlady dear sweet woman
is desperate for a reliable lodger.
Her landlords are
ruthless and if they knew
that she didn't have the full quota
they'd turf her out in an instant.
I have a feeling, though perhaps
I shouldn't say so myself
I do have a nose for these things,
you might fit the bill perfectly.
My goodness yes.
- Well that's most kind of you but--
- I'll tell her then shall I?
Here's my card.
- Mr Hamilton?
- Oh Gerald please.
And who shall I tell her to expect?
- Isherwood, Christopher Isherwood.
(upbeat music)
Wystan.
So here I am.
- Yes here you are.
Good trip?
-[Christopher] Fine thanks.
-[Wystan] Those seats are devilish.
-[Christopher] I hardly noticed.
- I thought we'd drop your case off
then I'd show you the sights.
Best start as one means to go on.
(contemplative music)
I decided the Brandenburg Gate could wait.
(upbeat music)
(chuckling)
Don't worry they won't bite,
unless you want them to.
They're very accommodating
if you have the cash.
But it won't break the bank.
The exchange rate is still
very much in our favor.
Oh Pete.
- Hello.
(speaking in foreign language)
- What are you saying?
What was that?
- We've been something of a feature.
Well maybe more of a B feature.
I have no illusions of the
pitfalls of loving a whore.
- Are they all on the game?
- Most of them yes.
You can't imagine what a
state the economy's in.
- They look very well on it.
- They like to keep themselves fit.
It's good for business of course
and they're shamelessly vain.
The fact that we find them desirable
only proves how very masculine they are.
- What do you mean we?
- They're nearly all rampant heters
and use our money to pay for cunt.
But don't let that put you off.
They're frightfully good at it.
What name does he go under?
- Caspar.
It's about the only thing I understood.
Perhaps you'd better help me
trot out the odd German phrase
else I could get myself
into the most frightful fix.
- Perhaps I better had.
The question is will you
understand the answers?
- I might have found somewhere to stay.
- I got talking to this man on the train.
- Little slut.
- Apparently his landlady's
desperate for a lodger.
Something about filling her quota.
Anyway I thought there'd be
no harm in checking it out.
- You're very welcome
to stay here you know.
In fact I'd very much like it if you did.
I need a room of my own Wystan.
And if I start giving lessons
which I'm going to have
to earn a bit of cash
and subsidize my writing.
Well you can't write poetry
with me buzzing about.
- Yes you're right.
So I expect you'll be seeing
him again this Caspar chappie?
- Oh yes I hope so.
- I have missed you.
(contemplative music)
- I love English gentlemen Herr Isherwood.
Herr Hamilton's such a charming man.
And you a writer, what an honor.
You can write many famous novels here.
Oh Herr Isherwood this
room was made for you.
- It's very nice Fraulein Thurau.
- Herr Isherwood you
English are so polite.
Well you English men.
There is an English woman across the hall.
She treats me like a slave.
Fraulein Ross I tell her I was a lady.
I have not always scrubbed the floors.
Forgive me Herr Isherwood.
That was the lodger before you.
I don't know what he'd
eaten but it won't come out.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Morning darling.
I have the most perfectly frightful head.
-[Gerald] Who is it?
- Isherwood.
-[Gerald] Who?
- Christopher Isherwood.
It's me Christopher we met on the train.
I've taken the room.
- Oh, Christopher.
Do forgive me dear boy.
One has to be so careful nowadays.
Since my release from Brixton I've
rather lost touch with the old country.
-[Christopher] You were in prison?
- Yes for expressing
anti-British sentiments.
Though how I ask could I
be regarded as a traitor
when I have rivers of Irish blood
simply coursing through my veins?
-[Christopher] So you're in business here?
- One must have fingers
in many pies dear boy.
Such alarming times we live in.
Heinrich, a young stevedore
I encountered in Hamburg.
- And what were you doing in Hamburg?
- What is one ever doing anywhere?
Passing through dear boy.
That is our destiny.
Forever passing through.
He does make rather an
impression though doesn't he?
- Well I, I...
- I have found Christopher
down the years that
I've never been able to relax sexually
with a member of my own class.
That an affair with one's social
and intellectual equal
is well nigh impossible.
- I suppose.
- You're in the right city dear boy.
Quite the place to let your hair down
with some eager young prole.
Oh dear.
Is it crooked?
- Just a tiny bit perhaps.
- Also must take a little
care we're still illegal.
And should the Nazis come to power
they'll stamp us out altogether.
- What's the current Communist line?
- As far as I know Lenin
said nothing about buggery.
Dearest Heinrich.
He smelt exactly like a fox.
Delicious.
Haven't you gone yet Ludo?
Do put something on.
You'll frighten the horses.
He's Polish.
-[Christopher] He noticed I was staring
at his wig and asked if it was crooked.
Just a little I said
and he straightened it.
(laughing in distance)
(suspenseful music)
- You like yeah?
- Yeah spot on.
- Window.
- Good, good.
And this?
- Fish.
- No.
What is it?
- Big fish?
- No no this, what is this?
- Whale?
- No it's a clock.
- Clock.
- Yes good and that's a dolphin.
- What?
- Never mind.
That?
Fraulein Schmidt?
Well, what is that?
(giggles)
(moaning)
(metal banging)
(moaning)
- This is how I'd like to die.
(moaning)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Oh good morning Fraulein
Mayr, good morning.
(speaking in foreign language)
(moaning)
(speaking in foreign language)
- How sweet love must be.
- Tonight yes?
- Morning darling.
Of course I don't know half the people
who pass through this place but
you've been here simply generations.
I thought we really must say hello.
Would you like coffee or tea?
I don't recommend the tea much.
I don't know what Fraulein Thurau does
to it but it tastes like slop.
Tell me Chris what do you do?
- People tend not to call me Chris.
- I'm an actress.
Not at the moment I'm
singing in a nightclub.
But you absolutely must come and see me.
What about tonight?
- Tonight's rather difficult.
Was that your boyfriend in
the hall or just a one off?
I do find one offs so
much less of a hassle.
Don't you darling?
I've been here for centuries,
getting on three months now.
I came here with a
girlfriend who assured me
we'd get film work but then
she was whisked away to Paris
by a fat banker left me utterly stranded.
- How rotten.
- Oh I don't care.
I can stand on my own two feet.
- But you don't mind being here alone?
- One's always alone ducky
surely you know that.
- How old are you?
- I'm practically antique.
I'm nearly 21.
I'm frightfully bright you know.
I got myself expelled from
school by saying I was pregnant.
There was a most terrible to do
when they found out I wasn't.
- I got myself sent down from Cambridge.
- I say.
- Flunked my tripos.
- What a hoot. (giggles)
I'm meeting a man in
the Adlon for lunch but
he'll have to wait.
He has the most revolting underpants.
They're like camelhair or something.
It's the sort of thing John
the Baptist might wear.
Oh Mummy would nearly die if she
knew what an old whore I am.
But one has to keep that horrid wolf
from the door doesn't one?
(speaking in foreign language)
Really.
How do you manage darling?
- I've started giving English lessons.
But actually I'm a novelist.
- A novelist?
Well how perfectly marvelous.
Are you published?
- My first novel yes.
I haven't yet found a
publisher for the second.
- Has it sold simply thousands?
- About 300 actually.
- The one you write about me
shall sell by the million.
- About you?
- Of course darling Jean
Ross, woman of mystery.
- I'm not sure you're that mysterious.
- Do you know I think we're
going to get along famously?
You will write about me won't you darling?
- Maybe.
- One can't afford to wait sweetie.
This whole thing is about
to collapse around our ears.
- Carpe diem darling.
(both laughing)
Oh damn I suppose I better
go and meet the old goat.
He's promised to introduce
me to Max Reinhardt.
I don't believe him for a second.
Why are men always such beasts darling?
Chris could you be an
angel and lend me 10 marks?
I haven't got a bean for the taxi.
-[Christopher] She said his
underpants were like camel hair
the sort of thing John
the Baptist might wear.
(contemplative music)
You're very quiet.
- Touch of sunstroke.
- You know coming to Berlin is the first
honest thing I've done in my life.
And it's all thanks to you.
- I doubt your mother
sees it quite like that.
- He's rather lovely don't you think?
Caspar.
- So tell me Herr Isherwood have you come
to Berlin to sample the culture?
- I wouldn't quite say that.
In fact I'm rather anticulture.
- Like the Nazis?
- Oh no not in that way.
It's just I'm rather put
off by culture worshipers.
I find them somewhat precious
and prone to gushing.
- Do you find me somewhat
precious and prone to gushing?
- No I'm sure you're not.
But the danger is that one can use
culture worship as a
substitute for engaging
with the messy business of living.
- See I find all this so very interesting.
You are a writer but do not like culture.
It is my belief that culture
raises us from the beasts.
- I wonder Herr Landauer why you've
employed me to teach you English.
You seem to speak it perfectly well.
One has to how do you
say, keep in practice.
- What exactly is it that you do?
- I am a shopkeeper.
- A shopkeeper?
- That is precisely what I am.
- As in Landauer's Department Store?
- Yes.
- That's where I buy my socks.
- Do you engage in
politics Herr Isherwood?
- Actually no.
I'm not really much of a joiner.
I seem to be constitutionally incapable
of bringing myself to the required
pitch of enthusiasm.
I have my sympathies of course.
- We can no longer afford
the luxury of sympathy.
- I rather suspect I'm best
equipped to observe and record.
- That will not be an option.
When the Nazis come to power
we must take to the streets.
Not only Jews like myself
but all of us Herr Isherwood.
We must take to the streets and stay there
even when the storm troopers start firing.
- I'm not sure I'd hack
it as a street fighter.
- Forgive me but are
you not then as guilty
as your detested culture worshipers
for refusing to engage with
the whole messy business?
- I think maybe we should
all play to our strengths.
- Perhaps we will practice
the irregular verbs.
-[Casper] You like that huh?
- It's like silk.
- If you go to gymnasium Christoph
you'll be like me and Johnny Weissmuller.
- I'm not so sure about that.
- And then you'd do this?
- No, no, Caspar.
Stop.
Stop stop.
- You like?
(speaking in foreign language)
Christoph?
- Yes?
- You got 10 marks?
- Yes.
- I'll pay you tonight.
- Of course you will.
(yodeling)
Oh dear.
- Let us thank God Christoph
that we are both normal.
-[Christopher] Aren't boys marvelous?
Their shape and their voices.
Their smell the way they move.
And they can be so
romantic whereas girls...
No I'm glad I'm like I am.
Thank God for public school.
He's not coming is he?
- As I've told you my dear
intimacy's just business to them.
- So you think if I
stopped giving him money?
No no, Caspar and I it's
more than just business.
- They're desperate for cash
and they'll do anything for it.
- But what he says to me.
- He'll tell you anything
you want to hear.
Still what do I know about romance?
I'm a poet not a fucking journalist.
I've booked my ticket back to England.
- Already?
- Father's allowance has dried up.
And I really must get this
fissure in my rectum seen to.
- I hope that wasn't me.
- I'm touched by your concern but really
Christopher you mustn't flatter yourself.
(acoustic piano music)
♪ Can't imagine why I chose to leave him ♪
♪ How could I have been so cruel ♪
♪ After all he loved me without question ♪
♪ Still I left him like a fool ♪
♪ If I woke him late
at night complaining ♪
♪ I'm on my last cigarette ♪
♪ He'd say I'll be over in a minute ♪
♪ Darling please don't get upset ♪
♪ Peter ♪
♪ Peter ♪
(speaking in foreign language)
(drum roll playing)
(small blast explodes)
- That's not what I was expecting at all.
- I suspect that's a compliment
so thank you darling.
I'm so thrilled you're here.
Bobby sweetie.
- Good job hun.
- Oh I'm in heaven.
Chris darling this is Bobby Gilbert.
He does something frantically
important something or other.
- I'm in steel.
- This is Chris Isherwood.
- Christopher.
- Hey Chris.
- Any day now Bobby's
going to whisk me off
to Hollywood aren't you darling?
- You bet.
- And I've told him all about you.
Chris is absolutely my best friend.
He's the writer.
- Oh yeah right.
Would I have read anything of yours Chris?
- Oh no but I've told him
if he really sticks at it
he could write something really great
like Noel Coward or something.
Couldn't you darling?
- What's the matter Christoph
you don't like me tonight?
Hey Christoph what's the matter?
- I don't like being taken for
an idiot that's what's the matter.
You say you'll meet me
then you don't turn up.
You take money off me and say
you'll pay me back but never do.
It's getting to the point where
I can't believe anything you tell me.
- Yes I understand.
I understand.
Some of the girls I see they're like that.
They say things and then let
me down and it makes me mad.
And when I see them I always pay them
I never hit them and
still they let me down.
But you know Christoph some of them
they are so beautiful
and they make me so happy
and I just forget how mad I am.
- You bastard.
(punch lands)
(train rumbling)
(train horn blowing)
- Your eyes Christoph.
They shine so bright
when you're hot for me.
-[Christopher] Oh Caspar.
He gave me a cheap gold plated bracelet,
probably an unwanted
gift from some admirer,
and fastened it around my wrist.
A love token I fondly thought.
But then he disappeared.
I asked around but no
one knew where he was.
I should have listened to Wystan.
Perhaps it was just a business
transaction after all.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Must be simply marvelous
to be a novelist.
- Why's that?
- Because when people
are utterly foul to you
you can sit down and write about them
and tell the whole world
how perfectly vile they are
and make simply pots of money out of it.
- It hasn't quite worked
out like that yet.
- Darling will you be an
angel and light my ciggie?
- Actually I've been offered
the chance to earn a bit extra.
- Take it.
- Writing the occasional
letters from Berlin
and doing the odd book review.
- Darling that's marvelous.
Let's have champagne.
- It's for a magazine called Action.
- Oswald Mosley's rag.
- Oh you know it then?
- Of course I know it.
I may wear green nail varnish
I'm not completely vacuous.
- I've always meant to ask.
Why do you wear green nail varnish?
- Have you said yes?
- Not yet.
- You're not going to.
- Well I wouldn't write
anything political.
- Writing anything for that
lot would be a statement
of sorts even if it was
for the cookery column.
- The money would come in awfully handy.
- Christopher you can't.
- But Jean.
- I wouldn't talk to you
again and that's an end to it.
- I was just testing the water that's all.
I wasn't really going to
write anything for them.
Honestly I wasn't.
- I'm one to talk.
Gosh you know the things
I've done for money.
But people here are so strange.
They have simply no idea.
And the Nazis are getting
more and more of a foothold
and they just seem to accept it.
I've even heard some people
talk of a brighter future
as if all this ghastliness
were a price worth paying.
They're going to get the most awful shock
unless they make a stand,
which you and I must do.
We must not throw in the towel.
Why are you looking at me like that?
- I don't really know.
(upbeat music)
(groaning in pain)
- My god.
- Morning darlings.
- God in heaven.
(groaning in pain)
Oh dear I hope he won't
do himself a mischief.
He ought to be more careful
at his time of life.
(groaning in pain)
(contemplative music)
(cork popping)
(Jean giggling)
- Oh Bobby darling you do that so well.
You must teach me one day
how to catch it in my mouth.
- You bet honey.
(Jean laughing)
- Thank you.
- To The Memorial.
- The Memorial.
- So do you think I'd
enjoy your book Chris?
- Well I'm not sure what
sort of books you like Bobby.
- What do you think hun?
- I haven't a clue darling.
But I expect it's astoundingly brilliant.
And the point is it's published.
His second novel in print.
And he's even had a
letter of congratulation
from E. M. Forrester.
- Forster.
- Wow.
- It won't be long now till
our Chris is just as famous.
- So who's that guy in the wig?
- Gerald.
- Gerald.
- Well I could swear
that Gerald was peeking
through the keyhole
while I was in the john.
When I came out he didn't
know where to look.
- I expect he knew exactly where to look.
- Yeah.
Right.
- Bobby.
Darling I adore champagne.
We'll have it every day won't we
once you whisk me off to Hollywood?
- Sure thing.
- Bobby. (laughing)
Naughty Bobby.
(dog barking)
(overlapping voices shouting)
(footsteps marching away)
- I was in the cafe, you
were, do you remember?
No well why should you?
My name is Christopher.
Perhaps you'd like to go for beer.
No.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
(contemplative music)
His name was Heinz.
Well he was innocent,
vulnerable, and uncritical.
A boy I could protect and
cherish as my very own.
Jean thought it was all frightfully jolly
and decided I was at last doing
my bit for the class struggle.
And as Heinz and I drew ever closer
I had no hesitation in falling in love.
(contemplative music)
- She needs to be in hospital
but there is no beds.
(coughing)
(contemplative music)
-[Thug] Gerald, come on
out I know you're in there.
- He's not here.
-[Thug] Where is he then?
- Hamburg.
-[Thug] Hamburg, well
when he is back tell him
if I don't get what I want
he knows what to expect.
Don't you Gerald?
(loud pounding)
- Some people seem to be utterly
lacking in consideration.
- Tell me what it's about Gerald.
- It's a business transaction that's all.
It went slightly awry.
- What sort of business?
- Do you know Christopher you're looking
as joyous as the first day of spring.
- Gerald.
- I was offered a small
fee to help someone
get his hands on a police dossier.
- Yes?
- Actually it was a positively glacial sum
that would have paid off
my debts at a stroke.
And do you know what?
The wretched man simply vanished.
Without paying me a single pfennig.
- So who was that at the door?
- A philistine my dear claiming
interest on a little loan.
- A loan for what?
- Do keep up dear boy.
For the money I needed to bribe
the police to get the dossier.
- What are on earth were you thinking of?
- The trouble is everyone's
so greedy nowadays.
And dishonest.
Simply can't trust a soul.
- Gerald?
- Yes?
Your wig's slipped.
(contemplative music)
(floor creaking)
- No.
(dull thudding)
My dear Christopher,
I've had to leave Berlin
at very short notice
which made it impossible for
me to communicate with you.
Our friend at the door
finally lost patience
and matters got a little out of hand.
Try not to think too
hardly of me dear boy.
That would be more than I could bear.
As always your affectionate Gerald.
(contemplative music)
- They give her bed at last.
- Ah that's very good
news Frau Neddermayer.
- She make dress to
look nice in sanatorium.
- Oh I see.
Well it would be...
(coughing)
- And to see his Nazi friends.
(breathing deeply)
(coughing)
- The last Kaiser always
mistrusted Berlin.
He saw it as a center of,
how do you say, dissidence.
- Yes good.
- What with the leftist working class
and the intellectual avant-garde--
- See I'm wondering if the working class
is as leftist as one imagines.
- It was not that long ago Herr Isherwood
that we came close to
a communist revolution.
But they elect a strong leader.
This is where Adolf Hitler has been
so very clever and
exploited the situation.
Ever since the Treaty of
Versailles and the Depression
brought the country to its knees
with banks failing and
savings disappearing
the poor and the unemployed
see him as their savior.
The Nazis organize everywhere.
In bars, in clubs, in
schools like a virus.
- I see.
- Yeah like a virus.
But all of this I am sure that you know.
Or do you spend too much time at play?
- Berlin can be very distracting.
- We must all stand by
our own kind Christopher.
Whatever the cost.
(acoustic piano music)
♪ I can't give you anything but love ♪
♪ Baby ♪
♪ That's the only thing I've plenty of ♪
♪ Baby ♪
♪ Dream a while scheme a while ♪
♪ We're sure to find ♪
♪ Happiness ♪
♪ And I guess ♪
♪ All those things
you've always pined for ♪
♪ I can't give you anything but love. ♪
- Bravo.
- Did your mother teach you how to cook?
- Yeah.
- But she's not very well she's
at the sanatorium I did say.
- Of course.
So tell me what exactly is this?
- Pig. (Grunts)
- Oh pork how lovely.
- It is a...
- Pork rib, delicious.
- No no I think he means lung.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Oh.
Golly.
(distant laughter)
And then before my very eyes
I saw him turn from prince to frog.
And I thought did I really
let that make love to me?
(laughing)
- Gerhardt.
This is my brother Gerhardt.
- Gerhardt it's a pleasure to meet you.
Won't you join us?
We're having the most perfect evening.
I think your brother is simply divine.
And he has cooked us a marvelous meal.
- You are no longer welcome
here Herr Isherwood.
- He doesn't mean it.
- May I ask why?
- Before our father went to
the Western Front he said to me
Gerhardt look out after your
mother and your brother.
I've always tried to honor his memory
but with no work and no
money it's been difficult.
- I'm sure it has.
- Yes.
But now there is hope Herr Isherwood.
- And Herr Hitler is the reason.
- Oh for goodness sake.
- He understands men like me.
He wants to make us proud again,
hold our heads up high again.
The Communists had their chance.
The Nazis are the people's party now.
- This is your friends at
night school talking Gerhardt.
- Did he just call me a tart?
- We do not want you here Herr Isherwood.
You and your kind.
- Oh how frightfully rude.
- So take your pick Heinz.
Make your father proud.
Or shame us all.
- But Gerhardt.
(dramatic music)
-[Jean] Honestly darling how could we
leave poor Heinz with that monster?
- I'm sure he can stand up for himself.
- We'll probably find him hacked into
little pieces at the bottom of a canal.
- And you didn't help
matters addressing Gerhardt
like you were Queen
Mary at an investiture.
- And after that trouble he
went to with the pig lung hash.
(punch landing)
(speaking in foreign language)
(punches landing)
You bastards you bastards!
You brutes, you filthy rotten brutes!
- For God's sake.
- Oh you're just as bad every one of you.
Poor darling it's over now.
Can we get a taxi?
Can somebody please get a taxi?
(speaking in foreign language)
You know you get used
to it that's the danger.
The uniforms and the raids,
the street fights, beatings.
We can't just stand by can we?
- No.
- We can't you know.
We really can't.
(speaking in foreign language)
(contemplative music)
- Gerhardt.
(contemplative music)
- Such a pity.
Isn't it?
That we don't make love.
After all there's nothing else to do.
- We could go to the movies.
- I haven't got two
pfennigs to rub together.
(crying)
- Jean?
Jean what is it?
- Hollywood's off.
- Jean I'm so sorry.
Dear Jean I have to go back to the states.
Some emergency at H.Q.
It was fun wasn't it?
Bobby.
What a complete bastard.
Typical bloody American, flaky as hell.
- You fancied him rotten.
- That's beside the point, come here.
(thunder rolling)
- And he was the most marvelous lover.
He was the best.
-[Christopher] Jean poor darling.
- He did leave me a little something.
-[Christopher] So he bloody should.
- But I shan't be keeping it.
(big band music)
(record repeating)
(acoustic piano music)
♪ Men say that they can be faithful ♪
♪ Simply I smile to myself ♪
♪ New love is always so novel ♪
♪ Faithfulness is but pretend ♪
♪ Now it is all but forgotten ♪
♪ What yesterday I still possessed ♪
♪ Love affords time that is blissful ♪
♪ Loyalty still makes no sense ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ It would be such a shame
to end up on my own ♪
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
♪ Should such a beauty
belong to one person ♪
♪ No surely the sun and the stars ♪
♪ They belong to us all ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ I believe I only belong to myself ♪
(contemplative music)
- They come they go.
And so it will always be.
(contemplative music)
- Good morning Herr Isherwood.
(speaking in foreign language)
What a beautiful morning.
Even the sun seems to have
come out for Herr Hitler.
Oh Herr Isherwood the
police have been round.
- The police?
- They were asking about my lodgers.
- What did they want to know?
- Routine they said.
(bells ringing)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Caspar.
- I would remind you sir
that this is a Jewish store
and that there is now an
official anti-Jewish boycott.
- Where have you been?
I've been looking everywhere for you.
You disappeared, I didn't
know what happened.
Caspar.
(contemplative music)
I need to buy a pair of socks.
(contemplative music)
(overlapping voices)
(cart rumbling)
(all shouting at once)
(contemplative music)
Shame.
Shame.
(contemplative music)
(loud thumping)
(speaking in foreign language)
Street sweeper no maybe
domestic servant or
yes why not, domestic servant.
Heinz?
- I cannot come Christopher.
- But of course you can.
- No it is too dangerous.
For you for me.
- It's even more dangerous if you stay.
- For Gerhardt.
- Gerhardt?
He's one of them for God's sake.
- He's my brother.
We're brothers too Heinz
and more much more besides.
- This is my country.
- Not at the moment it isn't.
It will be again one day I've
no doubt but in the meantime.
- You do not miss home.
- I have no home this
is home, wherever I am.
- We should be where we belong.
- We are where we belong.
Together we must stand.
Together we're responsible
for each other as individuals.
Don't you see?
You have to come with me I want you to.
- Now you do but in a week a month.
- I'll still want you Heinz.
Heinz.
Of course I will.
(yodeling)
-[Mayr] I'm sure I do
not know Herr Isherwood.
What makes you want to leave Berlin?
- How can I best put this Fraulein?
Adolf Hitler.
- The Fuhrer.
One day it's Bruning, then Von
Papen, next Von Schleicher.
Then it's Hitler.
We must all make the best
of it Herr Isherwood.
I am staying.
Most Germans are staying.
And besides where else would we go?
- Well this is your homeland
Fraulein I understand that but
Heinz and I we want to get
out, we want to travel.
- But why, to go here to go
there, what is the point?
Soon no one will be left.
Herr Hamilton has gone,
Fraulein Ross, now you.
You get used to it.
You get used to anything.
(contemplative music)
- Is your room satisfactory?
- Mummy he's not retarded.
- Where you sleep is good yes?
- Yes I sleep good.
- Yes, good.
- Thank you.
-[Kathleen] How long have
you known Christopher?
- Mummy.
- Shush.
- I know Christopher
one year and one half.
- Oh that long?
And he's hardly mentioned you if at all.
And how long are you
staying in our country?
- Two weeks.
- I'm sure Heinz can answer
for himself can't you Heinz?
- Two weeks.
- You see.
What a shame it's not longer.
- Two weeks is as long
as his permit allows.
- Then maybe another time.
- What is that?
- Oh now--
- Christopher.
That Heinz is Wyberslegh Hall,
part of the family estate.
It's in Cheshire in the North of England.
I painted it as a matter of fact.
- You paint it?
- Yes.
- It's very good.
- Thank you Heinz.
That is the house where I
gave birth to Christopher.
- Yes?
- And very difficult it was too.
I was in labor for 18 hours,
18 hours, imagine that.
-[Christopher] Mummy please.
- Oh dear that was rather
maudlin of me wasn't it?
But it was worth it.
He was the most delightful baby.
- Yes I'm sure Heinz
isn't remotely interested.
- He had the loveliest
skin and long slitty eyes
just like a Jap. (chuckling)
You see of course he's interested.
-[Christopher] You live in the past Mummy.
-[Kathleen] Perhaps I do Christopher.
Because it's always there
and it never lets me down.
Do you have a mummy Heinz?
-[Christopher] She's dead.
- Oh.
Oh I am sorry.
Oh dear.
Christopher's daddy's dead.
He was killed in the war.
- He was my daddy too.
- Yes dear but you hardly knew him.
He was killed by the Germans
on the Western Front.
- What are you thinking of?
- I'm not blaming Heinz darling.
I'm simply filling him in.
- And for your information Heinz's daddy
was also killed on the Western Front.
- Well there you are you
see that's what wars do,
kill people.
Toast?
He's a nice boy, well mannered.
A street cleaner you say?
- There's no reason a street
cleaner can't be well mannered.
- No dear no reason at all.
- How lovely to have a
job like ordinary people.
- But who'd have you my darling?
You seem to be inept at
pretty much everything.
- Don't speak to him like that.
It's entirely your fault he is like he is.
- Like what?
- Richard dear we're talking.
- It's terrible he has to go back.
And now Germany's withdrawn
from the League of Nations.
- Yes that is rather troubling.
- I must think of a way of
getting him out for good.
- But why should that
be your responsibility?
Surely he knows people who can help.
- Well he has absolutely no one Mummy
except for a brother who's disowned him.
And besides I want it
to be my responsibility.
-[Kathleen] So what will you do?
Get him another permit?
- Or even another nationality.
Of course you could always adopt him.
- Darling I don't think so.
(laughing)
Are you sure he wouldn't
be happier in Germany?
It is his home after all
it's where he belongs.
And he isn't a Jew or anything.
- You have no idea have you?
It's Nazi Germany we're talking about.
It's not just the Jews
who are being victimized.
- I do read the papers darling.
I'm fully aware that the Nazis
have done some bad things.
Although one hears that Herr Hitler's
done some good things too.
- Oh dear God.
- If it weren't for
that wretched boy Auden
dragging you off there in the first place.
- I assure you he didn't need to drag me.
- But you must do as you wish
Christopher as you always do.
So long as you realize what
you might be taking on.
- Right, we're going to
mail money to him in Berlin.
- We?
- So he can support himself
until he comes back here.
- And if you write a letter
inviting him to stay--
- Christopher.
- Then I'm sure they'll give
him a much longer permit.
Maybe even for keeps.
You can't do that.
-[Investigator] I think
you'll find that I can.
- But you haven't proved your case.
- Mr. Isherwood your mother
invites a foreign servant
to her home without the requisite permit.
You then send the boy money telling him
to claim it was a bequest which in itself
can be construed as an attempt to deceive
His Majesty's Immigration Service.
But then we have the
letter that you wrote.
May I?
I am counting the days until your arrival.
I've been so lonely without you.
It's a bit curious don't you think?
The way it's written it's
a bit, what's the word?
- Queer.
- Thank you Mr Auden.
What a boon to have a poet on hand.
- You can't send him back!
- Christopher.
No no, God knows what
they might do to him.
- Not my responsibility.
- So an alien has no
rights whatsoever in this
democracy we're all so proud of
that men have laid down their lives for.
- And I hope should the moment come sir
that you too will be willing
to make the sacrifice.
- Make no mistake I shall appeal.
- You can write to the Home Secretary
for all the good it'll do.
- Come on.
(contemplative music)
As soon as I saw that little
rat I knew we were done for.
- They're all the bloody same.
- Oh no my dear he's one of us.
It stands out a mile.
(contemplative music)
- I'm sorry.
(contemplative music)
-[Richard] You seem out of sorts.
- Do I?
- It's Heinz isn't it?
Goodbyes are always sad.
As sad as dying.
- I'll be seeing him soon enough.
-[Richard] That's right.
- Yeah.
- No need to be sad.
I suppose being a writer you
want to tidy everything up
and make it make sense but things
never do quite make sense do they?
Not really.
- No.
- This Sally Bowles character
is she based on anyone?
- Yes in a manner of speaking.
- What about Mr. Norris?
- Yes I suppose he is too.
I thought we might first
meet him on a train.
- Oh yes trains are always good.
You can't go wrong with a train.
- Where were we?
- Full stop, close quotation marks.
- Good.
- It must be very polarizing
this Nazi business.
Hard to sit on the fence I'd imagine.
- Yes it is.
Berlin's fairly seething what with
all the poverty and wounded pride.
I'd say Communism was
the best hope for peace.
- Then why not stay
here and join the Party?
- I can't do that I
have Heinz to consider.
- Yes Heinz of course.
So where will you go?
- Amsterdam probably for the time being.
- That's all one can say isn't it?
For the time being.
(contemplative music)
- It always breaks my heart
a little to see you leave.
-[Christopher] You should
be used to it by now.
- Oh no, I'll never get used to it.
And how awful if I did.
- I'll be back.
I always am.
And so once again I cast off from England
and threw in my lot with Heinz.
Two lost souls wandering
around Europe on the brink.
I have to admit I felt a little guilty
flitting from country to
country to save a single man
whilst others were
preparing to save the world.
But then our luck ran out
and Heinz was arrested
by the Gestapo and that was that.
(upbeat music)
- Daily Worker ladies.
No appeasement.
Fight the Fascists.
-[Waiter] Excuse me miss.
- I'm exercising my democratic right.
(laughing)
- Only you would choose to sell
the Daily Worker in Knightsbridge.
- I have no say in the matter.
I go where the Party tells me.
You are looking impossibly young.
Aren't you ever going to age?
- I do hope not, my God the varnish.
(Jean laughs)
- I somehow felt that
red was more appropriate.
I must confess I carry
it with me everywhere.
Isn't it funny darling?
You're the one that became famous.
- And you know I must say
I'm rather enjoying it.
And meanwhile poor Heinz.
Well I dread to think what
he's being subjected to.
A year laboring for the state
followed by two years in the army.
- It's frightfully harsh.
- It could have been worse.
He might have got carted
off to a concentration camp.
- You did all you could.
- I wonder if I did.
I wonder if I did really.
And what's worse I even feel relieved.
Do you ever miss Berlin?
- Oh no.
I never miss anything.
Sometimes I wonder if I
shouldn't have had that kid.
I think I'd just about have
cut the mustard as a mother.
I'd tuck him in and I'd sing to him.
And then I'd go out and fuck
filthy old men to pay for the brat.
(laughing)
- Then why not marry and have another?
- Because I've lost my faith in men.
- Well that's a shame.
- I've simply no use for them any more.
Not even you darling.
Oh well.
Back to the Revolution.
(contemplative music)
- Might we see each other again?
- Goodbye Chris.
- Goodbye.
Seems like everyone's
caught Communism like flu.
-[Wystan] It's fair to say
that the closest we've come
to solidarity with the
workers is sleeping with them.
- Well that's a cause of sorts.
- The only cause you really care
about Christopher is yourself.
- Isn't that rather unkind?
- But you've turned it into an art form.
Rather successfully as it happens.
I used to be a little in love with you.
You knew that didn't you?
Yes I thought you did.
You're lucky.
You're not burdened by the concept of sin.
And it is a sin Christopher.
Although I fully intend
to carry on sinning.
- Look please don't start on about God.
- You're going to have such a conversion
one of these days my dear.
I do loathe the sea.
It's so wet and sloppy.
- I don't belong here.
I'm not sure I belong anywhere.
I rather like being a foreigner.
I wonder where we might end up.
(contemplative music)
Wystan was right.
I've never known about anybody except me.
You see I was never able to commit.
I only ever sort of added to the chorus.
And now of course politics are more
and more about the individual.
The gay liberation movement seems
to have taken me to its heart.
It's very nice of them really.
A cause at last.
But then I think it always was my cause.
And somehow you know
it makes sense of what I
was trying to do for Heinz
all those years ago.
(contemplative music)
- Christoph.
(contemplative music)
You write again about Berlin?
- Yes, for a British newspaper.
- Well a lot has changed yeah?
-[Christopher] What's left of it.
- When the city was cut in pieces
and we end up in the Russian sector.
- Rotten luck?
- We all hate the Russians Christoph.
We would much rather
be here in the Western.
- Maybe one day.
- My friend Christoph the famous writer.
- I suppose you could say that.
- Tell me there are
skyscrapers in America?
- Oh yes.
- And you see Hollywood?
- I live near there actually.
- And the Grand Canyon you see that?
- Yes yes it's very big.
- And cowboys?
- No I haven't seen too many of them.
I feel guilty Heinz.
All that I made you suffer I should never
have taken you out of Germany.
- But Christoph you changed my life.
What we had, what we did, I
would not miss for the world.
Look Christoph, my wife Hilda.
- Well she looks
very nice.
- Yeah she's a good girl.
And she doesn't ask questions.
- That's all right then.
- And this is my son
Christoph.
- Christoph?
- Yeah.
(contemplative music)
You know Christoph you're
not getting younger.
- That's the way it tends to go.
- You live alone yes?
- At the moment.
- See that is not good to live alone.
You need a family around
you to keep you company
to look after you when you are sick.
- Heinz I'm not decrepit.
- But listen Christoph
we could be your family.
- What?
- Hilda, Christoph, and I
out there in California.
- Well I'm not so sure about that.
You see the life I lead.
My plans are so uncertain.
I'd have to think it over
look we'll see how it goes.
And I'll write to you we'll keep in touch.
You do understand don't you Heinz?
You do don't you?
- Yes I,
I understand.
(contemplative music)
- Fraulein.
(joyous laughing)
- When the city was divided
we got the Americans.
Oh I was so happy, we we're all so happy.
I thank God the Russians didn't get us.
Communism.
Oh Herr Isherwood you look like a child.
- It's lovely to see you Fraulein.
- Herr Isherwood, Isherwood.
The last years of war here Isherwood.
- Yes.
- Terrible.
We were in the cellar nearly all the time
holding each other.
We prayed so much we got
quite religious. (laughing)
- Is the yodeler still there?
- No thank God.
The Nazis shot her.
It's the one good thing they did.
(both laughing)
(contemplative music)
- Another survivor Fraulein?
Another survivor.
- It was damaged a little.
But I mended it.
For you.
- No I couldn't.
- Take it please.
And when you look at it you will
think of Berlin And
Fraulein Thurau and smile.
(contemplative music)
- Thank you.
(contemplative music)
I first wrote about my time in Berlin.
And the book I'm now writing is perhaps
an attempt to set the record straight,
well as straight as it's possible to be.
I destroyed my Berlin diaries you see
so I've had to rely a good deal on memory.
As to why I went in the first place
my friend Wystan Auden was there
and encouraged me to join him.
I could also say I went because
of what was happening politically.
But in fact I went because of the boys.
To me Berlin meant boys.
(applauding)
(speaking in foreign language)
♪ One man has hands that are tender ♪
♪ One man has hands that are strong ♪
♪ If I should choose to surrender ♪
♪ My choices are bound to be wrong ♪
♪ I might find my ideal lover ♪
♪ If I search both far and wide ♪
- But my dear that simply won't do.
You're the very last person
who ought to go there.
Berlin isn't the right
place for you at all.
- What on earth do you mean?
- It's German darling.
- Wystan Auden thinks it's
the most marvelous place.
- Auden, such an untidy boy.
And besides what about medical school?
- But Mummy I am not cut
out for medical school.
- That's exactly what
you said about Cambridge.
Really Christopher you cannot
go through life shirking it.
It's time you buckled to.
- I'm a published novelist.
- Of course you are darling.
But wouldn't it be so much
nicer to be a doctor as well?
- It isn't a hobby you know.
Any normal mother would be proud.
- And I am proud my sweetheart.
You know I found your
novel most interesting.
I thought it was
ingenious the way you used
your antipathy to me to
such creative effect.
But you cannot expect life
to be one long holiday.
-[Christopher] I'm not
going there on holiday.
I'm going there to get away from you.
-[Kathleen] Couldn't you go
somewhere a little closer?
Like the Isle of Wight?
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ It would be such a shame
to end up on my own ♪
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
-[Kathleen] Of course
you must do as you wish.
-[Christopher] I fully intend to.
- It's only natural that you
should want to flee the nest
just as I'm bound to get more lonely.
When I think of what I went through
to bring you into this world.
Months and months of
feeling really quite seedy.
Oh well.
So be it.
You won't forget will you darling
that the Germans killed your father?
(acoustic piano music)
- Take me with you.
- You have to stay and look after Mummy.
- But for how long?
- I'm afraid I can't answer that.
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
♪ Should beauty belong to one person ♪
♪ No surely the sun and the stars ♪
♪ They belong to us all ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ I believe I only belong to myself ♪
(audience applauds)
(speaking in foreign language)
(train engine rumbling)
- I was wondering.
Do forgive me dear boy I
didn't mean to startle you.
- No no.
- Could I trouble you for a light?
- Yes of course.
- I seem to have mislaid my lighter.
Suspect it, oh thank you dear boy.
It may have been, would you mind if I?
- No no.
- How kind.
It may have been stolen.
- Oh dear.
- One has to be so careful
nowadays don't you find?
Are you going all the way?
- Excuse me?
- To Berlin.
- Oh yes.
-[Gerald] Holiday?
- I'm hoping for a little more than that.
- Ah yes well.
Berlin has so much to
offer in certain respects.
- Do you live there?
- For now.
One never knows what a new dawn may bring.
(contemplative music)
I hope you don't think
I'm prying dear boy but
do you have accommodation in Berlin?
- I do as it happens.
- The reason why I
venture such impertinence
is that my landlady dear sweet woman
is desperate for a reliable lodger.
Her landlords are
ruthless and if they knew
that she didn't have the full quota
they'd turf her out in an instant.
I have a feeling, though perhaps
I shouldn't say so myself
I do have a nose for these things,
you might fit the bill perfectly.
My goodness yes.
- Well that's most kind of you but--
- I'll tell her then shall I?
Here's my card.
- Mr Hamilton?
- Oh Gerald please.
And who shall I tell her to expect?
- Isherwood, Christopher Isherwood.
(upbeat music)
Wystan.
So here I am.
- Yes here you are.
Good trip?
-[Christopher] Fine thanks.
-[Wystan] Those seats are devilish.
-[Christopher] I hardly noticed.
- I thought we'd drop your case off
then I'd show you the sights.
Best start as one means to go on.
(contemplative music)
I decided the Brandenburg Gate could wait.
(upbeat music)
(chuckling)
Don't worry they won't bite,
unless you want them to.
They're very accommodating
if you have the cash.
But it won't break the bank.
The exchange rate is still
very much in our favor.
Oh Pete.
- Hello.
(speaking in foreign language)
- What are you saying?
What was that?
- We've been something of a feature.
Well maybe more of a B feature.
I have no illusions of the
pitfalls of loving a whore.
- Are they all on the game?
- Most of them yes.
You can't imagine what a
state the economy's in.
- They look very well on it.
- They like to keep themselves fit.
It's good for business of course
and they're shamelessly vain.
The fact that we find them desirable
only proves how very masculine they are.
- What do you mean we?
- They're nearly all rampant heters
and use our money to pay for cunt.
But don't let that put you off.
They're frightfully good at it.
What name does he go under?
- Caspar.
It's about the only thing I understood.
Perhaps you'd better help me
trot out the odd German phrase
else I could get myself
into the most frightful fix.
- Perhaps I better had.
The question is will you
understand the answers?
- I might have found somewhere to stay.
- I got talking to this man on the train.
- Little slut.
- Apparently his landlady's
desperate for a lodger.
Something about filling her quota.
Anyway I thought there'd be
no harm in checking it out.
- You're very welcome
to stay here you know.
In fact I'd very much like it if you did.
I need a room of my own Wystan.
And if I start giving lessons
which I'm going to have
to earn a bit of cash
and subsidize my writing.
Well you can't write poetry
with me buzzing about.
- Yes you're right.
So I expect you'll be seeing
him again this Caspar chappie?
- Oh yes I hope so.
- I have missed you.
(contemplative music)
- I love English gentlemen Herr Isherwood.
Herr Hamilton's such a charming man.
And you a writer, what an honor.
You can write many famous novels here.
Oh Herr Isherwood this
room was made for you.
- It's very nice Fraulein Thurau.
- Herr Isherwood you
English are so polite.
Well you English men.
There is an English woman across the hall.
She treats me like a slave.
Fraulein Ross I tell her I was a lady.
I have not always scrubbed the floors.
Forgive me Herr Isherwood.
That was the lodger before you.
I don't know what he'd
eaten but it won't come out.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Morning darling.
I have the most perfectly frightful head.
-[Gerald] Who is it?
- Isherwood.
-[Gerald] Who?
- Christopher Isherwood.
It's me Christopher we met on the train.
I've taken the room.
- Oh, Christopher.
Do forgive me dear boy.
One has to be so careful nowadays.
Since my release from Brixton I've
rather lost touch with the old country.
-[Christopher] You were in prison?
- Yes for expressing
anti-British sentiments.
Though how I ask could I
be regarded as a traitor
when I have rivers of Irish blood
simply coursing through my veins?
-[Christopher] So you're in business here?
- One must have fingers
in many pies dear boy.
Such alarming times we live in.
Heinrich, a young stevedore
I encountered in Hamburg.
- And what were you doing in Hamburg?
- What is one ever doing anywhere?
Passing through dear boy.
That is our destiny.
Forever passing through.
He does make rather an
impression though doesn't he?
- Well I, I...
- I have found Christopher
down the years that
I've never been able to relax sexually
with a member of my own class.
That an affair with one's social
and intellectual equal
is well nigh impossible.
- I suppose.
- You're in the right city dear boy.
Quite the place to let your hair down
with some eager young prole.
Oh dear.
Is it crooked?
- Just a tiny bit perhaps.
- Also must take a little
care we're still illegal.
And should the Nazis come to power
they'll stamp us out altogether.
- What's the current Communist line?
- As far as I know Lenin
said nothing about buggery.
Dearest Heinrich.
He smelt exactly like a fox.
Delicious.
Haven't you gone yet Ludo?
Do put something on.
You'll frighten the horses.
He's Polish.
-[Christopher] He noticed I was staring
at his wig and asked if it was crooked.
Just a little I said
and he straightened it.
(laughing in distance)
(suspenseful music)
- You like yeah?
- Yeah spot on.
- Window.
- Good, good.
And this?
- Fish.
- No.
What is it?
- Big fish?
- No no this, what is this?
- Whale?
- No it's a clock.
- Clock.
- Yes good and that's a dolphin.
- What?
- Never mind.
That?
Fraulein Schmidt?
Well, what is that?
(giggles)
(moaning)
(metal banging)
(moaning)
- This is how I'd like to die.
(moaning)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Oh good morning Fraulein
Mayr, good morning.
(speaking in foreign language)
(moaning)
(speaking in foreign language)
- How sweet love must be.
- Tonight yes?
- Morning darling.
Of course I don't know half the people
who pass through this place but
you've been here simply generations.
I thought we really must say hello.
Would you like coffee or tea?
I don't recommend the tea much.
I don't know what Fraulein Thurau does
to it but it tastes like slop.
Tell me Chris what do you do?
- People tend not to call me Chris.
- I'm an actress.
Not at the moment I'm
singing in a nightclub.
But you absolutely must come and see me.
What about tonight?
- Tonight's rather difficult.
Was that your boyfriend in
the hall or just a one off?
I do find one offs so
much less of a hassle.
Don't you darling?
I've been here for centuries,
getting on three months now.
I came here with a
girlfriend who assured me
we'd get film work but then
she was whisked away to Paris
by a fat banker left me utterly stranded.
- How rotten.
- Oh I don't care.
I can stand on my own two feet.
- But you don't mind being here alone?
- One's always alone ducky
surely you know that.
- How old are you?
- I'm practically antique.
I'm nearly 21.
I'm frightfully bright you know.
I got myself expelled from
school by saying I was pregnant.
There was a most terrible to do
when they found out I wasn't.
- I got myself sent down from Cambridge.
- I say.
- Flunked my tripos.
- What a hoot. (giggles)
I'm meeting a man in
the Adlon for lunch but
he'll have to wait.
He has the most revolting underpants.
They're like camelhair or something.
It's the sort of thing John
the Baptist might wear.
Oh Mummy would nearly die if she
knew what an old whore I am.
But one has to keep that horrid wolf
from the door doesn't one?
(speaking in foreign language)
Really.
How do you manage darling?
- I've started giving English lessons.
But actually I'm a novelist.
- A novelist?
Well how perfectly marvelous.
Are you published?
- My first novel yes.
I haven't yet found a
publisher for the second.
- Has it sold simply thousands?
- About 300 actually.
- The one you write about me
shall sell by the million.
- About you?
- Of course darling Jean
Ross, woman of mystery.
- I'm not sure you're that mysterious.
- Do you know I think we're
going to get along famously?
You will write about me won't you darling?
- Maybe.
- One can't afford to wait sweetie.
This whole thing is about
to collapse around our ears.
- Carpe diem darling.
(both laughing)
Oh damn I suppose I better
go and meet the old goat.
He's promised to introduce
me to Max Reinhardt.
I don't believe him for a second.
Why are men always such beasts darling?
Chris could you be an
angel and lend me 10 marks?
I haven't got a bean for the taxi.
-[Christopher] She said his
underpants were like camel hair
the sort of thing John
the Baptist might wear.
(contemplative music)
You're very quiet.
- Touch of sunstroke.
- You know coming to Berlin is the first
honest thing I've done in my life.
And it's all thanks to you.
- I doubt your mother
sees it quite like that.
- He's rather lovely don't you think?
Caspar.
- So tell me Herr Isherwood have you come
to Berlin to sample the culture?
- I wouldn't quite say that.
In fact I'm rather anticulture.
- Like the Nazis?
- Oh no not in that way.
It's just I'm rather put
off by culture worshipers.
I find them somewhat precious
and prone to gushing.
- Do you find me somewhat
precious and prone to gushing?
- No I'm sure you're not.
But the danger is that one can use
culture worship as a
substitute for engaging
with the messy business of living.
- See I find all this so very interesting.
You are a writer but do not like culture.
It is my belief that culture
raises us from the beasts.
- I wonder Herr Landauer why you've
employed me to teach you English.
You seem to speak it perfectly well.
One has to how do you
say, keep in practice.
- What exactly is it that you do?
- I am a shopkeeper.
- A shopkeeper?
- That is precisely what I am.
- As in Landauer's Department Store?
- Yes.
- That's where I buy my socks.
- Do you engage in
politics Herr Isherwood?
- Actually no.
I'm not really much of a joiner.
I seem to be constitutionally incapable
of bringing myself to the required
pitch of enthusiasm.
I have my sympathies of course.
- We can no longer afford
the luxury of sympathy.
- I rather suspect I'm best
equipped to observe and record.
- That will not be an option.
When the Nazis come to power
we must take to the streets.
Not only Jews like myself
but all of us Herr Isherwood.
We must take to the streets and stay there
even when the storm troopers start firing.
- I'm not sure I'd hack
it as a street fighter.
- Forgive me but are
you not then as guilty
as your detested culture worshipers
for refusing to engage with
the whole messy business?
- I think maybe we should
all play to our strengths.
- Perhaps we will practice
the irregular verbs.
-[Casper] You like that huh?
- It's like silk.
- If you go to gymnasium Christoph
you'll be like me and Johnny Weissmuller.
- I'm not so sure about that.
- And then you'd do this?
- No, no, Caspar.
Stop.
Stop stop.
- You like?
(speaking in foreign language)
Christoph?
- Yes?
- You got 10 marks?
- Yes.
- I'll pay you tonight.
- Of course you will.
(yodeling)
Oh dear.
- Let us thank God Christoph
that we are both normal.
-[Christopher] Aren't boys marvelous?
Their shape and their voices.
Their smell the way they move.
And they can be so
romantic whereas girls...
No I'm glad I'm like I am.
Thank God for public school.
He's not coming is he?
- As I've told you my dear
intimacy's just business to them.
- So you think if I
stopped giving him money?
No no, Caspar and I it's
more than just business.
- They're desperate for cash
and they'll do anything for it.
- But what he says to me.
- He'll tell you anything
you want to hear.
Still what do I know about romance?
I'm a poet not a fucking journalist.
I've booked my ticket back to England.
- Already?
- Father's allowance has dried up.
And I really must get this
fissure in my rectum seen to.
- I hope that wasn't me.
- I'm touched by your concern but really
Christopher you mustn't flatter yourself.
(acoustic piano music)
♪ Can't imagine why I chose to leave him ♪
♪ How could I have been so cruel ♪
♪ After all he loved me without question ♪
♪ Still I left him like a fool ♪
♪ If I woke him late
at night complaining ♪
♪ I'm on my last cigarette ♪
♪ He'd say I'll be over in a minute ♪
♪ Darling please don't get upset ♪
♪ Peter ♪
♪ Peter ♪
(speaking in foreign language)
(drum roll playing)
(small blast explodes)
- That's not what I was expecting at all.
- I suspect that's a compliment
so thank you darling.
I'm so thrilled you're here.
Bobby sweetie.
- Good job hun.
- Oh I'm in heaven.
Chris darling this is Bobby Gilbert.
He does something frantically
important something or other.
- I'm in steel.
- This is Chris Isherwood.
- Christopher.
- Hey Chris.
- Any day now Bobby's
going to whisk me off
to Hollywood aren't you darling?
- You bet.
- And I've told him all about you.
Chris is absolutely my best friend.
He's the writer.
- Oh yeah right.
Would I have read anything of yours Chris?
- Oh no but I've told him
if he really sticks at it
he could write something really great
like Noel Coward or something.
Couldn't you darling?
- What's the matter Christoph
you don't like me tonight?
Hey Christoph what's the matter?
- I don't like being taken for
an idiot that's what's the matter.
You say you'll meet me
then you don't turn up.
You take money off me and say
you'll pay me back but never do.
It's getting to the point where
I can't believe anything you tell me.
- Yes I understand.
I understand.
Some of the girls I see they're like that.
They say things and then let
me down and it makes me mad.
And when I see them I always pay them
I never hit them and
still they let me down.
But you know Christoph some of them
they are so beautiful
and they make me so happy
and I just forget how mad I am.
- You bastard.
(punch lands)
(train rumbling)
(train horn blowing)
- Your eyes Christoph.
They shine so bright
when you're hot for me.
-[Christopher] Oh Caspar.
He gave me a cheap gold plated bracelet,
probably an unwanted
gift from some admirer,
and fastened it around my wrist.
A love token I fondly thought.
But then he disappeared.
I asked around but no
one knew where he was.
I should have listened to Wystan.
Perhaps it was just a business
transaction after all.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Must be simply marvelous
to be a novelist.
- Why's that?
- Because when people
are utterly foul to you
you can sit down and write about them
and tell the whole world
how perfectly vile they are
and make simply pots of money out of it.
- It hasn't quite worked
out like that yet.
- Darling will you be an
angel and light my ciggie?
- Actually I've been offered
the chance to earn a bit extra.
- Take it.
- Writing the occasional
letters from Berlin
and doing the odd book review.
- Darling that's marvelous.
Let's have champagne.
- It's for a magazine called Action.
- Oswald Mosley's rag.
- Oh you know it then?
- Of course I know it.
I may wear green nail varnish
I'm not completely vacuous.
- I've always meant to ask.
Why do you wear green nail varnish?
- Have you said yes?
- Not yet.
- You're not going to.
- Well I wouldn't write
anything political.
- Writing anything for that
lot would be a statement
of sorts even if it was
for the cookery column.
- The money would come in awfully handy.
- Christopher you can't.
- But Jean.
- I wouldn't talk to you
again and that's an end to it.
- I was just testing the water that's all.
I wasn't really going to
write anything for them.
Honestly I wasn't.
- I'm one to talk.
Gosh you know the things
I've done for money.
But people here are so strange.
They have simply no idea.
And the Nazis are getting
more and more of a foothold
and they just seem to accept it.
I've even heard some people
talk of a brighter future
as if all this ghastliness
were a price worth paying.
They're going to get the most awful shock
unless they make a stand,
which you and I must do.
We must not throw in the towel.
Why are you looking at me like that?
- I don't really know.
(upbeat music)
(groaning in pain)
- My god.
- Morning darlings.
- God in heaven.
(groaning in pain)
Oh dear I hope he won't
do himself a mischief.
He ought to be more careful
at his time of life.
(groaning in pain)
(contemplative music)
(cork popping)
(Jean giggling)
- Oh Bobby darling you do that so well.
You must teach me one day
how to catch it in my mouth.
- You bet honey.
(Jean laughing)
- Thank you.
- To The Memorial.
- The Memorial.
- So do you think I'd
enjoy your book Chris?
- Well I'm not sure what
sort of books you like Bobby.
- What do you think hun?
- I haven't a clue darling.
But I expect it's astoundingly brilliant.
And the point is it's published.
His second novel in print.
And he's even had a
letter of congratulation
from E. M. Forrester.
- Forster.
- Wow.
- It won't be long now till
our Chris is just as famous.
- So who's that guy in the wig?
- Gerald.
- Gerald.
- Well I could swear
that Gerald was peeking
through the keyhole
while I was in the john.
When I came out he didn't
know where to look.
- I expect he knew exactly where to look.
- Yeah.
Right.
- Bobby.
Darling I adore champagne.
We'll have it every day won't we
once you whisk me off to Hollywood?
- Sure thing.
- Bobby. (laughing)
Naughty Bobby.
(dog barking)
(overlapping voices shouting)
(footsteps marching away)
- I was in the cafe, you
were, do you remember?
No well why should you?
My name is Christopher.
Perhaps you'd like to go for beer.
No.
Okay.
I'm sorry.
(contemplative music)
His name was Heinz.
Well he was innocent,
vulnerable, and uncritical.
A boy I could protect and
cherish as my very own.
Jean thought it was all frightfully jolly
and decided I was at last doing
my bit for the class struggle.
And as Heinz and I drew ever closer
I had no hesitation in falling in love.
(contemplative music)
- She needs to be in hospital
but there is no beds.
(coughing)
(contemplative music)
-[Thug] Gerald, come on
out I know you're in there.
- He's not here.
-[Thug] Where is he then?
- Hamburg.
-[Thug] Hamburg, well
when he is back tell him
if I don't get what I want
he knows what to expect.
Don't you Gerald?
(loud pounding)
- Some people seem to be utterly
lacking in consideration.
- Tell me what it's about Gerald.
- It's a business transaction that's all.
It went slightly awry.
- What sort of business?
- Do you know Christopher you're looking
as joyous as the first day of spring.
- Gerald.
- I was offered a small
fee to help someone
get his hands on a police dossier.
- Yes?
- Actually it was a positively glacial sum
that would have paid off
my debts at a stroke.
And do you know what?
The wretched man simply vanished.
Without paying me a single pfennig.
- So who was that at the door?
- A philistine my dear claiming
interest on a little loan.
- A loan for what?
- Do keep up dear boy.
For the money I needed to bribe
the police to get the dossier.
- What are on earth were you thinking of?
- The trouble is everyone's
so greedy nowadays.
And dishonest.
Simply can't trust a soul.
- Gerald?
- Yes?
Your wig's slipped.
(contemplative music)
(floor creaking)
- No.
(dull thudding)
My dear Christopher,
I've had to leave Berlin
at very short notice
which made it impossible for
me to communicate with you.
Our friend at the door
finally lost patience
and matters got a little out of hand.
Try not to think too
hardly of me dear boy.
That would be more than I could bear.
As always your affectionate Gerald.
(contemplative music)
- They give her bed at last.
- Ah that's very good
news Frau Neddermayer.
- She make dress to
look nice in sanatorium.
- Oh I see.
Well it would be...
(coughing)
- And to see his Nazi friends.
(breathing deeply)
(coughing)
- The last Kaiser always
mistrusted Berlin.
He saw it as a center of,
how do you say, dissidence.
- Yes good.
- What with the leftist working class
and the intellectual avant-garde--
- See I'm wondering if the working class
is as leftist as one imagines.
- It was not that long ago Herr Isherwood
that we came close to
a communist revolution.
But they elect a strong leader.
This is where Adolf Hitler has been
so very clever and
exploited the situation.
Ever since the Treaty of
Versailles and the Depression
brought the country to its knees
with banks failing and
savings disappearing
the poor and the unemployed
see him as their savior.
The Nazis organize everywhere.
In bars, in clubs, in
schools like a virus.
- I see.
- Yeah like a virus.
But all of this I am sure that you know.
Or do you spend too much time at play?
- Berlin can be very distracting.
- We must all stand by
our own kind Christopher.
Whatever the cost.
(acoustic piano music)
♪ I can't give you anything but love ♪
♪ Baby ♪
♪ That's the only thing I've plenty of ♪
♪ Baby ♪
♪ Dream a while scheme a while ♪
♪ We're sure to find ♪
♪ Happiness ♪
♪ And I guess ♪
♪ All those things
you've always pined for ♪
♪ I can't give you anything but love. ♪
- Bravo.
- Did your mother teach you how to cook?
- Yeah.
- But she's not very well she's
at the sanatorium I did say.
- Of course.
So tell me what exactly is this?
- Pig. (Grunts)
- Oh pork how lovely.
- It is a...
- Pork rib, delicious.
- No no I think he means lung.
(speaking in foreign language)
- Oh.
Golly.
(distant laughter)
And then before my very eyes
I saw him turn from prince to frog.
And I thought did I really
let that make love to me?
(laughing)
- Gerhardt.
This is my brother Gerhardt.
- Gerhardt it's a pleasure to meet you.
Won't you join us?
We're having the most perfect evening.
I think your brother is simply divine.
And he has cooked us a marvelous meal.
- You are no longer welcome
here Herr Isherwood.
- He doesn't mean it.
- May I ask why?
- Before our father went to
the Western Front he said to me
Gerhardt look out after your
mother and your brother.
I've always tried to honor his memory
but with no work and no
money it's been difficult.
- I'm sure it has.
- Yes.
But now there is hope Herr Isherwood.
- And Herr Hitler is the reason.
- Oh for goodness sake.
- He understands men like me.
He wants to make us proud again,
hold our heads up high again.
The Communists had their chance.
The Nazis are the people's party now.
- This is your friends at
night school talking Gerhardt.
- Did he just call me a tart?
- We do not want you here Herr Isherwood.
You and your kind.
- Oh how frightfully rude.
- So take your pick Heinz.
Make your father proud.
Or shame us all.
- But Gerhardt.
(dramatic music)
-[Jean] Honestly darling how could we
leave poor Heinz with that monster?
- I'm sure he can stand up for himself.
- We'll probably find him hacked into
little pieces at the bottom of a canal.
- And you didn't help
matters addressing Gerhardt
like you were Queen
Mary at an investiture.
- And after that trouble he
went to with the pig lung hash.
(punch landing)
(speaking in foreign language)
(punches landing)
You bastards you bastards!
You brutes, you filthy rotten brutes!
- For God's sake.
- Oh you're just as bad every one of you.
Poor darling it's over now.
Can we get a taxi?
Can somebody please get a taxi?
(speaking in foreign language)
You know you get used
to it that's the danger.
The uniforms and the raids,
the street fights, beatings.
We can't just stand by can we?
- No.
- We can't you know.
We really can't.
(speaking in foreign language)
(contemplative music)
- Gerhardt.
(contemplative music)
- Such a pity.
Isn't it?
That we don't make love.
After all there's nothing else to do.
- We could go to the movies.
- I haven't got two
pfennigs to rub together.
(crying)
- Jean?
Jean what is it?
- Hollywood's off.
- Jean I'm so sorry.
Dear Jean I have to go back to the states.
Some emergency at H.Q.
It was fun wasn't it?
Bobby.
What a complete bastard.
Typical bloody American, flaky as hell.
- You fancied him rotten.
- That's beside the point, come here.
(thunder rolling)
- And he was the most marvelous lover.
He was the best.
-[Christopher] Jean poor darling.
- He did leave me a little something.
-[Christopher] So he bloody should.
- But I shan't be keeping it.
(big band music)
(record repeating)
(acoustic piano music)
♪ Men say that they can be faithful ♪
♪ Simply I smile to myself ♪
♪ New love is always so novel ♪
♪ Faithfulness is but pretend ♪
♪ Now it is all but forgotten ♪
♪ What yesterday I still possessed ♪
♪ Love affords time that is blissful ♪
♪ Loyalty still makes no sense ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ It would be such a shame
to end up on my own ♪
♪ If I make myself true to one ♪
♪ How another will
surely be sad and alone ♪
♪ Should such a beauty
belong to one person ♪
♪ No surely the sun and the stars ♪
♪ They belong to us all ♪
♪ I don't know to whom I belong ♪
♪ I believe I only belong to myself ♪
(contemplative music)
- They come they go.
And so it will always be.
(contemplative music)
- Good morning Herr Isherwood.
(speaking in foreign language)
What a beautiful morning.
Even the sun seems to have
come out for Herr Hitler.
Oh Herr Isherwood the
police have been round.
- The police?
- They were asking about my lodgers.
- What did they want to know?
- Routine they said.
(bells ringing)
(speaking in foreign language)
- Caspar.
- I would remind you sir
that this is a Jewish store
and that there is now an
official anti-Jewish boycott.
- Where have you been?
I've been looking everywhere for you.
You disappeared, I didn't
know what happened.
Caspar.
(contemplative music)
I need to buy a pair of socks.
(contemplative music)
(overlapping voices)
(cart rumbling)
(all shouting at once)
(contemplative music)
Shame.
Shame.
(contemplative music)
(loud thumping)
(speaking in foreign language)
Street sweeper no maybe
domestic servant or
yes why not, domestic servant.
Heinz?
- I cannot come Christopher.
- But of course you can.
- No it is too dangerous.
For you for me.
- It's even more dangerous if you stay.
- For Gerhardt.
- Gerhardt?
He's one of them for God's sake.
- He's my brother.
We're brothers too Heinz
and more much more besides.
- This is my country.
- Not at the moment it isn't.
It will be again one day I've
no doubt but in the meantime.
- You do not miss home.
- I have no home this
is home, wherever I am.
- We should be where we belong.
- We are where we belong.
Together we must stand.
Together we're responsible
for each other as individuals.
Don't you see?
You have to come with me I want you to.
- Now you do but in a week a month.
- I'll still want you Heinz.
Heinz.
Of course I will.
(yodeling)
-[Mayr] I'm sure I do
not know Herr Isherwood.
What makes you want to leave Berlin?
- How can I best put this Fraulein?
Adolf Hitler.
- The Fuhrer.
One day it's Bruning, then Von
Papen, next Von Schleicher.
Then it's Hitler.
We must all make the best
of it Herr Isherwood.
I am staying.
Most Germans are staying.
And besides where else would we go?
- Well this is your homeland
Fraulein I understand that but
Heinz and I we want to get
out, we want to travel.
- But why, to go here to go
there, what is the point?
Soon no one will be left.
Herr Hamilton has gone,
Fraulein Ross, now you.
You get used to it.
You get used to anything.
(contemplative music)
- Is your room satisfactory?
- Mummy he's not retarded.
- Where you sleep is good yes?
- Yes I sleep good.
- Yes, good.
- Thank you.
-[Kathleen] How long have
you known Christopher?
- Mummy.
- Shush.
- I know Christopher
one year and one half.
- Oh that long?
And he's hardly mentioned you if at all.
And how long are you
staying in our country?
- Two weeks.
- I'm sure Heinz can answer
for himself can't you Heinz?
- Two weeks.
- You see.
What a shame it's not longer.
- Two weeks is as long
as his permit allows.
- Then maybe another time.
- What is that?
- Oh now--
- Christopher.
That Heinz is Wyberslegh Hall,
part of the family estate.
It's in Cheshire in the North of England.
I painted it as a matter of fact.
- You paint it?
- Yes.
- It's very good.
- Thank you Heinz.
That is the house where I
gave birth to Christopher.
- Yes?
- And very difficult it was too.
I was in labor for 18 hours,
18 hours, imagine that.
-[Christopher] Mummy please.
- Oh dear that was rather
maudlin of me wasn't it?
But it was worth it.
He was the most delightful baby.
- Yes I'm sure Heinz
isn't remotely interested.
- He had the loveliest
skin and long slitty eyes
just like a Jap. (chuckling)
You see of course he's interested.
-[Christopher] You live in the past Mummy.
-[Kathleen] Perhaps I do Christopher.
Because it's always there
and it never lets me down.
Do you have a mummy Heinz?
-[Christopher] She's dead.
- Oh.
Oh I am sorry.
Oh dear.
Christopher's daddy's dead.
He was killed in the war.
- He was my daddy too.
- Yes dear but you hardly knew him.
He was killed by the Germans
on the Western Front.
- What are you thinking of?
- I'm not blaming Heinz darling.
I'm simply filling him in.
- And for your information Heinz's daddy
was also killed on the Western Front.
- Well there you are you
see that's what wars do,
kill people.
Toast?
He's a nice boy, well mannered.
A street cleaner you say?
- There's no reason a street
cleaner can't be well mannered.
- No dear no reason at all.
- How lovely to have a
job like ordinary people.
- But who'd have you my darling?
You seem to be inept at
pretty much everything.
- Don't speak to him like that.
It's entirely your fault he is like he is.
- Like what?
- Richard dear we're talking.
- It's terrible he has to go back.
And now Germany's withdrawn
from the League of Nations.
- Yes that is rather troubling.
- I must think of a way of
getting him out for good.
- But why should that
be your responsibility?
Surely he knows people who can help.
- Well he has absolutely no one Mummy
except for a brother who's disowned him.
And besides I want it
to be my responsibility.
-[Kathleen] So what will you do?
Get him another permit?
- Or even another nationality.
Of course you could always adopt him.
- Darling I don't think so.
(laughing)
Are you sure he wouldn't
be happier in Germany?
It is his home after all
it's where he belongs.
And he isn't a Jew or anything.
- You have no idea have you?
It's Nazi Germany we're talking about.
It's not just the Jews
who are being victimized.
- I do read the papers darling.
I'm fully aware that the Nazis
have done some bad things.
Although one hears that Herr Hitler's
done some good things too.
- Oh dear God.
- If it weren't for
that wretched boy Auden
dragging you off there in the first place.
- I assure you he didn't need to drag me.
- But you must do as you wish
Christopher as you always do.
So long as you realize what
you might be taking on.
- Right, we're going to
mail money to him in Berlin.
- We?
- So he can support himself
until he comes back here.
- And if you write a letter
inviting him to stay--
- Christopher.
- Then I'm sure they'll give
him a much longer permit.
Maybe even for keeps.
You can't do that.
-[Investigator] I think
you'll find that I can.
- But you haven't proved your case.
- Mr. Isherwood your mother
invites a foreign servant
to her home without the requisite permit.
You then send the boy money telling him
to claim it was a bequest which in itself
can be construed as an attempt to deceive
His Majesty's Immigration Service.
But then we have the
letter that you wrote.
May I?
I am counting the days until your arrival.
I've been so lonely without you.
It's a bit curious don't you think?
The way it's written it's
a bit, what's the word?
- Queer.
- Thank you Mr Auden.
What a boon to have a poet on hand.
- You can't send him back!
- Christopher.
No no, God knows what
they might do to him.
- Not my responsibility.
- So an alien has no
rights whatsoever in this
democracy we're all so proud of
that men have laid down their lives for.
- And I hope should the moment come sir
that you too will be willing
to make the sacrifice.
- Make no mistake I shall appeal.
- You can write to the Home Secretary
for all the good it'll do.
- Come on.
(contemplative music)
As soon as I saw that little
rat I knew we were done for.
- They're all the bloody same.
- Oh no my dear he's one of us.
It stands out a mile.
(contemplative music)
- I'm sorry.
(contemplative music)
-[Richard] You seem out of sorts.
- Do I?
- It's Heinz isn't it?
Goodbyes are always sad.
As sad as dying.
- I'll be seeing him soon enough.
-[Richard] That's right.
- Yeah.
- No need to be sad.
I suppose being a writer you
want to tidy everything up
and make it make sense but things
never do quite make sense do they?
Not really.
- No.
- This Sally Bowles character
is she based on anyone?
- Yes in a manner of speaking.
- What about Mr. Norris?
- Yes I suppose he is too.
I thought we might first
meet him on a train.
- Oh yes trains are always good.
You can't go wrong with a train.
- Where were we?
- Full stop, close quotation marks.
- Good.
- It must be very polarizing
this Nazi business.
Hard to sit on the fence I'd imagine.
- Yes it is.
Berlin's fairly seething what with
all the poverty and wounded pride.
I'd say Communism was
the best hope for peace.
- Then why not stay
here and join the Party?
- I can't do that I
have Heinz to consider.
- Yes Heinz of course.
So where will you go?
- Amsterdam probably for the time being.
- That's all one can say isn't it?
For the time being.
(contemplative music)
- It always breaks my heart
a little to see you leave.
-[Christopher] You should
be used to it by now.
- Oh no, I'll never get used to it.
And how awful if I did.
- I'll be back.
I always am.
And so once again I cast off from England
and threw in my lot with Heinz.
Two lost souls wandering
around Europe on the brink.
I have to admit I felt a little guilty
flitting from country to
country to save a single man
whilst others were
preparing to save the world.
But then our luck ran out
and Heinz was arrested
by the Gestapo and that was that.
(upbeat music)
- Daily Worker ladies.
No appeasement.
Fight the Fascists.
-[Waiter] Excuse me miss.
- I'm exercising my democratic right.
(laughing)
- Only you would choose to sell
the Daily Worker in Knightsbridge.
- I have no say in the matter.
I go where the Party tells me.
You are looking impossibly young.
Aren't you ever going to age?
- I do hope not, my God the varnish.
(Jean laughs)
- I somehow felt that
red was more appropriate.
I must confess I carry
it with me everywhere.
Isn't it funny darling?
You're the one that became famous.
- And you know I must say
I'm rather enjoying it.
And meanwhile poor Heinz.
Well I dread to think what
he's being subjected to.
A year laboring for the state
followed by two years in the army.
- It's frightfully harsh.
- It could have been worse.
He might have got carted
off to a concentration camp.
- You did all you could.
- I wonder if I did.
I wonder if I did really.
And what's worse I even feel relieved.
Do you ever miss Berlin?
- Oh no.
I never miss anything.
Sometimes I wonder if I
shouldn't have had that kid.
I think I'd just about have
cut the mustard as a mother.
I'd tuck him in and I'd sing to him.
And then I'd go out and fuck
filthy old men to pay for the brat.
(laughing)
- Then why not marry and have another?
- Because I've lost my faith in men.
- Well that's a shame.
- I've simply no use for them any more.
Not even you darling.
Oh well.
Back to the Revolution.
(contemplative music)
- Might we see each other again?
- Goodbye Chris.
- Goodbye.
Seems like everyone's
caught Communism like flu.
-[Wystan] It's fair to say
that the closest we've come
to solidarity with the
workers is sleeping with them.
- Well that's a cause of sorts.
- The only cause you really care
about Christopher is yourself.
- Isn't that rather unkind?
- But you've turned it into an art form.
Rather successfully as it happens.
I used to be a little in love with you.
You knew that didn't you?
Yes I thought you did.
You're lucky.
You're not burdened by the concept of sin.
And it is a sin Christopher.
Although I fully intend
to carry on sinning.
- Look please don't start on about God.
- You're going to have such a conversion
one of these days my dear.
I do loathe the sea.
It's so wet and sloppy.
- I don't belong here.
I'm not sure I belong anywhere.
I rather like being a foreigner.
I wonder where we might end up.
(contemplative music)
Wystan was right.
I've never known about anybody except me.
You see I was never able to commit.
I only ever sort of added to the chorus.
And now of course politics are more
and more about the individual.
The gay liberation movement seems
to have taken me to its heart.
It's very nice of them really.
A cause at last.
But then I think it always was my cause.
And somehow you know
it makes sense of what I
was trying to do for Heinz
all those years ago.
(contemplative music)
- Christoph.
(contemplative music)
You write again about Berlin?
- Yes, for a British newspaper.
- Well a lot has changed yeah?
-[Christopher] What's left of it.
- When the city was cut in pieces
and we end up in the Russian sector.
- Rotten luck?
- We all hate the Russians Christoph.
We would much rather
be here in the Western.
- Maybe one day.
- My friend Christoph the famous writer.
- I suppose you could say that.
- Tell me there are
skyscrapers in America?
- Oh yes.
- And you see Hollywood?
- I live near there actually.
- And the Grand Canyon you see that?
- Yes yes it's very big.
- And cowboys?
- No I haven't seen too many of them.
I feel guilty Heinz.
All that I made you suffer I should never
have taken you out of Germany.
- But Christoph you changed my life.
What we had, what we did, I
would not miss for the world.
Look Christoph, my wife Hilda.
- Well she looks
very nice.
- Yeah she's a good girl.
And she doesn't ask questions.
- That's all right then.
- And this is my son
Christoph.
- Christoph?
- Yeah.
(contemplative music)
You know Christoph you're
not getting younger.
- That's the way it tends to go.
- You live alone yes?
- At the moment.
- See that is not good to live alone.
You need a family around
you to keep you company
to look after you when you are sick.
- Heinz I'm not decrepit.
- But listen Christoph
we could be your family.
- What?
- Hilda, Christoph, and I
out there in California.
- Well I'm not so sure about that.
You see the life I lead.
My plans are so uncertain.
I'd have to think it over
look we'll see how it goes.
And I'll write to you we'll keep in touch.
You do understand don't you Heinz?
You do don't you?
- Yes I,
I understand.
(contemplative music)
- Fraulein.
(joyous laughing)
- When the city was divided
we got the Americans.
Oh I was so happy, we we're all so happy.
I thank God the Russians didn't get us.
Communism.
Oh Herr Isherwood you look like a child.
- It's lovely to see you Fraulein.
- Herr Isherwood, Isherwood.
The last years of war here Isherwood.
- Yes.
- Terrible.
We were in the cellar nearly all the time
holding each other.
We prayed so much we got
quite religious. (laughing)
- Is the yodeler still there?
- No thank God.
The Nazis shot her.
It's the one good thing they did.
(both laughing)
(contemplative music)
- Another survivor Fraulein?
Another survivor.
- It was damaged a little.
But I mended it.
For you.
- No I couldn't.
- Take it please.
And when you look at it you will
think of Berlin And
Fraulein Thurau and smile.
(contemplative music)
- Thank you.
(contemplative music)