Torn Curtain (1966) - full transcript

Professor Michael Armstrong is heading to Copenhagen to attend a physics conference accompanied by his assistant-fiancée Sarah Sherman. Once arrived however, Michael informs her that he may be staying for awhile and she should return home. She follows him and realizes he's actually heading to East Germany, behind the Iron Curtain. She follows him there and is shocked when he announces that he's defecting to the East after the US government canceled his research project. In fact, Michael is there to obtain information from a renowned East German scientist. Once the information is obtained, he and Sarah now have to make their way back to the West.

Are they ever going to
get the heating fixed?

They are working
at it, Professor.

Perhaps some of you scientists would
like to give us a helping hand.

What are we going
to do about lunch?

We haven't had
breakfast yet.

Oh.

We'll call this lunch
and go upstairs for breakfast.

Against all the
evidence, Michael,

I'd say you had
a very unscientific mind.

I'm not a scientist.
I'm a teacher.

You're a scientist,
and you're supposed to



respect a natural
order in all things.

Breakfast comes
before lunch... Ow!

And marriage should come
before a honeymoon cruise.

You're on the wrong boat.

Michael!

Now, stop.
This is supposed to be

a serious
congress of physicists.

Tell me, Miss Sherman,
what is your position on anti-deuterons?

Now, listen here.
What's your position on a July wedding?

Oh, July, August,
September or October.

Don't let me hurry you.

I just don't want to be
the only common-law wife on the campus.

Forget the campus.

Oh, will you
stop brooding?



I like to brood.

Look, I wish you'd get that
teaching job in perspective.

I know it's not what
you want, but honestly...

Oh, no!

I'm greatly honored.
It's a unique distinction.

Enough. Will you stop it?

No, it's true.

It's an unparalleled
appointment

in the history of
American science.

- Oh, stop it.
- No.

Most scientists just start out teaching
and end up in Washington.

But Wrong-Way Armstrong

starts in Washington
and he ends up teaching.

No, our agreement,
remember?

What?

You weren't gonna
blast off about Washington,

and I wasn't
gonna ask you again

why you didn't want me
to come on this trip.

- Okay?
- Yeah.

Professor Armstrong?

Just a minute.

- Yes?
- A radiogram, sir.

I'm sorry.
This isn't for me.

But, sir.
If you please, sir.

No, I'm sorry.
It must be a mistake.

Oh! You're freezing.

Well, what shall we have
for breakfast-lunch or lunch-breakfast?

Let's see,
corn flakes, soup...

Hello, Michael.
Glad that heat's on again.

I'll say.

Good evening.
I'm Michael Armstrong.

A radiogram arrived
earlier for me.

May I have another
look at it, please?

Yes, sir. One moment.

- Hello.
- Oh, Professor.

Did you perhaps
see Miss Sherman?

I was supposed to have
with her a luncheon date.

Maybe she had forgotten.

I believe she had a cold.
Stayed in bed.

A cold? Oh, that's too bad.

Here you are, sir.

Oh, thank you.

Well, I think she's up by now.
Why don't you look in the lounge?

Good.

Well, I couldn't have been
awake this morning.

I'd like to send
an answer.

Please, sir.

Thank you.

Darling! We've got
connecting rooms.

That's
Scandinavian efficiency.

Shall I unpack for you?

I'd rather do it myself.

Okay.

Hello?

No, I'm afraid
he's busy right now.

This is Miss Sherman,
his assistant, speaking.

May I take a message?

Oh, just one moment, please.
Michael, it's some bookshop for you.

Tell them I'll be
there in a minute.

He'll be right here. Hello?

No, Operator.
I was talking on this line.

Well, so much for your
Scandinavian efficiency.

You've been cut off.

They said something about sending you
a radiogram on the ship.

Not me.

How much longer
are you going to be?

Aren't we
supposed to have lunch

with that Swedish
professor, Hengstrom?

- Yeah, at 1:30.
- Where?

Here at the hotel.

Oh, good, that gives
us plenty of time.

What do you want to do?

Look, I've gotta shave.
Why don't you take a stroll?

Hello? Oh, it's you again.

Yes, we were cut off.

I see. What's
the address, please?

And that's where?

And then
follow the canal?

Yes, thank you.
We'll find it.

Michael, I'm going
for that stroll.

See you in half an hour.

It seems you ordered a book.
I'll pick it up for you.

- What?
- The bookshop, I'm going there.

No, wait!

Oh, Miss Sherman.

Oh, good morning.

- You are better this morning?
- Better?

Our luncheon engagement
yesterday on the ship...

You had a cold.

Oh, yes, much better.
Thank you.

Good.

Then perhaps we can
have our lunch now.

Oh, well, we have a date
with Professor Hengstrom.

I'm awfully sorry.

Yes, I, too.

Look, at dinner tonight,
why don't you sit at our table?

Perhaps.

Good.

Oh, could you tell me
where the Elmo Bookstore is, please?

Taxi?

No, I want this address.

Oh, Hotel d'Angleterre.

No, the address underneath.

It is quite near.
We will go together.

You seem to
like him very much.

Like him? Of course.
We're engaged.

Didn't you know?

No.

We plan to be married
in a couple of months. Here we are.

What's the matter, Professor?
Don't you approve of marriage?

Of course I do.

Do you have a book
for Professor Armstrong?

One moment.

Freddy?

Why didn't the professor
come himself?

Well, he's busy at the moment.
I'm his assistant, Miss Sherman.

I think we spoke
on the phone.

Oh, yes. Will you
come this way? Excuse us.

Them religious books is
in a hell of a shambles, Magda.

Thank you.
How much is that?

On account.

We charge it, see.
Diners Club.

Take good care
of it, dear heart.

It's a first edition,
is that.

Thank you.

Who is this
Professor Armstrong?

Didn't hear you, love.

Who is this
Professor Armstrong?

What have you got there?

English Bibles.

Take them to the stockroom
and pray for him.

Thank you.
Oh, Professor Manfred,

you know Professor Hengstrom,
don't you?

Swedish Academy of Science?

Of course. We met on the boat.

Oh, well, we'll see
you at dinner, then. Table 12.

Professor Armstrong!

Excuse me.

Well, I hope you're
looking forward to our lunch.

This hotel has
an excellent smorgasbord.

You know, Miss Sherman,

I've often wondered why one
of the leading hotels in Denmark

should be called the "Hotel of England"
in the French language.

I suppose it's the ideal title
for an international hotel...

Oh, by the way,
Professor, I promised

to take Miss Sherman
to lunch at Tivoli.

You don't mind, do you?

Oh, but I do mind.

You're robbing me the company
of a beautiful girl.

Oh, well, go ahead.
Enjoy yourself.

Oh, just a moment, love.

I want to leave this book
with the concierge. Be right back.

Thank you very much.

Well, Michael, will you tell me
before we eat or after?

Aren't you gonna
try your martini?

What are you so upset about?
And what were those tickets you picked up?

Well?

Well...

I have to go to Stockholm.

Oh?

And I have to go
this afternoon.

But, I mean,
the congress...

What about tonight?
You're giving your speech.

Well, this is
more important.

I'm going to speak
to the Swedish defense department.

The Swedish
defense department?

Hengstrom and I were
talking on the boat

about what I was
doing with Gamma Five,

and he knew
the project was canceled.

And he began to do
some sniffing around,

seemed to think
the Swedish government

might be willing to
back the project, so...

But you're an American. How can you
work for a foreign government?

Well, I can get clearance.

Why didn't you tell me you talked to
Hengstrom on the boat?

Well, I was going to...

Darling, you must've known
about this for a long time.

Is that why you didn't
want me to come on this trip?

I did want you...
I thought we had an agreement.

Oh, to hell with
the agreement.

You did everything you could
to stop me from coming.

- Well, you know, the thing with Hengstrom...
- And your speech...

You never intended to give
a speech tonight, did you?

To hell with the speech.
Let somebody else give it.

All right, what would
you like me to do?

Cover the congress for me.
Take notes.

I'll be back in
time for the wedding.

- In two months?
- Yeah.

Or three?

Yeah.

Oh, Michael,
you certainly know

how to make
a girl feel wanted.

Darling, I don't know
what's got into you,

ever since the missile project
was canceled, you've been...

Yes, it was canceled.
Now that was very important.

But I'm important to you.
Why can't I come to Stockholm?

Sarah, darling,
we'd never see each other.

You know what it is,
conferences, meetings...

But aren't I any
use to you anymore?

Well, if I wasn't
gonna be so busy...

But you're always busy.

I mean, have I ever
minded that?

Didn't you even stop
to think I might enjoy it?

Oh, look, Michael,
we could get an apartment.

I mean, I could look
after you, shop, cook.

No. It just wouldn't work.

Well, that's that then.

Yeah.

Excuse me.

Well, it's definitely established.
15 suitcases gone astray.

They could be back in London.
They could be anywhere.

Look, I have
an open ticket here.

When's the next
flight for New York?

I've known them to turn up
in Helsinki on that particular line.

Let's see what
the day brings.

The Pan Am flight
left at noon, Miss.

There is an SAS
flight at 16:45.

That'll do.
Get me a seat on that.

I want to leave as
soon as possible.

There's passenger
Williamson's golf clubs.

We haven't seen
those since Manchester.

What time does Professor Armstrong's
flight leave for Stockholm?

Armstrong?

You gave him
a ticket this morning.

Aren't golf clubs
classified as hand luggage?

Not since
the Warsaw Convention.

There we are...
Armstrong. A single ticket.

It's not for Stockholm, Miss.

It's a 16:30 flight,
Romanian Airlines, East Berlin.

East Berlin?

But that's behind
the Iron Curtain.

Yes, Miss.

Young lady.

Excuse me.

What in hell's name
are you doing here?

Hello, Michael.

Listen to me.

Now, you stay away from me.
Don't talk to me.

When this plane lands, you take
the next one out... Anywhere!

Go home!

Do you understand?

Professor Armstrong,
we will wait

until the other passengers are
off the plane.

I thought she didn't know.

She doesn't know.
She can't know.

- She just followed me.
- Apparently.

We can go now.

Hey, come on, lady,
step aside.

Hold it.

If you will pardon me, I must
introduce him to our vice minister.

Shall we go, please?

The vice minister
wishes to welcome

to the German Democratic Republic

a distinguished American nuclear scientist,
Professor Michael Armstrong.

Professor Armstrong has decided
to live and work for peace

in the Peoples' Democracies.

But can't I
talk to him at all?

It is not
advisable at present.

Do you have a visa,
Miss Sherman?

Oh, they said I could
get one here for 24 hours.

I have told them you are here.
Let's see what can be done.

Gentlemen, there will be
a press conference later. Be patient.

This way.

Professor.

Hello.

You have survived
our welcoming ceremony?

More or less.

Now we can relax.

Heinrich Gerhard,
State Security.

Yes, the infamous
State Security.

I beg your pardon?

Excuse me.
Sit down, please.

No, thank you.

Oh? Cuban.

Your loss, our gain.

Well, Professor,
did you have a good trip?

So-so.

This is Mr. Gromek.
He will be your personal guide.

- Hello.
- Anything you need.

I lived many years
in United States.

If he gives you any trouble,
come to me.

I lived in 88th
Street in New York.

Oh, good.

Well, here we are.

I hear you... You brought
a little excess baggage.

What?

Oh, yes.

A Sarah Louise Sherman.

Sarah Louise?

You should come to me
for your information.

But isn't it
a little strange?

During all your conversations
with our agents in the United States,

you never mentioned that you were
bringing an assistant.

Well, I didn't know
she was coming.

Really?

I gave her that cover story,

the one about Stockholm,
but I guess I must've botched it.

Isn't she your fiancée?

Yes.

Then what did you
intend her to do?

Go home, marry
the boy next door, or what?

I hoped, vaguely, that she'd understand
my motives, maybe she wouldn't.

But I just hoped
she'd join me here later.

She has joined you,
sooner than later.

So it would appear.

Women.

Oh, boy.

Let's have her in, shall we?

Come in, please.

Miss Sherman,
my name is Gerhard.

How do you do?

Won't you please sit down?

May I introduce the vice minister,
Mr. Strauss.

And Mr. Gromek.

Well, Miss Sherman,
what are we going to do with you?

What do you suggest?

Is she
a good assistant?

Yes.

Is she a good fiancée?

Yes.

Then it would be nice for you both
if she stayed here, no?

Well, that's up to
Miss Sherman.

Well, Miss Sherman,
how would you like

to live behind what you
call the Iron Curtain?

I don't know.

Do you want me
to stay, Michael?

That's up to you, Sarah.

If you wish,
I can call for car

and you could be in West Berlin
in half an hour.

I don't know. Look, could I talk to
Professor Armstrong alone?

By all means.
There's ample time.

Why don't we all
sleep on it?

Yes, I'd like to do that.

We mustn't keep the press waiting,
Professor.

Perhaps Miss Sherman
would like to accompany us?

That necessary?

I think she should
find it interesting.

All right. Let's go.
Oh, leave those.

Mr. Gromek will
take care of them.

This way, Professor, please.

Professor Armstrong will now read
to you his statement in English.

There will be copies available for you
in English and in German.

Sir, is it true
you're defecting,

because Washington abandoned
your anti-missile program?

I'll explain that.

Professor, is that
the anti-missile missile?

The one that's supposed to make
nuclear defense obsolete?

Yes, it is.

No questions.

Does that mean that
your plan is to hand over

your secret work to
a communist country?

I have a statement,
if you don't mind.

Professor?

Today,

in my country,
the United States,

there are people
in high places who

do not want to see
atomic war abolished.

Now, because of that,
a project that I was working on

for six years was canceled
by my government.

That project
is more important

than the considerations
of loyalty to any one country.

As a result of that, I...

As a result of that, I...

I am offering my services
to your University of Leipzig

hopefully to work
with Professor Gustav Lindt,

a leading
authority in my field.

Together with Professor Lindt,

we will produce
a defensive weapon

that will make all
offensive nuclear weapons

obsolete,

and thereby...

Abolish the terror
of nuclear warfare.

- Thank you.
- One question, please.

That's all.

Goodbye.

Professor.

Fräulein Sherman.

- Auf Wiedersehen.
- Thank you.

This way, please.

Hey!

How come all the English
and American correspondents?

When we have big news, we invite
all correspondents over from West Berlin.

What did you
say your name was?

Gromek. G-R-O-M-E-K.

Thank you very much,
Mr. Gromek.

Quite a reception, huh?

Big deal. You still have
that expression, "Big deal"?

Yeah, we've got it.

88 and 8th I used to live.
Do you know around there?

There was a pizza
shop right on the corner.

Is it still there?

Corner of 88 and 8th?

Pete's Pizza Parlor.

I wouldn't know.

Some city. Hot dog.

You still say that?

Hot dog.

Sarah?

Well, now you know.

Sarah, you've got to
get on a plane tomorrow.

Just tell them you thought it over
and you want to go home.

Are you listening to me?

My God,
you're a cool customer.

You must've been planning
this for months, Michael.

How could you do it?
How could you tell those lies?

Well, it just...

I thought it would be better
if you didn't know about this.

I still can't believe
this is really happening.

It was only this morning
I found out you were coming here.

I didn't know what to do.
I couldn't believe it.

I just knew I
had to follow you.

By instinct, or to
protect you or something.

Then when I got on the plane,
I couldn't see you at first

and I thought,
"Thank God he hasn't come."

And when you turned around,
you looked as though you hated me.

Sarah, you know how important
this work is to me.

I've got to go
through with it.

My feeling about it runs
a lot deeper than just patriotism.

Michael, do you
realize you're a traitor?

Well, that's not
the way I see it.

You're insane. How can you talk
to someone who's insane?

Sarah, if I can't explain it to you,
I can't explain it to you.

Michael, take me home.

I can't. I'm sorry.
I can't, Sarah.

I love you very much.
Won't you please take me home?

I'm sorry. I can't.

Uh-huh. So here you are.

Yes, a very nice room.
Are you comfortable?

Oh, yes, it's just fine.

Well,

now we are all
settled in, I suggest

we should all have
dinner in the dining room.

Thank you. I'm not hungry.

You're tired.

Perhaps you would like something up here.
There is room service.

Yes, why don't you do that? Karl and
I will get a bite downstairs.

You can rest for a while.

It's open, Michael.

It's Karl.

Just a minute.

Come in.

Oh, a thousand pardons.

It's all right. I'm decent.

A love letter,
I have no doubt.

Thank you.

Well, now as to breakfast,
Miss Sherman,

perhaps you would like to join me
in the dining room?

Thank you. I think I'll just have
some coffee sent up to the room.

Excuse me.

Then perhaps I might call
for you in one half an hour?

There's something I would like to
talk to you about.

Jahwohl.

Danke.

Well, Professor Armstrong,
how does it feel to

play the part of
a dirty defector?

I saw you on TV in town last night.
You put on a good act.

I've been conditioning
myself for a long time.

Come on. Let's take a ride.

What possessed you to bring your girl
on a job like this?

I didn't. She followed me.
That's the whole point.

There are two of us
involved in the escape now.

I can't get her to go home.

Does she know what
you're really up to?

No, of course not.

That's good.
Because if she did,

and ever made
any kind of a slip,

these people
can play it rough.

I know that.

Look, mister.
Why can't you leave this

intelligence work
to us professionals?

'Cause you wouldn't
know what to look for.

The information I'm
after is inside the head

of a scientist at
Leipzig University.

I've often wondered if you professionals
know what you're looking for

when you go in and
steal secret papers.

Anytime I've had to
do a job like that,

I just grabbed up the whole lot
and let Control sort them out.

What I'm after
can't be got that way.

It takes a scientist to
pick a scientist's brain.

I read in this morning's paper
in your interview yesterday

something about Washington
canceling your anti-missile project.

I couldn't lick
the final problem.

But this professor
in Leipzig... He has?

Yep.

So you're taking the shortcut?

I'm trying to.

Did Washington approve
this crazy scheme of yours?

Well, they don't
know anything about it.

Then how'd you make
the Copenhagen contact?

Let's say I got
friends in high places.

How long do you figure
this whole thing's gonna take?

I don't know. One month.
Two. One week. Two. Depends.

But what I need now is the name
of your agent in Leipzig.

The name's Koska.
K-O-S-K-A.

You'll be contacted.
Your escape will originate from there.

Well, mister,
this is where you get off.

Pleasant dreams.

Is there a back door?
Is there some other way out?

I'm gonna report you...

To the Minister of Culture.

What's wrong, Professor?
In one door, out the other?

You don't like our museum?

I've seen better.

Strictly for the birds, huh?

They still say that.
We used to say it all the time.

It's strictly
for the "boids."

Well, aren't you
going to introduce me?

Oh, this lady's a relative.

She's related to my mother...
Related to my mother's side of the family.

I just promised I'd
stop by for a visit.

It's been difficult because my German
isn't as good as your English.

You're like me.
Everywhere, relatives.

Aunts,

uncles, and wherever you go,
it's presents, handouts.

Where's the present,
Professor?

I was going to get one in Copenhagen,
but I just didn't have time.

Too bad.

Sure, we'll have an
apfelwein. Why not?

Danke.

Come here, Professor.

What for?

"What for?" Come here. That.

What do you mean?

"What do you mean?" That.

Looks like a sign.

I don't know.

What kind of sign?

I don't know.

"I don't know."

Maybe a Greek letter.

Professor.

Maybe pi?

Mathematics.

Pi is the ratio of
the circumference

of a circle to
its diameter, right?

Yeah. You're a very
educated man, Mr. Gromek.

I went to night school, Professor.
Special night school.

And they taught
us all about Pi.

A dirty little two-bit organization
for spying and escaping!

Can't you do better than them,
Mr. American Agent?

It's the big house
for you, Professor.

You'll get life.

That's lucky,
because this dolly...

Big house.

I used to see all
those prison movies.

You know?

Edward G. Robinson.

Did you ever...

Cut it out. Don't be stupid.
I was trained by experts.

I can take you... How do you say...
One arm tied behind my back.

Tell the cookie she
should put that down.

She's gonna cut
your fingers off.

Okay. You had your fun.
Now we stop these games!

Come. Come here.

That.

Auf Wiedersehen.

- Excuse me. Are you Professor Armstrong?
- Yes, I am.

Mr. Gerhard of Security
wishes to see you.

We have a car.

Well, morning.

Come in, Professor.

We have had
quite an interesting

talk with Miss Sherman,
and she...

She has decided to
come over to our side.

Your fiancée would like to work
as your assistant in Leipzig.

You mean,
you're going to work...

You mean, you're going
to work with me?

Is there any reason
why I shouldn't?

Do you want to?

I want to be with you.

You must thank Manfred,
Professor.

Professor Manfred has
a unique line in argument.

He combines mathematical logic
with romantic inconsistency.

Miss Sherman,
may I offer you a cognac?

Now, a toast.

To your new life
and your new country.

So, and now you
leave for Leipzig.

- What, today?
- Immediately.

They have sent a car for you.

Well, we'll have to pack.

My dear Miss Sherman, you are
scientist now, not a porter.

All that will be arranged.

The indispensable Gromek will meet you
in Leipzig with your baggage.

Professor, we seem
to have lost Gromek.

Please.

Professor Armstrong,
Miss Sherman,

may I present
Vice Rector Gutman.

How do you do?

Welcome to
Karl Marx University.

We are very happy to see you.

May I introduce
Professor Winckelmann...

How do you do?

And Professor Shrader.

We're very happy
to be here.

Professor Winckelmann
will show you to your rooms.

Your bags are already here.

Otto Haupt at your service, sir.
I'm your new security guide.

How do you do?

And where is Gromek?

He's disappeared.

Herr Gerhard is
most concerned.

This is the new
physics building,

which is very comprehensive,
as you shall see.

You have a very
modern university.

All our universities are modern,
Miss Sherman.

Michael!

Still can't understand
how I fell down those stairs.

I tripped you.
I may have overdone it.

Who are you?

Didn't the farmer tell you?
I'm Dr. Koska.

I thought Koska was a man.

That was my husband.

He was a professor
of mathematics here.

That is why he used the sign pi
for our organization.

We are not
a political group.

We only help people take a long vacation
from this lovely place.

Where is your husband?

He died last year.

Excuse me.

This is the university clinic.

Now, Gretel,
remember your English.

We have here
a gentleman from America.

I am pleased to meet you.
I am Gretel.

Are you very well? Please?

Well, that's what your mother's
trying to find out.

Now, Gretel, pack your viola
and go down to the car.

I will be down very soon.

I had to reach you urgently.
You must move very quickly.

They are bound to investigate
the disappearance of Gromek.

It is a pity he
had to be killed.

And it will
complicate things.

The woman at the farm
was going to bury

the body and the
motorcycle, so...

Let's hope they
don't find anything.

I hear there are two
of you to get out now.

I'm afraid so, yes.

I will need photographs
of both of you

for the false identity cards
we have to prepare.

Well, that is going
to be awkward.

Why?

My fiancée doesn't know
anything about escape...

Or escape plans.
She still thinks I'm a defector.

Why, she doesn't even know anything
about the whole idiotic mess.

I wasn't gonna tell her
till I got what I wanted.

Well, you'll have to
try to find some pretext.

How long do you
have to be in Leipzig?

I have to get to one man...
Gustav Lindt.

Lindt? But he leaves
for Leningrad any day.

For how long?

I don't know.

You should try to
see him right away.

You bruised one or two ribs.

Tomorrow, they will probably
have you in for a screening.

They will want to ask you questions
about your experiments.

If you please them,
if you pass the test,

they may allow you
to work with Lindt.

How long do you
need with him?

Well, how long does it take to get
a man's confidence?

He's got the key to
a puzzle in his head.

I have to get the key.

And he will give it to you?
Just like that?

No, not just like that.

I'm depending
upon his curiosity.

It's a pretty strong instinct
among most people,

but among scientists,
it's a bloody obsession.

I'm just depending upon his eagerness
to question me.

But you want
information from him.

Well, that works two ways.

In order for him to
find out what I know,

he's gonna have to tell me
a little bit of what he knows.

And I'll just
feed him, hopefully,

the right kind of
plausible information,

so he thinks that I'm
on to his discovery.

It sounds as if it
could be a long business.

I'm sorry to be
on your hands.

Oh, you're not on my hands.

I don't want to see you again
until you are ready to leave.

Sorry I had to put
you through all this,

but in our organization, we have
to resort to many bizarre means

of communication.

Yes, that's...
That's the right word.

Please.

Gentlemen,
I have the honor to present

our American colleague,
Professor Armstrong,

bachelor of science and physics,
University of Chicago.

PhD, summa cum laude in physics,
California Institute of Technology.

Honorary degree...

Yeah. We are
all very familiar

with Professor
Armstrong's qualifications.

Good morning, Professor.

Morning.

Please sit down.

Herr colleague, continue.

Professor Armstrong,

I have been asked
by the committee of the faculty

to put to you some questions.

Gentlemen,
I'll be happy and pleased

to provide whatever
information I can.

First, as a gesture
of good faith,

the committee would
like you to describe

the progress of
United States experiments

with the missile
known as Gamma Five.

All right.

Let's begin with...

Let's begin with the...
Our preliminary experiments in Chicago.

If there are any questions,
I'd prefer to answer them later.

Starting...

Before this faculty
interrogation begins,

Herr Haupt wishes
to ask a question.

Bitte, Herr Haupt.

Did you visit a farm
before you left Berlin?

Gentlemen, I thought this was to be
a scientific interrogation.

Herr Haupt has received instructions
from State Security in Berlin.

You must answer
the question.

Yes, I went to a farm.
I wanted to look up some relatives.

Did I do something wrong?
Should I have gotten a permit?

Did you meet
Herr Gromek at this farm?

Gromek? No.

- You're quite sure?
- Yes.

This faculty meeting
must terminate at once.

I don't... Wait, I don't understand.
What is all this?

Your answer is
not satisfactory.

We are not allowed
to speak with you

until the security people have
made further investigations.

Gentlemen, that's ridiculous.

I came 4,000 miles to work
with Professor Lindt, now where is he?

I'm Lindt.

What's this rubbish
about security?

Who gave the order?

Mr. Gerhard, Chief of
State Security Service.

And does Mr. Gerhard know that I have got
to be in Leningrad at any moment?

Gentlemen, I must know
about this Gamma Five work.

Before I leave!

Everybody has orders.

Wait a minute.

You. Is your
assistant with you?

Yes, Herr Professor.
Miss Sherman.

Did she also trespass
on any forbidden farms?

Nein, Herr Professor.

So something is
better than nothing.

She also worked
on Gamma Five.

I want to talk to her.

Come on, gentlemen.

Yack, yack, yack, yack.
You're like chickens.

Miss Sherman.

Please.

Miss Sherman, the faculty
would like to ask you

a few general
questions about...

Fräulein.

Were you not present
at the United States

Gamma Five experiments
in Chicago?

Yes, I was.

Now, start, please, by telling me
what you know about this.

First I want to know,
was this experiment successful?

Come now, Fräulein.

You must cooperate,
Miss Sherman.

It is expected.

I have nothing to tell you.

But it was all agreed.
Isn't that true, Professor Armstrong?

Miss Sherman
agreed to cooperate.

I have nothing to say.

Sarah...

You tell them.
You tell them!

You joined them.
You're the one who sold out.

You tell them,
Professor Armstrong.

Sorry, gentlemen. Miss Sherman's been
under a great strain.

Perhaps if I could be allowed
a few moments with her...

Go. Go.
Do something.

You cackle like hens.
Do something!

But Miss Sherman... Sarah...
This is preposterous, don't you think?

You must show them
that they can trust you.

Surely,
you want to help Michael.

Isn't that so?

Not any longer.
I want to go back.

The police,
the authorities, everybody.

I shall get in
terrible trouble.

Karl, let me talk to her.

She's adamant. Besides, I don't think
the security people...

Oh, the hell with security!
You want her cooperation or not?

Just give me five minutes with her.
After all, she is my girl.

Put that in the past tense.

Be very careful.

Oh, Michael.

Careful. Manfred.

Now, that's everything.

I would have told you before,
except I wanted to wait

until I got what I
needed from Lindt.

Looks like I'm
not gonna make it.

So I've got to get to
Dr. Koska at the clinic,

but you've got to go
back into that room.

Now, I'll tell you precisely
what information to give to Lindt.

But you've got
to act as though

I persuaded you to
go along with me.

You understand?

Oh, Michael!

Professor Lindt looks
well pleased with himself.

That's because he's surrounded
with such lovely company.

He seems to have
taken to you.

Or was it the information
you gave him this afternoon?

Look.

Perhaps it was
a bit of both.

I was glad you were able
to change your mind.

Your little walk with Michael
seems to have had its effect.

Well, I had a chance
to think things over.

Well, thank you, Manfred.

I was able to combine mathematical logic
with romantic inconsistency.

Just so.

There's Dr. Koska
over there.

I'm gonna grab
a dance, all right?

Yes.

Good evening, Professor.

Hello. May I have a dance?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

- Just put it here?
- Yes.

- How are you feeling?
- Oh, I'm feeling fine.

I've been trying to get
in touch with you all day.

I've been out of the city.
What has happened?

The faculty interrogation
this morning? Called off.

For what reason?

I don't know.

The security man, Haupt,

well, he came in and asked me
if I'd been to a certain farm.

I told him yes, I'd
gone to see some relatives.

And then he asked me
if I'd seen Gromek there.

There was nothing I could do.
I lied. I said no.

Everything stopped. They cut off
the interrogation just like that.

Did they give you
any reason?

Uh, no.

But then, you see,
I began to ask myself,

how did they find out
that I had been to a farm?

Well, the taxi driver.
Very simple answer.

So he must have
seen Gromek there, too.

Was Professor
Lindt at the screening?

Oh, yes. And he's
inquisitive as hell.

When he found out that he wasn't
supposed to question me,

he called up Sarah and
asked her to come in.

Now that they know
you lied about Gromek,

you're liable to be
picked up at any minute.

I've got to get you both out and
back to Berlin immediately.

Only to get this far
after all these months' work?

I know. It doesn't make any
difference now. They are too close.

I know.

I suppose you have
told Miss Sherman everything.

Well, I had to,
finally, this afternoon.

That's good.

You won't be able to leave tonight.
Too many people involved.

It has to be
tomorrow morning.

It will take all night
to organize things.

Why, is it
that complicated?

Yes, it is.

Both of you be in my clinic
tomorrow morning,

10:00 punctually,
no baggage.

Oh, Sarah, it's no use.
It's too late.

Don't forget, Mr. Armstrong,
10:00 tomorrow morning.

Ah, Armstrong.

So you're not out
trespassing tonight.

We have some very
nice farms around here.

Well, I decided to
give it a miss tonight.

Michael, I think Professor Lindt
needs a drink.

Yes.

Let us drink the wine

and discuss the harvest.

Armstrong, I think that, Professor,
the Vice Rector's waiting.

Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck.
Let us have some intelligent conversation.

The Vienna waltz.

Did I tell you
that my sister Emily

got knocked down
by a tram in Vienna?

Come on, Karl.
What about a dance?

I'm afraid you must excuse me.
I'm not a very good dancer.

Rubbish! You cannot refuse
such a charming young lady.

I'm afraid you're
hooked, Karl.

Herr Professor Doctor Lindt,
you are neglecting your party.

I'm having a party
with Armstrong.

Now, go, go. Get along.

Dance!

Professor.

What? What?

Well, you must be
quite excited with

what Miss Sherman told you
this afternoon about Gamma Five.

Come on.

I'll tell you, Armstrong.
I have a rule.

I never discuss my
work when I'm having fun.

And never, never over a drink.

Well, I suppose
she told you that

we concluded our
experiment successfully.

I think I would accept that more readily
from the horse's mouth.

Oh, yes,
we built Gamma Five.

Oh, really?

We must get together,
and you can tell me about it.

I have too much beard.

I need a shave
tomorrow morning

at Kaninski's Barber Shop.

9:30.

We had a very
interesting talk.

About farming.

It's 10:10 already.

I was stupid enough to help him
get together with Lindt.

Koska.

Ja.

They found Gromek's body.

Look!

I wonder what happened
to our security man.

He must still be in
front of the barber shop.

This Gamma Five work
of yours sounds interesting.

You're a brilliant young man.

You know, there aren't
many of us, Armstrong.

Here. There is
where the work is done.

The rest is for mechanics.

You said you made
already Gamma Five?

Well, yes. Mind you, but we've only
done the preliminary tests.

Why is that?

We had trouble getting money.

Well, there's nothing
the matter with the theory.

As far as I'm concerned,
the problem's solved.

Solved?

If you solved it, why didn't you
publish the results?

Security.

Ah, security.

On the theoretical level,
you could've published something.

You mean like
you did last year

in the East German
Journal of Physics?

- Oh, you read that paper?
- Oh, yes.

Well, then you know that this thing
you're talking about,

I happened to
have discovered, too.

Possibly. I just think
our methods were different.

How? Well, how different?

Well, here's my workroom.

All my secrets.

Yeah, it's probably the most secret room
in the whole country,

but, you see, no guards.

I find it nice
and familiar.

Oh, yes.

Well?

Velocity, right?

And so...

Omega... X...

You're not going to
work with me, Professor,

if that is the extent
of your knowledge.

Well, I'm not through yet.

I'm afraid, Professor,
you have very little to offer.

You know, Professor,
I came here

because the people
who allocate money in my country

weren't intelligent enough
to pursue a wholly original concept.

That works.

Now.

No, no, no.

It will blow up.

Well, we built it, and it works,
and it didn't blow up.

Four years ago we tried it at Alma-Ata.
It blew up.

Well, then your
equipment was faulty.

Your concept was probably wrong, too.
You misunderstood it.

I? Lindt? Misunderstood?

Rubbish!

You come to me
from the United States, and I...

I don't care if you
come from the moon!

I tell you what
you say is rubbish!

Look. Look.

Professor Armstrong
and Miss Sherman,

you're wanted at once
in the Vice Rector's office.

Huh?

Not so?

What if you took it this way?

And this way?

Oh, no, no, no, no, no!

Go. Learn!

Ah!

Why do you say "ah"?

Well, surely
there's something missing.

But it works! In Russia,
we built it. It works!

My God.

That's brilliant.
You jumped a step, didn't you?

Of course it's brilliant.
It's genius.

The Russians thought I was crazy.
They didn't know I'm Lindt.

They're asking
all the students

of this section
to search for you.

Why? What have you done?

You told me nothing.

You know nothing.

I forbid you to
leave this room!

What does he look like,
this Professor Armstrong?

Search me, like a professor.

What started that
excitement down there?

The police have arrived.

They've come for you.

Please, we've no time.

Just a minute.

I have to get you to
the center of the city.

- I hope you can ride bicycles.
- Yes.

It's only a 10-minute ride.
Come.

We're very late, but we can't
rush it. Ride slowly.

Just a normal outing.

Remember, you must reach our friends
in Berlin before 7:00 tonight.

They say Jacobi can be trusted
to get you there. Good luck.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Herr Jacobi.

This way, please.

I am Mr. Jacobi.

She is worried.
You are late.

Look, I've heard
of organization,

but you mean to say that
the bus line is on our side?

No, this is not
a regular bus.

This belongs to
our organization.

But we travel the same route
as the official Leipzig to Berlin bus.

But we leave 10
minutes ahead of it.

You are not German.

What does it matter?
They are friends.

Police. Police now!
We've never had police before.

Twenty times we
have made this journey.

Be calm. Calm.

They are endangering
our whole enterprise,

because they are
not only foreigners,

but foreigners
wanted by the police.

Which makes our whole enterprise
much more dangerous

than it has
ever been before.

Who are all these people?

They are all friends
of our organization.

Are we all escaping?

Oh, no, Miss.

We do not escape.

We are all
round-trip passengers.

We are members of Pi.

We help others get to Berlin,
and then we come home.

But isn't that very dangerous?

For some people it is more dangerous
to stay here.

Herr Jacobi!

I'm afraid it's a roadblock.
Do you have your identity cards?

Good. And don't speak.

There. They were
looking for the Americans.

We might be stopped again.

Herr Jacobi, what will happen
when the real bus will come along?

What will the police
say then?

Relax.

You heard Heinrich tell them
they were running an extra bus.

- You all right?
- So far.

Well, she will only
have to wait

eight minutes for
the regular bus.

We should be
10 minutes ahead.

We will make up time.

Herr Jacobi.

Another roadblock.

Bandits. Army deserters.

- Is it a holdup?
- Yes.

They will want money. Jewelry
and watches are no good to them.

Soldiers.

Got it.

What's so funny?

Well, it's funny in one way,
but perhaps in another way it's not.

You see, the military have
decided to give us an escort.

I believe we're
under arrest.

We have an escort now.

They say there have been a number
of attacks along this road lately.

Look, we're the ones
who are endangering everybody.

Couldn't we just get off now
like ordinary passengers?

What would you do in the middle of
the countryside like this?

Your next contact
is in the city.

At least we should try
to get you to the outskirts.

My only concern is that now we will
have to behave like a regular bus.

- How do you mean?
- As you see, we pick up no passengers.

Now we will have to stop.
Even if we don't, the police up front will.

Herr Jacobi.

If the police see
that second bus coming,

we'll all be arrested.
Let me off.

Let me off! Let me off!
Let me off the bus!

Fräulein Mann, if you wish,
I will let you off the bus,

but you will not say
anything to the police.

Heinrich, stop.

And you, I hope you get caught
for giving everybody so much trouble.

When we get to Berlin,
who's my next contact?

You will go to
the Friedrichstrasse post office.

Ask for a man called Albert.
I will give you the address.

Herr Jacobi.

It looks like we have to stop.

My God, we'll never make it.

He says the police
have seen the other bus.

We've gotta get off.

You must go now.
Quick. Quick.

Don't forget, the
Friedrichstrasse post office.

Albert.

I wish I'd had the time
to write it down.

Post office, post office.
What the hell was it?

It was something "strasse."

Yeah, I know,
and a man named Albert.

But which post office?

We shall have to ask.

Let me. It's safer.

All right.

Post office?

Post office?

Friedrichstrasse?

Yes, Friedrichstrasse!

Excuse me, please.
You wish information?

À votre service,
mademoiselle.

You are with that gentleman?

Yes, of course you are.
Come, please.

Excuse me, please.
I am the Countess Kuchinska.

I am Polish.

Allow me, please, to offer you
both a cup of coffee.

I'm terribly sorry.
We're in a hurry.

I know.

We're looking for
the Friedrichstrasse post office.

You will take coffee with me,
Professor Armstrong.

Come on. There is
close to here a kawa.

How do you say...
Coffee house. Come on.

Here we are.
Here we are.

Do you have
American cigarettes?

No, I'm sorry.

Then you must
smoke the Russian ones.

You see. Look at these.

Half of it is paper.

Just a little bit
tobacco in this end.

Disgusting! You wish one?

No, thank you.

How exciting to
meet you, Professor.

It is not every
day one meets a spy.

Oh, please.

And his face in
all the papers.

But don't look so worried,
my darling girl.

You are quite safe with me.
I am not communistical.

It will be undrinkable.

Disgusting liquid
they call coffee.

It is no good here.

You see,

I came here from Poland.

I wish very much to go

to the United
States of America.

Unfortunately,
it is necessary to have

friends there.

How you say... Sponsor.

Do you understand me,
my dear girl?

Yes, but...

Is this the best coffee?

And they are
all ignorant here.

Now, I am making
you proposition.

You two will promise
me to be my sponsors

for a visa to
the United States of America.

And in return, I will take you
where you wish to go.

Well?

Drink your coffee.

Sponsors?

Yes!

I'm writing to West Berlin.

To American visa office.

All I need is sponsor.

Will you help me?

Please?

You mean the East Germans
will be willing to let you go?

Oh, sure.

They don't need
an old woman like me.

They let me go if
American take me.

But American don't take me.

Without sponsor.

Michael, why don't we?
If we help her...

Come on.

All right.

Yeah?

You will be my sponsors?

Good. Oh, thank you, my dear.

I knew you were my friend.

Now, I will give you
my address.

You give me yours.

Oh, good!

Oh, good! Wonderful!

In celebration,
I'll pay for the liquid.

Now, I help you.

I'll take you to
the Friedrichstrasse post office.

- How is the name? Who do we want?
- The name's Albert.

Albert?

Herr Albert.

Herr Albert?

Bitte, Herr Albert?

Herr Albert?

What does it say?

It's a travel
agency you have to go to.

Michael!

Come on!

My sponsors.

My sponsors...

For United States of America.

It must be on
the other side of the street.

Hold it.

Well, there's our
travel agency.

Come on.

You picked a bad time to call, Professor.
We had company.

It's all right, Sarah.
This is...

I'm nobody, ma'am.

Just city folk
out taking a stroll.

Judging by what
happened over there,

we should be on
the run ourselves.

But we thought we'd better
hang around until you turned up.

Was it a raid?

Our little organization
is used to this.

We'll just have to set up shop
someplace else.

So you got away
from the bus all right.

Yeah, but we heard firing.
Was anybody hurt?

Hardly a soul.
They scattered too well.

One little flesh wound,
that's all.

That's a pretty good bunch you got there.
What about the bus?

That we don't have anymore.

Michael, that's one
piece of business

we must attend to as
soon as we get back.

If we get back all right.

Thanks. Now, we don't have much time,
so listen what the man says.

We're sending you out by sea
on an East German boat

in the costume baskets
of a Czech ballet company.

It gives its last performance tonight
and goes to Sweden.

Remember,
the boat is East German.

You won't be safe
until you're ashore.

8:00 sharp, I will
bring you to the theater.

You will take your seats one minute
after the house lights go down.

At first intermission,
you'll be taken

through the pass
door backstage

by the baggage
master of the company.

He will know you,
because he has your seat numbers.

Well, is he one of your men?

No, but he wants
to defect, too,

so we're going to
give him a little help.

Here it is.

You'll recognize him.

He has red hair which is not his own,
and his name is Hugo,

but don't give him that money
until after you've landed.

All right.

Listen, if we don't get
a chance to see you again...

You won't, mister.

From the time you reach that
theater tonight, you're on your own.

Shall we go?

- When the... Oh, my God.
- What?

- It's Gerhard.
- Where?

Back that way.

Fire!

Michael!

Michael!

Good luck.

Swing the crane over here.
Over here!

- We're Americans.
- Oh, welcome to Sweden.

Is there someplace we can dry out?
We have passports and money.

Come to our office.
We always keep

a whole stack of
blankets for refugees.

But why were they
shooting at the baskets?

They thought we
were inside them.

Could you ask him why he made
the last-minute switch?

He said he heard
the ballerina describing

how they caught refugees
in the costume baskets on a previous trip.

He got scared this time,
because she was watching too closely.

Say, say! Hello. Hello!

Oh, Michael.