Wsród nocnej ciszy (1978) - full transcript

— Give it to me!

We'll start from the second verse

— It's getting dark, father

It's not safe to go home alone

— You're stupid! It's not dark at 4pm

— Some of us live far away. Until they get home...

— He's right! There was a kid murdered recently...

— But don't be late on next rehearsal!

Since today you'll be getting mark on religion lessons!

— They usually find it with these murdered kids

— Did you bring it to the rehearsal?



— Everybody has one now

They bring to school every newspaper

which says anything about the killings

— Gross! Take it away!

I hope that you don't condone it, Herman!

— No, father

I loathe everything that involves suffering or Police

— Teachers' council had a sitting doday

your cerificate will be excellent!

Did you think about your future yet?

— No, father. I still have so many years
of learning ahead

— I told you to take it easy, mother!

— I'll not let you come home alone!

Those kids were murdered in the middle of the town!



— Excuse me, Wiktor

You could also be hunting the killer

You seem to know so much about him...

Just imagine how cool would it be!

— Man, Waciak couldn't hold it

I know about my certificate

— Is it what you thought?
— Sure

— Congratulations, Wiktor!

— But... you have better chance than the police

They have too much routine, and you are so smart!

— What way are you heading?
— As usual...

— We go other way today. See you

— Fast, slow, fast, slow...

— Hey, what's that?

— It's a tango

It's a new dance, very fashionable!

— How do you know it?

— Goska has a record

Her father brought it from Warsaw

— Wait, a shoelace...

— That guy is following you

— What guy?

— I told you in the morning, he followed you to school

— What is it?
— Come with me!

Is he coming here?
— Sure. Who is it?

— It is Raster

He makes specimens for Biology Institute

He works with dead bodies, he potters in their guts!

— Are you afraid of him?
— It's not this!

— Wrap it up, please!

— This must be something for you!

"Little performer — didactic game for youth"

— See? You will change your looks

so that no scary preparator will recognize you

Like this!

— You look splendid!

— I'll sharpen this sword

I'll cut everybody who gets near you

For I am Ricky Costello!

— Indeed! Ricky Costello!

— Did you come here to have fun?

or you want to buy something?

— We only want to help our parents to choose gifts

— Look, there's so much in the news about this toy

— Drop this disgusting thing!

How can they sell it after all this!

— I am late, excuse me

everything goes wrong today

Tell him you were sleeping

or he'll be angry again

The young sir fell asleep while reading

He's washing hands right now

— Excuse me, I didn't hear the clock

— I didn't tell you to sit down

You must know at what time

the dinner is eaten in this house

— But... Let me explain

— The man who is lying

doesn't deserve to be heard

— But his soup gets cold...

— Take this soup to the kitchen

You will be punished

— Drop this! Drop this immediately!

Begone!
Begone to your room!

Throw it in the furnace!

— Slowly, slowly, faster, faster

— Now, with right leg

— I don't like this tango of yours

— All Europe dances like this!

— It will never catch on

A woman hugging a man in the dance?

— Somebody's ringing?

— Doorbell is ringing!

— It's good you dropped in

We're practising tango right now

— Can you give me the key?

— What happened?

— Just give it to me, please

— But, come in. My parents like you so much

Wait here

— Bernard, who was it?

— It was Wiktor Herman

— Why didn't you bring him in?

— He didn't want to. I think he quarreled with his father

— His father is a monster, he likes to hang people

— What are you talking about?

— Everybody says that!

— He went to the gallows, too

He shot Lewandowski with it

Remember this 7mm?

— "Socha case"

— Yes, I still have a scar after that

— Death sentence, too

— This one only doesn't have his story

for 3 months I stare at this

Maybe this juxtaposition is key to the secret of the killings

— I lied to you

I didn't come here by chance

Pass the case to Chocianowicz

I am asking you as a friend

— The worst detective in our department?

— Don't be stubborn

You know well that this type of murderer

can go unpunished for years

You don't know his motive

which could lead you to him

You must wait for his mistake

Wait for another murdered kid

And one more

The press will not spare you

Public opinion will need a scapegoat

I don't want you to be one

— Who wants the investigation to drag?

— You don't see the severity of the situation

Workers can also shoot at police here

like they did 3 weeks ago in Krakow

This murderer is our big chance

It should be main topic of all newspapers

Even if artificially maintained

— Hey, young man!

Where are you going?

— Don't you recognize me? We keep that boat over there

— What happened?

Is it your father again?

— I'm not coming home

Any excuse is good to torment me

— He is a bit rough

but he loves you in his own way

— He hates me, he doesn't like you either

He hates everybody I make friends with

He's just sick when sees me smiling

I'm not coming back home

I'll go to Gdansk to enlist on a ship

worst helpmate has better life than me

— What about our boat then?

We put so much work in it

Wiktor, I was looking forward to the holidays

Just think about it, Wiktor

3 months together

Nobody else, just two of us

— He will never let me go on this voyage

— He must agree, we'll make up something

We still have 6 months till holidays

We'll figure out something to change his mind

— You don't know him

If he decides something, nothing changes his mind

— Do you know how could we gain his grace?

You must find the killer

You know all details of the investigation

You have access to your father's notes

Nobody else has all this

— They know nothing anyway

It is a very dull case

— They have too much routine

You have to look in some dives

Burglars and bank robbers go to nice restaurants

and the murderer can only spend time in some dive

I know some places

The point is just to go and watch

I'll help you in this, you can count on me

— Everything looks so simple when we are together

I even believe I can trace the killer

— What are you doing outside so late?

— The pump has frozen, I had to go to another one

— Can't your father bring the water?

— My father isn't here

— Wait, I'll help you

— No, thanks

— Wait, I'll help you

Wait, don't run!

— Mother! Mother!

— What did you do to the girl?

— I didn't do nothing, she just fell

— You like harassing children? Who are you?

— Go away! You're crazy!

— Catch him! Police!

Catch him!

Catch him! Help!

— People are expecting peaceful christmas

— We're doing everything we can

— This is not the answer!

— I'll not tell you anything else

— Apparently, a proof is charging some important personage

— I know nothing about this proof

— What is hindering the investigation?

— We do everything according to the book

— These are only excuses and generalizations

Public opinion expects an overwhelming response

— Who let these journalists in?

— Superintendent's order!

— I'll not pass the case to anybody

Nothing will force me to do so

— I give you my word that the murderer

will be hunted with all our powers

And that he'll be brought to gallows

I will personally arrest him!

— Regardless of who he is?

— Regardless of his descent and position!

— Long live Winter break!

— Away with school!

— Man, we are so in [---]

It just struck 2 o'clock!

— I know! I have my watch, man!

— Come with me!

— So this is this seclusion of yours?

— Do you like it?

— The place is rather gloomy

— Doesn't it feel familiar?

— No. How should I know it?

— From the newspaper photos

The first murdered kid was found here

Where we just stood

In summertime it's beautiful here

You hear the siren first

Only after the tugboat comes from beneath the bridge

Sit down

Just think... It arrives in Gdansk in two days

— Somebody is standing there

— I come here always when my father nags me

I hoped once that the killer finds me here

— Come on! It's just six months!

Wiktor, think! In six months somebody else

will watch us sailing into the main river

from behind that bridge

— Close your eyes!

— And open my mouth?

— No, eyes are enough

Look, now!

— Wiktor! You're smashing!

The real sailor's knife!

— Look, it has a skewer for knots

two blades, a screwdriver

— Wonderful! Now you close your eyes

— Ok

— Your hand... the other way

So you don't need to rely on the siren

— But... I can't accept this

It's sure very expensive

— It's done. And let's not talk about it.

— Bernard, you have no clue how much I like you

— We'll be the best crew that ever took it to the seas

Isn't it right?

— Look, a wonderful two-mast boat comes your way

— Yes, a brigantine

— Good afternoon

the intendent asked me to tell you

that you have lunch without him

I'm here just for the moment, thank you

to pick up something from the office. Hello, Wiktor!

How is school?

— It's a Winter break now

— I need to take something to be photographed

your father gave me keys but

I don't like to pick through the locker

— I am not allowed even to get near

— Sure

— It's enough that I enter this room

for my father to make a scene

— I didn't expect it to be this small

Just like a toy, isn't it?

— I never saw a real revolver this close

— A revolver you can see in the drawer,

it has a drum

This is a pistol, caliber 0.6

— Can you kill with such a small gun?

— Of course! With exactly such a gun

that killer is killing children

— And... It's enough to pull trigger?

— Do it

— It's so easy to kill a man

— It's very easy

— And he shows them that toy...

— Yes

— He approaches from this side

and shows them the toy like this

he kills at very short distance

It gives him pleasure... a contact

with a helpless, trustful victim

then he walks by

and draws the gun behind the back

and puts it to the head

— Will you pull the trigger?

— Don't pretend, I know you aren't sleeping

Waniek was taking something from the locker

Where are the keys?

He left them in the lock

— I don't know. I am not allowed into your room

— You're lying!

For some time you poke through the papers

in my desk despite you're forbidden to!

Where are the keys?

Would you get up when I'm talking to you?

— Bernard is going away for Christmas

his train leaves in forty minutes

let me say a farewell to him

— I told you that at 10 you have to be at home

I can't remember to be changing my mind

— But he's my best friend!
I can't remember to be changing my mind

— But he's my best friend!

— I forbid!

— I beg you, let me go! Just this time!

— How dare you insist when I told you NO!

We will talk tomorrow!

— I don't want to talk!

You won't get it anyway!

— I'll show him!

— Sit down!

— What's up, gentlemen!

— This squit is eavesdropping!

— It's Jarenko, he's deaf!

— Let him not stare at me this way!

— Put your nose in the mug!

Or I turn you out!

They don't like it when you stare at them!

You got it?

— We try to contact you for three days!

We agreed you report to me every day!

I was clear about it in last debriefing!

You made out your task I think

— He says that nothing interesting...

The harbor... small traffic...

In pubs... nothing interesting...

— I will decide what is interesting

— Stepek

— What's that?

— The name...

It came up during talk

He doesn't know the first name...

... a seaman ... he works on a ship

— Write exactly what they were saying

— "He smashed her nose" ...?

"but he paid well and said to come again"...

Is that all?

— It's dark in the pub, he can hardly see people's lips

— It's not much for three days

Tomorrow at 3 o'clock

— What are you laughing at?

— Mr Intendent has a competition

Your son is serious about tracking the murderer

He was in the pub yesterday, with a friend

— Fool! My son going to the pub!

— May I get in?

— Please!

Stop here!

Check if that Stepek has a record

If not, check in seafare offices

— He's young, so has good health!

No matter how cold it is, he comes here every day

Let's drink one!

— You have a guest

— What do you want?

Strangers aren't allowed here

— It's not that you stop everybody!

— His father let him come, so it's not up to me

— His father?

Did you talk to him?

I talked or not, it's out of your business

Do I have to unleash the dog?

What is it? You're leaving?

— I will leave my easels with you. I collect them later

Your father is over there... he followed you

If you don't want to see him, come with me

I'll walk you through the shore

— What are you looking for, sir?

— I am waiting for that boy

— That boy? He left long time ago

— I am standing here all the time, I'd see him

— Maybe they took another route

They went where they wanted

— What does it mean "they"?

— His father. They went through the frozen canal

— Stepek, Stepek... what's his first name?

— Unfortunately, I don't know

— We'll check everybody with that name

— Maybe I'll do it myself

— The name can be misspelled

It was conveyed by a deaf man
— The name can be misspelled

It was conveyed by a deaf man

— Both upper shelves and half of the third are for S

Here you have the directory

— Give me 4312

— No answer, there's nobody at home

— You didn't wait enough, try again!

— That Stepek doesn't have a record

I only found a Genowefa Stopka's file

— Hello?

— Still nothing?

— Still no answer, I'm sorry

— The deaf man could have read it wrong

— Thank you

What is it?

... brawls ...

... fencing ...

... prostitution ...

— I doubt if there's anything for us
... prostitution ...

— I doubt if there's anything for us

— I'd like to ask you about something

Just that it's private matters

and you can refuse

— Go on, Mr Intendent

— You will take a car

And check if my son is at home

I just can't get through

We'll catch up at Bednarska Str. 7

— I wanted to tell you yesterday

I even came to your door

but I didn't dare

I know who lets those journalists in

— I know

Thank you

— Gentlemen! It's Herman! I recognize his car!

Follow him, he wants to sneak out!

— Somebody was knocking?

— I don't think so...

— Leave the bottle and wait in the staircase!

I told you not to tinker with the gramophone!

What?

You'll get nothing, I paid rent in the morning

— I am not a bailiff

I am here just to talk to you

— Gienio... throw this guy away!

— Oops, Mr Intendent...

— Gienio, take your duds and get lost!

— It's a cop

— You still operate in attics, Gienio?

— I don't know what are you talking about, Mr Intendent

— So, what do you want?

— I need your husband

Where is he?

— I have nothing to do with that scum

You can look for him if you wish

— But Mrs Stopka... you are getting into trouble

Serious trouble...

At least 2 years for fencing...

For prostitution you'll get blacklisted...

This kind of tenant is not welcome

even if they pay rent

You'll get evicted, and it's wintertime...

— God damn you!

Let the plague come on you, you fuckers!

I told you I have nothing to do with him

I mean it!

What do you want to frame me in?

— You got into it by yourself

On September 14...

— You fucker...

He reported it...

— He didn't need to report

Neighbors can see everything

— I had to show hime I could do anything

if he's not leaving the kid alone

Give me a cigarette

I swear to God I didn't want to kill him

When he...

... returned from the military

He was sort of broken

Not good for work, neither for bed

He used to keep quiet for a whole day

He got up from his pallet

only to beat me up

Son of a bitch

He knew I had to endure

— Maybe he suspected the child

to not be his own

— Maybe he suspected!

the real cop you are!

He was enough to see that much

and he was ready!

Don't come here!

Stay in the staircase!

Wait...

What if he didn't report that?

Why are you asking me all this?

— Mrs Stopka, you are able to manage every man

But did you really need

to spill the boiling water on him?

— Did I have to wait till he kills my child?

He only waited that I leave

to rough up the little guy!

— It's your business now to prove he's still alive

and we need to see him to believe

You knew his friends

You knew places he was going to

I wrote the phone number and address here

You have time until tomorrow

— Wiktor is not at home

I also went to Pirets' place

but their son left for the mountain resort
It's a Winter break now

— They deal with marital issues!

Instead of looking for the criminal!

It's fearful to let children out to play!

My mite...

My sweet angel

— Wiktor didn't come for the rehearsal today

— Excuse me

— Christmas Eve is in two days, Mr Intendent

And you promised calm Christmas to the people

Why are you so upset?

Everybody must earn the living

This time you will not send anybody to the gallows

You became victim yourself

It's a good title for a piece...

Murderer's third victim!

You should resign, you have lost!

Please, hit me, Mr Intendent!

I'll get extra money for the Christmas!

Hit me! Go on!

— Where have you been all afternoon?

— I have choir rehearsal on Wednesdays

— I asked where have you been,
not where you should have been

— I cannot tell you this

— It means that you did something you're forbidden

— Other fathers don't forbid so many things

— I care not for others!

Your father is guarding law and order!

People look at you in a different way

than they look at your pals

Say something!

I want to talk to you

Didn't it come to your mind

that I could be worried about you?

— That's why you started to spy on me?

— Excuse me for this

— You wanted to talk to me

— Sit down

— I got it from Bernard

we exchanged gifts for Christmas

— You should not accept such expensive gifts

you will not be able to repay him

with anything of this kind

They will demand me to resign at any moment

The press will nose about any lapse

I'll be attacked by the newspapers

They will try to destroy everything

I was struggling to build all those years

Please

try not to cause any more trouble

Don't go to any pubs

Don't investigate by yourself

I am happy for mutual understanding

That's why you return the watch to Bernard

— But father, he is my best friend

— Nobody's giving such a costly gift with no reason

— This is friend's gift, you cannot demand it from me!

Please, I'll do anything but this!

— You will... even before Christmas

There are matters in life

that need to be ultimately solved!

They need courage, I believe though

that you're brave enough

Needless to say, you will not see each other

— It's impossible!

— You break all contact with him!

starting from now

— I'll not do it! You cannot demand this from me!

— Give me a break!

[singing about a child being murdered in the park]

— What bloodstains? Gentlemen!

What are you talking about? It's paint!

I swear to God, it's paint!

I was painting cages for my rabbits!

— You're lying!

— 3 months ago you didn't have any rabbits

— What did you do on October 9 in Zarzecze?

— Strike me dead if I'm lying, I have never been there!

— You've been seen there!

— I checked all shipping companies on this river

Nobody hired him in last 3 months

It's impossible that he sailed anywhere in the area

I only found a record in St. Lazarus hospital

"He seeked help on Sept. 14

with burns on left side of his face"

He left after being bandaged

— We have the guy reported by the deaf

— Take him to my office, and check the record

— I made much better with military headquarters

"District Recruiting Office"

Excuse me

Look at the "penalties" section

— 14 days of close arrest for mistreating cart horses

Stopek was a mechanic

He served in car workshops

— If he hid somewhere in a barge
to wait through the Winter...

We'll not see him before the ice breaks

— What is it, Mr Intendent?

I am finished with the tobacco!

— What tobacco?

— The smuggling of tobacco from Gdansk

I did it only once!

"Checked — no record"

— We are interested in this man

you must know him

— It's Stepek

— Stopek. Juliusz Stopek

— Juliusz? They called him a "Kitten" anyways

— Because he's so nice?

— No, it's after that toy

— When did you last time see that Kitten?

— About 3 months ago. He was a stoker in Rusalka

— Where is he now?

— They say a woman poured boiling water
on his face

So he is not into showing himself

— Nobody has seen him ever since?

He had to make a living, work somewhere

Somebody must have looked after him

You said he was bringing women?

beating them up, and then paying them

So they wouldn't report?

— I said that?

— Four days ago in "Retman's" pub

— How do you know that?

— We ask questions, and you talk about Stopek

So what was he like?

— A mischievous and cowardly bastard

It's enough to yell at him that he shits himself

— Did he mention his wife, his child?

— He had a child? He never talked about it

— You must have seen something or heard

about his attitude to children

— Do you think so? That Kitten... those children?

That's impossible...

— Why impossible?

— He's a coward!
— Cowards can murder, too

— He respected children!
— What do you mean?

— He like them, he even gave them toys

He torn a photo of another mechanic's son
that he put over his bed

that the kid wouldn't watch naked ladies

— What did that kid on the photo look like?

— Like... I don't remember!

— If I lock you up for couple of days
your memory gets clearer!

— A blonde, curly hair

6 or 7 years old

— One more question

That nickname... "a kitten" or something

It's after a toy

— Exactly! It's after this toy!

He bought a lot of this from a mariner in Gdansk

He thought we was going to make a business

but nobody was buying

— Move it! move it!

— Are you maybe sailing to Gdansk?

— No, we're on a way to Wloclawek for grain

... take it on a second platform!

[Speaking in German]

— Fuck off!

— You're Polish!

— I told you to leave!

— I'll go now, but I wanted to talk to you

— Fuck off!

What is it? Make it quick!

— You're sailing back to Gdansk?

I'd like you to haul my boat

I have some money, I can pay

You only talk to the skipper

— You better get out now
for when your father learns about it...

He'll skin you alive

— I don't have a father, I have nobody

— You're dressed too well for an orphan

Your old man must have made it hard for you

that you intend to escape

how much do you have?

— 3.5 Million Polish Marks

maybe it's not much, but the boat isn't big neither

it's moored in the wreckage area

I can show you there

— I expected from you

better understanding of the situation

It was supposed to be the "war in the news"

not the war against the press

— Mr Governor, these seized articles

were just brutally attacking the police

created resentment was making
the investigation impossible!

— We were talking about this a week ago

I thought you understood
about what resentment I was talking about

I didn't mean resentment against police

or against some officers

I am sure you will revise your decision
regarding the seizure

— I understand, Mr Governor

— And, regarding the press

You promised to the community

that you catch that murderer
before Christmas

Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

— I never did any promise like that

it was invented by the grubs from "Kurier"

— I am not interested by your opinion
about journalists

Public opinion, however, is based on the press

And the press demands radical advances!

This case is not a local news anymore

The whole country is disgusted

with the murderer's impunity!

— We put all our energy into this investigation

And no external pressures will make it faster!

— You must have got me wrong

There is no pressures to speak of, Mr Intendent

You are respected as an exceptional

police officer and criminologist

I am myself a supporter of your writings

regarding maintaining the death sentence

It would be a big harm for all of us

if you became a prey for the public opinion

You perfectly know what it's capable of

— If you expect me to resign

my answer is: no

We maybe differ in understanding of "public opinion"

but I promised to the community

that I catch the murderer

And I will do it even if I had

to sacrifice all my life

or conclude the investigation on my own

And no power exists that could

release me from this promise

— We have certain trace, Mr Governor

Juliusz Stopek

Many traces lead to him as a murderer

He is hiding somewhere for last 3 months

We issue warrants even today!

— Many traces...

Congratulations, gentlemen!

The public opinion will be very happy to see

the photograph of the murderer
in the uniform

Thank you, gentlemen

Connect me quickly with Warsaw

with Military Police Headquarters

— I only need the photograph

— No! It's our only chance

— Yours. I cannot cover you anymore

I know the message I will find in my office

— Give me just 3 days... 2!

then I renounce the investigation

— I must leave, unexpectedly. I'll be back after Christmas

I wish you all the best! Merry Christmas

— Here are these gentlemen

— Good evening

— I'm intendent Herman from investigative department,

and detective Stefan Waniek

We're on the case of the murdered children

You must have heard about it, doctor

— I'm shocked with this murders

Are you following any trace already?

— Exactly. We'd like to ask you for help, doctor

On September 14th

You were giving first aid to certain Juliusz Stopek

— It was the day when they brought that

German stoker from 'Annelore'

You remember, doctor, stabbed with a knife

It's here, the surgical register

— Yes, I remember now...

Burns of left part of the face

He didn't come for changing the bandages

— Does this kind of burn leave
permanent scar?

— It depends on treatment

In any case, after 3 months
the scar is still visible

— Exactly...

Finding the murderer
depends on you very much, doctor

This is Mr Grabski, he's a painter

Is it possible, with your help

that he marks on this photograph

the scars or disfiguration
of this part of the face

which has been burned...

It's the only possibility
of issuing warrant right now

— Only approximately...

Only if Mr Painter familiarizes himself

with professional literature

And looks at some similar wounds...

— We need it today, hours matter in this case

— Has that burned fireman been discharged yet?

— His family will take him tomorrow morning

— Please, follow me

— It's not allowed to smoke in here

— Excuse me

— This are gifts for the poor

We have many unemployed patients

— You are going to spend
the Christmas Eve at your son's

— Our son is in the cruise

We didn't see each other for 2 years

— I am sorry about this, you told me already

Would you have anything against
that you and your wife

spend the Christmas Eve together with us

We'd be very happy to host you at my house

— I am sure that my wife, same as me

will like the idea very much

— Thank you very much

I just recalled something important

Excuse me now, I'll be at home

— I'd prefer something else

— What age is your son, Madam?

— 14 years old

— We'll find something in no time!

— Here are examples, look at this

Winettou...

Here... Chaplin...

— Sir, do you have Ricky Costello?

— Ricky Costello? Of course!

Here he is! Ricky Costello!

Wait, we'll have a try

Yes... Here goes moustache

Show yourself to daddy

now to your mummy

— This is really ingenious!

— Sure it is!

— Good that you came earlier today, sir

You have the food prepared for all 2 days

You just have to warm it up and eat!

— Dear Katarzyna, I just wanted to ask you to stay

I invited guests for tomorrow

— There will be Christmas Eve?

— What's so strange about it?

— There wasn't Christmas Eve for so many years...

My son-in-law will wait for me on the station

— Katarzyna, please!

— Wiktor?

Why don't you go to buy a Christmas tree?

— A Christmas tree?

— Yes, a Christmas tree! I don't know how much it costs

This should be enough. And get some baubles, too

— Good evening, Mr Intendent at home?

— He's is here

— I've got it! He's done a good job!

— Not bad!

— The shirt is overdone, I don't like it!

— It's okay, he covered the uniform this way

Make copies and send them to all newspapers

It will be published tomorrow

What is it? Are you okay?

— Julius!

Where are you?

— What happened?

— Do you know this man?

Come here, downstairs

— You fucking brat!

I told you to stay away!

— You have to flee!

Police sent your photo to newspapers!

— What police? What photo?

What are you talking about?
Who sent you here?

— They have your photo from military register!

They'll issue a warrant tomorrow

You'll be all over the newspapers!

You are suspected of killing those children!

You are being traced for a week now

— What are you talking about?

— My father is police commissioner!

He is leading investigation

— Does your father know that your here?

— I didn't tell him

— Do you think I murdered those children?

— No!

I don't know, sir

— You are afraid, aren't you

Why did you come?

— You promised to take me to Gdansk

If they arrest you, I won't be able to leave

— You really want to leave, don't you

Your father is a policeman even at home

— Where to?

— I left my bag upstairs,
I have a hat and a coat for you

I will hide you in a good place

It's only 2 days, you sail off after Christmas

— Sit there and move not!

[singing about a child being murdered in the park]

— Repeat the address, please

— Like I said, Sadowa 13

— Give me your name, please

— It isn't worth checking out, it must be a joke

— I told you, we'd check every report

And no shoot-outs, I need him alive

Intendent Herman speaking

— We're here, in Zarzecze,
there's nobody with this name in here

— Too bad, come back to the HQ

— It was true, he even had a scar
on left side of his face

except that he was 62, and on a wheelchair

— Intendent Herman speaking...

— It will only begin tomorrow...

It's Christmas Eve today, people have no...

— You will never catch him!

Never!

You have to resign!

You're compromised!

Compromised!

You have to give up!

— Don't put it back!

It's Herman! Check the connection with my desk!

— Just a moment

Are you there?

— Sure I am!

— You're connected to the post office no. 2

with the public phone

— Connect me to there! Quickly!

— It's public phone service

— You just connected a line to the number 4800

Who was on the phone?

— A boy, with a student's hat

I knew it was a joke

He ran away, even didn't hang the phone

Yes, I remember...

He was dressed in a fur coat

Are you there? Hello?

Are you there?

— Thank you

— You are bold... What do you want?

— Is it you here? Next to my mother...

May I have a shot of vodka?

— I have only one glass

— It's okay

We often drink rum from one glass,
with my friend

The old mariner's habit

— Here

— You shouldn't have come to me today
with this

Christmas Eve is not a good moment
for this kind of things

— I need to know everything about my mother
before I escape

— You don't like your father

— He can't bear it that I have my own affairs,

or friends who I appreciate

He is a bad man

He killed my mother!

— Your mother committed suicide!

— He's driven her to do it!

— Your father is a good man!

And you are the only one

from whom he can expect love!

And he needs it a lot, particularily now

— No!

I will not stay at home

He will never agree for me
to go on a journey

I will not give it up

He never wanted to understand me

— You wanted to be considered a grown-up

Drink up! To the last drop

And now listen... You go back home

And forget everything that happened
between you two

And put the photograph back in place

She caused too much pain to your father

She was egoistic

She was looking around for people

who would assist her in making it to the world

You read my letters so
I don't need to remind you

that I disappointed her

It was rather me

who is to blame for her death

I disappointed your father, too

— We'll never reconcile

He will not change his mind

He never does

Something extraoridinary would need to happen

Something that would break him

Third murder maybe

— Dare not even to think about it!

He is your father!

— I'm not afraid anymore

This key is my advantage

— You're drunk!

Wait!

It's Christmas Eve today

It's a gift for you

I painted it for you

— My solitude!

You knew I was going to come

— Sooner or later you must have come

— He must have run out of money

I didn't know how much these things cost

— Maybe a bit of cottonwool will do

it will make up for snow

— You're right!

Look! Here is some frippery from last year!

— Mr. Teofil, everything is so well prepared

that I could become a hostess tonight

— But... That would be abuse of your courtesy

— My pleasure!

You can't disappoint your children

They are waiting for you!

— Thank you so much...

I wish you all the best! Good bye!

— Thank you

— A bullet hole

Shot from a small distance

They'd be happy to see this one
in the laboratory

Almost intact...

— He must have got the drawer open
When I lost the keys

The drawer was unlocked all day long

— Boys like guns, you know

— I'll skin him alive...

— What counts is that he didn't get hurt

— Where have you been?

I told you the guests were coming!

You were drinking!

We will talk later!
But remember...

I have almost run out of indulgency

You were at the rehearsal in the church

— Good evening

— The missing one! At last

— Excuse me for being so late, but
the rehearsal lasted so long...

— I wish you all the best, Wiktor

lots of success at school

— Thank you, all the best for you

— Have your dreams fulfilled, Wiktor

— Thank you, all the best for you

— This is a gift for you

— Best wishes

— The same to you

— Dear Mr. Stefan... Best wishes
— All the best!

Everything will be fine, I wish you that

— Thank you very much

— This is a gift for you

— Hand painted!

— Very nice!

— Thank you, Wiktor. It's really nice!

— Soup will get cold

And it's so tasty!

— Katarzyna is a perfect cook!

— You're right, she's a good housekeeper

— Do you know who painted that picture?

— Grabski, maybe? He's a skilled painter

— Boleslaw Raster, former police doctor

He's a very skilled man

We understand each other very well

He also loves sea, ships etc.

— Too bad he's a drunkard
vodka destroyed him

— Aren't you curious of your gift, Wiktor?

I remember when I looked in
all nooks and corners

for presents prepared for us for Christmas

Of course, my sister couldn't keep it secret

So it always ended up with sound thrashing

— Really, I am so thankful

It's so nice that you keep us company tonight

— Wow, it's a great thing

We looked at it in the shop, with my friend

— Collect the plates!

— I will bring the fish!

— Wiktor will do it! You're the guest, sit down!

— Thank you!

— Look, what nice toys kids have these days!

We only had lead soldiers and rocking-horses

Look! It's cool isn't it?

Remember who wore a beard like this?

— Intendent Braniek!

— Oh yes, dear sirs!

— Please, don't touch it!

— Excuse me

— It is true what they write in newspaper?

That if even one more child dies
then they take the case away from you?

— You shouldn't talk this nonsense they write there

Especially at the Christmas Eve

The supper isn't over, sit down!

— Did you know? There's no ice on the river this Winter

That tugboat from Gdansk was a real suprise!

— How do you know it was from Gdansk?

— Can't you see how he's treating me?

It had a flag, and a sign "Danzig"

— Ships from Gdansk don't have permanent agent here

— "Annelore" has an engine with the power of 350 SH

and top speed of 11 knots!

— "Annelore"?

— Exactly! Such a giant and they named it after a lady!

— The stoker who was admitted to the hospital

on the day when Stopek also arrived there

was from "Annelore"...

— Stopek worked as a stoker once

— I will call for two men!

— Wait...

Mrs Helena, please excuse us

It wasn't very happy Christmas Eve

Excuse me for everything

— I'll walk you home

I have to be in the church in an hour, it's on the ay

[Singing a carol in German]

— Good evening

Who is a skipper in here?

— It's me

— Police!

Do you know this man?

— It's Julius, my stoker

— We want to talk to him
— He isn't here

He's got family in town

— When did he go to town?
— Yesterday

— A boy came to pick him up

— Where is his stuff?

— Do you have a search warrant?

— He is suspected murderer

There is no time for paperwork

— Gustav, you sleep there with the Pole

show Mr Intendent the place

This is his locker

There's nothing in there

This is his chest

— I need to ascertain... What's this?

A tool for sweeping the furnace

Stopek used it on the ship

My kids started to cry, and my wife said

she would throw me away...

If it weren't for you...

I wouldn't come here for sure!

— Thank you

— Yes... I am sure now

The fingerprints which you just brought

and the ones we took from the toys

belong to the same person

— So... Stopek is a murderer!

Thank you very much

Go back home to your kids. Merry Christmas!

— And same for you

— At Stopkowa's place we found only Gienio

No signs that Stopek returned home

We did the search and interviewed neighbors

— The skipper said that a boy picked him up

— It wasn't Stopkowa's son. He has measles

He wouldn't be leaving bed!

— Stopek is in town!

Let's observe all roads, railway station

We'll search all houses... He can't escape!

— There is only five of us!

and a handful of plain policemen

Everybody is at the Christmas Eve

We have to wait till the morning

— Wait... wait... wait...

— What's that?

— Midnight call

It is Christmas already

[Singing a carol]

— Thank you very much

— It is wrong if you don't give a dime

— May Lord lead you

— Thank you!

— Hey, it's my turn!

That's what we arranged! Why did you take it?

— You got more!

— I got more for I was reciting! And I sang better!

— Stop bitching or I kick your ass!

Who bought stuff to make the stable?

— What's this?

— I told you to not take him with us!
With whom is he dragging there?

— It's the guy who was standing at the gate,
Ricky Costello

— Do you know him?

— I saw him there

— We can sing something else this time

— "Shepherds Came to Bethlehem"

— What are the words?

— Nobody can hear it, come on

— Somebody was shooting

— Just into the air!

— People do it during Easter!

— Jarek! Jarek!

— These weren't usual rubbers...

These were high snow-boots, worn over shoes

Quite unworn, the sole mark is quite clear

— We can only rehearse one of them...

Mr Intendent...

We can only rehearse one of these lads

In his house

The younger boy who discovered the body,
is in shock

The doctor didn't allow any contact with him

— Photograph whole body first, and then the face

— I'd prefer no questioning of him

he's so frightened

— You'll be present

Sit down!

— Where have you been when it happened?

— We were in Rybacka street... leave me!

— And you heard the shots over there?

— Wladek had heard them, I was singing then

The shot was very quiet...
— What did you do then?

— Mr Intendent...

— We started to call Jarek

We even ran to Chrzanowski's house

I didn't feel like looking for him

I was angry at him... So I waited

Wladek went alone and...

found him near the canal

— Mr Intendent... I don't want him

to be in shock like Wladek!

— Excuse me please

How did that man look? Did you see him?

— Yes I did
— How was he dressed?

— He had that large green coat
— Yes I did
— How was he dressed?

— He had that large green coat

like anglers on the canal

and snow-boots on his feet, worn over shoes

— And the head?

— A green hood!

— Did you see his face? His eyes, his nose?

— I didn't see him close

Ricky Costello!

Wladek said: Ricky Costello!

— Whos is that Ricky Costello?

— A crazy monk! He fought Spaniards in Mexico!

— Forgive me, but I had to come

— I see...

Waniek will lead the investigation

he knows the matters very well

— Do you have any new clues?

— Again... shot in the back of the head

Same caliber gun, same small box

... with a kitten

— Doesn't anything bother you?

Until now... Stopek chose blonde boys as victims

And now...

— It must be a coincidence

Are you going to town? Will you give me a ride?

— Sure

— I didn't get anything new from him

That friend of his knows much more

I'll try to get to him anyways

— You will lead the investigation by yourself
from now on

The intendent has different assignment now

You report everything in person

— Mr Intendent ...

You will be the one to arrest the murderer

I promise it to you

— Mr Skipper!

— Stopek didn't come. I'll send him to hell!

He's delaying ship's departure!

— Who's seen him last time in here?

How did that boy look who came for Stopek?

— A nice blond guy

About 16 years old

dressed in sheepskin coat

— Did he carry anything?

— He had a bag with stuff

He left it on board

Was it this boy?

Yes, I can recognize him.
Although he's without glasses here

— Too bad, I drank it all

But... I wouldn't treat you anyways

— It's cold in here

— It's not supposed to be warm in here!

— May I sit down?

— Sure

— I've seen you follow Wiktor

— He likes to hang out on the river alone

It's not safe there now

— Did he come to see you?

— I didn't want it

— They come to you, despite you want it not

From me they run, though I need them so much

— You earn honors, medals, respect in scientific papers

— Don't go...

You were my only friend

Only friend I have eved had

Tell me, please

— Only your resignation would change you

It comes after one more murder

— Did she hate me as well?

Intendent Herman's Dismissal

Why Intendent Herman Had to Go?

Intendent T. Herman Dismissed

— Sit down

Is this a compass?

— A marine compass

— Do you know how to use it?

— I do

— Wiktor, I know what you feel towards me

I can understand you in some sense

I admit that I realized too late

what happened

I didn't understand some things, or

I understood in a wrong way

Wiktor, I would like to set it right

You may still be friends with Bernard

I have nothing against you inviting him here

— He is in the mountains now

but will be back after tomorrow

— Good, you can continue your preparations

for the journey

— Did you know about it?

— You forgot you father is a policeman

I knew about it all the time

even about you working on that boat

— "The Champion", we'll fix it in Spring

You have no idea how skilled I became

I can use toold like professional boatbuilder

— This if for looking at marine maps?

— You need no tools for looking at the maps

Sit here

Look

— Just a bit unsharp...

— You didn't regulate it

Look now

— What's this?

— Malacca

— Malacca?

— French Indochina

And this... Sulawesi

— Sulawesi ...

— No, stay here. It's for me

Please, sit down

You must have your own remarks and decisions

Please, tell me

— For the first time I am here ...

I would like to ...

I don't know how ... It's really hard ...

For the sake of our long collaboration ...

And ...

I'd really appreciate if you ...

If you ...

let me use the word "friendship"...

— It's proper word, Mr Stefan

I value so much your loyalty

and your intellect

You're an excellent detective

And a noble man

— I went once again to the tugboat ...

I wanted to know how did he look ...

... that guy who came for Stopek

It could not be his son

— I know who it was

I was there hours ago

— That Ricky Costello, who fought in Mexico ...

I thought that boy just babbled in fear

He's a character in stories for children

You maybe know ...

— I have a son, Mr Stefan

I was throwing that stuff of his to trash myself

— I acquired of number of these stories

They have illustrations

I have them here in this folder

Ricky Costello is in there

It seemed so unlikely to me ...

that I asked that painter who helped us

with Stopek's photograph

We made it to the hospital

So Grabski painted portrait of the murd.......

He painted a portrait of the killer according to

the testimony of that ...

boy who has seen him close

These are the only copies

I told the painter that the experiment failed

and I destroyed rest of the sketches

Can this be a mistake?

Mr Intendent ...

Maybe it is a coincidence?

for God's sake! Mr Teofil!

Tell me it isn't true

I will anything for you

Just give orders

— Under whatever pretext, get rid of police posts

between river's curve and wrecks' cemetery
— Under whatever pretext, get rid of police posts

between river's curve and wrecks' cemetery

We will arrest Stopek there

— Wiktor, I want to ask you about something

Can you find my rubbers I used for angling?

I will need them tomorrow

I'll go to sleep, I got a headache

Wiktor, wake up

— What is it?

— You were interested in the murderer of these children

You even wanted to catch him yourself

— It was a childishness

— Wouldn't you like to be witness of his arrest?

To take part in a real police action?

— It would be really cool

— You understand that young guys

are normally not taken to such actions

I wouldn't like the press to write any unpleasant stuff

Do you know where the old wrecks' cemetery is?

— Behind the timber port?

— Exactly. We'll go there separately

Be careful not to be seen

I will follow you closely

— Wasn't it supposed to be here?

— No

I have an impression I was here before ...

— You really don't recognize?

You know it from the painting I gave you

— Oh yes, the Christmas gift
You know it from the painting I gave you

— Oh yes, the Christmas gift

The same gloomy house in the backdrop

— Please, forget about it

— Excuse me, I have already forgotten

— Will you signal beginning of the action?

— Yes. They will flush him from the port

so he will run through here

— But he will turn away when he sees us!

— When he sees a man and a boy

he will not get suspicious

— There is no policeman to be seen

— They are well hidden

— I used to come here to cry because of you

— Wiktor, I've forgotten so should you

— Excuse me, I've forgotten, too

— Cheer up

Look over there

Try to think it's your way to the sea

— It's the "Five Whistles Curve". Do you know why?

There is a shallow before the bridge

The ship arriving from upstream

Signals five times with the siren

It means "Don't overtake"

And then when she reaches this tip

She has to give two long signals

It's a signal for opening the sluice

Dear Mr Intendent

I know I lack courage to tell you about it

so I am writing

You remember that bullet we found in the book

You said that Wiktor fired from your pistol cal. 6

I had that bullet examined

It is identical to the one we found in the

head of the child murdered yesterday

And came from the same gun

Please destroy this letter

so it doesn't fall into wrong hands

— Let them close the road from the river's curve

— Should I go with you?

— I am sure you know what to do

Thank you for everything

— Give me your gun, Mr Stopek

— What gun?

What are you talking about?

— You have no chance

There are your fingerprints

on all those toys you left with your victims

We found bullets and that rag

in which you kept your gun on "Annelore"

— You're spoofing fine ... some rags ...

You must have found the gun, too, Mr Herman

— The gun will be found

It must be found so you're brought to trial

for your murders

Every murder must be punished

Every murder

Regardless of who committed it

That's what people like me stand for

— You shouldn't care for arresting me, Mr Herman

Your son hid me here

brought me food, clothes

You will not be clean anymore

when they write about it in the newspapers

"Intendent's son hid the murderer"

— Did you wear my coat all the time?

— All or not all, it's finished

— Did he take the coat and snow-boots

from you during Christmas Eve?

— He took them, but gave back after couple of hours

a nice son you have brought up

He persuaded me to go out

and shoot some boy

He said you'd be dismissed from the police force

— I will help you

I will tell you the escape route

Under one condition

That you shoot me

— You must be crazy

It must be a dodge!

What do you want to frame me into?

— I am giving you a chance

For pulling the trigger

I'll tell you where won't be police posts

— Where is Herman?

— He's around! We had to wait for him here

— That Stopek killed his son

He must have done this last night

That damn toy was found with him

and traces of the same snow-boots

We must get him alive

even if we all fall here

Follow me!

— Which way?

— At the river's curve

Mr Stopek!

You must shoot me

or I won't let you run

— Don't move or I'll shoot

— Stop!

— Don't shoot!

— Don't shoot!

— Don't shoot!

— What have you done!

I said don't shoot! It was an order!

— Excuse me

— Excuse me that I have failed you

— Malacca ... Sulawesi ...