War and Remembrance (1988–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - Part 2 - full transcript

Dear Old Slote,

what a marvelous surprise
to learn you're in Bern,

so close, working for our release.

Your nice Swiss diplomat
friend Dr. Robleau

is visiting with Aaron
while I hammer this off.

First of all, I'm fine.
So is Louis.

It's crazy how comfortable we are.

Only the other American internees
from Siena's Excelsior Hotel

remind us of the war
and our perilous situation.

Speaking of which, Slote,

Aaron is still playing with the notion
of staying on here, war or no war.



Between his old friends
the Archbishop and Chief of Police,

he's treated like exiled royalty.

He also feels, If needed,

he has one sweaty
little ace in the hole.

He once converted to Catholicism
back in the twenties.

He dropped it fast,
but has the documents,

so he refuses to worry
about being Jewish.

Between that and being an American
journalist, he feels safe here.

It's his home.
He's too old to move, etcetera.

He has an answer for everything.
It's maddening.

Why should I be so upset
about Aaron?

It's his life.

I came to work for him to be nearer
to you in those simple, lost days

when my only worry was
a messed up romance.



You were a fool not to marry me
in Paris when I proposed.

How I loved you.

If one only understood sooner
things happen once

and roll away into the past,

leaving one marked
and changed forever.

Looking back is to no avail.

Think of something to do
about Aaron, my dear, please.

He can't stay alone
in an enemy country.

I'm a lot thinner in the enclosed.

At least I'm smiling.
Isn't Louis cute?

Love, Natalie.

Stunning girl.

Yes, she is.

Antoine, thank you so much
for carrying our letters.

Oh, my pleasure.

Dr. Jastrow was charming.

I hope they'll all be out
by March or April.

March or April?

Now, I must report
to your minister.

Will you have dinner
with me later, Leslie?

Thank you, but some other time.

Do you know Jacob Ascher?

Of course.

An important philanthropist,
a German Jew...

now a Swiss.

Why?

I've never met him, but he's
invited me tonight for cocktails.

Most insistent.

Well, Leslie, enjoy yourself.

Guten abend.
Ich bin Leslie Slote.

Why don't you talk in English?

All right. I'm Leslie Slote.

I'm the first undersecretary
at the American legation in Bern.

How?

Have we met?

I asked someone about you
because you kept staring at me.

My apologies.

You remind me very much
of someone I know.

Really?

I'm Selma Ascher.

Oh.

Yes. This is my father's home.

Ah. I've yet to meet him.

Papa will be down soon.

Something came up.

He's deeply involved
in refugee work.

My friend said you were
transferred from Moscow

for being too partial to Jews.

I wish I could claim
such martyrdom,

but my transfer was routine.

I'm glad to be where
the food's good,

lights go on at night,
guns don't go off.

Don't be ashamed
of what you have done.

Can't you realize
how it distinguishes you

in your foreign service?

Thank you, but I'm afraid it
distinguished me in the wrong way.

Mr. Slote, I am Jacob Ascher.

I apologize for not having
been able to greet you.

No need. No need.

Excuse me.

Pleasure to have met.

Mr. Slote...

You are wondering
why I invited you.

Yes.

The truth is,

there is someone who expressed
an interest in meeting you.

Father Martin, this is the American
first undersecretary Leslie Slote.

I'm very pleased to meet you.

I'm honored.

Father Martin has greatly helped our
work in the Jewish refugee council.

One does so little.

You, of all people,
cannot say that.

No, please. Please.

Father Martin is also
a German citizen.

Aha.

Well, perhaps I will
leave you two to talk.

Thank you.

I, uh...

I would prefer that
we talked elsewhere.

All right.

Perhaps I'll walk with you
back into the city.

Walk? It's miles.

No. It's only a couple.

It's good exercise.

Yes, I suppose.

Shall we go?

[Speaking German]

I'm afraid I have to be going.

Well...

ah... good night.

Write your friend about
the girl who resembles her.

I'd like to you see you.

No. I'd only depress you,
reminding you of your lost love.

Goodbye.

Are the stories

coming out of Russia
and Poland true, Herr Slote?

Stories?

About the Jewish massacres.

Such things are difficult to prove.

Massacre victims can't talk.

Yet, in Moscow, one is told,

you did obtain
some documentary evidence.

Yes, I did-

Certain photographs
of a particularly gruesome nature

from the region of Minsk.

I'm also told that you placed them

in the hands of the New York times,
Herr Slote.

Right again.

And the story, all 10 lines of it,
ended up on the back page.

That's terrible.

That's-that's terrible.

Yes, particularly
as it seems to have had

a very depressing effect
upon my career.

Your...

Would, uh...

would further evidence interest you?

Conclusive evidence of new,
unbelievable atrocities.

My government would
be very interested.

Your government.

Do you like the cinema, Herr Slote?

I'm very partial to films.

I confess, it's a frivolous
waste of time.

Yes, I go to films.

Perhaps you'll join me
one evening at the palace?

A Bing Crosby film is coming soon.

He's my favorite.

Would you enjoy that?

Yes, of course. Certainly.

I'd be delighted to join you.

Excellent.

I shall call you.

So, until then.

Until then.

In the wake
of the Pearl Harbor disaster,

the Japanese have continued
to press their attack.

On Christmas day,
Hong Kong falls,

while in the jungles
of Malaya and Burma,

the Japanese continue
their remorseless advance

as Singapore prepares
for a last-ditch stand.

American positions
in the Philippines crumble.

MacArthur falls back to Bataan.

The enemy takes Manila.

The Japanese seem unstoppable,
and by early February,

are on their way to making
the Pacific Ocean a Japanese lake.

It is then that the American navy
finally strikes its first counterblow.

A carrier task force under
Admiral William F. Bull Halsey

aboard the Enterprise

steams southwest
into enemy waters

to bombard Japanese strong
points in the marshalls and gilberts.

The returning Armada is given

a tumultuous welcome
at Pearl Harbor.

Journalists hall the attack
as a resurgence of American power

in the Pacific, the turn of the tide.

All ahead 1/3.

All ahead 1/3. Aye, sir.

Engines answer ahead 1/3, sir.

Attention!

I'm keeping this short,
gentlemen.

You will remain standing.

Let's get one thing straight.

The purpose of the hoopla out there
is to boost civilian morale.

The truth is,

Hirohito isn't losing any sleep
over what that raid did.

It was a nuisance raid.

Unfortunately, we were not
much of a nuisance.

As to what the North Hampton did,
the less said, the better.

Mr. Grigg,
all shore leaves are canceled.

We sortie at dawn
for gunnery practice.

Questions?

That is all.

Lots of mail, Captain.

[Knock on door]

Let him in.

Admiral Spruance's compliments sir

he invites you
to dine with him, at 18:00,

and listen to your friend
Alistair Tudsbury's

special broadcast from Singapore.

Accept with pleasure.

Thank you, sir.

"Dear Pug, this is from
a well-meaning friend.

I realize what war
can do to a marriage,

but I hate to see it happen to
a model couple like you and Rhoda.

Why don't you write
and ask her about that tall man

she plays tennis with.

His name begins with a "K."

That Isn't all she plays.

She's been seen in all the wrong
places with him at the wrong times.

Everybody who has
known you two is talking.

Unless you do something PDQ,
you can kiss your marriage goodbye.

A word to the wise
from a well-wisher."

Good evening.

This is Alistair Tudsbury
broadcasting from Singapore.

As this broadcast reaches you,

Japanese heavy artillery
is raining destruction

on this great island city
from across the Johore Strait.

The lives of hundreds
of civilians are lost each day

to this merciless bombardment.

I come to you tonight, in part,

because the military
authorities now concede

that Singapore's one hope lies in
letting the democratic world know

exactly how desperate
our situation is.

If help is ever to arrive,
it must come now.

So in conclusion,

I believe that even at this late date,
the tide can be turned.

I'll gamble my overstuffed
old hide on this,

but not the person
of my daughter Pamela,

a clever and lovely young woman
who assists me in my work.

(radio)
So off she goes tomorrow
with the women and children.

She told me a story
not two hours ago

that I want her to share with you.

Here, then, is Pamela.

My story is a short one.

For the past two weeks,

I've worked at a troop hospital
as a volunteer.

Today, a badly wounded man
took me aside

and gave me a mill's bomb,
a sort of grenade.

"Ma'am, you've been very nice to us.

If you think a Jap
is about to rape you Ma'am,"

he said in an Aussie accent,

"just pull the pin
and you'll know nothing more."

I have only one thing to add.

I leave under protest.

Good night.

Good night from Alistair Tudsbury
in Singapore.

You've just been listening to a
special broadcast from the studio...

The fall of Singapore will be...
worse than the fall of France.

It means the collapse of...
of an entire world system.

Our side needs a victory out here.

We do.

He's an able correspondent,
that fellow Tudsbury.

You know the daughter?

Yes.

She sounds like a very
admirable young woman.

Yes, she is.

[People laughing]

[Telephone rings]

Leslie Slote.

Hello, it's Selma Ascher.

Will you take me to dinner?

Oh-uh-

Good God, yes! When? Where?

I'll pick you up in half an hour.

Oh, uh...

All right. Half an hour.

[Playing I'll be seeing you]

I've been talking my head off.

Ah...

Does Natalie talk so much?

More, much more.

She's very opinionated
and very argumentative.

Then I think we're really
not much alike.

I'm rapidly forgetting
the resemblance.

Truly?

Poor me.

That's the only reason
you're interested in me.

Not once you spoke
half a dozen words.

Then you're not sorry I called?

Selma, I'm delighted...

And I'm flattered.

Selma.

The priest that I met
at your father's house.

Father Martin.

Yes.

Would information
that he's offered be reliable

regarding the mistreatment
of the Jews?

I would think so, Leslie.

Father Martin's a good man,
even if he is a German.

Do you like to dance?

I dance abominably.

I've done it so little.

But I would like to dance tonight.

Then, by all means.

[Radio]

On the Eastern front,

despite reported stiff
German resistance,

new Russian offensives continue
to roll up heavy gains in all sectors.

Meanwhile, in North Africa,
in a series of lightning strikes,

the German panzer divisions
under Field Marshal Rommel

have recovered nearly all the ground

won by British forces
at the turn of the year.

In the Pacific,

the Japanese have begun
a series of major attacks

with new fighting reported
in Java, Borneo, Surabaya,

and throughout the entire
Dutch East Indies.

The war news is always so terrible.

I can't think about the war tonight.

I won't.

Tonight was very nice.

Thank you.

Care to come up for a drink?

I can't.

No, I can't.

May I call you?

If you want to.

I do.

Well, fine.

Now I've done two bad things
since I met you.

What was the first?

Asking a man to dinner.

Kissing me was the second?

Not you, Leslie.

Kissing a gentile.

I've not kissed many Jews, either.

Now I really must be going.

I will be calling you.

Good night, Leslie.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

What is your evaluation
of this material, Leslie?

I believe it speaks the truth.

The Germans
are committing mass murder,

perhaps genocide,
under the cover of war.

I believe it's an authentic
document of grave import.

And, uh...

What sort of action
do you recommend?

The legation should send
an urgent summary cable

to the secretary of state,

then send the document
by special air courier.

Augie here thinks differently.

Indeed I do.

A kindly description would be
a compassionately motivated fraud.

Let's hear your reasons, Augie.

Apart from the fact that your source,
uh,

one Jacob Ascher,
is obviously tainted.

Look at the document itself.

Sheer fantasy.

Why?

Why?

Cabinet-level government men

meeting and calmly discussing
some evil plan, and then...

and then, mind you,
putting it in writing?

Come on, now.

I mean, I admire your
compassion, Les-

Never mind my compassion.

I'm well aware of who Dr. Ascher is.

And nothing is more German than
reducing inhuman plan to writing.

Read Mein Kampf.

I have read Mein Kampf.

So have I.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Sir, if it is authentic,
as I'm sure it is,

then the Germans
are committing a crime

that's almost
beyond human imagination.

President Roosevelt can turn
world opinion against the Germans

with that document.

Okay, Augie, many thanks.

Anytime, Bill.

Les...

I do admire compassion.

I'm sorry, Les,
but I'm with Augie.

That stuff is the pipe dream
of an ignoramus

making up horror stories
and doing a bum job.

Why do you say that?

I'm a railroad man,
or I was before I got this job.

The rolling stock of all German
held Europe couldn't handle this.

You're talking here about millions
and millions of civilians, Les.

Sir...

at the risk of seeming
compassionate, may I respond?

Go ahead.

I admit the train part looks big.

A dragnet through Western Europe
into Poland and occupied Russia.

But, sir, the point is...

most of the Jews are already there.

They don't have to be moved far,
if at all.

All right, Les,

how would you go about
authenticating this document?

What would you
consider authentication?

Oh, geez, I don't know.

Give me something.

In the meantime, put this thing in,
uh, maximum security storage.

I will, sir.

Maximum security, incidentally,

is not the New York Times
cable desk.

Sir, no one will release this
unless you authorize it.

Okay, then.

I'm sorry about Augie.

He's a bit of a jackass,

but it never hurts to hear
the other side of the story.

I understand.

Thank you, sir.

We'll be leaving in April.

That is now the official word.

To April.

To April.

Good heavens,
I shall barely have time

to finish my revision
of constantine.

I may have to stay
in sleepy old Siena,

and let Natalie and the baby
go home without me.

Oh, my dear Professor...

Real coffee?

The Swiss charge d'affaires
brings Bernard Berenson little gifts.

Our kind friend shared
half a pound with me.

Oh...

worth the trip to Siena.

One begins to understand
why Berenson

has decided not to go back
with the other Americans.

Creature comforts aren't
everything, Werner.

Even B.B. Suffers shortages.

But he's decided
to ride out the storm at anchor.

He thinks it will all end well,
meaning that your side will lose.

Of course, Bernard is an expert
at Italian paintings, not warfare.

Dr. Freud might call
it wishful thinking.

Still, whichever side wins, such
a prominent person need not worry.

A prominent Jew?

Mrs. Henry, victory softens
harsh wartime policies.

That is my profound personal hope.

How much do you really know about
what's happening to the Jews?

In Italy? Nothing is happening.

And elsewhere?

What about the stories
coming out of Eastern Europe

that your soldiers
are massacring Jews?

Maria, we'll have coffee
and brandy in the next room.

Werner.

Have a cigar, Werner?

Thank you.

I take it, Mrs. Henry...

that your question
was not merely provocative.

But when you ask me
whether the German army

has been massacring the Jews,
then I respond that this is a lie.

The army has not only
refrained from atrocities,

but has at times intervened

to protect the Jews
from the local population.

That is God's truth as I know it.

Oh, put it down there,
please, Maria.

This is excellent brandy, professor.

Thank you, Werner.

I laid in a few cases back in '37.

Dr. Beck, have you ever visited
a concentration camp?

I 'm not saying our regime

does not have many regrettable
things to answer for-

Werner, I would prefer
to change the subject.

Natalie, Werner's our guest.

You and your baby are alive
because he rescued you.

Besides, my idea
of remaining in Italy

is nothing of his problem.

Bernard Berenson
is a very worldly man,

but even he-

damn Berenson!

Suppose Germany occupies Italy?

Suppose Mussolini decides to ship
all the Jews to the Polish ghettos?

It's childish to even consider
taking such risks.

But only I would
be taking those risks.

Please, professor, Mrs. Henry,

If I have provoked
in any way this quarrel.

Nonsense, Werner.

I am convinced you haven't an
anti-semitic bone in your whole body.

You serve adetestable regime,

and whether you were right
to do that is a large question.

Natalie, if you think Jews
are safer in the states

than in Germany or Italy,
you're the childish one.

Aaron, you're drunk!

I've lived in a fascist country
for more than 10 years.

I've found more peace
than I ever did back home.

If the war should take
a hopeless turn,

need I remind you we're losing
on all fronts...

I foresee a defeated America

that could be uglier
than Nazi Germany.

I foresee horrors, Natalie,
that would eclipse the civil war.

A blood bath of region against
region, race against race,

every man's hand
against his brother,

and all men's hands
against the Jews.

Professor, you surprise me with your
penetrating insight about America.

I understand you want to take
Louis back to America,

but we may have a negotiated
peace this year,

and I would welcome it.

Welcome peace with Hitler?

Yes, even with Hitler.

The longer the war goes on,

the worse it will be for Jews
behind Nazi lines.

All of civilization may come
crashing down in flames!

We're fighting against
tyranny for freedom.

Fiddlesticks!

This war is about who rules next,

who fixes the currencies,
who dominates the markets,

who seizes the hegemony
which the British empire has lost.

I suppose if we marshal
all our industrial powers

we may eventually
crush the Germans,

but to what purpose?

There are good and bad things
in all nations.

The hegemony can be shared.

I know you won't go home
without me.

Of course I will leave.

I never said anything else.

But I will not be treated like a fool

simply because I considered
staying on.

Please don't take
that tone with me again.

Mrs. Henry, I consider your uncle's
view of the war lucid and inspiring.

He gives to all this stupid
carnage a direction, a hope.

Aaron loves to take
any side of an argument,

especially over wine.

Oh, really, Natalie!

But peace with Hitler?

Who can believe
a word Hitler says

or have faith
in any paper he signs?

That is not an insoluble problem.

Exactly!

The skin of a tyrant
is not of steel plate.

So history teaches us.

I must tell you,
my old and trusted teacher,

I have considered many times
into the dawn

the ethics of tyrannicide.

My baby gets fed now.

Let me thank you for the best dinner
I've had in months.

Well, we probably
do owe you our lives.

I'm not unaware of-that

No. Please, please...

You spoke with the grasp
of thucydides.

It was only a rush
of angry words.

There are good things
and bad things in all nations.

The hegemony can be shared,
brilliant!

Why, it restores one's faith

in the possible brotherhood
of mankind.

What a profound tribute
to the Jewish spirit.

You're too kind.

Professor, would you
consider coming to Rome

and talking to the press
correspondents of neutral countries?

Only neutral countries.

None of Goebbels'
propagandists or Gayda's hacks.

What would be the point?

Your views on the war
would command attention.

They would have great impact.

No, no-

They would encourage the better
elements in Germany.

Oh, no, Werner.

I -I couldn't possibly do that.

I should be pilloried
on my return home.

And-and Werner...

please forgive poor Natalie.

Even an animal mother
fears for her baby.

Please, professor,
it is most understandable.

And now I must
bid you good night.

And thank you once again
for a grand evening.

Professor, I shall be
pressing you yet again

to share your prophetic insight
with a suffering world.

Fair warning.

I am not a prophet, Werner,
nor even the son of a prophet.

A pleasant journey to you.

Thank you.

(radio)
And now, I have heavy news.

Singapore has fallen.

That mighty bastion of empire,

which held out so long
against insuperable odds,

has honorably surrendered
to spare its civilian population

from further useless slaughter.

And so, let us go on,
into the storm and through the storm.

You have just heard
Prime Minister Winston Churchill

speaking from London.

In his brief message
to the commonwealth and empire,

Mr. Churchill called
the surrender an honorable one.

When an empire dies,
it dies like a cloudy day,

without a visible moment of sunset.

The demise is not announced
on the radio,

nor does one read it
in the morning paper.

What was Singapore?

Singapore was the city,
Singapore was the naval base,

Singapore was the bastion
of the empire, but at the bottom,

Singapore was a narcotic myth
which dulled the pain

while the grip of white Europe
on Asia was amputated,

and now the colored malayans have
new masters with colored skins.

[Air raid siren]

Get down, Tudsbury!

Get down! Get down, Tudsbury!

[Telephone rings]

Leslie Slote.

It's Selma.
I'm in a phone booth.

Why haven't you
returned my calls?

My father found out
about our evening together.

I promised not to talk to you,
but I must.

That man we talked about-
don't mention his name-

he gave me an urgent message
for you about authentication.

All right.
Where can we meet, and when?

Feldstrasse bridge. Now.

I'm coming.

Father Martin has arranged a meeting

with a man
high in the German legation.

The German legation?

That's fantastic. Who?

He wouldn't say.

Meet him 6:30 Sunday evening

in front of the postal office
on the Adlerstrasse.

He'll take you to the rendezvous.

He begs you not to tell anyone
about this.

Selma, thank you.
This is very important.

I'm sorry he involved you.

He decided I'm a safe messenger
since I'll be gone soon.

I'll never see you again,
you know.

I don't understand.

We leave next Monday for America.

My father is moving his business.

But the real reason we're going
is that I'm to marry an American,

a lawyer in Baltimore.

Quite Orthodox.

Papa has arranged it.

You're doing this
to please your parents?

Does it make any difference?
I'm doing it.

Oh, Leslie.

There. I'll remember you always.

I'll never forget you.

Yes, you will.

You've had so many adventures.

You'll have so many more.

But now I've had my one.

Goodbye, Leslie.

Leslie, I don't know where all this
Father Martin business is leading,

but please take care.

I have never seen a more
frightened person.

Ah!

Herr Slote!

Father!

On the Russian front,

Adolf Hitler's order
to stand or die is obeyed.

The massive Soviet counterattacks

slaughter more than
200,000 enemy soldiers,

but somehow Hitler's
armies manage to hang on.

Some pullbacks are forced,

but the line holds from
Leningrad to the Black Sea.

And as the Russian counter offensive

begins to fade and the Spring thaw
turns the land into a sea of mud,

a triumphant Adolf Hitler summons
the inner circle of his high command

to supreme headquarters
on the Eastern front.

Colonel General Franz Halder,

now Chief of Staff
of the German army.

Major General Armin Von Roon,
his chief of operations.

Field Marshal Wilhelmilst.

Field Marshal Feder Von Bock.

General Freidrich Paulus.

Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstedt.

Heil Hitler!

[Speaking German]

Danke.

The winter battle
in Russia is ending.

My order to stand or die...
saved the Wehrmacht.

Mein Fuhrer, it was
a great military decision.

Reichsmarshal Hermann Goering,
commander of the Luftwaffe,

the powerful German air force.

One of Hitler's oldest and most
trusted Nazi associates.

We will annihilate
the Bolshevik Empire.

If not for your iron will...

Lieutenant General Alfred Jodl,
Chief of Operations of the OKW,

Hitler's supreme
headquarters command.

...into the streets of Germany.

Exactly, Mein Fuhrer.

The greatest military decision...

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keltel,
Commander in Chief of the OKW.

...to his grand army.

When he allowed the retreat,

the Russians pursued him
all the way to Paris.

My life's aim has not changed
since I wrote it down in prison

20 years ago in Mein Kampf.

I will seize the living space
in Russia that we won in 1917

and were swindled out of
by the Versailles Treaty.

Russia is the heart
of the world land masses.

He who dominates Russia
dominates the world.

With the fall of Singapore,

the British Empire
is in receivership.

The world imperial
system is broken up.

America is paralyzed by our
devastating u-boat campaign

and by the victorious
march of Japan.

All the land masses of the Earth,

150 million square kilometers,
are at hazard.

It is a moment that comes
once in a thousand years.

Now is the time
to seize the initiative,

throw in all our forces,
and in a huge new offensive,

wipe out the entire defense potential
remaining to the Soviet Union.

This final campaign
will be called... Case Blue.

The German people trust me.

My soldiers trust me
because I am one of them-

a common foot soldier.

Any General that does
not have faith in me,

I will dismiss, dishonor, and crush.

Then I will find others
to fight and win Case Blue.

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Top secret urgent, sir,
from Admiral Halsey.

I'm going to the White House.

Admiral, the President
is reported sick in bed.

I know.

Lean forward, sir.

Take a deep breath and hold it.

Bronchitis again.

If he'll only rest,
we may avoid pleurisy this time.

I shall make him rest, Admiral.

I'll behave.

Above all, no smoking.

I said I'd behave.

And make sure he takes this.

Yes.

Some rest, Mr. President.

No cigarettes.

Thank you, Ross.

Franklin!

[Coughs]

Those boys on bataan-
I failed them.

I had to order
MacArthur to leave.

I need him.

But it broke their spirits.

10,000 soldiers lost their lives

on that Barbaricdeath March,
Eleanor.

10,000...

and that brave handful still holding
out on corregidor, beyond rescue.

Franklin, you must keep up
your own spirits.

It will be a long war.

Will it?

I see nothing but darkness
and collapse everywhere.

The Japs are cutting the Burma Road,

British prestige in Asia is gone,

there's a big new German
offensive building in the East.

What I really fear

is Germany and Japan joining
hands across a prostrate Russia,

or Stalin making a separate
peace to save his neck.

This is the fever talking, Franklin.

It's not like you.

A victory.

A victory in the pacific.

We need a huge victory now.

[Knock on door]

Yes?

Mr. President,
will you see Admiral King?

You're resting, Franklin.

Tell him to come in.

Admiral.

Mr. President,
I regret this intrusion.

I'll be brief.

Tomorrow at this time
we will bomb Japan.

What? And this is the first I hear
it's tomorrow?

Admiral Halsey's carrier task force
is moving into position now

to launch a squadron
of army B-25 bombers

under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle.

From well outside
carrier plane range,

the force is undetected.

Army bombers?

Off carriers?

The strike will hit military targets
in Tokyo and other cities.

The bombers will fly on
to a base in China.

The Chinese are alerted
and ready for them.

The hazards are high, but we expect
to achieve total surprise.

Those aviators.

What brave men.

Well, they'll give Hirohito
something to think about.

A turn.

A turn.

Yes...

I think of those young pilots,
and I think of Longfellow's words.

''humanity, with all its fears,

with all its hopes
of future years,

is hanging breathless
on your fate.''

April 18, 1942, 0800 hours.

Task force 16,
lead by William F. "Bull" Halsey,

aboard the USS Enterprise.

And 15 other war ships,
including the USS Hornet.

16 army B-25 bombers
lashed to her flight deck

lie deep within Japanese waters,
624 miles east of Tokyo.

Now hear this.
Admiral Halsey speaking.

You're all wondering where we're
taking all those B-25s

over there on the deck of the Hornet.

Gentlemen, here is our destination.

This force is bound for Tokyo
to avenge Pearl Harbor and Bataan.

Yay! Yay!

Henry, is this good war-making
or is it just a showy stunt?

That depends upon
how the Japs react.

My hat's off to those
army aviators, though.

Oh, yes.

The price of the raid will be steep.

17 of the 80 army aviators
will be killed or captured.

15 of the 16 aircraft,
fuel tanks exhausted,

will be lost as they
crash-land in China.

The raid will have
almost no impact

on Japan's war production
or military capability.

But the Doolittle
raiders' heroic deeds

and their soldiers' deaths
will not have been in vain.

The Tokyo raid sends spirits soaring
on the home front

and around the world.

Where did the planes take off from?

Why from Shangri-la,
ladies and gentlemen.

From Shangri-la.

In the aftermath,
the Japanese high command

decides that the impudent Americans
must be taught a lesson.

There will be no more Doolittle raids.

After much discussion and debate,
Japanese strategic planners

finally decide they
will gamble everything

on an all-or-nothing
roll of the dice.

The inferior battered
U.S. Navy must be lured

into a final fleet
action and annihilated.

And so the two axis partners,
at the peak of their strength,

turn their backs on each other.

And as the German army
launches Case Blue

and begins the long
march to Stalingrad,

the Japanese imperial fleet prepares
for the most decisive engagement

in the annals of modern naval
warfare- The Battle of Midway.

SS Colonel Karl Adolph Eichmann.

Party number 899895.

SS number 45326.

A fanatical Nazi, the Gestapo's
expert on Jewish affairs,

Eichmann is chief of section IV B-4
of the Reich security main office.

His primary responsibility-

the organization and execution
of SS Reichsfuhrer

SS Heinrich Himmler's
"final solution."

Herr Eichmann, surely the Reich
security main office

realizes that Italy is
not an occupied country.

It's a sovereign nation,
a full military ally.

And these Jews
you wish to ship east

are still Italian nationals.

Herr Dr. Beck,
haven't you ever had a virgin?

I'm afraid I don't understand.

The principle is the same

lots of soothing words,
disarming talk,

then at the proper moment...

after the first time,
no problems.

I'm not entirely sure that is a
useful parallel, Herr Eichmann.

Most Italians like the Jews
or at least feel sorry for them.

Even Mussolini-

The Italians are not
to be taken seriously.

It is the Fuhrer's unshakable will
to cleanse the continent of Jews.

Italy will be no exception!

But to return to the principle...

you must get Italy to hand over
some Jews, however few,

and on whatever basis, at once.

As soon as that line is crossed,

resistance to the Jewish
policies will crumble.

Oh, yes.

Yes. Once the Jews
are physically removed,

their wealth remains
behind for confiscation.

When your slimy Italian politician
gets a taste of that revenue,

oh, you'll be surprised
how quickly he will embrace

the Fuhrer's wise policies.

It's happened
in country after country.

With all due respect,
Herr Eichmann,

I cannot imagine what
basis I might propose

that would result in the Italian
government turning over its citizens.

Fortunately, I can.

The way to start is with the Italian
Jews who are already in Germany.

There are precisely 118
of these delightful people.

Now you will propose
that Italy takes charge

of all German Jews
who have fled here,

while Germany takes control
of all Italian Jews on Reich soil.

I see.

I hope you do.

I have to point out
I will be asked exactly where

these 118 Jews will be resettled,

what they will do there,
and in what circumstances.

Very well
write whatever you want.

Nothing will ever come of it.

That's not how the foreign
service operates, I'm afraid.

We've been very factual.

Very well, Herr Dr. Beck.

If you like,
I'll be glad to tell you

precisely where the Jews will go
and what the disposition will be

by direct order of the Fuhrer.

If you like, Herr Dr. Beck.

That won't be necessary.

Do you happen to have a spot
of brandy in the office?

I've already driven
over 200 kilometers this morning,

and I've had no breakfast.

I will tell you this.

You can look for a very positive
effect on your career

once you pull this off.

Ahem. Well...

I'll do what I can do
for you, Herr Eichmann.

But the Italians will
have the last word.

I can't help that.

So...

you can't help that.

I now request from you
an explanation of the Jastrow case.

The Jastrow case?

You have sequestered in Siena

a 70-year-old stateless Jew,
Aaron Jastrow,

a prominent author
from the United States,

his niece, and her infant.

You have written them,

you have telephoned them,
you have visited them.

Yes?

I don't know what you are implying?

I haven't kept it secret.

We know you studied
in the United States

and that Jastrow was your teacher.

Is that why you are
protecting the Jew?

I am not protecting him.

I am hoping to use him.

Oh?

In what way?

As you yourself have
pointed out, Herr Eichmann,

Herr Dr. Jastrow is a
prominent American author.

Yes, Herr Dr. Beck.

Well, that is exactly it.

I am hoping he will make
a series of broadcasts

in which he will picture
the Germans and the Japanese

as deprived and misunderstood
proud people,

and the allies as fat cats clutching
riches gained by armed force.

He will picture the whole war
as a useless blood-letting

which should be stopped at once
by a ''sharing of the hegemony,''

his own brilliant phrase.

He used it in my presence.

Such a suggestion of world
leadership being shared

coming from such
a prominent Jewish author

could have great
impact in America

to weaken the war effort
and encourage a peace movement.

When will Jastrow be
making his first broadcast?

That's not definite yet.

It's a question of persuading him,
which takes time.

Really?

Why should that be?

Persuading a Jew is simple.

To be effective, it has to be done
of his own free will.

Jews will do whatever you
want them to of their own free will.

However, I understand you now.

Jastrow is your teacher.

He is a fine man.

You don't want him
upset or frightened.

It isn't that you are
coddling or protecting a Jew.

It's just that you think you might
catch more flies with honey, yes?

I'm sure that my approach is correct.

Yes, providing you get some results
before the war is over.

Tell me, Herr Dr. Beck, is your family
here with you in Rome?

No. They're at home in Stuttgart.

How many kids do you have?

Three.

Boys? Girls?

Yes. Two girls, one boy.

Oh.

Oh, please. Please.

Oh, how beautiful,
and with the Fuhrer, too.

Oh...

Hmm, girls are so sweet.

I have three boys.

No luck on girls.

No matter what,
I always try to get home

to see the kids
at least once a week,

even if it's only for an hour.

I suppose you are as fond
of your kids as I am of mine.

I love my children, Herr Eichmann.

Good.

Right.

Let's do some straight
talking, shall we?

Can Reichsfuhrer Himmler expect
a progress report fairly soon

on those 118 jews?

Yes. I will, uh, do my best.

Excellent.

Oh, I'm so pleased I could come here
and we could thrash this out.

You have a heavy responsibility.

So do a job for the Fuhrer.

Of course you understand, Herr Beck,

this whole Jastrow business
is not kosher,

it's not kosher at all.

Tell the old yid
to make his broadcast,

then let Ovra put him away.

But they have a guarantee
of safe conduct

as part of the American
journalist exchange.

The American journalists
have already left Italy.

I delayed their departure myself,
tied it to our mess in Brazil.

But sooner or later,
that is bound to clear up.

But you did manage that delay.

See? When you want to be,
you can be a real live wire.

Well, good luck, Herr Dr. Beck.

Heil Hitler!

Heil Hitler.

Stop it!

It's disgusting.

Halte!

[Speaking German]

Call these SS men?

They're marching like gypsies,
like Chinamen.

Is this the parade to put on
for Reichsfuhrer SS Himmler?

You're playing like street beggars!

I want them drilled...
drilled until they drop!

I come back at 1500 hours
for another inspection.

If there is no improvement...
straight to the Russian front!

Front line.
The whole lot of them!

Birkenau!

Zu Befehl,

Herr Kommandant.

[Speaking German]

Klinger, is this what Reichsfuhrer SS
Himmler will see tomorrow?

I am working them night and day,
Herr Kommandant,

flogging them like dogs.

Flogging?

Shoot the five slowest ones.
I authorize you.

That will pep up the rest.

Where are my 60 blockhouses?

Lumber shortages, restricted rules-

No excuses, no shortages.

Requisition whatever you need.

All rules waived.

One rule-

60 blockhouses up
by tomorrow at 12 noon.

Do you understand?

Or you will pay, and they will.

Zu Befehl, Herr Kommandant.

If I am finished,
Sammy, so are you.

So are all of you!

Kaput! To the gas!

Herr Sturmscharfuhrer,
we can speed up the work.

We have ideas.

Let's hear.

Rudy, see how our roses are growing.

Smell.

Is my adjutant here?

Yes.

Hauptsturmfuhrer Schwarz, too.

Upstairs in your study.

For lunch there's sauerbraten,
your favorite.

No lunch. No time.

That Klinger in Birkenau
has gone crazy.

He asked for trucks
to speed up his job.

I squashed him good.

''Prisoners are horses,'' I said.

''They walk.''

Give him trucks.

What else?

The damn fool wants floodlights
on his job tonight.

All night long. Floodlights.

Let him have them.

But the air defense rules-

I make the air defense rules.

Call central supply right now.

Zu Befehl, Herr Kommandant.

The parade?

Much, much better.

Just like machines.

Program?

Nice job.

The printing shop outdid itself.

''Aerodrome...
trooping of colors...

band seranade... honor review...''

Good.

Gruppenfuhrer Kammler himself
will do the map talk at breakfast.

Of course. Grabbing the bows.

''Architect's office...
motor tour...''

Special action before lunch?

Who is responsible
for this idiotic change?

[Speaking German]

The railroad directorate.

They insisted, Sturmscharfuhrer,

on getting the empty train back
in Oppeln by noon.

Schwarz!

[Speaking german]

Out!

''A special action
from beginning to end.''

Before lunch.

What kind of appetite
will our guest have after that?

Are you insane?

Herr Kommandant, I tried.

The empty train...
the railroad directorate insisted-

This is Reichsfuhrer SS business!

Understood?

I'll throw the whole railroad
directorate into block 11...

and you, too!

You stupid swine!

[Shouting in german]

This Himmler visit is making us
all nervous wrecks.

We'll all be glad
when this is over.

He doesn't sleep, doesn't eat...

only drinks.

It's all on him.

[Door opens]

Maybe I will have some lunch.

Of course, Rudy.

Schwarz.

The special action all in order?

100%, Kommandant.

If one thing goes wrong- one thing...

It's my neck.

Mine.

It's a select transport
from Amsterdam.

They've been well treated.

It'll go smooth.

Smooth as oil.

It had better.

A hard thing to watch,
all the same.

Orders.

He wants to see a whole action
from beginning to end.

He watched one in Russia.
Didn't approve. Crude business.

They made them dig
their own mass graves,

then mowed them down
and buried them, clothes and all.

Here, of course, we are more...
practical, more humane.

Still...

have a glass of brandy.

I'm very curious
to see how Himmler will take it.

He's tough, but...

Kommandant.

Never before
have I dared to ask this.

Suppose...

suppose Germany loses the war.

[Speaking German]

Now it's going, Sammy.

Twice as many men,
thanks to the trucks.

This was an idea.

Just the side toward the road.

My Russian foreman.

Russian?

He's no Russian.

He's a Jew swindler like you.

You think I don't know?

Schnell! Schnell!

Reichsfuhrer SS Heinrich Himmler.

Nazi party number 14303.

SS number 168.

Son of a Bavarian schoolmaster,

Himmler joined
the Nazi party in 1923,

took over the SS in 1929,

and in 1934
became Chief of the Gestapo,

speedily building it into
one of the most feared

state police organizations
in the world.

By the outbreak of the war in 1939,

Himmler was in undisputed
control of a virtual private empire.

A dangerous fanatic,
second in power only to the Fuhrer,

and widely regarded
as his possible successor,

Himmler's prime responsibility
is the carrying out

of Adolf Hitler's racial policies,
calling for the extermination

of 11 million men, women,
and children-

the final solution
of the Jewish question in Europe.

[Speaking German]

This installation
will be doubled westward.

Total capacity- 200,000 prisoners
for the new factories.

It will be done, Reichsfuhrer.

Tremendous drainage problems
to the west, Reichsfuhrer.

An SS officer does not
recognize difficulties.

He overcomes them.

How this will be done
is your worry, not mine.

Ja Wohl, Reichsfuhrer.

You have done much here
in a short time.

And after lunch,
the special action?

Ja Wohl, Herr Reichsfuhrer.

Special action.

Isn't it wonderful, Herr Reichsfuhrer?

So... so peaceful.

Um... the disinfection,

and over here, the undressing huts.

Towels...

and, um, soap.

Shower heads.

For the windows.

And this door?

Leads outside.

Disposal.

Don't they suspect?

Not yet?

That's why the SS.

We take no chances.

Who are those prisoners
in the striped suits?

Jews.

The most timid,
the most nervous ones,

are picked out when they arrive.

Then they get a choice...

a bullet in the head at once
or this duty.

We get a few. They don't last long.
They go to the gas, too.

Meantime, they're a help.

Very practical.

[Speaking German]

Reichsfuhrer, now it's better
go observe from over there.

Please, come with me.

Now, at least,

it will go fast.

Would the Reichsfuhrer care to
come in, have a look, and listen?

It's quite safe.

Aah! Aah! Aah!

Aah! Aah! Aah!

Aah! Aah! Aah!

Sounds like a Synagogue,

I always say.

Cigarette.

So, what's next?

Around the back, Reichsfuhrer.

We've already had a special action
this morning.

May I speak frankly, Reichsfuhrer?

This is our greatest problem.

Disposal.

I've told Berlin over and over
that burial is no answer.

Not on the scale projected.

What about the others?

It's not only the Jews.

We already have over 20,000 Polish
politicals that have to be dealt with,

and the gypsies.

More and more are brought
in every day.

Crematoriums.

Of course.

Crematoriums.

But they remain pretty models

in the central building board,
Reichsfuhrer.

Notes.

Quicklime.

The bacteria count in the water here

is already endangering
the health of my SS.

I say again, Reichsfuhrer,
disposal is the problem.

Berlin is ignoring it.

I shall issue orders to override

all projects in this province
for labor and materials.

The construction of crematoriums
will take precedence

even over I.G. Farben.

Thank you, Reichsfuhrer.

Use your best construction crews.

When crematoriums are finished,
liquidate the crews.

Understood, Reichsfuhrer.

The request of your medical unit

to perform special sterilization
experiments on Jewish women...

granted.

Great news for my medical staff.

You have given me an honest look
at Auschwitz.

You are doing your best
under tough wartime conditions.

I promote you
to Obersturmbannfuhrer.

Herr Reichsfuhrer.

I'll say goodbye to your charming
wife and be leaving.

You will not see me to the airport.

You have too much work to do.

Obersturmbannfuhrer?

Children.

What a charming little girl.

Do you like flower?

Flower, yes.

Here is a flower.

Come to me.

We have a new job...

Arbeitskommando, crematoria.

Crematorium...

For ourselves.

Never.

It's possible to escape...

even from Auschwitz.

I don't understand the necessity
for this dinner, Natalie.

What information could this
baby doctor have to interest us?

I said you didn't have to come,

but he invited us both.

It's 40 years since I've had
a proper Sabbath meal.

We may as well hear
what's so urgent.

Professor?

Thank you, Seniore Sacerdote.

It's a very long time
since I put on one of these.

[Reciting in Hebrew]

[Praying in Hebrew]

Amen. Amen.

Good Sabbath.

All right, Natalie.
We will take the baby to the bedroom.

Don't worry. It's all right.

Let Miriam take care of him.

She is better than a Governess.

When did you last see your husband?

It's almost two years now...

This brunello is very fine,
Dr. Castelnuovo.

From our own small vineyard.

Mrs. Henry,
I asked you here this evening

because there are some things
better not spoken of at the office.

I have been in touch with
Avram Rabinovitz.

Avram?

How are you acquainted with him,
my good doctor?

My son-in-law and I partially
financed the sailing of the Redeemer.

I have good reports for you...

they reached palestine unharmed.

You're sure?

Slipped through the British blockade.

Excellent news, Dr. Castelnuovo.

And Rabinovitz, what about him?

He returned to Marseilles.

That's his base. He's there now.

Why didn't the two of you leave
with the other American journalists?

Rabinovitz is very puzzled
and concerned.

He has asked about this repeatedly.

We were... temporarily detained.

But why?

Reprisals.

Three German agents in Brazil,

posing as Italian journalists,
were arrested.

So the three of us...

German agents in Brazil...
how does that affect you?

You're Americans.

That makes no sense.

None whatever, I agree.

Our state department is pressing

the Italian Government through Bern
to send us to Switzerland at once.

I am not concerned.

I am.

My niece has trouble accepting

that our government has things
on its mind besides our release.

But we have further protection...

protection of rather unusual nature.

My dear, shall we confide in these
delightful new friends of ours?

As you wish, Aaron.

The secretary of the German legation

in Rome is an ex-student of mine,
Werner Beck.

He's been a very good friend.

Then why doesn't he help you with
all this nonsense about Brazil?

He has.

He's been burning up
the lines to Berlin.

He says our release through
Switzerland is only a matter of time.

Do you believe that?

My guess would be that this Dr. Beck
is preventing you from leaving.

Oh, how preposterous.

What's in it for him?

You ask the right question.

It's to his advantage to have

the famous Dr. Jastrow trapped here
and dependent on him.

In what way,

I'm sure you'll find out.

Now I have a message from Avram.
He says, ''get out while you can.''

Don't you think I want to?

But how?

With us, Mrs. Henry.

Get out with us.

We're arranging with Avram
to go to Palestine.

Aren't you overreacting?
This is Italy, not Germany.

Dr. Jastrow, only last week,
we heard in the Synagogue

that fascists are planning to round
up all Jews on Yom Kippur.

Once collected, we'll be given
to the Germans

and transported to the east.

Doctor, my good friend
the Archbishop assures me

the Vatican intelligence net
is Europe's best.

If that were remotely possible,
he wouldn't have kept it from me.

Possibly.

But the church has property
and influence to protect

in Germany and Italy.

We Jews had better
look out for ourselves.

You've taken me into the bosom
of your family, and we are grateful.

But I feel we must go now.

Come, Natalie. Fetch the baby.

Go ahead. Read your mail.

Your kindness has not gone
unappreciated, Werner.

I enjoy being able
to bring you your mail.

The Arch of Constantine,
it arrived safely!

Just listen to this, Natalie.

''The Arch of Constantine...
your best book yet.

Classic stature...

certain book club selection...

Honored to publish such
a fresh and seminal work.''

Well, well. Isn't that splendid news?

That is good news,

but not all the good news.

Slote, our friend at the American
Legation in Bern,

has absolutely no idea
when this Brazil business

will be straightened out.

Yes, but all that is quite out of date.

May we have lunch?

Otherwise,
there's so much to discuss,

I'm afraid we may forget to eat.

What a lovely view.

Won't you be sorry
to leave it behind?

Are we leaving it behind?

That is why I've come, Professor.

Then you have our releases?

Not exactly.

Almost as good, however.

Professor...

Italian radio wants
to put you on the air...

you and other famous enemy aliens...
Berenson, perhaps Santayana.

Dear me.

What's that to do with our release?

If the Professor will simply
come to Rome

and record a leisurely
two-hour interview

or four half-hour broadcasts,

the Ovra will allow me
to arrange three exit visas

and tickets for a Rome-Zurich plane.

The Brazil business will be set aside,

and you're on your way.

You won't even have to come back
to Siena.

So, how does that strike you,
Dr. Jastrow?

I confess I'm rather bewildered,
Werner.

Would they want me to discuss
something in my field,

like Constantine?

They want a philosophical view

of the war showing all the right
isn't on one side.

You remember what you said
on my last visit?

That would precisely fill the bill.

But I had too much wine that night,
and Natalie had provoked me.

It was a bad-tempered outburst.

But, Professor,

you have a great original vision
of this world catastrophe.

That theme of sharing
the hegemony is perfect.

You'd not only please Rome radio,

but impress your countrymen as well.

And to state matters bluntly,
you'd get out of Italy at once.

How about Berenson and Santayana,
have they agreed to this?

The Italian radio people
consider you the key personality.

Once you agree,
the others will follow suit.

Then they don't know yet.

No, no, no, Werner.

I couldn't attack my own country
on enemy shortwave.

Surely you can see that.

I'd rather rot here in Siena.

There's also the question of

Mrs. Henry and her baby rotting here.

And there's the more
serious question of how long

you can stay in Siena.

I've made a long trip
to lay this before you.

I didn't expect a rejection.

I thought I'd earned your confidence,
Professor.

What's the question
of our staying in Siena?

The Ovra pressure never
lets up on me, Mrs. Henry.

You belong in a concentration camp
with the other alien Jews.

I was reminded of this
when the idea came up.

I can't fathom this!

Surely we're guaranteed
eventual passage to Switzerland,

aren't we?

How can Rome radio blackmail me
into wrecking my reputation?

Just be firm, Werner.

Tell them to put it out of their minds.

I won't consider it.

That, I must tell you,
is a grave statement, Professor.

Nevertheless, it's my answer.

It's final.

[Speaking Italian]

Your car, Dr. Beck.

I'll walk with you.

He'll do it.

Do what, the broadcasting?

Yes, he'll do it.

His resistance was very strong.

His explosive reactions pass.

When does Rome radio want him?

That's not definite,

but I must have a letter
consenting to make the broadcast.

That will start the wheels turning...

the wheels of your release.

You'll have the letter soon.

I want to have it now.
I'd postpone my return.

I can't press him in this mood.

Please understand.

I promise it will come.

I must count on your
good sense then.

You can count on my concern
for my baby.

My greatest pleasure would be
sending you off to Zurich.

I shall be waiting anxiously
for that letter.

Goodbye, Mrs. Henry.

I couldn't help it.

His proposal is outrageous!

Instead of turning him down flat,
you should've stalled.

Possibly.

But I'll never make
those broadcasts he's asking for.

Never!

He took my outburst far too literally.

No matter how badly
the state department has treated me,

I still love my country.

I won't go on the air for the axis,

mark myself a traitor.

They can kill me if they like,
but I won't do it.

Then we're in real danger, Aaron.

That may be.

The first thing you should do
is draft a letter to Werner.

Tell him I apologize

and that I'm beginning
to lay out four broadcasts.

Be vague about the completion date.

Then go talk to that
young Jewish doctor, Castelnuovo.

His plans for leaving Italy
might take on a new relevance.

Aaron, this is a change.

I really hadn't bargained for
adventure at my time of life.

Making a dash for it might seem
far-fetched,

but I don't like Werner's new tune.

But the important thing is to get
you and Louis out of danger.

So let's set about it.

The Ovra may well be
watching Castelnuovo.

It may be best if it looks
like an office visit.

Take the baby with you.