Generation War (2013) s01e02 Episode Script

1
PREVIOUSLY
I expect you to make us proud.
This is about nothing less
than the future of Germany.
Take cover!
It's your brother.
Fire at will!
- We were five, five friends.
- To us.
We'd known each other
since we were children.
Charly would serve
her country as a nurse.
We represent the German woman.
Charly.
- Have you loved him for long?
- Yes.
- Does he know?
- I don't think so.
She thought
she should do her duty.
A nurse called Charlotte
has reported that
a Jew is hiding here.
I'm sorry.
Viktor Goldstein.
His father
was a respected tailor.
Viktor was
to take over the business,
until it was destroyed
on "Kristallnacht."
A good German
doesn't break the law.
We're no longer German.
Jews are being sent East.
Greta. The two of them
are inseparable.
We all believe
she'll be a star one day--
the new Marlene Dietrich.
She wanted to save
her friend Viktor.
I need papers. Can you help him?
I'll make you a star.
My little brother, Friedhelm.
The war will make a man of him.
It'll bring out the worst in us.
The bookworm,
lover of Rimbaud and Jünger.
Here, I am not your brother.
In the war, he became a warrior.
And this is me, Wilhelm Winter,
Lieutenant
in the Windhund Company.
Where there are Jews, there are
partisans. This is a war.
- This is not war.
- Yes, it is
in the name of the Führer.
The war will be over by Christmas.
It was the five of us.
Friedhelm!
GENERATION WAR
Part II
A Different War
May 1943.
We parted two years ago in Berlin.
Two years and still no end.
At first, it was just a feeling,
but now I know:
the German army is not invincible.
We moved into position at Orel.
They say that the final, decisive
battle will be fought soon--
the battle that will end the war.
I don't know
whether I can still muster
what my men expect of me:
a firm belief in victory.
We'll continue.
Take cover!
Let's get out of here!
You gave us quite a fright.
FIELD HOSPITAL -- OREL, RUSSIA
MOSCOW: 360 KM
Nurse, please help me.
Nurse.
Pressure bandage.
The Russian.
- But we're only allowed to--
- Just do it.
- The head injury first.
- What about the Russian?
We don't even have enough morphine
for our own wounded.
Turn on the radio.
Nurse Hildegard,
will you assist her?
That was famous singer
Greta Del Torres,
singing "My Little Heart."
The high command has announced
that the Führer has spoken
from his headquarters
I thought that
the Lieutenant Colonel--
I'm sorry, Miss Greta.
To the best of my knowledge,
he's at the opera with his wife.
His wife.
Take me home.
292nd INFANTRY DIVISION
OREL, RUSSIA. MOSCOW: 350 km
3 days until the Battle of Kursk
Two years in Russia
and I don't understand a thing.
Get yourselves something to eat.
Yes, sir.
Fresh from training, just kids.
The older the war,
the younger the soldiers.
When can I take my leave?
The lieutenant says that
all leave has been cancelled.
They need all the men they have
for the offensive.
Shit, my fiancée--
You don't have a fiancée, Bartel.
How will I ever get one
if I can't have any leave?
Hello.
Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is--
That ginger guy, last week.
What was his name, Schneider?
The one whose head got blown off.
If you're still alive in four weeks'
time, then you can tell me your name.
Until then, it's one and two.
Your brother will
make men out of them.
Yes, I'm sure he will.
Nurse, what's your name?
Charlotte.
Will you have a drink with me?
I don't drink when on duty.
Then give me a kiss.
Today is my 21st birthday.
Congratulations.
I have shrapnel inside my head.
An operation is impossible.
I must look like a ghost,
which is ironic
because I'm with the 707th Company.
We call ourselves the ghost legion.
The ghost legion,
what does that mean?
We make Jews disappear.
Women, too?
What do you think
happened to Lilija?
She was a good nurse.
Listen, she was a Jew,
and the Jews want
our demise, remember?
Make sure that a comment like that
doesn't fall upon the wrong ears.
Without knocking?
Do you think I'm some BDM girl?
What if I hadn't been dressed?
Nothing I wouldn't already know.
Lout!
Does your wife
have a headache again?
Perhaps she and I
should meet for a coffee.
You should have called.
I have no time.
I'm learning new lyrics.
You'll soon have to learn
many more lyrics.
How would you like to go on tour?
On tour?
A few dancers, a juggler,
and the star of the show:
Greta Del Torres.
I could ask Marika Rükk.
I could learn
a few French chansons.
I've always wanted
to go to the Moulin Rouge.
We'll do Paris afterwards.
Afterwards?
The tour is heading East.
Warsaw
- Well, I could--
- Russia.
What?
- You don't expect--
- You'll sing for hundreds of men.
You lousy--
Officers who haven't
seen a woman for months.
You'll celebrate victories,
and when the final victory
is won, Paris, Milan
Rome,
Vienna,
Budapest.
All of Europe will be yours.
You should pack now.
Your plane leaves tomorrow.
What are our chances?
The German Africa Corps
has surrendered.
It's 300km from Tunis to Sicily.
The Allies will attack Italy next.
We must push the Russians back.
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
- When will we finally fight?
- Will the Russians attack?
We'll attack first, obviously.
Germany always attacks first.
The Führer said the war
will be over by winter.
Did he mention which year?
That's negative thinking,
defeatism.
Okay, guys, it's late.
Time for lights out.
Good night, Lieutenant.
Good night,
Lieutenant.
Come inside, children.
Get away from the well.
Schneider, get away from the well!
Stop the car.
- Your plane leaves in half an hour.
- I know.
What is it?
- Sorry, I must have the wrong floor.
- Are you looking for the Jews?
- Yes.
- They've gone.
Gone?
Berlin is Jew-free now, remember?
They didn't even
clean the house, filthy scum.
Unbelievable.
Now be quiet, or else
the Russians will come.
Well, at least the furniture
came in handy.
Tell me,
what do you have to do with them?
KOPICE, POLAND
AUSCHWITZ CONCENTRATION CAMP: 170KM
What are you doing?
Look, you mustn't do that. Stop it.
They'll shoot us all.
Stop. Stop.
Hey, you're dead, maybe tomorrow,
in a month, or in a year.
Keep shouting,
you're dead right now.
That goes for you all.
Nobody has to join me,
but nobody stop me.
I was in Sachsenhausen.
They said they needed workers
for a company close to Lublin.
Then you are lucky.
Have a good trip.
Isn't it strange
that trains depart full
and return empty?
Come.
Gentlemen, the time has come.
Our weeks of preparation are over.
Tomorrow we will launch
our summer
offensive on the Russian front
and head towards Kursk.
Code name: Citadel.
We will attack from both Orel
and Bjelgorod at the same time.
East of Kursk we'll meet up
with 4th Division and close the trap.
This battle will be
a major breakthrough
and give us back the initiative.
Kursk must fall within six days.
The Führer expects each
and every man to give it his all.
Tonight, a famous singer is
going to perform for the troops.
The men need a little relaxation
before the fight.
Thank you.
Lieutenant Winter?
I'm sorry about
the attack on your men.
The culprits are to be
executed today.
What's the matter, Wilhelm?
We were at the gates of Moscow
and now it's more than 500km again.
I know, Stalingrad was a disaster.
But we can still win this war.
We took Kharkov
and Bjelgorod again.
- After we'd lost them.
- Pull yourself together!
We have to win this battle.
It's our last chance
to defeat the Russians
before the Americans arrive.
- Be sure to make it through.
- Yes, sir.
How do you lead
your men into a battle
you know so few will survive?
The only winners
of the war are the flies.
We fatten them up with our flesh.
Attention!
Aim.
Fire!
You wimp, you aimed to miss.
You're such a dumb coward.
Friedhelm.
Come here.
- What do you see?
- No station, no town. Hang on.
Tanks.
A train carrying tanks. Listen
Military trains take priority.
If we're lucky,
the Germans are planning something
East and we can win time.
- We need to rest.
- Minutes, then we go back to work.
My little heart ♪
Beats just for you ♪
Knows the answer
when you ask me ♪
Yes, I belong to you ♪
Yes, I belong to you. ♪
Thank you.
Hello?
Listen, boys, if you think--
Friedhelm.
Hello.
What a surprise.
It's lovely to see you.
Charly!
You were sensational.
Who'd have thought?
This calls for a celebration.
Wait, I have it with me.
How young we were.
- What happened to Viktor?
- For his passport.
He left, he's fine.
I visited his parents.
Champagne.
The Führer says
the war will be won
by Germany by the end of the year.
And then the four of us will travel
to Milan and Paris together.
- To you, Greta.
- To you.
To us.
Come in.
Oh, damn it.
The regiment commander
is holding a private dinner party.
I'm coming.
Well
take whatever you like
and don't wait up for me.
I think it's going to be late,
but I'll be staying
for a few more days.
Well, then we'll celebrate the great
Greta Del Torres in her absence.
Exactly.
I have to go, too.
Captain Feigl is expecting me.
Yes, I have to get back, too.
Oh, come on,
let's celebrate.
Wilhelm, what's the matter with you?
We haven't seen each other for ages.
Look, a 1934 Bordeaux.
Charly
- Why can't we simply--
- My patients are waiting.
You're an asshole.
Do you know that?
I don't want her
to get her hopes up.
- Your soldier with the head wound
- What about him?
Are you feeling all right?
- I'm fine. What about him?
- He died.
- Good.
- Come on.
If you have any courage, join us.
I can't do that.
Lieutenant?
Those farmers we shot,
who bombed the well
do you believe
they were all partisans?
No.
Have you killed many?
You kill before
they kill you, that's all.
I wanted to go to college
in Freiburg for the winter semester.
Professor Heidegger,
philosophy and history.
Do you think I'll be able to?
Perhaps you should wait
for the summer semester.
Yes.
- My mother said that if--
- Would you please shut up?
Yes, of course. I'm sorry.
An hour and 20 minutes to go.
What do you think?
Eventually, they'll get us all.
They got Schneider
behind the lines, even.
That one time he beat you up
He was right.
No, he wasn't.
I left you in the lurch.
It's
It's not always easy
to know what's right.
Father always expected me to--
They're attacking!
Grab your weapons!
Move it! March, march, march!
Take cover!
Shit, they're falling short.
They're not ours, you idiot.
I can't fight.
Get everything ready.
Hey, wake up. Get up.
Gliwice, Poland
Auschwitz concentration camp: 50km
- Miss Müller, we have to leave.
- First I have to--
The counter attack is about to begin.
The pilot has to leave.
Do you think I'm
leaving all this behind?
As you wish, Miss Müller.
Tell them to wait.
I'm Greta Del Torres.
They're ours.
Give it to them, guys!
Make them eat steel!
Don't worry about it.
It happens to a lot of us at first.
- We're moving out.
- Yes, sir.
- Come on, get up, we're moving out.
- Come on, it's time to move out.
Men, we're moving out.
The Russians know
we're going to attack.
- We won't surprise them.
- I know.
Press it on tight.
Can you do that?
I need a drip.
Greta.
Go on, you can do it.
- Those fools left without me.
- What's your name?
- Werner.
- Werner, look at me.
I wanted to call the commander,
but he wasn't available.
- We'll operate soon.
- Maybe you can help me. I--
What?
Nurse!
Werner? Werner?
I need a nurse!
- You can help me.
- What?
Pick up the stretcher.
Come on, get on with it!
On three. One, two, three.
- What are you doing here?
- Quick.
Lousy thieves.
Faster!
What are you going to do?
I have no idea.
Go back to Germany.
What about you?
Warsaw.
Alina.
Viktor.
I never thought
I'd say this to a German,
but I wish you the best.
Don't move! Don't move!
Run.
Run!
July 7th, 1943.
The greatest tank battle of the war
has been raging for three days.
It is supposed to be
the decisive battle.
More than 7,000 tanks
are facing each other.
Friedhelm was right:
the Red Army was ready for us.
The number of casualties is huge.
We've been hoping
for reinforcements for days.
KURCHATOW, RUSSIA
MOSCOW: 300 km -- KURSK: 46 km
There's a telegraph station
2 km up the road.
Your orders are to take it
and to hold it.
Are we getting tank cover?
The Russians are stronger
than anticipated.
We've lost half our tanks
and 40% of our men.
There's no cover because
all reserves are in the field.
You are to take and hold that
telegraph station, whatever it takes.
There's no enemy movement.
We're here,
and the telegraph station is
300 meters north of us.
Over there.
Group One
Group Two will lead
Group One will follow close behind
and Group Three will provide cover.
- Understood?
- Yes, Lieutenant.
All right, girls, let's go.
Load and release the safety catch.
Move it, move it, move it!
You go ahead.
To the passageway.
Group One first. Let's go.
Take cover!
Grenades!
Bartel, advance on my command.
Give us cover.
Right, let's go.
Move forward.
Seibold, Winter, secure it.
Fight, boy!
Get up--
A tank!
Get out of here!
Retreat!
How can you cope with all this?
You've changed.
You're so
I killed a woman.
Lilija. She was Jewish.
She helped me and I betrayed her.
Nothing is how we thought
it would be, Greta.
I had hoped
that Viktor would write.
I have no idea how he is.
Or where he is.
The wound isn't healing
and that's dangerous.
It needs to be stitched up.
So, how did you end up
aboard the train?
After our capitulation,
your people
arrested me in the street
and sent me to Germany to work.
A farm in Franken.
What happened?
Didn't you like
"Eisbein" and "Sauerkraut"?
And you? You are a Jew?
Maybe you get undressed
for the Germans.
Bite on this.
Where is Lieutenant Winter?
- Where are the damn reinforcements?
- What's keeping them?
Lieutenant, a message
from Captain Feigl.
The Russians have launched
an attack at Orel,
and the Allies have landed in Sicily.
That means a two-front war.
The Führer is sending the 2nd Tank
Division to fight in the West.
The Luftwaffe has no fuel left
for aerial support.
We need urgent reinforcements.
I'm sorry.
Then we'll never reach Kursk.
Rest until tomorrow,
but your orders remain the same.
Take and hold the telegraph station.
All of Sicily has been given up,
and my men are being sacrificed
for a stretch of road!
You're relieved.
You were right.
It only brings out the worst in us.
Yes, I know.
But it doesn't change the fact that
we'll be out fighting again tomorrow.
Until nobody is left.
That's right, until nobody is left.
How many we know have died
these past two years?
Schneider, Dogerlow,
Verdindsky, Bertok--
Stop it.
It won't stop until it's over.
Don't you understand that?
We're human livestock
for the slaughterhouse.
- Today we're heroes, tomorrow pigs.
- What's the point?
There is no point!
God has abandoned us!
It's just us--
no general, no Führer!
Just us. Those men out there.
And if we die tomorrow,
then so be it.
But I expect you to lead us.
Two, ammunition!
Lieutenant!
Wilhelm. Wilhelm!
For this?
For this?
For this?
God.
For this?
We'll wait until it gets dark.
If our men aren't here
by then, we'll go back.
Maybe we have a chance.
How did you become like this?
You resist the temptation
to be human.
Some become so, others so.
You never know beforehand.
All that's certain is that
nobody stays the same.
How have you survived so long?
You hope the man
beside you gets it.
A good soldier is usually a coward
and occasionally brave.
Then you're not a good soldier.
Keep your head down.
They have Siberian hunters
who can hit a coin
from 300 meters away.
TARNOW -- POLAND
BERLIN: 650km
The German came to me
almost every night.
His wife pretended not to know.
Then I realized
I was pregnant.
A girl.
They took her away from me.
The farmer's wife was unable
to have children.
But he wanted to have a son
and it all started again.
I put a knife to his throat and said
I wouldn't mother a German soldier,
and that next time,
I'd cut off his little thingy.
They picked me up
and put me on the train.
It's a long way,
but if we make it
to Lodz, we have a chance.
Friends of mine live there.
Where is everybody else?
Dead.
All of them.
Get your things.
The offensive has
been called off. We're retreating.
Water.
Your girlfriend?
My mother.
I'm writing to tell her
that I can't make
the summer semester either.
I can't die.
Good for you.
No, I mean
my mother,
she didn't have me
until she was 48 years old.
It was a miracle.
She brought me up all by herself.
She's a simple woman.
She went to the recruitment board
and told them
that I was her only son,
that I had to study
and therefore
could not be drafted.
A courageous woman.
They held her for a whole night,
for neglect of duty.
A 68-year-old woman.
Do you understand?
Come on, let's get out of here.
I'm sorry, Martin,
but I can't take you with me.
- Where are you going?
- Shut up.
Idiot.
Want to bet? No way, it went
straight through his heart.
Shit, it's Friedhelm.
- Shit.
- I thought he was a Russian.
- Why is he wearing--
- Shut up, will you?
Can you hear me?
This one can wait.
Hit right next
to the left heart chamber.
Heavy blood loss. No chance.
Friedhelm. Friedhelm.
Friedhelm. Dr. Jahn!
What's wrong with him?
No hope. We'll operate this one--
That can't be.
I know him.
Please.
Get him up on the table.
Quickly.
No, not you. Not you.
Nurse Hildegard.
Don't you die on me.
Friedhelm.
Wilhelm
I'll write to tell him you're alive.
No
Wilhelm is dead.
September, 1943.
To start with, on the battlefield,
you fight for your country.
Later, when doubt sets in,
you fight for your comrades,
whom you can't leave in the lurch.
But what when
nobody else is left?
When you're alone
and the only one
you can deceive is yourself?
What do you fight for then?
Take care of yourself.
I hope with all my heart
that you find happiness soon.
Yes.
Charlotte.
There you are.
- Does it hurt?
- It's not too bad.
Oh, God, you're back.
You see, I was right.
I prayed that
He would bring him back.
Yes.
Him.
Wilhelm will return, too.
I know it.
I know he's alive.
I have flour and a couple of eggs.
I'll bake a cake.
I'm sorry it was
one centimeter off.
Gentlemen, say hello
to the wonderful,
the one and only Greta Del Torres.
To the beauty of German women.
Cheers!
Back already?
They no longer
need me on the front.
Yes, you ought to check
out the front sometime, too.
Would you do us the honor
of singing with us?
- Oh, come on, young lady.
- Go on.
- Go on, sing with us.
- Thank you, but--
Don't touch me!
Spoiled, were you, at the front?
We're not good enough for the lady.
Well-satisfied
on the front, were you?
I bet she was.
I have a surprise
for you, gentlemen.
The final victory
has been cancelled.
Are you insane?
So if you want to be heroes,
you should hurry.
What's her name?
Greta.
She tried to save me.
What does she do?
I wish I knew.
There wasn't even time
to say goodbye.
Come out of there.
Come out.
We just slept here. We're leaving.
Get in there, go on.
You can stay here for a few days.
Thank you.
Your friend doesn't speak too much.
No.
I'm off to the market.
You could help my son in the field.
See you later.
You need to get out of here.
- But your father said--
- He's going into town.
People who help
partisans are shot.
He's gone to get the Germans.
- What's he saying?
- His father is fetching your people.
If you want to live, come with me.
Come on.
Russia '41, right?
Were you there?
Sure he was.
Wounded and infantry insignia,
frozen meat medal,
close combat clasp.
And look, tank insignia.
How many
did you get then, eh, NCO?
In the weekly news, they said
the enemy is on his last legs.
That's enough, boys.
Leave the man alone. Out you go.
Because you're such a hero,
you won't talk to us?
I'll be 17 next year,
and I'm going
to get more of them than you.
People like him are ruining
our chances in the war.
Yes, I understand that
Lt. Colonel Dorn is busy.
You've been
telling me that for a mon--
Have you told him my name?
Rome is too close to the front.
- But you promised.
- Let your father eat in peace.
Florence then.
I've always wanted--
Please, I've always wanted
to see the Birth of Venus.
And Michelangelo's David.
Please.
We'll talk another time.
Who is it?
Good luck.
Who are you?
I'm Alina Bigaj. This is Viktor.
We're on the run from the Germans.
I don't understand.
You said
No, no, no, no
- Mom, please.
- No.
Nothing's going to happen to me.
Do you hear? I'll be fine.
No!
Hey, you, come here.
We're lost.
Do you speak German?
Look.
Someone here thinks
the war is over for him.
Get up.
Get up!
Lieutenant Winter.
3rd Company,
60th Infantry Regiment.
Open up.
Put on some clothes.
- What?
- Right now.
- Sit down.
- I demand an expla--
Sit.
- I'd like an explanation.
- This is a sergeant's report
that states that you doubt
the final victory.
Did you say these things?
Are you Polish?
Yes.
Where are you from?
Warsaw.
Warsaw?
I have a friend in Warsaw.
On the corner of Leszno
and Ogrodowa.
Franek Madajczyk.
Do you know him?
No.
Everyone in Warsaw
knows Franek Madajczyk.
Maybe.
But no Franek Madajczyk lives on
the corner of Leszno and Ogrodowa.
Why not?
Because Leszno
and Ogrodowa don't intersect.
- He's German?
- Yes.
Why are you with a German?
Are you fucking him?
- Are you a Jew?
- No.
What makes you so sure?
Like you said, I fuck him.
There are many spies.
The Germans pay rewards for us.
Why should we let you live?
What a lout.
- Why didn't you answer my calls?
- Sit down.
What's the meaning of this?
Sit down.
Defeatism,
propaganda,
belittling of the Führer.
You sent me there.
On tour, far away
from your frigid wife.
Shut up.
You can't arrest me.
You'd be arresting your child, too.
I'm pregnant.
I'm sorry.
I tried all I could in court--
amnesia after a grenade explosion,
the fact that we served
together since 1940--
What's the sentence?
You'll be stripped
of your German civil rights
and executed by a firing squad
at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.
I
- I can submit a clemency--
- The war is lost anyway.
The only choice now
is to die or to lie.
- Wilhelm, I--
- It's all right.
I AM A GERMAN COLLABORATOR
Most people think that,
above all, war is about fighting.
That's not true.
It's about waiting
for the next attack,
the next meal
the next morning.