The Tunnel (Der Tunnel) (Der Tunnel)

EAST BERLIN

My name is Harry Melchior.

This is my story.

A true story.

On August 26, 1961, I left my country.

If you want to call it that.

I left the eastern part of Berlin.

Howdy.

Howdy.

But my story really starts two weeks earlier.

On August 12, '61.

One day before the wall was built.

A good start for the 100 meters. TWO WEEKS EARLIER

It was the last chance

for the German Freestyle Championship.

And Lotte was so proud.

Lotte is my sister...

and my biggest fan.

Comrades, this race is-

It's a world-class race.

Come on, Harry Melchior!

Matthis was also there, my closest and best friend,

Matthis, the engineer.

He already knew what was happening,

and the next day, everyone else did, too.

Harry Melchior is on his way to becoming the champion.

If he keeps this up, we'll have a new swimmer in the GDR.

Harry Melchior is the German champion!

Super!

They're taking bricks from my site.

- Why? - Don't you know what that means?

They're building the wall.

It's only a rumor. Now just enjoy yourself!

At first I thought it was wrong to enter another race.

But it wasn't.

It was the right thing to do.

It was my win, and my plan worked.

I was able to aggravate them all.

Especially the functionaries.

I was arrested in the June Rebellion of 1953 and spent four years in prison.

I had waited years for this moment.

What's your brother up to?

It was a matter of freedom and honor to me.

And that's what keeps me going.

All combat units in Berlin

have assembled in Stalinallee.

Their commander, Comrade Ludenstein,

has reported to the State Council.

All attempts to break through

the border of the GDR have been foiled.

THE TUNNEL

They were nipped in the bud

by increased border security.

Then Walter Ulbricht said,

"Along with other Warsaw Pact states,

we have promised to do everything

to stop militarists provoking

another world war from German soil. "

That was also the purpose of the

operation at the Brandenburg Gate.

EAST BERLIN

We couldn't believe it, but GDR soldiers closed the border to West Berlin.

What will you do now, champion?

Keep on swimming?

Keep on studying as if nothing had happened?

Matthis, please. Let's go.

I won't go without Lotte. I won't leave my sister here alone.

Harry, they'll do you in.

Do you want to go through all that again?

All over again?

YOU ARE NOW LEAVING WEST BERLIN

YOU ARE NOW LEAVING WEST BERLIN It is our duty,

using peaceful political means, to stand up

for all peoples' and nations' basic right to self-determination.

Matthis and Carola had decided.

The same night, they joined a group trying to escape via the sewers.

Stop!

We go that way. Quick!

Carola! This way!

- Where are the others? - With you, I thought.

Carola! Carola!

Matthis, run!

Run!

Matthis and Carola were split up.

Matthis had lost everything but his freedom.

He went underground in West Berlin and contacted other escape helpers.

We'd like to make you an offer.

Our state looks after its top sports stars.

They receive good housing and a decent salary.

Nice of you.

Mr. Melchior, I'd like to congratulate you.

Fantastic.

I'm Colonel Kr.ger from State Security I deal with illegal immigration.

I'm investigating Matthis Hiller's escape.

- You were friends? - We still are.

Times are tough.

People fall victim to the West's lure and leave family and friends behind.

They are blind to our new society.

All right.

I give you a friendly warning: Don't do anything stupid.

I highly respect your achievements.

I'll keep track of your further career.

I truly hope we won't lose you.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Now I'm the German champion.

But I'm somehow too old for this stuff.

I announce my retirement as a national athlete.

Have that man arrested, comrade. My patience is at an end.

It was the point of no return. I had to leave.

And Lotte had to go with me.

- What did they say? - They love me.

They never want to let me go.

I told you they wouldn't let you get away with it.

They have another reason.

- You gotta leave. - Will you come along?

- No. - Then I'll stay.

I can't leave. And Theo won't.

And Ina's too young. It's too dangerous.

And anyway, it's impossible now.

Matthis got in touch.

A student will meet you at the Odeon tomorrow at 11:00.

- You'll get a passport. - Not without you.

Yes! And promise to get us out when Ina is older.

Promise you'll get us out.

Promise you'll get us out.

It's all right.

I promise.

Then go.

Some degenerate subjects, who have to appear

before the Supreme Court...

Matthis Hiller sends his regards.

... walled in Berlin's human pitfall.

- Are you - - Vittorio.

They call me Vic.

Jesus!

The Zoopalast is showing something better:

Marilyn Monroe, Misfits.

Your papers for tomorrow, Checkpoint Charlie.

On August 26, 1961, I left my country.

This is my story.

Howdy.

When did you enter the GDR?

At noon today, around 12:30.

- The reason for your visit? - I'm a tourist.

Thanks.

Good-bye.

Mr. Teller? Ulf Teller?

Tellier, it's French.

You look like a student. I thought you were an athlete.

An educated athlete.

So, welcome to Canaan.

Fred von Klausnitz. Fred.

- Harry Melchior. - I need the passport. We have -

You're really handsome.

Hungry for spaghetti?

We made it.

- Harry. - Matthis.

Hey, Harry.

Thanks.

Thank those two. I hardly did a thing.

I remember.

The Greeks say "rigano", and the Italians say "oregano."

Where's Carola?

What happened?

What do you think? I made it. She didn't.

That's what happened.

Come on in.

Have a seat.

- How was the Marilyn Monroe movie? - Okay. A bit depressing. Monroe is wow.

- "Wow?" - Terrific.

- Here's to freedom. - To freedom.

To freedom.

To freedom.

- Why do you do this? - I was 10 -

Not that old story again.

We fled from Italy to America. Dad was a Communist.

I marched into Berlin with the army in '45.

Private Castanza from Eugene, Oregon.

I wanted to make history, but Berlin was already freed.

A week later, Private Castanza

stepped on a forgotten mine.

Leg gone, discharged,

stuck in Berlin.

And then?

Bohemia.

Art, culture, women, alcohol

and the liberation of Berlin's other half.

I'm writing a script. I'll sell it as a screenplay.

- To Hollywood. - To Hollywood. What's funny about that?

What are your plans?

How sweet.

Max Gr.ner

- Harry Melchior? - We said no photos!

Famous people are always good.

I'd like to talk to you.

Congratulations.

They really canned you.

But that's not the peg. We'll use the June Rebellion '53.

They jailed you, didn't they?

Sure, I was there.