I Was Nineteen (Ich war neunzehn)

- Do what I say. - I am.

Reverse the truck!

- I can't! - What do you mean?

We need some water. Put something under the wheels!

Don't argue, just do it.

- Come on! We have to go! - Okay!

Attention, German soldiers!

We are starting transmission.

The war is lost and you are in a hopeless position.

Do not wait - negotiate.

DESERTER! I LICKED RUSSIAN BOOTS

Attention! German soldiers!

Before we report on the situation at the front

we demand that you do not open fire.

Listen to me. Trust me.

I'm a German.

I WAS NINETEEN

Attention, Germans!

The Red Army is advancing towards the Oder.

It is only 150-200 km

from Eisenhower and Montgomery.

They are at the Elbe.

Field Marshal Model is dead.

We hold Vienna, Brünn's next.

I see German road signs.

They say this is my homeland.

I was eight when my parents had to leave.

Soldiers of the 9th Army.

Seelow has fallen.

Berlin is under artillery fire.

I grew up in Moscow.

My mother lives there.

I fought like everyone.

Soldiers of the 309th Infantry Division!

Resistance means death.

Surrender, and return safe to your families.

I say this almost every day.

I get gunfire in return. There are few deserters.

Do not wait any later than 12:05!

I'm 19.

Come out!

Nothing will happen. Surrender!

Our Army broke through the front 3 days ago.

We were moving north past Berlin.

What's up? Where are we?

Bernau.

Lt. Hecker, to the General!

Lt. Hecker, to the General!

I've been here alone since the tanks left.

- No soldiers here? - No Russians or Germans.

You call this order? Damn it!

We have to move on, but the rear guard can't keep up.

The rear guard's a bunch of thugs!

Comrade General! On your orders!

Where are you from, Lieutenant?

- Moscow. - Yes, but where were you born?

Cologne.

Well, I can't give you Cologne.

The Americans are there. Bernau is yours.

Remember your orders, Lieutenant. Come on.

To your vehicles!

Vadim!

I'm the commandant!

Awaiting your orders, Commandant.

It's for real.

You, girl! Come here!

Quickly!

Where are the authorities?

Somebody committed suicide.

Your mother?

No.

- You live here? - I was moved here two days ago.

Why did she do it?

We should all do it.

Why? The war's over. Hitler's gone.

- What about your family? - I lost them.

The road from Pomerania to Schwerin is still blocked.

It'll take two weeks.

And then?

Life in Germany will get back to normal.

They'll clear the rubble.

What will happen to me? Should I stay here?

Or go back?

Or farther west?

Are you German?

- How did you end up with them? - Lieutenant!

There's one house that's flying a Red Flag.

I'll go.

The war has been hard on us all.

We must forgive and forget.

Let's help each other to heal our wounds.

As mayor here, I offer you my full support.

I heartily welcome you all.

I'm the commandant.

Your house is confiscated. You must leave now.

Our first visitor.

I bid you all good evening.

I would like your permission to hold a service here.

Print that by tomorrow.

We only have a hand printing press.

Were you in the Nazi Party?

No.

I can show you something.

Our last issue.

Then the printing press was closed.

28 February 1933.

- Were you a Communist? - Not a member.

An unaffiliated Bolshevik.

Sorry?

We need a mayor.

- You will be mayor. - Me? I can't.

You have to.

I'm too old to be a mayor.

You must!

What are you changing?

You spelled resistance "resistence". Too many E's.

People would understand it anyway.

- Need help, Lieutenant? - No.

I can help you.

I can manage.

Clear out!

- Take a walk! - Yes, sir!

Not bad!

Comrade Lieutenant! There's a girl here.

You know her.

Let her in.

- Why is she in here? - You gave the order.

- What do you want? - Can I sleep here?

This is commandant HQ.

- At least I know you. - This is commandant HQ.

You can speak German?

What does she want?

She wants to sleep here.

You speak German well!

- She's scared. - But not of you?

Of us Russians.

Tell her, if you understand each other so well:

I was scared too.

Scared to death.

She was scared too.

Is she a real soldier?

- Yes. - What?

She asks if you're a real soldier.

Tell her I'm not in the Army for fun.

I have nothing left. No roof over my head.

- She said... - The Germans invaded in winter.

It was minus 30. People froze to death.

I watched the old and the young just drop and die.

Translate all that. Word for word.

The Germans did terrible things in the USSR.

- I don't believe you. - What did she say?

She doesn't believe you.

Because you didn't translate it right!

No understand?

Burnt earth. Understand?

You stupid, dirty bitch. What do you know about it?

What does she want? I didn't do anything.

Why did you invade and torture a whole nation?

It's not my fault. I wasn't there.

And even if it is true, what can I do? I have no one to help me now.

You see.

Now they're scared.

What's happening?

Our tanks are back!

- Should I throw her out? - It's up to you.

Where do I sleep?

There's a bedroom over there.

Let her sleep there too then.

Stop!

Where are you going? Stop!

- Where are you going? - Why?

Why go back?

Who knows which way's forward or back?

Get lost!

What are you doing here?

- I've been made commandant. - Well!

I'm the commandant!

You're lucky, commandant!

Let's go!

Take care of yourself!

Who goes there? Halt!

15-year-old Hitler Youth members have started the counteroffensive.

They are led by wounded soldiers fresh from the hospital.

Veteran 60-year-olds provide experience.

Many have lost an arm.

Chingis! Come for tea!

Wake up, Gregor!

Gregor, pistol on the table? Like Kutuzov after Napoleon's defeat!

We're far from the front, buddy.

- Where did you come from? - Time for breakfast.

Get washed.

Gregor?

- Where are the records? - What records?

The records I told you to get:

Blondes Kätzchen, Rosamunde, Kornblumenblau...

No records!

Why the hell did they make him commandant?

- God knows! - He's no commandant!

We'll have a real commandant soon.

- A true professional. - Why not?