The Mortal Storm Page #2

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slight connection

with the fact that I have

a not unattractive daughter.

However that may be,

I thank you both.

I thank you all.

Fritz! What are you

doing out here?

This.

No, you mustn't... not now.

I want to announce

our engagement.

You're crazy. We're too young.

We're still in college.

I know all the buts...

and all the answers.

No. I have to have

time to think it over.

I'll do all the thinking.

Madame.

Happy birthday, Father!

6 candles...

one for each decade

of a wonderful life.

Thank you.

Now blow them out

and make a wish.

Yes, blow hard...

your wish won't come true unless

you blow them all out at once.

Every one of them.

I have so much, and

I should ask for more?

It's been my privilege to let loose

a little knowledge in this world,

and for that I have

been amply rewarded.

I, uh... I think I've done

rather well for myself

in the choice of

a life partner...

Not that I had any

say in the matter.

My children are

handsome and clever...

Bravo! Bravo!

And we are a very

united family.

In this home we've had the

habit of gracious living.

We've prided ourselves

on our tolerance

and our sense of humor.

Good heavens, here I am

making another speech!

Well, I can think of

may our happiness continue

as long as we live.

Sweet.

A toast! A toast!

To the health of our

distinguished host.

Prosit!

Thank you, my dear.

Professor, I hope

you'll excuse me

if I steal a little

of your spotlight,

but I have news.

News?

Mrs. Roth, Professor...

it's no good tucking

in my coat...

Freya has promised to

love, honor, and obey.

Engaged!

Oh! Really, please, I haven't

made up my mind yet.

I'll do that for you, Darling.

Fritz, you're crazy.

Put her in her place.

You have our consent.

Give in, Darling. I'll wait.

Father, what do you think?

That is a reasonable

length of time.

You know, you're rushing

me right off my feet.

Mother, what do you think? Shall

I let him get away with it?

Well, are you happy, Dear?

Yes, I think so.

Congratulations are in order.

Freya.

Congratulations!

Thank you, Rudi!

My boy! Professor.

Herr Professor and

Frau Professor...

something wonderful

has happened!

We have just heard... they

have made Adolf Hitler

chancellor of Germany!

Why, that's stupendous!

If it's true. Is it official?

It is true! It is official!

It's coming in on

all the stations!

Let's find out!

Let's get the radio.

Adolf Hitler chancellor.

And appointed by Hindenburg.

What can he be thinking of?

There it is.

The news swept the

capital like wildfire.

The delirious frenzy of the

people defies description!

Thousands of men and women are

gathered outside the chancellery.

They've waited here for

hours, hoping for a glimpse

of our great leader,

our new chancellor!

Wait... the door of the

chancellor's office is open!

And coming out, our leader!

He's addressed the people...

he's stepping out to the balcony!

Listen... listen the

voice of a proud people

acclaiming a man who will lead

them back to power and glory!

Well, he's done it!

Things will happen now.

What will happen now?

We'll see a new Germany.

I hope it's best for

all, this change.

Why, it means our country

will be strong and powerful

again, Frau Professor.

Master of Europe

and the world!

Fritz, I've never seen

you so enthusiastic.

Freya, this is

Germany's crying need...

a strong man in a saddle.

A leader who will

fight for victory!

Fritz is right.

You can't put Germany

back in her old place

without bayonets.

Hitler will only demand

what is ours by right.

Nations who want peace

have nothing to fear.

And if they want war, by

heaven, they'll get it!

But Fritz, now that this

man's come to power,

what about those who think

differently? Freely?

Those who are non-Aryan?

There's no cause for

alarm, my dear.

Your mother's worried

about me, I think.

But that's nonsense, Mother.

Men like Father are

an honor to Germany.

Of course. Men will be

judged on their merits,

their records.

Father, what do you think?

Well, I, uh, I shall wait.

Men have given great

power to Adolf Hitler.

Let's hope responsibility

brings wisdom.

Amen.

What's the matter

with you, Martin?

Nothing.

You don't seem very

happy about this.

I didn't say that, Fritz.

Still on the fence, Martin?

That won't do, not now.

Now, boys,

we've been all over this

before, you know what I think.

This changes everything!

Now there'll be one

party and only one.

A man's got to take a stand.

If he's not for us, he's against

us... and against Germany.

I don't quite agree

with you, Otto.

Now, we came here to celebrate

Professor Roth's birthday,

not chew over a whole

lot of old arguments.

Yes. You're getting very

intolerant, all of you.

We should be intolerant,

of anyone who opposes

the will of our leader.

Yes, whatever his

will might be...

persecution, war.

What sort of talk is that?

Are you a pacifist?

I think peace is

better than war.

A man's right to

think as he believes

is as good for him

as food and drink.

That sounds like the sort

of swill the Reds dish out.

I never expected to

hear it at this table!

Fritz!

Every time I mention

it to you...

boys, boys... can't we discuss

these matters without quarreling?

After all, every hen thinks

she's laid the best egg.

May we not believe as we choose

and allow others to do the same?

I'm sorry, Professor, but

we're all pretty excited.

It's been wonderful

news, you know.

I'm sorry, Professor.

Pardoned, old man.

Sorry, sir.

Well, that's better.

Not that I don't like

a good argument.

I'll go.

No, I'll get it.

Hello? Hello?

Speaking.

Yes. Yes, at once.

Yes, he's here.

I'll tell him.

Certainly.

Immediately.

That was Holl. They've called

a meeting at 8:
30.

We have to attend.

Where is it?

The university.

We've just about time.

Mother, that was the

district leader.

It's a special meeting.

It seems an awful

thing to do...

couldn't you explain?

What could I say? That we're

having a birthday party?

We've got to go.

It is a big night, isn't it?

What about you, Martin?

Coming?

No, thanks.

Come on, join us. You'll have

to sooner or later.

Come on, we're late.

I'm sorry, Freya,

but you understand.

It's all right.

They want you,

strangely enough.

Holl's bound to ask for you.

Well, tell him peasants

have no politics,

they keep cows.

They want to keep their cows, they

better have the right politics.

Excuse me, Mrs. Roth.

Professor.

Aren't you coming?

No.

Good night.

Viktor, what a pity,

your birthday party.

Yes.

It seems as though we'll have

to play second fiddle

to Herr Hitler.

You oughtn't to mind. Huh?

Well, that's what they

tell us in school.

The individual must be sacrificed

to the welfare of the state.

Oh.

Mrs. Breitner!

Here, child, here.

Mrs. Breitner...

the little foal

is going to live.

It's going to live!

I'm to take out the oil

stove, Martin says,

and some hot water with

a drop of wine in it.

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