THE ZONE OF INTEREST
by
Jonathan Glazer
Based on the novel by Martin Amis
© Jonathan Glazer
1 1
BLACK
THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
A musical overture begins. Inviting, descending.
TITLE: The Zone of Interest. White letters.
Gradually, the white letters fade as they cool, leaving us in
blackness again as the music plays in descending patterns,
for several minutes.
The sound of birdsong emerges through the music, at first
faintly. Cicadas too.
The natural sounds punctuate the music more clearly, and then
suddenly the black cuts sharply to...
2 2
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE, LAKESIDE - DAY
...a family picnicking in a sloping meadow by the sparkling
shore of a lake. Bright sunlight.
Sat on a picnic blanket under a tree, is HEDWIG, (early
40's), unassuming, wearing a swimming costume.
She's feeding tiny slices of apple to their ten-month-old
baby, ANNAGRET.
Her TWO DAUGHTERS, HEIDERAUD (11) and INGE-BRIGIT (9), are
playing and searching for wild strawberries in the long
grass.
ELFRYDA, (47), the German nanny, is lying in the shallows.
HANS (6), is paddling nearby.
CLAUS (14), and SHWARZER (30s), are playing together along
the beach.
Beyond them, RUDOLF, (early 40's), black short back and sides
hair, black trunks, stands on the promontory looking out at
the lake.
Claus and Shwarzer join him and the three of them wade out
into deeper water, up to their waists, slapping the water at
each other with their arms.
Then they push out into the shimmering lake.
Their three heads bobbing in the water.
Revision 2.
3 3
EXT. SILVER BIRCH WOODLAND - DAY, LATER
The Höss family, dressed now, amble up the meadow and into a
glade of birch trees. Midges and butterflies dart and glint
in the sun.
The boys share the weight of the hamper. Hedwig in her straw
hat walks playfully with the girls behind.
Rudolf, dressed now, walks at the front, cradling baby
Annagret.
4 4
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - SHORT WHILE LATER
Two 1940's cars wind their way along a forest road.
They turn onto a country road.
5 5
EXT. HÖSS' CAR, COUNTRY ROAD - DUSK TO NIGHT
HEADLIGHTS POV:
The glare from his headlights illuminates a rushing, black
ribbon of road, and tall pine trees towering on either side,
as dusk turns to night.
The sound of the children play-singing and giggling in the
back seat of the car.
6 6
EXT. LOOKING AT HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT, LATER
The back of a two-story family house. Upstairs and
downstairs rooms are lit by lights inside. Homely.
Rudolf is visible through the window in a downstairs room.
He turns off its light, and walks through its door.
The lit windows go dark one by one as Rudolf moves from
downstairs to upstairs turning off the lights.
7 7
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT
Rudolf and Hedwig lie in parallel but separate beds. Hedwig
turns off her bedside lamp, lays her head on her pillow, and
looks at her husband.
Rudolf lies on his back in his bed, hands folded on his
chest, with an air of quiet contentment.
Revision 3.
8 8
INT. HALL, STAIRWELL HÖSS VILLA - DAY, NEXT MORNING
Empty hall with the back of a staircase leading down to it.
At the top of the bannister a hand is supporting someone
climbing tentatively down, as we hear off-screen the sound of
three pairs of feet doing the same.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
You'd better not throw a bucket of
water over me or something.
The supporting hand shifts carefully down the bannister to
the sound of two boys giggling.
CLAUS' VOICE (O.S.)
No, we'd never do that.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
It better not make me late.
Now Rudolf, from behind, guided by Claus and Hans, reaches
the bottom of the stairs. He's dressed in a tailored
military tunic, riding breeches, and boots, and there's a
wide white cloth blindfold tied round his head.
CLAUS
(guiding him towards the
back door)
This way and out
DILLA, the FAMILY DOG - comes and goes throughout when we are
downstairs in the house, and in the garden.
9 9
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
The boys help their unsighted father through the back porch
towards patio steps that go down to the back garden.
In the full daylight we can see now Rudolf's uniform is that
of a senior SS Officer with insignia.
CLAUS
Watch out for the steps.
(beat)
Feel for it. And down. Perfect.
The group walk carefully down the patio steps.
CLAUS (CONT'D)
Last step, and now turn around.
There you go. Wait. Stand here.
Revision 4.
Claus unties the blindfold and whips it off his father.
Rudolf blinks in the bright summer morning sun and sees
Hedwig, and the other children, also dressed for school,
standing on the lawn, a gleaming, wooden three-seater CANOE
in front of them.
ALL
Surprise! Happy birthday!
Rudolf is lost for words for a moment. He walks over towards
them.
RUDOLF
Is this for me!?
HEIDERAUD
Yes!
RUDOLF
Thank you!
(admiring the canoe)
Where did you get it?
HEDWIG
(embracing him)
I have my sources.
RUDOLF
(pointing at the canoe)
One, two, three passengers.
Who wants the first ride?
Inge-Brigit and Hans both raise their arms.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(points at Annagret)
You. You can have the first ride?
Hedwig passes Annagret to him over the canoe and he holds her
above the seat.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
It looks like it's just been
painted, Annagret will have a
green bum.
...and places her gently down onto it. Annagret cries a
little and he starts singing a traditional German boating
song "The Skipper on the Rhine" to soothe her.
After a verse he picks her up again and as he leans to pass
her back to Hedwig they kiss across the canoe.
Revision 5.
ELFRYDA
(calling from the patio)
Come on.. coats ,bags..
(claps her hands)
Chop, chop.
The children are skipping back to the house to leave for
school.
RUDOLF
Thank you children. Goodbye.
Rudolf pulls on his SS death's head cap, and adjusts the
brim.
HEDWIG
Inge, pull your socks up
Rudolf strides along the path towards the garden gate in the
picket fence which separates the house from the side entrance
to KL Auschwitz, the concentration camp.
Hedwig follows at a leisurely pace holding baby Annagret.
Two STABLEHANDS hold the reins of Rudolf's favorite bay horse
Merer, in the yard. A mounting block to the side. A small
group of SS OFFICERS beyond, and an idling military truck
waiting for clearance at the checkpoint.
Rudolf mounts up and the SS Guards salute and raise the
barrier.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
(sing song, lifting baby
Annagret's arm to wave)
Bye-bye daddy.
Rudolf kicks his heels into Merer's flanks, and rides into
the camp.
Hedwig, with Annagret on her hip, walks the length of the
flowerbed alongside the camp entrance. Stopping every now and
then to smell the roses with her and name the other flowers.
10 10
EXT. TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY
Polish PRISONER-GARDENER BRONEK, (40's), wearing ill-fitting
civilian clothes, pushes a new wheelbarrow along a stepping
stone garden path parallel to the concrete garden wall,
topped with barbed wire and security palisades, the other
side of which is an imposing Auschwitz building.
Revision 6.
The wall runs the length of the villa's vast top flower and
market garden. Beehives and a cornucopia of flora and small
tress. A paradise in full bloom.
Then he corners through the gate into the back garden..
11 11
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
..along the path and up to the house. Past A YOUNG POLISH
MAID (17) hanging the Höss family's underwear on the line.
From afar, we watch him park the wheelbarrow, climb the few
steps to the porch and knock on the back door.
SOPHIE (40s) the German housekeeper, appears in the doorway.A
brief acknowledgement then she goes down to the wheelbarrow
with him. They peel off the cover and start to unload, piling
up bags and jars in Sophie's arms.
Loaded up, Sophie turns back inside. Bronek brings up a large
sack and a paper package wrapped with string from the
wheelbarrow and follows her up towards the back door.
12 12
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Sophie carries everything down the hall..
SOPHIE
(Calling out to Hedwig)
Bronek.
...and enters the pantry where she starts to set down some of
the jars on shelves.
Responding to Sophie, Hedwig, now wearing an apron, walks
past heading to the back door where Bronek hands her the
sack. She looks inside, grabs the paper package from him
under her arm, and goes back into the house.
HEDWIG
(Calling out)
Marta!
MARTA, a Polish housemaid (17), comes down the stairs.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
(Handing her the sack)
Upstairs please.
Then come down again, I have
something for you.
Revision 7.
Marta takes the sack upstairs. Hedwig walks to the kitchen
with the package, calling out to Sophie as she passes her in
the pantry..
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
(Beckoning)
Sophie.
..and she walks through the kitchen, where another POLISH
HOUSEMAID (17) sits mixing food in a bowel. Hedwig walks
through, starting to unwrap the package along the way..
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
(to the housemaid, without
looking at her)
Aniela come.
..into the dining room, where Elfryda is standing holding the
baby whom she's been feeding.
The package is full of women's silk underwear, which Hedwig
puts down in a small pile on the dining room table and then
spreads out.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Please choose something you like
Only one each.
Hedwig leaves the room, and Elfryda and Sophie start looking
through the underwear, holding items up to see there size.
Marta and Aniela approach the pile gingerly from behind them.
13 13
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
The bag Bronek gave her is on the bed. Hedwig opens it,
revealing an exquisite full-length brown fur coat. She lifts
it out, drapes it in front of her body and walks to the
mirror.
She swings it over her shoulders, and puts it on. Her hands
goes into the pockets and she immediately feels something in
the right one.
She pulls out a tube of lipstick. Places it on her dressing
table top.
Returns to the mirror and pulls some poses to see how the
coat hangs.
It's a little big for her but it's luxurious and she admires
herself regardless.
Revision 8.
The lining catches her eyes and she draws up the hem to
inspect it.
14 14
INT. STAIRS, HÖSS VILLA - MOMENTS LATER
Hedwig is on the stairs handing the fur coat to Aniela below
her.
HEDWIG
This one needs mending please.
The lining's come away bottom left.
Be very careful with it.
ANIELA
Yes.
15 15
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig re-enters the bedroom and sits down at the dressing
table.
Opens the tube of lipstick, and draws a little on the back of
her hand. Uses her finger to apply a couple of test dabs to
her lips. Satisfied, she applies it from the tube. Presses
her lips back and forth in the mirror.
Then she closes the tube, and shuts it in a drawer. Wipes the
lipstick from her hand and lips with her apron.
16 16
EXT. CAMP ENTRANCE BY HÖSS GARDEN PATH - DAY
Rudolf, SS officer KARL BISCHOFF (40's, in uniform), and
civilian engineers FRITZ SANDER (50's)and KURT PRÜFER (50's),
both wearing suits and fedoras, enter through the garden
gate.
Sander carries a briefcase and a large rolled up paper,
Prufer, just a briefcase. Rudolf leads the way, the others
small-talk behind him.
BISCHOFF
How was your journey?
PRUFER
Long, but we're here.
BISCHOFF
So not too bad.
SANDER
Easier than last time actually.
Revision 9.
BISCHOFF
Excellent. Welcome back.
PRUFER
We're glad to be here.
Rudolf turns at the top of the back porch, kicks off his
riding boots.
PRUFER (CONT'D)
(to Bischoff)
Should we take our shoes off as
well?
BISCHOFF
No, no. Did you come via Prague or
Vienna?
PRUFER
Prague. It's fifty six minutes
faster.
As the back door closes, Prisoner Gardener 1 waiting below,
hurries up to collect the boots.
He brings them around the house to an outside tap and sink
and with a brush begins scrubbing blood and mud from their
soles, over which we hear:
GERMAN WOMAN'S VOICE (PRE-LAP)
She was admiring a jacket I had and
asked me where I got it. And I told
her `Canada'. She said "how could
you go to Canada?".
HEDWIG'S VOICE (PRE-LAP)
She thought you meant the country.
17 17
INT. KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig, now in an almond white dress, and TWO GERMAN WOMEN
FRIENDS (30's and 50s), wives of an SS officer and IG Farben
executive, nicely dressed, chat over coffee at the table.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND
Yes of course.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2
It's an easy mistake.
Revision 10.
HEDWIG
The same thing happened when Helga
Palitsch came with me the first
time.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND
Oh, it was so funny. Of all the
dresses she could have picked out,
she chose one that belonged to some
little Jewess half her size. I got
the zip up to about here for her..
(indicates the small of
her back))
..and it quite literally..
(makes a `v' shape with
her hands)
..like it was splitting. And I was
trying to close it and close
it..and jerking her around and all
the time she's looking at herself
saying "God I love it". Anyway, she
took it. She said she'd lose weight
so she could wear it.
18 18
INT. DINING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
While they speak behind her, Aniela is taking a small silver
tray, a bottle of schnapps, and a shot glass from a drinks
cabinet, and carefully filling the glass.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2
Helga Palitsch's husband only
adopted that little Polish boy to
keep her at home. That's what she
told me. And he bashes her around
as well.
HEDWIG
How do you know that?
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2
Didn't you notice? She's got
bruises on her arms.
19 19
INT. KITCHEN/HALLWAY HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Aniela walks past them carrying the tray. We watch her
walking slowly along the hallway so as not to spill it,
toward the back door, while the women continue.
Revision 11.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND'S VOICE (O.S.)
Oh I forgot to tell you something.
Guess where I found this?
(beat)
In the toothpaste?
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
No. Really?
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2'S VOICE (O.S.)
Is it real?
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND'S VOICE (O.S.)
It is real. It's a diamond.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2'S VOICE (O.S.)
How clever do you have to be?
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND'S VOICE (O.S.)
Yes they are very clever. Ive
ordered more because you never know
20 20
EXT. BACK GARDEN PATIO/HALLWAY/KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA -
CONTINUOUS
Aniela puts the bottle and glass on the patio table, then
collects Rudolf's boots, now clean in the porch, and goes
back inside with them.
Black shapes in the garden, with boots and hats, all coming
from the garden gate.
In groups, fives, tens then more. Fifty or so now. CAMP SS
OFFICERS. All heading towards the house.
We're on Aniela as she returns along the hallway carrying
Rudolf's boots, the women still chatting in the background.
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
Remember I told you about Brigitte
Frank's fur at the Schilling
concert Rudolf and I went to?
And she enters the kitchen...
HEDWIG
The ermine one?
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND
Yes.
HEDWIG
Did I tell you?
Revision 12.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2
I don't think so.
She taps an image of Frank in the centre spread.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2 (CONT'D)
(leaning in)
Oh, my goodness.
HEDWIG
And the emeralds, look. And
sapphires.
GERMAN WOMAN FRIEND 2
She looks like an empress.
21 21
INT. LIVING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf, in his socks, Bischoff, Prufer and Sander are sat
around the coffee table, on top of which the roll of paper
has been unfurled. It shows a technical drawing and
Sander is in mid-flow, using his pen to point as he explains
the design to Rudolf.
SANDER
The other side of it is the next
chamber. In here is the next load
ready to burn, once the pieces in
here..
(points)
Have been completely incinerated.
RUDOLF
In how long?
SANDER
Seven hours. Four to five hundred
at once.
PRUFER
Closer to five hundred.
SANDER
(points)
So, once that's happened, you close
this chimney. Then simultaneously
open the next. The fire will follow
the air, through this baffle of
course, into this chamber and burn
this load.
Revision 13.
We see the paper from above. Engineering plans. A ground
plan, front elevation, and sections of a structure with
chimneys. A logo in one corner reads "JA Topf and Sons". A
key in the other corner with the scale, date,. Sander's hand
continue to point as he speaks.
SANDER (CONT'D)
In each case, the chamber directly
opposite the fire zone, which is
burning at around a thousand
degrees, has by now cooled to
around forty degrees. Cool enough
to unload the ash then reload
pieces.
RUDOLF
So these chambers are cooling and
these are heating up.
SANDER
Correct. The process moves one
chamber over, counterclockwise.
Burn, cool, unload, reload.
PRUFER
Continuously.
Rudolf stares, fascinated.
22 22
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Aniela walks to the living room and stops in front of the
closed glass doors.
She puts the boots down. Knocks on the glass politely then
leaves.
23 23
INT. KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA
The sound of applause outside as Hedwig and her friends part
net curtains to watch through the kitchen window.
24 24
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf with the schnapps glass raised as the 50 or so SS
officers gathered around the bottom of the patio are
applauding.
RUDOLF
Prost!
Revision 14.
SS OFFICERS
(as one)
Prost!
He knocks it back. They hip! hip! him as he walks down the
few steps to shake many hands.
Lots of "Happy birthday Herr Commandant" and "I'm honoured to
serve under you" type greetings from different officers, and
"thank you"s from Rudolf.
Some look like they've just arrived from hell. Filthy and
disheveled with bloodshot eyes.
25 25
INT. BOYS BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - LATER
Claus and Hans are in their bedroom, back from school. Claus
is changing out of his school uniform into his pint-sized SS
one. Buttoning his trousers, then pulling on a pair of black
boots and stomping in them.
Hans, still wearing his, is sitting on the floor using a book
about trains as a platform for his toy soldiers. And mumbling
commands at them.
26 26
EXT. REEDS, AUSCHWITZ REGION - LATER
Rudolf and Claus on horses, flanks steamings, walk along an
embankment that cuts between two vast fields of bullrushes.
In the distance we can hear indistinct male voices yelling
one-word orders in a hodgepodge of German and Polish.
RUDOLF
(cocks his head)
You hear that?
Then the sound of a marsh bird. A low, hollow sound, like an
empty bottle.
They stop.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
It's a Bittern. A heron. Eurasian
heron.
They hear the bird again.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(mimicking)
Woo.. woo..
Revision 15.
They walk on.
27 27
EXT. REEDS, AUSCHWITZ REGION - SHORT WHILE LATER
Close on apples strewn about on grass in front of long marsh
reeds.
They look like they've been discarded.
A surging noise of heavy splashing and then suddenly the legs
of a horse thunder out of the marsh reeds onto the
embankment, hooves trampling the apples.
A MOUNTED SS OFFICER looks around from atop the horse
scanning down into the marsh, yanking the reins this way and
that.
In the far background we now see FACTORY BUILDINGS with
industrial chimneys and other plant (IG Farben's synthetic
rubber works).
He trots along the embankment a few metres more and bursts
down the embankment back into the cloak of reeds.
Beyond him, barely visible in the marsh, are PRISONERS
carrying sacks. The voice of the Kapo barking at them
throughout.
Rudolf and Claus arrive at the spot on their horses, and
pause to watch.
KAPO
(Yelling in German and
Polish)
Come on!...Move!...Little rat!
Faster!...Work!
Rudolf and Claus walk on.
28 28
INT. DINING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - AFTERNOON
Rudolf sits at the dining room table, charmed by the candles
on his birthday cake.
Hedwig, Claus, Heideraud, Inge-Brigit, and Hans round the
table. Hedwig holds Annagret on her lap, who's crying.
HEDWIG
(to Hans)
You cried like this too. You were
even louder.
Revision 16.
RUDOLF
(of Annagret)
What's going on with her?
HEDWIG
She's strong isn't she?
HANS
Make a wish.
Rudolf thinks.
Then blows out his candles.
Hedwig leads the family in song..
HÖSS FAMILY
"For he's a jolly good fellow, for
he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow, which
nobody can deny..
29 29
EXT TOP GARDEN - HÖSS VILLA - EVENING
Rudolf stands looking through the gate to the lower garden,
puffing away at the remains of a cigar. The sound of water
dripping through camp noises in the background.
He walks across the lawn and now we see their full paddling
pool, with a wooden slide, and a tall white outdoor shower,
which is dripping. Rudolf yanks the lever to properly turn it
off.
He looks up into the sky above the camp buildings and tall
smoking chimney beyond the far garden wall, as he puffs on
the cigar in the twilight.
30 30
INT. BOYS' BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT
Claus and Hans lie in their bunk beds in the dark. Both have
pocket torches. Claus on top, is propped up on his elbows
on his belly pointing the light at something in front of him.
HANS
(quietly)
What are you doing?
CLAUS
I'm looking.
HANS
At what?
Revision 17.
CLAUS
Teeth.
Close on him holding three gold teeth to the torchlight for
inspection, and ten others are on the bed sheet by an open
empty matchbox.
31 31
EXT. LOOKING AT HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT
Rudolf walks up the steps of the porch back into the house.
The downstairs and two of the upstairs windows are lit by
interior lights.
32 32
INT. KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA - SAME
Rudolf is locking up for the night, bolting the back door of
the house and turning off lights. The family dogs Dilla is
around.
Rudolf goes to the kitchen windows and locks those, and turns
off the light.
33 33
INT. LIVING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf locks the glass doors to the dining room.
Rudolf draws the curtains and turns off the light.
34 34
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - MOMENTS LATER
Rudolf secures the locks on the front door and turns off the
light.
The house is quiet.
35 35
INT. LANDING, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Rudolf walks up the stairs towards his bedroom.
He stops on the landing and turns off the light.
The darkness reveals plumes of red-haloed smoke in the
distant background through the balcony door at the end of the
landing, before he suddenly turns the light back on.
His eye caught by Inge-Brigit sitting on a step at the end of
the landing by the window in her nightgown. She's staring
outwards, trance-like.
Revision 18.
Rudolf walks towards and leans down slowly.
RUDOLF
(softly)
What are you doing there?
INGE-BRIGIT
I'm passing out sugars.
RUDOLF
(softly)
To who?
INGE-BRIGIT
I'm looking.
Rudolf reaches out a had gently towards her.
RUDOLF
(softly)
Come.
36 36
EXT. DITCH - NIGHT
THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
A YOUNG POLISH GIRL (15), holding a sack. She takes an apple
out of it and presses it into the wall of earth until only a
patch of it remains visible.
Moves along a meter and does the same. Takes another apple
from her sack and pushes it into the earth.
And again.
Every few yards or so, presses another apple in..
RUDOLF'S VOICE (PRE-LAP)
(reading)
And now the little white bird
showed them the way out of the
forest. Soon they arrived at a
large body of water and didn't know
how to cross it. Suddenly a large
and beautiful swan came swimming
towards them..
END THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
Revision 19.
37 37
INT. GIRLS' BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA -CONTINUOUS
Rudolf lies next to Inge-Brigit on top of her bed reading her
Hansel and Gretel. She's under the sheet, her cheek resting
on his shoulder as he reads, eyes closed. Flickering red
light from outside dapples the bedroom wall.
RUDOLF
..They called to it. "Oh beautiful
swan, please be our boat". The
swan bent it's neck and came to the
shore.
Rudolf pauses, and looks across at Heideraud. She's asleep.
He glances at Inge-Brigit by his side. Fast asleep too.
He gently closes the book.
38 38
EXT. DITCH - NIGHT
The Polish Girl is at the far end of the ditch. Empty sack in
her hand. A trail of partially buried apples in the wall of
the ditch behind her. She climbs out onto higher ground and
into the pitch black night.
39 39
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Rudolf and Hedwig lie in their parallel but separate beds.
HEDWIG
Bracht phoned the house.
RUDOLF
Oh.
HEDWIG
While you were outside for your
toast. I forgot to tell you. He
said he'd call back tomorrow.
Midday.
Rudolf nods.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Will you take me to that Spa in
Italy again?
RUDOLF
Ah.
Revision 20.
HEDWIG
All that pampering. And the walks.
And that nice couple we met.
I was just thinking about it. And
remember the man playing accordion
to the cows?
RUDOLF
(pictures it)
They loved it.
HEDWIG
It was so funny.
RUDOLF
(pulls a cow face)
All looking at him like this.
Hedwig giggles.
HEDWIG
Will you?
RUDOLF
What?
HEDWIG
Take me back there.
RUDOLF
Yes Mutzi.
HEDWIG
When?
RUDOLF
I don't know when.
(cuddles up to her)
Any better?
HEDWIG
Mm.
RUDOLF
You smell nice.
HEDWIG
(In a cod-French accent)
Français.
RUDOLF
Oo-la-la.
She giggles, then snorts.
Revision 21.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Oink, oink.
Then giggles again at that.
HEDWIG
Chocolate. If you see it. Any
goodies.
They both giggle. They both oink.
CUT TO:
40 40
EXT. RAILWAY SPUR, AUSCHWITZ STATION - DAY
OFF SCREEN: the slamming clank of a train carriage cattle
truck door opening.
Looking up at Rudolf, he must be mounted on his horse, just
sky above, black smoke whips around him.
OFF SCREEN: Sounds of women, children, and babies screaming
in panic. Mothers being forcibly separated from their
children. Dog barks, male German voices yelling orders.
Sounds of stream train engine hissing. A child's cry. A
gunshot close by..
Rudolf glances downwards for an instant, looks back up and
out, impassively..
OFF SCREEN: That cry stops, but he awful sounds of children
wailing in terror continue..
As the screen fades gradually to white.
41 41
EXT. FRONT OF HÖSS VILLA - DAY
Heideraud and then Inge-Brigit, dressed for school with
satchels on their backs, emerge from the front door and walk
along the garden path. Hans follows, and then Claus, putting
his satchel on.
Over this we hear:
VOICE OF BRACHT (O.S.)
To the head of the Party
Chancellery, Reichsleiter Bormann.
Personal. Dear Reichsleiter..
Revision 22.
42 42
INT. LIVING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Rudolf is at his desk methodically desk counting and sorting
bills of different currencies - French Francs, American
dollars, Czech kronen - into separate piles. We hear this as
he sorts:
VOICE OF BRACHT (O.S.)
..I have learned that the
commandant of the gigantic K.L.
Auschwitz. Obersturmbannführer
Höss, also well known to you, is to
be transferred. Comrade Höss has
made unprecedented achievements
over four years of painstaking
work. I witnessed the construction
of this great camp close up so can
attest. Reichsführer Himmler
himself acknowledges the uniqueness
of what he built.
Now it is said that the task is too
big for him and that someone must
take his place.
Höss knows prisoner use inside out,
has close contacts with the
Silesian armaments industry, and
has brought groundbreaking ideas to
the whole field of KL practice.
He is a model settler farmer and an
exemplary German pioneer of the
East. His particular strength is
turning theory into practice.
I will refrain from listing more
qualities which prove a change in
his command is not possible.
Therefore, could you please speak
to the Reichsführer as soon as
possible to prevent the transfer of
Comrade Höss.
I would be very grateful for a
brief reply.
Heil Hitler.
Gauleiter Fritz Bracht
43 43
EXT. SOLA RIVER - MORNING
Rudolf paddles his canoe down the middle of the Sola River.
Kneeling between his legs, his young passengers, Hans and
Inge-Brigit.
A light breeze rustles the tall bulrushes on either bank.
Sunlight glistens off the water.
Revision 23.
RUDOLF
Did you know that storks fly as far
as Africa?
The branches above are thick with morning chorus birdsong.
The canoe drifts dreamily downstream.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(pointing)
How far do you think they fly? How
many kilometers?
INGE-BRIGIT
Three hundred?
RUDOLF
More
44 44
EXT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA, BACK GARDEN - MORNING
Hedwig, Claus and Heideraud are gardening in the flowerbeds
nearest the house.
Hedwig is bent over with her hands in the earth, showing
Claus what is a weed and what isn't.
45 45
EXT. ROCKY INLET, SOLA RIVER - MORNING
The canoe is moored on a small beach.
Hans and Inge-Brigit splash in the shallows nearby, teasing
each other.
Rudolf stands waist deep in the river upstream, a fishing rod
in his hand.
He stands very still, focusing on his float in hope of a
bite.
He flinches suddenly. Looks down at the water he's standing
in. Then returns his focus to the float.
Then, feeling something brushing past his thigh, flinches
again.
He looks down at the water. He puts his hand in and pulls out
a fragment of a bone.
A human eye socket.
We look at him through it.
Revision 24.
He drops it then wades out hurriedly.
He throws down his rod on the bank and hurries along the
shoreline, lapping dead fish, towards the children. Signaling
for them to get out as he approaches.
RUDOLF
Come on out. Out.
They come to shore reluctantly.
He towels them off anxiously.
46 46
EXT. SOLA RIVER - DAY
Rudolf is paddling back the way they came. The weather has
changed and the children are shivering in front of him.
Playfully making sounds through chattering teeth.
He paddles hard through the choppy water.
47 47
INT. BATHROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Hans and Inge-Brigit are in the tub together, protesting as
Hedwig kneels in front of them, scrubbing them with soap and
brushes. Elfryda sings to distract them.
48 48
INT. LIVING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SAME
Rudolf, wearing casual, Sunday clothes, is lying on the sofa
reading a book. But he seems distracted. In the background
the radio is on playing a German sports report. We watch him
for w while.
The telephone on his desk rings. He glances at his watch,
then goes to answer it.
RUDOLF
(into phone)
Yes
He listens a beat.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Hang up now.
Rudolf goes to turn off the radio. Then returns to the phone,
sits down.
Revision 25.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Fritz.
(beat)
Go on.
(beat)
What does it say?
Rudolf listens for a long while.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Well.
(beat)
No, no, you wrote a very powerful
letter on my behalf, their minds
were obviously made up.
(beat)
I'd better tell my wife.
Rudolf listens.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
She might.
49 49
INT. KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY (SHORT WHILE LATER)
Hedwig's mother, LINNA HENSEL (early 70's), is sat at the
kitchen table, hot, sweaty and clutching a cool glass of
lemonade.
RUDOLF
Hello Linna.
LINNA
Rudolf! Congratulations.
(an awkward embrace)
What a strong little thing she is.
RUDOLF
Isn't she. How are you?
LINNA
Good.
RUDOLF
How was the journey?
LINNA
We stopped for ages at Krakow.
RUDOLF
That's annoying.
Revision 26.
LINNA
And hot! A lady fainted next to me.
She's moving here with her husband
who's an engineer, he's a lot
older. They've both got jobs at a
new factory. Siemens.
RUDOLF
Ah, yes, that's possible.
LINNA
`All the big companies are here' he
said.
RUDOLF
(distracted)
Yes, yes.
HEDWIG
Don't you need to get on?
RUDOLF
Yes. I'd better.
HEDWIG
I'll show mum to the girls room.
Linna starts to rise.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Finish your drink first.
Hedwig hands Annagret to Elfryda. Rudolf enters the living
room and closes the door behind him.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
I can't believe you're here.
LINNA
Finally.
HEDWIG
Come.
They walk down the corridor.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
You'll have Heideraud's bed and
she'll get in with Inge-Brigit. You
don't mind do you?
LINNA
Of course not.
Revision 27.
HEDWIG
The house looks big but it actually
isn't.
They climb the stairs.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
First thing we did was install
central heating. It gets so cold in
winter you wouldn't believe it.
(points at small patterns
in the wallpaper)
Hand-painted.
Linna leans in to study them.
LINNA
Really?
HEDWIG
Yes.
50 50
INT. GIRLS BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig shows Linna into the girl's room.
Linna scans the room approvingly. Goes over to the window.
HEDWIG
This is Heideraud's bed here.
LINNA
This is lovely. Truly. Such a
lovely room.
Hedwig watches, gratified.
HEDWIG
The top two drawers are for you. I
hope they'll be enough.
LINNA
More than enough.
Linna smells the freshly cut flowers displayed in a vase by
the bed.
LINNA (CONT'D)
Such beautiful flowers.
Then looks at the bed.
Revision 28.
HEDWIG
Try it.
The both sit on a bed. Linna leans across and touches Hedwig
on the knee, and they both giggle.
LINNA
My girl.
51 51
INT. DINING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Hedwig and Linna are watching Sophie and Marta busily
preparing plates of party sandwiches and cakes.
Elfryda and Aniela can be seen in the kitchen doing the same.
HEDWIG
That's spinach strudel, apple
strudel, potato salad. And your
cinnamon rolls.
LINNA
My recipe? Very nice.
Aniela enters and picks up a tray of cakes and carries them
out. Linna looks at her as she passes.
HEDWIG
(of the cinnamon rolls)
Go on, there are loads.
LINNA
(takes one)
Yum.
52 52
INT. LIVING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - SAME
Rudolf sits at his desk on the phone.
RUDOLF
(dictating)
Subject - Lilac tree by the
Commandant guard barracks..
He drains a glass of water.
Revision 29.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(dictating)
The SS members who pick from the
lilac tree in an almost
incomprehensible and radical manner
so that the tree bleeds will be
punished. I expect the SS members,
if they want to take some, to do it
in a modest form and cut them off
the tree sensitively. In the
interest of our whole community, I
hope you understand those flowers
are to decorate our entire camp,
now and in the future, and I expect
SS members to be fully aware of
this measure. Höss.
He hangs up. Then stares, unreadably, into the distance.
53 53
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
They walk down the steps to the main garden. Inge-Brigit and
Hans are playing there in a kid-size metal pedal car.
LINNA
(to Hedwig)
Jews in the house?
HEDWIG
The Jews are over the other side of
the wall. They're local girls.
(to Inge-Brigit and Hans)
Say hello to Grandma.
LINNA greets Hans with a hug and a kiss.
LINNA
My God. He's got so big.
(to Inge Brigit)
and you have such nice hair.
HEDWIG
(of the garden)
This is all us.
(pointing)
There's a grape vine. Obviously,
it'll grow.
54 54
EXT. TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
They turn past where the wall corners, and Linna sees the top
garden for the first time.
Revision 30.
LINNA
It's huge. I'm speechless.
HEDWIG
It's all my design. All the
planting and everything. The
greenhouse, the gazebo at the end.
LINNA
Is that a pool?
HEDWIG
Yes. I have gardeners. I couldn't
do it alone.
LINNA
With a slide? Oh Heddy.
There's a child-sized wooden row boat on the lawn next to the
pool.
HEDWIG
Do you like it?
LINNA
Of course I like it. How could I
not?
HEDWIG
This was a field three years ago.
We just had the lower garden by the
street. And the house had a flat
roof.
LINNA
It's hard to believe.
Linna turns.
LINNA (CONT'D)
And that's the camp wall?
HEDWIG
Yes, that's the camp wall. We
planted more vines at the back to
grow and cover it.
LINNA
Maybe Esther Silberman is over
there.
HEDWIG
Which one was she?
Revision 31.
LINNA
The one I used to clean for. She
was the one who had the book
readings.
HEDWIG
Oh, yes.
LINNA
God know what they were up to.
HEDWIG
Bolshevik stuff.
LINNA
Bolshevik stuff. Jewish stuff.
(disappointed)
And I got outbid on her curtains at
the street auction. Her, opposite,
she got them. I loved those
curtains. Her opposite, she got
the,
Hedwig and Linna walk off, until they're out of earshot, arm
in arm through the top garden.
LINNA (CONT'D)
These flowers are so beautiful.
HEDWIG
The azaleas there. There are also
vegetables. A few herbs. Rosemary.
Beetroot. This is fennel.
LINNA
Sunflowers.
HEDWIG
And here is kohlrabi. The children
love to eat it. Cabbage. Kale.
Runner beans. Pumpkins. Potatoes
and more.
They arrive in the far corner, where the beehives are. They
watch the bees come and go from a distance.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
We have bees over here to provide
our honey.
Revision 32.
LINNA
It's a paradise garden.
(beat)
And Rudolf is okay?
HEDWIG
Yes, he's fine. Working non-stop.
Even when he's home. Which he
loves.
LINNA
He's a busy bee.
HEDWIG
He is. Non-stop. And pressure like
you wouldn't believe.
They arrive at the gazebo.
LINNA
And you're okay?
HEDWIG
Do I look okay?
LINNA
You do.
They sit.
HEDWIG
Rudi calls me the queen of
Auschwitz.
They giggle at her good fortune.
LINNA
Honestly. To have all this.
(surveying the full
`glory' of it)
You really have landed on your
feet.
They take in the garden.
HEDWIG
The linden trees are turning
yellow. It smelled so nice when
they were flowering.
(pointing up to the vine
on the gazebo)
(MORE)
Revision 33.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
This will grow and cover
everything. You'll see next time
you visit.
CUT TO:
55 55
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
MONTAGE OF FLOWERS:
A bed of red petunias in bloom
Climbing roses on a wall trellis
Closer on the roses
Bees crawling on orpines in bloom
Marigolds
Sunflowers
CLOSE UP on a white dahlia
CLOSE UP a purple dahlia
As off-screen we start to hear a voice over the wall crying
out in pain.
CLOSE UP on a chrysanthemum
CLOSE UP on a red dahlia
Off-screen the tortured voice gradually increases
We stay on this red flower
As the screen becomes gradually redder..
And the off-screen sound of the voice gets louder..
Until the red flower disappears in the red screen
And the off-screen spasms of pain get louder..
Suddenly all the sound cuts out completely.
And we are left in the red.
Revision 34.
56 56
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA
The Höss children and a group of school friends - some in
swimming costumes - are gathered around a garden table where
a MAN is showing them a stork. Garden party entertainment.
The stork flaps its big wings, and the children laugh with
excitement.
HEIDERAUD (PRE-LAP)
(reading)
The heartfelt time we spent in the
Höss house..
57 57
INT. LOBBY, HÖSS VILLA - DAY
Heideraud and her female SCHOOLFRIEND, (12), are by the lobby
table, leant over the Höss House Guestbook. They are in their
bathing suits, dripping wet from the pool. Heideraud is
reading aloud.
HEIDERAUD
(reading)
...will always be among our most
beautiful, holiday memories. In the
East lies our tomorrow! Thanks for
your National Socialist
hospitality.
(to her friend)
And this was from...
She studies the illegible signature.
HEIDERAUD (CONT'D)
(reading)
Willy someone.
58 58
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY
Rudolf, now wearing a white suit with white shoes, is pacing
up and down the patio, and smoking a cigarette agitatedly.
The sound of splashing and laughter can be heard.
Heideraud and her Schoolfriend, deep in chitchat, walk out
the house and past him towards the upper garden.
He grinds the cigarette with his heel, then walks down the
steps.
Revision 35.
Claus is courting his GERMAN GIRLFRIEND at the side of the
house. Away from prying eyes. They hold hands, they walk,
they kiss, they giggle..
59 59
EXT. TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Picnic tables and deckchairs facing the pool where the Höss
children and A FEW OF THEIR SCHOOL FRIENDS frolic and swim.
Outdoor toys are strewn about. A big wooden train set lines
one side of the pool. A child-sized teepee is pitched on the
lawn.
Rudolf walks over to the pool. Watches the kids play happily.
Far back enough not to get his suit splashed.
Some of the parents and nannies, sit chatting under the
gazebo at the far end. He waves at them.
Hedwig is in a lounger sunning herself. Linna is dozing in
another nearby. The family's TWO PET TORTOISES trudge across
the lawn.
Rudolf walks over to Hedwig and sits down next to her.
He leans forward. Elbows on knees. Sighs once.. long and
deep.
HEDWIG
Hans says you have his sandals.
RUDOLF
We have to leave Mutzi.
HEDWIG
Leave where?
RUDOLF
Here. We have to go. We're being
transferred.
HEDWIG
(lifts her sunglasses)
Sorry.. what?
RUDOLF
We're being transferred.
HEDWIG
To where?
RUDOLF
Oranienburg.
Revision 36.
HEDWIG
..What?
RUDOLF
They want to swap me for Arthur
Liebehenschel. He comes here. I
take over as DI.
HEDWIG
So why tell me that now?
RUDOLF
There was no good moment to say it.
It can wait.
HEDWIG
You've said it now.
Rudolf gets up, resigned, and walks back towards the house.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Where are you going?
RUDOLF
To get the sandals.
Hedwig pulls herself out of her deckchair and follows,
barefoot.
HEDWIG
When did you know about this?
RUDOLF
Pohl told me last week. I've been
trying to make it go away.
They reach the back door.
60 60
INT. KITCHEN, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig follows him through the kitchen. Marta and Aniela are
tidying away the picnic food.
HEDWIG
Then call Bormann.
RUDOLF
I've tried Bormann. Short of going
to Hitler, I'm fucked.
Revision 37.
61 61
INT. LOBBY, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf walks down the corridor, opens the front door and
exits.
Hedwig stands in the open doorway, watching him quicken his
step towards the front gate.
HEDWIG
(shouting at his back)
Rudolf!
RUDOLF
It's what's happening.
She slams the front door.
And slips in the same moment.
Water on the floor by the lobby table in front of her.
HEDWIG
(calls)
Marta!
Marta hurries from the kitchen.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Is this you?!
MARTA
(perplexed)
Frau Höss?
HEDWIG
(mocks her accent)
Frau Höss?
(a quick wrench of Marta's
hair)
Mop it up. You are living well in
our house, don't you forget that.
Marta dashes to the kitchen. Hedwig catches her breath.
Gathers her thoughts.
62 62
EXT. FRONT GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Hedwig, in shoes and cardigan now, walks purposefully down
the front path to the gate. She opens it. Crosses the road,
then takes the wooden steps down to the river..
Revision 38.
63 63
EXT. RIVER BANK, AUSCHWITZ - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf stands on the bank. Hans's and Inge-Brigit's sodden
sandals next to him. The canoe is moored to a small jetty
nearby.
He is throwing stones into the fast-flowing river.
Hedwig arrives, goes over and stands next to him. Folds her
arms. Looks around.
HEDWIG
Why are they moving you?
RUDOLF
Structural changes.
HEDWIG
What does that mean?
RUDOLF
They haven't been specific. But I'm
not the only one being moved. There
are lots of us.
HEDWIG
When?
RUDOLF
Soon.
HEDWIG
How soon?
RUDOLF
I'm waiting to be told.
HEDWIG
If it's to do with the
investigation, they should speak to
Himmler. He encouraged us.
Rudolf shakes his head.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
So it's not that?
RUDOLF
It's politics.
HEDWIG
Then go to Hitler.
Revision 39.
RUDOLF
Don't be ridiculous.
HEDWIG
Why not? You're the one who
actually carries out his orders.
Once you peel away all the layers.
RUDOLF
We have to face facts. We have to
leave.
HEDWIG
You have to leave.
RUDOLF
Well.
(gobsmacked)
Well, well.
HEDWIG
Your work is in Oranienburg now.
Mine is raising our children. And
I'll do that from here thank you
very much.
RUDOLF
I never thought that you wouldn't
be with me. Never crossed my mind.
HEDWIG
(defiant)
They'd have to carry me out of
here.
(getting upset)
This is our home. We're living how
we dreamed we would. Since we were
seventeen. Beyond how we dreamed.
Out of the city finally. Everything
we want. On our doorstep. And our
children strong and healthy and
happy. Everything the Führer said
about how we should live is exactly
how we do. Drive East. Lebensraum.
Here it is.
(tears in her eyes)
I know you agree with me. Arthur
can find somewhere else to live.
You should make it a condition.
It's the least they can do. He'll
want a townhouse anyway. Rudi?
RUDOLF
Yes, I heard you.
Revision 40.
HEDWIG
So?
RUDOLF
So. I'll, I'll ask, I'll speak to
Pohl.
HEDWIG
You'll be working all the time.
RUDOLF
Yes.
HEDWIG
We'd never see you.
RUDOLF
No.
They both say nothing. Stare into the fast-flowing river
instead.
HEDWIG
I'll miss you of course. But you'll
come home when you can.
(puts her hand to her
heart)
I'll be with you. Just like you'll
be with me.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
And after the war, we'll farm. Like
we said.
They pick up the sandals and walk back to the steps together.
64 64
EXT. TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DUSK
Linna, left dozing, wakes in her deckchair to find the
swimming party over. The guests have all gone and the staff
have cleared up around her. Aniela and Marta are up by the
gazebo bringing the last of the crockery back to the house.
Linna takes in the peace and quiet of the garden. And a tall
single arc of black smoke drifting, phantom-like, across the
late-afternoon sky, high above the wall.
She rises. Unnerved by it. Then turns and walks back to the
house. Over which we pre-lap
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
Do you all understand?
Revision 41.
CLAUS, HEIDERAUD, HAN, INGE-BRIGIT
VOICES (O.S.)
Yes
65 65
INT. DINING ROOM WINDOW, HÖSS VILLA - EVENING
The Höss family are sat at a dinner of turtle soup. Rudolf at
the head of the table. Hedwig stood behind him. Her arm
resting on the back of his chair.
RUDOLF
So, I'll be missing Hans's
birthday. And maybe even our
anniversary. Depending on how long
I'll be gone. So, those are some of
the things that definitely add to
the struggle. But the life we enjoy
is very much worth the sacrifice.
Sullen faces all round. A pregnant pause.
HEDWIG
It's time for bed.
Murmurs as the family rise from the table and start to clear
up.
66 66
INT. GIRL'S BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT, LATER.
Heideraud is asleep in her bed. Inge-Brigit is absent. A
flickering red light dapples the walls.
Linna lies in bed, but her eyes are open looking towards the
window.
Faint sound of crying baby above...
67 67
INT. ELFRYDA'S ATTIC ROOM, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
Which is loud in Elfryda's room.
She is sat, blind drunk, in her nightdress on the edge of her
bed, pouring from a bottle of vodka. Anesthetizing herself.
Annagret screams in her cot in the corner.
Revision 42.
68 68
EXT. WINDOW, GIRLS BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
We look back at Linna, in her nightgown, through glass, the
distant red flames of the crematorium chimney reflected in
the glass.
She looks at it quickly, then lets the curtain drop.
69 69
INT. GIRL'S BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
Linna is by the now-shaded window, looking down pensively.
She turns and walks back to the bed. Picks up a handkerchief
from it and holds it to her as nose as she sits down on the
edge of her bed.
70 70
BOYS' BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
Hans, in bed, holds his torch out, making shadow shapes in
its beam with the other hand.
71 71
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
Hedwig lies in bed, fast asleep. Undisturbed by hellish
sounds from the camp.
72 72
INT. STABLES AUSCHWITZ - NIGHT, LATER
Alone, in the dark quiet of the stables, Rudolf, wearing
white trousers and shirt, stands in his horse Merer's stall
feeding her carrots.
RUDOLF
Good girl. There you go.. There you
go. It'll be hard for you too. I
know that. Don't you think I know
that? I know that. I love you my
girl. Yes I do.
She munches and listens and breaths on her master's hand as
he tells her all about it.
73 73
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, COMMANDANT BUILDING AUSCHWITZ - NIGHT,
LATER
Rudolf stands by his desk holding a phone receiver to his
ear.
Revision 43.
RUDOLF
(into phone to his
adjutant)
Call Walter Durrfeld first thing
and see if he can join us at
selection. Tell him they're Dutch
and he can have his pick. Otherwise
I'll see him at the IG lunch.
(dictating)
Letter to Kurt Prufer and Fritz
Sander, Topf and Sons.
He begins to pace around his desk holding the phone.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Subject. Ring Crematorium.
(beat)
I'm glad you were able to make the
journey.
He stops by a window, places the phone on the sill, raises
the blind. Outside he can see his back garden over the camp
wall, the greenhouse in the background.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
SS-Obersturmbannführer Bischoff and
I both agree the ring crematorium
is definitely the answer.
He peers to the right, in the direction of the family house.
He pulls the blind down.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
What a difference it will make.
He drops the blind.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Bravo.
(beat)
I welcome your suggestion that the
design should be patented in order
to secure priority.
(leans on the front of his
desk)
I will follow up with a letter of
intent.
(beat)
You should be aware I've been
promoted to Deputy Inspector of
Concentration Camps at the IKL.
A light double tap on his office door. Rudolf cups the
receiver with his hand.
Revision 44.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(towards the door)
Come.
The door is opened by a REDHEADED WOMAN, (30's), wearing
civilian clothes.
Rudolf points her matter-of-factly, to the seating area at
the far end. She sits.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
(Back into the phone)
And there future communications
will be from Oranienberg-Berlin.
The focus there is now on labour.
The Redheaded Woman starts to take off her shows.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Of course, this direction will
affect our plans, and although it
pains me to leave Auschwitz, I
believe I'll be in a better
position to push for funds and
materials from there. Heil Hitler
et cetera.
Rudolf hangs up. He keeps a lustful eye on the woman, now
barefoot.
He walks slowly over, and stops a few feet from her.
Puts his hands on his hips and sways lasciviously.
74 74
INT. BASEMENT TUNNEL - NIGHT, LATER
A faint, pin prick of light approaches through the darkness.
It's Rudolf, lurching in his white suit down a long,
underground tunnel from the camp.
We hear his voice dictating another letter to his adjutant as
he walks.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
Letter to Gruppenführer Glücks,
IKL. Subject: Transfer.
(beat)
Dear Gruppenführer Glücks, I would
like my family to remain at 88
Bielitzstrasse, KL Auschwitz for
the duration of my transfer..
Revision 45.
75 75
INT. BASEMENT, HÖSS VILLA, CONTINUOUS
His dictation continues as he emerges through a door in the
mouth of the tunnel and into the basement of the Höss house.
Grey-white clammy skin. He locks the door behind him.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
..It would be a great favour to me
for this to be permitted.
(beat)
I must stress what a wonderful
environment Hedwig is making for
the children since settling here...
Then lights a kerosene lamp. He walks over to the laundry
sink with it, turns on the taps.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
An inspiration in many ways for our
new German community in the East...
He undoes his belt and his trousers fall to the floor. Then
pulls his underpants down to his knees.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
If this is acceptable, provision of
a simple lodging for myself in
Oranienburg will suffice. I would
be very grateful for a speedy
answer. Heil Hitler, et cetera.
Then he plunges his hands in the sink and scrubs them. Then
leans over and scrubs his genitals
76 76
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig lies in bed fast asleep, next to Rudolf's still-made
empty bed.
77 77
INT. BASEMENT, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf does up his trousers, and pushes his hair into shape
in the mirror.
78 78
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
Rudolf, dressed now, emerges from the basement. He turns a
light on, to find Inge-Brigit sleepwalking in the pantry,
gazing at nothing in particular.
Revision 46.
79 79
INT. PANTRY, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
He picks her up gently and walks to the corridor, her hands
instinctively holding onto her father's back.
INGE-BRIGIT
(half-asleep)
Sweaty.
RUDOLF
Sshh.
80 80
EXT. ORCHARD, BRZESZCZE - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
No light outside. The open mouth of a sack flat on the
ground strewn with pears.
A couple more are thrown in.
Now we see the Polish Girl we saw placing apples at the ditch
earlier, ALEKSANDRA, throwing the low-hanging pears she's
gathered from a tree.
Throughout, we hear Rudolf's voice off-screen reading Hansel
& Gretel to Inge-Brigit.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
(reading)
The little snow white bird flew
down and sang, "Be warned, be
warned."
81 81
EXT. ORCHARD/CONSTRUCTION SITE, BRZESZCZE - NIGHT
Aleksandra carries a now bulging sack of pears as a sling
over one shoulder.
She walks up past an SS warning sign in German and Polish
('Camp area KL Auschwitz/ Entry is forbidden! Violators will
be shot on sight! / The Camp Commandant) which she
disregards...
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
(reading)
Gretel understood what the witch
had in mind.
Revision 47.
82 82
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE, BRZESZCZE - CONTINUOUS
...And onto the black slag of an empty construction site.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
And said, "Please show me first, I
don't know how to do that." The
witch sat on the shovel and Gretel
pushed her into the oven, as deep
as she could. Then she closed the
iron door of the oven and secured
it with a bar. The witch got cooked
alive as a punishment for her
horrible deeds.
She looks misshapen by the sack of pears she's carrying. Her
tiny figure walks down towards the machinery on the far side.
There are likely more than a thousand prisoners working here
during the day.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Gretel ran straight to Hansel,
unlocked the goose cage and let him
out. He jumped out and threw his
arms around his sister's neck. They
kissed one another, cried with joy,
and thanked God. The little white
bird sang, "Pearls and gems for
bread crumbs."
She dips down, out of sight, and into one of it's deep
trenches.
END THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
83 83
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf is unbuttoning his white shirt, undressing for bed.
Hedwig still fast asleep in the other bed.
84 84
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE, BRZESZCZE - CONTINUOUS
THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
Aleksandra pauses every few yards to deposit pears in the
earth near the spades planted planted in the ground.
As she does so, she spots a small, circular tin can pressed
into the earth.
She removes it and opens the lid. Peers inside.
Revision 48.
We see a sheet of paper tightly folded-up lengthwise coiled
inside.
Aleksandra closes the can, puts it in her bag, and leaves a
pear in its place, before continuing.
85 85
EXT. COUNTRY ROADSIDE, BRZESZCZE - LATER
Aleksandra is stock still astride a bicycle set furtively
back from the road among trees. She's looking intently out
from her hiding place at two SS MEN, and a huge pig, passing
nearby.
She waits for her moment, then cycle silently across the
street and drops down into another.
86 EXT. BACK-STREETS, BRZESZCZE OUTSKIRTS - SHORT WHILE LATER 86
Aleksandra turns onto a narrow track and freewheels down it
towards the houses below.
She stops at the bottom, dismounts, then pushes her bicycle
through a back yard.
87 87
EXT. ALEKSANDRA'S STREET, BRZESZCZE OUTSKIRTS - SHORT WHILE
LATER
She rests it at the back of her apartment building, walks
down the side passage, skips up the front steps and hurries
inside.
THERMAL NIGHT VISION ENDS:
88 INT. HALLWAY, ALEKSANDRA'S APARTMENT BUILDING, BRZESZCZE - 88
MOMENTS LATER
A woman, her mother WANDA (40's) opens the door for
Aleksandra.
WANDA
(in Polish)
Here you are at last.
89 89
INT. LIVING ROOM. ALEKSANDRA'S APARTMENT, BRZESZCZE - LATER
Wanda is sat embroidering by kerosene light. In the
background Aleksandra is asleep in a bedroom.
Revision 49.
Then the smell comes. Foul. Overpowering. Wanda stands and
hurries to the curtained living room windows, which overlook
the street. Draws them, revealing an open window, and through
it in the distant night sky blazing crematorium chimneys. The
sound of wind gusting.
She shuts the window, re-draws the curtains, and goes into...
90 90
INT. ALEKSANDRA'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT, BRZESZCZE - CONTINUOUS
The kerosene reading light from Aleksandra's bedside table
flickers in the draft. Wanda hurries over to the open
bedroom window, where the same view is glimpsed, and closes
that too.
Over this we hear a real archive recording of a MAN'S VOICE,
JOSEPH WULF speaking in Yiddish
JOSEPH WULF
(in Yiddish)
Words by Joseph Wulf. Written in
1943 in Owicim, Auschwitz III.
Wanda turns, stands with her back to the window looking at
Aleksandra who hasn't stirred. The kerosene lamp on her
bedside table no longer flickers.
Wanda goes to remove the light, and next to it in on the
table we see the now-unfolded piece of paper by the empty tin
which Aleksandra found at the construction site that night.
The sheet is still holding the creases from its lengthwise
folds, but we can make out pencil hand-drawn musical notation
on it.
Wanda takes away the light, leaving us in darkness for a
beat.
PRE LAP: Very tentatively played piano notes.
And then words - Joseph Wulf's unsung lyrics to his song -
appear on screen, in gold letters. The words appear on
screen synchronized exactly with the piano notes as they are
played. And they fade away as the note decays.
NB: the words should be written in the language of the
territory the film is showing in.
Sunbeams
Revision 50.
91 91
INT. CORRIDOR, ALEKSANDRA'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Wanda carries the light, and walks upstairs
Radiant and warm
92 92
INT. 2ND FLOOR LANDING, ALEKSANDRA'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Wanda opens a door to the balcony.
93 93
EXT. BALCONY, ALEKSANDRA'S APARTMENT, BRZESZCZE - SAME
THERMAL NIGHT VISION:
Shutters clatter in the wind out here as Wanda emerges and
hurriedly rescues washing on the line from swirling ash,
putting it into a basket.
Human bodies
Young and old
And we
Who are imprisoned here
Our hearts
Are not yet cold
94 94
INT. LIVING ROOM, OLUSIA'S APARTMENT, OWICIM - DAWN
Close on Aleksandra's hand on a piano keyboard playing the
notes we are hearing.
She is sitting at a piano in the living room sight-reading
the hand-drawn music written on the paper she found, which
rests on the music rack, still curling from its folds.
Opened out on the music rack is the paper from inside the tin
can she found buried and she is tentatively playing the notes
she is sight-reading
Softly the prisoner-composed melody fills the room.
Soul afire
Like the blazing sun
Tearing, breaking through their pain
Revision 51.
For soon we'll see
That waving flag
The flag of freedom
Yet to come
Aleksandra finishes sight-reading the music on the paper.
95 95
INT. LOBBY, HÖSS VILLA - MORNING
The four eldest Höss children, dressed for school, are
buttoning up their coats.
Elfryda stands by the open front door holding their satchels.
Shwarzer is waiting outside to drive them.
As each of the children pass on their way out, they reach up,
straight-armed, and she hooks their satchel onto it.
ELFRYDA
(to Heideraud)
Have a nice day at school.
A daily practice designed to inculcate the correct Nazi
salute.
ELFRYDA (CONT'D)
(to Claus)
Have a nice day..
(to Inge-Brigit)
Have a nice day..
(to Hans)
Have a nice day..
96 96
INT. DINING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - MORNING
Hedwig is sat at the dining table, leans forward to better
smell her pike and potatoes. Two place settings; one for her,
one for Linna opposite.
A little time passes. Then she gets up. Goes to the stairs.
97 97
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
HEDWIG
(calling up the stairs)
Sophie! It's getting cold tell her.
Revision 52.
Sophie appears at the top of the stairs.
SOPHIE
She's not here. And her case has
gone.
HEDWIG
What?
Hedwig skips upstairs. Sophie walks down.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
Mum?
98 98
INT. GIRLS' BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig enters the girls bedroom.
Linna's case is gone and the bed's been made.
99 99
INT. HALL, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig comes back downstairs. Sophie waiting at the bottom.
HEDWIG
Did she leave a note?
SOPHIE
I don't know.
HEDWIG
(frustrated)
Well, have you looked?
SOPHIE
Well, no. I hadn't thought to.
Hedwig walks to the lobby.
100 100
INT. LOBBY, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig goes to the lobby table to see if there's anything
there. There is. A folded paper, with `Hedwig Höss' written
on it, tucked into the corner of the guest book.
She unfolds it. Stands there reading. Then re-folds it.
Opens the front door. Looks out. Walks back to the dining
room with the note.
Revision 53.
101 101
INT. DINING ROOM, HÖSS VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Hedwig enters, throws the note into the wood-fired ceramic
heater. Then plonks herself down in the chair.
HEDWIG
Aniela!
Aniela enters from the kitchen.
HEDWIG (CONT'D)
(gestures to Linna's
uneaten breakfast)
Take it away.
(as Aniela picks it up)
Was that here to spite me?
ANIELA
(perplexed)
No, Mrs. Höss?
HEDWIG
(eating, as Aniela takes
the plate away)
I could have my husband spread your
ashes across the fields of Babice.
102 102
INT. BATHROOM, HÖSS VILLA - LATER
Hedwig is stretched out in the bathtub.
103 103
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY, AUSCHWITZ REGION - DAY
Rudolf and Claus trot along the edge of a field, then drop
down onto lower ground.
RUDOLF
Relax. Let her find it.
They trot past strip fields where Polish farm LABOURERS are
working. Bonfire smoke washes over the landscape.
CLAUS
Are you not going to be a
commandant anymore?
RUDOLF
I'll be head of all the
commandants.
(MORE)
Revision 54.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Inspecting their camps, seeing
where improvements can be made.
Their yield, that kind of thing.
Rudolf digs his heels into Merer's flanks. Both horses open
up now, cantering across the landscape.
104 104
EXT. BACK GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY, LATER
Elfryda, Heideraud and Inge-Brigit sit at the patio table.
The heads of different species of flowers are strewn across
it. The girls are immortalizing them, one by one, into flower
presses.
ELFRYDA
It has a great name. It's girl's
eye, or tickseed.
HEIDERAUD
Girl's eye?
ELFRYDA
Girl's eye, yes. I guess that's
because of its serrated petals.
Because they resemble the long
eyelashes of women and girls.
105 105
EXT. GREENHOUSE, TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - SHORT WHILE LATER
A KAPO, BÖHNER (30's) is repairing the greenhouse roof with
wooden planks he's carrying from inside, under Hedwig's
supervision. She walks into the greenhouse.
106 106
INT. GREENHOUSE, TOP GARDEN, HOSS VILLA - MOMENTS LATER
Hedwig leans against a shelf surrounded by big green leaves
from potted plants and small shrubs. Smoking a cigarette now.
Her smoker's corner.
Böhner comes back in for another plank. Hedwig offers him a
cigarette from her pack, and her lighter, which he takes and
lights. He bends to pick up a plank, but she waves him to
stop.
She watches him smoke, and he her.
107 107
INT. BOYS' BEDROOM, HÖSS VILLA - LATER
Hans sits on the rug playing with dice and soldiers.
Revision 55.
Outside the bedroom window, the voice of Rudolf yelling can
be heard. He's still on his horse as we can hear its clip
clopping . And the sound of prisoners being marched into the
camp. A returning work unit, with accompanying guards and
Kapos.
Through the below we see Hans take notice of the sound
outside, which takes his attention away from his play.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
(shouting aggressively)
You there! Guard! Bring him here!
Hans gets up and starts to move towards the window.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
(shouting)
What's he done?
SS GUARD'S VOICE (O.S.)
Fighting over an apple, Commandant.
Hans pulls back the net curtain
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
(shouting)
Drown him in the river!
He quickly pushes it back. The sound of agony outside. He
starts to move away from the window.
SS GUARD'S VOICE (O.S.)
(shouting)
Come!
HANS
(under his breath to
himself)
Don't do that again.
He returns to his game of dice on the floor.
EXT - GARDEN, HOSS VILLA - DAY, CONTINUOUS
A Prisoner Gardener scatters human ash and ground bones as
fertilizer on the garden by the camp wall.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
(Shouting)
Move it! I don't care!
(beat)
Move it! Get out!
Revision 56.
Close on the Prisoner Gardeners fork turning ash and bone
into clods of garden soil.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Are you going to stand there
trembling? Something to say?!
108 EXT. BANDSTAND, TOWN PARK, ORANIENBURG - MORNING, WINTER 108
A GERMAN VETERAN MILITARY BRASS BAND dressed in winter coats,
hats and boots.
The CONDUCTOR - his back to us facing his band - swings his
arms and launches them into a bouncy traditional march.
We look the other way at a city park covered in snow, below a
grey sky. SS OFFICERS WITH BRIEFCASES walking to work and
CIVILIANS, all dressed for the cold, pass by.
Rudolf walks through frame - winter coat, gloves, briefcase -
then stops and turns to the bandstand for a while to enjoy
the music.
His face is fuller. He's put on weight.
Mostly empty snow-covered park benches face the bandstand but
on three of them are TWO BADLY WAR-WOUNDED VETERANS (40's) in
balaclavas and uniform, watching the concert, and a PORTLY
CIVILIAN MAN (50's) reading the paper.
Rudolf walks on.
Coming the other way is a WOMAN WALKING A MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
(50's). He stops to ask her about her dog. She stops. Rudolf
bends down to pat the dog.
The conversation will be improvised, with Rudolf's dialogue
including the following.
RUDOLF
(to the dog)
Hello.
(bends down)
You're lovely. Yes you are.
(looks up at Woman)
Male or female? What's their name?
The woman answers.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
You don't see so many with this
coloring.
Revision 57.
The woman talks about that.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
I had a black one when I was little.
Elsa. Born on the same day I was.
He stands.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
He's lovely.
Walks away.
PRE-LAP: a Concentration Camps Inspectorate office tannoy
announcement.
MALE CCI TANNOY ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
On Sunday at 19h there will be a
benefit concert at the Marksmen's
Club to raise money for War Winter
Relief..
109 109
INT. CORRIDOR, CONCENTRATION CAMPS INSPECTORATE (CCI),
ORANIENBURG, NEAR BERLIN - DAY
The announcement continues over a GROUP OF CONCENTRATION CAMP
COMMANDANTS approaching from one end of a long corporate
office building white corridor.
In the foreground TWO SS OFFICERS stand by the open double
doors of a large office. The tannoy announcement continues in
the background.
MALE CCI ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
..Junior Squad Leader Johann
Thissen will conduct the orchestra
in two part programme featuring a
tribute to Herms Niel...
110 110
INT. BOARDROOM, CCI, ORANIENBURG - DAY, CONTINUOUS
An SS WAITER wheels out an empty trolley through the doors.
Inside there are coffee pots on an end table, and glasses and
water jugs down either side of a boardroom table, around
which are twenty empty chairs.
One of HÖSS'S ADJUTANTS is going round placing a file folder
in front of each chair, while the other reads aloud from his
note book to Rudolf, who pours himself a coffee, then strolls
casually round the table, quality checking.
Revision 58.
HÖSS'S ADJUTANT
(reading)
Liebehenschel, Auschwitz I.
Hartjenstein, Auschwitz II / Birkenau.
Schwarz, Auschwitz III / Monowitz.
Haas, Bergen-Belsen.
Pister, Buchenwald.
Weiter, Dachau.
Koegel, Flossenbürg.
Hassebroek, Groß-Rosen.
Grünewald, Herzogenbusch.
Sporrenberg, Hinzert.
Goecke, Kauen...
As attendees are listed, Rudolf regards a large wall map
which shows Germany and the countries under its occupation.
Black stickers denote the location of each concentration
camp. From afar, the effect looks plague-like. He sips his
coffee.
HÖSS'S ADJUTANT (CONT'D)
...Weiss, Majdanek.
Ziereis, Mauthausen.
Dieter, Moringen.
Hartjenstein, Natzweiler-Struthof.
Pauly, Neuengamme.
Göth, Plaszow.
Suhren, Ravensbrück.
Kaindl, Sachsenhausen
Werner Hoppe, Stutthof...
111 111
INT. CORRIDOR, CCI, ORANIENBURG - DAY, CONTINUOUS
Many CAMP COMMANDANTS and their ADJUTANTS are gathered and
chit-chatting while they wait for the meeting to begin.
HÖSS'S ADJUTANT (O.S.) CONT'D
...Schnabel, Vaivara.
Herbert, Warsaw.
Apologies for absence, Förschner,
Mittelbau-Dora. Sauer, Riga-
Kaiserwald.
112 INT. BOARDROOM, CCI, ORANIENBURG - DAY, SHORT WHILE LATER 112
The camp commandants are sat either side of the boardroom
table.
OBERGRUPPENFÜHRER OSWALD POHL, (50's), is sat commandingly at
the centre. SS GRUPPENFÜHRER RICHARD GLÜCKS, (50's),
Inspector of Concentration Camps, is sat to his left.
Revision 59.
Rudolf is sat at opposite.
COLONEL GERHARD MAURER, (30's), Director of Economic
Administration, is sat at one end.
Adjutants, junior SS officials make up a second row behind.
A BUSINESSMAN, DR. MEINDL (50s), in a civilian suit and tie,
brown Homburg hat on his lap, is sitting by the doors.
Other SS staff can be seen in offices in the far background.
POHL
The Führer has approved the
deportation of Hungary's seven hundred
thousand Jews for extermination and
war production where able-bodied. An
agreement was reached with the new
Hungarian government to begin the
action immediately. They are being
amassed for transportation to
Auschwitz. Four trains a day, three
thousand in each, twelve thousand
daily. Firstly via the Eastern zones,
one to three. Then via four and five
in the middle of the country, and
finally, Budapest. Pressburg and
Vienna are heavily loaded with
military transports so Jewish
transports will pass through Kassa and
Muszyna instead.
(refers to his notes)
Based on estimates provided by
Obersturmbahnführer Höss, twenty five
percent will be retained for labour
after selection. Twenty percent of
those will be used in Auschwitz sub
camps, and the other eighty per cent
will come to your camps in due course.
(beat)
The scale is many times larger than
we've faced before. So get ready.
Before I hand over to
Obersturmbahnführer Höss, I'd like to
announce the promotion of Colonel
Maurer to the rank of SS-
Standartenführer for consistently
hitting his labour targets. Bravo.
The men knock the table as an expression of appreciation .
POHL (CONT'D)
I get fan mail from CEOs for this man.
He's more famous than me.
Revision 60.
MAURER
Thank you Sir.
POHL
Well deserved.
MAURER
As I've said before, I'm grateful for
your leadership.
POHL
Thank you. You have said that. I
appreciate that.
Pohl signals Rudolf to begin.
RUDOLF
Thank you Obergruppenführer Pohl. Good
morning everyone. Two apologies for
absence; Sturmbannführer Förschner -
Mittelbau-Dora. Sturmbannführer Sauer -
Riga-Kaiserwald. You will appreciate
we have a very busy agenda today. The
Hungarian action is urgent and
complex, and will involve significant
and converging challenges at every
operational level. Please turn to the
first page in your files.
The commandants open their files.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
You will see five headings. Item one:
`timings'. Item two: `re-direction of
construction resources'. Item three:
`transportation'.
(beat)
For item four, `Prisoner workers', Dr.
Meindl from Steyr-Damiler-Puch, some
of you know him some of you don't, is
joining us today to discuss pay rates
and incentives.
Dr. Meindl stands so he can be seen. He waves and sits again.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Item five: `fire and air defense
measures'. This will effect all camps
in the east of the Reich which are now
within the range of Allied air raids.
Revision 61.
113 113
EXT. TOWN PARK, ORANIENBURG - DUSK
Rudolf walks home from work carrying his briefcase through
the snowy park, along with OTHER SS OFFICERS.
114 114
INT. BEDROOM, RUDOLF'S LODGING, ORANIENBURG - NIGHT
Rudolf on his back in his pyjamas, in bed, head propped on a
pillow, but fast asleep.
One arm hangs out over the edge of the bed and work papers
are strewn around on the floor, and a pen.
A small bar heater is on at the foot of the bed. A painting
of a bird on the wall and a photograph frame on a dresser.
115 115
EXT. TOWN PARK, ORANIENBURG - DAY, MORNING
Rudolf walks to work through the park again, carrying his
briefcase, past the empty bandstand. OTHER CCI SS STAFF
walking to work too, and some NURSES.
In the far background black smoke rises, the aftermath of a
night bombing raid on Berlin.
116 INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, CCI ORANIENBURG, NEAR BERLIN - DAY 116
Rudolf, in some kind of reverie, stands at his office window.
Typewriters clack away behind him. He's gazing out.
117 117
EXT. TOP GARDEN, HÖSS VILLA - DAY
The garden is all fallen leaves, frosted paths and bare
winter trees. The pool is frozen over. Snow on the roof of
the guard tower and camp building roof behind the garden
wall.
Claus and Hans play. Claus holds a wooden club.
Their play, conversation and scuffle will be improvised.
At one point Claus catches Hans, and puts him in the
greenhouse, locking it behind him.
The crematorium chimney behind the far garden well is
belching black smoke into the winter sky.
Revision 62.
Claus goes over to sit on the wall, and makes a gas hissing
sound.
PRE-LAP: CCI office tannoy announcement.
MALE CCI TANNOY ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Saturday's funeral ceremony for the
pupils...
118 118
INT. WAITING ROOM, OUTSIDE GLÜCK'S OFFICE, CCI, ORANIENBURG -
DAY
Rudolf is stood, with SS-Sturmbannführer, WILLHELM BURGER,
(40'S) sat in a chair. Nearby, an OFFICE ADJUTANT (20's) sits
at a reception desk. The announcement continues above the
sound of typewriters from the office beyond, as they wait.
MALE CCI TANNOY ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
CONT'D
...of the Air Force School who died
in the bombing raid of March 6th
will start at 11:30. SS pall
bearers should congregate in the
forecourt of the T Building by
10:45. Transport will leave for
Hans Schemm School promptly at
11am. Commander of the Guard
Obersturmbannführer Gustav Wegner
will lead the cortège to the
cemetery with a delegation from the
League of German Girls and Air
Force Students.
The office door is opened and GLÜCKS ADJUTANT (30's) emerges.
Glücks in the background.
GLÜCKS ADJUTANT
(to Rudolf)
Obersturmbannführer Höss.
GLÜCKS
(from the office behind)
Rudolf. Come on in.
Rudolf enters.
Glücks Adjutant leaves, closing the door behind him.
GLÜCKS (CONT'D)
How are you?
Revision 63.
119 INT. RICHARD GLÜCKS OFFICE, CCI, ORANIENBURG - CONTINUOUS 119
Glücks is standing in the middle of the room holding a
telegram.
Maurer looks up from a sofa in the corner. Documents on his
lap and in front of him.
RUDOLF
Good.
GLÜCKS
(looking at the telegram)
I've just received this.
Obergruppenführer Pohl met with
Reichsführer Himmler to assess the
numbers involved.
He hands it to Rudolf.
GLÜCKS (CONT'D)
And your name came up.
RUDOLF
Okay.
Rudolf reads it. Absorbs it. Moments pass. Rudolf folds the
telegram and looks up at Glücks.
GLÜCKS
We're moving Leibehenschel out of
Auschwitz to Madjanek. He's not
energetic enough for this.
RUDOLF
(a single nod)
Okay.
GLÜCKS
You'll receive operational orders from
Eichmann.
RUDOLF
Perfect.
GLÜCKS
You'll tell me what resources you need
once you get there.
RUDOLF
I will.
Revision 64.
GLÜCKS
Any problems, come to me or Gerhard
directly.
Maurer waves from the corner.
GLÜCKS (CONT'D)
Those are your orders.
RUDOLF
Thank you.
GLÜCKS
How's Hedwig?
RUDOLF
Good.
GLÜCKS
Obergruppenführer Pohl told me she
sends the boss flowers from your
garden every week.
RUDOLF
Yes. When in bloom.
They shake. Glücks returns to his desk.
GLÜCKS
Get the job done.
RUDOLF
I will. Thank you. I appreciate the
trust and confidence you have in me.
(half-bows)
Gentlemen.
He turns to leave. Walking a little taller.
Glücks and Maurer are left alone. Glücks goes to sit down
opposite him.
GLÜCKS
And?
MAURER
I'm not sure yet.
GLÜCKS
Relax. He won't put them all up the
chimney. You'll get your workers.
You'll see.
Revision 65.
120 120
INT. SS SURGERY, ORANIENBURG - DAY
Rudolf, mid-medical exam, laying in his underpants, on a
gurney in a white doctors office.
A white-coated SS DOCTOR, (50's), is examining him,
stethoscope in ears. He finishes with the stethoscope and
moves on to palpation, tapping on the back of his own hand
across Rudolf's midriff.
SS DOCTOR
(sensing something)
Are you sleeping okay?
RUDOLF
Yes.
SS DOCTOR
How many bowel movements do you have
per day?
RUDOLF
Twice per day.
SS DOCTOR
Urinating?
RUDOLF
Without issues.
The Doctor begins to examine Rudolf's stomach with his hands.
SS DOCTOR
Ill feel around now. On the surface,
first. If there is any pain, then
please let me know.
121 121
INT. CORRIDOR NEAR SS SURGERY, CCI, ORANIENBURG - LATER
Rudolf comes through a door and approaches a wall-mounted
telephone by a main stairwell.
Corridor comings and goings through the following.
Rudolf picks up the receiver and huddles into the phone.
RUDOLF
(beat, waiting for the
operator)
This is Höss.
(beat)
(MORE)
Revision 66.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Long-distance priority call, KL
Auschwitz, Höss private residence.
(beat)
I'll stay on the line.
He waits holding the receiver for the call to be connected. A
group of three SS OFFICERS, and a BUSINESSMAN walk up the
stairs together in the background.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Are you there?
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
(through the receiver)
Hello
RUDOLF'S VOICE
Can you talk?
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
(through the receiver)
Is everything OK?
RUDOLF
Yes.
(enthused)
I have news. I told you I'd heard
rumblings but nothing concrete.
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
(through the receiver)
That news?
RUDOLF
The Hungary thing.
(beat)
The old man gave me orders from
Heinrich. It's happening at last.
I'm coming back to run it. Well I'm
very relieved about that.
(long beat, smiles)
I have to admit, I'm as pleased as
Punch.
An SS DOCTOR carrying a folder comes out of the same door,
revealing an SS OFFICER sat on a bench waiting to be seen,
and skips down the stairs.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
Yes
(beat)
I don't know. I go to Budapest
first. Things will be clearer after
that. Anyway my cogs are turning.
(MORE)
Revision 67.
RUDOLF (CONT'D)
I must get on. I'll call you
later, after the party..
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
(through the receiver)
No, no. Wait please. Tell Eleanor
Pohl...
122 122
EXT. COURTYARD, POHL RESIDENCE, BERLIN - NIGHT
Rudolf stands alone smoking a Swiss cheroot by a table laden
with champagne in ice buckets, glasses, and a centrepiece ice
sculpture swastika. Three SS MEN and a woman in a fur coat
chat in a group nearby.
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.) CONT'D
...when she receives her parcel, to look in the compact.
They're inside.
He looks preoccupied and stiff. Music from a string quartet
leaks from inside the tall windowed doors of the adjoining
room.
Rudolf stubs his cheroot out in a standing ashtray and moves
towards the doors.
123 123
INT. ANTLER ROOM, POHL RESIDENCE, BERLIN - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf enters high walled room covered with antler trophies
and an imposing fireplace, through which PARTY GUESTS are
still arriving. Some have stopped to watch the string
quartet. WHITE-JACKETED WAITERS with trays pass to and fro.
Rudolf ambles through.
124 124
INT. SALON, POHL RESIDENCE, BERLIN - CONTINUOUS
NAZI DIGNITARIES, SS, ARMY OFFICERS, WAR WOUNDED, VETERANS,
IG FARBEN EXECUTIVES, WIVES and other CIVILIANS, of all ages,
shapes and sizes, mingle. Uniforms, black tie, evening gowns.
WHITE-SUITED WAITERS come and go.
A party in full flow.
He enters awkwardly. Small groups of party guests in here.
Mingling and chatting.
He catches the eye of the `lady of the house', ELANOR POHL.
She is surrounded by friends. Respectfully, he goes to greet
her. We watch their small-talk from a distance. She seems
animated and happy to see him.
Revision 68.
Then, with a little servile bow, he excuses himself and
meanders away towards the next salon, his eyes darting from
group to group, as Elanor Pohl raises a glass to another
guest.
125 125
INT. PIANO ROOM, POHL RESIDENCE, BERLIN - MOMENTS LATER
A grand piano plays. Guests pass through to and from the
ballroom beyond.
Rudolf is being greeted by Dr Meindl from Steyer-Daimler-
Puch, now wearing black tie, with a group of senior SS
OFFICERS, including EICHMANN (30's). Drinks and smiles all
round.
An older SS MAN interrupts and pats Rudolf on the back in
congratulation.
After a few moments, Eichmann grabs two champagne glasses
from the tray of an SS WAITER. Hands one to Rudolf. Makes a
little toast to him. The two men chink glasses.
126 126
INT. GRAND HALLWAY, POHL RESIDENCE - SHORT WHILE LATER
Rudolf, drink-less, makes his way along the hallway, which
leads to the huge internal French windows of the ballroom.
He stands looking in, people watching. Then looks up and
around at what must be the impressively-high ceiling within.
After a short contemplation of it, he turns around, notices
the central stairs behind, and climbs them in search of a
better vantage point to observe.
He arrives at a landing. It's darker up here, save for
blazing chandelier light coming from the ballroom. Tall glass
doors open onto a viewing balcony.
A MIDDLE-AGED COUPLE are out there. Rudolf waits his turn.
Bides his time, hands behind his back.
Then the middle-aged couple leave and return to the party.
Rudolf walks over to the viewing balcony.
127 127
INT. BALCONY, POHL RESIDENCE - CONTINUOUS
He walks out onto it, and peers over the ledge at the ballroom
below.
The huge windows of a ballroom. Chandeliers blaze inside.
Revision 69.
A throng of guests.
He surveys them.
Most stand in groups socializing. Others, in the centre, waltz.
He looks up at the gilded ceiling.
Then again at the mass below. Takes it all in. His lips are
moving, like he's calculating.
PRE-LAP
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
I heard Himmler's calling it
Operation Höss.
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
That's fantastic. I'm so happy for
you.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
Than you, Mutzi. It's your name
too.
HEDWIG'S VOICE (O.S.)
Who was there?
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.)
To tell you the truth I wasn't
really paying attention.
Then at the mass below. Takes it all in. His lips are moving,
like he's calculating.
RUDOLF'S VOICE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
I was too busy thinking how I'd gas
everyone in the room. Very
difficult, logistically, because of
it's high ceiling.
128 128
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Hedwig stands by Rudolf's desk holding the phone. She's
wearing a winter nightdress, slippers, and her hairs down.
She's obviously been called to the phone from bed.
HEDWIG'S VOICE
Well, It's the middle of the night
and I need to be in bed.
Revision 70.
129 129
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, CCI, ORANIENBURG - NIGHT
Rudolf is sitting at his desk, speaking on the phone with
Hedwig. His feet are up on the window sill. He looks at the
snow falling outside.
RUDOLF
I shouldn't have called so late. I was
just excited to tell you the name.
130 130
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
HEDWIG
You can tell me about it when
you're back.
131 131
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, CCI, ORANIENBURG - NIGHT
RUDOLF
(beat)
You have told them Daddy's coming
home?
132 132
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
HEDWIG
Yes.
Goodnight.
She puts down the phone and starts to walk away.
133 133
INT. RUDOLF'S OFFICE, CCI, ORANIENBURG - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
He hangs up. Then walks out of his office.
134 134
INT. HALLWAY, HÖSS VILLA - NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Hedwig enters and turns off the light on her way to bed.
135 135
INT. CORRIDOR/STAIRS, CCI , ORANIENBURG - CONTINUOUS
Rudolf, in his overcoat, locks the office door behind him and
walks down a long corridor towards the stairs. Pumping his
little fists in self-congratulation. A smile grows, ever so
slowly, across his face. A skip in his step. If he could
dance he would.
Revision 71.
He walks down the first flight, but at the landing he slows
suddenly.
He clutches at the bannister, convulses, bent double, and
vomits on the polished stone floor.
After spitting out the last bit of vomit, he gingerly
continues down the next flight...
136 136
INT. LOWER CORRIDOR, CCI, ORANIENBURG - CONTINUOUS
But then convulses again.
A final long wretch, and spit. It's all gone.
He cautiously straightens up. SS officer's hat in hand by his
side.
Looks one way down the long empty dark corridor. No one
around.
Then the other way, towards camera.
137 137
INT. BLACK SPACE
A white pin prick of light in a black screen.
Indeterminate noises, becoming footsteps. Human voices we
can't make out. The clank of unlocking.
Now three sides of a door are described in light as it creaks
open. The pin prick was its peephole seen from the inside.
The door's been opened by TWO POLISH WOMEN, CLEANERS in
present day blue outfits, lanyards round their necks,
carrying cleaning materials - cloth, spray bottle, broom,
dustpan.
The light reveals dark mottled cement walls and floor inside,
a modern fire extinguisher and signage in Polish. ('Wyjscie
Ewakuacyjne'/ Emergency Exit).
We're inside the gas chamber of Crematorium I in what is now
the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Owicim.
138 138
EXT. CREMATORIUM 1, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM - DAWN,
PRESENT
Above Crematorium 1, the other side of the chimney we saw
previously from the Hoss's garden and house.
Revision 72.
There is museum signage outside for visitors. The cleaners
bring in their materials.
139 INT. GAS CHAMBER, CREMATORIUM 1, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE 139
MUSEUM - DAWN, PRESENT
One cleaner sweeps the concrete floor.
140 140
INT. CREMATORIUM 1, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM - DAWN,
PRESENT
The other cleaner wipes the black cast iron corpse delivery
trolleys and brick furnaces designed and built by Topf and
Sons.
141 141
INT. EXHIBIT ROOM, BLOCK 5, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM -
DAWN, PRESENT
A wall of 1930's battered suitcases piled high behind glass
across the screen.
Their owners family names and addresses scrawled in different
hands on most of them in white letters.
ANOTHER CLEANER carries a vacuum cleaner past the length of
them.
We're in Block 5 of Auschwitz I, the exhibit of `Physical
evidence of the crime' where items seized from murdered Jews
deported there for extermination are displayed.
ANOTHER CLEANER wipes the high display glass in front of a
big pile of children's shoes, carefully wiping fingerprints
with a cloth.
The sound of the vacuum cleaner, sucking up the dust and
detritus of yesterday's visitors.
Closer on the small shoes, singles as well as pairs.
142 142
INT. EXHIBIT CORRIDOR BLOCK 5, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE
MUSEUM - DAWN, PRESENT
Along the length of the corridor now a vast pile of more old
shoes behind glass on either side.
TWO OTHER CLEANERS wipe the glass, one on either side, while
Another Cleaner vacuums the floor.
Looking up at the floor to ceiling mountain of shoes.
Revision 73.
143 143
INT. EXHIBIT ROOM BLOCK 5, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM -
DAWN, PRESENT
Another cleaner vacuums in front of a display case of
1930/1940's prosthetic limbs, crutches and supports.
144 144
INT. EXHIBIT ROOM BLOCK 6, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE MUSEUM -
DAWN, PRESENT
ANOTHER CLEANER wipes the glass of a display case of blue and
white striped prisoner uniforms in Block 6, the exhibit of
`The life of the prisoners'.
145 145
INT. EXHIBIT CORRIDOR BLOCK 6, AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU STATE
MUSEUM - DAWN, PRESENT
A long, corridor lined on either side with three rows of
black and white framed photographs.
A CLEANER noisily vacuums the floor, and in the distance TWO
CLEANERS wipe photographs on either side.
In the foreground we can make out the photographs are shaved-
headed Auschwitz prisoner registration photographs.
146 146
INT. LOWER CORRIDOR, CCI, ORANIENBURG - NIGHT
We're suddenly back to Rudolf on that landing in the empty
CCI building, exactly as we left him in Scene 136 after he
vomited.
He's still looking down the corridor towards camera. Silence.
Almost as if at the Museum corridor we were just looking
down.
SS officer's cap in his hand by his side.
He slowly turns around, and steps down the staircase, still a
little gingerly.
147 147
INT. STAIRWELL. CCI, ORANIENBURG - CONTINUOUS
We watch him descend another floor, and another, his steps
more confident now.
Revision 74.
He puts his cap on his head.
Down another until we can't see him, but the sound of his
footsteps continue.
CUT TO BLACK
His footsteps carry until he's gone too far to hear them any
more.
End music starts. Alarming, in ascending patterns.
END
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