"Nerina, my dear wife," "I won't be able to keep my promise." "I can't be in Italy for our anniversary because, here in Budapest, as in all of Hungary, things have changed." "No one can leave the country." "You may not even get this letter." "With German help, the local militia has seized power in a coup." "The Russians have surrounded the city and are bombing it daily, destroying entire areas, causing the people to starve." "Many like-minded Italians have been arrested." "I can't really trust anyone now." "My love," "I have always thought of when we'd be together again but now I can't say how much longer we'll have to wait." " Who are you looking for?" " Giorgio Perlasca." "Room 314, on the third floor." "Mr Perlasca!" "The militia!" "They've come to arrest you!" "I heard them." "Thank you for warning me." "Hurry, for God's sake." "They're coming up!" "Thank you." "This is it." "Freeze!" "This is a goods train." "Get off right now." "My company has chartered this train to take livestock to Italy." "All livestock is going to Germany." "I paid for it." "It's Italian property." "Show me your papers!" "Italian." "Giorgio Perlasca..." "This doesn't allow you to leave Hungary." "Without German authorization, you stay right here." "Major..." "My wife's in Trieste." "Let me try." "Try what?" "The SS will stop you." "And send you straight off to a labour camp!" "Major, look..." "It's yours if you let me go." "You Italians think we're all as crooked as you." "Major Gluckmar isn't crooked, or intelligent." "But he obeys the law!" "Get down and follow me." " Do you have a family?" " Walk!" "You won't shoot a man for trying join his wife." "Run and you'll see." "Get under cover!" "Under the wagon!" "Freeze!" "Don't let him get away!" " Your drink, sir." " Thank you." "What a surprise!" "Our handsome Italian's still here." "Countess..." "Just a second..." "I can never remember your name." "No harm done." "I don't mind people forgetting my name these days." "Maybe you're right." "I remember now." "Giorgio..." "Perlasca." "That's it, Giorgio Perlasca." "Tell me, Giorgio, why does a government official like Istvan Dobrics interest you?" "You know him?" "Of course." "Everyone knows him in Budapest." "An inveterate gambler, up to his neck in debt." "In peacetime, it was impossible to leave the country without Dobrics' permission." "In war time too." "Will you dance with me?" "Come along." "Dobrics has a forged document on him, as we speak, that will let me return to Italy." "I'm a wanted man, countess." "You, wait here." "Three men to the other door." "No one leaves without permission." "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening." "Captain Bleiber, for those who don't know me." "We're only here to see who's harmed friendship between our peoples." "I knew you'd be here, Excellency Jaslo." "Please join my soldiers." "Can you tell me why?" "We'll explain in due time." "Herr Josephs..." "Please come along too." "General, would you mind joining them too?" "Captain, you can't do this." "I can." "And you can do nothing to stop me." "So please, general..." "step over there." "They can't be watching every exit." "Use the door at the end of the corridor." "I don't want to get shot in the back." "You said you were wanted." "Bleiber is powerful and evil too." "Exactly." "He doesn't bother with small fry like me." "You... and you, go and check." "Is the gentleman with you?" "Yes, captain." "An old family friend." "You know who I am?" "I know..." "very well." "Good evening, old family friend." "Good evening, captain." "You're not Hungarian." "I'm afraid not Neither are you." "Irony simply fascinates me." "It saves the world." "Along with female beauty, of course." "Sir..." "Excuse me." "Mr Dobrics has taken his life." "We arrived too late to do the job." "These false passports were supposed to get you to Switzerland." "Along with others of your ilk." "All right!" "Take them away!" "Was your passport among them?" "I fear so." "Captain." "Countess?" "If you no longer need me, I'd like to go." "I'm sorry but..." "I'll remind you my husband fought in Russia for the Reich." "Very well." "I'll have you escorted home." "I already have an escort, thank you." "Shall we go?" "Go ahead." "Play." "Dance!" "You know where to go?" "Not really." "Go to the Pajor Sanatorium and ask for Professor Balazs." "He helps many people." "Whatever happens, thank you." "I should thank you." "I don't know why, but I'm never bored with you!" "I swear, countess." "You're the most beautiful Hungarian woman I know." "Good evening." "Can I help you?" "I'm a friend of Professor Balazs." "I'm..." "Don't tell me your name." "I'll get what you need and take you up." "Follow me." "A bomb landed on us." "This way." "Infectious diseases ward?" "I'm not going in there." "It's Professor Balazs' ward." " My case is different." " Go on in." "The professor will come soon." "I'm not..." "and you are." "You, in the wind..." "and me still living." "I'm not and you are." "You, in the wind." "I'm not..." "and you are." "You, in the wind." "I'm not." "Daddy..." "Daddy!" "Who are you?" "You're not my daddy... come here..." "He's a nasty man." "My daddy's kind." "What do you care, David?" "You're a king." "When's he coming back?" "Okay, David, I'm here." "Where's your teddy?" "I didn't mean to..." "Don't worry." "He does it to us all." "He has a thousand parents here." "Look after him, Lili." "Draw something." "He'll soon go back to sleep." "Look, David." "Like them?" "Daddy does these drawings." "Professor Balazs brings them." "Daddy can't come, he's always travelling." "His parents?" "Killed." "If a man kills, he isn't killing but God is." "He wants the killing." "I saw it, I saw in the camp where even the animals pitied us." "He sent His fire to reduce us to ashes." "The wind carried off the others but not me." "Why only me?" "Why?" "Welcome." "Professor Balazs?" "I'm Giorgio Perlasca." "We don't use names here." "It lessens chances of betrayal." "Listen, professor..." "I'm not Jewish." "I don't want to take someone's place." "Don't worry." "I'm not Jewish either." "Good night." "Why only me?" "Why?" "God hasn't taught us to cry out." "He stands watching." "Even in the camp, while they were tearing us apart and devouring us." "He stayed watching." "So we have to learn to cry alone." "Alone!" "Mommy!" "Here I am, Lord!" "Oh, God, no!" "Calm down, it's all right." "Calm down, children." "Poor Jakob." "Were you with him?" "I tried to stop him but... he wanted to die." "You're a soldier?" "Just an employee... in a company that may not exist now." "I've had no news from Italy." "I don't even know where my wife is now." "Any children?" "I'd go mad if I knew children were waiting for me." "You took that gun apart like an expert." "Where did you learn?" "I've fought two wars." "Two?" "Both as a volunteer." "Abyssinia and Spain." "And... did you kill anyone?" "Yes." "There's a nest just under the gutter." "They're sparrows." "You only hear them at dawn." "The other night, I couldn't sleep, as usual, and suddenly someone laughed." "It was Lili." "She was asleep next to me, laughing." "She was dreaming." "A happy dream, no doubt." "That's for sure." "Where's your husband?" "They took him last month." "You've fought two wars." "How can I tell a child her father's gone?" "Wars teach you nothing." "What's that?" "Military vehicles." "Maybe they know Jakob was hiding here." "Let's warn the others." " We need to check the patients." " They're upstairs." "You can't go up." "That's the infectious ward." "You could get contaminated." "Come back." "Professor Balazs!" "Quick, get up." "Nobody move." "For God's sake, stop!" "Don't speak." "Total silence." "Don't go in." "Stop!" "Be careful!" "Don't step through that door." "You risk contamination." "We have cases of smallpox, diphtheria and leprosy." "It's dangerous for you." "We have to check if you're treating Jews here." "We don't treat Jews." "It's illegal." "We respect the law." " Will you use that?" " If they open the door." "You can't." "God's law says..." "Quiet!" "Daniel, he's right." "You have to break laws at times." " Did you ask the rabbi?" " No, but..." "You must respect laws!" "I'll come back tomorrow." "For the list of names." "You never mentioned you had a baby in this ward." "A baby with smallpox." "I'm sorry to hear it." "At such a tender age?" "I'm afraid it's possible." "I'd like to see it." "The heart rate's up!" "What can I do?" "You could infect this officer." "Go back in!" "You're right." "But hurry, we need you!" "Help her, nurse." "Forgive her." "Dr Korteny is inexperienced." "These days, even we doctors panic." "What's your name?" "I'm Professor Balazs." "See you tomorrow, Professor Balazs." "You must leave." "Well done!" "I'm sorry, but you all must leave." "You saved us." "The children can stay." "They want men and women to send to Germany." "The children will be safe here." " I won't leave my son." " Nor Lili." "I want to stay." "If we go, daddy won't be able to find us!" "I'm staying to wait for daddy!" "Magda, persuade her." "How?" "Tell her the truth." "No, I can't do that." "You can." "Go on, tell her." "We'll have to split up outside." "We don't know Budapest." "We should stick together." "No, split up." "More of us could make it." "Just as I expected." "Wait for them all to leave." "I still see children." "They're not going with the others." "You take care of them." "Have they gone?" "I can't be sure." "We're going." "I want to cross the river before dawn." "No, it's too dangerous." "A friend is waiting for us." "It's not that far!" "Our children are there." "We have to try." "All right." "Let's go." "Magda, stay here with Lili." "It's madness." "Are you coming or not?" "No, Gyula." "I'm too scared." "May God protect you." " Good luck." " God will watch over us." "Bye, sweetheart." "Quick!" "Run!" "Gyula!" "Gyula!" "No!" "Let's get out of here." "I'll carry her." "Wait here." "Let's turn back." "Over there." "Down there." "All right." "That music..." "reminds me of Barcelona." "How do you volunteer for war?" "It seemed a good cause." "After, they gave me a card that said, "Spain..." ""Spain will be eternally grateful," and some other stuff." "Wait..." "Here, take Lili." "Stay here." "I'll be a couple of hours." "Don't move, I have something to do that could save us." "The militia came back for you." "Thank you." "Lina..." "You're the most beautiful Hungarian woman I know." "Good luck." ""Dear comrade, wherever you may be, you may turn to Spain when needed."" "Is the ambassador in residence?" "Yes, but you need an appointment." " He'll see me, it's an emergency!" " Please, don't insist." "We need to see the ambassador!" " This is Spanish territory." " I know, that's why I'm here." "Don't make use force." "The ambassador can't see you." "He has to see me, okay?" "Stop right there." "Hands off." "Who are you?" "The son of Mrs Tourne, the secretary." "Get out of the way, son." "Are you Mrs Tourne?" "I need to see the ambassador." "Why do you wish to see him?" "It's important." "You can't tell me why?" "He's not seeing anyone." "I really need to see him." "It's a matter of life or death." "I'll give you an appointment." "I'll need your name first." "He doesn't know me." "I have to see him in private." "I explained..." "If I can't see the ambassador, let me see anyone here who counts!" "What's going on?" "Good morning." "Are you the ambassador?" "Would you please tell me who you are?" "Here." "My name's on this." "Look at the signature." "Generalissimo Francisco Franco." "You fought in the civil war?" "Yes." "My regiment opened up the road to Malaga." "Perhaps you remember that." "Sorry for the confusion." "I'll show the ambassador this." "No, I'll show him myself when he receives me." "Mr Perlasca, I'm a lawyer." "My name's Farkas." "I work closely with the ambassador." "Don't you trust me?" "I don't trust anyone." "We won't move until the ambassador sees us." "Mr Farkas is saying that..." "Listen to me!" "I'm innocent but I'm a wanted man!" "I just need a passport to allow me to return to Italy." "For a passport, you need to be a Spanish citizen." "Make me one!" "I fought in Spain for you!" "We can give you a passport but you'll need a visa." "We can't get through to Madrid by phone." "They shot at people last night, innocent people!" "Totally innocent." "And you're worried about your phone?" "What's all this?" "Mr Farkas, can you explain?" "Excellency, this man..." "is Italian." "And?" "He has a document signed by General Franco." "Please, come in." "Join me in my office." "May I see the document?" "Please, have a seat." "We're ready to give you what you ask:" "Spanish nationality and a passport." "Mr Farkas, ask Mrs Tourne to draw up a certificate for Mr Perlasca as our employee." "It will allow you to move freely around Budapest." "That's what you wanted?" "You also have to help Magda Levi and Lili." "That's no so easy." "They're Jews." "Actually, I'm a Jew myself." "Like Mrs Tourne and her son." "Is there room in one of our houses?" "What houses?" "We have seven safe houses with diplomatic rights." "We shelter a number of Jews there." "Neutral countries like" "Sweden Portugal or Switzerland do it too." "The Vatican supports our work." "I have to go round there soon." "I can take them with me." "I'll come too." "I need less striking clothes." " Your authorization." " I'd love to kiss you!" "Don't even think about it." "You see?" "This is our new home." "No, it isn't our home." "We don't have a home." "Come on, Lili." "We'll be fine here." "We wanted to thank you." "What for?" "Of all the Hungarian women I know, you're... what were you going to say?" "Nothing." "There are lots of children here." "Are these houses safe?" "In theory, this is Spanish territory." "And in practice?" "That's another matter." "War and occupation don't really respect the law." "Hundreds of people are under our protection." "We can barely feed them." "You can stay here." "Come with me." "Meet the other children." "Off you go." "Be brave." "Mummy!" "Don't be afraid." "Say hello to the others." "This is Lili, your new friend." " Hello, Lili." " Come and play with us." " We're playing a guessing game." " It's my turn." "Miklos!" "You're here..." "The others?" "I've no idea." "We're the only ones here." "Last night was terrible." "Truly terrible." "He had such a fright that I can't make him smile." "Gyorgy..." "Let me have him." "Come on!" "Kids!" "Want to come with me?" "All of you, come on!" "Hurry!" "Come on!" "Stick to the same spot, otherwise you lose!" "Ready?" "We're ready!" "Let's see the shoes!" "Off you go!" "Salome, it's past three" "I'm still here, you see on the couch, by you all day" "As the minutes tick away" "Faster!" "You're out!" "Come here!" "You're out!" "Stand up!" "Excuse me." "Come on." "You're out too, Lili." "Gyorgy's the winner!" "Well done, son!" "Long live Gyorgy!" "What's in there?" "I'm not talking to you." "Remember how you spoke to me?" "I was sad and angry." "Don't you ever feel that way, son?" "Don't call me that." "I'm 20." "I'm not a child." " Okay, what's in here?" " Bread." " The bread's here!" " The bread, children!" "Just a second!" "There's enough for everyone!" "May I?" "Here you are." "One at a time." "There's plenty." " This is for us." " No, give it back." "Hands off, unless you want trouble!" "You're not allowed in here." "You come from another house, right?" "Wait until Gaston comes to your house." "Sarosi, you have a family." "Come on, stay out of trouble." "We give this bread to people who don't have any protection." "They're not safe and warm!" "No way." "You're a liar!" "I'm sorry to hear that." "I won't be able to sleep." "Ferenc, you can't do this." "Why not?" "Give me the knife." " Who the hell are you?" " A man who wants that knife." "Well, you're not having it." "I need it to slice my bread and spill the guts of idiots who push me too far." "That may be witty but I'm too slow to understand." "I tend to focus on just one idea." "Give me the knife." "They steal bread from the safe houses to sell it." "Watch what you're saying." "I don't sell it or steal it." "What if I do?" "Want to call the police?" "Shame on you." "No, shame on you, holed up here like a sewer rat!" "Just watch your mouth!" "Who brought you up?" "Gaston, the knife!" "Let's see what else he has." "See this?" "I knew you had a good side." "A harmonica player can't be all bad." "Give this act a rest and play us something." "I'm not your clown." "I play for myself." "Play for whomever you like." "But get out of here." "Go!" "Off with you!" "The bread." "In the basket." "Don't try anything clever or I'll get really mad." "Good." "Great." "That's it." "Sir..." "Thank you." "I thought your guest would like a "Marta" too." "Perfect, Anton." "Thank you." "He named it for my wife." "You were telling me about yourself." "You were saying..." "It was madness to ally ourselves with a maniac like Hitler." "Besides, I hate the Nazis." "How did you end up in Spain?" "I wanted to fight communism." "I read they were burning churches and I went there." "People should pray where they like, be it in a church or a synagogue." "Your attitude is fair." "The way you act is fair too." "I saw how you acted with those young people." "I wish I could have done that." "But I can't." "The looks of these people, my people..." "break my heart." "It's as if I had rheumatics of the soul." "But you're different." "It's like your suit." "Meaning?" "You have an everyday suit and a Sunday suit." "I'm the everyday suit type." "You're not." "You're wrong." "If I was a suit," "I'd just like to be hanging in a wardrobe." "Nice and peaceful, without any problems." "No, you're not like that." "I know men." "Cheers!" "Delicious cocktail." "I live nearby." "Gaston will take you to the embassy." "Just a second!" "These are Magda's gloves." "Take me to the safe house." " This late?" " Yes, this late." "By the way, Gaston, I got this for your mother." "Could you give it to her and apologize for my behaviour?" "You were just sad and angry, right?" "It happens." "Magda!" "Madam..." "Lili!" "What happened?" "Giorgio!" "Lili!" "Come here!" "What happened?" "Where are the others?" "Where's your mother?" "I don't know." "They took her away." "Away with the others." " The soldiers took them all." " We'll find her." "You have to find her." "Let's go now." "Promise!" "We must leave, it's dangerous here." "Leave her be." "It's no use, she's lost her mind." "Leave him now." "We have to go." "They could come back any minute." "Come on, let's go." "It's a waste of time." "We have to find my mother!" "Lili, shut up!" "Shut up!" "Farkas!" "Wallenberg tells me they've been to other embassies' safe houses." "Wallenberg, the Swedish envoy?" "Yes, he's saving many Jews." "How?" "He has a lot of money." "You mean he bribes the SS and the militia?" "Exactly." "Why don't you?" "I couldn't bribe anyone." "They smashed her husband's head in with a rifle butt!" "You told me this house had diplomatic status!" "Yes, I told you that!" "I'll be lodging a protest." "That will scare them!" " The ambassador demands that..." " That's all hot air." "No, it's principle!" "Meaningless principle!" "Where have they taken them?" "Probably to the freight yard." "Let's go!" "Where are we going?" "I want my daddy." "See all these people?" "They're taking the train too." "Don't mind the dogs." "Hurry up!" "Move it!" "Speed it up!" "Children with the women." "Leave him with his mother!" "She's dead!" "Too bad!" "Don't take him, I'm all he has!" "Take the child!" "Get back in line!" "All right." "Stop him!" "I want to be with my son!" "She isn't his mother!" "Victor!" "I'm here, Victor!" "Victor, I'm here!" "Criminals." "It's Sarosi." "Where are you going?" "Stop!" "These people were under Spanish protection." "You can't let this happen!" "You're Hungarian police officers." "You must respect international law!" "Calm down!" "Who's in command here?" "Let me speak to him!" "I'm in command." "What do you want?" "Unless I'm wrong, we've met before." "You're thinking of someone else." "Read this!" "Giorgio Perlasca." "Spanish" "Aren't you Italian?" "No, Spanish, from Andalucia." "For four generations." "But..." "I'm a Spanish citizen!" "I can move around freely." "And say what I think!" "And I happen to think this is an act of violence!" "Spanish Embassy legal office... what do you want?" "Don't we have enough problems?" "I'm simply a policeman in command of loading this train." "Major!" "These aren't goods, they're human beings." "Check the legality of your orders first!" "Hungary has an agreement to send 50,000 Jews to work in Germany." "It's legal." "Deportation is illegal!" "The agreement's criminal!" "I don't decide." "Neither do you." "I do what I can." "Now, I'm saving your life." "I hope you realize." "I realize, thank you." "But you must save theirs too." "They're Spanish, with all the papers." "Sure." "Spanish like you." "I've seen such papers." "Budapest's full of fake passes." "The fools pay a fortune for them!" "Those aren't Spanish." "Major, we want the people on this list." "I can't help you." "Don't you realize that?" "Major, after the war, if you don't set yourself apart from these criminals, you'll answer with them for what's happening here!" "I know..." "This is what we'll do." "If you can't do anything, tell me who can." "Tell me who takes the money." "But tell me now!" "Of course." "I understand." "You may well be right." "But why come to me?" "You need to talk to HQ." "I want to talk to you, Lt Steiner." "I don't know why but..." "I can tell... that we can understand each other." "Maybe it's a matter of language." "I don't know." "What do you think?" "Is it the language?" "Levi, Magda!" "Sharosi, Peter!" " Korin, Istvan!" " Here!" " Karsai, Laslo!" " Here!" "Sharosi, Peter!" "Mautner, Thomas!" "Climb on!" "Hafner, Thomas!" "Goldkorn, Agnes!" "Get on the truck!" "Climb on!" "Rasvosky, Laslo!" "Quick!" "Climb on!" "If I called you, get on!" "Lang, Ferenc!" "Mr Perlasca!" "Sarosi, come down!" "Get on!" "I have to find my son!" "They took him." "They gave him to a woman in one of the vans!" " I'll find him!" " His name's Victor!" "Victor!" "Magda!" "Did they give you a boy called Victor?" "Victor!" "Is there a boy called Victor?" "I'm Victor." "Come with me!" "I'll take you to your father." "You come too..." "Hurry!" "Leave the pram, just take the child." "Magda!" "Magda Levi!" "Adam!" "Come on." "You too, Professor Balazs!" "Kadar, Anna!" "Grossman, Daniel!" "They're on the list too!" "Climb on!" "Come on, Daniel." "No, I must stay here." "I have to help these people." "They need me." "Victor!" "Thank you, God!" "Grossman, Daniel!" "Kadar, Anna!" "Where are you?" "Hurry it up!" "What are you, snails?" "I'm not going without you!" "Save yourself." "I have to stay." "Go to your father." "No, I'll go with you!" "This is no time for romance!" "Get off this train!" "Thank you!" "Quick, get on the truck!" "Anna..." "Keep moving!" "I've reached the end of the list." "Give me more names." "Maria and Ilona Braun." "Luisa Bruch." "Irene Borosh." "Okay, climb on!" "Maria and Ilona Braun!" "We're here!" "Get on board!" "Hurry up, climb on!" " Luisa Bruch!" " Here!" "Get down and climb on the truck." "On the truck!" "Borosh, Irene!" " That's me!" " Get down!" "I'll help you." "Come on." "Give me a name." "Kohn, Ilonka!" "Climb on the truck!" " Kohn, Ilonka!" " I'm here!" "Over here!" "I'm not coming without my sister, Anja!" " Stay here!" " She's on my list!" "Other names." "Give me other names!" "Make room." "Help them up!" "Get up!" "Move it!" "Get on the truck." "Hurry." "Close the doors!" "No, wait!" "Laslo!" "Zora!" "I'm glad to see you!" "Climb on the truck." "Wlodeck!" "Wlodeck!" "You're not wlodeck Goldkorn?" "Your father's on the truck!" "Why aren't you with him?" "You're wlodeck, the pain in the neck who's always hungry?" " Isn't that you?" " Yes, that's me." "What are you waiting for?" "We're going." "Hurry!" "Good boy..." "Farkas, we're leaving." "Let's go." "Adam!" "Take the child!" "Where's Magda?" "They took the others to the Ghetto." "Captain Bleiber." "Funny, I don't remember your name." "There was no time for introductions." "That's true." "If you want..." "No need." "The officer who gave you permission did as he thought best." "You trust your men blindly?" "Of course." "If I had doubts, I'd be incapable." "See this station?" "I've been here 4 weeks." "Before colonel Eichmann arrived." "Departures take place with clockwork precision, thanks to my men's work." "One of today's departures will be missing a few passengers." "Never mind." "Back in Bucharest, I had statistics drawn up." "On convoys like this, there's an average death rate of 5 or 6%." "The people you took represent that amount for me." "My figures still balance." "Take them to the Embassy." "To the Ghetto." "This place is like an anthill now." "Before the war, there were 800,000 Jews." "More than 500,000 have vanished." "The others are packed in here." "Magda Levi!" "Giorgio!" "Sandor!" " How are you?" " Good." "And you?" "Good." "A Spanish Embassy car?" "How come?" "I'm Spanish now for everyone." "This is Mr Farkas, the embassy's lawyer." "Sandor..." "How's your father?" "He was taken away with all the others." "Luckily, Eva and I got away." "You'll have to buy calves somewhere else now." "Your wife isn't Jewish..." "No, but she married a Jew." "That's enough for them." "Eva..." "Remember Giorgio?" "The Italian who bought our calves." "What have you been up to while I've been away?" "It feels like it's a girl." "I think so too." "You're crazy." "It's a boy." "The first of eleven." "The future Hungarian football team that'll beat Italy." "Don't count on it." "Even the Germans can't beat us." "Farkas, Eva and Sandor are dear friends... we'll make room in the houses." "Thank you." "Get your things and wait in the car." "We won't be long." "Thank you" "on Friday evenings, this was a noisy, happy place." "We organized life here." "While adults read the scriptures, the children would run and play like on a village square." "We'd tell them to calm down and behave." "But we never told them off or bothered them." "Do you know why?" "Because, for a Jew, prayers are part of life." "You can't pray alone." "To address God, you have to do it with others." "The Rabbi's waiting." "Welcome." "This is Mr Giorgio Perlasca." "We're looking for Magda Levi." "Go and find out." "I want to thank you for what you're doing for my people." "The Ghetto has become a lake of suffering." "It seems calm, as if the waters were always still." "But it isn't." "A river of desperation flows in daily." "Another river of innocents flows out in silence." "It vanishes it into the void." "You hear that?" "I'll translate." "It says," ""when the Rabbi sings, they all sing with him." ""When the Rabbi dances, they all dance with him."" "But then it says," ""But when the Rabbi weeps, he weeps alone."" "I'm afraid the person you're looking for isn't here." "The soldiers took her to Istvan Korut's house." "What's that?" "A place no one leaves alive." "Who's in charge here?" "Who's in charge?" "What do you want?" "The bag." "I need to talk to you." "Spanish Embassy." "Let him come up." "What do you want?" "I'm here to recover people arrested illegally before it causes a diplomatic incident between friendly countries united in the Fascist ideal." "I know you feel a Jew's life is worth nothing." "However, in Spain, even the life of a Jew is worth something." "In fact, it's worth a lot." "At times, a great deal." "Now close your eyes and pray." "I'm going to slit your throat." "There's the same sum in the car." "If you kill me, you'll only get that bag." "But if you let me and the people missing from the list go, you'll get twice as much." "You gave all the money?" "He took the bag too." "Was it your own money or..." "No, my company gave it to me to buy cattle." "For the same amount, I can buy humans." "How about that?" "Get on the truck." " Is Magda Levi here?" " I don't know her." "Do you know Magda Levi?" "Get on the truck!" "Miguel!" "Have you seen Magda Levi?" "I don't know her." "Farkas, Magda isn't here." "Leave her alone!" "Lean on me." "I'll help you." "Where's Lili?" "She's fine." "She's safe." "She's at the embassy." "Come on." "We're going now." "We're going." "Don't worry." "Miguel..." "Sandor..." "Take her." "I haven't finished." "I'm going in." "No, it's too dangerous!" "Gaston, come with me." "Stay here!" "I want the dead too." "Well done, Gyorgy!" "Gaston..." "These three should be buried together." "They're a family." "She just dozed off." "Mommy..." "Is that you, mommy?" "Yes..." "It's me." "A touching scene, isn't it?" "Indeed it is." "Thank you for the rose." "Sorry, but these days I cry over nothing." "My rose meant nothing to you?" "Oh, no!" "My son told me what you did today." " It's time we got some sleep." " True." "But I fear you won't be able to yet." "The ambassador wants to see you." "Thank you." "Good night." "Good night, Mr Perlasca." "Come in!" "Excellency." "I need a word with you." "The Hungarian government is moving, for safety reasons, to the Austrian border." "We've been asked to transfer our embassy there as well." "I have no other choice." "Tonight I leave for Switzerland." "And the embassy?" "It's closing down." "And the refugees in the safe houses?" "Once I get to Switzerland, I'll arrange your exit visa." "But what about the others?" "Why ask me?" "Spain has done all it can for these people." "More, in fact." "If I stayed here, at the embassy, it would mean Spain recognizes this criminal regime." "I simply cannot stay." "I'm sorry." "Mrs Tourne, goodbye." "Mr Farkas, thank you." "What have you decided?" "Are you leaving too?" "Giorgio..." "Now the ambassador's gone, they'll come for us." "Dying is bad but it's worse knowing you have to die." "It's hell experiencing this again." "Our escape from the sanatorium lasted only a few hours." "They caught most of us." "They took us to Eichmann's HQ." "There were more than a thousand of us in a single room." "It was so cramped, we couldn't sit." "They brought the children there." "We had to carry them so that they wouldn't stifle." "Was little David there too?" "Yes." "Daniel held him for hours." "I don't know how he did it." "Then, in the night, they moved us to a yard." "Many, knowing they were about to die, started weeping." "Others prayed." "But not the mothers." "The mothers prepared for the journey." "They washed the children, did the laundry, packed..." "At dawn, the wire was covered with laundry and nappies." "And they didn't forget the toys and other things children need." "We did the same for David." "The old women sat in a circle and grieved for our people without land or hope." "A sort of song like this." "Know what it says?" ""Oh, it's certain" ""the Messiah will come this year." ""And if he comes on a cart," ""the years will be good." ""If he comes on horseback," ""the years will be good." ""And if he comes on foot, the Jews will go "to Israel" ""and stay there."" "What about David?" "They tore him from Daniel's arms." "He left on the first train, hugging his teddy bear." "Quick!" "Everyone get down!" "Guns ready!" "Break down the door!" "Get them all out!" "I want them all!" "Don't let any get away!" "Check all rooms!" "If they resist, kill them!" "Start loading the truck!" "You can't do this!" "Stop!" "You can't come in here!" "This is Spanish territory Get out!" "Enough!" "One more word and you're dead!" "The ambassador's left!" "There's no Spanish representation." "I have orders to take all the Jews hidden here." "You're taking no one." "The Spanish embassy still exists." "Forbid you to enter!" "Really?" "Who the hell are you, to tell me what not to do?" "I'm Jorge Perlasca!" "The Spanish consul." "And this is Spanish territory." "Didn't you see the flag outside?" "The Spanish consul?" "Let me see your papers, please." "Lieutenant, you cannot make such a request on Spanish territory." "Right, Farkas?" "Get out!" "Commander Vajna ordered me to..." "I don't like the way you address a diplomat." "Give me your name." "I'll speak to Vajna." "I'm seeing him tomorrow." "Tomorrow?" "Yes, on a very delicate matter." "What matter?" "Are you asking me about a private matter?" "Who do you think you are?" "Give me your name." "All right." "We'll leave." "But we'll be back." "At the first air-raid, consul, we'll be back to see you." "You can't do that." "Yes, I can." "On the orders of commander Vajna, from today on, every Jew in Budapest, in any place in Budapest," "will be required for rubble clearance!" "So we'll be back soon." "Let's get out of this dump." "Get back inside." "Have you gone mad?" "Why on earth did you say you're the Spanish consul?" "And that you know Vajna?" "I need to see him." "Who?" "Vajna." "He can keep the militia away." "But he's the worst of all." "He can kill for no reason!" "I just want to talk to him." "He won't hurt the Spanish consul." "I'll need forged credentials." "He's not a politician." "He's not a statesman." "He's a paranoid, a maniac, an animal!" "Good." "It's my job to know about animals." "We'll take these people to the safe houses tomorrow and then we'll see." "Why are you doing this?" "What would you do in my shoes?" "The air raids will start soon." "You'll be forced to clear rubble and corpses." "We must stop that." "We'll fly our flag outside all our houses." "Our enemies will see that this is Spanish territory, with inviolable rights." "Another thing..." "Many of you have asylum permits like this one." "They're false!" "You've been tricked by unscrupulous people." "We shall replace your permits with real ones." "Valid ones." "We'll keep a register of names." "Just to show that everything is above board." "Who can keep the register?" "Me." "I can do it." "I was a teacher." "I know about registers." "A teacher?" "You can set up a school for the children too." "A school here?" "Yes." "Here." "I know what you're thinking." "There's a war on..." "there are air raids... there's fear." "Everything seems meaningless." "But children need schooling." "If not, they'll be pig ignorant." "And we don't want pigs, do we?" "I'm Katalin, I'm an opera singer." "I could teach music." "There's a piano here." "Very good!" "A music school is ideal." "Thank you." "That's not all." "We'll need people who can warn the embassy if a safe house is invaded." "Ferenc, could you and your friends handle that?" "Who does he think he is?" "He arranges everything as if he was one of us, as if we were in the same boat!" "Ferenc!" "You talk too much." "Answer yes or no." "No." "Never mind." "I was an infantry colonel." "I'm used to organizing duty rosters." "I was born in this building." "I could organize sentry duties." "We need to think first about provisions, starting with coal and wood for the stoves." "All right." "Thank you." "The colonel is in charge here." "Daniel, could you do the same in another house?" "Frankly, I don't know." "Well, I do." "You'll be perfect." "Excuse me but... there's one thing that may make him unsuitable for the job." "He can't go out with his hair like that." "The militia will simply take pot-shots at him." "You're right, colonel." "I'm sorry." "I was sure that..." "All right." "Who feels up to it?" "Wait." "I'll do it." "You're sure?" "Yes." "I'll cut my hair." "Now, who has a gun?" "And who knows how to use one?" "No!" "Not that!" "I'm not saying we'll need to use guns." "But we must be ready to do so if necessary." "Mr Perlasca... what is it, Gaston?" "Vajna sent a messenger round." "He's ready to see you today." "There's no time to explain all the diplomatic ropes to you." "Just remember that Vajna knows little about diplomacy." "I found this on the ambassador's desk." "Keller, the Hungarian envoy to Madrid hasn't been accredited." "If Vajna asks about it, what do I say?" "I don't know." "Can you do my cufflinks?" "If Spain has told Hungary that this embassy is closed, what happens then?" "You'll be arrested as a spy and tried." "Or, more likely, shot on the spot." "Along with me, if that helps..." "It doesn't." "You want to forget it?" "No." "Look how elegant I am." "I may never get this chance again." "You look like a real ambassador." "I hope so." "So, repeat after me, the speech we drew up together." "Aside from the political value of the Jewish races, we wish to advise you of the legal reasons behind our protection of the Sephardim in Hungary." "We wish to consider them as Spanish citizens in return for their forced exile from Spain 400 years ago." "Now mention the law." "This is based on the Rivera Bill that grants Spanish citizenship to all Sephardic Jews." " What year?" " 1924." "Who first raised the issue?" "Alfonso xii and Alfonso xiii." "Remind him of that." "Kings always impress louts." " Remember the end of the speech?" " "Sephardim and Spain."" "Very good." "May God help us!" " Which God?" "Yours or mine?" " We have the same God, Perlasca." "Really?" "Then may God help us!" "An air-raid." "Right now." "The lieutenant will be back." "We have to go." "Ready, Farkas?" "May God's will be done." "Do you think Vajna's here?" "Vajna is a man who hates running away." "He was in his office just now." "He was poring over his maps and ranting against the bombs." "Our Vajna is a brave man." "Or, according to some, a very stupid man, like you, in fact, consul Perlasca..." "I don't understand." "You lied to us." "You're not a diplomat." "Really?" " What am I then?" " A dilettante." "I don't follow." "I'll try to be clearer." "Lt Nagy tells me you risked your life to prevent a normal shipment of Jews." "I saw you do it at the station too." "Believe me, a true diplomat doesn't act like you do." "You follow your instincts, your passions." "In my eyes, that makes you dangerous and hateful." "Being hated by you is a compliment." "You're exceptional." "No one talks to captain Bleiber like that." "Do you know why?" " Perhaps you're exceptional too." " Listen, consul, I'm your very opposite." "No emotions, no warmth, no human understanding and also no hatred." "I don't even hate the Jews." "I simply obey orders." "When I was in Russia," "I handled provisioning for the army corps." "In warsaw, I was in charge of billeting." "In Bucharest, however, my task was to send workers to labour camps in Germany." "All because, before the war, after graduation," "I published a study on the rational disposal of waste." "I don't know why you're telling me this." "Perhaps as a warning." "I'd be sorry to have to hang you one of these days." "All clear." "The planes leave and we're still alive." "Even if it's only a matter of time now." "Will you excuse me?" "Mr Perlasca..." "Move it!" "Move!" "Let's hurry!" "The bombs have destroyed buildings." " Got the guns?" " No, they're hidden." "You mean we can't defend ourselves?" "Stay by me." "I have a pistol." " What is it?" " We're ready." "Lieutenant!" "I'm in charge of this house." "You can't take these people." "They have asylum permits from the Spanish embassy!" "I'm glad you told me." "Those with letters, show them!" "Hold them up!" "Higher!" "Above your heads!" "Give them to my men!" "Hurry it up!" "And now, watch closely." "Your precious asylum permits are worth nothing!" "No!" "What are you doing?" "You can't do that!" "Did you speak?" "Yes." "No!" "Please." "She's my daughter!" "She's so young." "She doesn't know what she's saying." "Keep on talking." "Thank you." "What for?" "For treating us like this." "The Talmud says that Jews..." "are like olives." "We give our best when we're crushed." "All right." "I'll crush you here and now." "You make me sick, Jew!" "Enough time wasted!" "Hands on your heads!" "Start walking!" "Move!" "Walk!" "The rubble's waiting!" "Come on, move!" "Hurry it up!" "Mommy!" "Finish your work!" "She can't do it..." "She can!" "Watch this." "Get back to work or else!" "Lili, do it!" "Come on, keep going!" " I'm going to shoot him." " No!" "You'll get us all killed." "Come on." "What's your problem?" "Work!" "Hands off, you old Jew!" "I'm old, but I'm not a Jew." "I'm a catholic." "You're catholic?" "Do it, Lili." "Put your backs into it!" "It's horrible but you must." "If not, he'll kill you." "Be brave." "Come on, Lili." "What are you two up to?" "You have to work!" "Understand?" "Put this corpse with the others!" "Work, work, work!" "You Jews!" "These filthy Jews deserve no pity." "We must get rid of them!" "Every last one of them!" "But you Spaniards, our so-called comrades, you house them, comfort them and hide them in your safe houses!" "Do you know what they do?" "They prepare attacks on me!" "It's not pleasant being the target of a Jewish plot because you can't escape!" "The Jews are everywhere!" "The cancer of society!" "I suppose you don't share that view." "I wonder what kind of Fascists you Spaniards are." "Your behaviour is contrary to our ideals!" "We fought a war for our ideals." "I spent two years on the front." "No one lectures to me." "Not even you." "I don't have much time." "What do you want?" "What do I want?" "I want respect." "The Spanish embassy's houses are Spanish territory." "You can't just enter, pillage them and carry people off." "It's tantamount to a declaration of war on a country that invented and fought for Fascism!" "You think we love Jews?" "With their stooping bodies, hooked noses, sallow complexions, and dirty dealings?" "Why shelter them, then?" "In our houses, we don't shelter Jews." "What are you saying?" "The people you call Jews are Sephardic Jews" "Do you know what "sepharad"" "means in Hebrew?" "It means "Spain"." "Two words..." "but the same root." "A single heart, A single homeland." "These people are, above all, Spanish citizens." "Brothers." "Brothers whom we're ashamed of, true..." "Deceptive, immoral and foul but brothers all the same." "How would you feel if a Hungarian wasn't respected in Spain?" "You're doing just that!" "Spain hasn't recognized our government!" "Our ambassador to Madrid hasn't yet been accredited by you!" "Impossible!" "I sent Madrid my approval ten days ago." "Is that right?" "Exactly." "We know the case well." "Jozsef Keller requested exequatur on october 26." "We have no reason to refuse." "Look, it's in my own hand." ""Exequatur request for Jozsef Keller." ""Transmit approval to Madrid."" "Just a second." "I'll run a quick check." "In that case, you can also check if the recent bombings have led to people being taken from our houses." "I must oppose such measures." " How am I doing?" " I don't know." "Try not to overdo it." "Don't lie too much." "Or rather no." "Try to lie more." "All right." "Hurry!" "Faster than that!" "Speed it up, the day's not over!" "Move it!" "Faster!" "Our house isn't this way." "Where are we going?" "We're sending you on a nice train ride." "I just spoke to Foreign Affairs." "Our ambassador to Madrid isn't Jozsef but Janos Keller." "I wonder how they managed to make such a mistake." "Perhaps because our true enemies are bureaucrats." "Dull, slapdash idlers." "If we'd been as careless as the clerk who made the mistake, probably while staring at some secretary's legs, we'd be dead by now!" "Right!" "You said it!" "Maybe we'll wipe out the Judeo-communist international but not the red-tapers' international!" "Here's to red-tapers!" "I'll forward the request and clear this up." "But I want your promise..." "I understand." "From now on, any checks on your houses can only be carried out on my specific orders." "And with our diplomats." "All right." "In the presence of Spanish diplomats." "Good." "We're most grateful and... wait, Mr Farkas." "I haven't finished." "What?" "Perhaps for now..." "See?" "I have my own red-tapers!" "Hungary sets a maximum limit for occupants per square metre." "Spain doesn't have such a law." "As we apply Spanish law," "I shall not respect your limits." "What do you mean by that?" "If a Jew in Budapest needs a roof," "Spain will provide one." "But only for a Sephardic Jew." "You must promise me that." "Of course." "Sephardic." "You have my word." "Any news of our houses?" "Apparently, some people have been taken." "They're now under the jurisdiction of the German command." "There's not a lot I can do." "What do you mean by "German command"?" "Captain Bleiber." "Come on, move it!" "Daniel..." "Listen..." "I'm scared they'll part us and we'll never meet again." "I have to tell you that:" "I love you." "I love you too." "Laslo..." "Is he here?" "Through there." "He just arrived." "I told the children, you'd play for them." "I will, I promise." "You have to keep promises to children." "Even I do!" "I said I would, Giorgio..." "Jorge." "Call me Jorge." "Jorge..." "I understand." "I wondered how you managed to persuade Vajna." "In any case, it's no problem for me." "If I can't get the Spanish protected Jews," "I'll take the Swedish, Swiss and Portuguese ones." "Now let's see if we can recover your Jews." "Roth!" "Yes, sir!" "Check if the Jews from the Spanish houses have left." "Yes, sir!" "Let's see if your proteges are bound for Germany or not." "Will you follow me?" "This may take time." "The wait will be more pleasant through here." "Five thousand..." "Your call." "The baron wins with a seven." "Bank at ten thousand." "Five... card..." "Baccarat." "Sorry, countess, you must pay or stand down." "Countess..." "Ah, captain!" "Just in time!" "I'll need a man of your power to end the bad luck plaguing me or I'll have to sell my horses instead of sending them to Switzerland as my husband wants." "Should I have this place closed?" "For pity's sake, no!" "I must recover my losses." "Countess..." "Giorgio!" "How lovely to see you!" "Jorge, countess." "Don't you ever remember my name?" "Jorge?" "Since when?" "Don't tell me... you're cheating before you start playing." "I never cheat when a lady is present." "Giorgio was fine on capri where we first met." "Have you forgotten that too?" " Capri?" "Are you sure?" " Yes." "I was Spain's commercial attache in Italy." "And you were the most beautiful export ever made from Hungary." "It wasn't on capri." "It wasn't?" "No." "It was in Rome." "At the Torlonias'." "I gambled and lost there too." "Yes, you're right." "Will you play for me, Jorge?" "Perhaps the hand of a charming man will bring me luck." "I'd love to." "Let's wager." "Is that too much?" "Too much?" "You can never stake too much." "Card." "Seven for the bank." "Eight." "The bank loses." "Well done!" "That exploit deserves a drink." "Captain..." "Play my hand, please." "Everyone must think I'm the new Spanish consul." "Don't you want to know why?" "I trust you." "It's going to end badly, isn't it?" " What?" " Budapest, Hungary, all this..." "I think so." "But no one will harm you, you're too beautiful." "Consul..." "Remember this street?" "Look!" "Recognize it?" "That's our home, Lili." "That's the balcony where you and daddy grew flowers." "Move!" "Make them walk!" "Halt!" "Everyone stop!" "What do they want?" "Orders from captain Bleiber." "Bleiber?" "Here." "It's Giorgio!" "Let's go!" "Back to the barracks!" "Commander's orders!" "Stand aside!" "Let us through!" "Out of the way!" "Come on, move!" "Your trip's cancelled!" "They're leaving!" "Thank you!" "Run, Lili!" "Run!" "Let's go to our home!" "Thank you." "We have to get back to the safe house!" "Hurry!" "Hurry up!" "Farkas, we have to go!" "Mr Pecsi." "How are you?" "What do you want?" "I have a favour to ask." "If my husband comes back, tell him we're at the Spanish embassy." "I will, don't worry." "Wait..." "Please." "What now?" "This is my home." "It was before it was requisitioned and given to me." "It's mine now!" "No, Mr Pecsi." "You're a liar." "It's our home and you know it." "Yours is near the cellars!" "Let us come in for a minute." "One minute." "For the girl." "Then we'll leave, I promise." "I don't want any trouble." "Know what I risk if I let Jews in?" "I'm begging you." "I'm begging you too." "I have children too." "They'll arrest us." "And we've done nothing." "Neither have we." "We've done nothing either!" "Look at the state we're in!" "Look!" "You see?" "Know what they make us do?" " I don't want to!" " Do you know?" "The day they took us," "Lili left her doll here." "At least give me that." "Go now or else..." "Go on!" "How dare you?" "Who are you?" "You can't just barge in here!" "This is my home now!" "Mine!" "Don't you understand?" "You'll get me in trouble." "You must leave." "Go now!" "My daddy drew these." "Where is he?" "When's he coming back?" "When?" "Nothing's changed." "Magda, let's go now." "Lili..." "I'll find you another doll." "Come on." "Yes... we'd better go." "Perlasca!" "The people from Kossuth Street have been taken to the station." "Maybe there's still time if we hurry." " But the car won't start." " We can take those two." "You're sure?" "Of course." "We'll use alleys that only I know." "All right." "Magda, go with them to the embassy." "Careful." "Farkas, you take the wheel." "Start it up but don't accelerate." "It was the distributor wire." "Who are they?" "Orphaned Jewish children." "The Swedes sheltering them have had to let them go." "Why doesn't that Swede buy them?" "Get up, I'll help you." "Halt!" "Who told you to sit?" "You can't sit!" "Stand up!" "Stay in line!" "All of you!" "Get up!" "Stay in line!" "You're tired?" "You have to stand anyway!" "Let's go." "This is no time to rest!" " Let me help." " Be quiet..." "Ben, get up, please." "Don't hurt him." "He's not like the others." "He's sick, he can't speak." "I'll make him speak!" "Get in line!" "Walk!" "Stop, you two!" "Halt!" "Freeze!" "You're threatening a diplomat." "I'm the Spanish consul." "Let the children out!" "This car is Spanish property." "They're as safe as in a Barcelona ice-cream parlour." "You can't touch them." "What's going on?" "Children in the consul's car..." "I understand." "Forget it." "They got away today but their time will come soon." "Yes, sir!" "Column proceed!" "That man's the reason why wallenberg can't help now." "Why?" "Who is that monster?" "Adolf Eichmann." "See how nice the soap smells?" "Here." "Start lathering up." "Don't be like that." "You think it's right" "I should wash you?" "You're a man now." "With mother and father gone, you have to manage alone." "And you have to eat or you'll get ugly." "Remember what daddy would ask?" ""Who's the handsomest lad?"" "And you'd always say, "Ben is the handsomest, of course."" "It's all right, I'll look after him." "Thank you, but Ben won't let anyone but me touch him." "Why?" "What's wrong?" "He's been like this since our parents were killed." "He was with them." "He saw it all." "He hasn't said a word since." "That's why I talk so much." "Well, I've always been like that." "Mom called me a chatterbox." "She was so funny." "She made us laugh." "How can I thank you?" "You're so kind to us." "But I must tell you we're Jews." "Helping us is dangerous." "Catholics who hide Jews are condemned to death." "Ben and I ought to leave." "We're all Jews here, Sara." "Sara..." "Help me." "Lift Ben out." "It's time for bed." "Sometimes, as children, we all slept in the same bed to keep warm." "There were five of us." "I was the best looking." "I can't get those children out of my mind." "There were 200 or 300." "We only saved two." "I tried everything." "I went to the papal nuncio." "I woke embassy attaches, I tried to see Vajna..." ""consul," ""think of your Sephardim."" "My Sephardim..." "No." "We can't just think of ours." "We must fill the houses with as many people as possible." "They'll all need asylum permits." "How?" "It's not possible." "It is." "Together, we'll draw up and sign every permit that's requested." "Even those for non-Spanish Jews." "In fact, even for non-Jews." "Every permit requested." "No..." "Mr Perlasca, it's not possible." "I'm giving you a crash course in dishonesty but they need our help." "We can't afford to be honest." "Madame!" "You three, go in." "Madame..." "How many permits have we done?" "Five thousand." "The houses are full." "What will we do when..." "They'll come here." "Why are you doing all this?" "Perhaps because I have to." "A man has to do his duty." "That's what I think." "And also because... when I volunteered in Spain years ago," "my captain was a Jew." "His name was Vita Finzi." "I liked the man." "Kind, brave..." "But I'm doing this because I'm as mad as a hatter." "Mr Farkas!" "A telegram for you, from our Swiss embassy." "What does it say?" ""Perlasca passport from Madrid." ""Waiting near Hungarian border." ""Signed:" "Ambassador Sanz Briz."" "That means..." "You can pack and go back to Italy." "And here?" "I'll take your place." "It will be different but I'll do my best." "You've taught me a lot." "It's two years since I saw my wife." "I haven't heard from her in months." "I never know if my letters get through." "It's understandable..." "Besides, my town, my home," "I don't know if they're still there." "It's wiser to go back." "The work's been done here." "We just have to wait for the Russians." "The Germans keep losing." "It's a matter of days." "Indeed..." "A matter of days." "Anna!" "Daniel!" "I feared something had happened." "Something has." "Look." "You've found potatoes!" "Why aren't you happy?" "I stole them." "Only to feed others." "Our Book tells us not to steal." "It's not our fault." "I think it's right to steal to keep living." "And we want to live, right?" "Yes..." "But..." "No... we have to go, it's the curfew." "Since Monday, there's been one meal a day." "The children cry with hunger." "Luckily, Magda's lessons and your friend Laslo distract them." " You don't want to say hello?" " Don't disturb them." "We've had to board up this window." "I'd like you to use other eyes." "Not those above your nose..." "The eyes of imagination." "You know them?" "Do you know them?" "Yes, we know them!" "Now..." "look at this closed window and each say what you see, with your eyes closed." "Vilmos you start." "I see my lake." "Lake Balaton." "It's a dark night But Balaton is full of lights." "It's a wedding." "Everyone's celebrating." "They dance and sing." "It's my parents' wedding." "I recognize them." "If I look closely, I see that I'm on the beach too." "That's odd because I shouldn't be born yet!" "Good!" "Now, let's hear..." "Let's hear what Hannina sees." "I see a big garden and a blue swing." "My father comes home from work." "He comes up quietly behind me, then suddenly hugs me and makes me laugh." "Then he pushes the swing hard." "It starts moving and carries me high up." "Up so high!" "I go so high I can almost touch the moon's tip with my feet!" "Very good, Hannina." "Beautiful." "And now..." "I'd like to hear Ben." "No, Magda!" "Ben can't speak!" "All right." "Let's listen anyway." "Even someone silent can say a lot." "Didn't you know?" "Want to try, Ben?" "Do like the others." "Close your eyes." "What do you see?" "What are you looking for?" "Maybe..." "Don't touch him!" "He'll start screaming." "My hands?" "Good, Ben." "You told us a lot." "Let's hear Lili now." "All right." "But I don't want to close my eyes." "All right." "Don't close them." "Tell us what you see." "Wood." "Nails." "Wall." "Fear." "Men." "Women." "Children." "Lots of children." "They're crying." "Sandor..." "Giorgio..." "The baby?" "A girl." "Born last week." "Ester." "She only lived a few hours." "Drink this." "Eva had lost too much weight." "There's nothing left to eat here." "Adam..." "I'm leaving." "But didn't you say you wanted to see everyone?" "I did but..." "I can't do it." "I'm sorry Anna isn't here." "If it was up to me, I'd keep her here." "She goes out to see Daniel and..." "Her eyes change colour when she thinks of him." "Beautiful, isn't it?" "When's she coming back?" "It's four." "The curfew's starting." "God, four already?" "It's late." "The curfew's started!" "I hope we make it." "What shall we do?" "Come on!" "Gaston, to get back to the safe house which way would you go?" "Not this way." "I'd use the tunnel." "Let's go then." "But, your train's leaving..." "Mr Farkas is waiting." "Go to the tunnel, then we'll see." "Keep your eyes open." "There may not be another train." "I'll just have to stay." "A sniper, Anna!" "Come over here!" "I can't!" "I'm too scared!" "Get up!" "He'll kill us." "Come on, Anna, please!" "Get up!" "Come over here!" "Freeze or I'll kill you this time!" "Now turn to me." "Good." "Now walk." "Slowly." "This way." "Like that." "Good." "Come closer." "Closer, up to the gate!" "Come on!" "Good." "Here you are!" "Come here!" "You're young." "I bet you've never done it." "Don't worry, I'll explain things." "Be good if you don't want me to cut you." "Let's have a look." "Not bad!" "Don't move!" "Go ahead, scream!" "It turns me on." "Get these rags off!" "What use are they?" "You'll see, you'll like it." "Like it, huh?" "Keep still!" "Let go of me!" "You'll like it!" "Smooth skin..." "Let's get these off." "All these clothes..." "Get rid of them." "You'll like it." "You'll like it!" "Bastard!" "You bastard!" "Stop!" "Help!" " Anna!" " Giorgio!" "It's okay." "Where's Daniel?" "In there!" "Get him away!" "He's in there!" "Get her into the car!" "Get him away!" "Get him away!" "Strike me, Lord, for I have killed." "I have become like them." "I have become a being unworthy of You." "I have killed!" "I'm like them, Lord." "I don't want Anna to stay here." "You know they'll kill us all." "Take her with you tonight to the embassy, then to Italy." "That's not possible." "It wouldn't be fair." "I just want you to save her." "What are you saying?" "Even you don't care about the others?" "I just care about my daughter." "She's... twenty." "She mustn't die." "It's not right." "You're my last hope" "My very last." "Take her to Italy." "I'm staying here." "I beg you." "Go..." "And save my daughter." "Not until I can take you all." "All of us?" "All six thousand?" "You sincerely think you can take six thousand people with you?" "Exactly." "It's crazy." "It can't be done." "It's impossible." "No, it is possible." "And I know who can help us." "The countess." "What are you saying?" "The countess has a train." "A train?" "A freight train." "Vajna gave it to her to get her horses to safety." "We must be ready to leave." "We can take very little." "A blanket, food, water for 5 days until we reach Switzerland." "They won't leave the safe houses." "You have to persuade them." "Then, when the time comes, we'll organize a real exodus." "We Jews know all about exoduses." "Countess..." "Thank you." "Wonderful to see you." "As beautiful as ever." "Good evening." "Countess..." "Good evening." "Will you excuse me?" "Of course." "Giorgio..." "countess..." " How lovely to see you." " The pleasure's mine." "What on earth brings you here?" "I need to see Vajna." "What for?" "I want a train to take my refugees to Switzerland." "You mean you think Vajna will give you one?" "Yes." "I'm waiting for the right moment to ask." "He'll say he can't." "That if he does, he'll be shot in the back as a traitor." "I'll tell him that if he doesn't the Russians will slaughter him after the war." "And I'll tell him you've kindly offered me the convoy meant for your horses." "Who told you about that?" "It doesn't matter." "Is it true?" "Yes." "Give it to me." "You're asking something..." "I'm asking for 6,000 lives." "I'm sorry..." "I haven't said how beautiful you are tonight." "That's right." "It's unforgivable..." "You're the rose of Budapest." "All right, I forgive you." "Giorgio, may I ask you something I've never asked you?" "Please do." "Do you have a wife in Italy?" "You plan to ask for my hand?" "I couldn't." "You may not be married but I am!" "My husband won't divorce even though we haven't been in love... for years." "Hear them?" "The guns..." "It's minus 10 outside." "The city is starving, exhausted." "But, in these rooms, they play music, sing, court one another." "It's the mood of the times." "We Hungarians are entranced and gripped by it." "And, without realizing, we remain motionless, waiting for the tragedy to happen." "It's the opposite of the Titanic disaster because we Hungarians believe we're the iceberg..." "This must be serious." "Of course." "Very well." "Countess..." "what a delight to see you." "I can't say the same of you." "What's happening, captain?" "Nothing new." "Just rats deserting the ship." "Meaning?" "Meaning... this is the final act." "The command is ordering Vajna to defend Budapest to the end." "He'll be proud to be given such a task." "Consul... you're trapped like us." "I heard the Russians aren't too fond of Spaniards." "Are you here for your Jews?" "They're not mine or yours." "Just people with the right to live." "Soldiers have that right too." "There's no guarantee but we have it, like others." "Given the situation," "I'm afraid your horses must stay here." "Your train is requisitioned." "It's needed for the top brass, their wives, children and effects." "Countess, shall we drink to your safety?" "My safety?" "Yes, your safety." "Which lies in my hands." "I was the only one to defend you." "The only one." "And I asked nothing in return." "You must acknowledge that." "Everyone, Eichmann included, believes the anonymous letters concerning your Jewish origins." "Leave this hell while there's still time." "Please don't tell me you prefer to stay with your knight of lost causes." "I'd be very disappointed." "Captain..." "Unlike what many people say, you're not a criminal." "No." "You're worse." "You're a mediocre, cynical and vulgar man." "Now, if you don't mind... countess..." "Something tells me that you and I won't meet again." "At least not in this life." "I went to see Adam first so he can tell everyone the train idea was just a dream thought up by this fool..." "I won't hear ill spoken of consul Perlasca." "He's certainly not a fool." "Have some tea." "It's made with mashed plane leaves." "My son invented it." "Mr Farkas says the Russians will kill us when they get here." "They did it in Romania." "All the embassy employees were... massacred." "Mr Farkas is tired." "He needs rest." "Don't listen to him." "Well..." "Tell your son that his plane tea was excellent." "Drinking it with you was a pleasure." "It's odd how a simple cup of tea can make our lives seem better." "See you tomorrow." "Dear Nerina, my beloved wife," "I'm writing from a besieged city, knowing you'll never receive this." "This is Budapest's coldest winter in 40 years." "The temperature fell to minus 30 yesterday." "We have nothing left." "There's no bread, coal or milk." "We've exhausted the embassy's resources." "The city has been abandoned to unscrupulous criminal gangs." "Our houses could be swept away at any minute." "Right now, there is nothing more I can do." "We're in the hands of God." "The Russians will soon be here." "I hope they will free Hungary and not create further tragedy." "I keep such dark thoughts for you." "I tell the others that the Russians are wonderful." "How will future generations look on this century?" "Will our grandchildren believe what we tell them?" "I don't think so." "I won't tell them anything." "How could they believe in such a big, bad wolf?" "That's my home!" "This is a diplomatic vehicle!" "We were after you..." "You have the nerve to protest?" "I can't breathe." "You don't deserve to." "Know why?" "You don't respect the law." "You drive in a fancy car, have a nice home and smart clothes on which you forgot to sew a star!" "Jews have to wear a yellow star!" "Right here!" "Understand?" "Understand?" "Answer me!" "I feel like killing you, Jew, scum of the earth!" "Let this be a lesson to you." "Don't forget it!" "We've wrecked your home." "You won't play the piano again." "Or read your filthy books." "You won't forget us in a hurry." "Too bad your wife wasn't home!" "As for you, consul, don't go around with Jews." "Take my advice." "Let's go." "Farkas, you mustn't leave the embassy again." "For any reason." "We'll fetch your wife." "Gaston..." "Start driving, but slowly." "They're moving in!" "They've blocked the exits!" "We're surrounded." "I'll warn the others!" "Too late, they're here now." "Get down!" "Let's warn the consul." "Over the rooftops..." "Hurry it up!" "I want them all!" "Search every corner of the place!" "Everybody stand!" "Come on!" "Out with you!" "Leave everything here!" "Come on, get up!" "Take them downstairs!" "Separate the adults from the children." "Get them in line!" "Group them in the yard!" "She can't do it." "She can't keep up!" "Eva!" "Move!" "Your consul can't save you now!" "Take them downstairs!" "Hurry it up!" "Down into the yard!" "You're taking a nice river trip." "Come on, move it!" "What are you up to?" "Are you deaf?" "I told you to move!" "Walk!" "There's more in here!" "I'll see to them!" "Out with you!" "Didn't you hear?" "What did she do?" "Why?" "Shut up." "Why?" "Out with you." "She was just teaching them to sing!" "Out with the others!" "Move it!" " Why kill her?" " Quiet!" "You should have asked her to stop." "You shot her without a word!" "Shut your mouth or I'll kill you, filthy Jew!" "I'm not Jewish!" "Shut your mouth!" " I'm not Jewish!" " Quiet or I'll smash your head." "I can prove it!" "Shut up and get in line!" "Move it!" "Out you come!" "Come along, children." "Hurry it up." "Climb in the van!" "Only the children!" "Go with the others!" "Get in line!" "Victor!" "You can't take my son!" "Victor!" "I'm here!" "Do as I say!" "I'm warning you, I'll shoot!" "In front of your children!" "Look!" "This is what I think of your Spanish protectors!" "Daddy!" "Victor!" "You can't take him!" "He's my son!" "Leave the child!" "Sergeant!" "Take him!" "Don't take him!" "Stop it!" "It's inhuman!" "Shut your mouth or I'll put a hole in your head!" "Shut up and get back in line!" "You want me to shoot?" "Victor!" "Take the children away!" "Lieutenant, listen to me..." "I have nothing to do with them." "I can show you my papers." "I'm not Jewish." "You were with them, so you're Jewish." " I'm a musician!" " A musician?" "The consul asked me to play for the children." "Play then!" " I'm not Jewish, I'm Aryan." " Play, I said!" "I'm playing." "Enough time wasted!" "Let's get going!" "Move it!" "Let's go." "Go on, hurry!" "Run!" "Dad!" "Go!" "Stop or I'll shoot!" "Hands up and turn round!" "Hands up!" "How did you get here?" "Where are you from?" "I'm on my way home." "I live down there, after the park." "You dress like that in this cold?" "Why aren't you with the others?" "What do you mean?" "I don't understand." "I understand, Jew." "Why do you call me a Jew?" "I'm not Jewish." "What makes you say that?" "The Jews are in the Ghetto..." "If you're not Jewish, recite the Lord's Prayer." "The Lord's Prayer?" "Why?" "Prayer is a holy thing." "Do you know the Lord's Prayer or not?" "Every catholic knows it." "Say it then!" "It's not right." "You know it?" ""Our Father which art in..."" "carry on." "Where is our Father?" "Come on, tell me." "I don't know where he is." "Ferenc, get in the car." "Hurry!" "You two take the other car and find Gluckmar." "He'll help us." "Farkas, please..." "Don't go there, it's no use!" "Listen to Mrs Tourne." "Let's get going!" "Get down!" "Ferenc!" "Come on..." "Goddam crate!" "Help me get him out!" "Quick!" "Get the blanket!" "Gently..." "Set him down." "We must get him to the embassy." "Without the car, they're going to shoot us Jews on sight." "Take the flag and walk ahead of us!" "Lift him up!" "Gently." "Let's go!" "Madame!" " They shot at us." " The poor boy!" " Get Professor Balazs." " I'll fetch him." "Over there." "In the middle of the room." "Bring the bed over to the fire." "Put him on it." " What happened?" "Ferenc was shot in the throat." " Is it serious?" " The bullet's still in there." "Will he die?" "I'll need to operate." "Operate, then." "Hurry!" "I can't in these conditions." "I'm not up to it." "You have to!" "I don't even have a scalpel." "I'd need to use a kitchen knife." "So use a kitchen knife!" "I might kill him." "You will if you do nothing!" "Get all the knives you can find." "And bandages and gauze." "If you don't have the guts, I'll do it." "Tell me what to do." "Get out of the way." "You're a madman." "I'll do what I can." "But I'll need help." "You two, help him." "I'll go and check on the safe houses." "Eva..." "I'm trying to loosen the knot." "Hold tight to me." "Eva..." "I've done it." "I've loosened the rope." "Did you hear me?" "Sandor, I'm scared!" "Listen to me, Eva." "Pretend we're still tied together." "The one who isn't shot can pull free in the water." "Then swim off quickly, right away." "Before being dragged under." "Try to pull free." "I'm not leaving you!" "I'm staying with you!" "Promise me you'll try." "One of us can get away." "Promise me you'll try." "I can't." "Don't ask me that." "Do it for me, Eva." "The next two." "Stop." "What a lovely couple!" "Me, you bastard!" "Sandor!" "I swear, I'm an Aryan, like you." "I'm just a poor musician." "I swear I'm not Jewish." "Please, believe me..." "Help!" "Help!" "Eva!" "Over here!" "Eva!" "Hurry!" "Pull her out!" "You see, major?" "You got here after they finished." "But if you hadn't, what would you have done?" "I'll tell you what." "Nothing." "Absolutely nothing!" "You don't know how I feel!" "They're killing Hungarians too!" "So you should fight back, like the rest of Europe!" "Gaston!" "A blanket!" "Perlasca..." "I must tell you this." "Strange things are happening around the Ghetto." "The militia have set up machine guns." "I've heard terrible things..." "Gluckmar, for God's sake, what do you know?" "They plan to mine the Ghetto, burn all the houses and if anyone tries to flee the flames, they'll be shot." "The Russians are close." "I know." "And so do they." "It may happen tonight or tomorrow." "Budapest is ruled by Satan." "You want to fight Satan with your bare hands?" "Yes, major, they're all I have." "Let's go." "Giorgio... or is it still Jorge?" "Countess..." "I've returned to my people at last." "I just hope that someone, one day, will remember me... as I am now and forget all the rest." "You can't stay here." "I can." "I've fled once before." "Because of fear..." "Because of ambition..." "I was so young and so stupid..." "But, this time, I want to stay here... until the end." "It was true, then." "They've decided to destroy us, our synagogues, our homes." "Nothing and no one will remain." "No one will know we existed." "Farkas says your God is also mine." "In that case, why does he make you suffer?" "Perhaps to punish us for our sins." "You know, Perlasca, we have the same God but our prayers differ and so does our image of Him." "I can't understand His will:" "It's impenetrable." "But I feel pain, rage and confusion at His punishment of us." "I'll die at peace but dissatisfied." "I'll have been struck down but not enslaved." "I'll die full of love for Him but I won't be thinking," ""May Your will be done."" "Open your eyes, then." "You can't stand by and let 70,000 people die in the Ghetto." "What can I do?" "I know there are weapons in the Ghetto." "Have them handed out." "I'll try to see Vajna." "But if I don't come back, tell your people to fight..." "to resist." "No!" "On this table, there's a map of Budapest with the Red Army advances marked out." "That one's a map of the world." "I only feel like looking at that one." "That's why I'm glad to see you, even at such a bad time." "You bring a breath of your land of light, life and sunshine." "It's good to think of places where there isn't a war on." "That's what brings me here." "There's a bad way to end a war:" "Being captured by the enemy." "You have to talk, explain..." "But how can you tell a court, a military court what happened during the war?" "How will you explain the massacre of thousands in the Ghetto?" "You what?" "It's what your militia is planning." "You're defending this city bravely." "You can preserve your reputation." "If you're executed, don't let it be for this hideous crime." "I don't deal with the Jews!" "The victors will." "It's the way they'll tell soldiers from war criminals!" "Enough, consul!" "I won't let you..." "No calls!" "I'm busy!" "You said you had an urgent message from the Spanish government!" "Indeed I have." "This is what I have to tell you." "If you don't prevent the destruction of the Ghetto," "Spain... will imprison its 3,000 Hungarian residents as prisoners of war." "Who are you trying to fool?" "There aren't 3,000 in Spain." "There are." "You can check after the war if you visit us." "You'll be welcome." "How did you get that message?" "All the phone-lines are down." "I didn't get the message from Spain but from Switzerland." "Switzerland?" "Ambassador Sanz Briz is in Bern." "He forwarded the message to me." "Bern?" "Do you mind if we ask Bern for confirmation?" "What for?" "Isn't my word enough?" "I want a paper with a signature." "Angel Sanz Briz." "That's all I want." "Bern" " Spanish Embassy" "Send a telegram." "Defence command, Budapest." "To commander Vajna." "Highest priority." ""Excellency, in this dark hour..."" "Sanz Briz sends his regards." "You have his reply?" "Here it is." "In black and white." "What does he say?" "He confirms your words." "This problem requires some thought which will take a while." "Let's just lay our cards on the table." "I'll start." " Mine are all aces." " Show me." "All right." "I promise you and your family safe passage from Hungary and refuge in Spain once the Russians break through." "In return, you'll save the Ghetto." "Get on the truck!" "All of you!" "We're pulling out!" "Move it!" "Get on the truck!" "Hurry!" "Get on!" "Come here!" "Come and see!" "Professor." "Perlasca..." " How's the boy?" " He'll pull through." "Thank you." "I should thank you." "The thing that you made me do makes up, in a way, for my decision that night at the hospital." "I'll never forgive myself for keeping the children behind." "I'll never forgive myself." "Professor..." "Ferenc." "Don't move." "That throat wound means you can't talk for a while." "That's not a bad thing." "I don't know how I'd have managed without you and your friends." "The fact of always seeing you so angry at everything and everyone reminded me of my youth when I wanted to change the world and make it a better place." "You've done it." "Thank you." "No, don't thank me." "I've simply talked rubbish." "It suits me!" "What now?" "Burn it." "If the Russians find it, they'll kill us." "No!" "You can't burn our flag!" "No..." " Good luck." " Goodbye." "Goodbye." " May God protect you." "Madame... hurry!" "It's dangerous to waste more time." "And for you, Jorge." "I'm not Jorge now." "I'm Giorgio." "I'm Italian, I'm safe now." "We can't persuade Mr Farkas to leave." "He wants to stay here." "I'll see to him." "Off you go now." "Take this." "Giorgio..." "Even if you're Italian again, if the Russians catch you..." "Adios, hombre!" "Hang that Swedish flag outside." "Goodbye, consul..." " Good luck." " You too." "Giorgio, have you seen Lili?" " Maybe she's with the others." " We have to go." "The military authorities are going to give us back our apartment." "It must be good to go home." "And you?" "When will you go home?" "Soon I hope." "Go on..." "Go and tell Lili." "Giorgio..." "Thank you..." "Madame..." "You want to wait for the Russians to put up that flag?" "Off you go now!" "Giorgio, please be careful." "You mustn't die." "I don't plan to." "Giorgio!" "We thought you'd gone." "Thank you for everything." "Daniel..." "How are you two?" "Ben's not scared anymore!" "So I see." "They'll stay with us." "What do you mean?" "Once we marry, we want children." "We thought we'd start with them." "Well done." "Goodbye, miss." "Goodbye, consul." "Master Ben... come here." "Let me hug you." "Sweetheart..." "Ben..." "Mr Farkas, still here?" "It's time to go." "Where?" "I can't go back home because this is my home." "Or maybe it's nowhere." "Let's talk later." "We have to go." "We can't leave you here alone." "I'm not alone." "My guilt is always here with me." "Farkas, you..." "you should feel no guilt." "But I do." "I'm alive." "Thousands, perhaps millions, of Jews like me have died." "But not me." "Not me." "Know what I am?" "I'm a "kibitzer"" "one of those men you see in bars sitting near card players." "The others play but the kibitzer doesn't." "He watches the others." "Mr Farkas..." "It's true, I'm patient." "I'm obstinate and I suffer like all the sons of Abraham." "But what might do I have?" "What might?" "It's a passive, inert might." "Is that them?" "I think so." "The Russians will kill us." "Farkas!" "Farkas!" "No!" "Tibor!" "Giorgio Perlasca!" "I've been looking for you." "You're on the run again and I have your name on my list." "You always seem to be on the wrong side." "Major, you know I..." "Don't bother trying to bribe me." "I'm doing my duty." "Get on that train and vanish." "You've bribed the driver." "Tibor always drove my calves." "Goodbye, major." "Goodbye, Italian." "I hope we meet again one day." "Thank you." "At last." "Hurry, it's leaving." "Run, daddy!" "The train's leaving!" "Consul!" "Consul Perlasca!" "I did this for you with daddy!" "Here!" "I bet it's beautiful!" "We didn't have much time." "I'm sure it's beautiful." "You must be Lili's father." "That's me." "We won't forget you." "But don't forget us." "How could I forget you, Ferenc?" "Goodbye!" "Bye." "Bye!" "Bye, Magda!" "Bye!" "Bye, Anna!" "Thank you!" "Lili!" "He called me so many times." "I'll never forget his voice." "Since I first saw what he was doing," "I've thought he was one of the 37 Just Men." "That's a Bible story my father told me as a child." "He'd say that at any moment in time there are 37 Just Men and because of His love for them, God doesn't destroy the world." "No one knows who they are and they don't know themselves, even though they recognize and take other people's suffering." "44 years later, in 1988," "Giorgio Perlasca was found living modestly in Padua by some of the women he had saved." "Israel declared him a Just Man among the Just and planted a tree in his name in Jerusalem." "Hungary, Spain, Italy and the USA also paid tribute to the work he did." "He died in Padua in 1992." "His story remained unknown in Italy until 1990 when it was related on the TV programme "Mixer"." "In this interview with Giovanni Minoli," "Giorgio Perlasca hands on his spiritual legacy." "I'd like young people to take an interest in this story simply to..." " how can I put it to think, in addition to what happened, about what could happen and thereby learn to oppose violence."