Karl Denke (2024) Movie Script
based on a true story
"After all we will have to view Karl
Denke not as the abominable monster,
...but as a hapless soul, who could not
but fulfil what was inherent to his being."
Madam,
do you have a...
Excuse me ,
you dont happen to have
a spare penny for me?
That's very kind of you.
Thank you very, very much.
Thanks.
Could you spare a penny?
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
That's very generous.
Madam,
could you spare some change,
a penny or two for me?
Alas, I do not carry cash today.
No, but are you looking for work?
yes!
Just go to Father Denke.
Father Denke?
He's got something to eat for you,
and work.
That sounds good.
Down that street,
on the left-hand side, Teichstrae 10.
Teichstrae 10.
Thank you, Madam.
You're welcome.
Thanks.
And give him regards from Misses Grass.
I will.
Thanks.
Bye!
Teichstrae 10
Teichstrae 10, - Teichstrae 10,
Teichsstrae 10. Yes!
Good afternoon!
Are you Father Denke?
Yes.
Do you have work for me?
Are you able to write?
Of course.
Come in.
Come In.
Where to?
On the bed.
What do we have here?
Robinson Crusoe.
Robinson Crusoe.
A children's book.
You're pretty well off, good Sir.
Name?
Vincent.
Vincent Oliver.
Vincent
Oliver.
Weight.
Weight.
Why Weight?
Just so!
78 Kilograms.
78 Kilograms.
Profession?
Carpenter.
My rabbit hutch needs fixing.
Maybe you can....
If it is not too much of a hassle...
Then write.
I can spell, yes.
Adolf, you fat brat.
Peter Filmproduktion presents
Are you mad?
help,- help
Karl Denke - the cannibal next-door
Mister Denke.
Are you Karl Denke? Mister Denke!
Yes, yes, that's him.
Karl Denke, strike me,
he wanted to strike me dead!
Alright. Alright.
We took your point.
Mister Denke.
Yes?
Are you Karl Denke?
Yes.
Lead him off.
Come.
May I?
Detention cell Mnsterberg town hall
Did we catch you!
You are arrested, Mister Denke!
Tomorrow.
Your hearing.
Now, off!
Caught.
Arrested.
Nonsense...
Because of nothing...
Or is it...
But how?
Ate it all up!
Hearing...
Lullaby and good night,
With pink roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread
Is my baby's sweet head.
Lay thee down now and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed.
Lay thee down now and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed...
Hearing
December 23rd
Particulars:
Name?
Denke.
Denke.
Given name?
Karl.
Karl.
Birthday?
Eleventh of
February
February.
Place of birth?
Oberkunzendorf.
Well...
Parents:
Your parents' names?
Mother Denke.
Unknown.
Father?
Sir.
Father, Sir.
Unknown.
Mister Denke,
why are you here?
The residency?
Resident in...?
Mnsterberg
Mnsterberg
Teichstrae 10
Teichstrae 10
You heard my question!
Which one?
Why are you here?
They brought me here.
Do you have any idea why?
I have been attacked.
By?
By a tramp.
Name?
Oliver...
Vincent?
Yes..
What happened during the attack?
He wanted to rob me.
Yes. He, rob you?
Yes!
What did you do?
Defended myself.
How far?
As far as I could.
What does that mean?
With the pickaxe...
You wanted to kill him.
I wanted to defend myself.
Someone wants to rob you,
and you try to kill him
with a pickaxe?
As defence?
Why didn't you tie him up, bring him to me?
I could have
arrested him.
He was stronger than me.
Mister Denke, you are strong.
He was stronger.
In church,
you are a well-liked man.
And you know your Bible.
Does the Bible quotation:
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" ring a bell?
Certainly.
Theft for theft?
Theft for theft.
Theft for life?
Mister Denke,
you got here
a neatly kept
booklet.
Mister Denke,
thirty names - Which explanation?
Can I refresh myself quickly?
Why?
I feel like it.
Not yet.
Who are those 30 people?
Good friends.
Why did you write
them down?
Because they...
are good friends.
Are you afraid to
forget your friends?
No.
Mister Denke,
Yes
Do you want to wash yourself?
Gladly.
Go ahead.
And then I gave him a slap
left and right
and left again.
And as that moron lay
on the ground
I took his money
off him.
Here,
two marks.
Now, pass the grub.
Here you are.
What's that?
Rhubarb!
Pardon?
What, no meat soup?
Meat soup?
Later!
First you write!
Write?
Pen and paper.
Cannot write yourself, can you?
Dimwit!
Dimwit...
Write!
Dear Misses von Grass,
The meat for the wedding
will shortly be
ready for you.
Clodhopper.
Quiet! We want to sleep!
Did I finally catch you.
You don't have a good taste.
Farewell, little mouse.
Are you done?
Yes.
Sit down!
So,
summing-up.
Hearing on the 23rd of December 1924.
Name: Karl Denke
Born on 11.02.1860.
Place of birth:
Oberkunzendorf.
Oberkunzendorf.
Parents unknown.
Residency...
You are thorough.
Resident in
Mnsterberg.
Right!
Teichstrae 10
Yes.
What will I get out now, Mister Denke?
Go ahead.
Cloth.
Go on.
Folded.
Go on.
Wrapped.
Why?
So, my friends are always with me.
Those friends?
Yes.
How are your friends always with you?
In that way?
Don't touch!
In every bundle...
there is a piece of them.
Essence.
They gave it to me,
before they moved on.
Where are your friends now?
Don't know.
Where did they move on to?
Into the world.
Into which world?
There are so many.
Alright Mister Denke.
You like to craft, don't you.
Yes!
Friedhelm.
That's Friedhelm?
No, no...
a piece of cloth
from his clothes.
Mister Denke, you know the saying -
we had it just before:
An eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth.
Teeth.
If I assume correctly
and
for every tooth here
there must be
one of your teeth.
Mister Denke, look.
And now,
do as I do!
Come on, do it!
You still have all your teeth.
But you should not have any.
Why?
Because you pulled these teeth,
and not from your mouth.
A dentist pulls teeth as well.
Mister Denke!
A dog's skin
of stray dogs.
Mister Denke,
Mister Denke!
Human skin?
A pair of braces.
So, you're of use after all!
Wrapped, like so....
Right, that's nice!
There, next to Friedhelm! Yes.
Now that's good!
Friends.
So many!
Handcrafted.
Oh yes.
Weigh it!
Weigh it!
For the soup
Thirteen...
Six, seven, three... Yield: 76
76 kg yield.
Pretty good!
Now this
Salt...
salt.
There
For later!
This....
This....
Wait!
Just a moment!
Come in!
Greetings Karl.
Misses von Grass...
I wanted to pick up the meat for the wedding.
Oh, wedding meat...
Here you are.
Wedding meat.
Yes, well that's a good portion.
Did you slaughter a dog again?
Dog?
Well...
But, that's forbidden.
Yes, I know.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh well, Karl,
I don't mind,
but the neighbours.
They complained.
What about?
About the smell
coming from your flat.
Smell.
Yes...
Maybe you should air it a bit more often.
Air it...
And one other thing...
There are strange sounds
coming from your flat
at night.
I know you work a lot.
And it's good you work a lot.
But maybe you could
try and do it in the mornings?
Morning?
Yes, well the neighbours
have to rise early.
They can't sleep.
Yes, well, that's what I wanted to tell you.
Thanks, Misses Grass.
My pleasure!
Von Grass
Nevermind.
Nevermind
Oh, and another thing.
Should you need help with
your shirts,
you can happily get in touch with me.
Thanks.
Farewell!
Farewell!
Mister Denke, we go about this pragmatically now.
In your meticulously kept booklet
there is one name crossed out.
I hear.
Mister Weber?
Yes!
Special friend!
Because...?
He liked my meat soup.
Poor guy.
He told me everything.
He had been beaten
as a child by his father.
The mother looked the other way.
I assume, you have also been beaten
as a child.
You look like it.
Which consequences do you draw from this?
None.
On the front line
he really showed the French what he was made of!
What a lough we had!
What we have eaten!
Meat soup!
He had to go.
Why?
He was my equal...
Did he help you?
With what?
What does it mean to say:
"He was my equal"?
He liked the meat soup.
He always loved meat.
Did you ever eat meat soup?
Yes.
Is it good?
Very!
Meat?
Very!
Yes!
Oh, yes!
Mister Denke,
the booklet smells of blood.
Blood.
There's blood on that booklet.
Blood.
I got here
items crafted by you.
These are your friends.
These
teeth here are... Mister Denke...
Yes.
There's a part of you
I do understand.
And something else
tells me
you will have to die.
And die you will.
We'll all have to die one day.
But not in that way.
Herr Denke,
I`ll bring you before the judge;
the committing magistrate,
my superior.
I will recount your situation.
I will show all of the things I have here.
And I give it to you under
hand and seal...
Hand and seal:
People like you need to go.
Who is he, this Mister Weber?
Mister Weber.
Hey there, get up!
Lodging House Zur Heimat
This man wants to talk to you.
He might have work for you.
Can you write?
Yes, Sir.
I can spell very well.
Can you write something for me?
Yes. Yes, Sir. Gladly so.
I do have some rich soup.
Well then, come.
Yes, Sir.
Marie!
Farewell!
Come in.
Hungry?
Oh yes.
One moment.
Thanks for taking me with you.
You're welcome.
Bon appetit!
Thanks.
You like it?
Yes!
Meat soup!
Yes, meat.
I think,
I haven't eaten a piece of
meat in six weeks.
Your name?
Heinrich Weber!
Weber...
Weight?
68 kilograms,
I think...
Where are you from, anyway?
From Krakeln, Memel Land.
Yes, from East Prussia,
but I Can't go back there.
Why?
Now, the French are sitting there.
They've occupied everything.
But it's even more because of
my father.
The pig.
That pig!
You useless thing!
You only have yourself to blame for that.
Head down!
You dumb bitch, you brought a moron into this world.
You're too stupid, even for that.
What did I do wrong to be punished like that!?
You are all mad...
Are you still not ready, Karl?
Hurry, it'll start to rain soon!
After all, we didn't have anything.
Father was a drunkard.
Drunkard...
He was unpredictable.
I was seven years old, a little boy.
I spilled his beer by accident.
He hit me in the face so hard
I fell off the bench,
and woke up but later in my tiny bed.
Mother sat next to me, crying.
Crying...
Blood
trickled from my ears.
Blood...
I just wanted to get away!
Away from my father,
away from his drunkenness.
Drunkenness...
Away from the beatings and
away from the hunger.
Is there any more soup left?
Gladly!
Here you are.
Thank you.
And it's nice and hot.
Meat soup!
Yes, meat soup!
I learned at the farm.
Farming.
Yes, but I went to
the military then.
I couldnt stand it anymore
at home...
Military basic training first,
then military service.
And finally, a real bed for me.
And something decent to eat.
Meat soup?
Yes, meat soup.
1914 then
came the war.
"We'll be in Paris by
Christmas", we all cheered.
As if.
As if...
After a few kilometres
it was the end of the road.
And every Frenchman,
who came before my
carbine
had the face of my father.
Yes...
He grinned at me. Yes, as if...
as if to say:
Come on! Shoot,
fire away!
Then I pulled the trigger...
again, again and again
and over again...
It just never stopped.
...never stopped...
It just wouldn't stop.
Wouldn't stop...
It wouldn't stop...
What became of my brothers, and my mother,
I do not know.
No idea.
Nobody gives me anything,
No one.
Just You.
You give me such a tasty soup.
Denke, you're really a good man.
Thanks,
Out.
Did I do wrong...?
Out!
Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him up
on the last day.
Fraud
outrageous fraud!
seduced,..
tempted...
Oh well.
Forgive me.
Sorry. Sorry.
For my flesh
is true food,
and my blood
is true drink.
Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
abides in me
and I in him...
Our father in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into
temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
My dear Karl,
welcome.
It's great you're here.
Good morning, Father.
My dear Karl,
I am truly happy,
you will carry the cross
at tomorrow's procession.
I would like to thank you for that
on behalf of
the whole community.
A matter of course, father.
Well, sadly, it's not,
in this time and age.
Even within our community,
godless avarice
and greed are rampant.
And the command of charity
is buried in oblivion.
Well Karl,
the world is changing.
Does the world change,
and we change with it?
Or do we change,
and the world
changes with us?
Oh, what a question,
no one can answer that.
But if by good deeds
something turns
for the better, it is the
consequence of our faith.
And who no longer just
revolves around himself
has an open heart
for other people
and for God as well.
Just like you, Karl.
Thank you, Father!
You're welcome.
Oh you, I've heard that -
despite these lean times
you donated something for the
bride and groom.
Yes, I gifted them some meat.
How nice.
It was really
my pleasure.
Oh, and Karl,
have you ever thought
about marrying a woman
yourself?
You are alone, aren't you?
And your neighbour,
the widow,
the widow of the late Captain von Grass,
she truly is a righteous woman,
pious and gracious.
And since her husband -
may God rest his soul
fell at Verdun in 1915
she is all alone.
No, no, no,
I'm not ready yet for marriage.
But Father,
may I ask,
a theological question?
Yes, sure.
I came across a passage in the
bible,
and now, I cant get it out of my head.
Here, John 6:55,
For my flesh
is true food.
And my blood
is true drink.
56: Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood,
abides in me
and I in him.
hoc est enim corpus deum
Jesus Christ speaks:
This is my body
which is given for you.
So, it is true,
salvation lies within the flesh.
The blood is the wine that quenches our thirst
in this world.
Yes, yes, that's the idea.
The pope supports the
belief that
by priestly consecration
the altar wine
truly becomes the blood of Jesus
and the eucharistic bread
truly is
flesh from the body
of Jesus Christ.
a piece of flesh from the
body of Christ
Blood of the Saviour,
Piece of meat...
Well Karl, Karl
don't worry about it now, yes?
And I...
I have to get going.
Yes, the municipal council awaits me.
There's so much to
organise for tomorrow.
Piece of meat - body of Christ
Altar wine, blood.
Salvation, salvation...
Blood...
Blood
God is love,
you wrote.
You go to church?
I've seen you there before
on Sundays.
Of course.
Mister Denke, how can this be
reconciled?
Talk!
Maybe your friend can help you,
do you want to have him with you?
Friedhelm Erdmann?
Just take him.
Friedhelm?
Go on!
Now come! Talk.
Jesus
Yes, go on, come on, come!
died at the cross.
Yes!
His blood,
Yes.
and his flesh
nourish the community.
since time immemorial.
Go on.
So, blood and meat
are the key to God.
And you think,
you are god's equal.
Is that what you think?
No!
Do you want to absorb God?
No!!
Do you wish to incorporate God?
No...
Whoever drinks my blood,
and feeds on my flesh
Faster!
abides in me and I in him.
Do you try to
absorb God?
Do you try to eat God?
Do you try to become God?
Mister Denke, talk!
Come on!
Come, Come, come, come, come.
Head up, talk!
Mister, Denke,
did you kill those people?
Did you absorb your friends?
You bound them - in skin!
I delivered them all.
Their senseless
and useless lives,
I gave them use and sense.
For the community!
For you!
Mister Denke, now just say:
I have killed them.
Did you kill them?
Mister Denke, just say it, now!
Say it!
I have them.
I have them...
Friedhelm! Friedhelm Erdmann...
Friedhelm...
You are imbecile.
Mister Denke, you will die.
Definitely.
Give that to me.
Friedhelm?
Give it to me!
Friedhelm.
Give him to me!
Give him to me!
Mister Denke, very quickly,
you will be executed very quickly.
Then we will have peace from you.
Mister Denke,
in and of itself
I'm fascinated by
what youve written here.
But if that is not evidence enough
I just don't know,
how it proceeds.
Dead 122 kilograms, naked
106 kilograms
disembowelled,
Eighty-six...
Yield
86 kilograms yield.
You like meat.
You cooked soup from the meat.
You offered the meat to people.
And did you also -
people who ate the meat
that you prepared so nicely -
did you kill them also?
Did you feed human flesh to human
so that a human nourishes the human
you then proceed to butcher?
I...it ...my God.
Did you?
My God.
Did you, Mister Denke?
Undetected,
always undetected...
My coins.
Is that the legendary price,
one has to pay?
Currency, currency, currency...
That, too, smells.
Herr Denke, the sheer number of people
perpetuated here.
I would lie if I wasn't to say
that it fascinates me rather a lot.
Numbers on coins.
Divine currency..
yes...
In the kingdom of heaven,
currency, divine.
Mister Denke, you...
and I tell you that personally -
do you know why you have to die?
Everyone....
You have to...
I am the law
and you fascinate me.
And that must not be allowed to happen.
You understand?
That must not happen...
That you understand me?
You have to die.
You will die.
Yes...
In!
So, let's have a look,
what my colleague brought me.
The file of Emma Sander.
Emma?
Do you know her?
She was in love with me.
She was everywhere I went.
What did you do to her?
She was obsessed with me.
Always wanted to be near me.
What did you do to her?
She made eyes at me.
Go on!
Then we danced.
And then?
Danced...
What did you do to her then?
Emma Sandner died.
Trautmann, a butcher, is doing time for her murder.
Twelve years
in your place.
She made eyes at me.
And then...
we danced...
Greetings, Karl!
Emma?
Greetings!
Emma - again.
Emma.
What is it?
Where to?
I go to work.
You stalk me.
I do not stalk you. I come by here every day.
At Richter's Bakery?
Coincidence!
At the fisher's festival?
Happenstance!
Karl, we're living in the same town.
On the field, near the willow tree.
Coincidence!
You're making eyes at me.
Come on. You're imagining things.
You love me, don't you.
No! Please! - I do not love you.
You do love me!
No!
I am sorry you thought it was this way, but...
Give me the basket!
Karl, let go of the basket!
Give it to me!
You're off your head!
Let go of the basket, let go!
You're mad!
Help!
Emma!
Emma!
Emma!
Emma? - Can't you die?
come!
Come on,
come!
Karl, I do love you after all.
You love me?
Yes, I love you,Karl
Me?
Yes! Only you.
Dance?
Yes, I'll dance with you.
Let's be together, Karl.
For ever...?
Yes, yes Karl...
For ever...?
Yes, for ever! For ever.
For ever, Emma, for ever!
Then we danced...
Does the ring belong to Emma Sander?
Give me that ring, it's evidence. Pass the ring to me.
No!
Pass it over.
No!
Give it to me, now!
No!
Mister Denke!
Did you kill Emma Sander?
Did you kill Emma Sander?
No!
What did you do to her?
Danced !
What else did you do to her?
Only danced!
And then?
Further!
Just Danced.
What did you do?
written here, no surname, just Emma.
Mister Denke, did you kill all those people?
Yes or no?
I am talking to you!
Mister Denke, we've got all these things lying here.
My God.
Did you kill those people or didn't you?
Here, look at this.
And do you know what this is?
These are links to all the
people you wrote down there.
It's their passports.
Mister Denke, these people are no longer alive.
They are missing.
I have their passports.
Everything fits together!!
You will die, Mister Denke.
Believe me.
How did you manage
to bring all the population to your side?
Fascinating!
Meat!
They always wanted some meat.
Every one of them.
Did they eat your meat?
Of course,
all of them wanted meat.
All of them.
And they got meat from you.
Mister Denke, I will tell those people,
they ate human flesh.
What do you think is going to happen?
Mister Denke, did you kill those people.
Yes or no?
Mister Denke!
Yes
No man is replaceable.
No.
But meat is...
They won't understand.
Nobody understands.
They will throw stones!
Stones...
Mister Denke,
it is time...
They will throw stones...
That shall not be granted to you...
It was only after Karl Denke comitted suicide on December 21st 1924 that his flat was searched by the police and all the evidence was found.
We remember the victims.
"After all we will have to view Karl
Denke not as the abominable monster,
...but as a hapless soul, who could not
but fulfil what was inherent to his being."
Madam,
do you have a...
Excuse me ,
you dont happen to have
a spare penny for me?
That's very kind of you.
Thank you very, very much.
Thanks.
Could you spare a penny?
Thank you.
Thanks a lot.
That's very generous.
Madam,
could you spare some change,
a penny or two for me?
Alas, I do not carry cash today.
No, but are you looking for work?
yes!
Just go to Father Denke.
Father Denke?
He's got something to eat for you,
and work.
That sounds good.
Down that street,
on the left-hand side, Teichstrae 10.
Teichstrae 10.
Thank you, Madam.
You're welcome.
Thanks.
And give him regards from Misses Grass.
I will.
Thanks.
Bye!
Teichstrae 10
Teichstrae 10, - Teichstrae 10,
Teichsstrae 10. Yes!
Good afternoon!
Are you Father Denke?
Yes.
Do you have work for me?
Are you able to write?
Of course.
Come in.
Come In.
Where to?
On the bed.
What do we have here?
Robinson Crusoe.
Robinson Crusoe.
A children's book.
You're pretty well off, good Sir.
Name?
Vincent.
Vincent Oliver.
Vincent
Oliver.
Weight.
Weight.
Why Weight?
Just so!
78 Kilograms.
78 Kilograms.
Profession?
Carpenter.
My rabbit hutch needs fixing.
Maybe you can....
If it is not too much of a hassle...
Then write.
I can spell, yes.
Adolf, you fat brat.
Peter Filmproduktion presents
Are you mad?
help,- help
Karl Denke - the cannibal next-door
Mister Denke.
Are you Karl Denke? Mister Denke!
Yes, yes, that's him.
Karl Denke, strike me,
he wanted to strike me dead!
Alright. Alright.
We took your point.
Mister Denke.
Yes?
Are you Karl Denke?
Yes.
Lead him off.
Come.
May I?
Detention cell Mnsterberg town hall
Did we catch you!
You are arrested, Mister Denke!
Tomorrow.
Your hearing.
Now, off!
Caught.
Arrested.
Nonsense...
Because of nothing...
Or is it...
But how?
Ate it all up!
Hearing...
Lullaby and good night,
With pink roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread
Is my baby's sweet head.
Lay thee down now and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed.
Lay thee down now and rest,
May thy slumber be blessed...
Hearing
December 23rd
Particulars:
Name?
Denke.
Denke.
Given name?
Karl.
Karl.
Birthday?
Eleventh of
February
February.
Place of birth?
Oberkunzendorf.
Well...
Parents:
Your parents' names?
Mother Denke.
Unknown.
Father?
Sir.
Father, Sir.
Unknown.
Mister Denke,
why are you here?
The residency?
Resident in...?
Mnsterberg
Mnsterberg
Teichstrae 10
Teichstrae 10
You heard my question!
Which one?
Why are you here?
They brought me here.
Do you have any idea why?
I have been attacked.
By?
By a tramp.
Name?
Oliver...
Vincent?
Yes..
What happened during the attack?
He wanted to rob me.
Yes. He, rob you?
Yes!
What did you do?
Defended myself.
How far?
As far as I could.
What does that mean?
With the pickaxe...
You wanted to kill him.
I wanted to defend myself.
Someone wants to rob you,
and you try to kill him
with a pickaxe?
As defence?
Why didn't you tie him up, bring him to me?
I could have
arrested him.
He was stronger than me.
Mister Denke, you are strong.
He was stronger.
In church,
you are a well-liked man.
And you know your Bible.
Does the Bible quotation:
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" ring a bell?
Certainly.
Theft for theft?
Theft for theft.
Theft for life?
Mister Denke,
you got here
a neatly kept
booklet.
Mister Denke,
thirty names - Which explanation?
Can I refresh myself quickly?
Why?
I feel like it.
Not yet.
Who are those 30 people?
Good friends.
Why did you write
them down?
Because they...
are good friends.
Are you afraid to
forget your friends?
No.
Mister Denke,
Yes
Do you want to wash yourself?
Gladly.
Go ahead.
And then I gave him a slap
left and right
and left again.
And as that moron lay
on the ground
I took his money
off him.
Here,
two marks.
Now, pass the grub.
Here you are.
What's that?
Rhubarb!
Pardon?
What, no meat soup?
Meat soup?
Later!
First you write!
Write?
Pen and paper.
Cannot write yourself, can you?
Dimwit!
Dimwit...
Write!
Dear Misses von Grass,
The meat for the wedding
will shortly be
ready for you.
Clodhopper.
Quiet! We want to sleep!
Did I finally catch you.
You don't have a good taste.
Farewell, little mouse.
Are you done?
Yes.
Sit down!
So,
summing-up.
Hearing on the 23rd of December 1924.
Name: Karl Denke
Born on 11.02.1860.
Place of birth:
Oberkunzendorf.
Oberkunzendorf.
Parents unknown.
Residency...
You are thorough.
Resident in
Mnsterberg.
Right!
Teichstrae 10
Yes.
What will I get out now, Mister Denke?
Go ahead.
Cloth.
Go on.
Folded.
Go on.
Wrapped.
Why?
So, my friends are always with me.
Those friends?
Yes.
How are your friends always with you?
In that way?
Don't touch!
In every bundle...
there is a piece of them.
Essence.
They gave it to me,
before they moved on.
Where are your friends now?
Don't know.
Where did they move on to?
Into the world.
Into which world?
There are so many.
Alright Mister Denke.
You like to craft, don't you.
Yes!
Friedhelm.
That's Friedhelm?
No, no...
a piece of cloth
from his clothes.
Mister Denke, you know the saying -
we had it just before:
An eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth.
Teeth.
If I assume correctly
and
for every tooth here
there must be
one of your teeth.
Mister Denke, look.
And now,
do as I do!
Come on, do it!
You still have all your teeth.
But you should not have any.
Why?
Because you pulled these teeth,
and not from your mouth.
A dentist pulls teeth as well.
Mister Denke!
A dog's skin
of stray dogs.
Mister Denke,
Mister Denke!
Human skin?
A pair of braces.
So, you're of use after all!
Wrapped, like so....
Right, that's nice!
There, next to Friedhelm! Yes.
Now that's good!
Friends.
So many!
Handcrafted.
Oh yes.
Weigh it!
Weigh it!
For the soup
Thirteen...
Six, seven, three... Yield: 76
76 kg yield.
Pretty good!
Now this
Salt...
salt.
There
For later!
This....
This....
Wait!
Just a moment!
Come in!
Greetings Karl.
Misses von Grass...
I wanted to pick up the meat for the wedding.
Oh, wedding meat...
Here you are.
Wedding meat.
Yes, well that's a good portion.
Did you slaughter a dog again?
Dog?
Well...
But, that's forbidden.
Yes, I know.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Oh well, Karl,
I don't mind,
but the neighbours.
They complained.
What about?
About the smell
coming from your flat.
Smell.
Yes...
Maybe you should air it a bit more often.
Air it...
And one other thing...
There are strange sounds
coming from your flat
at night.
I know you work a lot.
And it's good you work a lot.
But maybe you could
try and do it in the mornings?
Morning?
Yes, well the neighbours
have to rise early.
They can't sleep.
Yes, well, that's what I wanted to tell you.
Thanks, Misses Grass.
My pleasure!
Von Grass
Nevermind.
Nevermind
Oh, and another thing.
Should you need help with
your shirts,
you can happily get in touch with me.
Thanks.
Farewell!
Farewell!
Mister Denke, we go about this pragmatically now.
In your meticulously kept booklet
there is one name crossed out.
I hear.
Mister Weber?
Yes!
Special friend!
Because...?
He liked my meat soup.
Poor guy.
He told me everything.
He had been beaten
as a child by his father.
The mother looked the other way.
I assume, you have also been beaten
as a child.
You look like it.
Which consequences do you draw from this?
None.
On the front line
he really showed the French what he was made of!
What a lough we had!
What we have eaten!
Meat soup!
He had to go.
Why?
He was my equal...
Did he help you?
With what?
What does it mean to say:
"He was my equal"?
He liked the meat soup.
He always loved meat.
Did you ever eat meat soup?
Yes.
Is it good?
Very!
Meat?
Very!
Yes!
Oh, yes!
Mister Denke,
the booklet smells of blood.
Blood.
There's blood on that booklet.
Blood.
I got here
items crafted by you.
These are your friends.
These
teeth here are... Mister Denke...
Yes.
There's a part of you
I do understand.
And something else
tells me
you will have to die.
And die you will.
We'll all have to die one day.
But not in that way.
Herr Denke,
I`ll bring you before the judge;
the committing magistrate,
my superior.
I will recount your situation.
I will show all of the things I have here.
And I give it to you under
hand and seal...
Hand and seal:
People like you need to go.
Who is he, this Mister Weber?
Mister Weber.
Hey there, get up!
Lodging House Zur Heimat
This man wants to talk to you.
He might have work for you.
Can you write?
Yes, Sir.
I can spell very well.
Can you write something for me?
Yes. Yes, Sir. Gladly so.
I do have some rich soup.
Well then, come.
Yes, Sir.
Marie!
Farewell!
Come in.
Hungry?
Oh yes.
One moment.
Thanks for taking me with you.
You're welcome.
Bon appetit!
Thanks.
You like it?
Yes!
Meat soup!
Yes, meat.
I think,
I haven't eaten a piece of
meat in six weeks.
Your name?
Heinrich Weber!
Weber...
Weight?
68 kilograms,
I think...
Where are you from, anyway?
From Krakeln, Memel Land.
Yes, from East Prussia,
but I Can't go back there.
Why?
Now, the French are sitting there.
They've occupied everything.
But it's even more because of
my father.
The pig.
That pig!
You useless thing!
You only have yourself to blame for that.
Head down!
You dumb bitch, you brought a moron into this world.
You're too stupid, even for that.
What did I do wrong to be punished like that!?
You are all mad...
Are you still not ready, Karl?
Hurry, it'll start to rain soon!
After all, we didn't have anything.
Father was a drunkard.
Drunkard...
He was unpredictable.
I was seven years old, a little boy.
I spilled his beer by accident.
He hit me in the face so hard
I fell off the bench,
and woke up but later in my tiny bed.
Mother sat next to me, crying.
Crying...
Blood
trickled from my ears.
Blood...
I just wanted to get away!
Away from my father,
away from his drunkenness.
Drunkenness...
Away from the beatings and
away from the hunger.
Is there any more soup left?
Gladly!
Here you are.
Thank you.
And it's nice and hot.
Meat soup!
Yes, meat soup!
I learned at the farm.
Farming.
Yes, but I went to
the military then.
I couldnt stand it anymore
at home...
Military basic training first,
then military service.
And finally, a real bed for me.
And something decent to eat.
Meat soup?
Yes, meat soup.
1914 then
came the war.
"We'll be in Paris by
Christmas", we all cheered.
As if.
As if...
After a few kilometres
it was the end of the road.
And every Frenchman,
who came before my
carbine
had the face of my father.
Yes...
He grinned at me. Yes, as if...
as if to say:
Come on! Shoot,
fire away!
Then I pulled the trigger...
again, again and again
and over again...
It just never stopped.
...never stopped...
It just wouldn't stop.
Wouldn't stop...
It wouldn't stop...
What became of my brothers, and my mother,
I do not know.
No idea.
Nobody gives me anything,
No one.
Just You.
You give me such a tasty soup.
Denke, you're really a good man.
Thanks,
Out.
Did I do wrong...?
Out!
Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him up
on the last day.
Fraud
outrageous fraud!
seduced,..
tempted...
Oh well.
Forgive me.
Sorry. Sorry.
For my flesh
is true food,
and my blood
is true drink.
Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood
abides in me
and I in him...
Our father in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into
temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
My dear Karl,
welcome.
It's great you're here.
Good morning, Father.
My dear Karl,
I am truly happy,
you will carry the cross
at tomorrow's procession.
I would like to thank you for that
on behalf of
the whole community.
A matter of course, father.
Well, sadly, it's not,
in this time and age.
Even within our community,
godless avarice
and greed are rampant.
And the command of charity
is buried in oblivion.
Well Karl,
the world is changing.
Does the world change,
and we change with it?
Or do we change,
and the world
changes with us?
Oh, what a question,
no one can answer that.
But if by good deeds
something turns
for the better, it is the
consequence of our faith.
And who no longer just
revolves around himself
has an open heart
for other people
and for God as well.
Just like you, Karl.
Thank you, Father!
You're welcome.
Oh you, I've heard that -
despite these lean times
you donated something for the
bride and groom.
Yes, I gifted them some meat.
How nice.
It was really
my pleasure.
Oh, and Karl,
have you ever thought
about marrying a woman
yourself?
You are alone, aren't you?
And your neighbour,
the widow,
the widow of the late Captain von Grass,
she truly is a righteous woman,
pious and gracious.
And since her husband -
may God rest his soul
fell at Verdun in 1915
she is all alone.
No, no, no,
I'm not ready yet for marriage.
But Father,
may I ask,
a theological question?
Yes, sure.
I came across a passage in the
bible,
and now, I cant get it out of my head.
Here, John 6:55,
For my flesh
is true food.
And my blood
is true drink.
56: Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood,
abides in me
and I in him.
hoc est enim corpus deum
Jesus Christ speaks:
This is my body
which is given for you.
So, it is true,
salvation lies within the flesh.
The blood is the wine that quenches our thirst
in this world.
Yes, yes, that's the idea.
The pope supports the
belief that
by priestly consecration
the altar wine
truly becomes the blood of Jesus
and the eucharistic bread
truly is
flesh from the body
of Jesus Christ.
a piece of flesh from the
body of Christ
Blood of the Saviour,
Piece of meat...
Well Karl, Karl
don't worry about it now, yes?
And I...
I have to get going.
Yes, the municipal council awaits me.
There's so much to
organise for tomorrow.
Piece of meat - body of Christ
Altar wine, blood.
Salvation, salvation...
Blood...
Blood
God is love,
you wrote.
You go to church?
I've seen you there before
on Sundays.
Of course.
Mister Denke, how can this be
reconciled?
Talk!
Maybe your friend can help you,
do you want to have him with you?
Friedhelm Erdmann?
Just take him.
Friedhelm?
Go on!
Now come! Talk.
Jesus
Yes, go on, come on, come!
died at the cross.
Yes!
His blood,
Yes.
and his flesh
nourish the community.
since time immemorial.
Go on.
So, blood and meat
are the key to God.
And you think,
you are god's equal.
Is that what you think?
No!
Do you want to absorb God?
No!!
Do you wish to incorporate God?
No...
Whoever drinks my blood,
and feeds on my flesh
Faster!
abides in me and I in him.
Do you try to
absorb God?
Do you try to eat God?
Do you try to become God?
Mister Denke, talk!
Come on!
Come, Come, come, come, come.
Head up, talk!
Mister, Denke,
did you kill those people?
Did you absorb your friends?
You bound them - in skin!
I delivered them all.
Their senseless
and useless lives,
I gave them use and sense.
For the community!
For you!
Mister Denke, now just say:
I have killed them.
Did you kill them?
Mister Denke, just say it, now!
Say it!
I have them.
I have them...
Friedhelm! Friedhelm Erdmann...
Friedhelm...
You are imbecile.
Mister Denke, you will die.
Definitely.
Give that to me.
Friedhelm?
Give it to me!
Friedhelm.
Give him to me!
Give him to me!
Mister Denke, very quickly,
you will be executed very quickly.
Then we will have peace from you.
Mister Denke,
in and of itself
I'm fascinated by
what youve written here.
But if that is not evidence enough
I just don't know,
how it proceeds.
Dead 122 kilograms, naked
106 kilograms
disembowelled,
Eighty-six...
Yield
86 kilograms yield.
You like meat.
You cooked soup from the meat.
You offered the meat to people.
And did you also -
people who ate the meat
that you prepared so nicely -
did you kill them also?
Did you feed human flesh to human
so that a human nourishes the human
you then proceed to butcher?
I...it ...my God.
Did you?
My God.
Did you, Mister Denke?
Undetected,
always undetected...
My coins.
Is that the legendary price,
one has to pay?
Currency, currency, currency...
That, too, smells.
Herr Denke, the sheer number of people
perpetuated here.
I would lie if I wasn't to say
that it fascinates me rather a lot.
Numbers on coins.
Divine currency..
yes...
In the kingdom of heaven,
currency, divine.
Mister Denke, you...
and I tell you that personally -
do you know why you have to die?
Everyone....
You have to...
I am the law
and you fascinate me.
And that must not be allowed to happen.
You understand?
That must not happen...
That you understand me?
You have to die.
You will die.
Yes...
In!
So, let's have a look,
what my colleague brought me.
The file of Emma Sander.
Emma?
Do you know her?
She was in love with me.
She was everywhere I went.
What did you do to her?
She was obsessed with me.
Always wanted to be near me.
What did you do to her?
She made eyes at me.
Go on!
Then we danced.
And then?
Danced...
What did you do to her then?
Emma Sandner died.
Trautmann, a butcher, is doing time for her murder.
Twelve years
in your place.
She made eyes at me.
And then...
we danced...
Greetings, Karl!
Emma?
Greetings!
Emma - again.
Emma.
What is it?
Where to?
I go to work.
You stalk me.
I do not stalk you. I come by here every day.
At Richter's Bakery?
Coincidence!
At the fisher's festival?
Happenstance!
Karl, we're living in the same town.
On the field, near the willow tree.
Coincidence!
You're making eyes at me.
Come on. You're imagining things.
You love me, don't you.
No! Please! - I do not love you.
You do love me!
No!
I am sorry you thought it was this way, but...
Give me the basket!
Karl, let go of the basket!
Give it to me!
You're off your head!
Let go of the basket, let go!
You're mad!
Help!
Emma!
Emma!
Emma!
Emma? - Can't you die?
come!
Come on,
come!
Karl, I do love you after all.
You love me?
Yes, I love you,Karl
Me?
Yes! Only you.
Dance?
Yes, I'll dance with you.
Let's be together, Karl.
For ever...?
Yes, yes Karl...
For ever...?
Yes, for ever! For ever.
For ever, Emma, for ever!
Then we danced...
Does the ring belong to Emma Sander?
Give me that ring, it's evidence. Pass the ring to me.
No!
Pass it over.
No!
Give it to me, now!
No!
Mister Denke!
Did you kill Emma Sander?
Did you kill Emma Sander?
No!
What did you do to her?
Danced !
What else did you do to her?
Only danced!
And then?
Further!
Just Danced.
What did you do?
written here, no surname, just Emma.
Mister Denke, did you kill all those people?
Yes or no?
I am talking to you!
Mister Denke, we've got all these things lying here.
My God.
Did you kill those people or didn't you?
Here, look at this.
And do you know what this is?
These are links to all the
people you wrote down there.
It's their passports.
Mister Denke, these people are no longer alive.
They are missing.
I have their passports.
Everything fits together!!
You will die, Mister Denke.
Believe me.
How did you manage
to bring all the population to your side?
Fascinating!
Meat!
They always wanted some meat.
Every one of them.
Did they eat your meat?
Of course,
all of them wanted meat.
All of them.
And they got meat from you.
Mister Denke, I will tell those people,
they ate human flesh.
What do you think is going to happen?
Mister Denke, did you kill those people.
Yes or no?
Mister Denke!
Yes
No man is replaceable.
No.
But meat is...
They won't understand.
Nobody understands.
They will throw stones!
Stones...
Mister Denke,
it is time...
They will throw stones...
That shall not be granted to you...
It was only after Karl Denke comitted suicide on December 21st 1924 that his flat was searched by the police and all the evidence was found.
We remember the victims.