Krakatit (1948) Movie Script
CZECHOSLOVAK STATE FILM
Presents
A Film Directed by
Based on the Fantasy Novel by
Screen Adaptation by
Screenplay by
Music by
The Film Symphony Orchestra Conducted by
Director of Photography
Assistants
Art Director
Assistant
Assistant Director
Assistant Set Designer
Sound Recorder
Costume Advisor
Make Up Artists
Editor
Sound
Production Manager
Assistants
Made by
In The State Film Studios and Laboratories
Prague
Starring
(Veiled woman, Revolutionist woman)
Also Starring
Directed by
The story takes place
in the fancy of a feverish dream.
You can come now, Doctor.
- What's his temperature?
- 40.2 degrees.
His pulse is only sixty.
Well well.
He doesn't want to lie on his back.
Meningitis?
Tetanus?
Prepare him for a lumbar puncture
and hold him still, nurse.
- Who is he?
- We don't know.
He was found unconscious on the
embankment with nothing on him at all.
Not even an identity card.
Too bad. A man in delirium.
Maybe we'll never find out his name.
His hands are all cut and burnt.
He could be a chemist.
We'll see what the test shows.
He's having difficulty breathing.
Give him oxygen, nurse.
Long wandering...
Long wandering.
Sorry.
Excuse me, are you Engineer Prokop?
Are you Engineer Prokop?
- I wasn't there.
- Where?
There.
What do you want from me?
Don't you recognize me?
It's me, Thomas.
- Thomas from the Polytechnic, remember?
- Thomas?
Of course, Thomas. I remember.
- What, what do you want from me?
- You'd better sit down first.
- Understand?
- Yes.
I'm not feeling well. You see...
I'm injured.
- Damn it.
- We studied chemistry together.
Do you remember? I'm Thomas.
Thomas, that rascal.
What's wrong with him?
Nothing. He's talking to you.
You have a fever. You should go to hospital.
- Where do you live?
- There.
Near Hybsmonka.
I don't want to go there.
Don't go there. There's...
- There's...
- What?
- Krakatit.
- What is that?
Krakatoa, a volcano.
A volcano, you see?
- It's a frightful thing.
- What?
Kraka...
Krakatit.
Who is it? Who are you?
- I'm your colleague, Thomas.
- Thomas.
That scoundrel!
He borrowed my lecture notes.
He never returned any
of my chemistry exercise-books.
Wait, let me tell you something.
When the rest blows up, it'll be hell.
Itll flatten the whole of Prague
Wiped away. Gone.
Wait, that's not possible.
- It's nonsense.
- What?
Why... Why didn't the container explode?
When the powder on the table...
All by itself...
Wait!
Be quiet.
- What is it?
- Krakatit.
Rest. It's nervous fever,
you'll feel better in the morning.
I've discovered methods.
Destructive chemistry.
Matter is terribly powerful.
It's held together under great strain,
but once you loosen it, it disintegrates.
Everything explodes!
Every thought is like
an explosion in your brain, you see?
My head is buzzing.
Like a machine gun.
- Swallow this aspirin now.
- Yes.
Explosive aspirin.
Perchlorated acetylsalicyl acid.
Any substance is actually an explosive.
Water is an explosive.
I've discovered an exothermic explosive.
I've carried out alpha explosions.
If I only had the proper apparatus.
- But all I have are my eyes and hands.
- Don't you want to sleep?
I do.
What were you doing all this time?
Nothing. That's life.
Life is an explosive, you know?
A man is born and decays instantly. Boom.
While to us it seems like ages, doesn't it?
You're right.
Maybe, tomorrow I'll go... Boom.
When I run out of money.
Mr. Prokop, your colloquium.
Tell us what you know about explosives.
What are alpha explosions?
Alpha explosions.
An explosion is the result
of atomic disintegration.
- Atomic particles disperse...
- Nonsense! There are no atoms!
And you dare to take your colloquium?
What do you know about Krakatit?
Krakatit is...
It is a new explosive,
so far not...
What ignites it? Causes it to explode?
- Hertzian waves.
- How do you know that?
- Because it exploded unexpectedly and because...
- Well?
I've achieved it's synthesis under
high-frequency oscillation.
I believe these were some kind
of electromagnetic waves.
You must prove that!
What is the formula for Krakatit?
Pb-Ar4.
What? What did you say?
- Pb-Ar4.
- Tetra-Argon? How much Pb?
- Two.
- How is it prepared? The procedure?
The procedure!
How is Krakatit made?
- Why do you want to know?
- Never mind.
You've had a bad dream.
Sleep, old friend, sleep.
Who is it?
I've gone to see my father. If I do not get
the money, I won't return. Jiri.
- Does Mr. Thomas live here?
- Come in.
- Mr. Thomas isn't home?
- Thomas left.
- Last night, miss.
- Where to?
- To Tynice, to see his father.
- Will he return?
Do you think he will do it?
It's so dreadful!
If only somebody could...
He mustn't do it, you see?
If someone could go after him today.
I have to give him something.
A letter from someone.
So that...
I can't tell you.
There's no need. I will take it to him.
We're old friends, you see?
Is it raining?
I trust you.
You will save him, won't you?
I'd be pleased to do it.
I, miss...
It's not worth mentioning.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
The letter.
- But you are injured! Let me see.
- It's nothing serious.
Just a small cut that's become inflamed.
But you can't go out like that.
Allow me to go.
You see I'm...
I'm doing it for you.
I am so grateful to you.
Goodbye.
Should I give him your regards?
No.
Goodbye.
My diagnosis was correct.
It is meningitis.
We will give him 4,000 units of penicillin.
And oxygen to help his breathing.
It is such a pity
that we don't know who he is.
The poor man doesn't even have a name.
Please, take me to Tynice.
- I can't.
- Why not?
Theres no more room.
But...
But I have to see Doctor Thomas.
- Are you his patient?
- I'm sick.
Sit here then.
Gee up!
Here. This is the house of Doctor Thomas.
Honzik, quiet!
- Is the doctor in?
- Come in.
What seems to be the trouble, young man?
l... The thing is...
Is your son home?
No.
What is it?
Jiri...
I'm his friend and I brought him...
I am to give him...
It's very important.
Jiri is in Prague.
You'd better sit down.
Jiri isn't home?
But he said, he said he was coming here.
I have to give him...
Annie, bring a chair!
Long wandering.
Long wandering.
Come now! You've had enough sleep, Yes?
Wake up, come on!
That's enough.
Or you'll wake up in the next life.
What do you want? Who are you?
You dont yet deigned to recognize me, eh.?
- Doctor Thomas.
- Engineer Prokop.
I thought you were Sleeping Beauty.
Anyway, how did you get here?
- Where is here?
- Where? Tynice.
You came here in a delirium
and then you passed out.
Where did you come from Engineer?
I don't know. From Prague, I think.
So? With an inflamed brain, and pneumonia as well.
And what about your hand?
A fine case of blood poisoning!
Comrade, you shouldn't be travelling like this.
When you get better,
I'll tell you that you're an ass.
Forgive me, I almost said
something much worse.
How are you feeling?
A little drunk, eh?
No memory, Yes?
You mustn't rack your brains.
It will take some time.
Understand? It will come back.
Little by little.
Damn it, stay awake!
Annie, fetch some wine.
Wake up hey! Wake up! You might
fall asleep for good, you hear?
- You must fight it.
- You can't sleep.
- I won't.
- I'd advise you not to.
You'll get some books and you'll read.
I have to go to the surgery.
Annie, stay here and chat with him.
You've got the gift of the gab, eh?
And If he tries to sleep, call me.
I'll know how to deal with him.
You've made me happy though.
Understand, yes?
So be careful!
Daddy can be abrupt.
He's used to shouting at his patients.
You've never been to our village, have you?
There's nothing here, just lanes and fields.
It was happier when Jiri used to visit.
But then, he fell out with Daddy over money.
and he hasn't even written since.
We're not allowed to talk about him.
Daddy forbade it.
I don't know what to talk to you about.
Let me do it.
Stop. I'll do it myself.
What are you thinking?
That all I've only ever known is work.
And that maybe there's something
more than just to think.
One simply lives here.
And to live is something wonderful, isn't it?
Why do you always hide your hands from me?
Because...
Because they are so scarred.
But that's what is so beautiful about them.
Lunch is ready!
Lunch time already.
There's no pharmacy in the village, you see?
And the people are poor here.
So I have to make the medicine myself.
Even if my sight is no longer good.
Let me do it, Doctor,
so I can at least be of some use.
Besides, I shouldn't be bothering
you any longer.
Do you want to leave?
- I'll have to leave sooner or later.
- What a foolish thought!
You haven't won yet.
Your illness could return.
Well, well!
You've got quite skilful hands.
They've been doing
this for quite a few years.
With different substances though. Explosives.
I've created tremendous things.
If only I could recall my last experiments.
All I know is that I experimented
with something terrible.
I've forgotten completely.
I only have a feeling that I had to go somewhere.
To give something to someone...
bring something.
I have a splitting headache.
Drink this.
Maybe it's for the best.
Just imagine how many lives
you'd have on your conscience,
if that terrible thing was used
for the purpose of war.
But what if that terrible thing
keeps everyone fearful.
Peace cannot be enforced with any explosive.
- How then?
- How?
Better education.
I believe in the working people.
If you knew people as I do.
People are the happiest
when they are productive in their work.
You'll see, one day everyone will realise that
there's no sense in building one's
well-being on the misery of others.
Simply because nobody
will put up with it for long.
And then, everyone will work together
and stop fighting over things
that don't belong to them.
Am I right?
Those are indeed fine ideals,
but I'm a practician.
I believe in science and inventions.
They will change the face of the world.
Yes, but depending on who possesses them.
There's a man here from Sedmidoli,
his wife is in labour.
Sedmidoli?
That's not my district.
Good evening.
Our doctor refused to come, it's quite far.
It seems I'll have a sleepless night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Go to bed, Annie.
Good night.
- Will you be writing now?
- I will.
All evening?
All evening.
Anything else you'd like?
No, nothing.
Very well.
What's the matter with you, Annie?
Is anything wrong?
Tell me.
Never mind.
You're so kind, Annie.
So sweet.
And the my feelings of fondness for you
make me so happy.
I will never leave.
Tell me why were you crying?
Because you took so long to come to me.
So. You love me, don't you?
No!
It's so beautiful here.
It seems all so unbelievable to me.
I want to stay here.
Good night, Annie.
What if your father returns.
Good night.
Good night.
Krakatit - Engineer P.
please advise of his address. Carson.
Why...
Why didn't the container explode?
To Mr. Jiri Thomas
I trust you.
You will save him, won't you?
How is it made? The procedure!
How is Krakatit made?
Thomas and Carson.
I told him everything.
You will save him, won't you?
Find your friend and give him this letter.
It's a forged bill of exchange that I paid off.
He wants to kill himself because of it.
I beg you to save him.
I'll will find him
if I promised you that I would.
I trust you completely.
- Goodbye.
- Wait, miss.
When will I see you again?
Hands up!
What are doing here?
I live here.
What are doing here?
Looking for you. Did you see my ad?
I did.
I've been chasing for you for six weeks!
Six weeks of newspapers, private detectives.
Damn it I'm glad to see you!
- Why did you rob me?
- What?
- Why did you rob me?
- You're saying I robbed you?
- Yes, you robbed me!
- I beg your pardon!
Me, Carson, a robber?
You astound me!
I hid it so that nobody would steal it.
Either one state or the other that is.
A good many superpowers
have been coming and going.
It's a big deal. So I hid it, understand?
You have my word. I want to negotiate with you.
You've got a great career ahead of you.
You could get yourself the finest laboratory in the world.
The best instruments and a legion of assistants.
Whatever you wish. Like in America.
Look, you could make millions.
What is it that you want?
Don't be a fool, sell Krakatit to us.
- How do you know?
- I'll tell you.
Mr. Thomas came to us
with 150 grams of Krakatit.
And the formula.
Unfortunately, he didn't know the procedure.
Neither he nor our chemists were able
to figure out how to put it together.
- Our factory...
- What factory?
The Balttin Works. Haven't you heard of it?
- No.
- It's a foreign concern.
Laboratories experimenting
with modern explosives.
- For military purposes, you see?
- And is Thomas at the Balttin Works?
Of course he is.
At first, we arrested him as a spy.
Many spies try to get inside, but no matter.
- As for the Krakatit, we had it tested.
- And the result?
Great.
In two days, twelve dead.
On the third day,
some idiotic lab assistant
left a pinch lying on the table.
And at night, when the lab was closed...
- It exploded!
- Yes, at 10.35 pm.
The laboratory chemist was ripped to shreds,
not to mention two other buildings.
In short, some sixty dead.
Quite a result, eh?
It turned out
there was nobody in the laboratory.
- So it must have exploded...
- By itself.
- Yes. Yours too?
- After 10 o'clock in the evening.
You see?
It's useless if you can't control it.
Sell it to us and you'll be rid of it.
You could demand some twenty million.
- Sell Krakatit to us.
- No.
Twenty million! Sell it to us!
No. I don't want anything to do with your wars!
- No.
- And what do you have here?
An chemist of genius such as you,
living in a shack!
Besides, you're a scientist.
What does the rest matter to you?
Why don't you sell it?
I won't.
You're right. You'd be a fool
to sell it for twenty million.
We can offer it to another power.
You can trust Carson, eh?
A man of character? Very well.
I'll let you in on a secret.
We'll shake on it.
I not interested.
A discrete man.
Just my type, my dear sir.
So, it exploded for the first time
... as you put it,
"by itself", after 10 o'clock in the evening.
Was that on a Tuesday, by any chance?
I think so. Why?
The same for us.
We left a milligram of Krakatit on a workbench
and it consistently exploded
on a Tuesday or Friday at 10.30 pm.
- What does it mean?
- And coincidentally,
for about six months now,
all European radio stations
are malfunctioning at the same time.
Something is jamming their communication.
What do you think of that?
It means that if you spill Krakatit here
or anywhere on Earth...
- It will blow up on the next Tuesday or Friday.
- Dreadful, dreadful!
Anyone with Krakatit
can blow up anything anytime...
Not anytime, only on Friday or Tuesday.
Destroy whole cities, whole armies.
Everything!
It can be dispersed by aircraft...
Can you imagine that?
Of course I can. Great.
And therefore, for the sake of the world,
I shall never give it up!
Never!
- And therefore, in the interests of the world,
- we ought to find that...
- What?
- That damned secret station.
- Do you think that...
I think that Krakatit is a horrible thing.
And that secret station is even worse.
And should someone get hold of both,
I'd rather live among savages.
Hey! What's the matter with you?
Collect yourself. Come on.
There.
I've been sick for a long time.
- And I'm still not feeling quite well.
- No?
- I haven't eaten the whole day.
- I see, of course.
You must eat something. It's alright.
The future is what counts.
You've had a really rough time of it, eh?
Don't you worry. Itll soon pass.
You'll get a lot of money, be a big man.
And you'll give me 10 percent, eh?
It's an international custom.
At last, the car is here.
Let's go!
- Where?
- To have something to eat.
I'm a big man!
I can light a cigarette
with a million banknote.
Of course you can. Big man.
You're my friend, Carson.
- I'll tell you everything.
- What, what?
I'm hopelessly in love
with a woman with a veil.
Stop! Stop!
I want to get off! Stop!
Let me go! Go to hell!
Hands off! Let me go or...
- Where have you brought me?
- The house of Prince Hagen of Balttin.
The giant ammunition works.
Come, I'll introduce you to our host.
Our distinguished guest, Mr. Engineer Prokop,
His Highness, Prince Hagen-Balttin.
The President of the Board of Directors
of the Balttin Works.
How do you like the old man?
A museum piece, eh?
Well, he's still manages his job,
even though he has a stroke almost every week.
Let's bow before the princely family
and the Balttin court.
His Grace, Prince Egon.
Her Highness, Princess Hagen.
His Majesty, ex-King Fritz X.
Her Majesty, ex-Empress Margaret.
His Excellency, Count Hacke
and Her Grace, the Countess.
Former General Director,
Sir Bonifac Wulfe.
Former General Ambassador,
the Earl of Tewton.
And the former bank concern Director, Mr. Dring.
This way.
It's like some ancient world of the past.
- They don't seem to be living.
- They only appear that way.
They're waiting for Balttin to wage war
and to return them to their thrones.
They'll come back to life. Don't you worry.
- A pity I don't have any Krakatit.
- And Baron Rohn.
Director of the Balttin Works.
May I introduce Mr. Engineer Prokop, sir.
It is very kind of the Engineer to visit us.
I did not visit you.
This is an outrageous breach of my liberty!
This is kidnapping, gentlemen!
There are laws again this!
Not so loud!
Other laws apply here.
Come on.
Wait till you get a look at the laboratories.
- The most up-to-date.
- I don't care.
Look over there.
She is in command here.
It's the old man's daughter,
Princess Wilhelmina.
A pretty girl, eh? She's 28.
A great horse-woman.
I must introduce you to her.
- Get me out of here or...
- Your Excellency, allow me to introduce
- the famous...
- No need. I know him.
- His Excellency, Mr. d'Hemon.
- I've heard much about you Mr Engineer.
Your work in destructive chemistry,
and particularly your discovery
of the alpha explosions are truly envied by experts.
And your study of energetic particles...
Your Grace, allow me to introduce our guest,
albeit somewhat against his will,
Engineer Prokop..
A ferocious man. He wants to kill me.
- I am pleased that you have come here.
- It isn't true. I was dragged here.
Please Your Grace, order them to release me.
At once!
Perhaps you should not use
such harsh words in front of the Princess.
- Mr. Engineer does not like it here?
- He'll get used to it.
I hope to see you more often.
Do you enjoy horse riding?
- Not quite.
- What games do you play?
None. Mr. Engineer is a scholar.
He can release atomic energy.
He has created atomic explosives
and things such as that. He's a magician.
What is atomic energy?
If we were able to extract
and discharge all the energy
contained here at once,
we could blow up Mont Blanc and Chamonix.
- But we'll never succeed.
- You can do it.
- It seems he will become very famous.
- Like Darwin.
Dukes will consider it an honour
to carry the tip of the flag covering his coffin.
If there are any dukes by then.
- Nonsense.
- That's very interesting.
Ask him to enlighten me further sometime.
Goodbye.
A woman of the finest breeding.
Haughty, eh?
Wait till you get to know her better.
It seems you're mistaken, Carson.
I have no intention of getting to know anyone better.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
What a pity. It's so pleasant here.
No matter.
Stop fooling around.
Take me to Thomas, I have to speak to him.
To Thomas? I'm afraid I can't.
He's not here.
He took his money and ran off.
He lead us a merry dance.
- Where is he now?
- I couldn't tell you.
Maybe he's trying to make
Krakatit for another country.
Don't worry, he'll never succeed.
Forget about him.
- And my Krakatit?
- It's gone.
- All that was left. 90 grams.
- It was stolen?
Gone, including the lead container.
And with it a Saxon laboratory assistant.
Well, you can soon fix that.
- I'll show you your new laboratory tomorrow.
- You won't let me go then!
Mr. Engineer!
Stay away from the fence!
Danger
High Voltage
You should leave, Your Grace,
it's becoming dangerous here.
Be so good to leave me alone, would you?
Careful! Don't shoot!
- That man has tremendous value for us.
- Don't shoot!
You were too mild with him and this is the result.
The man interests me.
This is shameful! A scandal!
There's no one here.
They won't be back. I've sent them away.
I want to assure you that I consider you my guest.
I will allow no one to molest you.
The character of a thing can be sensed by touch,
according to Carson.
One feels how much force a thing has,
thats nothing.
Show me.
Well?
Virginal, unfeeling,
lustful, proud and furious,.
Inflammable as tinder and wicked.
You are wicked, avid, and hard on yourself.
Ice and fire, fire and ice.
Thank you for your honesty.
I heard you can make explosives from anything.
Is that true?
I could make an explosive from
your powder, if you wanted.
There's so enough on you
to charge a cannon.
I didn't know that powder
was an explosive.
Everything is an explosive
if you treat it properly.
You yourself...
- What?
- Nothing.
A latent explosion.
You are terribly explosive.
When I am treated properly.
I'll take your word for it.
Let me know
when my powder-box explodes.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
So these are the Balttin Works, Mr. Engineer.
How do you like it eh? Not bad.
Down there, the buildings with
the letters and numbers
are ammunition sheds.
There, the hills covered with grass,
those are warehouses
A little further is a station.
And you see the woods over there?
Beyond the woods are the
experimental laboratories.
Those sand hills are a firing range,
Just wait till you see the laboratory.
Absolutely up-to-date.
- Take me there.
- Sure.
I'll turn this powder-box into an explosive.
Not for you, I made a promise to the Princess.
With what?
Powder.
Do you think you can make us believe that?
This quantity can have the same
disruptive power as 100 kg of ecrasite.
Not bad, eh?
Did you hear that, gentlemen?
I'll take your word for it.
- Under one condition though.
- Yes?
- That you let me go.
- Of course. The lab is ready.
You can begin straight away. Come.
Here it is, Powderite,
the finest explosive cosmetic powder.
Mmm, It hasn't even lost any of its fragrance.
Finally, you've come to your senses.
I hope you'll let me go now.
I want to leave tomorrow.
Of course, but we'll talk about that later.
I'm anxious to see
what you can do with the powder.
- It will explode in half an hour.
- I'll bring the Princess.
- Are the nearest buildings cleared?
- Yes. I've sealed the whole area
within a radius of one kilometre.
Everything is as you wanted.
- Watch out! Stop!
- Stop, Your Grace. Come back!
Down!
Stop damn it, stop! Get down!
Beast.
Darling.
Give me your hand.
- You mustn't. Not now.
- Can I get up now?
- A magnificent explosion.
- Was that all?
For Christ's sake, as if it weren't enough.
A single powder-box. You're a wizard!
You've sold your soul to the devil, eh?
The King of Matter.
Behold, Your Grace, the King.
We're mere rag pickers, that's all.
rag pickers, by comparison
And it isn't even Krakatit.
- Stay here, you cannot come with me.
- And tomorrow?
- Don't wait for me, they would see you.
- I'll run away tomorrow.
- They'll kill you.
- I'd be better off.
Come and have a look at the crater.
A good five meters.
Such destructive power.
Congratulations.
Why is that man guarding me all the time?
- Mr. Holz?
- Yes, Mr. Holz.
He's responsible for your safety, Sir.
So that you can work without interruption.
Isn't it a joy to work in such a fine laboratory?
Indeed. I'd like to know what right
you have to detain me here!
Detained? Do they not let you walk in the park?
What right do you have to imprison me?
What right?!
Right or no right...
make Krakatit for us and you'll be a free man.
I told you that you won't get Krakatit from me,
even if you cut my head off!
- Whose laboratory is this?
- Mr. Prokop's, Your Grace.
- He hasn't run away yet?
- He's just yelling.
You might be mistaken.
In such a case, we would have to consider
taking you elsewhere, Mr. Engineer.
Why?
Very well, I'll tell you.
You're accused of espionage.
And you'll be taken to the fortress in two days.
If fair means don't work then foul,
- We're not playing games.
- And you call yourselves civilised?
You behave like common gangsters!
A person who has Krakatit
is a danger to the public
and as such, belongs in custody.
Well in that case, you will all be blown up.
Everyone will be blown up.
- Come, let's run away together.
- Where?
- To my home.
- You must have someone there.
- What's her name?
- Annie.
And there's also another girl,
whose name I do not know.
Understand! I won't let you go.
You won't run away, will you?
Darling, don't let me think now.
I'll be evil again.
Let me go.
Did you think you possess a princess?
- What are you saying?
- I know.
You wanted a princess from
the very start. And I came.
- Do you think I'm ashamed? On the contrary.
- Shut up!
If you were my equal, I could not be with you.
But there's a difference between us.
Do you understand?
Can it be that you are so depraved?
No, it isn't true.
You mustn't believe me.
I came because you wanted to run away.
I don't want to be without you.
You're lying again.
You're always lying.
I may lie, but do I love you.
Madly.
You could become famous
if you make Krakatit, no?
What did d'Hemon say?
That dukes carried Darwin to his grave.
Could you be as famous?
Really?
- Wait for my funeral.
- Will that be soon?
It would be so wonderful if you were famous.
- Do it for me, will you?
- Will you wait ten years?
Ten years?
Couldn't it be a little sooner?
You know, I'm not used to waiting.
Goodbye.
- I'll come for you!
- You mustn't.
I'll come myself in the evening.
- Mr. Engineer, the Princess...
- Is she coming?
She apologizes, but she has a migraine.
She sends this letter.
You must make a decision tonight.
Darling, do all you can so that I can truly be yours. W.
In our country, women are
also subject to military discipline.
And the strictest discipline applies
to members of the princely house.
Do not worry, I will do all that is required of me.
Your Grace is admirable, as always.
It is for a higher purpose.
Does this mean that I am not
to meet with the man again?
On the contrary!
It is in the higher interest
to bind the man to you
as closely as possible.
Excuse me, Mr. Engineer.
The Baron would like
to have a few words with you.
Please.
Have a seat.
- Excuse the mess.
- What is this?
- Explosives.
- Oh, explosives.
Chloracid.
Explosive choking chlorine.
- What can ignite it?
- An impact. Well, I'm listening.
- Why put it in your pockets?
- Just for a joke.
You wanted to tell me something?
It won't blow up, will it?
I'm very much afraid.
- I'll be careful.
- I'd advise you to be.
But tell your people to keep out of my way.
This is worse than a ton of ecrasite.
Why don't you sit down and begin.
Well, Mr. Engineer,
what we've come to discuss
is a matter both serious and... discrete.
Aah, the General Director will explain it to you.
I have the pleasure of informing you
of the wish of our military command
that you join our army with a view
to your private liabilities.
What liabilities?
I refer to... your relationship...
Your interest...
I never spoke to you about any interest.
Of course you didn't.
Someone powerful intervened, you see?
We don't mind that you're a foreigner.
All you need to do is file
an application for citizenship.
Aha.
What did you say?
- Nothing, just "Aha".
- Aha.
Everything is alright then. It's a fine career, eh?
- What, what's this?
- A hand grenade.
Hexanitrophenylmethylnitramin
and bolt nuts. See how heavy it is.
Don't you think you shouldn't be more careful?
Of course, it's chlorargonate.
Don't play with it.
Mr. Engineer, I can't help myself, but I'm feeling
an unpleasant sense of deterrence.
Really?
I had a feeling of deterrence when
you threatened me with the fortress.
So. That's just about all, eh?
A high rank will be conferred upon you
to suit your merit. Isn't that so, Baron?
And then, well, even a princess
may shake hands with a soldier.
Assuming of course
that you hand over to the Army Council...
that you'll simply hand over...
What?
Nothing more.
Well.
Who told you I care about her?
I trust you will do everything
to deserve the marriage for which
the Princess sacrificed her honour
and turned down an heir to the throne.
Quite true. I told you,
the lady is of the finest breeding.
You ought to regard her highly.
I...
I have to, eh?
You do not, but you should consider
what your duty is.
Which means I must!
You've tricked me into this. So you think that I must?
So that's how it is.
Watch out!
Alarm!
Alarm!
Watch out! It's the anarchist!
Go, Marike.
So that was your plan, eh?
- You arranged things nicely!.
- What do you mean?
The idea was that...
that I should give you Krakatit, eh?
They're planning a war.
- And I was to help you kill!
- I don't understand you.
Do you know what war is?
I've been in a war.
I know what people can do.
Do you know what Krakatit is?
A million lives. For what?
Not enough, eh?
Two million dead.
That's a fair exchange for a princess.
To lower oneself so far for that!
I was a fool!
How dreadful!
Leave.
Get out!
Why did you do it?
You have your own concept of honour.
But you made a grave error.
I'm no chevalier.
I am a cobbler's son.
An ordinary man, understand?
I have no such honour, your honour.
You can lock me up in the fortress,
torture me! I won't do it!
I won't give you Krakatit!
I'm sorry for falling so low before Your Grace.
Leave!
What are you?
Are you human at all?
Mr. Engineer. I've been waiting for you,
come with me.
- Where to?
- Wherever you want.
- I want my freedom.
- Then let's go.
- Is the gate open?
- It is.
- Halt!
- Out of the way!
- What have you done?
- Be quiet!
Halt!
- Your passport, please.
- I'm Ambassador d'Hemon.
Why are your headlights off?
- Password?
- Krakatit.
Who is travelling with you?
The permit, please.
Just a moment.
Don't shoot!
- Is he not in agony, doctor?
- No, but a crisis is coming.
Cardiolobeline.
No telling if he'll make it till morning.
From now, I shall be for you simply...
Comrade Daimon
- Where are you taking me?
- You'll see.
I'll introduce you to our people.
The most powerful people from all over the world,
and their followers.
Riff-raff drove them out of their lands.
And their agenda?
They want their power and assets back.
They have 95 grams of your Krakatit.
From our Saxon comrade at Balttin.
If only Carson knew that.
For now, they are arguing
about what to blow up first.
What did the victory of democracy lead to?
Government, humiliation and starvation.
Confusion and helplessness.
Cultured nations are suffering,
because those predestined to rule
were driven out by riff-raff!
We have been called by providence
to raise the chosen peoples from the ashes.
And to show those inferior what their place is.
We know how to rule, they know how to work.
With this combination we can achieve the welfare
which the riff-raff sought to steal from the world!
He's so handsome!
- I'm sick of this.
- Pay it no notice.
We have trained him to fanaticize
the people against democracy.
We require war for the
ammunition factories to thrive. Come.
Comrades, I bring someone before you.
Comrade Krakatit.
Krakatit! Krakatit! Krakatit!
Let comrade Krakatit speak!
Where is your Krakatit?
Where have you put it?
That's good.
Let him speak!
Comrade Krakatit is a man of action.
He wants to unleash war upon the whole world.
To decimate human kind with a single explosion
and to rule the world!
I've never wanted that.
You'd be a fool to give up your invention.
Quiet!
Comrade Krakatit has the actual power
to create such an explosion.
Comrade pilots have envelopes with instructions
where to disperse Krakatit!
Get ready! Take-off is in half an hour!
- Hail our Fuehrer Krakatit!
- Krakatit! War!
Mr. d'Hemon is lying! I don't want war!
Get back! Or I'll throw it under your feet!
No one will move!
Mezierski means to shoot me! I'll throw it!
Quiet! I give the orders while I hold this in my hands.
I don't care if I die. Nobody will leave!
Well.
- We will speak now.
- Yes, we will speak now.
Krakatit!
It will explode!
- Lock the door!
- I want to go with you.
Aren't you...
Do you know Jiri Thomas?
I don't remember all of them.
- Why did you tell such lies?
- I gave them what they wanted.
- Stop.
- In a moment. Listen to me.
In your hands is the means to blow up
all the world's superpowers: Krakatit.
And I have what they are calling the secret radio station,
which ignites any Krakatit
within a distance of 3,000 kilometres.
This station is at your disposal.
It's up there on the ore dump.
Our station, do you see it?
It stands on 50,000 tons of magnesite.
- A natural condenser, you see?
- How did it get here?
- What?
- The house.
It's been standing here for years. What about it?
Nothing.
It looks like my laboratory at home.
It only appears that way.
There's nobody there.
The telegrapher is with the others.
Open the door, you have the key.
It's exactly like my home.
It's not very impressive. Our telegrapher is an odd sort.
What do you think of the apparatus?
This is our jamming station
which transmits the anti-waves.
The artificial magnetic storms
or whatever you call them.
That is our secret.
Report please.
Hello hello. All aircraft have landed safely
at their positions.
Everything is ready.
Repeat: Hello hello. All aircraft have...
Who is this?
Don't you recognize her?
It's the beautiful woman
who embraced you a while ago.
Fabulous, isn't she?
Would you mind pressing that large button?
In the middle.
Come, I'll show you something.
Look over there.
- Can you see anything?
- Nothing.
No, wait. A tiny light, shining faintly.
Do you know what it is?
Done.
Good night, comrades.
Don't you understand?
The explosion has only just reached us.
Fifty kilometres as the crow flies.
Exactly two and a half minutes.
- What explosion?
- Krakatit.
The idiots collected it in matchboxes.
- And you...
- It was impossible to work with them.
Now it's in your hands.
Listen.
Do you see? There and there.
European capitals are on fire.
Blown up. There goes Balttin!
It's vanished from the face of the earth.
My planes have dispersed the Krakatit
and you ignited it.
You've just unleashed war on the whole world.
War?
We've interrupted all wireless connections.
Telegraphers hear nothing but crackling.
And meanwhile,
Mr. Thomas is toiling to make Krakatit.
- Where is Jiri?
- At the Grottup Powder House.
100 kilometres from here. He won't succeed.
And even if he did, it would explode in his hands
while our station is broadcasting.
Now you can control Krakatit yourself.
So, will you play the game?
What do you mean by that?
With Krakatit and this station
you hold the world at bay.
You'll dictate contributions, laws, borders.
Whatever crosses your mind.
- Why would I do that?
- Because you can.
Energy must be discharged.
Forget about individuals, think on a larger scale.
There are billions of lives in the world.
You'll be the first man who can deem
the whole world as his laboratory.
You can destroy it or enslave it. As you wish.
You shall be Providence itself.
You've deceived me, you demon.
I don't want war.
I don't want to cause more millions to die.
There must be no war!
There must be no Krakatit!
You fool!
- Hello!
- What do you want? I can't let you in.
- Please, is Mr. Engineer Thomas still here?
- What do you want with him?
- I must speak with him.
Mr. Thomas is in the laboratory, you can't see him.
Tell him his old friend Prokop
is waiting outside for him.
- That he has something for him.
- Stand back from the fence.
- Is it you, Thomas?
- No, I'm the lab assistant.
Mr. Thomas can't come,
he's got important work to do.
- What do you want?
- I must speak with him urgently.
It's not possible. Mr. Thomas
is very busy today.
I have to warn him.
I have to deliver him something.
- You can give it to me.
- No, I'll only give it to him.
- In that case, you can keep it.
- Wait!
Take this to him.
Tell him... tell him that...
Tell him that I have to speak to him.
I want to know this girl's name.
He said you shouldn't wait.
He can't be distracted from his work.
Damn it! Tell him to stop.
Or it will blow up, understand?
Mr. Thomas knows what he's doing.
We'll be ready in 15 minutes. Good night.
Tell him not to turn on the high frequency current!
Tell him to stop!
Or something...
Hurry up!
He doesn't know that d'Hemon...
For Christ's sake, stop him!
Hands up!
Thomas, beware!
Please, take me with you.
Is that you, Prokop?
- I've been waiting for you.
- I'm coming.
- But I've been running.
- You look exhausted.
Sit on the driver's box.
Old man, do you know that Grottup has blown up?
Yes. And how many people
were killed back there?
More than 5,000 people dead.
It was a terrible disaster.
You're all wet, you'll catch cold.
Let's get going.
Uncle?
Why did this all happen to me?
What?
Why did I have to meet with such ordeals?
What one meets, comes from within.
That's not true.
Why did I run away from Tynice
when I was so happy there?
Why did I meet the Princess?
I was looking for the other one, wasn't l?
And it came all the same.
Why? Tell me.
It was your pride.
It was in you.
Even your invention.
- What did you call it?
- Krakatit.
It was a terrible explosive.
It could destroy the whole world.
And why?
What is such an explosive good for?
Find something that can drive another thing.
To make the work of people easier.
Understand?
You mean some kind of cheap energy?
Cheaper, something that is useful.
That could provide light and heat, see?
Wait...
I need to start from the end.
That's just it!
Start from the end and that's that.
To provide light... and heat.
You're right.
- Why didn't I think of it before?
- There, you see?
Invent something that will help people.
Not kill people.
That would be a great invention.
So then. I'll try again.
Something that provides light and heat.
He doesn't need the oxygen.
He's breathing normally.
He's calmer now.
He must have suffered, poor man.
End
Cast
Presents
A Film Directed by
Based on the Fantasy Novel by
Screen Adaptation by
Screenplay by
Music by
The Film Symphony Orchestra Conducted by
Director of Photography
Assistants
Art Director
Assistant
Assistant Director
Assistant Set Designer
Sound Recorder
Costume Advisor
Make Up Artists
Editor
Sound
Production Manager
Assistants
Made by
In The State Film Studios and Laboratories
Prague
Starring
(Veiled woman, Revolutionist woman)
Also Starring
Directed by
The story takes place
in the fancy of a feverish dream.
You can come now, Doctor.
- What's his temperature?
- 40.2 degrees.
His pulse is only sixty.
Well well.
He doesn't want to lie on his back.
Meningitis?
Tetanus?
Prepare him for a lumbar puncture
and hold him still, nurse.
- Who is he?
- We don't know.
He was found unconscious on the
embankment with nothing on him at all.
Not even an identity card.
Too bad. A man in delirium.
Maybe we'll never find out his name.
His hands are all cut and burnt.
He could be a chemist.
We'll see what the test shows.
He's having difficulty breathing.
Give him oxygen, nurse.
Long wandering...
Long wandering.
Sorry.
Excuse me, are you Engineer Prokop?
Are you Engineer Prokop?
- I wasn't there.
- Where?
There.
What do you want from me?
Don't you recognize me?
It's me, Thomas.
- Thomas from the Polytechnic, remember?
- Thomas?
Of course, Thomas. I remember.
- What, what do you want from me?
- You'd better sit down first.
- Understand?
- Yes.
I'm not feeling well. You see...
I'm injured.
- Damn it.
- We studied chemistry together.
Do you remember? I'm Thomas.
Thomas, that rascal.
What's wrong with him?
Nothing. He's talking to you.
You have a fever. You should go to hospital.
- Where do you live?
- There.
Near Hybsmonka.
I don't want to go there.
Don't go there. There's...
- There's...
- What?
- Krakatit.
- What is that?
Krakatoa, a volcano.
A volcano, you see?
- It's a frightful thing.
- What?
Kraka...
Krakatit.
Who is it? Who are you?
- I'm your colleague, Thomas.
- Thomas.
That scoundrel!
He borrowed my lecture notes.
He never returned any
of my chemistry exercise-books.
Wait, let me tell you something.
When the rest blows up, it'll be hell.
Itll flatten the whole of Prague
Wiped away. Gone.
Wait, that's not possible.
- It's nonsense.
- What?
Why... Why didn't the container explode?
When the powder on the table...
All by itself...
Wait!
Be quiet.
- What is it?
- Krakatit.
Rest. It's nervous fever,
you'll feel better in the morning.
I've discovered methods.
Destructive chemistry.
Matter is terribly powerful.
It's held together under great strain,
but once you loosen it, it disintegrates.
Everything explodes!
Every thought is like
an explosion in your brain, you see?
My head is buzzing.
Like a machine gun.
- Swallow this aspirin now.
- Yes.
Explosive aspirin.
Perchlorated acetylsalicyl acid.
Any substance is actually an explosive.
Water is an explosive.
I've discovered an exothermic explosive.
I've carried out alpha explosions.
If I only had the proper apparatus.
- But all I have are my eyes and hands.
- Don't you want to sleep?
I do.
What were you doing all this time?
Nothing. That's life.
Life is an explosive, you know?
A man is born and decays instantly. Boom.
While to us it seems like ages, doesn't it?
You're right.
Maybe, tomorrow I'll go... Boom.
When I run out of money.
Mr. Prokop, your colloquium.
Tell us what you know about explosives.
What are alpha explosions?
Alpha explosions.
An explosion is the result
of atomic disintegration.
- Atomic particles disperse...
- Nonsense! There are no atoms!
And you dare to take your colloquium?
What do you know about Krakatit?
Krakatit is...
It is a new explosive,
so far not...
What ignites it? Causes it to explode?
- Hertzian waves.
- How do you know that?
- Because it exploded unexpectedly and because...
- Well?
I've achieved it's synthesis under
high-frequency oscillation.
I believe these were some kind
of electromagnetic waves.
You must prove that!
What is the formula for Krakatit?
Pb-Ar4.
What? What did you say?
- Pb-Ar4.
- Tetra-Argon? How much Pb?
- Two.
- How is it prepared? The procedure?
The procedure!
How is Krakatit made?
- Why do you want to know?
- Never mind.
You've had a bad dream.
Sleep, old friend, sleep.
Who is it?
I've gone to see my father. If I do not get
the money, I won't return. Jiri.
- Does Mr. Thomas live here?
- Come in.
- Mr. Thomas isn't home?
- Thomas left.
- Last night, miss.
- Where to?
- To Tynice, to see his father.
- Will he return?
Do you think he will do it?
It's so dreadful!
If only somebody could...
He mustn't do it, you see?
If someone could go after him today.
I have to give him something.
A letter from someone.
So that...
I can't tell you.
There's no need. I will take it to him.
We're old friends, you see?
Is it raining?
I trust you.
You will save him, won't you?
I'd be pleased to do it.
I, miss...
It's not worth mentioning.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
The letter.
- But you are injured! Let me see.
- It's nothing serious.
Just a small cut that's become inflamed.
But you can't go out like that.
Allow me to go.
You see I'm...
I'm doing it for you.
I am so grateful to you.
Goodbye.
Should I give him your regards?
No.
Goodbye.
My diagnosis was correct.
It is meningitis.
We will give him 4,000 units of penicillin.
And oxygen to help his breathing.
It is such a pity
that we don't know who he is.
The poor man doesn't even have a name.
Please, take me to Tynice.
- I can't.
- Why not?
Theres no more room.
But...
But I have to see Doctor Thomas.
- Are you his patient?
- I'm sick.
Sit here then.
Gee up!
Here. This is the house of Doctor Thomas.
Honzik, quiet!
- Is the doctor in?
- Come in.
What seems to be the trouble, young man?
l... The thing is...
Is your son home?
No.
What is it?
Jiri...
I'm his friend and I brought him...
I am to give him...
It's very important.
Jiri is in Prague.
You'd better sit down.
Jiri isn't home?
But he said, he said he was coming here.
I have to give him...
Annie, bring a chair!
Long wandering.
Long wandering.
Come now! You've had enough sleep, Yes?
Wake up, come on!
That's enough.
Or you'll wake up in the next life.
What do you want? Who are you?
You dont yet deigned to recognize me, eh.?
- Doctor Thomas.
- Engineer Prokop.
I thought you were Sleeping Beauty.
Anyway, how did you get here?
- Where is here?
- Where? Tynice.
You came here in a delirium
and then you passed out.
Where did you come from Engineer?
I don't know. From Prague, I think.
So? With an inflamed brain, and pneumonia as well.
And what about your hand?
A fine case of blood poisoning!
Comrade, you shouldn't be travelling like this.
When you get better,
I'll tell you that you're an ass.
Forgive me, I almost said
something much worse.
How are you feeling?
A little drunk, eh?
No memory, Yes?
You mustn't rack your brains.
It will take some time.
Understand? It will come back.
Little by little.
Damn it, stay awake!
Annie, fetch some wine.
Wake up hey! Wake up! You might
fall asleep for good, you hear?
- You must fight it.
- You can't sleep.
- I won't.
- I'd advise you not to.
You'll get some books and you'll read.
I have to go to the surgery.
Annie, stay here and chat with him.
You've got the gift of the gab, eh?
And If he tries to sleep, call me.
I'll know how to deal with him.
You've made me happy though.
Understand, yes?
So be careful!
Daddy can be abrupt.
He's used to shouting at his patients.
You've never been to our village, have you?
There's nothing here, just lanes and fields.
It was happier when Jiri used to visit.
But then, he fell out with Daddy over money.
and he hasn't even written since.
We're not allowed to talk about him.
Daddy forbade it.
I don't know what to talk to you about.
Let me do it.
Stop. I'll do it myself.
What are you thinking?
That all I've only ever known is work.
And that maybe there's something
more than just to think.
One simply lives here.
And to live is something wonderful, isn't it?
Why do you always hide your hands from me?
Because...
Because they are so scarred.
But that's what is so beautiful about them.
Lunch is ready!
Lunch time already.
There's no pharmacy in the village, you see?
And the people are poor here.
So I have to make the medicine myself.
Even if my sight is no longer good.
Let me do it, Doctor,
so I can at least be of some use.
Besides, I shouldn't be bothering
you any longer.
Do you want to leave?
- I'll have to leave sooner or later.
- What a foolish thought!
You haven't won yet.
Your illness could return.
Well, well!
You've got quite skilful hands.
They've been doing
this for quite a few years.
With different substances though. Explosives.
I've created tremendous things.
If only I could recall my last experiments.
All I know is that I experimented
with something terrible.
I've forgotten completely.
I only have a feeling that I had to go somewhere.
To give something to someone...
bring something.
I have a splitting headache.
Drink this.
Maybe it's for the best.
Just imagine how many lives
you'd have on your conscience,
if that terrible thing was used
for the purpose of war.
But what if that terrible thing
keeps everyone fearful.
Peace cannot be enforced with any explosive.
- How then?
- How?
Better education.
I believe in the working people.
If you knew people as I do.
People are the happiest
when they are productive in their work.
You'll see, one day everyone will realise that
there's no sense in building one's
well-being on the misery of others.
Simply because nobody
will put up with it for long.
And then, everyone will work together
and stop fighting over things
that don't belong to them.
Am I right?
Those are indeed fine ideals,
but I'm a practician.
I believe in science and inventions.
They will change the face of the world.
Yes, but depending on who possesses them.
There's a man here from Sedmidoli,
his wife is in labour.
Sedmidoli?
That's not my district.
Good evening.
Our doctor refused to come, it's quite far.
It seems I'll have a sleepless night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Go to bed, Annie.
Good night.
- Will you be writing now?
- I will.
All evening?
All evening.
Anything else you'd like?
No, nothing.
Very well.
What's the matter with you, Annie?
Is anything wrong?
Tell me.
Never mind.
You're so kind, Annie.
So sweet.
And the my feelings of fondness for you
make me so happy.
I will never leave.
Tell me why were you crying?
Because you took so long to come to me.
So. You love me, don't you?
No!
It's so beautiful here.
It seems all so unbelievable to me.
I want to stay here.
Good night, Annie.
What if your father returns.
Good night.
Good night.
Krakatit - Engineer P.
please advise of his address. Carson.
Why...
Why didn't the container explode?
To Mr. Jiri Thomas
I trust you.
You will save him, won't you?
How is it made? The procedure!
How is Krakatit made?
Thomas and Carson.
I told him everything.
You will save him, won't you?
Find your friend and give him this letter.
It's a forged bill of exchange that I paid off.
He wants to kill himself because of it.
I beg you to save him.
I'll will find him
if I promised you that I would.
I trust you completely.
- Goodbye.
- Wait, miss.
When will I see you again?
Hands up!
What are doing here?
I live here.
What are doing here?
Looking for you. Did you see my ad?
I did.
I've been chasing for you for six weeks!
Six weeks of newspapers, private detectives.
Damn it I'm glad to see you!
- Why did you rob me?
- What?
- Why did you rob me?
- You're saying I robbed you?
- Yes, you robbed me!
- I beg your pardon!
Me, Carson, a robber?
You astound me!
I hid it so that nobody would steal it.
Either one state or the other that is.
A good many superpowers
have been coming and going.
It's a big deal. So I hid it, understand?
You have my word. I want to negotiate with you.
You've got a great career ahead of you.
You could get yourself the finest laboratory in the world.
The best instruments and a legion of assistants.
Whatever you wish. Like in America.
Look, you could make millions.
What is it that you want?
Don't be a fool, sell Krakatit to us.
- How do you know?
- I'll tell you.
Mr. Thomas came to us
with 150 grams of Krakatit.
And the formula.
Unfortunately, he didn't know the procedure.
Neither he nor our chemists were able
to figure out how to put it together.
- Our factory...
- What factory?
The Balttin Works. Haven't you heard of it?
- No.
- It's a foreign concern.
Laboratories experimenting
with modern explosives.
- For military purposes, you see?
- And is Thomas at the Balttin Works?
Of course he is.
At first, we arrested him as a spy.
Many spies try to get inside, but no matter.
- As for the Krakatit, we had it tested.
- And the result?
Great.
In two days, twelve dead.
On the third day,
some idiotic lab assistant
left a pinch lying on the table.
And at night, when the lab was closed...
- It exploded!
- Yes, at 10.35 pm.
The laboratory chemist was ripped to shreds,
not to mention two other buildings.
In short, some sixty dead.
Quite a result, eh?
It turned out
there was nobody in the laboratory.
- So it must have exploded...
- By itself.
- Yes. Yours too?
- After 10 o'clock in the evening.
You see?
It's useless if you can't control it.
Sell it to us and you'll be rid of it.
You could demand some twenty million.
- Sell Krakatit to us.
- No.
Twenty million! Sell it to us!
No. I don't want anything to do with your wars!
- No.
- And what do you have here?
An chemist of genius such as you,
living in a shack!
Besides, you're a scientist.
What does the rest matter to you?
Why don't you sell it?
I won't.
You're right. You'd be a fool
to sell it for twenty million.
We can offer it to another power.
You can trust Carson, eh?
A man of character? Very well.
I'll let you in on a secret.
We'll shake on it.
I not interested.
A discrete man.
Just my type, my dear sir.
So, it exploded for the first time
... as you put it,
"by itself", after 10 o'clock in the evening.
Was that on a Tuesday, by any chance?
I think so. Why?
The same for us.
We left a milligram of Krakatit on a workbench
and it consistently exploded
on a Tuesday or Friday at 10.30 pm.
- What does it mean?
- And coincidentally,
for about six months now,
all European radio stations
are malfunctioning at the same time.
Something is jamming their communication.
What do you think of that?
It means that if you spill Krakatit here
or anywhere on Earth...
- It will blow up on the next Tuesday or Friday.
- Dreadful, dreadful!
Anyone with Krakatit
can blow up anything anytime...
Not anytime, only on Friday or Tuesday.
Destroy whole cities, whole armies.
Everything!
It can be dispersed by aircraft...
Can you imagine that?
Of course I can. Great.
And therefore, for the sake of the world,
I shall never give it up!
Never!
- And therefore, in the interests of the world,
- we ought to find that...
- What?
- That damned secret station.
- Do you think that...
I think that Krakatit is a horrible thing.
And that secret station is even worse.
And should someone get hold of both,
I'd rather live among savages.
Hey! What's the matter with you?
Collect yourself. Come on.
There.
I've been sick for a long time.
- And I'm still not feeling quite well.
- No?
- I haven't eaten the whole day.
- I see, of course.
You must eat something. It's alright.
The future is what counts.
You've had a really rough time of it, eh?
Don't you worry. Itll soon pass.
You'll get a lot of money, be a big man.
And you'll give me 10 percent, eh?
It's an international custom.
At last, the car is here.
Let's go!
- Where?
- To have something to eat.
I'm a big man!
I can light a cigarette
with a million banknote.
Of course you can. Big man.
You're my friend, Carson.
- I'll tell you everything.
- What, what?
I'm hopelessly in love
with a woman with a veil.
Stop! Stop!
I want to get off! Stop!
Let me go! Go to hell!
Hands off! Let me go or...
- Where have you brought me?
- The house of Prince Hagen of Balttin.
The giant ammunition works.
Come, I'll introduce you to our host.
Our distinguished guest, Mr. Engineer Prokop,
His Highness, Prince Hagen-Balttin.
The President of the Board of Directors
of the Balttin Works.
How do you like the old man?
A museum piece, eh?
Well, he's still manages his job,
even though he has a stroke almost every week.
Let's bow before the princely family
and the Balttin court.
His Grace, Prince Egon.
Her Highness, Princess Hagen.
His Majesty, ex-King Fritz X.
Her Majesty, ex-Empress Margaret.
His Excellency, Count Hacke
and Her Grace, the Countess.
Former General Director,
Sir Bonifac Wulfe.
Former General Ambassador,
the Earl of Tewton.
And the former bank concern Director, Mr. Dring.
This way.
It's like some ancient world of the past.
- They don't seem to be living.
- They only appear that way.
They're waiting for Balttin to wage war
and to return them to their thrones.
They'll come back to life. Don't you worry.
- A pity I don't have any Krakatit.
- And Baron Rohn.
Director of the Balttin Works.
May I introduce Mr. Engineer Prokop, sir.
It is very kind of the Engineer to visit us.
I did not visit you.
This is an outrageous breach of my liberty!
This is kidnapping, gentlemen!
There are laws again this!
Not so loud!
Other laws apply here.
Come on.
Wait till you get a look at the laboratories.
- The most up-to-date.
- I don't care.
Look over there.
She is in command here.
It's the old man's daughter,
Princess Wilhelmina.
A pretty girl, eh? She's 28.
A great horse-woman.
I must introduce you to her.
- Get me out of here or...
- Your Excellency, allow me to introduce
- the famous...
- No need. I know him.
- His Excellency, Mr. d'Hemon.
- I've heard much about you Mr Engineer.
Your work in destructive chemistry,
and particularly your discovery
of the alpha explosions are truly envied by experts.
And your study of energetic particles...
Your Grace, allow me to introduce our guest,
albeit somewhat against his will,
Engineer Prokop..
A ferocious man. He wants to kill me.
- I am pleased that you have come here.
- It isn't true. I was dragged here.
Please Your Grace, order them to release me.
At once!
Perhaps you should not use
such harsh words in front of the Princess.
- Mr. Engineer does not like it here?
- He'll get used to it.
I hope to see you more often.
Do you enjoy horse riding?
- Not quite.
- What games do you play?
None. Mr. Engineer is a scholar.
He can release atomic energy.
He has created atomic explosives
and things such as that. He's a magician.
What is atomic energy?
If we were able to extract
and discharge all the energy
contained here at once,
we could blow up Mont Blanc and Chamonix.
- But we'll never succeed.
- You can do it.
- It seems he will become very famous.
- Like Darwin.
Dukes will consider it an honour
to carry the tip of the flag covering his coffin.
If there are any dukes by then.
- Nonsense.
- That's very interesting.
Ask him to enlighten me further sometime.
Goodbye.
A woman of the finest breeding.
Haughty, eh?
Wait till you get to know her better.
It seems you're mistaken, Carson.
I have no intention of getting to know anyone better.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
What a pity. It's so pleasant here.
No matter.
Stop fooling around.
Take me to Thomas, I have to speak to him.
To Thomas? I'm afraid I can't.
He's not here.
He took his money and ran off.
He lead us a merry dance.
- Where is he now?
- I couldn't tell you.
Maybe he's trying to make
Krakatit for another country.
Don't worry, he'll never succeed.
Forget about him.
- And my Krakatit?
- It's gone.
- All that was left. 90 grams.
- It was stolen?
Gone, including the lead container.
And with it a Saxon laboratory assistant.
Well, you can soon fix that.
- I'll show you your new laboratory tomorrow.
- You won't let me go then!
Mr. Engineer!
Stay away from the fence!
Danger
High Voltage
You should leave, Your Grace,
it's becoming dangerous here.
Be so good to leave me alone, would you?
Careful! Don't shoot!
- That man has tremendous value for us.
- Don't shoot!
You were too mild with him and this is the result.
The man interests me.
This is shameful! A scandal!
There's no one here.
They won't be back. I've sent them away.
I want to assure you that I consider you my guest.
I will allow no one to molest you.
The character of a thing can be sensed by touch,
according to Carson.
One feels how much force a thing has,
thats nothing.
Show me.
Well?
Virginal, unfeeling,
lustful, proud and furious,.
Inflammable as tinder and wicked.
You are wicked, avid, and hard on yourself.
Ice and fire, fire and ice.
Thank you for your honesty.
I heard you can make explosives from anything.
Is that true?
I could make an explosive from
your powder, if you wanted.
There's so enough on you
to charge a cannon.
I didn't know that powder
was an explosive.
Everything is an explosive
if you treat it properly.
You yourself...
- What?
- Nothing.
A latent explosion.
You are terribly explosive.
When I am treated properly.
I'll take your word for it.
Let me know
when my powder-box explodes.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
So these are the Balttin Works, Mr. Engineer.
How do you like it eh? Not bad.
Down there, the buildings with
the letters and numbers
are ammunition sheds.
There, the hills covered with grass,
those are warehouses
A little further is a station.
And you see the woods over there?
Beyond the woods are the
experimental laboratories.
Those sand hills are a firing range,
Just wait till you see the laboratory.
Absolutely up-to-date.
- Take me there.
- Sure.
I'll turn this powder-box into an explosive.
Not for you, I made a promise to the Princess.
With what?
Powder.
Do you think you can make us believe that?
This quantity can have the same
disruptive power as 100 kg of ecrasite.
Not bad, eh?
Did you hear that, gentlemen?
I'll take your word for it.
- Under one condition though.
- Yes?
- That you let me go.
- Of course. The lab is ready.
You can begin straight away. Come.
Here it is, Powderite,
the finest explosive cosmetic powder.
Mmm, It hasn't even lost any of its fragrance.
Finally, you've come to your senses.
I hope you'll let me go now.
I want to leave tomorrow.
Of course, but we'll talk about that later.
I'm anxious to see
what you can do with the powder.
- It will explode in half an hour.
- I'll bring the Princess.
- Are the nearest buildings cleared?
- Yes. I've sealed the whole area
within a radius of one kilometre.
Everything is as you wanted.
- Watch out! Stop!
- Stop, Your Grace. Come back!
Down!
Stop damn it, stop! Get down!
Beast.
Darling.
Give me your hand.
- You mustn't. Not now.
- Can I get up now?
- A magnificent explosion.
- Was that all?
For Christ's sake, as if it weren't enough.
A single powder-box. You're a wizard!
You've sold your soul to the devil, eh?
The King of Matter.
Behold, Your Grace, the King.
We're mere rag pickers, that's all.
rag pickers, by comparison
And it isn't even Krakatit.
- Stay here, you cannot come with me.
- And tomorrow?
- Don't wait for me, they would see you.
- I'll run away tomorrow.
- They'll kill you.
- I'd be better off.
Come and have a look at the crater.
A good five meters.
Such destructive power.
Congratulations.
Why is that man guarding me all the time?
- Mr. Holz?
- Yes, Mr. Holz.
He's responsible for your safety, Sir.
So that you can work without interruption.
Isn't it a joy to work in such a fine laboratory?
Indeed. I'd like to know what right
you have to detain me here!
Detained? Do they not let you walk in the park?
What right do you have to imprison me?
What right?!
Right or no right...
make Krakatit for us and you'll be a free man.
I told you that you won't get Krakatit from me,
even if you cut my head off!
- Whose laboratory is this?
- Mr. Prokop's, Your Grace.
- He hasn't run away yet?
- He's just yelling.
You might be mistaken.
In such a case, we would have to consider
taking you elsewhere, Mr. Engineer.
Why?
Very well, I'll tell you.
You're accused of espionage.
And you'll be taken to the fortress in two days.
If fair means don't work then foul,
- We're not playing games.
- And you call yourselves civilised?
You behave like common gangsters!
A person who has Krakatit
is a danger to the public
and as such, belongs in custody.
Well in that case, you will all be blown up.
Everyone will be blown up.
- Come, let's run away together.
- Where?
- To my home.
- You must have someone there.
- What's her name?
- Annie.
And there's also another girl,
whose name I do not know.
Understand! I won't let you go.
You won't run away, will you?
Darling, don't let me think now.
I'll be evil again.
Let me go.
Did you think you possess a princess?
- What are you saying?
- I know.
You wanted a princess from
the very start. And I came.
- Do you think I'm ashamed? On the contrary.
- Shut up!
If you were my equal, I could not be with you.
But there's a difference between us.
Do you understand?
Can it be that you are so depraved?
No, it isn't true.
You mustn't believe me.
I came because you wanted to run away.
I don't want to be without you.
You're lying again.
You're always lying.
I may lie, but do I love you.
Madly.
You could become famous
if you make Krakatit, no?
What did d'Hemon say?
That dukes carried Darwin to his grave.
Could you be as famous?
Really?
- Wait for my funeral.
- Will that be soon?
It would be so wonderful if you were famous.
- Do it for me, will you?
- Will you wait ten years?
Ten years?
Couldn't it be a little sooner?
You know, I'm not used to waiting.
Goodbye.
- I'll come for you!
- You mustn't.
I'll come myself in the evening.
- Mr. Engineer, the Princess...
- Is she coming?
She apologizes, but she has a migraine.
She sends this letter.
You must make a decision tonight.
Darling, do all you can so that I can truly be yours. W.
In our country, women are
also subject to military discipline.
And the strictest discipline applies
to members of the princely house.
Do not worry, I will do all that is required of me.
Your Grace is admirable, as always.
It is for a higher purpose.
Does this mean that I am not
to meet with the man again?
On the contrary!
It is in the higher interest
to bind the man to you
as closely as possible.
Excuse me, Mr. Engineer.
The Baron would like
to have a few words with you.
Please.
Have a seat.
- Excuse the mess.
- What is this?
- Explosives.
- Oh, explosives.
Chloracid.
Explosive choking chlorine.
- What can ignite it?
- An impact. Well, I'm listening.
- Why put it in your pockets?
- Just for a joke.
You wanted to tell me something?
It won't blow up, will it?
I'm very much afraid.
- I'll be careful.
- I'd advise you to be.
But tell your people to keep out of my way.
This is worse than a ton of ecrasite.
Why don't you sit down and begin.
Well, Mr. Engineer,
what we've come to discuss
is a matter both serious and... discrete.
Aah, the General Director will explain it to you.
I have the pleasure of informing you
of the wish of our military command
that you join our army with a view
to your private liabilities.
What liabilities?
I refer to... your relationship...
Your interest...
I never spoke to you about any interest.
Of course you didn't.
Someone powerful intervened, you see?
We don't mind that you're a foreigner.
All you need to do is file
an application for citizenship.
Aha.
What did you say?
- Nothing, just "Aha".
- Aha.
Everything is alright then. It's a fine career, eh?
- What, what's this?
- A hand grenade.
Hexanitrophenylmethylnitramin
and bolt nuts. See how heavy it is.
Don't you think you shouldn't be more careful?
Of course, it's chlorargonate.
Don't play with it.
Mr. Engineer, I can't help myself, but I'm feeling
an unpleasant sense of deterrence.
Really?
I had a feeling of deterrence when
you threatened me with the fortress.
So. That's just about all, eh?
A high rank will be conferred upon you
to suit your merit. Isn't that so, Baron?
And then, well, even a princess
may shake hands with a soldier.
Assuming of course
that you hand over to the Army Council...
that you'll simply hand over...
What?
Nothing more.
Well.
Who told you I care about her?
I trust you will do everything
to deserve the marriage for which
the Princess sacrificed her honour
and turned down an heir to the throne.
Quite true. I told you,
the lady is of the finest breeding.
You ought to regard her highly.
I...
I have to, eh?
You do not, but you should consider
what your duty is.
Which means I must!
You've tricked me into this. So you think that I must?
So that's how it is.
Watch out!
Alarm!
Alarm!
Watch out! It's the anarchist!
Go, Marike.
So that was your plan, eh?
- You arranged things nicely!.
- What do you mean?
The idea was that...
that I should give you Krakatit, eh?
They're planning a war.
- And I was to help you kill!
- I don't understand you.
Do you know what war is?
I've been in a war.
I know what people can do.
Do you know what Krakatit is?
A million lives. For what?
Not enough, eh?
Two million dead.
That's a fair exchange for a princess.
To lower oneself so far for that!
I was a fool!
How dreadful!
Leave.
Get out!
Why did you do it?
You have your own concept of honour.
But you made a grave error.
I'm no chevalier.
I am a cobbler's son.
An ordinary man, understand?
I have no such honour, your honour.
You can lock me up in the fortress,
torture me! I won't do it!
I won't give you Krakatit!
I'm sorry for falling so low before Your Grace.
Leave!
What are you?
Are you human at all?
Mr. Engineer. I've been waiting for you,
come with me.
- Where to?
- Wherever you want.
- I want my freedom.
- Then let's go.
- Is the gate open?
- It is.
- Halt!
- Out of the way!
- What have you done?
- Be quiet!
Halt!
- Your passport, please.
- I'm Ambassador d'Hemon.
Why are your headlights off?
- Password?
- Krakatit.
Who is travelling with you?
The permit, please.
Just a moment.
Don't shoot!
- Is he not in agony, doctor?
- No, but a crisis is coming.
Cardiolobeline.
No telling if he'll make it till morning.
From now, I shall be for you simply...
Comrade Daimon
- Where are you taking me?
- You'll see.
I'll introduce you to our people.
The most powerful people from all over the world,
and their followers.
Riff-raff drove them out of their lands.
And their agenda?
They want their power and assets back.
They have 95 grams of your Krakatit.
From our Saxon comrade at Balttin.
If only Carson knew that.
For now, they are arguing
about what to blow up first.
What did the victory of democracy lead to?
Government, humiliation and starvation.
Confusion and helplessness.
Cultured nations are suffering,
because those predestined to rule
were driven out by riff-raff!
We have been called by providence
to raise the chosen peoples from the ashes.
And to show those inferior what their place is.
We know how to rule, they know how to work.
With this combination we can achieve the welfare
which the riff-raff sought to steal from the world!
He's so handsome!
- I'm sick of this.
- Pay it no notice.
We have trained him to fanaticize
the people against democracy.
We require war for the
ammunition factories to thrive. Come.
Comrades, I bring someone before you.
Comrade Krakatit.
Krakatit! Krakatit! Krakatit!
Let comrade Krakatit speak!
Where is your Krakatit?
Where have you put it?
That's good.
Let him speak!
Comrade Krakatit is a man of action.
He wants to unleash war upon the whole world.
To decimate human kind with a single explosion
and to rule the world!
I've never wanted that.
You'd be a fool to give up your invention.
Quiet!
Comrade Krakatit has the actual power
to create such an explosion.
Comrade pilots have envelopes with instructions
where to disperse Krakatit!
Get ready! Take-off is in half an hour!
- Hail our Fuehrer Krakatit!
- Krakatit! War!
Mr. d'Hemon is lying! I don't want war!
Get back! Or I'll throw it under your feet!
No one will move!
Mezierski means to shoot me! I'll throw it!
Quiet! I give the orders while I hold this in my hands.
I don't care if I die. Nobody will leave!
Well.
- We will speak now.
- Yes, we will speak now.
Krakatit!
It will explode!
- Lock the door!
- I want to go with you.
Aren't you...
Do you know Jiri Thomas?
I don't remember all of them.
- Why did you tell such lies?
- I gave them what they wanted.
- Stop.
- In a moment. Listen to me.
In your hands is the means to blow up
all the world's superpowers: Krakatit.
And I have what they are calling the secret radio station,
which ignites any Krakatit
within a distance of 3,000 kilometres.
This station is at your disposal.
It's up there on the ore dump.
Our station, do you see it?
It stands on 50,000 tons of magnesite.
- A natural condenser, you see?
- How did it get here?
- What?
- The house.
It's been standing here for years. What about it?
Nothing.
It looks like my laboratory at home.
It only appears that way.
There's nobody there.
The telegrapher is with the others.
Open the door, you have the key.
It's exactly like my home.
It's not very impressive. Our telegrapher is an odd sort.
What do you think of the apparatus?
This is our jamming station
which transmits the anti-waves.
The artificial magnetic storms
or whatever you call them.
That is our secret.
Report please.
Hello hello. All aircraft have landed safely
at their positions.
Everything is ready.
Repeat: Hello hello. All aircraft have...
Who is this?
Don't you recognize her?
It's the beautiful woman
who embraced you a while ago.
Fabulous, isn't she?
Would you mind pressing that large button?
In the middle.
Come, I'll show you something.
Look over there.
- Can you see anything?
- Nothing.
No, wait. A tiny light, shining faintly.
Do you know what it is?
Done.
Good night, comrades.
Don't you understand?
The explosion has only just reached us.
Fifty kilometres as the crow flies.
Exactly two and a half minutes.
- What explosion?
- Krakatit.
The idiots collected it in matchboxes.
- And you...
- It was impossible to work with them.
Now it's in your hands.
Listen.
Do you see? There and there.
European capitals are on fire.
Blown up. There goes Balttin!
It's vanished from the face of the earth.
My planes have dispersed the Krakatit
and you ignited it.
You've just unleashed war on the whole world.
War?
We've interrupted all wireless connections.
Telegraphers hear nothing but crackling.
And meanwhile,
Mr. Thomas is toiling to make Krakatit.
- Where is Jiri?
- At the Grottup Powder House.
100 kilometres from here. He won't succeed.
And even if he did, it would explode in his hands
while our station is broadcasting.
Now you can control Krakatit yourself.
So, will you play the game?
What do you mean by that?
With Krakatit and this station
you hold the world at bay.
You'll dictate contributions, laws, borders.
Whatever crosses your mind.
- Why would I do that?
- Because you can.
Energy must be discharged.
Forget about individuals, think on a larger scale.
There are billions of lives in the world.
You'll be the first man who can deem
the whole world as his laboratory.
You can destroy it or enslave it. As you wish.
You shall be Providence itself.
You've deceived me, you demon.
I don't want war.
I don't want to cause more millions to die.
There must be no war!
There must be no Krakatit!
You fool!
- Hello!
- What do you want? I can't let you in.
- Please, is Mr. Engineer Thomas still here?
- What do you want with him?
- I must speak with him.
Mr. Thomas is in the laboratory, you can't see him.
Tell him his old friend Prokop
is waiting outside for him.
- That he has something for him.
- Stand back from the fence.
- Is it you, Thomas?
- No, I'm the lab assistant.
Mr. Thomas can't come,
he's got important work to do.
- What do you want?
- I must speak with him urgently.
It's not possible. Mr. Thomas
is very busy today.
I have to warn him.
I have to deliver him something.
- You can give it to me.
- No, I'll only give it to him.
- In that case, you can keep it.
- Wait!
Take this to him.
Tell him... tell him that...
Tell him that I have to speak to him.
I want to know this girl's name.
He said you shouldn't wait.
He can't be distracted from his work.
Damn it! Tell him to stop.
Or it will blow up, understand?
Mr. Thomas knows what he's doing.
We'll be ready in 15 minutes. Good night.
Tell him not to turn on the high frequency current!
Tell him to stop!
Or something...
Hurry up!
He doesn't know that d'Hemon...
For Christ's sake, stop him!
Hands up!
Thomas, beware!
Please, take me with you.
Is that you, Prokop?
- I've been waiting for you.
- I'm coming.
- But I've been running.
- You look exhausted.
Sit on the driver's box.
Old man, do you know that Grottup has blown up?
Yes. And how many people
were killed back there?
More than 5,000 people dead.
It was a terrible disaster.
You're all wet, you'll catch cold.
Let's get going.
Uncle?
Why did this all happen to me?
What?
Why did I have to meet with such ordeals?
What one meets, comes from within.
That's not true.
Why did I run away from Tynice
when I was so happy there?
Why did I meet the Princess?
I was looking for the other one, wasn't l?
And it came all the same.
Why? Tell me.
It was your pride.
It was in you.
Even your invention.
- What did you call it?
- Krakatit.
It was a terrible explosive.
It could destroy the whole world.
And why?
What is such an explosive good for?
Find something that can drive another thing.
To make the work of people easier.
Understand?
You mean some kind of cheap energy?
Cheaper, something that is useful.
That could provide light and heat, see?
Wait...
I need to start from the end.
That's just it!
Start from the end and that's that.
To provide light... and heat.
You're right.
- Why didn't I think of it before?
- There, you see?
Invent something that will help people.
Not kill people.
That would be a great invention.
So then. I'll try again.
Something that provides light and heat.
He doesn't need the oxygen.
He's breathing normally.
He's calmer now.
He must have suffered, poor man.
End
Cast