The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962) Movie Script

(male narrator) Early in the
1800's, the fearful sounds of war
once again shook the heart
of Europe.
Not far from the field of
battle, there was another sound
soft and gentle.
Yet, it has echoed
down the years
to be heard long after
the guns were stilled
and the battles forgotten.
If you listen closely,
you can hear it... now.
Well, Grimm.
How goes the work today?
Mr. Grubber!
Forgive me. I-I didn't know
you were here.
Does my presence disturb you?
Your hands are trembling.
My brother has not been
feeling wel I, Mr. Grubber.
His health is really not--
And he still continues to work.
What heroic devotion to duty!
It's nothing.
On the contrary, Grimm.
On the contrary, His Grace,
the Duke would be most grateful.
And find ways to show it.
Eh, may I examine the fruits
of your labor?
But it isn't complete.
You rather wait until the
entire manuscript.
No! No.
"And as he fell
"he ceased to be a frog
and turned into a prince
with beautiful, kind eyes."
And where does this event occur
in the Duke's
family history? Hm?
Well, I-I heard
this little story
and, while it was fresh
in my mind
I, I thought I'd borrow
just a few minutes.
- Borrow?
- Borrowed.
You cal I it borrowing , do you?
Stealing!
You are stealing from the duke
who's paying you
to write his family history.
When you steal from the duke,
you are committing a crime
of which he could put you
behind bars
like any other thief.
'Oh, need I say more,
gentlemen?'
[mellow music]
Don't be angry, Jacob.
Anger poisons the mind
and sours the stomach.
Wilhelm, these are
perilous times.
Work is hard to find,
money is scarce.
I swear, word of honor.
I'm a reformed man.
You have a responsibility,
your wife, your children.
You are rig ht, absolutely.
You see, I heard this-this
wonderful, wonderful story
from the old flower vendor..
I don't want to hear it.
...about this beautiful
young princess
playing with a golden ball.
The ball falls into the well
and-and she thinks it's lost.
When suddenly, a frog offers
to fetch it up for her
but only if she'll invite
the frog for dinner.
- And then, she--
- Wilhelm!
- Off to the clouds again.
- The poor moonstruck ninny.
The whole world on fire and
he can't even smell the smoke.
Forgive me, ladies,
but I do smell the smoke
and the gunpowder.
True, the whole world
is at war
'blood is flowing everywhere.'
Wilhelm!
Real blood, ladies.
Not dragon's blood,
which isn't harmful.
Nor witch's brew,
which can turn an old hag
into a beautiful young princess.
That is my world, dear ladies.
If you prefer yours,
I beg you keep it
with my fond blessings
and a cordial good day.
[laughter]
I honestly believe
his mind is going.
Gone, my dear.
Never to return.
That was the
last gasp from the old Wiilhelm.
From now on you'll see.
Jacob, Jacob Grimm!
You see what he wants.
I'll go and buy the bread.
Alright, but hurry.
We are late already.
Jacob, come here!
Mr. Grimm.
Don't you want to buy a rose?
No. No, no, thank you.
I have another one for you,
Mr. Grimm.
A darling story.
No. No more stories.
...about the funny little man
who spins gold out of straw.
Spins gold out of straw?
No. No, no.
How does it go?
A pretty girl is locked
in the king's castle.
"Spin this straw into gold ,"
he says.
"Or you will die."
Such a sweet story.
Yes, yes. Go on, go on.
That's a little better.
Now, if you could
possible manage to
look a little less gloomy, eh?
If you've cal led me
to criticize my appear--
No, my friend Jacob, no.
Your gloominess
is only a symptom.
Now the diagnosis.
Too much work, no pleasure,
too many hours alone.
Look, I feel fine.
Don't be absurd.
Symptom, diagnosis,
and now the cure.
- I must..
- Ms. Greta Heinrich.
May I present Mr. Jacob Grimm?
I don't believe it.
A man so young?
Why, I saw you on the street,
and it never entered my mind
that you could be Jacob Grimm
author of all
these marvelous works.
Well, I..
That is not precisely true, I..
...collaborate with my brother.
Ah, the married brother? Yes.
You will be thrilled to know
that Ms. Heinrich has bought
one of your books.
One that you wrote
all by yourself.
I can't wait to read it.
" Legal Antiquities?"
A marvelous choice.
Old laws are so much nicer
than new ones, sir.
I told Ms.-Ms. Heinrich
if she waited, the author would
write something in the book.
Yes, but what should I write?
Anything.
Respectfully.
Sincerely.
Affectionately.
Will it be alright
if I just signed my name?
Oh, oh, of course.
It's not the words
but the thought that counts.
Ms. Heinrich is visiting
from Berlin with her aunt.
Doesn't know a soul in town.
There are many
young people here.
She won't be lonely.
Ah!
Well, thank you, Mr. Grimm.
You are very kind.
Not at all.
Jacob? Jacob, look,
I want to talk to you.
My brother Wilhelm,
Ms. Greta Heinrich.
- Delighted.
- Mr. Grimm.
- Wilhelm.
- Stoneless.
I do hope
we'll I see each other again.
- It's inevitable.
- Oh, really?
In such a small town, one's
always seeing everyone else.
Oh ! Oh, yes, yes, of course.
- Goodbye.
- Good bye, Ms. Heinrich.
Thanks very much for coming in.
Good day, Mr. Stoneless.
Oh!
Well, what's the matter?
Your muttonhead brother.
I introduce him
to a charming girl
who goes out of her way
to buy one of his dull books--
To you, they may be dull.
To everyone. Look here.
German grammar, volume one.
German grammar, volume two.
Analysis of German grammar.
As a good friend ,
I give them space.
As a better friend,
I say to you
"Write books people will buy."
Write about girls.
- Oh, about, you mean?
- No. I mean about..
Hm, hm, hm.
But what do I know about girls?
Nothing. About everything
that's important
you know nothing.
Stoneless , don't you dare talk
to my brother like that.
Jacob is the wisest
most kind, most generous--
Where is the bread?
The bread?
Yes, uh, Jacob, I wanted to talk
to about that.
So, you bought
an another story
From that villainess
flower vendor
and the bread money is gone.
Just this once if you'll lend me
some money, I promise..
What, I swear.
(both)
Word of honor, never again.
You see?
He's a prince among men.
He's a fool.
Next to you
the biggest fool in the world.
But it's not too late to change.
For me, for your dearest friend,
please.
Write about girls.
Jacob, write about girl ..
[instrumental music]
We are already 57 minutes late.
I hope you have an explanation.
Have you ever known me when
I haven't had an explanation?
Look, the reason we are late..
...is we stopped
to buy our roses.
We stopped? Our roses?
After all, you paid for them.
Besides, you stopped to force
your attentions
on a pretty girl.
I paid for the bread.
Oh, no, no.
I insist, I insist.
You take half a credit
for the roses
and half the blame
for being late.
Daddy, daddy.
Will you hear what happened?
Run in. Come on, go on.
Go on. Help! Help, help, help.
'Savages, mad dogs.'
Help! Save me.
Ooh ! Ah-ah, ah-ah!
Now, my little kids,
it's my turn.
You'll pay and pay dearly.
I will grind your bones
and slit open these eyes.
And for you, my dear,
I have other plans--
Where have you been?
For one whole hour
the dinner's been kept waiting.
What kept you?
Oh, what's this, Wilhelm?
A tribute to your kind,
sweet, gentle, beauteous mi--
Where is the bread?
Bread?
What bread?
Children, go and wash
your hands. Will you?
I gave you money for bread
instead of which
you come back with..
What am I to do? I don't have
two children, I have..
Jacob, you should know better.
We've barely enough money for..
...the bread.
You didn't forget the bread?
No, Dorothea, he didn't forget.
And don't you forget.
Men does not live
by bread alone.
That's a strange
sentiment from you.
It's not from me.
It's from "The Bible."
And from Stossel's book shop.
You see..
...a young lady came in and
bought one of his books today.
Asked him to write in it.
A very beautiful young lady,
eh, Jacob?
I-I didn't notice.
Well, she obviously noticed you.
What was her name?
- Do I know her?
- Um..
Rita Albrecht.
Greta Heinrich.
You see?
That's our Jacob for you.
Can't remember a face,
but never forgets a name.
If dinner is ready,
why don't we eat?
Ooh, right away.
They are lovely.
They are just lovely.
It's my turn.
It is not. It's my turn.
It was your turn yesterday.
No, it was your turn yesterday.
How can it be your turn today
if it was yours yesterday?
Children.
You may share the honor.
(both)
Bless us, O Lord and these gifts
which we are about to receive
from thy bounty.
Grubber.
That shriveled husk.
He doesn't know the meaning
of the word "happy."
And as for our gracious,
patron, the noble duke--
Someone might hear you
and tel I him.
Good. It might reduce
his bloated ego.
Might also throw us out
of this house
which he gives us rent-free.
- Might also put you in jail.
- You are right.
And so are you.
The duke doesn't want scholars,
he wants toadies
to sing the glories
of his illustrious name.
So that he can be a toady
to a king of Prussia.
However, we need the money,
so, to work.
No, Jacob, I'll go to work.
I'm gonna make up
for the borrowed time.
Well, don't look so surprised.
I'm a reformed man.
Well, don't disturb
the children.
The children would be
wise not to disturb me.
What was he doing
to make Grubber angry, hm?
Jacob, what was he doing?
Just being himself.
[children giggle]
[dog barking]
[giggling continues]
Not here?
Now, let me see.
They must be there, huh?
Boo!
(both)
Fooled you. We fooled you.
Shh. Now, that's enough.
To bed, come on.
And to sleep instantly.
Come on, come on.
We want a story.
No, absolutely not.
- Oh, papa, just one.
- No.
- No more stories.
- No more stories?
Not never?
Not "ne. ."
Not ever.
You should be
studying your grammar.
Not never.
Why, that's atrocious grammar.
Oh, grammar's too hard.
Nothing's too hard, son,
nothing.
If you want it badly enough,
you'll get it.
Now, remember the Woodsman.
What he wanted was
impossible, nevertheless--
What Woodsman?
Well, you know the Woodsman,
who lived the forest all alone.
- What did he want so bad ly?
- 'How did he get it?'
Well, it happened on the day,
a very special day.
He decided to embark
on a great adventure.
A journey far from the forest
that was his home.
I dream of winning
a princess
La-la-la la-la-la la
Ah. Mwah. Mwah. Mwah..
Ah la-la-la la-la-la la-la
Happy and gay am I
[scoffs]
[knocking on door]
(Gypsy)
'Come in.'
[door creaks open]
Good morning there, Gypsy.
- I've come to bid--
- Bid me good bye.
Who told you?
The cards.
Who else would ever speak to me?
What else they tell ya?
That your purse is empty.
And your heart's
full to overflowing.
With love for you.
Oh, no.
Not for me
but for the king's daughter.
The loveliest flower
in all the land.
And you hope to win this flower.
I shall try.
Goodbye, Gypsy.
Woodsman, wait.
I have something for you.
No one has ever
given me a word of kindness
but you.
When others have scoffed ,
you alone have smiled.
Give me one smile in return,
and I'll be happy.
That you shall have..
...and something more.
[instrumental music]
Hold out your hand.
Hold out your hand.
Now, you see it.
And now you don't.
My hand.
Take this cloak of invisibility.
It will hide you
from men's greed
and protect you from their envy.
Will it help me
to win the princess?
[laughs]
That you'll never know
until you try.
You'll need this too.
Thank you.
[door creaks open]
(Woodsman)
'Bye, Gypsy.'
I dream of winning
a princess
Dreaming a princess is mine
La la-la la la la-la la
Dreaming with love
less than mine
He bows very well, doesn't he?
Oh, very well indeed.
Oh, stop it, stop it, stop it.
That's enough.
Who are you?
'Oh, no, no, no, let me guess.'
You are a prince in disguise.
Duke? Baron?
Baronet? Knave?
Your Majesty, ah..
...I'm just a humble woodsman.
Oh, that's wonderful!
Ha-ha, that's marvelous.
Oh, a woodsman.
That means
that you are accustomed
to the axe!
Ha! To the axe.
[laughter]
[Woodsman laughs]
Ah, the rules.
[clears throat]
- He who..
- Discovers how my daughter..
Walks holes through her slippers
every night..
Without telling me
how she does it..
I tell you
another pair every night
and it costs me a fortune.
Uh, proceed.
He who discovers
the why and where for..
Gets half my kingdom.
Oh, yes, and the princess too.
Now, tel I him the bad part.
Whoever shall try and fail ..
As all others
have tried and failed
shall have his head separated
from his body for evermore.
That's the good part really.
But please, my daughter
is very sensitive.
Promise you won't tell her?
Cross my heart and hope to die.
Oh, delicious.
How delightful!
Good luck, Woodsman,
but remember
don't lose your head.
'Ha ha!'
[laughing]
Oh, don't lose your head.
[laughter]
Ooh, he's the handsomest by far.
[giggles] Don't you want
to look, Your Highness?
Certainly not.
Fetch the sleeping potion.
Good evening , Woodsman.
You may rise.
Here's some warmth
for the long, cold night ahead.
Is something wrong?
Yes, yes, I expected you to..
...to be beautiful.
Am I not?
Oh, no, princess.
You are divine.
Well, cheers.
Ah.
We certainly don't get wine
like this in the forest.
Well, I'm sure you don't.
Well, good night, Woodsman.
Oh!
Excuse me.
[bells jingling]
[thuds]
Pleasant dreams, Woodsman.
Don't forget.
Return before dawn.
'Or the king
will surely find out.'
Coachman, have you seen him?
A man with a mask?
No. princess.
I have seen no one.
But there is
another man waiting at
the castle that you must
marry if you are late.
Hyah!
Hyah! Hyah!
Hyah!
Ha!
Ha! Ha!
Ha!
'Ha! Ha !'
Hyah!
You tried, and you failed!
How sad ! Too bad !
Uh, get to work!
Just a moment.
[scoffs]
Your Majesty
I know how the princess
wears holes in her slippers.
I don't believe it.
Not a word.
Princess!
Princess.
'Where does she walk?'
Nowhere. She dances.
All night.
Fiddlesticks !
Alone in her bedroom?
No.
She goes through a hidden door
and then rides this carriage--
Oh, oh, I got you now.
I know every hidden door,
secret room
in then sliding
palace in the panel.
The panel, panel in the..
And no botheration.
Off with his head.
Ha-ha-ha.
Wait a minute now.
Now wait a minute.
Let me, let me explain.
I am the king , you..
Now, let me show ya.
Nobody tel ls me anything.
Oh, you see?
He guessed your secret.
Every night,
dancing and prancing.
I love to dance but..
...nobody asks me.
Well, a, a bargain
is a bargain.
So, now we'll have
a great, big party.
There'll be no party.
I shall never marry him.
Ta-ta-ta-tat, my girl.
You're not the king.
You're only a princess,
which isn't as good.
Besides, I gave my word.
And last night,
I gave my heart.
To a stranger.
And they lived
happily ever after.
[dog squealing]
(Wilhelm)
Shh.
Well..
I gave them a severe talking
to about their grammar.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I told them one story.
A story that will
give them nightmares.
Oh, no, no,
it was a beautiful story.
About the dancing princess
and the woodsman.
- You mean the tailor?
- Tailor?
The, the way you heard it,
it was a tailor?
The way I heard it,
you were a reformed man.
Well, you aren't.
You're absolutely
beyond redemption.
All I can say for you is..
...I love you.
I, uh..
I have work to do.
The work is almost done.
Go to bed.
What is your object?
To make me feel guilty?
My object is to finish this
wretched thing on time.
Mm-hmm.
By the way..
...you remember the story
of the dancing princess?
Whom did she marry?
A woodsmen or a tailor?
- A farmer.
- A farmer?
An honest, conscientious,
hard working farmer.
A farmer.
- It was a fisherman.
- A fish..
How do you know?
Because I'm a man
of infinite wisdom
who has heard
the story a thousand ti mes.
But that's terrible.
Tailor, woodsman,
farmer, fisherman.
Four different versions.
- Now isn't that terrible?
- It is terrible.
Come on.
You know, that proves my point.
These stories should
be written down.
Better you should
write about girls.
Talking about girls..
- Ms. Greta Heinrich.
- Yeah?
Will you tel I her
something for me?
[inaudible whispering]
Wilhelm!
- 'We'll be late.'
- I'll be there.
I'll be delighted.
It was a delicious dinner,
Mrs. Grimm.
Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Won't you sit here,
Ms. Heinrich?
Oh, thank you.
Oh.
[giggling]
Uh, we hope, Ms. Heinrich..
...Jacob and all of us
that you like our town.
Oh, I do.
The people are so friendly.
Must seem very quiet to you
after Iivi ng in Berlin.
Still, we hope,
uh, Jacob and all of us
that you won't hurry away.
Well, it was to have been
just a short visit.
But I wouldn't mind
staying indefinitely.
- Wilhelm, it's getting late.
- Get the children, um..
- It's time to go to bed now.
- Come along now.
Say good night to Ms. Heinrich.
- Good night, Ms. Heinrich.
- Good night, Uncle Jacob.
(both)
Goodnight, Uncle Jacob.
- That's right. Run along .
- Come on, off you go to sleep.
Your children
are charming, Mr. Grimm.
Thank you.
Children are a specialty
of the Grimm family.
We hope that yours
will be equally as, uh--
Yes, well, uh..
It's getting late.
I think, I'll go on up too.
Oh, stay!
And talk a while with us.
Tel I Ms. Heinrich
one of your stories.
Wilhelm has a
very fertile imagination.
- Oh, really?
- Oh, yes.
You would hardly believe what
fantastic thoughts occur to him.
Go ahead, Wilhelm.
'Let us have
one of your stories.'
Funny, I just can't
seem to remember any.
Oh, they come and go, slip away.
It's a pity there isn't
someone to write them down.
Oh, well.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
It was most kind of you
to take pity
on a stranger
and invite me here.
To be honest, it was not
I who invited you.
I thought..
Well, that-that is,
I was given the impression
'that it was your idea.'
Say yes.
(Jacob)
In all honesty, no.
It's a rare experience,
Mr. Grimm
to meet a man so honest.
I shan't inquire whether
you wish to take me home, but
since it's getting late--
But, uh..
Honesty, Ms. Heinrich,
requires the whole truth.
Although it was not my idea
I'm very glad
you were invited here.
Equally glad that you accepted.
[giggling]
(Greta) 'Tell me about
your work, Mr. Grimm.'
- 'Oh, I--'
- No, Jacob.
Don't, please.
I'd like to ask you
a question, Ms. Heinrich.
A rather personal question.
How did you like my book?
How I was enchanted.
Enchanted?
By "Legal Antiquities?"
Oh, well, the subject
isn't important.
(Jacob)
'I beg your pardon.'
(Greta) 'What enchanted
me was the tremendous'
'knowledge and Intelligence
it took to write such a book.'
Forgive me, Mr. Grimm, but..
...I must be honest too.
You are a brilliantly
fascinating man.
Nonsense.
'I'm a conscientious scholar'
'dedicated to his work,
that's all.'
Aah!
[birds chirping]
Grubber!
Your Grace, if this
portrait is to grace
the cover of your
grace's family history
may I ask that, Your Grace,
face this way.
And smile.
Grubber!
Sir?
You've finished
reading it, Your Grace?
Have the Brothers Grimm done you
proper justice, Your Grace?
Are you pleased, Your Grace?
You're very good
at asking questions,
now answer one.
Do I look pleased?
Ohh.
Get those brothers,
and bring them here!
Stoneless.
You've always been a good ,
true, loyal, and dear friend.
Uh, good morning, dear ladies.
Now I'm going to give you
a chance to prove it.
May I prove it later?
I'm waiting
on these dear ladies.
Oh, what are they looking for?
Mr. Stoneless knows my taste.
Who doesn't?
Ah, just the thing.
"History of the 100 Years War."
Every page reeking
with blood and gore.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Really, Wilhelm, come on.
Listen, we've just finished
writing the Duke's
family history.
Now I can concentrate on
collecting and writing stories.
- Stories about girls?
- Oh, Stoneless, you worry me.
A, a priceless
literary heritage is dying.
Now unless these
wonderful fairytales are
written down and published ,
they'll soon be forgotten.
Now, look, you know
a man called Dantino.
Dantino, yes, the
foremost publisher in Berlin.
- A good, true and loyal friend.
- Yes, yes.
I'm sure he'd agree that
you are a complete looney.
A looney.
Who'd want such a book?
Anyone with a
desire to be happy.
I would.
- They would .
- They? Who are they?
You, you, you, and you.
Come on, come inside.
Really, they should lock
him up. He's dangerous.
Shh. Now.
Now, don't be frightened .
I just want to ask.
Do you want a
book of fairytales?
- No, sir.
- Hup!
Of course you do.
Why not?
I can't read.
- Well, you can hear, can't you?
- Yes.
Alright then.
Ah, ah, come here.
Wilhelm, what are you doi ng?
Sit down.
Madam.
My dear.
If you please.
And not another
word out of anyone.
'Now, listen.'
Once upon a time..
...there was a cobbler.
An old, old cobbler.
He had snowy white hair.
A big thick mustache.
Bushy eyebrows
riding on a sea of wrinkles.
He worked very hard.
Day in and day out.
But for various reasons
his customers were not pleased.
- Cobbler!
- Yes?
Oh, your honor, the mayor.
Are my shoes ready?
Uh, not yet, Your Excellency--
Not yet?
Why, the King's Christmas
party is tomorrow afternoon.
If my shoes aren't ready,
it will go on with you.
Oh, to be sure,
Your Worship, but--
No buts.
I shall return
tomorrow morning.
[dramatic music]
I'll, uh, try my very best.
Pure of heart
And mind and hand
I shall dwell
In Christmas land
In my heart
The Christmas spirit
Listen closely
You can hear it
Christmas land
Christmas land
I shall dwell in
Christmas
Land
On my cheeks
Two roses grow
[bell rings]
My sllippers, they are finished,
huh, cobbler?
'Are they? Are they? Are they?'
Uh, regretfully,
I've been so busy I--
Without my slippers,
how am I to dance for the king?
I'll try, Your
Ballerinaship. Please--
If I do not dance
the king will be mad with rage.
And I would hate to see you..
...boiled in oi I.
Yeah.
I don't think
I'd care for it much myself.
Cobbler!
Your, your, your hunting boots,
I--
I know, but--
They, they're
not quite ready yet--
If they're not by tomorrow..
...instead of hunting wild pigs
for the king's table..
...I'll be hunting tame cobbler
you understand?
[echoing]
Yes, your marksmanship.
I suppose you're going to
the King's birthday party, too?
No.
We came to sing for you.
- 'Why?'
- 'Cause you like us.
Do not.
Why didn't you, um,
get jobs or get married?
Nobody asked me.
Well, then, go and see
your good luck elf.
They'll handle
those things for you.
Orphans don't
have good luck elves.
Nonsense.
Everybody's got good luck elves.
If you don't believe in them,
they won't come to you.
I'll, uh, I'll tell you
about it sometime.
Uh, now go home. I'm busy.
Very, very busy. Go home.
[mellow music]
You do like us, don't you?
Do not.
- Do to.
- Do not.
You've got to.
'Cause nobody else does.
Ah, ah.
Well, I'm up.
[alarm blaring]
Alright. I said I'm up.
But, why?
Why?
[yawing]
Why, what?
Why am I up?
Ask him.
Hey.
Why am I up?
How should I know?
Why am I up?
Because it's Christmas Eve.
[yawing]
Ha-ha.
I've got it.
[stuttering]
He's got it.
He can have it.
Christmas is the time
for good cheer.
Good cheer is what we bring
because we're good luck elves.
I'd rather be a bad luck elf.
Why?
'Cause he gave me a
crooked mouth, that's why.
Don't you like your mouth?
- No!
- Then keep it shut!
Unless those shoes
are finished by morning
he's in terrible trouble.
Good. Serves him right.
Get to work. Everybody.
Get to work.
Begin.
Get busy.
Commence.
Go!
What's wrong?
(all)
How do you fix shoes?
Ah, um..
(all)
Ah, um?
Ah, I know.
You, cut!
Ah-oom.
You, stitch.
Ah-oom!
You, glue.
Ah-oom.
You, shine.
Ah-oom.
I, catch.
Ah oom ah oom
It's fun to whack with a
Tack and a hammer ah-oom
To whack with a tack
and a hammer ah-oom
Your eyes light up and
your heart goes boom
Ah-oom
Ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
To brush some glue
on the shoes what you do
For the heel
For the heel for the heel
You brush some glue
on the shoe for the heel
You do get sticky
but gee you feel
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
To whack away on shoes
We'll chase
a stack of glue
We'll make like Jake
when you're awake
And dreamy when you snooze
Ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom
To shine from
the front to the back
With a whack and wham
A wham
From front to back
with a whack and a wham
If that ain't heaven
I don't know what am
Ah-oom
Ah-oom
La-la-la ohh
Ya-la-la ooh
Ya-la-la hohoo
[gasps]
Ya-la-la hoo-hoo ya hoo-hoo
Not so hard.
I'm paying him back
for my crooked mouth.
Shh.
To whack away on shoes
We'll chase a stack of glue
We'll make life Jake
when you're awake
And dreamy
When you snooze
Ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom
Shine from the front to the
back with a whack and wham
A wham
Front to back
with a whack and a wham
If that ain't heaven
I don't know what am
Ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom
It's time to whack
with a hammer and a tack
[yodeling]
To whack with
a hammer and tack ah-ooh
[yodeling]
It's time to whack
with a hammer and tack
To whack with the tack
from the front to the back
From the front to the back
with a hammer and tack
Go!
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
Ah-oom ah-oom ah-oom
Aah
Oh, it's so nice.
Cobbler! Open up!
Blast you, cobbler,
my hunting boots.
- Open up!
- Cobbler! Open the door!
I need my shoes!
Oh, my dancing slippers,
they must be ready.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Your Worship, Your
Ballerinaship, Your Marksmanship
um, I'm afraid, you're not gonna
like what I have to tel I you.
Just what do you mean
by that?
It's, you see, it's um..
[clears throat]
It's Christmas.
And some people, little people,
but very, very important
people were forgotten.
So, I decided that since it was
Christmas, that I would ..
Oh!
How beautiful!
- Wonderful !
- Good and sturdy, cobbler.
[laughing]
You had me worried, old rump.
There you are, my man.
Well done.
Thank you.
Twice your usual price,
cobbler
and a Merry Christmas to you.
Well, a Merry Christmas to you,
Your Lordship.
(Ballerina)
'I shall dance like a princess'
and the king will know
it's all because of you.
- 'And Merry Christmas.'
- 'Merry Christmas.'
Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
[mellow music]
'But I didn't.'
How could I?
Maybe I did.
I must have.
Oh, well.
Pure of heart and mind
and hand
I shall live in
Christmas land
In my heart
the Christmas spirit
Listen closely
you can hear it
Christmas land
Christmas land
I shall live in
Christmas land
On my cheeks two roses grow
On my nose a speck of snow
Holy olive in my hand
I shall live in
Christmas land
Christmas land
(Dorothea)
'Wilhelm!'
Wilhelm!
- The Duke--
- Just a minute, dear.
Well, did you like the story?
(children)
Yes.
- Where's Jacob?
- In the park with Greta.
Would you like, would you like
a whole book of stories?
(children)
Uh-hmm.
- You would, you would?
- You really would?
Oh, marvelous, marvelous.
Bless you.
Just a minute.
How much money have you got?
None.
- You?
- None.
- How about you?
- One kreutzer.
One kreutzer.
Out, out, all of you.
Now, Stoneless..
Write about girls, please.
Wilhelm, the Duke wants to
see you and Jacob.
Oh, but where is Jacob?
In the park with Greta.
Oh, yes, yes, that's rig ht.
Oh, can't you think of anything
except money?
And girls, at your age! Really!
Wilhelm!
Oh!
[instrumental music]
Jacob! Jacob!
Jacob, the Duke has sent
for us. Excuse me, Greta.
But you're not Greta. I thought
you said you're taking Gret..
Oh, oh, um,
I'm so terribly sorry.
Do excuse me.
Good luck to you both.
We've been gone some time now.
My aunt will be wondering .
So, perhaps we better--
One other thing, uh,
a question.
A question requiring
a great deal of thought
consideration, pros and cons
the...advantages
and the disadvantages.
What is the question?
I shan't expect
an immediate answer.
A decision like this
cannot be made instantly.
What's the question?
Will you marry me?
- When?
- When?
- You mean you will?
- Well, of course.
Without even thinking?
Oh, Jacob.
The first time I saw you
I knew I was going to
fall in love with you.
Amazing.
I have fallen in love with you.
And more than anything
in the world
I would like to marry you.
Are there any more questions?
Just one.
May I kiss you?
Of course.
Very well.
[instrumental music]
Jacob, Jacob, the Duke.
He wants to see us rig ht away.
- Excuse me, Greta.
- We're going to be married.
I'm terribly sorry, come on.
Ma-married?
Oh, oh, that's wonderful.
Oh, oh, I'm so pleased.
Come on!
[drum roll]
Correct me if I'm wrong.
But the terms of your contract,
you guaranteed
to write a complete and accurate
history of my family.
Notable deeds,
meritorious service
in war and peace, etcetera.
That is correct.
I said,
"Correct me if I'm wrong ."
The said family history to be
dedicated and presented
to His Majesty,
the King of Prussia
on the forthcoming anniversary
of his coronation.
[sneezes]
What are you doing?
I'm just sneezing, Your Grace.
Don't touch that.
It's priceless.
Yes, sir.
Uh, this is the
complete history?
Yes, Your Grace.
And may I point out that
we finished two days early?
May I point out you chopped off
one whole branch of my family?
The Rhineburg branch,
represented by my third cousin
'Baron Ulrich of Rhineburg !'
(Jacob)
'Yes, sir but I thought--'
(The Duke) 'I don't pay you
to think, I pay you to write.'
A point of fact, sir,
you haven't paid us at all.
Ha! The minstrel speaks.
The tale teller
who steals my time to collect
frogs and dogs, hags and dragons
haven't paid you, huh?
Have I given you a house
for six months rent-free?
- Yes, but, um. .
- Yes, but..
You will receive no money until
you fulfi ll your contract.
Now, then you thought what,
my illustrious scholar?
Well, sir. In your library,
there's very little
about the Rhineburgs.
And in fact,
it not very flattering.
For example, the behavior of
Baron Ulrich at the Battle of--
(The Duke)
'That's a lie!'
[clattering]
Perhaps, but he is such
a distant relative.
Baron Ulrich is a
nephew by marriage
of His Majesty,
the King of Prussia.
I see, sir. Well..
We'll be back at work
first thing in the morning.
First thing in the morning
you'll take the boat
to Rhineburg.
In the cathedral archives,
you'll find all names and dates.
'Baron Ulrich himself
will correct all lies.'
But-but this is
very difficult for us to..
We've only two days left
and I doubt that
we can finish in time.
Oh, you will.
Because if you don't, I'll throw
you out of your house
and into debtors prison.
Where I will make it
difficult for you
beyond anything
you can possibly imagine.
What are you doing?
- I'm-I'm so sorry, Your Grace.
- Go!
Purely unintentionally,
Your Grace.
- Go!
- I apologize, Your Grace.
Go!
Go! Go!
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la
La la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la
La la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la
La la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la
Dreaming and dreaming
I dream of winning
a princess
Bringing loves light
to her smile
it does seem unlikely
for some fellow like me
What's going on?
It must be a celebration.
Go directly to the church
and talk to the priest
in charge of the archives.
Look, it's a festival tree.
It is a celebration.
Pardon me, but what are we
celebrating?
I said , "What are we
celebrating?"
It's a wine festival.
It's a wine festival.
Did you hear that?
- And did you hear what I said?
- Yes.
Go to the church,
talk to the priest
collect all important data
on the Rheinberg grant
to the family
especially anything relating
to the King of Prussia
and report back here
at 5 o'clock.
Thank you, my man.
Thank you.
Not at all, not at all.
It's.. It's good.
- Thank you very much.
- It's a pleasure.
It's an absolute pleasure.
I thank..
The boat leaves
at 5 o'clock.
We must be on it.
Remember that.
Don't worry.
I never forget a thing.
Wilhelm!
- Thank you, sir.
- Thank you.
[chorus singing
in foreign language]
I'm very grateful, father.
It's been a pleasure delving
into the past with you.
You were bored to death,
Mr. Grimm.
And I respect you for it.
Nothing is quite so dull
as digging up
obscure names and dates
which should be allowed
to rest in oblivion.
Give me young living voices
singing "Mozart."
[singing continues]
- Father?
- Pay no attention.
- Today is Friday.
- Friday?
(Wilhelm)
'Oh, yes, yes, so it is.'
[singing continues]
Every Friday as long as
anyone can remember
the children of Rheinberg
have been invited
to visit Anna Richter.
There are some
who call her a witch.
Do you believe in witches,
Mr. Grimm?
- Witches?
- Oh, you don't!
I should've thought you did.
Well, uh..
Yes, as a matter of fact,
I, um..
Well, she is no witch.
She only has the power
to bewitch and beguile
and create a world of beauty
that even Mozart would envy.
She tel ls the most wonderful
fairy tales ever heard.
Fairy tales!
Is, uh, is that
where they're going?
[clears throat]
Shh!
Father!
When I was his age
I used to do the same thing
every Friday.
I'd gladly do it again
right now, but it's too late.
Only children are invited.
Um..
Well, I-I must be going.
You've been most helpful .
A mil I ion thanks, goodbye.
Goodbye.
- What do you want?
- Good afternoon, ma'am.
My name is Wilhelm Grimm.
I've heard that--
You've heard that I'm a witch,
I suppose.
Have you come to scoff and jeer
like everybody else.
No, quite the contrary.
If I may, I'd-I'd very much like
to come inside.
I won't have it.
Go away.
[Wilhelm groans]
Your foot is in my door.
Yes, I'm..
I'm so sorry.
Might I just come in
and sit quietly and listen? I--
Children only.
Oh, but I'm much younger
than I look.
Ah, people tell me that..
[kids shouting]
You little monkey,
you were late.
My mama made me take a nap.
Well, I hope it did you good.
Now, my young scamps.
What should we have?
- Witches!
- Dragons!
[indistinct shouting]
Settle down ! Settle down!
Which of you would like
to laugh today?
Uh..
I can see, you'd rather I made
your blood run cold.
Yes! Scary, scary story!
[laughing]
Very well, a scary story
it should be. Shh!
(Anna)
'Once upon a time. .'
...long , long ago,
in a faraway land
there lived a huge
and fearful dragon.
He was as tall as the tallest
tree in the forest.
When he walked ,
it was an earthquake.
When he breathed ,
a forest fire.
All the people lived in terror
of this monstrous beast
who had Invaded their land
from no one knew where.
For he ate up their crops
devoured their cattle
'and carried off all the young
children to his lair.'
What for?
- Dessert.
- Oh!
- Didn't anyone try to stop him?
- Of course, they did.
The king sent north,
south, east and west
offering half his kingdom
to anyone who'd come and slay
this horrible beast.
'Many came to try
and earn the reward .'
But the dragon sizzled them.
Then he frizzled them.
Then he gobbled them up
and he picked his teeth
with their bones.
Now it happened one fine day
that two men
a knight named Ludwig
and his servant Hans
set out in search
of adventure.
Why am I thirsting
and flopping and bursting
No relation passed to
the ghastly adventure ahead
What ea yest thou, Knave?
'Cause you're courageously
outlandish
Outrageously brave
Why am I not daunted
by fears
That would haunt
the most fearless?
'Cause you're outrageously
brave
With a courage courageously
fearless
Ha ha and now
And now
We go
We go?
To add a dragon
To my ego
[dragon growling]
We're in luck, master.
That dragon's at home.
Not so loud.
[intense music]
A D-R-A-G-O-N
Dragon
A 53-foot monster
snorting fire
Aaaah!
A 53 or maybe even higher
Whoooaa!
I heard one thrashing
Through the forest
Crushing
and it seems smashing
They do bag him
A D-R-A-G-O-N
Dragon
[dragon growling]
Dragon!
Alright, lad, in you go.
I'll stay here
and protect you over there.
That'll take a bit of doing.
Go on! Go on!
(Ludwig)
Go on, you silly sausage!
Is he there?
(Ludwig)
'Speak up, pudding-brain.'
Oh, he seems to have gone,
master.
Uh-huh.
Well, let me at him.
Charge!
Oh!
Are you sure he is gone?
I looked all over the cave,
master.
Well, help me up.
Flat feet!
Look at the filthy beggar
took one look at me
and realized
he's met his match. Huh!
Rig ht now, he's probably
a 100 leagues from here
running for his life, huh.
M-m-master!
(Ludwig)
Pity in a way.
I should've enjoyed puncturing
the ugly brute.
Hans, kill him!
Yes, master.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Don't anger it. Just kill him.
[grunts]
[intense music]
Aah!
Oh-ho! Whoa!
'Whoa!'
Whoa-whoa-whoo!
Whoa!
Aaah!
Hans, do something,
you bumbling boobie.
Watch out, master, here I come!
Oh, oh, ah! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Whoa!
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!
Master, do not leave me!
I'm not leaving you, crybaby!
I'm going for help.
Oh, oh, oh. Oh!
Whoa! Whoa!
Aah!
Whoa!
Whoa! Ah!
Whoa! Whoa!
Ah!
'Oh ! Oh.'
'Whoa!'
'Eww! Whoa!'
'Oh ! Oh, whoa! Oh !'
'Oh !'
'Whoa! Oh ! Wow!'
Oh, oh!
Ah! Uh.
Whoa!
Oh!
Help.
- I said, help!
- And now, dragon.
I'm not as tasty as I look.
Oh, no.
Ah!
Ah!
M-master!
Help!
'Master!'
What is it?
'The dragon is dead .'
Yes. Dead?
Are you sure that he's not just
pretending it?
Oh, I-I-I-I stake my life on it.
Well, we can't claim the reward
without the creature's
head, can we?
I will be more than happy.
No, no, give me the sword.
If you want something
done right, I say
do it yourself.
And en garde!
[crashing]
Whoa! Well, Hans..
You must be ti red.
Rest here a while.
Have a drink of water.
No, thank you, master.
You are very kind.
But after you, sir.
No, no, no, a good commander
always looks
after his men first.
- Go ahead. Go ahead.
- Oh, thank you, sir.
Is it too blood-curdling ,
children?
- 'Shall I stop?'
- We know it's only make belief.
(all)
Please, don't stop.
Don't stop. Please. Come on.
Very well.
So, because he feared
that someone might discover
it was the servant
and not the master
who had slain the dragon
greedy Ludwig killed Hans
and buried him
under the apple tree.
(Anna) While Ludwig
went on to claim the reward
and dwell in a fine castle
good Hans lay beneath
the ground.
Spring passed and
the earth's breast was warmed
by summer's gentle touch.
Autumn came painting
the leaves
with rainbow colors.
The north wind brought
winter into the land
covering it with an icy
blanket of purest white.
And then it was spring again.
Spring, the time for wakening.
With the dragon gone
everyone felt safe again
and the countryside flourished.
And so one fine day
a shepherd with his flock
passed by the apple tree.
Suddenly, he saw
something at its feet.
With a bit of carving
the shepherd thought
I could make a fine flute
to play on and soothe my flock.
Straightaway
he took out his knife
and began to whittle holes.
Oh, shepherd ,
listen to my tale
I sleep beneath the tree
May I ask, oh majesty
why my presence
was requested here?
I have discovered
a new musical instrument
which I thought might amuse you.
As ruler of half your kingdom
I'd like to remind you
that I simply loathe music.
As ruler of the other half
I suspect that you will
change your mind.
Eh, shepherd ,
would you play us a tune?
Thank you so much
Some other time, perhaps.
Oh king pray listen
to my tale
I sleep beneath the tree
My master Ludwig
raised his sword
And drove it into me
I'll never walk
the Earth again
Or hear a bi rd
or plant a seed
Till the man
who slew me says
He's sorry for thy deed
Well, Sir Ludwig?
Your Majesty,
it was an accident.
You see, my sword slipped
and poor Hans happened to be
directly underneath.
Because it was poor Hans
who slew the dragon
and not you, isn't that so?
Yeah, yes,
he was holding the sword
when it entered the beast.
Mercy, Your Majesty,
I didn't know what I was doing.
Mercy, I beg of you.
The court will pass sentence.
[indistinct chatter]
You have been found guilty
of the crimes of greed
treachery and murder.
- The penalty is--
- Wait!
Don't do anything hasty!
I'm sorry I did it.
Truly sorry. Really am.
Well, fancy that.
My boy, you're just in time
to hear a sentence
passed on an evil person.
Hans ! Don't let them kill me.
If you'll overlook
that one little incident.
I was always
a good master to you.
It's true, Your Majesty.
He was a good master.
Any bit of old clothing
he couldn't use
he gave it to me.
Then on a cold, bitter night
he let me sleep next
to his nice, warm horse.
And any scrap of food
his dogs wouldn't eat
he'd let me have 'em.
I implore you, Your Majesty
spare his life.
So be it.
His life shall be spared.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Well, help me up, crumpet face.
Wait, I have not finished.
You, Ludwig
shall spend the rest of
your life as servant to Hans.
- Oh no.
- 'Come here, my boy.'
Hans here after to be known
as Sir Hans, the dragon killer.
Don't you worry, sir.
I'll be just as good
a master to you
as you were to me.
Thank you, Sir Hans.
(kid #1 )
'Tell us another one.'
No, no. It's getting late.
You must go home.
No. No arguments now.
Off you go.
- Bye, Aunt Anna.
- Goodbye, my boy.
- Bye, Aunt Anna.
- Goodbye.
(Anna)
'Goodbye, dear.'
'Goodbye.'
- Good bye, Aunt Anna.
- Goodbye, my boy.
Look after the girls now,
won't you?
- Good bye, Aunt Anna.
- Goodbye, my dear.
Hmm.
What is it?
- What's the matter?
- Nothing.
It will pass.
Hmm.
Hmm. Thank you.
- I'll go and fetch a doctor.
- No, no.
Get me a hot cup of tea.
And have some yourself.
You're soaking wet.
Thank you.
I told you to go away.
'What were you doing outside?'
Listening.
You know?
You shouldn't live
here all alone.
I'm not alone.
Death has been my companion
for sometime now.
You have many good years left.
I shall only regret
leaving the children.
But they'll remember me
because of my stories.
Like their parents before them.
Those stories don't just
belong to a few children.
They belong to children
all over the world.
Now and forever after.
I like you Wilhelm Grimm.
Enough to tel I me
some more stories?
But there are so many of them.
There's one about a little boy
that was no bigger
than my thumb.
And there's a poor little
girl whose face
was always covered in cinders.
And the other one whose skin
was as white as snow.
Would you like
another cup of tea?
No. No, just the stories.
When she saw the blind prince,
she wept with joy.
Two of her tears
fill into his eyes
and suddenly he was able to see.
[fog horn blaring at distance]
The boat.
Must be getting late.
I really must go.
How can I ever thank you?
You have. You have.
- Jacob I--
- The boat waited ten minutes.
- I went to the church.
- I lost all track of time.
They told me you'd left
over an hour ago.
That's true, I did.
Jacob, listen.
I.. I found this
wonderful old woman.
The stories she tells, but..
If only you could have seen
the happy faces
of those children.
Wha.. With their eyes wide
and their souls warm.
Look.
These, these are pure gold.
You can't realize
how valuable they are.
We have worked over six months
on the Duke's family history.
Unless it's delivered tomorrow
we won't be paid.
That's how valuable they are.
Look. We'll get there somehow.
Look. We can hire horses.
Or-or a coach.
We-we might even be able
to catch them on the next land.
- What's the matter?
- Where is it?
Where's the manuscript?
I don't know, I..
I must have..
I slipped while
crossing the river--
You fool.
Six months.. .thrown away.
Our whole career ruined ,
but these are safe.
- Jacob forgive me.
- Ask the Duke to forgive you.
You form us
an explanation ready.
You're gonna explain
to the Duke.
But this time it's up to you.
Because I won't be there.
I'm not going back.
What?
But-but where will you go?
Wherever I can find
work by myself.
I can't work
any longer with you.
You ruin everything you touch.
I know you don't mean it.
You-you're very angry and
you have every right to be
but, but we need you.
- All of us.
- I've got needs of my own.
A wife, a home and time
to do work that's important.
I'll never have anything
as long as I'm tied to you.
Jacob.
Jacob.
I'm sorry, Wilhelm.
But I'm much more
sorry for your family
with nothing
to live on but dreams.
It's not enough
to lose the manuscript.
Not enough to rob me
of my gift to the king.
Here's my portrait,
just trample it.
Wipe your boots on my face.
You and your illustrious
brother.
You are very pleased
to see me made ridiculous.
No sir. And you mustn't
blame my brother.
- I'm entirely responsible.
- Yeah.
Hear that? He's a man of honor,
our minstrel!
Takes full responsibility
for the crime.
Brings to mind the old saying,
"Honor among thieves."
What shall I send
to the king of Prussia instead?
A pretty basket full of frogs
and dogs and cats and dragons.
Your grace.
May I please be excused?
Full responsibility you take
and full punishment.
To begin you get no money.
I expect none, sir.
Well, what do you expect?
Answer!
Your grace, I'm..
I can't think, I..
I could punish you in a way
you couldn't even imagine.
Fortunately for you,
I'm a civilized man.
I'm very glad to hear that.
Listen to him.
Detect a note of sarcasm?
Unmistakably, sir.
It wasn't meant to be.
For six months, I've given
you a house, rent free.
You owe me that rent
and you'll pay it.
I'll try, your grace.
You'll not try, you'll pay.
I'll give you three days.
Three days!
If not, you will be evicted
and sent to debtor's prison.
Your grace.
I can't. It's impossible.
Not in three days.
Please wait, your grace.
How is he, doctor?
Is he better?
I can't truthfully say
he's better.
I can only say,
he's no worse.
No, not just words, doctor.
I want to know the truth.
In the morning ,
we shall all know.
- He has been ill before?
- Not this I I I.
Never for such a long time.
Come.
Such a fool he is.
So little strength.
And he throws it away
chasing day dreams.
My father is not a fool.
Oh, no, darling.
What Mr. Stoneless means,
is that it's
foolish for your father
to give so much of himself.
To-to be so unselfish.
That's what I mean.
The whole world should be
made of such foolishness.
It's late.
It's time for bed.
- Greta, would you?
- Oh, of course.
- Goodnight.
- Come along, children.
Children don't understand.
We scold most,
the ones we love best.
Momma.
Will it help
if we pray for papa?
(Dorothea)
'Yes, my darling .'
Mr. Grubber.
Come in.
I bring a communication from
the Duke regarding your husband.
That's very thoughtful
of his grace.
Mrs. Grimm
the communication is an order
to evict your husband
and his family from this house.
Evict?
A man who may
never see tomorrow?
- You can't do that.
- I must.
Unless he's able to pay
six months rent.
He's not able to sit up
to raise his head.
The Duke has given me orders!
May I give you
an order, Mr. Grubber?
Jacob! Oh!
Tell his benevolent highness
he will get his money.
(Greta)
Darling.
Oh ! I'm so glad you're here.
May I ask? When the Duke
will receive the money?
As soon as I sell my library.
Sold.
You'll get your money
in the morning, Grubber.
Or would you prefer to put me
in debtor's prison?
Eh, now please understand.
I'm only obeying
the Duke's order.
We do understand.
If there were no Duke,
there would be no Grubber.
Exactly.
If there were no dogs..
...there would be no fleas.
This way.
Jacob, don't go.
I'm-I'm here--
Please, come back, Jacob.
- I'm rig ht here, Wilhelm.
- Come back.
Forgive me.
Forgive me.
You've got to listen.
- Can you hear me?
- Forgive me.
I won't go away.
When you're well, we..
...we'll start working again,
just as before.
L-I promise you.
Just..
'Just get well, Wilhelm.'
(Wilhelm)
'lt's gone, the manuscript.'
'I'll find it.'
'I'll find it.'
Jacob?
Dorothea?
'Who is it?'
Is this the residence
of Wilhelm Grimm?
I'm Wilhelm Grimm.
Who are you?
I'm a..
...giant.
Don't be absurd.
There are no giants.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
He's a lot sicker
than we thought.
We? Who's we?
Friends of mine.
Go away.
I'm dying.
Everybody knows it.
You stop that.
My friends are pulling
in my trouser legs
they want to see you.
I don't want to see anybody.
I'm tired.
Very tired.
Easy-easy, you over-grown ox.
That's him?
Please, go away.
'I want to sleep.'
You be quiet now.
He says he's dying.
We must be respectful.
Why, huh?
Why? Is he respectful to us?
Please leave me alone.
You see? You see?
No respect at all.
He's mean and selfish.
You're a nasty little man.
Nasty little man?
I am only nasty to them what's
nasty to me.
And nobody is nasty to me
until I'm nasty to them first.
'And that includes everybody.'
He thinks he's clever because
he can spin gold out of straw.
Can he really do that?
Stop talking about me.
When people talk about me,
my beard itches
and I can stand an itchy beard.
He has quite a temper,
hasn't he?
Yes, and he really enjoys it.
Why you little pipsqueak.
I could crush you under my foot.
'You-you..
What is your name anyway?'
I don't know.
What is my name?
How should I know?
You see?
How should I know?
He doesn't care
whether we live or die.
All he's interested
is in himself
and anybody who's only
interested in himself
is not interested
in anybody else too.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
What he means, Mr. Grimm,
is that our lives depend on you.
If you die,
we will never be born.
We will never be born?
[cries]
Oh, now stop that!
You promised if I brought
you along, you wouldn't cry.
They're very sentimental ,
Mr. Grimm.
But I'm, I'm so tired.
I've no more life left in me.
But if you're gonna die,
the least you can do
is give us names.
Please, Mr. Grimm, would you?
Without names, we're nobodies.
(all)
We're nothing.
Please, give us names.
[frog croaks]
Please.
Would that be asking
too much, Mr. Grimm?
Well, since you're..
...no bigger than my thumb..
...I'll call you Tom Thumb.
Tom Thumb? Tom Thumb!
Hurray! I got a name!
Tom Thumb.
Your...face is dirty.
It's from cinders.
Then you should be called.. .
Cinder-ella.
(all)
Cinderella!
Oh, I like that very much,
Mr. Grimm.
Thank you.
Cinderella.
And I?
You are.. .white as snow.
You are Snow White.
Oh, Thank you, Mr. Grimm.
Thank you, Mr. Grimm.
- Oh, no. What?
- Hansel.
Hansel.
(Wilhelm)
'Gretel .'
Gretel.
Mr. Grimm.
This is easy.
You're Little Red Riding Hood.
Thank you, Mr. Grimm.
But what about me?
You forgot about me.
Don't I get a name?
Rumpel-stilts-kin.
My! Well, that's ridiculous.
When do you ever heard
such a name?
Rumpeldid. Uh, uh, Rumel?
What does it mean anyway?
I.. I can't see you.
All things die differently,
Mr. Grimm.
We die like dreams,
fade into forgetfulness.
No.
Don't. You mustn't.
We haven't much more ti me.
When you reach
your last heartbeat
we reach ours.
But it-it isn't fair.
Why must this be
on my conscience?
Say goodbye.
(all)
Goodbye, Mr. Grimm.
Goodbye,
and thank you, Mr. Grimm.
Come back.
Didn't you forget something?
Bye.
Tell them to come back.
Tell them.
Only you can call them back.
Only you.
Wait.
Only you.
- Don't leave me.
- 'Only you.'
Where are you?
'Only you.'
Where've you gone?
[dramatic music]
Wilhelm!
Thea!
Don't go in. I'll go.
Jacob, I've got to.
Please let.
It's gone.
The fever's gone.
What's this?
"Once upon a. ."
"One upon a time,
there was a tiny little boy.
His name was Tom Thumb."
Of course, it's difficult,
but by his own admission
the Duke is a civilized man
And if we go on paying our rent
he will graciously permit us
to go on living in our house.
Of course
he's raised the rent, but--
Well, that has
a strange sound to it
as though you plan
to go on living there too.
When my brother was ill
I made him a promise
that I would stay
and work with him.
You also made a promise to me.
They are very different.
One is,
you might call it a duty
but it's much more.
The other much less?
No, darling.
But I-I have only so much money
and the family
has to be taken care of.
But it's his family, Jacob,
not yours.
He's my brother.
[sighs] Does that give him
a claim on your whole life?
I know he needs you,
but so do I.
Oh, it's humiliating to beg.
But I don't care.
With you I have no pride.
If only you'd wait a while.
How long is a while?
A month. A year?
I don't know.
Forever?
Greta, I love you.
You love me and I love you
and there's nothing more
to say, is there?
Well, there's nothing
to be gained
by tormenting each other.
I'm going home.
Wait, I.. I'll take you.
Not my aunt's home.
My home...in Berlin.
Goodbye, Jacob.
[instrumental music]
Jacob, where have you been?
- Have you had supper?
- I wasn't hungry.
I felt like walking.
This is for you.
Your flower vendor
drives a hard bargain.
'Still it's quite a good story.'
'It's about a. .'
About a tailor, who kills seven
with one blow.
Seven flies that is.
'Town's people misunderstand'
'and they are amazed.'
So am I.
I thought that fairy tales
were just a waste of time.
Yes.
It's true.
I did feel that way.
How do you feel
about Greta Heinrich?
Ms. Heinrich and I
have reached an understanding.
I know.
She came to say goodbye.
She was crying.
Goodbyes are sentimental
occasions for women.
In fact,
sentiment often blinds them
to practical matters.
Aha? Such as?
I need Wilhelm
to complete my work.
He needs my help
to complete his stories.
We'll start first thing
in the morning.
Goodnight.
What are you doing here?
We want a story.
- Papa, can we?
- Not tonight.
Papa's too ti red.
- Oh, just one.
- Just a little.
- Just a teeny-weeny one.
- No, you heard your mother.
- Come along .
- We'll never get..
- Come along I say.
- Scary story.
Come along.
And no complaining.
And don't annoy your father,
he's been much too sick.
- But he's better now.
- Shh, into bed I say.
I will tell you a story.
[chuckles]
You don't know any stories.
You're wrong, I just heard one
today from the flower vendor.
- Did you pay her?
- What did it cost you?
What did it cost me?
Enough.
(Dorothea)
'Wilhelm.'
Wilhelm!
- Wilhelm. Oh, dear.
- What is it?
- What's the matter?
- The Duke is here.
He's downstairs.
Well, what's the trouble?
We-we pay the rent.
Maybe he's raising it again.
More likely throwing us out.
Why that miserable--
Don't keep him waiting .
You know what a temper he's got.
Jacob, my illustrious scholar,
my gifted man of letters.
I came here the moment I heard.
Heard what?
How are you?
I'm-I'm very much better.
Thank you.
I'm happy to present
my distinguished protege
Jacob Grimm, uh
and his brother.
Mr. Dantino from Berlin.
The Dantino?
I'm very honored
to meet you, sir.
How do you do, sir?
Have you met our friend Stoneless?
We have been in communication.
I know all about it.
- All about what?
- Silence.
Silence.
I've been commissioned
by His Majesty
Wilhelm lll, King of Prussia..
Man of Honor,
courage, wisdom
the man I'm humbly grateful to.
[clears throat]
Continue.
To inform you, gentlemen
that you have elected
to membership
in the Berlin Royal Academy.
- Did you hear that?
- Royal Academy.
Surprised, huh?
But not I.
I want you
to know I was the first
to recognize the talent.
I know all about it.
- I told him.
- Oh.
The induction ceremony
will take place in Berlin.
I present you now with your
certificate of membership.
Excuse me.
"In recognition of the literary
and scholarly excellence
"of the German grammar,
Serbian grammar
"legal antiquities,
Grimms law of consonants
Latin poetry. ."
Is something wrong?
No, it's..
It's just that there's
no mention of the fairy tales.
Fairy tales?
Never mind.
It's not important.
Fairy tales? Ridiculous.
Frogs and dogs
and hags and dragons.
Frogs and dogs
and hags and dragons.
- There's the sign.
- What does it say?
Berlin. We're getting close
to Berlin.
- We're almost there.
- Quiet, children.
Now be quiet, let Uncle Jacob
think what he's going to say.
Uncle Jacob knows
what he's going to say.
Members of the academy
I'm deeply grateful
for this honor
which I regret to say is,
is an outrage.
That's not very polite.
Nor sensible.
It's your day,
stop resenting it.
Look, whatever work we performed
we performed equally.
Whatever honors are received,
we should share equally.
You know, if you're not careful,
you'll also share
in my reputation
such as loony, mad--
No, you're nothing of the sort.
Neither is Jacob I hope.
We are being honored
for your work, not mine.
Oh, you were rig ht
about the fairy tales
they were a waste of ti me.
Oh, quick reading .
Quickly forgotten.
Never mind that.
It is an outrage.
In my speech,
I'm going to tell them that--
Jacob, just tell them..
Just tell them
that I'm your brother.
The Berlin Royal Academy
welcomes you.
The Brothers Grimm in our midst.
We want a story.
We want a story.
We want a story.
We want a story.
Just tel I them I'm your brother.
We want
a story. We want a story.
Once upon a time..
...there were two brothers.