Downfall

Adolf Hitler: Koller, do you know that Berlin is under artillery fire? Karl Koller: No. Hitler: Can't you hear the shelling? Koller: No, I'm in Wildpark Werder. Hitler: Berlin is chaotic. Apparently, the Russians have captured a railway bridge over the Oder. Koller: The enemy has no railway artillery near the Oder. [Looks at a notice] That's not long range artillery. The Flak and Zoobunkers say the shells are only 10 and 12 cm in caliber, meaning the Russians are closer. The Russians have positions near Marzahn. Hitler: That's only 12 kilometers from the city center! Are the Russians that close? They should hang the entire Luftwaffe leadership! [hangs up] This is unheard of, unheard of! The Russians are 12 KILOMETERS from the city center. Nobody told me anything. I had to ask. Hans Krebs: Maybe it is long-range artillery after all. You mentioned that railway bridge over the Oder. Hitler: Nonsense!

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Wilhelm Keitel: I know I'm repeating myself, but the 9th Army must retreat! Otherwise it will be surrounded and wiped out! We must— Adolf Hitler: The 9th Army will not retreat! Tell Busse to fight where he stands! Alfred Jodl: My Führer, then the 9th Army is lost. Hitler: We'll push back the Soviet armies in the north and east with a ruthless, almighty attack. Jodl: Using which units? Hitler: Steiner will attack from the north and join the 9th Army. Hans Krebs: The 9th Army is unable to move north. The enemy outnumbers us by ten to one! Hitler: Wenck! He'll support them with the 12th Army. Jodl: But my Führer, the 12th Army is moving west to the Elbe! Hitler: Then tell them to turn around! Jodl: Then the Western Front will be open! Hitler: Do you doubt my orders? It's final! I think I've been clear enough!

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Wilhelm Keitel: The Führer has lost all sense of reality. Alfred Jodl: He's moving divisions around that exist only on his map. Steiner's unit can hardly defend itself yet he wants Steiner to attack! It's madness! Hermann Fegelein: So why don't you tell him that? Keitel: He doesn't listen to reason. Fegelein: Something has to happen. Keitel: Are you crazy? He'll throw us out, like Rundstedt and Guderian. Fegelein: Yes, and? Jodl: We're soldiers. We took an oath! Fegelein: Does that prevent us from using our brains? Wilhelm Burgdorf: And that's coming from you — an opportunist, ruthless careerist? Fegelein: Pardon?

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Traudl Junge: Is it German artillery that I hear? Otto Günsche: I'm afraid not. Junge: But hasn't Steiner's attack started? Hermann Fegelein: You have to go as fast as you can. Time is running out. Junge: But the Führer has the situation under control. Steiner will make all the difference. He says it will change military history. Fegelein: Everybody, the Führer, knows that's a fantasy. I even wonder if he believes it himself. Junge: Why would he be playing games? Fegelein: What does he have to lose? Gerda Christian: I don't believe a word of it!

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Hans Krebs: The enemy made a breakthrough. In the south, they took Zossen and are advancing towards Stahnsdorf. They're at the northern city border, between Frohnau and Pankow. In the east, they reached Lichtenberg, Mahlsdorf and Karlshorst. Adolf Hitler: With Steiner's attack, that will be all right. Krebs: My Führer, Steiner... [stutters] Alfred Jodl: Steiner couldn't gather enough forces for an attack. Steiner's attack didn't proceed. Hitler: The following will stay in the room: Keitel, Jodl, Krebs and Burgdorf. Hitler: [exploding] That was an ORDER! Steiner's attack was an ORDER! Who are you that you dare to disobey my order?! [Hitler's ranting is clearly audible outside the room] So, this is what it's come to? The military lied to me! Everybody lied to me, even the SS! The generals are nothing but a bunch of vile, faithless cowards! Wilhelm Burgdorf: My Führer, I can't accept that the soldiers who bled for you— Hitler: They're cowards! Traitors! Failures! Burgdorf: My Führer, what

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Otto Günsche: We cannot find Group Leader Fegelein anywhere. He is not in the bunker complex. Adolf Hitler: What do you mean, you "can't find Fegelein"? Then look for him! I want to see Fegelein at once! If he's left without orders, that's desertion! Treason! Bring me Fegelein! [Furiously pounding the table] FEGELEIN! FEGELEIN! FEGELEIN!

Downfall (2004 film), CC BY-SA 4.0