Taking Sides (2002) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film examines moral judgment after war through an investigator's campaign against a conductor whose artistic identity coexists with compromised political circumstances.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Music Under Fire

Furtwängler conducts in Berlin while an Allied air raid interrupts the performance. A Nazi minister advises him to escape abroad.

Key Events

• Interrupted Beethoven Performance — An Allied air raid interrupts Furtwängler's performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Characters: Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Berlin concert hall
• Minister Advises Escape — A Nazi minister advises Furtwängler to go abroad and escape the war. Characters: Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Concert dressing room
• Postwar Berlin — The story shifts from wartime Berlin to the period after the Allied victory. Location: Berlin after Allied victory

The Assigned Verdict

After the Allied victory, Wallace orders Arnold to secure a guilty finding. Arnold establishes an office with Wills and begins collecting testimony.

Key Events

• Postwar Berlin — The story shifts from wartime Berlin to the period after the Allied victory. Location: Berlin after Allied victory
• Wallace Sets The Objective — Wallace orders Arnold to obtain a guilty finding against Furtwängler. Characters: General Wallace, Steve Arnold Location: U.S. Army office
• Investigation Office Opens — Arnold begins work with Lieutenant Wills in the investigation office. Characters: Steve Arnold, David Wills Location: Denazification investigation office
• Wills Joins The Inquiry — Wills, a German-American Jew, assists Arnold with the inquiry. Characters: Steve Arnold, David Wills Location: Investigation office
• Musicians Are Questioned — Arnold questions musicians about Furtwängler's conduct during the Nazi period. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office
• Refusal Of The Nazi Salute — Several musicians say Furtwängler refused to give the Nazi salute. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office

A Conductor On Trial

Arnold questions Furtwängler about staying in Germany and performing for the Nazi government. Witnesses provide both damaging accusations and evidence that he refused the Nazi salute.

Key Events

• Refusal Of The Nazi Salute — Several musicians say Furtwängler refused to give the Nazi salute. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office
• Resistance Connection Emerges — Witnesses say they knew the executed father of the office clerk connected to the resistance. Characters: Steve Arnold Location: Investigation office
• Furtwängler Faces Interrogation — Arnold directly interrogates Furtwängler about his wartime decisions. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Denazification hearing room
• Question Of Staying — Arnold asks why Furtwängler did not leave Germany in 1933. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Denazification hearing room
• Political Performances Examined — Arnold questions performances for a political rally and a government leader's birthday. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Denazification hearing room
• Radio Recording Challenged — Arnold asks why Furtwängler's recording was broadcast after the Nazi leader's death. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Denazification hearing room
• Second Violinist Questioned — Arnold obtains testimony about Furtwängler's womanizing and professional jealousy. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office

Sympathy Against Strategy

The inquiry becomes more personal when testimony addresses Furtwängler's private behavior and professional jealousy. Wills grows sympathetic, increasing friction with Arnold.

Key Events

• Second Violinist Questioned — Arnold obtains testimony about Furtwängler's womanizing and professional jealousy. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office
• Evidence Becomes Personal — The investigation expands from political actions to Furtwängler's personal and professional conduct. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Investigation office
• Wills Develops Sympathy — Wills becomes sympathetic toward Furtwängler, creating friction with Arnold. Characters: David Wills, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Steve Arnold Location: Investigation office
• Subordinates Resist Arnold — Arnold's relationship with his subordinates becomes strained over the treatment of Furtwängler. Characters: Steve Arnold, David Wills Location: Investigation office

The Evidence Afterward

Arnold admits that Furtwängler was later exonerated but claims the questioning damaged him. Archival footage leaves the conductor's relationship with power morally unresolved.

Key Events

• Arnold Claims Lasting Damage — Arnold later says Furtwängler was exonerated but claims his questioning had damaged him. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Postwar hearing context
• Handshake Footage Revealed — Archival footage shows Furtwängler shaking hands with a Nazi propaganda minister after a concert. Characters: Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Archival concert footage
• The Hand Wiped Clean — After the handshake, Furtwängler secretly wipes his hand with a cloth. Characters: Wilhelm Furtwängler Location: Concert venue

Story Breakdown

• Wartime Performance — The opening establishes music continuing under military danger and political pressure.
  • Interrupted Symphony — An Allied air raid stops Furtwängler's Beethoven performance in Berlin.
  • Escape Advice — A Nazi minister advises Furtwängler to leave Germany.
• Postwar Assignment — The Allied victory creates a formal investigation with a predetermined political purpose.
  • Wallace's Command — Wallace orders Arnold to obtain a guilty finding.
  • Office Formation — Arnold begins the inquiry with Wills as his colleague.
• Witness Evidence — Musicians provide testimony that both challenges and complicates the case.
  • Refused Salute — Witnesses report that Furtwängler refused to give the Nazi salute.
  • Resistance Context — The investigation touches the executed father of a resistance member.
• Direct Interrogation — Arnold confronts Furtwängler with choices made during the Nazi period.
  • Remaining In Germany — Arnold asks why Furtwängler stayed after other musicians left.
  • Political Performances — Arnold challenges performances for Nazi political occasions.
• Damaging Testimony — The case expands beyond politics into the conductor's public and private reputation.
  • Radio Broadcast — Arnold questions the posthumous broadcast of Furtwängler's recording.
  • Personal Accusations — A second violinist describes womanizing and professional jealousy.
• Divided Judgment — The investigation strains the office as Wills develops sympathy for the accused conductor.
  • Wills's Sympathy — Wills begins to sympathize with Furtwängler.
  • Office Friction — Arnold clashes with subordinates over their changing attitudes.
• Ambiguous Aftermath — The conclusion contrasts later exoneration with evidence of Furtwängler's contact with Nazi power.
  • Claimed Damage — Arnold boasts that his questioning wounded Furtwängler despite later exoneration.
  • Wiped Hand — Archival footage shows Furtwängler wiping his hand after a political handshake.

Directed by

István Szabó

Key Cast

• Harvey Keitel — Steve Arnold
• Stellan Skarsgård — Wilhelm Furtwängler
• Moritz Bleibtreu — David Wills
• R. Lee Ermey — General Wallace
• Birgit Minichmayr — Emmi Straube