A psychological interrogation exploring the moral ambiguity of art, complicity, and justice in post-war Germany.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Conductor's Dilemma
Opening in wartime Berlin, Furtwängler faces an air raid and a warning to flee. Post-war, General Wallace tasks Major Arnold with securing a guilty verdict against the conductor.
Key Events
Opening Concert Interrupted — Air raid halts Beethoven 5th performance. Characters: Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Berlin Concert Hall
Nazi Minister Warning — Minister urges Furtwängler to flee Germany. Characters: Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Dressing Room
Post-War Transition — Time jump to Allied victory and denazification era. Location: Berlin
Wallace Directive — Wallace orders Arnold to secure a guilty verdict against Furtwängler. Characters: General Wallace, Steve ArnoldLocation: Military Office
Office Establishment — Arnold and Wills set up their investigation workspace. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Denazification Office
The Interrogation Begins
Arnold establishes his office with Lt. Wills and begins questioning musicians. Direct confrontations with Furtwängler reveal contradictions in his wartime choices and allegiances.
Key Events
Office Establishment — Arnold and Wills set up their investigation workspace. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Denazification Office
Musician Testimonies — Arnold questions musicians about Furtwängler's wartime conduct. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Interrogation Room
Hitler Salute Defense — Musicians claim Furtwängler refused to salute Hitler. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Direct Interrogation Begins — Arnold confronts Furtwängler about staying in Germany since 1933. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Birthday Performance Query — Arnold questions why Furtwängler played for Hitler's birthday. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Nazi Rally Attendance — Interrogation focuses on Furtwängler's attendance at Nazi rallies. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Cracks in the Mission
Revelations about Furtwängler's personal life and rivalries surface. Wills and the office clerk develop sympathy for the conductor, causing friction with Arnold's hardline approach.
Key Events
Nazi Rally Attendance — Interrogation focuses on Furtwängler's attendance at Nazi rallies. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Bruckner Recording Inquiry — Arnold questions the use of Bruckner's 7th on post-Hitler radio. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Jealousy Revelation — Violinist reveals Furtwängler's jealousy of Karajan. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Office
Womanizing Discussion — Details of Furtwängler's personal life are shared. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Office
Wills Sympathy Grows — Jewish lieutenant begins sympathizing with the conductor. Characters: David WillsLocation: Office
Ideological Friction — Tension rises as subordinates disagree with Arnold's hardline stance. Characters: Steve Arnold, David WillsLocation: Office
Clerk Sympathy — Young clerk also develops sympathy for Furtwängler. Characters: David WillsLocation: Office
Psychological Warfare — Arnold's questioning intensifies to psychologically pressure Furtwängler. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
The Verdict of History
The interrogation concludes with psychological tension. Arnold reflects on his impact while archival footage underscores the moral ambiguity of Furtwängler's wartime survival.
Key Events
Psychological Warfare — Arnold's questioning intensifies to psychologically pressure Furtwängler. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Hearing Conclusion — Interrogation phase ends with unresolved moral questions. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Hearing Room
Arnold Voice-Over — Arnold claims his questioning 'winged' Furtwängler despite exoneration. Characters: Steve ArnoldLocation: Narration
Historical Footage — Real footage shows Furtwängler wiping hands after touching Goebbels. Characters: Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Archival
Moral Ambiguity Settles — Film closes on complex legacy of art and complicity. Characters: Steve Arnold, Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Post-War Germany
Denazification Verdict — Furtwängler is ultimately exonerated in later hearings. Characters: Wilhelm FurtwänglerLocation: Courtroom
Story Breakdown
Wartime Prelude — Furtwängler's final concert and warning to flee Berlin.
Air Raid Halt — Beethoven performance interrupted by bombing.
Minister Warning — Nazi official advises conductor to escape.
Allied Mandate — Post-war denazification orders and office setup.
Wallace Directive — General orders Arnold to secure guilty verdict.
Office Formation — Arnold and Wills establish investigation base.
Musician Interviews — Gathering testimony from orchestra members.
Salute Defense — Musicians claim conductor refused Hitler salute.
Rally Attendance — Questions focus on Nazi rally performances.
Direct Confrontation — Arnold interrogates Furtwängler on wartime choices.
Birthday Query — Interrogation targets Hitler birthday performance.
Bruckner Inquiry — Questions address post-Hitler radio broadcasts.
Personal Revelations — Uncovering conductor's private life and rivalries.
Karajan Rivalry — Violinist reveals professional jealousy.
Womanizing Tales — Personal misconduct details emerge.
Internal Friction — Subordinates develop sympathy for the accused.
Psychological Climax — Interrogation intensifies to mental breaking point.
Mental Pressure — Arnold aims to psychologically wing the conductor.
Hearing Ends — Interrogation concludes with unresolved tension.
Historical Aftermath — Reflection on exoneration and moral ambiguity.
Arnold Reflection — Voice-over claims questioning impacted conductor.
Archival Footage — Real footage shows hand-wiping after Goebbels.
One of the most spectacular and renowned conductors of the 1930s, Wilhelm Furtwangler's reputation rivaled that of Toscanini's. After the war, he was investigated as part of the Allies' de-Nazification programme. In the bombed-out Berlin of the immediate post-war period, the Allies slowly bring law and order to bear on an occupied Germany. An American major is given the Furtwangler file, and is told to find everything he can and to prosecute the man ruthlessly. Tough and hard-nosed, Major Steve Arnold sets out to investigate a world of which he knows nothing.
