Wilhelm Borchert credited as playing...
Dr. Hans Mertens
- [English subtitled version]
- Herr Mondschein: You are a poor soul, Dr. Mertens.
- Dr. Hans Mertens: We all are, my friend.
- [English subtitled version]
- Dr. Hans Mertens: And you? Where were you at the time? In the country? In the mountains? In safe keeping?
- Susanne Wallner: Yes. I guess I was in safe keeping. You could call it that.
- [English subtitled version]
- Dr. Hans Mertens: Rats! Rats! Rats everywhere. The city is coming to life again.
- [English subtitled version]
- Susanne Wallner: What's your occupation?
- Dr. Hans Mertens: A surgical specialist.
- Susanne Wallner: What? You're a doctor?
- Dr. Hans Mertens: Not a very intelligent question. Surgeons are usually doctors. But I'm a special kind of surgeon. One who can't stand seeing blood. I can no longer bear to hear the moans of people in torment. I know there is no longer any point in healing mankind.
- [English subtitled version]
- Dr. Hans Mertens: Let me give you a good piece of advice. You can only choose between good and bad in fairy tales. We only have a choice between the greater - and the lesser evil.
- [English subtitled version]
- Dr. Hans Mertens: A harmless game with tin soldiers leads down a short perilous track to the harmless air rifle to the harmless rifle range. And then - to a mass grave.
- [English subtitled version]
- Dr. Hans Mertens: War broke out. All the deaths. What does one life matter? What are triumphs in research? What use are conquests of science? What is the meaning? As long as peace in this world is just a short pause until a new war erupts somewhere. Just a pause for breath until people die in droves again.
- [English subtitled version]
- Emily's Mother: Doctor, what do I owe you for all your help? How can I ever show my thanks?
- Dr. Hans Mertens: Thank me? Thank fate if you want. Or chance. Or God. Whoever you like. But don't thank me.