The empire is under threat, Rheinhardt.

A gun like this must have a special purpose.

Mephisto has a network.

And "Rieger's Palace" is the rendezvous.

You are to never mention my presence to him.

Man: This country is a powder keg.

War with Serbia must be averted.

[Gun fires] ♪ The man who shot you, I need to know who he was.

Bullet glanced up the ribcage and passed straight through him.

Rifle, I guess.

You remember my husband Wenzel?

I'm sorry to have to tell you he's been murdered.

And Oskar Rheinhardt is the prime suspect.

Rheinhardt as good as admitted his guilt by running.

-I need your help, Fraulein.

-The way you needed Max's help?

They must work for Mephisto.

He's trying to protect himself.

But he sent someone to follow me.

-Man: There was an officer.

-Oskar: Young chap?

-Scrawny?

-That's him!

You don't know what Mephisto can do.

[Gunshot] ♪ ♪ [Bells toll] ♪ ♪ [Door opens] -What the hell is going on?

-Erm... ♪ An officer gunned down on the street!?

Well, the situation is worse than we thought.

Look, look what we found on the scene.

It's his... it's Rheinhardt's.

So he was there, he's involved.

What are you going to do?

I want him found, I want him charged.

I take over the case personally from now on.

We need to find Rheinhardt.

He's at large in the city still somewhere.

Get moving!

-Sir!

-Yes Sir!

[Indistinct chatter] What's going on?

What's happening?

-You heard about Meier?

-Yes, terrible.

Von Bulow's convinced himself that the Inspector is responsible.

What?

But that's absurd.

♪ What will they do?

Search the city until they find him.

I've spent my life observing people, gathering information.

The Inspector has a good heart.

He couldn't have done this.

He's going to need his friends around him.

♪ I need to see the Inspector.

He no longer works here.

He's been suspended.

[Birds chirping] They know you were on the scene.

They found evidence you had been there.

Max: What is it Oskar?

What's wrong?

Oskar: Why didn't Mephisto kill me?

♪ He had a clean shot, he had every opportunity.

Why spare my life and not the others?

♪ So, they think I'm responsible for Meier's death?

♪ He was in league with Mephisto.

And he killed Thanhofer.

We both know it.

Now he's dead, I have no way of proving it.

No way to extract a confession.

I don't know where to turn next.

Somebody wants to see you.

Claims it's urgent.

♪ ♪ Karner: Last night the window was smashed and one of the locks forced open.

Helena: They rifled through my papers.

Is anything missing?

Was anything stolen?

Some of my documents and ledgers have gone.

Maybe someone is trying to protect their identity.

You may have been right all along.

Maybe one of the players has a dark secret and they think I know about it.

Why choose me?

I'm no longer on active duty.

So, I discovered.

You're a wanted man.

The police don't trust you.

And frankly, that means you're the only one I trust right now.

♪ I see.

Some of your clients are senior officers.

♪ I'll do everything I can.

But first I need to understand this game, Fraulein.

♪ Follow me.

♪ -It started as a joke.

-Joke?

Just idle banter, between two players.

What would you be prepared to wager if gambling had no limits?

How far would you raise the stakes?

Everyone is looking for the next big rush of excitement, the next thrill.

And that's how it started.

They had an agreement, nothing was off the table.

♪ Anyone who takes this token is accepting the rules of the game.

You can wager anything.

Possessions, people, titles.

It's for people who have too much of everything, too much power.

[Object clatters loudly] ♪ They like to feel an element of risk.

And you've worked out how you can provide it?

I told your friend, I'm an amateur neurologist.

♪ Franz Burgstaller was killed... because he was about to give away the name of a traitor.

Someone giving vital state secrets to our enemies in Serbia.

Carrillo was involved too, as a messenger, a go-between.

I don't understand.

How does it concern me?

A rendezvous was planned at this casino.

♪ Carrillo had a token just like this.

We know he was part of this game.

One of the players must be the traitor.

I need you to give me their names.

♪ Ahem.

♪ Helena: Ladies and gentleman, a new gamer will be joining us tonight, "The Englishman."

We are powerless in fate's hands.

Helena: This is "The Actress."

That's what makes it so delicious.

♪ You seem reticent, friend.

Helena: This is "The Soldier."

There is no strategy here.

♪ A simple choice, my friend.

Are you going to wager or not?

Helena: And this is "The Baron."

♪ Whoever's after me, they broke in once, most likely they'll return.

♪ I'll protect you, Fraulein, if I can, in return for what you have given me here.

♪ Call whenever you need me.

♪ Thank you.

♪ I can't print this.

♪ I'm sorry?

Your piece.

It's worthless to me.

♪ But why?

Too lightweight, no substance.

I expected a piece of serious journalism.

I gave you a big chance.

And you squandered it.

But I included everything you asked of me.

Go back to your gossip columns.

You've wasted this opportunity.

♪ [Soft harp playing] ♪ Madame Schratt.

Mmm.

Herr Friedl.

I've been expecting you.

The Emperor asked me to come.

To express his apologies, no doubt.

He regrets his complaint about your gambling.

I'm sure he does.

That means he plans to visit me tonight?

♪ You've been sent here to check on my mood.

♪ He mentioned your grandfather's Votive Mass.

Of course, he will still be attending as a gesture of friendship.

♪ Thank you.

♪ Langle: 1 27-millimeter quick firing cannon.

2 8-millimeter machine guns.

The weight is 7 tons, and it has 6.4 horsepower per ton.

All in all it has 45 horsepower with a truck engine.

This machine will revolutionize war.

It only has one purpose, to break the deadlock in a land war, to drive into the ranks and scatter them with its firepower.

♪ You won't regret this.

We will change the nature of combat, General.

You don't have to convince me.

♪ From today, we're partners.

♪ Oskar: Whoever Mephisto is has access to diplomatic secrets.

All three of the names on the list are at the center of political power.

Straub is the most senior military officer in the land, and Schratt is the Emperor's confidante.

Whatever he knows surely she knows, as well.

And Herzog...

He has half of Vienna's politicians in his pocket.

We need to find a way to get close to them.

♪ We don't know which of them it is.

The Baron, The Soldier, The Actress?

I still can't see the whole picture.

First principles, go back to the start.

Examine each scrap of information for what it is.

-Mephisto is a traitor.

-Yes.

He's slipping secrets to our enemies.

Burgstaller knew his identity, Carrillo too.

They are both dead now.

What else, Max?

What am I missing?

What's the relevance of the Casino?

♪ Follow the game, interpret the rules.

What happens at the gambling table?

♪ Someone wins, someone loses.

Yes.

And what else?

Debts are settled, money changes hands.

You're missing the point.

You can wager anything.

It's not all about money, not that game.

So, what is it about then, exactly?

How are the debts being paid?

You said it yourself.

Mephisto knows everything before anyone else.

What's the most valuable thing in the world to them?

What do they crave more than money?

♪ Information.

♪ Is Max all right?

You said on the phone it was urgent.

Um...

The whole world is looking for him.

Apparently, he's a murderer.

You tricked me into coming here.

I'm--I'm sorry.

I couldn't think of a better way.

Um... -My hat... -Wait, Fraulein.

Just listen.

There's a conspiracy in Vienna.

A traitor giving secrets to our enemies, code name "Mephisto."

He's responsible for what happened to Max.

He may even be the one who pulled the trigger.

I need your assistance in finding him.

All right.

I'm listening.

Paul Herzog.

What do we know about him?

You work for him, don't you?

Why?

What's he got to do with you?

I need to get close to him.

And you may be my passport.

♪ [Typewriter clacking] ♪ [Sighs] [Telephone rings] ♪ Yes?

♪ Yes, everything is in place.

Don't make the mistake of underestimating me.

You may come to regret it!

♪ [Door closes] ♪ -So?

What are we searching for?

-Something, anything.

You think he's mixed up in this conspiracy?

He might be Mephisto.

He was at the gaming tables.

And he certainly has access to Vienna's secrets.

Wait!, Inspector, look!

An editorial.

Dated the day after tomorrow.

About the threat of war with Serbia.

He asked me to write this piece.

-So?

What of it?

-Herzog has altered my position.

What do you mean?

He seems to be calling for war.

He's demanding immediate military action.

He's spent the last few years preaching peace.

What made him change his mind, I wonder?

If Max were here, he'd tell us it's not random, there has to be a cause.

I suppose.

No, think about it.

Think about his methods.

♪ I do little else.

I know we always joke about it, but let's be serious for a moment.

Max preaches patterns of behavior are always deeply ingrained.

-Yeah.

-What would cause someone like Herzog to change his mind so suddenly?

♪ The game.

Someone could exert some pressure on him.

You think if he were to lose at the tables...

Exactly.

One of the other players might have a hold over him.

♪ Sad day, Fraulein.

Your grandfather was a fine man.

♪ His Excellency will just slip in quietly at the back, during the service.

Very well.

He'll be in civilian clothes, so that nobody knows he's attending.

He won't have guards, so his presence won't be too ostentatious.

♪ [Telephone ringing] ♪ [Footsteps] Hello?

♪ One moment.

Inspector!

There's a telephone call for you.

It's a woman.

♪ [Knock on door] Thanks for coming so quickly.

I didn't know where to turn.

-He came back again.

-What?

He broke in again.

We found the back door smashed in.

There was glass everywhere.

This time he left a note for me.

-Is there a name on it?

-No, it's anonymous.

He wants to meet me in half an hour at the cathedral.

I would have to leave right now.

Oh.

He knows you could identity him.

He can erase himself from the ledgers.

But he needs to erase you too.

If you go there, you'll be killed, Fraulein.

♪ What should I do?

Help me, please!

I'll go in your place.

Maybe I can identify him.

Stay here!

♪ [Telephone rings] Haussmann.

Oskar: Mephisto's in the Cathedral, hurry!

♪ [Organ playing] ♪ Why did he choose the cathedral?

Is it because nobody would be armed?

♪ Perhaps the escape routes, so many of them.

But... where is he, Max?

Why isn't he here yet?

♪ [Ticking] Maybe it was Mephisto who shot you.

It means you're the only one who's seen his face.

Help me!

It has to come from you.

♪ Oskar: Max, stop playing games.

We don't have time!

-Retrace my steps.

-What?

In the tunnels that night, what happened?

What did I witness?

-Your face.

-Yes.

-You were staring at the gunman.

-Yes.

And?

Dammit, Max!

Spell it out!

You have everything you need to work it out for yourself.

[Woman vocalizing] ♪ Max: Look at where we are.

You made these rooms.

You brought me here to be with you.

And you filled them with...what?

♪ Oskar: Memories.

Max: Yes.

You mean... the killer's represented in these rooms?

You mean I have a memory of them somehow?

You and I met them before, the man who shot you!

You recognized him!

Someone from our past.

That's why he had to kill you because he knew you'd identified him.

Someone who pledged to destroy the Empire.

♪ Someone in league with the Serbians.

Someone who slipped out of our clutches once before!

An unsolved case!

♪ [Gun cocks] But they told us he was dead.

♪ Kiss.

[Woman singing] ♪ The Emperor!

♪ -[Gasps] -[Grunts] ♪ [Both grunting] ♪ [Oskar grunts] ♪ This has been a long time coming, Inspector.

They told me you were dead.

I'm not so easy to kill.

I need to pay you back for my friend.

Somehow you knew the Emperor would be here.

Burgstaller provided the weapon.

Carrillo was your go-between.

How many lives are you willing to sacrifice?

Huh?

It's your turn now.

♪ [Grunting, yelling] ♪ [Both grunting] ♪ -[Yelling] -[Grunting] ♪ [Oskar panting] Ready to join your friend, Inspector?

♪ [Groans] [Crowd exclaims] ♪ [Thud, loud gasping] ♪ [Breathing heavily] ♪ Give me your hand!

[Both grunting] ♪ Don't tell anyone we were like this.

♪ Bartholdi: The Emperor has sent you his personal congratulations.

You are to be reinstated, of course.

And a letter of commendation will be sent to the Ministry.

The Commissioner will want to write it himself, no doubt.

♪ Mmm.

Absolutely delighted.

♪ Congratulations, Rheinhardt.

I'm... ♪ I'm... ♪ Oskar: I just wanted to say, I'm very grateful for your assistance.

You have nothing to fear now.

And your friend?

I can only pray for him.

Mephisto was an old adversary, one that I first met a few years ago.

A Serbian mercenary, a fanatic.

He tried to kill The Emperor at the Cathedral.

But thanks to you alerting me, it all came to nothing.

I hope we meet again, Fraulein, thank you.

Oh.

One last thing, Inspector.

I thought you'd like to see this.

-This is you?

-Yes, with my father.

Must have been quite a man.

He left me a great legacy.

A vast steel empire, worth a fortune.

♪ Every tram line, every telegraph wire, every razor, and every table knife.

He built this city.

He was Vienna.

Every tram line, every telegraph wire, every scalpel and razor and table knife!

I built Vienna.

Max: You govern this place, not me.

It's a repository of all your memories.

♪ [Groaning] Oskar: Bruckmuller.

I arrested him for murder.

He was your father?

Died in prison.

♪ I was forced to change my name, but I wanted to keep his legacy alive in the casino.

Why didn't you tell me anything?

Why didn't you mention it when... ♪ Ah, wait.

You are Mephisto.

[Laughing] ♪ [Door opens] ♪ Sometimes your hand is so good you want to reveal it to the opponent.

I don't understand.

They paid me in secrets.

And you gave those secrets to the Serbians.

Why?

There are only so many bridges that can span the river, only so many railroad tracks.

We must expand.

♪ -You are trying to start a war?

-War is good business.

Langle: You won't regret this.

We will change the nature of combat, General.

♪ I see.

You assembled the players.

You let them lose their fortunes and their souls in your game.

And in return, you blackmailed them to be a part of your stratagem.

Heh.

Herzog will use his newspaper to call for war.

Straub will authorize manufacture.

And Schratt gave your assassin his opportunity.

♪ Kill the Emperor, and the war is a certainty.

You did well, Inspector.

[Groans] No.

♪ You wanted me to kill Kiss.

You needed his corpse to advertise this Serbian aggression to the world.

♪ And you picked me because of a personal grudge.

My father died, deprived of his liberty, a humiliated man.

I just couldn't resist telling you.

♪ You can't hurt me.

I'm protected.

[Door opens] ♪ Rheinhardt, your part in this isn't over.

Oh, God... You're in her debt too?

♪ And in the woods that day, it was you.

You are going to be lauded for saving the Emperor.

And when war is declared, you are going to keep your mouth shut.

What makes you think I'll do that?

You'll need to ask yourself, what's important?

The people you love or your pride in seeing this case solved.

♪ Oskar: You're threatening me?

Why not just kill me?

[Chuckling] You're a hero.

Our "call to arms," the man who killed the assassin.

You've already sounded the battle cry.

♪ Max: Sometimes we have to accept there are no neat resolutions.

♪ Be happy.

♪ You managed to track down my assassin.

♪ But Mephisto... Rieger... Max: There's nothing you can do.

She owns the future.

♪ Finished?

Fetch another.

♪ What's the matter?

What's wrong?

♪ [Sighs] ♪ [Knocking at door] Yes?

[Door opens and closes] ♪ I've prepared a eulogy.

-What?

-A reading.

In case... -For my funeral?

-Mm-hmm.

Oh.

You want to hear it?

I've been practicing it in my head for days.

Yes, of course.

One's own funeral oration!

What a treat!

Up, up, up.

Hmm?

[Grunting softly] ♪ Ahem.

♪ Oskar, voice-over: The first time I met Max Liebermann, he irritated me and the second time and the third.

In fact, every time I met him, he managed to do that to me.

Max was always right.

As far as he was concerned, there were no other opinions that mattered.

Whether it was art, music, medicine, Max knew best and the rest of us could, frankly, keep our mouths shut.

The most arrogant, opinionated, stubborn man I've ever known.

He couldn't help it, he was so self-assured that nothing could shake him from his conviction.

I sound as though I hated him, don't I?

♪ I didn't.

♪ I loved him.

♪ And I was a better man because I knew him.

♪ Right.

Well, that's very nice.

♪ Very touching.

♪ I hope you get a chance to use it.

I hope I don't.

♪ [Door opens] ♪ [Soft chuckles] ♪ What did I miss?

Anything?

♪ No.

Nothing.

♪ You were right here.

♪ [Applause] ♪ ♪