Screenplay data
Helmut Dorque, a once-famous circus clown, is demoted and then arrested by the Gestapo after drunkenly mocking Hitler, leading to his imprisonment in a concentration camp. Initially dejected and bullied by guards and fellow prisoners, Helmut finds solace and purpose in befriending Johann Keltner, a religious prisoner, and secretly performing for the Jewish children separated by a fence. Despite a ban on his performances and the violent deaths of Keltner and others who helped him, Helmut is forced by Colonel Bestler to entertain children in a boxcar destined for another camp. Trapped in the boxcar with the children, Helmut continues to perform, distracting them from their fear and impending doom. Upon arrival at the new camp, Helmut is forced to lead the children to the gas chamber, where he performs one last time, comforting them until their final moments.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Helmut, a washedâup circus clown, is demoted and ends up imprisoned in a Nazi camp where he rediscovers purpose entertaining children.
Open full beat sheetHELMUT DORQUE is listed as Protagonist. A depressed, has-been circus clown who finds redemption through the children in a concentration camp. In the parsed data, HELMUT DORQUE is connected to 29 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
29 scenes / 32 dialogue linesLT. SCHARFF is listed as SS Officer. Bestler's subordinate. In the parsed data, LT. SCHARFF is connected to 11 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
11 scenes / 15 dialogue linesJOHANN KELTNER is listed as Prisoner. A sensitive, dignified, and religious prisoner who mentors Helmut. In the parsed data, JOHANN KELTNER is connected to 8 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
8 scenes / 6 dialogue linesLT. REICHER is listed as Gestapo Officer. A cruel and intimidating Nazi officer. In the parsed data, LT. REICHER is connected to 6 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 5 dialogue linesGALT is listed as Prisoner. A burly, bullying prisoner. In the parsed data, GALT is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 9.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCOL. HEINRICH BESTLER is listed as Commandant. The cold, efficient SS officer in charge of the camp. In the parsed data, COL. HEINRICH BESTLER is connected to 4 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
4 scenes / 15 dialogue linesGUSTAV is listed as Antagonist. Europe's premier clown, Helmut's rival. In the parsed data, GUSTAV is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMR. SCHMIDT is listed as Circus Owner. The circus manager who demotes Helmut. In the parsed data, MR. SCHMIDT is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesADA is listed as Wife. Helmut's supportive and loving wife. In the parsed data, ADA is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesHelmut sits depressed in Clown Alley while other clowns prepare for the show. A midget brings him coffee.
HELMUT DORQUEGustav and Schmidt confront Helmut about his performance mistake, threatening him with demotion.
HELMUT DORQUE, GUSTAV, MR. SCHMIDTHelmut returns home drunk and dejected. Ada tries to comfort him and encourages him to fight for his career.
HELMUT DORQUE, ADAHelmut overhears Schmidt and Gustav planning to fire him.
HELMUT DORQUE, GUSTAV, MR. SCHMIDTHelmut gets drunk and rants against Hitler and the Nazis in front of Gestapo officers.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. REICHERLt. Reicher interrogates Helmut about his impersonation of the Fuhrer.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. REICHERA guard bullies Helmut while he eats, mocking his hope for release.
HELMUT DORQUEKeltner finds Helmut in the barracks, distressed and praying. They discuss Helmut's fear and his recent interaction with a guard.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNERThe prisoners are moved to make room for new arrivals. Galt and Uhlmann arrive and bully Keltner over a potato plant, leading to a confrontation.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNER, GALT, LT. SCHARFFHelmut sneaks out to ask the guard about his papers and is beaten for his trouble.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. SCHARFFThe guard leaves Helmut sleeping while the others are outside, forcing Helmut to deal with the extreme cold.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNER, LT. SCHARFFHelmut is pressured by Galt and other prisoners to perform a comedy routine, but he fails to deliver, leading to a violent confrontation.
HELMUT DORQUE, GUSTAV, JOHANN KELTNER, GALT, LT. SCHARFFA fence is erected dividing the camp, and the guard punishes the prisoners for the previous night's noise.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNER, GALT, LT. SCHARFFHelmut steals food to share with others, wearing oversized shoes.
HELMUT DORQUEHelmut performs for the children at the fence, using chalk and a broom, until the guards shut down the show.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. REICHER, COL. HEINRICH BESTLER, LT. SCHARFFCol. Bestler takes command, berates Lt. Scharff for the lack of discipline, and orders the end of the clown's performances.
LT. REICHER, COL. HEINRICH BESTLER, LT. SCHARFFHelmut and Keltner discuss the ban on performances and plan a secret meeting with the children.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNERKeltner organizes a group of prisoners to shield Helmut while he speaks to the children at the fence.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNER, GALTHelmut entertains children at the fence, but is interrupted by guards and SS officers, leading to a violent confrontation where Keltner and Franz are killed.
HELMUT DORQUE, JOHANN KELTNER, LT. REICHER, GALT, COL. HEINRICH BESTLER, LT. SCHARFFHelmut is thrown into a dark solitary cell after his beating.
HELMUT DORQUEBestler and Scharff discuss the problem of children in a boxcar and decide to use Helmut to keep them quiet.
HELMUT DORQUE, COL. HEINRICH BESTLER, LT. SCHARFFHelmut is transported to the railroad siding, applying his clown makeup during the ride.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. SCHARFFHelmut is sent into the boxcar to quiet the children with food and performance.
HELMUT DORQUE, LT. SCHARFFHelmut is forced to leave the children as the train prepares to depart.
HELMUT DORQUEHelmut entertains the children in the boxcar with a harmonica and a game to distract them from their fear.
HELMUT DORQUEThe boxcar door is locked from the outside, trapping Helmut with the children.
HELMUT DORQUEScharff and Hoffman realize the clown is missing and may be on the train.
LT. REICHERThe train arrives at a new camp and Helmut is discovered by guards.
HELMUT DORQUECaptain Runkel confronts Helmut and forces him to lead the children to their deaths.
HELMUT DORQUEHelmut performs for the children one last time before leading them to the gas chamber.
HELMUT DORQUEHelmut enters the gas chamber with the children and continues to entertain them until the end.
HELMUT DORQUEThe Commandant, himself, asked for me! You say he's personally requesting a review of my case! Why, that means I'm practically on my way back to Berlin. Should be red. Mouth looks better in red. Know the first thing I'm going to do when I get to Berlin? Buy an overcoat with a fur collar. Had such a coat. Very elegant. Very elegant. It's a good idea... moving the children.
A man who wants something. Good. Very good strategy, Lieutenant. However, when you bring him back here, return him to solitary and keep him there. I've seen the best of men, after several years in solitary, unable to remember even their own names.
You see, sir, he's been trying to get a review of his case. Claims he's here by mistake. I could tell him you would recommend the review.
It doesn't have to be anything special... a little dance, maybe?
Oh, sure it was... A very well planned and calculated accident!
You are NOTHING!! You are a HAS BEEN!! You WERE A CLOWN...
Like that disgusting exhibition you did? Oh, no... not me!
Use any method you can, but shut them up. That's an order.
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