Out of Bounds 2003:

The German Bomb

Revised Script

{photo WWII battleground} 1?

VO: In 1945, a small group of German scientists surrendered to Allied forces in the village of Iffendorf. These men...

{group photo of scientists}

VO: ... led by Professor Werner Heisenberg, were Nazi Germany's elite team of atomic researchers. Their work was shrouded in mystery. Many questions remain:

{photo of Hitler}

VO: Did Hitler actually have the atomic bomb?
If he did, why didn't he use it?
If not, who can history blame?

{footage of Nazi flag, with superimposed graphic, which reads...}

VO: The History Channel presents: "Unsolved Mysteries of the Third Reich: The German Bomb."

{photo of Heisenberg}

VO: 1940: Renowned German physicist Werner Heisenberg has a plan, and he notifies the Third Reich.

{bomb schematic, entitled "Grossenkabümprojekt"}

"HEISENBERG" VO:
Dear Adolf,
By now you have heard of Einstein's proposal to FDR for the Grossenkabümprojekt. I was saving it for your birthday but then Albert stole it. I can build a bigger bomb but I need money.
Your pal,
Bernie

{fade to black}

VO: The letter was greeted warmly by an anxious Fuhrer.

{cut to the HISTORIAN in his office.}

HISTORIAN: Hitler was a vegeterian.

{photo #1 of inn}

VO: With an initial grant from the High Command, Heisenberg built his atomic bomb laboratory. They covertly expanded and fortified 'Das Wilderguss'...

{photo #2 of inn}

VO: ... an inn in the town of Iffendorf, into a state-of-the-art nuclear research facility.

KIRSTEN HOLT: As a girl, I helped my father install all the piping and wiring for Professor Heisenberg. They made sure it was all camoflaged to look like just more beer taps. And a dance floor. There were lights in the dance floor, it was really impressive. You couldn't tell this was Hitler's atomic laboratory.

VO: All that was left was to assemble his team.

{Einstein and friends}

VO: With most of Europe's finest nuclear minds working on the Manhattan project, Werner Heisenberg cast his net wide, collecting an eclectic cadre of German scientists.

{photo HEISENBERG at a desk, writing}

"HEISENBERG" VO:
Hey Volker,
S'up? You found a job yet? We've got a couple openings here for atomic physicists. It's entry level but the benefits rock. Dieter gave up his cabaret singing gig and Konrad starts next week so it should be pretty cool. Let me know so I can start on the paperwork.
Der Wernenator

{cut to the HISTORIAN in his office.}

HISTORIAN: On a dare, Heisenberg once swallowed a hard-boiled egg whole.

VO: Within two weeks, he had his team.

{photo of cabaret singer}

VO: 'Madame' Dieter Volksmann: physicist and transvestite cabaret singer.

{photo of large German guy}

Konrad 'Der Panzermeister' Oblenz: materials scientist and mid-Austrian cow tackling champion of 1936.

{photo of Bootsy Collins}

Erich 'Bootsy' Rittenauer: mathematician, piano, accordion, bass, backing vocals.

{photo of woman at bar}

Martina Bose-Roentgen: mechanical engineer, barmaid, hottie.

{photo #3 of inn}

VO: The think tank worked around the clock.

{photo of General Todl}

VO: General Rainer Todl knew success was close.

"RAINER TODL" VO:
Professor Heisenberg proceeds ahead of schedule. The facility is at full capacity. While I lack 'nuclear training' and cannot directly inspect the facility, the loud noises and flashing lights at all hours are a testament to the team's dedication.

{photo of kegs}

They are consuming prodigious quantities of "heavy water" cunningly shipped in lager kegs from Norway. They tell me they've produced great quantities of plutonium and they need several more assistants.

{photo of hotties}

Conveniently the Professor has found a few young ladies from the local village to help with the second phase of their operation. Victory shall soon be ours.
H.H.
Todl

{photo of HEISENBERG looking sad.}

VO: But victory would remain just out of reach.

{photo #2 of HEISENBERG at writing desk.}

"HEISENBERG" VO:
May 1942
Dear Adolf,
How's it going? Things are pretty good here. It's been hot and the equipment has acted up because we are running low on "heavy water." Our contacts in Oslo have been irksome.

{photo of lager kegs}

I'd like a closer supplier in Munich. I'm pretty sure it's cheaper that way.
Your pal,
Bernie

{photo of the letter below, in German of course, with the ':(' emoticon.}

"HEISENBERG" VO:
September 1942
Dear Adolf,
More trouble with the bomb. :( We're still having trouble with plutonium conversion. I fear that the Luftwaffe is taking the lion's share of 'heavy water' - is Goering running a competing project? I'd watch that guy if I were you.
Your pal,
Bernie

PS: Happy belated birthday.

{photo of HEISENBERG & company drinking}

"HEISENBERG" VO:
April 1943
Dear Adolf,
Making bombs is hard! Please send more money!
Your pal,
Bernie

{map of Germany/France area, with little decals representing Axis & Allied forces}

VO: May, 1943: disaster.

{fade in lots of little arrows of the Allied forces moving past the Axis ones; similar to a football diagram}

VO: A sudden Allied invasion through France overran Alsace-Lorraine. Patton's Third Army swept into the entire region...

{photo of GIs}

VO: ... and an elite squadron of American troops took over das Wilderguss.

ED BAINES, Pvt. (ret): Captain Russell ordered us to take Iffendorf by nightfall. We got bogged down in a marsh, and by the time we got there it looked the the battle was well underway, what with all the flashing and booming. Up 'til then the Germans had just withdrawn. We figured our luck was about to change for the worse.

{cut to the HISTORIAN in his office.}

HISTORIAN: Germany is a lot cleaner than France. They're really good about that.

KURT GARRISON, Maj. (ret): I drew the short straw, so I had to recon the town. I was scared, but I snuck 'round back of the building with the booming and flashing, and I busted my way in. I figured I was gonna die a hero. Whaddya know? It was some kinda song and dance hall. [chuckles? Hell, I reckon by about oh nine hundred we sorta forgot why we were there, what with the, uh, Kirschwasser, and the dancing girls, and that Bernie guy. [beat? It was a helluva time. [beat? Uh, you're not gonna tell my wife about this, right?

{bomb schematic, entitled "Grossenkabümprojekt" -- fades to black}

VO: The Third Reich's atomic project was destroyed.

{first photo of HEISENBERG}

VO: As for Werner Heisenberg, history gives us many conflicting stories. Martina Bose-Roentgen recalls:

MARTINA: We didn't see Bernie much after the Americans showed up. We were all glad the war was over, for us at least. But I miss those days. You develop a bond with people.

{photo of Bootsy Collins}

VO: Perhaps Erich "Bootsy" Rittenauer summed it up best, when he said "Oh, yeah, we were close -- maybe Heisenberg finished the project himself, because we were doing research. Mm-hmm. Lots of research."

[ Shot of the Nazi flag slow-motion, cross-faded over the Guys at the Wilderguss. Ominous music.?

VO: So, did Heisenberg have the bomb? History... may never know.

[ Fade to black.?

Footnotes

1? On-screen graphics are indicated in brackets.