The Counterfeiters

Sorowitsch sits down at the bed and looks at Burger who is fast asleep. He can not understand what this man believes in. But he does believe in standing by his mates. Even if that threatens his very existence. The Nazis want them and the other Jews in their camp to print counterfeit dollar bills, so that they could use them to buy whatever they need, and weaken the Allies. Burger believes in thwarting their attempts. He knows that although printing these bills will keep them alive temporarily, it will be used in killing Jews all over Germany. He wants to stand up against them, he wants this to be a sign for others to revolt. Sorowitsch does not believe in this. He believes in staying alive, even it is for just another day. So he swallows his pride and works for the Nazi cause. He does it even when an officer pisses on his face, while he is scrubbing the toilets. He does it even when the officers beat him, although he is valuable to their cause. He wants them to respect him, but not lose face while doing so. He carries himself quite dignified, but he does submit himself to authority when he needs to. He cares for his companions and tells the soldiers that each one of his men are valuable and irreplaceable.

It is due to this compassion that he wants to save Kolya and the others. Kolya is suffering from Tuberculosis but he can't be treated as they do not have the right medicines. The Nazis would kill him if they found out as they do not want the infection to spread. Sorowitsch tries his best to save the man. When the Nazis arrange for a "carnival" and Kolya can't stop his coughing, Sorowitsch cuts his finger and smears some blood on Kolya's face. "You have always wanted some colour, didn't you ?", he says while trying to cover up Kolya's pale face. He strikes a deal with Herzog who is in charge of this camp, and gets some medicines. He checks with the doctor before rushing to give them to Kolya, who is missing! He searches for him in vain, and catches a glimpse of him through the window. Kolya is offered a smoke by a soldier, who shoots him after making small talk. Sorowitsch is furious and quite shaken up. He cannot understand what he can do. He believes he is genuinely trying to help out his fellow prisoners, keeping them alive a day at a time. He wants them all to be alive by the time the war is over. His craft is the only thing that is valued by the Nazis, and he wants to deliver at any cost.