The White Ribbon

The midwife's (Mrs. Wagner) son Karl looks different. Is he mentally retarded? Down syndrome? (0:04)

The schoolteacher (narrator) Martin, one of the pastor's sons, walking precariously on the railing of a bridge. The boy explains, "I gave God a chance to kill me." (0:11)

The pastor tells the children he will tie a white ribbon to each of them to remind them to behave. A behavioral approach to parenting? (0:12)

The pastor beats his children off camera. The farmer's son visits his mother's body after she falls to her death in a mill. (0:28)

The pastor talks to Martin about his symptoms, including depression, weariness, decreased appetite, and insomnia, and implies all result from masturbation. (0:59)

The doctor tells the midwife there is "nothing like a nice dose of self-hate." (1:04)

One of his other sons opens the door to find Max's father hanging by the neck. (1:18)

The doctor's son Rudi, unable to find his sister Anni, finds his father in an examining room apparently sexually abusing Anni. (1:35)

Georg (the steward?) beats and kicks his son for taking Sigi's (the baron's son) whistle. (1:55)

Bereavement | Physical Abuse of Child | Sexual Abuse of Child | suicide