Gentlemen in White Vests

Dandy is a notorious gangster whose reputation masks his real role as a boxing promoter. He leads a gang that uses a flamboyant public persona to camouflage planned heists. His charm and risk-taking push the caper forward, but his hubris makes him a prime target for the retirees’ strategic maneuvering.

Walter is a police inspector who coexists with his daughter Monika under the same roof as Zänker’s circle. He embodies the tension between professional duty and family loyalty as he investigates the crimes and navigates the influence of his in-laws. His interactions with Zänker become pivotal to the plot’s eventual arrest.

Elisabeth is Zänker’s sister who helps coordinate the pensioner gang’s schemes. She uses family ties and calculated appearances to support the deception, playing a key role in masking the group’s movements. Her calm, strategic mind makes her a formidable ally in the plan to outsmart Dandy.

Pietsch is an ex-con used as a snitch, providing vital inside information for the retirees’ takeover of Dandy’s operations. His willingness to cooperate shifts the balance of power and helps pin the crimes on Dandy. He embodies the uneasy line between past criminal life and present manipulation.

Berg is the police commissioner who confronts the unfolding crimes and eventually arrests Dandy. He appears to be an ally who later tests the truth of Zänker’s claims, illustrating how authority can be maneuvered through careful dialogue. His involvement is crucial in translating the retirees’ scheme into formal action.

Monika is Walter’s daughter who lives with him in the shadow of Zänker’s influence. Her presence underscores the personal stakes of the criminal enterprise and highlights how family ties intersect with crime and justice. She witnesses the tension between loyalty to her father and the larger scheme.

The jeweller is the target of one of the caper’s key thefts, anchoring the plot in a tangible, high-value crime. His shop becomes a focal point of the parade-related heist, illustrating how everyday commerce can intersect with conspiring schemes. The jeweller’s vulnerability highlights the risks faced by legitimate businesses in the plot.