The original ending (Possible spoiler)

Karl may be a scoundrel but if Albert had killed him, even in a vat of wine, it would have made Karl a murderer. Albert had already been humiliated when he fired Karl and minutes later the Baroness kept him on. In front of all the staff she told him he had no right to fire 'her' chauffeur. That diminished his authority and would have led them to lose whatever respect they had for him. He would not have been able to remain as their boss.

Albert was again humiliated when in the presence of the staff, Karl and Anna emerged disheveled from the cellar after something had obviously happened down there. People were already talking. Albert had lost the respect of his wife too. She told him how Karl made her feel and how he, Albert, knew nothing about how to make love with passion; that he was too 'good' to understand what it was like to be dizzy with desire.

The new ending is preferable because it not only restores Albert; it elevates him and shows Karl for what he is. Albert shows a different side of himself. He earns everyone's respect as the head of the downstairs household but it's more than that. For the first time in his employment, he stands up to the Baron and without losing control and killing Karl. Karl has to plead for his life and is so afraid of Albert he keeps his mouth shut when given the chance to spill the beans about the Baroness and Anna. He returns Sophie's money, and runs out like the chump he is. Karl is shown to be a weak, ineffectual man. It's no wonder he has to prey on poor defenseless women.

Karl has not changed his ways but the Baron's household, where the upstairs and the downstairs used to be congenial and, despite their distinct roles, were able to celebrate together and be part of the same ‘family’ is rid of him. Even the Baroness has learned her lesson. Karl's visit, as it turns out, has been a good thing for them. Like any good 'housecleaning', a lot of dust is raised but afterward it’s all worth it and good for the home.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

I remember when Otto, the hearing disabled guy in charge of the wine cellar, was filling the casks near the end of the movie, I thought" Oh boy this will not end well for the chauffeur. I am glad Karl lived, but the new ending shocked me a little too.