Victors, The (1963)

(GUNFIRE)
(CROWD SHOUTING)
(HITLER SPEAKING GERMAN)
(EXPLOSION)
(SHOUTING)
(MARCHING BAND MUSIC)
(PLANES OVERHEAD)
(GUNFIRE)
(BOMBS BEING DROPPED)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(MAN WHISTLING A TUNE)
(WHISTLING)
(AMBULANCE BELL IN DISTANCE)
(EXPLOSIONS)
(COMMENTATOR) In Washington,
President Roosevelt takes time out
from war and makes
a solemn promise to 300 delegates
of the International Youth Convention,
representing youth of the Free World,
Victory is essential.
but victory is not enough
for you or for us.
We must be sure
that when you have won victory,
you will not have to tell your children
that you fought in vain,
that you were betrayed.
We, here at home,
are supremely conscious
of our obligations to you
now and in the future.
We will not let you down.
(COMMENTATOR) Those famous
dancers from Radio City Music Hall
pay a visit to the Marine Corps Base
at Quantico,
These lovely ladies,
with an esprit de corps all their own,
get a personal tour
around the obstacle course,
The Marines show them the ropes
and the girls show the Marines
a thing or two,
The obstacle course
is no obstacle to them,
as one can see by their smiling faces,
The motto of these
long-stemmed roses seems to be,
"Come on in, fellas,
It's great to be a Marine, "
Combat cameramen captured typical
battle action in Sicily,
These official pictures
show what happened
when an American Infantry squad,
detailed to reconnoiter
a supposedly abandoned village,
find it held by German
rearguard detachments,
Pinned down at first
by machine-gun and mortar nests,
the G,I, 'S press forward,
In this brief but deadly engagement,
the final score, 1 American dead
against 1 2 enemy killed, 2 captured,
After the battle, rest for the weary,
Here are the men who are fighting
for us in Sicily,
Sergeant Joseph R Craig,
Scranton, Pennsylvania,
Private Albert Greenberg, Chicago,
Private Walter Keynoter, Denver,
Private George Baker, New York City,
Corporal Frank Chase, Los Angeles,
Private Theodore Rower,
Phoenix, Arizona,
Private Robert Brogan,
Joplin, Missouri,
and their prisoners,
two not-so-masterful members
of the master race,
Their conquering days are over,
A study in contrasts:
the vanquished and the victors,
(BOMB BLASTS IN DISTANCE)
(FOOTSTEPS)
All right, fall out.
No, hold it, hold it.
I'm going to give you 10 minutes.
And I don't want anybody getting lost.
I don't want any looting
and I don't want anybody
going in any houses.
They're full of booby traps.
I'm not gonna hang around here
to scrape any stupid idiot off a wall.
Is that clear?
Okay, fall out.
Anybody need any water,
give me your canteens.
I thought I said no looting.
Stupid idiots.
Where are the rest of you?
All right, get outside. Get a move on!
You know you can get shot for this?
Out! Out! Come on, move.
(SINGING)
(LAUGHING)
(SHOUTS) All right, children.
You stupid idiot, leave you in charge.
Everybody out! Come on, move!
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
All right, let's go.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)
Tonight the night, baker?
Leave him alone.
You know what, baker?
You're too nice to her.
Cut down on the groceries, just once,
you'll suddenly become attractive.
Talk, talk, talk.
Just shut up, you stupid idiot.
- I'm only trying to help.
- We don't need your help.
- So long.
- George.
You forgot the corned beef
and the chocolate.
(DOOR CLOSES)
It's not normal, you know?
If she don't wanna be like
the rest of them,
that's her business
and it's his business, it ain't yours.
(CHASE) He's been sitting on her
front steps every night for six weeks.
He's beginning to develop
a square behind.
So what?
You're not in charge of behinds
around here.
Or are you?
(CHASE) Funny when you think of it.
This little town, I mean.
First the husbands and boyfriends
go into the army.
Then the Germans move in
and take over the women.
Then we kick the Germans out,
we move in and take over.
Don't you think that's funny?
Sarge?
If she's such a nice girl,
and her husband's been away
for three years,
where did she get that
six-month-old Bambi, huh?
From some drunken Kraut
in a dark alley,
who also gave her a broken arm.
blow, will you?
Go have a nice kaffeeklatch klatch
with that phoney blonde of yours.
She'll tell you all about the Germans.
That's what I said.
Place is like a barnyard.
You ought to know.
You're head rooster.
Really?
Hey, Sarge, tell me, were you really
a burglar before the war?
- What?
- Is it true you did a stretch in Joliet?
(BOTH LAUGH)
(CRAIG) Get out of here.
- Take that Russian lover with you.
- (TROWER) Who, me?
I didn't say a word.
All I said is I'd like to meet
a Russian G.I. sometime.
Is that a crime?
No, that's no crime.
I'd like to meet
some Russian sergeant some day,
find out how they handle
idiots like I got.
(LAUGHS)
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
(CAR HORN HONKS)
(CHILDREN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
(SERGEANT) You take that.
Go ahead. Here you go.
Let me have the bambino.
Come on. All right, come on now.
Hey, Maria.
Come sta?
- buona sera, Maria.
- buona sera, Giorgio.
- How's the baby?
- Fine.
Oh, I picked this up for the baby.
(SPEAKS ITALIAN)
Oh...
(BOTH SPEAK ITALIAN)
- Hi, baby.
- Hi, Joe.
Not Joe. Ziggy.
Let's get cooking.
Giorgio, you think
my husband is still alive?
Well, I think there's a good chance.
We took a lot of prisoners in Africa.
- but so long, no letter, nothing.
- That doesn't prove anything,
with a war going on.
You might get a letter any time.
You get a letter today, Giorgio?
Yes.
How is wife?
Oh, she's all right. Fine.
- And children?
- You know we just have the boy.
Oh, yes. He plays the baseball.
- Maria, what are you doing?
- You love wife, very much, yes?
- Yes.
- Yes, you love wife, I love husband.
- All right. Please.
- The whole world is full of love.
In peace, not so much love.
Only in war.
You love wife, you love me.
I love husband, I love you.
No, listen. You are a good man.
I know you want to help me,
but you are husband without wife.
I am wife without husband.
but why you think I don't let you
come in my house all this time?
because we are not animal.
Everybody can be animal.
but we are not animal.
You understand?
I cannot be, you cannot be.
So I think better
you don't come back...no more.
I think this very much.
- Honey, please.
- No.
You go away now
and don't come back.
Go find a woman.
You need woman. Please, go.
- You take.
- Oh, for God's sake!
Take! Thank you, but take and go!
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING )
(SPEAKS ITALIAN)
- He make baby sick. bad eye!
- Don't be silly. There's no evil eye.
There's no such thing.
(SHOUTS IN HINDI)
- I put baby inside. He hurt baby.
- No, he won't.
They're nice fellas.
He's had too much to drink, that's all.
(BABY CRYING)
Having a good time, Johnny?
Hello, Johnny. (LAUGHS) Johnny.
Too much wine, huh?
Yes, yes, very dizzy, very dizzy.
Poor little baby, she cry.
I have babies.
Three. I.
- How old are they?
- How old?
Four...and six...and nine.
I had another one.
She died.
(BAKER) Do you miss your kids?
Yes, yes...very much.
(BABY CRYING)
The last time I saw my little one,
she like this.
Your lady...let me hold baby?
- Let him hold her.
- No.
He won't hurt her.
You always let me hold her.
He knows her better than I.
He has three. You heard him.
Let him hold her.
Don't be afraid. Come on.
(BAKER) Don't be afraid.
(HUMMING)
Look! She's smiling!
She smiled at me.
She likes you.
All right, give her back now.
Thank you very much.
Very nice baby.
Very nice baby.
Got to go now.
back to barracks, to sleep.
(CHUCKLES)
- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.
- Cheerio.
Pretty baby.
God bless baby.
You're a good girl.
That was a kind thing you did
when you let him hold the baby.
You are a good man.
You have a good heart.
I put baby sleep.
You wait, please.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOFT ROMANTIC MUSIC)
(MARCHING BAND MUSIC)
(FLIES BUZZING)
(TRUCK ENGINE REVS)
Pretty soft for your guys, Craig,
coming and going by truck.
I can remember
when soldiers used to walk.
Yeah? Well, I don't see
your guys walking.
Move it!
(SERGEANT LAUGHS)
Where's your sentries, Craig?
(LAUGHS)
Little bo Peep has lost his sheep.
(DRUNKEN SINGING)
(BOTTLES SMASHING)
Are you crazy?
What are you doing?
How could you let this happen?
It seemed like a good idea
at the time.
(CRAIG) All right, the party's over!
- Hiya, Sarge.
- Upstairs, all of you.
On the double. Come on, move!
Come on.
You can report me for that
if you want to.
Anybody else gets funny,
and I'll do it again.
Now move!
Come here!
- Turn those spigots off!
- Yes, Sergeant.
(SERGEANT LAUGHING)
(CRAIG) Come on, come on.
All right, let's go.
With all they've drunk
on empty stomachs,
they'll get sunstroke out there.
You should have
thought of that before.
- Sarge, I've got to apologise.
- I'm not interested.
I wanna tell you I'm sorry.
Will you let me apologise?
(MUMBLING)
(LAUGHING)
(ARGUING)
I don't want to hear any more!
Understand? Get back to the truck.
- Come on, Sarge.
- Let go of my ear!
- I told you, let go!
- Come on...
Put me down, damn it!
Put me down! You let go... Moose!
Get away from me.
Sarge, I gotta apologise.
So help me, if you put your hands
on me again, I'll kill you.
Now get in the truck.
What's the matter, old buddy?
What's the matter, buddy?
You okay? You sick?
Would you feel any better
if you hit me again, Sarge?
Just get into the truck.
Oh, well, now I've seen everything.
(SOLDIERS LAUGHING)
I wouldn't laugh too soon,
if I were you.
Just give me a hand, thanks.
Come on, old buddy. Into the truck.
(GROGAN) Oh, Sarge, I'll help you.
Sarge, I'll help you.
I'll help you, Sarge.
I'll help you, Sarge.
(CRAIG) Here you are, take this.
(GROGAN) I'll help you.
I'll help you, Sarge.
I helped you, Sarge.
Good old Sarge.
There you are, Craig. As fine
a body of men as I've ever seen.
Hey! Where have mine gone?
I told you not to laugh too soon.
(TRUCK ENGINE REVS)
Oh, no. In the back, in the back.
I don't even want to look at you.
I understand.
(SOLDIERS) Hey!
(SOLDIERS TALKING INDISTINCTLY)
Keep moving, keep moving!
Cut across that field
and get under those trees.
What do you want me to do?
Run over the Captain's vegetables?
Why don't you pull up
right in front of his door?
I'm sorry, Sarge.
(CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
I worked hard for these stripes, too.
I was up for staff.
That's the way it goes, Sarge.
You do your best and some jerk
comes along and louses you up.
Yeah, but...
(CHASE) Good afternoon, sir.
Sergeant...
Yes, sir?
Looks like you worked those men
pretty hard today.
Yes, sir.
No sense in being a slave driver.
No, sir.
I mean, there's no point
in working them into the ground.
- No, sir.
- Is there?
No. No, no, sir.
They look like a pretty good bunch
to me. Huh?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
And this is a rest area.
I think you can afford to take it easy
with them now and then.
- Yes, sir.
- They'll be going back into action...
- pretty soon.
- Yes, sir.
- And...well, that's all, Sergeant.
- Yes, sir.
Thanks.
but you're getting busted,
just the same.
- You're not safe.
- I know.
I guess I'm just not the type.
Why did you let 'em all get drunk?
I don't know.
I ought to wake 'em up
and get 'em dug in.
Oh, plenty of time, Sarge.
Let 'em sleep. They deserve it. Here.
Here's your share.
You deserve it, too.
No, I'm fine.
I filled up with a nice dry white wine.
That's all yours.
I can't make you out, fella.
I could've sworn
you had leadership qualities.
You'd have made Sergeant
in another six months.
but you got no sense
of responsibility.
You just don't give a damn.
Why? Why?
I don't know.
but don't let it worry you, Joe.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
Do I know you?
No, I guess you don't know me.
I'm just a clean-cut
American corporal away from home.
Well, I'm an American, too.
You are? What in the world
are you doing here?
Wait a minute, sonny.
What part of Texas you from?
- brooklyn.
- Now, you must be kidding me, son.
- brooklyn ain't in Texas.
- Why, sure it is. brooklyn, Texas.
Are you sure
you ain't a German spy?
You're too little to be from Texas.
Speak to me, spy.
Hamburger,
tuna fish salad, malted milk,
apple pie la mode,
with ice cream, sir.
And don't you ever forget
Southern Fried Chicken.
Ain't it wonderful?
I'd like to buy you a drink.
- What would you like?
- bier, bitte.
Two beers, please,
Miss Waitress, ma'am.
Them ltalians is wonderful, ain't they?
Coon hunting tonight.
Any niggers in here?
(WOMAN ON RADIO)
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor
# And go on to victory
Couple of real pretty ones, too.
# History in every century
# Records an act that lives
forevermore
- # We'll recall, as into line we fall
- (PUNCHING AND GROANS)
# The thing that happened
on Hawaii's shore
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor,,,
MPs!
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor
# As we did the Alamo
# We will always remember
# How they died for Liberty
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor
# And go on to victory #
- What happened?
- I don't know. They fight.
Do you know any of them?
- Any damage?
- Only business.
If this happens again, we'll have to
mark you off limits. Sorry.
- Grazie mille.
- Hey, why they fight?
You all same peoples.
Americani, camerati. Why you fight?
I really don't know.
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor
# As we did the Alamo
# We will always remember
# How they died for Liberty
# Let's remember Pearl Harbor
# And go on to victory #
(COMMENTATOR)
On the 6th of June, 1944,
the great secret is divulged: D-Day,
Aboard a British warship
with Admiral Ramsay,
General Eisenhower keeps his finger
on the pulse of battle
by personal observation
and is joined by General Montgomery
for consultations
on the progress of our landing,
This is it, They're on the beach,
plunging waist deep into the sea,
These pictures take you among men
who are putting Dunkirk into reverse,
planting themselves
on the first bit of French soil
to be won back after four years,
The G,I, Joes, the Tommies
and Johnny Canucks
press on with "Now let's get at 'em!"
(BLASTS IN DISTANCE)
(BANGING ON DOOR)
Excuse me.
Parlez-vous anglais?
Yes, I do.
Can I help you?
Yes, ma'am.
We're coming in tomorrow
or the day after.
We might wanna use this house
for a field headquarters.
I'm supposed to check it.
Oh, I see.
Yes, of course.
I'm afraid
it's not in very good condition.
Neither is anything else around here.
Soldiers in the house.
- You'll get paid, sooner or later.
- Yes, I understand.
- You speak good English.
- Thank you.
I'll show you the house.
Adjutant's office.
Must be pretty nice
when you get it all fixed up.
My husband and l,
we used to come here
when Paris got too much for us.
And in the summers, of course.
It's lovely here in the summer.
(CRAIG) What are you
doing here now?
No one's supposed to be here now.
This town was evacuated a week ago.
When we heard
there'd be fighting here,
I thought I might have time to get
some paintings and personal things
that were very precious to us.
but I suppose it was stupid of me.
I came just too late
and I couldn't get away in time.
- You were here during the bombing?
- Yes.
- Alone?
- Yes.
- Weren't you scared?
- I was petrified.
I've never been so frightened
in all my life.
Last night was the worst of all.
but you want to see
the rest of the house.
Yes, ma'am.
- You came back to get stuff like this?
- Yes.
Our officers are nice fellas.
I...I mean, they'll be careful.
Some are stupid idiots,
but these ones are okay.
I really don't care.
I shall never return here anyway.
That's the dining room,
but I imagine your first concern
is the sleeping accommodations.
This way, please.
Where were you during the bombing?
In the cellar.
A cellar. That's good.
We'll be able to stick
your furniture down there.
- Were you down there all the time?
- Yes, all the time.
- Did you have any food?
- At first.
but I was too greedy to make it last
and I finished everything yesterday.
That's the cold.
Cold always makes you hungry.
You must've been freezing
down there.
Yes, it was terribly cold.
I had one blanket
and it wasn't enough,
but I was too frightened
to go out for another one.
but...the worst of it...was the rats.
It's odd.
I never dreamed
there were rats in this house.
It's very odd.
My room.
- What?
- My bedroom.
Captain's room.
My husband's room.
I'll get it, I'll get it.
Two lieutenants in here.
You got any other room?
We have a small servant's room
and a bathroom back of the kitchen.
Perhaps I could stay there
until it's safe to leave.
- That's all the rooms you got?
- That's all. We have no guest room.
Philippe and I never wanted
to share the house with anyone
when we came here.
Where is your husband?
Why didn't he come instead of you?
He was shot three months ago.
He...Philippe...
Actually this is the first time I've been
here since they took him away.
(STOMACH GRUMBLES)
I must be hungry.
I haven't eaten since 6 this morning.
You must be starving, too.
I got some stuff in the jeep.
Would you cook it?
Thank you.
I should be most grateful.
- Could we do it now, do you think?
- Sure.
Hmm. I'm sure
you're dying to bathe,
but the water went off the first day.
Lady, it's been so long
since I had a bath,
I'd probably drown in a bathtub.
I've got plenty of water out there
in the jeep to cook with, anyway.
I'm sorry.
I got dizzy for a moment.
You're just about knocked out.
Can you make it?
Oh, yes.
I can make it, thank you.
And the bombs...
the bombs kept falling
and the planes never stopped.
And the big guns roared and roared.
And I was sure the house would
collapse around me and bury me,
and I would never be found,
except as a corpse.
And at first, I thought
I would lose my mind.
And I think I would have,
but I forced myself
to think and remember
every line of poetry
I ever knew and loved.
I'm sure it saved my sanity.
I know now, the body is nothing
and the mind is everything.
I remember, just when it seemed
it would never end,
I kept thinking of that line,
"The universe is nothing
but a flaw in the purity of non-being."
Do you know
the writing of Paul Valry?
In translation, I mean, of course.
To my mind,
he's our greatest modern poet.
Do you know
"Le Cimetire marin?"
It's always been a favourite of mine.
(RECITES POEM IN FRENCH)
Forgive me.
I've been chattering like an idiot.
I'm sorry.
You must think me odd.
Well, you've been under a strain.
(BELCHES)
Excuse me. My stomach's
been ruined by the army.
In the last days of Rome,
the Goths were brought in
to save the Empire
from the German tribes.
Thank you for liberating us.
You're welcome.
- Could I have more wine, please?
- Oh, yes, of course.
Oh, excuse me.
(GRUNTS)
You're tired.
Must you return tonight?
I don't know. I guess not.
Could I stay here somewhere?
I wouldn't bother you.
I mean, you wouldn't
have to be scared or anything.
I wouldn't be frightened.
I don't think
I can ever be frightened again.
I'll see what I can do
about Philippe's room.
(EXPLOSIONS)
Who's there?
I'm sorry.
I didn't want to disturb you,
but I'm frightened.
I just wanted
to stay here...near someone.
(GUNFIRE)
Those are our guns, I think.
It's not the guns. It's the planes.
They were bombing till a moment ago.
And you never woke up.
(WOMAN CRYING)
I slept for a while...and I haven't
been able to since.
I...I really don't know
how you can sleep with all that.
(HEAVY EXPLOSIONS)
I can't be alone.
I just can't bear it any more.
Please, may I stay here?
I won't bother you.
Please.
(MURMURS IN FRENCH)
Dors, Philippe, dors.
(GUNSHOT)
Stupid idiot!
Who fired that shot?
Attendez l.
I heard a shot.
- Do you have a problem?
- We almost had them out, sir,
but some stupid idiot fired
and scared them back in.
I think we can help you.
Come with me.
Merde!
(GUNFIRE)
Good. Now they're resisting.
I tell you what, Sergeant,
just move your men back
and let them rest for a while.
We'll take over now, if you permit.
(GUNFIRE)
(EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
There you are, Sergeant.
You can have your men go and check,
but I hardly think it's necessary.
Good hunting, huh?
Au revoir.
Oh, and if you feel
you have to make a report about this,
just pray your country
is never occupied.
So long.
(LOUD BANGS)
(LOUD BANG)
(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)
(LOUD BANG)
(CRAIG) Halt!
(TRUCK HORN HONKING)
(LIVELY MUSlC PLAYlNG)
Don't forget the brandy.
Heads.
(MUSlC ENDS)
- You like that?
- What?
- Oh, yes, yes, I do.
- Ask her over for a drink.
Yes, I will.
- What's so funny?
- Nothing, Corporal, nothing. Relax.
(SPEAKS FRENCH)
- Huh? D'accord.
- D'accord.
- better have another drink, quick.
- You're a funny man.
- bonsoir, messieurs.
- bonsoir. Please sit down.
- You speak English?
- A little.
- Would you like a drink?
- No, thank you.
Are you sure?
Maybe later.
Cigarette?
Thank you.
I enjoyed your playing.
It's too bad you can't play
somewhere nice, where people listen.
- Where?
- There are other places.
I've never played in any.
- You play as if you had real training.
- Yes.
I studied in the Conservatoire
in brussels until I stopped.
Why'd you give it up?
Why don't you go back?
I...I'm sorry.
Are my questions annoying you?
No, I'm not annoyed.
There's no use to go back.
Why not?
You shouldn't stay here
in a place like this.
(CHASE) Um...
- How old are you?
- Twenty-one.
Where's your family?
Deported.
When we were in Naples,
there was this opera company
that gave a concert to the troops.
I never cared for opera,
but it became so interes...
- Hi, Chase.
- Eldridge.
Trower.
- I'll buy the drinks.
- No thanks.
- Sure?
- Mm-hm.
- Am, uh, I intruding?
- Yeah.
Come on. The Corporal doesn't mind.
Do you, Corp?
- What's your name, baby?
- Regine.
You, uh...
Uh...
Come over to the bar
and I'll buy you a drink.
What's wrong with here?
I said the bar.
I never say no.
I'll see you again, honey,
when I'm in the mood.
I'm sorry about that.
A soldier.
Would you like a drink now?
No, thank you.
- Would you like to dance?
- No.
but I'll answer all your questions.
I study in the Conservatoire
until I am 17.
And just after the war starts,
my parents bring me here
and leave me with family
they know...and go back to brussels.
Then after a time, their letters stop
and I hear they are taken away.
I've no one else. I must work.
There's no use to go
some other place.
It does not matter to me what I do.
I'm very tired.
I think I shall go home now.
- Can I see you home?
- As you wish.
I'd like to.
- Hey, Corp. I got the pass.
- Swell.
I have to go to brussels tomorrow.
NCO School.
Is there anything
I can do for you there?
No.
I don't know
when I can get back here again,
but when I do, I'd like to come
to the bar again, if you don't mind.
- As you wish.
- I wish.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Good night.
Good night.
(WOMAN SINGING LOVE SONG)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING OUTSIDE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
- Want to go?
- No.
Why don't you dance then?
You haven't noticed it,
but there is a nice redhead over there
who's been giving you the eye.
No, you dance.
- bartender.
- Oui, monsieur?
Two brandies.
They're both for you.
Hello, honey.
My name's Eisenhower. What's yours?
(MUSIC ENDS)
Come on, let's get a drink.
Oops. Pardon me.
Hey, Corporal! Howdy doody?
I'll buy you a drink, huh?
- No thanks. I got these.
- I mean a real drink, champagne.
It's a gentleman's drink.
barman, a bottle of champagne, huh?
Excuse me.
- He wants to buy us champagne.
- Hey, hi, pal.
business must be good.
- I got a good little thing going here.
- Never mind. We're drinking brandy.
Never turn down a drink, pal.
Right, Corp?
- What's the matter? You look sick.
- Forget it.
I know what's good for you.
Oh, I know. The chick, huh?
You had a yen for her, didn't you?
Cheer up. You can have her.
Yeah, take her down the road.
For nothing.
She's got a nice little place. Clean.
What d'you say, chickie?
Take a walk with the Corporal, huh?
If he wishes.
- There y'are, pal, all set.
- No thanks.
- Let's go.
- Finish your drink.
- Eldridge.
- What?
Have much trouble with her?
Well, let me tell you.
I took her out a couple of times.
The third time,
I gave her the message.
She didn't get it at first.
She just sat there
for about five minutes, thinking.
I let her think.
Then she got up, shrugged
her shoulders and out she went.
been as good as gold ever since.
I haven't had a complaint yet.
You really know how to handle 'em.
You're quite a guy.
Well, you've got to be firm.
You know, you've got
to let them know they need you.
You gotta make 'em understand
they're better off with you
than they are without you.
No different here than back home.
Like they say, it's all one world.
I just hope she appreciates...
all you've done for her.
Oh, she's crazy about me.
She knows who's taking care of her.
Don't you, huh?
(DANCE MUSIC STARTS)
- She wants to dance.
- Well, she likes dancing.
I think I'll give her a little exercise.
- Come on, baby. Dancey-dancey.
- Dancey-dancey.
Stick around. I'll be back.
Do us a favour and drop dead first.
Oh, what's the matter? Jealous, huh?
Naughty, naughty.
- Eldridge.
- Yeah?
Hey!
Ah!
(COMMENTATOR) Blizzards and
the coldest winter in recorded history
bring the war to a standstill
on the Western Front
both on land and in the air,
Along the entire length
of the battlefront,
hostilities come almost
to a complete stop
as roads become useless
and the countryside impassable
for large-scale operations,
But G,I, Joe, somewhere in Belgium,
can't stand inactivity for long,
Deprived of the chance to fight
a real war, he stages one of his own,
# Jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# Jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# Dashing through the snow
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# O'er the fields we go
# Laughing all the way
# Bells on bobtail ring
# Making spirits bright
# What fun it is to ride and sing
# A sleighing song tonight
# Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# Jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# All sing, jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh
# Jingle bells, jingle bells
# Jingle all the way
# Oh, what fun it is to ride
# In a one-horse open sleigh #
What's happening, Sarge?
"The following named enlisted men,
drawn by lot,
"have been selected
to act as witnesses
"to an execution for desertion.
"They will proceed at 0630 hours..."
etc etc etc.
I'm not gonna read your names.
They're all on the list.
(SERGEANT SHOUTS) Fall in!
Company, attention!
Left face! March left! March!
# Have yourself
a merry little Christmas
# Let your heart be light
# Next year all our troubles
# Will be out of sight
# Have yourself
a merry little Christmas
# Make the Yuletide gay
# Next year all our troubles
# Will be miles away
# Once again as in olden days
# Happy golden days of yore
# Faithful friends who were dear to us
# Will be near to us once more
# Someday soon
we all will be together
# If the Fates allow
# Until then
# We'll have to muddle through
somehow
# So have yourself
# A merry little Christmas now
# Once again as in olden days
# Happy golden days of yore
# Faithful friends who were dear to us
# Will be near to us once more
# Someday soon
we all will be together
# If the Fates allow
# Until then
# We'll have to muddle through
somehow
# So have yourself
# A merry little Christmas now
# Merry Christmas
# Merry Christmas #
(SERGEANT) Detail!
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
# Hallelujah, hallelujah
# Hark the herald angels sing
# "Glory to the newborn King
# "Peace on earth and mercy mild
# "God and sinners reconciled"
# Joyful, all ye nations rise
# Join the triumph of the skies
# With the angelic host proclaim
# "Christ is born in Bethlehem"
# Hark! The herald angels sing
# "Glory to the newborn King" #
(COMMENTATOR) To the Big Three
Conference in the Crimea
went not only the leaders
of the three Allied powers
but also the hopes and fate of all men
who look to a future free from war,
The three great leaders and
their military and political advisors
plan for the future,
This is the day the free world
has been waiting for
as Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin
decide the future of the war
and the peace to come,
Never before have the major Allies
been more closely united,
not only in their war aims,
but also in their peace aims.
Upon which we can begin to build,
under God,
that better world
in which our children
and grandchildren, yours and mine,
the children and grandchildren
of the whole world,
must live and can live.
Excusez-moi. Merci.
(CHEERING)
- Let's see the pass, buddy.
- Delighted, Sergeant.
It's not on there,
but my rifle number is 321579.
Yeah, and this place is off limits.
Ah, I never would have guessed.
Thanks, Sarge.
All right, wise guy.
We know your face.
A glass of beer, s'il vous plat.
- Perhaps I can buy the lady a drink?
- I am the owner.
How do you do?
I'd still like to buy you a drink.
- You know this place is off limits?
- Yeah, I noticed.
I'd like you to leave at once.
I obey the authorities in all respects.
Please go.
Far be it from me to involve you
with the authorities.
I bid you good day.
And tell your friends
in the Field Security Police
not to waste their time in the future.
My what?
Lady, you were never
more wrong in your life.
- In fact, if you knew me better...
- Let me see your hands.
My hands?
I was wrong.
The police have no calluses
on their hands.
You are only
an ordinary soldier after all.
Goodbye.
Permettez.
Ordinary is something else you
wouldn't say if you knew me better.
Do you believe in luck?
Well, this is the unluckiest day
of your life.
This is the day you let Frank Chase
slip through your fingers.
One moment.
bonsoir.
Will you have a drink with me?
All right.
Not here.
You were reckless to come in here.
Nothing's reckless if the stakes
are high enough.
Why's your place off limits?
Your police are prejudiced
against me.
Why?
because the Gestapo let me stay open
when the Germans were here.
Why shouldn't the Gestapo
let you stay open?
- I am Polish.
- Ah.
They could have sent me
to a labour camp,
but I paid them well.
Soon I shall pay your police, too.
Then I will not be off limits.
Yeah.
Well, that's the nice thing
about money.
Everybody seems to understand it.
May your efforts
be crowned with success.
Would you like to
dine with me tonight?
Very much.
I invite you.
I accept.
(PLAYS LIGHT POPULAR MUSIC)
(CHANGES TO REGAL MUSIC)
Par ici, Madame Magda.
(CHANGES BACK TO LIGHT MUSIC)
You don't, by any chance,
own this place, too?
I do.
I was feeling sorry for you.
- You must be rich.
- bah.
The real money is in the black market.
(CHASE) Hmm.
- Why don't you get in that, then?
- I am.
I should have known.
You know, there are deserters
in this room.
- Germans?
- Germans, british. Americans, too.
The war is almost over. The armies
are crumbling at the edges
Like stale cake.
(LAUGHING)
You've got some crumbs left over
from the last war, too.
They are businessmen.
business must be good.
business is always good in a war,
if you know how to live.
Serve my guest first, please.
I saw a deserter get shot once.
They'll never believe it.
Never, never, never.
Mmm, mmm.
- Is better than a foxhole?
- Mmm.
Ah! You know, when I was a kid,
I always wished I had
a fairy godmother,
and I finally found one.
D'you ever wish for things like that?
I used to wish for a fairy godfather
to come and take me away.
- From where?
- From Warsaw.
Why? I heard that was a great town.
I was born in a section
that's very well known,
with the highest rate of crime
in all Europe.
- At night even the police stay away.
- Hmm, real nice neighbourhood, huh?
I told you, it is very well known.
Did a fairy godfather ever come
and take you away?
Yes. He used to come two or three
times a year to look over the crop.
Finally, my turn came
when I was fifteen.
- Where'd he take you?
- Hamburg.
- The waterfront.
- At fifteen?
I was lucky, and clever.
A businessman from berlin fell in love
with me and bought me out.
I saved the money he gave me,
and after a year,
I left him.
I have been on my own ever since.
And as you can see,
I have done rather well.
And to what
do you attribute your success?
Never to depend on anyone.
Never to fall in love with anyone.
You have no idea
how stupid some girls are.
And never to give anything away
that can be sold.
Hmm... That's a philosophy I've
run across once or twice before.
- Can I have a cigarette, please?
- No.
but I will sell you one.
- (MAGDA) Frank?
- Yeah?
What time is it?
Uh, quarter past five.
- Is it raining?
- I'll see.
Yeah, it's still raining.
- I think we're moving out.
- What?
I said, I think we're moving out.
Good.
- Why?
- Don't act like a virgin.
You know you are not going back.
You know you are going to stay
and work for me.
I need someone like you,
someone clever, someone lucky.
And I know when people are lucky.
Someone not afraid to take chances,
because this is the time
to make money.
Everything is gold.
bread, meat, medicine, gasoline.
Everything your armies
are bringing in.
I need someone who can get
into the supply dumps and out again.
Someone like you,
who can pass as an officer.
I can get you
any kind of papers you need.
And now, with your company gone,
you'll be completely safe.
And you'll make money with me.
You're afraid.
Yeah. I guess I am.
Why?
because you saw a man
get shot once?
That will never happen again.
One of your own officers told me
that you have more than
40,000 deserters already.
No, no, baby.
Any time you got tired of me,
all you'd have to do is turn me in.
How could l?
You would know everything about me.
Anyway, the war is over.
They don't need you.
They may not need me,
but they're still fighting.
So let the fools fight.
They have all the fools they need,
all the sheep for the slaughter.
You stay with me, be safe, be rich.
Don't be a fool.
You can't tell me you want to go
out there and be with them.
No.
After this, I'll be more miserable
than I ever was.
Then why go, hmm?
because the only friends I've got
are out there.
Friends! Friends!
What can they do for you?
Have you forgotten how you have
lived for the last three days?
No.
I'm sorry.
You've been very good to me.
And I appreciate it,
but not enough, I guess.
I'm sorry.
- You're really going?
- Yeah.
Then go.
Go out there and die.
I hope you die.
I hope you get killed.
(SPITS)
(SOLDIER 1) Come on, over here!
(SOLDIER 2) Come on, Chase!
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
(COMMENTATOR) At the National
Airport, new flying ambulances,
In her first public appearance
as wife of the President,
Mrs Truman
does the traditional honours,
but the traditional champagne bottle
doesn't cooperate,
(PEOPLE LAUGH)
With great good nature,
the new First Lady
joins in the crowd's laughter,
Now let's see how
her military aide meets the crisis,
I'll use my baseball grip,
Come on, put her
right across the plate,
Now the Navy steams
to the rescue with a hammer
hidden just under
the nose of the plane,
You can see it if you look sharp,
But even the hammer
misses on the first try,
Well, well! All's well that ends well,
Eleven years ago, she was
Little Miss Marker,
Today she's Mrs John Agar,
After a five-month engagement,
Hollywood's famed Shirley Temple
becomes the bride
of aviation engineer sergeant
John Agar, Jr,
Crowds outside Wilshire
Methodist Church get hard to handle
as the couple leave
for the wedding reception,
At Shirley's Brentwood home,
friends offer their congratulations,
Sergeant Agar, on a seven-day
furlough to wed his 17-year-old bride,
will head for overseas as soon
as he completes his basic training,
But for the future, a fond world
wishes them health and happiness,
(SOLDIERS MUMBLING)
Hey, replacement.
Get this dog outta here.
It's not bothering anyone.
Well, it's bothering me.
We don't want any dogs around here.
Why not? It's only a pup.
They're dirty.
And they have fleas.
And they make dirt.
Now, if I get one louse on me,
I'll break your back.
Here, puppy.
(SOLDIERS MUMBLING)
Puppy? Here, puppy. Puppy?
(DOG WHIMPERING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
Sergeant.
If it's about that dog, don't bother me.
but it's a shame
to keep a dog tied up all day.
Let him go.
It's only a puppy.
Don't you feel sorry for it?
Sure. I feel sorry for it.
I feel sorry for everybody.
Feel sorry for myself, too.
- but everybody likes a dog.
- Well, my men don't.
They don't like me either.
I never did anything to any of them.
I didn't ask to be sent here.
Well, neither did they.
Maybe they don't like you
because you're three years late.
You've been back home all this time,
they've been here.
- Well, that's not my fault.
- It doesn't matter whose fault.
but they've got enough
to worry about,
and any way they want it
is good enough for me.
Now I don't wanna hear
any more about it.
I mean it.
Hey, Weaver.
Listen.
We don't keep dogs any more
because...when we move out,
we have to shoot 'em.
Otherwise, they'd starve to death.
You see?
I'll give you some advice.
It's different out here.
It's not like back home at all.
If you want to stay healthy,
don't make any trouble.
Don't get on anybody's nerves.
You understand?
(SOLDIER) Okay, snap it up!
Snap it up!
Stupid idiot! I'm fed up with you.
Look at that crazy dog.
Ah, that's too bad.
Hey, give him a whistle, will ya?
(WHISTLE)
Here he comes.
- (GROGAN) Fifty bucks?
- You got yourself a bet.
(COCKS GUN)
(GROGAN) You call yourself
a soldier? Give me that rifle!
(GUNSHOT)
(GROGAN) That's fifty you owe me.
You know,
it takes a soldier to do that.
Don't overdo it now.
No, just a couple of sets of tennis
before tea, that's all.
Excuse me. If you're waiting
for the bus to blanton,
I'm afraid it isn't due
for another two hours. I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
Is there a movie
around here somewhere?
- I mean, a cinema?
- Doesn't open till this evening.
Why don't you come in
and have a cup of tea?
- No, thanks.
- No trouble. My wife's just making it.
Please, we'd like to have you.
Anyway, there's nothing else open.
- Come on.
- Thank you.
- Are you in the hospital at blanton?
- No. I want to visit a friend there.
- He'll have a cup of tea.
- Oh, glad you came in.
- The buses are terrible nowadays.
- Thank you.
- My name's Frank Chase.
- Pleased to meet you, Frank.
It wasn't easy
to get him out of the rain,
but, uh, I talked him into it.
This is my wife, Joan.
This is my son's wife, Eileen.
The boys are Tom,
after his father, and William.
The little one's Fiona.
She came after Tom's last leave.
- And my name's Dennis.
- How do you do?
(KETTLE WHISTLING)
Let me take your mac.
You must be soaking.
- Thank you.
- That's fine.
Now just go over to the fire.
Make yourself comfortable
and I'll help with the tea.
Thank you.
Gonna be a soldier
when you grow up?
No. Me dad don't like it.
Good for him.
Your bus should be along soon.
Oh. I'm sorry.
Did you good. You were tired.
- but you don't want to miss your bus.
- No.
- The rain's stopped.
- Good.
Thank you.
(SIGHS)
Well...I was the life
of the party, wasn't l?
Oh, thank you for the tea.
It was very kind of you.
No, it wasn't. You're welcome.
- I hope your husband's home soon.
- Thank you.
better hurry.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Thanks very much.
- Goodbye.
- Look after yourself.
If you're by this way again,
please come in.
I will. Next time I'll try to stay awake.
Sarge?
Sarge?
- (CRAIG) Who's there?
- Sarge?
Stupid idiot. Get outta here.
(GASPS)
Hiya, Sarge!
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
(ALL SPEAK GERMAN)
Cold, ja? Winter's coming.
(TROWER) Your English
is coming along, too.
- Helga home?
- Helga? Nein, nein.
Helga is coming... Ein Moment... bald.
- (TROWER) Soon?
- Soon. She's coming soon.
(WOMAN SPEAKS GERMAN)
Hey, that smells good.
Wonderful.
(BOTH SPEAK GERMAN)
Please don't do that.
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
- For Helga.
- Ah, for Helga.
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
She said, when you go home,
she'll be sad in heart.
Who's going home?
I think they forgot all about me.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Mother say, uh, it is a shame, uh,
to keep away from home so long
when war finished.
Uh...but when Americans go,
who would, uh...
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
-..protect us from Russians?
- Yeah.
(DOOR BELL RINGS)
Hey, that's Helga!
Ah. The boyfriend, huh?
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
Two little German eggs.
I'm sister of Helga.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
- Chair, please?
- (SPEAKS GERMAN)
They are ashamed from me.
I have a Russian boyfriend.
- A captain.
- That's nice.
He gave me this.
And this.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- Cigarette?
- No thanks.
Father?
Go on, Father, take.
The Sergeant won't care.
He will give you some
American cigarettes, too.
- You sell them, get rich.
- No, danke.
Are you speaking German?
No, not much.
- French?
- Not really.
My captain speaks four language.
Your people have no culture.
You see this flat? My captain.
Otherwise they would live in a camp.
but they ashamed of me.
- I don't think they're ashamed of you.
- Oh, yeah.
They don't like Russians.
but they take.
How long do you go with Helga?
Quite a while now.
She'll make you crazy.
She has a Russian boyfriend, too,
once.
She didn't tell you from him?
He's a friend of my captain.
He's a captain, too. Very handsome.
He has now a very nice girlfriend.
Uh, was actress in movies. Very nice.
She's much prettier than Helga.
I think Helga is sorry now.
You let Helga go out
with other soldiers?
Sometimes.
My captain don't let me go out
with nobody.
Good for him.
Did you get Helga a job in the PX?
No, I didn't.
My captain gave me a job in office.
(MOTORCYCLE REVVING)
Excuse me.
(DOOR BELL RINGS)
Ach, Trudi.
(KISS)
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
You're looking tired.
Is it hard work at the PX?
Uh-uh. Is easy.
but, honey, this is wonderful!
Exactly what I asked for.
Oh... Nice, huh?
American is best, ja?
(SWING MUSIC PLAYING)
(TRUDI) It's too loud.
- Too loud.
- I like it.
Well...I have to go.
We have a party tonight.
- Goodbye.
- bye-bye.
(SAYING GOODBYES IN GERMAN)
Auf Wiedersehen, Sergeant.
Goodbye.
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
Helga, I say hello for you
to everybody, hmm?
Cow!
You know why
she comes here tonight?
She wanted me to go
to party with her, with the Russians.
- Would that be so unusual?
- What you talk about?
Well, she said you had
a Russian boyfriend once, a captain.
She said this? Me, with Russians,
after what they have done to me?!
You believe a crazy thing like that?
- Papi!
- Ja?
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
Never her, Sergeant, never.
She good girl.
Well, it doesn't matter.
I didn't believe it anyway.
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
What's the matter?
What's she saying?
She says how it was
when the Russians came
and took everything away
and put us on the street...
- How could they do that?
- I don't know. They just did.
They said the house
was too big for us.
Well, they gave you this place,
according to your sister.
That's right.
(FRENCH SONG PLAYING ON RADIO)
Listen! Paris!
Oh, darling, that's a wonderful radio.
Come on. Come on!
(ANNOUNCER) So we come to a close
of another recorded session
of "Music Just for You",
On behalf of the staff at AFM,
we wish you good night
and good morning,
("THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER"
STARTS TO PLAY)
- Come on, sweetie.
- Where?
Oh, we changed rooms today.
From today, I sleep in the bedroom.
Don't forget, I work. I need rest.
Don't worry about them.
They eat good.
Come on.
(SPEAKS GERMAN)
Come on, darling.
- Good night.
- Good night, Sergeant.
Come on.
Keep those. I've got another pack.
(THANKS HIM IN GERMAN)
Please don't give papa
so much cigarettes.
If he has cigarettes to sell,
then he don't have to work.
You got home from work
pretty late tonight.
I waited for a lift.
- From who?
- barnsby.
Why does it always
have to be barnsby?
Why not? He's nice,
he's got a motorcycle, and I like him.
- Well, I don't.
- Oh, you want me to walk home?
Here in the Russian Sector?
Do you want it to happen to me again?
Thank you (!)
Helga, what really happened?
I mean, did you really get raped?
- You think I lie? Is that it? Okay.
- No, I don't think you'd lie...
I don't wan to talk about it.
You believe whatever you want.
Okay, I believe you.
They were like animals.
Drunk.
I still remember
how they smelled from sweat.
You said you didn't want to talk
about it, so why talk about it?
You're jealous.
Okay. Okay, darling.
We don't talk about it no more.
And we don't fight no more. Yeah?
- German girls are best, yes?
- Yes.
(MAN SINGING IN RUSSIAN)
(DRUNKEN HUMMING)
(BELCHES)
Have a good time tonight?
Find somebody to rape?
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
Don't shove me, Jack.
I didn't come all this way
to be shoved by anybody.
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
I'm warning you!
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
All right, that's it. Go on home.
Look, I'm sorry. It's over. Go on.
Go on home.
What's wrong with you?
Don't you understand?