Force 10 from Navarone (1978) - full transcript

Deep in the heart of the Aegean
lies the island of Navarone.

In 1943, it stood like a
thorn in the Allied side.

Newly designed
radar-controlled guns set

in the heart of the
ancient rock...

gave the German High Command
total strategic dominance.

Air strikes and naval attacks had
proven costly and ineffective.

In desperation, the Allies
turned to infiltration.

On the night of
September the 24th, a

specially trained
commando group...

succeeded in penetrating the
very heart of the gun complex...

planted explosives at the base
of the giant shell hoists...



then withdrew to await rescue
by ships of the Royal Navy.

- Reduce speed, number one.
- Aye, aye, sir. Down 50 reps.

Fire.

Move. Move.

Come on, move it.

Move it.

Move it, move it,
move it, move it.

Regulations state,
sir, that in the

absence of bacon,
ham, et cetera...

the acting catering
officer, that's you, sir...

shall authorise once per
week, the issue of offal.

- Offal?
- Offal, sir...

is kidneys, liver,
tongue, brains...

Well, I'll be damned.



- Milly, how nice to see you.
- Hello, sir.

- Whatever are you doing here?
- I've no idea.

I'm reporting to Commander Jensen.

I gather you've been
hurling yourself

over the white cliffs.
How's the leg?

It's in the same place. I thought
they pensioned you off for good.

You still peddling those
whizz-bangs of yours?

Yes, we've got things that
go boom for all occasions.

I'm working with a new
detonator. It's interesting...

Excuse me, sir. We can't keep
Commander Jensen waiting.

We'll have a quiet pint later on.

He'd like to see
you too, together.

Corporal, put that in
my office, will you?

Mallory.

Take a pew. How's the leg?

- And Miller, isn't it?
- Yes, sir.

Hear you've been attached
to Winston's toy shop.

"Department of Dirty Tricks" as
the Whitehall chaps call it.

Well, they speak very well of you.

Right. We need you chaps for
something rather special.

I'm afraid it's not
exactly a masterpiece...

but I wonder if you can
identify this fellow.

Think back to Navarone.

I'd rather not, sir.

Nicolai?

Yes. Let you down
a bit, didn't he?

But what about him?

Andrea's people had him shot
as a traitor, didn't they?

Yes, so we were told.

In fact, he escaped.

He wasn't a traitor. He
was a German agent...

who we believe is operating now in
Yugoslavia with the Partisans...

posing as one Captain Lescovar.

Now, you both knew Nicolai.

In fact, you're the
only people we know

of can make a positive
identification.

So I'd like you to go
out there and cope.

Cope, sir?

Kill him.

Discreetly, if possible.

But I'm a civilian now, sir.

Yes, we thought about that.

So you've been recalled to
the current and promoted.

Staff Sergeant.

Awfully generous, sir.

Exactly how do we get there?

We're tacking you onto Force 10.

The code name for an operation for
the Allied mission in Yugoslavia.

Excuse me, sir. What's
their objective?

It's being treated on
a need-to-know basis.

And you don't need to know.

And you don't need to know.

Barnsby, come in.

- Sir?
- Colonel.

Force 10 flies out tonight.

Oh, that's all right.
Taking these boys with you.

I beg your pardon, sir?

It's a matter of transportation.
You've got passengers.

Just a sideshow. This is Major
Mallory, Sergeant Miller.

Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby.

Sir, my mission is
all set. It's been

planned down to the last detail.

The last thing we need are
a couple of passengers.

Major Mallory does have a
certain amount of experience.

I wouldn't doubt it.

We're talking about some
hard travelling, sir.

We've got to move fast. My men are
young, in top physical shape.

They're specially
trained for this.

I'm aware of that.

Sir, I am concerned about
the safety of my command.

Well, these chaps have
got a job to do as well.

And it's up to you to deliver
them safely to the Partisans.

And you leave for Italy
at 2300 hours...

and you take off for Yugoslavia
the following night.

Very well, sir.

Thank you. That's all, gentlemen.

Well, we'll do our
best not to make

a nuisance of ourselves, Colonel.

All right, enough.

Thought we were going
to an airfield.

From what I've
observed of Barnsby...

we might be going to Yugoslavia
by walking on water.

All right, it's right along
here. Slow down, Nolan.

Stop it.

Nolan, kill the lights.
All right, out.

Oberstein, Reynolds, the fence.

You're gonna miss your plane
unless you join us now, Major.

Remarkable way of getting on an
aircraft, don't you think so?

Oh, well, nothing's
ever easy, is it?

It's not easy if you insist on

climbing through
fences in the dark...

when there's a perfectly good
gate half a mile up the road.

Anything we can do to help?

Yeah, you can keep quiet
and out of the way, Major.

I don't have a lot of
time for explanations.

One thing that you don't know...

is the last three Allied
missions into Yugoslavia...

were blown right here in Italy.

So this time when
we fly out, we're

not advertising the
fact to anybody.

Holy cow, will you
look at those guys.

They're stealing half the field.

All right, hold it.

Wait for me.

Okay, men, let's go.

Blake, take care of Rastus there.

Yes, sir.

Okay, fellas, freeze.

Back off. Come on, get back.

And you, back, back.

Bill, Eddie, fetch those
other guys out of there.

What's your name, kid?

Walter.

What's yours?

Well, it sure in the
hell ain't Rastus.

Walter.

Good evening.

Major, move.

- You two guys officers?
- More or less, yes.

We're very much obliged
to you, Sergeant.

- Weaver.
- Oh, Sergeant Weaver. Thank you.

US Army Medical Corps.

- But, sir.
- All set, Colonel.

- Still stuff outside?
- Yeah.

- Okay, Oberstein?
- Fine.

Hey, sir.

Where's Nolan?

I think you can take it
he won't be joining us.

Okay, let's go.

You son of a bitch. I saved
your asses back there...

and you run out on me.

Hey, who is this guy?
Get out of here.

Hey, man, don't push.
Don't push me.

Look, you.

I think it's a bit
late for that now.

Look, you just shouldn't have
left me there. I saved you bums.

Well, we didn't think you'd
like where we're going.

You let me worry about that, huh?

That guy's gonna melt
into the landscape.

Yeah, them Partisans
are gonna think

they've been invaded by Zulus.

Well, you are one man short.

Well, Nolan can handle
a chute, at least.

- Can you handle a chute?
- I can learn on the job.

That's right, you learn
on the way down.

I'd better go tell the Colonel
we got us another passenger.

I think the Colonel's
got enough on

his plate for the
moment, don't you?

So sorry.

I was rather hoping
we'd lost that.

You never know. It
might come in useful.

Hey, hey, what do
you got in there?

My pyjamas.

Looks like high-explosive
pyjamas to me.

Not to worry, old boy.

Been handling this
since I blew up the

nursery with my first
chemistry set.

Poor old nanny.

We got company.

Cut two.

Reynolds, bail out.

Jump.

Go.

Come on, move it.

Come on, get out.

Come on, move.

Come on.

Mallory.

Okay.

- Seen any of the others?
- Not yet. Get down.

Come on.

- Okay, Reynolds?
- Yeah.

Where's your Sergeant Miller?

How the hell did he get here?

You let him on the plane?

I think he more or
less invited himself.

Where did you learn
to use a knife?

Harvard University, man.

You don't call him man. You call
him sir, and you call me sir.

And as long as you're here, you do

as you're told.
Understood, soldier?

Yes, sir.

We've got to get out of here
before that patrol comes back.

Lieutenant Reynolds, take point.

Sergeant Weaver,
bring up the rear.

And everybody keep up.
All right, let's go.

Organised young
gentleman, isn't he?

- Any idea where we are, Colonel?
- Not a hell of a lot, no.

If we keep going east, we'll end
up where we're supposed to.

How did we get stuck
with those two clowns?

I don't know, Doug. Some
idiot at British HQ.

Come along, gentlemen.
It's not teatime yet.

Do you think that young man has
any idea where we are, Milly?

- No, I shouldn't think so.
- I shouldn't think so, either.

I'll go and try and find out.

Yes, why don't you do that.

Excuse me, Colonel.

Do you have any idea where we are?

I've got a good idea where we are.

And how long it's
gonna take to get

there, if you two can't keep up.

All right, let's move it.

This is really beautiful country.

Yes, marvellous.

Rather like the
Scottish Highlands.

- Do you know Scotland?
- No.

Yes.

I've often thought that I'd rather

like to settle down
there some day.

Looks like you're gonna
have to change your plans.

Take it easy.

Welcome.

Captain Drazak.

Seventeenth Partisan Regiment.

- Good morning, Captain.
- Welcome, welcome.

Thank you, Captain Drazak.

They frightened you
with bandages, huh?

Without bandages you...

German, how you say:

You say, "flamethrower."

Yeah, yeah, flamethrower.

Hello. Hello.

How do you do?

This is Maritza, good
soldier comrade.

How do you do, good
soldier comrade?

Hello, blackie.

Maybe it comes off now, Maritza.

Back off, soldier.

I make big joke...

but joke on me.

Good, blackie. Come, we go.
We eat with our comrades.

We make friends and drink.
Then we fight the Germans.

Come.

Come, we go.

Where did you learn to
punch like that? Harvard?

No, Harlem. Colonel?

I'm not trying to get anybody
killed, least of all me.

But that big idiot
back there started it.

Just watch yourself, soldier.

- How's the leg today?
- It's much better, thank you.

Good, good. Well, it looks like

things may work out
after all, huh?

Well, perhaps Miller
and I can still

carry out our little sideshow.

Sorry about Force 10.

You're down to two
men, aren't you?

Of course, I don't know
what your mission was...

but obviously it just isn't
on now, is it, Colonel?

Looks rather like your own
youngster, doesn't he?

Do you really think so?

Please, come.

Come, eat.

We are Chetniks...

not stinking Partisans.

We hunt Allied commandos
like wild pigs.

We work with Germans.
They are our friends.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Major Schroeder, 11th army corps.

How do you do, Major?
Delighted to meet you.

We thought these
people were Partisans.

- Of all the luck, Barnsby?
- Sure.

Chetniks? Who would
have believed that?

The other three Allied missions
that fell into our hands...

were not quite so happy about
it as you appear to be.

I'm not surprised, sir.

But, you see, we're not
commandos. We're deserters.

Deserters?

Give them to me, Major.
We kill them now.

You see, we were in a
prison camp in Termoli.

We escaped.

Managed to steal a plane.
Flew here, RAF Lancaster.

Were attacked, hit, bailed out and

landed in your
territory, thank God.

Fascinating.

Tell me, why exactly
did you desert?

Now, I'm glad you asked that.

Yes.

Well, I am afraid that
is rather a long story.

Oh, please, you must not
be afraid of boring me.

Have you ever heard of penicillin?

No.

Well, I'm not surprised. It's new.

It's a drug that prevents
wounds from becoming infected.

It cures a whole range
of infections...

including some of the
nastier social diseases.

It's become one of the most

sought-after items
on the black market.

Our friend here, Sergeant Weaver
of the American Medical Corps...

was our supplier.

You are saying you
stole these drugs

from the Army to
sell to civilians?

Not just to civilians, Major.
We'd sell it back to the Army.

Any army.

I see.

Tell me, what has
all this to do with

that suitcase you keep looking at?

Well, that suitcase is
full of our penicillin.

Oh, indeed. Perhaps I
could see some of it?

Certainly, Major.

Open it, Miller.

You can't do that here,
you'd ruin the lot.

You know perfectly well that any
contamination will destroy it.

It must be opened under
laboratory conditions.

There's nearly half a million
pounds worth of stuff here.

I know all that, but the Major is
not interested in our penicillin.

He only wants to know the truth.

What's the use of a half a
million pounds to you out here?

Yes, well, that's
beside the point,

sir, but I'm not going to open it.

Our story doesn't
seem to convince you.

No, it does not.

That's up to you, but every
word he's told you is true.

If you don't believe it, check
with your intelligence.

They'll verify the entire story.

Oh, I shall certainly
verify your story.

Every word of it.

Get in.

Cute story, Major, very cute.

Now, what happens when
they open the suitcase?

I should think we'll all get
shot. Don't you, Colonel?

Headquarters acknowledges
your signal.

Thank you, Bauer.

Maritza...

what do you think?

They're lying.

What does it matter, anyway?

Kill them.

Yeah, you are probably right.

Do you know what I was thinking?

After the war, $1 million.

You, a simple peasant
girl from where?

I can never pronounce the name
of the place you come from.

With so much money, we could...

They're lying.

Kill them.

Out. Get out.

What did I tell you?

Well, at least we got
a good night's sleep.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Our intelligence confirms
your escape from Italy.

You and you, follow me, please.

Your escape from
Italy is one thing.

The rest of your story
is something else.

I had time to sleep on it.

So this morning, you
know what I did?

I opened the suitcase.

Maritza.

And what do you think I found?

Firewood.

What did you expect? We buried it
before your Chetniks picked us up.

We're not stupid. It's the only
thing we've got to bargain with.

That is what I thought you would
say. I think you're lying.

You know they're lying. Why don't
you let Drazak get rid of them?

Gently, Maritza.

I don't believe your so-called

penicillin exists,
but it just might.

So I will let you go
and dig it up for me.

And if we do, you'll shoot us
and bury us in the same hole.

I shall certainly shoot
you if you don't.

Well, gentlemen, the
choice is yours.

What I can't figure is how the
firewood got in the case.

Neither can I.

Don't know where
we're going to find

any spare penicillin here, do you?

What are we going
to do, keep walking

until we reach the Adriatic?

I don't think the iron maiden
will let us get that far.

Halt.

What did I tell you?

We are three miles past the
spot where you were picked up.

Well, where is this
wonderful treasure?

In your imagination?

No, madam, it's not
in our imagination.

I think it's a bit
further on, don't you?

Yes, it is. Well, I mean, it's
not much further than this.

It's hard to tell, the
whole country looks alike.

You will start digging
within five minutes.

What if we haven't found
it in five minutes?

Then you will be
digging your graves.

Hey, Colonel.

Wait a minute, now
this looks familiar.

Isn't this our little
hollow down here?

Yes, I think it is.

I remember this knoll over
here. Madam, this is it.

I think this is it.

- This knoll over here?
- Right.

You see, comrade, we lined
it up between them...

There you are. There's
our pile of stones.

Gotta get them closer
and we use the spades.

You take the two that
are closest to you...

and I'll take the other
one and the broad.

I'm gonna get them
closer now, okay?

Fritz. Fritz, come. It's here.

- Ready?
- All right.

You can get up now. They're dead.

I put firewood in people's cases
and hide their high explosives.

Don't sit there gawping.

Get out of here. Keep
moving in that direction.

Try to find
Petrovitch's Partisans.

Now, go.

Excuse me, good comrade soldier...

but exactly what
story are you gonna

tell Schroeder about all this?

You took us by surprise.

You got away.

Here, hit me.

Did you expect me to go back
there with my hair combed?

Hit me.

Well, all right. I'm sorry.

Harder.

Come on, Colonel.

I hope that man Schroeder
believes that girl's story.

If he doesn't believe
her, he'd better

think twice about
calling her a liar.

What about Miller and Reynolds?

What about them, Colonel?

Yes.

I suppose they...

Let's move it.

Do you have the feeling
we're being followed?

About the last 10 minutes.

Next time you can play the corpse.

Yeah, you seem pretty good
with that thing, though.

Could have been luck.

- Germans?
- Yes, or Drazak, I suppose.

Partisans, thank God.

Good morning.

Good morning.

What's the matter with him?
We've been looking for you.

Be quiet.

You will make your report
to Major Petrovitch.

I think we've run into
bad company, Colonel.

Yes, the leader.

- What about him?
- Afraid I know him.

- Nicolai.
- Who the hell is Nicolai?

It's Nicolai Lescovar.

The man I was sent to kill.

Dam, if it's the one I think
it is. I know where we are.

So do I. Right in it.

Do you think he's recognised you?

Yes, I think so.

Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby,
United States Rangers.

Major Mallory, sir.

You got away from the Germans.

How?

We escaped.

Captain Lescovar has
his doubts about that.

If you escaped, why were the
Germans not pursuing you?

We observed you for five miles
before we picked you up.

You should've observed
that we killed

two Chetniks that
were following us.

- The men with the bandaged faces.
- Exactly.

Hardly a cause for congratulation.
Those two men were Partisans.

Comrades of ours whom we had

infiltrated into the
Chetnik camp...

so now all links with our agent
there are broken, thanks to you.

I'm sorry.

The fact remains that
we're Allied officers.

There's no reason we should
be treated this way.

I'm in command of Force 10. I
insist that we be allowed...

to contact the Allied mission.
I'm sure London informed you.

We are informed of many
things by London...

very few of them ever
seem to materialise.

However, you are right.

I was informed of your mission.

Personally, I doubt if it
was ever a practical one...

but now that you are here without

equipment, the
question is academic.

And you, Major, you came here
as an observer, perhaps?

No, sir.

I was charged with a
mission of my own.

It's confidential.

Confidential.

Sometimes I get the impression...

that London looks on this
theatre of operations...

as a convenient place
for conducting

what they call "war games."

May I speak to you personally?

You are speaking to me personally.

- I mean alone.
- No.

The People's Army does not conduct
military business in secret.

Very well, sir.

I was sent here to identify a
German agent, code name Nicolai.

We are reliably informed...

that he has infiltrated
the People's

Resistance Army, and
is now known...

as Captain Lescovar.

And having identified this man,
what were your further orders?

I was to eliminate him, sir.

- Eliminate. Don't you mean kill?
- Yes, sir. I do mean kill.

Do you hear that, Lescovar?

The gentlemen from London
want us to shoot you.

I'm sorry, Major.

I must admit you are
indeed partly right.

There was an agent
named Nicolai...

operating somewhere south of here
and also calling himself Lescovar.

But he was identified many
months ago. And eliminated.

The British were informed.

But London were
very specific, sir.

Yes, they frequently
are specific...

and just as frequently wrong.

Lieutenant Marko, see
that these gentlemen...

give you a full report on their
activities in the Chetnik camp.

A specific report.

Well, Captain, I guess we owe you
a bit of an apology, don't we?

Well, it happens. We all get
badly briefed sometimes.

Wish we had been briefed about
the men with the bandages.

Replaced them with a couple of
your own, that's a good trick.

They were messengers to our agent
at Schroeder's headquarters.

Is your agent small,
dark, pretty...

beautiful grey eyes and
shoots from the hip?

You mean Maritza? Yes.

She took a big chance for us.

She isn't Petrovitch's
daughter for nothing.

We hold this end of the bridge.

Over there, the Germans
prepare for the final attack.

We have been ordered to prevent
them crossing at all costs.

What exactly do they
have over there?

Three divisions, perhaps more.
We hold a brigade here.

Soon they will bring
up tanks, then...

Why haven't you blown the bridge?

We have tried several times.

Each time we lost valuable men.

Major Petrovitch has
decided it is impractical.

Well, he's wrong about that.

There's no bridge in the
world that can't be blown.

That's what Force 10
was here to prove.

I told you before, you have no
men, you have no equipment.

I can radio London for equipment.
Get me an airstrip operational.

Oh, call London,
prepare an airstrip

for a plane that may never arrive.

Have you anything else to suggest?

Yes.

Give me 20 men, I can
blow that bridge to hell.

You mean you can blow 20 of
my men to hell, for nothing.

That bridge is indestructible.

Excuse me, sir, you
don't need 20 men.

- You need Miller.
- Miller?

He's an expert with
explosives, sir.

He's probably the best in England.

- This Miller is in England?
- No, sir.

- Prisoner in the Chetnik camp.
- Then he's already dead.

Not necessarily, Major.

I refuse to mount a full-scale

operation just to
find out, Colonel.

I need every single man
I've got here, now.

Sir, we don't need to mount
a full-scale operation.

Just give us two men.

These officers are
from headquarters.

They're here to interrogate you.

You reported five
prisoners, Major.

Two of them tried to
escape. They were shot.

Major Schroeder is in the armoury,
and I have told you before...

this area is out of bounds to you
people, except Captain Drazak.

Kindly remove yourselves
immediately...

and if you can read,
which I doubt,

take a look at standing orders.

There. You have made
me burn the milk.

So I did.

Let it burn.

Open up.

Prisoners for Major Schroeder.

You see, my colleague does not
believe you are deserters.

- The prisoners, sir.
- What prisoners?

I thought you said these
men had been shot.

Right, gentlemen, shall we go?

No.

This is not correct.

Quick. Miller.

Bring him. Open it.

- Go.
- Marko.

Partisan bitch.

Always so kind to
the men with burns.

But they have no burns.

The three Germans with the
prisoners that escaped...

all shot in the back
with machine pistols.

You killed them.

Good. Give me the hat.

Open. Open up.

Open.

Open.

Milly.

Weaver, don't stand there like an

idiot. Let's get
this truck moving.

She okay?

Well, we'll drive as
carefully as we can.

Hey, you. I don't like
the way you talk.

You what?

I don't like the way
you talk to me.

This truck doesn't move till
somebody tells me what's going on.

Now, look, you...

You big time officers
have shafted me twice.

You tried to dump me in Italy,
ran out on me back there.

You expect me to
drive you like some

chauffeur. Nobody
tells me anything.

You don't tell me what's going on.

I don't believe this.

Excuse me, but is
your trouble that

you want to be part of the team?

I don't want to be a
part of any lousy team.

I just want some
equal consideration.

I don't think you'll get
equal consideration...

from those people
back there. Do you?

I don't care if they're
the US Cavalry.

Nobody moves until somebody tells
me what you're planning to do.

- We're going to blow up a bridge.
- A bridge?

Whose bridge? Not me,
I'm blowing up nothing.

We are going to help the
Partisans blow up a bridge...

and then if we're very
lucky, we can all go home.

Is that a fact?

That's the general idea, Sergeant.

That's why we came
back for Miller.

Yeah, Miller.

You didn't give a
mother-hunch about me.

You came back for Miller,
but you didn't come for me?

No, we didn't.

That's the first straight
answer you've given me.

I think the Major's
got a point, Colonel.

They do look kind of
mean, don't they?

Don't stand there
gaping like an idiot.

Get in there and drive the truck.

- All right.
- All right.

We'll have to do this another way.

Get away from the truck.

Wait for my signal.

Useful little insect, isn't he?

Keep an eye on him, Marko.

Miller, you are an
incurable show-off.

Don't knock it, Major.
Don't knock it.

So now it works, huh, Sergeant?

Well, these babies are a little
temperamental sometimes.

Like me.

Lescovar's confirmed my signals
got through to London.

Do you like that chap?

- Who's that, Lescovar?
- Yeah.

I haven't thought
anything about him.

- Knows his job, I suppose.
- Yes, he does, doesn't he?

All right, Sergeant?

What do you think? Pretty
straightforward, isn't it?

Well, no, not exactly.

In fact, not by a long chalk.

I'd say you're flogging a
dead horse there, old man.

- What are you trying to tell me?
- Want to take a look?

Are you kidding? I know
every inch of that bridge.

Oh, yeah?

In that case, you'll
have noticed how

it's built into the living rock.

And how those main pilings are not
just concrete, but 20 feet thick.

That's not forgetting...

I told you, London's dropping
the same stuff we had before.

Yes, I know what you're getting,
but it's not gonna be enough.

What do you mean, not enough?

You might just bend it a little...

burn the paint work
here and there.

But nothing that would seriously

inconvenience the
Jerries, I thought.

Our experts have
been studying that

bridge, and they say it'll blow.

I don't know where you learnt...

but I'm talking about the best
engineers in the business.

Yes. They're probably experts
at building things...

whereas I'm an expert
at blowing them up.

Take it from me that one
would need eight hours...

to make a decent job
of that bridge.

Eight hours?

Assuming, of course,
the Jerries are

kind enough to leave us in peace.

And maybe provide a
few working lights.

You've seen those searchlights,
have you? Well, I...

- Miller.
- Sir.

I think you've made
your technical point.

Many thanks, sir.

If I weren't absolutely
sure of my facts,

I wouldn't be telling
you this now.

And you do understand,
sir, I'm not exaggerating.

What would happen to the
bridge if that central arch...

was suddenly hit by several
million tonnes of water?

- Water?
- Water?

I think we've been talking
about the wrong target.

Remember that dam we
passed up around the bend?

What kind of a dam? Where is it?

Two and a half miles up the river.

But, my dear chap, why
didn't you say so before?

Oh, I could do a tremendous
job on a dam, yes.

With a dam you've got natural
elements working for you.

It's like an enormous bath. All
you've got to do is pull the plug.

Thank you.

Come along, gentlemen.

As a technician, I
thought you might

be interested in that dam, Milly.

Get them outside for
the dropping zone.

So the RAF drops the stuff
and we blow the dam, right?

Right.

Is it anything like Boulder
Dam? Now, that baby's big, man.

Wouldn't know, old boy.

How often have you used
this as a dropping zone?

Never.

The Germans see to that.

We have to keep moving around.

Makes sense.

You think those two guys know
anything about blowing a dam?

Oh, no, I shouldn't think
they've got a clue.

But never mind, old Weaver...

we sergeants will see
them through as usual.

- Right.
- Hello.

Ought you to be out and
about? It's jolly cold.

Come on in, take a seat.

Thank you, but one thing I
cannot do just yet is sit down.

You're not staying
for the fireworks?

Bags of panic and blue lights.

No. I've seen too many airdrops.

They don't compare
to a nice, warm bed.

Would you believe
it? Right on time.

I don't believe it.

Poor bastards.

This was no accident.

We've lost our last chance.

There is no question.
We were betrayed.

Aren't we always with
Allied missions?

Their security's a joke.

It doesn't matter.

We do our part, and
what do we get?

Twenty lives lost.

- One of them...
- It's past.

Finished.

All that matters now is that the

Germans are marshalling
their tanks.

They will cross the
bridge tomorrow...

and there is nothing we
can do to stop them.

And you four gentlemen have
outstayed your usefulness.

You will be escorted back to
the Allied military mission.

Out of harm's way?

Sir...

I could leave the Germans
some very nasty surprises.

Thank you, Sergeant.

I think we have had
enough surprises.

Captain Lescovar, see that these

gentlemen have an
escort of two men.

If those chaps had just half the
equipment of the Jerries...

I could've made that dam
look like a Swiss cheese.

It's absolutely sickening.

Do you think the
Jerries will have that

gear we need in their supply dump?

Of course they would.

Lashings of HE, land mines,
detonators, everything.

It's an absolute certainty.

Your escort, Colonel.

I think you will
find them reliable.

Okay, thank you.

I think we're going to need rather
more men than this, Captain.

My Sergeant thinks
that the Germans

have the necessary equipment...

in their forward supply dump so
that the Colonel can blow the dam.

That means you'd have to get into
the marshalling yards at Mostar.

None of you speak enough German.

You need me to help.

Thank you, Captain.

You know, I could
get shot for this.

Couldn't we all?

You look real beautiful,
you know that?

Yes, it's all right for you. You
don't have to come with us.

We'll be back in exactly
35 minutes, right?

Okay.

That's if the shop's
open, old boy.

Pity they didn't teach you
German at that school of yours.

Instead of Latin? Perish
the thought, old boy.

These any use to you?

No, tellermines is what we want.

They look like dirty
grey-green dinner plates.

Maybe they just haven't got any.

They have.

I wonder what happened to
Barnsby and his truck.

I've been asking myself
the same question.

Well, we can't just stand
here like ducks in thunder.

Over there. The
railway waggon. Get

the stuff in there till he comes.

Barnsby should have been here
by now. Where the hell is he?

Beautiful.

- They're just the job.
- Not now, Milly.

Well, I'd rather do it
now than in some ditch.

- How long?
- Oh, about 10 minutes...

given peace and quiet.

These little sods can
be temperamental.

The gubbins itself
is harmless enough

but aren't we all,
until detonated.

For a moment I
thought we were off.

Hey, where in the hell
have they gotten to?

You maniac.

What the hell are you doing here?

I'll go and have a look around,
see if I can find them.

- There he is.
- Wait. I'll get him.

- That's Lescovar.
- Yeah.

- Where's Marko?
- I don't know...

but ten to one they're
hiding in that boxcar.

But ten to one they're
hiding in that boxcar.

Bloody hell.

What's up now?

Some great ape of a Sergeant,
he's sent Barnsby's truck away.

Oh, no.

Sergeant.

Be quiet. Listen to me.

There are two British commanders
in that cattle truck behind me.

I'm Colonel Von Ingorslebon,
Special Field Intelligence Group.

Stand still, idiot. Look natural.

There is a third, an
American Colonel...

in the truck which
you just sent away.

I want to take them all together.

What's Lescovar doing?

He's shooting him
some kind of story.

Go and assemble a squad of armed
men. Quickly and quietly.

And keep them out of sight.

Then report back
to me. Understand?

Good old Lescovar. Best
line-shooter in the Balkans.

All right, you guys, let's...

Oh, man.

The sacks, get them up here quick.

You picked a fine time to do this.

Sling out my suitcase, will you?

You trying to screw
up this operation?

We're behind schedule already.

- How did you get here?
- I've been through that already.

Help me get this stuff loaded
and get it on the truck.

- Right, Miller?
- Right, all set.

Let's go. Easy.

Hold it.

It's that man again.

I'll take care of
him. Close the door.

They are all yours,
Sergeant. Bring the squad.

All clear?

Give them a moment
to get out of sight.

That fool, Marko, must
have given himself away.

I don't know how.

How in the hell are we gonna
get back across the river?

I mean, where are we going?

Berlin, I shouldn't wonder.

Sarajevo.

That's where the train goes.

No stops.

I'm sorry about Marko.

Thank you.

It's a risk we all take.

He was a brave man
and a good friend.

Pity he got careless.

Do you think that big Sergeant
spotted him as a Partisan?

I can't buy that.

The Sergeant wasn't that bright.

He saluted you, you're wearing
a Corporal's uniform.

That doesn't rate a salute
in the German army.

Not in anybody's army.

Why do you think he
saluted you, Lescovar?

Perhaps he recognised
my natural superiority.

Yes, perhaps.

You say this train goes
to Sarajevo, no stops?

Yeah.

But I noticed on the
map that we pass

within a half a mile of the dam.

Strange you didn't
bother to mention that.

Now, what's all this about?

Some fool of a
Sergeant salutes me...

and I forget to mention
that we pass near the dam.

And a little while
ago, you said that

Marko must have
given himself away.

I don't think he gave
anything away...

except his life.

What did you give away, Lescovar?

You think I'm a
traitor, is that it?

I don't think, I know.

I've always known.

I just couldn't prove it.

You're Nicolai.

You're the man who
blew us in Greece.

Thank you, Colonel.

I've done your job.

You help me do mine.

Oh, crikey.

It's lit like a Christmas tree.

Dawn's around 5:30.

Gives us an hour to get in...

half-hour to set the charges
and 20 minutes to get clear.

What you need, sir, is a
little diversion, isn't it?

What am I supposed
to do with this?

Oh, I don't know.

Try and imagine you're a dog.

Oh, for heaven's sake. On
the road, man, on the road.

Hallelujah.

Just unroll it and string it out.

Come on, blackie.

Come on, blackie.

Come on.

Hey. You bleed red blood, blackie?

Here.

Right here.

You all right?

Come on, blow, damn it. Blow.

Give them a chance. They'll
be here in a minute.

If they'd been caught, we'd
have heard the alarm go off.

How long do we make the fuse?

They're Germans, they're
gonna be punctual.

Usually are.

We've run out of time.

Twenty seconds?

What do you say?

It's your decision, Colonel.

I'm asking you.

Twenty seconds sounds about right,
then we won't have so far to run.

It would have been nice to
see that bridge go, huh?

Yes, wouldn't it?

All been very interesting,
though, hasn't it?

Yes.

It didn't do a goddamn
thing. Nothing.

Miller. That useless git.

- It didn't...
- What?

- It didn't work.
- I know it didn't work.

- Well, let's get out of here.
- Yeah, let's get out of here.

When I catch that little perisher,
I'll wring his useless neck.

Nothing.

We've been through all
this, and nothing.

Nothing but:

You can't expect an
enormous volcano

with three tiny
bags of explosives.

You have to let nature
take her course.

Give it time, it'll work.

If I were you, I'd get
out of here fast.

You son of a bitch.

I told you, it's only
a matter of waiting.

You cute little son of a
bitch. You did it. Come here.

You did it. You did it. You cute
little son of a... You did it.

Why, you limey genius, I love you.

Steady on, old Weaver, steady on.

You did it.

Miller, you horrible little man...

you knew that was gonna be
a slow-motion explosion.

You deliberately didn't
tell me, did you?

I didn't want to bore you
with technical detail.

I thought it might be
a bit over your head.

What happened to you?

He bit me in all the excitement.

But damn it to hell, we did
it, Colonel, we did it.

Yes, we did, Sergeant. We did.

And a merry Christmas.

Yes, gentlemen, we did it.

But before...

we can start awarding
ourselves Victoria Crosses...

and Congressional Medals
of Honour and so on...

and so forth and such like...

I think I'd better
point out that, one:

We're on the wrong
side of the river.

That two: We have
no hope whatsoever

of rejoining the Partisans.

And that three:

This neck of the
woods will soon be

crawling with
bad-tempered Germans.

And four:

I don't think that our little
genius, Sergeant Miller there...

has even got a box of matches
left in his suitcase.

And so, therefore, I think
we can take it, gentlemen...

that we are going to have
a very long walk home.