Raid on Rommel (1971) - full transcript
Captain Foster plans on raiding German-occupied Tobruk with hand-picked commandos, but a mix-up leaves him with a medical unit containing a Quaker conscientious objector. Despite all odds they succeed with their mission. On the way they pick up and drug the mistress of an Italian general, blow up the entire fuel supply for the Afrika Korps, and swap philatelic gossip with Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(MURMURING)
Herr Hauptmann.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(MURMURING)
Major, I have orders.
You and your men
are to leave
at 1200 hours for Tobruk.
Tobruk?
That's crazy!
Those are my orders!
But that's
an active war zone.
As prisoners of war,
we're supposed to be
sent to a safe area.
Tobruk is now ours, Major.
I assure you, it is very safe.
TARKINGTON:
The Geneva Convention
has explicit rules on what...
HAUPTMANN: We observe
those rules. Your side was
notified yesterday about this.
Heil Hitler.
You will do that too.
So prepare.
We leave immediately.
And what if
we refuse to go?
We leave you here.
Then you will see, Major,
there are worse things
than dysentery.
Merrihew?
Sir.
Pack it.
Yes, sir.
(SCOFFS)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SHOUTING IN ITALIAN)
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
(YELLING IN GERMAN)
Why don't you
speak English, you kraut?
What seems
to be the
problem, signorina?
Why I am not leaving
on that plane to Tobruk? Why?
Signorina Gagliardo,
special air transportation
calls for special authority.
I got!
Ecco.
"Any courtesy shown the bearer
will greatly oblige
"General Giordano Fanduci,
commanding officer,
Ariete Division."
Yes, I know about your
position with the general.
Position?
You're attached
to his staff.
Extremely attached.
He is molto-grando general.
You're only a piccolo captain.
The Italians are
very stylish warriors,
but I wish they'd keep
their women on a leash.
Any other jokes?
Yes.
You will travel
like the rest of us.
How is that?
In a truck.
Continue packing.
(GROANS) Ahh!
(EXCLAIMS)
Amsterdam.
The Hollanders,
they make good cigars, no?
Very nice.
The leaf is cured dry
like the Sahara.
Rommel himself
smokes these.
Do you know Rommel?
Yes. He loves the Sahara.
We all do. By "we" I mean
the professional military.
I'm not
a military man, Captain.
The war holds
no romance for me.
The side effects
are repulsive.
Here there are
no side effects.
No women, no children,
no towns to get in the way.
Just men, my doctor.
Just men, hmm?
Ja, ja, ja.
Halt!
(GIVING ORDERS IN GERMAN)
(REPLIES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
The man is suffering
from exposure and
severe dehydration.
He'll need
medical treatment.
Give it to him.
We'll camp here
for tonight.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Corporal, your pulse
and respiration
are quite normal.
Obviously you're
shamming. Why?
I'm Foster.
Your ID tag reads
Weatherly, JD.
That's my cover.
I'm Foster. Captain.
53rd Combat Engineers.
Hmm?
You don't know?
Know what?
Eighth Army Intelligence.
Captain, Corporal,
whatever you are,
I've never in my life
had contact with intelligence,
Eighth Army or otherwise.
You are Major Farrel,
aren't you?
I'm Tarkington, Hugh.
Medical corps.
I'm a doctor.
Where the hell's
Farrel?
Who?
Major, those prisoners in the
convoy over there,
they are the 5th Commandos,
aren't they?
No, that's my outfit,
the 15th Field Hospital Unit.
God damn it to hell!
The moment he is conscious,
bring him to me
for questioning.
It may be
a little while, Captain.
I'm afraid
he's in shock.
Ja. Ja, ja.
RADIO ANNOUNCER:
We continue now
with a report from CBS London
and Edward R. Murrow.
MURROW: This is London.
The loss of Tobruk will make
the problem of supplying Malta
even more difficult.
And the battle for Egypt
may be even now under way.
But at the moment,
all that can be said
is that parliament
and the press are looking
for someone to blame,
and insisting that something
be done about it.
There's been no question about
the conduct of British troops.
Their bravery
deserved victory,
but they were defeated.
But Rommel is fond of
the unorthodox,
and speculation is futile
at this stage.
Rommel is being reinforced
through Tobruk.
Tell me, are you a member
of the 5th Commandos?
Get him out of here.
Quite a performance.
What in the name of God
is that?
TARKINGTON:
Don't worry, she's real.
Belongs to an Italian general.
Any more?
No, she's the only one.
Signorina Vivianne
something or other.
I don't know.
English pigs!
She's the only passenger...
The only question
that interests me...
Is what's happened to
the bloody 5th Commandos?
That's an interesting
question.
And your having to ask it
makes this the bloody
muck-up of all time.
Who are you?
Allan MacKenzie, Sergeant,
5th Commandos.
The 5th Commandos?
Any others here?
Well, we're it.
Ed Brown, out of the Gordons.
Bill Wembley, Guards.
Dan Garth and Reilly.
We were left behind
when our unit was moved.
Acute dysentery.
Except me.
I got a bad tattoo
from Alexandria.
Yes, yes, yes.
What happened to the others?
Shipped to a prison camp
in Tunisia.
Oh, Jesus Christ!
I'm damned if I see why
that should surprise anyone.
Did he brief you,
Major Farrel?
Only what he had to.
He told us we were going
to Tobruk as prisoners.
On the way we'd
scuttle the German guard
and take over the convoy.
And according
to your credentials, you have
expert personal knowledge
of the harbor guns at Tobruk.
If it's any comfort to you,
we had 50 men trained
to blow them to hell.
You said he only told you
what he had to.
Any idiot private
could spell it out, sir.
Rommel is building up
supplies in Tobruk
for his next attack.
He controls the air.
The only way to clobber
Tobruk is from the sea.
The shore guns outrange
anything we've got,
so to clear the way for Navy,
those guns have to be
knocked out.
That's it, isn't it?
That's it.
Merrihew, I don't think
this concerns us.
It does concern you.
How many men do you have here?
Captain, whatever nonsense
you may have in mind,
you're not involving my men.
They're already involved.
At 1700 hours tomorrow,
one of our planes
will attack this convoy.
The purpose was to create
enough confusion so that
the 5th Commandos
could take over this convoy.
A deliberate air attack?
Nevertheless,
that pilot will attack,
that pilot will strafe.
To contact base
and scrub this mission,
I have to have a radio.
The only way I can do that
is by taking over the convoy.
That is the only way.
And then?
After sending off a message,
we drive back
to British lines.
It's a long way, and it's
through enemy territory,
but with wheels,
guns and fuel,
and a little luck, who knows?
There's one further question.
Where is the medical kit kept?
I know the truck it's on.
But why, sir?
We need weapons in order
to acquire better weapons.
I'll see to it, sir.
Good, good.
I accept the fact
that you're a dedicated
warrior, Captain.
You will do what you must.
But without me
or any of my men
that don't want
to be involved.
Sir, I'm a Quaker.
I'm in the Medical Corps
because I'm a conscientious
objector.
I cannot help you
in a mission where I would
have to kill someone.
I'm sorry.
Sergeant.
(MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)
(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
(ANNOUNCER CONTINUES)
(RADIO SPEECH IN GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CROWD CHANTING OVER RADIO)
Sieg heil! Sieg heil!
Ist das nicht
ein luger?
Nein. Walther.
Automatisch.
Bang, bang,
bang, bang.
Wunderschon.
Really something, eh,
lads? (LAUGHING)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
Oh, my arm hurts bad.
I... I need medicine.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CROWD CHANTING OVER RADIO)
Sieg heil! Sieg heil!
(SPEECH CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEECH CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CROWD CONTINUES CHANTING)
(MUSIC PLAYS)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Any of you chaps
got the right time?
I make it nearly 5:00.
REILLY: 1700 hours, eh?
MAN 1: How 'bout
a tea break, then, Fritz?
MAN 2: Or a beer break.
MAN 3: 1700 hours, eh?
MAN 4: Yes.
English one?
Yes, yes.
English one. Rolex.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
FOSTER: That's right, yes.
(GUARD SPEAKING GERMAN)
FOSTER: Does that mean,
"How much does it..."
Maybe I'll make a deal
with you if you
play your cards right.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Uh, that's right.
That's right.
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
Uh-huh.
Uh, well...
1700 hours!
1700 hours!
1700 hours!
REILLY: 1700 hours!
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(AIRPLANE ENGINE ROARING)
(GRUNTS)
(GUNFIRE)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
Stay there.
(SCREAMING)
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
God damn you, Foster!
You God damn boy scout!
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
Too bad about
the radio, sir.
Yes.
Make up a burial detail,
and post a guard
over the prisoners.
Right.
(SHOVELS SCRAPING)
Tell me, Corporal,
are you familiar with
the Geneva Convention
concerning the treatment
of prisoners?
There's more
to the Afrika Korps
than uniforms, much more.
You all will be shot
as spies.
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
The burned out truck
is hopeless, sir.
The others are in good shape
and ready to roll.
Feed the men.
The Germans too, sir?
Yes.
Right, sir.
I haven't found
any papers, sir.
Got them here.
Are they in order?
Mmm-hmm.
Official passage
for a convoy
of British prisoners
with armed Afrika Korps
escort to Tobruk.
MacKenzie.
Sir.
(INDISTINCT CHATTING)
I don't know what's going on
here, Captain, but we're
a long way from our lines.
Let's get going...
Now.
There's been
a change of plan.
Change of plan?
Mmm-hmm.
The radio has been
blown to bits, so we stick
to our original operation.
The next step is
an airdrop of supplies.
Some sophisticated weapons
and explosive devices.
Do you seriously propose
to carry on with this?
To raid Tobruk
with a hospital unit
and four sick commandos?
I'm not gonna raid Tobruk.
I'm gonna blow up
a gun emplacement.
Technically it's very simple.
The device involved could be
carried in your medical kit.
But the delivery
of that device requires men.
So, the truth is,
it's a suicide mission.
No, no.
When the job's done,
the Navy picks us up
on the beaches.
I've no more desire
to die than you do.
What about them?
They remain here.
Alive?
MACKENZIE: Here comes
our supply drop!
MAN: Look sharp there, lads!
On the double!
Cut those supplies loose,
and bury the chutes.
Hurry it up!
MACKENZIE:
Get moving!
Get over here!
Get a move on now.
We haven't got
the whole bloomin' night.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
I give you my word,
all right?
What about the girl?
She has to stay with us.
She's an integral part
of the convoy on the
official bill of lading.
She's yours, Doctor.
All yours.
Mine?
I don't care whether you
pay her off in lollipops
or cut out her tongue
with a knife.
She's your
responsibility.
But the prisoners live.
All right,
it's a deal.
(GUNFIRE)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(THUMPS)
(EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE)
All right, lads,
over the side.
Now then, you grip the rope
with the right hand
and play it out
with the left,
holding it tight,
but lettin' it out slowly.
Easy does it.
Pay attention.
Your life depends on it.
You're not
rollin' pills now.
Look lively, lads.
We're going to teach you
how to be commandos
in 10 easy lessons.
Careful.
Careful.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight,
nine... Pow!
Pay attention, all of you.
Listen carefully.
This weapon
can be double-edged.
It'll hurt you as much
as it hurts the enemy.
There are two cylinders,
one contains napalm,
the other compressed air.
You release it
by pulling this valve.
The air comes up here,
you pull the trigger,
and inside here is a thing
they call an increment.
When you press the trigger,
this thing spins around
and operates
like a cigarette lighter.
Don't get forward.
Never get in front of
the machine.
Hold it up.
Hold it away from you
as far as possible.
Put your finger
on the trigger and press.
I'd hate to lead them
into a real brannigan
at this point,
but they're better than
I expected, and, well,
we'll play it by ear.
(VIVI LAUGHING)
Silence. Quiet.
(LAUGHING)
Quiet. Silence.
Silence?
You know, silence?
Silence.
What about that girl?
I'm afraid she's
gonna be difficult.
She's unpredictable, sir.
He's right. We'll be
running into the Nazis
in about 100 miles.
If she blows the whistle,
we've all had it.
There must be something
we can do.
It's a pity you're not
a hell-for-leather stud.
I beg your pardon?
She'd be eating out of
your hand in no time, Doctor.
Doctor, you're supposed
to know about women.
Not this kind.
I can picture those patients
of yours at Harley Street
very clearly.
A simple emotional appeal
doesn't work, although
I dare say she has a price.
No doubt, no doubt.
I gave in on the question
of the prisoners. I hope
we don't have to pay for that.
(VIVI LAUGHS)
As far as
the girl goes...
Let me try again.
There's
very little time.
There's no time,
Captain.
God's teeth!
Hold it!
All right,
get out.
FOSTER: Two full
panzer divisions.
They're a long way
from Tobruk.
What are they doing here?
Never mind that, Captain.
My men are ready.
Let's attack.
Fork to the left to the sea.
That'd be Derna. Our Tobruk
road lies straight ahead.
(SIGHS)
Suspicious,
our standing here, sir.
Yeah. The name of your
other German-speaking man?
Garth.
Tell him to ride in the rear
in the half-track.
You come along with me.
(LAUGHING)
Vivi, shh.
Shh.
Shall I take care
of her, sir?
It's not as easy as that.
She's listed in
the official clearance papers.
Captain, you said
improvise. You said
she's my responsibility.
I've got something.
Too late for that.
I'm a doctor.
She'll be taken care of.
All right.
All right, let's go!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja, ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
When I suggested we attack
the Jerrys, I was venturing
a little joke.
Surely you understood that?
Two panzer divisions.
I don't understand that.
MACKENZIE: Maybe Rommel's
waiting for the right time.
Rommel waits for nothing.
They might have come off
the beaches at Derna.
No, they couldn't have.
It's the 11th and 21st Panzer
Divisions. They're veterans.
What are they doing here?
Rest camp, parts,
repair shops.
They could do that
in the field.
Fuel.
It must be fuel.
Rommel must have
a fuel dump nearby.
Heavily camouflaged,
because our people
don't know a thing about it.
It'd have to be
underground tanks.
Yes, but where?
A panzer division without fuel
is just so much scrap iron.
If we could immobilize
two of them at one stroke...
But it's all so...
You've got no radio,
no way of communicating, of
channeling this information.
How you do go on, Doctor!
If I locate the bastards,
I'll blow them sky high.
Maximum security installation.
How do we get in?
If you get past
that roadblock,
you can ask Rommel.
Doctor,
an emetic, ipecac.
That would get us through.
We'd give it to
some of the boys, and...
You've gone crazy!
The Germans'll go crazy
when they think
they're being attacked by
an epidemic of typhus fever.
You can't fake typhus!
We can fake it enough
to get us through.
I'll get a couple
of the lads.
Come, Mac.
How's our little darlin',
then, eh?
You're a devil with
that scopolamine, Merrihew.
I think when the war's over,
you ought to go into
the white slave business
with me.
How do you feel?
Christ!
Bleedin' awful.
Good.
All right.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(MEN GAGGING)
Ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Give it to me.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Hauptmann Schroeder,
ask the doctor
to make a smear test.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CAR APPROACHING)
Rommel.
Doctor.
Hallo.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Danke.
Gut.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Uh-huh.
(FOSTER SPEAKING GERMAN)
That is not necessary.
It is good of you
to help us, Major.
Do you really believe
they might have typhus?
We're making tests now,
General, but let's hope
it's something less serious.
Mmm-hmm.
You are being
well-treated?
Very well, thank you.
Good.
Despite the circumstances,
Herr Field Marshall,
I'm particularly pleased
to meet you for
a rather different reason.
You and I share
a common hobby.
Which is?
Philately.
You are a stamp collector!
I've almost completed
a collection of
South Pacific issues.
Really? I wasn't aware
I was known as a philatelist.
I mentioned it
to the Hauptmann
only the other day,
Herr Field Marshall,
as an irony of war.
In fact, I made
a little joke about it.
How the collector
was collected by you.
(LAUGHS)
President Roosevelt
is a famous collector.
I'm sure he would like
to collect me.
(LAUGHING)
If time permits,
perhaps we could talk.
Uh...
It isn't very often I meet
an expert on stamps.
We're, uh, profoundly
honored, but I have
to take the doctor...
A few hours won't make
that much difference,
and it will give me pleasure.
I will send
my car for you, eh?
Doctor.
(CAR DOORS CLOSING)
What the devil do you think
you're doing? I only wanted...
Don't flap.
I'm not flapping.
You most certainly are.
You wanted to find his
super-secret petrol dump,
and you got yourself
onto the base.
What happens when
they find out this is not
an infectious disease?
We shall all be
vastly relieved.
Now, while Erwin and I
talk stamps, you start
looking and listening.
He's not gonna tell you where
the bloody fuel dump is!
You're all of atwitter.
Brace up, Captain.
Keep flexible.
But that's Rommel!
Just another
stamp enthusiast, Alex.
He probably writes letters
to The Times.
(HORN HONKS)
Relax. It's a tank. Kw-3.
(MUMBLING)
(MURMURING IN ITALIAN)
Vivi, shut up!
Come here.
I can't!
(SCREAMING)
Get in there.
Anything! Shut her up.
She'll have the bleedin'
Jerrys over here.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
I'll give you
all of my money.
I know how you feel.
God and sin and all that.
But you're doin' this one in
the service of His Majesty.
Get in there.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(VIVI GIGGLING)
(SHUSHING)
(VIVI MOANING)
(SHUSHING CONTINUES)
(VIVI GIGGLING)
And I have a complete set
of the 1893 Tahitian stamps.
Are you familiar with
that issue?
As a matter of fact, yes.
Goring once showed me
a collection
of Tahitian stamps.
Where he got them
I have no idea,
although I can imagine.
ROMMEL: The set must be
extremely valuable.
TARKINGTON: Yes, quite.
It occurs to me that
in my own collection,
I have some stamps
from the South Pacific area.
Really?
ROMMEL: The Caroline Islands,
which was a German possession
until World War I.
As you know,
there were only two
original issues during
our occupation of the island.
TARKINGTON: If I'm not
mistaken, sir,
you're wrong about that.
No, no, no. I'm not.
I'm sorry,
but you are.
1900, 1910?
Yes.
Of course!
It was the 1915 issue.
Huh?
But it was never distributed
because of the war.
If I remember,
the 1910 surcharge...
Five Pfennig Brown was...
Excuse me, Herr General.
Excuse me.
May I, uh, use your
communication center
to contact Tobruk and
tell them we'll be delayed?
Yes, yes.
That tent over there.
Tell them I approve!
You don't agree, huh?
TARKINGTON:
I most certainly do not.
I'm not sure
I like you, Doctor.
Nor I you, sir.
ROMMEL: I don't know
if there's any point
to continuing this discussion.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl,
Herr Hauptmann.
The Carolines were,
as I say,
a German possession.
So, I ought to know more
about their issues
than you, my friend.
Ought to, yes.
But the simple fact
of the matter is...
You don't.
I've not heard one word
from you about the 1900
Three Pfennig Brown.
That one?
Yes, that one!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
The Five Pfennig stock
was destroyed
in the big storm.
The Typhoon Provisional!
Ja! That was it!
The Typhoon Provisional.
Excuse me,
but we must return
to our unit immediately.
The British doctor is needed
to look after British
prisoners in Tobruk.
Uh-huh.
Rudolph!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
You cannot imagine
what a pleasure
this has been for me, Doctor.
Perhaps another time
we meet again.
I do hope so, sir.
Who knows?
(CHUCKLES) Three Pfennig.
(SIGHS)
(SHOUTS IN GERMAN)
MacKenzie, pack it up.
Get 'em outta here.
Hurry up!
On the double!
(ENGINES STARTING)
At the next road,
we're gonna turn hard left.
Take the rest of the convoy
and meet at the nearest wadi.
If we're not back in an hour,
you're on your own.
What about the men,
the ones that we sent back?
They're all right, sir.
You were gone so long,
I almost began puking.
And the girl, is she
still under sedation?
Sedation? Yes, sir.
She's under that
right now, sir.
Good man, Merrihew.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Any of you boys got a map?
Yes, sir.
If I get on top
of the tank, follow me.
Halt! (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(GAGGING)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Line her up!
This looks like a good place.
Turn left and then
over the gate.
Yes, sir!
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
There's an 88
on the left, sir.
I see it. Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir!
(GUNS FIRING)
Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir.
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
To the right,
a pump station.
Yes, sir!
(GUN FIRING)
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
(SCREAMING)
Reilly, get us outta here!
Yes, sir!
(TANK RUMBLING)
(COUGHING)
You all right?
Yes, sir.
(GRUNTING)
(STRAINING)
(EXHALES)
(CLANKING)
This thing is stuck!
Damn! It's stuck!
It's stuck! It's stuck!
(PANTING)
(EXPLOSIONS RUMBLING)
(CLANKING)
(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)
(THUMPING)
(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Molto bello!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(GERMAN CONTINUES)
(GERMAN CONTINUES)
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
As I recall it,
your plan was merely
to escape.
As it happens,
would you want it
any other way?
I suppose not.
Anyway, Alex, do you
seriously propose to carry
on with this escapade?
I mean, those guns and...
At 2100 hours,
the ships are steaming
into Tobruk Harbor.
I only hope
we're not too late.
I like it here away
from the roads,
but what's lacking
is a snowstorm or a sandstorm
to cover our tracks.
Reilly, turn onto
those tank tracks.
When we reach Tobruk,
according to plans
at 2100 hours,
5th Commando unit will have
knocked out the shore guns.
And we will move in close
and open fire on the area.
Landing craft will be launched
to take the commandos off.
What if they fail, sir?
We do our part,
I hope they'll do theirs.
Field police.
You can't use those again,
Alex. Chew them up
or swallow them or something.
Reilly,
keep up with 'em.
(SOFTLY) If you can't
fight 'em, join 'em.
(PHONE RINGING)
Jawohl.
Hauptmann Schroeder?
Hauptmann Schroeder.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein. (SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
Moment!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Well, now we're in,
which way do we go?
Capt. Foster was quartered
here in Tobruk until Rommel
broke his lease.
All right, Merrihew,
get her out.
German pigs!
English pigs!
I hate them all.
I hate them.
How is she?
I think she'll be all right.
Has she any idea
where we're going?
Going?
She hasn't the foggiest idea
where she is, or anything.
Good, get her out.
Ciao.
Ciao.
(ENGINES RUMBLING)
Ciao.
That's it, gentlemen.
The British Navy's target
for tonight if...
If we succeed.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(WHISTLES)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl.
Hallo? (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
Hallo...
Hallo? (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl,
Herr Feldmarschall.
The telephone lines
are cut, sir.
How 'bout the volunteers?
Are they ready?
They're as ready
as they'll ever be.
God help them.
Down!
Major? About the girl,
my conduct...
Yes?
Dear boy, overnight you've
become a legend among men.
Don't spoil it.
I don't want to...
Turn off that remarkable
conscience, Merrihew.
Remember,
virtue has its own reward.
You've gotta knock out
those pillboxes, Mac, before
we can get at the guns.
See you on
the beach later.
Right, sir.
MACKENZIE: Look sharp.
The Navy's on time.
I only hope...
(CANNON FIRE)
All right, Mac, now.
Now! Now! Now!
Mac, now! Now!
Now, Mac.
(FIRING CONTINUES)
FOSTER: All of you, now!
(ARTILLERY FIRES)
(DISTANT ARTILLERY FIRING)
(MACHINE GUNS FIRING)
(GIRL LAUGHING)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(SCREAMS)
Hurry up, Mac, hurry up.
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
(PILLBOX EXPLODES)
Okay.
They're still
outranging us, sir.
Sir...
Maintain our present course.
Sir, look!
Hit the trucks
with every gun you've got.
We'll take the mortars.
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(SCREAMING)
(SHIP ALARM WAILING)
(ALARM CONTINUES)
Sir, lookout reports
heavy fighting on the hill
above the guns.
Launch landing craft.
Yes, sir.
(SCREAMS)
(GROANING)
(SCREAMS)
Help him!
(WHIMPERING)
(SCREAMING)
SOLDIER: Oh, God, help me!
(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)
(DISTANT GUNFIRE)
(SCREAMING)
Help me! Help me!
(GROANING)
Break out
the flamethrower!
Right, sir.
Give it to me!
I'll cover you while you
break out more ammunition
for the guns.
Hugh, cover me.
(GERMAN BROADCAST
OVER LOUDSPEAKER)
(SCREAMING)
(GUN FIRING)
(SCREAMING)
(SOLDIERS SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING CONTINUES)
Hook up the demolition
squad, and let's go.
Hook up!
Hook up!
Hook up!
Sir.
Get the men
outta here!
Come on, lads.
MAN: On the double now.
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
(GRUNTS)
(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)
(PANTING)
(GROANS)
(COUGHING)
(GUN FIRING)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
MERRIHEW:
Sir, I'm a Quaker.
I'm in the Medical Corps
because I'm a conscientious
objector.
I'm sorry, I cannot help you
in a mission where I would
have to kill someone.
(GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
Get going!
Get going!
(SHIP ALARM WAILING)
Signal all units
to reverse course.
All units
reverse course.
Reverse course.
(GASPING)
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
Pronto! Pronto!
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Machen Sie auf.
Afrika Korps!
(SPEAKING LATIN)
(GUN FIRING)
(ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES)
All units resume
original course.
Resume original course.
All ahead, full.
All ahead, full.
All units fire
as guns bear.
All units fire as guns bear.
All units fire
as guns bear.
All units fire
as guns bear.
(LAUGHING)
(WOMAN SOBBING,
SHOUTING IN ITALIAN)
(WHISPERING) Get going!
Get going!
Get down in that
bloody boat!
Why the hell don't you get
down in that bloody boat?
I'm a doctor, Alex.
Maybe we can save you
for a Nazi firing squad.
Perhaps Rommel won't
want to shoot
two such devoted
stamp collectors
as you and me.
Here they come.
ANNOUNCER:
Next to CBS, London,
Edward R. Murrow reporting.
MURROW: This is London.
The battle of Egypt
continues to go well.
The Axis radio talked of
considerable allied naval
concentrations in Gibraltar.
But the British
are a cautious people.
Their hopes
have been raised before.
They prefer to wait and see.
But official or authoritative
quarters are more confident
than they have ever been
about any previous action.
They don't believe
Rommel can get
reinforcements in time,
and they don't see
where he can make a stand
without having his flank
turned by the superior
British force.
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(MURMURING)
Herr Hauptmann.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(MURMURING)
Major, I have orders.
You and your men
are to leave
at 1200 hours for Tobruk.
Tobruk?
That's crazy!
Those are my orders!
But that's
an active war zone.
As prisoners of war,
we're supposed to be
sent to a safe area.
Tobruk is now ours, Major.
I assure you, it is very safe.
TARKINGTON:
The Geneva Convention
has explicit rules on what...
HAUPTMANN: We observe
those rules. Your side was
notified yesterday about this.
Heil Hitler.
You will do that too.
So prepare.
We leave immediately.
And what if
we refuse to go?
We leave you here.
Then you will see, Major,
there are worse things
than dysentery.
Merrihew?
Sir.
Pack it.
Yes, sir.
(SCOFFS)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SHOUTING IN ITALIAN)
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
(YELLING IN GERMAN)
Why don't you
speak English, you kraut?
What seems
to be the
problem, signorina?
Why I am not leaving
on that plane to Tobruk? Why?
Signorina Gagliardo,
special air transportation
calls for special authority.
I got!
Ecco.
"Any courtesy shown the bearer
will greatly oblige
"General Giordano Fanduci,
commanding officer,
Ariete Division."
Yes, I know about your
position with the general.
Position?
You're attached
to his staff.
Extremely attached.
He is molto-grando general.
You're only a piccolo captain.
The Italians are
very stylish warriors,
but I wish they'd keep
their women on a leash.
Any other jokes?
Yes.
You will travel
like the rest of us.
How is that?
In a truck.
Continue packing.
(GROANS) Ahh!
(EXCLAIMS)
Amsterdam.
The Hollanders,
they make good cigars, no?
Very nice.
The leaf is cured dry
like the Sahara.
Rommel himself
smokes these.
Do you know Rommel?
Yes. He loves the Sahara.
We all do. By "we" I mean
the professional military.
I'm not
a military man, Captain.
The war holds
no romance for me.
The side effects
are repulsive.
Here there are
no side effects.
No women, no children,
no towns to get in the way.
Just men, my doctor.
Just men, hmm?
Ja, ja, ja.
Halt!
(GIVING ORDERS IN GERMAN)
(REPLIES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
The man is suffering
from exposure and
severe dehydration.
He'll need
medical treatment.
Give it to him.
We'll camp here
for tonight.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Corporal, your pulse
and respiration
are quite normal.
Obviously you're
shamming. Why?
I'm Foster.
Your ID tag reads
Weatherly, JD.
That's my cover.
I'm Foster. Captain.
53rd Combat Engineers.
Hmm?
You don't know?
Know what?
Eighth Army Intelligence.
Captain, Corporal,
whatever you are,
I've never in my life
had contact with intelligence,
Eighth Army or otherwise.
You are Major Farrel,
aren't you?
I'm Tarkington, Hugh.
Medical corps.
I'm a doctor.
Where the hell's
Farrel?
Who?
Major, those prisoners in the
convoy over there,
they are the 5th Commandos,
aren't they?
No, that's my outfit,
the 15th Field Hospital Unit.
God damn it to hell!
The moment he is conscious,
bring him to me
for questioning.
It may be
a little while, Captain.
I'm afraid
he's in shock.
Ja. Ja, ja.
RADIO ANNOUNCER:
We continue now
with a report from CBS London
and Edward R. Murrow.
MURROW: This is London.
The loss of Tobruk will make
the problem of supplying Malta
even more difficult.
And the battle for Egypt
may be even now under way.
But at the moment,
all that can be said
is that parliament
and the press are looking
for someone to blame,
and insisting that something
be done about it.
There's been no question about
the conduct of British troops.
Their bravery
deserved victory,
but they were defeated.
But Rommel is fond of
the unorthodox,
and speculation is futile
at this stage.
Rommel is being reinforced
through Tobruk.
Tell me, are you a member
of the 5th Commandos?
Get him out of here.
Quite a performance.
What in the name of God
is that?
TARKINGTON:
Don't worry, she's real.
Belongs to an Italian general.
Any more?
No, she's the only one.
Signorina Vivianne
something or other.
I don't know.
English pigs!
She's the only passenger...
The only question
that interests me...
Is what's happened to
the bloody 5th Commandos?
That's an interesting
question.
And your having to ask it
makes this the bloody
muck-up of all time.
Who are you?
Allan MacKenzie, Sergeant,
5th Commandos.
The 5th Commandos?
Any others here?
Well, we're it.
Ed Brown, out of the Gordons.
Bill Wembley, Guards.
Dan Garth and Reilly.
We were left behind
when our unit was moved.
Acute dysentery.
Except me.
I got a bad tattoo
from Alexandria.
Yes, yes, yes.
What happened to the others?
Shipped to a prison camp
in Tunisia.
Oh, Jesus Christ!
I'm damned if I see why
that should surprise anyone.
Did he brief you,
Major Farrel?
Only what he had to.
He told us we were going
to Tobruk as prisoners.
On the way we'd
scuttle the German guard
and take over the convoy.
And according
to your credentials, you have
expert personal knowledge
of the harbor guns at Tobruk.
If it's any comfort to you,
we had 50 men trained
to blow them to hell.
You said he only told you
what he had to.
Any idiot private
could spell it out, sir.
Rommel is building up
supplies in Tobruk
for his next attack.
He controls the air.
The only way to clobber
Tobruk is from the sea.
The shore guns outrange
anything we've got,
so to clear the way for Navy,
those guns have to be
knocked out.
That's it, isn't it?
That's it.
Merrihew, I don't think
this concerns us.
It does concern you.
How many men do you have here?
Captain, whatever nonsense
you may have in mind,
you're not involving my men.
They're already involved.
At 1700 hours tomorrow,
one of our planes
will attack this convoy.
The purpose was to create
enough confusion so that
the 5th Commandos
could take over this convoy.
A deliberate air attack?
Nevertheless,
that pilot will attack,
that pilot will strafe.
To contact base
and scrub this mission,
I have to have a radio.
The only way I can do that
is by taking over the convoy.
That is the only way.
And then?
After sending off a message,
we drive back
to British lines.
It's a long way, and it's
through enemy territory,
but with wheels,
guns and fuel,
and a little luck, who knows?
There's one further question.
Where is the medical kit kept?
I know the truck it's on.
But why, sir?
We need weapons in order
to acquire better weapons.
I'll see to it, sir.
Good, good.
I accept the fact
that you're a dedicated
warrior, Captain.
You will do what you must.
But without me
or any of my men
that don't want
to be involved.
Sir, I'm a Quaker.
I'm in the Medical Corps
because I'm a conscientious
objector.
I cannot help you
in a mission where I would
have to kill someone.
I'm sorry.
Sergeant.
(MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)
(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING IN GERMAN)
(ANNOUNCER CONTINUES)
(RADIO SPEECH IN GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CROWD CHANTING OVER RADIO)
Sieg heil! Sieg heil!
Ist das nicht
ein luger?
Nein. Walther.
Automatisch.
Bang, bang,
bang, bang.
Wunderschon.
Really something, eh,
lads? (LAUGHING)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
Oh, my arm hurts bad.
I... I need medicine.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CROWD CHANTING OVER RADIO)
Sieg heil! Sieg heil!
(SPEECH CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEECH CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(CROWD CONTINUES CHANTING)
(MUSIC PLAYS)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Any of you chaps
got the right time?
I make it nearly 5:00.
REILLY: 1700 hours, eh?
MAN 1: How 'bout
a tea break, then, Fritz?
MAN 2: Or a beer break.
MAN 3: 1700 hours, eh?
MAN 4: Yes.
English one?
Yes, yes.
English one. Rolex.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
FOSTER: That's right, yes.
(GUARD SPEAKING GERMAN)
FOSTER: Does that mean,
"How much does it..."
Maybe I'll make a deal
with you if you
play your cards right.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Uh, that's right.
That's right.
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
Uh-huh.
Uh, well...
1700 hours!
1700 hours!
1700 hours!
REILLY: 1700 hours!
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(AIRPLANE ENGINE ROARING)
(GRUNTS)
(GUNFIRE)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
Stay there.
(SCREAMING)
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
God damn you, Foster!
You God damn boy scout!
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
Too bad about
the radio, sir.
Yes.
Make up a burial detail,
and post a guard
over the prisoners.
Right.
(SHOVELS SCRAPING)
Tell me, Corporal,
are you familiar with
the Geneva Convention
concerning the treatment
of prisoners?
There's more
to the Afrika Korps
than uniforms, much more.
You all will be shot
as spies.
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
The burned out truck
is hopeless, sir.
The others are in good shape
and ready to roll.
Feed the men.
The Germans too, sir?
Yes.
Right, sir.
I haven't found
any papers, sir.
Got them here.
Are they in order?
Mmm-hmm.
Official passage
for a convoy
of British prisoners
with armed Afrika Korps
escort to Tobruk.
MacKenzie.
Sir.
(INDISTINCT CHATTING)
I don't know what's going on
here, Captain, but we're
a long way from our lines.
Let's get going...
Now.
There's been
a change of plan.
Change of plan?
Mmm-hmm.
The radio has been
blown to bits, so we stick
to our original operation.
The next step is
an airdrop of supplies.
Some sophisticated weapons
and explosive devices.
Do you seriously propose
to carry on with this?
To raid Tobruk
with a hospital unit
and four sick commandos?
I'm not gonna raid Tobruk.
I'm gonna blow up
a gun emplacement.
Technically it's very simple.
The device involved could be
carried in your medical kit.
But the delivery
of that device requires men.
So, the truth is,
it's a suicide mission.
No, no.
When the job's done,
the Navy picks us up
on the beaches.
I've no more desire
to die than you do.
What about them?
They remain here.
Alive?
MACKENZIE: Here comes
our supply drop!
MAN: Look sharp there, lads!
On the double!
Cut those supplies loose,
and bury the chutes.
Hurry it up!
MACKENZIE:
Get moving!
Get over here!
Get a move on now.
We haven't got
the whole bloomin' night.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
I give you my word,
all right?
What about the girl?
She has to stay with us.
She's an integral part
of the convoy on the
official bill of lading.
She's yours, Doctor.
All yours.
Mine?
I don't care whether you
pay her off in lollipops
or cut out her tongue
with a knife.
She's your
responsibility.
But the prisoners live.
All right,
it's a deal.
(GUNFIRE)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(THUMPS)
(EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE)
All right, lads,
over the side.
Now then, you grip the rope
with the right hand
and play it out
with the left,
holding it tight,
but lettin' it out slowly.
Easy does it.
Pay attention.
Your life depends on it.
You're not
rollin' pills now.
Look lively, lads.
We're going to teach you
how to be commandos
in 10 easy lessons.
Careful.
Careful.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight,
nine... Pow!
Pay attention, all of you.
Listen carefully.
This weapon
can be double-edged.
It'll hurt you as much
as it hurts the enemy.
There are two cylinders,
one contains napalm,
the other compressed air.
You release it
by pulling this valve.
The air comes up here,
you pull the trigger,
and inside here is a thing
they call an increment.
When you press the trigger,
this thing spins around
and operates
like a cigarette lighter.
Don't get forward.
Never get in front of
the machine.
Hold it up.
Hold it away from you
as far as possible.
Put your finger
on the trigger and press.
I'd hate to lead them
into a real brannigan
at this point,
but they're better than
I expected, and, well,
we'll play it by ear.
(VIVI LAUGHING)
Silence. Quiet.
(LAUGHING)
Quiet. Silence.
Silence?
You know, silence?
Silence.
What about that girl?
I'm afraid she's
gonna be difficult.
She's unpredictable, sir.
He's right. We'll be
running into the Nazis
in about 100 miles.
If she blows the whistle,
we've all had it.
There must be something
we can do.
It's a pity you're not
a hell-for-leather stud.
I beg your pardon?
She'd be eating out of
your hand in no time, Doctor.
Doctor, you're supposed
to know about women.
Not this kind.
I can picture those patients
of yours at Harley Street
very clearly.
A simple emotional appeal
doesn't work, although
I dare say she has a price.
No doubt, no doubt.
I gave in on the question
of the prisoners. I hope
we don't have to pay for that.
(VIVI LAUGHS)
As far as
the girl goes...
Let me try again.
There's
very little time.
There's no time,
Captain.
God's teeth!
Hold it!
All right,
get out.
FOSTER: Two full
panzer divisions.
They're a long way
from Tobruk.
What are they doing here?
Never mind that, Captain.
My men are ready.
Let's attack.
Fork to the left to the sea.
That'd be Derna. Our Tobruk
road lies straight ahead.
(SIGHS)
Suspicious,
our standing here, sir.
Yeah. The name of your
other German-speaking man?
Garth.
Tell him to ride in the rear
in the half-track.
You come along with me.
(LAUGHING)
Vivi, shh.
Shh.
Shall I take care
of her, sir?
It's not as easy as that.
She's listed in
the official clearance papers.
Captain, you said
improvise. You said
she's my responsibility.
I've got something.
Too late for that.
I'm a doctor.
She'll be taken care of.
All right.
All right, let's go!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja, ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES IN GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
When I suggested we attack
the Jerrys, I was venturing
a little joke.
Surely you understood that?
Two panzer divisions.
I don't understand that.
MACKENZIE: Maybe Rommel's
waiting for the right time.
Rommel waits for nothing.
They might have come off
the beaches at Derna.
No, they couldn't have.
It's the 11th and 21st Panzer
Divisions. They're veterans.
What are they doing here?
Rest camp, parts,
repair shops.
They could do that
in the field.
Fuel.
It must be fuel.
Rommel must have
a fuel dump nearby.
Heavily camouflaged,
because our people
don't know a thing about it.
It'd have to be
underground tanks.
Yes, but where?
A panzer division without fuel
is just so much scrap iron.
If we could immobilize
two of them at one stroke...
But it's all so...
You've got no radio,
no way of communicating, of
channeling this information.
How you do go on, Doctor!
If I locate the bastards,
I'll blow them sky high.
Maximum security installation.
How do we get in?
If you get past
that roadblock,
you can ask Rommel.
Doctor,
an emetic, ipecac.
That would get us through.
We'd give it to
some of the boys, and...
You've gone crazy!
The Germans'll go crazy
when they think
they're being attacked by
an epidemic of typhus fever.
You can't fake typhus!
We can fake it enough
to get us through.
I'll get a couple
of the lads.
Come, Mac.
How's our little darlin',
then, eh?
You're a devil with
that scopolamine, Merrihew.
I think when the war's over,
you ought to go into
the white slave business
with me.
How do you feel?
Christ!
Bleedin' awful.
Good.
All right.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(MEN GAGGING)
Ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Give it to me.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Hauptmann Schroeder,
ask the doctor
to make a smear test.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CAR APPROACHING)
Rommel.
Doctor.
Hallo.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Danke.
Gut.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Uh-huh.
(FOSTER SPEAKING GERMAN)
That is not necessary.
It is good of you
to help us, Major.
Do you really believe
they might have typhus?
We're making tests now,
General, but let's hope
it's something less serious.
Mmm-hmm.
You are being
well-treated?
Very well, thank you.
Good.
Despite the circumstances,
Herr Field Marshall,
I'm particularly pleased
to meet you for
a rather different reason.
You and I share
a common hobby.
Which is?
Philately.
You are a stamp collector!
I've almost completed
a collection of
South Pacific issues.
Really? I wasn't aware
I was known as a philatelist.
I mentioned it
to the Hauptmann
only the other day,
Herr Field Marshall,
as an irony of war.
In fact, I made
a little joke about it.
How the collector
was collected by you.
(LAUGHS)
President Roosevelt
is a famous collector.
I'm sure he would like
to collect me.
(LAUGHING)
If time permits,
perhaps we could talk.
Uh...
It isn't very often I meet
an expert on stamps.
We're, uh, profoundly
honored, but I have
to take the doctor...
A few hours won't make
that much difference,
and it will give me pleasure.
I will send
my car for you, eh?
Doctor.
(CAR DOORS CLOSING)
What the devil do you think
you're doing? I only wanted...
Don't flap.
I'm not flapping.
You most certainly are.
You wanted to find his
super-secret petrol dump,
and you got yourself
onto the base.
What happens when
they find out this is not
an infectious disease?
We shall all be
vastly relieved.
Now, while Erwin and I
talk stamps, you start
looking and listening.
He's not gonna tell you where
the bloody fuel dump is!
You're all of atwitter.
Brace up, Captain.
Keep flexible.
But that's Rommel!
Just another
stamp enthusiast, Alex.
He probably writes letters
to The Times.
(HORN HONKS)
Relax. It's a tank. Kw-3.
(MUMBLING)
(MURMURING IN ITALIAN)
Vivi, shut up!
Come here.
I can't!
(SCREAMING)
Get in there.
Anything! Shut her up.
She'll have the bleedin'
Jerrys over here.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
I'll give you
all of my money.
I know how you feel.
God and sin and all that.
But you're doin' this one in
the service of His Majesty.
Get in there.
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(VIVI GIGGLING)
(SHUSHING)
(VIVI MOANING)
(SHUSHING CONTINUES)
(VIVI GIGGLING)
And I have a complete set
of the 1893 Tahitian stamps.
Are you familiar with
that issue?
As a matter of fact, yes.
Goring once showed me
a collection
of Tahitian stamps.
Where he got them
I have no idea,
although I can imagine.
ROMMEL: The set must be
extremely valuable.
TARKINGTON: Yes, quite.
It occurs to me that
in my own collection,
I have some stamps
from the South Pacific area.
Really?
ROMMEL: The Caroline Islands,
which was a German possession
until World War I.
As you know,
there were only two
original issues during
our occupation of the island.
TARKINGTON: If I'm not
mistaken, sir,
you're wrong about that.
No, no, no. I'm not.
I'm sorry,
but you are.
1900, 1910?
Yes.
Of course!
It was the 1915 issue.
Huh?
But it was never distributed
because of the war.
If I remember,
the 1910 surcharge...
Five Pfennig Brown was...
Excuse me, Herr General.
Excuse me.
May I, uh, use your
communication center
to contact Tobruk and
tell them we'll be delayed?
Yes, yes.
That tent over there.
Tell them I approve!
You don't agree, huh?
TARKINGTON:
I most certainly do not.
I'm not sure
I like you, Doctor.
Nor I you, sir.
ROMMEL: I don't know
if there's any point
to continuing this discussion.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl,
Herr Hauptmann.
The Carolines were,
as I say,
a German possession.
So, I ought to know more
about their issues
than you, my friend.
Ought to, yes.
But the simple fact
of the matter is...
You don't.
I've not heard one word
from you about the 1900
Three Pfennig Brown.
That one?
Yes, that one!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
The Five Pfennig stock
was destroyed
in the big storm.
The Typhoon Provisional!
Ja! That was it!
The Typhoon Provisional.
Excuse me,
but we must return
to our unit immediately.
The British doctor is needed
to look after British
prisoners in Tobruk.
Uh-huh.
Rudolph!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
You cannot imagine
what a pleasure
this has been for me, Doctor.
Perhaps another time
we meet again.
I do hope so, sir.
Who knows?
(CHUCKLES) Three Pfennig.
(SIGHS)
(SHOUTS IN GERMAN)
MacKenzie, pack it up.
Get 'em outta here.
Hurry up!
On the double!
(ENGINES STARTING)
At the next road,
we're gonna turn hard left.
Take the rest of the convoy
and meet at the nearest wadi.
If we're not back in an hour,
you're on your own.
What about the men,
the ones that we sent back?
They're all right, sir.
You were gone so long,
I almost began puking.
And the girl, is she
still under sedation?
Sedation? Yes, sir.
She's under that
right now, sir.
Good man, Merrihew.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Any of you boys got a map?
Yes, sir.
If I get on top
of the tank, follow me.
Halt! (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(GAGGING)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Line her up!
This looks like a good place.
Turn left and then
over the gate.
Yes, sir!
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
There's an 88
on the left, sir.
I see it. Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir!
(GUNS FIRING)
Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir.
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
To the right,
a pump station.
Yes, sir!
(GUN FIRING)
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(SHOUTING CONTINUES)
(SCREAMING)
Reilly, get us outta here!
Yes, sir!
(TANK RUMBLING)
(COUGHING)
You all right?
Yes, sir.
(GRUNTING)
(STRAINING)
(EXHALES)
(CLANKING)
This thing is stuck!
Damn! It's stuck!
It's stuck! It's stuck!
(PANTING)
(EXPLOSIONS RUMBLING)
(CLANKING)
(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)
(THUMPING)
(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Molto bello!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(GERMAN CONTINUES)
(GERMAN CONTINUES)
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
As I recall it,
your plan was merely
to escape.
As it happens,
would you want it
any other way?
I suppose not.
Anyway, Alex, do you
seriously propose to carry
on with this escapade?
I mean, those guns and...
At 2100 hours,
the ships are steaming
into Tobruk Harbor.
I only hope
we're not too late.
I like it here away
from the roads,
but what's lacking
is a snowstorm or a sandstorm
to cover our tracks.
Reilly, turn onto
those tank tracks.
When we reach Tobruk,
according to plans
at 2100 hours,
5th Commando unit will have
knocked out the shore guns.
And we will move in close
and open fire on the area.
Landing craft will be launched
to take the commandos off.
What if they fail, sir?
We do our part,
I hope they'll do theirs.
Field police.
You can't use those again,
Alex. Chew them up
or swallow them or something.
Reilly,
keep up with 'em.
(SOFTLY) If you can't
fight 'em, join 'em.
(PHONE RINGING)
Jawohl.
Hauptmann Schroeder?
Hauptmann Schroeder.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein. (SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
Moment!
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Well, now we're in,
which way do we go?
Capt. Foster was quartered
here in Tobruk until Rommel
broke his lease.
All right, Merrihew,
get her out.
German pigs!
English pigs!
I hate them all.
I hate them.
How is she?
I think she'll be all right.
Has she any idea
where we're going?
Going?
She hasn't the foggiest idea
where she is, or anything.
Good, get her out.
Ciao.
Ciao.
(ENGINES RUMBLING)
Ciao.
That's it, gentlemen.
The British Navy's target
for tonight if...
If we succeed.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Nein.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Ja.
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
(BOTH SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(WHISTLES)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl.
Hallo? (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)
Hallo...
Hallo? (SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl.
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
Jawohl,
Herr Feldmarschall.
The telephone lines
are cut, sir.
How 'bout the volunteers?
Are they ready?
They're as ready
as they'll ever be.
God help them.
Down!
Major? About the girl,
my conduct...
Yes?
Dear boy, overnight you've
become a legend among men.
Don't spoil it.
I don't want to...
Turn off that remarkable
conscience, Merrihew.
Remember,
virtue has its own reward.
You've gotta knock out
those pillboxes, Mac, before
we can get at the guns.
See you on
the beach later.
Right, sir.
MACKENZIE: Look sharp.
The Navy's on time.
I only hope...
(CANNON FIRE)
All right, Mac, now.
Now! Now! Now!
Mac, now! Now!
Now, Mac.
(FIRING CONTINUES)
FOSTER: All of you, now!
(ARTILLERY FIRES)
(DISTANT ARTILLERY FIRING)
(MACHINE GUNS FIRING)
(GIRL LAUGHING)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(SCREAMS)
Hurry up, Mac, hurry up.
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
(PILLBOX EXPLODES)
Okay.
They're still
outranging us, sir.
Sir...
Maintain our present course.
Sir, look!
Hit the trucks
with every gun you've got.
We'll take the mortars.
(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)
(SCREAMING)
(SHIP ALARM WAILING)
(ALARM CONTINUES)
Sir, lookout reports
heavy fighting on the hill
above the guns.
Launch landing craft.
Yes, sir.
(SCREAMS)
(GROANING)
(SCREAMS)
Help him!
(WHIMPERING)
(SCREAMING)
SOLDIER: Oh, God, help me!
(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)
(DISTANT GUNFIRE)
(SCREAMING)
Help me! Help me!
(GROANING)
Break out
the flamethrower!
Right, sir.
Give it to me!
I'll cover you while you
break out more ammunition
for the guns.
Hugh, cover me.
(GERMAN BROADCAST
OVER LOUDSPEAKER)
(SCREAMING)
(GUN FIRING)
(SCREAMING)
(SOLDIERS SCREAMING)
(SCREAMING CONTINUES)
Hook up the demolition
squad, and let's go.
Hook up!
Hook up!
Hook up!
Sir.
Get the men
outta here!
Come on, lads.
MAN: On the double now.
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
(GRUNTS)
(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)
(PANTING)
(GROANS)
(COUGHING)
(GUN FIRING)
(SPEAKING GERMAN)
MERRIHEW:
Sir, I'm a Quaker.
I'm in the Medical Corps
because I'm a conscientious
objector.
I'm sorry, I cannot help you
in a mission where I would
have to kill someone.
(GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
Get going!
Get going!
(SHIP ALARM WAILING)
Signal all units
to reverse course.
All units
reverse course.
Reverse course.
(GASPING)
(MACHINE GUN FIRING)
Pronto! Pronto!
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
(SPEAKING ITALIAN)
Machen Sie auf.
Afrika Korps!
(SPEAKING LATIN)
(GUN FIRING)
(ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES)
All units resume
original course.
Resume original course.
All ahead, full.
All ahead, full.
All units fire
as guns bear.
All units fire as guns bear.
All units fire
as guns bear.
All units fire
as guns bear.
(LAUGHING)
(WOMAN SOBBING,
SHOUTING IN ITALIAN)
(WHISPERING) Get going!
Get going!
Get down in that
bloody boat!
Why the hell don't you get
down in that bloody boat?
I'm a doctor, Alex.
Maybe we can save you
for a Nazi firing squad.
Perhaps Rommel won't
want to shoot
two such devoted
stamp collectors
as you and me.
Here they come.
ANNOUNCER:
Next to CBS, London,
Edward R. Murrow reporting.
MURROW: This is London.
The battle of Egypt
continues to go well.
The Axis radio talked of
considerable allied naval
concentrations in Gibraltar.
But the British
are a cautious people.
Their hopes
have been raised before.
They prefer to wait and see.
But official or authoritative
quarters are more confident
than they have ever been
about any previous action.
They don't believe
Rommel can get
reinforcements in time,
and they don't see
where he can make a stand
without having his flank
turned by the superior
British force.