The Sergeant (1968) - full transcript

[birds chirping]

[dogs barking]

[gates creaking]

[chirping continues]

[dogs barking]

[rustling]

[guns fire]

[machine gun firing]

[firing continues]

[machine gun firing]

[firing continues]



[grenade pin snaps]

[machine gun firing]

[explosion]

[bulletsricocheting]

[cocks gun]

[gun firing]

[gun firing]

[gun clicks]

[drum music]

[panting]

[music continues]

[grunting]

[choking]

[cello music]



[gasping]

[gasps]

[breathing heavily]

[train chugging]

[train whistling]

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

You have breakfast, sergeant?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[driver]
'It'll be turning
cold soon.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[driver]
'Ain't much of a place.'

[instrumental music]

[drum music]

[jeep revving]

[gravel crunching]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Morning.

You the company clerk?

Sure am.

What's your name?

Say, can I help you?

Can I help you, sergeant?

Yeah, you can help me.

I'm reporting. Name's Callan,
Master Sergeant Callan.

Oh...you're the new
first sergeant?

That's right.

Captain Loring isn't in yet,
but he should be here anytime.

The company's out at the mess
hall and I'm just kind of..

..holding down the fort.

Would you like
some breakfast, sergeant?

What do you got
the light on for?

[sighing]

Now, soldier,
what's your name?

Cowley.
Corporal Cowley, sir.

I'm a master sergeant
of the United States Army

don't call me sir.

Yes, that's right.

They all like you?

How do you mean?

[chuckles]

It might be some time
before the captain gets here.

If you'd like breakfast, I'd be
glad to see the cook about it.

Maybe, you'd like me to get
your gear squared away?

I'll be fine,
Corporal Cowley.

You just...sit down.

Try to relax.

[vehicle approaching]

[vehicle door shuts]

At ease, sergeant.

Master Sergeant Callan,
is it?

Yes, sir.

We're certainly happy
to see you, Callan.

Two months without a first
sergeant is no play day.

Well...tell me

how was the trip
from the States?

It wasn't bad, sir.

My orders are on the desk.

Yes, well, maybe we should
take a look at them, huh?

- Morning, Cowley.
- 'Morning, sir.'

Mm-hm.

Oh, sit down, please. I don't
see why we should be so formal.

Oh, yes.

[Loring]
'Oh, the old 41st.'

Lot of infantry, huh?

Ah, you've been
in France before.

Hm.

'Distinguished Service Cross.'

Uh, it's, it's
very impressive.

Yeah, you've had
a lot of infantry at..

But now, of course,
it-it isn't infantry.

I know it isn't, sir,
but that doesn't make

any difference as far as
running a company is concerned.

No, of course not,
you-you're right.

It's the same job
in all the branches.

Well, you have
a fine record..

...and there's not much
new I can tell you.

The most important thing,
though, is to keep these men

from getting too lax.

Getting to feel they're
like ordinary laborers.

Mm-hm.

[sighs]

Well, sir, I think
it's a pretty sad outfit.

What do you mean?

The huts are dirty,
the bunks are unmade

the company area
is littered with trash

the men run around half
in uniform and half out.

You've got a very
critical eye, sergeant.

[chuckles]

Do you hold company
formation, sir?

They're maintenance men.

We just didn't see
the need for it.

Who is "we"?

Now, just a minute,
sergeant.

Certainly, sir.

Look, captain, I've been, uh,
I've been running companies

for over 15 years.

So...I don't think we'll have
any trouble with this one.

Now, supposing
you let me handle it.

I imagine it's a headache
for you with your other duties.

Just let me handle it
as I see fit.

Of course, you'll have
the final say.

I'll have the final say,
of course.

Of course.

Well, fine.

Fine.

You're the kind of man
I can have confidence in.

Anything for me
to sign, Cowley?

No, sir.

Alright, fine. I'll...I'll be
in this afteroon then.

[door closes]

You're some pair,
aren't you?

[instrumental music]

You know what you should do?

You should make a memorandum
and post it.

Make a memorandum informing
the men of this company

will be in formation
at 1800 hours.

You can do that,
can't you, Cowley?

Company! Attention!

I've brought you out here
for a purpose.

I'm your new
first sergeant.

The name is Callan!

Master Sergeant Callan!

I've called you out here
because it's best we understand

each other from the
very beginning.

You've gotten along
without a first sergeant.

'You've gotten used
to having your own way.'

Well, allthat's
gonna change!

And it's gonna change
right now!

You can expect..

...three formations a day.

You can expect the daily
inspection of quarters!

And you can expect to conduct
yourself like soldiers!

At ease!

Captain Loring has been
occupied with other duties.

He can't devote as much time
to you as he'd like.

Perhaps, that's
made you careless.

Perhaps, you think because
you're a maintenance outfit

you're not subject to the common
rules of military discipline.

Well, you're wrong.

For example..

...no man will ever again
appear at formation

in a uniform
such as this.

There's no excuse
for such filth.

This man is restricted to the
company area for two weeks.

[gravel crunching]

Am I understood?

[echoing]

[instrumental music]

What's your name?

Swanson, Thomas A.

- How long you been here?
- Eight months.

- Where do you work?
- In the field.

[music continues]

What are you
so proud about?

[woman laughing]

You think I should've bether
tonight, Tom?

Not me, Franklin.
I'm too pure for that medal.

Yeah, sure.

Hey, what about
that sergeant?

'He's gonna make
life mean for us.'

Funny, huh, Tom, the way
he came down you out there?

He got Clairey, too.

'Yeah, but singling you out
that way for nothing.'

It wasn't
for nothing.

It's because
old Tom didn't scare

'with all that
hard-nosed talk.'

That's right.

That's how it was.

How do I look, Pop?

Just fine, son.
You look fine.

Okay, old buddy.

Give my best
to the world.

Going out, Swanson?

Just into town.

[door closes]

[boys yelling]

[yelling continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Would you like
to meet someone?

[Swanson]
'Uh-uh.'

No?

Someone would like
to meet you.

[male #1]
'I know all about you.'

'And I disapprove
of everything.'

It is the sworn duty of her male
relative, her brother-in-law

to disapprove.

'Oh, yes.'

Now, what can
I offer you to drink?

[speaking French]

A whiskey.

[speaking French]

[speaking French]

Oh, just tonight, I just
come from the cinema.

[imitating shooting]

Yeah, an American film.
Randolph Scott's.

He makes me very happy.

- Do you like him?
- Yeah, he's okay.

[male #1]
'Solange told me
you're very intelligent.'

'A soldier who belongs
in the university.'

A young man with
a great heart for life.

[speaking French]

Merci.

So, this is where you
had your first rendezvous?

It's not much.
It's not even romantic.

Paul, please.

You see, I know everything.

I am her confidante.

But you're not
my confidante.

I am her confidante.

But it's incredible.

I just mentioned
that we met here.

That is just
the thing.

If your father knew, Solange,
or your mother...hmph!

When I was young,
girls were not permitted

such a liberal way
of life.

And you, Mr. Swanson..

...what do you think
of meeting a girl in a cafe?

Well, I think
it's fine.

[Paul]
'You do?'

Yeah.

So do I.

[glasses clink]

[accordion music]

Well..

...I'm leaving you
with the bill paid.

No-no, this is because at heart
I'm really very nice, you know.

Don't be silly, Paul.
You're not going.

It is a great tragedy,
little one. I know.

She's in your trust.

[Paul]
'She's an exceptional girl.'

Well...that's the kind of
brother-in-law to have, huh?

I'm glad you approve.

[music continues]

Hello.

Hello.

[male #2]
'Good morning.'

- You in charge here?
- 'Yeah.'

- You want to look around some?
- Yeah.

Who told you
to space them like that?

'It's so they won't
set each other off.'

[chuckles]
Who told you that,
the officers?

Listen, you got a
Private Swanson working for you?

Yeah, Tom Swanson.

[Callan]
'Where is he?'

Out there. He works
a crew of Frenchmen.

- Is he good?
- 'He's good.'

'He's not a smart aleck
like most of these guys.'

Sound like you're
making up for him.

I ain't doing that.

He's about my best man.

'Nice, soft-spoken..'

Yeah?

Well, maybe I ought
to take a look.

Let me lock up the shack,
I'll go with you.

I'll find him.

'There's a lot of men
out there.'

I said I'd find him, sergeant.

[steel drum rattling]

Good crew there.

Good work out of them too.

[speaking French]

- Merci.
- Merci.

They seem to like you too.

[Swanson]
'Yeah, we get along good.'

Why don't you
come down here?

What's the name of the sergeant?
The sergeant of the depot shack?

Sergeant Komski.

Komski, huh?

Komski tells me
that you're, uh, pretty good.

In fact, he tells me
you're about the best he's got.

That was nice of him.

[chuckles]

"That was nice of him."

What'd you do
in civilian life?

Finished school.

Worked around a little bit.

Worked Madera,
California, didn't you?

'Oh, yeah.'

I checked your Form 20.

[Swanson]
Uh-huh.

How'd you like
to come work for me?

In the orderly room?

That's right, in the orderly
room as the company clerk.

I don't know anything
about that kind of work.

I don't know..

According to your records,
you can type.

Your intelligence, I'll leave
that to my own judgment.

I think you'd do just fine.

Now, I've never done
anything but field work.

Oh, I'm giving you a chance.

I appreciate that, but...
you've seen my records.

I've never been any farther
than high school.

Some of these men
have been to college.

'They'd be better for that
kind of work, wouldn't they?'

When I pick a man for a job

I do it because I know
he can handle it.

[Swanson]
To tell you
the truth, sergeant..

'...I've gotten to like it
out here in the depot.'

Maybe something's wrong here.

I'm offering you a better job

and you stand there
fooling around.

- I'm trying to explain--
- 'You're fooling around.'

- Look, I don't feel--
- Shut up!

Now...you're trying to tell me
you don't want the job?

I'll be damned.

[chuckles]

I'll be damned.

Ho!

Listen..

...you better re-organize your
thinking 'cause I can order you.

But I won't do that.

If you don't want the job,
don't take it

because nobody works for me
that doesn't want to.

But I'll tell you one thing

boy, you better think
about it just a little.

Alright..

...I'll think about it.

You come work for me.

[male #3]
'Man, what's he trying to do
to us? Rotating guard duty.'

'Half-day workload
on Saturdays.'

The man can't change
the place overnight.

- He's doing it, ain't he?
- Yeah.

Where's the captain?

He was in
this morning, sergeant.

"He was in this morning?"
That's nice.

What can I do
for you, Komski?

- It's about my wife, sergeant.
- Yeah, what about her?

Well, I mean,
she's being shipped over.

Coming over
to join me here.

That's nice.

I've sure been
looking forward to it.

You didn't tell me
you made these arrangements.

Well, most of it was done
before you came, sergeant.

You got facilities,
a house and all that?

Oh, yeah.
I've done all that.

She'll be coming into Paris
about a week from now.

What I need, of course,
is about a three-day pass.

You think you deserve a pass?

I've been waiting a long time.

I haven't had a pass
in six months.

I didn't ask you that. I said,
do you think you deserve a pass?

You see, sometimes, you give
a man a pass to see his wife..

...and he winds up
chasing whores.

Oh, uh, you got the pass,
Komski. And when your wife comes

we'll...we'll do everything
we can to make her comfortable.

[door closes]

Good afternoon, sir. I've got
some papers for you to sign.

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course.

Uh...thank you, sergeant.

You're doing an absolutely
splendid job of the company.

You should hear
the reports out there.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, here we are.

You know, something's
not right about him.

Yeah, he's bad, alright.

There ain't no
denying that.

I'm not exactly
saying that.

There ain't no use
for philosophizing

Man, it's simple.

They get that many stripes

and they think
they're God Almighty.

You know, I just got
five months left over here.

I'm just gonna do my work
and Saturday night..

...man, I'm gonna drink
that good vin blanc.

I'm not gonna do nothing
extraordinary, no, sir.

'Cause that man..'

'...he's the kind
that watches and waits.'

And when he gets
the chance, boom!

Man, you are in jail for
the rest of your natural life.

[Pop]
'He's a soldier.'

Oh, what do you mean?

I mean, he's a soldier.

This outfit's needed
somebody like him.

He's old army.

[laughs]
Oh, man.

Something you wouldn't know
anything about.

You go get him, Pop.

- The son of a bitch--
- I know. I know, man.

You gotta be damn near crazy.

I know what you mean, sarge.

I guess, I didn't even
want the damn pass.

You know, I'll tell you
something, sarge.

I got a feeling
about that man.

Right in my backbone.

Let me have
a beer..

You gettin'
enough, Leroy?

Tom...eating is the only way
to beat this life.

[laughing]

[footsteps]

[chuckles]

Did I frighten you?

Just sitting here thinking.

Thinking of what?

What a hard ass
I am?

I come out here
from time to time.

Sit alone.

Drink a little.

Kinda like you.

Too damn hot
in there.

Too noisy.

Mm-hm.

[violin music]

[Callan]
'Ah, that's kind of sad,
that action out there.'

'Girls come from everywhere.'

Some of them not much older
than children.

You got a girl?

[music continues]

Yeah.

That's good.

[laughing]

I guess, uh,
I guess I'm a hard ass.

Listen..

...tell you something.

You see, when..

...when you're in
an outfit like this

you kind of set yourself
up as the law.

Now, you do that..

...and you're all alone.

You're gonna come
work for me, Swanson?

You are gonna
work for me, aren't you?

Yeah, alright.

Sure, you are.

I knew you would.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[Solange laughing]

You know..

...I never think of you
as a soldier.

I think of you
always as..

...just a young man who comes
visiting from the country.

Oh, yeah?

[music continues]

What kind of work
do you do at the camp?

Nothing much.

Nothing important.

But what?

[Swanson]
'I'm just a soldier, Solange.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[dog barking]

[Swanson]
'You know, when I was just
a kid, my father died.'

'My mom and my brother
and I went to work.'

'We lived on
a great little street.'

'Elm trees and picket fences
and all that kind of stuff.'

I had a paper route.

My own house was the last house
I used to deliver to everyday.

All afternoon,
I'd be zipping around town

delivering those papers.

Then, I'd come down
our street

toss a paper onto
the front porch

swing into the driveway and
zoom right down into the garage.

And it was quiet.

No wind at all.

Right in the middle
of the garage floor..

...there was a big
round spot of grease

where my old man
used to park his car.

That spot of grease..

...that was the
friendliest thing I knew.

What a nice story.

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

[thunder rumbling]

[Callan]
'Come on, let's go.'

Move it!

Come on, move,
move, move!

Okay, let's go.
Come on, move.

Do not fall asleep
in the shack. Let's move!

Oh, man, that's no rain,
that's a flood.

How'd you do?

[Swanson]
'Okay.'

Alright,
come on now!

Let's move,
move it!

Let me see.

[typewriter clicking]

Oh, you're doing fine,
you're doing fine.

That'll be alright.

[phone ringing]

Hello, yeah.

Yes, captain.
What can we do for you?

I see.
Well...I'll be damned.

Says the roads are
too slick to drive.

He don't think
he can make it in today.

[Callan]
'Oh, yes, captain.'

Yes, sir,
you can count on us.

Right, sir.

He wants to know if
we can manage without him.

[chuckles]

Well, I think I can
run the company without him.

[rain pattering]

[instrumental music]

Yeah..

Look, you're a little
late on the roster, so..

...you better come back in at 7.

[Swanson]
'Sergeant, I only
have a couple left.'

I can have it done
by 5.

I'm sure you can have it done
by 5, but I want you back at 7.

I had a little something goin'
for me in town tonight.

You're kidding.

- No, I was planning on--
- That girl?

Yeah, that's right.

I'll tell you
something, Swanson.

You're a soldier,
you're not a playboy.

So you get your sweet ass
back in here at 7 o'clock sharp.

[Aldous]
'Not going
to town tonight?'

No trouble
with your girl?

Nah.

Well, now,
my old buddy, I..

...I still wouldn't say
you're feelin' the best.

Maybe, it's working
for that man.

You know, I've been wanting to
ask you how it is in the office?

You kinda touchy
about it, ain't you?

'I think you thought
some of us were sore at you'

'for taking that job,
but they ain't.'

Well, not that
I know of.

Hell, it ain't
a free world, man.

A man's got to take the job when
the sergeant gives the order.

Aldous..

...what do you think
of that man?

I don't know exactly.

Sometimes, you try and lean
his way and tell yourself

he's not doing
nothing but his job.

But then, you see things.

What things?

I don't know.

Things.

[rain pattering]

[typewriter clicking]

You like your work, son?

Oh, wait a minute.

Wait one minute.

I can have him
court-martialed for this.

Don't do it, sergeant.

I can bust him.

I can do better
than that.

I've watched
this one before.

I can have him run out
of service for being unfit.

Let him go,
sergeant, huh?

For me.

For you?

Alright.

Alright.

Maybe, I'll let him go
this time..

...maybe.

[honking]

[honking continues]

[car honking]

[Solange]
'Tom!'

You alright, Solange?

- Huh?
- I think so, yes.

And you?

Oh, geez, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

Don't be that sorry.

We're alright,
aren't we?

I've acted
like a damn fool.

I shouldn't have
tried to pass him.

- But we're alright.
- I'm sorry, Solange.

[indistinct chatter]

But you're making
so much of it.

It's the accident,
it's everything.

I don't have good sense.

What's really
the matter?

Hmm?

Tell me.

Is it something
at the camp?

[speaking French]

You're drinking
like an American.

Tom..

...I care about you.

[chatter continues]

- How you doing?
- Fine.

I don't much like
this paperwork.

Well, it's gotta
be done.

At night?

[chuckling]

[typewriter clicking]

Listen, uh..

...why don't you come outside?
There's something I wanna show.

Come on.

[chair scrapes floor]

Well..

...here it is.

Some lemon, huh?

[dog barking]

[men laughing]

Where'd you get it?

From some guy
in the engineer's

but I'm afraid
he saw me coming.

- What'd you pay for it?
- Five hundred.

It's too much?

No.

It looks good.

[hood slams]

You finished
with the rosters yet?

Almost.

Why don't we take the bomb
drive in town and have a drink?

I got a date in town
tonight, sergeant.

- With your girl?
- 'Yeah.'

I see.

What the hell,
I can give you a ride in.

Nah, that's okay.

Come on.

[dog barking]

[Swanson]
'It runs alright.'

[Callan]
'Mm-hm. It's alright.'

[Callan]
'I'm a sucker for cars anyway.'

And besides, a guy needs
something. You can't hang around

the camp all the time.
You know that yourself.

Here, do yourself a favor.

[cork pops]

'You know where I got that?'

Uh-uh.

Right out of the captain's car.

Wh-what do you mean?
You just took it?

That's right.
He knows I took it.

But he's not gonna say
or do anything.

Do you know why?

Uh-uh.

He's afraid of me.

[organ music]

[Solange]
I thought we would be
alone tonight.

He offered
me a ride.

He looks strange
out there.

Why?

I don't know.

All this is so old...
so beautiful.

[music continues]

He's not
a stupid man, Solange.

No...I didn't
mean that.

[music continues]

- Did you get your cigars?
- Yup, I got my cigars.

Alright, Swanson,
hup, hup!

- Hey, you feeling pretty good.
- I'll tell what we're gonna do.

We're gonna go
hit a couple of bars.

Solange and I are
going to the movie--

Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

You can't
leave me alone.

Veteran of the wars.
That wouldn't be nice, would it?

[dog barking]

No.

Now, after you.

[piano music]

♪ You ♪

♪ You made me leave
my happy home ♪

♪ Took my love ♪

I don't wanna-I don't wanna,
wait a minute.

Fellas...I've got
no hard feelings

but until you've had a hot dog,
a real American hot dog..

You know anything about food?
Understand?

Hot dog, long, brown. Especially
with mustard, it's delicious.

In French, what is it?
Sauci...saucisson. Saucisson!

He's getting
a little bit drunk.

Nah, he's alright.

He's just having
a good time.

Sante.

[all]
Sante.

♪ I know I'll never
feel the same ♪

Is he in your company?

Yeah. He's the top sergeant.

The man.

I work for him.

[jazz music]

You work for him?

♪ It's too bad
and it's too sad ♪

♪ But I'm, but I'm
in love with you ♪♪

How you doing?

I don't know
how I'm doing.

Trying to straighten things out
here with my friends.

This is PFC Swanson,
I call him Swany.

He's my friend,
introduce yourselves.

How are you?

What about this?
You want a little belt.

Oh, that stuff's too much,
I'll have a beer.

- What about you?
- Oh, nothing for me.

Nothing for you,
what about you?

What the hell,
I'll drink alone.

You're taking care
of our boy?

Yes.

I think so.

[jazz music]

'Do you always carry
a gun, sergeant?'

[chuckling]
No, not always.

Only when
I'm with strangers.

[music continues]

- You okay?
- Fine.

Do you know that
Mr. Callan carries a gun?

What do you need
that for?

I don't need it.

- You want it?
- Hell, no, I don't want it.

What about you,
young lady?

No, I'd like to go.

Yeah, I think we better
get out of here.

Okay, okay,
I'll tell you what.

You must know
some soldier's bar.

We'll take the young lady
there, and she can see

how the
country people live.

You get the hats and coats and
I'll take care of the eviccion.

[indistinct chatter]

[jazz music]

[music continues]

[chatter continues]

[music continues]

Hey, come here, honey.

Hey, listen, fellow,
that's my woman.

Yours and 40 other guys'.

You son of a bitch,
her and me is going upstairs.

Let me tell you,
I've been counting.

You go upstairs with herand
you're gonna be number eight.

'Number eight tonight, buddy.'

Hell, I'm gonna
be eight, nine and ten.

[speaking French]

You're nice.
Have you got 5000 Francs?

Damn right.

'I'm old eight,
nine, ten, ain't I?'

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

Hey, look..

...we're going.

I'll get your coat.

[music continues]

How about a little drink?

How about it?
How about it?

[Callan]
There, come on!

Come on, get the girl.
Get the girl.

[Callan]
'Get up, get up.
Go, go!'

Go! Go!

Stop it!
Stop.

Hey, sergeant.
The chandarms.

To hell with the police.

[laughing]

[gun fires]

You're crazy! Stop!

Oh, look, little lady.

If I want to, I can kill
all of them, you see.

I don't want to hurt 'em.

[whispering]
I just like to hear the noise.

Hey, sarge..

...take it easy, huh?

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Alright, let's get out
of here. Come on!

Come on.

[tires screeching]

I guess you had a good time.

- Oh, listen, Solange--
- Oh, Tom.

I don't truly accept that man.

Accept him? Look,
he's my first sergeant.

Well..

...goodnight, Tom.

Solange.

[ship horn blaring]

Last ship?

Yeah, you did.

Yeah.

I don't know what to say,
Swany, I..

Been in the service 26 years.

That's all I know.

Army.

[Callan]
In the service
when I was 16.

wasn't like you, uh..

Maybe you think you got
the world by the ass

because you're...tall

and...good-looking.

Well, maybe you
think that-that..

...I don't think
you do, maybe not.

Wouldn't like you
if you did.

Sixteen years of age,
nobody gave me any crap

not even then.

I did my job...

...they did theirs.

I got ahead.

I was the youngest sergeant
in the regiment.

Later...during the war..

...I was a hero.

[chuckles]

I got the distinguished
service cross..

...right here in France.

Near Tours.

[bell ringing]

When I was young..

...the officers
seemed to like me.

See me passing
battalion headquarters

and...one of them
would invite me over

and introduce me to the rest

and say, "This is, uh,
Private Callan.

He's a good soldier."

Good soldier.

We'd stand there
talking and..

...maybe one would
have his hand on my shoulder.

[sighs]

- I'll be damned.
- What?

No, nothing. Nothing, uh..

...I just realized
I talk myself sober.

[blowing nose]

[instrumental music]

I like you, Swanson.

[music continues]

What's the matter? Isn't
my talk good enough for you?

Yeah. Sure it is.

Sure it is.

Come on. Let's go.

[honking]

[tires screeching]

[instrumental music]

[Callan]
'Swanson.'

I meant that when
I said I liked you.

I'll see you
in the morning, huh.

[gunshots]

[gunshots continue]

[laughing]

Come on.
Put your heel down.

Alright, let's go.

Get this up there, get
the cheek down. Don't be afraid.

'Watch the thumb.
Alright, now.'

Relax. Take a deep breath
and then...squeeze it off slow.

Go ahead.

[gunshots]

Watch this.

[gunshots continue]

[laughing]

'How about that, huh?'

[laughing continues]

[crowd cheering]

Atta boy!

[cheering continues]

[indistinct chattering]

Go on, go on,
go on, hit him.

[whistling]

Yes. Go, go, go, go.

[whistle blows]

[speaking in foreign language]

[crowd cheering]

Well done.
Go collect it.

[speaking in foreign language]

[man announcing on PA]

I believe in
the survival of the fittest.

If you're fit then
you know you fit up there.

If you're fit
and you know you're fit

you gotta stick
with your own kind

don't fool around
with the weak ones.

You gotta keep moving
all the time. Just moving.

Alright, let's have
two cognac.

I'll tell you something else.

If you have a friend,
he's gotta be moving too

he's gotta be with you, and he's
gotta be in the right direction.

Right?

Right.

Got a light?

I understand you got yourself
a new drinking partner?

- Is that what you understand?
- That's right.

[Callan]
You know,
I can't stand weakness.

You take a guy like Loring.

'Take a look at him,
take a look at you, huh.'

You're twice what he
is already. Even at your age.

You have guts, you have brains,
that's a winning combination.

[chuckles]
What's he got?

Weakness.

Always got
some weakness.

[upbeat music]

You wanna get yourself
an education.

[Swanson]
'What do you mean?'

When you get out of the army,
you go to college.

[Swanson]
You're always calling
the college guys

in this company
a bunch of punks.

Yeah, well..

...maybe I'm jealous.

Come on.

[music continues]

[Pop]
'Tom?'

Hiya, Pop.

Been out with a man?

Want a drink?

No, thanks, Pop.

You think badly
of old Pop, don't you?

You think he's
a drunk, old bastard.

No, Pop.

We're friends.

You know, Tom, I've been
19 years in this man's army.

19 long years.

I figured always
I'd do 20 and retire.

Just have a hundred,
hundred and twenty five a month

do something nice and quiet.

Just do what I want.

Always thought I'd do 20,
and now it's over.

It's all finished.

You'll do 20, Pop.
What do you mean?

The man's gonna get me.

You're talking crazy, Pop.
Nobody's gonna get you.

Yeah, that one will.

That one's after me.

Look, Pop..

...I know the man.

He's tough, sure.

But he's honest too
...and fair.

He's not gonna get anybody.

[instrumental music]

[no audio]

[music continues]

Why don't you
get out there?

- You mean dance?
- Yeah, why not?

[laughs]
Young man, I never
danced in my life.

- No?
- Never, I dance like a knog.

Can we have
another two beers?

[music continues]

You ever been
married, sergeant?

Yeah, I was, uh..

Yeah, I was married.
I was married.

Still am married
as far as I know

unless she divorced me
somewhere along the line.

Her name was Betty

and I met her in, uh,
Providence, Rhode Island.

It was my first 30-day
leave after the war.

I was at a little bar

was sitting there drinking
drinking, drinking

three or four days,
by the time I turned around

there she was sitting
next to me on the stool.

Maybe, I was
buying her drinks.

Her name was Betty.

[chuckles]
Never was so drunk
in my life.

We sat there, and we drank
and drank and drank

and then, uh, one afternoon
we just...got up

walked out...got married.

I never figured that out.

Just got up and walked
out, got married.

And then we came back.

Gave us the run of the bar
for three or four days

absolutely...free.

Hmm.

[laughs]
She...she had a cabin

in the back
of her mother's place

and we, uh, we went
in there for 30 days

and we didn't come out
for 30 days.

[both laughing]

I tell you,
we had some time.

So, whatever
happened to her?

Huh?

I said, whatever
happened to her?

As far as I know
she's still in the cabin.

[laughing]

[clapping]

Been all over the world,
the one thing I learned..

[speaking in French]

One thing I've learned..

...never get involved.

Now, pay attention.

- Hey!
- Hey.

Put your hands up with me,
champ. Watch it, come on.

You're gonna get in trouble,
watch it, baby, come on.

That's just to, uh,
teach you a little lesson.

Never trust anybody.

Okay.

Don't look so mad, I didn't
mean to hit you so hard.

Come on, come on,
let's forget it, okay?

Come on, have a drink.

What do you say?
Can we have a toast?

Cheers to us?

Two...dirty warriors.

[laughing]

[honking]

[laughing]

[laughing continues]

[clatters]

[door opens]

Coffee?

Are you going to
speak to me?

Was I wrong in coming?

No. No.

Tom, where have you been?

I don't know where
I've been. Drunk, crazy.

I don't know.

[door opens]

There are men working outside,
Swanson. This is an army base.

- I'll be in to see you tonight.
- Uh-uh.

What do you mean?

I mean that, uh

you're restricted.

Restricted?

The policy is to allow
overnight passes.

I make the policies.

Yeah.

You really do, don't you?

Take it easy.

I better go.
You can phone me.

Good idea, you should
get the girl outta here.

You wait a minute.

What do you mean,
wait a minute?

This is an army base,
I said get the girl outta here.

Yes, come on, Tom.
Come on.

You wanna get laid, why don't
you get a whore from the meadow?

What are you gonna do?

You gonna hit me?

[grunts]

I'm gonna put
you away, Swanson.

- No, sergeant, please--
- Shut up!

I can put you in jail.

It's all my fault.
I shouldn't have been here.

I thought you and Tom
were friends.

You wouldn't know
anything about that.

Perhaps I would.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Don't you think
you better go back?

Why?

Listen..

...I don't want him
to hurt you.

Look, Solange,
I wanna be with you, okay?

Okay.

- You got any food in the house?
- Of course, yes.

I'm Madame Gerard.

How do you do?

And this, of course,
is my husband, Dr. Gerard.

Sit down, both of you.

You make me nervous,
standing like that.

Do you like good wine,
young man?

Oh, yes.

This is an excellent wine.

An excellent Bordeaux...'47.

[Dr. Gerard]
'We must eat now.'

Any time, any second,
I may be called away

on a matter of great urgency.

Finger without a finger nail,
a nose that bleeds.

Uh, life is severe.

And you, young man?

How do you find the life
of a soldier?

Severe.

[laughing]

Eat, drink.

[soft music]

I love you.

[vehicle approaching]

What is it?

Nothing.

[typewriter keys clicking]

Swanson..

...you have a drink with me?

No.

I saw you
in town last night.

Yeah.

Yeah, I saw your car
outside Solange's house.

- You did, did you?
- Yeah, I did.

I think you better
leave me be, sergeant.

Leave you be?

[soft music]

Stop it.

Stop what?

Stop watching me.

Watch me.

You have to be getting back?

Soon.

I have girlfriend in Morton.

I could say I was
staying with her.

[music continues]

Hello.

Hello.

[birds cawing]

[engine revving]

Callan?

Yeah, he caught him drunk
on guard duty.

He says he's got him
on a dozen other charges too.

Hey man, there's nothing
you can do.

Take it easy, son.
Take it easy.

The law is the law.

There'll be a general
court-martial.

And, uh...I'll see to it

that he's run out
of the army as being unfit.

- Six months to go, huh?
- That's right.

Tell you how you
can start the morning

you can start by typing up
the court-martial papers.

But you be very careful
because no mistakes are allowed.

You just had to do it,
didn't you?

[chuckles]
I've been thinking about you.

I think this clerk job carries
far too many liberties with it.

So, from now on, you'll stand
inspection formations

'and night guard duty.'

[laughs]
You don't like that, do you?

That's a shame.

It's a shame you're
not running the company.

But you're not.
I am. Me.

You understand that?

Okay, you can go now.

Oh, one more thing.
Don't hang around me anymore.

[cork pops]

[engine revving]

[intense music]

[birds chirping]

What did the old man get?

Three months of hard labor
and bad conduct discharge.

Yeah, Cowley says the old man's
unfit for association

with soldiers in the US army.

[indistinct chattering]

Hey, Swany.
How you doing?

Hey, Komski, let me try
one of those, will ya?

Take your eyes off her, Swany.
She belongs to me.

Murph. Ask the girl what
she'll have. Give her a drink.

You want a beer?

[speaking in French]

[Callan laughing]

Murphy's so dumb,
he doesn't know she's a Polack.

She doesn't understand French.

[crowd laughing]

She doesn't understand anything
in French. She's Polish.

The only thing she understands
after that is me.

Isn't that right, honey?
You understand me, don't you?

Yes, you do.
Murphy, give me a beer.

You haven't
finished yours, son.

That's right.
You finish it.

Wait a minute.

What are you
trying to do to me?

Boy..

...please.

[indistinct chattering]

Swanson!

Am I understood?

Are you gonna..

You're gonna shape up!

Or I'll put each and every
one of you in the guard house.

You hear me?

[Callan]
'I want this place clean. I
wanna be able to eat off it.'

'I wanna be proud of it.'

'I want you to do
your work like men'

'or by God,
nobody goes into town..'

Now..

I want a police call here.

If you have to get down
on all fours to do it.

I want this area cleared!

Cleared!

Cleared!

Now, pay attention!

Turn left, hut, hut.

Fall out.

Alright, come on, quick.
Pick it up, pick it up.

I want every piece of paper.

Do you hear me?

Every butt.

Every rubber!
Come on, pick 'em up.

Come on, come on.
Let's get it.

Let's get it.

Let's go.
Move it!

Move it! Move it!
Move it!

[birds chirping]

- Why did you stop?
- I'll get a ride in from here.

- You want a sandwich?
- No.

You're always hungry.

- See you tomorrow, huh?
- Yes.

Goodbye.

[dog barking]

[speaking in foreign language]

[door opens]

[intense music]

You've been following me.

That's right.

I've been following you.

What of it?

What of it?

I'd follow you again too.

You understand?

Oh, God, Swany, I need you.

'I need you.'

You're everything that counts.

- You're mine.
- No, you're wrong.

I'm not wrong.

I've been through hell, Swany

and I'm not gonna go
through it again.

- You're mine.
- No, you're wrong.

Now, you listen to me.

Now, I'm leaving.

'And I'm asking you,
please, sergeant'

'just leave me alone.'

Don't follow me.
And don't come around me.

[intense music]

Swanson! Come on, Swanson,
I need you.

- Get away!
- No, no, please.

Get off,
get away from me!

[Swanson]
'Get away!'

Get off! Get off!

[Tom grunting]

No, God!

[Tom grunting]

I didn't, I didn't
do that, Swany.

'I didn't..'

[intense music]

You call yourselves soldiers?

[laughs]

A good soldier wouldn't spit
on a best man in the outfit.

I wouldn't soldier...
with any of you.

Do you hear me?

You listening to me?

Sergeant Callan.

Dismiss the men, and report
to the orderly room.

I, uh, haven't reported
any of this yet.

I can still overlook all this.

[laughs]

You, you can what?

Sergeant Callan

I'm relieving you of your
duties as First Sergeant.

No.

My name is

Master Sergeant Albert Callan!

And no one...
has ever relieved me..

...of my duties in my life.

And if someone should
relieve me..

...it would not be

someone like you!

Look at you!

If you're gonna come here and
talk to me in front of my men

then by God, sir

have the decency
to come out like an officer

and a soldier!

Straighten your shoulders!

Walk like a man!

Straighten up!

[intense music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Company dismissed.

[wind howling]

[birds cawing]

[door opens]

[intense music]

[music continues]

[music intensifies]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[melancholic music]

[gun cocks]

[gunshot]

[birds cawing]

[melancholic music]

[music continues]