Colditz (1972–1974): Season 1, Episode 10 - Tweedledum - full transcript
RAF officer George Marsh,who had worked in a psychiatric hospital prior to the war and is now a medical orderly, works out that if he pretends that he is mentally ill,he will be repatriated and returned to England. Ullmann,suspecting a deceit,assigns sympathetic Private Hartwig to befriend him,since Hartwig has a brother with a mental illness and is as aware of the genuine signs as Marsh is. Ultimately Marsh is indeed sent home but a letter received by Preston reveals that he got to live the part rather too well for his own sanity.
Who is it this time?
They're bringing in the French chap
who got out last night.
I gather he's roughed up a little.
He didn't make it then? What went wrong?
Picked him up
at the railway station apparently.
We'll tidy him up
before they stick him in the cooler.
Oh, I can do that.
- That's my job, George.
We have a patient for you, Doctor.
Lieutenant Vaugirard
decided to broaden his horizons,
unwisely,
as I keep on reminding you all.
I'll give you 15 minutes, Doctor.
How far did you get, Vaugirard?
- Where'd they nab you?
Shut up, you lot! I've got work to do.
Well, keep still, Lieutenant.
What did this, a rifle butt?
Oh!
- Sorry, old man.
Open, will you?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It'll be a bit painful for a while,
but otherwise there's no harm done.
You're lucky,
I've actually got some sticking plaster.
Jerry stuff, not much good,
but better than old newspaper.
George, any antiseptic left?
No, not till next week.
We used the last on this idiot.
Never mind. He'll live.
Hold that, will you?
Did you hear anything?
About the war, I mean?
No.
There's still no blackout in the town.
Some of the reichsmarks are old issue,
no longer in currency.
That's how they caught me.
Tell your escape people.
Right.
All right, you can have him now.
Better luck next time.
It was boy scout lark, Doc.
He didn't have a chance.
I don't know, George.
There's always a chance.
The only certain way is repatriation.
My dear chap, you've got to be half dead
before our protecting power
can intervene
and recommend repatriation.
It's not something you can fake.
Not the body, perhaps.
But in the mind,
it's not so easy to be sure.
What, fake insanity?
- Mmm-hmm.
No.
No, the average chap
just couldn't do it.
It would need specialised knowledge.
Just pretending to be Napoleon isn't on.
Oh, I could do it!
- What?
When I was at university, I had
a part-time job in a mental institution.
I know how they behave.
- Oh, George!
Why not?
All right. Accepting for a moment
you have a chance of pulling it off.
You're quite sure
you're able to go through with it?
Right. Now, I've asked Simon
to be in on this.
But no one else is to know,
is that quite clear?
Not Player, Carrington, anyone.
Doc, would you like
to fill us in a little?
I'm not an expert, Pat.
- Yeah, but you're all we've got.
Well, I think this would have
to be a psychosis situation,
rather than neurosis.
Otherwise, no trip home.
And I suppose, for this exercise,
we are basically
in the area of schizophrenia.
All right, well, just keep it simple,
will you, Doc?
Well, it's characterised
by remoteness, delusions,
a pathological fear of persecution.
John Donne said, "No man is an island."
That's exactly what
the schizoid subject is,
or is trying to become.
- All right, all right.
This could be pretty rough,
wing Commander.
You realise that the Swiss may not
make an appearance for six months?
I realise that.
I know what I'm up against.
Oh, George.
You have to do this so well.
You have to convince me, in a sense.
You have to convince the German
medical people and the protecting power.
I don't say you can't,
but I just wish you wouldn't try.
I've made up my mind.
I'd like to have a crack at it.
All right. Well, you know the rules.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Wing Commander, just one moment.
There is something else.
You are going to live this for upwards
of six months, possibly even a year.
You are going to live it all day
and every day,
not just with the Germans,
with your fellow officers as well.
There can be no let-up.
Have you realised
the possible danger to yourself?
I think so, sir.
I wonder if you have.
Once started, I need your word
that you'll carry this through,
do it thoroughly right until the end.
Before the war is over,
we are bound to have
one or two genuine mental cases in here,
and I'm not going to let
any escape attempt
ruin the chances of those poor devils
being repatriated.
Is that understood?
- Yes, sir.
All right.
What are his chances?
Who knows.
Come on, Marsh, just get out!
You've been a help in the past, but...
You don't know what you're doing,
you're a bloody quack!
Now, listen, Marsh...
- Stop!
What is happening here, please, Doctor?
I don't want this man
in the sick-bay, Hauptmann.
If they are still available, I'll ask
for the German orderlies I had before.
Will you explain, please?
- Well, he's becoming a nuisance.
If you ask me,
he's going round the bend.
I can't afford to have him
assisting in here any longer.
He's nearly poisoned a patient,
and goes off into a trance
every five minutes.
Well, you're the guard,
you keep him out.
What is it, Feldwebel?
We have detected
sounds of tunnelling, sir.
Where is it?
- It's here, sir.
Hauptmann.
Search commandos
to the Senior Officer's Quarters,
Parcels Office and the floor upstairs.
The rest, come with me.
I know what you're trying to do, sir,
but, well, you started a search
that nearly wrecked the whole set-up.
I just want you to think
what you're doing.
It's like talking to yourself.
Good night, George.
My censors have handed me this letter.
Will you examine it, please?
It is from your Wing Commander Marsh,
presumably to his wife.
We have tested it for invisible writing.
There's nothing.
Your explanation, please?
Do I really have to
spell it out for you?
It's a simple, obvious psychosis.
- What?
The man has cracked.
It's tragic and it's dangerous.
That is all.
You wish to see me, Major?
Yes, Herr Doctor, I do.
It's about one of our men you had
occasion to examine quite recently,
wing Commander Marsh.
Ah, yes, the one they call Tweedledum.
Yes, I have examined him two days ago.
Then you may well have noticed
paranoiac symptoms.
And there've also been frequent lapses
into a semi-catatonic state.
I'm very worried about him.
And... Well, I really came
to ask your advice.
As I understand, you hold rather
advanced views on certain manic states.
Well, I'd like to benefit from
your obvious knowledge in this field.
But of course, Major. Please sit down.
Oh, no! Not Again!
Just leave him.
Poor old Tweedle.
What he needs is a good holiday.
A week by the sea.
That would soon put him right.
Next time, old man!
Halt! Halt!
Where are you going, Wing Commander?
Out!
- But you know that is prohibited.
Come back in.
Hello, George.
Don't see much of you these days.
Everything all right?
Its five, you know.
The others are not.
Not what, George?
Our Wing Commander
is not quite himself, yes?
Yes, it's time he was put away,
Hauptmann.
Perhaps.
Perhaps.
I've brought you out of
the Paymaster's Office
into the prison guard
because I have a special job for you.
Sir?
I want you to watch
this Wing Commander Marsh very closely.
Tell me if you think he's faking.
He may be trying to put us off-guard
to effect an escape.
But, sir, what does the doctor think?
The Stabsarztis convinced
that he is genuine. I am not.
Sir, I am not competent to do this.
I have no medical training.
You have actual experience, Hartwig.
That is more valuable.
How is your brother?
He has been removed
to the asylum at Heilbronn, sir.
His condition has deteriorated.
- I see. I'm sorry.
Now, I will rely
entirely on you, Hartwig.
Sir!
Leave him alone, Hartwig!
Can't you pick on someone your own size?
You really enjoy this, don't you?
- Poor old Tweedle!
Permission refused.
Porridge, boys.
- Porridge!
Thank you.
Hi, Simon.
Bad news about Marsh.
Just come from the German MO.
The Kommandant's refused permission.
Oh.
Then I'll tell him later.
Oh, I want to ask your advice
about Tweedle.
Hmm?
Well, he's really becoming
a damn nuisance.
The chaps are starting to complain.
He's making them windy
about the new tunnel.
He's bound to get on people's nerves.
That's not my real worry.
It's that Corporal Hartwig,
or whatever his name is,
he's got it in for George
and he's getting vicious.
I know.
Now what?
I want the British prisoners.
The Wing Commander Marsh. Bring him.
What's all this about?
I don't think Ulmann approves
of Wing Commander Marsh.
Herr Ulmann's enjoying this.
It's perfectly obvious
that Marsh is off his head.
Well, damn it, I ought to know.
He's in the next bunk.
Leave him!
Right. Let's have a look at you.
Why don't they put him away, Doc?
One day he'll really get hurt.
I'm trying, Dick,
but it isn't easy, you know.
Now, push off, you lot, will you?
Switch that damn thing off, will you?
It's driving me mad.
Can't even hear ourselves think.
I'm putting it off, Marsh.
Do you understand that, you cretin?
Off, off, off!
Oh! Get off! Get off me! Get off!
That blighter's becoming a real menace!
He's getting dangerous!
I never knew he was so strong!
On the tram once. Right!
On Harrods, down the Knightsbridge!
Quicken hole and cross bones...
I have you... Valid interference.
Now all those tram tickets... Daisies...
Get rid of those chains!
Out. Out!
And mine...
So, Wing Commander,
digging a tunnel, are you?
But it's not the right place, is it?
There are too many people around.
And the ground is a bit hard, isn't it?
Go and have a little rest
in the sick room.
You sent for me, sir?
- Sit down, Hartwig.
Sir.
You heard about Wing Commander Marsh?
Sir, I was...
I cannot be with him all the time, sir.
Never mind about that, Hartwig.
What do you think?
You've been watching him
for some weeks now, haven't you?
Three and a half months, sir.
So, well, is he crazy or not?
I think the doctor should decide.
Never mind what the doctors say.
What do you think?
I'm not sure.
At first I was.
I was sure he was faking.
Good, but faking.
It made me very angry.
You understand, sir.
My brother.
Yes, yes.
It is very difficult.
Before they took him away to the asylum,
he was very like this man Marsh.
I do not know.
Wing Commander Marsh was so like him,
but I do not know!
He may be very clever.
The Kommandant wants a full report.
Our doctor recommended
a proper examination
which was refused, as you know.
Now the Kommandant is reconsidering.
What do you think?
I think, sir, the doctor should decide.
What are we all dressed up for?
No idea.
Oh.
Well, whoever they are, here they come.
Top brass!
Well, I heard Rommel
wasn't doing too well.
Perhaps they're going to put him
in here with us.
Wing Commander.
Where are they taking him, Herr Doctor?
To the civilian hospital at Guaschwitz.
The Kommandant has finally acceded
my request after that exhibition.
Will he get proper
psychiatric treatment there?
Oh, he's not going for treatment, Major.
He is to be thoroughly examined by
Dr Herze.
If he's found to be truly sick,
then the authorities will decide
on whether repatriation is possible.
Tweedle's back.
Halt!
Hey! Halt!
No. No.
Please, God, no.
No.
Why don't you turn
that thing off, Tweedle?
Simon.
How is he?
He's not going to die
if that's what you mean.
I don't think he's really ill,
but I wish to God
he'd never started this thing.
You've nothing to be proud of, Corporal.
Please don't vent your spite
on my patient in the future.
He's a very sick man.
If he's not ill, then...
- I don't want to talk about it, Simon.
I warned you, Marsh!
I'm going to smash that record player!
I'm fed up with that bloody record!
Give it to me, will you? Give it!
- Brent.
Brent!
Leave him alone.
Good morning.
Good morning, gentlemen.
- Good morning, Corporal Hartwig.
You will be pleased to hear that
Red Cross parcels
will be distributed in one hour.
Officer of the day!
- That's you, Tom.
Would you please report to the Parcels
Office to arrange for distribution?
Try and stop me.
Wonder what we'll get this time?
Crépe Suzette.
- Duck a 'Orange.
Wing Commander.
I have...
Well, I'll be damned.
I wonder if we've
misjudged our corporal.
No, Tweedle's won him over.
He's convinced
the most difficult one of the lot.
When are the Swiss chaps due?
Not for a couple of months yet.
- Oh.
Can't help feeling uneasy about him.
No.
He's doing a thundering good job.
Oh, look at him.
Oh, stop messing about, Tweedle.
Come on.
Goal!
Tweedle.
George. This is it.
The Swiss chaps are here.
This is your chance, old man.
Look, you've done beautifully up to now,
but this is the test.
Convince them.
Good luck, old man.
This is Wing Commander Marsh.
You will find the case history
on Page 3 of your files,
together with our own medical report.
I have given permission
for Gefreiter Hartwig
to remain with the prisoner
during interrogation.
Wing Commander Marsh.
Please, sit up, Wing Commander.
We would like to talk to you.
I could've killed him
on more than one occasion.
I don't mind telling you.
But he convinced me.
I mean, he convinced all of us.
He did an extraordinary...
Hi, Doc.
- Hi, Phil.
You think Tweedledum
is going to make it?
Ah, I should think so.
You especially friendly with him?
Oh, I can't say that I am.
I think we're all happy
to get rid of that poor idiot.
I think they'll see
where their duty lies.
I hope so.
Hartwig.
Wing Commander.
You must come with me now.
George.
I take you now.
You're going home. Yes.
I'm not going! I live here!
Come along. Wing Commander!
- No!
There's nothing to be afraid of.
No, I won't go!
No! No!
Not
Goodbye, sir. Good luck.
Well, he played that right
up to the end.
Saved the best bit for last.
Oh.
They're going to check if everyone's
here now we've had visitors.
Uh, oh, Doctor.
Out of regard for your profession,
I've decided to tell you,
quite unofficially of course,
that it has been confirmed
that Wing Commander Marsh
was repatriated.
In fact, he arrived in England
four weeks ago.
Thank you.
I'm very glad.
It is not a particularly fitting way
for a soldier to return home, of course.
But, we live in difficult times...
Yes, I understand.
I'm very grateful
for everything you've done.
Mmm, well.
I thought you'd like to know.
You may continue with your duties.
Doctor! Just the man I want to see.
Beausire! You remember Beausire.
He was the one who...
Puff! And was gone. what style!
- Oh, yeah.
Well, I have something
to tell all of you. Come on.
Gentlemen, Beausire is free!
I've just had news,
a postcard from Spain!
You're all invited to a celebration
in our quarters!
What, Marsh?
It's incredible!
Hell of a stroke to pull off.
Well, he certainly fooled me.
I damn nearly sorted him out once.
He damn nearly sorted me out once.
You realise we can't tell the others.
Well, they wouldn't believe us anyway.
- Yeah, it's a pity.
The French are really going to be
smug about Beausire.
Well, maybe, but Marsh's escape
has got to be kept between us.
You've got to hand it to him.
It's marvelous!
Come on,
let's join the French celebration.
Gentlemen, I wish to read you a letter
that I've just received.
It concerns Wing Commander Marsh.
"Dear Colonel Preston,
"I'm writing to thank you
and the men of Colditz,
"for all you've done for my husband
during his imprisonment.
"You can doubtless imagine
what it means to me
"to have him safe in England.
"George has now been committed
to the Ainsworth Mental Home
"outside Harrow,
so I'm able to visit him quite easily.
"I'm afraid there is little hope
of any improvement.
"But I take comfort and strength
in his own quiet acceptance.
"Please convey my thanks to his friends
"and to the German soldier
who befriended him.
"Sincerely, Helen Marsh."
Gentlemen, I absolutely forbid any
further escape attempt on those lines.
They're bringing in the French chap
who got out last night.
I gather he's roughed up a little.
He didn't make it then? What went wrong?
Picked him up
at the railway station apparently.
We'll tidy him up
before they stick him in the cooler.
Oh, I can do that.
- That's my job, George.
We have a patient for you, Doctor.
Lieutenant Vaugirard
decided to broaden his horizons,
unwisely,
as I keep on reminding you all.
I'll give you 15 minutes, Doctor.
How far did you get, Vaugirard?
- Where'd they nab you?
Shut up, you lot! I've got work to do.
Well, keep still, Lieutenant.
What did this, a rifle butt?
Oh!
- Sorry, old man.
Open, will you?
Yeah.
Yeah.
It'll be a bit painful for a while,
but otherwise there's no harm done.
You're lucky,
I've actually got some sticking plaster.
Jerry stuff, not much good,
but better than old newspaper.
George, any antiseptic left?
No, not till next week.
We used the last on this idiot.
Never mind. He'll live.
Hold that, will you?
Did you hear anything?
About the war, I mean?
No.
There's still no blackout in the town.
Some of the reichsmarks are old issue,
no longer in currency.
That's how they caught me.
Tell your escape people.
Right.
All right, you can have him now.
Better luck next time.
It was boy scout lark, Doc.
He didn't have a chance.
I don't know, George.
There's always a chance.
The only certain way is repatriation.
My dear chap, you've got to be half dead
before our protecting power
can intervene
and recommend repatriation.
It's not something you can fake.
Not the body, perhaps.
But in the mind,
it's not so easy to be sure.
What, fake insanity?
- Mmm-hmm.
No.
No, the average chap
just couldn't do it.
It would need specialised knowledge.
Just pretending to be Napoleon isn't on.
Oh, I could do it!
- What?
When I was at university, I had
a part-time job in a mental institution.
I know how they behave.
- Oh, George!
Why not?
All right. Accepting for a moment
you have a chance of pulling it off.
You're quite sure
you're able to go through with it?
Right. Now, I've asked Simon
to be in on this.
But no one else is to know,
is that quite clear?
Not Player, Carrington, anyone.
Doc, would you like
to fill us in a little?
I'm not an expert, Pat.
- Yeah, but you're all we've got.
Well, I think this would have
to be a psychosis situation,
rather than neurosis.
Otherwise, no trip home.
And I suppose, for this exercise,
we are basically
in the area of schizophrenia.
All right, well, just keep it simple,
will you, Doc?
Well, it's characterised
by remoteness, delusions,
a pathological fear of persecution.
John Donne said, "No man is an island."
That's exactly what
the schizoid subject is,
or is trying to become.
- All right, all right.
This could be pretty rough,
wing Commander.
You realise that the Swiss may not
make an appearance for six months?
I realise that.
I know what I'm up against.
Oh, George.
You have to do this so well.
You have to convince me, in a sense.
You have to convince the German
medical people and the protecting power.
I don't say you can't,
but I just wish you wouldn't try.
I've made up my mind.
I'd like to have a crack at it.
All right. Well, you know the rules.
Good luck.
Thanks.
Wing Commander, just one moment.
There is something else.
You are going to live this for upwards
of six months, possibly even a year.
You are going to live it all day
and every day,
not just with the Germans,
with your fellow officers as well.
There can be no let-up.
Have you realised
the possible danger to yourself?
I think so, sir.
I wonder if you have.
Once started, I need your word
that you'll carry this through,
do it thoroughly right until the end.
Before the war is over,
we are bound to have
one or two genuine mental cases in here,
and I'm not going to let
any escape attempt
ruin the chances of those poor devils
being repatriated.
Is that understood?
- Yes, sir.
All right.
What are his chances?
Who knows.
Come on, Marsh, just get out!
You've been a help in the past, but...
You don't know what you're doing,
you're a bloody quack!
Now, listen, Marsh...
- Stop!
What is happening here, please, Doctor?
I don't want this man
in the sick-bay, Hauptmann.
If they are still available, I'll ask
for the German orderlies I had before.
Will you explain, please?
- Well, he's becoming a nuisance.
If you ask me,
he's going round the bend.
I can't afford to have him
assisting in here any longer.
He's nearly poisoned a patient,
and goes off into a trance
every five minutes.
Well, you're the guard,
you keep him out.
What is it, Feldwebel?
We have detected
sounds of tunnelling, sir.
Where is it?
- It's here, sir.
Hauptmann.
Search commandos
to the Senior Officer's Quarters,
Parcels Office and the floor upstairs.
The rest, come with me.
I know what you're trying to do, sir,
but, well, you started a search
that nearly wrecked the whole set-up.
I just want you to think
what you're doing.
It's like talking to yourself.
Good night, George.
My censors have handed me this letter.
Will you examine it, please?
It is from your Wing Commander Marsh,
presumably to his wife.
We have tested it for invisible writing.
There's nothing.
Your explanation, please?
Do I really have to
spell it out for you?
It's a simple, obvious psychosis.
- What?
The man has cracked.
It's tragic and it's dangerous.
That is all.
You wish to see me, Major?
Yes, Herr Doctor, I do.
It's about one of our men you had
occasion to examine quite recently,
wing Commander Marsh.
Ah, yes, the one they call Tweedledum.
Yes, I have examined him two days ago.
Then you may well have noticed
paranoiac symptoms.
And there've also been frequent lapses
into a semi-catatonic state.
I'm very worried about him.
And... Well, I really came
to ask your advice.
As I understand, you hold rather
advanced views on certain manic states.
Well, I'd like to benefit from
your obvious knowledge in this field.
But of course, Major. Please sit down.
Oh, no! Not Again!
Just leave him.
Poor old Tweedle.
What he needs is a good holiday.
A week by the sea.
That would soon put him right.
Next time, old man!
Halt! Halt!
Where are you going, Wing Commander?
Out!
- But you know that is prohibited.
Come back in.
Hello, George.
Don't see much of you these days.
Everything all right?
Its five, you know.
The others are not.
Not what, George?
Our Wing Commander
is not quite himself, yes?
Yes, it's time he was put away,
Hauptmann.
Perhaps.
Perhaps.
I've brought you out of
the Paymaster's Office
into the prison guard
because I have a special job for you.
Sir?
I want you to watch
this Wing Commander Marsh very closely.
Tell me if you think he's faking.
He may be trying to put us off-guard
to effect an escape.
But, sir, what does the doctor think?
The Stabsarztis convinced
that he is genuine. I am not.
Sir, I am not competent to do this.
I have no medical training.
You have actual experience, Hartwig.
That is more valuable.
How is your brother?
He has been removed
to the asylum at Heilbronn, sir.
His condition has deteriorated.
- I see. I'm sorry.
Now, I will rely
entirely on you, Hartwig.
Sir!
Leave him alone, Hartwig!
Can't you pick on someone your own size?
You really enjoy this, don't you?
- Poor old Tweedle!
Permission refused.
Porridge, boys.
- Porridge!
Thank you.
Hi, Simon.
Bad news about Marsh.
Just come from the German MO.
The Kommandant's refused permission.
Oh.
Then I'll tell him later.
Oh, I want to ask your advice
about Tweedle.
Hmm?
Well, he's really becoming
a damn nuisance.
The chaps are starting to complain.
He's making them windy
about the new tunnel.
He's bound to get on people's nerves.
That's not my real worry.
It's that Corporal Hartwig,
or whatever his name is,
he's got it in for George
and he's getting vicious.
I know.
Now what?
I want the British prisoners.
The Wing Commander Marsh. Bring him.
What's all this about?
I don't think Ulmann approves
of Wing Commander Marsh.
Herr Ulmann's enjoying this.
It's perfectly obvious
that Marsh is off his head.
Well, damn it, I ought to know.
He's in the next bunk.
Leave him!
Right. Let's have a look at you.
Why don't they put him away, Doc?
One day he'll really get hurt.
I'm trying, Dick,
but it isn't easy, you know.
Now, push off, you lot, will you?
Switch that damn thing off, will you?
It's driving me mad.
Can't even hear ourselves think.
I'm putting it off, Marsh.
Do you understand that, you cretin?
Off, off, off!
Oh! Get off! Get off me! Get off!
That blighter's becoming a real menace!
He's getting dangerous!
I never knew he was so strong!
On the tram once. Right!
On Harrods, down the Knightsbridge!
Quicken hole and cross bones...
I have you... Valid interference.
Now all those tram tickets... Daisies...
Get rid of those chains!
Out. Out!
And mine...
So, Wing Commander,
digging a tunnel, are you?
But it's not the right place, is it?
There are too many people around.
And the ground is a bit hard, isn't it?
Go and have a little rest
in the sick room.
You sent for me, sir?
- Sit down, Hartwig.
Sir.
You heard about Wing Commander Marsh?
Sir, I was...
I cannot be with him all the time, sir.
Never mind about that, Hartwig.
What do you think?
You've been watching him
for some weeks now, haven't you?
Three and a half months, sir.
So, well, is he crazy or not?
I think the doctor should decide.
Never mind what the doctors say.
What do you think?
I'm not sure.
At first I was.
I was sure he was faking.
Good, but faking.
It made me very angry.
You understand, sir.
My brother.
Yes, yes.
It is very difficult.
Before they took him away to the asylum,
he was very like this man Marsh.
I do not know.
Wing Commander Marsh was so like him,
but I do not know!
He may be very clever.
The Kommandant wants a full report.
Our doctor recommended
a proper examination
which was refused, as you know.
Now the Kommandant is reconsidering.
What do you think?
I think, sir, the doctor should decide.
What are we all dressed up for?
No idea.
Oh.
Well, whoever they are, here they come.
Top brass!
Well, I heard Rommel
wasn't doing too well.
Perhaps they're going to put him
in here with us.
Wing Commander.
Where are they taking him, Herr Doctor?
To the civilian hospital at Guaschwitz.
The Kommandant has finally acceded
my request after that exhibition.
Will he get proper
psychiatric treatment there?
Oh, he's not going for treatment, Major.
He is to be thoroughly examined by
Dr Herze.
If he's found to be truly sick,
then the authorities will decide
on whether repatriation is possible.
Tweedle's back.
Halt!
Hey! Halt!
No. No.
Please, God, no.
No.
Why don't you turn
that thing off, Tweedle?
Simon.
How is he?
He's not going to die
if that's what you mean.
I don't think he's really ill,
but I wish to God
he'd never started this thing.
You've nothing to be proud of, Corporal.
Please don't vent your spite
on my patient in the future.
He's a very sick man.
If he's not ill, then...
- I don't want to talk about it, Simon.
I warned you, Marsh!
I'm going to smash that record player!
I'm fed up with that bloody record!
Give it to me, will you? Give it!
- Brent.
Brent!
Leave him alone.
Good morning.
Good morning, gentlemen.
- Good morning, Corporal Hartwig.
You will be pleased to hear that
Red Cross parcels
will be distributed in one hour.
Officer of the day!
- That's you, Tom.
Would you please report to the Parcels
Office to arrange for distribution?
Try and stop me.
Wonder what we'll get this time?
Crépe Suzette.
- Duck a 'Orange.
Wing Commander.
I have...
Well, I'll be damned.
I wonder if we've
misjudged our corporal.
No, Tweedle's won him over.
He's convinced
the most difficult one of the lot.
When are the Swiss chaps due?
Not for a couple of months yet.
- Oh.
Can't help feeling uneasy about him.
No.
He's doing a thundering good job.
Oh, look at him.
Oh, stop messing about, Tweedle.
Come on.
Goal!
Tweedle.
George. This is it.
The Swiss chaps are here.
This is your chance, old man.
Look, you've done beautifully up to now,
but this is the test.
Convince them.
Good luck, old man.
This is Wing Commander Marsh.
You will find the case history
on Page 3 of your files,
together with our own medical report.
I have given permission
for Gefreiter Hartwig
to remain with the prisoner
during interrogation.
Wing Commander Marsh.
Please, sit up, Wing Commander.
We would like to talk to you.
I could've killed him
on more than one occasion.
I don't mind telling you.
But he convinced me.
I mean, he convinced all of us.
He did an extraordinary...
Hi, Doc.
- Hi, Phil.
You think Tweedledum
is going to make it?
Ah, I should think so.
You especially friendly with him?
Oh, I can't say that I am.
I think we're all happy
to get rid of that poor idiot.
I think they'll see
where their duty lies.
I hope so.
Hartwig.
Wing Commander.
You must come with me now.
George.
I take you now.
You're going home. Yes.
I'm not going! I live here!
Come along. Wing Commander!
- No!
There's nothing to be afraid of.
No, I won't go!
No! No!
Not
Goodbye, sir. Good luck.
Well, he played that right
up to the end.
Saved the best bit for last.
Oh.
They're going to check if everyone's
here now we've had visitors.
Uh, oh, Doctor.
Out of regard for your profession,
I've decided to tell you,
quite unofficially of course,
that it has been confirmed
that Wing Commander Marsh
was repatriated.
In fact, he arrived in England
four weeks ago.
Thank you.
I'm very glad.
It is not a particularly fitting way
for a soldier to return home, of course.
But, we live in difficult times...
Yes, I understand.
I'm very grateful
for everything you've done.
Mmm, well.
I thought you'd like to know.
You may continue with your duties.
Doctor! Just the man I want to see.
Beausire! You remember Beausire.
He was the one who...
Puff! And was gone. what style!
- Oh, yeah.
Well, I have something
to tell all of you. Come on.
Gentlemen, Beausire is free!
I've just had news,
a postcard from Spain!
You're all invited to a celebration
in our quarters!
What, Marsh?
It's incredible!
Hell of a stroke to pull off.
Well, he certainly fooled me.
I damn nearly sorted him out once.
He damn nearly sorted me out once.
You realise we can't tell the others.
Well, they wouldn't believe us anyway.
- Yeah, it's a pity.
The French are really going to be
smug about Beausire.
Well, maybe, but Marsh's escape
has got to be kept between us.
You've got to hand it to him.
It's marvelous!
Come on,
let's join the French celebration.
Gentlemen, I wish to read you a letter
that I've just received.
It concerns Wing Commander Marsh.
"Dear Colonel Preston,
"I'm writing to thank you
and the men of Colditz,
"for all you've done for my husband
during his imprisonment.
"You can doubtless imagine
what it means to me
"to have him safe in England.
"George has now been committed
to the Ainsworth Mental Home
"outside Harrow,
so I'm able to visit him quite easily.
"I'm afraid there is little hope
of any improvement.
"But I take comfort and strength
in his own quiet acceptance.
"Please convey my thanks to his friends
"and to the German soldier
who befriended him.
"Sincerely, Helen Marsh."
Gentlemen, I absolutely forbid any
further escape attempt on those lines.