Colditz (1972–1974): Season 2, Episode 11 - Chameleon - full transcript
Mohn is in command in the absence of the Kommandant. He learns from friends in the town that the war is going badly for the Germans and, if he is captured his high profile connections with the Nazi party will grant him little quarter. As a consequence he attempts to ingratiate himself with the prisoners, leading to a confrontation with Carrington and his dismissal by the Kommandant, whom he has tried to blackmail. With the liberation of the camp inevitable Mohn makes his own escape from Colditz.
This is the BBC calling Europe.
The BBC calling Europe.
Here is the news,
and this is John Snagge reading it
Enemy forces appear to have been
taken off their guard
by an armoured truck
by the United States Third Army
into the triangular terrain
formed by the converging rivers Moselle
and Saar.
A total of 2,400 prisoners were taken,
and reconnaissance elements
of the Third Army entered Saarburg.
In the air, more than 1,200 Liberators
and Fortresses
took part in yesterday's concentrated
attack on Nuremberg,
dropping nearly 40,000 incendiaries
and about 15,000 high explosives
on factories and marshalling yards.
Twenty of our aircraft are missing.
In Brandenburg, the Soviet high command
reported last night
Russian troops fought their way
into more than 50 inhabited places,
among them Drusenheim, Breisig and...
How's your Russian coming along, George?
Fine.
But I'm beginning to lose
my craving for caviar.
Hmm, if I was you, I should acquire a
taste for Hershey bars and chewing gum.
Got it back, I think. Shh! Shh!
...Marshal Stalin
in an order of the day,
addressed to Marshal Rokossovsky...
Off.
The news is heartening, eh, Winter?
Yes, Herr Major.
The Fuhrer understands our problem.
We must gain time. That is all, time.
Hold on, and we must win.
Everyone knows the British have been
scared out of their wits
by our V-1s and V-2s, hmm?
And the flying bombs are only
just the beginning.
What does the expression "heavy water"
mean to you?
Herr Major?
- Well?
Hate to admit, nothing, Herr Major.
I should hope not. Look. Look at them.
The important thing, Winter, is to
understand the psychology of the enemy.
The English, you see,
have one serious failing.
They simply cannot adapt themselves
to a new territorial situation.
You can spot them from a distance
of 500 metres.
They cannot, so to speak,
blend into the landscape.
Hence the failure of so many
of their escape attempts.
Wherever they are,
they remain what they are.
The English, stoic? Yes.
But to survive, to win through,
you need to be able to take on
the colours of your surroundings
like certain animals, like, um...
The chameleon, Herr Major?
Correct.
Green when hiding among leaves,
grey when moving over flat ground.
Have you observed, Winter,
even our Kommandant has chosen,
in the pursuit of political aims,
of course,
to take on a few
of the behavioural characteristics
of some of the prisoners, hmm?
The British officer and gentleman,
when the occasion demands it.
What was it you wished to say, Winter?
Colonel Preston is waiting to see you.
He has been waiting for some time.
Good. Then send him in.
Why is he not seeing the Kommandant,
by the way?
The Kommandant has not yet returned
from talks at Party headquarters.
The Colonel's application in writing
was passed to this office.
Yes, yes, I remember.
Colonel Preston wishes to complain
about the quality of the food
served in this hotel.
Send him in.
Colonel Preston.
Colonel.
- Major.
I asked for an interview
with the Kommandant.
Yes, you are no doubt aware
the Kommandant is away at this moment.
He's attending a conference
at Party headquarters.
I see. As I have already pointed out
to the Kommandant
the rations for my officers
are becoming totally inadequate.
In fact, the level of diet now
has fallen well below the regulations...
You don't look as though you are
starving, if you'll pardon my saying so.
Of late, my officers have been
reduced to making soup
from potato peelings
and swede trimmings.
Well, if things get any worse, Colonel,
I would suggest you address
your complaints to RAF Bomber Command,
whose indiscriminate terror bombings...
You are feeling the effect, then?
- Ah, no, you are.
Isn't that the point of this visit?
In any case, I was not aware of
any contraventions on our part.
Uh, today is Friday, is it not?
"Dinner, jam substitute, 20 grammes,
bread, 300 grammes,
"cheese, 31.25 grammes."
Well, it is not the Ritz, Colonel,
but unless you have some
concrete suggestions to offer...
Yes, I have. I would ask the Kommandant
to rescind the order
forbidding us to keep
chickens and rabbits.
Rabbits?
Well, I never thought
the day would come, Colonel,
when I would see grovelling
in this office
begging to be allowed to keep rabbits.
I would hardly consider
an official request...
And you say you are winning the war?
Rabbits?
Yes, I understand that you keep a few.
You must learn to tighten your belts
a little, Colonel.
When I was at the Russian front,
there were days on end
when supplies didn't reach us at all.
Well, that problem must almost be solved
because the front is nearly
on your doorstep now, isn't it?
Upon his return, I will acquaint
the Kommandant with your request.
He will undoubtedly reply in writing
in due course, Colonel.
Major.
You won't be long, will you?
- I'll try.
It's so difficult, my brother...
Your... Where?
In my room, resting.
Since when?
- Last night.
Refugee.
- Refugee? From where?
Bombed out.
Five minutes.
- Thank you, Anna.
Seen you here before, haven't I?
No accounting for taste.
Personally, I prefer
my eggs soft-boiled.
Anyway, they're all refugees
these days, aren't they?
They come pouring through the town
like Gypsies.
Result, you can't get a decent
cup of coffee anywhere.
Wish you'd tell me something.
Who does what to whom?
The German greeting is “Heil Hitler"...
Heil Hitler.
This place is like a pigsty.
So your factory was bombed out.
Why were you not transferred to another?
What other? They've all been reduced
to rubble, from here to Dresden.
But to flee, to leave your post...
Herr Major, we are past all that.
Surely, you know. The end.
You realise you could be arrested
for defeatist talk?
I'm telling you, in your own interest,
believe me,
as an old friend of my sister's, Major.
Didn't you hear
the Führer's speech yesterday, hmm?
It's right there in the paper.
"National Socialist Germany
will fight this war
"until the scales of history are turned,
as they will be this very year.
"There can be no question
of a German defeat."
You're an intelligent man, Herr Major,
but you live behind walls.
I mean, look at the evidence.
What evidence?
You mean the propaganda of the BBC?
It's true, we're going through
a difficult period.
For God's sake, keep your voices down,
both of you.
They've got Spezial everywhere.
Forgive me, Anna,
but as Dr Goebbels has said,
better an end with terror
than a terror without end.
We need time. Our Reich will recover.
This is our Reich, Herr Major.
Why are you showing me this filth?
Tm fully aware that
the Führer's Final Solution
to the Jewish problem is drastic, but
once again, as Dr Goebbels has told us,
you cannot argue with vermin,
or try to re-educate baccilae.
They must be rendered harmless
as speedily and efficiently as possible.
They're not Jews.
They're Germans, our people! Us!
I passed through Dresden,
or what's left of it.
At every street corner,
the corpses were piled high
to be burned by flamethrowers.
Our cities are charred ruins!
We have no answer
to the air attacks.
We have no answer
to the Russian drive from the east.
Our defences in the west
are crumbling...
I forbid you to go on like this.
It's treason, it's lies,
it's propaganda!
It's the truth!
- Drink your coffee.
In the streets, Herr Major,
ordinary people are openly mocking men
who are still in uniform.
They know it's all over.
Another week, another month...
We have lost, and this you know
as well as I.
Our enemies will demand revenge.
Unconditional surrender.
War crimes.
You're in a very exposed situation.
That's enough.
You're right, but take my advice.
I'm trying to get through to the south,
the mountains.
In your place, I'd disappear now,
before it's too late.
Change your name!
Start again in Sweden or Chile!
Unlike you, my friend,
I shall do my duty until the end.
It's up to you.
But as far as I'm concerned,
it's every man for himself now.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Well?
Did you take it in?
Will you...
- what? Hmm?
Get out?
Desert my post?
Have you gone mad, Anna?
Has everyone gone mad?
You will get out. You must.
- What are you talking about?
Escape from Colditz?
No, my dear, no, if...
If it should become... necessary,
I shall have recourse
to more intelligent methods.
Oh, of course.
After all, it is not too late
to establish, to...
To prove one's innocence.
- To the enemy?
In any case, Anna, you and I,
we have often talked,
we've had many private conversations.
You know, I was always against it.
Against it? Against what?
Against all this. The... The excesses.
The means used by certain elements
in the Party.
You are my witness of my growing
disillusionment with the regime,
my determination on simple humanitarian
grounds to look after my own prisoners.
Of course, I will do anything
to help you.
I always have.
But...
- But?
As your brother says,
it's every man for himself now.
Oh.
Be careful.
Two.
It's so easy, fellas!
- Yeah, for you.
You sure you haven't got another couple
hidden up your sleeve somewhere?
Come on, let's try again.
Here comes the conscience
of the Fatherland.
Regulation 54, stroke "B",
no unauthorised games of chance
in the courtyard, gentlemen.
All right, Winter, carry on.
Trying to keep warm, gentlemen?
What is the name of the game,
if one might enquire?
Match games.
Captured from the Japanese at Okinawa.
Really?
The idea? Or the matches?
Both, I guess.
Ah, well...
If you are running short of games,
uh, let me know, gentlemen.
Good morning.
Well, I wonder what he's up to.
Oh, when the cat's away,
the mice will... Hmm?
Sure, but what'll they play?
Three.
Of course they still have a radio.
Security checks have been
thorough and...
Then security has failed, hmm?
They are still reading out
the news to...
I mean, the BBC's lies to each other
over their breakfasts.
Acting upon instructions
from the Kommandant..
The Kommandant is, as you are
no doubt aware, Ulmann,
away at Party headquarters
attending a conference,
discussing the coordination of
emergency defence measures
in the event of a military attack
upon Colditz. I am in command.
So you had better leave the matter
of the concealed radio to me, eh?
A little basic cunning, Ulmann.
Men can be manipulated.
And one day, a functioning radio
may be of greater value to us
than a captured one. Do you follow me?
- I must confess that I...
Well, uh, sit down then, Ulmann, please.
Sit down.
Ulmann...
If the worst should ever come
to the worst,
and I'm not saying it will, of course.
I'm merely, as it were,
testing your responses.
Do you understand me?
- Yes.
Well, in such an unlikely event,
the enemy would want to deal
with someone they feel they can trust.
Correct?
- Quite.
And that, regrettably,
eliminates the Kommandant
Eliminates?
- Because he is the Kommandant.
Surely, that is obvious.
Now, Ulmann, would you say that
I personally have always behaved with...
With absolute, with total correctness,
where the welfare of the prisoners
is concerned?
Yes.
And you would be prepared to swear
an affidavit to that effect. Good.
Now, would you,
and we're speaking quite theoretically,
and in total confidence, of course.
Would you feel similarly free
to give the same assurances
where the Kommandant is concerned?
And do let me assure you, Ulmann,
you would undoubtedly be questioned
if the worst came to the worst,
and of course, I, for my part
as second-in-command,
would be questioned about your conduct.
Am I making myself quite clear?
Yes, sir.
- Good.
Now, is there anything
you wish to say to me?
Merely, Herr Major, that, like you,
I am convinced we shall win in the end.
On that we have the Führer's word,
have we not?
Tell me, Mr Carter, how does it stand?
- What?
The score.
4-1.
- Ah.
Good, good.
Of course, we Germans have hitherto
never distinguished ourselves
at football.
As for the Americans, well, it is...
It is not their game.
But in Germany, we have always held
traditional British football
in the highest esteem.
English football.
- I'm sorry.
English football.
Ah, yes. Yes, of course.
English football.
Um, remind me, Mr Carter,
was it the Everton or the Wolverhampton
who won the championship in '39?
The Everton.
- Ah, yes, yes, the Everton.
Certainly, an enthusiast like myself
envies you your James, your Drake.
What?
Edward Drake, the centre forward,
the FC Arsenal in London.
Oh, Ted Drake.
Oh, yes, yes, when he shot those goals
in '35, uh... Or '367
No, that's right. '35, yes.
When he shot those seven goals
against the Aston Villa, well,
it caused a sensation in Germany.
The newspapers were full of it.
Seven goals to nil against
the Aston Villa.
You remember it, of course.
I support the Harlequins.
Ah, the Harlequins. Yes, fine team.
Well handled, Mr Carter.
- Thank you, Major.
Well, we must have some more
agreeable conversations
about football,
exchange news and views.
Perhaps one could ask Colonel Preston?
Yes, I think you should.
I will.
Well, I've enjoyed our chat, Mr Carter.
Oh, and by the way,
I almost forgot,
just between ourselves, you realise,
it is becoming more and more difficult
for the mail to get through,
owing to the intensification of...
...of the Allied bombing.
- Oh?
But in the absence of the Kommandant,
I have personally intervened,
at some risk, and there will be
a distribution of mail tonight.
Perhaps... Who knows?
There may even be a letter
from your Cathy.
Mmm.
Well, enjoy your game, Mr Carter.
Winter!
Creep.
The following communiqué
was issued
this afternoon
from the Fuhrer's headquarters.
Three hearts.
Here is an official translation.
It's bridge, old man, not poker.
With the counter-offences against
Russian infiltration in the Danzig area,
units of the Wehrmacht inflicted
unprecedented heavy casualties
on the enemy before entrenching
themselves in prepared position.
Good lord, Ivan's got Danzig.
In pursuit of their
air-terror policy,
Anglo-American aircraft last night
concentrated their cowardly attacks
on civilian targets in Leipzig
and Kassel.
We know, old man, we heard it.
East of the Rhine, German forces have
successfully contained
Allied bridgeheads.
The Huns lost the Rhine.
- Three more months?
The Führer issued
the following statement today.
No bid.
No power on earth can weaken us.
The Jewish-Bolshevik world conspiracy
can be met only with one reply,
the most resolute fanaticism.
Three, nine trumps.
One final effort,
and God, in his mercy,
will grant to our nation a triumph
of endurance through its darkest hours.
You have been listening
to the words of the Führer.
Heil Hitler/
They're giving up. Four spades.
Please remain seated, gentlemen.
My visit is an informal one.
Winter, a chair.
Well, I trust you have found
some improvement in your rations.
No one could fault the new carrot jam.
It is the same for all of us, gentlemen.
I like it, the jam.
Oh, good. Good.
I have something else I hope
you might like. Winter, the game.
I thought this might help to pass
the long evenings.
This is a German game called Trust.
If I may, I shall explain it to you.
You see, these squares
represent property.
And every player has
one of those pieces,
which he moves after throwing the dice.
This is paper money.
Ah, the idea is to acquire property
and build houses.
It may sound complicated, but...
No, not really, no.
We call this German game
Monopoly, Major.
Really?
It is permitted in England to play
German games during the wartime?
It is remarkable.
Well, uh, thank you, Major.
Trust will make a welcome change
from Bridge.
Uh, not at all. Gentlemen.
And, uh, do give our thanks
to the Kommandant,
if and when he returns.
Colonel Dodd, I should like to see you
tomorrow morning,
after Appell..., in my office.
Why not?
I enjoy talking to you, Colonel.
You are a most perceptive man.
Why, only last night
I was reading the works
of your great national poet,
Walt Whitman.
Mmm, a truly great American.
Perhaps you would care
to borrow the book?
No, thanks. I've read Whitman.
I prefer Dashiell Hammett.
Ah. Uh, his poetry is in translation?
I doubt it.
Would you care for a cigar, Colonel?
Thank you.
Herr Major, this excess of politeness
isn't a prelude to intimidation,
or perhaps a little bribery?
Uh, permissible joke.
Colonel, would you say that I personally
have always done my best,
within the limits
of the Geneva Convention,
to make life here at Colditz
a little easier for you?
Mmm... I've no...
I've no personal complaints.
As for those commandos,
they're no longer in a position
to make any complaints, are they?
As I said, Colonel, within the limits
of the Geneva Convention.
Uh, for instance, you see,
recently you were ill.
Now, during that time, you received
the best medical attention
our facilities could provide,
did you not?
And, I give you my word, our
conversation is absolutely confidential.
I'd like to ask you something.
You're not, by any chance, in the market
for a little insurance policy?
I don't follow you, Colonel.
I think you do.
Back home, we call it protection.
If I were you, I think I'd address
myself to the Kommandant
or to Colonel Preston, not to me.
You are telling me we have lost the war,
is that it?
Yeah.
Colonel, any child knows,
whatever the outcome,
the real losers will be the British.
They have exhausted themselves
in this futile struggle.
In the end, it will be you Americans
and us against the Bolsheviks.
That so?
A historical inevitability.
There will be a period of transition,
and then you will have to find people
you can depend on.
People upon whose, uh, efficiency
and, yes, obedience you can depend.
Now, let me get this straight.
We're talking about the state
of the world after the war?
I am talking about Colditz now.
If I may say so, Colonel,
I am not without means.
Reichsmarks?
Swiss francs.
So you're offering me
some sort of a deal?
No, no, no deal, just fairness.
Fairness and foresight.
I stand corrected.
Look, I'm an optimist.
When the end comes, I'm sure
we'll all get our just desserts.
Looks as though your friends are
paying us another visit, Colonel.
I'm afraid I shall have to ask you
to return to your quarters.
Ah, and in broad daylight, too.
You know, Ulmann, the arrogance
of these people is beyond belief.
As if they did not know it was
well within the realms of possibility
that before the end we might be given
orders to shoot all the prisoners.
Or hold them hostage
to get better ceasefire terms.
The important thing, Ulmann,
is psychology, at all times.
Psychology, pure and simple.
Let me give you an example.
Now, the French, hmm?
The French hate us.
The Americans, they are too naive
to understand even themselves.
But the British, mmm?
The British basically admire us.
They have a sneaking respect
for our efficiency,
our diligence, our correctness,
our intelligence, our flexibility.
And, like us, they hate the Jews.
You only have to read their literature.
You think it's possible to make a deal
with the British?
I want you to call a Sonderappell
this evening in the British quarters.
The following officers will attend.
Herr Major, would it not be better
to wait till the return of the...
Sonderappell, 1800 hours,
British quarters. Understood?
Don't worry, Ulmann, huh?
As they say, you never hear
the one that kills you.
Just because your nation and mine
have been locked in a bitter struggle,
brought about, as you know
and appreciate,
by the machinations of the Bolsheviks
and international Jewry...
That is all, Winter, you may go.
Gentlemen, I think, perhaps,
the time has come
when we should consider more
our common interests,
rather than our differences.
Hence this meeting.
I have never concealed from you all
my admiration
for certain aspects
of British "fair play" and justice.
And I have no doubt
that we can reach agreement
over certain undeniable propositions.
What exactly is your premise, Major?
Oh, the premise is that, despite great
difficulties of supply, etc., etc.,
you have always been treated fairly
and honourably.
Escape attempts have been
dealt with leniently.
You have been granted
every permissible amenity,
sports, exercise, adequate rations.
Room service.
Yes. Yes, very good.
Yes, indeed, Mr Downing.
Room service.
And I think this may be the proper time
to remind you
that such advantages
have not been achieved
without great personal efforts
on the part of those
who have been, and still are, gentlemen,
in charge of your welfare.
I have, therefore,
prepared a document to this effect,
and subject to any emendations
that you may see fit to make,
I would like you now to sign it.
To, uh... To what effect?
To the effect that your treatment
at Colditz has been humane
and in accordance with
the Geneva Convention.
I think this might prove worthy
of your serious consideration.
Attention!
Carry on.
Everything in order?
Yes, Herr Kommandant.
Any news, sir?
- News?
The requested reinforcements.
There will be no reinforcements, and no
requests for leave until further notice.
Yes, sir.
- Where is Major Mohn?
Addressing the British prisoners, sir.
Addressing? On what subject?
- I don't know, sir.
Well, by whose authority?
- Yours, surely, sir.
Mine?
So I was given to understand
by the Major.
Is there a memorandum to that effect?
- I beg your pardon, sir?
If Major Mohn is addressing
the British prisoners,
the subject of his address
is logged somewhere, surely.
It would seem the Major
did not deem necessary
to inform me of his purpose, sir.
Ulmann, I am not a child.
Has there been some irregularity
in my absence?
Irregularity? No, sir.
I wouldn't precisely call it...
Ulmann, are you sick?
You will report to me everything
that has occurred in my absence.
Herr Kommandant, I assure you
that I have nothing to report.
I believe you have
a great deal to report.
And you will do so now, at once.
Let me remind you, gentlemen,
that the war is not yet lost by us, hmm?
You must not be misled
by the propaganda of the BBC.
In the west, the military triumphs
of Field Marshal Kesselring
must not be overlooked.
And one should not make
the primitive mistake
of underestimating one's opponent.
Hear, hear.
Let me give you an example.
I know... I know perfectly well
that you have a concealed wireless.
If it has not been confiscated,
it is clearly because
we have chosen not to do so, hmm?
Sir! Herr Major...
- I gave the strictest instructions...
The Kommandant has returned and wishes
to see you at once in his office.
Very well.
You must excuse me, gentlemen.
You may sign it in my absence.
Gentlemen, I leave myself in your hands.
Has anyone got a pencil?
We're not going to go on
with this farce!
Are we?
Why not?
Colonel Ulmann, it was entirely correct
that you should report
these matters to me.
Thank you, sir.
Come.
Sir, delighted to see you back.
Thank you. You may go, Hauptmann.
I have a very disquieting report here,
Major Mohn.
From Ulmann?
I have been entirely concerned
with carrying out your orders, sir.
I don't remember ordering you to make
approaches to British prisoners.
You will surely realise, sir, that I was
acting solely for your own protection.
I doubt if I need your protection.
It is not yet the end of the day,
and if the military struggle is lost...
Your words, sir, not mine.
You know as much about the military
situation as I do, probably more.
Precisely, sir. That is why I felt it
incumbent upon me
to put certain protective plans
into operation during your absence.
To make our peace
with our likely conquerors, you mean.
What I mean, sir, is that in view of
the conditions prevailing
in another type of German camp,
and I'm sure I need not mention
any names, sir,
the enemy will believe anything
of a camp Kommandant.
And above all, sir, we must present
a united front to the enemy.
You mean, when the Americans
or the Russians come,
we'll both find ourselves
in the same boat.
Not quite, sir.
Undoubtedly,
there will be atrocity stories,
lies about certain events
here at Colditz.
Events? What events?
You must surely realise, sir,
that the English will stop at nothing
to revenge themselves on us.
Our... Our scrupulous fairness
in the face of severe provocation
on their part will count for nothing.
Are you, by any chance,
making out a case
to excuse the fact that,
not so long ago,
shots were actually fired in this camp?
In self-defence, sir.
I see, you are making out the case.
Shots were fired into the air, sir.
No one was severely hurt.
I am prepared to produce
reliable witnesses.
Are you, indeed?
And about the way you handled
the matter of the commandos,
and the pending death sentence
on Carrington?
I made the charge, sir, which you
authorised and forwarded to Leipzig.
You see, sir, the Allies would have
to choose between your word and mine,
and, as of this moment,
I have every reason to believe
that the British contingent is
far more likely
to support my interpretation
of your conduct than your own.
You must see, sir.
Oh, I do see, Major, very clearly.
I knew you would, sir.
As you must see that, in view of
what has just passed between us,
I should hand you over to the SS.
Perhaps you should.
But it is understood between us
that you would not dream of it.
Why not?
Because you have clearly incurred
the displeasure of Party headquarters
over your leniency,
vis-a-vis the prisoners.
To attempt, at this late stage,
to blacken the name
of a highly connected Party man
like myself, most unwise, sir.
Have you finished?
- No, sir, I have not.
I must say, I find your innocence,
shall one say, quite staggering.
I could, at this moment,
call in the Gestapo
and offer proof of acts of betrayal
on your part.
I could even shoot you
and swear it was in self-defence.
You are merely saying that
all moral standards are gone.
I am saying this.
As of this moment, for us, there is
only naked survival, and you know it.
You are debasing yourself
and your country, Mohn.
I still believe there should be
certain standards, rules,
basic moral decencies.
This is not yet the jungle.
Where have you been
for the last 12 years?
We have been living in the depths
of the jungle since 1933!
All right, so you chose
to blind yourself
to everything around you, to the truth,
to see only the rules.
Well, now there are no rules, and there
is nothing left for you to hang on to.
Believe me, it will not be very long
before your kind of German
is the laughing stock of the world.
And your kind of German?
Will be needed. On that you may rely.
By whom?
- By the victors, sir. By the victors.
History will be the judge
of that, Major.
Meanwhile, you are relieved
of all duties here at Colditz.
Sir, these polemical discussions
Serve no purpose.
Allow me to be constructive.
I have money in Switzerland,
enough for two. There is still time.
You may go.
- You still refuse to see the facts!
Ulmann!
Sir?
Major Mohn is not well.
Have him escorted to his quarters.
You will take over all his duties
until further notice.
The United States Third Army's
advance along a broad front
east of the Rhine continues to meet
only token resistance.
In a single day, 26 German towns
were captured.
Wherever Allied troops appear,
in the windows of houses
the swastika seems to have been replaced
by the white flag.
Meanwhile, on the Eastern Front,
the new Russian offensive
launched Southeast of Stettin continues,
And there has already advanced within...
Colonel Preston?
You asked to see me, Major.
I was told that you were sick.
Oh, it's just a recurrence
of my old problem.
Uh, would you please sit down, Colonel?
Please.
Thank you.
Colonel...
I wonder if, for once,
we may speak to each other frankly,
as man to man.
By all means.
Thank you, Colonel.
There are certain universal truths
known to us both.
By an accident of history, we have
found ourselves on opposing sides,
but we have much in common.
We have both seen
a great deal of action.
We have both been decorated for bravery.
Uh, we are not only patriots,
we are members of the same class,
the same elite,
the men at the top, who will rule this
godforsaken world, whatever happens.
There is a natural law
that separates the mob from the rulers.
And as core members of that elite,
we have a duty to each other
to pool our resources.
I see by your expression
that you understand what I am saying.
What do you say, my friend?
Well, I would say, Major,
that I very much doubt
if there is one man in this castle,
either captor or captive,
who'd lift one little finger
to help you save your skin.
You've asked me to be frank.
Allow me to say that I,
as one member
of your international fascist elite,
will give three resounding cheers
to see you roast in Hell.
Good night, Major Mohn.
Yes? who?
It's me, Anna. Listen.
I can't talk now. You know that.
Then can I call you later?
Uh, we're closing
because of the air raids.
Then, Anna, stay on the phone
and listen.
You promised to help me.
I need you, Anna.
I need you to go to a few places for me,
the bank and the railway station.
I will take you with me, Anna.
I thought you decided there were
more intelligent ways of coping with...
Anna, listen, I will take you with me.
We will go to Switzerland.
We'll be safe and together, I promise.
You must imagine
you're talking to someone else.
Anna/
-There's no one here can help you now.
Anna! Anna, listen!
Anna, you must help me.
I have been betrayed by everybody.
It is impossible for me
to remain here a day longer.
Just a few simple instructions, Anna,
for old times' sake.
Will you please get off the line?
- Anna/
Anna, you will listen!
I know too much about you,
about you and that Gestapo man
in Dresden and those girls.
I closed my eyes to it at the time,
but now such information as I have
about you, Anna, could make...
I don't know you! Wrong number.
Winter. Winter!
Herr Major?
What, precisely, is going on here?
Orders, sir.
All livestock is to be evacuated.
Why? On whose orders?
Party headquarters, sir.
General food shortage.
All animals have been commandeered.
Why was I not informed?
Orders from the Kommandant, sir.
Those are my rabbits, Winter.
That is my personal property.
Orders, sir.
- Orders!
I would remind you, Winter,
that I am second-in-command here.
And I am ordering you
to cease this evacuation forthwith.
Furthermore, I am making you
personally responsible
for the welfare of those animals.
I shall look into this.
Ten. One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven...
Ah. I'll, uh... I'll swap you
Bahnhofstrasse for Wienerstrasse.
No, I want to build a few houses
on Wienerstrasse.
I hear there's a lot of open space.
Come along, Colonel.
No private treaties. Your go, George.
Yes, I know.
I think old Mohn deserves
his vote of thanks,
his democratic vote for good behaviour.
Full marks for generosity?
- Yeah.
Perhaps you ought to offer him... Eight.
Opportunity to use
one of our escape routes.
Blast. Schlossallee.
Uh, your go, Colonel.
No, no, wait, wait, wait.
Schlossallee, that's my property.
Uh, Schlossallee, Schlossallee...
Schlossallee with one hotel
is 400,000 Reichsmarks.
I think that puts you out.
Uh, no, wait a minute. Uh...
No, we're going to be able to raise it.
Hang on, I'll just have a...
- While you do...
Delivery time?
- Yes.
Uh, George, how do you feel
like the odd Bahnhof?
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.
Hey! I'm in jail.
Come. Mr Carter...
I'm sorry to have been
so long about this, sir,
but it took rather a long time
to get everyone's signature.
We got them all, even Colonel Preston.
It looks nice and official.
"We, the undersigned, wish to confirm
"that, in his capacity as
second-in-command of Oflag 4-C Colditz,
"Major Horst Mohn was personally
responsible for the following,
"the illegal confiscation
and interference with prisoners' mail,
"the use of radio equipment for
the illegal purpose of eavesdropping
"on prisoners' private conversations..."
You will regret this, I assure you.
"...the unjustified destruction
of prisoners' Red Cross parcels,
"the execution of
three British commandos..."
I was not responsible for their deaths.
You know, in that nice blue suit,
you look almost human.
You thinking of leaving us?
I said, I was not responsible
for their deaths.
Yeah, I heard you.
You can read the rest of this
in your own sweet time.
Just remember, Major,
when this war is over and you're living
off your Swiss francs in Saint Moritz,
or Istanbul or wherever,
remember to once in a while
just look over your shoulder.
Winter!
I called for Winter. Where is he?
Regret to report, sir, Corporal Winter
has been seconded to the security...
Get out! Get out!
Attention!
Which one of you has been smoking?
This place stinks of tobacco.
I will give you just three seconds
to report yourself or your comrade.
Very well.
You will both report to me at 2600.
Is that clear?
All right! All right, carry on!
Everything in order?
Right, I'll see you in the morning.
Regret, Herr Major.
- What?
All leave is cancelled.
Including all overnight passes.
Orders of the Kommandant.
Regret, Herr Major.
Must I remind you that I am
second-in-command here?
Those orders do not apply to me.
Regret, Herr Major.
Nobody passes this entrance.
Nothing, except those poor animals.
Lights out!
- Move yourself, man! Move! Go on!
The BBC calling Europe.
Here is the news,
and this is John Snagge reading it
Enemy forces appear to have been
taken off their guard
by an armoured truck
by the United States Third Army
into the triangular terrain
formed by the converging rivers Moselle
and Saar.
A total of 2,400 prisoners were taken,
and reconnaissance elements
of the Third Army entered Saarburg.
In the air, more than 1,200 Liberators
and Fortresses
took part in yesterday's concentrated
attack on Nuremberg,
dropping nearly 40,000 incendiaries
and about 15,000 high explosives
on factories and marshalling yards.
Twenty of our aircraft are missing.
In Brandenburg, the Soviet high command
reported last night
Russian troops fought their way
into more than 50 inhabited places,
among them Drusenheim, Breisig and...
How's your Russian coming along, George?
Fine.
But I'm beginning to lose
my craving for caviar.
Hmm, if I was you, I should acquire a
taste for Hershey bars and chewing gum.
Got it back, I think. Shh! Shh!
...Marshal Stalin
in an order of the day,
addressed to Marshal Rokossovsky...
Off.
The news is heartening, eh, Winter?
Yes, Herr Major.
The Fuhrer understands our problem.
We must gain time. That is all, time.
Hold on, and we must win.
Everyone knows the British have been
scared out of their wits
by our V-1s and V-2s, hmm?
And the flying bombs are only
just the beginning.
What does the expression "heavy water"
mean to you?
Herr Major?
- Well?
Hate to admit, nothing, Herr Major.
I should hope not. Look. Look at them.
The important thing, Winter, is to
understand the psychology of the enemy.
The English, you see,
have one serious failing.
They simply cannot adapt themselves
to a new territorial situation.
You can spot them from a distance
of 500 metres.
They cannot, so to speak,
blend into the landscape.
Hence the failure of so many
of their escape attempts.
Wherever they are,
they remain what they are.
The English, stoic? Yes.
But to survive, to win through,
you need to be able to take on
the colours of your surroundings
like certain animals, like, um...
The chameleon, Herr Major?
Correct.
Green when hiding among leaves,
grey when moving over flat ground.
Have you observed, Winter,
even our Kommandant has chosen,
in the pursuit of political aims,
of course,
to take on a few
of the behavioural characteristics
of some of the prisoners, hmm?
The British officer and gentleman,
when the occasion demands it.
What was it you wished to say, Winter?
Colonel Preston is waiting to see you.
He has been waiting for some time.
Good. Then send him in.
Why is he not seeing the Kommandant,
by the way?
The Kommandant has not yet returned
from talks at Party headquarters.
The Colonel's application in writing
was passed to this office.
Yes, yes, I remember.
Colonel Preston wishes to complain
about the quality of the food
served in this hotel.
Send him in.
Colonel Preston.
Colonel.
- Major.
I asked for an interview
with the Kommandant.
Yes, you are no doubt aware
the Kommandant is away at this moment.
He's attending a conference
at Party headquarters.
I see. As I have already pointed out
to the Kommandant
the rations for my officers
are becoming totally inadequate.
In fact, the level of diet now
has fallen well below the regulations...
You don't look as though you are
starving, if you'll pardon my saying so.
Of late, my officers have been
reduced to making soup
from potato peelings
and swede trimmings.
Well, if things get any worse, Colonel,
I would suggest you address
your complaints to RAF Bomber Command,
whose indiscriminate terror bombings...
You are feeling the effect, then?
- Ah, no, you are.
Isn't that the point of this visit?
In any case, I was not aware of
any contraventions on our part.
Uh, today is Friday, is it not?
"Dinner, jam substitute, 20 grammes,
bread, 300 grammes,
"cheese, 31.25 grammes."
Well, it is not the Ritz, Colonel,
but unless you have some
concrete suggestions to offer...
Yes, I have. I would ask the Kommandant
to rescind the order
forbidding us to keep
chickens and rabbits.
Rabbits?
Well, I never thought
the day would come, Colonel,
when I would see grovelling
in this office
begging to be allowed to keep rabbits.
I would hardly consider
an official request...
And you say you are winning the war?
Rabbits?
Yes, I understand that you keep a few.
You must learn to tighten your belts
a little, Colonel.
When I was at the Russian front,
there were days on end
when supplies didn't reach us at all.
Well, that problem must almost be solved
because the front is nearly
on your doorstep now, isn't it?
Upon his return, I will acquaint
the Kommandant with your request.
He will undoubtedly reply in writing
in due course, Colonel.
Major.
You won't be long, will you?
- I'll try.
It's so difficult, my brother...
Your... Where?
In my room, resting.
Since when?
- Last night.
Refugee.
- Refugee? From where?
Bombed out.
Five minutes.
- Thank you, Anna.
Seen you here before, haven't I?
No accounting for taste.
Personally, I prefer
my eggs soft-boiled.
Anyway, they're all refugees
these days, aren't they?
They come pouring through the town
like Gypsies.
Result, you can't get a decent
cup of coffee anywhere.
Wish you'd tell me something.
Who does what to whom?
The German greeting is “Heil Hitler"...
Heil Hitler.
This place is like a pigsty.
So your factory was bombed out.
Why were you not transferred to another?
What other? They've all been reduced
to rubble, from here to Dresden.
But to flee, to leave your post...
Herr Major, we are past all that.
Surely, you know. The end.
You realise you could be arrested
for defeatist talk?
I'm telling you, in your own interest,
believe me,
as an old friend of my sister's, Major.
Didn't you hear
the Führer's speech yesterday, hmm?
It's right there in the paper.
"National Socialist Germany
will fight this war
"until the scales of history are turned,
as they will be this very year.
"There can be no question
of a German defeat."
You're an intelligent man, Herr Major,
but you live behind walls.
I mean, look at the evidence.
What evidence?
You mean the propaganda of the BBC?
It's true, we're going through
a difficult period.
For God's sake, keep your voices down,
both of you.
They've got Spezial everywhere.
Forgive me, Anna,
but as Dr Goebbels has said,
better an end with terror
than a terror without end.
We need time. Our Reich will recover.
This is our Reich, Herr Major.
Why are you showing me this filth?
Tm fully aware that
the Führer's Final Solution
to the Jewish problem is drastic, but
once again, as Dr Goebbels has told us,
you cannot argue with vermin,
or try to re-educate baccilae.
They must be rendered harmless
as speedily and efficiently as possible.
They're not Jews.
They're Germans, our people! Us!
I passed through Dresden,
or what's left of it.
At every street corner,
the corpses were piled high
to be burned by flamethrowers.
Our cities are charred ruins!
We have no answer
to the air attacks.
We have no answer
to the Russian drive from the east.
Our defences in the west
are crumbling...
I forbid you to go on like this.
It's treason, it's lies,
it's propaganda!
It's the truth!
- Drink your coffee.
In the streets, Herr Major,
ordinary people are openly mocking men
who are still in uniform.
They know it's all over.
Another week, another month...
We have lost, and this you know
as well as I.
Our enemies will demand revenge.
Unconditional surrender.
War crimes.
You're in a very exposed situation.
That's enough.
You're right, but take my advice.
I'm trying to get through to the south,
the mountains.
In your place, I'd disappear now,
before it's too late.
Change your name!
Start again in Sweden or Chile!
Unlike you, my friend,
I shall do my duty until the end.
It's up to you.
But as far as I'm concerned,
it's every man for himself now.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Well?
Did you take it in?
Will you...
- what? Hmm?
Get out?
Desert my post?
Have you gone mad, Anna?
Has everyone gone mad?
You will get out. You must.
- What are you talking about?
Escape from Colditz?
No, my dear, no, if...
If it should become... necessary,
I shall have recourse
to more intelligent methods.
Oh, of course.
After all, it is not too late
to establish, to...
To prove one's innocence.
- To the enemy?
In any case, Anna, you and I,
we have often talked,
we've had many private conversations.
You know, I was always against it.
Against it? Against what?
Against all this. The... The excesses.
The means used by certain elements
in the Party.
You are my witness of my growing
disillusionment with the regime,
my determination on simple humanitarian
grounds to look after my own prisoners.
Of course, I will do anything
to help you.
I always have.
But...
- But?
As your brother says,
it's every man for himself now.
Oh.
Be careful.
Two.
It's so easy, fellas!
- Yeah, for you.
You sure you haven't got another couple
hidden up your sleeve somewhere?
Come on, let's try again.
Here comes the conscience
of the Fatherland.
Regulation 54, stroke "B",
no unauthorised games of chance
in the courtyard, gentlemen.
All right, Winter, carry on.
Trying to keep warm, gentlemen?
What is the name of the game,
if one might enquire?
Match games.
Captured from the Japanese at Okinawa.
Really?
The idea? Or the matches?
Both, I guess.
Ah, well...
If you are running short of games,
uh, let me know, gentlemen.
Good morning.
Well, I wonder what he's up to.
Oh, when the cat's away,
the mice will... Hmm?
Sure, but what'll they play?
Three.
Of course they still have a radio.
Security checks have been
thorough and...
Then security has failed, hmm?
They are still reading out
the news to...
I mean, the BBC's lies to each other
over their breakfasts.
Acting upon instructions
from the Kommandant..
The Kommandant is, as you are
no doubt aware, Ulmann,
away at Party headquarters
attending a conference,
discussing the coordination of
emergency defence measures
in the event of a military attack
upon Colditz. I am in command.
So you had better leave the matter
of the concealed radio to me, eh?
A little basic cunning, Ulmann.
Men can be manipulated.
And one day, a functioning radio
may be of greater value to us
than a captured one. Do you follow me?
- I must confess that I...
Well, uh, sit down then, Ulmann, please.
Sit down.
Ulmann...
If the worst should ever come
to the worst,
and I'm not saying it will, of course.
I'm merely, as it were,
testing your responses.
Do you understand me?
- Yes.
Well, in such an unlikely event,
the enemy would want to deal
with someone they feel they can trust.
Correct?
- Quite.
And that, regrettably,
eliminates the Kommandant
Eliminates?
- Because he is the Kommandant.
Surely, that is obvious.
Now, Ulmann, would you say that
I personally have always behaved with...
With absolute, with total correctness,
where the welfare of the prisoners
is concerned?
Yes.
And you would be prepared to swear
an affidavit to that effect. Good.
Now, would you,
and we're speaking quite theoretically,
and in total confidence, of course.
Would you feel similarly free
to give the same assurances
where the Kommandant is concerned?
And do let me assure you, Ulmann,
you would undoubtedly be questioned
if the worst came to the worst,
and of course, I, for my part
as second-in-command,
would be questioned about your conduct.
Am I making myself quite clear?
Yes, sir.
- Good.
Now, is there anything
you wish to say to me?
Merely, Herr Major, that, like you,
I am convinced we shall win in the end.
On that we have the Führer's word,
have we not?
Tell me, Mr Carter, how does it stand?
- What?
The score.
4-1.
- Ah.
Good, good.
Of course, we Germans have hitherto
never distinguished ourselves
at football.
As for the Americans, well, it is...
It is not their game.
But in Germany, we have always held
traditional British football
in the highest esteem.
English football.
- I'm sorry.
English football.
Ah, yes. Yes, of course.
English football.
Um, remind me, Mr Carter,
was it the Everton or the Wolverhampton
who won the championship in '39?
The Everton.
- Ah, yes, yes, the Everton.
Certainly, an enthusiast like myself
envies you your James, your Drake.
What?
Edward Drake, the centre forward,
the FC Arsenal in London.
Oh, Ted Drake.
Oh, yes, yes, when he shot those goals
in '35, uh... Or '367
No, that's right. '35, yes.
When he shot those seven goals
against the Aston Villa, well,
it caused a sensation in Germany.
The newspapers were full of it.
Seven goals to nil against
the Aston Villa.
You remember it, of course.
I support the Harlequins.
Ah, the Harlequins. Yes, fine team.
Well handled, Mr Carter.
- Thank you, Major.
Well, we must have some more
agreeable conversations
about football,
exchange news and views.
Perhaps one could ask Colonel Preston?
Yes, I think you should.
I will.
Well, I've enjoyed our chat, Mr Carter.
Oh, and by the way,
I almost forgot,
just between ourselves, you realise,
it is becoming more and more difficult
for the mail to get through,
owing to the intensification of...
...of the Allied bombing.
- Oh?
But in the absence of the Kommandant,
I have personally intervened,
at some risk, and there will be
a distribution of mail tonight.
Perhaps... Who knows?
There may even be a letter
from your Cathy.
Mmm.
Well, enjoy your game, Mr Carter.
Winter!
Creep.
The following communiqué
was issued
this afternoon
from the Fuhrer's headquarters.
Three hearts.
Here is an official translation.
It's bridge, old man, not poker.
With the counter-offences against
Russian infiltration in the Danzig area,
units of the Wehrmacht inflicted
unprecedented heavy casualties
on the enemy before entrenching
themselves in prepared position.
Good lord, Ivan's got Danzig.
In pursuit of their
air-terror policy,
Anglo-American aircraft last night
concentrated their cowardly attacks
on civilian targets in Leipzig
and Kassel.
We know, old man, we heard it.
East of the Rhine, German forces have
successfully contained
Allied bridgeheads.
The Huns lost the Rhine.
- Three more months?
The Führer issued
the following statement today.
No bid.
No power on earth can weaken us.
The Jewish-Bolshevik world conspiracy
can be met only with one reply,
the most resolute fanaticism.
Three, nine trumps.
One final effort,
and God, in his mercy,
will grant to our nation a triumph
of endurance through its darkest hours.
You have been listening
to the words of the Führer.
Heil Hitler/
They're giving up. Four spades.
Please remain seated, gentlemen.
My visit is an informal one.
Winter, a chair.
Well, I trust you have found
some improvement in your rations.
No one could fault the new carrot jam.
It is the same for all of us, gentlemen.
I like it, the jam.
Oh, good. Good.
I have something else I hope
you might like. Winter, the game.
I thought this might help to pass
the long evenings.
This is a German game called Trust.
If I may, I shall explain it to you.
You see, these squares
represent property.
And every player has
one of those pieces,
which he moves after throwing the dice.
This is paper money.
Ah, the idea is to acquire property
and build houses.
It may sound complicated, but...
No, not really, no.
We call this German game
Monopoly, Major.
Really?
It is permitted in England to play
German games during the wartime?
It is remarkable.
Well, uh, thank you, Major.
Trust will make a welcome change
from Bridge.
Uh, not at all. Gentlemen.
And, uh, do give our thanks
to the Kommandant,
if and when he returns.
Colonel Dodd, I should like to see you
tomorrow morning,
after Appell..., in my office.
Why not?
I enjoy talking to you, Colonel.
You are a most perceptive man.
Why, only last night
I was reading the works
of your great national poet,
Walt Whitman.
Mmm, a truly great American.
Perhaps you would care
to borrow the book?
No, thanks. I've read Whitman.
I prefer Dashiell Hammett.
Ah. Uh, his poetry is in translation?
I doubt it.
Would you care for a cigar, Colonel?
Thank you.
Herr Major, this excess of politeness
isn't a prelude to intimidation,
or perhaps a little bribery?
Uh, permissible joke.
Colonel, would you say that I personally
have always done my best,
within the limits
of the Geneva Convention,
to make life here at Colditz
a little easier for you?
Mmm... I've no...
I've no personal complaints.
As for those commandos,
they're no longer in a position
to make any complaints, are they?
As I said, Colonel, within the limits
of the Geneva Convention.
Uh, for instance, you see,
recently you were ill.
Now, during that time, you received
the best medical attention
our facilities could provide,
did you not?
And, I give you my word, our
conversation is absolutely confidential.
I'd like to ask you something.
You're not, by any chance, in the market
for a little insurance policy?
I don't follow you, Colonel.
I think you do.
Back home, we call it protection.
If I were you, I think I'd address
myself to the Kommandant
or to Colonel Preston, not to me.
You are telling me we have lost the war,
is that it?
Yeah.
Colonel, any child knows,
whatever the outcome,
the real losers will be the British.
They have exhausted themselves
in this futile struggle.
In the end, it will be you Americans
and us against the Bolsheviks.
That so?
A historical inevitability.
There will be a period of transition,
and then you will have to find people
you can depend on.
People upon whose, uh, efficiency
and, yes, obedience you can depend.
Now, let me get this straight.
We're talking about the state
of the world after the war?
I am talking about Colditz now.
If I may say so, Colonel,
I am not without means.
Reichsmarks?
Swiss francs.
So you're offering me
some sort of a deal?
No, no, no deal, just fairness.
Fairness and foresight.
I stand corrected.
Look, I'm an optimist.
When the end comes, I'm sure
we'll all get our just desserts.
Looks as though your friends are
paying us another visit, Colonel.
I'm afraid I shall have to ask you
to return to your quarters.
Ah, and in broad daylight, too.
You know, Ulmann, the arrogance
of these people is beyond belief.
As if they did not know it was
well within the realms of possibility
that before the end we might be given
orders to shoot all the prisoners.
Or hold them hostage
to get better ceasefire terms.
The important thing, Ulmann,
is psychology, at all times.
Psychology, pure and simple.
Let me give you an example.
Now, the French, hmm?
The French hate us.
The Americans, they are too naive
to understand even themselves.
But the British, mmm?
The British basically admire us.
They have a sneaking respect
for our efficiency,
our diligence, our correctness,
our intelligence, our flexibility.
And, like us, they hate the Jews.
You only have to read their literature.
You think it's possible to make a deal
with the British?
I want you to call a Sonderappell
this evening in the British quarters.
The following officers will attend.
Herr Major, would it not be better
to wait till the return of the...
Sonderappell, 1800 hours,
British quarters. Understood?
Don't worry, Ulmann, huh?
As they say, you never hear
the one that kills you.
Just because your nation and mine
have been locked in a bitter struggle,
brought about, as you know
and appreciate,
by the machinations of the Bolsheviks
and international Jewry...
That is all, Winter, you may go.
Gentlemen, I think, perhaps,
the time has come
when we should consider more
our common interests,
rather than our differences.
Hence this meeting.
I have never concealed from you all
my admiration
for certain aspects
of British "fair play" and justice.
And I have no doubt
that we can reach agreement
over certain undeniable propositions.
What exactly is your premise, Major?
Oh, the premise is that, despite great
difficulties of supply, etc., etc.,
you have always been treated fairly
and honourably.
Escape attempts have been
dealt with leniently.
You have been granted
every permissible amenity,
sports, exercise, adequate rations.
Room service.
Yes. Yes, very good.
Yes, indeed, Mr Downing.
Room service.
And I think this may be the proper time
to remind you
that such advantages
have not been achieved
without great personal efforts
on the part of those
who have been, and still are, gentlemen,
in charge of your welfare.
I have, therefore,
prepared a document to this effect,
and subject to any emendations
that you may see fit to make,
I would like you now to sign it.
To, uh... To what effect?
To the effect that your treatment
at Colditz has been humane
and in accordance with
the Geneva Convention.
I think this might prove worthy
of your serious consideration.
Attention!
Carry on.
Everything in order?
Yes, Herr Kommandant.
Any news, sir?
- News?
The requested reinforcements.
There will be no reinforcements, and no
requests for leave until further notice.
Yes, sir.
- Where is Major Mohn?
Addressing the British prisoners, sir.
Addressing? On what subject?
- I don't know, sir.
Well, by whose authority?
- Yours, surely, sir.
Mine?
So I was given to understand
by the Major.
Is there a memorandum to that effect?
- I beg your pardon, sir?
If Major Mohn is addressing
the British prisoners,
the subject of his address
is logged somewhere, surely.
It would seem the Major
did not deem necessary
to inform me of his purpose, sir.
Ulmann, I am not a child.
Has there been some irregularity
in my absence?
Irregularity? No, sir.
I wouldn't precisely call it...
Ulmann, are you sick?
You will report to me everything
that has occurred in my absence.
Herr Kommandant, I assure you
that I have nothing to report.
I believe you have
a great deal to report.
And you will do so now, at once.
Let me remind you, gentlemen,
that the war is not yet lost by us, hmm?
You must not be misled
by the propaganda of the BBC.
In the west, the military triumphs
of Field Marshal Kesselring
must not be overlooked.
And one should not make
the primitive mistake
of underestimating one's opponent.
Hear, hear.
Let me give you an example.
I know... I know perfectly well
that you have a concealed wireless.
If it has not been confiscated,
it is clearly because
we have chosen not to do so, hmm?
Sir! Herr Major...
- I gave the strictest instructions...
The Kommandant has returned and wishes
to see you at once in his office.
Very well.
You must excuse me, gentlemen.
You may sign it in my absence.
Gentlemen, I leave myself in your hands.
Has anyone got a pencil?
We're not going to go on
with this farce!
Are we?
Why not?
Colonel Ulmann, it was entirely correct
that you should report
these matters to me.
Thank you, sir.
Come.
Sir, delighted to see you back.
Thank you. You may go, Hauptmann.
I have a very disquieting report here,
Major Mohn.
From Ulmann?
I have been entirely concerned
with carrying out your orders, sir.
I don't remember ordering you to make
approaches to British prisoners.
You will surely realise, sir, that I was
acting solely for your own protection.
I doubt if I need your protection.
It is not yet the end of the day,
and if the military struggle is lost...
Your words, sir, not mine.
You know as much about the military
situation as I do, probably more.
Precisely, sir. That is why I felt it
incumbent upon me
to put certain protective plans
into operation during your absence.
To make our peace
with our likely conquerors, you mean.
What I mean, sir, is that in view of
the conditions prevailing
in another type of German camp,
and I'm sure I need not mention
any names, sir,
the enemy will believe anything
of a camp Kommandant.
And above all, sir, we must present
a united front to the enemy.
You mean, when the Americans
or the Russians come,
we'll both find ourselves
in the same boat.
Not quite, sir.
Undoubtedly,
there will be atrocity stories,
lies about certain events
here at Colditz.
Events? What events?
You must surely realise, sir,
that the English will stop at nothing
to revenge themselves on us.
Our... Our scrupulous fairness
in the face of severe provocation
on their part will count for nothing.
Are you, by any chance,
making out a case
to excuse the fact that,
not so long ago,
shots were actually fired in this camp?
In self-defence, sir.
I see, you are making out the case.
Shots were fired into the air, sir.
No one was severely hurt.
I am prepared to produce
reliable witnesses.
Are you, indeed?
And about the way you handled
the matter of the commandos,
and the pending death sentence
on Carrington?
I made the charge, sir, which you
authorised and forwarded to Leipzig.
You see, sir, the Allies would have
to choose between your word and mine,
and, as of this moment,
I have every reason to believe
that the British contingent is
far more likely
to support my interpretation
of your conduct than your own.
You must see, sir.
Oh, I do see, Major, very clearly.
I knew you would, sir.
As you must see that, in view of
what has just passed between us,
I should hand you over to the SS.
Perhaps you should.
But it is understood between us
that you would not dream of it.
Why not?
Because you have clearly incurred
the displeasure of Party headquarters
over your leniency,
vis-a-vis the prisoners.
To attempt, at this late stage,
to blacken the name
of a highly connected Party man
like myself, most unwise, sir.
Have you finished?
- No, sir, I have not.
I must say, I find your innocence,
shall one say, quite staggering.
I could, at this moment,
call in the Gestapo
and offer proof of acts of betrayal
on your part.
I could even shoot you
and swear it was in self-defence.
You are merely saying that
all moral standards are gone.
I am saying this.
As of this moment, for us, there is
only naked survival, and you know it.
You are debasing yourself
and your country, Mohn.
I still believe there should be
certain standards, rules,
basic moral decencies.
This is not yet the jungle.
Where have you been
for the last 12 years?
We have been living in the depths
of the jungle since 1933!
All right, so you chose
to blind yourself
to everything around you, to the truth,
to see only the rules.
Well, now there are no rules, and there
is nothing left for you to hang on to.
Believe me, it will not be very long
before your kind of German
is the laughing stock of the world.
And your kind of German?
Will be needed. On that you may rely.
By whom?
- By the victors, sir. By the victors.
History will be the judge
of that, Major.
Meanwhile, you are relieved
of all duties here at Colditz.
Sir, these polemical discussions
Serve no purpose.
Allow me to be constructive.
I have money in Switzerland,
enough for two. There is still time.
You may go.
- You still refuse to see the facts!
Ulmann!
Sir?
Major Mohn is not well.
Have him escorted to his quarters.
You will take over all his duties
until further notice.
The United States Third Army's
advance along a broad front
east of the Rhine continues to meet
only token resistance.
In a single day, 26 German towns
were captured.
Wherever Allied troops appear,
in the windows of houses
the swastika seems to have been replaced
by the white flag.
Meanwhile, on the Eastern Front,
the new Russian offensive
launched Southeast of Stettin continues,
And there has already advanced within...
Colonel Preston?
You asked to see me, Major.
I was told that you were sick.
Oh, it's just a recurrence
of my old problem.
Uh, would you please sit down, Colonel?
Please.
Thank you.
Colonel...
I wonder if, for once,
we may speak to each other frankly,
as man to man.
By all means.
Thank you, Colonel.
There are certain universal truths
known to us both.
By an accident of history, we have
found ourselves on opposing sides,
but we have much in common.
We have both seen
a great deal of action.
We have both been decorated for bravery.
Uh, we are not only patriots,
we are members of the same class,
the same elite,
the men at the top, who will rule this
godforsaken world, whatever happens.
There is a natural law
that separates the mob from the rulers.
And as core members of that elite,
we have a duty to each other
to pool our resources.
I see by your expression
that you understand what I am saying.
What do you say, my friend?
Well, I would say, Major,
that I very much doubt
if there is one man in this castle,
either captor or captive,
who'd lift one little finger
to help you save your skin.
You've asked me to be frank.
Allow me to say that I,
as one member
of your international fascist elite,
will give three resounding cheers
to see you roast in Hell.
Good night, Major Mohn.
Yes? who?
It's me, Anna. Listen.
I can't talk now. You know that.
Then can I call you later?
Uh, we're closing
because of the air raids.
Then, Anna, stay on the phone
and listen.
You promised to help me.
I need you, Anna.
I need you to go to a few places for me,
the bank and the railway station.
I will take you with me, Anna.
I thought you decided there were
more intelligent ways of coping with...
Anna, listen, I will take you with me.
We will go to Switzerland.
We'll be safe and together, I promise.
You must imagine
you're talking to someone else.
Anna/
-There's no one here can help you now.
Anna! Anna, listen!
Anna, you must help me.
I have been betrayed by everybody.
It is impossible for me
to remain here a day longer.
Just a few simple instructions, Anna,
for old times' sake.
Will you please get off the line?
- Anna/
Anna, you will listen!
I know too much about you,
about you and that Gestapo man
in Dresden and those girls.
I closed my eyes to it at the time,
but now such information as I have
about you, Anna, could make...
I don't know you! Wrong number.
Winter. Winter!
Herr Major?
What, precisely, is going on here?
Orders, sir.
All livestock is to be evacuated.
Why? On whose orders?
Party headquarters, sir.
General food shortage.
All animals have been commandeered.
Why was I not informed?
Orders from the Kommandant, sir.
Those are my rabbits, Winter.
That is my personal property.
Orders, sir.
- Orders!
I would remind you, Winter,
that I am second-in-command here.
And I am ordering you
to cease this evacuation forthwith.
Furthermore, I am making you
personally responsible
for the welfare of those animals.
I shall look into this.
Ten. One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven...
Ah. I'll, uh... I'll swap you
Bahnhofstrasse for Wienerstrasse.
No, I want to build a few houses
on Wienerstrasse.
I hear there's a lot of open space.
Come along, Colonel.
No private treaties. Your go, George.
Yes, I know.
I think old Mohn deserves
his vote of thanks,
his democratic vote for good behaviour.
Full marks for generosity?
- Yeah.
Perhaps you ought to offer him... Eight.
Opportunity to use
one of our escape routes.
Blast. Schlossallee.
Uh, your go, Colonel.
No, no, wait, wait, wait.
Schlossallee, that's my property.
Uh, Schlossallee, Schlossallee...
Schlossallee with one hotel
is 400,000 Reichsmarks.
I think that puts you out.
Uh, no, wait a minute. Uh...
No, we're going to be able to raise it.
Hang on, I'll just have a...
- While you do...
Delivery time?
- Yes.
Uh, George, how do you feel
like the odd Bahnhof?
One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.
Hey! I'm in jail.
Come. Mr Carter...
I'm sorry to have been
so long about this, sir,
but it took rather a long time
to get everyone's signature.
We got them all, even Colonel Preston.
It looks nice and official.
"We, the undersigned, wish to confirm
"that, in his capacity as
second-in-command of Oflag 4-C Colditz,
"Major Horst Mohn was personally
responsible for the following,
"the illegal confiscation
and interference with prisoners' mail,
"the use of radio equipment for
the illegal purpose of eavesdropping
"on prisoners' private conversations..."
You will regret this, I assure you.
"...the unjustified destruction
of prisoners' Red Cross parcels,
"the execution of
three British commandos..."
I was not responsible for their deaths.
You know, in that nice blue suit,
you look almost human.
You thinking of leaving us?
I said, I was not responsible
for their deaths.
Yeah, I heard you.
You can read the rest of this
in your own sweet time.
Just remember, Major,
when this war is over and you're living
off your Swiss francs in Saint Moritz,
or Istanbul or wherever,
remember to once in a while
just look over your shoulder.
Winter!
I called for Winter. Where is he?
Regret to report, sir, Corporal Winter
has been seconded to the security...
Get out! Get out!
Attention!
Which one of you has been smoking?
This place stinks of tobacco.
I will give you just three seconds
to report yourself or your comrade.
Very well.
You will both report to me at 2600.
Is that clear?
All right! All right, carry on!
Everything in order?
Right, I'll see you in the morning.
Regret, Herr Major.
- What?
All leave is cancelled.
Including all overnight passes.
Orders of the Kommandant.
Regret, Herr Major.
Must I remind you that I am
second-in-command here?
Those orders do not apply to me.
Regret, Herr Major.
Nobody passes this entrance.
Nothing, except those poor animals.
Lights out!
- Move yourself, man! Move! Go on!