Colditz (1972–1974): Season 2, Episode 2 - Ghosts - full transcript

She claimed the old boy
visited her every night for a month.

Just stood by her bed in his priest robe

and stared down at her, imploringly.

One night. she decided
to overcome her fear

and try and communicate with him.

I don't think she was too successful

But I think they eventually
communicated with a bit of Latin

and a few prayers.

Anyway, the upshot was,
this old priest was telling her

that he was walled up
at the end of her room

behind the wardrobe,
and his spirit wanted out.



Anything wrong, Hauptmann?

Just looking, Mr Downing.

Well, if it's women you're looking for,
we'll all get up and help you.

Goodnight, gentlemen.
- Goodnight.

Come on, Paddy, what happened?

Well, it was all a bit odd.

Great Aunt Maud said she was so bothered
by the old monk's attitude,

she had the local builder in
to bash a hole in the wall.

Damn me if she didn't find a flaming
great priest hole behind the plaster.

And a decomposed corpse.

Hundreds of years old.

Sitting there.

She always claimed she recognised
what was left of the face

as the old lad who came a haunting.



He never came again.

You tell a good story, Paddy. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Well, Dick's point was,
once they were out,

they stood a better chance
of getting clear

if we could delay the Germans finding
out that anyone had escaped.

Well, I think I know how to do it.

Now, it's based on the fact
that at Appell

the Germans don't check names and faces,
they only count heads.

Now, we find or we make a hole
somewhere in the castle

and we hide two blokes in it.

When Appell is called,
there are two missing,

apparently two prisoners have escaped.

Now, the Germans go out of their minds,
trying to find two men who haven't gone.

Now, later when all the fuss
has died down,

we send two men out on a genuine escape.

The two blokes hiding in the hole,
come out and take their place at Appell.

That way the head count
remains the same.

There's nobody missing.

And that gives the chaps
who are out on the genuine escape

as much time as they want to get clear.

As long as the hole isn't discovered,

we can go on doing it
as long as we want.

Well, it sounds like a pretty good idea.

There's an awful lot
of ifs in it though.

That hole will have to be pretty good.

They may have to be down there
for some time.

And you'd have to be able to feed them

and let them out occasionally
for exercise.

Perhaps it would be better
if it wasn't always the same two.

Well, I haven't worked
that out yet, sir.

Couldn't you work some sort of
rota system amongst volunteers?

Yeah, that's a possibility.

Well, leaving that aside for the moment,

what about this hole? Got any ideas?

Yes, sir.
I've just come from the chapel.

Now, the Germans don't go
in there very often.

They don't search there a lot.
But we can go in there quite regularly.

We can go in and out as we please.

Now, there's a perfect place
right under the pulpit.

And the pulpit's movable. I'm pretty
sure two chaps could shift it.

All right, Simon. It's a good idea.
Let's give it a go.

All right, thank you, sir.

Oh...

As it's the chapel, do you think we
should include the Padres in our scheme?

Uh... No. Not for the moment.

What time is it?

Let us begin with midnight.

The beginning of any new day.

Minuit.

Minuit Midnight.

And now let us look at the word
for midday or noon.

Now, we understand that if
we subtract the number of minutes

after the half hour from the next hour
using the word moins,

which, of course, means less.

Dix heures moins deux.

Ah, Monsieur Carter. Merci.

Très bien...

Your ankle, how is it?
- Oh! Oh, it's on the mend, thanks.

So, we have... Dix heures moins douze.

Carry on, ULMANN.

All right, gentlemen,
sit yourselves down.

Where you can find the room, please.

All right...
- Yes, sir, fine.

Now, you've all had time
to consider this scheme.

Now, I want to hear your views on it.

As you know, Simon has already
had the hole prepared in the chapel.

Yeah, we're all ready to go
once we have the volunteers.

Fine. Well, I have just one more thing
to say.

And that is that no one should lose
sight of the effort, the patience

and the courage it's going to need
to be buried

for considerable lengths of time.

It's no small matter.
Anybody who thinks it is, is wrong.

And they could be down there for weeks,
and the consolation

is that Simon thinks that
they could be fed fairly regularly

and let out occasionally for exercise.

That's all I've got to say. Over to you.

All right.

Well, we'll do it with two initially.

If we can find suitable hiding places,
we may increase the number later on.

But for the moment, it's two.

Now, Colonel Preston has suggested that
whoever volunteers

automatically goes to the top
of the escape list.

What about the other schemes
we have going?

Well, they're only affected
if this ghost operation

can be of any use
to that particular escape.

Well, I think it's a damn good idea.

Great.
- Well, I think you're mad.

Who the hell's going to be entombed
for weeks on end in some bloody hole?

Half starved, frozen stiff
and dying for a pee.

Have you any idea
what you're asking, Simon?

Yes, I have and I think
it's a damn good scheme.

Won't the Jerry tumble?
I mean, people are recognisable.

Jerry only counts heads and you know it.

Look, what's the matter with you chaps?

This is one of the best ideas
we've ever had.

All right, it's a good idea.

But we're also risking bringing
Jerry right down on our necks

without actually getting anyone away!

Well, I think it's worth it.
- Well, I don't.

You can count me out for a start.

How long would anyone have
to live down there?

Seriously.

Well, the Colonel said
it could be weeks.

I'd like to have a try.

Are you sure?

I'll be the other one
if that's all right.

All right.

Well, if it's all right with you, sir,
they're elected.

As from tomorrow,
you two don't live here any more.

Uh... You're going to give me a hand
with the pulpit?

Yes, of course.

But I still think...
- It's a hell of a risk, right?

Yes.

Pulpit.

All right.

Might as well use the time tunnelling.

We can't just sit here.

Not while ULMANN is playing
with his toys.

Don't know how good they are yet.

Can you find the lamp?

I guess it's here somewhere.

That's it.
- Thanks.

Alles in Ordnung, Herr Hauptmann.

Two of your men are missing,
Colonel Preston.

Really?

There is no other
possible explanation, sir.

Major, I cannot permit
you openly criticising my officers.

They are carrying out my own orders.

This can only imply that you are
criticising your Commanding Officer.

You are new to this game, Major.

I understand your concern and your zeal.

But we are not part
of a cat and mouse game.

We do everything in our power

to retain and secure enemy personnel

whose avowed intent is to escape.

The record of Colditz Castle
speaks for itself.

With respect, sir, I was appointed here

after four officers
had escaped together.

Quite so, that is why I'm
taking advantage of your presence here.

Major, I am appointing you
Area Controller,

directly responsible for the recovery
of prisoners

once they have breached our walls.

You will, of course, work
from your office here in the castle.

And coordinate Wehrmacht, Police
and Landwacht activity.

Is that understood?
- Perfectly, sir.

Your points about...

the security equipment are very valid.

Would these meet
your requirements, Major?

Excellently, sir.

Hauptmann ULMANN
indented for that equipment

14 months ago with my full approval.

As you can see
from the last notification,

little of it is available to us
and then only in due course.

Whenever that may be.

But this equipment is vital
to security, sir.

And to our armed forces.

It is also in short supply
thanks to Allied bombing.

Come in.

We have completed the most thorough
search of the entire castle, sir.

I have to report that there is not
the slightest trace or indication

of how the escape was effected.

Do you have any theories?
- None, sir.

To formulate a theory, we need
one small clue. There is nothing.

Especially security.

Allied prisoners are escaping
all the time

and not just from this camp,

whereas German officers do not seem
to escape from Allied hands.

Why is that, ULMANN?

One may be forced to conclude

that German officers do not wish
to escape, Herr Major.

We have installed what equipment
has been sent to us

and we will do our duty
to the best of our ability.

The better for not arguing
amongst ourselves, gentlemen.

Major Mohn, since the prisoners seem
to have left the castle

their recovery is now in your hands.

You have my permission to carry on.

Hauptmann ULMANN, one moment please!

This is a very serious situation.

If the Wehrmacht are to remain
in control here in Colditz,

every effort must be made
to tighten security.

That is your responsibility.
Please see to it.

Yes, sir.

It's cold in here.

Thought it was just me.

Gets right into your bones.

If only there was something we could do.

If that Appell was on time,
we've been here...

12... 13 hours.

Seems like a week.
- Yeah.

Well, at least, we seem to have
got away with it.

What the bloody hell was that?

Sounds?

You know, football in the yard.
- No, it's too early for football.

All right, it's a bit cold.

I'm stiff.

Listen, it worked beautifully,
but there's a change of plan.

There's no time for a stretch now.

Ulmann's tearing the place apart.
- He's really hounding us.

Listen, we brought what we could.
It's not much,

but it'll have to do
until we can get back.

It'll be about 24 hours.
- Anything.

Simon, we need a blanket.
- Right.

All right, pull.

What have we got?

A couple of potatoes.

That's one bag of sugar.

Water.

Toffee.

Simon's becoming a sadist.

There it is again. Listen.

It's the foundations.

Come off it.
- No, it's true.

The other night, I had a dream.

There's so many tunnels under this place
that the...

foundations gave way,
the whole bloody castle collapsed.

I'm serious. Listen.

All right, George.
I'll tell you what it is.

It's those other fellows.

Paddy's boys.

Priests in the hole.

Ghosts.

Here. Have a spud.

French?

Merde!

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
It's out of my hands.

The chapel is a
place of worship. I can't understand.

If prisoners want to abuse
their privileges,

they cannot complain if those privileges
are taken away from them.

But...
- I'm sorry!

If you wish to continue your services,

I suggest you hold them
in the courtyard.

It is hardly suitable.

Lieutenant, I do not personally
subscribe to your faith,

but if I did,
I would accept your own axiom,

God's house is everywhere.

Goodnight.

And the fact remains that two of
our chaps are stuck down that hole

without the remotest possible chance
of getting out under their own steam.

What's the food and water situation?

We managed to get some rations to them,
so they can hold out for a while.

That's not good enough, is it?

Are you suggesting that
we give this scheme up, sir,

at the first hint of trouble?

Listen, there's all right
for a little while.

Let me see if I can find
another way round it.

Come in.

Oh, hello, Doc. Thank you for coming.

You know the trouble we're in,
I suppose.

How long will they last out down there?

Well, in their present state,
I estimate three days top-weight...

Three? They're good for five at least...

Damn it, Simon,
I do know something about my job!

They're used to short rations.
- Possibly.

But I'm not talking about starvation
or dying of thirst.

Have you any idea
what the temperature is like?

On an earth floor, under stone,
in a damp and semi-airless hole?

It is serious, sir.
- Yes, I'm quite aware of that.

All right, Simon, I give you and
the committee until tomorrow morning

to work out some scheme to get
to those two. If you can't, I must...

Come in.

Oh, Andre, hello.
Uh, excuse me a moment.

That'll be all.
- Sir.

Now look here, Simon, I don't give
a damn what schemes you've got going!

Just you get those chaps out of there

or I'll use my medical prerogative
and override the Colonel.

They'll be all right.
- They will not be all right!

They're going to run out
of food and water.

The air will become putrid

and their body temperatures
will drop to danger level.

With their resistance as low as it is,

they'll contract pneumonia
in no time at all.

They know what they're doing.

Look, what happens
if one of them dies?

I'll take that responsibility.
- You haven't the right!

It's my job to keep those men alive.

And it's my job to get them out!

Andre, I think we both
owe each other an apology.

I'm referring, of course,
to your tunnel in the chapel.

I'm sorry it was discovered. We all are.

But the fact remains that our
Escape Officer wasn't informed about it.

And that could have
endangered other escape attempts.

Had I been informed of any
escape attempts likely to endanger ours,

I would have mentioned it, John.

Well, that's what I mean
about owing each other an apology.

Do you have an escape
planned for the chapel?

Mmm.

I am sorry.

Well, let's stick to the rules
in future, shall we, Andre?

Just keep each other informed?
- Okay.

What is it? What is it?
- Cramp.

It's so cold.

What the hell has happened?

Simon should have been here hours ago.

A considerable undertaking, sir.

I'm aware of its scope, Major.
Is there some point you wish to make?

Yes, Herr Oberst.

Hauptmann ULMANN, if you would be
kind enough to read this report, please,

and the inventory.

Read it aloud please, ULMANN.

"The French tunnel
is 44 metres in length.

"It proceeds from the cellar
under the floor of the chapel,

"eventually dropping down
some eight and a half metres,

"and out under the castle walls.

"It was already through the stone

"and into the soft outside earth
when discovered.

"In the process of the tunnelling,
I have calculated that the prisoners

"have removed over three tons
of earth and stone

"which they have hidden
about the castle.”

Three tons, sir.
The inventory, please, ULMANN.

"140 metres of shoring timber,

"36 metres of timber rails
for two trolleys with wheels,

"94 metres of rope,
"162 metres of electric cable,

"19 electric light bulbs and holders,
one fuse switch board,

"38 sand bags, four shovels,
four hammers,

"two picks, one crowbar,
three metal pulleys,

"six empty wine bottles
derived from our own cellars,

"and one bourbon sausage."

Please make your point, Major.

It is one thing
to discover a tunnel, sir,

we should also recognise that this work
has been going on for over a year,

during which time three tons of material
have been disposed of

without our knowledge, to say nothing
of the material which has been stolen.

How can this be, ULMANN?

We have to deal with...
- I am grateful for your report, Major,

but there are two prisoners
still missing.

Have you had news of them?

I regret, sir,
neither the police nor the Gestapo

have been able to find any trace
of the missing prisoners.

They have vanished into thin air, sir.

Indeed.

Thank you, Major.

Gentlemen.

You're quite sure
it can't be done?

Yes, sir,
we've been through every possibility.

There's no other way.

Only the sacristy leads off the chapel
and that doesn't have a door.

It doesn't even have a window.

Right. well, it's about time the Padre
made representations to the Kommandant

to get that chapel opened again.

Ask him to come and see me, will you?
- Yes, sir.

Oh, Simon,

on second thoughts, don't you ask him.

Get the officer of the day to do it.
- Right, sir.

Dick?

How long can we hold out?

I mean,

suppose no one comes?

We'd better see
what we can do on our own.

Put your back against the stone.

No. No. Use your feet.
I'll try with my back.

Okay.

Ready?
- Yeah.

Right! Right.

Come in.

Oh, hello, Padre.

How are you?
- Oh. All right, thank you, sir.

Good, good.
Come and sit down, won't you?

Thank you.

Uh, Padre,
I've had several representations

to get the chapel opened
for worship again.

That's what I wanted to see you about.

Have you made any approaches
to the Kommandant about it?

Uh, no, sir. I did speak to Father Denny
and Pastor Vesuvus of course.

And we decided it was a military matter.

The chapel has been used unlawfully.

Uh, yes. Yes, of course.

I did approach ULMANN, but he suggested

that service could be held
in the courtyard.

He reminded me that
God's house is everywhere.

He's right, of course.

So I've just put up a notice
for service for this afternoon.

Outside?
- Yes.

It's going to be a bit cold out there,
Padre, isn't it?

Yes. I really think we ought to make
some approach to the Kommandant.

Well, as you wish, sir.

But, in the meantime, I intend to
hold the church parade outside today.

Perhaps by next Sunday we will
have persuaded the Kommandant

to reopen the chapel.

Uh, yes, yes, perhaps.

Uh, you know, Padre, I think

a lot of the officers would like to show
that they're behind you in this.

Perhaps if we had
a really good turnout today,

it might make the Germans think again.

Yes, well, in all honesty, I can't
pretend that I attract a multitude.

No, no, perhaps not.

But, you know, I think on this occasion,
I might be able to guarantee you one.

What time is your service?

At 2:00, sir.
- 2.00.

Well, if you could put it back an hour,
say till 3.00,

I think I could make sure
to have quite a good turnout.

I don't see why not.

Do you think you could possibly
get the word around?

Yes, just leave that to me.
I'm pretty sure I can.

Good.

We'll show those Jerrys.

Well, thank you,
this is most gratifying.

You know,
I didn't think anyone really cared.

Right. I want volunteers
for a church parade at 1500 hours.

That means everybody.
- Oh, no.

SBO's orders.

Simon?

Where's Paddy Moore?

Let us pray.

Almighty God,
bringer of all good things,

look down upon Thy servants
in adversity.

Help us to bear the trials
and tribulations of human frailty.

Give us light.

Take from us the doubts
and uncertainties

that question Thy eternal wisdom.

Grant us, we beseech Thee,
the comfort of Thy Holy Spirit

through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

How'd it go?
- It's all ready.

I couldn't get at them all,
but it's enough to channel

most of the power
into the courtyard speakers.

Should be quite effective, I think.

"And I said to the man
who stood at the gate of the year,

"'Give me some light that
I may enter safely into the unknown.

My friends,

you and I find ourselves today

standing in this cold yard,

confined in an ancient castle
in the middle of Germany,

among, in the words of our last hymn,

"unnumbered foes."

We are held captive, away from home,

and our loved ones.

Thank you.

It is rather cold, I'm afraid.

We have been forbidden
the use of our place of worship,

and yet, I tell you, God sees us.

He knows our plight
and he's not unmindful.

And yet our German captors
attend their churches and make worship.

And doubtless,
God hears their plea, too.

We ask ourselves a recurring question...

How can this...

Come in.

Colonel, my outdoor service
was a shambles.

I'm ashamed. It was an affront to God.

It is essential that an approach be made
to the Kommandant

to reopen the chapel immediately.

All right, Padre,
I'll go and see him at once.

Do I take it
I should making this representation

on behalf of all denominations?

In my anger, I came straight to you,

but I feel certain we would not be
presuming upon anyone's finer feelings

if the request were made for all.

All right.

Uh, Padre, I think I would prefer
that you came with me.

Simon. Okay, what are you doing
about Player and Brent?

Not now, Doc.

Simon, your time's up!
Their food ran out ages ago.

Their physical condition
must have deteriorated alarmingly.

Oh, for God's sake! It's bad enough
with ULMANN and his flaming machine

all over the place without you getting
at me as if I'm trying to kill somebody.

I'm not a sadistic sod, you know.
I don't enjoy this.

The Colonel's with the Kommandant now.

They're trying to have
the chapel reopened.

We haven't reached your deadline yet!

Simon, it was two days ago.

I don't think
I quite understand you, Major.

I think you do, Colonel Preston.

The Kommandant is not available
at this moment.

I'm deputed to listen to all complaints
and act as I see fit.

May I remind you that
as Senior British Officer

I'm entitled to see the
commanding officer of this prison camp

on any matter relevant to the welfare
of the men under my command

once request has been made.
I am making that request.

I can't accept that a junior officer
ranking below me

should intercede or deny...

As a prisoner of war, I hardly think
it is a matter of your acceptance.

And I must insist that
my request be made known

to the Kommandant immediately.

Request refused.

Any luck, sir?
- No, I'm afraid not.

I've been refused access
to the Kommandant.

Simon, at the next Appell, I want you
to tell the officer of the day

to give no orders
as he will receive none from me.

As of this moment, I refuse to command
the British contingent in Colditz.

Oh, come on, Padre,
that's quite impossible.

I assure you I must have sunk
one of your battleships.

Well, let's check the numbers again,
shall we?

D-2.
- Mmm-hmm.

F-4..

On your feet!

Lieutenant Carter, what is happening?
- I don't know.

Why are the British officers
not on parade?

We don't have any orders.

What is the trouble, Hauptmann?

The British prisoners
are refusing to parade, sir.

Apparently there is no chain of command.

Indeed. But where's the Senior Officer?

He's in his quarters.
- Take two men and bring him down here.

One moment.

Lieutenant Carter.
- Sir!

Is Colonel Preston ill?
- No, sir.

Hauptmann,
go to Colonel Preston's quarters

and remind him that
Appell has been called.

Inform him that the Kommandant
is inspecting the parade

and demands that
he present himself forthwith.

Sir.

I would like an explanation
of this conduct, Colonel.

Kommandant, earlier today,

I made a request
of your second in command

to see you with my chaplain.

That request was refused.

As Senior British Officer,
I have the right

of reasonable request to you
about the welfare of my men.

If that access is denied,
my authority therefore undermined,

I have no alternative
but to relinquish that authority

and cease to command
the British officers in Colditz.

I see.

Colonel Preston, there's obviously been
a misunderstanding of my orders.

If you will reassume command
of your officers for Appell,

I will see you in my office
immediately after.

Thank you, Kommandant.

Captain Downing, please.
- Sir!

Fall in the officers.
- Sir.

British contingent, fall in!

Kommandant, 1 quite understand
your reasons for closing the chapel,

but it's my belief that it's every man's
right to worship as he sees fit.

That means in his own way and in a place
set aside for that purpose.

Lieutenant Jordan,

is it not possible to conduct services
in the courtyard?

I held one today, sir.
It was a disaster.

Apart from the obvious
distractions and noise,

several men fainted with the cold.

They are already very weak,
you must realise.

Very well. The chapel may be opened
for worship once again,

but it will continue
to be locked after curfew.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Thank you, Major.

Colonel Preston,

I think you might have had
the courtesy to inform me

of your true intention
regarding the chapel.

God and divine worship
is not just another attribute

to be employed to advantage
of the Escape Committee.

For myself,

I don't particularly mind being used.

I may be nothing more than a Padre,
but I am also a man.

I have my loyalties and duties which
are not strictly those of my calling.

Couldn't you have trusted me
as a fellow officer?

I apologise.

There was no intention to make light
of the solemnity of worship

and I don't think we've done so,

but I could not include you
in our plans.

I accepted the responsibilities
of a soldier when I put on this uniform.

My cloth is khaki, Colonel.
I'm not ashamed to be wearing it.

Too many men-at-arms
regard us as children

to be tolerated in the halls of men.

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child,

"I understood as a child,
I thought as a child.

"But when I became a man,

"I put away childish things."

Nevertheless, Padre,

your calling does effectively place you
outside certain activities.

I cannot, in fact I will not, place you
in an untenable position.

Your cloth demands that difference
and that respect.

To worship as we see fit, is, I submit,

one of the reasons that
we are fighting and escaping for.

If I have offended you as a man,
it is because of your cloth.

I very much doubt, Padre,
you can have it both ways.

All right,
you can put your shirt on.

Well?

Well, they're lucky this time.
No real damage done.

Right. We can go on with it.

What do you mean, "go on with it"?

Well, as two have escaped,
they can hardly appear again, can they?

Not without giving the whole game away.
Or can they?

You're not saying you expect them
to go back into that damned hole?

Well, not immediately, no.

I've worked out a rota of volunteers.

These two will take their turn on it
like everybody else.

Oh, come off it, Doc.

Who's going next?
- Willoughby and Naylor.

I've already got another hole.

You never stop, do you?

That's what it's all about, mate.