Secret Army (1977–1979): Season 1, Episode 12 - Hymn to Freedom - full transcript
Your car is here Minister.
- Send it away Achille.
You intend to walk?
- Yes.
As the Minister pleases, of course. But...
- But what?
It'll be the fifth time in a row.
Is that prudent?
What you fear?
If you were recognized in the streets, there could be trouble.
Do I excite that much passion?
- Redgun Quisling is guarded all the time.
Is that how I seem to you? A quisling?
Pardon, I meant no comparison.
There is no comparison.
Quisling's government in Oslo is a sham. Their head of state exiled to England.
Our King remains in his own land,
- Of course, Minister. My concern was for your well being. I meant no disparagement.
Very well, Achille. I shall walk just the same.
Achille?
There is something that I have been meaning to say to you.
If some event should befall me,
I would like you to know that it is not for lack of trust that I did not confide in you.
If there is anything I can do, it would be an honor.
I know that. There is nothing for you to do.
I've said both too much and too little.
I think you may understand.
I hope you will.
Hymn to Freedom
You're confident he will come Herr Major?
Have patience, Schmidt. He'll come.
Herr Major?
Get him.
You're traveling somewhere meneer?
- I'm a Fleming.
Now, why do you carry this food?
It is for a friend in exchange for cigarettes.
Your papers, please.
Your papers please. Klaus Schoonheim.- Yes.
- You're an engineering manager on the railway. - Correct?
Why are you not at work?
- I'm on my way home from the early shift.
And whose papers are these?
Who are you?
- I brought you some things.
You didn't knock twice.
- Oh no. No, I forgot bread, and some cheese and apples.
But you shouldn't have forgotten with your greeting. You had me worried.
Because I didn't knock enough times?
- It's all wrong, wrong.
- Wrong? Why wrong?
The chap said he'd be here on the dotted line.
- Well he couldn't make it, so there had to be a change of plan.
I'm still going tomorrow?
- Er no. There's had to be a change.
You'd better tell me the arrangements.
There's nothing to tell. I was to wait here till Wednesday morning. Someone will come for me at 10:00 o'clock.
The same man?
- A girl.
Name?
- I don't know.
Oh no. Of course. I must check it.
But I have your false papers. They're very good.
You're a Dutchman from Utrecht, an electrician. You're working for the organization Todt.
En route to Bordeaux via Paris. You are Dirk Hoornstra.
Few Germans speak Dutch, so you should be alright.
Now, because I'm new to this line, it is necessary that I must know something about you.
I have been all through that once.
- Not with me, my friend.
As I said, I'm new to this line. One cannot be too careful.
So please your name, rank, where you crashed.
And how you came to be in this place.
I am flying Officer John Staples 144393.
I was in a Beaufighter over Ostend when I was shot down by a 109.
This is damn dangerous.
- For both of us.
What's the panic?
It was prefixed most urgent. I decoded it.
Good God.
- Amen.
Can we get to Bruges in time?
- It won't be the most comfortable trip, but we'll make it, I promise.
We've still got a couple of sacks of haricot beans left.
Bean stew then, for a change.
- Good idea.
Good hot stew. Good for the stomach. Good for morale.
- Good for the till.
Well business is business, even in war time.
So go to the meat market tomorrow, see what pork scraps are there.
Can't it's Wednesday.
- Why not?
That's not going to take all day.
- This time it will.
You're not doing Mons until late afternoon. Now go to the market first thing before everything is done,
I'm not going to Mons.
- Why not?
My pickup is in Bruges.
- Maximilian Straat?
- Yes.
In God's name why? They were on to Maximilian Straat last year.
- They found nothing.
It's always been the rule. When a house is suspect, we don't use it,
They found nothing, no one. They won't bother with the place again.
They don't do things like that. If they dig up a bone they don't leave it alone,
and when the dog comes back for it, they seize the dog and you with it.
There's only one man. It will take 5 minutes then we'll be gone.
Who took him there?
- Only Lisa that knows that.
Did she sanction the use of this house?
- Of course she did.
She's getting damn reckless. What the hell does she think she's doing?
I don't like to have to depend on this to catch a fish for my breakfast.
- I've a feeling I'd go hungry.
Yeah, now what are these?
Water purifying tablets. You must have seen these kits before.
Oh yes indeed, but not for some time. They are much improved.
This is very good.
I've always thought such things would make headscarves.
Side product of the technology of war. Yes, I will keep this.
But I should keep it with me.
- Why?
I'm not out of the woods yet, am I?
If you were caught with this by the Gestapo, you would first be questioned and then shot.
I am a prisoner of war.
- In those clothes, with false papers carrying special maps,
my friend you would be taken for spy.
- They would quickly discover the truth.
The Gestapo? Oh yes, they would very quickly.
And then you might as well be dead.
So. Get out of those things.
- What?
- Get undressed.
Who the hell are you?
I'm an officer of the Luftwaffe. Schmidt.
Stand beside this man.
How about a change of identity Schmidt?
- Herr Major?
Change clothes with this man.
Permit me...
You may as well keep the rest.
- Yeah.
Thank you. I had almost given up hope.
We only knew this morning.
This is the fifth day. I was not coming again.
There's been no time for arrangements to be made
- Arrangements?
I told you 2 hours ago we knew nothing about you.
I sent word over a week ago.
- Never mind all that.
I need a few hours.
This time tomorrow same place.
- Right.
You'll be alright will you?
- Can any one of us say that?
What a bad fit. It will convince everyone you are genuine.
He will convince no one,
- So, what will befall him?
He'll be questionned and shot.
- Now, that would be most unfortunate.
For you it will.
- Not for me for him..
Oh for you, for him, who cares?
- You should, my friend because if they shoot him, I shall shoot you.
That situation had not struck you, I think.
- His English is appalling.
A foreigner's not to know. I was London before the war.
And now...
A few questions.
I have given you name, rank and number. Beyond that...
- You know that I want other details.
- What details?
The name of your commanding officer? Where you were born?
Where you went to school? where and when you did your basic training? When you joined the RAF?
In short, your curriculum vitae.
And do not, my friend, I beg of you, lead us into error.
It's foolhardy.
I'm surprised at you.
Should have brought him on to Brussels.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Alright, tell me. Tell me why I shouldn't be worrying.
He was shot down four days ago near Ostend.
He was seen to come down by parachute. The Germans were out looking for him.
We couldn't leave him with the people who picked him up.
- But why take him to Bruges when our place is under suspicion?
Albert. You insult me with your concern.
- Oh, I beg your pardon.
Do you think I don't care? That after all this time I've suddenly become stupid?
I am not insulting you!
- Then don't question me!
Give me a glass of wine.
The night before, there was a raid on Dusseldorf.
The big bombers.
- Lancasters.
Coming back several came down.
The next day, the Germans were out looking for the crews. There were roadblocks, train checks, everywhere.
Do you understand?
- Yes, I'm sorry. I should have known.
You're quite right. We shouldn't be using that house in Maximilian Straat. It is suspect,
but we had no choice.
What if it's being watched?
- The guide will report anything suspicious, in which case we won't go.
Is he dependable, this guide?
- It's Klaus Schoonheim.
Lisa - Monsieur Moreels
- Albert. I need to talk to Lisa.
Take this for Mr Moreels.
How's Andre now?
- Almost pleasant.
What do you want?
There's someone I want to get out.
Not air crew?
- No, but this is exceptional.
It was the last time, but that doesn't diminish the risk.
- Thank you.
Lisa, why do we put our lives at risk?
We do it to bring the end of the war one step nearer.
Every pilot, navigator, gunner, bomb aimer we get back to fly again,
is one small step towards that. What if I could show you a way to take several steps at once?
This someone, he's that important?
- Yes.
What if he were to focus such attention on us as to destroy us?
Would the sacrifice of all of us
and all the people we should not in the future be able to help, be justified by this one man.
I believe so.
- Then he must be very important.
London think so.
- You'd better tell me.
Hans Van Reijn.
Not possible,
- It's true.
No, somewhere there's been a misunderstanding.
- I assure you that is not the case.
- It's not possible.
He's a minister of the puppet government. A Nazi.
Such a man would not come over. It's unthinkable.
I have seen him. I have talked to him. I assure you there is no misunderstanding.
And you say London is behind this?
- I received instructions this morning.
He must be got back. It is imperative.
Well, you can see why.
Such a defection would be an enormous propaganda coup.
He should be killed. It has been attempted.
Have you any idea what would happen if he was assassinated?
Hundreds, thousands of innocent people would suffer as a reaction.
Alive in the hands of the Allies by his own decision, he's a hammer stroke to freedom.
The supremacy of the individual conscience.
Dead by the hand of an unknown assassin. You know what he would be?
When I set up the line, I never thought I'd be asked to help a collaborator.
We haven't got time for moral outrage. The man has the courage of his own convictions.
A traitor.
- Yes, but a repentant one.
Too late.
- Lisa, don't be so stupid.
Can't you see how vital he is to our cause?
Yes, you're right, I'm sorry.
- Well?
But it's not enough.
- In what way?
I can only speak for myself. I can't speak for others.
Well, you could explain to them.
- I could. But I'm not sure they'd see it that way.
You could try.
Yes, and if I should fail and he should be killed?
All the guides are known to you.
They're all human. They care deeply. Some of them have suffered greatly.
No, I couldn't answer for each and every one.
Well, what can we do?
- He must pretend to be someone else.
Where is he now?
- At his home in Bruges?
I can do nothing today, but tomorrow,
I can help.
Thank you Achille.
Please stay.
We have been together for a long time you and I.
- It's been an honor.
Our ideas have not always made us friends amongst our people.
There are many who think as we do.
If I were not here, how would you fare?
Are you going somewhere?
- It's a hypothetical question,
I might return to my family.
- You'd be welcome?
Perhaps? No, not entirely.
So, what then?
- The Germans would find me something.
Our friends, the Germans.
- Why do you speak of them like that?
Achille, I am from the North. You are from the South.
- We're both Belgians.
Yes, but I have always believed that the future of Flanders lies with the Netherlands, with the North, not with the South.
After all I am myself a Fleming.
History, to some degree, is on my side.
But I wonder about you. What can it mean to you?
It's been enough to serve you, Minister.
But Achille, as the leader of the Flemish Nationalist Party,
I am dedicated to the cause of Flemish separatism.
How can you, a French speaker, a Walloon, serve me?
Or is it someone, something else that you serve?
Is there anything more you require of me, Minister?
Then I'll retire.
I'm sorry Achille.
But no man can serve two masters.
Rather, he will hate the one and love the other.
Or he will sustain the one and despise the other.
Goodnight Minister.
I do this only because I believe what you tell me.
- I know how you feel.
Do you? Well never mind how I feel. He must be got to London.
I'll go down the line with him.
Monique can look after things here.
What have you planned?
- Tomorrow we have a collection.
In Bruges, yes I know.
- Flying officer Staples.
Yes, he will become Dirk Hoornstra a Dutch electrician.
He must change places with the new passenger.
I don't think we should send our esteemed minister down the line for several days.
A week even.
- Why not?
Our new friend disappears and you think it's going to be like any day in the week.
It'll give us time to change his appearance a little.
Maximilian Straat is not good. It wouldn't do to leave him there.
Why?
- It's suspect.
He must be brought to Brussels.
- What about Staples? Now we can't leave him there to be found and questioned.
He must be brought too. They must both be undercover here before it is known that your friend is gone.
Not here.
- Not at the Candide.
Near my Aunt Louise's house there's a disused mill. I used to play there when I was a child.
Is it used now?
- Nobody goes there except the odd fisherman.
They wouldn't be disturbed there.
Right, I'll tell Monique there's a change of plan.
She'll want to know from you where to bring him. And you look after Van Reijn.
It must not be known that your friend has come to Brussels.
- I'll arrange that he'll be last seen in Bruges.
All you need to tell us is what warning system you had arranged.
Was it positive or negative?
Well did it... Does it depend on you're taking some particular action?
Or not taking some action.
Schoonheim. We have your, your passenger, is that how you say? John Staples.
Did you know he has a wife and four young children in Peterborough waiting for him to come back?
Will you make it impossible?
- He is a prisoner of war.
No. No, no, no. He's a spy. He was dropped by parachute.
- His plane crashed.
The weight of evidence is against you, my friend. He was dressed as a Belgian civilian,
has no military identification and no uniform.
He had his identification tags.
Not when I left Maximilian Straat my friend.
And you were bringing him false papers.
You cannot prove that they were for him.
- Come on! That is altogether too naiive.
Height 1 meter 83, weight 76 kilos age 30, hair colour fair, eyes blue.
Those are the details on these papers. A remarkable coincidence if they were meant for some other wouldn't you say?
His fate is in your hands.
Whether his young family are to see him again, it's entirely up to you.
I could say nothing. Either to save him or myself.
Brave words. But you are spent. Nothing awaits you but death.
As it does us all,
- Indeed it does, in its various forms.
Have you considered the form which awaits you?
Well, Herr Major, you don't seem to have progressed by this interrogation? I shall now take him to the Gestapo for questioning.
He is a civilian and legitimately my province, I think.
When is the collection time for tomorrow?
10:00 o'clock in the morning, according to Staples.
- Well you'd better hope they are using negative checks.
How are you keeping in touch?
- Schmidt will phone.
If he gets the chance. A bit risky, isn't it?
What's the alternative?
- A shadow.
They'd spot us at once?
- I don't like it. Depends too much on chance
With respect Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, it was pure chance that Schmidt sufficiently resembled Staples in the first place.
Should we never take advantage of chance?
Yes Achille. I shall walk again this morning.
Is anything wrong Minister?
- Should there be?
It's so unusual.
- Today will be the last time.
As the Minister pleases.
Goodbye Achille
- Good day, Sir
We must be quick.
Let me see your papers.
The likeness is not good.
- Well, it'll do to fool the Germans. We must go, now.
Where are we going?
- It was to have been Mons, but that's been changed.
- Why?
Who knows. Circumstances. It doesn't matter.
Don't worry, we shall get you home.
You should have told me this before.
If anything goes amiss, it will be the worse for you.
I want my car in five minutes.
Remembering happier days?
Aunt Louise, How did you know I was here?
- I followed you. I know what you're doing.
- Do you?
Of course. You should have told me.
I would have helped.
I didn't want you to be involved. Uncle Gaston was always adamant.
Your uncle Gaston would be alive today if he hadn't got involved.
He died because he did what he thought was right.
Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.
He was thinking of you and me.
Of all of us.
Everybody, except himself.
- Yes.
You think poorly of me, don't you?
- Aunt Louise, you know that just isn't true.
Isn't it? Can you deny there have been times when my attitude has been an embarrassment to you? And Gaston.
I've not always felt we could be entirely candid.
I have shamed you with your friends.
- No.
Do you know what it is to be afraid?
- Aunt Louise. This is not the time.
Do you?
Of course. I often have been.
It made no difference.
Now it's made me all the more determined.
That Is because you are afraid for yourself.
I don't mean to diminish what you do,
but it is perhaps easier to be afraid for yourself than to be afraid for others.
Whenever you are out late, I am afraid.
Whenever the phone rings during the day, I am sure it is terrible news.
Whenever there is a knock on the door, I am sure it is the Gestapo.
One day the Gestapo arrested my husband and I never saw him again.
It is difficult in such circumstances for me to be brave.
But, now that they have taken Gaston away, there is only you for me to worry over.
Maybe I shall be brave.
Are...you are hiding someone here?
- Yes, two people.
One of them is very important. If the Germans were to find him here it would be really bad.
Then we must make sure they do not.
- It's not right that you should be involved.
But now I am involved and by my own wish and....and I'm grateful to you.
What makes you think he isn't coming back?
- I'll show you.
He's been composing some music. It's gone, yet he's not finished it.
And for that you bring me all the way from Brussels?
It's not just that Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. His behavior has been unusual.
He's not been going to his office by car. I am of the opinion he's been meeting someone.
You have not certain knowledge of this.
- No Sir.
Has he advanced any reason for not using the car?
- He told the driver it was for the exercise.
That does not convince you?
- Yesterday he spoke of some event which might befall him.
He said it was better that he should not say what that event might be.
- He gave no clue?
But this morning he bade me goodbye as if he was not expecting to return.
Did he take anything else?
- Not that I can see.
It's not very conclusive.
- I thought I should tell you.
If you had any reasons for concern, you should have communicated them before.
He's not arrived at his office?
- When I again telephoned 5 minutes ago, he still had not.
Your master is known to people in high places.
If anything has happened, it would be better that you had not been born.
Welcome to Brussels Meneer Hoornstra.
- Mademoiselle.
You had no trouble? You weren't followed?
- There was no one.
Good, well then you can go now.
- Why here?
Why not? You know better than to ask questions. I'm sorry it has to be this way.
You must stay here in Brussels for a few days. It wasn't planned, but it's become necessary.
Now please, will you take off your shoes and remember don't look out of that window.
There's some food there and over there is a bucket.
I shall empty it each evening.
- Well that is something I can do myself.
No, no. You must not leave this room.
There are one or two books and some crossword puzzles.
In French, I'm afraid. There's a pencil too.
Should you hear anything in the room below, pay no attention.
A man will be arriving and it's in your own interests that he doesn't see you.
I can't tell you anything more I'm afraid.
I shall be back soon.
Switchboard. I'm expecting a
priority call. UnterLeutnant Schmidt.
You are to interrupt any other calls, no matter where they're from.
Madame.
- I have bought something, see.
My husband liked them.
They were difficult to get sometimes. There are no more left. I thought you would like...
Madame if your husband like...
- He would have liked an Englishman to have them.
Van Reijn?
- It's true.
He was seen at the railway station at Bruges late this morning.
He could be anywhere in Europe.
No. He did not travel by train. He was picked up by somebody. We don't know who.
My God. Does Berlin know?
- Of course not. It is to be treated as secret.
Tell me, what is the gravest construction you could put on this, Brandt?
He's going over to the other side?
- Exactly.
Oh no, it's not possible.
It would be unrealistic to think it was not. How would you get a man out?
The evasion lines?
- That is also my opinion.
You'll be all right here for a few days.
Someone will come again tomorrow.
We're closed until 5 o'clock.
Alright, alright, I'm coming.
Madame Colbert.
- Lisa, is she here?
- Yes.
Aunt Louise.
What's the matter?
Is there something wrong?
Yes.
Off Erasmus St.
Stay there, we meet you in 10 minutes.
Well Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, we seem to have broken into the evasion lines.
That was a message from Schmidt. He's made contact.
And he says someone is coming.
I think someone important.
How do you wish to proceed?
Minister, you must leave immediately.
He said I should be alright here for several days...
This is an emergency he doesn't know yet.
But I'm tired.
- If you don't hurry, the Germans will be here. Do you understand?
Now please, wait for me outside. I shall be with you directly.
But I should be...
- No! Go!
Your identity card, Mr. Staples.
But I've already shown them to the girl who brought me here.
- Please?
She's right. The photograph doesn't look very much like you.
- That's what I told her.
I think that you're a German, Mr Staples
- How can you think that? It's absurd.
Klaus Schoonheim thinks so, too.
- How could he?
Who is KIaus Schoonheim Mr. Staples?
- Well he's the man who gave me that.
Oh? We don't reveal our identity to anyone.
Meneer Van Reijn?
I'm Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler of the State Polizei.
By what right have you brought me to this place?
- I have always admired your music.
A hymn to freedom.
They will ask freedom from what?
I'm a minister of the Belgian government by what right do you question me?
By right of international law.
The occupying power has promulgated certain regulations ordering the conduct of Belgian nationals.
These regulations prohibit assistance to the enemy for which the penalty can be death.
Now you were found in circumstances which suggest infringement of such regulations
and you are not above the law Meneer.
- You cannot make me answer your questions.
I know what you intended.
To leave your country and throw in your lot with your government in exile.
You did not confirm it. It is plain what you proposed.
My country has been an independent nation for little more than 100 years.
She is united neither by history nor by common language.
In my political naivety, I sought a different path.
The purest path of national socialism.
In the fight against international Communism.
You sound cynical Meneer.
- Human bondage is the same whatever the title.
So, freedom lies with the Anglo Americans does it?
They now seem more likely custodians than Herr Hitler or Stalin.
That was not always your view I think.
- I have lately come to it.
By virtue of what?
- Simple observation.
And, intimation of mortality. If that doesn't sound too fanciful.
We're all just born to die. Are your intimations more urgent than anyone else's?
I do not have long. Possibly six months.
I sought to make amends whilst I was still able,
- I'm sorry.
As you say, death comes to us all.
What will happen to me?
- What would you like to happen to you?
To be executed.
- Being guilty of, what?
The most dangerous offence.
Political naivete.
I do not think you understand Minister.
You will not be executed or anything else.
But you said the penalty...
- Can be death, not will be.
No, your value to us is in being alive, for the six months or so you are spared.
You will die like a good national socialist in harness.
I shall publicly proclaim my apostasy.
- No one will print it.
I shall decline to attend any government meetings.
It will be announced you are ill, as you are.
Meneer Van Reijn. you accuse yourself of political naivete.
For believing national socialism was the answer to your country's problems?
But you are being even more naive in presuming you could change sides in the middle of a war
and simply say I repent the error of my ways and go to a martyr's grave.
No my friend. You chose to ride on the back of a tiger.
You cannot dismount when the fancy takes you.
Your victory will be short lived.
- I think not.
Now, I will arrange for you to be taken home.
Goodbye Minister.
I'm sorry about Schmidt.
Could have led us to them, just a few minutes earlier.
- Prost - Prost.
Well, you got one of them.
Schoonheim? Fetch and carrier. Has not helped us much. Small fish.
Oh, don't worry about the small fish.
Today we caught the big one.
Your car is here, Minister.
- Thank you, I shall be out directly.
Achille - Minister - I was wrong about your serving two masters. You only serve the one. I was foolish not to see that.
Minister. - Yes Achille - From now on I shall be coming with you in the car. I shall be with you night and day.
- Send it away Achille.
You intend to walk?
- Yes.
As the Minister pleases, of course. But...
- But what?
It'll be the fifth time in a row.
Is that prudent?
What you fear?
If you were recognized in the streets, there could be trouble.
Do I excite that much passion?
- Redgun Quisling is guarded all the time.
Is that how I seem to you? A quisling?
Pardon, I meant no comparison.
There is no comparison.
Quisling's government in Oslo is a sham. Their head of state exiled to England.
Our King remains in his own land,
- Of course, Minister. My concern was for your well being. I meant no disparagement.
Very well, Achille. I shall walk just the same.
Achille?
There is something that I have been meaning to say to you.
If some event should befall me,
I would like you to know that it is not for lack of trust that I did not confide in you.
If there is anything I can do, it would be an honor.
I know that. There is nothing for you to do.
I've said both too much and too little.
I think you may understand.
I hope you will.
Hymn to Freedom
You're confident he will come Herr Major?
Have patience, Schmidt. He'll come.
Herr Major?
Get him.
You're traveling somewhere meneer?
- I'm a Fleming.
Now, why do you carry this food?
It is for a friend in exchange for cigarettes.
Your papers, please.
Your papers please. Klaus Schoonheim.- Yes.
- You're an engineering manager on the railway. - Correct?
Why are you not at work?
- I'm on my way home from the early shift.
And whose papers are these?
Who are you?
- I brought you some things.
You didn't knock twice.
- Oh no. No, I forgot bread, and some cheese and apples.
But you shouldn't have forgotten with your greeting. You had me worried.
Because I didn't knock enough times?
- It's all wrong, wrong.
- Wrong? Why wrong?
The chap said he'd be here on the dotted line.
- Well he couldn't make it, so there had to be a change of plan.
I'm still going tomorrow?
- Er no. There's had to be a change.
You'd better tell me the arrangements.
There's nothing to tell. I was to wait here till Wednesday morning. Someone will come for me at 10:00 o'clock.
The same man?
- A girl.
Name?
- I don't know.
Oh no. Of course. I must check it.
But I have your false papers. They're very good.
You're a Dutchman from Utrecht, an electrician. You're working for the organization Todt.
En route to Bordeaux via Paris. You are Dirk Hoornstra.
Few Germans speak Dutch, so you should be alright.
Now, because I'm new to this line, it is necessary that I must know something about you.
I have been all through that once.
- Not with me, my friend.
As I said, I'm new to this line. One cannot be too careful.
So please your name, rank, where you crashed.
And how you came to be in this place.
I am flying Officer John Staples 144393.
I was in a Beaufighter over Ostend when I was shot down by a 109.
This is damn dangerous.
- For both of us.
What's the panic?
It was prefixed most urgent. I decoded it.
Good God.
- Amen.
Can we get to Bruges in time?
- It won't be the most comfortable trip, but we'll make it, I promise.
We've still got a couple of sacks of haricot beans left.
Bean stew then, for a change.
- Good idea.
Good hot stew. Good for the stomach. Good for morale.
- Good for the till.
Well business is business, even in war time.
So go to the meat market tomorrow, see what pork scraps are there.
Can't it's Wednesday.
- Why not?
That's not going to take all day.
- This time it will.
You're not doing Mons until late afternoon. Now go to the market first thing before everything is done,
I'm not going to Mons.
- Why not?
My pickup is in Bruges.
- Maximilian Straat?
- Yes.
In God's name why? They were on to Maximilian Straat last year.
- They found nothing.
It's always been the rule. When a house is suspect, we don't use it,
They found nothing, no one. They won't bother with the place again.
They don't do things like that. If they dig up a bone they don't leave it alone,
and when the dog comes back for it, they seize the dog and you with it.
There's only one man. It will take 5 minutes then we'll be gone.
Who took him there?
- Only Lisa that knows that.
Did she sanction the use of this house?
- Of course she did.
She's getting damn reckless. What the hell does she think she's doing?
I don't like to have to depend on this to catch a fish for my breakfast.
- I've a feeling I'd go hungry.
Yeah, now what are these?
Water purifying tablets. You must have seen these kits before.
Oh yes indeed, but not for some time. They are much improved.
This is very good.
I've always thought such things would make headscarves.
Side product of the technology of war. Yes, I will keep this.
But I should keep it with me.
- Why?
I'm not out of the woods yet, am I?
If you were caught with this by the Gestapo, you would first be questioned and then shot.
I am a prisoner of war.
- In those clothes, with false papers carrying special maps,
my friend you would be taken for spy.
- They would quickly discover the truth.
The Gestapo? Oh yes, they would very quickly.
And then you might as well be dead.
So. Get out of those things.
- What?
- Get undressed.
Who the hell are you?
I'm an officer of the Luftwaffe. Schmidt.
Stand beside this man.
How about a change of identity Schmidt?
- Herr Major?
Change clothes with this man.
Permit me...
You may as well keep the rest.
- Yeah.
Thank you. I had almost given up hope.
We only knew this morning.
This is the fifth day. I was not coming again.
There's been no time for arrangements to be made
- Arrangements?
I told you 2 hours ago we knew nothing about you.
I sent word over a week ago.
- Never mind all that.
I need a few hours.
This time tomorrow same place.
- Right.
You'll be alright will you?
- Can any one of us say that?
What a bad fit. It will convince everyone you are genuine.
He will convince no one,
- So, what will befall him?
He'll be questionned and shot.
- Now, that would be most unfortunate.
For you it will.
- Not for me for him..
Oh for you, for him, who cares?
- You should, my friend because if they shoot him, I shall shoot you.
That situation had not struck you, I think.
- His English is appalling.
A foreigner's not to know. I was London before the war.
And now...
A few questions.
I have given you name, rank and number. Beyond that...
- You know that I want other details.
- What details?
The name of your commanding officer? Where you were born?
Where you went to school? where and when you did your basic training? When you joined the RAF?
In short, your curriculum vitae.
And do not, my friend, I beg of you, lead us into error.
It's foolhardy.
I'm surprised at you.
Should have brought him on to Brussels.
You don't know what you're talking about.
Alright, tell me. Tell me why I shouldn't be worrying.
He was shot down four days ago near Ostend.
He was seen to come down by parachute. The Germans were out looking for him.
We couldn't leave him with the people who picked him up.
- But why take him to Bruges when our place is under suspicion?
Albert. You insult me with your concern.
- Oh, I beg your pardon.
Do you think I don't care? That after all this time I've suddenly become stupid?
I am not insulting you!
- Then don't question me!
Give me a glass of wine.
The night before, there was a raid on Dusseldorf.
The big bombers.
- Lancasters.
Coming back several came down.
The next day, the Germans were out looking for the crews. There were roadblocks, train checks, everywhere.
Do you understand?
- Yes, I'm sorry. I should have known.
You're quite right. We shouldn't be using that house in Maximilian Straat. It is suspect,
but we had no choice.
What if it's being watched?
- The guide will report anything suspicious, in which case we won't go.
Is he dependable, this guide?
- It's Klaus Schoonheim.
Lisa - Monsieur Moreels
- Albert. I need to talk to Lisa.
Take this for Mr Moreels.
How's Andre now?
- Almost pleasant.
What do you want?
There's someone I want to get out.
Not air crew?
- No, but this is exceptional.
It was the last time, but that doesn't diminish the risk.
- Thank you.
Lisa, why do we put our lives at risk?
We do it to bring the end of the war one step nearer.
Every pilot, navigator, gunner, bomb aimer we get back to fly again,
is one small step towards that. What if I could show you a way to take several steps at once?
This someone, he's that important?
- Yes.
What if he were to focus such attention on us as to destroy us?
Would the sacrifice of all of us
and all the people we should not in the future be able to help, be justified by this one man.
I believe so.
- Then he must be very important.
London think so.
- You'd better tell me.
Hans Van Reijn.
Not possible,
- It's true.
No, somewhere there's been a misunderstanding.
- I assure you that is not the case.
- It's not possible.
He's a minister of the puppet government. A Nazi.
Such a man would not come over. It's unthinkable.
I have seen him. I have talked to him. I assure you there is no misunderstanding.
And you say London is behind this?
- I received instructions this morning.
He must be got back. It is imperative.
Well, you can see why.
Such a defection would be an enormous propaganda coup.
He should be killed. It has been attempted.
Have you any idea what would happen if he was assassinated?
Hundreds, thousands of innocent people would suffer as a reaction.
Alive in the hands of the Allies by his own decision, he's a hammer stroke to freedom.
The supremacy of the individual conscience.
Dead by the hand of an unknown assassin. You know what he would be?
When I set up the line, I never thought I'd be asked to help a collaborator.
We haven't got time for moral outrage. The man has the courage of his own convictions.
A traitor.
- Yes, but a repentant one.
Too late.
- Lisa, don't be so stupid.
Can't you see how vital he is to our cause?
Yes, you're right, I'm sorry.
- Well?
But it's not enough.
- In what way?
I can only speak for myself. I can't speak for others.
Well, you could explain to them.
- I could. But I'm not sure they'd see it that way.
You could try.
Yes, and if I should fail and he should be killed?
All the guides are known to you.
They're all human. They care deeply. Some of them have suffered greatly.
No, I couldn't answer for each and every one.
Well, what can we do?
- He must pretend to be someone else.
Where is he now?
- At his home in Bruges?
I can do nothing today, but tomorrow,
I can help.
Thank you Achille.
Please stay.
We have been together for a long time you and I.
- It's been an honor.
Our ideas have not always made us friends amongst our people.
There are many who think as we do.
If I were not here, how would you fare?
Are you going somewhere?
- It's a hypothetical question,
I might return to my family.
- You'd be welcome?
Perhaps? No, not entirely.
So, what then?
- The Germans would find me something.
Our friends, the Germans.
- Why do you speak of them like that?
Achille, I am from the North. You are from the South.
- We're both Belgians.
Yes, but I have always believed that the future of Flanders lies with the Netherlands, with the North, not with the South.
After all I am myself a Fleming.
History, to some degree, is on my side.
But I wonder about you. What can it mean to you?
It's been enough to serve you, Minister.
But Achille, as the leader of the Flemish Nationalist Party,
I am dedicated to the cause of Flemish separatism.
How can you, a French speaker, a Walloon, serve me?
Or is it someone, something else that you serve?
Is there anything more you require of me, Minister?
Then I'll retire.
I'm sorry Achille.
But no man can serve two masters.
Rather, he will hate the one and love the other.
Or he will sustain the one and despise the other.
Goodnight Minister.
I do this only because I believe what you tell me.
- I know how you feel.
Do you? Well never mind how I feel. He must be got to London.
I'll go down the line with him.
Monique can look after things here.
What have you planned?
- Tomorrow we have a collection.
In Bruges, yes I know.
- Flying officer Staples.
Yes, he will become Dirk Hoornstra a Dutch electrician.
He must change places with the new passenger.
I don't think we should send our esteemed minister down the line for several days.
A week even.
- Why not?
Our new friend disappears and you think it's going to be like any day in the week.
It'll give us time to change his appearance a little.
Maximilian Straat is not good. It wouldn't do to leave him there.
Why?
- It's suspect.
He must be brought to Brussels.
- What about Staples? Now we can't leave him there to be found and questioned.
He must be brought too. They must both be undercover here before it is known that your friend is gone.
Not here.
- Not at the Candide.
Near my Aunt Louise's house there's a disused mill. I used to play there when I was a child.
Is it used now?
- Nobody goes there except the odd fisherman.
They wouldn't be disturbed there.
Right, I'll tell Monique there's a change of plan.
She'll want to know from you where to bring him. And you look after Van Reijn.
It must not be known that your friend has come to Brussels.
- I'll arrange that he'll be last seen in Bruges.
All you need to tell us is what warning system you had arranged.
Was it positive or negative?
Well did it... Does it depend on you're taking some particular action?
Or not taking some action.
Schoonheim. We have your, your passenger, is that how you say? John Staples.
Did you know he has a wife and four young children in Peterborough waiting for him to come back?
Will you make it impossible?
- He is a prisoner of war.
No. No, no, no. He's a spy. He was dropped by parachute.
- His plane crashed.
The weight of evidence is against you, my friend. He was dressed as a Belgian civilian,
has no military identification and no uniform.
He had his identification tags.
Not when I left Maximilian Straat my friend.
And you were bringing him false papers.
You cannot prove that they were for him.
- Come on! That is altogether too naiive.
Height 1 meter 83, weight 76 kilos age 30, hair colour fair, eyes blue.
Those are the details on these papers. A remarkable coincidence if they were meant for some other wouldn't you say?
His fate is in your hands.
Whether his young family are to see him again, it's entirely up to you.
I could say nothing. Either to save him or myself.
Brave words. But you are spent. Nothing awaits you but death.
As it does us all,
- Indeed it does, in its various forms.
Have you considered the form which awaits you?
Well, Herr Major, you don't seem to have progressed by this interrogation? I shall now take him to the Gestapo for questioning.
He is a civilian and legitimately my province, I think.
When is the collection time for tomorrow?
10:00 o'clock in the morning, according to Staples.
- Well you'd better hope they are using negative checks.
How are you keeping in touch?
- Schmidt will phone.
If he gets the chance. A bit risky, isn't it?
What's the alternative?
- A shadow.
They'd spot us at once?
- I don't like it. Depends too much on chance
With respect Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, it was pure chance that Schmidt sufficiently resembled Staples in the first place.
Should we never take advantage of chance?
Yes Achille. I shall walk again this morning.
Is anything wrong Minister?
- Should there be?
It's so unusual.
- Today will be the last time.
As the Minister pleases.
Goodbye Achille
- Good day, Sir
We must be quick.
Let me see your papers.
The likeness is not good.
- Well, it'll do to fool the Germans. We must go, now.
Where are we going?
- It was to have been Mons, but that's been changed.
- Why?
Who knows. Circumstances. It doesn't matter.
Don't worry, we shall get you home.
You should have told me this before.
If anything goes amiss, it will be the worse for you.
I want my car in five minutes.
Remembering happier days?
Aunt Louise, How did you know I was here?
- I followed you. I know what you're doing.
- Do you?
Of course. You should have told me.
I would have helped.
I didn't want you to be involved. Uncle Gaston was always adamant.
Your uncle Gaston would be alive today if he hadn't got involved.
He died because he did what he thought was right.
Oh, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.
He was thinking of you and me.
Of all of us.
Everybody, except himself.
- Yes.
You think poorly of me, don't you?
- Aunt Louise, you know that just isn't true.
Isn't it? Can you deny there have been times when my attitude has been an embarrassment to you? And Gaston.
I've not always felt we could be entirely candid.
I have shamed you with your friends.
- No.
Do you know what it is to be afraid?
- Aunt Louise. This is not the time.
Do you?
Of course. I often have been.
It made no difference.
Now it's made me all the more determined.
That Is because you are afraid for yourself.
I don't mean to diminish what you do,
but it is perhaps easier to be afraid for yourself than to be afraid for others.
Whenever you are out late, I am afraid.
Whenever the phone rings during the day, I am sure it is terrible news.
Whenever there is a knock on the door, I am sure it is the Gestapo.
One day the Gestapo arrested my husband and I never saw him again.
It is difficult in such circumstances for me to be brave.
But, now that they have taken Gaston away, there is only you for me to worry over.
Maybe I shall be brave.
Are...you are hiding someone here?
- Yes, two people.
One of them is very important. If the Germans were to find him here it would be really bad.
Then we must make sure they do not.
- It's not right that you should be involved.
But now I am involved and by my own wish and....and I'm grateful to you.
What makes you think he isn't coming back?
- I'll show you.
He's been composing some music. It's gone, yet he's not finished it.
And for that you bring me all the way from Brussels?
It's not just that Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. His behavior has been unusual.
He's not been going to his office by car. I am of the opinion he's been meeting someone.
You have not certain knowledge of this.
- No Sir.
Has he advanced any reason for not using the car?
- He told the driver it was for the exercise.
That does not convince you?
- Yesterday he spoke of some event which might befall him.
He said it was better that he should not say what that event might be.
- He gave no clue?
But this morning he bade me goodbye as if he was not expecting to return.
Did he take anything else?
- Not that I can see.
It's not very conclusive.
- I thought I should tell you.
If you had any reasons for concern, you should have communicated them before.
He's not arrived at his office?
- When I again telephoned 5 minutes ago, he still had not.
Your master is known to people in high places.
If anything has happened, it would be better that you had not been born.
Welcome to Brussels Meneer Hoornstra.
- Mademoiselle.
You had no trouble? You weren't followed?
- There was no one.
Good, well then you can go now.
- Why here?
Why not? You know better than to ask questions. I'm sorry it has to be this way.
You must stay here in Brussels for a few days. It wasn't planned, but it's become necessary.
Now please, will you take off your shoes and remember don't look out of that window.
There's some food there and over there is a bucket.
I shall empty it each evening.
- Well that is something I can do myself.
No, no. You must not leave this room.
There are one or two books and some crossword puzzles.
In French, I'm afraid. There's a pencil too.
Should you hear anything in the room below, pay no attention.
A man will be arriving and it's in your own interests that he doesn't see you.
I can't tell you anything more I'm afraid.
I shall be back soon.
Switchboard. I'm expecting a
priority call. UnterLeutnant Schmidt.
You are to interrupt any other calls, no matter where they're from.
Madame.
- I have bought something, see.
My husband liked them.
They were difficult to get sometimes. There are no more left. I thought you would like...
Madame if your husband like...
- He would have liked an Englishman to have them.
Van Reijn?
- It's true.
He was seen at the railway station at Bruges late this morning.
He could be anywhere in Europe.
No. He did not travel by train. He was picked up by somebody. We don't know who.
My God. Does Berlin know?
- Of course not. It is to be treated as secret.
Tell me, what is the gravest construction you could put on this, Brandt?
He's going over to the other side?
- Exactly.
Oh no, it's not possible.
It would be unrealistic to think it was not. How would you get a man out?
The evasion lines?
- That is also my opinion.
You'll be all right here for a few days.
Someone will come again tomorrow.
We're closed until 5 o'clock.
Alright, alright, I'm coming.
Madame Colbert.
- Lisa, is she here?
- Yes.
Aunt Louise.
What's the matter?
Is there something wrong?
Yes.
Off Erasmus St.
Stay there, we meet you in 10 minutes.
Well Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, we seem to have broken into the evasion lines.
That was a message from Schmidt. He's made contact.
And he says someone is coming.
I think someone important.
How do you wish to proceed?
Minister, you must leave immediately.
He said I should be alright here for several days...
This is an emergency he doesn't know yet.
But I'm tired.
- If you don't hurry, the Germans will be here. Do you understand?
Now please, wait for me outside. I shall be with you directly.
But I should be...
- No! Go!
Your identity card, Mr. Staples.
But I've already shown them to the girl who brought me here.
- Please?
She's right. The photograph doesn't look very much like you.
- That's what I told her.
I think that you're a German, Mr Staples
- How can you think that? It's absurd.
Klaus Schoonheim thinks so, too.
- How could he?
Who is KIaus Schoonheim Mr. Staples?
- Well he's the man who gave me that.
Oh? We don't reveal our identity to anyone.
Meneer Van Reijn?
I'm Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler of the State Polizei.
By what right have you brought me to this place?
- I have always admired your music.
A hymn to freedom.
They will ask freedom from what?
I'm a minister of the Belgian government by what right do you question me?
By right of international law.
The occupying power has promulgated certain regulations ordering the conduct of Belgian nationals.
These regulations prohibit assistance to the enemy for which the penalty can be death.
Now you were found in circumstances which suggest infringement of such regulations
and you are not above the law Meneer.
- You cannot make me answer your questions.
I know what you intended.
To leave your country and throw in your lot with your government in exile.
You did not confirm it. It is plain what you proposed.
My country has been an independent nation for little more than 100 years.
She is united neither by history nor by common language.
In my political naivety, I sought a different path.
The purest path of national socialism.
In the fight against international Communism.
You sound cynical Meneer.
- Human bondage is the same whatever the title.
So, freedom lies with the Anglo Americans does it?
They now seem more likely custodians than Herr Hitler or Stalin.
That was not always your view I think.
- I have lately come to it.
By virtue of what?
- Simple observation.
And, intimation of mortality. If that doesn't sound too fanciful.
We're all just born to die. Are your intimations more urgent than anyone else's?
I do not have long. Possibly six months.
I sought to make amends whilst I was still able,
- I'm sorry.
As you say, death comes to us all.
What will happen to me?
- What would you like to happen to you?
To be executed.
- Being guilty of, what?
The most dangerous offence.
Political naivete.
I do not think you understand Minister.
You will not be executed or anything else.
But you said the penalty...
- Can be death, not will be.
No, your value to us is in being alive, for the six months or so you are spared.
You will die like a good national socialist in harness.
I shall publicly proclaim my apostasy.
- No one will print it.
I shall decline to attend any government meetings.
It will be announced you are ill, as you are.
Meneer Van Reijn. you accuse yourself of political naivete.
For believing national socialism was the answer to your country's problems?
But you are being even more naive in presuming you could change sides in the middle of a war
and simply say I repent the error of my ways and go to a martyr's grave.
No my friend. You chose to ride on the back of a tiger.
You cannot dismount when the fancy takes you.
Your victory will be short lived.
- I think not.
Now, I will arrange for you to be taken home.
Goodbye Minister.
I'm sorry about Schmidt.
Could have led us to them, just a few minutes earlier.
- Prost - Prost.
Well, you got one of them.
Schoonheim? Fetch and carrier. Has not helped us much. Small fish.
Oh, don't worry about the small fish.
Today we caught the big one.
Your car is here, Minister.
- Thank you, I shall be out directly.
Achille - Minister - I was wrong about your serving two masters. You only serve the one. I was foolish not to see that.
Minister. - Yes Achille - From now on I shall be coming with you in the car. I shall be with you night and day.