Secret Army (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 7 - Weekend - full transcript

A convent offers Albert and Monique some rare and valuable paintings just as Lifeline are running short of funds...

Come on.

What is it Pete?

It's just that I spent the first 20 years of my life in one place

and suddenly I'm in England and now 36 hours later we're off over Europe.

I'll get used to it.

Pilot to crew. Check in.
- Gunner ready.

Wireless operator ready.

Bomb aimer ready.
- Co-pilot ready.

It's where you go in Europe that's important if you want to make a career out of it.

Well OberLeutnant Horst, although the news is not particularly good,

it's gratifying to know that the Gestapo system of communication is still approximately two days ahead of the Abwehr.

Sir? - I hope you're not too disappointed that your journey has been in vain.

On the country Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, I am delighted to know that the efficiency that made Germany great is still with us.

It makes our eventual victory more certain than ever.

To my mind that has never been in question.
And now, perhaps if you'll excuse me, I was just about to leave when you arrived.

There's a Bach recital by Walter Gieseking at the Opera House tonight. I should not like to miss it, and I have to change.

Of course. The reputation of the Brussels Friday evening recitals has spread to Amsterdam.

In fact, I was hoping to attend this evening myself.

I do not return to my unit until Sunday night.

Perhaps, I may have the pleasure of seeing you in the interval Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.
- Yes, possibly.

Good day, Sir. - Good day.

May I say how impressed I am that you have a record of these three magnificent Rubens.

I had quite forgotten them until I passed the convent today.

You are familiar with these paintings?

Why, yes. At least, I have not seen them since 1938, but I presume they still hang there.

In a convent on the way from Amsterdam?
- It's about 40 kilometers from here.

But you know it of course?

How did you come to visit a Flemish convent in pre war Belgium?

Forgive me Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. I should explain that I am a graduate of the Hamburg Academy of Arts.

In 1938 I set off with two fellow students on a cycling tour of the Low Countries.

We visited many religious houses, hoping to discover works of art that had escaped the Napoleonic purges.

You were successful?
- Only on this one occasion Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.

But still, an outstanding discovery.

These photographs were brought to me by a dealer here in Brussels.

They were taken over 20 years ago, but have only recently come into his possession.

He is as anxious as I am to make sure that these and other paintings remain in this country.

You have taken them into safekeeping? - No.

But in the wrong hands...

They have great value.

I have not taken them into safekeeping because until you informed me just now, I did not know their whereabouts.

Germany is indebted to you OberLeutnant.
You will take an aperitif?

Rennert. Fetch the OberLeutnant a glass of schnapps.

Oh, and yes, phone the Opera House, I want you to reserve another place for tonight's recital.

Tell them I shall bring a second guest.

And tomorrow, perhaps you will accompany me to this convent?

As you can see, Monsieur, Jacques has almost finished the Entombment.

You may collect all three originals whenever you wish.

Oh, please, Reverend Mother, not all three. We may not be able to return them for a very long while.

If I had not thought out the situation thoroughly, I should not be offering them.
You will take all three, I insist.

Then we accept, very gratefully. You may be sure the money will be put to good use.

Any use you put it to that may bring a swifter end to this war must be good.

Your husband seems quite taken by the Crucifixion.

Monsieur Foiret is in charge of our operations, Reverend Mother. But he's not my husband.

Oh, I'm sorry. It is just that your dear mother described a man who fitted monsieur's description almost exactly.

Thank you for your generosity and time Reverend Mother and it's been wonderful seeing you again.

I must leave now if we're to get to Antwerp in time for the train.

If there's any need to alter the arrangements, you will be contacted. Otherwise, the paintings will be collected next Wednesday at midday.

That would be perfectly convenient. Jacques will have them ready for you.

Who else knows about these copies apart from Jacques?

Just his sister. She is here with us as a novice.

What about their parents?

Killed Monsieur. Both killed in the first bombing raid on Antwerp in 1940.

Don't worry, no one else will know our secret.

The church involved itself with us once before. It resulted in death.

We don't want anything more on our conscience than we have already.

What's the hurry?

We're not due in for another 5 minutes.

I was beginning to think you didn't want her to lend us the paintings.

I was merely trying to point out that her wimple wouldn't protect her, or her Sisters, if things became difficult.

Considering Lifeline's current financial state, I should have thought you would be very grateful.

It's been nearly two months since London managed to get us any money through.

You know as well as I do, that if London wanted to, they could get funds to us tomorrow.

It's a show of strength. It's their way of telling us they're fed up with chucking money into escape lines,

just to make them more effective for spreading the communist doctrine.

Can't you convince them Lifeline's not a political organization.

Anyway, England's supposed be fighting this war against Germany, not Russia.

I think our allies are now as concerned with the political victory, as a military one.

And if you give in, they'll just start dictating to us again.

And using us as a pipeline for their own intelligence. - English spies in Lifeline.

No, pawning those paintings to our Swiss speculator will buy us independence for a little while.

But if we intend to continue with Lifeline's business,

we shall need a flow of money which is unending

and that can only be obtained from a major power outside this country.

You don't care which one.

Antwerp to Brussels in 37 minutes.

Almost like pre war.

Pilot to crew. I can't hold it any longer.
We're losing altitude.

We're going to crash.

Bail out. If there's anyone left out there. Bail out.

Come on.

Bail out.

That was a rousing little number.
- So it seems. A Major too.

Well, it's all good fun. - Oh yes?

Natalie's arrived. - I've seen her.

Just put it down dear.

Keep an eye on her will you? I want at least one of these left to drink from at the end of the war.

Oh give me that, Claudette.

Hey, you're smoking too much.

Did you get the details of our latest visitors?

Yes. Their names are Charles McGee and Peter Harris.
- McGee. Harris.

Do you want coffee?
- Please.

Charles McGee... Peter Harris.

Irish and Welsh names, which probably means...

They're American.
- More and more.

I'll get Alain to check, check with London tonight.

Madame Desmarts telephoned. Apparently their Flying Fortress came down in the middle of a wood.

She doesn't expect the wreckage to be discovered until tomorrow.

Are they the only survivors?
- As far as she knows, she's hiding them both on her farm.

Near Aarschot?
- Yes.

Her father's very ill, so she's unable to deliver them herself.

And I've promised Albert, they'll be collected tomorrow. - Of course.

Here. Try that.

Two coats.

How is he?
Did he say anything while I was away?

He kind of grunts. - We couldn't catch it.

He's about the same. I guess.

Well?

Tomorrow.

They will collect you tomorrow.

What do you mean tomorrow? We could be in a POW camp by then.

Don't worry. I would not be putting my father, and our home at risk if there was any danger.

No one ever passes here.
- Yeah, it's like the only water hole in
the middle of a desert.

Lady, all it needs is for one hungry German patrol to pass by here and you can bet where they'll head for.

And I don't intend to be around to serve them your chicken soup when they come knocking on your door.

Charlie. Come on man.

We have very few hens left in this country thanks to the Germans

and those we have, we try to keep alive.

They produce eggs you see.

You and your friend may return to England

to come back to fight on against our enemies.

That would be productive too,

and that is the reason I give you shelter in my house.

Look, I'm sorry and we are grateful,

but, I wish I could make you understand how we feel.

I lived on a farm all my life.

I hadn't been more than 50 miles away from home until I was drafted.

Two weeks ago we were still 6,000 miles away on the training base at Kelly Field, Texas.

And now we're here, and number one target
for any Kraut that's half awake.

Could you maybe just tell us who it is will be collecting us, and at what time tomorrow?

Who will collect you is not important,

and the time will be tomorrow, sometime.

Do you want to risk it?

You have no need to fear Reverend Mother. Your paintings will be quite safe with us. They will be stored for the duration of the war.

You must realize the value of these paintings, if they fell into the wrong hands.

Or, and I do not like to admit this occurs,

members of the Reich, who have designs on building up their own large private collections.

This is a practice which the Fuhrer abhors, and I have strict orders to see that temptation is removed from such people.

Now perhaps your assistants could help carry the paintings to my car.

Oberleutnant Horst, would you kindly countersign the Reich's receipt for the Reverend Mother?

A pleasure, Herr Sturmbannführer.

So, I'm sure you understand the measures I'm taking are merely preventive.
Good day to you.

You're not thinking what I think you're thinking?

I think we might just stand out a little too much on those.

We should have stayed in that farmhouse. Her friends would have picked us up by now. - Exactly.

No, she was leveling with us, I'm sure of it.

Well you weren't so damn sure last night.
Look, Pete, we made a decision and we left.

Now, suppose we try and get near a town somewhere, so we can get our bearings, OK?

How? We can't walk along that road with only these over our uniforms.

Then we'll have to get ourselves some transportation. For the road.

Come on. Give me a couple more.
It's worth a try.

I'm particularly fond of the Fatherland
at this time of the year.

I agree. Do you know the Black Forest and the lakes? - Oh, of course.

When I was little more than a boy, I would go camping there with my companions.

Although I must admit that life under canvas would perhaps not suit me now.

May I offer you lunch Herr Sturmbannfuhrer?

There is a small auberge not more than 6km from here.

The cooking is French, of course.

It always amuses me how much better one can live in the country during war than in the city.

I was under the impression that this was your first war, Oberleutnant.

We should also bear in mind our own women and children who are suffering hourly under the murderous bombing attacks on our cities.

However, I realise your invitation was given in good faith.

So I will accept your offer to lunch.

We've got'em.

It's a German officer.

So? What better cover do we need to take us to the Swiss border?

He's also got a gun.
- Exactly.

Well come on then.

Wait a minute.
- You want to change the flat?

Get it.

Put your hand back on the wheel.

The Oberleutnant is returning
a military salute from the advance guard of an approaching Panzer column.

You told us to act naturally, which is exactly what the Oberleutnant was trying to do.

Pete. Window.

Here comes another one.

As soon as it's out of sight, you take the next left turn you come to.

OK.
Let's get out.

Take it easy.

You're a Lieutenant, right?
- Correct? - What about him?

I'm a doctor.

The OberLeutnant called me out to visit a patient when the army doctor could not be contacted.

I also have my regular Saturday morning surgery full of sick patients waiting for me in Brussels.

I shall most certainly be missed.

So I suggest you let me go at least.

I will tell no one of your whereabouts.

Charlie, what do you say? We only need one hostage for cover and if this guy is a doctor?

I never saw a doctor yet who made a house call without a little black bag.

Here, you cover them.

Hold it right there.

The feathers came off an old dress of
my grandmother's. - Oh? - Well, do you like it?

Well, I like what's inside it.

Did you pay Madame for the flour?

Just tell me what's wrong with it Albert? I won't mind. I just want to know.

Well it's all these feathers my dear. I mean, you've got real talent. You don't need all that.

That means I can't get away with them, I suppose.

Well, I like them.
And I'm wearing it tonight. You liked it in that film.

I'm needed down in the office. Well, you're probably right.

Anyway, you must wear whatever makes you feel happy.

They took all three?!
- Confiscated for the duration.

I don't suppose you could send the copies of the paintings to your man in Zurich?

At least you wouldn't have to find the money to repay him at the end of the war.

Copies would convince the German army. They would never fool a Swiss.

So Lifeline is still short of funds. What will you do?

What we did before? Our own people supplied us then. They will again.

Come on Albert, you know there isn't any money any more. We wouldn't last a month.

Then, as preserving the line is my first priority, I shall have to contact London again.

Candide. It's alright. Major.

And tell him that you'll be a good boy from now on

and help them root out all these naughty communists they seem to think are running every link in their line.

If that is a condition for survival, then yes, that is what I shall agree to.

You propose that I carry you and your companion all the way to Switzerland?

Just as close as you can get Dutch. Pete and I'll see about getting across the frontier.

But it will take days. How can you hope to keep these two prisoner all the time?

Nobody leaves the barge until we're where we wanna be, unless it's feet first.

We all stick together OK?

What is keeping your friend with the knife? What is he doing with my Lena?

Look, as long as you behave yourself, your wife is going to be OK. Relax.

Anyway, you know she's a little old for him.

Nah, Pete's just persuading her our plan makes sense.

Now why don't you just be a good little Dutchman and go along with us?

You may as well do as he says. There is really no alternative.

OK, we gotta try this sometime, so why not now?

I'm going to go up and talk with Pete and you are going to stay here and cover these two.

Pete, I'm coming up. Cover the lady, will you?

Just remember, Pete's knife is very sharp. One false move...

Cover him.

I'll do it.

Well Oberleutnant, I think that lunch at the auberge might have been preferable.

I'm so sorry Sir.
They seemed to jump us from nowhere.

I thought I noticed some glass on the road when I was changing the wheel.

Quite probably. Still a rather old-fashioned device for an observant officer to fall for, don't you think?

Again, I am so sorry Sir, but don't worry,

I will make every effort to get us out of this predicament as quickly as possible.

You will do nothing.
They will do it for us.

How's that Sir? - Because they are frightened.

Already a sense of friction between them.

The nerve will go, and they will make a mistake. We must be ready for that.

I wonder how long it will take for someone to discover the deserted car and the paintings. Three priceless Rubens.

It's by whom they discovered that I'm most concerned with. You, bargee.

Sir. - Do you know who I am?
- Gestapo?

I'm Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler.
- Chief of Gestapo, Brussels.

However, it's better than my identity is not revealed to the American airmen.

The younger one is too frightened already.
But our friend, whose gun you now point at me, might perhaps pull the trigger,

and that would help no one.

We all know what the Fuhrer's lesson was for the senseless murder of Heydrich in Czechoslovakia.

Lidice. It is one the world must never forget.

My wife, my Lena and I, we just want a simple life. We don't take sides.

That's a state you could maintain no longer. You must commit yourself.

What is this? Sit down.

Give me that.

You better go and see your old lady. She was going on about the engine.

I'll cover our two prisoners here.
- Surely there are six of us on this barge. - Yeah, so?

So, as you said earlier, no one can leave without the other.

Surely that makes a number of prisoners six?

Let me go ashore. Let me phone my niece? Tell him Hans.

Your wife has been telling me that she might be able to contact an escape line that gets pilots back to England.

Did she also tell you what happened last time we handed a pilot over to one of these escape lines?

Hans. They didn't mean that to happen.
They did all they could.

Maybe... But the pilot died.

He didn't want to fight you see?
He wanted out of the war. To stay in Switzerland.

So that he would have a life with his family when this war was over. Do you understand?

I understand. But it's a man's duty to fight for his country. There's no choice.

There is always a choice.

I made it in the First World War when I decided to stop fighting for Germany.

You see why I understood the other airman.

But I also understood why the escape line allowed him to be killed.

He was expendable. And you two are alone.
They will help you too.

Let me go ashore and telephone. That way at least you stand a chance.

He's a German. How do I know you
wouldn't just call the Gestapo when you get ashore?

She may. But it's a chance you take.

But if she did, she might find the phone unanswered.

What are you getting at?
- The prisoner. The one in the suit...

The doctor?

He's Sturmbannführer Kessler.
Head of the Gestapo in Brussels.

I'm sorry I can't hear you very well.
Huh?

Natalie? Yeah yeah. Here she is. Yeah, hold on.

Who is it?
- I don't know.

Hello. Who?
I can't hear you. The line's very bad.

Aunt Lena. How wonderful. Where are you?

Natalie, listen to me. I must get back to the barge, but this is very important.

Oh, my God. Aunt Lena.

Now look, whatever else happens, don't let them harm him. Alright?

Now I must talk with the others immediately.

Now where can I get hold of you? What's your next stop?

We should reach Massenhoven by nightfall. I could try and get ashore to do some shopping.

The Cafe Boule d'Or. You know it?

Next to the wharf, yes. 7:30 if I can.

You must.

Well?

It's done. Someone will meet me in the cafe on the wharf at Massenhoven, 7:30.

Will they help us?
- I hope so. She's talking with them now to see what can be worked out.

Hans. I'm so afraid.

I know if he, that man below in our home,

if he questions me, if he has me tortured - Lena - I'll give away everything.

Lena, no one is going to question you. There's no reason to. Calm yourself.

Now we better get going if we're to make Massenhoven by 7:30. Go and start the barge. - Yes.

Don't you think your friend will be wondering why we have stopped?

Where've you been? What's this barge stopped so long for?

Just a lock. There's several of them on this stretch of water.

You worked out how soon before we get to Switzerland?

It's difficult to estimate the speed this thing travels.

What? - We could only take you as far as Saint-Symphorien anyway.
- Yeah, where is that?

10, maybe 14 days away. - 14 days?!

OK, that does it.
We gotta get rid of them.

No, Charlie, you can't. - Oh yeah, why not? You don't realise...

I think your friend now understands that many more lives will be at stake if you dispose of the Oberleutnant and myself.

What is this? What's going on here?
Who are you?

Take him above. I'll look after them here.

Don't worry. As long as my wife is with you, I won't try anything.

You'd better not Mac. I've got ears, you know?

I wish I could get my hands on him when he's not holding a gun...

Don't be impatient. That will happen soon enough.

I must admit to finding the situation quite fascinating.

It's not often one has the opportunity to study evaders in action at first hand.

They are in an impossible position of course. The odds are loaded too heavily against them.

But, if this were a game of chance, I should hazard on the younger one's nerve going first.

He will probably try to persuade the older one to make a break, or give himself up.

His second choice will annoy our friend with a gun. So he may decide to take the first course, on his own possibly.

He may even decide to dispose of his companion.

How would you wager Meneer van Broecken?

I'm not a gambling man, Sir. I just want to get you safely off my barge.

But that is what we all want, is it not OberLeutnant?

She says these people help airmen get back all the time. There's a whole chain of people.

You've heard about them, Charlie.
- So, you let her off the barge.

How else could she contact them?
- You should have asked me before letting her off the barge.

And what would you have said?

I'd have said no. No thank you ma'am. We don't need
any escape line.

What's all this then?
- Sit down.

Take that back, dear.

Have you seen any extra patrols? Security? Anything?

No, nothing. They can't have missed him yet.
- Thank God it's happened over the weekend.

Do you think Natalie's got there by now?
- Well she should be. She left three hours ago.

Not those glasses dear. Not on a Saturday night. We'll have none left for tomorrow.

I don't know why she's always here when we're so busy?

It's already 7:45 I was meant to meet her at 7:30.

Hans, can't you convince him?
- Yeah, Hans. Convince me.

About the escape line? No. You must take your chance.

About the result of any harm coming to your hostage.

Yes, I think I can.

Listen to me.

The man in the suit is Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler, head of the Gestapo in Brussels.

Last year, two patriots assassinated Heydrich,

Chief of the security in Czechoslovakia.

The German reprisal was to annihilate two villages.

Complete with all their inhabitants.
Men. Women. And children.

If another Gestapo chief were to be killed,

the reprisal might not stop at two villages.

You, er, you'd better not keep your contact waiting any longer.

I thought you'd be asleep. - No.

What time is your rendezvous with Natalie and the airmen in the morning? - 8:00.

Good, well that means you'll have to leave the convent by 7. - I know.

Come with me Albert?
- Oh no, I can't. Sunday morning's far too busy. I'm bound to be missed.

Take Max with you. He'll make a good doctor.

Anyway, no one listens to the piano on Sunday mornings.
Goodnight.

You know Max, they're almost too good.

We'll have to very careful when we make the switch that we don't mix up the copies with the real thing.

You don't half go on, don't you? I agree. They're good.

Well it's true. I couldn't tell them apart.

Any self respecting art collector could.

What about the Gestapo? After all. they've just seen the originals.

The thing about fakes my dear, is that you have to be looking for them.

Kessler and his friends have seen the real thing.

I reckon they'll be so pleased to find them that they won't look at them that closely.

Anyway, I have an idea that may appeal to Albert's sense of humour.

Oh? Well, I hope you make it soon. He hasn't smiled at me in weeks.

Hey that was it wasn't it?

Wait here

Quick, you're free. They've gone. Come on.

They've been gone for a whole hour.

They've taken my Lena. They said they'd kill her if I didn't give them exactly that time to get away. What could I do?

You can show us the way to the nearest village. - Of course. Please hurry.

Lena? Lena, they're gone.

Lena, are you alright?

Hey kid. I think we've hit the right place at last. What took you so long to persuade me?

You know? Tall blondes with long legs in the back of an ambulance is just my style.

Hey, how do you feel about interestingly mature dark nurses?

Come on. I was only joking.

And what are you looking at me like that for?

She's probably wondering how someone who has caused as much trouble as you have over the past two days,

risking the lives of untold numbers of people,

not to mention those who are still helping you,

could possibly continue to behave in such a stupid and offensive manner.

Hey now wait a minute.
- Don't try our patience any more.

Your credibility is being checked with London now.

If you're cleared, you will both be on your way South by tonight.

After what you've done, keeping you in Brussels would be suicidal for us all.

But, if you don't check out, or if I hear one more word from you other than the answers to my questions,

I shall take the greatest pleasure in pulling this trigger.

Hans, it's all right thank God and I got some real coffee. They...

Welcome home.
I have a few questions for you.

You really have nothing to fear.

Unless of course you have something to hide.

I am sorry.

She was nervous.

She did not see the ambulance.

She had no need to be afraid. The questioning was to be only a formality.

You do not know sir the terror you inspire.

Oh, I do bargee, I do.

Right, take him back. He was with me all the time on the barge. There is nothing he can tell us.

Your wife was a passenger in a German vehicle.

We shall assume responsibility for the necessary arrangements.

No. No, thank you.
I prefer now to walk.

Well I think that must be a record for starting evaders off down the line.

They must be nearly in Senlis by now.

Poor Natalie, I don't think she's spent two nights in her own bed in the last three weeks.

Well, they checked out and we couldn't risk holding onto them.

Their descriptions will be circulated everywhere by now. And they did come from the best possible source.

Well, at least we've got these.

Max is taking these into Switzerland first thing in the morning.

I must admit I'd enjoy listening to him bargaining with a capitalist speculator.

Pretending to be a moralist sympathizer.

Should get a good price for them.

Aren't you going to wait in here for Hans's phone call. - No, I don't think so.

Did he say what time is gonna call?
- No, just that he wanted to talk to you.

Oh mind you, Yvonne took the telephone message. Well, you know what she's like.

If you don't start off with your rank, she stops listening.

Oh, that's nice.

Keep an eye on that stupid relief girl will you. She broke 14 of my best glasses last night.

Our glasses. Albert.

Hello. Oh yes, Hans.

I think he was doing the goose step, not the foxtrot.

Claudette, the tables.

What's the matter with your foot, Yvonne?
- The German army.

Oh dear. Well, when it stops paying for its drinks, you can stop dancing with it.

Don't you think it's about time you relieved Claudette? She's been waiting tables on her own now 3/4 of an hour.

There's another 5 minutes before the changeover, Monique.

Oh, what a lovely watch Yvonne.
It's new isn't it?

A present.
- People are so kind to you.

It must be your personality.

By the way dear, beer is awfully bad for the figure,

not to mention the concentration, and we don't want you dropping anything this early in the evening do we?

No, Hans. They would have kept you if they suspected you of anything.

Yes, I'll tell Natalie.

And thank you Hans. We may well call on you soon. Goodbye.

I finished their ids.
- Right, good.
- What's happened?

Natalie's aunt and uncle were taken to Gestapo Headquarters for questioning.

As her Aunt got out of the car, an ambulance hit her. Killed instantly.

Poor Natalie.

What about Hans?
- Oh, he's in the clear.

So we're off the hook.

Yeah, at a price. I mean she took her own life.

Well it could have cost us and a lot of others a lot more.
- Yes, I know.

And we do still have these. Our first step towards a little independence.

We still work with London Max. Not for, but with. - Right. Sure.

Did I ever tell you my idea regarding them? - No.

Once I'm safely in the land of the cuckoo clocks, I suggest that Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler

receive a telephone call from your friend, the mother superior.
- Now look... - Hear me out.

It would be to ask him if he would be so good as to keep her little secret.
- Which is?

That the three beautiful Rubens which he's so kindly looking after for the convent are in fact copies,

painted locally.

That she didn't like to admit this in front of the Sisters when he had called

for they had always believed their convent to be specially blessed in possessing such revered paintings by one of Belgium's most famous sons.

That is of course, if you approve.

Right.