World on Fire (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 5 - Episode #1.5 - full transcript
Harry and what's left of his unit try to get to Dunkirk. Where things are getting desperate.
She's having his baby.
Harry's baby.
When they win, their ideas win.
And one of their ideas is
to kill children like Hilda.
I will get
this information out.
You have led them
to our door!
I'll never be safe, anywhere.
I'm deserting.
I think you should go back.
To war, that you hate.
Take cover!
Move it out.
♪ All I do is dream of you ♪
♪ The whole night through ♪
♪ With the dawn, I still go on ♪
♪ And dream of you ♪
It comes as little surprise
but with no less horror
to the rest of Europe
that Belgium,
like Poland before it,
has fallen.
The Allied forces have failed
to overcome the might
of the Blitzkrieg campaign,
being far outnumbered,
and many British troops
now find themselves cornered.
It seems they have
little choice
but to head to the coast,
many taking the same route
as thousands
of displaced civilians.
Where are we?
Due west of...
knows where.
We're heading to the coast.
That's all we need to know
till we hit more
of our lads again.
So we don't know where we are.
Shelter, lads!
Keep hold
of your wedding tackle!
No returning fire!
No returning fire!
Go! Move!
Get down!
Whose kid is that?
Get down!
Get down!
Are you all right?
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Claudette.
Mm-hmm.
Heil Hitler, Herr Rossler.
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Joe, have you still got
your chocolate ration?
Have you still got yours,
sir?
Claudette, here.
We'll drop her
at the next village.
Oh, hello, Douglas.
Do come in.
Thank you.
You can go and look bored
elsewhere if you prefer, Jan.
How's he getting on?
I can't work out
if his dourness is
a racial characteristic
or his personal
disposition.
Not sure the Poles
are a race.
They aren't like us,
are they?
If you ever want me, uh,
to take him fishing
or go and kick a ball about,
I'd be more than happy to,
you know.
Anyway,
I, uh, I wondered
if you had seen this.
Thinking about
your Harry.
"Forsaken without warning"?
Well, that does sound
like Harry.
I didn't mean it, it was
his responsibility.
At least not this time.
I meant, uh, well,
I was worried about the lad.
My lad, too, Tom.
Yes, it is
very worrying.
But it also means that
we'll have them home soon
and have to negotiate
with Herr Hitler.
Then we can all get
back to normal.
Right, yeah.
I thought you were a pacifist,
Douglas.
Yes, I, I am.
So, we're in agreement, then?
Yes.
Look sharp, lads.
She looks a bit like you,
private.
You sure you haven't been
to France before?
Up to two months ago,
I hadn't been out of Leeds.
Must remind you of home after
a town's been bombed, then.
Very funny.
Cover!
It's just the petrol tank.
Joe, stay with her.
What's that noise?
Get back, come.
What the hell is he doing?
Guinness...
Guinness, Guinness is good
for you, Guinness.
Guinness is good for you,
Guinness is good for you.
Guinness is good for you,
Guinness is good for you.
What's your name, mate?
Your rank?
Geoff, Geoff, Geoff.
Geoff, Geoff.
Geoff, Geoff.
Is that a stripe
I see on your arm?
Where's the rest of your unit,
squadron leader?
- Answer the lieutenant!
- All right, Sergeant, we're not going to shout it
- out of him.
- Might be a Jerry, sir.
Nicked one of
our lads' uniforms.
He just told me
his name is Geoff.
Well, he's hardly going
to say it's Fritz, is he, sir?
Sarge!
Sir!
Better take a look.
Oh, Bertie Bollocks.
Bertie Bollocks, indeed.
You just got to get 'em
between them two sticks, okay?
Right, come on, then.
Ignore her.
Come on.
Oh, right through me legs!
Oh, good shot.
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Heads up, lads,
I'm giving the windscreen
a quick clean.
Jack, fuck's sake,
you're making me look
like a right clown.
Come back, hey?
Come back.
Sit down.
Over there
with the others.
Tell you what.
You sit with
the mad lads,
I'll go take a look
at the engine.
You're all right.
So, what's the darkies' tale?
They got separated from
their unit at Ypres.
They've been helping look
after the shell-shocked lads.
Shell shock.
That's what they're
calling it is it, sir?
What do you think is
going on here,
Sergeant?
Are you saying these men
aren't shell-shocked,
or they are all
undercover Nazis like Geoff?
One or two'll be
swinging the lead.
- Stands to reason.
- Let that be on their consciences.
We just need to find
a way to get them
to the next
field hospital.
Even the darkies?
Can't we just
leave them here?
They're not injured,
they're not even ours.
You can cut it out now,
Sergeant.
I won't tolerate you talking
about men
who are fighting on our side
as though they are disposable.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Right, sir.
Just been talking to a family
back up the road, sir.
They're leaving.
Said they'll take
the girl.
Happy now?
We traded a girl and a dog
for two Africans and a truck
full of loonies.
Couldn't be happier.
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Got a lot of color in the lad's
cheeks, that's for sure.
True.
And I am sure my flowerbeds
will recover in time.
Right, yeah.
Sorry about that.
We'll, uh...
We'll stay in touch, then,
eh?
Will we?
Is that the protocol?
Well, yeah, it can be.
And, uh, we'll see
how this little rum'un
gets on, eh?
Yes, yes.
The rum one will always be
pleased to see you.
Right.
- Good?
- Yeah.
Merci.
We haven't declared war
on the French, have we, sir?
Not so far, but
I wouldn't put it past us.
Well, one of the mad lads in
the back thinks he's Napoleon,
so we could always ask him.
The town is still
in French hands,
but they don't know
for how long.
We can't get
any radio contact,
but there's a
casualty clearing station.
- Sir.
- Where we can get you seen.
- Come on, mate.
- Me, sir?
What about, sir?
That wound you've been
keeping from me.
And what wound is
that, sir?
The one that has you touching
your gut every five minutes.
As though you had a bad pint
or five at lunch.
I can walk off a bad pint,
sir.
You get it looked at here,
or I order you to stay here.
Up to you.
I think I liked you better
when you were a soft touch, sir.
Pardon.
I'm beginning to wish
I was one of the loonies now.
Who's in charge here?
Who is in charge here?
It's probably me.
You're American?
Webster O'Connor.
American Hospital in Paris,
Field Hospital B...
pleased to meet you.
I have eight
traumatized men.
I need to get them
on a hospital ship.
Well, when you find that
hospital ship, then let me know,
and I'll send eight
of mine with them.
Otherwise, they'll end up
prisoners of war.
I am nowhere near
being able to give these men
the help they need.
I can't take these guys, too.
I'm sorry.
You can stay in the grounds
to get some rest for the night,
but your best bet is getting
to the coast yourselves.
Can you help one guy?
It's a physical wound.
It's my sergeant here.
I'll get a nurse
to look after him.
Henriette?
Webster.
Bullet wounds,
shrapnel,
all kinds of shit.
Good to hear you really
getting to grips
with the medical jargon.
When I volunteered,
I thought I'd be driving
old ladies round Paris.
You're a jazz man...
chaos is your thing.
You need to hold still.
I'll do as I am told.
I am good at taking orders...
just ask my officer here.
You are lucky that
you got here when you did.
Yeah, we would have got here
sooner,
but the Pied Piper kept
picking up waifs and strays.
I spoke with
a French officer outside.
Two of our units
and two French units
have dug in 30 miles inland.
So we have a bridgehead
to the coast.
We get behind that perimeter
and evacuate.
What, all of us?
Even the looney tunes?
We take them with us
or leave them to be taken
as prisoners of war.
How long do you think
they'll last?
Take cover!
Geoff! Geoff!
Geoff, come on!
No.
- No, no.
- Geoff!
Geoff!
We're fucked,
aren't we, sir?
Are you quoting
Winston Churchill
directly there, Sergeant,
or is that a rhetorical flourish
all of your own?
I tell you what
it does mean, Sergeant.
The planes have been over,
and the Panzers will be here
in what, a day?
- We'll set out first thing.
- All right, then.
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What are you looking for?
Divine inspiration?
Something like that.
It is not exactly France,
is it?
Any closer to home and
we'd be able to walk here.
Lois.
- Bit of a delicate matter.
- Hmm.
Wondering if you can just
stay still when you sing today.
"Stay still."
Yeah, I think
I can manage that, Ted.
'Cause when you move,
not everything else moves
at the same time,
if you get my meaning.
Oh, are you saying
I wobble, Ted?
No, no, no.
Just some of these lads
have got mothers, you know.
Some of these lads.
They don't want to be looking
at a lady in the family way
in a way they might look
at a normal woman.
Might be easier if
you gave them blindfolds, Ted.
How come our ship is
called HMS Keith?
Keith isn't the name you give
to a fighting ship.
What?
All the other ships are called
Atlantic,
Calcutta, Dreadnought.
And we get Keith.
Well, what's
the problem with that?
Keith was always
the name of that kid
who wore a balaclava till April.
Candle-wax snot
hanging from his nose.
How many trips back and
forth have we done? 20?
And not one tip
all day.
Would you like it better
if it was HMS Tom?
If it was called HMS Tom,
it wouldn't be here, mate.
It'd be cruising round
the brothels of the Med.
Single file, lads.
Hey, you!
What are you doing here,
where's your uniform?
- I'm a musician, this is my uniform.
- Yeah?
I don't hear any music.
I don't see any fighting
either,
but you're still dressed up
as a soldier.
You're a spy,
aren't you?
Oi, lads, we got
a spy over here!
Yeah, I'm a spy, that's right.
This disguise here really
helps me to blend in.
Some spy.
No news
is good news, hey?
Well, I must be drowning
in good news, then,
- in that case.
- Eddie will come back.
He is in France.
So is Harry.
At least he's in the Army.
At least he has a gun.
Eddie has a trumpet.
Well, if he plays
some of that modern jazz music,
he'll have the Germans
surrendering in no time.
A joke.
My goodness,
things must be looking up.
Have you made a plan
yet?
You going to raise
the child on your own?
Or give it away?
I don't want to talk
about it.
Don't want to talk about what?
Do you want
these microphone stands
- on the stage?
- That's right.
I heard you had to be
intelligent to be a pilot.
One center stage and
one by the piano, thank you.
The piano...
The piano.
Lovely, another
bloody roadblock.
Nothing for it,
going to be a hiking job
from here on.
I always wondered what
a safe haven looks like.
Get Joe and Taffy
down to the beach.
If the map's right,
then there's a path
through the woods.
Just get out.
Just get out
on anything you can.
What about you?
I will wait it out
till it stops raining bombs.
There's no way we
can get shell-shocked men
through a full-on raid.
How you going to
evacuate them on your own?
We can't just leave them
here, can we?
- Sir...
- And I'm the senior officer.
So it's down to me.
Sir.
Joe, Taff.
Get down to the beach,
get on anything you can.
Ship, cruiser.
Rubber ring, just...
Just get yourselves home.
What about you, Sarge?
Me?
I'm staying here.
Till they stop dropping bombs
on the crazy gang here.
Go on, sod off.
Get me an ice cream.
Wafer or Cornet, Sarge?
Good luck, Sarge.
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Oh, sorry.
- Presumptuous.
- Really?
Thought it was Chopin.
Oh, I see, yes, uh...
That's very good.
Vernon Hunter,
I'm a pilot of sorts.
Lois Bennett,
singer of sorts.
When's the happy event?
I think we're on
in about an hour.
No, no, no, no, I meant...
Yeah, I know what you meant,
Vernon, I'm just, you know...
Fed up of people asking.
Fair enough.
You aren't flying over
to France, then?
Oh, no, not today.
I got crocked on the way back
two days ago,
so until they get my kite
back in action, I'm...
At a bit of a loose end,
so I thought I'd bring a few
of my injured boys down here
for the, uh, entertainment.
That's kind.
It's about the only thing left
to believe in, isn't it?
Kindness?
And your husband?
Is he in the forces?
If you don't mind me asking.
I'm not married.
The father is,
just not to me.
Oh.
I see, well...
Life is full of surprises.
He don't mean any harm.
But nothing a cup of tea
and a biscuit won't improve.
Do you take sugar?
Two, please.
Thank you.
We're staying put
tonight, lads.
We'll both stay with you.
You...
are... kind.
No.
I'm not.
I'm not kind.
Stupid, more like.
So, who's at home
for you, Geoff?
Wife?
Kids?
Yes.
What are they called?
They called...
Geoff.
Easy to remember, I suppose.
Are you still sure this lot's
worth killing yourself over?
They're not going
to thank you.
You don't mind if we fuck off
and leave you here to die,
do you, Geoff?
We've got them to the coast.
They're as safe as any of us.
They have as good a chance
as any of us...
better, probably.
They're already mad,
we're just getting there.
I'm going to try
and get some food.
When I come back,
I want you gone.
That's not how it works.
You give the order,
I stay and make sure
it gets carried out.
The Senegalese lads have
volunteered to stay already.
If you're still here
when I get back,
I'll report you
for insubordination.
With all due respect, sir,
who to?
You and me are all that's left
of the chain of command.
Just get to the beach
and get out with our lads.
They need you.
I mean, Taffy can't find
his way out of a tent
without a map and compass.
Yes, sir.
As you say, sir.
What are you thinking,
sir?
I'm wondering
if you still don't believe
in shell shock.
I believe in cowardice more.
You know, you remind me
of my mother.
The wisdom.
And the legs.
Pleasure and an honor,
sir.
See you for a pint
back in Blighty.
You can get the first one in.
Typical officer.
I didn't know
he was married.
I know that's what any woman
would say,
so whether you believe me
or not...
You talk as though
I'm going to judge you.
You don't have to apologize
to me
or explain anything.
You might want to tell
the rest of the world that.
I try and kill other men
every day I fly.
You don't judge me
for that, do you?
No.
No, I don't.
My dad might.
He's a pacifist.
Mmm, good for him.
I'm not brave enough.
See, I, I'm not fighting
for Britain,
not for Mr. Churchill.
But so that people can carry on
with living their lives
in whatever way
they choose.
That is the only freedom
I'm fighting for.
So you're an anarchist, then,
Vernon?
Yes, I suppose I am...
me and Mr. Orwell.
I meet a lot of men who think
they're strong, Lois.
But I know real strength
when I see it, and you...
You have it
in abundance.
Well, thank you.
I don't feel very strong
right now.
But thank you.
Come on, move it, lads!
Fritz is due
to call again soon,
and he won't be
selling ice creams.
Now, you've had all day
to sunbathe... get onboard.
Let's all go home, hey?
Come on, let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
Oi.
Come on, lads,
let's all go home.
Yeah, nice one, lad,
get on board.
Go on, here you are, pal?
No chance.
Get to the back
and wait your turn.
- You cannot stop me.
- Oh, yeah?
I can with this, mate.
Jerry has only gone
for his tea break,
and if we don't get away
in this tide, we get sunk.
So, killing you is a small price
if it stops all these
fellas buying it, too.
I'm ready for death.
We're all fucking ready
for death, mate!
We're all ready for death.
- Shoot me!
- Get out of the way.
Go back and fight for your
country, you Polish bugger!
Right, behave, lads!
Any more hassle,
and I'll be going home with
a boat half-full, all right?
Now, let's go,
come on!
Come on, lads.
I'll put the kettle on
for us.
Let's go, let's go home,
come on, lads.
Come on, let's go, let's go,
come on, come on.
Move out, lads.
Let's go home, lads,
come on, lads, let's go home.
It's bad.
It's bad, it's bad,
it's bad, it's...
What is, Geoff?
What's bad?
Badness inside.
That's not badness
you've got inside you, Geoff.
That's just pain.
Get to the truck.
Get to the truck.
Get to the truck,
get to the truck!
Get to the truck!
Right, go, go, go, go!
Go!
Geoff, Geoff! Geoff!
Go, Geoff!
Geoff, get in!
We have got to get
to the truck, Geoff.
We can't stay outside.
I promise you.
We can't stay outside.
Come on.
It... it can't be
put right.
What can't?
What can't, Geoff?
The thing that needs
putting right.
- It can't be put right.
- Demba! Demba!
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Go.
Shoot me if I lose
my bollocks, Sarge.
Your bollocks have
to drop first, Taff.
Fuck me, that's close.
Yes, thank you, Joe.
I wouldn't have noticed
if you hadn't told me.
Was only making
conversation, Sarge.
Is he dead?
Have you heard?
Hey?
- Have you heard?
- Is who dead?
What are you saying?
Is who dead?
Your boy, my boy.
Have you heard anything,
about the ships that went down?
Today.
Have you had the news on?
No, I've been doing the
crossword... much more edifying.
What the bloody hell use
is the crossword
when our Tom could be dead, eh?
- Eh?!
- Oh, please, please keep your voice down, Douglas.
You might frighten Jan.
You must know something.
Why don't you know anything?
Go home and pull yourself
together, Douglas.
I'm disappointed in you.
♪ Pack up all my cares
and woe ♪
♪ Here I go, singing low ♪
♪ Bye-bye, blackbird ♪
♪ Where somebody waits for me ♪
♪ Sugar's sweet, so is she ♪
♪ Bye-bye, blackbird ♪
♪ No one here can love
or understand me ♪
♪ Oh, what hard-luck stories ♪
♪ They all hand me ♪
♪ Make my bed,
light the light ♪
♪ I'll arrive late tonight ♪
♪ Blackbird ♪
♪ Blackbird ♪
Thank fuck that's over.
May I just say,
you were absolutely wonderful.
I'm going to have to start
a fan club for you.
Thank you.
- No need to sound so surprised.
- Well, I...
I don't want
to be rude, ma'am,
but I've seen other
ENSA shows recently,
and they were
truly horrible.
I'm sure they weren't
that bad.
They really were.
I expect there isn't
one bad act in America.
I wouldn't know,
I'm from Canada.
Of course you are.
What do you mean?
Our bassist is
from Canada.
He's never heard a Canadian
accent like yours.
I listen to
American radio a lot.
I must have picked it up.
Oh, I see.
Nice to see you again,
Vernon.
You, too.
I was wondering if you would
mind awfully
if I wrote to you?
Sorry.
- Is, uh, is that foolish of me?
- No.
Just men who promise to write,
I've had my fill of them.
I can't promise poetry.
Good.
Then you write to me, Vernon.
I'd like that.
I don't have your address.
There.
Now you keep that promise.
No poetry.
Herr Rossler.
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Heil Hitler, Herr Rossler.
Good evening.
The German High Command
has issued a communiqué.
The French army has been
defeated.
They confidently report
that the attack on what is left
of the British Expeditionary
Force at Dunkirk
is making good progress.
But the British Tommies at
Dunkirk are still fighting.
They will not be rolled over.
My sources in the German
military tell me
that even their own men
call the British
stubborn bulldogs.
But Berlin does not change.
On these streets,
you would not know
the country was at war.
Berlin goes on as before.
And perhaps that is the most
frightening thing of all.
Let's go, lads.
That's right.
Let it go.
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That's a story.
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Herr Rossler?
Frau Campbell.
I know that...
We have not seen
eye to eye of late,
but... I need your help.
A terrible,
terrible thing has...
What? What is it?
- Is it Hilda?
- No.
She said she was going
to tell the authorities
where Hilda was.
She, she said that she...
Shh, you don't need
to explain, Herr Rossler.
She's a dead Nazi,
that's good enough for me.
Have you moved
a dead body before?
No.
Have you?
You need a lot of canvas
and a strong stomach.
We shall never have
a complete list
of all the vessels employed.
Never was there
a more fantastic armada.
Never did a weirder collection
of vessels set sail.
All it took...
Though it might be...
Story after story...
Anybody in, hey?
Are you in?
Come on!
Oh, my...
Hello!
Are you in?
Help me.
Help me, help me, help me.
Oh, lads, come on!
It's not exactly
perfect,
but it's all I can think of.
I know it.
I, I can feel it in here.
Any real news?
Not just one of your feelings,
like Gypsy Rose Lee
on Blackpool Prom?
If anything's happened
to him...
I made him go.
I told him to go,
I made him.
Dad.
I'm no dad,
I'm no father.
No father to you,
no father to him.
I'm no father...
- Dad!
- Oh, no.
Dad, that is not true.
Right.
We'll just have to wait now.
They're not going to announce
anything on the radio, are they?
- Not just like that.
- Shut up, will you?
- Not with the Germans listening in.
- I can't hear it.
There is only one
course left for the Allied army.
Hey, hey!
What are the black fellers,
what do they want?
The same as you, soldiers.
To get on a ship
and get somewhere safe.
Who have they been
fighting with?
The French.
The French have got
their own ships.
These boys are with me.
They've been helping
injured British soldiers
for the last two days.
They've earned a place
on that ship.
I don't care who
they are fucking with.
I think you mean, "I don't care
who they are fucking with,
- sir."
- I think rank
went out of the window
a long fucking time ago, pal.
We've been waiting
for three days
while the Krauts
take pot shots at us.
So dump your French boys
before I deck you.
They are getting on a boat.
You!
I am the officer in charge!
And they are coming with us!
Hilda?
The speed of change is
what takes most of us
by surprise here.
A country invaded.
A surrender.
An armistice signed.
Then another and another.
The French are making one last
appeal to President Roosevelt
to get America to help.
One last appeal.
They need help.
Scheisse!
We're done.
It's over, no more, no more.
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Hello again, Vernon.
Is this just coincidence?
Or are you following me?
I cannot see any reason
why we can't happily coexist.
Can you?
Will somebody tell me what
the fuck is going on here!
Herr Rossler?
Papa!
It's our Tom.
We've just had a telegram.
He's missing.
We could use a man
of your talents, Chase.
But if you get caught,
the best you can hope for
is a quick death.
Harry's baby.
When they win, their ideas win.
And one of their ideas is
to kill children like Hilda.
I will get
this information out.
You have led them
to our door!
I'll never be safe, anywhere.
I'm deserting.
I think you should go back.
To war, that you hate.
Take cover!
Move it out.
♪ All I do is dream of you ♪
♪ The whole night through ♪
♪ With the dawn, I still go on ♪
♪ And dream of you ♪
It comes as little surprise
but with no less horror
to the rest of Europe
that Belgium,
like Poland before it,
has fallen.
The Allied forces have failed
to overcome the might
of the Blitzkrieg campaign,
being far outnumbered,
and many British troops
now find themselves cornered.
It seems they have
little choice
but to head to the coast,
many taking the same route
as thousands
of displaced civilians.
Where are we?
Due west of...
knows where.
We're heading to the coast.
That's all we need to know
till we hit more
of our lads again.
So we don't know where we are.
Shelter, lads!
Keep hold
of your wedding tackle!
No returning fire!
No returning fire!
Go! Move!
Get down!
Whose kid is that?
Get down!
Get down!
Are you all right?
_
Claudette.
Mm-hmm.
Heil Hitler, Herr Rossler.
_
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Joe, have you still got
your chocolate ration?
Have you still got yours,
sir?
Claudette, here.
We'll drop her
at the next village.
Oh, hello, Douglas.
Do come in.
Thank you.
You can go and look bored
elsewhere if you prefer, Jan.
How's he getting on?
I can't work out
if his dourness is
a racial characteristic
or his personal
disposition.
Not sure the Poles
are a race.
They aren't like us,
are they?
If you ever want me, uh,
to take him fishing
or go and kick a ball about,
I'd be more than happy to,
you know.
Anyway,
I, uh, I wondered
if you had seen this.
Thinking about
your Harry.
"Forsaken without warning"?
Well, that does sound
like Harry.
I didn't mean it, it was
his responsibility.
At least not this time.
I meant, uh, well,
I was worried about the lad.
My lad, too, Tom.
Yes, it is
very worrying.
But it also means that
we'll have them home soon
and have to negotiate
with Herr Hitler.
Then we can all get
back to normal.
Right, yeah.
I thought you were a pacifist,
Douglas.
Yes, I, I am.
So, we're in agreement, then?
Yes.
Look sharp, lads.
She looks a bit like you,
private.
You sure you haven't been
to France before?
Up to two months ago,
I hadn't been out of Leeds.
Must remind you of home after
a town's been bombed, then.
Very funny.
Cover!
It's just the petrol tank.
Joe, stay with her.
What's that noise?
Get back, come.
What the hell is he doing?
Guinness...
Guinness, Guinness is good
for you, Guinness.
Guinness is good for you,
Guinness is good for you.
Guinness is good for you,
Guinness is good for you.
What's your name, mate?
Your rank?
Geoff, Geoff, Geoff.
Geoff, Geoff.
Geoff, Geoff.
Is that a stripe
I see on your arm?
Where's the rest of your unit,
squadron leader?
- Answer the lieutenant!
- All right, Sergeant, we're not going to shout it
- out of him.
- Might be a Jerry, sir.
Nicked one of
our lads' uniforms.
He just told me
his name is Geoff.
Well, he's hardly going
to say it's Fritz, is he, sir?
Sarge!
Sir!
Better take a look.
Oh, Bertie Bollocks.
Bertie Bollocks, indeed.
You just got to get 'em
between them two sticks, okay?
Right, come on, then.
Ignore her.
Come on.
Oh, right through me legs!
Oh, good shot.
_
Heads up, lads,
I'm giving the windscreen
a quick clean.
Jack, fuck's sake,
you're making me look
like a right clown.
Come back, hey?
Come back.
Sit down.
Over there
with the others.
Tell you what.
You sit with
the mad lads,
I'll go take a look
at the engine.
You're all right.
So, what's the darkies' tale?
They got separated from
their unit at Ypres.
They've been helping look
after the shell-shocked lads.
Shell shock.
That's what they're
calling it is it, sir?
What do you think is
going on here,
Sergeant?
Are you saying these men
aren't shell-shocked,
or they are all
undercover Nazis like Geoff?
One or two'll be
swinging the lead.
- Stands to reason.
- Let that be on their consciences.
We just need to find
a way to get them
to the next
field hospital.
Even the darkies?
Can't we just
leave them here?
They're not injured,
they're not even ours.
You can cut it out now,
Sergeant.
I won't tolerate you talking
about men
who are fighting on our side
as though they are disposable.
Do you understand?
Yes, sir.
Right, sir.
Just been talking to a family
back up the road, sir.
They're leaving.
Said they'll take
the girl.
Happy now?
We traded a girl and a dog
for two Africans and a truck
full of loonies.
Couldn't be happier.
_
Got a lot of color in the lad's
cheeks, that's for sure.
True.
And I am sure my flowerbeds
will recover in time.
Right, yeah.
Sorry about that.
We'll, uh...
We'll stay in touch, then,
eh?
Will we?
Is that the protocol?
Well, yeah, it can be.
And, uh, we'll see
how this little rum'un
gets on, eh?
Yes, yes.
The rum one will always be
pleased to see you.
Right.
- Good?
- Yeah.
Merci.
We haven't declared war
on the French, have we, sir?
Not so far, but
I wouldn't put it past us.
Well, one of the mad lads in
the back thinks he's Napoleon,
so we could always ask him.
The town is still
in French hands,
but they don't know
for how long.
We can't get
any radio contact,
but there's a
casualty clearing station.
- Sir.
- Where we can get you seen.
- Come on, mate.
- Me, sir?
What about, sir?
That wound you've been
keeping from me.
And what wound is
that, sir?
The one that has you touching
your gut every five minutes.
As though you had a bad pint
or five at lunch.
I can walk off a bad pint,
sir.
You get it looked at here,
or I order you to stay here.
Up to you.
I think I liked you better
when you were a soft touch, sir.
Pardon.
I'm beginning to wish
I was one of the loonies now.
Who's in charge here?
Who is in charge here?
It's probably me.
You're American?
Webster O'Connor.
American Hospital in Paris,
Field Hospital B...
pleased to meet you.
I have eight
traumatized men.
I need to get them
on a hospital ship.
Well, when you find that
hospital ship, then let me know,
and I'll send eight
of mine with them.
Otherwise, they'll end up
prisoners of war.
I am nowhere near
being able to give these men
the help they need.
I can't take these guys, too.
I'm sorry.
You can stay in the grounds
to get some rest for the night,
but your best bet is getting
to the coast yourselves.
Can you help one guy?
It's a physical wound.
It's my sergeant here.
I'll get a nurse
to look after him.
Henriette?
Webster.
Bullet wounds,
shrapnel,
all kinds of shit.
Good to hear you really
getting to grips
with the medical jargon.
When I volunteered,
I thought I'd be driving
old ladies round Paris.
You're a jazz man...
chaos is your thing.
You need to hold still.
I'll do as I am told.
I am good at taking orders...
just ask my officer here.
You are lucky that
you got here when you did.
Yeah, we would have got here
sooner,
but the Pied Piper kept
picking up waifs and strays.
I spoke with
a French officer outside.
Two of our units
and two French units
have dug in 30 miles inland.
So we have a bridgehead
to the coast.
We get behind that perimeter
and evacuate.
What, all of us?
Even the looney tunes?
We take them with us
or leave them to be taken
as prisoners of war.
How long do you think
they'll last?
Take cover!
Geoff! Geoff!
Geoff, come on!
No.
- No, no.
- Geoff!
Geoff!
We're fucked,
aren't we, sir?
Are you quoting
Winston Churchill
directly there, Sergeant,
or is that a rhetorical flourish
all of your own?
I tell you what
it does mean, Sergeant.
The planes have been over,
and the Panzers will be here
in what, a day?
- We'll set out first thing.
- All right, then.
_
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What are you looking for?
Divine inspiration?
Something like that.
It is not exactly France,
is it?
Any closer to home and
we'd be able to walk here.
Lois.
- Bit of a delicate matter.
- Hmm.
Wondering if you can just
stay still when you sing today.
"Stay still."
Yeah, I think
I can manage that, Ted.
'Cause when you move,
not everything else moves
at the same time,
if you get my meaning.
Oh, are you saying
I wobble, Ted?
No, no, no.
Just some of these lads
have got mothers, you know.
Some of these lads.
They don't want to be looking
at a lady in the family way
in a way they might look
at a normal woman.
Might be easier if
you gave them blindfolds, Ted.
How come our ship is
called HMS Keith?
Keith isn't the name you give
to a fighting ship.
What?
All the other ships are called
Atlantic,
Calcutta, Dreadnought.
And we get Keith.
Well, what's
the problem with that?
Keith was always
the name of that kid
who wore a balaclava till April.
Candle-wax snot
hanging from his nose.
How many trips back and
forth have we done? 20?
And not one tip
all day.
Would you like it better
if it was HMS Tom?
If it was called HMS Tom,
it wouldn't be here, mate.
It'd be cruising round
the brothels of the Med.
Single file, lads.
Hey, you!
What are you doing here,
where's your uniform?
- I'm a musician, this is my uniform.
- Yeah?
I don't hear any music.
I don't see any fighting
either,
but you're still dressed up
as a soldier.
You're a spy,
aren't you?
Oi, lads, we got
a spy over here!
Yeah, I'm a spy, that's right.
This disguise here really
helps me to blend in.
Some spy.
No news
is good news, hey?
Well, I must be drowning
in good news, then,
- in that case.
- Eddie will come back.
He is in France.
So is Harry.
At least he's in the Army.
At least he has a gun.
Eddie has a trumpet.
Well, if he plays
some of that modern jazz music,
he'll have the Germans
surrendering in no time.
A joke.
My goodness,
things must be looking up.
Have you made a plan
yet?
You going to raise
the child on your own?
Or give it away?
I don't want to talk
about it.
Don't want to talk about what?
Do you want
these microphone stands
- on the stage?
- That's right.
I heard you had to be
intelligent to be a pilot.
One center stage and
one by the piano, thank you.
The piano...
The piano.
Lovely, another
bloody roadblock.
Nothing for it,
going to be a hiking job
from here on.
I always wondered what
a safe haven looks like.
Get Joe and Taffy
down to the beach.
If the map's right,
then there's a path
through the woods.
Just get out.
Just get out
on anything you can.
What about you?
I will wait it out
till it stops raining bombs.
There's no way we
can get shell-shocked men
through a full-on raid.
How you going to
evacuate them on your own?
We can't just leave them
here, can we?
- Sir...
- And I'm the senior officer.
So it's down to me.
Sir.
Joe, Taff.
Get down to the beach,
get on anything you can.
Ship, cruiser.
Rubber ring, just...
Just get yourselves home.
What about you, Sarge?
Me?
I'm staying here.
Till they stop dropping bombs
on the crazy gang here.
Go on, sod off.
Get me an ice cream.
Wafer or Cornet, Sarge?
Good luck, Sarge.
_
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Oh, sorry.
- Presumptuous.
- Really?
Thought it was Chopin.
Oh, I see, yes, uh...
That's very good.
Vernon Hunter,
I'm a pilot of sorts.
Lois Bennett,
singer of sorts.
When's the happy event?
I think we're on
in about an hour.
No, no, no, no, I meant...
Yeah, I know what you meant,
Vernon, I'm just, you know...
Fed up of people asking.
Fair enough.
You aren't flying over
to France, then?
Oh, no, not today.
I got crocked on the way back
two days ago,
so until they get my kite
back in action, I'm...
At a bit of a loose end,
so I thought I'd bring a few
of my injured boys down here
for the, uh, entertainment.
That's kind.
It's about the only thing left
to believe in, isn't it?
Kindness?
And your husband?
Is he in the forces?
If you don't mind me asking.
I'm not married.
The father is,
just not to me.
Oh.
I see, well...
Life is full of surprises.
He don't mean any harm.
But nothing a cup of tea
and a biscuit won't improve.
Do you take sugar?
Two, please.
Thank you.
We're staying put
tonight, lads.
We'll both stay with you.
You...
are... kind.
No.
I'm not.
I'm not kind.
Stupid, more like.
So, who's at home
for you, Geoff?
Wife?
Kids?
Yes.
What are they called?
They called...
Geoff.
Easy to remember, I suppose.
Are you still sure this lot's
worth killing yourself over?
They're not going
to thank you.
You don't mind if we fuck off
and leave you here to die,
do you, Geoff?
We've got them to the coast.
They're as safe as any of us.
They have as good a chance
as any of us...
better, probably.
They're already mad,
we're just getting there.
I'm going to try
and get some food.
When I come back,
I want you gone.
That's not how it works.
You give the order,
I stay and make sure
it gets carried out.
The Senegalese lads have
volunteered to stay already.
If you're still here
when I get back,
I'll report you
for insubordination.
With all due respect, sir,
who to?
You and me are all that's left
of the chain of command.
Just get to the beach
and get out with our lads.
They need you.
I mean, Taffy can't find
his way out of a tent
without a map and compass.
Yes, sir.
As you say, sir.
What are you thinking,
sir?
I'm wondering
if you still don't believe
in shell shock.
I believe in cowardice more.
You know, you remind me
of my mother.
The wisdom.
And the legs.
Pleasure and an honor,
sir.
See you for a pint
back in Blighty.
You can get the first one in.
Typical officer.
I didn't know
he was married.
I know that's what any woman
would say,
so whether you believe me
or not...
You talk as though
I'm going to judge you.
You don't have to apologize
to me
or explain anything.
You might want to tell
the rest of the world that.
I try and kill other men
every day I fly.
You don't judge me
for that, do you?
No.
No, I don't.
My dad might.
He's a pacifist.
Mmm, good for him.
I'm not brave enough.
See, I, I'm not fighting
for Britain,
not for Mr. Churchill.
But so that people can carry on
with living their lives
in whatever way
they choose.
That is the only freedom
I'm fighting for.
So you're an anarchist, then,
Vernon?
Yes, I suppose I am...
me and Mr. Orwell.
I meet a lot of men who think
they're strong, Lois.
But I know real strength
when I see it, and you...
You have it
in abundance.
Well, thank you.
I don't feel very strong
right now.
But thank you.
Come on, move it, lads!
Fritz is due
to call again soon,
and he won't be
selling ice creams.
Now, you've had all day
to sunbathe... get onboard.
Let's all go home, hey?
Come on, let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
Oi.
Come on, lads,
let's all go home.
Yeah, nice one, lad,
get on board.
Go on, here you are, pal?
No chance.
Get to the back
and wait your turn.
- You cannot stop me.
- Oh, yeah?
I can with this, mate.
Jerry has only gone
for his tea break,
and if we don't get away
in this tide, we get sunk.
So, killing you is a small price
if it stops all these
fellas buying it, too.
I'm ready for death.
We're all fucking ready
for death, mate!
We're all ready for death.
- Shoot me!
- Get out of the way.
Go back and fight for your
country, you Polish bugger!
Right, behave, lads!
Any more hassle,
and I'll be going home with
a boat half-full, all right?
Now, let's go,
come on!
Come on, lads.
I'll put the kettle on
for us.
Let's go, let's go home,
come on, lads.
Come on, let's go, let's go,
come on, come on.
Move out, lads.
Let's go home, lads,
come on, lads, let's go home.
It's bad.
It's bad, it's bad,
it's bad, it's...
What is, Geoff?
What's bad?
Badness inside.
That's not badness
you've got inside you, Geoff.
That's just pain.
Get to the truck.
Get to the truck.
Get to the truck,
get to the truck!
Get to the truck!
Right, go, go, go, go!
Go!
Geoff, Geoff! Geoff!
Go, Geoff!
Geoff, get in!
We have got to get
to the truck, Geoff.
We can't stay outside.
I promise you.
We can't stay outside.
Come on.
It... it can't be
put right.
What can't?
What can't, Geoff?
The thing that needs
putting right.
- It can't be put right.
- Demba! Demba!
_
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_
Go.
Shoot me if I lose
my bollocks, Sarge.
Your bollocks have
to drop first, Taff.
Fuck me, that's close.
Yes, thank you, Joe.
I wouldn't have noticed
if you hadn't told me.
Was only making
conversation, Sarge.
Is he dead?
Have you heard?
Hey?
- Have you heard?
- Is who dead?
What are you saying?
Is who dead?
Your boy, my boy.
Have you heard anything,
about the ships that went down?
Today.
Have you had the news on?
No, I've been doing the
crossword... much more edifying.
What the bloody hell use
is the crossword
when our Tom could be dead, eh?
- Eh?!
- Oh, please, please keep your voice down, Douglas.
You might frighten Jan.
You must know something.
Why don't you know anything?
Go home and pull yourself
together, Douglas.
I'm disappointed in you.
♪ Pack up all my cares
and woe ♪
♪ Here I go, singing low ♪
♪ Bye-bye, blackbird ♪
♪ Where somebody waits for me ♪
♪ Sugar's sweet, so is she ♪
♪ Bye-bye, blackbird ♪
♪ No one here can love
or understand me ♪
♪ Oh, what hard-luck stories ♪
♪ They all hand me ♪
♪ Make my bed,
light the light ♪
♪ I'll arrive late tonight ♪
♪ Blackbird ♪
♪ Blackbird ♪
Thank fuck that's over.
May I just say,
you were absolutely wonderful.
I'm going to have to start
a fan club for you.
Thank you.
- No need to sound so surprised.
- Well, I...
I don't want
to be rude, ma'am,
but I've seen other
ENSA shows recently,
and they were
truly horrible.
I'm sure they weren't
that bad.
They really were.
I expect there isn't
one bad act in America.
I wouldn't know,
I'm from Canada.
Of course you are.
What do you mean?
Our bassist is
from Canada.
He's never heard a Canadian
accent like yours.
I listen to
American radio a lot.
I must have picked it up.
Oh, I see.
Nice to see you again,
Vernon.
You, too.
I was wondering if you would
mind awfully
if I wrote to you?
Sorry.
- Is, uh, is that foolish of me?
- No.
Just men who promise to write,
I've had my fill of them.
I can't promise poetry.
Good.
Then you write to me, Vernon.
I'd like that.
I don't have your address.
There.
Now you keep that promise.
No poetry.
Herr Rossler.
_
Heil Hitler, Herr Rossler.
Good evening.
The German High Command
has issued a communiqué.
The French army has been
defeated.
They confidently report
that the attack on what is left
of the British Expeditionary
Force at Dunkirk
is making good progress.
But the British Tommies at
Dunkirk are still fighting.
They will not be rolled over.
My sources in the German
military tell me
that even their own men
call the British
stubborn bulldogs.
But Berlin does not change.
On these streets,
you would not know
the country was at war.
Berlin goes on as before.
And perhaps that is the most
frightening thing of all.
Let's go, lads.
That's right.
Let it go.
_
That's a story.
_
_
Herr Rossler?
Frau Campbell.
I know that...
We have not seen
eye to eye of late,
but... I need your help.
A terrible,
terrible thing has...
What? What is it?
- Is it Hilda?
- No.
She said she was going
to tell the authorities
where Hilda was.
She, she said that she...
Shh, you don't need
to explain, Herr Rossler.
She's a dead Nazi,
that's good enough for me.
Have you moved
a dead body before?
No.
Have you?
You need a lot of canvas
and a strong stomach.
We shall never have
a complete list
of all the vessels employed.
Never was there
a more fantastic armada.
Never did a weirder collection
of vessels set sail.
All it took...
Though it might be...
Story after story...
Anybody in, hey?
Are you in?
Come on!
Oh, my...
Hello!
Are you in?
Help me.
Help me, help me, help me.
Oh, lads, come on!
It's not exactly
perfect,
but it's all I can think of.
I know it.
I, I can feel it in here.
Any real news?
Not just one of your feelings,
like Gypsy Rose Lee
on Blackpool Prom?
If anything's happened
to him...
I made him go.
I told him to go,
I made him.
Dad.
I'm no dad,
I'm no father.
No father to you,
no father to him.
I'm no father...
- Dad!
- Oh, no.
Dad, that is not true.
Right.
We'll just have to wait now.
They're not going to announce
anything on the radio, are they?
- Not just like that.
- Shut up, will you?
- Not with the Germans listening in.
- I can't hear it.
There is only one
course left for the Allied army.
Hey, hey!
What are the black fellers,
what do they want?
The same as you, soldiers.
To get on a ship
and get somewhere safe.
Who have they been
fighting with?
The French.
The French have got
their own ships.
These boys are with me.
They've been helping
injured British soldiers
for the last two days.
They've earned a place
on that ship.
I don't care who
they are fucking with.
I think you mean, "I don't care
who they are fucking with,
- sir."
- I think rank
went out of the window
a long fucking time ago, pal.
We've been waiting
for three days
while the Krauts
take pot shots at us.
So dump your French boys
before I deck you.
They are getting on a boat.
You!
I am the officer in charge!
And they are coming with us!
Hilda?
The speed of change is
what takes most of us
by surprise here.
A country invaded.
A surrender.
An armistice signed.
Then another and another.
The French are making one last
appeal to President Roosevelt
to get America to help.
One last appeal.
They need help.
Scheisse!
We're done.
It's over, no more, no more.
_
_
Hello again, Vernon.
Is this just coincidence?
Or are you following me?
I cannot see any reason
why we can't happily coexist.
Can you?
Will somebody tell me what
the fuck is going on here!
Herr Rossler?
Papa!
It's our Tom.
We've just had a telegram.
He's missing.
We could use a man
of your talents, Chase.
But if you get caught,
the best you can hope for
is a quick death.