Original subtitles

(suspenseful drum music)

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] This is Avignon, the historic walled city

in the south of France.

Here in the summer of 1943, the 1st Parachute Division

of the German Army was ordered for rest and recreation.

The division had been withdrawn from the bloody fighting

on the Russian Front.

- They're all out safely, Lieutenant.

- Yes, looks like it's going all right.

Hope it goes as well for the second drop.

(plane engines hum)

- Fix jump ropes!

(buzzes)

We are over jumping point!

- Oh my God!

His chute didn't open!

Ambulance!

Come on. (siren wails)

- Killed instantly, of course.

What happened to his chute?

- I'm afraid we'll never know.

- Major. - Yes?

- You're needed in x-ray at once.

- Is it for a man called Christiansen?

- Yeah, I think so, Lieutenant.

- Oh, he's the man I'm here to see about, Major.

He hurt his shoulder when his chute got tangled.

- When he landed.

- Thank you.

Will you inform Sister Inge?

- I sure will, with pleasure.

- You're wanted in x-ray at once.

- All right, but you take over the ward, okay?

- Can't split myself in two.

- What a shame, Private.

- Corporal. - Ah yes, I forgot.

- You forget so easily.

(animated chatter)

- [Inge] No, no, no, these books aren't for you.

Now, let me go. - Nurse Inge.

- [Inge] I'll bring you some others later.

- This is Lieutenant Reiter.

- I'm sorry we can't shake hands, Lieutenant.

- You mean you're going to read all those books yourself?

- No, of course not.

They're for the upstairs patients.

- And that one?

- Now, that's for me.

- May I?

Avignon, for medieval buildings.

- Why not, as long as we're here?

- She likest that sort of thing, you know, culture.

- When shall we start my history lessons?

After duty tonight?

- Good heavens, after duty around here means sometime

between now and next week, huh, Major?

- Yes, I'm afraid it does.

- Oh, I forgot to tell you, Major, I have a very weak heart.

I could use a long rest.

A few weeks in Nurse Inge's care would suit me fine.

- You can report to the heart ward,

today Corporal Hans in charge.

- Come with me please, Inge.

- See you soon.

- Very soon.

- Corporal Christiansen, C Company, 1st Airborne Regiment,

reporting for x-ray.

- A Corporal in the paratroops, and you hurt yourself

in a practice jump?

How long have you been jumping?

- I only transferred to paratroop recently.

- Wasn't your old outfit dangerous enough?

What were you in?

- Armored Infantry.

- Mmhm, what was your job there?

- I was a Platoon Sergeant.

- As a Corporal?

- I was acting Sergeant.

- I see.

You didn't act long enough.

- Take off your jacket, Corporal.

The buttons interfere with the x-rays.

And your dog tags too.

Now, stand inside the machine.

- Do you have any pain? - Some.

- [Major] Light out.

(machine whirs)

Hold your breath.

No fractures that I can see.

We'll make a radiograph anyway.

(romantic music)

- You're not doing so well, are you?

- Oh, good evening.

- I'll cut that for you.

- I could've managed alone, I think.

- I'm sure of that, but you shouldn't.

How's the shoulder now?

- Okay.

- You were very fortunate, Corporal.

- I guess so.

- You don't seem to have much to say.

You're not very friendly.

- I'm sorry.

- There, now you can eat it.

(laughs)

- C'mon, I know a place.

- Hurry up, girls, come and kiss me.

- Hey, there.

- Ah man, look at that one.

- Hey, I know her, she's the best.

- They don't come any better.

(speaking in foreign language)

- What'd she say?

- She said we can have credit, or something like that.

- Well, what are we waiting for?

We only live once. - C'mon.

(speaking in foreign language)

- Where are you going, boys?

You know this area's off limits.

All of you our drunk, besides.

Get back to the barracks before we run you all in.

- Now why do that way, Sergeant?

We don't need a nurse maid to tell us what to do.

- I'm no nurse maid, soldier.

(car honks)

- Reiter, what's the trouble?

- Good evening, Lieutenant.

All the men have been ordered back to their barracks.

- But it's only half past nine.

- We're pulling out at three o'clock tomorrow morning.

- Where to? - Don't know, sir.

But I have a telegram from my old aunt that says she thinks

it's to Italy.

- Get them in.

Reiter. - Yes, Lieutenant?

- Could you send this Rolls-Royce of mine back

to the motor pool for me?

- Of course, Lieutenant.

- Good, you'll find the papers in the dashboard.

- Very good, Lieutenant.

Officers must be in their quarters by midnight.

- I've time yet. - Yes, sir.

- Evening, Miss Inge, please?

- I'm sorry, Lieutenant, she's gone out.

- Oh. - She's awfully late tonight.

She usually gets in long before this.

- Well, Nurse Inge's over there in the restaurant

with the Corporal with the bad shoulder.

I don't know his name.

- In combat, you don't see them in you're fighting

most of the time.

Everything's all mixed up, and you're too busy trying

to save your own skin.

But when you get an order, you're just told

to take a man out, and shoot him down.

That's when you begin to realize what fear really is,

how helpless man is, and how afraid of dying.

He was a saboteur, of course,

but I couldn't kill the man like that.

- And that's why you weren't promoted?

- Yes, for refusing to obey an order.

They said I was a coward.

- Oh, that's a lot of nonsense.

- Yes, it's a lot of nonsense.

And yet, perhaps, I was wrong not to obey.

Perhaps what Germany's doing is wrong.

My father thinks so, and he's very hurt by it.

Why should ordinary men like me think they have

a right to judge her?

Why should I refuse to obey, except that I've had

such a bellyful?

- I'm like that watch, I don't work anymore, kaput.

- But we could try winding it up again.

- No, it'll take more than that to make it work.

- Why not?

We have a man in our hospital, who's a genius

at repairing watches.

Shall I take it with me?

- Yes, if you want to.

- Good, give it to me.

(bell chimes)

(children laugh)

(speaks in foreign language)

(patriotic flute music)

(dramatic drum music)

(sings in foreign language)

- Three drummer boys are coming home from war.

(sings in foreign language)

It's lovely.

(music box tinkles)

Hold it for me, please.

- Some purse, it looks like a potato sack.

What do you keep in it?

- Everything.

How much, Madame?

(sentimental music)

- Private Grandich. - Here.

- Truck seven.

- Private Zellert. - Here.

- You're in car seven.

Corporal Shell, car three.

Get aboard, men, come on, move, move.

- What's up?

Where are we going?

- We're ordered back to the front.

You'll go with your group in truck two.

- Where are we headed for?

- The General will write you a personal note

later, Nurse Inge.

(tense music)

- Thank you, Inge.

- Cone on, soldier, let's go.

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] The operation was intended to cover the retreat

of the German forces from Sicily to the mainland.

The last reinforcements were brought in by air.

(booms)

(gunshots)

Then began the terrible effort to stem the allied drive

toward the north.

The allied armies were finally halted on the banks

of the Volturno.

(booms)

- When I think there are fools who call this Sunny Italy.

- Are you all right?

- All right, Sir. - Yes, Sir.

- All clear!

Hugo, Hugo, what is it?

Are you wounded?

- No (chuckles), those guys can't kill me.

- Did they cut the demolition fuse?

- [Man] I don't think so, Lieutenant.

- Get down, men!

Let her go!

(explosion)

- How about that? - Aw.

- Oh boy. - Did you see that?

- Poor eardrums. - Never thought

I'd lose them again.

- Overhead's the sunny skies of Italy.

In front of us, the lovely valley of the Volturno.

Children, I have a hunch we'll be here for a while yet.

- If he knew how right he is.

There's a hard fight ahead, Greinert.

- The Volturno River's a key point

of our entire defensive system.

Whatever the cost, these positions must be held.

Orders will be sent to you tomorrow.

- Mein Herem, our headquarters has decided that

Southern Italy will be defended to the very end.

Reason, we must prevent the allies from taking possession

of the airfields surrounding Rome.

From these, they could easily reach targets in South Germany

with little opposition.

This means we must stop the allies before Cassino.

The civilian population must be evacuated.

The Gustav line must be established.

This prevents enemy use of Via Conciliazione,

the main road to Rome, right in here.

That's also where he'll be making his maximum effort.

For this point is the key to Broad Airy Valley,

which will permit him to exploit to the fullest

the superiority of his armored and mechanized divisions.

The valley is dominated in the north by the heights

on which sits the Monastery of Monte Cassino.

This makes the area of paramount strategic importance.

- [Man] Won't those monks be happy when we set up

artillery spotters in there.

- Yes, that would be convenient.

However, the monastery is not to be made in any way

a part of our defense system according to orders from above.

- Sir, with that height.

- I have been given my orders, they're explicit.

Reiter, read the orders, please.

- In organizing our defensive system based upon

Monte Cassino, the monastery and its grounds shall be

excluded from the entire defense band.

We must not furnish the slightest justification

for the enemy to destroy this revered and ancient shrine

of Western culture by military means.

- So, your task gentlemen, is to hold the allies here,

giving us time to fortify the river.

The Gustav line shall be established on either side

of Monte Cassino.

This will be our main line of resistance.

(heavy music)

(speaks in foreign language)

(organ music)

(baby cries)

- That's a good girl.

- Maria, you be good now. - Here's some chocolate.

You like chocolate?

Of course you do.

No no no, don't touch my watch.

- Don't you touch her, you dirty Germans.

You think you can do whatever you want with us.

You throw us out of our houses, my sisters, my brothers.

- Gina. - You've taken

everything we have.

Give me that watch.

Is this your watch, your watch?

Answer me.

- But this is mine.

- It's yours, it's yours, it's not yours.

You've stolen it.

- Stop it, calm down now. - It's stolen, it was stolen.

- You're just upset on account of what's happened.

Give her the watch back.

It's not yours.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Here's your watch.

- Thank you, it really doesn't belong to me.

I'm having it fixed for someone.

(speaks in foreign language)

- [Priest] That's all for today.

- The rest of the serum we'll leave here with you, Father,

for eventual late arrivals.

- [Priest] Please, give your surgeon our sincere thanks.

- I was very much surprised by that girl's reactions.

- Humans act in mysterious ways.

These are difficult times, they've all suffered very much.

Come along now, I will show you a shortcut here.

(speaks in foreign language)

(organ music)

- I've wanted to ask you, Father Emmanuel,

you're not Italian, are you?

- No, I'm Irish.

My monastery sent me here.

Priests have to obey orders too.

- No one escapes that, I guess.

The sun's coming out again.

- Yes, the wind is from the south.

It'll sweep away the clouds.

- And what treasures the sun reveals.

Why yes, it's a sketch for the painting that's in Munich.

- Your studies have included the appreciation of art.

- Yes, but I didn't think I'd see a Rubens here.

- If you wish, Fraulein, I shall ask the permission

of Father Antonio to show you our treasury.

These paintings do not belong to us,

they're from the Museum of Naples.

They're safer here than in,

in the south.

- Come on, boys, a little exercise won't hurt you.

Get to work.

Hey, keep your heads down.

(gunshot)

- [Major] C Company, sir, on entrenchments.

- They'll be through with this section before this evening

at the latest, Major.

- [Major] Very good.

Morning, boys.

- Morning, sir. - Morning, sir.

- You got everything you need now?

I gave the real rich one enough hell this morning.

- Well, they're getting the ammo to us now too, thank God.

- Yes, when Schlegel took over the division,

things have smoothed out.

- Schlegel.

Give me a light, huh?

Well, I suppose the old reserve retreads

are good for something.

- Yes, Colonel

- Schlegel. - That's right.

This was to be expected, Colonel Schlegel.

You've taken command of the fortification work.

- That's right.

Let's be honest, doctor, tell me frankly,

what do you recommend?

- Very well, I'll speak frankly if you wish.

First, tell the General adieu, and then wish

whoever follows you the best of luck.

Then take the first train home and stay there.

- It seems that the worst news always comes

when you least expect it.

- When you've had a heart condition for as long as you have,

this should not come as a surprise.

I'm not actually saying that you're in danger of dying,

however, this is not the place for you, understand?

- I'm afraid I understand only too well, doctor.

The choice is to die on the job or leave.

- That's it, I'm glad you understand.

In the mean time, you must take care of yourself.

I'll inform you of the test results.

- Sir, there's a secondary hemorrhage upstairs.

- Who? - Room 77.

Wound in the upper thigh.

- Where's Nurse Inge?

- She's gone out for an hour, sir.

- Who replaced her?

- Sergeant Muller.

- Well, come on, it's back home for us, old girl.

- Well, who are you, you pretty thing?

I've never seen you here.

Is he yours?

- Yes, and you must be Nurse Inge.

- That's right.

Heavens, he's just quivering with joy.

- And with good reason too.

But you don't look at all sad yourself.

- Well, I'm not sad at all.

I've come from the monastery where one of the Fathers

showed me their entire art collection.

- What, haven't they removed the art?

- No, and the entire painting collection

of the Museum of Naples is there too.

- Nurse Inge, put on your smock, you're needed right away.

Come on. - I'll be right there.

Goodbye, Colonel.

- We're not leaving after all, old girl.

(pensive music)

(airplane engine roars)

(harmonica music)

- Why'd you wake me up?

And for what?

Where you going?

- Out to pick daisies, go back to sleep.

What's wrong with you?

(spits)

- Can't a man even vomit in peace?

- I feel that way too.

Just like vomiting, but I'm keeping it back.

- Get out of here.

Who asked for your opinion?

Beat it.

- You okay?

- No one at home has had news of my father.

- Here.

Where was he when you last heard?

- Eastern front.

- My dad was in Russia too.

But he was released last year.

- Got a light?

Thanks.

- Keep your head down, son.

Hey, what do you think you're doing, you idiot?

- That all you have to say to me?

- Get down from here, you fool.

You wanna get killed?

- That's no business of yours, is it?

- None of my business, maybe not, but it's my business

to keep us all alive, and I don't intend to let my guys

get killed because you're not gettin' mail

from your girlfriend.

You got it in your head you're the only one with worries.

Nobody else counts here, except you.

You listen to me, soldier.

Yes sir is all I want to hear from you.

The other men don't want you blown apart

even if you do, understand?

Okay? (boom)

(speaks in foreign language)

(explosions)

- I wonder what's the matter.

They're so quiet today.

- Things'll break loose, soldier.

Tonight they're coming.

(loud booms)

(boat motor buzzes)

(booms)

- Cut that out.

Don't shoot unless you can see your target.

Fire at will.

(loud booms)

(machine gunfire)

- Reiter, they broke through the line by B Company.

If our flights go, we'll clear out.

- We'll fall back to the marble quarry, sir.

- Right, you go and tell the others.

I'll join you later.

- Yes, sir.

- This is the key point of our defense, Zillert's position.

If we don't hold, at this point, Heidenreich, the enemy

will be in Cassino in two days.

They'll face our half-fortified positions, and our dream

of a Gustav line will have vanished.

We've got to - Hold back from Company C.

He's on the phone, sir.

- Where's he calling from? - Battalion Command Post.

- Maybe they're still holding out.

I'll take it.

General Heidenreich, how's it going down there?

Have any English armored units made it across?

- Not yet, General, but they'll get here any minute now.

Yes, I'll try to get across under cover of darkness.

We'll see if we can get their advanced troops by surprise

so the British (loud crash)

The telephone's been cut, come on.

- Hey, Karl, get that flame thrower.

(booms)

Here's something for you too.

Choke on it.

(machine gun shots)

(airplane engines roar)

- Bombers.

- And they're flying low too.

Would you prefer to wait here or in the cloister?

- I'd prefer to wait here, sir

- If they don't make up their mind today,

I'm afraid it'll be too late.

And if the German Father doesn't speak Italian well enough

- Oh he's a very intelligent man.

- Intelligence isn't always enough.

If I need you I'll call you.

- Climb in, we'll wait around at the back.

If they open up on the road, we'll be in trouble here.

We'll be safer in the back.

(bomb whistles)

(speaks in foreign language)

- Wherever there are Germans they

are bombing. - Get out of the way.

(speaks in foreign language)

- His Excellency asks if you will kindly be seated.

- Are my fears well-founded then?

Am I right that even this danger will not change

the decision of your consult?

(speaks in foreign language)

- We are convinced that your intentions are above reproach,

but the arguments you advance are not convincing enough.

(speaks in foreign language)

Your General is acting in an irreproachable manner

in assuring us that our cloister is not part

of your defense.

We are quite certain the Ally Generals will be

equally considerate, however.

- This is war, and war means battles, and battles,

they have many moods.

The battle is the master.

We can't help this.

We cannot control a grenade and we can't always tell

where a bomb falls.

Some may fall by accident, some may fall on this cloister.

We can't help that.

If so, they would destroy hundreds of years

of humanity's greatest efforts.

Why should this art be lost for nothing?

(speaks in foreign language)

(speaks in foreign language)

- We do not deny this possibility,

but we submit ourselves to the will of God.

- Allow me at least to transport your treasures

to the safety of Rome, to the Vatican.

Only there will they be safe.

(speaks in foreign language)

- We have passed the night in serious reflection

on your suggestion, but our answer remains no.

- Perhaps you don't trust us?

You fear that the treasures may disappear on route?

Why not let us transport two trucks full.

Give me two of the Fathers to go with each of the trucks.

They can testify as to whether the treasure's delivered

safely to the Vatican.

(speaks in foreign language)

Well then, I have lost.

I will be grateful if you'll not mention that I'd spoken

to you of this.

(speaks in foreign language)

If you had agreed to my proposals, I would've had to arrange

for the trucks.

I would've had to borrow them without authorization.

This is punishable by death.

(speaks in foreign language)

(speaks in foreign language)

- His Excellency asks if you'd please come

a few paces closer to him.

His eyesight is extremely weak.

(speaks in foreign language)

Would you allow our council a few more hours

of reflection on this?

- A soldier is subject to inescapable laws.

An action taken one second too late is far worse

than a minute too soon.

You must decide quickly, Your Eminence.

- Boy, if we get outta this, I'll buy a bottle of beer

for every girl in Monte Cassino.

- Quiet.

- Still 40 meters.

Go on, but slowly.

We'll get to our old position.

(bang)

Mother, turn the lights out, Papa's comin' home.

- I told you to be quiet. (bang)

Come on, come on.

(distant explosions)

- [Private] Who'll take care of those two?

- [General] I'll handle the first one.

- [Private] I'll take the other.

- Good, the one on the right.

The others come with me.

Put the explosives on the sides of the tank

so they'll split open.

When they go off, every man for himself.

Head for the assembly point.

Tell the others.

(thud) (grunts)

- Hey, Bill, what's the matter?

(thuds) (grunts)

- Okay boys, you got a minute, come on.

(lid clanks)

Look out, kraut!

(gunshots)

(cheers) (booms)

- Take cover. - Take cover.

(loud boom)

(gunfire)

- [Soldier] Get down, get down.

(gunfire)

- Follow the trench, go!

(machine gun fire)

Move past the dirt pile.

(machine gun fire) (blasts)

Let's go!

(knocks)

- Well, did it work?

- Fine, he believed every word.

You know what I told him?

I simply said I thought you looked tired

and should go to bed for once.

- Oh, you are an angel.

- So they tell me.

However, you are still in need of a little sleep.

You have to sleep sometimes.

- I'll sleep later.

Right now I've got to help Colonel Schlegel.

- Well, why do you have to sneak around about it?

- Corporal, what would you say to someone who wanted

to use Army vehicles as well as Army interpreters for his

own private purposes right in the middle of a battle?

- I'd say he's gone out of his head.

- Exactly, and that's why Colonel Schlegel needs me.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Blah, blah, blah, blah.

Why do you all talk at once?

Goodrich. (whistles)

- What?

- [Hans] Why do you send me these cracked crates?

- What are you complaining about, Hans?

- Hey watch out, a penny's not a sack of potatoes.

What do you think the Pope will say when he sees

how you treat his paintings?

Go on, repack it, go on.

- [Radio Announcer] Have broken through the encirclement.

In Italy, enemy attacks on our positions to the southwest

of Monte Cassino and again, failed to penetrate our defense.

(children chatter)

I know using the 1st Paratroop Division,

led by Lieutenant Reiter, holder of the iron cross,

repelled allied defense to establish a bridge head

on the Volturno River.

- Well, we won the war yet?

- That's a military secret.

- You know where I can find Colonel Schlegel?

- Yeah, he's inside with the monks.

You'll never find him though.

There must be 100 miles or so of halls in there.

You'd come out wearing a white beard.

Better wait 'til he comes out.

I'm gonna get a drink.

(patriotic music)

(speaks in foreign language)

- [Woman] This is the BBC, London.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Come here, I heard the English radio saying

that they are stealing our works of art.

They take it to Rome and then to Germany.

Go listen to the broadcast yourself, go listen, quickly.

- Hey, what's going on?

- Hey, don't bother the men, they're working.

- Oh, go away.

(speaks in foreign language)

- [Radio Announcer] Radio Free Italy, we repeat,

the priceless works of art of your country are being stolen

from their sacred repositories at Monte Cassino.

They are being secretly taken to Rome where they will be

trans-shipped to Germany.

Will you allow Italy's ancient artistic heritage

to decorate the palaces of a Nazi warlord?

- Please Senor Fausto, have you seen Colonel Schlegel?

(intense music)

- Hey, pack this too, here.

- Have you seen Colonel Schlegel, doctor?

- He was around here earlier.

(dramatic music)

- Have you seen Colonel Schlegel?

- He's inside, I guess.

(speaks in foreign language)

(speaks in foreign language)

- His Excellency asks if there's any way he can help you.

- No, he's very kind, but I'm afraid that he can't help me.

What I need is a private motor pool.

(speaks in foreign language)

And I've no idea where I can get enough trucks

to carry all of this stuff.

(speaks in foreign language)

What's worse.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Speak, please.

- What if our men are ambushed

and we lose all the paintings?

Perhaps here in the monastery they'll be safer after all.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Oh, Colonel Schlegel, thank heavens.

The English radio broadcast that we Germans

are looting the monastery.

(speaks in foreign language)

- Our secret is out, Colonel.

We can no longer conceal what you are doing.

- No.

- What are these trucks doing here?

You over there.

I spoke to you.

What are you doing?

- I'm loading pictures on the truck, Captain.

- Who is in command here?

- Colonel Schlegel, sir.

- Take me to him.

- And if what you say is true, Hankstenberg,

I will immediately order a court martial.

Only first, I want all of the facts.

- [Hankstenberg] Very well, General.

- Have you brought your men with you, Reiter?

- I've given them passes today, sir.

- Those men deserve a rest, Reiter.

I'm giving them all a week leave in Rome,

as soon as we clear out of here.

I'm sure those troops wouldn't mind a few days rest

from Cassino, am I right?

- [Reiter] You certainly are, General.

- I wish I knew whether they'll have to wait a week

or a year for that leave, God knows.

- [Reiter] I understand, sir.

- We must hold out as long as we can in this hell hole.

- It's Colonel Schlegel, General, it's urgent.

- Show him in right away.

- Yes, General.

- Draw all the rations you need, Lieutenant.

And remind your soldiers of one fact,

that as the enemy draws closer to us,

the civilian population's attitude invariably changes.

- Yes, sir.

May I thank you on behalf of the platoon for the leave, sir.

- You've earned it.

- Today we'll draw a double ration of wine

with the General's blessings.

- Good.

Yes, Corporal?

- Corporal Vellman from the 111, The General Hospital,

reporting with medical supplies for division staff

and command use.

- Very good, bring it over here.

Here, Vellman, have a cigar.

One. - Oh.

- Here.

From time to time, we took up a little dose

of private stock.

- Yes. - And whenever

the medics can, they contribute a couple of quarts

of alcohol to spice it up a little.

- Say, wasn't the 111 once base hospital

for the post at Avignon?

- That's right.

- I'm sure you know that the chief of operations

for the Southwest called in the military police as soon

as he was informed of this affair.

And why, because one of my own officers,

the field marshal order clearly provides for the protection

of Cassino treasures.

If the other side decides to bomb Cassino, they're fools,

and not soldiers.

But we are soldiers and good ones, Colonel Schlegel.

And we are at war.

Being at war does not mean carting works of art

all over the countryside.

Is that clear, Schlegel?

We're in the midst of a difficult offensive campaign,

and we need every man, every gallon of gasoline.

We need every square foot of our truck space.

This could cost you more than your rank, Schlegel.

It could cost your head.

- I'd reckon with that eventuality, sir.

- You are relieved of your command, Schlegel.

- It was not a question of carting works of art

all over the countryside.

I gave careful consideration to my act.

I did it for the peace.

For wars are followed by peace.

I want that peace to live up to our hopes,

to be all we want it to be.

How can the field marshal tell?

How can he, or anyone, tell that we can avoid situations

which might force the enemy to bomb the monastery,

though it be against everyone's will?

And what then?

What then, sir?

This would mean that the peace for which we have all fought,

which even our enemy had fought for,

would be only an empty peace.

This is why I've been carting works of art

around on Army trucks.

Only 60 trucks and 100 were needed.

Well, that was all I had to say, sir.

- If that is what you came to see me for,

to say you need trucks, all right.

Request granted.

You have your 100 trucks, Schlegel.

(intense music)

- The first thing I'll do is sleep until noon,

and then I'll eat myself a ton of pork chops

and four strudels.

(men laugh)

- Hold it, boys, there's the sign the Lieutenant

said to look for.

The whole population ordered out of town.

Well, that leaves a house of peace for us.

Gather around, men, I'll tell you what.

- [Soldier] Tell us, man, tell us.

- Once I sleep to get my strength back,

then I'm gonna get myself a woman and die.

(men laugh)

- Hey, men, look what else it says.

No girls in town either. (men groan)

- [Soldier] Yeah, this is rugged duty.

- You'll have to sleep with your pork chops.

- That's very funny, soldier.

This boy just don't know food.

- [Soldier] Karl, come here, where are you going?

Karl, come back here.

(upbeat music)

- Have the anesthetics arrived?

- No, there's enough for today, but after that.

- We need a whole new supply.

I'm sure they must have some in the medical depot.

- Well, hello.

When I heard you were hear, I let everything else drop

and came over.

- Lieutenant Reiter.

- So you still know me?

- Quite certainly. - My heart

is as weak as ever.

It still needs your care, Nurse Inge.

- But we're going to operate.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but sometimes these things,

I mean, this could keep me 'til very late tonight.

- All right, I'll see you tomorrow, at 10 sharp,

your place for coffee.

- [Soldier] The Major's waiting for you, Nurse.

- Yes, I'm coming.

Are the others here?

- Those who are still alive.

- And the Corporal with the shoulder?

- Yes, he's here too.

- Bring them all with you tomorrow, and you can tell them

all hello for me too, will you?

- Get the anesthesia ready, please nurse.

- Yes, sir.

- Now then young fellow, have you been operated on before?

Neither have I.

But I've opened 3,276 stomachs, so you can place yourself

in our hands.

We know exactly what we have to do.

Right, Nurse Inge?

- That's not all.

Today happens to be a lucky day.

- Yes?

She's very good at astrology too.

Now we're going to have to ask you for your help.

All I want you to do, my boy, is count.

Before you reach 20, you'll think you're

on a cloud of feathers.

You stopped a gorilla bullet with your belly, I understand.

The allies have been parachuting weapons too.

- Over here, everybody.

You're in charge of the ground floor.

- Yes sir. - You handle the first floor.

- Yes, sir. - You take the library.

Can anybody here play the piano?

- Me. - Okay, you guys

can carry the organ.

Get moving, go on, over there.

You others, form a chain, over there.

(dramatic music)

(speaks in foreign language)

- Perhaps it's only an idea I had,

but the people seem less friendly.

- There's likely to be some connection

with the radio broadcast, Colonel.

- Hello, officer, is it going all right?

- It's going fine, Colonel.

I've had the men from C Company form a chain.

No more than 10 trucks can squeeze in here at once.

- [Schlegel] The other trucks are waiting on the road?

- That's right sir, we've 90 trucks outside.

- [Schlegel] Good, so the convoy will leave

at zero two hours tomorrow.

Now if they're still on the road by daybreak.

- Well, let's hope they're not, Colonel.

- If the convoy is still on the road at daybreak, I said,

the interval between the vehicles will be increased

by another 200 yards.

- [Officer] Yes, Colonel.

- Convoy leaves tomorrow at 2:30.

- All right, Gina, go to the house and get me my gun.

I'll need it.

- But the Germans are occupying your house.

- You've got to take a chance.

I need that gun.

- All right, Fausto.

- Hey, hand us the chiati.

- It's better in Sicily.

- That's not Avignon though, is it?

(counts in foreign language)

- You sleep on the floor, kid.

- There's still me you gotta go by.

- Just one more, Lord.

I'll burn a dozen candles if you let me sleep

in a real feather bed.

- Oh you think that'll help you?

(counts in foreign language)

- I won, go find a nicer hunk of floor

for that carcass of yours, buddy. (laughs)

Hey, Karl, I sleep in the feather bed with you.

I better shave.

I don't want my whiskers to scratch your lily white skin

if you feel chummy.

Where's your razor, buddy?

- In the pocket of my knapsack, get it.

- Get my knapsack, he says.

Look what I found.

A real music box from sunny France.

Attention!

Ears open!

- Put that back, Hugo.

- That came all the way from Avignon.

First from Sicily, from Sicily to sail the straits

of the sea, first to Naples, then the banks

of the Volturo, then here.

If that's not love, then this soldier is not named Hugo.

- Put it back, Hugo.

- All right.

It's all right, pal.

In Russia, the girl's name was Kalenka, Kalenka.

I couldn't speak a word of Russian, but that music.

(sings in foreign language)

(speaks in foreign language)

(sings in foreign language)

You crummy Lieutenant, you fascist boom boom.

- At ease.

I'm glad to see you're enjoying yourself, Corporal Lembka.

Here, I brought you all a present.

With love from the General.

And we also get a leave in Rome.

(music box chimes)

Corporal Christensen.

- Yes, Lieutenant?

- The division requires five men to accompany a convoy

of trucks bound for Rome.

Departure's 02:30 hours via Castlina Northern Gate.

- Couldn't you send anyone else?

- I've a date at the hospital.

- Pick four more men.

Have one of 'em draw a motorcycle.

Is that clear?

- [Christensen] Quite clear, Lieutenant.

- All right, men, where am I to sleep?

- Right next door, Lieutenant.

I put your things in there.

Room with bed, sir.

I think it was the girls' room.

- Ten-hut, as you were.

- Just think, a bed in which some girl was sleeping

only a few days ago.

That's almost as good as the real thing.

- Karl, you better leave me here.

- What do you mean leave you here?

- Oh look, I haven't slept in a feather bed in years.

- Tough luck.

- Why aren't you asleep yet?

- I might ask the same thing of you, doctor.

- I've just heard from Bauman that a convoy of trucks

is going to Rome this morning, an idea of Schlegel,

the old idiot.

- I don't think the General is quite of your opinion, Major.

Is something wrong?

- Wrong, no.

I'm just thinking of those men.

Those men who've had an arm or a leg blown off,

or half of their face.

No, there's nothing wrong.

(distant booms)

Outside, they're employing the most

refined methods yet devised.

They'll take the human body apart,

and we'll put it back together again using our own

most refined methods.

It's all too ridiculous.

- You know what, doctor?

I'm gonna fix us a cup of coffee.

- No no no no, you're going to get some sleep,

because you're leaving for Rome tomorrow with the convoy.

You can check some supplies out

of that medical depot for us.

- Yes, but I'll be gone for almost two days.

- I'll get along without you, but we can't

get along without anesthetics.

And it's time you saw something of Italy.

Rome is a lovely city, my dear.

Who knows when you'll see it if you don't go now, so go.

Goodnight.

- Goodnight, doctor.

- Bauman will wake you up in time.

(sorrowful music)

(plane engines roar)

- Lights out, planes.

- Where I live, they blew up the railroad station.

- [Soldier] Let's not talk about that, huh?

- Yeah. - Aren't they ever

gonna run out of bombs. - They got bombs.

- [Soldier] Aw, shut up, you guys.

That's my face you're stepping on.

Watch where you're going. - Clumsy ox.

- If you're scared, I'll call your mother.

- Pipe down.

- [Soldier] They're flying hard.

Karl, don't forget to wake us up.

- Don't you worry, goodnight.

Goodnight, Hugo.

- Goodnight, Karl.

Hey, we didn't post a guard.

- [Soldier] Who needs a guard, the town's been cleaned up,

hasn't it? - Yeah, that's right.

(creaks)

(distant booms)

(loud gasp)

(creaks) (gasps)

- But why do you have to get up just when I get to sleep?

- I thought I heard a noise.

- What you heard was your own belly.

- Yeah, I guess that's it.

I need a pork chop.

- Well, you won't find pork chops in this sack.

- It's like dope, I got pork chop fever.

I tell you, I can smell pork chops.

I can see pork chops.

- Oh come on, cut it out, will ya?

- Poor Karl.

You don't know what pork chops can mean.

They remind me of home and my mother.

It's time to get up anyway.

You stay here, I'll wake the boys, with water.

I love to hear those guys scream. (laughs)

- A coffee grinder.

Strange hour to make coffee.

What is it you really wanted?

I don't much care for visitors at this time of night.

Not when there's a war on.

In peace time, I'm all for it,

especially if it's a pretty girl like you.

Are you trying to figure out what to do next?

Call for help maybe?

You don't understand English?

Then go, sit down.

Go on.

I'll do the talking for both of us.

I'd better,

because I might just let you go.

Hey, I might let you go, I said.

But I'll go with you.

We'll walk until we meet the person who is waiting for you

to bring this old coffee grinder back.

Now who would that be?

(knocks) (woman gasps)

- Everything's all right, Lieutenant.

Little accident, that's all. (laughs)

- I should report you to the SS Detachment and forget it,

but I prefer to do this my way.

There's only one language a girl like you can understand,

and before I let you out of here, I'm gonna make you tell me

what it really was you came here to get.

- You Nazi.

(cries out) (scuffles)

(thump)

- Keep quiet.

- [Christensen] Lieutenant.

- What do you want?

- Corporal Christensen reporting with four men

to accompany the convoy leaving for Rome at 02:30.

- Yes, go ahead.

- All right, men, let's go.

- [Corporal] I put a thermos of coffee in the truck for you.

- [Inge] Thanks, Corporal, I may have visitors today.

- [Corporal] Oh, who?

- Lieutenant Reiter and some of his men.

Would you please ask them where I can contact them

when I get back here?

- I sure will.

- I'm counting on you, don't forget.

- You go ahead and don't worry.

Corporal Bauman's word is as good as gold.

Have a good time.

(engine roars)

- [Soldier] Hey, how far we gonna have to walk?

I thought we were riding.

- [Man] Here comes Frederick.

- [Soldier] Hey, what if we run into trouble?

- [Lieutenant] We'll know how to handle that.

- [Soldier] Yeah, I can see those Roman girls already.

- Ah, convoy, here we come.

First truck, third, fifth, seventh, ninth.

Here they come.

I'll stop them.

You get to your station.

Convoy escort.

(romantic music)

- They told me Colonel Schlegel's coming along too.

He wants to be present when we give the Pope his art.

This Via Cassellina is the worst road in Italy, you know.

Take my eyes off the road for one minute and we've had it.

(thump) (dramatic music)

- So that's the reason you came here tonight.

In two minutes, every man ready to move out.

Inform Sergeant Greinert at once.

Don't enter without permission.

- [Soldier] Yes, Lieutenant.

- All right.

Now you're going to tell me who sent you here.

- No, no.

(clatters) (crash)

(engine roars)

(gunshots)

- Aren't those shots?

- Sounds more like backfires than shooting.

(shouts)

(gunshots) (glass shatters)

(gunshots)

Get out of here, take cover.

(machine gun shots)

(booms)

- They're giving flanking fire.

Those are our troops.

They're our troops!

(booms)

(machine gun shots)

- Lieutenant, here.

Frederick's been hit, sir. - What?

- I'm here, I'm here. (gasps)

I'm here with ya.

- A road block.

(cries out)

- All because of those lousy works of art,

for that junk.

Were they worth this?

- Lieutenant, Christensen got a prisoner.

- You have saved your criminals.

Where our guns are raging, you're looting our monastery.

(speaks in foreign language)

- He's telling the truth.

The English broadcast announced that the Germans

were looting the monastery.

These people wanted to prevent it.

- Christensen.

- [Christensen] Yes, Lieutenant.

- Put a bullet in him.

(dramatic music)

- You have no right. - Get that road watch out.

- They were only trying to - What the devil

are you doing here anyway?

Keep your nose in your hospital and stay out of this.

(intense music)

(drum rolls)

- Hold it.

Turn around.

(intense music)

(gun shots)

Go on, beat it.

- Hey, soldier.

Turn back, make your trucks turn back.

I'm warning you.

They are waiting for you.

Go back to Cassino.

- Get away.

- When can we under way, Lieutenant?

- I've just ordered the convoy to turn back to Cassino.

- I countermand that order.

We'll take advantage of the doctors to continue on

to Rome as planned.

- If you'll allow me to say so, sir.

It would be a mistake to take the convoy

along the same route as planned.

The partisans haven't given up yet.

They're hiding behind every curve from here to Rome.

We'll have to run a gauntlet of fire.

- The danger is far less than we'd run in daylight

from an air attack.

The treasures are worth it. - Treasures, treasures,

two men have already been killed because of them, Colonel.

Do you think this art worth more than the lives

of German soldiers?

- I'm quite willing to accept the entire responsibility

for these men, and I did not ask your opinion

on this subject.

This is not a strictly military operation.

See that my orders are carried out.

Place men on our flanks and on our rear.

I shall lead the convoy myself.

- Yes, sir.

- Lieutenant, if that's what he wants, let him go to it.

His truck'll be the first to get knocked off

and we'll know where they are.

- That's just why he's doing it.

- Get in quick. - And you?

- I've got to go up front.

If I may sir, I'd like to ride up front.

- No, stay back there where you belong.

- I must ride up front with you, Colonel.

- What's the matter with you, Corporal?

- I have released the partisan I was told to kill.

The partisan warned us, there may be other ambushes

before we get to Rome.

He didn't say exactly.

- All right, get in.

Lights out.

- Go on. (whistle blows)

(dramatic music)

(expectant music)

(triumphant music)

(triumphant music)

(drum rolls)

- Watch it. (sad music)

On a day like this, play 'em and just stay at ease.

No formalities.

For the next quarter of an hour, we're going to talk

to each other as friends.

What?

Is he?

- He's dead, General.

(playful music)

- Halt!

Put that down this minute.

Pull that cover back.

(playful music) Corporal, come here!

What's the meaning of this, Corporal?

- Sir, you asked if he were dead, and I replied that he was.

And he is dead.

- Are you trying to be funny?

- No, sir.

I can explain, you see, we thought we'd have pork chops

for Christmas, sir, and

- You would've had them anyway, you young idiot.

- Unfortunately, they lost a few leaves during the trip

from Third Reich to here.

In this overheated hunk of country, the only thing you

can find are lemon and orange trees,

no good for Christmas trees.

- Has the Major left yet, do you think?

- Yeah, but who says he won't turn up with another batch

of wounded anytime.

Oh, I have a hunch we're in for a very lively

Christmas this year.

I'm sorry, I suppose I shouldn't swear on Christmas.

- I wonder when the fighting will begin.

(bells ring) (sings in foreign language)

- I must be going.

My train, the train home.

- Home at last.

God sent you to us.

- All we do, Father, we do only for ourselves.

- Peace on Earth to men of good will.

(sings in foreign language)

(plane engines roar)

- [Narrator] February 15, 1944.

(booms)

(bombs whistle)

(booms)

(booms)

(loud booms)

- They must think there's a whole division in there

to drop all that on it.

(bomb whistles)

(booms)

(bomb whistles)

(loud booms)

(bomb whistles) (booms)

(fire crackles) (wind whistles)

(children cry) (people chatter)

(speaks in foreign language)

(dramatic music)

- Where are the wounded?

- In the cellars, nurse.

- Bauman, take the supplies down to the cellar.

(dramatic music)

(intense music)

- Metger, take two men and try to find some water, hurry.

- Yes, sir.

Come on, you two guys.

- Oh, Lieutenant. - Yes.

- Urgent order for you.

The Commander of the 3rd Battalion on Hill 590

has been killed.

These are orders for you to take over his command.

- Between us and Hill 590,

there's an entire company of Yanks.

- Hey, Lieutenant. - Yes?

- There's a motorcycle here, sir.

- Hide it, we can use it.

Well, Granite, think I might make it

if I wait 'til nightfall?

- Five to one against it.

- Anyway, I've got to try.

Christensen. - Yes sir.

- [Lieutenant] Take 15 men and dig in

to defend the monastery.

- [Christensen] Yes, sir.

- Lieutenant. - Yes?

- We've found a fountain, sir.

There's a corporal there from the medics.

- This must be his fighting.

- Yes, sir, he was sent here with a nurse

from the base hospital.

The whole place is full of wounded civilians.

- Is she a blonde nurse? - Yes, sir.

The one that was on the convoy to Rome, so Lembke says.

- Where's the water?

Did you find water?

- Quick, quick.

- Here we are, kids, come and get it.

- Oh, thank God.

- [Soldier] There's a sterilization unit outside.

There's a bucket beside it.

All right, come on now, kids.

We'll get you something to drink.

- Lieutenant. - Yes.

- You can't make it alone, sir.

- You'll remain here, Grider.

In less than an hour it'll be dark.

- Five to one aren't good odds.

I wouldn't give you 15.

(booms)

- Have the men dig in the cellars.

Looks like we're in for it.

They haven't thrown half of what they have into this place.

- Yes, Lieutenant.

(booms)

- Lieutenant. - What is it?

- The men are dug in, sir.

- Very good.

Good luck.

- I have to know, Inge, how many wounded can be evacuated?

We will have to get them in the trucks as soon as they

stop shelling us.

- I can't tell you.

For the moment, I don't know.

- We've installed a transmitter next door for you.

- Good, if you want me to help you, I'll be next door.

I'll take over now, you get some sleep.

- Karl.

(booms)

- Lieutenant!

Lieutenant! - What is it?

- I am not letting you go alone, Lieutenant.

- Come on.

(loud booms)

(groans)

- Yes?

Oh, it's you, Inge.

What is it?

- Only 37. - 37 what?

- Only 37 of them can be moved.

The others (sobs)

Oh why, this misery, I can't go on any more.

- You've got to.

Now it's all up to us.

No one else.

- Oh help me, Karl.

Help me, Karl, help me.

- Come, Inge, you must try to rest.

You must get some rest.

Come, I'll wake you up in an hour.

(distant booms)

- Lieutenant Reiter, will he come back?

- There's no use in waiting.

Come on. - Okay.

(wind whistles)

(speaks in foreign language)

Halt!

Who goes there?

- Shut up, go on.

I'm Captain Brown returning from a patrol

behind the enemy lines.

- I don't know anything about that,

but I'm taking you to the Lieutenant.

- Well, that's not necessary, he knows about it.

Get out of my way.

- [Soldier] I don't believe you, put your hands up.

Put your hands up, I said.

(thud) Hey!

(gunshot)

(gunshots)

- Inge, Inge, wake up.

You must wake up now.

It's time now.

They've stopped shooting.

- Karl, when will I see you again?

- I don't know.

But I'll find you somehow.

- [Narrator] The shelling and bombardment of the city

and the monastery went on for weeks.

Months.

(loud booms)

(gunshots) (explosions)

(loud booms)

(gunshots) (booms)

(loud booms)

- Hugo.

(loud booms)

- [Narrator] That was the end.

Death, scorched earth,

mourning and tears,

and graveyards,

theirs

and ours.

(somber music)

The noise of battle has long been stilled.

Once again, high over the valley,

rise the domes and walls and bell towers of the monastery

of Monte Cassino,

as undying as man's unquenchable thirst for peace.

(triumphant music)