Original subtitles

THE BRIDGE

I hope we don't get any bombing.

It won't come to that.

The war's nearly over, anyway.

I hope so. My boy's been called up.

Your Sigi?

You won't see him in uniform.

I'll bring the washing next week.

There's a lot of mending.

No hurry.

I'll do what I can.

What a bomb that was.

The whole house shook. Where did it hit?

The other side of the river.

Weren't you in the cellar?

What, with the horse?

I'll help you.

I can do it.

I don't know how you do it all alone.

And all those foreign workers on your farm. Aren't you frightened?

I can't show my boy that I'm afraid.

Good morning. I'll bring your washing later.

I'll be at home.

Albert told me your boy had volunteered.

Did you allow it?

The Borcherts have always been officers.

Thank you for helping me.

Don't mention it.

It was a very big one.

You can count on that. I heard it myself.

Don't lose your head.

Just look at that.

So the area organiser's leaving us?

The early bird doesn't always catch the worm.

We know how to deal with people who undermine confidence in the Party.

Don't forget that.

Hurry up.

I can't leave everything in a muddle.

Have you got the certificates?

Oh! I forgot them.

Herr Forst!

Next time you cut trees down in my wood, ask me first!

I won't do that. It's for victory, don't forget!

- What did you say to Frau Borchert? - Mind your own business.

At last you're ready!

We must go past the school.

It's too late.

I must say goodbye to the boy.

Your train leaves in half an hour - I'll tell Walter everything.

Walter! Give it to me!

Play by yourself, then.

Hurry along, now!

What are you doing there?

Did you hear it come down?

I wish one would fall on this place.

Just before a maths lesson.

We'll send Churchill our timetable.

What about going back to lessons?

There's no hurry. Take it easy.

Only one English lesson and no training today.

Coming to the bridge after school? They say that's where the bomb was.

I'll come.

Mutz.

- Know what I've got? - No.

- You don't know? - Guess.

Come on, tell us.

Where did you get it?

Air-raid shelter.

- What is it? - A mouse.

I'll let it go in the lesson.

I bet you won't.

You wait and see.

Very funny.

You are the biggest pain in the neck around here.

The latest reports say Oberbach has surrendered.

That means they've moved south past us.

They've left us behind.

They ought to call us up.

Our babies - a pledge for the future.

- Leave him alone. - Shut up.

The Americans are driving a wedge into our lines.

We could cut them off here.

- I'd throw in a tank division. - You'd break up the attack.

May I suggest that the General Staff might like to continue its English lesson?

What about it, Mutz?

I'm just moving the front line.

War's a nice game, isn't it?

- Do you want to be an officer too? - He wants to drive a train!

I used to want to.

Why not? We'll soon need more train drivers than soldiers.

What do you mean, sir?

I mean in peace-time.

Or don't you like the idea of peace?

Of course, sir.

We'll go on with translation.

If you don't like me...

"Love me."

If you don't love me...

let them find me.

If I die through thy hate...

it would be better...

than if you didn't love me.

All the rest of your life.

Thank you, Hager.

And you too, Franziska.

Now let's hear the original, shall we?

You read it, Scholten.

I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes

And but thou love me, let them find me here.

My life were better ended by their hate

Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love

By whose direction found'st thou out this place?

By love, that first did prompt me to inquire

He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes.

I am no pilot, yet, wert thou as far,

As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea

I would adventure for such merchandise.

Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face

Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek.

For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight

Fain would I dwell on form. Fain deny what I have spoke

But farewell compliment.

Dost thou love me?

I know thou wilt say "Ay"

And I will take thy word. Yet, if thou swear'st.

Forst, close the window!

At lovers' perjuries, they say, Jove laughs.

O, gentle Romeo.

If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully Or if thou thinkst I am too quickly won.

I'll frown.

Bernhard, shut the window!

Go on, Scholten.

Remove your luggage.

Can't you see I have a heavy case? Will you help me?

Thoughtless behaviour.

Goodbye.

What are we waiting for?

Shut the doors, please.

Don't cry! Be thankful you're getting away from here.

Walter! Goodbye!

You managed that nicely.

How did you get here?

I didn't even say goodbye to her.

You should be glad Mother's going somewhere safe.

- You wanted to get rid of her. - How dare you!

It's true, isn't it?

Mind your own business! I'll have to teach you manners!

With your special methods?

Sigi! I was worried about you.

Why? We were in the cellar.

We missed the English lesson.

What do you want English for?

We'll have something to eat.

We must expect raids every day now.

- I wish you could stay at home. - Why should I stay at home?

What's for dinner?

- Cabbage again. - There isn't anything else.

I'm going to the bridge.

First you'll have something to eat.

Sigi! Come along now!

What are you doing?

I must feed Albert first.

What's the news?

I've written to Aunt Wally.

I asked her if you could go there for a few weeks.

You mean run away?

What would the others say?

What do you mean, run away? You're not a soldier.

Wotan's eaten all his food.

You'd get nice things to eat at Aunt Wally's.

What about you?

I'd have your ration cards too.

We can't get anything extra.

I've sold everything and you need some shoes.

You can have Wotan, but you won't get rid of me.

Thank you, Miss Barbara.

This always sticks.

Let me do it.

How clever you are.

What's that?

Give it to me.

What's the matter, Karl?

Nothing. Really, nothing.

I should hope not.

I'm sorry.

There's nothing to be sorry about.

Your father's waiting for you.

Hello, Dad.

Hungry?

I must go in a minute.

- I want to see the bomb crater. - We'll have dinner first.

The bomb crater won't go anywhere.

Thank you.

Some more?

- Is it good? - Wonderful.

What's Barbara doing?

She's busy downstairs.

We're lucky to have her.

I'll see how she's getting on.

- Wash and set. - But I'm working till six.

- Come after that, then. - Good afternoon.

Frau Weber would like a wash and set, but she's working till six.

I can't come before six. My boss says you can't leave early for a haircut

when you're at the front.

I wonder how he knows. He was always exempted from service.

Come after six.

Are you doing anything this evening, Miss Barbara?

No, sir.

Barbara, where did you...

Miss Barbara, where are the soap coupons?

- Here, in the cash-box. - Right.

Finished already?

- When will you be home? - I'm going to the boat we're building.

Building a boat.

More likely he's going out with a girl.

I don't think so.

When I was sixteen...

Oh, you.

Where did you get the cigarettes?

From Walter Forst! From the area organiser's stocks.

- Want one? - Not from him!

What sort of a boy is Walter?

He's the best sort.

But I'm sorry for him.

Why?

He doesn't believe in anything.

What do you believe in?

Everything Father told me.

Father said sit up straight.

Tight reins.

That was when we had proper horses.

Don't let Dobbin hear you.

Thank Heavens you're back.

I thought something had happened to you.

Come here, Vladimir!

I'm coming.

Any letters?

I haven't seen any.

I wonder why my call-up papers haven't come.

They're waiting till you're grown up.

I'll go and see Major Saldern.

Children in uniform.

Tell her not to make such a fuss.

You know what she means.

Our soap ration.

If you can call it soap.

They're chopping trees down again.

They need wood for tank traps.

- Our wood? - I can't help it.

I hope they'll leave us the pines at least.

One or two trees won't make all that difference now. If Father was still alive...

I'm sure you're right.

I apologise.

Will you put the cart away?

You, why are you standing around?

Did I send enough wood for your boat?

You sent enough for two!

That's enough of that noise.

It's nearly finished.

I don't know how you can read with that noise going on.

I don't mind.

Good news from home?

Air raids all the time. Mother writes she could hardly leave the cellar.

She's glad I'm here.

So am I.

Not many people have two strong men at home.

I thought you were going to fix the blackout for me?

Yes, I will.

Then do it!

No letter from Dad?

23 days since we heard from him.

But that doesn't mean anything!

We'll get a heap of letters all at once!

When there's an offensive they keep letters back,

so nobody lets the secret out.

Nothing happened after all.

Only the wooden bridge.

- The bomb landed in the water. - That's the effect of the blast.

You should be thankful nothing happened.

His face would turn milk sour.

Where's Sigi gone?

Sigi!

What is it?

- What are you doing there? - There are no damages or losses!

I'm going home.

We'll go home too, shall we?

I don't mind.

We'll be seeing you.

Shall we go for a walk?

If you can spare the time.

I can if you can.

- Just for a little while. - Come!

What was wrong in the English lesson?

I thought you knew the text!

I did know it.

But I can't say sentimental rubbish.

And but thou love me, let them find me here...

When you say it, it sounds funny.

I must go, what's the time?

Where's your watch?

When Mother was ill, I traded it for some butter.

Here. It's a present.

You can't give me your watch!

You're crazy.

Can't I lend it to you?

Why?

So you have something of mine.

- If you need it, you'll tell me? - Of course.

The luminous dial is very useful in the blackout.

Wait a minute!

What's wrong?

I'm riding on the rim!

Typical of Mother.

Give me your pump.

She's lost her pump too.

When you were in the air raids...

What about them?

- Were you scared? - I'll say I was.

- You mean you were really frightened? - Of course.

You admit it, just like that?

Why not?

I think that's wonderful.

- Ready? - Yes.

I hope Forst got the glue.

Look at our little midget.

Glue and wood, our boat will soon be launched!

- Was it difficult to get? - No, why?

You can't buy glue anywhere.

I didn't try to buy it, it was lying around.

On to Victory!

That was mean!

What a hero.

It was only a joke.

You had to play it on the smallest.

Look at this!

Someone's hidden something!

That's from the Easter Bunny.

- He doesn't bring brandy. - How do you know it's brandy?

- The real thing. - Three star brandy.

The Easter Bunny won't find these eggs again!

- You're not going to steal it? - Steal?

Whoever hid it here must have a guilty conscience.

We'll be doing him a good turn if we take it away?

We'll share them out - how many are there?

We'll put them in the pipe. We'll fetch them when it's dark.

Come on!

- Sigi, you crawl in the pipe. - Why is it always me?

You're the littlest.

Why must the others get some? We found the bottles.

- I found them! - You get two bottles.

Property should be shared equally among the people.

- Don't tell me that. - Tell your father.

Hurry, or we'll be late!

What about me?

You stay there.

- We've got some brandy for you. - Brandy? What for?

Pick it up.

Where were you, Karl?

Is something wrong?

No...

Let's get on with it.

- Did you get some glue? - Here it is, sir.

- It was hard to get, I know. - It sure was.

Borchert, tell your mother the last wood arrived safely.

Thank her very much.

Where's Borchert? Horber, fetch the wood, will you?

He told you to fetch the wood.

Give me a screwdriver.

This must be planed smooth.

They're all filthy!

What did you say?

All girls are filthy!

You're crazy.

Your Franziska too!

Say that again.

Will it be finished soon? The Americans may be here by then!

A group of Hitler Youth held Oberbruck station for two days!

- And after that? - What?

I'm only asking - what happened to the station afterwards?

Things are moving at last! Here's my call-up papers!

- We must report at the barracks tomorrow! - What?

I went to fetch my papers! Yours must be at home!

- When does it start? - At seven tomorrow!

- They can't do without us. - And I've prepared tomorrow's lessons.

- I hope we'll all be together! - Of course.

Will you build the boat with another class?

What? Our boat?

We'll finish it when we come back!

We'll build a warship!

The tools must go in the box.

I tidy up. I'll do that.

You want to go home now.

We must pack our cases!

When we come back, we'll be old warhorses.

Hurry up, Albert!

- How will you tell your parents? - I'll write to them.

Why not try to telephone?

We must hurry!

- Did you put everything away? - Yes, we did!

What are you doing?

Come out of there at once!

Give me the bottle.

Brandy, huh?

I don't know.

Any more?

I haven't got any more.

What about the others? Where did you steal it from?

Steal? We found it.

You come with me.

Concealing lost property - three years in jail.

I'm joining the army tomorrow.

What's that?

My call-up papers are at home. For sure.

Must I go to jail now?

No, back to your mummy.

Sigi.

What happened?

I only slipped.

Did my papers come?

Yes...

Where are they?

He can't be a soldier. He's just a kid.

I'm not a kid!

- Look at you. You're wet through! - It's nothing!

Take your wet things off at once. You'll catch cold!

I must be in barracks tomorrow morning!

It must be a mistake.

You know it was a mistake!

They're calling everyone up.

I'll send you into the country!

I'll send you to Aunt Wally!

You can hide there!

I'm not a deserter!

What shall I do?

You can't do anything.

I'll overlook the brandy.

Where did you get it?

You can barter it. And Wotan too.

Thanks a lot.

The kids hid some bottles near the river, it's an offence.

Then lock Sigi away till it's all over!

I can't stand it.

I'm on duty, you must understand that.

Mother?

Yes, Sigi?

Will you lend me your suitcase?

Are you going to Aunt Wally?

It would be silly to take a cardboard box to the barracks.

Yes, it would be silly.

There you are at last.

So what?

Your call-up papers have come.

It won't be so bad.

You'll have some months of training.

You'll be glad to see me go.

- What do you mean? - I saw you...

Get out! Go! What are you doing here?

I never want to see you again!

I said get out!

Have you gone crazy?

Leave us alone, Barbara.

What's the matter?

You're glad I'm going! Then you can be together!

I don't know what you mean.

After all, when two people...

I thought you liked Barbara.

Wouldn't you like her to stay with us?

Don't pack now.

You're not going till tomorrow.

Come to me when you're better tempered. We'll talk it over.

I can't think what's wrong with him.

Don't be angry, he's only a kid.

I thought he was sensible.

And he's going to be a soldier.

He should be in a kindergarten!

- Don't get so angry. - In a kindergarten!

Don't forget to have the tractor mended.

Don't worry, I'll see to everything.

The Polish labourers!

They've gone!

What shall we do? We must inform the police!

No. It's Jürgen's last evening. I won't have it spoiled.

But the law's very strict.

Think of the trouble the Leppmanns had because they didn't inform...

I know. I'll tell them tomorrow.

Will you leave us, please?

How will you manage without those men?

- I expect they'll send me some more. - We'd just got used to those...

What shall I do?

It's a bad state of affairs.

You're right.

It's a pity I have to leave now.

But you know me.

I can look after myself.

That's Father's pistol!

Yes. They sent it back to me.

Mother, may I have it?

Take it.

Thank you, Mother.

You don't know how proud I am.

Father taught me to shoot with this.

As officer cadet I can carry a pistol.

- When do you want to get up? - We'll breakfast together.

Of course.

I'll tell Thorn to wake us at 5:30.

Good night, Mother.

Good night, son.

Your self-control is wonderful.

Don't take too much with you - it must all go into your pack.

- Here's your pullover. - Put it there.

- What are you doing with the knife? - I'm taking it!

We're not playing Indians.

I thought you didn't shoot at night - you attack with knives.

He read too many horror stories.

You must write home, Hans.

Here are your socks.

We shall have army socks.

But you must have some to change into.

Soldiers don't change their socks in battle.

Mother doesn't know what war's like.

I don't want to know what war's like.

Must you wear them till they're full of holes?

I think those are mine. I'll mend them.

- Do you mend them at home? - No.

Mother, I'll need some soap.

There's a little piece of real soap in the kitchen cupboard.

Share it between you.

Real soap!

I wish I'd known. I'd have taken it before.

Frau Mutz?

Thank you for letting me stay here.

Thank you for being here, too.

What do you mean?

It was good you were here. For Albert...

You're so grown-up.

I wish my mother could hear that.

I can't see the soap.

Look in the drawer underneath.

Please look after Albert for me.

Of course.

You've been so good to me.

I promise. I'll look after him.

Look after yourself, too.

Funny to think of you all alone in the classroom.

I don't think it's funny.

No, the mail van's connected with the train.

Yes, it's all been changed.

Having trouble again with the 12:17.

What will your parents say if you get home late?

They'll make a fuss.

Wouldn't you rather go?

I don't care what they say.

Don't you?

Will it be much longer?

If there's a raid on Berlin we shan't get through.

Can't we find out?

I'll try.

Give me 314.

What's the air raid position?

I see, thanks.

Raids at the moment only in Hanover. We might be lucky.

What's the time?

You can see the luminous dial.

Franziska, I want to ask you something.

What?

Don't be angry with me.

You're sure?

You can ask what you like - it's our last evening together.

May I have my watch back?

If I go scouting at night, a watch with a luminous dial will be useful.

This is post office 2, is that Bremen?

- Can I speak now? - Yes.

Is that you, Mother?

I'm fine.

I'm joining up tomorrow!

What do you want?

He's lost.

My call-up papers.

Not at this time of night. Can't you wait till tomorrow?

He's afraid he'll miss the free beer when we win the war.

Warning! Bombers over Hanover have turned east.

Raid on Berlin expected.

That's what I like to hear.

We don't want boys like you.

We like punctuality.

I can't go home.

Let him stay.

OK, lie down there.

- Here's a blanket. - Thanks.

Your father wants you to stop that music.

It's disturbing him.

- What's he doing? - He's packing.

Tell him to stop that noise at once!

Bring me the blue suit.

Going on holiday?

Walter. I have to... I had a call from the boss.

Where are the cigars?

It's an important conference.

Do you need your blue suit for it?

It's not your business.

I'm joining up tomorrow.

Yes, I know.

But Herr Forst, our area organiser, is running away!

To serve his leader and his country!

Are you taking Miss Lehmann?

- The girl from the office? - Shut your mouth!

The whole town knows that's why you sent Mother away!

Just so you could go off with that bitch!

Get out! You're drunk!

Yes, on the drink provided for our hero on the home front!

You should be ashamed of yourself.

- When we meet after the war... - I'll never see you again!

You wait till tomorrow.

You'll learn a thing or two.

It's time you had some discipline!

The army will make a man of you!

A man like you?

You slept with him, didn't you? Talk to me!

Your father is much nicer than you.

Forward, march.

Think you'll make soldiers out of these?

No. Take cover!

Keep your tails down if you don't want a direct hit!

Head down.

Don't throw your rifle in the mud! You might want to shoot with it!

About turn. March.

Take cover.

You don't need to practise retreating, they'll run away by themselves.

- What's all this? - Ask them up there.

We enjoy every minute. Up. Forward.

Down.

I've had enough of this!

Up! Forward!

Down!

Back again!

Excuse me but we can't fight a war without our forms!

Please sit down.

I don't want to be disturbed.

Why did you come to me?

The boys in my last class are in your Company.

Yes, I know.

I've come to you as a colleague.

You're a teacher too.

I've been a soldier for five years.

You were exempted?

Yes, my heart.

What subjects do you teach?

English, History, German.

I suppose you came to me because of your boys.

I came to ask you...

I can't see these boys sacrificed pointlessly at the end of the war!

I've spoken to your boys. They are idealists.

They believe in fighting for their ideals.

They want to save their fatherland.

They believe what you taught them.

Hölderlin. German Textbook for Older Students.

The battle is ours, O Fatherland! Count not the dead!

But Herr Fröhlich,

all these ideals - freedom, fatherland, a hero's death...

they've all been betrayed!

A few days ago I heard that my son had been killed in action.

Has he been betrayed?

I'm sorry.

I don't think I can be a teacher again after the war.

Mr Fröhlich.

I really came to you to ask you for a favour.

What do you mean?

Maybe you can keep my boys out of the fighting.

I must not listen to talk like that!

I have my orders and I obey them!

Thank you, sir.

Is it clean?

There's some dirt.

I can't see anything.

Had enough of army life already?

I feel terrible.

Give me your rifle, I'll do it.

We should be having biology.

I'd feel terrible there too.

- Have we got to clean those too? - We have to clean all our weapons.

- Why aren't these things sharp? - They make a bigger hole.

If it was sharp, it would go straight in and out.

Anyone who gets it in the belly is finished.

- In the belly? - Where do you think?

Afterwards you have to push with your foot to get it out again!

- How do you know all this? - I read about it.

That's something different from running around with girls, isn't it?

Keep your mouth shut.

Attention!

Third Group cleaning arms, sir.

Remember this, Forst.

No jumping to attention when cleaning arms.

Carry on.

You know about this already.

We learnt about it in our cadet training course, sir.

- Don't speak till you're spoken to. - Very well, sir.

You want to be an officer?

Your rifle.

Hold the thing still.

You didn't learn everything in your cadet training course.

Clean it again.

You think this grows on trees, do you?

Wasting our national resources.

What are you doing?

Rifleman Siegfried Bernhard cleaning his arms, sir!

I can see you're not picking apples.

- What are you doing with that thing? - You stick it into someone's belly

and pull it out by pushing your foot against the body.

Shake before using - written on the poison bottle...

Uncle Hugo cut his throat with it.

Carry on.

Alarm warning!

Out in marching dress!

Go. Hurry!

They won't even let us sleep.

You're not at home now.

I can't do my buckle up.

Attention!

- How are you getting on? - All ready, sir!

Then out you go, quick!

Collars in, straps straight.

Got everything?

Don't forget your halo.

- What do you mean, sir? - Here, your Easter bonnet.

Move those feet!

Someone's forgotten his popgun.

Hurry along now.

Situation's hopeless.

Give me a cigar.

We must hold this position till tomorrow.

You can smoke.

This afternoon the Americans reached this line.

Beehive speaking...

My orders are to take to the front any man who can carry a gun.

Only the sick and wounded stay here.

Captain Fröhlich will take over the company on the march.

Staff will follow in marching order. Medical unit and supplies at the rear.

Headquarters tomorrow at Kannstett.

- Check the time. - 4th battalion complete.

Attention!

Reporting to Colonel.

Eyes right!

Tank Division 63, sir!

- Order them at ease. - At ease!

Soldiers!

The Americans attacked yesterday on a broad front.

Our battalion has been attached to the 336 Grenadier Division.

We're marching tonight!

I expect the experienced soldiers,

as always, to do their duty.

We shall come into contact with the enemy at the latest tomorrow morning.

Every square foot of land we defend is part of the heart of our fatherland.

The soldier who defends that square foot to his last breath...

is the saviour of Germany!

We know the position is critical.

But we are soldiers.

If we live or if we die,

history will tell if we did our duty.

The young soldiers who have not yet been in combat must see

that our battalion only goes forward, never back.

Our war cry is Battle, Victory or Death.

I expect that our fatherland can rely on you in this fateful hour.

Never forget our motto -

Forward for Leader, People and Fatherland!

Dismiss the company.

Cigar.

- Company dismiss! - Dismiss to arms store.

Orders from the SA, sir.

My God. Don't forget the cognac.

Where's my car?

What's wrong now?

There are seven new recruits in my company, sir.

- All 16 years old, untrained. - When were they called up?

This morning. They'll run away when they hear the first shot

- and the whole company will follow. - That's just what we need!

What are you playing at? We must go at once.

- There's that little bridge... - That's not important.

The Americans have a bridgehead to the north. Anyway it will be blown up.

But the bridge must be defended! Those kids could do that!

I don't mind. Let them do it.

Very well, sir.

- You take command of your group. - Yes.

Go down to get supplies!

Corporal Heilmann!

I'm coming! Hurry up there now!

They're throwing us in at the last minute.

- When I hear shooting, I'm getting out! - Move.

Hurry along there!

No noise, no unnecessary excitement - understand?

Yes, sir.

How long have you been a soldier?

Seven years, sir.

What have you learnt in those years?

- To keep out of the way, sir. - That's what I expect you to do!

The bridge isn't important. It will be blown up.

No unnecessary loss of life, understand?

Yes, sir.

It's all written down!

- You only get one tin! - What's wrong?

Put those tins back at once!

Everything's counted out - graves and all.

Here's your rotten carcass-meat!

Pick that up!

You can talk - you sit here on your backside safe enough!

That's mutiny!

I only hope I live long enough to bash your face in, you swine!

I'll report you!

Move along there.

Don't talk such nonsense.

I didn't know this was a kindergarten.

Hurry up there!

Get your arms and get outside.

Third group ready.

When Group 3 moves off, follow them.

- Are we at the front? - Don't be so damn silly.

- But that's our bridge! - What have we got to do here?

You should be glad! Do you like the idea of being smashed to pieces?

What's the game?

We could have stayed at home!

The home guard seems to have gone home.

All the better - you're free to do what you like.

Go and make sure the demolition squad comes in time.

The bridge must be blown up at the right time. Understand?

- I understand, sir. - I'm depending on you, Corporal.

Carrying these bloody things...

I'm getting tired of it too.

Don't complain all the time, get on with the job.

Will anything happen here, sir?

Anything happens anywhere nowadays.

Now let's make ourselves a cosy nest.

They've left us a long way behind.

It's best in the back seats - like at the movies.

Put that stuff down there.

Careful with the grenades.

First machine gun to the right of the road.

Where's the other?

Put that on the left.

We know this bridge - and its strategic position.

You've played Indians here, huh?

That's our look-out.

Could I stand guard there, sir?

Climb up and have a look round.

Dig yourselves in now. Hurry.

I'd better scout round, sir.

You stay here, and put that down.

Go and help the others dig.

What shall I do, sir?

You go on the bridge and stand guard.

Standing guard is the most important work.

Yes, sir.

What are you doing?

I must have some ammunition with me in the tree.

It's lucky we haven't any cannons. You'd be dragging them up.

Isn't that deep enough?

When they come, they'll bury us.

- They won't see us in the fog. - What about when the fog clears?

Third group to me!

Listen to me.

When it's light, you'll all drink a nice cup of coffee, huh?

Of course.

I'll go now and see to it. In the meantime who'll be in charge?

- Scholten! - Yes, sir!

You can take my rifle.

And do what I told you.

Getting coffee?

He's a grand character.

How do you know? He even left his rifle here.

Do you have a light?

Like a smoke?

Halt there.

What did he want?

Talk, can't you!

Nothing!

Get along then.

Halt!

What are you doing here?

Show me your orders.

I haven't any.

What company?

Corporal Heilmann, Third Company, Grenadier Battalion 463.

What are you doing here? Show me your pass.

Defending the bridge.

Don't talk nonsense. The bridge is going to be blown up.

You can't trick me - you're a deserter.

Deserter?

Come with me. We'll find something for you to do.

My group's at the bridge. I can't leave them.

Nonsense. Come with me.

They're kids. They've been soldiers for one day only.

- I'm ordered to look after them. - That's why you're walking here?

- I'm going to the demolition squad! - Anyone can say that!

You fools, don't be so stubborn. Come to the bridge and see for yourself!

Send kids to war, and leave them alone!

Who do you think you are?

Put that thing away!

Halt!

What was that?

Can you see anything?

No, I can't see anything.

Come down, then.

This isn't good weather for fighting.

- What's happened to Heilmann? - He'll be here soon.

- I'll go and look for him. - You stay here.

Yes, sir.

I hope he won't let us down.

Of course he won't!

It does happen.

You have too much imagination.

- Did you hear that? - It was only a fish.

That makes ten rounds.

We'll never shoot all that.

Listen.

Artillery - but far away.

Everything ready over there?

Come on, then.

Walter, would you pass me your torch?

Scared of the dark?

Can't we eat something?

Cut some bread.

He promised us some coffee.

What do you bet he's gone and left us?

Can't you talk about something else?

Why didn't you send him to your mother?

She makes wonderful coffee.

I can't give him orders.

- Haven't you any of your own? - I'll give you some of mine.

If my mother knew we were sitting here.

This tastes good.

That's for Sigi.

Are we allowed to eat on guard?

You can, you need to grow!

Aren't you hungry, Karl?

I don't want anything.

There's the Corporal.

Don't be stupid - how can he go one way and come back another?

What are you doing here?

Having breakfast.

Would you like some?

Are you playing at soldiers here?

We've been ordered to defend this bridge.

It's a strategic position.

You'd better go home.

- What? - Something wrong with your brains?

You can't stay here. The place will be smashed to pieces.

I know what happens. I saw it before I was evacuated.

Go home now.

You're telling us to desert!

- Scared, are you? - This is war, see?

We must defend this bridge!

You don't know what you're doing! You think you're heroes!

Get out.

Don't be such fools.

Get out!

You don't know what you're doing.

Look, swift as an arrow!

- Look at him running. - He runs well for an old man!

I'd only half taken it out, and off he went!

We'll put some tins up there.

Let's do that.

Maybe he's right...

You don't know what he's been through.

See if you can hit them.

What are you doing? You wait for orders to shoot.

Who do you think you are? Then we throw stones.

Get out of the line of fire.

- Medals for every hit. - Listen!

Something coming!

Put the barricade across the road!

What's happening?

What bloody fool blocked the road?

Have you gone crazy? Take that away!

- Hurry, you son of a bitch! - Yes, sir!

Not so much of the yes sir! Get on with it.

Things are getting hot!

Ready! Get on!

Hurry! Drive on!

We'll put the barricade back.

Not yet. He said more were coming.

- We'd better get some more ammunition. - I'll keep guard.

What's wrong?

It won't go any further, sir. It's finished. We'll have to walk.

Damn it. Take your things out. We'll get a lift.

Hurry, we must get out of this.

Look at his medal.

Careful.

These swine...

Get out your guns. If they don't take us, they'll have something to be sorry for!

Come on, get on with it.

The bike can stay here - you can throw it in the river!

Leave everything behind!

Hurry, we must get out of here!

What a beginner to stall the engine. Come on.

We don't want to get caught up in here.

What are we stopping for?

How should I know?

Why do you idiots have to stop in the middle of a bridge?

Hurry up there!

Not so fast. It's your fault we had to stop.

It will soon be light. We must get out.

Look at sonny-boy.

Have some candy before they put you in a box.

Ready! Drive on!

What did he mean, in a box?

He wanted to give you candy.

You're lucky to have that.

He had a Knights Cross!

Was he running away?

He was in a hurry.

These bastards just run away. They all ought to be shot!

Isn't there anyone between us and the Americans?

Want to go home?

Not me.

If they are all running away, that's the best thing.

What?

We'd better go home.

Are you crazy?

What does that mean?

We're soldiers! We have orders to hold the bridge!

This little bridge can't win the war!

Anyone who defends one square foot of German earth defends Germany!

Who's going home? You?

Why me?

- What about you two? - No.

I'll stay here.

And you?

Do you think I'd leave you alone?

- And you? - I'm not a coward.

And you? Are you a coward?

I'll stay.

There we are then. Take position.

I'll go forward with the grenades.

Air raid!

That's miles away.

They're only dangerous when you see the whites of their eyes.

Look at that.

Sigi, flat as a pancake.

Staying there till we've won the war?

Wet your pants?

You're a real hero!

What would your mother say?

Look out - it's coming back!

Lie down!

Stand up!

Sigi, Sigi!

Look at him! Come and look at him!

Those swine... Our Sigi!

Come here, damn you!

What's the matter?

The swine!

What shall we do now?

We must tell his mother.

Why did it have to be Sigi?

Help me to carry him.

What's that?

Tanks are coming.

Come.

The barricade!

The tanks are coming!

Drive back!

We'll let them through and then blow the bridge up.

Go to the cellars.

Walter shot up a tank!

Shoot, damn you!

More ammunition!

The damn thing's stuck.

Walter's crazy.

Give him cover.

Are you crazy? Get down.

Those bloody little fools.

Playing about on the bridge instead of letting the Americans through.

We'd have blown it up by now.

What was that?

Nothing. Only a few fireworks.

My boy's a soldier too. They called him up yesterday.

Do you think he's at the front?

Since yesterday?

He doesn't know how to salute yet.

Damned good shooting.

You're really scared, aren't you?

If only it was all over.

You're only good with the girls, aren't you?

I must get out.

I want to go home.

Pull yourself together.

Jürgen!

What are you doing? Get out of here.

The Americans are in the house. There are women and children in the cellar.

Are you crazy? Don't shoot!

No. No.

Look out.

Shoot him?

What did he say?

Kindergarten. We'll show him!

Karl, shoot. Kill him!

Kill him, Karl.

Shoot him.

Karl. Karl.

Karl, I'm sorry I hit you.

It was because of Franziska... Hit me back, Karl.

Help! Help!

Give me cover. I must go over.

I murdered him!

I murdered him! Hans, I killed him!

I didn't mean to...

Come along now, Karl.

Klaus!

I murdered him! I killed him!

Don't be a fool!

Karl!

They've gone.

- Albert. - It's not so bad.

Take your jacket off. I'll bandage you.

They're getting reinforcements.

Reinforcements?

We must get out.

Walter!

Come.

Bring the dynamite and the fuse.

Put the boxes down.

We'll need a big charge, the cement is thick.

What are you doing here?

We're blowing it up, if you must know.

You've played some nice games here. You're fine heroes.

You think they'll hang medals round your necks?

Go home to mama and tell her what heroes you are.

It's not true.

You fools.

Shut your mouth.

Get out.

Take it easy now.

We have our orders.

Get off the bridge.

I had to do it.

You swine! You murderers!

Get out!

I said get out!

What's the matter?

Come along now, Hans. Come home, Hans.

This happened on April 27, 1945.

It was so unimportant that it was not mentioned in any war communiqué.