Original subtitles

Hey, what's the bad news this time? If this outfit likes to fight as much as I

hear it does, this ought to be good news.

Did I say anything about liking to fight?

Special order for the captains. In there.

Be sure to not.

Come in.

Captain La Roche?

Yes. From Division 4, sir.

Make yourself at home.

Can I get your chair?

No, sir.

That's all.

Tell the sergeant to come in in exactly two minutes. Yes, sir.

Is it ordered to go back to the front?

Yes. When?

Tonight now tonight such a short leave it

It's harder each time you go Is India

It's good to hear you say that

Monique I want you to have something

This was given to me by By

someone I love very much my sister

It's lovely.

I shall say prayers to Our Lady to bring you back safely.

Oh, you blessed child.

She knows I would be lost without you.

You would?

You've been so good, so kind, I...

Is that all?

Oh, Paul, it tears my heart each time you go back to the front.

Wait a minute, do you know what you just said?

Say it again It tears my heart

Goodbye

goodbye

I'll

come back.

I Always come back. I'm eternal come to

We're moving back up at midnight.

Yes, sir.

Here it is, sir.

Waterful equipment.

We're in for three weeks.

Yes, sir.

Assembly at 11 .30.

Yes, sir, but... Well?

The replacements, sir, they haven't reported.

I expect you to see they do report.

Yes, sir.

Is that all, sir?

Is that all, sir? Yes, sir.

Lights out. Fires out. Men on the cover. What, sir? I don't understand.

Did you hear those motors? They're German.

Hurry up.

Lights out. Lights out. Come on.

Lights out. Lights out. Lights out.

Lights out.

Hey! Hey, come in!

Come in, out of the lamp! How can I?

Step back, step back, I'll push up the grating.

Come on.

One more.

Are you hurt?

Why? I don't think so.

When one of those things lands on you, you usually know.

Here, sit down here.

We can get some light in here.

I never expected to find any... You're pretty badly shaken, aren't you? Look,

you better have a drink.

Try this.

Wait, I'll make you more comfortable.

Poor Fifi.

What a woman she was in her day.

You lie down here.

You'll have to stay here for a while anyway until all this blows over.

There we are.

Would you like another drink?

No, thanks.

No?

Well, certainly turned out to be a great war, didn't it? I mean, that was a

pretty narrow escape you had there.

I'm awfully glad that you, uh... Well, I'll be all right.

Well, uh, too direct, eh?

I know what I'll do.

I'll play for you.

Are we... Are we safe here?

I am.

This won't last long.

Lieutenant, how did you happen to be here?

I'm establishing a mood.

I'm softening you.

It's the only way to do it. Music.

You notice the romance in it?

No, really.

How did you happen to be here?

I just came in a few minutes before you did.

Notice how the music's getting you?

You just wait.

Pretty soon you'll begin to quiver like a reed in a storm.

You've never known it to fail.

You see?

I'm sorry, but I... I feel nothing.

Nothing at all?

Well, to tell the truth, I was afraid of something like that.

If you notice, the piano's a little out of tune.

Don't move, don't move. I'll just squeeze in here.

You may have it all. I'm leaving. No, no, not yet.

You may not realize the danger out there with the sky full of death, but I do.

You're going to stay here until it's safe again.

Lieutenant, how long have you been at the front?

Oh, almost two years, child.

I'm a veteran.

And you haven't learned yet that when the rain comes, they go away?

Yeah, I know that.

I was hoping you didn't.

I'm sorry.

I can't understand it. Nothing I do seems to work.

Perhaps it's because I'm a veteran, too.

Oh, don't go yet, please. Just for a moment.

It was only that... Oh, you're very lovely to look at.

And I didn't want you to go away.

You see, a soldier doesn't find many moments of beauty, and so

when one does come along, he snatches at it.

And why not?

A bomb or a shell may get either of us tomorrow.

So why not take a moment like this and make the most of it?

Maybe I'll last.

That was very dramatic.

Yeah, I rather thought so.

That's the soldier's approach.

Well, not the enlisted soldier's, you understand. Now, his is a little more

pointed. But the commissioned soldier, he uses a little more finesse, it seems

to me. I mean, he beats about the bush a little longer.

And this is your usual approach?

Oh, no.

Oh, there's a great deal to be said for the enlisted man's practice of...

Have you finished?

If you don't care for that sort of thing, you might at least have the

to slap me.

Because we'll never get anywhere as long as you persist in an attitude like

that. It's unfair.

Oh, wait, please. I haven't finished. I hope you understand that I was just

preparing to apologize.

You needn't bother.

Oh, look, then, will you tell me your name?

No. Well, at least your hospital unit.

I don't think I'd better.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

Captain's quarters.

Night and death, sir. Thank you.

No,

no, no. It's not here yet. If it's not here in half an hour, it'll be too late.

Good evening.

I'm Lieutenant Dene. New platoon commander.

Sergeant Coney, sir. How are you, Sergeant?

Fine.

Captain Marash here?

He's expecting you.

Thank you. Take care of that for me, will you?

Come in.

Tenant Denay reporting for duty, sir. Should have been here two hours ago.

be later.

I ran into a little difficulty, sir. All right.

In a way, yes.

I say, in civil life, you were... You were a pianist.

I was a student.

Well, otherwise, your record's not bad.

I see no reason to apologize for it.

What you do in the future, Lieutenant, will mean more to me than what you have

to say about the past.

May we leave it at that, sir?

Do you know this sector?

Yeah, fairly well.

The outfit I was with took it last June.

We're holding this part of the valley here.

The enemy has the rest.

Right here is our... our own particular little job.

It's a tough sector.

It's bad.

It's going to get worse.

Is that what's disturbing you, sir?

No, that's not bothering me.

Because I've got a good bunch of men here.

A tough outfit. I know they're good, sir.

I've heard of this outfit more than once.

I only hope you can live up to them.

Third platoon will be yours.

That is what's left of it.

About half of it will be replacements.

Half?

You don't bring back money, do you?

No one regrets my losses, Lieutenant.

More than I do.

I'm sorry, sir. I didn't... Well, the replacements are here, sir.

All right.

This is Wynne. Your sergeant.

At your service, sir.

Hey, Sergeant.

This outfit, that is.

Yes, sir.

You usually lose half your men when you go to the front? Oh, yes, sir. Sometimes

more. We're known as Captain LaRouche's hard bargains.

Hard bargains?

Yes, sir. Whenever there's a bulge the wrong way in a line or there's dirty

to be done, they always send for us. Yeah, but half the men.

How long has the captain had the company?

Ever since we first came out, sir. How many times up?

Oh, I... About eight times, I think. And he's never even got trench feet.

He's the hardest bargain in the life. Oh, the finest officer in the army, sir.

Yeah, but hard.

The finest officer in the army.

Living on aspirin and cognac.

What the captain uses for patients, sir, is none of my business.

All I know is, he's the finest officer in the army.

All right, sir.

Ready for inspection, sir.

Right.

Yes, sir. Shoulder guard, all right. Yes, sir. Glad to see you back. Thank

sir.

Grab your cap.

How old are you?

44, sir. What's your real age? Please, Captain. With you. Yes, sir. Send this

man back tonight, unfit for service. Yes, sir. Your name?

Dulac. John.

Number? 3 ,482.

Sorry.

The finest officer.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Soldier of France, you are now members of the 5th Company, 2nd Battalion

of the 39th Regiment of the Line.

This regiment was created by General Bonaparte.

It served gloriously with him through many campaigns.

It also served in the Crimea, in Indochina, and in Africa.

Since November 1914, it's been fighting on this front.

It's record of valor...

It has not yet been damaged.

I do not expect any man or any platoon or even an entire company to add stature

to that record.

But I do and will require that no man in it detract from that record.

At midnight, we move up to the front.

Dismissed. Yes, sir.

Company at ease.

Dismissed.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Will you shut up?

I'm sorry.

I forgot.

If you forgot the whistle, give us the other tune.

Taking over. Well, I can't say I'm sorry.

No? No, but it feels like they're getting ready.

Two raiding parties all ready tonight. Obviously have to prison.

He came through a bad break in the wire. I'll just pull the gate.

Where are

you going, man?

Yes. How long have you been out there? Since last night. Why don't you bring

in?

Look over here.

Those bodies out there are the men we sent after him.

Too bad they couldn't raise that gun a little and put him out of his misery.

Well, I'll be out of mine anyway.

Won't have to listen to him any longer.

Good night.

But I don't care!

They let them hang and suffer and suffer.

Tomorrow it may be any of us. It may be me!

Attention!

As you are.

Lieutenant.

What about that man out there?

I can't sleep without him. Shut up.

I didn't have to listen to him.

Wait a minute, Sergeant. Two men. Two men can get him out.

You and who else?

I'll go.

You want to go?

My brother died that way on the wire last year in front of Suchet.

We had to listen to him two days before a barrage came.

All right, come along.

Both of you.

Good luck.

Here.

But all I owe you is eight francs.

I'll expect the rest when I come back. It'll be here. All right, Teddy.

Over you go.

Soldiers, stand to and cover these men.

Are you going to leave after that man on the wire, sir? Of course.

Anyway, I don't have to listen to him anymore.

Take him to the rear.

On the hand here.

You're a brave man, Donnie.

But you're a fool.

Yes,

sir. Hey, John.

Watch out here.

How many more days?

Five more. Then we can get out.

Yes, and in ten more days, you'll be getting ready to get back up here again.

Sorry?

Can't you give us the other one once in a while?

My mistake was by buying a music box that didn't have but two tunes in it.

What did you buy that dumb thing for, anyhow?

Well, it was very cheap.

You know what you ought to do with that box?

What? You ought to take home a grenade, pull the pin, drop it inside, and run.

But it isn't paid yet for.

Oh, go on.

Go to sleep.

All right, time for a leave. To play.

All right. Russo. Yeah.

Play more. Yes. Lights out, everybody.

Lights out.

This place sure needs some perfume.

It seems to me we've got too much perfume here already.

Yeah, but not the right kind.

Sergeant. Sergeant, come here, quick.

Down here, listen to me.

You hear? Quiet.

What is it?

It's a mine.

They're digging right down below us. They'll blow us all to pieces. Shut up!

Shut up!

Go and get the captain quick. Right.

I'm getting out of here. Me too.

Quiet, everybody.

Quiet. What is it, Bafou?

There's a mine down there. They're going to blow us up. Why not?

What do you think you could pay Pfizer today for?

Anton!

How's your work? Right here.

But, Captain, sir, what are we going to do?

Do? Do we go?

Go where?

To the next dugout or the next?

The German army's not trying to blow up just the third platoon. When that mine

goes off, the whole line goes.

Suppose they do move you out.

How long do you think it'll be before the boys discovered it?

Then they wouldn't need their mine.

Besides, you're in no danger now, not as long as you can hear them digging down

there. They're not going to blow up their own sappers.

Go on back to bed.

Hey, Sergeant, order a double ration of rum all around.

Yes, sir. But, Lieutenant, can't you do something?

Can't you get us out of here? You heard what he said. He told you the truth,

didn't he? Do we have to stay here? Until we're properly relieved.

But what if it blows up before then?

Are you going to get us out of here? Take it easy. Take it easy.

We'll all get out before it goes.

I certainly could use some of this rum now.

Me too.

We could go before the raids. They could have blown up a lot more of us.

Yeah.

I suppose if we moved out now... Yes, that's exactly what they want us to do.

Move out.

And they wouldn't need their mind. They could just walk right through.

Somebody's got to be here.

Well, if it isn't us, there's got to be somebody.

I, uh... I told the man that I'd get them out before it goes on.

You told him?

I told him to stay.

Oh, you're the hero and I'm the murderer, huh? Don't you think I'd like

able to tell him to get out?

You think I want him to blame me?

All right, now be good enough to tell me how you'll do it.

All right.

As a matter of

fact, how are you going to be able to get yourself out?

Your move.

I've got to laugh when I think about them Dutchmen down there.

Digging all night long.

I have to laugh when I think of you and that bread and cheese flying all over

France.

How many men you got here?

31. There's enough there.

Sign that.

What is this?

Steel helmets. They've just been issued.

How do you like them?

We're shooting over a mine, and they're sending us steel helmets for our heads.

You're... What did you say?

They're digging a mine down there.

You mean... Say, give me that. I gotta get out of here.

Sergeant, a letter for you.

They've stopped digging.

Tell them to stay at their post.

Yes, sir.

They're digging again.

And if we don't get a payment on your music box within a week, you will find

yourself in a pretty serious situation.

Signed, Hercules, Bureau of Collections.

Should have been here over an hour ago.

The relief is here, sir.

All right, boys, the relief is here. Everybody out. Now take it easy.

Hey, Captain, I'd just like to say that... Well, I'd... I'd like to

for the remark I made in barracks about the number of replacements you needed.

I didn't understand them, but I do now.

The record of this company is an account of service such as I never dreamed of.

I'm very proud to be with you, sir.

Thanks.

Come on, get going.

Here's the relief coming.

Close it up.

Close it up.

Close it up.

What's going on up here? You'll find out soon.

Quiet up there. Quiet. Keep moving.

I don't know just how soon they're going to set it off, but I'm afraid it won't

be long.

I left you with a wounded man on the wire, and you leave me a mind that's

off. Good luck.

Two platoons, sir.

All right, all right, come on.

Good afternoon.

Hello,

Sergeant. Hello.

Captain LaRouche, is he all right? He's all right.

They'll never get him.

Bullets curve around him like that.

He's still sleeping.

Sergeant. Yes, miss. He's sleeping now, and I have to get back to the hospital.

Don't disturb him unless you have to, will you? Don't you worry, miss.

I'll let him sleep.

Thanks.

Good morning,

Sergeant. Good morning, sir. What time is it?

It's just six o 'clock, sir.

Six o 'clock?

That's good evening.

Yes, good evening.

By the way, Sergeant, where's the hospital in this town? You know, where

nurses are.

That's in the church, sir, on the other side.

I was afraid you might be reading something trashy.

Oh, no, sir. Just keeping up with civilian affairs.

Just refreshing your memory, huh?

Yes, sir.

Where'd you say the hospital is?

It's in a church, sir, at the east side of town.

And order me a motorcycle sidecar right away, will you?

Yes, sir.

Oh, sir.

Yeah? Will you be finished with my book soon?

I don't know, Renier.

It's difficult to say.

To tell the truth, I find I have to struggle constantly to retain a certain

human quality in myself.

There's always the possibility, you know, that I might turn into a man of

and gunpowder, a veritable fighting machine without any weaknesses,

It's a thing I have to guard against.

I find that this, this helps me.

Oh, yeah.

Yes, it helps me immensely.

Can I help you, Lieutenant?

Well, I don't know. I'm looking for someone. The name?

Well, I just joined the regiment and the name slipped my mind.

Would you know him if you saw him? Oh, yes, instantly.

He's covered with a very peculiar rash.

Rash? We haven't had no rashes in today.

This is an entirely new thing. It's called trench rash.

It turns off and on like an electric sign.

I'll just browse around and look for him. I know he's here.

Oh, I see. Nurse.

Yes?

Is the shave going on all right?

Quite all right, sir. No, it's fine.

Fine.

Hello. Oh!

Sorry. Well, I never expected to see you again. And you'll never know what I've

been through trying to find you.

You shouldn't have come.

Why not?

Is it all right for me to be here?

Now, don't tell me you're a patient here.

No, I'm company. I came to see you.

Then you'd better go.

Go? I just got here.

Besides, who knows but what I'm sick or wounded or something.

Isn't there anybody around to check up on things like that? Please, you really

should go.

Oh, look, about the other night, I'm awfully sorry for the way I asked it,

really. I never would have done it if... If you hadn't thought it would be

successful.

Yeah, that's right.

You're awfully young and sweet to be such a veteran.

Nurse, come help, please.

All right.

I'm sorry, but I'm very busy just now. Oh, I see. All right. You mean until

later this evening?

No. For the duration of the war.

Oh, Jean.

Yes? How much do I owe you? It's already paid.

What? By the officer over there.

Bring us some more coffee, will you? Lots of it.

Wonderful coffee they have here.

Wonderful.

They say the chef got his recipe from an old paint and varnish store.

If only you weren't so persistent.

I know, I know. Isn't it terrible?

Try some of my wine.

Cheerio.

That things are so different from the other time.

You glad we came?

I'm glad and sorry, too.

I'm almost afraid to think about it.

I might find that something was happening I'd never expected or even

I had such a strange feeling tonight when we came in here together.

I know. I felt it, too.

As though we were coming home.

Isn't that it?

You saw those guns rumbling up the road, gentlemen? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Well,

they're rolling all along the front, from Switzerland to the sea.

There's no need in my telling you that this is a crisis.

This is the biggest Allied push yet.

It's going to make what's gone before seem like child's play.

If this attack fails, you can write your own story.

Midnight, we move up, that's all.

Lieutenant.

Make the inspection, will you?

Yes, sir.

Over there.

And up.

Come on. Hurry up. Move on.

Ready. Back.

Come on.

Come on. Download.

Download.

Sergeant. What do you want? Is it true that this is the big drive?

That we're going to the front right away?

Sure. Tomorrow morning we'll have breakfast in Berlin. In the line.

Come on. In the line.

Come on.

Inspection of Fox. Come on.

Been up here before?

Yes, sir.

Throw that away.

It's a good lead, sir. All right, it's here. Don't take it with you. Throw it

away. Thank you.

Throw it away.

Hello, Shorty. Hello, Sergeant.

Throw that away.

But my wife made it, sir. All the more reason to throw it away.

Throw that away.

I salute any soldier of France.

Save it for the officers.

Yes, sir.

And don't you call me sir.

No, sir.

What's your name?

Morin, sir.

Sergeant. So you want to be a soldier, eh?

I want to serve France.

That's a good idea.

What that bassoon is doing here?

Bassoon? Yeah, that fish horn.

Throw it away.

Fish horn?

I'll have you know, sir, that 45 years ago at Sedan, a blast from this

as you call it, sent the finest cavalry brigade in the world into battle. The

emperor himself heard the call.

You've got to throw it away.

I've carried that trumpet a great many years, Sergeant.

Only see that nobody sees it.

Put it in your pack.

Now, you heard what I said.

Throw it away.

Open that.

Throw it away.

War. You call this war?

Well, where's your cavalry charges?

And your flags to lead them on? And your bugles to blow them forward?

Why, you haven't got any.

All you do is dig holes in the ground like rabbits.

Soldiers? You're a lot of sewer diggers.

Until I 5 .9 dig all to the seat of his pants.

What do you know about war?

What do I know about war?

I was the trumpeter of the 5th Corps. I blew a charge. I was only 15 when I

blew it. But I blew a charge that sent the finest...

What for?

In case of an attack.

No,

that's all right. Keep your seat.

I wonder if you'd do something for me.

Something personal.

Of course, I'm glad to.

Well, I've got a feeling, call it a hunch if you like, that...

Well, my luck's run out that this might be my last trip up. Oh, I hope not, sir.

You do?

Why?

All I can say, Captain, is that... I wish you might have the privilege of

serving under yourself.

Thanks.

I, uh... I'm glad to have you with me.

You're reckless and a bit crazy, but sometimes that helps.

Anyway, you're a good soldier. Thank you, sir. Yeah, I'm sorry we got off to

bad start. Oh, let's forget that. Now, getting back to this other... If

happens, I'd like you to deliver these to a friend of mine.

That's her name.

Got a picture here in this locket.

There it is.

She's helping at the hospital east of town.

Yes.

Yes, I know where it is. Well, those papers will explain everything. I...

Oh, there isn't much, but what's left, I'd like for her to have it.

She's... She's been very kind to me, much kinder than she realizes.

She's filled a great emptiness.

I see.

Anything I can do for you?

No. No, thanks. I... I have nobody.

What?

Not even a friend?

I said nobody.

That's too bad.

You'll do this for me, then?

I hope I won't need to.

Inspection's finished, sir. Good.

Coming, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir.

You're now members of the 5th Company, 2nd Battalion, the 39th Regiment of the

line.

This regiment was created by General Bonaparte and served with him gloriously

through many campaigns.

Since November 19...

Since November

1914, it has been fighting on this front.

This record of valor has not yet been damaged.

I do not expect any man or any platoon or even an entire company to add stature

to that record.

But I do and will require that no man in it to track from that record.

Midnight, we move out to the front.

Dismissed.

Company! At ease!

Dismissed.

You can take that tramrod out of your breeches.

He's through talking.

That's the most magnificent speech I've ever heard.

He's a good officer, isn't he?

The finest officer in the army.

Thank you. Private Morin, report to the captain immediately.

Yes, sir.

Hey, they're making him a general already, eh?

And why not?

France made a young girl a general once.

Never regretted it.

Private Morin, reporting to his captain.

So, you changed your name to Morin, huh?

Yes, sir.

How old did you tell him you were?

Forty -eight, sir.

Who died your heir, old Satcher?

Come on. Come on. Don't stand at attention.

You old fool.

My son.

My son.

Lieutenant, this is my father.

How do you do, sir? Lieutenant.

Think of it. To serve France under my own son.

And they wanted to make a clerk out of me.

Me, who blew the last charge at Cerdin.

Look at me. Don't I look fit? You certainly do, sir. I'll tell you a

I'm over 60 years old.

You'd never think you'd look at me, would you? Never, sir, never.

Ah, Paul.

You're going to be proud of me.

You know, all this isn't new to me.

I...

Now, what is it? What's the matter?

I am proud of you.

I'm proud of you for trying.

But it can't be done.

Well, you're not going to send me back. I must.

But, Paul, I can soldier with the best of them. No, you can't. Don't know

anything about it. Well, I was a soldier before you were born.

Then you should know if one man fails, ten others can die with him.

But I'll not fail. I can't take that responsibility.

I'll tell you I'll not fail. Oh, you've got to go back. Paul, as your father, I

order you to allow me to remain.

You can't.

Yes.

Sergeant. Yes, sir. Get an order immediately to evacuate Private Murat.

Reason, unfit for service in the line because of age. Yes, sir.

Come on, Murat.

Let him stay. I couldn't if he'd have failed.

I don't know.

What would you have done?

Exactly what you did.

Thanks.

Look out for him, will you?

See that he gets some supper before he goes.

Be glad to, sir.

You'd be very proud if I had a father like that.

Isn't there anything that I can do?

I'm afraid not.

Sergeant, see that Moran gets some warm supper.

Anything you can to make him comfortable.

Yes, sir.

I had to come, because you didn't come to me.

You go up tonight, don't you?

And the attack is in five days.

How did you know that?

Oh, everyone knows it.

Perhaps some woman in love learned it, just as I learned it.

Five days.

That's exactly half as long as I've known. Monique, please. Michelle,

There's something I haven't told you.

Something that I... I want to tell you before you go up. Is this what you want

to tell me?

I... Is it?

Yes, that's it.

He gave them to me to give to you.

In case he doesn't come back.

Oh, Michelle.

Perhaps I should have told you, but... Oh, please try to understand.

Without me, he seems to have nobody.

Nothing.

He's not right somehow. He's twisted inside.

But he's not dead inside.

I...

I told him at first I didn't love him, that someday I might find someone.

I might find... And he said he would take that chance.

Oh, if he only knew what he's done for me, for my family.

They lived near here before the fighting destroyed all we had.

He sent them where they'd be safe and takes care of them still.

Do you understand?

Do you?

I think I do.

That's... That's what I came to tell you.

And to tell him, too.

Tell him?

Tell him that I love you?

No. That... I love you.

Well, you can't do that.

What do you mean?

Well, you can't.

Well, this is what I mean.

I mean, it isn't just he and I and you.

Two men and a girl. It's...

It's so much more than that.

That's why you can't tell him.

I didn't like him at first.

Maybe I still don't. I don't know.

At least I know him now. I know what he's trying to do. I certainly know what

you mean to him.

I see. Without you, he doesn't live.

As far as you and I are concerned, it's... It's all over. It's

finished. Oh, Michelle, I... Let somebody else break it up, not me.

Michelle.

Haven't you... Haven't you anything more to say to me?

Well, I...

Hank, you'd better go now.

Are you telling me you don't love me?

You can call it that if you'd like.

Will you kiss me and still say that?

No.

No what?

I won't kiss you.

God bless you, Michelle.

Sergeant, is the car here?

The headquarters car is ready, sir.

Are you tight?

The thinnest possible bit, sir. Hardly enough to interest anyone.

They'll blow it out of here.

Yes, sir.

Come in.

Today you take the men up. I'm going to headquarters.

Assembly at 11 o 'clock. You make the inspection.

Full packs, number three grenades, extra bandoliers.

Yes, sir.

You all right?

Yes, sir. I'm quite all right.

I'll look after the equipment.

Well, how was it?

Ask yourself that in a couple days from now. Now, don't be fresh.

It's not going to be the first attack I went through in the last two years.

Well, are you going to sign for it?

Come on, write something.

Sweetheart, I love you. Anything.

Now, don't be fresh.

Here's the keys for the general.

Is that the order sending me back?

Well, you never can tell.

They may have transferred you to the Navy.

Please acknowledge at once receipt of eight camels issued to you at Sidi

Belabis, Algeria on January 12, 1892.

I've been getting this order for the last two years.

It seems that they lost a camel someplace.

Ah, here it is.

Here it is, grandpa.

It's transferred effective this day to the automobile.

Transportation section of... Come on, Grandpa.

You're really lucky to be able to get away from here. I don't understand that

attitude. With ten million bullets aiming at you every 24 hours.

Boom, boom.

Boom,

boom. If this order hadn't come, what would have happened?

No order, you stay.

This little scrap of paper between me and the field of honor.

Something that the flame of a candle or the fire could destroy in a minute.

Five minutes, Sergeant.

The little things in life

mean so much to us.

This wind through the door nearly blew the paper into the fire.

I mean the paper that is so important for you. Yes, I know, I know.

And if it had, I could have gone to the front.

You could have gone to the front and I could have gone to the rear.

No, no, no, Sergeant. Not if the wind from the door had blown it there.

Speaking about little things in life.

Here am I.

Without even as much money as to buy myself a bottle of wine.

You have no money, sir.

Well, I have some.

Why should you buy me wine?

Because I'm your friend.

Sir.

You're a friend of mine, are you?

Yes, indeed I am.

How much money would you want?

To buy wine with.

Would the sum of five francs seem exorbitant?

No. That's all I need.

What? The great tragedy with this war is that every soldier always hasn't got

any money.

That's quite true. That's quite true, Sergeant.

Well, here.

That's yours.

No, not now. It belongs to you.

Are you trying to bribe me? Oh, no. Yes, you do.

Yes, you do. No, no, Sergeant.

No, no. I merely want to serve France.

And you'd die for France if necessary.

I would indeed. You would. I would.

You would. I would.

I don't know why I refer to it as a bribe.

But I didn't. Yes, you did. No. Yes, you did.

And the next time be careful with your tongue.

Sergeant, I swear to you I did not refer to it as a bribe. You swear?

Yes. You do?

I do.

Now,

suppose the wind from this door would blow on this little...

It would move just like this, eh? That's

exactly the way it would happen, Sergeant. Now, suppose it blows just a

bit stronger.

Like this.

Now, suppose it blows very hard, like a hurricane.

You mean like this, eh?

sir. Good.

Something else happened.

While we were crossing the registered area, a shell dropped in the fourth

section.

One of the men fell on it in order to cover it and protect the others.

Luckily, it turned out to be a dud. It took a lot of nerve.

It was the bravest act I've ever seen. I recommend it for citation.

Who was it?

It was Private Moran.

You mean it was... Yes.

Yes, sir.

Didn't I tell you to get an order to have him sent back? Yes, sir. I have a

mind to court -martial you right now.

But the order never came through, sir. It never got to me. Why didn't you grab

him at inspection?

Oh, he wasn't there. He must have slipped in afterward in the dark.

But we can watch him, sir. Who asked you what we could do?

What am I doing, giving orders around here just to hear myself talk?

Who's commanding this company, you or me?

Why, you, sir.

Where is he?

On sentry duty, sir.

It was brave work, Private Morat.

Thank you.

I'm proud of you.

Very proud.

I believe you understand, gentlemen, the importance of the situation.

I have here a message from our Corps commander.

Officer of the Second Army, you are on the verge of an attack that will be the

greatest in the history of warfare.

You will fight a ground that has been drenched by the blood of your former

comrades.

You will go forward until you have taken your objectives.

The fate of France and of civilization rests in your hands.

Signed, Marchand, Commanding Second Army.

Zero hour is at six, gentlemen.

Six o 'clock.

We'll desynchronize our watches.

We'll use as a mark six minutes after one o 'clock.

It is now mark minus 15 seconds.

Twelve seconds.

Ten.

Eight.

Six.

Four.

Two. Mark.

Not exactly.

Zero minus five.

You may know your objective.

Try to keep as close contact as possible. Good luck. Good luck to you,

Good luck.

Good luck, sir.

While we moved up, I... I gave you a package delivered to Mademoiselle

Yes, if necessary.

Well, it won't be.

Nor shall I ask your services in any event. Where's the package?

It's in my trunk. Relief pillow.

On taking it over, I see no more reason why you should come out of this alive

than I.

Possibly not as much.

That's all.

Roll them out. We'll use grenades.

Take them in from the south.

No. Fear is nothing but imagination.

A man is only afraid because he thinks he is. Will you please stop talking

fear? But there's no such thing as fear.

It's only in the mind. If you stop reminding me about fear, Grandpa, maybe

be brave too.

The days without sun, nights without sleep, the fear and the pain.

But let them live.

Let them believe that they will live until the very end.

Let them always have that hope.

Yeah. Yes, we're holding most of the village.

No, they're all around us.

Yes.

I understand.

I understand. It'll be done right away.

What shape's your platoon at?

I have 26 men still able to walk, sir. That's better than I feared.

You'll follow... Private Moran is safe and well. Did I ask you that?

Anyway, thanks just the same.

We've got a nasty job to do here.

Headquarters want us to run a line through the village, beyond the enemy's

advanced position, and set up an observation post connected with the

You know what that means?

Not many will get through.

The place is alive with snipers and machine gun nests.

Yes, I know.

It's a volunteer job.

I'll take it.

You need about six men.

I'll be one, sir.

Get five more men, will you? Get them ready right away. Yes, sir.

Here's the logical point where I think we should start.

Hey. Hey. Wake up.

What do you want?

Volunteers for a wiring party. What do you say?

Anything to get out of this grave. Come on.

Then ready, sir.

Everything is ready, sir. Take half the wire with you. We'll pay the rest out

from here.

Who's got the tools?

Here, sir.

Telephone? Here, sir.

See the men have revolvers and grenades.

Yes, sir.

Pardon me, sir. In my opinion, your father's rather royal. My father's a

in the 39th.

All right.

Ready? Yes. All right, get going.

Come on.

Keep him covered there. Here, watch this wire, will you?

been quiet now. Keep down low.

Bring those tools.

Come on, hurry.

Come on.

All right, men, go ahead.

You all right?

Yes.

Come on, come on, keep going.

I'll fix it. No, you...

Easy.

We'll get you on the way back, Rene.

Get going, boys. Keep low.

Come on, Rant.

What? I can't go out. What's the matter with you? I can't go out there.

Stop! I'll kill you!

You'll get us all killed.

I'm afraid, Lieutenant.

I'm afraid.

All right.

Give me the stuff.

You stay here with me.

Testing. One, two, three, four, one.

Here they are, sir.

Wire detail reporting.

Post established as ordered. Good work.

Leave one man there and come right back.

Right.

You stay here.

Good luck.

I heard something.

They can't be coming back yet.

Maybe it's the enemy.

Careful. Take it easy.

Someone's coming.

Might be our boys. Be careful.

No, no, no.

It's the Germans.

Be sure.

I am sure. Be sure.

It's the Germans. Be sure.

Wait.

I didn't know it was you.

I know you didn't.

Lieutenant, tell the captain I threw the grenade.

I never would have done it.

I never would have thrown it. It's too late for that now.

How about getting back?

Can you make it all right?

I'll try, sir.

Come on, Moran.

Give me your hand. Let's get

going.

Come on, come on.

Here they come, sir.

Come on, give me your hand.

Are you all right?

Yes.

Get some breath.

You'll get a nice long rest out of this, fool.

Much.

Much longer than you think, sir.

Hudson.

Goodbye, gentlemen.

It was a lovely walk.

What happened?

Renier was hit.

Moran stayed with him.

On the way back, they mistook us for Germans.

Threw a grenade.

Who threw the grenade?

Renier, sir. Who threw it?

I did, sir.

Consider yourself under arrest.

Report to the rear immediately.

I appreciate what you tried to do.

Better get that arm fixed.

Keep an eye on him, will you?

Yes, I will.

3 ,426.

Report to the officer in charge of the ambulance.

Hello, Major.

Good day.

Your arm?

Yes, doesn't amount to much.

You're lucky.

Go in there and I'll come in and take care of it. Thank you.

Regiment?

Division? Nurse!

Nurse! That hypo there on the shelf, right away.

Report to the officer in charge of the ambulance.

Too late.

Father, may I... May I see his face?

Do you know anyone in the

39th?

Yes. Oh, nurse, will you hold this for me?

Hold it.

Now, this is going to hurt, but it's better than an infection.

That's all.

Thank you, Major.

Michelle.

Michelle. What is it?

Is it bad? Oh, no, it's just a flesh wound.

Hand me that sling, will you?

And fill out a report.

Feel all right, Lieutenant?

Yes, thank you, ma 'am.

You'll have to tell me when and... How it happened?

It was a couple of hours ago.

We were on patrol.

Running a telephone line for the artillery.

That's all.

I can fill out the rest myself.

Darling, I...

Oh,

Paul, I... Paul.

Don't... Don't look at me that way.

I couldn't help it because I love him.

It's my fault. No, no, that isn't true.

I'm sorry.

We tried to keep away from each other so as not to hurt you, but...

It's no good. It won't work.

We love each other, and you might as well know it.

Here, get some water.

Sit down here.

He's in here. Runner.

Right there. Head for headquarters, sir.

Get some bandages, too.

Mark it up.

Read it to me.

But can't you read it, you fool?

Can't you see he's blind?

My son is blind.

Oh, no, Paul. Are you going to read it to me or not? Let me get a doctor to

it.

Counter barrage covering the area in sector point 3234 will commence at 6 a

It is imperative that this barrage be directed from the advanced telephone

that you established.

Go on, go on.

A detail must be sent there at once to help with communication with the

artillery. But, sir, that's impossible. Why?

The telephone post is in that sector.

The barrage would fall directly on it. I know that runner. Yes, Captain. Report

to headquarters.

The barrage will be directed as ordered.

Yes, Captain. Lieutenant.

Yes, sir. Your arm has been taken care of. Yes, sir. Report immediately to the

company. This commander.

What, sir? Knows your order. But I think... Did I ask you what you thought?

I'll take care of the order.

Will you hurry along that doctor for me? Oh, yes.

Yes, I will.

I'll eat ice, Father.

I'll be your ice, son.

Come. We must hurry.

Yes, sir. Sure. When? Two hours ago.

We can't leave this barrage without observation.

Careful here.

Wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait.

Wait a minute.

We'll have to crawl here, son.

His hair has been shot.

Wait there.

Where's the telephone?

Telephone. Here, son, here.

observation post. Hello?

Here he is, sir. Give it to me.

Yes. Yes, yes. All ready. All right.

First battalion, fire when ready.

First battalion, fire when ready.

Here they go. Watch post.

Known about us.

I'm sure he would.

Yes.

Yes.

Even if he hated me.

What will you write to me, Michelle?

What will you leave behind for me when you're dead?

To take your place in my heart? Please, Maurice.

I want to know.

Why do you have to go?

Why?

What sense does it make?

Who's happier? Who's better off?

Oh, it's crazy, but it goes on and on, just the same, without end and without

meaning.

Why do you all have to die?

Why? Darlene, that question has been asked as many times as men have died.

The answer hasn't satisfied anyone.

Come in.

The replacements are here, sir.

now members of the 5th Company, the 2nd Battalion of the 39th Regiment of the

Line.

This regiment was created by General Bonaparte.

It served with him gloriously through many campaigns.

It also served in Indochina, in Crimea, and in Africa.

Since November 1914, it has been fighting on this front.

Its record of valor has not yet been damaged.

I do not expect any man...

or any platoon, or even this entire company, to add stature to this record.

But I do and will require that no man in it detract from that record.

We move up at midnight.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Harmony! At ease! Yes, sir.