Original subtitles

I don't trust you to draw the line

knowing the difference between enemy and friend

and all those in between.

Oh, gravel will continue to be thrown.

Right, men, round them up.

The real fellas made a tactical withdrawal

which means they'll regroup and counter attack.

Every man for himself!

I'm offering my surrender.

The famous SAS, huh?

These are the last moments of your lives when you won't have images

of drowning men stuck inside your head.

I still hear the voices, Father.

They're leaving us to drown!

Help! - Please!

Hey!

Was my brother in love with you, do you think?

Or should the question be is my brother in love with you?

Where is your bloody tunic? - Covered in blood, Colonel.

And our orders are to take Termoli

and hold it to the last man, come what may.

Just let me sleep.

I need to sleep.

Come. - Come where?

Whoa, whoa.

A little early for a stroll, don't you think?

Be nice if you could tell me where the fuck you're taking me.

Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I'm a prisoner of fucking war.

I have rights according to the Geneva Convention. OK?

You can't do this.

Ow!

Mum, Dad, Heather...

Uh...

Uh... If my body makes it home, bury me under the Burtle path.

Oh...

God, judge my soul for the things I did before the war.

General Heidrich of the 1st Fallschirmjager Division...

has invited you to dinner.

Right, you lot!

Hands off your cocks, and pull on your socks

cos the bastards are here.

Get up! Up!

Reg?

There's a Panzer division reaching the northern horizon.

Just like the Apache Indians in the films.

Paddy's got a plan.

Paddy's losing his marbles a bit, but...

Aye. Yeah, he's got a plan.

Did you, um...

Did you sleep well, Reg?

I slept very well.

Why wouldn't 1?

Thirsty, Paddy?

Paddy. The German advance has begun.

And what we gonna bloody fight 'em with, water pistols?

Get these aboard a truck now.

What for?

Isn't it obvious?

Even for Paddy, this is not fucking normal.

I told you.

He's mad.

The laundry in Termoli has no water.

So we are taking water to the laundry

where we will leave our bloody uniforms

with the lovely family who run the laundry

before making our way to the front line.

Why? Paddy?

Because GHQ...

radioed me an urgent communique overnight

saying the SRS

must wear correct uniforms when engaging the enemy

especially when there is risk of capture.

So today, as we prepare to face

the 16th Panzer Division alone

ill-equipped...

with no air cover...

- Any more to come? - That's the last of 'em.

The cleaning of our uniforms is our priority.

That is why we are going to the laundry.

Right, lads, come on!

Clear out!

Come on!

Where do these go?

Sergeant.

You will stay here.

Bring us our uniforms once they're clean.

Are you fucking joking?

Your next question will be

"Why have you chosen me to stay behind?"

I have chosen you because last night, you didn't sleep

and not for many nights before.

I can see it in your eyes, Reggie.

That is because I have the same look in My own eyes.

Aye.

I believe you and I share the same ghosts.

Rum drowns 'em, pills make them funny.

But today, you will stay here.

Get some rest.

And help these good people do our laundry.

That is an order.

Alright, mucker?

Right, men.

Listen fuckin' here.

The barbarians...

are almost at the gates.

So we...

who are worse than barbarians!

Ought to be there to fuckin' meet them.

Do, uh...

Any of you speak English?

I teach English.

Do you want coffee?

Coffee is good.

And a gallon...

of booze of any description.

What?

Coffee is good.

Here y'are, let me help ya.

No, no.

She says it's OK.

You must be tired, so sit down.

I must be.

It's my favourite.

Cioccolato!

♪ I swear by Almighty God ♪

♪ To tell the whole truth ♪

Alfredo said they move heavy equipment through this tunnel.

We can stop them up there.

♪ Guns, guns ♪

♪ They torture all the women and children ♪

♪ Then they put the men to the gun ♪

♪ Cos across the human frontier ♪

♪ Freedom's always on the run ♪

No, no, no, no, no, no.

No need to do all that. Alright? Yeah?

We're not on parade.

We want to do the best job for you. - This is fine.

Like this.

Thank you.

Bang!

You missed.

Matteo!

What did he say?

Nothing. Just being a boy.

It's OK.

Tell me.

I have a nephew, about his age.

They are honest.

They say everything they want to say.

What did he say?

He...

he asked you how many people have you killed?

Una?

Due?

Tre?

Quattro?

Cinque?

Sei?

Sette?

Otto?

Nove?

Dieci?

Eleven...

twelve...

thirteen...

fourteen...

fifteen...

You don't have to do that. - Sixteen...

seventeen...

eighteen...

nineteen...

twenty.

And on and on.

He says you're a big hero.

Yeah.

That's me.

Can he stay with you?

Yeah.

Why not?

In answer to your question...

the number of men I've killed

is unknown to me.

We used to have a blackboard, but the men didn't count.

Please, God, give me back my concussion.

I need visitors.

I love you. Is that the reason you came?

Yes, and to make love.

You mean the whole thing?

"The whole thing" sounds very English.

In Sicily, you will join my brother, yes?

You fucking dare to talk to me like that?

I will not swallow your fucking piss!

Bang!

Bang, bang!

My nephew always beats me as well.

When I see him, I'm gonna tell him

if he asks...

I'm gonna say

we just played Cowboys and Indians.

My mother has cooked lunch.

The noise of shooting and explosions in the north have stopped.

Yeah.

Paddy's here.

The noise'll soon start again.

Paddy, tanks have been spotted.

Ah, Jesus, Johnny.

How I have missed

the death rattle... of approaching German vehicles.

Just like the old days, Paddy.

Ha.

Go, go, go!

On the double, men!

Get ready!

Thank you, Lieutenant.

What is it?

A roadblock 20 miles south of Termoli

reported a French female journalist

traveling with a consignment of flamethrowers.

Right.

And since she had no authorization, they turned her back, yes?

No, sir. They let her pass.

She said she was on her way to visit Paddy Mayne.

All the regulars love Paddy Mayne. The guard let her go.

Yes. Just as the guard at Bagnara let her go while I was sleeping.

And the next guard at the next checkpoint on the road north let her go.

All without my knowledge or permission.

Each with their own different reasons.

She's proving to be quite unstoppable.

Here she comes.

Fraser.

Dave.

Paddy, it's a Panzer.

Panzer 4, brand new model G with the increased armor.

The only thing that will stop a Panzer 4 is a bazooka

to the back decks, and we haven't got a bazooka.

It's about to open fire.

Fall back! - Let's move!

Fall back, boys! Move!

Come on!

Go, go, go! - Fall back! Fall back!

Paddy! Those tanks are heading straight into town.

If our order is to hold town

then we need to get there before they do.

Previous strategy... did not work.

It couldn't work, Paddy.

We've got no bazookas, we've got no cover.

Our order is to hold the town

until reinforcements come.

What fucking reinforcements? - We do not ask those questions anymore.

Since when? - We just follow the order.

How am I doing, Staff Sergeant?

Previous strategy did not work.

Shall we fall back?

And that's not obeying orders. It's common bloody sense, Paddy.

Common sense? In a war?

Whatever next?

Fall back. Fall back!

I have...

two nieces.

And one nephew, in England.

What are their names?

I haven't said their names out loud for...

a long time.

Before Jalo, I think.

What's Jalo?

I don't want to bring them up.

As if that'll bring them here.

I don't want them to imagine...

me.

And what I do.

My mother says when you get home

in your own fireside

all of this will be forgotten.

I hope.

Yeah.

I really...

hope.

Sorry.

I've forgot what to do around people.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

Where is Paddy Mayne?

They're holding a line three miles north.

How do I get there?

You join the SAS.

Yes, why not?

My permission is from General De Gaulle.

I'm traveling with a consignment of mortar grenades, mortars

flamethrowers...

for use in the defense of Termoli.

Why are you here?

Waiting for some clothes to dry.

If the tanks are in range, it means the line is broken.

So, Paddy will come to you.

You should get under cover.

There are some nice people here.

Normal people.

Right, listen up.

News is that the defensive positions in Termoli are being overrun.

We've been ordered to join our comrades in the SRS

as a matter of urgency, and help them to hold the town.

Termoli must not fall.

It cannot fall.

If the Germans break through

they'll be able to outflank the American divisions

heading north from Naples.

So...

the first ever engagement of 2 SAS

will be one of the most important engagements

of the war in Europe so far.

We'll be fighting beside some of the best

and most courageous soldiers on Earth.

And we will match them.

Yes, sir!

Right, you lot! Let's go!

The dad is going out to find a position. He says he's a good shot.

The rest of the family are going down to the basement.

You should go with them.

Why would I go down into the basement?

You know guns?

I know you should never leave your gun lying around

loaded...

and without a safety catch.

If the line has broken

this will become a fight from street to street.

You are outnumbered. You will need all the help you can get.

GHQ have ordered all combatants to wear full uniform.

But I think, in your case...

we can make an exception.

Paddy! Turn around.

Come fight with us!

Jawohl!

Panzer tanks heading south.

We know. This is why we are heading north.

It's an entire tank division, Alfredo!

You cannot engage!

Feuer!

Get in! - In the truck!

Move! Let's go!

Move!

Get the ammo. Forget the weapons. Go, go, go.

In the truck! - Let's go! Come on, Johnny!

Matteo.

Go down to the basement with your mother, yeah?

You can't come with me and your dad.

Hey. Hey.

Look after yourself, cowboy.

Right. Put on your nice clean uniforms.

Form up outside.

We have half an hour before they reach the north end of town.

I'd leave if I were you.

Not all SAS wear underwear.

Mama...

Oh! Hello.

If you want to interview me for your newspaper

I'm gonna have to ask you to wait until I've at least put on some trousers.

I am told that when I engage the enemy, I'm not required to wear uniform.

Reggie!

What's the fucking craic here?

The Frenchwoman arrived without permission in a truckload of flamethrowers.

So you decided to give her a machine gun?

I told you once in a bar in Cairo that my father taught me how to fight.

Germans will be here soon.

And I really, really want to shoot some of them.

Fuckin' sweet Jesus...

One French spy, and a truckload of flamethrowers.

Is that permission?

Bill Stirling ordered me not to let you go anywhere near the front line.

So...

In the spirit of "fuck you"

welcome to the SAS.

Get on this truck.

Ride to Campomarino bridge.

And fucking hold it to the last man! Alright?

That is an order.

Hey!

I don't even know your name.

Matteo wants to give you his toy gun. For luck.

Go, go, go!

Get inside! Move!

Reg!

Reg!

Reg!

Matteo!

He's got no chance, Reg.

I will do it.

Right. I'll do it.

We're about to break.

You got a battle to fight, Sergeant.

Stand up, Reg.

Fucking stand, Reg!

Obey my order!

Stand up, Reg! - Yes! I

Yes, sir!

Reg, it's not random fire!

They're being directed. There's a fucking spotter in the tower.

Go fucking get him!

Come on!

Bingo.

What's in it?

I heard a wee rumor about flamethrowers.

Oh, happy birthday, boss.

Covering the left!

Move!

Moving!

Go!

Cover!

Does anyone know how to use one of these?

Prepare to withdraw!

Covering fire!

Withdraw!

Let's go! Go!

Don't fucking slow down. Speed up.

Hit the horn.

We're the SAS!

Get out of the fucking way! - Stop.

Move!

Yes. There are women in here.

Fuck you!

Get down! Tanks, get down!

So we withdraw?

No!

We do not withdraw.

Our orders are to hold Termoli until the last man.

That is what we will fucking do.

Riley.

Burn nozzle.

I need a nozzle!

We have... this here.

No, no, no! - Yes!

You put that there, the whole fucking thing explodes.

But look at the diagram.

Fuck the diagram!

Fuck you!

Sir, look.

So this is where we die.

Fuck. Have we got any more booze?

No. We finished it all to the last drop.

These final moments are intoxication enough.

Are they not, boys?

Fuckin' God...

Fuck, we're surrounded!

♪ Surrender now ♪

♪ Jack Duggan ♪ - Riley.

Riley.

♪ We're three to one ♪

♪ Surrender in the King's high name ♪

♪ You are a plundering son ♪

Prepare!

♪ Jack drew two pistols from his belt ♪

♪ And proudly waved them high ♪

♪ "I'll fight, but not surrender," said the wild colonial boy ♪

We have our orders!

To the last man!

Woo-woo!

Get 'em!

Fuck you!

Did everybody else see that...

bazooka?

What the fuck just happened?

Bazookas!

Paddy, 2 SAS!

Hold fire!

Hold!

2 SAS, taking the southern part of the town.

Our order is to regroup, then move north.

Counter the counter.

So let's go. - Yes!

You taste like fucking petrol. Let's go!

Thank you, God!

And 2 SAS!

Hold it! Hold it.

Eve.

What are you doing here? Get in!

Go!

Better late than fucking never, I suppose.

We heard they were bringing Panzers, so we brought bazookas.

Holding Termoli for as long as you did was an exceptional feat.

And I will mention the whole regiment in dispatches.

But what on earth is Eve doing here with a fucking firearm?

From what I understand, sir, she's using the firearm to kill Germans.

I went into the laundry.

It might help you...

if you came back to the laundry with me.

To organize their burial.

Welcome, Eve.

How are things, my love?

Ah, Lieutenant Tonkin.

A real-life, authentic member of the legendary

British regiment of the SAS.

Would you like chicken or beef?

I would like freedom, actually.

But failing that, uh...

chicken. - Hmm.

I wanted to talk to one of you fellows

because I'm intrigued.

You do know I won't be telling you anything of strategic importance?

Strategies are not what I'm interested in.

Strategies can be learned from Alexander to Napoleon.

I am interested in this new thing.

What new thing?

A harnessing of the power of madness.

It is true that most men in the SAS are mad.

Calculated madness.

As if madness was the logic of a superior universe.

And if executed correctly

it inspires terror in those of us who are logical.

Tell me about...

Paddy Mayne.

GHQ insisted that all combatants wear uniforms today.

And they did so for a reason.

That is quite revolutionary.

The Geneva Convention states that all soldiers who are taken prisoner

who are wearing uniform

are to be treated decently

and are to be held as prisoners of war until the end of the conflict.

Those not wearing uniforms...

are at risk of being executed.

That is the Convention as it stands.

However, we have learned that the Germans have recently

changed the rules of engagement.

I heard it was Hitler himself.

Indeed.

Hitler has ordered that all members of commando units

such as the SAS and SRS

are to be summarily executed, whether they are in uniform or not.

Even if they put up their hands in surrender, they are to be shot.

Today, GHQ ordered your men to wear uniforms

so that if they were taken prisoner

and there was a mass execution

there could be no doubt that it was a war crime.

In any subsequent war crime trials

we do not want to give those bastards the excuse

that those executed were shot because they were out of uniform.

So, Paddy, GHQ...

ordering you to wear uniform was not GHQ being GHQ.

The nature of the war's changed again.

From now on, surrender is no longer an option for the SAS.

"I'll fight, but not surrender," said the wild colonial boy.

Yes, fight or die.

I wonder why is it that this makes me happy?

War without mercy.

Am I a monster, do you think?

Can I relay the good news to my men now?

Paddy, this does not give you an excuse

to treat prisoners in the same way.

Oh, I will continue to be the perfect gentleman.

That laundry would still be in one piece

if we hadn't been ordered to go there.

You know?

I will arrange a burial party tomorrow morning for the family.

I will attend the burial.

I've organised a vehicle, 7am

to take you back to Bagnara.

For military reasons, I can't allow you to stay.

For patriotic reasons, I cannot leave.

That Paddy Mayne has a love of poetry

adds a whole new dimension to my confusion.

Maybe it's because I'm German.

I don't understand the English.

Irish.

Hm?

There's a difference?

Really don't understand, do you?

Do you know...

there's something about today

that I do not understand.

I was taken prisoner in... uniform

as you can plainly see.

Yet this morning, I was taken to the firing squad

like a spy.

Yes.

I intervened this morning...

because I wanted to meet a member of the unit

whose successes in Africa and Italy

have so infuriated Hitler

that he has ordered that any one of you who surrenders...

is to be executed.

Shot.

Against the rules of the Convention.

And anyone who fails to carry out this order

will themselves be shot.

So this was a kind of a last supper.

I tried to make it as grand as I could.

Well, the chicken was rather wonderful.

I told them to come for you at midnight.

I gave you one extra day of life.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

Someone said you wanted to see me.

I didn't want to see you, I wanted to look at you.

Find out how you are.

Also...

I have news about the rules of engagement.

I've told the others, now I'm going to tell...

I can't talk.

Or listen.

To anything, Paddy.

Sodium amytal...

Or William Blake?

I recommend the latter.

Either way, tomorrow morning at dawn

we go again.

Alright, Reggie?

♪ Oh, the heads that turn ♪

♪ Make my back burn ♪

♪ And those heads that turn ♪

♪ Make my back, make my back burn ♪