Original subtitles

For centuries, the Yugoslav people have sought and prayed for peace,

and for centuries, peace has been denied them.

Generation after generation in our lovely country

has known the din of battle, the marching feet of invading armies,

the massacre of brave men and women who would never accept defeat.

This is our heritage, which is bred in our people, their strength,

and their endurance in the cause of freedom

which led them in the last war to defy the whole might of German arms

which is guiding them now once again. It may be to face the same enemy.

You must understand what has happened this week in Belgrade.

The government wants to let the Germans in.

But our king's assumed the full powers of the crown.

He has banished from our country those who are ready to sell it.

Yugoslavia has made her choice.

We shall see what that choice will bring.

For your homework...

Who's making that noise?

Now, for your homework, I want you to write down in your own words

the story of our country I've been telling you.

There's nothing to laugh at.

Slavs face their enemies.

That's right, Danilo, they do.

But just you turn around before I become one.

And if I catch you bringing this into class again...

I'll drown it.

Don't expect to believe that.

Milosh!

Don't you worry. She wouldn't hurt a fly.

Class is dismissed.

- Hello, school mom. - That's wonderful.

I didn't expect you.

How did you manage leave?

Simple. I just told them I hadn't seen my wife for three months,

that I love her very much

and if they kept me away from her another day, I--

And the real reason?

We're moving up to our fronted positions. They gave us 12 hours.

So it is going to be war.

- I'm afraid so. - Oh, Milosh, you take care of yourself.

I'll run a mile the minute I see a swastika.

They'll be surprised. They never thought you'd be here for the celebrations.

The wedding anniversary.

We've only been married six months.

Not us. Your father and mother.

Don't say you've forgotten.

Of course, I haven't forgotten.

I'm afraid I had.

Thirty-five years together, it's a long time.

Depends who you spend it with.

Let's not tell them why I got leave. It might spoil their day.

Every year, they get younger, these two.

That's how marriage ought to be.

We have something to live up to.

Oh, you'll manage it. There's nothing like picking a husband from the right family.

Come on, Mother, keep it up. You still shake a better leg than any...

And after all, the second generation isn't doing so badly, is it?

Why, look at Milosh. Why, he'll be a general one of these days.

And his brother with a whole clinic of his own in Belgrade.

You're right about Stephan, anyway. He's the brains in the family.

Where is our famous doctor? Isn't he coming today?

Nice car.

Must have cost you a lot of money, Doctor.

It's cheaper than traveling on your railway. How are you, Tosha?

- Not stationmaster yet, hmm? - Not likely.

Not the way things are run in this country.

Doesn't matter how good you are.

Influence, that's all that counts.

All this fuss about new governments.

Shall we fight the Germans or let them walk in?

What difference does it make to the likes of me?

I'll tell you.

- No difference at all. - Open up, Tosha, will you? I'm late.

You didn't join in the dance. That's a good sign.

What of, Father?

- Oh, I may become a new grandfather. - Sorry.

We've only been married six months, you know.

Your mother and me didn't waste time like that, did we? Huh?

- You get down to business, young woman. - Stephan!

I didn't expect to see you here with things as they are.

With things as they are, son?

It looks bad, Mother.

I'm afraid there's bound to be war.

- But Milosh, you never said-- - We didn't want to spoil all this.

Who's talking about spoiling?

It's high time somebody taught these Germans another lesson.

They've got thick skins and short memories.

What they need is a thundering good hiding,

and that's what we'll give them. You'll see.

With a handful of tanks and practically no air force?

Well, we've got men, haven't we? Fine men.

I wonder if they'd take me.

I'll never be out at the front but otherwise all right.

I'll put in a word for you, Father.

Come along, Father.

A toast to our friends Kossan and Maria.

To them and their family and all that is theirs,

to the home they live in and to the soil from which they get their living.

There's the root of our national life.

There's the heart of Yugoslavia,

a heart that will go on beating no matter what...

Germans!

Read it to us, son.

"Yugoslavs, mighty Germany offered you the hand of friendship,

but your king refused it.

You have been betrayed. Do not despair.

We are coming to liberate you."

An open town, huh?

Get him ready.

Light, somebody, quickly.

- That's better. - Thank you.

Milosh!

Carry on, will you?

- Can I talk to you now? - Yes.

I'll be back.

- We can talk here. - What about him?

Don't worry about him. He's been on his feet two days.

Nothing will wake him.

It looks like you could do with some sleep.

Well, we lost so many of our staff.

What's happening? Why have you come?

We need you, Stephan. That's why I'm here.

The army's done for. You were right.

A handful of tanks and practically no air force.

We're going into the mountains.

- You carry on the resistance from there? - Once we're organized, with your help.

My help?

To take charge of things here in Belgrade,

act as a secret clearinghouse for all information.

I see.

You couldn't ask for a better cover than the clinic.

When the Germans come, you'll be their friend.

Pleasant.

- What is it, Jordan? - It's my spell off, Doctor.

I was just gonna wake him.

Oh, don't wake him.

He's all in. I'll take his turn.

I shan't be able to see Anna.

You give her a message.

Tell her I'm all right. Tell her what's happened.

"Yugoslavs, do not despair.

We're coming to liberate you."

Your Excellency, these are our leading financiers, the industrialists.

I shall hope to see more of you, and I welcome your collaboration.

Slavs like you will not regret their friendship with Germany.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

And this, Your Excellency, is Dr. Stephan Petrovitch,

head of our municipal clinic and a very good friend of mine.

I've heard of you, Doctor.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

Perhaps Your Excellency would like to visit the clinic.

We are very proud of it, are we not, Doctor?

I should be honored.

It's been damaged, but we're carrying on.

Great.

I shall see to it that you have priorities for repairs.

Colonel Von Brock.

- Sir. Lieutenant. - Sir.

- Thank you, Your Excellency. - Not at all.

Foolish people think we bomb hospitals on purpose.

That is not so, especially if we intend to occupy the town.

Gentlemen, together, we shall do much good work for your country.

Meanwhile, I want your people to know that we come not as conquerors but as friends.

It will be my aim as Military Governor to work unselfishly in your interests

as much as in my country's.

Gentlemen, good day.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

I did the best I could, sir.

Food and drink in this part of the world are even worse than one would expect.

The champagne is good.

Now we shall have millions of Slavs at our disposal.

- We shall make them work for us. - I was in Bohemia, sir.

We tried that with the Czechs. It was a failure.

All Slavs are the same.

The only thing they understand is the firing squad.

That remains to be seen.

I intend to try and rule these people through their own leaders.

What, their tin soldier and his crowd of money lenders and shopkeepers?

No, no. We'll find their real leaders.

The results might be interesting.

- Conciliation, sir? - No.

Corruption. Blackmail.

If these fail, time enough to think of the firing squad.

As you say, sir.

Tomorrow, I shall start a tour of inspection,

- see more of these people. - I wouldn't advise it, sir.

There's still considerable local resistance.

Without weapons or discipline,

without brains or organization, what can they do?

Sniping, ambushing...

- That's just it, sir. - Oh, Colonel, Colonel...

The doctor's coming.

- I gave the message to your wife, Captain. - How is she? How does she look?

Oh, she's well. She said you're not to worry about her. She'll be all right.

- You're a very good help, Jordan. - Thank you, Captain.

Mm. Do you treat all your patients like this?

Oh, well, if we know a patient's gonna become a regular, we look after him.

A regular, me?

This clinic will be far too unhealthy for me.

Why don't you fix your infernal machine?

Serves you right. Teach you not to meddle with it.

I had the honor to meet His Excellency the Military Governor today.

Von Staengel? What's he like?

Delightful fellow.

He's very generously gonna have the clinic repaired.

I didn't ask him what he'd propose to do about the people who were killed.

You know, he's full of charm, uses it as a weapon.

Well, a secret weapon judging by his photographs.

Tell me, the instructions come through?

I've just deciphered their message.

They want prisoners of war freed wherever possible.

You know, we're short of trained men.

A security officer, downstairs.

It's all right. Just the daily visit.

Take your coat and shirt off. Lie down on this thing here.

Well, for heaven's sake, fix it first.

The train with these prisoners passes through your area tomorrow evening.

We'll get it stopped at the station by the village.

The lines are unlikely guarded, and the railway workers are with us.

They'll give you the exact time.

Get Father...

It doesn't appear to be any fracture of the ribs,

but there's probably a laceration of the intercostal muscles.

You wouldn't know what that is.

Yes, Jordan, what is it? I'm busy.

I'm sorry. I thought it was Dr. Jordan.

Can I help?

Sorry to disturb you, Doctor.

Continue, please.

They'll leave in a few minutes. We get used to it.

You must get Father to help. Get him to start some kind of a diversion.

I could do with a diversion myself.

Anything left in that bottle?

What is all this? Get along, you miserable lot of scavvies...

Tomatoes on my platform?

- Sorry, stationmaster. - Hey, what is this?

Leave it to me, boy.

Look here, you can't... What?

Is it? It can't be.

Yes, it is. Look, folk.

It's our Tosha,

a railway general.

Well, well, well!

I say, I say. Look at him! Marvelous.

The Germans know a good thing when they see one, hey, Tosha?

Of course, they do.

And I'm going to see they get service on my part of the line.

- Certainly. - Now get off! Clear my platform!

Oh, wait a moment.

We're working for the Germans too, you know.

- You are? - Well, of course, we are!

All the best of our crops requisitioned for the German army,

all going to Belgrade.

But if you say so, Captain, I mean, Tosha...

- Well... - No, no, no, no! Take them down this end.

- And mind my clean platform! - Yes, careful of his platform.

Come on. Go on.

Come on, bring it on, boys.

What is it?

You know, I can't get over it.

- What? - You, looking so lovely.

Anyway, it's all finished.

And your platform is as clean as a licked plate,

apart from a few squashed tomatoes and an odd cabbage leaf or two.

Here, pop your name on this.

Stationmaster here.

Station Commandant, Belgrade?

At your service, Your Excellency.

The Military Governor, coming to my station?

Yes, Your Excellency, the station will be cleared.

- Open the line. - Guerillas!

When the train comes in, you take care of the signals,

and I'll switch over to the side track.

Right.

Yes, Your Excellency. Everything will be quite in order.

What's that signal doing? The next train's a through train.

- Sinko! Sinko! Where is the... - It's all right.

It's all right. I'll see to it for you.

Wait a minute. Let me see what I've got for you.

Three tens, four kings.

- Beat that if you can. - With pleasure.

Three Jacks, three Aces, and a sergeant.

It's my game, I think.

Never saw such luck.

- Yeah, if it was luck! - Yes, I'm famous for it,

all the way from Le Touquet to Biskra.

I remember once in Monte Carlo,

a party of tourists I was looking after wanted to play roulette.

So you spent your life bowing and scraping to a lot of tourists.

What a man's job.

Yes, it's a real man's job, I can assure you.

There was an Italian widow.

Could I introduce her to some quaint local customs.

- Could I? - Italian?

The last Italian I met had his tripe spread all over the Dalmatian cliffs.

That's the only way to treat an Italian.

Oh, forget about the war, Sergeant.

You're out of it now.

Yes, I was out of the last one, but I got back into it.

You haven't got much chance this time.

- Dennis! - Yes, sir!

Come on!

- Soldiers! - Soldiers!

There, there.

Get away there.

Get away there! Get away

from this train!

Come on.

Guerillas.

Where are you, Sinko? Get this signal down! Sinko!

I can't find him anywhere. Not a sign of him.

Well, there's a nice thing.

His Excellency coming any minute,

and peasants and plums are all over my platform.

Not to mention a train that stopped where it shouldn't.

I'll go myself.

Oh my goodness!

How can I leave now? I can't. Tell him to do the box.

They know how to work the signals.

- Leave it to me. I'll do it. - Now come along.

Clear the platform, get off. Get off the platform. Come on now.

They seem to like the Germans here.

Guerillas.

Clear off, clear the platform.

Stationmaster, Excellency. Here, Your Excellency.

Now, what's going on here? Clear the platform.

Yes, Your Excellency. Now come on, clear off.

Come along now. Get off, come on.

- Milosh! - Come on!

Smoke!

There's no good going after them.

They'll be way in the hills by the time the smoke clears.

This is where you choose, men. We're well clear of the Germans now.

If you've had enough, you can find your way back home.

Your wives will be waiting for you,

nice warm fires, food to fill your stomachs.

But if you want to go on fighting, you can come with us,

up in the mountain. We need every man we can get.

But you know what it means. Hard fighting, hard living at a price on your heads.

Those who are with us, form up on the path.

You're a volunteer, and no argument. Come on.

Have all streets around the building closed for traffic.

- Put guards on all exits and entrances. - Yes, sir.

This whole floor must be cleared of patients at once.

I'm sorry. That's impossible.

There are patients too ill to be moved.

It's an order. They'll be moved at once.

- I am in charge of this building. - The German army is in charge here!

Then perhaps some German surgeon will perform the operation.

There is no German surgeon available with your qualifications.

You will obey my orders, Doctor, or take the consequences.

Excuse me, Colonel.

Only an inch from the heart.

Right. Take him to the theater.

Doctor.

The general's life must be saved.

- You must understand that I'm responsible. - You're merely wasting time.

Unless you wish to be responsible for your general's death,

you leave things in my hands, or you'll take the consequences.

- Very well. - In my office.

- Please make yourself comfortable. - I shall be present when you operate!

- I am sorry. - I'm sorry too, Doctor,

but the general's life is in my care.

Then perhaps you'll remove the bullet.

What a prize, huh? Seems almost a waste of an anesthetic.

Still, it'll look better, won't it? I thought of that.

- You did, did you? - Yes.

Don't hurry. A few minutes delay may save you the trouble.

The Military Governor and no German surgeon available, oh dear!

- Keep still, can't you! - Sorry, sir.

You're not worried about professional ethics, are you?

It's a question of tactics, not ethics.

Souvenir, Colonel.

- The general? - The general?

Oh, he'll be all right.

You're sure it was him?

As sure as I'm standing here, Your Excellency.

I'm an old friend of the family.

- Well, when I say "friend"... - His full name and rank.

Petrovitch. Milosh Branco Petrovitch.

- I'm not certain about the Branco, but... - Rank.

Captain, Your Excellency.

But why they made him an officer, I...

Get all the information available on this man.

Yes, sir.

And now, my friend, what else can you tell me about him?

A great deal, Your Excellency.

He's a threadbare lot,

the black sheep of the family,

but his parents are good, reliable people.

- Is he married? - Why, his father even tried to help me--

- Is he married? - Yes, Your Excellency,

to a schoolteacher, if you please, not that she taught him any of his ways.

- Where does she teach? - In the village school.

She's supposed to have won a scholarship, but...

Any other relatives?

There's his brother, of course, here in Belgrade.

Then I think he's got some relations in...

- A brother, here in Belgrade? - Yes, Your Excellency,

the famous Dr. Stephan Petrovitch.

They say he's cured more people...

Dr. Stephan Petrovitch?

- That's interesting. - The dossier, sir.

Thank you.

You can go.

See what you've got on his brother, Dr. Petrovitch.

Yes, sir.

I said you can go!

Yes, Your Excellency. Certainly, Your Excellency.

- Sir. - Lieutenant.

The general was shot by a Captain Milosh Petrovitch.

- He must be found. - Yes, sir.

What makes you think he's dead?

Look at me please, when you answer.

- I had his papers from the army. - So, show them, please.

I have good news for you.

We know that he is alive.

Now, I ask you again.

- Where is he? - And I tell you again.

As far as I know, he's dead.

- You've seen the papers. - We have seen better forgeries.

Perhaps you can tell us who made them for you.

One thing at a time.

- We've got all day. - When did you see him last?

Before his unit moved out to the front.

- He had a short leave. - What date was that?

Have you seen him since the war?

Answer! Have you?

Well?

Can...

Can I have a drink of water?

Lieutenant.

When you've answered my question.

Please leave me alone.

I tell you I can't help you.

- Do you admit he's alive? - Yes, he's alive,

but as far as I'm concerned, he may as well be dead.

I haven't seen him.

I tell you, I haven't seen him!

- Don't you think I want to see him? - Now that's much better.

Do you see how silly your stubbornness was?

Now, where is he?

Answer the question!

One day, you'll pay for this...

for your cruelty, your greed, your brutality.

You'll have no strength to stand up to the world's hatred

because all decency has been knocked out of you, because you have no conscience.

Hitler's our conscience.

Nobody can stand up to us.

We had other conquerors as powerful and ruthless as you.

We beat them in the end.

Couldn't I sit down?

I can't answer your questions. I'm too tired to think.

So, we walk a little more.

Exercise will help your mind to work.

If you know he's alive, you must know where he is.

I know where he is, but you'll never find him.

Oh, yes we will, you sordid...

She won't be able to take us anywhere now.

She'll be all right in the morning.

We found out the most important thing. She knows where he is.

We'll stay here. You go to Belgrade and report.

Milosh!

- Anna. - Oh, my darling.

But what are you doing here? What's happened?

I got tired being a widow.

Oh, Milosh.

Come.

Good. Very good indeed.

You've done wonders, sir.

Don't you take any credit yourself?

With the operation, yes.

With the recovery, that's purely the patient's business.

You're too modest, Doctor.

I shan't forget what you've done for me.

I can do much for you.

You're very kind.

Tell me...

Do you hate us Germans?

I have every reason to.

You've invaded my country, not for the first time,

killed many of my friends,

killed my brother.

On the other hand, I'm a realist.

You Germans are here as conquerors.

I must learn to work with you.

You'd make life so much easier.

Just the answer I had hoped for.

I'm glad.

You can be of great help to us.

Yes?

I beg your pardon, sir. Colonel Von Brock is here again, sir.

I told him you still said no visitors, but he insists. He's in the corridor.

Send him in.

Well, you should rest for another day or two at least.

Very well, send him in.

This way, sir.

- Good morning, Colonel. - Good morning, sir.

You didn't expect to see me again, alive, did you?

- You had a narrow escape, sir. - I did.

- But thanks to my friend here... - Yes,

thanks to the doctor and in spite of the doctor's brother.

It was Captain Milosh Petrovitch who fired that shot.

Milosh?

You said your brother was dead.

Well, we were notified by the army authorities.

The notification was a forgery.

Your brother is with the guerillas.

What have you got to say to that?

Well, it's quite possible. If Milosh were still alive,

he'd be with the guerillas.

And you would approve?

On the contrary.

But Milosh is that sort of a man.

He'd think it romantic to live the life of an outlaw.

- I only hope there's been some mistake. - You would rather he were dead.

All I know is...

if he's with the guerillas,

it makes my position here a lot more difficult.

A realist, as you said.

All the same, sir.

I don't think we need keep the doctor any longer.

Everything all right, Doctor?

They know about Milosh.

No, don't worry, Jordan. The patient is responding nicely to my treatment.

He has complete confidence in it.

I'll see you later.

And she would never have got away without the help of the villagers.

That's your responsibility.

There are other ways of getting at this man.

Yes, sir.

- May I suggest-- - What?

The doctor is his brother.

- Surely-- - I've got my own ideas for the doctor.

Leave him to me.

Please act on your instructions.

- Very good, sir. - And, Colonel...

- This time, there must be no interference. - Sir?

That village needs a lesson.

Sir.

Now I want you to understand one thing.

Germany has no enmity for the youth of Yugoslavia.

We wish only to show you how to play your part in the future of your country...

within the new order.

Answer my questions, and you have nothing to be afraid of.

You.

Do you know Captain Milosh Petrovitch?

- Well? - He is dead, sir.

Did you know him?

Yes, sir.

And did you like him?

Oh yes, sir.

And yet you can tell me quite cheerfully that he is dead.

Where is your schoolmistress?

- I don't know, sir. - You don't know?

Perhaps she is dead too.

I don't know, sir.

Sit down.

Now you.

Yes, sir?

I'm sure you can tell me.

You're the best boy here, I can see that.

Well? Answer me. Where is she?

- Don't answer! Don't answer, anybody! - Silence!

Don't tell the Germans anything! Anyone who answers is a traitor!

I see. A national hero.

Very well.

Your schoolmistress escaped two days ago. She was helped by boys from this school.

Unless those boys stand up immediately, the whole school will suffer.

- I was the one. - You weren't the only one.

Five of you.

Five national heroes.

I shall give you one last chance. Where is Captain Petrovitch?

I'm going to teach you a lesson.

I'm going to plant a picture in your mind you'll carry with you all your life.

You four, wait by the door.

And now, two more.

You.

And you.

Best boy of the class.

Fall in your men.

- You come with me. - File in.

Straight, march.

- You six, outside. - Hut!

Left...

Firing party on parade, sir.

Proceed.

Oh no, you don't. You're not gonna be a martyr as well as a hero.

Prepare to fire.

At the... prisoners!

And they took them out, then they shot them.

And when they were dead, he asked us again.

But we didn't tell, Miss Anna.

None of us told.

I know, Petar.

Perhaps if I had stayed, this might not have happened.

You wouldn't have made any difference. The boys died because Germans are Germans.

But we will make them pay for it, eh, son?

The Germans are still in the village. We'll go after them...

We'll do nothing of the kind, Father.

We're trying to fight a war, not settle private scores.

You mean to say you'll leave them alone after what they've done?

Me and the boy were fools to come here.

We can't afford to throw away lives just for revenge.

And the men will think the way you do, eh, son?

Well, we'll see.

Go with the sergeant, Petar.

We'll make a fighter of you, shall we?

Teach you how to pay them back in their own coin.

Come on, boy.

Milosh... Isn't there something about what your father said?

You see, I was right, son. We're going down to the village.

Suppose you kill those Germans. Do you know the next thing that'll happen?

More Germans, more wasted lives, more reprisals.

Well, we're not afraid of anything they can do.

And ask them in the village if they're afraid. They'll come tell you.

I don't doubt your courage,

but we're gonna need every man we've got when the time comes

because for every 100 Germans, there are only ten of us.

Tens, hundreds, a son of mine talking like a clerk in an accounting house.

You've got ink in your veins, boy, instead of good, red blood.

Guerillas were different in my day.

- Come on. - Wait!

You're all volunteers, you're free fighters,

free to choose the man you follow.

My father offers you a quick and easy revenge.

I demand from you discipline and patience.

I take my orders from headquarters. You take your orders from me!

If you go, you don't come back!

These sentimental ideas of war, I knew I'd have to cope with them,

but my own father should go against me and encourage them to disobey orders?

But Milosh, isn't it natural that they should feel like this?

Suppose it had been your children.

Our children.

It wouldn't have made any difference. Why should it?

You can't fight a war if you let your personal feelings run away with you.

You're in no danger of doing that.

- You've changed these last few weeks. - I suppose I have.

This isn't the army. Just a bit of authority, not too much of it.

And always a senior officer behind you. No, here I have to make my own decisions,

often very hard ones, and stand or fall by them.

You don't think it was easy for me not to go after those Germans, do you?

I know, but somehow, you've become almost inhuman!

All right! I've become inhuman!

You know, when you came here, I was happy.

I felt that at last, after weeks of loneliness,

there was someone who'd understand, someone who would share my work with me.

Someone who'd take me down a peg or two if I was getting above myself

or pat me on the back if I was feeling low.

- You're being unfair! - Very well, I am!

- Milosh, please listen! - I've listened enough already!

Message from headquarters, sir. Important.

Is everything all right at the clinic? My brother well?

Yes, Captain.

All right.

Who-- Who are you looking for, son?

The sergeant.

Now men, open the pin,

back with the arm, count one, two, three,

and throw!

Then fling yourself down.

Sergeant!

In the British Army,

they use a different type of hand grenade.

Sergeant!

- Now then... - Sergeant!

Who is it?

- Captain Milosh, Sergeant. - Coming, sir!

One, two, three.

What's the news, son? Any sign of life yet?

You'll have your revenge soon enough.

The army's on the move and so will all of us.

And we're going in first.

And about time too.

Come inside, Sergeant.

Now when our army attacks, Von Staengel's main reinforcements

will have to come up from the Belgrade-Niš railway.

Our job is to prevent that.

The line runs through the mountains, as you can see here.

Yes, sir.

There's a long tunnel there. We've got to wreck it, blow it up.

It's not a job for large numbers. Two or three of us

will stand a better chance of getting through the patrols.

We should aim to reach the tunnel at dawn tomorrow.

I'm the one for you, son. We'll do the job together, you and me.

Sorry, Father. This is a younger man's job.

Nonsense. It's child's play, blowing up tunnels.

I did a lot of that in the last war. I can help...

Yes, but you can help us this time with your experience,

get things properly packed.

I didn't come here to pack parcels.

Let me come with you, boy.

I'll blow the tunnel so high, the stars will be dodging the bits.

Yes, and probably blow yourself up with it.

Sorry, Father, this is a job for the sergeant and me.

- Can I carry on, sir? - Very good, Sergeant.

I see, I see. I'm too old and useless.

All right, you know best. I won't ask again, son. I won't bother you.

Father.

Send him all about it. I understand.

Come on, Karla. We're getting in the way.

I've got a job for you and your mate.

- A job for us? - Yes.

- You were on the railway, weren't you? - Yes.

Well, I've just been having a little talk with the captain,

and he's given me a very important job to do.

He's told me to pick my own men, and you and your mate are the two I picked.

Yeah, but surely if it were important, the captain would send for us.

Ah, he's too busy.

And he said if I picked men with brains, he wouldn't have to see them.

- Will you do it? - You bet. What is it?

- I'm sorry for what I said. - No, I'm the one that's sorry. I...

stay here to help you, not to criticize and argue with you.

Ideal husband, ideal wife... both eager to admit they're wrong.

Anna... I'm doing another job tonight.

I couldn't go without telling you.

- A difficult one? - Yes.

Captain Milosh. Could you come this way, sir?

- Empty? - Yes, sir.

And we had enough explosive in there to blow up half Berlin.

- The old devil. - Yes, sir.

Come on. This will do. Let's get ready for the picnic.

Halt! Who goes there?

So... anything may have happened to them?

Yes, they were caught or killed or both.

I'll let headquarters know.

It means starting all over again, I suppose.

It'll be much harder this time.

Von Staengel is here. I put him in your office.

I wonder if there's any connection.

- I'll wait. - Right.

I came to see you on a sudden impulse.

I want to ask you a very great favor.

Oh, I should be delighted.

Now don't commit yourself until you heard what it is.

You remember our conversation about your brother?

Yes.

You said he'd find it romantic playing an outlaw.

Well, I should think the glamour's faded by now, shouldn't you?

And therefore he might be in the mood to see reason.

See reason?

You're a realist, Doctor. You've told me so.

Couldn't you persuade him to be a realist too?

I don't know.

Even if I could see him, he probably wouldn't listen.

With my terms, I think he might.

- What sort of terms? - A free pardon for his men,

an important position for himself here in Belgrade

carrying a substantial salary of course.

I don't know.

For one thing, he could never save his face.

Not even if he made the gesture in exchange for his father's life?

I don't quite follow you, General.

Your father was caught last night attempting an act of sabotage.

My father?

You're unfortunate in your relatives, Doctor.

Your brother, his wife, and now your father.

So you're asking me to do this as a test of my loyalty.

I am.

What guarantee would my brother have?

My word as a soldier.

And the obvious fact that he'd be very valuable to us as an active collaborator.

And my father?

He will be summarily tried and executed...

unless I intervene.

You stubborn, old fool!

For the last ten hours, I've been trying to make you see sense.

I've made you an exceptionally generous offer. What more do you want me to do?

What for you to do? I could make one or two suggestions.

You tell me where your son is, and you can have your freedom and 5,000 in cash.

You make me laugh.

All right. You know the alternative.

Oh yes, I know. I know.

Dig my own grave and then a belly full of bullets.

Well? What of it? I have no regrets.

I've eaten plenty, drunk my fill, brought up a fine family.

I've had a great time.

His Excellency is on the line, sir. Will you take it here?

Von Brock, important news for you.

The doctor is going south on a mission for me.

Yes, the mission we discussed. Will you please arrange transport for him?

Right.

Colonel Von Brock will place a car at your disposal. When do you want it?

Car? Might I suggest... it'd be safer for me to travel by train.

These people are suspicious. If they thought...

Oh well, travel as you wish. Are you there, Colonel?

But it's an ammunition train, sir, with only one staffed coach.

As you say, sir. Yes sir. Special protection?

Yes, sir. Dr. Petrovitch will have a safe journey, sir.

Yes, sir.

I'm going to arrange for you to see your doctor son.

You'll like that, won't you?

Take him out and clean him up.

They've caught him. They're holding him as a hostage.

A hostage? For me?

Von Staengel's commissioned me to go and blackmail you into surrender.

And I refuse, and Father dies.

No. I know how Von Staengel's mind works.

So as long as you're alive, Father's safe.

Yes, but when you come back and report to Von Staengel that you failed,

you won't be his pet Quisling any longer.

Exactly.

I'm going, but I'm not coming back.

The tunnel will be heavily guarded from now on.

Nobody will be able to get near it.

Except on the train.

That's where I come in.

Oh no, you don't.

I'm not being sentimental, but there are others who can be better spared than you.

There are no others who can do the job.

The man who does it will have to carry the explosives with him.

And all ordinary passengers will have their luggage searched.

But I shall be on a mission for His Excellency, the Military Governor.

They won't search mine.

When we were boys, everybody said I was the mad one

who'd end up breaking his neck.

Yeah, you pretty nearly did break it once or twice.

Remember that time you tried to climb the black mountain in the snowstorm?

But it was never more than a risk. It was never a certainty.

Is this, you think?

Luggage inspection.

I'm on a mission for His Excellency, the Military Governor.

I've had no special orders about you.

You wouldn't. It's a confidential mission.

Key.

Very well.

Your name, please?

My name? What for?

I shall have to report this to His Excellency.

- Name? - Wardner, Otto.

- Number? - OPT 4513.

Thank you.

There's another case under the seat.

- Personal belongings? - Yes.

Very well. Enjoy your forward journey. Thank you, sir.

- Good morning, Your Excellency. - Morning.

Have the prisoner brought in.

You didn't expect to see me, Doctor.

Always a pleasure, Colonel.

His Excellency was anxious you should have a safe journey.

So I thought I would see to it personally.

The hostage, Doctor.

Hostage?

What for?

Your journey runs through bad country. So I'm putting him aboard the train.

I shouldn't like anything to endanger the success of your mission.

I've always admired your German thoroughness, Colonel.

Thank you, Doctor. From you, it's a compliment.

May I see my father on the train?

To lecture him on the error of his ways?

- Perhaps. - You're a privileged person, Doctor.

But I cannot take the risk.

I'm sorry.

I understand.

Happy journey.

Excuse me, sir. The passenger you were talking to...

I didn't mean to give any offense, sir.

- I had my orders... - Offense?

The gentleman's luggage, sir.

He didn't seem to think I should examine it

and said he'd report me to His Excellency.

Well, did you examine it?

No, sir, not all of it. I thought that you...

Idiot!

Lieutenant. Report to me later.

Lieutenant, get on the train.

Tell the doctor I've changed my mind. He can see his precious father.

While they talk, search his luggage,

- thoroughly. - Yes, sir.

I have a pleasant surprise for you.

I have persuaded the colonel to allow you to see your father after all.

Oh, it's very kind of you and the colonel.

Will you please follow the guard?

You've heard, son.

I failed you.

You had bad luck.

Perhaps I shall have better luck.

Me being here mustn't make any difference.

It's time, Father.

Goodbye to them.

For every act of resistance and sabotage,

hostages will pay the price.

A hundred Yugoslavs for every German.

You, the people of Yugoslavia,

I warn you that I shall pursue a policy of ruthless punishment

until you have learned wisdom and obedience.

And to the outlaws, I give a further warning.

We know your every move. We know this too:

that if you march against us,

you march to your doom.

Well, that's handy.

- Evening, sir. - Evening, Sergeant.

Sorry I missed Von Staengel. What did he have to say?

We are marching to our doom, Captain. Fancy that.

Well, we're certainly marching.

- Got your instructions? - Yes.

Thank you, Sergeant.

I think His Excellency General Von Staengel is gonna have a headache.

He'll need reinforcements when our attack begins.

With the tunnel blocked, he can't bring them from Belgrade.

Exactly. The only force he can count on quickly is Von Brock's,

and that's where we come in.

The army's given us the job of delaying Von Brock,

holding up his column until it's too late for him to help Von Staengel.

His best and shortest route runs close to the village,

over the bridge past our farm.

That's where we're gonna hold him.

Come on.

Now you all understand what this means.

We've got to hold Von Brock until the code signal comes through on the radio.

Or until the last man, if that signal doesn't come.

- Is that set fixed? - Yes, Captain,

and tuned in to the right wavelength.

I put it in the storeroom. It's the safest place I could find.

Good. Now, remember, all of you.

Everything on the farm must look quite normal.

- You've all got your jobs to do. - Better hide the sergeant, Captain.

If you ask him to milk a cow, he'll pull out the pin and count four.

You hold your tongue, or I shan't let you go fishing.

I don't know why you chose me for this job.

- I think you want to get rid of me. - You'll be all right.

It's the Germans who won't like the bait.

It's time you got down to the stream.

- You go with him. - Come on, Uncle.

Mother, you better go down to the village now. You've friends there.

I'm staying here, son.

- But Mother, listen, you... - This is my home,

where I was married to your father, where you and Stephan were born.

All the happiness I've known has been here.

I'm not leaving it now.

Mother, we may have to hold out here till the last minute.

We are minding the house now in case the worst comes to worst.

If there's to be fighting on my farm, I can handle a rifle as well as the next.

You'll never get me to do otherwise, son.

- Will he, Anna? - No, Mother.

The radio, Captain Milosh. There's something coming through.

Calling Grey Falcon. Calling Grey Falcon.

Sunrise. Sunrise.

Sunrise.

Our offense has begun.

Fine pair of fishermen we are.

Funny sort of fishing if you ask me.

You can't tell me that'll do the trick.

Aw, leave it to me, Uncle.

Ah!

I wish you hadn't stayed, you and Mother.

You would've liked us to run away?

The Germans!

The Germans!

The Germans, Captain Milosh.

Go to the farm and stick by that radio.

But Captain...

You'll be doing a vital job listening for that signal.

You know the codeword, "sunset."

Go on, boy.

Yes, Captain.

Going up!

We're held up, sir. Guerillas. They've blown up the bridge.

- Why don't we go in, Sergeant? - Against orders.

We're the shock troops.

We go in at the critical moment.

More Germans coming across. You go to the house.

I'll go to the river.

- Presents from Berlin. - For you, a magazine.

Too many of them! Get back!

Wait, wait, just a minute...

Reload. It's up to the sergeant now.

He isn't in the battle yet. He must be bursting a blood vessel.

Now!

From Captain Milosh, anything through?

No signal yet. But we're still in touch.

Right.

Get back!

Now!

We'll have to stick it out here. There's nothing else left but four walls.

We'll make it lively while these last.

Not so bad, boys. We've held them a good time.

Anything through on the radio?

Nothing yet, Captain Milosh, not a sound.

No, not even atmospherics.

They've stopped.

Won't be long now. They'll send more men across.

Anyone got a smoke?

Lieutenant. Unlimber your guns

- and put up a barrage. - Yes, sir.

I can't bear this waiting.

Every minute helps.

Here they come!

We can't go that much longer. No signal yet?

Calling Grey Falcon. Calling Grey Falcon.

Yes, there's something coming through.

Calling Grey Falcon. Calling...

Well, it scratched the battery.

Nothing you can do?

Nothing short of a new battery.

Shine me ready, Captain. Personally conducted a tour of the farmstead.

I know Serbian... and some brand new German remains.

It's a very good duty, I'm afraid.

Give him what cover and fire you can!

My finger's numb.

- This? - Yeah.

Undo that. Fix...

Keep firing!

What? What is it?

- The battery. - Oh... Oh yeah.

Fix... terminal...

Red to positive.

White... White to negative.

Milosh! He's almost gone.

Gosh... bit too rough, I'm afraid.

The message is "Sunset." Signing off now, Grey Falcon.

We've done it.

We will repeat message finally.

Message is "Sunset." Signing off.

Get ready to abandon the farm.

Abandon it, Captain?

We've done our job. I'm going to blow it up to cover our withdrawal.

Keep firing while we get the wounded away.

We'll follow one at a time.

They've ceased firing, sir.

Close in on the house.

Go on, Sergeant, take charge of the others. I'll join you.

- But Captain-- - Sergeant, it's an order.

Yes, sir.

The farm is empty, sir.

In towns and hamlets, they fight on.

From the mountains, they swoop down on their enemies,

and back to the mountains they return,

waiting for the next battle,

waiting for the day when, with their allies from the free world,

they will drive the enemy from their soil forever.