1 00:00:52,307 --> 00:00:54,946 (DISTANT RUMBLING OF WARFARE) 2 00:01:17,107 --> 00:01:19,416 DOWNING: Where are they heading? 3 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:24,419 CARTER: Somewhere in the direction of Dresden. 4 00:01:26,587 --> 00:01:28,782 Sounds like another big one. 5 00:01:32,387 --> 00:01:35,140 CARTER: There's a lot of planes up there. 6 00:01:37,147 --> 00:01:41,857 Hey, I wonder if that's where they took Phil Carrington for his court martial. 7 00:01:45,467 --> 00:01:47,025 Let's hope not. 8 00:01:54,627 --> 00:01:57,380 I wouldn't like to be in Dresden tonight. 9 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:10,303 Well, at least they're getting some of their own back. 10 00:02:17,587 --> 00:02:20,385 Now they know what a blitz is really like. 11 00:02:21,587 --> 00:02:24,738 Have you ever been in a heavy air raid, Timothy? 12 00:02:28,187 --> 00:02:29,859 Jerry started it. 13 00:02:32,907 --> 00:02:35,057 Why Dresden again, I wonder? 14 00:02:35,987 --> 00:02:39,184 A beautiful medieval city. I knew it well. 15 00:02:41,067 --> 00:02:43,342 There must be something there. 16 00:02:43,667 --> 00:02:46,340 They're supporting the Russian advance. 17 00:02:47,027 --> 00:02:50,019 BRENT: Or factories transferred from the Ruhr? 18 00:02:50,947 --> 00:02:53,381 They wouldn't bomb it for nothing. 19 00:02:55,107 --> 00:02:56,745 Hauptmann Ulmann! 20 00:03:02,107 --> 00:03:05,782 -Did Major Carrington get back safely? -After his court martial, yes. 21 00:03:05,867 --> 00:03:08,700 -What did they give him? -I can't tell you that, Colonel. 22 00:03:08,787 --> 00:03:10,903 Why not? You must know. 23 00:03:12,707 --> 00:03:15,460 The sentence is subject to confirmation. 24 00:03:16,347 --> 00:03:19,862 If they gave him imprisonment, why's he back in Colditz? 25 00:03:20,187 --> 00:03:23,623 I'm sorry. An announcement will be made in due course. 26 00:03:40,347 --> 00:03:42,258 Refugees from the east. 27 00:03:52,107 --> 00:03:54,416 Strange that no German refugees flee 28 00:03:54,507 --> 00:03:58,500 before the British and American armies, Colonel, don't you think? 29 00:03:59,747 --> 00:04:03,376 Only before the Russians, your friends and allies. 30 00:04:04,547 --> 00:04:08,222 An order of the day has just been received from the Fuhrer's headquarters. 31 00:04:08,307 --> 00:04:11,105 It is to be read to all officers at once. 32 00:04:12,507 --> 00:04:14,737 ''Defenders of the Third Reich, 33 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:18,937 ''our gallant armies are counterattacking on all fronts. 34 00:04:19,947 --> 00:04:22,745 ''German blood and courage will succeed 35 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:27,139 ''in preserving civilisation from the assaults of our barbarian enemies. 36 00:04:28,907 --> 00:04:31,375 ''The tide is turning in our favour. 37 00:04:32,227 --> 00:04:36,505 ''Soon your bravery will sweep the invaders from our beloved homeland. 38 00:04:38,787 --> 00:04:40,778 ''Victory is now certain.'' 39 00:04:41,747 --> 00:04:45,057 The order of the day signed by the Fuhrer in person. 40 00:04:49,347 --> 00:04:50,700 The Fuhrer! 41 00:04:55,747 --> 00:04:57,385 Yes. The Fuhrer. 42 00:04:57,827 --> 00:04:59,180 The Fuhrer. 43 00:05:02,907 --> 00:05:06,183 Gentlemen, it may be that the larger picture wears a different aspect 44 00:05:06,267 --> 00:05:10,704 from the headquarters of the Fuhrer to that which we see here in Colditz. 45 00:05:11,187 --> 00:05:13,257 But whatever the final outcome, 46 00:05:13,347 --> 00:05:17,465 I am now deeply concerned for the safety of our wives and families. 47 00:05:17,947 --> 00:05:20,177 I have the permission of the Oberkommander at Leipzig 48 00:05:20,267 --> 00:05:22,303 to offer the sanctuary of the castle 49 00:05:22,387 --> 00:05:24,855 to any of you who wish to bring his family inside. 50 00:05:24,947 --> 00:05:27,142 Now, my wife is joining me here. 51 00:05:27,227 --> 00:05:29,058 Any of you who wish to do the same, 52 00:05:29,147 --> 00:05:31,456 please make arrangements as soon as possible. 53 00:05:31,547 --> 00:05:33,981 Thank you, gentlemen. That is all. 54 00:05:38,347 --> 00:05:41,305 -Ulmann, what about you? -I'm sorry, sir, I was listening to... 55 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:45,016 I was asking whether your wife would care to join you here. 56 00:05:45,107 --> 00:05:47,462 It's too far away, sir. There's no transport. 57 00:05:47,547 --> 00:05:50,061 She would never be able to get here. 58 00:05:59,987 --> 00:06:04,697 Gentlemen, those are the guns of the American army. 59 00:06:06,107 --> 00:06:07,825 I give you a toast. 60 00:06:07,987 --> 00:06:11,536 Germany. May God be with us in the days to come. 61 00:06:12,467 --> 00:06:13,695 Germany. 62 00:06:14,587 --> 00:06:17,055 I have now received confirmation 63 00:06:17,147 --> 00:06:21,220 of the sentence passed upon Major Carrington at his court martial. 64 00:06:22,307 --> 00:06:24,059 It is my duty to inform you 65 00:06:24,147 --> 00:06:27,344 that Major Carrington has been sentenced to death. 66 00:06:27,667 --> 00:06:29,658 -Death? -Yes. 67 00:06:30,627 --> 00:06:32,822 Are you people out of your cotton-picking minds? He didn't do... 68 00:06:32,907 --> 00:06:35,102 Insubordination and threatening the life 69 00:06:35,187 --> 00:06:37,621 of a German officer is a serious offence. 70 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:38,981 The death penalty! 71 00:06:39,067 --> 00:06:41,023 The goddamn court couldn't have been told the facts. 72 00:06:41,107 --> 00:06:45,703 Carrington was tried and sentenced by a properly constituted military court. 73 00:06:45,867 --> 00:06:47,823 Kommandant, you can't allow this. 74 00:06:47,907 --> 00:06:51,104 I'm a soldier, Colonel. My duty is to obey orders. 75 00:06:52,067 --> 00:06:54,217 Well, goddamn! 76 00:06:54,907 --> 00:06:57,501 Well, surely there's something that can be done, an appeal. 77 00:06:57,587 --> 00:07:01,660 It has already been lodged by the officer who defended Carrington. 78 00:07:02,227 --> 00:07:06,140 In the circumstances now prevailing, I expect it to be ignored. 79 00:07:07,267 --> 00:07:10,418 -I want to see Carrington. -No, Colonel, I'm sorry. 80 00:07:10,507 --> 00:07:12,941 Major Carrington is being held in solitary confinement 81 00:07:13,027 --> 00:07:14,346 pending his execution. 82 00:07:14,427 --> 00:07:17,942 Then I demand to see the representative of the Protecting Power. 83 00:07:18,027 --> 00:07:20,495 Colonel, there has been no visit for months. 84 00:07:20,587 --> 00:07:23,579 Communications are not easy, to put it mildly. 85 00:07:25,307 --> 00:07:28,743 Do you expect me to summon the man up out of thin air? 86 00:07:30,107 --> 00:07:33,656 Kommandant, the execution must be postponed until the Swiss can intervene. 87 00:07:33,747 --> 00:07:35,897 There is no ''must'', Colonel. 88 00:07:36,147 --> 00:07:38,138 But surely, in the name of common humanity... 89 00:07:38,227 --> 00:07:40,980 Is it all that common nowadays, Colonel? 90 00:07:41,387 --> 00:07:45,858 Do you know how many helpless civilian refugees your bombers killed in Dresden? 91 00:07:45,947 --> 00:07:47,619 Tens of thousands. 92 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:50,904 And why? For what purpose? Can you tell me that? 93 00:07:51,427 --> 00:07:54,225 Kommandant, there is nothing that you or I can do about that, 94 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:58,380 but you can prevent a man from being shot for some trivial reason. 95 00:08:00,467 --> 00:08:05,461 Colonel Preston, it will give me no pleasure to arrange for a firing squad, 96 00:08:05,547 --> 00:08:08,380 but I cannot disobey orders. You know that. 97 00:08:09,467 --> 00:08:12,618 Kommandant, how far away do you think the Americans are now? 98 00:08:12,707 --> 00:08:16,495 Those guns, 20 miles? 30? 99 00:08:16,587 --> 00:08:18,896 How long before they'll be here? 100 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:21,059 Or the Russians? 101 00:08:21,587 --> 00:08:23,464 If I do not follow my orders, Colonel, 102 00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:26,015 I shall be replaced by somebody who will. 103 00:08:26,107 --> 00:08:28,416 I will also be court martialled and shot. 104 00:08:28,507 --> 00:08:30,543 Will that help Carrington? 105 00:08:32,547 --> 00:08:35,266 Kommandant, I must point out that, in my view, 106 00:08:35,347 --> 00:08:38,657 the execution of Carrington at this stage would be murder. 107 00:08:38,747 --> 00:08:40,305 And when this castle is relieved, 108 00:08:40,387 --> 00:08:43,379 I would have to say that you were responsible. 109 00:08:50,707 --> 00:08:52,937 (BOMBS EXPLODING IN DISTANCE) 110 00:08:58,387 --> 00:08:59,786 (WHISTLING) 111 00:09:20,547 --> 00:09:21,775 Hold it. 112 00:09:23,627 --> 00:09:26,141 Oh, it's all right. It's only Simon. 113 00:09:29,987 --> 00:09:31,102 Here. 114 00:09:31,707 --> 00:09:33,937 -Thank you. -Careful, it's hot. 115 00:09:36,707 --> 00:09:38,504 I've been trying to hear what the American... 116 00:09:38,587 --> 00:09:40,817 MAN ON RADIO: Objective Frisco red. 117 00:09:41,067 --> 00:09:42,898 What the American advanced units are up to. 118 00:09:42,987 --> 00:09:44,500 Where are they? 119 00:09:44,707 --> 00:09:47,096 Can't hear much. Reception's bad. 120 00:09:47,907 --> 00:09:50,057 -They're falling back. -Back? 121 00:09:50,947 --> 00:09:54,576 On some village. Jerry counterattacked in the night. 122 00:09:54,667 --> 00:09:57,704 I heard them asking for more tanks, but I couldn't get any reply. 123 00:09:57,787 --> 00:09:59,743 There's too much static. 124 00:10:00,787 --> 00:10:02,778 -Now, Carter! -Shh! In a minute! 125 00:10:02,867 --> 00:10:06,143 I must talk to you. It's important, for God's sake! 126 00:10:14,867 --> 00:10:17,427 Well, Simon, she's ready. If we don't go soon, it may be too late. 127 00:10:17,507 --> 00:10:19,702 -What for? -To use it. To fly. 128 00:10:20,387 --> 00:10:22,423 -Yeah, probably. -She was built to fly. 129 00:10:22,507 --> 00:10:25,658 You approved the scheme yourself. So did the SBO. 130 00:10:27,387 --> 00:10:30,538 Yeah, but that was to get a lot of chaps working 131 00:10:31,747 --> 00:10:35,786 -instead of sitting on their backsides. -I know. Tony Shaw's crazy idea. 132 00:10:35,867 --> 00:10:38,142 But it wasn't crazy. It'll work and you know it. 133 00:10:38,227 --> 00:10:40,183 You're a pilot yourself. 134 00:10:42,667 --> 00:10:45,306 Well, it's served its purpose already. 135 00:10:47,707 --> 00:10:51,382 You came up with a good plan when morale was at its lowest. 136 00:10:52,027 --> 00:10:54,336 That's why I approved the idea. 137 00:10:55,707 --> 00:10:59,780 -Never was a practical scheme. -Hmm! Damn you! It was and is! 138 00:11:03,547 --> 00:11:05,185 Well, look at it. 139 00:11:06,067 --> 00:11:08,535 I mean, what does this thing weigh? 140 00:11:10,507 --> 00:11:14,261 Were you just going to knock out this wall 141 00:11:14,347 --> 00:11:16,781 and push it out? 142 00:11:20,747 --> 00:11:24,899 -And you call that a practical scheme? -If it works, it's practical. 143 00:11:26,787 --> 00:11:29,540 -When you get a man in there... -Two men. 144 00:11:30,707 --> 00:11:34,700 I mean, if it flew, it would have been a very spectacular escape. 145 00:11:35,947 --> 00:11:38,700 Would have made the Germans look stupid. 146 00:11:41,827 --> 00:11:44,022 Would all have been worth it. 147 00:11:51,187 --> 00:11:54,020 There's no way this thing's going to work. 148 00:11:54,107 --> 00:11:56,940 Are refusing to authorise me to have a go, Carter? 149 00:12:09,307 --> 00:12:10,979 Oh, yes, you qualify. 150 00:12:11,067 --> 00:12:14,377 I'd choose him to lead a firing squad, wouldn't you? 151 00:12:14,507 --> 00:12:18,420 I'd have him in front of it, if I had anything to say about it. 152 00:12:18,907 --> 00:12:22,582 Just look at him. He's dying to use that rifle. 153 00:12:24,267 --> 00:12:27,384 As long as it's on someone who's bound hand and foot. 154 00:12:27,467 --> 00:12:29,662 He doesn't look so brave now. 155 00:12:40,267 --> 00:12:41,746 Captain Brent! 156 00:12:45,827 --> 00:12:47,180 -Sir. -What's going on? 157 00:12:47,267 --> 00:12:50,976 -A spot of Jerry-baiting, sir. -Pack that in before somebody gets shot. 158 00:12:51,067 --> 00:12:53,900 Somebody is going to get shot, sir. Carrington. 159 00:12:54,187 --> 00:12:56,098 Disperse those men now. 160 00:13:05,747 --> 00:13:07,339 Why the show of force, Ulmann? 161 00:13:07,427 --> 00:13:09,418 I was told that a guard was being threatened. 162 00:13:09,507 --> 00:13:11,543 Did you expect the sentence on Major Carrington 163 00:13:11,627 --> 00:13:13,857 to produce a cordial atmosphere? 164 00:13:13,947 --> 00:13:16,700 Making further trouble will not help, Colonel Preston. 165 00:13:16,787 --> 00:13:18,425 Your guards must be extremely nervous 166 00:13:18,507 --> 00:13:22,261 if they think they're being threatened by unarmed prisoners. 167 00:13:26,467 --> 00:13:27,695 Colonel. 168 00:13:28,747 --> 00:13:31,659 So what are they going to do, apart from not upsetting the Germans? 169 00:13:31,747 --> 00:13:35,023 -Keep our heads. -Until they've shot Phil Carrington? 170 00:13:35,107 --> 00:13:37,177 So that others aren't shot. 171 00:13:39,627 --> 00:13:41,663 What's been going on, sir? 172 00:13:42,027 --> 00:13:44,143 Just Germans getting jumpy. 173 00:13:44,627 --> 00:13:47,016 Uh, Tony Shaw would like to see you, sir. 174 00:13:47,107 --> 00:13:50,577 We take out this group of stone blocks here, sir. 175 00:13:50,667 --> 00:13:54,262 It's, uh, all prepared. Shouldn't take very long. 176 00:13:57,947 --> 00:14:00,302 That is, uh, here, sir. 177 00:14:02,307 --> 00:14:06,141 Then we remove the wings 178 00:14:06,227 --> 00:14:08,183 from the fuselage, thus, 179 00:14:09,387 --> 00:14:12,857 move the glider out, 180 00:14:14,587 --> 00:14:16,384 mount it on the ramp, 181 00:14:18,507 --> 00:14:21,783 replace the wings. Searchlight's a thing of the past now, sir, 182 00:14:21,867 --> 00:14:23,095 and we're ready to go. 183 00:14:23,187 --> 00:14:24,905 From the top of the castle at 300 feet, 184 00:14:24,987 --> 00:14:27,421 plenty of flying speed, no difficulty there. 185 00:14:27,507 --> 00:14:31,182 Um, if you'd like to look out of the back there, sir... 186 00:14:31,427 --> 00:14:33,463 Now, you know the meadow. 187 00:14:34,387 --> 00:14:36,139 PRESTON: That's the direction you'd go, is it? 188 00:14:36,227 --> 00:14:37,296 Yes. 189 00:14:40,387 --> 00:14:42,025 How far do you think you'd have to fly? 190 00:14:42,107 --> 00:14:44,063 Well, only about 200 yards. 191 00:14:44,147 --> 00:14:46,297 The glide should take an estimated 20 seconds. 192 00:14:46,387 --> 00:14:48,696 We land on our belly, completely silently, 193 00:14:48,787 --> 00:14:52,416 no alarm raised and all the time in the world to get away. 194 00:14:57,107 --> 00:14:59,063 Certainly very impressive, Tony. 195 00:14:59,147 --> 00:15:02,901 Carter's against it. He doesn't think it's worth the effort. 196 00:15:04,587 --> 00:15:08,660 Well, I must say, at this late stage, for the sake of one man... 197 00:15:08,747 --> 00:15:10,305 -Two, sir. -Two? 198 00:15:11,187 --> 00:15:14,179 -I could fly you out. -Me? 199 00:15:14,267 --> 00:15:15,620 (CHUCKLING) 200 00:15:15,907 --> 00:15:19,900 Yeah, well, um, I'm not too sure about that, Tony. 201 00:15:19,987 --> 00:15:22,501 We could make for the American line. 202 00:15:22,907 --> 00:15:25,979 No, escape's out of the question for me. My duties are here. 203 00:15:26,067 --> 00:15:29,139 -I was thinking about Carrington. -Carrington? 204 00:15:29,227 --> 00:15:30,706 If you could get through to the Americans, 205 00:15:30,787 --> 00:15:32,584 or better still, I could take Colonel Dodd. 206 00:15:32,667 --> 00:15:34,544 Remember, sir, Carrington's an American, 207 00:15:34,627 --> 00:15:36,857 pretty well known as a newspaper man, I gather. 208 00:15:36,947 --> 00:15:39,507 We might be able to prevent the execution. 209 00:15:39,587 --> 00:15:40,656 How? 210 00:15:40,947 --> 00:15:45,418 Well, if they were in some sort of radio contact with the Germans, 211 00:15:45,507 --> 00:15:46,860 they could spell it out to them. 212 00:15:46,947 --> 00:15:50,940 Shoot Carrington and someone's going to stand trial for war crimes. 213 00:15:51,027 --> 00:15:52,585 What if they don't have radio contact? 214 00:15:52,667 --> 00:15:57,297 Far fetched, you may think, but surely, sir, it's worth a try. 215 00:16:02,187 --> 00:16:04,337 Oh, I don't know, Tony. 216 00:16:06,867 --> 00:16:10,655 It's a marvellous looking thing, but it is only an amalgam of 217 00:16:11,627 --> 00:16:13,902 bed boards and mattress covers. 218 00:16:15,347 --> 00:16:18,783 -Will it really fly? -I can guarantee it. 219 00:16:32,907 --> 00:16:34,135 (SIGHING) 220 00:16:34,227 --> 00:16:35,899 All right, I'll... 221 00:16:35,987 --> 00:16:38,660 I'll have a word with Colonel Dodd. It's up to him, of course, 222 00:16:38,747 --> 00:16:42,217 but you can make ready. 223 00:16:42,307 --> 00:16:43,626 (RUMBLING) 224 00:16:44,267 --> 00:16:46,098 What the hell is that? 225 00:16:46,827 --> 00:16:50,900 German tanks, sir, in the town. And there's a lot of them. 226 00:17:17,427 --> 00:17:19,463 I beg your pardon, may I get you some more coffee? 227 00:17:19,547 --> 00:17:20,536 No, thank you. 228 00:17:20,627 --> 00:17:22,345 -Anything else? -No. 229 00:17:23,067 --> 00:17:26,104 -Oh, do sit down, Hauptmann Ulmann. -Thank you. 230 00:17:27,147 --> 00:17:29,615 I hope you are reasonably comfortable in the castle. 231 00:17:29,707 --> 00:17:32,460 Under the circumstances, yes, thank you. 232 00:17:33,107 --> 00:17:35,302 Will your wife be joining you here? 233 00:17:35,387 --> 00:17:38,345 It won't be possible. One hopes for the best. 234 00:17:38,867 --> 00:17:39,936 Yes. 235 00:17:41,107 --> 00:17:43,337 The Kommandant won't be long. He'll join you here soon. 236 00:17:43,427 --> 00:17:44,746 Thank you. 237 00:17:45,627 --> 00:17:47,777 -Is your son well? -Yes. 238 00:17:48,187 --> 00:17:51,543 At least we think so. We haven't heard for some time. 239 00:17:52,107 --> 00:17:54,496 We don't really know where he is. 240 00:17:56,107 --> 00:17:57,904 When will it all end? 241 00:17:58,347 --> 00:18:01,339 We have stopped the American advance, so I'm told. 242 00:18:01,427 --> 00:18:03,987 Reinforcements have just arrived. 243 00:18:04,067 --> 00:18:06,376 -And the Russians? -I don't know. 244 00:18:07,867 --> 00:18:10,097 We should finish with it now. 245 00:18:10,467 --> 00:18:12,503 It couldn't be much worse. 246 00:18:12,867 --> 00:18:15,665 They won't negotiate. They won't offer peace terms. 247 00:18:15,747 --> 00:18:18,181 They want unconditional surrender. 248 00:18:18,547 --> 00:18:21,778 You've seen the refugees. They've left their homes, everything, 249 00:18:21,867 --> 00:18:24,745 rather than be at the mercy of the Russians. 250 00:18:27,067 --> 00:18:29,865 I'm sorry, my dear. Has Ulmann been looking after you? 251 00:18:29,947 --> 00:18:32,507 We were discussing the end of the war. 252 00:18:32,587 --> 00:18:34,384 Well, I'm told that may be some way off. 253 00:18:34,467 --> 00:18:36,503 How can it possibly go on much longer? 254 00:18:36,587 --> 00:18:39,385 It has been explained to me that 255 00:18:39,467 --> 00:18:43,665 soon the Americans and the British will begin to fight the Russians. 256 00:18:43,907 --> 00:18:46,785 And then our armies will join those of the West 257 00:18:46,867 --> 00:18:49,665 and drive the Russians out of Germany. 258 00:18:49,747 --> 00:18:52,261 Do you believe that? Is it possible? 259 00:18:52,747 --> 00:18:56,581 Well, I'm no strategist. Who knows? Ulmann, what do you think? 260 00:18:57,227 --> 00:18:59,900 It seems an optimistic idea to me, sir. 261 00:19:00,027 --> 00:19:02,860 I don't think it's optimistic, Hauptmann. 262 00:19:02,947 --> 00:19:06,576 To believe that we should change sides and go on fighting, 263 00:19:06,667 --> 00:19:07,941 for what? 264 00:19:08,427 --> 00:19:10,224 Our young men have done enough. 265 00:19:10,307 --> 00:19:12,821 Those that are still alive should be allowed to come home. 266 00:19:12,907 --> 00:19:14,818 Oh, he'll be all right. 267 00:19:15,187 --> 00:19:18,145 When we hear nothing, that's good. It means he's safe and well. 268 00:19:18,227 --> 00:19:20,821 Yes. Yes, I know. 269 00:19:22,627 --> 00:19:26,063 Ulmann, my visitor was to join me in the mess. 270 00:19:26,147 --> 00:19:27,978 Would you be so good as to find him for me? 271 00:19:28,067 --> 00:19:30,137 -Certainly, sir. -Thank you. 272 00:19:35,027 --> 00:19:37,222 -He's here now, sir. -Ah. 273 00:19:40,547 --> 00:19:43,903 I'll be working late tonight, my dear. You go to bed. 274 00:19:45,787 --> 00:19:48,460 Well, those tanks seem to have moved on. 275 00:19:48,547 --> 00:19:51,141 Nah, they could be grouped Just outside the town. 276 00:19:51,227 --> 00:19:53,422 Nothing on that meadow, that's all that matters. 277 00:19:53,507 --> 00:19:54,622 Tony! 278 00:20:00,827 --> 00:20:02,180 SHAW: Well? 279 00:20:03,147 --> 00:20:05,058 Message from the old man. 280 00:20:05,147 --> 00:20:08,935 Colonel Dodd's agreed. You... You go tonight, at 01 :00 hours. 281 00:20:10,107 --> 00:20:11,256 Right. 282 00:20:11,747 --> 00:20:14,215 Now, my beauty, let's see what you can do. 283 00:20:14,707 --> 00:20:16,265 You're a French farm worker. 284 00:20:16,347 --> 00:20:19,020 You've been transferred and you're trying to find your new employer, 285 00:20:19,107 --> 00:20:22,463 whose farm just happens to be behind the German lines. 286 00:20:22,547 --> 00:20:24,060 Wherever they might be. 287 00:20:24,147 --> 00:20:27,457 Well, we're assuming they're 25 miles due west, sir. 288 00:20:27,787 --> 00:20:29,266 I wish I knew what happened to those tanks 289 00:20:29,347 --> 00:20:31,338 we heard going through the other day. 290 00:20:31,427 --> 00:20:33,816 -We haven't discovered who they were? -No, sir. 291 00:20:33,907 --> 00:20:35,579 But as far as Captain Brent can make out, 292 00:20:35,667 --> 00:20:37,578 the Germans don't seem to have committed any tanks yet. 293 00:20:37,667 --> 00:20:39,737 -Ulmann. -All right, chaps. 294 00:20:41,147 --> 00:20:42,785 (CLEARING THROAT) 295 00:20:43,427 --> 00:20:44,416 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 296 00:20:44,507 --> 00:20:45,735 Come in. 297 00:20:47,787 --> 00:20:49,379 Colonel Preston, 298 00:20:49,547 --> 00:20:51,981 the Kommandant would like to speak to you in his office, please. 299 00:20:52,067 --> 00:20:55,742 Is it about Carrington? Should I be there as well? 300 00:20:55,827 --> 00:20:58,102 No, Colonel Dodd, he did not ask to speak to you. 301 00:20:58,187 --> 00:21:02,100 Please sit down, Colonel. Let me offer you something to drink. 302 00:21:02,187 --> 00:21:05,020 Is Major Carrington to be released from solitary confinement? 303 00:21:05,107 --> 00:21:08,019 Major Carrington is under sentence of death. 304 00:21:08,107 --> 00:21:12,100 -Is the Swiss representative here? -No, Colonel, nor is he likely to be. 305 00:21:12,187 --> 00:21:13,506 I wish to speak to you about something else. 306 00:21:13,587 --> 00:21:15,543 Once I am assured of Major Carrington's safety, I... 307 00:21:15,627 --> 00:21:19,142 There are certain assurances I cannot give you, Colonel. 308 00:21:19,507 --> 00:21:22,260 Now there are many men in Colditz besides Carrington. 309 00:21:22,347 --> 00:21:24,781 -Are you not responsible for them also? -Of course. 310 00:21:24,867 --> 00:21:26,858 Well, that is what I wish to discuss. 311 00:21:26,947 --> 00:21:28,016 Up! 312 00:21:30,947 --> 00:21:32,096 Right. 313 00:21:35,027 --> 00:21:36,176 Come on, now. 314 00:21:36,267 --> 00:21:37,780 (MEN MURMURING) 315 00:21:48,067 --> 00:21:49,659 Back up, steady. 316 00:21:50,067 --> 00:21:52,706 -There's the window here. -We've got this. 317 00:21:52,787 --> 00:21:53,822 -You got it? -Yes. 318 00:21:53,907 --> 00:21:55,022 Okay. 319 00:22:04,987 --> 00:22:06,705 Nothing else to do? 320 00:22:09,307 --> 00:22:11,104 No. She's ready now. 321 00:22:12,987 --> 00:22:15,057 Do you really think there's a chance it'll fly? 322 00:22:15,147 --> 00:22:16,500 Chance? No. 323 00:22:16,667 --> 00:22:19,465 She's designed to fly, she's built to fly, she will fly. 324 00:22:19,547 --> 00:22:20,536 (LAUGHING) 325 00:22:20,627 --> 00:22:23,221 -Like a brick! -Like a bird! 326 00:22:25,147 --> 00:22:27,183 Well, rather you than me. 327 00:22:27,267 --> 00:22:29,542 You'll see. Tomorrow morning, she'll be sitting down on that meadow, 328 00:22:29,627 --> 00:22:31,697 and still in one piece, what's more. 329 00:22:31,787 --> 00:22:35,985 Well, if it gets you out, what does it matter how many bits it's in, hmm? 330 00:22:36,067 --> 00:22:38,581 I wouldn't like to think she was damaged. 331 00:22:38,667 --> 00:22:41,704 Nobody likes to bend a kite, Timothy. Bad form. 332 00:22:42,787 --> 00:22:43,936 Some kite! 333 00:22:44,147 --> 00:22:47,105 My war map is not quite up to date, Colonel. 334 00:22:47,187 --> 00:22:49,018 There are conflicting reports. 335 00:22:49,107 --> 00:22:51,496 However, the situation is something like this. 336 00:22:51,587 --> 00:22:53,782 The Americans are about here. 337 00:22:54,147 --> 00:22:56,342 Yes, well, they must be closer than that, Kommandant. 338 00:22:56,427 --> 00:22:58,702 We've heard their guns for some days now. 339 00:22:58,787 --> 00:23:01,096 Which means they are being held. 340 00:23:04,787 --> 00:23:09,099 Suppose you were in command of the German forces in this area, Colonel. 341 00:23:10,227 --> 00:23:11,945 What would you do? 342 00:23:12,027 --> 00:23:14,780 Would you reinforce any particular point? 343 00:23:17,587 --> 00:23:21,421 We have heard tanks passing through Colditz town of late. 344 00:23:22,067 --> 00:23:25,184 In that case, there is no harm in my telling you 345 00:23:25,267 --> 00:23:28,259 that an armoured division of the Waffen-SS has arrived 346 00:23:28,347 --> 00:23:30,577 to block the American advance. 347 00:23:30,947 --> 00:23:32,141 The SS? 348 00:23:32,587 --> 00:23:36,102 Crack troops, hand-picked and elite, 349 00:23:37,467 --> 00:23:40,106 unquestioningly loyal to the Fuhrer. 350 00:23:40,187 --> 00:23:43,179 Colonel Preston, those who have had anything to do with the Waffen-SS 351 00:23:43,267 --> 00:23:45,223 know what they are like. 352 00:23:46,067 --> 00:23:48,661 They have a well-deserved reputation. 353 00:23:48,907 --> 00:23:53,059 May I ask, Kommandant, if those units have moved on up to the front? 354 00:23:54,147 --> 00:23:57,617 Their army is deployed a little to the west of Colditz. 355 00:23:59,227 --> 00:24:03,505 The Ceneral and his staff will use Colditz town as their headquarters. 356 00:24:04,307 --> 00:24:08,220 The Ceneral has assumed control of the entire area. 357 00:24:08,867 --> 00:24:10,266 Including the castle? 358 00:24:10,347 --> 00:24:13,225 Well, naturally, I retain my authority here. 359 00:24:14,787 --> 00:24:20,419 However, you will understand that this is now an SS operational area. 360 00:24:21,147 --> 00:24:24,583 The Ceneral is my superior. Any demands he may make... 361 00:24:24,667 --> 00:24:25,861 Lawful demands. 362 00:24:25,947 --> 00:24:28,256 When the SS move into action, Colonel, 363 00:24:28,347 --> 00:24:32,022 they regard the removal of any obstacle as legitimate. 364 00:24:34,467 --> 00:24:39,177 Prisoners who escaped, for example, could well receive summary treatment. 365 00:24:39,267 --> 00:24:42,339 Prisoners of war are still entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention. 366 00:24:42,427 --> 00:24:46,625 Colonel, forget the Geneva Convention. Outside the walls of Colditz, 367 00:24:46,707 --> 00:24:50,416 I cannot now guarantee the safety of any prisoner. 368 00:24:50,747 --> 00:24:53,944 Inside, I will continue to do so as long as I can. 369 00:24:55,587 --> 00:24:56,736 I see. 370 00:24:58,027 --> 00:25:01,656 Colonel Preston, we both know that Germany 371 00:25:01,747 --> 00:25:06,582 could have solved the problem of the persistent escaper a long time ago, 372 00:25:07,187 --> 00:25:10,862 in a matter of minutes, with the aid of a few machine guns. 373 00:25:11,427 --> 00:25:16,182 Such a solution has been urged in the past by the SS, among others. 374 00:25:18,427 --> 00:25:20,258 Fortunately, for the honour of the Wehrmacht, 375 00:25:20,347 --> 00:25:22,178 that has not happened. 376 00:25:24,627 --> 00:25:27,744 Will the SS be moving into the castle? 377 00:25:27,827 --> 00:25:32,218 Well, provided there is no trouble, I hope that question will not arise. 378 00:25:32,547 --> 00:25:36,017 I am responsible for all those in Colditz, 379 00:25:36,267 --> 00:25:38,656 the garrison and prisoners alike. 380 00:25:39,427 --> 00:25:43,261 As the Senior British Officer, you share that responsibility 381 00:25:43,987 --> 00:25:46,626 as far as your own men are concerned. 382 00:25:46,707 --> 00:25:52,339 I need your help, your cooperation, your authority over your own officers. 383 00:26:03,987 --> 00:26:07,377 Kommandant, may I ask you a hypothetical question? 384 00:26:07,467 --> 00:26:08,900 Certainly. 385 00:26:08,987 --> 00:26:12,104 In the event of one of my officers escaping and being picked up by the... 386 00:26:12,187 --> 00:26:15,782 For the man's safety, I beg you to prevent that, Colonel. 387 00:26:16,907 --> 00:26:19,216 I'm not concerned with the safety of the escaper at the moment. 388 00:26:19,307 --> 00:26:20,865 Would that give the SS the excuse they need 389 00:26:20,947 --> 00:26:22,744 to come into the castle and take over? 390 00:26:22,827 --> 00:26:24,499 That is possible, yes. 391 00:26:24,587 --> 00:26:28,136 On the grounds that prisoners are an embarrassment in a theatre of war 392 00:26:28,227 --> 00:26:30,104 and should be removed? 393 00:26:32,107 --> 00:26:35,099 I cannot continue with your hypothesis, Colonel, 394 00:26:35,187 --> 00:26:39,419 except to say that I would no longer be in command of Colditz Castle 395 00:26:41,107 --> 00:26:42,825 and I would be relieved of all responsibility 396 00:26:42,907 --> 00:26:44,943 for the prisoner's safety. 397 00:26:47,107 --> 00:26:48,984 Very well, Kommandant, I shall do my best 398 00:26:49,067 --> 00:26:52,218 to see that we do not attract the attention of the SS. 399 00:26:52,307 --> 00:26:55,617 In return, I expect your protection for my officers. 400 00:26:56,387 --> 00:26:59,026 Thank you for giving me your time, Colonel. 401 00:27:00,867 --> 00:27:05,304 What the hell happened to that British stiff upper lip? 402 00:27:05,387 --> 00:27:07,662 Now, Max, I can only ask for your cooperation on this. 403 00:27:07,747 --> 00:27:09,066 If you don't agree, you can still try 404 00:27:09,147 --> 00:27:11,820 and get to the American lines with Tony Shaw, as planned. 405 00:27:11,907 --> 00:27:13,056 Would it screw things up? 406 00:27:13,147 --> 00:27:14,341 (SCOFFING) 407 00:27:14,427 --> 00:27:18,022 Well, you know my attitude towards taking needless risks. 408 00:27:19,227 --> 00:27:20,899 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 409 00:27:21,547 --> 00:27:24,220 -Okay, I'll go along with you. -Come in. 410 00:27:26,107 --> 00:27:29,736 All right, gentlemen, come in, please. Sit down somewhere. 411 00:27:34,707 --> 00:27:36,937 Right, I've called the Escape Committee together 412 00:27:37,027 --> 00:27:38,699 to tell you that, as from now, 413 00:27:38,787 --> 00:27:42,462 there will be no further escape attempts from Colditz. 414 00:27:46,627 --> 00:27:49,585 -Why... Why is that, sir? -Well, I'll come to that in a moment. 415 00:27:49,667 --> 00:27:53,899 Simon, your job as Escape Officer is now reversed. 416 00:27:53,987 --> 00:27:56,501 It's going to be your duty to make sure that no one and, I repeat, no one 417 00:27:56,587 --> 00:27:59,147 attempts to escape from the castle. Is that clear? 418 00:27:59,227 --> 00:28:01,900 Yes, sir. Does that include Colonel Dodd, sir? 419 00:28:01,987 --> 00:28:04,296 Yes, you can tell Shaw the whole thing's off. 420 00:28:04,387 --> 00:28:06,264 BRENT: Well, what about Phil Carrington? 421 00:28:06,347 --> 00:28:08,986 The whole point was for you to get through to the Americans. 422 00:28:09,067 --> 00:28:11,376 I'm sorry. Carrington's going to have to take his chances. 423 00:28:11,467 --> 00:28:14,618 We're concerned with more than the fate of one man now. 424 00:28:14,707 --> 00:28:16,379 Any attempt to escape from this castle, 425 00:28:16,467 --> 00:28:18,662 and we're all going to be in very big trouble. 426 00:28:19,187 --> 00:28:22,657 Colonel Dodd feels his duty is in the castle with the rest of us. 427 00:28:29,267 --> 00:28:31,735 -Sir? -Is it time to get kitted out? 428 00:28:33,907 --> 00:28:36,899 The, uh... The operation's cancelled, sir. 429 00:28:38,387 --> 00:28:39,706 Cancelled? 430 00:28:40,307 --> 00:28:41,820 -Yes, sir. -Why? 431 00:28:42,467 --> 00:28:44,378 -SBO's orders. -What's gone wrong? 432 00:28:44,467 --> 00:28:47,186 Nothing, sir. It's just that all escapes are off, as of now. 433 00:28:47,267 --> 00:28:49,622 But Colonel Dodd is coming with me tonight, 01 :00 hours. 434 00:28:49,707 --> 00:28:52,824 No, sir. No one goes. And that must include you. 435 00:28:55,867 --> 00:28:59,337 -What about your chaps, Max? -There are so few of them. 436 00:28:59,427 --> 00:29:01,304 Let's not get complicated. I'll place them under your command. 437 00:29:01,387 --> 00:29:02,263 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 438 00:29:02,347 --> 00:29:03,826 Okay. Come in. 439 00:29:05,187 --> 00:29:08,099 Oh, Simon, there you are. Sit down, will you? I want to talk to you. 440 00:29:08,187 --> 00:29:10,064 Squad Leader Shaw would like a word with you, sir. 441 00:29:10,147 --> 00:29:12,502 -Well, not now. -It is important, sir. 442 00:29:12,587 --> 00:29:14,498 Um, yes, I'm busy. I'll see him tomorrow. 443 00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:18,182 -Right, sir, I'll tell him. -Uh, Simon, please, sit down. 444 00:29:19,547 --> 00:29:23,460 Now, what I want are some contingency plans 445 00:29:23,547 --> 00:29:26,015 in the event that we have to fight. 446 00:29:26,987 --> 00:29:28,818 -Fight? -Yes. 447 00:29:29,427 --> 00:29:31,019 Make no mistake about it, Simon, 448 00:29:31,107 --> 00:29:32,779 everybody's life is now at risk in Colditz. 449 00:29:32,867 --> 00:29:36,143 The SS are going to have no scruples about shooting a few prisoners of war 450 00:29:36,227 --> 00:29:39,264 out of hand if they feel they're in the way. 451 00:29:39,347 --> 00:29:40,541 What about the Kommandant, sir? 452 00:29:40,627 --> 00:29:41,946 I don't think he has much choice in the matter, 453 00:29:42,027 --> 00:29:43,585 so it's up to us to defend ourselves. 454 00:29:43,667 --> 00:29:46,545 The first thing I want is all the available food and supplies 455 00:29:46,627 --> 00:29:49,187 -placed in a central area. -All right, sir. 456 00:29:49,267 --> 00:29:51,462 And secondly, here you are, is a basic command structure. 457 00:29:51,547 --> 00:29:53,902 As you see, all the dormitories have become units 458 00:29:53,987 --> 00:29:56,137 and an officer in command of each unit. 459 00:29:56,227 --> 00:29:58,297 Now, that'll be an army officer for what I have in mind. 460 00:29:58,387 --> 00:30:00,059 It's up to you to liaise with those chaps, 461 00:30:00,147 --> 00:30:02,377 work out some system of overpowering the guards, 462 00:30:02,467 --> 00:30:05,698 going to the armoury and, if the worse does come to the worst, 463 00:30:05,787 --> 00:30:07,823 -issuing weapons to the prisoners. -Right, sir. 464 00:30:09,227 --> 00:30:11,821 Take over the castle. Simple as that. 465 00:30:15,787 --> 00:30:18,460 To defend ourselves in the last resort. 466 00:30:18,747 --> 00:30:22,057 Well, better that than just to be shot out of hand. 467 00:30:23,667 --> 00:30:24,861 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 468 00:30:26,787 --> 00:30:27,936 Come. 469 00:30:33,627 --> 00:30:36,824 A dispatch rider just brought these telegrams, sir. 470 00:30:36,907 --> 00:30:39,137 -I'll deal with them in the morning. -Very well, sir. 471 00:30:39,227 --> 00:30:42,264 Here's one marked ''immediate and top secret''. 472 00:30:51,587 --> 00:30:54,101 Carrington's execution the day after tomorrow. 473 00:30:54,187 --> 00:30:56,098 (PHONE RINGING) 474 00:30:58,227 --> 00:30:59,421 Hello? 475 00:31:01,027 --> 00:31:02,142 Hello? 476 00:31:02,867 --> 00:31:03,982 Who? 477 00:31:05,427 --> 00:31:07,418 Oh, Friedrich, my friend! 478 00:31:08,467 --> 00:31:09,946 Where are you? 479 00:31:10,747 --> 00:31:11,896 Where? 480 00:31:13,027 --> 00:31:15,780 Ah, there, that's better. Now I can hear you. 481 00:31:15,867 --> 00:31:16,936 Yes. 482 00:31:26,867 --> 00:31:28,266 Yes, I see. 483 00:31:31,507 --> 00:31:33,225 When did it happen? 484 00:31:37,067 --> 00:31:38,705 Do you know how? 485 00:31:48,307 --> 00:31:49,581 Yes, yes. 486 00:31:52,027 --> 00:31:56,623 No, the... Some telegrams just arrived. It might be among those. 487 00:31:59,547 --> 00:32:01,503 Yes, I'm afraid it will. 488 00:32:03,387 --> 00:32:05,184 No, no, I'm grateful. 489 00:32:05,627 --> 00:32:08,505 Well, thank you for taking the trouble to... 490 00:32:09,147 --> 00:32:10,296 Hello? 491 00:32:10,987 --> 00:32:12,181 Hello! 492 00:32:20,987 --> 00:32:23,626 A call from Berlin, a friend. 493 00:32:25,347 --> 00:32:26,939 We were cut off. 494 00:32:53,787 --> 00:32:55,300 (GASPING) 495 00:33:00,107 --> 00:33:01,904 Are you asleep, Lisa? 496 00:33:02,787 --> 00:33:03,822 No. 497 00:33:07,507 --> 00:33:09,941 You shouldn't work so late. 498 00:33:11,227 --> 00:33:14,219 It's all the paperwork. It piles up, you know. 499 00:33:16,147 --> 00:33:18,377 Did you get something to eat? 500 00:33:19,867 --> 00:33:20,982 Yes. 501 00:33:22,347 --> 00:33:23,746 Yes, I did. 502 00:33:32,147 --> 00:33:34,342 Friedrich phoned from Berlin. 503 00:33:35,467 --> 00:33:36,741 Oh? When? 504 00:33:37,707 --> 00:33:38,981 Just now. 505 00:33:40,587 --> 00:33:41,906 How is he? 506 00:33:43,587 --> 00:33:45,305 All right, I think. 507 00:33:47,787 --> 00:33:52,815 Do you remember when I was on leave from the Western Front in the Great War? 508 00:33:55,667 --> 00:33:59,660 We'd just decided to get married and we went out for dinner. 509 00:34:02,227 --> 00:34:04,741 And Friedrich was in the restaurant. 510 00:34:04,987 --> 00:34:07,182 He was the first one we told. 511 00:34:09,147 --> 00:34:10,978 Seems a long time ago. 512 00:34:12,187 --> 00:34:14,018 I suppose it is. 513 00:34:16,067 --> 00:34:17,739 In all that time, 514 00:34:19,067 --> 00:34:21,820 I've never been sorry. Have you? 515 00:34:26,987 --> 00:34:28,864 What a silly question! 516 00:34:31,347 --> 00:34:33,383 No matter what went wrong, 517 00:34:34,267 --> 00:34:36,417 we've always had each other. 518 00:34:45,987 --> 00:34:47,943 Friedrich had some news. 519 00:34:49,947 --> 00:34:52,381 There should have been a telegram. 520 00:34:54,787 --> 00:34:55,936 Erich? 521 00:34:58,307 --> 00:34:59,376 Yes. 522 00:35:02,067 --> 00:35:03,295 Wounded? 523 00:35:05,547 --> 00:35:06,616 No. 524 00:35:08,387 --> 00:35:12,016 I'm afraid we're alone now, my dear, you and I. 525 00:35:18,547 --> 00:35:19,662 Dead? 526 00:35:22,507 --> 00:35:24,975 Friedrich saw one of his comrades. 527 00:35:32,947 --> 00:35:34,062 How? 528 00:35:36,307 --> 00:35:40,380 He was killed instantly. He couldn't have known anything about it. 529 00:35:41,827 --> 00:35:43,499 Is that the truth? 530 00:35:44,867 --> 00:35:48,303 His plane didn't catch fire? He wasn't burned? 531 00:35:49,067 --> 00:35:50,705 He wasn't flying. 532 00:35:53,467 --> 00:35:56,345 His squadron was grounded for lack of fuel. 533 00:35:58,027 --> 00:36:00,905 He was transferred to an infantry regiment. 534 00:36:03,307 --> 00:36:05,946 But Erich wasn't trained as a soldier. 535 00:36:07,107 --> 00:36:08,620 He was a pilot. 536 00:36:09,707 --> 00:36:10,901 I know. 537 00:36:12,427 --> 00:36:13,621 I know. 538 00:36:15,107 --> 00:36:17,382 Why did it have to happen now? 539 00:36:19,147 --> 00:36:21,707 The war can't go on much longer. 540 00:36:22,907 --> 00:36:24,181 Why now? 541 00:36:26,187 --> 00:36:27,586 I don't know 542 00:36:28,787 --> 00:36:30,937 why men have to go on dying. 543 00:36:32,867 --> 00:36:37,736 On a given signal, we overpower all of the guards. 544 00:36:39,307 --> 00:36:43,141 The position the chaps take up is the position that they're in 545 00:36:44,427 --> 00:36:45,542 now. 546 00:36:58,547 --> 00:36:59,616 Hmm. 547 00:37:00,667 --> 00:37:04,137 Well, that way, we overpower them all at the same time. 548 00:37:09,307 --> 00:37:13,095 We're going to have to deal with our friends up there, Simon. 549 00:37:15,827 --> 00:37:18,705 Yeah, well, we'll do that when they're changing over. 550 00:37:18,787 --> 00:37:21,540 That means tackling several men at once. 551 00:37:26,587 --> 00:37:30,865 We know we can get up to that catwalk near the French quarters, but... 552 00:37:32,427 --> 00:37:36,943 I wonder if there's a point up there that's out of sight of those gunners. 553 00:37:37,467 --> 00:37:39,742 Come on. Have you got a minute? 554 00:37:40,907 --> 00:37:42,306 Here you go. 555 00:37:44,627 --> 00:37:47,380 I thought Carter had explained to you why the operation was cancelled. 556 00:37:47,467 --> 00:37:48,297 Yes, sir, he has. 557 00:37:48,387 --> 00:37:49,456 In that case, there's nothing more to be said. 558 00:37:49,547 --> 00:37:50,536 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 559 00:37:50,627 --> 00:37:51,946 Come in. 560 00:37:52,027 --> 00:37:54,746 -Captain Walters... I'm sorry, sir. -That's all right, George. 561 00:37:54,827 --> 00:37:56,055 Captain Walters has been doing a recce 562 00:37:56,147 --> 00:37:57,819 to see the best approach to the armoury, sir, 563 00:37:57,907 --> 00:38:00,467 and he's hit a snag. He'd like to speak to you about it. 564 00:38:00,547 --> 00:38:02,139 All right, I'll come right away. Excuse me. 565 00:38:02,227 --> 00:38:04,741 Colonel Preston, I've been waiting all morning to see you. 566 00:38:04,827 --> 00:38:08,103 I know that you're busy. But a few minutes, please. 567 00:38:10,627 --> 00:38:12,379 All right, George, say I'll be there in five minutes, yeah? 568 00:38:12,467 --> 00:38:13,820 Right, sir. 569 00:38:17,387 --> 00:38:18,866 All right, Tony, what is it? 570 00:38:18,947 --> 00:38:22,257 Well, I realise that a new situation has arisen, 571 00:38:22,347 --> 00:38:25,180 that it would be quite impossible for Colonel Dodd to leave the castle. 572 00:38:25,267 --> 00:38:26,859 -I accept that. -Yes? 573 00:38:26,947 --> 00:38:29,666 But that still leaves Carrington sitting down there in solitary confinement, 574 00:38:29,747 --> 00:38:31,100 liable to be shot any day. 575 00:38:31,187 --> 00:38:33,018 Yes, I'm well aware of that, but a decision had to be made 576 00:38:33,107 --> 00:38:36,702 and Colonel Dodd felt that he couldn't abandon the rest of his men 577 00:38:36,787 --> 00:38:37,776 for the sake of Carrington. 578 00:38:37,867 --> 00:38:41,826 But I could go alone. If I could get through to the Americans... 579 00:38:42,147 --> 00:38:44,456 Tony, I thought this had all been explained to you. 580 00:38:44,547 --> 00:38:46,378 The glider is ready. I could go tonight. 581 00:38:46,467 --> 00:38:48,423 It might be easier for one man to get through the lines. 582 00:38:48,507 --> 00:38:52,261 -I'd tell them about Carrington. -Sit down, will you? 583 00:38:52,347 --> 00:38:53,621 Look, I know the Yanks, I've worked with them... 584 00:38:53,707 --> 00:38:56,301 Look, Tony, will you please sit down? 585 00:39:02,507 --> 00:39:05,226 -Right, now the risk... -There is no risk of failure. 586 00:39:05,307 --> 00:39:08,902 -She'll fly. I know she will. -But that is not the point. 587 00:39:08,987 --> 00:39:10,898 I know it's difficult to believe, looking at it, 588 00:39:10,987 --> 00:39:13,740 but I've been through every calculation 1 0 times over, 589 00:39:13,827 --> 00:39:16,864 the wind loading, every stress and strain, the angle of attack... 590 00:39:16,947 --> 00:39:18,141 PRESTON: I'm not concerned with that. 591 00:39:18,227 --> 00:39:21,583 The point of lift, how much drag there is, stalling speed, everything. 592 00:39:21,667 --> 00:39:22,986 I'm not concerned with that. 593 00:39:23,067 --> 00:39:25,376 In my judgement, your escape would jeopardise the life 594 00:39:25,467 --> 00:39:26,786 of every man in Colditz. 595 00:39:26,867 --> 00:39:28,505 Oh, one man! They wouldn't worry about one man. 596 00:39:28,587 --> 00:39:30,862 Oh, for God's sake, Tony, the whole countryside is crawling with SS. 597 00:39:30,947 --> 00:39:34,781 The likelihood of you getting more than half a mile from that meadow is nil. 598 00:39:35,027 --> 00:39:37,939 In the first place, the odds are you'd be shot out of hand. 599 00:39:38,027 --> 00:39:39,938 Well, I'd take my chance on that. 600 00:39:40,027 --> 00:39:43,383 And in the second, your capture could give the SS the excuse they need 601 00:39:43,467 --> 00:39:46,106 to come into this castle and that is a risk I'm not prepared to take. 602 00:39:46,187 --> 00:39:47,176 Is that clear? 603 00:39:47,267 --> 00:39:49,019 I don't believe anybody has ever built a machine 604 00:39:49,107 --> 00:39:51,063 that would fly in such conditions. 605 00:39:51,147 --> 00:39:54,025 I designed it from scratch. It's taken 1 0 months to build. 606 00:39:54,107 --> 00:39:58,066 I watched it grow from nothing, improvising with odds and ends. 607 00:39:58,147 --> 00:40:02,618 Field telephone cables for the controls, ridiculous, incredible things, 608 00:40:02,707 --> 00:40:05,938 like ground millet boiled in water to make a paste we could use 609 00:40:06,027 --> 00:40:08,416 to dope the wings, and it worked. 610 00:40:09,307 --> 00:40:10,786 It all worked. 611 00:40:12,587 --> 00:40:15,943 And if she's never launched, if she never flies, 612 00:40:16,027 --> 00:40:20,339 it has all been for nothing, the whole concept wasted, useless. 613 00:40:21,427 --> 00:40:24,817 I'm very sorry, Tony, but that glider is not going to be launched 614 00:40:24,907 --> 00:40:26,579 and that is final. 615 00:40:59,827 --> 00:41:01,226 It can work. 616 00:41:05,667 --> 00:41:07,020 Oh, Simon. 617 00:41:09,867 --> 00:41:11,539 I'm worried about Shaw's state of mind. 618 00:41:11,627 --> 00:41:15,097 You will take any necessary action to see that my orders are carried out. 619 00:41:15,187 --> 00:41:17,223 -You understand? -Yes, sir. 620 00:41:18,347 --> 00:41:19,496 (KNOCKING AT DOOR) 621 00:41:19,587 --> 00:41:20,702 Come. 622 00:41:23,387 --> 00:41:26,265 Obergruppenfuhrer Berger and his staff, sir. 623 00:41:31,547 --> 00:41:35,381 Good morning, sir. I must apologise for not meeting you. 624 00:41:35,467 --> 00:41:37,139 But I was not informed that you were coming. 625 00:41:37,267 --> 00:41:41,465 But it's not an escape, Carter. I shall come back and give myself up. 626 00:41:41,547 --> 00:41:44,015 -But now is not the time for that, sir. -She has to be launched. 627 00:41:44,107 --> 00:41:47,304 Yeah, later on, when the Americans are nearer. 628 00:41:48,667 --> 00:41:52,785 Well, then it'll be easier for you to get through the German lines. 629 00:41:55,067 --> 00:41:58,025 You have to be ready to go at a moment's notice. 630 00:41:58,107 --> 00:42:01,144 In that case, these blocks should come out now. 631 00:42:01,227 --> 00:42:04,025 Yeah, well, we don't want to attract the attention of the Germans. 632 00:42:04,107 --> 00:42:07,622 We won't. This wall is protected from them by other parts of the building. 633 00:42:07,987 --> 00:42:10,501 No, it'd be better to work at night. 634 00:42:11,107 --> 00:42:14,258 That's why I've arranged for a squad of 50 men to come up and help. 635 00:42:14,347 --> 00:42:15,826 -Tonight? -Yes. 636 00:42:16,707 --> 00:42:20,336 In the meantime, we'll, uh... We'll stay up here with you. 637 00:42:31,427 --> 00:42:32,496 Why? 638 00:42:34,107 --> 00:42:37,986 Well, to stop anyone else coming up. I mean, no one must know. 639 00:42:38,067 --> 00:42:39,659 It's top secret. 640 00:42:40,987 --> 00:42:42,659 Operation Meadow. 641 00:42:44,587 --> 00:42:47,306 I'm glad Colonel Preston changed his mind. 642 00:42:47,387 --> 00:42:51,380 -I think I'd better go and talk to him. -No, don't do that, sir. 643 00:42:51,467 --> 00:42:53,742 He might wish to nominate someone to come with me. 644 00:42:53,827 --> 00:42:55,738 No, he, uh... He won't. 645 00:42:57,667 --> 00:43:01,376 -Why not? -Well, he didn't change his mind. 646 00:43:01,467 --> 00:43:04,857 I... I decided that he was wrong and that you ought to go. 647 00:43:04,947 --> 00:43:09,304 So we've got to keep it from him. I mean, just between the three of us. 648 00:43:09,387 --> 00:43:10,786 (CHUCKLING) 649 00:43:14,147 --> 00:43:18,345 I seem to have allowed my enthusiasm to run away with me. 650 00:43:21,067 --> 00:43:23,376 She'll never fly now, will she? 651 00:43:28,667 --> 00:43:29,941 No, sir. 652 00:43:30,747 --> 00:43:32,703 I... I... I'm sorry, Carter. 653 00:43:32,787 --> 00:43:36,177 It must have been extremely embarrassing for you. 654 00:43:39,827 --> 00:43:42,660 Well, I'll... I'll tell you something, sir. 655 00:43:43,827 --> 00:43:47,740 I wish I'd thought of it. No, I... I wish I'd built it. 656 00:43:51,347 --> 00:43:55,135 -I wish I could fly it. -What did you do in civilian life? 657 00:43:55,227 --> 00:43:57,866 Me? I... I worked in the county surveyor's office. 658 00:43:57,947 --> 00:44:00,984 -And you'll go back to it? -Yeah, I suppose so. 659 00:44:02,587 --> 00:44:05,226 Do you know I've been here since 1 940? 660 00:44:06,507 --> 00:44:09,977 All I've done in five years is learn how to be a prisoner of war. 661 00:44:10,067 --> 00:44:11,420 Oh, more than that. 662 00:44:11,507 --> 00:44:15,102 You got men out of a supposedly escape-proof castle, what? 663 00:44:15,507 --> 00:44:19,944 You've done your job in your own way, though you'll get no medals for it. 664 00:44:21,347 --> 00:44:24,259 What about you, sir? Will you go back to lecturing? 665 00:44:24,347 --> 00:44:27,703 Yes! Yes! Yes, I... I'm a teacher. 666 00:44:27,787 --> 00:44:30,540 Passing on other men's ideas, that's all. 667 00:44:31,987 --> 00:44:34,376 I imagine this story will become a favourite of mine 668 00:44:34,467 --> 00:44:36,617 back in the common room in Oxford. 669 00:44:36,707 --> 00:44:39,824 I once built a glider out of bits and pieces 670 00:44:39,907 --> 00:44:43,900 and became obsessively determined that it should fly at any cost. 671 00:44:45,147 --> 00:44:47,786 I think it will be a humorous story. 672 00:44:48,067 --> 00:44:51,377 They wouldn't understand if I told it any other way. 673 00:44:56,427 --> 00:44:58,543 How soon before the final plan is ready? 674 00:44:58,627 --> 00:45:01,095 -48 hours. -As long as that? 675 00:45:01,187 --> 00:45:02,302 I'd prefer sooner. 676 00:45:02,387 --> 00:45:04,662 There's absolutely no point in letting it go off half-cocked. 677 00:45:04,747 --> 00:45:06,977 It'd be worse than useless. 678 00:45:07,067 --> 00:45:09,501 All right, 48 hours, but no later. 679 00:45:10,867 --> 00:45:14,177 How do you rate our chances of bringing it off, sir? 680 00:45:14,667 --> 00:45:16,737 Not very high, to be frank. 681 00:45:17,507 --> 00:45:18,781 I agree. 682 00:45:19,427 --> 00:45:21,895 I shall only give the word if there's no alternative, 683 00:45:21,987 --> 00:45:23,579 but I want to be ready, just in case. 684 00:45:23,667 --> 00:45:25,066 Ulmann, sir. 685 00:45:34,547 --> 00:45:36,299 Colonel Preston, would you come with me, please? 686 00:45:36,387 --> 00:45:37,820 The Kommandant would like to see you. 687 00:45:38,667 --> 00:45:41,659 We have had our difficulties, Colonel Preston. 688 00:45:42,667 --> 00:45:45,181 We have not always seen eye to eye. 689 00:45:45,747 --> 00:45:49,137 But I have come to trust you, if I may say so. 690 00:45:53,387 --> 00:45:57,221 I'm going to speak freely, more freely than I should, perhaps, 691 00:45:57,307 --> 00:46:01,266 but I want you to know the situation in which we find ourselves. 692 00:46:01,787 --> 00:46:03,266 Which is what? 693 00:46:03,867 --> 00:46:06,301 Heavy fighting is still going on, 694 00:46:07,747 --> 00:46:12,298 but no one knows the real situation. Perhaps Dunkirk was like that for you. 695 00:46:13,467 --> 00:46:15,822 Yes, it was very confused before the end. 696 00:46:15,907 --> 00:46:17,579 Confused? Yes. 697 00:46:18,907 --> 00:46:21,546 The telephone works only at intervals, 698 00:46:21,947 --> 00:46:24,142 ration trucks fail to appear, 699 00:46:25,067 --> 00:46:28,582 urgent mail is not received, yet I receive telegrams 700 00:46:28,987 --> 00:46:32,662 demanding personnel returns I despatched weeks before. 701 00:46:33,067 --> 00:46:36,218 Perhaps red tape is the last thing to break down. 702 00:46:36,987 --> 00:46:38,466 Possibly, yes. 703 00:46:41,147 --> 00:46:43,138 The wheel turns, Colonel. 704 00:46:45,547 --> 00:46:49,904 A long time ago, I had the unpleasant duty 705 00:46:49,987 --> 00:46:52,740 of informing you that your wife was dead. 706 00:46:54,667 --> 00:46:59,138 Last night, I heard that my son had been killed in action. 707 00:47:06,267 --> 00:47:07,780 I'm very sorry. 708 00:47:09,147 --> 00:47:11,103 Yes, thank you. 709 00:47:15,387 --> 00:47:16,900 How old was he? 710 00:47:18,107 --> 00:47:19,142 24. 711 00:47:22,387 --> 00:47:24,582 He joined his squad in 1 940. 712 00:47:28,027 --> 00:47:29,665 The war has lasted for so long, 713 00:47:29,747 --> 00:47:33,740 and the Luftwaffe has suffered such heavy losses 714 00:47:35,267 --> 00:47:38,145 that his survival would have been a miracle. 715 00:47:38,947 --> 00:47:41,666 But one had come to hope for a miracle. 716 00:47:45,227 --> 00:47:46,626 In the end, 717 00:47:48,147 --> 00:47:50,536 he died with a rifle in his hand. 718 00:47:53,467 --> 00:47:56,345 He was wounded, left behind in the retreat 719 00:47:59,627 --> 00:48:03,302 and crushed to death beneath the tracks of a Russian tank. 720 00:48:09,507 --> 00:48:11,941 One of his comrades saw it happen. 721 00:48:12,747 --> 00:48:15,898 I gave his mother a different version, of course. 722 00:48:18,907 --> 00:48:20,863 All that is by the way, 723 00:48:21,707 --> 00:48:24,744 except that his death seems so futile, 724 00:48:26,707 --> 00:48:30,382 and I wish to avoid any further meaningless bloodshed. 725 00:48:31,947 --> 00:48:33,938 So do we all, Kommandant. 726 00:48:34,827 --> 00:48:38,137 Then why doesn't Berlin give the order to surrender? 727 00:48:38,467 --> 00:48:42,142 I'm not so sure that Berlin knows what's going on any more. 728 00:48:43,827 --> 00:48:47,536 In the meantime, we all wait and our soldiers fight on. 729 00:48:51,387 --> 00:48:52,263 (CLEARING THROAT) 730 00:48:52,347 --> 00:48:57,501 However, Major Carrington will be released from solitary confinement 731 00:48:57,587 --> 00:49:00,181 and placed in Colonel Dodd's custody. 732 00:49:01,347 --> 00:49:03,941 Perhaps you will inform Colonel Dodd. 733 00:49:04,187 --> 00:49:07,941 Yes, of course. Has Major Carrington been reprieved? 734 00:49:08,907 --> 00:49:09,942 No. 735 00:49:10,667 --> 00:49:13,135 No, not to my knowledge, certainly. 736 00:49:14,147 --> 00:49:18,345 But since the order for his execution is not in my hands, 737 00:49:19,267 --> 00:49:23,579 I have decided, in the circumstances, to act on my own initiative. 738 00:49:25,627 --> 00:49:29,825 As the Kommandant says, a number of telegrams have not come through. 739 00:49:30,547 --> 00:49:33,266 We know that by the missing serial numbers. 740 00:49:33,347 --> 00:49:37,420 The instructions about Carrington may be among the missing orders. 741 00:49:37,747 --> 00:49:39,499 We shall never know. 742 00:49:42,387 --> 00:49:45,379 Thank you, Kommandant. I'm extremely grateful. 743 00:49:46,067 --> 00:49:48,661 Is there anything I can do in return? 744 00:49:49,027 --> 00:49:52,383 There is something I must ask you to accept, Colonel. 745 00:49:52,947 --> 00:49:54,016 Yes? 746 00:49:55,507 --> 00:50:00,137 As I've already indicated, only general orders are now received from Berlin. 747 00:50:00,427 --> 00:50:03,578 All local commanders have been told to fight on. 748 00:50:04,347 --> 00:50:08,738 The local commander in this area is SS Obergruppenfuhrer Berger. 749 00:50:10,347 --> 00:50:11,416 Yes? 750 00:50:13,987 --> 00:50:18,378 All prisoners of war are to be evacuated. 751 00:50:21,547 --> 00:50:23,538 We are to be transferred? 752 00:50:24,147 --> 00:50:26,377 The castle is to be evacuated. 753 00:50:28,267 --> 00:50:30,303 Where are we to be taken? 754 00:50:30,387 --> 00:50:32,901 Your destination is not known to me. 755 00:50:34,307 --> 00:50:36,662 Kommandant, if you have orders for our transfer, 756 00:50:36,747 --> 00:50:39,386 you must know where we're being taken. 757 00:50:41,147 --> 00:50:44,105 The garrison of Colditz will not be involved. 758 00:50:46,867 --> 00:50:50,337 Then who's going to escort us? SS? 759 00:50:50,947 --> 00:50:56,101 Your men will parade in marching order. Transport will not be available. 760 00:50:56,187 --> 00:50:57,859 Kommandant, I demand an answer to that question. 761 00:50:57,947 --> 00:51:01,462 -Who is going to escort us? The SS? -I don't know, Colonel. 762 00:51:01,547 --> 00:51:03,105 You must know, for God's sake. 763 00:51:03,187 --> 00:51:05,382 Arrangements have been made. That's all I was told. 764 00:51:05,467 --> 00:51:06,900 The Ceneral has full authority. 765 00:51:06,987 --> 00:51:09,421 I see, you release one man who was due to be shot 766 00:51:09,507 --> 00:51:11,941 and, at the same time, you expect the rest of us to walk out of here 767 00:51:12,027 --> 00:51:13,062 and risk being murdered. 768 00:51:13,147 --> 00:51:15,866 Now, I demand that your officers command that escort. 769 00:51:15,947 --> 00:51:18,415 I have been told that is not possible, Colonel. 770 00:51:18,507 --> 00:51:21,783 If we walk out of here with the SS, we're as good as dead, and you know it. 771 00:51:21,867 --> 00:51:23,539 I have my orders. 772 00:51:24,227 --> 00:51:25,706 (BOMB EXPLODING IN DISTANCE) 773 00:51:25,787 --> 00:51:28,255 The castle is to be evacuated.