Original subtitles

Got another batch, Sir. Brigade wants you to stick them with the others, Sir.

Fine Corporal, open the gate.

End of the block, second door on the right. See staff Sergeant Drexler.

Don't you people realize we're at capacity now, Corporal?

Why don't they just shoot the bastards?

I've been stuck here for six months while the brass

and the politicos are trying to make up their minds what to do them.

Button your lip, Sergeant. We've got a job to do.

Let's just get on with it.

Do the Corporal's receipt and leave the paperwork

on the desk for the Commandant in the morning.

Yes, Sir.

See you later.

Alright, which one's Rosch?

Stransky?

Wolzogen? -Von Wolzogen, please.

Reinhardt?

Alright Lewis, take these four down to the pen. There are bunks at the back.

May I come in?

Pascal. Of course, do come in. How nice to see you. -Albert.

It's been far too long. I've got just the thing.

A very special cognac. It came in from France yesterday.

They had it in the cellars all through the occupation.

I can't think of anyone I'd rather share it with.

What a splendid welcome. I don't need to ask how things are going. I can hear.

Well, the restaurant's coining money

and London have kept their word and made it all over to me. It's all mine.

Then you really have something to celebrate. Congratulations.

Any news of Monique? -No.

She's not coming back? -I think not.

You eat well here. Is it always like this? -It is with these damn Canadians.

I was with the French before. They were not so generous.

I was with the British. Nor were they. What are those? -Waffles.

Is that syrup? -Waffles and syrup.

For breakfast? -Yes.

Major Reinhardt. -Kessler.

So you didn't get away after all? Changed your uniform, I see.

Major Kessler? Or is it...?

For perfectly good reasons, I decided it was better to change my identity.

My papers say that I am Major Spitzweg.

You disobeyed orders. -What?

The day the Allies entered Brussels,

you were supposed to leave with us. Why didn't you?

I went to look for the man Albert Foiret, as I said I would.

And did you find him and execute him?

I found him. It was he who handed me over to the British.

He overwhelmed you? - No.

I told him I knew. We had a drink together and I gave him my pistol.

There didn't seem any point in doing anything else.

Should I have your room decorated? There's paint about now.

You know I'm trying to get used to the taste of real coffee again. It's strange.

Answer the question? Should I fix it up for you? Wouldn't cost much.

No, Albert. It isn't worth it. It's only for a few days.

Perhaps I should have done it straight away. You been here three months now.

You could stay if you want to. -No thank you.

I'm going back to my flat when Monique gets married.

She means it then? -I don't want to talk about it, Albert. I really don't.

I don't understand.

She knew what she meant to me. I intended to marry her.

That was all talk.

You had every chance to do something

and you kept saying tomorrow, next week, next year, after the war.

Well, it was better that way. I mean, who could tell what was going to happen?

It didn't stop thousands of others from getting married.

Monique assumed that your intention was as flexible as your timetable.

And you weren't around when she needed you. Someone else was.

Well, how could I leave the Candide?

Everyone was going mad. They'd have wrecked the place. Burnt it.

But it was alright if they wrecked or even burnt

the woman you so desperately wanted to marry?

No, Albert, there's something wrong with your priorities.

Well, I didn't know. I didn't know where she was.

Well, you didn't look, did you?

I'm sorry. I know that you're hurt, Albert,

but so was she. -- So was she.

Let's have some more coffee.

We haven't had real coffee for years and we treat it like a mangy dog.

That is a serious charge. Will you be more explicit? -Certainly.

This officer, when ordered by me to withdraw in military fashion

and retrench in a more advantageous position, refused to do so.

He gave himself up to the enemy.

And that after making certain arrangements with a resistance organization,

which he had significantly failed to apprehend.

Assuming that what you say is true, what is it you expect the committee to do?

Convene a court martial.

Herr Oberst, there's not only precedent for such a court martial,

but I conceive it to be our duty to the Fatherland.

Come along Spitzweg, this is nonsense. The war is almost over.

Nevertheless, it's not over yet.

I demand the right of a German officer to see that justice is done,

and desertion and treachery properly punished.

You have that right. We are in extraordinary circumstances,

and obviously I cannot apply to higher authority for court martial approval.

As senior German officer I shall assume

independent authority under the terms of the Army Act.

I will undertake to convene a court martial in due course.

The regulations state that it should be convened as soon as possible.

Very well.

Within four days. -That will be all Major Spitzweg.

Beer? -Yes please.

You know we've got a lot to thank the war for.

It brought people together.

Still, you haven't done too badly out of it. -No, I suppose not.

But I sometimes wonder whether I've lost more than I've gained.

Is Natalie still in the top room?

Not for much longer I fancy. She's going back home, to Holland.

Oh well, don't let's get morbid about it.

The war will be over in a couple of weeks and then it'll all start happening.

You play your cards right and you're gonna be a big man in Brussels.

I intend to be.

You know that field that runs by your farm. The big one.

Yeah, one of the ones down the road. Church pasture. -That's it.

You should buy that. -Me? Come on, Albert! What with?

With your share of the money I've been putting by from Lifeline.

It'll buy you a tractor as well.

There's 30,000 francs.

30,000 francs.

Major Reinhardt. Serious charges

of a military nature have been made against you.

As senior German officer, it is beholden upon me

to investigate, as far as I'm able, those charges,

uncover their substance, and, if necessary, convene a court martial.

A court martial?! You can't be serious. -I am perfectly serious.

You're being advised that this is to be regarded as a formal arraignment.

I've known that there was more than

a touch of insanity abroad in Germany for quite some time,

but I hadn't realized it had spread into the Wehrmacht.

I am not to be drawn. Innuendo is a poor weapon

at the best of times. You will please answer one or two questions.

The day the Allied forces entered Brussels,

did you give yourself up to the enemy without any show of fight?

Not exactly, but in principle, yes.

In doing so, you disobeyed a superior officer's direct order.

I did not acknowledge that the SS had

any jurisdiction over Luftwaffe officers.

And when the opportunity arose to apprehend

or destroy a known enemy of the Reich,

you failed to take any action whatsoever?

Am I to assume that these charges have been laid by Standartenfuhrer Kessler?

By Major Spitzweg. -He is not a Major.

He is Standartenfuhrer Kessler of the SS and Gestapo in Belgium.

Major Reinhardt. There are no Nazi personnel in this prison camp.

Merely German officers loyal to the Fatherland. Is that understood?

Oh, yes. Yes Sir. That is quite understood. -Good.

Gentlemen, I am satisfied that there is a case to answer.

Court martial will be convened two days from today, at 1000 hours.

Until that time Major, you will consider yourself under close arrest.

That's not bad. -Two.

What about one for the pot? -I forgot. -Forgot!

You have to remember my girl, I'm used to army char.

You add one for the pot. It really matters.

I love you, you know. I do, I love you, I love you. -I shall spill it.

Did you get those biscuits from the Army stores too?

Of course. I haven't got a wife at home sending me food parcels.

Stephen, we are going to get married aren't we? -Certainly not.

I've always fancied a French mistress,

but if I can't get that, I'll settle for a Belgian one.

I'm serious. -So am I my darling.

As a matter of fact, it's already fixed. I wasn't going to tell you until tonight.

My C.O. said "God bless you lad." So I got the papers.

As a matter of fact, I've already fixed the church.

You haven't?

Oh yes I have. Three streets away. Father Matthew.

May the 7th. Didn't think I would, did you?

That's two days. What am I going to wear? Are you going to buy me something? -Yeah.

That's Natalie. -Well, don't answer it.

It is, after all, her apartment.

Monique? Madeleine...

May I speak to you? I shan't keep you a moment.

Yes, please come in. Come in.

Thank you. -Just go straight through.

I'm sorry I'll come back later....

I'd like to introduce you. Captain Stephen Durnford. My fiance.

Madeleine Duclos. -Congratulations. -Thank you very much.

I'll get you a cup.

I'm sorry to intrude, but I was hoping I could have a word with you.

I've often wondered about you. Did they treat you badly? -Not really. No.

I didn't dare go back to my flat. Not for ages.

Monique, would you excuse me? I've thought of something

I want to go down the shops and look at.

Back by... -Six

Tell me, what happened?

I became a displaced person without papers, without, well, without anything really.

You need help.

I didn't know who to turn to.

I know you have every right to despise me, Monique. Perhaps I did wrong.

There are a few things worse than loneliness.

I'm too vulnerable to throw stones Madeleine.

You don't have to make excuses to me. Now then, do you need some money?

No. I can manage. I have some jewellery left.

A necklace the Baron gave me. It's quite valuable.

No. -- I need documents.

Papers, so that I can get away from Belgium and start again.

They won't let me leave without identification.

Monique. Please help me, Monique. -But I...

I know about Lifeline. You used to do things like get false papers for people.

Could you do it again? for me and my brother?

I suppose he could get them himself, but

I'm afraid for his safety if they find out about Kessler.

Please say you'll help me.

I don't see why not.

Well, the war will soon be over anyway. Who cares if I get your papers for you.

And your brother.

I shall also undertake the duties of president.

Senior Members: Major Diffling, 33rd artillery and Hauptmann Swing, Luftwaffe.

Officer for the prosecution is Major Von Retlingen.

Brussels Military District.

Officer for the defence,

Major Scheer, Luftwaffe.

All proceedings will be duly recorded for

confirmation at a later date by Oberleutnant Bahr.

Bring in the prisoner. -Bring in the prisoner.

Let us establish your identity. You are Hans Dietrich Reinhardt,

Major of the Luftwaffe?

I wish to make it quite clear that I do not accept the validity of this court.

The accused's acceptance is not necessary.

We shall continue. Is the prosecution ready to begin?

Yes, Sir.

The defence? -Ready, Sir. -Then proceed gentlemen.

The case for the prosecution is that on the day of September, the 3rd, 1944,

the accused disobeyed an order from a superior officer.

Here. It wasn't all that easy, you know. The thing is we're

not geared up for pinching from the British. It's not the same.

Anyway, we're out of practice.

Well, thanks for the drink. -Alain. -I must get back.

Thank you, I really, really appreciate this.

I hope you know what you're doing, love.

No, it's alright. I don't want to know

who you want them for, or why,

but you know you're getting married

to a British officer. Keep your nose clean.

Major, you were present in the security headquarters in the Avenue Louise

on the morning of September 3rd, 1944. -I was.

Describe in your own words the events... Forgive me, Sir.

It's the radio. What is the meaning of this?

Herr Oberst, it's the Führer. -A court-martial is in progress.

Two days earlier, Adolf Hitler had made his will

and it is understood secretly married his mistress, Eva Braun.

On the afternoon of the 30th Hitler lunched quietly in his suite,

then shook hands with everyone present and

retired to his private room in the bunker.

At 3:30, a shot was heard and his dead body

was found next to that of Eva Braun.

He had shot himself through the mouth. She had taken poison.

The bodies were later burned in the courtyard,

with the sound of Russian guns only a few streets away.

Sources in both Sweden and Madrid have implied

that the German final surrender is expected within the next 48 hours.

Now we return you to the studio.

Shall we resume the court martial, Herr Oberst?

I've lost the stomach for it, Spitzweg.

If our beloved Fuhrer is truly dead, as it would appear,

then we have reason to mourn, indeed.

I have served him the greater part of my adult life, and I am proud of that honor.

In the end, he was betrayed, as all great men are.

But are we then to wash our hands of it all

and release yet another who betrayed him?

I demand that this court martial be reconvened, and sentence passed.

Oberst Von Schalk, we are waiting.

I am re-convening this court martial, not because that megalomaniac is dead.

Nor because you are an incognito SS upstart.

A charge has been brought against a serving officer of the Luftwaffe.

We considered it our duty to examine that charge in court martial.

Nothing has changed. It is still our duty.

Proceed, please.

How are you? -Nervous.

I saw Alain in the street. Has he been to see you?

-Yes, yes. We talked about the wedding.

Are you going to say anything to Albert? -No. What is there to say anyway?

I thought I owed him an explanation, but I don't. I don't.

I don't want to see him before the wedding. Anyway, what good would it do?

Monique, you're not getting married for the sake of it?

You do love Stephen, don't you?

Of course I do.

Don't worry about me.

Don't think that Albert would have asked you?

He did once. There was a time, I suppose, when I...

And then I was in that -- cage.

Oh, Natalie, you know how long I've been here.

He's not been to see me once. Not even a message.

Do you hate him? -No.

I don't feel anything for him any more.

If it didn't seem so cowardly, I'd never see him again, ever.

Anyway, what are we talking about him for? I'm getting married tomorrow.

You freely admit that you allowed yourself

to be made prisoner by this Foiret,

acknowledged leader of Lifeline

and subsequently were handed over to the British?

Yes, yes.

That concludes the case for the prosecution, Herr Oberst.

Defending officer.

The defense wishes to recall Standartenfuhrer Kessler.

Thank you, Herr Major.

I think you mean Major Spitzweg, do you not?

With respect, Sir. This matter of rank

and service is of some importance to the defense.

You heard the ruling. This is a field court martial.

We have no time for legal niceties.

Herr Oberst, a man's life is at stake here and could well hang upon

a point which the court wishes to regard as merely a legal nicety.

I submit that it is significant and must be admitted to the proceedings.

Request granted, but I wish to remind you

that all the officers detained in this prison camp

are being called upon to appear before a so called

War Crimes Commission. We are purely military personnel.

There are no members of any national Socialist Organization in our midst.

The court recorder will ensure that no direct

reference to Major Sptizweg's true identity or service

is mentioned in the transcript. Is that clear? Proceed.

The defense recalls Major Spitzweg.

Someone to see you, Sarge. It's a lady.

Honest, Sarge. She's at the door. She's a looker.

Are you sure it's me she wants, not the Lieutenant? -Yes Sir.

Lewis, you've got something to do right?

So, what can I do for you, ma'am? -I have a proposition for you, Sergeant.

No, it's not myself I'm using for payment. I want to buy something from you, Sergeant.

Why me, ma'am? I don't have any special privileges or access around here...

I want to buy a human being.

I'm perfectly serious.

I wish to purchase the life of one of your German prisoners.

Lady, you know what you're asking?

Alright look, you just stay right there,

nice and still and I'll go get the duty officer.

Sergeant, I'm offering you a great deal of money

for something you wouldn't even miss.

OK. How much is a great deal?

Everything I have. This.

It's the real thing. I'll give you that.

What do you want me to do?

You arrange that a certain prisoner leave the warehouse undetected

and you destroy all records that he ever existed.

Oh, hey, ma'am, I can't do that.

Sergeant, this is worth at least 35,000 American dollars, possibly more.

35 Gs!

Who do you want? -Major Spitzweg.

Family? -You could say that.

When?

Tomorrow night. Shall we say shortly after midnight?

23:00. That's when it's quiet around here, and there's no duty officer around.

Alright, 11 tomorrow.

Where will you deliver your part of the bargain?

Round the back of the warehouse, near the canal. There's a door marked F.

Thank you, Sergeant.

Mayor Hans Dietrich Reinhardt. The finding of this

field court martial is that you are guilty as charged.

In accordance with the provisions of the Army Act governing

the operations of the Wehrmacht in the low countries,

the sentence of this court is that you be executed by firing squad.

Major Reinhardt, I intend to see that the verdict is

properly recorded in Luftwaffe and Wehrmacht records

so that future times may be able to act upon

the court pronouncement if they so wish.

Court is dismissed.

No, I insist that the sentence of this court be carried out.

There is no provision in the regulations

for the abandonment of a duly passed sentence.

It must be carried out. And speedily. That is our law.

And in view of the reported death of our Fuhrer, I consider it the unparalleled

duty of this court to ensure that proper retribution be made upon all traitors.

We have no firearms. Such a course is not possible to us.

I disagree, Herr Oberst.

I feel sure that if the Canadian camp Commandant

is approached in correct military manner,

he will see that it is the right of prisoners of war

to comply with a properly constituted court martial.

Will the Herr Oberst permit me to call the guard?

I will consider this with my fellow court officers.

You wish to see me, Oberst?

It is customary for junior officers

to treat senior officers with a certain respect

whatever the army in which they serve, Captain.

Perhaps the senior German officer would state his request, Sir?

Thank you, Sergeant.

Do you wish to smoke, Sir? -Thank you, no.

Is it customary in the Canadian Army to keep a Colonel standing?

No, no, of course not. Please be seated.

What can I do for you, Sir?

I wish to speak with the camp Commandant. I understand he's in his office.

Yes, that's correct, but I don't rightly know...

Oberst, you want to see me? Can't it wait? I am a bit busy.

I regret not Commandant. -All right.

Well, try to make this as brief as you can.

Officers under my command representing the three branches of our forces

tried by court martial one of our number.

I can assure you it has been carried out in a proper fashion

in accordance with the dictates of German law.

All proceedings have been duly recorded,

and a transcript is available for your records.

The accused has been found guilty of treasonable conduct and sentenced.

Now wait a minute.

Even in your army, such a sentence carries with it the death penalty.

I wish to be accorded the right to carry out that sentence.

Now let's get this straight.

You're telling me that you had a court martial,

and you're now ready to carry out the death penalty? -Exactly.

But Jesus, what the hell you want to kill him for? The Goddamn war is over.

-Alright, Captain. I can't let...

You are addressing a senior officer.

Treachery and desertion in the face of the enemy is punishable by death.

We wish to carry out the sentence of a legally constituted court martial.

It is quite simple.

Oh, do you expect me to hand out rifles and ammunition to prisoners?

Four rifles. Four bullets.

The regulations state that the sentence should be carried out

as immediately as possible.

We would prefer to carry out the execution tomorrow.

Captain. At 1400 hours tomorrow, you will issue the

German prisoners with four rifles and four rounds.

And at 1420 you will collect the rifles and you will return them to stores.

But Sir? -Captain, do it. -Sir.

And get Corporal Lacey here.

Arrange to make him a coffin for the same time.

I didn't give you permission to go von Schalk.

Now you listen to me, Oberst.

Now you hear this. And you hear it good.

While you're having your little Halloween party,

I'll be putting every one of my men around that yard.

And every goddamn one of them is going to be armed with a sten gun.

And if your boys come out of there yelling banzai, I'm gonna wipe you out.

So help me, I'll make the night of the long knives

look like a Thursday afternoon tea dance.

You read me, von Schalk?

Now you can go.

Are you really gonna go through with this, Sir?

Look, if they want to kill themselves off? Why the hell not?

They're crazy, you know that?

I've been nursemaiding those sons of bitches for six months.

It's not a soldier's job.

I almost wish they would make a break for it.

I've been watching you. You're not sleeping.

Perhaps this will help. I don't suppose I could sleep either.

No, you keep it.

Did our captors provide this along with their steaks and ice cream?

It cost me my medal ribbons. Excellent exchange, I thought.

Have you thought of talking to the Canadians?

You might get away with it if you're very lucky.

I had assumed I was being guarded. Discreetly. No?

Oh yes, I'm your guard for this evening. Until three.

And this? Conscience payment? -No, I have no conscience.

Does anyone in Germany?

What are you supposed to do if I? If I try it on.

Strangle you with this.

Could you do it? -Oh yes. At any other time.

I think you would overpower me, now. I would not put up much of a fight.

Why not?

If I'm going to die, I will go the way of a soldier.

Not that way. That's very German.

You want to die?

Don't you care at all? -What is there to care about?

Germany will rise again.

That does not make me want to stay alive, Kapitan.

Goodnight.

In the name of the Father...

And of the Son...

And of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It's over.

The war is over.

The war is over.

By order of the field court martial convened at Skarbek

by order of Oberst von Schalk,

Major Hans Dietrich Reinhardt has been found guilty

of treasonable conduct against the German armed forces,

and is sentenced to death by firing squad.

Major Reinhardt. Have you anything you wish to say?

You're mad. All of you.

You're stark raving mad.

Platoon to attention. Load guns.

Lock guns.

Unlock guns.

By order of the Führer. -Fire.

Why are the church bells ringing? -The war's over, mac. Didn't you hear?

Liberation Festival in Brussels

I don't know which is worse, victory or defeat.

I don't think I should survive another surrender.

Don't be so stubborn. That's beautiful.

I think the poor girl I was dancing with, honestly,

she must have feet like almond tarts by now

I must have trodden on her at least a dozen times.

Alain, it's wonderful. Look at them all. The whole world is happy tonight.

Not I fancy in Germany and I won't say

that I feel sorry for them. I don't.

I won't have you being serious. Not tonight, Pascal.

Alain... -We thought you weren't coming.

Coming through the streets it was wonderful to feel myself happy.

What a wonderful wedding day.

It's more than a wedding day, Monique.

This is our day. Lifeline's day.

It was Albert asked that we should all come here to the Candide.

I understand that champagne is available, so I've taken

the liberty of ordering us a bottle each, as a start.

A bottle each, Pascal. How am I supposed to get home?

Well, don't make me feel like the spectre at the feast.

Albert, I don't think you've met my husband,

Captain Stephen Durnford, Albert Foiret.

I must congratulate you -- both. I hope you'll be very happy.

Thank you very much.

Ah, here's the champagne. Albert, sit down for God's sake.

Albert, I insist. -Where's Natalie?

It's a little flat, but I think it will taste alright.

Champagne. Thank you.

This is what I've been waiting for.

How are you feeling? -Absolutely wonderful.

Sante, everybody. Sante.

Perhaps you'd just excuse me one moment.

I want to have a word with a brother officer. -- Monique.

Your captain is a man of great sensitivity, Monique.

He realizes that this moment belongs to us and to us alone.

My friends, my very dear friends,

we have, thank God, survived.

There's no words to describe the feeling. To Lifeline.

But I'd like to drink to all the people who were part of it.

And to all our friends who can't be here with us tonight.

To Lifeline, then. And absent friends.

To Lifeline and absent friends.

Ludwig, it's me.

Come on. This way.

Here.

That's yours.

Where are we going? -Switzerland. There's a train in half an hour.

No, to Germany.

It's in ruins, Ludwig. -A new Germany.

Stephen, would you like to dance with me? -Natalie, I'd be delighted.

Bring him back, won't you.

You wouldn't have come to say goodbye if it hadn't been VE Day, would you?

Yes I would.

I know I'm not very good at these things, but I would have.

Why? Why?

Because it would have been unfriendly not to.

No, I don't mean that.

Why, Monique?

If you don't know, Albert, nothing I can say will tell you.

When did you decide?

I think it was the day of the landings. We were in the office,

you took off your wedding ring -- I suddenly realized...

Don't let's talk about it. It doesn't do any good.

Here. -What's this?

It's your share of the money I saved from the Lifeline kitty.

The others have theirs. -No, I don't want it.

You damn well take it, my girl. It's yours.

It's the only thing that gives you independence.

Now, we want you to have it. We insist that you take it. -Thank you.

Monique, it's time to go now. -Yes.

Before you go... will you sing for us? Please...

Why not?

Yes of course I'll sing.

If this is the last time I see you

then let's make the most of today.

Let promises keep for tomorrow

when you will be far away.

If this is the last time you hold me,

then hold me as never before.

We said when we started our story

the future we just ignore

while I'm here in your arms.

All my sorrows desert me

while you and your sweetness

are the comfort I need.

If this is the last time I kiss you

then let it be tender and true

The summer may bring me a new love,

but never love like...