Original subtitles

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in the Alpine country of Austria lies

the village of P / home of the lipids on

horses the lipids on breed had its

beginning in 1580 during the reign of

Maxima in the second

from that time until the end of the

empire the white horses served the crown

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today they belong to the people of

Austria cherished as a living symbol of

times that were splendid that are gone

and will not return

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[Applause]

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in the autumn of their third year when

the lipid saunas are turning from dark

to white the finest stallions are

selected for the famous Spanish Riding

School in Vienna

named for the Spanish origin of the

lipids on horses the school was built in

1735 when every court in Europe

patronized the art of classical writing

today it is the only home of that art in

the world it has survived Wars and

occupations crowns and republics

but near the end of the Second World War

it was almost lost in the spring of 1945

a great adventure began for the white

horses of Vienna

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general tell him this is a pleasant

surprise Colonel Podolski you remember

general striker yes of course I remember

the general very well forgive me for not

calling my staff to attention but a

military atmosphere in the hall would

disturb the concentration necessary in

our training I see

general strike arrived only this morning

and one of his first inquiries was of

the spanish riding school we're honoured

I'm a great admirer Philip it's honest I

always make it a point to see them on my

visits to Vienna then you must attend

tomorrow's performance it's our first in

several months so I understand but what

happened here Khurana Podolski happened

general yes it doesn't look the same

wasn't there a portrait of child vi

above the gallery and I remember some

magnificent Road Ilyas I had them

removed did you have orders to do that

colonel I gave the colonel permission to

take certain precautions measures these

things are irreplaceable I was anxious

for their safety oh I see anxious for

their safety

why do you anxiety also explain the

number of empty stars and youths tabor

colonel i did send some of the younger

stallions to the country you made a

request to Berlin asking permission to

move the spanish riding school out of

Vienna yes some time ago let request was

denied

yes it was I was very disappointed so

disappointed that you chose to ignore

those instructions if I chosen to ignore

them none of us would be here

the horses I sent away were still in

training they were not yet school

performance you may decisions that

contradict the spirit of orders from the

Fuhrer Vienna is in no danger life has

to continue as usual here you can't

honestly order the spanish riding school

papers you have a number of riders on

leave from the Army they are to be

returned to active service immediately

you want the riding school to continue

and yet you take my staff away from me

men are needed at the front striker the

basis of the school is in its training I

sympathize with your problems colonel

but the war is fast reaching a climax

and I tell you in confidence that it

will not be easy if Germany is to win

some sacrifice will be required by

everyone I am looking forward to tumors

performance

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you're there that horse should kick you

for giving him such confused signals and

they kicked me for allowing you in this

hole

it wasn't you he was shouting at you

were only a substitute will you check my

work if I'm doing something wrong I want

to be corrected

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who is cast something wrong yes

something's wrong

I don't permit childish outbursts of

emotion to interrupt training in the

writing hall and who is having childish

outbursts

I am I sent myself away I shouted at a

young writer you should have heard me

he's a conscientious boy too one of the

best

well if he's one of the best clear

survive your temper come and have some

coffee I just remember to praise Him

tomorrow how can the Nazis be so stupid

are they now believing their own

ridiculous propaganda ah

the Nazis yes the Nazis always the Nazis

I feel her than Nazis all my life the

school should be closed I should be

evacuating it from the city right now

and there should be no one in Berlin to

stop me you can ask to leave the city

and keep asking that's all you can do

you are in the army the school is under

military control and that's that is the

Opera run by the army or the symphony

perhaps Vienna will be spared after all

it like Paris has been spared I must

prepare to leave Vienna on my own if

necessary no Louis you mustn't even

think of it I have to do whatever I can

to assure the survival of the school

what of your own survival the school is

my responsibility before there were

Nazis giving orders in Austria and they

remains my responsibility my first

responsibility

I'll keep trying to get permission and

pray they come to their senses but if

they still won't listen to me in time

run no I don't even want to hear this

right now I want you to understand

Europe is going to split wide open and

only those people who are ready to do

something you have a plan and the

courage to use it will have a chance to

save something of their lives the school

is my life and my obligation I can't

turn from it forget it out of fear think

about it Verena as I have thought about

it you do understand but I don't want

Louis promise me you won't risk yourself

unless it's the only way until it's a

last desperate resort don't forget you

are my life

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[Applause]

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beautiful wine just beautiful you for

nangka how could I help it going back to

my old outfit that when I left C years

ago I'll sink I'll have a nice time

seeing them all again fanny of them are

left that's a fine way to talk yes nice

and cheerful drink up everybody after a

few glasses everything will be nice and

cheerful and before you know it we'll

have are volunteering to go along to the

front well I've already been thinking

about that after all you'll need

somebody to wipe your nose such an honor

for me please see the head of the table

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good here for mine

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miss purr-fect sit down please

come Apple daisuki I'd like to propose a

toast when we first came to the Spanish

Riding School three years ago you said

we'd be expected to give the best that

was in us that you would settle for no

less and as time passed we saw that you

meant it it was difficult because I

don't think any of us knew what the best

in us wars are even where to look for it

but you kept demanding until you made us

find it and for that we thank you

because we can take it with us now

wherever we go you were sent to the

writing school under orders I want to

ask you if you wanted to go there and I

wasn't given much choice either but the

writing school is lucky it would have to

be you know to still be around after so

many years if I had been allowed to go

through the entire cavalry myself unit

by unit to find a staff I couldn't have

done better those of you who remain here

will have to work harder than ever those

who are returning to active service will

I'm sure be a credit to your units we'll

miss you

good luck

they're good boys going off to war so

uselessly at this point noise sorry

[Applause]

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just say we'll meet again tomorrow just

say auf wiedersehen

soon our

don't say goodbye and don't despair I

know that we will meet again somewhere

our dreams will

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frenzy okay

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come on play something very gay come on

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[Applause]

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I'm so afraid get ready to leave Vienna

going to defense headquarters in the

morning they can't refuse me now

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the jury would see you know

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what can I do for you colonel

Podolski I have a request to make I want

permission to evacuate the Spanish

Riding School immediately your request

has been denied but that was before that

was this morning I've been in contact

with Billy but why would they deny it

last month was one thing even last week

but now the Spanish Riding School is a

simple of yenna its evacuation might be

interpreted by the Viennese as a sign

that their situation is regarded as

hopeless but the city is doomed

it's an extravagant sacrifice general

striker and I don't believe the Viennese

people can be so easily fooled it's not

my place colonel to question the

decisions of higher headquarters I have

a responsibility general indeed the

responsibility of any man in uniform to

obey orders

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nice to see general tell I'm do you have

an appointment colonel no I do not

sergeant I want to report a plot on

general strikers life

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where did you see two elderly it was

very impressed with you you know he

stutters when he's impressed it isn't

difficult to impress people these days

you just talk very loud and have an

unpleasant manner does you impress

general striker no he's an exception

request denied

any requests all requests I'm sorry I

I can't believe such waste such as you

better don't tell me what you think

don't tell anyone

these are no times for saying what you

think forget my temper the school

mayor's were moved to Czechoslovakia for

reasons I never understood I can't

predict what will happen to them there

now air raids in danger my stallions and

I refused permission to save them it's

it's as if the end of the Spanish Riding

School had been deliberately planned and

is being carried out on on some secret

schedule from higher headquarters I

don't know how to be polite and patient

any longer ah

I only wish I call Berlin and accomplish

something for you since the attempt on

Hitler's life having too many changes no

friends left there I know thanks for

listening to me again

now just a second some time ago I gave

you orders to take certain art treasures

out of the school to safety those orders

have not been rescinded can you help me

with transportation well would you like

to take these treasures to Saint Martin

in the in Christ there's plenty of

stable space in the castle they're as

perfect restoring art treasures cradle

of causes chaos but I'll see what I can

do and I send you some trucks or wagons

of trucks are scarce my lipids honors

will help me with his evacuation I'll

give you what help I can and then it's

up to you you know I could be setting a

trap for you I'm willing to take that

chance

be careful my friend

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colonel you want me to wait for you now

you go ahead to the trucks in these

wagons all come with the rest we'll meet

you at the railroads to copy the orders

in case you get stopped

yes but I'm hoping we don't have to use

them those field police there make me

nervous

good luck

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we are ready to volcano

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[Applause]

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what's going on here I'm Colonel

Petoskey of the Spanish Riding School

take a look in those wagons all of them

and evacuating valuable equipment and

art treasures from the writing school

were on our way to the railroad yard you

have orders signed by the area defense

commanded

your wife yes she helps you with

evacuations I don't like to leave her

alone

why do you have horses tied behind your

wagons colonel these are show animals

they're not used to pulling loads I

brought extra horses for relief

furniture paintings some sails and

harnesses what you are doing is very

dangerous colonel for daisuki I realize

that

I'd hate to see these beautiful animals

caught in array dude better move on and

go quickly thank you

[Applause]

[Applause]

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there very few trains going out there's

been heavy damage on the Western line

not hopeless auto never hopeless where

is he he's over here come with me I'm

Colonel Petoskey I have transportation

orders I told you it's impossible you

didn't tell me anything

well it's still impossible I have orders

who else you won't get rid of me I

promise you colonel for daisuki I have

$100 I cannot fill all of the merited

soldiers equipment and you want a car

for hard objects I want six cars six I

can't leave until you help me Colonel

I'm a very busy man

my concern is not for myself it's for

the horses will cease your orders

colonel put ice key collar to

transportation of certain treasures and

what are the treasures of the spanish

riding school the real treasures that's

not for me to decide Carol I can't help

you boy you horses

are you Austrian yes almost then there

is much your horses as they are mine

please Karl don't try to use sentiment

on me there's no place for sentiment is

de not sentiment hard reality something

irreplaceable is in danger of being

destroyed

put ice key you're gonna forced me to

telephone the police

your children yes they are my children

very handsome

such an eager look as if they know that

tomorrow will be a good day

are they here in Vienna no I've sent

them away out of danger

good I'm relieved kupah daisuki I must

ask you again have they seen the

leopards on horses yes they've seen the

horses they love the horses

I love the horses why wouldn't you take

no for an answer you're putting me into

a terrible position I look at my desk

and I I see a hundred orders I cannot

fill but you make me also see the faces

of my children well there's some things

that a man should never lose sight of

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the horses are restless oh you you must

get some sleep

Louis when we get to st. Martin

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get off the train no I'm staying

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just passing by just turning around

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they're passing on by

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you are so stubborn sometimes you would

talk me

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it's so quiet here it makes me nervous

we reduce the noise now where's Otto he

went for a walk he was born here in

winds until a few days ago the war was

just radio reports and a few

inconveniences and suddenly now

and it still seems unreal to me I'll be

coming back there's nothing left

we're left

[Applause]

I think I waited for you to tell me

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we're not going anywhere and leaving is

here to be slaughtered like sheep

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[Applause]

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is it all over

how long do we have to stay here until I

get orders to move out

that's how long well it's not a very

safe place what do you get your orders

from from everybody on this dog I'm

getting pretty tired of it to stop until

they bomb this place off the map it's

smarter to leave us here

we can't risk an engine what are you

waiting for I didn't bring the spanish

riding school all the way to Lintz to

have it destroyed the spanish riding

school is on my train or cars of us my

wife and I went to see your beautiful

white horse is a narrative to the enemy

are you crazy

it's a right and you are talking about

horses

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but Japan's just leave us here

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I don't got to get the horses out of

here where will we go I don't know

anyway

he's taking us with him

[Applause]

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during the last weeks of the war the

castle of st. Martin was a refuge for

hundreds of homeless frightened people

and for the Spanish Riding School of

bein the days were long with waiting

wider with the hands

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[Applause]

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what's better the thief you broke into

the storeroom I only took some blankets

and a saddle the quiet nobody's hurting

in my wife inside the freezing what

could I do

freezing in this weather it's cold at

night we have to sleep on the ground and

a saddle keeps you warm see if anything

else is missing

what are you doing Twitter they hurt you

brother I only wanted some blankets a

man has to take care of his family

yeah my tears are not freezing a moment

ago you only had one child there

shouldn't bully poor people you're not

needed here there's a pistol missing I

didn't take any pistol I swear I don't

know anything about the faceless search

me go on get

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we'd better keep a guard here from now

on des and I set up some kind of a

signal system he'll steal everything

we've got to use for barter yes I'll

make up a roster give each guard a rifle

and a clip of ammunition

don't forget someone out there has a

pistol

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Louis Otto caught a thief in the stables

what did you do with him let him go

what could I do to turn him over to the

authorities I'm a fugitive from

Authority and we couldn't wait to reach

the safety of Sint Maarten

like we're going to have a very

important visitor we better go upstairs

Lois aren't you coming no when I say any

reason to draw attention to yourself

going outside to say hello

can't believe my eyes what brings you to

st. Martin brought permission for you to

finally evacuate Vienna how quickly do

you think you can accomplish such

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what a pleasure to see you general tell

him do come in

you were right Louis a very important

visitor indeed countess allow me to

present general tell hime the countess

very generously opened the doors of her

home to us on their general tell hime is

a dear friend from Vienna welcome to San

Martin general his visit is a happy

surprise for us how did you manage to

get away from your office

everything is confusion these days I

don't think I'll even be missed in that

case you must stay for dinner oh I don't

want to impose I insist I'll see to

arrangements yes and next to yourself

the busiest person in Austria I see she

has quite a population here I can't even

count the number of refugees who come

through San Martin every week and she

nurses and biases and worries over them

where's her husband in the army

no he disagreed with the authorities

he's in a concentration camp I see well

come in come in please sit down tell us

what's been happening to you don't

pretend with me but you really want to

know is what has happened to the

writings is it so easy to see through me

oh the hole is still standing it looks

the same I am happy to see you I'm

happier every minute

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how beautiful

thank you what's my pleasure I don't

often get the chance to play anymore you

know we we have just broken the law yes

the music of Mendel's own is forbidden

I'd forgotten of course your Hannah who

can remember such things

who

the brain is superb then the wines with

dinner I'm not accustomed anymore to

such good things in Vienna they all God

or very well hidden we lacked the map

general literally from under the flow of

the wine cellar and the silver and the

China where to bury nan died by digging

all afternoon I went to a lot of trouble

but it's a good to have guests again a

new sec

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I've always loved medicine I played

cradle song as a boy

what can happen through a country that

causes it to outlaw the genius of a

great composer what happens to people

that they permit themselves there is so

denied perhaps you are being too hard on

them generally it doesn't happen

overnight this condition it developed

slowly and so subtly that people don't

realize what's being done yeah and

suddenly it's all there and then it's

too late to fight back at least that's

what do we keep people say all right I

think you're being too kind

the strong people fight in spite of

everything they risked themselves for

what they believe in I admire them I I

envy them whatever happens

ya know I think I must go it was a

wonderful evening for a while I

completely lost track of time

but only one hour but but yeah thank you

for that I thank you it was worth more

than I can tell you I hope we're going

to see you again think of me sometime

you don't have to ask now I would like

to see my beautiful lipids honest once

more

of course goodbye in car thought you

were announcing an enemy

general tell him you've done so much for

the school already I'm embarrassed to

ask more of you but I'm terribly worried

about my mayor's in Czechoslovakia I

wonder if there isn't something can be

done before it's too late it's already

too late

save your appeal for the conquerors I

brought very bad news with me I've

postponed telling it for selfish reasons

it's been such a pleasant visit what

news the Hungarian writing school fled

Budapest but was captured by the

Russians on the outskirts of Vienna the

outskirts fall of Jena is imminent may

have happened since I left what happened

to has Lynch Ginny's horses do you know

he and the stuff we're taking prisoners

of war there in uniform and the horses

were destroyed I see

we've talked so much about the end

expecting it waiting for it it's still a

shock when it comes but I can do one

thing for you my last good deed I can

demilitarized the school might make

things easier for you when the

conquering forces take over I'd be very

grateful all right I'll send the

official papers to you establishing the

school as a civil institution the way it

was before you called it your last good

deed yeah the fall of Germany my life is

over

I've given a great deal of thought to my

situation and I've decided

neither the courage not a desire to

begin over again more than that I've

decided I don't want to be judged and

Nazi I want to accept the responsibility

but you were never in sympathy with

Hitler no I sold myself to like many

others I'm only being faithful to a

cross that took years ago a week course

then

week still but my chosen one

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such a terrible winter I think we are

going to have quite a nice spring

I don't believe the Russians will come

as far as San Martin whatever

encouragement that may be to you

I believe the Americans will come into

this area

should I expect more from them don't

give up hope my friend

the past to be proud of chance for the

future few of us have that much

and sorry I had to spoil our beautiful

evening written reports general tell him

why don't you stay here for a while

I'm sure the countess would be very

happy to take in when Marisa tea No

thank you for the thought

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goodbye

I hope things go well with you

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to strengthen ourselves for greater

battles the server eyes will rise up

again to meet its glorious destiny no

news the last rattles of a dying monster

I want it to die but I don't want to

listen to it perhaps tonight we have

better luck with a British broadcasts at

night I don't think they're bothering

with us anymore

what do they care if we know the truth

they've won it's all over except for

some cleaning up here and there the rain

puts you in a bad mood

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take it easy

you might shoot somebody by accident

I shoot somebody it won't be an accident

it's very cool on that kind phase infuse

I don't believe it

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that's right channel just stay right

there are you doing my horse they're

going to use them to get us out of here

before the Russians camp I think I'll

let you do this

no no giving orders today Carl besides

we're doing you a favor

I hear the Russians have it tasteful

horse meat if you're running from the

Russians you're wasting your energy the

Russians aren't coming to say Martin

that's not what I hear I hear they're

already in the enna and moving in this

direction but where do you have to run I

tell you you're better off staying here

I don't think you're really clear what's

better for us colonel

you saw that German officer who visited

here a few days ago he came from Vienna

and he told me what's going to happen

the Russians are not coming as far as

st. Martin maybe we were listened to too

many German officers

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get that voice out kill you

be careful colonel absolutely man

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everybody but my staff better get out of

here fast

The Doors annastolz to stay with him

somebody help me get out of the house

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now I am going to retire don't talk that

doesn't sound like thunder

it isn't thunder it's the vectors

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it isn't a deep wooden thing goodness is

it worth it marina what all our efforts

all our care now I've never heard you

ask that before

no I'm stubborn the truth is stubborn -

time comes when you have to see things

as they are and how are they I'm curious

to know just open your eyes and your

ears

here come the conquerors they take lives

and destroy tradition without a second

thought

how do you know what they do Lewis you

heard what happened to the Hungarian

school that was one unit in the Russian

army that's all you heard anything

better about the other side it's not the

worst of it not nearly the worst the

very people I've been trying to save the

school for now threatened to destroy it

that's not true well what happened today

just a few hours ago somebody gets hold

of a gun and they're all ready to go

ready to kill me or anyone else who gets

in their way and steal every stallion in

the stable Lois there's something you

must understand there are people in this

world to whom a horse is just a horse

white black or piebald not a thing of

beauty or culture but just a horse the

means of transportation or perhaps

something to fill their stomachs well

maybe there won't be room for tradition

and art in the world that comes out of

this war maybe those things are obsolete

if they are then so am i obsolete

like tell him a man whose time has

passed his world is gone if that's so

then I should know it I should open my

eyes wide and recognize it yes open them

your sight is foggy that doesn't

blindness

it's just near sightedness you can see a

desperate group of refugees because they

come near you and shout threats into

your face where are all the others all

those Austrians who risk themselves

trying to save the school the engineer

on the train that brought us here the

dispatcher at the railroad station

Auto Sascha you've suddenly lost sight

of them you compared yourself to tell

I'm it's unfair for a tell I'm nothing

to hold on to nothing to fight for

so he gives up but it's not you lose

as long as there's a chance for the

school to continue you've got to keep on

fighting you owe it to those people in

the background

I have something else to hold on to

besides the school thank you

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I'm looking for Colonel Podolski

advertised key I have on a soil Colonel

orders you are to be defense area

commander Colonel the men of the village

have been armed and await your

instructions area commander as the

highest-ranking officer but I'm no

longer in the military I've been waiting

for official papers these are or

official papers Carla certified is not

over any ideas of peaceable surrendered

with the Americans will bring severe

punishment do you have any questions

colonel no yoga massage husband will

remain here for you instructions

they're open are you any relation to the

man who owns the butcher shop in the

village yes time to see mouths month

they're often I wonder if there isn't a

closer danger facing us right now than

those guns we hear echoing in the hills

the closer danger as the danger of

plundering Grande there are over 300

refugees here and as those guns grow

louder they grow more restless now their

fear and desperation were to reach the

breaking point and they gave themselves

to open riot and looting what you can

see what would happen to all of us yes

yes I see it might not be a bad idea if

we kept our armed men close to the

village just in case there is such an

outbreak what do you think he's gonna

get himself in trouble Louis I don't

like what you're doing what should I do

send a bunch of sick and tired old men

out to fight soldiers I don't want it on

my conscience

and the orders orders I promise you will

never see the Christ lighter again I am

no longer in the army with or without

written confirmation I'm through with

Nazis once and for all has been used to

say I play the piano like a carpenter

any big thing sounds fine to me

wait listen I don't hear anything

exactly the guns have stopped what do

you suppose that means for Reina bring

the clothes you ordered for the staff I

think we should get out of these

uniforms Luis please go right now Marina

how do I want the uniforms burn and get

rid of those rifles we have in this

table right away curly not have to

explain them yes sir isn't there

something I can do

I'd like to be busy too I feel the world

is spinning twice it's normal spade

tonight and if I don't know it tight I

don't know what tell me I do I feel it

too before many hours have passed a

whole way of thinking and acting will

end for us and welcome or not it's a

jolt finally the end

what will they be like the Americans I

don't know we'll find out soon enough

[Applause]

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they aren't stopping they're passing us

by weight

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Haeju - find out who these people are no

owns this place how do you do I'm Lois

boat I ski are you the owner

no the count Arco Valley is the owner

where is he he's not here

my husband is in no concentration camp

we'd like to inspect your home counters

as a possible headquarters we would be

honored to have an American headquarters

in San Martin will you show me through

major often take a look at the other

buildings

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be patience for a while hey come on I'm

sorry

what is it honor what's wrong

no no nothing's wrong there's an

American officer asking for you you know

your name take me to him

are we sure it must be the same pad I

see a major Hoffman sorry you ride in

the 1936 Olympics a long time ago yeah

well it seems like a long time ago of it

I certainly remember your performance

I never seen riding like that you're

very kind please your horses they're

from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

I read about your being made director

there that that was before the war

wasn't no I'm still director or whatever

it's worth major Hoffman will set up

call headquarters here would you take

charge of moving in the various sections

yes sir we'll set up a motor pool here

in the stables that seems to be enough

room can i ski here he's director of the

Spanish Riding School are the finest

horsemen in the world sir

famous lipizzans day is a here at st.

Martin how many horses do you have here

Petoskey 77 handsome animals yes sir

I've never seen them before myself but

it's supposed to be quite an experience

they're unique in the world you've

brought them from the enemy for their

safety

very handsome its general sir the

Spanish Riding School is worth saving

not just for Austria but for the world

we need your protection

I'm sorry pathetic oh I don't believe we

can survive without it we have 70

stallions here to care for to feed and

shelter and defend our mayor's have been

removed to a hostile in Czechoslovakia

if they're not returned to us the breed

will die Petoskey we're still trying to

win a war once that's done agencies will

be set up to take care of requests such

as yours forgive my impatience sir but

those agencies may be too late I have no

authority to grant army protection to

you as for the mayor's a line of

demarcation has been drawn that American

forces will not cross that line lies on

the Czechoslovakian border the Russians

will take hostile

I respect your devotion to your school

sorry I can't help you

[Applause]

well don't give up

not yet and I spoke too soon house 2 for

no just don't give up

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I'm not

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but I ski we have a talk

I just had a long conversation with the

general he'd like to help you we've got

an idea

yes what I did do you think you could

give a performance here at Saint Martin

on short notice

performance yeah you see General Patton

commander the Third Army he's a he's a

real horse lover you rode the 1912

Olympics

well if you're to take an interest in

the school he might be able to do things

for you no one else could do even save

the mares well I can't make any promises

but if we invited Patton to come here

see a performance oh how can I give a

respectable show under these conditions

I I have a small staff the stallions are

out of training well if it can't be done

well I didn't say it couldn't be done I

I only said I I don't know how but

you're willing what's the chance isn't

it I need a chance good already Army

Headquarters tonight major Hoffman I

want to thank you you go into a town

after so many sad towns walk into a

stable and you see something beautiful

don't expect it helps you forget some of

the not so beautiful things you've been

seen

well goodnight but a ski

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we're going to give a performance here

perhaps the most important performance

in the history of the school for an

American general who can help us when's

it gonna take place I don't know yet

maybe a couple of days a couple of days

that's not possible

it would take weeks to get the horses

ready come on I don't see how we can do

it well I'll tell you something we've

come too far and gone through too much

to give up now to save the school we

need the help of the Americans and this

General Patton is the one to impress but

we need times there isn't time so he can

shake our heads and throw up our hands

and turn from this opportunity and there

may never be another performance

anywhere is that what you want let's

take this chance to thank God Lord it

may be our only one

a training program will start early

tomorrow morning very early I suggest

you get some rest

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hey nobody gets out of a sack earlier

than the US Tommy but nobody

you want two rows of seats each one long

enough for about ten men okay I'll show

you the plans hey what's going on no

it's not a circus it's the Spanish

Riding School from Vienna

what's a Spanish Riding School doing in

Austria we got a Spanish restaurant in

Brooklyn it's the oldest writing school

in the world they certainly are

beautiful horses ma'am

aren't they and you want to make a

friend smile and we're in need of

friends just now

look at him /a Araya weren't you asking

for the next dance cornpone yeah well I

want to tell you something he's a whole

lot lighter on his feet than a lot of

the girls back home the director of the

riding school says he's happy for the

chance to show his horses to the

American liberators he has a big job to

do now making a suitable place but once

it's done the stallions can perform for

you perhaps give you a happy memory of

Austria to take that home well maybe we

can help out man mm-hmm really oh that

would be very kind Hey look what he's

doing now

freaks to them Brennan for sideshow

performers I don't need noise very young

how could they understand about the

riding school means they appreciate

tradition but they're willing to

understand they're open I don't have

time to teach them and I don't like

their jokes Louis you're always talking

about your responsibilities to the

school you think your responsibility is

just a B it's also a game you know what

are you doing I don't want to have an

argument with you especially over such a

thing as this such a thing as this is

very important I have heard of men and

wartime who killed so long they just

couldn't stop

maybe you fought too long you've

distrusted for too long just leave the

coffee we'll help ourselves

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kitchen so farm as well down to the

village pump for water you're too lazy

to do that

good morning marina good morning aunt

the Americans wonderful they have an

absolute passion for cleanliness yes as

wonderful they are finding dirt that I'm

sure has been in the palace for

centuries I hate to see it go Verena

something wrong won't you tell me

we asked too much of our men

we asked them to have the strength and

fury of Giants event a change could be

again the men they were

we have to ask it isn't that true

it's our Georgia - don't worry so much

foreigner you see I have to think of

what will happen to him if the American

general will not help

oh how beautiful and I have just the

place for us yeah now I can see without

being seen

it's late it's so nervous it's as bad as

the day we got married

worse even I didn't know what to expect

from you General Patton has a reputation

he's here the big man

good luck

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yes can we begin now

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I was it's alright to move in closer you

want to go ahead sit out if you want to

move in closer

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I never seem to muster that before did

you never seen a worse fight he's never

seen a horse before a horse has better

sense than to go anyplace near Brooklyn

yeah

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what's the matter baby Scott does

talking

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general I thank you for the great honor

you have shown the Spanish writings this

cultural institution so deeply tied to

the Austrian soil and heart

the oldest writing school in the world

has survived centuries of war and

revolution surely the great American

nation which has gone to war to save

European culture from destruction will

be interested in this old school which

is truly a living piece of the Baroque I

believe I am doing right in asking you

general for your special protection and

health protection for the school and

help in finding and returning the lipids

on Mayor's which are now in gravest

danger in Czechoslovakia thank you for

fine performance now will you join my

party for two of your stables yes of

course did you say yes or no I missed it

he didn't or they're ready to perform

three to four years amazing to me

there's so much time and energy can be

in the middle war we've tried to

preserve our arts where the idea if we

could look for Tommy but I see you never

use the mayor no sir only the Stallions

who worked in the school the mayors are

kept aside for breeding that's why it's

so necessary to get our marathon of

Czechoslovakia there are no others the

Germans moved ours

from the Bieber some time ago over my

strong protests I have done a fine job

but I ski my congratulations well what

did he say he said he was hungry

[Applause]

oh my go I want to see a map of

Czechoslovakia

I'll get the overlay for that area sir

I'll be handsome

I received a message from the commanding

officer of the second mechanized cavalry

earlier this week informally of some

2,000 Allied prisoners just across the

Czech border being used to take care of

a large herd of horses excuse me sir

that's it sir

it's across the line of demarcation of

course but I never was much in favor of

that line I'd like to see those

prisoners liberated before the Russians

move in I want to communicate sent to

that effect conditions permitting

Colonel Reade might bring the horses

along too no sense letting the rush into

him right sir

I'll contact General Eisenhower he has

authority over the American president

performance in spite of everything but

why did we bother why don't we go to the

trouble please yes I'm not hungry Louis

Lorena don't fall at me

when I see I well did General Patton get

his lunch

is he in good health the Spanish Riding

School is now under the protection of

the United States Army by order of

General Patton 2nd mechanized cavalry

regiments going into hostile

congratulations what I said before I'm

sorry I I was upset well you asked about

General Patton's health nothing wrong

with that when will they leave for us no

orders have already been sent to Colonel

Reade I leave tomorrow morning

Colonel reads official concern is 2,000

a line prisoners reaching them and

liberating them and of course I'll be

free to take care of any other matters

that might come up like Lipizzaner

horses for instance I would love to be

part of it well I can arrange for you to

meet us at the Czechoslovakian border

unless we run into heavy resistance the

whole operation should be completed in a

few days a few days did you hear that

Farina I hear I hear

Oh who goes there

Captain Dan over the German army I come

an answer to a message from your

commander can you read what's a password

cowboy well you didn't say it very good

but I guess you said it let's go

[Music]

oh good even to meet you often hello

Carol grab yourself a cup of coffee

oh thank you sir some words from the

Germans yet no not you I'm trying to

catch up on my meals here

seems like I'm worried about three

behind well that's a meal worth waiting

for and then I order baked Virginia ham

or how many grits black-eyed peas corn

bread now you know what I ordered you're

a southern boy

Texas sir that's close enough have you

tried closing your eyes sir I just

closed her eyes open it's still SOS

major you can't ignore it can't disguise

it you can't escape it it's the one

mutual nightmare we'll all take out of

this war yeah come on in

what kind of rate sir there's a German

officer out here from the unit is

hostile aren't your men here sergeant

yes sir where's maybe I'll offer him

some of this stuff see how tough those

Germans really are they might accuse us

of germ warfare sir captain down officer

down off please you accept my invitation

this is major Hoffman I believe talk

between us can be of mutual benefit

please sit down

[Applause]

I'm going on my supper if you don't mind

you're most welcome to join me

No thank you sir hmm oh yeah I

understand you have a large number of

Allied prisoners in hostile yes sir

what's the French on English well I'm

interested in liberating those prisoners

I wonder if you and I couldn't make

ourselves a little deal a deal Hillary

I'm assuming your men would rather

surrender to us to the Russians

my proposition is very simple if your

garrison will surrender peaceably we

will move in the hostile on the Russians

will have no chance to call on you you

will bring us out of Czechoslovakia as

American prisoners of war with our wives

all physicians I'll be as generous as I

can under the conditions at the time

I'll explain it to my men but they may

want more issuances cannot haggle

captain I got no assurance it up my

sleeve well I believe my men to

cooperate I have your promise Carl that

under favorable conditions your wives

will be brought out with you I can't say

about possessions we're moving into

hostile within the next 48 hours

you're wise to move quickly the Russians

are not far away captain Dino if you

have some horses in her staff yes a

treasure forces major perhaps the finest

collection in history we're interested I

shall see you next in hostile good I

came down huh

hey you're hopin would you ask captain

Loring with lieutenant Powell Vinnie up

things yes

operation cowboy will get underway at

old 500 hours

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they knew we were coming

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german forces concentrated on that Ridge

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well it looks harmless enough I stay got

something tucked away in those building

I'd sure like to know how that SS unit

found out we were gonna cross the port

at this point find out they did we will

proceed but with caution

weapons ready

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as acting commander of the hostel girls

not hereby surrender my troops and

equipment according to the terms of our

agreement

we are your prisoners color my bard that

agreement will be faithfully followed

captain Anna off I'll inspect the post

and the prisoners lieutenant Berger lead

the way everyone you're charged you we

were expected at the border this morning

I know an officer from this garrison

anticipated our agreement that left here

before marriage on last night to inform

the SS this action wasn't subordinate

will discuss responsibilities later cap

I'm confident your consideration will be

fair calm air and cautious may I suggest

that you return across the border as

soon as possible the VSS vet certainty

reorganized at my latest reports inform

me often substantial Russian offenses we

don't and a vacation hostile cap

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how many are there the thousand more

less 600 on cassette causes 100 of the

best Arabians in all of europe and over

a hundred lipid saunas 'captain hauk

were particularly interested in livers

owners are you thinking of taking them

back with you that's right I can help

you pick them out from the rest but it

will take time if you had let me know

last night but you didn't want to ask

favors not last night made you often do

you come from that part of Texas well

they still know how to ride a horse

yes sir why do you say we have ourselves

around sir a big round we haven't got

time to pick out the ones we want let's

take them all right sir you're in charge

Carla I know these horses I could be a

very real assistance of the American

army not only here but in Austria and

Anna I suggest you be a very real

assistance man we'll discuss your future

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well sir this is a war story we can tell

our grandchildren about yeah and I find

out back get on the bridge you shooter

the whopper granddad told last night

cowboy this is schoolhouse cowboy is his

schoolhouse over cowboy this is

schoolhouse cowboy this is schoolhouse

over why don't we hear something the

patient daughter you remind me of

someone they had trouble at the border

maybe there's trouble a toast are as

well I read you cowboy over Roger out

tella stallions I said for him to just

sit tight their girlfriends are on the

way

when we reach the border are we close

and we're there you sure

where are my horses

maybe what you're looking for

you don't suppose they crossed Olympus

and mares with other horses it's been a

long war

[Music]

major hello colonel Colonel Reed tonight

how do you do your name is very familiar

to me colonel

thank you sir yes sir my brother rode a

horse named verdice key the captain of

the American Olympic team was so

impressed when he saw you ride in 1936

that he named the horse at Fort Riley

after you

I'm complimented yeah my brother won

several jumping leads on Pulaski well

they're your horses colonel and a few

extras thrown in

[Music]

colonel

shall we get busy

any news

not since last night but we don't even

know whether they reach the border I

can't raise the living soul on this

thing would you like some fudge I got a

box from the states

oh thank you it's stale but it's the

best Dale fudge I ever tasted

Caesarion sit stay what is hysteria no

no slow down slow down

what are you trying to say this Higgins

the man you're right heavy weight this

is schoolhouse heavy weight this is

schoolhouse over the stallion said to

tell you to sit tight their girlfriends

are just over the hill

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hi marina what kind of welcome is this

with tears no notice I have tears left

over from all the times I haven't dared

cry you get them now on all occasions

[Music]

for ten long years the Spanish Riding

School remained in exile then in 1955

occupation forces left Austria and on

the two hundred and twentieth

anniversary of the riding all the white

horses performed once more in VF

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for me these horses wouldn't be here

today yes

I saved them you know I saved the

spanish riding school during the Boer

how did you do that grandpa was that

Lintz and the bombings firstly I was

facing this every day

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