Original subtitles

FIRE!

600!

FIRE!

Capitano Benucci! Capitano Benucci!

Could I talk to you in my hut?

It's me, sir, Lester.

Oh, sorry. Good luck.

Here, get away from this wire! Help get 'em back! We don't want another disaster!

Is it not worth a protest? I'm the senior British officer, I'll do the protesting. Get back!

Come on, let's get back.

We'll pay for it, we always do.

They'll turn off the water, or hold up the mail. Who dealt this lot?

You did. No bid.

No bid. Three no trumps. Double.

Why does a hero always have to muck things up for everyone?

Laundry up! Come and get it!

Huh! Scribble, scribble, scribble. Can't you give the girl a break?

What size boots do you take?

Boots? Size nine, I think. Why?

Well, tread on that.

Why do I always get caught?

Tony, week after week, month after month,

it beats me what you find to say to her.

Mind your own ruddy business.

Roger, there's no use thinking about it.

It might've been any of us, bad luck.

Bad luck my foot! Dicky never had a chance.

That rat tipped them off, Benucci was waiting with his gun.

How could he know? He doesn't live in the ordinary huts.

He eats and sleeps by himself, he was watched.

How could he know?

He bloody well did know! He was by the wire before Dicky took off.

He knows about our tunnel! He was where we'll come out!

Nobody knew about Dicky, but us and Baird.

Dry up, Hunter! It was Coutoules!

If somebody else doesn't, I'll bump the little bastard off!

They say I'm an enemy agent!

It is not true! I could prove my innocence if you returned me...

No, I'm sorry.

Sir, it is very important that I go back.

You know why you were moved into this hut.

Even you must realise you're not exactly the most... popular person in this camp.

It's best that you remain here.

If I went back and something happened, I'd acquit you of responsibility.

If I let you go back, you might not be in any condition to acquit me of anything.

Sorry. You wanted to see me.

Yes, come in, please. All right, Coutoules.

Exit the fifth column. What's on your mind?

I've agreed that escape activities be run by your escape committee,

I haven't asked about them.

Now, I want to know about any future attempt before it takes place.

Know or approve of it? Both. Why? It's worked all right so far.

It didn't work today.

Lester's plan was approved! Benucci was tipped off!

By whom? Coutoules?

Phillips tells me Coutoules couldn't know about the attempt.

He might have heard something. I don't think he did.

When an escape goes wrong, it's easy to blame some imaginary informer.

Lester had no chance from the word go.

I don't agree. There's always a risk. War's not a safe occupation.

All of us here are still at war. It's our duty to escape, if we can.

It's also our duty to stay alive, if we can.

90% of the officers here deserve a medal -

sunbathing, amateur theatricals, bridge parties.

We all do our duty and stay alive.

The Allies have landed in Sicily. They may soon land in Italy.

When the first man's ashore, Italy may pack up.

It's probably fixed already.

Well? What happens then is anybody's guess.

The Italians may open the gates, let us fade away.

It may be agreed with the Allies.

They may stick to their guns, cart us to Germany. It may be agreed with the Germans.

They may not know what to do.

That's when I must talk to the comandante.

On my success may depend the future, the life,

of every man here. What happened today can't happen again.

After a poke in the eye, we give up?

You don't get it. If someone escapes it's one up to the escape committee,

I'm not thinking about you.

If a prisoner's shot, I don't think about him.

I think of the 400 men I'm responsible for as senior British officer.

That's why I insist on knowing of, and approving, any future attempt.

D'ye want to know about tunnels?

Not when they start, but when they'll be used for break-out.

I might want to reserve a place.

I'll bear that in mind. Good night.

I'll bear that in mind. Good night. Good night.

Clean laundry, sir. Put it on the table. Was that a truck I heard?

Yes, sir. Silly time to deliver laundry. Yeah. Erm, how did Colonel Baird take it, sir?

We didn't come to blows, but he didn't like it.

Well, anyway, he's not the SBO.

He's welcome to the job, if he wants it.

Anything else, sir? No, thanks, Pat.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

Yes! Warrington?

Yes.

Coutoules?

Coutoules?

Parade!

Coutoules!

He must be sick. I'll check up.

Dessin? Oui. Leclerc? Oui.

I will report Coutoules' sickness to Capitano Benucci. You may dismiss, Colonel.

Dismiss them, Captain Foster.

Parade!

Parade, 'shun!

Dismiss!

Come on, rehearsal - act four, scene two and three! Come on!

We can't tunnel. They'll search for Coutoules.

No, I bet the Eyeties moved him to another camp.

Why should they, sir? We found out, he's no use to them.

We can get cracking. Aye. They won't tear the place apart, Pretendin' to look for their own man.

About Coutoules, we were dead right.

Even Colonel Huxley'll have to admit that now.

Right.

Coutoules isn't in his room, and his bed hasn't been slept in.

There are six or seven bags of sand still to get out.

Right.

Why did God make sand so heavy?

Right.

Attention!

Dracula approaching.

Where? Crossing the compound. Keep an eye on 'em. Don't panic.

We can get this out. Off you go.

About turn, you. Quick march.

Is this the lot? Yes! What's wrong?

Everything under control.

Surface, Roger! Surface! WHAT'S WRONG?! Is something wrong?

There's been a fall, not an ordinary fall, someone's under it.

It's Coutoules! He's dead.

Pierre, get Baird and Doc Simmonds here.

All right.

Tim. Any sign of Dracula?

All's well. He's watching the keep-fit types.

Lads! On tha' feet. UP!

As Italians,... ad-vance!

Left, right, left, right, left, right.

How's it going? Can't see a thing! Give him a hand!

Use your loaf! How d'ya think the two of us to work down here at once?

Weren't you having it for your birthday? She's reprieved, until Christmas.

Well, it won't do, ya know. You're turning the place into a farmyard.

Odd sort of pong.

It isn't the duck. It isn't the duck, it's more like... stale spaghetti.

With a touch of garlic? Let's get upwind.

It's all right! Tony's comin' now. Stand by to give us a hand.

Come on, boys.

Come on, boys. Under the arms.

Is he dead, Doc?

He's dead. Colonel Huxley asked me to find him.

Get the stove down quick, get tidied up. You two go and change.

How did it happen?

There was a partial fall, he was under it.

It's improbable, we'll check later.

We've gotta get him away from the tunnel.

Benucci's in the camp. How the heck are we gonna do that?

We could stage a riot... I've got an idea.

Where is Benucci? The SBO's hut.

Where is Benucci? The SBO's hut. Chase after that PT mob, get Robson here.

Right, sir. I want them all!

What happened yesterday is deeply regretted, that Captain Lester, a hero, should die...

Lester wasn't a hero, he didn't just die.

You murdered him. I protested to your commandant,

I shall report the facts to the protecting power as soon as I can.

I also have made my report, Colonel.

Captain Lester was killed while trying to escape.

If a similar incident should occur, no-one will regret it more than me.

You'll regret it when the Allies arrive.

I'm afraid I have disagreeable news.

Yesterday's mail from England, due to a careless accident,

most of it, practically all of it, was destroyed by fire.

I know how your officers love news from home,

and these few are the lucky ones.

It is reported to me that Lieutenant Coutoules is sick.

Not serious, I hope.

I don't think so.

I don't think so. So, then I shall expect to see him at roll call this evening?

Ah... Oh...

I don't know which I loathe more - rugger hearties like Robson or cloak-and-dagger types like Bunter.

OK, Bunter.

PT class coming, sir. Ask Colonel Huxley to come to the washroom in Hut A.

Right, sir. Robson, take your men down the corridor a wee way. Right, Bunter.

Robson, make for the washroom in Hut A. Don't go direct.

Hamlet, what noise is this?

Who calls on Hamlet? Ah, here they come.

What have you done with the body?

Compounded it with dust.

Tell us where 'tis, that we may take it thence. It isn't "What have you done with the dead body?"

They've got the whole camp to play games in!

Why do they tread on us?

What have you done with the body? It's "What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?"

Put him down there on the table.

Colonel Huxley.

Look, sir, he's torn one fingernail off, three others are nearly off.

Yes, tried to claw his way out. How long has he been dead?

Ten to 12 hours, ten more likely.

That's midnight last night.

Leaving the question of how he got into the tunnel, how did he get into Hut C after lock-up?

Unless, of course, there's been a conspiracy of silence in Hut C.

He got into the hut, he got into the tunnel.

We must report it to the Italians.

Must ye say where you found him? Of course. They'll prove he died under a fall of sand - a tunnel.

If you tell the truth, you'll give them our only tunnel with a real chance.

What alternative do you suggest?

Put him in another tunnel, an abandoned one, and then report it.

Fake a fall in another tunnel? It happens by accident. It shouldn't be hard.

It may not be the end of the matter.

I'm still for it.

Who'll do it? I will, sir.

The less I know about it, the better.

Just as a matter of interest,

might I be allowed to know where this "abandoned tunnel" starts?

You tell me, Colonel, that these diggers, nameless diggers,

come to you today and tell you... Andare.

And tell you Coutoules was the last man in the tunnel last night

and was pinned down by a fall of sand, unknown to his friends.

That's right. The Greek died in the tunnel, you do not know who was with him.

No, I said I wouldn't tell you.

There is another point I do not understand.

Why do you report this happening and not your comandante, Colonel Huxley?

You know I'm in charge of escaping activities here.

Make something of it. It is not I who will make something of it. A man has been killed.

"Been killed?" Been killed, died - what is the difference to him?

He is dead. You, by your own admission, are the murderer.

Watch what you're sayin', Benucci.

You organise these childish enterprises.

You have men risk their lives in burrows, trying to climb the wire,

in childish impersonations, like yesterday.

If they fail, as they must, and men get killed, you are responsible.

I accept that responsibility.

Lieutenant Coutoules, he was a member of this tunnel-digging gang?

He was, aye. Curious. From what I observed,

I did not think he was the type. You surprise me.

Oh, life is full of surprises.

You want me any more?

You want me any more? Not at the moment, thanks, Colonel.

Now, this is a matter for... criminal procedure.

NO! NO! NO! NO!

Stop shouting. We're not at La Scala.

It is not permitted! Be quiet. I've given you lovely prints.

It is not permitted to wear gloves!

We're English, we keep our hands clean.

Hear, hear!

Silenzio! Just once. Any more girlish hysterics,

and it's back to Gilbert and Sullivan for you.

Santa Maria!

Oh!

Poor old Rigoletto, I almost feel sorry for him.

Don't offer us any.

I paid through the nose - five cigarettes, a tablet of soap.

We can see you're out of soap.

What size gloves do you take?

Actually, I haven't the faintest. Why?

Oh, no. Definitely, no.

You have got big hands.

What d'you mean?

Don't you think it's rather big, Roger?

Pretty normal.

Does it look normal to you?

Certainly. Are you sure? Course I am!

OK, hang on to this. Ow!

I'm not with you.

Who killed Coutoules?

Well, don't look at me, I didn't.

How did he get into the tunnel? He didn't walk there on his own,

Iift the stove, jump down, cover himself with sand.

Doesn't it take four men to raise the trap?

One man could've killed Coutoules, four must've put him there.

Threats had been made by Hut C.

There's no lack of suspects. People wanted to bump him off, including me.

The Italians worry me.

Normally, they find a tunnel, have a strafe. Now, it's photographers, fingerprints.

Maybe they wanted to arrest the duck.

I'm wasting my time and yours.

Does it matter how Coutoules died, who killed him?

The stool pigeon had it comin'. D'ye want me to cry?

I want your escape committee to find out how Coutoules died, who was responsible!

Maybe it was the escape committee.

Maybe it was the escape committee. I haven't overlooked that possibility!

Bloody old woman!

Was he talking to me?

Could be. It fits.

Do you like rugger? Not in the least. Then why are we facing this way, you clot?

Why kick a ball between two posts?

I quite agree.

Only one use for the posts.

Not until we've found that cable.

Couldn't that sapper help us?

There he is, why not ask him?

What's his name?

Meynell. Oh, yes. Hey, Meynell! Come here!

Meynell,... who's your best friend?

My best friend? I live in Croydon...

Here, Mr Stinks. Get him to tell you, you've gone off.

Oh! Oh, best friend. Oh, I see what you mean.

Sorry, I've just been down the sewers.

Are you a plumber or something?

No, I'm an income tax inspector, but please don't spread it around.

Sewers are my hobby.

If I do say so myself, little leaves this camp without my knowing of it.

Fascinating things, they are.

In the main sewer, I go anywhere under the camp.

I push myself along on a rubber mattress.

Are you pulling my leg?

Pulling your leg, Marquand? Why on earth would I want to do that?

Tell him. We thought you might help us. We've a scheme to get out over the wire.

It depends on fusing the power cable.

We can fix the overhead one, but there must be another.

Probably, though I haven't seen one.

If I do say so myself, there's little wiring in this camp...

I won't keep you. If you're lucky, let us know.

Oh, I will. It'll be a pleasure.

On a rubber mattress, like punting on the Thames.

Charming.

What? This again?

Why did they grab Byfold?

Murder.

And who says it's murder?

The facts say so, Captain Byfold - a perfect match, are they not?

The lower set of prints were found on this... Piece of wood.

Whose are they? Well, now, I wonder if you can guess.

Our doctor thinks death was the night before the discovery.

He states there is evidence of a struggle prior to death

and that the body was moved after death.

Obviously, this story of a tunnel collapse

can be dismissed as...

Why was Byfold arrested without reference to me, on whose authority, what charge?

Scusi, Capitan...

Scusi, Capitan... Silenzio! The charge is very serious, Colonel.

I didn't address you! Who authorised his arrest?

Prego, Colonel.

Prego, Colonel. No, no, no.

I brought him here for questioning.

What do you mean? Questioning about what?

About the murder of Coutoules.

Byfold had nothing to do with his death.

No? I... We think that he did.

On what evidence?! This tool started the fall of earth on the body.

The fingerprints on it are Captain Byfold's fingerprints.

It is all there.

If Byfold is charged, I insist it's by the civil authorities!

Naturally. The evidence will go to the state Prosecutor.

If a charge is brought, Captain Byfold will be tried in a civil court.

I expect to receive my instructions within a week at the most.

He must return to his quarters.

Certainly. That was my intention.

You see, although it is clear to me that Captain Byfold is implicated,

the crime could not be committed by one man. It would be a very grave injustice

to allow one man to pay the penalty for a crime committed by others.

Well? My... Our suggestion is that you put the facts before your men,

appeal to their sense of honour.

I'm sure you will find that the culprits will come forward.

Thanks for your help, sir.

Thanks for your help, sir. Don't thank me. You're not out of the woods yet.

All right.

Blast Baird and his damn tunnels! This is beginning to look ugly.

Send the hut commanders to my hut.

Right, sir.

Hello. Weren't you being shot or something?

They postponed it. Ah, good. Still, if they change their minds again,

Iet me have any gash vino tickets you have left.

I promise, Dopey. I'll put it in my will.

I thought this might happen. It has.

If the culprits don't come forward, or we can't find them, the Italians will make Byfold the scapegoat.

If they've something on Byfold, why send him back?

This way, Benucci can watch us fight amongst ourselves.

That's the situation. Pass on what I've told you to your huts. Remember, we haven't got much time.

If we don't solve this and Byfold is charged with murder, I must tell the Italians all we know.

Why? You'll say we found Coutoules in that tunnel, not this.

He's still dead. At least it'll explain Byfold's fingerprints on that bit of wood.

I hope they'll believe me.

I hope they'll believe me. They won't, unless it suits them.

You'll give them the only tunnel with a real chance.

Yes, you told me that.

I won't let Byfold die if there's a chance to save him,

even if it does mean giving away your tunnel.

Huxley thinks you must have a hand in it.

Why, sir? Only you could've opened the tunnel.

He thinks we got Coutoules from his hut, past the compound searchlights,

in here after lock-up?

in here after lock-up? Oh, I know, it's bloody impossible.

Does he have to play that thing?

Pierre.

Excusez-moi.

Am I too late? No, bung 'em in.

Come on, Tony - love and kisses. I've gotta get it across tonight.

How did it go today?

OK. We haven't cleared the fall. The problem is getting rid of the sand.

Find places for it - mattresses, kit bags, the roof. Eat it, if necessary.

We won't know how Coutoules died?

It's unlikely. Nobody's come forward.

Your best chance is the tunnel, if we finish it. We will.

From now on, we'll work an extra shift, from six till lock-up, OK?

Suppose we do make it on time, d'you think Colonel Huxley will agree?

He won't know about it.

I thought... Didn't you say the SBO had to approve all escape attempts?

Did I? Well, you'd better forget it.

None of us likes being here,

but it's just no use, letting it get you down.

A hunger strike won't help,

just when you should try to put on weight.

Hey, watch out!

May I, sir? Si, va bene.

Come on, Bunter!

Tony? I think I'm onto something.

What? Keep walking. Don't look up. D'you see that guard Platform ahead?

Yeah. It's the only platform with a clear view of the SBO's hut and Hut C.

So?

So? Coutoules was alive in the SBO's hut at ten.

At midnight, he died in our tunnel.

The guards up there that night must've seen something.

You could be right. Finding out who they were shouldn't be difficult.

Look, I think I'll have a word with the QM.

The Eyeties scrounge around his stores. He finds out most things.

I'll see ya later. OK.

It's spitting with rain. What are you talking about, you clot? Let's see...

Yes, typical British climate.

Take a taxi?

You're mad. We'll never get a taxi in this, they never stop. We walk.

Mustn't keep the girls waiting. If they can't wait, they get no lunch.

Now, put your umbrella up, and let's get cracking.

You did say the Savoy. Well, where else, you fool? Come on. Cross over here. Mind the traffic.

To... Tony,... I found out who they were.

Yes?

Yes? Biancelli, a carab, Marzotto, a soldato, scruffy beast.

They're all scruffy. We meet Marzotto in the cookhouse before lock-up.

This evening? Yes! Does he speak English? You speak their lingo.

It'll cost. It'll help Roger.

You can't trust Eyeties. They'll take your bribe and tell you nothing.

I think it's worth following up. They must've seen something!

You can count me in.

We'll fix the details later. I must see Baird about tonight's shift.

It's like the soft-shoe shuffle. Might build up to a music hall act.

Who was the lady with you last night? That was a Gordon Highlander!

No, you don't. Find your own refuse dump.

Ya might sign the pledge.

Get knotted.

What's he mean? I'll give ya three guesses.

The ramparts are there, ghost there.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come there,

I make my entrance down the centre.

Ah, a visitor, cloak-and-dagger complete.

To what do we owe this honour? More trouble in the precious tunnel?

No, I don't think so.

I suggest you play in the bloody thing.

What? You know - swaggering about, playing cops and robbers,

the camp's sick of you.

I'll take your word for it.

You'd be kicked out of my regiment. Is it Catering Corps or ENSA?

You tunnellers think you're above us! You're such a nuisance!

You'll hurt yourself. When it's murdering a harmless little creature like Coutoules...

What happened? Long slugged a guard.

A guard?

Of all the stupid idiots!

And I can't speak a word of Italian.

Si, Capitano.

Speak English. Someone might hear us.

The usual method was too slow, I had to be arrested.

You have information.

Marzotto will meet Phillips this evening.

Marzotto? Marzotto?

In the tower when you took Coutoules.

Ah, yes.

Why did you kill him? Coutoules was a counter-espionage man for the British.

He was onto you.

Was he? Yes.

Why put him in the tunnel, add drama?

I like drama. I was taught never to elaborate.

It can be dangerous.

I shall have to disappoint Captain Phillips this evening.

You must spend a night in a cell.

We shall have to beat you up a little.

It would never do for anyone to think that we were... friends.

Chin, chin.

Parade, parade, 'shun.

Dis-miss!

Buona sera.

Soldato Marzotto.

Erm, Prego, Prego.

Sigaretta?

Erm, tre giorni...

Oh, blast.

Good evening, Captain Phillips. What are you cooking now, hm?

You are taking a risk, being out so late.

I think I'd better escort you back to your hut.

Oh, yes, of course, Soldato Marzotto.

No, I'm afraid he will not be able to keep his appointment with you.

He had an accident this evening, poor fellow,

cleaning his rifle. Prego!

Thomas?

Yes.

Yes. Verity? Yes.

Parade!

Ward? Fall in, Long. Warrington? Yes!

Wilmot? Yes!

Dessin? Oui!

Leclerc? Oui! You may dismiss, Colonel.

Dismiss them, Captain Foster. Parade! Parade, 'shun!

Dis-miss!

How was it? Too many foreigners.

They messed you up. Never hit a policeman.

Long, I'm sorry about what happened.

It's OK. I lost my temper.

No hard feelings? Course not.

We'd better get on. Yeah, right.

What happened with Marzotto? He didn't show up. Benucci came.

You can't trust them - squealed.

Yeah, that's it. Look, before I forget,...

Thanks, the faithful female. Never misses, bless her.

You write enough to her. I wish I'd heard from Jane.

Do you feel up to a bit of work?

On the tunnel? Yeah. Sure!

OK, Pierre?

How is it?

The air's a bit foul. The going's easy at the fall.

Good. You coming, Tony?

If you don't feel up to it, Tony,...

No, no, I'm all right, I'll go down.

Tony's more shaken than he'll admit.

I bet Benucci gave him a rough time. Tony never says much.

All right, Tony?

Yeah.

OK. All right.

Lie down, you're dead. Do you see nothing there?

Nothing at all, yet all that is, I see.

Nor do you nothing hear? No, nothing but ourselves.

You come on. Look you there! Look how it steals away!

My father in his habit as he lived! Look where he goes, even now, out at the portal!

All right, all right! Why bother?

It'll be amateur night in the church hall. Where do they put it?

What? Sand. In our tunnel.

What cheek. They dig sand out of their tunnel and put it into ours?

How many more do we need? The lot. We won't make them. Ha! Trump!

It's not a trump. Jack of hearts?

That looks like a jack of hearts,

but it isn't, it's a three of clubs!

The other one is the three of clubs. It's the nine of diamonds.

Well, you can't follow in clubs.

That gives us game and rubber. popular win.

You are in for a thin time after the war. What do they owe us?

About �27,000.

Put it on Mother's Harrods account.

What's the latest on Byfold?

Nothing. He'll wonder who his friends are.

They can't let him take the rap.

They wouldn't. Don't believe it. Escaping types sacrifice everything to the cause.

Doc, can you come to Hut C? There's a fall.

Who's under it? Bunter.

How bad is it? The sides gave way. I couldn't help.

Who's with him? Dessin. Where Coutoules was.

Why did you leave him? To get help! I think he's got him there now!

Dessin! Push that loop round his shoulders!

Has he reached him? That's it!

Right! UP!

Pull up now. HUP!

Careful now. Easy here, easy.

That's it.

Well done, Dessin. OK, chaps, you can clear out now.

Has he broken any bones, Doc?

No, I don't think so. He's breathing, he'll live.

You... you can't move them.

It's all right. Take it easy, Bunter.

It's not true, Tony.

You... you can't move them. You can't move your hands... at all.

You'd better get cleaned up, we'll see to the mess. You too, Dessin.

Tony's shaken too. Aye. Dessin?

Oui? How bad is it, the fall?

Bad, it will take days.

Days? We'll sort something out.

Sure. You'll get out, if you're fired from a cannon.

Thanks. We're running a bit short on cannon.

Well, we'd better get cleared up here.

What was Bunter mumbling about?

Something about his hands. His hands.

What, no digging?

We've had another fall.

Fall? A bad one?

I'm afraid so. How very depressing.

They won't get Byfold out in time now.

Of course, Benucci may be bluffing.

No, he's not bluffing.

Marquand, I was waiting for you. Are you busy?

I am, he's not. It's about that emergency cable. Is it? Let's get in the fresh air.

How are you? Fine. Good. Should I take the mail across? It's near lock-up.

It's Sunday. It'll be OK in the morning. I'll take it before roll call.

You were burbling about your hands when you came round, Bunter.

Oh, was I?

Yes.

What did you mean?

Oh, I haven't a clue. It must've been some sort of dream.

Just as I Pictured it - Bunter Hall ablaze with jolly, smiling faces.

How's this fat, tunnelling fool?

Putting away the chocolate - fat as butter, you'll get, no good.

Is this a social visit? Well, we're here and looking lovely.

Don't worry about the tunnel, press on.

Marquand'll tell ya how to do it. Mr Stinks here has the answer.

Go on, tell 'em all about it.

Marquand and Piker had a scheme to get over the wire.

The idea was to cut the power cable, fusing the lights

Ietting them work safely in darkness.

But this scheme never materialised...

Get it out, can't ya?

They could never be sure the cable would fuse all the lights.

It seemed likely that our captors would've installed a second, alternative cable.

All efforts to trace this having failed, the scheme was temporarily held in abeyance.

I spend a lot of time exploring the underground waterworks of this camp.

Grand Order of the Sewer Rats. I don't wish to boast, but if I say so myself,

Iittle leaves without my knowing.

Get on with it!

It gives me very great pleasure to be able to tell you...

The fool means he's found it.

The cable? None other.

If you cut both cables, the scheme could work.

Full marks.

When will you try it? We've overstayed our welcome,

Byfold would like a change of scenery.

You'd take Roger? Captain Byfold will be our guest.

A few formalities, Baird's blessing, and away we go tomorrow night.

Documents, money, rations taken care of.

The lights - first, the emergency cable at 11.10.

Right, sir. Report back to Hut C.

Right, sir. Until you've cut the emergency cable, we can't cut the main one, it must be at 11.30.

The shears are ready, they're insulated so there's no risk.

It must be done from Hut C's roof, it needs an athletic type.

Robson's your man.

Will he play it, sir?

Will he play it, sir? Aye, I'm certain.

He won't like us borrowing the rugger posts.

What for?

To make a ladder. D'ya want me to prick myself on the wire?

The Eyeties'll wanna know what's going on.

They need painting. Take them down after tea, paint them outside Hut C,

carry them into the hut at lock-up to paint them overnight,

but we make a ladder - simple.

It sounds simple, the way you put it.

It's a grand scheme. Do you want anything else?

All we need is a diversion.

What do you want?

What we want is a fire or something

this side of the compound, away from Hut C.

I'll give ye a diversion all right, I promise ye that!

I keep expecting Benucci to come in and take Byfold away.

Still no clue, sir?

Not a thing. Hello, what are they doing with the rugger posts?

They want to paint them. The QM gave me a chit for paint and brushes.

That's funny. I didn't know Marquand was keen on rugger.

Yo heave-ho, yo heave-ho

Yo...

You're a naughty sentry. You did that on Purpose.

After you, Claude. After you, Cecil.

Aren't you taking the mail over?

Ooh, Lord, yes.

They'll hear you in Rome!

Ah, it's finished now! OK!

What time d'you make it now?

You just asked me.

Did I?

11.23.

Meynell's takin' a long time, isn't he?

He'll make it.

When's Robson due to cut the... Take it easy. 11.30. Thank you.

Here - relax.

Oh.

It's yours now.

Make sure you're down to scratch next time we meet. Hm! Fat chance.

Thanks. Come on, Tony, let's get blacked up.

Pretty as a picture.

What are ya, an Italian Grenadier Guard?

Oh.

Well, let's look at you.

Not much like an Italian peasant, y'know.

My papers say "commercial traveller."

Commercial traveller? I hope you're ready with some Italian dirty jokes.

Six minutes to go.

I hope the insulation on these things is properly taken care of.

I don't want to go up in a flash.

It could be rather spectacular.

Any sign of Mr Stinks?

Douse the lights!

How was it? Exhilarating. Did you cut it? 20 minutes ago.

You clever old sewer rat, you.

Stand by.

Well, it's up to Robson now.

Come on, Marquand.

Right.

FIRE!

FIRE! FIRE!

FIRE!

FIRE!

I said I must be informed of any escape beforehand!

You disobeyed me, three are dead!

You blame me? Certainly! I'd have you court martialled

if we weren't prisoners of war.

We are prisoners of war!

I'm not a professional soldier like you. I'm in for the duration!

I wasn't goin' to watch you hand Byfold to the Italians to be shot!

I'll forget that. He's been shot now, thanks to you.

How could I know they'd be there?

Recent events might've led you to expect it!

There's an informer! It always beats us!

Coutoules was the informer. Who is it now?

How do I know?! That scheme was good, I'm head of the escape committee.

You were head of the escape committee, but I'm taking over.

That's the way it's going to be. That's exactly the way it's going to be.

Your room's burnt, where will you sleep?

In Hut C, in Byfold's bed!

Ah, Colonel Baird, may I have a word with you as well?

How did the fire in your room start? I don't know.

It was an accident. Yes, like our letters from home.

The escape attempt, you knew of the plan.

No, I didn't. I do not believe you. All right, you don't believe me.

If you want information about last night, ask your informer!

Informer? Aye. You shoot men down in cold blood,...

Please! What is this talk of an informer?

How can we not know of your plans? Your officers inform on themselves.

I don't get you. The football posts need repainting. In Hut C? In the dark? With hammers?

What did you expect when you cut the emergency cable, my lamp went out,

that I should turn over and sleep?

An informer in this camp, Colonel, would be, how do you say,

surplus to requirements.

Colonel, would you ask Captain Phillips

not to try to bribe my men?

I do not like it, although I do enjoy the English cigarettes.

Villain, smiling, damned villain!

Get out of the way. My tables - meet it is, I set it down...

What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

What have you done with the dead body?

So, Uncle, there you are!

There's quite a bit of loose stuff still to get back.

Now we've broken through the fall, we can carry on.

It's not as bad as we thought? No. Bunter says the air is less foul than he's ever known it.

I left him going up through to the face.

Oh!

Oh! Swear!

Well said, old mole! Canst work in the earth so fast? A worthy pioneer!

" Once more remove, good friends.

" Once more remove, good friends. " Oh, day and night, but this is wondrous strange!

" There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of...

The Italians dug into our tunnel,

dumped Coutoules in and threw sand on him.

So it was Benucci all the time.

That's what it looks like.

Although I still can't see how they got Coutoules outta the SBO's hut.

There's one way they could've done it - the laundry van.

Remember? It was late that night!

The laundry van, of course! I didn't think anything of it at the time.

We looked for the murderer amongst us.

Once ye know Benucci did it, everything else fits in.

Yes. Except Coutoules's fingernails.

What've they got to do with it?

We thought he tore them trying to claw his way out. We were wrong.

Under a fall of sand, you can't move anything, not even your hands, I found that the other day.

That can mean only one thing - they tortured him to get him to talk.

Exactly.

I can't do anything about it. Get changed, see Colonel Huxley.

Right.

So Coutoules wasn't Benucci's man.

No, sir.

It's a relief to know there's no informer in the camp after all.

Sounds as if parcels have arrived.

As I said, some of us underestimate Benucci's intelligence, I think.

The Allies will announce an armistice with the Italians tomorrow at 8.00 p.m.

What? A German staff car's driven up to Benucci's office.

At one minute past eight, the Germans'll be taking over this camp.

Now, what are ye goin' to do?

Parade! Parade, 'shun!

Right, stand at ease, stand easy.

It's not a secret that there's a rumour

of a possible armistice between the Allied Armies and Italy.

I know no more than you if there's any truth in this rumour.

I must tell you that I recently received, in the usual way, a War Office instruction

that, in the event of an armistice, prisoners of war

are to remain where they are until the arrival of the Allied Armies,

or till more instructions are received.

I wanted to tell you this

in case you thought the gates would be opened

and you'd be free to rejoin our own forces.

I was asked to remind you, tomorrow at 14.30 in the theatre hut,

there'll be a performance of Hamlet.

Dismiss them, Captain Foster.

Parade! Parade, 'shun!

Dis-miss!

Sir, it's not tomorrow, it's on Friday.

What is? Our show. You said it was tomorrow.

Sorry. I'll put it right after roll call tomorrow. Thank you, sir.

Honestly, sir, I don't see what else he could do.

If he wants to be carted off to Germany tomorrow, I don't.

Sir, it's a War Office order.

War Office order, my foot. What does he think we are?

We should work out how we'll get out of here,

even if we have to rush the wire.

Rush the wire? If 50% of us get through, it'll be worthwhile.

Colonel Huxley wants to see you.

Why?

Colonel Huxley'll tell ya that, sir.

He wants both of you too, come on, just as you are.

Tell him I'll be there.

Very good, sir.

Sir. Sir.

Everybody here, Pat? Yes, sir, except Colonel Baird.

You've told him? He said he'll be along. Lookouts posted?

Outside. I'll be here.

Good.

Ah.

We haven't much time before lock-uP so listen carefully, and no notes.

I expect you're shaken by what I told you at roll call just now.

I believe that instruction was issued without knowledge of our situation, so I will ignore it.

Colonel, how long would it take you to break out of the tunnel in Hut C?

Four hours maybe, six at the outside.

It could be finished tonight, come out, out of sight of the guards?

Aye. Haven't you forgotten something? The Italians know about the tunnel.

They've known for weeks, months, but they haven't tried to stop us. Why?

Some think Benucci lets us get on with it so he knows what we're doing

and can stop us any time he likes.

I don't believe Benucci intended to stop us, now or at any other time.

You mean he'd let us break out? That's crazy.

It's not. Benucci's the original sadist,

a Nazi-trained killer who enjoys killing.

Look at Lester, and last night's attempt over the wire.

He could have gone to Hut C, found the ladder, men dressed for escape, but no.

He let them get out then mowed them down, attempting to escape.

But ye suggest we break outta the tunnel tonight?

Benucci would have guns and lights at the exit all night.

Night, yes, but who said anything about tonight?

My plan is to evacuate the whole camp tomorrow, by day.

400 men in broad daylight?

Why not?

Why not? Why not?! Who's ever heard of a mass escape in the daytime?

No-one, I hope. That's why we'll do it.

I don't think it'll occur to Benucci either.

Even if the guards are blind, 400 men can't disappear into Hut C.

Benucci thoughtfully provided us

with a second entrance to the tunnel - the shaft in the theatre hut.

I'm taking over your tunnel.

In the circumstances, I've no alternative. I hope you understand.

Of course, sir. This is the plan - whether Callender's troupe are ready or not

we're having a performance of Hamlet tomorrow.

Hut C complete the tunnel tonight under Colonel Baird.

The theatre hut won't be available until immediately after lunch

so it means using Hut C kitchen entrance only

from after roll call until two o'clock.

Then we close it down for good.

When the performance starts, at 14.30 hours,

we start getting the audience out by the shaft under the stage.

Any questions so far?

For obvious reasons, we can't send out a hut at a time

so we'll be divided into serials, A-Y, with a mix from all the huts.

How do we choose, sir?

The fairest way is to draw for it.

Each hut commander will organise his draw tonight.

Now, the rear party, serial Z,

there's me, Colonel Baird, Captain Foster, the actors in the play.

I want you to stay, Doc, until the end.

Yes, sir.

Each hut commander will inspect every man in his hut tonight,

dressed in the kit he proposes to go out in.

Somebody'll want to take the kitchen stove.

Behaviour - I don't have to stress

that what happens in the camp tomorrow must look natural.

We must prevent the camp from looking empty.

Keep outta the huts, organise games, lectures, anything, make it real.

The last serials have the hard job.

They'll have to show themselves all over the place, like a stage army.

Any questions? Dress outside, sir, if we get out, should we try to change our clothes?

I won't lay down rules. It's every man for himself.

Letters, sir - there's a collection.

Send letters, the average amount.

Everybody can't send off a last letter.

Anything else?

The time is 8.22... now.

Tell no-one anything until lock-up then waste no time.

Well, that's all. Good luck.

Good night, sir. Good night. Good night.

Night, sir. Good night, Doc.

I volunteer for the rear party, sir.

Why? If there's a fall, I've experience with this tunnel, I could be useful.

Yes.

Yes. May I volunteer? Long and I always work together,

might as well see it through.

You know most about the tunnel. Thanks. Good night.

Good night. Good night, sir.

How did you think it up? It is something.

Thanks, I've had a bit of practice.

I was a prisoner in the last war in Germany.

You were? But did you escape?

Yes, I crossed into Holland.

Ye never told me. Didn't I? Perhaps ya never asked me.

No.

Well,...

All I want to say is that we'll have the tunnel ready. Ye can count on it.

Thanks very much, David. Good night.

Good night.

Our last evening of bridge here, a pity.

It's preposterous! We'll never get out!

If we do, we'll be caught or shot. All my work on this show, now, it'll be prostituted!

Steady on! I won't do it. I'll see Huxley tomorrow. He can't make me act.

Nor can anyone else. Thank you!

Think I can take her with me?

What are her measurements? 41-23-38.

We'd never get her through the tunnel.

You've put on a bit of weight.

We're doing fine. Your shift, Tony.

I'm ready. Pierre. All right.

We'll be through this shift. Ye damn well better be.

Are you awake, sir? Hm?

Is it time for the next shift already?

No, not yet.

I want to tell you something.

Mm-hm?

What's that?

Well,... you know we used to think there was an informer in the camp?

Aye.

I believe there still may be one.

What are you driving at?

Something's gone wrong every time, hasn't it?

This time, we ought to be certain.

We damn well must be certain!

You bet we must.

Well...

Remember the evening I arranged to meet Marzotto in the cookhouse?

And Benucci turned up instead.

Yes. Well, somebody must've tipped Benucci off.

Marzotto, obviously.

Well, maybe, but he'd never turned down the chance of a bribe before.

Well,... did... Did anyone else know that you were meeting him?

Only one other person, sir - Tony Long.

It was the day he was arrested.

Mm, for hitting a guard, and he was taken to Benucci.

Immediately after I'd told him the meeting was arranged for that night.

Oh, that could be just a coincidence.

What about the other times, Dicky Lester, for example?

How did he manage there, carrier pigeon or something?

No, sir.

By letter.

He writes a lot of letters to his girlfriend,

the Eyeties censor all letters.

Why shouldn't he get through to Benucci that way?

He wrote a letter tonight, didn't he?

Yes, sir. It's in the mailbag.

Give it here.

What's her name?

Jill Newton.

Ah, here we are.

"Darling, things go on here very much the same as usual,

and the sun continues to shine."

"The Plan is to break out of the tunnel in Hut C,

starting tomorrow morning after roll call."

Oh, my God. It's all here, the whole bloody plan.

God, I feel sick.

I'll take care of it. Nobody needs to know yet, not even Huxley.

Long doesn't suspect, don't let him out of your sight.

Here.

We're through! I said it'd be this shift!

Well done! You two have a breather! Bunter, I'll do the next shift.

You stay here and get your head down. I'll call you if I need you.

This time tomorrow, we'll all be outside.

Prego.

Sir, do escaping activities have priority

over all other forms of entertainment?

What do you think this place is... a holiday camp?

You listen to me, Callender,

there's no glamour in being a prisoner of war.

Most of the officers here, me and you too,

are only alive and prisoners because we surrendered, or somebody senior did.

Maybe it wasn't our fault, but it's nothing to be proud of.

Obviously, I can't force you to perform the play well this afternoon

but perform it you will, whether you like it or not! That's all!

Thank you, sir.

How's it goin', Tony? All ready, sir.

Right, one at a time, but keep it movin'.

Keep your head and bottom down.

Yeah, last time I did anything like this, her father spotted me.

Well, so much for modern art.

I don't care for it much, but I'm pure Renaissance.

Back to the point, serial B for Botticelli

had better slope off, and the best of British luck!

If the rest of you gentlemen bear with me,

I'll put ya in the picture about old masters.

If I have to go on much longer, we'll include old mistresses.

Watch the sides, keep your head and your bottom down.

Here he is now. Now, what have we got here?

Well, that's it - 192. Nice work, old girl. Ooh! Blast!

I'd like to see Benucci when he knows he's given us the shaft. Let's go.

See you. I've something to do alone.

Oh, me too. I'll go with you.

Madam, come. This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet

sits smiling to my heart: in grace whereof no jocund health that Denmark drinks today,

the great cannon to the clouds shall tell, the king's rouse the heaven shall bruit again,

re-speaking earthly thunder.

Come, away.

O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt,

thaw and resolve itself into a dew.

Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd his cannon 'gainst self-slaughter!

I'm glad he's dummy.

Oh, God, God, how weary, stale, flat and unprofitable,

seem to me all the uses of this world!

Fie on it! Oh, fie!

'Tis an unweeded garden, grown to seed,

things rank and gross in nature possess it merely.

That it should come to this!

For Pete's sake, be careful. I don't want my leg broken now.

The suspense is awful. Can't we go to the theatre hut?

Better wait until the next interval,

when they'll come out for some air. Then we'll go back in with them.

Serial M.

All right, our turn now.

Every fool can tell that. It was the very day young Hamlet was born,

he that is mad, sent to England.

Why England? He was mad. He shall recover his wits there.

If he do not, it's no great matter.

Why, Pray? 'Twill not be seen in him there. The men be as mad as he.

How came he mad? Very strangely, they say. E'en with losing his wits.

Upon what ground? Why, here in Denmark.

I have been sexton here. I have been sexton here, man and boy, 30 year.

How long will a man lie in the earth ere he rot?

If he be not rotten before he die, as we have pocky corses,

as will scarce hold the layin' in, he will last eight year, nine year.

A tanner.

A tanner will last nine year. Why he more than another?

His hide is so tanned by his trade,...

Keep it down!

Water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body.

Here is a skull. This skull has lain in the earth three and twenty year.

Whose was it? A whoreson mad fellow's.

Good work, Pierre. Whose do you think it was? Nay, I know not.

Of that, I shall have also cause to speak and from his mouth whose voice will draw on more.

Let this be presently performed, even while men's minds are wild,

Iest more mischance on plots and errors, happen.

Let four captains bear Hamlet, like a soldier, to the stage,

for he was likely, had he been put on, to have proved most royally,

and, for his passage, the soldiers' music and the rites of war speak loudly for him.

Take up the bodies.

Such a sight as this becomes the field, but here, shows much amiss.

Go, bid the soldiers shoot.

Well, that's it. That's the end. Go on! Clap, you...

Start again!

Talk about non-stop revue!

Who's there? Answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.

Long live the king! Bernardo? You come carefully upon your hour.

Get thee to bed, Francisco.

For this relief, much thanks.

Have you had quiet guard?

Sorry it spoilt the performance. Oh, that's all right, sir.

Tony, you're next.

He's not goin'! Eh?

What the hell are you doing, Baird?

You read this.

We should kill the bastard! No, I won't have that.

Gag him.