Original subtitles

Hitch, you ready?

Fire one.

Fire two.

[ Men Shouting ]

[ Shouting Continues ]

Hold it! Hold it! Hold it!

You guys get back down here on the double!

Come on! We haven't got all day! Move out!

[ Shouting Continues ]

All right. Now, we need two drivers.

The rest of you guys pile back into those bone crushers. You're going home.

[ Cheering ]

- All right! Move out! - [ Cheering Continues ]

You go straight ahead, seven miles.

You'll see a sign to Biskra. Take it.

Within 20 miles, you'll spot our front lines. We'll radio ahead. You got it?

- Right. Hey, thanks, Sarge. - Move it.

[ Chattering ]

[ Man Shouting ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Troy ] I wouldn't do that if I were you.

You stay out of this. You saw them.

They tried to kill me.

Well, maybe I'll save the army some trouble...

with a court-martial, right here and now.

Go ahead, Gribs.

Show 'em how brave you are...

Getting your men killed just like at Mers el-Kebir.

All right. We'll let you boys settle your differences.

- We're moving. - Hold it!

You ain't going no place without me.

Those creeps you can leave behind.

But me you gotta take back to headquarters.

I'm important. I know things. Big things.

The only thing he knows how to do is run...

Run and leave his men to get blasted!

Well, personally, I'm not in the market for any private wars.

Tell it to the Jerries when they get here.

Maybe they'll listen. All right. Hit it, Hitch.

[ Gribs ] Hey, wait a minute!

Okay.

Okay, I'm coming down.

Just keep them monkeys off my back.

All right. You heard him.

What about you two? You coming?

[ Shouting ]

[ Gribs ] Oh, this is great. Just great.

Here we are, smack in the middle of Jerryland,

and now you bums can't even keep your own jeeps going.

I can fix his mouth a lot sooner than I can fix this jeep.

Can't fix this either. That bullet just didn't part the water hose.

It went clean through the block. Well, it's out of its miseries.

[ Sighs ]

All right. We'll take the .50 and all the ammo...

and all the water you've got left.

You two lend a hand.

Seven men, one jeep, enemy territory. It's a poor equation.

No, it could be worse. How?

No jeeps. All right, look. We'll try and make it as far as Hassi Messaoud.

At least there we'll have water. Maybe on the way,

we luck out with a German patrol and commandeer another buggy.

Unless you have a better idea.

I have, but it's hardly worthy of an English gentleman.

You mean Gribs. And those two other Neanderthals.

Just wishful thinking.

All right. You ready?

We take turns riding, otherwise she boils over in a minute.

Come on, Gribs. You and I walk first.

Not me, baby. Now, look.

I didn't sweat for them stripes to take turns with those monkeys.

You let them walk. I'm riding all the way back to headquarters.

Gribs, when I walk, you walk.

Okay. See?

All you had to do was ask me pretty.

Come on, Gribs. Keep up.

What for?

You know what's gonna happen, don't ya?

Hey!

We left tracks.

Them Germans ain't dumb.

In a half hour, maybe less,

they'll be piling over that hill and smashing us high and beautiful.

Got any bright ideas, Sergeant?

Sure.

You still got one jeep. Why don't you use it?

What do you think I'm doing?

No.

I mean, really use it.

There don't have to be seven of us, you know.

Just you and me.

Why don't you crawl under a rock, Gribs?

You've lots of company there. Okay, okay.

I'm a creep. I didn't say you had to like me.

But I ain't stupid like them monkeys.

Back in that P.O.W. camp, I kept my ears open.

There was a Jerry guard talked English.

Him and me, we got to be pretty good buddies.

Get to the point.

Suppose I told you I got information...

that could save maybe a couple of thousand G.I.s?

First thing you'd have to do is take me down to headquarters...

so the brass could question me, right?

Sure you would. It would be your duty.

And you strike me to be the kind of fella...

that is really devoted to his duty.

You got something to say, Gribs, spill it.

Hey, Sarge, he been telling you...

about all that big info he's supposed to have?

The only thing he's got is a strong desire to put some distance between him and us.

But it doesn't matter, because sooner or later, we're going to get him.

You're right. And, Sarge, don't worry about all that bull he's been feedin' ya.

This guy's got more lies than a dog's got fleas.

Shut up, you monkeys!

So I'm lying, huh?

Okay.

Why don't you phone them desk jockeys down at headquarters?

Tell 'em some heavy German hardware left Benghazi last night.

Ask 'em if maybe they'd like to know where it's headed.

What's the matter? You too cheap?

Here.

I'll even give you the nickel for the phone call.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Troy ] Code that information. Send it.

- Ya monkeys! - Why, you...

Thanks, Sarge.

[ Laughs ]

It just goes to show...

your heart's in the right place.

Gribs, I'm putting you on notice.

You provoke those guys again, you're walking

back through that desert in your bare feet.

And that goes for both of ya!

Hey, how about a drink of water?

I'm parched.

Then I suggest you suck on this stone,

because the only thing that's drinking now is the jeep.

- Thanks. - Roger. Over and out.

Well, what'd they have to say?

Usual red tape.

We're to call them back.

Hassi Messaoud should be right over that dune.

Well, it better be. This crate's on its last leg.

- Break down again, huh? - We're there.

Well, what are we sitting here for? Let's go.

[ Chuckling ]

What's so funny, Gribs?

Funny? It's hilarious.

I have to hand it to you, Sarge.

It isn't everybody that can lead a patrol right across the desert into a Jerry nest.

- You're a born leader of men. - You're an education, Gribs.

I suggest an old Arab trick.

We'll burrow into the sand.

That way we'll be less easier to spot,

and it'll afford us some protection from the sun.

Okay. Pass the word.

Moffitt. Moffitt!

Yeah?

Go down to the jeep and see if you can raise headquarters.

Find out if that guy means anything,

and tell 'em our situation.

In clear or in code?

Code it.

We've got nothing but time.

What are you gonna do, Sarge?

Try to find out if I'm worth saving?

Or drink my little share of our water yourself?

You know, if he keeps that up,

that sergeant's gonna get to him before we do.

Your friend evidently has something.

H.Q. wants it, and they want it now.

[ Sighs ]

All right.

All I can do is ask. All right, mister.

What you have must be valuable, and headquarters wants it now.

I told you, Sarge. The answer is no.

Not till I'm safe, away from the Jerries...

and them two monkeys that are trying to kill their own sergeant.

Look, it must be important, so give.

- No soap. - All right. Can I buy it from ya?

What do you got to sell?

How about water?

Sorry, Sarge. It just isn't enough.

Tell 'em he won't give. They'll just have to wait.

Hey, Sarge.

How about a drink of water?

If we can hit 'em fast enough and keep 'em away from those vehicles,

we just might get a ride out of this mess.

We have the makings for some Molotov cocktails downstairs.

Okay. Good.

All right. Move back.

Moffitt, you take Tully and Hitch.

Go down and bring up the .50s and the making of our cocktails.

You guys know how to use 'em? All right. This is what we're gonna do.

Tex, you and Eddy move out to the right.

It'll take you 15 minutes to flank the oasis.

Gribs and I are going to the left. Don't start your attack till I do.

Not me, Sarge. I'm valuable information.

I'm gonna dig a nice hole for myself and get in it. You guys can play the heroes.

Sergeant Gribs, I'm issuing you a direct order.

You're coming with me. If you don't, I'm gonna shoot you.

- Is that understood? - Okay, Sarge. No need to get sore.

All right. Remember, if we don't get wheels,

it's a long walk home.

Let's go.

Stay up here with me, Gribs.

I'm right behind ya. I don't want you behind me.

I want you where I can see you, and that's up front.

I just hope that bum don't get the sergeant killed.

Don't worry.

I figure he's a rough boy. He can take care of himself.

I just hope he doesn't do our job for us.

Now!

[ Shouts ]

[ Gunfire Continues ]

Come on, Gribs! Fight, you yellow...

Cease fire! Cease fire!

Come on down! The water's great!

Hey, where's Gribs?

I don't know. He was with me when I started.

You didn't keep your promise, Sarge.

You said you were gonna protect me.

Now I ain't gonna give you no information.

That's your choice, Gribs.

But I've gotta tell you. You're gonna die.

You're not kiddin' me, are you?

No, I'm not kidding you, Gribs.

I'm sorry. It's too bad.

A lot of other guys are gonna have to die because you won't give us what you got.

He ain't kidding me, is he?

Okay, I'll tell ya.

Please say... I ain't gonna die.

Please, Sarge, tell me.

I can't promise you that, Gribs.

German armor...

left Benghazi last night.

Moved to Agheila.

Rest... under camouflage.

Move... to Sheba tomorrow night.

[ Moans ]

Help me.

[ Panting ]

You got it? Yeah.

Send it.

Message completed.

Stand by. Anything else, Troy?

Make sure they know the information comes from Gribs.

The guy might've had a family.

Information previously transmitted was supplied...

by escaped prisoner of war Sergeant Archie Gribs, unit unknown,

who was killed in action this day at the oasis of Hassi Messaoud.

[ Roars ]