Original subtitles

Dearest Mary…

we have been pulled out of Italy

and reassigned to Six Army for Operation Dragoon,

the invasion of Southern France.

Everyone by now knows the losses at Normandy two months ago.

Despite three hours of naval bombardment last night,

intelligence predicts casualties of 20%.

Nerves are raw and the rough seas don't help.

Two minutes.

Okay.

Okay.

E Company, let's go. Get your shit together, come on.

Listen up, listen up.

I've been promoted to major

and am now in charge of three companies. Over a thousand men.

Most of whom have never spent a single day in combat.

Some are so green, they've only fired their weapons a handful of times

and that was weeks ago, back in the States.

Their survival depends on the men who've made it this far.

Let's go!

Uh, Gaston?

Ask him where the Germans are.

Uh, gone. They left last night.

Welcome to Provence.

Hey, what the hell took you so long, huh?

Yeah!

What the hell took us so long?

You know, I've been asking myself

the same damn question for almost two years.

Well, we're here now.

With more ships, more trucks…

more guns than ever before.

But trucks don't win wars.

Men do.

With men,

the difference between failure and success…

is often the bond that either forms…

or doesn't.

Okay, Chief. Gimme some room.

Hey, what's with the faces, boys, huh?

We're going to war!

Vaccaro's on board!

Let's get this show on the road.

Hey, has anyone ever told you you guys look alike?

Every day. He's my dad.

No shit. What's your name?

Garnet Bullock. People call me Junior.

All right.

So, what do they you call you?

Mr. Bullock.

Call me "Pop."

Okay.

I'm "Cal" Calhoun. Rod-o, Breedy, and that there is Michigan.

Where y'all from?

- Tulsa. - Greely.

Taos.

How about y'all?

- Fort Collins. - All right.

Jesus. What is this, the cowboy brigade?

All right, where are you from, Vaccaro?

Me? Civilization.

Chicago.

Chicago? Where's that?

Funny. Very funny.

What about you, Chief? Where you from?

What's the matter? You don't speak English?

Maybe he just doesn't speak Chicagoan.

What's your name?

Otaktay.

Nice to meet you, Otaktay.

Dear Mary…

this is how war is in the movies.

Everywhere we go, we're greeted as liberators.

Cheered and celebrated.

We've traveled farther in the last five days

than we did in two months in Italy,

more in three weeks than in half a year.

And everywhere are German prisoners.

Hey.

Hey, why didn't you guys do that in Italy?

Bastards.

My men are beginning to call this "the champagne campaign."

The feeling is definitely intoxicating.

He's here. He's here.

Yeah!

But I can't help the feeling

that we're not chasing the enemy as much as he's leading us somewhere.

Somewhere he knows very well.

Hey, you, what happened to Fortress Germany?

Where the hell've you been?

Finland.

Fighting the Russians.

Allied bombers.

Apparently, "Fortress Germany" has great walls, but no roof.

Lieutenant Voss, 11th Gebirgsjäger.

Welcome home, Voss. I am told you are familiar with the Vosges?

Yes, sir. My grandparents had a home in Pirmasens.

Well, the Americans are in their front yard.

It is your job to keep them from entering the house.

Maj. Sparks reporting as requested, sir.

Greetings, Major. This way.

Gen. Frederick. Maj. Sparks, sir.

Felix.

I'd ask you to sit…

but they make you do these things standing up.

- I beg your pardon, sir? - Honors, Major.

It is my privilege to present to you…

the Presidential Unit Citation.

Awarded to 157th Regiment, 2nd Battalion…

for its actions holding the Via Anziate from enemy infiltration into Anzio.

To receive this award, a unit must display

gallantry and determination in accomplishing its mission

so as to set it apart from and above all other units.

For some reason, they sent us only three.

That's because we were the only survivors.

Your men must have been exceptional.

Thank you, sir. They were.

Sir, I'd like to speak to you

about a concern with the current operation.

Certainly. Go ahead.

Our orders are to protect this ridge, 484B.

Mh-hmm.

I'd like to know how long before I can expect reinforcements.

You have two battalions, Major. It should be more than enough to cover that area.

Both my battalions are at 50%, sir. I don't have the reserves

or a way to support those positions.

You have this road here.

It's a direct route to the summit.

Not in winter conditions, sir.

There's a foot of snow, the pitch is too steep for trucks.

If the Germans pinch our edges, my men up top will be cut off.

What makes you think the Germans would flank you there?

Because that's what he would do.

I appreciate your concern, Major,

but Six Army is worried about a repeat of the Ardennes offensive,

and all units are being deployed there.

You'll have to find a way to get up that road.

Is there something else you want to say, Major?

No, sir.

Congratulations again.

Instead of a medal, you'd think you'd just handed him your dirty laundry.

That's exactly what I handed him.

It stinks like hell and he knows he's gotta wash it.

Vaccaro, come on. Find a hole.

Yes, sir.

Congratulations, Chief.

Looks like it's you and me.

Don't call me "Chief."

What's wrong with "Chief"? It's a term of endearment.

- I prefer my name. - You prefer "Otaktay"?

Ask anybody. I'm telling you, "Chief" is way the hell better.

What kind of name is Vaccaro?

You're kidding me, right?

So, should I call you "my little dago"… or do you prefer "wop"?

It's okay. It's a term of endearment.

You know, I see what you're doing here.

But you gotta admit, "Otaktay," that's a fucking mouthful.

Does it mean anything in Indian or did your parents just like the sound of it?

"Otaktay." It's Sioux.

It means "kills many."

Jesus, you should have said that beforehand.

Otaktay.

Otaktay.

I like it.

Let's get a table in here and put the maps up.

Someone get a fire going. It's freezing in here.

He'll make you put it out, sir.

What?

The fire, sir.

It's the major's thing. As long as his men are up there without heat,

so are we.

Get me Capt. Lauder.

Here you go, kid.

Thanks, Major.

Junior, come on!

That's your only boy?

Yes, sir.

What does your wife think about you being out here?

It would kill her, sir, if she was still alive.

She passed away a couple of years ago.

He's all I got left.

I figured if something happened to him, I didn't wanna hear about it in a letter.

Thanks, Major.

Sir. I've got Capt. Lauder.

How is it up there, Bill?

We're a little thin, sir.

But we've got good positions. We're dug in well.

All right, well, dig in a little deeper.

It's gonna be tough, but I'm gonna try and get supplies up the Ruptzweiler Road.

And, Bill, any pressure on your edges, you let me know immediately.

Will do, sir.

Hey, Breed.

Is this what it's like in Colorado?

Not really.

This is way creepier.

It reminds me of one of those Grimm fairy tales.

Where the kids get eaten by witches in candy houses.

Hey, guys. Guys.

What do you make of that?

Listen, Sarge.

She's crying.

That's not crying.

Everybody, down!

- Reed! - Sir!

- Get those supplies up there. - Yes, sir.

You heard the major. Let's move out.

Well…

they know where we are.

Henrich. Get ready.

Keep up, Monroe.

All right, get under it. Push it.

Come on!

Push! Get there! Push!

Come on!

You're almost there.

Cover! Get to cover. Come on!

Take cover!

Come on!

Sarge?

Anybody?

Monroe, stay down!

Ah!

E Company, this is Sunshine. Over.

E Company, this is Sunshine. Over.

- There's no answer, sir. - They've flanked us.

Get on to HQ. Tell Col. Avery we need tanks and M8s up here ASAP.

- You okay? - Yeah. Yeah.

Hang on, Sarge.

I… I can't feel my feet.

I can't feel anything.

Get ready! They're coming!

Holy shit! Where'd they come from?

Bring it now! 8-6-4-2-2-7.

No! Hey! Hey!

Repeat. 8-6-4-2-2-7.

Bring it now. 8-6-4...

- Jesus, Michigan! God! - No! No, no, no!

Turner's dead. I couldn't stay over there alone.

All right. Let's flip him over, make some room.

Oh, my God.

They're SS troops.

Where are my tanks?

They ran into problems down below and sent us ahead.

There's resistance between here and the summit.

I don't care what it takes. You have to push through.

You giving me infantry, Major?

If I had infantry, you wouldn't be here.

We're on our own.

Hey.

Something for us.

From Hazelton and Keller.

And dinner tonight is compliments of Shockley and Dunn.

Whoa.

They had all this to spare?

They could spare all this because they're dead.

I've pulled in the line, sir.

We're down to half strength

and, in this cold, most of the wounded won't make it to morning.

Any word?

Yeah.

They can't get up here.

Gomez.

You ever been cut off like this before?

Yes, sir.

And so has Sparks.

Home?

My girlfriend.

She is working in a hospital in Frankfurt.

They are being bombed day and night.

I had a leave a month ago.

I was going home to see my parents.

One week before I was to leave, their block was bombed.

Killed them both…

This wasn't the world I envisioned four years ago.

None of us did.

How are you holding up?

I'm fine.

Cold, that's all.

- I've been cold before. - Psst!

Hey! Hey!

I'm gonna try to go back and get some help.

No. They'll try and reach us in the morning.

We won't make it to the morning.

They can't see me now.

I gotta try.

While I can still move.

Stop.

No, stop. Don't let him leave. S-Sniper.

Ah!

Halfway up.

I'm going for help.

No. I'll go.

No.

I'm faster than you.

And you're a better shot.

It took Cal 12 seconds to get to that clearing.

I figure it'll take me the same.

When I get there…

if you distract him, I can make it across.

I can do it, Pop. You just have to trust me.

Okay, okay.

Ready?

One. Two. Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven. Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Coffee, Major?

Medic! Medic!

They're pinned down by the bridge, sir.

One sniper, two machine guns.

Sergeant Reed's wounded.

My dad…

A few others still left alive.

Get in!

Sergeant Fitzpatrick, sir.

Top up your fuel, Sergeant, let's go.

- You coming with us, sir? - You're damn straight I am.

Over… over…

Over here!

Here!

We're over here!

It's an officer.

Sir!

What the hell is he doing?

Wait.

Sir, we gotta get out of here.

All right, Pop. Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Why didn't we shoot?

Because we had a choice.

Americans of the 157th Regiment,

this is Major Müller of the 11th SS Mountain Infantry.

I ask for a ten-minute ceasefire to discuss your options.

Captain.

Major.

Your men have fought valiantly, but you are surrounded.

I am offering you an opportunity to surrender.

Your men will be provided with food and medical attention.

We have all your positions, Captain.

We've captured one of your radios.

We know help cannot reach you.

Your situation is hopeless.

Sir, I've got Capt. Lauder.

This is Sparks.

Sir, the Germans have asked for our surrender.

They know we're cut off and you can't reach us.

We'll hold out if you tell us to.

No.

Give your men their options.

It's been an honor to serve with you, sir.

The honor was mine.

Get my Jeep.

I've agreed to surrender.

If there's anyone here who wishes to attempt to break out to our lines…

you may do so.

I must warn you, however…

we're surrounded.

Anyone who wishes to join me,

we go now.

Good luck, sir.

Amigo, let's go. Come on.

Come on.

Wait, wait, wait. Wait! We're Americans.

Please.

Maj. Sparks, stop.

- I warned you what would happen! - You are out of line, Major!

Seven company commanders, 35 platoon leaders, 500 men,

- dead, wounded or captured. For what? - I'm sorry, sir. I'm calling the MPs.

The other day when you asked me if I had something else to say, I did,

but I held my tongue.

What I wanted to say is this plan is full of shit!

There wasn't a chance in hell to reach those men.

I knew it, but I said nothing. That was my mistake.

But I guarantee you I will not make that mistake again.

I know you're angry, Major,

but I will not tolerate that tone from a subordinate officer.

And neither would you.

Even if he's right.

Yes, I knew those men were in a compromised position,

but they had to be there.

And I also knew that even though there was little chance to resupply them…

you were their best hope.

But those were my orders.

And they were yours.

And sometimes we get orders to do things that will haunt us.

And this was one of those times.

Now, Major…

do you have anything else to say to me?

No, sir.

Then return to your men.

I'll begin the paperwork for Sparks's court-martial immediately.

- No, you won't. - But, sir…

You're a good administrator, Bob.

And a pretty decent strategist, but I can replace you in an instant.

Men like him…

are damn near impossible to find.

Let's go.

Dearest Mary…

it came on a cold day in January.

My breaking point.

First, I ignored it.

Then, I hid it.

Now, I can't do either anymore.

I have only myself to blame for this.

For letting myself believe that the sacrifice and death were over.

I should have known that an enemy this strong

would fight for his homeland like I'd fight for mine.

Tooth and nail for every yard.

But I have no emotional reserves to fall back on.

There have been too many deaths. Too long a war.

I need to remember what hope feels like.

And soon.

My God.

♪ Worn down to the last nerve ♪

♪ Way on past the breaking point And gone ♪

♪ Too many dead, war too long ♪

♪ No fires down below ♪

♪ No fires up above ♪

♪ Chain of respect ♪

♪ Commanding love ♪

♪ Play the cards we're dealt ♪

♪ Hearts are breaking All the way to hell ♪

♪ Distant voice you might have heard ♪

♪ Calling from another world ♪

♪ Terror that a new day brings ♪

♪ St. Maurice's angels sing ♪