Original subtitles

(Newsreel) 'Britain welcomes the new French government

'and the commanders of her forces

'and the new French premier, monsieur Paul reynaud.

'After the meeting, britain and France issue a solemn declaration

'binding their two peoples still more closely.

'It declares to the world that the change of government in France

'will mean no change in the cooperation between the two nations

'and there's perfect cooperation too between the heads of the allied forces.

'Our armies will fight side by side

'so look out, Hitler, here we come!'

I run, Adolf, run, Adolf

I run, run, run

I you were the starter and fired the gun

I you're no match although we start from scratch

I your price is 90 to one, one, one

I you've no idea how you'd run, run... I

'the foreign press association are on a visit

'to the British air forces on the western front.

'They represent many newspapers in neutral countries

'apart from military secrets, we have nothing to hide.

'We're fighting our war in the open. Our propaganda is true.

'Belgium, too, is showing off her preparedness.

'This is one of her coastal batteries

'where the men live in bomb-proof blockhouses

'and can be ready for action within a few seconds.

'German warships will hardly dare to operate

'in seas that are policed by the royal Navy.

'There lies Belgium's best hope of security.

'Here's somewhere else where they shoot at birds from every angle.

'2,050...

'I mean 250 pacific boast cuties.

'I mean pacific coast beauties.

'What a picture! What a job!

'Ain't it gorgeous?

'At the mansion house in London mr Chamberlain makes a statement

'on the progress and prospects of the war.'

(Chamberlain) 'The oceans of the world have been swept clear

'of German shipping...'

there's a flap on.

No, they're just off to another party.

'The members of that government...'

come on, let's see what's happening.

'They desire to achieve the ruin of the British empire.

I told you there was a flap on.

There's a flap on every week. They save 'em for wednesdays.

- Brig seemed in a heck of a hurry. - I bet he noticed you didn't salute him.

I can see you being dropped down to Lance-Jack again.

Make that a promise and I'll never salute the old bastard again.

- He doesn't know me from Adam. - Come on, let's have some vin blanc.

Don't go pinching claudette's behind. The locals don't like it.

Do you think people back home believe that stuff in the newsreel?

- What stuff? - That guff about being prepared.

Why shouldn't they? It's what they're told.

Keeps 'em happy. My missus says they don't know there's a war on.

- Lucky blighters. - Oh, thanks, Barlow.

Fresh landings have taken place in the area

and our forces are firmly astride the road to the north.

The nonnegian forces are cooperating with the utmost gallantry.

They're in France.

There has been patrol activity

in the rhine area to the south of strasbourg.

Any questions?

May I ask, sir,

if there's any confirmation of the reports that have been coming through all day

about heavy enemy concentrations on the Dutch and Belgian frontiers?

I have nothing to add to the communique.

Are you prepared to deny these reports?

I have nothing to add to the communique.

If large troop movements develop during the night

will a new communique be issued?

As far as I know there is no intention

to issue any further communique before tomorrow.

Is there any truth in the reports

of heavy air reconnaissance over eastern Belgium, sir?

Nothing to add.

Is there any security objection to our using the reports we've received

or shouldn't the Germans be told what they're doing?

That's a matter for the censor.

Thank you, sir.

Well, jouvet,

what do your people think?

Have you heard anything from any of the Dutch boys?

I was talking to young Van blerck of the handelsblad.

They reckon they have got half a million Germans opposite them.

Brouwer, do you know Charles foreman?

- Delighted. - How do you do?

Have you heard anything from Brussels?

Nothing.

You've heard nothing and there are 500,000 Germans sitting on the border?

- Has your paper printed it? - No.

Well, I don't get it.

Here are the biggest troop movements since the war broke out.

Nobody says anything.

Nobody attempts anything. Nobody knows anything.

What do they think they're there for? Manoeuvres?

Patrol activity! Utter bilge.

- Evening, mrs Johns. - Evening, mr Holden.

- Hello, girls. - Evening.

Well, how did you get on?

70 gross.

Machine broke down just after seven for half an hour.

- Frankie mended it. - (Haw-haw on radio) 'Germany calling.

'Germany calling...'

switch that blasted row off.

No, let's listen to what he says.

Don't tell me you listen to haw-haw's twaddle?

How do you know it's twaddle?

(Haw-haw) 'It must be said again that Germany has no intention

'to use military might against small countries.

'Unless they seek to aid our enemy.

'If britain or France were foolish enough to invade Belgium

'we on our side would be obliged to march and protect Belgium...'

makes me sick, rotten traitor.

All the same, he may be right. Perhaps they don't want war.

Eh? Don't want war?

What about nonnay and Denmark? They went in there quick enough.

Hm, I suppose you're right.

Of course I'm right. It's a lot of blasted propaganda.

Still, they do let him say it on the radio, don't they?

Oh, there you are, Frankie.

- Good evening, mr Holden. - What was wrong with the machine?

Well, the die gotjammed. I reset it, same as last time.

Oh, let's have a look.

Oh, that's fine now, yeah.

How's mrs Holden and the baby? Did you see them today?

Oh, yes, I did. They're grand.

He's gained another three ounces. Terrific he is.

Go on! You'll be telling me next he's had his call-up papers.

Yes... that's the only blight in the picture.

He had to come along when there's a war on.

Don't worry. It will be all over before he's out of his nappies.

I hope you're right.

All right, girls. You can knock off now.

Will you lock up by yourself tonight?

- Sure I will. - I'll be over at the queen's head.

- Good night, girls. - Good night, mr Holden.

- Don't forget the blackout. - No, I won't.

How about a drink, Alfred, or do I serve myself?

Serve yourself, mr foreman. I must put up this blackout.

Ok, Alfred. Don't worry.

Charles! Do you have to do that?

I have a great, I might say monumental, thirst.

I've been to a press conference.

Any news?

Oh, the usual. Leaflet raids over Hamburg.

Patrol activity along the entire front. Usual claptrap.

- A light ale, dear? - Please.

- Evening, all. Hello, Alfred. - Evening, mr Holden.

- Evening, mrs foreman. - Hello. How's grace and the baby?

Oh, fine, just fine.

Wet the baby's head, Holden.

- What will you have? - Er, scotch if I may, please.

Right.

Alfred, the whisky's run dry.

You'd better go easy on it.

If I don't get any more by Monday, I'll have to ration you.

- No more doubles. - Oh, come off it, Alfred.

You can always get some on the side. I can't do without my scotch.

What are you kicking about?

You could always turn a little petrol into whisky.

Well, wouldn't you?

It's a lovely war.

How many buckles have you turned out this week?

200 gross I shouldn't wonder. The army's got to have buckles.

Especially if it's caught with its pants down.

Still, I suppose somebody's got to make 'em.

Thank our lucky stars we're not wearing 'em.

Charles!

Give us another pint, guv, will you?

One does what one can.

They made it a reserved occupation. I didn't.

Anyway, would I have done any more by sitting on my backside in France?

Well, would I?

A new baby, 200 gross of buckles,

unlimited petrol and all the whisky you want.

You're sitting pretty, aren't you, Holden?

Yes, it is a lovely war.

Wouldn't you if you were in my place?

Wouldn't everybody? Doesn't everybody?

- The war's a blasted phony anyway. - I'm a bit tired of that.

- Tired of what? - This phony war business.

- Well, isn't it? - No, it's not.

I've just come out of hospital after ten days off the faroes.

I'm sick and tired of blokes like you with softjobs ashore. Come outside.

Now, don't be silly.

I've lost two fingers off that hand

but I'm going to knock your block off with my right.

(Alfred) Ah, take it easy. There's no need for that.

I'm sorry. I apologise.

I'll come outside if you insist.

That won't do any good.

It's not his fault. It's the fault of all of us.

You make me sick.

All of you.

It may be a phony war to you but it's not to all the boys at sea.

Never has been.

Come on, Charles. We'd better be getting home.

Good night, mr Holden.

You treat this whole thing as a personal issue.

That was nearly a fight. Poor Holden would have got it.

To blazes with poor Holden. He makes me sick.

He's like a lot more in this country. It's the same everywhere.

Is this supposed to be a war effort?

You're getting to be a pain in the neck about this war effort.

You don't see it any more than anyone else.

This debate in the house, where has it got us?

Chamberlain's settled in as comfortably as ever,

patting us on the head and saying everything is going to be all right

so that little squirts like Holden can sit back on their fat subcontracts

and make more money than they ever did in peacetime.

- What will it be worth if we lose? - We haven't lost.

Don't tell me we're always at our best when we're nearly beaten,

backs to the war and all that bilge.

If you ask me, we are nearly beaten.

Oh, Charles! For goodness sake, be human.

I know you feel we're making a mess of things

but it's not the fault of people like Holden.

They're doing their best and they're doing what they're told.

Of course he fusses about his baby. There's nothing much wrong with that.

It's no use tearing yourself to pieces, Charles.

Yes, but we're being such fools.

Poor old Charles.

You'd like to get at them with your bare hands, wouldn't you?

As far as I can see, that's about all we've got.

Our bare hands.

I suppose they're flags from the last war.

Aye, they just bring them out every 20 years.

Says a lot for the popularity of our fathers.

You're right there, tubby.

That good-looking piece could be your half-sister.

- Except she's too good-looking. - What, her?

She's as ugly as punch's sore-eyed dog.

Oi, oi!

It seems strange having to leave prepared positions.

You'd think we'd have to wait for Jerry to appear.

As far as I can gather we're going up to the river dyle

to hold a defensive position.

Yeah, we sit on a line held by the French to connect up with the Belgians.

You know, like closing a door.

And we're the door, eh?

Yeah, that's right. At least, so the major said.

Yeah? Supposing someone puts their foot in the bloody door?

(Big Ben chimes)

I we're gonna hang out the washing on the siegfried line

I have you any dirty washing, mother dear?

I we're gonna hang out the washing on the siegfried line

I cos the washing day is here

I whether the weather may be wet or fine

I we'll just rub along I

and that is the end of the communique. Any questions?

Has the Belgian front broken, sir?

Is it true they have attacked in force on either side of sedan?

- Are German tanks outside Brussels? - Gentlemen, one at a time, please?

The situation is fluid in the highest degree.

The main fighting has not yet begun. The information I have given you is...

(Gunfire)

I we'll just rub along without a care

I we're gonna hang out the washing on the siegfried line

I if the siegfried line's still there I

- orders to fall back, sir. - Fall back?

- Tell the others, sergeant. - Yes, sir.

We're pulling back, sir.

Get moving. We're pulling back.

- Pack it up. We're pulling back. - Why?

Don't ask me, ask the blinking generals.

- We're holding them, aren't we? - I don't know, I tell you.

All I know is we've got to be out of here by 1900 hours. Now, get moving.

I we're gonna hang out the washing on the siegfried line

I cos the washing day is here

I whether the weather may be wet or fine

I we'll just rub along without a care

I we're gonna hang out the washing on the siegfried line

I if the siegfried line's still there I

(bombs exploding)

I am sorry, gentlemen. I have nothing further to say.

It has been reported that calais has been attacked.

Is it true that boulogne has fallen?

What is the position of the British expeditionary?

Let the first car get on the bridge.

Blast! He's twigged it.

Let him have it! Now!

Right, get your gear together and run!

Come on, boys.

(Shouting in German)

(Gunfire)

- Ok, all of you? - Yes, sir.

That should hold them for a bit.

Let's get back to the unit. Double up, and quick. Keep low.

There's nobody in the observation post.

- What's that? There must be. - No, sir.

Nobody in the slit trenches either, sir.

Looks empty.

- The vehicles are there. - That's c company's truck. It's u/s.

Transmission went last night. That bren too. There's nobody there.

- They've gone to ground. - There's nobody there, sir.

Get the stuff up as quickly as you can. I'll go ahead.

Very good, sir.

Come on, lads. Pick 'em up.

It's a rum-go. I wonder what's happened.

The division pulled out last night.

- Where to? - West, sir.

Concentrating between arras and lens, the major said.

Told me I was to wait for you, sir.

(Aircraft overhead)

Look out! Get to cover!

- You all right, tubby? - Yeah, I'm all right.

What about the others? Where's Mike?

He ducked down over there.

Come on, let's have you!

- Mike, where are you? - Over here.

- Are you all right? - Of course I'm all right.

- What are you doing down there? - Trying to get out of this bloody hedge.

Everybody ok?

- That was quick. - Yeah, but where's the company?

Where is everybody?

Pulled out. Everything's gone.

Yeah, but where?

Mr lumpkin.

Can you get him, Barlow?

- It's too hot. - Let me have go.

I can't reach him.

I can't get at him.

(Coughing)

- He's dead. - No, I can't.

- He's dead. - I can't.

No, I can't.

Poor devils. They hadn't a chance in that fire.

It wasn't the fire that killed them.

They got it before that.

Well, what do we do now?

You've got the stripes, tubby.

You tell us.

Yeah.

- Yeah, I suppose you're right. - What do we do, then?

Well, one thing's certain: The trucks are u/s.

I suppose we'll have to hoof it.

Come on, let's get cracking, before Jerry comes back.

I never wanted the blasted stripes in the first place.

Too late now, tubby. You're stuck with them.

Hello, jouvet.

What on earth's the matter?

We have lost the battle.

Don't be a fool.

They have broken through.

What?

Well, that's not the end of things.

Look, it can't be as bad as all that.

You don't understand. You are an englishman.

It is France that is being torn. It is my country.

You English, you can never understand.

My home is at rheims.

You have never known what it is to have a German in your home.

Even now they are in my house, tearing things open.

Tomorrow they will be in Paris.

In Paris!

Rubbish. You're talking nonsense.

They've broken through and the situation is bad.

We all know that. We've all known it for days.

But gamelin must be getting his reserve into position by now.

What reserve?

The strategic reserve, of course.

When I was in rheims in February

the 7th army was the heart of the strategic reserve.

There was almost nothing else.

Gamelin sent the 7th army to Holland. What is there left?

But you can't mean that?

The whole principle of the maginot line was to build up a strong reserve.

- What did your generals do with them? - Generals?

They sacked 15 frontline generals three days ago. Did you know that?

But you called up two million men. What have you done with them?

Who are you to talk?

What have you British sent to France? 200-300,000?

Don't be a fool. And the Navy and the air force.

What will they do for you when you have lost your army?

We haven't lost it yet.

It is the one virtue that we French have left.

We are realists.

This battle is lost.

What will you fight with?

Those?

Sometimes there's a lot to be said for not being too much of a realist.

Pardon, madame. 00 est anglais?

Pardon, monsieur. 00 est anglais?

Dead stupid. Don't understand their own ruddy language.

We'll never get far with this lot. Let's get moving.

(Shouting in French)

Let's get off the road. We'll never get through this mob.

Come on, this way.

What did she want to do that for?

That's one brush with a French girl your old woman won't mind.

Planes. Jerry planes!

(Screaming)

(Babies screaming)

(Shouting in French)

What about going back to help them?

What can we do? We can't do any good.

- Didn't use their bombs. - They didn't need to, the bastards.

Can only mean one thing: They're saving the road for their tanks.

Come on, let's get back to the unit.

- Got a fag, Mike? - Aye, and I'm keeping it.

Got a fag, Barlow?

Motorbike!

Might be a Jerry. Get down quick.

- If it's a Jerry, don't miss. - You can shoot me if I do.

Can you see him?

Not yet.

He's wearing a uniform.

I hope it's a Jerry.

He's a Don r.

He's one of ours.

(Tubby) I believe he's right.

Who are you? What's your mob?

B company, wiltshires, 13th brigade.

Where's your unit?

That's what we want to know. Thought perhaps you could help.

Who was top of the league this year?

Top of the league? Darned if I know.

There was no league held this year.

Everton won it last year.

You'll do.

- He thinks we're ruddy fifth column! - You can't be too careful these days.

- Do we look like fifth column? - No, you don't.

And neither do they. Blasted jerries everywhere.

Never mind about that. Whereabouts is our unit?

I don't know. There's an ra battery back there in those woods.

Perhaps they can tell you. I'd look slippy about it too.

There's Jerry tanks a few miles back. I only just missed them.

- Sounds like good advice. - We didn't check if he was fifth column.

Don't be a mug. Can't you tell a dr when you see one?

Well, he couldn't tell what we were when he saw us, could he?

Well...

Come on, let's find this battery.

What's your ammo state, jock?

50 he, 12 ap.

Right.

Corporal, where do you think you're going with that heap?

Home sweet home.

Stand to attention when I speak to you.

All right, don't tell me. Don't tell me.

You got left behind when your unit pulled out.

You've been astray and it's not your fault.

Yeah, that's right, we...

You're a shower.

- Sergeant major. - Sir?

Get your men down to the cookhouse. When you've eaten, report to me.

(Tubby) Come on, lads.

- We've had our orders. - Taken them long enough.

- When do we pull out? - We don't.

We stay.

How long do we have to hold?

Our situation is very confused.

Until it's been sorted out we've just got to stay put.

Until the ammunition runs out, I reckon.

I always did say we were overdrawn on ammo.

My name's miles.

He's Harper.

He's a moaning bleeder.

But don't take any notice of him. He just likes it.

Been astray long?

- Too long. You? - Ah.

- One tin between two. - Have you not got anything hot?

You're lucky to get that. We're on half rations.

Don't worry, you'll get something hot before long, only it won't be grub.

What's the sergeant major's name?

They've all got the same name, haven't they?

Good.

Good. We'll let them get to the culvert as we planned.

Keep me informed.

Sergeant major!

Take post. Mixed column coming up the road.

Two armoured cars, six tanks, a mobile 88 and some iorried infantry.

Better get your odds and sods into the slit trenches.

- Take post! Tank alert! - Take post!

Sector b, right section, engage!

- What's going on, sarge? - Stand-to.

Jerry's coming up. The muck will start flying soon.

- Get in the slit trenches, all of you. - What, me?

Yes, you too, dream.

Why don't you forget it?

You'd have been mad yourself in her place.

Humping all those bags in a crowd of reffos.

They seemed to hate us.

Refugees hate everybody.

Wouldn't you?

Well, they don't need to hate us.

- Right one. - Fire!

Five and six, two boxes of ammo!

Christ.

(Groaning)

Stretcher bearers!

Right, you two, come on.

(Explosions continue)

Number four gun's had it. Smashed side bracket.

Three men killed, sir.

One's all right. What about two and three?

- All right too. - Good.

Fire!

Right, put him down here.

- Corporal benskin, hypodermic. - Anything else we can do, sir?

Stretcher bearer!

It's Fraser, corp. He's wounded bad.

- Shut up! - Bad.

Get a hold of yourself.

(Gunfire continues)

- Where's bellman? - He's helping with the wounded.

It was horrible. Fraser was just... Just looking and then...

And then...

It was so sudden that I...

All right, son. All right. Keep a grip on yourself.

Right, tubby.

Right.

Barlow saw Fraser cop it.

Must have been pretty grim.

I'm worried about that kid.

He's a bit young for this lark.

What's that?

Say again.

Good.

Good.

- They've pulled out. - There are more casualties.

- Another killed and three more injured. - That's not the end of it.

They weren't expecting anything. We took them by surprise.

What do you think they'll do now?

Pull back, keep our heads down with an occasional shell

and whistle up the stukas.

That's what they learned in Spain and Poland.

That's what we're learning now.

- And we just wait? - Yes, sergeant major.

We just wait.

I'll see the men get a hot drink, sir.

Oh, just a moment.

I'd get the odds and sods away if I were you.

I doubt whether they'll use the infantry now.

They'll wait for the dive bombers.

Very good, sir. I'll do that.

I'm not badly hurt, am I, corporal?

I'm not... badly hurt?

No, no, I don't think so, son.

The mo didn't spend a lot of time with you, did he?

No, he didn't, did he?

I... don't feel any pain.

I don't feel anything at all.

It can't be bad if! Don't feel anything, can it?

No, no, of course it can't.

Just a little... flesh wound, I reckon.

All right, son. All right.

Now lie back and rest.

Corporal.

Sir?

Get your men together, corporal. Those two as well.

Well, come on, man. Get somebody moving.

Private Russell, get our party together. Look lively.

Right, corp.

Take your men and head north, try and connect up with your unit.

What's the idea?

Never mind why, just do as you're damn well told.

Smarten yourself up, keep your wits about you and move fast.

Very good, sir.

Keep going round to the left, Mike.

Come on, boys.

- Good luck, corporal. - Thank you, sergeant major.

I wish I were with them.

So do I, by god.

What are they sending us off for, corp?

- Did you wanna stay? - Not on your blinking life.

Is Fraser badly hurt, corp?

He's dead.

(Aircraft overhead)

Stukas! Run for it.

So that's why he sent us away.

Do you think he knew?

He knew all right.

That's murder.

That's sheer bloody murder.

I hope somebody knows what they're doing.

No chance of seeing the c-in-c yet, I suppose.

Not a hope, Brian.

With things the way they are he must be a very worried man.

Any news of the 5th and 50th divisions' push south?

No, not really.

They're putting out the usual probes but the main attack hasn't gone in yet,

thank goodness.

You know it's an impossible scheme.

- But it's weygand's plan, isn't it? - Yes, it is.

Still, we've got to try something. We are in a pretty awful mess.

Of course we're in a mess. Shouldn't we be?

With the French breaking on the meuse we're wide open on our right.

If the Belgians crack on our left we're in trouble.

If that does happen

we need the 5th and the 50th and any others we can scrape up

to stop Jerry having a clear run to the north.

What was the outcome of dill's visit?

That didn't help much.

As far as I know the push to the south still goes.

The cabinet's putting pressure on gort to carry it through.

How he'll sort that problem out I wouldn't know.

How can he sort it out? He's a subordinate commander.

He can't overrule the French high command

or go over the head of the cigs, let alone defy the cabinet.

Henry, I've come to a decision.

I'm going to call off the 5th and the 50th divisions from the attack to the south

and send them to the left.

But, sir, that's against all orders we've had.

The French 1st army will never attack without them.

I know that only too well. Anyhow, it's got to be done.

We've got to protect our escape route to the north.

I'm worried about this Belgian sector.

If they crack, and from my summing-up of the situation I'm sure they will,

our chances of withdrawing to dunkirk are nil

and I am now perfectly certain that is what we shall have to do.

Very good, sir.

Our only hope of getting back is to reinforce brookie

and to do that I shall have to withdraw the 5th and 50th divisions.

In spite of any orders that we've had.

It's 1800 hours.

Have the orders drafted at once.

(Indistinct chatter)

Calais is being heavily shelled from the west.

- Wessex asks for support. - What's wessex doing?

Engaging enemy batteries on the sangatte road.

Greyhound and burza should be with her in half an hour.

Let wessex know.

Well, I'm afraid that's the end of calais.

- That leaves only dunkirk. - Ostend and zeebrugge.

I don't think we shall use them when the time comes.

Dunkirk was heavily bombed last night.

The French lost another destroyer: Chacal.

That makes two of their tiger class gone.

How soon can you move up your Dutch skoots from the solent?

I think we could move the first four at about 1800, sir.

Do so.

Can your ministry start the Isle of Man boats moving?

- Yes, sir. - I've not yet had the report from Cardiff.

- I want everything there started. - Very good, sir.

What information have you on Portsmouth's tugs?

Two on the way, four more to follow.

Good.

Sorry, boys. They want her cleared tonight.

- Who wants her? - Why didn't you tell us before?

- This is different. The Navy want her. - A scow like this?

Sorry but we must have her out on tonight's tide.

We need her on the other side.

- Scraping the bottom of the barrel. - Afraid so. Anything that can float.

What's it all about?

Sorry I can't tell you. Take my word for it, it's important.

I'm sorry but my orders are

to transfer your crew to the drifter as soon as she comes alongside.

We've come down to make certain every available ship sails tonight.

How can I sail tonight?

My chief engineer's ashore and half my crew.

I'm afraid you'll have to find them. You must sail for Dover tonight.

- Captain wants you on the bridge, sir. - Right.

Operation dynamo is to commence. We proceed to Dover for orders.

- I see, sir. - They think up the oddest names.

Isn't it something to do with evacuating troops?

They're going to try and bring the army away.

There's not a chance.

220 revs, port 15.

Jerry was well past calais yesterday and dunkirk's been bombed to blazes.

- What can we do about it? - Pick them off the beaches, sir?

Pick an army off the beaches?

Don't be a fool, James.

Hey, we're all right, tubby.

- Where there's a farm there's eggs. - Wait a minute.

It looks too quiet to be safe.

(Tubby) Let's take a gander.

That should fetch 'em out if there's anyone there.

Seems quiet enough. Come on.

I don't like it much.

Why not?

Well, everybody's gone. The whole blasted place is deserted.

Jerry must be coming.

Aye, but we've got to kip somewhere, tubby.

Eh? Yeah.

Yeah.

Barlow, nip upstairs and keep a lookout. Keep your eyes skinned.

Mainly on the east. Stay there till somebody takes over.

- I'm gonna scrounge some eggs. - I'll come with you.

I'll take a look around.

You two had better check the blackout. We'll need a light in a minute.

Shove that old screen round the door.

A lot of firing going on over there.

- Good. That tells us our direction, then. - How come?

Use your loaf. Where the fighting is is where our lot will be, I reckon.

- Have you found any yet, Mike? - No, I haven't, but give us a chance.

Oh, you haven't?

- Hey, where did you get those? - I wasn't born in the country for nothing.

- I'm glad this isn't my place. - Why?

Having a lot of strangers walk in and scrounge round doesn't seem right.

No, I know. It don't, do it?

Funny, I never thought of us as strangers.

- Shut that blasted door. - All right, keep your hair on.

Clumsy clots.

How were we to know you'd put that thing up?

How was I to know you'd come tearing in like a came! With its hump on fire?

No sense of gratitude, that's your trouble.

- What did you find? - Two stale loaves and some butter.

And a couple of bottles of vino, if it ain't vinegar.

What's the difference?

- Quiet a minute. - (Aircraft approaching)

Can you hear that?

What is it?

Somebody's gonna cop it.

How many do you think there are?

Too many for my liking.

I wonder who's gonna be on the receiving end of that lot.

As long as it's not us I don't mind.

You're dead right there.

Should be some grub up soon, I hope.

Where do you think they're going to? London?

Your folks there, son?

My mother.

So is my missus.

- Oi, oi. - Posh, ain't it?

Looks like a tart's dressing table.

Here we are, sunny side up.

- More to come, if you're lucky. - Thanks, Mike.

Dave, pop up and relieve young Barlow when you've finished.

Right-ho, corp.

How long ago is it since we went into Belgium?

- Is it 10 or 12 days ago? - Blowed if I know.

Did you notice the flags disappear when we pulled out?

Aye, flowers on the way in,

raspberries on the way out.

It's a funny thing about those flowers, Mike.

I used to like the smell of lilac.

I hate it now.

- Got a fag, Mike? - You'll be lucky.

Ah, don't be lousy. Give us a fag.

Typical nco, always on the make.

All right, Dave, up you go.

- What's the time? Half past eight? - Yes.

Right, well, if we do an hour and a half each,

that should get us away by round about...

Well, round about first light.

Ruddy marvellous. We'll be dead beat before we start.

Ta. Match?

(Aircraft overhead)

Mike, get up, quick. Jerry's here.

Get up, Harper. Up, out of it.

Hey, Dave, Jerry's here. Get out of it.

Come on boys, out of it, quick.

Jerry's here. Come on, quick.

Keep going.

- Where's bellman? - He's coming.

Bellman?

Over here.

- Dave, quick. - Right-ho, corp.

Dave, quick. Behind here.

(G roans)

Mike, here, quick.

(Shouting in German)

Come on.

I'll keep their heads down. You get Dave.

Look out!

Go and give them a hand. I'll keep Jerry under cover.

(Shouting in German)

(Shouting continues)

Can you hold 'em for a bit?

Yeah, I reckon I can.

He's got it right through the chest.

We'll never get him away like this. We'll have to leave him.

We can't do that. We've got to get him away.

He'll be dead in no time with us trying to lug him around.

We can't hold them much longer. There are too many of them.

We've got to leave him.

Tell miles to give them another burst.

Get moving, quick.

We've got to leave him. It's the only chance for him.

They've got doctors. They'll look after him.

Now, come on, get moving.

Get moving!

Don't stop, keep on after 'em.

Dave? Dave?

Can you hear me?

I'm sorry, Dave. We've got to do it.

- We gotta. - (Shouting in German)

They'll look after you. Good luck.

Tubby.

Mike.

(Speaks Welsh)

Tubby.

Oi, Harper.

Here, it's about time you had a go with this, isn't it?

- You all right, Mike? - I'm ok.

- We should never have left him. - Forget it. It's over and done with.

- Aye, not for him it isn't. - Come on, run.

Through here, quick.

- What do they want with a water boat. - The water mains are busted at dunkirk.

- Bet the army's thirsty. - Me too.

Blimey! They're not gonna send that?

I oh, roll on the Rodney, the Nelson, renown

I that one-funnelled dinghy is bound to go down I

Ok, she's free.

Let her go astern.

What are you doing with our boat? Bring it back at once.

I'm sorry, ma'am. She's commandeered.

Oh, mr foreman?

Hello, Holden. Did tough ring you too?

No, he just sent one of his men to pinch my boat from its moorings.

- So he pinched it, did he? - Yeah, he did, blast him.

What's the idea?

I suppose it's got something to do with the BBC broadcast

about registering boats of 30ft or more.

Mine's not 30ft, not since I ran slap into teddington lock it isn't.

I took six inches off the stem.

So you didn't register it?

I don't know. Fools at the top, fools at the bottom.

There are times when I don't think we ought to win this war.

What's it all about, mr tough? Why don't you give it to us straight?

By whose authority is this high-handed action being taken?

- I can't say more than I have already. - That's precisely nothing.

- They're our boats you've taken. - Perhaps the commander can tell you.

Sorry, gentlemen, I'm not allowed to tell you the reason,

but I can assure you it's official.

That's as may be, sir, but we know nothing about this at the station.

You will, constable. You will.

- Mr foreman? - Yes.

- Vanity? - Yes.

I see you registered your boat.

- Are you prepared to help us further? - Certainly.

Would you take her down to sheerness at dawn tomorrow?

Sheerness?

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Thank you, mr foreman.

Now, here is your pass for the lower river.

Get your petrol from mr tough. Thank you.

- Thank you. - Next, please.

Holden, heron. She's not registered.

Why not?

Well, you've got herjust the same.

- We're requisitioning her. - But you've no...

Are you prepared to take her down to sheerness?

My wife's just had a new baby.

Sheerness is not at the north pole, mr Holden.

I'm sorry, sir. I haven't the time. I've got responsibilities.

So have many men, mr Holden.

I understand you're a motor engineer.

We need them to keep the engines going.

Are you sure you can't take her?

I can't spare the time.

Excuse me. Mr Holden?

Any objection to young Frankie taking the heron down to sheerness?

Who? Young frank...

Er, no, no objections.

He's pretty good with engines.

Yes, I'll let him know.

(Baby crying)

John? John, is that you?

- Hello, darling. - You should have been here earlier.

Why weren't you here?

- The arp people have been. - Well, what of it?

- They brought this? - Well, what is it?

It's a gas mask for baby.

A gas mask for baby?

I tried to put him in it but he screamed, he was so frightened.

- He went red in the face. - Now, look, darling!

You can't just shut your eyes to it. You must know how to use it.

Now, come on, let's try it again.

You go and fetch the baby. Come on.

Now, where's the book of words?

Er, lay the helmet down, open the skirt of the bag

and turn the top of it back over the window.

Yes, I see.

Like that.

Place the baby in the helmet

so that its seat rests in the curve of the tail piece.

That's it, shove him in.

Put his bottom there.

Then you pull the skirt of the bag...

Oh, I see. Yes, right. Now, let me try.

Now, then, we pull that back like that.

And we tie the tapes together.

- Tight like that. - (Baby cries)

And then we just start pumping.

(Baby cries)

Don't. Don't!

I'll never be able to do it.

I couldn't.

You'll have to be here.

(Baby cries)

I can't always be here, grace.

John, promise me you'll never go away,

never leave baby and me.

I don't think I can, grace.

I don't feel right about things sometimes.

What do you mean?

About this war.

I don't really feel I'm doing enough. Sometimes I feel terrible,

like the other night in the pub with that Navy bloke.

I hate this war.

I hate it.

Yes, well, there are plenty of others with reason to hate it more than we do.

I don't think I can make you that promise, grace.

(Baby crying)

Is that tough's yard?

- Hello, darling. - Hello, dear.

- Had a good day? - Mm-hm.

- I heard they're taking over the boats. - Yes.

I suppose that's why they asked us to register them.

- When do they collect her? - They don't.

I've got to take her down to sheerness tomorrow morning.

- That's asking rather a lot, isn't it? - I don't know. Other chaps are going.

It will be rather like a club outing, a good excuse for farewell celebrations.

- What do you mean? - Farewells to the boats.

After all, they're being conscripted. They're going off to war.

Yes, of course.

- You'll be back by Wednesday? - I'll be back tomorrow night.

If you weren't going to be back I'd ask you to ring Michael.

You promised to go down to the school for founder's day.

All I've got to do is take the boat to sheerness and catch a train back.

Yes. It's just that he'd be disappointed if he didn't hear from you.

I'll be back tomorrow night.

Yes.

It doesn't take long to sheerness and back.

What time do you want the alarm set for?

- Did you had a good trip, Frankie? - Smashing, mr foreman.

(Ship's horn)

- How did it go? - Pretty well.

Chief, call in the boat owners.

You, there. Will all boat owners report to the office, please?

Will all boat owners report to the office, please?

- Where's the office? - Across the bridge in that building.

Thanks.

- Have your reported yet? - Yes, we have.

Got railway warrants for the return.

They won't tell us why they want our boats.

- I think I can guess. - So can I.

But you won't get it confirmed by them.

Hey, look, mr foreman. Look!

All right, lads. Straight over the bridge to the other side.

- We've got everything you want there. - Boys, come along, now.

Come on, lads. Well done.

Straight over the bridge, over the other side.

We are ready for you there.

So that's it.

They'll need all the boats they can get over there.

- And men to take them over. - Well, they're our boats.

Straight over the bridge, right over the other side.

Thank you. Collect a railway warrant at that table there.

Yes? Come on, come on.

- Name, please? - Charles foreman.

Foreman, Charles.

- Name of boat? - Vanity.

Right.

Fill out that form, sign at the bottom and collect a railway warrant over there.

Next, please.

- Name? - Holden.

- Holden. Name of boat? - Heron.

Fill out one of these forms, sign at the bottom,

then collect a railway warrant from the table there.

I'd like to go over with her, sir.

Well, you can't.

You can't have naval crews for all the boats coming in.

I know my own boat, sir. Nobody better.

Don't be a fool.

It's no place for civilians.

Nevertheless I'd like to go.

- I expect some of you feel the same. - (All) Yes.

We know our own boats, sir. We can handle them better than anyone.

- Why can't we go with them? - Because this is a naval operation.

Have you the slightest idea what it's like there?

We've lost two... We've lost ships already today.

I still want to take my own boat over.

- I have no authority. - Who would have?

All right.

I'll ask the commodore.

But I don't think he'll agree.

We asked him and he brushed us off, wouldn't listen.

- They can't manage. - Navy never could handle small boats.

- Where would they get crews? - We know our own boats best.

- How far is it? - Where are they working from?

- Out from ramsgate I hear. - They'll travel in convoy, I suppose.

I hope so. No fun getting lost out in that lot.

I doubt if they'll let us go.

You win.

But the commodore has asked me to emphasise that it's...

Well, it's dangerous over there.

And you'll have to sign t124 articles.

What does that mean?

Merchant Navy serving under royal naval command.

- Will you do that? - I'll sign.

Well, I can't sign. I'm running the place on my own.

- I can't go either. - Most of them have never been to sea.

How will they know where the mines are? They're mad.

I suppose you're right, mr Holden.

- But I'm gonna have a try. - You can't go, you're only sev...

- What can I do for you? - I wanna sign, sir.

How old are you?

19, sir.

Old for your age, aren't you, son?

- Have you got a boat? - I brought him down in my boat, sir.

He can go across with me.

All right.

Though, what grace will say, I...

Mr foreman, you'd better draw steel helmets, duffel coats and charts.

The first convoy of boats will leave at dawn for ramsgate.

- Can't we go now, sir? - At dawn.

You're under orders now.

And thank you all.

- Do you mind collecting our gear? - Right-ho, mr foreman.

How long has it been dark?

Not long. Why?

- We've got to get started. - What's the hurry?

Barlow? Barlow.

Wake up. We're moving.

- Come on, miles. Up on your feet. - Eh? What for?

Ah, go chase yourself.

What's the matter with you lot?

If we don't move while it's dark we may not be able to move at all.

- Well, that suits me. - Me too. I'm fed up with the army.

Don't be blasted fools. You can't buck the army.

What, do you want to end up in Jerry's hands?

Well, do you?

Have you had a good look round here? Look.

Jerry trucks. Lights on 'em an' all.

Well, it just proves what I said. We got to move while it's still dark.

With that lot out there we don't stand a blinking chance.

Why don't you go back to sleep?

What about you, then, Barlow?

You chucking your hand in too?

Well, are you?

I'll go with the others. I don't care one way or the other.

Whatever they do...

I'll do.

Oh, what's the use?

Mike? Mike!

How do you feel?

I'm fine.

We got to push on.

Aye. Say the word, corp.

Where's Davey?

Do you feel all right?

Aye. Why?

We had to leave Dave yesterday.

Aye, so we did.

I must have lost a day somewhere.

- Well, come on, then. - They've gone yellow.

They're turning it in.

- What do you mean? - Packing it up.

Well, let 'em.

Why should we worry? We'll be ok.

Easier with the two of us anyway.

They're your lot, tubby.

- You mean, they were my lot. - And they still are.

So long as you go these.

- I always told you, I never wanted them. - You're still stuck with them.

- They just hate my guts. - Of course they do. You got the stripes.

Now, listen, you lot,

I'm gonna give you one more chance to come to your senses.

I've never kicked a man lying down but this may be the moment to start.

Now, get to your feet. We're moving.

That's an order.

As long as you know your own mind, we'll have a bash.

Come on, quick.

Make for those fires.

Come on.

Keep it quiet.

- What's the trouble? - I dunno. I feel lousy.

- Let's take your rifle. - No, it's all right.

I can manage.

- Hold it! - What is it?

Bloody nerve, using lights.

Which way now, corporal?

We'll swing to the right, go round 'em.

Come on.

Wait, get back.

Well?

We'll go right through 'em.

- Come on. - (Aircraft approaching)

Wait.

We'll go under cover of Jerry aircraft.

Come on.

(Speaking German)

Halt! Wer gehz"s?

(Groaning)

Run, quick.

Where now, corp?

Come on, quick.

Bear to the left and keep going. Keep going.

Where's Mike?

Mike?

Mike!

Mike!

Mike?

Get him into the ditch, quick. Come on, shift it.

Quick!

(Driver) Brown jobs.

We thought you were jerries!

Can you give us a lift?

Pile in. Make it snappy. Things aren't too healthy.

- Got room in the cab? He's hurt. - Ok.

Better get a bit of sleep in.

He got too near a grenade. We had to run for it.

Concussion, I reckon. He'll be all right now.

- Where have you come from? - We started from outside arras.

We've been dodging Jerry all day.

- How did you get through the last lot? - I don't know. We just drove.

They must have been busy.

- Joe, take the wheel. - Very good, sir.

Hey, look at this.

Well, what do you know!

What a to-do.

Get off the road.

This is as far as you go. Leave her here but wreck her.

- Wreck it? But this is an raf... - Now, don't you start.

This truck's got to be made unserviceable.

Empty the sump and run your engine till it seizes up.

- Aye, you don't need to tell us, sarge. - He used to work in a garage.

- What do we do then, sarge? - Hoof it into bergues.

You'll get further orders there.

Let's wreck the blasted thing.

Breaks my heart but it's jolly good for my inhibitions.

- Sir? - What is it?

- Where are we, sir? - This is the dunkirk perimeter line.

Can you tell me where the 5th div are, sir?

Up in the line near ypres, I think.

- How do I get there? - You don't.

- Get to the beaches. - But we got to get back there, sir.

- How long have you been adrift? - About six days.

Well, you've made it. Good work, corporal.

- Take 'em on. - Yes, sir.

Party, shun. Right turn.

Get over here and touch down!

Just like home.

I said that once a long way back. Didn't do us much good.

You ain't gonna do no good here either.

And it won't be like home on them beaches.

- Why? - Why?

Where have you been these last few days?

Jerry don't like it here much but the luftwaffe do.

- Interesting. - I've seen thousands go past here.

I've never heard of any getting through, though.

Stuff it. What have you got to gripe about?

We're the bloody rear guard. That's what I've got to gripe about.

It's all right for you, if you get there

and if you find a blasted boat when you do get there.

(Shouting in French)

-Ammm - haven't got any left.

- Didn't open up on us. - Better targets on the beach, that's why.

(Shouting in French)

Come on, lads.

Come on.

The whole town's burning, Joe.

Can people be living in that?

Keep moving. Keep moving.

Plenty of room up front. Keep moving.

Keep moving. Plenty of room up front.

I think we'd better thin them out, colonel.

The ships alongside will barely take this lot.

There'll be ajam here in a few minutes if we don't.

- Where's she hit? - She's been hit amidships.

My god, sir. She's going down.

Poor devils. They didn't stand a chance.

Bastards!

Have we got to go in one of them things?

- Here, what's on, then, chum? - They're gonna take us off in ships.

Take this lot off in ships? The whole ruddy army's here.

It ain't, you know. Lots of 'em went days ago.

How did they get them away, then?

- The Navy, of course. - Good Old Navy.

They ain't that good.

I've had two tries and I ain't got away yet.

- How far does this beach go? - 20 miles.

Don't I know? I walked it.

Runs right through into Belgium.

Belgium's packed it in. Did you know?

Where's the hq, then?

- What hq? - Why, gort's, of course.

- In la panne, ain't it? - No, he's gone.

He hasn't, you know. He's still here.

Do you hear that tubby? Gort's still here.

Ah, don't talk soft.

He is. I see him today.

There you are. He's just told you he's seen him.

Looks like a pier over there, sir.

But it can't be.

It's open beaches all the way along here.

It's men, sir.

Men.

If you can bring her up to the end here, we'll steady her.

- How many can you take? - About 20, I should think, perhaps more.

First 20 men, fonnard!

Come on, lads. Keep in line there. Get back in line.

(Charles) Into the cabin, as many as you can get in.

Up fonnard, the rest of you.

Come on, move along there.

How much longer are we gonna be here?

- What's the matter with people? - Shake it up at the front there.

- What a carry-on. - What do you think I'm doing?

Come on, move on. Move on there.

All right, all right. That's the lot.

- Right, stand clear. Shove his bows off. - (Charles) Pull ahead, Joe.

- Civvy, weren't he? - No, Navy. He must have been.

I'll be back.

Thank you, sir.

All right, boys, we'll hang on.

Blasted cold, sir.

All right, you men, on your feet.

Get moving along the dunes to the mole.

Take all your orders from the Navy.

- (Tubby) Come on, lads. - On your feet. Get mobile.

(Tubby) Now, keep together, all of you. Understand?

Keep together.

(Commander) Get those boats cleared as quick as you can.

Hang on for me, mr foreman.

(Commander) Coxswain, move those troops up fonnard.

Get the wounded to the sick bay as quick as you can.

How many did you bring off, mr foreman?

- 30. - 15 for us.

Right, speed it up, lads.

Thank you, we're pulling out now.

- But you're not full yet. - I know. We've been ordered back.

We just hung on to pick up this lot.

But why? What do we do now?

There's nothing else about.

There seem to be some old destroyers working down by the mole.

I'd try there if I were you.

There's only one ship. We'll never get aboard her.

Be ruddy lucky if you did. It's my fourth try.

Come on, chum, close up there.

Close up. Come on. Keep moving, lads.

It's one of the "I" s, I think, sir.

I can't get her pennant number.

- She only came in half an hour ago. - What's that, chief?

Tell commander clouston, sir, another of the "I" s has just pulled out.

Could be impulsive or intrepid.

Intrepid was damaged yesterday, wasn't she?

Oh, that's right, sir. Must be the impulsive.

That's four of the big 'uns gone in the past hour.

None of them can't be full neither.

- I can't make it out. - I've given up making sense of anything.

We take what comes but they're pulling the big destroyers out of it.

(Screaming)

I can't see! I can't see!

(Screaming)

(Shouting)

Stand back there. Come on, let 'em through.

Down.

Right, catch.

Hup.

Stand back.

Heave!

Heave!

Let the stretcher bearers past. Come on.

Can you let the stretcher bearers past?

Come on, let's have you.

Close up down the end there.

Get a move on. Come on, corporal. Get on board.

Wait a minute. I've got to see my lads on first.

How's it going, chief?

Well, we can still take a few more, sir.

We were lucky. We just made it.

- And it's flat calm at that. - I shall be sickjust the same.

- Well, you can't. - I can be sick on finsbury park lake.

I have.

(Indistinct shouting)

(Screaming)

(Splash)

Tell the engine room to stand by.

Engine room, stand by.

Let go aft, chief.

Let go aft!

All gone aft, sir.

- Let go for'ard. - Let go for'ard!

All gone for'ard.

(Shouting)

(Aircraft overhead)

(Shouting and screaming)

Christ almighty!

There'll be hundreds of them in the water.

I can't swim.

- You all right, tubby? - I can't swim.

I can't take any more.

Hang onto these!

Harper!

Harper!

Back where we ruddy well started now.

Bad luck, corp.

Barlow!

Miles!

Miles!

Miles!

- Are you still with us, corporal? - Seen the others?

- Where's Barlow? - I dunno. He's bought it, I reckon.

Barlow?

Barlow?

Corporal binns!

Corporal binns!

Corporal binns!

Corporal binns!

Tubby!

Tubby!

- Over here. - Harper's calling you, corp.

Over there.

Perhaps the others have turned up.

Everybody here?

Good.

Reckon we were just lucky, that's all.

We had to get back to you, corp.

We knew you couldn't do without your glamour boys.

- Glamour! - Do you think we'll get another ship?

What, after that lot? Don't make me laugh.

I heard they lost three ships in the last two hours.

Well, I think we've had it now, sergeant.

Let's get ashore and try and dry out.

Yeah, ok, sir.

Come on, on your feet.

Hold on. Who's gonna do it if you don't?

I'm all right.

B company, about turn!

Quick... oh, come on, lads. Up on the beach.

- Aren't we gonna get off, sir? - They'll come in again tonight.

The Navy won't let us down.

- 'First sea lord speaking.' - This is vice admiral Dover, sir.

'Ramsay. What's this protest of yours about the big destroyers?'

- I've got to have them back, sir. - 'We can't do that, ramsay.

'We've considered the whole position. We've lost too many destroyers.'

we've got to have them, sir. There are 200,000 men ashore still.

You've only left me ships enough to lift 40,000 a day.

The perimeter's breaking already, sir.

'Ramsay, you know that we've got to guarantee the convoys.'

- 'there's a possibility of invasion.' - If we get the army back to england,

we have a chance of standing up to the invasion.

If I have the destroyers we'll get the army back.

'If you lose the destroyers...'

- we've got to take that chance, sir. - 'We've got to balance chances.'

there are 30,000 men on the open beaches at this moment.

There are 50,000 in the dunes behind them.

There are 100,000 men in the country between the dunes and the canal.

We've got to get them out, sir.

The French are doing what they can. They've lost heavily in ships too.

Abrial is doing his damnedest in every way.

'Wait.

'Very well, ramsay. You'll have them.'

thank you, sir.

Thank god for that, sir. That means we've still got a chance.

Order ivanhoe, impulsive and icarus to dunkirk,

harvester and havant to la panne, with all despatch.

Very good, sir.

(Explosions in the distance)

Here, that's mortars.

Jerry's getting closer all the time.

If we don't get off by tonight we'll be in the bag.

I don't fancy walking the plank on that blasted mole again.

I reckon we've had the big ships.

We'll try the little boats next, take a chance from where we are.

Take cover!

Take cover!

Take cover!

It's the vanity. They've got her, mr Holden. They've got her.

Stretcher bearer!

Stretcher bearer. Over here!

Where's Joe?

We never saw him.

I don't think he stood a chance.

A small boat out there copped it.

Just like that.

One minute there, next minute gone.

Doesn't Jerry ever let up?

What's to stop him? A squadron or two of your blokes might.

- Where are they? - Sleeping it off.

- We've knocked out plenty. - There are plenty left.

- Sky's full of the swine. - Where is the air force?

- Ah, they've got not guts. - They've got as much guts as you!

Where are they, then?

Cut it out.

Cut it out, I tell you.

(Miles) If they got so much guts, they'd be here, wouldn't they?

Haven't seen one of our aircraft for three days.

You mustn't blame the boys. They've got a lot to gripe about.

Why don't you change into battle dress or something?

It's blasted wicked and you know it.

We only had four squadrons in the fonnard area.

What do they expect to get over here?

Only three air fields in england can send fighters this distance.

I said I know, but they don't, and there's a lot like them.

- If I were you, I'd get that battle dress. - No, thanks.

- Well, suit yourself. - Take cover! Take cover!

Here we go again.

(Tubby) Field dressing, quick.

(Groaning)

There's a casualty clearing station behind the dunes.

(Groaning)

All right, all right.

Welsh guards, close on me!

Come on over here, all the Welsh guards.

Service corps, close on me. Over here, the service corps.

Orderly.

(Explosions)

(Rapid gunfire)

They're closing in pretty steadily now.

We've got to make up our minds what we do when they reach us.

- Will there be another ship in, sir? - Not in daylight, anyway. That's definite.

They might try again tonight.

We're not moving up to the mole until we get orders.

(Gunfire continues)

That's a heavy machine gun.

Must be pretty close if we can hear that.

It's the first time.

Right, chum. That's the best I can do for you.

Next one.

Orderly.

Supposing we don't get any orders, sir?

Supposing they come in sooner than we think?

One medical officer and ten men stay behind for every 100 patients.

That means three medical officers, 30 other ranks.

I'll stay if you want me to, sir.

No, we'll draw lots. Sergeant?

Write the names on slips of paper. How many medical officers?

- 16, sir. - 17. Put my name in with them.

The first three out of the hat stay.

Two to one the field. Five to one I'm a loser.

(Groaning)

You'd better draw, sergeant. You're a disinterested party.

Lieutenant Ripley, sir.

It was a snip at five to one. You couldn't lose.

- Captain Dean, sir? - He was killed this morning.

- Lieutenant Kennedy. He's outside. - Let him know, please, will you?

Lieutenant Levy, sir.

How is he? Is he gonna be all right?

I don't know. They're gonna keep him.

That's rotten luck, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah.

Hey, corp, seen this?

Well, you know what you can do with that, don't you?

Come on, you rotten swine. Come on!

I don't know if anybody's interested but there's a boat on the beach.

- That's ours. - Where?

Down there but it looks as if somebody thought of it first.

Come on.

How many can you take?

(All shout at once)

Get off it, lads.

Keep off, please.

- What's wrong, sir? - Those blasted fools rushed us.

We're full of water and not in working order.

- We drifted ashore. - Anything we can do?

- I doubt it. - Jammed up solid, coming across.

Mike! He used to work in a garage.

I own a garage. I expect we could do with some expert help, though.

- Want any more, sir? - No, no, two will be enough.

- Can I go ashore, mr Holden? - We'll both go ashore.

I'm not much good with engines anyway.

- What's the trouble, Mac? - It's the gears. They're jammed up solid.

I never thought I'd see a sight like this.

Us neither, sir.

What a mess.

What a shambles we've made of this whole rotten affair.

When was it we went into Belgium? 10 may, wasn't it?

Yes, that's right.

Less than three weeks and now this.

One can hardly credit it.

Takes a bit of believing, doesn't it?

What do they think about all this at home?

I don't know.

They weren't thinking much about it when we came away.

They didn't know much.

Things look very different from the other side, you know.

I suppose they think we've made a muck of it.

Somebody's made a muck of it but I don't think it's the army.

- What do you mean? - Listen.

- I can't hear anything. - The guns have stopped.

Do you suppose they've chucked their hand in?

Don't be a clot.

They've certainly stopped.

Maybe it's like that leaflet said.

We can't have packed it in.

- Listen. - (Aircraft approaching)

Here it is.

- It's their bombers again. - That's why they've stopped shelling.

They're sending in a low-level attack.

- What do you do? Run? - Where to, son?

- You mean, we stay put? - What else?

Get your head down. Come on, son.

- Can you see 'em? - No.

- Do you think they're coming for us? - Who else, you blasted mug?

(Soldier praying in French)

Keep counting.

- I wish I was blind, sick and drunk. - Five, ten, 15...

Mother of mercy, keep me through this night.

Mother of mercy, keep me through this night.

(Explosion)

- I don't wanna die. - You might have to.

- I don't wanna die. - You might bloody well have to, chum.

- Oh, god. - Stretcher bearers!

Stretcher bearers!

Stretcher bearers, over here!

Is it always like this?

Like as not it won't happen again tonight, son.

I should kip down and get a bit of sleep.

What happened, sir.

What caused all this?

Stupidity.

Everybody saying the war was so damnable it couldn't happen again,

shoving our heads in the sand like a lot of ostriches.

Well, the Germans didn't think that way.

To them war meant guns or butter.

They chose guns.

We chose butter.

No, you can't blame the army.

They had what we gave them: Last-war weapons, last-war methods.

This is the result.

What happens now? After this.

If we're lucky, we'll get another chance.

Heaven knows we don't deserve it.

Get the best men in the rightjobs.

Do you think we've made a start? With old Churchill, I mean.

Yes.

Yes, I think we've made a start.

We found the trouble.

- What was it? - Rope round the prop.

It must have stopped her with a jerk and jumped the gears.

We can't do anything in the dark but there'll be time in the morning.

- The tide won't be in for hours. - That's right, it won't.

Will I try it?

Might as well.

We're lucky.

Give her a swing.

We've done it.

You'll need to go easy. There's a three-inch crack in the casing.

Well, will she run?

We'll try her when the tide's in.

(Harmonica music)

(Indistinct shouting)

Church parade?

Yeah, it's Sunday morning.

Sunday?

Yes, of course. I should have known.

I'm glad I came, Frankie.

Very glad.

- Our father... - (All) Our father...

- Which art in heaven. - Which art in heaven.

(Padre) Hallowed be thy name.

(All) Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done.

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven.

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses.

Forgive us our trespasses.

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

As we forgive them that trespass against us.

- Lead us not into temptation. - (Aircraft overhead)

Lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil.

But deliver us from evil.

- For thine is the kingdom... - For thine is the kingdom...

The power and the glory...

The power and the glory...

(Explosions)

- He's a civvy. - Must be a frenchman.

No, he's not, he's mr foreman.

Are you hurt bad, mr foreman?

Oh, my back.

(G roans)

Get to the boat, Frankie.

Tell mr Holden.

Stretcher bearers! Stretcher bearers!

Stretcher bearers!

Stretcher bearers!

Get to the boat, Frankie.

Tell Holden

to tell my wife.

We'll get you away with us.

I don't think so.

Is he a civvy?

What's the difference?

Well, won't be long now.

Tell the corporal to get his men together.

(Splashing)

What's the matter, Frankie?

Frankie, what's the matter?

Where's mr foreman?

He's dead, mr Holden.

He's dead.

He's dead all right. That last stuka got him.

We were at church parade.

He said you were to tell his wife, mr Holden.

Poor Diane.

Oh, god.

We had to leave him, mr Holden. We had to.

You'd better get your men together, corporal.

- How many of them are there? - Seven altogether.

No. No, only six now.

I'll take 12. We can't carry more than that on a long trip.

Get the anchor in, Frankie.

I want six of you. Six, no more.

Six. Sorry, that's the lot.

(Indistinct shouting)

All right, lads. Shove the bows round.

Jump aboard, lads.

Jump aboard, Frankie.

(Engine splutters and stops)

- It had to happen. - Must be the gears again.

Let's have a go anyway.

- What do we do now? - Here, what's that town over there?

Calais, must be.

- Well, we're drifting into it fast. - It's the tide.

- The tide's taking us in. - Well, so long as it's dry land.

Don't be a mug. Jerry's got calais. He's had it for a week now.

How's it going, mr Holden?

- It's not. - It's ok, lads.

Here comes the ruddy Navy.

(Lookout) Small boat bearing green 2-0, sir.

Very good. Small boat bearing green 2-0, sir.

England. I don't believe it.

You wouldn't, would you? You moaning bleeder!

- We're home, tubby. - Yeah.

I never thought we'd make it.

We wouldn't have made the beaches without you.

All right, sergeants, keep moving. Get up on the pier.

They'll give you tea and something to eat in the fish sheds.

Keep moving, soldiers.

All right, soldiers, keep moving.

Soldiers!

(Narrator) 'This was dunkirk.

'Over a third of a million men were lifted from the mole on the beaches.

'But for others there was no escape.

'Some thousands, mainly the sick and the wounded,

'were held in a captivity that was to last five long years.

'Many remained, never to return.

'Those that were saved, straggling ashore, dazed and resentful,

'found, almost to their astonishment, a new reality waiting for them.

'Dunkirk was a great defeat and a great miracle.

'It proved, if it proved anything, that we were alone but undivided.

'No longer were there fighting men and civilians.

'There were only people.

'A nation had been made whole.'

parade, halt.

Parade will retire.

Left turn.

Order!

Come on, come on. Smarten than that. Wake up.

Slope arms.

Order arms.

Stand at ease.

All right.

Look, from the way you're going on anyone might think we'd just won a war.

Well, you might as well know it. We came darn near losing one.

We've got a long way to go yet and the quicker you get going the better.

Parade, shun.

Parade will advance.

About turn.

Slope arms.

Parade will move to the right in threes.

Right turn.

By the left, quick march.

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