Original subtitles

-What are those? -What?

-The boots. -Oh, these boots?

Yeah, I bought them off a Dutchman, a fellow called van Spankaren.

He says they're lucky. I paid for them with stuff out of my Red Cross parcel.

I don't believe in luck. You've got three minutes to change them.

-What do you mean, change them? -You heard!

-What's up? -He says I can't wear my own boots.

-That's ridiculous. -There's not a better pair in the place.

-Change them. -Take it easy.

Listen, I'm the one that's going out of here,

you're only going as far as the wall.

-For the last time... -Take the boots off.

When we get out of here I'm going to have to tramp halfway across Europe.

Every German in Colditz will hear you in those. Now, get them off.

-Listen... -Shut up!

He's right, Simon. Change them.

It's time you were on your way. Where's Carrington?

He's still studying the maps.

Hey, Phil, let's go. Come on!

(WHISPERING)

MAN: (SOFTLY) Quiet!

(WIND HOWLING)

(INAUDIBLE)

(DOG BARKING)

(MUFFLED SHOUTING)

(MUFFLED YELL)

(YELLS)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

And Carter was quite clear about that, was he?

That nothing went wrong with the escape from our side.

Yes, sir.

Becoming a nasty habit, isn't it, Pat?

-What about Carrington? -He's all right, sir.

The MO patched him up last night before they put him in the cooler.

Hmm.

You know, this makes the fourth escape attempt that's been scotched.

Just because Ulmann and the guards knew exactly where it was going to happen.

Then there's those three raids on our stores

and yeah, Ulmann made a pretence of it being routine

but it was only too obvious he knew where to go.

Well, it could be he just got lucky.

No, Pat, I'm not buying that. It's our security that's at fault.

What about Carter? He must be pretty upset.

It's the second time it's happened to him, isn't it?

-Yes, he's a bit browned off, sir. -Where is he?

Well, he's gone to see if can get near to Carrington in solitary.

(INMATES CHATTERING)

(MOUTHING)

General Rawicz. Gentlemen, I want to thank you for coming to this meeting.

Now, what I want to talk about is German security,

which at the moment is having an unprecedented success

in thwarting all our escape attempts.

Now, this obviously concerns us all.

I therefore want to put before you

a report by one of my officers, Flight Lieutenant Carter.

He was involved last night in the aborted escape attempt

in which Lieutenant Carrington was captured

because Ulmann and the guards knew exactly

where it was going to happen.

If you'll have a seat, gentlemen, I'll have Carter come in.

-Carter! -Sir.

Flight Lieutenant Carter, gentlemen.

All right, Carter.

Now, I want you to tell these officers without comment or elaboration

exactly what you've told me.

Well, sir, just after Appel,

I made my way across to the solitary confinement cells

to see if I could speak with Lieutenant Carrington.

I managed to get his attention and he came to the window.

But as he did and I began to talk with him,

Ulmann came up to me and asked me what I was doing.

I said that I wanted to find out what had happened to Lieutenant Carrington.

And he said that he'd been caught attempting to escape.

And then he said, ''We had help.''

And I said, ''Well, you just got lucky.''

And he said, ''No, Lieutenant, not luck. German efficiency.''

-German efficiency? -Yes, sir.

(OVERLAPPING ARGUMENT)

Thank you, that'll do.

You are suggesting, Colonel, that there is an informer among us?

I'm sorry, gentlemen. Yes, that's exactly what I am suggesting.

We appreciate the warning, Colonel.

But if there is a British informer, I do not understand how we can help you.

Well, I did not say that there was an informer,

merely that there might be.

Nor did I suggest that he would necessarily be British.

(OFFICERS ARGUING)

Colonel Preston, even if there is a traitor,

your implication that this man could be a Polish officer

is totally unacceptable.

PRESTON: General Rawicz!

I have no wish to regard one of my own officers as a traitor.

I appreciate your attitude,

but the fact remains that it is possible.

Now, in our position of authority and responsibility,

we have no choice, in my view,

but to commence an investigation into all our officers.

You do not understand Polish character.

My country has been overrun, violated.

There is hatred and a fierce determination

in the heart of every Pole that knows neither caution nor fear,

only the desire to revenge.

A Polish traitor is not possible.

-Nor a Frenchman! -Or a Dutch!

Nevertheless, gentlemen, I am going to commence an investigation

into the entire British contingent.

I would ask you to do the same with your officers.

-We made our way back across the roof. -Straight back to our quarters?

Yeah, and the Poles went back to theirs.

And how long was it before Ulmann and the guards turned up at the quarters?

-Three or four minutes. -They searched and they left?

Yes, they didn't find anything.

And the following day, Ulmann said

nothing more to you than you've already told us?

No. No, just exactly what I've told you.

-You're quite sure? -Absolutely certain.

(EXHALES)

Well, we've been over and over that plan time and again

and we can't find anything wrong with it.

Except Ulmann knew exactly where we were coming down.

For the fourth time.

Therefore we must assume that there is an informer

and we carry out an investigation into the entire British contingent.

Well, surely you're not suggesting it's one of our chaps?

I mean, that's ridiculous. It must be one of the French or the Poles.

Don't you think that's exactly what the other nationalities

are saying at this moment?

Look, Simon, I want you to help Pat coordinate and carry out this enquiry.

I know that it means riding roughshod over a lot of sensibilities,

but that can't be helped. All right?

Yes, sir.

-All right, Pat? -Yes, sir.

Right. Carry on, will you?

(DOOR OPENS)

Padre, what's going on, hmm?

There's something brewing but I'm damned if I know what.

What I've seen of your conniving ways, Downing,

damnation is relatively assured.

No, don't touch that. The ink is still wet.

What exactly is it you wanted?

I doubt if my heart would stand a confession from you.

(CHUCKLES) Sorry to disappoint you, Padre.

Not really my denomination.

I was brought up as a Presbyterian, actually.

Mmm, I've always subscribed to the notion

that the Reformation was a spiritual disaster.

You just cemented my argument.

But seriously, Padre, there is something on.

Well, can't you give us a clue?

Up to now, Downing, I've not been vouchsafed

the blessing of divine knowledge.

Oh, I don't know. I mean, everybody's behaving in the...

-Could we have a word with you, Padre? -Certainly, Pat.

You're not going to tell me what this is all about, are you?

-No. -No.

Well, it's just a thought.

Padre, I'm afraid there's definitely been a security leak.

We've got to check everyone and we're going to need your help.

Certainly. So long as it's peaceful and there's no third degree.

-You're sure about that? -Mmm.

-And after Appel? -We played bridge until lights out.

And you spoke to no one other than conventional bridge jargon?

Oh, that's about the size of it, yes.

All right, that's it. Thanks.

Right.

Next one. Brent.

I'm sure you realise the purpose of this security check-up.

It is important and I'm asking for your full cooperation.

I want to examine every word and action of yours from 3:00 p.m. on that day.

-All right? -Does this mean I'm under suspicion?

At the moment we are all under suspicion.

Do I take it that everyone who knew about it

-has been or will be screened? -Yes.

May one ask who will screen the screeners?

Well, Colonel Preston was the first officer to submit to screening

by myself and the Padre here.

We also put Pat through it, too.

I'm sorry. Shall we get on with it?

Now, what did you do immediately after the meeting on Friday?

I was a bit under the weather.

I went to the dock for a couple of minutes.

And then I gave a hand with some of the forging.

And who did you speak to?

Only Merriman. There was no one else there.

-What did you talk about? -How the hell do I know?

Yes, we talked about Proust.

Merriman had volume 9 passed on from one of the frogs.

Merriman's a great reader.

You didn't mention the meeting or the plan?

-I'm not stupid. -You're quite sure?

Damn it, Simon and Phil are my friends.

I'm not likely to spill anything involving them.

Now, after last Appel on Friday, who did you talk to?

-I don't know. -Who did you talk to?

I didn't talk to anyone.

-What did you do? -I was reading.

-What were you reading? -Mind your own damn business!

I'm sorry, but a man must have some privacy.

We all understand that, but this is necessary.

I was reading my letters.

From my wife. For about the 400th time.

-Afterwards did you speak to anyone? -No.

Haven't you noticed? No one talks after they've been reading their mail.

Well, let's look at Saturday morning. What did you do after Appel?

-Went for a quick wash. -Who was in the washroom?

Wilkins, erm,

Sniffy Harris

and I think Galbraith.

No, it was Atkey.

-GRANT: Did you talk? -Not a word. No one did.

-GRANT: Then? -I'll have to think about that.

Well, take your time, but try and be accurate.

And when were the documents finished?

(SIGHS) Only on the Friday afternoon about 4:00, I think.

-Who dried them? -I did.

No one else touched them, Simon.

I'm quite certain.

-All right. You were in the washroom? -Yes.

-You were all alone? -Yes.

-You did the documents yourself? -Yes.

-You dried them yourself? -Yes.

Was the door locked?

(SIGHS)

No.

But you didn't leave them, I mean, not even for a second?

Please, Simon, do me a favour, nobody leaves anything ever.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(DOOR CLOSES)

I had most of the reports before Appel, sir.

So far, if there is an informer, it definitely isn't one of our officers.

Good. But hurry it up, will you, Pat?

It'd look well if we're the first to show that our house is in order.

Right, sir.

-Sir? -Yes, Brent?

Try this, sir.

Cheers.

God in heaven, what is it?

It's English ersatz coffee. I thought it was rather good.

What exactly is the ersatz derived from, Brent?

Well, it's actually made from... (CLEARING THROAT) wood shavings.

And that burnt toffee stuff that Gibbs got in his parcel.

CARTER: Sir.

General Rawicz.

Colonel Preston, I wish to speak with you, if you please.

I have concluded our investigation into the Polish prisoner personnel.

I have to report to you that we have found a traitor

among our junior officers.

He will be dealt with tonight by court martial.

I will inform the French and Dutch senior officers accordingly.

General, I'm deeply sorry.

Grant, Carter, can I have a word?

The informer is a Polish officer.

What happens now, sir?

The Poles can be a cagey lot when they want to.

Won't they just close ranks and keep it dark?

Well, not this time. Not altogether, anyway.

They're going to hold a full court martial tonight.

Court martial? Here, in Colditz?

No, they'll just pretend it never happened.

I don't think so. The Poles are very conscious of their honour.

And with General Rawicz in command

I can see it both being very thorough and very correct.

But Pat, have a word with the Polish escape officer, will you?

Tell him that the other nationalities

are insisting upon having observers at the court martial.

I'll have a word with the Dutch and French senior officers about it.

Right, sir.

(SPEAKING POLISH)

Flight Lieutenant Carter.

Please.

Please sit down.

Flight Lieutenant Carter,

in order that there may be as little misunderstanding as possible,

you will be questioned in English.

The tribunal understands English, as does the defendant.

All I ask is that you speak slowly and distinctly. Hmm?

May it please the court.

I respectfully submit that as a serving officer of the Royal Air Force,

Flight Lieutenant Carter is under similar obligations to our own officers

and is automatically under oath.

Of course. You understand?

CARTER: Yes, sir.

Flight Lieutenant, are you acquainted with the defendant Lieutenant Soltizyk?

No.

I've seen him in the courtyard and at Appel,

but I don't think we've ever spoken.

Yes.

1 2 nights ago, that is, on the night of April the 1 3th,

you and one officer colleague now being held in solitary confinement

were engaged in an escape attempt with two members of the Polish forces,

Lieutenant Slavomir Rapowskij and Captain Siegmund Baldusowic.

Yes, that's correct.

Flight Lieutenant Carter,

will you please tell the court exactly what happened

during that escape attempt?

Well, as had been previously arranged

by the British escape officer,

Lieutenant Carrington and myself had a rendezvous

with Lieutenant Rapowskij and Captain Baldusowic

outside room 2 7 on the top floor of the Polish quarters.

We had certain items of equipment with us and the two Polish officers...

(DEFENCE COUNSEL SPEAKING IN POLISH)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(THANKING IN POLISH)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

If the court pleases.

(TRANSLATING) The treachery of Lieutenant Soltizyk is not

and cannot be taken as a normal treachery.

The mitigating circumstances are such

in which even a serving officer would not behave normally.

In 1 939, Lieutenant Soltizyk was heavily wounded

and sent to hospital, to a German hospital,

where Gestapo on several occasions proposed to him collaboration.

Each time, Lieutenant Soltizyk has refused.

Then why doesn't he make his own plea?

In the Polish court martial it is not allowed for the accused.

The counsel must speak for him.

(CONTINUES TRANSLATING) The Gestapo has threatened him

that the wife and child will be arrested and tortured.

After several months in hospital,

ill-treated and worried about his family,

Lieutenant has agreed to collaborate.

The wife and child of the Lieutenant were arrested by the Gestapo.

Lieutenant Soltizyk was forced to treason

under a threat of his wife and child.

And here was the mental break of Lieutenant Soltizyk.

On one side was the worry about the safety...

-Please. -No.

Please to take. (SPEAKING POLISH)

No, I don't smoke.

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(COUGHS)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(OFFICER THANKING IN POLISH)

Was that it?

They will either go out to consider the verdict

or if they are all agreed they will make the... How do you say it?

-Pronounce sentence? -Pronounce the sentence.

(POUNDING GAVEL)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

INTERPRETER: They have found him guilty as charged

and sentences him to death by hanging.

The sentence will be carried out tomorrow night at midnight.

They'd no right to ask for the death penalty.

Those circumstances mitigate beyond question.

The verdict was unanimous.

For God's sake! All they've got to do is

tell the Germans their informer has been discovered

and have the poor devil transferred.

I know, sir, but they won't listen to reason.

I've tried to have a word with Jan,

but he now says it's a purely Polish matter.

They've closed their ranks.

I'd better have a go at General Rawicz. Any idea where he might be?

Well, he should be in the courtyard at this time, sir.

He usually walks around five or six times

before the Poles collect their food.

Pat, see if you can find out

where they're keeping Soltizyk prisoner, will you?

Right, sir.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

General Rawicz.

I've had a full report of the court martial from my observer.

I find it very hard to accept your sentence.

It was the only possible sentence for a Polish officer confirmed as a traitor.

What would you have done?

Could you have stood by while your family was subjected to torture?

Colonel Preston, you do not understand.

The officer betrayed his comrades.

Whatever the circumstances, such an action cannot be tolerated.

General, I beg you to reconsider that sentence.

Can't you have the man just quietly removed?

That sentence is not justice, you know, it's murder.

-There's no other word for it. -It is a purely Polish matter.

We have our pride, our honour and our personal sovereignty.

And that is all we have left. That little we guard, jealously.

Rather looks as if you drew a blank.

Yes.

I've found out about Soltizyk.

They've got him under guard in a room at the end of the corridor.

They're using their own quarters for the hanging.

Find our Catholic Padre, will you, Pat? I want to see him in my room at once.

Right, sir.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

-Colonel, sir. -Hello, Padre.

-Sit down, will you, please? -Thank you.

The informer has been discovered, Padre. He's a Polish officer.

He's been court-martialled and sentenced to death.

I understand he was given the opportunity

of taking his own life, but he refused.

Well, he would do.

As a good Catholic, he could not take his own life

without committing mortal sin.

He's to be hanged at midnight.

Oh, they cannot do that. That's inhuman.

It's the law, Padre. Martial law, at any rate.

It is not God's law.

No, well, I don't agree with the sentence any more than you do,

although the man is guilty.

-Then I, too, am guilty. -What?

Colonel,

I am the only Catholic priest in Colditz, as you know.

The man Soltizyk confessed his sins to me.

-And you said nothing? -I am bound by my priesthood, Colonel.

No priest will break the seal of confession,

no matter what the circumstances. You must understand that.

That's...

That man told you of his treachery to his fellow officers

-and you said nothing? -He told me of his predicament.

Well, don't you think that treachery,

especially in a place like this, is a crime?

I have nothing to do with crime,

unless it be a crime a man commits upon his own soul.

I render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. But a man's life is God's, not Caesar's.

(PRESTON SCOFFS)

They're your values, Padre.

I take it you'll do anything you can to save this man's life?

Of course I will.

Well, it's quite obvious that I cannot go directly to the Kommandant.

Such an action, in the eyes of the other nationals,

would jeopardise not only my standing,

but the integrity of the entire British contingent.

Now, I have attempted to dissuade General Rawicz and I've failed.

No appeal is possible

unless it is perhaps that from a man of the church.

Now, will you go and see General Rawicz at once?

I will, Colonel.

(SIGHS)

(DOOR LOCK RATTLING)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

I know nothing more vindictive, more intractable,

more unmerciful than man's so-called honour.

And these men are Catholics. Christians.

What happened?

I saw General Rawicz and his senior officers.

I tried to plead for mercy for the man Soltizyk.

They just wouldn't move.

They're determined upon killing him in the name of Polish honour!

What they want is vengeance, Christ have mercy upon them.

Though that word ''mercy'' is foreign to their ears.

They're betraying their faith.

Later in the week, they'll ask me to absolve them from their sin.

And I shall have to ask are they truly repentant?

-So the sentence stands. -Yes.

It's to be carried out at midnight.

They've drawn lots as to who shall do it.

Have they also cast lots for his garments, I wonder?

They've given me permission to hear his confession

and give him communion between 1 1 :00 and 1 2:00.

If you'll excuse me, I'd like to prepare myself.

Padre.

Who is going to hear your confession?

In this place, sir, only the Almighty.

Sometimes I wish he was just a little nearer.

(SOLTIZYK SOBBING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

-George. -Thank you.

I've been unable to stop the Poles. The sentence is going to be carried out.

What about the Padre?

All he's managed to do is to get in to hear his last confession.

That means I've got to get to the Kommandant.

You chaps had better get cracking and get me arrested, hadn't you?

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(TREMBLING)

-What's that? -It's my coffee ingredient.

I should stand well back if I was you.

Fire! Fire!

(MEN SHOUTING)

(MEN CONTINUE SCREAMING)

(MEN EXCLAIMING)

(COUGHING)

MAN 1 : Jolly good show. Well done. MAN 2: Well played.

Colonel Preston, you're not in your quarters.

What are you doing here? Please, Colonel.

Hauptmann, I must see the Kommandant at once.

That's not possible.

I haven't created that little diversion for my own amusement, you know.

It's imperative that I see the Kommandant.

You will see the Kommandant when I have determined

the real reason behind these tactics. Wait here.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(MUTTERING)

(DOOR CLOSING)

(MAN SHUSHING)

You've put me to a great deal of trouble tonight, Colonel.

I can therefore only assume that your request to see the Kommandant

is valid and urgent. Come with me.

Oh, Hauptmann, I'll be obliged if I'm taken there under escort.

-Why? -I'll explain to the Kommandant.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

I must be left entirely alone with the prisoner.

That is not possible, Father.

(SPEAKING POLISH)

I insist.

(BOTH ARGUING IN POLISH)

A man's confession is between himself and his Maker

with a priest as intermediary. No one else!

-But my orders were to guard Soltizyk. -You may wait outside the door.

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(BOTH ARGUING IN POLISH)

Now, please.

(BOTH CONTINUE ARGUING IN POLISH)

General, I beg you for the last time, have mercy upon this man.

-Father, it is our law. -It is not God's law, sir!

When you have finished,

one of my officers will escort you back to your quarters.

-There are doors to be unlocked. -I am not leaving this man.

-Father, I cannot permit you... -I am not leaving, sir!

Captain Korval, midnight.

I shall expect your report at 001 5 hours.

(PADRE PRAYING IN LATIN)

(SOLTIZYK SOBBING)

Just try to get your thoughts clear toward God.

Admit your sins, tell God that you're sorry

and hope for his mercy.

Marek, do not be afraid.

Keep your mind on God and his mercy.

Do not be afraid!

(SCRAPING WOOD)

You're a late visitor, Colonel. What is it, please?

Unless some action is taken immediately,

one of the prisoners who has been court-martialled as an informer

will shortly be executed.

There has been a court martial in the Sonderlager?

-The name of this informer? -Soltizyk, as you well know.

You have searched the British quarters for any escape attempt?

Yes, sir, nothing.

Colonel Preston, I cannot believe

that a court martial has been convened in this Castle without my knowledge,

nor that a man can be executed by his fellow prisoners.

That man will be hanged in an attic

above the Polish quarters at midnight unless something is done.

May I remind you of your obligations as Kommandant...

You are in no position to remind me of my obligations, Colonel.

That man's life is your responsibility,

as is the life of every prisoner in this camp.

Now, that isn't just a clause in the Geneva Convention.

It is your duty as an officer of the Wehrmacht...

Colonel Preston!

Lieutenant Soltizyk was giving information on his fellow officers

because you and your officers threatened disgusting reprisals against his family!

Colonel Preston, I cannot permit you to make accusations of that sort!

It is not the policy of the German Wehrmacht

to use subversive methods on prisoners of war.

-It may not be the policy... -Colonel Preston!

If you permit, sir, I'll explain.

The Gestapo put pressure on this man Soltizyk before he was transferred here.

When they offered us his services, we could not refuse.

Hauptmann, that does not excuse you or the Kommandant

from attempting to save that man's life.

Now, he has about 1 5 minutes left. For God's sake, get him out of there.

(SIGHS)

They're cutting it pretty close.

I mean, they'll just string him up when they hear that lot coming.

No, the Poles are almost as by-the-book as the Germans.

If they say midnight, they mean midnight.

Yeah, well, let's hope so.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MUFFLED PROTESTS)

(SOBBING)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ULMANN SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

GUARD: We have no wish to harm you.

-Seriously, please. -You cannot take this man.

But it is orders, Father. He has betrayed us all!

You shall not do this thing!

(GRUNTING)

(SPEAKING POLISH)

(GRUNTING)

(GASPS)

(TREMBLING)

Midnight.

If you have managed to stop the hanging, what will you do with him?

That presents me with something of a dilemma, Colonel,

which does not concern you.

However, I propose to have him sent to a hospital

as under acute nervous strain and in need of care and attention.

And then...

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

The Polish prisoner Soltizyk has been found, sir.

I have sent him to solitary confinement pending your instructions.

Thank you, Hauptmann. Was there any resistance?

A token, sir. One man has been sent for treatment, a Pole.

He was assaulted by the British Padre.

Padre?

I believe it was actually he who physically stopped the hanging.

Hauptmann, you will call out a full guard

and call an emergency Appel.

In front of the full complement of prisoners,

you will arrest four British officers

and sentence them each to seven days solitary confinement.

-ULMANN: Sir. -Colonel Preston.

We have talked tonight of nothing but the disturbance in the British quarters.

For your involvement in that affair,

I will sentence you to seven days solitary confinement without privileges.

Thank you, Kommandant.

ULMANN: And the Polish court martial, sir?

There has been no Polish court martial.

Good night, Colonel.