Original subtitles

- It is important, to question him

- It may be, but you won't get anything out of him for some time

- Unreadable! All of it! Papier mache

- I thougt that you only were entitled to ask about his number, rank and age

- I want a lot more then that! - Come back in a couple of days

- How long was he in the sea? -Hmmmmm...hard to tell

- 24 hours possibly - Was he wounded?

- Abrasions, shock...mostly exposure

- He'll live...come back in a couple of days

- He was washed up from a place called St. Nicholas de Brem

- There has been no report of any surface engagement there

- He has not been in the water for much more than 24 hours

- But there's been reports of a half surfaced submarine, 6 km off shore

- Could he've floated in from that?

- I'm not an authority of French tides, I'm a doctor not a harbour master

- It was dark, the pilot only had a glimpse

- he just saw what might have been a submarine

- flashed a challenge - no reply turned and dropped the bombs

- Reported the submarine as possibly hit

- That seems to solve the problem, doesn't it?

- Pilots are a race of optimists

- His uniform, is torn..

- See for yourself...I wouldn't call it a uniform

...Sweater and slacks in rags. - No sounds of an explosion?

- My dear Hauptsturmfuhrer, you really must be assuming that i'm a detective

- All I can tell you is that he was suffering from exposure

- Come back in 2 days time.

- I'll be back tomorrow!

----a man singing in the shower---

- I told you that their food wouldn't be any good, didn't I?

---continues to sing---

- You won't get a look from a nurse not unless you're a doctor.

---continues to sing----

- Alright, who's the clever dick who's playing games with my trousers?

-

---sound of footsteps ---

- Right, papers!

- You're German.. - Yes

- I thought you were another Frenchman who was gonna say he missed his last train.

- Who took this photograph of you?

- At home...

-

- What are you doing here this time of the day?

- Finding out about the trains... I got a week off

- Wish I had...

- Well, it's half past one

- I came off duty at midnight

- You should have stayed in bed, there is no train until 7 am

-

- My sister lives in Cologne

- Cologne! Where you come from...

- Oh, yes.. - My sister lives there, just outside

- God, what a dump this is

- Yeah...

- You look ill

- I had the flu.. -Yeah, it's going around...

- You get a pushy job like yours

- Luck...hmmmmm

-(German) I've got a rapture, you see - Oh, yes

- (German) Hospital ordely..

-(German) What do you have to do?

- Tidy up after the doctors. -(German) Do you need special training?

- Not really -(German)You must have been doing it before the war

- Oh, I was - (German) Oh well, that's it, isn't it?

- (German) I've my own shop

- (German) It's only a small one ofcourse

- (German) but they let me go on with it

(German) I suppose it's cheaper using a ready trained hospital orderly

(German) for a military hospital

(German) I've seen some of your lot around...in civvies

(German) But I'd thought that you had to travel in uniform

- The uniform is in my bag

(German) Where's that?

- Outside... (German) oh, I wouldn't leave it there they'll pinch anything these froggies

(German) Ehh..I've been wondering...

(German) ...if I'd put in for a transfer to be a hospital orderly

- Could try.. (German) Yeah, I might just do that

(German) But if I were you I'd change into uniform

- before the military police see you.

- Yes, I will

- Well..there was a fire in the waiting room

- It's out now of course... but warmer than out here

- I'll keep down there if I were you. - Yes, I will

- Look! I'll be in the hut outside

- If anyone comes, tell me will you? - Yes..

- I'm supposed to stand out here all night, but stuff that in this weather

---sound of a whistle---

---clanking sound of trainrail---

----screeching sound of brakes---

- And you still say that you're private hiding of the medical - Yes...

- And you're not trying to desert - That's right, Sir

- On your feet!!!

- Do you expect me to believe, that you just happened to see the boat...

- And you just happened to get in it? - I just...

- And you just wanted to know how it starts... - I wasn't trying to go anywhere, Sir

- I mean, I don't know how to sail, Sir

- Yes, but you knew how to start it.. - With good luck, Sir

- Your phone call, Sir!

- Hello, hospital...Officer Mark? This is Captain Dietz, the MP

- Tell me, do you have a private Hayden on your staff? ....Oh...

- and when did you last see him? Then find me someone that does know what he looks like

- Keep you hands up! - Straight!

- Hello, yes...yes, that's right

...I see...Are you quite sure of that? Yes, thank you ...Good bye!

- Private Hayden, I was wrong. You may stand up...

- Now...

- I really thought you were a deserter.

- Well, i must admit that it seemed strange that you wanted to start a boat

- I suppose it did, Sir

- You heard that I spoke to the hospital and you're not a deserter.

- You know what the penalty of desertion is.. - Yes, Sir

- However, they confirmed what you said, Private Haydn is on the staff of the hospital

- It's only one anomaly left

- Private Haydn is not on leave he's still at the hospital

- The man I spoke to could actually see him out of his window

- So, who are you?

- Before I'll tell you

- I know you won't. You can tell the Gestapo in Paris

- Send him in!

- And shut that window!

- I didn't tell you to sit!

- Private Haydn - No

- You said you were private Haydn. You have the papers of private Haydn

- These papers... - I've been trying... - Silence!!!

- You were detained as a deserter a week ago, You've been here 2 days

- Well? - I don't know. I haven't a watch or a window in my cell

- Have we been feeding you? - I've had 2 meals since I came here, 2 meals in two days...You tell me

- I'm sorry... - He has been fed

- If you're not private Haydn, then who are you?

- Leutenant Richard Roxford, Royal Navy

- And you speak perfect German? - I spent lot of my childhood in Germany

- I wasn't asking you about your childhood, I was saying you spoke perfect German

- Yes

- Oh, the Royal Navy is lucky to have officers of such a low rank

and ... so fluently bilingual.

- Perhaps the war hasn't gone on long enough for us to sort out our talents

- Or our identities...

- And how do you say that you arrived in Europe?

- My ship was sunk

- Oh, what ship? - I'm afraid I can't answer that.

- I think you'd better...

- Under the Geneva convention I'm obliged to tell you my name and rank.

- That is all..

- You're quite right

- Always assuming I believe you. - Why shouldn't you?

- You said that you arrived in France because your ship had been sunk

- But we have no record of any British ship being sunk at the time when you arrived.

- I'm not keeping your records

- Anyway, British ships don't come near enough to the French coast

...for anyone, even as talented as you to survive in the water long enough

..to be able to drift ashore. They'd been sunk in the middle of the Atlantic.

- Alright, I'll tell you this much... it was a submarine

- Which submarine? - That ofcourse I can't tell you.

- We have no record of one being sunk.

- You've been very stupid

- First you say you're prt Haydn

- Then you say you're an officer in the Royal Navy

- But no uniform, no papers, no identity , nothing

- You're captured outside a well known submarine base

- Can you give me a reason why I should believe you?

- The hospital , St Marc's Hospital, at Aurney in France

- I was taken there, and escaped.

- So you said in the statement.

- I have of course been in contact with the hospital

- It's a hospital ran by the army

- They have no record of any lt. Player, Royal Navy

- There were other wounded, and documents...

- But there were no Lt.Player

- I was in the sea, all papers destroyed.

- Convenient...

- Are the British Navy's uniforms made of material that dissolves in water?

- I've been trying to tell you... - The report said nothing about any uniform

- They told me that many uniforms were torn and bloodstained.

- I was speaking!

- The hospital assured that they'd recognise your uniform

...if you've had one! - if you'd been in the hospital!

- Look! When we were hit I was off watch.

- I was just wearing a sweater and trousers, I was asleep

- There was no warning - I see...

- And..the sweater... would it have your rank?

- No

- He's an idiot! You talk to him!

- Do sit down.

- Thank You!

- Any proof that you're Lt.Player?

- Proof? No...

- Player...It's not an uncommon name

- Without no id-papers...

- or with id-papers that doesn't belong to you

- No uniform, coming from a hospital that has no record of you

- They'd recognise me, if I went back

- There were 100s of British prisoners in the hospital, and you weren't there long

- Anyway...I doubt that my CO would agree to escort you there

- I beg you, tell me the truth!

- I don't know what you want me to say... - Anything that will help you.

- It's much better to tell me instead of my CO to find out

- Cigarette? - But what the hell...?

- I have great respect for the British. I give you my word

- but you have to trust me

- Start from the beginning... We will ignore your name for the moment

- I've given you my name a dozen times

- You're here as prt.Hayden

- How is it...that you speak perfect German?

- I spent a lot of my childhood in Germany. In Berlin

- Why? - My father was a counsellour of the embassy.

- Counsellor, that's Senior Diplomat, isn't it?

- What was his name? - James Thurrold Player

- How do you spell that? - Thurrold

- Have you any decorations, orders of chevalry? - CMG and the OBE, why?

- Just testing your authenticity, or your memory

- But you weren't educated in Germany?

- No, I went to prep school, in Dartmouth just came here for holidays

- Your mother, where's she? - She died when I was three

- Oh, I'm sorry, where's your father? - He's dead too.

- He was taken in ill in August -38 and brought back to England he died 3 months later.

- I am trying to help you, but you must help me too.

- All that you tell me, you could have got that from any published diplomatic list

- We can check that ofcourse.. but it's information anyone could get

- I don't know what you're talking about. I've told you who I am!!

- With various possibilities... One, You might even be Pt. Haydn

- But we've been... - No, I don't really believe that...

- Secondly...You might be Lt.Player, Royal Navy

- In which case, we'll need a bit more evidence...

...than... you've given us. - What sort of evidence?

- Proof? I'm not calling you a liar

...it's just that my CO would be convinced

...if you gave us the name of your submarine.

- Where it was based, what it was doing off the coast of France - You have my name and rank...

- Yes, indeed..but even supposing that you are Lt.Player

- I'd like to believe you, that doesn't mean that the rest of you story is true

- Under the Geneva convention, I'm obliged... - You're being very naive, or silly

- We need proof. You can tell me or my CO

- It would be much better, to tell me - Under the Geneva Convention

- Not everybody is protected by the Geneva Convention

- Spies, are not protected

- Spy? - Here, have a cigarette

- Tell me, what your orders were, who your contacts are.

- How you landed.. - I have no orders

- I have no contacts, I've already told you how I landed.

- Stand up!

- Well!

- Now, you will tell me the truth!

- I could do with a good night's sleep.

- He's had 2 hours back in his cell - He's not being fed again

- Well, see you in the morning. - Night, Sir!

- Same story ofcourse? - Oh, yes

- Send up the prisoner number 12. And get me something from the cantine

- No, anything they've got..on a tray.

- I only want the truth... - Are you hungry?

- Oh, I've forgotten that you haven't eaten

- Here! Have this! - In exchange for what?

- Not in exchange for anything, it's just that I overlooked that you missed a meal

- What meal? - Go on! Help yourself.

- Don't try and speak with your mouth full but if you could think of anything

- that might help me to believe you. - I'm too tired to think

- Your father... - What about him?

- Where did he live in Berlin? - He had a flat in the Schumann ring

- Number 17? - Yes

- How did you know? - From the pre-war diplomatic list

- But you could have learned it the same way

- You see, I am trying to help you.

- Do you remember anyone else living there? - What?

- The building where your father lived. Can you remember anyone else?

- Yes! There was a boy my age, he lived in a flat below

- We went to stay with uncle in Bavaria, when i was 15-16

- Konrad! His name was Konrad

- Konrad, what?

- Haderer, Konrad Haderer!

- Good! - What happens now?

- You've got a name from the diplomatic list? - I knew him before...

- I was talking!!

- You've got a name of someone your age, that's not difficult.

- The diplomatic list gives an adress in Berlin. All you need is a phone directory

- Then you can find who else lives in the block of flats

- What sort of idiots do you think we are? - Konrad, can confirm who I am

- I'm sure he could!

- For your information, Konrad served as an officer in Luftwaffe

- I told you! - He was awarded the Iron Cross

- Get hold of him... - Postumously!

- We don't publish casualty lists, we do publish...

... the names of ppl awarded decorations. And even British Intelligence...

...should be able to work out, that a man decorated postumously is dead!

- Is there anyone else? - I don't know, I'm too tired

- You'd better think! - Give me a moment will you?

- I'm tired waiting, while you think of more stories!

- I knew someone! And it won't be the army!

- I'm still waiting! - Why didn't I think of him before?

- Paul Von Eisingenr! He was in the foreign office

- Yes, he worked with my father. - Right, this one better exist

- You can go! - Guard!

- Von Eisingen?

- Prisoner number 12 has to be fed and allowed to sleep.

- That was a bit of luck!

- Yes... - We actually believed he was a spy

- It's pathetic! But anybody would send a spy with a hopeless cover story

- He had no papers at all... - What happens now, Sir?

- I suppose he will get what we won't for some time

- A trip to Berlin - Yes, we can hardly expect anyone coming to Paris

- just to identify a stray prisoner!

- Certainly not Graf Eisinger.

- Herr Von Eisinger? - Graf Eisinger

- I have a prisoner for you

- All these ppl has to fight eachother so that we can meet again

- If you'll sign for him, Sir - When you've undone him

- He's still in my charge, Sir until you sign for him

- But if I shake hands with him, I'll have to shake hands with you

- Please, do as I say.

- Come in! It's freezing out there You haven't changed at all

- Apart from those dreadful clothes

- Now, what do you want? - If you'll sign for him, Sir.

- You don't suppose to remain there? - Orders, Sir!

- Nonsense! Ppl will think I'm under housearrest

- Besides, your uniform clashes with the wallpaper!

- It's still orders, Sir! - We're on the 3rd floor

- I doubt our guest will jump out the window

- There's only foyer, where the lift and stairs both emerge.

- The front entrance that leads to the alley on the back

- both open to the foyer. If you really intend to prevent my friend...

...and by implication myself from escaping. You will do so from there!

- Understand! - Yes, Sir!

- Heil Hitler! - Naturally

- Now, before you say a word, and I want to hear everything!

- I really can't have you in that state. My bedroom's through here...

...You'll find a variety of suits, I've got quite a choice

- I hope one of them fits you The bathroom is ensuite

- And the shirts, there for you too. And then we can chat

- It's more comfortable to speak English

- Besides, I'm proud of my English

- You go and have your bath. The world hasn't come to an end

- Ive given the servant the evening off.

- I'd be grateful if you give your word that you won't escape.

- Not when you're with me.

- Only since I got crippled, I doubt I'd put up any resistance

- And I doubt the Nazis would forgive me

- You will give me your word, won't you?

- Yes - Fine!

- That's better! It's a little tight across the chest

- an inch of the trouser legs could be removed

- But quite presentable... - Why have they brought me here?

- They want me to identify you, that's all. What would you like to drink?

- Sherry? Vodka?

- Scotch? What ever you like? - Scotch, please.

- Soda or water? - Sit down

- You know, when this horse fell over me and broke my back

- I was so angry I had him shot

- Unforgivable! If it hadn't been for him I'd been in France

- pretending to be a soldier. - Say when.

- To old friends.

- If all they wanted was to confirm my identity, they wouldn't hav to bring me here

- You must allow me a little initiative. I like to see my friend

- Did they ask for the name of the ship? - I didn't even know you were on a ship

- Anyway, this government doesn't tell me to do anything

- They told me on the phone, that you're a Naval Officer

- That you claimed you were. - My ship was sunk

- That was bad luck - I escaped and was caught

- and was thought to be a spy - Ofcourse, they're terrible stupid

- I hope they weren't as unpleasant as they can be. - I've met ppl I took to more

- Oh yes! Someone from the SS phoned this morning.

- They're forming a Freecore, troups of different nationalities

- They will fight along our side. - Against Britain?

- Presumably, we've beaten everyone else. He wanted me...

...to use all my diplomatic girth, to persuade you to accept a commision in this

...when it is formed. So I have. Will you?

- No! - As I assumed, but I've asked you.

- One has to be very careful, don't want it to last much longer

- The war? It has hardly started. - The war as well, but I meant the government.

- And ppl like the Gestapo. The damage they're doing terrifies me

- They're getting quite a reputation. - That is exactly what I mean

- Next, every German will be assumed a Nazi

- One doesn't hear much of resistance. - That doesn't mean there isn't any

- Believe me, the only thing that keeps Hitler in power is the war

- Virtually the whole diplomatic force, not Ribbentrop of course

- all the intelligent staff officers, wants to get rid of Hitler

- One would imagine, they could just do that! - If they all sneezed, he'd be blown back to Austria

- The reason they don't, is that they feel commited support him passively

- As long there's a war

- What's moral like in Britain? - Good!

- I find it touching, but tragic, Britain can't possibly win, everyone knows

- The British don't - Well, everyone exept the British

- Let's be serious. Britain is isolated, not an allie in the world.

- Germany rules Europe. The last thing I want is a Nazi Germany ruling Europe.

- But if Britain joined Germany, all of us that don't want Hitler. Would know we had support

- So Hitler would go - How?

- Does it matter how? Whether he's court martialed, or retires?

- After all,he always says he wants his watercolours. How is unimportant!

- But until Britain realises her position, and realises who her real friends are...

- and stops fighting, the Germans who support him. Until then...

...I'm afraid, we'll have to go on! And we'll go on, until Britain surrenders!

- And you, know what I feel about Britain.

- Well, same again? - Thanks

- If it's alright with you, I've booked at private room at Adlon for dinner

- Why? - Why the Adlon? It's the only decent hotell left in Europe.

- Or do you mean, why a private room? - Why anything?

- Friendship! But I also want to make a suggestion to you

- The Adlon restaurant, you know what it's like

- One may find the next table occupied by a conductor or maybe Goebbles.

- And what you have to suggest... - I like it to remain confidential

- There are a number of us, that wants to ensure that there's peace for ever

- By creating the only unchallangable allians, the world ever has known

- Cheers! - Cheers!

- All it needs is that Britain make peace now, whe she has strength to bargain

- Rather than later when she's been broken. Then we'll have a united Europe

- Which is something the Romans never achieved

- Protected by the most powerful navy on earth. Your navy!

- And the British empire protected by the most powerful army on earth

- Yours? - I didn't mean the Italians

- I got the idea that this was what Hitler wanted. - Who knows what the Fuhrer wants?

- He ofcourse would go... - And the rest of the world?

- Who? The Russians? They wouldn't dare to attack us

- They have devoted themselves to write even longer novels...

... and agricultural research, making one blade instead of two

- The Americans? - I always find it hard to take them seriously

- They put all the talanted ppl into musical comedies

- and all their natural comedians into politics...

- Well, I hope that Gestapo wounded your appetite hasn't used excessive force.

- Not exactly... - We'll dine earlier then

- The caviar is very good, another benefit of our alliance with the Russians

- And the German dishes, you used to like them...

- It's a long time since I had caviar. - I think I'll stay with the Bismark herring

- And there was duckling with sauerkraut. Do you like truffles? Pork chops?

- What ever you say... - Fine! And a bottle of claret.

- Caviar, for the gentleman, pork chops, and I'm having the herring and the duckling

- And a bottle of Oprion. - Good, Sir!

- I'm afraid the service isn't what it used to be, most of the waiters were called up.

- Some of these are Poles, did you ever go there?

- No.. - It's more an emotional concept than a country.

- Now, I'd like to make a suggestion

- I assumed that it was another reason for you to invite me here

- Yes, business and pleasure.

- Prost!

- But you must realise that I'm taking a risk talking to you

- I suppose so, yes... - Until we can get rid of the Fuhrer...

...no man in Germany can feel safe. I've already suggested that you take that commision...

- Which I declined... - Ofcourse, my next suggestion is serious.

- The position, now is much better than most dare to hope...

..Britains army has been destroyed, but your navy is intact

...and you've done something else noone has managed before.Which is to cut RM Goring down the side

- Battle of Britain, but if the Luftwaffe had won that

- I doubt if the ordinary German would accept the idea of a negotiated peace.

- Do you think they would now? - We Germans are very malleable.

- You overthrow the Nazis and have free elections? - Not exactly free elections...

...it isn't one of our national talents. Last few times we tried, Hitler won

- So who will govern? - Responsible ppl...

- Including you? - Yes, I would expect to be offered a post

- Come in!

- Please do start

- You see what I mean, an alliance between Germany and England

- For ever, the end of this absurd war between cousins

-Britains empire guaranteed by the German army... - And?

- Who does Britain guarantee? - Is Britain in a position to guarantee anything?

- The last place to guarantee was Poland

- No, it's quite simple, we have no national frontiers

- all through history we've consisted of hundreds of states

- A man thought of himself as a Saxon, a Bavarian, or whatever...

- And a long way after that as a German. We've had to fight 2 major wars

- To convince ourselves that we existed. - Where do I come in to all this?

- In Germany and England, I think there are very few ppl that want the war

- In Germany now, but we're even fewer that want to continue a war

- In England, I can't believe that most ppl want to continue a pointless struggle

- just to flatter the ego's of the politicians - That doesn't sound like the country I left

- We've our contacts in England Ppl that really matter

- You've finished the caviar? - Yes

- I want you to see certain ppl whose names I will give you

- Ppl who not know you, but me and your father

- and explain that we're ready to make peace with England

- Offering egual partnership and the protection of the empire

- And no one of the Nazis ofcourse. It's not an ungenerous offer, Dick

- Would you seriously think I'd do all this?

- Or could, I'm a POW

- Indeed, and as a POW it's your duty to try and escape

- I could help. - Come in!

- I would suggest you left for Sweden - And may I ask why you trust me?

- As you're an officer and gentlemen you'd give your word

- Ofcourse, it must have occured to you that I'm connected to the Intelligence

- It more or less goes with the job. Just as your father was with the British

- If you broke your word, and escaped to Britain, not making contact

- I'd tell the British who these contacts were. It wouldn't make any difference, nobody would believe you

- No difference, except to you of course. - Meaning what?

- I would feel an obligation to the ppl I'm associated with

- Let's not talk about that... - No, lets talk about it! What difference would it make to me?

- Believe me, I would hate to do this. But if the whole prospect...

...of a united Europe seemed to my collegues to be in danger

- I have my honour! I find this conversation most distasteful

- But life of one man even a friend against the lives of thousands - Would you have me killed?

- We have an orginazation, so there's no trouble at all

- I only tell you because I know it will not happen,

- These ppl, why couldn't they do it? Why do you need me?

- You underestimate yourself, obviously if I or my collegues are going to risk our lives...

- our security is that that, the same moment we have the coup, Britain will ask for amnesty.

- Which she wouldn't ask for from the Nazis. We must work with ppl that we trust

- Not with the sort of ppl there are already working for us in England.

- It would be a gentlemen's agreement. You can't have that without gentlemen

- You haven't touched your wine! - In time...

- I've prepared the spare bed at my flat

- You can tell me your decision in the morning

- Just, one thing... - Yes?

- Your plan, it all depends on Britain recognizing you

- I want to go back to England. - Splendid! - To go on fighting

- I think that would be a tragedy... - And I want you to help me

- As you said, you're taking a risk telling me all this. I said that I wouldn't try to escape

- I didn't say I wouldn't repeat what you're telling me

- My dear Dick!! You are a romantic! Who would you tell?

- Assuming you'd find someone who'd listen, do you think they'd believe me or you?

- I could have a damn good try! - No, no ofcourse not!

- Officially you are here , since I've been asked to identify you.

- I can, and will assure the authorities that you're my old friend

- Richard Playerl, I can also tell them that you're an officer in the Royal Navy

- And that I'm inclined to believe you.

- But I couldn't possibly in good faith swear that you aren't an agent.

- After all, it runs in the family

- Think about it! Tell me your decision in the morning

- I've already made my decision and I won't be needing your bed

- I wonder, how many ppl you've just condemned to death.

- Damn it! You don't have the authority to open your mouth!!

- Where am I taken?

- You're entitled to remain in your own underclothing

- A pair of cavalry breeches, one army regulation chart...

- one officers dress jacket. - Whose is this?

- Doesn't matter... - Clogs, one pair

- And here,that you've been de-liced, and are now free from parasites

- This is your identity disc

- It bears the Auflage number, and your number here

- You will carry it with you at all times, and must produce it on demand.

- I now need your right hand thumb print.

- Dick Playel , LT , Royal Navy

- Captain Grant, Royal Army Service Corps

- Simon Carter,

- Tim Downing

- George Brent

- How long have you chaps been here?

- Got here a couple of hours ago.

- What is this place? - That's what we've trying to work out

- There are German soldiers, but not barracks.At least I don't think so

- I think we've been brought here for something special. - Now, shut up!

- Our cheerful friend, thinks we've been brought here to be executed

- There's a funny way going about it!

- We'll have to do something about your uniform

- All the might from a bucket handle

- I present myself, Cpt Jan Jadriovsky

- First 17 , Polish lancers

- I welcome you on behalf of all Polish officer prisoners,

- To Colditz , and we'll escape soon

--- laughter----