Stop!
This is a good spot.
All right.
Hey, go on.
The Americans are across the field.
Well, good luck.
Thanks.
Get going.
Let him go.
If we shoot him, we'll give away our position to the Americans.
Hey...
where did you come from?
I come from Paris
with a message for General Eisenhower.
Here's the new call to arms.
Fine.
Where did you find that tin hat?
I stole it from a German sergeant
while he was taking a nap.
You should've picked one that fit you.
Hey, why don't you bring a pillow along, too?
Here are the bullets.
Take them over to Colette.
I stole them from the bakery.
They had plenty.
We start out of Deburre,
fly over Paris, back to the airfield,
then start over again.
Herr General Field Marshal.
Please leave us alone for a minute.
It is quite clear that you are no longer able
to keep order in the city.
And we've also learned
that you've negotiated with the terrorists.
Herr General Field Marshal...
It's not your business to meddle in politics.
Why did you make the panzers leave their post
at the prefecture?
I thought it more efficient
to attack with the Luftwaffe.
Then please explain why you didn't use the Luftwaffe?
Because of the superior air strength of the Allies.
I discussed it with Major Hegel of the Luftwaffe...
I warn you,
you must restore order by any method, however drastic.
Ja wohl, Herr General Field Marshal.
If you don't follow my orders
you know what the consequences are.
Ja wohl, Herr General Field Marshal.
Heil Hitler.
Hell Hitler.
General Field Marshall Model.
Draw up a plan for the bombing of Paris.
Okay. Major Gallois.
I've been sent by Colonel Rol,
the head of the French Resistance for Paris,
to tell you that we have seized half of the city.
And now we want you to...
You want what? Hmm?
We want you to help us.
The situation is this:
we hold all the official buildings.
After one day's truce, fighting has started again,
but we are short of arms and ammunition.
The Germans will find out sooner or later,
and when they do, their reaction may be terrible.
Especially if they receive reinforcements
from the east, as we are told.
They may destroy Paris.
So we ask you to send us one unit
to liberate the city immediately.
You're a soldier, I'm a soldier,
I'll give you a soldier's answer.
First, we're not in the business of liberating cities,
not even capitals.
Our business is to destroy the German army.
We can end this war in three months
if we keep moving fast.
Second, Major Gallois, don't you think
that I would like to help you people?
Can't you see what my position is right now?
Third, we can't change plans
that have been scheduled for months.
Final victory depends upon it.
Our plans don't include
feeding four million Parisians, hmm?
I'm sorry, Major, it's no dice.
I'll report our conversation to my superiors in Paris.
Sit down.
Orderly!
Yes, sir?
Open up a bottle of champagne.
- Champagne. - Yes, sir.
Are you tired?
No, sir.
May I ask you a... a personal favor?
What is it?
I want to talk to a French officer, General Leclerc.
Mmm. Leclerc?
That impatient lion.
You mind traveling all night?
Of course not.
Good.
Here's one for the road.
Akerns?
Yes, sir.
Get a jeep and a driver
for this man and see that he gets to Laval.
He needs to see General Leclerc.
Thank you, sir.
You got a long trip ahead of you.
Half the brass in Europe is at Laval, you know?
Hello? Hello?
General Bradley, please.
Good trip, huh?
Brad?
What the hell's happening in Paris?
Colonel Lebel, Major Gallois.
Colonel Lebel, General de Gaulle's liaison,
assigned to General Bradley.
General Patton telephoned to say you were en route.
Who?
General Patton.
You saw him at the front.
That was General Patton?
Yes.
General Leclerc is not here
but, um, I...
I told the Americans you were coming,
and they are very anxious to see you.
In fact, General Sibert
will interrupt a staff meeting to hear your report.
This is our last chance to convince the Allies
that they must go on straight to Paris.
It's up to you now.
Yes.
We're listening, Major.
The Resistance and the people of Paris
now control most of the city.
We wanted to welcome you to a liberated Paris.
But we cannot hold out indefinitely.
We need your help.
The Germans have no organized units
between your advanced lines and Paris.
From the military point of view, it would be a-a mistake,
almost a crime,
if you didn't take advantage of such a favorable situation.
It... it is only a question of time, gentlemen.
The Germans will counterattack,
and they have precise orders to destroy Paris.
Hundreds of thousands of Parisians
will be... slaughtered.
The French people will never forgive the Allies
for not coming to their aid.
Never.
You're very eloquent.
As a matter of fact, what you told us
is exactly what General de Gaulle's
been telling Eisenhower.
I'm contacting Bradley immediately.
You must send us a unit a once.
You can tell General Leclerc
that I may have some news for him.
Leclerc? Is he here?
Yes, he arrives in a few hours.
Anyway, congratulations.
I think you made a good impression.
Come on, let's get something to eat.
You must be hungry, eh?
Please.
Here we can talk quietly.
Have a seat.
Your cease-fire didn't work out as you planned.
The situation is worse than before.
The Allies have crossed the Seine near Mantes,
so if our information is correct,
they'll encircle Paris shortly.
Then I must take drastic measures
and begin the demolition of the city.
Really mean to destroy the city?
If that cease-fire of yours had worked out...
We did our best.
Nobody can control the Resistance now.
If de Gaulle were here...
Why doesn't anybody get in touch with him
and ask his help?
With de Gaulle?
It's the only way Paris will ever be safe
from destruction.
The Resistance is going to force my hand otherwise.
This is the final order Hitler gave me.
Destroy the entire city of Paris.
Herr Consul, do what you can.
I've issued this for you:
a pass that will get you safely through the German lines.
Why are you doing this?
Herr Consul, if I thought that the destruction of Paris
could win the war for Germany,
I would set the city on fire myself.
But...
...we've lost the war.
Then...
why has Hitler ordered the destruction of Paris?
Because he's insane.
I know it.
I saw him in Rastenburg.
There are two SS officers waiting for you.
Did you find anything?
No, Herr General.
Force of habit.
Well?
It concerns a mission that's rather delicate.
Well, isn't that the specialty of the SS?
Delicate missions?
Vice Minister Himmler
has recently learned
that the Louvre has a very valuable tapestry.
A what?!
A tapestry.
It's, uh... it's called the, uh...
...the Bayeux Tapestry.
11th Century.
It shows the Norman invasion of England.
The Vice Minister would like us to bring it
as a gift for the Fuhrer.
Huh.
Instead of the real invasion of England.
I don't find that so amusing, Herr General.
Well, gentlemen, you can have the tapestry.
We were certain we could count on you, Herr General.
Only the Louvre is in the hands of the Resistance.
But the Louvre is just over there.
Ja. The only question is,
will it still be there when we get through blasting it?
But why don't you try to bargain with the French?
Go with a white flag in your hand.
You never know. They could give it to you as a present.
Gentlemen, good day. Heil Hitler.
Heil Hitler!
We represent the ministers of the Provisional government.
The cease-fire has at least permitted us
to occupy the buildings.
But we must make one more step
toward installing the new government
by holding a meeting of the new cabinet.
Let's say, at 6:00.
Right.
Then we'll have to take the Maintenon.
Pierrelot will take care of that.
The Maintenon?
Maintenon Palace.
Ah.
Traditionally, that's where
all cabinet meetings take place.
I don't think there are any Germans there,
but I understand that a group of collaborators
are still occupying the building.
Do you think they'll try to keep us out?
We know that some of them are against us.
You never can tell.
Take "0 men along with you.
That should do it.
"0 men, huh?
Well, I guess I better get going.
Claire, start telephoning.
All right.
Gentlemen, see you at 6:00 for the cabinet meeting.
At the Maintenon.
Where else?
Hello? Is Marcelle in?
He's not there?
- Well? - Nobody can go with you.
Did you reach Maurice?
He can't leave the office.
The Germans are guarding the street.
And Joliot?
At the town hall it's the same thing.
Well, I'll go alone.
I'll go with you.
Over there. Go on.
Hurry.
Pardon, monsieur.
Yes?
Do you know where the Maintenon is?
Over there, monsieur.
The Prime Minister's house?
Oh, no, no, I'm sorry, across the Seine.
Rue de Varenne, yes. Go on.
Rue de Varenne?
Oh, there's a sentry box in front.
You can't miss it.
And be careful.
They're shooting everywhere.
We'll get ourselves killed.
Come.
What do we do now?
Eh...
Let's go.
What do you want?
The officer in command.
Major, there is someone to see you.
I'm the officer in charge.
What do you want?
I have come to take possession here
in the name of the Provisional Government of the Republic.
Monsieur Le ministre, I've always been for the Republic.
I place myself at your disposal.
Thank you, Major.
Detail, fall in.
You forgot to put armbands on.
Attention!
Close ranks.
Present arms.
The staff welcomes you, Monsieur Le ministre.
Thank you.
Take me to the Council Hall.
If Monsieur Le ministre will follow me.
Who are you?
Switchboard operator.
Go back to your switchboard.
And you?
Chief librarian, monsieur.
Return to your library.
The meeting starts in two hours.
How many will you be, monsieur?
Around "0.
Very well.
The Prime Minister's desk.
Ah, monsieur, I've seen governments come and go,
but nothing like the last one.
They took everything they could.
Even the silverware.
And here is the Council Hall.
Not bad.
Would you please provide some pencils and erasers?
And ink and scratch pads.
In other words,
the usual preparations for Council meetings.
Good.
And we will also need rooms for the night.
Bedrooms.
I assume Monsieur Le ministre
will the want the Green Room for his personal use?
The Green Room?
It's always reserved for the Prime Minister.
My, my.
Hmm, adequate.
Excuse me.
I know exactly how you feel, my son.
But no emotion.
The facts.
If you don't march immediately on Paris,
they'll destroy the entire city.
The situation is as serious as that?
I'm afraid so.
You must begin your drive on Paris...
tomorrow.
I should personally like nothing better.
And I'm doing all I can to convince headquarters,
but you can't push an armored division around
like a wheelbarrow.
We've just fought a battle at Argenton.
We're very far from Paris.
I could make it.
But I would have to receive the orders today.
And if not?
If not?
We'll see what we can do.
General de Gaulle will end up by convincing the Allies.
And now, tell me everything.
Well, where's General Bradley?
If he's not here before 7:00, it's going to be too late.
I've got to get that order before tonight.
Ah, here he is.
Well, I got the news I was waiting for, Sibert.
Where is he?
You win.
The decision has been made to go into Paris,
and the three of us hold the responsibility
for that decision.
I, because I'm giving the order,
you, General Leclerc,
because you are going to execute it,
and you, Major Gallois,
because you brought us the information
that led us to that decision.
Thank you.
How do you feel, Major?
Hmm? Oh, I haven't slept in three days.
I promise you a full day's sleep.
But right now I'm sending you down to G-2,
and tomorrow you can join General Leclerc
at Ramboullier.
Rebius?
We're moving on to Paris.
Is that your son, Lieutenant?
He was two then.
And now he's four years old.
I've never seen him.
Off your behinds!
We're marching on to Paris!
I'd better shave off my beard
before my wife sees it.
This is it.
We're going to Paris!
Dampierre!
That way, there.
Where are you going?
To Paris!
Paris?!
Well, you've still got a long way to go.
I have an aunt who has a restaurant in Montparnasse.
We can eat off her for ten years.
Is that near the Bastille?
Not the Bastille.
I said Montparnasse, peasant.
They signed off, sir.
Fine. Message finished.
Two German panzer divisions have started out for Paris.
Call all the other units.
We must notify them.
Go on, quickly, quickly.
Orders from the General.
All units accelerate.
Where is Leclerc now?
They're moving, they're going all out
but they're still more than 50 kilometers away.
Mm. That's about "0 miles.
You know, we can't run the risk
that German general might just suddenly
change his mind and destroy the city.
So Leclerc has quite a job on his hands.
Tell Hodges to keep the Fourth Division ready
just in case.
Look, the Eiffel Tower... that's on the...
the right side of the river, right?
The Right Bank?
The left.
Well, okay, if the Eiffel Tower is on the left...
...that means that the Louvre is on the right, yeah?
And the Chambre of, what do you call it?
Of Deputes.
Now, look, will you just knock it off
and quit bothering me?
Yeah, but you've been to Paris and I haven't.
Boy, I never thought in a thousand years
I'd get to see Paris.
Yeah. See Paris and die.
No, that's... that's Naples.
What do you think happens when you die?
You go to Naples.
Funny.
Start unloading those bazookas there, Sergeant.
We going into Paris, Lieutenant?
Yeah, we're moving out.
Oh! The telephone's working!
We can call Paris!
We can call...
Hey! The telephone's working!
We can telephone Paris.
Hey, Maurice, the telephone's working.
You can call your house.
Madame, please.
Put a call through for me to Elysees "-2-2-6.
It's my parents.
My mother, Madame Bovera.
Tell her I'm coming with the Black Berets.
You've come a long way?
Yes.
Sahara.
Sahara?
Mama!
It's Mama.
It's me, Henri.
Put-put the champagne on ice.
We're coming!
How much do I owe you?
May I?
Of course.
Hello?
C'est beau l'accuell...?
Hold on, please.
Here you are.
Hello?
Hello, it's me.
It's me!
But it's true, I tell you, it's me!
I say it's me. Me!
Tell her your name, it'll be quicker.
Huh?
All right, who are you?
Georges.
All right. Hello. It's Georges.
I mean, I'm not Georges.
I mean, yes, it's Georges.
I'm calling for Georges.
But he can't speak.
He's too excited.
Hey, Georges, we're leaving!
He's in Arpageon.
Tell her we're on the way. On the way.
He's on the way.
Yes, and I give her a kiss.
He's on the way.
He gives you a kiss. He loves you.
I love her. I love her.
Good-bye, Madame.
Where have you come from?
From Paris.
Here are the locations for the mines.
Uh-huh.
Fine.
Then we move on to the next site.
One hour and it's all finished.
They're going to have such a show of fireworks,
they'll think the whole world is burning.
We are going home
to Berlin!
We are going home to Berlin!
We'll be back for Christmas!
Wait a minute, stop pushing.
General Leclerc asks me to tell you
that they're on the march...
to hold fast!
Hey, believe it or not,
we're passing right in front of my house.
I live on the corner.
Our kitchen is just above the restaurant,
and I used to get my cigarettes
at the shop across the way.
You know, I said to my wife,
"I'll be back.
I'm going to get a pack of cigarettes. "
The funny part is, I didn't go back.
I signed up with De Gaulle.
What will you tell your wife?
I've got the pack of cigarettes... Camels.
All right, on your feet.
Hurry, hurry.
What is it now?
You can come out.
Oh, about time.
What's going on?
You've got work to do.
Oh, work.
Yeah.
Hurry.
It's a tank.
55 meters. Direct target.
First, they put you in jail.
Then, they want you to defend it.
Fire. Fire.
What are you doing there, Daum?
We're joining the regiment, sir.
That's stupid.
Yes, but those are the orders.
You should never obey stupid orders.
Sir, they tell me there is a clear road ahead.
Good. You're starting immediately for Paris.
Don't worry about the Germans. Just go.
Don't stop for anything.
Tell the Parisians we're coming.
We'll be there... tomorrow.
Very well, sir.
Go on.
Daum!
Didn't I tell you to clean that up?
There was no time, sir.
In Paris we have to look our best.
Hey!
Who are they?
They're Germans.
No, they are Americans.
Get away from the window.
Juliet, come inside. Juliet!
Why, they're American.
The Americans?
It's the Americans!
The Americans.
No, they're French!
Oh, they are French.
They're French!
I can't believe it!
Say, what's the shortest way to the town hall?
It's very simple, Captain.
You take the Avenue de...
Take the Rue de la Piscine.
Thank you. Thank you.
Why are the bells ringing like that?
Herr General...
They're announcing our funeral, my dear Fraulein Irma.
Would you connect me with General Spiedel?
Put a call through to General Spiedel.
Why do you look so surprised, all of you?
You thought a miracle would save us, huh?
None of you seems to realize what's happening...
in Russia, in Germany...
or even what's happening now in Normandy.
After the past few months,
I don't think anything could surprise me.
General Spiedel.
Good evening, Spiedel.
There is something you should hear.
Bells?
Ja, they are ringing.
They've been silent for four and a half years.
They're ringing to announce the arrival of the Allies.
And now will you send me those divisions
you promised us almost a month ago?
Unfortunately, no.
Our reserves are completely exhausted.
Ja, then, dear Spiedel.
I would appreciate you doing a favor for me.
See that my family doesn't suffer.
Thank you. Ja.
Hmm. Napoleon's tomb.
All his victories:
Marengo,
Austerlitz,
lena,
Freidland,
Wagram,
Moscow.
Moscow...
Von Choltitz here.
The Fuhrer wants to know
are you ready to proceed with the burning of Paris?
Of course, General Jodl, of course.
All the charges have been placed
under the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
What are you waiting for?
Why the delay? What's holding you up?
All the demolitions are set for the fortified bridges,
for all of the waterworks.
Then I see no reason for you to delay any longer.
Give the order for total destruction.
The minute that all our occupation units
have evacuated the city.
It should've been done already!
The Fuhrer wants the city burned now!
Is that clear?!
Do you know where my son is?
What's his name?
Maurice Bovera.
Don't know him.
Where are the Black Berets?
Over there.
Thank you.
Colonel Fabien.
We are ordered to support your attack on the...
Careful!
Lieutenant Delafu Chartiere. Second division.
The only way to get those Nazis
is to climb up there. You see?
All right.
Marco, Jacques, you cover us.
- Yes, sir. - Ready?
Lieutenant Pierre Delafu Chartiere.
Second Armored Division.
My respects, Madame.
Oh, please, after you.
This way, please.
Oh, wait. Wait, wait, wait.
You mustn't force it.
Careful.
They're over there, across the street.
Better step back, Madame.
I want a man at each window.
Yes, sir.
Ooh, careful. Prepare the grenades.
Right here.
You, you got everything ready?
Careful, my roses there.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, please, please, Madame.
Oh, don't you worry about me.
Oh, don't worry...
Make sure they don't see you, huh?
Jacques, the incendiary grenades?
Ready, sir. Good.
Marco, ready?
Ready, sir.
When I give the order, hit them with everything.
- Ready? - Ready.
Ready.
Go on.
Perfect.
Fire.
Cease fire.
Close it carefully, huh?
Madame, thank you for your hospitality.
Gentlemen, would you pick up the cartridge shells?
Very well, sir.
My respects, Madame.
Madame.
All right, we'd better get going.
Madame.
We made it. We're in Paris.
Yeah, we haven't made it yet.
We got to cross that bridge first.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Excuse me.
Ecole Militaire?
Oh, right.
It's there, to the right.
To the right, Ecole Militaire, right?
Yes.
Please.
Come on. Come on.
Hey!
We've waited four years for you.
But America's only been in the war for three years.
So what?
We knew you'd come.
What's wrong?
Yeah, well, he's already got a date.
But I don't.
The Captain's looking for you.
There's a tank over there.
We've got to knock it out.
Stop.
Bombs are here. Come.
Over here.
Excuse me, sir.
Do you happen to have any bazookas here?
Yeah, yeah. It so happens we do.
Make it fast.
Cover me, Charlie. I'm going off with this guy.
Okay, but watch yourself.
We're on the Left Bank, right?
What?
Uh, the... the Left Bank.
Yeah, Boulevard San Michele over there.
Jardin Luxembourg there.
Yeah.
Yeah, the Latin Quarter.
And, uh, that's not a nightclub either.
That's... that's where the students live, right?
Yeah, I'll explain later.
You see that door?
- Yeah. - Okay, let's go.
We got it!
Yeah.
Hey, let's drink to it.
Yeah, yeah.
First bar we find?
First bar we find.
Okay.
Oh, that was a bull's-eye.
Give us whatever you've got. Quick.
No, not this one.
Come on, have a drink.
We'll open up a good bottle of Bordeaux.
I've never tasted wine till we got to Normandy.
Well, do you like it?
Yeah, I like it.
Hey, I hear there's a war going on.
Oh, come on, give me a break, will ya?
You know, this is exactly the way
I thought Paris would be...
a little place like this, checkered tablecloths...
red wine.
Come on, Grandpa, you've done your share.
Pardon.
Yes, come back tomorrow.
Hey! Psst! Psst!
Get back inside, for God's sake!
You'll get yourselves killed!
Get back!
They're coming nearer!
Get ready to fire!
"00 meters!
Don't stay together!
Francoise! Francoise!
Get over here!
Hurry!
Go get that machine gun!
What are you waiting for!
What's wrong?
It's jammed.
One of the tanks got the panzer.
All right! Let's go!
Good luck to you, Corporal.
I'll be glad to get back to my wife.
She's been waiting six years.
We all have families.
A panzer! Near the obelisk!
Fire!
Got it! With the smoke shell!
He's going to shoot at us!
No time to reload! Ram him! Ram him!
A panzer. Our first in Paris.
Ah, those cowards.
They ran away.
All right, all right. Let's go.
Let's go.
Come on!
Let's go. Back up.
That's right.
We made it at last.
There it is.
Now all we have to do is get inside.
That's not going to be so easy,
Lieutenant.
Well, someone's got to do it.
All right, men, let's go.
Joliot, you and your men guard the entrance.
The others, Gully, Herman, come with me. Inside.
Do we shoot?
Why else are we here? For a picnic?!
Back, everyone!
A grenade. Quick!
In the interest of saving lives
and after a token resistance to preserve our honor,
I'll surrender the city.
I remain, Herr Consul Nordling, gratefully yours...
And so on and so forth.
And see that all this is packed.
We're about to be prisoners of war.
That's if we're lucky.
That'll give me a chance to read
War and Peace at last.
Colonel, I would like to thank you, too.
Get out, all of you, one by one, with your hands up.
All of you, take care of them.
Where's the General?
Herman.
So, Colonel,
where's the General?
Who? The General?
- Yes. - He's upstairs.
Will he surrender?
He will surrender,
but only to an officer of the regular army.
Show us the way.
They are here.
Lieutenant Henri Karcher, army of General de Gaulle.
Lieutenant General von Choltitz, Commander of Paris.
Are you willing to surrender?
Ja.
Unconditionally?
Ja.
Then you are my prisoner.
Give us your arms.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Major Larorie.
General von Choltitz, you have engaged in battle,
you have lost.
In the name of General Bayet,
I ask you to give me some of your officers
who will ride in Jeeps carrying the white flag
so we can convey the order of surrender
to those still fighting.
There are already too many killed and wounded.
General, will you follow me?
Karcher, you're in charge of the others.
Yes, sir.
The moment has come.
Come on.
Where are you taking me?
You've surrendered to the French army.
Now you're going to sign the act of capitulation.
Hello, Papa?
This is Lieutenant Karcher.
Your son.
In spite of your pessimistic view of my military career,
I'd like to announce that I've just made prisoners
of the general in command of Paris
at the Hotel Meurice.
He surrendered to me.
But I'm still very bad at drill.
Go on! Go on!
Go on! Oh...
We made it.
We won the race.
Where are we?
In front of Notre Dame.
What's it look like?
Just like they said, big.
And beautiful with... two towers.