[ Woman ] Herr Leutnant, about the birds.
[ Chattering ]
- Good night. - Good night.
Good night. A most successful party.
[ Woman ] Absolutely wonderful.
- Bless you, Kaeti. - Good night.
Hans.
[ Drum Beating ]
What's that?
It sounds like a drum, Countess.
[ Drumming Continues ]
[ Laughing ]
- Good evening. - Hmm.
As this is my first opportunity...
of speaking to you tonight, I'll repeat it.
Good evening.
And good evening to you, too, good and faithful family servant.
Good morning.
That late? I must have fallen asleep during your speech.
- [ Thump ] - Hans, some wine for the musician.
- [ Glass Ringing ] - White.
[ Drumsticks Tapping ]
Well, I suppose I might as well say it.
Say what?
You're beautiful.
- So are you. - Hmm.
And where is Herr General?
- Your husband. - [ Clang ]
Oh, he doesn't worry about me.
He doesn't? Hmm.
Well, he should.
By now, he's with the Countess von Hoehlen--
on my right at dinner.
They play war games together.
These games go on until morning?
Sometimes.
My husband finds them very absorbing.
It's a very heavy responsibility being a general.
That depends how good you are at tactics.
Herr Leutnant.
[ Boot Heels Click ]
[ Drumsticks Tapping ]
[ Flourish ]
- Your wine, Herr Leutnant. - Hmm.
Thank you, Herr Leutnant.
It has been a long day.
[ Loud Clink ]
- Hans. - Yes, Herr Leutnant?
I want you to go to your mistress and tell her...
I think I know what she means.
- Now, Herr Leutnant? - Now.
[ Kaeti ] Come in.
I knew you would come.
- Darling, I am-- - [ Clears Throat ]
- [ Kaeti Laughing ] - Tactics.
Oh, you fool.
- [ Piano ] - [ People Chattering ]
There's a heap of letters in your room, Herr Leutnant.
- Mmm. - From all over Germany.
- Any of them perfumed? - Yes, Herr Leutnant.
There's one from Stuttgart.
- Towards the end, she says-- - Yes?
[ Boot Heels Click ] Herr Leutnant.
[ Laughing ]
Ah. Hello, Cobra. How was Berlin?
Hectic. Brought you a present, Willi.
Souvenir.
- Kind of you. - [ Humming ]
I doubt if our tastes coincide.
Oh, but they do. Glasses?
[ Continues Humming ]
[ Cork Pops ]
Thank you.
Prosit.
Excellent.
What year is this?
Uh...
1903.
We've tolerated you here because we've had to!
One of these days, Stachel--
or should I call you Bruno?
One of these days, I'm going to shake you up... considerably.
It will give me pleasure, Willi.
- [ Glass Shatters ] - I'll look forward to it.
I wonder if you're as good as you think you are...
in or out of bed.
[ Laughing ]
Well, Otto?
Thousands of trucks carrying troops.
I flew over two miles of them.
[ Coughs ]
And it's continuous, like the anti-aircraft fire.
Uh, the new replacements. They just arrived.
They're only half-trained.
I want every man in the air tomorrow, including replacements.
To sum up, then, our offensive has come to a standstill.
A massive enemy counterattack is developing.
The Americans are pouring men into the battle area.
Our army is hard-pressed.
We are outnumbered in the air...
and our observation planes are shot down before they can report.
High command urgently wants information.
Today, I shall lead the squadron...
on a decoy mission to SaintJust to divert British patrols.
Meanwhile, an observation plane from Squadron 35...
will attempt a photographic reconnaissance of the area around Amiens.
I want two of you to provide close escort.
Stachel.
All right.
Rendezvous at 0800 hours over sector three.
You'll fly the two triplanes. Take care of them.
They are the last ones we are likely to get.
Questions?
All right, gentlemen.
[ Engines Starting ]
Stachel.
Did you meet my wife at the hospital?
- Yes, Herr Hauptmann. - Was she all right?
She is well, Herr Hauptmann.
Thank you. Good luck.
[ Machine-gun Fire ]
[ Clicking ]
- [ Clicking ] - [ Machine-gun Fire ]
Where's Willi?
He's dead.
[ Glass Clinking ]
[ Sighs ] He was flying too low.
He hit the trees.
- What happened? - He hit the trees!
I landed. There wasn't anything I could do.
He was a better man than you.
Well, he's dead.
- Is that your test? - Yes.
- And that was his test too. - What do you mean?
- [ Footsteps ] - [ Man ] Herr Hauptmann.
Air observation report two British planes down in sector nine.
Willi didn't die for nothing.
I'm glad of that, Karl.
We can tell the family.
They'll be proud of him.
What makes you think he shot them down?
You mean they're yours?
- Why do you think they're not? - Well, are they?
Willi killed himself trying to fly me into the ground and went in instead.
I'm asking you if those two planes are yours or Willi's.
All right, they're mine! They belong to me!
[ Kettering ] Stachel.
I've just read your armorer's report.
Your guns were jammed. You only fired 40 rounds.
Forty rounds?
Two three-second bursts.
Is your marksmanship that good?
Yes.
I'm not confirming these two victories, Stachel...
but I will report your astonishing marksmanship to air headquarters.
[ Bell Tolling ]
[ Drum Beating ]
[ Drumming Continues ]
[ Man ] Firing party, right wheel.
Firing party...
halt.
Left turn.
Order arms.
Otto, the general has asked me to tell you he's seen your report to headquarters.
The two victories claimed by Stachel are to be confirmed.
The general feels you are inclined to be, uh...
prejudiced against this officer.
[ Praying In Latin ]
[ Continues Praying ]
Firing party, load!
Present!
Fire!
Reload!
Present.!
- Fire.! - [ Gunshots ]
Reload.! Present.!
- Fire.! - [ Gunshots ]
[ Rifles Reloading ]
[ Ringing ]
I hope the owner of this place is as discrete as he looks, darling.
He should be. I paid him enough.
- What's the matter? - Nothing.
It's that bad, is it?
You'll have to decide which you prefer-- this or women.
[ Chuckling ] Why can't I have both?
- You're soaked through. - [ Glass Clinks On Table ]
- [ Glass Slides On Table ] - You should take better care of yourself.
Are you interested?
Yes.
- Don't you believe that? - Certainly.
But you were interested in Willi too.
Tell me.
How did you feel... today at the funeral?
Hmm. [ Chuckling ]
You know...
he never did accept me as his equal...
in or out of bed.
You're deliciously crude, darling.
Hmm. You amuse me.
I?
People like you.
- Oh, me? - The count, Willi.
[ Laughing ] Amuse or shock?
I said, amuse.
I adore your innocence.
You really believe your betters should behave better, don't you?
Don't patronize me.
Not if it offends you.
Darling? My feelings for you...
have nothing to do with the death of Willi.
You and I are alike, Bruno.
You're good for me.
Willi was a fool. [ Sighs ]
He didn't die in battle.
He died trying to prove he could fly better than I can.
What?
We played a game.
In and out of the trees. He lost.
But I was the bigger fool.
I claimed two planes he shot down.
I shouldn't have done that.
I can get 20 victories without anyone's help.
That game, whatever it was, it was about me, wasn't it?
In a way, yes.
I find that exciting.
Would you die for me like Willi did?
No.
Are you sure?
[ Laughing ]
[ Moans ]
[ Klaxon Blaring ]
All right! Push!
All right. Straight now.
Come on!
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
It lasted about ten minutes.
They came in low-- Sopwiths. They hit the stores and the fuel dumps.
We are being blasted out of the skies.
I tell you, the fuel dumps are gone!
Now, Ziegel, let's get this mess cleared up.
I want to be airborne again by tomorrow.
Come on, Ziegel.
All squadrons have now been ordered to concentrate on the Marmont sector.
The enemy have just achieved a major breakthrough.
Twelve enemy divisions are moving up on the Marmont road.
They are our target. There is to be no air combat.
- [ Men Chattering ] - No air combat!
- Understood? - [ Men ] Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
Our army's in retreat, so we must do the same.
Understood, Herr Hauptmann.
Stachel!
Your personal ambitions take second place to the war.
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man ] Get out of the way.!
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Neighing ]
[ Man ] Push.! Over.!
[ Man ] Hurry up.! Here come theJerries.!
- [ Machine-gun Fire ] - [ Shouting]
- [ Airplanes Diving ] - [Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man ] Come on, boys.! Look out.!
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Screams ]
[ Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
- [ Neighing ] - [ Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man ] See it?
[ Man ] Fire.!
[ Screaming ]
[ Man ] Over here.!
[ Machine-gun Fire ]
[ Airplanes Droning ]
[ Klaxon Blaring ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
Five, six...
seven--
Come on. All of you.
Otto! Are you all right?
[ Engine Revs ]
[ Men Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man ] This way. Over here. Come on.
You have cost nearly half the squadron.
We shot down seven planes.
Three of them are mine.
Now you have got 22.
You and I know that 20 wasn't enough for you.
The Blue Max is more than a medal to you. It's a badge--
something to show you are as good as Willi.
Not just Willi.
I will see you never wear that medal.
You disobeyed my orders.
I'm going to have you court-martialed.
- Kettering. - Sir.
Escort the leutnant to his quarters.
Your nerve's gone. You've had enough.
- Stachel. - Why don't you do what your wife wants?
- Get a desk job in Berlin. - Come on, Stachel.
[ Men Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man Shouting, Indistinct ]
Quick.! Quick.!
This way.! Over here.! Come on.! Quickly.!
[ Footsteps Approaching ]
[ Knocking ]
Stachel. You've been ordered to Berlin.
- Here he is. - [ Engine Running ]
- Good-bye. - Herr Hauptmann.
- [ Dog Barking ] - [ Baby Crying ]
[ Bell Tolling ]
- [ People Shouting, Indistinct ] - [ Glass Shatters ]
[ Neighing ]
[ Man ] Millions have been slaughtered on battlefields.
For what reason? For nothing!
I say down with the Kaiser and his generals!
The time is now ours!
Long live the revolution.!
- [ Women Screaming ] - [ Men Shouting, Indistinct ]
[ Man ] Look out.!
- [ Knocking ] - [ Shouting Continues ]
[ Door Opens ]
- [ Boot Heels Click ] - My dear Otto.
- Herr General. - Sit down.
Thank you.
- Did you have a good journey? - Yes, thank you.
Sit down.
Otto, tomorrow, Leutnant Stachel...
is going to receive the Blue Max.
So you do not accept my report, Herr General.
He is young, vigorous, ruthless...
a born leader-- at a time when we need his kind.
I believe Leutnant Stachel should be court-martialed...
for the good military reasons I've set out.
- Good military reasons are sometimes not enough. - They are for me.
Otto...
you and I have a greater loyalty than to the book of rules.
To Germany.
- We are Germany. - Exactly.
Take a look outside.
[ Muffled Shouting ]
You see that?
Revolution is just beneath the surface!
If that happens, everything we stand for will be destroyed...
unless the German Officer Corps stands like a rock...
intact and-- what is more important-- untarnished.
I made this... Stachel into a national hero for good military reasons.
If I court-martial him now, it will reflect on the integrity...
of the whole Officer Corps.
Herr General...
I see now I have notions of honor...
which are outdated.
[ Sighs ] They're not outdated!
"Stored..."
with care... and love...
for better times.
Here's your report, Otto. I ask you to withdraw it.
- I won't do that. - I know that.
If you insist on this course, Herr General...
I must resign my command.
I do insist.
In that case, I should like an appointment...
to the staff here in Berlin.
[ Sighs ] That request is granted.
[ Boot Heels Click ]
Otto...
I have managed to persuade the crown prince...
to make the presentation himself.
Afterwards, Stachel will test-fly the new monoplane.
It will be better if you were there.
I understand, Herr General.
- [ Waltz ] - [ Chattering ]
The keys to Leutnant Stachel's suite, please.
- Thank you. - [ All Talking At Once ]
Excuse me, please Excuse me.
- Stachel, come on. - [ Chattering, Laughing ]
This way, Stachel.
[ Continues, Muffled ]
[ Continues, Louder ]
I trust you will be, uh, comfortable.
A lot more comfortable than I'd expected.
I thought the press reception went rather well, hmm?
I'll take your word for that.
The bathroom is through there.
- How do you like your bedroom? - [ Concludes ]
Oh, uh, if there's anything you want--
and I mean anything-- just call reception, hmm?
- You understand? - I think so.
Good.
I'll call in the morning to take you to the airfield.
Pleasant dreams.
[ Door Closes ]
Reception, please.
Reception, this is Leutnant Bruno Stachel.
I don't want anything.
[ Cork Pops ]
[ Buzzer ]
Have I come to the right room this time?
Yes.
- Countess. [ Boot Heels Click ] - Herr Leutnant. [ Laughing ]
[ Humming Waltz ]
[ Squealing ]
May I offer my congratulations?
You may. [ Resumes Humming ]
[ Lips Smacking ]
- Can I get you a drink? - Please.
I hope you'll be able to be there tomorrow.
Of course. I want to--
- Mmm! - [ Laughs ] No, I want to--
[ Laughing ]
No, please. I want to talk to you.
- Talk? - Please.
All right.
Talk.
I'm going away tomorrow.
Where?
To Switzerland.
- Why? - Germany's finished.
The war will soon be over, and I don't want to be here when it happens.
Yeah.
Is the general going with you?
No. I want you to come with me.
Kaeti.
I know you're getting your Blue Max tomorrow...
but we wouldn't leave till after the presentation.
I see.
Go on.
You will still have your medal, darling.
It's a piece of scrap. It's worth exactly five marks.
You'll never need to pawn it. I've got plenty of money in Zurich.
Don't you understand what this means to me?
In a few months from now, you will be ashamed to wear a uniform.
You're very stubborn, Bruno.
But if you want to see the war out to the end...
I can get you transferred to a post near the Swiss frontier.
Field Marshal von Lenndorf is a friend.
How dramatic you look.
You can get me transferred, can you?
Do you think I came all this way to run off to Switzerland with you?
You gambled your life for me once with Willi.
That was about flying, Kaeti, not about you.
Run off to Switzerland and become one of your lap dogs?
[ Sighs ]
There's nothing I want to run away from, Kaeti, not even myself.
Come on now, don't be angry.
Where's that aristocratic poise I like so much?
Don't you dare talk to me like that.
Now-- Now, Countess, I'll get you that drink.
- Serve it to someone else! - [ Glass Shatters ]
[ Door Slams ]
[ Martial ]
- [ Concludes ] - [ Boot Heels Click ]
[ Boot Heels Click ]
The fatherland is grateful, Herr Leutnant.
Thank you, Your Highness.
[ Boot Heels Click ]
[ "Deutschlandlied" ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Continues, Muffled ]
Yes?
The field marshal said what?
I can't stop the proceedings now. It's too late.
[ Concludes ]
All right, but where is the field marshal?
Ask him to telephone me as soon as he returns.
[ Clears Throat ]
Get hold of Stachel. Take him somewhere, anywhere.
Just... keep him out of sight.
And, Holbach...
- send Heidemann to me. - Yes, Herr General.
[ Martial ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Chattering ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
[ Boot Heels Click ] Herr General.
Otto, I want you to fly the monoplane.
And Stachel?
There has been a little misunderstanding. It will be cleared up soon.
Without a court-martial, I hope, Herr General.
Will you take the machine up?
- That is an order? - Yes.
Very well, Herr General.
[ Shouts, Indistinct ]
[ No Audible Dialogue ]
Herr Stachel?
- Thank you. - [ Engine Revs ]
Someone else is gonna fly it.
You said there was a... technical holdup.
Oh, I think there are other difficulties.
Obviously, while the general irons them out...
he thought it best not to disappoint the public.
- What difficulties? - I'm afraid I don't know.
Well, who's going to fly it?
Herr Heidemann, I believe.
Frau Heidemann. How are you?
What's happening, Herr Leutnant?
- I thought you were going to fly it. - So did I.
I never wanted him to fly again.
[ Rings ]
Yes? Ah, yes. I will hold on.
[ Airplane Continues Circling ]
You're late, darling.
Ah. Yes, Herr Field Marshal.
May I ask how you came by that information, Herr Field Marshal?
[ Airplane Circles Close By ]
[ Crowd Chattering ]
[ Excited Chattering ]
[ Chattering, Applause ]
You told the field marshal...
that Stachel had claimed two planes shot down by Willi.
Why?
Why? Where did you get the information?
- He told me himself. - Ah.
He's an upstart. He insulted me.
So this time, you really lost your head.
The field marshal is insisting on a court of inquiry.
They're going to disgrace him--
an officer with the highest decoration Germany can give!
All because of your stupid little anger! Do you understand?
Do you?
When they do that, they disgrace...
the whole German Officer Corps.
- [ Door Opens ] - Yes, Otto?
What is it, Otto?
Herr General, that machine is a deathtrap.
The struts are too weak...
for the wing loading under stress.
I was lucky to get down alive.
Thank you, Otto.
Flight office, please.
Holbach.
I want to speak to Stachel.
Stachel, everything's in order now.
You can take her up...
and let's see some real flying.
- Sit down! - [ Gasps ]
Sit down.
Control yourself.
[ People Chattering ]
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Cheering Continues ]
Switches on!
[ Cheering Continues ]
[ Engine Drowning Out Crowd Noise ]
[ Crowd Cheering ]
[ Crowd Gasps ]
- [ Loud Crack ] - [ Crowd Gasps ]
[ Engine Stalling, Misfiring ]
[ Airplane Diving ]
[ Dive Continues ]
- [ Crash ] - [ People Screaming, Shouting ]
- [ Klaxon Blaring ] - [ Screaming, Shouting Continue ]
- Holbach. - [ Crying]
Give this to the field marshal.
It is the personnel file of a German officer...
and a hero.
Yes, Herr General.
[ Door Closes ]
Stand up, Kaeti.
We'll be late for lunch.
[ Boot Heels Click ]