January 1943 the Allied threat to Hitler's domination of Europe is
increasing in Yugoslavia a savage and unpublicized war rages for two years
fighting in a terrain ideal for guerrilla warfare a country half bleak
mountain half Green Valley alone and unaided the partisans led by Joseph bras
Tito have prevented the total occupation of the Balkans in order to slam the door against an Allied invasion of southern
Europe Hitler determines to stamp out once and
for all a stubborn partisan movement for this final offensive the Germans masse
200,000 troops supported by crack Panzer units by the Italian army and by pro-nazi factions in Yugoslavia the
Chetniks and news stations against this seemingly invincible war machine an
obscure and poverty-stricken people has nothing but its own courage its own will to survive outnumbered 10 to 1 they
battle without planes or tanks their only weapons are the captured guns of
the enemy an epidemic of typhus breaks out in their ranks they march with her
sick though wounded the very old the very young their fate to be decided at
[Music] listen to your sister you too Novak what
if I stoop down a little then you won't slice me off in the next hold it that's
it hey family I bet you could go for a bowl full of oil for this signs people
of Yugoslavia long live our Republican long live Tito the British and the
Americans [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
second headquarters company reporting hacking ah Thank You sergeant
everyone here everyone serve except general morale it was on his way from
closer all right see that nobody interrupts us
and when the Italians come let them wait may teach them to be more punctual
johanna van well let's start you've all been briefed unplanned vices though the
partisans are here concentrated at b arc by moving rapidly we can set up a nice
track from the east brian bus division will attack supported by the Anika group
and the 714 your SS battalions will attack from the West
vitamin your target areas are here and here in the south are the Italians
station that pros are and the cross the Neretva are the Chetniks you come with
Kratzer your plan says we'll drive down from the north with your station
infantry directly into the heart of quito so-called state yes sir
have your units reach their positions not yet general but they should arrive
by 2100 hours and see teacher we'll have to fight on all fronts if he tries to
protect his wounded and there are thousands of them if we pinned down at
Biak he can't move and that gentleman gives us our chance of course you
understand that wiping out the partisans resistance is not the whole story
Glenn Weiss has a much wider significance the general is thinking of
a second front let's write concern you're all aware that the others are
planning an invasion exactly if you can crush the partisans we can seal off the Balkans
it was live as the key to the situation if we control the coast the others will
think twice about attempting it thank you you'll see this is not another
orthodox war at all no this is a how did you describe it once Krenzel a saloon
broad sir yes that's at the saloon brawl but there
are no rules the fuse commands are explicit we take no prisoners and show
them no mercy all right all right show them and they've waited long enough keep
this well in mind any partisan you are tempted to spare we'll be glad to show
you his gratitude for your sentimentality with a hand grenade or a
couple of well aimed bullets well that's all you have my best wishes cons I'm relying on you much is at stake good
morning how are you little but I'm sorry you seem to have arrived a bit late I
guess I'll have to go over our plans once again
[Music] us check out the unit
and three and on three come in come in propositions
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
Oh get sweeter for me find out what's holding up this battalion come in please
I take for my position yes sir immediately immediately sir
[Music]
the tanks are coming better bring your region closer I'm not sure even if you
hit us just keep on pounding we're laying in their lap don't worry about
that
[Music]
Hey look look over there they come [Music]
no not yet just resistance is quite
strong I doubt whether we can advance into px tonight but tomorrow I'm sure we'll break through thank you
[Music]
yes commit
we'll move
headquarters wants us to pull out would it take up positions at Bianca then the
Germans must have broken through they cracked our line somewhere it sounds
like it hello
get your guns ready to withdraw to be hack or just came through from Division
[Applause] that's right pull back what do you mean
who the hell says we can defend me huh if they want to come up and get me I'm
staying right here come on counter-attack
hello ma you Ken I'd better go after it looks like the only way get the brigade ready to withdraw hey take it easy with
him Yvonne don't go
[Music] brother
[Music]
we're pulling out Novak and I've got to find Martin brother
[Music] now listen Martin you got an order are
you going to disobey it I've already told the battery to get
ready to pull out but if it was up to me I'd have attacked we have them people
hello chuka I got it yeah we move out will abandon the
liberated areas evacuating our wounded in the civilian population then launch
an offensive against frozen certainly that's what they least expect
then push to the Neretva maybe take a deep breath and run 300 kilometers was
doing it by having us throw our lives away maybe you're asking what they
choose their lives or the liberation the liberation that's what they'd answer and
that's exactly why we're taking them with us risk or no risk gamble or no
gamble well then we'd better get under the plan of operation the disposition of
your troops will be as follows my division as well as your brigade apart
supported on both flanks by shock troops we'll proceed south in two columns and
detect the Italian position of pros Oh steeper you evacuate the hospital and
bring up the rear I understand wladim vlados stay awake this involves you too i want your squad to mine all the roads
leading into biak now that's the kind of work you enjoy that right
demolition Martin it's just a job like any other comrades we have a long march
to the river no wrecks fun let's start
you're taking too long you've got to get your people out of here I'm moving the
patients as quickly as I can commander so please don't shout at me that'd be the head surgeon
what's the matter how much more time do you need to clear the hospital at least
a couple more hours city must be evacuated by night
don't worry wait up come on commander will you make them untie me by my hands
they say I'm crazy but that's not true comrade commander the doctor says it's
the bullet he's going to take it out
[Music] that's a friend yeah for you night I do
anything I go to the fire and I thank you faster you'd better hurry now they leave I'll see you later alright alright
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
ready yeah all set take cover
alright let's go
[Music] we
[Music]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Music] hey you cool what's the idea of stopping
me right on the hill maybe we ride with you I've been dragging my kids in this road for the last two weeks they can
hardly stand on their feet it involved a no room brother move damn it clear the
road hell no I don't move Tito said you had to take everybody and that needs me
and my children come on surely we can at least take the men's
children to frozen where do I put them we're full up there's no room there is
now the Gunners there which ones that the young student redheaded woman
I know
I don't care what you do I'm not moving yeah yeah all right you can give me a
head
[Applause]
[Music]
a capital o capital no what's up I don't
think I like the way things smell you're right then pretty soon is going to get a
hell of a lot worse our division is going to action against the partisans you sure that yes my they are not
against it the future of their country is at stake
they are not just doing all this is waiting for us kept the men moving like
how I want this regiment and process yes sir
[Music]
headquarters
[Music] Oh battery commanders to me [Music]
my command has been killed and you take over
yes but put the dead on the trucks wounded and the gun carriages they'll be
waiting for us at pros oh damn snow cover sources
[Applause] [Music]
where's your command Naismith's know that hello Stoller hello Yvonne any
message from Arden no I haven't heard anything what we
can't wait I think we better call the step
[Music]
how are you alright
Novak [Music]
here's the picture we took in PR do you remember yours mine and this I'll give DeVoe come
here give me because she was transferred to a new outlet I'll see him before you
all right you hungry you know me do we go tonight without the support of Martin's artillery or hold up until we
hear from them before attacking Prosser that's the position I have personally
designed our defense system and our fire plan here and we can hold out my dear
general till the end of the war is necessary even longer but you mightier
general you must make a move you must put some pressure on the enemy flank you
must attack I repeat we can hold out here indefinitely
but these these armored troops of yours where are they they're always coming but
they never arrived just old pros already that's all a simple task general auf
wiedersehen arrivederci
your men ready
[Applause]
Wow Capitano are we going to shoot at them
the only way Shan you suppose I go over to their side then I have to fight
against you and you are not the real enemy how there's what they believe but the thing is right
sometimes the paradox to the best thing is not to think at all to just do that is to worry about your own skin
[Music]
where the hell your coach where's the surgeon I need him
what is it what's the matter we're on our way to pros
I can't wait aware doctor we didn't take pros oh that means you know we can't go
north and now we can't go south we've got the Germans on our tails and we've
got the Italian sitting up there what we do I don't know
turn around I guess around where don't ask me but you're damn well can't go to pros I should have attacked they should
have waited till I brought my cannon up [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
well done men you've done a magnificent job fine work the partisans will
remember this day for a long time to come we have smashed the enemy that
tempt to break through to the Neretva and now with our terminal I will finish
the job rushing water remains of People's Army between us sweep the country clean
Cappadonna are you sick capital what's the man get
the hell out of here [Music]
stop following me like a dog I don't need anyone to hold my hand beat it
guitars listen don't you see nobody can help me
that means you
I've got to solve this alone gone okay I'll go
yes capital [Music]
still let here's your directive I have to get to another meeting carry on
[Music] 10 is around I wanted read by everyone
[Music]
boss himself [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music] [Laughter]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music] let's go it's clear
what tell me no
[Applause]
hello let me speak with general Laurie Laurie at once well where is he then
sleeping well go and wake him up I must speak with him [Applause]
[Music] go stop
[Music] [Applause] [Music]
what did you do a thing like that for capitana come on we are going back
backward they're going back to frozen to surrender
[Music] Donita honey for novak don't worry he's alright but vuko there was a brave
fighter better than novak it's heartbreaking to think of him gone what
are you talking about your brother is dead you're like pascal never lies I saw
your brother die myself I don't believe it your life well did you get down here
and you who everybody thought you got knocked off not a chance
I'm too drugged did I sit come on over got it out you've had enough pull yourself together get up okay buddy but
first a little drink we gotta celebrate oh you know something
I was really worried
[Applause]
[Music]
ladies out there and it's on the house
and so the road is open to the Neretva people of Yugoslavia dave-o this camera
commander
[Applause]
keep filming and the other girl fog lifts the horses are good right that's
right mr. Churchill you didn't tell me about buco
[Music] [Applause] [Music]
what do you think Foucault would say if he saw promise no matter what happened
wouldn't cry [Music]
[Laughter] [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
I want a dance move come on [Music]
come dance with us commander dance with me
[Music] look
[Music]
[Applause]
[Laughter]
what's wrong
[Laughter]
[Music] [Laughter] you've got typhus look at me I can still
dance Nicola get to the hospital sure but who'll take care of my pigeons
Rustom I'll take care of the pigeons Don Rustom I want you to get him over to the
hospital right away have mercy dr. Frank commander
[Applause]
[Music]
come right commander look what I found what are we going to do with these two
fascists whoa I don't even know what the fascist is they gave me a gun and
suddenly I was assaulted you're a fascist murderer
and you're an officer how many partisans of you butchers kill him Capitano go on tell him that we're on their side but
these guys are gonna put us against the wall I suppose you never fired at us yes
I found but I came here on my own free will I wasn't taking prison if you fired
you're a fascist like all the others I came here because I want to fight for an
Italy without fascism because I found it was fighting under the wrong flag that's
the truth I hate fascism and if you let me I'll prove it I don't ask you for
anything but that well he sounds all right to me
let's take him along might make use of their I don't want any part of you tell
you what's your name captain Michael River your artillery aren't you caliber
guns were using 76 is and 45 okay I'll take I could use you've got it
give the captain back issues commander I've been looking for a good pair for
months and take them off
[Music] hey retard indirect matter you know how
about taking my kids with you Hey [Music]
you are cute pretty girl oh I know you intend you are like like done Javon kono
we are cameras now besides I am married five years
like you I'm also married five years home in Zagreb I've got a darling little
boy four years old
[Applause]
[Music]
this is their last chance it's the only road left opens with them we've
completely sealed off the north so Tito will try to cross the nether fire
blankets and get into the mountains all right then we'll be happy to assist him
on his way and when he's there at the bridge we destroy him Francis tanks will keep pressure on
their ear God but we must see to it that God a single partisan crosses that
bridge therefore
thanks a lot general though it's not exactly a beach party
[Applause] I understand the stumps been delaying us
yes it's snowing on the enemy - that's right trap I'll make contact with their
rearguard soon yes sir of course sir you all got the message
we've been ordered to push on without waiting for our main forces to join us
well since we can't wait will shove ahead and hit them with what we've got
damn blizzard you're lucky doesn't shit falling from
the sky [Music]
Santa Maria what a cool beginning for
the village [Applause]
[Music]
God is our strength [Applause]
Jimmy soon we must unsheath our daggers yes the moment of decision is upon us when I think of the sacrifices you must
make for king and country the blood you will shed my soul weeps out but with the
aid of our German allies and the Italians we will deal the deathblow to
these jackals these so-called partisans soon Tito's head will roll at our feet
[Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
my god the duck don't spread any rumors or bring connecter get going
[Music]
come here uh instrument hurry nada did you hear me it's raising crazy
nada see that her hair is cut off
no don't do it doctor please go outside lieutenant area she won't be able to
walk go Nicola come on I'll go
Nikola you're beautiful [Music]
hold me and so it last crossing the dangerous mountains in the frozen woods
we came to the river this endless column of which I was part
in which stretched from eternity to eternity descended the last hills and a
cry rose from the great throat we are here we have come through and then the
roads opened themselves up the sick miraculously healed the wound had walked
and even the dead stood up to be beside us in that hour
[Music] [Applause]
here for you what is it take a look open it
I can't do it even sure you can't open
[Music] [Applause] [Music]
I've kept it for you for quite a while [Music]
keep it until - we've cross the river [Music]
[Applause] dear Yvonne [Music]
hey just what the hell's going on here anyway Novak says the bridge is loaded
with explosives orders better get them back away from the bridge and just
exactly what is that supposed to mean what do you plan to do with the bridge well I beam ordered to blow it up what
yes even those dynamite listen comedian perhaps you don't know what we've faced
to get to this bridge and now you think you're gonna destroy it
yeah that's right Devon I'm going to blow it sky-high blown sky-high and what
do we do then go swimming pick blackberries
well there's squat till the crowds arrived my orders are to blow out the
bridge oh the rest is none of my business
orders huh well that's not what I call it a bad joke is what it is who signed
this order the supreme command well then you wouldn't mind showing me
Tito's signature I imagine typhus his eyes Novak
diapers
he hasn't got typhus sure he's got typhus he has not find out Novak I don't
have typist I'm only carrying out orders
don't any of you try to stop me I'll get back all of you
by Christ I'll shoot what is this a convention blow that bridge I'm just
about to do that how long do you think it'll take five minutes or I get moving
demolition squad on the level well I think something ought to be explained to
us first why did we march 300 kilometers to reach that bridge simply to see it
blown up now because we've been ordered to turn back that's why because the
Central Hospital up north is under attack and the Chetniks are positioned
across the river we must blow the bridge to protect our rear goodbye u-joints TP
and hold the Germans till we get there get going
we can move out
[Music]
I was only obeying orders come back
alright don't push my weight here you are the
other one I want you think everything's finished because you've blown up the bridge engineer maybe you guess wrong
[Applause]
[Music]
any our general certainly wasn't an accident
but why did they do it it's very stupid it was their last
chance they were apparently quite convinced of that it can be only one
explanation I want all troop movements to the South
Pole turd immediately and inform Colonel do becauseé his chetniks are to leave
their positions of the South Bank and the reinforced grunts as units as
quickly as they can detailed instructions will follow later
on this is crunches lucky day he was walking right into his arms the howitzers are still firing white to the
right jealous idiots to correct their range sergeant
Brown vilasa from the general
better warm up at the field kitchen it's a little cozier down there at
headquarters hey I've been for myself [Applause]
well how many citations 62e k15 italian general is really laying it on this week
how the shock drugs ready to go yes sir about ready sir if I may I
I'd like permission to join them on this maneuver refused now they are on target
[Applause]
stop
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
they've cut about my hair I want it back even don't worry I promise you'll get it
back you wanna you sure I'm sure
don't try it out it's alright Oh chica
[Music]
I toss
can you squat up front [Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause] [Music]
with the first Battalion [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
cut battalion attack retake those positions and hold them
[Music]
you think you're the only one we are to
our asses in it okay major rider differences don't get at the end ten
seconds I'm coming out now is your chance bring up our tights let's smash through their light protect
[Music]
those feet forward
[Music]
look the Panthers they've broken through our lines I said it get your guns on
that hill and close that gap in the road
[Music]
[Applause] [Music]
how much you must place on play something anything please everybody sing
[Music] [Applause]
Derek what is that I don't know [Music]
[Applause] Garak just get the you stations in the
disco [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
no I mustn't lose you too
don't please anybody come on [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
same keep the pressure run along the whole front don't give up time to
regroup [Music]
about another devil confess that the community I am Sandra drink is on the
lines all right can say you must halt their advance cancer somehow everything depends on it
they must be stopped from I've got it general counter yes
oh sorry sweater
we're digging in give the order but the general specific but I want your opinion
captain I'll ask for it begin and trench for centuries prepare to defend our
position is my order quite clear very clear color and my order is what you'll
carry out
[Applause]
watch that blasted Krantz has given them the chance to build a bridge he idiot I
wanted to call this cretin commander personally and tell him that he's not to
stop bombing til it's knocked out all right here's your instructions on your
feet Novak I want you to take your squad up that hill occupy it and hold it aim
it at me first a book tell Martin that the minute he hears the attack on the
hill started he's to lay down a barrage I'll need every damn gun he's got while
I circled the valley right get going Novick hello catch Donita
wait okay let's go I want to be with Novak I think you'll manage without your
help I'll see you later
[Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
yeah uh listen here you better hurry I'll get into just you suddenly pick a
nice time for a snow come on you finish up
you're ruining my appetite little sister I'll save the rest for later hold your
fire until I open up let him get real close
[Applause] [Music] [Applause]
we must retreat commander order your officers to start the retreat at once
[Applause] do you get me yes senator
I hear you very well something about retreating we can't allow our best course is to be massacred wiped out if
we lose our best forces now we won't come find it Chetniks have never been
known to retreat senator they win or die commander the fighting spirit of the
chantix isn't in question we attacked that's Chetnik politics right commander
but let's talk sense for him we have a ward not just a battle and I want the
Chetniks to win them both or leave their bodies lying in the battlefield is food for the carrion that's what they have to
do it's what they're forced to do but we
can postpone that's our advantage we can delay choose the decisive moment this is
the moment for them yes I make the military decisions here as the king's
commander I represent His Majesty's Government the government you represent
is in London we're here and I'm gonna cut their throats now
[Applause]
in the name of the king the name of our government and our party I order you to
[Music]
captain officers
attack
come on let's go [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
what
[Music]
[Applause]
get away
[Music]
get back
bhana Hey okay
before its cover the left flank and hurt
I've got to talk to you though they can't hold out anymore
let's begin the attack not yet but they'll all be killed
they'll be butchered staying there can't you understand you can't look up Diane and he'll listen stick there'll be no
attack until the circles complete no but no that's enough
I'm matters closed Korea yes [Music]
Oh God my head
[Music] okay
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
please [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause] no back
[Music]
30 job [Music]
[Applause] take the hill first then open fire in
the brain let's go turnout take your positions [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause]
follow me [Music]
[Applause]
[Music] hold your fire till they come within 30
meters [Music]
goodnight [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
- boss on your feet you take a seat back of it just swipe get out of there I'll move
you right in the tail [Music]
[Applause] [Music]
mother
[Music]
wait for me no wait I'll be back for you he'll be back
[Music] [Applause]
give me that gun get out of my way back off Yvonne Sabo put it down somebody get away okay I smell hey put that gun down
what's wrong with you are we fascist shooting men who are
unarmed get out of here get up you put you under arrest
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Applause] [Music]
what's your name boy miracle miracle and yours
[Applause]
[Music]
the Yvonne's the Novack's the doníts us all of the people of this story who
fought bled and died made possible the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany their
sacrifices were enormous every ninth Yugoslav cell in that struggle but out of their deaths and the ruins of war a
new nation was born [Music]
you [Music]