[ Radio: ]
"We are broadcasting from the aerodrome where Prime Minister Chamberlain."
"Has this minute returned from Munich."
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime Minister."
"This morning, I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler."
"And here is the paper."
"Which bears his name."
"As well as mine."
"Some of you perhaps, already have heard what it contains."
"But I would just like to read it to you."
"We are resolved."
"That the method of consultation."
"Shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions."
"That may concern our two countries."
"And we are determined."
"To continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference."
"And thus to contribute .."
"To assure the peace of Europe."
"For the second time in our history."
"A British Prime Minister has returned from Germany."
"Bringing peace with honour."
Splendid. - What relief.
How could we?
Handing over Britain to Hitler without raising a finger.
Do you think it is about time we woke up?
Keith.
Appeasement!
Letting him get away with it, year after year.
What in heaven's name are we coming to anyway?
Have you ever made any effort to understand our foreign policy?
Well, does it require any effort?
1935, Ethiopia.
1936, Spain.
1937, China.
!938, Munich.
Is that what you call foreign policy? Or would "cowardice" be more correct?
It makes me ashamed of being an Englishman.
How dare you, sir!
Paper, sir? Picture-paper here, sir.
Paper .. read all about it.
Paper, sir. Paper?
Get your papers here. All the latest news.
Papers, sir. Get your latest news, sir.
Paper, Guvnor? Prime Minister makes a deal with Hitler.
Read all about it, sir.
No flowers? - Flowers, sir?
Yes, flowers .. big ones.
Rest in peace.
They are customary at times like these, aren't they?
I see what you mean, sir. It is a blasted shame, isn't it.
Wing Commander, sir? - Yes.
I was in the last one myself, sir.
Sergeant-Major.
Left it at Ypres.
Don't you ever wonder why?
That I does, sir .. what good did it do?
Same old fuss all over again.
Only this time, we're acting like a pack of frightened schoolboys.
Paper?
Great news, what?
Oh yes, indeed. Wonderful news.
What this country needs is a bit of waking up.
Will this cover your papers?
Why yes, sir. But ..
Alright Sergeant-Major, let's try waking them up.
Here you are ladies and gentlemen, the latest edition.
Read all about the shame of England.
Prime Minister surrenders to the gangster of Munich.
Disgraceful, sir! And you in a uniform.
Extra! Extra! All about the great magician.
Hitler makes mice out of Englishmen. Runs another bluff on Prime Minister.
Read all about it!
A great nation's cowardice astonishes world.
Here, what's all this?
Take one, officer. Read about the death of an old friend of yours: England.
Now see this. You'll create no disturbance in this neighbourhood.
If it's criticism of the government you want to voice, kindly go to Hyde Park.
I'm afraid you don't follow me, officer.
This isn't a criticism. It's a denouncement.
Then you do your denouncing somewhere else.
Now, get away from here before I run you both in.
Come on, Sergeant-Major. I'll buy you another drink.
Another drink? Another drink will make it an even one.
Begging your pardon, sir. But you'll have to be a bit more careful.
Is it possible my good man ..
That you find the policy of appeasement palatable?
I don't rightly know what that means, sir.
But I can't afford to have my bar turned into a house of treason.
Oh, so now the truth about this commonwealth becomes treason.
And what, may I ask, do you call it when Herr Hitler this morning ..
Was permitted to stamp the Swastika upon the Royal Seal of Great Britain?
Or haven't you heard of that paper the Prime Minister brought back from Munich?
Now see here, you. - Have no fear.
The Sergeant-Major and I won't lacerate your timid soul any further.
Down with Hitler. - All the way down.
Come on, Smitty.
Well, sir .. I've a feeling that people thinks we're lunatics.
That's the traditional fate of all prophets.
For all the waking-up we done, we might just as well have stayed in bed.
Smitty .. let's see if one picture is better than ten thousand words.
The finding of this court reads as follows.
That Wing Commander Keith Wilson of the Royal Air Force.
Is guilty of conduct unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman.
And is to retire from His Majesty's service.
Effective at once.
You too, Miller? - Your father is not at home, sir.
I didn't think he would be.
You may tell him it wasn't necessary to change the lock to keep me out.
I only came along to collect my things. - We'll go along too, if you don't mind.
These gentlemen have been waiting since morning.
Scotland Yard.
I don't remember that in a drunken moment I murdered somebody.
Nothing like that, Mr Wilson.
It's only that an old friend of yours wants to see you.
Does he have to have me Shanghaied?
Well, you see sir, he was afraid that otherwise you might not show up.
Who is this old friend? - You'll soon find out, sir.
Goodbye, Miller. - Goodbye, sir.
Yes, yes.
Yes, I'll see him at The Embassy.
[ Buzzer ]
"Mr Keith Wilson is here, sir." - Yes, send him in.
Thank you, Morris. - Patterson.
Cigarette?
Thanks.
This is .. all rather theatrical.
It reads rather like a detective story. - Yes, I suppose it does.
Sit down?
I prefer to listen to lectures standing up.
That way, I pass less attention. - As you wish.
What .. what do you intend to do now?
What do you mean, now? - Now. From now on.
Oh, do a bit of drinking I suppose. Not much time left, you know.
Nazi slave-labour has very few privileges I'm told.
You can always avoid that unpleasant possibility by leaving the country.
America, for instance.
Yes, I suppose I could.
Then what happens to England .. does matter to you.
What do you think?
More, I think than any man I've ever known.
That's why I sent for you. I need your help.
What can I do? I'm a pretty disreputable character you know.
That's exactly why .. there is something I want to show you.
Look. Do you mind if I ask you a question?
What's all this about?
Intelligence.
So you are Secret Service.
I never suspected.
The whole point of Secret Service is to prevent people suspecting.
This ..
This is one of the most important documents in all of Europe today.
It's a comparative study of German and British armed forces. Land, sea and air.
I won't bore you with the introduction. It's only the figures I ask you to hear.
As of the 1st of this month.
Tanks. Germany - 20,000.
England - 400.
400 tanks? You mean to say that's all we've got?
Oh, we're in good shape with tanks.
For instance, we have only one thousand Browning machine-guns.
And 75 Bren-gun carriers.
But that's fantastic. What about aircraft?
Germany - 40,000.
England - 800 or 900 .. mostly obsolete.
What have we been doing all this time?
Trying to behave like gentlemen.
Well, shall I go on, or do you think your blood-pressure won't stand it?
You're asking for a war with a country that's been getting ready for ten years.
They've got 3 million men, trained and ready.
What do you expect us to fight them with? Our bare hands?
What are we doing about it now? - Working day and night.
Tanks, guns, aircraft, ships, bombs.
I only hope it is not too late.
Then there's another thing very few people know.
We're facing one of the greatest conspiracies in all history.
It's a dirty game the Hun swine is playing.
Using every Nazi in the country from the Ambassador himself ..
To the cheapest scullery maid, is a highly trained observer.
Working directly for Hitler.
So, we've finally learnt that you can't fight in the gutter with kid gloves.
From now on, we're playing their game.
I want you to work for me in counter-espionage.
But how? Do you think they are stupid enough to take me in?
Oh, they're anything but stupid.
But, contrary to general opinion, so are we.
You speak German perfectly, I know. How about having a shot at it?
After all, if you're going in off the deep end.
You may as well do it for England.
By all means.
The Dutch Ambassador is giving a little party tomorrow night.
I don't know the Dutch Ambassador.
But you will by tomorrow night. You'll be old friends.
I .. I might tell you we have a certain understanding.
I'm sure everything will be very satisfactory.
Your job will be to cultivate a girl who will be there.
Her name is Von Preising. - Attractive? - Very.
She has a brother called Rudolph.
Who was an attaché at the Embassy here for two or three years.
Now, he's high up in Herr Goebbels propaganda bureau.
I see what you are after.
I thought you'd be interested.
It's a nice branch of service, this. Parties, pretty girls ..
I should have known about it before.
What did you say her name was? - Von Preising.
Von Preising.
It was the first time I visited Barcelona.
I remember the day very well indeed.
Yes, but at that time you were but .. a little girl.
You are quite right. - You must have enjoyed the Fiesta?
Yes, very much. It was very beautiful.
Yes, I remember. I was travelling with my family at the time.
Fräulein Von Preising, may I present an old friend of mine, Mr Wilson.
How do you do? - Señor Ortega of the Spanish Embassy.
Señor Mendez.
If you will excuse us, Fräulein Von Preising.
Certainly.
Would you ..? - Thank you.
Scotch? - Yes, with soda, please.
Two Scotch-and-sodas.
It's refreshing to meet a girl that doesn't like fancy drinks.
Is it that unusual? - Oh, yes.
Most of them like a drink doxied up with lemon, orange and cherries and rhubarb.
There should be a special punishment reserved ..
For people who spoil good whiskey by putting junk into it.
I thought that only Americans did that.
Like all bad habits, it is spreading all over the world.
Your photographs make you seem much older .. Wing Commander.
Well, you know what newspaper pictures are.
Besides, when they were taken I had certain responsibilities.
For one thing, I'm no longer a Wing Commander.
I know.
Would you like to dance?
Yes.
I don't think dancing with a cashiered officer would be much of a social risk.
Thanks.
Hello Ilse.
May I present my brother. Rudolph - Mr Wilson.
How do you do? - We're on our way to dance.
I hope you will excuse us.
You are from Ostróda aren't you?
My family is for generations. How did you know?
Because that's where the Prussian nobles come from.
Because only a man descended from a long line of Ostródens.
Could have possibly got that look into his face that your brother had just now.
One of complete and utter disapproval.
Perhaps I shouldn't say this.
But sometimes, I'm afraid Rudolph doesn't approve of me either.
In this case, I think he's right.
After all, I'm not the most sought-after male in London.
I could never understand why people indulge in formal friendships anyway.
In my experience, anything cut to a pattern, is likely to be very dull.
You sound as though there is a bit of the outlaw in you, too.
Probably the result of rigid parental supervision.
Amazing how closely our case-histories agree.
It encourages me to ask you to lunch tomorrow.
I know a little out-of-the-way place.
Knackwurst? Do you happen to like fine knackwurst?
Is there such a place in London?
It's been wonderful, Keith. These last few days.
Well, don't sound so sad about it.
This is just the beginning. Do you like frog's legs?
Yes.
Good. Then I know just the place. Tomorrow night.
I'd like very much to, but I'm leaving in the morning for Antibes.
For long? - I'm afraid so.
Well.
I ..
I hope you get back to England soon.
I hope so too.
Ahem .. hello.
Keith! You startled me.
I couldn't see the point of staying in London.
When the frog's legs are so much better here at the casino.
And you did say that you liked frog's legs.
I hope you don't mind.
Mind? Of course not. Come on, sit down.
Would you like some coffee?
Would you mind if I had whiskey? - Certainly not.
It's wonderful here. Hard to believe that it is grey and gloomy in London.
Whiskey and soda. - Yes, sir.
Did you have a nice trip? - A bit bumpy over the channel.
But what I wanted was speed, not comfort.
We have a date, haven't we? - Yes. - Every night?
There won't be many. We return to Germany very soon.
And leave this paradise? How can you tear yourself away?
Rudolph has been summoned back to Berlin.
Permanently?
You remember Rudolph? - Yes, of course. How are you?
And this is our host, Monsieur Rader.
How do you do? - An old friend from London, Mr Wilson.
Welcome to Villa Rader. - Thank you.
Mr Wilson is the author of the recent London sensation.
You are a writer, yes?
An artist of sorts.
Make public sketches and so forth. Nothing really.
Oh.
Oh!
A pleasant coincidence Mr Wilson. Your being here.
Nice of you to put it that way. As a matter of fact, it isn't a coincidence.
I came here to keep a dinner date with Ilse.
The .. romantic type?
Got to make a career out of something, you know.
Here's to it.
Marvelous orchestra, Henri. - Thank you, Ilse.
American.
I heard them in Paris and persuaded them to come down here for the season.
The music is excellent when I dance myself. Would you risk another one?
Certainly.
Is your brother the manager of the casino?
He's the owner.
You plan to stay long?
That depends .. a couple of weeks.
Unless I break the bank before then. In which case I move on to Monte Carlo.
I envy a man who has no more to worry about than his leisure.
Yes, I expect you chaps are pretty busy right now.
That's one reason for this.
I wanted to hurry up and get here before you took it over.
You see a German soldier behind every bush, don't you Mr Wilson?
Except the little ones. And behind those are junior German soldiers.
If you are not careful, this may develop into an obsession.
If not wanting to sit and let your enemy get the first punch is an obsession ..
Then it's developed already.
After all, if you've got to fight, you've got to fight.
That's all I want to do. That's all I want England to do.
With what? 400 tanks?
A thousand machine guns and 800 obsolete planes?
I must compliment you on your excellent Secret Service.
But if war came tomorrow, I think that Germany might have a little surprise.
What we lack in quantity.
We certainly make up for in brand-new improvements.
You see, when I campaigned for war, it wasn't as ill-informed as you think.
Will you excuse me while I try my luck?
Our English friend is what they call a "good loser".
Apparently a very heavy one.
Hello .. you are just in time to bring me luck. And not before I need it.
Seize-noir.
Are you satisfied now?
Mesdames and Messieurs.
You see, Henri, if we beat the trap heavily enough ..
We are sure to be successful.
I think there is value in your idea.
Come in.
Yes, sir?
The young Englishman Wilson, with Fräulein Von Preising ..
Has carte-blanche.
And you will see that he uses it.
Yes, sir.
Hoppner will check on him in London.
We've intercepted a letter from Von Preising to Herr Hoppner.
Have they decoded it yet? - Yes, sir.
They ask for all available information on Wilson.
Well, Keith is progressing.
Make sure Hoppner is allowed to collect all the information we've prepared.
You can have his letter back now.
Hoppner seems to have been as thorough as ever.
Yes indeed. We haven't made a mistake.
Wilson was an officer of even more importance than we thought.
Are you seeing him tonight? - At the casino.
Good luck.
Well my dear, you look charming in sable.
Thank you .. I hope Keith likes it. - Of course he will.
He has surprisingly good taste. For an Englishman.
Is he in love with you?
If he is, he has failed to let me know.
Are you by any chance, in love with him?
What possible interest could that be to you?
A great deal.
I have certain confidential information from our London agent concerning him.
It seems he held a rather important position in the British Air Ministry.
Yes?
You must understand.
That with proper handling, he might be of great value to the Reich.
There is something you must understand, Rudolph.
I will have no part in manufacturing traitors.
Every nation uses a spy system.
You may call it what you like. And you may use it if you like.
I cannot prevent it .. but I myself will have no part of it.
Pierre.
I am expecting Mr Wilson. Tell him I have a headache and I have retired.
Very well, Madame.
Definitely retired.
Dix-neuf rouge.
Do you mind another I.O.U. ? - Not at all, sir.
Would you mind writing it in Mr Rader's office? He would like to see you.
Don't tell me, don't tell me. Let me guess.
It couldn't be the little matter of the I.O.U.s could it?
I hope you don't think I'm inhospitable.
Nonsense, nonsense Mr Rader.
You've been most charitable.
Of course, it is an old story to you, but I do hope to pay those.
But when, sir?
Well, to tell the truth, I am rather desperate for funds right now.
I'm sorry .. I've been expecting some money from England, but ..
Now I find that my account has been tied up by my father in some way.
I can't even pay my hotel bill. - Most unfortunate.
Of course it must sound rather ironic for somebody like me talk about honour.
But I assure you that some day will pay you what I owe you.
Some day? That is the best assurance you can give?
Well, I could say tomorrow or next week, but it wouldn't be true.
I am trying to raise the money, however.
It wouldn't do you much good to put me in jail.
That's true. - Thank you, Mr Rader.
Mister Wilson.
Would you care to undertake a mission for me?
It might wipe out our account and ..
Remunerate you very handsomely .. in the bargain.
It would indeed.
I have a friend in London. His name is Hoppner.
Didn't Mr Rader tell you more than that? - No. That's all.
Well, I will explain.
I have a friend who has an invention he wants to sell to the British Government.
It would be very useful. - What sort of an invention?
An aerial torpedo.
Accuracy, very good.
But unfortunately, before my friend has finished his model ..
Someone else makes an invention of the same kind, and sends it to the Ministry.
Now my friend, he says to himself.
If I could see this other invention .. for one little second.
I should know if it is worthwhile to go on with mine.
Ah .. where do I come in, exactly?
You still have access to the Air Ministry through friends, do you not?
Are you suggesting that I should steal the plans?
No, no. There is no question of stealing.
That would be foolish and unnecessary. And you couldn't do such a thing.
But if you could make an opportunity to see the plans .. for a moment.
Long enough let's say, to take a photograph .. with this.
Plenty of money.
I'm afraid I'm not much of a hand at photography.
Oh, that's very simple.
First .. you sight the viewfinder.
Then, be sure .. the plan is centred ..
Pull up at that Cab over there and stop beside it.
Drive on straight ahead.
Here it is. - Good.
Nine o'clock tonight? - Right.
It will be a bit messy in there.
A trial for treason, a prison sentence.
Complete disgrace.
A damnable thing to ask from a man.
It's very, very good. - Yes, I thought it was good myself.
Well, there's only the financial matter to be settled and this is yours.
Oh, certainly, certainly.
Here are your .. - Yes. I know.
Twenty, fifty.
Well .. it all looks very interesting.
You are both under arrest.
Have they announced the verdict yet?
Yes. Guilty, of course. - Yes, but what is the sentence?
18 months imprisonment.
Lucky for him, England is not at war.
Come, Ilse. You must not let your personal feelings get the better of you.
After all, you are not responsible. - But you are.
I was working for Germany.
I have told you this before, and I say it again.
I do not like these methods. This manufacturing of traitors.
Paper!
Get all the latest news here. Read all about it.
Get your latest news here. Paper, sir?
Get your papers. Read about how they got away from Dunkirk.
Papers! Read all about it.
Paper sir? Here you are, sir. Read all about it.
Get your latest here.
Read all about how they got away from Dunkirk.
Her you are, sir. Paper?
Paper, sir .. paper? - So they got away?
Guts, sir. English guts.
What a show.
Why, you are Wing Commander ..
You've got nothing to be proud of.
You too, eh Smitty? So you won't talk to me, either.
I'll talk to you.
Down with Wing Commander Wilson!
All the way down.
Papers. Get your latest news here.
Why did you send for me?
Why can't we get started? What are we waiting for?
You know as well as I do Keith, that we can't rush this.
We've got to be patient.
I've tried to be. I've stayed in my room for days.
I keep off the streets to spare friends the pain of turning away from me.
I can't stay locked-up forever.
I know it is hard going, but it's bound to work sooner or later.
I know that too, but when?
I can have you cleared of course. Call the whole thing off.
There is too much invested to do that now.
But I'm warning you, that if something doesn't happen soon ..
I'm not going to be much use to anybody, let alone England.
[ Radio: ]
"Tonight, Radio Berlin is inaugurating a series of broadcasts by someone .."
"Who knows and loves England with a deep understanding."
"I refer to that charming and distinguished lady."
"Fräulein Ilse Von Preising."
"Who has recently returned from Ankara, Turkey."
"Now .. Fräulein Von Preising."
"Good evening, my English friends."
"It may seem strange to some of you to hear me call you that."
"But that is what you are."
Hear that? - Yes, I did.
It has finally happened.
A glass of stout, please.
It's getting warmer.
Cheerio. - Cheerio.
I've been expecting this. I thought you should see it.
Very bitter, isn't he?
He hates England. And with good reason.
He found his friends out for what they are.
And does the charming Fräulein Von Preising, remember him by any chance?
What is it, Rudolph?
Perhaps the time Rader and I spent on him was not altogether wasted.
What are you planning? - I've already spoken to Von Ritter.
You will take the five o'clock plane for Stockholm.
Where you will meet Mr Wilson and persuade him ..
Without any difficulty I'm sure. To come to Berlin and stay with us for a while.
I will do nothing of the sort!
Do I have to remind you my dear sister, we are at war.
We are all under orders, and you will obey yours.
The Stockholm plane leaves the Tempelhof aerodrome at five o'clock.
Of course I've changed. Everything has changed.
That's not exactly what I meant.
Let's face facts .. this whole mess is England's fault.
It's just a question of being realistic.
France's position is hopeless. She will surrender. Then England asks for peace.
That's not the general impression in Germany.
Well, what have they got to fight with?
They should get rid of their present leaders and ask for terms.
Those men who deliberately left England unarmed, should be held responsible.
Hitler was right.
The democracies are too soft.
You should do well in Berlin.
I'm not thinking of myself in particular.
I'm thinking of the people of England.
I want them to know the truth. They've got to.
I wish I were running this show.
The Assistant Minister of Information.
You honour us, Herr Von Ritter.
Fräulein Von Preising, delightful to see you.
I thought I would drop in and make sure that you were ready with our new idea.
Ah, there you are, Mr Wilson. - Good afternoon, Assistant Minister.
All ready for your first broadcast? - Yes, I'm a little nervous, though.
There is nothing to worry about. I'm sure Mr Wilson will do very well indeed.
You are fortunate that our distinguished Director of Communications ..
Supports you so wholeheartedly.
Yes, I'm very grateful. - It only remains to wish you success.
Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler.
Heil Hitler.
And now, an announcement of the very greatest importance ..
To all of our shortwave listeners in the British Isles.
In one moment ..
You will hear from this station the voice of one of your countrymen.
An Englishman who will, after this, speak to you nightly at this hour.
A voice which we will simply call .. the "Voice of Truth".
Good evening fellow Englishmen.
You are listening to the Voice of Truth.
Tonight I bring you momentous news.
Nothing but atmospherics. - Shall I have a try, sir?
"France has asked for an armistice."
"And she has asked for an armistice because she knows that she is defeated."
"Hopelessly .. ignominiously."
He's done it. - Good boy.
"And now, what of England?"
"Alone and unprepared to face the might of Germany."
"Will she continue to listen to the words of false leaders?"
"Those false leaders who brought this dreadful war to pass."
"Those war-mongers, those profiteers."
"Or will she throw off these men, and accept the hand of friendship?"
"Which would be so readily be extended to her by the new Germany."
Pardon sir .. but do I imagine I've heard that voice before?
Oh, just another Hun.
So that is the choice which faces Britain.
An honourable peace.
Or the fearful horrors of invasion and certain defeat.
This is all I have to say to you tonight.
Until the same time tomorrow then, this is the Voice of Truth.
Signing off from Berlin.
Here you are, Ilse. I wondered what had become of you.
It is too close in the studio. - But you heard the Voice of Truth?
Of course, in here.
Sit down. I will get you a drink. - Thank you.
I need it.
Well, how was I?
Your broadcast was .. very well done.
A slight celebration.
Thank you, Rudolph.
To my old friend, and new comrade.
That's better.
Much better. I mean .. thank you Fräulein Von Preising.
You honour me.
I have Banning and Forrester. They wish to see the director.
Have them find my secretary. Tell them to ..
Oh, come in, gentlemen. Come in.
Mr Banning, Mr Forrester, allow me to introduce Mr Wilson.
How do you do?
These are correspondents for one of the big American broadcasting corporations.
Mr Wilson just made a broadcast to England.
The first of a series.
Yes, we heard it.
You know, they might think we're meeting ex-Wing Commander Wilson.
Sure I remember. Remember?
Sure I remember.
It clears up a question for me. Where do the rats go when they leave the ship?
Especially if the ship doesn't sink after all.
I'll handle this.
Mr Banning, Mr Forrester, I shall report this to the minister.
It's a bit stuffy in here, what?
Yes, I'll take up our business with you in the morning.
Goodnight Fräulein Von Preising, Goodnight Herr Director.
Goodnight, Herr Wilson.
Insulting swine.
There must be no weakening in our hour of triumph.
That is my daily message to my readers.
Especially to my women readers.
And I have more women readers than any other journalist in Berlin.
You will like the film you are going to see tonight.
Yes, I'm looking forward to it.
Ah .. good evening. - Good evening.
Ah, Herr Wilson.
I introduce you to Frau Van Leyden, one of our leading journalists.
I'm delighted Herr Wilson. I've listened to your broadcasts with much admiration.
Thank you. - Dear, you must meet Herr Wilson.
My husband.
Like you, he is of foreign birth, but a true Nordic.
I really am so glad to meet you, Herr Wilson.
I'm sure we shall have a great deal in common.
Take your seats please.
This way. Take your seats please.
I don't think I'll go in. - Oh, come on. Why not?
Let's go in and watch the master race at play.
Rotterdam wiped off the map three hours after it had surrendered.
Women and children blown up at Warsaw.
I ain't that Nordic.
You are coming in, yes? - No thank you, Herr Minister.
My colleague and I are slightly .. indisposed.
Oh .. I'm so sorry.
[ Door knocks ]
Come in.
Good morning .. lovely day.
Here is the draft of my broadcast for tomorrow.
Thank you.
Don't you think this play-acting has gone far enough?
I seem to remember a little place called Antibes.
Have you forgotten already? - No.
Were you in love with me then? - Yes.
Is your love something you can turn on and off when you like?
There's many things that can happen to love, as are happening to the world.
Keith.
There is something I want to know.
Something I must know.
Last night at the film show.
Is it true what that American said? - What about?
About our bombing Rotterdam after it had surrendered?
Well, there was some talk about it.
But there is nothing very chivalrous about modern warfare you know.
You mean, you agree with making war like this?
Why, certainly. Don't you?
I just wanted to know. - Is that all you wanted to know?
This is really excellent Frau Van Leyden. Great stuff.
I can't tell you how deeply I appreciate your co-operation, Herr Wilson.
The fresh viewpoint.
That is what I seek continuously in my work.
Speaking of work. Mr Wilson has a broadcast to prepare.
And here am I, just wasting his time. How thoughtless of me.
You are so kind.
Perhaps you will allow me to leave you the draft of another upcoming article?
Certainly.
And let me have your criticism?
Alright.
Here is my card.
Call me at any time.
Any time.
Thank you. - Goodbye, Fräulein Von Preising.
Thank you so much. Now I must rush.
I'll be stopping in again to see you very soon.
I feel sure you will.
An abominable woman. - But a good worker.
To me, that work seems beneath the dignity of the Reich.
You don't like it, you couldn't like it .. you must like her.
She is certainly .. dynamic.
Where are you off to?
This is the Voice Of Truth again, fellow Englishmen.
Tonight I'm going to begin with a quotation from a book.
Which all of you know about, and many of you I am sure, have read.
I refer to "Mein Kampf".
[ Radio: ]
"These flaming words of Adolph Hitler."
"Tell us that he who plans to lead a nation must seize time by the forelock."
"The French knew this once."
"That last, fleeting effort when Napoleon Bonaparte in July 1815 .."
"Set forth from the little isle of Elba."
Let's see now.
Six is the key today. And that introduction means the second paragraph.
"Hitler .. plans .."
"Seize .. French .."
"Fleeting .. July .. the 4th."
What's that?
Oh, of course.
Night after night, London explodes and burns.
Night after night, the bombers will come.
"Your losses by reason of these titanic hammer-blows."
"Continuing to increase with every day of the year .."
"In a super-blitz must inevitably destroy you."
"Englishmen .. assert your will."
"And cease this hopeless struggle."
"That is all I have to say to you tonight."
"Until the same time tomorrow then .. "
"This is the Voice Of Truth signing off from Berlin."
Thanks. That will do. Goodnight.
Let's see now. Look at the last paragraph.
What's the new key, MacPhail? - Eight-two-ten, sir.
"If .. bomber .."
"Losses .. continue .."
"To increase .."
"Blitz .. will .. cease."
Do you suppose that is right, sir?
Well, if he is wrong, it will be the first time.
Thank you.
What do you call yourself these days?
Julius, sir. Julius Hoffman.
I'm afraid I'm a little late. I'm sorry.
But I've brought the revised draft of my broadcast for tonight.
By the way, have you seen the paper?
Berlin's first air-raid didn't amount to much, did it.
You think not?
A nice boutonnière you're wearing. - Yes. Isn't it.
Not easy to find carnations these days. - I found a little out-of-the-way place.
You find time to work so far from the office?
To Friedenstrasse?
Must be five, six kilometres.
How did you know where I bought it? - I saw you.
Oh well, I manage to get around a little bit you know.
Just mooching about. But why all this? Is anything wrong?
Did Rudolph want me for something? - No.
I just thought it strange that you've recently taken to wearing carnations.
And going so far to get them.
Nothing strange about that, surely. Just happen to be a bit of a walker.
I took quite a long hike this morning, as a matter of fact.
Did you see any of the air-raid damage?
No, not even a broken window.
They say there that the damage was only slight.
They say only what Dr Goebbels tells them to say.
What's wrong, Ilse? Did the bombs keep you awake last night?
I was wondering all the time what the people of London must have felt.
Isn't that rather a silly thing to say, even to think?
Perhaps it is. But it is also honest.
My dear girl, honesty in wartime is not the best policy by any means.
Oh, don't Keith. Don't talk like that.
Ilse .. what is the matter?
I am miserable, Keith. This work, these lies.
Lies about everything. Lies about our enemies, lies about each other.
Even lies about what we're fighting for. - You're crazy to talk like that.
It is only to you.
And what makes you think that it is safe to spout treason at me?
Very well.
Ilse ..
Let me go .. what is the use?
I cannot forget what you are.
That you are a traitor to your country.
Because you were punished, you threw your loyalty away.
Are you trying to tell me that you would love me ..
If you found out that I was a bigger liar than the rest of them?
That I was a sort of super-spy for England?
Or are you doing a little Gestapo job for Himmler? - Keith!
Because in either case, Fräulein, Director of Radio Communications.
You're barking up the wrong tree.
After the way they treated me, do you think I'd have any use for England?
Of for the fools that are running her downhill?
[ Telephone ]
Ilse Von Preising.
Yes, he is.
Hello.
Yes, I'll talk to him.
It's Carl Ekberg.
Hello Carl.
You must come to the Central Station. The main waiting-room at six.
It is essential that I see you.
Well .. - It is imperative.
The Station waiting-room at six.
Look for a nurse, in uniform, with dark glasses.
Alright, Carl. Have it your own way.
We have time for a couple anyway.
Bye.
What about Schmidt?
Arrested at noon. And Hoffman too.
And they have killed my husband.
I am sorry .. I know how much he meant to you.
He was the bravest man I ever knew.
They rounded us all up.
I had to get you here to give you this. There was no other way out.
Go now.
Get that message through at any cost.
When you read it, you will see how vital it is.
What about you? Will you be able to dodge them alright?
There is a good chance.
I'm meeting a member of the Holland group here. Then I'll get on his trail.
He's a cripple. I'm travelling to Holland with him as his nurse.
If we ..
What's the matter?
What is it?
I do not go to Holland after all.
In a moment, look at the door.
It is no use, Keith. There is no way out.
I have an idea .. if they find you next to me, it will be fatal.
Unless you go to them now, and denounce me.
Do that at once. - I couldn't do that.
There must be some other way. - That message.
It means the invasion of England.
If you believe in our cause ..
Do as I say.
This will do thank you. My nurse will be here in a moment.
Yes, mister.
May I have a word with you, Captain? - What about?
I don't know what you are looking for, but I've noticed something suspicious.
And I felt it my duty to inform you. - Well, inform me.
You see that woman sitting over there? Dressed as a nurse?
I see her. Go on. - She is wearing a disguise.
In spite of her dark glasses and uniform.
I'm positive that she's a woman I met at the Ministry Of Information.
A journalist by the name of Frau Van Leyden.
You must introduce me.
Frau Von Leyden.
Heigel, Muller. Take her away.
Come with me.
The heel .. I'd like to .. - Take it easy Babe, take it easy.
What is your name, and what do you do?
Here is my identity card.
Why do you need to see his card? Can't you smell?
There you are, Captain.
If you need any verification of my credentials.
These gentlemen, I am sure, will be happy to provide it.
Sure we will .. and here it is.
You want to prefer charges, Mr Wilson? An utterly unprovoked assault.
No. Mr Forrester has probably been drinking.
Come on, Babe. Come on. Come on.
May I go now? I have an important appointment at the Ministry.
That will be alright.
You will see to these for me, won't you, Ilse.
Hello. Von Preising here.
Yes, Herr Assistant Minister.
Wilson? I'll vouch for him personally.
But .. yes ..
If it is what you and the Minister wish, of course. I will see to it at once.
Dolenz? This is Von Preising.
Hold that beer a few more hours.
It's probably my last order for a while.
We're cancelling the Voice of Truth broadcast immediately.
Why?
They are suspicious of Wilson. What nonsense.
They're wrong. I know they're wrong.
They get an idea into their heads, the whole world has to accept it.
So .. the broadcasts are cancelled.
What happens to Keith? - Detained, I suppose.
What does "detained" mean?
Confined to his apartment under guard until they decide what to do with him.
I'll have him picked up.
Put that phone down.
Ilse, move back ..
Is he ..? - No, he's alright.
He'll just have a headache for a few days.
Ilse.
Did you mean what you were trying to tell me this morning? - Yes.
But Keith, you must get away from here. - I don't need any convincing of that.
I have the address of an underground radio station in Holland.
It is my only chance. - Holland?
That is where Rudolph was going. He was just ordered there.
Oh, so that's it.
All of them crowding in for the finish.
They'll feint an invasion from France, and launch it from Holland.
Position "A". How to block a door.
This tough-guy stuff is ersatz too.
Now look Fritzy, we're going to see Von Preising whether you like it or not.
Now, will you move away, or do I show you a couple of Texas-Ranger tricks?
Insolent Americans.
Oh, so she wants to play, huh? - Now, wait a minute.
Good evening gentlemen, what is wrong?
I want to see your brother.
Please Mr Forrester. - Hey Babe, wait a minute.
Wait, nothing! No Gestapo is going to rough-house me.
Look, Colonel Von Preising ..
Since when have these guys had orders to keep me out of this place?
Gentlemen, please wait outside.
Herr Wilson.
Well on you, it looks good. Where is Von Preising?
Over there.
You're also a comedian, ain't you.
Gentlemen, please .. my brother will see you tomorrow.
You are a trifle optimistic, aren't you, Fräulein?
Holy mackerel. - Who did it?
I'm afraid I did. - You did?
The boss, too. - Or have you taken over?
For the moment. - Is he .. is he dead?
For the moment.
This is no place for a couple of neutrals.
Yeah, especially when one of us ain't any too neutral anyway.
I want you to help me out.
Some other time, fellah. I don't like the rooms in your concentration camps.
I don't like to do this to you. It's sort of like a play.
The hero in difficulties and needs assistance.
Tell them, Keith. They'll help us.
Alright.
The fact is that I've got to get away from here. I'm in a hurry.
I've got to get a message to England.
England? - I am a British agent.
A British agent?
That's one on you, isn't it. - Why, yes.
After hearing you on air, I should have known you were too bad to be genuine.
Yeah? What about the Van Leyden dame?
If you are a British agent, why did you turn her in?
She knew I had to. She ordered me to.
We must hurry, Keith. Rudolph's car is waiting.
Where does she figure? She is Von Preising's sister.
I don't get the set up. - There is no time for explanations now.
England is to be invaded tomorrow. - Oh. - Please help us.
Sure. What can we do?
Stay in this room and see that Von Preising doesn't come to for a while.
What of the guard?
He won't enter if you're talking to my brother.
Talk loud. - Can I get tough? - Yes.
I'll call the guard in my office. Then you leave.
I'll join you downstairs in the car. - Right.
Well, goodbye and thanks. - Forget it. Chapter for my book.
Guard.
Step in here a moment.
What a switcheroo.
The guy I hated most in the world and here we are having a blood transfusion.
Would you try it this way again?
Well look here, Colonel Von Preising .. - Let me talk, Babe!
You see Colonel Von Preising, what Mr Forrester really means ..
What I mean is I'm tired of being pushed around by the Gestapo and storm troops.
I admit they're great soldiers. All fine men.
No, no! I mean, yes!
But after all, you see. We are American citizens.
Perhaps it was better back where it was.
See that my brother is not disturbed.
He'll put the Americans in their place. - Yes, Fräulein Von Preising.
I so much admire the fine streets of Berlin. So nice and shining and clean.
Absolutely undisturbed by bombs.
But not for long, I hope.
And the wonderful job the Fuhrer has done.
Putting the "B" on all the little guys.
All these things Colonel Von Preising, we've written for America.
They are good things.
And we apologize for anything we've said that displeases the Third Reich.
But now, in all fairness.
We must insist that we should not be treated so discourteously by you.
How would you like it, Von Preising, if we were to try to shove you around?
If we were to try to inflict our will upon you?
Yes. We must stand on our constitutional rights.
Here.
Yeah, yeah.
Mr Banning and I have a combined reader and listening audience ..
Of forty million Americans.
Is that plain, Colonel Von Preising?
This is fun.
I'd like to do this sometime to Hitler and Goebbels.
But not Goering. - Not Goering, no. Not Goering.
It's alright, I'm here. Now, don't look around. Get going.
There they go .. good luck to them.
Save some of that luck. We may need it for ourselves.
You know Babe, we're making history.
We're the advance guard of the U.S. Army.
We ought to be near the border.
Perfectly in order, Colonel Von Preising.
Can I do anything more for you?
No thanks. I know the road to Rotterdam pretty well.
Hold on, Border Patrol. The last one, sir.
It is Colonel Von Preising?
Yes, Colonel Von Preising.
Yes, sir .. but .. yes .. but sir, their papers were in order.
Stop blabbering. Just get after them.
It is Colonel Von Preising. Have my plane ready in ten minutes.
"Commandante, 12th Area, calling all posts, cars and personnel."
"Attention. Attention!"
"The strictest watch is to be kept for a black convertible."
"Military official number: A 127245."
"This car was stolen by an enemy agent, who will be in Staff Colonel's uniform."
"And who will be representing himself as Colonel Rudolph Von Preising."
The Americans held them off a long time, at that.
"This man is accompanied by a young woman."
"Who describes herself as Fräulein Ilse Von Preising."
"Assistant Director of Radio Communications in Berlin."
"The couple will be in the car. A strict watch must be kept for them everywhere."
"It is essential that these two persons be apprehended."
"When found, both are to be shot on sight."
To the right. It says Haasdyk - 10 Kilometres.
[ Radio: ]
"Luftwaffe Station 12th Area calling plane X4. ."
"Colonel Von Preising."
Her Von Preising receiving. Continue.
"It is reported that a car answering the description has been seen near Haasdyk."
"Attention 12th Area."
"Border Force has just reported car A127245 .."
"Passed into Netherlands's territory twenty minutes ago."
"Man and woman sought were in car, which took main road."
"Special attention Luftwaffe Station 76, and all patrols."
"Scour this district."
Come on. Quickly.
After the fields grow, come the lark and the wren.
After the fields grow, come the wren and the lark.
Hurry please. - Follow me.
Down there, please.
He has the key word and number.
My name is Keith Wilson, British agent B625.
He lies. This is the man who betrayed Frau Van Leyden.
I was there. I saw it. - She ordered me to.
There is a field by the church, sir. Shall I try it?
Yes, certainly.
Of course, this is Fräulein Von Preising.
She was a German official, but now she is helping us .. can't you see that?
Look, no matter what you do to us after.
Let me put this message on the air to England.
It can't possibly do any harm, and we'll still be in your hands.
Gestapo.
Cover all exits. Then bring a squad and follow me.
Alright, men.
I warned you. He's betrayed us.
He is lying, lying.
If this message doesn't get through it means the end of your country, and mine.
The end of freedom itself.
Listen .. the Gestapo has been ordered to shoot us on sight.
Let me go out there and show myself. You will see whether I was lying or not.
And then let Fräulein Von Preising send the message.
Ilse!
The woman?
Come.
Call England.
Calling the British Isles. Calling the British Isles.
DR 35 calling British Isles.
There'll be minor attacks all along the French coast.
But the main blow will come from Holland.
I wonder.
We have many reports of concentrations of barges in the Frisian Islands.
Frisian Islands?
Calling the British Isles.
Is there another way out of here? - Yes, up there.
But surely you wouldn't try? - I've got to.
You carry on here, and maybe one of us can get it through.
Thanks.
God be with you.
Hello Daventry. Hello Daventry.
This is DR 35 of Holland, reporting for your agent B625.
Can you hear me? Over.
Notify General Patterson that we have DR 35 Holland.
Ready, over.
"Agent B625."
Hello .. hello .. DR 35 .. DR 35?
Come in DR 35.
All the engineer heard was a burst of gunfire at the other end.
Looks as if the Nazis must have got them at the sending set.
One chance in a million, I'd say.
Daventry is wide open, of course .. oh yes.
Something big, somewhere. Otherwise they wouldn't have tried.
Just a moment, sir. Air Marshall Ransome on this phone, sir.
Ransome? Marston here. I've just spoken to Patterson.
Looks as if his man was a goner, but something is doing.
Send out every reconnaissance plane that you've got.
Keep me posted.
Squadrons will take off in sequence with Operation 24.
Eastern Command - reconnaissance "A". Southern Command - reconnaissance "B".
Well, gentlemen .. you all know that this may be the big push.
England's future is in your hands.
Luftwaffe 10 .. Luftwaffe 10.
Co-ordinates for plane BX4.
Yes, Colonel Von Preising. - Enemy agent escaping.
Left Haasdyk. Headed for coast .. intercept.
Flight 29 .. flight 29.
You are to intercept Staff Plane number BX4. Heading towards coast from Haasdyk.
Repeat, "Haasdyk".
B625 calling British Isles.
Hello?
B625 calling British Isles.
B625 .. this is Daventry.
Hello, hello .. hello, Keith?
Hello .. come in, Keith.
Patt? Not much time.
I swiped a plane and they are coming after me.
It's the invasion fleet. The Frisian Islands.
What did you say? What islands?
I couldn't hear.
Keith .. come in, Keith.
I'd like to work out a bearing for you.
But it's a bit lively.
No guns on this thing.
Tell them to come over The Frisians and look for a light, Patt.
A big light, Patt.
All the way down, Smitty.
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following award.
In recognition of gallantry in operations against the enemy.
Keith Wilson recalled to active duty.
With the rank of Acting Group-Captain.
And awarded the Victoria Cross.
Posthumously.
Sir Douglas.
0n behalf of the officers and men of the Royal Air Force.
May I say how proud we are to share in the honour paid to your son.
(Ro_s)