NARRATOR: September 12, 1943.
German paratroopers snatched Mussolini
from his mountaintop prison in Italy.
(Crowd cheering)
This daring and successful exploit stunned the world.
Inspired by the rescue of his ally,
Hitler ordered an even more daring bid
to capture his greatest enemy.
- Morning. - Good morning, Herr Admiral.
- Oberst Radl-- send him to me at once. - I have notified him of your arrival.
Thank you.
(Knock)
- Come in, Radl. - Herr Admiral.
Come and sit down.
The meeting went well? The Fiihrer had something specific in mind?
A simple exercise in logistics.
Nothing very complicated.
He merely wants Winston Churchill
brought from London to Berlin!
And we are ordered to make a feasibility study.
Today's Wednesday. By Friday, he will forget it.
But Himmler will not.
Reichsführer Himmler approved?
Only of my being put on the spot.
You should have seen that meeting.
There was Hitler, ranting, cajoling,
then perfectly rational,
then raging and stamping like a--
like the ringmaster of some freak circus!
Goebbels, hopping from one foot to another like a--
like a schoolboy!
Bormann-- a vulture!
Perched in the corner, watching, listening, never speaking!
And Mussolini-- Mussolini!
An automaton, Radl.
I looked round that room,
and I wondered, "Am I the only one who can see it?"
And if so, what must I look like to them?
Admiral, the feasibility study...
Will be a total and unnecessary waste of time.
Make it immediately.
Complete for the last month.
If Herr Oberst could give me a rough idea of our problem...
I can be quite specific about it.
The Führer has instructed us to kidnap Winston Churchill.
Good God!
Well, Karl, do at least a feasibility study on it.
Something which might fit our needs came in yesterday.
Just a mention, if I may, sir...
Eh, no...
Ja, here it is.
From Codename Starling.
A village in England called Studley Constable.
How do we receive reports from this Starling?
From the Spanish Embassy in London, by diplomatic pouch.
There is also a radio contact.
Exactly where is... Studley Constable?
The east coast of England, the county of Norfolk.
Let's have a look at the place.
- Larger scale. - Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Ah, here.
Ah! Herr Oberst.
Isolated coastline, very rural, wide beaches, salt marshes.
Ideal.
Now, a man to lead it, Karl.
"Crash-landed, 1940, glider assault, Belgium.
Dropped into Crete, '41. Wounded at Maleme, Knight's Cross.
Led volunteer assault, group of 300, special action, Leningrad.
Stalingrad-- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
January this year, dropped into Kiev, with 167 surviving in unit,
to get two cut-off regiments out of Russia.
Oberst Kurt Steiner."
- What is the language? - "Educated in England."
(Air-raid siren, bell rings)
Third time in the last month. Despite Goering's personal guarantee.
Are you familiar with Jung's works?
I am aware of them, not familiar, Herr Oberst.
A great thinker, a rational man...
and yet he speaks of something called "synchronicity"--
events having a coincidence in time,
so that one feels a much deeper motivation is involved.
- Ja, I understand. - Take this affair.
The Führer comes up with an absurd suggestion that we abduct Churchill.
For political reasons, we are prodded into making a worthless report on this.
Suddenly, synchronicity rears its disturbing head.
Ja, I see that.
We receive a routine report with a brief notation
that next month after visiting a local bomber command,
Churchill will spend the weekend
in a country manor less than 7 miles from a deserted coastline.
At any other time, this report would mean nothing.
At this particular time, in that particular file...
it becomes a circumstance which titillates,
a coincidence to... tease us.
(Nearby explosions)
Surely Herr Oberst doesn't really believe this thing could be carried off?
(Exhales deeply)
A wink from a pretty girl at a party results rarely in climax, Karl.
But a man is a fool not to push the idea as far as it will go.
(Explosions continue)
Find this man for me, Karl. He's been out of Germany too long.
(Commands issued in German)
(Train whistle)
Hans. Hans!
- Hmm? - Let's stretch our legs.
Stay on the train! No one allowed off the train!
I beg your pardon, sir.
Sir, I'm sorry, but you must remain on the train.
If memory serves me, the Polish Army surrendered in 1939.
Sir?
Who are these people?
- Well, Jews, sir. - Jews?
We are razing the ghetto to the ground. Burning them out.
- They put up a hell of a fight. - Oh? How? With umbrellas and crutches?
SOLDIER: Halt!
- I'll take the prisoner. - "Prisoner"?
What is...
- What is your name? - Brana.
Good luck, Brana.
(Gunshot)
Identify yourself.
Oberst Kurt Steiner, commanding the Twelfth Parachute Detachment.
A salute is customary to a general, Herr Oberst, even to one of the SS.
You didn't seem quite so discriminating a moment ago.
I have nothing for or against the Jews personally.
But I have seen too many good men die for cause
to watch a young girl be killed for sport!
Sturmfijhrer Straub was doing his duty.
He reminds me of something I pick up on my shoe in the gutter!
Very unpleasant on a hot day.
If you have the dubious honour of commanding this senseless slaughter,
I advise you to keep him downwind at all times.
That's if you can tell the difference anymore.
For God's sake, Kurt.
What am I to do with you?
You're a military hero,
awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords.
Yet responsible for the attempted escape of an enemy of the state,
abetted by the mutinous conduct of your men!
By rights, you should all be court-martialed!
Difficult decisions
are the privilege of rank, Herr Gruppenfijhrer.
But as for my men...
they seem to feel a certain... loyalty to me.
L, uh,
don't suppose you could content yourself with my head
and overlook their part in this thing?
Huh?
There you are, you see, Hans?
It's infallible.
I can always tell a thoroughgoing bastard when I see one.
- Herr Oberst? - In here, Karl.
- Good morning. - Good morning, sir.
The material arrived from Starling. It is excellent, Karl, truly excellent.
Starling's to be commended.
Ja, ja, that is good.
What news of Oberst Steiner?
Well, we are having some difficulty in tracing him.
He appears to be back in Germany,
but as to exactly where, we have run into roadblocks.
Even rumors of a court-martial. But we'll find him.
I'm sure of it.
And now-- Here. A possible undercover operative.
I've decided on this man.
He is currently lecturing in that university here in Berlin.
- Send for him immediately. - Yes.
Oh, and, Karl, send this message to Starling.
Yes, Herr Oberst.
- Where is Herr Oberst Radl? - In the map room, Herr Admiral.
Thank you.
This message has been sent out. Did you originate it?
I did, Herr Admiral.
"Very interested in your visitor of 6th November.
Would like to drop some friends in to meet him
in the hope they might persuade him to come back with them.
Your comments expected by usual route with all relevant information."
You've exceeded your authority!
You were told to prepare this feasibility study, not embellish a joke!
With Herr Admiral's permission it is no longer a joke. It could be done.
- In my opinion, it should be done. - What if Churchill prefers to die?
What if abduction becomes assassination?
No one specified dead or alive.
God in heaven! Kill Churchill, when we've already lost the war?
I'm sure you've done a good job, Radl. Very thorough.
But this operation could make the Charge of the Light Brigade
look like a sensible military exercise.
Drop it.
(Knock at door)
Herr Oberst, he has arrived.
(Irish accent) Come in, Colonel. Radl, isn't it?
Top 0' the morning to you.
It's not Irish whisky, but it'll do to be going on with.
Better for you to drink than me.
I've a feeling I might be needing it.
" May I?
The last time I was invited up here to Section Three,
one 0' the lads persuaded me to jump out of a Dornier,
5,000 feet above Ireland, in the dark.
And me with this terrible fear of heights.
(Chuckles)
You planning a holiday to England, are you? Brighton's lovely this time 0' year.
Mother of God! What the Christ is that?
They're Russian, Mr. Devlin. I picked up a taste for them in the Winter War.
They're probably the only thing that kept you awake in the snow.
Here... and here.
Now...
I had a proposition to put to you, Mr. Devlin.
- "Had"? - Mm-hmm.
Have.
- I'm working, you know, Colonel. - At the University.
For a man like you, that must be like a thoroughbred racehorse
finding himself... pulling a milk cart.
Oh, you've got a way with the words.
You want me to go back to Ireland, is that it?
Well, I can't do it. I wouldn't last a week--
No, we don't want you to go back to Ireland.
Now, you still support the IRA?
Soldier of, Colonel. Once in, never out.
But you're here in Germany. Why?
I don't like soft target hits.
I don't want to spend my days in Bayswater, mixing up explosives
to blow the arms and legs off passersby.
My fight is with the bloody British Empire. I'll fight it on my own two feet.
If it's a rabid fanatic you want, they sent you the wrong man.
Your aim is still total victory against England?
No, that's your aim. My aim is a united Ireland.
Either way, it would be necessary for Germany to win the war.
And pigs might fly, Colonel.
Mr. Devlin...
- I want you to go to England for me. - Colonel, I barely know you.
To assist in the kidnapping and safe return to Germany
of Winston Churchill.
Give me another one 0' them Bolshevik firecrackers.
I think I fell asleep in the snow.
(Knock at door)
- Herr Oberst-- - Good evening, Herr Oberst.
I'm SturmbannführerTuberg of the SS.
Reichsführer Himmler requests you
to bring him the entire file of the plan known as "Eagle."
- When is that to be? - Now, Herr Oberst.
You seem nervous, Herr Oberst.
Please relax.
May I smoke, Herr Reichsführer?
No.
- A masterful job. - Thank you, Herr Reichsführer.
But there are some people
who would say that such an operation
could make the Charge of the Light Brigade
look like a sensible exercise.
Have you heard that phrase before?
I don't immediately recall, Herr Reichsführer.
I know about your plan.
I know what is written on every single page,
even the one you haven't got yet--
the court-martial of Herr Oberst Steiner and his men.
The arrogance of this Steiner is dazzling.
An unusual man, this, uh-- this Steiner.
Intelligent, ruthless, a brilliant soldier,
but, above all, a romantic fool.
He threw away everything--
rank, career, the future.
He's presently in a penal colony on the island of, uh,
uh, Alderney.
And all for the sake of some little Jewess!
You know he's a veteran of five successful commando raids?
Six, I believe.
Educated in England. He speaks the language perfectly, without an accent.
- The ideal man for the job, eh? - If you think so, Herr Reichsführer.
And so do you. But the Herr Admiral, Canaris, doesn't think so.
My loyalty to Herr Admiral--
ls exceeded only by your loyalty to the Führer himself.
Isn't that so?
I'm sure of it.
Now, this Churchill business-— our Führer wants it seen through.
You have considerable autonomy in running your office.
You ought to be able to use it.
As an excuse to prevent Canaris from knowing what's going on.
What kind of authority would I have to carry such a project through?
Aloud, if you please.
"Oberst Radl is acting under my personal orders
on a matter of great importance to the Reich.
All military and civil personnel,
without distinction of rank, will assist him in any way
that Oberst Radl sees fit to demand.
Adolf Hitler."
So, you see, Radl...
under the terms of that document,
even I find myself under your personal command.
Good luck. I can only envy your inevitable success.
- Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler.
Major Neuhoff, Commandant of the Island of Alderney.
A pleasure, Herr Oberst.
Read this, please.
I see! What do you wish of me?
You have a penal unit. It terminates this moment.
Steiner and 29 men.
18. There are only 18 now.
The men are required to ride the torpedoes into enemy shipping.
- The torpedoes detach, of course? - Of course.
Most of the time!
Burial detail, the usual letters of commendation.
And for God's sake, get the names right this time.
Thank you, Herr Neuhoff.
- But I thought-- - Thank you!
- Herr Steiner? - Yes, I'm Steiner. What is it?
My name is Radl.
Well, what is it? I have two men to bury and no office to make small talk in.
Your credentials are hopelessly impeccable, Herr Oberst.
What can I do for you?
Lead a raiding party to England to kidnap Churchill.
You don't seem very impressed.
I haven't seen your plan yet.
Here.
While he makes his decision,
I'm going to that pub up there and give some thought to mine.
The only time this plan makes any sense to me is when I'm drunk.
- You are in command here? - Oberleutnant Koenig, Oberst.
These configurations seem somewhat abnormal for an E-boat.
She's actually a converted British MTB, Herr Oberst.
Captured making a drop off the Dutch coast.
Sir.
- Do you know the east coast of England? - Herr Oberst, I've been there.
For five years, I was first mate on a cargo ship out of England.
This could work, you know.
It will be done. It is the Führer's direct order.
I stood opposite Adolf once, when he gave me this.
Oh, I forgot. One of those.
You're a German officer, you swore the same oath. You have no choice.
Of course I do.
I'm going to die here anyway.
You forget, Radl, that I am under suspended sentence of death.
Officially disgraced.
I do not retain my rank, only my authority,
because of the, uh, peculiar circumstances of this job.
I offer you a chance for reinstatement of rank
and complete vindication for you and your men.
My men need no vindication.
- You said it could be done. - It's possible.
Of all the world's leaders,
Churchill is probably the least protected, unlike the Führer.
Steiner,
is thumbing your nose at the Führer more important to you
than the lives of your men?
31 of you a few weeks ago. How many left?
16.
You owe them this chance to live.
Or to die in England instead.
I will put it to my men. They are entitled to know.
Only the destination for now.
Revealing the target would be going too far.
I will put it to my men.
Steiner,
it might make them think about a negotiated peace, hmm?
A negotiated peace?
I will put that to my men also.
God bless all here. Give us a glass of your strongest, please.
Gestapo.
So that's how the Gestapo dresses in Berlin these days.
- Gestapo? - Drink?
I haven't sucked my thumb in years. Would you be kind enough to do it for me?
- Sir? - Suck it!
Now, about your Mr., uh, Devlin--
A man of considerable resource and guile, I assure you.
Tell me, Mr. Devlin, just why are you coming along?
Can't you tell? I'm the last of the world's great adventurers.
(Groans)
Sweet Mary, Mother of God!
A tough bunch 0' lads he's got in there, Colonel.
- What did he say? - He insisted on the consent of his men.
I'm not surprised at that.
- If they agree, you leave tonight. - Tonight?
- You'll be dropped into southern Ireland. - Tonight? But what about my papers?
Your Irish passport and British medical discharge have been provided.
Starling's found you a job.
You'll be a marsh warden, whatever that is.
It's a marsh warden. What about the money?
- £10,000 first. - I asked for £20,000.
£10,000 has been deposited in Geneva, as per instructions.
Ten more upon completion of the mission.
You think I'd sell out?
It's just that you've been so expensive to buy in the first place.
(Loud cheering and applause)
You are going to jump in those clothes?
I might look a bit silly going down,
but I'll be a hell of a lot safer when I land.
There's an old poem which, freely translated from the Irish, says:
"I realized fear one morning,
to the blare of the fox hunters' sound.
When they're chasing the poor fox,
it's safer to be dressed like a hound."
You're quite a literary man.
The truth be known, Colonel, I'm a bloody literary genius.
Your complete instructions.
All of it? Everything? No cyanide pill?
I couldn't think of a situation which would make you take one.
(Barking)
(High-pitched whistle)
(Whines)
A little trick I learned from an uncle in Belfast.
In the Middle Ages, they'd have burned you for that.
Good-bye. I will see you in England.
I'll be there.
How do I jump out 0' this thing?
Release your safety belt.
I turn the plane upside-down, you drop out.
The signature on that authorization could just be a clever forgery!
Fly to Berchtesgaden and ask him.
Oh, let's not bother the man.
Mrs. Joanna Grey?
That's right.
Liam Devlin.
I could do with a cup of tea. It was a hell of a journey.
Come inside.
(Dog barks)
(Whistles)
- That's a neat trick. - Your Wolfhound and me are both Irish.
- What's her name? - Patch.
Ah, Patch.
Sit down, Mr. Devlin.
It's lovely, the countryside, isn't it?
You'd hardly know there was a war.
Patch.
They're living in a fool's paradise.
They lack the discipline the Fuihrer has brought to Germany.
You'll need these papers.
I'll give you these-- the ones they gave to me.
Sir Henry is away.
Only the servants are in the manor house.
Who else knows Churchill will be here?
Only Father Verecker.
Your duties will be mainly game-keeping.
I've got you a motorbike and you can have this shotgun.
It is loaded.
You know the way to the cottage?
I go down the road. There's a pub on my right.
And I go through the manor house gates, down the end of the lane.
The keys.
Oh, by the way,
the ration allowance for petrol is only three gallons a month.
I hope I won't be here that long.
Good day to you, Colleen.
(Church bell rings)
God save the good work.
- Watch your back. - My back?
- Mr. Devlin. - Mr. Devlin?
Mrs. Grey told us all about you at the last WVS meeting.
- You're the new marsh warden. - You're with Women's Voluntary Service?
I help out when I have the time.
Sort of, urn, servicing the troops?
I don't mind.
Miss, I do believe you're a little bit of a tease.
Children tease, Mr. Devlin. I'm almost 19.
- Ah. - Go on!
God bless all here. Can I have a glass of your strongest, please?
- I'm George Wilde, the publican. - Liam Devlin, marsh warden.
That's Arthur Seymour.
By the fire is Laker Armsby.
- Will you take a drink? - A pint of bitter wouldn't be a burden.
- Sir? - I buys me own!
Coming in here all grand, with a shotgun and your motorbike.
Buying drinks for us who's worked the estate for years for less than he gets.
It can only be because of my good looks.
Laugh at me and I'll squash you like a slug!
Arthur.
You walk soft around here,
you keep your place, and you stay away from Molly Prior!
- If I've caused offense, I'm sorry. - Arthur.
Now, get out.
Today I leave, boy. But from now on, when you see me, you leave.
1/9d, please.
(Footsteps, door opens)
- Good day, Father. - Oh, good afternoon.
Liam Devlin. I'm Sir Henry's new marsh warden.
I'm just introducing myself.
Oh, I'm Father Verecker.
This is my sister, Pamela. She's on a weekend leave.
- That's your sister? How do you do? - How do you do?
- I'll be back for tea. Bye. - Bye, Mr. Devlin.
Good-bye.
We have a small congregation here. I look forward to your adding to it.
- You are Catholic? - Oh, yes, Father.
Did you come for confession?
Father, I'm afraid this poor soul is well past redemption.
I could do with a spicy revelation every now and then.
And don't forget the words of our Lord-- "The last shall be the first."
Then I'm assured a place at the head of the line.
Where did you find this?
A DC3, captured almost intact.
- Gericke? - Herr Oberst?
- Will it be ready in time? - No problem.
Where did she go, eh?
(Horse snorts)
All right, my friend.
What kept you?
What kept me? Why, you little devil!
God, I'll know you till the crack 0' Doomsday, that's for sure.
- What does that mean? - It's an expression they have in Ireland.
- Do you use these things? - No.
Good for you.
They stunt your growth, and you with your green years ahead of you.
Almost 19, eh?
- What month? - February.
- Twenty-fifth? - Twenty-second.
But I was right, though, that you're a little fish.
You and me should get along well, me being a Scorpio.
Never marry a Virgo, though.
Virgo and Pisces never hit it off.
I've a terrible hunch Arthur is a Virgo. Watch it with him.
Arthur?
- Arthur Seymour? Are you crazy? - No, but I think he is.
Pure, clean, virtuous...
and not very hot.
That's a Virgo.
It's a terrible shame from where I'm lying.
You'll have a terrible problem with your weight if you don't watch your food.
Bastard.
Are you laughing at me?
What else would you have me do with you, Molly Prior?
No, don't answer that.
How do you know my name?
George Wilde told me in the pub.
I see. And Arthur, was he there?
You could say that.
He seems to look upon you as his personal property.
- He can go to hell! I belong to no man! - You know your nose turns up?
And when you get angry, your mouth turns down at the corners.
I'm sure you could find a hundred things wrong with me, Mr. Devlin. A thousand.
But you wouldn't throw me out of your bed on a wet Saturday night.
But that's men for you. Anything's better than nothing.
Wait! Wait a minute. Come here.
You don't know the first thing about me, because if you did,
you'd know that I much prefer a warm afternoon under the pines
to a wet Saturday night any day.
The sand has a terrible way of getting where it shouldn't do.
Now get out of here, before I let my mad passion run away with me.
Go on, get. Get.
They told me all Irishmen were crazy! Now I believe them.
I'll be at Mass on Sunday, will you?
- Do I look like I will? - Yes, I think you do.
Oh, Devlin, you bloody idiot.
You never learn. Never bloody learn.
I've spoken with Himmler.
He send personal wishes for success from the Fijhrer.
You've altered the parachutes. Why?
Unfortunately, we have high tide at first light when we must drop,
so we may land in the surf.
These slots enable us to guide the chutes.
It's experimental and the landing velocity is high, but we have no choice.
- I assume they've been tested? - Jawohl, Oberst.
I have one request.
A demand, actually.
Blackmail at this point, hmm?
We are not spies,
and we will not be treated as such by the British if anything goes wrong.
We will wear our own uniforms under the Polish outfits,
and, if necessary, we will fight and die
as what we are-- German paratroopers.
Max, it is not a subject for negotiation.
- In that case, agreed. - Thank you.
- Hello, Liam. - My compliments on the dress.
It's a great improvement.
Why pick on me?
Because you're lovely. Because you could never fall in love with me.
But I might, just for spite.
It wouldn't matter. I could never fall in love with you.
I'm no good for you at all. There's no future in it.
I tell you that 'cause it's the truth.
I'm here. It's your turn to leave.
Oh, God.
(Church bell rings)
Arthur, did I ever tell you about my uncle in Belfast?
No, of course I didn't.
He earned his living as a bare-knuckle boxer.
I'm just telling him about the Holy Trinity.
You know it?
Footwork, timing and hitting.
And a little bit of dirty work.
"Learn these," my uncle said,
"and you'll inherit the earth as surely as the meek."
You never know when do lie down, do you, Arthur?
Liam!
Looks like he bought you a drink after all.
(Low conversation in Polish)
It's perfect. Which way is England?
(Laughs)
You! Tell Oberst Radl who you are.
Kapral Andrej Jankowski, Pulkowniku.
You!
Kapral Stanislaw Kunickski, Pulkowniku, as you very well know.
Get back in line.
(Gives command in Polish)
I'm very much impressed.
You know, it all started as a joke.
I hope Churchill appreciates our sense of humour.
- Good luck, Steiner. - Thank you, Max.
(Radio signal)
(German accent) Falcon, this is Eagle. Are you receiving me?
Eagle, this is Falcon, receiving you.
What are conditions over the nest?
Visibility good. Cloud cover low. Wind freshening.
Eagle, out.
Well, what do you think his game is?
Black market or worse?
There's two army trucks outside, without numbers on... yet.
This-- German!
It's worse.
Arthur, if you love me, you won't say a word until--
I'll have that bastard arrested within the hour.
I've never meant to tease you.
- I know I have but I never meant to. - You lying little tart!
I love him, Arthur! What you do to him you do to me as well.
You can both rot in hell!
Stop, Arthur! I won't let you go!
(Airplane approaches)
Mother 0' God. Flyin' pigs.
- Have you found out who Starling is yet? - Of course.
- Why? - 'Cause I'm hoping it's not him.
It isn't. I want him buried right away.
- Brandt, bring two men. - Jawohl, Herr Oberst!
(Knock on door)
Reichsführer, I have the honour to announce
the Eagle has landed.
I am very pleased to hear it.
I return to Alderney shortly.
I would be honoured if you would tell our Führer.
I will tell the Führer nothing.
For a variety of reasons, I would prefer this to come--
How shall I put it?
I would prefer it to come as a surprise to him.
- How much of a surprise could it be? - You have the letter?
These are difficult times, Herr Oberst.
The destiny of Germany rests on his shoulders.
It is essential we avail ourselves of this opportunity to please him.
We are all in Oberst Steiner's hands now.
Hello, Grandfather.
- Foreigners? - Polish. Corporal Kunickski.
Kunickski? That's not your fault.
(Orders shouted in distance)
(Church organ playing)
Oh, please, don't stop.
My apologies, Father.
I am Corporal Andrej Jankowski. I was sent to find you.
However, I could not help myself.
I don't blame you. You play marvelously. Bach needs to be played well.
I remember it with frustration every time I take that seat.
I'm sorry, Father, but my Colonel--
Yes. Yes.
- Father Verecker, is it? - Yes.
Colonel Miller, assigned to command the Independent Polish Parachute Unit.
Colonel Miller, what can I do for you?
Well, we're on an exercise. I only have a handful of my men here.
The rest are scattered over Norfolk. There is a rendezvous tomorrow,
but I'd like to take these chaps on maneuvers through the village.
If that wouldn't be too much of a burden for you.
On the contrary, Colonel. We could do with some excitement.
I'm sure that the villagers will do everything they can to help.
Well, I shall be counting--
counting on that, Father.
Phillip, this is Captain Harry Clark of the American Rangers.
- How do you do, Father? - How do you do?
My sister's told me about you.
Pamela, this is Colonel Miller. My sister Pamela.
- How do you do? - How do you do?
And Captain Clark.
- Colonel. - Captain.
- Are you staying for tea? - I'm sorry. I must go, Father.
We had no idea you guys were here.
You're quite a surprise to our group.
- Free Polish paratroopers, huh? - Yes, that's right.
Listen, we've got some Polish guys.
Maybe you'd like to meet them?
Maybe later. Where are you staying?
Eight miles away, at Meltham House.
What sort of strength would you have there?
We're just a company.
Meltham House. I'll remember that. Miss Verecker.
- Good-bye. - Father, thank you.
- Not at all, Colonel. - Captain.
Have the men hang on by the truck.
(Orders shouted in Polish)
Let's see the rest of the village.
Don't drive too slowly--
BOTH: And on the left-hand side of the road.
Foreigners. Poles.
And Yanks, too.
And Irish.
Get back in your foxhole, Laker. You're being invaded.
(Laughter)
(Wolf whistle) What you been doing in that uniform, Captain?
Moss, you did not get those three rockers by asking stupid questions.
What is it now? ls the new outfit arriving?
No, sir. He wants to see you.
Sir!
Eight years...
Eight years in the National Guard, every other weekend.
Two weeks out of the year up to my ass in swamp water.
I can feel those mosquitoes!
But I made it. I got my rank.
You were at Benning when I got my command.
The best goddamn outfit a man could hope to have.
11 weeks' training for this mission.
In two days, we hit the beach.
That was my last chance
to get my feet wet in action before this goddamn war is over!
And now this!
- You won't be leading us in, sir? - The bastards are sending me home!
Read this! Go ahead! Top line!
Pitts, Clarence E. 016838621.
Reassignment-- Fort Benning, Georgia.
Air transportation, Priority 2.
They're not even in a hurry!
Gosh. Can't you do anything, Colonel?
Look at the signatures on it!
Not one of those men saw combat! Not one!
What do you want? Why are you here?
- Sir. - Fort Benning, Georgia!
You know how hot it is in Fort Benning, Georgia?
I could have been in on the finish!
Wait till my daddy hears about it!
(Commands shouted in Polish)
Keep up this foolishness for 20 minutes, Hans,
then gradually establish the roadblocks.
Slowly. Two men at a time.
- Yes, that's coming along nicely. - Thank you, sir.
- Very impressive. - Thank you, Father.
My new orders call for me to be heading down into the marshes.
Do you know of anyone?
As fate would have it, Colonel, lam the official marsh warden.
Liam Devlin at your service.
What a bit of good luck.
- Colonel, I'm Mrs. Grey. - How do you do?
As Mr. Devlin has been in my employ for less than two days,
I might suggest a third person along to ensure we don't lose you both.
- I don't suppose I could impose? - Not at all. I'd be delighted.
- Why don't we, eh... - Yes, please do.
- Here. - I'll get in the back.
- Any further news of Churchill? - Yes, the party's left King's Lynn.
In the house, is there another escape route?
There's an entrance at the rear and one opposite the church.
Yes. Let's hope it won't be necessary.
What a lovely day for fantasies.
The Colonel's-- that he'll be able to pull this thing off.
Mine-- a cup of tea and a country girl.
And Mrs. Grey's-- that even after all of this is over,
she's still going to be asked to be Lady Willoughby.
Sir Henry is a pleasant enough dullard.
He and my late husband were partners in a South African venture.
South African.
That's what I can hear in your voice-- Afrikaans.
My mother, since you noticed.
She and my sister died there in a British concentration camp.
Or did you think the Nazis invented them?
Revenge-- a classic motive.
Do you have a motive, Mr. Devlin?
Regrettably, no.
So, if someone else
had asked you to abduct Adolf Hitler,
you would be in Berlin right now?
If all this lunacy doesn't work out, Colonel, that's not a bad idea.
(Shouts in Polish)
Thank you, Colonel.
- Can I buy you a drink, Colonel? - Not right now.
- Mrs. Grey? - No.
Then I'll be off. I hope I've been of help.
I don't know how we would've managed without you.
Perhaps we'll meet later, hmm? Somewhere in the marsh.
It's a very large marsh, Colonel.
Good luck with your maneuvers. Success. Ma'am.
- (Soldier shouts) - (Screams)
Stop the wheel.
Susan!
Get his body off the wheel.
Father, look at that uniform!
It's a German.
It's the Ger--
- My God, you're a German. - More bloody foreigners.
- Altman, the switchboard. - Jawohl!
You two, the manor house. Take these people into the church!
Colonel, I know what you're doing.
You won't stand a chance.
Well, I insist on giving it a try.
Hans, get the men in position.
Don't let anyone out of the village.
Jawohl.
Molly, what is it?
I must see Father.
- I have to talk to him. - Yes, of course you can.
Something terrible has happened.
It's all right. Stay here.
I'll get Phillip now.
Molly! Come with me! Quickly.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilde, will you take a seat, please?
Mr. Laker, sit over there.
This door is locked. Why?
It's the sacristy.
It's where I keep the church records and my vestments.
The key is at my house. I'll go and fetch it if you like.
That won't be necessary.
So, you intend to kill Mr. Churchill
as he passes through here today?
What an astonishing notion.
Give it up.
There's no surprise left.
Perhaps just one surprise left, Father,
your good Lord willing.
God, these are Germans.
I must tell-- I must tell Harry.
Oh, Phillip's probably got the keys to his car.
Mrs. Grey's got one, and Liam's got his bike.
Oh, good! Don't worry, Molly.
Go to Liam, and then go and tell Captain Clark what's happened.
- But there must be-- - Molly!
I'll try and find him.
All right. Now, come on.
At times like these,
there's very little left but prayer, and it frequently helps.
What do you think our chances are?
The E-boat is off the coast, Hans.
Churchill is on schedule. Anything is possible.
Joanna! Joanna!
- (Hammering on door) - I'm coming! I'm coming!
- Oh, Joanna! - What's happened?
Colonel Miller and his men-- they're not Polish, they're Germans!
They want to kidnap Churchill.
They've got the villagers. We must tell the Rangers!
- Does anybody else know? - No.
I'll get my car keys.
- What kept you? - I killed Arthur.
Don't fret. They'll think I did it. Did you tell anybody about it?
- He said you're a traitor? Are you? - I don't betray what I believe in.
Your bloody Germans have locked everyone in the church.
They're going to kill Churchill.
Traitor!
But Pamela's gone for the Rangers!
- Jesus! - Don't try and run!
Run away? That would be sensible.
Don't you know me better than that?
Do you think I could leave them in the lurch?
I wrote you a letter. It's not much. Here it is, for what it's worth.
It's on the table, if you're interested.
(Static interference on radio) Eagle, this is Albatross.
Pamela knows everything. She's gone to Meltham House, for the Rangers.
I shot at her. I'm sure I hit her.
No matter what the reason,
no matter how deeply felt the cause,
you lived with us, Joanna.
You accepted our admiration,
our kindness... and our trust.
May God grant you time to relive this moment in shame!
Are you able to communicate with the E-boat?
Tell them to go to Position One immediately.
This really is a beautiful spot, you know.
Yes.
I understand, Mrs. Grey.
No matter how you feel about the British, you must hate to leave here.
That's just it, Colonel.
Until this moment, in spite of all I've set in motion,
I never actually believed I'd have to go.
- What the hell's goin' on, Haley? - Don't know. The Colonel said, "Wait."
Your girl's okay, Clark. She's in hospital.
She took a bullet from some double-crossing bitch named Grey.
Enemy agent.
Those Poles you met are Krauts. They're hereto kill Churchill.
Now, listen up. Churchill just left King's Lynn.
Have you notified the War Office?
That'll take too long.
I'm gonna nail those Krauts myself, and I've got the men to do it.
"Action this day." That's Churchill's motto.
We should notify-
Go and head off Churchill.
If you don't notify the War Office, I will, sir.
Moss, get a hold of the War Office. Top priority.
If anything happens to Churchill because you're late...
this country will swing you from Big Ben.
Cancel that call, Moss.
- Put the windshield down, Haley. - Yes, sir!
- Give me a handful of those grenades. - Yes, sir.
- Sergeant! - Yes, sir.
- How're you doin'? - Fine, sir.
- Where are you from? - Omaha, sir.
By this time next year,
pigeons are gonna be crappin' on statues of you all over Nebraska!
All right.
Move ahead.
Okay!
(Conversation drowned by engine)
- Did you spot anything, sir? - No. Hang on to this, Lieutenant.
I think I can take this place without firing a single round.
- Yes, sir. - Get out, Haley!
Well, this looks like it.
This is Colonel Clarence E Pitts, United States Army!
You are surrounded. Send out your Commanding Officer!
- Do you speak English? - Yes.
I'll give you five minutes to lay down your arms
and surrender your hostages.
- Do you understand? - Yes.
- Where's your Commanding Officer? - Yes.
Are you makin' fun of me, soldier?
Well, goddamn it!
Goddamn Krauts think they're gonna kick me around, they've got another think coming.
I'll blow their asses right out of that church!
Delta Two, to Mallory.
Where are you, Mallory?
Mallory, where are you?
This is Mallory. We're all set.
Stand by. Becker, you out there?
Ready, Colonel.
Stand by. We're gonna move in!
Come on, we're movin' out!
Shouldn't we look the place over?
And have men shot to find out somethin' I already know?
There are a lot of places for an ambush, sir. Plus, there's the civilians.
You question one more of my orders, and I'm gonna bust you to Private!
Yes, sir.
Go, Beck! Go, Mallory!
Get out! Come on, get down!
Son of a bitch!
Get a missile for the bazooka.
- Beck! Come in, Beck! - Beck here.
We're gettin' fire from all round.
There are four dead and we're pinned down.
Four dead?
This is Frazier, Colonel. We got three dead.
Pull yourself together. Regroup. Do something, Frazier!
Regroup? That dumb son of a bitch!
This is Mallory. I got that truck with the bazooka.
What do they want, a medal?
Jake!
MOSS: Frazier radioed this in, sir.
Oh, Holy Jesus!
- Did you get the Colonel? - No, sir.
(M utters)
I've got the whole outfit ready to move.
Colonel Pitts is a man of limited combat experience.
- Apparently no longer. - Nope
Major Corcoran here. We have an incident.
I'm going to go up on the second floor to find out where we are.
Give me those binoculars. Fix that tire.
God, this is where that bitch Grey lives! Bring that gun!
Mrs. Grey!
(Patch whimpers)
Sir...
Mrs. Grey!
Holy shit!
I have a suggestion, Herr Oberst.
- Yes, Brandt? - We should leave immediately.
Yes, Brandt.
Get back to the church!
Cover!
I'll let you know when I need you, Father.
Get to your positions!
I think we're about to take up permanent residence here.
Another white flag has arrived.
Unfortunately, this officer seems to know his business.
Colonel, my one consolation is that, thanks to my sister, your plot has failed.
Really?
It failed because one of my men died saving that little girl.
Father, you had betterjoin your flock.
- Captain Clark, what can I do for you? - Surrender.
Surrender?
Mr. Churchill is safe and under guard.
Mrs. Grey is dead, and her radio has been confiscated.
It's all over, Colonel.
I have hostages.
Well, I can't see you bringin' them out, women and children in front of you.
No.
Let the villagers go, Altmann.
Father, your people, please.
Colonel, I understand none of this, and I don't wish you well,
but I'm grateful for the life of my child.
So am I.
Don't forget, Father-- "The last shall be first."
You bastard!
(Shouts)
Let me go!
Father! Father, I've got to get you out of here!
Pamela's all right. She's in the hospital.
- Father! - Yes.
Good-bye, Captain Clark.
Colonel, there's no such thing as death with honour, just death.
I have no intention of dying now,
but if I'm going to, allow me to choose where and how.
- What are you doing? - Getting the keys to his car.
How did you get in here?
There's a tunnel.
It's an ancient escape route that leads up to the vicarage.
The car is parked at the end of it.
Mr. Devlin,
you are an extraordinary man.
Colonel Steiner, you are an extraordinary judge of character.
There is a way out now.
It is still possible for us to capture Churchill.
Not us, Herr Oberst, you.
If we all attempt to leave, we will fail.
Very probably.
Do you have a suggestion, Brandt?
You go, and we stay and hold this place as long as possible.
Shall we say covering fire in about 30 seconds, Herr Oberst?
Yes.
Hans, you come with me.
It has been a privilege to serve with you.
(Dramatic organ music)
Go!
One-two-three, go!
(Discordant blast of organ)
We can stay one step ahead if the radio is still inside.
If the E-boat is still outside.
It's out there.
(Activity on radio)
I love you.
That doesn't mean I like what you've done
or what I've done, or even understand it.
I only know I couldn't have lived with myself if I let you die.
- Did you read my letter? - Yes.
Well done, Captain. Congratulations.
There are three survivors, sir--
Steiner, Devlin, and one German who we know is badly wounded.
With your permission, sir, I'll pick 'em up.
I can't stay for long. The tide.
- Get on board. - I'm not Ieavin'.
- I beg your pardon? - I'm stayin' here.
Hans"
Take Herr Hauptmann aboard.
Herr Hauptmann...
- I will not leave without you. - Get on board, Hans.
I will not. I'm coming with you.
How long have we known each other?
Since the day you kicked me out of the plane at Narvik.
Three years.
Hauptmann Ritter von Neustadt...
in all that time, you have never once disobeyed an order of mine.
And I will not let you start now.
Herr Oberst.
Take the boat offshore and stay there as long as possible.
- He'll be heavily guarded. - Yes.
- You don't even know where he is. - That's right.
You're still going after him?
The time has come, Mr. Devlin, when I no longer control events.
They control me.
Good-bye, Mr. Devlin.
You're a lovely fellow, Colonel.
I hope you find what you're looking for.
I already have. I hope I haven't lost it in the finding.
(Engine revs)
Herr Oberst.
A message from Albatross.
- It, uh... - Read it.
It's garbled.
- We could have misunderstood. - Please.
"One wounded fledgling left. Return nest." Then it's unintelligible.
"No tide at present... for..."
Then it's unintelligible again. Uh...
"God save..." That's all they could understand, sir.
Get out of here, Karl. Back to Berlin.
By plane, car, anything you can commandeer with my authorization.
You have a wife and children, huh?
I was measured for my casket months ago.
- Do you understand me, Karl? - I-I think so, sir.
You were following my orders. You had no choice.
The Admiral's a decent man. He'll understand.
Good-bye, Karl.
Go!
- But" - Go.
(Faint conversation on radio)
We've checked the beach road. Haven't seen a thing.
Beck here.
We've checked the beach road. Not a damn thing.
CLARK: Run it again. Check for turn-offs.
- Understood. - Come in, Wilson.
Moving west.
Results-- negative.
Work back towards five and four. Frazier, this is Delta Two.
Frazier here, sir. Negative on anything.
Okay, Frazier.
The convoy is being moved to original destination.
- Stay off the air until I call. - Frazier. Out.
Frazier, this is Delta Two.
Come in, Frazier.
Frazier, this is Delta Two.
Frazier.
New position, Frazier. Cover the mouth of Estuary One.
- Will do. - Delta Two. Out.
This looks like the place.
(Dogs yelp)
- There's somebody in there. - Let's take it.
No way. The door's open. We'll let the dogs do it.
(Dogs growl and bark)
(A high-pitched whistle, dogs stop barking)
I told you those dogs are no damn good!
Your pardon, Herr Reichsfijhrer. Message received from Albatross.
It's fragmentary.
Get me Hauptsturmführer Fleischer, in Cherbourg.
Haw oh“.!
Herr Oberst Radl? You are under arrest.
May I be permitted to know the charge?
Exceeding your orders to the point of treason to the State.
Oh.
(Echoing gunshots)
Now, put your men round there. Okay, Moss, over there.
- Put two men on the perimeter! - Right, sir.
Check back here in five minutes. Let's move out.
(Jeep drives away)
- Whisky? - No, I won't, thanks.
Well, he's settled with his cigars and brandy.
(Curtain is drawn open)
There's some question as to the identity of an American officer
who proceeded the convoy to here.
- (Telephone rings) - None of my men led the convoy.
One moment, please. Captain Clark.
Captain Clark speaking.
You're what?
What do you mean, he's unconscious?
Hisjeep is missing?
Jesus God. He's here.
(Distant shouts)
Cover the front of the building. Through here!
The terrace! Prime Minister!
Poor sod.
No one will ever know what he did.
Never know? Are you crazy? That's Winston Churchill lying there!
No, Captain.
That is one George Fowler lying there.
He's a variety artist of a sort, and a very brave man.
Incredible. He knew this sort of thing could happen.
He didn't even call out. He played it to the end.
Where is Mr. Churchill?
Well, I suppose you'll read about it in the papers tomorrow.
At the moment, he's in Persia, with your president and Marshal Stalin.
Tehran, Captain. That's where the reality is.
This-- This never happened.
It did not occur, Major.
Right.
DEVLIN: Molly, my love,
as a great man once said,
"I have suffered a sea-change, and nothing can be the same again."
I came here to Norfolk to do a job, not to fall in love.
By now, you'll know the worst of me. Try not to think it.
To leave you is punishment enough.
But it will not end here.
For, as they say in Ireland, "We have known the days." Liam.
(Dogs bark)