Devil's Men (2023) Movie Script
1
Dear Ma,
don't worry.
I'm okay.
They won't let me tell you
where we are.
The First Special Service Force
had our first major battle.
We had to climb a mountain
just to get to where we could
fight.
No other unit believed it could
be done.
And it was cold...
The first time I looked down my
rifle sights aimed at a man...
was difficult.
Just target a German.
Don't shoot 'til you have the
order.
I really don't want to kill
anybody.
I keep telling myself I am here
because it is my duty.
And dad expects me to fight.
Mon
ami,
he's not a man,
just a grey uniform.
Just a gray uniform.
I didn't have time to even
think about what I had done.
There was so much shooting
going on--
It was kill--
or be killed.
Kill...
or my friends would die.
I hate it.
Get yourself down there.
This right here--
is the gun that my daddy gave to
me.
One day this is going to be
your gun.
Alright?
Always point your gun in a safe
direction, Sam.
What's a safe direction?
Don't know.
It's where you won't hurt
somebody.
Always keep your gun pointed
away from people.
I don't ever want to shoot
nobody.
Well, that's good.
You keep your gun pointed away
from people
and you won't.
Now this right here,
that's the rear sight--
and that is the front sight.
Always focus on the front sight
and you make sure your
target is dead center.
Okay?
Alright, now...
Never pull the trigger with the
crook of your finger.
Instead use the tip--
and you'll be way more accurate.
Okay? Go and try that out.
Now you notice how that
gun tends to...
bounce around and not hold
still?
Yeah, I can't keep it on the
can.
Alright, what you do is
you let out all your air...
When you reach that point where
the air's all gone,
that's when you aim-
and squeeze off the shot
with the tip of your finger.
Go on now...
I did it! I did it!
Alright now, don't get
cocky on me.
Sorry.
Listen, remember what I
told you...
focus,
breathe,
squeeze.
Now I want you to hit the rest
of them cans as fast as you can.
How's that?
Nice shootin' Sam.
You're going to be a fine, sharp
shooter one day.
Maybe you'll get a chance to do
what I could never do in the
Great War.
What did you do?
Well...
I was assigned to take care of
the horses
the entire war.
I never got a chance to
actually fight.
Some day you'll get a chance to
fight the next war.
Well...
you'll think differently when
they're shootin' at you and your
buddies.
I just wish you didn't
have to go.
Well, my number came up.
It's my duty to go.
I'll serve just like Dad--
in the Great War.
We're so proud of you, Sam...
right Ma?
You're going to be a fine
soldier.
Don't worry, Ma.
I'll be just fine.
This war will be over
and I'll be home before you can
say Jack Robinson.
Write to me everyone.
I'll write ya every
day!
- Bye, son.
- Bye.
Mail just got here.
From Sam!
Oh, Okay!
Alright...
'Dear Family,
This is just to let you know I
finished basic training
and got recruited to be part of
a new unit called
the First Special Service Force.
I'm being sent for training as a
paratrooper
and whatever else they need me
to do.
The camp is all the way over in
Helena, Montana.
If other units say it can't
be done,
that's when they'll send
for us.
So Dad, I think
I'll for sure not be taking care
of horses.
I'll let you know more about
it once I get there,
but for now that's all I
know.'
It's okay. It's okay...
Ma, you left out this part--
'Oh, I get paid an extra
50 bucks to be in this
paratrooper unit.'
Wow, an extra 50 bucks!
That's what I want to do when
I go.
- Same!
Sam's gonna be okay.
50 bucks!
This is good.
Name, soldier?
Private Samuel Byrne, Sir.
Private Byrne,
you will address me as Master
Sergeant Sanders
and never as "Sir."
That's a whole different kind of
animal.
Yes, Master Sergeant Sanders.
Byrne, you are in
Second Regiment, Second Company,
Hut 385.
Name?
Ernest Chipchase,
Canadian.
You a--
got something there on your lip.
I'm Jean Paul Sabourin,
as you can tell
I am French Canadian,
from Montreal, Quebec.
I just arrived today also.
Well, that's quite a mouthful.
I think I'll just call you
Frenchy.
C'est la vie.
I'm Sam Byrne,
from Wyoming.
Am I in the wrong hut?
I'm not Canadian.
Here's another proud
Canadian,
Private Jack Knight.
Nice to meet you.
What is that smell?
You a cowboy?
I'm a rancher.
But yeah,
I hang around cattle
and ride a horse.
Whatever you say, cowboy.
You got a long way to go to
catch up with us Canadians.
They told us to fall-in in five
minutes,
about five minute ago.
Pack your gear and
let's go.
This... is Captain Pat O'Neill.
He's our greatest resource
on hand-to-hand combat.
Listen closely.
It will save your life.
Right lads,
the enemy intends to kill ya.
So,
that means, if you want to
survive,
you must
take his weapon out of
commission.
You've got to incapacitate him
first.
And fast!
What's your name, young fella?
Byrnes, sir.
A good Irish name.
Come here to me.
I like to know the names of the
people I beat up.
Don't worry,
I won't bite ya,
unless I have to.
Right...
take this fake gun in your
hand...
and come at me,
ready to kill.
Come on,
cowboy. Come on.
Don't worry, lads.
He'll come around soon.
Remember this,
and be aware.
If you use this,
or any other technique I teach
ya,
your enemy,
if he survives,
will come at ya,
fightin'
and ready to kill.
Are you all right there, young
Byrne?
Are you breathing okay?
Can you talk?
Yes, sir.
Looks like I was right.
One of those fighting Irish.
This soldier has moxie!
Grace, you really should
come.
You'll have fun.
Dance,
laugh,
have a good time.
Robin, going to that bar
is not what I call fun.
Drunk soldiers, loggers, miners,
all thinking they can have
their way with all the girls...
Not my idea of fun.
Well, I know you like to
dance
and there's plenty of that.
It'll be fun!
Gentlemen!
We must accomplish what we came
here for.
Let's go find some dames!
If you take too long to
ask,
someone else will beat you to
it.
And I'd really rather dance
with you
than one of those loggers or
miners over there.
I'm not such a good dancer,
but you can teach me, if you
like.
I learn quick.
I'm Grace Ford,
what's your name?
I'm Sam.
Sam Byrne from Wyoming.
I've never danced like this
before.
Well, hi Sam Byrne from
Wyoming.
This is the Swing.
Watch my feet...
Back,
step,
one, two, three.
Then do it to the other side.
That's pretty easy.
Try!
Here goes nothing!
Okay...
Well, look at that.
You do learn quick.
Let's have some fun.
Then he says,
then he says
"but Grace...
you can teach me,
I learn
very quick."
No, I.
Everyone, fall in!
Grab your empty rucksacks
and head outside.
Are you deaf? Let's go!
Let's go!
Just because it is night,
does not mean your day is over!
Double time, let's go, men,
let's go! Come on!
Fill your packs with these
rocks.
C'est fou!
I hope he doesn't
think we're
gonna carry these on our backs.
Your gear
hasn't arrived yet,
so we're using these rocks
until it does.
Come on, more rocks,
more rocks!
Let's go! Let's go!
Come on, men!
Let's go, this ain't no Sunday
walk through the woods!
Let's go!
My eighty-year-old grandmother
runs faster than you,
come on!
Come on, let's go,
come on!
Hey come on, get up.
Come on--
come on.
Leave him!
These dropouts will be sent
back where they came from.
Where do we dump the rocks,
Master Sergeant?
Those are your rocks,
Byrne.
Take good care of them.
They live with you, now.
They even sleep with you.
Go shower.
Be at breakfast in 15 minutes
and do not be late!
Hey.
Hey, Jones.
You guys know where
they'll be sending us?
No idea.
What about you, Knight?
I think we're the secret
suicide squad
meant to take out Hitler.
Where'd you hear that, Knight?
It's just word going around.
The suicide squad...
Where do you hear these
words going around?
Pivot, step, jump!
Pivot, step, jump!
Let's go, let's go!
Pivot, step, go!
Let's go, let's go!
Pivot, step, go!
Pivot, step, go!
Pivot, step,
and, go!
Not bad for your first try.
We're going to do this over,
and over,
until it becomes second nature.
Go to lunch.
Enjoy it!
It will be your last hot meal
for a while.
Last nights hike--
was just a warm up.
After lunch--
we go on another--
beautiful hike
in the mountains.
Master Sergeant,
we haven't slept.
The enemy won't let you
sleep, Knight,
and neither will I.
You think this is tough?
Just wait 'til you're laying in
mud.
Haven't eaten or slept in
days,
bullets buzzing by your head,
mortars exploding all over,
while all you can hear
are the screams of fallen
soldiers.
So you will not complain, do you
understand me?
- Yes, Master Sergeant
- I said do you understand me?
Yes, Master Sergeant.
Good.
Remember,
I... hiked with you.
And I am hiking with you again,
and I have had just as much
sleep as you--
which is none!
Move out!
Sunrise, and we have a long way
to go!
Unless you get moving, we're
going to miss breakfast.
Come on, let's go!
What? Are you not hungry?
Let's go, let's go! Come on!
Woo!
Alright.
'So say, I got a letter from Ma
just now,
and it seems I have a new
sister, Carol.
It seems hard to believe.
I sure hope I get to come home
and see her.'
Okay, well he'd better come
home!
'We went on a hike and come
back
after all night and a day of
hiking.
And-- we men got way ahead of
the rest,
and we went into a farm house
and called for a taxi.
And had him come and pick us up.
We knew if we didn't do
something
we'd miss chow.
We beat the rest back into camp,
and we ate real good.'
Sure sounds like Sam's
havin' nothin' but fun
and good food.
I don't know why everyone's so
worried about me signing up.
Well, let's see. Wait, there's
more, um.
'I was thinkin' we'd get
caught
from our prank and I'd get lucky
and get sent back to my original
unit,
and Master Sergeant never said
nothing.'
Lucky? To get sent
back?
What's lucky about that?
Hey, I think our hut
is the only one
that has all twelve
original bunkmates.
No washouts here!
Not yet.
Uh oh,
we're in trouble- I think we're
caught!
No washouts yet,
but we'll see what happens
tomorrow morning,
when you make your two jumps.
Then we'll know who has the
right stuff.
Mail call.
Knight.
Chipchase.
Sab-ow--
Sab-or--
Frenchy!
- Oui.
Jones.
And Byrne.
And that is it for today.
Tomorrow morning--
be ready.
Sam,
looks like we were not caught.
Tomorrow
is the day you've been looking
forward to...
Fifty bucks!
I still don't get why you
Americans
get an extra 50 bucks when we
don't.
Stupid bureaucrats.
Oh la la.
I am excited
that you were selected for
Special Force.
Being a paratrooper is
something to be proud of.
Be the best paratrooper they
have.
Your dad.
Six minutes!
Six minutes!
Get ready!
Get ready!
Stand up!
Stand up!
Hook up!
Hook up!
Stand at the door!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go!
This was much easier than I
thought.
I did what you said, Chipchase.
I didn't look.
I just jumped.
Yeah, with a little help from a
friend.
Jump-master was just about to
pull you out of line.
If I hadn't pushed you out,
you'd be with the washouts
right now.
As I was comin' down,
I got thinkin' about being
shot...
While you're just up in the
air hangin' there,
you're an easy target!
I was thinking the same thing.
Look at those men up there.
They're sitting
ducks.
Germans could just
pick them right out of the sky.
Nowhere to hide.
Maybe we should have chickened
out like those others.
Gone back to our regular units.
This--
is a suicide squad.
Mon Dieu!
Not me!
I could never tell my dad that I
chickened out.
Dead or alive, I'm stayin'
in the Force.
He wrote to me.
I can't disappoint him now.
Come on, we gotta get to our
second jump.
She's not going to dance with
you, man.
You don't have to be
such a hoser, you know.
That boy sure is doll dizzy.
We got pinned today.
I'm officially a paratrooper.
I'm proud of you.
But I sure hope you don't get
sent to the war any time soon.
The latest scuttlebutt is
that it won't be long.
Come on.
Dis knife,
was specifically created for
this unit.
It's designed to kill-
quick
and quiet.
Corporal Byrne?
- Yes, sir?
- Stand here.
Good man.
The best way to use your knife
is to slit throats.
Dis will kill your man
before he can call out.
Just pull the head to the side,
stab
all the way through.
Pull it forward,
cuttin' through da throat.
Or another way,
is to stab right through
the skull.
This knife,
will go right through his ribs
straight to the heart.
And ya see this?
This is called a skull crusher.
Yeah.
You know what to do with that.
Keep yer knife sharp!
Okay, pair up.
Practice.
Hey, where's
Matthews?
Hey, mate!
Our showers are packed.
Do you mind?
It's empty. Have at
it.
Grace,
you look gorgeous.
Thanks!
You look swell yourself.
Thanks.
Um...
Do you know "Hold
Me"?
Okay.
Hold me.
Remember words we've spoken.
Promises I whisper softly
in your ear.
To keep our love
and hold it, dear.
Hold me in your heart
when you can't--
Well, look at that.
The man's a crooner.
C'est incroyable.
When you're dreaming...
Hold me.
Forever, darling
hold me.
While I sleep
I'll dream
- a dream of loving you.
- Down, up, down
'Til I come home
- Up, down
and it comes true.
Until the day I see your
face.
I pray I'm kept
by heaven's grace.
Hold me close and keep
my heart
with lock and key.
With this pen and paper.
Cross the land and over
skies and
stormy seas.
I'll be sending my love.
My love...
To you, love
And to the heart that's
holding
me...
Gentlemen!
Today, is your last day of
training.
Tomorrow,
we go to war.
Where are we headed, Master
Sergeant?
We are headed to war.
We're going to a place where
others have tried,
and failed.
And so they sent for us.
As you were.
Sam!
Sam!
What a great surprise to see
you, Grace.
But I hate to say goodbye.
Me too.
But I had to tell you how much
I'll miss you.
Put this in your pocket
and read it after you're gone.
All aboard!
I have to go,
the train is leaving.
Dearest Sam,
I never thought I'd meet
someone like you.
You are kind,
a true gentlemen.
Yet strong when you need to be.
And you have become such a good
dancer!
I will write to you often.
Please write back so that I
know that you are okay.
Our objective,
is to clear the Germans
out of the Mount La Difensa
area,
so we can travel the road to
Rome
safely.
How can we get to them?
They're on top of that
mountain
and the only way up is that
cliff.
Every unit that tried failed.
With all due respect to those
men,
they have no experience
mountain climbing.
We do.
We can do that.
We are to climb this
cliffside
in the dead of night.
The Germans have left the area
completely undefended.
They're confident no one can
climb the mountainside.
I guess they don't know
about the Force.
If you encounter Germans
before we commence the attack,
use hand-to-hand combat
and stay quiet.
We must take them by surprise.
Van Ausdale, Fenton.
We're counting on you two to
climb to the top,
anchor ropes, and help get
Force-men up there
without the Krauts knowing we're
coming.
This won't take long.
Two ropes come down,
you men can start your climb...
without us having to call out,
that way we can stay quiet.
Questions?
Godspeed, men.
Move out!
Let's go
surprise some Krauts.
Stay quiet.
Target them but don't shoot
until I signal.
Use your knife if you have to.
Just target a
German.
Mon ami,
he is not a man,
just a gray uniform.
Just a gray uniform.
Don't shoot till you have the
order.
I thought we got 'em
all!
They're coming from
that ridge over there!
- Cover!
- Get down! Get down!
Fire mortars on the saddle
leading to Remetanea.
But we're gettin' hit by
mortars and machine guns
from the ridge toward Camino.
No, we're getting hit by both.
Our orders are to fire at
Remetanea with
everything we've got.
Remetanea it is.
We need to give the British more
time to take out Camino.
If they can't,
we can.
How bout that,
no blood!
I was saved
by the hard as a rock sugar
cubes
I've been saving in my pocket.
You--
you are a blessed man, mon ami.
Angels
are watching over you.
You okay?
Never better.
I'm headed down to get the
resupply started.
Good, cause we're
going to need it.
Remember your training.
Use German guns.
Giddyap, cowboy.
Sam,
you saved my life.
You did what you had to do.
You had to do it.
Look at his face...
He's just a kid!
I killed a kid!
- No, no, Sam.
He was going to kill me!
I can't believe I killed a kid!
- Hey, hey, hey!
It's not your fault the Germans
use kids.
I killed him!
Come on, we've got to go,
we've got to go.
Go, go, go!
I might not wake up for a few
days.
I might not wake up
until the next war.
I'm going to stay tucked
inside this
fart sack for a long time.
'Dearest Sam,
How I miss you so.
I hope you are safe and well.
Remember your promise to me
to come home safe.
Wherever you go,
whatever you have to do,
know that I long for your return
when we can go dancing again,
and walking in the moonlight.
Well, I hope you
boys are feeling festive.
It looks like we're going to be
spending Christmas
in the battlefield.
Wouldn't you know.
Joyeux Noel!
We are supply packers
and litter carriers
until First takes the objective,
Hill 720.
Just don't die on
Christmas.
If you do,
your family will hate Christmas
every year forever.
I can't die on Christmas.
If I did,
my mother would kill me.
Nobody dies on
Christmas, alright?
Now, go get your stretchers
and supply packs from the
Quarter Master.
Cover!
Move, Move.
Medic!
Medic!
Medic!
Move.
Move.
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam?
How about that!
It happened again!
No blood!
Angels,
mon ami!
Angels.
Uh, okay...
Get down! Get down!
Take cover! Come on!
Master Sergeant!
Don't worry, Master
Sergeant.
Ahhh!
- We'll get a medic to you.
They'll take good care of you
down there!
You saved us!
You can't die.
Hang on! We'll get you to the
medic!
I'm not going to make it.
I want you two to make it.
Survive.
The people of Italy need you.
Hang in there Master
Sergeant.
You have to make it.
Clear this road to Rome.
Kiss an Italian girl, for me.
No,
no, no!
You can't die- no!
We have to stay strong,
fight,
and survive.
Unless we do,
he dies for nothing.
Stay strong, mon ami,
stay strong.
We can't leave him here.
We need to bring him down.
Medic!
Medic!
My friend is down.
Over here.
I don't have to ask
what's wrong, I can see it.
Open your shirt so I can see
your skin.
I can't--
I can't get it.
You feeling sick?
Yeah.
Sick to my stomach.
Weak.
Am I dyin'?
Is your pee looking a weird
color?
Really dark.
I heard when your pee turns
black,
it means you're gonna die.
Nah, it just means your
pecker's gonna dry up
and fall off.
No way.
Really?
Jeep's here, let's get you on
it.
You're going to the hospital
with
advanced yella' jaundice.
- Is that bad?
- Well it ain't good.
that's why you're going to the
hospital.
You shoulda' said something
sooner.
Now let's hope it's not too
late.
Let's hope there are
pretty nurses at the hospital,
and not just ugly medics like
this guy.
Stay alive, mon ami.
What's your problem?
Nothing.
I'm just here for my friend, I'm
fine.
He's very sick. He'll
be in the hospital a while.
If he gets better they'll
send him back to your unit.
If he gets better?
How bad is this?
Guys usually survive.
But he should've said something
sooner
to have a better chance.
Sorry.
Hey Ma, letter from
Sam.
Oh.
Okay.
He's in the hospital.
What?
You better read it, Robert.
Alright, um...
'Dear family,
They sent me to the hospital.
I have been there three weeks
and I have yellow jaundice.
They say I almost died
when I came in.
But I should be out to my unit
in a day or two.
I sure will be glad
when this war is over
and the killing stops.
You know, I have been in a long
as dad
was in the last World War.'
Hey, it is good to see
you back from the hospital.
Yellow turns to black, no?
Yeah it's good to be back.
Orders are to sneak in,
slit their throats,
and be gone before they know
what hit them.
Bon?
Okay, let's go.
I surrender, I surrender!
Don't kill me!
Hands up! Hands up!
Alright,
come on, come on.
He must have
surrendered cause he saw
what we did to his buddies.
Yeah,
well, if I saw a German do that
to you and Chipchase,
I'd be shootin', not
surrenderin'.
Well, who knows,
he's young and scared.
Jean's right.
Maybe, but keep a close
eye.
I don't trust any German.
Woah, woah!
I-- I don't want to kill
you.
I hope you don't want to kill
me.
I think he is so scared, he
pissed his trousers.
I can smell it from here.
You have a chance to live.
I don't want to kill you,
unless I haf'ta.
Don't make me haf'ta.
I am the same as you.
I-- I don't want to die.
I don't want to kill.
I just want to go home,
and make love to
beautiful women.
Hey Hans,
you're okay.
We're a lot alike, you and me.
We have to turn you in,
but I hear they treat you guys
pretty good.
How do you know my name?
Hans?
Really?
Well, actually, that's what I
call all you Germans.
How do you know English?
My father
was a professor,
at Harvard,
you know,
in Boston? Go Red Sox.
Come on...
They will interrogate you.
Just tell them everything you
know
and they'll treat you swell.
I hate this war.
I don't hate anyone enough to
kill them.
I just... I hate this war.
Yeah,
well, blame the war on that
asshole, Hitler.
If it weren't for him
we'd all be home makin' love to
beautiful women
instead of killin' each other.
'Dear Grace,
I am well and staying safe
like you asked.
It sounds like this war is
coming to an end soon.
I sure hope so.
Frenchy says we should all get
together after the war.
I sure wish I was with you,
in your arms,
dancing and having fun.
I don't deserve you.
I'm so glad you gave me your
picture.
I keep it with me all the time.
All my love to you,
Sam.'
Thanks, Chaps.
I'm General
Frederick's translator.
Are you the men who captured
the German with the diary last
night?
Yeah, that's us.
The General asked me
to tell you
what we found in the diary.
Something about beautiful women?
This is the last entry he made
in the diary.
"The men in the baggy pants
attacked at night
and were everywhere all at once.
We can never tell where those
Schwarze Teufel-- Black Devils--
will be."
I guess we're not the only
ones scared as hell.
That's comforting.
This prisoner was very
scared of us.
That's why he surrendered.
He thought we would.
Hey translator,
teach me how to say
"surrender and live"
in German.
"Gib dich hin und lebe".
Gib dich hin und lebe?
Gib dich hin und lebe.
I think I get what you're
planning.
There will be a knife at
their throat when I say it.
- The'll say: "Ich gebe auf" if
they do surrender.
"Ich gebe auf."
Good luck.
That one we brought in,
Hans,
he was just a kid.
Like my kid brother.
I don't want to kill kids.
Taking prisoners
is better than killing kids.
Baggy pants?
I always thought they were
rather stylish.
It has been a long time
since there have been no clouds.
Look at those stars.
Makes me think about God a bit.
Sometimes,
I wonder whose side God is on.
I don't know much.
I'm just a cowboy from Wyoming
who never sees the inside of a
church.
But I know God takes no sides
in war.
This killin' is wrong, on
both sides.
He's pissed as hell at all of
us.
If there is a God,
he's not happy.
Sam,
I have a serious question to
ask of you.
You're gonna talk about
dyin' aren't ya?
I wrote a letter to my family.
You should do the same.
If I die
all you have to do is mail it.
I will do the same for you.
It's here,
- in my pocket.
- You ain't dying.
so put it out of your mind.
Okay? That letter will never
get read.
Please,
mon ami,
this is serious.
Promise me.
I promise.
But you better not die.
Remember?
We got angels watchin' over
us.
No.
Those are your angels, mon ami.
I just have to stay close
enough that
maybe they will help me too.
'Ma, You said in your letter
I would probably like to see Ras
over here.
No, I wouldn't.
Anybody but him,
or anyone else out of the
family.'
That's not fair. He can go,
but I can't?
Just keep reading.
'Just a few lines to let
you know
I am feelin' fine,
and I received your letter and
sagebrush okay.
I know how Dad felt when he got
his sagebrush overseas.
It makes you feel closer to
home in a far off way.
It's hard to write this on
the stock of my gun,
but it is the only thing I can
find that...
is flat to write on.
Well Ras, just between you and
me and this foxhole I'm in,
I don't see how I came out
alive
from some of them tight scrapes.
I got hit
and should have died three
different times.
But Frenchy says angels are
protecting me.
I think I've aged twenty years.
There are only two chaplains
here
and they are Catholic and
Protestant.
So I go to the Protestant one
twice a week.'
Wow, never would've guessed
that.
War has a way of makin' a man
turn to God.
Cause he knows at any minute
he can meet his maker.
We have been ordered to
use these.
When you kill a German,
place it on his helmet,
uniform,
somewhere where it is sure to be
found.
What the hell does it mean?
"The worst is yet to come."
Colonel-- I mean, General
Frederick
says it is intended to
demoralize them.
It has our symbol,
the "Black Devils".
It's what that prisoner Hans
called us.
Who's more scared,
us or them?
This card makes me feel a lot
better.
Gib dich hin und
lebe.
Ich gebe auf. Ich gebe
auf.
You never said how many
prisoners you wanted to take.
Tonight no one dies.
Every German we find,
we capture.
Let's go find more!
Tonight,
we make German mothers happy.
Gib dich hin und lebe.
Schwarze Teufel. Ich
gebe auf.
Ich gebe auf.
Time to get these prisoners
to HQ.
Get them on their feet. Let's
go.
Vormarsch!
What?
I know a little German,
I learned it in school.
You heard the man.
Vormarsch!
Lets go!
German prisoners for you.
That's quite a few.
Well, they surrendered.
Nice job, men.
Looks like your plan worked,
Byrne.
They surrendered without any
resistance,
thanks to your lesson.
Well, given the choice
between surrender or die,
what would you do?
Sergeant Byrne, General
Frederick asked me to tell you
he needs to meet with you about
a mission.
I'll head there now.
General Frederick wants us
to take out House 14.
There are snipers killing
anyone that comes near.
What's the situation?
There are a couple snipers
embedded in
or around House 14.
No one can find them to take
them out.
It's wide open all around,
no cover,
so they can see you coming.
That's suicide.
No, no, it's not.
We just need to get close
enough
that sharpshooter Sam here
can get those snipers.
We move in tonight.
Let's go get some chow.
They are really well
concealed.
I'm not seein' a muzzle flash
anywhere.
There! Top window.
Way inside.
Next flash,
we all fire.
One of us should be able to get
him.
No!
Sam, Sam...
Thank you for being my friend.
No. No. No, no, no!
Hey, you're not gonna die.
Just hang on, you're going to
be okay.
I am sorry, mon ami.
I feel the life leaving me.
You--
You must live.
Go to Rome.
Kiss--
a beautiful Italian woman for
me.
Mail--
my letter.
No, Frenchy! Hey, Frenchy.
Frenchy!
He didn't shoot back.
I think we killed him.
It's time to head back.
I see him, get down!
You asked for it!
It's you, or me!
He's mine!
Cease fire.
He's mine!
I think he's
dead.
I'm going to make certain.
No more of our men are gonna
die.
He goes to hell,
right now!
I hope Frenchy and Chipchase
saw that.
I'm gonna carry Frenchy.
You men need to take Chipchase.
Sergeant
Byrne,
Jean was a good man.
I know you two were buddies.
These are Frenchy's things.
Would you see that they get to
his family?
Of course.
He made me promise to send this
to his family
if anything happened.
But that German ruined it.
I don't think his family should
see this.
I think you're right.
I made some hot chocolate.
I have real chocolate, real
milk.
Come,
join me.
Come on.
Sorry,
I don't have any sugar.
I've been savin' my lucky
sugar cubes.
They uh...
they saved my life.
Thanks.
So how do you feel?
Frenchy was my best friend.
Chipchase was next in line.
The good book says:
'Greater love hath no man
than this,
that a man
gives his life for his friends.'
How do you feel about what you
had to do?
Well that's the thing,
Chaps.
I uh,
I thought I couldn't kill
anyone.
But then I did,
a bunch of times.
And now I just killed that
sniper
who got my friends.
D'you know what?
It felt good.
I'm a killer--
and I'll be out there doin'
it again, and again.
Until this war ends,
or, uh, until I die.
You saved lives.
You stopped him from killing
more of our men.
You have to try to put this out
of your head.
Just don't dwell on it.
It's not that easy, Chaps.
It's all around me every day.
I kill, and others kill and get
killed.
It's not something you can put
out of your head.
Maybe some day.
But not today.
Thanks,
this was good.
Hi--
'Dearest Grace,
I wish I could say the war will
be over soon.
But it doesn't look that way.
Men are dying all around me
every day.
But I survive.
I don't know what makes me
so special.
Your letters bring me happiness.
I read them over and over again.
But I'm not the same person you
danced with.
I don't know if I will ever be
that guy
ever again.
This war--
has made me into a killer.
You deserve better.
I hope you will meet someone
who makes you happy.
I hope--
I will come to know
why all this happens.
I hope.'
Dear Ma,
don't worry.
I'm okay.
They won't let me tell you
where we are.
The First Special Service Force
had our first major battle.
We had to climb a mountain
just to get to where we could
fight.
No other unit believed it could
be done.
And it was cold...
The first time I looked down my
rifle sights aimed at a man...
was difficult.
Just target a German.
Don't shoot 'til you have the
order.
I really don't want to kill
anybody.
I keep telling myself I am here
because it is my duty.
And dad expects me to fight.
Mon
ami,
he's not a man,
just a grey uniform.
Just a gray uniform.
I didn't have time to even
think about what I had done.
There was so much shooting
going on--
It was kill--
or be killed.
Kill...
or my friends would die.
I hate it.
Get yourself down there.
This right here--
is the gun that my daddy gave to
me.
One day this is going to be
your gun.
Alright?
Always point your gun in a safe
direction, Sam.
What's a safe direction?
Don't know.
It's where you won't hurt
somebody.
Always keep your gun pointed
away from people.
I don't ever want to shoot
nobody.
Well, that's good.
You keep your gun pointed away
from people
and you won't.
Now this right here,
that's the rear sight--
and that is the front sight.
Always focus on the front sight
and you make sure your
target is dead center.
Okay?
Alright, now...
Never pull the trigger with the
crook of your finger.
Instead use the tip--
and you'll be way more accurate.
Okay? Go and try that out.
Now you notice how that
gun tends to...
bounce around and not hold
still?
Yeah, I can't keep it on the
can.
Alright, what you do is
you let out all your air...
When you reach that point where
the air's all gone,
that's when you aim-
and squeeze off the shot
with the tip of your finger.
Go on now...
I did it! I did it!
Alright now, don't get
cocky on me.
Sorry.
Listen, remember what I
told you...
focus,
breathe,
squeeze.
Now I want you to hit the rest
of them cans as fast as you can.
How's that?
Nice shootin' Sam.
You're going to be a fine, sharp
shooter one day.
Maybe you'll get a chance to do
what I could never do in the
Great War.
What did you do?
Well...
I was assigned to take care of
the horses
the entire war.
I never got a chance to
actually fight.
Some day you'll get a chance to
fight the next war.
Well...
you'll think differently when
they're shootin' at you and your
buddies.
I just wish you didn't
have to go.
Well, my number came up.
It's my duty to go.
I'll serve just like Dad--
in the Great War.
We're so proud of you, Sam...
right Ma?
You're going to be a fine
soldier.
Don't worry, Ma.
I'll be just fine.
This war will be over
and I'll be home before you can
say Jack Robinson.
Write to me everyone.
I'll write ya every
day!
- Bye, son.
- Bye.
Mail just got here.
From Sam!
Oh, Okay!
Alright...
'Dear Family,
This is just to let you know I
finished basic training
and got recruited to be part of
a new unit called
the First Special Service Force.
I'm being sent for training as a
paratrooper
and whatever else they need me
to do.
The camp is all the way over in
Helena, Montana.
If other units say it can't
be done,
that's when they'll send
for us.
So Dad, I think
I'll for sure not be taking care
of horses.
I'll let you know more about
it once I get there,
but for now that's all I
know.'
It's okay. It's okay...
Ma, you left out this part--
'Oh, I get paid an extra
50 bucks to be in this
paratrooper unit.'
Wow, an extra 50 bucks!
That's what I want to do when
I go.
- Same!
Sam's gonna be okay.
50 bucks!
This is good.
Name, soldier?
Private Samuel Byrne, Sir.
Private Byrne,
you will address me as Master
Sergeant Sanders
and never as "Sir."
That's a whole different kind of
animal.
Yes, Master Sergeant Sanders.
Byrne, you are in
Second Regiment, Second Company,
Hut 385.
Name?
Ernest Chipchase,
Canadian.
You a--
got something there on your lip.
I'm Jean Paul Sabourin,
as you can tell
I am French Canadian,
from Montreal, Quebec.
I just arrived today also.
Well, that's quite a mouthful.
I think I'll just call you
Frenchy.
C'est la vie.
I'm Sam Byrne,
from Wyoming.
Am I in the wrong hut?
I'm not Canadian.
Here's another proud
Canadian,
Private Jack Knight.
Nice to meet you.
What is that smell?
You a cowboy?
I'm a rancher.
But yeah,
I hang around cattle
and ride a horse.
Whatever you say, cowboy.
You got a long way to go to
catch up with us Canadians.
They told us to fall-in in five
minutes,
about five minute ago.
Pack your gear and
let's go.
This... is Captain Pat O'Neill.
He's our greatest resource
on hand-to-hand combat.
Listen closely.
It will save your life.
Right lads,
the enemy intends to kill ya.
So,
that means, if you want to
survive,
you must
take his weapon out of
commission.
You've got to incapacitate him
first.
And fast!
What's your name, young fella?
Byrnes, sir.
A good Irish name.
Come here to me.
I like to know the names of the
people I beat up.
Don't worry,
I won't bite ya,
unless I have to.
Right...
take this fake gun in your
hand...
and come at me,
ready to kill.
Come on,
cowboy. Come on.
Don't worry, lads.
He'll come around soon.
Remember this,
and be aware.
If you use this,
or any other technique I teach
ya,
your enemy,
if he survives,
will come at ya,
fightin'
and ready to kill.
Are you all right there, young
Byrne?
Are you breathing okay?
Can you talk?
Yes, sir.
Looks like I was right.
One of those fighting Irish.
This soldier has moxie!
Grace, you really should
come.
You'll have fun.
Dance,
laugh,
have a good time.
Robin, going to that bar
is not what I call fun.
Drunk soldiers, loggers, miners,
all thinking they can have
their way with all the girls...
Not my idea of fun.
Well, I know you like to
dance
and there's plenty of that.
It'll be fun!
Gentlemen!
We must accomplish what we came
here for.
Let's go find some dames!
If you take too long to
ask,
someone else will beat you to
it.
And I'd really rather dance
with you
than one of those loggers or
miners over there.
I'm not such a good dancer,
but you can teach me, if you
like.
I learn quick.
I'm Grace Ford,
what's your name?
I'm Sam.
Sam Byrne from Wyoming.
I've never danced like this
before.
Well, hi Sam Byrne from
Wyoming.
This is the Swing.
Watch my feet...
Back,
step,
one, two, three.
Then do it to the other side.
That's pretty easy.
Try!
Here goes nothing!
Okay...
Well, look at that.
You do learn quick.
Let's have some fun.
Then he says,
then he says
"but Grace...
you can teach me,
I learn
very quick."
No, I.
Everyone, fall in!
Grab your empty rucksacks
and head outside.
Are you deaf? Let's go!
Let's go!
Just because it is night,
does not mean your day is over!
Double time, let's go, men,
let's go! Come on!
Fill your packs with these
rocks.
C'est fou!
I hope he doesn't
think we're
gonna carry these on our backs.
Your gear
hasn't arrived yet,
so we're using these rocks
until it does.
Come on, more rocks,
more rocks!
Let's go! Let's go!
Come on, men!
Let's go, this ain't no Sunday
walk through the woods!
Let's go!
My eighty-year-old grandmother
runs faster than you,
come on!
Come on, let's go,
come on!
Hey come on, get up.
Come on--
come on.
Leave him!
These dropouts will be sent
back where they came from.
Where do we dump the rocks,
Master Sergeant?
Those are your rocks,
Byrne.
Take good care of them.
They live with you, now.
They even sleep with you.
Go shower.
Be at breakfast in 15 minutes
and do not be late!
Hey.
Hey, Jones.
You guys know where
they'll be sending us?
No idea.
What about you, Knight?
I think we're the secret
suicide squad
meant to take out Hitler.
Where'd you hear that, Knight?
It's just word going around.
The suicide squad...
Where do you hear these
words going around?
Pivot, step, jump!
Pivot, step, jump!
Let's go, let's go!
Pivot, step, go!
Let's go, let's go!
Pivot, step, go!
Pivot, step, go!
Pivot, step,
and, go!
Not bad for your first try.
We're going to do this over,
and over,
until it becomes second nature.
Go to lunch.
Enjoy it!
It will be your last hot meal
for a while.
Last nights hike--
was just a warm up.
After lunch--
we go on another--
beautiful hike
in the mountains.
Master Sergeant,
we haven't slept.
The enemy won't let you
sleep, Knight,
and neither will I.
You think this is tough?
Just wait 'til you're laying in
mud.
Haven't eaten or slept in
days,
bullets buzzing by your head,
mortars exploding all over,
while all you can hear
are the screams of fallen
soldiers.
So you will not complain, do you
understand me?
- Yes, Master Sergeant
- I said do you understand me?
Yes, Master Sergeant.
Good.
Remember,
I... hiked with you.
And I am hiking with you again,
and I have had just as much
sleep as you--
which is none!
Move out!
Sunrise, and we have a long way
to go!
Unless you get moving, we're
going to miss breakfast.
Come on, let's go!
What? Are you not hungry?
Let's go, let's go! Come on!
Woo!
Alright.
'So say, I got a letter from Ma
just now,
and it seems I have a new
sister, Carol.
It seems hard to believe.
I sure hope I get to come home
and see her.'
Okay, well he'd better come
home!
'We went on a hike and come
back
after all night and a day of
hiking.
And-- we men got way ahead of
the rest,
and we went into a farm house
and called for a taxi.
And had him come and pick us up.
We knew if we didn't do
something
we'd miss chow.
We beat the rest back into camp,
and we ate real good.'
Sure sounds like Sam's
havin' nothin' but fun
and good food.
I don't know why everyone's so
worried about me signing up.
Well, let's see. Wait, there's
more, um.
'I was thinkin' we'd get
caught
from our prank and I'd get lucky
and get sent back to my original
unit,
and Master Sergeant never said
nothing.'
Lucky? To get sent
back?
What's lucky about that?
Hey, I think our hut
is the only one
that has all twelve
original bunkmates.
No washouts here!
Not yet.
Uh oh,
we're in trouble- I think we're
caught!
No washouts yet,
but we'll see what happens
tomorrow morning,
when you make your two jumps.
Then we'll know who has the
right stuff.
Mail call.
Knight.
Chipchase.
Sab-ow--
Sab-or--
Frenchy!
- Oui.
Jones.
And Byrne.
And that is it for today.
Tomorrow morning--
be ready.
Sam,
looks like we were not caught.
Tomorrow
is the day you've been looking
forward to...
Fifty bucks!
I still don't get why you
Americans
get an extra 50 bucks when we
don't.
Stupid bureaucrats.
Oh la la.
I am excited
that you were selected for
Special Force.
Being a paratrooper is
something to be proud of.
Be the best paratrooper they
have.
Your dad.
Six minutes!
Six minutes!
Get ready!
Get ready!
Stand up!
Stand up!
Hook up!
Hook up!
Stand at the door!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go!
Go! Go!
Go!
This was much easier than I
thought.
I did what you said, Chipchase.
I didn't look.
I just jumped.
Yeah, with a little help from a
friend.
Jump-master was just about to
pull you out of line.
If I hadn't pushed you out,
you'd be with the washouts
right now.
As I was comin' down,
I got thinkin' about being
shot...
While you're just up in the
air hangin' there,
you're an easy target!
I was thinking the same thing.
Look at those men up there.
They're sitting
ducks.
Germans could just
pick them right out of the sky.
Nowhere to hide.
Maybe we should have chickened
out like those others.
Gone back to our regular units.
This--
is a suicide squad.
Mon Dieu!
Not me!
I could never tell my dad that I
chickened out.
Dead or alive, I'm stayin'
in the Force.
He wrote to me.
I can't disappoint him now.
Come on, we gotta get to our
second jump.
She's not going to dance with
you, man.
You don't have to be
such a hoser, you know.
That boy sure is doll dizzy.
We got pinned today.
I'm officially a paratrooper.
I'm proud of you.
But I sure hope you don't get
sent to the war any time soon.
The latest scuttlebutt is
that it won't be long.
Come on.
Dis knife,
was specifically created for
this unit.
It's designed to kill-
quick
and quiet.
Corporal Byrne?
- Yes, sir?
- Stand here.
Good man.
The best way to use your knife
is to slit throats.
Dis will kill your man
before he can call out.
Just pull the head to the side,
stab
all the way through.
Pull it forward,
cuttin' through da throat.
Or another way,
is to stab right through
the skull.
This knife,
will go right through his ribs
straight to the heart.
And ya see this?
This is called a skull crusher.
Yeah.
You know what to do with that.
Keep yer knife sharp!
Okay, pair up.
Practice.
Hey, where's
Matthews?
Hey, mate!
Our showers are packed.
Do you mind?
It's empty. Have at
it.
Grace,
you look gorgeous.
Thanks!
You look swell yourself.
Thanks.
Um...
Do you know "Hold
Me"?
Okay.
Hold me.
Remember words we've spoken.
Promises I whisper softly
in your ear.
To keep our love
and hold it, dear.
Hold me in your heart
when you can't--
Well, look at that.
The man's a crooner.
C'est incroyable.
When you're dreaming...
Hold me.
Forever, darling
hold me.
While I sleep
I'll dream
- a dream of loving you.
- Down, up, down
'Til I come home
- Up, down
and it comes true.
Until the day I see your
face.
I pray I'm kept
by heaven's grace.
Hold me close and keep
my heart
with lock and key.
With this pen and paper.
Cross the land and over
skies and
stormy seas.
I'll be sending my love.
My love...
To you, love
And to the heart that's
holding
me...
Gentlemen!
Today, is your last day of
training.
Tomorrow,
we go to war.
Where are we headed, Master
Sergeant?
We are headed to war.
We're going to a place where
others have tried,
and failed.
And so they sent for us.
As you were.
Sam!
Sam!
What a great surprise to see
you, Grace.
But I hate to say goodbye.
Me too.
But I had to tell you how much
I'll miss you.
Put this in your pocket
and read it after you're gone.
All aboard!
I have to go,
the train is leaving.
Dearest Sam,
I never thought I'd meet
someone like you.
You are kind,
a true gentlemen.
Yet strong when you need to be.
And you have become such a good
dancer!
I will write to you often.
Please write back so that I
know that you are okay.
Our objective,
is to clear the Germans
out of the Mount La Difensa
area,
so we can travel the road to
Rome
safely.
How can we get to them?
They're on top of that
mountain
and the only way up is that
cliff.
Every unit that tried failed.
With all due respect to those
men,
they have no experience
mountain climbing.
We do.
We can do that.
We are to climb this
cliffside
in the dead of night.
The Germans have left the area
completely undefended.
They're confident no one can
climb the mountainside.
I guess they don't know
about the Force.
If you encounter Germans
before we commence the attack,
use hand-to-hand combat
and stay quiet.
We must take them by surprise.
Van Ausdale, Fenton.
We're counting on you two to
climb to the top,
anchor ropes, and help get
Force-men up there
without the Krauts knowing we're
coming.
This won't take long.
Two ropes come down,
you men can start your climb...
without us having to call out,
that way we can stay quiet.
Questions?
Godspeed, men.
Move out!
Let's go
surprise some Krauts.
Stay quiet.
Target them but don't shoot
until I signal.
Use your knife if you have to.
Just target a
German.
Mon ami,
he is not a man,
just a gray uniform.
Just a gray uniform.
Don't shoot till you have the
order.
I thought we got 'em
all!
They're coming from
that ridge over there!
- Cover!
- Get down! Get down!
Fire mortars on the saddle
leading to Remetanea.
But we're gettin' hit by
mortars and machine guns
from the ridge toward Camino.
No, we're getting hit by both.
Our orders are to fire at
Remetanea with
everything we've got.
Remetanea it is.
We need to give the British more
time to take out Camino.
If they can't,
we can.
How bout that,
no blood!
I was saved
by the hard as a rock sugar
cubes
I've been saving in my pocket.
You--
you are a blessed man, mon ami.
Angels
are watching over you.
You okay?
Never better.
I'm headed down to get the
resupply started.
Good, cause we're
going to need it.
Remember your training.
Use German guns.
Giddyap, cowboy.
Sam,
you saved my life.
You did what you had to do.
You had to do it.
Look at his face...
He's just a kid!
I killed a kid!
- No, no, Sam.
He was going to kill me!
I can't believe I killed a kid!
- Hey, hey, hey!
It's not your fault the Germans
use kids.
I killed him!
Come on, we've got to go,
we've got to go.
Go, go, go!
I might not wake up for a few
days.
I might not wake up
until the next war.
I'm going to stay tucked
inside this
fart sack for a long time.
'Dearest Sam,
How I miss you so.
I hope you are safe and well.
Remember your promise to me
to come home safe.
Wherever you go,
whatever you have to do,
know that I long for your return
when we can go dancing again,
and walking in the moonlight.
Well, I hope you
boys are feeling festive.
It looks like we're going to be
spending Christmas
in the battlefield.
Wouldn't you know.
Joyeux Noel!
We are supply packers
and litter carriers
until First takes the objective,
Hill 720.
Just don't die on
Christmas.
If you do,
your family will hate Christmas
every year forever.
I can't die on Christmas.
If I did,
my mother would kill me.
Nobody dies on
Christmas, alright?
Now, go get your stretchers
and supply packs from the
Quarter Master.
Cover!
Move, Move.
Medic!
Medic!
Medic!
Move.
Move.
Sam!
Sam!
Sam!
Sam?
How about that!
It happened again!
No blood!
Angels,
mon ami!
Angels.
Uh, okay...
Get down! Get down!
Take cover! Come on!
Master Sergeant!
Don't worry, Master
Sergeant.
Ahhh!
- We'll get a medic to you.
They'll take good care of you
down there!
You saved us!
You can't die.
Hang on! We'll get you to the
medic!
I'm not going to make it.
I want you two to make it.
Survive.
The people of Italy need you.
Hang in there Master
Sergeant.
You have to make it.
Clear this road to Rome.
Kiss an Italian girl, for me.
No,
no, no!
You can't die- no!
We have to stay strong,
fight,
and survive.
Unless we do,
he dies for nothing.
Stay strong, mon ami,
stay strong.
We can't leave him here.
We need to bring him down.
Medic!
Medic!
My friend is down.
Over here.
I don't have to ask
what's wrong, I can see it.
Open your shirt so I can see
your skin.
I can't--
I can't get it.
You feeling sick?
Yeah.
Sick to my stomach.
Weak.
Am I dyin'?
Is your pee looking a weird
color?
Really dark.
I heard when your pee turns
black,
it means you're gonna die.
Nah, it just means your
pecker's gonna dry up
and fall off.
No way.
Really?
Jeep's here, let's get you on
it.
You're going to the hospital
with
advanced yella' jaundice.
- Is that bad?
- Well it ain't good.
that's why you're going to the
hospital.
You shoulda' said something
sooner.
Now let's hope it's not too
late.
Let's hope there are
pretty nurses at the hospital,
and not just ugly medics like
this guy.
Stay alive, mon ami.
What's your problem?
Nothing.
I'm just here for my friend, I'm
fine.
He's very sick. He'll
be in the hospital a while.
If he gets better they'll
send him back to your unit.
If he gets better?
How bad is this?
Guys usually survive.
But he should've said something
sooner
to have a better chance.
Sorry.
Hey Ma, letter from
Sam.
Oh.
Okay.
He's in the hospital.
What?
You better read it, Robert.
Alright, um...
'Dear family,
They sent me to the hospital.
I have been there three weeks
and I have yellow jaundice.
They say I almost died
when I came in.
But I should be out to my unit
in a day or two.
I sure will be glad
when this war is over
and the killing stops.
You know, I have been in a long
as dad
was in the last World War.'
Hey, it is good to see
you back from the hospital.
Yellow turns to black, no?
Yeah it's good to be back.
Orders are to sneak in,
slit their throats,
and be gone before they know
what hit them.
Bon?
Okay, let's go.
I surrender, I surrender!
Don't kill me!
Hands up! Hands up!
Alright,
come on, come on.
He must have
surrendered cause he saw
what we did to his buddies.
Yeah,
well, if I saw a German do that
to you and Chipchase,
I'd be shootin', not
surrenderin'.
Well, who knows,
he's young and scared.
Jean's right.
Maybe, but keep a close
eye.
I don't trust any German.
Woah, woah!
I-- I don't want to kill
you.
I hope you don't want to kill
me.
I think he is so scared, he
pissed his trousers.
I can smell it from here.
You have a chance to live.
I don't want to kill you,
unless I haf'ta.
Don't make me haf'ta.
I am the same as you.
I-- I don't want to die.
I don't want to kill.
I just want to go home,
and make love to
beautiful women.
Hey Hans,
you're okay.
We're a lot alike, you and me.
We have to turn you in,
but I hear they treat you guys
pretty good.
How do you know my name?
Hans?
Really?
Well, actually, that's what I
call all you Germans.
How do you know English?
My father
was a professor,
at Harvard,
you know,
in Boston? Go Red Sox.
Come on...
They will interrogate you.
Just tell them everything you
know
and they'll treat you swell.
I hate this war.
I don't hate anyone enough to
kill them.
I just... I hate this war.
Yeah,
well, blame the war on that
asshole, Hitler.
If it weren't for him
we'd all be home makin' love to
beautiful women
instead of killin' each other.
'Dear Grace,
I am well and staying safe
like you asked.
It sounds like this war is
coming to an end soon.
I sure hope so.
Frenchy says we should all get
together after the war.
I sure wish I was with you,
in your arms,
dancing and having fun.
I don't deserve you.
I'm so glad you gave me your
picture.
I keep it with me all the time.
All my love to you,
Sam.'
Thanks, Chaps.
I'm General
Frederick's translator.
Are you the men who captured
the German with the diary last
night?
Yeah, that's us.
The General asked me
to tell you
what we found in the diary.
Something about beautiful women?
This is the last entry he made
in the diary.
"The men in the baggy pants
attacked at night
and were everywhere all at once.
We can never tell where those
Schwarze Teufel-- Black Devils--
will be."
I guess we're not the only
ones scared as hell.
That's comforting.
This prisoner was very
scared of us.
That's why he surrendered.
He thought we would.
Hey translator,
teach me how to say
"surrender and live"
in German.
"Gib dich hin und lebe".
Gib dich hin und lebe?
Gib dich hin und lebe.
I think I get what you're
planning.
There will be a knife at
their throat when I say it.
- The'll say: "Ich gebe auf" if
they do surrender.
"Ich gebe auf."
Good luck.
That one we brought in,
Hans,
he was just a kid.
Like my kid brother.
I don't want to kill kids.
Taking prisoners
is better than killing kids.
Baggy pants?
I always thought they were
rather stylish.
It has been a long time
since there have been no clouds.
Look at those stars.
Makes me think about God a bit.
Sometimes,
I wonder whose side God is on.
I don't know much.
I'm just a cowboy from Wyoming
who never sees the inside of a
church.
But I know God takes no sides
in war.
This killin' is wrong, on
both sides.
He's pissed as hell at all of
us.
If there is a God,
he's not happy.
Sam,
I have a serious question to
ask of you.
You're gonna talk about
dyin' aren't ya?
I wrote a letter to my family.
You should do the same.
If I die
all you have to do is mail it.
I will do the same for you.
It's here,
- in my pocket.
- You ain't dying.
so put it out of your mind.
Okay? That letter will never
get read.
Please,
mon ami,
this is serious.
Promise me.
I promise.
But you better not die.
Remember?
We got angels watchin' over
us.
No.
Those are your angels, mon ami.
I just have to stay close
enough that
maybe they will help me too.
'Ma, You said in your letter
I would probably like to see Ras
over here.
No, I wouldn't.
Anybody but him,
or anyone else out of the
family.'
That's not fair. He can go,
but I can't?
Just keep reading.
'Just a few lines to let
you know
I am feelin' fine,
and I received your letter and
sagebrush okay.
I know how Dad felt when he got
his sagebrush overseas.
It makes you feel closer to
home in a far off way.
It's hard to write this on
the stock of my gun,
but it is the only thing I can
find that...
is flat to write on.
Well Ras, just between you and
me and this foxhole I'm in,
I don't see how I came out
alive
from some of them tight scrapes.
I got hit
and should have died three
different times.
But Frenchy says angels are
protecting me.
I think I've aged twenty years.
There are only two chaplains
here
and they are Catholic and
Protestant.
So I go to the Protestant one
twice a week.'
Wow, never would've guessed
that.
War has a way of makin' a man
turn to God.
Cause he knows at any minute
he can meet his maker.
We have been ordered to
use these.
When you kill a German,
place it on his helmet,
uniform,
somewhere where it is sure to be
found.
What the hell does it mean?
"The worst is yet to come."
Colonel-- I mean, General
Frederick
says it is intended to
demoralize them.
It has our symbol,
the "Black Devils".
It's what that prisoner Hans
called us.
Who's more scared,
us or them?
This card makes me feel a lot
better.
Gib dich hin und
lebe.
Ich gebe auf. Ich gebe
auf.
You never said how many
prisoners you wanted to take.
Tonight no one dies.
Every German we find,
we capture.
Let's go find more!
Tonight,
we make German mothers happy.
Gib dich hin und lebe.
Schwarze Teufel. Ich
gebe auf.
Ich gebe auf.
Time to get these prisoners
to HQ.
Get them on their feet. Let's
go.
Vormarsch!
What?
I know a little German,
I learned it in school.
You heard the man.
Vormarsch!
Lets go!
German prisoners for you.
That's quite a few.
Well, they surrendered.
Nice job, men.
Looks like your plan worked,
Byrne.
They surrendered without any
resistance,
thanks to your lesson.
Well, given the choice
between surrender or die,
what would you do?
Sergeant Byrne, General
Frederick asked me to tell you
he needs to meet with you about
a mission.
I'll head there now.
General Frederick wants us
to take out House 14.
There are snipers killing
anyone that comes near.
What's the situation?
There are a couple snipers
embedded in
or around House 14.
No one can find them to take
them out.
It's wide open all around,
no cover,
so they can see you coming.
That's suicide.
No, no, it's not.
We just need to get close
enough
that sharpshooter Sam here
can get those snipers.
We move in tonight.
Let's go get some chow.
They are really well
concealed.
I'm not seein' a muzzle flash
anywhere.
There! Top window.
Way inside.
Next flash,
we all fire.
One of us should be able to get
him.
No!
Sam, Sam...
Thank you for being my friend.
No. No. No, no, no!
Hey, you're not gonna die.
Just hang on, you're going to
be okay.
I am sorry, mon ami.
I feel the life leaving me.
You--
You must live.
Go to Rome.
Kiss--
a beautiful Italian woman for
me.
Mail--
my letter.
No, Frenchy! Hey, Frenchy.
Frenchy!
He didn't shoot back.
I think we killed him.
It's time to head back.
I see him, get down!
You asked for it!
It's you, or me!
He's mine!
Cease fire.
He's mine!
I think he's
dead.
I'm going to make certain.
No more of our men are gonna
die.
He goes to hell,
right now!
I hope Frenchy and Chipchase
saw that.
I'm gonna carry Frenchy.
You men need to take Chipchase.
Sergeant
Byrne,
Jean was a good man.
I know you two were buddies.
These are Frenchy's things.
Would you see that they get to
his family?
Of course.
He made me promise to send this
to his family
if anything happened.
But that German ruined it.
I don't think his family should
see this.
I think you're right.
I made some hot chocolate.
I have real chocolate, real
milk.
Come,
join me.
Come on.
Sorry,
I don't have any sugar.
I've been savin' my lucky
sugar cubes.
They uh...
they saved my life.
Thanks.
So how do you feel?
Frenchy was my best friend.
Chipchase was next in line.
The good book says:
'Greater love hath no man
than this,
that a man
gives his life for his friends.'
How do you feel about what you
had to do?
Well that's the thing,
Chaps.
I uh,
I thought I couldn't kill
anyone.
But then I did,
a bunch of times.
And now I just killed that
sniper
who got my friends.
D'you know what?
It felt good.
I'm a killer--
and I'll be out there doin'
it again, and again.
Until this war ends,
or, uh, until I die.
You saved lives.
You stopped him from killing
more of our men.
You have to try to put this out
of your head.
Just don't dwell on it.
It's not that easy, Chaps.
It's all around me every day.
I kill, and others kill and get
killed.
It's not something you can put
out of your head.
Maybe some day.
But not today.
Thanks,
this was good.
Hi--
'Dearest Grace,
I wish I could say the war will
be over soon.
But it doesn't look that way.
Men are dying all around me
every day.
But I survive.
I don't know what makes me
so special.
Your letters bring me happiness.
I read them over and over again.
But I'm not the same person you
danced with.
I don't know if I will ever be
that guy
ever again.
This war--
has made me into a killer.
You deserve better.
I hope you will meet someone
who makes you happy.
I hope--
I will come to know
why all this happens.
I hope.'