The Wooden Horse (1950) Movie Script
BUGLE FANFARE
'I knew it all so well.
'A pair of hairy legs would appear
over the side of the bunk above.
'Legs that would wriggle their toes
disgustingly,
'as their owner prepared to land.
'I tensed myself expectantly
for the routine - crash, bang!
BANGING 'The whole hut shook.
Heavy footsteps stomped the room.
'The violent stir of a spoon
in a pottery mug. CLATTERING
'Bang!
'More footsteps, then the room
shook again as the door slammed.'
Noisy lot!
CLOGS CLATTER ON STEPS
Breakfast, please.
You're cook. OK, Robert.
What's the weather like?
Perfect day for air rescue!
Do you mind? Sorry.
You'll wear it out! It feels like
someone else is doing it.
You're crazy.
Give John a call, will you?
Wake the child?!
Louder! Let his bunk down!
Must you be so hearty?
DOOR SLAMS
Raus! Raus!
Goon in the block.
Alles raus!
Raus! Raus!
Ah, Deutschland kaputt!
Raus!
Push off! We don't speak
German. Careful, Paul.
Ich verbitte mir das. Als Offizieren
haben Sie sich angenehm zu benehmen.
Ah, shove off!
Er sagte,
"Deutschland kaputt."
So, you are
impertinent again?
I object to being shouted at.
Come.
OK. Suits me.
Raus! Alles raus!
Parade, attention!
Guten Morgen.
THEY LAUGH AND JEER
Parcels today, John.
If we get biscuits
we'll make a cake.
If it ends up a pudding
we'll eat it for dinner!
If it's porridge
we'll have it at breakfast!
Soap.
Hey!
Sorry, Bill. I nearly swallowed it.
How's it going? I've done 40 feet.
HE WHISTLES
Ferret!
Now.
He's stopped outside hut 66.
He's looking.
He's coming this way now.
It's Charlie.
He's gone away.
Coming round the circuit? OK.
Right,
let's open it up again.
Tunnel must be almost under here.
It has no chance. See where it goes?
He chose the hut nearest the wire.
It's still 300 feet.
It'll take six months at least.
He's done 40 feet.
That leaves 260 feet to go
still inside the camp.
This is the important place -
these last few feet under the wire.
It's the same old problem. The longer the tunnel
we dig, the longer the goons have to spot it.
We need a short tunnel, here,
under the circuit.
It's as bare as a billiard table.
How would you hide it? Thanks!
SHOUTS FOR THE BALL
OK?
OK.
That's what we want. Some nice innocent camp
activity that goes on all the time, like football.
In my last camp, they sang round
an accordion and dug in the middle,
hiding the dirt in their sleeves.
Got as deep as your arm in one day.
They covered it with a board.
And then?
A ferret fell in and broke his leg! We
can't use that, it must be a classic!
Oh, lord, potatoes!
Sorry, see you later.
A classic.
Give it over.
BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
This is a hell of a life, Pete.
Is it better or worse being married?
Least there's something waiting for you.
I feel life is passing me by and
when I get back it will be too late.
It's not doing anything.
Not even fighting.
Clinton's running.
I'd give anything to be out of here,
even for a few days.
Just do ordinary things - use
a telephone, walk on grass, carpets,
walk up and down stairs,
use a lift.
Spend money and make a decision.
RATTLING
Pete. What?
I've got it. What? Hiding a tunnel
near the wire - a Trojan Horse.
What? The Greeks put men inside it.
We'll make a vaulting horse.
One of us digs under it while the rest
vault. We're carried to and fro inside it.
Strong horse!
We'll do the horse. Let's tell the
escape committee. Wait. No, register it.
Someone could think of it
at any moment.
Sure to! OK, we'll go this evening.
OK.
You propose to take this thing out
with a bloke inside,
day after day, to cover the shaft?
Yes, sir.
Bit far-fetched!
At least it's new!
We can't support wildcat
schemes because they're new!
It's not wildcat, it's
perfectly feasible.
All right, Howard.
We'll discuss it later.
You need a horse first.
We'll build it.
Goons!
Lock up time already!
OK. Good night.
ALL: Good night, sir.
OK, Pete.
We're out! All we need is the horse!
Look, we need a few pieces of wood
about that long and that thick.
About THAT thick?
OK! We'll climb in tonight.
DOG BARKS
BARKING CONTINUES
Check!
BANGING
Bennett!
Bennett!
Hello!
Must you? When I start
something I finish it, old boy!
Heaven help her!
What?
Check! Get out of that!
How's this? Beautiful!
Cutters,
saw.
How's the time? 20.28.
BANGING
Ready?
Two minutes.
Dog outside.
BANGING INCREASES
Time Tony got going.
8.30.
HE WHISTLES
Come on, boy!
All clear. He's gone.
Go!
Now!
They're out.
After the next beam.
Puss, puss, puss!
Puss!
Puss, puss, puss!
SAWING
BANGING AND THUDDING
Come in!
Morning, Wing.
What is it?
Air-conditioning. I'll show you.
See.
I turn this handle.
The pulley operates a fan
under the floor.
Cold air is forced up from under it.
And the hot air?
It goes through the roof.
If you've time to waste, I haven't...
Wing.
It's about the camouflage
for our hole.
I'm making a vaulting horse. Hmm?
It must be strong enough
to carry a man.
The Kriegie Construction Company
is at your disposal.
Thanks, Wing.
Look.
May I? Of course.
Here, just a minute.
It has to be five foot long and
four foot high with a padded top.
Hmm. We have timber for the frame.
The sides will have to be plywood to
minimise the weight. Parcel boxes? Fine.
We want two bars going through
for the bearers.
The man will sit on one and bring
back the sand in bags on hooks here.
BANGING
Put me down, John.
Hopkins. Hut? 67.
Craig, 65.
I'll have a go. Your leg? It's OK.
OK, John.
Ah, Bennett, just the man we want.
Are you going to vault?
No, old boy.
He'd go slap through the horse.
THUDDING CONTINUES
What is this?
Just a gym class, Fuhrer.
Ach so.
Always this craze for exercise.
Right, who's going first?
Come on, up and over.
Go on!
Good turn out, eh?
You wait. Give it a few weeks!
Oh!
Come on, Phil.
Go on.
ROARS OF LAUGHTER
It's planned, sir.
Shows the goons nothing is inside.
Here's the horse and
here's the surface of the ground.
The trap door is 18 inches down,
in case they probe.
We cover it with sandbags,
so we can get to it quickly.
The tunnel runs to the wire. The first
ten feet is shored up top and sides.
Is ten feet enough?
Yes, for the impact.
How do you ensure it's the same spot?
Easy.
The landing marks.
How long will the job take you?
We hope four weeks.
The sooner the better.
OK, Clinton, we'll back you.
Good luck.
Thanks. Good night.
Good night. Better burn this diagram.
DOOR SLAMS
There you are, John.
A pound of sand.
Each bag holds ten pounds, 12 bags a
trip, so, no more than 120 pounds a time.
It'll be six weeks.
We'll start tomorrow.
We can't hurry the goons.
We just vault first.
So we'll only do three feet a day. Mm. We can't ask
the chaps to vault all day for nothing! We must start.
Once upon a time there were two
bulls, an old bull and a young bull.
The young bull said, "The gate to the
cows is open. Let's run and get some!"
"No," said the old bull,
"Stroll down and get the lot!"
Hoch!
Gut! Sie konnen gehen.
Ready, John.
All clear?
Yeah.
Let's go, chaps.
John!
All set, Pete.
Blanket,
trowel and hooks,
box.
Right? Right.
Victor? All clear.
OK, John? Take it away!
Ready.
Lift.
To me a little.
Right, down.
All right, Phil.
Come on, over the top.
All right? It's easy, old boy.
Hold it, chaps.
OK, John.
Go, chaps.
THUD
OK, next.
RHYTHMIC THUDDING
Come on then, over.
'Dry top sand in the box.'
That's better.
THUD
Improving, Phil.
'Now the wet undersand
on the blanket.'
Fine.
I've never seen such a ropey lot!
OK, blokes, a good run and a good
jump. That's all you want. Next.
Good. Come on, next.
That's it.
Come on, Peter.
Feeling tired?
Not bad. A bit more jump, old boy.
Come on, chaps. Keep it going.
Next.
That's very good. Much better.
Next.
Time to pack up, John.
Right, half a minute.
It's getting on, Peter.
Mmm. He's filling in now.
OK, next!
Last one.
Pack up.
Nick!
David!
OK, John?
All aboard.
Take it easy, Tony.
OK, Peter.
OK.
A little higher.
Is it through?
OK, boys, lift.
All clear? All clear.
OK, chaps.
Thank you, Gordon.
Good show. Down you go.
ALL: # We don't want to go to war
# We'd rather stay at home
among the paths to roam
# And thinking of the daughters...#
How's it going, John? Piece of cake,
Bill. We'll be out before you are!
#...Away
# We'd rather be in England
# In merry, merry England
# And live to fight again
another day. Cor blimey! #
# Deutschland, Deutschland,
uber alles
# Deutschland, Deutschland
# Ist kaputt... #
Nehmen Sie doch vernunft an.
ALL: # Uber alles
# Deutschland, Deutschland
ist kaputt... #
Ich sage in das Hoffnung, Sie wollen
es anders. Entweder so oder so!
A FEW SING: # Deutschland... #
So.
Ah, bitte mein Herr. Danke schon.
ALL: Danke!
It will be about here.
It's slow, John.
40 feet. In eight weeks. Not good. It's
getting the sand back. The men are tired.
I know, Phil. What's the answer?
Come on, chaps.
Nearly packing up time.
I must check with the duty pilot.
Keep them going, Phil. Don't worry.
Watch that leg, Nick.
It's OK.
Let's have a series, eh?
PHIL: OK, chaps, let's get cracking.
Phil!
Phil!
I told you to watch that leg!
Rub it! Look!
Roof must have fallen in.
Come this way.
Rub it hard. Pretend I'm hurt.
Get John. Stretcher!
John, there's been a fall.
Who? The tunnel.
Is he trapped? Nick's on the hole.
How do you feel?
OK, John, you take over.
Pete!
Peter!
Peter!
I'm going down.
You'll give the show away. I know.
Peter!
Peter!
(Where's that stretcher?)
(John!)
Peter, are you OK?
Hell of a mess! I'll try and clear
it. Can you fill from the top?
OK.
Down here.
And lift!
Paul, cover that side.
PHIL: Goons seem interested, old boy.
Bandages.
12 minutes, John.
Pete, 12 minutes to roll call!
Carry on jumping, chaps.
Let's go longways.
We'll never do it!
Gewehr hoch!
Rechts herum!
Kompanie marsch!
HE COUGHS
Pete, how are you? How's it going?
OK. Nearly finished.
How much longer, Paul? Five.
Five minutes, Pete. Only five.
OK, shore it up.
You fill in from the top.
Phil, give us a hand.
PHIL: OK.
Lift.
Just a minute, chaps.
Take my shirt, Nick.
Pete - the guard's in!
WHISTLE BLOWS
They have to go, John.
Do something, Phil.
What? Do something!
Schnell, schnell!
I got my shirt on the wrong way.
Los!
Pete, we've got to go now.
Take her away.
Lift.
Down.
Up.
MUSIC: "Pastoral"
from Beethoven's 6th Symphony
AUSTRALIAN ACCENT: Hey, sport!
You know where I've been?
Can't think. Danzig.
I got through the wire with some
other Aussies in the north compound.
I nearly made it.
I was just getting on a ship
when a sentry spotted me.
How long were you out?
Three days.
Got a bullet in the shoulder and a
cold in the head from sleeping rough!
What's Danzig like?
There's no future there.
It's stiff with troops.
How do you get there?
Jump the rattler.
That's the way to get around.
By train.
Why not as a passenger?
A foreign worker?
They ask for your identity card.
You've got to get a permit to travel.
If you got through,
you'd travel fast?
They have train checks.
You'd never get through.
How could I get
travel papers to copy?
One of the goons.
Try Dopey.
Hey, Dopey!
Here.
My friend would like to see
travel passes for foreign workers.
I cannot. They shoot me.
They shoot you for trading with
us kriegies. My friend's a witness.
You must not tell. Please!
I have family. We will, Dopey.
Report him now. Blackmail?
Do you want to escape?
Was machen Sie denn hier? Herr Oberst sagte
der Mann musste gewechselt werden. Gut.
Do you have something to say?
How soon will I be out of here?
Two days.
I'll bring it tomorrow.
Beethoven.
He is a good German.
Yeah, he's dead!
Small one! Is that all? That's all.
Come on, chap.
You and Clinton
share cook duty.
Clinton's not here,
so you do lunch.
Clinton hasn't done it yet!
It's the principle.
So we suffer! It's not me.
It's Clinton's laziness.
Sweating in a tunnel is
"laziness"? He still has duties!
This tunnel's
the excuse for everything.
It's not even getting anywhere.
I say, Clinton, we want
lunch. And I won't get it.
Was it my turn? I'm sorry.
Howard...
Shut up!
This isn't good enough.
We should split the mess into two.
You should cater for yourselves.
OK. Fair enough.
What about you, Nick?
I'll join you. Do you mind?
How are you feeling?
I'll be OK in a minute.
How many bags today, Pete?
Five.
We'll never get out at this rate!
We'll get out.
Only five bags a trip.
We could make two trips a day.
Wouldn't the goons be suspicious?
They think we're mad enough for anything. Still,
that's only ten a day. Less when we get further.
There must be a way.
It isn't the digging, it's getting the
sand out. How about a sort of sledge?
That's it. We can go down together.
The horse can't carry two. It would.
AND the sand? Oh.
I know! We both dig in the morning
and leave the bags in the shaft.
In the afternoon,
ONE brings them back.
Fine. Who will take charge
on the surface?
Phil does already.
We must get him out of the camp too.
He'll be trailing Germany with us.
What about Nick?
Nick! My leg puts me out.
If we had to run for it,
I'd be sunk. Go on and ask Phil.
OK.
On condition that he travels alone!
Got it?
Sure.
See you at 2.30 then. Busy, Phil?
Of course,
I'm starting on my pantomime.
Why not put it on in London?
Yes, Drury Lane, old boy(!)
Phil? Yes?
Seriously. Come in with us,
you'll be home by Christmas.
What's the catch? Nothing. Why me?
Knowing your efficiency.
And your belief in OUR efficiency.
OK, what do you want?
Peter and I are going down together.
Could you organise the vaulting?
I do already! Then why are you
worried? I'm not, I'm flattered.
OK.
OK, I'm in. Good show. Peter?
Hmm? There is one thing.
If it's all the same to you,
I'd rather travel alone.
I prefer it that way.
I feel I do better on my own.
We accept that condition.
HE PLAYS: "Nymphs and Shepherds"
by Henry Purcell
ENGINES APPROACH
Bill!
VIOLIN PLAYS FRANTICALLY
PHIL: Clear it up, boys.
Quick!
# Come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Come-a, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away, come-a...#
RAUS!
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds come away
# Come away...#
CONFUSED SHOUTING
# Come away...# AUS! #
Come-a, come-a, away... #
# Come away, come away... #
Komm, komm.
Where's Nigel? In the roof.
BANGING
If they find the sand, that's it.
I'm afraid we've had it, Pete.
Well, it was a lousy tunnel anyway.
WHISTLE
COMMAND IN GERMAN
Raus!
Did they get yours? Yep.
Bad luck. Yours OK?
So far. That's one thing, anyway.
Must be three tons of sand up there!
Name?
Michel Condein.
Born?
Lille.
Date? September 29, 1920.
Nationality? French.
Profession? Draughtsman.
Destination? Lubeck.
Do you have a permit to travel? Yes.
Who are you employed by?
Metalleverkehr-Gesellschaft.
Very good.
Coffee's ready, John.
Well, how do I look? Well...
All right! Don't say it!
Pete, your turn. Remember "Ich bin Auslander.
Nicht verstehen." I'm a foreigner. I don't understand.
Name? Marcel Levasseur.
Born? Paris. Nationality? French.
Wie heisst die zweite Schwester
ihrer Mutter? Hmm?
Ich bin Auslander. Nicht verstehen.
No-one will with that accent!
Well, how do I look?
Commercial traveller - German style!
Very good. Are you proposing
to take those through the tunnel?
These are my samples. Oh.
I need samples.
These serve a dual purpose.
What are they? Margarine.
I can eat them if I'm hungry.
How are the combis getting along?
I don't fancy those next to my skin.
They smell revolting!
Something's peculiar in the dye.
"Peculiar" is an understatement!
Here's your special rations.
"Dog food" we call it. Mixed with
water it's like porridge... Sort of!
Chocolate, raisins
and a couple of torches.
Thank you. Could we see the Group Captain for a
moment? Yes, come on. He has some money for you.
Clothes look pretty good.
David.
- Howard and Clinton, sir.
- OK. Gather round.
Good evening, sir.
Keep your voices low.
Zero hour tomorrow, eh?
What time do you break?
6pm. The train is at 6.30.
What's your plan?
Phil Roe is going alone to Danzig.
John and I are going to Lubeck.
If we don't get a ship, we'll stay
in a hotel. It's worth trying.
Here's your money.
120 marks each. Sorry
we can't afford more. Thank you.
One thing, sir. Would you stand in
at roll call tomorrow? Stand in?!
What for? There's three of us.
We need a fourth to seal the trap.
The horse won't carry four, so one of us is sealed
down waiting for the rest. Not very pleasant.
Who'll be sealed down?
HOWARD AND CLINTON: I will!
I can get on with digging.
So can I!
A great lout like you will use up more air! It
was my idea! There's one way of settling this.
The longest match goes first.
Me. Good, it means
I'll be first out of the tunnel too!
RHYTHMIC THUDS ABOVE
Yours.
Mine.
Phil's.
It's pretty hot down here.
Take it easy.
I don't want to carry you out!
I'll be OK. So long.
Good luck.
THUDS GET FAINTER
BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
Howard? Hmm?
I've got a bit of German money here.
It might come in handy.
Thanks.
LABOURED BREATHING
Parade dismissed!
Thank you, sir.
Stand by.
Phil!
Ready? Up.
So long.
Paul.
So long, Nick. Pete?
For John.
Thanks, Nick. Good luck.
Right, now!
OK? All set.
HE KNOCKS
NICK: Careful, now. Right, lift.
NICK: Watch it!
RHYTHMIC THUDS
That's the hole for your feet. OK?
Right.
Blimey!
Good luck, Phil.
See you after the war!
Right.
John!
JOHN!
SHALLOW BREATHING
Where the hell have you been?
It's only about 4.30. Is that all?
I thought something had gone wrong.
A present from Nick.
Thanks.
How bad is the fall?
It's not a fall. Thank God!
It's the sand I pushed behind me.
I'm pushing to the surface.
How far is it?
A couple of feet.
Drink up, then, old boy.
We haven't much time.
All right. Lift.
DOG BARKS
Only a thin crust left!
Right. Hold it.
John's bag.
Mine.
Stand by.
Peter!
Good luck, Pete. See you in Sweden.
Good luck, Phil.
Ready?
Wait.
THUDDING
THUDDING GETS FAINTER
Five seconds.
Four, three,
two, one. Now!
RIOTOUS NOISE
Da druben.
WHISTLING, BARKING AND SHOUTING
MUSIC BLARES OU SHOUTING IN GERMAN
Links!
Come on, let's get going.
HE GIGGLES
What on earth are you laughing at?
You!
Mincing around
like a ruddy great bear!
Don't look so good yourself.
Come on, let's get cleaned up.
TRAIN ENGINE RUMBLES
Zwei Karten fur Lubeck, bitte.
Ausweis, bitte?
Ja.
Haben Sie
eine polizeiliche Reiseerlaubnis?
Ah, Sie sind Franzose.
Fahren Sie im Urlaub?
Ich habe nicht die ganze Nacht Zeit!
Eine Ruckfahrkarte nach Frankfurt.
Danke schon.
WHISTLE BLOWS
Parade, attention!
The following penalties
have been imposed.
One - the weekly hot shower
will be stopped.
ALL: Boo!
Two - access to the camp theatre
will be denied.
ALL: Boo!
All sport will be forbidden and all
gymnastic equipment will be denied.
ALL: Booo-ooo!
ALL: Hooray!
Three cheers for the horse!
THEY CHEER ENTHUSIASTICALLY
ANNOUNCER: 'Der auf Bahnsteig Ein...'
BRAKES SCREECH
'Achtung!'
'Hauptmann Zwickler
zur Kommandantur!'
We can't stand around here.
Let's keep with the crowd.
'Achtung!'
GERMAN TRAIN ANNOUNCEMEN INAUDIBLE
SHIP'S HORN BLASTS
This is more like it. Look.
She's Swedish!
We must get in touch with the crew.
We'll come back tonight and climb
into the docks. I don't like that.
It's better to meet them ashore. It's better to meet
them on board, than out here surrounded by goons!
We'll climb in tonight.
Perhaps you're right.
We should move.
It's not safe around here.
HORN BLOWS
GUARD COUGHS VIOLENTLY
This is it.
She's gone.
Sure it's the right dock?
Halt!
He's seen us.
OK.
Halt! Wer da?
Stehen wir besser im Wachtposten
bevor sie entkommen.
Back to the fence.
CLOCK STRIKES THE HOUR
He's following.
Down here, quick!
Blind alley!
Through the gate. Look
as if we're going into the house.
He's coming down the alley.
CRASH
Quick. Over here.
BABY CRIES
RAISED GERMAN VOICES
MAN AND WOMAN ARGUE IN GERMAN
DOG BARKS
No, the object is to get to Sweden, not a bullet in
the back! No more climbing into docks! We got out OK.
Now, look here, John.
It took four months to get here.
Don't rush the fences.
The old bull is right. We can't get to the Swedes,
let them come to us. How? Find the pubs they go to.
Where do we stay?
We can't even get a shave.
When we left camp, we planned to
travel by train and stay in hotels.
If we're going to find the Swedes,
we must have a base.
OK.
Russians, I think.
Any luck? No, full up.
Always "full-up". Maybe foreign
workers aren't allowed in hotels!
MEN SPEAK IN FRENCH
Ask one of these Frenchmen.
They're not guarded.
It's dangerous to talk to anyone.
Go on, ask.
Ask him.
What if he tries to give us away?
Wait until he's down the alley
and get him on his own.
All right. You keep an eye on him.
I'll watch if he turns nasty.
Bon chance. Salut. Merci.
Salut!
I think he guessed who we are.
He told me a hotel, but we can't
stay more than two days. Which way?
Danke.
Wollen Sie bitte im voraus bezahlen?
Elf Mark, bitte.
Ich muss bitte elf Mark ersuchen.
Entschuldigen Sie, bitte.
Danke.
Nummer sieben, bitte. Danke schon.
There we are. Just a little persistence. Now
we can take it easy and stick to the plan.
As soon as we're clean, we'll...
Shut up!
What's the matter?
Can't you lay off? I have to do all
the talking while you stand around!
I'd talk if I could. Listen, I'm
tired and hungry and I won't talk...
FOOTSTEPS
Sshhh!
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
KNOCK AT DOOR
Bedauere, Sie haben hier den
Aufenthalt in Lubeck nicht angegeben.
Ich bin ein Zeichner und ich bin
hier fur einige Tage zum arbeiten.
So, danke.
He wants to know why we came
to Lubeck. I said we came to work.
So we can't stay in during the day.
We can say we were travelling all night.
Gosh, I feel tired, Pete. Piece of chocolate?
Thanks.
Sorry I tore the roof down just
now. You are a bind, you know? OK!
C'est pas tous
les soirs comme ca.
Tu as raison.
Tu viens boire un verre?
He's going for a drink. Do I stop
him? Mmm, ask where the Swedes go.
Eh bien. Au revoir, mon vieux.
Au revoir. A demain.
Pardon, Monsieur. Avez vous du feu?
Oui. Bien sur.
Pouvez vous nous mettre en rapport
avec des marins suedois? Quoi?
Ou vonts-ils quand ils debarquent?
Tell him what we are.
Nous sommes des prisonniers anglais.
Vraiment?
Pouvez-vous nous donner
un coup de main?
# A la claire fontaine
# M'en allant promener
# J'ai trouve l'eau si claire
# Que je me suis baigne.
# Il y a longtemps que je t'aime...#
You are in a camp of French workers.
Stay here.
Just like home, isn't it? I don't
think they like the look of us.
FOOTSTEPS
Come, please.
Reste ici.
Entrez.
Vous ne parlez pas francais?
You do not speak French?
No.
You know what will happen
if we find you're not British?
I am.
You'll be found floating in the dock.
Who are you? Peter Howard. I'm a British
officer. You have proof? My identity disk.
I regret, that is not sufficient.
Your age?
34. Soldier? No, airman.
Rank? Flight Lieutenant.
What camp were you in? Stalag Luft 3.
What squadron? I can't tell you that.
Of course. But I must have proof.
I understand that. When did you escape? Last
Friday. When were you captured? December 17, 1942.
You were shot down? Yes. Where?
Osnibruck. In what aircraft?
I can't answer that.
Were you wounded? Yes.
Show me.
No, don't show me. You look tired.
Two years is a long time
to be in a prison camp.
One year.
Yes, of course.
What are
your mother's christian names?
Elizabeth. People call her...?
Betty.
You have a garden? Yes. What flowers
grow in it? Lupins, geraniums. Car? Yes.
What? Morris. Horsepower? Ten.
You know London? Quite well. What
statue is in Piccadilly Circus? Eros.
What is it famous for?
Its flower sellers. Good.
One thing more. Pierre...
What the devil...?
I'm sorry. You're British, all right!
You understand, we must be careful.
Right.
We cannot promise you much help, but we
will pass the word that you are in Lubeck.
Meanwhile, you must carry on alone
and wait for us to contact you.
Thanks.
CHURCH BELLS RING
Heil Hitler!
Wieviel Gaste haben Sie im Hotel?
Ungefahr sechzig.
Und die...
Hanson, Levasseur.
Wer ist das? Ein Franzose.
Wie lange ist er hier? Zwei tage.
Was macht er? Ein Zeichner.
Er ist gekommen fur eine
Lubecke Firme zu arbeiten.
Condein. Auch ein Franzose.
Pete, there's a policeman
downstairs. I know.
Where were you? Looking round the
docks. I didn't know where you were.
I left you a note. Are you stupid?!
What if the proprietor had come in?
You said to talk to the French,
I thought it would be easier alone.
Did my absence improve your luck?
No.
KNOCK AT DOOR
Wunschen Sie die Zimmer langer zu
behalten? Nein, wir reisen jetzt ab.
Ah, danke schon. Danke.
What did he want?
To know if we're leaving.
Say that again! We've been here
four days and all our money's gone.
There's no Swedes here
and the French are no good. So what?
Let's head for Danzig. How do you know Danzig
will be any better? Couldn't be any worse! OK.
We'll give it one more chance. If we don't strike
oil tonight, we'll jump a train and get out. OK?
OK.
Ist das die Franzosen? Jawohl.
John, there's someone
on our tail. Sure? I think so.
Better test it.
In here.
Buy a box of matches.
Eine Schachtel Streichholzer, bitte.
Bitte schon. Danke schon. Danke sehr.
Is he still with us? Mm-hm.
At the corner we'll split. He can't follow
both of us. Meet at the Cafe Accordion. Right.
CHURCH BELLS RING
HE PLAYS A LIVELY TUNE
Did you lose him?
I think so.
We don't wait, we go now. To Danzig?
Mmm. Good. Do you want this? Drink up.
I've been looking for you everywhere.
This is Sigmund.
Danish. He'll take you on his ship.
Fine. Where's he sailing for?
Denmark.
But Denmark is occupied.
At least it's not Germany!
Being caught there is like here. We've
no Danish papers. What happens there?
What we will do once there
is go to Sweden.
In Germany it's not so easy but
Danes go to Sweden all the time.
OK.
Thanks.
John, he's just come in.
FRENCHMAN: Alors, Francois. Il
a fallu que je les trouve moi-meme.
This is Francois. He's tailed you.
Haven't we met somewhere?
Enchante, Monsieur.
SEAGULLS SQUAWK
Henson!
Den er fin.
Welcome, you boys.
You're OK, now. I'm Henson.
I'm the boss around here.
I fix everything. Have a drink?
Thank you.
Please. Thanks.
Skol! Skol!
Skol! Skol!
Are you boys hungry?
Eh? I fix it.
Please.
Tag den mid ro!
He says the Germans are coming now
to search the ship.
I will have to put you in the bilge.
Please.
Bring your sandwich with you.
Come on.
HENSON: Here are some blankets, boys.
You will be here for some hours.
The guards will come on board.
Take care.
Bye bye, boys. I fix them.
It's cold down here, Pete.
Don't go much on the atmosphere.
Hope you're a good sailor.
Personally, I always travel by air.
Nehmen Sie das mit fur ihren Frauen.
Ich weiss dass Sie haben nicht zu
viel in Deutschland zu essen.
Ihr werdet sehen dass im diesen Schiff nicht
findest keine Jude oder Kontrabande. Skol!
SHIP'S HORN BLASTS
Danke sehr.
RUMBLE OF ENGINE
ENGINE STOPS
Must be dropping the pilot now.
I couldn't care less!
HEAVY RATTLING
DISTANT DANISH VOICES
OK, boys. You can come up now.
You not feel so good? Not exactly.
It's worse later!
You can lie in your bunks until
Copenhagen. When is that? Two days.
Oh!
Are you awake, Pete? Mm-hm.
All ready for roll call?
Engines have stopped.
Must be near Copenhagen.
Can't see any land.
There's a fishing boat.
It's coming our way.
Get up. We must leave the ship.
A radio was sent to the captain.
The Germans are waiting for me in
Copenhagen. We leave in a fishing boat.
Se et komme ud!
HUMMING OF PLANES
Henson!
God!
Velkommen!
Velkommen!
Goddag, Kamme, kan jeg komme ind?
THEY SPEAK IN DANISH
This is my sister. John. Hello.
Peter. How do you do.
I'll leave you here while I make the
arrangement. Don't leave the flat.
How long will you be? Not long.
But you are safe if you stay quiet.
Understand? Thank you, Sigmund.
Thanks a lot.
It's very kind.
Jeg kan tale engelska.
She's scared to death
having this parked on her.
Cheers. Cheers.
Cheers.
Fo Dansk "Skol!"
Skol! Skol!
If only we knew what they were
doing. It's this relying on others.
I know, but we have to trust them.
SIRENS BLARE
What is it?
A fire engine or police car.
FOOTSTEPS
KNOCK AT DOOR
Sigmund.
THEY WHISPER We must leave
Copenhagen, the Germans are after me.
What will we do?
We go to a fishing village.
We must go at once.
Sigmund!
Sigmund, will you please tell your
sister we think she's very brave.
De tror du er meget modig.
Jeg er ikke modig. Jeg vil vaere glad
for at hjalelpe. Jeg er altid bange.
She thanks you, but she says she is
not brave, she is glad to help you.
She's always frightened.
Tell her she's not the only one.
Du er ikke den ernste. We must go.
Thanks for all you have done.
(I cannot find the sentry. I go
to the quayside and fix the boat.)
(You stay here until I am ready.)
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
WHISTLING
Ssst!
WHISTLING CONTINUES
Hilfe!
Halt!
Hilfe!
Wer da?
Come on.
OK?
Yes. OK.
ENGINE CHUGS
GENERAL CHATTER
I say, you can't do this, it's the
smartest place in Goteburg. Do what?
Going up and down in lifts.
I want to. Telephone!
Hello, do you speak English? Stop!
Swedes don't like this sort of thing.
The consul will be furious. Invite
him to lunch. I'm afraid we can't.
In that case,
can we get some money? Yes.
Money and coupons.
Three courses only, mind.
Go easy,
Sweden's frightfully expensive.
Oh, is it? Thank you.
Really! Thanks.
Where would you like to sit?
Right by the band.
Phil!
Would you excuse me?
Certainly.
My dear Howard! Here you are!
How's the margarine? Gone!
Phil, good to see you! Join us.
No, join us. Meet Miss... Sonstrum.
Charming girl. More schnapps.
Let me introduce Flight Lieutenant
Howard. Hello. Captain Clinton.
They're old friends.
They're also visiting Sweden.
You come straight from England?
Not quite straight!
Well, here's to
our little reunion!
Here's to Sweden.
Welcome to Sweden.
Skol!
Goons in the block.
Oh, no, no. They're only on
the German military attache staff.
They're charming fellows.
They wouldn't hurt a fly...
here.
I believe
they think we shouldn't be here!
'I knew it all so well.
'A pair of hairy legs would appear
over the side of the bunk above.
'Legs that would wriggle their toes
disgustingly,
'as their owner prepared to land.
'I tensed myself expectantly
for the routine - crash, bang!
BANGING 'The whole hut shook.
Heavy footsteps stomped the room.
'The violent stir of a spoon
in a pottery mug. CLATTERING
'Bang!
'More footsteps, then the room
shook again as the door slammed.'
Noisy lot!
CLOGS CLATTER ON STEPS
Breakfast, please.
You're cook. OK, Robert.
What's the weather like?
Perfect day for air rescue!
Do you mind? Sorry.
You'll wear it out! It feels like
someone else is doing it.
You're crazy.
Give John a call, will you?
Wake the child?!
Louder! Let his bunk down!
Must you be so hearty?
DOOR SLAMS
Raus! Raus!
Goon in the block.
Alles raus!
Raus! Raus!
Ah, Deutschland kaputt!
Raus!
Push off! We don't speak
German. Careful, Paul.
Ich verbitte mir das. Als Offizieren
haben Sie sich angenehm zu benehmen.
Ah, shove off!
Er sagte,
"Deutschland kaputt."
So, you are
impertinent again?
I object to being shouted at.
Come.
OK. Suits me.
Raus! Alles raus!
Parade, attention!
Guten Morgen.
THEY LAUGH AND JEER
Parcels today, John.
If we get biscuits
we'll make a cake.
If it ends up a pudding
we'll eat it for dinner!
If it's porridge
we'll have it at breakfast!
Soap.
Hey!
Sorry, Bill. I nearly swallowed it.
How's it going? I've done 40 feet.
HE WHISTLES
Ferret!
Now.
He's stopped outside hut 66.
He's looking.
He's coming this way now.
It's Charlie.
He's gone away.
Coming round the circuit? OK.
Right,
let's open it up again.
Tunnel must be almost under here.
It has no chance. See where it goes?
He chose the hut nearest the wire.
It's still 300 feet.
It'll take six months at least.
He's done 40 feet.
That leaves 260 feet to go
still inside the camp.
This is the important place -
these last few feet under the wire.
It's the same old problem. The longer the tunnel
we dig, the longer the goons have to spot it.
We need a short tunnel, here,
under the circuit.
It's as bare as a billiard table.
How would you hide it? Thanks!
SHOUTS FOR THE BALL
OK?
OK.
That's what we want. Some nice innocent camp
activity that goes on all the time, like football.
In my last camp, they sang round
an accordion and dug in the middle,
hiding the dirt in their sleeves.
Got as deep as your arm in one day.
They covered it with a board.
And then?
A ferret fell in and broke his leg! We
can't use that, it must be a classic!
Oh, lord, potatoes!
Sorry, see you later.
A classic.
Give it over.
BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
This is a hell of a life, Pete.
Is it better or worse being married?
Least there's something waiting for you.
I feel life is passing me by and
when I get back it will be too late.
It's not doing anything.
Not even fighting.
Clinton's running.
I'd give anything to be out of here,
even for a few days.
Just do ordinary things - use
a telephone, walk on grass, carpets,
walk up and down stairs,
use a lift.
Spend money and make a decision.
RATTLING
Pete. What?
I've got it. What? Hiding a tunnel
near the wire - a Trojan Horse.
What? The Greeks put men inside it.
We'll make a vaulting horse.
One of us digs under it while the rest
vault. We're carried to and fro inside it.
Strong horse!
We'll do the horse. Let's tell the
escape committee. Wait. No, register it.
Someone could think of it
at any moment.
Sure to! OK, we'll go this evening.
OK.
You propose to take this thing out
with a bloke inside,
day after day, to cover the shaft?
Yes, sir.
Bit far-fetched!
At least it's new!
We can't support wildcat
schemes because they're new!
It's not wildcat, it's
perfectly feasible.
All right, Howard.
We'll discuss it later.
You need a horse first.
We'll build it.
Goons!
Lock up time already!
OK. Good night.
ALL: Good night, sir.
OK, Pete.
We're out! All we need is the horse!
Look, we need a few pieces of wood
about that long and that thick.
About THAT thick?
OK! We'll climb in tonight.
DOG BARKS
BARKING CONTINUES
Check!
BANGING
Bennett!
Bennett!
Hello!
Must you? When I start
something I finish it, old boy!
Heaven help her!
What?
Check! Get out of that!
How's this? Beautiful!
Cutters,
saw.
How's the time? 20.28.
BANGING
Ready?
Two minutes.
Dog outside.
BANGING INCREASES
Time Tony got going.
8.30.
HE WHISTLES
Come on, boy!
All clear. He's gone.
Go!
Now!
They're out.
After the next beam.
Puss, puss, puss!
Puss!
Puss, puss, puss!
SAWING
BANGING AND THUDDING
Come in!
Morning, Wing.
What is it?
Air-conditioning. I'll show you.
See.
I turn this handle.
The pulley operates a fan
under the floor.
Cold air is forced up from under it.
And the hot air?
It goes through the roof.
If you've time to waste, I haven't...
Wing.
It's about the camouflage
for our hole.
I'm making a vaulting horse. Hmm?
It must be strong enough
to carry a man.
The Kriegie Construction Company
is at your disposal.
Thanks, Wing.
Look.
May I? Of course.
Here, just a minute.
It has to be five foot long and
four foot high with a padded top.
Hmm. We have timber for the frame.
The sides will have to be plywood to
minimise the weight. Parcel boxes? Fine.
We want two bars going through
for the bearers.
The man will sit on one and bring
back the sand in bags on hooks here.
BANGING
Put me down, John.
Hopkins. Hut? 67.
Craig, 65.
I'll have a go. Your leg? It's OK.
OK, John.
Ah, Bennett, just the man we want.
Are you going to vault?
No, old boy.
He'd go slap through the horse.
THUDDING CONTINUES
What is this?
Just a gym class, Fuhrer.
Ach so.
Always this craze for exercise.
Right, who's going first?
Come on, up and over.
Go on!
Good turn out, eh?
You wait. Give it a few weeks!
Oh!
Come on, Phil.
Go on.
ROARS OF LAUGHTER
It's planned, sir.
Shows the goons nothing is inside.
Here's the horse and
here's the surface of the ground.
The trap door is 18 inches down,
in case they probe.
We cover it with sandbags,
so we can get to it quickly.
The tunnel runs to the wire. The first
ten feet is shored up top and sides.
Is ten feet enough?
Yes, for the impact.
How do you ensure it's the same spot?
Easy.
The landing marks.
How long will the job take you?
We hope four weeks.
The sooner the better.
OK, Clinton, we'll back you.
Good luck.
Thanks. Good night.
Good night. Better burn this diagram.
DOOR SLAMS
There you are, John.
A pound of sand.
Each bag holds ten pounds, 12 bags a
trip, so, no more than 120 pounds a time.
It'll be six weeks.
We'll start tomorrow.
We can't hurry the goons.
We just vault first.
So we'll only do three feet a day. Mm. We can't ask
the chaps to vault all day for nothing! We must start.
Once upon a time there were two
bulls, an old bull and a young bull.
The young bull said, "The gate to the
cows is open. Let's run and get some!"
"No," said the old bull,
"Stroll down and get the lot!"
Hoch!
Gut! Sie konnen gehen.
Ready, John.
All clear?
Yeah.
Let's go, chaps.
John!
All set, Pete.
Blanket,
trowel and hooks,
box.
Right? Right.
Victor? All clear.
OK, John? Take it away!
Ready.
Lift.
To me a little.
Right, down.
All right, Phil.
Come on, over the top.
All right? It's easy, old boy.
Hold it, chaps.
OK, John.
Go, chaps.
THUD
OK, next.
RHYTHMIC THUDDING
Come on then, over.
'Dry top sand in the box.'
That's better.
THUD
Improving, Phil.
'Now the wet undersand
on the blanket.'
Fine.
I've never seen such a ropey lot!
OK, blokes, a good run and a good
jump. That's all you want. Next.
Good. Come on, next.
That's it.
Come on, Peter.
Feeling tired?
Not bad. A bit more jump, old boy.
Come on, chaps. Keep it going.
Next.
That's very good. Much better.
Next.
Time to pack up, John.
Right, half a minute.
It's getting on, Peter.
Mmm. He's filling in now.
OK, next!
Last one.
Pack up.
Nick!
David!
OK, John?
All aboard.
Take it easy, Tony.
OK, Peter.
OK.
A little higher.
Is it through?
OK, boys, lift.
All clear? All clear.
OK, chaps.
Thank you, Gordon.
Good show. Down you go.
ALL: # We don't want to go to war
# We'd rather stay at home
among the paths to roam
# And thinking of the daughters...#
How's it going, John? Piece of cake,
Bill. We'll be out before you are!
#...Away
# We'd rather be in England
# In merry, merry England
# And live to fight again
another day. Cor blimey! #
# Deutschland, Deutschland,
uber alles
# Deutschland, Deutschland
# Ist kaputt... #
Nehmen Sie doch vernunft an.
ALL: # Uber alles
# Deutschland, Deutschland
ist kaputt... #
Ich sage in das Hoffnung, Sie wollen
es anders. Entweder so oder so!
A FEW SING: # Deutschland... #
So.
Ah, bitte mein Herr. Danke schon.
ALL: Danke!
It will be about here.
It's slow, John.
40 feet. In eight weeks. Not good. It's
getting the sand back. The men are tired.
I know, Phil. What's the answer?
Come on, chaps.
Nearly packing up time.
I must check with the duty pilot.
Keep them going, Phil. Don't worry.
Watch that leg, Nick.
It's OK.
Let's have a series, eh?
PHIL: OK, chaps, let's get cracking.
Phil!
Phil!
I told you to watch that leg!
Rub it! Look!
Roof must have fallen in.
Come this way.
Rub it hard. Pretend I'm hurt.
Get John. Stretcher!
John, there's been a fall.
Who? The tunnel.
Is he trapped? Nick's on the hole.
How do you feel?
OK, John, you take over.
Pete!
Peter!
Peter!
I'm going down.
You'll give the show away. I know.
Peter!
Peter!
(Where's that stretcher?)
(John!)
Peter, are you OK?
Hell of a mess! I'll try and clear
it. Can you fill from the top?
OK.
Down here.
And lift!
Paul, cover that side.
PHIL: Goons seem interested, old boy.
Bandages.
12 minutes, John.
Pete, 12 minutes to roll call!
Carry on jumping, chaps.
Let's go longways.
We'll never do it!
Gewehr hoch!
Rechts herum!
Kompanie marsch!
HE COUGHS
Pete, how are you? How's it going?
OK. Nearly finished.
How much longer, Paul? Five.
Five minutes, Pete. Only five.
OK, shore it up.
You fill in from the top.
Phil, give us a hand.
PHIL: OK.
Lift.
Just a minute, chaps.
Take my shirt, Nick.
Pete - the guard's in!
WHISTLE BLOWS
They have to go, John.
Do something, Phil.
What? Do something!
Schnell, schnell!
I got my shirt on the wrong way.
Los!
Pete, we've got to go now.
Take her away.
Lift.
Down.
Up.
MUSIC: "Pastoral"
from Beethoven's 6th Symphony
AUSTRALIAN ACCENT: Hey, sport!
You know where I've been?
Can't think. Danzig.
I got through the wire with some
other Aussies in the north compound.
I nearly made it.
I was just getting on a ship
when a sentry spotted me.
How long were you out?
Three days.
Got a bullet in the shoulder and a
cold in the head from sleeping rough!
What's Danzig like?
There's no future there.
It's stiff with troops.
How do you get there?
Jump the rattler.
That's the way to get around.
By train.
Why not as a passenger?
A foreign worker?
They ask for your identity card.
You've got to get a permit to travel.
If you got through,
you'd travel fast?
They have train checks.
You'd never get through.
How could I get
travel papers to copy?
One of the goons.
Try Dopey.
Hey, Dopey!
Here.
My friend would like to see
travel passes for foreign workers.
I cannot. They shoot me.
They shoot you for trading with
us kriegies. My friend's a witness.
You must not tell. Please!
I have family. We will, Dopey.
Report him now. Blackmail?
Do you want to escape?
Was machen Sie denn hier? Herr Oberst sagte
der Mann musste gewechselt werden. Gut.
Do you have something to say?
How soon will I be out of here?
Two days.
I'll bring it tomorrow.
Beethoven.
He is a good German.
Yeah, he's dead!
Small one! Is that all? That's all.
Come on, chap.
You and Clinton
share cook duty.
Clinton's not here,
so you do lunch.
Clinton hasn't done it yet!
It's the principle.
So we suffer! It's not me.
It's Clinton's laziness.
Sweating in a tunnel is
"laziness"? He still has duties!
This tunnel's
the excuse for everything.
It's not even getting anywhere.
I say, Clinton, we want
lunch. And I won't get it.
Was it my turn? I'm sorry.
Howard...
Shut up!
This isn't good enough.
We should split the mess into two.
You should cater for yourselves.
OK. Fair enough.
What about you, Nick?
I'll join you. Do you mind?
How are you feeling?
I'll be OK in a minute.
How many bags today, Pete?
Five.
We'll never get out at this rate!
We'll get out.
Only five bags a trip.
We could make two trips a day.
Wouldn't the goons be suspicious?
They think we're mad enough for anything. Still,
that's only ten a day. Less when we get further.
There must be a way.
It isn't the digging, it's getting the
sand out. How about a sort of sledge?
That's it. We can go down together.
The horse can't carry two. It would.
AND the sand? Oh.
I know! We both dig in the morning
and leave the bags in the shaft.
In the afternoon,
ONE brings them back.
Fine. Who will take charge
on the surface?
Phil does already.
We must get him out of the camp too.
He'll be trailing Germany with us.
What about Nick?
Nick! My leg puts me out.
If we had to run for it,
I'd be sunk. Go on and ask Phil.
OK.
On condition that he travels alone!
Got it?
Sure.
See you at 2.30 then. Busy, Phil?
Of course,
I'm starting on my pantomime.
Why not put it on in London?
Yes, Drury Lane, old boy(!)
Phil? Yes?
Seriously. Come in with us,
you'll be home by Christmas.
What's the catch? Nothing. Why me?
Knowing your efficiency.
And your belief in OUR efficiency.
OK, what do you want?
Peter and I are going down together.
Could you organise the vaulting?
I do already! Then why are you
worried? I'm not, I'm flattered.
OK.
OK, I'm in. Good show. Peter?
Hmm? There is one thing.
If it's all the same to you,
I'd rather travel alone.
I prefer it that way.
I feel I do better on my own.
We accept that condition.
HE PLAYS: "Nymphs and Shepherds"
by Henry Purcell
ENGINES APPROACH
Bill!
VIOLIN PLAYS FRANTICALLY
PHIL: Clear it up, boys.
Quick!
# Come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Come-a, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away, come-a...#
RAUS!
# Nymphs and shepherds
come away, come away
# Nymphs and shepherds come away
# Come away...#
CONFUSED SHOUTING
# Come away...# AUS! #
Come-a, come-a, away... #
# Come away, come away... #
Komm, komm.
Where's Nigel? In the roof.
BANGING
If they find the sand, that's it.
I'm afraid we've had it, Pete.
Well, it was a lousy tunnel anyway.
WHISTLE
COMMAND IN GERMAN
Raus!
Did they get yours? Yep.
Bad luck. Yours OK?
So far. That's one thing, anyway.
Must be three tons of sand up there!
Name?
Michel Condein.
Born?
Lille.
Date? September 29, 1920.
Nationality? French.
Profession? Draughtsman.
Destination? Lubeck.
Do you have a permit to travel? Yes.
Who are you employed by?
Metalleverkehr-Gesellschaft.
Very good.
Coffee's ready, John.
Well, how do I look? Well...
All right! Don't say it!
Pete, your turn. Remember "Ich bin Auslander.
Nicht verstehen." I'm a foreigner. I don't understand.
Name? Marcel Levasseur.
Born? Paris. Nationality? French.
Wie heisst die zweite Schwester
ihrer Mutter? Hmm?
Ich bin Auslander. Nicht verstehen.
No-one will with that accent!
Well, how do I look?
Commercial traveller - German style!
Very good. Are you proposing
to take those through the tunnel?
These are my samples. Oh.
I need samples.
These serve a dual purpose.
What are they? Margarine.
I can eat them if I'm hungry.
How are the combis getting along?
I don't fancy those next to my skin.
They smell revolting!
Something's peculiar in the dye.
"Peculiar" is an understatement!
Here's your special rations.
"Dog food" we call it. Mixed with
water it's like porridge... Sort of!
Chocolate, raisins
and a couple of torches.
Thank you. Could we see the Group Captain for a
moment? Yes, come on. He has some money for you.
Clothes look pretty good.
David.
- Howard and Clinton, sir.
- OK. Gather round.
Good evening, sir.
Keep your voices low.
Zero hour tomorrow, eh?
What time do you break?
6pm. The train is at 6.30.
What's your plan?
Phil Roe is going alone to Danzig.
John and I are going to Lubeck.
If we don't get a ship, we'll stay
in a hotel. It's worth trying.
Here's your money.
120 marks each. Sorry
we can't afford more. Thank you.
One thing, sir. Would you stand in
at roll call tomorrow? Stand in?!
What for? There's three of us.
We need a fourth to seal the trap.
The horse won't carry four, so one of us is sealed
down waiting for the rest. Not very pleasant.
Who'll be sealed down?
HOWARD AND CLINTON: I will!
I can get on with digging.
So can I!
A great lout like you will use up more air! It
was my idea! There's one way of settling this.
The longest match goes first.
Me. Good, it means
I'll be first out of the tunnel too!
RHYTHMIC THUDS ABOVE
Yours.
Mine.
Phil's.
It's pretty hot down here.
Take it easy.
I don't want to carry you out!
I'll be OK. So long.
Good luck.
THUDS GET FAINTER
BIG BAND MUSIC PLAYS
Howard? Hmm?
I've got a bit of German money here.
It might come in handy.
Thanks.
LABOURED BREATHING
Parade dismissed!
Thank you, sir.
Stand by.
Phil!
Ready? Up.
So long.
Paul.
So long, Nick. Pete?
For John.
Thanks, Nick. Good luck.
Right, now!
OK? All set.
HE KNOCKS
NICK: Careful, now. Right, lift.
NICK: Watch it!
RHYTHMIC THUDS
That's the hole for your feet. OK?
Right.
Blimey!
Good luck, Phil.
See you after the war!
Right.
John!
JOHN!
SHALLOW BREATHING
Where the hell have you been?
It's only about 4.30. Is that all?
I thought something had gone wrong.
A present from Nick.
Thanks.
How bad is the fall?
It's not a fall. Thank God!
It's the sand I pushed behind me.
I'm pushing to the surface.
How far is it?
A couple of feet.
Drink up, then, old boy.
We haven't much time.
All right. Lift.
DOG BARKS
Only a thin crust left!
Right. Hold it.
John's bag.
Mine.
Stand by.
Peter!
Good luck, Pete. See you in Sweden.
Good luck, Phil.
Ready?
Wait.
THUDDING
THUDDING GETS FAINTER
Five seconds.
Four, three,
two, one. Now!
RIOTOUS NOISE
Da druben.
WHISTLING, BARKING AND SHOUTING
MUSIC BLARES OU SHOUTING IN GERMAN
Links!
Come on, let's get going.
HE GIGGLES
What on earth are you laughing at?
You!
Mincing around
like a ruddy great bear!
Don't look so good yourself.
Come on, let's get cleaned up.
TRAIN ENGINE RUMBLES
Zwei Karten fur Lubeck, bitte.
Ausweis, bitte?
Ja.
Haben Sie
eine polizeiliche Reiseerlaubnis?
Ah, Sie sind Franzose.
Fahren Sie im Urlaub?
Ich habe nicht die ganze Nacht Zeit!
Eine Ruckfahrkarte nach Frankfurt.
Danke schon.
WHISTLE BLOWS
Parade, attention!
The following penalties
have been imposed.
One - the weekly hot shower
will be stopped.
ALL: Boo!
Two - access to the camp theatre
will be denied.
ALL: Boo!
All sport will be forbidden and all
gymnastic equipment will be denied.
ALL: Booo-ooo!
ALL: Hooray!
Three cheers for the horse!
THEY CHEER ENTHUSIASTICALLY
ANNOUNCER: 'Der auf Bahnsteig Ein...'
BRAKES SCREECH
'Achtung!'
'Hauptmann Zwickler
zur Kommandantur!'
We can't stand around here.
Let's keep with the crowd.
'Achtung!'
GERMAN TRAIN ANNOUNCEMEN INAUDIBLE
SHIP'S HORN BLASTS
This is more like it. Look.
She's Swedish!
We must get in touch with the crew.
We'll come back tonight and climb
into the docks. I don't like that.
It's better to meet them ashore. It's better to meet
them on board, than out here surrounded by goons!
We'll climb in tonight.
Perhaps you're right.
We should move.
It's not safe around here.
HORN BLOWS
GUARD COUGHS VIOLENTLY
This is it.
She's gone.
Sure it's the right dock?
Halt!
He's seen us.
OK.
Halt! Wer da?
Stehen wir besser im Wachtposten
bevor sie entkommen.
Back to the fence.
CLOCK STRIKES THE HOUR
He's following.
Down here, quick!
Blind alley!
Through the gate. Look
as if we're going into the house.
He's coming down the alley.
CRASH
Quick. Over here.
BABY CRIES
RAISED GERMAN VOICES
MAN AND WOMAN ARGUE IN GERMAN
DOG BARKS
No, the object is to get to Sweden, not a bullet in
the back! No more climbing into docks! We got out OK.
Now, look here, John.
It took four months to get here.
Don't rush the fences.
The old bull is right. We can't get to the Swedes,
let them come to us. How? Find the pubs they go to.
Where do we stay?
We can't even get a shave.
When we left camp, we planned to
travel by train and stay in hotels.
If we're going to find the Swedes,
we must have a base.
OK.
Russians, I think.
Any luck? No, full up.
Always "full-up". Maybe foreign
workers aren't allowed in hotels!
MEN SPEAK IN FRENCH
Ask one of these Frenchmen.
They're not guarded.
It's dangerous to talk to anyone.
Go on, ask.
Ask him.
What if he tries to give us away?
Wait until he's down the alley
and get him on his own.
All right. You keep an eye on him.
I'll watch if he turns nasty.
Bon chance. Salut. Merci.
Salut!
I think he guessed who we are.
He told me a hotel, but we can't
stay more than two days. Which way?
Danke.
Wollen Sie bitte im voraus bezahlen?
Elf Mark, bitte.
Ich muss bitte elf Mark ersuchen.
Entschuldigen Sie, bitte.
Danke.
Nummer sieben, bitte. Danke schon.
There we are. Just a little persistence. Now
we can take it easy and stick to the plan.
As soon as we're clean, we'll...
Shut up!
What's the matter?
Can't you lay off? I have to do all
the talking while you stand around!
I'd talk if I could. Listen, I'm
tired and hungry and I won't talk...
FOOTSTEPS
Sshhh!
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
KNOCK AT DOOR
Bedauere, Sie haben hier den
Aufenthalt in Lubeck nicht angegeben.
Ich bin ein Zeichner und ich bin
hier fur einige Tage zum arbeiten.
So, danke.
He wants to know why we came
to Lubeck. I said we came to work.
So we can't stay in during the day.
We can say we were travelling all night.
Gosh, I feel tired, Pete. Piece of chocolate?
Thanks.
Sorry I tore the roof down just
now. You are a bind, you know? OK!
C'est pas tous
les soirs comme ca.
Tu as raison.
Tu viens boire un verre?
He's going for a drink. Do I stop
him? Mmm, ask where the Swedes go.
Eh bien. Au revoir, mon vieux.
Au revoir. A demain.
Pardon, Monsieur. Avez vous du feu?
Oui. Bien sur.
Pouvez vous nous mettre en rapport
avec des marins suedois? Quoi?
Ou vonts-ils quand ils debarquent?
Tell him what we are.
Nous sommes des prisonniers anglais.
Vraiment?
Pouvez-vous nous donner
un coup de main?
# A la claire fontaine
# M'en allant promener
# J'ai trouve l'eau si claire
# Que je me suis baigne.
# Il y a longtemps que je t'aime...#
You are in a camp of French workers.
Stay here.
Just like home, isn't it? I don't
think they like the look of us.
FOOTSTEPS
Come, please.
Reste ici.
Entrez.
Vous ne parlez pas francais?
You do not speak French?
No.
You know what will happen
if we find you're not British?
I am.
You'll be found floating in the dock.
Who are you? Peter Howard. I'm a British
officer. You have proof? My identity disk.
I regret, that is not sufficient.
Your age?
34. Soldier? No, airman.
Rank? Flight Lieutenant.
What camp were you in? Stalag Luft 3.
What squadron? I can't tell you that.
Of course. But I must have proof.
I understand that. When did you escape? Last
Friday. When were you captured? December 17, 1942.
You were shot down? Yes. Where?
Osnibruck. In what aircraft?
I can't answer that.
Were you wounded? Yes.
Show me.
No, don't show me. You look tired.
Two years is a long time
to be in a prison camp.
One year.
Yes, of course.
What are
your mother's christian names?
Elizabeth. People call her...?
Betty.
You have a garden? Yes. What flowers
grow in it? Lupins, geraniums. Car? Yes.
What? Morris. Horsepower? Ten.
You know London? Quite well. What
statue is in Piccadilly Circus? Eros.
What is it famous for?
Its flower sellers. Good.
One thing more. Pierre...
What the devil...?
I'm sorry. You're British, all right!
You understand, we must be careful.
Right.
We cannot promise you much help, but we
will pass the word that you are in Lubeck.
Meanwhile, you must carry on alone
and wait for us to contact you.
Thanks.
CHURCH BELLS RING
Heil Hitler!
Wieviel Gaste haben Sie im Hotel?
Ungefahr sechzig.
Und die...
Hanson, Levasseur.
Wer ist das? Ein Franzose.
Wie lange ist er hier? Zwei tage.
Was macht er? Ein Zeichner.
Er ist gekommen fur eine
Lubecke Firme zu arbeiten.
Condein. Auch ein Franzose.
Pete, there's a policeman
downstairs. I know.
Where were you? Looking round the
docks. I didn't know where you were.
I left you a note. Are you stupid?!
What if the proprietor had come in?
You said to talk to the French,
I thought it would be easier alone.
Did my absence improve your luck?
No.
KNOCK AT DOOR
Wunschen Sie die Zimmer langer zu
behalten? Nein, wir reisen jetzt ab.
Ah, danke schon. Danke.
What did he want?
To know if we're leaving.
Say that again! We've been here
four days and all our money's gone.
There's no Swedes here
and the French are no good. So what?
Let's head for Danzig. How do you know Danzig
will be any better? Couldn't be any worse! OK.
We'll give it one more chance. If we don't strike
oil tonight, we'll jump a train and get out. OK?
OK.
Ist das die Franzosen? Jawohl.
John, there's someone
on our tail. Sure? I think so.
Better test it.
In here.
Buy a box of matches.
Eine Schachtel Streichholzer, bitte.
Bitte schon. Danke schon. Danke sehr.
Is he still with us? Mm-hm.
At the corner we'll split. He can't follow
both of us. Meet at the Cafe Accordion. Right.
CHURCH BELLS RING
HE PLAYS A LIVELY TUNE
Did you lose him?
I think so.
We don't wait, we go now. To Danzig?
Mmm. Good. Do you want this? Drink up.
I've been looking for you everywhere.
This is Sigmund.
Danish. He'll take you on his ship.
Fine. Where's he sailing for?
Denmark.
But Denmark is occupied.
At least it's not Germany!
Being caught there is like here. We've
no Danish papers. What happens there?
What we will do once there
is go to Sweden.
In Germany it's not so easy but
Danes go to Sweden all the time.
OK.
Thanks.
John, he's just come in.
FRENCHMAN: Alors, Francois. Il
a fallu que je les trouve moi-meme.
This is Francois. He's tailed you.
Haven't we met somewhere?
Enchante, Monsieur.
SEAGULLS SQUAWK
Henson!
Den er fin.
Welcome, you boys.
You're OK, now. I'm Henson.
I'm the boss around here.
I fix everything. Have a drink?
Thank you.
Please. Thanks.
Skol! Skol!
Skol! Skol!
Are you boys hungry?
Eh? I fix it.
Please.
Tag den mid ro!
He says the Germans are coming now
to search the ship.
I will have to put you in the bilge.
Please.
Bring your sandwich with you.
Come on.
HENSON: Here are some blankets, boys.
You will be here for some hours.
The guards will come on board.
Take care.
Bye bye, boys. I fix them.
It's cold down here, Pete.
Don't go much on the atmosphere.
Hope you're a good sailor.
Personally, I always travel by air.
Nehmen Sie das mit fur ihren Frauen.
Ich weiss dass Sie haben nicht zu
viel in Deutschland zu essen.
Ihr werdet sehen dass im diesen Schiff nicht
findest keine Jude oder Kontrabande. Skol!
SHIP'S HORN BLASTS
Danke sehr.
RUMBLE OF ENGINE
ENGINE STOPS
Must be dropping the pilot now.
I couldn't care less!
HEAVY RATTLING
DISTANT DANISH VOICES
OK, boys. You can come up now.
You not feel so good? Not exactly.
It's worse later!
You can lie in your bunks until
Copenhagen. When is that? Two days.
Oh!
Are you awake, Pete? Mm-hm.
All ready for roll call?
Engines have stopped.
Must be near Copenhagen.
Can't see any land.
There's a fishing boat.
It's coming our way.
Get up. We must leave the ship.
A radio was sent to the captain.
The Germans are waiting for me in
Copenhagen. We leave in a fishing boat.
Se et komme ud!
HUMMING OF PLANES
Henson!
God!
Velkommen!
Velkommen!
Goddag, Kamme, kan jeg komme ind?
THEY SPEAK IN DANISH
This is my sister. John. Hello.
Peter. How do you do.
I'll leave you here while I make the
arrangement. Don't leave the flat.
How long will you be? Not long.
But you are safe if you stay quiet.
Understand? Thank you, Sigmund.
Thanks a lot.
It's very kind.
Jeg kan tale engelska.
She's scared to death
having this parked on her.
Cheers. Cheers.
Cheers.
Fo Dansk "Skol!"
Skol! Skol!
If only we knew what they were
doing. It's this relying on others.
I know, but we have to trust them.
SIRENS BLARE
What is it?
A fire engine or police car.
FOOTSTEPS
KNOCK AT DOOR
Sigmund.
THEY WHISPER We must leave
Copenhagen, the Germans are after me.
What will we do?
We go to a fishing village.
We must go at once.
Sigmund!
Sigmund, will you please tell your
sister we think she's very brave.
De tror du er meget modig.
Jeg er ikke modig. Jeg vil vaere glad
for at hjalelpe. Jeg er altid bange.
She thanks you, but she says she is
not brave, she is glad to help you.
She's always frightened.
Tell her she's not the only one.
Du er ikke den ernste. We must go.
Thanks for all you have done.
(I cannot find the sentry. I go
to the quayside and fix the boat.)
(You stay here until I am ready.)
FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
WHISTLING
Ssst!
WHISTLING CONTINUES
Hilfe!
Halt!
Hilfe!
Wer da?
Come on.
OK?
Yes. OK.
ENGINE CHUGS
GENERAL CHATTER
I say, you can't do this, it's the
smartest place in Goteburg. Do what?
Going up and down in lifts.
I want to. Telephone!
Hello, do you speak English? Stop!
Swedes don't like this sort of thing.
The consul will be furious. Invite
him to lunch. I'm afraid we can't.
In that case,
can we get some money? Yes.
Money and coupons.
Three courses only, mind.
Go easy,
Sweden's frightfully expensive.
Oh, is it? Thank you.
Really! Thanks.
Where would you like to sit?
Right by the band.
Phil!
Would you excuse me?
Certainly.
My dear Howard! Here you are!
How's the margarine? Gone!
Phil, good to see you! Join us.
No, join us. Meet Miss... Sonstrum.
Charming girl. More schnapps.
Let me introduce Flight Lieutenant
Howard. Hello. Captain Clinton.
They're old friends.
They're also visiting Sweden.
You come straight from England?
Not quite straight!
Well, here's to
our little reunion!
Here's to Sweden.
Welcome to Sweden.
Skol!
Goons in the block.
Oh, no, no. They're only on
the German military attache staff.
They're charming fellows.
They wouldn't hurt a fly...
here.
I believe
they think we shouldn't be here!