0:00:13 > 0:00:15BIRDSONG
0:00:19 > 0:00:21THUNDER
0:00:23 > 0:00:27THUNDER
0:00:27 > 0:00:30CHEERING
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Cover the goal!
0:01:01 > 0:01:03CHEERING
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- Lacey!- Thanks, Freddie.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Hey, stop him! Tackle him.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Lacey, over here!
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Tackle him.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20LAUGHTER
0:01:23 > 0:01:25CHEERING
0:01:25 > 0:01:28WHISTLE BLOWS
0:01:29 > 0:01:33- Good one, little brother. - Thanks, Lacey.- Will, we won!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Three cheers for Coldfield Village!
0:01:35 > 0:01:39We're top of the county now, Freddie.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- Hip-hip! ALL:- Hooray!
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- Hip-hip! ALL:- Hooray!
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- Made the last game the best, eh? - Last game? It's only September.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54- What about next Saturday?- We haven't got time for football any more.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Don't you know? England's declared war against Germany.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Of course we know.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02My father says our country's going to need every man it's got
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- and we're going to go.- That's right. - We're going to fight.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I thought fighting wars was what the army was for.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10We've all got to join in this time.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12It's the biggest war there's ever been
0:02:12 > 0:02:14and we're going in two days' time.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Anyway, that's our ball.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Oh.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Infantry soldiers get paid six pence a day!
0:02:29 > 0:02:31They just want to play football.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35It's not football, we have to work, we have to look after the fields.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39They're going to be soldiers. They're going all the way to France.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- I've never been outside the county. - Shut up, Freddie.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46He's our cousin, he's a bit mad, good goalie though.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49I can shoot a rabbit at 500 yards.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- I'd be a better soldier than any of you.- Freddie!
0:02:52 > 0:02:55You're quite right, you don't have to go.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- But one way or another you'll have to decide.- Decide what?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03You wait until we get back. We'll really beat you then.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06- Men versus boys. - See you next time then.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08See you after the war!
0:03:12 > 0:03:16# There's a game you ought to play and believe me it's a beauty
0:03:16 > 0:03:20# Come along with me today, every man must do his duty
0:03:20 > 0:03:24# I've got a little list here, can I take your name?
0:03:24 > 0:03:29# Don't delay, join today, play the game, play the game... #
0:03:29 > 0:03:32APPLAUSE
0:03:33 > 0:03:35# Come along and do your bit,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37# There's a problem that needs sorting
0:03:37 > 0:03:41# Put away your football kit, here's a game that's far more sporting
0:03:41 > 0:03:45# The field of greater glory is soaked with blood and fame
0:03:45 > 0:03:49# What do you say? Step this way, play the game, play the game. #
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Look!
0:04:03 > 0:04:05CHEERING
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- It's the boys! It's the team.- Come on, Freddie! We'll need a goalie.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Coldfield Village! Coldfield Village!
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- Freddie, wait!- Come on, it's Coldfield Village.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22We're top of the county now.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25That's Freddie, he's mad.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29He's only 16, they didn't ought to take it him.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32He'll be all right. Won't he?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34He's Auntie Mary's only boy.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Someone's got to look after him.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37Lacey!
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Do we get a full team?
0:04:39 > 0:04:42CHEERING
0:04:47 > 0:04:50'I was the only one left behind.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52'The only boy in the whole team.'
0:04:58 > 0:05:01There he comes, give him a cheer!
0:05:01 > 0:05:04What do you say? Step this way, play the game!
0:05:14 > 0:05:19Mother, please, try to understand. We'll be home by Christmas.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22You don't know the first thing about war.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26You're not soldiers, no-one in this family has ever been a soldier.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28They train you.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33Mum, everyone else is going. They need us.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Stop crying, Annie! You're not going.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38ANNIE SOBS
0:05:38 > 0:05:41The army can look after itself. You've got work to do here.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43We need you here.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49It's too late, we signed all the papers this morning.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52We've got to report at 9 o'clock on Wednesday.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04It's very unexpected.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06She'll get over it.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Just come back soon.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16No!
0:06:16 > 0:06:18No!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21SHE CRIES
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Kitbag, tunic, trousers, cap, cap badge,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27two sets underclothes, three pair socks, mess tin, belt, webbing.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31We haven't got any trousers, they didn't give me any trousers.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35No more trousers until Wednesday. You're excused trousers.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38How can I be a soldier without trousers?
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Wear your own until Wednesday.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41LAUGHTER
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Why's everything brown? I thought soldiers worn red.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49- This stuff looks like mud.- New recruits, report to the bullring.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Come on, we've got a war to win!
0:07:09 > 0:07:12# To the sweetest girl I know
0:07:12 > 0:07:16# Goodbye, Piccadilly,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20# Farewell, Leicester Square
0:07:20 > 0:07:27# It's a long, long way to Tipperary but my heart lies there... #
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- All right, lads, look lively. Here it comes.- Here they come.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Look! Cor. Here we go, boys.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44I've seen pictures of these, postcards.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- They're from London.- That's right, the best in the world, lads.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51The number 35, first stop Clapham High Street,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53next stop Flanders Field.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- RINGS BELL - Piccadilly Circus on the way.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59It's a London general double-decker bus.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Jump on for a couple of weeks, we'll drop you in Berlin.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04EXPLOSION
0:08:04 > 0:08:07If we don't get distracted on the way.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- All right, get moving. - I'm going up the top deck.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17Gosh, it's like fireworks, Lacey, on Bonfire Night.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21The sky's breaking up in pieces.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23A million pieces.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51All right, lads, it's our turn.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00I must have the correct coordinates. You're dropping them short.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03EXPLOSIONS
0:09:04 > 0:09:06HE GROANS
0:09:12 > 0:09:15EXPLOSIONS AND GUNFIRE
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Right, first platoon, your position.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It's full of mud and it smells.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Eugh, a rat!
0:09:27 > 0:09:30EXPLOSIONS AND GUNFIRE
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Welcome to the war.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Where are the Germans?
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Have a look.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I can't see 'em.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Just over there, past our barbed wire then their barbed wire.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Can't see anything, it's too dark. - Good!
0:09:55 > 0:09:58They can't see you then.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02The ground, it's moving.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Toodle-oo! Enjoy the war.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25"I thought you might like to know about the sort of place
0:10:25 > 0:10:27"we are living in here in France.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31"There are some things you would recognise at home.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35"Early in the morning I see lots of barn owls,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38"just like the ones who live on our farm.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41"I watch them hunting for rats and mice.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46"I have also become very fond of a little hen chaffinch
0:10:46 > 0:10:49"who spends a lot of time near our trench.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52"Occasionally when it is quiet enough,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56"the boys and I enjoy hearing it sing.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02"Lacey and I think of you all the time and I know we will be back soon.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06"Love, Will."
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Eat up! Come and get it.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Bleh! What is this?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Breakfast, it's bully beef.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29It's horrible.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I don't know why we bother to shoot 'em.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36We should serve them breakfast instead,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39they'd be dead of a stomach-ache by lunchtime.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Bleh!
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Oi! Grubs up!
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Careful, Freddie! - You have some then.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Blimey.- That was good.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05You'd have to be a quick shot to get that,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08it was only in the air for about a second.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10What else is there?
0:12:10 > 0:12:11- Sorry, mate.- Oi!
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Wow.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19He may be German but he's got a sharp enough eye.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Let's have a look.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22It's like the circus.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Hang on.- I want a go.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Freddie!
0:12:40 > 0:12:42He's better than our marksman.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Hey, I could do that too.- Oi!
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Those are army plates, property of His Majesty The King.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Run!
0:12:51 > 0:12:52Come back here!
0:13:23 > 0:13:25EXPLOSION
0:13:28 > 0:13:31GUNFIRE
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Here you are, bruv. Happy Christmas.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Thanks, Lacey.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Happy Christmas.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57It's as warm as I could make it.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58That doesn't matter.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- Where's Freddie?- Over there.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07He's been on sniper duty again.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10He's always volunteering for that.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Trying to prove something.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15EXPLOSION He's a good shot, Freddie.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I'm cold.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22It'll be morning soon.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I know.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- IN THE DISTANCE: - # Stille Nacht... #
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Christmas morning.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31# Heilige Nacht... #
0:14:31 > 0:14:35What's that? Can you hear it?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Music. Someone's singing.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Why would anyone be singing?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Look at us, this is the trenches.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Maybe it's angels then.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48It is Christmas time.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51It's not angels, Will, it's the Germans.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It's coming from their positions.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58It's beautiful.
0:14:58 > 0:15:05# Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh
0:15:05 > 0:15:11# Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh. #
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Will, Freddie, wake up!
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- Look.- What's he up to?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36He's stark stirring mad.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38What do we do?
0:15:39 > 0:15:41He hasn't got a rifle.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43You'll need a fairy.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Put the Kaiser on top!
0:15:44 > 0:15:46LAUGHTER
0:15:50 > 0:15:51Gib mir ein ball.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Boot it over here, Fritz!
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Der fussball, Tommy!
0:16:02 > 0:16:03Der fussball!
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Will!
0:16:09 > 0:16:11CHEERING
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Oi, I can do that.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Ja, der fussball!
0:16:21 > 0:16:25LAUGHTER
0:16:25 > 0:16:27CHEERING
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Look at it go!- Good kick!
0:16:32 > 0:16:34LAUGHTER
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- Will!- Someone had to show him.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- Look what you've done.- Come on.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Right, I'll be centre forward, Lacey, you go on the left,
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Freddie...
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- Should we be doing this?- Look out!
0:17:00 > 0:17:05- Gotcha!- Right, you're in goal then, just like always.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16CHEERING
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- Will!- Freddie!
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Hey!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29"The days of man are but as grass,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33"he flourishes like a flower in the field
0:17:33 > 0:17:36"when the wind goes over it, it is gone
0:17:36 > 0:17:39"and its place will know it no more."
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Come on, Will, let's have fun while we can.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45You started it.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Will! Go on, Will.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00CHEERING
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Will!
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Goal, goal, goal!
0:18:15 > 0:18:17LAUGHTER
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- That was our goal, Will!- What?- Look!
0:18:22 > 0:18:24But I thought...
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Hang on.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30One, two,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33three,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37four, five?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Five goals?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42And six balls, look!
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- Who's in charge of this?- We are.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Come on, Will, you're playing for England.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53HE HUMS
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Hey, I recognise that tune. - An English tune.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00I was a barber in London for 20 years.
0:19:00 > 0:19:06- Holborn Circus, every morning on the bus.- Well, I never.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Oi!
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Ha-ha-ha, come back here!
0:19:16 > 0:19:19PHONES RINGING AND CHATTER
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Connect me to HQ, quickly.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24PHONES RINGING AND CHATTER
0:19:24 > 0:19:26PHONE RINGS
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Headquarters.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30What?!
0:19:30 > 0:19:32CHEERING
0:19:36 > 0:19:39HE SPEAKS IN GERMAN
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Company return to ranks immediately.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Lacey? Freddie?
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Come on, Will! We'll play 'em tomorrow.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Entschuldigen Sie. Das ist unser ball.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Our ball, please.- Oh.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Wir haben gewonnen.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13We win, I think. 3 to 2.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Yes, we'll beat you tomorrow.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Vielleicht. Bis morgen.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- See you tomorrow.- Danke, Tommy.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Last one back, eh? Well done.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35It's headquarters, lads, you're to stay in the trenches
0:20:35 > 0:20:37unless ordered from now on.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43There is to be no repeat of this unwarlike activity.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47CHEERING
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Happy Christmas, men!
0:20:49 > 0:20:51What have you got there then?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53From His Majesty The King.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Letters from His Majesty. A Christmas message.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08# Happy Christmas to you all
0:21:08 > 0:21:12# May you fight on with defiance and though some of you may fall
0:21:12 > 0:21:14# All the rest will soon be giants
0:21:14 > 0:21:17# You'll soon be made of marble in the highest hall of fame
0:21:17 > 0:21:22# Christmas cheer, happy new year, play the game, play the game. #
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Carry on, my boy.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Will?
0:21:42 > 0:21:43All right?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Will?
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Different soldiers now. Different Germans.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Our lot were relieved a couple of days ago.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56When do we get relieved?
0:21:56 > 0:22:00EXPLOSION
0:22:00 > 0:22:03I don't know, Will. I don't know.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05What happens now?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Now...
0:22:08 > 0:22:10it's our turn.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- Lacey, we're so dirty.- Yes.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I can't hardly recognise you.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Don't worry, Will.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24We'll be going on a rest soon.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Miles away from the front.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30You'll have a hot bath just like after a game.
0:22:30 > 0:22:36- You'll feel better then.- Yes. - Let's get this over with first.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Fixed bayonets! Fixed bayonets!
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We're going to sort this mess out now.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Freddie!- Are we ready yet?
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- Yes, we're ready.- Just watch me.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57All right, men. On the whistle, eh?
0:22:58 > 0:23:00First man to boot this over the German frontline
0:23:00 > 0:23:04gets an extra can of bully beef and a mention in the Times.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05'Der fussball, Tommy!'
0:23:06 > 0:23:08'Der fussball!'
0:23:12 > 0:23:14The cup final. Tommy versus Fritz.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Kick-off at the count of five.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20This'll give them a surprise.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22'Why are goalies always so daft?'
0:23:24 > 0:23:26No referee.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33WHISTLE BLOWS
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Me in the centre,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46Lacey on the wing, just like before.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Go on, Freddie, you're all right.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54It's Will I have to look out for now.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09'Look! It's the boys! It's the team!'
0:24:13 > 0:24:15GROANING
0:24:15 > 0:24:16Wasser.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Wasser.
0:24:21 > 0:24:22Wasser.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Oh.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Water.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40HE GROANS
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Du bist ein Kind.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Meine Kinder.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00HE GROANS
0:25:05 > 0:25:07It's my team.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09We're top of the county now.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32There's a ball in heaven.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Thank God.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We'll all have a game when this nightmare's over.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48At home, when he had a bad dream,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52he knew that if he opened his eyes,
0:25:52 > 0:25:53the bad dream would end.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58But here,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00his eyes were already open.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Perhaps if he closed them,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07the nightmare would end.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12He closed his eyes.