The Wooden Horse

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 stamped across 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!

Here he comes.

He's stopped outside hut 66. >

He's looking under it.

< 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?

-< Thank you!

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, chum, 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?

At 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 just not doing anything. Not even fighting.

Clinton's running.

I'd give anything to be out of here, even for a few days.

Just to do ordinary things - use a telephone, walk on grass, carpets,

walk up and down stairs,

use a lift.

Spend money, and have to 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 make the horse, all right.

-Let's tell the escape committee.

-Wait.

-No, register it.

Someone else 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. Goodnight.

ALL: Goodnight, 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 the happy bride! 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 as far as the canteen.

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 turnout, 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. Goodnight.

-Goodnight. 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.

< 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. Right.

-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.

-Charming!

-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, they'll connect it with the horse.

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 tonnes of sand up there!

-< Name?

-Michel Condein.

-< Born?

-Lille.

-Date?

-September 29th, 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, down! >

-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 OUT

SHOUTING IN GERMAN

Links!

Come on, let's get going.

HE GIGGLES

What 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!

And all gymnastic apparatus will be denied.

ALL: Boo!

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 ANNOUNCEMENT

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 contact him 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

DOG BARKS

-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 our 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 look after him if he turns nasty.

-Bonne 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 you 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...

-FOOTSTEPS

-Shh!

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 17th, 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?

-Mary Elizabeth.

-What does your father 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.

< He's Danish. He'll smuggle 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 to 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.

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?

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'll 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 of you to have us here.

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 frightened all the time.

-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

Psst!

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 dear 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!