They Were Not Divided

MUSIC: "Greensleeves"

MUSIC: "British Grenadiers March"

CLOCK STRIKES

MUSIC: "Men of Harlech"

Corporal, where is the Guards depot?

It's up the road. Next to the asylum.

Oh, very convenient. Thank you.

DISTANT MARCHING ORDERS

My first day at school all over again.

You can play with the nice boys.

They'll bully me.

I'll speak to the headmaster.

And not pay the fees?

-And not pay the fees?

-Yes. Run along.

Goodbye, you stupid child. I love you so much.

Goodbye, darling, take care.

SHOUTED ORDERS AND RESPONSES

See the tailor.

Yes, Sergeant.

Get your civvies packed and label your suitcase. Haircut, too.

Yes, Sergeant.

-Yes, Sergeant.

-You a grenadier?

No - Welsh Guards.

Oh, foreign legion, eh(?)

Get dressed, you.

Tailor for you, too - collar, sleeves and haircut.

Will the tailor be doing that, too?

A comic, eh? I'll see the barber myself about you.

Why aren't you in the Micks'?

I was going to join the regiment but the gobeen recruiter was so sure...

..without even asking me, I said I would not.

Stop talking!

Yes, Sergeant.

You've joined the foreign legion too.

I'm in the Welsh Guards.

Same thing. Tailor - whole ruddy jacket. Strewth, what a squad!

Take them to the stitch, then show them the clobber. Pay attention.

You're in the Brigade of Guards now - and my squad.

Cripes, what a squad. Listen, you horrible little men.

Do as you're told and do what I say...

..and the Lord will prosper the work of your hands.

BUT WORK AGAINST ME, I'LL MAKE YOUR LIFE HELL!

I'LL HAVE YOU PRAYING FOR DEATH BY TORTURE!

NOW FALL IN OUTSIDE!

Do I look as ridiculous as you do?

Worse, far worse.

How would you like it? A trim or just a bit off the top?

Not too much now.

Cleaned up the back?

"Join the Army and see the world"!

Or join the Guards and scrub it.

I'll keep a button on my trap in future. I always did talk too much.

They practically skinned you.

Anyone had experience of concert parties -

..playing the piano, fiddle, harp, recitations, tap-dancing?

I play the piano.

I could sing.

Get over to the NAAFI right away.

Scrub it out, for the ENSA concert tonight. Come on! And you!

Let that be a warning to you - never volunteer in the Army...

..except for certain death!

MARCHING ORDERS

LEFT, RIGHT. LEFT, RIGHT.

SQUADRON - STOP!

LEFT, STOP. >

LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT. >

SQUAD WILL ADVANCE. ABOUT... TURN!

(ALL): ONE, STOP! TWO, STOP! THREE, STOP!

SQUAD, COVER UP FROM FRONT TO REAR! LEFT TURN!

LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT.

LEFT... TURN!

LEFT... TURN!

That's all right. You can pack it up

Thank you, trained soldier.

Do you think we'll ever walk again?

Not with these two feet of mine, begob.

That's a good idea.

Too hot in here, I'm going out for a smoke. Anyone care to join me in a constitutional?

What do you think you're doing?!

Are you speaking to me?

Stand up, you horrible man!

Sorry.

SAY SIR WHEN YOU SPEAK TO ME!

Sorry, sir.

YOU CAN'T JUST DRESS AS YOU LIKE.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

Morgan, sir.

IT WAS. PUT HIM IN THE BOOK.

Sir!

-NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY

-LIFE

-!

Sir!

Recruit Morgan... 'Shun!

Before you say anything, say, "I beg leave to speak." Do you understand?

Sir.

Recruit Morgan, QUICK MARCH! Left, right...

Mark time! Left, right! Halt! Right turn!

Next! Move sharply.

SQUAD! LEFT IN FILE. >

LE-EFT...

..TURN! >

SQUAD WILL MOVE TO LEFT IN FILES.

St Peter walking in the water couldn't slow march worse than you!

SQUAD... HALT!

Squad will advance. LEFT... TURN!

May I have leave to join the squad, Sergeant?

Fall in the rear rank.

Four extra drills.

Tomorrow, a colonial secretary and an important geezer are coming to see you -

..to talk to any of you colonials. That's not what I'd do with you.

Any guardsman who is English, two paces forward.

Any colonials, two paces back. >

ARE YOU DEAF?!

No, Sergeant.

Then what are you?

I'm an American, Sergeant.

This world is divided into two - England and the Colonies.

You're not English? Then two paces back. MARCH!

HEY, YOU, COME HERE!

COME HERE, AT THE DOUBLE! >

YOU CAN'T FREEWHEEL WHEN YOU'RE CYCLING. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

Hamilton, sir.

IT WAS. PUT HIM IN THE BOOK.

-IDLE WHEN CYCLING. NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN ALL MY

-LIFE

-!

Recruit Hamilton, 'SHUN!

QUICK MARCH! LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT. MARK TIME! LEFT, RIGHT.

'LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT!'

Had your hair cut again?

Mm. RSM told me.

You're doing well after just a month

Well?

If he picked up your haircut, he couldn't run you in on anything else.

We Irish hang together, sir.

They could hang a few more of you.

Wait until you get your inspection tomorrow. Cor, you won't half stop one.

Cor!

Cor, and I aren't half browned off!

Me, too. Four weeks we've been here.

It's so unnecessary. Where does it get them when they've finished?

Outside Buckingham Palace, I suppose.

Other soldiers are just as good without all this discipline.

Shh! That's heresy.

It's the lack of privacy I hate most.

Me, too, but I don't ask much now.

Funny how your wants seem to shrink. All I ask is I avoid the RSM.

And to scrape past inspection.

And that nobody treads on my toecap and spoils it. A simple taste.

Take that off and let's go over to the NAAFI. You think we need caps?

It isn't far and it's dark.

Right, come on, china.

WHERE ARE YOUR CAPS?! NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN ALL MY LIFE! >

Did they pass their inspection?

Yes, sir.

They can walk out tonight.

Sir!

You two. Am I hurting you by any chance?

Am I hurting you?

You're not hurting me, sir.

I should be cos I'm standing on your back hair.

GET IT CUT! BOTH OF YOU!

Did you see that?

Soldiers!

I've never seen anything like it in all my life!

Another toff coming.

Up, two, three, four, five, down.

Smashing.

Anti-tank gun in the woods up there.

Who do you think I've been engaging?

Senior Umpire's orders. Put out your flag.

Ivor.

Aye, man?

Where'd you put the tea?

# PIANO

I'd like to have knocked that umpire's block off.

What's it matter? It's only a game.

You British don't give a damn who wins just so you get a game!

I'm so mad to win I'm cheating.

If you didn't we might do better.

Quiet. You mashed up the best hand of the evening.

Your breath was whistling so loudly through all that hair it put me off.

The last three are good. We're just in. Say thank you.

Whose deal is it?

His lordship's, I think.

Under what convention are you going to play this time?

A modified half-nelson.

News in a minute.

Nothing ever happens. Leave it off.

(RADIO): "The latest news."

"Japan has announced a formal declaration of war against the USA and Britain."

"Japanese air raids on the Hawaiian Islands and the Philippines."

"Observers' reports say a US battleship has been hit..."

Nothing ever happens, eh?

..and a US transport with timber on board..."

AIR-RAID SIREN

Good night, china.

Sleep well.

-Sleep well.

-Oh, Dave...

Yes?

I just wanted to say I'm sorry America's got mixed up in the war.

It's a mucky business.

I'm not sorry. By God, I'm not!

I feel better tonight than I've felt for years. For one whole year anyway

Good night.

That seems to be all right.

Phil! Get a look at this.

My, my, Smoke O'Connor!

Corporal to you, young man!

Are you paid for those stripes?

I am, sir.

(WHISTLES) I thought you were an instructor at Lulworth.

Number One troop, sir.

It's not as good as Number Three.

Do you by any chance command Number Three?

I do.

I'm at Number One to even things up.

Morning, Sergeant.

-Morning, Sergeant.

-Morning, sir.

Are you thinking the same as me?

Yes, sir - them was the days.

(ALL): Never seen anything like it in all my LIFE!

Carry on, Corporal O'Connor!

Sir!

Come and have a look. The Americans have arrived.

What do you mean - Americans?

America - one of your old colonies.

Come and have a look. Don't be so infernally blase and British.

Don't believe they are Americans.

No?

They haven't got snow on their boots

JAZZ

Pardon me.

Excuse me.

Another beer?

-Another beer?

-Very good of you.

And yours, Corporal O'Connor.

Whisky.

-Whisky.

-Huh?

Sir!

Small beer, small whisky.

Five months we've been walking out steady, but since these Yanks...

Look there, sir, the girl in the green dress. Look at them all!

What have they got that we haven't except a lot more money?

MUSIC STOPS

Thank you, ma'am.

Joan. Joan.

BAND STRIKES UP

Pardon me, pup.

Do that again.

Sure, I don't mind.

Corporal O'Connor, sir!

< I've never seen anything like it.

(RADIO): "The fighting spirit of the UN. Today, we take you to the desert"

"Alamein, October 23, 1942, the great battle begins."

"But by the end of the first week of November the battle is over."

"Rommel is on the run."

"And the pursuit is on!"

You said they'd save our division for the victory march in Berlin.

A long way from Alamein to Banghazi. Monty isn't there yet.

But we shall be, Waci. I shall ask Davy Morgan when.

Sir, shall we get embarkation leave before we embark?

Perhaps.

Will it be hot in the desert?

Hellish.

What about our victory march now?

We're not in the desert yet, boy.

And you're not likely to be unless you get on with your painting.

"A and B vehicles will revert to normal khaki drab colour."

# Y gath wedi scrapo, Johnny bach

# Dai bach y soldier, Dai bach... #

Pardon. # Dai bach y soldier Y gwt ei gris... #

Pardon.

Switch off. You've got the feel of her.

Not so quick off the clutch as the old one, but not bad at all.

Thank you. I do not care to smoke.

That Cromwell tank had lovely lines.

Give me four inches of armour plate and you can keep your bloody lines.

The '75 was a sweet gun, too. Light?

The NAAFI's out of matches.

You got a match, bub?

No, got a lighter. Sometimes works.

Temperamental things, aren't they, Corporal O'Connor?

Thanks, bub.

You're welcome.

Phew. That was our commanding officer!

You don't say? He seems a real nice guy.

Right, David. Just leave her there and come on in.

Darling, what a wonderful surprise!

Oh, darling, this is David Morgan.

I have heard so much about you.

Me, too.

Philip's an awful bore, isn't he?

Why didn't you phone me?

I suddenly got 48 hours' leave and a lift to London.

Is this the last?

I'm Philip Hamilton, sir.

Wilhelmina's got terrible manners but I'm fond of her.

Hi. I'm Joe Benson. So are we.

I'm just so excited. This is David Morgan - Johnny, Bill and Spike. That's the lot.

Is my wife running a gambling den?

I guess so. I never knew rummy could be so expensive - I've lost four shillings!

Would you like a sandwich? Joe, will you help me?

Anything you say.

I suppose you're up at the new camp.

Lucky guys. We're all under canvas.

Mrs Hamilton lets us have a hot bath here.

I'm glad.

She's swell.

All this confirms what I've heard.

We must go and help her. Excuse us.

Let me do that. You'll hurt yourself.

I did take part in a raid over Tokyo

The way you handle a can opener it's a wonder you survived.

I get scared just looking at that thing. Give me Tokyo any day.

Two knives, please. And a tray.

-Domestically, you Americans show up my Englishman, and it's

-his

-home!

He keeps remembering it's his castle.

The Lieutenant's doing all right.

He's American.

Where are you from?

New York, sir.

I'd take you for an Englishman any day.

Work that one out, David.

When an Englishman says that it's an insult because he says it with a condescending air.

But when an American says it...

It's a compliment. Take it from me.

You ought to know. After all, you're a general.

Will you be here, Mr Morgan, when we get back?

I hope so. Goodbye.

Will you collect beetles with me?

Yes.

Hop it. You'll be late for the match.

Off you go.

< Bye.

-< Bye.

-Goodbye, Nicholas, Jeremy.

Sweet kids.

My contribution - heredity.

Gluttonous brute.

(WELSH): That was a good scoff.

(WELSH): It was indeed to goodness, Dai bach.

(WELSH): I ask leave to speak. Is Dai the same as David?

Aye, it is. >

Thank you, Waci.

You have picked up a lot.

Oh, we soldiers' wives, you know.

Why are you soldiers? Haven't you anything better to do?

Darling, I'm so sorry. Your last day, too. I can't help it.

Why are women such stupid, emotional creatures?!

So sorry.

Cry as much as you like.

Our eyes are often red with weeping.

Red with something anyway.

Fools! Let's walk in the garden. The glorious first of June.

"Nobly, nobly, Cape St Vincent. Something, something, died away."

What will the invasion be like?

Oh, my dear, the noise!

And the people!

Funny. You see, a woman has no idea what it's like.

All over England and America women like me paint the blackest pictures.

Don't worry. The real soldiers go first.

By the time we get there there'll be bathing machines on the beach.

Clown!

That makes me want to swim. It's hot - but where?

Try swimming the Channel.

Try the Witch's Pool in the wood.

It's haunted.

-It's haunted.

-Nobody goes near it.

Then I shall. Bless you, my children.

Bye.

Philip.

Yes?

-Yes?

-I'm sorry.

What for?

For making a fool of myself.

Darling, just keep on doing just that

Oh, gosh, I...

Go away!

Sorry. Is this your pool?

No, but go away. I want to get out.

Am I stopping you?

Yes.

Oh, are you the same as me?

Yes.

You really shouldn't.

Why did you, then?

I had no alternative. >

I had no bathing suit and felt hot.

What do you think you're doing?

Swimming.

I'm cold.

Swim, but keep away from me.

Why wouldn't I?

One can't be too careful these days.

Are you going to get out?

I will if you spend the day with me.

No.

Till nine o'clock anyway.

No!

Pity.

If I asked sweetly would you promise to turn your back for 30 seconds?

Please?

Please.

One, two, three, four... Are you out yet?

< Nearly ready.

..10, 11, 12. And 12 - that's 24.

By the way, are you a witch?

No, but I was a Girl Guide. Why?

This is the Witch's Pool, of course. 27, 28, 29, 30.

Don't cheat. 24, 25.

Six, seven, eight, nine, 30. 31, 32...

I'm decent now.

Are you sure?

Yes. Why nine o'clock anyway?

I don't want to intrude on my hosts and I'm bored.

What an enthusiastic invitation.

Doctor?

No. I'm in the Red Cross. You're a publisher?

Junior partner. We've a tie-up with a firm in London as well.

What are you doing in England now?

I've come over for... the invasion.

Are you going to bring out a book about it?

Yes, now that you suggest it.

Are you a pacifist?

Most sensible people are.

My brother was killed last Christmas trying to bomb the Tirpitz...

I'm sorry.

..aged 19.

Very young. That must make it worse.

It does - as far as pacifism is concerned.

But one can still be polite about it.

I beg your pardon?

I think you should though you obviously don't mean to.

CLOCK CHIMES

We managed to play out time.

Thank you very much for your kindness. I said only until nine. Good night. I can find my way out.

Mr Morgan. Mr Morgan!

Yes?

I wish to apologise. You were at least a guest in our house.

That is the most insincere apology I've ever heard.

I really am sorry. You're to blame too. I don't know what it is.

I've only known you a few hours and we're fighting as if we...

As if we'd been married for 40 years.

If you promise not to pick a brawl you can come back and have a drink.

I must be at the Hamiltons' at 9.30.

You can phone.

No, they're sending a car from our battalion for us.

I'm sorry. It sounds like I'm trying to score a cheap point.

I'm glad I apologised before I found out.

I'm glad you did. Good night.

Good night.

Tell me one last thing.

Of course.

How did you get that long, white scar in the middle of your back?

A motor accident, but...

(RADIO): "People of Western Europe...

..a landing was made in France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force."

"This landing is part of a concerted United Nations plan for the liberation of Europe."

"I have this message for all of you. Although the initial assault..."

GET ON WITH YOUR PAINTING!

That sign is bad, Sergeant Major.

Corporal O'Connor, if that sign is not put right immediately, your name will be put in the book.

Sir.

There's a hell of a fight over there and Smoke O'Connor's painting signs.

Can you tell me why?

Bull! That's what it is, Smoke.

You're dead right.

I can tell you why but it's a military secret.

Top secret, I think. There will be a big inspection in a few days by a very important man.

Even the officers don't know.

Then how do you know about it?

I was told it last night by a girl at the dance.

MUSIC: "STAR SPANGLED BANNER"

Come on, hurry up! Get in line. Careful where you go.

All right, come on, get in line.

All mine have made it all right.

That's something.

How long we here for, Bushey?

If the weather's OK, we go tomorrow.

Thank heaven.

MUSIC: "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer"

I'll go bolo if stop here another day. We've been here a week!

Look, we're not going!

All right. We know. Twist.

We've had no letters for days.

Is this the girl who gave you such good information, Waci?

No. I was thinking about my wife.

Oh, your wife?

It's wives and not girls at dances that matter now. But I'm not married.

I don't know how it affects morale.

I'm happy with a few letters a week.

Snap!

< Here comes Hindenburg.

Just back from BUCO. No move for 48 hours.

The men at arms had permission to walk out.

Still the weather?

Yes. Last convoy hasn't been able to land for two days.

Is the battle going well?

Yes, but Monty wants more infantry.

Oh, Lord!

Can David and I run over to my place?

How will you get there? >

Don't ask questions like that.

If you get caught, you answer for it.

Leave a telephone number. We're here for 48 hours, probably a month.

-My wife

-would

-live in Yorkshire! I'd better go and take some money off his lordship.

Care to make a four, Chris?

Might as well.

Goodbye. Come on, we should start.

I don't want to, thanks anyway.

Don't be silly. >

You're very kind but I get bored...

..with trailing after you.

Stop being so tactful.

Wilhelmina might want to be alone with you - and I want to finish "War and Peace".

All right. I've got a good book, too.

I've never seen anything like it...

(BOTH): ...IN ALL ME LIFE!

I think you're both deserters.

No, we're just battle-weary.

And disillusioned, don't forget.

I imagined awful things happening to you. Getting blown up on the beaches, being shot at...

..your tanks riddled with bullets.

Bullets penetrating our tanks!

She might be right - we never tested them.

And all this time you've been in some Boy Scouts' camp near here.

Concentration camp.

But how did you get out?

I'm a trusty.

They let me out to see you.

David, you do still love me?

He's been deceiving you with another.

Is this true?

Oh, yes, but "I have been faithful to thee, Sinatra, after my fashion."

You're still my only married woman.

As the Duke of Wellington, one who was allegedly greater than me, said...

.."This damned tact will be the death of me!" Goodbye.

Hi!

Good Lord, Queen Witch, how are you?

Wet, very wet.

Just like when I met you, only you didn't have those pretty pants on.

I know women look bad in trousers.

That is a huge understatement.

Maybe I'd better not get in if...

Come on. Get in. I was on my way to see you.

You're an awful liar!

That way.

David.

Yes? >

When did you join the Army?

1940.

Before Pearl Harbor.

Sure.

Why did you?

As a matter of fact, it was for loot and booty and glory - in that order.

I'm persistent. Why?

I haven't a clue, but it wasn't to make the world safe for democracy.

See if the toast's ready. Not that Daddy's gadgets ever work.

No, it doesn't even toast, let alone turn it over.

Give it a bang. Be careful. I'm sure it's going to explode one day.

The switch wasn't on.

I'd leave it alone if I were you.

No, I'm very fond of toast.

Yes, very fond of toast(!)

APPLAUSE

Why is it whenever you get a good radio programme it's always just coming to an end?

< That was Wagner.

Leave that station. It's nice.

< I want to get a concert.

In America this would be grounds for divorce - mental cruelty.

Mm - would it, now?

Move over.

Darling...

Mm-hmm.

..are you worried about anything?

I suppose not.

We'll manage till you get back.

I hate not being here if anything happened to you.

It's silly. I couldn't do anything if I were here. But we've always been a family.

That makes me want to cry. We're supposed to be worrying about you.

I'll be all right.

It can't last much longer, can it?

When it is finished we'll be happy all over again.

As long as you love me a little.

But you're so beautiful.

I'm 31.

I shall love you more every day until you're 60.

And then?

Then people will begin to talk.

Then I shall leave you.

Divorce me?

-Divorce me?

-Certainly.

Why?

-Why?

-So I can marry you again.

PIANO

How long did it last?

Two years.

Happy ones?

Tolerably. I was pretty well off at the time.

That's rather an unkind remark.

It was an unkind sensation, being left by a wife.

What was she like?

Something like you. Same shape of face. Her voice was like yours, too.

Was it?

Yes but she was far more beautiful.

I ask too many questions, don't I?

Yes. It's a characteristic of your sex.

Am I annoying you?

Mm-hm. That is your intention, isn't it?

Yes, and I'm sorry. I really am.

I'm not always like this. It's...

It's a sort of defence, I suppose.

Against what?

Against me so I won't make a fool of myself, either with a woman -

which I've already done once - or in this invasion which I'm going to do.

I don't know what it is I'm most scared of.

I'm a perfect setup for our army trick cyclists, in my frame of mind.

How nice you can be sometimes.

Maybe I no longer mistrust you like all other women.

That's a backhander and no mistake.

Unintentional this time.

Do you believe in coincidence?

And in fate. Why?

The candles are going out.

Jane. Jane!

Yes?

What was all that about - coincidence and fate?

I was due to go back today. The phone rang, another 24 hours off.

I went out and ran into you. That's all.

Someone had to say it.

Jane, you wouldn't be in love with me, would you?

Mm. Stupid of me, I know.

Your emotions are getting confused because I'm off to war...

and because women will keep heroic, romantic pictures of people...

..which have nothing to do with the truth and can only...

I'm glad you did that.

I ought to know better.

Jane.

Darling.

You seem to know everything. Am I in love with you?

Not yet, but you will be.

THUD

The candle's on the floor. The house will catch fire.

Do you mind?

No. Daddy made a fire extinguisher.

We use it to kill weeds and...

TELEPHONE

There it is. It's giving the alarm.

Telephone.

I'll answer it.

No. Don't move, because this minute will never happen again for us.

Stupid thought but it's true.

Darling...

Don't write to me or anything...

..because I want to get everything sure in my mind before I see you again.

Do you mind?

Anything. Only don't be too long.

PHONE STILL RINGING

Hello.

Oh. Philip Hamilton.

It's for you.

Hello, Phil.

Yes.

Yes.

How funny.

The Army's like that, isn't it?

All right. Bye.

God bless you. Take care. We are so fond of you.

Don't worry. Goodbye, darling.

Oh. There's this.

< It's Jeremy's. He wanted you to have it.

"The Gospel according to St John." Thank him for me.

Bye, Wilhelmina. >

Goodbye. You're to come back safe, both of you, and all in one piece.

Please take care of him, David.

Don't worry. I'll look after him.

Come on, Phil, we're late.

ENGINE STARTS

See the engines are kept running.

Where do we rendezvous?

I'll be in the transit area.

Fine.

The route is signed all the way.

Just as well, the way you read a map

It was a traffic cop diversion.

First time I ever went from London to Brighton via Cambridge. You're leading, David.

Yes, I'll follow the signs.

Different from last time.

Last time?

< Mm. Dunkirk in reverse.

Right, Bushey, I'll see you later.

Any Calvados left?

Golly, it's strong. Blows the turret off you. Top up, plenty left.

< Anything doing?

We've done everything but fight.

'45 Jones says we'll attack. He's well-informed.

Nobody tells me anything.

Cigarette. Cigarette au Papa.

Playmate for Claude.

Give me your case, I want a cigarette. What a sweet kid. There.

You forgot to give her this.

Corporal O'Connor!

(WHISTLES AND CLICKS TONGUE) Come on now.

I hear General Montgomery told all the COs what was going to happen.

You hear this at a dance, Waky?

I have my sources. Why would we be checking the tanks again today?

Bull. That's what it is - bull.

Last week in Bayeux, they called us Piccadilly boys.

Proper dust-up there was. I coshed a Highland Division chap, good and proper.

Something will always keep us from the battlefield.

Here, turn it up, Taff.

No, let him say what it is.

Vested interests, see?

(ALL SING "Cwm Rhondda")

Padre's at it again. >

Always the same tune. >

"Cwm Rhondda" and "Land of My Fathers".

First Battalion's got a much better choir. I'll apply for a transfer.

INCOMING SHELL

We're not very good at this, are we?

How do you feel about tomorrow?

Pretty windy.

Same here.

One consolation, the Jerries'll feel much worse.

Ah, gin!

That puts you out. I'll crack off. I want to write to Wilhelmina.

Reveille's at 3.30?

Yes. Wish that ruddy choir'd pipe down.

The Welsh never stop singing, even when they're talking. Good night.

Good night. >

(ALL FINISH SINGING)

Driver, advance.

INCOMING SHELL

That's him, in the corner of the woods. If Number One goes right...

..Three and Four can sneak left, while we give covering fire.

Who leads on the left?

Three. You just follow Philip. Whose tank was it?

Thomas. German .88. Got all but one.

Everybody happy?

We shall be, it's the hanging about I don't like.

David. >

About time we pushed on.

Filling them in, they're new to it.

Bound to be, first time in battle. Tell 'em not to worry.

INCOMING SHELL

Argrlwydd!

Bad shot, hope they book him. You know now where the .88 is.

Thank you, sir.

GUARDSMAN JONES!

Sir!

I'll book you. Why are you naked?

Naked, sir?

Yes! Top three buttons, do them up!

Sir, may we start the battle? I do not feel safe here any longer.

Baker Three, we're putting down smoke now.

Let me know when you've formed up behind the screen.

Hello, Baker One. In position now.

Hello, Baker Three. Will put down another screen, 400 yards ahead.

You'll be under cover until you reach the wood. Out.

MACHINE-GUN AND SHELL FIRE

Teach the bastards to respect my neutrality!

That's seven of them anyway. >

Including a Ferdinand and a Tiger.

And Lord knows how many PWs.

And killed.

'Ere, Smoke! Look at this from a German .88. Smoke!

Just below my head. Another inch...

Another foot, you mean!

You'd better not say another word about Berlin! Vested interests!

I wonder why we're staying here.

They never tell us anything.

It went all right. Just like an exercise, except for that.

Yeah... except for that.

A cup of tea for you, sir.

Thanks.

Golly, it's strong.

Strong enough for the spoon to stand up in it. Thank you, sir.

Pity about Sergeant Thomas.

Yes, he was all right, sir.

VEHICLE APPROACHING

Who's there?

Don't shoot, you BF. Only me.

Got our orders. Col Johnny's finished his O Group.

We've run into a strong position - 12 SS and most of 21 Panzer.

So infantry comes up and we pull back.

Pull back?!

Yes, battalion's knocked out 17 tanks and taken all objectives.

Trouble is, we don't know the big picture...

..we fight our little wars with a squadron of tanks.

O'Connor, you'll be a sergeant, when the tank we lost is replaced.

Pity to get it this way, sir.

Yes. Bad luck about Thomas.

David, Padre won't be able to bury them. Afraid you'll have to.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, sir.

We better get some spades off the tank, we'll do it ourselves.

Will you ask Mr Hamilton to lend us his Gospel he carries with him?

I don't think I ought to, sir. Thomas was Protestant, I'm Catholic.

Don't be a fool. I'm tired enough without that nonsense.

Sorry, sir. I don't want to be difficult, but...

It's all right, I'll do it myself, but, you know, it is the same God.

I'll get the other spade, sir.

David. David.

Amazing - out of battle a few hours, they're at it just like Caterham.

Well, at least they teach you to die with your boots clean.

We've had it. Bail out and give a hand with the extinguisher!

Where's '77 Jones?

Still inside, sir.

Come on! Get another extinguisher! Hurry!

Said not to play with matches(!)

Jones! Come down here. '77 Jones, come down here!

Give me that!

Eight hours I've been catching up. I've tried to thumb a ride.

Is that you, sir?

Why aren't you asleep?

We thought something happened to you

It hasn't. In future, don't wait up or I'll put you in the book!

(SIGHS) Now, good night.

Nos da.

Nos da.

Never seen anything like it in all me life!

If we and the Canadians keep pushing on the Falaise front...

..Jerry must keep his armour there.

-If they do that, the less there is for the Americans in

-their

-push on our right.

Patton should be at Chartres now. Pretty good going. Any questions?

Yes, sir. Why is it the Russians and Americans advance hundreds of miles and we stop after ten?

Your memories are short. The greatest advance so far was Alamein to Tripoli - hundreds of miles.

This front we're on now, with half as many divisions as the Americans,

..we and the Canadians are holding down as many Germans as them.

So don't ask damn silly questions!

That's all. >

< Tea's up!

Hark at old land of hope and glory!

Thank God, the Lords will be first in the tumbrel come the revolution.

In fact, we have 15 out of 28 divisions.

Don't start him off again.

I'll subscribe to the Daily Worker.

You can borrow my copy.

Bushey, can we use your jeep to go to headquarters?

Be back by 12.30, we're going to the Coldstreams.

For a fully licensed lunch. Darned good, you know, it's more than half.

What is?

15 out of 28.

Some biscuits?

That's very kind...

What's the matter now, you old fool?

Imposter!

So that's the form?

Yes, Leclerc got into Paris.

We've go to move the tanks 150 miles by tomorrow night.

We'd better get out of your way.

Wait for George. Church parade only lasts half an hour.

Okay. Thanks, Gerald.

Bye, Gerald.

"..the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away."

"The shield of Saul as if he had not been anointed with oil."

"From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty...

..the bow of Jonathan turned not back. The sword of Saul returned not empty."

"Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives." >

"And in death, were not divided." >

I'd no idea it was Sunday, did you?

No. What month is it?

August. Or is it September?

Does it matter?

Wilhelmina never dates her letters.

She's dead right. Unimportant. Wonder where we're going?

Does it make any difference?

No, as long as it isn't Burma.

The River Seine, was it, sir?

Never expected to cross it like this

CHEERING

Baker. Strong opposition. We can't go around it for the trees.

Ask the fly boys to be wilco?

Control calling Red Leader.

EXPLOSIONS

Is everyone all right? Is everyone all right?

Set's gone dead. Mine must've done it.

Driver's leg's broken. Careful, there'll be more mines.

Get down and help clear the road!

Leg, is it, Davies? Keep still. We'll have you out in no time.

< Get the medical officer up!

Here, have a swig of this.

The Commander-in-Chief, the Army, the Corps and Divisional Commanders, intend, as I do...

..that we'll be in Brussels tonight.

MUTTERING

Oh, by the way, I forgot to say, it's 157km(!)

(RADIO): "Charlie, coming to Belgian frontier. Have your passport ready."

"Through customs now. Out."

BAND PLAYS: "It's A Long Way To Tipperary"

..top up on petrol and ammo, men have five minutes to eat.

Come on, get a move on!

My troop's ready, they don't want to eat.

Push on, then. They're ahead by half an hour. D'you want to go sick?

Not bloody likely!

Get off the road! Back!

Hold it!

# BAND PLAYS: "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" #

We're nearly there. Sunray Unit's been held up by anti-tank guns, keep going.

Baker One. We've come too far. Natives seem hostile. This is Berlin

Monsieur. Monsieur!

Help me. Ou est la Gare du Nord?

Je ne sais pas.

Course you do, you fool!

M'selle! Ou est la Gare du Nord?

You are not German?

Les Anglais! Les Allies anyway.

Pas les Boches?! Les Anglais!

Bravo!!

Vive les Anglais! Vive les Anglais!

Hey, hey. Look, you're not my type. Can you help us find a guide?

Guide?

Une guide.

Une guide. Oui.

CHEERING

Baker One. Opposition too strong. Overwhelmed(!)

Same here. Situation rapidly deteriorating.

I've three telephone numbers already

Bravo.

Comme ils sont blases. Wake up, Tommy!

Monsieur, voici le guide!

The guide! The guide!

She's a guide all right.

Driver, advance.

Baker One. Number One Squad will advance. Number... Merci. Over.

RAUCOUS CHEERING

MUSIC: "It's A Long Way To Tipperary"

Qu'est-ce que vous voulez?

Oh. We wondered if you could take a cheque?

Of course, colonel, delighted.

But they are guests. Vous ne prenez l'argent des Anglais.

Of course, tonight, you are guests.

Oh, you embarrass me. But not much.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

Who's been sleeping on my pillow?

Hello, David. You're up early.

Didn't sleep.

Wondered why the Grenadiers weren't at the Gare du Nord.

We were. We were first in town, too.

You must've come by train, then! Where are you off to?

Moving on. We've had it with this place. Stand aside, five worst guards, make way for soldiers!

Charles Heidseick. Veuve Clicquot.

..since 1941.

We wondered if you could sell us a few bottles.

But they are not mine to sell.

Oh.

I was afraid of that.

All this belongs to the Germans - I'm sure they won't mind. Not now.

As long as you don't take too many.

We only want a dozen bottles.

A dozen?!

Well, half a dozen.

You can take half a million, if you like.

Bushey. Bushey?

Over there.

Wonderful news. We've discovered a champagne point.

I have news, too, we're moving in an hour!

Don't you know there's a war on? Champagne!! How much is there?

Goodbye, Hindenburg. Do everything this gentleman says.

Everything on board?

What's this?

Extra case for the sergeants' mess.

You black rogue, we've allotted you a whole three-tonner already.

Goodbye. Thank you for your kindness.

Don't mention it.

Bye, Hindenburg. Be a good girl.

We dropped First Airborne Division at Arnhem to take the bridge.

Dropped another at Nijmegen and at Grave, to take those bridges, so we get a straight run to Arnhem.

Easy on paper, Bushey. >

There's a long road ahead. Check your tanks and get cracking.

I've heard if this is successful, the war will be over by Christmas.

Christmas?

If the paratroopers take the bridges and we join them...

..and the rest of the Army follows up - perhaps.

Holy Fry! It's the Yanks!! >

They're dropping! It must be the first bridge! >

Hey, it is them! The British are here.

HEY, GANG, THE LIMEYS HAVE MADE IT!

Hiya, fellas! Hiya, men!

You lovely great thing! Say, it's been lonely without you.

Hello, Yankee boy.

SHOUTED GREETINGS

I never thought I'd be glad to see a Limey.

This Limey's from New York!

You don't say! Hiya, bud.

Smoke? Take them, I've got lots.

We're out. Thanks. So long.

So long, Yankee.

We make a frontal assault, while the Americans make a diversion.

How do you think they'll be, David?

How the hell should I know?

You're an American.

They fought well enough in 1776!

Sorry, old boy. You should hear what they call me.

INCOMING SHELL

Hello, Bushey.

Thanks for the champagne you sent us

Think nothing of it.

We don't, you kept the best stuff.

How's it going?

Paratroops didn't get the bridge. Grenadiers will try in the morning

If they get it, we cross over. The boys in Arnhem must be worried.

Is it a big bridge?

Only the Rhine.

Will they make it?

No, you can't cross a bridge half a mile long in daylight! Impossible!

Quite impossible!

(RADIO): "For eight days and 16 hours, they've fought and waited for that hard, battling second army."

"If necessary, they'll fight as long as there's breath in their bodies."

"How much longer this can go on, I don't know...

..but it won't be the Airborne men who call a halt."

"That is all from Arnhem, on Monday, September 25, at tea time...

..only there isn't any tea."

Sir, sir.

On B set now, sir.

Hello, Sunray. Orders from Sunray.

Get vehicles off the road and start digging slit trenches. We'll see you soon.

# We're shifting father's grave to build a sewer

# We're doing the job regardless of expense

# We're shifting his remains to put in six-inch drains

# To irrigate some toff's new residence

# Cor, blimey #

Hello, David. Are your tanks badly bogged?

Up to the belly plates.

Scammell's coming to tow you out.

# Scammell's coming, hurrah! #

Got your troop's mail.

'77 Jones, give these to the others, and keep your head down.

What's the form?

< Micks have lost all their tanks.

We can't get through off-road. On the roads, we're easy targets.

You can't leave the Airborne boys?

We lost too much armour. A division will bash down the road tonight.

Infantry?

Yes. We've come a long way, but our front's no wider than a main road.

They've cut it?

Three times a day and we're 40 miles from the main army. Here comes one.

EXPLOSION

Anybody hurt?

< No. Bit wet, sir.

Very rude of them, I must say.

EXPLOSIONS

(LAUGHS)

What is it?

Letter from the States - I've been called up! Drafted!!

(WHISTLES) Half-time, boys!

BAGPIPES PLAYING

Don't you Jessies fight at night?

Not with you real soldiers around. Good luck, laddie.

Discipline is not high in that battalion, sir.

Oh, they do all right.

Yes, the queen of battles.

Pardon, sir?

Nothing. I said nothing.

TANK STARTS

Well, glad to see you made it at last, sir.

What goes on here?

Americans, sir, sharing our billets.

You can't turn your back a minute!

Tank crews with cigars?! What next?

< I'd like him back to Caterham!

If the Sgt Major could see him now!

(BOTH): Cor!

Cushy place this, sir, you'll like it.

Major, tell me something?

-Are you addressing

-me

-?

Is it true 48 hours leave is on?

Yes, we can go as far as Brussels. Philip and David, first. Us, last.

Fair enough, friendship's a beautiful thing.

You should try it.

Like the fellows - Damon and...

Runyon.

There's a bottle near you, launch it, will you?

VEHICLE APPROACHING

Talking of secret weapons, there's an ENSA concert tonight.

< First name out, first on leave.

Sound democratic principles. >

< Eenie, meenie, minie, mo.

Hurry up, we want to pack. >

< It is with profound embarrassment I announce...

It's a fiddle! >

Two Chanel and one Guerlain, okay?

Yes. You just want some lace, Tex?

Check!

Be good while I'm away!

Have a good time.

Let's go by the quartermaster about those shirts.

Is that all right?

Sure! He's a swell feller.

Thanks, Texas. Sunday the 26th, 6.30?

Yes. And stay for dinner. We're giving a farewell party to your boys.

I'll be glad to. How long a sermon?

Oh, about ten minutes or less.

Okay, or less. Goodbye.

Phil, Battalion wants to see you now.

Why?

Bushey... he's been killed.

But... Shell or accident?

Accident.

It doesn't make sense.

Almost comic. To get as far as this and...

And Claude? >

He's a bit beat up.

Anything I can do?

Apparently not, Tex. Thanks anyway.

Thank you, sir, for leave to speak.

'45 Jones's been spreading rumours, I put him under close arrest.

What rumours?

About Major Noble, sir.

You'd better let him out again.

I better go up to HQ, then find out where Claude is.

Shall I come?

You better stay here. See you later.

So it is true, sir?

Yes, ran into an armoured car.

Rees, tyre's flat.

After he'd come all this way, too.

Ah, he was a gentleman, sir, a fine officer.

It's funny. One minute, you're alive, the next, you're dead.

Nothing in-between.

And nothing we can do about it.

Not one of us thinks it'll happen to him.

Yes, I know what you'd say if we had only one tank left.

"It's lonely without the others."

So the world is left with one hope,

..if it isn't to destroy itself in the next generation.

There can be no class in the sight of God.

Neither can there be nations.

You men have perhaps noticed this one strange truth -

..the person beside you may be of another country...

..but you get along better with him than you do with some of your fellow Americans or fellow Englishmen.

< If we believe all that matters is a way of life and all people from any nation can share in it...

< ..it must be a way of life that is right.

< Right, true, honourable and just.

< And full of love for the rest of humanity.

< We live in an age of cynicism and even greater materialism...

< ..but man has something no man can ever destroy -

< ..the spirit - that which raises him above the animal.

< At times, you live like an animal, you burrow underground and kill...

< ..but you have a spirit. This much I leave with you.

< It may comfort you in times of war

..and I pray you remember it in days of peace.

-Each one of you

-has

-a body, but he

-is

-a soul.

Padre, what will you have?

Nothing, thank you.

Oh, hello, come in.

I brought Mary Simonds with me. "Herald Tribune".

It's the best thing you've done.

I feel bad about gate-crashing, but I'm hungry.

We're delighted. We love war correspondents.

A white woman!

Lord Bentham - not, in fact, Lord Nelson.

His was the other eye.

You don't want to meet the others, they're not very nice.

The fourth was torn to pieces by a mob, in a friendly way.

The fifth, he died in bed - the husband shot him.

He'll be gone tomorrow.

A deserter?

He's being sent home to lecture in factories, recruiting for the Army.

Some advertisement for the Army!

Boston?

New York.

Like to tell me more?

There's no story in it.

Forget it, then. Is there one here at all?

This room? Enough for every article you ever write.

Yes?

The nearer to battle the better we get on. The further from the front,

..it's how slow can the British advance, how fast the Americans run.

There's a moral in it. Somewhere.

Because only the few get near the battle.

A helluva lot of them won't be alive when they're wanted, after the war.

What they've learnt will die with them.

They like you here, yes?

Maybe because I like them.

They don't judge me, I don't judge them. A lot of sermons tonight.

It's Sunday.

I've wanted to say that for a long time. You talk.

Me and that old earl...

I'm all ears.

I won't argue.

Tell us about the present earl?

Good, I love talking about myself.

Where were you wounded?

Er, what?

Where were you wounded?

Fool! In which country?!

See if you can find room for these.

Just manage, I expect.

Haven't the Americans got an airfield here?

Mm-hm.

How about cadging a lift?

Save time, we've only got 48 hours.

Think they go to Brussels?

Everything sensible goes there.

Brussels? No, these are for Northolt.

How about it? It's risky. Is it worth it?

Sure.

Sorry, no. One of our boys got busted last week for the same thing.

Well, it was worth a try.

All right, come on, let's go.

Just a second. Hurry, we've got a lift to London.

Please will you marry me?

Darling! Oh, darling.

We were luckier than they are.

David didn't have to have a photo taken with a lot of giggling women!

Nonsense, you loved it! You never stopped ogling the bridesmaids.

That's what I mean - St Moritz, I had you to myself for a whole month.

It's the most expensive month I've ever spent. No, David's lucky.

Nicholas's christening.

The dean nearly dropped him.

Silly old toff. You were getting fat then.

War's done you some good.

But it hasn't changed you, has it - inside?

I don't know. You get an odd, superficial slant on the war, in an armoured division.

You're always moving over places and people -

..the ones that really feel the war, the people who are fought over.

Maybe the infantry's different, their feelings are more profound.

They have a worse time than us.

But you remember all the funny things that happen...

..not the horrors and unhappy things.

I suppose wars occur again and again because of what you don't remember.

We're going to be happy again soon, aren't we? When it's all over.

We'll be very happy again, one fine day.

Oh, we've been so lucky. I hope they'll be as lucky.

David and Jane? Nobody'll ever be as lucky as us.

Nobody?

Nobody could be.

We'll have a real honeymoon someday.

It'll all be over by Christmas, won't it?

I hope so.

I still can't believe it. It really is so sudden, Mr Morgan.

Oh, we Americans!

I'm an American subject now.

American citizen anyway.

Darling, we British and Americans, do we think the same way?

No, but we think the same things, much more important.

How has it been - the war, I mean? Was it as bad as you thought?

I'm not as scared as I thought I'd be. You get used to anything in time

At times, we were safer than you people in London.

But you will take care, won't you?

Let's not talk about the war.

We'd better get back to the hotel. What time is Philip coming?

Midday. Are you sure Wilhelmina got us a ride?

A US general's private plane.

Good enough. Mrs Morgan.

Yes, Mr Morgan.

In future I want you to stay away from these Americans, see?

The Americans may want us to counterattack.

I'll make a recce.

Check the ground, covered approaches and forming-up places.

Tell the men Christmas dinners will be up as soon as the flap's over.

I forgot about Christmas. Happy Christmas, sir.

You, too, but it's not likely.

I wouldn't come if I were you.

I have to sometime. Company for you anyway.

As you like. What are you so pleased about?

Jane's pregnant.

And I'm to be godfather, sir.

And what are you going to call him?

Oh... Wilhelmina.

Have to leave the vehicles here.

Armoured cars and tanks patrol the woods.

Where are your forward companies?

Over that ridge. They move at night.

Can you get up there?

Sure. I wasn't up there earlier, but some of the others were.

Well, we might as well go.

I'll show you the way.

PLANE OVERHEAD

Nice to see ours about again.

-First time we've had to worry about

-them.

Zweitausend achthundert! Zweitausend achthundert!

They should be in the woods.

Good cover. Better than ours.

Can you see anything?

A Kraut here and there. Could be an SP gun.

That should do it. You happy?

Siebenundzwanzig! >

Bastogne should be to the right.

Where 101 are?

Be good to see Tex and the boys.

I'll have a look. No, too far away.

We'll have to drive there one day. Come on, it's going to snow harder.

Links vier, funfzig!

Fire!

GUN FIRES

You all right, David?

Yes. Let's run for it.

Drop when you hear the next one coming. Come on!

David! David! What the devil's the matter?

Nothing. Go on. Go on, you fool!

Ah! Don't! Please, don't.

Where is it?

It's no good. It's my back.

It's Smoke, he's bringing the car for you.

Tell him not to. (COUGHS)

Hell, I haven't got a field dressing. Where's yours?

I haven't, either. Put him in the book. (COUGHS)

Gently. That madman'll be here soon.

Go. I'll be fine here till dark.

You may think you command this squadron, but you don't.

Why have they stopped shelling?

PLANE OVERHEAD

No more ammo. Perhaps it's that plane. Phil...

If anything happens to me, you can take my leave next week. England!

Don't be silly, you'll be going yourself. Here, put this over you.

< SCOUT CAR APPROACHING

Wonder why they've stopped shelling.

Smoke's nearly here.