Force 10 from Navarone

'Deep in the heart of the Aegean lies the island of Navarone.

'In 1943, it stood like a thorn in the Allied side.

'Newly designed radar-controlled guns,

'set in the heart of the ancient rock,

'gave the German High Command total strategic dominance.

'Air strikes and naval attacks had proven costly and ineffective.

'In desperation, the Allies turned to infiltration.

'On the night of September 24th, a specially trained commando group

'succeeded in penetrating the very heart of the gun complex,

'planted explosives at the base of the giant shell hoists...

'then withdrew to await rescue by ships of the Royal Navy.'

-Reduce speed, number one.

-Aye-aye, sir. Down 50.

(IN GERMAN)

Feuer!

(EXPLOSIONS)

(SHIPS' HORNS BLARING)

Move! Move! Come on! Move it!

Move it! Move it, move it, move it, move it!

Regulations state, sir, that in the absence of bacon, ham, et cetera...

the acting catering officer - that's you, sir -

shall authorise, once per week, the issue of offal.

-Offal?

-Offal, sir, is kidneys, liver, tongue, brains...

Well, I'll be damned! Milly, how nice to see you!

-Hello, sir.

-Whatever are you doing here?

Well, I've no idea. I'm reporting to Commander Jensen.

I gather you've been hurling yourself over the white cliffs. How's the leg?

Well, it's in the same place. I thought they'd pensioned you off for good.

Still peddling those whizz-bangs of yours?

Oh, yes, we've got things that go boom for all occasions.

I'm working on a new detonator. Might be interesting...

Sir, Commander Jensen is waiting.

-We'll have a quiet pint later on.

-He'd like to see you too - together.

Corporal, put that in my office, will you?

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Ah, Mallory.

Take a pew. How's the leg?

-And Miller, isn't it?

-Yes, sir.

Hear you've been attached to Winston's toy shop.

'Department of Dirty Tricks,' as the Whitehall chaps call it.

Well, they speak very well of you.

Right. We need you chaps for something rather special.

I'm afraid it's not exactly a masterpiece,

but I wonder if you can identify this fellow.

Think back to Navarone.

-I'd rather not, sir.

-Nikolai?

Yes. Let you down a bit, didn't he?

But what about him? Andrea's people had him shot as a traitor, didn't they?

Yes, so we were told. In fact, he escaped.

But he wasn't a traitor. He was a German agent,

who we believe is operating now in Yugoslavia with the Partisans,

posing as one Captain Lescovar.

Now, you both knew Nikolai.

In fact, you're the only people we know who can identify him.

So, I'd like you to go out there and cope.

Cope, sir?

-Kill him.

-Discreetly, if possible.

-Ah, but I'm a civilian now, sir.

-Yes, we thought about that.

So, you've been recalled and promoted. Staff sergeant.

-Awfully generous, sir.

-Exactly how do we get there?

We're tacking you onto Force 10.

The code name of an operation for the Allied mission in Yugoslavia.

Excuse me, sir. What's their objective?

It's being treated on a need-to-know basis...and you don't need to know.

Ah, Barnsby, come in.

-Sir?

-Colonel. Now, Force 10 flies out tonight.

Oh, that's all right. Taking these bods with you.

-I beg your pardon, sir?

-It's a matter of transportation.

You've got passengers. Just a sideshow.

This is Major Mallory. Sergeant Miller. Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby.

Sir, my mission is all set. It's been planned down to the last detail.

The last thing we need are a couple of passengers.

Major Mallory does have a certain amount of experience.

I wouldn't doubt it. But we're talking about some hard travelling, sir.

We've gotta move fast. My men are young and in top physical shape.

-They're specially trained for this.

-I'm aware of that.

Sir, I am concerned about the safety of my command.

Well, these chaps have got a job to do, as well.

And it's up to you to deliver them safely to the Partisans.

And you leave for Italy at 2300 hours,

and you take off for Yugoslavia the following night.

-Very well, sir.

-Thank you. That's all, gentlemen.

Well, we'll do our best not to make a nuisance of ourselves, Colonel.

(MEN SINGING)

# She'll be wearing pink pyjamas when she comes

# She'll be wearing pink pyjamas...

-All right, enough!

-# She'll be... #

-I thought we were going to an airfield.

-From what I've observed of Colonel Barnsby,

we might be going to Yugoslavia by walking on water.

All right. It's right along here. Slow down, Nolan.

Stop it.

Nolan, kill the lights. All right, out!

Oberstein, Reynolds, the fence.

You're gonna miss your plane, unless you join us now, Major.

Remarkable way of getting on an aircraft - don't you think so?

Oh, well, nothing's ever easy, is it?

Well, it's not easy if you insist on climbing through fences in the dark,

when there's a perfectly good gate half a mile up the road.

Anything we can do to help?

Yeah, you can keep quiet and out of the way, Major.

I don't have a lot of time for explanations, but one thing that you don't know

is that the last three Allied missions into Yugoslavia were blown right here in Italy.

So, this time when we fly out, we're not advertising the fact to anybody.

Holy cow! Will you look at those guys?

They're stealing half the field.

All right, hold it. Wait for me.

OK, men. Let's go!

Blake, take care of Rastus there.

-Yes, sir.

-OK, fellas, freeze.

Back off. Come on, get back. And you - back, back!

Bill, Eddie, fetch those other guys out of there.

-What's your name, kid?

-Walter.

-What's yours?

-Well, it sure in the hell ain't Rastus...

..Walter.

Good evening.

Major, move!

-Are you two guys officers?

-More or less, yes.

We're much obliged to you, Sergeant...

-Weaver.

-Oh, Sergeant Weaver. Thank you.

US Army Medical Corps.

-But sir...!

-All set, Colonel.

-Still stuff outside?

-Yeah.

-OK, Oberstein?

-Fine.

(ENGINE ROARING)

Hey, sir!

-Where's Nolan?

-I think you can take it he won't be joining us.

OK, let's go.

You son of a bitch! I saved your asses back there, and you run out on me.

Hey, who is this guy? Get out of here!

Hey, man, don't push! Don't push me!

-Look, you...

-It's a bit late for that now.

Look, you just shouldn't have left me there. I saved you bums.

Well, we didn't think you'd like where we're going.

You let me worry about that, huh?

He's really gonna melt into the landscape(!)

Yeah, them Partisans are gonna think they've been invaded by Zulus!

Well, you are one man short.

Well, Nolan can handle a chute, at least.

-Can you handle a chute?

-I can learn on the job.

That's right - you learn on the way down.

Well, I'd better go tell the Colonel we got us another passenger.

I think the Colonel's got enough on his plate for the moment. Don't you?

So sorry.

I was rather hoping we'd lost that.

Oh, you never know. It might come in useful.

Hey, hey, what you got in there?

-My pyjamas.

-Looks like high-explosive pyjamas to me.

Not to worry, old boy. Been handling this since I blew up the nursery with my first chemistry set.

Poor old Nanny.

-We got company.

-(IN GERMAN)

(MACHINE-GUN FIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

Cut two!

Reynolds, bail out!

Jump! Go!

Come on! Move it!

Come on! Get out! Come on, move!

Come on!

(GUNFIRE)

(BARKING ORDERS IN GERMAN)

(DISTANT EXPLOSION)

(GROANS)

Phew.

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(Mallory...)

OK. Seen any of the others?

Not yet. Get down.

Come on.

(WHISTLING SOFTLY)

-OK, Reynolds?

-Yeah.

Where's your Sergeant Miller?

(GUN CLICKS)

(SCREAMS)

How the hell did he get here?

You let him on the plane?

I think he more or less invited himself.

-Where did you learn to use a knife?

-Harvard University, man.

You don't call him 'man'. You call him 'sir', and you call me 'sir'.

And as long as you're here, you do as you're told. Understood, soldier?

Yes, sir.

We've gotta get out of here before that patrol comes back.

Reynolds, take the point. Weaver, bring up the rear.

And everybody keep up. All right, let's go.

Organised young gentleman, isn't he?

Any idea where we are, Colonel?

Not a hell of a lot, but if we keep going east, we'll end up where we're supposed to.

How did we get stuck with those two clowns?

I don't know, Doug. Some idiot at British HQ.

Come along, gentlemen! It's not teatime yet.

Do you think that young man has any idea where we are, Milly?

-No, I shouldn't think so.

-I shouldn't think so, either.

I'll go and try and find out.

Yes, why don't you do that?

Excuse me, Colonel.

Do you have any idea where we are?

Yeah, I've got a good idea.

And how long it's gonna take to get there, if you two can't keep up.

All right, let's move it!

This is really beautiful country.

Yes, marvellous.

Rather like the Scottish Highlands.

-Do you know Scotland?

-No.

Yes. I've often thought that I'd rather like to settle down there some day.

Looks like you're gonna have to change your plans.

(SHOUTING)

Take it easy.

Welcome!

Captain Drazak.

17th Partisan Regiment.

-Morning, Captain.

-Welcome, welcome!

Thank you, Captain Drazak.

They frightened you with bandages, huh?

Without bandages, you...bleurghh!

German - how you say? - Flammenwerfer.

You say, 'Flamethrower.'

Ja, ja. Flamethrower. Psssh!

-Hello! Hello!

-How do you do?

This is Maritza, good soldier comrade.

-Zdravo.

-How do you do, good soldier comrade?

-Zdravo.

Hello, blackie!

(LAUGHTER)

(CHUCKLES) Maybe it comes off now, Maritza!

(LAUGHTER)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Back off, soldier.

(LAUGHING) I make big joke...

..but joke on me.

(LAUGHTER)

Good, blackie! Come, we go. We eat with our comrades.

We make friends and drink. Then we fight the Germans.

Come.

Come. We go.

Where did you learn to punch like that? Harvard?

No, Harlem. Colonel...

I'm not trying to get anybody killed, least of all me. But that big idiot back there...

Just watch yourself, soldier.

-How's the leg today?

-Oh, it's much better, thank you.

Good, good. Well, it looks like things may work out, after all, huh?

Well, perhaps Miller and I can still carry out our little sideshow.

Sorry about Force 10.

You're down to two men, aren't you?

Of course, I don't know what your mission was,

but obviously, it just isn't on now, is it, Colonel?

(CHILDREN SHOUTING)

Looks rather like your own youngster, doesn't he?

Do you really think so?

(SHOUTING AND CHEERING)

Please, come. Come, eat.

We are Chetniks, not stinking Partisans.

(BOOING)

We hunt Allied commandos like wild pigs!

We work with Germans. They are our friends!

Good evening, gentlemen. Major Schroeder, 11th Army Corps.

How do you do, Major? Delighted to meet you.

We thought these people were Partisans. Of all the luck, eh, Barnsby?

-Sure.

-Chetniks?

Who would have believed that?

The other three Allied missions that fell into our hands...

were not quite so happy about it as you appear to be.

Oh, I'm not surprised, sir.

But, you see, we're not commandos.

We're deserters.

-Ah, deserters?

-Ha!

Give them to me, Major. We kill them now.

You see, we were in a prison camp in Termoli.

We escaped. Managed to steal a plane.

Flew here. RAF Lancaster. Were attacked, hit, bailed out and landed in your territory - thank God.

Fascinating. Tell me: why exactly did you desert?

Now, I'm glad you asked that.

Yes.

Well, I am afraid that is rather a long story.

Oh, please, you must not be afraid of boring me.

-Have you ever heard of penicillin?

-No.

No. Well, I'm not surprised. It's new.

It's a drug that prevents wounds from becoming infected. It cures a whole range of infections,

including some of the nastier social diseases.

Naturally, it's become one of the most sought-after items on the black market.

Our friend here, Sergeant Weaver of the American Medical Corps, was our supplier.

You are saying you stole these drugs from the army to sell to civilians?

Er...not just to civilians, Major.

-We'd sell it back to the army. Any army.

-Ah, I see.

Tell me - what has all this to do with that suitcase you keep looking at?

Well, that suitcase is full of our penicillin.

-Oh, indeed? Perhaps I could see some of it?

-Certainly, Major.

Open it, Miller.

You can't do that here, sir. You'd ruin the lot.

You know perfectly well that any contamination will destroy it.

It must be opened under laboratory conditions.

Besides, there's half a million pounds' worth here.

I know all that, but the Major's not interested in our penicillin.

He wants to know if we're telling the truth.

Anyway, what's the use of a half a million pounds to you out here?

Yes, well, that's beside the point, sir. I'm not going to open it.

-Our story doesn't seem to convince you.

-No, it does not.

Well, that's up to you, but every word he's told you is true.

If you don't believe it, check with your intelligence people. They'll verify the entire story.

Oh, I shall certainly verify your story.

Every word of it.

Get in, scum!

Cute story, Major. Very cute.

Now, what happens when they open the suitcase?

I should think we'll all get shot. Don't you, Colonel?

Headquarters acknowledges your signal.

Thank you, Bauer.

Maritza...

What do you think?

They're lying.

What does it matter, anyway?

Kill them.

Ja, you are probably right.

Do you know what I was thinking?

After the war, a million dollars...

You, a simple peasant girl from... where?

I can never pronounce the name of the place you come from.

With so much money, we could...

They're lying.

Kill them.

Heraus! Out!

Out! Get out.

(BARKING ORDERS IN GERMAN)

Links, recht. Links, recht. Links. Links, recht.

Links, recht. Links. Links.

(BARKING ORDERS)

What did I tell you?

Well, at least we got a good night's sleep.

-(GRUNTS)

-Achtung.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Our intelligence confirms your escape from Italy.

You and you, follow me, please.

Your escape from Italy is one thing.

The rest of your story is something else.

I had time to sleep on it. So, this morning, you know what I did?

I opened the suitcase.

Maritza!

And what do you think I found?

Firewood.

Well, what did you expect? We buried that stuff before your Chetniks picked us up.

We're not stupid. It's all we've got to bargain with.

Ja. That is what I thought you would say. But I think you're lying.

You know they're lying. Why don't you let Drazak get rid of them?

Gently, Maritza.

I don't believe your so-called penicillin exists, but it just might,

so I will let you go and dig it up for me.

And if we do, you'll shoot us and bury us in the same hole.

I shall certainly shoot you if you don't.

Well, gentlemen, the choice is yours.

What I can't figure is how the firewood got in the case.

Neither can I.

Don't know where we're going to find any spare penicillin here, do you?

Well, what are we gonna do? Keep walking until we reach the Adriatic?

I don't think the iron maiden will let us get that far.

MARITZA: Halt!

What did I tell you?

We are three miles past the spot where you were picked up.

Well, where is this wonderful treasure?

In your imagination?

No, ma'am. It's not in our imagination.

I think it's a bit further on. Don't you, Colonel?

Yes, it is. Well, I mean, it's not much further than this.

It's hard to tell. The whole country looks alike.

You will start digging within five minutes.

What if we haven't found it in five minutes?

Then you will be digging your graves.

Hey, Colonel! Wait a minute. Now, this looks familiar.

Isn't this our little hollow down here?

Er...yes. Yes, I think it is.

Er...I remember this knoll over here.

Ma'am, this is it. I think this is it. And this knoll over here...

You see, comrade? We lined it up between them...

There you are! There's our pile of stones.

Right.

(Gotta get them closer, then use the spades.)

You take the two that are closest to you,

and I'll take the other one and the broad.

(I'm gonna get them closer now, OK?)

Fritz! Fritz, come! It's here.

-Ready?

-Right.

(GUNFIRE)

You can get up now. They're dead.

I'm the one who puts firewood in people's cases and hides their high explosives.

Don't sit there gawping. Get out of here. Keep moving in that direction.

Try to find Petrovitch's Partisans.

Now, go.

Excuse me, good comrade soldier,

but exactly what story are you gonna tell Schroeder about all this?

You took us by surprise.

You got away.

Here - hit me.

Did you expect me to go back there with my hair combed?

Hit me.

Well, all right.

Sorry.

Harder!

Come on, Colonel.

I hope that man Schroeder believes that girl's story.

Yeah, if he doesn't believe her, he'd better think twice about calling her a liar.

What about Miller and Reynolds?

What about them, Colonel?

Yes.

I suppose they...

Let's move it.

-Do you have the feeling we're being followed?

-Yeah.

About the last ten minutes.

(GUNSHOT)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

(GUNSHOT)

Next time, YOU can play the corpse.

Yeah, you seem pretty good with that thing, though.

-Could have been luck.

-(CHUCKLES)

-Germans?

-Yes, or Drazak, I suppose.

(HORSES' HOOVES)

Partisans, thank God!

Good morning.

Good morning.

(ANGRY CONVERSATION IN SERBO-CROAT)

(SHOUTING ANGRILY)

What's the matter with him? We've been looking for you.

Be quiet.

You will make your report to Major Petrovitch.

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

-I think we've run into bad company, Colonel.

-Yeah?

Yes, the leader.

-What about him?

-Afraid I know him. Nikolai.

Who the hell is Nikolai?

It's Nikolai Lescovar.

The man I was sent to kill.

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Dam. If it's the one I think it is, I know where we are.

So do I. Right in it.

-(IN SERBO-CROAT)

-Do you think he's recognised you?

Yes, I think so.

(GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

(EXPLOSION)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

(WHISPERING)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Lieutenant Colonel Barnsby, United States Rangers.

Major Mallory, sir.

You got away from the Germans.

How?

-We escaped.

-(PHONE RINGING)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Captain Lescovar has his doubts about that.

If you escaped, why were the Germans not pursuing you?

We observed you for five miles before we picked you up.

Then you should have observed that we killed two Chetniks that were following us.

-The men with the bandaged faces.

-Exactly.

Hardly a cause for congratulation. Those two men were Partisans.

Comrades of ours whom we had infiltrated into the Chetnik camp,

so now all links with our agent there are broken, thanks to you.

I'm sorry.

The fact remains, however, that we're Allied officers.

There's no reason we should be treated this way. I'm here in command of Force 10.

And I insist that we be allowed to contact the Allied mission at Tito's HQ. I'm sure London informed you.

We are informed of many things by London.

Very few of them ever seem to materialise.

However, you are right.

I was informed of your mission.

Personally, I doubt if it was ever a practical one,

but now that you are here, without equipment, the question is academic.

And you, Major - you came here as an observer, perhaps?

No, sir. I was charged with a mission of my own.

-It's confidential.

-Ah, confidential!

Sometimes I get the impression

that London looks on this theatre of operations

as a convenient place for conducting what they call 'war games'.

-May I speak to you personally?

-You are speaking to me personally.

-I mean alone.

-No.

The People's Army does not conduct military business in secret.

Very well, sir.

I was sent here to identify a German agent, code name Nikolai.

We are reliably informed that he has infiltrated the People's Resistance Army

and is now known...as Captain Lescovar.

And having identified this man, what were your further orders?

-I was to eliminate him, sir.

-Eliminate? Don't you mean kill?

Yes, sir. I do mean kill.

Do you hear that, Lescovar?

The gentlemen from London want us to shoot you.

(LAUGHING)

I'm sorry, Major! I must admit you are, indeed, partly right.

There WAS an agent named Nikolai...

..operating somewhere south of here and also calling himself Lescovar.

But he was identified many months ago.

And eliminated. The British were informed.

-But London were very specific, sir.

-Yes, they frequently are specific,

and just as frequently wrong.

Lieutenant Marko, see that these gentlemen

give you a full report on their activities in the Chetnik camp.

A specific report.

(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)

Well, Captain, I guess we owe you a bit of an apology, don't we?

Well, it happens. We all get badly briefed sometimes.

I wish we'd been briefed about the men with the bandages.

Replaced them with a couple of your own, huh? That's a good trick.

They were messengers to our agent at Schroeder's headquarters.

Is your agent small, dark, pretty?

Beautiful grey eyes and shoots from the hip?

You mean Maritza? Yes.

She took a big chance for us.

She isn't Petrovitch's daughter for nothing.

(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)

We hold this end of the bridge.

Over there, the Germans are preparing for the final attack.

We have been ordered to prevent them crossing at all costs.

What exactly do they have over there?

Three divisions, perhaps more.

We hold a brigade here.

Soon they will bring up tanks, then...

-Why haven't you blown the bridge?

-We have tried several times.

Each time, we lost valuable men.

Major Petrovitch has decided it is impractical.

Well, he's wrong about that.

There's no bridge in the world that can't be blown.

That's what Force 10 was here to prove.

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

(SHOUTS ANGRILY)

I told you before - you have no men, you have no equipment.

Look, I can radio London for equipment. Just get me an airstrip operational.

Oh, call London? Prepare an airstrip for a plane that may never arrive? Have you anything else to suggest?

Yes. Give me 20 of your men, and I can blow that bridge to hell.

You mean you can blow 20 of my men to hell - for nothing!

That bridge is indestructible.

(PHONE RINGING) Excuse me, sir. You don't need 20 men. You need Miller.

-Miller?

-He's an expert with explosives, sir.

He's probably the best in England.

Ah, this Miller is in England?

No, sir. Prisoner in the Chetnik camp.

-Then he's already dead.

-Not necessarily, Major.

I refuse to mount a full-scale operation just to find out, Colonel.

I need every single man I've got here - now!

Sir, we don't need to mount a full-scale operation.

Just give us two men.

(DOOR OPENING)

These officers are from headquarters.

They're here to interrogate you.

You reported five prisoners, Major.

Ja.

Two of them tried to escape.

They were shot.

(IN GERMAN)

(DOOR OPENING)

Major Schroeder is in the armoury, and I have told you before -

this area is out of bounds to all of you people, except Captain Drazak.

Now, remove yourselves immediately,

and if you can read, which I doubt, take a look at standing orders.

There. You have made me burn the milk.

Sergeant, let it burn.

Open up.

Prisoners...for Major Schroeder.

(DOOR CLOSED AND LOCKED)

You see, my colleague does not believe you are deserters.

(GROANS)

-The prisoners, sir.

-What prisoners?

I thought you said these men had been shot.

Hande hoch.

Right, gentlemen. Shall we go?

No!

This is not correct.

(GUNSHOT)

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

Quick. Move it!

Bring him. Open it.

-Go.

-Marko.

-(FIST PUNCH)

-(SCREAMS)

Always so kind to the men with burns.

But they have no burns!

The three Germans with the prisoners that escaped,

all shot in the back with machine pistols!

You killed them.

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Good. Give me the hat.

(BOY SPEAKING IN SERBO-CROAT)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

(CHUCKLES)

Open. Open up.

(KNOCKING) Open!

Open!

(ENGINES STARTING)

(IN SERBO-CROAT)

Milly!

(IN GERMAN)

(ALARM BLARING)

Weaver, don't stand there gawking. Let's get this truck moving.

Is she OK?

Well, we'll drive as carefully as we can.

Hey, you. I don't like the way you talk.

-You what?

-I don't like the way you talk to me.

This truck doesn't move till you tell me what's going on.

Now, look, you...

You big-time officers have shafted me twice.

You tried to dump me in Italy and ran out on me back there.

You expect me to drive you around like some chauffeur?

Nobody tells me anything. You don't even tell me what's going on.

-I don't believe this.

-Excuse me, Sergeant Weaver,

but do you want to be part of the team?

I don't wanna be a part of any lousy team!

I just want some equal consideration.

(HORSES' HOOVES)

Well, I don't think you'll get equal consideration from those people back there. Do you?

I don't care if they're the US Cavalry.

Nobody moves until somebody tells me what you're planning to do.

-We're going to blow up a bridge.

-A bridge? Whose bridge?

Not me, buddy. I'm blowing up nothing.

We are going to help the Partisans blow up a bridge,

and then, if we're very lucky, we can all go home.

-Is that a fact?

-That's the idea. That's why we came back for Miller.

Yeah, Miller. You didn't give a mother-hunch about me, did you?

You came back for Miller, but you didn't come for me, did you?

No, we didn't.

Well, that's the first straight answer you've given me.

I think the Major's got a point, Colonel.

They do look kind of mean, don't they?

-Then don't stand there gaping like an idiot. Get in there and drive the truck!

-All right.

(ENGINE SPLUTTERING)

We'll have to do this another way.

Get away from the truck!

Wait for my signal.

(HORSES' HOOVES)

(MEN SCREAMING)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

-Useful little insect, isn't he?

-Keep an eye on them, Marko.

Miller, you are an incurable show-off!

Don't knock it, Major. Don't knock it.

(ENGINE RUMBLING)

So, now it works, huh, Sergeant?

Well, these babies are a little temperamental sometimes.

Like me!

Lescovar's confirmed my signals got through to London.

Do you like that chap?

-Lescovar?

-Yeah.

I haven't thought anything about him. Knows his job, I suppose.

Yes, he does, doesn't he?

-All right, Sergeant?

-What do you think?

Pretty straightforward, isn't it?

Well, no, not exactly.

In fact, not by a long chalk.

No, I'd say you're flogging a dead horse there, old man.

-What are you trying to tell me?

-Want to take a look?

Are you kidding? I know every inch of that bridge.

Oh, yes? Well, in that case, you'll have noticed how it's built into the living rock.

And how those main pilings are not just concrete, but 20 feet thick. That's not forgetting that...

I told you - London's dropping the same stuff we had before.

Yes, I know you're getting bags of equipment, but it's not enough.

-What do you mean, not enough?

-Well, you might bend it a little,

burn the paintwork here and there.

But nothing that would seriously inconvenience the Jerries.

Now, look, our experts have been studying that bridge, and they say it'll blow.

I don't know where you learned your job, but I'm talking about the best engineers in the business.

Yes. Well, they're probably experts at building things,

whereas I'm an expert at blowing them up.

And take it from me that one would need eight hours

-to make a decent job of that bridge.

-Eight hours?

Assuming, of course, that Jerry's kind enough to leave us in peace.

And maybe provide a few working lights.

-Miller...

-You've seen those searchlights, have you?

-Miller...

-Sir.

I think you've made your technical point.

Many thanks, sir.

Well, if I weren't absolutely sure of my facts, I wouldn't be telling you this now.

And you do understand, sir, I'm not exaggerating.

What would happen to the bridge if that central arch was suddenly hit

by several million tons of water?

-Water?

-Water?

I think we've been talking about the wrong target.

Remember that dam we passed around the bend?

-What kind of a dam? Where is it?

-About two miles up the river.

But, my dear chap, why didn't you say so before?

Oh, I could do a tremendous job on a dam. Yes!

With a dam, you've got natural elements working for you.

It's like an enormous bath. All you've got to do is pull the plug.

Thank you.

Come along, gentlemen.

As a technician, I thought you might be interested in that dam, Milly!

Get them outside for the dropping zone.

So, the RAF drops the stuff and we blow the dam - right?

Right.

Is it anything like Boulder Dam? Now, that baby's big, man.

Wouldn't know, old boy.

How often have you used this as a dropping zone?

Never. The Germans see to that.

We have to keep moving around.

Makes sense.

You think those two guys know anything about blowing a dam?

Oh, no, I shouldn't think they've got a clue.

But never mind, old Weaver.

We Sergeants will see them through...as usual.

(LAUGHS) Right!

Ah, hello.

Ought you to be out and about? It's jolly cold.

Come on in. Take a seat.

Thank you, but one thing I cannot do just yet is sit down.

You're not staying for the fireworks? Bags of panic and blue lights.

No. I've seen too many airdrops.

They don't compare to a nice, warm bed.

(AIRCRAFT ENGINE)

(LAUGHING)

(SHOUTING IN SERBO-CROAT)

Would you believe it? Right on time.

(SHOUTING IN SERBO-CROAT)

(GERMAN RADIO CHATTER)

(RADIO CHATTER CONTINUES)

(MAN TALKING IN GERMAN)

(REPLIES IN GERMAN)

(TWIG SNAPPING)

(AIRCRAFT ROAR)

(GUNFIRE)

(MARITZA SCREAMS)

(MAN MOANING IN SERBO-CROAT)

Marko! Marko!

(JABBERING AND MOANING)

I don't believe it.

This was no accident.

We've lost our last chance.

There is no question. We were betrayed.

Aren't we always, with Allied missions?

Their security's a joke.

It doesn't matter.

We do our part, and what do we get?

20 lives lost!

-One of them...

-It's past.

Finished.

All that matters now is that the Germans are marshalling their tanks.

They will cross the bridge tomorrow, and there is nothing we can do to stop them.

And you four gentlemen have outstayed your...usefulness.

You will be escorted back to the Allied military mission.

Out of harm's way?

Sir... I could leave the Germans some very nasty surprises.

Thank you, Sergeant.

I think we have had enough surprises.

Captain Lescovar, see that these gentlemen have an escort of two men.

If those poor chaps had just half the equipment of the Jerries,

I could have made that dam look like a Swiss cheese.

It's absolutely sickening.

Would the Jerries have that gear we need in their supply dump?

Of course they would. Lashings of HE, landmines, detonators, everything.

It's an absolute certainty.

Your escort, Colonel. I think you will find them reliable.

-OK, thank you.

-I think we're going to need rather more men than this, Captain.

My Sergeant thinks that the Germans have the necessary equipment

in their forward supply dump, so that the Colonel can blow the dam.

That means you'd have to get into the marshalling yards at Mostar.

None of you speak enough German.

You need me to help.

Thank you, Captain.

(IN GERMAN)

(CRASH)

-You know, I could get shot for this.

-Couldn't we all?

You look real beautiful - you know that?

Yes, it's all right for you. You don't have to come with us.

We'll be back in exactly 35 minutes - right?

-OK.

-That's if the shop's open, old boy.

(IN GERMAN)

(IN GERMAN)

Pity they didn't teach you German at that school of yours.

Instead of Latin? Perish the thought, old boy.

These any use to you?

No, Teller mines is what we want. They look like dirty green dinner plates.

Maybe they just haven't got any.

They have.

(ANGRILY IN GERMAN)

(INDIGNANTLY IN GERMAN)

(IN GERMAN)

I wonder what happened to Barnsby and his truck.

I've been asking myself the same question.

Well, we can't just stand here like ducks in thunder.

Over there. The railway wagon. Get the stuff in there till he comes.

(Barnsby should have been here by now. Where the hell is he?)

Mmm. Beautiful.

-Just the job.

-(Not now, Milly.)

Well, I'd rather do it now than in some ditch.

-How long?

-Oh, about ten minutes, given peace and quiet.

These little sods can be temperamental.

The gubbins itself is harmless enough,

but then, aren't we all, until detonated?

(RUMBLING AND CREAKING)

For a moment I thought we were off.

(Hey, where in the hell have they gotten to?)

You maniac.

What the hell are you doing here?

I'll go and have a look around. See if I can find them.

-There he is.

-Wait. I'll get him.

-That's Lescovar.

-Yeah.

-Where's Marko?

I don't know, but ten-to-one they're hiding in that boxcar.

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

Ja, ja. Ja! Ja!

-Bloody hell.

-What's up now?

Some great ape of a sergeant - he's sent Barnsby's truck away.

Oh, no.

-Sergeant.

-(IN GERMAN)

Be quiet. Listen to me.

There are two British commanders in that cattle truck behind me.

(IN GERMAN)

I'm Colonel Von Ingersleben,

Special Field Intelligence Group.

Stand still, idiot. Look natural. There is a third, an American Colonel...

..in the truck which you just sent away.

I want to take them all together.

-What's Lescovar doing?

-He's shooting him some kind of story.

Go and assemble a squad of armed men.

Quickly and quietly. And keep them out of sight.

-Then report back to me. Understand?

-Jawohl, Herr Oberst.

Good old Lescovar.

Best line-shooter in the Balkans.

All right, you guys. Let's... Oh, man!

The sacks - get them up here quick. You picked a fine time to do this!

Sling out my suitcase, will you?

Are you trying to screw up this operation? We're behind schedule already.

-How did you get here?

-I've been through that already.

Help me get this stuff loaded and get it on the truck.

(IN GERMAN)

-Right, Miller?

-Right, all set.

-Let's go.

-Easy.

Hold it. It's that man again.

I'll take care of him. Close the door.

They are all yours, Sergeant.

Bring the squad.

BARNSBY: All clear?

Give them a moment to get out of sight.

(TRAIN RUMBLING)

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

That fool Marko must have given himself away.

I don't know how.

How in the hell are we gonna get back across the river? I mean, where are we going?

Berlin, I shouldn't wonder.

Sarajevo.

That's where the train goes.

No stops.

I'm sorry about Marko.

Thank you.

It's a risk we all take.

He was a brave man and a good friend.

Pity he got careless.

Do you think that big Sergeant spotted him as a Partisan?

I can't buy that.

The Sergeant wasn't that bright.

He saluted you - you're wearing a Corporal's uniform.

That doesn't rate a salute in the German Army.

Not in anybody's army.

Why do you think he saluted you, Lescovar?

Perhaps he recognised my natural superiority.

Yes, perhaps.

(TRAIN RUMBLING AND RATTLING)

You say this train goes to Sarajevo - no stops?

Ja.

But I noticed on the map that we pass within a half a mile of the dam.

Strange you didn't bother to mention that.

Now, what's all this about?

Some fool of a sergeant salutes me,

and I forget to mention that we pass near the dam.

And a little while ago, you said that Marko must have given himself away.

I don't think he gave anything away...

except his life.

What did you give away, Lescovar?

You think I'm a traitor - is that it?

I don't think. I know.

I've always known. I just couldn't prove it.

You're Nikolai. You're the man who blew us in Greece.

(GUNSHOT)

Thank you, Colonel.

I've done your job.

You help me do mine.

Oh, crikey. It's lit like a Christmas tree.

Dawn's around 5:30.

Gives us an hour to get in, half-hour to set the charges and 20 minutes to get clear.

What you need, sir, is a little diversion, isn't it?

(TAPS CASE)

(POPS AND BANGS IN DISTANCE)

(EXPLOSIONS)

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUING)

(IN GERMAN)

-What am I supposed to do with this?

-Oh, I don't know.

Try and imagine you're a dog.

Oh, for heaven's sake! On the road, man. On the road!

(VEHICLES APPROACHING)

Hallelujah!

(MEN SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

Just unroll it and string it out.

(CHUCKLES)

(HORSE NEIGHING IN DISTANCE)

(HORSES' HOOVES)

Come on, blackie.

Come on, blackie!

Come on.

Hey... You bleed red blood, eh, blackie?

(GROANS)

(GROANS)

(GERMAN CHATTER IN DISTANCE)

Here.

Right here.

(BARKING ORDERS IN GERMAN)

Are you all right, old man?

Come on! Blow, damn it! Blow!

Give them a chance. They'll be here in a minute.

If they'd been caught, we'd have heard the alarm go off.

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

How long do we make the fuse?

They're Germans - they're gonna be punctual.

Usually are.

We've run out of time.

20 seconds? What do you say?

It's your decision, Colonel.

I'm asking you.

20 seconds sounds about right. Then we won't have so far to run.

(TICKING)

It would have been nice to see that bridge go, huh?

Yes, wouldn't it?

(TICKING)

All been very interesting, though, hasn't it?

Yes.

(EXPLOSION)

It didn't do a goddamn thing!

Nothing!

(PUZZLED CHATTER IN GERMAN)

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(RUMBLING)

(SHOUTING)

Feuer!

(SCREAMS) Miller!

That useless git!

-It didn't...

-What?

-(SCREAMS) It didn't work!

-I know it didn't work!

Well, let's get out of here!

Yeah, let's get out of here. When I catch that little perisher, I'll wring his useless neck!

Nothing!

We've been through all this, and nothing!

Nothing but pffff!

You can't expect an enormous volcano with three tiny bags of explosives.

You have to let nature take her course.

Give it time. It'll work.

(TALKING URGENTLY)

Stop.

(IN GERMAN)

(CREAKING AND RUMBLING)

If I were you, I'd get out of here fast!

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(ALARM BELL)

(LAUGHING)

(ALARM BLARING)

(RUMBLING)

(CHUCKLES)

You son of a bitch!

Well, I told you - it's only a matter of waiting.

You cute little son of a bitch!

You did it! Come here!

You did it! You did it! You cute little son of a... You did it!

Why, you limey genius! I love you! Mwah!

-Steady on, old Weaver. Steady on.

-You did it!

(RUMBLING)

(SHOUTING IN GERMAN)

(SHOUTING)

(GUNFIRE)

(SCREAMING)

(SHOUTING IN SERBO-CROAT)

(AGITATED SHOUTS)

Miller, you horrible little man!

You knew that was gonna be a slow-motion explosion.

You deliberately didn't tell me, did you?

I didn't want to bore you with technical detail.

I thought it might be a bit over your head.

-What happened to you?

-He bit me in all the excitement!

But damn it to hell! We did it, Colonel! We did it!

Yes, we did, Sergeant! We did!

And a merry Christmas!

Yes, gentlemen, we did it.

But before we can start awarding ourselves Victoria Crosses

and Congressional Medals of Honour,

and so on and so forth and such like...

..I think I'd better point out that, one: we're now on the wrong side of the river.

That two: We have no hope whatsoever of rejoining the Partisans.

And that three: This neck of the woods will soon be crawling

with very bad-tempered Germans.

And four: I don't think that our little genius, Sergeant Miller there,

has even got a box of matches left in his suitcase.

And so, therefore, I think we can take it, gentlemen...

..that we are going to have a very long walk home.

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