Information
| Year: | 1977 |
| Rating: | 7.3(16855) |
| Listed in: | Action, Drama, History, War |
| Directed by: | Richard Attenborough |
| Actors: | Siem Vroom Erik van 't Wout Wolfgang Preiss Hans von Borsody Marlies van Alcmaer Josephine Peeper |
| "Out of the sky comes the screen's most incredible spectacle of men and war!" | |
Cast
| Directed by | |
|---|---|
| Richard Attenborough | |
| Actors | |
| Siem Vroom | as Underground Leader |
| Erik van 't Wout | as Underground Leader's Son |
| Wolfgang Preiss | as Field Marshal Von Rundstedt |
| Hans von Borsody | as General Blumentritt |
| Dirk Bogarde | as Lieutenant General Browning |
| Paul Maxwell | as Major General Maxwell Taylor |
| Sean Connery | as Major General Urquhart |
| Ryan O'Neal | as Brigadier General Gavin |
| Gene Hackman | as Major General Sosabowski |
| Walter Kohut | as Field Marshal Model |
| Peter Faber | as Captain 'Harry' Bestebreurtje |
| Hartmut Becker | as German Sentry |
| Frank Grimes | as Major Fuller |
| Jeremy Kemp | as R.A.F. Briefing Officer |
| Donald Pickering | as Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie |
| Donald Douglas | as Brigadier Lathbury |
| Peter Settelen | as Lieutenant Cole |
| Stephen Moore | as Major Steele |
| Edward Fox | as Lieutenant General Horrocks |
| Michael Caine | as Lieutenant Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur |
| Michael Byrne | as Lieutenant Colonel Giles Vandeleur |
| Anthony Hopkins | as Lieutenant Colonel Frost |
| Paul Copley | as Private Wicks |
| Nicholas Campbell | as Captain Glass |
| James Caan | as Staff Sergeant Dohun |
| Gerald Sim | as Colonel Sims |
| Harry Ditson | as U.S. Private |
| Erik Chitty | as Organist |
| Brian Hawksley | as Vicar |
| Colin Farrell | as Corporal Hancock |
| Christopher Good | as Major Carlyle |
| Norman Gregory | as Private Morgan |
| Alun Armstrong | as Corporal Davies |
| Anthony Milner | as Private Dodds |
| Barry McCarthy | as Private Clark |
| Lex van Delden | as Sergeant Matthias |
| Maximilian Schell | as Lieutenant General Bittrich |
| Michael Wolf | as Field Marshal Model's Aide |
| Hardy Krüger | as Major General Ludwig |
| Sean Mathias | as Irish Guards Lieutenant |
| Tim Beekman | as German Private |
| Edward Seckerson | as British Padre |
| Tom van Beek | as Jan Ter Horst |
| Bertus Botterman | as Dutch Villager |
| Elliott Gould | as Colonel Stout |
| Ray Jewers | as U.S. Radio Operator |
| Geoffrey Hinsliff | as British Wireless Operator |
| Keith Drinkel | as Lieutenant Cornish |
| Hans Croiset | as Hans - Her Son |
| Fred Williams | as Captain Grabner |
| John Peel | as German Lieutenant |
| John Judd | as Sergeant Clegg |
| Ben Cross | as Trooper Binns |
| Hilary Minster | as British Medical Officer |
| David English | as Private Andrews |
| Ben Howard | as Sergeant Towns |
| Michael Graham Cox | as Captain Cleminson |
| Johan te Slaa | as Elderly Dutch Couple |
| Pieter Groenier | as Young Dutch Couple |
| Denholm Elliott | as R.A.F. Met. Officer |
| Peter Gordon | as U.S. Sergeant |
| Arthur Hill | as U.S. Medical Colonel |
| Garrick Hagon | as Lieutenant Rafferty |
| Brian Gwaspari | as U.S. Engineer |
| Stephen Rayment | as Grenadier Guards Lieutenant |
| Timothy Morand | as British Corporal |
| James Wardroper | as Private Gibbs |
| Neil Kennedy | as Colonel Barker |
| John Salthouse | as Private 'Ginger' Marsh |
| Jonathan Hackett | as Glider Pilot |
| Stanley Lebor | as Regimental Sergeant Major |
| Jack Galloway | as Private Vincent |
| Milton Cadman | as Private Long |
| David Auker | as 'Taffy' Brace |
| Laurence Olivier | as Doctor Spaander |
| Richard Kane | as Colonel Weaver |
| Toby Salaman | as Private Stephenson |
| Michael Bangerter | as British Staff Colonel |
| Philip Raymond | as Grenadier Guards Colonel |
| Myles Reithermann | as Boat Truck Driver |
| Robert Redford | as Major Cook |
| Anthony Pullen Shaw | as U.S. Captain |
| John Morton | as U.S. Padre |
| John Ratzenberger | as U.S. Lieutenant |
| Patrick Ryecart | as German Lieutenant |
| Dick Rienstra | as Captain Krafft |
| Ian Liston | as Sergeant Whitney |
| Paul Rattee | as Private Gordon |
| Mark Sheridan | as Sergeant Tomblin |
| George Innes | as Sergeant Macdonald |
| John Stride | as Grenadier Guards Major |
| Niall Padden | as British Medical Orderly |
| Michael Graves | as British Medical Orderly |
| Simon Chandler | as Private Simmonds |
| Edward Kalinski | as Private Archer |
| Shaun Curry | as Corporal Robbins |
| Sebastian Abineri | as Sergeant Treadwell |
| Chris Williams | as Corporal Merrick |
| Andrew Branch | as Flute Player |
| Anthony Garner | as British Staff Major |
| Feliks Arons | as Dutch Priest |
| Stuart Blake | as Soldier |
| Ray Boyd | as Soldier |
| Stephen Churchett | as Soldier |
| Jon Croft | as Soldier |
| Patrick Dickson | as Soldier |
| Adrian Gibbs | as Soldier |
| Jason Gregory | as Soldier |
| Stewart Guidotti | as Soldier |
| Patrick Hannaway | as Soldier |
| Brian Haughton | as Soldier |
| Anthony Howden | as Soldier |
| Frank Jarvis | as Colonel Frost's Aide |
| David Killick | as Soldier |
| Dan Long | as Soldier |
| Gerald Martin | as Soldier |
| Edward McDermott | as Soldier |
| Tony McHale | as Soldier |
| Jack McKenzie | as Soldier |
| Francis Mughan | as Soldier |
| Richard Ommanney | as Soldier |
| Peter Quince | as Soldier |
| Robin Scobey | as Soldier |
| Farrell Sheridan | as Soldier |
| James Snell | as Soldier |
| Michael Stock | as Soldier |
| David Stockton | as Soldier |
| Paul Vaughan-Teague | as Soldier |
| Jason White | as Soldier |
| Mark York | as Soldier |
| Richard Attenborough | as Lunatic Wearing Glasses |
| Omar N. Bradley | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Winston Churchill | as Himself |
| Charles de Gaulle | as Himself - In Car with Churchill |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Gerard Franken | as Soldier |
| Adolf Hitler | as Himself - Salutes Parade |
| Alfred Jodl | as Himself (beside Hitler) |
| Trafford Leigh-Mallory | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Bernard L. Montgomery | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| George S. Patton | as Himself - Shakes Hands |
| Bertram Ramsay | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Erwin Rommel | as Himself - Below Hitler |
| Franklin Delano Roosevelt | as Himself |
| Walter Bedell Smith | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Arthur Tedder | as Himself - Plans for D-Day |
| Actresses | |
| Marlies van Alcmaer | as Underground Leader's Wife |
| Josephine Peeper | as Cafe Waitress |
| Liv Ullmann | as Kate Ter Horst |
| Henny Alma | as Dutch Villager |
| Mary Smithuysen | as Old Dutch Lady |
| Georgette Reyevski | as Elderly Dutch Couple |
| Adrienne Kleiweg | as Young Dutch Couple |
Movie info
| Languages: | English, German, Dutch, Polish, Latin |
| Budget: | USD 26,000,000 |
| Gross: |
Sweden - 5,280,644 SEK (June 1978) |
| Plot: | Tells the story of operation Market Garden. A failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure. |
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Original Soundtracks
| "3rd Movement" (from Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV. 1051) (uncredited) Music by Johann Sebastian Bach |
Goofs
|
Revealing mistakes: When a damaged Allied cargo plane "crashes" behind some trees near Maj. Gen. Urquhart and his troops, the plane can be seen pulling up and flying away just behind the fireball marking its supposed impact point. Fact errors: The subtitles when Field Marshall Rundstedt is speculating between General Patton and Field Marshall Montgomery near the beginning of the film once misspell "Patton" as "Patten". Later usages correctly spell "Patton". Continuity: At the beginning of the film when the American and British officers are talking, the general's epaulets are on top of his coat collar. A minute later, as the general walks around the table, the epaulets are under his coat collar. SYNC: When Lt. Col. J.O.E Vandeleur is riding in the car talking to the officer who is driving, you can see in one far away view that their lips are not moving, but you still hear them talking. Continuity: When the boats finally arrive to cross the river at Nijmegen bridge, there is water in them, even though they've been transported for days in trucks in rain-free weather. (Probably a result of previous takes.) DATE: During the arrival of Allied troops in Eindhoven, some members of the cheering crowd can be seen waving miniature 50-star American flags. Fact errors: When von Rundstedt is deciding where to send his armoured reserves in order to rest them before meeting the expected attack by Patton rather than Montgomery he decides to send them to Arnhem. The map counter which is moved clearly shows "II SS Panzer Div (division)" when the correct name of the unit at Arnhem was the II SS Panzer Corps (consisting of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions). The 2nd SS Panzer Division at that time was fighting on the Eastern Front. Revealing mistakes: When the English soldiers are are standing and yelling to the supply drop aeroplanes a damaged plane flies past with an engine out and crashes soon after, but the plane can be seen flying away from the left side of the explosion Fact errors: As the first British paratroopers are assembling, there are wide angle shots of activity. Most of the paratroopers are carrying the correct rifles, machine pistols or other weapons, but a few can be spotted carrying American M1 Garand rifles that were rarely used by British or Commonwealth forces. Later in the movie, as the tide turns and the British paratroopers have surrendered, German soldiers crossing a small foot bridge to the British command post can be briefly seen carrying M1s as well. M1s were issued to a small percentage of Commonwealth airborne troopers to increase the rifle fire-power of squads. Photos of Canadian airborne troops verify this. Fact errors: When Ludwig is speaking to a subordinate about blowing the bridge about to be assaulted by the 82nd, the subordinate refers to a "Hauptmann", the German word for captain. In the SS, the rank would be "Hauptsturmführer." Likewise, when he answers Ludwig, he calls him "General". Ludwig is listed in the cast as a Major General, but the equivalent SS rank would have been Brigadeführer. In the film, Ludwig's collar tab has 3 oak leafs and 1 pip which stands for Gruppenführer (General Lieutenant), even though his rank is that of a Brigadeführer. Fact errors: The 82d Airborne Division's Command Post during the operation was never located in an estate mansion as portrayed in the movie. The CP was in the woods outside Nijmegen near the drop zones. Fact errors: Brigadier General James Gavin's (Ryan O'Neal) insignia of rank is incorrectly displayed on his "Ike" jacket. Brigadier Generals wear the star positioned at the middle of the epaulets rather than at the outer edge as do officers in the grade of Lieutenants through Colonel. DATE: The parachutes used by the troopers are equipped with anti-inversion nets. They are around the skirt of the canopy to prevent partial malfunctions. The nets were not developed until the mid 1970s, shortly before the movie was filmed. DATE: There is a German tank featured in several scenes. This tank is actually a German-made, post-war tank named "Leopard 1" with a few modifications to look like a tank of the World War 2 era. Fact errors: In the film, the British kill or disperse the resting crew of a German tank, thus allowing General Urquhart to return to his headquarters. In reality, he just hid and waited for the German tank to move on. Revealing mistakes: When the Allied troops cross the Grave bridge you can clearly see a modern traffic sign on the river bank. Fact errors: Most of the C-47 aircraft in the movie are incorrectly painted a yellowish-brown. The actual color would have been olive drab. Fact errors: During shots of Nijmegen, the tower of the Sint Stevenschurch is standing tall. In fact the tower was destroyed by an American bombing off Nijmegen in February 1944. It was not put back on the church until the late sixties. The opening of the renewed tower was in 1969. Fact errors: According to the book 'A Bridge Too Far', it was Model, not Von Rundstedt, who suggested sending Bittrich's panzers to Arnhem. Fact errors: After the initial attempt by XXX Corps to break out, there is a scene of a wrecked M24 Chaffee being pushed of the road. There is also a burning M10 Tank destroyer among the wrecks. Not only are these vehicles not visible in the initial advance or fighting scenes, but neither were used by the British Army. The M10 might pass for a 17Pdr gunned Achillies. Revealing mistakes: When the British tanks begin advancing onto Nijmegen bridge, there is one shot of a Leopard tank intended to be a Panther - obviously taken from earlier in the film. Fact errors: The bomb placed as shown would never collapse the entire bridge, because although it's directly under the road surface, it's 80 ft under the apex of the steel arch, the strongest part of the structure, which would remain intact after the bomb goes off. The bomb would have virtually no effect. The best the explosives could achieve where they're shown would be to disrupt the road surface. DATE: In the "meeting of the generals" scene early in the movie, a cold-war-era map of Europe and the Middle East can be seen. Clearly visible is the German-Polish border at the post-WW2 Oder-Neisse line (though no inner-German border), Austria separated from Germany, a post-WW2 Czechoslovakia, the West Bank occupied by Jordan, and Gaza strip occupied by Egypt. Revealing mistakes: As the Dutch Advisor Harry yells at Gen. Gavin after landing "you all right?" Several men in the background are carrying K98 German rifles instead of M-1 Garands, could be a war trophy but they carry no other rifle, and they just landed and wouldn't have time to get pick one up. CHAR: When Gen. Bittrich sees all the paratroopers coming down, here says something like "Just once to have such power in my hands." However, in the C. Ryan's book it is German paratrooper expert Gen. Student that makes that statement. |
Quotes
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Field Marshal Model: What can you see? General Ludwig: Nothing. But they're going to try a river assault. Field Marshal Model: It will fail. General Ludwig: Of course. But what do we do if it doesn't? Corporal Hancock: Sir. [Offers mug of tea] Major General Urquhart: Hancock. I've got lunatics laughing at me from the woods. My original plan has been scuppered now that the jeeps haven't arrived. My communications are completely broken down. Do you really believe any of that can be helped by a cup of tea? Corporal Hancock: Couldn't hurt, sir. [Urquhart accepts his mug of tea] Brigadier General Gavin: What's the best way to take a bridge? Maj. Julian Cook: Both ends at once. Brigadier General Gavin: I'm sending two companies across the river by boat. I need a man with very special qualities to lead. Maj. Julian Cook: Go on, sir. Brigadier General Gavin: He's got to be tough enough to do it and he's got to be experienced enough to do it. Plus one more thing. He's got to be dumb enough to do it... Start getting ready. U.S. captain: What was all that about, Major? Maj. Julian Cook: Well someone's come up with a real nightmare. Real nightmare. [last lines] Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: I've just been on to Monty. He's very proud and pleased. Major General Urquhart: Pleased? Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: Of course. He thinks Market Garden was 90% successful. Major General Urquhart: But what do you think? Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: Well, as you know, I always felt we tried to go a bridge too far. Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Everyone knows you have never lost a battle. Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: I'm still young, give me time. Field Marshall Walther Model: Why do all my generals want to destroy my bridges? [Before jumping out of a plane] Maj. General Stanislaw Sosabowski: God bless Field Marshall Montgomery. Brig. General James Gavin: So that's it. We're pulling them out. It was Nijmegen. Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: It was the single road getting to Nijmegen. Lt. General Horrocks: No, it was after Nijmegen. Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: And the fog, in England. Maj. General Stanislaw Sosabowski: Doesn't matter what it was. When one man says to another, "I know what let's do today, let's play the war game."... everybody dies. Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: Remember what the general said; we're the cavalry. It would be bad form to arrive in advance of schedule. In the nick of time would do nicely. Lt. General Horrocks: Kickoff will be at 14:35 hours tomorrow afternoon. The Irish Guards under the command of Col. Vandeleur will take the lead. Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: [sotto voce] Christ, not us again. Lt. General Horrocks: What'd you say to that, Joe? Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: Delighted, sir, truly delighted. Lt. General Horrocks: I've selected you to lead us, not only because of your extraordinary fighting ability, but also because, in the unlikely event the Germans ever get you, they will assume from your attire that they've captured a wretched peasant and immediately send you on your way. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Where's the captain? Soldier: Dead. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Didn't ask you how he was. I asked you where he was. Grenadier Guards major: How the hell do they expect us to keep schedule on a road like this? Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: You don't know the worst. This bit we're on now? Grenadier Guards major: Yes? Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: It's the wide part. Old Dutch lady's son: She says you are much too noisy. John Frost: She does realize there's something of a war going on, doesn't she? John Frost: I'm awfully sorry, but I'm afraid we're going to have to occupy your house. Col. Robert Stout: I'm Bobby Stout. Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: Have you ever been liberated before? Col. Robert Stout: I got divorced twice, does that count? Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: That counts. Lt. General Horrocks: This is a story you will tell your grandchildren; and mightily bored they'll be. Lt. General Horrocks: Do you think you'll be able to pull it off, Joe? Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: I have nothing else planned for this afternoon. Maj. General Roy Urqhart: When you first named me to this command, I told you I had never jumped before, but I felt I should at least give it a go. You told me, 'Roy, you're much too old and far too large for that sort of thing.' Well, I didn't tell you at the time, but you did me a favor. You see, I'm prone to airsickness. Lt. General Browning: Good God. Every time? Maj. General Roy Urqhart: Well, we'll soon see. Col. Robert Stout: Could you get a message down to XXXth Corps on that dingus? Radio Operator: Yes, sir. Uh, we just got word from the 82nd up ahead. They captured the Graves bridge completely intact! Col. Robert Stout: Aw, that's terrrific. Except XXXth Corps ain't about to reach the godam intact Graves bridge until the godam Son bridge gets fixed. Tell our British cousins to hustle up some Bailey stuff. Radio Operator: Yes, sir. Col. Robert Stout: I'll meet 'em in Eindoven when they get there. Tell those schmucks to do this right and have their Bailey stuff at the front of their column. Got that? Radio Operator: Yes, sir. Col. Robert Stout: And be sure to say please. Radio Operator: Yes, sir. [Stout and Vanderleur are discussing how to get the Bailey bridge through town] Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: When you refer to Bailey crap I take it you mean that glorious, precision-made, British-built bridge which is the envy of the civilized world? [looks at the crowd of Dutch civilians] Lt. Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur: I don't know how you're going to get it through this crowd. Col. Robert Stout: No sweat. I got a back way staked out that will avoid all this. American ingenuity. Col. Joe. Vanderleur: Really? Col. Robert Stout: Actually, I was born in Yugoslavia, but what the hell. [final plans are being discussed] Lt. Gen. Frederick Browning: Only the weather can stop us now. General Stanislaw Sosaboski: Weather. What of the Germans, General Browning. Don't you think that if we know Arnhem is so critical to their safety that they might know it too? Lt. General Frederick Browning: See here, General Sosaboski, I should think you would have more faith in Field Marshal Montgomery's plan. General Stanislaw Sosaboski: Faith? I will tell you how much faith I have. I am thinking of asking for a letter from you stating that I was ordered to go on this mission in case my men are massacred. Lt. General Frederick Browning: I see... I do see. Do you wish such a letter? General Stanislaw Sosaboski: No... In the case of massacre: what difference will it make? [Gavin is discussing the glitches that have come up] Captain Harry Bestebreurtje: I don't want to hear any more. Is there any more? Brigadier General James Gavin: You're my Dutch advisor, Harry. Captain Harry Bestebreurtje: What's that supposed to mean? Brigadier General James Gavin: Just that the Germans first tried to take Nijmeagen Bridge in 1940; and got slaughtered. [Carlyle has asked to see Frost before he dies] Lt. Col. John Frost: Hello, Harry. Major Harry Carlyle: Hello. Johnny. Lt. Col. John Frost: You know, Harry; I always wanted to ask you, but didn't because I knew you so very much wanted me to and I didn't want to give you the satisfaction; but why do you always carry that umbrella? Major Harry Carlyle: Bad memory. Never could remember the password. Knew no Jerry would carry one. Had to prove I was an Englishman, you see. Field Marshal Model: No reinforcements to Arnhem. Von Runstedt says we will need them for our counter attack. Lt. General Bittrich: Counterattack! With what? Field Marshal Model: Paratroopers are lightly armed and equipped. They cannot hold out for long. If we can hold up their infantry on the road to Arnhem, they will be forced to surrender. Capt. Glass: My problem is, I'm not totally crazy about the prospect of dying. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: So don't die. Drinking that garbage isn't gonna keep you alive, is it? Capt. Glass: What is? SSgt. Eddie Dohun: What is? Well, not gettin' shot. Capt. Glass: What can guarantee that? SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Nothing, for sure. Capt. Glass: You will. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: I will what? Capt. Glass: You tell me, Eddie. You tell me I won't die. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Alright, you won't die. Capt. Glass: No, no. Guarantee me. I want you to guarantee me I won't die. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: [seriously] I guarantee you. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Colonel, if you don't look at him right now, he's going to die. U.S. medical colonel: He's dead now. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: It would mean a lot to me, sir, if you'd check him out. U.S. medical colonel: Come on, Sergeant! For Chrissakes get him out of here! SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Would you look at him please, sir. [draws his .45] Right now. Or I'll blow your fuckin' head off. [cocks the .45] Right now. U.S. medical colonel: I can give him a quick examination if you like. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: Thank you very much, sir. U.S. medical colonel: Sergeant Dohun pulled a gun on me and threatened to kill me unless I did precisely what he ordered. I want you to put him under arrest. Lt. Rafferty: Yes sir. U.S. medical colonel: I want you to keep him there. I want you to keep him there for at least ten seconds. Lt. Rafferty: I'm not all that sure I understand, Colonel. U.S. medical colonel: Count to ten, Lieutenant, fast. Lt. Rafferty: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Like that, sir? U.S. medical colonel: [dismisses him] Thank you, Lieutenant. U.S. medical colonel: You scared the shit out of me, you stupid bastard. SSgt. Eddie Dohun: You did a fine job yourself, sir, if it makes you feel any better. U.S. medical colonel: You're goddamn right it does. Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: Hello, Roy. How are you? Maj. General Roy Urqhart: I'm not sure I'll know for a while. But I'm sorry about how it turned out. Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: You did all you could. Maj. General Roy Urqhart: Yes, but did everyone else? Lt. General Frederick "Boy" Browning: They've got a bed for you upstairs if you want it. Maj. General Roy Urqhart: I took ten thousand men into Arnhem. I've come out with less than two. I don't feel much like sleeping. Wounded Paratrooper: Morphine! Taffy, I must have morphine! 'Taffy' Brace: Morphine's only for the people who are really hurt. Wounded Paratrooper: I thought I *was* really hurt. 'Taffy' Brace: Well, you're wrong. General Ludwig: Forgive me, but there is a battle. And we are in the process of winning it. Dr. Jan Spaander: Winning and losing is not our concern - living and dying... is. Maj. Julian Cook: [reporting another delay to his officers] Ah, I suppose you're wondering why I called you here. I want to tell you that I've decided to cross the river like George Washington; standing in the prow of the boat. [an SS officer is approaching under a white flag] Major Harry Carlyle: Rather interesting development, sir. [to the German] Major Harry Carlyle: That's far enough! We can hear you from there! SS Panzer Officer: My general says there is no point in continuing this fighting! He wishes to discuss terms of a surrender! Major Harry Carlyle: Shall I answer him, sir? Lt. Col. John Frost: Tell him to go to hell. Major Harry Carlyle: We haven't the proper facilities to take you all prisoner! Sorry! SS Panzer Officer: [confused] What? Major Harry Carlyle: We'd like to, but we can't accept your surrender! Was there anything else? [German officer walks off] Lt. Col. John Frost: Well, that's that. [the officer returns to General Bittrich, and they converse in German] SS Panzer Officer: They rejected our surrender offer. What are your orders, Herr General? Lt. General Bittrich: Flatten Arnhem. Field Marshal Model's aide: Field Marshall, thousands of paratroops have landed in this area, three kilometres from here. Field Marshall Walther Model: What? Why? There is nothing important here... me! I'm important! They must've landed here just to capture me. [stands from his lunch and moves to the door] Get my car ready. [makes to leave] Field Marshal Model's aide: Yes, sir! [about to leave himself] Field Marshall Walther Model: [pops back in and shouts] And don't forget my cigars! Lt. General Bittrich: Yes, thousands of paratroopers have landed in Nijmegen... right on top of Field Marshall Model General Ludwig: I'll bet they landed in his soup! Lt. General Bittrich: You'd like that, wouldn't you? Maj. Julian Cook: Those are British troops at Arnhem. They're hurt bad. And you're just gonna sit here... and... drink tea? [after the fighting is over, Bittrich rides in to meet the English captives. He sees Frost, who is sitting on the ground with a leg injury. He offers a bar of chocolate and says something in German] Bittrich's Aide: My general says, please take it. It's very good chocolate. Your planes dropped it to us yesterday. [Frost waits a few moments, then takes the chocolate] Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Bittrich: English? [Frost nods] [Bittrich listens in amazement as Frost's troops relentlessly storm the Arnhem bridge] Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Bittrich: [in German] Fool's courage... Major General Urquhart: I thought everyone knew that God was a Scotsman. Major General Urquhart: [looking at the escaped lunatics pointing and laughing at the British paratroops] Think they know something we don't? John Frost: [to Home Owner] I'm terrible sorry about all this, you know. Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: Let's get to the point. Air power? Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Air power, Field Marshall... Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: Briefly, please. Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Air power is minimal. Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: Ammunition? Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Also minimal. Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: Tanks, troops, replacements? Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Minimal. Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: Morale? [Blumentritt hesitates, then says nothing] Field Marshall Gerd von Runstedt: [sighs] Nonexistent. |
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