Original subtitles

- Subtitles - Lu�s Filipe Bernardes

Wasser.

Wasser, bitte!

No. Forbidden.

You understand nursing, Fr�ulein?

Good. You shall come and help us at the hospital.

- I am a Belgian! - Yes.

I am a doctor, but a German Oberarzt.

Let the Boche lick his own dirty wounds.

You're a Belgian.

I'm a woman.

And a Belgian afterwards, that's how I learned to look at it.

- Danke sch�n, Schwester. - Schwester

Poste diese bitte, ja?

Mein liebchen. My... girl.

Ah, gut, gut.

Oh, sister, I've arranged for this under officer to be attached to your ward.

- But will he understand... - No, no, he speaks the same language.

Well... I'm just going off duty. Good night, I'll see you tomorrow.

Sister.

- Hello, sister. - Hello yourself, Scottie.

Do you mind?

Have you heard when they's shifting us lads to yon prison camp?

No. Now it's time all the good Scotties were fast asleep.

Have you said your prayers?

No, but I will.

Oh Lord, bless my father and my mother,

my aunt Maggie and make me a good laddie.

Give us a chance, just one chance, Lord,

to get rid of this blasted country.

Amen!

Ay, Amen.

- Good night, Scottie. - Good night, sister.

Take a look at their temperatures at midnight,

two fermentations on number 7 and don't forget number 17's diet sheet.

What are you doing in this hospital, a Belgian?

Ask the Oberarzt, he understands these things.

- Night pass eh? - Well, what of it?

- Remember that, B�rgermeister. - Herr Kommandant,

already you've requisitioned two-thirds of our livestock...

...and nearly all our farm produce.

- We Belgians must live. - The German army must live.

That's all that matters to me.

Germany is at war, Germany is blockaded, she is threatened with starvation.

- So are we. - So, I'll give you a remedy.

What remedy?

Tell your dear allies, your great British navy,

tell them to let our supplies through,

then there will be sufficient for all, so simple.

Meanwhile, B�rgermeister, no concealment, no hoarding.

Already my men are making search.

- Ja? - Aus dem Reich.

Herr Kommandant...

( muttering )

Good evening, Father.

Come to help us? Sure your German friends can spare you?

Out all day with them.

While here we are working ourselves to the bone.

Food search.

You can't ask for all that we've got and then ask for more.

- Can we make food? - Haben sie Wein?

Wine?

Oh, yes, we gather wine and German beer both from your own Rhine.

Sich umsehen.

How about you, any food?

Food? I've forgotten what it looks like.

You're wasting your time here, young man.

Any livestock?

- I saw some in the cellar yesterday. - What sort?

A rat! Go and catch it!

Stillgestanden!

Achtung! Richt Euch!

Vorw�rtsmarsch.

Supper.

Aunt Lucille, where have you been? We thought you were...

At any rate, we've got the gas burning tonight.

I came down to see Jules' mother about a job for him.

No good Jules coming to Roulers, I told him myself.

Aunt Lucille, we... we thought you were dead.

Not me. I got out of town as the Germans got in.

- I've been with the British ever since. - But where have you come from?

From the other side of the lines.

I've been followed.

Go to the door and look down into the caf�.

- Who was following you? - One of the German intelligence men.

But where have you been, and why?

I told you. With the British.

I've been working for them.

Do you see that fair-haired man talking to the Germans?

- Yes. - Give him this.

Tell him the field is plowed but Perrenoud cannot get the seed.

That is the official notice.

The field is plowed but Perrenoud can't get the seed.

This is the official notice.

Oh, I'll try again for you. It may take a couple of days.

- Cigarette? - No, thank you,

Mademoiselle!

Lucille, what does all this mean? Who's Perrenoud,

and what's all this about a plowed field?

Perrenoud's a code word.

"Field is plowed" means the attack is prepared.

"Seed" is final information.

That's what we are waiting for.

Lucille, are a sp...

Yes, I do what I can.

I've just walked 40 kilometers to bring a bit of news along.

News and gossip.

Piece them together and you get the intelligence report.

Something headquarters can act on.

You know, you could help too.

I wonder if I could.

What, carry a message now and then? Of course you...

But have I the nerve?

You hate the Germans enough, that'll give you all the nerve you want.

You have a light in one of the rooms upstairs.

You hear, a light in the room upstairs.

Heil! Gute Nacht! Caput!

Do you enjoy seeing your mother treated like that?

- All right, I'll carry messages. - That's right.

I've got a job for you right away.

You know the hauptplatz Leopold? Pick up the Grand-Place.

There's an agent there. It's the last house, number 63.

Knock three times on the shutters like this.

Then twice like this.

A hand will take it. Don't speak.

I'd go myself, but I have another job to do.

Put it in your hair.

Now we must be off.

- Why did she come? - How did she get here?

How should I know?

It only means trouble to us if she's found.

Can't you stay and rest here tonight?

Does Belgium get any rest? Good night.

- But Aunt Lucille, when shall we... - You'll hear from me soon enough...

if not from me, from someone else.

You have no special permit to be out after curfew.

I'm sorry, Herr Leutnant, I was having a drink and forgot the hour.

What?

Guten Abend, Fr�ulein.

Get back to your home at once.

To Westroosebeke

Is Herr Leutnant Otto Gertner here?

- He's upstairs. - Ja. Komm.

- Which room did you give them? - The drafty one with the hard bed.

Every little helps.

Leave my lettuces alone, get out, get out!

Leave them alone!

Good morning. Lettuces and cabbage, please.

Lettuces, two lettuces?

Cabbage.

Wash them well.

You never know what you can find inside a cabbage.

- How much is it? - Four marcs.

- Four marcs? - Ah, cabbages is scarce these days.

Lucille got across the line. But she was seen.

- Wie viel kostet die Kartoffel? - Get out! Get out!

Get out!

You'll have a name of your own now. like Perrenoud.

What is it?

Laura. Use it for all your messages.

Here, Ma, this lettuce hasn't got any heart in it.

It's a Prussian lettuce. Be off with you.

He may be a German agent for all we know.

How do you know?

Two safety pins, set at a slant.

Let me fasten your coat up for you, dearie.

Now you know all you need know.

If you're caught, it will be your own fault.

I never said I'd send messages, I only said I'd carry them.

You can get a lot of useful information from a hospital.

Talk to the wounded men.

And if you see them clearing out the place,

then you'll know they're expecting a big battle.

Watch out for things like that and let me kn...

- How much is this? - Four marcs.

- Four marcs? - Ah, very expensive,

but then. they're scarce, you see.

Don't be hasty. They say we all make a mistake sooner or later.

Let it be later. The war can't last forever.

- Have you any cabbages? - Cabbages?

I could get a couple of friends over the border if I had money.

Five hundred francs.

How charming. Haven't you a safety pin?

No. What's that?

This'll do.

Let them hang about with the crowd at the civilian annex.

They'll not be missed till roll call.

Those two English friends of yours are going to a prison camp tomorrow.

Prison camp?

- They're not fit. - Fit or not fit, they're going.

The swine.

It's a pity your manners aren't better.

You seem to be rude to me on purpose.

I wonder why.

Hey, Schwester, komm her.

Just a minute.

I don't know whether we can trust Pierre, he's not one of our regulars.

But you can take the risk if you like.

If a body is for the prison camp, sister, he'll take any risk.

Here's 20 francs, it's all I can manage at the moment.

Go to the civilian annex and wait for Pierre.

You're for duty with the motor ambulance, sister, at once.

I'll finish these dressings.

By this time tomorrow, you'll be in a prison camp.

I hope you enjoy yourselves.

Many thanks, Jerry.

Civilian annex, half an hour.

- Five hundred francs? - Yes, later.

What's all this about?

- Your two prisoners have escaped. - My two prisoners?

Yes, your two English prisoners.

They got hold of some clothes and some money, where from?

Tell me that!

Offizier, report this escape immediately to the town kommandant.

Schwester, Herr Oberarzt wants you in his office at once.

Komm herein.

Zwei Engl�nder.

I would like to wring their necks.

You can't blame them for wanting to escape from this place.

No, no, no, I wasn't thinking of that. I was thinking of their wounds.

Can not you see them running across plowed fields and hiding in ditches?

All our work all for nothing.

I wonder... I wonder who helped them.

I think they were just desperate. They were bound for a prison camp, you know.

I'm afraid they're only postponing their pleasure.

Poor fellows.

I'm afraid I am a bad German.

Ja, ja?

Leutnant Kommandant wants to see you at once.

Was w�nschen sie?

Fr�ulein Cnockhaert.

- Fr�ulein Cnockhaert, Kommandant. - Ja, bitte.

Won't you sit down, please, mein Fr�ulein?

You are working so hard they tell me at the hospital.

You wish to see me, Herr Kommandant?

We want you to tell us all you know.

I don't know anything, I was out with the motor ambulance.

No, no, no, that can rest. We are not speaking of that.

Um, your... your aunt.

What was the name... Lucille de Lafont.

Where is she?

I don't know. She disappeared the day our village was occupied.

- You haven't seen her since? - No.

She hasn't visited the Caf� Carillon by any chance?

No, we... we've been terribly anxious.

So... I can believe your anxiety.

But she has been seen in this town.

- But, um... - Please, sit down.

Why hasn't she been to see us? Are you sure you're not mistaken?

Quite sure, mein Fr�ulein.

We take a deep interest in your aunt's movements, do you know why?

Then I will ask you another question.

Do you know the penalty for spying,

or not only for spying, for harboring for helping a spy?

Yes, I know.

Then, as a favor to me, will you be careful?

You see, I have many unpleasant duties to perform,

but I cannot imagine any more unpleasant...

than to have to make an example of anyone...

...so charming as yourself.

Will you spare me that, please?

Your two friends have left. They will be in Holland by midnight.

Well, what do you want?

I've got a cut on my wrist.

It doesn't look much, but I thought I'd have it seen to.

Any objections?

How do you like your double job, sister?

Double job?

Oh, you mean working here and at the hospital.

Yes, of course that's what I meant.

What did you think I meant?

Would you like a safety pin to fasten the bandage?

Why, have you got one?

Haven't you got two?

- Do you mean you're... - Yes.

That's all right.

Oh, you must have been hating me.

You certainly scared the life out of me once or twice.

How do you know about me?

I was told to pass my messages to Laura.

Thank you.

Then I was told who Laura was.

That was a surprise if you like.

Now we can be friends, can't we? Off duty, I mean.

Yes... off duty.

Let's go off duty for a while.

Now, to return to business.

You have a young German officer bedded in here.

He's in the caf� now. Good-looking fellow.

- Oh, yes, he's nice. - Do you like him?

He's better than most German.

- He's a decoy. - What?

In the German secret service.

- Does he suspect me? - No.

He's there to see that nobody gets any information about the other two.

There's something odd about them. They're men of mystery.

What is the mystery?

Cylinders, long steel cylinders, hundreds of them.

- They came off the train yesterday. - What's in them?

Nobody knows, not even the sentries guarding them.

There are bales and bales of cotton-wool swabs like this, look.

You see the elastic attachment?

- I wonder what it all means. - I tell you, nobody knows.

Except Captain Reichman.

He came here in charge of the cylinders.

He looks more like a professor than a soldier.

All the same, he's had three private interviews with the general since he arrived.

We must find out what's in the wind. You can help.

How?

Go and search Reichman's room now.

- I couldn't do that. - Why not?

I can't do that sort of thing, that's all. Supposing I was found there.

I tell you, sister, you're still far too particular.

Can't you hate a bit harder?

Do you enjoy having them sit about at your doorstep all day?

Try and imagine they'll be there for forty years.

Why?

Because that's the length of time they've been sitting on mine.

Alsace-Lorraine.

- All right, if you don't, I must. - All right, I'll go.

One moment.

I shall be in his company.

If there's any danger, I shall call loudly for brandy.

You'd better take a few things with you. Pretend to clean his room out.

Come and have a drink.

- I've got to clean your room. - Oh, let me come and help you.

- Nacht, Leidorff. - Warum, Willi?

Ich gehe ins Bett.

Brandy!

Brandy!

Won't you... Won't you join me, my dear?

You don't like Germans, eh?

I think they're perfectly delightful.

In their proper place!

But, you see, Belgium isn't their proper place.

That's all right, my dear. We shan't need Belgium much longer.

We shall be in Paris almost immediately, Callais too.

- Nothing can stop us now. - You seem very positive.

- I am very positive! - Why?

Listen, do you know who's going to win this war for Germany?

Generals, no, admirals, no, the great general staff, don't be silly.

- Who will, then? - Me a chemist.

I think you'd better have some sleep, Herr Reichman.

Tell me, how can chemists win wars?

I shan't tell you that.

But I'll tell you something else instead.

Yes, I'll tell you something...

And in the morning, don't forget to bring me up my coffee yourself, see?

He's a chemist.

Um, Fr�ulein,

What can a chemist be doing here?

Surely they're not going to poison our water supply.

- Anything else? - No.

But I saw maps marked with crosses showing prevailing winds.

Windgraphs, zeppelins, what are those cylinders going to fly, bombs?

- Pass the word on. - Yes.

- Do you have something there? - Yes, it's from Canteen Ma.

It says, weather reports and windgraph of no value whatever.

Confine information to movement of troops.

That's one in the eye for us. They're wrong all the same.

I know those cylinders are important.

Here.

Have a look at this map.

You see? You see that line of dots?

Yes.

That marks the old town sewer. Hasn't been used for a hundred years.

Do you see where that line goes past that cross I made?

- Well, that's the new dump. - Oh.

- Do you know what's stored there? - The cylinders?

Yes.

And everything else for a major attack.

The biggest dump I've seen and it's got to be destroyed.

- You mean... you're going to do it yourself? - I am.

But how are you going to get at it?

Along the old sewer tunnel. Look, can you see where it starts?

- Yes, yes. - Well...

We can get down into the tunnel from the hospital ground at night and go right along.

- We? - Yes.

I need someone to help me and you and I can use the hospital grounds without suspicion.

Pass the word along to 63 that you want a couple of sticks of dynamite.

- It'll take a day or so to get it. - Yes.

You'd better meet me tonight out by the civilian annex at seven.

- We'll have a good look around. - Yes.

- All right? - Yes.

Er... that's all.

If I'm right, the crossroads are just about 1000m from where we are.

See this string, that's 50m in length. Twenty times the lenght of this string,

and we shall be just under the dump.

- That's all, Stephan! - All right, come along.

And wind the string as you go.

The dump ought to be right up ahead.

We'll have to break through to the surface here.

You may come out right in the middle of the dump.

- I hope so. - Under the sentry's nose?

We must chance that. Meanwhile you go up with the dynamite.

I'm sorry to bring you in to it, but I can't do without you.

Herr Kommandant, I beg to lodge a respectful protest.

Huh? Really?

You've heard of the Hoover food commission?

Yes, who has not heard of the good Mr. Hoover?

Well, you've closed certain roads leading to this town...

...and the provisions can't get through.

Yes, I know, but those roads run past by very important dumps of ours...

...in which some of your civilians are taking a most impertinent interest.

- The roads must remain closed. - But Herr Kommandant...

That's final, my friend.

Herr Unteroffizier, here are the special medical stalls you asked for.

About time too.

All right, go on, put them down.

Sister. An order has just come through.

All wards are to be cleared at once.

And all cases evacuated down the line.

I'm afraid it's impossible to evacuate the three cases in the end of ward 16.

Oh. Well, you can put them in the hot outside, but the wards must be cleared.

- Litsky. - 366.

Litsky.

- This means a big attack. - Yes, at any time now.

- Hoffman. - 317.

- M�ller. - 341.

They're certain to break through this time.

But what makes them so certain, I've thought and thought...

- 378. - Hupfeldt.

Hupfeldt.

They're going to do something horrible, I know it, I can feel it.

Shh. Not now.

- Voss. - 350.

Those cylinders.

We'll know what's going to happen to them with any luck at all.

- Schmidt. - Schmidt.

- When's it going to happen? - Tomorrow.

- Have they broken into the dump yet? - Yes, the whole think reeks.

A strong sickly kind of smell.

Chlorine or bromium, I should say.

Unteroffizier.

Cylinders, long steel cylinders, hundreds of them.

And then they have bales and bales of cotton-wood swabs.

I saw maps on his table marked with crosses showing prevailing winds.

Do you know who's going to win this war for Germany?

A chemist.

- It's gas, poison gas, chlorine gas. - What do you mean?

That's what the ammonia's for, an alcali, an antidote.

My God!

Get out of here quick, make some excuse.

Pretend you're ill. Get number 63, pass the word along.

I'll attend to the dump now if it's not too late.

My God, chlorine gas, it'll tear their lungs out. Go on.

They've shot number 63.

- Who did it? - Otto.

It was awful. I heard the scream.

There, there...

We'd better wait until the night convoy moves off.

They may send for me from the hospital.

I'll take a chance now. You go back.

But who'll hold the trap open for you?

- I can leave that open. - No, I'll stay.

If I'm caught, run for it. Promise?

It's just half a minute and then up she goes.

Schwester Marthe. Wanted, hospital. Schnell, schnell.

- But my daughter... - All right, she's in bed.

I'll go up and wake her.

Yes, yes, she's in bed.

Marthe, get dressed, you're wanted at the hospital.

She's dressing. She'll be over directly.

They wanted you at the hospital. They sent a message.

- Did they find out I wasn't here? - No, be quick.

Spies, spies, spies. Secret agents in this miserable town of yours, it's an outrage.

- I'm sorry, Herr Kommandant. - You're sorry!

But you frequently remind me that there's a war on and war is war!

War is an affair of soldiers, not of civilians.

One of your civilians has done this and I'm going to find him and then he will be shot.

- First, Herr Kommandant, you must find him. - I will find him!

And the same fate awaits anyone who harbors him,

- anyone, even yourself, Herr B�rgermeister. - I'm glad of that, Herr Kommandant.

- Glad? - Glad and proud!

So!

Zero hour.

The attack's starting now.

God help them.

I wonder if those cylinders went up with the dump.

Do you mean we were too late?

We shall soon know.

Angriff auf die Gaszylinder erfolgreich.

Sister!

We must be prepared for a number of gas cases in the ward presently.

Serious, serious cases.

- Gas? - Ja.

- You mean poison gas? - Uh-huh.

Herr Oberarzt!

You're using poison gas on our men and you ask me to go on helping you?

It is not I who needs your help now, sister, it's your own countrymen.

How can you be so calm, so callous?

It is a doctor's duty to appear calm, sometimes even callous,

otherwise he would not be much of a doctor.

Hold on to that, my dear. The same thing applies to nurses.

How can I be calm, my brothers are in it.

Now please, fix your mind on one thing and one thing only.

There are men who need your help.

Alleviate, comfort, heal.

That is our privilege. Please, now.

Thank you.

And bring some ammonia and some oxygen, it will be of great help.

Hey, B�rgermeister, get your people away before I give orders to fire.

Be quick, I warn you!

Steady, my children!

Have patience!

Enough has been done already!

Patience, I implore you! I beg of you.

Vive la Belgique! Vive la France!

Vive l'Angleterre!

�Pater noster, qui es in caelis

sanctificetur nomen tuum

adveniat regnum tuum

fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie

et dimitte nobis debita nostra

sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris

et ne nos inducas in tentationem

sed libera nos a malo. Amen.�

Ah, it's ghastly.

Stephan, do be careful. Pull yourself together.

- What are you thinking about? - All this fuss and excitement.

It can only be for one person.

- The Kaiser? - Hm.

- Is he coming here? - He must be.

If we could only find out when and where.

Unteroffizier.

Wie Geht�s?

Working hard?

I think you need a holiday.

What, with this place to be got ready for inspection?

Oh, that's some days off.

Very soon I go to Brussels.

Why don't you go?

It's easy when you have the authority.

No, that's quite impossible.

Why? Good wine, good food.

Nice dresses.

These things can all be obtained in Brussels...

...if one has the authority.

- Herr Kommandant? - Ja?

Auf wiedersehen.

- Did you find out anything? - No.

He said that he was going to Brussels.

Going to Brussels? You call that nothing?

Why, it's everything. It means the Kaiser isn't coming here yet.

He's got to find things out, make arrangements.

He...

He asked me to go with him.

There's a piece of luck!

You'll be able to find out the exact date of the Kaiser's visit here.

The exact hour.

Get it out of him and we'll notify the British Flying Corps.

If we can bring it off, we might end the war.

Sister Cnockhaert, to ward 16, please.

They all make one mistake.

They've caught Canteen Ma, and she was so fond of warning others.

I know, poor old woman.

Marthe, they mustn't get you. You've done enough.

Stop whilst you're safe.

Mutter!

Can you spare a poor soldier a bite of breakfast tomorrow morning at five?

On a Sunday?

Sunday, what does a Sunday mean to the poor old infantry?

Sew this button on, will you?

All this week has been spit and polish and elbow grease

for a blasted inspection and now...

...on Sunday there is to be a full church parade, you see the idea.

- What idea? - For six days they polish our outsides

...and now on Sunday they must make some polish of the insides.

Done by a bishop too.

Where's the parade to be, in Town Square?

Square? Oh, no, that would be too easy.

They called in the troops

We must make a march for two hours to some godforsaken open field near Westrozebeke.

Of course it's a great honor to have your soul blessed and cleaned by a bishop,

but for me, I would rather rest Sundays and stay dirty.

Danke sch�n, Mutter, danke sch�n.

They said where I can help.

Mais, monsieur...

Oh, good day, Marthe.

Good day.

Well, what is it now?

Will you have this prescription made up for me as soon as possible, please?

Certainly, my dear, at once.

Im Gleichschritt Links! Schwenkt Marsch!

What's all this about? Who told you to get up?

Wir haben Urlab. Holiday.

Listen, please. All convalescents are to attend church parade this morning.

By kind invitation of the bishop.

Sister, you will go with them.

- I? - Ja. A transport has been arranged.

Besides, they may require your help.

- The sister has much to do. Can I go instead? - No, no, your place is...

Herr Oberarzt, I'm the orderly on duty, I should go!

You hear what I say, your place is here!

When you come back, please report to me. I have news for you.

- What sort of news? - That you will hear in good time.

Be off now or you may be late.

You mustn't go. Make some excuse.

I must go. If anything happens, these men will need looking after.

I suppose something will happen.

If your message gets through, nothing can stop it.

- Do you want to stop it? - I'd give anything in the world to stop it.

- Now. - Stephan.

The town kommandant is with the Oberarzt, he wants to see you.

Does that mean they know?

Good God, how could they know?

I don't know... and I don't care.

I think I'm almost glad.

I fully realize, sister, that you are having a very distressing time.

Working under almost impossible circumstances.

We can in some small measure make amends for that.

The herr kommandant has something to say to you.

His Majesty the King of W�rttemberg,

has graciously awarded the Iron Cross to Fr�ulein Marthe Cnockhaert...

...for services to the German army.

This is one of the highest honors which His Majesty can bestow.

I have no doubt His Majesty would still be further gratified...

...if you were aware of the noble part you played in tis morning's church parade.

Danke.

What's that, liebeskind? What is that?

I... I'm sorry.

I told you you needed a holiday.

Yes, what is it?

- Are you going away somewhere? - Yes.

- Brussels? - Yes.

- With... - Yes.

- You're not. - What do you mean?

I tell you you're not going.

You've changed your mind, haven't you.

Look, Marthe, the whole thing's unthinkable.

Now.

But you said it was a piece of luck to be able to go.

But don't you see, I love you.

I love you too.

But that makes no difference to the work we've got to do.

Don't we owe something to ourselves?

Supposing you do take the risk and go to Brussels...

...and even you can't find out the information we want.

Marthe, Marthe...

There must be others in the town who know the date of the visit.

I'll find out.

I'll get it out of the Oberarzt, he'll know.

Stephan, listen.

You know there's only one way to find out what we've got to find out.

You know we've got to get the news to the Flying Force.

You know there's only one way to end all this misery.

That's why I'm going to Brussels.

I'm going to Brussels, Palace Hotel.

Send a reliable man to stay near me.

I may have a message to send quickly.

I'll see the goods are delivered at the Palace Hotel, mademoiselle.

I think I'll go up to my room. Do you mind?

Auf wiedersehen.

Mit deiner Erlaubnis?

Vier Cognacs.

I was ordered to report to you.

I have no news as yet. Later perhaps.

If I can get the information tonight, you shall have it tonight.

If not... I shall have it tomorrow.

I see. I wish I could help you.

Have you tried looking through these?

I felt very lonesome without you.

Hm-hmm. You have unpacked my baggage.

Forgive me, I have a little fatigue.

All the work at the hospital. The Kaiser's visit.

They'll be missing me.

Don't distress yourself.

I have to be back for the Kaiser's visit soon.

If I am in time...

...you will be in time.

When do you go back?

Hm... on Friday.

His Majesty arrives on Saturday morning.

- At about 11 o'clock, I suppose. - Hm-hmm.

Eleven o'clock exactly.

- How long will he stay? - Hm, two hours, I should say.

You see, you can forget everything.

Except our little holiday.

What's happening?

Saturday morning at eleven. You've got four clear days.

Right.

Hello. Were you trying to run away from me?

No, but I've changed my mind.

I can't stay, really.

Please forgive me, I must have been mad. I ought never to have come.

- Let me go. - No, no, not yet, not yet.

- There's nothing to be frightened of. - I must go tonight.

I've been seen here with you. The word will go around.

And you know what Belgians think of their women who are too friendly with you Germans.

Please let me go, please let me go!

It's too late now, my dear.

You'll stay.

Haven't you heard? The Kaiser's visit has been canceled.

Good thing. We don't want him here.

I sent your order to the Palace Hotel, I hope it arrived safely.

Yes.

This officer says that he found you with this watch in your hand.

Now tell me where you found it, don't be afraid.

- It was in a hole, a big hole. - We didn't steal it, we just found it.

- Where was this hole? - He means the old tunnel, Herr Kommandant.

The part that was blown up, is that right?

Yes, the place where the dump was blown up.

Hm-hm, where the dump was blown up. It makes sense.

I am glad you are back, sister, we have missed you. All of us.

Come, there are some cases I want you to see.

B�rgermeister, you are always complaining of German injustice.

We Germans have no desire to take unjust advantage of our strength.

There. As a pledge of good faith,

I disarm myself.

Herr Kommandant, I also.

Sehr gut! Sehr lustig, B�rgermeister.

One of our soldiers has been arrested for looting.

Oh?

These articles have been found in his possession.

- What, all these? - Yes.

- Marthe! - Yes?

That watch of yours, it was stolen.

- How do you know? - It's been found.

- Oh. - On a soldier.

Oh, I'm so glad. I'll go and get it now, I miss it badly.

It's in the b�rgermeister's office.

- B�rgermeister. - Ja.

- Good morning, B�rgermeister. - Good morning, mademoiselle.

I came to see if my... Oh, yes, there it is.

- Your watch? - Yes.

Will you sing here, mademoiselle, please?

Thank you.

Herr Major, Fr�ulein Cnockhaert.

Was?

Lass mich sie sehen.

Oh.

I, um... I've just found my watch.

Lucky, isn't it?

Hm-hmm.

- Fr�ulein Cnockhaert. - Yes?

- I have orders to arrest you! - Marthe!

Look here, you! You can't do that!

Vormarsch!

Wait!

Halt!

Marthe, I'm sorry to see you here.

What does all this mean?

I have some questions to ask you, Marthe.

It's my duty.

And duty comes before sentiment.

The watch was not stolen. It was found.

Found in the old tunnel, near where the dump was blown up.

Well, I suppose the thief must have dropped it there.

No, no, no, not the thief.

Somebody else, somebody called Laura, perhaps?

Yes, yes, Laura is a Belgian agent.

Messages signed by Laura have been intercepted.

As usual written on cigarette papers.

Similar cigarette papers have been found in your room, Marthe.

Well, what of that?

Thousands of people use the same kind of cigarette paper.

You suggest that it was just a coincidence, eh?

Of course, coincidences are always happening.

That's true, very true.

Indeed I have a feeling another coincidence is about to happen this morning.

- Another? - Yes, look at your watch.

It's eleven o'clock.

At eleven o'clock this morning His Highness the Kaiser was coming to this town.

You knew that, didn't you?

Of course, you told me so yourself.

Yes, and very sweetly you got it out of me.

But let that rest.

Being so near the lines...

...it would have been a marvelous opportunity for the enemy aeroplanes,

assuming that word had been conveyed to them.

- By Laura, for instance. - Do you mean to suggest...

Wait, wait, wait, let us suppose that word had been conveyed.

What may we expect?

The British air raid force at any minute.

Don't be alarmed. We have taken steps in this matter.

If the raid does take place,

wouldn't it be another rather remarkabe coincidence?

- You're talking nonsense. - I'm not so sure, my dear.

So... there's your coincidence.

Now what do you say, my dear?

I admit nothing. And you can prove nothing.

Let's be reasonable, Marthe.

I want to be of help.

Sit down, yes?

Sit down, please.

You know what happens to a spy.

I am a German and a soldier, but I am also a man, Marthe.

Nothing like that can happen to me, I'm not guilty.

Forgive me, but we know all about you.

I want you to save yourself. Tell me the name of your accomplices.

- I have no accomplices. - Tell me who they are.

And I will make a concession for your sake.

Put them in a place where they can do no more harm for the time being.

I know what happens to a spy, you told me yourself.

Tell me the names. You shall go free.

Tell me my dear, I want to save you so much...

I'm afraid you're wasting your time, Herr Kommandant.

Deckman, Von Reinhardt.

Fr�ulein Cnockhaert, you are under arrest.

...Belgian spy, so persistent and so relentless in her activities,

that the death of hundreds of German soldiers...

...can be directly laid to her account.

There can be but one penalty for such a crime.

And that penalty I now demand of this court in the name of common justice...

...and our common fatherland.

The penalty of death.

Certainly she claimed her watch, she said it had been stolen.

- And you believed her? - Believed her, Herr President.

With 20000 German troops in the town my only wonder was that she kept it so long.

B�rgermeister, you are not here to cast aspersions on our brave troops.

Let us get back to the accused. She is charged with being a spy.

You mean she is being charged for being sympathetic towards our poor country.

In that case, Herr President, why waste time, why not shoot us all, begin with me.

- Silence! - By all means, Herr President,

I've made my protest.

It's the 42nd protest of the same kind I've made within the last twelve months...

...and I'm not nearly done yet.

Unteroffizzier Stephan Dessart.

Unteroffizzier Stephan Dessart.

- Ich schw�re, - Ich schw�re,

- die Wahrheit zu sagen, - die Wahrheit zu sagen,

- also hilf mir. - also hilf mir.

You recognize the prisoner?

Look at her.

Yes, Herr Kommandant.

You worked in close contact with her in the hospital?

Yes, Herr Kommandant.

Did her conduct ever give you cause for suspicion?

No, Herr Kommandant.

Is she the sort of woman likely to act upon her own initiative,

take her own line?

- No, Herr President. - What makes you think so?

Because she has neither the brains nor the courage.

In my opinion there is someone else higher up, find him.

Silence! It is not your business to instruct the court.

I ask your pardon, Herr President. I was carried away with my feelings.

Many of my friends have lost their lives to these spies.

That wiil do. Stay in court.

I ask the court to be as lenient to this woman as possible.

She is accused of causing the death of German soldiers.

Of that I know nothing. But I can tell you this.

She has been the cause of cheering and saving the lives of countless others.

I would ask you, Herr President, to take that into your consideration.

I will hear the defense.

I have nothing to say.

From the evidence, it is obvious the accused is guilty.

On that count she will expect no mercy.

But there is a more important end to be gained from this trial...

...that the shooting of a single, misguided, unhappy woman.

And this is the breaking up of the organization which she represents.

Therefore, I propose...

...that the estreme penalty of death be remitted,

if she will tell us the name of the men...

...under whose direct orders she has been acting.

The court agrees.

For the last time, who is this man?

I will speak. And I say this.

I do not recognize this court.

Nor its authority, nor any verdict which it may return.

You are Germans and our enemies.

You have invaded our country without excuse, without warning.

In attacking us you plead military necessity.

We plead military necessity in defending ourselves.

You call me a spy, an agent.

And you ask me whose agent I am, I will tell you.

I am the agent of Belgium.

And so is every decent man and woman in this country of ours.

And so we shall they remain until you have driven out of it.

As you will be.

That is my defense.

And my confession.

Halt!

It is a terrible duty to condemn a fellow creature to death.

Especially when that fellow creature is a woman.

But you have been proved directly responsible...

...for the death of many of our fellow countrymen.

The sentence of this court is, that at an hour and place to be appointed,

you'll be taken out and shot to death.

Das Urteil im Namen seiner kaiserlichen Majest�t.

The judgment in the name of his imperial majesty.

Pr�sentiert das Gewehr!

Das Gewehr �ber!

Unteroffizier Dessart will den Zeugenstand �bernehmen.

Halt, halt, halt!

Exzellenz.

The witness Stephan Dessart has asked to offer further testimony.

I want no further testimony. I accept sentence.

Come forward.

I tell you I accept sentence!

- You wish to make a statement? - Yes, excellency.

But first, if I tell you the name of this man,

does your promise to the prisoner hold good?

- Assuredly. - No, Stephan, no!

Arrest that man.

Wachen! Verhafte ihn!

Richt Euch! Rechts ran!

Can there be no reprieve?

Have you tried everybody, the governor of Belgium the commander-in-chief?

I've appealed and appealed, my child.

Now, now, you... You must be brave.

Like him.

- Have you seen him? - Yes.

I was allowed to see him this morning.

For the last time.

He asked about you and...

I told him that your life was to be spared after all.

Oh, you should have seen his face, Marthe.

He was like a man transfigured.

He... he asked me to say goodbye to you and...

...give you this message.

I leave all my love, he said.

All my love to help her along...

...until the happy days come to her again.

Because I'm sure they wiil, B�rgermeister.

Because I'm sure they will.

Those were his words, my dear, and...

He spoke like a man who knew.

And so the day shall come at last...

for the people of the earth to live again...

...without sorrow and hatred.

The sword shall be put away, the blood and the tears shall cease to flow.

The plowshares shall move again over the earth,

and children shall run behind them.

For the people of the earth shall have moved through great travail...

into peace...

...through darkness into light.

- Subtitles - Lu�s Filipe Bernardes