Original subtitles

I don't trust you to draw the line.

Knowing the difference between enemy and friend and all those in-between.

So the gravel will continue to be thrown.

Right men, round them up.

The real fellas made atactical withdrawal.

Which means they'll regroup and counter attack.

Every man for himself!

- I am offering my surrender. - The famous SAS, huh?

No pardon is, on any account, to be given and they are to be executed.

These are the last moments of your lives

when you won't have images of drowning men stuck inside your head.

- I still can hear the voices, father. - They're leaving us to drown!

Help! Hey!

Was my brother in love with you, do you think?

Or should the question be is my brother in love with you?

- Where is your bloody tunic? - Covered in blood, colonel.

Our orders are to take Termoli and hold it to the last man, come what may.

Just let me sleep.

I need to sleep.

- Come. - Come where?

It's a little early for a stroll don't you think.

Be nice if you could tell me where the fuck you're taking me.

Shut up!

Forward!

I'm a prisoner of fucking war.

I have rights according to the Geneva Convention! OK?

You can't do this!

Mum, Dad, Heather.

If my body makes it home bury me under the bridal path.

Ready!

God, judge my soul for the things I did before the war.

Wait!

General Heidrich of the 1st Fallschirmjäger Division

has invited you to dinner.

Up! Right! You lot.

Hands off your cocks and pull on your socks cause the bastards are here!

Get up! Up!

Reg. There's a Panzer Division breaching the Northern horizon.

Just like the Apache Indians in the films.

Paddy's got a plan.

Paddy's losing his marbles a bit but, aye yeah, he's got a plan.

Did you...

Did you sleep well, Reg?

I slept very well.

Why wouldn't I?

You thirsty, Paddy?

Paddy, the German advance has begun.

And what we gonna bloody fight them with, water pistols?

Get these aboard a truck, now.

What for?

Isn't it obvious?

Even for Paddy, this is not fucking normal.

I told you. He's gone mad.

The laundry in Termoli has no water.

So we are taking water to the laundry.

Where we will leave our bloody uniforms

with the lovely family who run the laundry

before making our way to the frontline.

Why? Paddy.

Because GHQ radioed me an urgent communiqué overnight

saying the SRS must wear correct uniforms when engaging the enemy.

Especially when there is risk of capture.

So, today, as we prepare to face the 16th Panzer division alone,

ill-equipped,

with no air cover...

The cleaning of our uniforms is a priority.

That is why we are going to the laundry.

Alright, lads! Come on, clear out! Let's go!

Come on!

Sergeant.

You will stay here.

Bring us our uniforms once they are clean.

Are you fucking joking?

Your next question will be, "Why have you chosen me to stay behind?"

I have chosen you because last night you didn't sleep

and not for many nights before.

I can see it in your eyes, Reggie.

That is because I have the same look in my own eyes.

Aye...

I believe you and I share the same ghosts.

Rum drowns them. Pills make them funny.

But today you will stay here, get some rest

and help these good people do our laundry.

That is an order. Alright mucker?

Alright, men! Listen fucking here.

The barbarians are almost at the gates.

So we, who are worse than barbarians--

ought to be there to fucking meet them.

Do any of you speak English?

I teach English.

Do you want coffee?

Coffee is good. And a gallon of booze of any description.

- What? - Coffee is good.

- He wants coffee. - Coffee, coming.

- Here let me help you. - No, no, rest.

You must be tired.

She says it's OK. You must be tired, so sit down.

I must be.

That's my favourite... cioccolato.

Alfredo said they move heavy equipment through this tunnel.

We can stop them up there.

No, no, no, no. No need to do all that, alright yeah. We're not on parade.

- We want to do the best job for you. - This is fine. Like this.

Thank you.

You missed.

- How many bad guys have you killed? - Matteo.

- What did he say? - Nothing. Just being a boy.

It's OK. Tell me.

I have a nephew.

About his age. They are honest.

They say everything they wanna say.

What did he say?

He... He asked you how many people have you killed.

One? Two? Three, four,

five,

six, seven, eight,

nine, ten?

Eleven, twelve,

thirteen,

fourteen,

fifteen...

You don't have to do that--

Sixteen, seventeen,

eighteen,

nineteen,

twenty

and on, and on and on.

You're a hero.

He says, you're a big hero.

Yeah.

That's me.

Matteo, enough. Come on, let's go. Leave him alone.

- No, no, no, no. I want to stay. - Come on Matteo, please, don't--

I want to stay.

Can he stay with you?

Yeah. Why not?

Matteo, listen to me. Stay here but don't ask any questions,

because he won't understand. You got that?

Promise?

In answer to your question...

the number of men I have killed is unknown to me.

We used to have a blackboard but the men didn't count.

Please God, give me back my concussion. I need visitors.

I love you. Is that the reason you came?

- Yes. To make love. - You mean the whole thing?

The whole thing sounds very English.

In Sicily you will join my brother, yes?

You fucking dare to talk to me like that.

Hey, you madman!

I will not swallow your fucking piss!

My nephew always beats me as well.

When I see him, I'm gonna tell him.

If he asks, I'm gonna say,

"We just played cowboys and Indians".

My mother has cooked lunch.

The noise of shooting and explosions in the north have stopped.

Yeah.

But Paddy's here.

The noise will soon start again.

Paddy! Tanks have been spotted.

Jesus, Johnny.

How I have missed the death rattle of approaching German vehicles.

Just like the old days, Paddy.

- Go, go, go! - On the double, men!

Get with it!

Thank you, lieutenant.

What is it?

A roadblock 20 miles South of Termoli reported a French female journalist

travelling with a consignment of flamethrowers.

Right.

And since she had no authorization, they turned her back. Yes?

No, Sir. They let her pass.

She said she was on her way to visit Paddy Mayne.

All the regulars love Paddy Mayne. The guard let her go.

Yes, just as the guard at Bagnara let her go while I was sleeping,

and the next guard at the next checkpoint on the road north let her go.

All without my knowledge or permission.

Each with their own different reasons.

She is proving to be quite unstoppable.

Here she comes...

Fraser.

Dave.

Paddy... It's a Panzer. Panzer 4.

Brand new model G with the increased armour.

The only thing that will stop a Panzer 4 is a Bazooka to the back decks

and we haven't got bazooka.

It's about to open fire!

Fall back!

Fall back, fall back, fall! Come on!

- Get it covered! - Get it covered, Mac!

- Go, go, go. - Fall back, fall back.

Paddy, those tanks are heading straight into town.

If our order is to hold town, then we need to get there before they do.

Previous strategy did not work.

It couldn't work, Paddy. We've got no bazookas. We've got no cover.

Our order is to hold the town until reinforcements come.

- What fucking reinforcements? - We don't ask those questions anymore.

- Since when? - We just follow the order.

How am I doing, Staff Sergeant?

Previous strategy did not work. So we fall back.

And that's not obeying orders, it's common bloody sense, Paddy.

Common sense? In a war?

Whatever next?

- Fall back. - Fall back.

I have two nieces and one nephew in England.

He has three nieces and nephews in England.

- And what are their names? - What are their names?

I haven't said their names out loud for...

A long time.

Before Jalo I think.

What's 'Jalo'?

I don't wanna bring 'em up.

As if that would bring 'em here.

I don't want them to imagine... me.

And what I do.

He doesn't want to think of them.

If he does it's like they were here and could see what he's doing.

When you are home by your fireplace,

all of this will be forgotten.

My mother says, when you get home in your own fireside,

all of this will be forgotten.

I hope.

Yeah...

I really... hope.

Sorry.

I've forgotten what to do around people.

Sorry.

Excuse me?

Where is Paddy Mayne?

They're holding a line three miles north.

How do I get there?

You join the SAS.

Yes, why not. My permission is from General de Gaulle.

I'm travelling with a consignment of mortar grenades,

mortars, flamethrowers for use in the defence of Termoli.

Why are you here?

Waiting for some clothes to dry.

If the tanks are in range it means the line is broken.

So Paddy will come to you. You should get under cover.

There are some nice people here.

Normal people.

Right, listen up.

News is that the defensive positions in Termoli are being overrun.

We've been ordered to join our comrades in the SRS as a matter of urgency

and help them to hold the town.

Termoli must not fall. It cannot fall.

If the Germans break through

they'll be able to outflank the American divisions heading north from Naples.

So, the first ever engagement of 2SAS

will be one of the most important engagements of the war in Europe so far.

We'll be fighting beside some of the best and most courageous soldiers on earth.

And we will match them!

Yes, Sir!

Right you lot, load up! Let's get moving, come on!

The dad is going out to find a position. He says he's a good shot.

The rest of the family are going down to the basement.

You should go with them.

Why would I go down into the basement?

You know guns?

I know you should never leave your gun lying around. Loaded.

And without the safety catch.

If the line has broken this will become a fight from street to street.

You are outnumbered. You will need all the help you can get.

GHQ have ordered all combatants to wear full uniform.

But I think in your case...

we can make an exception.

Paddy! Turn around! Come fight with us!

Retreating convoy heading South P2 moving into P3...

Yes, Sir.

Three four six five. Six five three four. Quick, quick!

Panzer tanks, heading south!

We know. It is why we are heading north.

It's an entire tank division, Alfredo. You cannot engage!

Alessia why don't you go and hide with your American boyfriend.

- Now. - Fire!

Get in the truck! Move! Get in the truck!

Move!

Get the ammo! Forget the weapons! Go, go, go!

- In the truck! Get in the truck! - Alright now go! Come on, Johnny.

Matteo, go down to the basement with your mother, yeah.

You can't come with me and your dad.

You have to go down to the cellar with mother. You can't stay here with them.

I want to stay.

Hey. Look after yourself, cowboy.

- Matteo, we have to go. - No, mama.

- We have to go. - I want to go with them!

Square Q5. Q5.

Three trucks. They are empty.

Fire when they are full.

Right, put on your nice clean uniforms. Form up outside.

We have half an hour before they reach the north end of town.

I'd leave if I were you.

Not all SAS'll wear underwear.

Mama!

If you want to interview me for your newspaper,

I'm gonna have to ask you to wait until I have at least put on some trousers.

I am told that when I engage the enemy, I'm not required to wear a uniform.

Reggie?

What's the fucking crack here?

The French woman arrived without permission

in a truck load of flamethrowers.

So you decided to give her a machine gun.

I told you once in a bar in Cairo that my father taught me how to fight.

The Germans will be here soon.

And I really, really wanna shoot some of them.

Fucking sweet Jesus.

One French spy and a truck load of flamethrowers.

Is that permission?

Bill Stirling ordered me not to let you go anywhere near the frontline.

So in the spirit of 'fuck you', welcome to the SAS.

Just give them your toy gun,

and then we can go back into the cellar and then you can stop crying, yes?

Yes.

Get on this truck, drive to Campomarino bridge,

and fucking hold it to the last man, alright?

That is an order!

I don't even know your name!

Matteo wants to give you his toy gun. For luck.

Go, go, go!

Now. Now!

Move!

Get inside! Move!

Reg!

Reg!

Reg!

Matteo?!

He's got no chance, Reg.

I will do it.

I'll do it.

We got a battle to fight.

You got a battle to fight, Sergeant!

Stand up, Reg.

Fucking stand, Reg. Obey my orders! Stand up, Reg!

Yes Sir!

Reg! It's not random fire!

They're being directed! There's a fucking spotter in the tower!

You go fucking get 'em. Come on!

Bingo.

What's in it?

I heard a wee rumour about flamethrowers.

Oh, happy birthday boss.

Cover the left!

Moving, moving!

- Move! - Moving!

Go!

Move! Fall back!

Cover!

Anyone know how to use one of these?

Fire!

Prepare to withdraw. Covering fire. Withdraw!

Let's go! Go!

Don't fucking slow down. Speed up. Hit the horn.

We're the SAS! Get out of the fucking way!

- Stop! - Move!

Hey. Come. There are women here.

Yes. There are women in here.

Fuck you!

Tanks! Get down!

- So we withdraw? - No! We do not withdraw.

Our orders are to hold Termoli until the last man.

- That is what we will fucking do. - Riley!

- Nozzle, give me the nozzle. - Here, this here.

- No, no, no! - Yes!

If you put that there, the whole fucking thing explodes.

- But look at the diagram! - Fuck the diagram!

Fuck you!

Sir, look.

So this is where we die.

- Fuck. Have we got any more booze? - No, we finished it all to the last drop.

But these final moments are intoxication enough. Are they not, boys?

Oh, dear god.

Riley. Riley.

Prepare...

We have our orders, 'to the last man'!

Get up there, go on!

Fuck you!

Did everybody else see that bazooka?

What the fuck just happened?

Bazookas! Paddy! 2SAS!

- Hold fire! Hold! - You shoot them on the left, move!

2SAS have taken the southern part of the town.

Our order is to re-group, then move North.

- Counter the counter. So let's go. - Yes!

You taste like fucking petrol. Let's go!

Thank you, God, and 2SAS.

Hold it! Hold it!

Eve! What are you doing here? Get in!

Go!

Better late than fucking never, I suppose.

We heard they were bringing Panzers. So we brought Bazookas.

Holding Termoli for as long as you did was an exceptional feat.

And I will mention the whole regiment in dispatches.

But what on earth is Eve doing here, with a fucking firearm?

From what I understand Sir, she's using the firearm to kill Germans.

I went into the laundry.

It might help you

if you came back to the laundry with me

to organise their burial.

Welcome, Eve.

How are things, my love?

Lieutenant Tonkin.

A real life, authentic member of the legendary British regiment of the SAS.

Would you like chicken or beef?

I would like freedom actually.

But failing that... chicken.

I wanted to talk to one of you fellows because I'm intrigued.

You do know I won't be telling you anything of strategic importance.

Strategies are not what I'm interested in.

Strategies can be learned from Alexander to Napoleon.

I am interested in this new thing.

What 'new' thing?

A harnessing of the power of madness.

It is true that most men in the SAS are mad.

Calculated madness.

As if madness was the logic of a superior universe.

And if executed correctly it inspires terror in those of us who are logical.

Tell me about Paddy Mayne.

GHQ insisted that all combatants wear uniforms today

and they did so for a reason.

That is quite revolutionary.

The Geneva convention states that all soldiers who are taken prisoner,

who are wearing uniform, are to be treated decently

and are to be held as prisoners of war until the end of the conflict.

Those not wearing uniforms are at risk of being executed.

That is the convention as it stands. However, we have learned

that the Germans have recently changed the rules of engagement.

- I heard it was Hitler himself. - Indeed.

Hitler has ordered that all members of commando units,

such as the SAS and SRS,

are to be summarily executed, whether they are in uniform or not.

Even if they put up their hands and surrender, they are to be shot.

Today GHQ ordered your men to wear uniforms

so that if they were taken prisoner and there was a mass execution,

there could be no doubt that it was a war crime.

In any subsequent war crime trials,

we do not want to give those bastards the excuse

that those executed were shot because they were out of uniform.

So Paddy, GHQ ordering you to wear uniforms was not GHQ being GHQ.

The nature of the war has changed. Again.

From now on surrender is no longer an option for the SAS.

I'll fight but not surrender said the Wild Colonial Boy.

Yes. Fight or die.

I wonder. Why is it that this makes me happy?

War without mercy.

Am I a monster, do you think?

Can I relay the good news to my men now?

Paddy, this does not give you an excuse to treat prisoners in the same way.

I will continue to be the perfect gentleman.

That laundry would still be in one piece if we hadn't been ordered to go there.

Y'know?

I will arrange a burial party tomorrow morning, for the family.

I will attend the burial.

I've organized a vehicle. Seven a.m. To take you back to Bagnara.

For military reasons I can't allow you to stay.

For patriotic reasons I cannot leave.

That Paddy Mayne is a lover of poetry

adds a whole new dimension to my confusion.

Maybe it's because I'm German and I don't understand the English.

Irish.

There's a difference?

You really don't understand, do you.

D'you know,

there's something about today that I do not understand.

I was taken prisoner in uniform.

As you can plainly see.

And yet this morning I was taken to the firing squad like a spy.

Yes.

I intervened this morning

because I wanted to meet a member of the unit.

Whose successes in Africa and Italy have so infuriated Hitler.

That he has ordered that any one of you who surrenders...

is to be executed.

Shot.

Against the rules of the convention.

And anyone who fails to carry out this order

will themselves be shot.

So this was a kind of a last supper.

I tried to make it as grand as I could.

Well the chicken was rather wonderful.

I told them to come for you at midnight.

I gave you one extra day of life.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

Someone said you wanted to see me.

I didn't want to see you, I wanted to look at you.

Find out how you are.

I am...

Also, I have news about the rules of engagement.

I've told the others now I'm going to tell you--

I can't talk.

Or listen.

To anything, Paddy.

Sodium Amytal or William Blake.

I recommend the latter.

Either way, tomorrow morning at dawn we go again.

Alright, Reggie?

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