Original subtitles

---sound of engines----

---trample of feet---

---dogs barking---

---dogs barking---

---whistle---

- You've given us a great deal of trouble Lt Gerrington

-You'll be taken back to Gestapo HQ in Berlin

- and the interrogation continued

---sound of a ball---

- Oberleutentant asks you to wait, He's on his way, Sir

- Thank you!

- The USPs has arrived

- What is it? - Another brown job, this is all spit in the brasso

- You'll need your sunglasses on

- Good God! Looks like they picked him up in Whitehall

- Let's try it

---starting engines---

---beeping horn---

- Alright! Keep your hair off!

- Roadhog!

- Oberleutenant Clair - Good morning

- The Kommendant will see you shortly

- Should I go back to my quarters first? - No he won't be long

- Is this your bed man? - Corporal Beiger

- Show Corporal Beiger to his quarters

- Raus! Raus!

- Really, Fliegeleutentant Carter! That was a waste of time

- Welcome to Colditz! Shall we go?

- What's the matter? - Another shambles!

- Well, Erich - Father

- Have you said goodbye to your mother? - Yes

- She's given me enough food to last the week. - She worries about you

- She can't help it - I'll be back home on leave before she knows it

- Yes, I know but you will write to her won't you?

- Yes, of course - When you can, just a let her know you're alright. Sit down, sit down...

- I've told her, there's nothing to worry about

- I mean, my friends in France are having a marvellous time

- And I'm lucky to get a posting that soon especially on Junkers 88s

- You know that's the finest plane in the world

- Yes, still I expect you'll do more training

- With any luck I'll go straight to operations - Well, that's splendid!

- Something easy at first, patrols over the North Sea

- I was talking to a friend the other day He says everything has been easy

- Ever since we switched to the night bombing of London

- There are no night fighters, and the anti-aircraft guns...

..so inaccurate. We just laugh at them - Well, that's excellent, ofcourse

- I must go now, father.

- Look after yourself

- I'll send you some French brandy and perfume for mother

- Yes, she'd like that

- Good bye, father - Good bye, Erich

- Good luck

- You were sent here to Colditz to ensure that you don't escape again

- And you will not escape again! The sooner you get that, the better

- Have you anything to say?

- 30 days in solitary confinement - 30 ?

- The Kommendant has laid down that in future, that will be the minimum punishment for escape

- Take him away!

- Come in!

- Lt Col Preston, Sir

- Please, sit down Colonel

- Thank you

- I apologize for keeping you waiting , but one of your officers attempted to escape

- Yes, I was there, I saw it - Very ill advised attempt, I thought.

- So did I - Indeed?

- Stupid and pointless - We agree then...we agree

- Alright! Alright!

- Gathered, that in your last camp you didn't always agree with the authorities

- Not always, no

- I see you fought in the great war - Yes... - Myself also

- On the Somme. Were you there? - Yes

- I still find it hard to believe that men could go through such slaughter

- So many young men, at least this time no one has suffered such losses

- They may do so before the end - I hope you're wrong, Colonel

- Still, we are out of it. You and I

- You're looking at my war map this is my way of keeping in touch with things

- Is it up to date? - Oh yes

- I intend daily to... embrace the current military situation

- Nothing, on land ofcourse. It's the Luftwaffe

- The main target appears to be London - Yes, there will be many heavy attacks...

- against Coventry, South Hampton and so on...

- But the main effort is directed against London

- London has been attacked for many concecutive nights

- Where's your family, Colonel? - My children are evacuated

- Good! And your wife also? - My wife I think is still in London

- I had one letter some time ago, she was driving an ambulance

- Hm, Churchill should have made peace when he had the chance

- Did you know your predecessor, Major Donaldson? The former senior officer

- No

- It is the duty of every officer to attempt to escape ofcourse

- That is agreed - Yes?

- But, when the situation is hopeless, when escape is impossible

- surely, then.. an officer is releaved of that duty

- Maj. Donaldson did not take that view

- He actively encouraged any attempt to escape, I'm afraid

- Every officer is entitled to his own opinion

- May I ask for yours, Colonel?

- When escape is impossible, I disapprove of futile attempts

- I should have asked you before. Do you like an cigarette?

- Thank you, no I've taken up enough time of your time already - Oh, no please

- The one thing we all have here is plenty of time

- Relax, we don't do that sort of thing.. - We're looking for the Colonel

- He's due with the Kommendant, Sir - How long does it take?

- I can't say, Sir - Tell Col. Preston that we looking forward meeting him

- You'll find that you have some hot-heads here, Colonel

- Young men who think they should fight the war single handed

- But there is no war to be fought in Colditz

- As one professional soldier to another you might agree with me

- I'm not a professional - I assume your rank

- Territorial army - Ah, yes

- Hrm, the reserve army. Right

- I myself had a spell of civilian life under the Weimar Republic

- In a special camp like this, there are many restrictions place upon the prisoners

- Inevitably. - Are all those restrictions inevitable?

- Are you seeking special privileges for the British officers?

- I'm asking a question

- Strict measures are tideous for everyone, not least my staff

- Any relaxation would require your personal co-operation

- and the weight of your authority over your own men

- You may take it that I should accept responsibility for any order that I may give

- It would be convenient for security if we could segregate the nationalities.

- The Poles from the British except in the courtyard of course

- Why haven't you inforced that before? - The Poles have been here a long time

- And what is more, they all appear to be expert locksmiths, Colonel

- They can open a door with a piece of wire that I can't open with a key

- And Major Donaldson encoured the policy of what he called..international liason

- When was the camp last visited by the protecting power?

- Unfortunately, the Swiss authority has not yet visited this camp

- When was the last issue of Red Cross parcels?

- As yet , there has been no issue at all

- There are administrative difficulties

- I'm in command of Colditz, but I cannot always do what I'd wish to do. Do you understand?

- I can make no promises - You seem to expect promises from me

- Your request for parcels is a fair one - Before Christmas?

- In mean time I have your word as a senior British officer

- To co-operate with me in the matter of segregation - You have

- Hello, Sir I'm Cpt.Grant, Pat Grant

- Hello Grant

- Who's the officer of the day? - Sir!

- The Officer of the day ---Laughter---

- Where do you post daily routine orders? - Ehrm...

- We don't have those either, Sir

- Gentlemen, I would be obliged if you'd take turns to be the officer of the day

- ? might not come daily in fact, but they would help communication

- Yes, Sir - Yes

- And now I'd like to meet everyone if you please

- The wine is cold, and I asked for grouse, not pheasant

- You don't have a pencil, do you? Pencil ...

- Eh, pencil...schreiben!

- This is Cpt.Downing, Sir - Downing!

- And Lt.Player...and Muir - Muir! - Hello, Sir!

- This is Lt.Griffits...Lt.McLeod

- And this is Flight Lt. Carter's bunk. - Oh, yes I'll see him tomorrow

- You can't, Sir he's in solitary, no one can. It's against regulations

- I see

- Well, gentlemen - Where did they pop you in the bag, Sir?

- Near Dunkirk, I was on my way to a conference

- No one knew how far forward the Germans had got

- I drove slap into a squadron of Jerry Tanks - Perhaps, you'd been...

...better of if you'd stayed with the unit, Sir - Possibly, yes

- How far did you get, Sir? - What do you mean? - When you escaped ?

- In my last camp I was adviser to Col. Dawson, and I made no escape attempts

- Well, why did they sent you here, Sir - I don't know

- The officers that aren't regulars, what were their occupation in peace time?

- We've got all sorts, Sir. I was a civil engineer

- John, was a printer, we've got two bankers,accountant, lawyer

- Well, let me have a list of everyone's profession, and if regulars their speciality

- Very well, Sir. Are there any particular reason?

- I thought we'd start some classes to pass the time more constructively

- Classes!!

- Yes, Downing there's a great deal we can learn from eachother

- But I thought this was a special camp for confirmed escapers, Sir

- Who have failed to escape, since you are all here.

- Good night, gentlemen!

- Definately a chair born warrior! - Dah, he's not even a regular

- Nor are lots of us. - I do know anyway

- Oh, come on! I can spot a gemmed up terrier a mile off

- He put on his accent with his uniform for a start

- He couldn't command a country club

- Thanks! Thanks very much!

- You asked for a brief interview, Colonel - To request permission to see Lt. Carter, Sir

- That's impossible! Carter's in solitary confinement.

- I claim support of the Geneva convention, upon arrival the senior officer

- is entitled to interview all the officers under his command

- to satisfy himself about their welfare.

- Surely, that can't be taken to mean men in their punishment

- There is no reference to punishment whatsoever in this context

- I'm therefore entitled to interview Lt. Carter

- Very well, Colonel. Your request is granted

- Thank you!

- Good morning! My name is Preston

- Flight Lt. Carter, Sir - Yes, I know you are, carry on...

- Is everything alright? - 30 days is a long time, Sir

- Yes, it is I'm afraid - How did you get in here, Sir? I'm not supposed to see anyone

- I claimed the support of the Geneva Convention - Oh...

- I don't know anything about that.. - No, not many ppl know it by heart

- Any more? - No,Sir

- Look something up for me, would you. -Sir

- The provisions regarding the rights of a newly appointed officer

- Newly appointed... - Not now...in your own time

- There's no hurry

- Couldn't wait to suck up to Jerry, could he?

- Perhaps, he's got it in for the Poles - Nice quiet life, and no trouble

- That's what he wants... - Must have some good reason

- He hasn't got the guts to stand up to Jerry, that's all

- Why did you try to escape? - Why, Sir?

- Just to cause the Germans a little trouble? - To get back home

- You're married I believe - Just about...2 months

- but I was on ops most of the time - What's her name?

- Cathy - Did you know her long?

- Not really, she was my girl and we got married

- Yes, I know it's not easy. What's she like?

- She plays the violin, it's funny how someones face lives with you

- Is she pretty?

- She's got nice hair, brown eyes and a funny way of smiling

- So you wanted to get back to your wife? - Yes, Sir

- Wouldn't that also be going back on operations? - I suppose so

- I think this war is going to last a long time

- As an operational pilot, your chances of survival would be slim

- What's the alternative? Do nothing, and sit here?

- I couldn't face that

- You're not supposed to be here, Willie - Why not?

- Orders - The Germans

- British orders

- It's the new SBO , dirty trick if you'd ask me

- Also very awkward...

...but perhaps not

- When you got into that truck, what were your plans?

- To get away - You speak German?

- No - You have some German money?

- No - Civilian clothes hidden?

- No - Identification papers, maps, routes ?

- If I'd gone out, Sir I'd had a chance - Deep in Germany, in a RAF uniform?

- You didn't stand a snowballs chance in hell

- I'd do the same again, any time - And how much nearer to your wife...

...do you think another 30 days solitary is going to get you?

- You've probably been married a long time, it's different

- The period between wars, has been a difficult time for a great many of us

- I tried to run a chicken farm, and then was the depression

- After that I went into the motor car industry...

...but because of these ups and downs, I married rather late.

- I was 40, when I met my wife Caroline

- We've two children, and we've been married 7 years

- It doesn't seem a very long time to me

- You say that feeling that you have, it doesn't change with the years

- At least you had years, Sir not weeks - Yes?

- But stupid escape attempts only keep the Germans alert

- Which is bad for all the other prisoners.

- Another time, think about that, will you, Carter?

- Hello Grant! - Hello, Sir could I have a word with you?

- Yes, ofcourse - Leave that now, Baker

- Sit down, won't you - Perhaps I better not, Sir

- Well? - This order inforcing segregation of the British and the Poles

- Yes? - It reverses the policy of the previous SBO, Sir

- I'm aware of that - I don't want to be impertinent

- I hope not...

- Major Donaldson was very well liked, he always told us what the score was

- The score now is according with the DRO:s

- What I'm trying to say, Sir

- We may seem a bit bourgoise, but this isn't like a fighting unit

- We got nothing to do all day, except talk, think about escaping

- We're all slightly mad or we wouldn't be here in the first place

- But if you could talk to everybody how you see the situation

- That all? - That's all, Sir

- Very well, I'll talk to everybody tomorrow morning

- Right, Sir

- Gotcha!

- Cpt.Grant has indicated that you might like to know some of my thinking

- About Colditz

- First of all, I've seen like most of you too many men killed

- But at least they were killed in action

- The Germans here are entitled to shoot escaping prisoners

- And they will , I don't want to see any men killed in useless escape attempts

- Look, Sir what's that got to do with the Poles?

- This is a very special camp. Security much stricter than elsewhere

- Conditions much tougher. The Germans are constantly on the watch

- You've all caused a great deal of trouble in the past

- They're going to bear down hard to make sure it doesn't happen again

- What I want to do, is to lower the temperature

- Get some of the restrictions lifted. Get some breathing space...

- Where we can work out some sort of strategy to cope with this place

- I'll buy that, Sir - The Poles are a damn good lot

- Yeah... - So why sell them short?

- I gave away little of advantage to either side...

...in exchange for a possible benefit, which depends on the Kommendant

- Since when are we holding hands with the Germans?

- Just pray that we stay under the control of the Wehrmacht

- The SS would really like to get their hands on us, they think ...

...they can solve the problem of escape as in one

- They probably could - I'm sorry, Sir

- That all sounds like a barrel of excuses for doing nothing, to me

- Some of us still think there's a war on. And we're not afraid to go on fighting

- What you think, Downing is your own affair.

- I have given an order and I expect it to be obeyed

- You were mistaken about the Geneva Convention

- There's no such provision as the one you quoted

- I did not actually quote it, I claimed its support

- I could regard this as deliberate deception, and take the matter seriously

- I'm no longer sure I can rely on your word, Colonel

- I gave my order on the understanding that I could rely on yours

- You will kindly extend to me the same curtesy

- Very well, Colonel You may go

- I see he's finished falling on the Jerries

- You're wrong, Sir. Excuse me for saying so, Sir but you are

- That's alright Corporal - Sir, I've seen him in action

- He always said that the Jerry would try and break through with tanks

- and we had to find some way of knowing what was happening or there'd be panic

- so he used motorcycles. - Ehrm..

- He formed a long range penetration group, Sir

- 60 of us, armed with light machine guns

- We could move faster than Jerry, you see, Sir

- And we ambushed a column of infantry, destroyed all the lorries

- And made Jerry turn tail and run, Sir - Yes..

- Good try, Corporal, but that's typical Play, tip and run is it

- Never mind all of this. You'd think he was infectious

- How long do you think? - A month before it's big enough

- If we're lucky we'll be home at Christmas - Yes

- My home was in Warzaw. - Was?

- I don't believe it! Red Cross parcels

- Red Cross parcels

- Hey! Red Cross parcels!!

- Red Cross parcels!!

- About time too - You're glad to know the reason for delay

- The first consignment of Red Cross parcels has arrived

- The say that the Fuhrer himself has authourized this...

--as a gesture of Christmas good will

- I bet your Aunt Fanny told you that - No, a lorry driver from Leipzig

- Meatloaf, butter, condensed milk, tea. Real tea!

- Chocolate! - Anyone know what a powdered egg is?

- Who the devil gave authority for those parcels to be issued?

- A German, Sir - Who's the Officer of the day?

- I am, Sir - Why wasn't the entire consignment collected and brought to my quarters? Until I decide the rate of issue

- And that includes every piece of string and cardboard

- Yes, Sir - There's one parcel for each of us

- And what do you intend to do? Eat all yours now?

- You, Downing, take an inventory of the entire contents.

- You will then discuss with me which parcels are issued and which kept back for emergencies

- All of it, Sir? - Yes, all of it. There may be months before we recieve more parcels

- Until then, we conserve out resources

- Come on - We're behaving like a bunch of idiots

- Sorry

- Count them again

- Yes? - One Polish officer missing, Sir

- Any sign of an escape trail?

- A rope made of torn up sheets hanging from a window. But it wasn't used

- Why not? - The rope's too short. Underneath the ground's muddy

- There would have been impressions in the mud

- So he's laying low, somewhere in Colditz. - In my opinion, yes, Sir

- Very well, search the Polish quarters and the adjoining areas

- Including the British quarters - No, it isn't necessary

- Colonel Preston would not allow him to be concealed there

- I hear that one of the Poles got away - Hm, apparently

- Jerry, is searching the castle for some reason

- What's all this about? The Poles not being allowed near our quarters

- It happened when you're in solitary. SBO's orders

- He tore me off a strip for trying to escape

- I suppose he wants a nice quiet war

- He looks in a bad way

- If he's been in the hands of the Gestapo I'm not surprised

- Come in!

- My apologies for disturbing you, Colonel

- You have heard that one of the Polish officers are missing

- Yes? - We think he's still here in Colditz, in hiding somewhere

- Yes? - A thorough search of the castle has revealed nothing

- The entire castle that is, with the exception of the British quarters

- I gave my order, and made it clear that it was to be obeyed

- I must ask you to understand my difficulty. - Difficulty?

- My security officer now wishes to search the British quarters

- If I refuse it will place me in a impossible situation

- In relation to higher authority

- I didn't give my word to higher authority, I gave it to you

- Any search of the British quarters will be a direct breech of good faith

- I respect everything you say, Colonel but I have no choice

- You and I know that it's mere formality, nothing more

- But, with regret I must ask you to assemble all the officers at once

- Search here!

- Herr Leutnant!

- That's good

- Colonel Preston, if you please

- You can come out now

- Take him away!

- From your Red Cross parcels I think

- I shall inform the Kommendant of this, Colonel. He will no doubt wish to speak to you about it

- Which one of you disobeyed my orders?

- Gentlemen, you are officers who holds the King's commission, not a bunch of shoolboys

- I will ask the question once again. Which one disobeyed my order?

- You? - Yes, Sir

- Why? - It seemed like a good oppurtunity, Sir

- Explain.. - I didn't think they'd look for him here, Sir

- Go on

- He was going to hold up, until he's going to take my place in the exercise park

...and go to near shelter there, and then try...

- With whom did you discuss this plan? - No one, Sir

- Just a bright idea that the pair of you cooked up, is that it?

- Yes, but it could have worked. - Could it??!!

- So far I've witnessed two escape attempts on this camp

- Neither of which to the remotest possible chance of success

- Just get it through you heads, that you're not escapers

- You're failed escapers, and you'll go on failing

- as long as you behave like boy scouts in a summer camp

- We are deep in Germany, 400 miles from the Swiss border

- Not having any chance of success...

- An escape attempt must be discussed and approved

- How far do you think you're going to get?

- Without civilian clothes, identification paper? Money? Maps?

- A route? A cover story? Now, all these things need careful planning

- and good discipline, we needed time, Gentlemen

- We needed the Germans off our backs, allowed them into a false sense of security

- And we had some prospect of that, but now we won't!

- Because you had a bright idea...

- Becuase you thought it was a good oppurtunity

- Because at your age, you think that you know it all!!

- You and a number amongst you!!

- Actung!!

- A direct breech of good faith, I believe you said Colonel Preston

- I can no longer take the word of a Senior British Officer!

- I am entitled to an explanation, Colonel!

- I have none to offer

- You agreed to co-operate with my policy of segregation

- If in return I would obtain your Red Cross parcels

- I went into considerable trouble to get the consignement

- It was not easy , but I felt I was dealing with an honorable man

- So having got your parcels, You at once break your word.

- Is this your conception of honour in the British army?

- Sir! - Be quiet man!!

- May I ask if one of you officers disobeyed your orders, Colonel?

- Internal discipline, among the officers is my concern

- That of course would put a completely different

.. complexion to the matter. The officer concerned will be punished

- But there will be no need to withdraw any privileges

- There is only one officer responsible and that is myself

- I respect what you say, Kommendant but I accept full responsibility

- Very well, Colonel It will be 14 days solitary confinement

- Also, there will be 5 appelles a day at two early intervals for the next week

- If there's any breech of the rules, there will be an extention for another 7 days

- You have no right to issue a general punishment for a specific offense

- If you choose to make up your own rules, Colonel

- I must make up mine also. Perhaps it will teach your officers to obey orders

- Gentlemen, I'm sorry, it appears that you'll spend the next week on parade

- Jerry will get just as fed up as we will , Sir

- Yes, possibly. As regards the Polish officers...

..we revert to the former policy of liason

- But gentlemen, I would be obliged in future...

- if my orders are carried out to the letter

- Thank you, Baker