Original subtitles

6 JUNE 1944 THE INVASION OF NORMANDY

After two months of fighting the Germans were forced to withdraw.

The Allies urgently needed a port to keep the troops supplied.

BELGIUM

BRUSSELS

ANTWERP

Antwerp is liberated. The port is intact.

THE SCHELDT

But while the Germans still have control over the Scheldt,

Allied ships cannot reach the port of Antwerp.

Part of the German army withdraws from the Scheldt.

The Netherlands thinks it will be liberated at any moment.

What's going on here?

Keep moving.

Hurry up. Yes, everything has to go.

This is for the mayor. Here.

And stay with it until everything has been burnt, okay?

I'll do the last documents myself.

-Sir. -Yes.

Go. Teuntje, do you want to help my wife pack?

And I think you also should go home and pack.

What do you mean?

Your father also works for the Germans.

For sick Germans and for sick Zeelanders.

Dirty NSB member.

What did you do?

-Hey? -What did you do for them?

Traitor.

Move forward now.

ELEC. BAKERY SCHOENMAKERS

It's over, Teun. It's over. We got rid of them.

Come. The Canadians crossed the border.

Who was that man?

Oh, nobody. Just a happy man.

Hand over the camera.

Give me the camera.

Where are your liberators now? Where are they?

Idiots. We are still in charge.

Watch out.

Hey, move out of the way.

Idiot. Move out of the way. Go.

Move.

Move.

Watch out.

Don't just stand there.

It was him.

Don't move.

Teun.

Teun.

Teun…

Hey. Did something happen? I heard gunshots.

There was an accident with a couple of Germans.

Seriously?

-Is Dirk home? -I haven't seen him yet.

But stay indoors when he gets home. The streets are chaotic.

-I'm going back to the hospital. -Now?

-They will need me now. -But we're free, right?

I know, Teun. We'll celebrate tomorrow.

Okay?

Dirk?

NARVA, THE RUSSIAN FRONT 11 AUGUST 1944

You. Get up.

Into the trenches, now. Get into position.

What's going on here?

They're coming.

Get in position.

Attention. Quick.

Load.

Show them how hard you are.

We won't give up.

-Lucas? -At the.

Look at me.

I can't do this anymore.

Stay low, okay?

On my command. Wait until they get close.

Luke. Luke.

Withdraw.

Hey, where have you been?

You could have been killed.

Papa says we have to stay indoors tonight.

Both You and Papa are such cowards.

Don't say a word to him, okay?

DORSET, ENGLAND 16 SEPTEMBER, 1944

Do you want to be one of them?

That scum, those fascists?

Scum. Thugs.

Get lost. Get out of my sight.

Van Staveren.

You're very lucky. We removed a splinter from your guts.

Don't move too much. Try to sleep.

Take a look at these guys. I wonder if it helps, idiot.

Are you Dutch?

How are you feeling?

Are you lost?

Ah, you're on holiday?

I understand. In beautiful Russia.

With its picturesque scenery and friendly farmers.

Have you sent a postcard home yet?

Dear mama, a little card from the Third Reich. It's wonderful here.

I love national socialism. I would happily die for it.

Are you an officer?

First Lieutenant Friedrich Fischer.

Still.

You should actually salute me, but…

Have some rest first.

You've earned it.

Liberation. It was a misunderstanding.

The Germans are back.

The Allies never crossed our border.

They're not giving up on Walcheren.

All my father did was work.

He worked hard from early morning to late at night,

but he earned a pittance.

And that'll never change.

It'll be exactly the same for my little brother and sisters.

Is that fair?

I never saw you as an idealist.

Nothing will change unless one does something about it.

-And I want-- -Strength.

-I want to be proud. -Equality. Brotherhood.

I've learned something, Dutchman.

If you tell a lie big enough…

and repeat it often enough…

eventually people will come to believe it.

Do you know who said that?

Our Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels.

Are there any Jews in your neighborhood?

Most were arrested at the start of the war.

And?

Did you ever see them again?

There's your equality.

The Jews, they're all criminals who live off others.

Does "Chełmno" mean anything to you?

That's where they sent me when they had no further use for me.

The elderly, the sick, children,

babies… Jews, yeah.

I was a guard.

There is no such thing as good.

The evil…

is in everyone. In every one of us.

Get in the trenches.

Idiots. Bastard.

Move ahead.

Come on.

Sit down.

Oberst Berghof.

Mayor Oostveen.

What can I do for you?

I am responsible for defending this island.

I won't tolerate acts of violence. Rebels must be punished.

Of course.

If necessary,

I will arrest all the young men who are registered here.

Of course.

I hope I can count on you.

Have a nice day.

I have it from a reliable source.

Early this morning, three boys. Innocent.

They will be executed if the person responsible doesn't own up.

You know he didn't do anything.

He wasn't even there.

They're looking for the person who did it.

You have to go into hiding.

Papa has contacts.

Papa works for the Germans.

Janna can help.

Janna?

My Janna?

Hi, Teun.

Dirk has to go into hiding.

And Dirk says you know where.

They're looking for him.

Maybe…

-I know people. -Who?

Why don't I know that you know people?

Sometimes, the less you know, the better, Teun.

How does Dirk know that you know people?

What shall we eat?

I would like two bread rolls.

-Please. -White bread.

Yes.

-Delicious. -Three?

From Staveren…

Volunteer in the navy?

Assigned to the shock troops?

Yes, Captain.

I understand that you are feeling better.

Good.

I'm sending you back in.

You start next week. You're being transferred to Holland.

To Holland?

You leave tomorrow. Dismissed.

Today is your lucky day.

I made a call. You're getting a desk job.

In Zeeland, in the south.

Keep your head down, Dutchman.

This shit will be over soon.

And then you can start over.

I promise.

Dirk.

Dirk.

-Is this the Vissers' place? -Yes.

Is your father home?

He's on duty.

May I wait for him here?

Lovely.

Very nicely furnished.

Can I get you something to drink?

Some water would be nice.

Okay.

-Thank you. -My pleasure.

Is that your mother?

Where is she?

She went to her grave.

I'm sorry.

My troops were involved in an accident two weeks ago.

Three of my men are now in their graves, too. Practically kids.

And that's your brother, I take it. Wim?

Dirk.

Ah, yes. Of course. Dirk.

Good day. How can I help you?

Dr. Visser, it is an honor to meet you.

-Oberst Berghof. -It's a pleasure.

What can I do for you?

Maybe you can help me.

It's been five weeks, and it's only getting worse.

It's severely infected.

I'll clean and disinfect the wound,

and once we're in hospital, I can…

remove the shrapnel.

You are a true doctor.

Passionate about your job.

It's very clear.

Someone who does the right thing in difficult circumstances.

Even if it requires personal sacrifice.

When you speak to your son, ask him to report to our headquarters.

Yes.

DR. A. VISSER

-I'm going to turn myself in. -No.

Of course you're not turning yourself in.

Janna will help you go into hiding. She promised. Go and pack your things.

If I go into hiding, Wim and the others will die.

I have German contacts.

-Maybe if you turned yourself in… -No.

-Teun, those boys-- -What do I care about those boys?

-They didn't throw that stone, did they? -It was an accident.

I'll go to Berghof. I'll talk to him.

-Negotiate. -With that man?

Maybe he'll get a prison sentence.

I know how to deal with them, Teun.

And the liberation won't take that much longer.

There's no other way, Teun.

Let me do the talking, Teun.

-Follow me to the ground floor. -Yes.

-Dr. Visser. -Oberst Berghof.

Please.

It's good you're here.

I take it you can tell me more about the terrorist at large.

No, my son isn't… Oh, no.

It was negligence, a moment of carelessness.

-It was an accident. -Yes.

-It was never his intention-- -And here we are.

To say how deeply sorry he is.

We hope that perhaps we could reach…

an understanding?

You know, I hold a deep respect for people like you.

In times of war or peace,

your moral compass always steers you in the right direction.

Just like in my own ranks.

I do my duty honorably and in good conscience.

But not everyone is up to the task.

Very few people have your fortitude, Dr. Visser.

Thank you.

That is why…

my son wants to turn himself in.

Under two conditions.

First, the other boys to be released. They are innocent, right?

Second, Dirk himself to receive a sentence…

serve time in prison.

A life sentence, if need be…

instead of…

Let's go. That man is playing games with you.

What did you say?

I said my dad's is working the night shift, and it's almost here.

What did she say?

That her father has to go to work.

No, before that.

She's afraid that you're playing games with him.

You work for our respected Mayor Oostveen, don't you?

People like you and your father,

I truly appreciate your great sense of duty.

Dr. Visser, you've always helped my injured men.

Now let me help you.

I have to sentence your son. There's nothing I can do about that.

But I will ensure that his punishment is light.

You have my word.

It's for the best, Teun.

It'll be all right.

Under the table in the basement.

Give it to Janna.

Bye, sis.

-Thanks. -Bye.

I got an address for Dirk. He can go there tonight.

Do you recognize these?

Dirk's been arrested.

Give me those photos.

-I'll pass them on to-- -To your friends?

Yes.

I'm sorry, but these photos are very important.

You can have them if you and your friends rescue Dirk.

Teun.

You have to give them to me.

I'll go and talk to them.

I want to come along.

You can't.

Tonight at eight o'clock. Here.

We should have landed in Arnhem.

In Arnhem?

-That is far from here. -Yes.

It won't take much longer.

Antwerp is liberated, and the Canadians are already in Flanders.

How do we get there?

The Canadians are here.

Yes.

And you are here.

A boat?

Stolen.

Being out on in open water is too risky. We're staying here.

So you're his sister?

Dirk should never have carried out an attack on his own.

He threw a stone, which accidentally went through the windscreen.

-I can't believe you… -Dirk wanted to join us.

-He is 17. -We're all in danger now.

Especially if he talks.

We need those photos.

You work at the city hall, right?

I can arrange things.

Anything you want. Documents or…

Or I can steal papers.

I'm looking for a map.

A tide map for the Sloe.

Showing the Sloedam and the marshlands.

And if I find the map, then you'll help Dirk?

What do you think?

Is a 17-year-old still a child?

Where were you at 17?

At a training camp in Bavaria.

Was that your own choice?

Yes.

This boy knew exactly what he was doing when he joined the resistance.

I feel sorry for his father and sister, but I can't make any exceptions.

Go.

We won't give up.

Stop.

Calm down.

You know what we want.

No.

Give us the names.

Stop.

Fritz, look what I've found.

Watch out.

There's water here.

Let go.

Come here.

Show me your hands.

Dammit, stay still.

If he makes another noise, just shoot him.

Don't shoot. I'm alone.

Easy.

Easy.

Let me go, and I won't tell anyone I've seen you.

Easy, my friend. I'll do whatever you say.

Hermann?

Hermann, who's there?

Hey, Hermann.

Hermann, what's going on?

Hermann.

No, don't shoot.

Hermann.

Hermann.

Hermann.

Drop your weapon.

Shut up.

Drop your weapon.

Shut up. Drop your weapon.

Shut up.

No, please. Please don't shoot. Don't.

Find the addresses.

As soon as possible.

Five people, all men.

If there had been more, he would have told me.

He tried to act tough for the first hour.

But then I increased the pressure and he eventually named them all.

Good.

Arrest and execute them immediately.

And the boy? What should we do with him?

No special treatment.

Good.

Don't look at me. Walk.

They made your brother talk. He has given up names.

And Dirk? What are they going to do to him?

What will they do with him?

Don't move. Go forward.

Quick.

I said, don't move. Stand still.

No. Please. Please don't.

Stay still.

Hands up.

There's no need to sit down.

It's a shame about the training camp.

Wasted effort.

Pack your things.

Report to Major Degenau.

Papa.

Papa.

They're going to shoot him.

Teun, what do you mean? Who said that?

-You have to do something. -Calm down, Teun.

It'll be all right, Teun.

Get in.

LOCAL COMMAND

Stop. Stay still.

-Papers, please. -Yes.

Go on.

Oberst Berghof.

I need to speak to Oberst Berghof.

Oberst Berghof.

Oberst Berghof.

Please, may I speak with you?

Please.

Please.

Approach.

Ready.

Aim.

Fire.

Stand back.

We need to get this map to the Allies.

Otherwise it'll all have been for nothing.

The German positions are on this side.

Here.

Here.

And here.

Your brother took photographs of them.

The Germans dug themselves in here weeks ago.

Everything is aimed at the Sloedam.

And here, on the other side, are the Canadians.

If they cross the dam,

it'll be a massacre.

Their only chance is at high tide.

There's a channel there.

Through the mud, to the other side.

So that they can attack from here.

Follow this same channel, and it'll lead you to the Allies.

I can't do it.

There's a boat waiting in the mud. Near the Cornelisse farm.

Come on.

Stop. ID, please.

You too.

Behind.

Go on.

Open it.

Get out. Faster.

Come on, men.

Up. Keep going.

Faster. Keep going.

Faster.

Soldiers.

You are all tired.

Sick, cold and wet.

But we mustn't give up.

Walcheren is our stronghold. Hitler's stronghold.

They will attack us with all their might.

But we will fight down to the last man.

We won't surrender.

Never.

Teun.

I don't see a boat.

Let's keep going.

Now?

Almost.

It's not your fault.

I should have stopped him.

It's what he wanted.

Thanks for coming with me.

Come on.

Hey. What was that?

Push.

Push.

There they are.

Stay low.

Stand still.

Don't move.

Get into position.

Everyone get ready to fire.

Get ready to fire.

Get ready to fire.

Load.

Faster.

Cease fire.

Cease fire.

Cease fire.

Come. Quickly.

Come. Quickly.

Quickly.

Quickly.

Stand up.

Stand up.

Stand up, now.

Shoot.

Shoot.

Get in. Hurry up.

Get out.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Fritz, hurry up. Get in.

Fritz, hurry up.

Open up. Open the fucking door.

Did you think we forgot about you?

Lay down.

It's your turn.

It'll be okay.

On 7 November 1944, Walcheren was liberated.

The Allied ships could reach the port of Antwerp.

The final offensive against Germany was beginning.

The battle of the Scheldt cost

3231 Allied lives, 4250 German lives and the lives of 2283 civilians.

On 5 May 1945, the Netherlands was liberated.

Subtitle translation by: Dot Roberts