Original subtitles

- Fire!

- Fire!

- It's more than natural

given the velocity for finding out.

Bloody should trump

Where are the bears?

Gentlemen, you are welcome to the store.

Gildenstern!

Hey, listen, come on Gildenstern, you.

We're supposed to be putting this play on,

maybe this time maybe learn your lines here.

- Capitano Benucci!

Capitano Benucci!

Could I have a word with you in my hut?

- It's me sir, Lester.

- I'm sorry.

Good luck.

What?

Jeffrey, what happened?

- Hey, get away from that wire!

This is just damn silly, Baird.

Help me to get them back.

We don't want another disaster!

- You don't think he's even worth a protest?

- I'm the Senior British Officer here.

I'll do the protesting.

Get back!

- All right, come on, let's get back.

- We'll pay for it, of course, we always do.

They'll turn off the water or hold up the mail

or something equally ghastly.

Who dealt this little lot?

- You did.

- No bid.

No bid.

- Three no trumps.

- Double.

- Why does there have to be some comic strip hero

in every camp who has got to go muck things up

for everybody else?

- Laundry up, come and get it!

Scribble, scribble, scribble.

Can't you give the poor girl a break, Romeo?

- What size boots do you take?

- Boots, size nine, why?

- Well tread on that.

- Why do I always get caught?

Now really Tony, week after week, month after month,

it beats me what you find to say to her.

Let me have a look.

- Would you mind your own ruddy business?

- Oh, turn it up, Roger.

There's no use thinking about it.

It might have been any of us.

Just damn bad luck.

- Bad luck my foot!

Dickie never had a chance.

That crawling little rat tipped them off

and Benucci was waiting with his gun out.

- But how could he have known, Roger?

He doesn't even live in the ordinary huts.

He eats by himself, he sleeps by himself.

He was watched the whole time.

I don't see how he could possibly have known.

- Well he bloody well did know.

He was standing by that wire just before Dickie took off.

And he knows where our tunnel is too,

I saw him staring at the spot where we are due to come out.

- Nobody knew that Dickie was going

except us and Baird.

- Oh, dry up, Bunter, I tell you it was Coutoules!

And if somebody else doesn't,

I swear I'll bump the little bastard off myself!

- And they are saying that I am an agent for the enemy,

that I betrayed Captain Lester.

It is not true, sir.

I could prove my innocence if you had me

returned to my hut. - No, definitely not.

I'm sorry.

- I would not ask, sir,

but it is desperately important

that I should- - Coutoules, you know

perfectly well why you were moved into this hut.

Now even you must realise that you're not exactly

the most popular person in this camp.

For that reason and for your own good

it's better that you remain here.

- If you allowed me to go back and something happened,

I would acquit you of any responsibility.

- If I allowed you to go back,

you might not finish up in any condition

to acquit anyone of anything.

- Oh, sorry.

You want to see me, I understand?

Yes, come in please.

All right, Coutoules.

- Exit the fifth column.

Well, what's on your mind?

- Up to now, Baird, I've agreed

that all escaping activities should be run by you

and the Escape Committee.

And I haven't asked to be told about them.

But from now on I want to know about any future attempt

before it takes place.

- Know about it or approve of it?

- Both.

- But why?

It's worked out all right so far.

- Didn't quite work this afternoon, did it?

- Lester's plan was approved.

We thought he had a fair chance.

Obviously Benucci was tipped off!

- By whom, Coutoules?

Bunter Phillips tells me Coutoules

couldn't possibly have known anything

about the attempt before it happened.

- Well he might have heard of something.

- He might, but I don't think he did.

When an escape goes wrong, it's so easy to lay the blame

on some imaginary informer.

The fact is that Lester never had a chance

from the word go.

- I don't agree.

Of course there's always some risk.

War is not exactly a safe occupation.

And as I see it all of us here are still at war.

It's our duty to escape if we can.

- To some extent it's also our duty to stay alive

if we can.

- In that case, 90 % of the officers in this camp

deserve a medal.

Sunbathing, amateur theatricals,

bridge buddies noon and night.

Oh aye, we can all do our duty and stay alive all right.

- Look, the Allies have landed in Sicily.

They may tomorrow, for all we know, land in Italy.

As soon as the first man's ashore,

I believe Italy will pack up.

It's probably fixed already.

- Well.

- What happens then is anybody's guess.

Perhaps the Italians will open the gates

and let us fade away into the countryside.

That may be part of their bargain with the Allies.

- Well perhaps they'll stick to their guns literally

and have us carted off to Germany.

That may be part of their bargain with the Germans.

Or perhaps they'll just run around in circles,

not knowing what to do.

- Exactly, and that's the moment I'm going to talk

to the Commandante.

Upon the success or failure of that talk

may depend the future or perhaps even the life

of every man in this camp.

That's why what happened this afternoon

mustn't happen again.

- Just because we got a poke in the eye today,

do we have to stop trying?

- Hey look, you're not getting the point.

Every time a prisoner of war escapes,

that's one up to you and the Escape Committee.

But I'm not thinking about you or the Escape Committee.

If a prisoner gets shot,

I'm very sorry but I'm not thinking about him either.

I'm thinking about the 400 other men here in this camp

that I'm responsible for as Senior British Officer.

That's why I insist on knowing of

and approving any future attempt.

- What about tunnels, do you wanna know about them too?

- I don't want to know where they're going to start.

But I want to know when they're gonna be used

for a breakout.

I might want to reserve a place myself.

- I'll bear that in mind.

Good night.

Good night.

- Clean laundry, sir.

- Oh, put it on the table, Pat.

Is that a truck I heard just now?

- Yes sir.

- Damn silly time to deliver the laundry.

- Yeah.

Well, how did Colonel Baird take it, sir?

- Well, we didn't come to blows if that's what you mean,

but I don't think he liked it.

- Well anyway, he's not the S.B.O.

- He's welcome to the job if he wants it.

- Anything else tonight, sir?

- No thanks, Pat, I'm turning in.

- Well, I'll push off.

Good night. - Good night.

Ward.

Yes.

Warrington.

Yes.

Wilmott?

Yes.

- Coutoules?

Coutoules!

- Parade!

- Coutoules!

He must be sick, I'll check up.

Dessin?

Oui.

Le Clerc?

Oui.

- I will report Coutoules' sickness to Capitano Benucci.

You may dismiss, Colonel.

Dismiss them, Captain Foster.

- Parade!

Parade, shun!

Dismiss!

- Now come on, rehearsal, act IV, scene two and three.

Come on, all of you.

- We'll there's not much point in tunnelling

this morning, sir.

There's bound to be a search for Coutoules.

- No, I don't think so.

It's my bet the Eyeties have moved him on

to another camp.

- Why should they do that, sir?

- Because the moment we cottoned on to him

he's no more damn use to them.

- Well then we can get cracking as usual.

- I reckon so.

They're not going to tear the place apart

pretending to look for one of their own people.

As far as Coutoules is concerned, we were dead right.

Even Colonel Huxley'll have to admit that now.

- Right.

- Coutoules isn't in his room.

His bed hasn't been slept in.

- Okay.

- There are six or seven bags of sand still down there

from the last shift.

We better get them out before digging starts.

Right.

- Why did God make sand so heavy?

- Right.

- Attention.

- Dracula and company heading this way.

Whereabouts?

- Crossing the compound.

- Keep an eye on him.

All right, no panic, chaps,

we've got time to get this lot out.

Off you go, you two.

- About turn you, quick march.

- This the lot?

Yes.

What's the trouble?

- Oh, everything under control.

All right, look out I'm coming on.

Surface, Roger, surface!

- Stop it, what's the matter? - Come up!

- Anything wrong?

- There's been a fall.

- Oh.

- It's not just an ordinary fall, there's someone under it.

- There can't be.

- It's Coutoules.

He's dead.

- Pierre, find Baird and Doc Simmons.

Get them here as fast as you can.

- All right.

Tim.

Any sign of Dracula?

- All's well.

He's watching the keep-fit types.

- Class!

On the feet.

Up!

As Italians,

advance!

Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.

- How's it going?

Can't see a thing.

- Well can't you give him a hand?

Use your loaf!

How'd you think the two of us

can work down here at the same time?

- I thought you were having that bird

for your birthday, Gibbs?

- I've changed my mind, she's reprieved.

Until Christmas.

- Well it won't do, you know?

They're turning the place into a farmyard.

Odd sort of pong.

- Lt isn't the duck.

- No, it isn't the duck, it's more like,

stale spaghetti.

- With a touch of garlic perhaps?

- Let's get upwind.

- All right, Tony's coming now.

Stand by to give us a hand.

Come on boys.

Under the arm.

Under the arms.

- Is he dead, Doc?

He's dead.

- That's great.

Colonel Huxley just asked me to find him.

All right, get the stove down quick

and get tidied up in here.

You two go and change.

How did it happen?

- Well, Tony found him, sir.

There was a partial fall, and he was under it.

- It sounds pretty improbable

but we'll go into that one later.

We'd got to get Coutoules out of this hut

and as far away from the tunnel as possible.

And Benucci's in the camp.

How the heck are we going to do that?

- Well, we could stage a riot.

- I've got an idea.

Where is Benucci?

- He's just gone to the S.B.O.'s hut, sir.

- Good.

Chase after that PT mob and get a hold of Robson.

Tell him I want him here at once.

- Right, sir.

- Tell him I want them all.

Right.

- Naturally, Colonel, what happened yesterday

is deeply regretted.

That Captain Lester, a hero, should die in such-

- Captain Lester wasn't a hero

and he didn't just die.

You murdered him.

I've already made a protest to your Commandant

and I shall report the facts to the Protecting Power

at the earliest opportunity.

- I also have made my report, Colonel.

Captain Lester was unfortunately killed

while attempting to escape.

If another similar incident should occur,

no one will regret it more than myself.

- You'll regret it, all right,

when the Allies take over this camp.

- I'm afraid I have some disagreeable news.

Yesterday's mail from England.

Due to a careless accident,

most of it, practically all of it

was destroyed by a fire.

- Again?

- Unfortunately, yes.

I know how much your officers look forward

to news from home.

These few are the lucky ones.

Colonel, it is reported to me

that Lieutenant Coutoules is sick.

Not a serious complaint, I hope.

- No, I don't think so.

- Then I shall expect to see him at roll call this evening?

- Who calls on Hamlet?

Ah, here they come.

I don't know which I loath more,

rugger hearties like Robson

or cloak and dagger types like Bunter and his lot.

- Okay, Bunter.

- PT class coming, sir.

- Right.

Now I want you to go straight to Colonel Huxley

and ask him to come to the washroom in Hut A.

Tell him it's important.

- Got him?

Yeah.

- Robson, take your main down the corridor a wee way.

Come on, right, Bunter.

Right.

- Robson, make for the washroom in Hut A.

Don't go direct.

Hamlet, my lord Hamlet.

What noise is this?

Who calls on Hamlet?

Ah, here they come.

- What have you done my lord, with the dead body?

- Compounded it with dust, where to tis kin.

- Tell us where tis, that we may take it thence.

- No, no, no listen, it isn't what have you done, my lord

with the dead body, it's what have you done, my lord

with the dead body.

Oafs and peasants!

They've got the whole bloody camp to play games in,

why do they have to come and tread on us?

- What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

- No, no, no, it's what have you done my lord

with the dead body.

- Put him down there on the table.

- Colonel Huxley.

- Look at his hand, sir.

He's torn one fingernail right off

and three others nearly off.

- Yes.

Tried to claw his way out.

How long's he been dead?

- Since 12 hours, 10 more likely.

- That'd make it about midnight last night.

Well leaving aside the question of how he got

into the tunnel,

how did he get into Hut C after lockup?

Unless of course there's been a conspiracy

of silence in Hut C.

- Well the fact is he did get into the hut

or he couldn't have got into the tunnel.

- We'll obviously we must report this

to the Italians at once.

- Report it aye, but do you have to tell them

where you found him?

- Yes, of course we do.

Their doctors will prove he died

under a fall of sand.

That means only one thing, a tunnel.

- Well just for the record, if you tell the truth

you'll be making them a present

of the only tunnel in this camp with a real chance.

- What alternative do you suggest?

- Put him in another tunnel, an abandoned one

and then report it.

- You mean fake a fall in another tunnel?

- Well, it happens easily enough by accident.

It shouldn't be difficult to do it on purpose.

- That might not be the end of the matter, you realise that?

- Well I'm still for it.

- All right, who will do it?

I will, sir.

- Well the less I know about it, the better.

Though just as a matter of interest,

might I be allowed to know where this

abandoned tunnel starts?

- You tell me, Colonel

that these diggers, these nameless diggers

come to you this morning

and tell you, andante,

and tell you that Lieutenant Coutoules

was the last man in the tunnel last night

and must have been pinned down by a fall of sand

unknown to his friends.

- That's right.

- And you say that the Greek died in the tunnel.

But you do not know who was with him.

- I didn't say I didn't know.

I said I wasn't going to tell you.

- There is another point, Colonel

that I do not understand.

Why is it you who reports this unfortunate happening

and not your Commandante Colonel Huxley?

- You know damn well I'm in charge

of all escaping activities in this camp.

If you wanna make anything of it, go right ahead.

- It is not I, Colonel, who will want

to make something of it.

A man has been killed.

- What do you mean been killed?

- Being killed, died, what is the difference to him?

He is dead.

And you, by your own admission are the murderer.

- Watch what you're saying, Benucci, I warn you.

- You admit you are the organiser

of these childish enterprises.

You encourage men to risk their lives

in underground burrows,

in suicidal attempts to climb the wire,

and in childish impersonations like yesterday.

If they fail as they must, and men get killed,

then you are responsible.

- I accept that responsibility.

- Lieutenant Coutoules.

He was a member of this tunnel digging gang?

- He was, aye.

- Curious.

From what I observed,

I would not have thought that he was the type.

You surprise me.

- Well life is full of surprises.

You want me anymore?

- Not at the moment, thank you, Colonel.

Now, this is a matter for criminal procedure.

No, no, no, no!

- Oh, do stop shouting.

We aren't at La Scala now, you know?

It is not permitted!

- Ah, please be quiet.

I've given you a lovely set of prints.

What more do you want?

- With the fingers!

It is not permitted wearing the gloves!

- We happen to be English.

We like to keep our hands clean.

- Here, here! - Yeah!

- Oh, silencio!

- Well then just this once.

But any more of this girlish hysterics

and it's back to Gilbert and Sullivan for you.

Santa Maria!

Ooh!

- Poor old Rigoletto.

I almost feel sorry for him.

- Don't offer us any of that, will you.

- What do you mean, I paid through the nose for this.

Five cigarettes and a tablet of soap.

- We can see you're out of soap.

What size gloves do you take?

- Size gloves, I haven't the faintest, why?

Oh no, definitely no.

- You have got big hands though, haven't you?

- What do you mean I've got big hands?

- Don't you think it's rather big, Roger?

- Pretty normal to me.

- Really?

Does that look normal to you?

- It certainly does.

- Are you sure?

- Of course I'm sure.

- Okay, then hang on to this.

- Ay!

- Blast.

- Well?

- Oh, sorry I'm not with you.

- I said who did kill Coutoules?

- Well, don't look at me, I didn't.

- How the hell did he get into the tunnel anyway?

- Well he didn't just walk there

of his own free will,

lift up the stove, jump down,

cover himself with sand, that's for sure.

- As I understand it, it takes four men to raise the trap.

Coutoules could have been killed by one man

but at least three others must have helped

to put him there.

Threats have been made by Hut C, I know.

- There's no lack of suspects.

Enough people wanted to bump him off, including me.

- The Italians have got me worried.

Normally when they find a tunnel,

we have a strafe and that's that.

But now it's photographers and fingerprints

and the rest, why?

- Maybe they wanted to arrest the duck.

- Obviously I'm wasting my time and yours.

- Well, I'm sorry but I just can't see

that it matters a damn how Coutoules died

or who killed him.

He was a stool pigeon

and he had it coming to him anyway.

What do you want me to do about it, cry?

- No, I want you and the Escape Committee

to find out how Coutoules died

and who was responsible for his death.

- Maybe it was me and the Escape Committee.

- I haven't overlooked that possibility.

- Bloody old woman!

Was he talking to me?

Could be, it fits.

You interested in rugger?

Not in the least.

- Then why are we facing this way, clot?!

Never could see the sense of trying to kick a ball

between two posts.

- I quite agree.

- Only one use for posts like that.

- Not until we've found that cable.

- Well couldn't that sapper fellow help us?

- Might do.

There he is, why don't you ask him?

What's the fellow's name?

I never could remember it.

Meynell.

- Oh yes.

Hey Meynell, come here!

Meynell.

Who's your best friend?

- My best friend, Marquand?

Well, I live in Croydon.

- In the camp, Mr. Stinks.

You must get him to tell you,

you've gone off, you know.

- Oh, oh best friend!

I see what you mean.

Sorry, but I've just been down the sewers.

- Down the?

You a plumber or something?

- A plumber?

No, I'm an income tax inspector.

But I'd rather you didn't spread it around.

Sewers and drains are just a hobby of mine.

If I may make so bold,

and if I do say so myself,

there's very little leaves this camp

without my knowing about it.

Fascinating things they are, really, you know.

Why you know, in the main sewer here,

I can go practically anywhere under the camp.

I push myself along on a rubber mattress.

- Are you pulling my leg?

- Pulling your leg, Marquand?

Why on earth would I want to do that?

- Tell him.

- Well, we thought you might be able to help us.

Keep it to yourself, but we've got a scheme

for getting out over the wire.

It all depends on being able to fuse the power cable.

We think we can fix the overhead one

but we reckon there's another emergency one somewhere

if we'll only find it.

- There probably is.

Although I haven't seen one.

I don't like to boast but

if I do say so myself,

there's very little wiring in this camp.

- Yes, well I don't wanna keep you, thanks very much.

If you have any luck, let us know.

- Oh 1 will.

It'll be a pleasure.

- On a rubber mattress.

Like punting on the Thames.

Charming.

- What are they grabbing Byfold for?

- Murder.

- And who says it's murder?

- The facts say so, Captain Byfold.

A perfect match, are they not?

The lower set of prints were found on this

piece of wood.

- And whose are they?

- Well now, I wonder if you can guess.

In the opinion of our doctor,

death took place the night before the discovery.

He also states that there is evidence

of a struggle prior to death

and that the body was moved after death.

Obviously therefore, this whole story

of a tunnel collapse can be dismissed

as a complete,

- Get out of my way.

I demand to know why Captain Byfold

was arrested without reference to me!

On whose authority and on what charge?

- The charge is a very serious one, Colonel.

- I wasn't addressing you!

On whose authority was this officer arrested?

- Prego, prego, Colonel. - No, no, no.

- He was brought here on my orders for questioning.

- What do you mean questioning?

Questioning about what?

- About the murder of Lieutenant Coutoules.

- Captain Byfold had nothing whatever to do

with the death of Lieutenant Coutoules.

- No?

I, we think that he did.

- On what evidence?

- This piece of wood was used

for starting the fall of earth over the body.

There are fingerprints on it.

They are Captain Byfold's fingerprints.

It's all there.

- If any charge is to be made against Captain Byfold,

I insist that it's done by the civil authorities.

- Naturally, Colonel.

The evidence will be sent to the state prosecutor.

And if it is decided to bring a charge,

Captain Byfold will stand trial in a civil court.

I expect to receive my instructions

within a week at the most.

- Meanwhile, he must be allowed to return to his quarters.

- Certainly, that was my intention.

You see, Colonel Huxley,

although it is very clear to me

that Captain Byfold is implicated,

this crime could not have been committed

by one man alone.

It would be a very grave injustice, were it not,

for you to allow one man to pay the penalty

for a crime committed by others.

- Well.

- My, our suggestion is that you put the facts

before your men.

Appeal to their sense of honour.

I'm sure you will find that the culprits will come forward.

- Thank you very much for your help, sir.

- There's nothing to thank me for.

You're not out of the woods yet,

not by a long shot.

All right.

Blast Baird and his damn tunnels.

This is beginning to look a bit ugly.

Round up the Hut Commanders, Pat.

I want to see them in my hut as soon as possible.

- Right, sir.

- Hello, weren't you gonna be shot or something?

- They postponed it.

- Oh, good.

Still, if they change their minds again,

you might let me have any gash vino tickets

you happen to have left?

I'm running a bit short.

- That's a promise, Dopey.

I'll mention it in my will.

- I thought something like this might happen.

And now it has.

If the real culprits don't come forward

or we can't find out who they are,

the Italians intend to make Byfold a scapegoat.

- If the Eyeties are so sure they got something on Byfold,

why did they let him back in the camp?

- Because this way, Benucci can sit back

and watch us fight amongst ourselves.

Well that's the situation, gentlemen.

Pass on what I've told you to your huts.

Remember, we haven't got much time.

Right, gentlemen.

Baird, if we don't get to the bottom of this

and Byfold is charged with murder,

I shall have to tell the Italians all we know.

- What good will that do?

You'll tell him we didn't find Coutoules in this tunnel,

we found him in that one.

He's still dead, isn't he?

- True.

But at least it'll explain why Byfold's fingerprints

were on that bit of wood.

I can only hope they'll believe me.

- They won't.

Unless it suits them.

And you'll have made them a present

of the only tunnel with a real chance.

- Yes, you told me that much before.

Just for the record, wasn't it?

Well this is for the record too.

I don't intend to let Byfold die

as long as there's the slightest chance of saving him.

Even if it does mean giving away your tunnel.

- The fact is that Colonel Huxley thinks

that you people of this hut must have had a hand in it.

- Why, sir?

- 'Cause you're the only ones

that could have opened up the tunnel.

- How the hell does Colonel Huxley think

we got Coutoules out of his hut, across the compound,

blazing with searchlights,

and into this hut after lockup?

- Oh, I know, I know, it's bloody impossible.

Does he have to play that thing?

- Pierre.

- Excuse moi.

- I'm not too late, am I, Bunter?

- No, bung them in.

Come on, Tony, come on.

Love and kisses, I've got to get it across tonight.

- How did it go this morning?

- Oh, not so bad sir.

We haven't cleared the fall yet.

But the problem now is getting rid of the sand.

- You'll have to find new places for it.

In mattresses, kitbags, up the roof, anywhere.

You'll have to eat it if necessary.

- Then you don't think we'll ever find out

how Coutoules died?

- It doesn't look like it, does it?

Nobody's come forward.

You can take it from me, Roger,

that your best chance is the tunnel

if we can finish it in time.

And I think we will.

Because from now on we're going to work an extra shift

from six till lockup, okay?

- Well supposing we do make it on time,

do you think Colonel Huxley would agree?

- He won't know about it.

- But I thought...

Didn't you tell us that in future, the S.B.O. had to approve

all attempts to escape?

- Did I?

Well you'd better forget it.

- Well none of us likes being here, you know,

you're not the only one.

But it's just no use letting it get you down.

I mean going on hunger strike isn't gonna help.

Just when you ought to be trying to put on some weight too.

Hey, watch out!

Come on, Bunter!

- Tony.

- Yeah?

- I think I'm onto something.

- What are you talking about?

- Look, keep walking.

Don't look up, but do you see that guard platform

ahead of us?

- Yeah?

- Well don't you get it?

That's the only platform with a clear view

of the S.B.00.'s hut and hut C.

- So”?

- Well, Coutoules was alive in the S.B.O.'s hut

at 10 o'clock.

At midnight, he died in our tunnel.

The guards up there that night between

10 and midnight must have seen something.

- Yes, you could be right.

- The thing is, to find out who they were.

That shouldn't be too difficult.

Look, I think I'll have a word with the Q.M.

The Eyeties are always scrounging around his stores.

Usually finds out most things.

I'll see you later.

- Okay.

- Spitting with rain.

- What are you talking about, you clot?

Let's see.

You're right, you know.

Typical British climate.

- What do you think, take a taxi?

- You know, you're out of your mind as usual.

You'll never get a taxi in weather like this.

The fools never stop.

No, we'll have to walk.

- Mustn't keep the girls waiting.

- I don't want any talk like that, you know.

If they can't wait, they get no lunch.

Now put your umbrella up and let's get cracking.

- You did say the Savoy, didn't you?

- Where else, you fool, come on.

Cross over here.

Mind the traffic.

- Tony.

I found out who they were.

- Yes?

- Biancelli, a carib,

and Marzotto, an ordinary soldato, scruffy little beast.

- They're all scruffy little beasts.

- We'll the Q.M.'s fixed for Marzotto

to meet us in the cookhouse just before lockup.

- When, this evening?

- Yes!

- Does this Marzotto speak English?

- Well I don't know, but you speak their lingo well enough.

- It's gonna cost a bit, isn't it?

- What does that matter if it takes the finger off Roger?

- Yes, of course,

but how can you trust these Eyeties?

They'll take your bribe,

and then what they'll tell you won't amount

to a row of beans.

- But it may do, Tony.

That's why I think it's worthwhile following up.

They must have seen something.

- Well if it's gonna help Roger, you can count me in.

- Fine, well we'll fix the details later.

I've just gotta pop over and see Baird

about that extra shift this evening.

We look as though we're doing a soft shoe shuffle.

- Might build up to a musical act,

give out with a smooth patter.

- Who is that lady I saw you with last night?

- That was no lady, that was a Gordon Highlander number 48!

Oh no, you don't, you bearded Picasso.

Go and find your own refuse dump.

You might sign the pledge while you're at it.

- Get knotted.

- What's he mean, do you suppose?

- I'll give you three guesses.

- Oh.

- Now these are the ramparts, there goes there.

Two archways, Rosencrantz and Gildernstern, you come there.

And I make my entrance down the centre of course.

Ah, a visitor.

Cloak and dagger complete.

To what do we owe this honour, gentle knight?

More trouble in the precious tunnel, perchance?

- Trouble?

No, I don't think so.

- Oh, how nice.

Then may I suggest you go and play in the bloody thing.

- What do you mean, Callender?

- You know exactly what I mean,

swaggering about the place playing cops and robbers.

The whole rest of the camp's heartily sick

of the lot of you.

- I'll take your word for that.

Oh, cut it out, you two.

- You'd be kicked out of any decent regiment.

- What's your regiment?

Catering Corps or ENSA?

- You tunnelers think that you're a race apart,

don't you? - Don't get so excited,

it's too hot.

- If you weren't a nuisance, you'd be a joke.

- You'll do yourself an injury, you know.

- But when it comes to murdering

a harmless little creature like Coutoules,

Get him off!

- Knock it off! - You can do it.

- Get off, get off. - Get off him!

For goodness sake!

- What's happened?

- Your pal Long just slugged one of the guards.

- Sloshed one of the guards?

- Of all the stupid idiots.

And I can't speak a word of Italian.

Capitan,

- Speak in English, someone might hear us.

- The usual method was too slow.

I had to get myself arrested.

- Good, you have some information.

- Marzotto has been bribed to meet Bunter Phillips

in the cookhouse this evening.

- Marzotto?

Marzotto?

- One of the guards in the tower

the night you dealt with Coutoules.

- Ah yes.

- Why did you kill him, anyway?

- Coutoules was a counter-espionage man

in the pay of the British.

He was on to you.

- He was, was he?

- Yes.

- Why put him in the tunnel?

Why add to the drama?

- I like drama.

- I was taught never to elaborate.

It can be dangerous.

- Well, I shall have to disappoint

Captain Phillips this evening, shall I not?

You must spend a night in a cell, I'm afraid.

Also, we shall have to beat you up a little.

It would never do for anyone to think

that we were friends.

- Parade, parade shun!

Dismissed!

Presentate!

- Buona Sera.

Blast.

- Good evening, Captain Phillips.

What are you cooking now?

But you are taking a risk, are you not,

being out so late?

I think I better escort you back to your hut.

Oh yes, of course.

Soldato Marzotto.

No, I'm afraid he will not be able

to keep his appointment with you.

You see, he had an accident this evening, poor fellow.

Cleaning his rifle.

Prego.

- Thomas?

Yes.

- Unwin?

Yes.

- Verity?

Yes.

- Parade!

- Ward?

- All right, fall in, Long.

- Warrington?

Yes.

Wilmott?

Yes.

Dessin?

Oui.

Le Clerc?

Oui.

- You may dismiss, Colonel.

- Dismiss them, Captain Foster.

- Parade!

Parade, shun!

Dismiss!

- How was it?

- Not bad, too many foreigners though.

- Certainly messed you up a bit.

- Never hit a policeman, they can't lose.

- I say Long, I'm very sorry about what happened.

It was my fault really.

- That's all right, I just lost my temper.

It was damned silly of me.

- No hard feelings, yeah?

- Of course not.

- Good.

- Well we better get on with it, hadn't we?

- Yeah, right.

- What happened with Marzotto?

- Oh, nothing, he didn't show up.

Benucci came instead.

- See, you can't trust them an inch.

Got cold feet and squealed.

- Yeah, that's about it.

Oh look, before I forget.

- Ah, thanks, the faithful female.

Never misses, bless her heart.

- Well you write enough to her.

I wish I heard as often from Jane.

Well, do you feel like doing a bit of work?

- On the tunnel? - Yeah.

- Sure.

- Okay, Pierre?

How is it?

- Well, the air's a bit foul.

But the going's pretty easy up at the fall.

- Good.

You coming, Tony?

- You know, if you don't feel up to it, Tony,

I'm sure O'Brien here would,

- Well yeah, sure. - No, no,

I'm all right, I'll go down.

- Poor old Tony's more shaken up than he cares to admit.

- Yeah.

I daresay old Benucci gave him a pretty rough time.

Old Tony never says much.

All right, Tony?

Yeah.

- Okay.

- All right.

- Lie down, Polonius, you're supposed to be dead.

Do you see nothing there?

- Nothing at all.

Yet all that is I see.

- Nor do you nothing hear?

- No, nothing but ourselves.

- There, all right, ghost, now you come up.

Hey, look you there.

Look how it steals away.

My father in his habit as he lived!

Look where he goes, even now, out at the portals.

Oh, all right, all right, why bother?

Amateur night in the church hall,

that's all it'll be.

Where'd they put it all?

- What?

- Sand.

- They put it in our tunnel, of course.

- Hmm?

What cheek.

You mean to say they're digging sand out of their tunnel

and putting it into ours?

How many more do we need, partner?

We need the lot.

But you won't make them.

Hah, Trump!

- That's not a trump.

- Jack of hearts, of course it's a trump.

- Look, for the last time,

I know that jack of hearts looks like a jack of hearts

but actually isn't the jack of hearts,

it's the three of clubs!

- Oh I thought the other jack of hearts

was the three of clubs.

- No, the jack of hearts is the nine of diamonds.

- Oh, well it makes no odds.

You can't follow in clubs anyway

so that gives us game and rubber.

Popular win, partner.

You know you two are in for a pretty thin time

after the war.

How much is that they owe us to date?

- About 27,000 pounds.

- Put it down to my mother's account at Harrod's.

- What's the latest on the Byfold situation?

- Nothing, apparently.

He must be wondering who his friends are by now.

- Charming, if they're gonna let him take

the rap for it alone.

- Oh, they wouldn't let him do that.

- Don't you believe it.

I know these escaping types.

Everything's sacrificed to the cause.

- Doc, can you come at once, hut C?

- What's happened?

- There's been another fall in the tunnel.

- Who's under it?

- Bunter.

- How bad is it?

All the sides gave way.

I couldn't do anything.

- Who's with him now?

- Dessin.

The same place where we found Coutoules.

- Why did you leave him?

To get help.

- I think he's got him there now.

Dessin!

Push that loop around his shoulders!

You reached him yet?

That's it.

Right!

Up! - Pull up now.

Up!

Careful now.

- Easy there, easy.

That's it.

- Well done, Dessin.

Okay chaps, you can clear out now.

He broken any bones, Doc?

- No, I don't think so.

He's breathing, he'll live.

- You can't move him.

It's all right.

Take it easy, Bunter.

- So it's not true, Tony.

You can't move them, you can't move your hands at all.

- You'd better get cleaned up.

We'll see to the mess.

You too, Dessin.

- Poor old Tony, he's a bit shaken too.

- Aye.

Dessin?

- Oui?

- How bad is it, the fall?

- Bad.

It will take days.

Days?

- Oh, don't worry, we'll sort something out.

- Sure.

- We'll get you out of this camp, Roger,

even if we have to fire you from a cannon.

- Oh, thanks.

We're running a bit short on cannon though, aren't we?

- Well we better get cleared up here.

What was it Bunter was mumbling about?

- Oh, something about his hands.

What something about his hands.

- What, no digging?

- No, we've had another fall.

- Fall?

A bad one?

- I'm afraid so.

- How very depressing.

We gotta face it, you know.

They won't get Byfold out in time now.

- Yeah I'm afraid you're right.

But of course, Benucci might be bluffing.

- No, he's not bluffing.

- Ah, Marquand.

I was waiting for you.

You busy?

- Well I am, but he's not.

- But it's about that emergency cable.

- Ohitis? - Yes.

- Well let's get in the fresh air, quick.

- How are you feeling?

- Well, fine.

- Good.

What about the mail, shall I take it across?

It's getting near lockup.

- No, it's Sunday, isn't it?

No, it'll be okay in the morning,

I'll take it over before roll call.

- You were burbling something about your hands

when you came around, Bunter.

- Oh, was I?

- Yes.

What did you mean?

- I haven't a clue.

Must have been some sort of dream.

- Ah, just as I pictured it.

Bunter hall ablaze with jolly smiling faces.

How's this fat tunnelling fool?

Putting away the chocolate as ever was I see.

Fat as butter, you'll get.

No good, you know.

- This a social visit?

- Well, well.

We're here looking lovely.

No need to worry about the old tunnel, you know.

Got to press on.

Your Uncle Marquand's the one to tell you how to do it.

Mr. Stinks here has supplied us with the answer.

Well go on, you smelly object,

tell them all about it.

- Well, Marquand and Piker had a scheme some time ago

to get out over the wire.

The idea was to cut the overhead power cable,

thus fusing all the lights

and enabling them to work in darkness

and comparative safety.

However, this scheme was never allowed to materialise,

- They're going to sleep, you know.

Get it out, can't you.

- Yes.

The Escape Committee could never be sure

that the power cable would fuse all the lights.

It seemed highly probably that our captors

would have taken the precaution

of installing a secondary and alternative cable.

Well, all efforts to trace such a cable, having failed,

the scheme was temporarily held in abeyance.

Well, gentlemen, I spend a great deal of my time

exploring the underground waterworks of this establishment.

- Grand Order of the Sewer Rats, First Class.

- Thank you.

Well I don't wish to boast, but

if I do say so myself,

there's very little leaves this camp without my-

- Let's not go into that again.

Get on with it, can't you?

- Yes.

Well if I might make so bold,

it gives me very great pleasure

to be able to tell you-

- The fool means he's found it.

- What, the actual cable?

None other.

- Well then if you cut both cables at the vital moment,

the scheme could still work.

Full marks.

- When are you aiming to try this?

- Well both Piker and I thought we'd rather

overstayed our welcome.

Byfold too would appreciate the change of scenery.

- Do you mean you'd take Roger with you?

- Captain Byfold, I trust, will be our guest.

A few formalities, Baird's blessing,

and away we go tomorrow night.

- Clothes, documents, money and rations, all taken care of,

not to worry.

Now the lights.

First, the emergency cable at 11:10, right?

- Right, sir.

- Then you report back to Hut C corridor, right?

- Right, sir.

- Now until we know that you've cut the emergency cable,

we can't cut the main one.

That's gotta be done at 11:30 exactly.

Marquand tells me that the shears have been ready for weeks.

And they're insulated too.

So there's no risk.

But it's gotta be done from the roof of Hut C

and that needs an athletic type.

Robson's your man.

- Think he'll play, sir?

- Yeah, I'm certain.

- Well I hope so.

He won't like us borrowing the rugger posts.

Rugger post, what for?

- To make a ladder, you fat fool.

Do you want me to prick myself on the wire?

- But if you take the rugger posts away,

won't the Eyeties wanna know what's going on?

- Why, need repainting, don't they?

We take them down after tea, start painting them

outside Hut C,

carry them into the hut at lockup

to finish painting them overnight.

But we make a ladder instead, simple.

- Ah, it sounds simple the way you put it.

But still it's a grand scheme all the same.

Is there anything else you want?

- The only thing we haven't got is a diversion.

- What sort of diversion do you want?

- Well, what we want when the lights go off

is a fire or something this side of the compound

away from Hut C.

- I'll get you your diversion all right,

I promise you that.

- You know, every time I look at that damn gate

I expect Benucci to come in and take Byfold away.

- Still no clue, sir?

- Not a thing.

♪ Yo heave ho ♪

- Now there, what are they doing

with the rugger post?

Oh, they want to repaint them.

The Q.M. gave me a chit to sign

for some paint and brushes.

- That's funny.

Didn't know Marquand was keen on rugger.

♪ Yo heave ho ♪

♪ Yo heave ho ♪

You're a very naughty little sentry.

I believe you did that on purpose.

After you, Claude.

- After you, Cecil.

Didn't you just say something

about taking the mail over?

- Oh lord, yes.

For Pete's sake, they'll hear you in Rome!

It's finished now.

Okay.

- What time do you make it now?

- You just asked me.

- Did I?

- 11:23.

- Meynell's taking a long time, isn't he?

- He'll make it.

- When's Robson due to cut the-

- Take it easy.

11:30, exactly.

Here, relax.

- It's yours now.

Make sure you're down to scratch

next time we meet.

- Fat chance.

Thanks.

Come on Tony, let's get blacked up.

- Pretty as a picture.

- What are you supposed to be,

an Italian Grenadier Guard?

- Oh.

Well, let's look at you, hmm.

Almost like an Italian peasant, you know?

- I'm not meant to,

it says commercial traveller in my papers.

- Commercial traveller?

- Yeah.

- Oh.

Well I hope you're ready with some Italian dirty jokes.

- Six minutes to go.

- Well, I hope the insulation on these things

has been properly taken care of.

I don't fancy going up in a blue flash.

- For us, my dear fellow.

It'd be rather spectacular.

Any sign of Mr. Stinks?

- Douse the lights.

- Well, how was it?

- Exhilarating.

- Fool, did you cut it?

- Of course I cut it 20 minutes ago.

- Clever old sewer rat.

Stand by.

- Well it's up to Robson now.

- Come on, Marquand.

- All right, get ready.

- Fire!

Fire, fire, fire!

Fire!

- He's done it!

Door Dopey, lead on, Macduff!

- And I've told you I was to be informed

about any attempted escape before it took place.

You deliberately disobeyed my orders

and now three men are dead.

- And you blame me for that?

- Certainly I do.

And I'd have you court-martialled tomorrow

if we weren't prisoners of war here

and shut up in this place.

- But we are prisoners of war

and we are shut up in this place.

That's what you seem to forget!

I'm not a professional soldier like you.

I'm in for the duration and not a minute longer.

And I wasn't gonna stand by and watch you

hand Byfold over to the Italians to be shot.

- All right, I'll forget that.

But he's been shot now, hasn't he?

Thanks to you.

- How the hell could I know they'd be waiting outside?

- I should have thought recent experiences

might have led you to expect it.

- I'll tell you, there's an informer in the camp,

that's what beats us every time, not the Eyeties.

- On the last occasion, Coutoules was the informer.

Who's it this time?

- How the devil should I know?

I tell you, that scheme was one hell of a good one.

I should know, I'm in charge of the Escape Committee.

- You mean you were in charge of the Escape Committee

but you're not any longer.

I'm taking over myself.

- That's the way it's going to be.

- That's exactly the way it's going to be.

Well now your room is burnt out,

where are you going to sleep?

- In Hut C, in Byfold's bed.

- Ah, Colonel Baird.

May I have a word with you as well?

The fire in your room, how did it start?

- I haven't the faintest idea.

- It was an accident, naturally.

- Naturally, like our letters from home, remember?

- Colonel, this attempted escape last night,

you knew of the plan, of course?

- No, I didn't.

- I am sorry, Colonel, I do not believe you.

- All right, you don't believe me.

- If you want any information about last night, Benucci,

I suggest you ask your informer.

- Informer?

- Aye, your informer.

Not only do you shoot men down in cold blood-

- Colonel, please.

What is this talk of an informer?

How can we help but know of your plans last night?

The childish pretences of your officers

inform on themselves.

- I don't get you.

- The football posts need repainting.

In Hut C, in the dark, with hammers?

No, Colonel, really.

And what did you expect when you cut the emergency cable

and my reading lamp went out?

That I should turn on my side and go to sleep?

An informer in this camp, Colonel,

would be how do you say,

surplus to requirements.

Oh, and Colonel, please,

will you ask Captain Phillips

not to try to bribe any more of my men?

I do not like it.

Although I do enjoy the English cigarettes.

- Oh villain, villain, smiling damned villain!

Get out of the way, ghost,

you're a bit complete.

My tables!

Meet it as I sat it down,

that one may smile,

- What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

What have you done, my lord, with the dead body?

So Uncle, there you are.

- There's quite a bit of loose stuff still to get back.

But now that we've broken through the fall

we can get up to the face and carry on working.

- It's not as bad as we thought?

- No.

And bunter says that the air down there

is less foul than he's ever known it.

I left him going up through to the face.

Oh.

- Swear.

- Well said, old mole.

Canst work in the earth so fast?

A worthy pioneer.

Once more remove, good friends.

Oh, day and night,

but this is wondrous strange.

And therefore, as a stranger,

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio

than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

- Then the Italians must have dug their shaft

down into our tunnel, dumped Coutoules,

and thrown sand back on top of them.

- So it was Benucci all the time.

- Well yes, that's what it looks like.

Although I still can't see how they got Coutoules

out of the S.B.O.'s hut.

- There's one way they could have done it.

The laundry van.

Remember, it was late that night.

- The laundry van, of course, that's it.

I didn't think anything of it at the time.

- Well, none of us did.

We were always looking for the murderer amongst ourselves.

Once you get the fact that Benucci did it,

then everything else fits in.

- Yes.

Except Coutoules' fingernails.

- What have they got to do with it?

- Well you know we all thought he tore them

trying to claw his way out?

But we were wrong.

If you're under a fall of sand,

you can't move anything, nothing at all,

not even your hands.

I found that out the other day.

- That could mean only one thing.

They tortured him to get him to talk.

- Exactly.

- Look, I can't do anything about this.

You get changed right away

and go see Colonel Huxley.

- Right.

- So Coutoules wasn't Benucci's man.

- No, sir.

- It's a relief to know there's no informant

in the camp after all.

Sounds as if some parcels have arrived from home.

As I was saying, some of us tend to underestimate

Benucci's intelligence, I think.

- According to the guards, the Allies

are going to announce an armistice with the Italians

at eight o'clock tomorrow evening.

What?

- And a German Staff car has just driven up

to Benucci's office and that can only mean one thing.

At one minute past eight,

the Germans will be taking over this camp.

Now what are you going to do?

Parade!

Parade, shun!

- Right, stand at ease, stand easy.

It's not a secret in the camp

that there's a rumour of a possible armistice

between the Allied Armies and Italy.

Now I know no more than you

whether there's any truth in this rumour or not.

However, I must tell you that I recently received

in the usual way a War Office instruction

that in the event of an armistice,

all prisoners of war are to remain where they are

until the arrival of the Allied Armies

or until further instructions are received.

Now I thought I better tell you this

in case any of you were under the impression

that the gates would be opened

and you'd be free to rejoin our own forces.

That's all, except I've been asked to remind you

that tomorrow afternoon at 1430 hours in the theatre hut

there'll be a performance of Hamlet.

All right, dismiss them, Colonel Foster.

- Parade!

Parade, shun!

Dismissed!

- Well, excuse me sir.

It's not tomorrow, it's on Friday.

- What is?

- Well our first performance of Hamlet.

You just announced it was tomorrow, sir.

- Oh, did I, I'm sorry.

Well I'll put that right out at roll call tomorrow morning,

how is that?

- Oh, thank you very much, sir.

- In all honesty, I don't know what else

he could have done.

- Well, if he wants to be carted off to Germany

tomorrow evening, I don't.

- It's not the S.B.O.'s fault, sir.

It's a War Office order.

- War Office order my foot.

What does he think we are?

What we ought to be doing now is sitting down

and working out how and when we're gonna get out

of this place, even if we have to rush the wire.

- Rush the wire?

- Certainly.

Even if only 50 % of us get through

it'll be worthwhile.

- Colonel Huxley wants to see you in room five,

Hut E at once, sir.

- Hut E?

Why?

- Colonel Huxley will tell you that, sir.

He wants both of you too.

Come on, just as you are.

- Tell him I'll be there.

- Very good, sir.

- Sir.

- Sir.

- Everybody here now, Pat?

- I think so, sir,

all except Colonel Baird.

- Oh, you told him though?

- Yes sir, he said he'd be along.

- I see.

Lookouts posted?

- Outside the hut and I'll be outside this door.

- Good.

Now we haven't very much time before lockup

so I want you to listen carefully.

And no notes.

I expect you're all a bit shaken

by what I told you at roll call just now.

However I believe that War Office instruction was issued

without proper knowledge of our particular situation here

so I intend to ignore it.

Colonel, how long would it take you

to break out of the tunnel in Hut C?

- Four hours maybe.

Six at the outside.

- So it could be finished tonight

and come out down the slope out of sight

of the guards?

- Could be, yeah.

But haven't you forgotten something?

The Italians know all about the tunnel.

- They've known for weeks, probably months.

But they've made no attempt to stop us, why?

Now I know that some of you think

that Benucci lets us get on with it

because in that way he knows exactly what we're doing

and can step in and stop us anytime he likes.

Well personally, I don't believe that Benucci

ever had any intention of stopping us

now or any other time.

- You mean he'd let us carry on and break out?

That's crazy.

- It's not, you know.

Benucci's the original sadist.

Much worse, he's a Nazi trained killer

who enjoys killing for killing's sake.

Look what happened to Lester.

Look what happened last time

with the attempt over the wire.

He could easily have come into the camp after lights out,

come to Hut C, found the ladder and three men

dressed for escape, but no, no no.

He let them get over the wire and then mowed them down

attempting to escape.

- Good god, you believe this and yet

you still suggest that men break out of the tunnel tonight?

If you're right, Benucci would have machine guns

and search lights covering the exit

all through the night.

- Night, yes.

But who said anything about tonight?

My plan is to evacuate the whole camp tomorrow by day.

- 400 men in broad daylight?

- Why not?

- Why not?

Who's ever heard of a mass escape in the daytime?

- Well, no one I hope.

That's exactly why we're going to do it.

If it hadn't occurred to you

then I don't think it'll occur to Benucci either.

- Ah, it won't work, I tell you.

Even if the guards are blind,

400 men can't go to Hut C and never come out again.

- You'd forgotten that Benucci very thoughtfully

provided us with a second entrance to the tunnel.

The shaft in the theatre hut.

I'm going to take over your tunnel.

In the circumstances I've no alternative.

I hope you understand.

- Of course, sir.

- Now this is the plan.

Whether Callender and his troupe are ready or not,

we're having a performance of Hamlet tomorrow afternoon.

Hut C will complete the tunnel tonight,

under the supervision of Colonel Baird.

Now the theatre hut won't be available

until immediately after lunch.

So it means using Hut C kitchen entrance only

from immediately after roll call until two o'clock.

Then we close that up for good.

Immediately the performance starts at 1430 hours,

we start getting the audience out

by the shaft under the stage.

Any questions so far?

Next, for obvious reasons

we can't set out a complete hut at a time.

So the camp will have to be divided

into serials Ato Y composed of a mixed bag

from all the huts.

How will they be chosen, sir?

- Well I think the fairest way is to draw for it.

Each Hut Commmander will organise

his own hut draw tonight, is that clear?

Yes, sir.

- Now then, the rear party, Serial Z.

First there's myself, Colonel Baird

and Captain Foster.

And then the actors in the play.

Oh I should like you to stay, Doc

until near the end in case of casualties.

- Yes, sir, of course.

- Now, dress.

Each Hut Commander will inspect every man in his hut tonight

dressed in the actual kit he proposes to go out in.

There's bound to be somebody who wants

to take the kitchen stove with him.

Finally, behaviour.

I don't have to stress that everything

that happens in the camp tomorrow

must look perfectly natural to the Italians.

At all costs, we must prevent the camp

from looking empty.

Keep out of the huts.

Organise games, lectures, anything you like outside

but make it real.

The last serials will have the hardest job.

They'll have to show themselves all over the place

like a stage army.

Any questions?

- Dress outside, sir,

I mean if we do get out.

Should we try and change into other clothes if we can?

- I'm not going to lay down any rules about that.

It'll be a case of every man for himself.

- Letters, sir.

There's a collection first thing tomorrow morning.

- We'll certainly send off letters,

but just the average amount from each hut.

We don't want everybody sending off a last letter

or anything like that.

Anything else?

The time is 8:22.

Now.

Tell no one anything until after lockup.

Then waste no time.

Well, that's all, good luck.

Good night, sir.

- Good night.

- Good night, sir. - Good night.

Good night, sir.

- Night. - Good night, sir.

- Night, sir.

- Good night, Doc.

- I'd like to volunteer for the rear party, sir.

- Oh, why Long?

- Well supposing there's another fall

or someone passes out?

I've had a lot of experience with this tunnel.

I could be useful.

- Yes, you could indeed.

- May I volunteer too, sir?

Long and I have always worked together,

haven't we, Tony?

Might as well see it through to the end.

- Well, you two certainly know more about the tunnel

than anyone else, thanks so much.

Good night. - Good night.

- Good night, sir.

- How did you think it up?

It really is something.

- Thanks.

But I've had a bit of practise.

I was a prisoner in the last war in Germany.

- You were?

- Yeah.

- But did you escape?

- Yes, I was lucky, I crossed into Holland.

- You never told me.

- Didn't 1?

Perhaps you didn't ask me.

- No.

Well.

Well, all I wanna say is

we'll have that tunnel ready.

You can count on that.

- Thanks very much, David.

Good night.

- Good night.

- Here we are partner, see what you can do with that.

Our last evening of bridge here.

Pity really, don't you think?

- The whole thing's quite, quite preposterous.

We'll never get out.

Even if we do, we'll only be caught or shot or something.

To think all the months I've put into this show

and now the whole thing's gonna be prostituted!

I say, steady on.

- Well it's the only word for it.

I'm not gonna do it.

I'm gonna go and see Huxley in the morning.

Well he can't make me act.

Nor can anyone else.

- Thank you.

- Think I can take her with me?

- What are her measurements?

- 41,23,38.

- No.

You'd never get her through the tunnel.

- You put on a bit of weight, haven't you, Dopey?

You'll have to find a better place for it

than that, chum.

- Okay, we're doing fine.

Your shift, Tony.

- I'm ready.

Pierre?

Oui.

- What do you bet we're through this shift?

- You damn well better be.

- You awake, sir?

- Mhmm.

Is it time for the next shift already?

- No, not yet.

There something I want to tell you.

- What's that?

- Well.

You know we used to think there was an informer in the camp.

- Aye?

- I believe there still may be one.

- What are you driving at?

- Something's gone wrong every time.

This time we ought to be certain.

We damn well must be certain.

- You bet we must!

- Well.

Remember the evening I arranged to meet Marzotto

in the cookhouse?

And Benucci turned up instead.

- Yes.

Well, somebody must have tipped Benucci off.

Marzotto, obviously.

- Well, maybe.

But he never turned down the chance of a bribe before.

Yeah.

Did anyone else know that you were meeting him?

- Only one other person, sir.

Tony Long.

If you remember, that was the day he was arrested.

- For hitting a guard.

And he was taken to Benucci.

- Exactly.

Immediately after I told him

that the meeting was arranged for that evening.

- Oh, but Bunter, that could be just a coincidence.

What about all the other times?

Dickie Lester for example.

How did he manage there?

Carrier pigeon or something?

- No, sir.

By letter.

He writes an incredible number of letters

to that girlfriend of his.

And the Eyeties censor every letter

that leaves the camp.

Why shouldn't he get through to Benucci that way?

- He wrote a letter tonight, didn't he?

- Yes, sir, it's in the mail bag.

- Give it here.

What's her name?

- Jill Newton.

- Here we are.

"Darling, things go on here very much the same as usual

"and the sun continues to shine.

"The immediate plan

"is to break out of the tunnel in Hut C

"starting tomorrow morning after roll call."

- Oh my god.

- It's all here.

The whole bloody plan.

- God, I feel sick.

- I'll take care of this.

There's no need for anybody else to know yet.

Not even Colonel Huxley.

Long doesn't suspect anything

but from now on, don't let him out of your sight.

Stick to him like a leech.

Here.

- We're through!

What did I tell you, I said we'd be through this shift.

- Well done!

You two have a breather.

Okay, Bunter.

I'll cope with the next shift.

You might as well stay here and get your head down.

I'll call you if I need you.

- This time tomorrow, we'll all be outside.

Presentate!

- Prego.

- Then do I take it sir,

that escaping activities have priority

over all other forms of entertainment?

- What do you think this place is?

A holiday camp?

Now you listen to me, Callender.

There's nothing glamorous about being a prisoner of war.

Most of the officers here, including me and you too

are only alive today and prisoners of war

because we surrendered or somebody senior

put their hands up for us.

Maybe it wasn't our fault.

But it's nothing to be proud of just the same,

far from it.

Obviously I can't force you to perform this play

well this afternoon.

But perform it you will, whether you like it or not.

That's all.

Thank you, sir.

- How's it going, Tony?

- All ready, sir.

Right, one at a time, but keep it moving.

- Watch the sides.

Keep your head and your bottom down.

- Hey, last time I did anything like this,

her father spotted me.

- Well, so much for modern art.

Personally I don't care for it very much

but then I'm pure Renaissance.

However, to get back to the point,

Serial B for Botticelli had better slope off.

And the best of British luck.

- Now, if the rest of you gentlemen care to bear with me,

I'll put you in the picture of our Old Masters.

And if I have to keep this up much longer,

we'll probably include Old Mistresses too.

- Watch the sides.

Keep your head and your bottom down.

Here he is now.

Now what have we got here?

- Well, that's it, 192.

Nice work, old girl.

Ooh, blast it!

- I'd like to hear what Benucci will say

when he finds out he's made us a present

of the shaft in the Theatre hut.

Come on, let's get over there.

- I'll see you later.

I've got something to do that nobody else can do for me.

- Oh, me too.

I'll go with you.

- Why tis a loving and a fair reply.

Be as ourselves in Denmark.

Madam, come.

This gentle and unforced accord of Hamlet

sits smiling to my heart

in grace whereof no jocund health that Denmark drinks today

but the great cannon to the clouds shall tell.

And the king's rouse the heavens shall bruit again

respeaking earthly thunder.

Come, away.

Oh, that this too, too solid flesh would melt,

thaw and resolve itself into a dew,

or that the everlasting had not fixed his cannon

'gainst self-slaughter.

- Well thank heavens he's dummy.

- Oh god, god, how weary,

stale, flat and unprofitable,

seem to me all the uses of this world.

Fio on't, ah fie!

Tis an unweeded garden grown to seed,

things rank and gross in nature possess it merely,

that it should come to this.

- For Pete's sake, be careful.

I don't want my leg broken now.

- The suspense is terrible.

Can't we go over to the Theatre hut?

- Not yet.

Better wait until the next interval

when they'll come out for some air.

Then we'll go back in with them.

- Serial M.

- All right boys.

Our turn now.

- Cannot you tell that?

Every fool can tell that.

It was the very day young Hamlet was born,

he that is mad and sent in to England.

Why England?

- Why, because he was mad.

He shall recover his wits there.

Or if he do not, it's no great matter there.

- Why, pray?

Twill not be seen in him there.

There the men be as mad as he.

How came he mad?

Very strangely, they say.

How strangely?

Maybe with losing his wits.

Upon what ground?

Why, here in Denmark.

- I have been sexten-

- I have been sexten here, man and boy, 30 year.

How long will a man lie in the earth ere he rot?

- I'faith if he be not rotten before he die

as we have many pecky corses nowadays that will scarce

hold the laying-in,

he will last you some eight year or nine year.

- A tanner.

A tanner will last you nine years.

- Why he more than another?

- Why, because his hide is so tanned by his trade,

it will keep out water

a great while. - Shh, keep it down.

- And your water is a sad decayer

of your whoreson dead body.

Here is a skull now.

This skull has lain in the earth

three and 20 year.

Whose was it?

Whoreson mad fellow's it was.

- Au revoir, Pierre.

Whose you think it was?

- Nay, I know not.

Of that I shall have also cause to speak,

and from his mouth who's voice will draw no more.

- But let this same be presently performed

even while men's minds are wild.

Lest more mischance on plots and errors happen.

- Let four captains bear Hamlet like a soldier

to the stage.

For he was likely, he'd he been put on,

to have proved most royally.

And for his passage, the soldiers music

and the rites of war speak loudly for him.

Take up the bodies.

Such a sight as this becomes the field

but here shows much amiss.

Go, bid the soldiers shoot!

- Well, that's it, that's the end.

Well go on, clap, you.

- Bravo!

Bravo!

- What now, sir?

- Start again.

- Talk about nonstop revue, this is worse than the Windmill!

Who's there?

Nay, answer me!

Stand and unfold yourself.

Long live the king!

Bernardo?

He.

You come must carefully upon your hour.

- Tis now struck 12, get thee to bed, Francesco.

- For this relief, much thanks,

tis bitter cold and I am sick at heart.

- Have you had quiet guard?

- Sorry it spoilt the performance.

- Oh, that's all right, sir.

- All right, Tony, you're next.

No he's not, he's not going!

Eh?

- What the hell are you doing, Baird?

- You read this.

- I still think we should kill that bastard.

- No, I won't have it.

Gag him.

- Benucci!

- Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!

Bravo!