Original subtitles

Company...

Hut!

[Whistle blows]

Go left...March!

Go left. March!

[Whistle blows]

March!

Come on, number 4, step forward...

Detail!

Halt!

1, 2, 3, 4. 1--side left, boys.

Forward hut!

Come left.

Detail, halt!

Right! Left, right!

Right through!

Right face!

Recruit detail to be sworn in, sir.

Major Donovan,

recruit detail to be sworn in, sir.

You're about to take the oath of allegiance

to your country, to a regiment

that in hard battle on many fields

has earned the nickname the fighting 69th.

No man has ever let the regiment down.

Don't forget that.

Raise your right hands and uncover.

And repeat after me.

Take your hat off!

I...

I... I...

I...

Say your names.

[All speaking at once]

Vincent McManus.

Do solemnly swear...

Do solemnly swear...

To bear true faith and allegiance...

To bear true faith and allegiance...

To the United States of America.

To the United States of America.

That I'll serve them honestly and faithfully...

That I'll serve them honestly and faithfully...

Against all their enemies,

whomsoever...

Against all their enemies, whomsoever...

Whomsoever.

And I will obey the orders...

And I will obey the orders...

Of the president of the United States...

Of the president of the United States...

And of the officers appointed over me...

And of the officers appointed over me...

According to the rules and articles of war.

According to the rules and articles of war.

So help me god.

So help me god.

All right, corporal.

Right face.

Forward hut!

Go right!

Can you read that?

I say, can you read that?

Only the letters. I don't know what it means.

Go on, read the letters.

"B" is for Brooklyn, "Y" is for Yonkers,

"Q" for Queens, "H" for Harlem,

and "X" marks the Bronx.

Come on. Get moving.

Open that shirt. Over there.

Breathe deeply.

I've been through all this before over in the armory.

What's the big idea?

Really? What's your name?

Plunkett. What's yours?

Put private Plunkett on report--

addressing medical officer as "hey, you,"

insubordination, "what's the big idea."

Yes, major.

Major?

You're in the army now. Stand up.

Breathe.

Ahem.

I'm sorry.

Roll your sleeves up. Way up.

Ouch!

A fine bunch of soldiers.

Can't even take a little pinprick.

It ain't that.

It's the serum that makes you keel over.

What are you trying to hand me?

Keep moving, fellas. Keep still, will you?

Just a little bayonet practice, Buddy.

Ouch!

No backbone?

Get off that table.

Does it hurt much, doc?

Not much.

Mr. doctor, please don't hurt me. Please.

Sir, I've already had these here shots.

Fine. You'll be twice as healthy.

I never saw such a mob in all my life.

Go ahead, admiral. Shoot the works.

Thanks.

Ho ho ho ho! Look at

four unions suits, wool, long.

Unions suits, wool, long.

T-shirts, O.D. 16.

I wear only 14.

They'll shrink. Britches, O.D. 42.

What do you mean, 42?

One hat.

What's the matter with you? I can't wear

these pants. They're 4 sizes too big.

Next.

Wait a minute, you!

Come on, here. Keep moving. Don't hold up the war.

These pants are too big.

They'll fall down.

That's your problem. Get going.

Ah, you big donkey.

What did you say?

I said, it's nice and cool out.

[Reveille blows]

Come on, you fellas. Get up!

Rise and shine!

Come on! Get up!

[Whistle blows]

Roust out of there, dope heads!

Rise and shine!

Come on, Cleopatra. Vacate that couch.

Then he says, "can I help it if my son worries?"

Come on. Shake a leg. Snap out of it.

Well, well, well.

Who's this darling little sleepyhead?

Big pardon. As a personal favor to pershing,

would you mind dragging out of here?

Go on, beat it.

You're gonna come quiet-like

or do I got to--

it must be a nightmare. Go away, will you?

Do you know what that tune is?

It's 15 minutes of reveille. I don't like it.

I don't like you either.

Go on, tell the colonel he wants you.

Why, you big Irish no-good--

here, you--

smart guy.

1, 2, 3, 4!

1, 2, 3, 4!

1, 2, 3, 4!

1, 2, 3, 4!

What's the matter, Plunkett,

you got two left feet?

1, 2, 3, 4!

1, 2--

line up there, Wynn.

First left about!

Hey!

Close up there!

Oh, that's beautiful.

A lot of baboons on roller skates

couldn't do better.

1, 2, 3, 4!

Bayonet exercise!

Guard!

Put that elbow down, Wynn.

Ready.

Thrust!

Ready.

Thrust!

Ready.

Lunge!

No, no, no, no.

What do you guys think you're doing,

tickling your grandmas?

Them's bayonets, not bodkin needles.

Gimme that rifle.

When you lunge, lunge!

Get him, or he'll get you.

Stick him in the throat or in his chest or the belly.

Don't waste your steel, see?

And when you lunge, 6 inches is enough.

If your bayonet gets stuck,

don't put your foot in his chest.

Pull the trigger and shoot it out.

You got that, lame brain? Snap into it.

Make believe that dummy's

the guy you hate the most.

Ready. Lunge!

Aah!

That's for you, Mac.

Aah! How do you like that?

Inspection. Arms!

Order.

Arms!

Wake up, Wynn.

Dis--

as you were.

What's your name, lug?

Sure'n, me name's

Mike Murphy, sergeant, your honor.

Stand fast till you get orders to move.

Did you say your name was Murphy?

I did, your worship, save in your presence.

What were you born?

Sir, I was born a boy.

Ha ha ha!

Pipe down!

[Speaking yiddish]

[Speaking yiddish]

What name were you born with?

Misha Moskowitz.

Where'd you get the Murphy?

I took it.

I wanted to go with the fighting 69th. O.K.?

O.K., Mike.

Aw, look at young Wynn,

with a chest like a sparrow.

Suck it in. Stick it out.

Cut it out, Mike.

Sergeant Wynn to you.

I'll make a soldier out of you yet.

Now, one more thing--

don't you fellas wander too far away after chow.

I've got good news for you.

Major Donovan's taking the battalion out

on night tactics with full packs.

[Grumbling]

Pipe down!

You'll never get dismissed.

Fasten that collar! Suck in that gut.

Try and look like a soldier. And you, too.

You're no privileged character.

Heave those shoulders back.

Dismissed!

What are you so tired about?

I don't know. Maybe you make me tired.

What's that?

I joined this outfit to go over there

and fight, not to stand around here

doing squadsies for six months.

Is that so? Another thing.

I ain't used to getting up at 5:30,

take a 25-mile hike,

and get pushed around by you.

You don't like it?

There's a lot of things in this man's army

I don't like.

Well, that's really tough.

I know what you need-- a diversionment.

There's a pile of potatoes that needs peeling,

and you'll peel them and keep peeling them

until we leave camp mills.

Button up that collar!

Night tactics in this weather.

Well, that fixes it. Give me a cigarette, will you?

Look, crepe hanger, don't you ever buy your own?

For what? I'll take that match.

You know how many guys have died of pneumonia

from night tactics in the last 10 years?

What's the use of going out at night?

You can't see the enemy in the dark.

Quit your crabbing. It's part of the game.

Some game. Get shoved around by wild bill Donovan,

that thick Mick of a top sergeant.

Listen, you, lay off that thick Mick stuff.

I'll say what I please.

If you don't like it--

hey, Wynn.

Keep away from that loudmouth Plunkett.

He'll get you into trouble, savvy?

All right.

What are you sore about?

I might as well be in the cavalry.

And a horse, at that.

All I get is riding from you.

"Snap into it, Wynn."

Keep your shirt on. I can't let the rest of this mob

say I'm playing favorites with me own kid brother.

Sergeant.

Attention!

As you were. What's the big idea

of keeping the company in formation

after the others were dismissed?

Listen, John, just because we're--

lieutenant to you. Don't you forget it.

Nobody's going to accuse me of playing favorites.

That goes for you, too. Button up that collar.

What do you think this is, Cox's army?

What would Ma say if she could see you

streaming around like this?

You could use a haircut, too.

Did you hear from Ma, sir?

Would the lieutenant be so condescending

as to tell us how she's feeling,

or do I get court-martialed for asking?

She's feeling fine, and

she wants us to see that he brushes his teeth.

Aw, listen--

pipe down! Quiet!

Go back into your quarters.

Put that blunderbuss away.

Hunting season hasn't opened yet.

Hang this up in my tent while you're about it, too.

Aw, you--

[mumbles]

It's a shame to keep riding him.

How's he doing?

I hate to say it,

but I think he's all 69th.

Go left!

Hup!

Go left!

Hup!

Hello, Jack.

Father.

How's Mrs. O'keefe?

Expecting again, sir.

I didn't ask her condition.

I asked about her health.

Oh, she's fine, thank you, father.

Good.

The division's filling up, father.

The 4th Alabama's coming in.

You'll be making history in a few months.

Maybe sooner than you think.

We'll need your prayers, father.

When did an Irishman ever need a prayer in a fight?

What are you reading there?

Oh, by the way,

did you ever get up the courage to talk to Kilmer?

I've been intending to.

You think he'd mind?

Kilmer?

Oh, Joyce!

Yes, father.

Lieutenant Ames has a favor to ask of you.

Yes. Would you autograph this for me?

I'd be very pleased to, lieutenant.

Do you have a pen?

I have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're quite welcome, sir.

Bye, father.

Good-bye.

Going my way, corporal?

Yes, sir. Good-bye, father.

Good-bye, son.

Got a match, Buddy?

Thanks.

I don't think I've met you yet.

I've been around.

Plunkett's my name. Jerry Plunkett.

Smiling Jerry they call me,

on account of my disposition.

What's yours?

Irish Frank. Duffy for short.

I'm Irish, too, but I don't work at it.

I don't like these flannel-mouth micks

who go around singing "Molly Malone" all the time.

I think maybe you're in the wrong outfit.

This regiment has certain traditions.

Oh, don't give me that malarkey.

We both joined up for the same thing--

to come back dripping with medals,

big shots. The world our oyster.

Our what?

Oysters. You know? Eat them. Oysters.

Oh.

How are things in Brooklyn?

Swell.

How'd you know I was from Brooklyn?

That was my third guess.

You ain't so dumb for a soldier.

You steer me right, around here, Duffy,

and we'll get places.

Just to bind our friendship,

a friend of mine give me one

in the fifth at Saratoga.

You can have it. Good luck.

Rest!

Tell you what--

let's you and me go awol tonight.

I got some swell numbers here--

good-looking dames right here.

Am I glad I transferred out of them engineers.

This outfit eats right. Don't it, boy?

Hey, soldier, what's your outfit?

4th Alabama.

That's down south, ain't it?

You know, that's the truth.

One thing you got to have,

you're gonna soldier proper and that's chow.

Well, there's nothing to kick about here.

Hi, Dixie. Did you bring any corn pone?

Done better than that, friend.

Y'all better come over tonight

for a mess of possum pie.

What kind of trip did you have coming up here?

Well, we got as far as Pennsylvania,

the temperature dropped

right down to 99.

No.

We lie there, froze to death.

You don't say so.

Hey, when are we going overseas?

Don't be in a hurry.

They're holding the war back

for you Alabama fellas.

What outfit y'all belong to?

Why, we're the fighting 69th.

Fighting 69th?

Quite a handle. Where'd you get it?

Aw, civil war. What's your outfit?

4th Alabama. Wait a minute.

You say civil war fighting

got you that name?

Ain't you never heard of us?

You wouldn't be the 69th New York irishers,

would you?

Sure are. So you heard about us, eh?

Ha ha ha!

I'll say we have.

Hey, folks, these is the 69th New York.

Want to know if we remember them.

Hey! What's so funny?

Do we remember you? Do you remember us?

We shot the pants off of your outfit once.

Say that again. Who shot the pants off who?

We did-- The 4th Alabama.

We shot the pants off you--

the 69th New York--

at Mary's heights in 1862.

[Blowing whistle]

Hey! Look! A fight!

Who's fighting who?

What do you care? Come on.

He hit my leg!

It's a good fight, all right.

But somebody's going to get hurt.

[Whistle blows]

Aw, the saps.

Help me break it up, Jerry.

Not me, pal. You don't get medals

for that kind of fighting.

[Whistle blows]

Break it up! Hey!

Break it up here!

Break it up! Break it up!

Lieutenant! Casey! Mcclellan!

Get up, boy! Come on!

Beat it, gang! It's Sullivan!

Come on! Break it up!

Break it up, you men!

Attention!

They got the major!

Get back in your ranks! Attention!

Major! Major!

Break it up!

Get back in your ranks!

Back, I said!

Just a minute.

Who started this ballet Russe?

Them razorbacks said they shot the pants off us

in the civil war.

We did!

Wait a minute, will you?

He's right. They did.

What? What?

At the battle of Fredericksburg.

This outfit, the 4th Alabamans,

broke up the charge of the 69th

and stopped us right in our tracks.

And you cheered your heads off

because you respected a game enemy.

Now those men on both sides were Americans.

They fought and then rose above their hatreds

to become one people again.

That's the way it should be.

Do you think the nation's out of step but you?

Our two regiments are now brigaded together.

Their very names are even changed.

The 69th New York

to the 165th United States infantry.

The 4th Alabama's to the 167th.

Every day, more and more are joining us,

outfits from all over the country.

They're not coming here as easterners or southerners

or Alaskans or new Englanders.

Those men are coming here as Americans,

to form an organization

that represents every part and section of our country.

The rainbow division.

There's no room in this rainbow

for sectional feuds,

because we're all one nation now, one team--

an all-American team pulling together

and known as the United States army.

So if you must fight,

wait until you get overseas.

You'll get a bellyful of it over there.

Now go on.

Get back to your ranks and behave yourselves.

[Whistle blows]

Are you hurt, father?

Hurt? Now, who'd hurt me?

It's father Duffy, is it?

Who am I?

Patsy dumb-cluck, I suppose.

Me pal, stringing me along.

You can't get away from

these dominos vobiscum salesmen,

even in the army.

Maybe the saints have their eyes on you.

I can take care of myself.

Maybe you can, but I thought if you ever need me--

now look, hard-collar, for once, you have it wrong--

what do you mean, snapping at the father?

Take your hand off me, you big Mick.

I got a good notion to chew you up

and spit you out.

Go on, beat it.

That's a violent man you are.

Let's get the mud off your smiling face.

Come on, break it up, fellas.

Button your collar!

What's holding you men back?

By the time you're in position,

the enemy will have a dozen machine guns on you.

Double up!

I'd like to see you doubled up,

and I don't mean from running either.

When we get to France, that guy's going

on patrol some night. I'll hang bells on him.

All right, all right. Spread out and fall.

Fall, I said!

Burke! Get that stern down.

Simulate firing as soon as you hit the line.

Now cease firing and follow me.

Wouldn't you know it?

Once we get comfortable,

we got to get up and at 'em.

Put some swing in it. You're not dead yet.

We're not dead yet.

We're muscle-bound, flat-footed,

fed up, and far from home.

Outside of that, we're all right,

not that that slave-driver cares what we are or not.

Shut up. You want to get in trouble?

Ah, you ain't no bargain yourself.

Hey, you guys! What are you trying to do,

win the war over here?

How much overtime do you get?

You guys are sure gluttons for punishment.

What are you training for, the Olympics?

No. We're just wild bill Donovan's chain gang.

So this is the insignia

of the rainbow division, huh?

Every color in the spectrum.

Hm.

What's the matter? Don't you like it?

I do.

I was thinking the boys in the 69th

might like it better if it was a little greener.

Don't you think you're a little hard on the boys?

Night hikes and forced marches?

After all, they're not used to that grind.

I'll handle the military end of it.

You look after their souls, father.

Sorry, bill.

No. I'm sorry, but war is a brutal business.

I know.

I've seen what's been going on over there.

That's why I've been so hard on the men.

I've got to be so they'll be able

to face what's coming later.

They're going up against veterans

schooled in three years of war.

They've got to out-endure

and outfight them,

not just be led in half-trained,

like sheep led to the slaughter.

Don't you suppose I've wanted

to let up on them? I didn't dare.

I've got to think of the future.

All ready, sir.

Thank you.

And now the future has come.

I couldn't tell you this before,

but this isn't just another night hike.

This is it.

Give me your blessing, father.

[Praying in latin]

Thank you.

Columns and squads--

first company, squads right.

Squads right! Squads right!

March!

Almighty god,

in thine infinite mercy Grant unto me, thy servant,

the wisdom to guide my young flock

through the trials of war.

Oh, father, they're so young.

So young, and they know so little of life,

and nothing at all of that terrible

and bloody altar toward which they move,

carrying so eagerly

the bright sacrifice of their youth.

Their need will be great, oh, lord...

And I am weak.

Therefore, I beseech thee.

To thy son, Christ our lord,

Grant me the strength to keep them steadfast

in faith and decency and courage

to the glory of god, their country,

and their regiment...

In the bad times to come.

And if in battle...

You see fit to gather them to your protecting arms...

Thy will be done.

But let them die like men--

Valiant...And unafraid.

Bonjour! I'm coming, lord! Bonjour! Bonjour!

Company, fall in!

Come on! Fall in here!

Get back in line there!

Come on! Fall in, men!

Snap it up! Make it lively! Come on, here.

Fellas, throw those cigarettes away!

Come on! Form this line!

Snap it up, you mugs.

You move like a lot of sailors.

Put those pipes down. Right dress!

Front! Count off!

1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2--

as you were!

What's the matter? You're three, ain't you?

Mm-hmm, all by myself.

Why, you swivel-necked--

3. Now let's get on with the war.

I came here to stuff those Dutchmen

back in their sausage skins.

The first thing you know,

you'll stuff yourself right in the clink.

And now, Mr. funny man, before it slips my mind,

suppose, after retreat,

you report to the mess sergeant

and tell him you'd like some extra duty,

as kitchen police and stuff that in your pipe

and puff on it.

Count off!

1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2, 3, 4.

Now remember, men, we're the first American soldiers

to march through the streets of grande.

I know we're all pretty tired,

but let's show the natives

the old 69th has what it takes.

Column, squads--

first company... Squads left.

Squads left! Squads left!

Squads left! Squads left!

March!

Eyes right!

Front!

Eyes right!

I wonder what we're gonna eat.

I heard something about slum.

It's about time.

We ain't had any slum since last night.

I got an awful mean feeling, boys.

If we don't let us at those bosches pretty soon,

I'll have to carve me up a top sergeant.

Don't mind him, sarge.

He's his own worst enemy.

Not while I'm alive, he ain't.

Our present orders are to march on Louisville

starting the day after Christmas.

It'll be tough going through the foothills,

and forest over these icy roads and in this weather.

Think your supply train can keep up with us, Mangan?

It will, sir, if my men have to carry the horses

and pull the wagons.

Father Duffy, how about your midnight mass tonight?

Everything's all set, sir,

barring the conversion

of a few heathen...

Present company no exception.

And facilities for the non-catholics?

All taken care of, sir.

The methodist chaplain will arrange services

for the protestant boys.

Oh, and, of all people,

Mike Murphy is going to build a pulpit for them.

I've wired to GHQ for chaplains

for both the Alabamas and the Illinois.

If a lot of the people back home

knew how well the various faiths

got along together here,

it would cause scandal to some pious minds.

Well, gentlemen, I guess that's all.

[Shouting and cheering]

Give me a cigarette, McManus.

Don't you get tired bumming cigarettes?

No.

Hello, father, how are you?

Hey, you're looking pale.

You got to look after your health

in this funny climate.

It's beginning to get a lot of the boys.

First your arms go to sleep.

They do?

Then there's buzzing in your ears.

And the most fatal symptom--

a light feeling in your head.

Father, I got it!

You need exercise, and the finest thing

is pumping an organ at midnight mass.

It'll make a new man of you.

You're going to pump an organ.

That's one on me, father.

Paddy, would you like to sweep out the church?

I wouldn't like to, but I will.

I'll go to your mass, if it's O.K.

Oh, sure. That is,

if you're sure you want to.

Why not? You're such a swell guy, father,

I'd go to the devil with you.

You would, now, would you?

That is, if you asked me to.

I mean, if there's anything I can do to help,

I'd be glad to do it.

* ain't what she used to be *

* ain't what she used to be *

* the old gray mare

* she ain't what she used to be *

* many long years ago

* many long years ago

ho!

* many long years ago

ho!

* the old gray mare

* she ain't what she used to be *

* ain't what she used to be-- *

attention!

Hiya, Saint Francis.

How's all the monks?

On your feet when an officer comes in the room...

And take that cigarette out of your mouth.

All right, boys, as you were.

Merry Christmas, father.

See you later. Yeah. Ok.

Don't forget midnight mass.

And confession's this afternoon.

We'll be there.

If you need any help,

father, we'll be right outside.

Give us a break and need some help, will you?

It'll be a pleasure.

* when Irish eyes are smiling *

* sure 'tis like a morn in spring *

* in the lilt of Irish laughter *

* you can hear the angels sing... *

Jerry, you're getting yourself so well-liked

in this army, they'd rather

machine-gun you than the Germans.

It was bad enough at camp mills,

but instead of improving, you're getting worse.

That's what you think.

That's what everyone thinks.

They're beginning to call you a misfit

and a troublemaker.

That's tough.

I'm gonna bust right out cryin'.

Sit down a minute. I want to talk to you.

You know, Jerry...

I don't think you're as tough as you think.

Yeah?

Yeah. You're only kidding yourself.

You're your own biggest sucker.

Oh, yeah?

Sure. I've seen too much of life and men.

You know, son, there's only one thing wrong with you--

you're lonesome. That's all.

Me, lonesome?

That's rich.

Oh, sure, I know.

Smart boys don't need anyone.

They can take care of themselves.

But there's some pretty dark days ahead, Jerry,

when a man will have need of a friend he can depend on.

You haven't made any friends.

And that's where I thought I might come in...

To help you find him.

We're going into the trenches

right after Christmas.

You're not kidding, are ya? Great.

That's why we came over here.

The sooner, the better.

And when was the last time you were to confession?

I knew you'd worm

around to that sooner or later.

There's midnight mass tonight, Jerry.

So I hear.

I don't think Christmas is a bad time

for any of us to take stock and check up.

Come on, now. What do you say,

why don't you join the boys tonight?

Get this once and for all--

I came here to soldier, not to pray.

I don't go for that holy Joe stuff.

There's no use trying to convert me.

I'm not trying to convert you, son.

I'm asking you to come back to your religion

and recognize the fact of almighty god.

Well...

Merry Christmas, Jerry.

* silent night

* holy night

* all is calm

* all is bright

* 'round yon virgin, mother and child *

* holy infant, so tender and mild *

* sleep in heavenly peace

* sleep in heavenly peace *

* adeste, fideles

* laeti triumphantes

* venite, venite, in Bethlehem *

* natum videte

* regem angelorum

* venite, adoramus

* venite, adoramus

* venite, adoramus...

When a man hath 100 sheep and one should go astray,

let thee not leave the 99 alone

to seeketh that which has gone astray.

And if it so be that he find it,

amen, I say unto you.

He rejoiceth more for that

than for the 99 which went not astray.

Where do we sleep tonight?

Same as last night-- the side of the road.

We ain't been on a road

since Tuesday.

Ain't you heard? We ain't stoppin' tonight.

We're going right on.

Anyway, we ain't got nothing to stop for.

The rolling kitchens is back there,

halfway to Brooklyn.

Yeah, and am I hungry.

Whoa! You're hungry?

Get up! Hyah!

Never mind that! Pull him over

to the side of the road! Get that kitchen through!

Come on, men! Snap into it.

Get him over to the side of the road.

Boy, what I could do now to a big grilled steak

with mashed potatoes and gravy--

shut up!

I'm hungry.

I ain't ate nothing for 3 days

except hardtack and a can of dog meat.

An army ain't an army

unless it eats!

It's just a walking famine.

You were the guy who said you could find chow

in the middle of the Sahara.

Well, I wouldn't call this the Sahara.

Uh-oh.

[Quack quack quack]

[Quack quack quack]

Come on, me hearties. You're doing all right.

How you doing, Ryan?

O.K., sir.

Not a bit like the border, huh?

No, sir.

Getting tired, Scully?

No, sir.

Let me have your pack, will you, O'mahoney?

No, sir. No man's carrying my pack.

My name's o'mahany, sir, not O'mahoney.

Ha ha ha.

What's so funny?

I was just thinking,

the Navy rejected me because I had flat feet.

Ho ho.

This walking's awful tough, father.

You should have joined the cavalry, Terence.

Not me.

When the shooting begins

and I got to get out of there,

I don't want to be hindered by no horse.

Well, look at you--

all dressed up like a tinker's donkey.

I'm doing all right, ain't I?

Ah, you're just showing off.

Yeah, sure.

And how I can show 'em.

Wait'll we get up on the lines.

My foot slipped.

Yeah...I know.

[Distant artillery fire]

I can't keep up, sarge.

These blasted pack straps are cutting my shoulders off.

Here, lean on me.

Shoulders... Pack straps...

My shoulders ache beneath my pack.

Listen to that gunnery.

We're getting close to the war.

Sounds like the fourth at coney island.

My shoulders ache beneath my pack.

Lie easy a cross upon his back.

I wish I hadn't thrown my extra shoes away.

Squadron has a corn of can Willie left.

They can have it.

Burke: That always makes me thirsty.

Darn rifle butt, my fingers is froze.

My rifle hand is stiff and numb.

Sure hope it doesn't rain again tonight.

Through thy pierced palms, red rivers run.

Come on, you sons! What's the matter with you?

Come on, for the love of Mike!

Keep hiking, will ya? Don't die on your feet.

Men shout at me who may not speak.

Pick them up. This ain't no excursion.

They scourged thy back and smote thy cheek.

What's that you're muttering?

It may turn out to be a prayer...

Or perhaps only a poem.

You know something? A guy with your savvy

should never be no sergeant.

You should join the candidates school

and be an officer.

No. I'd have to leave the 69th.

This is it, gentlemen.

The old 69th again faces an enemy.

Major Donovan, you'll take over the front line

from the chasseurs.

Yes, sir.

Kennedy, you'll be in support.

Major Monaghan with the 3rd battalion reserve.

We'll all get a crack at 'em.

Kind of wish I wasn't the C.O.

I'd like one good inning myself.

Well, I guess that's all.

Good luck, men.

Fall in!

First company, rank by twos.

March!

[Speaking French]

Here we go, boys. All aboard for the roller coaster.

Do you feel like you're going down

in a fast elevator? I do.

Say your prayers, Fritzie.

Your body may belong to the kaiser,

but your soul belongs to Plunkett.

Aw, dry up. Aw, shut up!

You got the loudest mouth

in the allied army.

Listen to McManus show off.

Aw, shut up.

[Speaking French]

Bonjour, mon frere. Bonjour.

Well, padre...

Pray for us.

I will, indeed.

Reserve area's back there, father.

Yes. I saw it on the map.

You got to go back there. It's regulations.

It's funny, with all the firing going on,

I seem to have lost my hearing.

You can't come up here--

yes, I know.

I know all about it. But suppose

one of the boys met with an accident?

It has been known to happen up here.

You wouldn't deny them the consolation

of my matchless presence,

now, would you?

As the priest said to the Bishop,

"I only go to the races

in case one of the jockeys fall off."

That's near enough.

You were told to keep your mitts

off that very pistol.

You want the heinies to blow us all over France?

You getting the wind up? There's always an mp job

waiting for you back in Paris.

Or maybe it's just those stripes

talking again.

Maybe you ain't heard tell there's a war going on here.

I read about it in the papers.

I ain't seen none of it yet.

Why don't those limeys and frogs--

I'd keep my big yap shut about the limeys and frogs

until I'd earned a fighting man's right to talk.

You think I won't?

Hero stuff, huh? Would you be satisfied

with a distinguished service cross?

If I don't get it, it's because I got

a wooden one. If you don't believe me,

you got a bet.

Gee, that guy hates himself.

Yes, and that makes it unanimous.

Come on, you guys.

Let's match to see who watches the baby

and who goes to sleep.

Nothing doing. We all watch.

[Shells explode in distance]

[Machine gun fire]

Look at that dent, will ya?

Better there than in your skull.

I'll pay that son off.

[Machine gun fire]

Oh...

Still want to play, huh?

All right.

The better to see you with, grandma.

Hey, lay off!

What are you doing? Cut that out!

Phone headquarters at once. No one was authorized to

send up a flare. Yes, sir.

Here's a kiss for ya!

[Speaking German]

[Men singing]

Those heinies seem to be sore at something.

Here's your duty roster.

Corporal Sullivan. Yes, sir?

Have some coffee. Thanks.

Duty roster.

"The following men report to sergeant Kilmer

for action detail at 4 A.M."

Pipe down, will ya?!

Answer your names.

[Soldiers speaking excitedly]

Steady, men. Take it easy now.

Quiet.

Here you are, corporal.

"Laffey."

[Explosion]

What a spot. What a spot!

Now what's wrong?

I'm worried. You know what?

The shells is talking to me.

What are they saying?

Yo-o-o-o-ou...

Ain't never going to get

back to New York.

Stretcher-bearers!

They're raking the whole line.

We'll be next.

Aah!

[Shell approaching]

Aah!

The sergeant warned you not to mess with those flares.

All these guys are dead, and you done it!

Jack! O'keefe.

Oh, bull's-eye!

Hey, what are you doing here?

Get back up to your post.

Let me by. I'll get blown to pieces.

What, do you think I'm crazy?

And you're the one that's popping off

about all the medals you're gonna win, huh?

What kind of n 69th man are you,

you yellow skunk? Go on. Get back to that fire step.

I won't. I won't.

Hey, men, we'll all get it up.

Come on, step on it!

Come on. Straight up!

Jerry. Jerry, are you hurt?

No, father.

What is it, then? Why were you in the dugout?

You're supposed to be in the front line on duty.

Who sent you back?

Nobody. You see, father--

yes, I do see. Indeed I do.

I meet lieutenant Wynn, and then the shell hit.

Where are the rest of them?

Down there, buried alive.

All right, you guys. Now, all together now.

1, 2, heave!

Now, don't let this thing cave in on my head.

Give me your hand.

Oh, the pain.

My legs! Oh!

Here. Take his head.

It's Moran. He's out of his head.

Shut up. Get a stretcher, somebody. Hurry up.

Keep on working there, you guys.

Have mercy on us. Have mercy.

They're buried alive, all of them.

Buried.

Snap out of it. We'll get the others.

No, you'll never get them out of there.

Lieutenant Norman's dead with a beam

that crushed his head like an egg.

They're all dead,

except Eddie Kearney and lieutenant Wynn.

Jack.

They can't get out.

They'll be dead in a minute.

Let me make a try at it.

My brother's down there.

I'm sorry, soldier. There ain't a chance.

Steady, kid.

I'm going down there. Hold my ankles.

Sergeant, get your men to lift this beam.

The whole place is going to cave in in a minute.

Do as he tells you.

Yes, sir.

Go ahead, father.

Ed, Ed Kearney, John Wynn...

It's father Duffy, boys. It's father Duffy.

Can you hear me?

It's just like a tourist

kissing the blarney stone.

Egote absolvo abomniba censrus...

Et picadas...

Nominen patris et fili...

Espiri sancti. Amen.

Perhaps their brave young spirits

hear the bugles sing...

Go to sleep, go to sleep.

Slumber well, where the shells screamed and fell.

Let your rifles rest on the muddy floor.

You will not need them anymore.

Danger's past.

Now, at last, go to sleep.

And up to heaven's doorway

floats from the wood called Rouge bouquet,

a delicate cloud of bugle notes

that softly say

farewell.

Farewell.

Comrades true born anew,

peace to you.

Your souls shall be where the heroes are,

and your memories shine like the morning star.

Brave and dear, shield us here.

Farewell.

[Laughter]

He's a special, boys...

This mule doesn't do anything but sit down.

Come on. Get going.

Allez! Allez!

Mon petit, allez, allez!

Avancez! Avancez!

Them French donkeys

don't even understand their own language.

Give me a vegetable.

Legume!

I'll show you how to do it.

Angelica...

Hey, look, why don't we

carry the donkey?

Pull under the corner there.

There's not one of you understands

the sensitive nature of the poor darlin'.

A donkey's not a gunnery mule.

A donkey's sensitive

and high-strung like a thoroughbred.

Now, watch me.

* Kathleen a'mavoureen *

* wake up from my dreaming... *

hey, loudmouth!

Hey.

[Speaking French]

Beer. One. Compris?

Oui, monsieur. Absolument.

Here you are.

American money?

Mm-hmm. Keep the change.

Merci, monsieur.

Hey, ain't you supposed to be

on guard duty?

Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah.

Halt! Who's there?

Well, if it ain't old rotten snake puss.

On your dogs!

Wait, sarge. This beer is very important.

Take your hands off me, you son of a banshee,

or I'll knock your teeth down your throat.

You'll do what?

Are you going to hide

behind those 5 & 10 cent stripes again?

You've been begging for this

for a long time.

Now you're going to get it.

[Soldiers speaking excitedly]

Move over so he can fall down.

Not yet. Come here.

[Crowd] Ooh!

You're bouncing around like a rubber ball. Get up.

Get him, sarge.

Can't hit me, can you?

Never touched me.

Attention!

Sergeant, what's the meaning of this?

Well, sir, that is, sir--

all right, take to the air. The party's over.

Do you know the penalty for hitting a subordinate?

Yes, sir.

Report to your company commander.

You're under arrest.

You can prefer charges in the morning.

What charges? There was no fight, sir.

What do you mean, no fight?

There was no fight.

I was just showing Mike--I mean

the first sergeant-- how to roll away

from my left hook.

Just a little exhibition

for the boys. If we had a fight,

I'd mop up the joint with the big--

I mean, my friend the first sergeant.

No, we were only fooling.

He never laid a finger on me.

Yeah...So I see.

All right, sergeant, forget that arrest order.

Yes, sir.

And the next time you two want to frolic,

don't play so rough.

Well, I guess I'm after owing you something, soldier.

You don't owe me nothing.

I don't need Donovan to do

my fighting for me.

I can do my own, and I love it.

Yeah.

That settles it.

Settles what?

I'm getting rid of Plunkett.

Transfer him out of the regiment.

Why? Because of that little brush-up?

That and everything else.

He's a bad egg, a troublemaker.

Unreliable on the line.

He's getting himself talked about

in a way the 69th doesn't relish.

Why don't you give the boy a chance?

I happen to know he had a pretty bad shock up there.

It's ruined his value as a soldier.

I've had nothing but complaints

from his company commander on down--

picking fights back at the lines

and dodging patrols when he's up there,

reporting sick when he's detailed

to wiring parties. Always excuses

whenever there's a man's job to be done.

I won't have a man like that

in the battalion.

I don't want to interfere with discipline,

but isn't it possible he has a good side?

I think he showed that--

he can develop it someplace else.

My mind's made up.

Bill, I think you'll agree

the war has ruined many a young fellow.

Too many, in fact.

Well, here's an exceptional case--

one in a thousand--

where maybe the war will do a little good.

Bill, I've heard you say yourself a hundred times,

"the 69th makes men."

It makes men out of cowards, not cowards out of men.

Here's my chance to prove that you're right.

You trust me and keep Plunkett on,

and I'll assume full responsibility.

Oh, that blarneying tongue of yours.

I should've let them send you home

to collect funds

for the knights of Columbus.

Maybe you wanted to save me the trouble

of swimming back. What do you say?

Shall we let Plunkett stay?

All right,

but from now on, he's your Guinea pig.

Bill, there's something else.

How about letting captain Mangan

provide buses

to take the Jewish boys up to A.P.A.?

Sure. I'll take care of that.

Good thing there's

no mohammedans in the regiment.

I'd have no time for the war.

It's a fortunate thing you're not a crook.

You could sell the Brooklyn bridge

to the police department.

Yes?

Private Plunkett reporting.

The major sent for me, sir.

Would you see captain Mangan about those buses now?

Yes, sir.

[Door closes]

Plunkett, you're a rotten soldier.

You have no loyalty, no fighting spirit, nothing.

Stand up!

I've been getting more and more fed up

with you ever since camp mills.

But you jawed so much about getting at the Germans,

I thought getting you up to the front

might discover something in you.

Well, it didn't.

Beginning with our first night in the trenches--

so father Duffy talked?

He didn't have to. I've got eyes.

So has every man in the regiment.

It was the same at baccarat, champagne--

in fact, every fight we've been in.

You're quite a scrapper, Plunkett,

behind the lines.

Pretty handy with your fists,

trying to prove how tough you are

to a bunch of men who no longer believe you.

I've decided to boot you out of the regiment.

Transfer you someplace else.

If the major thinks that's best, sir...

I did, and so do you....

But father Duffy didn't.

He believes in you.

That's why you're getting another chance.

But remember this...

The first sign of malingering

or sloppy soldiering,

father Duffy nor the archbishop of Meade

won't be able to save you.

And it won't be a transfer this time.

Yes, sir.

[Door opens]

That's all, Plunkett.

Plunkett!

We're moving up the attack

across the York river tonight.

It's your chance to redeem yourself

and prove that father Duffy was right.

Now get going.

Yes, sir.

[Gunfire]

Whoa! All right!

Hold it! Hold it!

This is far as we go tonight.

Man the fire steps and detail outposts

and fix up those parapets.

We'll consolidate here. Flynn.

Yes, sir?

Turn around.

I want you to take a message back to regimental PC.

Who's there?

Ah, relax, now, Jerry.

It's only father Duffy making his parish rounds.

Is there anything I can do for you?

Just go away and let me alone,

will you, father, please?

No, wait. Don't go.

Stay a minute, huh?

You're like the old Irishman

who'd rather be quarreling than lonesome.

A little jumpy, are you?

Well, we all are.

The old 69th has been taking it on the chin today.

But it's come back to stage a knockout.

Yes, and you're part of it.

Part of it. Ducking into shell holes,

going ahead only when I had to,

seeing guys I knew torn to pieces,

and figuring any minute, somebody I can't get

my hands on is going to crack a bullet into me.

It isn't a fight I mind, father.

I love a fight,

and I've never been afraid

of anything my whole life before,

but this stuff, seeing what a poison shell

can do to human flesh and blood...

It's made me yellow.

Me, of all the guys in this whole outfit.

Scared is the word, Jerry. Not yellow.

And you'll get over it.

Get over it.

Everywhere I go and everything I do,

I see the faces of Casey and O'keefe

and lieutenant Wynn and all those guys

I killed in the dugout in Rouge bouquet,

staring at me and hoping I get mine.

I can't fight it any more. I've tried.

It goes along for a while everything's ok,

then suddenly it hits,

until I feel as though if I don't get up

and run away, I'll go nuts.

I'd be out of this by now

if you hadn't stopped my transfer.

It's not for me to say, Jerry. It's nonsense. It isn't.

But, Jerry,

there's only one way you can lick it.

That's through faith and prayer.

Faith. Listen to those bullets.

Can faith stop them?

If a guy gets his pins blown off,

will prayer put them back on again

or bring the dead back to life?

No. But faith and prayer can help defeat the fear

that's possessing you.

It's peace and courage I'm offering you

if you'd only open up your heart and take it.

Father Duffy, come quickly.

All right. Pick it up, Jerry. Ask the lord to help you.

If there's anything I can do...

No, there's nothing you can do.

Major Donovan.

It's from headquarters.

Air reconnaissance reports

an enemy patrol moving out to occupy

the far edge of the calais woods.

We'll send a patrol, intercept them,

and bring in prisoners.

Very good, sir. Not you yet.

Lieutenant Ames will go size them up.

You'll follow up with a patrol.

I need 10 men to follow up

with sergeant Kilmer.

It's a dangerous mission.

Who wants to volunteer?

I'll go, sir. Take me, sir.

Sure thing. Count me in.

O.K., sir.

O.K.

Thanks, Plunkett.

Give me five minutes' start,

then arrange for a combat patrol

to go forward

in charge of sergeant Wynn.

Yes, sir. Watch yourself.

[Gunfire]

Listen, sarge--

quiet.

Why don't we wait here for the rest of them?

Pull yourself together.

The major's up there. We can't let him down.

Sarge, let me go back and see if Mike--

you fool, you start yelping now,

you'll get us all killed.

I want to wait for the rest of them--

let go of me!

I want to get out of here!

I don't want to stay here and be killed!

Let go of me.

Wynn, McManus, come here.

[Gunshots]

Hey, come back here.

[Gunfire]

What's the matter with you?

They're all killed out there.

Donovan, Ames, all of them.

And you're the only survivor?

Yeah. Where's your rifle?

I--I--

why, you...

Look out!

[Gunshots]

[Distant gunshots]

Take care of these prisoners

and retire to cover.

Come on, pal. Let's get going.

Get up, you louse. Get down.

Get him down.

Get down! Get him down.

Get down. Get him down.

Hold on, preacher, we're on our way!

[Soldiers yelling]

Go ahead. Snap on it.

Go ahead, Sauerkraut. Hurry up.

Mission's accomplished, sir.

Nice work. We'll dig in here.

Now that we've got the wood,

we'll hold it. Get "B" company.

My PC will be right here.

Who yelled back there and upset the apple cart?

I wouldn't know, sir.

It was Plunkett, sir.

Plunkett? Was he killed?

No, sir. I fumbled me chance, sir.

Never mind. I'll take care of him later.

Battalion, attention!

Eyes right!

Right face!

[Men singing]

* the infantry's the cause of all the beers *

* the cavalry, artillery, and the bloomin' engineers *

* they couldn't make the infantry... *

I don't know what these guys

are so cheerful about.

Believe me, in the next war,

there's gonna be three guys missing--

me and the two guys that's chasing me.

* when the nations shall be free *

* we're in this war until the end *

this is the toughest spot

we've ever been in.

We're going to attack to the argonne

without artillery preparation?

What's headquarters thinking of?

The element of surprise...

Regardless of the fact

that it'll probably cost us 60% casualties.

Orders are orders. Good-bye, father.

Good-bye, major.

I'll be seeing you up there after you get underway.

Oh, uh, by the way, bill...

Were you able to do anything for...

Plunkett? No, nothing,

not even if I could.

As I told the court-martial, it was all my fault.

If I hadn't changed his transfer,

it never would've happened.

He shouldn't be executed

for something he couldn't help.

Let's don't go into this thing again.

I know what you're going to say.

There's a weakling in every outfit.

But never in history has a 69th man

disgraced his regiment like Plunkett.

And tomorrow morning at 7:00,

he's going to get

exactly what's coming to him.

And may god have mercy on his soul.

* ...The 69th for me

* the infantry, the infantry *

* with the dirt behind the ears... *

is there anything I can do for you, Jerry?

What can you do for me?

This is curtains, ain't it?

Well, there's still time to make your peace.

Don't stand there talking like a sap.

Don't you understand? They're going to shoot me.

Tomorrow morning I get it.

If you're so hot to help me,

do something about that.

I've tried, Jerry. Believe me, I have.

I've gone to the colonel,

to general headquarters, told them it was

all my fault and not yours.

Looks like there's no use.

There's nothing left for me to do.

You really believe it's your fault I'm in this jam?

I do indeed.

It's not my fault I couldn't take it, is it?

You're not the only one who ever knew fear.

It just happens you couldn't face it.

You can still do something.

Let me out of here. Help me to escape.

You just said

they had no right to keep me here.

Let me out. I'll get home some way.

After the war,

they'll forget about me.

Why not? You're a priest.

They can't do anything to you.

You're forgetting I'm a soldier as well as a priest.

I see.

Jerry...Ask me anything else.

I will.

I'll ask you to beat it.

But you don't under--

aw, leave me alone! Please.

Hello, Alec. How is it?

For a mass suicide, the setup's great.

A thick bale of uncut wire with strong

enemy machine gun positions behind it.

If they'd given us artillery preparation,

we could've blasted lanes through that wire.

What about tanks? Do we get them?

Sure, after we take the two villages beyond.

Sweet job that'll be. We'll be cut to pieces

from that hill on the right

before we get well-started.

Why the devil did they order--

ever read Tennyson, Alec?

"Ours not to reason why. Ours but to do and--"

you said it. Zero hour the same?

Just before dawn. 4:45.

[Shells exploding]

Reception committee's tuning up.

I'd better get back to my battalion.

Good luck.

Well, Mike.

Hello, father.

How do you feel now?

Ah, now, don't be like that.

Takes more than a 77 shell

to keep an Irishman down.

I'm on my way out, father.

I need you maybe

to say a bit of prayer.

Wouldn't you be wanting one of your own faith?

No time.

You mean you want me to help you pray?

Yes, father.

'Tis the only thing

that kept me going

through many a long day.

"O lord, god, I know that my life

and my death are in thy hands,

"and may it be thy will to heal me.

"But if thou willest my death,

"may it be atonement for all my sins.

"Into thy hands I entrust my spirit.

"Thou art my redeemer, lord, god of truth.

"The lord shall reign forever and ever.

"Hear, o Israel,

"the lord our god...

The lord is one."

[Praying in hebrew]

[Praying in hebrew]

Thank you, father.

Don't tell me

they're starting to shell this place.

Let me out of here! Let me out of here!

Jerry.

We're getting out of here.

Where are we going?

What are you gonna do with me?

[Explosion]

Jerry, you've looked in the face of death

these past few hours.

Death by execution or death from shellfire,

now, you're still alive.

I can't let you stay here with this.

You're free, Jerry. Free of everything but yourself.

I can't tell you what to do.

I can only point out two roads to you.

One to safety for a while, perhaps to home.

The other...

[Explosion]

You hear that? It's falling on your regiment.

It's possible not one of them will come out alive.

There are your two ways.

Whichever you choose, you'll have to walk alone.

What do you mean, whichever I choose?

You think I'm crazy enough

to try and go through that?

Good-bye, father.

Jerry.

Jerry.

Give me a hand here.

Don't go in there, father.

The whole roof might cave in any minute.

[People talking excitedly]

Boys, boys, boys.

Everything's going to be all right.

This is father Duffy.

Oh, aren't you ashamed?

Kicking up a row like this over a few shells.

Timmy, lad, I'm surprised.

You don't want god to think you've forgotten him.

Come on, now, Sean, buck up.

Buck up, all of you.

I tell you, everything is gonna be all right.

Get hold of yourself, Timmy. Come on, now.

We'll all say the lord's prayer.

Repeat after me.

Our father who art in heaven...

Our father who art in heaven...

Hallowed be thy name.

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses...

Forgive us our trespasses...

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation...

Lead us not into temptation...

But deliver us from evil.

But deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Thank you, father.

And if it so be that he find it,

amen, I say to you.

He rejoiceth more for that

than for the 99 which went not astray.

Them things is getting on my nerves.

Give me a cigarette, will you, Mac?

You can't smoke up here.

I don't want to smoke it. I want to chew it

to keep my teeth from chattering.

[Shell approaching]

Hang on, men. The tanks will be here soon.

Paddy, watch those big ears of yours.

They'll think you're a battleship.

How would you boys like a nice cold bottle of beer?

I'd settle for a hot one.

Brian, wait till the wife hears

you've been out all night.

Sorry, old-timer.

Looks kind of mean, Alec.

"Kind of"? Mortars all about us and that wire out there?

We're cooked unless we get through.

We got to get through.

Once we get out of our trenches,

we can finish the thing off.

[Blows whistle]

[Blows whistle]

Here's a scrap

that should satisfy even the fighting Irish, eh, sergeant?

Yes, sir. 'Tis a fine bit of a scrimmage, sir.

We got to knock out those machine guns somehow,

cut a hole through that wire.

Are all those Stokes mortars out of commission?

Yes. And the crew's all killed, sir.

Well, maybe there's one we can fix up somehow.

That would do it.

There's gannon's outfit 50 yards off the flank.

Maybe I can have a look, sir.

Go on out.

Come on, you men!

[Speaking german]

Fire!

What are you doing up here

with fighting men? You run the wrong way again?

I didn't come here to look at your big ugly puss.

Show me how to use this stovepipe.

What for? So you can turn it on the 69th

and kill more good men, like Tim and Kilmer?

Listen, I know what you think of me,

and I know what I think of you.

But never mind our own private scrap.

Now, shut your big Irish trap

and show me how to use this Stokes

or I'll shove this bayonet through you.

Show me how to use it so I can't miss.

There's nothing to it. Here.

Put your hand on the fuse,

pull the pin... Drop it in.

They don't look like much.

The tnt will blow a hole in that wire

as wide as central park.

Here's a kiss for you, heinie.

[Speaking German]

Are you all right?

All right?

I'll show them krauts. Can you walk?

I guess so. Why?

Grab some men and get this ammunition forward.

Hey, you 68th men,

grab these shells and move them up!

Put a sausage skin on this one, you krauts!

Here's one for the 69th!

Who's firing that Stokes?

Big Mike.

Here's one from Brooklyn!

If he keeps that up, he'll blow a hole

in that wire big enough to sail a leviathan through.

Here's one for Yonkers and the Bronx.

Divide it among ya!

Here's one for you, pal!

And another one!

Look out, Mike!

Now, Alec.

[Blows whistle]

[Soldiers yelling]

Mike, Mike, god bless you. You saved the day for us.

They're swarming up and over and through.

Man, what a fight you made.

What a fight I made, major?

There's the man who made it,

not me, sir.

That's not Plunkett.

It is, sir.

I'm sorry, soldier.

Father Duffy.

Father Duffy.

Jerry.

Jerry, this is father Duffy.

I just been talking to your boss.

You're not afraid, are you, Jerry?

No, father, not any more.

I been an awful lot

of trouble to you,

haven't I, father?

Father, who's that with you?

Major Donovan...

Big Mike.

Mike...

I'm awful sorry about Tim.

I'm ready, father.

[Speaking Latin]

I once thought this man was a coward.

A coward, sir? From now on,

every time I hear the name of Plunkett,

I'll snap to attention and salute.

[Band playing marching music]

Pretty soft for you colonels.

My feet are killing me.

You see? You should be wounded,

then they'd be cheering you, too.

Where was you wounded, Buddy?

Hoboken. Hoboken?

I sprained me ankle getting off the boat.

Say, this is fine.

O heavenly father, here I beseech you

the prayer of this America's lost generation.

They loved life, too, o lord.

It was as sweet to them

as to the living of today.

They accepted privation, wounds, and death

that an ideal might live.

Don't let it be forgotten, father.

Amid turmoil and angry passions,

when all worthwhile things seem swept away,

let the tired eyes of a troubled world rise up

and see the shining citadel

of which these young lives

form the imperishable stones.

America...

A citadel of peace.

Peace forevermore...

This I beg of you

through Christ our lord.

Amen.