All language subtitles for Hallmark Silent Night 2002 DvDrip[Eng]-greenbud1969

English subtitles by SirGawen.

My name is Fritz Vincken
and I was 12 years old in 1944,

when on Christmas Eve I suddenly
found myself in the middle

of what would become
the famous Battle of the Bulge.

War does not stop
for holidays.

Fighting raged everywhere.

The countryside was littered
with bodies

and equipment.

But my mother was not the kind of person
to let events control her.

It was the season
of goodwill to all
mankind.

Yet, there seemed
no end to the war.

No end to the fighting,
suffering.

With food and basic supplies
almost impossible to find

and our home destroyed in a bombing raid,
my mother made a momentous decision.

She decided that we would seek refuge
in our family's old hunting cabin.

As I entered the lonely, empty space,
I had no idea it would be

the most memorable
Christmas of my life.

Kindly go and get your book.

In English, Fritz.

English.

I don't see why
I must learn English.

Franz Ulmer says that one day we will soon conquer
the world and everyone will have to speak German.

And how does he know that?

His father says so,
and he works for the fuhrer.

Franz Ulmer's father is a minor official.
And he knows nothing.

But the fuhrer
knows everything.

He does not know everything.

He simply forces our people
to believe that he does.

Momma, you mustn't
speak like that.

Your book, Fritz.

'Well,' says Buck,
'A feud is this way.

A man has a quarrel with
another man and kills him. '

Have you ever seen
any Americans, momma?

Ja.

Before the war.

Many American tourists
would come to visit.

What were they like?

Just like us, I suppose,
only different.

I saw an American once,
who had jumped from his burning airplane.

The shoemaker shot him.

He said it was his duty.

That was not his duty.

That was murder.

Did no one try to stop him?

Why?

The American had been
trying to kill us.

Do not worry, momma.

After Christmas, when I am called
to do my duty, I will not shoot them.

I will take them prisoner.

Fritz, you are not
becoming a soldier.

Oh yes, Willi Ernst has already been called up
and he is only two months older than me.

Listen to me, Fritz.

We are not going
back to town.

And you are not joining
the Hitler Youth and carrying guns.

But momma, it is
my duty to... - Papa?

Papa!

Please, don't hurt us.

We are alone.

All clear, sarge,

Bed back here.

Stay where I can see you.

Understand?

Not a sound.

Easy soldier, easy.

We'd better clean
this thing out.

Get me some hot water and the
field dressing from my pack.

And keep your eye on
those two out there.

Hey, hey, hey....

Where are you going?

Ah, I have hot water
on the stove.

I'll get it.

You speak English, too?

Yeah!

You like "Huck Finn"?

Yeah!

What about "Tom Sawyer"?

Yeah, I like that
book very much.

I like Tom.

He's a smart boy!

Hum.

Smart?

That's right.

Tom's always on the move.

What else you read?

"Moby Dick".

"The Last Of The Mohicans".

No kidding.

Those are good books.

What about "Mein Kampf"?

No.

It's a lousy read anyway.

Here you go.

The lady's taking
care of the hot water.

It's on its way.

Whaddya mean she's
taking care of the water?

She's heating it up.

You let her heat it up?

It's just hot water.

Are you forgetting
something here, private?

We're at war with
these people.

I know but, she's...

But what?

Haven't you seen enough by now
to know they are not to be trusted?

If you want them to do something for
you, you keep an eye on them at all times.

Did you?

Huh?

Did you keep an eye
on them at all times?

No.

Then how do you know
what she put in it?

It is hot water.

Just hot water with a clean
cloth to clean the wound.

We won't be needing
you anymore.

Let me give you a
piece of advice, Rassi.

If you wanna make it through this war
alive, the only person you trust is wearing

the same uniform as you are.

Now get out of here and
dig some sulfur packs.

We're to disinfect this thing.

Soldier!

May I ask how long
you intend to stay here?

I don't know, ma'am.

That's something you're gonna
have to take up with the sergeant.

I take it, you are lost.

Yeah, that's right.

Herbie took a hit.

We carried him from the line.

Then the snow came in.

And well, here we are, ah.

There's no sulfur packs.

There's got to be!

You keep looking!

Then your unit
is not very far.

No, ma'am.

Can't be more than... Those are the kind
of questions you shouldn't be asking.

Sarge! Sarge!

They're behind the wall!
They're behind the wall!

No! No I...

Rassi, get in here
and give me a hand.

No sulfur packs, sarge.

Damn it!

We'll hold him down
while I clean this thing out, would ya?

Herbie!

It's okay!

Herbie!

It's me!

It's Jimmy!

Jimmy!

What happened?

What are we doing here?

We were hiding behind
that wall, remember?

Aye?

Then the Krauts started
shelling and you got hit.

Hit?

Lemme see.

No, no!

Lemme see!

No, no.

You're gonna be fine, Herbie.

Herbie, you're gonna be fine.

It's okay, the sarge
is taking care of you.

Sarge!

Sarge?

Am I hit bad?

It's alright, Herbie.

Everything's
gonna be alright.

Just relax while I clean
this thing out, alright.

You see - see - it's
gonna be - it's gonna be.

Is there any
shrapnel in there?

I don't think so.

I'm no medic but it looks like
this thing went clean through.

Lucky it didn't
sever an artery.

You're sure there's
no sulfur packets?

I told you, we're out.

Perhaps this will help.

It is disinfectant.

Sarge, it's burning.

It's alright.

It's alright.

The wound will have to be closed
soon or infection will set in.

What are you, a
nurse or something?

No.

Only a school teacher.

Only?

There's nothing
wrong with that.

Think again, Rassi.

In this country they teach things
that don't belong in any schools.

The little tyke out there has
already been filled for his jackboots.

Where is that kid anyway?

He's just outside -
bringing in more firewood.

Go outside and find that kid.

And bring me my carbine.

Right.

It's okay.

No.

Don't leave me.

Sarge!

You'd better come out here!

What is it?

They were right there.

Lady, I'm not even
gonna count to three.

Unless you tell me
right now where he's...

I will not tolerate
weapons in my house.

You can have them
back when you leave.

What?

In case you haven't noticed, lady
- there's a war on and your house is

right in the middle of it.

That makes it a shelter for my men
- a base of operations, a hospital, a barracks

a bunker and whatever else the hell
I say it is until I say it isn't.

Do you understand me?

Rassi, get outside and find out
what the kid did with the guns.

Beat it out of him
if you have to.

No.

You stay here with me!

No.

Hey.

What's up, buddy?

Getting more
firewood, are you?

Eh?

That's a -

That's a good man.

Where'd you put the guns?

Look, you know this is not gonna work,
so don't make me get angry at you.

Just tell me where you put the
guns and we can stay friends.

Dammit kid, no games.

Where did
you put the frigging guns.

Of course, some place safe.

Thanks, pal.

We are not friends.

We will never be friends.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Why not then?

You are an American.

You wish to destroy our
country and the fuhrer.

Really?

And where'd you hear that?

On the radio.

No kidding.

Well, you're right
about the last part.

If I could get these hands on the
fuhrer's neck, I'd ring it like a chicken.

Feel good about it, too.

But I'm not your
enemy, he is.

But his day of reckoning is coming soon,
and that'll be a great day for all of us,

including you, even if
you don't know it yet.

And don't believe everything
you hear on the radio.

Some things they
say just ain't so.

Come on.

Gimme that.

Alright?

Inside!

Come on.

Get inside!

Get inside!

OK.

Come on.
Come on.

And not a word unless
I say so, alright.

Halt!

Halt!

Freeze right there!

Don't move!

Damn!

Put your weapons
down or I'll shoot!

You stay here and keep quiet.

Let me go.

So you can tell them
that we're unarmed?

I don't think so.

I could have shouted it out
already, oh, please, it's my son.

Put your weapons
down or I'll shoot.

Tell them to put their
guns down or I'll shoot.

Tell them, dammit!

You hear me? -
put the weapons down!

I understood perfectly
well what was said, Frau.

American soldier,
let us talk.

You are alone and
there are three of us.

Think again, Herman.

I got them covered
from in here, Rassi.

Gotcha, sarge.

Put the guns down before
this thing gets ugly.

So, my friend, it seems you have an
innocent young boy back there with you.

Surely you do not
want him to get hurt.

What do I care?

He's one of yours anyway!

No!

Nein! No!

Stop this, all of you!

Stop this madness!

You heard her.

Put your guns down.

All right then.

Good!

That's real good.

Good.

Don't move! Don't move.

Fritz.

Stay there!

Get the gun out here, sarge!

Alright, get in the house!

Get your men in
the house, now!

Go on.

Very clever.

Very clever indeed.

And very clever of you, Frau.

I said - no guns inside
the house, sergeant.

Are you crazy?

Get out of the way.

No.

No guns.

I said - move aside, lady!

You might be dead now
if it were not for me.

She's got a point
there, sarge.

Shut up, Rassi.

Now move out of the way!

We're going in.

If you want the comfort of my
home, it will be on my conditions.

The guns remain outside.

Let's get something straight.

This lady has offered us
all shelter for the night.

Her only condition is that we leave the weapons
outside and consider this neutral territory.

Are you okay with that?

Ya.

Very well.

I guess we have a deal.

Thank you.

Fritz, take these and put
them with the others.

Good boy.

Well, Merry Christmas,
everyone.

Well.

Since you are all
guests in my house, let us introduce yourselves.

I am Elisabeth Vincken.

And this is my son, Fritz.

Sergeant Ralph Blank - and
this is private Jimmy Rassi.

Lieutenant Hans Klosterman -
this is sergeant Marcus Mueller

and private, Peter Heinrich.

What was that?

You got something to say?

He says you are trouble.

He's got that right.

Not in my house.

Do your men speak any
English, Herr lieutenant?

Yeah, the sergeant, but
not private Heinrich.

Then may I suggest that we all do so in
order to avoid any possible confusion.

Very well, then.

Sergeant.

That's another one of my men.

He's been hit.

I guess it's time we put
that deal to the test, huh?

Stay here, Rassi, right?

Perhaps one of you has
some medical knowledge?

The soldier is
very badly wounded.

Well, let us see,
shall we, sergeant?

Everything's gonna be okay.

It's okay.

A serious wound!

That's right!

Stay with me, Herbie.

Stay with me.

Sarge!

Listen, I'd love to sit around and chat with
you all, but unless you've got something...

I see!

Would you kindly
heat this up, Frau Vincken?

Yeah!

The cold spared
him infection.

But we must cauterize the wound
or he may slowly bleed to death.

You're medic?

Wounded - the walking
wounded assist the doctors.

The eastern front?

The eastern front.

The Caucasus.

And now here.

You?

North Africa.

Italy.

Now here.

Join the army, see the world.

Yeah!

It seems you have changed
sides, Frau Vincken.

Are you aware of the
consequences of such an act?

I am not siding with anyone.

On the contrary, you
have helped the enemy.

And that is an
act of treason.

They forced their
way in with guns.

I then agreed to let them
stay, on condition that they leave their weapons outside.

That hardly seems treasonous
to me, Herr leutnant.

No,

but you could have warned
us that they were unarmed.

Yet, you did not.

No, I did not,

because I was afraid that
you would start shooting.

Afraid for my son.

I hardly think the president of the
peoples' tribunal would consider those

mitigating circumstances.

And we know how Herr
Freisler deals with traitors.

Herr Freisler's court is
a perversion of justice.

All its judgments are
foregone conclusions.

If one can be deemed a traitor for
refusing to renounce one's moral

obligations, then
I am indeed guilty.

Now if you will excuse me.

Careful, Frau Vincken.

The Americans have
not won the war yet.

One last time!

Be tough for me!

Be tough.

One last time.

Noo!

Are you tough?

Yeah.

That's right.

That's right.

It's done.

That's it, buddy.

That's it.

He will probably be
unconscious for a while.

I'll be damned!

The bleeding's stopped.

Yeah!

But we need to disinfect and
dress the wound properly.

We will take care of that.

Thank you, sergeant Mueller.

What are you doing here?

I'm just trying to do
what I think is right.

My eldest son, Paul,
died at Stalingrad.

He was shot and bled to death because
there was no one there to help him.

No one should have
to die like that.

I... I'm sorry to hear that.

But what I meant was, why would you
bring your boy here at a time like this?

Our town is under
constant bombardment.

It is much safer here.

Closer to the front lines.

You know they're gonna come
right by you in a day or two.

The war will soon be over.

The sooner the better.

Is he gonna be alright?

Yeah.

Thanks.

It was a noble initiative,
sergeant Mueller.

Let us hope your efforts
will be rewarded.

The patient is better, I hear.

He'll survive.

Das ist gut!

One of our units will be here shortly and then
he will receive excellent medical attention.

I wouldn't count on your
boys getting here first.

But you are already
behind our lines.

Not for long.

Wishful thinking, sergeant, but we shall
soon resume the offensive and have you

running back to the English Channel just like
we did to the French and British at Dunkirk.

Only this time we won't make
the same mistake, I assure you.

I don't think so.

This offensive was
your last gasp.

Now the war's almost
over and you know it.

We'll be running alright.

Running as we kick
your sorry bu...

Gentlemen! Gentlemen!

I remind you of
our agreement.

You'll kindly leave
your war outside.

Yes, of course.

Do forgive me, Frau.

I should have realized that the sergeant
and I would have a difference of opinion

on such matters.

I think you and I would have differences
of opinion about a lot of things.

May I suggest, that on this holiest
of nights we try instead to discover

what we have in common.

A night off
sounds good to me.

The war'll still be waitin'
out there for us tomorrow.

Then it is agreed.

Yeah.

Good!

Well then, if you will all be patient,
I will prepare us something to eat.

Ma'am.

Ma'am, you don't
have to do that.

Yeah!

We can take care
of ourselves.

Ach, it is nothing.

Only a little potato soup.

But we have learned to be
grateful for small things.

Fritz, the dishes.

Please.

Well then, I guess it's
gonna have to be potluck.

Hey, come on you
guys, ante up.

What?

What's the matter,
lieutenant?

Didn't your momma tell you, "never
go to a dinner party empty-handed".

Ah, yes!

Of course.

Heinrich, Mueller,
your rations, please.

What is all this?

This is what we can do
to make a little contribution.

How - this all?
Danke.

Now we really can have
a Christmas dinner.

That's the idea!

So, let's see
what we've got here.

Lieutenant Klosterman's
generous contribution, huh?

Four slices of rye bread, a piece of
bratwurst, and ah, a jar of pickled onions.

Hmm!

Kind of Spartan, lieutenant?

Prussian, actually.

I do apologize.

This is all I have to offer.

Well, it's a start!

Let's see what
sergeant Mueller's got.

Okay, four slices of rye bread, a piece
of sausage, and - hello - what's this?

Cookies!

Cookies?

The mighty Wehrmacht
marches on cookies?

My wife made them.

She sends them
with every letter.

Well that's very
generous of you, sergeant.

Please, offer your wife our
thanks and ah, while you're at it,

put another order
for me, huh.

Yeah.

Okay, private Heinrich,
you're up next.

Let's see what we've got here; six
slices of bread, a piece of sausage and -

nothing.

No wife to send you
any cookies there.

How about your momma?

Er will wissen ob deine mutter
dir manchmal sachen schickt.

Meine Eltern sind in einem
Bombenangriff umgekommen.

He says both of his parents...

- I think I understood.

Tell him I'm sorry.

Er sagt dass ihm
das leik tut.

Ya.

Very well.

What about you, Americans.

You seem to have
come well prepared.

Always!

Boy scouts' motto!

So let's see what our
sergeant has to offer here.

Don't lay it on too thick.

Just get on with it.

Righto, sarge.

Just the 'menu du
jour', no extras?

That's your department, Rassi.

Well, here you got a fine example
of American military cuisine.

Your standard
issue "K" rations.

Hmm?

One can of mystery meat.

One can of baked beans, hmm?

Some wheat crackers.

Peanut butter

and a pineapple pudding.

This is exactly why the
Wehrmacht will prevail.

What will your poor soldiers do should
your army ever run out of pineapple pudding?

Ask for a banana!

Besides, you haven't
tasted it yet.

Sounds to me like you might have to
get used to our catering, lieutenent.

I think not!

What about you, private Rassi?

It's your turn.

What have you brought?

You seem to have
a lot of supplies.

Must be my, uh,
Italian origins, ma'am.

If I'm gonna die, it's
not gonna be of hunger.

He's also an A-1 scrounger.

Negotiator, if you
don't mind, sarge.

Well, thank you all for
your contributions.

Fritz, finish setting the table, and
then come and help me in the kitchen.

Du auch, Peter.

Helfe mir mit diesen sachen.

Allow me to help
also, Frau Vincken.

Fritz, wie alt bist du?

Twelve, sir.

Sorry sir, but my mother insists
that I speak to you in English.

Yeah, of course.

We mustn't let our friends think
we are conspiring against them.

Tell me, Fritz, where is your
father, in the Wehrmacht?

Yes sir, he's in the army.

Any brothers?

Sisters?

My older brother, sir.

He was killed at Stalingrad.

He died for his country.

There is no greater honor.

No, sir.

And what about you?

Are you ready to serve in
defense of the fatherland?

Yes, sir.

I shall join the Hitler Youth
as soon as my papers arrive.

Ah, das ist gut.

So, you have not
been called yet?

No, sir.

I see.

Well, I should
let you continue.

Fritz, darling, when you are done,
you and Peter can bring in the dishes.

Don't get too cozy here.

We're still at
war, remember that.

I'm sure you wouldn't
let me forget that.

That's right.

They might act friendly, but
let's not get careless, alright?

No, but they did make a deal.

Like the one they
made with Stalin?

Oh, this really is a feast.

And what is this?

'Truffles du Perigord'.

Oh dear, this is a luxury.

What I would give to be out in the
forest on a cool October morning,

looking for truffles.

Will we ever do things
like that again?

Yeah.

One day.

When this cursed war ends,

all this insanity.

How did we ever get fooled into
going along with all of this?

I don't know.

But we were all
guilty, I suppose.

I kick myself for not having done
something sooner, while there
was still time

Yeah!

Now it is too late.

Speak out now and they simply
take you outside and shoot you.

I know this from
personal experience.

Not your husband, I hope.

A friend.

Another schoolteacher.

My husband is with the army.

He's a baker.

He is well then, I hope.

I do not know.

I have not heard from
him in over two months.

Yeah. Well, cooks are
usually far behind the lines.

We never let anything happen to them.
Our forces are retreating very fast now.

I'm sure he just hasn't had
time to sit and write you.

Yeah, yeah.

That must be it.

Are you late for
something, private?

Late?

Yeah, I'm late.

I had a whole life planned
until you guys invaded Poland.

Sorry for the inconvenience,

The threat of a Polish attack
left us with little choice.

What a load of malarkey.

A bunch of yokels on horseback must
have been a real threat to your panzers.

What about you?

Isn't there some place
else you'd rather be?

I do not think of this.

I am where it is
my duty to be.

And if you die?

It would be an honor for me
to die in such circumstances.

Death is no right matter.

Well, it is to me.

I prefer the alternative.

I would not expect you to understand
such things, private Rassi.

Sounds like you're getting
personal, lieutenant.

Well, let's just say that it is unfortunate
that our former Italian allies do not

have the same iron
resolve as we, Germans.

Out of respect for Frau Vincken,
I'm gonna let that one slide.

But be careful.

Don't get me steamed.

At least they had the moxie to get
rid of the megalomaniac that was

destroying their country.

Too bad you don't have the resolve to
think for yourselves and do the same.

Supper is served!

Hurry, gentlemen, und
bring something to sit on.

I would ask you all to
join me in a short prayer.

Lord, we give thanks for this food and we
ask you in his name to put an end to this

war and to bring comfort and
peace to all its many victims.

Amen.

Amen.

Pass your bowls!

Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!

It smells delicious.

Voila!

Two of Bordeaux's finest.

Oh well, you are certainly full
of surprises, private Rassi.

Jimmy.

You can call me Jimmy.

Jimmy.

Or perhaps I should
say - Weihnachtsmann?

What?

Oh, was ist das?

Uhm - Santa Claus.

Santa Claus

I wonder what else
do you have in there?

Oh, the night
is young, ma'am.

No, Elisabeth,
call me Elisabeth.

How long have you been lugging
these bottles around with you?

Since D-day?

Yeah.

Just about, sarge.

Ah, they're Herbie's.

But I don't think he'll mind.

Hey!

To our hostess, whose common sense,
decency and stubbornness have made this

evening possible.

May she soon live in the
peaceful world that she deserves.

To Elisabeth!

Thank you.

Now, may we eat?

Please, sit.

I will check on him for you.

That's alright, lieutenant.

He's my man.

I can take care of him.

Let him sleep.

He'll be fine.

Then everyone, you may begin.

Oh, you don't have to
tell me twice, Elisabeth.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Merry Christmas.

I have never understood the
American fascination with baseball.

That was when it struck
me what my mother had done.

Somehow these soldiers were
not so fearsome any more.

They could have been
family or friends.

And it appeared as though my
mother's wish was coming true,

as if the end of the war was
beginning right there at the

dinner table of
Elisabeth Vincken.

But the meal
was only the beginning.

Christmas is the
season of surprises.

The evening certainly had a
few surprises left in store.

Elisabeth, this is the
best meal I've ever had.

Surely you
exaggerate a little.

No?

Not at all.

As they say,
everything is relative.

Well, relatively speaking,
this meal was delicious.

Right guys?

Yeah!

Thanks, Elisabeth,
it tasted great.

How about you, lieutenant?
don't agree?

What?

Ah yes, of course,
thank you Frau Vincken.

It's, uh, it's very good.

You've been very quiet
down there, Herr leutnant.

Is something bothering you?

No!

Thinking.

That is all.

Well, there's no law against that
in the Third Reich, I suppose.

Not yet!

And what were you
thinking about?

Your family?

Actually, I was.

When was the last time
that you were home?

December of 1942.

Ah, for Christmas?

For my older
brother's funeral.

He was a panzer company
commander killed in Russia.

We were all very
proud of Gunter.

He brought great
honor to our family.

Only two months before, he
had won the Iron Cross,

like my father and
uncle in the Great War.

And now I am the only son.

So, I must continue
the family tradition.

That's quite a
responsibility to bear.

Makes me kind of glad my old
man was just a stone mason.

My father was also
in the Great War.

Oh, he was a handsome man, until he
marched off to the Somme and had half of his

face blown off.

What was left was
a horrifying sight.

From that point on, my mother would not
allow any mirrors or any shiny surfaces

into our home,

but our pain was
nothing compared to his.

He would drink constantly, until
he drank himself unconscious.

And then he would have nightmares
and scream as if being tortured.

He finally shot
himself in our parlor.

I was twelve, and it was
his thirty-second birthday.

Do not talk to me
about the honor of war.

Well, uh, let's see what
we have for dessert, huh.

Let's see, we got, we got eight
cookies, courtesy of Frau Mueller,

and pineapple pudding, eh?

Private Heinrich,

some pineapple pudding?

Yeah, fur sie!

Danke!

Private citizen Vincken?

Danke.

Elisabeth, would
you like a cookie?

Not yet, thank you.

Anybody else?

What?

Are you kidding me?

Come on.

Here.

Yeah.

Me too.

Believe me, they
are delicious.

Umm - umm - Santa?

Well, I think we should
help, give Elisabeth a hand...

No, no, no.

Everyone relax.

I will take care
of everything.

It's not a problem.

Okay.

Sarge, I'll take that.

Oh, okay.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

Going somewhere, sergeant?

You guys might be able to hold it in
all night, but I gotta go to the latrine.

Yeah!

I too must relieve myself.

Fritz, darling!

When you are done, you and
Peter can bring in the dishes.

I suspect I know your
secret, Frau Vincken.

I have no secrets, lieutenant.

Are you sure?

This is a unique situation,
but temporary, I assure you.

Tomorrow we, soldiers,
must go back to war.

Back to our opposing sides.

Whose side will you
be on, Frau Vincken?

Or, more precisely, whose side
would you like to be on?

What are you trying to say?

Just that I know
why you are here.

It bothered me why a mother would bring
her son up through our lines whilst a

great battle is raging.

Usually civilians
go the other way.

but not you.

Why?

Because you hope to get through
our lines to the American side.

And why would I
do such a thing?

For Fritz!

You see, it occurred to me that through
every town we went through, boys much

younger than him were
already bearing arms.

But not he.

Why not?

How is it that he is the only boy
his age who has not received his

call-up papers yet?

Or has he?

I make no excuses.

I have already lost one
son and possibly a husband.

I will not see my only remaining son
give his life for a cause I no longer

believe in.

Well, I think this
is the last of it.

Excuse me, lieutenant.

So guys, what are we going to do about
dressing up that naked Christmas tree, huh?

We don't have
any decorations.

Not yet.

Let me see what I can find.

Well, come on.

Let's go.

Come on.

Let's get to the tree.

Come on, Peter.

Danke.

Cigars and pineapple pudding.

A few kilometers from home and
yet we barely have enough rations.

And America is an ocean away
and you have everything.

We haven't even started
breathing heavy yet.

That kid there, Heinrich,

how old is he?

Turns fifteen next spring
if he survives that long.

We now feed children
to the meat grinder.

What about the ones
that do survive?

How are you gonna make them
kids again when all this is over?

I don't know.

And your boy in there,

the wounded one,

how old is he?

Twenty-one.

He's an old man in this game.

He may even get to be a little
bit older, thanks to you.

It is difficult, huh, not to
get close to the good ones.

Herbie?

Worst soldier I've ever seen.

Can't clear his weapon
- bunches up with the other guys.

Can't put him on the point
'cause he's always daydreaming.

Ah, you never
daydream, sergeant?

Sometimes it is
what keeps me alive.

Oh, Herbie daydreams all the
time, and that can get you killed.

Been with me since day one.

Him, Meatball Prestianni,
Winkie Kahler, Johnny Simone,

a great bunch of guys.

Came over together in
'42, off a troopship,

into North Africa,
Italy, now here.

Along the way I lost every
one of them, except Herbie.

Worst damn soldier
I've ever seen.

What is it, son?

My mother wanted me to tell you, sir,
that we are decorating the Christmas tree.

Wow!

We better go
inside then, huh.

Check it out,
what do you think, sarge?

That's not bad

Let's see what else we got here.

I see you are not a
traditionalist, Frau Vincken.

Oh, no?

How's that?

The lieutenant is referring
to the fact that in our country

the children are not present
for the decorating of the tree.

That's a bum deal.

They miss half the fun.

Yes.

But as we all know, our hostess
prefers to do things her own way.

Nothing wrong with that.

If there were more of you like her,
not one of us would be here right now.

I'd be back in Brooklyn in my
mother's kitchen, sipping vino.

Getting my hand slapped for
mooching her spaghetti sauce.

What do you think?

It looks pretty good!

There's something
missing though, huh?

Something for the
top of the tree.

Yeah, that's
right, lieutenant.

Something shiny, eh?

Rassi, what are you doing?

Just for tonight, sarge?

Oh, well.

It looks wonderful.

Merry Christmas...
Frohliche Weihnachten.

Yeah.

Wunderschon, Peter.

Schon, Peter, sehr schon.

He was in the choir.

At Cologne cathedral.

Hum.

No kidding.

With a voice like that he
could make a statue cry.

Well

I guess, it's time to
hand out the gifts, huh?

Gifts?

Really?

Didn't I tell you Santa
was going to be here, huh?

Peter, chocolate, huh?

Danke!

There you go.

That's for you.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Elisabeth!

Now, what's this?

French soap.. oh,
it's beautiful.

Thank you, Jimmy.

My pleasure.

Sorry, guys.

Nothing for you.

I'm all out.

I think maybe I've
got a little something?

You son of a gun!

How long have you been
hoarding that?

I was saving it for
the end of the war.

But I guess
Christmas came first.

What's wrong, lieutenant?

Where did you get that?

I traded for it.

Two zippos and a
carton of cigarettes.

Liar!

I told you, I traded for it.

Liar.

You took it from the
body of a German soldier.

Easy, lieutenant.

To take cigarettes, a
watch or even money,

that is one thing.

But to take a
soldier's medals,

his highest honor, is the most
dishonorable thing imaginable.

Back off, lieutenant!

Back off!

It's an outrage,
you have no decency?

Decency?

I don't need any sermons
from the likes of you!

Watch out, sarge!

I got him.

Move away from him, sarge!

I got him!

Herbie, take it easy, Herbie!

Gimme the gun.

Sarge?

That's right.

Herbie.

It's me. Now, give me the gun.

What's happening?

What's happening?

For Christ sake, Herbie,
would you give me the gun?

But sarge -

You okay?
Herbie! Herbie!

It's okay, it's okay.
I'm sorry.

I'll take that, lieutenant.

You gave your word.
Now, give me the gun

When they found my brother's body, it was
stripped naked and thrown to the ground.

Like the carcass
of an animal.

They took everything,
including his medals.

Hans.

Peter!

He is lucky.

It's just a graze.

Not too serious.

I will take care of this.

Come, Peter, come.

Come on.

Lieutenant!

I'm sorry I can't tell you the
name of the soldier it came from.

Like I said, I traded for it.

Hey, Fritz, is Peter
gonna be alright?

Yeah!

You and I still friends?

We're friends.

For ever?

For ever!

For ever's a long
time, you know.

For ever!

That's a good man!

Hey, you see that
bright star up there?

Yeah!

Sirius.

The brightest
star in the sky.

How'd you know that?

My father,

he loves to study the stars.

Me, it was my uncle Ennio.

We used to spend all night on
his roof with his telescope.

Bet you didn't know it's
not one star but two?

Yeah!

I did.

So close together, that it
looks like one from down here.

You're a pretty
smart guy, huh?

Yeah!

Do you know how far it is?

Not exactly.

But I know it's
one of the closest.

8.7 light years.

Makes you feel
kinda small, huh?

Well, that's good.

A little humility
is a good thing.

Um - guess it's time
for a little shut-eye.

Are you in charge
here, sergeant?

Yes sir.

Well, yes sir and no sir.

Well, which is it?

Are you or are you not the
senior man here, sergeant?

What the... What the
hell's going on here?

Are these men
your prisoners?

Well, not exactly, sir.

Not exactly?

What then?

Well, no, sir.

I suppose, you could say
that we're all guests here -

- guests of this lady.

Guests?

Yes, sir.

Private Rassi and I got lost in the storm,
trying to evacuate one of our wounded.

He's in the next room.

We stumbled onto this cabin in the woods.

Frau Vincken here was good enough
to invite us in, share food with us.

And the Krauts?

They showed up lost
a short while later.

And I suppose Frau Vincken
fed them too, right?

Yes, sir.

Well, we got one here
for the books, sergeant.

In the middle of a decisive battle you take
out time for Christmas dinner with the enemy.

I'm not sure how that's gonna
sit with your battalion commander.

Unless, of course, he's
around here too, somewhere.

No.

Sir!

No!

Well, I hate to break up the party
sergeant, but there is a war to be won.

Where are your weapons?

Outside, sir.

Frau Vincken made us
all leave them outside.

It was her condition for
letting us in to take a shelter.

Outside?

Yes, sir!

SS Captain Walter Dietrich at
your service, sergeant.

Blank.

Sergeant Ralph Blank.

Well, sergeant Blank, looks like your
friends had quite the celebration last night.

What's wrong, sergeant?

Cat got your tongue?

I heard all about you, guys.

Brought up in the states,

perfect accents,

All you need is a set of fatigues and
you can be dropped behind our lines

to destroy and sabotage at will.

That's right.

Clever isn't it?

You guys just never play
on a level field, huh.

Oh, come on, sergeant, don't give me
that crap about rules and fair play.

This is war, not a ball game.

Maybe the gods of baseball
prefer a level field,

but the gods of war prefer the side
that is the most daring and resourceful.

I always thought we'd be
on the same side in this.

It's too bad president Roosevelt
doesn't think like Mr Lindbergh.

Too bad for you, guys.

The day's soon coming when
you're gonna get yours.

Well, you'll never see
that day, sergeant.

What was that?

Sarge?

It sure as hell wasn't
Merry Christmas.

Can it blank!

Mama!

Herbie.

Hey.

How are you feeling, soldier?

I dreamt I heard
shouting, sarge.

Everything's gonna be fine.

We gotta get going now, but
you're at a friend's house.

Her name's Elisabeth.

She's really nice.

She's gonna take care of
you till our guys get here.

Now, you just stay
here and relax.

That's an order, alright?

Whatever you say, sarge.

Hey, Herb.

Jimmy, no muss,

no fuss.

You got it.

I'll catch you back
in Brooklyn, alright?

Okay.

You sure you don't
want to come with us?

It's gonna be
over soon, anyway.

How about you, sergeant?

Go with them!

Go!

Save your own lives.

It is nearly over!

Lieutenant, all the pineapple
pudding you could eat.

Thank you, but it
is not possible.

It's one crazy world, huh?

Yeah.

Here you might need this.

Thanks.

What about the kid?

He will do what you tell him.

Well, good luck to you.

Good luck, lieutenant.

Private Rassi.

Frau.

I guess this is it.

Thank you, Elisabeth!

You keep your head up and
your eyes on the stars.

Take care, buddy!

Elisabeth, thank you.

Take care of
yourself, Jimmy.

All right you.

Let's move out.

Come on, Peter.

Maybe you can teach
me some German, huh?

It was a Christmas miracle
I should never forget.

How? Because of a one woman,
a group of men came together

as bitter enemies and
departed again as friends.

Later that day an American patrol came by
and the war for us was finally over.

English subtitles by SirGawen.