♪ ♪ If I stay here, then it will destroy me.
♪ ♪ It was nothing to do with choice.
Or love, for that matter.
JAMES: What if I were to recruit you to work for me?
To do what?
To fight, of course.
DAVID: Every time I survive, they give me a more dangerous job.
OFFICER: He needs a hospital!
Medic, now, damn it!
PEARL: There's wounded men on the way, coming in from Libya.
Are we surrendering, sir?
Not a chance-- come on.
(explosion pounds) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (telegraph beeping) ♪ ♪ BRIGGS: Be under no illusion, Rommel has brought his forces up to strength.
We must expect an attempt on the perimeter at any time.
Chase, your men will bolster Australian defenses.
And orders from Churchill: all positions must be held-- there's to be no withdrawal.
Tobruk must hold at all costs.
Sir.
Pal, your men will lay a tactical minefield in order to draw in the tanks for artillery to strike.
Sir, if I may, the enemy is already familiar with the tank trap.
Standard defense formation might be more advisable.
Thank you, Pal.
You will lay a tactical minefield, as per orders.
Sir.
(murmuring) STAN: So how the bloody hell are we gonna stop a Panzer division?
We're not going to stop them.
We're going to let them in.
Sappers are laying a tactical minefield.
Australian guns will harass from the left.
Our job is to take out the German infantry.
SOLDIER: What with, sandbags and popguns?
SOLDIER: And dummy grenades?
All right, leave it, lads, leave it.
(chuckling) HARRY: See, I missed this.
I missed the camaraderie.
Well, you missed getting your arse burnt by Panzer fire.
We hold the line-- at all costs.
Sir... At all costs, sir?
To the last man, George.
(digging) JAMES: Rommel's goal is Cairo and the Suez Canal.
Now...
The Suez Canal connects us to the East.
Now, if Rommel manages to take the Suez Canal, he effectively... (map rips) ...cuts the British Empire in half.
But.
Look at his supply lines.
If he wants to take Cairo, he must carry men and fuel and weapons from here, in Tripoli, all the way across the desert.
And Tobruk is here?
JAMES: Yes.
If he manages to take Tobruk, look what happens.
He can bring everything he needs by sea.
Which is why it's imperative that the Allies hold it.
♪ ♪ RAJIB (speaking Hindustani): ISHWAR: (exhales) RAJIB: (grunts) (gasping) (breathing heavily) (footsteps approaching) Wait!
(moans softly) (running) (bag opens) (taps) No-- no.
DOCTOR (speaking French): (Didier running) (people talking in background) (men laughing, speaking German) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Come on, come on.
♪ ♪ This way.
Good luck.
(bird caws, wings flap) (breathing heavily) DOCTOR (speaking German): (women and girls applauding) (applause fades) Oi, stop gawking, come on.
(gun fires, Harry gasps) Men, stay down!
STAN: You heard the man!
Take cover!
(gun firing, men shouting) (gunfire stops) (man shouts in distance) (gun fires) STAN: Easy, lads!
(footsteps approaching) (laughing): Hey, hey, hey!
It's the cavalry!
(giggling): Oh, come on, brother.
We didn't scare you, did we?
(softly): What do you think you're doing?
We're shooting at seagulls, eh?
Yeah, daft buggers-- they won't move.
Hey, I'll give you good odds on it.
You're giving our position away.
Uh, yeah, look, I think Jerry knows where we are, mate.
Come on, it's, uh, it's good target practice, good for morale.
Lets off a bit of steam, eh?
(gun fires, men cheering) Ooh, you get one?
You got one!
He got it!
(laughs wildly): Get in, son!
(people talking in background) (footsteps approaching) Sorry to keep you, Miss Tomaszeski.
This woman, Irena Lewandowska, you know her?
No.
She works at the Avro factory-- you know it?
It's where they're building the new bomber, the Lancaster.
For now, just watch her-- follow her.
Anything suspicious, any signs of activity, report back.
(clears throat) She walks it every day at 10:00, then again at 5:00.
We'll get you a dog for cover.
Miss Tomaszeski?
Yes.
May I ask, do you know what I mean by a bland smile?
Uh, "bland," I don't know that word.
Flavorless, or... Well, in the case of smiles, meaningless.
Like this?
Ah.
You yourself know that, um, Robina is the most acute of women.
Keep hold of yourself.
I feel she knows something is afoot.
(phone ringing in background) Oh, I know you're an honest woman, and this sort of thing doesn't sit well with you.
But try to think of it as an essential skill rather than a defect of character.
Mmm, very good.
(chuckles) (phone ringing in background) (David groaning) Hold still.
(grunts) I'm trying to fix you.
(weakly): Thank you.
Thank you.
You have an infected wound and a dislocated shoulder.
And I'm sorry, I don't have any morphine.
I'll be all right.
No, you don't understand.
You mustn't make a sound.
There are ears everywhere.
(speaking French): What's the matter?
I've never done it before, myself.
I've only ever assisted.
Well, that's marvelous to know.
(whimpers) (breath trembling) (shoulder crunches, David grunts) (panting) (sighs) (exhaling): Thank you.
Very much.
The English, you are so polite.
I am most sincerely obliged to you, mademoiselle, for the excruciating pain.
(groaning) (exhales deeply) ♪ ♪ Sit.
What on Earth do you think you're doing?
He's a stray.
That is a lurcher.
My goodness, Kasia.
Do you honestly think I'm the sort of woman who would allow a poacher's dog on her property?
You'll take him straight to the pound.
He's for Jan, uh, to care for.
To cheer him up.
I wasn't aware that Jan was anything but perfectly cheerful.
He's for me?
He's mine?
(running) ROBINA: It stays outside at all times.
Under no circumstances is that creature allowed in my house.
He is not "that creature."
He's... Wilk.
My Wilk.
"Vilk"?
It's Polish for wolf.
Oh.
(sighs) Can we walk him now?
Best if I take him today-- he needs to settle.
But he's my dog.
But he knows me, not you.
But he's my dog.
(door closes) ♪ ♪ Wilk, come on.
Come on.
TAM: She walks it every day at 10:00, then again at 5:00.
(Wilk barks) Jan!
Jan!
(Wilk barking) JAN (speaking Polish): IRENA: KASIA: JAN: IRENA: (Irena repeats) (chuckles) (speaking English): Uh, we can't.
IRENA: No, really, we can't.
Robina is expecting us.
She will have dinner ready for us.
IRENA: We'll have to see.
♪ ♪ IRENA: ♪ ♪ (David grunting) (exhales) Are you all right?
I'm sorry to keep you in there for so long.
It's better than being dead.
I got some bones from the butcher.
It's good.
Eat.
(vehicle approaching) (men talking in distance) (exhales) ♪ ♪ There are patrols all the time now.
You speak very good English.
I learned from an American.
A dear friend.
A friend?
Eat.
(knocks) (dog barking inside) (door unlocks) IRENA (speaking Polish): (speaks Polish) (dog whines) KASIA: IRENA: KASIA: IRENA: (dog whines) KASIA: ♪ ♪ IRENA: (stammers) KASIA: IRENA: KASIA: IRENA: Oh!
♪ ♪ KASIA: Mm.
KASIA: IRENA: ♪ ♪ DOCTOR (speaking German): MARGA: DOCTOR: MARGA: DOCTOR: (sighs) KASIA (speaking Polish): JAN: Vera... Kasia!
Kasia!
Kasia, can you look after the baby?
Kasia!
(Vera crying) (sighs): Shush-- ah, Joyce!
Joyce, can you please look after the baby?
I really do need to dress.
Joyce!
(Vera wailing) (shushes): Please, please, Vera.
Joyce.
(sniffling) (shushing) Whatever's the matter?
It's my Terry.
Oh, Mrs. Chase, I've not had a letter for weeks.
And he always writes.
"My joy," he says, "I'm fighting fit.
You're not to worry."
Oh, would that all men were as thoughtful.
They'd tell us, though, wouldn't they?
If it were the worst?
Yes.
Yes, of course, they would.
(Vera crying) Oh, shush, shush, shush, shush, come on, now.
Come now, come, shush, shush, shush.
There, oh.
(chuckles) I should like to know what I did.
I'm sure I always gave him everything he needed.
He was always such an untidy boy.
My whole life, clearing up after his mess.
He'll be all right.
He's been well trained.
They've all been very well trained, haven't they?
Yes, they have.
(Vera whimpers) Shh, it's all right, Vera, it's all right.
NEWSREEL NARRATOR: The German military might, led by Field Marshal Rommel, send their tank divisions to beat Britain and her Commonwealth allies into submission in the intense desert heat.
Our brave boys may have suffered heavy losses, but have vowed to fight Jerry to the last man.
(explosions roaring) (men grunting and shouting) SOLDIER: Disperse!
Disperse!
Morphine.
If you need the toilet, go now.
If you get hit, you stand a better chance if your bowels are empty.
(shell whizzes, explodes) GEORGE (whimpering): No, no, no, I'm not staying here.
I'm not staying here.
George, George, George, George!
(yelling) Hey!
Look at me!
Hey!
Look at me!
George, what's your job?
George, what is your job?
(gasping): Sharpshooter, Sergeant.
You're the best we got.
We need you.
Do your job.
(explosions bursting) (panting): Yes, Sergeant.
(tank approaching) (explosion bursts) Come on-- come on.
(guns firing, explosion bursts) Mines to the left and the right.
The only clear path is the middle.
SOLLO: We got the old bush artillery.
We'll concentrate fire to the left.
You take out what you can from the right.
(George gasping) Scared, mate?
Eh?
You should be.
I bloody am.
Anyone who tells you they're not is an idiot.
We can take it!
SOLLO: We're not here to take it.
We're here to give it!
So what are you gonna do, cobber?
Give it!
(laughs wildly) (Sollo whoops) Come on.
(guns firing in distance) They're not falling for it.
(shell whizzes) (shell explodes) (guns firing) (bullets pinging) Where the bloody hell are artillery?
We're sitting ducks!
Hold, men!
Hold the line!
(guns firing) (men yelling) HARRY: Aussie gun harassing from the left.
(guns firing) (men yelling) They're phoning in the coordinates.
(explosion pounds) (shell explodes) RAJIB: British shells, falling short.
Come on, you gunners, come on!
(shell fires) (explosion roars, debris falling) (audio distorts) What's happening?!
Hold!
(guns firing in distance) (normal audio resumes) RAJIB: They've hit the outpost-- demolished it.
(guns firing, men shouting in distance) They're not getting the coordinates.
(explosions pounding) Sergeant, hold your position.
STAN: Bloody hell!
(grunting) (gunfire blasting) What's he doing?
What is he doing?!
(gunfire blasting, bullets ricocheting) (bullets whizzing) HARRY: Right 20, add 30... (shell whizzes, explodes) HARRY: On target!
On target!
Fire for effect!
(men yelling indistinctly) ♪ ♪ (bullets whizzing, explosions pounding in distance) (coughs) (men yelling in distance) (weapons firing) (panting) Hey, come on, let's go.
(breathlessly): Let's go.
(gunfire blasting) (grunts) Sorry.
(both groaning) (breathlessly): Almost there, come on.
(both grunt) Let's go, get him up.
Get him in.
(grunting) (gunfire continues) (panting) Bloody maniacs.
(panting) (laughing) (laughs) STAN: Hey, what the (muted) hell were you thinking?
You've got a kid.
She needs her dad.
Not a hero.
(gunfire continues) (panting) (people talking in background, dogs barking) (knocking) HENRIETTE (speaking French): WOMAN: HENRIETTE: (talking in background) WOMAN: HENRIETTE: WOMAN (whispering): (aloud): (whispering): (aloud): ♪ ♪ (insects chirping) (men talking softly) (snoring) What do you think these are made of?
SINGH (speaks Hindustani, muted): (men laughing) ISHWAR: Ugh.
(speaking English): Sir.
Cigarette?
RAJIB (speaking Hindustani): ISHWAR: RAJIB: ISHWAR: RAJIB: ISHWAR: (speaking English): Punkhawallahs good enough to fight for the king.
Enough!
Spoken like a true Englishman.
ROBINA: Ah!
Don't think I don't know what you're doing.
This dog.
He's the perfect excuse, isn't he?
With all the walking and the feeding and the petting, of course you've no time left for your real duties: caring for your stepdaughter.
She is my stepdaughter only in name.
I was married to Harry for only a heartbeat, I barely know Lois, and I am sorry for her, but I cannot be a mother to Vera.
I will not be a mother to her.
You are a mother of a man who got married to one girl and got another pregnant.
This is your mess, Robina.
(inhales sharply): Oh.
(calling): I say, Miss Spicer.
Miss-- ah, Miss Spicer.
Um, this thorny question of the babysitting, um... What could I say or do that would change your mind?
You see, I'm taking Mrs. Chase for a picnic lunch on the lawn-- and she's not going to argue, she's going to put on her very best smile and join me in the garden.
Sir James, we haven't known each other very long, but I would think that you should know by now that I'm not one of those silly child women who can be patronized and appeased with the promise of treats.
A pound.
A pound would be very persuasive.
(note unfolding) "Will you walk into my parlor?"
said the spider to the fly.
You're quite right.
Unforgivably smooth.
(chuckles) I shall ask Jan instead.
You certainly will not.
Jan has homework to do.
(Robina chuckling) Now I see it all.
You're a black marketeer.
Ah, yes, I'm afraid the truth is I'm an appalling spiv.
(chuckles) Would you believe me if I said it came from a dowager aunt in Mayfair?
Not for a minute.
Mm, quite right.
(chuckles) You mustn't trust me, not an inch.
You've too much to protect.
Jan, Vera, Kasia.
Goodness, you have been left with quite the load.
Which I am more than equal to.
Oh, Lord, Robina, don't you think I know you're capable?
Put your hackles down, and your quills.
Just because a donkey can carry a hundredweight of bricks, it doesn't mean it should.
In one breath, you've compared me to a dog, a porcupine, and a donkey.
And yet there's no woman I admire more.
SOLLO: Can't see jack.
(exhales) (groans) (guns firing in distance) From the missus?
We've been married ten years.
The blessing of my life.
I live for her letters.
Of course, I'm not the first one to read them.
It's like someone else is... Touching her.
(explosion pounds in distance) Holding her.
They know her thoughts and feelings before I do.
Are you married?
(chuckles) Nah.
My girl Gwen, she, uh... She won't have me.
Can't say I blame her.
(chuckles) Here.
It's a Pom smoke, it's not bad.
Navy Cut.
Where did you get those?
Rations.
I have lost three of my men.
This morning, my sappers moved mines with their bare hands.
We have always believed that the English, with their famous decency, would reward our loyal service, but... Our loyal service does not merit a salute.
Does not even merit a decent packet of cigarettes.
(exhales) Can you make sense of it?
I'm fighting for India by fighting for England.
And I'm losing on all fronts.
(loud knock at door) Mademoiselle.
HENRIETTE: Can we speak English, please?
Madame.
It's Madame.
So where is your husband?
Germany.
I don't know where.
Hm.
He was taken prisoner.
He will be treated fairly.
Thank you.
So you're living here alone?
HENRIETTE: It's easier than living in Paris.
There's more food here.
Mm.
But you shouldn't be here alone.
HENRIETTE: But you're patrolling, no?
Surely you're keeping us safely.
VOGEL (speaking German): (breath trembling) Please.
My husband... (whispering): I love my husband.
(shushing) (speaking English): Don't cry, don't cry.
I'm not going to hurt you.
You don't have to give me an answer now.
Only think on this.
You're alone, and afraid, and hungry.
I can make life easier for you.
I can protect you.
If you so choose.
I understand.
♪ ♪ (footsteps retreating) (door slams) (breath shuddering) (phones ringing, people talking in background) I don't believe she is a spy.
I saw nothing, no drop, no signal.
(stammers): I went to her rooms, I found nothing.
Or she gave you nothing to see, nothing to find.
No, we spoke, about home.
She hates the Nazis as much as I do.
Isn't that exactly what a spy would say?
I don't believe any Pole would act against their country.
That's sentiment.
Cut that out.
Everything you've done up to this point has been easy.
It's easy to kill Nazis, it's easy to kill an enemy when they wear a swastika and speak German.
But your enemy now looks like your friend.
It's murky and it stinks, but this is the fight now.
It's not easy to kill.
All right.
But you need to kill this last bit of yourself if you're to be of any use to us.
♪ ♪ (door creaks) (bucket clangs) (panting) Are you all right?
Yes, yes-- couldn't get rid of him.
(David groans) I'm sorry.
(David grunts softly) You were very quiet.
I'll get you some morphine, if I can.
But we will have to leave tonight.
As soon as it dark.
(hoarsely): You go.
Leave me, I'll be all right.
I'm not leaving you.
I'm wrecked.
I'll be too slow.
I'm not leaving you.
But you don't even know me.
You haven't been in France long enough.
A few more days, and you will think as we do.
That you are for me, and I am for you.
♪ ♪ (whistles softly, clicks tongue) (barking) (Irena calling out, dog barking) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (thuds on hard surface) (hits hard surface) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ BRIGGS: Pal.
Your minefield was a damp squib.
The minefield will be relaid in standard defense formation.
Sir.
Sir.
That'll be all, Pal.
♪ ♪ At ease, men.
At ease, men.
At ease!
That's an order.
You will obey your superior officer.
Lieutenant, you will discipline your men.
You will discipline your men, or you will all face the consequences!
Sir, you have neglected to salute me on three occasions now.
I'm sure that if you were to salute me, as is proper, my men would gladly obey.
I don't have to tell you, sir, that respect for rank is the foundation of military discipline.
And we lead by example.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The minefield will be relaid in standard defense formation.
(yelling): It will be done immediately!
The chain of command stops with me.
I'll do it.
♪ ♪ British Navy Cut.
MEN (speaking Hindustani): KASIA: I thought she was my friend.
She was kind to me.
You know what you found, you know what you saw.
You did your duty.
You have other, better friends.
(birds chirping) Yes, I owe Robina an apology, I... (exhales): Everything she did for Jan. Come on now.
(clears throat) Gather yourself now, before Mrs. Chase comes back.
Yes?
♪ ♪ (Wagner's "Elsa's Bridal Procession" playing) (chorus singing in German) (piece continues) (piece playing on speakers in distance) ASTRID (speaking German): MARGA: ASTRID: MARGA: ASTRID: (door shuts) (footsteps retreating) (music continues in distance) (engine stops, brake engages) (bottles clinking) SOLDIERS (speaking German): SOLDIER: LAVIGNE (speaking French): SOLDIER (speaking German): (soldiers talking in background) (tailgate closes) (truck door shuts) (engine starts) ♪ ♪ (garage door creaking shut) (David groans) (speaking French) (exhales) ROBINA: Ah.
If you wish to invite a friend for tea, Kasia, of course, you're welcome to, but I would've thought you'd have had the decency to inform me of your plans first.
I, I am hoping to have tea with a friend, yes.
She's made you a cake.
It's a poppy seed cake.
It's a Polish recipe.
I, but I couldn't find any poppy seeds, so it's just a cake, and then...
I had to use powdered eggs, so it came out very flat, and... (inhales deeply): Then I covered it in jam.
But...
I hope it will still serve as an apology for what I said.
Oh, you're inviting me for tea?
Yes, please.
Ah, just me?
Or is Mr. Danemere to join us, too?
I, I don't know, I think he's gone out.
Good, then we can speak frankly.
Jan, go and play.
What is the matter?
I saw you together, earlier.
You and Mr. Danemere.
Might I remind you, Kasia, that you are not free?
You are married to my son.
It was nothing like that.
Oh, well, what was it like?
You were in intimate conversation.
I can't explain it.
Ah.
(chuckles) It's an awkward situation, hm?
He's in love with you, he's declared himself.
You, perhaps, are unsure, hm?
Something like that?
No!
It's inevitable that he should fall for the younger woman.
However, I will not tolerate adultery.
My son may have two hearts, but you, Kasia, are a woman, and I expect better from you.
You don't have to worry about anything like that.
(Vera crying) I'll see to her.
Do you love him, then?
James.
♪ ♪ IRENA (speaking Polish): ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (plane approaching) (gunfire blasting) (engine roaring) (Harry grunts) (panting) (plane passes) (panting) ♪ ♪ (panting) (breathes deeply) ♪ ♪ You're fighting for us.
I'm a boy playing soldiers.
PEARL: We can't help them.
I'm not just going to leave a baby to bloody die.
You can work for us, if you have the courage.
ROBINA: What's going on here?
Explain yourselves!
RAJIB: God knows we're all on the brink.
We've got to keep a grip, for the men.
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