"Near Paris, 1914" "Kick it to me." "But he tackled me." "He made the foul." "Arthur, Arthur, come to me." "What's the matter?" "What are you doing?" "He's a friend of yours." "Yes, but now he is the referee and a bad one at it." "Give me a kiss." "How did the interview go?" "I didn't go." "Damn it, man, It's not like there's a whole lot of work out there." "I can't vouch for you this way." "I'll go tomorrow." "No really, Tinus, I'll go tomorrow." "Tonight?" "Boulevard du Temple?" "Great idea." "But first I want to say hi to my father." "I can do without that." "I'll see you tonight." "Dutch Society" "Dear friends." "Recently, I'm not the only critic in Paris anymore." "A certain Mr van der Wal took pleasure in writing an article about me." "But it's an article... where even a dog would turn up its nose at." "Obviously, I'm uninformed... not talented... too modern." "I'd like to share this article with you." "In my opinion, I think his last lashing out... is a big compliment." "I..." "Ah." "My son." "I have heard he's seeing a young lady." "Of course he will be needing his father's advice in such matters." "Where is Martinus?" "I saw his opera." "It was awful." "I think I won't be back for a long time." "In Holland there are also papers with an an section." "And the Hun is at France's doorstep." "Your brother and sister, Kees and Renée haven't seen Mies for months." "You can still come." "You could write about the war." "It might not be an art... and I don't think the Hun will appreciate it as much as Sarah Bernhardt." "But still..." "If I see you tomorrow morning, we can say goodbye before I leave." "That Sophie of yours..." "When you are really serious about her..." " I am.And I know what you're getting at." "It's wonderful to be married, you know." "Marriage binds..." "With the chains of freedom." "Oh, stop it." "When was the last time you did see mom?" "I'm off to see her now." "You are always welcome." "You know that." "Remember that very well." "Don't worry." "I always take good care of myself." "And if you leave your books, Zola and Couperus can keep me company." "Willem Kloos is also in town." "Arthur." "It's war." "What does your dad say?" "He doesn't like it one bit." "Me neither." "Maybe it is not even possible." "Oh come on." "Kees, Jacques, Leon, Jan, they have enlisted, haven't they?" "Yes, but they have a French passport." "They are French." "They may not like snails, but they have become French nonetheless." "I love you so much, Arthur." "I love you too." "Sophie..." " Yes?" "It's not just because other people go as well, you know." "It is also because it's a serious thing." "The Hun isn't joking around, you see." "Do you know what they did in Belgium?" "Whole villages have been slaughtered, men and women." "Never would I forgive myself." "Well, Arthur, If you really want to go..." "I'm just saying..." "Sophie, when I get back from chasing those swines... out of our beloved France, I will marry you." "Dear dad." "I understand your concerns... but you must agree that the barbaric invasion of France by the Germans... cannot remain unchallenged." "Everything that is dear to us, is under threat... and one could not ask from me to stand aside... whilst others fight for our ideals." "If it's over by Christmas, my involvement won't make a difference." "But I fear..." "Dear son." "You are as fierce as your little brother here." "I guess it is in our blood." "But you can't blame me for worrying." "Such an intelligent young man." "Just the idea to loose my own blood." "You write about Christmas." "And yes, that would be nice." "Dear parents, I hope you are all well." "I have decided to be part of the big adventure." "The Foreign Legion has opened office, and I will enlist tomorrow." "I will write often." "Please don't get worried." "Love, Arthur." "Papers?" "Name?" "Nationality?" "Papers?" "Name?" "Papers?" "Name?" " Sjef de Koning." "Nationality?" " Belgian." "Under what name do you like to enlist?" " Pére la Roi." "He probably has a past he's not proud of." "Papers?" "Name?" " Arthur Knaap." "Nationality?" " Dutch." "It pleases me to see there are still Dutchmen with no fear." "You will be part of the 3rd regiment, 3rd battalion." "Wear your wooden shoes, there are many more like you over there." "Thanks." "Papers?" "Name?" " Martinus Kriens." "Nationality?" " Dutch." "Would you like to teak a walk?" "No, would you like to TAKE a walk." "Would you like to TAKE a walk." "It's all right, Tinus, I will take that walk with you." "I must say, we are very well trained." "You think so?" "Yeah, they trained us to march, and we are actually marching." "Listen up, in general you go to the front lines after 12 weeks of training." "I guess there can only be two reasons... why they send us after just 4 weeks." "De Rooy." "Which two reasons are those?" "We either are very good soldiers... or we don't need to be good soldiers at all." "De Rooy, from now on you will only open your mouth... to make room for your stinking chewing tobacco, understand?" "Understood, lieutenant." "What are you going to do after the war?" "I'm going to work with my father." "Perhaps we will write a play." "In any case, we're going to write for the paper." "As long as you write good reviews about my work." "First time?" "Jean-Paul, the Legion has arrived." "Where were you stationed?" "North-Africa?" "Indo-China?" "Paris." "Paris?" "La Légion." "Look here, see that ruined barn over there?" "At daybreak you follow this gutter, which will lead you to it." "You'll be replacing a man called Pierre." "Keep your eyes open and shoot at anything you see." "Go." "And everyone thought we'd be home by Christmas." "I don't know, Tinus." "It is all so much different from what I'd expected." "I don't even dare say what I had imagined it would be like." "Galloping on a horse, I assume." "Flags up high?" "Swords drawn." "Me too." "Come on, Arthur, we may not be home by Christmas, but surely by Easter." "Arthur." "The relief party is here." "Let's rest for a couple of hours, boys." "Martinus was a friend of yours, right?" " Yes." "Some day you will be able to visit his grave." "Some day you will look back on this all... but that day is not today, Arthur." "Not today." "How is your family doing?" "All is well, although dad is ill." "And they lack the money to get by." "He works so hard, and he gets all wound up over things." "Where does your father live?" "They sent him off to Zandvoort." "They say the sea air there is good for him." "I guess he'll be all right." "Do you long for home?" "I mean Holland." "Holland?" "Well, I can get a clean room and a nice broad anywhere, you see." "And even better in France." "But my mother lives over there." "My clients are in France, so are my girlfriends." "Just imagine someone would tell me off just because I'd be working on a Sunday." "How about you?" " My dad and I are very close." "Man, do I miss the rice dishes." "You have never tasted anything like that." "If we ever get out of this misery, I will ask my sister to cook for us." "Piss off." "I'm going bonkers here." "Dear parents, brothers and sisters." "I am still in excellent health and I hope for you the same." "Do not worry too much about me, everything is going to be just fine." "You are all well, except for dad, who got overworked." "I hope he will feel better now he's near the sea." "I read that dad is worried about me." "There really is no reason for that." "I myself have not the slightest injury... nor have I ever a cold or anything like that." "Please write soon." "Arthur." "Hey chink, the lieutenant needs all the writing paper for himself." "Lieutenant." " Yes." "I want to ask to go on leave to Holland." "To Holland?" "That is possible." "In theory that is." "You can have 14 days off." "It would mean a great deal of traveling, a short visit, and back on time." "I know." "And back on time." "Will you try?" " I can't promise you anything." "Things change by the hour." "Today they grant you leave to Holland." "Tomorrow they'll shoot you for it." "But I'll apply for you." "Why would you want to go to Holland?" " Dad is ill." "And to get chocolate and tobacco." "Do you know who Van Maaswijk is?" " From the bakery?" "He was executed." "He wanted to desert, together with a friend." "Just make sure to be back on time." "They might start without you." "Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritu Sancto" "The list with casualties." "What a shame." "But of course you know all about it." "How are the men?" "I think they need a heavy attack." "That's good for the morale of the troops." "Good clothing would also help a lot." "Perhaps you can put in a good word at the depot." "And then there is the request by this fellow..." "Knaap." "Arthur Knaap." " Yes." "I do not grant leave to Holland often." "There is a certain risk involved." "Don't get me wrong, Theo." "I do not mean to disrespect your men." "I understand." "Some don't come back." "His father..." "Otto Knaap, isn't it?" " Yes." "I understand he's quite a well known writer?" "Art critic." "What newspaper?" "De Telegraaf." "He used to write about the Paris theatres." "Martinus Kriens's operas?" "You are aware of the fact that he was killed near Frise?" "I wonder if Arthur Knaap's father... could write something positive about our contribution to the war." "It's about time if people in Holland would start to care." "They just might get off their lazy neutral arses." "Nice roll?" "This one is nice." "Do you know where it comes from?" "From the baker where Van Maaswijk used to work." "They brought them..." "Right before he..." " Smell this." "Nice, what?" " Really good." "Want to share it?" "Alright, but that crust only looks thin..." "it is thin." "Let me finish." "That crust is a lot of bread squashed together." "The core of the bread is just air." "So, you take the crust." " No, I've eaten already." "You just don't know when someone's cutting you a good deal, do you?" "Gentlemen, this is Jules." "He's Belgian and attached to our squad." "I'm Flemish." "This is Sjarrel." "He will show you your quarters." "And here we have De Rooy." "He's in charge of food." "Gentlemen..." "Yes, lam in charge of the food." "So, what have you got?" "I don't mind sharing, but that chocolate is very dear to me." "You know what?" "I'll trade it for your watch." "Excuse me?" "Arthur, we have a real clown on our hands." "Neat trick that was." "Maybe you can steal a couple of machine guns from the other side." "Come on, let them eat." "I'll show you around." "Can't sleep?" "It's way different from home." "But the lieutenant is a good man." "It could be much worse." "Arthur..." " Yes?" "Do you think a bomb could fall through this roof?" "I don't think so, it's quite sturdy." "You shouldn't think too much about these things." "Think of home." "My home is gone, did you know that?" "My mom and dad were visiting the neighbours... while my baby sister was asleep in her bedroom." "A shell landed straight through the roof of that room." "We never found my sister." "Sometimes I think she went straight up to heaven." "Here you go, at least it doesn't smell like soldier. it always helps me relax." "Don't do anything funny with it." "You're actually smelling my girlfriend." "If he gets to smell your girlfriend, I want my share, too." "Shut up and go to sleep, De Rooy." "Oui, Lieutenant." "Jules." "Dear parents." "We have a Belgian guy in our midst... who's a kind of street vendor." "What he really is, I don't know... but the boy has a talent for making us laugh." "In the most tragic moments, he finds the right words to cheer up the section." "Sometimes I cheer him up a bit because he's still young and inexperienced." "He never gets mail and is very lonely." "I've received your letters yesterday and I read and reread them again." "I even cried a little last night." "It is horrible to know that your father is ill and your mother is struggling." "To know that they are in dire straits is worse than the ravages around you... and your comrades dying." "And in times of melancholy I think of what lies ahead of us." "Peace and brotherhood." "Never forget that your son has learned to love you with all his heart." "Be kissed by Arthur." "De Rooy." "Hand them out quickly." "We don't have much time left." "Arthur, mail." "You're going to Holland." "They are coming." "Man the firing lines." "Wait." "Wait." "Fire." "Hold the right ﬂank." "We need a stretcher." "Lieutenant." "Stretcher." "Stretcher." "What does it say?" "Are the Germans apologizing and sending us their pay?" "No, it says we're going to get new uniforms." "And nobody will be granted leave to Holland any more." "Piss off." "Dear dad, I can't begin to describe how much it hurts me to be so far away... while I realize how much you are in need of my help." "I am ashamed to lead this easy life of ours here... because when still alive today, we are assured of a meal tomorrow." "I actually don't have anything to say that could cheer you up... since I feel all words to be empty." "Please rest assured though that my thoughts are very often with you." "I believe the war will be over soon... and we will be united soon again." "I will see you before long." "Arthur." "Sjarrel." "What does it say?" "His father is dead." "I really like it that you came to me first before visiting your friends." "Why don't you write more often?" "It's because I can't lie to you, you see." "I know things are different where you are from." "I read the newspapers too, you know." "You live in trenches, very uncomfortable and all... and you are bored stiff since you have nothing to do all day." "I am not surprised that the Hun is all but chased away." "It must be terrible for you, Arthur." "But it's almost over, right?" "Is this what they write?" " Yes, and also that the soup is horrible." "If it arrives at all." "For France, old man, for France." "What have you done for France yourself, huh?" "What did you do for France?" "Thrust." "Parry." "Come on." "Grenade." "I'm dead." "Dead." " Dead?" "You're dead." "Knock it off, Knaap." "Knaap, report." "Damn it, Knaap, what the hell was that all about?" "I got carried away, sir." "It won't happen again." "Save it for the Hun." "Again." "If you give me your revolver, I will go and have a look." "You always send a party, and it always goes sour." "You are my responsibility." "Tomorrow we go over the top." "That in itself is bad enough." "I understand." "But I have done this before." "You will take two men with you." "Arthur." "Jules." "Jules is not coming." "He's still wet behind the ears, I don't want to babysit him." "What have you got against the boy?" "What now?" "Let's make some noise." "Fix bayonets." "For France." "German lines" "Understood." "Make way." "Jawara." "Go ahead." "No fear." "No mercy." "For France." "Hold the line." "We're the second wave." "For France." "Knaap." "Arthur." "Arthur." "Jules." "Where is Jules?" "Well, as I understand it, the gas will be released tomorrow." "From this and that place." "Yes, that is what they said when I stood outside the dug-out." "Will you attack immediately when the gas is released?" "No, we have to wait until the gas is in the trenches." "We have to make sure that it is effective." "Then we attack." "Right, I understand." "You are a brave man for giving me this information." "It would be better when your colleagues would do the same." "Of all this shit, gas is the biggest crap." "The first battalion got stuck in North Belloy." "We are in South Belloy." "The German artillery is here, here and here." "Looks like their ﬂank is left open." "Is that possible?" "Do we have a phone line?" " No." "Is there a messenger?" "It's a mess, sir." "The general feeling is that we should attack again with the three battalions." "General feeling, my ass." "All those pompous gentlemen in their posh offices." "We will lose all our men if we go on like this." "Lieutenant, I would like to volunteer for a patrol." "Who says we are sending one?" " The first battalion is in trouble, sir." "It's a mess." " I would like to go look for them." "You are not going anywhere." "I've already lost two messengers today." "It's better to postpone your death for a while, private." "Gentlemen, there is a lot of talking here at the front lines." "All talk, but no play." "We have a brave young man here who wants to join his comrades in battle." "Voluntarily, that is." "Shouldn't we encourage such exemplary behaviour?" "Wouldn't it be something if an officer wouldn't send out his men?" "I understand you are all tired and you need rest." "But we are at the front and the Hun is on his last legs." "If it was up to me, we would have been in the center of Belloy by now." "That's an extra reason to grant the request of this brave young man." "I have received reliable information that tomorrow morning at $.15... the Germans will launch a gas attack." "So, use that information." "Let this young man and his comrades find the rest of the group." "Perhaps they capture the village." "Well, then." "Shut up." "Do you wish to die?" "Who are you?" "I am Jules." "Jules, do you know where you are?" "No, I don't." "What is your name?" "Pablo." "PabloAguilar." "I am Spanish, and you?" "I am Flemish, I am with a Dutch squadron." "I have hurt my eyes." "I can't see." "Do you think it will be temporary?" "If you don't shut up it sure will be permanent, rat's head." "I am going to die." " Me too." "How are we doing?" " Here it is okay... but up front we get smashed to bits." "There have to be more." " More what?" "More like Jules." "If Jules is still alive, it'd be a miracle." "Blow it." "Blow the trumpet." "Pablo." "They're here." "This way, comrades." "Pablo." "There is Jules." "He walks straight at that machine gun." "The left side of the bunker." "Grenade." " None left." "Damn." "Sjarrel, get that riﬂe." "Eight years later" "There's nothing I can do for him now." "He has breathed in too much gas during the war." "Lately I have been seeing this a lot." "Symptoms getting worse after so many years." "I wish you much courage." " Thank you." "It is bad news I'm afraid." "He is upstairs." "You shouldn't wait too long." "He listens to the radio." "He likes jazz." "Arthur and girlfriend." "Family album." "Arthur, 1933." "Family album."