"So this is Bernay, huh." "Yeah." "21st bypassed it 5 days ago." "They're here in Sanagatte now." "You know, mopping up these towns really gives me the creeps Kirby." "Yeah, like going to funerals." "What's wrong with funerals?" "Everything always nice and quiet." "How would personnel take Paris." "If the krauts keep pulling back, we'll be there near noon hour." "Yeah." "Did you ever see the Can-Can thing." "A Can-Can?" "You mean they never had any at those Sunday School picnics?" "Let's go." "(machine gun fire)" "Get a grenade in that left window." "Cover me." "Kirby." "Smoke in the archway." "Baker." "Nelson." "Cover those windows." "(coughing from smoked area)" "Do not fire Americans." "I have no weapons." "He says he's not armed, Lieut." "Another boring day." "No." "How many Germans in the building." "How many Germans in the house?" "Five." "Five in there." "They also will harm Annette if you enter." "You must go away from here." "The girl is the Librarian." "Children, the attendant, and me." "What's the matter." "He says not to go into town because they're holding five kids in the Library and the Librarian and himself." "And the Paratroopers descended two nights back." "And we find them here." "He says paratroopers landed two nights ago." "They have radios and a telescope." "He says they have a radio and a telescope." "Looks as if the krauts have set up an advanced observation post up there." "They got a fine mezzanine seat for the entire enchilada." "Perfect view of the entire Battalion position." "Explains the pinpoint shelling on my supply lines." "Let's go and tell 'em the show is over." "There's only five of them." "It's not that simple." "What about the kids?" "Yeah." "That's their ace in the hole." "(French)" "You should look upon this an opportunity." "It is not George ." "He is lost." "(French)" "Vie a dais" "Philip." "I don't want to die in a field, Philip." "(French) Autre bord." "Il let y as tremor." "You gave him my instructions, carefully." "Then what is detaining him?" "He would do nothing to harm the children." "Especially his own grandson." "But I told you, he does not speak English." "Well he must." "A man makes himself understood." "Even if you and I didn't speak English, we would understand each other." "No?" "Please Lieut." "Please let me speak with them too." "A warning from the lips of a beautiful girl." "Who would take it seriously." "I would make them see how serious it is, I promise you." "You might not come back?" "I would lose the pleasure of your company." "What if they do not understand French." "They will begin to shoot again." "And unfortunately we would shoot back." "Would you please at least let me take the children down into the cellar?" "The children stay here." "Right." "Here." "Lieut." "You are soldiers." "The Americans are soldiers." "But why should those children have to suffer." "You make matters difficult for me, Fräulein." "But I made my decision." "Now the Americans must make their's." "It's up to them what happens." "If they take this place." "They'll find no one alive in it." "No one." "What a pity." "Whatever made him come back to town with the kids anyway." "Well, you can't blame him, Lieut." "He's the janitor of the school." "I guess they came back for food." "How could they know the paratroopers would show up." "Are the kids watched all the time." "The children are being watched?" "What a question." "They are constantly watched." "He says every instant." "There's no chance of them getting away." "You are our friends, but if you stay, they will kill all." "He wants us to leave town, Lieut." "Tell him to take it easy." "He's safe with us." "You are safe with us, old man." "The town is safe with us." "Oh, no no." "I must go back." "Don't." "He says he has to go back." "The Germans are waiting for him." "The German men have my grandson." "I can't leave him alone with them, can I?" "They have his grandson." "Alright." "I get the message." "Tell him he can go back." "Okay." "Go back." "So." "You will listen, and leave." "Well." "What shall he tell the krauts, Lieut." "Tell them we'll pull out." "We are leaving now." "You can return." "Thank you." "And good luck, huh." "Thank you." "Lieut." "Not now Sgt." "Let's get outta here." "Let's pull back." "Be careful." "You got an idea?" "I don't know." "I figured it'll be dark pretty soon, and maybe" "Maybe some of us can get in there fast enough." "Get those kids out, while the rest of us keep those krauts busy." "You know those paratroopers are on a suicide mission." "They got nothing to lose." "If those kids didn't get shot up while we were going in, they'd be dead by the time we reached them." "How're we gonna do that." "Holding an old man, a woman, and five kids." "Hmm." "Stack that up against what can happen to a lot more of us if those krauts keep tipping off their artillery." "Time." "Time." "We need more time." "Nelson." "Give me the chatterbox." "Checkmate King 2 to Checkmate King, over" "This is for the Captain, urgent." "It's for you Captain." "Checkmate King 2." "Lieut." "Hanley." "What's your problem?" "Five of them in Bernay." "Well, what are you waiting for?" "Kids." "Did you say kids?" "Yes Sir." "Two civilians, an old man and a woman, a librarian." "I see." "I see." "That's a rough one." "What's your recommendation." "Time?" "How much?" "Couple of hours at least sir." "We need more information." "I don't know." "I sympathize with those people, but you know what's at stake." "Okay." "I'll give you 3 hours." "That's all." "Meanwhile I'll take it up with the old man." "Let him handle this." "It's too hot for me." "Out." "Get me Batallion." "Huh." "We got 3 hours." "After it's dark, somebody's gotta get in to that building with a handy talkie." "Get a layout of the place." "Flash it back." "Rest of us takes it from there." "That makes sense." "Want me to go." "No." "You stay here." "This is my idea and I'm stuck with it." "Are you pulling rank on me." "That's right." "Hey Lieut." "Why don't you take me along with you." "I'm the one who speaks French." "I can help you." "No dice." "Half the time is gone." "Stay glued to the other squawk box." "Don't move under any conditions." "I'll contact you when I can." "Maybe someone ought to go with you." "Now you know as well as I do, this part of the operation's a one man job." "Well, um" "Take care of yourself." "Thanks." "(German, giving co-ordinates)" "(German)" "(shelling begins on truck convoy)" "You are good to the kids." "A good Papa." "We are French, and that is all." "And we are one." "One in spirit." "What is this?" "History lesson, Sir." "La Vista Destiny est La Grand de les France." "What book is this?" "It is a history of our country." "It is called The Glorious History of France." "Does this glorious history tell how German power brought France to her knees in 1870." "And also in 1916, and now again." "No." "It is an old book." "But a country's true greatness does not come from power." "Or making war." "Oh." "Really Fräulein." "It is, it is the beauty of it's art." "The influence of it's philosophy." "You read that in another old book." "Yes." "Do you think books teach you about life, real life?" "Poor little librarian." "It is an honor for a girl a bonne to be made librarian!" "Forget your books Fräulein." "Life is to be lived, not read about." "I suggest you don't wait too long." "That look, Fräulein." "I've seen it before many times." "In Czechoslovakia, Crete, Norway." "And at times I've seen it in your face too." "It does not become you." "Ailynn." "Meuller." "Yes Sir, Herr Leibner." "Come in here." "Open the windows." "Throw out the books." "No." "No." "Please." "All printed matter, capable of arousing resistance, is to be destroyed." "Oh please Lieut." "I beg of you not to do this." "They are the only ones of their kind." "So." "They're irreplaceable." "Not for sale." "Any price?" "Find me some gasoline." "Make it quick." "Yes, Herr Leibner." "Impressionable young minds must be protected from decadent influences." "Fräulein." "Contreau." "They're only books." "Soon they'll be nothing but ashes." "As you and I will be." "Who knows when." "Tonight." "Tomorrow." "Whenever the Americans stop being sentimental fools." "If they do not attack, when will you go." "In a few days." "But I wouldn't count on them not to attack." "Tell me, Fräulein." "How long have you lived here?" "All my life." "You never thought of leaving this dull little place, to see the world." "What was here for you." "A man, perhaps." "No." "There was no one." "No one and nothing." "Except your books and your dreams." "You see, I know you, Fräulein." "I've thought about you a great deal." "I was not unhappy." "Unhappy?" "How did you know?" "There is still time." "A few moments, perhaps." "But I wouldn't cheat myself on that." "Are you cold, Fräulein." "Perhaps some wine will help you." "Go on." "What shall we drink to." "Life, death, or both." "A true wagnerian toast." "Isch ta." "(German)" "I talk to you again, later." "Mademoiselle." "I want to help you." "No." "No, there is nothing you can do." "Please go away." "Fräulein." "Where are the other men." "This is Badger, Checkmate King 2." "Over." "Checkmate King 2, Come in, Badger." "This is Badger." "I'm in the wine shop near the place." "I saw the librarian for a moment." "She's hardly more than a kid herself and scared stiff." "I'm gonna try to get in there through a window in the cellar." "Here's the situation at this end." "The krauts shot up a convoy three miles north of here." "And topside told Cpt." "Witlow those paratroopers have gotta go." "They gave us until 2200" "That's two hours." "We sent artillery a fix on the Town Hall, so if you get those kids out give us a flash and I'll start shelling." "Without a call, they commence firing at 2200." "And that makes it pretty tight." "That's the best they can do." "Just keep your watch wound," "Out." "Badger to Checkmate King 2." "Berjean." "(German)" "Ah." "The children are cold." "We need some blankets." "They are going to search for some." "(Ger)(attempting to understand)" "The children are cold." "Children?" "Cold." "No." "I repeat." "No." "It's bad enough I trapped myself down here without risking another man." "Times running out." "We can't leave you in a spot like that." "I don't want anybody else sticking his neck out." "That's an order." "If I'm still down here a couple of minutes to ten." "I'll pistol a sentry and make a break for it before the barrage starts." "Out." "The children are cold." "The blankets." "(German)" "The cellar." "(German)" "Below." "(German)" "(German)" "Quickly." "Thank you." "(Footsteps can be heard)" "I said I would get blankets for the children." "Thanks for coming." "I only came to tell you once more you must go." "I couldn't go even if I wanted to, not yet, anyway." "Do you know what will happen if they find you here." "I know what will if we all don't get out." "No." "The Germans will leave soon." "I heard him say the same thing, but he's lying." "Finding you and the others here was a break they hadn't counted on." "They grabbed it to get more time." "It's costing us lives." "What about my life." "You have no right to cheat me of my life." "I'm trying to save it." "It's those Nazis." "Please." "Now listen to me." "You're scared." "So am I." "If you'll only tell me where the Germans are and what they're doing." "No." "Look." "You're a librarian." "You can see what they do to books." "If everybody felt the way you do, they'd win the war." "Now, those kids have got a right to live too." "Those are only words." "But they're true, and you know it." "Now pull yourself together and answer my questions." "I can't." "(French)" "What?" "Andrin will become impatient." "I must go." "Wait." "I'll talk to him." "At least translate for me." "Let me go." "Listen to me." "At exactly 10 o'clock, that's 27 minutes from now" "Our artillery has orders to wipe this place out." "They cannot do that." "They can." "And they will." "But you must stop them." "It's impossible." "How long did you think we'd let the krauts stay here." "This joint would be rubble now, if it wasn't for those children." "We will tell the Lieut." "He will take his men and go." "He will let us go." "Yes." "You do that." "You tell him." "And ruin whatever chances we have." "How are we to leave here." "They are watching the children always." "(Footsteps)" "(German)" "What was that." "Where are the Germans?" "(Rapid footsteps approach)" "Down below. quick." "(German)" "(German)" "Get back." "(yells in German)" "Bang" "Bang" "Bang" "He's dead." "The old man had a knife." "I tried to stop him." "Maxell." "Right away, Sir." "Hoffman." "(German)" "We need to talk." "Now." "So you tried to stop him." "Yes." "Thank you." "You see." "One never knows how long one has." "When you're young, strong, full of life" "Now it's all over for him." "Forever." "The old man's grandson." "The boy had nothing to do with it." "Why should he live to kill other Germans." "One little boys life." "Can that matter to you?" "It matters to you." "To be merciful is to be weak." "Where is he?" "Badger to Checkmate King 2, come in." "Badger." "Checkmate King 2, come in." "This is Badger." "Badger to Checkmate King 2" "Request denied Sgt. I'm not countermanding his order." "He's in a better position than I am to call this." "But he might have changed his mind Sir." "We can't contact him." "His radio seems to be dead." "Or he is." "Sit tight Sgt." "We've only got 14 minutes left to get in there Sir." "You heard me the first time." "Request denied, Sergeant." "Out." "I'll let him live." "Did you say your prayers?" "No." "No." "It is not proper." "Kneel." "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." "Glory to, god" "Your grand-pere was taking you tonite." "Youir grand-pere." "He is dead." "Be very careful." "Listen closely." "You must deliver this." "Give this message to the soldier." "But I'm confused." "He is in the cellar." "It is foolish, no?" "After what has happened," "I worry about my hair." "Women are vain." "You are no exception." "Why do you wear it like that?" "You do not, find it becoming." "Prim, modest, business like." "Proper, for a Librarian." "You were right." "What you said about me." "I have had nothing but books." "and dreams." "I always thought there would be time for other things." "And now when there is no time left" "I realize that my life has been empty." "And wasted." "And I do not wish to die." "with such regrets." "You remember" "The toast you made in a wine shop." "Shall we drink it together." "Before it is too late." "Halt." "Where are you going?" "She's with me." "Yes Sir." "Go check this out." "One stays on the top floor with the radio." "One guards outside." "The other is with the children in the library." "The Lieutenant will be with me." "What is your name?" "Does it matter?" "No." "Only us." "Could I have, one more glass of wine." "Please." "(kids talking French)" "How different, you suddenly seem." "Your eyes, and your lips." "Only an hour ago, I thought they were hard." "Cruel." "Now?" "Now." "Now I see you as you are." "A conqueror, yes." "Strong." "But gentle." "(German)" "(Kids, talking excitedly to distract guard)" "What's wrong?" "She is not here." "Help her." "Stop right now." "Shoot." "Shoot right now." "I cannot shoot at the American without hitting the children." "(The crackle of an incoming)" "Boom." "(The barrage is relentless)" "Let's go." "That's right." "Let's see what's for dinner." "Hey fellas." "Help me out, here." "(Kids are crying, upset)" "Break out the rations, gang." "Got a chocolate bar, Kirby." "Yes Sir." "(The men try to cheer up kids)" "You call your shots pretty close, Lieut." "Not me Sgt. A girl named Annette." "Come on." "Let's go." "Wait a minute." "Where you going." "Going back to look for her." "After that barrage." "If she didn't leave with you, she's not leaving." "I wanna find out for myself." "Caje." "Yes." "Take over." "Won't be long." "Alright, Sarge." "How old was she." "I don't know." "Twenty, maybe." "She said I had no right to cheat her of her life." "You told me she called the shots." "There was no other way." "Just think of those kids." "They're alive and safe." "Yeah." "I guess there was no other way." "Subtitles by JackT."