18 quotes
Anticipation of Change in Escape Plans
Bartlett
It's possible for one man to get out through the wire, even get away, but there are in fact a considerable number of people besides yourself in this camp who are trying to escape.
Hilts
I appreciate that. Something's coming. I can feel it, and it's coming right around the corner at me, Squadron Leader.
[pause]
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Determination Beyond Barriers
Taglines
Put a fence in front of these men...and they'll climb it.
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Behind Barbed Wire: A Reflection on Freedom
Taglines
Hours ago... Minutes ago.... These men were behind barbed wire.
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Leadership and Responsibility in Crisis Situations
Bartlett
Not Colin. He'd be an appalling hazard to the whole escape. That must be my decision.
Hendley
You want to talk about hazards? Let talk about hazards. Lets talk about you. You're the biggest hazard we have. The Gestapo has you marked. No one has said you can't go.
Bartlett
That's true, and I have thought about the Gestapo. But if you're asking me how far a commanding officer is allowed to go, or dare go, or should be permitted to play God, I can't answer you.
Hendley
Colin's not a blind man as long as he's with me. And he's going with me!
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A Disagreement on Risk and Consequences
Hilts
Wait a minute. You aren't seriously suggesting that if I get through the wire... and case everything out there... and don't get picked up... to turn myself in and get thrown back in the cooler for a couple of months so you can get the information you need?
Bartlett
Yes.
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A Race to Berlin
Colonel von Luger
It looks, after all, as if you will see Berlin before I do.
[''To Hilts, after being relieved as camp commandant'']
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The Complexity of Escape and Homecoming
Hendley
Come on, Roger. We all know the score here, at least... most of us do. Your idea of this escape is to... start another front, to foul up the Germans behind the lines. All right, that's fine, that's fine. But once we get past that barbed wire, once we have them looking all over Germany for us, that mission is accomplished. Afterwards, we have some ideas of our own.
Bartlett
You mean getting home? Back to your family and children?
Hendley
That's right.
Bartlett
Good God, man. Do you really believe I haven't thought about that, too?
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Perspective on Sacrifice and Consequences
Ramsey
Roger's idea was to get back at the enemy the hardest way he could, mess up the works. From what we've heard here, I think he did exactly that.
Hendley
Do you think it was worth the price?
Ramsey
Depends on your point of view, Hendley.
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Planning the Escape Count
Hilts
How many you taking out?
Bartlett
Two hundred and fifty.
Hilts
Two hundred and fifty?
Bartlett
Yeah.
Hilts
You're crazy. You oughta be locked up. You, too. Two hundred and fifty guys just walkin down the road, just like that?
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Common Enemies of Freedom
Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett
Look, sir, you talk about the High Command and the Luftwaffe, and then you talk about the Gestapo and the SS. To me, they're the same! We're fighting the bloody lot! There's only one way to put it, sir: they are the common enemies of everyone who believes in freedom. If the High Command didn't approve of Hitler, then why didn't they throw him out?
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Questioning Actions Near the Wire
Hauptfeldwebel Strachwitz
What are you doing over here by the wire?
Hilts
Well, like I told Max here, I was trying to get my...
German Soldier
Achtung!
Von Luger
What were you doing by the wire?
Hilts
Well, like I told Max... I was trying to cut my way through your wire because I want to get out.
Von Luger
Suche ihn.
Hilts
Bitte.
Von Luger
You speak German?
Hilts
Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Von Luger
Wire cutters?
Hilts
Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Von Luger
I have had the pleasure of knowing quite a few British officers in this war. And I flatter myself that we understand one another. You are the first American officer I have met. Hilts, isn't it?
[In the gathered crowd of prisoners nearby, Flying Officer Ives blows a raspberry, visibly irritating Strachwitz and Von Luger.]
Hilts
Captain Hilts, actually.
Von Luger
Seventeen escape attempts.
Hilts
Eighteen, sir.
Von Luger
A tunnel man, engineer.
Hilts
Flier.
Von Luger
I suppose what's called in the American Army, "A hotshot pilot." Unfortunately, you were shot down anyway. So we are both grounded for the duration of the war.
Hilts
You speak for yourself, Colonel.
Von Luger
You have other plans?
Hilts
I haven't seen Berlin yet. From the ground, or from the air. And I plan on doing both before the war's over.
Von Luger
Are all American officers so ill-mannered?
Hilts
Yeah, about 99 percent.
Von Luger
Then perhaps while you are with us you will have a chance to learn some. Ten days isolation, Hilts.
Hilts
Captain Hilts.
Von Luger
Twenty days.
Hilts
Right. Oh, uh, you'll still be here when I get out?
Von Luger
Cooler!
[visibly annoyed]
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Colonel von Luger's Descent into Insanity
Colonel von Luger
This is quite close to insanity. And it must stop!
[''After reciting the extensive history of Allied POW escapes and the vast resources Germany has been forced to spend on the matter'']
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Prisoner Custody and Security Recommendations Discussed
Preissen
The prisoner Bartlett is discharged into your custody, Colonel von Luger.
Herr Kuhn
I suggest the prisoner Bartlett to be kept under the strictest security confinement permanently.
Oberst Von Luger
Make a note of Herr Kuhn's suggestion.
Hauptmann Posen
Jawohl, Herr Oberst.
Herr Kuhn
We have reason to believe this prisoner is the mastermind behind numerous criminal escape attempts.
Oberst Von Luger
Squadron Leader Bartlett has been three months in your care. And the Gestapo has only "reason to believe"?
[sarcastic]
SS-Hauptsturmführer
If he once more falls into our hands, he will not be so lucky.
Oberst Von Luger
Air force officer prisoners are the responsibility of the Luftwaffe – not the SS! Or, the Gestapo.
[sharply]
Preissen
At present, yes, Herr Oberst. That is why they're turned, for the moment, over to your care.
[condescending]
Herr Kuhn
Of course, if the Luftwaffe is not up to the task, the prisoners will find themselves totally in our charge. We, regretfully, are not so professionally understanding. Squadron Leader Bartlett: if you escape again and be caught, you will be shot.
[''Kuhn, Preissen, and the Hauptsturmführer start to leave, but Kuhn stops and looks closely at Bartlett.'']
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Monitoring Our Singular Focus
Colonel von Luger
We have in effect put all our rotten eggs in one basket. And we intend to watch this basket carefully.
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Cleverness and Consequences in Escape Plans
Bartlett
Hilts, how do you breathe?
Hilts
Oh, we got a steel rod with hinges on it. We'll shove it up and make air holes as we go along. G'night, sir.
[to Ramsey]
MacDonald
Why didn't anyone think of that before? It's so stupid, it's positively brilliant! Oh, but it'll bring every goon in the camp down on top of us!
Bartlett
I don't know. Perhaps we're being too clever. If we stop all the breakouts, it will only convince the goons we must be tunneling.
Ramsey
I hope it works. If it doesn't, those two will be in the cooler for an awfully long time.
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Duty of Officers in Captivity
Group Captain Ramsey
Colonel Von Luger, it is the sworn duty of all officers to try to escape. If they cannot escape, then it is their sworn duty to cause the enemy to use an inordinate number of troops to guard them, and their sworn duty to harass the enemy to the best of their ability.
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Unexpected Delights in Captivity
Bartlett
In the three years, seven months and two weeks that I've been in the bag, that's the most extraordinary stuff I've ever tasted. It's shattering!
[of the Americans' homemade vodka]
MacDonald
Well, I think it's rather good... Well, with your permission, sir, I think I'll all on Kives. Er, call on Ives.
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Reunion with Unwelcome Consequences
Preissen
Ah, Herr Bartlett. And Herr MacDonald. We are together again. You are going to wish you had never put us to so much trouble...
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