THE CREDITS:
Which are SUPERIMPOSED OVER a SCENE of almost unnatural
beauty. A thickly wooded forest which practically shut out
the sunlight. All is not serene however. SHOTS RING Out --
and we are privy to a running battle between a German patrol
and a band of Russian soldiers. It is a desperate fight --
and several bodies fall. we see the faces of several men
whose identity we will learn later. The shooting is still
going on when the CREDITS come to an END. Then --
The CAMERA is MOVING SLOWLY up the hill. The verdancy of
the hill, the intermittent clusters of daisies and dandelions
are evidence of the season -- late Spring. Now the crest of
the hill is in sight; above it a patch of blue sky is
visible. The mood is pastoral, peaceful.
The CAMERA reaches the crest -- and suddenly a pair of highly
polished boots almost fills the SCREEN. The CAMERA comes
to an abrupt HALT. Then SLOWLY, the CAMERA PANS UP from the
boots to take in a carefully tailored German officer's uniform
and then the face of the German officer -- CAPTAIN STRANSKY.
It is a longish face with a high forehead and light blue
eyes. It is a face that gives an impression of extreme
forcefulness, an impression underlined by the thin - lipped
mouth and angular chin. His hair is white at the temples,
emphasizing by contrast the healthy tan of his face.
At the moment, Captain Stransky is gazing through a stereo-
telescope. His expression is grim. Behind the Captain
stands LIEUTENANT MEYER, a youngish, good-natured face.
However, it is apparent from his expression that he has
no great liking for his Captain. His lips are tight as
the Captain moves the knobs of the telescope with long thin
fingers. Captain Stransky straightens up, locks back at
Lieutenant Meyer, whose expression quickly changes to one
of impassivity. Stransky, whose demeanor is angry, says
nothing, but turns to peer again through the telescope.
A patch of woods, about a square mile in area.
Stransky straightens up.
STRANSKY
(angrily)
Incredible -- sheer stupidity.
Those woods should have been
cut down or destroyed by fire.
MEYER
Excuse me, sir, but we retreated
too hastily for any such luxury.
STRANSKY
I disagree. It was an irreparable
oversight, and I shall send a report
to that effect to Regiment.
(looks at the woods,
reaches for cigarette case )
Do you think the Russians are
already in those woods?
(offers Meyer a cigarette)
MEYER
Thank you. We'II know soon enough.
Corporal Steiner is on a recconnai−
sance patrol.
Stransky drops his cigarette butt, steps on it.
STRANSKY
Reconnaissance patrols have a way
of not returning.
MEYER
Steiner will be back.
STRANSKY
(angrily)
I did not ask your opinion Herr
Meyer.
Meyer says nothing. We can see that he regrets his impu−
dence. With a mixture of anxiety and curiosity, he waits
to see what will happen next.
The ANGLE WIDENS to TAKE IN a PRIVATE who walks up to the
Captain, salutes.
PRIVATE
Captain Stransky? Lieutenant
Colonel Brandt Would like to see
you at headquarters.
Stransky nods, gazes sharply at Meyer, walks off, the
CAMERA TRUCKING with him. All about him are SCENES of
great activity. MEN are digging bunkers and preparing
positions. SHOUTS fill the air. As Stransky passes,
he is greeted by salutes which he acknowledges with the
briefest of nods.
An armed GUARD is on duty. He salutes smartly as .Captain
Stransky comes INTO SCENE, returns the salute without
looking at the Guard, ENTERS the bunker.
are examining a map that hangs on the wall. The older of
the two is LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRANDT. About fifty−two,
a gaunt gray face. The younger officer is a CAPTAIN. In
his middle thirties, a tired expression, but his features
are intelligent. At the moment, he is Shaking his head.
CAPTAIN
If our main line of resistance is
at Novorssysk, What are We doing
doｗn here?
BRANDT
(shrugging)
We're playing fire department.
CAPTAIN
Several hundred miles from the heart
of the fire? Does that make sense?
The door opens and a CORPORAL announces:
CORPORAL
Captain Stransky.
Stransky APPEARS on the threshold.
BRANDT
Come in, Captain. You know my
adjutant, of course.
STRANSKY
Of course. How are you, Captain
Kiesel?
KIESEL
Awful. Terrible. How are you?
Brandt laughs, Places a bottle of wine on the table.
BRANDT
This might cheer you up, Kiesel.
Stransky inspects the label.
STRANSKY
My respects, Colonel Brandt.
Producing a 1937 Moselle in the
southernmost corner of Russia.
BRANDT
(fills glasses)
A bottle of Moselle is no more
absurd in this region than We
ourselves. Your health, gentlemen.
KIESEL
I am not going to drink to my health.
My health is terrible and doesn't
deserve to be drunk to.
(holds up his glass)
To the end of the damn war.
STRANSKY
Incidentally, Colonel, why does our
presence in the bridgehead strike
you as so absurd?
Brandt looks at Kiesel, then turns to Stransky.
BRANDT
(ignoring the question)
Captain,
−−Why did you ask to be trans−
ferred from France?
STRANSKY
(laughs)
Exactly what my commanding officer
in France asked me. I can't stop
you, he Said, Since I'm convinced
that without you the eastern front
would collapse in a matter of days.
Go ahead, you heroic fathead.
KIESEL
(quickly)
I withdraw my toast to the end of
the war. To heroic fatheads
everywhere.
Stransky doesn't know quite how to take this, but decides
on a faint, icy smile.
BRANDT
Captain Stransky, is there any
news on Steiner?
STRANSKY
No, sir, not yet.
Brandt shakes his head.
STRANSKY
Incidentally, What sort is he,
Steiner?
Kiesel looks at Stransky closely.
BRANDT
A problem....no respect, but a
first rate soldier − so one looks
the Other Way.
Pause.
STRANSKY
(a short laugh)
0f course, I've only been on this
front a few days, matter of hours
actually, but I see -- rather I
sense -- a sort of -- well, it's not
exactly insubordination -- Well, let's
call it -- a lack of respect.
KIESEL
If I hope into a cab which gets
into an accident because the brakes
fail, I blame the driver, not the
company he works for. I'll say
that he should have refused to drive
a cab with defective brakes.
STRANSKY
I'm not sure I know What you mean
by that.
KIESEL
(looks at him a moment,
then easily)
I don't intend to discuss polities.
BRANDT
(angry)
You talk avout lack of respect --
low morale..... it goes hand in hand
with impending defeat.
STRANSKY
Defeat? I refuse to admit that
possibility.
KIESEL
(dryly)
We'll, said, Captain.
STRANSKY
I don't believe that the German
soldier --
KIESEL
The German soldier!
(laughs mirthlessly)
In the early years they saw the
retreating backs of the Russians
too often to be frightened by his
face now. The replacements, on
the other hand, think every Russian
is an infallible fighting machine.
I feel damn sorry for our poor land−
sers.
STRANSKY
(frigidly)
In the present state of our nation,
such talk borders on treason. I
am a soldier and as such it is my
duty to subordinate my own ideas
to the interests of my country.
KIESEL
(Smiles easily as he
lifts glass)
We are still doing our duty,
Captain Stransky.
Stransky, his face white, glares at Kiesel.
The PHONE has been RINGING. Brandt picks it up with a
Snap.
BRANDT
Yes? -- What? -- Good, Meyer.
Wonderful. What sort of shape
are they in? -- I see.
(hangs up)
Lieutenant Meyer. Steiner is back.
KIESEL
Of course.
STRANSKY
Naturally, I'd like to talk to him.
I intend to promote him to Senior
Sergeant on the spot.
KIESEL
(wryly)
Most generous of you.
STRANSKY
(saluting)
If you'll excuse me.
Brandt nods. Stransky LEAVES. There is a moment's silence.
BRANDT
Well, what do you think of our
Captain?
KIESEL
(a moment's thought)
Must have the most expensive
tailor in Berlin.
BRANDT
And, of course, he won't rest until
he gets the Iron Cross.
KIESEL
(toasts)
Gets......not earns?
Brandt, who has lifted the wine bottle, finds it empty.
BRANDT
Oh, to hell with Stransky and
the Iron Cross. And you, too,
Kiesel.
They smile at each other grimply.
DISSOLVE T0:
Pacing back and forth in a trench, outside of a bunker
door. Occasionally he steals a glance at a group of men
who are slumped in various indolent positions on the floor
of the trench.
The CAMERA PANS SLOWLY from face to face. There are
nine men in the group (all will be identified later indi−
visually). At the moment, all look exhausted, dirty and
somewhat disgusted. The men, with the exception of two,
PASTERNACK and ANSELM, are in the same age range (about
25 to 30). Pasternack and Anselm are younger. SCHNUR−
BART is distinguished by a heavy beard. KRUGER by a
tough weather − beaten visage. DORN has the look of an
intellectual. STEINER'S extreme gauntness is what catches
the eyes. His face is expressionless. The others,
MAAG, HOLLERBACH and KERN are nondescript, run−of−the−mill
faces.
Meyer walks past the men in silence. They do not pay too
much attention to him. Several are smoking cigarettes .
Meyer looks toward the bunker. The CAMERA, following his
gaze, MOVES TOWARD the bunker.
is seated at the table. He is a very young, very handsome,
officer. An orderly. KEPPLER, is busy at a hot plate with
a coffee pot. He, too, is very young. After a moment --
TRIEBIG
Is it very hot? Captain Stransky
won't stand for anything but hot
coffee.
KEPPLER
It is practically scalding, sir.
TRIEBIG
Good.
KEPPLER
Is there anything else you wish,
sir?
TRIEBIG
Not at the moment.
As Keppler starts out:
TRIEBIG
Just a minute. You can keep me
company for awhile. I really
hardly know you. Sit down some −
where.
Keppler looks around uncertainly. Triebig is sitting in the
one and only chair.
TRIEBIG
Sit on the bed. Are you always
so timid?
KEPPLER
(with a shaky Smile)
No.
He perches on the extreme edge of the narrow bed. Triebig
studies him. Keppler's habitual expression is one of
helplessness, accentuated by a mouth he keeps permanently
slightly open.
TRIEBIG
Where do you come from?
KEPPLER
Frankfurt, sir.
TRIEBIG
Is that so? I know Frankfurt quite
well.
(sits on the cot
beside Keppler)
If you get along with me, you'll
have a good life here. You may go
now. Come to my bunker tonight
and arrange my gear.
KEPPLER
(jumping enthusiastically
to his feet)
Yes, sir. When shall I come, sir?
TRIEBIG
Don't come too early. Around ten.
We'll have a chance to talk.
Do your best and I'm sure I shall
be satisfied with you.
Keppler salutes and GOES.
as Triebig COMES OUT. The men are watching Keppler as he
WALKS OFF.