1 00:00:16,108 --> 00:00:18,405 The time is 1941... 2 00:00:18,509 --> 00:00:21,103 a month before Pearl Harbor. 3 00:00:21,212 --> 00:00:23,806 At 11:00 on a November night... 4 00:00:23,915 --> 00:00:26,475 a British submarine surfaced in the Mediterranean... 5 00:00:26,584 --> 00:00:29,246 off the coast of Libya in North Africa... 6 00:00:29,354 --> 00:00:31,379 behind the German lines. 7 00:00:36,128 --> 00:00:38,391 Are you sure the light carries that far? 8 00:00:38,495 --> 00:00:40,396 It should. 9 00:00:42,567 --> 00:00:44,796 There they are. 10 00:00:48,272 --> 00:00:51,605 - What's he saying? - He says they're all set, sir. 11 00:00:51,708 --> 00:00:54,109 Tell him we're coming in. 12 00:01:30,448 --> 00:01:32,938 These were British commandos... 13 00:01:33,050 --> 00:01:35,917 and the purpose of this carefully plotted raid... 14 00:01:36,019 --> 00:01:38,487 was the death of one man. 15 00:04:02,264 --> 00:04:04,528 Aaaah! 16 00:05:21,142 --> 00:05:23,042 Cover me. 17 00:06:01,616 --> 00:06:04,016 It's no use. Go on without me. 18 00:06:04,152 --> 00:06:06,984 - Get hold of my arm! - It's no use, I tell you. Get out of here! 19 00:06:26,107 --> 00:06:29,421 Did we... Did we get him? 20 00:06:29,457 --> 00:06:32,737 Are you serious, Englishman? 21 00:07:48,955 --> 00:07:51,788 Gentlemen, the following order from General Auchinleck... 22 00:07:51,892 --> 00:07:55,589 is to all commanders and chiefs of staff of the Middle East forces. 23 00:07:55,695 --> 00:07:58,664 "There exists a real danger that our friend Rommel... 24 00:07:58,765 --> 00:08:02,599 "is becoming a kind of magician or bogeyman to our troops... 25 00:08:02,702 --> 00:08:05,262 "who are talking far too much about him. 26 00:08:05,372 --> 00:08:07,533 "He is by no means a superman... 27 00:08:07,641 --> 00:08:10,838 "although he is undoubtedly very energetic and able. 28 00:08:10,944 --> 00:08:14,971 "Even if he were a superman, it would still be highly undesirable... 29 00:08:15,081 --> 00:08:18,710 "that our men should credit him with supernatural powers. 30 00:08:18,818 --> 00:08:22,117 "I wish you to dispel by all possible means... 31 00:08:22,222 --> 00:08:25,055 "the idea that Rommel represents something more... 32 00:08:25,158 --> 00:08:27,718 "than an ordinary German general. 33 00:08:27,827 --> 00:08:30,626 "Please ensure that this order is put into immediate effect... 34 00:08:30,730 --> 00:08:33,129 "and impress upon all commanders... 35 00:08:33,233 --> 00:08:35,724 "that from a psychological point of view... 36 00:08:35,835 --> 00:08:37,861 it is a matter of the highest importance. " 37 00:08:37,971 --> 00:08:40,633 Signed C.J. Auchinleck, General... 38 00:08:40,740 --> 00:08:43,867 Commander-in-Chief, M.E.F. 39 00:08:43,977 --> 00:08:48,310 This is the North African desert in June of 1942... 40 00:08:48,414 --> 00:08:52,077 and these are British soldiers taken prisoner the night before... 41 00:08:52,185 --> 00:08:54,880 by units of the German Afrika Korps. 42 00:09:10,970 --> 00:09:12,871 Run, you fool, run! 43 00:09:36,328 --> 00:09:38,990 You! Come on, get out of there! 44 00:09:41,667 --> 00:09:44,135 Get over with the other prisoners! 45 00:09:56,448 --> 00:09:58,939 Who is the senior officer here? 46 00:10:01,453 --> 00:10:03,785 - I am, I suppose. - Come with me. 47 00:10:12,831 --> 00:10:14,890 - What's your rank? - Lieutenant colonel. 48 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,992 Colonel, I want you to go along with these two officers on a flag of truce. 49 00:10:18,103 --> 00:10:20,229 And tell that battery to stop firing. 50 00:10:20,339 --> 00:10:23,068 - Tell them they're... killing their own men. - I can't do that. 51 00:10:23,175 --> 00:10:26,041 Don't tell me what you can or can't do. I'm giving you an order. 52 00:10:26,144 --> 00:10:28,044 Here, tie this on that rifle. 53 00:10:28,146 --> 00:10:30,046 Listen, Major, I'm a prisoner of war. 54 00:10:30,148 --> 00:10:32,048 You can't give me any such order. 55 00:10:32,150 --> 00:10:34,050 You know that as well as I do. 56 00:10:34,152 --> 00:10:36,553 I'm not going to argue the point with you. 57 00:10:36,655 --> 00:10:40,091 Either you do as I tell you, or we'll soon find a way to make you. 58 00:10:40,192 --> 00:10:42,182 Are you going or not? 59 00:10:42,294 --> 00:10:45,694 Major! Major! 60 00:10:45,797 --> 00:10:47,697 What's the row? 61 00:11:14,492 --> 00:11:16,722 The field marshal said you're right. 62 00:11:16,861 --> 00:11:18,726 Field marshal? 63 00:11:22,334 --> 00:11:24,699 So this, then, was Rommel... 64 00:11:24,803 --> 00:11:27,930 Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel... 65 00:11:28,072 --> 00:11:30,666 commander-in-chief of the enemy army... 66 00:11:30,809 --> 00:11:34,574 and the most celebrated German soldier since World War I. 67 00:11:37,348 --> 00:11:40,749 Already a legend in the desert, he was a fox... 68 00:11:40,852 --> 00:11:44,309 who had chased his hunters back and forth across North Africa... 69 00:11:44,455 --> 00:11:47,185 about as often as they had chased him... 70 00:11:47,325 --> 00:11:50,782 and his tricks and turns had made even the Tommies chuckle... 71 00:11:50,928 --> 00:11:55,729 which is scarcely the proper reflex to the enemy in time of war. 72 00:11:55,867 --> 00:11:59,495 In spite of which he was still, of course, my enemy... 73 00:11:59,637 --> 00:12:03,539 the enemy not only of my country and the army in which I served... 74 00:12:03,674 --> 00:12:06,075 but of all life as I knew it... 75 00:12:06,177 --> 00:12:09,738 not only of democracy as free men had fashioned it... 76 00:12:09,881 --> 00:12:12,645 but of civilization itself. 77 00:12:12,784 --> 00:12:15,753 My name is Desmond Young. 78 00:12:15,887 --> 00:12:19,788 At the time of my capture, I was a lieutenant colonel in the Indian army. 79 00:12:19,890 --> 00:12:22,223 This was my first and only sight... 80 00:12:22,325 --> 00:12:25,318 of the cool, hard, professional soldier... 81 00:12:25,463 --> 00:12:29,091 whose scrupulous regard for the rules of warfare had been exercised... 82 00:12:29,232 --> 00:12:32,396 in this instance, so fortunately for myself. 83 00:12:34,604 --> 00:12:37,004 Two years and four months later... 84 00:12:37,108 --> 00:12:41,009 while the British and Americans were fighting their way across Europe... 85 00:12:41,112 --> 00:12:43,410 Erwin Rommel was dead. 86 00:12:43,513 --> 00:12:46,380 He was dead, the Nazis reported... 87 00:12:46,484 --> 00:12:49,816 of wounds gallantly received on the field of honor. 88 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,889 But the Nazis were great liars, of course. 89 00:12:53,023 --> 00:12:55,218 Many people wondered. 90 00:12:55,326 --> 00:12:59,456 For already there were mysterious rumors floating across the battle lines. 91 00:13:01,832 --> 00:13:05,859 So, when the war was over and my military life behind me... 92 00:13:06,002 --> 00:13:08,267 I gave myself a mission. 93 00:13:08,371 --> 00:13:12,000 I set out to discover what actually had happened to him. 94 00:13:12,142 --> 00:13:14,337 What was the truth about his death... 95 00:13:14,445 --> 00:13:17,642 and on what field of honor had he died? 96 00:13:17,748 --> 00:13:22,651 In a modest home in the tiny village of Herrlingen by Ulm in Wurttemberg, Germany... 97 00:13:22,753 --> 00:13:26,814 I talked long and often with Rommel's son and widow... 98 00:13:26,957 --> 00:13:30,791 and examined his letters, reports and other papers. 99 00:13:30,894 --> 00:13:33,624 In Germany, I talked to soldiers... 100 00:13:33,730 --> 00:13:37,131 who had served with him, over him and under him; 101 00:13:37,234 --> 00:13:40,635 In England, with men who had fought against him... 102 00:13:40,771 --> 00:13:43,262 from field marshals to desert rats. 103 00:13:43,406 --> 00:13:45,567 And in both countries, of course... 104 00:13:45,674 --> 00:13:48,109 I went to the official records. 105 00:13:48,245 --> 00:13:50,440 Based on these facts... 106 00:13:50,547 --> 00:13:55,246 what now follows is the true story of Erwin Rommel. 107 00:13:57,454 --> 00:14:00,685 The beginning of the end for this single-minded soldier... 108 00:14:00,790 --> 00:14:05,956 came at 9:30 on the evening of October 23, 1942... 109 00:14:06,061 --> 00:14:08,552 when at El Alamein six miles of British guns... 110 00:14:08,665 --> 00:14:10,565 Fire! 111 00:14:48,872 --> 00:14:51,431 I discovered that actually Rommel was not in Africa... 112 00:14:51,574 --> 00:14:53,838 when the storm of battle broke. 113 00:14:53,977 --> 00:14:56,672 Suffering from a chronic diphtheria of the nose... 114 00:14:56,813 --> 00:14:59,610 he had been relieved of his command a month before... 115 00:14:59,748 --> 00:15:02,183 and flown back to a hospital in Germany. 116 00:15:02,284 --> 00:15:05,720 But when the telephone rang at his bedside... 117 00:15:05,855 --> 00:15:09,347 and a familiar voice from Berlin called on him once more... 118 00:15:09,491 --> 00:15:13,484 he rose and was in a plane on the way back to the desert within hours. 119 00:15:39,722 --> 00:15:43,021 - Thank you, Bayerlein. Still a dandy, I see. - Just luck, sir. 120 00:15:43,125 --> 00:15:45,184 - Welcome back. - Good to see you, sir. 121 00:15:45,326 --> 00:15:48,125 - Shall we take a look at those maps? - Over here. 122 00:15:48,229 --> 00:15:51,631 - How've you been, Bayerlein? - Oh, very well, I suppose. 123 00:15:51,767 --> 00:15:54,258 - Did you see Frau Rommel? - Yes, she came to stay a week, she and Manfred. 124 00:15:54,403 --> 00:15:56,529 - Well, I hope... - How does it look today? 125 00:15:56,672 --> 00:15:59,402 Oh, looks like they've got too much for us. 126 00:15:59,508 --> 00:16:02,340 If they keep this up, I've no idea how we're going to get out of it. 127 00:16:02,443 --> 00:16:04,844 - Not with the amount of petrol we've got. - But we've got petrol? 128 00:16:04,947 --> 00:16:07,346 - Some, but not enough. - You mean it's still on the way. 129 00:16:07,448 --> 00:16:10,349 - Neither on the way nor any prospect of it. - Who told you that? 130 00:16:10,451 --> 00:16:14,888 I've talked to Rome three times. There's no petrol on the way nor any committed to us. 131 00:16:15,024 --> 00:16:17,857 Schultz. Aldinger. 132 00:16:23,998 --> 00:16:26,762 - What about the tanks? Did they come? - None. 133 00:16:26,869 --> 00:16:29,234 - None since I left? - No. None since August. 134 00:16:29,338 --> 00:16:31,533 - What about the guns? - Nothing, I tell you. 135 00:16:31,639 --> 00:16:33,608 - And no petrol at all? - Not a pint. 136 00:16:47,755 --> 00:16:49,916 This is correct from the hour. 137 00:16:50,024 --> 00:16:52,459 Get me a stool, will you? 138 00:16:57,165 --> 00:17:00,396 Here's where it's worst. 15th's in a bad way, barely hanging together. 139 00:17:00,501 --> 00:17:03,402 - What's this? - A trailer division. They came in here. 140 00:17:03,504 --> 00:17:06,474 - Yes, I see. How far's this armor? - No further. 141 00:17:06,607 --> 00:17:09,508 - They're doing pretty well there. - Where are my maps? 142 00:17:14,182 --> 00:17:17,083 Bring the 21st north through here. 143 00:17:17,185 --> 00:17:20,313 - Move the 90th forward here. - They'll hook up. 144 00:17:20,421 --> 00:17:22,320 That's right. Now tell me this. 145 00:17:22,423 --> 00:17:24,823 - Is Montgomery sending his infantry in first? - Naturally. 146 00:17:24,926 --> 00:17:28,828 Then let's give him a surprise. Let's send our tanks and blow a hole through that infantry. 147 00:17:28,930 --> 00:17:32,832 If it works, we'll be on top of his tanks before he knows what hit him. 148 00:17:32,966 --> 00:17:36,926 - Very good, sir. - If it doesn't work, we'll know better than to try it next time. 149 00:17:37,038 --> 00:17:40,599 - Come on, Aldinger. - You're not going up now, are you? 150 00:17:42,143 --> 00:17:44,703 Don't you think you oughta turn in for an hour or so? 151 00:17:44,812 --> 00:17:47,541 - After three weeks of being turned in? - We're away, sir? 152 00:17:47,648 --> 00:17:50,548 Let's head north and go in with the 21st. 153 00:17:56,990 --> 00:17:59,652 But there was now another fox in the desert... 154 00:17:59,761 --> 00:18:02,024 an even craftier one, perhaps. 155 00:18:02,130 --> 00:18:05,497 And if the battle boiled into confusion during the next few days... 156 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:10,435 it was a confusion that was clearly more and more in Montgomery's favor. 157 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:56,870 Have you found the field marshal yet? 158 00:19:56,977 --> 00:19:59,410 No, sir. He's out at the front again. 159 00:20:02,648 --> 00:20:04,878 I don't know how the men on line feel about it... 160 00:20:04,985 --> 00:20:08,044 but so far as the staff is concerned, I'd just as soon have a commander-in-chief... 161 00:20:08,155 --> 00:20:10,214 with a little bit of cowardice about him. 162 00:20:10,322 --> 00:20:13,223 Just enough to come back at headquarters every now and then. 163 00:20:13,325 --> 00:20:15,658 Keep after him, will you? 164 00:20:27,673 --> 00:20:29,903 By the tenth day of the battle... 165 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:33,103 not even Rommel could have any doubt as to its outcome. 166 00:20:33,212 --> 00:20:35,680 There's a limit to this sort of thing. 167 00:20:35,781 --> 00:20:39,582 You can't just go on indefinitely until the last man's dead. 168 00:20:39,685 --> 00:20:42,780 It's all very gallant and all that, but it's also pretty idiotic. 169 00:20:42,888 --> 00:20:48,159 Von Thoma wants to pull back to Djerba. 170 00:20:48,194 --> 00:20:51,254 - What about M¨¹ller? - No answer as yet, sir. 171 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:56,964 - Where're you from, son? - Goslar, sir. 172 00:20:57,069 --> 00:21:00,266 Really? I was stationed in Goslar once with a mountain battalion. 173 00:21:00,372 --> 00:21:03,364 - We did a lot of skiing there. Do you know that run? - Very well, sir. 174 00:21:03,475 --> 00:21:06,205 - Are you any good? - Well, sir, two years ago... 175 00:21:06,312 --> 00:21:09,281 - Are you sure you understood? - Yes. I had him repeat it back to me. 176 00:21:09,381 --> 00:21:11,815 - Are you keeping after M¨¹ller? - Yes, sir. 177 00:21:13,385 --> 00:21:15,876 - Have you tried Berlin? - Call if you can. 178 00:21:15,987 --> 00:21:19,286 - Nothing yet, though. - Nobody knows the situation. I sent him the whole story. 179 00:21:19,391 --> 00:21:22,292 - If there's anything he can do, he will. - No matter what you say... 180 00:21:22,394 --> 00:21:24,521 to Berlin we're only a side show and you know it. 181 00:21:31,536 --> 00:21:34,300 - Well, what? - M¨¹ller's in a bad way. 182 00:21:34,406 --> 00:21:36,306 - How bad? - Very, I'm afraid. 183 00:21:36,408 --> 00:21:39,308 If he doesn't pull back soon, he won't have anything to pull back. 184 00:21:39,411 --> 00:21:42,504 - Well, where is he? - His command car is gone. He's working in a carrier. 185 00:21:42,615 --> 00:21:45,641 And if he's got more than 40 tanks left, I'd be greatly surprised. 186 00:21:45,750 --> 00:21:49,516 - How about the Italians? - M¨¹ller thinks they've had as much as they can take. 187 00:21:49,622 --> 00:21:51,522 Rome calling, sir. 188 00:21:54,460 --> 00:21:57,622 - Well? - Field Marshal Kesselring regrets. 189 00:21:57,730 --> 00:22:00,664 Well, that eliminates any further speculation anyway. 190 00:22:03,201 --> 00:22:06,068 It's now a simple matter of mathematics. 191 00:22:06,170 --> 00:22:08,968 With the petrol we've got left, we have two choices: 192 00:22:09,073 --> 00:22:11,599 We can remain here and be destroyed... 193 00:22:11,709 --> 00:22:14,872 or we can pull out tonight and dig in somewhere for the next round. 194 00:22:14,979 --> 00:22:17,243 - You think we still can? - Pull out? Of course. Why not? 195 00:22:17,348 --> 00:22:19,248 Montgomery's got no petrol shortage. 196 00:22:19,350 --> 00:22:21,511 But Montgomery's a very deliberate fellow. 197 00:22:21,619 --> 00:22:24,520 He wouldn't dream of leaping after me the way I'd leap after him. 198 00:22:24,622 --> 00:22:27,455 - He'd have to think about it. - I don't see what else there is to be done. 199 00:22:27,558 --> 00:22:29,458 There's nothing else. Let's have plan "C." 200 00:22:29,560 --> 00:22:32,325 Notify all commanding officers to stand by for important orders. 201 00:22:32,430 --> 00:22:35,092 - If we can move quickly enough... - Berlin calling, sir. 202 00:22:35,199 --> 00:22:37,463 - Who in Berlin? - The f¨¹hrer. 203 00:22:54,452 --> 00:22:56,352 Signed Adolf Hitler. 204 00:22:56,454 --> 00:23:00,515 "The situation requires that the El Alamein position be held to the last man. 205 00:23:00,624 --> 00:23:05,062 There is to be no retreat, not so much as one millimeter. It must be victory or death. " 206 00:23:05,163 --> 00:23:07,563 - I can't believe it. - Have you still got Berlin? 207 00:23:07,665 --> 00:23:09,963 - Yes, sir. - Ask him to repeat that message. 208 00:23:10,068 --> 00:23:13,468 - Yes, sir. - I know, but it's not him. It's those hoodlums again... 209 00:23:13,571 --> 00:23:16,802 those thieves and crooks and murderers, those toy soldiers... 210 00:23:16,907 --> 00:23:21,368 those dummy generals with their books and charts and maps and pointers! 211 00:23:21,512 --> 00:23:23,776 How can he listen to such nonentities? 212 00:23:23,914 --> 00:23:26,349 How can he even stand the smell of such filth? 213 00:23:26,451 --> 00:23:29,146 - Why doesn't he use his own intelligence? - I have your repeat, sir. 214 00:23:29,253 --> 00:23:31,153 Well, go ahead, read it. 215 00:23:31,288 --> 00:23:35,350 "The situation requires that the El Alamein position be held to the last man. 216 00:23:35,492 --> 00:23:38,154 "There is to be no retreat, not so much as one millimeter. 217 00:23:38,295 --> 00:23:41,390 It must be victory or death. " Signed, Adolf Hitler. 218 00:23:43,101 --> 00:23:46,160 - It's incredible. - You're not going to pay attention to such nonsense? 219 00:23:46,303 --> 00:23:49,398 It's an order, Bayerlein, a military order from general headquarters... 220 00:23:49,540 --> 00:23:53,339 a clear, straight, stupid, criminal military order from general headquarters. 221 00:23:53,478 --> 00:23:57,072 And what are you going to do, double the insanity by obeying it? 222 00:23:57,214 --> 00:23:59,739 We've got the best soldiers in the German army here. 223 00:23:59,883 --> 00:24:03,114 They may be just hanging on now, but they're still a force, they're still fighting. 224 00:24:03,253 --> 00:24:05,950 If we take them out now, they can fight again tomorrow. 225 00:24:06,089 --> 00:24:09,081 But this... this is shear madness. It's out of the Middle Ages. 226 00:24:09,226 --> 00:24:13,129 Nobody has said "victory or death" since people fought with bows and arrows. 227 00:24:13,230 --> 00:24:15,892 Why, this is an order to throw away an entire army. 228 00:24:16,032 --> 00:24:19,934 If I may remind you, sir, here in the field these men are yours, not his. 229 00:24:20,036 --> 00:24:22,266 - I just can't understand it. - I can. He's insane. 230 00:24:22,407 --> 00:24:26,866 He's not insane. He's... But neither am I. 231 00:24:35,018 --> 00:24:38,920 Pull them out, Bayerlein. I'll argue with him about it later. 232 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:19,920 The end came in Tunis when the Axis forces were caught... 233 00:25:20,063 --> 00:25:22,326 between the British, the Free French... 234 00:25:22,432 --> 00:25:24,422 and the Americans under Eisenhower... 235 00:25:24,567 --> 00:25:28,095 and surrendered unconditionally. 236 00:25:30,273 --> 00:25:33,969 But the Afrika Korps went into captivity without its leader. 237 00:25:34,076 --> 00:25:38,240 For, a month before the end, Rommel had again fallen ill... 238 00:25:38,347 --> 00:25:41,077 and been invalided back to the hospital in Germany. 239 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:53,227 - Good morning, Sergeant. - Good morning, Frau Rommel, Manfred. 240 00:25:53,329 --> 00:25:56,788 - Morning. - Dr. Strolin. 241 00:25:56,899 --> 00:26:01,097 - Karl Strolin, Stuttgart. - Dr. Strolin is an old friend of the field marshal's. 242 00:26:01,203 --> 00:26:03,728 I understand you'll find him much better this morning. 243 00:26:03,839 --> 00:26:05,807 All he needed was a little rest. 244 00:26:13,716 --> 00:26:17,083 Frau Rommel... 245 00:26:17,186 --> 00:26:20,383 Manfred Rommel... 246 00:26:23,058 --> 00:26:26,619 and Dr. Karl Strolin. 247 00:26:26,729 --> 00:26:28,720 From Stuttgart? 248 00:26:28,831 --> 00:26:31,664 Not only from, but lord mayor of. 249 00:26:33,869 --> 00:26:36,337 Don't tell me he's on the list. 250 00:26:40,442 --> 00:26:43,411 "Dr. Karl Strolin, lord mayor of Stuttgart. " 251 00:26:45,280 --> 00:26:48,045 She says he's an old friend of the field marshal. 252 00:26:48,150 --> 00:26:50,050 Nevertheless, here he is. 253 00:26:50,152 --> 00:26:52,279 "To be kept under the closest observation... 254 00:26:52,388 --> 00:26:55,551 whenever discovered beyond the precincts of Stuttgart. " 255 00:26:57,793 --> 00:27:00,853 Not that it could really be described as an argument. 256 00:27:00,963 --> 00:27:03,727 It's impossible to have an argument with him... 257 00:27:03,832 --> 00:27:06,595 in the sense that you and I could have an argument. 258 00:27:06,702 --> 00:27:09,535 He raves, he screams, he goes into such hysterics... 259 00:27:09,638 --> 00:27:13,038 that it's like trying to make sense with a panic-stricken woman. 260 00:27:13,141 --> 00:27:15,632 He called him a coward. 261 00:27:15,744 --> 00:27:18,736 Did he really use that word to you? 262 00:27:18,847 --> 00:27:21,042 Not once, but several times. 263 00:27:21,149 --> 00:27:26,177 In Russia, he said, officers like me have been put against the wall and shot. 264 00:27:26,288 --> 00:27:29,018 Now must I think it couldn't happen to me too. 265 00:27:29,124 --> 00:27:33,822 That was his thanks, that was his gratitude for all that Erwin has done for him. 266 00:27:33,929 --> 00:27:36,829 On the other hand, you mustn't hold people too accountable... 267 00:27:36,932 --> 00:27:39,900 for everything they say when they're emotionally upset. 268 00:27:40,001 --> 00:27:44,097 The war is not going well, and he's naturally worried. 269 00:27:44,206 --> 00:27:46,537 But I'm afraid it will be a long time... 270 00:27:46,641 --> 00:27:49,542 before I forget what he did to the Afrika Korps. 271 00:27:49,644 --> 00:27:51,737 What was that? 272 00:27:51,846 --> 00:27:55,748 When the end was near and I asked him to get them out... 273 00:27:55,850 --> 00:27:59,650 he said he had no further interest or concern... 274 00:27:59,754 --> 00:28:01,585 in the Afrika Korps. 275 00:28:01,690 --> 00:28:04,385 And that was their thanks. 276 00:28:05,893 --> 00:28:10,057 Rommel... I should like to ask you a question. 277 00:28:10,165 --> 00:28:13,224 Of course, if you don't care to answer, I quite understand. 278 00:28:13,334 --> 00:28:16,861 But with your permission, I should like to ask it nevertheless. 279 00:28:16,971 --> 00:28:18,871 What is it? 280 00:28:18,973 --> 00:28:21,441 Do you really believe that we can win? 281 00:28:26,881 --> 00:28:29,907 - I'll tell you what he believes. - Yes? 282 00:28:31,786 --> 00:28:34,084 He doesn't think so. 283 00:28:34,188 --> 00:28:36,349 He told you that himself? 284 00:28:36,457 --> 00:28:38,357 He did. 285 00:28:38,459 --> 00:28:41,451 And he understands what that'll mean this time? 286 00:28:41,561 --> 00:28:43,462 Apparently. 287 00:28:43,563 --> 00:28:45,555 Then why do we go on? 288 00:28:45,666 --> 00:28:49,763 We have no choice, because no country we're fighting... 289 00:28:49,871 --> 00:28:53,772 England, America or Russia... will make peace with him. 290 00:28:53,874 --> 00:28:56,138 He admitted that? 291 00:28:56,244 --> 00:28:59,372 And it's the truth, of course. 292 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:03,074 In other words, while he remains as leader of Germany... 293 00:29:03,184 --> 00:29:05,948 we must fight on until we're destroyed. 294 00:29:06,053 --> 00:29:08,921 Victory or death, as ever. 295 00:29:09,023 --> 00:29:13,926 I take it he didn't mention the obvious solution to the situation. 296 00:29:14,028 --> 00:29:17,520 - What do you mean? - Abdication. 297 00:29:19,934 --> 00:29:22,458 Now, my dear Strolin... 298 00:29:24,805 --> 00:29:27,798 - I'm afraid we must go, dear. - Must you already? 299 00:29:27,908 --> 00:29:30,502 - I have a train to catch. - We'll come back after supper. 300 00:29:30,610 --> 00:29:34,342 Let's have coffee together. Good-bye, Strolin. 'T was good to see you again. 301 00:29:34,448 --> 00:29:36,610 We won't let it be so long next time. 302 00:29:36,717 --> 00:29:39,481 - Do you think they really would, Father? - Would what, son? 303 00:29:39,586 --> 00:29:42,078 - Shoot you? - No, no, of course not. 304 00:29:42,189 --> 00:29:45,420 That's just his wild way of talking. You mustn't pay any attention to that. 305 00:29:45,526 --> 00:29:49,017 - Shoot his greatest general? - You shouldn't have said that in front of him. 306 00:29:49,129 --> 00:29:51,597 Come along and stop talking nonsense. 307 00:29:52,966 --> 00:29:56,094 - Until this evening, dear? - Come early, will you? 308 00:29:58,772 --> 00:30:01,400 He's a good-looking boy, isn't he? 309 00:30:01,508 --> 00:30:05,842 A very nice boy too. But were you entirely truthful with him? 310 00:30:05,946 --> 00:30:07,846 About what? 311 00:30:07,948 --> 00:30:11,679 - When you told him he would never put you up against a wall. - But of course. 312 00:30:11,785 --> 00:30:15,277 Has the possibility ever occurred to you that he might turn on you? 313 00:30:15,388 --> 00:30:18,290 - But why should he? - He's turned on others. 314 00:30:18,391 --> 00:30:20,756 He'll never turn on me. 315 00:30:20,861 --> 00:30:24,922 What about some of those fellows around him that don't like you? Himmler, Bormann and that crowd. 316 00:30:25,030 --> 00:30:28,227 - Don't they ever influence him? - Very often, indeed. 317 00:30:28,335 --> 00:30:31,896 You don't think it's possible they might influence him against you someday? 318 00:30:32,005 --> 00:30:36,442 It's possible, yes, but I don't see that it's very likely. 319 00:30:36,543 --> 00:30:39,740 But in the remote possibility that they did... 320 00:30:39,846 --> 00:30:43,781 have you ever considered what might become of Lucie and Manfred? 321 00:30:43,917 --> 00:30:48,319 I've never thought about it. But what on Earth are you getting at, anyway? 322 00:30:48,455 --> 00:30:51,423 I think you should, that's all. 323 00:30:51,558 --> 00:30:54,493 You haven't changed a bit, Doctor. 324 00:30:54,628 --> 00:30:57,392 You always were something of an odd fish. 325 00:30:57,530 --> 00:30:59,998 But there's no need for you to worry this time. 326 00:31:00,133 --> 00:31:02,101 We're in no danger, none of us. 327 00:31:02,234 --> 00:31:04,760 If you'll take a word of advice from an old friend... 328 00:31:04,904 --> 00:31:06,839 you'd better not talk like that to everybody. 329 00:31:06,972 --> 00:31:08,838 I don't. 330 00:31:08,974 --> 00:31:12,808 Only to those I know very well and am very fond of. 331 00:31:12,946 --> 00:31:16,143 - Good-bye, Rommel. - Good-bye, Strolin. 332 00:31:16,282 --> 00:31:19,183 - Come again if you can. - I'll try. 333 00:33:35,386 --> 00:33:38,014 An invasion of Hitler's European fortress... 334 00:33:38,122 --> 00:33:40,647 was now clearly but a matter of time. 335 00:33:40,758 --> 00:33:43,249 And in November of 1943... 336 00:33:43,361 --> 00:33:46,626 Rommel made a tour of inspection of the Atlantic defenses... 337 00:33:46,731 --> 00:33:50,098 preparatory of taking command of the Nazi forces... 338 00:33:50,202 --> 00:33:52,999 that were gathering to resist the assault. 339 00:35:01,172 --> 00:35:05,403 A month later, Rommel reported to Field Marshal von Rundstedt... 340 00:35:05,510 --> 00:35:08,741 supreme commander in the West, at the latter's headquarters... 341 00:35:08,845 --> 00:35:13,043 in the Pompadour's Palace at Fontainebleau outside Paris. 342 00:35:23,260 --> 00:35:26,388 Field Marshal von Rundstedt, gentlemen. 343 00:35:32,269 --> 00:35:34,499 - Ruge. - Field Marshal. 344 00:35:34,604 --> 00:35:36,538 Gentlemen. 345 00:35:42,212 --> 00:35:44,612 - Good to see you, Rommel. - Field Marshal. 346 00:35:44,714 --> 00:35:48,445 Well, now that you have had an opportunity to examine it closely... 347 00:35:48,552 --> 00:35:51,146 what do you think of our Atlantic wall? 348 00:35:51,254 --> 00:35:53,722 I'm afraid I haven't quite completed my report yet, but... 349 00:35:53,824 --> 00:35:56,258 We'll discuss it later, whenever you're ready. 350 00:35:56,359 --> 00:36:00,624 I don't imagine the mighty Eisenhower will be on us for another day or so. 351 00:36:00,730 --> 00:36:03,198 It wasn't too much a tax on your strength, I hope. 352 00:36:03,300 --> 00:36:05,791 Not in the least. I'm entirely recovered now. 353 00:36:05,902 --> 00:36:08,735 I'm delighted. You're being well taken care of, gentlemen? 354 00:36:08,839 --> 00:36:10,806 Yes, indeed, sir. 355 00:36:10,907 --> 00:36:13,239 Would you be so good as to divert our friends... 356 00:36:13,342 --> 00:36:16,608 while Field Marshal Rommel and I have a few moments of private meditation? 357 00:36:16,712 --> 00:36:18,613 Yes, sir. 358 00:36:46,108 --> 00:36:49,510 Appalling, wasn't it? 359 00:36:51,580 --> 00:36:54,106 I can't even see why it's called a wall. 360 00:36:54,251 --> 00:36:57,947 The big ports like Havre and Ostend and Cherbourg are protected well enough... 361 00:36:58,088 --> 00:37:00,715 but the enemy's not coming in on the Queen Mary. 362 00:37:00,856 --> 00:37:03,222 Nothing at all is being done about the beaches. 363 00:37:03,360 --> 00:37:06,795 Why, I saw 50 places where an army of children could come ashore. 364 00:37:06,929 --> 00:37:11,332 The trouble is labor. We have the plans for fortifications the devil himself couldn't breach... 365 00:37:11,433 --> 00:37:14,130 solid steel and concrete from Denmark to Spain... 366 00:37:14,270 --> 00:37:19,038 but I'm afraid our French friends aren't being as cooperative as they might be. 367 00:37:19,175 --> 00:37:22,076 Even when driven to the job, they move like snails. 368 00:37:22,178 --> 00:37:26,274 Either we break it up while they're still wading ashore or we're in trouble. 369 00:37:26,415 --> 00:37:29,282 - Is that the way you'd meet it? - Stop them on the beaches. 370 00:37:29,385 --> 00:37:31,945 Crowd the water with mines and traps and tricks... 371 00:37:32,087 --> 00:37:35,181 and hit 'em while they're busy trying to keep themselves from drowning. 372 00:37:35,324 --> 00:37:39,124 Here, down here... and here. 373 00:37:39,228 --> 00:37:41,594 I don't agree with you... 374 00:37:41,697 --> 00:37:45,064 but the difference of opinion will probably remain academic. 375 00:37:45,167 --> 00:37:50,070 As it happens, neither you nor I will determine the tactics in this operation. 376 00:37:50,172 --> 00:37:52,640 Not above the regimental level, anyway. 377 00:37:52,775 --> 00:37:54,936 You mean... Berlin? 378 00:37:55,076 --> 00:37:57,875 I mean the Bohemian corporal himself... 379 00:37:57,979 --> 00:38:01,416 is assuming sole and total command of this operation. 380 00:38:01,550 --> 00:38:06,452 You and I will function simply as instruments of his astrological inspirations. 381 00:38:06,555 --> 00:38:10,685 And in case you're afflicted with an understandable skepticism, this is official. 382 00:38:10,826 --> 00:38:13,385 But that's an utterly impossible situation. 383 00:38:13,529 --> 00:38:15,928 Then you should, by all means, explain that to him. 384 00:38:16,031 --> 00:38:18,021 You've made no protests yourself? 385 00:38:18,167 --> 00:38:20,566 After you've interfered a dozen times or so... 386 00:38:20,668 --> 00:38:24,730 with a man's rather enthusiastic determination to cut his own throat... 387 00:38:24,873 --> 00:38:27,706 there comes a moment when you're inclined to stand back... 388 00:38:27,810 --> 00:38:30,107 and view the whole matter with a certain detachment. 389 00:38:30,211 --> 00:38:33,443 - You've no objection to my... pointing this out to him? - On the contrary. 390 00:38:33,548 --> 00:38:36,608 I bestow my blessings on your courage and optimism. 391 00:38:47,061 --> 00:38:49,587 I'm told you once referred to me as a clown... 392 00:38:49,732 --> 00:38:52,131 the clown of Hitler's circus. 393 00:38:52,233 --> 00:38:54,133 Oh, did I? 394 00:38:54,235 --> 00:38:57,399 If so, I think you should know I've been a great deal more explicit about you. 395 00:38:57,505 --> 00:39:00,030 That's quite all right, Field Marshal. 396 00:39:00,174 --> 00:39:04,201 I find it almost impossible to keep my mind on anything harsh said about me. 397 00:39:04,345 --> 00:39:06,279 Did you say it? 398 00:39:06,382 --> 00:39:10,249 Whoever said it, you've given them ample reason to regret such a foolish remark. 399 00:39:12,353 --> 00:39:15,083 - Thank you, Field Marshal. - Not at all. 400 00:39:15,189 --> 00:39:17,180 Is there anything else? 401 00:39:17,325 --> 00:39:19,919 I don't believe so at the moment. 402 00:39:22,530 --> 00:39:24,430 One suggestion, perhaps... 403 00:39:24,532 --> 00:39:27,660 in view of our cordiality. 404 00:39:27,769 --> 00:39:31,102 If I were you, I wouldn't be altogether unguarded... 405 00:39:31,205 --> 00:39:34,402 about what I had to say about this new strategic arrangement. 406 00:39:34,509 --> 00:39:36,841 I think you should know that from now on... 407 00:39:36,944 --> 00:39:39,879 you'll be under more or less constant observation here. 408 00:39:39,980 --> 00:39:44,007 - From Berlin? - Friends of the management, I believe. 409 00:39:44,118 --> 00:39:47,519 Have you any information as to why I should be singled out for such attention? 410 00:39:47,621 --> 00:39:50,489 Oh, but you're not. We all are. 411 00:39:50,591 --> 00:39:53,355 Apparently you didn't have it in Africa... 412 00:39:53,460 --> 00:39:57,522 but here on the continent it's an honor that goes with staff rank. 413 00:39:57,631 --> 00:39:59,361 You too? 414 00:39:59,466 --> 00:40:03,233 My dear fellow, I'm the commander-in-chief. 415 00:40:12,379 --> 00:40:14,506 Two months after that... 416 00:40:14,615 --> 00:40:17,743 in February of 1944, during one of Rommel's... 417 00:40:17,851 --> 00:40:20,150 rare absences from the Atlantic frontier... 418 00:40:20,254 --> 00:40:24,587 his old friend Dr. Karl Strolin sought him out again. 419 00:40:38,572 --> 00:40:41,268 - Good afternoon, sir. - Good afternoon. 420 00:40:41,376 --> 00:40:44,173 Dr. Strolin to see the field marshal and Frau Rommel. 421 00:40:44,278 --> 00:40:46,177 Come in, sir. 422 00:40:57,557 --> 00:41:00,651 Eisenhower won't try it until spring, of course. 423 00:41:00,762 --> 00:41:03,093 I doubt if I'll get home again before then. 424 00:41:03,196 --> 00:41:05,096 Are we ready for him? 425 00:41:05,198 --> 00:41:07,359 We will be, I hope. 426 00:41:12,506 --> 00:41:14,599 To your very good health, Doctor. 427 00:41:14,708 --> 00:41:16,801 To yours, my dear Rommel. 428 00:41:19,612 --> 00:41:22,241 How do you know this room isn't wired? 429 00:41:22,349 --> 00:41:25,147 Wired? Why should it be wired? 430 00:41:25,252 --> 00:41:28,244 Does our friend Himmler have to have a reason for wiring a room? 431 00:41:28,354 --> 00:41:30,255 No, I don't suppose he does. 432 00:41:30,356 --> 00:41:33,258 But I don't think you have to worry about this one. 433 00:41:33,360 --> 00:41:35,260 Why? 434 00:41:46,206 --> 00:41:49,505 'Cause I want to talk to you without being overheard. 435 00:41:49,609 --> 00:41:52,578 - About what? - About the Hitler situation. 436 00:41:54,080 --> 00:41:57,310 If this is politics, Strolin, I don't want to hear it. 437 00:41:57,417 --> 00:41:59,612 Had you rather see Germany destroyed? 438 00:41:59,719 --> 00:42:02,516 It's not a matter I want to discuss, I tell you. 439 00:42:02,622 --> 00:42:05,852 And I'm surprised at you. That's a communist position. 440 00:42:05,958 --> 00:42:08,324 Oh? Is it? 441 00:42:08,428 --> 00:42:12,056 Defeat, against him, all that sort of thing. You know it is. 442 00:42:12,165 --> 00:42:14,463 Would you call General Beck a communist? 443 00:42:14,567 --> 00:42:18,264 - Of course not. - Or Karl Goerdeler, the lord mayor of Leipzig? 444 00:42:18,371 --> 00:42:21,272 - I've never heard that he was. - What about Falkenhausen? 445 00:42:21,374 --> 00:42:24,831 - No, but... - What about Heinrich von Stulpnagel? 446 00:42:24,944 --> 00:42:27,743 And von Urach and von Haslov? Are they communists? 447 00:42:27,848 --> 00:42:33,342 Are you trying to tell me seriously that men like that are questioning his leadership? 448 00:42:33,452 --> 00:42:37,889 Not just questioning it. They intend to end it. 449 00:42:37,990 --> 00:42:40,754 You mean, you've talked to those fellows yourself? 450 00:42:40,861 --> 00:42:43,351 To them and to many others. Not only soldiers, either. 451 00:42:43,462 --> 00:42:46,864 Church men, labor leaders, lawyers, doctors. 452 00:42:46,966 --> 00:42:51,835 Members of the government, even. Not too many of them, but sound men, every one. 453 00:42:51,937 --> 00:42:55,031 How long has this been going on? 454 00:42:55,140 --> 00:42:57,404 Since '38. 455 00:42:59,144 --> 00:43:01,738 And what exactly are you after? 456 00:43:01,847 --> 00:43:05,613 One, we want to get rid of Hitler and his gang. 457 00:43:05,718 --> 00:43:08,414 If we are to be defeated, then we prefer to be defeated... 458 00:43:08,522 --> 00:43:11,547 as human beings, not as barbarians. 459 00:43:11,657 --> 00:43:14,785 Two, whether we win or lose... 460 00:43:14,894 --> 00:43:18,955 we want to live again like decent people, without fear. 461 00:43:19,064 --> 00:43:23,433 Look, Strolin, I don't want to get mixed up in this thing. 462 00:43:23,536 --> 00:43:26,130 What they do in Berlin is their business, not mine. 463 00:43:26,238 --> 00:43:28,536 I'm a soldier, not a politician. 464 00:43:28,640 --> 00:43:31,041 You still think you're perfectly safe? 465 00:43:31,143 --> 00:43:33,338 Who knows who's safe and who's not? 466 00:43:33,445 --> 00:43:35,413 Under a sane man, you'd know. 467 00:43:35,514 --> 00:43:37,880 That's a lot of rubbish, and you know it. 468 00:43:37,983 --> 00:43:40,507 Well, I hope you're right, and perhaps you are. 469 00:43:40,619 --> 00:43:44,679 After all, you are his favorite, and I can think of no one who's ever questioned... 470 00:43:44,790 --> 00:43:49,352 the deep and enduring gratitude he's always shown to those who've served him well. 471 00:43:49,461 --> 00:43:53,794 - No one's in any danger here who does his job properly. - You have nothing to fear. 472 00:43:53,899 --> 00:43:57,231 And if something did happen unpredictably... 473 00:43:57,336 --> 00:44:00,328 you'd still have the comfort of knowing that the lives of Lucie and Manfred... 474 00:44:00,439 --> 00:44:03,567 would be safe and snug in the soft, gentle, tender hands... 475 00:44:03,675 --> 00:44:06,668 of that brave little band of patriots he's gathered around him. 476 00:44:06,778 --> 00:44:09,906 I'm afraid that kind of talk doesn't amuse me. 477 00:44:10,015 --> 00:44:14,883 I'm not trying to amuse you. I'm merely reflecting on your extraordinary good fortune. 478 00:44:14,986 --> 00:44:17,922 I wish you'd think about that too sometime... 479 00:44:18,023 --> 00:44:22,858 not the blood on his mouth, but what a godsend he is to you personally... 480 00:44:22,961 --> 00:44:26,192 not only in your home, but in the field as a soldier. 481 00:44:26,298 --> 00:44:29,733 How many other generals can boast the favor and support of a leader... 482 00:44:29,834 --> 00:44:32,496 so gifted in the arts of war? 483 00:44:32,604 --> 00:44:34,505 That's enough, Strolin. 484 00:44:34,606 --> 00:44:37,508 Surely you haven't forgotten how brilliantly he refused... 485 00:44:37,609 --> 00:44:41,909 to be seduced into an invasion of undefended England right after Dunkirk. 486 00:44:42,013 --> 00:44:44,244 Or how brave he was at Stalingrad... 487 00:44:44,349 --> 00:44:47,080 when von Forest wanted to withdraw from the trap. 488 00:44:47,185 --> 00:44:49,710 What other man on Earth would have had the courage... 489 00:44:49,821 --> 00:44:52,722 to send that brief, simple, thrilling command: 490 00:44:52,824 --> 00:44:56,123 "Don't retreat so much as a millimeter. Victory or death"? 491 00:44:56,227 --> 00:44:59,560 - Would Napoleon himself have dared... - That's enough, I tell you! 492 00:44:59,664 --> 00:45:02,326 Afraid even to think about it. 493 00:45:02,433 --> 00:45:05,698 Stop talking to me as if I were a child and you a schoolmaster! 494 00:45:05,803 --> 00:45:08,829 Don't you think I know what you mean? But what of it? 495 00:45:08,940 --> 00:45:11,807 Who asked me for my opinion? And suppose I told them... 496 00:45:11,909 --> 00:45:14,969 that what they're doing is stupid to the point of imbecility! 497 00:45:15,079 --> 00:45:17,377 - Who do you think would listen? - Have you ever tried? 498 00:45:17,482 --> 00:45:19,848 Of course! I've been told to mind my own business. 499 00:45:19,951 --> 00:45:22,078 And who's to say they're not right? 500 00:45:22,186 --> 00:45:24,653 Surely you aren't naive enough to think that a soldier... 501 00:45:24,756 --> 00:45:27,952 must approve of every detail of his government before he can fight for it. 502 00:45:28,059 --> 00:45:32,553 What army could exist like that, with every man free to decide what he will or won't do? 503 00:45:32,663 --> 00:45:37,727 The truth is that a soldier has but one function in life, one lone excuse for existence... 504 00:45:37,835 --> 00:45:41,032 and that is to carry out the order of his superiors. 505 00:45:41,138 --> 00:45:44,039 The rest, including government, is politics. 506 00:45:44,141 --> 00:45:48,135 And if I must remind you again, I'm a soldier, not a politician. 507 00:45:48,245 --> 00:45:52,147 - What the government does... - Oh, stop hiding behind that bloody uniform of yours! 508 00:45:52,249 --> 00:45:54,740 What do I care about your philosophy of the soldier? 509 00:45:54,852 --> 00:45:57,218 All it means to me is that you're terrified... 510 00:45:57,320 --> 00:46:00,688 hiding under a lot of rubbish about the functions of a robot. 511 00:46:00,791 --> 00:46:04,022 Have you forgotten that I've known you for 20 years? 512 00:46:04,128 --> 00:46:07,893 Why, I know exactly how you feel about that abomination in Berlin. 513 00:46:07,998 --> 00:46:10,831 What I can't understand is this chickenhearted willingness... 514 00:46:10,935 --> 00:46:14,769 to go marching right down into hell with a beast you loathe and despise. 515 00:46:14,872 --> 00:46:19,775 Where is all the sense and courage you have in the field? Haven't you any of it here? 516 00:46:19,877 --> 00:46:23,107 I think you'd better get out of this house, now. 517 00:46:25,582 --> 00:46:29,678 Not until you've shown an old friend the decency of honesty with him. 518 00:46:29,787 --> 00:46:33,347 If reason won't work, very well, I'm prepared to go further. 519 00:46:33,457 --> 00:46:37,860 I have no intention of stirring from this room until the truth has passed between us. 520 00:46:37,961 --> 00:46:41,658 - Had you rather I call the guard and charge you? - That you will never do. 521 00:46:41,765 --> 00:46:45,223 And may I ask why you know so well what I will or won't do? 522 00:46:45,335 --> 00:46:47,895 Because Lucie told me that you wouldn't. 523 00:46:49,706 --> 00:46:53,904 You... You've already talked to Lucie about this? 524 00:46:54,010 --> 00:46:57,309 - Of course. - And she sent you to me? 525 00:46:57,414 --> 00:46:59,314 Not at all. 526 00:46:59,416 --> 00:47:02,384 She merely told me how you really feel... 527 00:47:02,486 --> 00:47:07,685 about our sainted leader and his glorious reign over Germany. 528 00:47:17,734 --> 00:47:21,067 Father! Father, the car is here! 529 00:47:21,171 --> 00:47:24,162 We saw it. Will you please not shout? 530 00:47:24,274 --> 00:47:26,708 I've told you that a dozen times. 531 00:47:26,810 --> 00:47:29,972 - He's just excited. - I know, but I'm tired of telling him... 532 00:47:30,080 --> 00:47:34,210 He's all right. He's still only a boy, remember, in spite of that uniform. 533 00:47:34,316 --> 00:47:37,184 - Of course. - You take care of yourself, dear. 534 00:47:38,788 --> 00:47:41,019 You're not cross with me, are you? 535 00:47:41,124 --> 00:47:44,116 - For what? - For speaking to Dr. Strolin. 536 00:47:47,062 --> 00:47:49,189 No, of course not. 537 00:47:51,868 --> 00:47:54,165 Is he right? 538 00:47:56,272 --> 00:47:58,570 I don't know. 539 00:48:01,778 --> 00:48:04,508 I can't make up my mind. 540 00:48:04,613 --> 00:48:07,480 But that's a dreadful thing he proposes... 541 00:48:07,584 --> 00:48:10,519 a great, tremendous, dreadful thing. 542 00:48:10,619 --> 00:48:13,521 I don't know that I can go along that far with him. 543 00:48:13,622 --> 00:48:16,022 Then you shouldn't if you don't think he's right. 544 00:48:16,159 --> 00:48:19,594 I didn't say he wasn't right, but even so... 545 00:48:19,696 --> 00:48:24,598 is that the only way to handle it: Treason? 546 00:48:24,700 --> 00:48:28,101 That's what it comes down to, no matter how right you think you are. 547 00:48:28,237 --> 00:48:31,764 You think it will be better to let things go along as they are? 548 00:48:31,908 --> 00:48:35,843 No, no, I don't. But there must be some better way of handling it. 549 00:48:35,978 --> 00:48:40,881 I mean, if I could see him alone again and explain the situation to him. 550 00:48:40,983 --> 00:48:45,249 Can you tell me how a man can fight a war under such conditions? 551 00:48:45,387 --> 00:48:48,322 Isn't it enough that we're facing an invasion without... 552 00:48:48,457 --> 00:48:52,359 No, never mind now. You don't have to decide this minute. 553 00:48:52,461 --> 00:48:55,224 It'll come to you when it's time. 554 00:48:56,699 --> 00:48:59,167 What do you think, really? 555 00:48:59,300 --> 00:49:03,567 I can't tell you, dear. I don't know. 556 00:49:03,706 --> 00:49:07,665 But never mind now. When the time comes, something will tell you. 557 00:49:07,810 --> 00:49:10,141 You better go along now. You're late already. 558 00:49:14,148 --> 00:49:16,810 - Write to me every day, will you? - I will. 559 00:49:16,951 --> 00:49:20,285 - A little something for the journey. - Thank you, darling. 560 00:49:22,491 --> 00:49:25,392 Good-bye, sweetheart. Don't worry about me. 561 00:49:25,494 --> 00:49:27,587 I'll try not to. 562 00:49:45,013 --> 00:49:46,913 That's all, please. 563 00:49:51,920 --> 00:49:55,686 Good-bye, son. Take care of your mother and be a good soldier. 564 00:49:55,791 --> 00:49:57,691 Make me proud of you. 565 00:49:57,793 --> 00:50:01,387 I'll try, Father. Are you going to bring us back Montgomery? 566 00:50:01,530 --> 00:50:03,896 The minute he steps ashore. 567 00:50:04,999 --> 00:50:07,195 Good-bye, darling. 568 00:50:07,302 --> 00:50:09,202 Good-bye, darling. 569 00:50:21,282 --> 00:50:25,652 And then, finally, after four long years of preparation... 570 00:50:25,753 --> 00:50:28,221 it came... D day. 571 00:50:28,323 --> 00:50:31,190 And the greatest armada and the vastest movement... 572 00:50:31,292 --> 00:50:35,126 of men and arms in the history of the world, rose from England... 573 00:50:35,229 --> 00:50:38,357 and set out for the assault on the beaches of Normandy... 574 00:50:38,466 --> 00:50:41,367 and the German fortress of Europe. 575 00:53:44,551 --> 00:53:47,018 From the moment the Bohemian corporal... 576 00:53:47,153 --> 00:53:50,122 promoted himself to the supreme command of our forces... 577 00:53:50,256 --> 00:53:54,216 the German army has been the victim of a unique situation. 578 00:53:54,360 --> 00:53:57,056 Not only too many of the enemy... 579 00:53:57,197 --> 00:54:01,566 but one too many Germans. 580 00:54:01,667 --> 00:54:04,398 You don't think he's ready to give us the 15th Army yet? 581 00:54:04,503 --> 00:54:07,199 I don't see how he can, under the circumstances. 582 00:54:07,306 --> 00:54:10,139 His astrologers have informed him that this is only a feint... 583 00:54:10,242 --> 00:54:13,302 that the real invasion is yet to come, north of Calais. 584 00:54:13,445 --> 00:54:17,347 The 15th Army is sitting on those cold beaches up there... 585 00:54:17,483 --> 00:54:20,213 waiting for an invasion that has already taken place... 586 00:54:20,318 --> 00:54:23,379 is an excellent example of war by horoscope. 587 00:54:23,522 --> 00:54:25,956 We've got to have those troops. 588 00:54:26,058 --> 00:54:29,653 If we're not allowed to maneuver, we've got to support these positions. 589 00:54:29,795 --> 00:54:32,958 We've got to see him again about it. 590 00:54:33,064 --> 00:54:35,726 I tell you this in confidence, Rommel. 591 00:54:35,834 --> 00:54:40,237 I don't think anything we can do would be of the slightest use. 592 00:54:41,473 --> 00:54:44,874 The pattern for defeat has already been set. 593 00:54:44,976 --> 00:54:49,380 "Hold fast. Don't give up a millimeter of ground. 594 00:54:49,481 --> 00:54:52,813 Victory or death. " Wars simply can't be won... 595 00:54:52,918 --> 00:54:57,685 by men whose knowledge of tactics is based on copybook maxims. 596 00:54:57,790 --> 00:55:01,590 It may stir schoolchildren, but they don't stop troops. 597 00:55:01,694 --> 00:55:05,425 Give me a free hand for a few months, and I'd make them pay for it. 598 00:55:05,531 --> 00:55:08,159 I'd make them pay such a price in blood... 599 00:55:08,266 --> 00:55:11,065 they'd wish they'd never heard of Germany. 600 00:55:11,170 --> 00:55:14,866 I might not be able to stop them all, but they'd know they'd fought an army... 601 00:55:14,974 --> 00:55:19,570 not a series of stationary targets. 602 00:55:19,677 --> 00:55:21,612 And he'll never let us, of course. 603 00:55:21,746 --> 00:55:24,614 You know how firm corporals are. 604 00:55:52,310 --> 00:55:55,212 Do you happen to know Karl Strolin? 605 00:55:56,881 --> 00:56:00,282 - Strolin? - The lord mayor of Stuttgart. 606 00:56:02,353 --> 00:56:04,753 I remember that name from somewhere. 607 00:56:04,856 --> 00:56:09,020 Or Doctor Goerdeler of Leipzig? 608 00:56:10,628 --> 00:56:12,528 You too? 609 00:56:14,198 --> 00:56:17,463 Every day that passes, every minute of the day... 610 00:56:17,568 --> 00:56:21,800 convinces me more and more that theirs is the only possible solution. 611 00:56:21,906 --> 00:56:24,636 Your words, you must understand, mystify me. 612 00:56:24,742 --> 00:56:27,575 They propose to arrest him, take over the government... 613 00:56:27,679 --> 00:56:31,342 and move immediately to make peace with Eisenhower. 614 00:56:31,448 --> 00:56:34,680 I shall, of course, deny that this conversation ever took place. 615 00:56:34,786 --> 00:56:37,414 But that's a particularly childish idea. 616 00:56:37,522 --> 00:56:40,013 Eisenhower's not going to make a separate peace. 617 00:56:40,124 --> 00:56:43,092 And why should he, with things going as well as they are? 618 00:56:43,194 --> 00:56:45,662 That part of your plan is doomed from the start. 619 00:56:45,763 --> 00:56:49,198 But you don't disagree with the basic proposal. 620 00:56:49,300 --> 00:56:51,996 I'm sorry, but I don't believe I heard the question. 621 00:56:52,102 --> 00:56:54,593 In any case, if they came to you for counsel or advice... 622 00:56:54,706 --> 00:56:56,606 would you receive them? 623 00:56:56,708 --> 00:56:58,608 Oh, no. 624 00:56:58,710 --> 00:57:01,076 No. 625 00:57:01,179 --> 00:57:03,739 No, I'm afraid not, Rommel. 626 00:57:03,847 --> 00:57:07,977 It's too late... much too late. 627 00:57:08,086 --> 00:57:09,719 Even if they moved immediately? 628 00:57:09,753 --> 00:57:11,352 Even if they moved immediately? 629 00:57:11,456 --> 00:57:13,582 You misunderstand. 630 00:57:13,725 --> 00:57:15,818 Not too late for that. 631 00:57:17,195 --> 00:57:19,128 Too late for me. 632 00:57:20,230 --> 00:57:22,994 I'm 70 now. 633 00:57:23,101 --> 00:57:26,433 Too old to revolt. 634 00:57:26,536 --> 00:57:29,801 Too old to challenge authority... 635 00:57:29,906 --> 00:57:32,374 however evil. 636 00:57:42,386 --> 00:57:44,820 Berlin calling, sir. Marshal Keitel. 637 00:57:53,231 --> 00:57:56,062 - Keitel? - Von Rundstedt. 638 00:57:56,166 --> 00:57:58,999 - Here. - Is this true about Cherbourg? 639 00:57:59,102 --> 00:58:01,366 - I'm afraid so. - This is dreadful. 640 00:58:01,471 --> 00:58:03,837 How can I give such news to the f¨¹hrer? 641 00:58:03,940 --> 00:58:05,874 You've reported misfortune to him before. 642 00:58:05,976 --> 00:58:07,876 Why should this one present such a problem? 643 00:58:07,978 --> 00:58:11,778 But that's just it. We've had nothing but bad news for weeks. 644 00:58:11,882 --> 00:58:14,680 Isn't there any good news I can give him at the same time? 645 00:58:14,785 --> 00:58:16,844 Have you checked on the Russian Front this morning? 646 00:58:16,953 --> 00:58:19,148 We're not discussing the Russian Front. 647 00:58:19,255 --> 00:58:21,156 We're discussing yours. 648 00:58:21,257 --> 00:58:24,022 This situation in the West becomes worse with every report. 649 00:58:24,127 --> 00:58:28,530 L- I'm actually embarrassed to give him another disappointment like this. 650 00:58:28,631 --> 00:58:30,566 Can't you think of anything we can do about it? 651 00:58:30,667 --> 00:58:33,864 Certainly. Give us those 90 divisions of the 15th Army... 652 00:58:33,970 --> 00:58:35,904 who are sitting around Calais playing cards. 653 00:58:36,005 --> 00:58:37,906 You know that's impossible. 654 00:58:38,007 --> 00:58:40,738 The f¨¹hrer has already explained the necessity for leaving them there. 655 00:58:40,843 --> 00:58:43,505 Very well then. Give us permission to pull out of Normandy... 656 00:58:43,613 --> 00:58:45,671 and set up a line that we can defend properly. 657 00:58:45,782 --> 00:58:49,808 Your orders are to fight where you are, and that's what he expects you to do. 658 00:58:49,919 --> 00:58:52,081 Is it possible you have no better suggestion than that? 659 00:58:52,189 --> 00:58:55,783 One very much better, in fact. 660 00:58:55,892 --> 00:58:58,190 Make peace, you idiot. 661 00:59:19,815 --> 00:59:22,943 - Good-bye again, Rommel. - He'll never report that. 662 00:59:23,052 --> 00:59:25,520 This very instant, he's knocking at the corporal's door... 663 00:59:25,621 --> 00:59:27,613 whimpering with happiness. 664 00:59:27,723 --> 00:59:30,283 You must never forget this, my dear fellow. 665 00:59:30,392 --> 00:59:33,828 Victory has a hundred fathers. Defeat is an orphan. 666 00:59:35,064 --> 00:59:37,966 Within 24 hours, you'll be named my successor. 667 00:59:38,067 --> 00:59:40,332 And I extend to you my deepest sympathy. 668 00:59:40,436 --> 00:59:43,200 That's nonsense. He'll never let you go. 669 00:59:51,080 --> 00:59:53,674 But not too old, I might add... 670 00:59:53,782 --> 00:59:56,546 to wish your friends the best of luck... 671 00:59:56,652 --> 01:00:00,019 in their extremely interesting project. 672 01:00:03,726 --> 01:00:08,220 Meanwhile, with their beachheads irretrievably secured... 673 01:00:08,330 --> 01:00:12,289 Allied tanks and men had fanned out across France... 674 01:00:12,401 --> 01:00:15,063 and begun their race for the Rhine. 675 01:00:50,672 --> 01:00:52,799 Put these where you can get to them quickly. 676 01:00:52,908 --> 01:00:54,842 Also those files there. 677 01:00:54,943 --> 01:00:58,311 - Keep the key, and use your... own judgment about the rest. - Very good, sir. 678 01:00:59,881 --> 01:01:01,781 Field Marshal. 679 01:01:29,778 --> 01:01:32,712 - Where is he? - In the small room. 680 01:01:34,015 --> 01:01:36,540 - Aldinger. - Yes, sir. 681 01:01:45,126 --> 01:01:49,118 - Colonel. - I'll try to be as brief as possible. 682 01:01:49,230 --> 01:01:51,721 - Perhaps you'd better keep an eye on the corridor. - Yes, sir. 683 01:01:59,874 --> 01:02:03,833 - Well? - We are faced with an immediate decision, sir. 684 01:02:03,945 --> 01:02:06,378 Three of our men were arrested in Berlin yesterday. 685 01:02:06,480 --> 01:02:08,505 They'll been made to talk, of course. 686 01:02:08,616 --> 01:02:12,074 But fortunately their knowledge of the people involved is... limited. 687 01:02:12,186 --> 01:02:15,553 Nevertheless, in the opinion of everyone, there's no time to be lost. 688 01:02:15,656 --> 01:02:18,147 We must act at once. 689 01:02:18,259 --> 01:02:22,718 - And it's all set. Definitely. - So I understand, sir. 690 01:02:22,830 --> 01:02:25,196 The general's extremely anxious to know... 691 01:02:25,298 --> 01:02:27,994 if you're in a position to speak for the commanders you mentioned to him. 692 01:02:28,102 --> 01:02:31,765 At my word from this instant, they're prepared to follow my lead. 693 01:02:31,872 --> 01:02:35,069 Then I have the field marshal's permission to inform General Stulpnagel... 694 01:02:35,176 --> 01:02:38,407 we may now act at will and without further consultation? 695 01:02:42,315 --> 01:02:45,877 Wait here, Colonel. Come with me, Ruge. 696 01:02:49,223 --> 01:02:51,589 - Clear this room, Aldinger. - Yes, sir. 697 01:02:53,594 --> 01:02:56,961 Outside. Never mind about that. Outside. 698 01:02:58,899 --> 01:03:01,299 Field Marshal Rommel speaking. 699 01:03:01,402 --> 01:03:03,733 Put me through to Field Marshal Keitel. 700 01:03:06,173 --> 01:03:10,166 I've got to be certain, absolutely certain. 701 01:03:10,277 --> 01:03:13,144 We can't go through with this if there's even the remotest sign of sense there. 702 01:03:18,051 --> 01:03:21,282 - Keitel. - Rommel. 703 01:03:21,388 --> 01:03:23,288 Now listen very carefully, Keitel. 704 01:03:23,390 --> 01:03:25,688 I've got to see the f¨¹hrer at once. 705 01:03:25,792 --> 01:03:28,761 Somewhere in France. I can't explain on the telephone... 706 01:03:28,862 --> 01:03:32,354 but you must make him understand that it's a matter of the greatest urgency. 707 01:03:32,466 --> 01:03:34,900 I suggest tomorrow morning. 708 01:03:35,000 --> 01:03:37,128 On June 17... 709 01:03:37,237 --> 01:03:41,901 they met in Hitler's underground stronghold at Margival near Soissons. 710 01:03:42,008 --> 01:03:45,068 This is an extremely difficult duty, my f¨¹hrer. 711 01:03:45,178 --> 01:03:47,772 But circumstances leave me with no choice. 712 01:03:47,881 --> 01:03:51,180 We've reached a crisis that calls for a decision on the highest level. 713 01:03:51,283 --> 01:03:54,913 But you've said that! You've said that before! 714 01:03:55,020 --> 01:03:57,012 Every time I talk to you we're facing another crisis. 715 01:03:57,124 --> 01:04:01,356 When the enemy has overwhelming superiority on land, at sea and in the air... 716 01:04:01,461 --> 01:04:03,929 and continues to grow stronger with every hour... 717 01:04:04,029 --> 01:04:06,260 while we grow weaker at the same rate... 718 01:04:06,366 --> 01:04:08,129 that to me is a crisis by any standards that I understand. 719 01:04:08,201 --> 01:04:10,252 A crisis that should be examined promptly and realistically. 720 01:04:10,286 --> 01:04:12,304 A crisis that should be examined promptly and realistically. 721 01:04:12,439 --> 01:04:15,874 That's you! That's you! Like always! 722 01:04:16,009 --> 01:04:18,569 When everything's going well, you're willing enough. 723 01:04:18,712 --> 01:04:21,010 But at the first sign of a difficulty... 724 01:04:21,114 --> 01:04:23,014 you become a defeatist, a complete defeatist. 725 01:04:23,116 --> 01:04:27,018 Are you perhaps interested why you didn't succeed von Rundstedt? 726 01:04:27,153 --> 01:04:30,816 This is why! 727 01:04:30,956 --> 01:04:34,415 It maybe had been better if I'd replaced you altogether! 728 01:04:36,061 --> 01:04:39,054 Have you at least a little confidence in me? 729 01:04:39,198 --> 01:04:42,794 More it would seem than the f¨¹hrer has in me. May I continue? 730 01:04:42,936 --> 01:04:46,132 And what my V-bombs are doing to London, has no one told you? 731 01:04:46,272 --> 01:04:49,173 Yes, sir. But why not to the beachheads? 732 01:04:49,275 --> 01:04:51,801 Because that's not their purpose. They have not that accuracy. 733 01:04:51,944 --> 01:04:54,413 They need a whole city for a target. Then they cannot miss. 734 01:04:54,547 --> 01:04:58,449 Then why not the embarkation ports... Plymouth, Southampton. Portsmouth? 735 01:04:58,551 --> 01:05:01,521 No, no, no, no! That's... 736 01:05:01,654 --> 01:05:06,887 That's exactly what I mean when I say you're no good at thinking above the battlefield. 737 01:05:06,992 --> 01:05:09,483 The British don't care for those villages. 738 01:05:09,628 --> 01:05:11,562 It's their London that they love. 739 01:05:11,697 --> 01:05:14,791 They don't want to see it destroyed the way I'm going to destroy it. 740 01:05:14,934 --> 01:05:17,232 In two more weeks, remember my words. 741 01:05:17,336 --> 01:05:20,464 They'll be screaming for surrender. Just wait. You'll see. 742 01:05:20,573 --> 01:05:22,666 To continue, sir. 743 01:05:22,808 --> 01:05:25,504 The struggle is over on this front. 744 01:05:25,611 --> 01:05:28,603 Within these two weeks, you must be prepared to see the enemy... 745 01:05:28,747 --> 01:05:31,772 break through our lines and push out into the interior of France. 746 01:05:31,917 --> 01:05:33,851 Militarily, the end is already in sight. 747 01:05:33,986 --> 01:05:37,682 - We have nothing more to throw in. - Hmph. 748 01:05:37,790 --> 01:05:39,758 What is it you're proposing? 749 01:05:39,892 --> 01:05:43,521 - That we surrender? - I give you the facts, sir. 750 01:05:43,629 --> 01:05:46,257 I only ask that you draw the proper conclusions. 751 01:05:46,365 --> 01:05:49,630 Proper to whom? To you! 752 01:05:55,773 --> 01:05:59,904 I suggest to you, Rommel, that you confine your genius to fighting... 753 01:06:00,012 --> 01:06:04,243 and leave the conduct of the war to those who are responsible for it! 754 01:06:04,350 --> 01:06:06,284 My apologies, sir. 755 01:06:06,417 --> 01:06:09,114 Now, if the f¨¹hrer will honor me with his advice... 756 01:06:09,221 --> 01:06:12,588 The V-weapon, for your information, happens to be only the first... 757 01:06:12,690 --> 01:06:17,424 in a whole series of weapons that will completely revolutionize all warfare! 758 01:06:17,528 --> 01:06:21,020 I've a second a hundred times as powerful and a third in mind... 759 01:06:21,133 --> 01:06:23,260 a thousand times more destructive than the second! 760 01:06:23,368 --> 01:06:25,359 But the crisis is now, sir. 761 01:06:25,470 --> 01:06:29,703 I've a dozen others, all of them capable of turning the whole course of the war! 762 01:06:29,807 --> 01:06:32,971 But what about now, sir? What are we to do tomorrow morning? 763 01:06:33,077 --> 01:06:36,070 While you've been deciding that all is lost... 764 01:06:36,180 --> 01:06:38,671 we've been working, working miracles... 765 01:06:38,784 --> 01:06:41,981 determining the course of history for centuries to come! 766 01:06:42,086 --> 01:06:44,521 In the workshops, in the laboratories... 767 01:06:44,622 --> 01:06:47,022 we've been turning out machines of destruction such as... 768 01:06:47,125 --> 01:06:49,720 the enemy has never dreamed of! 769 01:06:49,827 --> 01:06:53,729 I have one in mind... I have a weapon in mind... 770 01:06:58,537 --> 01:07:02,404 Now, definitely committed to the plot to assassinate his f¨¹hrer... 771 01:07:02,507 --> 01:07:06,102 Rommel was still trying to whip fight into his crumbling front... 772 01:07:06,210 --> 01:07:10,112 when on June 17 on a country road near a village... 773 01:07:10,214 --> 01:07:13,877 with the ominous name of Montgomery... 774 01:07:14,920 --> 01:07:17,752 Aircraft. 775 01:08:04,801 --> 01:08:07,396 Three days later, on July 20... 776 01:08:07,505 --> 01:08:11,236 while Rommel still lay unconscious in a hospital in France... 777 01:08:11,341 --> 01:08:15,038 Adolf Hitler and his staff gathered for their fateful conference... 778 01:08:15,146 --> 01:08:19,515 in a fortified barracks at his headquarters in East Prussia. 779 01:09:03,126 --> 01:09:06,425 The f¨¹hrer, gentlemen. 780 01:09:08,432 --> 01:09:11,663 He handles his panzers like a cavalry officer. 781 01:09:11,768 --> 01:09:13,998 Thank you, gentlemen. 782 01:09:19,109 --> 01:09:21,669 - My f¨¹hrer. - Yes. 783 01:09:21,778 --> 01:09:23,712 - Stauffenberg, sir. - Yes! Yes, yes. 784 01:09:23,814 --> 01:09:26,510 - Stauffenberg, of course, from General Fromm. - Yes, sir. 785 01:09:26,616 --> 01:09:28,708 - Good to see you again. - Thank you, my f¨¹hrer. 786 01:09:28,819 --> 01:09:34,018 Uh... Gentlemen. Your attention, please. 787 01:09:34,124 --> 01:09:38,355 Excuse me, please. I have a report from General Fromm. 788 01:09:47,903 --> 01:09:51,464 - Where's Goering? - On his way now, sir. 789 01:09:51,575 --> 01:09:55,010 Well, when you are fat, you don't move so fast. 790 01:09:59,281 --> 01:10:01,306 - Colonel-Count von Stauffenberg? - Yes. 791 01:10:01,418 --> 01:10:03,318 - Telephone, sir. - Thank you. 792 01:10:08,624 --> 01:10:10,956 Excuse me. 793 01:10:28,377 --> 01:10:33,076 All right. Suppose we start with the Russian Front. 794 01:10:59,208 --> 01:11:02,872 F¨¹hrer. F¨¹hrer! 795 01:11:25,967 --> 01:11:28,800 Are you all right, my f¨¹hrer? 796 01:11:30,139 --> 01:11:34,006 Yeah. I'm all right. 797 01:11:36,312 --> 01:11:40,645 For that failure, 5,000 suspects paid with their lives... 798 01:11:40,749 --> 01:11:44,344 during the few days that Hitler spent in hospital. 799 01:11:44,452 --> 01:11:48,617 As for Rommel, recuperating at Herrlingen from injuries that would have destroyed... 800 01:11:48,723 --> 01:11:50,624 any but the toughest of men... 801 01:11:50,725 --> 01:11:53,820 all public mention of his name suddenly stopped... 802 01:11:53,928 --> 01:11:55,862 and the complete and official silence... 803 01:11:55,965 --> 01:11:59,560 settled over the subject of the nation's most-celebrated soldier. 804 01:11:59,667 --> 01:12:04,018 For three months, he remained in this sinister isolation... 805 01:12:04,053 --> 01:12:08,368 until the afternoon of October 13 in 1944. 806 01:12:08,476 --> 01:12:11,138 - Keitel? - How are you, Rommel? 807 01:12:11,246 --> 01:12:14,943 - Getting along, thank you. - Well enough yet to come up to Berlin? 808 01:12:15,049 --> 01:12:19,315 I'm afraid not yet. In another week or two, perhaps. Why? 809 01:12:19,420 --> 01:12:22,184 I could send a special train for you. 810 01:12:22,290 --> 01:12:25,852 That's very good of you, but I really don't feel up to it yet. 811 01:12:25,994 --> 01:12:28,155 Is there some particular urgency about it? 812 01:12:28,263 --> 01:12:31,164 How soon do you think you'll be ready for another command? 813 01:12:31,299 --> 01:12:35,133 Another two weeks, I suppose. Three at the most. 814 01:12:35,270 --> 01:12:39,400 If we send someone there, would you be able to discuss the situation with him? 815 01:12:39,540 --> 01:12:41,565 Of course. 816 01:12:41,709 --> 01:12:44,177 Very well, I'll send Burgdorf. You know him, don't you? 817 01:12:44,312 --> 01:12:48,373 - I've met him. - Suppose I have him drive down tomorrow morning? 818 01:12:48,516 --> 01:12:51,144 - Would that be convenient for you? - Perfectly. 819 01:12:51,286 --> 01:12:54,278 He'll have full information and instructions. 820 01:12:54,422 --> 01:12:57,482 - Will you give my best regards to Frau Rommel? - I will. 821 01:12:57,625 --> 01:13:00,354 - And thank you very much. - Good-bye, then. 822 01:13:00,495 --> 01:13:02,895 Good-bye. 823 01:13:20,814 --> 01:13:25,343 Keitel. He's talking about another command again. 824 01:13:25,486 --> 01:13:29,616 - When? - When I feel like it, I suppose. 825 01:13:45,472 --> 01:13:49,499 Eh, he sends his best regards to you. 826 01:14:37,557 --> 01:14:40,549 - We're here to see Field Marshal Rommel. - I'll tell him, sir. 827 01:14:40,694 --> 01:14:43,424 - Would you tell him that... - Come in, Burgdorf. 828 01:14:51,070 --> 01:14:55,201 - Field Marshal. - It's good to see you again. And you, General. 829 01:14:55,308 --> 01:14:58,505 - I don't believe you've met my wife. - I haven't had the pleasure, sir. 830 01:14:58,611 --> 01:15:00,978 My dear, will you allow me to present General Burgdorf and General... 831 01:15:01,080 --> 01:15:02,981 - Maisel, sir. - General Maisel. 832 01:15:03,082 --> 01:15:05,017 This is my son Manfred and Captain Aldinger. 833 01:15:05,118 --> 01:15:07,551 - I hope you're not too tired from your journey. - Not at all. 834 01:15:07,654 --> 01:15:10,248 - Thank you, Frau Rommel. - Have you time for a luncheon and a glass of wine? 835 01:15:10,356 --> 01:15:13,758 Thank you, sir. We're due back in Berlin as quickly as we can make it. 836 01:15:13,894 --> 01:15:16,556 Very well, then. If you'll excuse us, dear. This way, gentlemen. 837 01:15:16,662 --> 01:15:20,029 - Our apologies, Frau Rommel. - Of course, but I'm disappointed. 838 01:15:20,133 --> 01:15:22,498 - Another time, perhaps. - I hope so. 839 01:15:37,451 --> 01:15:40,510 I hope it's the Russian Front, don't you? 840 01:15:44,123 --> 01:15:46,489 Make yourselves comfortable. 841 01:15:46,592 --> 01:15:48,685 Smoke, if you wish. 842 01:15:48,794 --> 01:15:52,322 I'm not like Montgomery. Smoke doesn't make me unhappy. 843 01:15:55,968 --> 01:15:58,028 At your service, gentlemen. 844 01:15:59,538 --> 01:16:01,972 We come directly from the f¨¹hrer, Field Marshal. 845 01:16:02,108 --> 01:16:04,770 - Yes. - And what we have to say to you... 846 01:16:04,877 --> 01:16:07,142 comes directly from his lips. 847 01:16:07,246 --> 01:16:11,808 - Yes. - Our instructions are to tell you first... 848 01:16:11,917 --> 01:16:13,908 of his deep appreciation... 849 01:16:14,019 --> 01:16:18,080 of your many heroic services to the state. 850 01:16:19,124 --> 01:16:21,024 Go on. 851 01:16:21,126 --> 01:16:23,993 And his regrets over your unfortunate accident. 852 01:16:24,096 --> 01:16:28,430 I was sure his silence meant only that there were more important matters on his mind. 853 01:16:29,802 --> 01:16:32,702 It's a pity that after such a record... 854 01:16:32,805 --> 01:16:35,171 If you'll forgive me, may we skip your reflections... 855 01:16:35,274 --> 01:16:37,174 and get to the message you have for me? 856 01:16:37,276 --> 01:16:39,608 Of course, sir. 857 01:17:05,504 --> 01:17:07,835 You'll observe that the charges are supported... 858 01:17:07,940 --> 01:17:10,534 by an overwhelming body of testimony. 859 01:17:10,642 --> 01:17:12,975 I can read, thank you. 860 01:17:23,021 --> 01:17:26,718 You've been uncommonly fortunate in deathbed confessions. 861 01:17:26,825 --> 01:17:30,386 It's all perfectly legal, I assure you, sir. 862 01:17:42,674 --> 01:17:47,611 You may inform the f¨¹hrer that I look forward to answering these charges in court. 863 01:17:47,712 --> 01:17:50,806 You... You don't intend to deny them, do you? 864 01:17:50,915 --> 01:17:54,112 I said, you may inform the f¨¹hrer that I look forward... 865 01:17:54,219 --> 01:17:56,881 to answering the charges in court. 866 01:17:56,988 --> 01:18:00,446 The f¨¹hrer is extremely hopeful that this matter can be settled... 867 01:18:00,558 --> 01:18:04,289 without exposing it to the inevitable publicity of a court trial. 868 01:18:04,395 --> 01:18:07,694 Very well, then. Let him withdraw the charges. 869 01:18:07,799 --> 01:18:10,734 His view is that nothing but harm for everyone could come from a trial. 870 01:18:10,802 --> 01:18:13,502 My orders are to remind you in the strongest terms... 871 01:18:13,537 --> 01:18:16,202 My orders are to remind you in the strongest terms... 872 01:18:16,307 --> 01:18:20,767 of the damage testimony like this could do to your name and reputation. 873 01:18:20,878 --> 01:18:23,938 And what does he expect me to do? Plead guilty to you? 874 01:18:24,048 --> 01:18:26,881 Well, naturally, not that, of course. 875 01:18:26,984 --> 01:18:30,580 I know what he wants. He wants me to keep my mouth shut. 876 01:18:30,688 --> 01:18:33,953 He doesn't want me to tell what happened where it can be heard. 877 01:18:34,058 --> 01:18:37,516 Well, you may tell him for me that's very thoughtful of him... 878 01:18:37,628 --> 01:18:42,157 but that I'm quite capable of taking care of my own name and reputation in my own way... 879 01:18:42,266 --> 01:18:44,791 which will be in a proper court of law. 880 01:18:44,902 --> 01:18:46,870 But to what end, sir? 881 01:18:46,971 --> 01:18:49,337 The verdict is already indicated. 882 01:18:53,010 --> 01:18:55,604 He told you to tell me that too? 883 01:18:55,713 --> 01:18:57,613 The evidence is there. 884 01:18:57,715 --> 01:18:59,910 What defense is possible? 885 01:19:00,017 --> 01:19:04,546 Then, what does he suggest? 886 01:19:04,655 --> 01:19:07,682 Before we go further, the field marshal should be warned... 887 01:19:07,792 --> 01:19:10,123 that this house is entirely surrounded. 888 01:19:10,227 --> 01:19:12,491 My orders, sir. I'm sure you understand. 889 01:19:12,596 --> 01:19:16,259 - And the both of us are armed. - What does he want done? 890 01:19:18,068 --> 01:19:21,504 His belief is that it would be to the best interests of all concerned... 891 01:19:21,605 --> 01:19:25,667 if you should see fit to relieve the situation yourself... 892 01:19:25,776 --> 01:19:28,575 quietly and without delay. 893 01:19:28,679 --> 01:19:32,706 - Go on. - The advantages of a solution like that... 894 01:19:32,816 --> 01:19:36,116 over an ugly exchange of recriminations in an open court... 895 01:19:36,220 --> 01:19:39,677 are, in his opinion, several and obvious. 896 01:19:39,790 --> 01:19:42,350 Most important to him, of course... 897 01:19:42,459 --> 01:19:45,394 would be the preservation of your name and fame. 898 01:19:45,496 --> 01:19:48,259 And he would see to it himself not the slightest suspicion... 899 01:19:48,365 --> 01:19:50,333 would be attached to the way of your going. 900 01:19:50,434 --> 01:19:54,097 As far as the rest of the nation would know, you'd succumbed... 901 01:19:54,204 --> 01:19:56,605 finally to your war wounds. 902 01:19:56,707 --> 01:19:59,268 That would be the official announcement. 903 01:19:59,376 --> 01:20:03,870 And the state would then honor your memory and your family as well... 904 01:20:03,980 --> 01:20:06,141 with a generosity that would be historic. 905 01:20:06,250 --> 01:20:09,013 That was his word, "historic. " 906 01:20:09,119 --> 01:20:13,317 Your name would live on in the glory it once deserved... 907 01:20:13,423 --> 01:20:17,826 while your wife and son would never want for either safety or comfort... 908 01:20:17,928 --> 01:20:20,260 as long as they live. 909 01:20:22,065 --> 01:20:25,899 - I have a choice? - In a sense, yes. 910 01:20:27,002 --> 01:20:30,370 The choice to die now... or later. 911 01:20:31,575 --> 01:20:33,838 It amounts to that, I'm afraid. 912 01:20:35,377 --> 01:20:37,972 How long have I to make this choice? 913 01:20:38,081 --> 01:20:41,846 We're due back in Berlin as early this evening as we can make it. 914 01:20:41,952 --> 01:20:45,888 The penalty in this case, I'm told... 915 01:20:45,989 --> 01:20:49,446 would be the garrote... death by strangulation. 916 01:20:49,559 --> 01:20:54,258 The drug I've brought with me is effective in three seconds... 917 01:20:54,364 --> 01:20:56,832 and painless. 918 01:21:13,116 --> 01:21:15,640 Tell him for me... 919 01:21:15,752 --> 01:21:19,380 that in spite of the disadvantages you've been kind enough to point out... 920 01:21:19,489 --> 01:21:22,322 I'll take the trial. 921 01:21:22,424 --> 01:21:24,325 It may be, as you say, a futile defense... 922 01:21:24,426 --> 01:21:26,451 but I think it should be heard nevertheless. 923 01:21:26,562 --> 01:21:30,589 There might be some value in it for those who hear it. 924 01:21:30,699 --> 01:21:34,796 It might even move some to stop and think for a moment or two... 925 01:21:34,904 --> 01:21:37,634 as finally I did... 926 01:21:37,740 --> 01:21:40,504 though, unfortunately, too late. 927 01:21:40,610 --> 01:21:43,908 In any case, it's my life, and that's my choice. 928 01:21:45,381 --> 01:21:48,407 I confess my disappointment with your choice, sir. 929 01:21:48,518 --> 01:21:52,181 My heart, of course, bleeds for you. 930 01:21:52,288 --> 01:21:55,951 The unfortunate part of it is that if you insist on a trial... 931 01:21:56,058 --> 01:21:58,891 I have no authority to offer any guarantees... 932 01:21:58,994 --> 01:22:01,292 for the safety and comfort of your son... 933 01:22:01,397 --> 01:22:04,457 and widow. 934 01:22:17,813 --> 01:22:20,212 They're coming out now. 935 01:22:26,889 --> 01:22:30,221 - All over, sir? - I believe so. 936 01:22:33,394 --> 01:22:36,831 - We'll wait outside, sir. - I won't be long. 937 01:22:38,132 --> 01:22:40,600 Well, we hardly expected such a... 938 01:22:44,974 --> 01:22:47,237 - Over already? - Wait there, please. 939 01:22:47,342 --> 01:22:49,641 I'll be down in a few moments. 940 01:22:58,287 --> 01:23:00,550 What is it, Erwin? 941 01:23:00,656 --> 01:23:03,818 I want you to be strong, darling. 942 01:23:03,959 --> 01:23:07,861 I want you to be very strong and very brave. 943 01:23:07,963 --> 01:23:12,332 - Do you understand? - Yes. 944 01:23:12,433 --> 01:23:15,062 I've got to go away now... 945 01:23:15,169 --> 01:23:18,264 and I won't be back. 946 01:23:18,373 --> 01:23:20,841 Do you want me to tell you any more? 947 01:23:20,942 --> 01:23:22,877 There's no way out? 948 01:23:22,977 --> 01:23:26,777 No. But it won't be too terrible, uh... 949 01:23:26,882 --> 01:23:30,408 They're giving me a drug. It's painless and effective immediately. 950 01:23:30,519 --> 01:23:35,148 We're leaving now, and I'll do it as quickly as possible. 951 01:23:35,257 --> 01:23:37,919 We've got guns, sir. Can't we make a break for it? 952 01:23:38,026 --> 01:23:39,994 No, there's nothing that can be done. 953 01:23:40,094 --> 01:23:42,858 They've thought of everything. 954 01:23:45,867 --> 01:23:47,767 But at least we could get them. 955 01:23:47,869 --> 01:23:50,930 There's nothing to be done, I tell you. 956 01:23:51,039 --> 01:23:54,372 I've got to do exactly as they say. 957 01:23:56,744 --> 01:23:58,644 Yes, sir. 958 01:24:03,016 --> 01:24:07,386 - Are you going to be brave now? - I don't know. 959 01:24:07,488 --> 01:24:10,548 You and Manfred will be all right. They've assured me of that. 960 01:24:10,657 --> 01:24:13,923 And nobody's to know about this but us. 961 01:24:14,027 --> 01:24:19,796 - Are you sure there's no other way? - No other, darling. 962 01:24:21,269 --> 01:24:24,726 - Have you told Manfred yet? - I'll tell him when I go down. 963 01:24:24,839 --> 01:24:26,000 No. Let me tell him. 964 01:24:28,242 --> 01:24:30,335 I can tell him so much better. 965 01:24:32,280 --> 01:24:34,840 If you wish. 966 01:24:47,160 --> 01:24:49,526 I'll get my coat now. 967 01:24:49,664 --> 01:24:52,894 It's cold, and I don't want to shiver. 968 01:25:09,082 --> 01:25:11,949 The field marshal's coming out now. 969 01:25:23,096 --> 01:25:26,224 - You're going now? - Why not? 970 01:25:28,636 --> 01:25:30,536 But are you well enough? 971 01:25:30,638 --> 01:25:34,164 Of course, I've just been taking it easy on you and your mother. 972 01:25:34,275 --> 01:25:37,175 Is it Russia? 973 01:25:40,714 --> 01:25:44,377 Good-bye, Aldinger, old dear friend. 974 01:25:44,484 --> 01:25:46,884 Good-bye, sir. 975 01:25:46,987 --> 01:25:50,980 - Take care of them. - Yes, sir. 976 01:25:51,091 --> 01:25:53,559 Can't you tell me? 977 01:25:53,659 --> 01:25:55,651 Don't ask so many questions. 978 01:25:55,762 --> 01:25:58,026 You know better than to talk like that to a field marshal. 979 01:25:58,130 --> 01:26:00,361 But when will we know? 980 01:26:00,467 --> 01:26:03,197 Before very long. 981 01:26:04,738 --> 01:26:07,331 - Good-bye, son. Be a good boy. - Good-bye, Father. 982 01:26:07,441 --> 01:26:10,342 You'll stop them, won't you? 983 01:26:10,444 --> 01:26:12,434 We'll see. 984 01:26:24,958 --> 01:26:26,983 Good-bye, dear. 985 01:26:40,140 --> 01:26:42,233 During that last short ride... 986 01:26:42,341 --> 01:26:44,502 what may Rommel's thoughts have been? 987 01:26:44,611 --> 01:26:49,479 Were they bitter that he had learned too slowly and struck too late? 988 01:26:49,583 --> 01:26:52,950 Or did they go back to the desert, where his military genius... 989 01:26:53,053 --> 01:26:55,384 had first electrified the world? 990 01:26:55,488 --> 01:26:58,253 First, at Mikkeli. 991 01:27:00,894 --> 01:27:03,123 Then Tobruk. 992 01:27:05,364 --> 01:27:07,958 Yes, and even El Alamein. 993 01:27:11,871 --> 01:27:15,329 In any case, his life and fate have best been summed up... 994 01:27:15,442 --> 01:27:20,242 ironically enough, in the words of Nazi Germany's sternest enemy... 995 01:27:20,346 --> 01:27:23,213 the honorable Winston Churchill. 996 01:27:23,315 --> 01:27:28,685 His ardor and daring inflicted grievous disasters upon us... 997 01:27:28,787 --> 01:27:32,314 but he deserves the salute which I made him... 998 01:27:32,424 --> 01:27:37,487 in the House of Commons in January 1942. 999 01:27:37,596 --> 01:27:40,463 He also deserves our respect... 1000 01:27:40,566 --> 01:27:44,764 because, although a loyal German soldier... 1001 01:27:44,870 --> 01:27:48,567 he came to hate Hitler and all his works... 1002 01:27:48,673 --> 01:27:53,043 and took part in the conspiracy to rescue Germany... 1003 01:27:53,144 --> 01:27:58,139 by displacing the maniac and tyrant. 1004 01:27:58,250 --> 01:28:03,313 For this, he paid the forfeit of his life. 1005 01:28:03,421 --> 01:28:06,755 In the somber wars of modern democracy... 1006 01:28:06,859 --> 01:28:10,761 there is little place for chivalry.