Pull over here.
- Schmidt, my field glasses. - Yes, Standartenfuhrer.
- That's the bridge? - Yes, that's the bridge.
THE BRIDGE
Oberst von Felsen, commander of the 238th mountain regiment.
My regiment defends the bridge and the road.
Dr Hoffman, high command of state security.
I'm on a special mission from the southest high command.
Good day, Herr von Felsen. Is my authority known to you?
I've received orders from high command.
The orders came from the Field Marshal personally.
I'll stay here until the arrival of our units.
I understand.
- That house will be cleared out for you. - Thank you.
- So, Herr von Felsen... - Yes?
What is the situation on that part of the front?
Did you notice any partisan activity?
No, I would have informed you.
All this indicates a special political significance
that is attached to this bridge and its defence.
I'm familiar with the military significance of the bridge.
Yes. But politics don't interest you, Herr von Felsen?
I'm a soldier, Dr Hoffman.
Why isn't this guard wearing a helmet?
Discipline is paramount.
You must see, Colonel, that even a minor slipup could cost you a man.
What was your rank when the war began, if I may ask?
Colonel.
- A stone. - Yes, sir.
Here you are.
Is this whole area mined?
Of course.
At the beginning of the war, I was a lieutenant. In the SS of course.
War is a great opportunity for a man to make use of his abilities.
- Yes, if he survives long enough. - You've survived, Colonel.
I was wounded four times.
Three times, von Felsen. Three times.
The fourth time it was just concussion.
Alarm testing is over.
Every pillbox has its own alarm system and a telephone line.
This way please.
- Schmidt, my car. - Yes sir, the car.
We'll stay in contact.
Don't do anything without my instructions.
- Sir! - Colonel?
Sir, you think that I can't...
You think that I am not capable enough to command independently...
Herr Colonel, we will not fight over this bridge the way you learned at the academy.
This bridge will not be attacked by ordinary soldiers,
but partisans. Do you understand?
Leave them to me. This is my area of expertise.
You're late again.
I'm on leave, Colonel.
No longer, Tiger.
This is the bridge in sector 612.
The only line of communications in an area of 200km.
If German armour units, retreating from Greece, cross it, they will have supremacy in this area.
And our units in this area will be lost, completely.
- Of course, that's the German position. - And ours?
Our position? Make the bridge disappear.
We are located here.
The Germans, protecting the bridgehead, ahead of us.
Behind them, the bridge, destroyed.
Their path of retreat, cut off.
Help won't arrive in time.
We attack.
I doubt that the Germans will take that position.
Exactly, Major.
They've fortified the bridge.
And you think we can blow it up in spite of that?
I do believe it, Major.
You trust a group of saboteurs more than a squadron of planes?
We tried that too, but look where the bridge is.
Planes can't do anything to it.
- What's defending the bridge? - An army regiment.
The area around is mined and monitored.
So how do I destroy it? Explain it to me, in what way?
It's up to you to find a solution.
You have exactly seven days.
Seven days?
I can't even get to the bridge in that time.
The German units will arrive in seven days.
Friday, at 8 o'clock.
The bridge has to be destroyed at that exact moment.
Not a moment before or after.
It's impossible in these conditions.
We'll start the attack in seven days.
If the bridge isn't destroyed, we will be lost.
All of us, to the last man.
And you know how many of us there are?
- Five thousand, Major. - Five thousand men, Tiger.
All right.
And explosives?
Where do get them?
I'll need two truck loads.
Less, if you know the bridge's weak point.
And you will know it, you'll have an expert.
- Who? - The engineer who designed it.
- And where is he? - Behind enemy lines.
Smugglers will take you to him.
All right. Who else?
This'll cheer you up: Zavatoni.
Finally some good news. Anything else?
We'll arrange the radio contact later.
That's all.
Good luck, Major.
Don't be in any hurry to erase the bridge from your map.
- I already have. - Smart move, Major.
- Who chose them, your adjutant? - No, me personally.
I hope you took my requirements into consideration?
You'll see.
You won't salute?
I didn't see you.
Stand at attention.
You are assigned to the Major.
He is now your only superior.
You will execute all of his orders.
Without question.
That's understood.
What weapon do you use?
A knife.
- You? - Rope, Major.
- You? - Pistol, Major.
- And where is it? - I don't have one.
There's no problem with you two.
As for the pistol...
- Give him your gun. - He can get one from the armoury
We don't have time, you can get a new one.
What's the meaning of this?
Take his gun.
- Well, what are you waiting for? - He won't allow it.
I didn't tell you to ask him, I told you to take it.
Get back in line.
Get back!
Take him.
- What's your name? - Tihi.
Tihi is coming with me.
Sorry about that, but my orders are to be followed without question.
- Goodbye. - Good luck.
Yes, continue to keep watch and keep me informed.
Over.
Six days, Schmidt, and our units will cross the bridge.
Six days, Schmidt.
Take a look.
What do these arches remind you of?
What do you think?
Tell me.
Why are you laughing?
An arse.
- A posterior, Herr Doctor. - Schmidt, Schmidt...
You're an ignorant swine.
- Is that all you thought of? - Yes, sir.
What about a noose? But your imagination doesn't stretch that far, does it?
A noose.
That's a good sign. We'll soon put one around a neck.
Soon.
But whose, Schmidt? Whose?
Come here. Pick one.
Let's see how lucky you are.
This one.
No, we arrested him two months ago.
Come on, pick another one.
Wrong again. This can't be him.
Really? Let me see.
- Why do you think he isn't our man? - He's Italian.
You're naive.
For you, the Italians are our allies.
Schmidt, Schmidt, you have learned nothing.
Who do you think this man is?
Italian, correct. He was a sergeant.
He was in a military Special Operations Unit.
He defected to the enemy At the very beginning of the war.
An explosives expert with the partisan name The Sardinian.
Real name, Giuseppe Zavatoni.
- Zavatoni, it's finished. - Good work, Bambino
Hurry.
Fingers crossed, Bambino.
Good luck.
Major.
Here they come.
Zavatoni, look.
My old friend Tiger!
You're still alive, old friend. That's wonderful.
Bambino, do you know who this is?
Tiger, the greatest saboteur in the world.
He doesn't look too dangerous.
Like you would know. Where's the bottle?
- There isn't one. - What?
You drank it all!
Oh, there's always some. Get a bottle.
My friend, brave and skilled, he'll make a good saboteur.
And you? Say something? Why no say anything?
- What's new? Tell me? - He can't get a word in edgewise.
I ought to clout you.
Come on, get us something to eat.
I'm not your cook.
Go, go. Salute. Amico, take some.
I don't drink.
You remember when we worked together?
But nothing since.
Two trains, one ammo storage, but nothing else. No real fireworks.
You're wrong, Zavatoni.
I've come to take you to a real fireworks show.
What? Together again? That's wonderful, tell, tell!
- A bridge. - Oh, how I love bridges.
But it's no ordinary bridge.
- Magnifico, how I love unusual bridges. - Lunch.
Can Bambino come with us?
Up to you.
Bambino.
I'll take you to a nice party if you're good.
You'll thank me, because you can't do it on your own.
Do you eat?
If there's enough.
Do you know Smuggler?
Bambino knows him, he gets information and food from him.
- You can take us to him. - All right.
And him?
What does he do?
Anything that needs to be done.
Does he know how to smile?
Amico, hand me that knife.
- Exactly 65,750. - Thank you.
And a little present from me.
You have a lot of flies.
They'll die by the winter.
- Greetings, Captain. - It's Major now, Smuggler.
Time passes quickly.
Or you advanced quickly.
What do I have to thank...
for your interest in me?
- You know it? - I helped build it.
You won't destroy it.
The Germans guard it like it's the apple of their eye.
- There's a man who can help us. - Who?
- The one who built it. - Whose bright idea was that?
- Why, does he cooperate with the Germans? - He doesn't cooperate with himself.
He wouldn't break a glass.
And for him to destroy his own bridge...
Never.
That's his masterpiece.
He put his life's work into that bridge.
Take us to him.
He was listening in.
- Who is he? - He doesn't look like a spy.
He was listening in.
If you say so, then there's no doubt...
You two know each other?
No.
Leave your personal conflicts for after the mission.
Don't try anything.
It'll be best for you.
Open up.
Gestapo.
- What do you want? - Did you build this bridge?
Yes, I did.
Dr Hoffman wants to see you.
I don't know anyone by that name.
You'll meet him.
Get ready.
Can I at least finish drinking my tea?
- Youll have better tea with us. - Russian.
- Let me change these clothes. - Hurry, then.
Are you the engineer?
- Yes, I am. - Sorry for the mess.
And who might you be?
You need to come with us.
Which secret police are you with?
You know very well who we're with.
I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can do anything for you.
We don't have time to talk, the Germans might turn up any minute.
I didn't ask for your protection.
And you want the Gestapo to get you?
Why would I prefer you?
I'm sorry.
You have to come with us.
Let's go.
Major.
I'd appreciate it if you could order a break.
Later. We need to hurry.
- Where? - You'll find out.
I think I have a right to know.
Thank you.
This is wine!
- I don't drink. - He wouldn't know it from water.
Beautiful, huh?
Just like in Sardinia.
When you come over, Bambino, you'll see how beautiful it is.
If it's as empty as this, then no thanks.
I'd rather go to Florence.
Benissimo, Bambino. I'm taking you to Florence
But how will I find a lady for a picolino like you?
Ah, si, si. There are a lot of beautiful women and beautiful bridges.
Right, my colleague?
- I didn't know we were colleagues. - We are, in a way.
You build bridges, I knock them down.
How many bridges did you build?
- Three. - Three! And I took down five.
That means you're a better engineer than me.
We will see, we will see.
But we won't destroy your bridge that easily.
What?
- Whose bridge? - Your bridge.
The pretty bridge.
You always mess everything up.
Major! Stop!
Is it true that your goal is to destroy my bridge?
You can tell me the truth. Will they destroy it?
Well what can I do, boss, we built it together...
we'll destroy it together.
That's my bridge! Who gave you the authority to destroy it?
- This is war, Engineer, let go of your rights. - You let go of your war, Major!
Listen, five thousand lives depend on your bridge.
If we don't destroy it, five thousand people will die.
- Do you understand? - I don't understand your tactics.
And I won't allow you to destroy it! Do you hear me?!
We will destroy it. And with your help.
Never!
I'll stop you. I promise you that!
You're responsible for him.
What do you want?
- We're looking for Peter. - What for?
We will tell him.
The Gestapo took him.
Tell him.
- What are you to him? - His sister.
We need a guide through the swamp.
- Can you take us? - Where are you going?
That's our business.
Can you help us or not?
Germans!
Fate maestro! You finally have to take a bath.
Help me! Help!
Grab it.
You're clear.
Where's the Engineer?
He's not with you?
What did I order you to do?
He went forward, I thought he was with you.
I didn't bring you along to think!
Basta! Basta! Tiger, the man isn't at fault, he had to save me.
Go back!
Not you!
You stay with him.
Wait here.
Shall we take another stroll through Venice, Maestro?
I'll give you a stroll when we get back!
Madonna, what a day.
Here!
Bambino!
Bambino! Get back here!
Bambino, we're here.
We're coming!
Zavatoni!
We're here, Bambino.
They can't take him alive!
Throw the dynamite!
Zavatoni, help!
Throw the dynamite!
What are you waiting for?
Don't be afraid Bambino!
You!
This is all your fault!
I'm going to destroy your bridge!
Me! Do you hear me?
I will destroy you and your bridge!
And all your bridges!
That's how it is, amico.
- How do you know about this hideout? - I hid here before.
When?
Long ago.
Halt!
Throw down your weapons.
Hands up!
Good evening, good people.
I hope you travelled well.
Turn around.
Let me introduce myself.
Obersturmfhurer Kautz, Owl, in your language.
Sturmfhurer Rajneke, or Fox.
Promising names, yes?
Now let's hear yours.
Go ahead.
Who are you known as?
Petrovich.
Petrovich?
And where were you heading to, Mr Petrovich, if I may ask?
To gather corn.
They say that the corn harvest is good this year.
All right.
Now I'd like to know who is the leader of this little harvest of yours?
They're a very quite group, Rajneke.
They'll talk.
It might be best for one of them to talk for everybody.
Hold out your hands.
You, you handsome figure.
Boys.
This gentleman wants to have a talk with you.
And now, palms up.
That's right.
Rajneke, I will now show you my knowledge in hiromanthy.
Let's see what your palms tell us.
Look at these hands, Rajneke.
These bloody hands.
This is an old warrior and an eternal wanderer.
He even got to Spain.
What did you do there?
Harvest corn?
And this line, Rajneke.
Great deeds, short life.
I predict to you, sir, that the bridge will survive its builder.
Put your hands down.
A woman's soul has always been a mystery to me.
And now,
A good soul.
Comrade.
Mrki.
Don't fret, Major, I'm not wrong. He is indeed called Mrki.
At least, that's what he was called while he led the resistance in this area.
And you know what that good soul did?
It's all right, Rajneke.
So, comrade Mrki,
received an order to eliminate his friend because of treason.
But he didn't do it.
He let him get away.
It happened that that man was indeed our spy.
- Are we done? - What about me?
I forgot about Mr Petrovich. Excuse me.
About Mr Giuseppe Petrovich.
If you know everything, why do you torture that man?
Just so my people aren't idle.
I almost forgot.
What was your plan to destroy the bridge?
Simultaneous destruction of support pillars?
Couldn't be.
The terrain is covered with landmines.
- How would you do it, Major? - I don't have to think about that anymore.
What luck.
We'll see each other in the morning, gentlemen.
Get them dinner from the officers canteen, my treat.
- I told them nothing. - They already know everything
How can they know?
Maybe he really knows how to read palms?
- I knew an old man in Sardinia... - Enough, Zavatoni.
Someone betrayed us.
Him. He led us into the ambush.
- He's not silent, he's... - Why didn't you tell me that earlier?
- I wanted to protect him. - You wanted to protect yourself.
Why?
I acted correctly.
When I found out he let a traitor go, I reported him to high command.
- I had to report him. - You didn't have to say anything else.
You told them I worked for the Germans.
- You did, and you're still working for them now. - Enough!
If he was a traitor, he wouldn't be here.
And you, what are you doing here? You wanted to run away.
You can run now! Go to them! What are you waiting for?
Let's see what our luck looks like.
I'm in, too.
To the right!
Shoulder arms.
At ease.
Does anybody want a blindfold?
Stuff your mouth with it.
Two steps forward, march!
Turn around!
Aim!
Good luck, Zavatoni.
Comrade Major, operative Owl at your disposal.
Congratulations.
You held up well.
Get the weapons!
Put this on.
Tell me, why did I have to get beaten up?
A mistake, Smuggler, but not mine.
Somebody in high command doubted your loyalty so I had to check.
Are you German?
No, my mother is.
That's how I got their trust.
You got far.
I would have liked it more if I had your job.
It's no better.
- Who set the ambush, you? - No, Hoffman.
He's been on your trail since you kidnapped the Engineer.
Thankfully, he didn't count on me.
Is this Owl a German?
No, Boss, he's one of ours.
- How can he be yours? - Ours, an informant. Understand?
I don't understand any of this.
Look.
Speed up.
It's safer to ride with company.
We'll stop here.
Why?
We can go with them to the bridge.
I need to inform command.
Do you need any help, Obersturmfhurer?
Thank you, but no need. Just a delay.
You can carry on.
There it is, same as ever.
Not the same.
It's changed.
It's much more beautiful now.
It's become part of the canyon.
When was the last time you saw your bridge?
The last time I saw it was the day it was opened for traffic.
And you haven't seen it since?
There is a belief, that when a builder finishes his work, he never comes back to admire it.
Make a sound and you're dead!
Put that down!
That too!
Turn around, slowly.
Slowly.
Mane! You bum!
Danilo!
There's more of you than I expected.
Would it be better if there were fewer?
It goes like clockwork.
Thank you, Danilo.
You're not going to call command?
- I'll call at the allotted time. - When?
- 3 a.m. tomorrow. - Ah, there's time.
Engineer, we need to talk.
We already served ourselves.
You're going to tell me that you want to destroy the bridge tomorrow.
I'm sorry. I hope you'll assist us.
You can destroy the bridge without my help.
If that were the case, we wouldn't have brought you with us.
You can do it without me, Major.
I'm sure of it.
We won't.
We have a limited amount of time and explosives.
We need to lay it where the bridge is the most vulnerable.
And you're the one who knows where.
Tell us.
Where do we plant the explosives?
Wherever you want.
That's your job.
But I beg you,
do not ask me to participate.
Just a moment.
You only need to tell us where to put it.
You don't have to come with us.
You misunderstand me.
Tomorrow, I will be with you on the bridge.
But I will not participate in his destruction.
Heil Hiler. You have news, Nimayer?
A message, Standartenfuhrer.
The partisans are here, in this house.
- Outstanding. - Should I attack?
Yes, but not until after 3:30.
Yes sir. I will not attack until 3:30.
Keep your distance. Don't let them notice you, it will compromise the operation.
- And, Nimayer. - Standartenfuhrer?
I want them alive.
You're responsible for that.
Especially for one in particular, understand?
562, 562.
Trump card calling cohort. Trump card calling cohort.
613, 613. Cohort here, are you receiving me?
The cousin has arrived. The cousin has arrived.
- The cousin has arrived. - Give them the explosives.
Event on the bridge at the planned time.
Receive the parcel. Receive the parcel.
Black torrent. Black torrent.
Day, zero hour X. Day, zero hour X.
Message understood. Message understood.
- Over. - All right.
Major, we attack exactly at eight o'clock.
And what about the other groups?
They're no longer needed.
If they do arrive, call them off.
It's all in Tiger's hands now.
Get ready.
We'll take the explosives from here.
At the monastery.
How long until we get there?
Half an hour's walk.
Good, we leave in an hour.
Should we go over the river?
No, better use the shortcut.
What happened here, Tiger?
Not a word to anybody about this, Guiseppe.
- Surround the house! - Follow me, men!
Move!
Hurry!
Get up!
We found a message.
You wanted to see me?
Yes, I called for you.
It's time for you to go.
Go? Go where?
To meet our troops.
My place is here.
I have to wait for our troops to cross.
I am bound to this bridge by order.
Are you saying that the safety of the bridge depends on you?
I don't think of it that way.
Think about it while on your way.
- Schmidt! - Standartenfuhrer?
You and my car will be at the disposal of the Colonel.
I expect you and the General here at eight.
Please.
Don't worry boss, they won't find us here.
They've got spies, they'll find us anywhere.
Somebody betrayed us.
At the monastery?
No.
The traitor is here.
Danilo was killed last night, and the radio destroyed.
Meaning, one of us informed the Germans last night.
There.
I saw her sneaking around the yard.
And you?
- What were you looking for outside? - We all went out.
- That's no proof. Maybe the girl... - Wait!
Who is this girl anyway?
How did she join you?
We needed her brother.
- Peter, the miller. - Peter, the miller?
- Did you know he had a sister? - No, I didn't.
I don't live in the country.
I came when Peter was caught by the Gestapo.
There's your mistake.
Peter was not taken away by the Gestapo.
I would know that.
Now it's all clear.
The Gestapo killed Peter.
And left their agent there to meet us.
No. That's not true.
Peter is my brother.
They arrested him.
Why don't you believe me?
If she's a German agent, why did she allow herself to be in front of a firing squad?
Exactly Major, she didn't know about Owl, or that the firing squad was a setup.
She knew she wasn't going to be shot.
How would she know that?
I told her.
- That's not true. - Unfortunately, it is true.
I was afraid of making a mistake, so I told her that the firing squad was a ruse.
That's not true.
He didn't tell me anything.
Tihi.
He didn't tell me.
Believe me.
Tihi, you know your job.
Why me?
I ordered you to.
What are you waiting for?
You want to repeat your old mistakes?
Somebody else can do it.
Let's not lose time over this.
Kill her.
Why, Tihi? I'm not guilty.
Believe me.
Please believe me.
I'm not guilty.
What about the bridge?
We need to do something.
We can't do anything, we don't have explosives.
I'm not guilty.
Maybe I can come up with something.
All right.
Try.
You're late, Obersturmfhurer.
I was lucky to get here, Standartenfuhrer.
They almost blew my cover.
They found another culprit at the last moment.
With my help.
And the others?
Here, close by in a cave.
Awaiting my help.
- Excellent. - Thank you.
But did we not take this too far?
Don't worry about it, Kautz.
Our assignment is to hold this bridge at all costs.
You understand how important it is.
But no written order can explain how high the price is.
We saved the bridge.
The death of Rajneke and his men....
isn't that too high a price?
They were special forces.
You see, Kautz, the special forces aren't properly valued.
Also, I'm of the opinion...
that certain deeds of the special forces should be taken to the grave.
Of course, Standartenfuhrer.
- The partisans would be liquidated in two days. - And then?
That unit would not have arrived at their appointed location.
Their command would just send another.
And we wouldn't know about the attack, or where they got the explosives.
Too late for that now.
Let them send another unit. If they can.
What do we do with the ones in the cave?
Bring them to me. Alive.
- The unit is ready. - The cave up there. Move!
Stop!
Hands up!
Welcome back, Mr Kautz.
How do you feel now in your real role?
This is a misunderstanding. Let me explain.
Don't even try, I know everything.
I told only you the hour that I would call command!
Nobody but you knew that.
Yet the Germans were correctly informed.
Let's go.
If you knew everything, why the act with Jelena? Why not kill me then?
I need you alive.
I have plans for you. Get in.
Don't do anything stupid.
Hey, you!
Me?
Yes you, come here!
Yes, sir?
Can't you read?
No smoking.
Sorry, I didn't see.
Wait a moment.
Why haven't you been shaving?
Skin infection.
All right.
You're late again.
We've arrived at just the right moment, Dr Hoffman.
I see I don't need to introduce myself.
You know my file by heart.
Are you a lunatic?
What is this, Kautz?
They would have killed me.
So? Aren't you an officer under oath?
Hoffman. Nobody can leave this camp.
Or else.
What do you mean?
Standartenfuhrer, you should comply. The dead won't be of use to anybody.
You'll pay for this.
If you keep stalling, you'll pay with your life.
Order an assembly.
Hoffman. Give me the officer on duty.
Nobody can leave the camp without my permission.
Order an assembly.
Over.
Other hand up too.
That's it. Faces to the wall.
You, too.
Hey, you.
- Engineer, I wanted to ask you something. - Ask, Giuseppe.
Every bridge has a face and a soul. Do they have a heart too?
They do.
In the pillar where the arches connect.
There are a lot of pillars.
Only one is important.
Grazie, Engineer.
Here's the pillar.
- Why didn't you answer, soldier? - I didn't hear you.
The Colonel ordered an assembly at 7:15.
An assembly?
Why?
I have orders to take the General to the bridge.
Thank you, Herr Colonel. Did you think we would get lost?
- You ready? - Si.
Watch yourself Giuseppe. On this pillar where the arches meet, there's an opening to the left,
put the explosives there. Good luck.
- Good luck, Zavatino. - Grazie, amico.
Quickly.
Major, is it this easy for you?
Go to the bunker and keep watch.
Hold it!
Hold on a little longer, I'll carry you.
Mrki, I had to. My job...
I know, Mane.
- A mistake. - Don't worry.
Forget about it.
THE bunker!
How long until we get to the bridge?
- Fifteen minutes, Herr General. - Thank you
Engineer!
Move!
Come on, Engineer!
Forward! Forward!
Quickly and cleanly, Herr von Felsen.
It's over.
Shame. It was a beautiful bridge.