Cross of Iron Page #3

KIESEL:

(toasts)

Gets......not earns?

Brandt, who has lifted the wine bottle, finds it empty.

BRANDT:

Oh, to hell with Stransky and

the Iron Cross. And you, too,

Kiesel.

They smile at each other grimply.

DISSOLVET0:

7. LIEUTENANT MEYER

Pacing back and forth in a trench, outside of a bunker

door. Occasionally he steals a glance at a group of men

who are slumped in various indolent positions on the floor

of the trench.

8. FULL SHOT THE GROUP OF MEN

The CAMERA PANS SLOWLY from face to face. There are

nine men in the group (all will be identified later indi

visually). At the moment, all look exhausted, dirty and

somewhat disgusted. The men, with the exception of two,

PASTERNACK and ANSELM, are in the same age range (about

25 to 30). Pasternack and Anselm are younger. SCHNUR

BART is distinguished by a heavy beard. KRUGER by a

tough weather beaten visage. DORN has the look of an

intellectual. STEINER'S extreme gauntness is what catches

the eyes. His face is expressionless. The others,

MAAG, HOLLERBACH and KERN are nondescript, runofthemill

faces.

Meyer walks past the men in silence. They do not pay too

much attention to him. Several are smoking cigarettes.

Meyer looks toward the bunker. The CAMERA, following his

gaze, MOVES TOWARD the bunker.

9. INT. BUNKER LIEUTENANT TRIEBIG

is seated at the table. He is a very young, very handsome,

officer. An orderly. KEPPLER, is busy at a hot plate with

a coffee pot. He, too, is very young. After a moment --

TRIEBIG:

Is it very hot? Captain Stransky

won't stand for anything but hot

coffee.

KEPPLER:

It is practically scalding, sir.

TRIEBIG:

Good.

KEPPLER:

Is there anything else you wish,

sir?

TRIEBIG:

Not at the moment.

As Keppler starts out:

TRIEBIG:

Just a minute. You can keep me

company for awhile. I really

hardly know you. Sit down some

where.

Keppler looks around uncertainly. Triebig is sitting in the

one and only chair.

TRIEBIG:

Sit on the bed. Are you always

so timid?

KEPPLER:

(with a shaky Smile)

No.

He perches on the extreme edge of the narrow bed. Triebig

studies him. Keppler's habitual expression is one of

helplessness, accentuated by a mouth he keeps permanently

slightly open.

TRIEBIG:

Where do you come from?

KEPPLER:

Frankfurt, sir.

TRIEBIG:

Is that so? I know Frankfurt quite

well.

(sits on the cot

beside Keppler)

If you get along with me, you'll

have a good life here. You may go

now. Come to my bunker tonight

and arrange my gear.

KEPPLER:

(jumping enthusiastically

to his feet)

Yes, sir. When shall I come, sir?

TRIEBIG:

Don't come too early. Around ten.

We'll have a chance to talk.

Do your best and I'm sure I shall

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