The Grand Illusion

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Are you going to Epernay?

- When?

- In a half hour.

By lorry? Then give me a lift.

- Right. Josephine?

- Yup!

- You've no monopoly!

- Who cares!

Marchal, you've got

to take up a staff officer.

He's picked a rotten time.

- Josephine again?

- Yup!

Where will that get you?

She'll have to wait, that's all.

Alcohol kills!

Alcohol drives you mad!

The squadron leader drinks it!

This is Captain de Boeldieu

of Divisional Command.

Have you seen this photo,

Mr Marchal?

Ricord and I took it.

And where is this... Mr Ricord?

- On leave.

- Of course.

That little grey spot worries me...

There, below the road.

- That's a canal, not a road.

- No, a railway.

Such unanimity is a tribute

to our photography.

It was misty.

Still, I'd like to clear up

the mystery.

I'll order a plane.

I'll go and get ready, Sir.

Flying suit or jacket?

I don't mind, one smells,

the other moults.

The fighter squadron, please.

Drive fast to the sugar refinery.

I shot down a French plane.

If the crew are officers,

invite them here for lunch.

Make us one of your famous

fruit punches.

To celebrate

my shooting down my second plane.

No careless talk!

The enemy is listening

Two officers, one wounded,

so I took him to the first-aid post.

Captain von Rauffenstein,

- Captain de Boeldieu, Staff HQ.

- Pleased to meet you.

Lieutenant Marchal, pilot.

Sorry about your arm.

My officers.

I am honored to have French guests.

Now, gentlemen, let us dine.

I knew a Boeldieu in Berlin,

Count de Boeldieu.

My cousin, Edmond de Boeldieu.

He was Military Attach.

He is a pilot now...

Not hungry?

I can't cut up the meat.

- May I?

- Thank you.

You speak good French.

I worked as an engineer in Lyons.

Really!

I'm in eng... engineering...

To Captain de Crussol,

French Air Force,

shot down in flames

From the German officers

of 21 Squadron

I regret this coincidence.

May the earth lie gently

on our gallant enemy.

I have come for the prisoners.

PRISONER-OF-WAR

CAMP N 17

OFFICERS CAMP:

Officers will be treated with

the consideration due to their rank.

However, you are reminded that

you are under German military law.

You will therefore submit

to German discipline.

Every German soldier in the camp

may give you orders.

And you will obey without protest.

You will salute German officers.

At any attempt at escape, sentries

have orders to fire on officers

outside the camp boundary.

Incorrect dress is not permitted.

Strictly forbidden!

It is forbidden to form groups

or insult the German nation...

to write or speak to civilians...

Strictly forbidden!

It is forbidden to speak to sentries.

Come with us

to attend to some formalities.

Russian names decline,

like in Latin.

- Newcomers.

- Better warn them.

Pure angel, radiant angel

Hide your gold!

Go on! Get into your rooms!

- What did they say?

- To hide our valuables.

Leave it alone, it's mine.

I've nothing on me.

I'd no idea I was coming. Sorry.

Where are your manners?

Sorry, it's our duty, this is war.

Agreed, but even so

let's remember our manners.

Otherwise I shall consult

the Commanding Officer.

Open it.

How are you doing, pal?

Not bad at all, eh?

Here, Muller. You'll take

some chocolate, won't you?

You've no right to open my ham!

It's regulations!

It's bad! You can have it!

He's too finicky!

I'm delighted each time my parents

send me a parcel.

Here we are,

in the heart of Germany,

miles behind the front...

And a tin of peas arrives from Paris.

- All right, then?

- Fine.

What astonishes me is their honesty

in handing over the parcels.

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