Cross of Iron Page #10

of him.

BRANDT:

To my mind, there is nothing more

contemptible than snatching the

laurels that properly belong to

a man who died in action. I shall

abide by Sergeant Steiner's testimony.

If he stands by his statement that

Captain Stransky was not with the

company, I shall be compelled to

institute disciplinary proceedings

against the Captain. You may go

now. You are no longer needed

here.

TRIEBIG:

Yes, sir.

He doesn't look at Steiner as he LEAVES the room.

105. MED. SHOT - BRANDT, KIESEL AND STEINER

BRANDT:

(to Steiner)

Very well. Do you stand by your

statement?

To Brandt's surprise, Steiner doesn't answer immediately.

Then, after some hesitation:

STEINER:

Would it be possible for me to

think it over for a few days?

BRANDT:

(anger and disappoint-

ment in his voice)

Think it over? What is there to

think over? Did you see Stransky

or not?

Steiner doesn't answer.

BRANDT:

I don't understand you. Are you

a friend of Stransky's? My im-

pression is that you wish him

in hell.

STEINER:

My differences with Captain Stransky

are a private matter.

BRANDT:

(losing patience)

Oh, they are? Why were you

ordered to dig Stransky's bunker

tonight?

Steiner compresses his lips.

BRANDT:

I asked you something!

Steiner looks up, their eyes meet.

STEINER:

Do you want to hear lies?

BRANDT:

(leaning forward)

Do you know that Stransky intends

to recommend disciplining you?

STEINER:

(a growl)

If I were he, I wouldn't lose a

minute about it.

BRANDT:

(to Kiesel)

I really think I should place a

guard over him and have him dig

holes until he's blue in the

face.

KIESEL:

(shrugs)

Why try to revise the decisions of

Providence?

BRANDT:

(sternly, to Steiner)

Listen to me. You know I've always

shown a great deal of understanding

for you. But I am beginning to

get tired of battling with your

superiors over you.

STEINER:

(defiantly)

I didn't ask you to.

AS soon as the words are out, it is obvious from Steiner's

expression that he regrets going that far, but it is too

late. Brandt rises and leans on his desk. His voice is

hoarse with rage.

BRANDT:

Didn't ask me to! You didn't ask

me to! Have you gone clean out

of your mind? Do you have any

idea what you're saying?

KIESEL:

Steiner -- you ungrateful idiot --

For a second, Steiner closes his eyes. Se is struggling

not to let the words out -- but they come pouring forth

violently.

STEINER:

What are you asking me, Captain

Kiesel? To love Colonel Brandt?

I hate Colonel Brandt. I hate

you, Captain Kiesel, and Stransky

and Triebig, and ever since I've

put on this damn uniform I've hated

everybody and anybody connected

with it. If I get into any trouble,

if I have any problem with anything

or anybody, I'll solve them myself --!

Thank you very much!

Me pauses, shaking. There is a dead silence in the room.

Brandt is breathing heavily. His unsteady hands grope

across the top of his desk.

BRANDT:

(his voice broken)

Get out. Get out of here at once!

Steiner doesn't move for a split second, then he GOES OUT.

Brandt tries to regain control of himself. Kiesel looks

at the floor.

DISSOLVE TO:

106. PANORAMIC SHOT - LINE OF TRUCKS AND MARCHING MEN - DAY

all headed west. This is followed by QUICK CUTS of the

troop-laden trucks. The total impression is of a gigantic

exodus.

107. INT. SECOND PLATOON'S BUNKER

Steiner, Schnurrbart, Kruger, Zoll, and Anselm are all

present. They have packed all their belongings, ready

to move out. Schnurrbart and Kruger are playing cards.

Steiner is sitting quietly on his bunk. The others are

moving about -- obviously beset by impatience.

KERN:

Why the hell aren't we moving

out?

ZOLL:

What's everybody so worried

about? Moving a regiment is

quite a job, let me tell you.

It doesn't move all at once.

The PHONE RINGS.

ZOLL:

Ah -- that's probably our orders

now.

AS Steiner goes to the phone, everybody makes for their

packs, ready to leave at the word.

STEINER:

(into phone)

Yes -- yes, sir -- I see --

(no change of

expression)

Yes, sir -- at what time? -- Yes,

sir.

KRUGER:

(to Steiner, who

has hung up)

What's the good word?

STEINER:

The good word is that we've been

elected.

KERN:

(cautiously)

Elected to -- what?

STEINER:

Captain Stransky's paid us a great

honor. We -- that is, our platoon --

is to stay here as a rear guard

until dark. For two hours. Maybe

three.

The men are frozen in disbelief.

STEINER:

I think we ought to feel very

proud.

ANSELM:

Those idiots are crazy.

SCHNURRBART:

Not so crazy. They're pulling out,

we're not.

STEINER:

(takes a map from

his pocket, spreads

it on the table,

traces with his thumb)

The division is moving back to new

positions east of Krimskaya --

ZOLL:

(nodding)

Much easier to launch an offensive

from there.

SCHNURRBART:

Why us? Of all the platoons in the

battalion, why us?

KERN:

(violently)

Because our sergeant is such a pal

of Captain Stransky'e! That's

why us!

STEINER:

I'm sorry. In the next war I'll try

to pick my enemies more carefully.

108. MED. SHOT - STAFF CAR - DAY

The car stands outside Stransky's bunker. A military

CHAUFFEUR is at the wheel, and the MOTOR is RUNNING.

A steady stream of trucks and equipment, headed west,

flows past the staff car. In the b.g. the door to Stransky's

bunker flies open and the Captain with Lieutenant Triebig

behind him, STEPS OUT. As they make for the car, the phone

within the bunker is HEARD RINGING.

109. INT. BUNKER- AT PHONE

as Stransky comes INTO the SCENE, picks up phone. Triebig

is in the b.g.

STRANSKY:

Captain Stransky -- Yes, yes,

Captain Kiesel, we were just

about to leave -- Yes, sir --

What's that, sir?

(his expression is

cloudy as he listens)

I see, sir. Yes, sir. I'll attend

to that immediately. Yes, sir.

He hangs up. Triebig looks at him inquiringly.

STRANSKY:

Intelligence reports that the

Russians are already on the high-

way. Regiment feels that it would

be not only useless but suicidal

to leave behind any rear guard

platoons. They're to join the

evacuation immediately.

TRIEBIG:

I see.

He and Stransky exchange glances.

TRIEBIG:

Shall I call -- I believe it's

Sergeant Steiner's platoon, is

it not?

Stransky nods. Triebig waits for him to say something,

but he doesn't so Triebig picks up the phone.

STRANSKY:

Just a second, Lieutenant --

Triebig turns to face Stransky.

STRANSKY:

What do you think of this story?

We tried to establish telephone

communication with Steiner's

bunker, but evidently his wires

had already been cut. You, Lieuten-

ant Triebig, upon personal investigation,

discovered their bunker abandoned.

Apparently, the platoon had already

left to take up its forward position.

The two men look at each other. Then!

TRIEBIG:

(slowly)

I think it's an excellent story.

STRANSKY:

Just a story?

TRIEBIG:

Much more than a story. I think

it's fully justified.

STRANSKY:

You do? Why?

TRIEBIG:

(after a moment's

thought)

It is my firm conviction that the

Third Reich would be better off

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