Cross of Iron Page #14

KERN:

Aren't we too few for the job?

STEINER:

No. There's only the front door

and one window on the side. We'll

smoke them out with grenades, then

mow them down as they come out.

(looks at Zoll)

And hang on to your ammunition boxes.

We're going to need them.

Steiner picks up his pack.

137. LONG SHOT - A ONE-STORY HOUSE - DAY

It is made of massive logs. Smoke is pouring from one of

the chimneys. The CAMERA STARTS PULLING BACK and we see

that a creek flows parallel to the house. Its bank is

overgrown with shoulder-high reeds which sway gently in

the wind. Two unhitched wagons, their contents concealed

under dark brown canvas' stand by the side of the house.

Then we see a primitive but wide wooden bridge with rails

on both sides. In the center, leaning against the narrow

slats of the railing, stands a GUARD -- an elderly man with

a yellow, wrinkled face. His cap is pushed back on his

head and he is staring dully at the dirty surface of the

water. His tommy gun is slung diagonally across his back.

The CAMERA CONTINUES BACKWARD across the bridge into the

reeds. Finally, it comes to rest on the flattened shapes

of Steiner and his platoon who are gazing intently at the

sight. The men speak in whispers.

STEINER:

You realize how important it is

that no one -- not a single one --

escapes?

KERN:

We won't be able to get them all.

STEINER:

We have to get them all. Once the

Russians find out there are Germans

behind their lines there'll be

hundreds of them beating the bushes

for us.

He looks at the men significantly. They nod grimly.

STEINER:

Anselm -- you and Kruger stay here.

Set up the machine gun -- see that no

one gets past this way. The rest

will come with me. Keep your heads

behind the trees -- and remember, if

one of them gets away we're sunk.

with bent back, he moves forward, the men following.

Anselm starts setting up the machine gun.

138. MED. SHOT - STEINER AND MEN

walking cautiously through the woods to get on the other

side of the house. The CAMERA FOCUSES on Zoll, who is

last in line. His eyes are fixed on the ground, on small

patches of SUNLIGHT on the ground. They change shape,

expand and contract each time the leaves stir overhead.

Suddenly Zoll takes mincing little steps, now jumping or

skipping to avoid a band of SUNLIGHT. He becomes so

absorbed in this that he is oblivious to everything else.

He doesn't notice that Steiner is standing in his path,

watching him curiously. Zoll is on the point of jumping

over a broad s trip of LIGHT when his eyes meet Steiner's.

His intended jump becomes a halting step that carries him

right into the middle of the SUNLIT band. Zoll stands

still, looking into Steiner's face.

ZOLL:

(weak smile)

Just a game --

STEINER:

(incredulously)

A what? A game?

ZOLL:

(apologetically)

When we were kids -- a came -- we'd

race through the woods. No one

was allowed to step on a spot of

sunlight --

STEINER:

I see. And would you like us to

join you in the game? Perhaps we

could find the time.

ZOLL:

I only thought -- silly idea -- if I

don't step on a spot of sunlight

now I'd come through this all right.

He smiles an abject, apologetic smile. Steiner's face

is expressionless. He turns to the men, motions them to

the ground. Zoll is the last to obey.

139. MED. SHOT - STEINER ON THE GROUND

The men behind him.

STEINER:

I'll take care of the gentleman

on the bridge. When I run -- you

follow me --

(looks at Zoll)

-- taking special care to avoid

the spots of sunlight.

Zoll flashes a look of hatred at Steiner, but remains quiet.

Steiner lifts his tommy gun, sights it at the man on the

bridge. He takes his time. Beside him, Kern is trembling

visibly.

140. LONG SHOT - THE GUARD ON THE BRIDGE

He has not changed his position.

141. ANGLE - OVER STEINER'S SHOULDER

SHOOTING TOWARD the Guard in the b.g. Steiner is still

aiming.

Then he FIRES -- a whipping round of SHOTS. In the b.g., we

SEE the man on the bridge start to move as though he stood

on a whirling disc. Then his hands grip the wooden railing

for support. His legs sag, and he slides, knees first,

underneath the railing and into the dirty water. Steiner

jumps to his feet, runs madly for the bridge, the men

following.

142. OTHER SIDE OF BRIDGE

as Steiner comes across, throws himself flat on the ground.

The others, close behind, do the same. They all SHOOT

round after round at the doors of the hut. Then --

STEINER:

(holding up his hand)

Stop!

A FINAL BURST from Kern and then there is stillness. The

men look toward the house.

143. LONG SHOT - THE HOUSE

There is not a sound from the house. Not a single sign

of any activity.

144. MED. SHOT - THE MEN

still lying flat on their stomachs. They turn their faces

to look at each other questioningly.

ZOLL:

(hopefully)

Maybe there's nobody in the house.

STEINER:

Don't worry, there is.

ZOLL:

Well, it can't be too large a

force.

KERN:

Enough to give us a hero's death.

SCHNURRBART:

(to Steiner)

What do you make of it?

KERN:

(excitedly)

Look -- !

A figure is rushing toward them.

STEINER:

Don't shoot -- it's Kruger!

Kruger comes RUNNING IN, out of breath.

KRUGER:

Rolf --

STEINER:

(sharply)

Why did you leave your post?

Anselm can't handle them alone.

KRUGER:

Anselm is in the house.

STEINER:

What?

KRUGER:

Didn't you hear the screaming?

STEINER:

Screaming?

(looks at the men

for confirmation)

KRUGER:

Women's screams, then moans. So

Anselm went in.

KERN:

(bitterly)

Naturally. If it's anything to

do with women --

STEINER:

What do you mean, women?

KRUGER:

I mean women! Anselm says to come

over.

STEINER:

Well, it's nice of him to invite

us. Kern, you stay outside. Fire.

one shot if you see anyone coming.

He gets up, runs toward the house, the men following.

145. EXT. HOUSE

as Steiner comes INTO the SCENE, kicks open the front door.

146. INT. HOUSE - HALL

It is a narrow hall, which separates two rooms. From the

left room comes a weird MOAN. The men look at each other.

Steiner walks to the room.

147. INT. ROOM

The entire long wall of the room is taken up by a heap of

straw covered with blankets. Crowded together in the rear

half of the room, faces half-defiant, half-terrified, are

about a dozen and a half WOMEN in Russian uniforms. They

carry no weapons. Most of them are big breasted, stocky

women. Their full blouses, reaching down over their hips,

are gathered at the waist by broad belts. One or two

are fairly young and attractive, and there is one exceed-

ingly pretty GIRL. At the women's feet, bedded down on

the straw, lies a young WOMAN, the clothing stripped away

from the upper part of her body, a blood-soaked bandage

Covering her right breast. Her eyes are closed, she emits

the weird MOAN.

Anselm is guarding them. Steiner and the men stop in their

tracks as they see the women.

ANSELM:

(grinning broadly)

I hope you put me in for the Iron

Cross, Sergeant. I took them

single-handed.

KRUGER:

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