Cross of Iron Page #16

resumed his whispering. The girl's expression is still

tense. She draws back in fright as Zoll suddenly comes

INTO the SCENE.

ZOLL:

I told you to be quiet, didn't

I?

He lifts his foot and, kicking his boot against the old

man's shoulder, sends him sprawling on his back. The old

man looks up at him, then, as if resigned, turns over on

his side. Zoll looks at the girl. It is some time before

he takes his gaze away. Then, he walks to the window,

looks out again. In the b.g., we SEE the men grouped

around the fire, evidently eating. After a moment, Zoll

turns away from the window. The CAMERA is CLOSE on his

FACE and we SEE him gape and stand rooted to the spot.

The CAMERA PULLS BACK to take in Zoll and the young girl.

Her head is bowed and she is fingering her blouse. The

top button is already open. She doesn't look at Zoll and

she slowly unfastens the second button. Zoll gulps, then

looks at the old man who is lying on his side, eyes closed.

Zoll's eyes take in the rest of the room, the CAMERA PANNING

with his gaze. Most of the women seem to be asleep, or are

sitting with heads drooping, staring at the floor. Then,

the CAMERA comes to rest on the young girl again. She is

looking steadily toward Zoll who watches her in fascination.

She unfastens another button. Then she closes one eye in

a slow wink and smiles at Zoll.

157. CLOSE SHOT - ZOLL

He holds his breath. He is perspiring slightly.

158. MED. SHOT - ZOLL AND GIRL

The door to the hall is in the b.g. The girl has now

unbuttoned the last button and is looking smilingly at

Zoll, who stands hesitant. 'But now, the tread of heavy

BOOTS is HEARD in the hall. Zoll hurriedly jumps to the

wall and comes to an attitude of strict attention. The

door opens and Schnurrbart APPEARS.

SCHNURRBART:

Everything all right?

Zoll manages to nod indifferently. Out of the corner of

his eye he looks toward the girl. She is holding her

blouse closed and staring vacantly at the floor.

SCHNURRBART:

As soon as Kern has finished eating

he'll take over so you can eat.

(his eyes rove over

the prisoners)

They asleep?

ZOLL:

(curtly)

They seem to be.

He is anxious for Schnurrbart to leave, but Schnurrbart

takes his time. He comes all the way into the room, his

eyes on the prisoners.

ZOLL:

(impatiently)

What do you want? Everything

is all right.

SCHNURRBART:

Doesn't it seem funny to you that

they're all asleep?

ZOLL:

Why is it so funny?

Schnurrbart shrugs, goes OUT. Zoll kicks the door shut,

quickly turns to look at the girl.

159. MED. SHOT - THE GIRL

She has opened her eyes and is looking encouragingly at

Zoll. When he doesn't stir, she spreads her blouse open,

puts her hand under her undershirt. with her other hand

she beckons to Zoll.

160. CLOSE SHOT - ZOLL

He digs his teeth into his lower lip. He stands as if

nailed to the spot. His eyes sweep over the heads of

the other prisoners. pause upon the face of the man.

Although the old man is lying with closed eyes, Zoll looks

at him suspiciously. But then he looks toward the girl

again --

161. MED. SHOT - THE GIRL

She smiles at Zoll and begins to push herself along the

floor toward him. This overcomes Zoll's fears. He

takes one last look at the old man, then beckons to the

girl with a movement of his head.

ZOLL:

(softly)

Come. Come with me.

She hesitates and glances at the old man for the briefest

moment. His eyes are still closed, his back is to them.

ZOLL:

(hoarsely, with

another gesture)

I said--come.

The coquettish smile on the girl's face has vanished. There

is fear in her eyes. She doesn't move. He takes one long

stride to her, grasps her shoulders tightly, pulls her to

her feet. He throws another glance at the old man who

doesn't stir. Abruptly, Zoll pulls the resisting girl

by the waist to the door. He throws open the door, pulls

the girl into the hall.

162. MED. SHOT - IN HALL - ZOLL

looks madly around. There is a door on the opposite side

of the hall. He turns to the girl, sees that she is trying

with her free hand to button her blouse. Zoll shoves her

toward the opposite door.

163. INT. OPPOSITE ROOM

as the door is flung open and Zoll, dragging the girl,

COMES IN. The room is sparsely furnished, its chief

feature being a huge wardrobe closet against the one wall.

As Zoll lays his tommy gun down in a corner, the girl

suddenly breaks loose and runs toward the door. In two

bounds, Zoll is at her side. He throws her to the ground,

falls on her, panting with exertion and excitement. She

tries to defend herself, her clenched hands battle against

his face and she begins to scream. Zoll, who has ripped

her blouse off her shoulders, drags one of the blankets

over her face, smothers her screams.

164. HALL - THE OLD RUSSIAN

stands hesitant as he HEARS the MUFFLED SCREAMS.

Then he runs to the front

door, peers cautiously out, RUNS OUT.

165. EXT. HOUSE - AT WAGON - THE MEN

have just about finished eating.

KRUGER:

(sitting up suddenly)

What was that?

ANSELM:

What was what?

KRUGER:

(overlapping)

I thought I heard a shot.

STEINER:

I heard it. It was a shot, all

right...

KERN'S VOICE

(faint and far off)

Rolf -- Kruger --

ANSELM:

It's Kern!

He and Kruger RUN OFF. Then the others follow.

166. FULL SHOT - KERN LYING ON GROUND

Anselm and Kruger run in, bend over him. Steiner and

Schnurrbart COME IN.

KRUGER:

He's hurt -- Kern is hurt --

Steiner looks grimly in the direction of the hut.

ANSELM:

Maybe a company of Russians has

come up.

SCHNURRBART:

One shot, and it's a company of

Russians!

KERN:

(gasping)

The old Russian -- he ran past --

STEINER:

What!

KERN:

Sorry, Steiner -- I was in no position

to -- he grabbed my gun --

He falls silent, his eyes close. Steiner bends over to

examine him.

KRUGER:

How bad is he?

STEINER:

(getting up)

He's probably finished. Do what

you can for him.

(looks grimly

toward hut)

I think I'll have a few words with

Herr Zoll.

As he starts away, the men look down worriedly at Kern.

167. INT. HALL - OF HUT

as Steiner comes RUNNING IN. He is about to enter the

room on the right when he HEARS WHIMPERING from within

the room on the left. He listens for a moment, then the

WHIMPERING IS HEARD AGAIN. Steiner lifts his foot, kicks

the door in.

168. INT. ROOM- ZOLL

who is fastening the buckle on his belt, whirls around as

the door flies open. The girl lies on the floor naked

and whimpering. Zoll stares incredulously at Steiner

in the doorway. For a few seconds they merely stare at

each other.

Then Steiner comes slowly into the room and slowly approaches

Zoll until he is right in front of him. The WHIMPERING of

the girl STOPS.

STEINER:

I hope you had a good time,

because you're going to pay

quite a price for it.

He raises his gun. Zoll takes a step backward in terror.

ZOLL:

(incredulously)

You're not going to shoot me?

STEINER:

You left your post, you let a

prisoner escape, you've endangered

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