Cross of Iron Page #21

for a long time -- but

the Russians couldn't do it,

disease couldn't kill me? poor

Lieutenant Triebig couldn't do

it. Not even you could manage

it

(moves closer to

Stransky)

And not wanting to live, yet not

willing to die, do you know what

that kind of a conflict does to

a man?

(laughs in

Stransky's face)

Now, in a crazy sort of way I am

grateful to you, Captain Stransky.

Thanks to you, I am willing to die.

I could shoot you and then the Army

would hang me. But, no, that isn't

good enough.

STRANSKY:

(his dignity going,

his voice rising)

Are you out of your mind? Steiner,

if you'll just think for a moment --

STEINER:

I did think, Captain Stransky.

I thought and thought -- and did

nothing!

STRANSKY:

(whimpering now)

Steiner -- Steiner -- you're mad --

you're absolutely mad!

Steiner steps close to Stransky. With his free hand, he

pulls a grenade from his belt.

STEINER:

Stand close to me, Captain.

STRANSKY:

(backing away)

No -- No -- You can't --

STEINER:

(pulls Stransky

to him)

This will do for the both of us

-- the final fraternization --

STRANSKY:

(a whimper so low

it can scarcely

be heard)

Steiner -- please -- Steiner --

Steiner pulls the pin from the grenade, holds it between

himself and Stransky.

STEINER:

What's the count before it goes

off?

STRANSKY:

(his lips move, but

no sound comes out)

-- Steiner --

STEINER:

Count with me, Captain -- One --

Two --

The CAMERA STARTS to MOVE UP and AWAY from Steiner and

Stransky.

STEINER'S VOICE

-- Three -- Four -- Five -- Six --

The CAMERA is at TREE TOP LEVEL now -- Suddenly there is

a SHATTERING REPORT. The branches of the tree tremble.

The CAMERA STAYS on the tree for a moment. The leaves

stop trembling. There is a vast silence now. The CAMERA

starts to PULL AWAY AGAIN. As it DOES:

FADE OUT:

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