The Blitz: London's Longest Night

---

THE BLITZ:

An unexploded fire bomb

was found in Rotterdam today.

The Germans dropped

the bomb in May, 1940...

...during the blitz of the city center.

The blitz lasted 15 minutes,

killed 800 people...

...and 80, 000 Rotterdammers

lost their home.

The City of Rotterdam thinks there are

only a few unexploded bombs left.

They don't pose a danger

to public safety.

The bomb disposal squad

will blow up the fire bomb soon.

The Blitz is the worst thing

that ever happened to me.

But if I could do it all over again,

I'd still move to Rotterdam.

And, as a baker's assistant,

deliver bread early in the morning.

I'd still have fun with my

brother until the day...

...Eva crossed my path.

I'd still put on a monkey suit...

...and line up obediently.

Keep quiet with my head held high...

...to be barked at

by wealthy customers...

...like Eva's future husband.

For as long as my future wife stays

here, she can't lack for anything.

Got that?

I wouldn't care how her fianc behaved.

Because thanks to him,

she entered my life.

A classy lady.

Congratulations, Mr Lagerwaard.

Her?

She's older than my mother.

I wouldn't change anything about

those first few days in May, 1940.

Otherwise I'd never have met her.

Welcome, my love.

I'd kiss you somewhere else entirely.

Looking for trouble, moron?

Welcome, Frau Eva.

-Thank you.

We wish you...

We wish you a beautiful wedding.

- Your German is wonderful.

Let me show you the way.

My parents?

- Left Hamburg this morning.

And my brother?

- The payment has been accepted.

We lived in two separate worlds.

Eva in luxury...

...and I with holes in my socks.

Under normal circumstances,

we'd never have met.

Everything to your satisfaction, madam?

- I expected tulips.

Dad, will we get a present?

But sometimes fate lends a helping hand.

One wrong button

and suddenly she looked at me.

I'll never forget that first look.

That was very kind

of your new mom.

She's got remarkable eyes, right?

- Who?

That slutty maid?

- No, that German woman.

Just wait till we get to America.

Beautiful women with beautiful eyes.

Enjoy them to your heart's content.

What's so remarkable about her eyes?

- They're not just one color.

They're blue and grey

and a bit darker on the outside.

The pupils are black as coal.

- Coal?

Remarkable.

Time for the final in the open weight class

between two great guys.

They're both good in a brawl.

The first prize

is nothing to be sneezed at.

It's a boat trip to

the United States of America...

...sponsored by the Holland-America Line.

We're going to America, you and me.

That ain't nothing, ladies and gentlemen.

In the left corner we have

a bag of bones.

With light blue trousers

Vincent de Graaf.

Punch back!

Keep steady.

Stay covered.

May 10, 1940

I understood why Eva wanted to marry

a rich Rotterdammer.

Rotterdam was a bustling port city

with a lot of prospects.

No one was worried.

The Netherlands wasn't bothered

by Nazis and war.

Our country was neutral.

OK, so our army had mobilized.

But what could happen to us?

Nothing, right?

Thanks to her upcoming marriage,

Eva was all set.

My brother and I were poor wretches.

But we were cheerful

and not afraid of anyone.

Then our paths crossed.

Hurry, OK?

Good morning.

You're out early.

Going for a stroll?

My German is impeccable, right?

The Willems bridge!

Where is the Willems bridge?

- I honestly don't know. Sorry.

To the left, right and then straight ahead.

- OK, thanks.

We don't have enough ammo.

- Don't whine, fight.

You speak Dutch?

- My mother grew up in Rotterdam.

I lived in Utrecht for the past ten years.

Now you're wondering what an Utrechter

is doing in Rotterdam.

Where are you going?

- The White House.

Want a lift?

Aren't you afraid of war?

- No. We remain neutral.

That thing is huge.

Can you get all of it in the picture?

- 43 meters high.

The first skyscraper built in Europe.

In New York the buildings

scrape the sky.

Late 19th-century design.

My father designed the parquet flooring.

Shall I take your picture?

Wind it.

The other way.

That's right.

Smile.

Germans!

-it's just an exercise.

Fire!

Reload. Aim. Fire.

We have to go to Hotel Atlanta.

- Get out of here. It's dangerous.

Fire!

Reload. Aim. Fire!

I want to get out.

Run.

My grandma always says:

When people are afraid, make them laugh.

Do you ever laugh?

Hitler's going to kill everyone.

- lt won't be that bad.

You probably don't read the papers?

- I read The Fist, as it happens.

The Fist. Some communist rag?

It's a boxing magazine,

with exciting pictures.

Pictures...

Yes, pictures.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

You won't believe your eyes!

The strongest man on earth

lifts an elephant!

Ain't no ocean deeper.

Ain't no mountain higher.

Ain't no elephant heavier.

Yuck, that stench.

The strongest man on earth

slain by a fart.

But you did laugh.

- I laughed at you.

Makes no difference.

Pleased to meet you. Eva von Heerle.

- Vincent.

Vincent de Graaf. Pleased to meet you.

BUSINESS AS USUAL INSIDE

The Krauts captured the south bank.

- Hope they burn in hell.

Your fianc is waiting for you.

You better hurry inside.

Thanks and...

...see you later.

- You won't. We're leaving.

Forever. To America.

- Well, good luck then.

I forgot the birthday cake

for Dirk's youngest daughter.

I'll take care of it.

Eva, finally!

Are the children safe?

- Why wouldn't they be?

The invasion.

- There is no invasion.

Waalhaven Airport is in German hands

and there's heavy fighting on the bridges.

My friends in authority talk about

skirmishes. A misunderstanding.

Nothing to worry about.

Our wedding can go ahead on Tuesday.

Eva?

I ordered the cake.

May 11, 1940

I didn't understand why Eva

was so frightened by that invasion.

Queen Wilhelmina called the invasion

brazen and improper.

But the queen announced that she

and the government were in command.

So I thought that things

would be all right.

I continued my life

as if nothing was wrong.

I tried to banish Eva from my mind.

My brother demanded

all of my attention.

Well, gentlemen, here you go

and here you go.

Two third-class tickets for New York.

Leaving on Tuesday.

There's just one small problem.

You have to depart from London.

- Why?

I'll tell you why:

Your boat isn't coming here.

They're afraid they'll be shot to pieces

by the Krauts.

Don't look at me. It's not my fault.

How will we get to London? Swim?

- Listen...

A fishing vessel captain has his boat

where no Kraut can trace it.

He wouldn't mind taking you to London,

but not for nothing.

How the hell do we come up with that?

Easy, Chris.

- 150 guilders?

This way we'll never get to London.

So how will we get to America?

When are you going to America?

When we have enough cash

to go to London.

The sooner the better.

Sell those boat tickets and buy a gun

to put me out of my misery.

Chris...

...you'll get that surgery.

Uncle Cor, 150 guilders

is just a tip for you.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes