The Blitz: London's Longest Night Page #5

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Rotterdam, Rotterdam...

Make sure you get gas.

The nearest gas station?

- There's no gas to be had anymore, sir.

Not even on the black market.

This is all your fault, Eva.

If the wedding doesn't take place today,

you all go back to Germany.

And goodbye to the house in Rotterdam.

- We still have gas.

Fill up the tank. Immediately!

Everything.

- I have to get back too.

Fill it up.

- You may wear a nice suit...

...but you're no better than I am.

- I already had a car when I was your age.

I started outwith empty hands

and I'm still not afraid to get them dirty.

He's ill.

God, my fianc takes pity on

traitors, retards and the ill.

Vincent is not a traitor.

- Get in!

You still owe my brother 150 guilders

and me 25.

Well, well, that communist boxer

is your brother.

Give those boys their money.

They're leaving for London.

Get in!

- So who's driving the Chrysler back?

And the rest of our stuff?

- Eva, please.

I'm keeping the money as security.

You'll get it as soon as you deliver

the car in Rotterdam.

Sir, are you all right?

Is there something I can do?

Sir, Miss von Heerle left you a present.

I'M SORRY

Chris, what are you doing here?

I'm looking for the prodigal son.

Traitor.

- Traitor?

The wedding dress.

They were in such a hurry they forgot it.

The Dutch army leadership

didn't believe the Germans.

The threat that Rotterdam

would be blitzed wasn't taken seriously.

The commanding officers

refused to surrender.

Rotterdam's population didn't know

what was in store for them.

I knew what was in store for me.

Eva was getting married in a few hours.

And she'd disappear

from my life forever.

Your daughter will be a lovely bride.

In your old wedding dress.

I'm sure of that.

Eva...

...sign.

Now?

- Yes.

Children just played outside.

They cooled off in the swimming pool

and ate ice cream.

The streetcar ran on schedule.

The baker baked bread.

No one believed in the impending doom.

I wasn't thinking about a threatening

blitz either. I just thought about Eva.

Bomb shelter for rem'

Why did she abandon me?

The boat to London leaves in two hours.

We'll bring the car back, get our money

and it's 'so long, Rotterdam'.

Vincent... please.

Grow up, man.

Eva is the first person

who accepts me as I am.

The first? Thanks a lot.

What about me?

She can join the back of the line.

All that love-sick wallowing!

Stop that.

You have to help me.

I'm your brother.

The brother of a murderer.

- Not that again.

That's been your opinion

ever since I killed mom.

It's my fault that your lungs

are shot to hell.

At least dad's honest.

He never wants to see me again.

Dad!

- She doesn't see me as an arsonist.

But just as Vincent.

She understands it was an accident.

It was an accident, but...

- "But!"

There is not "but" for Eva.

And what do I do?

I leave her behind

and take off for America.

You go. The police might be inside.

Wait, OK?

Hurry. That boat won't wait.

Vincent, what are you doing here?

Eva.

Son, believe me,

Lagerwaard can just about kill you.

You?

- Where's Eva?

She's not here.

Let it go, son. They can't stand you.

They look down on you. On all of us.

Eva !

You and my daughter

should have no further contact.

She forgot something.

My wedding dress.

- Eva's wedding dress.

Thank you. This is for you.

Keep it.

For your hope chest.

Vincent!

Eva!

- Everything to your satisfaction, ma'am?

I have to go down.

Where were you?

- Dirk came to get me.

He threatened to send us back

to Germany.

And you're going to marry that jerk?

Please, understand. I have no choice.

And I have no choice but to love you.

Eva, marry me.

No.

What about last night?

- Go to New York. Forget me.

Herman can come with us.

He'll be safe in America.

It's impossible.

Vincent, why don't you get it?

It's too late. It's too late.

It's not too late!

Eva?

- Vincent brought my wedding dress.

Give him his money and he can leave

for New York. Forever.

That's up to the police.

- I'll only marry you...

...if you give him his money

and let him leave in peace.

Are you trying to blackmail me?

We agreed on a church wedding

for the children.

It costs me a fortune,

but I don't care.

But that communist boxer

doesn't get a penny.

Please, Mr Lagerwaard,

just pay those boys.

OK? Then we can focus on the wedding.

We don't want to miss that, do we?

Come on, Vince, keep going.

Eva will be fine.

How do you answer?

- I do.

Eva Jozien von Heerle...

...do you declare before God

and his Holy Community...

...that you will take Dirk Lagerwaard

as your lawfully wedded husband?

Do you promise to obey him,

that you will serve and help him...

...that you will never forsake him,

will live with him in Holy Matrimony...

...that you will remain faithful

and will trust him in everything?

How do you answer?

How do you answer?

Eva?

Nothing to worry about.

They'll discharge flares.

And the planes will go away.

Miss von Heerle,

how do you answer?

Eva, go ahead.

May 14, 1940

Chris!

Chris!

Where are you going?

- You go to the boat.

Vincent, come!

Anton, where's Eva?

- Come on.

Under that pillar. Quickly.

Eva !

Where's Eva?

- She's still inside that church.

Eva? Where's Eva?

The bride.

Everyone out.

Eva, come with me to the boat.

Eva, stay here.

- Dirk...

Let go off me.

Underneath the pillar.

Dad, dad!

- Girls, stay here. Come back.

Eva !

Come back!

- I have to find Herman.

What are you doing in our house?

- You have to leave.

It's safe under the stairs.

They said so on the radio.

Come on, people. Don't be scared.

We won't be beaten by a few little bombs.

Courage!

Sing along, people.

Who said farewell

Sing, guys!

Shyly and with a laugh

to his mother on the quay

because he didn't dare

to kiss her

that street kid from Rotterdam

Did you just get married?

Congratulations.

Kiss the bride.

No ring?

It's over.

Hey, if you hurry you can get all

the wedding stuff you need for free.

I hear planes!

There they are!

I'll take them along to the boat.

Mom!

We're coming. We'll get you out.

Come on.

Herman has to get out first.

Herman, let go.

Herman!

Herman, let go.

Dirk!

- Eva...

Herman first.

We have to go to the boat.

And Aunt Anke.

Dad, Anke is injured.

Go away, you common person.

Anton, we have to get out of here.

Where are Dirk and Herman?

- Went to his bomb shelter.

Look, look...

Herman would love this.

Please, open up. Dirk, it's me.

- Open that door.

Dirk!

Mom, dad, we're saved.

Herman, back.

- Herman, come back.

Lie down!

Herman!

No!

'Eva!

Eva, Eva!

Eva !

No, no!

Vincent.

- Open that door!

Let me out.

Let me out.

Save my family.

Take them to the boat.

How much money have you got?

- Why?

I can take you to the boat for London.

- Come on.

I'm not going without Eva.

- Anton, come.

Eva!

- Come.

Let me out.

- Eva, control yourself.

Think about the children.

- I want to go to my family.

We are your family now.

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