The Blue Max Page #3

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He's a romantic.

- And you're not?

- No.

No.

Tonight is a... family affair.

- Are you shocked?

- No.

- My husband is a very civilised man.

- Mm.

And we are great friends.

It must be nice to have

an understanding friend.

Oh, yes, it is.

Willi must be getting impatient.

Shall I announce you?

Please do.

Thank you.

Fire!

Fire!

Come on, lads. This is it!

Follow me!

The oil pressure's still too low!

Well, that's all you'll get out of her!

She wasn't made yesterday!

Oh, is that what it is?

You'll feel better in a few days, Herr Leutnant.

We've taken Bapaume!

Bapaume!

That means we're closer to Paris.

- Thank you.

- I'm here to take you back to the squadron.

In there, Herr Leutnant.

- What are we celebrating?

- Your survival, of course.

And your tenth victory.

- You're moving up fast, Stachel.

- Too fast?

Does it hurt?

Yes.

Then I'd better open the bottle.

Tell me, uh... never having

suffered it personally...

what does it feel like to be shot down?

Well, I'd rather

you found that out for yourself.

Prost.

You know, I was quite pleased at first -

when you were posted missing, I mean.

Thank you.

Oh, it was just that, uh, all of a sudden,

the war seemed a bit more peaceful.

And then - this is the odd thing -

I had a sense of loss.

- I'm touched.

- No, no.

Seriously. I suppose I've had everything

in my life too easy. I'm inclined to be lazy.

I have to have a challenge. I need someone

around me who is, uh, hard to beat.

And you fulfil that role.

- How's the countess?

- Countess?

- Mm.

- Oh!

Your aunt by marriage. Is she well?

I think so.

I should've thought you'd have known.

Oh, yes. She told me about

coming into your room that night.

I knew you'd have to

bring it up sooner or later.

The countess.

There's a fascinating subject.

I believe you have aspirations

in that direction, Stachel.

You should forget them.

I'll try.

But if the impossible happens...

I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.

Will you?

It's vintage 1903.

You'll find it... hard to get.

1903?

I'll remember that.

Thanks for the champagne.

- That's the fool that almost got me killed.

- I believe he's a friend of mine.

Why don't you take it up with him?

- I hope it'll be a longer visit next time.

- Yes.

Stachel.

May I introduce the Baron von Richthofen?

It is an honour, Herr Rittmeister.

And I am very grateful.

1903 again.

You'll never change, Willi.

I'd like to have some of Willi's champagne

with you, but I must get to my squadron.

I'm glad to see you haven't had to pay

too high a price for my life.

I only lost an old Pfalz, Herr Rittmeister.

Perhaps now I'll get a better plane.

Oh, yes. You will.

My squadron is going to be equipped with

the new monoplane Berlin's been promising.

I don't understand, Herr Rittmeister.

The baron wants you to

join his squadron, Stachel.

I have no objection.

Well, what do you think?

I'm... very flattered by your offer,

Herr Rittmeister.

Thank you.

But I'd prefer to prove myself here.

Oh, I see.

Well... I admire loyalty.

You are lucky to have this fellow, Otto.

Switches on!

Thank you.

Holbach, bring me that report

from Von Richthofen again.

Yes, Herr General.

You're not shoeing a horse.

Get out.

Herr General.

Stachel.

I want him brought to Berlin immediately.

- Yes, Herr General.

- There is some difficulty?

I don't know what you have in mind, Herr

General, but with the offensive at its height,

there'd have to be a legitimate excuse

to order him from the front.

He's wounded, isn't he?

- Yes, Herr General.

- Hm.

A mentionable wound?

- In the arm.

- Good.

People like soldiers to be shot in the right

places. Order Stachel to Berlin for treatment.

I want you to ensure that all our newspapers

give full prominence to this gallant episode.

Photographs. Everything.

Yes, Herr General.

Yes.

I think I can get the field marshal

to see things my way, with luck.

What you're telling me behind yourjargon

is that this machine is unstable.

Exactly. Herr Field Marshal,

we require at least three more months

to perfect the design.

By then, the war may well be lost.

Well, Franz, what more

have you to say to the experts?

With your permission, Herr Field Marshal,

I would like to produce an expert of my own.

Stachel!

We would like the benefit

of your experience, Stachel.

You'll have read in today's papers

about Von Richthofen.

This is the pilot concerned -

Leutnant Bruno Stachel.

This way.

The new monoplane.

- Is it as fast as we've heard?

- Faster.

What about its manoeuvrability?

Only one wing - will it take the stress?

It will outturn any Allied plane

at present in the air.

It could even turn the tide of the air war.

Then we must have it.

What if I told you that

these gentlemen believe

that there will be risks for you pilots

if we hurry it into production now?

Well, we're used to risks, Herr General.

One more wouldn't make any difference.

Leutnant Stachel?

Tell me, do you think that your opinion

would be shared by your comrades?

I am certain of it, Herr Field Marshal.

Let me see it again.

Nurse! Nurse, come quickly.

Come along, Herr Leutnant.

Frau Heidemann. Leutnant Stachel.

Yes, I remember you.

I'm due back in a few minutes.

Oh, it won't take long.

The jacket, please, Herr Leutnant.

And your shirt.

Frau Heidemann, those flowers, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Sit down, Herr Leutnant.

Excuse me, please.

Mm-hm.

Excellent.

I saw how busy you were outside.

- Yes.

- I'm sorry.

Now, come along, gentlemen. Along here.

Now, Frau Heidemann, if you please,

it is just this one pose.

What will you put under the picture?

"Squadron commander's wife

nurses wounded hero?"

Yes.

Please.

Very good.

Now move a little closer.

Thank you. Now...

Hold still.

- The play-acting is over?

- Yes, Herr General. We have finished.

Elfi, my dear. How good of you

to have found time to come and help us.

- It was an order, Herr General, wasn't it?

- Of course.

It was a very important piece of play-acting.

I see.

Bruno Stachel. By morning you'll be quite

famous. How do you feel about that?

Lucky, Herr General.

Hm.

Tomorrow you will be making

your way back to your squadron.

And tonight my wife

would like you to dine with her.

That's very kind of her, Herr General.

Not at all. She likes heroes.

Eight o' clock.

- You don't convince me, Colonel.

- Do you envy the birds?

- It may surprise you to know...

- Is that what makes men want to fly?

...that I am a serious student

of military strategy.

- No, Baroness, I am not really surprised.

- Jealousy of the birds? Yes.

Herr Leutnant, about the birds...

Thank you.

Good night.

Good night. A most successful party.

Pleasant evening.

Hans.

- What's that?

- It sounds like a drum, Countess.

Good evening.

As this is my first opportunity

of speaking to you tonight, I'll repeat it.

Good evening. And good evening to you,

too, good and faithful family servant.

Good morning.

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