The Captive Heart Page #3

and I took this uniform

and the identity card

from Mitchell's dead body.

It was my only chance if

the Germans caught up with me.

If that's the truth,

why didn't you tell us at once?

Would you have believed me

any more than you do now?

Besides, I have more to fear

from the stool pigeons than you have.

You've no proof of your story.

None. How could I have?

How do you come to speak such

perfect English and German?

My father was at the Czech embassy

in London after the last war.

I spent my childhood there.

German is a sort of second

language in Czechoslovakia.

I became professor of English

at Prague University.

I'm not much of a soldier, I'm afraid.

What were you talking about

to that guard just now?

Oh, I was trying to get

a chess set for David Lennox.

Achtung! Achtung!

All British prisoners

will parade at once.

You may get proof

of my story after all.

How?

The civilian. His name's Forster.

- Gestapo.

- How do you know?

For a time, he ran

the concentration camp I was in.

You think he'll recognize you?

Well, if he does,

he'll do your job for you.

- Achtung! Achtung!

- Come on.

All British prisoners

will parade at once.

Stand your men at ease, please.

Stand at ease!

Gentlemen, I present to you

Herr Forster... the foreign office.

Gentlemen...

For the time being,

all communications

between Germany and England

are at a standstill.

Your letters, therefore,

cannot leave this country.

To keep you informed, however,

our news bulletins will be

broadcast to you in English.

And as you cannot hope

to receive news from home,

arrangements have been

made for you

to broadcast messages

to your next of kin.

Will all those

who wish to avail themselves

of Herr Forster's offer,

take 3 paces forward!

You are the senior British officer?

Yes.

Are your men afraid that this is

some sort of propaganda trick?

Well, it's just possible.

As you wish.

Your name?

- Mitchell.

- Mitchell?

You are the officer acting

as hospital interpreter.

Yes.

I understand you speak

almost perfect German.

That's rather unusual

for an Englishman.

Is it?

I wonder why your face

seems familiar.

I have many friends in England.

Possibly we met there.

Possibly.

Excuse me.

Yes?

Do you wish to continue

this conversation?

No.

Prisoners cannot be required

to answer any questions

other than those relating to

name, rank, and number.

Quite, quite.

The matter is of no importance.

This is today's

official war communique

Issued by the

German high command.

The battle of Britain has entered

upon a new and final stage.

Annihilation of England's towns and cities

by the all-conquering Luftwaffe.

Last night, just before sunset,

air-raid sirens sounded their

ominous wailing notes

To the 9 million inhabitants

of greater london.

All night, an endless stream

of bombers roared about the city

Discharging their loads

of high-explosive

and incendiary bombs.

Anti-aircraft opposition

was negligible,

For the British do not possess the guns to

defend their homeland.

And this attack will continue

tonight from dusk till dawn

until the nerve center and capital

city of the British empire

Is reduced to a vast pile

of rubble, dust, and ashes.

The words of our great battle

hymn have come true at last.

We march against England.

Come on, boys.

Let's give 'em our great battle hymn!

# Roll out the barrel #

# We'll have a barrel of fun #

# Roll out the barrel #

# We've got the blues on the run #

# Zing, boom, terrara #

# Sing out a song

of good cheer #

# Now's the time

to roll the barrel #

# 'Cause the gang's all here #

Come on!

# Roll out the barrel #

# We'll have a barrel of fun #

# Roll out the barrel #

# We've got the blues

on the run #

# Zing, boom, terrara #

# Sing out a song

of good cheer #

# Mow's the time

to roll the barrel #

# 'Cause the gang's all here #

You should have come to see me

before this, Mrs. Evans.

Nothing wrong, is there?

No, but you're not

exactly robust.

I had the flu last year,

but nothing since.

And you're over 40,

aren't you?

Only just.

Well, we needn't make

any decision yet.

Decision?

I may have to suggest

an operation.

I see.

Thank you, doctor.

I was at Finn's

the night before last.

Miracle none of us copped it.

The guvnor was just

standing around.

This one's on

the house, he said.

And it was.

Well, dear?

Everything's all right.

Waste of time and money it was,

making me come and see the old doctor.

Your dad wants you

to make quite sure, you know.

Yes, of course.

I always felt

I'd failed him,

but never a word

of reproach.

There's kind he is,

all through.

But now,

now I won't fail him.

I know I won't.

Stephen wrote that for me.

My application's

been approved, Carol.

Staff job, west end...

I was going to ask you

for a photograph,

But perhaps I'm better without it.

Look, Robert,

Ever since Beryl's been

living here with me,

I've seen how crazy

she is about you.

Why don't you and she...

Beryl and I might have

made a go of it

if I hadn't met you first.

I'm sorry, Robert.

I did treat you shabbily.

No, you didn't.

I realize now

you were never more

than just fond of me.

You'd have realized it, too,

even if Stephen hadn't turned up.

I always will be

fond of you.

As long as you're happy.

That's what matters.

That's sweet of you.

My dear.

I'm sorry.

I'm not.

But it's got to be

good-bye, Robert.

Good-bye, Beryl.

Last Christmas,

I had my first concert.

It's there

I met Caroline.

Last christmas, I was in Dachau

concentration camp.

Christmas eve, a new batch

of prisoners came in.

One of them brought

me news of my family.

They'd been caught

giving food to a polish Jew.

They were taken out and shot.

My father, my mother.

All of them.

Only 36 shopping days

to Christmas.

Christmas. Parked around

a blazing fire

with a great bowl of hot rum punch.

Looks like it's snowing again.

That should raise

the temperature a bit.

What binds me is living

by courtesy of Jerry.

Can't see any future

in it, really.

They say the first

7 years are the hardest.

If the next 6 are

anything like this...

Well, the Red Cross parcels

are bound to arrive soon.

You've been saying that for

exactly 4 months.

I've been meaning it

for exactly 4 months.

All I can think

about is food.

Roast turkey,

mince pies, Christmas...

Oh, shut up!

Well, lad, it's me again.

Yes, padre.

David, they can't operate.

Not ever?

No, David.

I won't ever see again?

I don't believe it.

It's that German doctor.

When I get back

to Scotland...

No.

David, it's no use.

You've got to face it.

I'll not need this anymore.

You feel now there's

nothing left to live for,

And that feeling will

go on for a long time,

But then you'll begin

to remember the things that are left.

You'll begin to realize that this

darkness of yours is not absolute.

David, the things that make life

worthwhile for all of us...

Kindness, affection,

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