The Victors Page #3

plunging waist deep into the sea,

These pictures take you among men

who are putting Dunkirk into reverse,

planting themselves

on the first bit of French soil

to be won back after four years,

The G,I, Joes, the Tommies

and Johnny Canucks

press on with "Now let's get at 'em!"

(BLASTS IN DISTANCE)

(BANGING ON DOOR)

Excuse me.

Parlez-vous anglais?

Yes, I do.

Can I help you?

Yes, ma'am.

We're coming in tomorrow

or the day after.

We might wanna use this house

for a field headquarters.

I'm supposed to check it.

Oh, I see.

Yes, of course.

I'm afraid

it's not in very good condition.

Neither is anything else around here.

Soldiers in the house.

- You'll get paid, sooner or later.

- Yes, I understand.

- You speak good English.

- Thank you.

I'll show you the house.

Adjutant's office.

Must be pretty nice

when you get it all fixed up.

My husband and l,

we used to come here

when Paris got too much for us.

And in the summers, of course.

It's lovely here in the summer.

(CRAIG) What are you

doing here now?

No one's supposed to be here now.

This town was evacuated a week ago.

When we heard

there'd be fighting here,

I thought I might have time to get

some paintings and personal things

that were very precious to us.

but I suppose it was stupid of me.

I came just too late

and I couldn't get away in time.

- You were here during the bombing?

- Yes.

- Alone?

- Yes.

- Weren't you scared?

- I was petrified.

I've never been so frightened

in all my life.

Last night was the worst of all.

but you want to see

the rest of the house.

Yes, ma'am.

- You came back to get stuff like this?

- Yes.

Our officers are nice fellas.

I...I mean, they'll be careful.

Some are stupid idiots,

but these ones are okay.

I really don't care.

I shall never return here anyway.

That's the dining room,

but I imagine your first concern

is the sleeping accommodations.

This way, please.

Where were you during the bombing?

In the cellar.

A cellar. That's good.

We'll be able to stick

your furniture down there.

- Were you down there all the time?

- Yes, all the time.

- Did you have any food?

- At first.

but I was too greedy to make it last

and I finished everything yesterday.

That's the cold.

Cold always makes you hungry.

You must've been freezing

down there.

Yes, it was terribly cold.

I had one blanket

and it wasn't enough,

but I was too frightened

to go out for another one.

but...the worst of it...was the rats.

It's odd.

I never dreamed

there were rats in this house.

It's very odd.

My room.

- What?

- My bedroom.

Captain's room.

My husband's room.

I'll get it, I'll get it.

Two lieutenants in here.

You got any other room?

We have a small servant's room

and a bathroom back of the kitchen.

Perhaps I could stay there

until it's safe to leave.

- That's all the rooms you got?

- That's all. We have no guest room.

Philippe and I never wanted

to share the house with anyone

when we came here.

Where is your husband?

Why didn't he come instead of you?

He was shot three months ago.

He...Philippe...

Actually this is the first time I've been

here since they took him away.

(STOMACH GRUMBLES)

I must be hungry.

I haven't eaten since 6 this morning.

You must be starving, too.

I got some stuff in the jeep.

Would you cook it?

Thank you.

I should be most grateful.

- Could we do it now, do you think?

- Sure.

Hmm. I'm sure

you're dying to bathe,

but the water went off the first day.

Lady, it's been so long

since I had a bath,

I'd probably drown in a bathtub.

I've got plenty of water out there

in the jeep to cook with, anyway.

I'm sorry.

I got dizzy for a moment.

You're just about knocked out.

Can you make it?

Oh, yes.

I can make it, thank you.

And the bombs...

the bombs kept falling

and the planes never stopped.

And the big guns roared and roared.

And I was sure the house would

collapse around me and bury me,

and I would never be found,

except as a corpse.

And at first, I thought

I would lose my mind.

And I think I would have,

but I forced myself

to think and remember

every line of poetry

I ever knew and loved.

I'm sure it saved my sanity.

I know now, the body is nothing

and the mind is everything.

I remember, just when it seemed

it would never end,

I kept thinking of that line,

"The universe is nothing

but a flaw in the purity of non-being."

Do you know

the writing of Paul Valry?

In translation, I mean, of course.

To my mind,

he's our greatest modern poet.

Do you know

"Le Cimetire marin?"

It's always been a favourite of mine.

(RECITES POEM IN FRENCH)

Forgive me.

I've been chattering like an idiot.

I'm sorry.

You must think me odd.

Well, you've been under a strain.

(BELCHES)

Excuse me. My stomach's

been ruined by the army.

In the last days of Rome,

the Goths were brought in

to save the Empire

from the German tribes.

Thank you for liberating us.

You're welcome.

- Could I have more wine, please?

- Oh, yes, of course.

Oh, excuse me.

(GRUNTS)

You're tired.

Must you return tonight?

I don't know. I guess not.

Could I stay here somewhere?

I wouldn't bother you.

I mean, you wouldn't

have to be scared or anything.

I wouldn't be frightened.

I don't think

I can ever be frightened again.

I'll see what I can do

about Philippe's room.

(EXPLOSIONS)

Who's there?

I'm sorry.

I didn't want to disturb you,

but I'm frightened.

I just wanted

to stay here...near someone.

(GUNFIRE)

Those are our guns, I think.

It's not the guns. It's the planes.

They were bombing till a moment ago.

And you never woke up.

(WOMAN CRYING)

I slept for a while...and I haven't

been able to since.

I...I really don't know

how you can sleep with all that.

(HEAVY EXPLOSIONS)

I can't be alone.

I just can't bear it any more.

Please, may I stay here?

I won't bother you.

Please.

(MURMURS IN FRENCH)

Dors, Philippe, dors.

(GUNSHOT)

Stupid idiot!

Who fired that shot?

Attendez l.

I heard a shot.

- Do you have a problem?

- We almost had them out, sir,

but some stupid idiot fired

and scared them back in.

I think we can help you.

Come with me.

Merde!

(GUNFIRE)

Good. Now they're resisting.

I tell you what, Sergeant,

just move your men back

and let them rest for a while.

We'll take over now, if you permit.

(GUNFIRE)

(EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE CONTINUES)

There you are, Sergeant.

You can have your men go and check,

but I hardly think it's necessary.

Good hunting, huh?

Au revoir.

Oh, and if you feel

you have to make a report about this,

just pray your country

is never occupied.

So long.

(LOUD BANGS)

(LOUD BANG)

(RUNNING FOOTSTEPS)

(LOUD BANG)

(CRAIG) Halt!

(TRUCK HORN HONKING)

(LIVELY MUSlC PLAYlNG)

Don't forget the brandy.

Heads.

(MUSlC ENDS)

- You like that?

- What?

- Oh, yes, yes, I do.

- Ask her over for a drink.

Yes, I will.

- What's so funny?

- Nothing, Corporal, nothing. Relax.

(SPEAKS FRENCH)

- Huh? D'accord.

- D'accord.

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