Victory

---

They're here.

They're coming, sir.

Hand me those files on the death

of young Williams, will you, please?

Colonel Waldron, you know Herr Rinder.

Herr Doktor from the Swiss Red Cross.

Oberleutnant Strauss.

Major Von Steiner.

Colonel Waldron is

the senior British officer.

Major Rose,

head of the lntelligence Committee.

Wing Commander Shurlock,

head of their Escape Committee.

Nicht wahr?

I think you've come to investigate

the killing of my officer.

An accident.

I would like the Red Cross

to see the whole camp.

Your sleeping quarters, mess, toilets.

And see that you are being treated well...

...according to the spirit

of the Geneva Convention.

Come on.

Please, sir, can I have my ball back?

You are the Sportfuhrer?

I'm Colby.

Colby?

That's very familiar.

It's a common name.

They're very enthusiastic.

No bloody good, but very enthusiastic.

Do you play matches?

Oh, yeah, we have a league.

Four divisions.

We even play internationals.

Internationals?

Yeah.

England, lreland, Scotland, Wales.

You call that international?

It would be international

if you played against Germany.

We'd murder you.

Colby! John Colby.

Yes. Westham United and England.

That's right.

It's a shame the war

has ended your career.

Interrupted.

Let's hope so.

The colonel's protest will be

a waste of breath, I'm afraid.

Two hearts.

If we don't kick up a stink, we give

the blighters permission to do it again.

No bid.

Pass.

Colby, what were you talking

to Jerry about?

None of your business.

Two spades.

It is our business.

You were seen in conversation

with the enemy, a Major Von Steiner.

What did he want?

He recognized me.

As what? Pass.

Pass.

So the major's a football fan, huh?

Elementary, my dear Shurlock.

Karl von Steiner played

for Germany in 1938.

What did he say to you?

Buzz off.

-In German?

-Yeah.

I think I'm getting something.

...working to extremes

to divert world attention...

...from their losses in North Africa...

...and the reported inhumane treatment of

the prisoners from East European nations.

Over here, over here.

What's the verdict on Williams?

Regrettable mistake.

The whole bloody war's

a regrettable mistake.

I agree.

Do you?

You can believe me or not,

it's nothing to me.

If nations could settle their differences

on the football pitch...

...wouldn't that be a challenge?

How would you like...

...to play a game against a team

from the Wehrmacht?

A team from the army base nearby?

What for? To settle the war?

Unfortunately not.

Let's say, for morale.

Yours or ours?

For both.

Life in this place must be very boring.

What sort of team? They any good?

I haven't chosen a team. It's just an idea.

It's not an order. You can't make us play.

No, it's a challenge.

No.

It'd be a washout. A complete washout.

Why?

Look at them.

Look at them. They're bloody useless.

I mean, look at those clothes,

and those bloody great boots.

They're charging about there

like a herd of elephants.

Play football? They can hardly stand up.

Boots can be supplied.

You mean, proper gear?

Shirts and shorts?

No.

They couldn't run about for 90 minutes.

They'd be chuckin' their guts out.

All right, I'm sorry.

Major....

I'd want...

...special conditions, special rations.

The team would have to live together,

eat together....

I'd want meat...

...fresh vegetables, eggs...

...beer.

You talk to your colonel?

No matter what he says,

if you could supply us with all that stuff...

...you'll have a game of football.

Which reminds me...

...if it's confined to officers...

...I'm not bloody playing.

I want a decent team. I want the lads...

...from over there.

Okay?

We shall see.

All right.

Just a minute.

Right. Escapes.

We've had all the usual requests...

...but here's a new one you might like.

Peter Bailey has a plan to pole-vault

the south fence.

God, what will they think of next?

Oh, Christ, refused.

Anything else?

No. Let's have Hatch in.

Hatch.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

You're an American?

Enlisted Canadian Army '38,

transferred commandos.

How long have you been with us?

Since Dieppe.

How many attempts?

Two on the way, three since then.

Time before last, I got as far as Stuttgart.

How's this one going?

Well, sir, the whole thing

depends on the fact that...

...some of the goons don't patrol

when we're havin' a shower.

Some of them?

Yes. Like Hans and Anton.

At least one of them should be outside

walking back and forth...

...but they know we're inside

havin' a shower.

They come inside, lean against the door,

have a smoke if they can bum one.

I think if somebody went missing,

they wouldn't report it.

-Why not?

-They wouldn't be sure.

They'd think they'd miscounted

and leave it until roll call.

And if you could cover for me at roll call,

I could be gone for days.

Wait a minute.

You're going too fast for me. How are you

gonna get out of the wash house?

There is a vent in the shower room.

It leads into a storeroom or something.

Yes, I know.

It must have been built as a lavatory

to match the one on the German side.

If I can get in there,

with something to pick the lock--

And you'd be back in the enclosure

where you started.

But I'd be all alone. There's no one there.

And I could get onto the roof...

...go underneath the barbed wire

and drop into the German compound.

Naked?

How are you planning to get out

of the German compound naked?

I've got five or six ideas.

Shall we discuss them?

Yes.

Colby insisted on playing the other ranks

against the best of the officers.

What's the idea behind that?

I suppose he wants to pick

the best team possible.

I don't think he's quite got the point,

has he?

Tell him to come and see me, will you?

Cover him, Tony. Let's go.

Good goal. Well done, sir.

-What's your name?

-Sid Harmer.

How'd you like double rations

for a month or so, Sid?

Whose mother

do you want me to strangle?

Welcome aboard.

Okay, I'm ready to sign up.

Sign off, Hatch.

Give 'em the ball. Stop it.

Come on.

Tackle it.

Nice try.

Thanks, Colby.

It's not quite like playing for Manchester...

...but it's better than not playing at all.

Welcome aboard.

What about me?

Get out there.

What about me?

Get out there and play.

The map of Marburg is from an old

guidebook, but it's reliable, I should hope.

There's a fast train to Cologne

at 5:
33 every Saturday.

Now, under the map you'll see

they've done a sketch of the stadium...

...the exits, perspectives,

and changing rooms.

Colonel...

...what are you talking about?

I'm talking about your escape, Colby.

My escape?

Yes, of course.

The whole team if possible.

What about the lorry

that's taking you to the match?

You could loosen the floorboards

on the way in and...

...drop out on the way back.

You stick to scrounging, Pyrie,

and I'll stick to football.

It's your duty, Colby, as an officer.

It could be an excellent opportunity.

It's certainly worth considering, old boy.

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