& Narrator: War began between Germany and France on August 3rd 1914. .... By 1916, after two grisly years of trench warfare, the battle lines had changed very little. Successful attacks were measured in hundreds of yards, and paid for in lives, by hundreds of thousands.
& Gen. Mireau: George, I’m responsible for the lives of 8,000 men. What is my ambition against that? What is my reputation in comparison to that? My men come first of all, George, and those men know it too.
Gen. Broulard: I know that they do.
Gen. Mireau: You see, George, those men know that I would never let them down.
Gen. Broulard: That goes without saying.
Gen. Mireau: The life of one of those soldiers means more to me... than all the stars and decorations and honors in France.
Gen. Broulard: So... you think this attack is absolutely beyond the ability of your men at this time?
Gen. Mireau: I didn’t say that, George. Nothing is beyond those men, once their fighting spirit is aroused.
& Gen. Mireau: Of course, artillery would make an enormous difference. What artillery support can you give me?
Gen. Broulard: Well, I’ll see.
Gen. Mireau: What about replacements?
Gen. Broulard: We’ll see what we can do, but I feel sure that you can get along with what you have.
Gen. Mireau: Might just do it...
Gen. Broulard: Paul. I knew that I was right to come to you. You are the man to take the Anthill.
Gen. Broulard: Well, I’ll see.
Gen. Mireau: What about replacements?
Gen. Broulard: We’ll see what we can do, but I feel sure that you can get along with what you have.
Gen. Mireau: Might just do it...
Gen. Broulard: Paul. I knew that I was right to come to you. You are the man to take the Anthill.
& Gen. Mireau: Hello there, soldier. Ready to kill more Germans?... Well, is everything all right, soldier?
Soldier: All right? Yes, sir, I’m all right.
Gen. Mireau: Aha. Good fellow. Are you married, soldier?
Soldier: Married? Me, married?
Gen. Mireau: Yes. Have you got a wife?
Soldier: A wife? Have I got a wife?
Sgt. Boulanger: Sir, he’s a bit shell-shocked.
Gen. Mireau: I beg your pardon, Sergeant. There is no such thing as shell shock! Have you got a wife, soldier?
Soldier: My wife? My wife. Yes, I have a wife. I’m never gonna see her again. I’m gonna be killed.
Gen. Mireau: Get a grip on yourself! You’re acting like a coward!
Soldier: I am a coward, sir.
& Colonel Dax: What support will we have?
Gen. Mireau: I have none to give you.
Colonel Dax: What sort of casualties do you anticipate, sir?
Gen. Mireau: Say, five percent killed by our own barrage.
Colonel Dax: That’s a very generous allowance.
Gen. Mireau: Ten percent more in getting through no-man’s-land... and 20% more getting through the wire. That leaves 65% with the worst part of the job over. Let’s say another 25% in actually taking the Anthill. We’re still left with a force more than adequate to hold it.
Colonel Dax: General, you’re saying that more than half of my men will be killed.
Gen. Mireau: Yes, it’s a terrible price to pay, Colonel... but we will have the Anthill.
Colonel Dax: But will we, sir?
Gen. Mireau: I’m depending on you, Colonel. All France is depending on you!
Gen. Mireau: I have none to give you.
Colonel Dax: What sort of casualties do you anticipate, sir?
Gen. Mireau: Say, five percent killed by our own barrage.
Colonel Dax: That’s a very generous allowance.
Gen. Mireau: Ten percent more in getting through no-man’s-land... and 20% more getting through the wire. That leaves 65% with the worst part of the job over. Let’s say another 25% in actually taking the Anthill. We’re still left with a force more than adequate to hold it.
Colonel Dax: General, you’re saying that more than half of my men will be killed.
Gen. Mireau: Yes, it’s a terrible price to pay, Colonel... but we will have the Anthill.
Colonel Dax: But will we, sir?
Gen. Mireau: I’m depending on you, Colonel. All France is depending on you!
& Gen. Mireau: Patriotism may be old-fashioned, but show me a patriot, and I’ll show you an honest man.
Colonel Dax: Not everyone has always thought so. Samuel Johnson had something else to say about patriotism.
Gen. Mireau: And what was that, may I ask?
Colonel Dax: Nothing really.
Gen. Mireau: What you do mean, «Nothing really»?
Colonel Dax: Well, sir, nothing really important.
Gen. Mireau: Colonel, when I ask a question, it’s always important! Now, who was this man?
Colonel Dax: Samuel Johnson, sir.
Gen. Mireau: All right. Now, what did he have to say about patriotism?
Colonel Dax: He said it was the last refuge of a scoundrel, sir. I’m sorry. I meant nothing personal.
Gen. Mireau: .... You’re tired, Dax. You’re very tired.
& Soldier 1: I’m not afraid of dying tomorrow, only of getting killed.
Soldier 2: That’s as clear as mud.
Soldier 1: Well, which would you rather be done in by: a bayonet or a machine gun?
Soldier 2: Oh, a machine gun, naturally.
Soldier 1: Naturally, that’s just my point. They’re both pieces of steel ripping into your guts, only the machine gun is quicker, cleaner, and less painful, isn’t it?
Soldier 2: Yeah, but what does that prove?
Soldier 1: That proves that most of us are more afraid of getting hurt than of getting killed. Look at Bernard. He panics when it comes to gas. Gas doesn’t bother me a bit. He’s seen photos of gas cases. Doesn’t mean anything to me. But I’ll tell you something though, I’d hate like the devil to be without my tin hat. But on the other hand I don’t mind not having a tin hat for my tail. Why is that?
Soldier 2: You’re darn tootin’, because...
Soldier 1: Because I know a wound to the head would hurt much more than one to the tail. The tail is just meat but the head- ah, the head is all bone.
Soldier 2: That’s...
Soldier 1: Tell me this. Aside from the bayonet, what are you most afraid of?
Soldier 2: High explosives.
Soldier 1: Exactly, and it’s the same with me, because, because I know that it can chew you up worse than anything else. Look, just like I’m trying to tell you, if you’re really afraid of dying you’d be living in a funk all the rest of your life because you know you’ve got to go someday, anyday. And besides...
Soldier 2: Yes?
Soldier 1: If it’s death that you’re really afraid of why should you care about what it is that kills you?
Soldier 2: Oh, you’re too smart for me, Professor. All I know is, nobody wants to die.
Soldier 2: That’s as clear as mud.
Soldier 1: Well, which would you rather be done in by: a bayonet or a machine gun?
Soldier 2: Oh, a machine gun, naturally.
Soldier 1: Naturally, that’s just my point. They’re both pieces of steel ripping into your guts, only the machine gun is quicker, cleaner, and less painful, isn’t it?
Soldier 2: Yeah, but what does that prove?
Soldier 1: That proves that most of us are more afraid of getting hurt than of getting killed. Look at Bernard. He panics when it comes to gas. Gas doesn’t bother me a bit. He’s seen photos of gas cases. Doesn’t mean anything to me. But I’ll tell you something though, I’d hate like the devil to be without my tin hat. But on the other hand I don’t mind not having a tin hat for my tail. Why is that?
Soldier 2: You’re darn tootin’, because...
Soldier 1: Because I know a wound to the head would hurt much more than one to the tail. The tail is just meat but the head- ah, the head is all bone.
Soldier 2: That’s...
Soldier 1: Tell me this. Aside from the bayonet, what are you most afraid of?
Soldier 2: High explosives.
Soldier 1: Exactly, and it’s the same with me, because, because I know that it can chew you up worse than anything else. Look, just like I’m trying to tell you, if you’re really afraid of dying you’d be living in a funk all the rest of your life because you know you’ve got to go someday, anyday. And besides...
Soldier 2: Yes?
Soldier 1: If it’s death that you’re really afraid of why should you care about what it is that kills you?
Soldier 2: Oh, you’re too smart for me, Professor. All I know is, nobody wants to die.
& Gen. Mireau: To France!
Colonel Dax: Gentlemen of the court, there are times when I’m ashamed to be a member of the human race and this is one such occasion. It’s impossible for me to summarize the case for the defense since the Court never allowed me a reasonable opportunity to present that case—
General Mireau: Are you protesting the authenticity of this court?
Colonel Dax: ... Yes, sir. I protest against being prevented from introducing evidence which I considered vital to the defence; the prosecution presented no witnesses; there has never been a written indictment of charges made against the defendants, and lastly, I protest against the fact that no stenographic records of this trial have been kept...
The attack yesterday morning was no stain on the honor of France, and certainly no disgrace to the fighting men of this nation. But this Court Martial is such a stain, and such a disgrace. The case made against these men is a mockery of all human justice. Gentlemen of the court, to find these men guilty would be a crime, to haunt each of you till the day you die. I can’t believe that the noblest impulse for man — his compassion for another — can be completely dead here. Therefore, I humbly beg you... show mercy to these men.
General Mireau: Are you protesting the authenticity of this court?
Colonel Dax: ... Yes, sir. I protest against being prevented from introducing evidence which I considered vital to the defence; the prosecution presented no witnesses; there has never been a written indictment of charges made against the defendants, and lastly, I protest against the fact that no stenographic records of this trial have been kept...
The attack yesterday morning was no stain on the honor of France, and certainly no disgrace to the fighting men of this nation. But this Court Martial is such a stain, and such a disgrace. The case made against these men is a mockery of all human justice. Gentlemen of the court, to find these men guilty would be a crime, to haunt each of you till the day you die. I can’t believe that the noblest impulse for man — his compassion for another — can be completely dead here. Therefore, I humbly beg you... show mercy to these men.
& Colonel Dax: The attack was impossible from the start. The General Staff must have known that.
Gen. Broulard: Colonel Dax, we think we’re doing a good job running the war. You must be aware of the fact that the General Staff... is subject to all kinds of unfair pressures from newspapers and politicians. Maybe the attack against the Anthill was impossible. Perhaps it was an error of judgment on our part. On the other hand, if your men had been a little more daring, they might have taken it. Who knows? In any case... why should we have to bear any more criticism for failure than we have to...
& Gen. Mireau: I have only one last thing to say to you, George... The man you stabbed in the back is a soldier!
Gen. Broulard: Well... had to be done. France cannot afford to have fools guiding her military destiny.
Gen. Broulard: Well... had to be done. France cannot afford to have fools guiding her military destiny.
& Gen. Broulard: It would be a pity to lose your promotion before you get it... a promotion you have so very carefully planned for.
Colonel Dax: Sir, would you like me to suggest what you can do with that promotion?
& Gen. Broulard: Colonel Dax! You will apologize at once, or I shall have you placed under arrest!
Colonel Dax: I apologize for not being entirely honest with you. I apologize for not revealing my true feelings. I apologize, sir, for not telling you sooner... that you’re a degenerate, sadistic old man... and you can go to hell before I apologize to you now or ever again!
& Proprietor of Cafe: ...And as my wife always says, «What is life without a little diversion?»
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++ quotes on the IMDb
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