Silent Night (2002)

[bunniefuu]

My name is Fritz Vincken,

and I was 12 years old in


I suddenly found
myself in the middle

of what would become the
famous Battle of the Bulge.

w*r does not stop for holidays.

Fighting raged everywhere...

The countryside was littered
with bodies and equipment,

Fritz!

But my mother was not
the kind of person

to let events control her.

It was the season of
goodwill to all mankind...

yet there seemed
no end to the w*r,

no end to the fighting
and suffering...

With food and basic supplies
almost impossible to find,

and our home destroyed
in a bombing raid,

my mother made a
momentous decision.

She decided that
we must seek refuge

in our family's
old hunting cabin.

As I entered the lonely
empty space, I had no idea

it would be the most memorable
Christmas of my life.

Kindly go and get your book.

In English,
Fritz. English.

I don't see why I
must learn English.

Franz Ulmer says that one day
soon we will conquer the world

and everyone will
have to speak German.

Really?

And how does he know that?

His father says so, and
he works for the Fuhrer.

Franz Ulmer's father
is a minor official,

and he knows nothing.

But the Fuhrer knows everything.

He does not know everything.

He simply forces our people
to believe that he does.

Momma, you mustn't
speak like that.

Your book, Fritz.

"'Well, ' says Buck,
'a feud is this way.'"

"'A man has a quarrel with
another man and kills him.'"

Have you ever seen
any Americans, Momma?

Ja, before the w*r.

Many American tourists
would come to visit.

What were they like?

Just like us, I suppose,
only different.

I saw an American once...

who had jumped from
his burning airplane.

The shoemaker sh*t him.

He said it was his duty.

Ah, that was not his duty.

That was m*rder. Did no
one try to stop him?

Why? The American had
been trying to k*ll us.

Do not worry, Momma.

After Christmas, when
I'm called to do my duty,

I will not sh**t them.

I will take them prisoner.

Fritz...

you are not becoming a soldier.

Oh yes! Willi Ernst has
already been called up

and he's only 2
months older than me.

Listen to me, Fritz.
We are not going back to town.

And you're not joining the
h*tler Youth and carrying g*ns.

But, Momma, it is my duty to...

Poppa?

Poppa!

Please don't hurt us.

W... We are alone.

All clear, Sarge.

Bed back here.

Hey, stay where I can
see you. Understand?

Not a sound.

Easy, soldier. Easy.

We've got to clean
this thing out.

Get me some hot water...

and the field
dressing from my pack.

And keep your eye
on those 2 out there.

Check.

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Where you going?

Uh... I... have hot
water on the stove.

I'll get it.

AH, DON'T!! AHHH!

You speak English too?

Ja.

You like Huck Finn?

Ja.

What about Tom Sawyer?

Ja. I like that
book very much.

I like Tom. He's a smart boy.

Hmm. Smart. That's right.

Tom's always on the move.

What else you read?

Moby d*ck. The Last
of the Mohicans.

No kidding?

Those are good books.

What about Mein Kampf?

No.

Ah, it's a lousy read anyway.

Here you go.

The lady's taking care of the
hot water. It's on its way.

What do you mean she's
taking care of it?

- She's heating it up.
- You let her heat it up?

It's just hot water.

Are you forgetting
something here, Private?

We're at w*r with these people.

- I know, but it's just...
- But what?

Haven't you seen
enough by now to know

they are not to be trusted?

You want them to do
something for you,

you keep an eye on
them at all times.

Did you?

Huh? Did you keep an eye
on them at all times?

No!

Then how do you know
what she put in it?

It is hot water.

Just... hot water...

with a clean cloth
to... clean the wound.

We won't be needing you anymore.

Let me give you a piece
of advice, Rassy.

You want to make it
through this w*r alive,

the only person you trust is
wearing the same uniform as you.

Now, get outta here and
dig up some sulpha packs.

We need to disinfect this thing.

Soldier...

may I ask how long you
intend to stay here?

I don't know, ma'am.

That's something you'll have
to take up with the sergeant.

I take it you are lost.

Yeah, that's right.

Herbie took a hit,

we carried him from the line

then the snow came in and...
well, here we are, huh?

There's no sulpha packs!

There's gotta be!
You keep looking!

Then... your unit
is not very far?

No, ma'am, it can't
be more than...

Those are the kinds of questions
you shouldn't be asking.

Behind the
wall... Sarge!

The Krauts are behind the wall!
They're behind the wall!

NO! NO!

Rassy, get in here
and give me a hand!

There's no sulpha packs, Sarge.

Damn it! Hold him down while I
clean this thing out, would you?

Herbie! Herbie!

Herbie! Herbie! It's OK!
It's me! It's Jimmy!

Jimmy! Jimmy!

What happened? What
are we doing here?

We were hiding behind
the wall, remember? OK?

Then the Krauts started
shelling and you got hit.

Hit?

Lemme see!

- No, no!
- Lemme see!

You're gonna be fine, Herbie!

Herbie, you're gonna
be fine. It's OK.

The Sarge is taking care of you.

Sarge? Sarge, am
I, am I hit bad?

It's all right, Herbie.
Everything's gonna be all right.

Just relax while I clean
this thing out, all right?

You see? See?
It's good. It's good.

Is there any shrapnel in there?

I don't think so.

I'm no medic, but it looks like
this thing went clean through.

Lucky it didn't sever an artery.

You're sure there's
no sulpha packets?

I told you, we're out.

Perhaps this will help.

It is disinfectant.

It's OK.

It's all right. It's
OK. I know, I know.

The wound will have
to be closed soon

or infection will set in.

What are you,
a nurse or something?

No. Only a schoolteacher.

Only?

There's nothing wrong with that.

Think again, Rassy.

In this country
they teach things

that don't belong
in any schools.

The little tyke out
there has probably

already been fitted
for his jackboots.

Where is that kid anyway?

He is... just outside...
bringing in more firewood.

Get outside and find that kid.

And bring me my carbine.

Right, it's OK.

Don't leave me!

I won't, I won't! It's
OK. It's all right.

Sarge!

You better come out here!

What is it?

They were right there.

Lady, I'm not even
gonna count to 3.

Unless you tell me right
now what you've done...

I will not tolerate...
weapons into my house.

You can have them
back when you leave.

What?

In case you haven't noticed,
lady, there's a w*r on

and your house is right
in the middle of it.

That makes it a
shelter for my men,

a base of operations, a
hospital, a barracks, a bunker,

or whatever the hell else I say
it is, until I say it isn't.

Do you understand me?

Rassy, get outside and find out
what the kid did with the g*ns.

b*at it out of
him if you have to.

No!

No!

You stay here with me!

No!

Hey! What's up, buddy?

Getting more firewood,
are you? Huh?

That's a...
That's a good man!

Where'd you put the g*ns?

Look, you know this
is not gonna work,

so don't make me
get angry at you.

Just tell me where you put the
g*ns and we can stay friends.

Damn it, kid, no games.

WHERE'D YOU PUT
THE FRIGGIN' g*ns?

Heh...

Of course, some place safe.

Thanks, pal.

We are not friends. We
will never be friends.

I'm sorry to hear
that. Why not then?

You are an American.

You wish to destroy our
country and the Fuhrer.

Really? And where'd
you hear that?

On the radio.

No kidding?

Well, you're right
about the last part.

If I could get these hands
around the Fuhrer's neck,

I'd ring it like a chicken.

Feel good about it too.

But I'm not your enemy, he is.

But his day of reckoning
is coming soon.

And that'll be a great
day for all of us...

including you, even if
you don't know it yet.

Come on!

And don't believe everything
you hear on the radio.

Some of the things
they say just ain't so.

Come on. Gimme that.

All right?

Get inside, come on!

Get inside, get inside!

OK. Come on. Come on.

Not a word unless
I say so, all right?

Halt! Halt!

Don't move!

Damn!

Put your weapons
down or I'll sh**t!

You stay here and keep quiet.

Let me go!

You hear me?

So you can tell them we're
unarmed? I don't think so!

I could have
shouted it out already!

Oh please, he's my son.

Put your weapons
down or I'll sh**t!

Tell them to put their
g*ns down or I'll sh**t.

Tell them, damn it!

You hear me? Put
the weapons down!

I understood perfectly
well what was said Frau.

American soldier, let us talk.

You are alone and
there are 3 of us.

Think again, Herman!

I've got them covered
from in here, Rassy!

Gotcha, Sarge!

Put the g*ns down
before this gets ugly.

So, my friend, it seems you
have an innocent young boy

back there with you.

Surely you do not
want him to get hurt.

What do I care? He's
one of yours anyway!

No! Nein! No!

Stop this all of you!
Stop this madness!

You heard her!

Put your g*ns down!

All right then.

Good! That's real good.

Good. Don't
move! Don't move!

Fritz, stay there!

Get the g*n out here, Sarge!

All right! Get in the house!
Get your men in the house, NOW!

Go on!

Go on!

Very clever!

Very clever indeed!

And very clever of you, Frau.

I said no g*ns inside
the house, Sergeant.

Are you crazy?
Get out of the way!

No.

No g*ns.

I said move aside, lady!

You might be dead right
now if it were not for me.

She's got a point, Sarge.

Shut up, Rassy!

Now, move out of the way!

We're going in.

If you want the
comfort of my home,

it will be on my conditions.

The g*ns remain outside.

Let's get something straight.

This lady has offered us
all shelter for the night.

Her only condition is that
we leave the weapons outside

and consider this
neutral territory.

You OK with that?

Ja. Very well.

I guess we have a deal.

Thank you.

Fritz!

Take these and put
them with the others.

Good boy!

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Huh!

Well... since you are
all guests in my house,

let us introduce yourselves.

I am Elisabeth Vincken

and this is my son, Fritz.

Well...

Sergeant Ralph Blank.

This is Private Jimmy Rassy.

Leutnant Hans Klosterman.

This is Sergeant Marcus Muller.

Private Peter Heinrich.

What was that? You
got something to say?

He says that you are trouble.

Well, he's got that right.

Not in my house!

Do your men speak any
English, Herr Leutnant?

Ja, the Sergeant. But
not Private Heinrich.

Then may I suggest
that we all do so

in order to avoid any
possible confusion.

Very well then.

Sarge!

That's another one of my men.

He's been hit.

I guess it's time we put
that deal to the test, huh?

Sarge!

You stay here, Rassy, all right?

Perhaps one of you has
some medical knowledge...

The soldier is
very badly wounded.

Well, let us see.

Shall we, Sergeant?

It's all right, Herbie.

It's all right.
Everything's gonna be OK.

It is a serious wound!

Yeah, that's right!



Stay with me, Herbie.

Damn it, Sarge!

Listen, I'd love to sit
around and chat with you all,

but unless you've
got something usef...

I see...

So...

Would you kindly heat
this up, Frau Vincken?

Ja.

The cold spared him infection.

We must cauterize the wound or
he may slowly bleed to death.

No... No!

Huh! It went
right through.

Are you a medic?

Wounded. The walking
wounded assists the doctors.

Eastern Front?

The Eastern Front,
Caucasus. Now here.

You...?

North Africa, Italy, now here.

Join the Army, see the world.

Ja.

It seems you have changed
sides, Frau Vincken.

Are you aware of the
consequences of such an act?

I am not siding with anyone.

On the contrary, you
have helped the enemy.

And that is an act of treason.

They forced their
way in with g*ns.

I then agreed to let them stay,

on condition that they
leave their weapons outside.

That hardly seems treasonous
to me, Herr Leutnant.

No...

But you could have warned
us that they were unarmed.

Yet you did not.

No I did not.

Because I was afraid that
you would start sh**ting.

Afraid for my son.

Well...

I hardly think the president
of the Peoples' Tribunal...

would consider those
mitigating circumstances.

And we know how Herr
Freisler deals with traitors.

Herr Freisler's court is
a perversion of justice!

All its judgements are
foregone conclusions.

If one can be deemed a traitor

for refusing to renounce
one's moral obligations,

then I am indeed guilty.

Now, if you will excuse me...

Careful, Frau Vincken.

The Americans have
not won the w*r yet.

Thank you, Frau Vincken.

Kindly go on the other
side and help to hold him.

OK, Sergeant?

Herr Leutnant.

Yeah, let's do it.

It's OK. Just relax.

Easy, Herbie, easy!

Now, everything's gonna
be fine, all right?

You must hold him!
Hold him down hard!

HOLD HIM!

Ready?

Yeah! Go! Go!

Come on, Herbie.
Come on, Herbie!

It's good, Herbie!

Shhh...

Come on!

OH GOD!

You can do it!

NO MORE!

One last time!

Be tough for me!

NO! NO!

One last
time! Ready?

Let's go!
Let's go!

Be tough for me,
Herbie. Be tough!

Be tough!

Come on...

Yeah... yeah... yeah.

That's right, Herbie.
That's right...

It's done. It's
done, buddy.

That's it, buddy.

He will probably be
unconscious for a while.

I'll be damned! The
bleeding's stopped.

Ja, but we need to disinfect
and dress the wound properly.

We will take care of that.

Thank you, Sergeant Muller.

What are you doing here?

I am... just trying to do

what I think is right.

My eldest son, Paul,

d*ed at Stalingrad.

He was sh*t and bled to death

because there was no
one there to help him.

No one should have
to die like that.

I... I'm sorry to hear that...

but what I meant was,

why would you bring your boy
here at a time like this?

Our town is under
constant bombardment.

It is much safer here.

Closer to the front lines.

You know they're gonna come
right by you in a day or two.

The w*r will soon be over.

The sooner the better.

Is he gonna be all right?

Ja.

Thanks.

It was a noble initiative,
Sergeant Muller.

Let us hope your efforts
will be rewarded.

The patient is better I hear.

He'll survive.

Das ist gut!

One of our units
will be here shortly

and then he will receive
excellent medical attention.

I wouldn't count on your
boys getting here first.

But you are already
behind our lines.

Not for long.

Wishful thinking, Sergeant,

but we shall soon
resume the offensive

and have you running back
to the English Channel

just like we did to the French
and British at Dunkirk.

Only this time we won't
make the same mistake,

I assure you.

I don't think so.

This offensive was
your last gasp.

Now the w*r's almost
over and you know it.

We'll be running all right...

running as we kick
your sorry butt...

Gentlemen!

Gentlemen!

I remind you of our agreement.

You will kindly leave
your w*r outside.

Yes... of course.

Do forgive me, Frau.

I should have realized
the Sergeant and I

would have a difference
of opinion on such matters.

I think you and I would have
a difference of opinion

about a lot of things.

May I suggest...

that on this holiest of nights

we try instead to discover
what we have in common?

Hmm...

A night off sounds good to me.

The w*r'll still be waiting
out there for us tomorrow.

Then it is agreed, hm.

Yeah.

Good!

Well, if you will
all be patient,

I will prepare us
something to eat.

Ma'am, ma'am, you
don't have to do that.

Yeah, we can take
care of ourselves.

Oh, it is nothing. Only
a little potato soup.

But we have learned to be
grateful for small things.

Fritz, the dishes, please.

Well then, I guess it's
gonna have to be potluck.

Hey! Come on,
you guys, ante up!

What?

What's the matter, Lieutenant?

Your momma never tell you:

"Never go to a dinner
party empty-handed."

Ah yes! Of course.

Heinrich! Muller!

Your rations please.
Everything on the table.

What is all this?

The least we could do is
make a little contribution.

A little?

Danke.

Now we really can have
a Christmas dinner.

That's the idea!

So, let's see what we got here.

Lieutenant Klosterman's
generous contribution, huh?

Four slices of rye bread,
a piece of bratwurst,

and, uh... a jar
of pickled onions.

Hmm! Kind of Spartan,
Lieutenant.

Prussian actually.

I do apologize. This
is all I have to offer.

Well, it's a start!

Let's see what
Sergeant Muller's got.

OK, four slices of rye
bread, a piece of sausage,

and... Hello!

What's this?

Cookies!

Cookies?

The mighty Wehrmacht
marches on cookies?

My wife made them.

She sends them
with every letter.

That's very generous
of you, Sergeant.

Please offer your wife
our thanks and, uh...

while you're at it, put in
another order for me, huh?

Ja.

OK!

Private Heinrich,
you're up next.

Let's see what we've got here.

Six slices of bread,
a piece of sausage,

and, uh... nothing!

No wife to send you any
cookies, Private Heinrich?

How about your momma?

He says both of his parents...

I think I understood.

Tell him I'm sorry.

Ja.

Well... what
about you Americans?

You seem to have
come well prepared.

Always! Boy scouts' motto!

So, let's see what our
Sergeant has to offer here.

Don't lay it on too thick.
Just get on with it, huh.

Righto, Sarge.

Just the menu
du jour? No extras?

That's your department, Rassy.

Well, here you
got a fine example

of American m*llitary cuisine.

Your Standard Issue K rations.

Hmm?

One can mystery meat.

One can baked beans, hmm?

Some wheat crackers,
peanut butter,

and...

a pineapple pudding.

This is exactly why the
Wehrmacht will prevail.

Hm, what will your
poor soldiers do

should your army ever run
out of pineapple pudding?

Ask for banana!

Besides, you haven't
tasted it yet.

Sounds to me like you just
might have to get used to

our catering, Lieutenant.

I think not!

What about you, Private
Rassy, it's your turn.

What have you brought? You
seem to have a lot of supplies.

Must be my, uh,
Italian origins, ma'am.

If I'm gonna die, it
ain't gonna be of hunger.

He's also an A-1 scrounger.

"Negotiator" if you
don't mind, Sarge.

Well, thank you all
for your contributions...

Fritz, finish setting the table

and then come and
help me in the kitchen.

Allow me to help you
also, Frau Vincken.

Twelve, sir. I'm
sorry sir but...

my mother insists that I
speak to you in English.

Ja, of course.

We mustn't let our friends think
we are conspiring against them.

So, tell me Fritz, where is
your father, in the Wehrmacht?

Yes sir, he's in the army.

Any brothers, sisters?

My older brother, sir.

He was k*lled at Stalingrad.

He d*ed for his country.
There is no greater honor.

No, sir.

And what about you?

Are you ready to serve in
defense of the Fatherland, hm?

Yes, sir.

I shall join the h*tler Youth
as soon as my papers arrive.

Ah, that is good.

So, you have not
been called yet?

No, sir.

I see.

Well, I should let you continue.

Perfect... I
think it's ready.

Liebchen, we need help in here.

Don't get too cosy here, we're
still at w*r. Remember that.

I'm sure you wouldn't
let me forget that.

That's right. They
might act friendly,

but let's not get
careless, all right?

No, but they did make a deal.

What? Like the one
they made with Stalin?

Oh, this really is a feast.

And what is this?

Truffes du Perigord.
Oh, dear...

This is a luxury!

What I would give to
be out in the forest

on a cool October morning,
looking for truffles.

Will we ever do things
like that again?

Ja.

One day. When this
cursed w*r ends.

All this insanity.

How did we ever get fooled into
going along with all this?

I don't know.

But we were all
guilty, I suppose.

I kick myself for not
having done something sooner

while there was still time.

Ja...

Now it is too late.

Speak out now and they simply
take you outside and sh**t you.

I know this from
personal experience.

Not your husband?

A friend. Another
schoolteacher.

My husband is with the army.

He's a baker.

He is well then, I hope.

I do not know.

I have not heard from
him in over 2 months.

Ja, well cooks are usually far
behind the lines, you know.

We never let anything
happen to them...

Our forces are
retreating so fast now,

I'm sure he just hasn't had
time to sit and write you.

Ja.

Ja, that must be it.

Are you late for
something, Private?

Late? Yeah I'm late.

I had a whole life planned
until you guys invaded Poland.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

But the thr*at
of a Polish att*ck

left us with little choice.

What a load of malarky.

A bunch of yokels on horseback

must have been a real
thr*at to your panzers.

What about you?

Isn't there some place
else you'd rather be?

I do not think of this.

I am where it is my duty to be.

And if you die?

It would be an honor for me
to die in such circumstances.

Death... is
no great matter.

Well, it is to me. I
prefer the alternative.

I would not expect you
to understand such things,

Private Rassy.

Sounds like you're getting
personal, Lieutenant.

Well...

let's just say that
it is unfortunate

that our former Italian allies

do not have the same iron
resolve as we Germans.

Out of respect for Frau Vincken,

I'm gonna let that one slide.

But be careful.

Don't get me steamed.

At least they had the moxie
to get rid of the megalomaniac

that was destroying
their country.

Too bad you don't
have the resolve

to think for yourselves
and do the same.

Supper is served.

Hurry, gentlemen,

and bring something to sit on.

Danke.

Before we begin

I would ask you all to
join me in a short prayer.

Lord, we give thanks
for this food

and we ask in His name

to put an end to this w*r

and to bring comfort and peace

to all its many victims. Amen.

Amen.

Pass your bowls.

Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!

It smells delicious.

Ja.

- Voilà! Uh?!
- Ach!

Two of Bordeaux's finest!

Well, you are certainly full
or surprises, Private Rassy.

Jimmy. You can
call me Jimmy.

Jimmy. Or
perhaps I should say

What?

Oh, what is that,
um... sa... sa...

Santa Claus.

Santa Claus!

I wonder what else
you have in there?!

Oh, the night is young, ma'am!

No. Elisabeth. You
can call me Elisabeth.

How long you been luggin'
these bottles around with you?

Since D-Day?

Yeah, just about, Sarge.

Ah, they're Herbie's but
I don't think he'll mind.

Hey! To our hostess, uh?!

Whose common sense, decency

and stubborness have
made this evening possible.

May she soon live in the
peaceful world she deserves.

- To Elisabeth.
- Thank you.

Now may we eat!

Please, sit. I will
check him for you.

That's all right, Lieutenant.

He's my man, I can
take care of him.

Let him sleep. He'll be fine.

Good. Then everyone,
you may begin.

Oh, you don't have to
tell me twice, Elisabeth.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Merry Christmas.

I never understood

the American fascination
with baseball.

That is when it struck me
what my mother had done...

Somehow these soldiers were
not so fearsome anymore.

They could have
been family or friends.

And it appeared as though my
mother's wish was coming true:

as if the end of the w*r
was beginning right there,

at the dinner table
of Elisabeth Vincken.

But the meal was
only the beginning.

Christmas is the
season of surprises.

And the evening certainly had
a few surprises left in store.

Elisabeth, this is the
best meal I've ever had. Mmm!

Ha, ha, surely you
exaggerate a little. No?

Oo-oh, not at all.
Nah-ah. As they say,

everything is relative,
well, relatively speaking,

this meal was delicious.

Right guys?

Ja!

Thanks Elisabeth,
it tasted great.

How about you,
Lieutenant? Don't agree?

What?

Ah yes, of course...

Thank you, Frau
Vincken, it's, uh...

it's very good.

You have been very
quiet down there, Leutnant.

Is something bothering you?

No...

Thinking. That is all.

There's no law against that
in the Third Reich I suppose.

Not yet!

And what were you thinking
about? Your family?

Actually, I was.

Hm.

When was the last time
that you were home?

December 1942.

Ah, for Christmas?

For my older brother's funeral.

He was a panzer company
commandant... k*lled in Russia.

Oh, we were all
very proud of Gunter.

He brought great
honor to our family.

Only 2 months before he
had won the Iron Cross.

Like my father and uncle
in the Great w*r...

And now... well, I
am the only son, so...

I must continue
the family tradition.

That's quite a
responsibility to bear.

Makes me kind of glad my old
man was just a stonemason.

Oh, my father was
also in the Great w*r.

Oh, he was a handsome man,

until he marched
off to the Somme

and had half of
his face blown off.

What was left was
a horrifying sight.

From that point on my
mother would not allow

any mirrors or any shiny
surfaces into our home.

But our pain was
nothing compared to his.

He would drink constantly, until
he drank himself unconscious.

Ah, and then he
would have nightmares

and scream as if being tortured.

He finally sh*t
himself in our parlor.

I was 12... and it
was his 32nd birthday.

Do not talk to me
about the honor of w*r.

Well, uh...

Let's see what we
have for dessert, uh?

Let's see, we got,
uh, we got 8 cookies,

courtesy of Frau Muller...

and...

pineapple pudding, ah?!

Private Heinrich...

Would you like some
pineapple pudding?

Danke!

Private citizen Vincken?

- Danke.
- All right.

Elisabeth, would
you like a cookie?

Not yet, thank you.

Anybody else?

Are you kidding
me? C'mon, c'mon.

Ja. Me too. Believe
me they are delicious.

Mmm... Mmm.

Santa?

Well, I think we should, uh,
probably give Elisabeth a hand.

Oh no. No, no, no,
everyone relax.

- No, no. Really.
- No, no, I will take care of everything.

It's not a problem. OK.

Hey Sarge, I'll take that.
OK.

Thanks.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

Going somewhere, Sergeant?

You guys might be able
to hold it in all night,

but I gotta go to the latrine.

Ja, I too must relieve myself.

Fritz darling,

when you are done, you and Peter
can bring in the dishes. Ja?

Nein, auf Deutsche bitte, hm?

O Tannenbaum

Well, I'm glad they are
relieving themselves.

Too bad it's gotta
be at our expense.

Let me see if there's
anything left.

I'm gonna go give them a hand.

Come on, you guys.

The sooner we get this done
the sooner Santa shows.

I suspect I know
your secret, Frau Vincken.

I have no secrets, Leutnant.

Are you sure?

This is a unique situation...

but temporary, I assure you.

Tomorrow we soldiers
must go back to w*r.

Back to our opposing sides.

Whose side will you
be on, Frau Vincken?

Or more precisely,

whose side would
you like to be on?

What are you trying to say?

Just that...

I know now why you are here.

It bothered me why a mother

would bring her son up through our
lines whilst a great battle is raging.

Usually civilians
go the other way.

But not you.

Why?

Because you hope to get through
our lines to the American side,

Hm?

And why would I wish
to do such a thing?

For Fritz!

You see...

it occurred to me that through
every town we went through

boys much younger than he
were already bearing arms.

But not he. Why not?

How is it that he is
the only boy his age

who has not received
his call-up papers yet?

Or has he?

I make no excuses.

I have already lost one
son and possibly a husband.

I will not see my only
remaining son give his life

for a cause I no
longer believe in.

Well I think this
is the last of it...

Excuse me, Lieutenant.

So guys, what are we going to do

about dressing up that
naked Christmas tree, huh?

We don't have any decorations.

Not yet!

Let me see what I can find.

Well, come
on. Let's go.

Come on, let's get to the tree.

Come on, Peter.

Danke.

Cigars and pineapple pudding.

We are kilometres from home

yet we barely have
enough rations,

and America is an ocean away

and you have everything.

And we haven't even
started breathing heavy yet.

That kid in there...
Heinrich...

how old is he?

Turns fifteen next spring,

if he survives that long.

We now feed children
to the meat grinder.

What about the ones
that do survive...

How are you gonna make them kids
again when this is all over?

I don't know.

And your boy in there,
the wounded one...

how old is he?

Twenty one.

An old man in this game.

He might even get to be a
bit older, thanks to you.

It is difficult, hm...

not to get close
to the good one.

Herbie?

Heh, worst soldier
I've ever seen.

Can't clear his w*apon,
bunches up with the other guys,

can't put him on the point
'cause he's always daydreaming.

And you never
daydream, Sergeant?

Sometimes...

it is what keeps me alive.

Well, Herbie
daydreams all the time

and that can get you k*lled.

Been with me since day one.

Him, Meatball Prestianni,

Winkie Kahler, Johnny Simone.

A great bunch of guys.
Came over together in '42,

off a troopship, onto
a landing craft,

into North Africa, Italy...

now here.

Along the way I lost every
one of them, except Herbie.

Worst damn soldier
I've ever seen.

What is it, son?

My mother wanted me to tell you

that we are decorating
the Christmas tree.

Wow! We better go
inside then, huh.

Hey, check it out.
What do you think, Sarge?

It's not bad.

Heh, heh.

Ah, let's see what
else we got here.

Ah yeah, a little more snow, uh?

All right.

Here you go.

Ja.

I see you are not a
traditionalist, Frau Vincken.

Oh no? How's that?

The Leutnant is referring to
the fact that in our country

the children are not present
for the decorating of the tree.

That's a bum deal.

They miss half the fun.

Yes.

But as we all know our hostess

prefers to do
things her own way.

Nothing wrong with that. If
there were more of you like her,

not one of us would
be here right now.

Heh... I'd be back in
Brooklyn in my mother's kitchen,

sippin' vino...

getting my hand slapped for
mooching her spaghetti sauce.

Yeah... What
do you think?

It looks pretty good!

There's something
missing though, huh?

Something for the
top of the tree.

Yeah, that's right Lieutenant,
something shiny, uh?

Rassy, what are you doing?

Just for tonight, Sarge?

Ah, there we go.

Oh, well, it looks wonderful.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Merry Christmas.

He was in the choir...
at Cologne Cathedral.

Hm. No kidding...

With a voice like that
he could make a statue cry.

Well, I think it's time to
hand out the gifts, huh?

Gifts? Really?

Didn't I tell you Santa
was going to be here, hm?

Peter...

chocolate? Huh?

Danke!

There you go, that's
for you. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Elisabeth!

Now, what's this?

French soap...

Oh...

it's beautiful.
Thank you, Jimmy.

My pleasure.

Sorry guys...

Nothing for you.
I'm all... I'm all out.

I think maybe, ah...

I've got a little
something for all of us.

Huh?

You son of a g*n!

How long you been hoarding that?

I was saving it for
the end of the w*r

but I guess
Christmas came first.

What's wrong, Leutnant?

Where did you get that?

I traded for it...


carton of cigarettes.

Liar!

I told you...
I traded for it.

Liar.

You took it from the body
of a German soldier!

- Easy Lieutenant.
- To take cigarettes,

a watch or money...
that is one thing.

But to take a
soldier's medals...

his highest honor, is the most
dishonorable thing imaginable!

Back off,
Lieutenant. Back off!

You have no decency?

Decency!? I don't need any
sermons from the likes of you!

KRAUTS! Watch out,
Sarge! I got him!

Move away from him
Sarge! I got him!

Herbie, take it easy...

Herbie...
gimme the g*n.

Sarge...?

Here... that's
right, Herbie.

It's me. Now give
me... the g*n.

What's happening to you,
Sarge? What's happening?

For Christ sake, Herbie,
would you give me the g*n?

But Sarg...

- You OK? Herbie? Herbie?
- Sarge...

I will take that, Leutnant.

Now, you gave me your word.

Now give me the g*n.

When...

they found my brother's body...

it was stripped naked and...

thrown to the ground...

like the carcass of an animal!

They took everything...

including his medals.

Hans.

Peter!

He's lucky. It's just a
graze. It's not too serious.

I will take care of
this. Come. Come.

All right, soldier, come on.

Lieutenant...

I'm sorry I can't tell you the
name of the soldier it came from.

Like I said...

I traded for it.

Hey, Fritz...

Is Peter gonna be all right?

Ja.

You and I still friends?

We're friends.

- Forever?
- Forever!

Forever's a long time, you know.

Forever!

That's a good man!

Hey, see that
bright star up there?

Ja, Sirius... the
brightest star in the sky.

How'd you know that?

My father...

he loves to study the stars.

Me, it was my
uncle Ennio. Heh...

We used to spend all night on
his roof with his telescope.

Bet you didn't know
it's not one but two?

Ja, I did.

So close together, it looks
like one from down here.

You're a pretty smart guy, huh?

Ja... Do you know
how far it is?

Not exactly but, uh, I
know it's one of the closest.



Makes you feel kinda small, huh?

Ja...

Well...

that's good.

A little humility
is a good thing...

Well, guess it's time for
a little shut eye, huh?

Ja.

Are you in charge
here, Sergeant?

Yes, sir. Well, yes
sir and no sir...

Well which is it?

Are you or are you not the
senior man here, Sergeant?

What the...

What the hell's going on here?

Are these men your prisoners?

Well, not exactly sir.

Not exactly? What then?

Uh...

Well... no, sir.

I suppose you could say
that we're all guests here.

Guests of this lady.

Guests?

Yes, sir. Private Rassy and
I got lost in the storm,

trying to evacuate
one of our wounded...

He's in the next room.

We stumbled on this
cabin in the woods...

Frau Vicken here was good
enough to invite us in

and share food with us.

And the Krauts?

They showed up lost
a short while later.

I suppose Frau Vincken
fed them too, right?

Yes, sir.

Heh...

Well, we got one here
for the books, Sergeant.

In the middle of a decisive
battle, you take out time

for Christmas dinner
with the enemy.

Not sure how that's gonna sit
with your battalion commander.

Unless of course he's
around here too somewhere.

No, sir!

No!

Well, I hate to break
up the party Sergeant,

but there's a w*r to be won.

Where are your weapons?

Outside, sir.

Frau Vincken made us
all leave them outside.

It was her condition for
letting us in to take shelter.

Outside...?

Yes, sir.

Leutnant...

Leutnant?

S S Captain Walter Dietrich
at your service, Sergeant...

Blank. Sergeant
Ralph Blank.

Well, Sergeant Blank,

looks like you and your friends

had quite the
celebration last night.

What's wrong, Sergeant?

Cat got your tongue?

I heard all about you guys...

brought up in the
States, perfect accents...

All you need is a
set of fatigues

you can be dropped
behind our lines

to destroy and sabotage at will.

That's right.

Clever isn't it?

You guys never play
on a level field, huh.

Heh. Ah, come on Sergeant...

Don't give me that crap
about rules and fair play.

This is w*r not a ball game.

Maybe the gods of baseball
prefer a level field...

but the gods of w*r...?

They prefer the side that's
more daring and resourceful.

I always thought we'd be
on the same side in this.

Too bad President Roosevelt

doesn't think
like Mr. Lindbergh.

Yeah! Too bad
for you guys.

The day's soon coming when
you're gonna get yours.

Well...

you'll never see
that day, Sergeant.

What was that, Sarge?

It sure as hell wasn't
"Merry Christmas."

Can it, Blank!

Momma!

Hey...

Herbie.

Hey.

How you feeling, soldier?

I... I dreamt I
heard shouting, Sarge.

Everything's gonna be fine...

We gotta get going now,

but you're at a friend's house.

Her name's Elisabeth...
She's really nice.

She's gonna take care of
you til our guys get here.

Now, you just stay
here and you relax...

That's an order, all right?

Whatever you say, Sarge.

Hey Herb.

Jimmy.

No muss...

No fuss.

You got it.

I'll catch you back
in Brooklyn, all right?

All right, pal...

OK.

You sure you don't
want to come with us?

It's gonna be over
soon anyway...

How about you, Sergeant?

Go with them! Go!

Save your own lives.
It is nearly over!

Lieutenant...

all the pineapple
pudding you could eat.

Thank you, but it
is not possible.

It's one crazy world, huh?

Ja...

Here...

you might need this...

Heh. Thanks.

What about the kid?

Ja, Herr Leutnant.

Gut.

He will do what you tell him.

Well... good luck to you.

Good luck, Lieutenant.

Private Rassy...

Frau.

I guess this is it.
Thank you, Elisabeth!

You keep your head up...
and your eyes on the stars.

Ja.

Take care, buddy!

Elisabeth, thank you.
Take care of yourself.

Jimmy.

All right you...
Let's move out.

Come on, Peter...

Maybe you could teach
me some German, uh?

It was a Christmas miracle
I shall never forget.

How, because of one woman...

a group of men came
together as bitter enemies,

and parted again as friends.

Later that day, an
American patrol came by

and the w*r for us
was finally over.