The Great Escape

Preissen: The prisoner Bartlett is discharged into your custody, Colonel von Luger. Herr Kuhn: I suggest the prisoner Bartlett to be kept under the strictest security confinement permanently. Oberst Von Luger: Make a note of Herr Kuhn's suggestion. Hauptmann Posen: Jawohl, Herr Oberst. Herr Kuhn: We have reason to believe this prisoner is the mastermind behind numerous criminal escape attempts. Oberst Von Luger: [sarcastic] Squadron Leader Bartlett has been three months in your care. And the Gestapo has only "reason to believe"? SS-Hauptsturmführer: If he once more falls into our hands, he will not be so lucky. Oberst Von Luger: [sharply] Air force officer prisoners are the responsibility of the Luftwaffe – not the SS! Or, the Gestapo. Preissen: [condescending] At present, yes, Herr Oberst. That is why they're turned, for the moment, over to your care. Herr Kuhn: Of course, if the Luftwaffe is not up to the task, the prisoners will find themselves totally in our charge. We, regretfully

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Hauptfeldwebel Strachwitz: What are you doing over here by the wire? Hilts: Well, like I told Max here, I was trying to get my... German Soldier: Achtung! Von Luger: What were you doing by the wire? Hilts: Well, like I told Max... I was trying to cut my way through your wire because I want to get out. Von Luger: Suche ihn. Hilts: Bitte. Von Luger: You speak German? Hilts: Jawohl, Herr Oberst. Von Luger: Wire cutters? Hilts: Jawohl, Herr Oberst. Von Luger: I have had the pleasure of knowing quite a few British officers in this war. And I flatter myself that we understand one another. [In the gathered crowd of prisoners nearby, Flying Officer Ives blows a raspberry, visibly irritating Strachwitz and Von Luger.] You are the first American officer I have met. Hilts, isn't it? Hilts: Captain Hilts, actually. Von Luger: Seventeen escape attempts. Hilts: Eighteen, sir. Von Luger: A tunnel man, engineer. Hilts: Flier. Von Luger: I suppose what's called in the American Army, "A hotshot pilot."

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Bartlett: It's possible for one man to get out through the wire, even get away, but there are in fact a considerable number of people besides yourself in this camp who are trying to escape. Hilts: I appreciate that. [pause] Something's coming. I can feel it, and it's coming right around the corner at me, Squadron Leader.

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Hilts: How many you taking out? Bartlett: Two hundred and fifty. Hilts: Two hundred and fifty? Bartlett: Yeah. Hilts: You're crazy. You oughta be locked up. You, too. Two hundred and fifty guys just walkin' down the road, just like that?

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Hilts: Wait a minute. You aren't seriously suggesting that if I get through the wire... and case everything out there... and don't get picked up... to turn myself in and get thrown back in the cooler for a couple of months so you can get the information you need? Bartlett: Yes.

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Bartlett: Hilts, how do you breathe? Hilts: Oh, we got a steel rod with hinges on it. We'll shove it up and make air holes as we go along. [to Ramsey] G'night, sir. MacDonald: Why didn't anyone think of that before? It's so stupid, it's positively brilliant! Oh, but it'll bring every goon in the camp down on top of us! Bartlett: I don't know. Perhaps we're being too clever. If we stop all the breakouts, it will only convince the goons we must be tunneling. Ramsey: I hope it works. If it doesn't, those two will be in the cooler for an awfully long time.

The Great Escape (film), CC BY-SA 4.0