Quotes

Dialogue

German Commander: Colonel, my orders are to advance to Sidi Massura and hold it. That is what we'll do. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: The British are moving in from the east, Patton's closing in from the coast, Montgomery from the south. You know we should have left two days ago. German Commander: No, Colonel, we keep fighting, until the final victory. Stauffenberg: North Africa's lost, and a year from now, you're going to need these men to defend Berlin. We can serve Germany or the Fuehrer; not both. German Commander: It's just that sort of talk that got you sent here, Colonel. Stauffenberg: What I said was much worse.

Dialogue

Gen Friedrich Olbricht: [discussing a replacement] There's no one we can trust. Not in Berlin. Maj Gen Henning von Tresckow: Then stop looking in Berlin. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: [about the leadership of the German Resistance] Those men are confusing respect with popularity. The Army swore an oath, an oath that won't just die with Hitler. What are you going to do? How are you going to deal with Goebbels, Himmler, the SS? They will wipe you out! Maj Gen Henning von Tresckow: It doesn't matter! It only matters that we act now, before we lose the war. Otherwise, this will always be Hitler's Germany, and we have to show the world that not all of us were like him. Stauffenberg: That is not enough for me. There has to be a chance of success. Tresckow: Then find a way. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: [looking at a portrait of Hitler] Do you know how this war will end, Lieutenant? The portrait will be unhung, and the man will be hung. I am involved in high treason with all means available to

Dialogue

Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel: I have better things to do with my time than to come down here and clean up your mess! If you were enough of a man to run this department, I wouldn't have to do it myself! You're an old woman, Fromm! I'd send you to the front if I didn't think you'd surrender, just to be Montgomery's whore! [storms out as Fromm's secretary brings Stauffenberg and Olbricht in.] General Friedrich Fromm: What is it you want? General Friedrich Olbricht: I wanted to introduce our new man, Colonel Stauffenberg. Fromm: Ah! From Africa. Well, I'd offer you my hand, but I might not get it back. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: I'd say the General's lost more important things this morning. Fromm: [breaks out in laughter] It's about time they put somebody with balls into this office, [laughs] Please sit down, Colonel. And you, Olbricht, if you must. [Stauffenberg and Olbricht sit at Fromm's desk] They tell me you're critical of the war, Colonel, not that you don't seem to have good reaso

Dialogue

General Friedrich Fromm: How dare you put the Reserve Army on standby without my knowledge! It damn near cost me my commission! And what in God's name made you think you even had the authority?! General Friedrich Olbricht: It was only a drill. An exer- Fromm: Oh, don't lie, Olbricht! Not to me. We both know it wasn't a drill. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: General, if I may... Fromm: No you may not, Colonel. You may not do anything. Because not only have you proven to me you can't deliver, you've painted a target on my back. If I so much as sense you trying to move the Reserve Army again, I will personally have you both arrested. Do I make myself abundantly clear? Olbricht: Yes, sir. Stauffenberg: Yes, sir. Fromm: [Holds up hand] Heil Hitler! Olbricht: Heil Hitler. [Stauffenberg and Olbricht start to leave.] Fromm: [dangerously] I'll hear you say it, Colonel! Stauffenberg: [Holds up his arm without his hand] Heil Hitler!

Dialogue

Major Otto Remer: Minister Goebbels? Joseph Goebbels: What can I do for you, Major? Remer: My battalion has orders to blockade the government quarter and place you under arrest. Goebbels: Are you a dedicated National Socialist, Major? Remer: Yes, sir. Remer: Major Remer here. Hello? Man: Do you recognize my voice? Remer: [stands erect, knowing who it is] Yes, mein Führer. Adolf Hitler: Then listen very carefully. I want these traitors taken alive. Remer: [softly] Yes, mein Führer. [gives back the phone to Goebbels, who finishes the call] Goebbels: You heard what he said, the Führer wants these traitors taken alive. Remer: Yes, sir. [leaves. Goebbels removes his suicide pill as Remer exits the room.] Second Lieutenant Hagen: [confused] But sir, these men are part of a coup. Remer: I've just been on the phone with Hitler himself. We are the coup, you idiot! We've been duped!

Dialogue

General Friedrich Fromm: If you have any last messages to your wives and children, I will hear them now. [Silence] Very well. A court martial convened by me in the Führer's absence will pronounce sentence. Beck, you're under arrest. Colonel Mertz von Quirnheim, General Olbricht, Lieutenant Haeften, and the Colonel whose name I will not mention, are condemned to death. Major Otto Remer: General, my orders are to take these men alive. Fromm: Noted, Major. Ludwig Beck: I'd like a pistol please. [General Fromm and Haaefte looks at him suspiciously] For personal reasons. Fromm: [Takes pistol to a nearby table] Get on with it. Remer: With all respect sir- Fromm: That will be all, Major! General Friedrich Olbricht: Killing us won't hide your involvement. Fromm: My involvement? I don't know what you're talking about. Lieutenant Werner von Haeften: You knew and did nothing. You're as guilty as any of us. Fromm: [Scoffing] Spare me, Lieutenant. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg: No one will be spared.