Film Culture (Winter 1963-64)

Ist Officer: And who are all these men? Dale: They’re Italian partisans. Meanwhile, the boats have all reached the vicinity of the wreckage and the two British officers quickly climb up into one of the canoes. Ist Officer: What a spot! Are there any Germans in the area? Dale: The Germans are everywhere! 2nd Officer: Is there any chance of getting out of here? Dale: Nope, not a chance! The boats glide swiftly over the water heading back to the house. Dan, Alan, and all the remaining partisans are waiting for them on the shore. The boats touch bottom and the partisans come over to help their companions climb up the embankment. Partisan: Everybody safe? Cigolani: They’re all safe, but they’re not Americans; they’re British! Partisan: Better than nothing! The two British officers head towards the back of the house with Alan, Dale, and Dan. Alan: You look pretty soakin’ wet. Dan: What you need is a drink! In the meantime, Cigolani takes off in his canoe. One of the partisans calls out after him. Partisan: Were you able to salvage anything? Cigolani: (as he continues rowing out) No; not a thing — it all sank to the bottom. In the back of the house, Dale stops and turns around to Dan. Dale: We can’t stay here! Give them some dry blankets or something! We’ve got to get out of here fast! Some oil cloth is brought over to the British officers who wrap themselves 1. it. One of them is about to complain but he is interrupted. Dale: Come on. Hurry up! (Then shouting through one of the windows to the radio men inside) Did you send the message? San Marco: Message sent! San Marco takes off his earphones and quickly packs up his radio set. Dale: Everybody down to the boats. All the partisans start running down to the shore with the two British officers following after. Ist Officer: Doesn’t one ever get a chance to rest in this place? Dale: You’ve got to move fast. Of course, if you don’t like it around here, we could always send you over to Popsky’s Army! The two men from San Marco come running out of the house and head towards the boats which are already on the water and which have already circled around the small canal running along the corner of the house. They too get into their canoes and the entire fleet takes off. The boats re-enter through another small canal on the left and line up in single line formation. They have come to a sort of crossroads. From another canal there appears a canoe with two men in it. Voice: Who goes there? In the boat is another British army officer. He stands up and looks out over the canal. Officer: Who are you? Dale: Y’'m Dale, O.S.S. And you? Officer: ’'m Davis, from Popsky’s Army! Dale: How are you on ammunition? Officer: I’ve only got about two rounds left. The Germans have started mopping-up operations, and they’re equipped with motor boats! Dale: Then I think it weuld be best for you to come along with us to che main beach. It offers a little better chance for us to defend ourselves. Officer: Okay. I'll follow you! Cigolani: Quick, boys, let’s get going! To the Scanni a Mare beach. Exterior. On the sea. (Day) Aboard a large German ship. On deck a number of soldiers are squatted down alongside a battery of machine guns, ready to go into action. With them is an officer who gives the signal to open fire. The machine guns swing into action and a stream of bullets begin hitting up against the beach exactly at that point where the partisans are landing. Exterior. On the beach. (Day) The partisans and the Americans disembark on the run, turning around every now and then to answer the machine gun fire coming from the ship. The bullets land closer and closer. The German artillery fire is now only a few yards away from the partisans. It keeps driving them further and further inland. Dale fires a shot from his rifle. The partisans fight back desperately, using up their last few rounds of ammunition. The Germans disembark. The scene turns into a hullabaloo of machine gun fire, rifle shots, and exploding hand grenades. From an elevated section of the terrain, a German soldier opens up with a barrage of FILM CULTURE 65