Blue Max

Willi von Klugermann:
Well, aren't you coming? It's an order.

Bruno Stachel:
Why?

Willi von Klugermann:
Because our commanding officer has made it one. He believes in chivalry, Stachel.

Bruno Stachel:
Chivalry?! To kill a man, then make a ritual out of saluting him -- that's hypocrisy. They kill me, I don't want anyone to salute.

Willi von Klugermann:
They probably won't.

Willi von Klugermann:
By the way, Stachel... there's an impression around that... you care more about your unconfirmed kill than you do about Fabian's death.

Bruno Stachel:
Perhaps it's force of habit. In the trenches, we couldn't even bury the dead; there were too many of them. I've never had the time... to discuss them over a glass of champagne.

General Count von Klugermann:
I'm afraid it's rather a small medal, Willi, but it's the highest Germany can give.

General Count von Klugermann:
Stachel. I want him brought to Berlin immediately.

General Count von Klugermann:
There is some difficulty?

General Count von Klugermann:
He's wounded, isn't he?

General Count von Klugermann:
Hmm. A mentionable wound?

General Count von Klugermann:
Good. The people like soldiers who were shot in the right places. Order Stachel to Berlin for special hospital treatment. I want you to ensure that all our newspapers give full prominence to this gallant episode -- photographs, everything.

General Count von Klugermann:
Take a look outside. See that? Revolution is just beneath the surface! If that happens, everything we stand for will be DESTROYED -- unless the German officer corps stands like a rock, intact! And what is more important, untarnished. I made this Stachel into a national hero for good military reasons. If I court-martial him now, it will reflect on the integrity of the whole officer corps.

Otto Heidemann:
Herr General, I see now, I have notions of honor which are outdated.

General Count von Klugermann:
Ahh, they're not outdated!

General Count von Klugermann:
Stored. With care, and love, for better times.

Ziegel:
I can't keep these barges flying forever -- I'm a mechanic, not a magician.

Otto Heidemann:
No, Ziegel, you ARE a magician, whether you like it or not.

Bruno Stachel:
Do you think I came all this way to run off to Switzerland with you?

Countess Kaeti von Klugermann:
You gambled your life for me once with Willy.

Bruno Stachel:
That was about flying, Kaeti, not about you!

Bruno Stachel:
You've got 18, haven't you?

Willi von Klugermann:
Squadron Rule #1, Stachel: Gentlemen never parade their military achievements.

Bruno Stachel:
Any rule against... saying how long it took you?

Willi von Klugermann:
I would say that was covered by the same rule, wouldn't you?

Bruno Stachel:
No. I wouldn't. How many rules are there?

Willi von Klugermann:
I don't know: none of them have been written down.

Otto Heidemann:
Yes, I understand -- but I don't agree with killing helpless men!

General Count von Klugermann:
Otto, this is 1918 -- things have changed. Unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians, poison gas. Ask your wife -- she's a nurse. Ask Elfi about the mustard gas casualties.

Otto Heidemann:
So you approve of this kind of ruthlessness!

General Count von Klugermann:
We fight to win, Otto.