Not Rated | 30min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, TV Series | Episode aired 24 March 1959
On a battlefield during the first World War, a group of French soldiers experience something which causes them to drop their weapons and walk away from the fight. During their subsequent court-martial, each gives his differing account of what he saw, which all seem impossible to believe.
Director: John Newland
Writers: Merwin Gerard, Lawrence B. Marcus
Stars: Bruce Gordon, Pernell Roberts, H.M. Wynant
On a battlefield during the first World War, a group of French soldiers experience something which causes them to drop their weapons and walk away from the fight. During their subsequent court-martial, each gives his differing account of what he saw, which all seem impossible to believe.
Director: John Newland
Writers: Merwin Gerard, Lawrence B. Marcus
Stars: Bruce Gordon, Pernell Roberts, H.M. Wynant
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:01What you're about to see is a matter of human record.
00:05Explain it? We cannot.
00:07Disprove it? We cannot.
00:10We simply invite you to explore with us
00:13the amazing world of the unknown.
00:16Do take that one step beyond.
00:19You're about to see has haunted the minds of men for 40 years.
00:35A miracle or a soldier's fable?
00:38You decide.
00:41At 2230 hours on the night of November the 14th, 1915,
00:48something happened in the war-darkened skies over Europe.
00:54It was seen by a British mortar unit here in Flanders.
01:00It was nearby a Russian sentry on the East Prussian front.
01:04It interrupted the maneuvers of an Italian infantry company here.
01:10It was observed by an Allied reconnaissance plane over the English Channel.
01:16Thousands of soldiers from all the nations of Europe ultimately were involved.
01:22But in the beginning, there were only four.
01:47Four French soldiers, an unimportant patrol on a trivial mission,
01:52set out on this gloomy November night in 1915 to attack a minor mortar position,
01:57kill a few enemy soldiers, and return to its lines.
02:01Indeed, a modest beginning for what is now just seconds away.
02:17Oh, think of all the pleasant things a man of my sensitivity could be doing tonight.
02:22Watching the ballet, playing the piano, enjoying vintage wines.
02:27A night like this is good for only two things, picking pockets or making love.
02:31On your feet.
02:37On your stomach, on your feet, on your stomach, on your feet.
02:41What an unpleasant war.
02:44Those flares, do they mean they've seen us?
02:48Probably.
02:50What will happen?
02:52We'll see.
02:54We'll see.
02:56We'll see.
02:58We'll see.
03:00We'll see.
03:03Probably.
03:05What will happen?
03:07If they kill enough of us, the next direction of schnapps.
03:11If we kill enough of them, perhaps they'll let us take a bath.
03:16Must be strange to kill for the first time.
03:19Strange?
03:20Actually, I enjoy it.
03:22Each time I kill, I think there's one less posh between me
03:25and those lovely bottles of wine gathering dust in my cellar.
03:29When's that blaster thing going to fall?
03:32Probably hanging from a parachute.
03:36Where do you see a parachute?
03:38How can it just hang there?
03:42It's so bright.
03:44Come on, burn up.
03:47Fall.
04:00Fall.
04:22Get down, you fool.
04:23Get down, you'll get your head blown off.
04:26Come back here.
04:28Pick up your guns! Come back here!
04:30What do you run it from? It is only a dirty bus!
04:32Drink it! It's just a flare!
04:42Oh, my God!
04:45My God!
04:51On your feet! On your feet! You! Up! Up! Up!
04:53At ease, as you... No need for formality.
04:56I am Captain Tremaine of the Adjutant General's Office.
05:00I've been appointed to defend you at your court-martial tomorrow.
05:03Tomorrow?
05:05What's the big hurry?
05:07It's the cooks they should court. They're poisoning the whole army.
05:09I don't know why they chose me.
05:11My practice was civil law.
05:13What do I know about a mess like this?
05:15It's reassuring to know that our defense is in such good hands.
05:18But there's not much of a defense, soldier.
05:20Obvious. What happened? The charges say it all.
05:23Cowardice in the face of the enemy.
05:25Cowardice? It wasn't that at all.
05:27Quiet. Show respect.
05:29But I wasn't afraid.
05:31I mean, I wasn't thrust, but it wasn't that...
05:35Do you know who the prosecutor is?
05:38Major Lamar of the High Command, that's all.
05:41I've just been a captain for the last two and a half weeks.
05:44I don't suppose the captain would be demoted if he should lose his case.
05:48Oh, don't worry about that. He'll lose, all right.
05:50It's bang, bang, bang for us.
05:52How can I win? It's all here in black and white.
05:55At a time when the Bosch are defeating us everywhere, Lamar will eat me up alive.
06:00Well, I'll do the best I can.
06:03But you'll have to be absolutely honest with me.
06:06No need to hold back anything.
06:11Sergeant Vahey.
06:14Look at this record. I just don't understand it.
06:18The Croix de Guerre.
06:20What happened?
06:22How could a brave man like you run from the enemy?
06:27Ask the others.
06:29I'm asking you.
06:36Look, they're going to make an example of you men.
06:39That's why they're doing it so fast. Don't you understand that?
06:43Sir, ask the others.
06:46I really don't want to ask any of you.
06:48I don't like to defend...
06:49Cowards.
06:52What did you want us to do?
06:54At first I was blinded by the light. I couldn't see anything.
06:58And then I wasn't in the shell hole anymore. I wasn't.
07:02I was home.
07:05Home?
07:06Yes.
07:07I was home.
07:09No, it wasn't my imagination. I was really there.
07:13It was morning.
07:16I was in the kitchen.
07:18Mama was pouring milk for breakfast.
07:20And Papa was putting on his working shoes and talking about the day's work.
07:24My little sister was there.
07:27And through the window I could see the sun.
07:29The way it hit the fields.
07:32And a flock of birds.
07:38I was home.
07:40And I was happy.
07:43And then I felt the rifle in my hand.
07:46I thought, what am I doing with my life?
07:49I thought, what am I doing with this?
07:52So I threw it away.
07:55I was home.
07:59In the middle of the battle, a light blinds him and then he's at home.
08:03Has a doctor examined this boy lately?
08:06Look, why don't you let us alone? Did we ask for you?
08:09No, and I didn't ask for you!
08:10All right, then, goodbye!
08:11There is no way to speak to an officer.
08:13Get him out of here!
08:14Pauline, shut up or I'll bash your head in!
08:15You want to know where I was?
08:17Well, listen to this, Captain Fancypants!
08:19Let me tell you where I was.
08:21I was on the deck of the Montez.
08:24A rusty little freighter, carrying pig iron from South America to Marseille.
08:29Flocked on the forward deck, just taking it easy.
08:34I never felt like that in my whole life.
08:37I was free.
08:39I could breathe.
08:42There was nobody in the world that I wanted to punch in the mouth.
08:45I wanted to stay like that for a hundred years.
08:48A part of everything.
08:50Everything.
08:54Tell me I wasn't on that boat.
08:56And I'll make you eat all those pencils!
09:05I'm sorry, sir, but what can you expect in today's army?
09:10When that flare burst, I really didn't see a thing.
09:15Well, that's better.
09:18Then why did you run?
09:21Somehow the air had changed.
09:24It had become soft and warm like summer's night.
09:28In November?
09:29Logic told me it was freezing cold.
09:32And yet I felt a warm breeze on my face.
09:36My feet were no longer cold.
09:39The air was suddenly filled with...
09:41with all sorts of remarkable scents.
09:46Tangerines.
09:48Night flowers.
09:50Dust.
09:52The way it settles after it's been watered down.
09:56And I think...
09:58even incense.
10:01The kind my aunt used to burn under her favorite saints in church.
10:07Feast of Odors.
10:10After the stink of war.
10:15I felt an exaltation.
10:18A love of life.
10:21And the gun in my hand suddenly...
10:24but it suddenly felt obscene.
10:34Obscene.
10:35Obscene.
10:42Sergeant.
10:44Sometimes on a patrol...
10:47it's no secret...
10:48the men take along a little brandy in their canteens to keep warm.
10:53Now we were all drunk!
10:55You're all talking like drunks!
10:57Nobody had a drop.
10:59What did you see, Sergeant?
11:02I'm going to look like the world's biggest fool.
11:06I was in the kitchen. Mama was pouring milk.
11:10I was on a freighter, carrying pig iron.
11:14Like incense my aunt used to burn under her favorite saint.
11:18They'll laugh me right out of the courtroom.
11:24All right. Let's begin again.
11:27From the testimony of your men, Sergeant.
11:31Let me see.
11:33Ah, yes.
11:36It wasn't what I saw or smelled...
11:39but what I heard.
11:41The light could have come from many things...
11:44but not the singing.
11:46I don't know what they were singing...
11:48but it sounded holy...
11:50and it was beautiful.
11:53I started walking to where I could hear the voices better.
11:58Now, all this would be hilarious as a musical sketch...
12:01but within the sound of enemy guns...
12:03I find the humor rather hollow.
12:06And I am more than a little surprised...
12:08that the defense counsel would insult the intelligence of this court...
12:11by introducing such trash as evidence.
12:13It's what the men told me.
12:15And what does the sergeant say?
12:17What did he say?
12:18Nothing.
12:19I heard the Bosch cannon and machine gun.
12:22I smelled...
12:24Well, there was a dead body in the shell hole.
12:27I saw a flare that lasted a long time.
12:30Have you seen no other flares that lasted a long time?
12:33Not like this one.
12:35Maybe it was a new Bosch invention.
12:37It stayed there for I don't know how long.
12:40It was cloudy...
12:42and the flare came back.
12:44I heard the sound of the machine gun.
12:47It was cloudy...
12:49and the flare cast shadows against the clouds.
12:52Well, at last we're beginning to hear some sense.
12:56You and your men were frightened by shadows and you ran.
12:58Is that correct?
13:00Yes, I suppose so, sir.
13:03We should thank the sergeant for putting an end to all this nonsense once and for all.
13:07Your excuse.
13:08Thank you, sir.
13:09One moment.
13:10The defense counsel has already questioned the witness.
13:13Just one more question, sir.
13:15Do you agree with Major Lamar that you and your men ran from the enemy?
13:19Well, sir, there was the shadow.
13:20You saw the shadow and you and your men ran.
13:22That's what you just said, correct?
13:24Yes, sir.
13:25Then I charge you with perjury.
13:26What else could it have been but the shadow?
13:28I am referring to this.
13:30On the direct examination, you said...
13:33Here we are.
13:34We walked back to our lines.
13:36That's right.
13:38What's right? Walked or ran?
13:41If I may say so, the distinction is a small one.
13:45Sir, these men are on trial for showing cowardice in the face of the enemy.
13:48A coward does not walk.
13:50Walking made them heroes?
13:52Would you have the courage to walk across a battlefield?
13:57I beg your pardon, sir.
13:58I know that I would not have such courage.
14:02I admit I am as confused as anyone by the testimony of these prisoners.
14:06When I first talked to them, I thought they were trying to make a fool of me.
14:09And what made the captain change his mind?
14:11Nothing but...
14:13But that there's an incredible sincerity about these men.
14:17It has been my experience that men on trial for their lives are always incredibly sincere.
14:24Nevertheless, I insist that the records show that they walked.
14:29That the aforementioned soldiers are guilty of having shown cowardice in the face of the enemy.
14:36And by a unanimous vote, this court condemned them to the penalty of death by shooting.
14:41As provided for by the code of military justice.
14:45This court is adjourned.
14:47Right face.
14:49Color right.
14:50Forward.
14:56Cheer up, captain.
14:57You did a good job.
14:59Better than they deserved.
15:02Are you sure that's all it was, sir?
15:05All what was?
15:07I mean what the sergeant said, that the shadow was caused by a flare.
15:11Of course.
15:12The rest is rubbish.
15:15He's sensible.
15:16What else could it have been?
15:28What else could it have been?
15:35Good morning.
15:36Is it?
15:37It's difficult for us to tell down here.
15:40I'm going to see the commanding general and try to get a stay of execution.
15:43You don't sound hopeful.
15:46I'll do my best.
15:48I think you will.
15:49And that's most curious.
15:51Why?
15:52I'm a lawyer, that's why.
15:54When you first came down here, you wanted to spit in our eye.
15:57But in the courtroom, and now.
15:59Don't tell me you actually believe our outrageous stories.
16:02I don't know what I believe.
16:04Anyhow, while I'm in town, I could mail your letters if you wish.
16:07When do they get rid of us?
16:08It's scheduled for 1400 hours.
16:12No letters, sergeant?
16:16After 18 years in the army?
16:20I've nobody to write to, sir.
16:25Sergeant.
16:27Is that all it was, just a shadow?
16:32If I told them I saw Noah's Ark passing by, would that have saved us?
16:38No, I suppose not.
16:41Oh, captain.
16:43You could do me a favor.
16:47When you go into town, you...
16:50You could get me a bottle of good cognac.
16:54Something really first-rate, I mean.
16:57I would like to have...
17:00One last taste of first-rate cognac.
17:08Of course.
17:12It wasn't the shadow.
17:16And I don't imagine things.
17:18I'm as hard-headed as an ox. What I saw, I saw.
17:24When I looked up, the...
17:28The flare was still burning bright.
17:32And there, as big as the sky itself...
17:35Was the face of the first man I ever killed.
17:40He was an Algerian.
17:43Maybe even younger than me.
17:47And if I didn't cut his throat...
17:50He was going to cut mine.
17:54Then he was dead.
17:57His eyes were staring up at me.
18:03That's what I saw.
18:05That Algerian kid.
18:07And you know how he looked.
18:10And if he was saying...
18:13It's all right, my friend. It wasn't your fault.
18:20That didn't make me feel any better about it.
18:23For there I was again with a gun in my hand and a belt of grenades around my neck.
18:30And if it wasn't my fault, that Algerian kid...
18:32If it wasn't my fault, that Algerian kid was dead...
18:38Well, then whose fault was it?
18:44You think I would say something like that in court and let them laugh at me, too?
18:52If you were to get that cognac...
18:54Well, I can still drink it, you'd better hurry, sir.
19:02GUNSHOT
19:32GUNSHOT
19:49Could the captain spare a cigarette?
19:54Take them all.
19:56Thank you, sir. Oh, thank you. My grandfather will be so happy.
20:00You see, dear, all that's left of a family of seven.
20:04I'd like to return the captain's kindness.
20:07That's all right.
20:09Would the captain like a sack of white flour?
20:11At a reasonable price.
20:13No, thanks.
20:15Or fresh butter or eggs?
20:17And my happy fine Polish ham?
20:19Does the captain need any potatoes?
20:21A gold watch, in perfect condition.
20:23Solid gold. Buy it.
20:25I've asked for two.
20:27It can't be that late.
20:30Ten after one.
20:32My grandfather thanks you for the cigarettes.
20:36Can you get me some cognac?
20:38But of course.
20:40It's got to be first class.
20:42First class cognac is expensive.
20:44It doesn't matter. I'm not bringing them anything else.
20:47Pardon?
20:49I've got to have it right away. I have to be back at the prison before two o'clock.
20:52Our house is at the edge of town.
20:54Get in.
20:56I'll direct you.
21:00I'll get it.
21:09These bars are just a few kilometers behind those woods.
21:12Pretty soon you'll be able to sell them potatoes and ham and butter.
21:15I am learning a few German verbs.
21:17It's a difficult language.
21:19I'm sure.
21:21The cognac is in the cellar. I'll get it.
21:30You do not need a gun.
21:32I threw mine in the river.
21:35I've been walking through the trees for I don't know how long.
21:39I'm tired.
21:42Very tired.
21:44I'm tired.
21:46I'm tired.
21:48I'm tired.
21:50I'm tired.
21:52I'm tired.
21:54I'm tired.
21:56I'm tired.
21:58I'm tired.
22:00I'm tired.
22:11Well, me the war's finished.
22:15Let someone else call ready.
22:23And let someone else call fire.
22:25God says they're field marshals, an example.
22:29Let someone else do it.
22:31What are you talking about?
22:33What if they were telling the truth?
22:37What?
22:38Cows.
22:41They didn't look like cows.
22:45What are you talking about?
22:49What if each one...
22:52really did see something?
22:54See something?
22:56What?
23:01You wouldn't believe me.
23:02See something?
23:04What?
23:05Where? What? What?
23:08There will be no execution until further notice.
23:11I'll give you my reasons later.
23:13Yes, I sent you an official order.
23:16When were you meant to be executed?
23:18Sometime late today.
23:21Operator.
23:23Operator.
23:25I want to talk to someone in the International Red Cross.
23:29Someone with authority to contact the German commander of this sector.
23:33Hurry. This is an emergency.
23:38Of everything that happened, perhaps the final miracle...
23:42was the chance meeting of two enemy soldiers because a sergeant wanted a taste of cognac.
23:47Within 24 hours, similar reports were coming in from all over Europe.
23:51Actually, no one was ever sure of what happened in the sky that dark November night.
23:57Ours is one version of the story. There are many others.
24:01But the one fact to remember is that more than a thousand men...
24:05did see or sense something.
24:08In any event, it is a matter of public record...
24:12that for a while, men could not see.
24:17Kill each other.
24:19And in the end, if all else is false...
24:24that is miracle enough.
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