Hilts quotes from The Great Escape (1963)

What are you doing over here by the wire?

Hilts

Well, like I told Max here, I was trying to get my...

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." Unfortunately, you were shot down anyway. So we are both grounded for the duration of the war.

Hilts

You speak for yourself, Colonel.

Von Luger

You have other plans?

Hilts

I haven't seen Berlin yet. From the ground, or from the air. And I plan on doing both before the war's over.

Von Luger

Are all American officers so ill-mannered?

Hilts

Yeah, about 99 percent.

Von Luger

Then perhaps while you are with us you will have a chance to learn some. Ten days isolation, Hilts.

Hilts

Captain Hilts.

Von Luger

Twenty days.

Hilts

Right. Oh, uh, you'll still be here when I get out?

Von Luger

Cooler!

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.

Hilts

How many you taking out?

Two hundred and fifty.

Hilts

Two hundred and fifty?

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?

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?

Yes.

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.

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!

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.

I hope it works. If it doesn't, those two will be in the cooler for an awfully long time.