Colonel Winter quotes from The Last Castle (2001)

Colonel Winter

Eugene R. Irwin, Lieutenant General, United States Army, in direct contravention of an order to evacuate Burundi by his commander-in-chief"- That is the president, for those of you who do not know -"selected a platoon of men to extract Jackson Ngwe, a local warlord. Disregarding reliable intelligence, General Irwin's reconnaissance team entered the ville at 0300. Eight men were captured and executed." Disregarding reliable intelligence... eight men were executed. What I want you men to understand is what the consequences can be when you choose to follow a man who is motivated solely by his pride. A man who will do anything for one more victory notch on his belt, no matter what the cost, before he fades away.

I know what you're thinking. Do I salute you, or do you salute me? Well, the answer is neither. My men salute me, of course, and each other according to rank, but there is no saluting within the facility by the general prison population. Well, first things first; are you hungry?

No.

Are you sure? Mondays are our Salisbury-steak night.

Always a cause for celebration.

Indeed, indeed. [Motions to Irwin] If you'll step over here, I'll give you a general layout of the prison. The building we are in now is the administration building. That building there houses the tiers; that's where you and the other inmates will live. The building next to it is the laundry, where I've had you assigned. [Notices Irwin looking at a dilapidated stone wall in the prison yard] Oh, that is the old prison block wall. That's all that's left from the original prison from the 1870s. I could've removed it, but I thought it was important to keep a sense of history, so I asked the inmates to rebuild it. They seem to enjoy it; it's a matter of some pride now.

Sir.

Yes, please, on the table there. I personally meet with every new inmate here at the prison, usually downstairs, and I ask them a question: What do you expect from your time here at The Castle?

Nothing. Just to do my time and go home.

Perfect. That is the perfect answer.

Prisoner Aguilar, resume your punishment.

The punishment is over.

Aguilar, I'm warning you.

MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!

You're better than this.

Okay, okay! That's enough!

All inmates will remain on the ground in the prone position.

Prisoner Irwin. I understand that coming here must be a big adjustment for you. To go from commanding thousands of troops in battle, to having no war to fight and no one to follow you must not be easy. However, I do ask that you learn how things are done around here. I try to set an example for the other men. Saluting is prohibited. Aguilar was saluting; he needed discipline. Surely you understand that.

Sir. May the prisoner speak, sir?

Yes?

According to the regulation manual, a punishment begun on the evening shift, may not exceed the following morning's horn.

Prisoner Irwin, you are exactly correct. Thank you, for bringing that to my attention. Captain Peretz?

Prisoner Irwin, under no circumstances is an inmate to make physical contact with an officer. You have violated the regulation for the prisoner's code of conduct. And this violation requires discipline.

Privates are "Pal", Corporal's "Buddy", Sergeant's "Sport", officers are "Chief"- playing soldiers, sir.

Hearts and minds. He is offering them self-respect, in exchange for loyalty. The general is building himself an army.

He can have the hearts and minds, sir. Long as we got 'em by the balls.

Well put, Corporal.

Thank you, sir.

Bring him to my office.

Who?

The Prince of Venezuela! Who do you think?

General Irwin?

Mister Irwin!

These men are not here for unpaid parking fines and traffic-

I'm under no illusion as to why the men are here, Colonel. I just think that they might be reminded of some of the good things they've done, rather than only the worst.

Yes, that is something my predecessor used to say. And in his last two years here there were seven escape attempts, 12 injury assaults on officers and NCOs - including one killed. Since I've assumed command there have been zero escape attempts, zero injury assaults , zero fatalities. Some may question my methods- but they do work. No soldier has ever died needlessly under my command, Mr. Irwin. You see, I too share the burden of command. You may not think that I have ever set foot on a battlefield, but that is because you have never sat behind this desk. This desk! My men and I are vastly outnumbered. We spend every day behind enemy lines because, make no mistake about it Mr. Irwin, they are the enemy! [Pauses, gets up and faces Irwin.] But I don't need to justify myself to you, do I?

I don't know. Do you?

This wall, that has become the focus of so much tension and turmoil... Well, in about two minutes, there will be no more wall.

No. Not okay! It's too late, Colonel.

Winter

Too late for what?

For your offer. The men don't want to salute. They don't want to use rank. They don't want better food and they don't want more TV. They just want your resignation. So do I.

Winter

My resignation?

You're a disgrace, Colonel! A disgrace to the uniform! You should not be allowed to retain your command.

Winter

Well, I guess I better go pack!

I think you should.

Winter

Tell me, Mr. Irwin. What's to stop me from simply placing you in the Hole, for say six months?

Nothing. If that's the way you want to win.

So you thought he was gonna try to take me hostage?

Yes, sir, it was a precautionary move.

What the hell kind of grab-ass unit are you running here, Colonel?

Sir, at 11:58 this morning I received a letter stating that a group of inmates were planning on taking you hostage at 12:10. I thought it prudent to act immediately to ensure your safety-

Let me tell you something. I've been hearing some pretty disturbing things about what goes on in here. And now I'm hearing it from a man who I trust. And whose opinion I respect.

May I speak freely, sir?

Yes, you may.

With all due respect, General, I don't know what you may have been 'hearing'... but until you've spent some time in the yard with those animals, you have no idea what happens in there.

Point taken, Colonel. Nevertheless, if I hear one more story about a man dying under your command you are through here. Now, do you understand me?

Yes, sir.

All right. As far as Gene Irwin is concerned: it is my judgement he is as sane as you or I. I wish he wasn't; he is. Frankly I'd like nothing more than an excuse to get him out of here. But I see the only way that's gonna happen, is if you request it.

That is true, sir.

So- you just tell me you can't handle him. And he's gone.

Oh, I think I can handle him, sir.

You watch yourself, Colonel.

All prisoners will get on the ground, now! [the prisoners remain standing; Winter turns to Irwin] I will give that command one, final time. Then I will fire into them. Surely you don't want that on your conscience, Prisoner Irwin? All prisoners, get down on the ground, now!

Wait.

We don't have to do this. We'll fight on.

No. It ends here. [raises his voice] Men, get down. [the prisoners obey, lying prone, but Yates doesn't move] You, too, Yates. That's an order. [Yates complies; Colonel Winter approaches Irwin]

Now... Give me my flag.

It's not your flag.