The Grand Illusion (1937)
Erich von Stroheim: Le captaine von Rauffenstein
Photos
Quotes
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Capt. de Boeldieu : May I ask you a question?
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Of course.
Capt. de Boeldieu : Why did you make an exception of me by inviting me here?
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Because your name is Boeldieu, career officer in the French Army. And I am Rauffenstein, career officer in the Imperial German Army.
Capt. de Boeldieu : But my comrades are officers as well.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : A 'Maréchal' and 'Rosenthal,' officers?
Capt. de Boeldieu : They're fine soldiers.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Charming legacy of the French Revolution.
Capt. de Boeldieu : Neither you nor I can stop the march of time.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Boldieu, I don't know who will win this war, but whatever the outcome, it will mean the end of the Rauffensteins and the Boeldieus.
Capt. de Boeldieu : We're no longer needed.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Isn't that a pity?
Capt. de Boeldieu : Perhaps.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : May the earth lie lightly upon our valiant enemy.
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Un officier de la forteresse : More coffee sir?
Capt. von Rauffenstein : If you call this muck coffee I have to accept it. At least it warms my insides.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : And how's your cousin, Edmond de Boeldieu, who was my Military Attaché in Berlin?
Capt. de Boeldieu : He is well and happy. He lost an arm and married a very rich wife.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : A fine career!
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : Forgive me.
Capt. de Boeldieu : I would have done the same. French or German, duty is duty.
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Capt. de Boeldieu : You have to carry on.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Carry on a futile existence.
Capt. de Boeldieu : To be killed in a war is a tragedy for a commoner. For you and me, it's a good way out.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : Drive fast to the sugar refinery. I shot down a French plane. If the crew are officers, invite them here for lunch.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : My men are not young, but they enjoy playing soldiers.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : Maxim's. That reminds me, I used to know a girl there in 1913. Her name was - Fifi.
Capt. de Boeldieu : So did I.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : Give me your word that there is nothing in here against regulations.
Capt. de Boeldieu : You have my word. But why mine rather than the others?
Capt. von Rauffenstein : The word of a Rosenthal? Or a Maréchal?
Capt. de Boeldieu : Their word is as good as ours.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Perhaps.
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Capt. von Rauffenstein : Boeldieu! Listen to me! I'm begging you, come down! Boeldieu!
[in English]
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Have you really gone insane?
Capt. de Boeldieu : I'm perfectly sane!
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Boeldieu! You understand if you do not obey my order now, I'll have to shoot. I dread to do that. I beg you, man to man. Come back.
Capt. de Boeldieu : It's damn nice of you, Rauffenstein. But it's impossible.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Halt! Halt! Halt!
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German Soldier : Lieutenants Maréchal and Rosenthal have escaped.
Capt. von Rauffenstein : Maréchal and Rosenthal. Say that's why. - Switch on the searchlights! Send out patrols with dogs! Alert all military and civil authorities. Report to me every quarter of an hour.