One of a series of films made by the U.S. Army to educate recruits about the Code of Conduct, this film discusses the duty of soldiers to keep faith with fellow prisoners, follow orders from superiors, and share no information with the enemy, or take part in any action which might harm fellow prisoners. The film also reminds prisoners of the succession of leadership: “if I am senior, I will take command”. Produced in 1959 during the Cold War, the film seems to show an Eastern European prison camp complete with a Colonel Klink like commandant.
Main titles :(06-1:01). American prisoners are shown in a prison camp. A clock ticks loudly . A sergeant calls over his men and explains that two Americans have escaped and need 48 hours to make it to the border. Enemy soldiers knock and then open the door. Enemy commander dresses them down and prepares them to be interrogated. Interrogation room. The commandant angrily address a soldier. (1:02-3:22). The clock ticks as an interrogator tries to get another soldier to break. He feigns sleepiness and is yelled at. Another soldier is interrogated and offered privileges. He doesn’t say a word (3:23-5:00). American prisoners talk about what’s going on over candlelight in their quarters at night. The interrogator tries to reason with the Sergeant. The clock ticks and ticks. The Sergeant is offered a deal and told to be reasonable (5:01-7:04). The Sergeant stands and is inside of a small circle, if he moves one of his feet outside of the circle, the guard will put a bayonet through it. He either speaks or stands until he is bayoneted. The clock keeps ticking, time marches on. The Sergeant doesn’t say a word. He knows the ones who escaped still need more time to make it to the border so he must keep the enemy occupied with him. The Sergeant is shown back in the quarters with the other men, he is injured, he fell out of the circle and had the bayonet thrust in his foot. The Sergeant tells his men to keep the faith, this will work out, the men will make it to the border. The clock keeps moving. “If we stick together we’ll come through with our bodies and our consciences in one piece.”
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
