Voila! Finally, the Behind Enemy Lines
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the movie starring Owen
Wilson. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Behind Enemy Lines. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
The characters and events depicted
in this motion picture are real.
They are based on the stories of
veterans and military history.
Second Lieutenant Järv, is the
strike group ready? -Yes, we are.
I'll wait for your return
with emergency troops.
The Soviets' base ''the Bird''
must be beaten.
It's a formidable base but I have
faith in you and Lieutenant Järv.
I want a prisoner, alive.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Those boys have a tough night
ahead of them.
We'll dig forward.
I don't know where
the guards are.
No movement above the snow!
BEYOND THE FRONT LINE
Welcome.
Harry Järv's home, Stockholm
December th,
So you're Jeanette?
-Jeanette Eriksson.
Orvar Nilsson.
We're off to the Finnish embassy.
It's their Independence Day.
Orvar helped us in the Winter
and Continuation Wars.
That was a long time ago.
-Come in.
This is a Soviet war map.
Is it a spoil of war, Harry?
In summer of we took back
the Karelian peninsula.
As you can see, the Syväri river
flows from Lake Onega -
towards Lake Ladoga.
During the war there were two
Swedish speaking regiments.
I arrived at the base ''the Dam'' -
in early June .
The front was quiet.
We had to get information
about the enemy's intentions -
with reconnaissance missions.
This clay is hard like cement!
Help is coming.
Forss, you got a package.
Take cover!
''The Dam'', Syväri river, June
Fire in the hole!
There's Major Hedengren.
You've made a lot of progress.
-TNT helps the digging.
Where the hell did you get it?
We shouldn't waste our supplies!
We took it from
the Soviets' mine fields.
Very well then.
That Swede listens to reason.
You're married to your camera.
Do you sleep with it?
-I don't use it in my sleep.
Next week I'll take it with me
to ''the Boil.''
Can I come along? -Sure.
We'll give that base hell.
The commanders don't like
it so close to our lines.
''The Boil'' is almost next
to the ''Teeri'' base.
Why were we chosen?
-I've been there before.
What's that? -An old boot leg.
I'll carry the camera with it.
At ''Boil'' we have our hands full.
''The Boil'', July th,
We'll split into small groups and
attack all the posts simultaneously.
Our artillery will provide cover
fire for one minute. Follow me.
We'll need a lot of
grenades and charges.
Forss, Händig, Bergroth.
Take a photo of me leaving.
Now!
Is everybody here?
No wounded?
Something's wrong.
Where are those damn Russkies?
It's too quiet!
Russkies!
We'll bring the wounded.
-Good.
We destroyed nine of
the ten posts. -Good.
The last one remained.
The Russkies struck back.
They have about thirty casualties.
Two of us were slightly wounded.
Well done!
You'll get an extra leave.
Give me a list tomorrow.
You call this a pot?
You won't win the war with toys.
It would've been worse
if Forss hadn't seen the Russkies.
I had no idea what happened
further back.
Our artillery didn't know
the Russkies were so close.
You started the attack
before the last grenades fell.
The last grenades
came too late.
I don't know what went wrong.
Watches were synchronised.
We were very lucky.
But do we need artillery support?
-What do you mean?
We could sneak into their positions
instead of attacking.
Then the battle
would be fought on our terms.
Sounds unusual and nerve-racking
but it's worth a try.
The risk of exposure diminishes
if the group is smaller.
Not a bad idea, Allan.
Hedengren talked about furlough.
That'd be nice.
That Swede is OK. It's bold to come
here voluntarily from safe Sweden.
There should be more than
Händig and Hedengren.
Our neighbour, IR
has an entire company, men.
Volunteers, yes.
But the official view of Sweden...
There've been signs.
A friend of mine from Helsinki
is in the th Division.
He told me what he saw last year -
at Säämäjärvi.
That officer has a Soviet uniform.
Is he a POW?
What? He's a Lieutenant Colonel
in the Swedish army.
Oh, really? It's about time
Sweden joined us.
Your Royal Highness.
This road -
goes to Lake Onega and Petroskoi.
The main road here goes to Aunus and
Lake Ladoga. A kilometres away.
''Your Royal Highness'', he said.
A real Royal!
I recognised him from a magazine.
It's prince Gustaf Adolf.
You have a fancy passenger.
A prince.
He dares to come this close
to the line. What's he doing here?
You can ask someone else.
But he's well-informed.
I heard him talking to Colonel.
He had a hard time
answering all the questions.
And that prince is no sissy.
He wanted to volunteer
for the Winter War -
but his grandfather,
the king, wouldn't let him.
That's understandable. But he
did let the prince come here.
You remember that?
In March.
It was reported in the newspapers.
Headquarters, Mikkeli. March
of the brave Finns
and you, Field Marshal.
To show our appreciation
my grandfather -
His Majesty King Gustaf,
stows upon you a knighthood -
and a First Class grand cross.
The Finnish people
have never wanted war.
But neither did we hesitate to
take arms to defend our country.
The Swedish royal family knows
that we weren't born yesterday.
Mannerheim said that
this is Finland's war.
I wanted to go to Leningrad
but he refused to attack, twice!
Hitler was furious.
We happen to have the same enemy.
The Winter War was worse. We
fought the Russkies and Germans.
When Mannerheim turned
Hitler paid him a visit.
Think about it. Mannerheim,
who is a lot taller than Hitler -
marching fast.
Quiet. The news.
Headquarters announced that
one of our attack patrols -invaded the enemy positions and
destroyed almost ten enemy posts.Thirty enemy soldiers were killed...
That's you.
Järv's patrol made the news.
Tomorrow I'll go
to officer training.
Us young officers are too
lenient with you rascals.
It'll change when I come back.
-OK, sir!
Shut your pie hole!
Is it any good?
You finally came back.
-Did you do well in the training?
You have a little tan.
-Nothing's changed here.
What was the training like?
-What I expected.
What the hell..?
Hi, Harry!
What was the training like?
Was it bad?
Whose are these?
-That's mine.
There are other guns
in similar condition.
Commanders pressure subordinates
and me too and you just lie here!
I'm gone for two weeks
and everything is a mess!
They tried to force us
to become more disciplined.
Like in peacetime.
But we didn't give a damn.
No one has to be toady to me.
But the Russkies may come any time
so the guns have to be ready!
Inspection in ten minutes.
Slobs get extra guard duty.
Frilund too!
This happens
if you're not diligent.
We proceeded undetected
into enemy territory -and acted fast.We dominated the battle
the whole time.
This is routine.
-But now we have a prisoner.
I heard that you asked
when they want the prisoner.
''Saturday at the latest!''
We fulfilled our mission
and took a prisoner.
There were no casualties.
The same with the jaegers.
Thanks, Harry. Well done.
You've done almost thirty missions.
This one went well too.
They've mostly been
recon missions.
But there were too many of us.
Nine or ten would be enough.
We could discreetly
attack the enemy bases.
I heard that!
You have a point.
How did you prepare
for the attack?
For three nights we observed them,
learnt their routines.
Lieutenant Colonel, who..?
-My name's Marttinen.
I wanted this prisoner.
I'm the division chief of staff.
Soon I'll be
your regiment commander.
I'll try to speak Swedish,
at least with the rank and file.
We'll be seeing each other a lot.
Von Wilcken! Ask the prisoner
for his name and unit.
His name is Kungurchev.
His unit is IR .
Infantry Regiments and ?
You see! They outnumber
us by a thousand.
We'll do fine.
Good guys.
I think we'll get along.
Interpreter, take the prisoner.
HQ of the Regiment staff,
Why is it written in Swedish?
You do know Finnish, Captain Taxell.
IR is Swedish-speaking.
Everything is written in Swedish.
You're right, Captain.
You studied at Åbo Akademi
university?
Could you get me a textbook?
My Swedish is a little rusty.
Gladly, sir.
Everything OK?
-It's peaceful.
My shift ends in thirty minutes...
Help me!
Here I am again.
-Good.
You came back.
-You got a package.
I found something in Vaasa.
Did you have fun?
Hi, guys! Greetings from Vaasa.
-You came back.
How's it going?
Well...
Franzén got killed.
A sniper shot him in the mouth
when he was on guard duty.
Franzén too...
Järv brought a new pot.
We have to take
care of that sniper.
I talked with our headmaster
in Vaasa.
He said we should use our ''free
time'' for educating ourselves.
He thought of us?
Ragnar Krook is a fine man.
He suggested correspondence courses.
You can do your homework here.
He'll test you later.
I have some exercises with me.
I'll be your instructor.
We don't have enough lamp oil
for reading at night.
Wait. The Russkies left
a lot of phone cable behind.
We've done some experiments.
Look at this.
Look at that. Not bad.
Just don't burn the dug-out.
It's been peaceful.
I'll get some sleep.
Get up, guys! Our country
is calling for your services!
The coffee substitute is ready!
-Shut your pie hole, Forss.
Gimme your mess kit,
you'll wake up.
What the hell did you make?
Cat pee?
Don't swear so much. It's nasty.
Everything's getting worse.
Don't drink that shit.
It's better to have tea.
Is it quiet? -Yes.
Good.
Stop! Password!
Spruce...
-Twigs. Correct.
I'm reverend Högström. I wanted
to meet you soldiers at ''the Dam''.
Welcome.
-Thank you.
Good evening.
How's it going in here?
Nothing new.
Please, sit. Kaustinen!
Make some substitute
for the reverend.
A lot of grounds here.
What the hell? A foot cloth!
No wonder it's tasted like shit
all week.
Here you are, reverend.
-Thank you.
I've visited many bases
but none like this.
You've worked hard with the
trenches, dug-outs and forts.
This looks really great. -The
russkies won't get through easily.
But soldiers also
need free time.
Nobody can take this for too long.
-They need some counterbalance.
Some of the guys and I
read and study.
Söderman is studying for his A
levels. I'd go crazy without books.
You're studying in these
circumstances? -Yes, reverend.
Järv arranged it
with our headmaster.
Some don't care for culture.
They sleep whenever they can.
Young man, you have
a fine camaraderie here.
Good luck to you all.
I hope the Lord protects you.
Thank you for the refreshments.
-Thank you for coming.
What does this word, ''danger'',
mean?
It means jeopardy.
If it's really dangerous
you can say ''peril''.
The British have a lot of words.
Look them up and you'll learn.
Odd.
-Looking them up?
No, studying English
whilst they've declared war on us.
What a joke. Soon only Brazil
will not be at war against us.
But the gentlemanly British...
-It's understandable.
They fight against the Germans
and we threaten their supply lines.
Bertel, I'll read you an excerpt
of English at its best.
That's ''peril'' for you.
What did it mean?
-Something like this.
''Only noble Finland,
even in the jaws of peril'' -
''shows what free men can do.''
-Sounds wonderful.
Who said that?
-Guess.
Our ''enemy'' Churchill.
During the Winter War.
We both know that we still fight -
against the same enemy.
Some old veterans
are allowed to go to home.
But even you new guys should
take guard duty seriously.
The Russkies are close
so be watchful.
How close, sir? -You don't
have to call me that here.
Their defensive perimeter
runs behind that hill.
It was relatively quiet -
but now they're hitting us with
grenades a day, at noon.
What do we do then?
-Take cover in the dug-out.
The guards remain at their posts.
Snipers are the worst.
Don't show yourself needlessly.
Many men have died here. Their
snipers are good at what they do.
Someone's coming. -The platoon's
second-in-command Forss.
He'll take a last look, he's going
to officers' school. -It's time.
I guess there's not much to say.
Thanks for everything.
-Thanks, Lasse.
I'm happy for you
but I know what I'm losing.
Kaustinen is a good replacement.
We both know it.
I hope you can take care
of that sniper.
He's killed far too many.
-Trust me.
We'll deal with that bastard.
-Hang tight.
Hang tight, boys!
Lasse! You should stop smoking.
It's bad for your health.
You just watch for the flying lead.
Nicotine is my problem!
Bye bye!
That was today's lesson.
Don't you have any more
hand grenades?
I'll get you more.
That was the sniper.
-Oh, yeah?
He wasn't good enough.
I'll go to see Marttinen.
I won't be long.
Come in.
I'm sorry,
you looked like Döbeln first.
It's nothing.
The bullet just scratched me.
Sit down.
I'll get straight to the point.
We haven't been able to destroy
the Russian base ''Bird''.
Another regiment tried to destroy it
in March in vain.
Two companies, engineers and jaegers
attacked in snow and open terrain.
It was insane!
They didn't get anywhere.
were killed and dozens wounded.
-I heard about it.
It'll be different now.
Second Lieutenant Järv -
you'll get the first chance.
I believe in you.
Do you have enough volunteers?
-More than enough.
Ten men is enough.
The rest can be support troops.
Good. Let me know
when your group is ready.
I'll issue specific orders about
strike groups and cover fire.
You know that ''Bird'' is strong.
They have at least two platoons,
three machine guns and mortars.
OK, boys.
I promised Marttinen you'd come
along. We'll leave at hours.
Helén leads one group, Nordman
the other. We can trust them.
Even the battalion commander got
involved. Guess what I was ordered?
Only I can have a submachine gun,
the rest get rifles.
''We can't afford to lose ten
submachine guns.'' -Asshole!
A submachine gun and three
hand grenades for everyone.
Frände, make sure we
have piled-up charges.
I know where to put one.
Up the Major's ass!
You won't see him there.
But Lieutenant Colonel Marttinen
seems to like it there.
Form a row, I'll take a picture.
Where's Backholm?
-Sleeping.
Let him sleep.
It's going to be a rough night.
Björk, move closer so everybody
fits in the photo. Good.
There's a guard ahead.
Let's go right.
''The Bird'',
February th and th,
There's a guard too.
Let's try the middle.
It's past midnight.
-We've been here for five hours.
It can't be helped.
My leg has frostbite.
I'll rub it. -No, go back.
Let the medic take care of it.
There's a machine gun here.
You'll secure the rear.
Finholm, Fagerström, Frände,
come with me.
There it is!
It's unmanned
-That's the way they are.
Let's blow it up.
That was a stove hatch.
Now we know where they are.
The Russkies are on the left.
Stay here to cover us.
That's the main dug-out.
Lieutenant, fire artillery barrage.
-Understood, sir!
Goddamn assholes!Grenades!Don't be afraid!
-Greetings from the White bandits!
Hurry! Reinforcements may be
on the way. Grenades here!
Die, Finnish scum!Greetings to Mannerheim!I'll show you, bandits!You're gonna get it!
More Russkies!
They won't surrender.
Use a charge!
Help... My leg...
We're about ready,
is everyone here?
You OK? -A few pieces
of shrapnels in my leg.
Nothing serious.
-Good.
Let's go or the whole
Red Army will be on our tail.
Tough Russkies, nobody surrendered.
Take him with you.
Stretcher!
He was hit in the lungs.
You got lucky, Ragnar.
We'll see you soon.
Hey, Järv.
Aren't you ever afraid?
I'm sometimes really afraid.
-Of course I'm afraid.
No normal -year-old
wants to die.
In battle I feel
a knot in my stomach.
It's not paralysing fear but
adrenaline surging into my brain.
It makes me % effective.
But some react differently.
They freeze or run away scared.
Fear must be controlled.
You know how. Otherwise
I wouldn't take you with me.
Of course I'm sometimes afraid.
But not as much
when Järv is with us.
Here they come!
His name is Nikolai Smirnov.
Take him to the first-aid station
quickly. He is valuable.
If he stays alive.
We'll go to the dug-out.
Wait.
We carried him and now he's dead.
-It wasn't exactly his fault.
Let's take him inside.
They can bury him.
Klas...
I've been thinking.
Strange. Smirnov shot me in
the lungs four months ago.
Now he's dead.
-And you're very much alive!
Do you hear? The Russkies'
time signal is as punctual as...
Ragnar!
Is anyone else wounded?
How did they hit
such a small hole?
Stretchers.
I'll immortalise one corner
of our great dwelling.
Stay there so the photo
looks more life-like.
Sit at the end of the table,
Kaustinen.
Try to look like you're
learning something.
Söderman,
sit and look into the camera.
You can show your girl what good
conditions you have here.
I'm not in the mood today.
Don't move.
Why are you sulking
on such a beautiful day?
The girl I told you about
the other day...
I got a letter from her.
She's not my girl.
Did she break it off?
-It didn't even start.
Sounds bad.
Let's leave him alone.
I'm sorry.
Captain.
The Army Corps ordered us
to increase our patrols.
Tell Lieutenants Järv and Mattas
to come here. -Yes, sir.
We're on time.
I wonder what's so important.
Who knows? Soon we'll find out.
Lieutenant Colonel.
-At ease!
Sit down.
Gentlemen, we received
new general orders.
Every company must send one recon
or strike patrol to the front line -
every day.
Järv, you'll be the
regiment's patrol leader.
Mattas is your deputy.
The jaeger company has
other duties. Questions?
I've only used volunteers
in my patrols.
Are we supposed to patrol for others
as well? -I'm not asking that.
You can assign men from
other units if you want.
It's your business
if you want to do others' work.
That's all.
Good luck and thank you.
You may return to your units.
One moment.
-Thank you.
We have a lot of work ahead of us.
-True.
Marttinen is breathing down
our necks. -You know why?
He wants us to be battle ready.
Forts and patrols are for that.
Indeed. He won't let us become lazy.
We must be vigilant and
earn the enemy's respect.
It's good for morale.
But it means casualties.
-Exactly.
He doesn't think
the price is too high.
''The Dam'', Järv.
-Taxell here.
Marttinen wants you to recon a
Russian base next to nd battalion.
And a prisoner. Will you do it?
The boys at nd scouted the place.
-OK. It must be planned well.
I want details of their defences.
I'll speak to my colleagues.
-I'll get back to you. Over.
Can I come along?
-Sure. We work well together.
I'll come along. -OK.
Yes?
-Can I come along?
Can I come along?
-Welcome.
This'll be a good strike group.
Seven men is enough.
We'll go to nd battalion
to get to know the situation.
Just a few hours left...
Don't worry, Bertel.
It'll go well, you'll see.
Damn bedbugs!
What are you reading?
Show me.
-History of philosophy.
You've read it thoroughly.
-It's a good book.
Socrates. Plato.
I want to read this.
-Of course.
Plato is overrated. A metaphysicist
and a speculative philosopher.
Quit lecturing and turn off the
light. We want to sleep. -Soon.
In Plato's model society
individuals had no rights.
The role of literature was
to idolise the powers that be.
Plato's society has now come to pass
with Stalin and Hitler.
Really?
We weren't taught that.
Aristotle is much better.
His thinking is based on reality.
But he did make mistakes.
He said -
that Nordic people are brave
in war but dumb in the head.
That's his opinion of us.
Now we should sleep.
-If it's possible.
The battle begins here.
Järv and his men go in,
Major Tirronen fires the artillery.
Thank you, Lieutenant Mangs.
You know your mission.
I want a prisoner.
Your other task
is to crush the base ''Sea''.
I'm counting on you
to do your best.
I'll be around
until the mission is over.
Let's take a picture.
Did you notice that Söderman
has grown ten centimetres?
Laugh all you want. Napoleon
was small and a corporal too.
We can't go forward.
-Let's try another way.
This is a good spot.
Take a break.
It's too quiet.
It's three o'clock already. We have
to wait for the evening breeze.
Helén, Finholm.
Finally you're here!
-I came at once. What now?Someone was standing there!There!No one's there. Calm down.There is! I saw a face!
-You saw a ghost.He's nervous.Damn, they don't believe me!
What's the time?
Three on the dot.
-Mission began hours ago.
I guess I dare to smoke one.
Or do I?
Not moving for four hours and
thinking of smoking was hard.
Damn! I have to quit this.
My word of honour. When we
beat ''the Sea'' I'll smoke no more!
I promise.
Get up, boys.
Time to get busy.
Harry!
Söderman! No...
Järv, I'm hit!
-Leave if you can!
Boys!
Kaustinen and I are wounded!
Can you make it?
-Yes, I can.
Allan, grenade!
Can you make it?
You understand?
Walk to the first-aid station.
Östman! That way.
No prisoner this day either.
Yeah.
We have casualties:
one dead and seven wounded.
''The Sea'' was destroyed
but we have no prisoner.
The Russkies fought hard.
About thirty of them were killed.
I thank you all
and the strike group.
The wounded will receive
good treatment.
Lieutenant, come to report
at my HQ at noon. -Yes, sir.
No one has died for me before.
And Söderman of all people...
He sacrificed himself for me.
The law of war is hard.
But it's not your fault.
Mangs, take a picture
of Helén and me. -Sure.
Press there.
That's Söderman's box.
The small one.
Listen to what Söderman wrote.
''If I get killed, I want to die
like a Finnish soldier.''
And he did.
Fire!
''Our last respects to our
brave comrade in arms'' -
''Corporal Bertel Söderman.''
''Rest in peace.
Your friends at the front.''
Dear friends and family
of Bertel Söderman.
My talented young student
had his whole life ahead of him.
But destiny decided otherwise.
Even in grim circumstances
Bertel remained humane.
And he was also
a brave soldier.
There is no greater sacrifice -
than giving his life
for his comrades.
Now we'll carry his memory with us -
which is as bright as the marble
in the ballroom of the school.
His name will be engraved in it -
where it will shine
for the following generations.
I've lost so many great boys.
What are your plans?
No matter how the war ends.
I don't know.
I've enquired about degree
requirements from the university.
You've always been interested
in everything.
Good luck, my friend.
-Thank you, headmaster.
You know your mission.
Take a prisoner and recon
in the Russkie hinterland.
Good luck.
Strike groups!
Mines!
We'll stop here.
Lindblad, go further back
with Olof and Kanckos.
We'll try capturing a lone Russkie.
It must be done in silence.
No gun fire!
Capturing many is too risky.
We're too far behind the lines.
Let them go.
We would have to fire.
Look at those clothes.
Next time someone says that Russkies
have bad uniforms, I'll beat them!
No more Russkies, I guess.
Let's go home
and continue tomorrow.
Harry!
Don't move!
It's clear now.
Ufa!
You must leave me here.
Go on! There's no point
in you staying here!
Järv hit a mine.
Dammit, boys! We can't leave him
even if he ordered us.
I'm going back.
As I was laying there
I thought about books -I hadn't read yet.I thought of all the pretty girls
I'd never get to see...And I felt that
it was unreasonable -to die at the age of .
I ordered you to go.
You told us about
the Three Musketeers.
''One for all and all for one.''
How are you?
Can you walk?
Good! We'll take Järv.
And Nordström.
Switch!
How are you, Lindblad?
-Just a flesh wound.
I can help you.
Klockars! Check if they need help.
-Yes, sir!
Give him water.
Let's go.
Does anyone know
their blood type?
Mine's O.
-Good. You'll donate blood.
How are you, Lindblad?
Nothing serious?
No, sir. I'll be OK soon.
-Good. I need men like you.
That was fast, boys. Thank you.
Sit down.
Giving blood is no easy task.
I feel dizzy.
-How is Järv?
He came to
after three bottles of plasma.
And a hefty dose of my blood.
You can be proud, corporal.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Thank you for everything.
You'll make it.
I spent a long time at the hospital.The wound didn't heal and
had to be operated on many times.
St Göran's hospital, May
You got mail.
From my regiment commander.
-Nice.
He still remembers me.
It's been nine months already.
How are you feeling?
-OK.
''A soldier's hand, foot
and life can be taken. ''''May Lord protect this land,
that is all I want. ''''Thus sang a soldier begging
for money in Ensign Stål.''''He didn't feel sorry
for his lost leg. ''''Our country is what
mattered the most. ''''You have that same courage.
You've shown it in spades. ''''Your work is done,
your duty fulfilled. ''''I am proud of you. ''''Remember to write to us. ''''If you need something,
we'll do our best to help you. ''''Your comrade,
Lieutenant Colonel Alpo Marttinen. ''
Soon you'll walk
with a prosthetic limb.
We'll transfer you to Salsta castle.
Baroness Wera von Essen
has set up a convalescence home -
for Finnish soldiers.
Reconnaissance division
June th, Stockholm
I'd like to speak to Engineer
Lieutenant Nils-Erik Stenbäck.
Stenbäck.
Hi, Nils-Erik.
It's Curt Wennberg.
HQ's reconnaissance division,
Mikkeli
How are you?
-I'll speak candidly.
What the devil are you doing?
The Russkies have divisions
ready for attack.
Twenty-four?
Cannons and tanks side by side.
And more motorised units are coming.
The attack may start at anytime -
and you're not even practising!
Unbelievable.
I just wanted to warn you.
Not exactly good news, Curt.
But thanks.
A lot.
Ketonen, dammit!
Even the Swedes know the Russians
are launching a major offensive.
Looks like it. They've concentrated
more troops than we anticipated.
I wrote in the report that a major
offensive may start any day.
We'll see if the big boys like it.
You can't do that.
You know General Airo's orders.
Mannerheim is not to be unnerved.
-It doesn't change the facts.
Sounds horrible.
It's the real deal in Karelia now.
Believe me, boys.
We won't get old here.
is heading west soon.
You almost hope for it.
What the hell are we doing here
if Helsinki is under threat?
Vyborg fell suddenly on June th
which caused a threat.
If Russkies had crossed the strait
they would've gotten to Helsinki.
Instead they stopped at Vyborg
to celebrate their victory.
IR was ordered to assume
command of Tienhaara.
Marttinen understood
what was at stake.He told his men
over and over again -that Tienhaara
was Finland's lock.And he was determined
to keep it locked.
We're getting close.
We'll arrive in
about thirty minutes.
The company will march to Tienhaara.
Expect artillery and aerial attacks.
The boys shouldn't march
in too tight a formation.
Look at this map.
Salsta castle. June th,
You're very kind, baroness.
-You've deserved your coffee.
Go ahead.
Cream and sugar?
No, thanks.
Here is the news.The Soviet Union has launched
a major offensive in Karelia.The Finnish posts were heavily
bombarded yesterday.And the bombardment
intensified this morning.Soviet forces have broken
through Finnish defences -and forced the Finns to withdraw.In Normandy, the Allied forces
have strengthened...
It's time for me to go back.
Are you going to the front with that
leg? It hasn't even healed properly.
Perhaps. And it's driving me crazy!
My place is at the front.
Excuse me...
Don't think I'm not grateful to you
and Sweden. -Of course not.
Karelian peninsula,
June nd,
Stop!
Where's your commander?
Where's your commander?
The battalion remains
at their posts!
If you leave, I'll court-martial
you! At least try!
Another group will relieve you soon.
Major Eino Penttilä,
Lieutenant Colonel.
Alpo Marttinen,
commander of IR .
I've defended Kivisillansalmi
with two short handed battalions.
The Russkies tried to
come across an hour ago.
About a company, but they were
beaten. You came at the last minute.
We've fought for two weeks
against their point of offensive.
This group is near the end.
-OK. I understand.
IR will relieve you
at hours.
Let your troops rest and make
it combat ready. -Yes, sir.
The furniture is in place, good!
Gentlemen, the regiment position
is this:
Major Holmberg's st battalion
will be in command on the left -
from Rapattila to Kivisilta.
Detached Battalion
will be to your left.
I'll move my command post
to the front.
Is the Major afraid?
You'll position the rd battalion
to Major Holmberg's right side.
To your right side are the
Estonian volunteers, IR .
Captain Renvall's nd battalion
will be reserves at the rear.
Position the machine guns
at the waterside.
The artillery fire
will be murderous.
Every man has to dig himself
a foxhole.
Sweat spares blood.
Tell that to your men.
I know that they're tired
and hungry after the march -
but the situation is as it is.
Questions?
The first companies arrive shortly.
Go!
Wessberg. Tell the artillery
commander to come here.
Co-operation with the artillery -
communications and maintenance
must be improved.
Understood, sir.
What the hell?
They're going the wrong way.
Shut up, boys! Don't mind us.
Who knows what hell
they've been through.
Let's get to it. Like Marttinen
said, sweat spares blood.
You must be able to shoot
to those bridges.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Major Heikki Huttunen, commander
of st artillery battalion of FAR .
Rauramo assigned me
to be your artillery commander.
Marttinen.
-Lieutenant Sipiläinen.
Sit down.
How is Colonel Rauramo
going to support us?
FAR commands more than
three artillery battalions.
Over cannons can be
concentrated to assist you.
Over % of them
are at your personal disposal.
The material is in place.
Communications are being built
and fire plans developed.
Sounds good. Thanks, Major.
Thank you.
Seventy... Good.
Sir!
-Any casualties?
Five killed and wounded.
OK.
How's your munitions?
The times are hard but
Marttinen has it under control.
We'll be OK.
What is it, Harry? Can't you
get any sleep? -No.
Are you thinking of our comrades?
It's horrible to lie here,
I should be there with them.
We'll come to get you.
Are there any more wounded?
-Are you nuts? Get down!
Oh, hell!
Who's going to take care
of them now?
Unis.
Nyström is out of the game.
You'll take command
of the platoon.
I'll take command of the company
after Captain Joffs.
Major Holmberg says that all st
company commanders are wounded.
Pikulinsky, Holmström and Hjort.
The th company was under
concentrated artillery fire.
Joffs and Nyström are both out.
Löfman assumed command and
Unis took over Nyström's platoon.
They've lost men,
only six are left.
Wessberg!
Contact the Estonian volunteers.
If the situation cools, we leave.
We're not staying here to die.
Here they come!
Defense Sorvali! Fire!
Defense Linna! Fire!
Dammit! All the lines are broken!
One to two battalions?
I can't make it out.
One to two battalions -
are attacking over the Sorvali
and Linnasaari strait. Right?
Contact the division HQ!
Give it to me.
The cannons are aimed?
-Yes.
Captain Renvall, II/IR
connect to the artillery office!
Captain Hänninen.
-Captain Renvall.Russkies attack from Linnasaari
and Sorvali with two battalions.
Two battalions!
I'll take full responsibility
and order you to fire!
They've had enough for now.
But they'll be back!
Headquarters, Mikkeli
Can Tienhaara hold -
if it sounds like this
kilometres away?
The rd battalion commander says -
that the Russkies have
broken through at Kivisilta.
Thank you. You can go back.
Wessberg!
The Russkies must be beaten!
Here's an order
for Major Holmberg.
How many assault guns
will support us? -Two, sir.
You two go to Major Holmberg
with this order.
But on separate routes. Understood?
-Yes, sir.
Medics!
Sir, an order from the commander.
Thank you.
Listen, boys!
''One or two platoons
have broken through at Kivisilta. ''''They must be stopped.
Use assault guns in counterattack.''''An energetic officer must lead it
to make it work.''''It must be done swiftly. Reserves
must be used without compunction.''''Marttinen.''
Löfman, you'll strike back
with the th company.
Our artillery and two assault guns
will lay down cover fire. It's OK.
Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
th company, follow me!
Platoon commanders
and group leaders here!
To the bridge! At any cost!
We could use Järv now.
-No kidding.
They're here!
Medic!
They're not here anymore.
My weapon...
And Löfman?
-He's dead.
A call from headquarters
to the commander of IR .This is the commander-in-chief.
Lieutenant Colonel Marttinen,
sir Field Marshal!
Do you have the situation
under control, Lieutenant Colonel?
Tienhaara will hold, sir.
Tienhaara will hold...
I thank you... Colonel.
Relay my thanks to the regiment.
Our country is saved... for now.
Thank you, sir Field Marshal.
Over.
Hello.
Congratulations, Colonel.
The Russkies have had
enough for now.
But the price was too high.
I lost hundreds of men.
Five company commanders died today.
There are only men left
in the th company.
War is hard.
Colonel, I heard you were promoted.
Congratulations.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
But in all honesty
I have to say -
that this battle was won
mainly because of the artillery.
Tell that to your regiment.
Shouldn't you rest, Colonel?
It's quieter now.
No.
I must go to the front line to thank
the men. Marshal's orders.
Soldiers!
It's been a tough day.
We will never see
many of our comrades again.
And even more were wounded.
But I'm very proud of you.
Our commander-in-chief
Field Marshal Mannerheim -
personally asked me
to thank you, men of IR .
Because of you
he promoted me to Colonel.
No Russkies who came here
remained alive.
You also, Lieutenant Lillandt,
have been promoted.
Congratulations, Captain.
Remember what I said, boys!
Tienhaara is Finland's lock.
I rely on you.
The Marshal relies on us!
Do you think that the troops
will hold? -Yes, Colonel.
The foxholes
are the best place to be.
We'll be OK if the artillery
is as good as today.
If there's enough munitions
and bread and other food too.
Thanks, Captain. I'll make sure
you'll get all you need.
We cannot retreat
unless there's peace.
If we want to save our
lives and our nation.
What did he want?
-Nothing special.
He gave a speech to the boys.
During the days and weeks
in Tienhaara -IR lost men.But the Finnish lock and the road
to Helsinki remained closed.
A few weeks after that -
Finland's independence
was at stake every day.
After Tienhaara, the Red Army tried
to win the war at Tali-Ihantala.
The largest battle of the Nordic
countries was fought there.