The Blue Max (1966)
George Peppard: Lt. Bruno Stachel
Photos
Quotes
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Willi von Klugermann : By the way, Stachel... there's an impression around that... you care more about your unconfirmed kill than you do about Fabian's death.
[long pause]
Bruno Stachel : Perhaps it's force of habit. In the trenches, we couldn't even bury the dead; there were too many of them. I've never had the time... to discuss them over a glass of champagne.
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[Funeral for an enemy pilot]
Willi von Klugermann : Well, aren't you coming? It's an order.
Bruno Stachel : Why?
Willi von Klugermann : Because our commanding officer has made it one. He believes in chivalry, Stachel.
Bruno Stachel : [poring himself a drink] Chivalry? To kill a man, then make a ritual out of saluting him - that's hypocrisy. They kill me, I don't want anyone to salute.
Willi von Klugermann : [Stachel slams down his glass] They probably won't.
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Willi von Klugermann : [When Willi picks wounded Stachel at the aid station] Does it hurt?
Bruno Stachel : ...Yes.
Willi von Klugermann : Tell me... ah... never having suffered it personally, what does it feel like... to be shot down?
Bruno Stachel : Well... well, I'd rather you found that out for yourself.
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Kettering : No confirmation, no claim. That's a squadron rule.
Bruno Stachel : But I saw it! It was a kill!
Kettering : Then, you have the deep satisfaction of knowing you have served the Fatherland.
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Bruno Stachel : Do you think I came all this way to run off to Switzerland with you?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : You gambled your life for me once with Willy.
Bruno Stachel : That was about flying, Kaeti, not about you!
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Bruno Stachel : [while testing the engine of his aircraft] The oil pressure is still too low!
Ziegel : [Looking in the engine cover] Well, that's all you'll get out of her! She wasn't made yesterday!
Bruno Stachel : Oh, is that what it is!
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Willi von Klugermann : [after picking up Stachel from the aid station] You know, I was quite pleased at first when you posted missing.
Bruno Stachel : Thank you
[sarcastically]
Willi von Klugermann : It was just that, the war seemed, a bit more, peaceful. And then, this is the odd thing, I had a sense of loss.
Bruno Stachel : I'm touched
Willi von Klugermann : No, no, seriously, I've had things in my life too easy. I'm inclined to be lazy. I need a challenge. Some one around me who is hard to beat. And you fulfill that role.
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Willi von Klugermann : [Willi finds out about Stachel and Kaeti in Berlin] We've tolerated you here because we've had to! One of these days, Stachel - or should I call you Bruno? One of these days, I'm going to shake you up - considerably.
Bruno Stachel : It will give me pleasure, Willi. I'll look forward to it.
Willi von Klugermann : I wonder if you're as good as you think you are... in or out of bed.
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Bruno Stachel : [looking at a picture of von Richtofen wearing a Blue Max] Two more kills and you'll have one of those.
Willi von Klugermann : Hmm, a pretty medal, The Blue Max.
Bruno Stachel : It's the only one worth having. People respect it.
Willi von Klugermann : The medal or the man?
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Otto Heidemann : [saddened by Willi's death] He was a better man than you.
Bruno Stachel : Well, he's dead!
Otto Heidemann : Is that your test?
Bruno Stachel : Yes! And that was his test too!
Otto Heidemann : What do you mean?
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Bruno Stachel : I brought you a present, Willi. A souvenir.
[presents a bottle of champagne]
Willi von Klugermann : Kind of you. I doubt if our tastes coincide.
Bruno Stachel : Oh, but they do.
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Bruno Stachel : You amuse me.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : I?
Bruno Stachel : People like you, the Count, Willi.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Amuse or shock?
Bruno Stachel : I said amuse.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : I adore your innocence. You really believe your betters should behave better. Don't you?
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Bruno Stachel : [resignedly] Well, I suppose I might as well say it.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Say what?
Bruno Stachel : You're beautiful.
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[about von Klugerman's kills]
Bruno Stachel : You've got 18, haven't you?
Willi von Klugermann : Squadron Rule #1, Stachel: Gentlemen never parade their military achievements.
Bruno Stachel : Any rule against... saying how long it took you?
Willi von Klugermann : I would say that was covered by the same rule, wouldn't you?
Bruno Stachel : No. I wouldn't. How many rules are there?
Willi von Klugermann : I don't know: none of them have been written down.
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Willi von Klugermann : Tell me, uh, never having suffered it personally... what does it feel like to be shot down?
Bruno Stachel : I'd rather have you find that out for yourself.
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Bruno Stachel : There's nothing I want to run away from Kaeti - not even myself.
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Otto Heidemann : Fly on Fabian's left and a little behind him and watch for his signals.
Bruno Stachel : Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
Otto Heidemann : And relax. Get the balloon and come straight back. You'll find balloons burn beautifully.
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Bruno Stachel : I don't suppose you've ever had an unconfirmed kill.
Willi von Klugermann : Oh, but I have. I've had, eh, three.
Bruno Stachel : Then you've shot down 23.
Willi von Klugermann : No, 20.
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Willi von Klugermann : You appear to have caught my Uncle's interest.
Bruno Stachel : Interests from high places is always welcome.
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Bruno Stachel : As long as you're here, perhaps I can get you that drink.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Yes, do.
Bruno Stachel : I'm afraid I'm out of champagne.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Serve whatever you have.
Bruno Stachel : Schnapps.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : [takes a drink] Mmm, horrible. But, quite stimulating.
[puts out her glass for more]
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Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : So, that's you: Cobra.
Bruno Stachel : Cobra?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Yes. That's what Willi calls you.
Bruno Stachel : He's been talking about me to you?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : I asked. He says you'e quite, eh, deadly - in sort of a quiet way.
Bruno Stachel : He's a romantic.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : And you're not?
Bruno Stachel : No.
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Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : [stops a romantic advance by Stachel] No. Tonight is a - family affair.
[laughs]
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Are you shocked?
Bruno Stachel : No.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : You see, my husband is a very civilized man. And we are great friends.
Bruno Stachel : It must be nice to have an understanding friend.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Oh, yes, it is.
Bruno Stachel : Willi, must be getting impatient. Shall I announce you?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Please do.
[Stachel pounds on the wall to the Countess' nephew, Willi's, adjoining room]
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Bruno Stachel : What are we celebrating?
Willi von Klugermann : Your survival, of course, and your 10th victory. You're moving up fast, Stachel.
Bruno Stachel : Too fast?
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Bruno Stachel : A Countess - there's a fascinating subject.
Willi von Klugermann : I believe you have aspirations in that direction, Stachel. You should forget them.
Bruno Stachel : I'll try. But, if the impossible happens, I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.
Willi von Klugermann : Will you? Vintage 1903. You'll find it - hard to get.
Bruno Stachel : 1903? I'll remember that.
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General Count von Klugermann : Tonight, my wife would like you to dine with her.
Bruno Stachel : That's - very kind of her, Herr General.
General Count von Klugermann : Not at all. She likes heroes. Eight o'clock.
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Bruno Stachel : Where is our General? Your husband?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Oh, he doesn't worry about me.
Bruno Stachel : He doesn't? Well, he should.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : By now he's with the Countess von Hurling. On my right at dinner. They play war games together.
Bruno Stachel : These games go on until morning?
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Sometimes. My husband finds them very absorbing.
Bruno Stachel : It's a very heady responsibility, being a General.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : That depends on how good you are at tactics.
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Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : I hope the owner of this place is as discrete as he looks, darling.
Bruno Stachel : He should be. I paid him enough.
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Bruno Stachel : You know, he never did accept me as his equal - in or out of bed.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : You're deliciously crude, darling.
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Bruno Stachel : I can get 20 victories without anyones help!
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Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : That game, whatever it was, it was about me, wasn't it?
Bruno Stachel : In a way, yes.
Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : I find that exciting! Would you die for me?