The Ascent (1977)

Boris Plotnikov: Sotnikov

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Quotes 

• Sotnikov : [Imprisoned, Sotnikov and Rybak are arguing whether to speak with Germans or not]  We're soldiers. Soldiers. Don't crawl in shit. You'll never wash it off.

  Rybak : So then, to the grave - to feed the worms. Right?

  Sotnikov : That's not the worst that could happen. No. That's not what I'm talking about. Now I understand. I understand. The important thing is to be true to yourself.

  Rybak : Fool! You're a fool, Sotnikov. You graduated from the institute for nothing. I want to live! To live! To kill those bastards! Understand? I'm the soldier. And you're a corpse. All you've got left is your stubbornness - your principles!

  Sotnikov : Then go, go on living - without a conscience. It can be done.

• Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : [Sotnikov asks for Portnov]  What now?

  Sotnikov : Do something... for them.

  Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : And that's all, citizen "Ivanov"?

  Sotnikov : No. Not Ivanov. My name's Sotnikov. Commander, Red Army. Born in 1917. Bolshevik. Party member since 1935. Teacher by profession. At the start of the war, I commanded a battery. It's a shame I didn't kill more of you bastards. My name is Sotnikov, Boris Andreevich. I have a father, a mother and a motherland.

  Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : [returning back]  Herr Major, nothing important.

• Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : You want to save the woman without giving up anything? That won't work. You'll have to trouble your conscience. One way or the other, you'll have to. There's no way out. None.

  Sotnikov : I won't betray anyone. Not anyone. There are things more important than one's own hide.

  Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : [laughs]  Where? What is it? What's it made of? That's nonsense. We're mortal. With death, everything ends for up, all of life. The entire world. It's not worth it. For what? As an example for future generations? But you won't have a heroic death, either. You won't just die. You'll croak like a traitor. And if you won't tell, someone else will. And we'll write it off to you. Understand?

  Sotnikov : Scum. Human scum.

• Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : How long has that woman been your agent?

  Sotnikov : She's no agent. She was an accident.

  Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : And your visit to the Lesiny elder was an accident too?

  Sotnikov : An accident.

  Portnov, the Nazi interrogator : That's unoriginal.

• Rybak : Look, we've got to think up something. It's easy to die. We've got to find a way out.

  Sotnikov : It won't work.

  Rybak : We need to play them like a fish on a line. If you pull too hard and break it, everything is lost! Pretend to be submissive. They even offered to take me into the police. What are you looking at? I'm telling you we should pretend.

  Sotnikov : Kolya...

  Rybak : I'm no fool, you know.

  Sotnikov : What are you saying? We're soldiers. Soldiers. Don't crawl in shit. You'll never wash it off.

• Sotnikov : 'Don't try to remember.' It's easier that way. Anything to save your hides! We will... We will remember! Even in the next world!