Northern Pursuit (1943) Movie Script
In the year 1497,
John Cabot reached the shores of Canada.
John Cabot was an Englishman.
In the year 1534,
Jacques Cartier reached the same shores.
Jacques Cartier was a Frenchman.
Since that time, many men of many nations
have come to these shores.
They all found the same thing:
A vast country,
a beautiful country, a rich country.
But what was more important,
they found a way of life...
...in which these people
could live side by side as free men.
In the year 1941, the year of this story...
...other men
came to the shores of Canada.
Thanks.
- Nationality?
- American.
- What's your reason for entering Canada?
- I'm a tourist.
Cold country, Canada.
You think this is cold?
You ought to go up north where I'm going.
Cold country, Canada.
You think this is cold?
You ought to go up north
where I'm going.
How far is it to the place?
A week's travel
if we don't run into a storm.
A week?
Uniform?
Uniform means internment only.
If anything goes wrong.
Otherwise, we would be shot as spies.
What about those Indians?
They handle the dogs, break trail.
We couldn't make it without them.
What about him?
- He drives the other sled.
Well, I'm ready. Let's go.
What are they saying?
They say Deer Mountain Pass no good.
No trail this time of year.
They will not go.
Then we'll get rid of them.
Avalanche!
Whoa!
Look at this, he's traveling alone.
He must be all in,
staggering all over the place.
- He fell to his knees there.
- Uh-huh.
Well, whoever he is,
he's no north woodsman.
Mush, Yukon. Mush.
Whoa.
Mush, Yukon.
Mush.
I'll say he's no north woodsman.
That's a German uniform.
- Those wings?
- Yeah, he's a flyer.
An officer.
A German officer
up here in the North Country.
I don't get it.
Neither do I.
- Who are you?
- We're police.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Police.
I demand to be taken
to the military authorities.
There's a few questions
we wanna ask you first.
I'm sorry, I'm not obliged to answer you.
You found me in uniform,
and under international...
What's your name?
Colonel Hugo von Keller,
German Luftwaffe.
I'm not impressed.
You wanna question him, Steve?
Go ahead.
How did you get here?
Did you fly?
Listen, you. When I talk, answer.
Even if it's only yes or no.
Jim, take it easy.
He's in no condition to talk.
- He looks all right to me.
- Well, he's not.
Just because he's an enemy soldier
doesn't mean he's not human.
Thank you.
You speak German?
Isn't it rather unusual for
a Canadian policeman to speak German?
A lot of people in Canada
are German descent.
Yeah, just so you don't get
any wrong ideas in your head...
...they hate your kind of German so hard...
- Jim.
He's a prisoner of war.
This cabin...
...is it very far from a town?
- Speak in German if it's easier.
No, no, thank you.
I just as well speak your tongue.
Well, from here it's about three days' travel
to the nearest town.
Oh.
That's a long trip.
I'm rather exhausted.
Getting cold in here.
I think we'll light a fire.
Why don't you go get some wood?
What's the matter, you in a trance?
Go get some wood.
Bring that brandy in too, will you?
Off the pack.
All right.
So you're of German descent?
That's right.
Both my parents were born in Germany.
- Are they still over there?
- No.
Dead a long time.
Well, how do you feel about it?
- What?
- The war.
I mean, this country
being at war with Germany.
- I'm a Canadian.
- Yes, but of German descent.
Well, I don't think
I've given the matter much thought.
That's hard to believe.
You look like an intelligent man.
Tell me, when you heard about
our glorious victories...
...in Poland, in the Netherlands,
in France...
...how did you feel about that?
My partner's coming back.
- Get the brandy?
Yeah.
I suppose you will be
taking me to headquarters immediately.
That's right.
If I could stay here and rest for a while,
perhaps a few days?
No, we've gotta take you in.
I give you my word as a German officer.
Looks like a storm coming out.
You know, he's in bad shape
to make a trip over a rough trail.
Yeah.
You're sticking your neck out
by not bringing that Jerry in.
That's your job.
Square it for me with the inspector.
- Well, I'll do my best.
- Good enough for me, pal.
- On your way.
- You watch out for that guy.
Jim.
Jim.
- Jim.
- Oh, hello, Laura.
- Why are you alone? Where's Steve?
- He'll be along.
- What do you mean? When?
- Couple of days.
- Couple of days?
- Yeah.
See you later, Laura.
I'm in a hurry, gotta report to the post.
- What are you keeping from me?
- Nothing.
- Jim.
- Oh, now, don't start that.
I'll start screaming
in the middle of the street.
You win, you win.
You, uh...
- You swear you won't tell a soul?
- Don't you trust me?
I'd feel a lot better if you swore.
All right, I swear.
Well, I...
I think Steve and I
are in line for promotion.
We captured a German flyer.
A German flyer?
- Well, so long, Jim.
- So long, Laura.
Mush.
Mush.
Mush.
You have something to tell me?
Well, I'm not gonna ask you what it is.
I'm not interested.
It's probably another one
of your tall stories.
I didn't ask
when you ran out of here like a blizzard.
And I'm not gonna ask you now,
so you can stop your whistling.
I'm your father.
And a daughter has no right
to keep things from her father.
Now I'm mad.
Out with it.
Are you ordering me, Pop?
- Will you tell me if I ask you nice?
- It's a secret.
A secret? And you're gonna keep it?
- Something about that policeman of yours.
- Pop.
I have a very derogatory opinion
of policemen, in general.
And Steve, in particular.
You're not gonna marry him, I am.
McBain's daughter,
the wife of a policeman.
McBain's daughter
stuck in a trading post.
What makes McBain's daughter
so wonderful?
McBain.
Oh, Pop, let's not fight.
After today,
there won't be a man who won't envy you.
Steve's up for promotion. The least
they'll do is make him an inspector...
...because he's a hero.
He captured three German aviators.
Oh, there I go again.
I swore I wouldn't tell.
Well, as long as I have,
I might as well tell you the rest.
- What is it?
- They came in a bomber.
Three German aviators in a bomber.
- Not a word, not a word do I believe.
- Oh, it's true, Pop.
They let go their bombs,
but Steve was too fast.
He got the propeller with a bullet.
The plane had to land.
Jumping jeepers.
Then he picked them off
as they came out.
All except the captain, he surrendered.
You're my only child.
I hoped you'd be a boy,
but when you weren't, I didn't mind.
"You'd make a fine girl," I said to myself.
And you could keep house for me
and cook.
But instead you grew up to be a liar.
That's all.
- Yes, sir.
Excuse me, sir, but the least I think
Corporal Wagner deserves is a chance.
All right, I'll give him a chance.
He can bring his own prisoner in.
- Sergeant.
- Yes, sir?
Have Hobby send a message
to Nichols and Edwards at Deer Mountain.
Have them go over
to the Selwyn Creek cabin.
They'll find Wagner there and a prisoner,
a German aviator.
Tell them to tell Wagner
to bring his prisoner in immediately.
Yes, sir.
Inspector, Corporal Wagner's
been with the force for five years.
- We're partners, I know him and I trust him.
- Yes, so do I.
But, in a case like this,
I can't take any chances.
He's of German descent,
and we're at war.
They've gone.
Do you suppose his prisoner
pulled a fast one?
No, Wagner can take care of himself.
I wonder where they've gone?
- I don't know, but let's contact Bear Lake.
- Right.
A radio message from Constable Nichols,
sir, regarding Corporal Wagner.
Notify all detachments
to search for Wagner and his prisoner.
They're both to be brought in.
I'd like to reach
an understanding with you.
I think I understand you.
By now we either trust each other
or we don't.
What choice do I have?
Well, I don't wanna put it on that basis.
What basis do you want to put it on?
Some things you said back there
were pretty interesting.
For instance, what?
For instance, the relationship of Germans
born in foreign countries to the homeland.
Yes?
I know a lot of Germans
born in Canada like myself.
Perhaps you know some too.
Perhaps.
Sorry, Wagner,
we have orders to bring you both in.
We've come for the prisoner.
All right.
- That guy sounds like a wet duck.
- He's just trying to be funny, Steve.
Everything's gonna be all right.
I'll bet your next paycheck on it.
I wouldn't. I might not have one coming.
What do you mean?
You're gonna have one.
Sign for the prisoner.
I'm sorry, Wagner.
All right, you can come in now.
No, not you, Austin, just Wagner.
All right, come on.
You're asking me to recommend
your application for discharge?
Just as soon as possible.
You know,
I've never been able to make you out.
Nothing to make out about me, sir.
I'm exactly what I seem to be.
All right, let's look at it that way.
You capture a Nazi pilot, you don't report it,
you don't bring him in.
Austin has to report what happened.
You have to be picked up.
What do you seem to me?
- To me, you seem to be...
- Disloyal.
Put yourself in my place.
- Suppose you lost the prisoner?
- I've never lost one before.
- This is no ordinary prisoner.
- That's exactly why I acted on my own.
He was beginning to mention towns,
talking about meeting his contacts.
Probably leading you into a trap.
I can take care of myself.
You forget we have an organization,
corporal.
You've always had a tendency
to forget that very simple fact.
I'm forgetting nothing.
You're forgetting
the spot the man was in.
- Go on.
- He was desperate.
Facing a concentration camp,
willing to take any chance.
You've known me for five years.
If you can suspect me of being disloyal...
I was acting in the best interest
of my country.
Wait a minute. Our country, isn't it?
Sorry.
- It was a slip of the tongue.
- I don't believe it was.
All right.
I'll recommend
your application for discharge.
Thank you, sir.
Are you sure the Air Corps
is the best branch of the service?
I heard that promotions
are much faster in the Tank Corps.
Hah. Not for me. I hear those things
get hotter than a depot stove.
- You through, Steve?
- Just about.
Here, sign this.
- Me?
- Mm-hm.
Why do I have to sign it?
So you can get the separation allowance
for my wife.
Wife?
When, Steve?
As soon as my discharge
from the force comes through.
- A few days at most.
- A few days?
- Why, that's awful fast, isn't it?
- Fast?
We've had the longest engagement
in Manitoba.
Because you weren't allowed to get married
until your first five years were up.
I was willing.
Are you still willing?
- A girl is supposed to hesitate.
- Hesitate?
How much longer? Another four years?
Sit down.
Sign it right there.
That's the girl.
Say, how long have I got
before they call me up?
- You have about two weeks, boy.
- Two weeks.
That's right. Thanks.
Honey, did you hear what he said?
We'll have two weeks together.
Isn't that wonderful?
Hey.
Hey there.
Hey, listen, this is a recruiting office.
Well, where do you want us to go,
out in the snow?
This is the heaviest snow we've had
since I came here.
Last year the snow was much deeper.
Herr von Oberst would like
two pieces of toast with his dinner.
Good. Tell Herr Oberst von Keller
we have some sugar again.
It come today.
That is good.
Halt. Who goes there?
- Friend.
- Advance, friend, to be recognized.
Private Grey reporting to the guard room.
And, you know,
I think marriage is a great institution.
- Everybody should get married at least once.
- All right, we'll get married at least once.
How many times have you married, Nick?
Two times,
and each time it was the great love.
The first time was during the last war.
Just like you and Laura, Steve.
Oh, here you are. Here you are.
Hello, Pop. Today is the day
you get yourself a new son-in-law.
- Give us a grip of your hand.
- The back of it.
I have a derogatory opinion of any man...
...that'll wait till the last minute
to get a haircut.
Especially when there's guests
waiting for the wedding to begin.
And liquor waiting to be drunk.
Pop, a wedding party?
I said McBain's daughter would have
a grand wedding, and that she will.
- Oh, Pop.
- Here, here, come on, stop your nonsense.
- There's no time to waste.
- No, no, no time to waste.
And now I make the marriage present.
Anything in the barber shop is free.
In that case, the guests can wait.
Give me a shave and a haircut.
Can you cut my hair with my muffler on?
He can cut it with your hat on.
When you shave me, don't cut me.
There's no guarantee when it's free.
- Jim, Pop's made all...
- Steve, I'd like to talk with you.
Me?
Steve, what is it?
Oh, I've gotta see someone.
I'll be back in an hour, honey.
- You'll have a wonderful time in Winnipeg.
- Yes, but I'm so nervous.
- How long will you be gone?
- Until Steve is called.
Here, where's that redcoat?
Why isn't he here? If he's late, what
do you expect after you're married a year?
- Don't get excited, he'll be here.
- He'd better be, I'm paying for this.
I was on time
when I married your mother.
I lived in her house for six months
so I wouldn't be late for the wedding.
And if he's not here
in 12 and a half minutes...
...l'll go home
and take my liquor with me.
Pop.
- I hope you enjoyed your stay, sir.
- Yes, thank you, I enjoyed it very much.
You really ought to stay for the wedding.
Everybody is invited.
You know,
a wedding up here is a public affair.
Well, I'd like to,
but I must catch my train.
- Well, goodbye.
- Goodbye.
The railroad station.
- Steve.
- Let go of my arm, will you?
- Listen to reason.
Will you let go of my arm?
Be back in a minute.
Steve, I want you to go back
and ask Inspector Barnett to come in.
- Sorry to be late, couldn't help it.
- Then I'll bring him in.
Bring him here, I'll throw him out.
- You'll have to make that two.
- I'll make it two.
- What's the matter? What's the trouble?
- Nothing, honey.
You know why I left? I was under arrest.
You were told not to tell a soul.
It's a military matter.
There was a break from the camp.
You know that Nazi I brought in?
He made a break with another man.
- Barnett brought me in for questioning.
- He had every right.
Well, I had every right
to call him a blundering idiot.
In a way,
I'm sorry those two Nazis didn't get away.
What did you say?
I said, in a way I was glad
those two Nazis got away.
Maybe Inspector Barnett was right.
Maybe you...
Wagner.
- You're under arrest.
- Just a minute, sir.
Steve just lost his head.
I shouldn't have said what I did.
- It was just a punch.
I said, arrest him.
Yeah? Well,
I'll give you something to arrest me for.
You're gonna get more
than you bargained for, Wagner.
I'm charging you
with assault upon an officer.
You will appear before the civil authorities
at Winnipeg.
- Why'd they kick you off the force?
- Is it true you helped a Nazi escape?
What caused the fight?
Did he sock you first?
What's the story of you and the Nazi?
Give us a statement.
- Yes, Wagner, give us a statement.
- Sure, I'll give you a statement.
The devil with all of you.
The devil with the Canadian police,
and the devil with Canada too.
At a time when our country is locked in
a death struggle against the forces of evil...
...a man is either for his country
or against it.
And for a man to say,
"The devil with Canada"...
...is synonymous with saying,
"Heil Hitler."
I'm going to bind you over
to the court of sessions.
Bail is set at $1000.
I declare this court closed.
God save the king.
McBain will put up no bail for a man
who would damn his own country.
Come on, Wagner, you're out.
Your lawyer posted bail.
My lawyer?
- Did you say my lawyer?
Yes.
- Those cells could stand a little heat.
- Isn't it hot enough for you now?
Here's your papers and money.
Sign this.
There's your client.
- What's this about? Who put up the money?
- What do you care?
I don't. Where do we go from here?
Look, mister, I don't care where you go.
I was hired to do a certain job, I did it.
Good day.
- Single, please.
- Yes, sir.
Come in.
- Mr. Wagner?
- Yes.
Oh, a receipt for my bail.
Did you put it up?
- Who did?
- Someone who wants to see you.
- When?
- Now.
- Where is he?
- Would you like to come with me?
Sure, let's go.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Oh, Miss McBain?
Look, tell her I've checked out, will you?
Thank you.
- Mr. Wagner, happy to meet you.
- Thanks.
- You're the gentleman who put up my bail.
- That's right.
- Why?
- You're a very direct man.
- Sure, why not?
- No reason whatsoever.
- Sit down, let's have a talk.
- Thanks.
- What about?
- About you.
Mr. Wagner, you're in trouble.
A great deal of trouble.
Yes, the judge sort of hinted that.
My lawyer tells me
that you face a sure conviction...
...which means
a term in the penitentiary if...
If you're still in Canada.
Pretty hard to get out of Canada, isn't it?
- It's been done.
- Yeah?
Well, go ahead.
I put up your bail because I like a man
who has the courage of his convictions.
You put up a thousand dollars bail
because you like my convictions?
That's one reason. There is another.
- I think I can use you.
- That's more like the real reason.
If you prefer to think so.
Why don't we cut the stalling
and tell me what you want?
I'm a mining man.
The syndicate I represent
wants property in the North Country.
Now, you know the country,
you're experienced with the dogs.
And you have courage.
That's a combination I need.
Must need it badly to put up that money.
- You can get guides a lot cheaper than that.
- Well, you...
You have special qualifications.
Oh, thank you, thank you.
You don't really expect me
to believe all this, do you?
Only a fool would.
I don't think you're a fool.
- Two to The Pas.
Yes.
- Here you go.
- That's right.
Those two men.
Where did they buy tickets to?
The Pas.
I know he registered
at the Royal George Hotel.
Yes, we know that.
He checked out
without leaving any word.
It's his privilege to go where he pleases
until the date of his trial.
- Jim, maybe you can make him understand.
- I understand.
Well, then help me.
- I feel sorry for you, Laura.
- I'm not asking for your sympathy.
I'm asking you to do something,
to help me find him.
- I know he's in trouble.
- What makes you think that?
Because I know Steve.
I know he wouldn't just disappear without
leaving some word for me somewhere.
- And I've asked everyone.
- Yes?
Always the same answer. No one knows.
I tried to find out who put his bail up.
- And did you?
- No.
I'm half out of my head with worry.
I don't know what to do.
I just don't know what to do.
- You've got to help me find him.
- Why should we?
All right, he made a mistake.
He lost his head.
He's paying for it.
What more do you want?
Nothing.
We haven't the slightest interest
in what happens to Steve any longer.
- Jim, you're his friend.
- I'm a policeman, Laura.
Well, thank you, gentlemen,
for giving me your time.
I'm sure you must have
much more important things to do.
Young lady.
You intend to continue looking for him,
don't you?
- What do you think?
- I think you're wasting your time.
It's very obvious
what's happened to him.
Rather than face trial, he jumped his bail.
We expected that.
Did you expect that too, Jim?
Yes.
I'll tell him that when I see him.
If I see him.
I wish I hadn't said that, sir.
Laura's too fine a girl
to hurt the way we did.
Perhaps, if we told her.
Steve knew how it would hurt,
and he didn't tell her.
Oh, conductor, are we on time?
Yes, sir.
Well, I think I'll go
and catch a little sleep.
You won't have time.
Why not?
- Five hours till The Pas.
- We're getting off in 10 minutes.
Ten minutes?
There's no stop between here...
The snow is soft.
Oh. Uh...
- We jump?
- Yeah.
- There's a steep grade up ahead.
- I'll wash up anyway.
We jump in 10 minutes.
It's a good job
they keep these trains warm.
- Been getting colder since we left Winnipeg.
- Yes.
- First trip north?
- Yes, yours?
No, we've made it often.
Look.
Why did you do that?
You wanted to get rid of him, didn't you?
He followed us from the hotel.
Uh-huh.
One policeman always knows another.
Let's get out of here.
How's our friend?
I pitched him a good clip. Is he all right?
He's all right.
I think I'll go and make sure
he doesn't follow us.
Don't worry, he won't.
This is where we get off.
Who is this man?
A friend.
- I was told you would be alone.
- It's all right, I'll vouch for him.
Did you bring any trail clothes?
- Yes, we got them in the duffel bags.
Better put them on.
Hello?
I wanna talk to Inspector Barnett,
Divisional Headquarters, Mounted Police.
Yes?
Oh, thank you very much, conductor.
We'll have two men
board your train in Nascobi.
See that the body's not disturbed.
Yes, that's right. Thank you.
McGregor's been killed.
McGregor?
He was detailed to follow Steve.
Yes, a conductor found his body
on the train, in the washroom.
Well, what about Steve?
How do we contact him?
- What do we do now?
- Nothing.
Wait for him to contact us.
It's all we can do.
- Is that his wife?
- Obviously.
These people live like swine.
Maybe you live worse
if things be same for you.
Oh, you speak English.
Me speak good English.
Let me help you with that. Looks heavy.
There you are.
Let her carry it.
He's trying to make friends with you.
I've told you many times about the English,
no good for Indians.
No freedom for Indians
until the Germans come.
Soon now.
Well...
...this is a surprise.
I didn't expect to meet you again.
How are you?
I brought him as you said.
He's just the man we need.
Nobody in Canada
knows the North Country better.
Oh, that's good.
That's splendid.
As soon as the news
was published in the papers...
...of your arrest and dismissal,
Herr Oberst sent me to get you.
He hadn't forgotten your first meeting.
No, of course not.
I never make mistakes about people.
- I'm glad to see you again, my friend.
- Well, I'm very glad to see you too, colonel.
Ever since that night,
I've been wanting to talk to you again.
Well, I would be happy to...
...but it's getting late
and you must be tired.
Heinzmann will show you where to sleep.
Good night.
- Good night, good night.
- Good night.
He amuses me.
They are like children, all of them.
Even the first time when I met him,
when he picked me up...
...it was plain what he was doing.
He's a fool.
- I think you are too.
- Herr Oberst.
Isn't it obvious
that they staged the whole thing?
How do you know that his arrest
wasn't done for our benefit?
- That may be so.
- Isn't it obvious the man's still a policeman?
Then what do you mean
by bringing him up here?
Herr Oberst, if you'll permit me.
Very well.
He can protect us, Herr Oberst.
They don't wanna bring us in.
They wanna know what we're doing.
So as long as he works with us...
...we're all right.
Let him think we're stupid.
This isn't an easy trip.
It's unchartered country, most of it.
But you don't think
he had been followed up here?
He was.
No more.
You thought of all this by yourself?
You exceeded your authority.
However, I will forget it if it works.
- It will.
- Perhaps.
But it's also possible...
...that a man who would take a chance
like he has taken so far...
...is not afraid to die.
Herr Oberst, I've heard that the
hostage system works very well in Europe.
It can work just as well here.
Mush. Mush.
Steve.
- Laura.
- I was so glad when I got your message.
My message? What...?
I knew she'd be worried. And I saw to it
that she was notified immediately.
I didn't know what happened.
I kept imagining all kinds of things.
I thought you were dead
or kidnapped by those Nazis who escaped.
There goes your imagination again.
Let me introduce you.
- Mr. Keller.
- How do you do?
- This is Mr...
- Willis.
Willis. This is my fiance, Miss McBain.
Your fiance?
Congratulations. She's very lovely.
I went every place, to Barnett.
He said he didn't know where you were...
...that he didn't care.
- Why didn't you let me know?
- Well, I couldn't.
- You couldn't?
- No.
Does anyone know you've come up here?
No.
- Why is everything such a secret?
- There's no secret.
These gentlemen have hired me to
guide them to a mine in the North Country.
- How long will you be gone?
- Oh, I don't know. A month, maybe longer.
- Steve, take me with you.
- That's impossible.
Perhaps it isn't.
- Look, our arrangement was...
- We'll talk about that later.
Rose, will you see that Miss McBain
is made comfortable?
Thank you, Mr. Keller.
Ernst, pay off the dog-man.
Well, whose bright idea was that?
Ernst is such a fool.
He thought of holding Miss McBain
as a hostage.
Obviously, he doesn't trust you.
- Do you?
- Well, you're with us, aren't you?
Yes, but assuming she hadn't been
brought up here. I think that's a mistake.
What choice do we have?
Ernst made a blunder.
We have to make the best of it.
Look, Wagner, if you are with us,
neither of you has anything to worry about.
I simply can't afford to take any chances.
You must understand that.
Excuse me.
Mush.
- You trust the dog-man?
I trust no one.
Dagor.
These are for you.
- A Mountie's uniform, for me?
- Yes.
What's it for?
We want you to help us free
three of our comrades.
Oh, no. That wasn't in our bargain.
It's one of those things
which came up unexpectedly.
- Like the young lady's arrival.
- Oh, Ernst, don't be ridiculous.
You understand, Wagner.
Hm.
Yes, I guess I do.
Where are they?
Show him.
Here's a map.
- You know the post at Rock River?
Mm-hm.
- You know the two Mounties there?
- Mm-hm.
Whoa.
Campbell?
Well, Johnson, how are you?
It's all right, you can talk to me.
I'm back on duty.
- Since when?
- Since the 15th.
- All right, Steve. We're glad you're back.
- Thanks.
Who's that with you?
Oh, just a trapper.
I'm using him to break trail.
This is a hundred miles off
your regular patrol.
I think I'll do some checking.
Put up your hands.
Both of you.
Higher. Higher.
All right, inside.
Break the radio.
Hey.
Hey.
I got an order here
for three of your prisoners.
There, you see?
Said we couldn't get any orders
for days, huh?
That shows you how much you know
about this army.
A hundred miles from nowhere
and up pops a Mountie with an order.
You can blame the radio for that.
Which one do you want?
It's written down there.
Gross.
Moeller.
Preisser.
Here. I'll give you a receipt for that.
Four? You were supposed to bring seven.
That's right,
I left three of them at Rock River.
Here's the receipt I got for them.
"Mainwaring."
That's the code name Steve was to use.
He's with them.
And he's broken three German prisoners.
But why only three, sir?
There were seven in the truck.
They needed only three.
Three of the same type that tried to make it
with von Keller from the Bear Lake camp.
"Order number 221."
Two, that means north.
Another two. North, north.
One, west.
North, northwest.
That's the direction they're traveling
from this point.
Rock River.
Where they broke the prisoners.
- All right, Jim, you're off.
- My outfit's ready, sir.
Remember, you're the only one
that Steve can reach us through.
Well, is your imagination
running away with you again?
Not this time. I have it all figured out.
- You know who those men are?
- Yes, they're Nazis.
Be careful.
They're holding me as a hostage,
aren't they?
- Mm-hm.
- Steve, I have a plan.
Now, Laura, you listen to me.
These men are playing for high stakes.
They're desperate.
Promise you'll do nothing
without talking to me first.
- Understand?
- All right.
Charm. Bring you good luck.
She goes too.
What for?
To keep the girl company.
Maybe she doesn't want to come.
No one remains behind.
She breaks trail.
Well, Herr Oberst...
...let me wish you
a pleasant and successful trip.
Wish it for both of us.
For both of us?
But my work's done,
my mission's accomplished.
Mine isn't.
But, Herr Oberst,
I'd be of no value on such a trip.
Not to me, but you might be
to the Canadian authorities.
Oh, they can get nothing out of me.
You know you can trust me.
I trust no one.
Herr Oberst,
I'm a loyal servant of the Reich...
...but I'd be of no help on the trip.
I'd be a hindrance.
I've lived in cities all my life.
I'm not used to this.
I'm not a young man.
I might not be able to keep up with you.
Oh. That would be too bad.
Are you ready, Wagner?
What's our destination?
Destination?
That's a long way off.
I think I better give you your direction
day by day.
Your compass reading for today
is northwest by north.
Traveling by land's a lot different
than traveling by plane, you know.
Sometimes you can save time
by going the long way around.
That's why I have you, my friend.
You will tell me every day
whether we climb the hills or go around.
Herr Oberst, I beg you to reconsider.
I tell you, I'll be useless on this trip.
Wagner, we go.
Mush.
Herr Oberst.
Now what?
- My feet. It's hard to keep up.
You go so fast.
I have no time for rest.
It would be most unfortunate
if you couldn't keep up with us.
Wagner, we are moving. Get going.
Mush.
Looks like you're in a bit of a spot.
Don't worry.
I'll fix your feet up so you can travel.
Thanks. But why should you help me?
I've got a feeling
we're gonna have to help each other.
There you are.
That's the only thing for frostbite.
The skin of a freshly killed rabbit.
The Indians always use it.
They're cold and slimy.
Yeah,
but they'll feel like hot water bottles.
- You'll be able to walk.
- Thanks.
You can do me a favor if you like.
- I'll be glad to.
- How much further have we got to go?
You should have asked me that
before you put these on.
Well, I'll ask you tomorrow,
when your feet start freezing up again.
That's just the first treatment.
Ernst.
Is this map an exact copy
of the one I had to get rid of?
Exactly.
What is it?
- You hear that wolf that is howling?
- What about it?
You're a good soldier. I'll have
to take you along on all of my trips.
- I'm all right, I'm fine.
- Sure you are.
Pop always said I was a liar.
Steve, I'm scared stiff.
The best soldiers are always scared,
but they get the job done anyhow.
Where are we going?
What are they gonna do?
I don't know.
All I know is that they're aviators.
Until I find out what's going on,
I've just gotta play along.
Well, do you think Keller's convinced
you're on his side?
I don't know, he's pretty clever.
Suppose you do find out
what they're doing?
What will we do then?
There are only two of us.
Uh-uh. Three of us.
Did you hear that wolf howl?
- Uh-huh.
- That was Jim.
I always told you he was a wolf at heart.
What did she say?
She says Dagor's been sent out
by the Germans to hunt the wolf.
- Can't we do something?
- Nothing.
- Do you suppose they killed him?
- I don't know, we can only wait and see.
- Maybe you should talk with von Keller.
- No, we don't know anything.
Remember that. Just gotta wait.
There is a mounted policeman following us.
Probably a friend of yours.
Yeah? No friend of mine.
No? Well, who could it be
then in your opinion?
Why, I have no idea.
Perhaps the regular patrol.
I thought this was unchartered country.
So it is,
but even the policemen get lost sometimes.
- We can get rid of him easy enough.
- How?
By doubling back
and heading out in a new direction.
I don't think I want to lose him.
I would like to meet him.
We will wait.
Trying to make a smoke signal.
That was stupid of you, Wagner.
Very stupid.
Wait a minute, you don't have to do that.
- I'll go down and bring him in.
- No.
Wait a minute.
I'll bring him in unarmed. I guarantee it.
He might be useful to us.
I give you my word.
All right, bring him in.
- Jim.
- Whoa!
Jim.
- What happened? How'd you get away?
- I didn't.
- They're up there, they've got us covered.
- What do you want me to do?
Put your rifle down.
I told them I'd bring you in.
- No, let's make a break for it.
- They've got Laura.
Laura?
We'll figure out something later.
You better put your hands up.
Jim. Jim.
Wagner, you made it very simple for me.
You're always under my feet.
- I'm sorry.
"I'm sorry."
Stop whining, I'm sick of it.
I'm very ill, I have fever.
All right, you are ill, but shut up about it.
- I'm sorry, Herr Oberst.
- And don't say that again.
Three days in this cave
are beginning to tell on him.
- Beginning to tell on me too.
- Hope this storm keeps up.
Another few days,
they'll be at each other's throats.
How long will this storm last?
What do you think I am? Prophet?
Wagner, I don't know why
I put up with your insults.
I do.
Steve, what's gonna happen to us?
Think of what happened to Jim.
Jim.
I can't get him out of my mind.
I keep seeing him lying there
in the snow.
Steve, what are you made of?
Ever since Jim died, you haven't said
a word about him, not a word.
Do you know of any words
that will bring him back?
I'm sorry.
What were they arguing about?
One of them swiped that coat
from the Indian woman.
Now they're fighting over
who's gonna have it.
It's an old Nazi custom.
Wait.
No freedom for Indians
until Germans come, eh?
Isn't that what you said?
The snow has stopped.
Prepare to travel right away.
I don't think I can make it.
What did you say?
I can't travel yet.
I'm still feverish.
You gotta give me another day.
We have no more time to waste.
Very well, I'll try it.
Just a minute.
One minute, I'll be ready.
No, no. You are too ill to travel.
No, I'm feeling much better.
I'm all right, I'm fine.
You said you would be of no help.
You were right.
- You are no longer of any use to me.
- Herr Oberst...
- You are no longer any use to the Reich.
- No, that isn't true.
I am. I will be.
This isn't my work. I told you that.
But as soon as I'm well,
I'll be able to serve...
No, no.
No, Herr Oberst, I'm not useless.
I helped you to escape.
You remember that.
I helped you to escape.
And I am loyal. Ask him.
Wagner, tell him I'm loyal.
You wanted me to help you,
but I wouldn't, you remember?
Tell him I'm loyal. Ask him, ask him.
He tried me to get him to help him
but I wouldn't.
Wagner, hurry up.
Get going. You, miss, we're moving.
Dagor, bring the dogs.
Wagner.
Wagner.
No. No, I'm not useless.
Hear that?
That's gonna happen to all of us.
Now, if you do what I say,
we can save the women.
- How?
- Get your skis on.
Try to get in touch
with the North Beacon Post.
Dagor.
Dagor.
Dagor.
Heinzmann. Moeller.
Keller.
- The women have got to go back.
- Go back? Are you insane?
You've seen the country
we've come through.
Five days and we haven't seen a living soul.
They'll be lucky if they even make it.
Get the dogs started.
I'm tired of your tricks.
I want no more delay.
Get those dogs started.
Not me.
- Start them yourself.
- You are in no position to talk like that.
I know that position I'm in.
Unless the women go back...
...this is as far as I go.
Then there's only one thing for me to do.
You're gonna do it anyway.
But if you do it now,
your trip's finished, so are you.
I give you my word. I will release you
when I reach my destination.
Your word?
Let them take that sled,
the supplies in it.
- And if I let them go?
- Then I'll take you the rest of the way.
- How can I be sure of that?
- You can't.
That's a chance you've gotta take.
All right.
He's gonna let you and Rose go back.
No, we're not going back.
We're gonna stick it out with you.
No, darling,
you're gonna do what I tell you.
Rose.
Mush.
That's our destination.
Mush.
Whoa.
You have wanted to know so
badly what I was going to do, didn't you?
Well, I think I can satisfy
your curiosity now.
Those crates out here
contain airplane parts...
...for a bomber.
They were shipped here invoiced
as mining equipment long before the war.
You should know, Wagner,
how determined we Nazis are.
We've know for a long time what we've
wanted and we've prepared to take it.
- Say, have you ever flown a bomber?
- No.
That's too bad.
You have missed a great thrill.
You come in high.
You circle around once, twice.
You drop the bombs.
- You see them hit the target.
- What target?
I will tell you.
One of the most vital waterways
connecting the United States and Canada.
A main artery of all war supplies
going to England.
Eight bombs placed with scientific
precision will destroy the canal...
...and the locks
and block shipping for months.
I will drop those bombs with precision.
Wagner, we are drinking to
the successful completion of our mission.
Join us.
You will help us anyhow.
Whoa.
Wagner.
Heinzmann. Heinzmann.
Heinzmann.
Heinzmann.
Heinzmann. Heinzmann.
Moeller. Moeller, Moeller.
Preisser.
All right, Keller, turn around.
We're going back.
Just a minute.
Wait a minute,
I haven't started speaking my piece yet.
On this joyous day,
I'm the proudest man in Canada...
...because I have one of the finest men
that ever walked for a son-in-law.
Single-handed he captured 40 Germans.
Fifty, Pop.
Fifty Huns took him up in a bomber,
10,000 feet.
Fifty thousand feet.
Fifty thousand feet.
- And they tied him to a propeller.
- Two propellers.
To both propellers.
Pop, you're a bigger liar than I am.
- Well, honey, he's older than you are.
- Right.
But he conquered them all.
And now it does my heart good
to offer you all...
...the traditional hospitality
of the McBains.
So drink, eat and be merry.
And he'll pay for everything.
And I'll pay for everything.
What am I saying?
Steve, am I the only girl
you ever really loved?
But of course you are, darling.
What am I saying?
John Cabot reached the shores of Canada.
John Cabot was an Englishman.
In the year 1534,
Jacques Cartier reached the same shores.
Jacques Cartier was a Frenchman.
Since that time, many men of many nations
have come to these shores.
They all found the same thing:
A vast country,
a beautiful country, a rich country.
But what was more important,
they found a way of life...
...in which these people
could live side by side as free men.
In the year 1941, the year of this story...
...other men
came to the shores of Canada.
Thanks.
- Nationality?
- American.
- What's your reason for entering Canada?
- I'm a tourist.
Cold country, Canada.
You think this is cold?
You ought to go up north where I'm going.
Cold country, Canada.
You think this is cold?
You ought to go up north
where I'm going.
How far is it to the place?
A week's travel
if we don't run into a storm.
A week?
Uniform?
Uniform means internment only.
If anything goes wrong.
Otherwise, we would be shot as spies.
What about those Indians?
They handle the dogs, break trail.
We couldn't make it without them.
What about him?
- He drives the other sled.
Well, I'm ready. Let's go.
What are they saying?
They say Deer Mountain Pass no good.
No trail this time of year.
They will not go.
Then we'll get rid of them.
Avalanche!
Whoa!
Look at this, he's traveling alone.
He must be all in,
staggering all over the place.
- He fell to his knees there.
- Uh-huh.
Well, whoever he is,
he's no north woodsman.
Mush, Yukon. Mush.
Whoa.
Mush, Yukon.
Mush.
I'll say he's no north woodsman.
That's a German uniform.
- Those wings?
- Yeah, he's a flyer.
An officer.
A German officer
up here in the North Country.
I don't get it.
Neither do I.
- Who are you?
- We're police.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Police.
I demand to be taken
to the military authorities.
There's a few questions
we wanna ask you first.
I'm sorry, I'm not obliged to answer you.
You found me in uniform,
and under international...
What's your name?
Colonel Hugo von Keller,
German Luftwaffe.
I'm not impressed.
You wanna question him, Steve?
Go ahead.
How did you get here?
Did you fly?
Listen, you. When I talk, answer.
Even if it's only yes or no.
Jim, take it easy.
He's in no condition to talk.
- He looks all right to me.
- Well, he's not.
Just because he's an enemy soldier
doesn't mean he's not human.
Thank you.
You speak German?
Isn't it rather unusual for
a Canadian policeman to speak German?
A lot of people in Canada
are German descent.
Yeah, just so you don't get
any wrong ideas in your head...
...they hate your kind of German so hard...
- Jim.
He's a prisoner of war.
This cabin...
...is it very far from a town?
- Speak in German if it's easier.
No, no, thank you.
I just as well speak your tongue.
Well, from here it's about three days' travel
to the nearest town.
Oh.
That's a long trip.
I'm rather exhausted.
Getting cold in here.
I think we'll light a fire.
Why don't you go get some wood?
What's the matter, you in a trance?
Go get some wood.
Bring that brandy in too, will you?
Off the pack.
All right.
So you're of German descent?
That's right.
Both my parents were born in Germany.
- Are they still over there?
- No.
Dead a long time.
Well, how do you feel about it?
- What?
- The war.
I mean, this country
being at war with Germany.
- I'm a Canadian.
- Yes, but of German descent.
Well, I don't think
I've given the matter much thought.
That's hard to believe.
You look like an intelligent man.
Tell me, when you heard about
our glorious victories...
...in Poland, in the Netherlands,
in France...
...how did you feel about that?
My partner's coming back.
- Get the brandy?
Yeah.
I suppose you will be
taking me to headquarters immediately.
That's right.
If I could stay here and rest for a while,
perhaps a few days?
No, we've gotta take you in.
I give you my word as a German officer.
Looks like a storm coming out.
You know, he's in bad shape
to make a trip over a rough trail.
Yeah.
You're sticking your neck out
by not bringing that Jerry in.
That's your job.
Square it for me with the inspector.
- Well, I'll do my best.
- Good enough for me, pal.
- On your way.
- You watch out for that guy.
Jim.
Jim.
- Jim.
- Oh, hello, Laura.
- Why are you alone? Where's Steve?
- He'll be along.
- What do you mean? When?
- Couple of days.
- Couple of days?
- Yeah.
See you later, Laura.
I'm in a hurry, gotta report to the post.
- What are you keeping from me?
- Nothing.
- Jim.
- Oh, now, don't start that.
I'll start screaming
in the middle of the street.
You win, you win.
You, uh...
- You swear you won't tell a soul?
- Don't you trust me?
I'd feel a lot better if you swore.
All right, I swear.
Well, I...
I think Steve and I
are in line for promotion.
We captured a German flyer.
A German flyer?
- Well, so long, Jim.
- So long, Laura.
Mush.
Mush.
Mush.
You have something to tell me?
Well, I'm not gonna ask you what it is.
I'm not interested.
It's probably another one
of your tall stories.
I didn't ask
when you ran out of here like a blizzard.
And I'm not gonna ask you now,
so you can stop your whistling.
I'm your father.
And a daughter has no right
to keep things from her father.
Now I'm mad.
Out with it.
Are you ordering me, Pop?
- Will you tell me if I ask you nice?
- It's a secret.
A secret? And you're gonna keep it?
- Something about that policeman of yours.
- Pop.
I have a very derogatory opinion
of policemen, in general.
And Steve, in particular.
You're not gonna marry him, I am.
McBain's daughter,
the wife of a policeman.
McBain's daughter
stuck in a trading post.
What makes McBain's daughter
so wonderful?
McBain.
Oh, Pop, let's not fight.
After today,
there won't be a man who won't envy you.
Steve's up for promotion. The least
they'll do is make him an inspector...
...because he's a hero.
He captured three German aviators.
Oh, there I go again.
I swore I wouldn't tell.
Well, as long as I have,
I might as well tell you the rest.
- What is it?
- They came in a bomber.
Three German aviators in a bomber.
- Not a word, not a word do I believe.
- Oh, it's true, Pop.
They let go their bombs,
but Steve was too fast.
He got the propeller with a bullet.
The plane had to land.
Jumping jeepers.
Then he picked them off
as they came out.
All except the captain, he surrendered.
You're my only child.
I hoped you'd be a boy,
but when you weren't, I didn't mind.
"You'd make a fine girl," I said to myself.
And you could keep house for me
and cook.
But instead you grew up to be a liar.
That's all.
- Yes, sir.
Excuse me, sir, but the least I think
Corporal Wagner deserves is a chance.
All right, I'll give him a chance.
He can bring his own prisoner in.
- Sergeant.
- Yes, sir?
Have Hobby send a message
to Nichols and Edwards at Deer Mountain.
Have them go over
to the Selwyn Creek cabin.
They'll find Wagner there and a prisoner,
a German aviator.
Tell them to tell Wagner
to bring his prisoner in immediately.
Yes, sir.
Inspector, Corporal Wagner's
been with the force for five years.
- We're partners, I know him and I trust him.
- Yes, so do I.
But, in a case like this,
I can't take any chances.
He's of German descent,
and we're at war.
They've gone.
Do you suppose his prisoner
pulled a fast one?
No, Wagner can take care of himself.
I wonder where they've gone?
- I don't know, but let's contact Bear Lake.
- Right.
A radio message from Constable Nichols,
sir, regarding Corporal Wagner.
Notify all detachments
to search for Wagner and his prisoner.
They're both to be brought in.
I'd like to reach
an understanding with you.
I think I understand you.
By now we either trust each other
or we don't.
What choice do I have?
Well, I don't wanna put it on that basis.
What basis do you want to put it on?
Some things you said back there
were pretty interesting.
For instance, what?
For instance, the relationship of Germans
born in foreign countries to the homeland.
Yes?
I know a lot of Germans
born in Canada like myself.
Perhaps you know some too.
Perhaps.
Sorry, Wagner,
we have orders to bring you both in.
We've come for the prisoner.
All right.
- That guy sounds like a wet duck.
- He's just trying to be funny, Steve.
Everything's gonna be all right.
I'll bet your next paycheck on it.
I wouldn't. I might not have one coming.
What do you mean?
You're gonna have one.
Sign for the prisoner.
I'm sorry, Wagner.
All right, you can come in now.
No, not you, Austin, just Wagner.
All right, come on.
You're asking me to recommend
your application for discharge?
Just as soon as possible.
You know,
I've never been able to make you out.
Nothing to make out about me, sir.
I'm exactly what I seem to be.
All right, let's look at it that way.
You capture a Nazi pilot, you don't report it,
you don't bring him in.
Austin has to report what happened.
You have to be picked up.
What do you seem to me?
- To me, you seem to be...
- Disloyal.
Put yourself in my place.
- Suppose you lost the prisoner?
- I've never lost one before.
- This is no ordinary prisoner.
- That's exactly why I acted on my own.
He was beginning to mention towns,
talking about meeting his contacts.
Probably leading you into a trap.
I can take care of myself.
You forget we have an organization,
corporal.
You've always had a tendency
to forget that very simple fact.
I'm forgetting nothing.
You're forgetting
the spot the man was in.
- Go on.
- He was desperate.
Facing a concentration camp,
willing to take any chance.
You've known me for five years.
If you can suspect me of being disloyal...
I was acting in the best interest
of my country.
Wait a minute. Our country, isn't it?
Sorry.
- It was a slip of the tongue.
- I don't believe it was.
All right.
I'll recommend
your application for discharge.
Thank you, sir.
Are you sure the Air Corps
is the best branch of the service?
I heard that promotions
are much faster in the Tank Corps.
Hah. Not for me. I hear those things
get hotter than a depot stove.
- You through, Steve?
- Just about.
Here, sign this.
- Me?
- Mm-hm.
Why do I have to sign it?
So you can get the separation allowance
for my wife.
Wife?
When, Steve?
As soon as my discharge
from the force comes through.
- A few days at most.
- A few days?
- Why, that's awful fast, isn't it?
- Fast?
We've had the longest engagement
in Manitoba.
Because you weren't allowed to get married
until your first five years were up.
I was willing.
Are you still willing?
- A girl is supposed to hesitate.
- Hesitate?
How much longer? Another four years?
Sit down.
Sign it right there.
That's the girl.
Say, how long have I got
before they call me up?
- You have about two weeks, boy.
- Two weeks.
That's right. Thanks.
Honey, did you hear what he said?
We'll have two weeks together.
Isn't that wonderful?
Hey.
Hey there.
Hey, listen, this is a recruiting office.
Well, where do you want us to go,
out in the snow?
This is the heaviest snow we've had
since I came here.
Last year the snow was much deeper.
Herr von Oberst would like
two pieces of toast with his dinner.
Good. Tell Herr Oberst von Keller
we have some sugar again.
It come today.
That is good.
Halt. Who goes there?
- Friend.
- Advance, friend, to be recognized.
Private Grey reporting to the guard room.
And, you know,
I think marriage is a great institution.
- Everybody should get married at least once.
- All right, we'll get married at least once.
How many times have you married, Nick?
Two times,
and each time it was the great love.
The first time was during the last war.
Just like you and Laura, Steve.
Oh, here you are. Here you are.
Hello, Pop. Today is the day
you get yourself a new son-in-law.
- Give us a grip of your hand.
- The back of it.
I have a derogatory opinion of any man...
...that'll wait till the last minute
to get a haircut.
Especially when there's guests
waiting for the wedding to begin.
And liquor waiting to be drunk.
Pop, a wedding party?
I said McBain's daughter would have
a grand wedding, and that she will.
- Oh, Pop.
- Here, here, come on, stop your nonsense.
- There's no time to waste.
- No, no, no time to waste.
And now I make the marriage present.
Anything in the barber shop is free.
In that case, the guests can wait.
Give me a shave and a haircut.
Can you cut my hair with my muffler on?
He can cut it with your hat on.
When you shave me, don't cut me.
There's no guarantee when it's free.
- Jim, Pop's made all...
- Steve, I'd like to talk with you.
Me?
Steve, what is it?
Oh, I've gotta see someone.
I'll be back in an hour, honey.
- You'll have a wonderful time in Winnipeg.
- Yes, but I'm so nervous.
- How long will you be gone?
- Until Steve is called.
Here, where's that redcoat?
Why isn't he here? If he's late, what
do you expect after you're married a year?
- Don't get excited, he'll be here.
- He'd better be, I'm paying for this.
I was on time
when I married your mother.
I lived in her house for six months
so I wouldn't be late for the wedding.
And if he's not here
in 12 and a half minutes...
...l'll go home
and take my liquor with me.
Pop.
- I hope you enjoyed your stay, sir.
- Yes, thank you, I enjoyed it very much.
You really ought to stay for the wedding.
Everybody is invited.
You know,
a wedding up here is a public affair.
Well, I'd like to,
but I must catch my train.
- Well, goodbye.
- Goodbye.
The railroad station.
- Steve.
- Let go of my arm, will you?
- Listen to reason.
Will you let go of my arm?
Be back in a minute.
Steve, I want you to go back
and ask Inspector Barnett to come in.
- Sorry to be late, couldn't help it.
- Then I'll bring him in.
Bring him here, I'll throw him out.
- You'll have to make that two.
- I'll make it two.
- What's the matter? What's the trouble?
- Nothing, honey.
You know why I left? I was under arrest.
You were told not to tell a soul.
It's a military matter.
There was a break from the camp.
You know that Nazi I brought in?
He made a break with another man.
- Barnett brought me in for questioning.
- He had every right.
Well, I had every right
to call him a blundering idiot.
In a way,
I'm sorry those two Nazis didn't get away.
What did you say?
I said, in a way I was glad
those two Nazis got away.
Maybe Inspector Barnett was right.
Maybe you...
Wagner.
- You're under arrest.
- Just a minute, sir.
Steve just lost his head.
I shouldn't have said what I did.
- It was just a punch.
I said, arrest him.
Yeah? Well,
I'll give you something to arrest me for.
You're gonna get more
than you bargained for, Wagner.
I'm charging you
with assault upon an officer.
You will appear before the civil authorities
at Winnipeg.
- Why'd they kick you off the force?
- Is it true you helped a Nazi escape?
What caused the fight?
Did he sock you first?
What's the story of you and the Nazi?
Give us a statement.
- Yes, Wagner, give us a statement.
- Sure, I'll give you a statement.
The devil with all of you.
The devil with the Canadian police,
and the devil with Canada too.
At a time when our country is locked in
a death struggle against the forces of evil...
...a man is either for his country
or against it.
And for a man to say,
"The devil with Canada"...
...is synonymous with saying,
"Heil Hitler."
I'm going to bind you over
to the court of sessions.
Bail is set at $1000.
I declare this court closed.
God save the king.
McBain will put up no bail for a man
who would damn his own country.
Come on, Wagner, you're out.
Your lawyer posted bail.
My lawyer?
- Did you say my lawyer?
Yes.
- Those cells could stand a little heat.
- Isn't it hot enough for you now?
Here's your papers and money.
Sign this.
There's your client.
- What's this about? Who put up the money?
- What do you care?
I don't. Where do we go from here?
Look, mister, I don't care where you go.
I was hired to do a certain job, I did it.
Good day.
- Single, please.
- Yes, sir.
Come in.
- Mr. Wagner?
- Yes.
Oh, a receipt for my bail.
Did you put it up?
- Who did?
- Someone who wants to see you.
- When?
- Now.
- Where is he?
- Would you like to come with me?
Sure, let's go.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Oh, Miss McBain?
Look, tell her I've checked out, will you?
Thank you.
- Mr. Wagner, happy to meet you.
- Thanks.
- You're the gentleman who put up my bail.
- That's right.
- Why?
- You're a very direct man.
- Sure, why not?
- No reason whatsoever.
- Sit down, let's have a talk.
- Thanks.
- What about?
- About you.
Mr. Wagner, you're in trouble.
A great deal of trouble.
Yes, the judge sort of hinted that.
My lawyer tells me
that you face a sure conviction...
...which means
a term in the penitentiary if...
If you're still in Canada.
Pretty hard to get out of Canada, isn't it?
- It's been done.
- Yeah?
Well, go ahead.
I put up your bail because I like a man
who has the courage of his convictions.
You put up a thousand dollars bail
because you like my convictions?
That's one reason. There is another.
- I think I can use you.
- That's more like the real reason.
If you prefer to think so.
Why don't we cut the stalling
and tell me what you want?
I'm a mining man.
The syndicate I represent
wants property in the North Country.
Now, you know the country,
you're experienced with the dogs.
And you have courage.
That's a combination I need.
Must need it badly to put up that money.
- You can get guides a lot cheaper than that.
- Well, you...
You have special qualifications.
Oh, thank you, thank you.
You don't really expect me
to believe all this, do you?
Only a fool would.
I don't think you're a fool.
- Two to The Pas.
Yes.
- Here you go.
- That's right.
Those two men.
Where did they buy tickets to?
The Pas.
I know he registered
at the Royal George Hotel.
Yes, we know that.
He checked out
without leaving any word.
It's his privilege to go where he pleases
until the date of his trial.
- Jim, maybe you can make him understand.
- I understand.
Well, then help me.
- I feel sorry for you, Laura.
- I'm not asking for your sympathy.
I'm asking you to do something,
to help me find him.
- I know he's in trouble.
- What makes you think that?
Because I know Steve.
I know he wouldn't just disappear without
leaving some word for me somewhere.
- And I've asked everyone.
- Yes?
Always the same answer. No one knows.
I tried to find out who put his bail up.
- And did you?
- No.
I'm half out of my head with worry.
I don't know what to do.
I just don't know what to do.
- You've got to help me find him.
- Why should we?
All right, he made a mistake.
He lost his head.
He's paying for it.
What more do you want?
Nothing.
We haven't the slightest interest
in what happens to Steve any longer.
- Jim, you're his friend.
- I'm a policeman, Laura.
Well, thank you, gentlemen,
for giving me your time.
I'm sure you must have
much more important things to do.
Young lady.
You intend to continue looking for him,
don't you?
- What do you think?
- I think you're wasting your time.
It's very obvious
what's happened to him.
Rather than face trial, he jumped his bail.
We expected that.
Did you expect that too, Jim?
Yes.
I'll tell him that when I see him.
If I see him.
I wish I hadn't said that, sir.
Laura's too fine a girl
to hurt the way we did.
Perhaps, if we told her.
Steve knew how it would hurt,
and he didn't tell her.
Oh, conductor, are we on time?
Yes, sir.
Well, I think I'll go
and catch a little sleep.
You won't have time.
Why not?
- Five hours till The Pas.
- We're getting off in 10 minutes.
Ten minutes?
There's no stop between here...
The snow is soft.
Oh. Uh...
- We jump?
- Yeah.
- There's a steep grade up ahead.
- I'll wash up anyway.
We jump in 10 minutes.
It's a good job
they keep these trains warm.
- Been getting colder since we left Winnipeg.
- Yes.
- First trip north?
- Yes, yours?
No, we've made it often.
Look.
Why did you do that?
You wanted to get rid of him, didn't you?
He followed us from the hotel.
Uh-huh.
One policeman always knows another.
Let's get out of here.
How's our friend?
I pitched him a good clip. Is he all right?
He's all right.
I think I'll go and make sure
he doesn't follow us.
Don't worry, he won't.
This is where we get off.
Who is this man?
A friend.
- I was told you would be alone.
- It's all right, I'll vouch for him.
Did you bring any trail clothes?
- Yes, we got them in the duffel bags.
Better put them on.
Hello?
I wanna talk to Inspector Barnett,
Divisional Headquarters, Mounted Police.
Yes?
Oh, thank you very much, conductor.
We'll have two men
board your train in Nascobi.
See that the body's not disturbed.
Yes, that's right. Thank you.
McGregor's been killed.
McGregor?
He was detailed to follow Steve.
Yes, a conductor found his body
on the train, in the washroom.
Well, what about Steve?
How do we contact him?
- What do we do now?
- Nothing.
Wait for him to contact us.
It's all we can do.
- Is that his wife?
- Obviously.
These people live like swine.
Maybe you live worse
if things be same for you.
Oh, you speak English.
Me speak good English.
Let me help you with that. Looks heavy.
There you are.
Let her carry it.
He's trying to make friends with you.
I've told you many times about the English,
no good for Indians.
No freedom for Indians
until the Germans come.
Soon now.
Well...
...this is a surprise.
I didn't expect to meet you again.
How are you?
I brought him as you said.
He's just the man we need.
Nobody in Canada
knows the North Country better.
Oh, that's good.
That's splendid.
As soon as the news
was published in the papers...
...of your arrest and dismissal,
Herr Oberst sent me to get you.
He hadn't forgotten your first meeting.
No, of course not.
I never make mistakes about people.
- I'm glad to see you again, my friend.
- Well, I'm very glad to see you too, colonel.
Ever since that night,
I've been wanting to talk to you again.
Well, I would be happy to...
...but it's getting late
and you must be tired.
Heinzmann will show you where to sleep.
Good night.
- Good night, good night.
- Good night.
He amuses me.
They are like children, all of them.
Even the first time when I met him,
when he picked me up...
...it was plain what he was doing.
He's a fool.
- I think you are too.
- Herr Oberst.
Isn't it obvious
that they staged the whole thing?
How do you know that his arrest
wasn't done for our benefit?
- That may be so.
- Isn't it obvious the man's still a policeman?
Then what do you mean
by bringing him up here?
Herr Oberst, if you'll permit me.
Very well.
He can protect us, Herr Oberst.
They don't wanna bring us in.
They wanna know what we're doing.
So as long as he works with us...
...we're all right.
Let him think we're stupid.
This isn't an easy trip.
It's unchartered country, most of it.
But you don't think
he had been followed up here?
He was.
No more.
You thought of all this by yourself?
You exceeded your authority.
However, I will forget it if it works.
- It will.
- Perhaps.
But it's also possible...
...that a man who would take a chance
like he has taken so far...
...is not afraid to die.
Herr Oberst, I've heard that the
hostage system works very well in Europe.
It can work just as well here.
Mush. Mush.
Steve.
- Laura.
- I was so glad when I got your message.
My message? What...?
I knew she'd be worried. And I saw to it
that she was notified immediately.
I didn't know what happened.
I kept imagining all kinds of things.
I thought you were dead
or kidnapped by those Nazis who escaped.
There goes your imagination again.
Let me introduce you.
- Mr. Keller.
- How do you do?
- This is Mr...
- Willis.
Willis. This is my fiance, Miss McBain.
Your fiance?
Congratulations. She's very lovely.
I went every place, to Barnett.
He said he didn't know where you were...
...that he didn't care.
- Why didn't you let me know?
- Well, I couldn't.
- You couldn't?
- No.
Does anyone know you've come up here?
No.
- Why is everything such a secret?
- There's no secret.
These gentlemen have hired me to
guide them to a mine in the North Country.
- How long will you be gone?
- Oh, I don't know. A month, maybe longer.
- Steve, take me with you.
- That's impossible.
Perhaps it isn't.
- Look, our arrangement was...
- We'll talk about that later.
Rose, will you see that Miss McBain
is made comfortable?
Thank you, Mr. Keller.
Ernst, pay off the dog-man.
Well, whose bright idea was that?
Ernst is such a fool.
He thought of holding Miss McBain
as a hostage.
Obviously, he doesn't trust you.
- Do you?
- Well, you're with us, aren't you?
Yes, but assuming she hadn't been
brought up here. I think that's a mistake.
What choice do we have?
Ernst made a blunder.
We have to make the best of it.
Look, Wagner, if you are with us,
neither of you has anything to worry about.
I simply can't afford to take any chances.
You must understand that.
Excuse me.
Mush.
- You trust the dog-man?
I trust no one.
Dagor.
These are for you.
- A Mountie's uniform, for me?
- Yes.
What's it for?
We want you to help us free
three of our comrades.
Oh, no. That wasn't in our bargain.
It's one of those things
which came up unexpectedly.
- Like the young lady's arrival.
- Oh, Ernst, don't be ridiculous.
You understand, Wagner.
Hm.
Yes, I guess I do.
Where are they?
Show him.
Here's a map.
- You know the post at Rock River?
Mm-hm.
- You know the two Mounties there?
- Mm-hm.
Whoa.
Campbell?
Well, Johnson, how are you?
It's all right, you can talk to me.
I'm back on duty.
- Since when?
- Since the 15th.
- All right, Steve. We're glad you're back.
- Thanks.
Who's that with you?
Oh, just a trapper.
I'm using him to break trail.
This is a hundred miles off
your regular patrol.
I think I'll do some checking.
Put up your hands.
Both of you.
Higher. Higher.
All right, inside.
Break the radio.
Hey.
Hey.
I got an order here
for three of your prisoners.
There, you see?
Said we couldn't get any orders
for days, huh?
That shows you how much you know
about this army.
A hundred miles from nowhere
and up pops a Mountie with an order.
You can blame the radio for that.
Which one do you want?
It's written down there.
Gross.
Moeller.
Preisser.
Here. I'll give you a receipt for that.
Four? You were supposed to bring seven.
That's right,
I left three of them at Rock River.
Here's the receipt I got for them.
"Mainwaring."
That's the code name Steve was to use.
He's with them.
And he's broken three German prisoners.
But why only three, sir?
There were seven in the truck.
They needed only three.
Three of the same type that tried to make it
with von Keller from the Bear Lake camp.
"Order number 221."
Two, that means north.
Another two. North, north.
One, west.
North, northwest.
That's the direction they're traveling
from this point.
Rock River.
Where they broke the prisoners.
- All right, Jim, you're off.
- My outfit's ready, sir.
Remember, you're the only one
that Steve can reach us through.
Well, is your imagination
running away with you again?
Not this time. I have it all figured out.
- You know who those men are?
- Yes, they're Nazis.
Be careful.
They're holding me as a hostage,
aren't they?
- Mm-hm.
- Steve, I have a plan.
Now, Laura, you listen to me.
These men are playing for high stakes.
They're desperate.
Promise you'll do nothing
without talking to me first.
- Understand?
- All right.
Charm. Bring you good luck.
She goes too.
What for?
To keep the girl company.
Maybe she doesn't want to come.
No one remains behind.
She breaks trail.
Well, Herr Oberst...
...let me wish you
a pleasant and successful trip.
Wish it for both of us.
For both of us?
But my work's done,
my mission's accomplished.
Mine isn't.
But, Herr Oberst,
I'd be of no value on such a trip.
Not to me, but you might be
to the Canadian authorities.
Oh, they can get nothing out of me.
You know you can trust me.
I trust no one.
Herr Oberst,
I'm a loyal servant of the Reich...
...but I'd be of no help on the trip.
I'd be a hindrance.
I've lived in cities all my life.
I'm not used to this.
I'm not a young man.
I might not be able to keep up with you.
Oh. That would be too bad.
Are you ready, Wagner?
What's our destination?
Destination?
That's a long way off.
I think I better give you your direction
day by day.
Your compass reading for today
is northwest by north.
Traveling by land's a lot different
than traveling by plane, you know.
Sometimes you can save time
by going the long way around.
That's why I have you, my friend.
You will tell me every day
whether we climb the hills or go around.
Herr Oberst, I beg you to reconsider.
I tell you, I'll be useless on this trip.
Wagner, we go.
Mush.
Herr Oberst.
Now what?
- My feet. It's hard to keep up.
You go so fast.
I have no time for rest.
It would be most unfortunate
if you couldn't keep up with us.
Wagner, we are moving. Get going.
Mush.
Looks like you're in a bit of a spot.
Don't worry.
I'll fix your feet up so you can travel.
Thanks. But why should you help me?
I've got a feeling
we're gonna have to help each other.
There you are.
That's the only thing for frostbite.
The skin of a freshly killed rabbit.
The Indians always use it.
They're cold and slimy.
Yeah,
but they'll feel like hot water bottles.
- You'll be able to walk.
- Thanks.
You can do me a favor if you like.
- I'll be glad to.
- How much further have we got to go?
You should have asked me that
before you put these on.
Well, I'll ask you tomorrow,
when your feet start freezing up again.
That's just the first treatment.
Ernst.
Is this map an exact copy
of the one I had to get rid of?
Exactly.
What is it?
- You hear that wolf that is howling?
- What about it?
You're a good soldier. I'll have
to take you along on all of my trips.
- I'm all right, I'm fine.
- Sure you are.
Pop always said I was a liar.
Steve, I'm scared stiff.
The best soldiers are always scared,
but they get the job done anyhow.
Where are we going?
What are they gonna do?
I don't know.
All I know is that they're aviators.
Until I find out what's going on,
I've just gotta play along.
Well, do you think Keller's convinced
you're on his side?
I don't know, he's pretty clever.
Suppose you do find out
what they're doing?
What will we do then?
There are only two of us.
Uh-uh. Three of us.
Did you hear that wolf howl?
- Uh-huh.
- That was Jim.
I always told you he was a wolf at heart.
What did she say?
She says Dagor's been sent out
by the Germans to hunt the wolf.
- Can't we do something?
- Nothing.
- Do you suppose they killed him?
- I don't know, we can only wait and see.
- Maybe you should talk with von Keller.
- No, we don't know anything.
Remember that. Just gotta wait.
There is a mounted policeman following us.
Probably a friend of yours.
Yeah? No friend of mine.
No? Well, who could it be
then in your opinion?
Why, I have no idea.
Perhaps the regular patrol.
I thought this was unchartered country.
So it is,
but even the policemen get lost sometimes.
- We can get rid of him easy enough.
- How?
By doubling back
and heading out in a new direction.
I don't think I want to lose him.
I would like to meet him.
We will wait.
Trying to make a smoke signal.
That was stupid of you, Wagner.
Very stupid.
Wait a minute, you don't have to do that.
- I'll go down and bring him in.
- No.
Wait a minute.
I'll bring him in unarmed. I guarantee it.
He might be useful to us.
I give you my word.
All right, bring him in.
- Jim.
- Whoa!
Jim.
- What happened? How'd you get away?
- I didn't.
- They're up there, they've got us covered.
- What do you want me to do?
Put your rifle down.
I told them I'd bring you in.
- No, let's make a break for it.
- They've got Laura.
Laura?
We'll figure out something later.
You better put your hands up.
Jim. Jim.
Wagner, you made it very simple for me.
You're always under my feet.
- I'm sorry.
"I'm sorry."
Stop whining, I'm sick of it.
I'm very ill, I have fever.
All right, you are ill, but shut up about it.
- I'm sorry, Herr Oberst.
- And don't say that again.
Three days in this cave
are beginning to tell on him.
- Beginning to tell on me too.
- Hope this storm keeps up.
Another few days,
they'll be at each other's throats.
How long will this storm last?
What do you think I am? Prophet?
Wagner, I don't know why
I put up with your insults.
I do.
Steve, what's gonna happen to us?
Think of what happened to Jim.
Jim.
I can't get him out of my mind.
I keep seeing him lying there
in the snow.
Steve, what are you made of?
Ever since Jim died, you haven't said
a word about him, not a word.
Do you know of any words
that will bring him back?
I'm sorry.
What were they arguing about?
One of them swiped that coat
from the Indian woman.
Now they're fighting over
who's gonna have it.
It's an old Nazi custom.
Wait.
No freedom for Indians
until Germans come, eh?
Isn't that what you said?
The snow has stopped.
Prepare to travel right away.
I don't think I can make it.
What did you say?
I can't travel yet.
I'm still feverish.
You gotta give me another day.
We have no more time to waste.
Very well, I'll try it.
Just a minute.
One minute, I'll be ready.
No, no. You are too ill to travel.
No, I'm feeling much better.
I'm all right, I'm fine.
You said you would be of no help.
You were right.
- You are no longer of any use to me.
- Herr Oberst...
- You are no longer any use to the Reich.
- No, that isn't true.
I am. I will be.
This isn't my work. I told you that.
But as soon as I'm well,
I'll be able to serve...
No, no.
No, Herr Oberst, I'm not useless.
I helped you to escape.
You remember that.
I helped you to escape.
And I am loyal. Ask him.
Wagner, tell him I'm loyal.
You wanted me to help you,
but I wouldn't, you remember?
Tell him I'm loyal. Ask him, ask him.
He tried me to get him to help him
but I wouldn't.
Wagner, hurry up.
Get going. You, miss, we're moving.
Dagor, bring the dogs.
Wagner.
Wagner.
No. No, I'm not useless.
Hear that?
That's gonna happen to all of us.
Now, if you do what I say,
we can save the women.
- How?
- Get your skis on.
Try to get in touch
with the North Beacon Post.
Dagor.
Dagor.
Dagor.
Heinzmann. Moeller.
Keller.
- The women have got to go back.
- Go back? Are you insane?
You've seen the country
we've come through.
Five days and we haven't seen a living soul.
They'll be lucky if they even make it.
Get the dogs started.
I'm tired of your tricks.
I want no more delay.
Get those dogs started.
Not me.
- Start them yourself.
- You are in no position to talk like that.
I know that position I'm in.
Unless the women go back...
...this is as far as I go.
Then there's only one thing for me to do.
You're gonna do it anyway.
But if you do it now,
your trip's finished, so are you.
I give you my word. I will release you
when I reach my destination.
Your word?
Let them take that sled,
the supplies in it.
- And if I let them go?
- Then I'll take you the rest of the way.
- How can I be sure of that?
- You can't.
That's a chance you've gotta take.
All right.
He's gonna let you and Rose go back.
No, we're not going back.
We're gonna stick it out with you.
No, darling,
you're gonna do what I tell you.
Rose.
Mush.
That's our destination.
Mush.
Whoa.
You have wanted to know so
badly what I was going to do, didn't you?
Well, I think I can satisfy
your curiosity now.
Those crates out here
contain airplane parts...
...for a bomber.
They were shipped here invoiced
as mining equipment long before the war.
You should know, Wagner,
how determined we Nazis are.
We've know for a long time what we've
wanted and we've prepared to take it.
- Say, have you ever flown a bomber?
- No.
That's too bad.
You have missed a great thrill.
You come in high.
You circle around once, twice.
You drop the bombs.
- You see them hit the target.
- What target?
I will tell you.
One of the most vital waterways
connecting the United States and Canada.
A main artery of all war supplies
going to England.
Eight bombs placed with scientific
precision will destroy the canal...
...and the locks
and block shipping for months.
I will drop those bombs with precision.
Wagner, we are drinking to
the successful completion of our mission.
Join us.
You will help us anyhow.
Whoa.
Wagner.
Heinzmann. Heinzmann.
Heinzmann.
Heinzmann.
Heinzmann. Heinzmann.
Moeller. Moeller, Moeller.
Preisser.
All right, Keller, turn around.
We're going back.
Just a minute.
Wait a minute,
I haven't started speaking my piece yet.
On this joyous day,
I'm the proudest man in Canada...
...because I have one of the finest men
that ever walked for a son-in-law.
Single-handed he captured 40 Germans.
Fifty, Pop.
Fifty Huns took him up in a bomber,
10,000 feet.
Fifty thousand feet.
Fifty thousand feet.
- And they tied him to a propeller.
- Two propellers.
To both propellers.
Pop, you're a bigger liar than I am.
- Well, honey, he's older than you are.
- Right.
But he conquered them all.
And now it does my heart good
to offer you all...
...the traditional hospitality
of the McBains.
So drink, eat and be merry.
And he'll pay for everything.
And I'll pay for everything.
What am I saying?
Steve, am I the only girl
you ever really loved?
But of course you are, darling.
What am I saying?