The Colditz Story (1955)

Eric Portman: Colonel Richmond

Photos 

Quotes 

• Colonel Richmond : [watching a particularly rough game in the excercise yard]  Who was it said our ancestors were apes?

• Colonel Richmond : [discussing the death of Mac]  We had a talk. I did the talking mostly. I was very unpleasant to him. I told him straight that he was too big. I told him every sentry in the camp was gunning for him - that he hadn't a hope of getting past the guards, and he agreed. I recommended him to think of standing down. There the discussion ended.

  Pat Reid : And his life as well!

  Colonel Richmond : The fact that he's dead hasn't escaped me, Pat!

  Pat Reid : [resentfully]  That sentry didn't kill him!

  Colonel Richmond : [angrily]  Watch your tongue or get out!

  Pat Reid : We knew he was too big, but it was his idea. We were prepared to take the risk!

  Colonel Richmond : I wasn't though, you muddle-headed idiot! Why can't you understand I'm not an individual like you, free to act according to my own desires! I'm senior British officer! I wish I wasn't, but I am. As such, my unfortunate responsibility is to see that British officers in here don't act like fools and lose their lives by doing it. By taking Mac with you, you might have lost half a dozen lives, not one!

• Pat Reid : We were picked up on the Swiss frontier.

  Colonel Richmond : Pity. Still, i's 'goodbye to all that' now, isn't it?

  Pat Reid : Eh?

  Colonel Richmond : You heard what the commandant said - he said escaping is 'verboten', didn't he?

  [the Colonel leaves] 

  Pat Reid : Silly old woman. He ought to be repatriated.

  'Mac' McGill : Who'd want him?

  Pat Reid : [imitating upper class tones]  "He said escaping is 'verboten' didn't he?" I bet he lives in Cheltenham in a bath chair.

  'Mac' McGill : I don't know what 'verboten' means, do you?

  Pat Reid : Haven't a clue!

• Priem : [ordering the rambunctious POWs in the yard and those looking from their cell windows]  Unless there is immediate silence, I will give the order to open fire!

  [the prisoners keep making noise] 

  Priem : I warn you I will give the order to open fire!

  [the prisoners start singing] 

  Priem : [even more angrily]  I will give the order to open fire.

  Harry Tyler : [from his cell window]  Fire!

  [the guards fire above the prisoners' heads after which there is immediate silence] 

  Priem : [angrily to his guards after yelling something in German]  Who gave the order to open fire?

  Colonel Richmond : [quietly to Harry through Harry's cell window]  Don't do that Harry. It only aggravates the Germans.

  Harry Tyler : [sheepishly]  Sorry sir.