The Blue Max (1966)

James Mason: General Count von Klugermann

Photos 

Quotes 

• General Count von Klugermann : Take a look outside. See that? Revolution is just beneath the surface! If that happens, everything we stand for will be DESTROYED - unless the German officer corps stands like a rock, intact! And what is more important, untarnished. I made this Stachel into a national hero for good military reasons. If I court-martial him now, it will reflect on the integrity of the whole officer corps.

  Otto Heidemann : Herr General, I see now, I have notions of honor which are outdated.

  General Count von Klugermann : Ahh, they're not outdated!

  [pause] 

  General Count von Klugermann : Stored. With care, and love, for better times.

• General Count von Klugermann : I'm afraid it's rather a small medal, Willi, but it's the highest Germany can give.

  Willi von Klugermann : Thank you... Uncle

• General Count von Klugermann : Stachel. I want him brought to Berlin immediately.

  Holbach : Yes, Herr General.

  General Count von Klugermann : There is some difficulty?

  Holbach : Well, I don't know what you have in mind, Herr General, but, uh, with the offensive at its height, well, there'd have to be some legitimate excuse to order him to come.

  General Count von Klugermann : He's wounded, isn't he?

  Holbach : Yes, Herr General.

  General Count von Klugermann : Hmm. A mentionable wound?

  Holbach : Uh, in the arm.

  General Count von Klugermann : Good. The people like soldiers who were shot in the right places. Order Stachel to Berlin for special hospital treatment. I want you to ensure that all our newspapers give full prominence to this gallant episode - photographs, everything.

• Otto Heidemann : Yes, I understand - but I don't agree with killing helpless men!

  General Count von Klugermann : Otto, this is 1918 - things have changed. Unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians, poison gas. Ask your wife - she's a nurse. Ask Elfi about the mustard gas casualties.

  Otto Heidemann : So you approve of this kind of ruthlessness!

  General Count von Klugermann : We fight to win, Otto.

• General Count von Klugermann : [Just after Kaeti's lover is killed in the crash]  Stand up Kaeti!... We'll be late for lunch.

• General Count von Klugermann : I'm sorry to have been so long. Are you bored?

  Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : With all these men around?

• Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Look at Willi. Doesn't he look splendid! The Blue Max will go so well with his eyes.

  General Count von Klugermann : Yes, he is rather vain. He'll probably wear it in bed for the first few days.

  Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Oh, how uncomfortable for the girl.

• General Count von Klugermann : Otto, if this young man lives long enough, he could be very useful to our propaganda department. The current people of our country are war weary, restive. They need to be provided with a hero of their own. Von Richthofen, Willi, have our class. As far as Stachel, he's as common as dirt. He's one of them. Understand?

• 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.