The Blue Max (1966)

George Peppard: Lt. Bruno Stachel

Photos 

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Quotes 

• 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.

• [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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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!

• 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!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

• 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?

• 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.

• 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?

• Bruno Stachel : [resignedly]  Well, I suppose I might as well say it.

  Countess Kaeti von Klugermann : Say what?

  Bruno Stachel : You're beautiful.

• [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.

• 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.

• Bruno Stachel : There's nothing I want to run away from Kaeti - not even myself.

• 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.

• 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.

• Willi von Klugermann : You appear to have caught my Uncle's interest.

  Bruno Stachel : Interests from high places is always welcome.

• 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] 

• 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.

• 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] 

• 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?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bruno Stachel : I can get 20 victories without anyones help!

• 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?