The Ascent (1977)

Vladimir Gostyukhin: Rybak

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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.

• 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.