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COMMANDO
“LIGHTS, CAMERA…ACTION!”
Script by Scott Montgomery
Pic 1. A dynamic action shot of an aerial battle. A British Spitfire fighter
sprays a German Me 109 with tracer fire. If we can fit it in the frame, we see
that this Me 109 was hot on the tail of another Spit.
PANEL ABOVE: SEPTEMBER, 1940. ONE YEAR AFTER THE
OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II, THE PILOTS OF THE HEAVILY
OUTNUMBERED ROYAL AIR FORCE BRAVELY HOLD OUT AGAINST THE
MIGHT OF THE GERMAN LUFTWAFFE.
PANEL BELOW: THIS BITTER STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY OF THE
SKIES SOON BECAME KNOWN AS “THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN”.
Pic 2. From inside his Spitfire cockpit, Charlie Boyd looks on as the doomed
Me 109 plummets downwards, a trail of black smoke belching from its
engines.
PANEL ABOVE: FLIGHT LIEUTENANT CHARLIE BOYD LOOKED ON
WITH GRIM SATISFACTION AS THE STRICKEN MESSERSCHMITT 109
PLUMMETTED TO A WATERY GRAVE BENEATH THE ENGLISH
CHANNEL.
CHARLIE THX: AN EARLY BATH FOR YOU, JERRY!
1

Pic 3. The pilot inside the other Spitfire gives a thumbs-up in Charlie’s
direction.
PANEL ABOVE: THE DOOMED ONE-OH-NINE HAD BEEN ON THE
TAIL OF THE SPITFIRE BELONGING TO SQUADRON LEADER KEN
IRVINE. EVEN AN EXPERIENCED AND CAPABLE PILOT SUCH AS IRVINE
WAS FINDING THESE DAILY SKIRMISHES FRAUGHT WITH DANGER.
IRVINE: PHEW! THANKS, CHARLIE. I WAS NEARLY A GONER,
THERE!
CHARLIE: NO PROBLEM, SKIPPER.
Pic 4. Wide view of the Spitfire squadron as they regroup into a tight
formation. Charlie’s plane is by Irvine’s side.
PANEL ABOVE: KEN ORDERED HIS SQUADRON TO REGROUP.
IRVINE: LET’S HEAD FOR HOME, CHAPS.
CHARLIE: ACKNOWLEDGED. I HOPE SOMEONE’S GOT THE KETTLE
ON!
2

Pic 5. Back on the ground, at the airbase, Charlie, Irvine and the rest of the
squadron guys make their way on foot to the Officers’ Mess.
PANEL ABOVE: BACK AT THEIR BASE NEAR IPSWICH, THE WEARY
PILOTS MADE THEIR WAY TO THE OFFICERS’ MESS.
IRVINE: YOU DID SOME GREAT FLYING TODAY, CHARLIE. I’M
RECOMMENDING YOU FOR SECOND-IN-COMMAND.
CHARLIE: THANK YOU, SIR!
Pic 6. Charlie and Irvine relax in the Officers’ Mess. They each have a
drink.
PANEL ABOVE: THAT EVENING, KEN CHATTED WITH CHARLIE.
IRVINE: I HOPE I’M NOT PUSHING THE SQUADRON TOO HARD.
SOME OF THE BOYS MAY FALTER UNDER THE PRESSURE.
CHARLIE: NOT AT ALL, SKIPPER. WE CAN HANDLE IT. IN FACT, WE
SHOULD BE FLYING MORE MISSIONS EVERY DAY!
3

Pic 7. Charlie sips his drink, but doesn’t notice the thoughtful look on Irvine’s
face.
PANEL ABOVE: LUCKILY, CHARLIE DIDN’T NOTICE THAT HIS
FRIEND’S THOUGHTS WERE TROUBLING HIM.
IRVINE THX: CHARLIE’S PUTTING ON A BRAVE FACE, BUT I THINK
HE’S FINDING IT TOUGH. HAVE I DONE THE RIGHT
THING?
PANEL BELOW: KEN KNEW THAT CHARLIE WAS A GREAT PILOT
AND A NATURAL LEADER, BUT WONDERED IF HE WAS PUSHING HIM
INTO PROMOTION TOO SOON.
Pic 8. Another vicious aerial battle, this time Charlie and Irvine’s squad are
defending themselves against German Junkers 88 bombers. Their voices
crackle over the radio waves.
PANEL ABOVE: A YEAR PASSED. AS THE WAR RAGED ON, KEN’S
WORRIES ABOUT CHARLIE CAME TO THE FORE ONCE AGAIN.
CHARLIE: GET INTO THEM, LADS!
IRVINE: WAIT FOR MY ORDERS, CHARLIE!
4

Pic 9. Charlie fires on a Junkers 88, blowing it up in mid-air, but there are
several other German planes lurking under heavy cloud cover nearby.
PANEL ABOVE: IN HIS EAGERNESS FOR COMBAT, CHARLIE WENT
IN GUNS BLAZING, WITHOUT PROPERLY ASSESSING THE SITUATION.
CHARLIE: THAT’S MY SCORE UP TO 24 …UH-OH!
Pic 10. Irvine swings his plane round to help Charlie against this other threat.
PANEL ABOVE: KEN SWOOPED IN TO HELP CHARLIE, WHO WAS
OUTGUNNED BY THE GERMANS.
IRVINE: HOLD ON, CHARLIE!
5

Pic 11. Irvine’s plane guns blaze hot lead, destroying another Junkers (igniting
its fuel tank), saving Charlie’s hide.
PANEL ABOVE: KEN THUMBED HIS GUN BUTTON, DESTROYING AN
ENEMY AIRCRAFT…
KEN: TAKE THAT, FRITZ!
Pic 12. A tragic moment as a Ju 88 fires on Irvine’s Spitfire. It erupts in a ball
of flame, his dying words issuing from within.
PANEL ABOVE: … BUT FAILED TO SPOT ANOTHER OUTFLANKING
HIM.
IRVINE’S VOICE: ABORT MISSION – ARRGH!
6

Pic 13. inside his cockpit, aghast Charlie looks stunned, but quickly heads
home. Behind him, we can see that another Junkers is on his tail.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE SWUNG HIS AIRCRAFT ROUND IN A TIGHT
ARC, HEADING BACK TO THE MAINLAND, BUT HIS MIND WAS
ELSEWHERE.
CHARLIE THX: THE SKIPPER’S DEAD. AND IT’S ALL MY FAULT!
Pic 14. The POV of the Junkers pilot, in his cockpit. He has Charlie’s Spitfire
in his sights. He fires his cannons.
PANEL ABOVE: THE ENEMY PILOT SAW THE CHANCE FOR HIS
SECOND KILL OF THE DAY, AND TOOK IT.
GERMAN PILOT: TIME TO DIE, TOMMY!
7

Pic 15. Ext shot of Charlie’s Spitfire as a hail of German bullets pierce its
fuselage.
PANEL ABOVE: BULLETS RIPPED THROUGH THE SPITFIRE’S
UNDERCARRIAGE.
CHARLIE: AAH!
Pic 16. Some other Ju 88s drop their bombs.
PANEL ABOVE: THE Ju 88s DROPPED THEIR DEADLY BOMB LOADS
OVER THE ENGLISH MAINLAND.
CAPTAIN VOICE: PRESENT FOR YOU, BRITISHERS!
8

Pic 17. The Ju pilot (who has Charlie in his sights) snorts with disappointment
when a direct order from his C.O. crackles through the radio.
PANEL ABOVE: THE GERMAN PILOT WAS POISED TO FINISH
CHARLIE OFF, BUT WAS INTERUPTED BY A RADIO MESSAGE FROM
HIS C.O.
RADIO VOICE: ALL BOMBS DEPLOYED. WITHDRAW IMMEDIATELY
– BEFORE THE BRITISH SEND UP REINFORCEMENTS!
PILOT: ACH! YOUR LUCKY DAY, TOMMY!
Pic 18. Charlie’s battered plane heads towards his airstrip. He’s coming in too
fast, and too low.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE’S PLANE WAS LOSING FUEL. HE
WRESTLED WITH THE CONTROLS, JUST MANAGING TO GET THE
BATTERED KITE BACK TO BASE.
CHARLIE: THIS’LL BE A BUMPY LANDING!
9

Pic 19. Charlie stumbles from his crashed plan in the nick of time. He
staggers away from the wreckage. If there’s room in background, we could
perhaps see some other squadron planes coming in to land.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE MANAGED TO TUMBLE FROM HIS
WRECKED SPIT BEFORE THE FUEL TANK IGNITED.
CHARLIE THX: GOT TO GET CLEAR!
Pic 20. The Spitfire explodes. The blast throws Charlie forward. He cries out
in pain.
PANEL ABOVE: THE AIRCRAFT EXPLODED IN A BALL OF FLAME.
LUCKILY, THE BLAST THREW CHARLIE CLEAR.
CHARLIE: ARGGGH!
10

Pic 21. Charlie lies unconscious. His right leg lies awkwardly. Some RAF
ground crew members rush to put out the flames. A crew member goes to
help Charlie.
PANEL ABOVE: R.A.F. GROUND CREW RUSHED TO TACKLE THE
FLAMES, AND ASSIST THE UNCONSCIOUS PILOT.
CREW MEMBER 1: GET THOSE FLAMES OUT, NOW!
CREW MEMBER 2: STRETCHER BEARER, OVER HERE!
Pic 22. Charlie comes to in a sick bay bed. His head and arms are bandaged
(he was burned in the plane explosion), and we (somehow!) see that his right
foot is bound tightly with bandages. His C.O., Wing Commander William
Campbell and Medical Officer George Payne stand by his beside.
PANEL ABOVE: THE FOLLOWING DAY, CHARLIE WOKE UP IN THE
SICK BAY. THE BASE C.O., WING COMMANDER WILLIAM CAMPBELL,
AND MEDICAL OFFICER GEORGE PAYNE STOOD BY HIS BEDSIDE.
CHARLIE: WH-WHAT HAPPENED, SIR?
CAMPBELL: EASY, BOYD. YOU’RE IN SICK BAY. YOU’VE GOT A
NASTY CONCUSSION AND SOME MINOR BURNS.
PAYNE: YOU ALSO HAVE A SEVERELY SPRAINED ANKLE.
YOU’LL BE OUT OF ACTION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS,
AT LEAST.
11

Pic 23. Charlie is irritated by this news. He protests to Campbell and Payne,
but they are having none of it. They tell him to relax, as they head out of the
room.
PANEL ABOVE: THIS WAS THE LAST THING THAT CHARLIE
WANTED TO HEAR. HE WAS DETERMINED TO GET BACK IN THE AIR
RIGHT AWAY.
CHARLIE: I’M FINE, SIR. PLEASE, I NEED TO GET BACK OUT THERE. I
OWE IT TO KEN IRVINE!
CAMPBELL: DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT, BOYD. NOW, GET
SOME REST. THAT’S AN ORDER!
Pic 24. In the corridor, a concerned Payne confides to Campbell, the Senior
Officer.
PANEL ABOVE: PAYNE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CHARLIE’S
MENTAL STATE, BELIEVING HIM TO BE SHOWING SIGNS OF BATTLE
STRESS.
PAYNE: THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, SIR. I THINK BOYD
MAY CRACK IF WE PUSH HIM BACK INTO FLYING TOO
SOON, ESPECIALLY AFTER IRVINE’S DEATH.
CAMPBELL: HE’S A VALUABLE PILOT. I’D HATE TO LOSE HIM.
ALTHOUGH, I MAY HAVE SOMETHING THAT WILL KEEP
HIM OCCUPIED WHEN HIS INJURIES HEAL…
12

Pic 25. Some time has lapsed. Charlie (perhaps in civilian clothing) is now up
and about. We see that one of his flying buddies has given him a lift into the
nearest town. He stands at the side of the jeep, waving to his friend, as he
sets off.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE’S BURNS SOON HEALED, BUT HIS
SPRAINED ANKLE STILL BOTHERED HIM. ONE DAY, ADAM MCKEE, A
FELLOW PILOT, GAVE CHARLIE A LIFT INTO IPSWICH.
CHARLIE: THANKS, ADAM!
ADAM: YOU SHOULD’VE TAKEN A BROLLY, CHARLIE. LOOKS LIKE
IT’S GOING TO DOWNPOUR!
Pic 26. It’s raining now. Charlie stands outside the town cinema. There’s a
sign or bill poster. It reads: Now showing – THE NAZI TERROR!
PANEL ABOVE: AFTER WANDERING AROUND TOWN FOR A WHILE,
CHARLIE DECIDED TO GO TO THE CINEMA, MAINLY TO AVOID THE
HEAVY RAIN.
CHARLIE THX: IF I CAN’T FIGHT IN THE WAR, I MIGHT AS WELL WATCH
IT AT THE LOCAL FLEAPIT!
13

Pic 27. Inside the cinema. Charlie stares at the screen. On screen, we see the
handsome face of Neville Craig, film star. He’s a kind of David Niven type,
wearing an Army Lieutenant’s uniform.
PANEL ABOVE: ‘THE NAZI TERROR!’ WAS ONE OF MANY HASTILY-
PRODUCED PROPAGANDA FILMS DECIDED TO BOOST BRITAIN’S
PUBLIC MORALE, AND WAR EFFORT.
CHARLIE THX: NEVILLE CRAIG’S ALWAYS IN THIS TYPE OF FILM!
PANEL BELOW: ENGLISH ACTOR NEVILLE CRAIG HAD QUICKLY
BECOME THE TOAST OF HOLLYWOOD WITH HIS
PORTAYAL OF A NUMBER OF PLUCKY WARTIME
HEROES.
Pic 28. Now we’re “inside” the film, seeing things as if they’re happening in
real life (if you know what I mean). Neville Craig’s Lieutenant character stands
beside his friend, a Captain. A Nazi officer covers them both with a Luger.
PANEL ABOVE: IN THE FILM, CRAIG’S CAHRACTER, LIEUTENANT
JASON HASTINGS, WAS RIGHT HAND MAN TO A CAPTAIN WHO KNEW
SECRET ENIGMA MACHINE CODES THAT THE NAZIS WERE
DESPERATE TO GET THEIR HANDS ON.
NAZI: YOU WILL TELL ME THE SECRET CODES, OR DIE!
NEVILLE: YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS!
CAPTAIN: CAREFUL, HASTINGS, DON’T PROVOKE HIM!
14

Pic 29. The Nazi fires his pistol. Craig’s character nobly shields his superior
officer from the bullet. He gets shot in the chest himself.
PANEL ABOVE: THE MOVIE NAZI FIRED HIS LUGER PISTOL, BUT
NAZI: DIE!
CRAIG’S CHARACTER SPRANG FORWARD
HEROICALLY.
NEVILLE: LOOK OUT, SIR – ARGH!
CAPTAIN: NO!
Pic 30. Craig’s character lies on the floor. The Captain character shoots the
Nazi with another pistol.
PANEL ABOVE: THE MOVIE CAPTAIN SCRABBLED AROUND,
AND FOUND A WEAPON.
CAPTAIN: NAZI MURDERER!
NAZI: UUURGH!
15

Pic 31. A sad moment, onscreen, where the Captain character tends to
Craig’s dying hero.
PANEL ABOVE: MOST OF NEVILLE CRAIG’S FILMS HAD
ENTERTAINING, BUT CLICHED SCENES LIKE THESE.
NEVILLE: YOU’RE TOO…IMPORTANT, SIR. THE N-NAZIS CAN’T…WIN!
CAPTAIN: THEY WON’T HASTINGS. YOUR NOBLE SACRIFICE WILL
SEE TO THAT!
Pic 32. The final scene of the film. A close-up on a gravestone. It reads: IN
MEMORIAM. LT. JASON HASTINGS, V.C. 1911 – 1940. HE DIED A HERO.
It would be good if we can pull back a bit, to see a less-than-impressed
Charlie watching this in the cinema.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE WAS LESS THAN IMPRESSED WITH WHAT
HE HAD JUST WATCHED ON THE CINEMA SCREEN.
CHARLIE THX: HUH! IF CRAIG WANTS TO BE A HERO, HE SHOULD
JOIN UP AND FIGHT THE NAZIS FOR REAL!
16

Pic 33. Charlie, back in RAF uniform, stands at ease in Wing Commander
Campbell’s office. Campbell is seated behind a desk.
PANEL ABOVE: A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, CHARLIE WAS
BACK ON DUTY, BUT NOT FLYING YET, MUCH TO HIS
CONSTERNATION. WING COMMANDER CAMPBELL CALLED CHARLIE
INTO HIS OFFICE. THE C.O. HAD AN UNUSUAL QUESTION.
CAMPBELL: AH, BOYD. HAVE YOU HEARD OF NEVILLE CRAIG?
CHARLIE: THE ACTOR? YES, SIR. I SAW ONE OF HIS FILMS NOT
SO LONG AGO.
Pic 34. Charlie now looks a little taken aback by what his C.O. has just told
him.
PANEL ABOVE: CAMPBELL EXPLAINED THAT NEVILLE CRAIG
WISHED TO VISIT THEIR AIRBASE, AS RESEARCH FOR HIS NEXT
SCREEN ROLE, WHERE HE WOULD PLAY AN R.A.F. PILOT.
CAMPBELL: I’D LIKE YOU TO BE CRAIG’S CHIEF LIAISON OFFICER,
AN “ESCORT”, IF YOU WILL.
CHARLIE: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, SIR, I THINK I SHOULD BE IN
THE AIR – NOT BABYSITTING SOME MOVIE STAR!
17

Pic 35. Campbell has a slightly sour look on his face. Charlie gives a brisk
salute.
PANEL ABOVE: THE WING COMMANDER WAS NOT USED TO BEING
ANSWERED BACK IN THIS FASHION.
CAMPBELL: DULY NOTED, BOYD. BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT
PROJECT FOR US - AND I GAVE YOU A DIRECT ORDER!
CHARLIE: YES, SIR. UNDERSTOOD.
PANEL BELOW: CHARLIE IMMEDIATELY REALISED THAT HE
HAD BEEN OUT OF LINE. HIS DETERMINATION TO GET BACK BEHIND
THE CONTROLS OF A SPITFIRE WAS GETTING THE BETTER OF HIM.
Pic 36. Establishing shot of the west coast of France, Brittany in particular.
PANEL ABOVE: FRANCE HAD BEEN OVERRUN OVERRUN BY
GERMAN FORCES, BUT MANY RESISTANCE GROUPS WAGED A
GUERRILLA WAR AGAINST THE NAZI OCCUPIERS.
18

Pic 37. Establish the Breton village of Rennes.
PANEL ABOVE: THE VILLAGE OF RENNES WAS ONE OF MANY
TOWNSHIPS NOW UNDER NAZI RULE.
Pic 38. Night time. Outside the village Hall. A few men and women, French
villagers enter the hall. There’s something secretive going on.
PANEL ABOVE: AT THE VILLAGE HALL, A SMALL GROUP OF
DEFIANT CIVILIANS HAD SOME SECRET BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO.
MAN: QUICK, MES AMIS!
WOMAN: GET INSIDE, EVERYONE!
MAN: BEFORE THE GERMANS SEE US!
19

Pic 39. Inside the village hall. There are rows of rickety chairs. Quite a few
men and women are seated inside. In the centre stands a battered film
projector and screen. One man (Pierre) holds up a film canister.
PANEL ABOVE: THE BRITISH ARMY REGULARLY DROPPED
SUPPLIES FOR THE FRENCH RESISTANCE WHO, IN TURN, MANAGED
TO HIDE THE MATERIAL FROM THE NAZIS AND DISTRIBUTE IT AMONG
LOCAL POPULATION. PIERRE CARDONNE, RENNES’S CINEMA
PROJECTIONIST SPOKE UP.
PIERRE: ANOTHER FILM FOR US TO WATCH, MY FRIENDS!
Pic 40. The movie now plays. The familiar face of actor Neville Craig is
projected onto the screen. Maybe this time he plays a British Naval Officer.
The crowd is impressed.
PANEL ABOVE: ALLIED PROPAGANDA MATERIAL WAS AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THE SUPPILES, A MORAL BOOSTER FOR THE
BELEAGUERED, BUT STILL DEFIANT FRENCH.
PIERRE: IT’S MONSIEUR CRAIG AGAIN!
WOMAN: OUI! BON!
PANEL BELOW: THE VILLAGERS SETTLED DOWN TO WATCH
SOME MUCH NEEDED, ESCAPIST ENTERTAINMENT.
20

Pic 41. Out of the blue, a squad of Nazi Gestapo soldiers bursts in on the
surprised villagers. Kessler, our main villain, leads them.
PANEL ABOVE: SUDDENLY, THE HALL DOORS WERE
SAVAGELY KICKED IN, AND A SQUAD OF GESTAPO SOLDIERS BURST
IN. THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER WAS OBERST GOTTFREID
KESSLER, A FANATICAL NAZI - INTENT ON WIPING OUT ALL
RESISTANCE ACTIVITY IN HIS REGION OF BRITTANY.
KESSLER: TIME FOR AN INTERMISSION, FRENCH WORMS!
Pic 42. The villagers stand with their hands above their heads in surrender.
Kessler and his troops cover them with their guns.
PANEL ABOVE: THE FRIGHTENED CIVILIANS RAISED THEIR
ARMS IN SURRENDER.
KESSLER: OUTSIDE, ALL OF YOU – MOVE!
21

Pic 43. In the village square, the civilians are now lined up against a wall.
Kessler looks deep in thought.
PANEL ABOVE: KESSLER WANTED TO NIP ALL RESISTANCE
SYMPATHY IN THE BUD. HE DECIDED TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF THE
UNFORTUNATE VILLAGERS.
KESSLER THX: I’LL TEACH THESE RESISTANCE SCUM A LESSON!
Pic 44. Kessler’s troops have now formed a firing squad. The machine guns
are raised. Kessler gives the order to fire.
PANEL ABOVE: KESSLER ORDERED HIS MEN TO FORM A FIRING
SQUAD. THEY TOOK AIM AGAINST THE HELPLESS CIVILIANS.
KESSLER: FIRE!
22

Pic 45. The executions happen “off stage”. We’re close on one of the German
machine guns as it blazes away, spent cartridge cases cascading from the
breech. Maybe Kessler looks on, as if he’s enjoying this horrific spectacle.
PANEL ABOVE: THE NAZI SCHMEISSER MACHINE PISTOLS
BLAZED IN A CACOPHONY OF NOISE. A SATISFIED KESSLER
WATCHED, UNFAZED BY HIS OWN SHOCKING DISPLAY OF
RUTHLESSNESS.
KESSLER THX: THERE’LL BE NO MORE ENEMY PROPAGANDA
HERE FROM NOW ON!
Pic 46. A small crowd has gathered, anger all over their faces at this
spectacle. One of the men is an important character, Resistance leader,
Jacques Sens. The Germans threaten the crowd with their guns, to hold them
back.
PANEL ABOVE: A SEETHING CROWD OF VILLAGERS HAD
FORMED. AMONG THEM WAS JAQUES SENS, LEADER OF THE LOCAL
RESISTANCE. HE WOULD’VE BEEN KILLED TOO, BUT WAS DELAYED
GETTING TO THE HALL AS HE HAD TO DODGE SOME GERMAN
PATROLS ON THE WAY.
KESSLER: GET BACK, SCHWEIN, OR THE SAME WILL HAPPEN TO
YOU.
MAN: NAZI FILTH!
JACQUES: FOR SHAME!
23

Pic 47. Jacques heads away from the crowd, deep in thought.
PANEL ABOVE: JACQUES WAS ENRAGED, BUT KNEW HE
COULDN’T FIGHT THE NAZIS THERE AND THEN.
JACQUES THX: MY FRIENDS, YOU WILL BE AVENGED, BUT NOT
TODAY. NO POINT IN ME GETTING CAPTURED
NOW.
Pic 48. Kessler shoots an unarmed villager who gets too close. Kessler barks
an order at another important supporting character – Rudi Bartos, a German
Wehrmacht lieutenant.
PANEL ABOVE: ANOTHER HORRIFIED SPECTATOR WAS RUDI
BARTOS, A DECENT WEHRMACHT LIEUTENANT. HIS MEN WERE BEING
USED AS BACK-UP FOR THE GESTAPO.
KESSLER: C’MON, BARTOS, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THAT
RABBLE IN LINE!
RUDI: JA, HERR OBERST!
24

Pic 49. Kessler, distracted by something else, doesn’t notice Bartos scowling
at him.
PANEL ABOVE: AFTER OTHER ANTI-RESISTANCE OPERATIONS
LIKE THIS, RUDI WAS BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THAT THE NAZIS WERE
A DISGRACE TO GERMANY.
RUDI THX: THAT WAS COLD-BLOODED MURDER! THE NAZIS ARE
THUGS!
PANEL BELOW: FROM NOW ON, WHERE POSSIBLE, RUDI
WOULD TRY TO AVOID DIRECTLY CARRYING OUT GESTAPO ORDERS.
Pic 50. Back in England. A big scene as Neville Craig arrives at Charlie’s
base. There’s press coverage, reporters, photographers, etc. Charlie and the
Wing Commander are there too. The press clamour over Craig.
PANEL ABOVE: BACK IN ENGLAND, NEVILLE CRAIG’S ARRIVAL
AT THE AIRBASE CAUSED QUITE A STIR. WHEREVER HE WENT, A
MEDIA CIRCUS FOLLOWED THE HOLLYWOOD ACTOR.
REPORTER: NEVILLE, WILL THE R.A.F. BE GIVING YOU THE STAR
TREATMENT?
NEVILLE: NOT AT ALL. I’M JUST “ONE OF THE LADS”!
25

Pic 51. After the fuss has died down. Charlie has just escorted Neville to his
accommodation at the barracks. Neville looks unimpressed.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS THE R.A.F.
LIAISON, AND ESCORTED NEVILLE TO HIS TEMPORARY QUARTERS IN
THE OFFICERS’ WING.
CHARLIE: I TRUST EVERYTHING IS SATISFACTORY, MR CRAIG.
NEVILLE: I SUPPOSE IT’LL DO, BOYD. MOVIE EXTRAS GET BETTER
ACCOMODATION THAN THIS!
Pic 52. Neville is invited to the officers’ mess that night for a small banquet in
his honour. The officers fuss over Neville, but Charlie knows what he’s really
like.
PANEL ABOVE: LATER THAT EVENING, NEVILLE WAS GUEST
OF HONOUR AT A BANQUET HELD IN THE OFFICERS’ MESS.
NEVILLE: …AND THEN BOGIE SAID TO ME, “HERE’S LOOKING AT
YOU, NEV!”
OFFICER: HA-HA!
CHARLIE THX: HE’S OH SO CHARMING NOW, BUT
NOBODY SAW HIS PRIMA DONNA ROUTINE EARLIER!
26

Pic 53. A couple of the officers are talking. Neville looks up at them, while
scribbling in a leather-bound pocket journal.
PANEL ABOVE: AS THE NIGHT WORE ON, NEVILLE PRODUCED
A LEATHER BOUND POCKET JOURNAL AND SCRIBBLED IN IT ALMOST
ANY TIME AN OFFICER SPOKE.
OFFICER 1: I REMEMBER ONCE ON RECON PATROL, THE FLAK
WAS SO THICK…
OFFICER 2: …YOU COULD GET OUT AND WALK ON IT!
NEVILLE: THIS IS GREAT RESEARCH MATERIAL, CHAPS!
Pic 54. This could be a half-sized frame. Charlie scowls in Neville’s direction.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE WAS UNIMPRESSED WITH NEVILLE.
CHARLIE THX: STEALING OUR WORDS AS WELL AS PRETENDING TO
FIGHT OUR WAR! TYPICAL!
27

Pic 55. The next day. Charlie looks on as movie cameras, sound equipment
and film production crews start to arrive at the base. Perhaps there’s a flight
case somewhere with the movie name stencilled on it: SCOURGE OF THE
SKIES
PANEL ABOVE:
AT THE BASE
THE NEXT DAY, MOVIE PERSONNEL ARRIVED.
CHARLIE THX: THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE’RE SUPPOSED TO BE
FIGHTING A WAR!
Pic 56. At the airfield. Charlie and Neville stand in front of a 2 man, Avro
Anson aircraft.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE HAD COMMANDEERED THE
SQUADRON “TAXI” – AN AVRO ANSON. THIS 2-MAN AIRCRAFT WOULD
BE USED TO FAMILIARISE NEVILLE WITH FLYING.
CHARLIE: I’VE ORDERED YOU A TAXI, MR CRAIG!
NEVILLE: I THINK I PREFER THE ONES ON OXFORD STREET!
28

Pic 57. Charlie and Neville are in the Anson. Charlie gently eases the craft
upwards.
PANEL ABOVE: A FEW MINUTES LATER, CHARLIE EASED THE
ANSON UP INTO THE AIR.
CHARLIE THX: IT’S GREAT TO BE IN THE AIR AGAIN, FINALLY!
Pic 58. High in the air. Charlie does some light manoeuvres, to let Neville see
some fighter pilot flying.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE WENT THROUGH SOME BASIC
COMBAT MANOEUVRES. HIS USUALLY TALKATIVE PASSENGER WAS
NOTICABLY QUIET.
CHARLIE: QUITE A VIEW, MR CRAIG!
Pic 59. Charlie does some more elaborate moves. He deliberately flies
through some heavy clouds.
PANEL ABOVE: JUDGING BY NEVILLE’S LESS THAN
ENTHUSIASTIC REACTIONS, CHARLIE GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT
THE ACTOR WAS SCARED OF FLYING.
CHARLIE: HOLD ON, MR CRAIG. WE’RE HEADING FOR SOME
TURBULENCE!
NEVILLE: OH, NO! I MEAN, NO PROBLEM.
29

Pic 60. Grinning Charlie lets the plane drop a little, causing Neville to panic.
PANEL ABOVE: GLEEFUL CHARLIE DECIDED TO HAVE A LITTLE
FUN AT THE MOVIE STAR’S EXPENSE. CHARLIE LET THE PLANE DIP
FOR A FEW SECONDS, CAUSING A STOMACH-CHURNING LURCH.
CHARLIE: OOPS!
NEVILLE: OH, LORD!
Pic 61. Charlie now guides the plane back home.
PANEL ABOVE: THE PLANE WAS PERFECTLY SAFE IN
CHARLIE’S CAPABLE HANDS. SOON, THE PILOT DECIDED TO HEAD
BACK HOME, MUCH TO NEVILLE’S RELIEF.
CHARLIE: TIME TO HEAD HOME, METHINKS, UNLESS YOU’D
LIKE TO STAY OUT LONGER?
NEVILLE: NO, THANKS!
30

Pic 62. Back on the ground. Charlie stands on the aircraft runway, waiting for
Neville to clamber out of the Anson. Another man is there. It’s the movie
producer/director, Peter Hudson.
PANEL ABOVE: BACK ON THE GROUND, THE MOVIE’S
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR, PETER HUDSON, WAS WAITING TO GREET
THEM.
PETER: DID YOU HAVE FUN, NEVILLE, DEAR BOY?
NEVILLE: TERRIFIC! THAT FLYING LARK’S A BREEZE!
Pic 63. Peter looks pleased. Neville less so at what his producer has to say.
Charlie is secretly delighted.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE’S CASUAL ATTITUDE BACKFIRED ON HIM,
THOUGH.
PETER: GREAT, BECAUSE YOU’LL BE BACK IN THE AIR
TOMORROW. THE WING COMMANDER THINKS ANOTHER
NEVILLE: WHAT?
TRIP WILL HELP YOU EVEN MORE.
CHARLIE THX: HA! SERVES YOU RIGHT!
31

Pic 64. Now, Neville sits in the cockpit of a spitfire, parked on the ground.
Charlie, standing on the wing, goes over the controls with him. Peter Hudson
stands nearby.
PANEL ABOVE: THAT AFTERNOON, PETER WAS KEEN TO
START PRINCIPLE PHOTOGRAPHY. SCENES WOULD BE SHOT OUT OF
SEQUENCE, AND THE FIRST WOULD INVOLVE NEVILLE’S CHARACTER
FLYING A SPITFIRE.
CHARLIE: THAT CONTROLS THE FLAPS, AND THE RED BUTTON
FIRES THE MACHINE GUNS. THEY’RE EMPTY JUST NOW,
OF COURSE.
NEVILLE: SEEMS STRAIGHT FORWARD ENOUGH. THANKS, BOYD.
Pic 65. The film crew, headed by Peter, are about to go for a take. Peter
shouts through a megaphone. Camera, boom mike, lights, etc are trained on
Neville in the spitfire cockpit.
PANEL ABOVE: UNDER PETER’S DIRECTION, THE FILM GOT
UNDERWAY.
PETER: READY, EVERYONE? LIGHTS, CAMERA… ACTION!
32

Pic 66. Neville acts inside the cockpit. He makes a good job of it, a convincing
performance of a pilot in the thick of a dogfight. Charlie watches, at the side of
the frame.
PANEL ABOVE: IN THIS SCENE, NEVILLE’S CHARACTER WAS IN
THE MIDST OF A BATTLE OF BRITAIN DOGFIGHT. CHARLIE WATCHED
THE FILMING INTENTLY.
NEVILLE: STEADY, CHAPS. CLOSE FORMATION, AND WATCH OUT
FOR THAT FLAK. IT’S SO THICK YOU COULD GET OUT AND
WALK ON IT!
CHARLIE THX: I MUST ADMIT HE IS A GOOD ACTOR – EVEN IF HE
DOES STEAL HIS LINES FROM ELSEWHERE!
Pic 67. A different angle. Perhaps Neville stares straight at us, his face a
mask of concentration. He stabs at the gun button.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE PERFORMED THE SCENE SEVERAL
TIMES, UNTIL THE DIRECTOR WAS HAPPY.
NEVILLE: EAT LEAD, FRITZ!
PETER’S VOICE: CUT! PRINT THAT!
33

Pic 68. The next day. Charlie and Neville are once again in the Anson cockpit.
They watch as the rest of Charlie’s squadron disappear upwards into the sky,
on patrol in their Spitfires.
PANEL ABOVE: THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON, CHARLIE AND
NEVILLE WATCHED AS THE SQUADRON SET OUT ON PATROL.
CHARLIE THX: BE CAREFUL, CHAPS. WISH I COULD JOIN YOU.
NEVILLE: LET’S GET THIS OVER WITH. EH, BOYD?
Pic 69. Charlie and Neville are thousands of feet in the air in the Anson. If
possible, we see that Charlie is heading away from the English coast.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE HAD ORDERS TO KEEP THE ENGLISH
COASTLINE IN SIGHT, BUT HE WASN’T CONCENTRATING.
CHARLIE THX: HOPE I’LL BE BACK ON PATROL SOON…
NEVILLE: WHERE ARE YOU TAKING US, BOYD?
34

Pic 70. The Anson is now flying over the water of the English Channel.
Charlie spots some shapes in the distance.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE’S IRRITABLE VOICE BROUGHT CHARLIE
BACK TO HIS SENSES.
CHARLIE: EH? HANG ON. WHAT’S THAT AHEAD?
NEVILLE: NOW WHAT?
Pic 71. Charlie realises what the shapes are. Charlie anxiously talks into his
radio.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE RECOGNISED THE SHAPES AHEAD AS
PROWLING Me 109 FIGHTERS. HE GOT ON THE RADIO IMMEDIATELY.
CHARLIE (INTO RADIO): BOYD TO SQUADRON LEADER. WE HAVE
COMPANY AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
NEVILLE: CRIKEY!
35

Pic 72. Interior of Spitfire Squadron leader’s cockpit. Squadron leader
answers Charlie over the radio. If there’s room, we can see some of the other
Spits flying near him.
PANEL ABOVE: ACTING SQUADRON LEADER DAVID MONTGOMERY
ACKNOWLEDGED CHARLIE’S TIP-OFF.
DAVID: UNDERSTOOD, CHARLIE. YOU AND THE V.I.P. BETTER GET
BACK TO BASE, SHARPISH!
CHARLIE (OVER RADIO): ROGER, SKIP!
Pic 73. Aerial shot. Focus on the Me 109 squadron. A couple of them have
spotted the Anson and head towards it.
PANEL ABOVE: UNFORTUNATELY FOR CHARLIE AND NEVILLE, A
COUPLE OF ONE-OH-NINES SPOTTED THE ANSON, AND PEELED OFF
FROM THE MAIN GROUP, HEADING TOWARDS THE EASY TARGET.
109 PILOT 1: LOOK! FANCY SOME TARGET PRACTICE?
109 PILOT 2: HA! MAYBE THE ENGLANDER IS OUT ON A PICNIC!
CHARLIE’S VOICE: UH-OH!
36

Pic 74. Aerial shot. Charlie takes evasive action in the Anson, dodging a hail
of 109 bullets.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE MANAGED TO AVOID A DEADLY HAIL OF
TRACER FIRE, BUT THE MANOEVERES TOOK THEM EVEN CLOSER TO
OCCUPIED FRANCE.
CHARLIE: PHEW! THAT WAS CLOSE!
NEVILLE: WE’RE GOING TO DIE!
Pic 75. Interior of the Anson cockpit. Charlie’s face is grim. Neville panics.
PANEL ABOVE: ONCE MORE, CHARLIE HAILED HIS SQUADRON
MATES OVER THE RADIO. THIS TIME, HE SENT A DISTRESS CALL.
CHARLIE: BOYD TO SQUADRON – WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!
DAVID (OVER RADIO): SIT TIGHT, CHARLIE! WE’RE ON OUR WAY!
NEVILLE: WE’RE DOOMED!
37

Pic 76. An action scene. One of the predatory 109s fires a burst of tracer fire
which shreds the Anson’s tail.
PANEL ABOVE: SO FAR, CHARLIE HAD DONE WELL TO AVOID
BEING HIT. BUT SOON, THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED.
109 PILOT: TOO EASY!
CHARLIE: BLAST!
Pic 77. Inside the Anson cockpit. Charlie looks defeated. Neville looks scared.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE WAS SILENT, OBVIOUSLY IN SHOCK.
CHARLIE EXPECTED A FINAL BURST OF TRACER FIRE TO BLOW THEM
OUT OF THE SKIES…
CHARLIE THX: LOOKS LIKE THIS IS IT…
PANEL BELOW: …BUT IT NEVER CAME.
38

Pic 78. There are two loud explosions in the air behind the Anson. Squadron
leader Dave and a Spitfire colleague have wiped out the 109s. They soar into
view.
PANEL ABOVE: THEN –
109 PILOT 1: ARGH!
109 PILOT 2: AIIEEE!
DAVE: PICK ON SOMEONE ELSE, JERRY!
Pic 79. The Anson plummets downwards, a trail of black smoke behind it.
Dave’s pane is nearby.
PANEL ABOVE: CAHRLIE HAD HIS WITS ABOUT HIM AGAIN. HE
GRATEFULLY CONTACTED HIS FLYING COLLEAGUE.
CHARLIE: THANKS, DAVE! I OWE YOU ONE. BUT THIS JUNKHEAP’S
HAD IT. I’M GOING TO TRY A CRASH LANDING!
DAVE (OVER RADIO): WILCO, CHARLIE. GOOD LUCK! I’LL CALL IT IN.
PANEL BELOW: CHARLIE’S PASSENGER WAS STILL SILENT.
39

Pic 80. Wide pic from Charlie’s POV, as if we’re watching the action from
behind his shoulder. The ground (a forest) gets nearer as the Anson
plummets down. Charlie spots some farmland nearby.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE FUMBLED WITH THE ANSON CONTROLS,
AS THE GROUND LOOMED EVER CLOSER.
CHARLIE: THERE’S A FIELD! I THINK WE CAN MAKE IT…
Pic 81. Similar view as above. From Charlie’s POV, the craft is almost on the
ground, at the field.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE YELLED OUT TO HIS PASSENGER,
JOLTING HIM OUT OF HIS SHOCK.
CHARLIE: BRACE YOURSELF, CRAIG!
CRAIG: WHA-? TOO RIGHT!
40

Pic 82. Wide scene as the Anson smashes into the ground, churning up the
earth all around it.
PANEL ABOVE: THE BATTERED TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS
AIRCRAFT BURROWED THROUGH THE FIELD, BEFORE EVENTUALLY
GRINDING TO A HALT.
CHARLIE’S VOICE: WE MADE IT!
NEVILLE’S VOICE: GOODNESS KNOWS HOW!
Pic 83. Charlie (now carrying a revolver) and Neville escape the crashed
aircraft. The atmosphere is terse. (Would Charlie be able to kick out the glass
of the canopy?)
PANEL ABOVE: PAUSING ONLY TO SCOOP UP HIS SERVICE
REVOLVER, CHARLIE EVACUATED THE PLANE. NEVILLE FOLLOWED
IMMEDIATELY, PICKING UP HIS PRECIOUS LEATHER BOUND JOURNAL.
CHARLIE: QUICKLY! GET OUT – NOW!
NEVILLE: MY JOURNAL!
PANEL BELOW: ALTHOUGH BADLY SHAKEN, BOTH MEN HAD
OTHERWISE ESCAPED UNHURT.
41

Pic 84. They’ve run quite far away from the aircraft. But, Charlie clutches at
his right ankle. They’re now under cover of some trees.
PANEL ABOVE: THE TWO MEN TRIED TO GET AS MUCH DISTANCE
BETWEEN THEM AND THE DOWNED ANSON. GERMAN GROUND
FORCES WOULD SOON INVESTIGATE. BUT THEN, CHARLIE YELPED IN
PAIN.
CHARLIE: ARGH!
NEVILLE: WHAT’S WRONG?
PANEL BELOW: CHARLIE’S ANKLE KNOCK HAD BEEN BADLY
AGGRAVATED IN THE CRASH.
Pic 85. Irritable Charlie is in pain. An argument breaks out between he and
Neville.
PANEL ABOVE: BOTH OF THEM WERE FRUSTRATED AT THEIR
PREDICAMENT. THEY NOW DESPISED EACH OTHER.
NEVILLE: THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU’D WATCHED
WHAT YOU WERE DOING, BOYD!
CHARLIE: OF ALL THE NERVE! WE WOULDN’T EVEN BE HERE IF IT
WASN’T FOR YOUR STUPID FILM!
42

Pic 86. Neville has calmed down a bit. He starts to scribble in his journal.
Charlie scowls.
PANEL ABOVE: THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A SHORT REST BECAUSE
OF CHARLIE’S INJURY. NEVILLE PRODUCED HIS JOURNAL AND BEGAN
WRITING.
CHARLIE: HUH! GOING TO SCRIBBLE US A RESCUE PLAN, CRAIG?
NEVILLE: IT’D BE BETTER THAN ANYTHING YOU’D COME UP WITH!
Pic 87. Charlie is thoughtful. Neville looks up from his journal.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE TRIED TO THINK OF THEIR NEXT MOVE.
CHARLIE: BRITISH INTELLIGENCE WILL BE DESPERATE TO GET YOU
BACK. THEY’LL PROBABLY WAIT TILL NIGHTFALL BEFORE
MOUNTING A RESCUE MISSION.
NEVILLE: IT’LL BE DARK IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.
43

Pic 88. Suddenly, a stream of bullets impact on the ground, near the startled
duo.
PANEL ABOVE: SUDDENLY, A VOLLEY OF AUTOMATIC GUNFIRE
PIERCED THE AIR. BULLETS THUDDED INTO THE SOIL AROUND THEM.
CHARLIE: TAKE COVER!
NEVILLE: YE GODS!
Pic 89. A German patrol (5 or 6 soldiers) fires upon the two Brits.
PANEL ABOVE: JUST AS CHARLIE HAD FEARED, A GERMAN PATROL
HAD BEEN SENT TO INVESTIGATE THE DOWNED AIRCRAFT.
LEADER: GET THOSE BRITISH PIGS!
44

Pic 90. Close on Charlie as he fires a covering shot back at the patrol, with his
revolver.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE LOOSED OFF A SHOT WITH HIS
REVOLVER.
CHARLIE: WE’VE ONLY GOT SIX SHOTS. I’D BETTER MAKE THIS ONE
COUNT!
Pic 91. Charlie’s shot kills a patrolman. The leader barks an order.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE’S SHOT KILLED ONE OF THE GERMANS,
CAUSING THE REST TO SCATTER.
PATROLMAN: URGH!
LEADER: ACHTUNG! HIT THE DIRT!
45

Pic 92. Neville supports Charlie as they try to escape. More bullets pass
dangerously close to them. If there’s room, we see that the German patrol is
quite close.
PANEL ABOVE: AN UNEASY PARTNERSHIP WAS FORGED
BETWEEN CHARLIE AND NEVILLE. THEY BOTH REALISED THEY
WOULD HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SURVIVE.
NEVILLE: C’MON, BOYD. I’LL HELP YOU.
CHARLIE: THANKS, CRAIG!
Pic 93. The German patrol is much closer. Charlie urges Neville to go on
ahead.
PANEL ABOVE: HOWEVER, PROGRESS WAS SLOW. CHARLIE
MADE A DECISION.
CHARLIE: I’M SLOWING YOU DOWN. GO ON, CRAIG. I’LL HOLD THEM
NEVILLE: BUT –
OFF AS LONG AS I CAN.
CHARLIE: DO IT – THAT’S AN ORDER!
46

Pic 94. Neville runs ahead, towards some nearby trees. Charlie stands his
ground, his back towards Neville. He fires another round at his pursuers.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE REALISED THAT CHARLIE WAS RIGHT.
RELUCTANTLY, THE ACTOR MADE FOR THE COVER OF SOME NEARBY
TREES.
NEVILLE: GOOD LUCK, BOYD!
CHARLIE: C’MON, JERRY! OVER HERE!
Pic 95. Charlie’s shot kills another German. But the patrol is very close now.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE STOOD HIS GROUND, DESPATCHING A
PATROL MAN WITH ANOTHER WELL-AIMED SHOT.
CHARLIE THX: I’LL FIGHT TO THE LAST BULLET!
47

Pic 96. The remaining patrol members have Charlie in their sights. One of
them is about to squeeze the trigger of his Schmeisser.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE COULDN’T HOLD THEM OFF FOREVER.
CHARLIE: DO YOUR WORST, SQUAREHEAD!
Pic 97. Out of the blue, the entire patrol is wiped out in a hail of bullets,
watched by amazed Charlie.
PANEL ABOVE: SUDDENLY –
GERMAN 1: AIEEE!
LEADER: ARGHHH!
CHARLIE: WHAT THE -?
48

Pic 98. Jacques Sens and his group of four other resistance men stand in
front of the dead patrol, their smoking weapons pointed downwards. Neville is
with them. Charlie is relieved to still be alive.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE WAS SAVED BY JACQUES SENS AND HIS
RESISTANCE GROUP. THEY HAD FOUND NEVILLE IN THE WOODS.
JACQUES: COME WITH US, MY FRIENDS. WE HAVE A SAFE HOUSE IN
THE VILLAGE. IT IS NOT FAR.
CHARLIE: PHEW! THANKS, MATE.
Pic 99. Neville gives Charlie a nod of appreciation. Jacques is pleasant, but
slightly impatient.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE WAS RELIEVED TO SEE THAT CHARLIE
WAS STILL ALIVE. JACQUES WAS KEEN TO GET MOVING.
NEVILLE: GLAD YOU MADE IT, BOYD.
CHARLIE: LIKEWISE.
JACQUES: PLEASE, WE MUST LEAVE NOW.
49

Pic 100. A couple of resistance guys help the wounded Charlie as they all
head towards the village of Rennes. It’s starting to get dark now.
PANEL ABOVE: AFTER A FLURRY OF INTRODUCTIONS, JACQUES LED
THEM TOWARDS RENNES.
CHARLIE: I WONDER HOW THE GERMANS FOUND US SO QUICKLY.
JACQUES: BRITISH INTELLIGENCE SENT AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE
ABOUT YOU. THE BOCHES MUST HAVE BEEN LISTENING
IN.
Pic 101. Change of scene to Oberst Kessler’s headquarters. A radio
operator speaks to the pleased-looking Kessler.
PANEL ABOVE: MEANWHILE, A COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER HAD
SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OBERST KESSLER.
OFFICER: HERR OBERST, ACCORDING TO THIS BRITISH
TRANSMISSION, THE FILM STAR, NEVILLE CRAIG WAS A
PASSENGER ON THE PLANE THAT CRASHED NEAR THE
WOODS.
KESSLER: EXCELLENT NEWS! WE MUST CAPTURE HIM ALIVE. JUST
IMAGINE THE PROPAGANDA. HE COULD BE PERSUADED
TO BROADCAST IN PRAISE OF OUR GLORIOUS
FATHERLAND.
PANEL BELOW: THE COMMS OFFICER TOLD HIS SUPERIOR THAT
THERE WAS NO WORD FROM THE PATROL WHO INVESTIGATED THE
AIR CRASH. BUT KESSLER’S MIND WAS ELSEWHERE.
50

Pic 102. Half-sized panel. Close on the scheming Kessler.
PANEL ABOVE: THE DEVIOUS KESSLER, OF COURSE, HAD OTHER,
MORE SELFISH REASONS FOR MASTERMINDING NEVILLE’S CAPTURE.
KESSLER THX: THE FUHRER HIMSELF WILL PERSONALLY THANK
ME FOR THIS!
Pic 103. Change of scene to the interior of the Rennes Safe House. other
Resistance members greet Neville and Charlie (especially Neville)
enthusiastically. One of them, Michel Parre, remains stony-faced. Charlie has
lightened up a bit by now.
PANEL ABOVE: AT THE SAFE HOUSE, OTHER RESISTANCE
FIGHTERS GREETED THE BRITISH FUGITIVES WARMLY. CHARLIE
LAUGHS.
MAN 1: MONSIEUR CRAIG! IT IS AN HONOUR TO MEET YOU!
MAN 2: WE WATCH YOUR MOVIES!
NEVILLE: ERM, THANK YOU.
CHARLIE: SEEMS YOU’VE GOT A FAN CLUB – EVEN HERE!
PANEL BELOW: ONE MAN, MICHEL PARRE, KEPT SULLENLY
SILENT.
51

Pic 104. The Resistance people (apart from Michel) eagerly crowd around
Neville. The actor seems quite humbled by their attention.
PANEL ABOVE: THE FRENCHMEN WERE ENTHRALLED TO SEE
NEVILLE. THEY TOLD HIM OF ABOUT THE RECENT ATTACK BY
KESSLER AND HIS MEN, A FEW NIGHTS PREVIOUSLY.
MAN 3: MONSIEUR, YOUR FILMS, THEY INSPIRE US TO KEEP
FIGHTING THE BOCHES.
MAN 2: YOU ARE A HERO!
NEVILLE: THANKS, BUT NO. I ONLY ‘PRETEND’ TO BE BRAVE. YOU,
AND YOUR FRIENDS WHO DIED - ARE THE COURAGEOUS
ONES.
Pic 105. A little later. Neville sits on his own, scribbling in his journal once
more. Charlie sits nearby. He looks thoughtful.
PANEL ABOVE: LATER, NEVILLE RETURNED TO HIS EVER-
PRESENT JOURNAL.
CHARLIE THX: CRAIG SEEMED GENUINELY HUMBLED. PERHAPS
I’VE MISJUDGED HIM.
52

Pic 106. In another room at the safe house, Jacques confers with a
Resistance radio operator.
PANEL ABOVE: MEANWHILE, JACQUES CONSULTED JEAN MANON,
HIS RADIO OPERATOR.
JACQUES: YOU MADE CONTACT WITH BRITISH INTELLIGENCE?
JEAN: YES, THEY WILL SEND A RESCUE PLANE AT MIDNIGHT.
Pic 107. Jacques and a couple of Resistance guys head for the main door.
Neville and Charlie sit at a table. The surly Michel and radio operator Jean are
some of the men who remain.
PANEL ABOVE: THE LOCATION FOR THE RESCUE WOULD BE A
SECRET AIRSTRIP THREE MILES WEST OF THE VILLAGE. JACQUES
AND HIS LIEUTENANTS WENT OUT TO SECURE TRANSPORT FOR THE
TRIP TO THE AIRFIELD.
JACQUES: DON’T WORRY, FRIENDS. WE WILL HAVE YOU HOME IN A
FEW HOURS. SIT TIGHT TILL I RETURN.
NEVILLE: DON’T BE TOO LONG!
CHARLIE: RELAX.
53

Pic 108. Back at Kessler’s HQ. An aide has answered the phone. He holds
up the phone for Kessler to answer.
PANEL ABOVE: AT THAT MOMENT, KESSLER WAS PREPARING HIS
PLANS FOR THE CAPTURE OF NEVILLE AND CHARLIE. THEN, THE
PHONE RANG.
AIDE: THIS PERSON SAYS HE HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION, AND
WILL SPEAK TO YOU ONLY.
KESSLER: GIVE ME THE PHONE.
Pic 109. Half-sized frame. Close on Kessler. An evil grins spreads across his
face, as he talks into the telephone.
PANEL ABOVE: THE ANONYMOUS CALLER HAD SOME GOOD
NEWS FOR THE SCHEMING NAZI.
KESSLER (ON PHONE): YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND THEM?
KESSLER (ON PHONE): YES, DON’T WORRY. YOU WILL BE WELL-
REWARDED.
54

Pic 110. Kessler barks an order at the aide.
PANEL ABOVE: A JUBILANT KESSLER HUNG UP THE TELEPHONE.
KESSLER: GATHER MY MEN, AND GET BARTOS IN HERE. WE’VE
GOT WORK TO DO. SCHNELL, SCHELL!
AIDE: JA, MEIN HERR!
Pic 111. Rudi Bartos now stands in front of Kessler. Rudi looks like he’s about
to protest at what Kessler says.
PANEL ABOVE: RUDI HAD BEEN ON DUTY FOR MORE THAN 24
HOURS. HE WAS NOT PLEASED AT WHAT KESSLER HAD TO SAY.
RUDI: SIR, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO GO OFF DUTY –
KESSLER: NO, YOU’RE NOT, BARTOS. A FEW COLLEAGUES AND I
ARE GOING ON A RAID, AND YOU ARE OUR BACK-UP. WE
MOVE OUT IMMEDIATELY!
PANEL BELOW: KESSLER ALSO INFORMED RUDI THAT A SQUAD
OF S.S. STORMTROOPERS WERE EN ROUTE TO RENNES.
55

Pic 112. A little bit later at the safe house, even Charlie is starting to get
nervous. No sign of Jacques yet. Michel and Jean stand guard. Then, they
hear the sound of a vehicle approaching.
PANEL ABOVE: BARELY AN HOUR LATER, EVEN CHARLIE WAS
CONCERNED THAT JACQUES HAD NOT YET RETURNED. THEN, THEY
HEARD THE SOUND OF A VEHICLE DRAWING UP OUTSIDE.
CHARLIE: WHERE HAS JACQUES GOT TO?
NEVILLE: HANG ON, SOMEONE’S COMING.
Pic 113. A dramatic moment as Kessler, some Nazi agents, and Rudi burst
in. Our heroes recoil in shock. Michel raises his gun.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE AND NEVILLE WERE SHOCKED WHEN A
SQUAD OF ARMED NAZIS BATTERED THE DOOR DOWN. A RELUCTANT
RUDI WAS WITH THEM.
KESSLER: GOOD EVENING, SCUM!
CHARLIE: NAZIS!
NEVILLE: JACQUES MUST’VE BETRAYED US!
56

Pic 114. In a shock moment, Michel turns his gun on Jean, his fellow
Frenchman, killing him with one shot.
PANEL ABOVE: THEN, SOMETHING ELSE UNEXPECTED
HAPPENED.
MICHEL: NO, NOT THAT FOOL, JACQUES!
JEAN: UHHH!
Pic 115. Appalled Charlie and Neville realise too late that the smiling Michel is
the traitor.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE AND NEVILLE WERE APPALLED AT
MICHEL’S TREACHERY.
CHARLIE: IT WAS YOU!
NEVILLE: YOU SOLD US OUT! FOR WHAT – A NAZI REWARD?
MICHEL: HA! OF COURSE. WHY ELSE?
PANEL BELOW: THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD SEEN
MICHEL SMILE.
57

Pic 116. Kessler, luger in hand, gloats at the Englishmen. He glances at
Michel.
PANEL ABOVE: THE SMUG KESSLER TOOK TIME TO GLOAT.
KESSLER: MONEY WELL SPENT. JUST LIKE THE CINEMA RAID.
EH, PARRE?
MICHEL: BIEN SUR, HERR KESSLER!
Pic 117. Kessler motions for Charlie and Neville to raise their hands (Charlie’s
hands are under the table). Michel grins evilly. Rudi looks uneasy.
PANEL ABOVE: RUDI FELT UNEASY AT THE WAY KESSLER HAD
HANDLED THE OPERATION.
NEVILLE: YOU WON’T GET AWAY WITH THIS!
KESSLER: AH, THE FAMOUS MR CRAIG. FORGIVE ME IF I DON’T
ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH. HANDS UP!
RUDI THX: I DON’T LIKE THIS. THAT GLORY HUNTER KESSLER
SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR MY MEN AS BACK-UP.
58

Pic 118. Neville puts his hands up. Charlie does too, but he has his revolver
in his hand. He shoots, killing one of the Nazi agents. Kessler and Rudi dive
for cover.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE RAISED HIS HANDS IN SURRENDER.
CHARLIE, HOWEVER, HAD HIS REVOLVER CONCEALED UNDER THE
TABLE, AND WASN’T GIVING UP WITHOUT A FIGHT.
NAZI: NNNG!
KESSLER: MEIN GOTT!
RUDI: TEUFEL!
CHARLIE: CRAIG! GET DOWN
Pic 119. All hell has broken loose. The safe house is a scene of chaos,
bullets flying everywhere. Nazis, Resistance men and Charlie & Neville fire
from behind wall pillars or upturned tables, etc. A Resistance man kills
another Nazi. Rudi provides covering fire but doesn’t kill anyone yet.
PANEL ABOVE: A VICIOUS GUNFIGHT ENSUED, BUT THE NAZIS
WERE HAMPERED BY KESSLER’S DESIRE TO SECURE NEVILLE ALIVE.
KESSLER: DON’T KILL CRAIG!
RUDI THX: I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!
59

Pic 120. In the thick of the battle, Neville has snatched up a fallen German’s
Schmeisser machine pistol and fires it. An impressed Charlie stands beside
him, firing his revolver.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE GRABBED A FALLEN SCHMEISSER AND
USED IT TO GOOD EFFECT. CHARLIE GAVE A GRIM SMILE AS BOTH
MEN FOUGHT SIDE BY SIDE.
CHARLIE: I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STAY DOWN!
NEVILLE: NO WAY. YOU NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GET!
CHARLIE: I’M GLAD YOU DON’T LISTEN TO ME!
Pic 121. Neville kills the traitorous Michel with a burst of Schmeisser fire.
PANEL ABOVE: THE DUPLICITOUS MICHEL FELL VICTIM TO A HAIL
OF BULLETS FROM NEVILLE’S MACHINE PISTOL.
NEVILLE: DIE, TRAITOR!
MICHEL: EEAARGH!
60

Pic 122. A very tense moment as Charlie and Kessler face off against each
other, pistols (luger and revolver respectively) aimed. Charlie fires first, but he
is out of ammo. Kessler gives an evil laugh. Neville stands close to Charlie,
but his stolen gun is also out of bullets.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE’S MACHINE GUN WAS OUT OF BULLETS.
CHARLIE AND KESSLER HAD EACH OTHER IN THEIR SIGHTS. THE
BRITISH PILOT FIRED HIS REVOLVER FIRST, BUT HEARD A SHALLOW
CLICK AS THE HAMMER FELL ON AN EMPTY CHAMBER.
CHARLIE: BLAST!
KESSLER: HA!
PANEL BELOW: THE BRUTAL NAZI LAUGHED AS HE SQUEEZED
THE LUGER TRIGGER.
Pic 123. Neville jumps in front of Charlie, shielding him from Kessler’s shot.
The bullet hits Neville in the chest. Kessler scowls.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE’S INSTICTS TOOK OVER. HE SURGED
FORWARD - SHIELDING CHARLIE FROM KESSLER’S SHOT, BUT HE
HIMSELF WAS HIT.
NEVILLE: CHARLIE. LOOK OUT - AAAAH!
CHARLIE: NO!
KESSLER: GOTT IN HIMMELL!
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Pic 124. Neville lies motionless on the floor. Aghast Charlie kneels beside
him, angrily looking up at Kessler. The Nazi sneers as he points the smoking
luger at Charlie once more.
PANEL ABOVE: KESSLER WAS FURIOUS THAT EVERYTHING HAD
GONE SO BADLY WRONG. HE FACE TWISTED IN A SNEER AS HE
POINTED HIS SMOKING PISTOL AT CHARLIE ONCE AGAIN.
CHARLIE: HE’S DEAD!
KESSLER: DON’T WORRY. YOU’LL SOON BE JOINING HIM!
PANEL BELOW: A SINGLE SHOT RANG OUT, ECHOING AROUND
THE SILENT ROOM.
Pic 125. Charlie watches as Kessler lurches forward, dropping his pistol.
Behind him, we see that Jacques has returned. He has just shot Kessler.
PANEL ABOVE: BUT IT WAS KESSLER WHO FELL TO THE FLOOR,
DEAD. JACQUES HAD RETURNED IN THE NICK OF TIME.
KESSLER: ARGH!
JACQUES: DIE, MURDERER!
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Pic 126. Jacques looks grim but satisfied. Charlie is relieved to see him.
Amazingly, there is a groan from Neville, who lies on the floor.
PANEL ABOVE: CHARLIE WAS RELIEVED TO SEE JACQUES. THE
RESISTANCE LEADER’S FACE WAS HARD, BUT HE WAS SATISFIED
THAT JUSTICE HAD BEEN DONE.
JACQUES: AT LAST, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAVE BEEN
AVENGED.
CHARLIE: THAT’S TWICE YOU’VE SAVED MY LIFE TODAY. THANK
YOU.
NEVILLE: UUHHH…
PANEL BELOW: JACQUES AND CHARLIE WERE AMAZED TO HEAR A
LOW GROAN FROM NEVILLE.
Pic 127. A groggy Neville sits up. He holds up his trusty journal in his hand. It
has a squashed spatter of metal on it, where the bullet hit.
PANEL ABOVE: NEVILLE HAD BEEN VERY LUCKY. THE SHOT HAD
IMPACTED ON HIS LEATHER BOUND JOURNAL. THE ACTOR’S CHEST
WAS BADLY BRUISED, BUT HE WAS ALIVE.
CHARLIE: AMAZING! I THOUGHT YOU’D COPPED IT!
NEVILLE: I WISH A CAMERA HAD BEEN ROLLING. THAT DEATH
SCENE WAS THE PERFORMANCE OF MY CAREER!
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Pic 128. A relieved Jacques ushers them out of the safe house. They fail to
spot a figure, behind them, hiding undercover, gun raised in defence. It is
Rudi Bartos. He does not fire on them.
PANEL ABOVE: JACQUES USHERED THE DUO OUTSIDE, TOWARDS
A WAITING PICK-UP TRUCK, ITS ENGINES RUNNING.
JACQUES: LET’S GO. THERE ISN’T MUCH TIME!
RUDI THX: GOOD LUCK, CRAIG. KESSLER AND HIS SCUM ARE NO
LOSS TO ME!
PANEL BELOW: THEY FAILED TO SPOT RUDI, WHO WAS HIDING IN
GOOD COVER. HE REMEMBERED A SCENE IN ONE OF NEVILLE’S
FILMS, WHERE THE ACTOR PLAYED A CHIVALROUS OFFICER WHO
DID NOT FIRE ON ESCAPING GERMAN PRISONERS. BECAUSE OF THIS,
RUDI LET THEM GO.
Pic 129. Our heroes are in a battered, but fast-moving pick-up truck,
speeding away from the village. A German transport jeep is on their trail, but
out of range. Jacques shouts to the driver.
PANEL ABOVE: THERE WAS NO TIME FOR STEALTH. THE
RESISTANCE FIGHTERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS RACED TOWARDS
THE RENDEZ-VOUS POINT.
CHARLIE: SOMEONE’S ON OUR TAIL!
JACQUES: KEEP GOING!
PANEL BELOW: THEIR PURSUERS WERE KESSLER’S BACK-UP
STORMTROOPERS WHO HAD ARRIVED AT THE SAFEHOUSE ONLY TO
FIND THEIR NEW C.O. DEAD.
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Pic 130. At the airfield. We see that a British, Westland Lysander plane is
waiting. The pilot talks to his co-pilot. The co-pilot points to an approaching
pick-up truck.
PANEL ABOVE: A WESTLAND LYSANDER STOOD AT THE PICK-UP
POINT. ITS IMPATIENT PILOT WAS FLIGHT LIEUTENANT JOHN TRACEY.
HIS SECOND-IN-COMMAND, CHRISTOPHER MCMAHON, NOTICED A
VEHICLE APPROACHING AT SPEED.
TRACEY: FIVE MORE MINUTES. THEN WE’RE OFF.
MCMAHON: LOOK, SIR. IT MUST BE THEM!
Pic 131. Neville and Charlie, about to board the plane, bid goodbye to
Jacques. German bullets whistle closely. Pilot Tracey urges them to get
moving.
PANEL ABOVE: GERMAN BULLETS WHISTLED THROUGH THE
DARK NIGHT, AS CHARLIE AND NEVILLE BID JACQUES FAREWELL.
TRACEY: GENTLEMEN, IF YOU PLEASE…
CHARLIE: THANKS AGAIN, JACQUES!
JACQUES: AU REVOIR, MES AMIS!
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Pic 132. In foreground, the Lysander is now in the air. On the ground,
Jacques and his crew speed away from the Germans, who have arrived too
late.
PANEL ABOVE: THE LYSANDER LIFTED INTO THE AIR, NOT A
MOMENT TOO SOON.
TRACEY: FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS, GENTS!
GERMAN (JEEP): SCHWEINHUNDS!
PANEL BELOW: ON THE GROUND, JACQUES AND HIS CREW
ESCAPED THEIR NAZI PURSUERS.
Pic 133. Charlie visits Neville in hospital. Enthusiastic Neville sits up in bed.
He holds up his battered journal.
PANEL ABOVE: BACK IN ENGLAND, NEVILLE WAS KEPT UNDER
OBSERVATION IN HOSPITAL FOR A FEW DAYS. CHARLIE WAS A
WELCOME VISITOR.
CHARLIE: GLAD TO SEE YOU’RE OKAY, NEVILLE. BY THE WAY, I
ALWAYS MEANT TO ASK – WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN
SCRIBBLING IN THAT JOURNAL OF YOURS?
NEVILLE: IT’S A SCREENPLAY, FOR A MOVIE BASED ON OUR
ADVENTURES! I DITCHED THE OTHER SCRIPT I WAS MAKING.
PANEL BELOW: THE CAMERAS WOULD ROLL THE FOLLOWING
MONTH – THE SAME DAY THAT CHARLIE TOOK UP HIS NEW POST AS
SQUADRON LEADER.
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Pic 134. A year later. Change of scene to the glitzy 1942 Oscar ceremony in
Hollywood. Neville (wearing tux, bow tie, etc) holds an Oscar statuette in his
hand. He gives an acceptance speech.
PANEL ABOVE: A YEAR LATER, NEVILLE WON AN ACADEMY
AWARD FOR HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE FILM, WHICH WAS CALLED
‘WINGS OF COURAGE’.
NEVILLE: I’D LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS AWARD TO ALL THE BRAVE,
ALLIED FIGHTERS AROUND THE WORLD!
Pic 135. Final frame. A big pic. A few years have passed, and we’re on the
set of Neville’s latest movie. Neville and Charlie each sit on a movie set chair,
with their names personalised in stencil on the back. On the set, there is a jet
fighter standing nearby. Charlie motions towards the jet.
PANEL ABOVE: AFTER THE ALLIED VICTORY IN 1945, NEVILLE
CONTINUED TO MAKE SUCCESSFUL ACTION FILMS, AND CHARLIE
WAS EMPLOYED AS A STUNT PILOT ON THEM. THEY REMAINED GOOD
FRIENDS.
CHARLIE: SURE YOU DON’T WANT TO GO FOR A SPIN, NEVILLE?
NEVILLE: NO, THANKS, CHARLIE. YOU DO THE FLYING, AND I’LL DO
THE ACTING!
(suggested back cover blurb overleaf)
THE END
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Fighter pilot Charlie Boyd gets more than he bargains for when film star
Neville Craig tags along on a routine mission; as research for the
obnoxious actor’s latest project. Narrowly escaping death in the skies,
the pair are trapped in occupied France, on the run from the Nazis. It all
sounds like a plot from one of Craig’s Hollywood movies - except this
time, the bullets are for real …
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