Over Here (1996)
Actors:
Martin Clunes (actor),
Rupert Degas (actor),
Timothy West (actor),
Angus MacInnes (actor),
Charles Bodycomb (miscellaneous crew),
Geraldine James (actress),
Jack Shepherd (actor),
Samuel West (actor),
Tony Curran (actor),
Paul T.T. Easter (actor),
Todd Boyce (actor),
Corey Johnson (actor),
Andrew Lincoln (actor),
Christopher Malcolm (actor),
Nigel Whitmey (actor),
Plot: Comedy drama set in wartime Britain showing what can happen when British RAF men and soldiers from the American Air Force are forced to share barracks.
Keywords: battle-of-britain, bomber-pilot, fighter-pilot, luftwaffe, royal-air-force
Genres:
Comedy,
Drama,
War,
Quotes:
Group Captain Barker: You don't mind if I call you Joe::Hewitt: Not in the least, but my name's Jack::Group Captain Barker: Ah! Even Better! My name's Cyril
Group Captain Barker: Look Jack, I'm sorry we seem to have got off on rather the wrong foot, but I'd like you to know that I'm only trying to help.::Hewitt: Trying to help? We called for help 30 minutes ago, but your Limey sons of bitches didn't show!::Group Captain Barker: We called for your help 2 years ago, and you've only just arrived!
Lady Billingham: Charles, I'll make one last appeal to your better nature! We don't have to go through with this rediculos party. There's still time to cancel the Americans, and just let the nice people come! We could say there's illness in the house - some of the staff have come down with something those type of people go down with.::Daphne: Oh no - I'm looking forward to this evening!::Lady Billingham: I don't particularly care, Daphne!::Charlie: Mother, What's the point of holding an independence Day party without some Americans? Look, the Americans are sharing our base with us. I thought the least I could do was to offer them some English hospitality::Lady Billingham: I feel exactly the same, darling, but not here! Well, at least cancel your squadron!::Charlie: Too late, mother - I've invited everyone now!::Lady Billingham: You seem to be forgetting I have maids working here - young, country girls, who are at an impressionable age. I can't expose them to American airmen!::Daphne: Mother, they're no different from their British counterparts.::Lady Billingham: Is that supposed to make me feel better? [Spots Butler standing nearby] Do you have any experience with Americans, Butler?::Butler: Very Little, Madam. During the First World War, my sister Violet made the aquaintance of a young Americam airman named Hank. I met him on several occasions. He left me with a lasting impression, and Violet with twins.::Lady Billingham: There, you see - what did I tell you?::Daphne: Nobody's going to get pregnant, Beatrice!::Charlie: Don't put it past me, old girl - a couple of medium sherrys, and I'm a tiger!::Lady Billingham: Your cousin Rosemary will be here!::Charlie: Yes, well, I'm sure we won't have a repitition of last time.::Daphne: Of course not! Anyway, Archie bunting won't even be here - he's still in hospital!::Charlie: Well, actually, he was discharged this morning. [Butler exits via the door in the background] Oh look, mother, why do you always look on the black side? I guarantee it will be a very quite, and very civilised gathering. [a housemaid enters]::Housemaid: Begging your pardon, M'lady. That was Col Hewitt, phoning from the American airbase. He said the band's on it's way.::Lady Billingham: Dear god!
Tully: There is a war on, Bunting!::Archie Bunting: Oh, Is that what it is! I wondered why the Luftwaffe were shooting down my planes and bombing the shite out of the country!
Archie Bunting: About the American Squadron. Yes, well, I have made contact. Over.::Hewitt: Thank god!::Group Captain Barker: Any damage, Archie?::Archie Bunting: Ah, well, one of them has a few tiny little holes in it - pinpricks really. Over.::Hewitt: What about the Luftwaffe?::Group Captain Barker: [Twitches] Have you made any contact with the enemy, Archie?::Archie Bunting: Well, actually, I think that was a bit of a false alarm. Erm, there are no enemy aircraft in the area. Over.::Hewitt: What does he mean, no enemy aircraft - one of my planes just got turned into a tea strainer!::Group Captain Barker: Sorry, Archie, we don't quite understand you, old boy. The American captain reported being under attack. Over.::Archie Bunting: Ah, yes, it wasn't an enemy aircraft. It was, sort of, in a manner of speaking, me. Over.::Hewitt: [Shocked] He shot my plane?::Group Captain Barker: Archie, why don't you come in now. Sort of land. perhaps we could have a little chat.
Webster: Hey, little friend, this is your big buddy, we owe you a big one. Over::Archie Bunting: Honestly, it was nothing!
Narrator: Friendly fire - that's what it's called nowadays. One wonders who could have invented such a ludicrously cosmetic term for such lethal mistakes. In the Britain of 1942, these episodes were offically known in military circles as balls ups, and sadly they happened all to often. And not just to the British. These incidents afflicted both of the opposing forces - and the Germans too, I shouldn't wonder!
Group Captain Barker: [Barker and Hewitt are walking across the field towards the B-17s] There you are, jack - all safe and sound.::Hewitt: No damm thanks to the RAF!::Group Captain Barker: Bear with me, old boy, it was an honest mistake, Jack - these things happen. I wouldn't say anything about it if I were you.::Hewitt: Don't say anything! One of your fighters almost destroys an American bomber and it's entire crew, and you expect me to keep quite about it?::Group Captain Barker: Just till we get clearance from HQ. You see, in a funny old sort of way, we have to consider morale!
Hewitt: In the last two hours of my life, I have seen my brand new airbase destroyed by German Luftwaffes [Barker twitches] and then, as an encore, my squadron's been attacked by the British!
Hewitt: The moment he lands, I want that screwball - what's his name?::Group Captain Barker: Bunting.::Hewitt: I want to see Squadron Leader Bunting in my office!::Group Captain Barker: Of course. Would you prefer to use my office?::Hewitt: Why?::Group Captain Barker: Well, in a funny old sort of a way, you haven't got an office!