It still baffles me every time I watch this that this genuinely happened in real life. This whole scene just looks and breathes Monty Python but it actually happened

“Was there anything else?” Cracks me up every time

Screenwriter William Goldman tells a great story about this scene. In the original script he had Anthony Hopkins' character of Col. Frost say the humorous line about accepting the Germans surrender. After the script was submitted the real Frost, a consultant on the movie, called Goldman and asked to meet in London when he was on his way home from Holland to America. Goldman accepted and when he met Frost he realized something was wrong. Frost told him that he had to change that scene to give the man who really said that funny line the credit he was due. Goldman said why does it matter who said it. Frost replied that he would be ruined if the movie came out that way. Everyone knew he was a consultant and if his character said a famous line that one of his men had really said then everyone would think he had changed the facts on purpose to make himself look better. He feared he would be ostracized from his circle of army friends. Of course Goldman agreed to change the script and so it went as we see in this clip.

The German soldiers face when hearing " was there anything else " amazing.

Omg it took me way too long to understand that it was the Germans asking them to surrender and they just turned it around on them 🤣🤦‍♂️ epic. I need to watch this

The look on the German's face cracks me up - first the confused look as he's wondering if his English isn't as good as he thought, then the eyebrow raise as he figures out they're messing with him. Really makes the scene for me.

I am a London taxi driver. Our veterans charity took the men to the 70th anniversary in Arnhem. My passenger was Josef Wojcheowski of the 1st Polish parachute regiment. Her parachuted into Arnhem and most of his comrades were killed. By pure luck, he survived. It was my honour to know him and listen to the tales of the others who were there. Most of them have passed now but how lucky am I to have shared a glass in such honourable company.

Who ever you are..you have to admire the British sense of humour.. and do it with such elegance. It's borderline brutal

It really does scan like a Monty Python skit

“Haven’t the proper facilities to take you all prisoner..”

It's not just the sarcastic response, it's also the fact that he's waving an umbrella in the middle of a battlefield! He could never remember passwords, so he carried the umbrella so the sentries would know it was him and let him pass!

A classic example of British humour. no matter what the situation, there is alway someone to make a remark which, makes one laugh. I remember years ago reading Nicholas Monsarrat's autobiographical book, THREE CORVETTES. There were quite a few of these humorous moments throughout the book, but the two that have stuck in my mind for years were; A destroyer leaving harbour, signals the flagship, "Did they leave any mines last night," Reply, "We'll soon know, you're the first ship out." The second was, a bomb just misses a Corvette and a gunner was heard to remark, "Blimey, that was adjacent"

There should be a special medal for showing witty humour in tricky situations.

One of my favourite film scenes in one of my favourite films. I remember watching this at school as our headmaster had fought with the Royal Artillery at the Battle of Arnhem.

I like the way the German negotiator raises an eyebrow before he turns around to head back to his lines.

I've stood on that very spot where the actor playing the German with the flag is standing. Deventer hasn't changed that much since they filmed the movie, as the house the airborne had occupied was really a parking lot at the time (and still is, from my understanding, at least it was when I was there). This is one of my favorite scenes in the film

This film, Kelly's heroes, Zulu and a fistful of dollars are my Dads Favourite films, and he insisted I watched with him when they came on TV, I am very grateful, rest in peace dad, I miss you xx

One of the best scenes in the film. It always makes me smile.

mom said no your not taking mark to star wars , so dad took me to bridge to far ~ thank you dad~

Ive visited Arnhem back in 2010 lovely place, also visited the museum there it's well worth a visit. there was a public outcry in 1990's i believe when the powers that be came up with the idea to scrap the bridge but the good people of Arnhem came out and defended the bridge and the memory of the men that gave their lives to protect Arnhem from the Germans.

700 men held the bridge for 4 days and never received any resupply. An amazing accomplishment

First class response to the German trooper with the white flag. The British Paratroop officer has the wit and humour to belittle an enemy who can only beat him with vastly superior numbers. How to go down with style and honour. Bless the memory of these men.

"You have to show the Germans and your own men your contempt for danger." Col Frost, to Anthony Hopkins, when Hopkins asked why he shouldn't run but walk under enemy fire.

My Grandfather and his eventual best friend fought at Arnhem.....on opposite sides....They met in 1982 and became fast friends.

As my English teacher said: Always be polite. Remember a visit to Ireland seven years ago. Our busdriver, who was a decent bloke, was difficult to understand from time to time. So I popped out my best school English and kindly said "Come again, pleased." Irritated as he was he replied "Either you're a public school fellow or a rather educated man for a German."

The British are ever polite. Americans would have just said "nuts."

The look on the General's aide's face....as if immediately, you could see he was working it out in his head how he was going to explain this to his general.....lol.

Hopkins is one of my all-time favorite actors. He could read the part of a guy selling a newspaper from a cart in NYC and I would rewind it to see the way he paused or added emphasis on some word or another. Classic talent.

A great scene, from a great movie. The fact that this actually happened is absolutely brilliant.

anthony hopkins said this was the toughest role hed ever played even surpassing hamlet or lear! reason was he explained its one thing playing a real person where you can add your interperatation to the part and quite another when the person in question is on the other side of the camera watching you!col john frost was present during the whole of filming and anthony said he was lovely never interfered but i was daunted by his prescence and his legend! in fact the only time he had a difference with dicky attenborough and me was in a scene where i had to cross the road under heavy enemy fire! i sprinted as fast as i could! john said stop! why? i never ran i walked ! it doesnt look good to the men scurrying about like you are frightened.! dicky explained although it was incredibly absolutely true and spoke volumes about the mans courage we had to do it as shot or the audience wouldnt believe it! john good humourdly agreed saying oh its a movie not reality! he then added once the bloody things come out and the lads see it the next reunion dinner will be a nightmare for me!

0:53 Anthony Hopkins delivers the best line delivery ever

When I first watched this scene when I was a kid like "No no, the German's wants you to surrender" now that I'm watching it again as an adult I'm like. 🤦‍♂️

One of the best scenes of this outstanding movie! Gotta love the Brit sense of humor! A while later during the Battle of the Bulge in the Belgian Ardennes it was U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, acting commander of the 101st Airborne Division who, when offered a surrender by the Germans who had surrounded Bastogne, gave his famous response of "Nuts"

So glad the whole movie is on KZfaq.

One of the most legendary scenes ever.

This is easily my favorite clip in all of military cinema. Massive Hollywood blockbusters like this and the Longest Day are by far my favorite films.

I watched this movie over and over and over as a kid, my favorite movie.

One of the most English things things I've ever seen captured on film... beautiful.

..growing up i thought this is what it is to be proper british.. thankyou for sharing this 🙂

Complete brilliance. Acting at it's best, by the best.

great film so many good actors in it aswell. its great how it shows scenes from all sides of the combat

“A german soldier tried to solicit a surrender out of me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”

The best thing about this scene is giving sarcasm to Germans it isn't even the craziest thing Digby Tatham-Warter did in his life. The guy hunted tigers for a hobby, commandeered a Dakota to go drinking in London and immobilised an armoured car with an umbrella. Which he also used opened out to 'protect himself from rain' whilst walking a padre to safety across an open road under machinegun fire. In Holland. In September. When it never rained.

I had the honour to work with an old Para that was there with Frost, he told me of the battles he had been through, he said his time fighting in Market Garden was the best time in his life. He was a true warrior, and I was lucky enough to be called his friend.

The cast of that film was outstanding

Definitely in my top ten movie lines of all time!!! Great movie as well!

It’s a shame that the Major was depicted as being killed in the battle. In real life Anthony Drummond survived the battle and managed to cross enemy lines and return to service. He later retired as a major general

The most quintessentially British scene you'll ever see.. Fantastic! 🇬🇧

My childhood. I've seen the film over and over again. He really inspired me for my hobby. Thanks

I like the way the German officer pronounces Arnhem as Arnheim. i.e. He's not willing to forego a Germanic pronunciation.

What a great scene this is. Absolutely perfect and true story as well.

Brilliant Film with Brilliant actors!! From Connery to Caine and Olivier to Hopkins's well as Ryan O'Neal, Robert Redford, Elliot Gould , Gene Hopkins , James Caan, the list is endless

I never forget that movie... saw it as a tourist in 1978, London Oxford Street near Hyde Park What a movie..!!

There is a real Monty Python quality to this incident. I love it.

Can’t stop watching this scene

A truly wonderful (and accurate) scene. What makes it so wonderful is the expression on the German aide's face. Brilliant acting all round.

First time I saw this film I thought - why aren't they accepting the German surrender. I was about 8 and completely missed the point. Incredible Film.

He’s holding an umbrella. Not a rifle. An umbrella. An sarcastically declining a surrender under a veil of politeness. He’ll probably go off an have a spot of tea afterward. Perfection.

I cannot help but laugh every time I see this scene! Marvelously British, appropriately sarcastic and displays the warrior spirit.

1:52 Only Maximilian Schell could've delivered that line with such eeriness.

Brilliant never gets old

I know this is all based on real history and events, but when I watched this scene for the first time about a year ago now my first thought was “This seems like a Monty Python bit”

Love the old fashioned British pluck!

This is still my absolute favorite scene in this magnificent film.

Brilliant just bloody brilliant!!

One of my favorite films ever. My father was a GI and flew gliders. By the grace of God he took a British wife. I'm thankful for WWII as I wouldn't be here. When ever I see and hear this clip I thank God that for being half British.

This is some Monty Python level action. I played a game back in the 90s called Microsoft Close Combat: A Bridge to Far. It was an awesome game.

The book was magnificent. The movie was quite well done as well.

Always AWESOME!! Even after all these years!! 😊

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time...

If any actor in the world other than Christopher Good had said that it wouldn't have worked. Timing perfect, voice perfect, facial expression perfect. If I'd been that German I'd have thought to myself: "We're doomed if this is the kind of soldiers we're up against." And of course... doomed they were. I thank every man jack of you for the free life you gave me. I am humbled.

“We haven’t the proper facilities to take you all prisoner, sorry.” 😂😂😂

I’ve never even seen this movie and it’s one of my all time favorite movie scenes.

An American general was offered the chance to surrender in France as well in 1944 by the Germans. His simple reply was “nuts”.

Love the British sense of humour lool

Outstanding scene!!

"Oh, they didn't surrender?" *"Start the panzer Hans"*

The major with the umbrella reminds me of Graham Chapman.

" and you tell yourself and everyone else that you're fine but you're really not fine..."

American: Nuts! British: Sorry, was there anything else?

My favourite scene. Love Hopkins in this....

Great film, which depicts a good number of the true incidents. However, if you really want veracity, you need to watch, "Theirs is the glory." This was filmed in the ruins of Arnhem a few months after the battle, mainly by surviving Paras who had fought there. It's essentially a collection of vignettes of real incidents - mostly similar understated humour and heroism typical of that era.

"Was there anything else?" "Yes we're looking for the holy grail"

How every Englishman should behave.

The humour of the British officer is wonderful. But Bittrich's reply is chilling.

One of my neighbours, the father of a friend of mine, was a member of the Parachute Regiment and was wounded at Arnhem. My dad should have been alongside him, but was RTU'd back to the Royal Warwicks when it was discovered he had a fractured leg, which refused to heal properly.

So amazing ☺☺☺☺☺

Hopkins should have said "tell your commander to retreat as fast and as far as possible we will let you retreat all we want is the bridge" that would have been the logical thing to do.

This is a dramatic nod to the life of a Para who fought at Market Garden, Major Allison Digby Tatham-Warter, DSO, injured and captured he escaped and rallied a number of allied soldiers who were lost behind the lines, an action for which he was awarded his DSO

Totally forgot about this scene. Hilarious!

I could be wrong but a similar thing happened at the Battle of the Bulge. The Germans had either surrounded (or nearly surrounded) a town that the Americans were in and defending from and when one of the soldiers relayed a message from the Germans to his commander asking him for him and his men to surrender the commander (likely a bit overwhelmed at the time) said to the soldier "Nuts!" and went on to deal with other matters going on at the time. When the commander got back to the soldier in order to deal with issue and give the Germans his reply, he found out that the soldier had already sent a message to the Germans with the single word "Nuts." as his reply to the Germans which was obviously taken as a "No" to their request for the Americans to surrender. While it is likely that American commander wasn't going to have his and his men surrender (otherwise he would have given more attention to such a request), it is also likely that he wouldn't have wanted to give such an informal reply to the Germans. However the end result of the commander not surrendering and him and his men fighting on helped buy some time for other Allied units to regroup and defend their positions as the Germans advanced. By doing this and similar actions, Allied units were able to hold off the Germans long enough from being able to reaching the American supply depots which I believe was their end target in said conflict. While it is unclear even if the Germans were able to achieve their goals in the Battle of the Bulge it would of helped them that much it is likely that because they were unable to reach their goals before the Allied could once again use their air power to overwhelm the Germans, that the Germans offense quickly petered out as fast as it did once the Americans could use their air superiority to pummel the advancing Germans.

This is actually a sad movie, fantastic but the ending was a shock.

Smacks of Monty Python…love it.

Now go away, or I will taunt you a second time!! 😂😂😂

epic scene !

Saw this as an 8 year old little ww2 buff in the theatre...all star cast and most gave excellent performance ....gritty and realistic combat scenes.

I think it smells of Monty Python so much because the funny line is delievered in what almost sounds exactly like Eric Idle's shouting voice.

“We Brits needed a hero and unfortunately Monty was our only option” - Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder

There was an old boy in our local pub, Bill his name was. Tallish man, always nice and polite - a true gentleman. I can't remember how the conversation came about, but the subject of Arnhem and especially the film "A Bridge Too Far" was being discussed. Bill overheard and chimed in. He showed us a scar on his neck. "I was shot in the neck on that bridge", he said. He proceeded to tell us how he was the first soldier, or at least one of the first, to be wounded as he ran across the bridge. (The width on the British side, not the span towards the Germans on the other side of the river). He told us how he was screaming for his mother and that there was so much blood he thought he was going to die right there on the bridge. Then as abruptly as he began his recount of his experience, he fell silent. We never managed to get any more out of him that day - or since. He was 18 at the time. Kids today really don't know they're bloody born.

I saw John Frost being interviewed and shown this clip when the film first came, he was asked if he really said that, his answer was no, but he wish he had!