[lbo-talk] Re: the prince of darkness

joanna bujes jbujes at covad.net
Mon Jan 12 22:04:02 PST 2004


Stephen Philion writes:

"One of the two clowns has a beautiful line in response to Gross's comment that it seems they are making more war to stop war with the result of endless war..., "war is a bad thing. but it's not the worst thing!""

Which brings to mind the dialog between Robert Shaw and his adjutant, Heinrich, in the classic "Battle of the Bulge."

Shaw, an SS colonel(?) has just received a telegram; he grunts. (I'm quoting from memory.)

Henrich: Good news Colonel?

Shaw: (Grunt)

Heinrich: We have won the war?

Shaw: No, Heinrich we have not won the war.

Heinrich: Then we have lost the war.

Shaw: No, Heinrich, we have not lost the war.

Heinrich: I don't understand. If we have not won the war, and we have not lost the war, what has happened?

Shaw: The best possible thing Heinrich, the war goes on....

(This is a fabulous movie, the "American" story is straight cliche; but the German story, mostly Shaw/Heinrich is unforgettable, including most of their dialog.)

Joanna



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