Martin Donovan: Captain Pritchett

When Trumpets Fade

Captain Pritchett

Lt. Lukas: Captain Pritchett sir? You have a Private Manning here.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Alright
[Looks at Manning]
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You Manning?
Pvt. David Manning: I think so.
Lt. Lukas: Give him a straight answer Private.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Relax!
[Turns back to Manning]
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You can stop looking for your platoon. They didn't make it.
Pvt. David Manning: What?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Looks like you were the only one who made it out. Your lucky day.
Pvt. David Manning: [Sarcastic] Lucky day?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You're alive.
Pvt. David Manning: Am I?

Capt. Roy Pritchett: Congratulations Private, you're a sergeant now.
Pvt. David Manning: I am absolutely the wrong man!
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You've managed to stay alive for a week: that's something the rest of your platoon couldn't do. Call me crazy, but from where I'm standing, that qualifies you for the job!

Lieutenant Colonel: [Through the walkie-talkie] You hold that bridge Captain! That's an order!
Capt. Roy Pritchett: I've already lost thirty men!
Lieutenant Colonel: This isn't a debate, Pritchett! You hold that goddamn bridge!
Capt. Roy Pritchett: [Screams] This is suicide!

Lieutenant Colonel: How you doing, Roy?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: I'm fine sir. I can stay.
Lieutenant Colonel: I think you need a rest.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Everybody here needs a rest, sir.
Lieutenant Colonel: Captain, this conversation was over the first time we had it and it is just as over now.

Pvt. David Manning: Request permission for a section eight. I'm fucked up, I can't do this, I - I'm no good.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Listen to me soldier. A week ago I had a company of almost 200 men, now I've got 50. As hard as this may be for you to swallow, your efforts to stay alive hold very little value at this particular time and place. What does hold value are the objectives. The longer it takes to obtain them, the more dead we'll be stockpiling at the side of the road. Now, it's my job to obtain those objectives, and I will utilize anybody at my disposal to do so, that includes you Sergeant. Now I'm just as sorry as hell about your bruised nerves, but you are out of your skull if you think I'm gonna let you bail on a section eight. Is that clear?
Pvt. David Manning: Yes sir.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: At 1400 hours you will rendezvous with your new squad. You've got until then to get your shit together. Is that clear?
Pvt. David Manning: Yes sir.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Good. Now get out of my sight.

Lieutenant Colonel: Now G-2 said it'll be clear sailing up to the bridge, but once you get there, it's gonna get pretty hot.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: With all due respect sir, did G-2 forget about the tanks the Jerries had been clobbering us with?
Lieutenant Colonel: No. The artillery is gonna take care of the tanks.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: They've been saying that for a week.
Lieutenant Colonel: Well they're saying it again, and this time they're right.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Bunch of chickenshits...
Lieutenant Colonel: Do you have a problem, Captain?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: What if those tanks are still firing, sir?
Lieutenant Colonel: Then we'll deal with it.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: No problem.
Lieutenant Colonel: Captain Pritchett, if you feel you're unable to carry out your orders, you let me know, and I'll relieve you of your command and find somebody who can.

Capt. Roy Pritchett: We're getting replacements in from the channel, tonight you'll be fitted with a new squad. Congratulations Private, you're a sergeant now.
Pvt. David Manning: I don't want it.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You'll get used to it.
Pvt. David Manning: I don't wanna get used to it.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: I don't give a damn what you want. I'll put up with that mouth of yours because I figure after surviving a week up here, you've earned that right. You have not earned the right to question my orders.
Pvt. David Manning: I am absolutely the wrong man.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: That may be your opinion Sergeant, but it's not mine. You managed to stay alive for a week, that's something the rest of your platoon couldn't do. Call me crazy, but from where I'm standing that makes you qualified for the job.

Capt. Roy Pritchett: We're making another push.
Pvt. David Manning: You gotta be shitting me.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Our company is to try and take the bridge on the Kall Trail again and hold it. Kraut 88's on the ridge are gonna have us right on the chopping block.
Pvt. David Manning: Fuckers.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: There's a road leading up to the ridge from the north side. I figure a single squad with a couple of flamethrowers might have a shot at taking'em out. Their gun crews will be firing at us.
Pvt. David Manning: What about their infantry support?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: Krauts are holding their manpower back about a mile behind the ridge. Apparently they're having trouble finding replacements, so they're relying on their 88's to wipe us out. I need a squad to volunteer.
Pvt. David Manning: Good luck.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You take out those guns, and I'll get you that section eight you were begging for.
Pvt. David Manning: [long pause] It's a deal.
[smiling]
Capt. Roy Pritchett: You smile at me again, and I'll kick your teeth out.

Sgt. Talbot: [Under heavy artillery fire, shouting over the radio] This is Sergeant Talbot. Lieutenant Lukas has lost it.
Capt. Roy Pritchett: I put you in charge of this, Sergeant. Now listen up, you gotta pull your platoon back to this side of the river.
Sgt. Talbot: You expect me to get these guys to leave cover in this shit?
Capt. Roy Pritchett: If you don't get that platoon to move, you're all gonna be dead 10 minutes, now haul ass!