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The Desert Rats (1953)

Richard Burton: Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts

The Desert Rats

Richard Burton credited as playing...

Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts

Photos2

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Quotes8

  • Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel: Now, MacRoberts, l respect your pride in this little rat hole you call Tobruk, but don't insult my intelligence by telling me that if it stood in my way, l couldn't crush it like that!
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: Sir, normally I would defer to your rank and the fact that I'm your prisoner. lf you can crush Tobruk, crush it. But don't tell me it isn't a constant threat to your supply line, that it isn't an open sore in your side, or that you can take Egypt without first smashing it!
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: How did you get into this?
  • Tom Bartlett: I suppose the way I get into everything. A School Master with the nickname of 'Blind Tom' doesn't last long. I got an idea I might find greener pastures in one of the dominions. Unfortunately, I picked Australia - where it appears everyone volunteers. I made my usual mistake of being in a pub the day war was declared and on a wave of beer suds...
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: If you were going to make the gesture, you might at least have got yourself a commission.
  • Tom Bartlett: A commission? I'm the perfect Private soldier. No worries. No responsibilities. I can't even be demoted.
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: Don't believe that for a minute. Being an infantry man is the toughest job in the army.
  • Tom Bartlett: But all wars come to an end sometime. This one will too.
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: If I have anything to do with it, it will.
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: He's tight as a tick. Look at him!
  • Tom Bartlett: [after a battle where Capt. MacRoberts was wounded] How's your hand, Tammy?
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: Oh, burning like brimstone. But, how are you, sir?
  • Tom Bartlett: I found a very deep hole. If you can dig deep enough, only your pride gets hurt.
  • Tom Bartlett: He's just a boy, he...
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: We've got no use for boys here - particularly not as officers.
  • Tom Bartlett: You can't be much older than he is.
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: I don't know whether I am or not. I do know that I've been here for a year and one of the first things I learned was that this isn't a game for children. Men get killed and stay killed.
  • Tom Bartlett: It's a pretty cold estimate, Tammy.
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: Perhaps it is. But, it's the truth.
  • Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel: This is what keeps you in those flea-ridden caves?
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: It's part of it.
  • Field Marshal Erwin von Rommel: And the rest?
  • Capt. 'Tammy' MacRoberts: Well, the rest is that if by holding Tobruk we prevent you from taking the Suez. And if you don't take the Suez, I suggest you start planning for the next war. Cognac for the Field Marshall.
  • German Major: You British pig!
  • [slaps Capt. MacRoberts]

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