Fall from Grace (1994 TV Movie)
Michael York: Hans-Dieter Stromelburg
Photos
Quotes
-
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [after carefully washing his hands in the bathroom and inspecting himself in the mirror there, enters the ornately-decorated office where Catherine is sitting naked on the chair, her wrists manacled behind her back again] So, Denise... Yes, that is what they call you, isn't it? Professionally. So, Denise...
[letting his eyes roam over her naked flesh]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : You are not a child.
[smirks]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : That much anyone can see. Now you know where you are and you know what I want. This is your last chance to cooperate.
Catherine Pradier : [swallowing hard] You know I can't do that.
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [bending over her, taking her by her bare shoulders, looking quite sincerely into her eyes] Don't make me turn them loose on you.
[tutting]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Don't make me do that, please.
[drawing out that word, as she just looks at him ruefully, and he switches his attention to her confiscated handbag on the table, rifling through her identity documents]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Is this all she was carrying?
First Gestapo Guard : Yes, Herr Obersturmführer!
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Where is the microfilm with your instructions?
[no answer from her]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : You can tell me now or after they've finished pulling out your fingernails one by one, it's your choice.
Catherine Pradier : [fighting back tears] There is no microfilm.
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [selecting an ornament and holding it up, rubbing it appreciatively] This is 17th Century Chinese porcelain. It's a work of art. It's unique. Priceless. Once destroyed, it cannot be replaced. It will be gone forever. Like your beauty.
[drops the vase, letting it smash into smithereens at her bare, bound feet]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Do not let me do the same to you.
-
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [in full Nazi uniform, entering the ornately decorated office, where Catherine, her clothing in some disarray, sits handcuffed] The young lady is asking herself where we have met before. It was in a restaurant here in Paris. You were having trouble with a drunken oaf. Lamentably one of my own men. Happily I was able to be of service to the young lady. And I see that once again you are in need of my help.
[turns to face the two men standing by ominously, speaking theatrically]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Why is this young lady in handcuffs? Release her immediately!
[sighs, then guffaws]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Oh, forgive me, mademoiselle, I am surrounded by fools and barbarians.
[they have released her, and he offers her a cigarette from an opened carton tray]
Catherine Pradier : [intimidated, shaking her head uneasily] Thank you, no.
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Something to drink?
[he sees she is going to decline that too, and sighs]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : As you wish. But perhaps you will tell me just how you come to be in the hands of my security services.
Catherine Pradier : [meekly tremulous] I was hoping that you would be able to tell me that.
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [selecting a cigarette for himself, the portrait of Adolf Hitler looming large over his shoulder, laughing as he lights up, the cigarette-holder accentuating that he is actually a refined man] Very well.
[slamming down the packet, draws from the cigarette, turning very cold]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : You are a serving British officer. You're also a terrorist operating behind enemy lines, out of uniform, for which the penalty, under the Geneva Convention, is death.
Catherine Pradier : [hoarsely] What would you Germans know about the Geneva Convention?
[disdainfully]
Catherine Pradier : You couldn't even spell it!
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [rises, angered, with that portrait behind him making him even more imposing, then smirks] A woman of character as well as virtue. You should be spared the less attractive aspects of an interrogation in this building. I can offer you that.
[she looks at him warily, full of resignation]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : All I want from you is a few simple straightforward answers.
[sits down behind his large desk]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : I want the details of your sabotage plan in Calais. I want the names of your collaborators and I want the precise timing of the operation.
Catherine Pradier : [softly] You know I can't tell you that.
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : [scoffs] My dear young lady, there is nothing in that beautiful head of yours that I cannot make you tell me, huh?
[she looks at him dismally, then the phone rings, he answers curtly]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Yes. I will be there shortly.
[replacing the receiver, rises, turning to leave the office, addressing his thuggy henchmen]
Hans-Dieter Stromelburg : Prepare the young lady for a little talk when I return.
[she shifts uncomfortably in the chair, knows this is not going to be pleasant, as he leaves, closing the door]