"The star-spangled, laugh-loaded salute to our P.W. heroes!"
Director: Billy Wilder
Cast: William Holden, Robert Strauss, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Harvey Lembeck
Stalag 17 — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
If I ever run into any of you bums on a street corner, just let's pretend we've never met before.
Context
Sefton says this to the men in the barracks just before he escapes down the trapdoor, after having saved them and exposed the spy.
Meaning
Encapsulates Sefton's total rejection of the group's camaraderie and his lingering resentment for how they treated him. A final declaration of his independence.
I trade. Everybody trades. I just trade sharper.
Context
Sefton defending his black market activities when accused of being a collaborator.
Meaning
Sefton's defense of his capitalism. He refuses to apologize for his survival skills, highlighting the hypocrisy of the others who also trade but with less success.
Ach so!
Context
Used repeatedly by the Commandant when interacting with prisoners or his subordinates, usually when putting on his boots.
Meaning
A catchphrase that signifies the Commandant's arrogant dismissal or realization. It became a signature of Preminger's performance.
Maybe he's the guy who does have the apple. But I'm the guy who's got the knife.
Context
Sefton explaining his philosophy of always having leverage in a negotiation.
Meaning
A metaphor for power dynamics. Even if someone else has the prize (the apple), Sefton has the tool (the knife) to take it or control the situation.
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