"The star-spangled, laugh-loaded salute to our P.W. heroes!"
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.
— Sefton
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.
— Sefton
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!
— Col. von Scherbach
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.
— Sefton
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.