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]