The title is taken from the poem "Dulce et Decorum est" by the British World War 1 poet Wilfred Owen. Gilbert Dorn (James Cromwell) quotes from the last stanza in his last words "My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory," Dorn omits the last line "The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori." (It is sweet and honourable to die for your country)