The Rack (1956)

Edmond O'Brien: Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick

Quotes 

• Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : [Addressing the jury, presenting the closing arguments for Capt. Hall's defense]  Gentlemen, I have here a document which is not very pleasant to read. It's a communiqué written by the Communists describing shortcomings they observed among certain American prisoners of war.

  Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : [Quoting from the document]  "One: Many of the prisoners reveal weak loyalties to their families, their communities, and their army. Two: When left alone, they tend to feel deserted, and they underestimate their ability to survive, because they underestimate themselves."

  Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : Now, the report goes on to say that even some of our university graduates have a very dim idea of American history and of the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy and that they are virtually ignorant of Communism, because we have never taken the trouble to inform them of its nature. The Communist program of indoctrination was based on this appraisal - and succeeded, because in many cases, the appraisal was true... And now we must judge Capt. Hall. Gentlemen, if there is guilt, where does it lie? In that small number who defected under pressure, as Capt. Hall did? Or do we not share it? At least those of us who created *part* of a generation which may collapse, because we have left it uninspired, uninformed, and - as in the case of Capt. Hall - unprepared to go the limit, because he had not been given the warmth to support him along the way... And now we must judge Capt. Hall. And let us make absolutely certain, that we have had no part in his collapse. This man has proven himself in the two wars of his youth, who has been exposed to conditions of captivity, against which we have never had to test ourselves.

• Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : Well, what are we going to do about you? We've got about two weeks to prepare.

  Capt. Edward W. Hall Jr. : [Shrugging]  I don't know.

  Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : [laughs]  That's an interesting attitude.

  Capt. Edward W. Hall Jr. : Oh, look, Colonel, uh, what axe are you grinding, or do you just have a penchant for lost causes?

  Lt. Col. Frank Wasnick : I don't admire self-pity. I don't think it's constructive.

  Capt. Edward W. Hall Jr. : Haven't you heard? I'm guilty.