Why did Upham not help Mellish?
He believes people should act according to order and fairness, but others don’t. For example, Willy, the German soldier Upham shows mercy to, doesn’t reciprocate that mercy, and ends up killing both Mellish and Miller.
Why is Upham a coward?
He signified the loss of innocence in war and thought that soldiers could be civil, but he later succumbed to the evils of war and made up for his cowardice when he shot Steamboat Willie for killing Miller even after the latter had shown Willie mercy earlier.
Why did German soldier let Upham live?
The German soldier is the one who was captured and released blindfolded. He does not kill Upham because he simply remembers him, and Upham was the soldier who fought the most among them so they would not kill the German because he had given up.
Why did Upham shoot the guy?
Upham appeared out of a crater between the Germans and their escape route, shouting to put their weapons down. They obliged, and Willie recognized Upham, smiling and saying Upham’s name. Upham pauses for a moment before executing him, revenge for killing Miller, finally understanding the horrors of war.
What was the German saying when he killed Mellish?
For the first time in the fight, the shouts and screams turn to actual words as the German, forcing the downward aimed blade closer to Mellish’s chest, shouts at him in German (the translation of which is “Give up, you don’t stand a chance! Let’s end this here! It will be easier for you, much easier.
Is the German that killed Mellish the one they let go?
Mellish is not killed by Steamboat Willie, but instead by a Waffen-SS soldier. Because all of the Germans in the film have shaved heads (an historically inaccurate portrayal), it is not difficult to get these two characters mixed up.
What did the German soldier say to Private Mellish?
Du wirst sehen, es ist gleich vorbei.” This translates as: “Give up, you don’t stand a chance! Let’s end this here!
Does Upham save Mellish in the end?
This isn’t a defense of Upham’s cowardice, but an analysis of all the forces preventing him from saving Mellish in the final act. After Wade’s passing, the men find the German soldier (named Steamboat Willy in the script) who they believe shot Wade.
Why did Upham kill Mellish and Miller?
For example, Willy, the German soldier Upham shows mercy to, doesn’t reciprocate that mercy, and ends up killing both Mellish and Miller. Having seen his worldview destroyed, Upham presumes there is no other course of action available to him and stops participating as a result.
What is the significance of Upham’s helmet?
Not only did Upham represent the loss of innocence of war but he also symbolised the “Everyman”; the moment when he almost picks up the souvenir German helmet symbolises how he could have fought on either side, he was a neutral soldier.