Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt Quotes in The Longest Day (1962)

[Blumentritt has just gotten off the phone with General Max Pemsel on Allied airborne landings behind Normandy]

Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Pemsel is convinced this is the invasion.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: No no no, I do not agree with him. This is my conclusion.

[Von Rundstedt points to the main map]

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: Normandy is the site of a diversion. A diversion, Blumentritt! That is not where the main landings will take place, that will come at Pas-de-Calais, where it was always expected!

[Von Rundstedt then realizes what he has just said]

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: [to himself] Where we always expected it.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: [to Blumentritt] We can't take any chances. I want the reserve panzers moved forward.

Major General Gunther Blumentritt: But we need permission from the Fuhrer's headquarters.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: They won't dare refuse me! Call the Fuhrer's headquarters and insist. Insist, Blumentritt! Insist the panzers be released to me.

[as Blumentritt leaves the office to call Berlin, Von Rundstedt returns to the main map]

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: A landing at Normandy would be against military logic. It would be against ALL logic.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: This is madness... madness... sheer madness!

Major General Gunther Blumentritt: I just talked to General Jodl... the Fuhrer is awake.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: I don't care if he's awake or not! What about the reserve panzers?

Major General Gunther Blumentritt: The Fuhrer went into one of his tantrums... and no one dared bring up the subject.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: They're still held in reserve!

Major General Gunther Blumentritt: Sir, if you would call the Fuhrer yourself I am convinced he would respect your views.

Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt: Call that Bohemian corporal? Crawl on my knees to him? No! It is out of the question!