Why did Farrell take blame?

I think it was because he wanted to sacrifice himself for the good of the troops. He talked with McNamara earlier in the movie and McNamara told him he didn't know anything and if he f-cked this operation up, he would kill Hart, as he killed Bedford.

He wanted to protect the black officer because he deserved it more and because he had a kid I guess.

But I think that the main reason was that he failed before by confessing so easily.

[deleted]

He wasn't jepordizing those escaping. He needed to cause a rucus. If the other guy would have been executed (Yes, I'm too lazy to go checkin' his name) then it would have been very calm, because it appeared inevitable from the beginning. Had it been casual they would have been sure to take their time making sure everyone was there and such. But he figured if he made a big commotion he might not even bother with that stuff. It was an ingenious plan gone astray.

Thanks,
Austin H.

This confused me enough when i watched it last night to go back over that scene a couple of times .

The German Camp Commander was starting to hear the escapees scuffling about while escaping . Farrell also appears to hear them , and raises his voice , but the G.C.C. still seems distracted . Farrell said " He ' did it to draw the G.C.C's. attention from the escape , and create noise so he couldn't hear them .



"How do you know my name..?"
..."It's stenciled on the back of your shorts". {"\ (*_*) /"}

I agree with hifispock! I believe that Hart takes the blame for BEDFORD'S murder in order to distract the Germans from the evident sounds of escape...However, I don't believe that that is the only reason Hart does so! As another member pointed out, Hart seems ashamed by his relinquishing of information to the Germans about the allied fuel dumps. He has several flashbacks throughout the film and always about his interrogation; one of which reveals the fact that he surrendered to their barbarious tactics and gave them the information. Therefore, I think in a way he felt responsible for the outcome of the war, at the time, and believed he was doing his duty by sacrificing himself. Not to mention, Hart goes the entire movie trying to impress the ever-ambiguous Colonel McNamara...Needless to say, whatever he does is usually frowned upon...In short, Hart realizes what a monster McNamara really is and attempts to sacrifice his life for Lieutenant Scott in order to Muck up McNamara's plan and rectify his guilt.

Personally, I don't know how good of an idea that would have been...Hart was the closest thing to an allie that Scott had. Hart's death would have meant certain death for Scott as well. I don't believe the U.S. soldiers would have dared kill Scott themselves with Hart around. Hart was white and an officer.