Original subtitles

Over 100 years the mystery of the land spotted by Sannikov in the Arctic ice has excited many travellers, but no one could reach it. May be it was a land ice or the land had been immersed into the Arctic Ocean? Even nowadays Sannikov Land Bank still exists on geographical maps worldwide. This film is about everlasting quest and brave people that tried to peek beyond the horizon.

The Sannikov Land (subs by ilya647)

Script by Mark Zakharov Vladislav Fedoseyev Based on the science-fiction novel by V.A. Obruchev.

Directed by Albert Mkrtchyan Leonid Popov.

Chief Cameraman Mikhail Koroptsov.

Production Designer Vladimir Filippov Valery Filippov.

Music by A. Zatsepin.

Sound Operator B. Zuyev Music Recording V. Babushkina Song Lyrics L. Derbenyova.

Director A. Mstislavsky Cameraman S. Kublanovsky.

Make-up N. Minayeva Edit Cut L. Feyginova Costume Designer A. Budnikova.

Special Effects: Cameraman Y. Potapov Designer B. Noskov.

Assistant Directors A. Romanenko A. Poroshin S. Mkrtchan Assistant Cameramen V. Balashov V. Golobokov N. Glukhov Assistant Designers T. Elyevtseva A. Kudryavtsev.

Editor V. Khotulyov.

Production Manager V. Moskaleichik.

Starring: Vladislav Dvorzhetsky Georgy Vitsin Oleg Dal Yuri Nazarov Mahmoud Esambayev.

Cast Perfilyev - Nikolay Gritsenko El'yin's Fiancee - Alyona Chukhrai Dukkar - Gevork Chepchyan.

Chief - Petr Abasheyev Setenkar - Tursun Kuraliyev Annueer - Yekaterina Sambuyeva Goshar - Nasira Mambetova.

Support actors...

Who is it?

Baron Schtoll in the flesh. He was going to find the Sannikov Land.

- Where did they find the body? - North of the Kotelny island.

- What about others? - Did not find them.

17 lives... Too many...

- Good day, Trifon Stepanovich. We've been waiting for you.

We were on tenterhooks...

- Hello, Ignaty. Why do you have a criss-cross snoot?

- I've got many things to care of, Trifon Stepanovich.

While you were enjoying your time at the mine a certain Aleksandr Petrovich El'yin...

...paid visits to this place 3 times a day.

He wanted to see you in person.

- Who is El'yin? A merchant?

- No, the colonist...

- ...the one under surveillance... - I don't want to deal with this one!

I avoid such people like the plague. Arrange the bath-house...

...and bring me the bills. Move!

- El'yin Aleksandr Petrovich.

- Ignaty!!! Why did you let him in?

- Trifon Stepanovich, 'strewth! I didn't!

Last time I turned him out of doors.

He might be a turnskin.

- Fool! Send him packing!

- OK. The exit is that way!

- Trifon Syepanovich, I won't take much of your time...

...I have a business offer and it might be very profitable for you.

- Well?

- I intend to get to the Sannikov Land any time soon.

- What sort of land?

- 100 years ago Sannikov, a tradesman from Kotelny island, spotted this land.

Since that time no one could reach it.

- What does it matter to me? - Your Nikolsky mine is depleting.

- Lies! Who told you that?

- It's true. I have absolutely reliable information. Look.

- After a couple of years your gold mine will deplete. What if a new land turns out to be second Alaska?

- Remember we had sold Alaska for a song and kept kicking ourselves after.

- How much will your second Alaska set back?

- I've calculated everything. It's cheap.

- I'm sure that Sannikov Land really exists. I'm going to find it...

...Each spring birds are flying north, to the pole.

Wait, but there's ice out there?

- Where do those stupid birds are flying to?

- Do you know about strange disappearance of the whole Onkilon tribe?

..They left the continent 400 years ago. And since that time no one heard of them...

...Come on!

Where are you going to find madmen for this sacrifice?

- One of them is right in front of you. It means there will be others.

There was a sunrise, a rainbow was blooming. Everything's over. The love is gone.

The sundown was flaming, the rainfall was tapping the glass. But now it's all over and done with...

I can still go up in the open sky like a bird... Sometimes.

And just like in childhood my heart is dreaming of endmost lands and cities of the earth.

There was a sunrise, a rainbow was blooming. Everything's over. The love is gone.

The sundown was flaming, the rainfall was tapping the glass. But now it's all over and done with...

Although my path is full of bumps I thank my luck for being able to fly in my dreams.

- Bravo!!! You're our star! Our Arctic warbler!

- Krestovsky, buddy, sing my favorite... - The Gypsy one, vagabond!

Gentlemen, have a heart, he's been singing for 3 days. He needs rest.

So, what? Let him sing.

- Nonsense! Yevgeny Krestovsky needs no rest.

- If Krestovsky starts singing he'll keep singing for 2-3 weeks.

Yevgeny Krestovsky was singing in the gunpowder magazine under shrapnel and grapeshot gunfire.

He was singing and spawling like an African lion.

When Krestovsky had been taken captive by Turkish smugglers, it was their Black Day...

...He threw a concert on the top of the Constantinopolian Mosque.

...On the stroke of 00:00 GMT Krestovsky cut his chains and sang "God Save the Tzar".

On the stroke of 02:00 GMT thousands of infidels embraced Orthodoxy voluntarily...

And when Osman-pasha was carrying me in his own arms to hand me in to the Russian squadron against receipt...

… Passionate muslim women were teared off their veils and waved me.

When I stepped on the deck of my ironclad, it was the first time I was unable to sing...

...I hugged the mast as if it was my beloved woman.

- Are you sure it was a ship mast? Not a gas lamp mast?

- Dear sir, may I kindly ask you to repeat what you've just said?

- I don't say twice.

- I was speaking about the top of the Constantinopolian Mosque...

Unfortunately in these circumstances we can't proceed to the Bosphorus...

I offer you an equal bet instead.

I will climb up the watchtower blindfolded and ring the bell.

If I manage to do so, you'll blow out your brain.

If I don't, I'll crash under your feet. What do you say?

- Brilliant idea.

- ...When do we push our luck? - Now.

- May I kindly ask you to... - Yevgeny, leave it out!

[French]- Vous avec reason, Fyodor Vasilyevich...

- Let's stop the game.

- Krestovsky never stops halfway!

For God's sake, stop him while it's not too late!

- If you want to risk your life I suggest that you should go to the Sannikov Land with me.

I'm telling you it's a very dangerous trip. Grab the rope.

Why doesn't he grab the rope?

- How many miles away is your land? - I have now precise data.

It's a tempting offer, but I need to think it over.

You have couple of seconds left.

But I don't like thinking for a long time. What's my salary?

Forget about salary.

- Sounds great. I don't like thinking of money.

What if they don't come back and disappear? My money will be gone.

- May be there is no land. - There is. I have a gut feeling...

- ...You may rely on Aleksandr Petrovich. - So you think there is land?

- Of course there is. The birds are flying north, they are flying to the land. They don't wave their wings just for nothing...

- ...They have a reason. - It turns out that there is land.

Yes, there is. I have a gut feeling. It's a copper bottomed venture.

Since you have a gut feeling you'll go there.

Where to?

What do you want me to pop into?

Not to pop into. You're going to explore the land.

- Ignasha, you need to learn the ropes...

...You are not good at paper work.

Right. Those papers dazzle my eyes and heart leaps into my boots.

- That's my point. God didn't grace you with intellect. And you don't need it anyway...

...It would be an albatross around your neck...

...You'll become a pioneer.

God bless you, Ignasha! Discover the Promised Land!

- Trifon Stepanovich, there is no land! - Where the birds are flying to?

- The birds are unreasonable creatures, they're just flying from one place to another.

- No, I have a gut feeling. They're flying to that land.

There is no land!

Then you'll go and check. What if there is? It would be a pleasant surprise.

- Trifon Stepanovich, have a mercy on me! You're sending me to my doom!

- By the way, you've reminded me of the doom. I'm so old, I forget about many things...

...When you find the gold, get rid of your mates on the way back.

- Gossips are no good. Everyone will make for it...

- ...Just a two of us. You and me. - Me... me...

- You come back as a hero and all mortgage notes will be burned...

...If you don't - you'll have only yourself to blame.

- Trifon Stepanovich, have a mercy! Don't doom my soul!

- Are you afraid?

Yes, I am.

That's great. Fear makes people kill each other most often...

- ...Are you nuts? - Just scratching.

- Do you love me, El'yin?

- We will live long, right?

- Right.

- When your exile is over we shall leave this place...

- ...Do you want to go to Petersburg? - Yes, I do.

- We'll settle down at Fontanka. You'll return to the Geographic Society.

- I love you so much.

- You're leaving, aren't you?

...You're a terrible person...

...Incomprehensible. Why are you doing this?

Forgive me if you can...

- ...Later. Some day. - Some day after your death.

- Come back soon! - Break your leg, Krestovsky!

- It's an illusive world. There's only a moment you should keep hold of.

...There's only a moment between the past and the future. That moment is called life.

Iron slumber won't gladden your heart. Iron slumber is for ancient pyramids.

The falling star has only a moment. A blink.

Let this world fly far through the centuries.

But I don't always go it's way.

The only thing I have to take care of is a moment.

Whenever you're happy or in trouble there's only a moment you should keep hold of.

There's only a moment between the past and the future. That moment is called life.

- Who're you? - That's a long story.

- Escaped political convict. You'll change the course and take me to Alaska.

- What if I say "no"?

- There is a strong argument.

- You know, my expedition will have 1 year delay if I take you to Alaska. That's out...

...Mr. Gubin.

- El'yin? I'm so happy to see you!

What are you convicted of?

Unsuccessful assassination attempt in Vologda. Indefinite penal servitude.

- Listen, let's go to America together, then to Europe, and to Russia again!

- No.

Are you going to shop me to the authorities?

My only offer is to go to the Sannikov Land with me.

- It's up to you...

...Anything might happen during the expedition. I remember you were a good doctor.

- Those are Greenberg and Malakhov. The remains of Baron Schtoll Expedition.

- Master, it's a bad place. Death is further on. We're not going further.

- Well, we'll go alone then.

- Dear Alexandr, I haven't seen you for 4 months...

...When we have a snowstorm I beg God not to let you get cold...

When the sun is shining I'm glad that it's warming you...

I'm hurt. I might have forced you to stay with me...

...But you'd go to the coastline, keep looking at the horizon...

...And you'd estranged yourself from me day by day.

I know you will think of me. I'm sure you'll come back.

- Dear Lord, don't let me die here without a funeral...

...A man without grave is not a man...

- Now I uderstand how baron Schtoll died...

...He was going to the phantom mountains, just like we are...

...He died cause he had got too eghausted to go back...

...El'yin, take it.

- Gentlemen, I need 1 day only.

- That's it. We've got in. - Got in? Where?

- Nowhere...

...I'm leaving. I'm going back.

- Where are you going? - I don't know. I don't care!

...There is no land!

...Ignasha, you wanted to go home? Let's go home.

Yes, I'm coming.

- Krestovsky, stop!

- Krestovsky, El'yin has snow blindness. And you're leaving?

He'll die!

Yes, he will! We are all dead! There's no land!

- There is no land. But there are people to take care of!

- Ignasha, let's go home. You wanted to go home.

- No, you're not going anywhere. You're going to carry him!

...I'll force you to carry him through the ice...

...Krestovsky, one more step and I shoot! Do you hear me?

- Go ahead, shoot! I'll make that step. One step...

And another one, and another...

...Got no guts? Come on, shoot!

...Look! I see the land!

- Can't believe my eyes.

- What's that? Do you hear that? - Brontides.

- I observed similar event in Turkey. Rumbling all the time... shake up...

...And Istanbul turned into ruins...

- What's wrong? - I saw something.

- What did you see?

- I don't know. But I saw something.

- Let's go. - I swear I saw something!

- Rumbling again.

- We get a cold reception from this land.

- What a land! It boils and fries.

- This incredible view makes me feel sad. When I start telling stories about it no one is going to believe me...

...The valley of thousand smokes.

Yeap, many smokes. But looks like there is no gold.

- You're wrong, Ignaty. I found interesting rock samples pointing at the possible gold presence. Look.

Incredible land. Plants in the Arctic ice.

That's the mystery of the Sannikov Land.

...Volcano is heating the ground. The circle of high mountains protects the valley from cold winds.

- Ignaty, the porridge is getting cold! - He's looking for gold there.

- I caught him.

- He could not disappear without a trace.

- Gentlemen, don't you think we are being watched?

- Let's go.

- New arrow. - Congratulation, friends.

- It's our turn now.

- We are not going to shoot people armed with arrows.

- Of course. We'll wait till they kill us.

- Neither one thing nor another.

- Don't you think that our expedition has shrank by one more person?

- Gentlemen, everything is all right. Come here.

- I told you we would be welcomed with open arms.

- My father is the Onkilon chief. He wants to hear your voice.

- There is nothing good in me. - Then you're a bad person.

- No, I mean there is little fat and meat in me...

...I'm telling you in case you intend to eat me, Your Excellency... I don't recommend you to...

...You might get sick after. Heaven forbid!

- I like you, alien.

...Why did you come to our land?

- Your Grace, not by my own will. Trifon Stepanovich press-ganged me.

- He forced me to discover the Promised Land. But I don't need it.

- I don't even want to look at your land... Sorry.

- Do you want to stay with us?

- Your Majesty! I've dreamed of it since childhood! Adopt me!

- You'll stay with us, alien...

...But we will watch your brothers...

...If they bring sorrow to us you'll die.

- What a relief! Thank you very much, Your Highness!

- Great chief, it's a disaster.

- The spirits are angry with us. They don't give us fire.

- Ask them one more time.

- Your Highness, if you want to make a fire I can do it in no time.

...You don't have to try so hard.

- What if Onkilons stop trusting you?

- You're a great shaman. Do you have a quick fire in your hands?

- You mean this? It's a plain sailing. Take it.

...You might need it in the forest to get warm or to have a smoke. Take it.

- Take it, don't be afraid.

- On the sacred day of the full moon our great ancestors bequethed...

...strong and brave Onkilon warriors to choose their wives.

A free Onkilon female will obey the one who overtakes her and prevents her from throwing a sunlight into the fast flow.

- You didn't catch the bride.

- I missed you. - You're alive!

- I keep watching aliens...

...I know they're evil shamans. They gather rocks and plants...

...to cook their potion and kill your people. Order me and I'll kill them.

- Gentlemen, you should be very careful with them. No one knows what's on their minds.

- These are my friends, Trifon Stepa... Your Majesty.

- We're the Onkilons. Our ancestors fled to this land from evil people. Who're you? Aliens, what do you want?

- We are completely different people. Harmless.

...We've come to watch your land. We'll go back soon.

- No one should know about Onkilons' land...

- You'll stay with us forever. - Calm down.

- We'll give you most beautiful girls...

...No one's going to hurt you...

...But if anyone tries to find the way back he'll find his death.

- Your Excellency, they can't get married.

...Their wives and kids are waiting for them back home...

...I'm single but I've never caught those chicks...

...Besides, I have a vicious temper...

...If something isn't to my liking, you know... I'm a hard hitter and a bad thinker...

- You thoughts are bright as the sun.

- Is she for me?

- Alien, you should get married! - You, little...

- Your Excellency, may I choose by myself?

- Go ahead.

- We gonna sort it all out.

- You've lost your wisdom, great chief. You want to keep them alive.

...All right. Let's sacrifice a white deer...

...And we'll see spirits' will...

- What's wrong with you, Ignaty? Such a wonderful girl and you...

- Alexandr Petrovich, I can not feed her. Besides, she is too strong.

- Alien, you're the strongest and the most beautiful in the world.

- Don't know.

- Leave our land. Shaman wants you to die.

- But I must explore your land and know where it ends.

- No. You'll never be able to do it. - Why?

- The sacred valley of ancestors is located behind the mountains.

...You can't go in there. It's a sacred mystery of our land. If go there you'll get killed.

- What's your name? - Annueer.

- Annueer, will you show me the way?

- Amalon, Amundeb, the water spirits save my people. Tell us what to do...

...If you accept the deer, we'll send aliens to our ancestors, to the eternal shadowland.

...If you don't accept the deer, they'll live.

- Snakes are slithering on the Onkilon land.

...Spirits told me that they want to sting the deer with their deadly poison...

...They already stroke blind the hawk. Spirits want us to sacrifice aliens.

- Father, don't listen to shaman!

- Aliens brought us a quick fire. I shall follow xenial customs...

...Ancestors' will.

- The great chief loves ancestors. - And ancestors love the chief.

- They've been waiting for him by their fire for a long time.

- I'll help him to join them. - Yes!

- Great shaman, aliens stepped into the sacred valley of our ancestors!

- Bang the big drum!

...Aliens have touched the mystery of our ancestors!

...I shall lead warriors to the sacred valley. Death to aliens!

- This is the place...

...Long time ago our ancestors found drops of solid yellow fire in this wall...

...They were afraid that its glitter would strike people blind...

...People would see no difference between day and night...

...They tabooed touching these drops...

...Those who had broken the taboo had their eyes dissolved in tears...

...Here they are. Their tears. Do you see them?

...This salty waterfall will always be here. It washes solid yellow fire drops.

- What's a... - What's wrong, Ignaty?

- What?

- Gold.

- It's mine! I found it!

...I was crouching my back before Perfil'yev like a bilge rat! For nothing! It's mine!

- What's wrong with you? - It's mine!

- Don't look at them. The spirits might get angry and you'll get blind.

- What's that?

- Let's run, shaman is calling warriors.

- Don't kill him! It's my fault!

- I brought him here! Don't kill him!

- Get back!

...Darn!

- Get back to caves!

- ...Don't mess with me! - We were coming out and...

- An earthquake!

- Strange silence.

- Alexandr Petrovich, look what happened. The lake has cooled down.

...We were taking boiling water yesterday. Today the water is cold.

- Subsoil thermal conditions were disrupted.

- The oven is out.

- The valley of thousand smokes went out as well.

...You can't cook dinner there any more...

...The earthquake must have disrupted heater of the Sannikov Land...

...Soon there will be an Arctic desert.

- What will happen to the Onkilons?

- Great shaman, chief's son escaped to the mountains. He's planning something against us.

- Did you bring that woman? - Yes.

- Aliens killed the chief. They're shaking our land.

...Many of our children and elders have died...

...I shall hoodoo the spirits and cleanse your soul...

...And you'll follow the will of our ancestors.

- Take it. Pour it into aliens' food.

...They fell asleep. And you'll follow the will of our ancestors.

- It's an illusive world. There's only a moment you should keep hold of.

...There's only a moment between the past and the future. That moment is called life.

- Gentlemen, the land is getting colder remarkably fast.

- Shouldn't we go back home?

- Gentlemen, don't you think that leaving this place we abandon children?

We'll try to explain what they're heading to.

I'm afraid they won't believe you.

...They think we are wizards shaking their land.

- A rescue party should be sent here.

- All of them will freeze to death before it arrives.

- They're over a barrel.

- One of us should stay here to help them make it through the winter...

...Build warm shelters. Gubin will take care of it.

- Dukar, when first arrow touches their bodies you'll bang a big drum.

- Big drum. I will, great shaman.

You'll kill them.

Yes, I'll make them wriggle in painful death dance.

...I'll kill aliens.

- I'll teach you how to talk with the spirits.

- And I'll take Anueer.

- Cut and run! Let's meet over there, near the stone.

- Go away Gashar, you'll be rewarded. You followed the will of our ancestors.

- You'll die in terrible throes.

- Don't!

- Go away. - Don't kill him!

- Dukaar, wait. His time will come. They'llget back here.

...They'll find your arrows. Go get them first!

- There is no man who wouldn't wail when veins are taken out...

...I'll put out your eyes first. Then I'll cut out your heart. Scream!

- Look at me, shaman! I am Saktinkar, chief's son...

...I've revenged the death of my father!

- I'm so sorry, alien!

...Shaman was holding my soul in his hands!

I believe you.

- Alien, you are free. My people meant you no harm...

...But please ask other aliens to stop shaking our land...

...I know you're kind, you were sorry for our children.

Trust me, we didn't shake your land.

...There are no people able to shake your land.

Who did it then?

- I can't explain that.

- The spirits don't allow you to? - No, not spirits.

...We meant no harm to your people. We ought to go back home.

- Go back. But it's a sore grief to me. You're a great shaman. You know how to heal people.

You've made up your mind?

Yes, can't leave them. I'd be more helpful than any of us.

...Our lives are in your hands now. You must return return with the rescue party before we get frozen.

- Vladimir Ivanovich, I have a gift for you.

...Trifon Stepanovich gave me that. Take it as a keepsake.

- Thank you, Ignaty.

- ...But you'll need it. - No. I don't even know how to use it.

- Take it. I don't want any more gunshots on the Onkilon land.

- Good-bye.

- Good-bye, Anueer.

- Alien, I'm coming with you!

- Don't call me "alien".

- OK, alien, I won't.

- I have to go, Anueer. - I'm coming with you.

- You can't go with me. We'll go through snow and ice. We may die.

- I'll die with you.

- No, you'll stay here. We're sure to come back.

- Alien, I'll be waiting for you.

- Come one, Annueer! I have something for you.

- Take it. A present for you.

...What was that?

- Hold on!

- Drop it! We both die!

- Don't!

- El'yin, stop.

...I don't feel well...

- ...Was my life well-spent? - Yes, it was. Trust me.

- Now everything depends on you...

...You must survive. You must get there.

...Keep walking. If you come back to Onkilons and save them our lives will be well-spent.

Hello, puppies. The land is not far away, is it?

Well...

- Why don't you stay at home, man?

...Why are you treading the globe? Why are you agate?