Original subtitles

Jesus, the alarm didn't ring!

Get it fixed! I'll miss the train.

I was awake, but I thought it was earlier.

It's so dark out.

It's cold as a morgue in here.

Marino will get a gas refill for the heater today.

Why didn't you get it yesterday? Scared of honest sweat?

You're always picking on your brother-in-law.

You're his mother. Tell him to go to work.

He tries, but he can't find anything.

He finds his way here to freeload all right.

Relatives have to help each other out. At Christmas...

he brought a box of food.

So now we wait for Easter-- if he isn't arrested first!

Nothing works! Goddamn it!

I'll miss the train today.

They'll put me on the blacklist.

I'm sick of everything and everybody! I'm not going anywhere!

Better to be a whore!

I can't take it anymore!

Always the same thing.

Always late.

And nobody else around here does anything.

A sick husband loafing around.

A senile mother-in-law, a brother-in-law who should...

spend all his time in jail.

If I didn't have three kids, I'd get out.

- She's gone crazy. - Be quiet!

What a rotten life.

- Have your coffee. - I don't want any!

And I won't wash either! Some day you won't see me anymore.

Take the bike. You'll save ten minutes.

- Where do I leave it? - With the station master. Explain...

Explain what? That you're a family...

of bastards!

Look, his knee's still swollen.

Make him some compresses.

Here's the bottle.

Don't let it get infected.

Clara, I'm out of razor blades. What should I do?

Buy some.

There are two eggplants. Do I slice them or dice them?

Slice, dice, razor blades...

You always ask me everything.

What happens if I'm not around?

Clara, you forgot your lunch box.

I'll pick it up tonight. Thank you.

- Where were you? - I was late.

I have to run. I start at 7:30.

You stand.

Will you look at that?

What have they decided about the strike?

Who knows?

They screw you out of your raise by hiking prices.

Even the newspaper costs more.

The newspaper! Who reads it anyway?

I do, for the robberies. There's one every day.

A few less come summer. Even robbers go on vacation.

- They never catch them! - Are you sorry?

You in a bad mood today?

Yesterday, today...

The bottle for the compresses!

The kids might drink it! It's poison!

It must have a skull and crossbones on it.

No, no. It doesn't.

Is your mother-in-law an idiot?

She loves the kids.

She'll be careful.

The compresses.

I hope so.

Hurry up, you girls! You're always the last.

Don't make me laugh! I'm not in the mood.

I've never missed a single day.

I'm too stupid to pretend I'm sick, like the others.

Look. Half of them are home.

They're smart! If you don't look out for yourself around here...

Come on, come on.

''Come on.''

You're a real pain.

Step it up, beautiful!

Come along!

You're always late.

Come here.

Come on. I'm worn out.

Let's go eat.

Don't you feel well?

I'm sleepy.

Go to sleep. Eat later.

Hey, come over here.

Stop! She's sick!

- It's nothing. I'm fine now. - What happened?

What's the matter, Calabria?

I just felt sleepy.

It's passed. I'm okay now.

This is the second time you've done this.

- I'm just a little tired. - What do you expect, working here?

Her husband wants her every night.

When you work, three times a week is enough!

She'd be pregnant all the time, like a gypsy!

She has to get up, fix herself up, do all the chores--

Shut up! Mind your own goddamn business.

It's this noise, this stink of rubber. This department's a killer.

If you can't take it, go someplace else.

It's 20,000 lire more a month here.

I earn what I need here. Want me to lose my job?

I've never been sick, not even for a day.

I already told you...

go and get an examination at National Health.

I don't need one.

Don't be foolish, Clara. Get out of here.

Maybe they'll give you a few days off so you can sleep!

If only!

Take the tram. You'll be there in half an hour.

Let us know what they find.

Come on, Clara. Get going.

Let's go see the foreman.

Bra, 2,200 lire. Slip, 2,300 lire.

Nylon panties, 1 ,000 lire.

No stockings?

I can't afford anything else.

Oh, my God!

My head's spinning!

You can get sick just waiting here.

I've been waiting since 1 1 :00. I have kidney stones.

Since 1 1 :00!

Number 39 to surgery.

Next year everything will change with the new reforms.

- You believe that? - No, but I can hope.

If you get sick, they halve your pay instead of increasing it!

I'd like a checkup by an important doctor.

But it costs as much as a car.

I wouldn't go to one for free!

They're used to rich people's bodies.

With poor people, they'd mess up the diagnosis.

Sick people are all the same-- like dead people.

God forbid!

I mean better dead than sick if you haven't got the money.

- True. Shall we get a coffee? - Thanks, I don't drink coffee.

I have an ulcer. I better not.

Will you come, signora?

I don't want to lose my place. I'm number 60.

I'm 59.

They won't call you before 4:00.

Trust me. I know the ropes here.

There's a cafe nearby. At least we can sit down.

Come on.

Number 40, to the dentist.

- Waiter. - Yes?

What'll you have?

- I'm cold. - A punch, then.

For me, warm milk.

My company deals with Olivetti.

Precision parts, to the hundredth of a millimeter.

I like it, but I have to hunch over all the time.

It ruined my health. I've been in a sanatorium already.

And besides, the noise!

I run a machine at 1 80 decibels.

One hundred is enough to shatter your nerves.

Beautiful. It looks like a flower.

My work is less complicated, but it's tiring.

Take one.

I haven't smoked a cigarette in years.

I have to smoke mild ones.

Are you from the south?

Calabria, near Cosenza.

- Lots of Calabrians here in Milan. - We should have stayed home.

On account of the climate?

On account of everything.

We had so many illusions when we set out.

I like your style. You don't talk much.

When I start, I never stop. I got it from my mother.

This punch really warms you up!

You have a family?

Yes, three children.

My husband was hit by a motorcycle in October.

He can't go back to his factory until May.

The children are a consolation.

It's better not to have them...

if you have to deny them too much.

My mother sprained her arm.

She's really a character! When she was young...

she wanted to sing. But my father was a tyrant.

I buy records for her now and then.

Do you like music?

What?

Music... do you like it?

Yes.

I don't know. Excuse me. It's late.

- Come back tomorrow. - Doctor, is something wrong?

You should have come sooner. You're all so scared of doctors.

At the factory, if they find out you're sick, they fire you.

It's a horrible world.

What can I tell my family?

Why tell them anything?

Let us have a look at the x-rays first.

Sleep on it tonight.

She's home.

- How's your leg? - It stopped hurting.

I made the compresses.

Back to school tomorrow.

I wanna stay home another day.

You better explain...

right now, in front of everyone, in front of your children...

or I'll smash your face in and kick you out of the house.

Who was that shit in the cafe?

I only told him what I saw.

Answer instead of crying.

Of course we think the worst. You changed clothes!

You go to a cafe, smoke...

I haven't seen you smoke in years.

At home you play the victim. You don't smoke.

And I don't laugh, either.

I went to the doctor's today. I had x-rays.

I'm sick!

I can't take it anymore!

I hope I die. I pray to God I'm rotting with TB!

You're trying to change the subject, but you can't fool me!

Who was that man in the cafe?

Who the hell knows?

What did this bastard tell you?

Is that all you care about my health?

You make a big jealous scene, but you don't give a damn about me!

Nobody cares about me! Nobody!

It's only a shadow, but it'll grow if we don't cure it.

I'm sending you to the mountains. There you'll lay back...

and think only of yourself.

A little vacation.

In two months you'll be cured.

Two months?

Two, four, three...

We'll see.

I can't. I can't go away.

No one is indispensable.

I look indispensable...

but if I died, everything would go on-- probably better than before.

Excuse me, Doctor. Professor, couldn't she get well at home?

You have to help us. We're poor folk.

Don't make me angry.

She's been running a fever for a month.

- What's your first name? - Clara.

Clara, know where I'll send you?

Sandalo, in the mountains.

In the Vattelina region.

It's a nice place. Are your deductions up to date?

- Yes. - Then you won't pay a thing.

But the children, the family-- How will we manage?

Go and steal.

She could die if she doesn't get treated.

I'm not sure I'll go.

It's up to you.

I don't even have a decent pair of shoes.

I'd need at least 50,000 lire.

Who's got money like that?

Mama's right.

The doctor was exaggerating just to scare you.

That's his job.

You don't even have a cough...

or any pain.

I feel a heaviness on my right side.

My grandmother died of this disease.

Who says you have the same thing?

I want to get well so the kids don't suffer.

You're turning this into a soap opera.

Please, Franco.

I don't really feel like it.

When do you ever?

Be good. Go to sleep.

I need rest.

The more I sleep...

the sooner I'll get well.

Marissa could lend me the money.

So you've decided to go?

I'll decide tomorrow.

Come on, give me this satisfaction. We have so few...

You move. With this leg, I can't.

Are you mad because I slapped you?

No, I forgot all about it.

This is where the flatlands disappear. Look, ma'am.

There they go.

Bye-bye, flatlands!

We're far from the world, alone and happy.

Is this your first time up here?

- Yes. - It shows.

I come back every year.

I catch my breath, and then the sparks fly!

- You never laugh? - No, I can laugh. See!

You have a marvelous smile.

If you'd just get that tooth fixed.

With 20 or 30,000 lire, you'd be perfect. Right?

I think she's perfect as she is.

Look at all the snow!

Man, do you sleep well up here! Great beds!

Here I am! Nice to see you again, Mariani.

- You're the singer! - Singer, actress, dancer.

- Miss Saccani! - Scanziani. ''Rita Goes'' on stage.

A pleasure.

Hiya, kids! I came up here mainly to see my friends.

I'm going abroad.

See how I remembered your name?

Who could forget me?

This year they've separated the men and the women.

You're in pavilion 7.

They did it because of me. They're afraid I'll seduce you all.

Sandalo! We're in Sandalo!

A ten-minute bus ride...

and we'll be in paradise!

A paradise I hope I'll soon be leaving.

Lucky you, Saccani.

Look,just call me by my stage name, will you?

These are so heavy!

Those furs too, please.

- What's your stage name? - Rita Goes.

That's even tougher!

Hello and welcome, all.

This way.

First you must sign in.

This way, ma'am.

So long, ladies. You'll be in our dreams.

So long, Saccani.

Scanziani!

Go jump in a lake! That guy's got water on the brain!

Hello, Scanziani!

Hello, Doctor.

It takes ages to get up here!

It's hard on us poor invalids!

- Paying? - Yes, paying.

- National Health, or paying? - National Health.

- You? - National Health.

- National Health? - Yes, National Health.

National Health, Pavilion 8. Paying, Pavilion 9.

- You're paying? - Paying.

- National Health? - National Health.

- National Health or paying? - Paying, thank God!

Easy with those bags!

We have a Calabrian here. Who's from Calabria?

From the same region as me.

From Rogliano. Who is it?

It's me.

Hello, Miss Scanziani. Your bags?

They're unloading them now.

Careful with that one!

I'll walk. I know the way.

Hello, Doctor. How are you?

You have a guest.

Welcome.

Come on in.

You two will be in here.

This way, please.

This is your kingdom. You're in charge here.

So far you're lucky. You're alone.

Now unpack and get some rest.

Later we'll bring you whatever you'd like for dinner.

Just let us know any special requests.

Tomorrow morning we'll begin all the tests.

Azotemia, glycemia, radiology...

cardiology, everything!

A previous patient left these behind.

Manzoni, Tolstoy.

- You like reading? - I never had the time.

This is a lucky room.

Take your temperature.

Here are thermometer, pencil, and paper. Always record your temperature.

Keep it under your tongue for five minutes.

Tomorrow you join community life with the others.

Once a week, you can go wherever you want.

If you need anything,just call. Lights out at 9:00 p.m.

The director forgives everything but lost sleep. Bye-bye.

How are you?

You shouldn't read the papers.

Things are so bad, they'll raise your fever.

I read to forget. If you only knew.

Married?

Lucky.

If I died here, my husband would give a party.

One night he told me...

''You're all skin and bones,'' and took a mistress.

When I put on weight again, am I going to cheat on him!

But I must admit...

he's a pro at business...

and a flop in bed.

Is that a novel?

Marx.

Oh, the guy with the beard! I know he had a beard.

A real troublemaker, eh?

Did he really exist?

Seems so.

How's everything?

Fine, thanks.

After the tests, let's get together in the dining room.

I'm just fine! It's your turn now.

Hold these, please.

God help me.

Come.

Breathe.

Cough.

Again.

Again.

Take a breath.

A deep breath.

Deeper.

We caught it in time. You'll be fine.

You're sturdily built, a true Calabrian.

Now get that fanny in the air and I'll give you a shot.

- Darling, eat. - I don't want to eat.

Drink your milk at least.

What a drag! Come on, eat!

Here's the Calabrian.

Come in.

She looks very sweet.

Breakfast is at 8:00. Over there.

Morning.

Hey, come sit at our table.

Come on.

Have a seat.

- Are you in opera? - No, musical theater.

There she is. She won't eat.

Enough of this nonsense now.

We let you get away with it yesterday, but not today.

Do you want to die?

Your fever's up.

Maybe she'd eat in her own room. Right, Maria?

I understand her. You can't give the heart orders.

A brioche?

At least an egg.

I'd rather die.

She's crazy.

Why? Poor thing fell in love with a doctor.

Where is he?

They transferred him immediately.

Women with our sickness are always-- what's the word?

In heat.

Right. And men behave worse than rabbits.

I've always dominated ''that part'' with my head.

In my business, the more you screw, the worse you sing.

She's very sick. She won't live out the year.

Does she know?

She knows.

But she doesn't know we know.

Come sit at my side; milord

Your heart is cold but I will warm it up

I'll bewitch and enchant you

Forget about her and taste my kisses

I know you well; milord I know your type

Sooner or later you'll end up with me

Here they come!

''My dear husband, the doctor says I must stay here until spring.''

- Everything all right? -Just fine.

With all due respect, they're very old-fashioned here.

They don't realize that art--

and in all modesty I call myself an artist--

has greater healing powers than the sun.

Look where we'll go first: the Orient.

Then Jerusalem.

The Wailing Wall. But instead of wailing...

I'm going to laugh. How's that for guts?

I want to tell him...

''Stop fooling yourself!.

Everybody's forgotten you!

Everyone!'' Am I right?

Yes, but we should be quiet now...

or our lungs won't rest.

Don't worry. It's just mines.

It sounds like guns.

Or bombs. Wars can break out suddenly, you know.

Maybe in the past.

Now we wouldn't hear a sound.

''Everyone is very kind to me.''

The kid's already forgotten the first doctor.

Now she'll get this one fired, too.

Sooner or later you'll end up with me

And here I do a grandjete.

Clara, come up to my room. We'll have a chat.

Look.

He fell in love with me at a fashion show.

He wanted to marry me. I was ready, white dress and all.

But he already had a wife.

He manufactures cookies, but he loves art.

He makes millions.

Did you know there's no butter in butter cookies?

Don't cry.

If you get depressed, you'll get really sick, miss.

Call me by my first name.

I know men.

When they find out you're sick, they're understanding at first.

But when they see you using the thermometer all the time, they run.

- You love your husband? - We married for love.

And now?

We're too poor to think about it.

Seven mouths to feed.

And that costs!

How much do you earn?

Just enough to keep us from starving.

My God!

If you won't be offended, I'll give you a present.

Cologne for men. ''For Him.''

Ciro uses it and so do I. It makes me feel close to him.

- Do you get hungry? - All the time.

Then you'll get well soon.

But not too soon, I hope.

I'm happy here...

and I'm ashamed because I don't think of anything or anyone else.

You have a pretty face and a nice figure. You could be in my line of work.

You're the one with the figure!

I can't walk like that. Only certain women can do that.

- Try this on. - Me?

Come on. Try it on.

There.

Take a step. Walk over there and come back.

Stick your tummy out a bit, like this.

Not that much. Less. Like this.

Look at those hands. You need a complete overhaul!

Make yourself beautiful. It's important for a woman.

I'll give you a manicure.

How can you be seen with those hands?

Come in.

Lights out was an hour ago.

I saw the light through the window.

What are you reading?

A classic.

Boring, eh?

I skip around sometimes.

It was hard at first, but now it's easier.

Just think.

We might have met in Rogliano...

in the square...

or up in the mountains.

I'd have noticed you.

Don't you ever go out?

Wednesday everybody goes for a walk or dancing. Don't you dance?

I used to.

Despite this body of mine, I dance well.

The rhythm makes me giddy.

I've been invited to a concert.

- By whom? - Scanziani.

She's nice.

Poor thing.

Well...

Now I have to make a tour of all the pavilions.

But first put out the light.

I want to see you put it out.

Good.

Sometime we'll go dancing together.

We'll have some fun. Wouldn't you like that?

Dancing?

Good night.

Good night.

I'd love to take my trip with you all.

Why don't you come? I'm leaving Saturday.

The director!

Nice car, Scanziani. Expensive?

Terribly. I saw it yesterday and bought it!

Damn whoever invented coughing.

Clara, why don't you ever say anything?

I like listening to you. You all know so much.

Dr. Massari has a wonderful car.

If your fiance doesn't come for you, we'll run out of doctors.

I'll leave you Dr. Ciranni.

You're all mean to that poor man. He's so nice.

Listen to the Calabrian defending him!

What do you mean?

You wouldn't sleep with him for a million dollars.

Who'd give a million for him? The Calabrian Chamber of Commerce?

Hurry, or we'll be late for the concert.

How marvelous! This is the world I belong in.

You don't recognize me?

Perhaps because you're much more beautiful now!