Original subtitles

SKANDERBEG The Great Warrior of Albania

Script writer: M. Papava Song Lyrics: Llazar Siliqi

General Director: Sergej Jutkevi

Director of Photography: E. Andrikanis

Directors: M. Anxhaparixe M.Gomorov, Viktor Stratobërdha

Camera: A. Ahmetova L. Kranjenkov

Painter: I. Shpinel

Composers: J. Sviridov Çesk Zadeja Sound Engineer: B. Volski

Costumes:

Make up artist: M. Çikirjov

Ballet Master: Panajot Kanaçi Post-production: K. Alejeva

Painter L. Aleksandrovskaja Operator: G. Ajzenberg

Director of Voiceovers: V. Suhobokov

The film was dubbed in Albanian by national theatre actors.

Consultants: Prof. Aleks Buda Prof. A. Miler

Directors: J. Svetozarov J. Zvonkov

Starring A. Horava as Gjergj Kastriot I, aka Skanderbeg

Conducted by C. Gamburg. General Orchestra of Cinematography Center

A Product of "Mosfilm" and "New Albania" Cinema Studios, 1953

In the western part of the Balkan Peninsula lies a mountainous region called Albania,

inhabited by a brave people that maintained their love of liberty through the centuries

On the eve of the 15th century, Turkish hordes came to conquer...

Let go off him!

Let go off him, I said!

In this land of demons, not even women know how to weep ...

In the castles and towns of the prince that did not surrender

to the authority of the High Sultan and Gjon of the Kastriots,

we command our armies to maintain order

so that no harm shall come to the Kastriots in the future

and so that they do not attempt to resist the powerful Turkish authority.

Moreover, we demand that Gjon Kastriot's sons,

to be taken and held hostage in Adrianople.

A host of 300 Albanian cavalrymen may accompany the children

to the Sultan, where they shall be his warriors.

This edict bears the heavy seal of Sultan Murad II.

May Allah bless his name!

So, Gjon Kastriot...

The day for you to be separated from your children has come!

Come on!

Dirty Arnaut!

It looks like this puppy can bite!

He'll make a name for himself as a soldier for the Sultan.

Behold, my son!

This is your land. Your Fatherland!

Your wife was my Gjergj's nurse, Marash.

You must always be close by.

You must be the eyes and ears of the Fatherland.

Should my children forget the land of their ancestors,

you will answer to God and to me.

Do you understand, Marash?

No grave shall hold me if you will fail me.

Twenty years later.

Adrianople. The residence of Sultan Murad II.

Our cities on the Albanian coast are significant trading posts.

Its roads pass through the lands of the Kastriots.

The great doge of Venice has asked me

whether it's true that you want to gift Skanderbeg

all the lands left to him by Gjon Kastriot, his father?

[Proverb in Turkish]

A promise made is not a promise kept.

Albania will be a Turkish province,

and nothing more!

[Speaks in Turkish]

What else are you trying to tell me?

The Hungarian and Polish armies of Vladislaus

are preparing to make war upon Turkey.

We are informed that the command will be entrusted to John Hunyadi,

Voivode of Transylvania.

He is a highly capable and fearless commander.

So, the flies want to mess with the lion.

In Allah's name we shall end them!

The Ottomans will burn all who defy them without mercy!

It is not fitting to rage so in the presence of friends, my son.

-I don't want the Christians' friendship. -[Speaks in Turkish] Quiet!

I didn't ask what you think.

You are still too young to get involved with the affairs of you father.

Go!

Try some hunting.

And hope our friend will excuse the tempers of youth.

Oh, please!

I know the plans of the Hungarians.

There is no stronger place than Turkey,

What a mad war, poor Skanderbeg,

He's covered himself in much glory,

So much that he forgot the meaning of Fatherland,

He's covered himself in much glory,

That he forgot the meaning of Fatherland

Who taught you this song?

Who, cursed dervish?

Tell me!

Tanush they call me,

from the noble Thopia family.

Clothed in rags and barefoot I have followed your caravan.

To meet with you.

The leaders of the land are fighting among themselves.

Know this - the people long for you.

Mothers do not weep for their sons murdered by the Turks. They wait for you.

The blacksmiths in the mountains are forging swords.

They await you, Gjergj.

It is not the first time people have come to you from Albania,

but now our patience is spent and all the people expect you,

as soon as possible.

Marash, do you think Ballaban is bringing him?

The Hungarians threaten me with war...

John Hunyadi leads them.

They say he's a great commander.

You will crush him!

And become greater than he!

You will be First Sword of the empire.

They brought you as a child here, Skanderbeg.

I raised you and made you a warrior.

You lead my janissaries in battle.

At first they were unhappy,

but I alone believed in you.

As the son of a foreign prince,

I gave you the name Iskandar,

in honor of Alexander of Macedonia.

You may talk to me without hesitation.

Ask and I can give you the lands of your father.

If I were a grand vizier,

listening to us, here behind this cage,

I, too, could become cunning.

But I am only a soldier,

who honors the goodness of the Great Sultan.

Allah! [Continues in Turkish]

You write about the history of the Ottomans

and therein describe my triumphs.

But we have never talked together.

I have come to learn from you.

How my battle will fare?

I am not a prophet, nor an astrologer.

But you will defeat Hunyadi.

Hunyadi is a skilled commander;

perhaps I will lose the battle tomorrow?

Then another will win.

And you think that no one can break the Ottoman army?

Why?

Warriors do not care much for knowledge.

You are the first to come talk with me.

Fine, then,

I will explain.

The progress of all history goes like this,

just like a wheel,

with no beginning or end.

We once had the wheel of Greeks, and it was shattered.

Then was born the great Roman Empire,

and as you know, it vanished.

Today I describe the history of the rise of the Ottomans

and tomorrow ...

So you mean to predict on whose side shall fate lie?

Don't interfere, Hamza!

I do not see it, old man.

Man cannot know the meaning of events.

He does not live forever.

Man is born once, and then dies.

Nations are the same.

Nations come and go and vanish...

Great Skanderbeg.

So what you suggest is we submit to force and wait.

Yes, that would be easier.

But I do not believe you.

If the love of liberty lives,

then the people will never vanish.

Old man, you lie!

May I have your sword, your greatness?

Oh, heavy...

And you are the son of an Albanian prince,

but you have conquered peoples for the glory of the Ottomans' empire.

Shut up, old man!

You grow angry?

But the truth is still the truth.

One cannot fight against fate,

great Skanderbeg!

Very well, then.

Time will tell, Laonicus.

Let's go, Hamza.

The day I have dreamed of for years has finally come.

-What's in your head, Gjergj? -No one must hear us, Hamza.

Tanush!

...the moment has come.

You are honorable.

I trust you.

Take this, it's for Hunyadi.

Understand?

He will always find a friend in Skanderbeg.

Take this to him, dead or alive.

The others must return to Albania and must wait.

By my honor, Tanush,

soon we will be dancing in our own mountains!

One night before the battle against the Hungarians,

Skanderbeg deserts the Turkish army.

The Turks are broken.

Skanderbeg returns to his Fatherland with his soliders.

Look, my son.

This is your land, your Fatherland.

Pal!

Pal.

Why are you looking at me that way, Pal?

You know I always liked to watch at you.

You look at me and are always silent.

Say something for once.

You are a prince's daughter, Skanderbeg's sister,

and you plow the fields like a true villager.

You've told me that before.

I have always considered you as a younger sister.

But now... -What is it?

Now when I wake up I feel blessed.

Why?

I know, you wake from sleep and go to bathe at the spring.

Your wet hair glistens in the sunbeams,

but when you bring me a keg of water,

it tastes better than wine.

When you were young I would tug your hair braids,

but now,

now I'm afraid even of approaching you.

Why is this happening Mamica?

Why are you silent? Say at least a word.

Pal!

Your enemies in the tribe of the Gjokas have killed your brother!

-What's happened? -Dafinë! Dafine!

What has happened?!

My son!

My son!

Why my son, is your mouth not moving?

Open those eyes, boy.

Look upon your father once more.

Get up son, get up!

Embrace your father.

For twenty years we have awaited him together.

Dafinë...

What are you waiting for Marash?

The blood of your son must be avenged, according to the custom.

The Gjokas must mourn once more.

Let's go, Pal.

Woe is me! Woe!

Today, the honor of the tribe calls us, Gjergj.

Wait a moment.

I did not return to the Fatherland to see Albanians spilling Albanian blood!

Only blood shall pay for blood!

Today!

Leave me alone with her and wait.

Oh, but my heart is about to burst!

Mother,

forgive the blood feud with the Gjokajs.

Who are you?

You do not seem like Gjergj anymore.

You're a Turk.

You've become a Turk.

Why did my breasts not wither when I nursed you?

Go away!

Go away!

No, no, I was not born a Turk, dearest mother.

You nursed me, too.

From the cradle, you taught me to never forget my Fatherland.

Mother, listen to your son.

Know this, when our highlanders kill each other,

enemies of Albania rejoice.

When all the princes are quarreling,

enemies of Albania rejoice.

Remember Albania and your child.

Mother, remember our happiness.

And for all that, forgive the Gjokas.

Where are you going, Dafinë? Where?

Quiet!

She will gather the men of the Gjokaj tribe.

May her mother's heart be a shield.

And he who would spills blood here

shall become my enemy, too.

Today these two become brothers.

From this day,

Albanian swords

shall only cut enemies.

Long live Skanderbeg!

Sit down and write, priest.

The first conscripts in the army

will be the males from the houses of Shpend and Gjokaj.

Gjeto Gjokaj!

I am he.

Cavalry.

You have a strong arm, boy?

Can you wield your sword from horseback?

Sit down there.

Cavalry.

Next!

Archer.

Next!

Cavalry.

Next!

You're cavalry, too.

Who's next?

You want to try, brave lad?

Or are you afraid you might break my arm?

Sit down.

Let's go!

Very well, lad.

An arm this strong is made for a sword!

Here, a gift for you.

You don't like the gift?

Where are you from? -I come from the fields.

-What's your name? -They call me Gjin.

-Who is your prince? -The Balshas are our princes.

I've been a captive.

-You fled? -Yes. No.

Do you want to fight the Turks?

I do!

So Gjin,

now you fight for Albania.

Let me worry about the prince.

Now, Turks, you better watch out!

This very day,

shall be remembered as the holiest of days!

For twenty years I have ever only seen dogs.

I have heard only of pain,

whereas today I feel like I belong among you.

-Hurray! -Victory!

Play the drums then!

Let our soldiers rejoice in song and dance!

We cross fields and we cross mountains.

We fight for towers and our lands.

This day calls us and who won't answer.

Fatherlands calls to us, to us Fatherland calls.

Fatherlands calls to us, to us Fatherland calls.

Fatherlands calls to us, it calls to us.

Fatherland and Skanderbeg call us.

We've all gathered here.

We'll fight with swords in hand.

All those who attempt to divide us.

Those who attempt to divide us.

Our people await us, they await us.

We're coming to the rescue.

Let the dances break forth all around.

This song as our anthem, as our anthem.

This song as our anthem, as our anthem.

Sultan's retainer, Hasan Bey,

Unaware of the recent insurrection,

Welcomes Skanderbeg with great honors.

Hey, come here quickly!

Ariniti, Lek Dukajin,

Tanush Topia, Lek Zaharia...

These people will bring you great trouble.

Do remember that.

I'll keep that in mind, Hasan.

A gift, from me to you.

Take it from me.

Advance, comrades!

Onward!

What is the meaning of this?

Get him!

Kill him!

Treason!

My brothers,

your own father,

...all murdered by the Sultan.

Only two, two Kastriots are left in this world today, Hamza.

You will be like a son to me.

There is none more precious to me than you and Hamza.

You're weeping?

You mustn't!

My heart laments as well, but it won't do to mourn.

Gjergj!

Gjergj! George, the people call for you outside.

The Turks will come,

and we must be ready for them, Hamza.

My Albanian brethren!

Liberty was not a gift bestowed by me,

but I found it here among you.

The freedom of Fatherland was alive in your hearts.

Brethren, raise our own Albanian flag.

Show your bravery as men in times of old.

Better to fall in battle,

than live captive.

Tell me, why did he gather the princes in Lezha,

in the lands that we own?

The Kastriots are not a famous tribe.

The princes would never have gone to Kruja.

They are proud, and Skanderbeg is wise.

Who is that man?

Theodore Muzaka, the prince of Berat.

He has quite the dubious face.

I bet he would have sold Jesus for half of Judas's price.

And those over there?

It seems like they are, even now, ready to clash, eh?

They are the princes of the Balsha and Topias clans.

I know them...

These princes call their elders the kings of Albania ...

but they themselves are naked.

Venice has now bought them all, with land, with castles and all they had.

No, I don't think men such as these

could be of any value to us.

Fine, then...

Look, my son, over there.

That is Lek Zaharia,

the ruler of Danja.

He is well-connected with Venice.

And tomorrow he will be connected to Skanderbeg.

What of the man with the face of a true gentleman?

He is also from the Topia clan.

Not even the devil understands these Topias.

He is poor, but he cannot be bought. He's brave and wise.

There near him is Lek Dukagjin, a prince from the north.

His people dwell in the mountains and don't pay tribute to the Sultan! They are free!

The third is prince Crnojevic of Montenegro.

They will all support Skanderbeg.

They are animals who don't understand the value of money.

Shepherds!

Facing the best warriors.

Don't tease anymore, Holy Father.

This is Hamza Kastriot.

Uh...?

...Hamza.

Oh, I have been told of him.

And of his bravery.

He is the son of Skanderbeg's eldest brother.

He is the heir apparent of the Kastriots.

What are you trying to say, Holy Father?

Nothing more than that which I told you.

Friends! Gjergj Arianiti,

who revolted twice against the Turks,

the victor at Kurvelesh,

is coming to us.

Let us welcome this elder with all due respect!

Yes, yes!

Looks like...

my apprehensions were not misplaced.

The Balshas demand that their soldiers be led by a prince of their own tribe.

And the Topias want one of their own tribe.

Muzaka sits counting the cost of what good a war would bring?

Whereas the others are overcome and trembling with fear!

Why are you silent?

Tell me that I am lying.

Tell me that you aren't quarreling,

that you aren't consumed with envy for one another! Speak!

I am waiting for you.

I am ashamed!

Albania sheds tears of blood and no one will step forward!

We have found a man of courage who launched the war for freedom by himself.

And who among of you went to help him?!

Anyone?

Give the order to saddle the horses.

I will depart.

Pardon me for speaking out, Gjergj.

Many men are gathered here, who are not afraid and who have faced the Turks,

men who have hazarded their own lives.

Do you think the assembly should be held here in Lezha,

for we have nothing to hide from Venice?

I reckon he is clever. Clever like the devil!

Each of us will give all their income,

their people, and their lives!

For the future!

Lead us, Gjergj!

Lead us, Gjergj!

All my earnings and lands are yours, Gjergj.

All my people who are fit to bear arms are yours, Gjergj.

Lead us, Gjergj!

I'm an old man,

and what kind of soldier can I be when my loins ache on horseback?

But this one has shown he knows how to win.

He will lead my people!

My brothers, and my clan!

Honor to Skanderbeg!

My sword will be faithful to you, Gjergj!

My highlanders will be your soldiers.

I don't commit easily, Gjergj,

but when I do, my word is my bond!

Lead us! -Gjergj!

Gjergj!

Sfetigrad has fallen.

Our army annihilated the Turks!

Long live Skanderbeg!

Today the castles are conquered by shepherds!

Albania, from this day forth,

shall have no enemies too frightening to face!

In the spring of 1444,

for the first time, the unified Albanian army

clashed with the Turkish hordes in the Plain of Torvioll.

Forward, men!

Great Doge, and Honorable Senate.

We crushed the unbreakable Turks in the Plain of Torvioll,

under this flag, the Kastriot banner.

So now Albania is free, but the Turks will come again and again,

and if we don't cut down bloodthirsty hands they will then stretch out even unto you.

How dare they come before the Senate!

I am a merchant

and Turks do not hinder my trade.

I don't want to escalate tensions with them

because of some Albanian princes.

I do not dispatch caravans as does the honorable senator.

I am just a philosopher and poet.

But I ask you, what do the Turks want in the Albanian mountains?

Those mountains are a bridge to cross into to Europe.

I am honored to shake hands with emissaries of the great and mighty Skanderbeg,

who has turned every boulder of faraway Albania

into a fortress against those who are a threat even to our own culture.

We value your talent, Filelfo,

but state matters and poetic sentiment do not go together.

We are all well aware

of the great courageos deeds of Skanderbeg.

Let us thank God, then,

for the triumphs over the Turks.

Skanderbeg seeks our aid.

We are sending him some fabrics.

For them to cover their nakedness.

Look Mamica, how these precious stones shine!

I don't want to get married!

Where is your son, Daphne? Where is Pal?

You must forget him, Mamica. Forget him.

You are the daughter of the Kastriots!

But you have been a mother to me!

You must also forget this, Mamica!

I don't want to marry!

I won't marry Muzaka, that bloodless tick of a man!

And I'm not going to Berat.

Mamica, So do you think it was easy for me to forgive the blood of the Gjokas?

They murdered my youngest son, Mamica.

-Mamica, please. -Where is Pal? Where is Pal?

Pal?

My prince?

A prince does not speak to you now, but a brother.

We haven't talked of this to each other,

but I know you are in love with Mamica.

Believe me, Pal,

in my heart I desire your happiness.

But I cannot force princes to come to Albania's aid.

Only by marriages can I strengthen the ties.

For the good of Albania, I beg you today to make this sacrifice.

Your father sold textiles on table stands,

but you have a sharp mind.

What do you have to say?

God has blessed and granted his good will towards our Republic.

Trade with the Turks is the foundation of this growth.

Which means God has blessed commerce, too!

But the Sultan Murad of the Ottomans,

may become angry with us for our friendship with Skanderbeg, Great Doge.

And that's why we don't need the famous triumphs of Skanderbeg.

Neither he, nor Lek Zaharia do not trouble us

as long as they depend on us.

The same goes for other Albanian cities.

Lek Zaharia has joined the League of Lezha.

But Lek Zaharia is ill...

I know that today he is plenty healthy.

And what comes of all this?

Today we laugh and play and are entertained in this world,

but God will still call us tomorrow.

We cannot know the ways of God!

And you must buy the lands of Lek Zaharia.

I must have loved him much.

And it looks like from now on we must support his widow.

I did my duty.

Now, he is dying.

I am dying.

Hear me out, priest.

This is my last will.

The lands of Danja shall go to The League of Princes.

Skanderbeg...

he will take care of my lands.

Hear me.

Oh, hear my last will, priest!

Don't worry, for your will shall be done.

Pray for him. His spirit will stand by God's throne.

Oh, God...

Oh, God! Why?

The city of Danja and its sorrounding lands,

by his final will, shall be given to Venice.

The city of Danja is now part of the Republic ...

From this day forth,

only the citizens of Venice

are permitted to have vineyards in the lands of the Republic.

Vineyards of foreigners will be destroyed without exception.

Signed by the Count of Shkodra,

Alberto Giovanotti,

vassal to the Doge of Venice.

-You! What are you doing here, you mutt? -No! Please, no!

Stop, boy! Save your fury for the Turks.

They are worse than the Turks!

Oh, is that you, Gjin?

God, what has befallen us here?

I have paid for this piece of land with my blood, but these...

This barbarian shall die! -Stop, Gjin!

The edict of the Republic.

The edict!

This republic of yours is a whore that sits in every lap.

Get up on my horse, Gjin.

Let Skanderbeg know what these evil slanderers are doing.

Indeed!

Skanderbeg must be informed.

Let's go.

This is a day of rejoicing for us.

The Kastriots and the Muzakas have joined houses in marriage.

Albanian princes stand here together,

as one great family.

He has made us a nice bed,

but the sleep will be hard in coming.

Fours years ago, our league was created, and four years we have broken the Turks.

My glorious friend, the great leader Hunyadi,

as the ruler of Hungary and Poland,

he invites us to join together to fight and crush our Turkish enemy,

until they forget which roads lead to Albania.

Long live our league!

Long live Skanderbeg!

He will devour us, too.

...and then toss us away like an empty goblet.

You should learn to hide your feelings better, dear Donika!

And, it is not fitting for an Arianiti daughter to stare at men that way.

Look! Look how beautiful Berat is!

Then I must be blind.

Tell me, what do you see over there, Donika?

Mountains and the sun,

plowed fields,

hills covered with green forests.

And nothing else?

Nothing!

As for me, I see that beyond these hills, many enemy Turks are hiding.

And janissaries attack from the mountains.

Every rock of our high mountains has been washed in Albanian blood.

Hate, like lava, burns in my heart.

What do you do when you are not thinking of war - drink wine and write laws?

Is it so?

In Kruja, do you stay alone, like a bear in his den?

Why are you looking at me like you are about to devour me?

I am not a Turk. And I am not afraid of you.

Don't be angry.

Don't be angry,

I am a young girl and I speak all kinds of nonsense.

If you wish, banish me.

Now sit.

They sing of you in their songs,

so I wanted so much to see you.

-And all you saw was a bear in his den... -No.

You are so great!

Strong, like a boulder,

and just as strange.

Wait.

Here. Keep this.

You know, Donika?

An army of Turks couldn't catch up to you.

War is ruining us!

Soon we won't even have people to plow the fields.

The people go to the army of Skanderbeg and I haven't the power to bring them back.

Soon our clothes will look no different than those of villagers!

Enough, Zenfina!

It is not for women to interfere in the affairs of men.

That's right!

But is there a better place than a wedding for the women to speak?!

And who is this Kastriot that I must submit to him?

No one will submit to him, Topia!

Quieter, my friends, or he will hear us.

-I hear you! -Shut it!

And remember that now you're Muzaka's wife.

And you, Theodore, should be ashamed!

You're a Muzaka who seeks the support of the Kastriots!

You're not to lecture me about what the mice will eat after dinner!

-What are these words!? -Leave me alone!

Quiet down!

Why are you shouting like inflated turkeys?

Which clan here is older than the Arianits?

But I stepped on my pride and gave my sword to Skanderbeg.

And he has filled Albania with glory.

All of you gave your oaths to Skanderbeg and our League of Lezha,

and I believed you.

Victories! Hah, victories...

And have we gained from these victories?

We need make no league with Hungary,

but a treaty with the Turk.

He is right.

Keep talking,

you Turkish-pilaf-lovers!

A great opportunity to increase your income.

The Sultan is offering 10,000 ducats as a reward for murdering Skanderbeg.

Come to your senses, Gjergj!

Don't offend us.

A black don't mean a spoilt flock. -Listen, Gjergj.

Forgive me, Theodore! In your house I am but a guest.

But I cannot share a table with untrustworthy men

who will sell the honor of Albania at the market.

Yes, yes, you are right. Only I think that...

Don't be troubled Muzaka, we are going! We're leaving the league.

The mice urinated in the sea, and the sea became troubled.

Gjergj!

What happened, Luke?

Lek Zaharia has died!

And Venice has conquered his lands.

They're burning our vineyards.

They're pillaging our villages!

Bloodthirsty and Cains! Curses and shame!

Venice extends her hand to loot and harm us, while we fight.

We shall fight!

-Fight against Venice, too? -Shut up, you!

God save us!

I sought a good friendship.

But they seek war.

Let it begin, then!

War it is!

Oh, God.

In 1448, after he broke the Venetians near Shkordra,

Skanderbeg lead the army to join the Hungarians and the Polish.

The path went through the mountains of Serbia.

Skanderbeg's emissaries arrived to the meet King Brankovich of Serbia.

The sword of the Turks is upon Byzantium.

Macedonia and Bulgaria have become Turkish lands.

If we do not line up shoulder to shoulder,

then even Serbia will vanish.

Gjergj Kastriot, in the name of the League of the Albanian Princes,

invites you to unite against the Turks.

Gjergj Kastriot?

He invites me to stop maintaining friendly relations with the powerful Ottomans,

but to join with shepherds of the Albanian mountains?

You have a friendship with a rabid dog!

And how you dare, shepherd pup, address in such manner the Krajl of Serbia?!

I could kill him! But I am merciful.

Get him out of here!

Walk! Keep going, I said!

Then we will crush the Turks by ourselves!

Then no one will offer a bounty for your head.

Leave us alone.

Why should we rage in vain!

Here we're alone and we can speak as friends.

Everyone knows of your courage.

You fought as a lion in Valikar.

You were the first to reach the walls of Shkodra,

but Skanderbeg stole all your glory.

Are you less than he?

No! Not Gjergj!

You! You should be the king of Albania.

-They say you were born in Turkey? -I was.

Albania must have in charge someone loyal to the Sultan.

The Sultan murdered my father without cause.

-He did it by Skanderbeg's request. -You lie!

This everyone knows, except you.

Skanderbeg did not want to share the land with his brothers.

And if tomorrow he has a son?

-He has no wife. -What, did he promise to never get married?

Arianit has a daughter ...

Donika?!

Yes. I know, I know.

She is beautiful and you like her.

But she would rather love Gjergj.

And you will babysit the heirs of the Kastriots,

the jackals in the mountains are laughing at you.

Think about it.

Yes, do think about it.

Brankovich betrayal prevents the Albanian army from joining their allies.

Sultan Murad and the entire Turkish army surged toward Albania,

which refused to submit.

Quickly, hurry to the castle!

Get inside!

The Turks are coming! Hurry!

Berat has been taken by the Turks!

My husband was killed. I escaped.

The Turks are feasting in Berat, Gjergj.

Forgive me!

Forgive me, Mamica, for spoiling your happiness with Pal.

Turks. Everywhere Turks.

At sunset they will be near Kruja, Gjergj!

You've made us happy,

for you've brought us good news today, Mamica!

Gjergj, you know there's no time and that we must attack!

If you let them, the enemy will penetrate the heart of Albania, Gjergj.

We don't understand you anymore.

There were once thirty thousand soldiers,

whereas now the whole army goes on the attack.

Its head is ever close to Kruja; its tail in Petrela.

Its body is very long,

but we shall shorten it!

Release!

For many consecutive months of great losses,

the Ottomans attack Kruja, Albania's largest castle.

Skanderbeg, to protect the army,

went into te mountains and raided Turkish camps,

laid in ambushes and captured caravans of goods...

Young man, I think I recognize your face.

And do you recognize the sword you gave me? Do you remember that?

Do you remember this too?

Gjin!

Now it's my turn to give you a gift,

a great Turkish pasha.

He is the friend of the Sultan himself.

-You've brought a Turkish pasha? -Yes, but how heavy he is!

Old and heavy!

He's been kicking the whole way.

Hey, get out now.

Laonicus?

Seven times the Turks have attacked this point and have fled in shame.

What did you write in your diary, old man?

Staying silent?

That means that you described the losses not as defeats, but as great victories!

This is deceptive history!

You've said that people are captives to fate!

Whereas I say that the people write their own fate.

And it's immortal!

You rejoice in vain.

Tiime will tell!

It will tell!

It's not time that decides.

It's the people. Look!

Give the signal! Hurry!

Count Vrana, spring the ambush now.

Fire!

Fire in the mountains!

Open the doors!

Defenders of Kruja!

We will soon hit those dogs, the Turks.

We will lure the castle,

and we will grind them like a grain windmill.

Death to the Turks!

There's your heroes!

Look how they flee!

Not so fast. Watch!

I said that I won't stay here!

Father, I beg of you to listen! Leave me here.

The Arnauts are spent now.

Leave me command of the janissaries and I will sort the Albanians.

Just a few more weeks!

No.

You saw everything yourself.

Now you may go back whence you've came.

Hurry, men.

Victory has come!

The Turks are leaving!

The Turks are leaving!

Right after the failure of the siege of kruja, Sultan Murad dies.

His son Sultan Mehmed conquers Constantinople in 1453.

But Albania continues its heroic war,

While European nations follow the war with great hope.

"To the lord of Kruja, Gjergj Kastriot,

"known by the name of Skanderbeg, our glorious brother..."

Brother?!

Who is this new kin of mine?

Francesco Sforza, the Count of Milan.

We had sought aid from him.

He congratulates you on your marriage to Arianit's daughter.

He should've acted in time.

"You are the only hope for the principalities of Italy."

I need soldiers, not hope.

"We would have been happy to help. A duty to us.

"But don't have a fleet and we are far from your land."

And he counsels me to fight courageously all alone?

Who else?

"To the powerful and most honored King of Albania..."

The more titles they offer, the less help they deliver.

Gjergj!

Gjergj!

Donika...

You can't help, Gjergj.

She has Dafina with her.

She must endure all kind of hardships just to give life to my child.

But we can predict when a pregnant woman will give birth.

But Fatherland...

when will it become free and at what cost?

Donika,

Donika, look!

The yard is full of knights.

They come every day from distant lands to see our Gjergj.

The knights of Napoli are happy to be here and see Albania!

Here in Albania, where the Turks were crushed!

And did you think that the Turks were unbreakable?

All those in the West thought that.

Surely you must know of the fear and dread that befell us

when Byzantium was conquered.

-Well, how many of you are there? -Fifty warriors.

And twice as many people more, and siege weapons,

that will be here shortly.

Only you are standing up to defend Christianity from infidels.

One hundred warriors.

I need one hundred times their number.

Fine, then. I thank you...

Gjergj!

Gjergj!

Donika has given you a son!

Why are you still sitting there? Come, come quickly and see!

What a good-looking boy he is!

Come closer. Look!

A boy!

A boy!

Gjergj?

It's nothing, Donika.

Nothing! -Gjergj?

Gjergj...

A boy!

Cry out, louder!

All the Kastriots have loud voices!

A new soldier for the Albanian army!

Oh Lord, what joy!

What a blessing to this home!

So you will become no more than the Regent the Kastriot heir.

The jackals in the mountains will laugh at you.

Oh, darling!

Now we are three Kastriots, Hamza!

You brought an entire army in here!

The evil eye shall not have this boy!

There's something with you, Hamza.

No. It's nothing.

I will drink to his health,

a glassful,

in the castle of Berat.

Treason!

No one came out alive!

And according to you, those have been raised from the dead?

Look at them!

I, Hamza Kastriot, command you

to surrender your arms at once.

Sultan Mehmed pardons you.

You can return to your homes.

Life without honor is nothing!

You betrayed your Fatherland,

You Turkish lapdog!

Death to the traitor!

Long live Skanderbeg!

Long live Skanderbeg!

Forward!

Gjergj, I've compiled the laws of the free highlanders with great care.

-Take it. -We thank you, Lek.

Someday they will be called the Kanun of Lek Dukagjin.

The land must have common laws.

Where is your father?

They were dying of starvation.

The Turks in Berat.

Marash planned the final attack...

But in the evening,

Ballaban rushed in with thirty thousand.

They hit us in the back.

But who showed the Turks the mountain passes?

Hamza.

Pal!

Pal!

Pal!

Where is your father?

Mother.

Quiet, don't tell me.

I don't want you to tell me.

But perhaps... could your father....

...be alive?

No, Mother.

No.

Hamza!

Hamza!

I held you in my lap when you were a child.

I taught you how to use the sword.

Tanush!

Send word to the warriors not to take captives any longer.

The Turks murdered Marash.

They all will pay with their heads for what they did to him.

Hamza!

Hamza!

Why you?

Why betrayed me like this?

This might have started when your son was born!

What did the child do to him?

He will become the ruler of Albania now,

not Hamza.

But I am poor.

All I will leave my son is hatred for the Turks.

The lands and the people do not belong to me, but to Albania.

So why was he jealous of me?

What could Hamza want, Luke?

The throne.

So, who can I trust now?

You offend us in vain.

It's time to think and not to grow angry, Gjergj.

Hamza is wily.

He knows the mountains of Abania as well as we.

In the spring he'll come with the Sultan's army.

Let him try.

Hamza is sure of victory.

He disembarks to the shore without any resistance.

Our Holy Republic of St. Mark is prepared to make an alliance with you.

We have always had the rights of caravan passage through all the lands of Albania.

Yes, yes... I shall give you that right.

I am the ruler of this land in the name of the Sultan.

And I don't plan to start sleeping in goathides!

Nor to honor the Fatherland, like Skanderbeg.

A caravan full of the gifts from Venice is in Durrës now.

Golden cups for your table, and the best wine Venice can offer.

Lacrima Christi

"The tears of Christ."

Italy, here we come!

Wait for us!

You are the same man you've always been, Pal!

And still you remain so quiet.

Tell me something, please.

My hair grows grey, Mamica,

but when I see you I still feel young.

How often I have dreamt of you!

We are together in a lush field,

the village bells ring sweetly,

and you kiss me.

Then I wake up.

The horses were neighing, the soldiers were climbing

but you,

you were standing by me.

Today we will crush the Turks and Hamza.

Cursed be his name!

Tomorrow I'll throw away these iron clothes,

and become a woman once again.

Mamica!

You lay there and drink wine?! You cursed dog!

While our army is being cut down!

Get out of here!

You will be hanged you, in the name of Allah!

Retreat! Retreat!

Hamza, the Albanians are destroying us! Down there!

Are you drunk?!

-How many were there? -Thousands! There were thousands!

They are plundering the camp!

Fear has destroyed your judgment!

There are no miracles.

I know Skanderbeg's army.

My horse! Quickly!

Leave me alone with him, Lekë.

Kill me already!

All my life I've been jealous and fearful. I hated you!

I knew it would come to this.

I lost. You won.

Kill me! I don't want mercy from you.

Pal.

25 years lasted the heroic war of the Albanian people .

Twice Sultan Mehmed II came to the walls of Kruja with his entire army

and both times he retreated in shame.

In the spring of 1468, the Turks have come again.

Skanderbeg, now bed-ridden, awaits news from the battlefield.

Gjergj?

Do you remember what day it is? -No...

No?

Today, a full seventeen years ago,

Wait, wait! I'll recall this ...

So... what happened seventeen years ago?

We crushed Murad near Kruja? -No!

I used to have a good memory.

Was it the day we destroyed Mehmed?

No, Gjergj. No.

Seventeen years ago, today we were married.

Ah, that's true.

This day had slipped my mind,

because around this same time in the spring the Turks would come with their armies.

Each time the princes would fight because of my absence,

you would reconcile them and gather food for the army.

For that I thank you, Donika.

You've had a hard life with me.

No Gjergj, you and Albania are one and the same in my heart.

And if my feeble hands helped you,

it means they've helped the Fatherland.

That's my pride and joy, Gjergj.

The emissary of Venice

Is there news from Tanush?

No.

And why have you come?

Lady, your husband must drink three drops of this special medicine.

O signora!

Drink it!

Toss it out, Donika.

Wait.

Toss it!

Gjergj, don't be bad.

Please, drink it.

Look at this fat fool, Lek.

He's fills me with medicines and attempts to convince me to call the League,

but not so long ago he was sending people to murder me.

The Venetian Senate sincerely wishes you a long life.

I'm sure of that!

Now Venice looks after me.

Otherwise it has to face the Ottomans without our help.

The Turks have now taken the islands that once belonged to Venice.

And one day or another they will come to Italy as friends.

You requested arms and cannons for the castles.

They are on their way here by ship.

Most certainly!

This time, I truly want to believe you.

You must put an end to treachery and crafty schemes.

Leave now.

He has slimmed down a bit, that's true, but he annoys me like always.

Hooray!

Victory!

Hooray!

Gjergj, Tanush sends you these flags.

The Turks have been defeated.

Braver than the bravest, that Gjergj, O Kastriot.

God has given him such great strength.

Flame and gunpowder can not burn him.

His sword splits the mountains in two

With one swing he wipes out an army

I can't hear well.

Call him in here.

Glory to Gjergj, to Skanderbeg, The Dragon.

May your arm grow stronger each day!

May all your enemies be destroyed!

May your glory, throughout the generations, be sung!

May all your enemies be destroyed

May your glory throughout the generations, be sung!

Old man, have you ever seen the one of whom you sing?

No.

I know only that he is here.

Here he is.

In life and in the song, you are the same.

Thank you, Gjergj.

I'll tell the people...

...that I saw you.

Gjergj, why did you do that?

Aren't I and him one and the same?

Are we not one and the same with our people?

And, if we die, you and I, and Pal, the people will live on.

They will continue the clash with the enemy,

and they will win.

Anyone can say that I am weak

and that my hands no longer can wield a sword.

But they will always say that my horse hurdles the fields and seas,

and that my sword splits the mountains in two!

The End

Translated by David Hosaflook Edited by Erald Ylli