Original subtitles

Mommy!

Finish your work!

She can't do it... She can! Watch this.

Get back to work or else!

Lili, do it! Come on, keep going!

- I'm going to shoot him. - No!

You'll get us all killed.

Come on. What's your problem? Work!

Hands off, you old Jew!

I'm old, but I'm not a Jew.

I'm a catholic. You're catholic?

Do it, Lili.

Put your backs into it!

It's horrible but you must.

If not, he'll kill you. Be brave.

Come on, Lili.

What are you two up to? You have to work!

Understand?

Put this corpse with the others!

Work, work, work! You Jews!

These filthy Jews deserve no pity.

We must get rid of them! Every last one of them!

But you Spaniards, our so-called comrades,

you house them, comfort them and hide them in your safe houses!

Do you know what they do?

They prepare attacks on me!

It's not pleasant being the target of a Jewish plot

because you can't escape!

The Jews are everywhere! The cancer of society!

I suppose you don't share that view.

I wonder what kind of Fascists you Spaniards are.

Your behaviour is contrary to our ideals!

We fought a war for our ideals.

I spent two years on the front.

No one lectures to me. Not even you.

I don't have much time. What do you want?

What do I want? I want respect.

The Spanish embassy's houses are Spanish territory.

You can't just enter, pillage them and carry people off.

It's tantamount to a declaration of war

on a country that invented and fought for Fascism!

You think we love Jews?

With their stooping bodies, hooked noses, sallow complexions,

and dirty dealings?

Why shelter them, then?

In our houses, we don't shelter Jews.

What are you saying?

The people you call Jews are Sephardic Jews

Do you know what "sepharad"

means in Hebrew?

It means "Spain".

Two words... but the same root.

A single heart, A single homeland.

These people are, above all, Spanish citizens. Brothers.

Brothers whom we're ashamed of, true...

Deceptive, immoral and foul but brothers all the same.

How would you feel

if a Hungarian wasn't respected in Spain?

You're doing just that!

Spain hasn't recognized our government!

Our ambassador to Madrid hasn't yet been accredited by you!

Impossible!

I sent Madrid my approval ten days ago.

Is that right? Exactly.

We know the case well.

Jozsef Keller requested exequatur on october 26.

We have no reason to refuse.

Look, it's in my own hand.

"Exequatur request for Jozsef Keller.

"Transmit approval to Madrid."

Just a second. I'll run a quick check.

In that case, you can also check if the recent bombings

have led to people being taken from our houses.

I must oppose such measures.

- How am I doing? - I don't know.

Try not to overdo it. Don't lie too much.

Or rather no. Try to lie more. All right.

Hurry! Faster than that!

Speed it up, the day's not over!

Move it! Faster!

Our house isn't this way.

Where are we going?

We're sending you on a nice train ride.

I just spoke to Foreign Affairs.

Our ambassador to Madrid isn't Jozsef

but Janos Keller.

I wonder how they managed to make such a mistake.

Perhaps because our true enemies are bureaucrats.

Dull, slapdash idlers.

If we'd been as careless as the clerk who made the mistake,

probably while staring at some secretary's legs,

we'd be dead by now!

Right! You said it!

Maybe we'll wipe out the Judeo-communist international

but not the red-tapers' international!

Here's to red-tapers!

I'll forward the request and clear this up.

But I want your promise...

I understand.

From now on, any checks on your houses

can only be carried out on my specific orders.

And with our diplomats.

All right. In the presence of Spanish diplomats.

Good. We're most grateful and...

wait, Mr Farkas. I haven't finished.

What? Perhaps for now...

See? I have my own red-tapers!

Hungary sets a maximum limit for occupants per square metre.

Spain doesn't have such a law.

As we apply Spanish law,

I shall not respect your limits.

What do you mean by that?

If a Jew in Budapest needs a roof,

Spain will provide one.

But only for a Sephardic Jew.

You must promise me that.

Of course. Sephardic. You have my word.

Any news of our houses?

Apparently, some people have been taken.

They're now under the jurisdiction of the German command.

There's not a lot I can do.

What do you mean by "German command"?

Captain Bleiber.

Come on, move it!

Daniel... Listen...

I'm scared they'll part us

and we'll never meet again. I have to tell you that:

I love you. I love you too.

Laslo... Is he here?

Through there. He just arrived.

I told the children, you'd play for them.

I will, I promise.

You have to keep promises to children. Even I do!

I said I would, Giorgio...

Jorge. Call me Jorge. Jorge...

I understand.

I wondered how you managed to persuade Vajna.

In any case, it's no problem for me.

If I can't get the Spanish protected Jews,

I'll take the Swedish, Swiss and Portuguese ones.

Now let's see if we can recover your Jews.

Roth! Yes, sir!

Check if the Jews

from the Spanish houses have left.

Yes, sir!

Let's see if your proteges are bound for Germany or not.

Will you follow me?

This may take time.

The wait will be more pleasant through here.

Five thousand... Your call.

The baron wins with a seven.

Bank at ten thousand.

Five... card...

Baccarat. Sorry, countess,

you must pay or stand down.

Countess...

Ah, captain! Just in time!

I'll need a man of your power to end the bad luck plaguing me

or I'll have to sell my horses

instead of sending them to Switzerland as my husband wants.

Should I have this place closed?

For pity's sake, no! I must recover my losses.

Countess...

Giorgio! How lovely to see you!

Jorge, countess.

Don't you ever remember my name?

Jorge? Since when?

Don't tell me...

you're cheating before you start playing.

I never cheat when a lady is present.

Giorgio was fine on capri

where we first met.

Have you forgotten that too?

- Capri? Are you sure? - Yes.

I was Spain's commercial attache in Italy.

And you were the most beautiful export ever made from Hungary.

It wasn't on capri. It wasn't?

No. It was in Rome.

At the Torlonias'. I gambled and lost there too.

Yes, you're right.

Will you play for me, Jorge?

Perhaps the hand of a charming man will bring me luck.

I'd love to.

Let's wager.

Is that too much? Too much?

You can never stake too much.

Card.

Seven for the bank.

Eight. The bank loses.

Well done!

That exploit deserves a drink.

Captain...

Play my hand, please.

Everyone must think I'm the new Spanish consul.

Don't you want to know why?

I trust you.

It's going to end badly, isn't it?

- What?

- Budapest, Hungary, all this...

I think so. But no one will harm you,

you're too beautiful.

Consul...

Remember this street? Look! Recognize it?

That's our home, Lili.

That's the balcony where you and daddy grew flowers.

Move! Make them walk!

Halt! Everyone stop!

What do they want?

Orders from captain Bleiber.

Bleiber? Here.

It's Giorgio!

Let's go! Back to the barracks! Commander's orders!

Stand aside! Let us through!

Out of the way! Come on, move!

Your trip's cancelled!

They're leaving!

Thank you! Run, Lili!

Run! Let's go to our home!

Thank you.

We have to get back to the safe house! Hurry! Hurry up!

Farkas, we have to go!

Mr Pecsi. How are you? What do you want?

I have a favour to ask. If my husband comes back,

tell him we're at the Spanish embassy.

I will, don't worry.

Wait... Please. What now?

This is my home.

It was before it was requisitioned and given to me.

It's mine now!

No, Mr Pecsi. You're a liar.

It's our home and you know it.

Yours is near the cellars!

Let us come in for a minute.

One minute. For the girl.

Then we'll leave, I promise.

I don't want any trouble.

Know what I risk if I let Jews in?

I'm begging you. I'm begging you too.

I have children too.

They'll arrest us. And we've done nothing.

Neither have we. We've done nothing either!

Look at the state we're in! Look!

You see? Know what they make us do?

- I don't want to! - Do you know?

The day they took us,

Lili left her doll here.

At least give me that.

Go now or else... Go on!

How dare you? Who are you?

You can't just barge in here!

This is my home now! Mine!

Don't you understand? You'll get me in trouble.

You must leave. Go now!

My daddy drew these.

Where is he? When's he coming back? When?

Nothing's changed.

Magda, let's go now.

Lili... I'll find you another doll.

Come on.

Yes... we'd better go.

Perlasca!

The people from Kossuth Street have been taken to the station.

Maybe there's still time if we hurry.

- But the car won't start. - We can take those two.

You're sure? Of course.

We'll use alleys that only I know. All right.

Magda, go with them to the embassy. Careful.

Farkas, you take the wheel.

Start it up but don't accelerate.

It was the distributor wire.

Who are they?

Orphaned Jewish children.

The Swedes sheltering them have had to let them go.

Why doesn't that Swede buy them?

Get up, I'll help you.

Halt!

Who told you to sit? You can't sit! Stand up!

Stay in line! All of you!

Get up! Stay in line!

You're tired? You have to stand anyway!

Let's go.

This is no time to rest!

- Let me help. - Be quiet...

Ben, get up, please.

Don't hurt him. He's not like the others.

He's sick, he can't speak.

I'll make him speak! Get in line! Walk!

Stop, you two! Halt!

Freeze! You're threatening a diplomat.

I'm the Spanish consul. Let the children out!

This car is Spanish property.

They're as safe as in a Barcelona ice-cream parlour.

You can't touch them.

What's going on?

Children in the consul's car...

I understand. Forget it.

They got away today but their time will come soon.

Yes, sir! Column proceed!

That man's the reason why wallenberg can't help now.

Why? Who is that monster?

Adolf Eichmann.

See how nice the soap smells?

Here. Start lathering up.

Don't be like that. You think it's right

I should wash you? You're a man now.

With mother and father gone, you have to manage alone.

And you have to eat or you'll get ugly.

Remember what daddy would ask?

"Who's the handsomest lad?"

And you'd always say, "Ben is the handsomest, of course."

It's all right, I'll look after him.

Thank you, but Ben won't let anyone but me touch him.

Why? What's wrong?

He's been like this since our parents were killed.

He was with them. He saw it all.

He hasn't said a word since.

That's why I talk so much. Well, I've always been like that.

Mom called me a chatterbox.

She was so funny. She made us laugh.

How can I thank you?

You're so kind to us.

But I must tell you we're Jews.

Helping us is dangerous.

Catholics who hide Jews are condemned to death.

Ben and I ought to leave.

We're all Jews here, Sara.

Sara... Help me.

Lift Ben out. It's time for bed.

Sometimes, as children, we all slept in the same bed to keep warm.

There were five of us. I was the best looking.

I can't get those children out of my mind.

There were 200 or 300. We only saved two.

I tried everything. I went to the papal nuncio.

I woke embassy attaches, I tried to see Vajna...

"consul,

"think of your Sephardim."

My Sephardim... No.

We can't just think of ours.

We must fill the houses with as many people as possible.

They'll all need asylum permits.

How? It's not possible. It is. Together,

we'll draw up and sign every permit that's requested.

Even those for non-Spanish Jews.

In fact, even for non-Jews. Every permit requested.

No... Mr Perlasca, it's not possible.

I'm giving you a crash course in dishonesty

but they need our help.

We can't afford to be honest.

Madame!

You three, go in.

Madame... How many permits have we done?

Five thousand.

The houses are full. What will we do when...

They'll come here. Why are you doing all this?

Perhaps because I have to.

A man has to do his duty. That's what I think.

And also because...

when I volunteered in Spain years ago,

my captain was a Jew.

His name was Vita Finzi.

I liked the man. Kind, brave...

But I'm doing this because I'm as mad as a hatter.

Mr Farkas!

A telegram for you, from our Swiss embassy.

What does it say?

"Perlasca passport from Madrid.

"Waiting near Hungarian border.

"Signed: Ambassador Sanz Briz."

That means... You can pack and go back to Italy.

And here?

I'll take your place.

It will be different but I'll do my best.

You've taught me a lot.

It's two years since I saw my wife.

I haven't heard from her in months.

I never know if my letters get through.

It's understandable...

Besides, my town, my home,

I don't know if they're still there.

It's wiser to go back.

The work's been done here.

We just have to wait for the Russians.

The Germans keep losing.

It's a matter of days. Indeed... A matter of days.

Anna! Daniel!

I feared something had happened.

Something has. Look.

You've found potatoes! Why aren't you happy?

I stole them. Only to feed others.

Our Book tells us not to steal.

It's not our fault.

I think it's right to steal to keep living.

And we want to live, right?

Yes... But...

No...

we have to go, it's the curfew.

Since Monday, there's been one meal a day.

The children cry with hunger.

Luckily, Magda's lessons

and your friend Laslo distract them.

- You don't want to say hello?

- Don't disturb them.

We've had to board up this window.

I'd like you to use other eyes.

Not those above your nose...

The eyes of imagination.

You know them? Do you know them?

Yes, we know them!

Now... Iook at this closed window

and each say what you see, with your eyes closed.

Vilmos you start.

I see my lake. Lake Balaton.

It's a dark night But Balaton is full of lights.

It's a wedding. Everyone's celebrating.

They dance and sing.

It's my parents' wedding. I recognize them.

If I look closely, I see that I'm on the beach too.

That's odd because I shouldn't be born yet!

Good! Now, let's hear... Let's hear what Hannina sees.

I see a big garden and a blue swing.

My father comes home from work.

He comes up quietly behind me,

then suddenly hugs me and makes me laugh.

Then he pushes the swing hard. It starts moving

and carries me high up. Up so high!

I go so high I can almost touch the moon's tip with my feet!

Very good, Hannina. Beautiful.

And now... I'd like to hear Ben.

No, Magda! Ben can't speak!

All right. Let's listen anyway.

Even someone silent can say a lot. Didn't you know?

Want to try, Ben?

Do like the others. Close your eyes.

What do you see?

What are you looking for?

Maybe...

Don't touch him!

He'll start screaming.

My hands?

Good, Ben.

You told us a lot.

Let's hear Lili now.

All right. But I don't want to close my eyes.

All right. Don't close them.

Tell us what you see.

Wood. Nails. Wall. Fear.

Men. Women. Children.

Lots of children.

They're crying.

Sandor...

Giorgio... The baby?

A girl. Born last week.

Ester. She only lived a few hours.

Drink this. Eva had lost too much weight.

There's nothing left to eat here.

Adam...

I'm leaving.

But didn't you say you wanted to see everyone?

I did but... I can't do it.

I'm sorry Anna isn't here.

If it was up to me, I'd keep her here.

She goes out to see Daniel and...

Her eyes change colour when she thinks of him.

Beautiful, isn't it? When's she coming back?

It's four. The curfew's starting.

God, four already?

It's late. The curfew's started! I hope we make it.

What shall we do?

Come on!

Gaston, to get back to the safe house which way would you go?

Not this way. I'd use the tunnel.

Let's go then.

But, your train's leaving...

Mr Farkas is waiting.

Go to the tunnel, then we'll see. Keep your eyes open.

There may not be another train.

I'll just have to stay.

A sniper, Anna! Come over here!

I can't! I'm too scared!

Get up! He'll kill us.

Come on, Anna, please! Get up!

Come over here! Freeze or I'll kill you this time!

Now turn to me.

Good.

Now walk. Slowly. This way.

Like that. Good.

Come closer.

Closer, up to the gate! Come on!

Good. Here you are!

Come here! You're young. I bet you've never done it.

Don't worry, I'll explain things.

Be good if you don't want me to cut you.

Let's have a look. Not bad!

Don't move!

Go ahead, scream! It turns me on.

Get these rags off! What use are they?

You'll see, you'll like it. Like it, huh?

Keep still! Let go of me! You'll like it!

Smooth skin...

Let's get these off. All these clothes... Get rid of them.

You'll like it. You'll like it!

Bastard! You bastard!

Stop! Help!

- Anna! - Giorgio!

It's okay. Where's Daniel?

In there! Get him away! He's in there!

Get her into the car! Get him away! Get him away!

Strike me, Lord, for I have killed.

I have become like them.

I have become a being unworthy of You.

I have killed! I'm like them, Lord.

I don't want Anna to stay here.

You know they'll kill us all.

Take her with you tonight to the embassy,

then to Italy.

That's not possible. It wouldn't be fair.

I just want you to save her.

What are you saying?

Even you don't care about the others?

I just care about my daughter.

She's... twenty.

She mustn't die. It's not right.

You're my last hope

My very last. Take her to Italy.

I'm staying here.

I beg you. Go... And save my daughter.

Not until I can take you all.

All of us? All six thousand?

You sincerely think you can take six thousand people with you?

Exactly.

It's crazy. It can't be done. It's impossible.

No, it is possible. And I know who can help us.

The countess. What are you saying?

The countess has a train.

A train? A freight train.

Vajna gave it to her to get her horses to safety.

We must be ready to leave. We can take very little.

A blanket, food, water

for 5 days until we reach Switzerland.

They won't leave the safe houses.

You have to persuade them.

Then, when the time comes, we'll organize a real exodus.

We Jews know all about exoduses.

Countess... Thank you.

Wonderful to see you. As beautiful as ever.

Good evening. Countess... Good evening.

Will you excuse me? Of course.

Giorgio... countess...

- How lovely to see you. - The pleasure's mine.

What on earth brings you here?

I need to see Vajna. What for?

I want a train to take my refugees to Switzerland.

You mean you think Vajna will give you one?

Yes. I'm waiting for the right moment to ask.

He'll say he can't. That if he does,

he'll be shot in the back as a traitor.

I'll tell him that if he doesn't

the Russians will slaughter him after the war.

And I'll tell him

you've kindly offered me the convoy meant for your horses.

Who told you about that?

It doesn't matter. Is it true?

Yes. Give it to me.

You're asking something...

I'm asking for 6,000 lives.

I'm sorry... I haven't said how beautiful you are tonight.

That's right. It's unforgivable...

You're the rose of Budapest.

All right, I forgive you.

Giorgio, may I ask you something I've never asked you?

Please do. Do you have a wife in Italy?

You plan to ask for my hand?

I couldn't. You may not be married but I am!

My husband won't divorce

even though we haven't been in love... for years.

Hear them? The guns...

It's minus 10 outside.

The city is starving, exhausted.

But, in these rooms, they play music, sing, court one another.

It's the mood of the times.

We Hungarians are entranced and gripped by it.

And, without realizing, we remain motionless,

waiting for the tragedy to happen.

It's the opposite of the Titanic disaster

because we Hungarians believe we're the iceberg...

This must be serious.

Of course. Very well.

Countess... what a delight to see you.

I can't say the same of you.

What's happening, captain?

Nothing new.

Just rats deserting the ship.

Meaning? Meaning...

this is the final act.

The command is ordering Vajna to defend Budapest to the end.

He'll be proud to be given such a task.

Consul... you're trapped like us.

I heard the Russians aren't too fond of Spaniards.

Are you here for your Jews?

They're not mine or yours.

Just people with the right to live.

Soldiers have that right too.

There's no guarantee but we have it, like others.

Given the situation,

I'm afraid your horses must stay here.

Your train is requisitioned.

It's needed for the top brass, their wives, children and effects.

Countess,

shall we drink to your safety?

My safety?

Yes, your safety. Which lies in my hands.

I was the only one to defend you. The only one.

And I asked nothing in return. You must acknowledge that.

Everyone, Eichmann included,

believes the anonymous letters

concerning your Jewish origins.

Leave this hell while there's still time.

Please don't tell me you prefer to stay

with your knight of lost causes.

I'd be very disappointed.

Captain... Unlike what many people say,

you're not a criminal.

No. You're worse.

You're a mediocre, cynical and vulgar man.

Now, if you don't mind...

countess...

Something tells me that you and I won't meet again.

At least not in this life.

I went to see Adam first

so he can tell everyone

the train idea was just a dream thought up by this fool...

I won't hear ill spoken of consul Perlasca.

He's certainly not a fool. Have some tea.

It's made with mashed plane leaves. My son invented it.

Mr Farkas says the Russians will kill us when they get here.

They did it in Romania.

All the embassy employees were... massacred.

Mr Farkas is tired. He needs rest. Don't listen to him.

Well... Tell your son that his plane tea was excellent.

Drinking it with you was a pleasure.

It's odd how a simple cup of tea can make our lives seem better.

See you tomorrow.

Dear Nerina, my beloved wife,

I'm writing from a besieged city,

knowing you'll never receive this.

This is Budapest's coldest winter in 40 years.

The temperature fell to minus 30 yesterday.

We have nothing left. There's no bread, coal or milk.

We've exhausted the embassy's resources.

The city has been abandoned to unscrupulous criminal gangs.

Our houses could be swept away at any minute.

Right now, there is nothing more I can do.

We're in the hands of God.

The Russians will soon be here.

I hope they will free Hungary

and not create further tragedy.

I keep such dark thoughts for you.

I tell the others that the Russians are wonderful.

How will future generations look on this century?

Will our grandchildren believe what we tell them?

I don't think so. I won't tell them anything.

How could they believe in such a big, bad wolf?

That's my home!

This is a diplomatic vehicle!

We were after you... You have the nerve to protest?

I can't breathe.

You don't deserve to. Know why?

You don't respect the law. You drive in a fancy car,

have a nice home and smart clothes

on which you forgot to sew a star!

Jews have to wear a yellow star!

Right here! Understand?

Understand? Answer me!

I feel like killing you, Jew, scum of the earth!

Let this be a lesson to you.

Don't forget it! We've wrecked your home.

You won't play the piano again.

Or read your filthy books.

You won't forget us in a hurry.

Too bad your wife wasn't home!

As for you, consul, don't go around with Jews.

Take my advice. Let's go.

Farkas, you mustn't leave the embassy again.

For any reason. We'll fetch your wife.

Gaston... Start driving, but slowly.

They're moving in! They've blocked the exits!

We're surrounded. I'll warn the others!

Too late, they're here now. Get down!

Let's warn the consul. Over the rooftops...

Hurry it up!

I want them all! Search every corner of the place!

Everybody stand! Come on!

Out with you! Leave everything here!

Come on, get up!

Take them downstairs!

Separate the adults from the children.

Get them in line! Group them in the yard!

She can't do it. She can't keep up!

Eva!

Move! Your consul can't save you now!

Take them downstairs!

Hurry it up! Down into the yard!

You're taking a nice river trip.

Come on, move it!

What are you up to? Are you deaf? I told you to move!

Walk! There's more in here!

I'll see to them! Out with you!

Didn't you hear?

What did she do?

Why? Shut up.

Why? Out with you.

She was just teaching them to sing!

Out with the others! Move it!

- Why kill her? - Quiet!

You should have asked her to stop. You shot her without a word!

Shut your mouth or I'll kill you, filthy Jew!

I'm not Jewish! Shut your mouth!

- I'm not Jewish!

- Quiet or I'll smash your head. I can prove it!

Shut up and get in line!

Move it!

Out you come!

Come along, children. Hurry it up. Climb in the van!

Only the children! Go with the others! Get in line!

Victor! You can't take my son!

Victor! I'm here!

Do as I say! I'm warning you, I'll shoot!

In front of your children!

Look! This is what I think of your Spanish protectors!

Daddy! Victor!

You can't take him! He's my son!

Leave the child! Sergeant! Take him!

Don't take him! Stop it!

It's inhuman!

Shut your mouth or I'll put a hole in your head!

Shut up and get back in line!

You want me to shoot?

Victor! Take the children away!

Lieutenant, listen to me...

I have nothing to do with them. I can show you my papers.

I'm not Jewish.

You were with them, so you're Jewish.

- I'm a musician! - A musician?

The consul asked me to play for the children.

Play then!

- I'm not Jewish, I'm Aryan.

- Play, I said! I'm playing.

Enough time wasted! Let's get going!

Move it! Let's go.

Go on, hurry! Run!

Dad! Go!

Stop or I'll shoot!

Hands up and turn round! Hands up!

How did you get here? Where are you from?

I'm on my way home.

I live down there, after the park.

You dress like that in this cold?

Why aren't you with the others?

What do you mean? I don't understand.

I understand, Jew.

Why do you call me a Jew? I'm not Jewish.

What makes you say that?

The Jews are in the Ghetto...

If you're not Jewish,

recite the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer?

Why? Prayer is a holy thing.

Do you know the Lord's Prayer or not?

Every catholic knows it.

Say it then!

It's not right. You know it?

"Our Father which art in..."

carry on. Where is our Father?

Come on, tell me.

I don't know where he is.

Ferenc, get in the car. Hurry!

You two take the other car and find Gluckmar.

He'll help us.

Farkas, please... Don't go there, it's no use!

Listen to Mrs Tourne.

Let's get going!

Get down!

Ferenc!

Come on... Goddam crate!

Help me get him out! Quick!

Get the blanket! Gently...

Set him down. We must get him to the embassy.

Without the car,

they're going to shoot us Jews on sight.

Take the flag and walk ahead of us! Lift him up! Gently. Let's go!

Madame!

- They shot at us. - The poor boy!

- Get Professor Balazs. - I'll fetch him. Over there.

In the middle of the room.

Bring the bed over to the fire.

Put him on it.

- What happened?

Ferenc was shot in the throat.

- Is it serious? - The bullet's still in there.

Will he die? I'll need to operate.

Operate, then. Hurry!

I can't in these conditions. I'm not up to it.

You have to!

I don't even have a scalpel. I'd need to use a kitchen knife.

So use a kitchen knife!

I might kill him.

You will if you do nothing!

Get all the knives you can find. And bandages and gauze.

If you don't have the guts, I'll do it. Tell me what to do.

Get out of the way. You're a madman.

I'll do what I can. But I'll need help.

You two, help him.

I'll go and check on the safe houses.

Eva...

I'm trying to loosen the knot. Hold tight to me.

Eva... I've done it. I've loosened the rope.

Did you hear me?

Sandor, I'm scared! Listen to me, Eva.

Pretend we're still tied together.

The one who isn't shot can pull free in the water.

Then swim off quickly, right away. Before being dragged under.

Try to pull free.

I'm not leaving you! I'm staying with you!

Promise me you'll try.

One of us can get away. Promise me you'll try.

I can't. Don't ask me that.

Do it for me, Eva.

The next two. Stop.

What a lovely couple! Me, you bastard!

Sandor!

I swear, I'm an Aryan, like you.

I'm just a poor musician.

I swear I'm not Jewish.

Please, believe me...

Help! Help!

Eva!

Over here!

Eva!

Hurry! Pull her out!

You see, major? You got here after they finished.

But if you hadn't, what would you have done?

I'll tell you what. Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

You don't know how I feel!

They're killing Hungarians too!

So you should fight back,

like the rest of Europe!

Gaston! A blanket!

Perlasca... I must tell you this.

Strange things are happening around the Ghetto.

The militia have set up machine guns.

I've heard terrible things...

Gluckmar, for God's sake, what do you know?

They plan to mine the Ghetto, burn all the houses

and if anyone tries to flee the flames, they'll be shot.

The Russians are close.

I know. And so do they.

It may happen tonight or tomorrow.

Budapest is ruled by Satan.

You want to fight Satan with your bare hands?

Yes, major, they're all I have. Let's go.

Giorgio... or is it still Jorge?

Countess...

I've returned to my people at last.

I just hope that someone, one day, will remember me...

as I am now and forget all the rest.

You can't stay here. I can.

I've fled once before.

Because of fear... Because of ambition...

I was so young and so stupid...

But, this time, I want to stay here...

until the end.

It was true, then. They've decided to destroy us,

our synagogues, our homes.

Nothing and no one will remain.

No one will know we existed.

Farkas says your God is also mine.

In that case, why does he make you suffer?

Perhaps to punish us for our sins.

You know, Perlasca,

we have the same God

but our prayers differ and so does our image of Him.

I can't understand His will: It's impenetrable.

But I feel pain, rage and confusion

at His punishment of us.

I'll die at peace but dissatisfied.

I'll have been struck down but not enslaved.

I'll die full of love for Him

but I won't be thinking,

"May Your will be done."

Open your eyes, then.

You can't stand by and let 70,000 people die in the Ghetto.

What can I do?

I know there are weapons in the Ghetto.

Have them handed out.

I'll try to see Vajna. But if I don't come back,

tell your people to fight... to resist.

No!

On this table, there's a map of Budapest

with the Red Army advances marked out.

That one's a map of the world.

I only feel like looking at that one.

That's why I'm glad to see you, even at such a bad time.

You bring a breath of your land

of light, life and sunshine.

It's good to think of places where there isn't a war on.

That's what brings me here.

There's a bad way to end a war:

Being captured by the enemy.

You have to talk, explain...

But how can you tell a court, a military court

what happened during the war?

How will you explain the massacre of thousands in the Ghetto?

You what?

It's what your militia is planning.

You're defending this city bravely. You can preserve your reputation.

If you're executed, don't let it be for this hideous crime.

I don't deal with the Jews! The victors will.

It's the way they'll tell soldiers from war criminals!

Enough, consul! I won't let you...

No calls! I'm busy!

You said you had an urgent message from the Spanish government!

Indeed I have. This is what I have to tell you.

If you don't prevent the destruction of the Ghetto,

Spain... will imprison its 3,000 Hungarian residents

as prisoners of war.

Who are you trying to fool?

There aren't 3,000 in Spain.

There are. You can check after the war if you visit us.

You'll be welcome.

How did you get that message?

All the phone-lines are down.

I didn't get the message from Spain but from Switzerland.

Switzerland?

Ambassador Sanz Briz is in Bern.

He forwarded the message to me.

Bern?

Do you mind if we ask Bern for confirmation?

What for? Isn't my word enough?

I want a paper with a signature.

Angel Sanz Briz. That's all I want.

Bern - Spanish Embassy

Send a telegram.

Defence command, Budapest. To commander Vajna.

Highest priority. "Excellency, in this dark hour..."

Sanz Briz sends his regards.

You have his reply?

Here it is. In black and white.

What does he say? He confirms your words.

This problem requires some thought which will take a while.

Let's just lay our cards on the table. I'll start.

- Mine are all aces. - Show me.

All right.

I promise you and your family safe passage from Hungary

and refuge in Spain once the Russians break through.

In return, you'll save the Ghetto.

Get on the truck! All of you! We're pulling out!

Move it! Get on the truck! Hurry! Get on!

Come here! Come and see!

Professor.

Perlasca...

- How's the boy? - He'll pull through.

Thank you.

I should thank you.

The thing that you made me do

makes up, in a way, for my decision that night at the hospital.

I'll never forgive myself for keeping the children behind.

I'll never forgive myself.

Professor...

Ferenc. Don't move.

That throat wound means you can't talk for a while.

That's not a bad thing.

I don't know how I'd have managed without you and your friends.

The fact of always seeing you

so angry at everything and everyone

reminded me of my youth

when I wanted to change the world and make it a better place.

You've done it. Thank you.

No, don't thank me.

I've simply talked rubbish. It suits me!

What now?

Burn it. If the Russians find it, they'll kill us.

No! You can't burn our flag!

No...

- Good luck. - Goodbye.

Goodbye. - May God protect you.

Madame... hurry!

It's dangerous to waste more time. And for you, Jorge.

I'm not Jorge now. I'm Giorgio.

I'm Italian, I'm safe now.

We can't persuade Mr Farkas to leave.

He wants to stay here.

I'll see to him. Off you go now.

Take this. Giorgio... Even if you're Italian again,

if the Russians catch you...

Adios, hombre!

Hang that Swedish flag outside.

Goodbye, consul...

- Good luck. - You too.

Giorgio, have you seen Lili?

- Maybe she's with the others.

- We have to go.

The military authorities are going to give us back our apartment.

It must be good to go home.

And you? When will you go home?

Soon I hope. Go on...

Go and tell Lili.

Giorgio...

Thank you...

Madame...

You want to wait for the Russians to put up that flag?

Off you go now!

Giorgio, please be careful.

You mustn't die. I don't plan to.

Giorgio! We thought you'd gone.

Thank you for everything.

Daniel...

How are you two?

Ben's not scared anymore! So I see.

They'll stay with us.

What do you mean?

Once we marry, we want children.

We thought we'd start with them.

Well done.

Goodbye, miss. Goodbye, consul.

Master Ben... come here. Let me hug you.

Sweetheart...

Ben...

Mr Farkas, still here?

It's time to go.

Where? I can't go back home

because this is my home.

Or maybe it's nowhere.

Let's talk later. We have to go.

We can't leave you here alone.

I'm not alone.

My guilt is always here with me.

Farkas, you... you should feel no guilt.

But I do. I'm alive.

Thousands, perhaps millions, of Jews like me have died.

But not me.

Not me.

Know what I am?

I'm a "kibitzer"

one of those men you see in bars sitting near card players.

The others play but the kibitzer doesn't.

He watches the others.

Mr Farkas...

It's true, I'm patient. I'm obstinate

and I suffer

like all the sons of Abraham.

But what might do I have?

What might?

It's a passive, inert might.

Is that them? I think so.

The Russians will kill us.

Farkas! Farkas!

No!

Tibor!

Giorgio Perlasca!

I've been looking for you.

You're on the run again and I have your name on my list.

You always seem to be on the wrong side.

Major, you know I...

Don't bother trying to bribe me.

I'm doing my duty.

Get on that train and vanish.

You've bribed the driver.

Tibor always drove my calves.

Goodbye, major. Goodbye, Italian.

I hope we meet again one day. Thank you.

At last. Hurry, it's leaving.

Run, daddy! The train's leaving!

Consul!

Consul Perlasca!

I did this for you with daddy! Here!

I bet it's beautiful!

We didn't have much time.

I'm sure it's beautiful.

You must be Lili's father. That's me.

We won't forget you. But don't forget us.

How could I forget you, Ferenc?

Goodbye! Bye. Bye!

Bye, Magda!

Bye! Bye, Anna!

Thank you!

Lili!

He called me so many times.

I'll never forget his voice.

Since I first saw what he was doing,

I've thought he was one of the 37 Just Men.

That's a Bible story my father told me as a child.

He'd say that at any moment in time

there are 37 Just Men

and because of His love for them, God doesn't destroy the world.

No one knows who they are

and they don't know themselves,

even though they recognize and take other people's suffering.

44 years later, in 1988,

Giorgio Perlasca was found

living modestly in Padua

by some of the women he had saved.

Israel declared him a Just Man among the Just

and planted a tree in his name in Jerusalem.

Hungary, Spain, Italy and the USA

also paid tribute to the work he did.

He died in Padua in 1992.

His story remained unknown in Italy

until 1990 when it was related on the TV programme "Mixer".

In this interview with Giovanni Minoli,

Giorgio Perlasca hands on his spiritual legacy.

I'd like young people

to take an interest in this story simply to...

- how can I put it to think,

in addition to what happened,

about what could happen

and thereby learn to oppose violence.