Original subtitles

V is a colossal creation of the imagination of simple folk.

The tale itself is a purely popular legend.

And I tell it without change, in all its simplicity, exactly as I heard it told

to me.

Go, go.

Thank you.

Well, now, I expect you're glad to be going home.

Just see if you can stay out of mischief.

You know what happened last vacation?

Two seminarians, disguised as devils, were caught stealing chickens.

Brother Zuzilia and Lammach. Yes, I mean you.

Or the other three, who got the deacon of Khorosk drunk and then gilded him

singing bawdy, indecent songs.

Now let us pray together.

Lord, we pray thee, let the light of thy wisdom shine down upon us. Lord, we

pray thee, let the light of thy wisdom shine down upon us. And bestow on our

hearts thy tender mercy. And bestow on our hearts thy tender mercy.

Reserve us from all evil.

And heaven and earth will resound with glorious songs of praise.

And heaven and earth will resound with glorious songs of praise.

Amen.

You may go.

But be sure you all return in time for the feat of the Immaculate Conception.

The devil's dirty work.

He should have spotted a farm long ago.

The devil would lose his way, too, in this darkness. Yes.

Where did your road go?

There is no road.

Look, Callieva, you go that way, and I'm going over this way.

Hey, Gorobets.

Gorobets?

Gorobets!

You know what?

I took a rotten stump for your head.

What did you find?

Just foxholes.

There is no road.

Well,

what do we do? We're lost.

I think the best thing is to sing at the top of our lungs. Quiet!

Let's sleep under the stars in the open air.

No, Kalieva, that won't do.

We have to keep looking.

Someone will give us a place to stay with a glass of vodka to warm our

That does sound good.

Better than sleeping under the stars.

Look here.

There's a farmhouse ahead.

It's our last chance, brothers. Don't waste it. We have to get in if we want a

place to stay. Right. Open up!

God let us in!

Who is it?

We're poor seminarians.

Kaliava, the theologian.

Komar, the philosopher.

Gorovets, the orator.

I can't let you in.

The house is full of people.

Where would I put you?

Have mercy on us, my good woman. It's unforgivable to let Christian souls

in the night for want of shelter. We don't need... much room? No. Just

to sleep in the stable or the barn, and God will reward you for your trouble, I

swear. All right, all right. I'll take you in, but each of you must sleep in a

separate place.

Oh, whatever you wish. We're not princes.

Listen, good woman, we haven't had a crust all day. We're ready to drop with

hunger. Our bellies are tied in knots.

It's been so long since we've eaten, we've forgotten how.

There's nothing in the house to eat.

I haven't lit the stove all day because there's nothing to cook on it.

Now make an effort just this once, and tomorrow we'll see that you're rewarded

handsomely.

You couldn't get a crumb out of the old skinflint. I'd say to hell with her.

Yes.

Boy, I want you to come here.

Who? Me?

You mean me?

You can sleep in the house.

And

you

with the boot up there in the loft.

Whoa, where do I stay?

Come with me.

Is something the matter?

What do you want, good woman?

Look, good woman, I have my pride.

Not for all the gold in the land would I let an old crone like you tempt me.

You're not in the flower of youth, you know.

What's wrong with you?

For the love of God!

Shameless witch, put me down.

Let me be, I beg of you.

In the name of God, in the name of Christ, put me down. Let me be.

So that's it.

If I'm not making you fly, it must be Christ.

Christ and his Apostle Thomas.

I tell you, what we need now is tar. Of course we need tar. I know that.

Hey, coma.

Oh, what do you want?

The daughter of one of our richest landowners is dying. The one who owns

estate just 50 versts outside of Kiev.

Yesterday, the girl returned home, pale with death.

They did what they could to no avail.

But she expressed a wish.

That in her final agony, the last prayers for her salvation be said by

Comabrutus.

But, Father, why me? I had nothing to do with it. Don't argue with me.

You will leave immediately for the country.

Go prepare your things.

The poor girl's father was good enough to send his men here with a wagon to

fetch you. You'll have to get somebody else to go, Father, because I am not

leaving. The devil take you and your wretched tongue. No one asked you if you

wanted to go or not. I said you're going, and that's that.

Thank your good master for his gift of the honey and the eggs.

And tell him I shall be delighted to send him the books he requested just as

soon as they are ready.

And as for you, you little scoundrel...

I suggest you learn to control that impertinent tongue of yours and stop

behaving yourself.

Otherwise, I shall have you stripped to the skin and birched before the whole

school. A sound flashing should make an impression on you.

And especially when you find you won't be able to sit down for a week.

The Lord be with you and with your good master.

You have to see that our friends have some vodka before they leave.

Stand there. Be off with you.

And if you know what's good for you, you'll mend your ways.

You'd do well to tie up the philosopher so he won't be tempted to run off on

you.

Good day, my worthy brothers.

Good day, brother philosopher.

The fact of the matter is, my good friends, I've been ordered to travel in

company.

A splendid carriage.

Yes.

It's a lot better than going on foot.

We could hire some musicians and dance with all the room there is.

Tell me this. If it were filled with a heavy load, say you loaded up the wagon

with something as heavy as salt and had to go a very long way, can you tell me

how many horses it would take?

It depends.

It would take you a lot of horses if you have a lot of salt.

Can you tell me what sort of terrible illness the girl is cursed with that

requires such solemn prayers to deliver her soul?

Sit down, brother philosopher.

There you are.

Let's go in, brother philosopher.

Don't forget to water the horses.

Welcome,

my friend. Please, go inside.

Do you have vodka?

Yes. Yes.

If you'll just step inside.

My friends, I propose a toast to the health of his reverence and director.

The town brother philosopher.

Here he is to the health of the rich.

I'd like to know one thing.

Just what are you seminarians taught?

Do they teach you what the deacon says when he's in church or other things?

What a great scholar.

If that's what seminarians are taught, then I want to be one too.

Why not? Do you think I'm not clever enough? Do you think I'm not clever

I can learn.

I can learn anything.

Who will buy one

more round?

Who will buy another drink?

No, don't. I just want to know one thing.

Will you leave me alone? You pest you.

I want to know. Don't ask him. Don't ask him because God is the one who knows

more than anyone.

God knows.

I just want to know what's written in those books, that's all. Oh, my God,

There could be a lot of other things in there. But God forbid, how can you talk

that way? I want to know. Oh, God, forgive him.

Why can't I go? I haven't done anything. Let him alone.

Philosopher. Yes, let him alone.

Philosopher, don't be afraid.

Listen, come here. The landowner will never know.

You'll never know.

Don't just stand there. Come here.

Come on. Let me go home, my good brothers.

Let me go home.

I say we let him go, brothers. We'll let him go.

Of course we'll let him go.

He can do as he wants. You're free to go.

Because the young woman's dead.

I'm sorry, brother philosopher, but you're wrong to try to get out of here.

It's not the sort of place you can escape from whenever you feel like it.

The master is waiting for you.

He said to come inside right away.

Why not?

That's what I came for.

It is not so much the pain of losing you, my dearest.

most beloved daughter and the flower of your youth.

That makes your love seem more than a father can bear.

As the torment I suffer at not knowing who or what godless depraved

monster was the cause of your death.

Who are you?

What is your quality and where do you come from?

I'm a seminarian.

My name is Coma Brutus.

And who was your father?

I don't know who he was, sir.

Your mother, then?

I never knew her either.

Of course, I must have had one like anyone else, but who she was or what she

like, I swear I never knew anything at all.

Then how did you make the acquaintance of my dear daughter?

I never met your daughter. I give you my solemn word, I never met her. I know

nothing of girls. I swear I've never known one. Not that I wouldn't have

to. Lord, help me. You mustn't think I blaspheme us. Then why did she name you

and no one else to say prayers for her soul with her dying breath?

I'm sure I've no idea. God alone would know that.

There are things we shouldn't know. The proverb says that the wise will never

fathom what the nobility are thinking about.

I believe with all my heart no one knows the truth but God. You wouldn't be

lying, brother philosopher.

If I am, if I'm lying, may God strike me dead with a thunderbolt.

If only my daughter had lived one minute longer, I'd have found out everything.

Let no one be allowed to pray for me, but send off a carriage to the monastery

at Kiev to fetch the seminary in Coma Brutus.

For three nights, let him pray for my guilty soul, Father.

He knows.

Just what does he know?

I never heard what she wanted to say.

You must be a very holy man, known for your good works, devoted to the glory of

God.

She must have known you lead the life of a saint.

Who, me?

The life of a saint?

May heaven help us. You can't know what you're saying.

A saint?

Though I'm ashamed to even say it.

I slipped over to the butcher's wife right in the middle of Lent.

Nonetheless, she named you. That's all that counts.

As of tonight, you will start reciting the prayers for her soul.

Yes, but certainly you want to do the best thing.

And the truth is that although it requires someone who has been versed in

scriptures, it could be anybody.

Naturally, the best thing would be to have a deacon do it.

or even a sub -deacon is adequate.

They're well trained and will do what's necessary.

Anyhow, I haven't got a voice that's suitable.

It's too coarse. Also, I don't have a good appearance.

I won't argue about it. I only want to be sure that the wishes of my poor child

be respected.

I don't care what it may cost.

You will start your vigil tonight and recite the prayers, and I shall reward

handsomely for it.

You will do well not to refuse.

Otherwise... How could our dear mistress abandon us?

Oh, dear child, tell us what made you leave us to weep for you.

Why did you leave us? Come back, come back, beloved, come back.

See you on the show.

On the hunter?

Yes, tell us.

It's a shame, brother philosopher, that you didn't know Mitikiti.

Now, there was a man with a heart of gold, a braver fellow I've never known

anywhere. Even his dogs adored him.

And what a wonderful hunter.

No one knows just how it all happened.

Only recently he had the misfortune to meet the daughter of the master.

He fell hopelessly in love with her. The way I heard it, he was bewitched by

her. No one knows for sure.

However, one day, when he was out in the stable grooming his favorite horse, the

landowner's daughter appeared and said, Mikita, help me to climb onto your horse

and I'll ride him around the yard.

The poor man was so overjoyed, he said, I'd rather you climbed onto my back and

rode me around the yard.

And the foolish lad took her onto his back and went galloping away.

Friends, I think it's time we accompany the philosopher to where the corpse is

lying.

leave you here.

You'll be all alone now.

Just don't forget.

Pray in earnest.

We wish the best of luck to you.

You'll have to forgive us, but we must lock you up in there for the night by

order of the master.

That's all right. It's no more than three nights of hard work.

And then for my troubles, the master will fill both of my pockets with gold.

Nothing to fear.

After all, she won't rise up out of her coffin.

Even corpses have been taught to fear the word of God.

Am I right?

Absolutely.

You better stay there.

Don't you know that a Cossack doesn't fear anything?

There's no way for anyone to come in.

And if demons or corpses try to threaten me, I have prayers to protect me.

As soon as I speak the holy words, No demon can possibly harm me.

It's true.

They'll never touch me.

What am I scared of? I had too much to drink. So I imagined frightening things.

Candle.

Candles are good.

Lots of candles to chase away the

gloom from a church and light it up.

It's nothing at all. Only three nights.

The church should be full of light.

Cheerful and bright.

There's nothing to fear.

Nothing to be scared of.

She won't touch me now, will she?

Hey, may God forgive a poor sinner.

Lots of light now.

Well, let's begin.

May God be praised.

Blessed are they that fear the Almighty, and they that live according to thy

word. Blessed are they that love thee with all their hearts, that praise thy

name forever.

I don't see why it should be prohibited to smoke when you're in the house of

God.

They that honor thy commandments and walk in the path of righteousness, they

that praise thee in the hope of eternal life.

What's wrong with some snuff?

A pinch of it, huh?

Just a wee bit.

Good sniff to clear the brain.

Merciful Father, Thou art my strength, and my throne.

A witch come to haunt me.

Sacred Circle, save me.

Sacred Circle, protect me.

Oh, my God.

Save me, Circle.

Save me.

Protect me, Circle. Protect me.

Away, Satan. Away.

Away!

Blessed are they that fear the Almighty and they that live according to thy

word. Blessed are... Away.

Away. Away with you.

God in heaven, I call on thee for help.

I cry out to thee.

Merciful Father, don't desert me now. Don't desert me.

God,

thou art my strength and my salvation. Deliver me.

Protect thy servant.

Protect thy servant.

Heavenly Father, protect thy servant.

For the love of God, help me,

Father. Protect me from the witch of Lucifer.

Away, Satan!

Keep away!

The devil!

Saints of heaven, take me!

The devil, away with you!

Look, there's the philosopher. Where? He's finished.

Oh, it's a lovely place to live.

You can fish all day in that river.

That's far enough.

I'm not going inside.

I'll sleep right here.

It's not allowed, philosopher.

I have my orders.

Are you fetching creatures preparing some borscht for us?

That's what it is, you old devil you. It smells good. How does it taste?

Ask the philosopher.

Nothing.

No, it is.

That's all.

Well.

MOLODY KOZAK

Thank you.

He doesn't fear anything because there's nothing to be afraid of.

It's getting late.

You must go soon.

Oh, one more drink.

Let's go, you have to.

A Cossack is never afraid of any.

It's true, the first time you really are afraid.

But after a while, you're not so afraid. And after that, you're not afraid at

all.

Because there's nothing.

It can do me any harm.

Lord God, let not thy divine anger be turned against me.

I ask thee to spare me thy terrible wrath.

Have mercy upon thy servant.

Lord God, take pity on him.

I know that my spirit is weak.

I know.

I'm a worthless soul with a sinful heart.

God, save me from my weaknesses.

Preserve my heart from sin, my soul from evil.

Strengthen my spirit and protect me from the temptations of evil.

God Almighty, save me. Heavenly Father, save me. Holy Spirit, save me.

Merciful Father, save me.

God Almighty, saints in heaven, protect me.

Save me from the demon.

Go away. No, for God's sake, go away.

God, give me strength. Protect me from the evil one.

Stay away.

Don't come near me.

Holy Father in heaven, save me from the evil one.

By the shades of night may he go blind.

May the shades of darkness turn his hair white.

Bewitch him.

Curse him.

Cover him with snow.

Hey, philosopher.

On your feet.

So long.

I want music!

I want music right now! Do you hear?

He'll dance all day, that fellow.

Yes. He can dance for a long time.

Hey, philosopher, what's wrong?

I feel like dancing. Is something wrong with that?

Look at that.

His hair's turned white.

As white as milk.

Just like good old Yavtuk.

Explain everything.

I don't want to breathe air again.

It's you.

Is all going well?

Were you able to stay awake?

I was able to stay awake. Believe me, I was.

I tell you, the devil lived in this house.

That's why I'm going to get myself out of here while I'm in one piece.

What's that?

Your beloved daughter may have noble blood in her veins. She also may come

a good family. There's no doubt about all that.

However, your beloved daughter, may God have mercy on her soul. My daughter?

What about her?

She's been bewitched by Satan.

She's in league with the devil. She won't let me read the scriptures in

her. Nonsense.

You will read since she summoned you to pray for her.

She did not wish to bear a spiritual burden to the grave with her.

The one way to assure her salvation was to have the prayers fed.

Release me, I beg you.

Don't make me go through with it. I cannot.

I gave her my word that you would do as she asked.

There's just one more night ahead of you.

And there's a handsome reward.

Is there no way to make you understand?

I wouldn't read another prayer for all the gold in the world. That's enough.

Philosopher.

You're wrong if you think you can trifle with me.

That sort of foolishness is fit for the seminary.

But I will not tolerate it.

I'll order the guards to lash you, and they won't go easy on you.

There's nothing so excruciating as the leather lash on raw flesh.

I know that.

Everyone knows there's nothing worse than a lashing.

People say more than half a dozen are unbearable.

However, what you don't know is how expert our men have become at it.

As soon as they've warmed up a little, we give them a bottle or two of vodka.

And we let them begin again.

Go back to your duties.

If you fail to do them, you'll have a thousand lashes.

And if you do them, one thousand pieces of gold.

Thank you.

pieces. The old miser was surely lying.

But it's all right, good master.

I'll run away from here.

I'll run so fast that even your dogs will never catch up to me.

You should know better than to try such a trick.

You nearly ruined your fine robe.

That would have been a shame.

Tell me, how much did you pay for such good cloth?

Why don't you keep your mouth shut, dear old Yavtuk?

Not hungry?

Then we should go to the church.

So, philosopher, you're afraid.

You're scared to go back because the witch will haunt you.

Scared of a witch?

Nothing scares a Cossack.

I stood it for two nights, and by God, I'll make it three.

You know why she's out to haunt me?

Because she's got the devil inside her. I'd hate to think what sin she's guilty

of.

Come, brother philosopher.

It's time to go.

Let's go to the church.

On your feet.

Come along now.

It's no use resisting.

Think of the torment she's in.

She was fated to go through it.

I'll read God's word for the third night.

And I'll have earned a thousand gold pieces.

I'll give all I got what I have took.

Go say the prayers.

Say the prayers, philosopher.

I won't be afraid.

I swear I won't be afraid!

Lord God, O merciful God, from the depths of hell I cry out to thee. I pray

thee, have pity upon me.

Take heed of my cries.

Drive out the terror that dwells in my heart.

Let me not yield to the temptation of the evil one.

Lord God, thou art my forger, my redeemer, and my savior.

I have no other hope but thee.

... ... ...

...

...

Upon your soul God almighty Smite her with lightning Send

down thy wrath Strike her down with thy fury Dispatch her soul to hell A curse

upon you With the wings of a bat With the blood of a serpent

With the heart of a worm I shall curse you

Bat's wings curse you Serpent's blood curse you

Curse you!

Curse you!

being to buy some in the shape of hell

I cannot see.

Don't look him in the eye or you're lost.

You're the one that wins!

The fates were unkind to poor Coma.

It was the will of God.

Let's drink to him. May his soul rest in peace.

Good idea.

Coma was such a fine young man.

The kind of man I admire.

His life was wasted for nothing.

I can tell you where he went wrong. Where?

Because he was afraid, that's all. If he hadn't been afraid like that, the old

witch couldn't have harmed a hair on his head.

You see, what he should have done was spit on the tail and make the sign of

cross. Nothing would have happened to him.

If anyone should know, I do.

Sure, anyone from Kiev knows the women who run the stalls in the market are all

witches.

He wouldn't be dead if he hadn't been afraid.

There was no one there to prove he's dead.

No, but that's what everyone says.

That's what everyone says.

I say they imagined stuff about how he died because of a witch.

Yeah.

After I've had a flask of vodka, even I begin to see witches.

After all, just suppose he wasn't dead.

Suppose.

That the one walking this way now was him.

Now, that's a good one.

You are working, aren't you? We're working.

Good. Keep on working.

Thank you.