Original subtitles

It happened in the years 1945-46, in Bieszczady,

a mountainous corner of Poland, where war destroyed all towns

villages, bridges and roads.

The country needed timber, and people to carry it,

of which both were difficult to obtain, to reconstruct the ruins.

It is a story about bad times, bad roads, bad cars,

and about people who cannot be defined with a single word.

DEAD MEN'S BASE

Why the hell are you parking here?!

You'll have to patch it up for tomorrow.

I thought my brain would freeze in my skull.

It's you, Zabawa? You're back? Well?

I had an accident.

You must weld this tomorrow.

And?

A nice mess they made. When?

The police borrowed it yesterday.

A band burned down a village again.

Do you work all night?

Let's have it: are new trucks coming?

They'll be here.

Then I won't bother with this old carcass.

Feeling low?

We knew you hadn't a chance.

We've more hope of geldings from UNRRA than new trucks.

- Is the Director in? - He is.

Mister Kowalski! Who's fixing the engine?

Let's see!

No trucks, no spare parts, what have we got, damn it?

We've got the men.

It did occur to me.

- You'll have to go there. - Where?

- To the base, I mean. - Dead men's base?

They're far from dead. Very much alive in fact.

What are you doing there?

Last month we had a warrant for one of them.

First the police couldn't get there, and when they did, he was gone.

- Did he escape? - To Heaven!

I won't try to fool you. We both know how it is.

A hellish spot, filthy roads, gangs freed by the amnesty.

Who else would go there?

- And you? - You're serious?

If they quit, as they threaten, we're done.

No building timber, no props for the mines.

You must go!

With your blessing instead of trucks, eh?

And this.

Stop joking!

- I'm serious. You have to go. - I don't have to do anything!

I must send you, somebody has to stop them.

- Why don't you go? - I will.

Well, what's it you want me to do?

I know. It means risking your skin.

I know that you have home and wife...

It's settled. Give me the map.

Take this.

And I want no complaints if they polish you off in the dark.

- Varsavian! - Yeah?

What would you say if your truck went over?

I'd tell them to kiss my ass.

- That's a bad one. - Why?

You wouldn't have time to say it.

Go to hell!

I've buried two.

- The third may bring bad luck. - You took the tarpaulin?

- I forgot. - I won't do it with my bare hands.

- Really? - Yes.

As you wish, Nine. I won't budge when your turn comes.

You'll go to paradise via wolf's belly.

A nice sideslip.

He somersaulted and spilled his guts all over the place.

What have you pinched?

It's for luck. A lucky charm from a smashed truck.

The dead guy always had it with him.

- Damn him! - He's already damned.

Shut up and pull.

Don't you think the one in the case must be happy?

His first sleigh ride since he was a boy.

You'll find out when we pull you.

Where are you going, mister?

To the base uphill.

Your bloody eyes will pop when you see it.

Where are the new trucks?

There won't be any.

Then what do you want here?

- To carry timber. - Timber?

- That coffin is for you? - Enough timber here.

Here, I'll show you that "timber".

Here.

He also thought he could carry timber on a wreck.

Let's go!

The hell with him and the timber.

We're packing up tomorrow.

You must stay!

Must we really?

Who are you, chum?

I've never seen your mug before. Ordering me around?

- I am. - Are you His Holiness's dried shit?

Shut your mouth!

I've been sent to share the rough riding with you.

We have to keep going on these carcasses.

- Who sent you? - The Board.

The Board sent you.

That's lovely.

But timber has to be carried on trucks.

Tell the Board to carry it on their backs.

Tiny, take the coffin to the village.

- Is he following us? - Yes. Here he is.

They were to send new trucks, and they sent a snooper.

Is it his face you don't like?

No, his scarf.

Varsavian!

So this is the base?

That one looks vacant.

A new man's coming. He's tanking fuel.

- What's your name? - Call me Nine.

Is that a name?

I've been called that for a long time already.

I served a Sentence once, for nothing.

Paragraph 225. You know it?

- It's murder. - That's right.

If you add up 2 and 2 and 5, you'll know why my name is 9.

I thought I'd perish with that corpse. Blast the wind!

Our new chum has brought a helper.

Wants to commit family suicide. Why not?

- How about a little game? - Sure.

Wake up Apostle, he's been losing lately.

Come on, Apostle, the cards are waiting.

- We'll be damn gone tomorrow. - Don't swear.

Your wife?

That's bad.

What do the Scriptures say?

"Woman..."

"Woman..."

Damn it all...

My head is like a leaking pail after drinking.

One week without vodka and I'd remember.

Anyway, it was something about a woman and something bad.

- Don't you remember? - No.

He doesn't believe in God. A communist.

Can you play cards?

- Poker? - Yeah.

- I can have a go at it. - Sit down.

Staking blind.

I'm in.

I just remembered that the dead fellow owed me 200.

He will never clear the debt.

What dead fellow?

- Grzegorzewski. - Didn't you know?

How could you? You were drunk.

- Damn you. - Behave yourself.

- When did this thief topple? - Yesterday. Didn't you dream about him?

Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord...

Nine! Keep your filthy paws on the table.

Twenty... forty!

I hope he gets a Christian funeral.

That'll be the new one.

- Who? - The Partisan.

Nice and quiet here. I brought four full tanks.

- We'll unload tomorrow. Come on. - Wait. I'll put the tarpaulin straight.

Put that cigarette out. You're near the petrol.

- Scared? - I'm not keen on reporting to Heaven.

I've seen a guy who played this sort of game.

He's given it up now.

Why?

Because matches get damp in his grave.

You're a clever one, are you?

There, watch this!

Put that fire out!

The tank's getting hot!

You wouldn't have done it, eh?

No.

A rat's death?

Why talk about fear? What do you know about fear?

I spent the whole war in the woods, and you're telling me!

Whereabouts?

Kielce and Lublin region. Kampinos, just name it.

What brought you here?

I'm fed up with town life.

It's only vodka and whores.

And vodka gives me headache.

They turned me down in the Air force and in the Navy.

So I came here.

No one wants to stay here. Driving's hell.

Then why are you here?

Do you know of a better hideout?

Wait... who's that chap who brought his wife?

It's her you like?

I'm not interested in her.

She's pretty. His name is Zabawa.

A fine mechanic. They say he's here because of her.

What?

Apparently she went to bed with some clerk.

The wife of a VIP doing such things!

That could wreck the system!

The girl learnt a thing or two under the Germans.

She's pretty, though.

Hello!

Hey!

There's a free one there.

What are you holding, Lumber Jack?

Full house, jacks on queens. That does it.

Six can't play real poker. It's got to be sharp.

I knew a chap who understood poker all right.

When he had a bad hand, he'd pull a gun.

- Was it a good idea? - What?

The gun.

It's a sharp game.

Pity we're parting tomorrow.

We could have some fun at it.

You have to stay.

They'd send us new trucks if they had any.

There's none.

You must understand. There's no timber for building.

Save your breath, Zabawa.

Wanda...

Go outside quietly. I'll follow you.

- Come here! - I want your help.

- What are you doing? - Hold the light for me.

Do you really want to live here?

The light!

You said it was going to be different here.

That we'll forget the old life.

You promised me a home, a new life.

- Is this the home you had in mind? - The screwdriver.

I didn't want to come here. They're a bad lot.

But good drivers.

- You don't love me! - Hold the light.

Why did they have to send you?

Let's forget about it.

Everyone has to do his job.

- Mine's in timber. - Timber's more important?

- Duty's important. - What about me?

- What about? - And your duty towards me?

The same as yours towards me.

Let's go away!

Mind the petrol.

It could blister your lips.

I'm leaving, whatever you do.

Where will you go? The flat's gone.

I loathe you!

Lower the light, they might see us.

What's it you're doing?

I'm leaving tomorrow, together with them.

I'd rather walk the streets than perish.

I know what you're doing. You want to damage the cars.

Keep that torch higher and be quiet.

Why are you waking me? Going to Mass, idiot?

- I want a wash. - Why today of all days?

It's our last day, isn't it?

Right enough. We're clearing out, fellow nobleman.

Put on some clothes!

What's the problem?

We're not used to women here.

We only dream of them.

God will punish you, you dog!

Don't stick your ass in my face when I'm at prayer.

- My lavender! - What happened?

- The bottle was full. - I don't know.

You smelt like a garden yesterday.

You said you have had some vodka and juice.

Young man, I've drunk your lavender.

To save you from temptation.

Who did you want to charm? Us?

You wanted to indulge in debauchery in the village.

Your lavender was filthy anyway.

I thought my head would split.

The late Grzegorzewski, God have mercy upon him,

used better stuff. I was fit as anything after his perfume.

Do you mind going outside?

She'd like to dress.

The boys in the woods would have given you hell

- for pinching things. - What's that? The hell with you. Puppy!

Easy, you worm-eaten bully.

- What did you say? - Let me go!

That'll cost you a quarter of vodka.

Half a liter.

- One liter! - All right!

- Swear it! - You have my word!

Partisan's word of honor!

That's a good one! Man's weaknesses are his ruin.

I could have squeezed a whole case out of him.

Let's start these bloody engines.

I had to do it, you hear me?

You know I had to do it.

Do you want the management to think I'm weak?

I had to.

- Why did you do it? - You have to stay!

Dismantling the carburettors to stop us, eh?

I'll stop you anyway.

It's no good. We'll walk.

You'll be all fired.

And you'll get no job with such a record.

Stop!

- You will stay! - Your corpse will!

Together with yours.

You can't do us all in. You need more slugs.

There'd be enough for everybody.

And a whole garland for you, Nine.

- Let's get out of here. I'm scared. - Why?

- They'll kill you. - They won't.

- They'll kill you, me, and each other. - Calm down.

Blast their cooing!

Take your things. We're wasting time.

Let's pack up.

What are you waiting for?

We must stay.

We must, whatever happens.

There's no "must" for me.

And you'll be sorry!

Where the hell are you hurrying to?

Yes, where?

We'll think about it in the village. It's only 30 km.

I've never seen such a swine.

You're young, Varsavian.

- So what? - He's not such a fool.

- Who? - That idiot!

He'll put the carburettors right and play around our trucks.

I just repaired the fuel pump.

It'll last a good couple of weeks.

- Such good trucks. - He'll boast he put those wrecks right.

Damn it all!

Do as you like. I'm not going to leave him my truck.

What do we do?

A day or two won't make much difference.

We'll fix the carburettors and go to the village like lords.

We'll teach him!

Nice shot.

I have had some practice.

I once hit a speeding car full of Germans.

Even your mother couldn't make such a stew.

- I don't have a mother. - Someone else, then.

- Who? - Don't you have anyone

who could cook such a stew?

I wouldn't be here if I had.

Why aren't you going back to town?

What for? To get married, have children...

and save up for a new suit?

That's not my cup of tea. I prefer it here.

You know what they're saying?

What?

That this may be the end of you.

People die in town too.

Will it take you long?

He's done us nicely. Nobody has ever done me like that.

- How come? - So stupidly.

- What about your father? - Watch it, Nine!

I'll do that tonight.

He'll sleep with the gun, but I've figured it all out.

Just let me change beds with you.

Give me your hand! Come on!

I'll do it myself. Don't you interfere. I want to do it.

Is it so important to you?

Your hand is enough.

As you wish.

- Give it to me. - Is that yours?

I'm not giving back what I found.

- I'll buy you another one. - Will you?

Whichever you want?

Blue, green, yellow?

Aren't you going to leave?

That's right. Alea iacta est. Want it back?

Do you know Latin?

And a few more things, sweetie.

- When are you leaving? - It isn't that simple.

Have you got a home in town?

I know what you're thinking of, baby.

But it's no good in my case.

I only want to come with you.

I made a false step once and I can't keep straight now.

Look, boys. Here comes Pretty Face.

The firm's messenger. Pay day.

Not working today? I've been looking for you.

Give us the dough and shut up.

Where did you get the dame?

She came with Zabawa.

- Is she snug? - What of it?

- Don't you know? - No.

I'm in a hurry today, but next time,

I'll show you "what of it". It'll be fun.

When do you want them to collect the timber?

Tomorrow.

It's no good. They'll repair the trucks and go to town.

They're getting paid. How can you stop them?

I don't know.

You've got time till tomorrow.

What can I do in a few hours?

It's death driving these trucks. You know that.

I only know that I have to bring in the timber.

Finished?

It'll be all right.

Start the engine.

What for?

Let's hear it.

No need. I'll take a ride and see.

How about coming with me?

Start it up first. We don't want to skid.

Don't worry about my truck. You can take yours.

Want to show me the mountains?

I'll do my best.

Wait, I'll fetch my sheepskin.

Where are you off to, Varsavian?

For a nice ride.

You want to do him in now?

Too much pomade, you stink like a hairdresser,

and she doesn't like you anyway.

It's a shame how they ruin these trucks. When I have mine,

I won't let anybody touch it. You have to be delicate with it.

You'll have a plot of ground, not a car.

A plot of ground?

Your own little grave. Play.

- Play. - Nobody's paying me.

Play.

Play and sing.

♪ The accordion softly plays A dancing tune ♪

♪ The chaps are dancing I'm not dancing ♪

♪ Look out or else You'll never dance again ♪

Enough. Something else.

- It can be "The last Sunday". - Now!

I'd like a cigarette.

- But you don't smoke. - I feel like it now.

Come on.

Do you really want to escape?

- Where would I escape to? - No clue.

Nobody knows.

What's that?

It's only wolves. Don't be afraid, there are worse things.

Like what?

Like colds.

Playing an idiot?

- You'd rather I played a sage? - I don't care.

Run along now.

Why?

You remind me of something.

Something unpleasant?

- Something I don't care to remember. - Which is?

Life.

Take me away, there must be life somewhere.

People in the streets, lights, homes...

Not now! Wait!

- He's coming. - Who?

I don't know yet, one of them.

- Where's the other one? - Far away.

Blast, they're both back!

His pump failed.

He's learnt to drive, but not to look after trucks.

Nice mountains. I like it here.

I thought it would be worse.

- The first 25 years are the worst. - Why?

Then you'll know that the scum who kill come to a bad end.

Shall we play some decent poker before we go?

Sure.

Come on, Varsavian, your last chance...

to get your own back.

Staking blind for a 100.

It'll have to be 200.

I give a 200.

200 and 400.

I raise.

500.

I'm in for 500.

800.

800 and 1600.

I'm in. I'm in and I'm checking.

What have you got?

The honest to goodness cards.

Full house. Enough?

A four!

Isn't he lucky?

Not so much as he thinks.

- I'm opening. - Staking blind for a 100.

I'll give a 100 and a 200.

200 and 400.

- I'm in for 1000. - 1500.

- Pass. - It costs 2000.

These 2000 and 4000.

I'm giving those 4000.

What have you got?

Flush.

Going on?

With what?

No money?

Sorry, boys. I'll give you another chance.

Let's play for days.

What's the idea, Judas?

I'll stake money against working days. All right?

One may break one's neck any day.

We'll give you a funeral supper you won't regret.

I'm in.

I need money to get out of here.

- Everybody in? - Let's do it.

Put your cigarette in the pool. 1 cigarette — 1 day.

- That's the value of it. - Of what?

- Life. - It's not worth even that here.

What have you got?

Jesus Christ!

I never saw such poker in my life.

Are you the devil himself?

That was lovely poker. Give me the cards.

- You want to play more? - No. They're mine.

I'll buy them. They brought me luck.

- For how much? - For nothing. They're mine!

I'll buy them from you, then.

No, they may bring me luck, too.

It's worth having a close look at this luck.

No, it isn't.

Afraid your luck may go?

You never know with luck.

I knew a clever fellow...

who drove like mad and wanted to double-cross somebody.

That's right. That was the greatest poker ever saw.

Varsavian.

- I'll give you back your money. - Nice.

Marks... marks...

You knew the cards. How did you remember all those marks?

I practiced this alphabet in prison on cigarette paper.

It was more tricky than poker.

- Why were you in jail? - For Communism. Same as now.

- For Communism? How? - I'm here, with you.

It's worse than prison.

- How much to keep your mouth shut? - Nothing. I'll stay to play with you...

an honest game.

I have to clean up after you.

Don't. I'll do it myself.

Nine? Want some help?

No. Go with Varsavian. I'll catch you up.

Crying?

That's good.

If you can still cry, you can start all over again.

- When shall we leave? - Today.

- Really? - Get dressed.

I'll go and take some logs.

In the meantime you'll pack your things.

I'll be back before them.

We'll take the truck and tell the mountains to go to hell.

- Then... - Then what?

We'll be together for a while.

Who knows, perhaps we'll have fun together.

Then you'll find yourself somebody, a nice boy,

and go away with him.

You'll have a husband and a home...

everything and nothing.

Why are you talking like this?

I was joking. Listening to the wind? Won't hear it tomorrow.

It's blowing like hell.

Nine!

- What's your name? - Nine.

I mean really.

I'll tell you in town.

Tiny, tell Markowski I'll see him today.

Fine.

5 cubic meters.

Tiny...

Why so little?

- I can't. He'll smell a rat. - Who?

- They sent a snooper. - Who?

Who am I to know? If they want to send, they do.

That'll be...

No money. You promised me a taxi.

It's like in a bank with me.

Nine will drop by today.

Hurry, boys. You'll get your taxi.

A few more trips and it's done.

Hey, Nine!

A management inspector.

That's our driver.

- How goes? - What?

How are you doing, fuck?

Not so bad, sir.

Don't forget we want the timber.

We're waiting for it... waiting.

You work for the good of man

and man is our greatest good.

- Get it? - Yes. But work's waiting.

May the Holy Virgin bless you for your good word.

I know how to treat a man.

Did you see that?

In our own way, with bloody feeling.

And he responded. Why isn't he promoted?

- There are certain difficulties. - What?

He murdered his wife's lover.

He's a doctor, but he's not allowed to practice.

- That's the difficulty. - That's bad.

That's bad.

Mister Five!

Mister Five!

Not Five, if you please. Five's for pimping.

- What's the matter? - Enough?

- I'll take 2 more cubic meters. - What the hell for? It'll be 18.

That's nothing. I can take 30.

On such roads?

You never wanted to take more than 20.

We want timber, we're waiting for timber.

To factories, shipyards and villages

to make, in sweat and toil... toothpicks.

What's that rubbish? Any more?

More!

Pull! Come on!

- What the hell? - Nine...

Give him a lift to the inspector.

- Are you a good driver? - No, but a fast one.

- Will these woods never end? - They will. Today.

- How today? - I'm wondering myself.

- Be plain. - The highway's not far off.

- Stop for a moment. - Why?

I want to piss.

Our boys do it without stopping.

Cut the jokes.

Blast you!

Fucking hell!

What happened?

- The brakes have gone to sleep. - What?

It must have happened on bumpy ground.

The brake fluid's gone.

What about the hand-brake?

A hand-brake for a 20 ton load?

- One pull and it's gone. - What now?

I'm off. I must get to town before them.

Let's wait for the others.

What?

Let's wait for the others.

They'll only start in 2 hours.

Only then?

We work collectively.

When one has private business, the rest have engine trouble.

What?

- The horn! - What?

Is the horn all right?

Step back a little.

- And? - Nothing.

I kept my hand on the horn.

- Did you hear anything? - No.

In such a wind you could shoot, and nobody would hear you.

Goodbye.

No, keep straight on.

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Let's fetch the case.

It was to bring him luck, and in ten days...

no one will tell them apart.

I'll take it.

- Are you superstitious? - No.

- I dislike my face. - You're simply afraid.

Just as you are.

Come on. And stop it, blast you.

They'll take him. I've had enough of this.

Shall we go to the village?

We haven't any money.

Good people will chalk it up for us.

How much is my soul worth to you, Judas?

I'm not Jesus.

A soul full of faith and pickled in alcohol?

I can lend you 1000 złotys.

- Here. - God won't forget you that.

I'd prefer you not to forget.

Are you mad?

No, we've come here to get mad.

Chalk it up.

With a tire, here?

Would you pay for it if it got pinched?

- Waiter! - One moment.

- What do you want? - Something big!

Sure thing, boss.

- Apostle! - Yes, sonny?

Shall I have that taxi?

- Don't you understand? - What exactly?

What the hell you need it for?

- I want to live. - How?

Old fool. You can hit me.

Tell me. What do you want to do?

I'll go back to town.

I'll go back to town.

You're as smart as a watchman on Corpus Christi.

- Going to have some fun? - No.

What is it, then?

- I'm going to the whores. - Today of all days?

It's as good a day as any.

I'm doing it in Nine's honor.

He told me yesterday about his latest tart.

I'll go back to town.

I'll go back to town!

Aren't you in town?

- Where? - Here.

Here...

This is no town.

This is no town.

Driving's a real problem. Bottom gear half of the way.

The water started to boil in the radiator.

That wreck won't last more than a fortnight.

They may send those new trucks, eh?

Perhaps.

I'd like a red one.

I knew a chap in the fire brigade. He had a red one.

Why don't you move off?

I'm thinking. How could you win so much?

Have you no other headaches?

I'll give you anything... carry timber,

even stay for good, but tell me,

was it the work of the Evil One?

Have you gone crazy?

- Swear it. - On what?

On God.

- Give me God, and I'll swear. - He must be quite near.

He gets up early.

The wind and the water do.

Only the earth sleeps a long time.

You're drunk.

Three bloody days like this.

Any books around here?

- What do you want it for? - To read, of course.

There is none.

What do you do when we're out?

No clue.

Nothing?

Nothing.

Just sitting here all day long?

Yes.

I do some cleaning.

I go out, walk a bit...

and come back.

How do you do it?

- What? - Well, you and your husband.

What?

Don't pretend.

We don't.

Not at all?

No.

Why?

You don't know?

You must love...

to be close to somebody.

- Then why be with him? - Who else is there?

Dump him and go back home.

I told you I have no home.

So you did.

Partisan!

What?

Let's talk of something.

Of what?

I don't know.

How is it with the two of you?

He brought me here, but I want to go back to town.

What will you do there?

No clue.

I'd have to do something.

It would make the difference.

So it would!

You must go back.

It makes me shudder to think that you

might end up as that criminal.

Nine? What do you care for me?

Nothing. But get away from here.

Tell me something.

You always talk of the woods.

I can tell you something about the woods.

They really...

never change...

in the winter, autumn, or summer.

They're always boring.

Always exhausting and horrible.

Always empty.

Since when have you been thinking that?

Since the devil brought me here.

If I hadn't come here, I'd have had at least memories...

that once I fought and wasn't a drifter.

Leave, then. You have courage.

What future is here?

Leave? And let the idiots laugh at me?

And if you break your neck, you fool?

Well, how's it really with the two of you?

- I told you. - I can't believe it.

- I'm not lying. - I may forget with you.

- The woods? - Yes.

I came here to remember. Now I'll run away with you...

to forget.

- When shall we go? - Whenever you want.

Tomorrow I'll go with them, to avoid suspicion.

That's not good.

If one of us gets stuck we'll never... get out of here.

We'll have to cover it with logs. Three days' work.

Two for sure.

We can't get through now.

The trailer will slip.

Get the logs down.

I'll get through!

You want to be the next?

- I thought it was my turn. - What do you mean?

To Paradise, to eternal bliss, as Apostle says.

I'm going first.

The guy who comes next is in danger of dirtying his pants.

Where you're going?

Well...

Want a tank of petrol?

Here's a light too.

Apostle! Here!

If Christ wants to descend to earth again...

He should do it today. He'd taste something...

even God never tasted before.

Partisan, if you'd have some of this stew

you'd have taken that bend on wings.

Partisan!

Partisan!

We should have gone off yesterday.

We'll go away and you'll forget.

It's all so ridiculous.

I was never afraid before. It's because of you.

I thought of you on that bend.

A man has to be alone...

if he wants to get somewhere.

Only then is he strong and knows no fear.

Go now.

Go. I couldn't touch you now.

Perhaps it's because I've fallen in love with you. Go!

Well, gentlemen!

This stew is God's reward

for all our bloody days.

Wanda.

Let's get away. I can't live here.

Without people, or happiness. I'm alone all day.

Move over...

Promise you'll take me away.

Not yet. We must stay a little longer.

How long?

Until I'm recalled.

- When is that? - I don't know when.

- And they? - What about them?

Are they staying, too?

You'll never understand.

They'd have some long ago if they'd wanted to.

Come on.

Come on.

When we get to town.

When we get to town.

Hello!

- Say something. - Like what?

- When do you expect them back? - I don't know.

Sometimes they don't come at all.

They're in the woods.

I'll wait here. I've had a hard day.

Let's talk a little.

About what?

The cinema, the theater, whatever you like.

All right.

A fellow loses his wallet with a lottery ticket.

Another fellow finds it and the fiance of the fellow...

- Which one? - Who lost the wallet was a blonde.

What a body... A prince was in love with her.

- That guy... - The end.

You don't know how to tell a story.

You didn't understand that film.

All right.

I'll tell you a story we'll both understand.

A town-fellow had a pretty girl, and things were fine,

but he got into trouble. He deviated, and they had to go to the mountains...

where nobody ever came.

Did you understand?

Go on.

Only a bad lot. Thieves and spivs lived in those woods,

because no decent chap would work for such a firm.

Discharged criminals...

political suspects... worked for it.

Nice story?

Have you got a home?

She had no one to take her away.

And life went by without laughter, people.

Tell me...

- Have you got a home? - One day...

I'll finish this story.

One day there came a chap

who talked pretty and had a pretty face.

But he knew one thing.

He was a clever boy...

He knew that accidents happen in the mountains...

and bikes slip easily...

and one may be sent to Paradise in no time at all.

Now this fellow listened to the advice

of his good old friend.

He got on his bike and went to hell.

What about the girl?

I know all about you and Nine.

It was the same with Partisan...

only much nicer.

I hate it when a bitch destroys a man.

I'd do it with all but one.

A tall, ugly one, with a bandit's mug.

Never with him!

But it's only me who has a home, a mother.

I could take you with me there.

Buy yourself a mirror and have a look at your mug!

Did you hear me? Buy a mirror.

The chain's broken.

This four-wheeler will be over any moment.

Perhaps it won't, but the trailer will.

- Tighten the logs. - All right.

I'll try to fasten the chain.

Turn!

A bit more.

More!

More!

Apostle!

Apostle!

Apostle.

Say something.

- Come on. - Don't touch!

Come closer.

Give me your pistol.

- Don't say that. - Give.

I'll pull you out.

Pull out, from my breast pocket.

What?

The book.

Does God see me?

He's by your side. Always was.

Page 103. Read.

O most merciful Jesus...

Lover of souls...

I pray to Thee by the agony of Thy most sacred heart

and by the sorrow of Thy immaculate Mother...

cleanse in Thine own blood the sinners who are now in agony.

Go on, go on.

Cleanse in Thine own blood the sinners who are now in agony...

and are to die this day.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony, pity the dying. Amen.

Grant to them the truth of dream and life...

of peace and rest...

of conscience and freedom.

Grant to them the earth without evil ways and violence...

where they could put into deeds...

what they think, feel and desire.

Caps off!

Blessed be the Lord.

Amen.

- We've brought a man. - What happened to him?

He's dead.

You're very drunk.

Or am I mistaken?

He was a friend of ours, Father.

Believed in God like nobody on earth.

Listen to us, please. We're alone.

We must leave tomorrow. This is all we human beings...

can do for him.

Take him to church. I won't be long.

What was this man's name?

- Apostle. - Which one?

- This one. - There were twelve.

There was only one like him.

He was very pious. Even used to say his prayers.

Where's the organist?

He went to town. I can't help it.

You play the organ. Play "Salve Regina".

Hurry. Go up to the gallery.

I'm out of practice.

Play, or I'll kill you.

Stop crying. Sing!

♪ The accordion softly plays A dancing tune ♪

♪ The chaps are dancing I'm not dancing... ♪

Wake up, guys, wake up!

Save your breath, they can't hear you.

- They got dead drunk yesterday. - Bloody hell!

You could collect their pay.

Sure.

You look lovely.

Count, please. For Zabawa...

- Is the money right? - Yes.

- For Tiny. - Yes.

- For Varsavian. - Yes.

For Apostle.

He's no longer here.

Where is he?

- He's gone. - Which way?

The way of all men.

My God, the firm know nothing...

They've sent me down with the money...

Who are you fooling?

Everybody knows that you take the pay of the dead.

You brought it 3 times for a boy over whom flowers grew.

That's a lie. Not 3, but 2.

And no one planted flowers on his grave.

Do you expect me to live like the rest of you?

No, my sweet!

Remember the story that bandit interrupted?

Let me quickly tell you the end of it.

They'll all go to the clouds, your husband included.

Or you may be left with a touching cripple, who knows?

- Then you... - What about me?

Then an old ugly woman will go back to town

and parade under the street lights to attract the drunks.

This story won't have a nice end.

I wish it could be different.

- Have you got a home? - I have.

Naturally, but why talk about it?

I'll go away and you'll stay in this hole.

What's the good of such talk!

Pretty Face!

- Let's go. - Where to?

To town.

I will, but not you.

It's easy to take you in!

I live in a room with 40 men.

Don't be silly.

Be nice till the end.

My bike's gone.

I have the same impression.

What now?

A lot of things?

How was it with her?

Not too bad.

I'm sorry, but that was the last girl in your life.

You think so?

You're the one who's joking.

Stop it!

Stop it!

What have you done?

Who's better looking now? He or me?

You're all alike..

Beat it! Now!

Varsavian!

A mirror?

How you take a look at yourself.

Hey, Zabawa, have you got a wife?

Why do you ask?

Shall we bet?

Easy. Is there anything you have left at all?

What have you come to us with?

Lies about some new trucks.

A gun when the lies failed you.

A tart you introduced as your wife.

Tell me what's up.

Stop pretending.

You know you won't do a thing.

What do you want from her?

She ran away? So what? The hell with her!

You've got the timber, a gun, and us. Not enough?

Where are you going?

Wait. We'll come with you.

I'll ask some pals I have here.

- Hello, chum! - I don't know you.

My name's Dzwonkowiak. Now you know me.

Listen, chum. I've got an immaculate virgin here.

I must invest money in her. Lend me a fiver.

- You'll pay me back? - No.

You're lucky you said that.

If you'd have said "yes", you wouldn't get a penny.

- Here's 2,000 you've asked for. - The nation will remember that.

I asked everybody. She's not here.

She never was.

Cheer up. We'll get some new trucks in a few years.

You'll get over it.

I forgot to tell you. We're getting new trucks tomorrow.

Then we get drunk.

That's all I can do for you today.

And tomorrow?

I'll say goodbye.

Let's go. I know a better dive.

I've been swindled!

- Our dealer Marcinkowski swindled me. - How?

He promised to get me a taxi.

And now the old thief's given me money.

A few notes for all that wood. Just because it was stolen.

A few notes!

I can buy some dung for it, but not a taxi.

A few notes!

I'm going...

Wait!

Can you hear that?

The new trucks.

Now they're really coming.

For Nine, for Partisan, for Apostle.

And a red one for Tiny.

Partisan, Nine, Apostle, Tiny.

I don't even know their real names.

What's your Christian name, Varsavian?

Tadek. And yours?

Stefan, but it doesn't matter now.

That's right! Goodbye, Stefan.

Do you really intend to stay. Stefan?

Do you really intend to go?

You bastard!

THE END