Original subtitles

"1647 was a strange year, in which various signs on Heaven and Earth..."

...foretold of disaster and of uncommon events.

"The summer saw a total eclipse, later a comet appeared in the sky."

"Finally, the seasons became jumbled as never before."

"So, all of Ruthenia looked with trepidation at the wild steppes..."

...which stretched from the banks of the Dnieper almost to the Black Sea...

"...and to the Crimea of the Tartars, whence danger could come."

"In a film by Jerzy Hoffman, based on the novel..."

"... " "With Fire and Sword" "by Henryk Sienkiewicz."

Is he alive?

"Yes, sire. He's someone important."

The horse is worth two towns. Can we keep it?

Rzedzian...

"Spoils, that's all."

Water!

Let me go. I'll pay.

Thank God we were nearby. Bandits attacked you...

...pretending to be Tartars.

"Ah, yes..."

Do you know him?

My neighbor's servant.

Thank you for saving me.

Are you a nobleman?

I am Zenobii Abdank with a cross on my coat-of-arms.

Noble and colonel in Duke Dominik Zaslawski's Cossack regiment.

"Jan Skrzetuski, lieutenant in the armored regiment..."

...in the service of Duke Jeremy Wisniowiecki.

You serve a famous warrior.

Thank you.

Where are you off to in such a haste?

"Duty calls, I'm carrying orders."

If perchance we meet again...

...perhaps I shall be able to repay you.

Good bye valiant soldier! You know not who you've saved!

I am Bohdan Chmielnicki.

WITH FIRE AND SWORD

CZEHRYN Poland's eastern borderlands

"This film is dedicated to my wife, Walentyna."

"I tell you, Czaplinski will catch Chmielnicki."

- "No, he won't!" - "Yes, he will!"

- I'll wager a ducat. - Make it two!

He'll catch Chmielnicki and hang him.

"Chmielnicki means " "hops man." "Hops are only good for beer!"

The beer here in Czehryn is like horse piss!

"Hanka, fill our glasses!"

"Come back here, wench! Bring me mead, the best you have!"

If not for my men...

...Chmielnicki would've been killed by bandits out on the steppe.

The hetman has issued warrants for Chmielnicki's capture.

How could I have known? I've been in the Crimea.

Where'd you meet him?

On the other side of the Dnieper.

"Jesus Christ, he's gone to the Sich."

He's not the only one.

He stole my royal letters.

"In them, the King urges the Cossacks to rebel against the nobility."

"The Sich is a tinderbox, which those letters could set off."

"You foresee rebellion, colonel?"

I already see it.

"Colonel Barabasz, you are a Ruthenian."

You are respected by the Cossacks. Go to the Sich.

Half my men escaped with Chmielnicki.

"If not for Lieutenant Colonel Bohun, they all would have."

"A grave, not a baton, awaits me."

Greetings!

"Czaplinski, a ruffian and cutthroat. Chmielnicki's greatest foe."

Do you know where Chmielnicki is?

"Hanging, or soon will be, or my name isn't Czaplinski!"

Don't spill your wine.

Are you going to catch him?

My men will ambush him out on the steppe.

Don't spill your wine.

Chmielnicki's free and on his way to the Sich.

Impossible!

Sir Skrzetuski saved him and took care of your bandits.

What about the warrants?

He didn't know about them. He's returning from the Crimea.

I'll see you in stocks!

Smell this!

Guards!

Gentlemen! This man is leaving!

Shall I dress your wounds? I'm a skilled nurse.

Silence!

Cheers!

"Thank you, gentlemen!"

"Allow me, sire, to offer my services."

"Jan Onufry Zagloba, with a coat-of-arms you can see."

This hole in my head from a Turkish bullet in the Holy Land...

...where I fought to atone for the sins of my youth.

You said you were hit with a tankard.

"No, a Turkish bullet. You're mixing things up."

Health!

"To your health, gentlemen!"

Introduce me to the lieutenant.

"Why, of course!"

This here is Sir Long Anus.

Longinus.

"Known as " "Trouser Snatcher."

Hoodsnatcher!

From Dogbowels.

Mousebowels.

It's all the same!

"I don't know what's worse, dog or mouse bowels."

I'm sure I wouldn't want to live in either.

"Staying there is difficult, and leaving is embarrassing."

"Sir, for a week I've been drinking for this nobleman's money."

"His sword is as heavy as his purse, and as leaden as his jokes."

"Oh, cease your prattle."

Why do you carry an executioner's sword?

"A Teutonic sword, won in battle. It's a family heirloom."

"Must be terribly heavy. Used with two hands, no doubt."

"You can use two, or one."

Let me have it.

Which of you can do it?

We've already tried!

Now you.

"Damn you, man! Why, you should serve the Duke."

I'm here looking for someone to recommend me to Duke Jeremy.

He'll be pleased to have you.

"The Duke shall have two spits for the hearth, the knight and his sword."

They say a great war against the Turks is being readied.

I heard about it in the Crimea. The Tartars are afraid.

"If the King attacks the Turks, our Duke will attack the Crimea."

May God grant a holy war to honor Christianity and our nation...

"...and may I, a sinner, do what I vowed or find an honorable death."

What vow is that?

My coat-of-arms is called "Hoodsnatcher."

"One of my forefathers, with one swipe of this sword, severed..."

...the heads of three hooded knights at the battle of Grunwald.

King Jagiello gave him the coat-of-arms, "Hoodsnatcher."

You've inherited his arm.

What of it?

I vowed to the Virgin Mary that I would live in chastity...

"...until I too, like my famous forefather, cut off..."

...three heads with one fell blow.

You haven't cut off three?

It hasn't worked out.

Fortune hasn't been with me. Sometimes there've been two...

...but never three.

I'm not much of a hood snatcher. A laughing stock for people...

"...as Zagloba rightly states, which I accept and offer up to Lord Jesus."

Have you remained chaste?

God himself sees my sorrow.

"There's strength in the loins, and a fortune too..."

...but not three heads and it makes one's blood boil.

"If you need a bloodletting, sire, I shall be glad to do it."

Rzedzian!

But I know how to do it.

"You'll get your chance with Duke Jeremy, or you never will."

God grant it.

Chastity will be hard to keep.

The maidens at the Duke's court will make you drool.

A man gets hot just seeing how they eye him.

My God...

Sire!

"Let him go, brother!"

Where are you off to?

You are special above all others. Just the sight of you inflames me.

Just the sight of you inflames me. You are special above all others.

Knights!

Help these damsels in distress!

"I've sent for my sons, but it will be late by the time they arrive."

There are graves nearby!

"Since you took a vow of chastity, you take the old one."

Oh brother...

Thank you.

I would leap into fire for such thanks.

Fire?

I wouldn't have believed it yesterday.

How can I believe it today?

May God bless you.

We're from Rozlogi. I'm prince Kurcewicz's widow.

We couldn't have left you and your daughter without help.

She's not my daughter. She was orphaned by my brother-in-law.

"Rozlogi is not far, surely you won't disdain my hospitality."

"Go ahead, little one!"

Please accept my service.

Such service shall bring you only misfortune.

It will bring what God wills.

"Welcome mother, the wagons are on their way."

"No need, these knights have helped us."

"My four sons and their leader, Bohun, like a son to me..."

...a Cossack officer.

Go my sons and prepare the home for guests.

"I've come to greet you, mother, and to see about the princess."

"Greetings Bohun, tonight you'll play the lute for us."

"You've grown sad, Miss, please smile again."

He's an awful person.

"What do I care about some Cossack, or even the whole Sich?"

"Get away from the carriage, Pole."

I see that Cossack is mad.

He's hot tempered, but dashing and like our own flesh and blood.

ROZLOGI Home of the Kurcewicz princes

Welcome to our humble abode.

Our home is your home. We're very happy you're here.

Welcome. Please come in.

Sons...

So you've decided to pick a fight with that young nobleman?

"That Pole had better stay away from her, or he'll feel my sword."

"If anything happens to him, the Duke will make us pay."

He'll cast us out of here and take Helen to Lubnie.

You want to feel the pale?

"He's come, he'll go, but you'll remain."

"As you wish. Though my heart will ache, I'll be sweet to them."

Let's give our guests some food!

Let's drink to the war against the Muslims.

We'll carouse in the Crimea.

I see the expeditions that have brought you glory are not enough.

"Small wars bring little glory, big wars bring great glory."

"Son, sing us a song of Cossack glory."

Stop tormenting our souls! Hey you! Strike up a tune!

"Well brother, I made a vow of chastity to the Blessed Virgin..."

...until I cut off three heads... You haven't pledged chastity?

"Holy Mary, give me Sir Jan for a husband."

Make Sir Jan my husband and save me from Bohun.

A maiden stopped me on my way.

Which maiden?

"The princess, of course."

Why didn't you tell me?

Because you didn't ask.

Swain...

"I'm no swain, I'm a nobleman, albeit a poor one."

I have my honor.

What did she say?

Who?

She asked if someone could believe it when you give your word.

And you?

I told her this...

"...if you promised me the horse I was riding, I'd know it was mine."

Take the horse.

Word is that the Kurcewiczes want to give the princess to Bohun.

She inherited Rozlogi from her father and Bohun promised...

"...that if they give him the princess, he'll let them stay there."

It's good you learned of this.

"But Sire, if I had learned only part of the story..."

"...you would have said," "I'll give you the horse..."

"...but not the saddle." "What good is a bare-back horse?"

"Rzedzian, you're a wily one. Take the horse and the saddle."

"My humble thanks, sire."

We thank you for your hospitality.

"Always glad to see you, gentlemen."

Could I speak to you and your sons in private?

In private? All right.

"Forgive me for my uncustomary behavior, but there's no other way."

I'm asking that you give me Helen's hand in marriage.

"What, you want Helen?"

"Yes, I do."

"Forgive me sir, but nothing will come of this..."

...I have promised Helen to another.

"Bohun, and against her wishes."

Because that Cossack has promised to let you stay in Rozlogi.

That doesn't concern you.

You want to take what's hers.

The Duke will burn this place and you'll rot in the dungeon.

I'll leave you Rozlogi and won't demand any payment.

It isn't yours to give.

"Either you answer to the Duke, or the girl's mine..."

...and you get to keep Rozlogi. I give you my word as a knight.

"Well sons, what do you say to this humble proposal by our knight?"

"Say the word and we'll kill him. Tell us to give him Helen, we will."

Bohun is a madman. Who'll protect us from his revenge?

I have to be going. Choose.

This must remain a secret.

Are you giving me the girl?

Yes.

You won't betray me?

If only we could.

You never even thought to ask her.

Let's ask her in your presence then.

Helen!

"If you so desire, this is your future husband."

Is it true?

As God is in heaven.

Welcome Jan!

I've missed you terribly.

"Me too, Michael."

The Duke's been asking about you.

"Rzedzian, prepare my clothes!"

"This is Sir Longin, from the house of " "Hoodsnatcher"

...with the strongest arm I've ever seen.

"Michael Wolodyjowski, a swordsman of unmatched skill."

You once put a few notches in me.

"As you did to me, Michael."

What did you two fight over?

A girl.

"Here, they all yearn for him."

My Lord...

They'll have to find someone else to yearn for. I've fallen in love!

And asked for her hand!

Now all of them here will go into mourning!

I'm very pleased that you wish to wed the young Kurcewicz girl.

"A fine old family, and Helen's father was a real patriot."

"You did well in the Crimea, but your mission was in vain."

There'll be no war with Turkey!

The King dreams of going to war but the Senators won't let him.

So there'll be a rebellion. Chmielnicki has gone to the Sich.

I know him from the battlefield.

The Cossacks haven't had such a leader since hetman Sachajdaczny.

I have to send someone trusted to the Sich to see what's going on.

When do I leave?

You've just returned.

I'm ready to leave right now.

The princess is on the way?

"Yes, your excellency."

"Well, you saved Chmielnicki's life, he's in your debt."

"As a cover, I'll give you letters to several trusted atamans."

See if Chmielnicki's allying himself with the Tartars.

"I'll return in a month. Don't worry about me, my dear."

A priest waits for us in Lubnie.

I fear for you.

They won't harm an envoy.

"Careful, don't drop that, those are the lieutenant's things."

You take care of your things.

Here are the letters to Tatarczuk and my nephew Barabasz.

He'll tell you what Chmielnicki is really up to.

I don't know if it isn't too late for this expedition of yours.

"Send a dispatch-rider to the Prince, I have my orders."

"That's Zagloba, isn't it?"

"Yes, the drunkard."

He always drinks with Bohun.

Rzedzian!

See that fat man?

"Tell him someone wants to see him, but don't tell him who."

You're going too late. The people are up in arms.

"During wartime, Cossacks are good and we give them privileges."

"Afterwards, our nobles chain them in stocks like peasants!"

May God grant me a swift death so that I don't see a civil war.

"Here, in ill-fated Ukraine, it will be brother against brother."

He's coming.

Sir Skrzetuski!

You who opened the tavern door with Czaplinski.

That impressed me tremendously.

Welcome. Allow us a farewell drink.

Only a fool refuses when a wise man invites.

Rzedzian! Mead!

An official mission to the Sich.

You'll find it hot there.

What's Bohun doing here?

"All the Cossacks love him. Wherever he goes, they'll follow."

He's in love with a noblewoman. He wants to marry her.

"So, it'd look bad fraternizing with peasants on the eve of his wedding."

This is excellent mead.

Drink up.

He wants me to adopt him...

"...and make him a nobleman, for the maiden comes from a fine family."

This is not the first time I've put myself in danger to protect Poland.

That's why you drink with Cossacks? You want to befriend them...

...as security when danger threatens. You are shameless.

My shame is my business. I'll swallow it myself!

"And service is like oil, it must rise to the top."

"The crew is ready, sire. It's time to go."

One for the road!

God grant that we meet again soon.

"My God, Sire..."

...I've never seen so much water in my life!

The Dnieper.

Why are you so glum?

All this land going to waste.

"Back home, my parents are suing over one pear tree in a field."

The trial has been going on for 50 years.

"This is the field, and my grandfather..."

"Hey, captain!"

"Where are all the people? Look, no fishermen!"

"Escaped to the Sich, most likely."

Hoist sail!

Turn back!

"Rzedzian, afraid of death?"

"What are you talking about, sire?"

The Sich is a place you don't return from.

Why are you going then?

That's my business. You'll return to Rozlogi.

"Sire, I am afraid of death..."

"...but I will not abandon you, because I'm not some peasant..."

"...but a nobleman, albeit a poor one."

I can order you to go.

"If you killed me, I wouldn't go. Am I Judas to leave you to die?"

Go. You'll save my life twofold.

Which horse?

"Mine, even. You'll take them letters."

"If they can't read, have them go to Lubnie, for war is coming."

"Well then, I have to go."

"But I feel so bad, that even if you were to give me your belt..."

You'll leave when I've written the letters.

Look out!

Who are you?

And you?

Talk or I'll start shooting.

"His excellency, an envoy from Duke Wisniowiecki to ataman Koszowy."

- Who is the envoy? - I am.

"We'll take you to him, on a leash."

THE COSSACK SICH April 1648

A letter from Wisniowiecki to ataman Koszowy to turn me in.

Two letters to atamans Tatarczuk and Barabasz instructing them...

...to look after the envoy and see that he gets whatever he needs.

"What do you think of these letters, atamans?"

Could Koszowy have hidden them?

"Yes, he could have!"

"He could have, but he didn't."

"In other words, our brother?"

Brother!

I believe him absolutely.

"Thank you, Bohdan."

Thank you all for your respect.

"You deputies, go make the announcement."

Koszowy is an honest man!

"If Koszowy didn't betray us, then who is the traitor?"

Why did they write letters to you?

What have I done? Did I open the letter? No!

"Even if I had, I would've taken it to the scribe..."

...as I can't read or write.

"Brothers, I was in the Crimea with you and shed my blood for you."

"Why do you suspect me, hetman?"

Tatarczuk is a good man! He's our brother!

"Yes, but when a brother betrays, my heart is heavy."

Why do the Poles write to you?

Why do they tell you to see that their envoy gets whatever he needs?

Their envoy wants to find out if we're preparing for a rebellion...

...and if the Tartars are with us.

Tatarczuk and Barabasz are traitors.

Death to them!

"Brothers, have mercy!"

Why?

People!

Judas!

I know that Pole. He was in the Crimea.

Who are you?

"An envoy sent to you, Ataman. My men have been slaughtered."

"His excellency, Duke Wisniowiecki, will come for me."

Death to him!

Silence!

The people request that you give us the Pole.

Put him to death!

Wait!

Be quiet!

This is an envoy!

Understand? An envoy!

"A spy, not an envoy!"

Kill him!

"Give him to us, or we'll take him ourselves."

Duke Wisniowiecki will pay in gold.

"We'll take him, father!"

"Away, you infidel dogs!"

Begone!

"You've come to take my prisoners? Oh no, you pig-eaters!"

Begone!

Tuhaj-Bej is angry!

Give us the Pole!

Silence!

Tuhaj-Bej is angry.

He is very angry!

How much ransom will he fetch?

He's an important man.

The terrible Duke loves his men. 2000 thalers.

I'll give you 2000.

You'll give 3000.

Why 3000?

Because you want him.

"Yes, he saved my life once."

Then you'll give 4000.

I'll give 4000 myself. I don't want to owe him anything.

How do you know what I plan to do with you?

War is coming. I'd prefer to pay you now.

4000

I feel sleepy.

Take him to his chambers.

Let's go.

We're even now. You're free to go if you give...

...your word as a knight that you won't betray what you saw here.

I can't do that.

Then I won't let you go...

...until my army is ready.

"All this because Czaplinski took your farm, is that it?"

That he seduced your wife?

Silence!

Czaplinski killed my son.

These thousands would follow me if all I thought about was myself.

Look at what's going on in Ukraine. Who here is happy?

The magnates and a handful of nobles!

They have the land and freedom. And the rest?

Cattle!

How much gratitude was shown the Cossack army for...

...the blood shed defending Poland? Where are the Cossack privileges?

They want to turn free Cossacks into serfs.

"It's them I want to fight, not the King."

The King is our father and Poland our mother.

And so you sell your mother to the Tartars?

Are we to go to certain death? No!

Are we to meet the same fate as previous rebellions?

"It is not me, but the magnates who are killing mother Poland."

"If not for them, the Republic would have not two but three nations."

Thousands of faithful sabers against the Turks...

...Tartars and Muscovites.

"Who are you, hetman, to be judge and executioner?"

Why don't you leave judgement and punishment to God?

Once when we presented our complaints to the King...

"...he said, " "Don't you have guns and sabers at your sides?"

"If you stood before the King of Kings, he would say..."

"Forgive your enemies as you do your friends."

I don't want war with Poland.

Give us back our rights and I'll take care of the Tartars.

"Hetman, the Poles are on the march!"

War.

Subtitles @ Polart 2003