Original subtitles

The Forest of the Hanged Directed by Liviu Ciulei

Damn it. The wind's started blowing.

Move up! Stop staring at me.

Move faster!

At your service, sir!

What time is it?

It should have started at 4 o'clock, sir! There'll be a delay, it'll be 5.

Who are you hanging?

We don't know! We heard that it could be an officer but we aren't sure.

Aren't you ready, corporal? The convoy is on its way.

Ready, lieutenant!

In a few minutes they'll be here.

But where is the Master Sergeant?

Why didn't he come earlier? The Master Sergeant had to be here already.

Where's the stool, corporal?

Why do you stare like an idiot?

On what would you like the convict to climb?

We should use you as a stool! Go!

Allow me to introduce myself: Lieutenant Apostol Bologa.

Klapka. Otto Klapka.

I was transferred from the Italian front to this division.

I've just arrived.

At the railway station I heard that an execution is about to begin. - Yes.

I can't really understand why I got here.

So you were transferred to this division.

Yes.

To the 50th Field Artillery.

Ah, right to our regiment! Then, welcome!

So, who are you hanging?

Hm, a Czech sub-lieutenant. Svoboda is his name.

He was caught in the act of trying to switch sides.

Outrageous, isn't it?

Yes, of course.

I had the honour to be in the Court-Martial. He didn't even defend himself.

He looked at us in a strange way. I believe he was trying to defy us.

Though... it wasn't defiance. It was something else. He didn't say a word.

Do you smoke? - No, no.

Anyway it would have been useless. Even myself, a reluctant person that I am,

this time, the evidence was conclusive.

The evidence...

The evidence...

Captain, you forget that we are at the front. Seems you are a reserve officer.

Otherwise, you wouldn't talk like that about such a crime. - Yes.

You're right. I was a lawyer in peacetime. But now...

I'm a reserve officer too! The war dragged me away from my books,

from University where I almost lost contact with real life.

What were you studying?

Philosophy.

Have you ever attended an execution by hanging?

No.

Excuse me.

What's this? What have you brought?

It's too high, can't you see? How can the convict climb on that?

Here comes the convoy.

Get out! Get out of the hole!

Lieutenant Apostol Bologa from the 50th Field Artillery. At your command, sir!

Incidentally, I came earlier and saw that the stool was missing.

Missing?

Corporal, where is the executioner? - We're only digging the grave.

Why not, idiot? Where's the Master Sergeant?

At your service, sir. - Where's the executioner?

30 days of imprisonment.

And now...

Corporal, you'll be the executioner.

Colonel, I report... Please forgive me... Colonel!

Get back! Get back!

God is great and merciful...

It broke. - What?

The button broke, Father.

Got it?

On the other side, Father, please.

I'd like more order, for Christ sake!

God is good and loves mankind...

Get back!

Everybody get back!

Get back! Everybody 3 steps back!

Make way.

Doctor, does it take long? - You'll see...

Good lord... - If it's possible, send a quick death...

What?

See what he wants.

Say it. What do you want? Then...

Attention!

Commands from the brigade officers.

The drumhead Court-Martial has found the Sub-Lieutenant Jan Svoboda

guilty of desertion and espionage as stated in Paragraph no.341 of

the military justice code. For this, the Supreme HQ

according to the exceptional disposal no. 32183,

reduces him to he ranks by condemning him to death by hanging.

This judgement was released today, 18th of October 1916.

Signed by General Karg.

At your command, sir. OK, OK.

Take the coat off.

Come on. Go ahead!

Take his mess jacket off! A soldier in his uniform cannot be an executioner!

The chair. Pull it.

5... 6... 7...

He died fast.

No comments please. Report the result.

Sir, the convict is dead.

Then, continue.

Sir, the sentence was carried out.

Soldiers...

It's cold.

Farewell...

Captain...

It was instructive.

When the crime is evident, the law...

Military honour was stained, we only did our job.

The job... When it comes to the life of a person

What are you? I mean, your nationality.

Romanian.

What about you? Why do you keep stalking me? Go home. Run!

Yes, sir.

I'm Czech...

Bologa... what a name.

A tin soldier.

You know? My husband has a chess table with tin soldiers.

And you're a tin soldier! - Yes.

A soldier that could die in an hour. After having a good meal at the canteen.

What a thing to say.

You're like me.

In order to die, we have to kill ourselves 100 times.

But you... you're shirking your duty.

And today you shirked an execution. - I did that for you.

For you...

Are you scared?

Wait. - What?

Weren't you at the...

No. Why, why would I need that? It's an unpleasant show. I've seen that in Italy.

My friend... don't be upset...

You know... she came here because everyone was there and nobody would notice her.

Forgive me. Try to understand me.

Rosa?

Discretion...

Thank you.

I'll see you at the canteen.

How did he act?

Good evening.

With obedience I report, sir: my son came for 2 days from the front.

Here you go.

No, thanks.

You could use a glass of wine.

What's new on the front, soldier?

Well, with God's mercy.

Clean my boots please.

Continue. The food is getting cold. Eat.

It's enough. - But I haven't finished...

Good night.

Eat.

Stay still!

Doctor!

Dinner will be ready in an hour.

A schnapps, Mr Bologa.

Ah, Muller...

Boiled schnapps. This is what I learned.

There's no place to take a seat.

Come with me.

I have a small, cosy place.

This is your shelter?

This is only purgatory.

A bit smelly. What about paradise?

Immediately. It's small and romantic,

except the smell which is everywhere. This way...

A genuine museum piece. In fact, here is where the centuries confound. The styles...

rococo,

canzon...

past...

present.

And the future... here.

Get in.

Critical patients need strong medicine. As the French say.

To Johan Maria, with best wishes...

Johan Maria, it's your name? - Yes.

Johan Maria Muller... it doesn't suit the uniform.

Oh heavens.

You are worried.

I was there too.

Do you play?

Yes, a little bit.

Do you want to play?

If only to entertain you.

His guilt was evident. It's above man, his particular interests...

It's the country.

Nothing is superior to man.

Man...

Man with his ugliness and his beauty.

With pain, with fear...

With the blind searching of a blind God.

Man is everything, Mr Bologa.

And this is his girlfriend?

Fiancée.

He is writing passionate letters to her. He is keeping himself for her.

Seriously?

More than seriously.

Don't...

What is his name? Bologa... and...?

Apostol. - Apostol!

I like him more and more.

Why?

For what?

For country?

The damn country which sends you to...

Please shut up, Muller!

Please forgive me.

Utopia, Muller, utopia...

That's what helps you carry on.

You are a happy man, Muller.

I would be if... - If?

If I could hate.

A holy hour, destructive.

That should raise us above the trenches full of blood.

To destroy.

Destroy who, who?

All those who lead us. Who lead us one against the other.

Who have always exploited us.

I don't know...

I don't know.

I don't understand.

Why are you talking to me if you don't care about my words?

It calms me down.

It calms me. Your faith in a new and happy world

that will rise out of the fury and violence.

What's your occupation as a civilian? You told me before but I forgot.

Antiquarian, as my grandfather, as my father,

in Vienna, in the basement of the house

where for 17 days Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived.

And you play too. The flute.

Yes...

You see...

Things are much more complicated.

Dangerously complicated.

Every man has his own truth.

And Svoboda had his own truth?

What's wrong, Bologa?

Were you ashamed to come earlier to us?

Ashamed? Of what?

We know you voted for the death penalty.

And?

I need only justify myself before my conscience.

And your conscience is rested?

No conscience in the world can compel me to kill a man.

Gentlemen, in the last 3 hours we've talked only about Svoboda's execution...

For 1916 years, humanity has been talking about Christ's execution.

Gentlemen, let's not make incorrect comparisons, please.

Captain Cervenko is an adept of non-violence.

In the attack he takes a stick. Doesn't carry a weapon.

Ties himself up so as not to kill anyone.

It's the influence of a Russian writer... Tolstoy, if I'm not mistaken...

We need suffering. so much. Immensely.

Only through suffering can real love appear and grow.

Love, my dear people, love...

Love that we cry about...

that leads us to bullets and the gallows.

It's just talk...

Everything is much simpler.

We talk, Captain, to forget a little about the trenches, death.

We talk but we all do our duty. All!

Captain Cervenko starts the attack with a stick, but he goes there.

Bologa is a Romanian and fights here on the Romanian front.

You are Czech and you had to take part in Svoboda's hanging.

Why, gentlemen?

Because the Emperor represents discipline.

Otherwise it becomes anarchy.

And the anarchist and socialist and others...

this is just what they are waiting for.

In our division there's a guy, a bit strange.

A soldier called Johan Maria Muller.

He dreams of an international army. Here it is.

Bologa is Romanian, The Captain is Czech,

The doctor is Polish and the priest is German,

And I am Hungarian, Captain Cervenko is Russian.

What about you, boy? What are you? - A soldier, sir!

Of course. But I mean, what nationality are you?

Croatian, sir.

Do you see? A real imperial international army.

And to fulfil orders without question! Isn't that simple.

We need love.

Oh, I agree with that. As much as possible and on any occasion.

Forgive me, Father...

Gentlemen, wouldn't it be better for us to sing something together?

A beautiful lied, or something romantic old and decent?

I'm sorry but I have to go to the trench.

Properly talking, I'm happy, but if we're to philosophize some more

you'll have to convince me that the act of deserting is a heroic one.

Shall we go?

What else can I do?

A romance, Doctor?

I don't have the voice. I prefer wine.

Thank you for the invitation.

I hope that tomorrow they are going to use me for something.

What's this?

I was told that over here the atmosphere is calm. - Nothing...

They're crazy. It's been a week since they bothered us with the searchlight.

It's completely useless... they know our disposition, including the ant hill.

But what's ridiculous and annoying is that we are not able to destroy that toy.

The ones from the other side... Romanians...

The enemy...

Here you go. You can sleep in my bed.

What a strange smell. Just like in the old days.

Lieutenant Varga has some amorous visits from time to time.

I'm tired.

He was guilty Captain. He was guilty!

We are all guilty

Here. Take a drink.

I don't usually drink.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Drink it.

Drink it until you feel like you don't know anything.

The hell with that!

Don't curse the light.

There is so much darkness that every light is welcome.

It doesn't matter where it comes from or when it comes.

It's so hard for me...

In war I lost everything:

Faith in God,

That secure feeling that life is supposed to give you...

And I got nothing in exchange.

But what were you expecting to achieve?

Myself.

Or... to get rid of myself.

In the midst of the general fear of death,

I thought that I was going to get rid of my fears,

of my doubts...

I could have avoided the war...

I could have avoided the war, do you understand? I'm Romanian.

My dad stayed several years in prison because of his nationalist ideals.

But everyone would have looked at me with compassion.

As at a bugler.

As at a child.

Even my fiancée, Martha.

We've known each other since childhood.

Since I was 10 I knew I was going to marry her.

She looked at me protectively,

and her blinking eyes radiated kindness and purity...

when the officers crossed the city towards the front.

But I wanted to show them all what I'm capable of.

I signed up as a volunteer.

I fought at Galicia and won 3 medals.

I proved to myself that I'm not afraid of death.

I did my job as a soldier, as an officer, as a man!

Who doesn't ask himself "why, why?" as a floozy, as an invalid.

Poor boy...

Why call me that?

Because real courage is to see things the way they are.

Never lie to yourself.

Real courage would have been not to come to the front.

It's to not be afraid to defend your opinion,

even if you have to sacrifice your love.

I know.

Now I know.

From today...

since I saw Svoboda's eyes.

Since I met you.

So human, so brave.

You had the courage to defend Svoboda today

at the canteen, even if you are also a Czech.

It could have been interpreted...

Thank you.

Even if I should curse you...

as I curse the light of this innocent searchlight

which comes from the other side...

from my people!

Believe.

In what?

In something above us.

I can't...

They reached it...

Shall we go?

Yeah.

I ate too much.

I'm too greedy.

Since this war, I eat as if...

I'm always afraid not to starve.

Good morning, you beautiful girl!

Varga!

Sandor!

Cervenko was killed.

He was patrolling to identify that damn searchlight of the other side.

I'm sorry, Bologa. Such an absurdity.

A stray bullet...

He lived half an hour after that. He was crying and kept repeating:

"Love, love, only love."

I brought him from the wires.

I'm going to sleep.

Captain Klapka, I've been looking for you everywhere.

The general asked for you.

Yes.

Attention!

A historical monument. And the bastards bombed it.

But the right side is untouched. - Forward? - No, turn right.

The frames look like Renaissance. But the style is Baroque. A real sacrilege.

It burned for 3 days.

Come in.

Captain Otto Klapka from the 50th Division Artillery, at your command, sir!

Ah yes. Captain Klapka... Very well.

I called you...

to know you...

and...

...

to ask you...

something.

It looks like you did your job well, but...

Please have lunch with me.

You haven't eaten, right? - I... no, sir.

I'm honoured.

Your patriotic decision to attend the execution of the Czech traitor

made a good impression on me.

Are you Czech?

Yes, sir. - Very well.

I try to eat a lot in the morning.

"Breakfast". The English method.

I know... I know it was hard for you...

The croissants are baked by my cook from Vienna.

I brought him with me. Please.

It was hard and that's why I appreciate your patriotic action.

Before that, you fought on the Italian front.

I know.

I... Your excellency...

Please have some caviar.

Attention.

It's good that you're here. - Come in.

What rotten weather...

Yes, horrid.

What's this? Chicken?

The very same.

Like old times. Do you remember?

You were little and came from playing on the sleigh. - Yeah.

Sir, with obedience, I report...

What?

I've known you since you were little.

Lieutenant, I am asking you like they ask a good and clement God...

My son... - Petre? - Yes...

He's my only son, sir... and he has a small baby.

And I can die, because I've lived my life, and he...

He's barely opened his eyes to the world, master...

Please have mercy and take him.

I'll teach him to shine shoes and other things.

And you are free to punish him if he's negligent.

He is my only son, Lieutenant, sir...

When you were little and came to us with your mum and dad...

I'll go with the troops instead of him.

My heart is dying inside everyday when there's an attack...

Please have mercy...

Petre, you know very well, that's not up to me.

It's up to you... Only if you want to...

Because you're a hero and you have medals

and the general shakes your hand with respect...

Take me to die instead of him... Because...

I'll see what can be done, Petre. I promise you.

Eat, sir, before the food gets cold.

It's so good you came.

I also have some rations. Even if I don't drink.

For friends.

What is it?

Something happened?

Bologa, you must destroy the searchlight.

You must destroy it. - What?

Shall we kill the light?

We must.

But it's harmless.

They have that searchlight from the French. And they feel more confident with it.

The light is good, Otto.

No matter where it comes from... In all this darkness.

Lieutenant Bologa, I command you to destroy the searchlight.

I understand, Captain. I'll do everything I can.

But the whole artillery division has tried for 2 weeks since it arrived.

Apostol, forgive me.

Try to understand me.

The general called me at his place.

He asked me why was I moved from the Italian front.

The general knows.

Do you understand?

He knows...

What... does he know?

I'm a coward, Apostol.

A most miserable coward.

I lied to you.

I acted as a brave man. I said things...

Big words...

I had to get rid of Svoboda's look...

His look under the rope. The obsession with those eyes...

I've seen those eyes before. On the Italian front.

Four officers.

All Czechs.

They were all determined to switch sides.

I was afraid... and...

I hid from them.

I hid as...

a thief.

They were caught between the lines.

All three.

I couldn't take the risk.

I have a wife, children...

I love them...

Look. How are they supposed to live without me?

I have to live no matter what.

No matter what, but I have to!

In front of the Court-Martial, they kept silence.

All three.

But I'm sure I was also suspected. And something like that is...

Nor forgotten.

I went to their execution.

To show...

To demonstrate

that there was no connection between us.

That's why I was yesterday at Svoboda's hanging.

But why do you think the general called me?

If you don't destroy the searchlight, he's going to believe that I... I...

It's so hard...

My mouth is dry.

Yes.

Time to go.

Bologa...

Please... for me.

The searchlight...

Destroy it.

Battery, ready! - Fire!

Correction 5,000 to the left.

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Ah. They got away once again!

What did you do, Bologa? It showed up in your sector.

Right ahead! It was a simple job to shoot it.

I've been told that you are the best artillery officer of the division.

How is this possible? - Your honour, I report.

It was impossible to destroy the light.

Mr Apostol, you are a very lonely man.

You love no one but yourself.

There is nothing about the loneliness and love in military regulations, Captain.

Not like that. Like this.

1, 2, 3, 4...

No, no, I can't.

Doctor, the transport for the wounded has arrived.

Not like that! It's no good. Like this, 1, 2, 3, 4...

Apostol...

Take care not to get sick.

Come on. Let's go home.

Come on. Home.

Good evening.

Mrs Rozenaiosi, there's a letter for you.

Thank you. Wait!

There you go. Take them. They are mine.

My respects to you, Madame.

Lieutenant, please be kind enough... There's so much mud...

At your service.

Thank you.

Lieutenant Apostol Bologa.

I'm Mrs Rozenaiosi.

Thank you.

To the castle!

Ah... to the HQ.

Take me please. I have something to do at the HQ.

Mr Bologa...

Take this stamp... from Italy.

Probably you collect them.

Thank you, I don't but...

From my husband. He's fighting there.

That's all. Forgive me.

You are definitely concerned because of the Colonel.

But Italy is quite calm now.

Could you give me... - A cigarette? - Yes.

Thank you.

In his letters he asks me to take care of the family crypt.

Do you live at the HQ?

At the castle. It's my husband's ancestral castle.

300 years old. The castle...

My husband was 50 when we got married.

What about you? I believe you signed up as a volunteer.

Yes... But now... - It wasn't the best idea.

Excuse me... I smell of alcohol.

I have something too.

I usually take it for the wounded.

But how are we going to drink it? Just a moment please...

Like this.

There you go.

There's some lipstick on your lips.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Mr Bologa...

Please...

Ah yes...

Please forgive me...

You're just a child... - No...

Come on, help me.

Come on.

Come to my place to clean yourself.

Over here.

Madam...

Mrs lanosi...

Can't you see you're waking up the whole HQ?

Let's go upstairs.

And when they bombed the castle...

My mood didn't worsen at all.

I kept laughing on and on.

They thought I was crazy.

Madam... I want to ask you...

Don't go.

You stay here. Don't leave me.

Don't die. At least you, don't die!

You are... the only innocent thing,

in my whole life.

Are you there?

Get away from me.

Don't go...

Don't go.

Sir, yes, sir!

What happened? - I don't know. I was ordered to bring you immediately.

Bologa, come quick.

I must tell you.

Excuse me.

They've captured a group of Romanian prisoners.

We have the chance to hear from them the searchlight's position.

The Romanians refuse to talk. They say... - I understand.

Sir...

They say that they don't know any foreign language.

The General has made this a personal ambition.

Bologa, welcome. I caught them last night.

We can't understand each other... And my French doesn't help...

But the Lieutenant says that they don't know French.

Take a look... how we can handle it.

Do you speak Romanian?

Your methods are not acceptable.

Inhuman.

The soldiers...

It's been 20 hours since we last had something to eat.

Our regulations... state in a detailed way,

about the humane treatment of prisoners.

You will be treated as brave men.

According to your standing.

Thank you.

I hope so.

I would like to know the searchlight's position.

If you had the misfortune to be captured as a prisoner...

Would you tell the enemy your military secrets?

Your nationality?

Forgive me. I too am a Romanian.

Romanian? Aren't you ashamed?

Would you make me a traitor? And you're our compatriot.

Get out!

Take them away!

Tell Lieutenant Varga that they refuse to talk.

Get out!

At your command, sir!

Get some warm food, tea, anything... Immediately.

Until the sentence is pronounced, poor men can die 100 times.

Yes, sir.

Who allowed you to give them food, moron? I'll send you to prison!

I want the law concerning prisoner treatment to be strictly applied.

Strictly!

You keep eating, boys.

Apostol!

Apostol!

I didn't see you, madam.

Why didn't you look for me?

I sent you a note.

I also searched for you at home.

Varga laughed at me. But he's a good boy.

He understood. He laughed.

We broke up. He cares for you.

You're afraid of everything. You're afraid.

That's why you pretend to be brave. Because you are afraid.

Do you think no one sees? Why act like that with the poor prisoners?

You brutalized yourself. You harmed yourself. You child...

I love you...

because you are just a child.

So... innocent

No, no!

Apostol!

Leave me alone. Leave! You're a...

No! No! I love you!

You don't know.

Get away from me.

You don't know... You'll see.

Leave me alone... - You are the only innocent thing.

No, no!

No!

Come in.

Sorry... I'll wait outside until you finish your meal.

Apostol, stay, stay.

I'll eat later.

What is it?

I'll take responsibility for the searchlight destruction.

Therefore I ask to have the freedom to take any decisions I find appropriate.

Sit. Sit down.

Take these off.

Apostol, why are you struggling?

Why don't you tell me what bothers you?

I understand. You thought that I was a man with a special spiritual structure.

And afterwards... The deception...

I am a human being, Apostol. That's all.

What are you up to?

What are you looking for?

To destroy the searchlight.

If I am not wrong, you commanded me in a special way.

Begging me, if you remember.

Fear makes us act as if we see monsters, Apostol.

You know... that whole story... General... - I don't know.

I put my trust in you. And told it all.

Those 3 Czechs hanged in Italy...

The general... - I don't remember.

You're deceiving yourself.

You didn't tell me anything.

Apostol...

It's so hard..

It's so hard to remain humane with all this insane situation we're in.

Do you allow me sir, to take all the decisions that I find appropriate?

Lieutenant Bologa.

I command you to destroy the searchlight by taking all necessary decisions.

Understood, sir.

After I destroy the searchlight,

I'm going to ask you something.

Apostol...

You know that I care for you, just like a brother, even more than that.

We will see.

Lieutenant, the battery is on the phone.

Report. Don't shoot.

Why aren't you shooting the searchlight, Bologa? Are you insane?

You allowed me to take all the decisions that I find appropriate.

The searchlight will be destroyed.

Ready?

Unwrap the hooves.

Quiet!

Forward!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Get on the horses!

Come on!

Come on!

Leave me alone! - Call the doctor.

Drink this. - No. - Drink it!

Captain!

The General commanded you to go immediately to HQ.

Are you injured? - No.

Wipe yourself.

You're covered in blood.

From now on, the light won't bother us.

Captain, now I want to ask you something.

You have to move me out of here. I have to leave the Romanian front.

Anywhere, to Italy, Galicia, anywhere!

I can't go on.

You promised me anything if I destroyed the searchlight.

I destroyed it!

I have to get out from the Romanian front. I have to.

I have to! I have to!

I've no authority. I'm stained.

I'm Czech. Yes.

For them this means traitor.

OK. I'll appear in front of the General.

What do you want?

To congratulate you for your heroic act. Lieutenant.

Get out of here, Muller, or I'll shoot you!

Well done, Bologa.

Congratulations. I insisted that you head this operation.

I proposed you for the gold medal.

I am proud that I have officers like you in my command. Bravo...

I'm proud. Very proud.

Your Excellency, allow me to ask you something.

Yes. How could I...

refuse... a hero.

With all my kindness.

Your Excellency...

Please do me the favour of transferring me to a different front.

To Galicia, to Italy,

or anywhere where Your Excellency would find it appropriate.

Fine.

Even if I feel sorry for losing you.

I'm surprised

In Galicia and in Italy it's much tougher.

Than here on the...

Are you Romanian? - Yes, Your Excellency.

Romanian.

I thought that you didn't care who the enemies of the country are.

And your last operation...

Despite the destruction of that searchlight, lead to many casualties.

Among them Romanians, just like you.

Explain it to me.

Your Excellency, from this point I find myself in a moral impossibility... and...

What?

Moral impossibility? What kind of words are those?

I don't know such words!

Does this mean that you lie?

And what's more, that you suffer

completing your duty to your country, forgetting your officer's oath.

Your Excellency... - Not a word!

Every word of yours is worth a bullet. You can leave now.

Dismissed.

Johan.

Forgive me, Johan.

Please forgive me.

After the war, I'll come to Vienna and...

I'll buy buy a lot of books from your antique shop.

And until then?

I asked to be transferred to the Italian front. - Of course.

The most important thing is not to shoot your brothers.

On the Italian front, there are no brothers.

Only here are there brothers. It's much more comfortable this way.

It doesn't matter that we kill each other. Without knowing why.

What matters is not to have remorse. - Please shut up.

Everyone wants it, only in his own way. And to keep his hands clean.

I order you to shut up!

Understood. Lieutenant.

Do you have a light?

What's your name?

Private Johan Maria Muller.

So, officers...

in my squad, I learn there are pacifists.

Lieutenant Bologa is one.

And there are others like him.

I find out only now!

Lieutenant Bologa has an attack of remorse.

Remorse in war.

There is a disheartening influence upon him, and you...

I want soldier Johan Muller out of my division.

Please order to prepare the documents to discharge him, sir.

Colonel, if it weren't so early in the morning, I'd think you were drunk.

Prosecutor...

I hope you understood. - Yes, Your Excellency.

I need one of you for an important mission.

Whoever volunteers will get a two week pass.

Me.

Very good, come.

What did you say?

Nothing whatever.

Come on, man. Come on!

Let's have a rest a while.

Let's have a rest.

No. - Smoke it...

Where did they send us to patrol?

Come on.

Mozart.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A great composer.

Ah... one of your Germans...

Let me tell you about one of ours.

There was a priest in our village...

A big drinker...

When he woke up in the morning...

You have orders to kill me, Petre?

Shut up...

Shut up.

Shut up.

I borrowed some money from you 2 months ago.

There you are.

I wasn't able to give it all back.

But why? I could have waited longer.

Why?

Why? It wasn't necessary... It wasn't necessary now.

But where are we going?

You'll see.

Don't rush your fences.

OK Petre, OK.

Come on. Let's go.

I'm not going! - Be careful!

Why should I go? Where? I'm not going!

No!

Oh, come on, man...

Wait for me. I'm coming.

Brother Muller, to here, we came together. From this point on, you're going alone.

Bring the weapon.

Where should I go?

To the other side. You can pass.

Why? Why should I go?

Why do you keep asking silly things? Be happy and leave now... Otherwise...

Otherwise?

Otherwise...

You know we can't pass.

How am I supposed to pass during the night under the wires?

How? Tell me how!

Let's hope almighty God will help you.

But... why?

Why?

I was commanded to...

Do you understand?

I don't know, it's not my business...

But they wanted to send my son, Petre...

Do you understand?

And it's better that...

Let him have a clean soul.

Because he's young and he has to go back to work my land.

There's no one else to do that.

And what about me?

They'll catch me like Svoboda!

And I have two children! And a wife!

If they declare me a deserter, I'll be executed for that.

They already declared you a deserter this morning.

God is protecting us, the good God, Muller.

Don't you ever think of coming back!

Because you'll cause me trouble too. And you still won't survive.

I wish you a good journey.

I'm going now.

Hey Muller! Why do they call you 'Maria'? That's a girl's name!

Leave! Get out of here! I sent you to the front line!

I don't want to see you! You murderer!

All right, sir...

Petre told me to light the fire for you...

Now! That's it! Yeah!

Call Captain Klapka.

What is it, Apostol? Come in. It's warm. Ah... this truck...

I was just writing... to my family. Come on.

Tonight I am going to pass to the other side. - What?

Are you insane?

Do you want to see us hanged?

Let's go inside.

Hello... - Leave us.

Apostol, return to your senses!

I'm leaving.

Tonight...

I came to say farewell.

Just because the meeting with you has unleashed everything inside me.

The courage of your words...

And... This fear inside...

Nonsense... Ah, this telegraph...

Apostol! Take it easy. Sit down.

You're not going.

I give you my word that I'll do everything I can.

I'll transfer you to another front. - I'll desert from any front.

You are not going anywhere! I'm your Captain.

I'll stop you by force.

Maybe you want to denounce me...

Quiet.

You're out of your mind.

You're crazy....

What can I do with you?

Oh, God!

Fine.

At least say farewell.

Enemy reinforcements in sectors 4 and 5.

We can see camouflaged units getting ready for an attack.

Moving field troops.

Bologa!

Say something! Anything!

For Christ sake, say something!

We've stayed together for 2 months now, and you've said almost nothing.

What have I done to you?

To me?

You've changed, Bologa. I don't recognise you any more.

I have this painful feeling that something has broken between us.

Something has broken inside me first.

But maybe I still have something left... My mother... home.

Bologa, everything you feel is unnatural. Be careful...

Are you threatening me?

I know. In this moment you're a deserter in your mind and soul.

I'll do what my conscience dictates.

I despise a conscience... that makes you

forget the oath and honour of an officer.

I won't ask for your approval, my friend.

And I'll keep you away from my feelings. Just to let you know. - You are joking.

But even jokes have a limit.

I'm not joking at all.

So long.

Petre!

Are you on leave? Yes, sir. I got a 2 week pass.

How...

How is your father doing?

He was killed.

In the attack where you were hurt too.

I'm sorry.

I am so sorry.

Mother!

Mother!

Maybe she's not home.

Where could she be? It's 2 AM.

Mother!

Mother!

Give me the suitcase.

I'll leave now. - No, no, wait...

When you're finished, come to my place.

I'm going to look for her.

Here you go.

Here...

I know that you're in need.

All the best!

Who is it?

It's me... It's me... Apostol!

Who is it? - Apostol!

Martha!

Apostol!

Oh God...

Sofie.. - What is it?

Ah, my dear...

Sit down...

Where is my mother?

My dear... What a coincidence...

She went to the hospital at Medias a week ago. She went to see you.

I really don't know what it is with her. How come you haven't met?

I was transferred to another hospital.

There's no problem. She'll come back.

She left the keys with us. Bring them.

You smell of cigarettes...

The wine! You forgot about the wine!

Come on. I want to show you the dowry.

My daddy bought it in Buda. It's very very sweet.

Miss... connect me with Boteanu's house, it's not late... it's only 2 o'clock.

Mr Boteanu, brother! It's Tomsa.

What are you doing? Are you sleeping?

Well... come to my place...

Wait... wait... I've got to tell you something...

Look, darling.

All of this is ours.

And this.

And this. And this.

Look: we are going to build a beautiful home so everyone dies from envy.

Don't you look.

And you? So fine in your uniform and sword...

Oh... I'm so happy...

I missed you. I missed you very much. My dear.

No.

No, my dear, No.

I worry about you.

No, I trust you of course because...

Because...

Because I love you.

If there was no war... and you wouldn't have to leave.

But I know that you'll come back.

And then...

Damn this war and the one who came up with it...

Are you upset?

Oh, my dear... Are you upset?

Don't be upset.

Kids, come quick because it's getting cold...

Long live!

Greetings! Congratulations!

It's the reward for your courage. You deserve it... no matter what...

Do you understand?

Congrats. Well done!

Who is it?

It's me. Lieutenant Bologa.

Oh... you scared me... - Sir, yes, sir!

Rodovica, I have to go.

Where, for Christ sake?

A telegram came to my place. I have to go back to the front.

Oh God. Ask Madame to open the door.

It's not possible. The train leaves in a few minutes.

Please tell them what happened. Tell them.

The train doesn't stop at Vida.

Mother!

What are you doing? Want to kill yourself?

It's my mother! - Yeah, sure, sure.

Mother!

Ilona! Wait. Stop.

Where have you come from? - From the railway station.

I waited for my father but he didn't show up.

Get in.

Get in the back seat. I want to drive it.

You came earlier.

Yes. I came earlier.

And what did you do all this time?

I did well... nothing.

I know you haven't thought about us.

How do you know that?

What a wonderful spring!

The people are very sad.

Why?

They aren't allowed to go ploughing. Their lands are the battlefield now.

We won't have anything to eat.

How about your place? How's it there? Was it wonderful?

No, it wasn't.

Come in. - Please.

I lived here because I didn't want a stranger to take it.

You're not upset, right?

Thank you very much, Vasile.

Hello, Lieutenant.

Hello.

You've recovered... - Yes.

I was in the city. I wanted to come with the train but they didn't allow me.

They said it's military-only...

Short was the joy of leave.

Yeah, short.

I heard you are in trouble.

What kind of trouble?

That they won't let you go ploughing.

They don't let us, curse them.

They say it's their territory. Their territory is feeding us?

Are we supposed to starve?

Others die from bullets...

No thank you. I don't...

And is this our fault?

Yeah...

It's our fault...

They don't let us go ploughing... They say it's their territory.

And meanwhile my land remains empty.

At least it will be well-fertilized.

This may not last, people will rise up.

And what are they going to do then?

How could I know that, Lieutenant?

Bologa! Bologa! My dear friend!

You've recovered. It's so great to see you again.

How do you feel? - I'm OK. What time is it?

It's still early. Six o'clock.

You are OK... You lost weight.

Yeah...

Sit down. - I heard you were here and I couldn't believe.

Why not?

Because you've shortened your own leave. This is something inconceivable.

Why did you do this?

Don't ask me anything.

I just came... and that's all.

And what do you want to do next? Will you go back to your battery?

I'd forgotten there's a war going on.

And the wonder has turned true...

Amen!

All this time I have lived with the fear...

of you doing something stupid.

We are so small, Apostol.

Flies, worms...

That's not true! Not true!

We are the most beautiful thing in this world.

The battery? I don't even want to think about it.

This is my leave. I still have some days left.

Cheers!

I must inspect my positions.

There's someone waiting for you. - Someone always waiting!

You're crazy...

But I'm so happy to see you like this.

Lieutenant! Sir. My father.

Ilona. - Lieutenant.

I'm scared.

They went to the fields.

I'm scared.

They have to do this, Ilona.

I'm scared for them...

I'm scared.

Down!

Come on! Faster!

Down here.

Stay here! Don't go!

Don't be scared. - I'm not.

They can kill me if they want. I don't care.

Don't think of what my father might say.

I was. I was jealous of Petre

because he was doing your boots.

And when they brought you here, wounded as you were

and with your face yellow as a...

I waited for you. Every single day.

I waited for you. I waited for you!

I'll ask you to be my wife.

Why are you doing this?

I'm a peasant, I didn't even go to school.

Damn this school! The hell with it!

Thank you.

Thank you.

For what, Ilona?

For those sweet and beautiful words of yours.

Because you want me to be your wife.

Lieutenant.

You received these orders from His Excellency.

Should I answer right now? - Yes. It's very urgent.

OK. I'll be there tomorrow morning.

I'm sorry. The car is waiting for you. I've already talked to...

Wait here.

I said, wait here! - Understood, sir!

My father didn't come home.

Why did they call you back?

Some nonsense.

Why are you hitting us, huh? Why?

Mr. Bologa? Mr. Bologa? - What are you doing here?

They want to kill them. But they let me go.

But they're pointing their finger at me. - This is terrible, but what can I do...

Oh, Bologa, welcome, my friend.

Imagine, the Lieutenant from the Court-Martial got ill.

We're almost non-functional. - That's why I'm here?

You know I'm still on leave. - On leave?

My dear friend, these lazy peasants, and what's most important

is that there are Hungarians among them,

under the pretences they wanted to work their lands, showed up in line of fire.

Everywhere there are spies, twelve of them.

Beautiful number. Twelve apostles.

Excuse me.

Please, save me from this. I refuse.

Talk with His Excellency.

Major. I gave the orders. To start digging the 12 graves.

If you've started digging the holes, I don't see why the judgement is necessary.

And why not? We can't hang 'em without a proper judgement.

They should thank us for not making them dig their own graves.

What did they want? - I was appointed judge.

Thank God!

There's someone there who protects the poor people.

If not, the rope awaits them.

You said you wanted to tell me something.

No. Nothing.

Get out before I point the cannons at you!

I feel better now. Let me take you there.

Ilona...

I'll come back for you.

I'll definitely be back.

I will be back, you hear?

Yeah. Search him.

Me?

Of course. He was caught in your sector.

Body search, documents...

Come on.

You've already woken me up.

Please take everything out of your pockets.

Guard him.

So...

He doesn't have documents.

When did you recover?

Today I got my sector back.

I'm a chemist graduated from a Viennese academy. And of course... if not for this war...

If you don't mind... why did you want to desert?

I see... Torment, doubts...

That's interesting...

Of course, yesterday's spies. That was a rush. The General isn't playing around.

Well done.

What beautiful weather.

Hey, sergeant! Where do you hold the prisoners?

Sir, yes, sir!

There!

Calm down...

Bring the key.

Give me the helmet.

Where are the prisoners? - Right there.

Messenger... - You're allowed to visit him?

Yes. This morning.

Someone from my company came into my village and told me...

Come on.

Petre...

I'm so glad you came...

It's good they let you know, you're a great messenger...

Move to my place, leave your things there, find new clothes and stay.

It'll be better.

Sir... I went to the house.

The lady was crying because you weren't there.

I haven't told her yet.

I need to tell you something else.

My father, the same day he was killed... Father...

told me that he didn't kill poor Muller. He let him get away.

And why didn't he tell me?

Why?

Why did he let me think...

We peasants don't go to school.

Now, I'm not returning home.

On the front...

I'm your messenger...

Petre...

Everything comes around in life.

That's right.

But... those who should, they don't pay.

Yes.

Maybe.

Who knows?

Come on.

If you don't mind... The gun... - Yes.

Leave us alone. - Understood.

We only have a few moments. I'm not going to ask you much.

Bologa...

The indictment is terrible. Thank God you haven't signed it.

I've studied all the materials.

You will deny everything.

You didn't want to desert. You were just lost.

I'll appeal.

We have to hope.

For what, Klapka?

Apostol, you have to defend yourself!

By lying? - By lying to save...

No matter what... you have to!

You have to!

I can't!

You have to live!

Yes. I have to.

But in another way... and I don't know how.

All my life was built on lies.

My job...

Honour...

Respect...

Doubts...

At least I've met something pure and genuine.

A few moments of love...

Or a little more...

which doesn't have a name for me.

Now...

Klapka...

You see...

I lied same as you, the absurd... the monstrosity.

It's normal for life to take revenge on us.

To pay.

You're crazy.

You don't realize?

Defend yourself! Defend yourself for my sake!

I involved myself in this, I, the suspected one!

I'll declare you insane!

In front of other insane people.

The truth is elsewhere.

Maybe someday people will know how to find it.

Go now.

How is he doing?

He doesn't want to live.

I only did my duty.

Sit down and eat.

She begged me so much...

She said she'll kill herself if I didn't let her in.

Well... we are all human beings.

If the prosecutor hears about this, I'm a dead man.