Original subtitles

In the middle of the 16th century in Germany, there lived by the river Elster

a horse dealer by the name of Michael Kohlhaus.

He was a schoolmaster's son, and until his 30th year, he was a respectable,

hard-working man who taught his children to be honest, God-fearing, and

industrious.

In short, the world would have every reason to bless his memory, but his

insistence on these virtues

brought him into conflict with the authorities and this resulted in

rebellion, arson and murder.

Stupid idiot. What is it? What's wrong?

Who are you?

You in charge here. This man nearly broke my horse's backs.

I'm the new manager.

I'm going to make the estate more efficient.

Good. So anybody who uses the road pays for it.

Right. How much?

Five crowns.

Daughters. Have you seen his pass?

What pass?

Hey, you!

Stop! Hold it!

Where's your pass?

What pass? I've just paid my toll.

New regulation.

Well, all I know is that you have to have one.

We have to keep our eyes open. There's a lot of horse-tealing going on.

Where do I get this pass?

From the authorities in Wittenberg.

Good, that's where I'm going. I'll get one while I'm there. You can't go

through without a pass.

Is your mast trap there?

Is the sun coming out?

Sun? Or will it keep raining?

I need a shadow from the sun.

My lord?

Michael Colhart.

Ah, yes.

Your man says that... Mike Stewart says.

Yes. He had no pass.

Well?

Nobody's ever asked me for a pass before.

Think, James.

Cover it up. It's not James's guy.

I'm sorry.

If he says you need a pass... Market opens on Monday. If I'm late, I won't

get a good price for my horses.

Well, unless you can help him.

I'm afraid he'll be telling us a lot.

We all have our problems.

I can't use my machine.

They tell me all this rain is ruining my harvest.

We could let him through if he left something behind as security.

Then he can pick it up when he comes back with the pass.

All right.

A horse?

But I need to sell my horses. Two horses, we say.

I'll leave you to pinning bid.

We're leaving two horses.

This one?

Hands off!

Shut up!

And this one?

They're the best in the pack!

Hee-ho!

I'll be back in two weeks.

I don't trust them.

I'd better stay here. My man wants to stay here.

Why? To look after them.

All right, he can stay.

I don't like people hanging around.

Yeah, pay them for your food.

That is the law.

You sell the other horses? Yes.

How's business?

So-so. Prices go up and down. Well, goodbye.

Thank you.

Where's my groom?

And my horses?

Hans?

And...

Criminal. They're nearly dead. Where's my groom?

Oh, you mean the old man?

Has he been back?

Isn't he here?

He picked a row with my men. We haven't seen him since.

He got the worst of it.

Why bother with him anyway?

He's a half-wit and a liar.

Lord, I came for my horses.

What horses?

The ones I left behind.

They've been used.

We all have to work for our living. If you're going to work them, why don't you

feed them?

Did you leave money for food?

Yes, of course.

So, you need horses, but you don't want to pay for them.

No pass is required for that road. I say who needs a pass on my land?

The magistrates in Wittenberg say you don't.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding with your steward.

I can't even find my groove. What's your name?

Colehouse.

Colehouse.

Get off my land.

And get your animals off.

I'm leaving them here.

You feed them and send them back to me when they're ready to walk again.

Where's Hans?

In bed.

Already? Yes.

Hans, you're stupid.

You're too old to start fighting.

If there was trouble, you should have waited till I got back.

Have you seen what they did to the horses?

Yes. Putting them in a pigsty and then working them to death. And when I

complained to the steward about it, he went and sent the dogs on to me. Are you

sure you didn't do something to provoke them?

You can tell me. I understand.

Well, maybe you didn't like it there and tried to take the horses away.

Oh, wouldn't I have taken my saddle? And the money that you trusted me with?

The bastards tricked us. We should burn the place down with them in sight.

Very well.

He'll be very well.

Will he be all right?

He's much better already.

He was delirious when he came back.

Did he tell you about the horses?

Don't worry.

I'll look after them. They'll soon be all right.

I didn't bring them back.

They could hardly walk.

You mean, you left them there?

Are the children asleep?

Yes.

Hee-haw!

Hee-haw!

Yep. Hee-haw! Come on, give me that. Come on, you can play tomorrow.

Thank you.

They were standing there in mud and swill.

We treat our pigs better.

Their hooves were rotting.

I know.

But surely von Tronka isn't keeping his horses. He says he can have them back

whenever he wants.

The point is von Tronka had no right to take them in the first place.

You mustn't interrupt your lawyer.

He's perfectly capable of handling your case.

Don't worry, it'll be all right.

He doesn't seem to understand.

We'll make him.

Anywhere he can afford to lose two horses.

What is the objection to your taking back the horses, eh?

I won't have them back in that state.

My client thinks they should be returned to him in the condition they were in

when he left them at the castle.

How can the court possibly know what their condition was then?

Did he weigh them before he left them?

He's ruined them. Anyone can see that. I have asked you not to interrupt.

I'm sorry.

I quite understand your concern.

There is also the further question of the behavior of the groom. Hans.

Oh, yes. You see, there is a counter-allegation that Groom tried to

remove the horses without the authority of the Junker, and that the Junker,

therefore, was in the right in using force to restrain them.

But, as my client states in his affidavit, that Groom intended to feed

the horses and not remove them.

But as against that, the counter-allegation is supported by the

evidence of the steward and several other witnesses.

However, whatever the reliability or otherwise of these witnesses, I don't

see that the counter-allegation challenges your client's main point.

If I understand you correctly, your horses have been neglected in some

measure, and as a result, their condition has deteriorated?

Yes. But now we are back at our original difficulty.

How to establish, reliably and independently, what their original

condition was.

I wouldn't be taking two wrecks to sell at market.

Very well. We will make further inquiries and try to establish what

their condition was and how they were treated.

And does that mean I'll get them back in a decent condition?

Yes, yes.

We will look into it.

Give them to me.

No.

Leave them.

The court has completed its investigations and ordered me to return

the horses to you.

Renouncement of the court of Wittenberg in the matter of the property of Michael

Colehouse.

The court, having completed its investigations into the complainant's

allegations, is of the opinion, one, that the Junker von Tronco has in good

faith offered to return the horses in question to the complainant.

Two, that the complainant has willfully refused to accept this offer.

Three, that the complainant has deliberately and maliciously used this

dispute to provoke agitation on the estate of the Junker von Tronka.

Of what?

Four, that this complainant has further refused to... Get

off my land.

Leave them here.

Elizabeth,

I want you to go away with the children.

Tomorrow, if possible.

You can go to your father's house.

To my father's house?

What for?

Only for a few days.

I'm going to be busy.

I'm going to get the horses back.

But you just sent them away.

Yes, I know.

I can't leave you on your own.

I won't know what you'll be doing.

I'm going to sell the house and the land.

What do you mean?

We're going away.

To my parents?

No.

No, I don't know.

Somewhere, anywhere, as far away from here as possible.

You're mad.

I'm just as upset as you are.

You should try something else.

Go to Dresden.

See the elector.

Write the petition.

I don't know.

There must be a way.

It would be just the same as here.

The same kind of magistrates, the same kind of lawyers. They never listen.

I can't go on living in a country where I'm not protected by my rights. You're

being stubborn.

I'm not being stubborn. I'm being sensible.

All I'm asking for the moment is that you go away with the children.

I'm not going. I'm telling you to go.

No. You're my wife and I... No!

Getting chilly.

You don't have to go away, Elizabeth.

We're staying here.

I can afford to lose two horses.

I'll soon forget about it.

You know you can't.

Can I ask you a favour?

Let me go to Dresden.

I haven't seen my friends for a long time.

I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

They know the right people at court.

No, that won't be necessary now.

No matter what you say.

You'll never be satisfied till you're punished.

I'm satisfied.

Hey!

Where's Elizabeth?

What is it?

Your wife's gone.

She went to Dresden. You should have stopped her!

Her family wasn't in Dresden.

She went herself.

She kept saying, take me home.

I wanted to take her to a hospital.

play outside.

Hans, take them inside and don't let them out.

Give me that.

He's mad!

Where did he get all this nonsense about a pass?

You don't need one on this road.

He misunderstood us. He was in such a state he wouldn't listen, just kept

shouting. And I had to keep an eye out for horse thieves.

On this road? Oh.

The point is, he had no right to leave his horses here and expect you to look

after them and feed them.

I give you three days.

To return my horses to my stable.

And to feed them.

And clean them with your own hands.

So that they are in proper condition.

Otherwise, I shall use whatever force is necessary.

Blah, blah, blah.

Signed, Michael Kolha.

Where's Trunker?

the horses. The stables are on fire. Make a wait.

Let's get the steward first.

It was von Tranker!

He ordered me to!

Juan Franco's gone.

He's gone down the river.

Let's go and get him.

You get the money.

What do you want?

We want to come with you.

Why? To join you.

Who are you? We're students from Wittenberg.

Schoolboys.

What's that?

I got it from the castle.

It's all that was left.

Can we come with you?

You can do what you want.

But not for this.

I saw you at the castle. Yes. That drunk is my uncle.

Fear God and do no evil, Michael Colhart.

Where's Von Tronka?

He's been dressed up like a nun!

He's gone.

He's gone to Wittenberg.

To Wittenberg?

Michael Koloff.

They won't open up.

Your reputation has preceded you. You're scared to death.

Who are you?

X-17th Cavalry Regiment.

Temporarily retired from the Army.

I've got the strongbox, too.

Touch him, touch him.

Bless the children, Michael.

God bless you.

And may the Archangel Michael bless us all.

Hey, little mother.

We need to be blessed too.

God bless you.

God bless you all.

What were you studying?

Law.

What did you learn?

Learn. Thou shalt not steal unless you're in trade.

Thou shalt not murder unless you're a soldier.

Thou shalt not bear false witness unless you're a judge.

And thou shalt not commit adultery unless you employ a husband.

Did you get a degree for that?

Here's some bread for you and your men.

Thank you.

You got it.

You are the man to show them.

Are there many soldiers in Wittenberg?

Only priests and professors.

Will you burn it down?

No.

Then you won't get von Tronka.

I will.

Get me something to write on.

Let's leave our autograph Let

me pay you

Manifest. I, Michael Kohlhaas, demand that the citizens of Wittenberg

surrender the Junker Wenzel von Trunker to me by noon today.

Otherwise,

I shall use whatever force is necessary.

That's what he said last time.

Good morning.

He meant it.

It's a beautiful day.

Are there any more of these? Who can say?

Well, go and find out. Oh, but Your Honor, I... The whole city on my

doorstep.

But that's not all. They've desecrated the town hall.

Get down there!

What are you going to do?

Have breakfast.

Come and join me.

It will be interesting to see how Colas...

Gets himself out of this mess.

They won't send von Trunk out just like that.

We're sitting here and he's getting away.

I come from, I don't know where.

I'm going to, I don't know what.

Why don't you go and get him?

Perhaps he couldn't read Cole Haas' writing.

You go.

Give him a big smile.

I bet he'd like you. Don't know why.

Write him a letter.

Dear Uncle Von Trunk. What am I so proud of? I'm here with a band of... Get

inside, hurry! Someone's coming!

Get the horses out of the open. They can be seen for miles.

There's nothing to eat either.

By the other direction.

Go into the villages. See if you can find anybody from Wittenberg.

They must give us an answer.

We'll come with you.

Now,

look at that.

Hey!

What do you do with those legs when you're not walking?

They want us to chase them.

Come on!

One,

two...

He doesn't know.

I don't know.

Has he been here?

No. How do you know?

What? What? Where did he go to?

He doesn't know.

Tell me!

He doesn't know anything.

He's the village idiot.

Shall we let him go?

No, he was up to something. Get a rope!

Any last words? Any message I can deliver to Colehouse for you?

Launch your horses.

Let's go.

Nobody else here.

troopers are snooping around yes i know they've been here where are they now

over there

who's that

they've been following us all the way down here the one with the feathers

wants to meet you

Are we gonna join up with those criminals?

Congratulations. That went very well.

We should go on working together.

Bring everything over here.

Stop that.

I want them left as they are.

Put them in the cart.

They're entitled to their loot.

Is that why you want us to work together?

It pays to have friends around you when you need them.

And think of the picking we could make.

All I want is von Tronka.

You won't get rich on that.

But it's no use pointing out south to a blind man.

How many more troops do we have?

Sir? Sir?

There's a delegation here.

Well?

Sir, a Junker von Tronka is putting us all in danger. Our wives, our children,

and our families.

There were more notices hung last night.

I know.

He sent me a personal copy. How can his men go in and out of town when they're

like? Aren't there any guards?

He burned a house down last night.

And now he says he's going to burn the whole town. If you don't... If I don't

what? I don't say we should give him trunker.

I don't know.

Why'd you run away from the university?

I wish I had.

Classical education.

Latin, Greek, astrology, theology.

That's what gives you style.

What's wrong with him?

Nothing. He enjoys worrying.

He won't be happy that he's got his own trunk.

At home, they'd be pressing the cider already.

I could do with a glass.

I hope that someone remembers.

to pick my apples.

Get me a rope.

You're of the peasants.

Steal their horses. Kill their sons.

Raid their daughters.

Silence!

Silence while the court speaks.

We've got Trunker.

Did you bring the horses with you?

Come out, go on.

Is it pointed?

That's what you need.

Not home drunker.

Give him a seat.

Or would you like to sit on her lap?

You will have to forget von Tronka.

They'll never give him up to you.

And you can't fight the whole world.

What would you do to him, anyhow?

Cut his head off?

Drink his blood?

Roast his loins?

the peasants are coming up from the villages

they want to burn wittenberg

and

the students have rioted the university's been closed

Made a lot of new friends overnight.

Some people seem to like him.

There'll be no one down in the villages.

Let's go and help ourselves.

No.

No more small pickings.

We are enough to raid whole towns now.

They'll all work for us.

Revolution is good for business.

He's going to start the golden age We

support

the same cause now we're all friends

I'm from the mayor of Wittenberg. He has some important news for Cole Hart.

You're from Wittenberg?

Yes. One drunkard's been sent away.

He's left the city.

That's a lie. We know he's still there.

This time I'm not going to ask you to send him. We're coming to get him.

Hold him!

Raise your hat!

We swear that we will drive all those people that call themselves mayors and

magistrates...

Out of the city of Wittenberg!

And any city or town that harbors these criminals will burn to the ground!

That's a lie!

Westpac's.

No. I can't send troops every time the provincial mayor gets the wind up about

the half-sized bandit.

Let them deal with it on the spot.

Unfortunately, they never do. We must send troops.

Troops, eh? To make an example of him.

Immediately.

What's this?

Very well, Your Majesty.

Do you know how many troops it would take, Field Marshal?

You just go up into the hills.

When the army left, he'd come out again.

I need all my troops for my war in Poland.

May I offer a suggestion?

Has he a family?

Only children.

The wife must be dead.

Yes.

Perhaps we shouldn't treat him as a criminal.

And if his horses were taken from him, the local magistrates should have had

them returned.

And as they didn't, was he so wrong to take...

I suggest that Your Majesty offers him a safe conduct to come here to Dresden and

have his case reopened.

Good. At least he would be nearby and then... But he won't come. I believe he

is an honest man and will come if we act honestly with him.

We must promise that if he's proved right, he'll get his forces back and be

pardoned. Would you pardon a heretic?

A gesture like this would be another example of the mercy and justice we have

all come to expect from your majesty.

And your troops would still be free to fight in Poland.

Hey, hey, careful.

Ah.

Come on, sit down.

Help yourself.

Pour him a drink.

Pity about the wind.

Pity about the wind. It spread the fire too fast.

It hurts me to see all those beautiful things going up in smoke.

What a waste.

I always say, get the women first.

The loot stays here.

The women run away.

Don't you like running out? Don't worry about Von Trunker.

We'll get him for you.

My men will flush him out.

Did you get anything last night? Of course. She was waiting for me.

In the pillory.

In the stocks.

It's true, it's true.

She was all spread out.

With her arms wide open.

That's what I call service.

I've never had it that way before.

Did I ever tell you about the time I had it on a horse?

Facing backwards and riding down a mountainside.

You raped that woman?

Yes. Had to be a rushed job. The bed was on fire.

You raped that woman in chains?

That's right.

Hang him!

Why? He's my man, not yours. You, you!

Look!

I believe in law and order as much as anyone. What harm has he done? It's not

the first time she gave pleasure.

Over there.

Anywhere. Now.

Bastards.

All right. But do it quickly.

I don't want the whole place in an uproar. I do. I want them all to know.

is beautiful.

It is indeed.

You'd better leave me alone.

Give us a sign if you need our support.

I'm here on the instructions of the elector.

I see.

He says you're a dangerous criminal.

And you're certainly an impatient man.

The elector wants to help you.

The elector wasn't there when they took my horses.

Wouldn't it have been better for everyone?

These people, your children and your wife.

If you had taken your horses.

Whatever their condition was.

And stayed quietly at home.

It might have been better.

It might not.

You didn't come here to ask me that.

The Elector is willing to order a full investigation into the circumstances in

which you lost your horses.

And if they were, as you allege, you will be given a complete pardon.

And will I get them back?

If they were taken from you illegally.

In a decent condition?

That's been made clear.

And the others?

If they go home quietly, nothing will happen to them.

What does the Elector want from me?

You must stop fighting and send these people home.

The Elector invites you to return with me to Dresden.

You will be given a safe conduct, of course.

The Elector keeps his word.

I want to take communion.

Do you ask forgiveness for your crimes?

For my sins.

Do you forgive those who have sinned against you?

Yes.

Except von Tronka.

The Lord forgave all his enemies.

Not all.

Will you accept the elector's offer?

Why are you talking to them?

It's not natural if they come here like this.

It's dangerous.

Hey, are you listening?

I wouldn't trust them. They didn't drink the water I offered them.

Boom.

Michael Colhas.

Yes. His Majesty the Elector has asked me to speak to you.

He is taking a personal interest in your case.

Would you like some refreshments?

That's Count Kalheim over there.

That's Prince von Meissen.

General Otto von Gorgas.

All your weapons have been sent to the armory at Wittenberg.

And the plunder has been sent to the Electra's treasury?

Yes.

And your men?

Have been sent home?

Yes. Then I don't see any difficulty about your case.

Ah.

Your children.

Have you some money to live on?

Yes.

Have we arranged accommodation for him and his children?

Good. All this will take a little time.

We still have to find your horses.

They seem to have been lost.

In the meantime, we'll have to give you a guard.

Why?

For your own safety.

You must realize...

You upset a lot of people in Dresden.

Do you think he really needs a guard?

You don't? That's all right.

Hold me.

You don't have to carry me.

There doesn't seem to be anyone following me. We should take the day

off. Orders are orders.

There are the horses.

Two of them.

I found them today.

Well?

No, I don't think these can be the ones.

Where did you pick this fellow up? Slaughterhouse.

He's a knacker.

Where did you get them?

Bore them.

Who from?

An old farmer.

Where did he get them from?

Didn't ask.

We've got a little problem here.

You can probably solve it for us.

I'm not sure if these poor horses are... I let my steward deal with everything.

These are my horses.

All right, we'll buy them.

Now, how much did you give for?

I'm asking four crowns.

There's the glue and the leather and the bones. I'll give you one crown.

Four crowns.

All right.

And there's the wasted mourning and compensation.

Compensation for what?

Loss of business.

Eight crowns.

Get rid of this rebel.

Give him four.

Nine. Hide it up from him.

Four!

They had another riot in Dresden.

Will they cut his head off now?

No. He didn't start it.

What's the difference?

They'll get him some way.

He's finished.

I wonder if he knows it yet.

Where is he going?

Back to school?

They're coming!

They're coming!

Let's go to work!

So you're leaving us?

Where are you going?

Goodbye.

There's nothing.

Nothing here.

Worth taking.

Where are you going? Who are you?

Michael Colehouse.

Catch it. Time to go to bed.

It's late. Come on. No, no. Let me go.

Let me go. Let me go.

Wee.

Bedtime.

It's getting late.

Come along now.

Get ready for bed.

You take them back to the country.

Yes.

Wait a moment.

Captain!

Captain!

You want to go out? Yes, I want to go for a walk. Wait, please.

Send me four men.

We're increasing your guard.

There's a maniac running around, attacking villagers, calling himself

Colehouse. One of your old comrades, no doubt. We have to take precautions.

I'm going for a walk. I don't need soldiers.

It's a bit late.

So I'm a prisoner?

No, no.

Not a prisoner.

What do you want?

I want to come in.

This is a prison.

Yes, I know.

The officer isn't here tonight. Call him.

Tell him I'm Michael Colehouse and I want to come in.

If I'm a prisoner, they must treat me like one and let the people see.

The officer only comes in the morning.

All right, I'll wait here.

The Poles have crossed the river here.

Prince von Meissen is moving his men along the Oder.

But that town is fortified.

Stand aside. Am I Chancellor or not?

Kohlhaas is creating another disturbance.

So are you.

What is he doing this time?

Sitting outside the prison. He wants to be put inside.

Why doesn't the cavalry drive through and move your front to Vienna?

Have you put him inside?

No.

Then go and do it.

There is a crowd watching him.

This is not cavalry country.

Why let them maneuver you here?

It's all forest.

Break up the crowd.

Chase them home.

Yes.

Yes.

You should eliminate this man by military force.

These disturbances are getting out of hand. I never break my word.

You'll give him his trial.

Yes. What is it? They cut the bridge at Foslidge.

When I was a young officer, I remember for the campaign right here, there was

a very good ford at Dania.

What call out on trial?

On what charges?

Sedition, rebellion, breach of peace, ask my counsellors.

Your Majesty promised him that he would not be prosecuted.

Situations change.

If you used to get on your phone, you could push your front to join up with

the cavalry right here and squeeze the Poltergeist.

And what will they do?

Disappear up there on bunk? And it's always peaceful citizens who suffer, not

these fanatics.

Exactly.

Let him have his file Here Now

you're inside I bet you wish you were outside

Michael Kohlhaas?

You have asked for justice.

We are bound by the laws of the state to see that you are given justice.

The horses taken from you have been fed and groomed by the Juncker von Tronka.

And we return them to you now.

Justice is our prerogative and can only be got through our hands.

And our hands are always open for those who need us.

But this protection must be asked for in our courts and not demanded with the

sword.

Anyone who seeks justice outside the laws of the state is a rebel.

You were pardoned for that and brought to Dresden after you had given your word

that you would disband.

and keep the peace.

Instead your associates have continued to bear arms, using your name.

And you have provoked riots and broken the peace.

The punishment for that is death.

Are the horses still my property?

Yes.