Original subtitles

DEFA studios production (DDR)

CHINGACHGOOK | THE GREAT SNAKE

Based on The Deerslayer | by James Fenimore Cooper

These events took place in the mid-18th century, | in the early days of North American colonization | by European states.

Stirring up hostility among Indian tribes, | the French and the English invaded their rich lands, | strengthening their grasp of the continent.

Today the Delaware Indians celebrate.

The Last of the Mohicans, the brave Chingachgook, | has saved the life of the Delaware chief.

The saved chief has a daughter, beautiful Wahtawah.| Chingachgook will receive her hand | in marriage.

Every Delaware wants to know | how Chingachgook fought his enemy...

�and how he managed to save the Chief's life.

So Chingachgook will show how he did it.

The Huron have abducted Wahtawah!

Thornton, you should know what awaits you: | this war is bloody awful.

- Was it a long voyage from London? | - 60 days, sir.

Second� Which means | two enemies less in a real battle, Thornton.

- Quite so, sir. | - We should unite with the French�

�give them Canada and keep what lies south.

We must decimate the Redskins. | I think this is essential.

But aren't the Redskins our allies, sir?

You think so?

We pay the Delaware, | the French the Huron.

That's why we should continue the war | until they exterminate each others

I don't understand, sir.

You are a young officer. | You still have much to learn.

We must exploit their tribal warfare, | their trustfulness, understand?

Yes, sir, but mustn't the English Crown | fulfil the hopes of the natives and the white hunters | for a better life�

�and safeguard their rights and liberties with its laws?

Bless your beliefs. | The Crown wants power and riches.

We should reckon with it.

- I said it's a bloody awful war? | - Yes, sir.

- The date today? | - 1 st October 1740, sir.

Yes, my lad, this time you're right.

Today, the border is still here, | in the middle of Lake Ontario.

French to the North. All our bases are to the South, | in the East of this damned country.

Well, an ideal position.

God save the King� | You are an ass in uniform.

It would be terrible of me | to send you on an expedition.

You'd return with no scalp.

- I'm not scared, sir. | - Said the mouse to the elephant.

- What's up? | - Ham, sir.

- With red cabbage! Great!

This bloody war decivilizes a man. | My language is proof of that.

- Gentlemen don't say "bloody" that often. | - Yes, sir.

Hunters?

Hunters don't shoot like that, Harry.

- There's talk of war at the fort. | - It's possible.

That's the place.

A beech and three pines. | But no broken twigs.

You shouldn't leave |broken twigs as signs.

The Delaware never do that.

"The Delaware", "the Delaware"� | Can't you think for yourself?

Harry, look.

I'll be hanged if I see anything.

Isn't this your sign?

Right, it was me who bent the top.

I hid the canoe ten paces from here. | I must admit you have sharp eyes. Come on.

So this is Tom Hutter's water castle?

- Yes. | - It's beautiful.

- Ah, nothing special. Just a lake | full of water with mountains around.

- Without water it would be just mountains. | - Greenhorn!

Don't stand there, | we must get across.

I don't like all the recent shooting.

Look, Harry!

A Huron moccasin.

Come on! |We're safer over there.

- Where does Tom Hutter come from? | - No one knows why he's hiding | in this wilderness.

But this "Swimming Tom" guy is lucky: | his traps are never empty.

No one home.

Tom Hutter has a wife?

Used to have. She's dead now.

His has a daughter, Judith. | Smart as a devil and very pretty.

- You're interested? | - That's just it.

If she marries another�

�I'll do my best to make her a widow | on the very same day.

- What if she's in love with him? | - I'll kill him.

She cost me 200 thalers | in just two years.

I spend all my spare time travelling here, | instead of selling beaver skins.

- That's why you're here. | - Yes, because of her.

- And you? | - I'm meeting Chingachgook.

The Great Snake?

- Huron took his bride. | - How will you meet?

- The lake and the forests are huge. | - We'll meet.

Can't see old Tom. | He must be hunting beavers.

Shooting may mean | that Chingachgook's near.

This could mean | that Huron killed your friend Great Snake.

I still don't understand | how you can help a Redskin.

- He's my friend. | - Redskins are humans to you?

Red bucks and game | are the same to me.

Don't go to New Littlefield, friend

The Moor lies in between.

No one gets through, | and no one gets back.

Not on horse and not on foot.

Yeah, songs are my soft spot.

Hey, Tom!

Hello, Harry! | Who's with you?

If you can't say anything else, | at least he's honest.

You can trust him, | he's an old friend of mine.

Welcome. In times like these | every white man counts.

What do you think | of today's shooting?

It looks serious. | A messenger from the fort got through.

They're preparing | for the war again.

I'll stay here and | look after your daughter, Tom.

Thanks, Harry. | I can look after myself.

- Deerslayer, please meet Judith. | - Hello.

Careful, Miss.

Fry some trout for us. | They don't feed you this in saloons.

They sure don't.

- So what does your friend do? | - Grew up with the Delaware. | Their best hunter.

If we need to defend ourselves, | he might be of use.

Never misses an aim.

What brings him here?

He has an appointment with a Delaware guy | whose bride was stolen by Huron.

Hard times. The war is near, | someone's always bugging us�

�the English, the French�

I'm worried about my daughter.

You shouldn't be. | I'm still here.

Right. | Quite on time.

Don't you want to go to the fort? | It's safer there.

I don't like the officers very much.

But you're a subject of the English King | and you speak his language.

I grew up here.

There are Huron hanging about the lake. | They were probably caught by the war | while hunting.

- Women and children are there. | - The mob has reached these parts.

Where will you meet him? | Here at my place?

By cliffs on the lake. | He could help if the war gets serious.

Help how? | Frankly, I don't trust Redskins.

Be it Huron or Delaware. | They're all our enemies.

Chingachgook is my friend. | So you don't trust me either?

We are at war.

Why did you steal me? | What do you want from me?

I don't know. | It's the men's business.

The Delaware will avenge me, | you can be sure of that.

And very soon, too.

You say women and children are there | with the Huron.

This is in our favour. | Not bad business at all.

What do you mean?

They pay serious money for scalps nowadays.

Not a pleasant business, but�

The Redskins do the same with us.

That's why I suggest to do |some Redskin scalp hunting.

Women or children - |same price for everyone.

It's terrible | that the colony pays for this.

Hey, your friend is a missionary!

- I was just saying� | - Well, we won't listen, my boy.

The Huron are our enemies. | It's good to know where they're camped.

They say you're a good shot, Deerslayer.

There's your aim.

Captain Warley would like this.

One-two, one-two� | Faster! Keep up!

Thornton, can you ride?

- Yes, sir. |- Ah, sure, you're scared of nothing.

Corporal, a horse for the lieutenant

So?

Off with it, corporal.

Officers should be respected | by their subordinates.

Besides, it looks bad | when an officer falls from the saddle.

- Where did you capture them? | - Down by the river.

I report, sir: | French patrol captured.

- Four men, four horses. | - Four horses? Delightful!

Deerslayer is asleep.

That's good. | He'd be in our way.

- He cares about Redskins too much. | - Let's go!

Deerslayer, they've gone ashore. | Get them back.

- They must've gone scouting. | - No, they want Huron scalps.

- You know for sure? | - I overheard Harry talking to father.

- It was Harry's idea? | - Father's not done it for years.

He knows he can't | make them his enemies.

He's alone by this lake, | he may get killed.

So now he thinks | that war allows everything?

He should've at least� |thought of you.

Go after them. | Get them back.

- And you? | - I'm often alone, don't worry about me.

So the war tomahawk | is dug out again.

We and our families | are in enemy land now.

The Delaware might | appear without warning.

We must take down our wigwams | and leave soon.

We'll go northwards, | to our home woods.

Right.

Before the sun rises, | get some game.

With arrows. | No guns shall speak.

The are palefaces on the lake. | Enemies.

Will the Huron leave | without their scalps?

The life of every tribesman is worth more | than the palefaces' scalps!

Wahtawah, it's late. | Go to sleep.

Do not leave. | Stay here on your own accord.

Wild Rose thinks of the Delaware, | but she'll never see them again.

They came here to scalp!

We've captured palefaces near the camp! | Here they are!

Give me some rope! | Tie him to the tree!

Death! Death to the palefaces!

Looks like we're finished.

Arrowhead wishes well for Wild Rose. | One day he will become Huron chief.

The chief's wife | must be like Wild Rose.

- Scalp them! | - You decide what to do with the palefaces.

- They're our enemies. | - No, we're your friends.

We only wanted to offer you some firewater. | Right, Tom?

The paleface is lying.

So the Huron captured Harry and my father.

- You know what that means? | - Yes.

- The Huron will kill them. | - Yes.

How can you be so calm?

- They wanted to scalp their families. | - Only because there's war.

- No, because the fort | pays bounty for an Indian scalp.

- The Indians had scalped long before that. | - Yes.

Then why do you blame my father?

Only because he, like many other whites, | made scalping his trade.

Kill or be killed: | this is the law here.

Judith, you're wrong.

- Hutter's a� | - Don't forget Hutter is my father.

- Can you see a way to help him? | - And Harry?

Harry� | We could pay a ransom.

- With what? | - Father's chest must contain some valuables.

All's not lost then.

- Where's the key? | - Father never opened it when I was around.

I don't know where he keeps the key.

Then look for it. | I must go back onshore.

I'll meet Chingachgook. | He must be waiting for me.

Deerslayer!

And you'd better get in the kayak. | It's safer there.

Come out, Huron!

You dug out the tomahawk of war | between Delaware and Huron.

No, it's the English and French | who are fighting each other for our lands.

- Huron and Delaware are enemies. | - But I don't want your scalp.

You speak like a coward, not a warrior. | Let us fight.

We are brothers. | Save your strength to fight palefaces.

Delaware have long tongues. | They chatter like womenfolk.

Jump!

Careful!

These bastards!

They wanted to scalp Wahtawah.

You must despise us now.

You're a paleface too, | and still you're my brother.

Judith, this is my friend, Great Snake.

Where is my father?

- The Huron are going northwards. | - My father?

- The captured Huron may help us. | - A ransom for prisoners?

- One for three captives? | - Why three?

Wahtawah is the third. | Have you found the key?

There must be a lot of things in the chest. | But where's the key?

If there is a key, | it hovers not in the air.

It swims not in the lake.

I've looked everywhere - | not a trace.

Maybe my father's rifle and a barrel of powder |would be enough?

- Their scalps are worth twice that. | - You're right.

What shall we do?

It fits! Pull the chest out!

Here's another one.

These are unearthly animals.

- Very good for Huron. | - Are you sure?

Of course! | The two-tailed animal is great magic.

So we can buy back my father, Harry | and Wahtawah?

You do not buy a Delaware woman.

Huron, I will speak with you.

Great magic from Manitou! | Two tails!

Listen, Huron: I set you free |and shall even take you to the shore.

Tell your chief of the two-tailed animal.

Hutter, do you think they'll take us along?

- They'll take our scalps. | - Stop it, Tom, I'm not in a jovial mood.

No wonder! | This is my first time too.

We're not used to it.

What will happen to Judith?

No idea. | Your friend might take her to the fort.

Damn this greenhorn�

Palefaces wanted to take | our families' scalps.

Come on, of course not�

For this, they shall whine at the martyr stake | like mangy dogs.

Then they shall lose their scalps.

If I get free I'll destroy you all! | All of you!

Where's the chief? | Where's Split Oak?

Look, they let him go! | And he still has his scalp!

The palefaces have great magic| Two animals, each has two tails!

One of them for each prisoner.

Do you think they'll take our offer?

- We'll see. | - I think they will.

It would be safer now in the fort.

- For you it certainly would. | - And for you?

I'm a hunter. | And I don't like the people in the fort.

There are bad people everywhere.

- What do you mean? | - I don't think Harry is a good person.

- Doesn't he want to marry you? | - Did he tell you that?

He boasts too much. | Father wouldn't mind, of course.

You're unfair to Harry. | I think he loves you.

But I don't fancy him at all.

Huron are coming on a raft. | With Swimming Tom and the other white, tied up.

Stay undercover and armed. | It may be a trick.

Is there a chief among you | or did you just bring nameless braves?

My brother is proud. | I'm Split Oak, the Huron chief.

What does Split Oak offer?

Nimble Elk has brought us happy news: | palefaces have a magic thing.

Do these animals really have two tails?

Here is one of the wondrous animals. | Take it, I trust you.

Trust? | I see two gun muzzles in the window.

Drop your weapons, | and we'll drop ours.

Damn! My chest!

Magic of the great Manitou!| Will we get animals like these?

One for each prisoner.

The old hunter is wise. King of the lake. | He is worth two animals.

Give that animal back!

Huron will not haggle | with their Delaware brother.

We agree to this exchange.

Where's your second animal? | Toss it over here.

Give us the prisoners| and you'll get the second one.

Let it be so.

Judith, my dear.

Did you weep for me | when I was held by the savages?

Sure I did. | The lake is swollen with my tears.

Are you mad, Redskin? I'll...

Palefaced dogs!

Fool, do you want to ruin us all?

It was only a joke!

Arrowhead is dead.

The palefaces on the lake |are dishonest people.

They shot at us. | Not one paleface shall remain alive.

Everything on the lake | will belong to the Huron.

We promise you that, Arrowhead.

Death to palefaces!

Rubbish. The Huron scalp everyone too, | be it reds or whites.

- That's no reason for us to. | - We're in the middle of a war, young man.

At wars, | human blood flows in rivers.

Are Redskins humans?

Redskin scalps | are like wolf ears for me.

- The pay the same for both. | - Women and children's scalps are even easier to get.

Less risk, same money.

You'd not let anyone skin a beaver.

When there's war, | good Injuns are dead Injuns.

And every living one | should fight for whites?

Shut up, Redskin. | We are the masters here.

The law is on our side.

What kind of law is this, | to rob and murder?

There's no such law.

What? | You call us robbers and murderers?

No rows in my place!

I've been the master here for 15 years. | This lake is mine.

- You're being unfair. | - Don't pipe in, it's men's business.

The lake has been ours | for hundreds of years.

It's been mine since I set up | my cabin here.

It's my property, and I'll keep it! | Deal with it!

You're speaking to him | as if he were a white man.

You're right.

I thought you were better people.

Look who's talking!

Who let you break into my chest | and give those bastards all I sweated for?!

Sweated for?

This wilderness saved you | from being tried and hanged.

All this stuff was stolen by you.

What's wrong with you?

Drove off two good people, | and now you're fighting.

The lake is surrounded by Huron.

What can we do but wait for them�

All because of your stupid shooting, Harry.

We would've been safer in the fort.

A couple of wretched Huron | won't make me abandon my property.

So what now?

When it's dark, | we'll get in the kayak.

Cruise on the lake.

It's not worth thinking about these bastards. | I feel sorry for the girl.

I saw that White Rose | fell for my brother too.

I came to help you free Wahtawah.

When the sun shines | through the treetops tomorrow,

Wahtawah will be with me.

All quiet. | Come to the horses.

A Delaware in camp!

Get him!

Hey, Deerslayer! | You've got a horse!

What are you doing here? | I thought you were with Hutter.

- Hutter, whatever� | - What happened?

Tom is a cunning old fellow.

He wanted to trick me, | but I was smart and left.

What about Judith?

Looks like you it's your turn| to try your luck.

Arrowhead is dead. | Great Snake stabbed him to death.

I offered him peace and he declined.

I don't want Huron blood.

- What brought you to our camp? | - You stole a Delaware girl.

What do you care?

Great Snake is no Delaware.

Great Snake is the son of Unkas, | the Mohican chief.

Your people is dead.

Yes, but the Delaware accepted me as chief | and accord me all honours.

You can be a Huron warrior.

Go to Tom and tell him | the Huron have gone northwards.

When he goes to sleep, | bring his kayak to the place I point to you.

War cunning and treacherous cowardice | are not the same.

My brother, | let the young Wahtawah advise you.

So you came back, Deerslayer. | I knew you would.

I couldn't leave you here.

- Built this yourself? | - Sure.

The Evil Spirit haunts us, Wahtawah.

I heard what he said.

The old man and the young hunter | wanted my scalp, Chingachgook.

I know. I was nearby.

You called me with jaysong.

Why do you care for the paleface? | He's no friend. Don't protect him

Listen to the chief.

You want Huron women to point fingers at me, | saying "he became a Huron to save himself"?

Wahtawah was to be Arrowhead's wife. | But Arrowhead is dead.

If Great Snake stays with the Huron, | he will marry Wahtawah.

But first prove your loyalty | and outsmart Swimming Tom.

- I must catch him asleep. | - Hutter has a daughter.

She is as innocent as Deerslayer.

We want Swimming Tom.

I am a warrior, chief, not a traitor.

Then you'll die at the martyr stake.

And your spirit will join | the ancestors of your people.

I'll make you pay for this, damn slacker! | I'll show you!

You're lucky, corporal. | Five Spanish thalers.

Aren't you ashamed? | For a scalp like this?

Undried. Five thalers.

It's worth four beaver skins! | I risked my life hunting it!

A Redskin's not worth more | than five thalers.

Alright�

I'd like to talk to Captain Warley. | About French Indians.

Captain Warley is breakfasting. | I won't go in.

Breakfast? | Nice of you to remind.

What are we to do during wartime?

We can't set traps.

Animal skins have lost half their value.

Scalps are the only way to earn.

But you can't live like that.

- You still have hopes? | - You should move to the fort, Hutter.

To do what? I'm not an old woman.

I must leave you.

Please stay, Deerslayer.

Only until evening.

- You're heading to the cabin? | - Where else can I go?

- The Huron may have come at night. | - No one there. The cabin is empty.

- You think so? | - There are no rafts or canoes.

No, | but it could be hidden under the jetty.

Rubbish. | Not a soul around.

Bloody Huron!

- Judith! | - Here I am!

I can't strip the fort | for the sake of two people.

- This wine is excellent. | - Yes, sir.

Hutter and his daughter|are in real danger.

Judith Hutter? | Why didn't you say right away?

Charming girl. | Shame I can't do anything for her.

Old Hutter can handle Redskins himself.

But if they're subjects of British Crown� | - Don't be stupid, Thornton.

The French can attack the fort any minute.

But you can't just let 50 scalps go, | Your Grace.

I told you, | I'm in no position to strip the fort.

Your Grace, I know every nook and cranny here. | I'll show you a shortcut to Huron camp.

We'll take this Indian mob by surprise.

- How many you said there were?| - 50, Your Grace. Without women and children.

7 times 50. | That makes...

Show me where the camp is.

Here.

The chief is there too with his dogs.

You know?

He thinks the King pays us for nothing.

By the way,| there's fantastic salmon and trout in the lake.

Can you guarantee minimal losses?

Yes, I hope for success. | It's a cert.

Thornton, here's an excellent chance | to prove your loyalty to the King.

Yes, sir.

Corporal!

Prepare two shooting companies | and my fishing rods!

Yes, sir! | Let's go!

Water! Water!

Bastards! They scalped him!

- Damn and blast. I'm finished. | - Calm down, father.

I'm not your father. In the chest, | the little case, the gold.

Who is my father?

I always� | really loved you, Judith.

You were always my father. | You always will be.

Judith... I murdered.

The admiral, his wife.

Here, in the chest. | His uniform. Her dresses.

I'm a pirate.

So, Thornton? | Fingers itchy before the first battle?

No, sir!

Have some whisky. | Better lie on the ground drunk than dead.

You were saying something?

I was thinking, Your Grace: | you take a third of the premium.

The soldiers a third | and I the rest.

We shall see.

- You're sure they won't slip away? | - Sure, Your Grace.

Their camp is on a spit. | Water on three sides.

Good.

One shot, | the Huron think the enemy's done.

Hold your tongue, Mohican.

No tribe can be compared to the Huron.

Mohicans thought that about themselves, | and now their skulls bleach in the sun.

Whoever serves the whites should die.

As long as our tribes feud, | whites will rob and destroy us.

Chingachgook fears for his life.

- So much has happened in three days. | - It feels like I've known you for ages.

We are young people, | we should be honest.

Do you agree?

Tell me, Deerslayer�

Could you settle down| with a girl like me?

I like you a lot, Judith.

Then let's leave together.

I can't live in this wild anymore. | I lost my father here.

The lake, the woods� I hate it all.

Judith�

Deerslayer, we love each other. | We have all we need and even more.

I'll take you to the fort. | I promise.

- Will you stay there too? | - No.

And I hoped so much�

You shall die like a warrior, Mohican.

Chingachgook has shown us his bravery.

But he cannot match | the Huron strength and skill.

Red Buffalo will break | Great Snake's pride.

Buffalo, here's the knife!

Stop! | Huron battle honourably. Finish!

Die! Die!

Fire!

Don't leave, Deerslayer! | Stay here.

Fire!

Forward!

Quick, quick!

Leave me here. | Go on.

The world is large. | Enough for everyone.

Nimble Elk will take the survivors | back to the home woods.

Make peace� | with the Delaware people.

They are Delaware, our allies.

Allies? We'll use them.

Take this.

Hands up!

We have a treaty with the Delaware!

What kind of treaty is this?

You use our hands and rejoice | when we kill each other!

Bastard. | I'll deal with him later.

Hello, Judith! | Quite a while since I had the pleasure of seeing you.

We are all in God's hands.

My heartfelt condolences.

Come to the fort with me.| I'll protect you.

Time to go home, to the Delaware.

Let them not share the Mohicans' fate�

The Council of Elders | will learn what we have seen.

THE END