Original subtitles

All My Good Countrymen

In the life of every man, there is a point of no return.

May 1945

Millions of years ago

our beautiful world was born.

A dark and dead place,

with nothing to call it home.

The whirling waters gave it life

created cells, flowers, and then the apes

and man, and man... the greatest thing created and man, and man... master of all these creations.

And what happened then?

What happened then?

Man stepped into history,

walking proudly, walking on.

He was forced to fight in wars,

till he had enough.

What happened then?

Red armies from the east,

rushed in to set us free

Thanks for peace and liberty!

Forever grateful will we be!

For Benes. For Stalin! For Benes. For Stalin!

Onward man travels.

Forward! Forward!

Praise the lord.

All thanks and praise to the lord.

for He has magnified

His wondrous love to me within,

a city fortified.

To begin from the beginning,

these two rascals belong to the butcher Machac's widow.

One night while celebrating the sale of a cow,

Machac ran his motorcycle into a hay wagon.

Now they call his wife, the merry widow.

In our village, no one is known by their proper name.

There are so many Machac's, Jiricek's and Palata's

that nicknames are used to set them apart.

And this one. He is called, Joe the Lip.

Because he lisps.

As well as making this sound when he talks: veh

Thief! Give it back!

Wait till I catch you!

We need bigger game - a stag or a man!

Frantisek is a farmer.

The war has passed over his field,

and he must plough once again.

He loves his work,

and that is why he does it well.

Frank the Lamp is a tailor -

Frank is his given name,

but they call him the Lamp,

because of his passion for lamps, lanterns, Chinese lanterns and flashlights.

You aim at his head.

I'll aim at his behind.

Wait till I catch you!

Hold them! Wait come here...

I'll show you what's what,

you rascals, you scoundrels!

Halt!

What's the matter?

What are you staring at?

Don't you know me?

Look at me - elegant, what.

What have you got?

Come look what I've got.

A cake.

I'll have a piece.

I'm quite out of breath...

those rascals.

Take it as a souvenir.

I'll take care of that.

In those days, there were seven friends:

Joe, Frank the Lamp, Frantisek, Joza Trna the mason,

Janek Fafka, a smallholder,

Ocenas the organist,

and Bertin, a newcomer to this small Moravian village

from Prague.

Wait! Wait! Come here

- Wait you - The merry widow - wait till I catch them.

Get ready.

Wait till I catch them

What are you doing?

That's a secret.

Those rascals of yours.

What have they done now?

Take cover -

this is going to blast a bigger hole,

than the Macocha cave.

My mouth is full of sand...

I can't hear a thing...

What can you hear

with that cap round your ears?

Are you hurt, Frank?

No,

but I've dirtied my pants.

That's Zasinek.

Only Kurfirt has a bigger farm than him.

He lives alone.

His wife was Jewish - the Germans took her.

His family has had the farm for generations,

but he loves music more than the fields.

They say he is descended from a Gypsy baron,

who passed through the village

and played the fiddle beautifully.

They say he left his eyes behind,

and possibly something else.

Look what a few dandelions do to an old ox.

You look so true to life -

almost like a Hawaiian cow.

I'll just add dark shadows round the eyes..

Shut. Shut the door to the outhouse!

I'll never make it. I can't get up there.

Wait... wait... take my hand.

The fun we had at the fair.

I wish we where there...

The fun's over...

Wait... I wish we were there, at the fair, at the fair...

Haven't been home for three straight days and nights.

haven't been home...

Let's go - you know the one about.

Right.

Spring 1948

Orders of the Central Action Committee of the National Front:

All will be excluded from public life.

Politics will no longer be a dirty game and will become matter of honour.

We are telling you:

Let's face it!

We have proof

that the reactionaries defeated in February 1948

are prepared to act again.

One consumer is allowed

only a single kilogram of honey.

Anyone carrying a larger amount -

but not more than five kilograms of honey

needs a written permit.

When we overcome results of last year's bad crops, our production...

will supply... will supply the market with consumer goods -

we are going to live well again.

Since our crown is

one of the most stable currencies in Europe.

Bertin, that wild, restless boy,

was appointed secretary of the Action Committee.

Hello, Mr. Vigon.

A letter for you - sign here...

People are saying that you'll have your teeth bashed in.

Why?

Because you joined them.

Just sign and I'll go, Mr. Vigon.

Ocenas the organist, is the chairman of the local communists...

Fafka, the small holder, heads the minority cooperative...

and Macala the mason is the head of the local government.

They've taken over and they hold the reigns -

and the world is divided in two.

I wonder who they are after now?

When things change,

I'm going to hit them over the head with a bucket.

Forget the bucket. You couldn't even lift it!

Hello.

The biggest landowner, Kurfirt, has to leave.

They took everything... it came like lighting.

If my farm was only a little smaller than yours

I'd be the blackguard instead of you.

Zejvala, I hope you look after this place, your own looks like a pigsty.

We don't need your advise.

When the rats glare at you from every hole and corner -

don't come to me for help!

Don't worry! We will show you what we can do!

Well, let's go

I say... there's enough wood here,

for a whole house.

No, no that isn't much-

let's go and inspect the cellar, I'm sure we'll find something to drink.

- There's nothing - We'll find something.

I am no longer a butcher, I am a clerk now.

Ruffy, that's what they call the butcher.

For his physical and other qualities.

They say he can kill a calf with his bare hands -

as well as a man in the pub.

One, two, three... six... seven..

This is going to be the fitting room.

and the seamstress, will sit over there.

That's the toilet.

We've never had a proper toilet,

only an outhouse and a dungheap.

I'll have you try this...

Do, do...

After all, we know the locals are a bunch of louts.

The roof, that is the most important thing,

It sounds like it will last for a 100 years,

and the whole place is clean,

I haven't seen a single mouse.

I hope you won't regret your decision.

Spring and Summer, Autumn and Winter -

Isn't this lovely?

I'd love to have you come do the Chinese lanterns

No, dad, this isn't a circus

But, I love my Chinese lanterns.

That's not going to do you any good,

if you keep company with the organist,

You'll regret it when things change.

He'll hang, for sure.

He wants to turn your shop into a tailors co-op, and mine into a state owned butcher shop.

Take my advise - don't join them.

They'll take your house from you.

Even if you are one of them.

Why should they? It's ours.

Don't try to frighten us.

We only came to warn you.

Your turn will come too, Joe.

My turn? No, no, thanks for the warning.

Besides having the right background -

I am a bright boy you know...

The Soviets plus electrification

equals Communism.

Who the hell...

Unexpected guests. Ah, welcome!

Have you come to play cards?

Why not?

Cut.

Lamp listen,

your old man was a worker, yes?

Yes, he was a cobbler. Why?

Are you going to ask whether he was a Jew?

Did he go on working after Bata opened his factory?

No, he took any job he found.

So you could call him a handyman, yes?

He worked in the fields and the woods.

He was frequently unemployed.

Were you poor then?

Of course.

Well, Frank - with that kind of background,

you ought to know where your place is.

Do you know what we have in mind?

How should I know?

Do you know what you are now?

A capitalist.

You employ a tailor, two apprentices,

your wife works for you, you are exploiting her as well.

We could give you the works.

Why pick on me?

The works, I said.

There's plenty of others around.

There are others -

look, Frank,

join the party,

you'll found a tailor co-op and you'll be in charge.

If you don't, we'll know what to do.

You have a shop, too.

You ought to set an example,

I am the only photographer here -

and besides, I don't intend to carry on...

Are you going into politics?

What's wrong with politics?

And if I do sign?

Are you going to let me keep the house?

I bought it with my honest earnings.

No, honest earnings - black marketing, I'd call it.

What about the stuff the Jews gave you to hide,

before the Germans took them?

That's the end of your business.

We'll look after the house

and subdivide the flats,

giving them to those that need them.

We are going to be tough -

and those that stand in our way

better watch out!

June 1949

Bozka, the innkeeper, comes from the Hana family -

a merry woman and a great dancer.

When Bozka gets going, no one can keep up with her -

and not only with her dancing.

Wait a minute - we are in the middle of a hay harvest.

I have to be fit.

When Zasinek's wife went up in smoke

in the Auschwitz crematoriums,

Zasinek began working harder in the fields.

The best mowers:

Zasinek and Hyza Kobza,

who served on a submarine, during WW 1.

Naca, the fibber,

Arnost, who reads every book first.

Kejvala, the joker.

No booze, no strength!

Keep quiet.

Remember, Bertin, the fun we had?

Do you remember, how we blew up the mine?

And how you dirtied your...

So what -

It's happened to other people.

That's right.

What's right, dad?

Nothing.

A man wearing the uniform of a policeman

tells Ocenas the organist

to come to the old lime pit

to search for a hidden transmitter.

What he doesn't tell Ocenas is

that they'll be waiting to kill him

and that Juchta and Rabona

have given their blessing...

Come here... listen...

You drive yourself like mad and what's the use of it?

People hate you and you work for them-

they avoid you and you go on and on

without knowing where - it's going to end.

You force them to do things they don't want to do.

One day they'll know what they want for their own good.

We are not only doing it for them,

but also for their children.

The children will want to change things again.

Ah - they're hot.

but good...

Hello, a nice day, but it rains, yes?

Have some, they're good.

Macala has made everyone mad again.

The women are screaming and yelling outside the town hall.

I tried to explain, but it's of no use -

You'll have to go and talk to them.

They'll listen to you...

I have an important appointment to attend to.

I don't think I can make it. Would you go instead?

Who changed their fate?

Who raffled the cards?

Who threw the dice?

Who?

What's the difference between a stag and a man?

It's easy

to take aim and to kill.

Rabona gave his partner away,

so they came and took Juchta too,

but they never found the assassin or the man with the moustache.

Let's get away from here, please

before they kill you.

What's the meaning of this?

Set the priest free, he is innocent.

That's not for you to decide, we'll soon see who is innocence and who isn't.

He is innocent

and if you do not let him go,

we'll call another meeting -

the whole country will come!

Good morning.

Welcome.

We'll never have such a great organist again.

If you don't want me here, what can I do?

I tried to defend you.

but the church elders, think it was you.

who told them to arrest the priest.

I didn't, I really didn't.

though I didn't like his sermon,

but why arrest someone for a sermon?

Thank you.

I believe you.

We are both caught between two mill-stones,

and they are grinding together whether we like it or not.

I am glad we are leaving -

before someone kills him here.

Thanks for teaching our Mary

you have taught her all she knows.

Don't mention it.

Stupid, pigheaded fools,

heads like turnips.

That's not a good likeness -

she's far too rosy...

Listen, now that Ocenas has left,

you ought to take his place.

How do I get elected?

Peton or Macala can put your name up.

Peton will do it.

You can get a county office

maybe even a district employment

and from there it's only a step to a Member of Parliament

They might even make you a minister, you aren't stupid.

And we'll move into Juchta's flat, we'll have three large rooms...

What if they kill me like Bertin?

Now? They're scared stiff, they wouldn't dare.

July 1951

Come... come...

Hello. Did you get the summons?

I did.

I've come to remind you

that you start your term on Tuesday.

There will be no postponement this time

and you tend to forget.

Tell me Joe, how often have you been in prison?

That's like asking a woman how many times she's lied.

Do you even remember the first time?

That was long ago...

before the war,

yes, during the first German occupation.

I see you have a lot of experience. Do you think it's time you reformed?

You very well will, considering you are an incorrigible thief.

Thief? Do I steal?

All I do is borrow... I'd return things, but how can I when I'm in prison?

This time you'll go through a reeducation course.

What's reeducation?

It's sort of like a treatment, like with alcoholics or notorious criminals.

But, don't tell...

And don't forget, today is Saturday.

I don't want to search the town for you on Tuesday.

Rigo, Rigo, Rek, come here you cursed dog.

Come, come. Wait till I catch you.

Stop!

At other times you stand quite still

Call yourself a full moon...

welcome, doggie...

What are you doing here?

Take your master home

as a good dog...

So you never stopped drinking, have you?

You know you are to blame for my death.

Don't be afraid, don't call for help.

You were afraid of the Germans.

And that's why you divorced me.

And you're eaten up with remorse.

and you drink and drink

till you end up in hell,

but I've already forgiven you.

What are you staring at?

Go, go. Ahoy!

Welcome.

You're all spruced up like a bridegroom.

All her men come to a bad end.

The first one killed himself on his motorcycle.

and Bertin was shot...

God knows how Joe will end...

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I have to go home.

Come back soon.

It won't take a minute.

Oh... good afternoon.

Here's your alarm clock,

repaired as promised.

That's nice. Sit down.

Thank you. It works beautifully now.

it will outlive both of us, you'll see.

What happened to your foot?

I cut myself chopping wood.

It's alright now, but I still get twinges.

What if you get blood poisoning?

You should see a doctor.

Don't worry. I'm pretty tough.

In better times, he would have been

a famous inventor.

In our times, he was a great repairman.

All my friends. We have lost a great technician

and if you will forgive me, Joe,

our favorite thief.

Our Joe the Lip.

Joe, we will never forget.

Autumn 1951

When did you last go to confession?

A long time ago.

The day I got married, I don't know if it did any good.

We'll have to go through the commandments together, then...

That would be fine, Father,

I can't remember it all.

Thou shall believe in one God alone.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I do not.

When I think of my Jewish wife who died

I think He does not exist.

When I get drunk in the pub

I feel he is watching me...

Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.

I'm not even aware that I am doing it.

it's a bad habit.

Observe the Lord's day.

That I do, every Sunday, at the pub.

Honor thy Father and Mother.

Beyond death.

Fifth - Thou shall not kill.

I wouldn't - not even a fly or chicken,

Anca does it for me.

Thou shall not commit adultery.

Jesus - don't ask me.

With whom?

I don't remember...

How often?

I don't know...

in thoughts, yes, by desire,

and by deeds... that, too

Thou shall not steal.

Never Father!

Thou shall not give false testimony.

I've never been in court.

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.

As for the sixth Father, never.

Thou shall not lie.

As for the Seventh Father, never.

I see you are a great sinner.

Strengthen your doubtful faith in God,

think of Him watching you day and night.

You will say eighteen Hail Marys

and promise to come to confession and communion

at least once a year.

And to Holy Mass at least ten times a year.

Jesus - I can't promise that Father!

Is that too much to ask

in atonement for so many sins?

Father, you know I am a blackguard,

I never keep my promises

and I am a weak man,

Jesus, I don't want that.

Jesus - stop taking the Lord's name in vain!

Hold it - nobody move! Remain perfectly still.

Tell me my fortune.

I won't tell yours.

Then tell Frantisek's fortune.

I will, Frantisek - the next time he asks me.

I don't believe in fortune telling.

Give me your hand.

Saint Francis was a martyr as well.

I can see your future will be hard.

There are lines in your palms that suggest to me

hospital or prison.

Wait,

your line of life is interrupted -

Don't scare him -

tell my fortune.

How will I end?

I won't tell...

Then I'll tell you:

I won't be here to take what's coming,

but you, Frantisek, you will...

Tell my fortune...

No read mine...

I can't read everyone's.

Tell me what to expect.

No tell me...

Joza is nuts...

Don't touch me -

come tomorrow...

Shut up!

Wash your hands.

One after the other.

You devil - what are you doing here?

Who let you out?

Stop! Stop...

Zasinek left us

as if he'd had know that there was no place

for people like him, in the times that were coming.

June 1952

Hello!

Hello,

I'm so tired I can't go on.

I don't know what is the matter with me.

Keep working hard.

He doesn't realize that he is simply old, that strength doesn't last forever,

that man isn't immortal.

You are going downhill, Kobza,

but who would have the courage to tell you.

We've taken Kurfirt's farm

now we have Zasinek's as well.

If the rest of you will join us,

our cooperative will prosper.

Whether it is in ploughing or planting...

Let's unite and we will all prosper together!

That's enough, you talk and talk...

The cooperative owes the state two million crowns,

And all Zejvala does is collect functions!

For myself and for everyone present: No!

As long as he's around - things will never change.

Come with us.

What have I done?

We'll discuss that elsewhere.

Let me finish my work.

Someone else will do it.

Who?

My father who is too old and blind

or my four little children.

We have no spare time.

I have never left a job unfinished.

Everything in its time -

I'll finish this one, too...

No one dares to say, "Frantisek is innocent, let him go."

Now men sign -

Vigon - you first,

or Pepa, if a farmer like you

takes things in hand...

We'd be as badly off as you are.

You've always been a good-for-nothing.

Alright, but with farmers like you

we would be sure to prosper.

We aren't going to sign.

- Kejvala. - Sign! Tycka. Won't you sign?

Sprk. Sign, won't you? Vaclav. Sign!

Won't you sign! Sign!

And what about you Janek?

You aren't going to sign?

Sign, Pepa, sign, or you'll regret it...

Mr. Vigon, let's talk it over.

You took Frantisek away from us, like a criminal, and what more do you want?

I won't let you, I won't let you go until you have signed.

Twelve apostles,

but I don't know what we'll do with them.

They're going to run like rabbits,

I can tell, it is in their eyes.

Joza was right -

they left - every single one of them.

Christmas 1954

Go away!

Arik... Arik.. help me... help me...

my old chum...

Comrades, I'll pay it back.

I'll work in the mines, if I have to...

Spare me, I'm only human.

You're lucky we won't allow this to get out -

what would people say -

the shame you've brought on the party...

The new chairman of the local committee, Peton,

came from Ostrava

to the lunatic asylum

where he works now as a director.

I know you are good to me

and I'm really sorry...

I know the party is merciful

and gives its children a chance.

You can't wipe the shame out.

You are a thief and you've got to pay it back.

Yes, but where am I to find it?

That's your business.

I didn't steal - I just borrowed...

What about the wood from Kurfirt's farm -

you built a whole house with it.

And what about Juchta's flat,

and the confiscated furniture and many other things

you got through me?

What furniture... don't take this down.

That's slander and you can go now.

Take that down.

I am only human and we all make mistakes.

Don't bawl - we're not going to kill you.

Who... who, will take his place?

Why pick me? Let me do my work.

There's no one else, you'll have to take it.

My old man was a mason, my grandfather was a mason

why pick me?

Because it's your turn.

Wait outside till we are through.

There's no time, it's too late already.

Frantisek escaped from prison

and he's sick.

How can we help him, when he escaped?

How? How? You sent him to prison?

You must help him now!

Now is your chance to make up for what you've done.

What's the matter with him?

The doctor has been to see him -

he's delirious - has water on the lungs.

If you refuse to help, they'll arrest him again

and he won't survive the transport.

Don't panic -

the doctor will give him a shot,

until they take him away in an ambulance

and there are hospitals in prison too...

When your time comes - I'll remind you of this.

Don't try and scare me

perhaps you made it all up.

Just like under the Germans.

Even when a man is dying...

he must be watched.

Spring 1955

When Frantisek got well

they let him stay home.

He had no money and no cattle

but he managed to borrow some money

and bought a horse.

You are small, but tough Burek!

We will manage, won't we?

Who do you think can endure more,

a man or a horse, Burek?

A man does... he just has to.

Summer 1957

Things are never so bad, they couldn't get any worse

and never so good that they couldn't get any better.

Grandma and Grandpa died,

but little Hanka was born.

The harvest was promising this year

and Frantisek thought all would be well,

but then they came again -

the agitators.

You didn't register all your fields -

if you sign, we'll forget it.

Did you think you'd escape us, Janek?

You'll never make me sign.

Look, Vigon - Tycka, Pisar, Sprk -

they all signed...

I'll only sign if Frantisek does.

When Frantisek signs, I will.

I'll ask Frantisek...

I have to ask Frantisek.

Everybody will follow your example.

What do I have to do with it?

You have to - you have to change your views.

You treat people as if they were cattle.

Keep walking, don't look back,

Don't look back!

They kept Frantisek at the police station

until all the others signed

for fear of being arrested...

Frantisek didn't sign.

Mother!

Winter 1958

Here they come - don't listen to their sweet talk.

When you drown,

no one will give you a helping hand.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Frantisek, come and join us.

Don't try to avoid us.

Only you can help us.

Come join us...

Well - I never thought

I'd set foot in here again.

What a mess you've made of the place.

Please don't take the job, Frantisek.

It's human to forgive.

You'll be on your own again.

What do you think you'll achieve?

Perhaps, perhaps they'll stick together now.

There's nothing else for them to do.

They've done you so much harm -

and you offer them... the other cheek.

Yes.

And what if next year, we'll have no more horses?

No more sleighs and bells?

I know you'll do it, anyway.

How do you know?

Because that's the way you are made.

A glass of rye.

Politics are a dirty business!

Let me tell you: there will always be wars

and people will go on killing each other,

till only the cows and the bulls will be left

to found a new dynasty.

Politics are a dirty business.

I should have married you.

Everything would have been different.

Another victim.

Politics are a dirty business.

You only found that out now?

Stop bawling - what should I say?

They've killed my Bertin,

and I've never found anyone else like him.

Should I cry my eyes out?

Let's see how they'll manage. You can't make a whip out of shit.

Epilogue

One slivovitz.

We don't have any.

Rye then or what do you have?

Vodka.

A vodka will do.

Plecmera?

Ocenas, so help me God.

I am a pretty sight, what?

But I am pretty tough, you know?

I wash... I wash myself three times a day

People say you are working in Most, now. So?

I've been retired for a while.

Retired? Good. I've continued to work for the farm co-op. Look, they've even given me Klementek's old room.

I have to go to work or I'd go hungry.

You used to have a wife.

She had other men.

And what has happened with Frantisek?

Oh, you didn't hear that he died?

The best people go and the blackguards, stay.

You haven't changed - only your hair.

You are little Hanka, aren't you?

Your dad would be pleased.

I'm on my way to Olomouc

I have a concert there tomorrow.

I wanted to see your dad.

I didn't know -

What did he say before he died?

He said that he shouldn't have taken that job.

He believed the farmers would stick together, but only he remained at the end.

When he was very sad he would tell me to go to the fields and listen

to see if they were singing again.

Things have changed.

When they start singing again, you will hear them.

"Hic Rhodus, hic salta!"

We've made our beds and we have to lie on them,

But did we make them ourselves?

What could we have done -

or left undone...

Goodbye, all my countrymen.

Goodbye, and should we never meet again

let destiny take it's course...

The End