Original subtitles

All passengers of LOT flight from Warsaw to London

are requested immediately for to go to passport control

and custom clearance.

Before we left, customs checked all our luggage.

That bag contained hammers drills and an axe.

Today is the fifth of December, 1981.

Warsaw black market exchanges one pound sterling

for well over 1,000 zloty, the average weekly wage.

I landed in London with 1,200 pounds in my pocket.

A sum that would have taken me 25 years to earn.

The purpose of our visit to London is to buy

a second-hand car with our joint savings.

The purpose of our visit to London is to buy

a second-hand car with our joint savings.

It was very difficult to disguise the weight

of our hand luggage.

As my men didn't know a single word of English,

I would have to speak for them all.

Number four.

The purpose of our visit to London is to buy

a second-hand car with our joint savings.

How many are there of you?

We are...

We are four...people.

I have the passports.

How much money have you brought with you?

Twelve hundred pounds.

And where will you be staying?

We are staying in a flat in Onslow Gardens, number 5.

It is a friend of my wife.

You must make absolutely sure that your friends understand

exactly what this is about.

"Leave to remain in the United Kingdom

on condition that the holder does not engage in employment

paid or unpaid, and does not engage in any

business or profession is hereby given for one month."

Now do you understand that, Mr. Nowak?

Nov-ak.

Yes, I understand.

Thank you.

Mr. Wolski.

Mr. Bana-zak?

Banaszak.

Mr. Kudaj?

Ku-day.

Are you a member of Solidarity?

No.

That was the only true answer I gave him.

Where did you get those trolleys, please?

Where did you get the trolley?

Take this.

Oh!

This is for you.

Thank you, bless you.

Idiot Banaszak!

Your attention please, will Mr. David Ellis

please contact airport information.

Mr. David Ellis, please contact airport information.

Today's Times page five:

"At her concert in Warsaw's ice hockey stadium last night

American pop star Tina Turner was determined that politics

be left alone despite the current climate of freedom

so that Poles could concentrate on her athletic charms

and gold lamay nickel skirt.

However, the audience began to warm up when they realized

that her song titles could conceal political meaning.

'What do you want?' she asked suggestively.

'Food!' shouted the audience.

'What do you need?' she repeated equally provocatively.

'Dollars!'"

We were there only last night.

The boss took us and our wives as a treat.

Anna was sitting between the boss and me.

And that's another two quid for the baggage!

Good morning, can I help you?

Yes, I have...

Oh, yeah.

Yes, well that's fine, I'll just get the keys.

There you are.

Two keys.

Two keys for the one door?

Yeah, I'm sure you'll manage.

Thank you.

It's nice to see you.

It's my very pleasure to meet you.

I made it clear, no smoking.

I hate the smell of cigarette smoke.

Oh, f---!

Ladies, don't settle for anything but the real thing.

Spaghetti Rigatoni in the traditional blue paper pack

at our delicatessen.

Don't hesitate, only 38p.

Ladies, does your husband come home tired and irritable?

A can of Party Four will keep him sweet at home all evening!

Party Four 2 pounds 40 in our office.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Coca Cola!

Coca Cola!

Nowak, here mini Cola!

Rita, how much is the Kitty Cat turkey flavor?

Twenty-six pence, I think.

You are intending to pay for the goods concealed

in your handbag, madam?

Oh, I didn't really mean to take...

It's our policy to prosecute shop lifters.

I think we should go to the manager's office.

Please, just put it back on the shelf.

I really didn't mean to take it.

It happens all the time.

This way, this way officer!

Nowak, come get!

Banaszak...

You just wait!

Thank you.

Hello?

Moment.

It was as simple as the boss said.

The line for Warsaw was better than in Warsaw.

If our conversation was taped, it must be a good recording.

I confirmed that everything was okay,

still the boss insisted that every detail

should go into his black notebook.

'Just for the record,' he said.

Stop, stop.

Okay.

As instructed by the boss, knocking the walls down

until 8pm selecting usable materials until 11pm.

To bed at midnight.

The men are not to know what I know,

but by sending work men over from Poland

and paying our wages in zlotys,

our boss can have his London house down

for a quarter of what he would have to pay

a British builder.

Don't they ever wonder why the bosses prepare to pay

for one months hard labor what it would take us

a year to earn in Warsaw?

And the bonus are 20 pounds each when the job is done.

The magic of hard currency, our boss is one of the few

in Poland who has dollars.

Sleep well Anna.

Sunday mass at the Polish church.

Bus fare 20 pence each...

to come out of the entertainment money.

A television.

Twenty pounds for entertainment,

nearly one pound gone already.

An evening out when the rest were easily got.

I had a better idea.

We took a vote on it, Kudaj was against.

Can I help you?

Nice set, sir, only 50 pounds, very cheap.

Forty pounds is all I have, no more.

Forty pounds fully guaranteed 26 inch

color television set?

Sir, I can see you have a nice sense of humor

but please, let us be serious.

Forty pounds without the guarantee.

Cash?

Forty pounds, no guarantee, no aerial.

Forty pounds, without the guarantee,

and with the aerial.

Forty pounds without guarantee with aerial.

And no plug!

To buy it I added my 20 pound bonus

to the entertainment fund.

Anna has been asking me for a color TV.

Liverpool's still got the upper hand in this half.

Oh, and my god what a terrible mistake!

Out to Robertson.

Inside Hugh McDonald and...

Anderson brings it down takes it down to Wing.

Beaten down by Walden!

I repair the TV in Warsaw.

All the better, no time will be wasted.

I can see you believe in working hard

Sunday or no Sunday.

Oh it's perfectly all right with me,

Just carry on, if you must.

I only hope the other residents won't complain.

You don't mind?

Oh no, no I don't mind.

It was very like my boss in Warsaw

even dresses like that.

Ah yes, him over there.

He always comes around on Sunday.

When the cat's away, you know?

People like a bit of peace and quiet!

There...that's better.

Almost acceptable.

I can speak their language, this is why the boss

choose me for the job.

But I don't know what they really mean.

Sign that.

Damn you!

Come on, boy, come on.

So, this isn't the only house full of rubbish

'round here.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning.

I see some English work harder at night

then Poles onto Sunday.

Yes, quite.

Couple parts will be in tomorrow.

When?

Tomorrow.

Trade?

Master electrician.

Trade or private?

I almost forgot the business card

the boss had printed in order to obtain

professional discount.

Eagle Builders.

Anna's face could look at me from every shop window.

wherever they sell those clothes.

Maybe I could involve that girl.

I have to go that way for copper pipe anyway.

The girl seemed to be nice,

girls are always attracted to men who have pretty women.

Oh, damnit.

The photograph.

Can I help you, sir?

I'm just looking around.

Okay.

Thank you very much, good bye.

Excuse me.

I was--I was looking at you through

the window yesterday.

Can I help you?

I have a great publicity idea

for Wrangler.

Look, you see this poster here, it's good.

It's too small.

It's a good poster, but what about sweatshirts?

Well, I've got lots of sweatshirts here.

Would you like--

Huh?

Whenever I show this photo to my friends in Poland

they say, "Where did you get the sweatshirt?"

Well, wouldn't it make a great

Wrangler poster?

Hmm, it's very nice.

You want a sweatshirt for her?

So much for daydreams.

You're wasting time.

Aw, come on.

Look, just come on!

I was sure it was only five to three,

but Kudaj's watch says ten past.

Did somebody telephone?

Yes indeed, I just did.

It is working.

No, whatever, I mean from Warsaw.

It's ringing.

Excuse me.

Banaszak.

Barbara!

"I'm well," he says.

"It's going well here.

I hope you and the kids are keeping well.

I think about you all the time."

I wish I could be like him.

By the way I do think about Anna all the time.

I never stop!

Nowak.

Anna?

Three glasses of vodka she's had with the boss already.

How many more will they have?

Why did he really choose me?

They have agreed to miss church today.

We'll fall behind otherwise.

I must talk to Anna, I can't wait until Saturday.

Which country?

Warsaw, Poland.

All the lines have been suspended.

Suspended, why?

There was a military coup.

A coup?

That's right, didn't you hear the news?

Yes, I know.

I want to make an airline reservation

for tomorrow's flight to Warsaw.

I'm afraid, sir, all air traffic to Poland

has been stopped.

Till when?

I have no idea, sir, I'm afraid we're

just as much in the dark about what's happening there

as everybody else.

Sorry, sir.

Well...

How will you take the news, Banaszak?

No more phone calls from Barbara.

No flights home until God knows when.

No boss, only me.

I'm not afraid, I'm quite calm.

Thing is, I've not had a clear thought in my head

since yesterday.

A government proclamation banned a wide-range

of civil liberties.

A 10pm to 6am curfew was introduced.

Polish soldiers patrol the streets of Warsaw

in battle gear, telephone and telex lines

for outside world were all cut yesterday.

They sleep soundly, they don't know.

Let them sleep.

Oh, two for Banaszak, he likes his coffee strong.

Wake up!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Hey, I say...

Have you seen the news in the paper?

Must be extremely upsetting to you

what's happening in Poland.

Yes, it is ver-- it is very upsetting.

Why are you doing that?

Why? There's too much on there, pal,

get some of it off.

It's not--it's not my rubbish.

You pay 40 pound for one load,

not for six loads.

Get some of it off!

But it was the people, it was the neighbors here.

I'm the geezer driving the wagon,

I'll go up the road, I'll get nicked!

Get it off!

We've had enough of you people.

Because the people, it was--I was shaving

I looked out of the window and it was here!

It's not my rubbish!

Oi!

Get your own skiff!

Get your own skiff!

You lazy scruffy rat-faced, rat-eared,

cobble-eyed maggot!

Just because you come over here

Raffie knows you're a Commie,

it don't mean you wipe your ass on our flag.

Those are told by the authorities

that the west is reacting calmly to the weekend crackdown.

"Those who diluted themselves of the introduction

of Marshall Law in Poland would bring about

a political earthquake all over the globe

have been disappointed," said a Warsaw television reporter.

The broadcast said that on the whole, western statesmen

and influential propaganda centers have adopted

at least a restrainer during two events in Poland.

I'm sure the boss would take care of Anna.

Unless he's been locked up.

'Scuse me, sir, that's not your paper.

This is yours, sorry.

The first initial bloodshed by the Polish authorities

since the military takeover was reported last night

that seven workers had been killed

and 39 injured in a clash south of the country.

Polish television news reporter wearing an army uniform

said that the soldiers had no choice.

They were under attack and forced to shoot.

I must concentrate on work.

I must drive them harder.

Stabilizers should've been sprayed on yesterday.

We must start the plumbing tomorrow.

Three days without water, it won't be easy.

I must allow them time for a bath.

I'll tell them now.

--Concrete cells, no furniture,

food, water, toilets or heat.

All I could say was, "Who smoked?"

Top, top, on top!

Top, top, top, top, top, top!

Banaszak.

Kudaj.

Nowak!

Nowak!

Nowak, Nowak!

Nowak!

It should have been a great day for us.

All the new joints leaked.

And neither I nor Banaszak

have any idea what has gone wrong.

It has set us days behind,

and I don't know how many pounds short.

That made them forget the weekend phone call.

I'll have to wait until Monday

to find out what went wrong with the joints.

I said that everything at home was alright,

their wives send their love,

Banaszak's lady wants some Beyer aspirin.

They'll all ring again next Saturday.

I think they believe me.

It's not true I never finish a job!

That I always fail!

Not this time!

I'll show them.

Anna, the boss.

Seventy-two pound for new joints.

He said we must've overheated them.

There's no way I can find 72 pounds.

No more beer but I can't cut down on food.

Pack those too.

Have you paid for them madam?

That's the second time I've been asked that.

I certainly have.

See your receipt then please, madam.

Go on, it's okay.

So that's it.

With a receipt you're okay.

Sir, 1.56 please.

One pound fifty-six.

May I have a carrier bag?

This is Radio Moscow, broadcasting

for Great Britain and Ireland.

Okay,

Banaszak.

We'll have to work 18 hours a day now

to finish the job.

I'll pay them with food they can take home.

They've slept three hours

after working all night.

To make them feel better

I'll tell them it was five.

The only watch that works now is mine.

Wake up!

It is Christmas Eve,

and I have not slept for three nights.

I can't make a mistake now.

Or Christmas will be ruined.

That's 52 pence change.

Excuse me, I bought this turkey here

this morning, my friends also have a turkey.

Is it possible you could take it back for me.

I'll have to ask a manager,

if you can wait a minute.

Kid over there's free if you want to go over.

Yes, Rita, what's the problem?

It's this gentleman, sir.

Can I help you, sir?

I'm sorry.

I bought this here some time ago,

it's a turkey.

My friends also bought one,

we have two, I wonder,

may I return this?

May I have a word with you, Mr. Rogers?

Not for a moment, Mrs. Rostrom.

Did your friends buy the other turkey here?

No.

Well why don't they return theirs?

Theirs is fresh, this is frozen.

Well actually, sir, it isn't our policy

to make refunds.

I, I--

Oh, let me see the receipt, sir.

Well...they tell me that it's Christmas.

Rita, would you give this gentlemen

seven pound, fifty back please?

Actually you'd have been having a late lunch, sir.

These things take 24 hours to defrost.

Well, merry Christmas to you.

Sir?

Yes?

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

The Quiet Life.

Or Sleep Complete.

Which is the cheaper?

Quiet Life.

Did I leave the door open?

Kudaj?

Banaszak?

Wolski?

We all worked right through Christmas.

And Saturday the 26th we took turns waiting

for the telephone call from Warsaw,

which I knew would never come.

Nowak!

Nowak!

Nowak!

Banaszak?

That damn Kudaj still waiting

to talk to his wife.

Enough time has been wasted.

Poland, no!

Warsaw no telephone!

B-b-b-b-b-b-boom!

Thank you.

Poland no exist.

Solidarity caput!

Oh.

It is quite clear to me.

From now on, this is the only

safe place for them.

Excuse me, sir.

Did you just get those goods here?

Yes.

Have you paid for them?

Of course.

May I see the receipt?

I left my gloves on the refrigerator,

I had to come back for them.

I see.

I'll just check the goods anyway.

Only two loads this time.

One I paid for.

And I better not come back

for a couple of days.

Hey!

From Poland, Kudaj.

From his wife.

Censored.

Spaghetti, thermal underwear, sweatshirts.

Save on carpet delivery.

Start on thermal underwear.

Time for your spaghetti, Mrs. Kudaj.

Excuse me, sir!

Excuse me!

Your glove!

The manager would like to see you.

This way please.

Well you are a regular customer, sir.

My supervisor's noted you quite often.

You don't spend a great deal,

but you do come in a lot.

Live nearby don't you?

Yes.

Yet you always use your bike

when you come in.

What did you want to ask me?

Just how you enjoyed your friend's turkey, sir.

It was okay.

It's Mrs. Rostrom.

He's in conference.

Good, good.

When my supervisor told me about you the other day,

I put two and two together.

The man who always leaves his gloves.

Do you mind if I see you to your bicycle, sir?

Is this your bike, sir?

Yes.

Very nice.

It's very nice.

So this is it, Mrs. Rostrom.

Mr. Nowak?

Yes.

Took your bloody time didn't ya?

Three hundred and fifty yards pine flooring.

Cash on delivery.

Cash on delivery.

Two hundred and two pounds.

I'm left with 70 pound now.

Remember me?

Yes.

Yes, you were the--

I brought these sweatshirts some time ago.

Yes, and is there anything wrong with them?

The size.

I need bigger.

Happy New Year.

Same to you.

I don't want to confess.

I no longer believe in God.

I'm here to find my...self-respect.

I chose those men because they were stupid,

I thought I could control them.

But I can't.

I'm weaker than they are.

Banaszak!

I forgot it's new year.

They should go to the Polish church.

But the risk's too great.

Huh?

I should have seen this coming.

They've had about enough.

I have to get them back to work!

Whatever the priest says.

They've accepted the deal,

but they want their bonus

to go shopping tomorrow.

Twenty pounds each.

I still need that money for a deposit

to hire the sander.

There are flights to Warsaw now.

We are booked on Tuesday morning.

It's our last Saturday.

What if the telephone rings now?

We can't wait about much longer.

They want to buy

their bloody watches this afternoon.

But what if the phone rings now?

Airline tickets to Poland?

You must be joking.

No deposit, no sander.

Yeah, I'm just gettin' through it now.

We could deposit our passports.

Look, we can't go anywhere without them.

We have to go home on Tuesday.

You want to go back Tuesday that's your lookout.

No deposit, no sander.

How much was it exactly?

Sixty quid deposit, 8.60 a day, plus VAT.

That's 69 pounds 89.

Call me thief.

They'll have to let me in sooner or later.

When they realize that unless the sander's returned,

they'll never get their money back.

They can't manage without me.

They need me.

Anna.

They told me I'm free to do as I like.

They don't want to be told what to do anymore.

Let them try.

Hey you lot!

Switch that damn thing off!

Banaszak,!

Switch it off!

You can do what you like in your own country!

But if you don't stop that noise this minute,

I'll...I'll call the police!

Go back to Poland!

You, you, you Commies!

Morning.

Morning.

We have the machine.

Ah, yeah, I'm not the man you want.

Who's the bloody army?

Didn't think you were going back till tomorrow.

Can I take my bleeding coat off?

Sixty quid deposit, right.

There you are.

Bye!

They've just discovered

their new toys make no sound.

They have no more use for me.

They want to finish the job on their own.

The boss will have his London refuge

if he ever gets out.

What am I doing here

with five pence in my pocket...

and no present for Anna?

Forty-eight pounds.

She'd like that.

Cashmere, silk scarves, shirts, gloves, ties,

belts and other gentlemen's accessories.

He's probably worked here for years.

He must know all the tricks.

I don't stand a chance.

Ground floor.

Cashmere, silk scarves, shirts, gloves, ties,

belts and other gentlemen's accessories.

Well done.

You didn't even take the price tag off.

What am I so worried about?

Ground floor.

Cashmere, silk scarves, shirts, gloves, ties,

belts and other gentlemen's accessories.

Excuse me, sir.

The scarf.

Yes?

The scarf you took from there.

Yes, my scarf I took from there,

I left it on the counter.

Two AM, Tuesday, 5th of January, 1982.

All we have left now is my five pence

and a six hour walk to Heathrow Airport.

Now I cannot delay it any longer.

I must tell them the truth.

What has happened in our country.

God help me.