Original subtitles

M. Gorky Central Film Studio for Youth and Children

THE DAWNS HERE ARE QUIET

In two parts

Written by Boris VASSILYEV Stanislav ROSTOTSKY

Directed by Stanislav ROSTOTSKY

Director of Photography Vyacheslav SHUMSKY

Production Designer Sergey SEREBRENNIKOV

Music by Kirill MOLCHANOV

Starring

Andrei MARTYNOV

Irina DOLGANOVA

Yelena DRAPEKO

Yekaterina MARKOVA

Olga OSTROUMOVA

Irina SHEVCHUK

Also starring L. ZAITSEVA A. MESHCHERYAKOVA

N. YEMELYANOVA, A. CHERNOV

Part One

IN THE SECOND ECHELON

What kind of a commander is he if he cannot find his army boots?

It's right here! I threw it under the bed.

Oh, you did, didn't you?

When fighting men return from the front line, they like to live it up.

Only I won't stand for any breach of the regulations.

Comrade Major!

Five days extra guard duty!

She won't let me milk her without a kerchief.

You make a report, I'll reprimand you and send you new soldiers.

And then it will be the same again, right?

Try to send me non-drinking guys who can keep their hands off the girls...

You mean eunuchs?

As you see fit.

You can't even maintain order. Women!

The civilians aren't under my command, and they are who make trouble.

Comrade Major, come in the house. The samovar is still hot.

No, thanks, I must be going.

All right, Vaskov.

And you, section commander, place yourself at the disposal of HQ.

Yes, sir!

I'll be sending you soldiers, Vaskov,

who'll keep their noses out of the booze and their hands off the women.

- Why can't we stay for a while? - Let's go!

Good luck and give them hell!

Calm down...

- They were such good guys. - We have only ourselves to blame.

Our respects to the Commandant!

Remember us well!

This is no way for Command HQ to run things. No way at all.

Three days now the depot's got no protection.

The Major acted too hot. He got himself a problem.

Can't find good soldiers for our section.

It's quiet here, isn't it?

It's all on account of you women.

I think we should ship all the females from the front.

To Siberia!

If you did that, who would wash for you?

This is it. Out you get!

You're here, fighters.

The anti-aircraft crew is here.

With their own commander?

It doesn't look like it, Fedot Yefgrafovich.

Thank goodness. When there're two in charge it's awful.

Hey, boys, the anti-aircraft gunners are here!

Let's go and see!

Fall in!

- So you're here. - That's right.

Attention!

Comrade Senior Sergeant,

1st and 2nd squads of the 3rd section of the 5th Anti-Aircraft Battalion

are here at your disposal to defend the depot!

Reporting Section Leader Kiryanova!

Well... So they've found non-drinking soldiers.

- Hey, grab this! - Hurry it up there.

- Move, girls! - Over here.

Couldn't you find something lighter?

Set up the kitchen on the bank.

You won't overstrain yourself.

Can't stand on your feet?

Step on it, girls, get settled in.

The last anti-aircraft team was housed in billets.

Sure, only they were men and not girls.

- What's your name? - Lisaveta Brichkina.

- Where are you from? - From Vologda.

You worked on a state farm?

I did. But mostly helped my father.

You're a smart girl.

Let's get that table in place.

All right now. No one leaves camp without my permission.

- Even to go gathering berries? - Wrong time of the year.

Can't we even get watercress?

We'll get skinny without extra food.

Only don't go beyond the river. There's a lot of it here.

Lyuda, Vera, Katya, guard duty!

Now just wait a minute!

Anything wrong, Sergeant?

- Katya will be guard commander. - Well, thanks for nothing.

Posting of sentries should be done strictly according to the regulations.

And this is just a travesty.

The regulations... The regulations to a soldier are his...

The Commander personally authorized us to do so, Comrade Sergeant.

For military secrecy.

You mind going now? We've got to get organized.

You'd better think of the amenities.

What amenities?

Something better than the bushes outside.

Hard at work, Fedot Yefgrafovich?

Take care and do the right size.

And don't overdo it either.

You're the only man left here. You know, for breeding.

You'll be changing the roof over your head every night.

You should be ashamed, Pauline! You are the wife of a soldier.

- So behave accordingly. - Come on, Fedot...

A woman lives on caresses, that's a well-known fact.

So please accept the thanks...

...of all us women here.

Maria, you got any moonshine?

How about tea, Rita?

Time to go to bed, girls. Lights out!

Try knocking before you enter. This is a barracks, not a stable.

- What is that? - You mean you don't know?

- It attracts attention. Remove it! - There's a regulation.

- What regulation? - Army regulation.

Personnel of the feminine sex

are specially authorized to dry washing on all fronts for camouflage.

I'll check on that. If it doesn't exist, I'll take if off and burn it.

Who is going to let you destroy property of the state?

Property of the state!

He's cute, but so old-fashioned.

Cut it out!

Air raid! Action stations!

Move it!

Don't forget your weapons!

Brichkina! Chetvertak!

Move it, girls! Move it!

- First group - right sector! - Second group - left sector!

Civilians to the dugouts!

Aircraft!

Twelve o'clock high!

Ready, right!

Ready, left!

- Speed one forty! - Speed one forty!

- Eighteen! - Eighteen it is!

Short bursts!

- On target! - Fire!

Speed one fifty!

Twelve!

Ten!

Eight!

Messerschmitts on the right! Take leader!

Speed one eighty! Long shots!

Fire!

- Range sixteen! - Range sixteen it is!

Lida!

Fire!

Why are they shooting at both planes? They should only go for one!

You know it all? The girls are fighting, and you're hiding in a hole!

Go out and help! Instead of hiding behind women's skirts!

Everyone stays at his post in a war!

What, Lisaveta? How is she?

- A flesh wound. - It will heal.

The Messerschmitts are leaving!

At the chassis! At three o'clock!

Speed one forty!

Correct your sights!

Short bursts!

Hit it, Rita!

Fire!

- On target. - Fire!

A bull's-eye! Hit 'em!

- Hit 'em, girls! - Kill 'em!

This is where my job begins.

- Where're you going? - I must take him alive!

Come back!

Well done, Ossyanina!

- His parachute hasn't opened. - Maybe he's wounded.

He is not going to like it in that lake anyway.

Don't waste ammunition, you'll miss anyway.

The other's still holding.

Look, Vaskov's going to swim to him.

He'll bring him in.

I wonder if he'll fall in the lake or in the forest.

Wait!

She got him!

That makes both of them.

- Bring a stretcher, girls. - We can carry her ourselves.

No, it's safer on a stretcher.

How she hit him!

Careful!

We did everything right.

No, not right! They should've been taken alive!

Why don't you just...

You know what, or do you need details?

Attention!

- Comrade Major! - At ease.

Good work. Who did this?

Junior Sergeant Ossyanina.

Ossyanina and her group.

Very good. You'll get a medal for this.

No, no medals!

- You took the flyers? - They fell in the lake.

The first's parachute failed to open.

We were just about to take the other when she...

- A shame. - That's what I say, a shame.

Why did they want to make a reconnaissance over your region?

We have two casualties.

I'll ship them out. I brought you reinforcements. Get acquainted.

May I talk to you a second, Margarita?

Hello there, new girls.

- How long for? - As long as we like it here.

Fancy boots.

A high-ranking officer, and a married man,

gotten pretty entangled... Well, you know how it is.

What do I have to do with it?

Don't take offence, let me finish.

A member of the War Council heard about it.

That colonel got transferred, and I was ordered to take care...

of the said "girl friend".

I see.

- Can I be dismissed? - You're dismissed.

Hey, girls, here's Rita.

I'm section leader Ossyanina.

Gunner Komelkova.

Gunner Gourvitch.

Why did you turn down that decoration?

I've got an account of my own to settle.

Well, real independent, aren't we?

There're some girls I can't understand.

- You mean me? - Yes, that's right.

They already told you? All right, give me a lecture.

You prefer to do it now or keep till later?

- I had a husband, Zhenya. - Another girl stole him?

Don't try to cry on my shoulder.

No, he was killed on the third day of the war.

While he was freezing in the snow on the Finland front,

his wife was making it with the regiment horse doctor.

He got the custody of his son through the court.

And he put him at his mother's.

The garrison under my command has the right to a bath tomorrow.

Report to me for a soap issue.

That's why I volunteered to come on this post. To be near my son and mama.

I'm not alone now.

I'll go again tomorrow.

You're a lucky girl.

I've got no one in the whole world.

My brother and sister and mother - all of them were massacred.

- There was an air-raid? - No, they shot them.

The high-ranking officers' families were all executed.

An Estonian woman hid me at her place.

I've seen everything.

How about that colonel, Zhenya?

How could you do it, Zhenya?

Well, I did it...

Major Luzhin reporting for duty.

Welcome.

This is my daughter, Zhenya.

I did it.

Give me two rations, for me and Tatiana.

- Who's going to scrub my back? - The Senior Sergeant.

Well, he's one who wears pants.

Let's draw lots for him.

Oh, he's just an old boor

with a 20-word vocabulary, and all of it Regulations.

In any case his housekeeper's not complaining.

That's not true!

Did you hear that? She's fallen for him!

Our Brichkina got a case for that Chocolate Soldier!

When's the wedding?

Shame on you!

Keep to yourself everything those women tell you.

Sure, you know best, a hero's widow!

You'd better shut up. You yourself...

I think I ought to warn you, Comrade Senior Sergeant,

you're getting on my nerves and I have nothing to lose.

What did you say?

Let's not start quarreling, girls.

Let me read a poem for you. All right?

What's the matter, you silly one?

I don't know, Rita. I don't know anything...

We lived all alone on the edge of the forest.

My father was a ranger.

My mother always said to me,

"Just have faith, daughter.

Maybe your happiness is just around the corner.

Anyway, it won't pass you by. "

So you are leaving?

Yes, tomorrow.

- Who's there? - It's me.

Feeling lonely?

That's right.

You mustn't do silly things, even if you're lonely.

In the spring he sent me a postcard.

You should study, Lisa.

Come to the city in August. I'll get you into a technical school.

That was last year, in 1941.

Have faith, Lisa. Don't give up hoping.

Maybe you will find happiness around the corner.

And maybe it will be tomorrow.

Only I have already turned my corner.

Sonya, read another poem.

I loved you once: Of love, perhaps, an ember

Within my soul is not extinguished yet;

But let that be no prompting to remember,

Or be a cause of sadness or regret.

I loved you once, quite hopeless, dumbly tender,

By jealousy and diffidence oppressed;

I loved you once with such complete surrender

As may God grant you may again be blessed.

What is it?

What's the matter?

Ossyanina's so lucky.

She had the time to get married and to have a child.

And I've been a prisoner of this uniform since I was 18!

Don't say that.

You'll have everything one day.

Zhenya, he's a married man.

But I love him, Dad.

Stop it!

- Comrade Colonel! - What do you want?

Here, sir!

Zhenya! What are you doing here, Zhenya?

What are you doing?!

Stop it!

Murderers!

What's wrong, Zhenya?

You're not the only one with an account to be settled.

- Who's next? - Komelkova.

- And next? - Chetvertak.

- Take this, Rita. - No, you shouldn't.

Take it.

- Next one. - Yolkina.

Thank you.

Don't be mad at me, girls, I...

I overheard everything you said yesterday.

I promise I'll keep it a secret forever.

I've got some sugar, concentrated milk. I always get some left.

Get ready for the bath.

Take it, Rita.

Section, halt!

At ease. Break ranks.

- Going fishing, Comrade Sergeant? - No, swimming.

The water's so cold you'll freeze to death.

It's much better in the bathhouse.

What if a crab grabs you?

Come with us. We'll scrub your back!

- Lisa, stop it. - Wait!

Go to hell, all of you!

Hi, girls!

Oh, Zhenya, you look like a mermaid!

Your skin is shining through!

They should make statues of you.

You're so beautiful...

Putting a shape like that in an army uniform...

Let's get some steam up in here!

Hey, you kids! Don't touch anything!

Well, this is great!

A good hot steam bath is a soldier's greatest friend.

When we'll be all old and play with our grandchildren,

I guess we'll remember this steam bath.

First we have to get our own children.

Hey, girls, look at this!

Lingerie is my weak spot.

If you dare to wear that weak spot, I'll see you get an extra guard duty.

I already did so much extra duty for that I won't know the difference.

- And you wore it anyway? - What would I wear it for?

Oh, girls, I look so homely.

Oh, cut it out, Galka.

Come here.

Look how slim she is.

We'll make a beauty out of you!

- How about having a ball? - Great idea!

- What's the occasion? - No occasion, just to spite!

This is our village. This is Lake Legonte.

Murmansk Railroad's along here. And the White Sea Canal.

And arrows and circles all around. I wonder why.

All the routes are marked, too.

They know everything.

Not everything. They know the route around the lake.

And the marshes are indicated as though they can't be crossed.

The girls have borrowed Pauline's phonograph. They're having a party.

So watch out. All the steam could make them thirsty.

I'll give them a party!

Come on.

Oh, Zhenya, you're a sorceress!

I only wish there were men to dance with.

Okay, I'm willing to stand in.

N.K. Krupskaya State Orphanage

As he was saying:

Will you belong to me?

So my life be

Passion and fire.

A smile so charming,

Eyes' fascination

Promised forever

A bliss of desire.

To me, poor heart, So he was saying,

To me, poor heart, So he was saying,

Though he didn't,

No, he did not love.

No, he never, oh never loved me.

Misha!

Misha!

We're leaving today.

This is for you.

Thank you.

I know you love it.

The Germans have taken Minsk.

I don't know how.

Yes, sir.

Here comes that man about town.

- The Commandant. - Vaskov is coming.

Why are you so scared? Attention!

Comrade Garrison Commander!

The section under my command is in recreation.

Four guards have been posted. No casualties.

Many thanks for the bath.

Senior Sergeant Kiryanova reporting.

Go on, dance. I'll watch a little.

- Will you make it back in time? - I'm afraid I won't.

- A Russian dance. - I'll ask him.

What dance do you like best?

Time to hit the sack. Reveille is at 6.

Wait, Rita.

Zhenya, sing for us again. The Senior Sergeant will like that.

No, girls, the show is over. Regulations.

Yes, we could use some sleep.

Well, I guess I'd better be going.

Stay a little, Pauline. You'll get soaked through in the rain.

Well then, in that case...

I don't feel like sleeping. It's still light outside.

That's enough. Hit the sack, girls. On the double!

Comrade Commandant! Comrade Commandant!

Comrade Commandant!

What is it?

Germans in the forest.

- How do you know? - I saw them. Paratroopers!

Two of them, with machine guns.

Give the alert! Send Kiryanova to me! Move!

Yes, sir!

Prepare for action!

Kiryanova, Vaskov wants you!

Two Germans!

Seen by Sergeant Ossyanina.

I've put the troops on general alert. I think we should comb the area.

May I have your permission to do it?

There're only two of them. I could handle both of them myself.

While the trail's still hot.

Yes, Comrade Major!

What were you doing in the forest at 4 in the morning?

Nature's call.

I myself constructed that latrine for you.

Or is it too small?

There are some things a nice girl doesn't have to explain.

There're no girls here!

Only soldiers and their commanders. We're at war.

And until the war is over we're all going to be neuter.

Is that why your bed still unmade, Comrade Neuter Senior Sergeant?

Attention!

At ease.

Ossyanina, pick out the volunteers.

Zhenya!

- Galka! - Wait a second, Ossyanina.

This is a manhunt for Germans, not a dancing party.

And Germans armed with automatic weapons.

- They must know how to shoot. - They'll manage.

May I come too?

I have nothing against it.

Now one more thing. Anyone here speak German?

I can.

Haven't you read the regulations? How do you answer?

Gunner Gourvitch!

Where are your caps?

Say in German, "hands up".

Hande hoch!

That's right.

All right, I'll take Gourvitch. We'll be leaving for two days.

Are you alone, Maria?

Yes, alone.

If we happen to run into the enemy, or into some strange thing,

is there anybody who knows how to make birdcalls or animal noises?

I asked a serious question!

Out in the forest we can't use speech. The Germans have ears also.

I know one.

- One what? - A donkey bray.

Sounds real.

There aren't any donkeys here.

All right, we'd better try quacking like the ducks. I'll show you.

That's how the drake calls to the duck.

Two quacks will mean the enemy's in sight.

Three quacks means get back to me. Is that clear, comrade gunners?

Form a rank! Move it, move it! Brichkina!

Attention!

My second in command during the course of this operation

is now officially Junior Sergeant Ossyanina.

Don't forget about the ducks.

Left turn, forward march!

Come back soon, girls!

Zhenya!

In double column, march!

Galka! Don't do anything stupid!

Your mother and father living? Or are you an orphan?

An orphan? For all I know I could be an orphan.

You mean you're not sure?

Who can be sure of anything these days, Sergeant?

You're right.

My folks live in Minsk. I studied in Moscow, and then...

- You haven't heard from them? - No, nothing.

- Your folks are Jewish? - Naturally.

Naturally. If they were in Moscow, they'd be all right.

Maybe they managed to escape?

Those dirty sons of...

If you want to swear, go right ahead. I'm getting used to it.

- Are you hurt? - No.

All right, Gunner Gourvitch, quack three times.

- What for? - To be sure everyone's on their toes.

You forgot my lessons?

What's wrong?

If anything were wrong, you all would be dead by now.

You came running through the under- growth like a herd of heifers.

- Are you tired? - Not a bit.

That's good. Did you notice anything on the way here?

Not much. A tree branch broken back there.

Very good. Absolutely right. And you?

Everything seemed normal to me.

- The dew was knocked off the bushes. - Good eyesight!

Very good, Gunner Brichkina.

There were also two tracks made by the boots of paratroopers.

Judging by the toes, they're heading around the marshes.

That's going to take them a twenty mile hike at least.

So much the better. And we're going straight across.

How?

Not here, of course. I know a trail.

Now take ten minutes for a smoke and wash your hands.

Cut that out!

On your way!

Stay close together!

Is it very deep?

In some places... It can come up to...

It can come up to your belt. Keep your weapons dry.

Follow me! Step where I do.

Of all the filthy...

- Komelkova, keep going! - I am!

Come on...

Don't come near her, Chetvertak! Ossyanina, get out by yourself!

Go on, Galka.

- Comrade Sergeant! - What do you want?

Keep going! Or we'll all sink!

One of my boots has come off!

- Can you see it? - No.

- Where are you going?! - I'm trying to help her!

Hold it! There's no turning back!

Brichkina, stretch out your pole.

Come on out of there, Komelkova!

Follow me! Forward!

How about my boot?

You can't find it now.

Come on, Komelkova. You'll make it.

Hold on, Zhenya!

Keep going, keep going. The island's not far now.

Keep going. Forward!

Follow me, in my tracks.

Tired?

It's nothing.

Are there leeches here?

There's nothing here. It's a dead place.

Don't be scared. That's just marsh gas.

The local folks say the old man of the woods lives here.

- Who? - A kind of devil.

Just old wives' tales, that's all.

They're sometimes right.

Don't hurry, walk slowly. Now we can take a rest.

Oh, that feels good.

Hard work, huh?

- You can say that again. - Rest for a while.

What a bungler you are, Galka. You should've squeezed your toes.

I did.

Don't worry. We'll make her a special swamp boot.

I see.

- Only after the marsh. Can you wait? - I can make it.

After the bath, this is all I needed.

I'm wet through, right to my... I mean to my army belt.

Why haven't I put on my lingerie?

Zhenya!

On your feet!

Take your poles and follow me in the same order.

We'll get dry and warm up on the other side.

Zhenya, you got a mirror?

Zhenya, will you comb my hair?

You're cute enough as it is. Comb it yourself!

- Zhenya, no time for that nonsense! - I'm coming.

Everyone ready? You can come now.

Well, Comrades of the Red Army, everybody okay?

All in order, Comrade Senior Sergeant.

- Not too cold? - There's nobody to warm us anyway.

- You'll be steaming soon. - Why?

Here, put this on.

So that's a swamp boot.

- Comfortable? - Fine. Even better than the boot.

Let's get going. We've about an hour and a half foot-slogging to do.

All right, on the double!

Move it, girls!

- Warmer now, Komelkova? - No steam yet!

Here the Sinyukhina Crest starts to rise.

On the other side of the crest there's another lake.

It's called Legonte.

A monk by that name used to live here.

He was looking for wordless peace.

There's enough wordless peace here.

The Germans have only one way through: By the crest between the two lakes.

And endless strife, Peace only a dream-like yearning.

Through blood and dust, A horse of the steppe is running,

And tramples grass...

Comrade Gunners!

The enemy in the form of two Germans, is moving to the Lake Vop sector,

intending to secretly approach the Kirov Railroad

and the White Sea Canal named after Comrade Stalin.

I intend to engage the enemy in this position

and force him to surrender.

Should the enemy offer resistance, I'll kill one and take the other alive.

- Everything's clear. - So keep well out of sight.

- Let me do all the talking. - In German?

In Russian! And you'll translate if they don't understand. Is it clear?

If you stick your head out like that in combat,

there's no field hospital nearby, and no mamas either.

You should engage the Germans at a distance.

Before you get to pull the trigger, you'll be riddled all through.

So I order you to stay on the ground.

Stay on the ground until I order you to open fire.

Or I'll forget that you're women and...

And no sleeping on guard duty!

- Germans? - Where?

Damn it... I thought that...

Get some rest, Fedot Yefgrafovich.

It's all right, Ossyanina. I just dozed off, I guess.

It'll be the everlasting rest for me if I miss those Germans.

What if they kill our officer or blow up an important object?

How would I explain to the Army Tribunal

that, instead of combing the forest and catching those Germans,

I was sleeping somewhere.

Felt sorry for the girls?

Was afraid to lead them into an attack? That's not an excuse.

No, it's no excuse if I haven't carried out my mission.

Maybe they're asleep too, now?

- You bet. - They're humans, too.

You said that the crest is the only way for them to approach the railroad.

- And it is about... - Forty miles.

In unknown country, and seeing death behind every bush.

Margarita... what's your patronymic?

Just call me Rita.

Do you mind?

To a valiant defender of his country.

A present.

- Want a cigarette, Rita? - I don't smoke.

And that Germans are humans too, somehow I'd never realized that.

I'm glad you said it.

- Is it dyed? - No, it's real.

Mermaid.

Can't a girl comb her hair here?

Go on, put yourself in order.

Sergeant, can I ask you a question?

You can.

Are you married, Sergeant?

Yes, I am, Gunner Komelkova.

And where is she?

She's home, where should she be?

Any children?

Children?

There was a boy.

What do you mean, there was?

Just that. My mother couldn't save him.

Why?

My wife had walked out on us.

Rita, you should tell him everything.

I will when we get back.

I can see you're a well-trained soldier, Gunner Brichkina.

You're well organized. And your quacking is just great.

- Did you notice anything? - Nothing much.

Keep your eyes open, Lisaveta.

If there's any movement in the bushes, if the birds seem upset.

You're a forest girl, you see everything.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

As if there's no war.

Lisa, Lisa, Lisaveta, Sweeter than a baked potato.

Choose the husband here before you, Or I'll go and choose him for you.

That's a little song we used to sing back home.

Are you from these parts, Sergeant?

I've been stationed here a while.

And back home we used to sing...

We'll sing together later, Lisaveta.

When we've accomplished our mission, then we'll sing.

- You promise? - I said so, didn't I?

Don't forget, Comrade Sergeant!

Those born in the years of bane,

Don't remember the path they tread.

We, the children of Russia's pain,

Haven't the strength yet to forget.

Those burning years of destruction!

The harbinger of madness, or of hope?

The days of war, the days of insurrection

Have stamped our faces with a bloody glow...

Have stamped our faces with a bloody glow.

Who are you reading to?

- I asked who are you reading to? - No one. To myself.

Then why read aloud?

It's poetry.

You're straining your eyes.

But it's daylight, Comrade Sergeant.

I was just talking, that's all. Don't sit too long on those rocks.

When they cool, they'll draw the heat from your body. Put your coat under.

All right, Comrade Sergeant. Thanks for the advice.

And don't do any reading aloud.

The evening air is thick and humid, and dawn is quiet around here.

A voice can be heard nearly five miles away.

To Sonya. Ever yours, Misha.

What are you huddled there for?

I'm cold.

Let me feel your head.

You have a fever, Comrade Gunner.

Touch of the marsh shakes. On account of that lost boot.

You'll take it straight, or shall I cut it?

- What's that? - Medicine.

- Medicine? It's alcohol! - Yes, alcohol.

No, I won't!

Drink it. That's an order.

Drink up!

Oh, mama...

Hold your breath!

You'll see your mama only if you survive.

Oh, I've gone all bubbly inside.

That's nothing. You'll simmer down in a while.

- You'll get cold without your coat. - Don't worry, I'm strong.

I want that fever gone by tomorrow. So do your best. Make an effort.

I'll make an effort.

After the war, there'll be mother for each survivor.

What? The Germans?

- Lie down. Orders are to sleep. - How is Galka?

- Where's Rita? - She's up there with Vaskov.

What?

You hear that?

That's birds.

Yes, magpies. The magpies are all upset there.

It means someone's coming and upsetting them.

Quick, go wake up the troops. Get moving. Send Gourvitch over.

Keep under cover! Hush!

Good morning, Comrade Sergeant.

Morning. How's Chetvertak?

Sleeping. We didn't wake her.

Right. Stay beside me. And keep your head down.

I will.

There they are!

See them? There they are. The two of them.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Six. Seven.

Eight. Nine.

Nine. Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Twelve. Thirteen.

Fourteen. Fifteen.

Fifteen. Sixteen.

Cuckoo, cuckoo in the sky, how many years before I die?

One.

Two.

Three...

End of Part One

Eleven.

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Who's that?

What strange figures are these?

Two strangers appeared from the forest.

They look like ghosts.

Part Two

A MINOR LOCAL FIGHT

Sixteen, Comrade Sergeant.

So I see.

Go to Ossyanina. Tell her to get our troops into good positions.

Send Brichkina over.

Crawl, Comrade Interpreter. From now on we live on our bellies.

Comrade Sergeant.

Cheer up, Brichkina.

- You remember the way to go back? - Yes.

- The swamps are the worst. - Yes, I know.

Wait, Lisaveta, don't hurry.

The tracks are narrow, don't come off it.

- I'll make it. - Take a short rest on the island.

Report to Kiryanova that there's been a change of situation.

Our force won't be enough to cope with it.

You better leave your weapon here.

Don't forget to take your marsh pole.

- On your way, Lisaveta! - Shall I leave my ammunition too?

You were right to fall back to here.

Pretty nasty business, girls... pretty nasty.

So we've counted sixteen...

They'll be here in around three hours, as near as I can judge.

I sent Brichkina back to the base.

We can expect them come here only by the evening.

If we get dragged into a fight, we won't be able to hold out.

There's no position we could hold them, for they have 16 machine guns.

So we just sit and watch them walk through?

We've got to stop them coming along the crest and force them to go around.

Around Lake Legonte. Only how?

No, the Germans are not looking for a fight.

They're taking hidden paths to keep out of the enemy's way.

They're trying to sneak up on their objective without being seen.

Maybe we should let them see us

and pretend we haven't seen them?

Then they may decide to take the Lake Legonte route,

and that's a twenty four hour hike.

So who can I let them see? Myself and the four of you?

They'll reconnoiter and find out there's only five of us.

They'll just surround us and finish off all five with their pig-stickers.

Go ahead, Rita.

Comrade Sergeant, what if they run into the woodcutters?

What woodcutters? Where? The forests are empty, there's a war on.

Women do the woodcutting nowadays.

You're right, girls. That's a brainstorm!

We'll put on a big act, and I know exactly the place to do it.

Move it, girls, we don't have much time.

Here come the others!

- Wait, let me carry you. - Nonsense, I can manage.

You still have that fever.

They're coming, Comrade Sergeant.

- The water's cold. - Lift your skirt up higher.

That's not a regular order.

Forget military talk for a while. The Germans have interpreters, too.

You treat me like I'm a kid...

Want a little more medicine?

Don't sit on those cold rocks. Hurry, girls, get going!

We still have some organizing to do.

It was a great idea with Lisa's scarf.

- A shame to tear it. - We'll get her another one.

My lingerie came handy.

All she thinks about is showing off.

Cover 'em up now because you'll be with me. Well, let's begin, girls.

Try to make a lot of smoke. Make a lot of noise breaking branches.

Only don't stick out too much.

Just keep appearing and disappearing. Only don't overdo it.

- Praskovya! - What?

- Take the axe! - I already did!

Give me a hand!

All right then! And one, and again! Here we go!

The fire won't catch. It must be damp.

Mine's burning fine!

Once more. All together now! It won't move.

Once more! More!

- Watch out! - There she goes!

Lop off the branches, quick!

Praskovya, follow me!

Masha, have you peeled the potatoes?

I can hardly feel my fingers.

Watch out!

Hey, girls! Come and give me a hand!

There she goes!

We called up the mill. They're sending the trucks along.

When do we eat?

As soon as the potatoes are ready.

Hey, girls!

Be careful, will you?

Take cover behind the trees, not the bushes.

You can push over this one yourselves.

Komelkova, follow me.

Here, Galka.

Anyuta, give me that axe!

Go get your own axe. This one's mine and I'm using it.

Girls, bring some dry wood!

Hey, girls, lend a hand!

Perhaps they're gone.

Who can tell? Maybe they are.

They know their business, or they wouldn't be on one of those missions.

- Shura, help me! - Wait.

Hold it!

I see.

Come on, push hard! Timber!

It seems to be working.

A patrol.

They made a decision.

They'll cross and our whole operation goes sky high.

If they find out they've bee seen,

they'll need only five fingers to count us, and then it's the end.

Well...

I'll take care of these two.

And while the rest come after me with their machine guns,

you'll perhaps manage to find a hideout.

You, Komelkova, go back with the others. I'll cover you.

Raya!

Vera! Come in the water!

Halt! Come back!

Apple trees and pears were in blossom

On the river hung the morning mist.

Young Katyusha stepped up on the high bank

Of the river steep bank in the midst.

Young Katyusha stepped up on the high bank

Of the river steep bank in the midst.

On the bank Katyusha started singing

Of a proud gray eagle of the steppe, Of the one...

Where're you, Vanyusha?

Come on, girls, come and swim!

- Coming, Zhenya! - Coming!

Wait for us!

What is this? Who's going to work? I'll give you a bathing!

Don't worry, the work won't run away!

The work can wait.

Watch out! Timber!

Zhenya, don't cut yourself on the rocks!

I'll teach you, lazy good-for- nothings!

You work first, then you go bathing!

Take my position. If anything, cover me.

Lop off those branches!

Vanyusha, where're you?

Zhenya, that water must be freezing.

Why are you lolling about there?

It wouldn't hurt you, either.

I'm coming out.

Coming for a dip, girls?

I'm on my way!

They phoned from the mill. The trucks are coming. So get dressed.

What's the idea?

Let's get out of here, Komelkova.

Are you afraid of taking a swim, Vanyusha?

Vanya!

I can't take any more of this. I'm going to start shooting.

No, Sonya, you mustn't.

What are you doing? I'll fix you...

Ivan Ivanovich, the trucks are here. Waiting for you. Hurry!

Enough of playing with fire!

Get dressed.

Get her warm.

Easy, easy...

They're leaving, Zhenya. Leaving.

We sure fooled them, didn't we?

Well, Eugenia, you certainly made me take a bath.

- She didn't mean to. - What?

She didn't mean to.

Oh, I burned a hole in my skirt. Look, girls.

Don't worry. We'll issue you a new one. It's over now.

You sure sent them around the lake, there's no other way for them to go.

Only if Brichkina manages to make it, of course.

She'll make it, she's a smart kid.

All right, girls, how about a little shot to celebrate it?

Let's drink to Brichkina's fast legs.

And to your bright heads.

The worst is over now.

When we get back, I'll see you all get a citation.

And Zhenya a decoration.

Definitely. She earned it.

At present may I express my gratitude?

Our lives belong to the Soviet Union!

Smell that?

Their German habits give them away. They feel like having coffee.

What makes you think that?

I feel the smoke. So they're settled down to eat.

Only are all sixteen there?

We'll have to count them, Margarita.

If you hear any shooting,

pick up the girls and head to the east as far as the canal.

Make your report about the Germans there, but I guess

that Lisaveta should be at our base now.

- Is that quite clear? - No. What about you?

Cut it out, Ossyanina. We're not on a picnic party.

- Now what do you answer? - Quite clear, Comrade Sergeant!

We shall sing together later, Lisaveta.

When we've accomplished our mission, then we'll sing.

Help! Pull me out!

Zhenya, were you really afraid?

Not really, maybe only later.

I'd have been really scared without you close by.

You know what they say: Company in distress makes trouble less.

They haven't left, they're camping. We must move our position.

Thank God those Germans don't have a professional hunter with them.

- Why? - I smelled you out long ago.

Did you bring my tobacco pouch?

Sorry, Fedot Yefgrafovich, I forgot.

Never mind. I've got some rough stuff in here.

Thanks for remembering my bag at least.

That pouch was a present. It's a shame.

- Where are you going? - I think I know where it is.

Wait! Come back here!

Sit down.

We should've changed her boots for her, they make too much noise,

because they're two sizes too large.

The main thing now is not to let them find us.

Organize things in your sacks so they won't make any noise.

Well, anyway Lisa Brichkina should have arrived by now.

As soon as the reinforcements are sent after them

I'm going to get you all behind the rocks.

Why?

So that you wouldn't listen to foul language

when the hand to hand fighting starts.

- We can stand it. - Don't butt in!

I want you all to take cover now and keep your eyes peeled.

And no sneezing!

No coughing either! Sound travels a long way here.

Is that Gourvitch calling?

No, it must be a bird.

Komelkova, follow me. The others stay here.

Follow me.

The Germans?

Keep quiet. Not neat... Not neat...

That's why she had time to scream.

He thought he was knifing a man.

He didn't get the heart at the first stroke.

I couldn't save you.

Lie here a while, dear Sonya.

Cut it out, Komelkova.

Get your breath back.

They're right here.

Close to us. There're two of them.

They're going to come this way and go along the crest.

Position yourself behind that rock.

When they get level with this tree here, you make some noise.

Not too early, nor too late.

Don't start shooting or you'll draw the others. Now go on!

Good work, Komelkova.

I'm very obliged to you.

Go away. Oh God! This is so horrible!

They have broken every decent human law.

And because of that, they're below any kind of decent consideration.

Want to wash a little?

I know. You've got to get used to it. You've got to dry up your heart.

I've known men who are real strong, and even they...

Until you make your mind think a different way...

Think you can find the others?

Go then. Bring the rest to Sonya...

Say goodbye to her.

Save that till later!

She was an all A's student.

Both at school and at university.

Yes...

She read poetry.

What's important, she could have children.

And grandchildren, too.

Then the line wouldn't have been broken.

And they broke it with a knife...

Put them on.

Why did you have to do that?

Because she can't fight without boots. And war's not a game.

We have to think of the living. That's the only law in war.

Put them on. That's an order.

I can't. How can you? I...

I shall write to my parents about it.

Stop lying! You don't have parents, and never had.

You're a foundling. Stop telling us tales.

Don't be so mean. If we start behaving like that,

we'll turn into wild animals like the Germans.

Here.

Fire short bursts. Otherwise it'll jam.

- I know. - Only short bursts.

All right now. We'll hide everything we don't need here.

We'll take all the guns.

Spread out!

Come here! They're pulling out.

Are you hurt?

No, a piece of rock, that's all.

Thank you, Junior Sergeant, for that one second you gave me.

For that second I should supply you with vodka all your life.

- We got out of this by some miracle. - I bring luck.

Luck... Lucky I saw them first.

Stay back here.

We treat her like a human being, and she...

A Komsomol member! Every shot we fire counts here.

Comrade Sergeant, are you a Party member?

Of course I am.

Then you must preside over our Komsomol meeting.

And what's on the agenda?

The shameful conduct in action of a card holder.

Cowardice.

So you want criticism?

You want Comrade Chetvertak to be reprimanded, with the minutes taken?

And the Germans to put their resolution on it? Right?

Not right.

So in my capacity as master Sergeant and as a Communist,

I suspend all meetings till further notice.

As far as cowardice is concerned, I didn't see any.

You can only see cowardice in the second battle.

It was only confusion, for lack of experience.

Am I right, Gunner Chetvertak?

Now stop crying, and blow your nose.

Ossyanina, go forward a little and watch the forest.

The rest of you grab something to eat and get as much rest as you can.

Have a chunk of bread, girl.

- Here, eat this. - Thanks.

Why do you think they broke off the contact? Any opinion?

You don't know? I don't know, either.

Yet we've got to understand the enemy.

War doesn't mean shooting better than the others.

It means thinking better.

You'd better get some rest.

I can't, Rita. I must look for them. I'm exhausted, but I've got to.

Who you'll be taking with you?

You're a good soldier, Ossyanina, only you don't know regulations.

And... what do Regulations say?

A commander is not just a military leader.

He got to be a teacher as well.

No, don't do it. You better take Zhenya.

Of course, it would be better.

But a person should never lose her self-respect.

Follow me at a fair distance. Just take your guns and ammunition.

If you hear shooting, or two duck quacks,

take cover and wait for us to get back.

If we don't return, you retreat,

and go under cover to our previous positions eastward.

- Say, how old are you? - Want the truth? Seventeen.

So you told a lie when you volunteered?

And I lied that the krauts killed my family.

That's a good one.

But I must have had parents once, haven't I?

They named you at the orphanage?

- Our manager thought of it. - Chetvertak. New penny. Nice name.

- You really like it? - Good things come in small packages.

Play dead! Don't even breathe!

Mama!

First group, move in from the back!

The rest follow me!

For our Soviet Motherland! Hurray!

Let's go, Rita. Let's go. There're only two of them.

No, Zhenya, we must obey orders.

Surround them, men! Kill the dirty fascists!

Follow me! Forward!

Kill the fascist swine!

You do as you like. I'll go in by myself.

Gunner Komelkova, we're not playing at cops and robbers. This is war!

For Stalin! Forward!

You hear that?

He's trying to lead them away from us and Galka.

He promised to be back by tomorrow.

How about some more tea?

There are six of them.

They'll make it all right.

How clear the nights are...

Clear, but cold.

We're pretty far north.

I only hope the girls won't be too chilly.

How did it happen, Lisaveta?

I went too fast.

- Fedot Yefgrafovich! - Fedot Yefgrafovich!

Comrade Sergeant!

- Fedot Yefgrafovich, it's us! - We're over here!

My one and only Fedot Yefgrafovich!

You're alive!

Oh, dear! You're here at last!

There, there, girls! What is it?

Did you have anything to eat? Did you manage to get some sleep?

We didn't feel like it, Comrade Sergeant.

You can forget about Comrade Sergeant, little sisters. I'm your brother now.

Just call me Fedot, or plain Fedya, like my mother called me.

I know it's a pretty ordinary name, but I got no other.

We buried Galka.

Our comrades died the death of heroes.

Galka Chetvertak fell in action.

And Lisa Brichkina has been drowned in the marsh.

With Sonya, that makes three that we've lost.

That's how it is.

On the other hand, we've kept the Germans circling for 24 hours already.

So I propose we drink to our three sisters.

That we drink to their glory!

Why haven't you executed my orders?

What orders?

I ordered you to pull back eastward.

So we did.

- Yes, I see... - We picked up all the equipment.

Thank you for the equipment. Now listen to some more orders.

You will first eat, then collect your things and march eastward.

There won't be any help coming.

And the Germans are coming this way. So we can't afford to waste time.

And you, Fedot?

It’ll be my turn to try and gain 24 hours.

Those three girls who'll never return,

I'll remember them till my last day.

Lost something, Fedya?

Now I'm without a grenade. I've lost the detonator.

A grenade without a detonator is just an iron rock.

A snowball would be more effective.

Never mind, Fedot, we'll beat them off.

We'll handle them, Comrade Sergeant.

You're going to pull out of here on the double! I give you 3 minutes!

We are not pulling out!

For that insubordination... I'll send you to Court Martial!

What are you doing to me, girls?

We're all very worried, too, Comrade Major.

More than forty eight hours.

Not a thing, no news.

No, he didn't send anybody here. I said he sent no one!

Yes, I think I know the route.

Yes, I'll come right over.

Comrade Combatants!

The enemy, with plenty of firepower, is coming this way.

We're uncovered on the right as well as on the left.

And we have no help on the way.

Therefore I order all combatants,

including myself, to hold the front.

Hold on. Even when you've nothing left to hold with, hold on.

There's no room for Germans here!

Because behind us is Russia.

Or to state it simple, our motherland.

It's a great life, fellahs,

Soldiering's a song,

When the Sergeant likes you, Nothing can go wrong.

Don't start shooting until the krauts are in the water.

And until then you only breathe once in a while, so the birds go on singing.

Got it.

Here, but for shooting over the river, use the rifle, save the machine gun.

When they begin to attack, you're going to have plenty of use for it.

- Got it. - Wait.

Now keep an eye out. So they don't try to outflank us.

- Right! - Get going!

Comrade Sergeant!

Hurry! It's Rita!

Here she is.

- What was it? - A grenade.

Water... water...

- Right away. - No!

Some rags! Anything!

Hurry up!

- No, silk's no use. We need cotton. - There isn't any.

Thank you, Zhenya.

The Germans... Where are the Germans?

Go... go!

- Will you cover us? - Yeah.

It's all right... It's all right... Rita.

The shells didn't go in deep. You'll pull through.

Go... go help her. Zhenya is all alone there.

Hey, what's the big hurry?

She's leading them off. She's making them follow her.

Leave me.

Go!

Surround them! Follow me!

As he was saying:

Will you belong to me?

So my life be

Passion and fire.

A smile so charming,

Your eyes' fascination

Promise forever

A bliss of desire.

Now he was happy,

Now burst in tears,

Now he was happy,

Now burst in tears!

No, he did not love...

To me, poor heart, So he was saying...

Bastards! Come and get me, dirty fascists!

To me, poor heart, So he was saying,

Though he didn't, No, he did not love...

He did not!

I'm finished... Love!

He promised!

It's interesting.

Hey you!

That's for Rita! And Galka! And Sonya! And Lisa!

As he was saying:

You're a bright star,

Lighting forever

A dark, somber soul!

You have inspired...

My heart... with a hope!

Come here!

Come on, come here!

You're afraid?

Dirt!

Did she die instantly?

Yes, instantly.

She could have hidden, but she wouldn't.

Where are the Germans?

They're gone. I guess, they went for explosives.

But they couldn't beat us! Do you understand? They couldn't beat us.

Does it hurt?

It hurts me a lot more here.

I couldn't save you, all five of you.

And what for? A dozen lousy fritzes!

You're not to blame.

It's all part of... war.

Because war explains it?

And when peace comes?

How am I going to explain it?

What can I answer when they ask us:

How come you men

couldn't save our mothers from the bullets?

Don't say that. We fought for our country.

Don't torture yourself.

You just lie here. I want to take a look around.

There's only two bullets left in it.

But it'll be a comfort to have it.

Wait.

Come closer.

Remember how I found those two Germans in the forest?

I was going over to the town to see my mother.

She has my little boy, Igor. He's three.

My mother is very sick.

Don't worry, Rita. I got it.

Thank you.

I'll go take a look and be right back.

We'll return to the base tonight.

Kiss me.

You need a shave...

Go. Cover me with branches, and go.

And be sure to make it back to the base.

We'll go back together.

What have you done, my dear girl? What have you done?

Hande hoch!

Up sticken!

Up sticken! Up sticken!

Up sticken! Up sticken!

Alles! Alles! To the corner!

Alles! To the corner!

To the corner! Hande hoch!

Hande hoch!

Conquerors! Are you?

Victors! Are you?

A bunch of girls!

I had just five girls with me! Five girls! And you couldn't get through!

You couldn't! And you're going to die here!

All of you! I'll personally kill each of you!

And afterwards they can try me! Let them try me!

This is Moscow. Here's a communiqué

from the Soviet Information Bureau.

During the day of June 3rd, no major engagement took place on the front.

However, some minor local fights

occurred in certain sectors.

And another night Fell on the sleepy mountains.

In the bonfire smoke The eyes of the campers glow.

The wind has died down With the last song's words.

Maybe it went somewhere Looking for you, though.

What if all of them Happened to come here,

To this great place, Where the glaciers are heard.

Many a friend I meet, Traveling here and there.

But why is it so That you I meet not?

I'll go on searching, Hopeful and willing,

Even if it'll take me ages Following you.

I'll go on searching, Because I have a feeling

That in a faraway country I shall find you!

- You like it? - It's beautiful.

Those ghosts are still here.

That's it, dad.

Very good, Igor.

Elisaveta Brichkina

Sophia Gourvitch Eugenia Komelkova

Margarita Ossyanina Galina Chetvertak

ETERNAL GLORY TO THOSE WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY

The End

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