Original subtitles

Klagenfort! Klagenfort!

Ferenz!

Mino!

How nice that you're here.

- How are you? - Fine.

Klerstens is waiting for you.

Madam. Professor.

- Fetch the bags, will you? - Certainly.

Thank you.

May I, Madam?

Why, certainly, young man.

- Ferenz, come on! - Yes, yes.

That was a good idea of yours, Ferenz, to pick us up from the railway station.

You must thank the Countess Stolz for that.

Mino, sit down!

And keep quiet.

Let him have a bit of fun, Enrica!

If madam wishes, I can close the roof.

Yes, perhaps that would be better.

No, please don't close it!

It's splendid, driving with the roof open.

Freda!

Mino!

Can't you do your cravat up properly yet?

- Enrica! - Freda!

- She tied it for me. - That Freda!

- No! I'll take my own rucksack - You don't trust me with it?

How beautiful it is here!

- How big you've grown! - Klerstens!

You must excuse me, but I always greet the men first.

How beautiful!

Professor, do you remember me?

Of course. You're Thomas.

I heard that you were coming.

I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye.

Thomas is going to serve the Fatherland.

On the Russian front.

Poor Thomas! I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm just sorry that it must be right at harvest time.

I wish you all the best.

God protect Austria and our Emperor!

What's the festival today?

It's the Emperor's birthday, Mino.

Have you ever seen the Emperor?

Naturally. I often see him when I'm in Vienna.

He'is very old but still funny.

Flowers for the ladies?

I'm dying of thirst!

There you go.

This holiday has passed much too fast.

Yes. It's a real shame you have to go off on a trip.

I'm sorry, too, but what you can do?

The University!

Look, there Mama! A stork!

Yes, it's marvellous.

How long do they normally stay here?

Until the Autumn. Then they fly away to Africa.

Depends on the weather.

You're not eating it anyway, are you?

Afterwards you'll have stomach ache again.

That would be wonderful. Then you'd have to postpone your departure.

Eat, Mino, I beg you.

Then dear Freda will take care of you, until you're well again.

Then we can all stay together for a few days.

You've got some on your jacket.

Hah! It fell off again!

Good health!

Cheers!

When will you be in Milan?

In the Autumn. I have to go to Vienna first.

Things are hotting up.

You know, Michele...

...in Vienna, people can't always understand the Italians.

There's not much to understand.

Our countries have a defence pact.

Italy has the right to remain neutral.

You have declared war.

The Emperor wanted no war.

And yet he declared one.

They shouldn't have provoked him.

You are a diplomat.

Please tell me why we can't sit round the table...

With traitors, murderers and anarchists...

...diplomacy doesn't work.

Don't you think you could make a concession?

A promise, to avoid political murder?

But what concession?

Autonomy for Hungary, Trient and Trieste?

Why not?

Autonomy's not enough for them.

They want independence.

That would be the beginning of the end.

Michele, Austria is a small country.

But the Habsburg Empire is a world!

But one can't fight against national ideas...

...the struggle for independence...

...with an oppressive political state.

You don't understand, Michele.

What you call a political state...

...that is really the ideal sort of state.

The Empire is the dream of a world without borders.

A dream of unity.

It's absurd to wage war for a dream!

The Emperor has given his people fifty years of peace.

And it will end in a war!

That's madness. Surely you understand?

But we are abandoned. Isolated.

So is Italy.

You know, I've been a diplomat for so long...

...that I no longer know where neutrality can be found.

You want Trient and Trieste.

Grab this, grab that.

- You just do your masters' bidding. - Karl, I won't stand for that!

What's the row about?

I apologise.

I'm sorry too.

I hope you will forgive me.

I'll try to find another way out of here.

Mama! Papa! Come quick!

They're attacking Karl and Freda's car!

Clear off! Go away!

Your Excellency.

How is such a thing possible...

...that my wife should be injured?

Freda, you go. I'll follow you.

Sergeant, I don't want this to cause a stir.

It won't happen again.

We'll keep watch here and then take you to the consulate.

Thank you.

- I got something in my eye. - We'll do an eye wash right away.

Papa, Papa!

There's a hundred policemen in front of the house!

Don't worry, Milo.

There are only three or four at most.

We have to disinfect the scratches.

Olga, please bring us some iodine.

No, no! First, the presents.

I'm sure this little lad is bursting with impatience!

That's the heaviest, so of course it's for you.

Michele?

Thank you.

And this is for you, Enrica.

You shouldn't have!

These are amazing! What sort of soldiers are they?

Those are Uhlan.

That comes from the Tatar language and it means "the brave warriors".

Mino, aren't you going to say thanks?

Thank you, Uncle Karl! Thank you, Freda!

Coming to my room?

All right.

Excuse me.

This is beautiful! Shall I put it on?

No, not like that! The other way round!

You don't think I look funny?

No, just the opposite. You look wonderful.

It's excellent. Michele, what do you think?

That's right. It looks really funny.

Must you always be such an idiot?

And now we need to treat the wound.

Otherwise you will be the first victim of a war ...

...that hasn't even started yet.

Do you really think there will be a war?

Between Austria and Italy?

No, I don't need any idodine! That'll stay for ages!

Then we'll use alcohol.

This might sting a little. You'll have to be brave.

Ow! Be careful.

Enrica, I forgot about you!

There's another present to open.

What is it?

You'll see. Or, actually, you'll hear!

You've sent the Prussians to Paris...

...the Roman legions are on their way to defeat Hannibal...

And what about my Uhlanen?

Why are they still in Vienna?

I don't know.

They will re-conquer Milan, as in Radetsky's blessed times.

No, they won't succeed.

Then here are the Italians...

...under the command of General Rasi, waiting for you.

They get sent to Austria and advance...

...to Trient and Trieste, and liberate them.

But because you're a friend, you're not captured.

Enrica, Michele. Please dance!

It's been such a long time since we danced together.

I know. The university gets in the way of everything.

Let's risk it!

What's that music?

It's a waltz, by Strauss.

Enrica, not so rigid! You have to let go.

I'd love to let go...

...if I didn't have to take care of the food. Please excuse me!

Shame! It was going so well.

And now it's my turn.

Why don't you come and stay with us for Christmas?

It's a family tradition.

Mino and Enrica like to spend Christmas at St Bernard.

Would YOU come?

"Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus,"

"that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans."

"Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades,"

"and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures..."

That's enough, Rasi.

Good. Very good. Go back to your seat.

Attention! Stand up!

After the Christmas holidays...

...you will do the homework I've set you.

Whoever fails to do his duty...

...will be punished severely.

You must study with the same dedication...

...as the soldiers wage war.

Then you will be soldiers, too.

Your weapon is the quill pen.

The weapon of truth.

- Happy Christmas to you all! - Happy Christmas, sir!

- Mino! Are you staying for Christmas? - I'm sorry, I can't.

I'm going to St Bernard with my parents.

Papa!

What's the matter? I am going too fast?

Yes, a bit.

We're nearly at the top.

Papa! Come over here!

- What are they doing now? - I'll tell you later.

I'm happy you're with us again.

I fear this may be the last Christmas...

...we can celebrate here as friends.

I fear so, too.

Unbelievable...

...this stupidity...

...these power-crazed people.

God forgive me.

I shouldn't speak so.

But believe me, professor...

Let us pray to the Lord,

that he turn away this visitation from us.

No! Don't!

Mino!

No! No! Don't!

Mino, what's the matter?

I'm afraid they'll kill you and Papa.

No, they won't. Don't be afraid. It was just a dream.

Do you want to get into bed with us?

It's all right. I'll take him.

So, Mino. Now let's get some sleep.

They won't really kill you, will they?

No, they won't. It was just a dream. Sleep now!

"Sleep, baby, sleep!"

"Thy father tends the sheep,"

"A black one and a white one,"

"Sleep, baby, sleep!"

Where are you going now, then? Back to Milan?

Not straight away.

We're going to Courmayeur for a couple of days.

We'll celebrate New Year's Eve in the mountains.

- Mama's almost ready. - Good.

I envy you the peace here in these mountains, Father.

Then you should become a monk.

But remember, professor.

The Devil is within us, even if we don't realise it.

Even in monks?

Yes, sometimes.

- The Devil used to live here, too. - Here?

Yes. He used to lie in wait in the Pass...

...preying on walkers and pilgrims and hermits.

But one day came Saint Bernard...

...and stood against him.

He was half snake, half wolf.

And poor Bernard...

...had only a cross and a white stole round his neck.

But with his stole he performed a miracle.

The stole changed into a chain...

...which strangled the monster.

"Go back to Hell!" cried the saint.

And he chased the Devil back there on foot.

Then he had this hospice built to prevent the Devil from returning.

But the Devil came back last night.

He wanted to strangle us all.

Really?

That wasn't the Devil.

That was all the polenta you ate yesterday!

All the best, professor.

And come back soon!

We will.

Thank you, Father.

Think of us in your prayers.

I will, my daughter. Goodbye.

The polenta tasted good!

Why have you stopped?

I need to get my bearings.

We should hurry.

Are we lost, Papa?

No. This is the right direction.

We must stay close together. Come on!

Let's put our skis on.

Michele, an avalanche!

Get away from here, quick!

Run, Mino!

Enrica, hold onto his coat!

Mino!

- Mama! - Mino!

Come, Pin!

What is it?

What are you looking for, Pin?

What's there?

We have to get going!

Come on, for heaven's sake!

My God, a child!

Come, Pin!

Who's that?

What's he doing here?

Pin found him in the snow.

The avalanche must have got him.

He was still alive, so I put him over my shoulder.

What about the bag?

- I left it there. - You left the bag lying there?

I just told you. Don't touch me!

What should I have done? Left the boy lying there?

Where am I? Who are you?

I'm Rico. You don't know me.

I found you in the snow.

That's Pin.

My Papa? And my Mama?

Where are you going?

Let go of me! I have to find them!

Let go of me!

Your search won't do much good now.

Stick to your cards!

They're not dead! They're not dead!

They're waiting for me!

Yes. In Paradise.

Shut it, understand? Leave him be!

Don't listen to him.

He doesn't know what he's saying. He's drunk.

Come on, don't cry. Calm down.

Everything will be all right.

They'll have been rescued, like you.

We'll see tomorrow.

I'll put you back in bed.

You must keep warm.

Here. These are the skis my father made for me...

...when I was your age. They're yours now.

My name's Mino.

Do you want some more warm milk?

No. Let's go.

Mino, it's dangerous there! Come back!

No! Let go of me!

They're dead!

Still asleep?

Mino, a mouthful?

Come on, I made the polenta especially for you.

Don't be like that. Say something.

Mino, what am I going to do with you?

Oh, there you are!

Do you want milking her? Try it!

It's not difficult.

Stroke her.

She's called Bianca.

She likes you. Stroke her again.

I like you, too.

Shall we be friends?

I asked you something.

Yes, let's be friends.

You haven't told me where your home is.

In Milan.

Milan? Do you have anyone else there?

No.

My grandparents are in Argentina.

They live in Cordoba.

South America!

- That's a long way. - What's a long way?

I can travel to them.

I can get on a ship in Genoa...

...and I'll be in Buenos Aires in 27 days.

That's where Figlia Tarina lives.

Then I'll go to Parana and then on to Rosario...

...and from Rosario to Cordoba by train.

You're a global traveller! Have you been there?

No. But that's the exact journey Marco made.

The exact journey Marco made? Who's Marco?

A boy in a book.

He travelled from the Appenines to the Andes.

He was alone, just like me.

I can't read, but I know this:

A young lad can't travel alone to America.

It takes two days to get to Aosta!

Is there no one else who isn't so far away?

Yes. Karl and Freda. They're friends of my parents.

They like me. Take me to them!

Hah! You're joking! I'm not your Marco.

I never go further than San Remy.

I can take you there.

And, if you can write, write to your people.

Yes.

Now you can meet Olindo.

He's an old ass.

From...

...Giacomo Rasi...

...care of Rico...

What's your surname?

Girardet.

...Girardet...

...San Remy. That sounds French!

I'd like to send a letter to Milan.

Look, Rico! The cathedral!

Milan Cathedral!

That's the cathedral!

Nice! How much does it cost?

Two lira twenty.

And with the writing paper and the stamps...

...that comes to three lira.

Here!

I used to live there, two streets further.

And if I looked out of the window...

...I could see the tower.

Thank you, Rico. But...

It's fine.

Olindo.

You must lend me some money.

Must I? How come?

Because I have none, and if you want to be paid...

...you'll have to lend it to me first.

Also, I provide you with certain goods.

We have an account open.

I can't lend you more than four at the moment.

That'll do.

Then you owe me one lira.

I owe you a lira? Why?

I think you can count.

I need from you five lira.

And you only give me four.

Yes.

So you still owe me one.

Let's start from the top.

You get from me three lira.

From that I deduct the lira you owe me.

So you get two lira from me.

You think I'm an idiot?

I still owe you four lira.

Aha! Now I agree!

But we'll settle that with the next goods delivery,

I'll have English cigarettes and Swiss chocolate.

Interested?

Of course I'm interested!

Then it's agreed.

Am I wrong, or did you just swindle him out of a lira?

I told you he was an old ass!

- You really don't like him? - Maybe after a couple of hours.

After we'd settled up a hundred times.

Come on! Let's get going!

- You still all right? - Yes, yes.

Just breathe quietly. Don't gasp.

Seven, eight, nine...

...and through!

You see? I did it !

Huh! You think I didn't notice?

If it's getting too much for you,

you can leave the rest to me.

Chocolate?

I don't need any. I'm just pretending.

Then I'd better take care what I say.

Watch!

How did you do that?

My father taught it to me.

He learned it when he was in Bergen,

when he worked in the mines there.

He was there for ten years, in the darkness,

trying to save a little money.

That's where Bastian was born.

That's why they called him the "coal son."

And where were you born?

Here, in the hut.

Then you're the "snow son!"

I've often been here with my father.

Father always said the same thing:

God made everything here in seven days...

...but if some poor devil like me wants to get home,

it takes him years.

What are you thinking about?

Being at home.

We found it in a crevice, but we found nothing else.

We looked everywhere.

I fear we must face up to the pain.

You mustn't give up courage, professor.

There are hours when I feel life is a heavy burden.

A punishment.

I wish I could...

Not so, my son.

There's a saying of Lucretia.

He was a heathen, but a wise man.

"No one has life in personal possession,"

"yet he makes personal use of it."

No, what you're contemplating, you mustn't do.

Do you want to stay a while with us?

No, but thank you anyway.

I'll probably be called up.

How is your wife?

She's recovering slowly.

She can't accept it yet either.

You must be strong for both of you.

You're both still so young.

My son.

Long live Italy!

My sons, my heart bleeds...

...that you must go to war.

God will write all your names in his book...

...and lay it in his tabernacle for Jesus.

So you will be close to him,

and you will all return to San Remy.

Go in peace. May God protect you.

Rico?

Stupid devil, leaving the door open!

You should fight your craving for chocolate!

God, I have an oaf for a brother, who leaves the door open!

- In four weeks, then. - Fine. Take care!

That's more than half!

And what about the bag you left when you rescued the boy?

The boy was a gift from the Heavenly Father.

Then ask the Heavenly Father for the rest of your share.

I warn you, Bastian. You can't treat me like this.

What are you going to do about it? Kill me?

Get out of my way!

No, Rico, no!

You? What are you doing here?

You've been spying on us!

Rico, I swear I'll kill you!

I'm not a spy!

Let's hope you haven't betrayed us!

Sort him out. Tomorrow he's coming with us.

Leave it, Rico. It doesn't matter.

Border guards! Get down!

They've seen us. They're coming this way.

Quick! Get back with the stuff!

- Are you injured? - No, I don't think so.

They'll be here in a minute.

Get the bags off, quick!

Sebastian!

Well, what a surprise! Where are the bags?

What bags?

Don't bluff, Sebastian. We've warned you.

Next time, we'll shoot.

- We lost our way. - Did I ask you a question?

No, I just wanted to say...

You'll end up in prison.

But we haven't done anything!

Shall we arrrest them?

Nothing wrong with having fun skiing.

Who's this lad?

Him? He's ... from Aosta.

The son of my cousin Rosetta.

What's your name, my boy?

His name's...

He can speak for himself. So! What's your name?

Ny name's Giacomo.

Giacomo Girardet.

Tell your mother she should send you to school,

and not let you learn from these two renegades.

I warn you, Bastian. Next time, you...

...won't have the chance to throw it away.

- Got it? - Got it.

So we weren't betrayed, huh?

Stop talking nonsense!

I wanted to do it.

But he didn't.

But I did think about it.

And why didn't you betray us?

Not for his sake. For yours.

Ciao, Olindo.

Your letter has been returned.

That's impossible!

Why?

It's marked "Undeliverable. Gone abroad."

If I were you, I'd destroy this letter...

...before the police see it.

Why?

Why? Because we're at war with Austria...

...and you're writing to the enemy!

War?

Yes, war! There's a war!

By the way, Rico.

You've got a letter, too.

Me?

From the Fatherland.

Mino, come here.

What does it say?

That you must be in barracks in Aosta in two days' time.

For the war.

Are you mad? Ah, well, sheep will always be sheep.

All it takes is a little hop...

...and we'll be over the Swiss border.

We have friends over there.

We'll hide over there, and come back when the war's over.

But everyone's going.

Enzo, Giuseppe, Galletto.

It's only right that I go, too.

What do you mean, "right"? Who for?

They say it's for Trient and Trieste.

They belong to us.

To us? The only thing that belongs to us is this hut!

It's all we have, and if we didn't have this...

...we'd have nothing at all.

Think about it.

Sleep on it.

Rico, what happens to me?

I haven't thought about that yet.

What shall we do?

Listen. We'll make a pact with each other.

This is what we'll do.

You stay up here, with Pin...

...and I'll go to Aosta.

And when I come back, in a couple of months,

I'll go with you to Milan, and then to Argentina.

- Agreed? - Agreed.

And now get some sleep.

Goodbye, Pin. Look after Mino.

Look after him, yes?

So, Bastian.

I wish you all the best.

Yeah, yeah. Go on, then.

Go back, Pin!

Back! Go home!

Come on!

Food's on the table. We have work to do.

You can sleep here tonight.

First thing tomorrow, you pack up and go.

Enough of this life in Paradise!

I'd like to take you with me.

But it's impossible, Pin.

I have to go to my grandparents in Argentina.

And you can't come with me, Pin.

Show me what you've got stashed in your rucksack.

I don't steal! I'm not a thief!

Oh, you don't steal?

And what's this, then?

It's mine. I've been on the last two trips.

They're mine by right.

You've eaten your belly full.

You've lived under my roof.

You should be grateful.

I'll keep the rucksack.

- And how will I carry my things? - You'll manage.

We'll stay together, Pin!

Come on, Pin. Don't be afraid.

I'm not afraid, either. Not a bit.

I'm not in the least bit afraid.

There's a wagon coming, Pin.

Who can it be?

Where have you come from? The mountain?

Sir... Please...

You look in a right mess.

How did you get into that state?

Come up.

Here, take this. It came from the circus.

I can't take it because...

You're going to say you can't pay.

Well, you can pay for it another time.

Wait! I can give you these skis for it.

If you want.

Get changed, and we'll be going.

And what shall we do with this creature here?

Don't worry. He follows me everywhere.

Be good!

Giddy up!

Does it fit?

Wonderful!

Perhaps you'll tell me now who you are...

...and why you're traipsing about here.

I'm going to Genoa.

Yeah, yeah. It's just around the corner.

But truthfully, you've run away from home.

- No, I... - You can't fool me.

You're shivering with fear.

What are you so afraid of?

- Of the dark. - Well, that's not so odd.

There's a blanket there. Take it!

I'll take you to Aosta. All right?

Yes. Thank you!

"Thank you." "Please." Very well brought up!

No, thanks. I should get going.

Aosta's that way, if you'd rather go on foot.

Is it still far?

Two kilometres.

If you ask me, you've escaped from an orphanage.

"Thank you. Please. Thank you very much."

Someone beat that into you, huh?

Can I keep..?

Yeah, yeah. Keep it, if you like it.

I can't sell it to a runaway like you.

And it fits you very well.

Then...

Ah, don't thank me.

I wish you luck.

Pin, I really mean it!

We're going to Genoa, then on to Argentina.

Do you fancy that?

Wait! Wait, Pin!

Get it loaded! The train leaves in two minutes!

Come on!

This is the right moment. Come!

Up we go!

Hey, you! What are you doing here?

Get out of here!

Quick! Under here!

Guard! There's a boy running about!

Pin, stay here! Come back!

Pin! How did YOU get here?

Tell me, what are you doing here?

You know we march in two days.

What am I supposed to do with that boy?

He wants to go to his grandparents in Argentina.

They live in a town called Cordoba.

Call the boy in here.

As you say, Major.

What do you look like?

Do the buttons up.

Wait here, Pin. Be good.

Stay!

Come in.

What sort of a suit is that?

It looks like it's from the circus!

With respect, Major, this isn't his jacket.

He got it from a pedlar.

Listen, is this true?

That you have no relatives in Milan?

No uncle? Cousin? No one?

My dear boy...

...you know there's a war on.

Yes, I know.

What can I do with you?

I can only hand you over to the police.

No, please! They'll put me in an orphanage!

Then YOU tell me what to do with you!

Let me fight in the war.

Fight in the war.

With us.

Fight in the war.

Yes! Like a little Lombardy sentry.

If I may say so, Major...

the boy is always dreaming up stories...

...like in a book called "The Heart of a Boy"...

...which he read.

We've all read that book.

Forgive me, I haven't. I can't read.

Yes, fine. A writer.

You want me to be part of your fantasy.

Well, I can't.

I'm only an officer.

- Do you realise what you've done? - Yes, Major.

Take him to the cantine. Give him some food.

And clean his boots!

Then come back here with him. Dismissed!

Stay out!

- What's this? - A dog. Pin.

Alpino Girardet!

- You said nothing about a dog! - Yes, sir. No, sir.

Take it with you. March!

Come on, Pin!