Original subtitles

Mosfilm Studios

So, you're saying it's all my fault?

Yes, of course.

I know why you say that.

In your opinion to be loved is as good as love,

a kind of happiness enough for all your life.

Yes, quite enough, my dear sir.

More than enough.

But what about being in love, too?

I'm not in love.

To be beloved is a misfortune.

It's a misfortune, for you know that you can't return her love.

For Christ's sake.

I have never lied - to her or to myself.

I thought: thank God, at last I'm in love.

But then I realized it was an involuntary lie.

It was the wrong love.

I couldn't go on, but she did.

It's not my blame I could not live like this anymore.

Anyway, everything is over.

You have never loved. You don't know

what love is.

I have never loved?..

Yes, quite true.

I turned my life into a tangle.

You are right. Everything is over now.

And I feel that I'm starting a new life.

And you'll turn it into another tangle.

Please sir, I have orders to put out the candles.

- Shall I make out the bill to you? - How much?

Good-bye, you are a capital fellow!

Will you settle Chevaliers bill

- and write and let me know? - All right, all right!

- How I envy you! - Well then, come along!

Goodbye, Mitya, God bless you.

Goodbye!

Let's go.

A fine fellow, that Olenin!

But what an idea to go to the Caucasus - as a cadet, too!

I wouldn't do it for anything.

Olenin was a youth who had never served anywhere,

who had squandered half his fortune

and had chosen no career yet.

Up to that time he had loved only himself,

and could not help loving himself,

for he expected nothing but good of himself

and had not yet had time to be disillusioned.

He was in that happy state of mind in which a young man,

conscious of past mistakes, says to himself:

all that had gone before was accidental and unimportant.

But now with his departure from Moscow a new life was beginning -

with no mistakes, no remorse,

and certainly nothing but happiness.

The farther Olenin travelled from Central Russia

the farther he left his memories behind,

and the nearer he drew to the Caucasus

the lighter his heart became.

All his Moscow reminiscences vanished

and did not return.

Now it has begun,

a solemn voice seemed to say to him.

LEO TOLSTOY. THE COSSACKS

Script � V. Shklovsky

Directed by � Vasily Pronin

Photography � I. Gelein, V. Zakharov

Production Design � M. Bogdanov, G. Myasnikov

Assistant Director � I. Petrov Music � G. Popov

The Cast

Dmitry Olenin - Leonid Gubanov Eroshka - Boris Andreev

Maryana - Zinaida Kirienko Lukashka - Eduard Bredun

Nazarka - B. Novikov Vanyusha - G. Kachin

Ustenka - I. Men Maryana's mother - V. Enyutina Beletsky - K. Gradopolov

The First Creative Association

In this fertile wooded strip

has dwelt as far back as memory runs

the fine and prosperous Russian tribe

the Grebensk Cossacks.

Long long ago their Old Believer ancestors fled from Russia.

Living among the Chechens the Cossacks intermarried with them

and adopted the manners and customs of the hill tribes,

though they still retained the Russian language

in all its purity, as well as their Old Faith.

Look at all these women.

Must be going for water.

- Their feast comes round. - Luka!

The Cossacks have gone in to supper.

Where did you get that cock pheasant?

Why should you care?

Shall we eat it ourselves

- or give it to the corporal? - No way.

It will make a fat pilau. Hide it in the sack.

That fiend will be sending us to the ambush again tonight.

It's Fomushkin's turn, but he sent him for the wine.

He always puts it on us.

Let's say we wont go.

I'll say we are tired out and there's an end of it!

Get along with you!

- I'll tell him that we won't go. - All right, all right.

- Who is to go tonight? - Who is there to go?

- Uncle Burlak has been. - Right.

- and Fomushkin too. - Right, he has.

You two had better go,

you, Luka, and you, Nazar.

And Ergushov must go too. Surely he has slept it off?

You don't sleep it off yourself so why should he?

Shut up. Be quick and go!

Finish your supper and go!

If I hadn't been ordered to I wouldn't send anyone,

but an officer might turn up at any moment.

As it is, they say

eight abreks have crossed over.

Ulita!

Go, go! Maryana, take your cows.

Dunaika!..

Come now, come old dear.

Take off your slippers, you devil's wench.

- Have you cleared up, Granny? - We have.

Is it fire you want?

- So Lukashka is at the cordon? - He is, Mother.

Ah well, thank God.

"Snatcher" is certainly the only word for him

He's a good son! He's a fine fellow,

everyone praises him.

- All I wish is to get him married. - Well,

aren't there plenty of young women in the village?

Plenty, Mother, plenty.

There's your girl now, your Maryana - that's the sort of girl!

Well, when Maryana grows up she'll be marriageable too.

I'll send the matchmakers. Only let us get the vineyards done

and then we'll come and make our bows to you and your husband Ilya.

Ilya, indeed! It's to me you must speak!

All in its own good time.

Don't refuse us, think of my words.

I'll go, it is time to light the fire.

Gurka says your Dunayka is carrying on with Fomushkin.

As if I couldn't find another!

Gurka says she treated Fomushkin to a pie.

- You're making it up. - No!

- Let her go to the devil then. - What a devil you are!

- You should make up to Maryana. - What of Maryana? They're all alike.

- Well, you just try... - Watch the river.

Shall we lie here?

Yes.

Dunayka, darling, ain't I a good Cossack...

In the name of the Father...

Who made a shot?

Get him!

- Whom did you shot? - Be quiet. It's abreks.

- Why were you shooting? - Abreks, I tell you.

- Don't humbug! - Just look there.

- I say, more will come! - That was a scout swimming across.

Where you going? If you've killed him he won't escape.

Nazar, run back to the cordon. But don't go along the bank

- or you'll be killed. - Catch me going alone!

You two go to the cordon

- and I will watch. - Don't you stick out, Luka.

Hallo, Cossack! Don't you kill Eroshka.

What have you shot?

I've killed a human.

He was swimming with a log on his back. I spied him out!

Do you see him?

Yes, I do. You've killed a brave.

In the name of our dear Russ

We shall confound the enemy

We'll protect our country, preferring death to bondage...

- Dmitry Andreevich. - Why, what's the matter?

It's not funny. Just try to talk to these people yourself.

- Who has upset you so? - The devil only knows.

There is no real master here.

They say he has gone to some kind of 'kriga'.

And the old woman is a real witch. God preserve us!

- What do we do? - I shall arrange everything.

I'll go and speak to the people of the house.

Good-day to you, Mother! I've come about my lodgings.

What have you come here for? Want to mock at us, eh?

I'll teach you to mock, may the black plague seize you.

I mean to pay for my lodgings.

Who wants a pest like you, with your scraped face?

I don't want your dirty money!

You'll stink the house out with your beastly tobacco!

Think we've never seen a pest!

May black plague seize you!

The girl too is quite savage.

- Le femme! - Pour me some rum, Vanya.

You look like a gentleman, sir.

Have a drink with us, Cossack. And can you help me, good man?

- I received bad welcome here. - I'm surprised she didn't hit you.

That silly woman wouldn't let in strangers.

Nor would she let me to drink out of a 'worldly' tumbler,

Though, education could overcome such backwardness.

The rum is good, eh.

Ulita, bring

our particular glass.

Gifts of the Terek.

Ulita, I need to talk with this man here.

Some man, eh.

She is angry today.

Because of the air atmosphere and the approaching rain.

In the name of the Father, and the Holy spirit.

Exquisite taste!

- Wonderful. - I need to see the cornet.

I'm the master of this house. And of a noble officer's rank, too.

The cornet is me.

- Will you pay six rubles? - I will.

It's a deal then.

You'll live in the summer hut.

It's clean and comfy, and with a good view. This way, please.

Tres galant...

Olenin was feeling very contented, after three months of bivouac life.

His mind, too, felt fresh and clear.

The old life was wiped out and a quite new life had begun

in which there were as yet no mistakes.

He's kissed his dog and licked the jug!

I have done wrong, lads, I have!

I have drunk the bitch, it was wrong.

Daddy!

Cossack! Come over here!

Salute to you, good man.

Salute to you, good man.

What are the kids shouting at you for?

Why, they're teasing me the old man. Let them joke

about their old daddy.

- Are you an army commander? - No, I am a cadet.

And are you a drinker? Do you drink chikhir?

- Why not? I like a drink. - Ah, I see you are a trump!

Koshkildy, that is Tartar for 'good day'.

- Or 'peace be unto you'. - Koshkildy, I know.

Eh, but you don't know the right order!

If anyone says Koshkildy to you, you must say

Allah rasi bo sun, that is, God save you.

That's the way, my dear fellow.

But I'll teach you all about it.

We had a fellow here, Ilya, one of your Russians,

he was a trump,

a drunkard, a thief, a hunter - and what a hunter!

I taught him everything.

- Here. - Thank you.

And what will you teach me?

I'll take you hunting and teach you to fish.

I'll take you to Chechens and will show their customs to you.

I'll tell about olden days - with no bragging or lying

about good things.

You, townspeople are learned, but you know about nothing.

I'll sit down. I'm tired.

- Karga! - And what does Karga mean?

Why, that means All right in Georgian.

- It's not our tongue that you speak. - He is asking about tea.

Well, lad, won't you order the chikhir and not tea. Ivan!

- Vanyusha, bring chikhir. - Ivan or Vanyusha, that's all one.

Why are all your soldiers Ivans? Ivan!

You tell them to give some from the barrel they have begun.

They have the best chikhir in the village.

But don't give more than 30 kopeks for the quart,

mind, because that witch would be only too glad.

Our people, you know...

They do not look upon you as on men,

But as for me, though you are a soldier

you are still a man, and have a soul in you.

What did you come for? To war?

Why to war?

We don't need no war.

I'm a merry fellow, and I like everybody.

I'm Eroshka, yes, my dear fellow.

Tell me, who is that young woman?

Maryana, my girlie, won't you love me, darling?

Love me and you'll be happy!

I'm a fine fellow, I'm a wag!

She's a regular queen, that girl, eh.

She is lovely. Call her here!

No. For that one a match is being arranged with Luka,

a fine Cossack, a brave.

I'll find you one that will be all dressed up in silk and silver.

You, an old man, and say such things. It's a sin!

A sin? Where's the sin? A sin to look at a nice girl?

A sin to have some fun with her? Or is it a sin to love her?

No, my dear fellow, its not a sin, it's salvation!

That's what she was made for,

to be loved and to give joy.

What are you standing in the light for! Pass me the decanter!

Why are you so cross, little dear?

And you! Are you kind?

We, my master and I, are very kind,

Wherever we have stayed our hosts were always very grateful.

And is your master married?

Noble gentlemen can never marry young/

See what a fed-up buffalo he is, and too young to marry!

Is he the chief of you all?

My master is a cadet, not yet an officer,

but he's more important than a general.

Because not only our colonel, but the Tsar himself, knows him.

- He has more than a thousand serfs. - Go.

Lots of houses, horses...

- Also his father is dead already. - Go away. I'll lock up

- As for myself... - Give the money to Mother.

Today it's 'Eroshka licks the jug',

but then Eroshka was famous in the whole regiment.

You did not know me in my golden days

Who should be sent to the mountains to kill Ahmet Khan?

Or to get some Abrek, alive or dead? Why, always Eroshka.

Because I was a real brave, the best hunter,

a drinker, a singer...

I'll come and fulfill my mission,

and general Skozyrev himself

will bring out a this big jug of punch for me!

All is a fraud, though.

When you die the grass will grow on your grave.

A this high grass.

And so when you die the grass will grow?

And what did you think? Drink!

- He'll get a handsome reward now? - They'll send him a cross

- What luck that Snatcher has. - He's a fine lad.

- A right-minded lad! - He takes after his father.

When he was killed the whole village howled.

Look, there they are.

Why are you not singing?

Sing to our merry-making,

Why sing? It's not a holiday. You're tight, so you go and sing.

You'd better sing. And I'll begin too.

- I'm clever, I tell you. - Are you asleep, fair ones?

We've come from the cordon for merry-making.

Have you come for long?

Till tomorrow morning.

Well, God grant you get something good.

- As I've just been saying. - And I say so too

What a lot of visitors have come.

I heard they'll build a bridge across the Terek.

And I've been told that they will dig a pit

to put the girls in because they don't love the lads.

I say, Maryana,

is the new chief now living in your house?

What spruced-up lads, eh.

And where have you put up the chief?

We've let him have the new hut.

And is he old or young?

Do you think I've asked?

Ask Daddy Eroshka.

- And have you come for long? - Till the morning.

Give me some sunflower seeds.

Don't take them all.

Really I felt so dull all the time without you.

- I wont come, I tell you. - I wanted to say to you...

By the Heavens! Do come!

- Mommy's calling! Supper time! - I'm coming.

I had better go home too,

that will be best.

And they say the girls will have to make the soldiers' beds

and offer them chikhir and honey.

What an accursed devil! You frightened me!

So you have not gone home?

What I wanted to tell you, by Heaven...

What are you talking of, at night time!

You'd better go to your sweetheart.

Wait, Maryana.

Well, what do you want to say?

Don't laugh at me, Maryana.

Well, what if I have a sweetheart?

May the devil take her!

Only say the word and now I'll love you -

I'll do anything you wish.

Others have pleasures, and I? I get no pleasure from you.

Why keep me waiting and waiting? Don't I love you?

Don't bluster, Lukashka.

It's true I am a girl, but you listen to me!

If you love me I'll tell you this...

Let go my hands,

I'll marry you,

but you'll never get any nonsense from me,

What, you'll marry me? Marriage does not depend on us.

Love me yourself, Maryana.

My dear!

Wait, Maryana... Listen to me...

Go, you'll be seen!

That devil, our lodger, is walking about the yard.

It's all a fraud...

fraud...

fraud...

Whose was the finest horse?

Who had a Gurda sword?

Of course Eroshka.

Whom did the girls love? Why, always Eroshka!

Kunak! Kunak!

Do you know who is singing there?

It is the brave, Lukashka.

He has killed a Chechen and now he rejoices, that fool.

And have you ever killed people?

What are you asking?

One must not talk so.

It is a serious thing to destroy a human being.

Good-bye, my dear fellow. I've eaten my fill and am drunk,

What people,

what a life!

Be quiet, soldier.

I noticed the track of deer here yesterday.

An antlered one! Here it stood.

We should have come round by the path.... Fool!

Fool! Fool! Pig!

Here am I sitting where a stag used to live...

an old stag, a beautiful stag

who perhaps had never seen a man,

Here I sit,

and pheasants are fluttering,

jackals creeping at a safe distance,

mosquitoes hang in the air and buzz:

one, two, three, four, a hundred, a thousand,

a million mosquitoes,

and each one of them is separate from all else,

as I am myself,

Dmitri Olenin...

This way, this way, lads! Here's some one you can eat!

I'm not a Russian nobleman,

but just such a mosquito, or pheasant, or deer,

Just as they, just as Daddy Eroshka,

I'll live awhile and die, and grass will grow, that's all.

The grass will grow?

So what the grass will grow?

Still I must live and be happy,

Happiness is this!

Happiness lies in living for others.

The desire for happiness is innate in every man,

therefore it is legitimate.

Daddy Eroshka!

Daddy Eroshka!

Salute, guys!

Which of you is Luka Gavrilov?

I have reported your exploit to the Commander.

I've recommended you for a cross.

You're too young to be made a sergeant. Put on your cap.

Which of the Gavrilovs do you come of?

His nephew.

Good for you. Well, lend a hand, help them.

Careful.

Which of them killed him?

What did he say?

You had better not meet him again now, mate!

Why do you smoke? Is it good?

It's just a habit.

- What are you doing here? - I got lost in the forest.

I'll take you, if you like.

- It's not a long way, is it. - Still you won't make it.

Why are you walking around, so incautious?

I'm not afraid. Go back, and thank you.

- It's all right! What have I to do? - Come in with me.

We'll have a drink and in the morning you can go back.

Couldn't I find a place to spend the night?

I heard you singing last night, and also saw you.

- I'm human, too. - Is it true you are getting married?

Mother wants me to marry. But I have not got a horse yet.

- Aren't you in the service? - I've only just joined

and haven't got a horse. So I can't get married yet.

- And what would a horse cost? - I bargained for a Nogay horse,

but they would not take 60 rubles for it.

I will give you a horse.

Really now, I have two and I don't want both.

- Don't want both? - Yes.

We'll get on by ourselves by God's help.

Have you a house of your own in Russia?

I own several houses. And a mansion. And a dog-pound.

And have you horses such as ours?

I have a hundred horses,

worth 300 or 400 rubles each. They are trotters, you know.

But still, I like the horses here best.

Did you come here of your own free will, or not?

I came by my own wish. I wanted to see your parts.

You may join others in an expedition.

Aren't you horrified at having killed a man?

And what did you want to come here for, as rich as you are.

Do you find it pleasant living among us?

Yes, very pleasant. Wait here.

- It's yours. - Why should you give me a present?

I have not yet done anything for you.

And you will take me along on an expedition.

But what do you mean by it? This horse costs a fortune.

Take it, take it!

If you don't you will offend me.

Vanya. Say farewell to the grey horse.

- I'll keep the bridle. - Don't, Vanya.

They'll send me money soon. Luka, take the saddle, too.

Vanya, bring us some chikhir.

Thank you. This is something unexpected, undreamt of.

Vanya!

It's a good horse. I bought it in Groznyi. It gallops splendidly!

God bless you, Dmitry Andreevich.

We will be kunaks. I'll go with you to the mountains,

across the river, a-hunting.

- I'll be your murid. - Thank you.

Is the tea ready?

I'm like anyone else.

Like a pheasant or deer or Daddy Eroshka...

I'll live awhile, and then will die, and grass will grow on my grave.

Grass will grow...

It won't, Dmitry Andreevich.

Not in the stone crypt at your estate.

One should sacrifice himself in everything...

Look for people whom you will help

and whom you will love...

...to spread a web of love and to take all who come into it...

It will get torn, Dmitry Andreevich,

your web of love will get torn.

Dmitry Andreevich!

- My dear fellow! - Beletsky!

- Olenin - in this hole! - What are you doing here?

I dispatched a message to the local commander.

I enjoyed a warm welcome

- as a friend of Elizaveta. - Countess Trubetskaya?

Countess Voronstova, your old acquaintance.

She got married to the commander's son

and is a big figure in these parts.

And you came to tell me this?

Why? That would be impolite.

But you were her flame, wasn't you.

Stop it, Beletsky. Don't you gossip about your uppers.

I understand: it's Rousseau, Chateaubriand, Pushkin's Gypsies...

And you yourself compose prose, too.

I'm living a different life now.

You complicate everything.

I was put up at the Cossack corporal's house.

There is such a girl there. Ustenka! She's just charming.

And she calls me Granddaddy.

- You're invited to tomorrow's ball. - A ball?

A ball will consist of a pie and a gathering of girls.

- What should we do there? - You're such a strange fellow!

Do go to that ball, sir.

One can't admire le femme just through the window.

Vanya speaks reason.

I humbly beg you to do honour to my patron saint

I kindly thank you.

- To you, Ustenka. - Thank you.

What about the guests? Kindly sit down.

- Girls don't drink. - We might, with a little honey.

The honey... Olenin...

And gingerbreads.

Maryana, please join us at the table.

Young ladies, come on...

Sit down, please.

Have some gingerbreads.

Dear friends.

Now our host Ustenka is to offer chikhir to everybody with a kiss.

Very well.

But on one condition:

everyone should put money on my plate, as during the wedding.

Maryana is a wonderful girl, a real beauty.

Have some, Granddaddy.

And now offer some to Dmitry Andreevich.

Be my guest, Dmitry Andreevich.

We are rich, girls.

And now you, Maryana.

I'll give you such a kiss!

One can kiss Granddad without payment.

There's a sensible girl.

Offer a glass to your lodger.

What a beauty.

A beautiful girl.

Let's run away, girls!...

Why did you allow a kiss from Beletsky but not from me?

Oh, just so. I don't want to, that's all.

He's a Granddad.

Why have you locked the door, you devils?

Well, let them be there and us here.

Beletsky!

Beletsky! Open the door!

What a stupid joke!

Ah, you're afraid of me?

Yes, you know you're as cross as your mother.

Spend more of your time with Eroshka,

that will make the girls love you!

- And if I were to come to see you? - That would be a different matter.

We'll have to go away.

Ustenka's mother returned from her work and got very angry.

Let's go away.

Olenin had entered into the life of the Cossack village so fully

that his past seemed quite foreign to him.

As to the future, especially a future outside the world

in which he was now living, it did not interest him at all.

Here he felt freer and freer every day.

Often it seriously occurred to him to quit everything,

to get registered as a Cossack and marry a Cossack woman

(only not Maryana, whom he conceded to Lukashka),

and to live with Daddy Eroshka

and go shooting and fishing with him.

Why ever don't I do it? What am I waiting for?

There, I've exchanged your horse across the river.

This is a horse!

Well? Are you getting married?

A Kabarda horse from the Lov stud.

What would you take for it?

I have been offered 150 rubles for it,

- but I'll give it you for nothing. - No, on no account.

Well then, here is a dagger I've brought you.

- I got it from across the river. - Oh, thank you!

And mother has promised to bring you some grapes.

And when is the wedding to be?

I'll come for the betrothal, and then I'll return to the company again.

What, and see nothing of your betrothed?

What is the good of looking at her?

When you go on campaign ask in our company for Lukashka.

A lot of boars in our parts! We'll go a-hunting.

Well, goodbye.

Thank you for everything.

- Shall we buy some booze? - Not now. Wait here.

Hasn't the cadet given you anything more?

I paid him back with a dagger, he nearly asked for the horse.

Gee...

It's I. Open up.

What do you want?

Maryana dear! Who is that with you?

Go, be quick!

Lukashka was asking for Daddy.

- Well then send him here! - He's gone, said he was in a hurry.

Nazar!

- She wouldn't let me in! - I knew she wouldn't.

The cornet has begun going to their house.

Eroshka got a gun from him for getting him Maryana.

He lies, the old devil! She's not such a girl.

If he does not look out I'll wallop that old devil's sides.

Many things have I pondered over lately

and much

have I changed.

He was still more aware of his own weakness and artificiality.

He could not forget himself and his complex, distorted past.

Every day he delighted in the beauty of the mountains

and of that self-contained woman.

And he thought:

this only possible happiness and this woman

are not for me...

Write on, write on, my lad.

You'll burn, little fool! You're asking for it...

I've been to the betrothal at the cornet's.

I came with my balalaika.

I'm a master at it. Tartar or Cossack,

squire or soldiers' songs, any kind you please.

Come, leave off, my lad, leave off!

People have injured you but leave them alone, spit at them!

You're writing all the time.

What's the good of writing quibbles?

It's all a fraud. Better have a spree and show you're a man.

You'll die, and grass will grow on your grave. Have fun!

Ah, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dim,

Say where did they last see him?

In a booth, at the fair,

He was selling pins, there.

Oh, my dear friend!

You are gone, my young days,

and will never come back!

Drink, why don't you drink!

Is it because of my talent,

Some kind of talent,

Unknown talent...

Or is it just my fate

My bitter fate...

My unhappy star...

Can it be that

My fate was sealed

Sealed forever...

And all my life

Will be full of sufferings

Till my last day

Till my very death...

Who was shooting? What happened?

Eh, folks...

Let's go inside, my dear fellow.

And Lukashka, is he happy? Won't he come to see me?

What, Lukashka?

They've lied to him as if I am getting his girl for you.

But what's the girl?

She will be ours if we want her.

Give enough money - and she's ours.

No, Daddy, money can do nothing if she does not love me.

We are not loved, you and I.

We are forlorn.

God grant it, now we can afford to hold the wedding.

Did you see the horse

Luka exchanged for the previous one?

Why do you keep silent?

Darling, sweetheart.

Why, you've learnt it from Granddad.

Stop it! Let's have some sleep.

But I wanted to tell you such a thing.

- Well, what is it? - I know something about your lodger!

- There's nothing to know. - Oh, you rogue of a girl.

Won't tell anything? Does he come to you?

- He does. What of that? - You blushed.

And why should I pretend?

- I love him. - Granddad, do you mean?'

- And the sin? - Ah, Maryana!

When is one to have a good time if not while unmarried?

When you marry Luka, all joy will be gone.

It will be only daily chores and kids.

Well, some who are married live happily.

What has passed between you and Lukashka?

There was a betrothal. They'll marry me off in autumn.

But what did he say to you?

What should he say?

He said he loved me.

He kept asking me to come to the vineyards with him.

Just see what pitch!

But you didn't go, did you? What else did he say?

Must you know everything?

One night he came to my window tipsy,

- and asked me to let him in. - And you didn't let him?

- Let him, indeed! - No girl would refuse him.

Well, let him go to the others,

Ah, if I were in your place

I'd soon turn the lodger's head!

They say he is the richest of the Russians.

His orderly says they have serfs of their own.

Do you know what he once told me? He said:

'I'd like to be Lukashka the Cossack,

or your brother...'

What do you think he meant?

Oh, just chattering what came into his head.

What does mine not say! Just as if he was possessed.

Mine is back. I mean, the lodger.

I didn't find a single one.

What an idea - to look for hares during harvesting.

You had better come and help us,

and do some work with the girls.

Girls, get up!

- You'll kill the womenfolk like this. - No, I won't.

You should help me.

Must they all be cut? Isn't this one too green?

Give it here.

Are you going to be married soon?

Do you love Lukashka?

- Why should you care? - I envy him!

- Very likely! - You are so beautiful!

Whatever I am, I'm not for you.

Why do you make fun of me?

Making fun? If you only knew how I...

I don't know what I would not do for you...

Leave me alone, you pitch!

Dmitry Andreevich,

come and help me, I am all alone.

Maryana!

I feel real love

for the first and only time in my life.

What am I to do?

I imagined her now as my mistress and now as my wife,

but rejected both ideas with disgust.

To make her a wanton woman would be dreadful.

To turn her into a fine lady, the wife of Dmitry Olenin,

like a Cossack woman here who is married to one of our officers,

would be still worse.

Now could I turn Cossack like Lukashka,

and steal horses,

get drunk on chikhir, sing rollicking songs,

and when drunk climb in at her window for the night

without a thought of who and what I am...

...then we might understand one another...

and I might be happy.

Live for others, and do good?

Why? when in my soul there is only love

and the desire to love her and to live her life with her?

Today I will go and tell her everything.

I saw ... fine!

Fine!

I'll go and tell them at the office, and I'll tell her father!

That's a fine cornet's daughter! One's not enough for her.

What do you want of me,

- what are you after? - Nothing

Just see what a clever cadet!

Come here.

Nothing happened. She did not let me in. She is an honest girl.

It was my blame, so I give this!

Don't tell anyone.

Goodbye.

I receive letters of condolence from Russia.

They are afraid that I shall perish, buried in these wilds.

They say about me: He will become coarse, he will take to drink,

and who knows but that he may marry a Cossack girl

and thus will be lost for the society.

How terrible!

How despicable and pitiable you, in your delusions, seem to me!

When I picture to myself, in place of my hut,

my forests, and my love, - those drawing-rooms,

those obtuse faces and that chatter of obligatory conversation,

I feel unendurably revolted.

You need only see what truth and beauty are,

and then it becomes clear who is ruining himself

and who is living truly or falsely -

you or I.

You or I?..

Olenin, get dressed. Vanya, prepare provision for two days.

- What happened? - We're going on campaign.

Get your lord's horse ready.

I find your crowd so despicable and pitiable.

You know nothing about happiness and life.

You should keep away from this village, Olenin.

I do not live my own life,

there is something stronger than me which directs me.

What are you talking about? What's going on?

I know what's going on.

I do not fear to be degraded by this feeling,

I am not ashamed of my love,

- I am proud of it. - Very well then,

be proud.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

We shall get St. George Crosses for this campaign.

What are you talking about?

We are of the chosen circle.

We have high acquaintances.

I packed your sacks and the rum, too.

I prefer you stayed 'a la maison'!

I left my smoking pipe. What ill luck, brothers.

You'd better smoke cigarettes, like I do at home. They're much sweeter.

Gimme a smoke, brothers.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

- And what is this? - Cigarettes.

He treats others to cigarettes, he has lots of grain back at home.

And I wasn't even home on leave.

What for? My two brothers living from hand to mouth.

And me a soldier is just another mouth to feed.

After 25 years in the Army, I'm a bad helpmate for them.

And I don't even know whether they are alive.

But them gentry feel nice everywhere.

Imagine, folks:

we climb stone mountains,

treading someone else's fields...

But what for?

Isn't the Earth big enough?

Put out the campfires!

My death hath come...

My dear brothers...

The war... What a strange phenomenon...

When your mind keeps asking:

can wars be justified by anything?

And your inner voice says no - again and again...

- Good evening. - Good evening.

Maryana, bring some clotted cream and wine for Dmitry Andreevich.

- Have our potluck. - Thank you.

We have enough of everything and don't grumble.

- Stay with us, Maryana. - No, my hair is undone.

We will soon make merry together at the wedding.

And when is the wedding to be?

It ought to be next week. We are quite ready.

I have prepared everything for Maryana.

Only Lukashka has been too much on the spree lately.

The other day a Cossack said he had been to Nogay.

- What if he gets caught? - I told him:

"Don't you get into mischief". But he is so full of dash.

I saw him in the division, he was always merry-making.

He does no one any harm. He makes merry with his own money.

There he is! Didn't I tell you!

- Alive? - Alive.

Woman, give me the chikhir.

No chikhir for you. Go away!

Ah, you....

Let's go to your room, my dear fellow.

Let them be on their own, and we'll be on our own.

You got drunken on the eve of the feast, may plague take you!

- I'll.. - Go away!

May you be shot in your bowels and in your heart!

Vanya, give them some wine.

Will you never take pity on me?

I can't tell you how I love you.

Just hear how the wine is speaking! You'll get nothing from me!

Don't marry Lukashka. I will marry you. Will you marry me?'

I am not myself. I'll do anything for you!

I love you. Not with my mind or my imagination,

but with my whole being. Loving you I feel myself

to be an integral part of all God's joyous world.

Don't you lie. Gentlemen don't marry Cossack girls.

- Go away! - But will you? Everything...

And what shall we do with Lukashka?'

Will I be able to say the same tomorrow?

Yes, I will!

I will! I will!

And I died no end of times.

Priests would come persuading me, telling me about wine and women

and my balalaika.

Why didn't you tell me from the very beginning?

You are such a strange fellow.

One day I will tell you everything.

Only please, arrange for her to come.

Well, have you carried off many Nogay horses?

I haven't counted them, Daddy Eroshka.

- Good evening, girls! - Good evening!

You've grown old without me, you witches!

- Have you brought much money? - Have you come for long?

We have just flown across to make a night of it.

It's long since we saw you!

Step up on my stirrup and I'll carry you away to the mountains.

I'll kiss, oh, how I'll kiss you!

Oh, bother you! you'll crush my feet.

Ustenka!

There, I give them to all of you!

Come tonight and bring Maryana.

Answer me, dost thou hold me in contempt?

When we shall married be thou wilt weep because of me!

You'll come? Please do, if only for a minute. I must speak to you.

- If the other girls come, I will. - Will you answer?

- Answer what? - What I asked you yesterday.

Will you marry me?

I'll tell you tonight.

Answer me, my dear, dost thou hold me in contempt?

When we shall married be thou wilt weep because of me!

Well, are you going to have another turn?

The other girls may if they like, but I am going home

and Maryana was coming to our house too.

Don't go, Maryana. Let's have some fun for the last time.

Go home and I will come to you!

What am I to do at home? Feasts are meant for merrymaking.

I'll marry you all the same, you know!

All right, we shall see when the time comes.

So you are going.

There, leave off! Don't bother.

- Ah my girl, it will turn out badly. - What will turn out badly?

Why, that!

That what?

Why, that you keep company with a soldier-lodger

and no longer care for me!

I'll care just as long as I choose.

You're not my father, nor my mother. I'll care for whom I like!

Well, all right...

Girls! Why have you stopped? Go on dancing!

- Nazarka! - I'm here!

Pass out the chikhir and gingerbreads among the girls.

We'll make merry!

- Will you marry me? - You will deceive me.

But do you love me? Tell me for God's sake!

Why shouldn't I love you? You don't squint.

What white, white, soft hands you've got

so like clotted cream.

I am in earnest. Tell me, will you marry me?

Why not, if father gives me to you?

Well then remember, I shall go mad if you deceive me.

Tomorrow I will tell your mother and father. I'll come and propose.

- What's the matter? - It seems so funny!

- Bother you, someone may see. - Never mind!

Good-night, Maryana.

Tomorrow I'll come to see your father and talk to him.

- Don't you say anything to him. - Why should I!

What will become of her, of me, and of Lukashka?

Now I don't care. I delighted in her beauty

just as I delighted in the beauty of the mountains and the sky,

for she is as beautiful as they.

For such love there are no words. It needs life,

the whole of life.

To-morrow everything will be cleared up. Let everyone know!

Ride towards the upper cordon!

- What happened? - Abreks stole our horses!

Vanya, make my horse ready!

- Are they far? - Our Gurka is having shots at them,

Look out or they will kill you. You should better leave.

You have no business here

Get a hay-cart - we'll hide behind it.

Don't kill him.

And I wanted to save your life...

Nazar!..

Maryana,

I have come.

Leave me alone!

- What are you crying for? What is it? - What is it?

Cossacks have been killed, that's what for.

- Lukashka? - Go away! What do you want?

You will never get anything from me!

- Don't speak like that. - Get away. I'm sick of you!

Nevermore did Olenin say to himself

that all he had thought and done here was 'not it'.

He loved Maryana more than ever,

and knew that now he could never be loved by her.

Only Daddy Eroshka was seeing him off.

They had a drink, and then another,

and then another.

When you go on an expedition, be wise.

When it's a lot of shooting, don't get into a crowd.

When you fellows get frightened you always stick to each other.

But that's where it is worst of all! They always aim at a crowd.

Yet I was being shot at so many times.

Vanka Sitny, one of the Cossacks,

got merry, and puff! he gave me one from his pistol just here.

- Yes, and did it hurt? - And I say:

"You've killed me, brother. Eh! What have you done to me?

I won't let you off! You'll have to stand me a pailful!"

- But did it hurt? - He stood a pailful, and we drank it.

But the blood went on flowing.

Granddad Burlak, he says,

"The lad will give up the ghost.

Stand a bottle of the sweet sort

They brought more drink, and we boozed and boozed...

- But did it hurt? - I don't like to be interrupted, eh.

We boozed and boozed till morning,

and I fell asleep on the top of the oven, drunk.

And Lukashka, is he still alive?

He just lies as if he were dead.

He does not eat nor drink. Vodka is the only thing his soul accepts.

Don't you cry for Lukashka, Dmitry Andreevich.

- Who else shall I cry for? - Cry for yourself.

You're unloved.

God grant it, Lukashka will come around.

They sent for a doctor in the mountains.

- Goodbye, Daddy. - Is that the way to say goodbye?

Fool, fool!

We've kept company, kept company for well-nigh a year

and now goodbye and off he goes!

I can neither come here or leave here in your way,

Eroshka.

Why, I love you,

and how I pity you!

You are so forlorn, always alone.

It would leave me sleepless, so much I pity you.

For, as the song goes:

'Oh, what a sad fate it is to live in a foreign land...'

So it is with you.

- Well, good-bye. - Give us your mug,

your mug!

I love you, goodbye!

Goodbye, my forlorn one.

Well, is that how you're going?

You might give me something for a remembrance.

Give me a gun! What do you want two for?

What a lot you've given him - he'll never have enough!

- A regular old beggar. - Hold your tongue, swine!

- Such irregular people. - What a stingy fellow!

Drive on!

Good-bye, my lad! Good-bye.

I won't forget you!