Original subtitles

This film portrays two near yet distinct periods.

In 1973, when Spain was under Franco's dictatorship,

the Basque members of ETA carried out the assassination Prime Minister,

Admiral Carrero Blanco, the predictable successor of Franco.

The Basque organization was then looked upon with great sympathy

as a part of the Spanish progressive movement.

political prisoners are freed Many of them are Basque

And in 1978, when General Franco had already died,

a general election was held and Spain approved the Constitution.

This film shows how in this new political context,

many members of the terrorist organization ETA

committed violence and refused to lay down their arms

despite the fundamental change that supposed the instauracinn of democracy.

- Who's that? - Me.

How did you find me?

Chance. I saw you walk by and I followed you.

Why?

I'm your wife

I've had no news of you for 6 months.

- How's the baby? - Fine. She goes to school.

She asks about you now and then.

- Is this where you live? - Occasionally.

So? We've lived in worse places together.

It was far different then.

I wouldn't say that. There's no freedom now either.

You really believe nothing's changed?

Some people have changed.

People like you who have given up fighting.

We haven't given up. We fight in a different way.

But you refuse to meet with them even, to talk, to argue.

God, when I think you were like brothers!

Yes, but even brothers betray. Ever since Biblical times.

Esarra's only concern now is to isolate us.

You already are. People don't understand you, they're scared.

Sure... you keep telling them all's well. To hear you lot talk...

...the Spanish Government is going to give us independence.

You really think we're traitors?

Yes, even though you don't realize it.

Can I stay here... tonight?

I'm an idiot... I miss you.

Why are you so keen for me to talk to Esarra and the rest?

What good would it do? No good...

except make us lose the little love that's left between us.

I don't know what to think.

All I know is you were like brothers. More than brothers.

This is a Spanish school.

We only speak Spanish here.

You can't speak Basque because you're all Spanish.

- Basque! - Spanish!

Chabi!

"Long live liberty. Death to the dictatorship."

The police! Come on!

Stop!

Today we won't talk about the kingdom of God,

but about a country on this earth.

A country that doesn't exist, and yet it's our country,

oppressed for centuries and now crushed by brutal fascism.

We're even denied the right to utter its name in our language.

"Euzkadi", the country of the Basques.

A word as sweet as the sweetest words:

mother... land... soul.

Does that mean Euzkadi is dead? Finished?

No... No, it isn't.

There are men who have never stopped...

fighting this oppression, and who still fight in secret.

I'm joining them tomorrow.

I shouldn't tell anyone, but I trust you.

Not only because I know you all one by one,

but mainly because you're Basques.

I've done all I could to think only of God,

but they go on torturing, killing

and I feel I can't carry on living quietly as a priest.

I must say goodbye to you now.

Tomorrow I'll no longer have this class or this habit.

I've asked God's forgiveness.

Now I ask you to pray for us all

...for our land... for liberty.

15 YEARS LATER FEBRUARY, 1973

Nine in favour for kidnapping. Now for his execution.

Two.

The committee approves the plan to kidnap Carrero Blanco

and the request to exchange him for 150 political prisoners.

The meeting is over.

Listen, I've always accepted the decisions, you know that.

But Carrero is responsible for a lot of death sentences.

He's sent hundreds of our comrades to jail.

He's the very symbol of Francoism.

It's a moral duty for us to kill him. It's doing justice.

I was a priest for longer than you

but you stayed a priest.

Our struggle is different from the judgement of God.

What a result it would be to exchange him for our people.

You know I have a brother in jail too

but I think we're making a political mistake.

You said yourself Carrero will be Franco's successor.

That only he can hold the Francoist factions together

and ensure the continuity of the dictatorship.

Listen, I understand how you feel about it.

The commando leaves in three days. Are you going with them?

I've never drawn back.

MADRID - 5 DAYS LATER.

You are staying down there. Number 85, on the right.

The taxi could have taken us.

Half the taxi drivers here in Madrid are police informers.

See you tomorrow.

I don't like it... Madrid.

I don't either.

Fantastic! He was that close I could have touched him.

I can't believe he goes there every day.

- And with only one bodyguard. - No, hold it.

One bodyguard in the car, but how do we know...

there aren't others already in the church?

That's the first problem. Nothing's certain.

Except we can kill him. But to kidnap him in broad daylight...

You're wasting your breath, we no longer have an option.

Now we have to work patiently, methodically and precisely.

From tomorrow we go to church every day, in turn.

We'll rendezvous here every week to exchange information.

The phone is to be used only if absolutely necessary.

We'll separately take note of every detail. The four of us...

will meet up again when I've prepared the plan of action.

THREE MONTHS LATER

- What's wrong? - Nothing.

On Sunday you realize the disproportion...

between our strength and what we're up against.

Go on, look at the window.

Everybody's going out. To the country, to the soccer match...

To get screwed. What do they care about Francoism?

If we yell we plan to kidnap Carrero, nobody would care.

God, how easy it is to corrupt people.

A bit of prosperity soon dulls consciences.

Don't exaggerate, there's no knowing what people think.

No, he's right. The people here are like that.

I miss our people in Euzkadi. I've been away too long.

It's taken us three months, but we've done a good job.

We know everything we need to know about Carrero.

Even his weight. And that's no joke.

That's over 90 kg we have to carry.

So I suggest we get started.

The only place where we can act is the church.

We know all about that church: hours, entrances...

even the attendance on the various weekdays.

That's enabled us to work out

the number of comrades who will have to come to Madrid.

We'll need nine. I've already informed HQ.

Now we'll examine together every detail of the plan.

It's 8:50 on the set day...

How many dead does your plan envisage?

Only Carrero's bodyguard.

Sure we can't save that poor guy too?

- What do you mean? - It's going to be a massacre.

We'll have to shoot and kill like mad.

Too many people will die, including us and including

...some innocent people. This will politically destroy the ETA.

So much for freeing 150 comrades!

Listen, Chabi...

It's either one of two things.

Either you're questioning the decision to kidnap him

and if so, you're wasting your time. We voted on it.

Or else...

you're critical of the tactics, the details, in which case...

you must suggest some concrete changes,

because, I've already said...

if there's anything wrong with this plan

we have to find it and solve it together.

THAT SAME NIGHT IN EUZKADI

Okay, we've managed to abduct him.

We've given the government our ultimatum and...

government has been forced to agree to the exchange.

But now it's our move.

We have to free Franco's successor.

The man who'll jail, torture and stifle liberty again.

Which one of us will have the courage to let him out?

I will, and with no misgivings after this extraordinary victory.

Still, we can't go on like this.

Listen, Chabi...

...if you don't agree, you must say so now, clearly and finally.

It's my duty to ask for you to be replaced.

More coffee?

We'd better take a break.

- Let's go and get some air. - What, all of us together?

It'll be okay as long as we don't walk side by side.

At the end of the avenue we can stop for some coffee.

It's sure to be better than this. Let's go.

The time is 7 a.m. The news.

Bilbao. In a shoot-out with the Guardia Civil...

the notorious Basque terrorist José Maria Aguirre was killed.

Known as Joseba, he had been sought for years...

as a member of the ETA, the Basque terrorist movement.

He was killed while attempting to flee from his hideout...

after the guards had called on him to surrender.

Madrid. Generalissimo Franco today received...

Listen, Esarra... you don't have to ask for a replacement.

I'm not backing out. I won't leave you.

Did you hear about Joseba? I still can't believe it.

Careful...

She's twice the size.

She's twice the age since you left her.

That's the shop. I'll drop you off at the corner. There you'll work.

That's Carmen! I saw her recently...

- and she never told me. - She did well not to.

How come you still find that surprising?

I hope our girl's better at learning the rules of secrecy.

I hope she won't have to.

Right, you can get out here.

Come on, you'd better hurry.

Is there really no way we can live together?

I try to understand,

- but it isn't easy. - I know.

Even leaving together is out.

How long do we have to stay in Madrid?

I don't know.

At the traffic lights, we're halfway.

Five minutes. We're late already.

But we'll improve with practice, you'll see.

The time lapse between when the alarm is raised...

and the first roadblocks are set up is about 8 minutes.

How did you work that out?

I've been tuning in to the police wavelength

...for a month and I'm sure that's the speed they work at.

Wonderful. Too bad Carrero's kidnapping...

has no statistical precedents.

Who knows how it'll go. Such an unheard-of incident...

could speed them up. But it might throw them into disarray.

Look at me! Look at me!

- Let him be! - Stop that!

Come on, let's go out here.

Take the first right.

Operations. Over.

Students at the university are starting a protest march.

- How many are there? - Not a lot.

Seems they want to join the strikers at the sites.

- Let me here. - No, that's enough.

There's trouble around, it'll be crawling with cops.

- Who's in church today? - Icar.

He'll be back soon. I'll get out here and walk.

You go home quick. We all stay in today and lie low.

Proceed immediately to San Pedro construction site.

Patrol car K-20 calling HQ.

K-12 from Olin construction site.

Strike participation estimated at 70 percent.

Work continues on isolated sites. Agitators reported.

Search out and arrest all known suspects.

Locate any clandestine meetings.

Workers! Join the strike!

Against starvation wages! For trade union freedoms!

Come with us! Come down!

You're the only ones working in the whole area.

Down tools! Don't be blacklegs!

It's a big moment for all of us.

Your mates need your support.

Come on, come down! Come away with us!

The police!

Stop!

Come on, get in!

Drop me off here and get out fast.

Thanks.

Thanks again.

Now we'll vote on the motion to go on with the strike.

Those in agreement raise their hands.

Seven and a half minutes. Admiral Carrero has arrived.

He'll arrive in the flesh too.

We were lucky to find this toy shop.

Right, I'll go back inside.

We can keep him there for months if necessary.

But there's a problem. Come on, Chabi.

The girls heard voices on the other side of this wall...

and noises coming from back there.

We have to soundproof the room

but I suspect that's complicated.

I was going to ask HQ to send a builder from Euzkadi

but one way and another that'll take 20 days.

We can't afford to change it at this stage so we'll have...

to do it, although if we have no experience. It needs...

special materials, and shopping around for them is risky too.

Maybe a second wall would do

...with a gap in between. What do you think?

I know where to find a builder.

- Who is he? - A guy who sticks his neck out.

Must have 30 years' fighting behind him.

But who is he?

One of the strike organizers.

- How come you know him? - I followed him...

...at the site.

- What?! You followed him? - I know, I know.

Caution, security... But I followed him anyway.

That was wrong! Working underground is no joke!

Yes, it was a mistake. But we have a builder. You decide.

Sure, I'm the one who has to decide.

Okay, Chabi. Let's assume for the moment...

that we call in an outsider to do this job...

But he's not an outsider!

These are people who fight like us, who go to jail, who die!

The fact remains that he's a stranger.

Plus we have the problem of explaining things to him.

No, no explanations.

People with the same enemy don't need explanations.

I don't like doing things unless I know what they're for.

Are you scared I'm an agent provocateur?

And if you are? The police know me very well.

I've been in and out of jail for years.

I'm just scared of taking part in something wrong.

Whatever is against fascism can't be wrong.

That's what you say. I think you people are wrong.

Businessmen kidnapped, a bomb lobbed, a cop killed...

- That's all crap to me. - What's the right struggle?

To us the struggle is different. It's a day-to-day job.

It's organization, broadening consensus.

Changing people's mentalities bit by bit, day after day.

Damn hard work that's too easily despised.

Seems to me it's you who despises us.

No, I believe only in joint action done by as many...

people as possible to benefit as many people as possible.

Our action benefits everyone. You can't imagine how much.

What can I say then? Good luck.

You know why we need you? For Carrero Blanco.

Jesus!

You tell me, a perfect stranger, a thing like that!

If my comrades knew, they'd spit in my face,

then they'd kill me. And they'd be right.

Why the hell did I listen to you!

I've always known you were crazy. It's 8 o'clock already.

- What if he's changed his mind? - He'll come, I tell you.

They might have arrested him and made him talk.

There he is!

Why don't they open the door?

You need some work done here?

- I think so. - Do you or don't you?

Yes, come in. I'll get the key.

No need to be formal...

on our own. You look too much like a boss.

You're right. Come with me.

Generalissimo Francisco Franco today nominated...

Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco as Prime Minister.

After receiving news of the appointment...

the new Prime Minister went to the Prado Palace

where he was received by the Caudillo. Also present...

...were the country's military, civil, and religious authorities.

The ceremony of investiture was simple and solemn

and concluded with the oath of fealty.

Present also were the leading foreign press correspondents.

As a journalist and a Spaniard, I deem it a great honour

to be asked to speak to you of His Excellency Carrero Blanco,

Shut up!

Ask the men rotting in jail who Carrero Blanco is!

Ask John's widow, and Eustachio's widow!

Ask Aguirre's father! Reño! Isco! The people in Burgos!

That's enough! Stop it. It's pointless.

Now Carrero has a lot more bodyguards and escort cars.

In these conditions, our plan is no longer feasible.

In other words, we did all that work for nothing.

No, don't say that. Carrero hasn't become invulnerable.

Even in these conditions, one of us can still get near him.

If he gets near, he can shoot. It's worth it, isn't it?

Yes. With Carrero as Premier, the only thing is to make...

an attempt on his life. But only HQ can make this decision.

Tomorrow I'm leaving for Euzkadi, but I want to be sure...

that none of you will make any move during my absence.

Is that clear, Chabi?

"November 3, 1973.

The ETA leaders...

unanimously vote to eliminate...

Admiral Carrero Blanco."

This is the place. You can unload.

- The sculptor's studio? - It's in the basement.

Put it right there. Thank you.

This is for the landlady. 3 months in advance...

- And this is for you. - Thank you very much.

I'd like to see you at work. It must be interesting.

I'm afraid I can't create with people around.

But I promise you a preview of my work.

I hope I won't disturb you. My job's rather noisy.

No problem, Mr. Ortega.

Right, we've finished.

When I arrive, maybe I'd better leave the baby with my parents.

No, don't. Nobody'll suspect you're carrying dynamite...

if you have a baby with you.

Isn't this stuff dangerous? Say the road's bad,

- or I hit a pothole? - It's not dangerous...

unless you set fire to it. Mind you get the engine checked,

before you leave Bilbao. The car mustn't let you down.

- Well? - You can hear it,

specially when the traffic noise dies down.

We can't work at night then.

- May I have some milk? - You're Basque, right?

Yes. How did you know?

I can't explain it, but I can always tell.

I'm so happy when I meet people from my country.

- Me too. - Do you live in Madrid?

- Yes. We work in a bank. - Near here?

- On the other side of the city. - Pity. I live here. We could...

- have met up now and then. - True.

Please excuse us now. We are in a hurry, we have to go.

- See you. - In our country, maybe.

Smell this... A gas leak. It started yesterday...

and it's getting worse. I washed myself for an hour.

- They'll smell it outside. - No, I don't think so.

I checked on the way out. Couldn't smell anything,

but maybe my nose is shot. Inside it's terrible.

That's why I'm late. I waited till it got dark...

- to open the window a bit. - How far have you dug?

- A meter. Meter and a half. - Heck!

I'm sorry. There was over half a meter of concrete.

- Look at my hands. - We've had it.

If the smell gets worse, they're sure to notice.

There's only one thing to do. We'll dig together...

- non-stop, day and night. - But it's sheer suicide!

We can't take precautions any more. There's no time.

Goddammit!

Nothing's working for us since Joseba died.

Let's go there. We mustn't waste any more time.

Jesus Christ!

- You can't breathe in there! - This is what smells.

We can't breathe in here either with this stuff around.

Let's get it into some bags. You and I will do that.

You do the first shift in the hole.

And you get some rest. You're dead on your feet.

When the shops open tomorrow, get some...

supplies in and go and tell Carmen what's happened.

Put this on. It's not much good, but it helps.

Right on time. As usual.

Mr. Ortega!

- Who's in there?

- You won't get an answer. - But who is it?

Well, it's obvious, isn't it?

You know very well the condominium rules say...

- no women in tenants' rooms. - But you're not narrow-minded.

Of course. By the way, this is a letter...

- from the administrator. - Thank you.

Oh, can you smell something unpleasant too?

- Yes, I think so. - My wife says it's gas,

- but I guess it's the convent. - The convent?

Don't you know their vaults are full of skeletons?

And even if it's gas, it's their fault.

It's a closed order, so they never get any repairs done.

But if this smell doesn't stop, I'll write to the press...

- and call the police. - It'll stop.

- Excuse me, I'm in a hurry... - Yes, I understand.

I told him there was a girl in here.

He'll wait for her to come out.

He's only interested in one thing... money.

"Merry Christmas to all the tenants. The administrator."

Listen, I don't like it.

The smell of gas... Us making a racket...

We're near the American Embassy and Carrero's house

...and the church he goes to every morning.

How come nobody has noticed anything?

Are they all jerks?

- What do you mean? - Are they letting us...

- Go ahead? - Why would they?

Maybe to catch the lot of us afterwards.

- But we're all here. - Yes, but they don't know that.

- You're just tired, that's what. - Or else...

- Or else what? - Well...

There's the problem of Franco's succession.

There must be power struggles between them, right?

Then there's the US secret services.

We might be doing someone a favour by killing Carrero.

We've got enough problems without your bullshit.

If there is somebody who wants us to go ahead...

we'll do it, then we'll see who's cheering.

Come on, let's get to work.

- Luque... - I'm okay.

We got it wrong. It needs shoring up.

Not a hole 50 by 50. They say it wasn't necessary.

I know what did it.

A truck went past just before...

...just before the cave-in.

Go out and double-park the car.

The traffic will have to drive round it then.

What if a cop walks by?

We've got no choice. Go on.

- Well? - It's okay, we've finished.

We made it.

God, just look at you!

- Did you bring everything? - Yes.

We'll go first in the other car.

- Where to? - We're all staying at Carmen's.

I'm scared, Carmen.

They could have put it off by a day

...and slept for 24 hours.

It's not that. I'm scared they're waiting for them

...hidden everywhere, with their guns levelled.

Don't even think things like that.

- You're awake too? - Yes. I was thinking...

- about afterwards. - It's going to be tough.

They'll comb the whole country

And call the army in, you'll see.

Actually, I was thinking about later.

- Later when? - When fascism falls.

Because it has to fall one day.

But will people change afterwards? Really change?

Think of those who have believed theirs was the ultimate revolution.

Of course people will change.

Slowly, but they'll change.

What a time to start thinking about that!

Why complicate everything for yourself?

What complicates everything is not addressing these issues.

I think the most logical thing to do is try to sleep.

You listen to me.

Bilbao - 1978 - 5 years later

The time is 8 a.m. The news.

Madrid. A demonstration called by the forces of the Right

...took on particularly virulent overtones

...when some speakers violently denounced...

the government's weakness vis-à -vis the economic crisis

and the continuing terrorism of Basque extremists.

The demonstrators marched through the city led by many...

widows and mothers of police officers killed by the terrorists.

Slogans were shouted, such as: "Terrorist murderers".

A member of the Right stated to reporters...

that any means is valid to stop Spain plunging into anarchy...

and there is a force that has the supreme duty to intervene.

Barcelona. Negotiations resumed today...

for the renewal of the truckers' labour contract...

The same things Franco said 40 years ago

...before he sparked the Civil War.

Don't you think of that danger?

What do you want me to say?

That the situation stinks?

Okay, the situation stinks.

But do you people expect to get out of it by compromising?

You have to face up to reality, Chabi.

We're fighting for middle-way, but feasible solutions.

You've given up, that's all.

Can't you remember the things we fought for together?

Independence... real liberty

...the changing of consciousness.

How can you achieve all that without a drastic, final cut?

A revolution, not only in the streets

but in people's minds, in their souls.

How hard it is to talk to you.

You only have faith in the absolute. Middle-course...

results don't interest you. You can't even see them.

Your faith scares me.

It makes you despise everything else

...including respect for human life.

Maybe, because I am convinced thing will change

...only if we go on fighting to the bitter end at any cost.

Even at the cost of a coup? Of fascism coming back?

Hello? Who's that?

- Nobody. - Are you sure of this house?

- The phone isn't... - I'm not sure of anything.

Was that you just now? Yes, right away.

Okay. At the intersection.

- You have to go out, don't you? - Pull the door shut when you go.

I won't leave you without news again. I promise.

Mr. Esarra, you were once a comrade of Chabi Eureta.

How do you view this ruthless killing?

Our position is well-known. We used the armed struggle...

against fascism because we had no other means.

- And now? - Now it's different.

Democracy, though fragile and incomplete, allows us...

to use other weapons. We can circulate our ideas

and it's only with those we want to fight.

But what do you think...

Please, not now.

- Have you seen the doctor? - Yes, for a minute.

He's very poorly.

MADRID DECEMBER 20, 1973

Don't you think these overalls look too new?

No, who's going to notice?

We haven't got along very well in all this time.

There's been no chance to talk... but we will.

I'm very fond of you.

And I'm fond of you.

- Good luck. - Good luck.

- Hello. - Gas company?

No, electricity.

Mr. José Luis Ortega.

That way, the door at the end.

Who is it?

Electricity company.

- Mr. Ortega? - Yes. Come in.

- Where's the meter? - Right here, this way.

- Everything seems normal. - The charges are in the tunnel.

- Let's recap. - Yes.

At 9 you test the light bulb.

5 seconds later, we switch off.

I connect the detonator...

- and go to the church. - Perfect.

If the bulb doesn't light up...

you walk out nice and easy and tell us.

Thank you.

What are you doing?

We're putting in 220 power...

- for a sculpture at number 104. - The box is on the other side.

No, it's on this side now.

Excuse me, I have to go soon.

- Would you mind moving up? - I won't be a minute.

- Please... as a favour. - Let me do my job, will you?

Hey, baby, see how quick I was? I'll be seeing you.

- How long to go? - Too long.

Go away... Get out of here.

'Bye.

- What's going on? - Nothing.

We're through. We can test the switch now.

In the name of the Father...

I will approach God's altar...

How long to go?

14 minutes.

This is the worst bit.

Let's pretend we're working.

...through the ages.

The Lord's peace be with you.

There's Icar.

Get down.

- Heck, it's blocking my view! - Has Icar signalled?

I don't know, I can't see.

Here he comes!

- What happened? - A gas leak.

- What was that? - A gas leak!

Oh, my God!

- What was that? - A gas leak!

Don't overtake. Slow down, we're a family going on holiday.

K-18, this is K-18 proceeding to Claudio Coello Street.

We have a report of an explosion. Over.

This is H-20. An accident in Calle Velasquez...

- causing traffic congestion. - Okay, okay, get off the air!

HQ calling J-18. What happened in Claudio Coello?

Claudio Coello is on the Prime Minister's route.

Report at once. Top priority.

This is K-14. We're in Claudio Coello.

The explosion was caused by a gas leak. Pretty big blast.

Cars damaged. K-18 is here too now.

K-18, proceed at once to San Fernando church.

Detain the Premier if he hasn't left yet.

There may be other explosions.

HQ to K-11. Proceed immediately...

to the Premier's house. Avenida Hermano Pequer.

This is K-18. The Premier has already left. Mass is over.

This is K-11. The Premier hasn't returned yet.

This is HQ. We have an emergency.

K-11 stay at the house, K-18 at the church.

All available cars converge on zone B4

to locate the Premier's car.

This is K-14. We've found the escort car.

We want the Premier's. Has it gone past?

Hold it, there's some electric wires...

Maybe it was a bomb! A bomb!

Right, starting from now, we have 8 or 9 minutes at most

...but we're nearly out of the city.

...a car with people inside. One is Premier Carrero!

- What? You sure of that? - Yes sir.

General alert.

Calling all cars! General alert!

This is Operations calling all stations.

Set up checkpoints on all roads out of the city.

I repeat. Calling all stations...

General alert!

Here they come.

Well?

You can go in.

Well, Esarra...

Now I'm dying, you've come to tell me I was right?

So you have no doubts.

Only with patience like yours

...can the world be changed.

Oh my!

Everyone's scared at this point.

I'm scared of the judgement. Who knows...

Maybe the Lord asked for something different

...but at least He promises us eternal life in return.

You're men though, Esarra.

How can you expect other men...

to have such inhuman patience?

And yet...

it takes that kind of courage, too.