Original subtitles

It is France�s honour to have been one of the first nations to enact laws against slavery.

On February 4, 1794, the National Convention declared to "abolish slavery of Negroes in the colonies",

and �decreed that all men residing in the colonies, without distinction of colour, are French citizens."

The 1815 Treaty of Paris again condemned slavery,

but slave ships secretly continued their traffic as outlaws, despite the surveillance of warships.

�Tamango� is a drama that tells of one of these sea crossings.

They're coming.

Put the lookout aloft.

Lookout aloft.

And keep your eyes open.

If he spots an English cruiser, run up the French flag.

And if it's French, hoist the Union Jack.

For the rest, Portuguese.

- Swab down the holes? - Not yet.

What are you waiting for?

Come on!

You think we're carrying cattle?

Easy!

Hurry up there.

Aiche!

Aiche, my pipe.

Lookout!

All clear!

Good.

Three pipes a day.

120 pipes more 'till we arrive in port.

Unless of course a warship sights us.

Have you ever been boarded?

If I had, I wouldn't be here.

I'd be hanging from the yardarm.

Captain.

Everything all right?

The chief says we're not paying enough for the slaves.

He says we're thieves.

Thieves?

What's wrong?

- You said five barrels of rum. - There's only two.

Yes, but this isn't alcohol to light lamps with.

This is real rum.

From the Cuban isles.

You can drink yourself to paradise.

There. Taste that.

It's all good.

See?

Two barrels?

Two barrels.

All right then.

- What's next? - Twenty rifles.

You said fifty.

Maybe, but these aren't rusty old blunderbusses.

Fifty rifles!

Werner.

Twenty!

Thirty.

Twenty.

You know very well it's not permitted to pay the blacks with arms.

But me, I only use them for hunting.

Yeah, we know all about your hunting.

We pay you with rifles and on the next trade we pay with lead in our face.

Twenty rifles.

Thirty.

Twenty.

Twenty-five.

All right, next.

Careful, Bebe.

They're warriors, you got to keep them tight.

Not that tight, you'll scar up their ankles.

I've told you before, look after the merchandise.

Well, doctor?

Fine specimen. Sturdy legs, strong shoulders, powerful chest.

Good teeth.

See the teeth?

Okay.

And the others?

So-so. Some of them are scrawny and underfed.

We'll give those ones double rations.

Point one out to me.

That one.

Mark him, Bebe.

Ah, look here, a witch doctor.

One of your fraternity, doctor.

He's in pretty good shape.

Double his ration anyway.

If we're going to have black magic on board, I want it on our side.

Enough!

Don't damage him.

"Enough, enough!" We've got to show them who's boss.

And that's me, understand?

Get him up.

Sail away!

What colour is she flying?

French!

Run up the Union Jack!

She's bearing down on us!

Stand by to get under way.

Man your stations.

Hoist the jib.

Weigh anchor.

Put your backs into it!

Come on, come on.

Hoist the mainsail.

Come on!

Turn her to the wind!

There isn't a warship that can catch us now.

It'll be smooth sailing to Havana.

Tamango. Why did you try to kill the white man?

They won't make me a slave.

How can you fight with these?

He'll never make me a slave.

The whites on this boat, you can count them on your fingers.

But us...

We're a whole village.

But Tamango, they're farmers, not warriors.

They're fishermen. Weavers.

No, Ore, we can make them warriors.

We'll show them how.

Captain.

Come in.

What is it, Fernando?

It's the blacks, they're refusing to eat.

Join me on the deck.

Eat that up. Eat it.

Aiche.

Aiche, get me some coffee.

I know the coffee's right here,

but it tastes better when you pour it.

Tell me, Aiche.

How do you feel when you see those blacks?

Blacks like you, all in chains.

What's that do to you?

You want one lump of sugar or two?

Two.

Maybe you've got white blood in your veins.

But you're still a slave.

You were sold like any other black.

That was a long time ago, I was just a girl.

I don't remember.

You don't feel anything?

Milk?

Half and half.

Like you.

Are you afraid of the captain?

I won't say anything.

You think it'll last forever with him?

Even if it does, what will you be?

A slave, nothing more.

Nothing more.

Meal time, children.

You don't want any?

Why not?

You homesick?

Or seasick.

Afraid we're going to sink?

This is a good, solid boat.

I take good care of my slaves.

I won't punish you without a reason.

Here, this'll fatten you up.

Look, you've even got a doctor, he'll visit you every day.

Not even white men have that.

So what is it?

What's wrong?

Is it the food?

That's delicious.

It's really good.

Come on, my children.

Nothing like a good meal to make you feel better.

Eat.

Good, huh?

Enjoy it.

Eat.

You don't want to eat?

You've got a good set of teeth, use them.

Let this one lie in the sun a while.

Good.

When they're done eating, get them dancing for some exercise.

Green about the gills, doctor?

That was the beginning of a mutiny, so I had to set an example, understand?

Perfectly. Two men refuse, one gets thrown overboard.

The one that was worth the least.

Those beans taste like bilge.

I want everyone on board well fed, and that includes the blacks, understand?

Aye, captain.

Surprised?

Me? Nothing surprises me any more.

When I was a youngster I paraded through the streets of Paris for liberty, equality, fraternity.

Now look at me, a sawbones on a negro slave ship.

Funny, isn't it?

Don't bleat about your past, it's the future that counts.

Whose future? Yours?

I've got plans.

Big plans.

Look at this boat.

I'm going to build more like her. A whole fleet.

I've got a spot picked out.

A thousand yards of coast near Rotterdam.

It'll be the biggest shipyard in the world.

And I've already got a backer.

And the backer has a daughter to marry off, I'm guessing.

Yeah. That bothers you?

No, not at all.

But there's Aiche.

You just worry about the health of the slaves.

Me, I'll take care of their futures.

Drink.

Where did you come from?

I haven't seen you before.

Where are you from?

Drink.

You're a slave, too?

Don't they chain the women?

What are you doing on this boat?

Don't talk, drink.

So, feeling better?

Don't worry, I don't hold a grudge. You're tough, I like that.

Proves you've got spirit.

Come here.

There.

You look much nicer like that.

If you want to get along on the boat, it's not hard.

You just have to obey, that's all.

The captain's not mad at you, you heard him.

There are a lot of big houses in Havana.

If you behave, maybe he'll keep you with him or sell you as kitchen help.

Or as a houseboy.

Or a coachman.

Coachman's best.

I could never be a coachman.

White man's whore.

What'd you say?

White man's whore.

And you?

What are you?

A rusty rifle and a string of glass beads.

That's all you're worth.

So don't go putting on airs with me.

Here.

Drink.

Whore.

Maybe I didn't explain properly.

Let me say it so you'll understand.

You're a slave, and a slave can't fight back.

Never.

Never, never, never, never.

The sooner you understand that, the better off you'll be.

If you don't...

They won't put you in chains next time.

They'll hang you.

Right up there.

Now do you understand?

Be good for me.

You'll learn.

Can't sleep?

There's going to be a storm.

A storm?

There's hardly even a breeze.

It's hot.

I wish we were back in Havana.

I wish we weren't on this boat.

- I wish... - What?

Daydreaming again?

I'm parched.

Come here.

Come here.

Something wrong?

What?

Nothing.

Why are you wearing that?

Something's bothering you tonight.

No.

You're mine.

You belong to me.

I saw it. A white had a way to cut through the chain.

The white man can cut through iron?

He had a knife with teeth on it.

They hide it in a long box next to the kitchen.

If we could take it...

How?

We're chained, and they always watch us.

You see, we can't do it.

Yes, at night, when nobody's up there.

How much time would we have?

Twenty heartbeats.

I have to get across and be back in twenty heartbeats.

No. Not you.

They're watching you.

Yes, he's right.

Who, then?

Me.

I'll hide in the day and come out at night, let me do it.

You'd have to get into your hiding place,

and stay there until the next morning.

But where can he hide?

And how's he going to get there?

Tomorrow, when we're all outside...

Pick up the pace, boys.

A little exercise won't kill you.

Get him below.

What are you waiting for?

Lock them all up!

We'd better feed them in the hold tonight.

There's always one on every trip that tries to swim for it.

Ah, there you are, my little pussycat.

What's the matter? What are you looking for?

Here, take her.

I better tell the captain he nearly lost one of his prize passengers.

Go on.

My children.

It's not me who made you slaves.

I just transport you.

Forgive me.

Come on.

Krumu was hanged because of you.

We shouldn't have listened.

If we follow Tamango we'll be killed.

No, in the hunt he always found the trail, he never made a mistake.

He's not a hunter here, he's the hunted.

- But I... - The captain knows everything.

- Even more than the witch doctor. - The witch doctor!

Did you read Krumu's fate in the stars?

Yes! But Tamango didn't ask me.

So, Tamango will lead us to our deaths.

Not if we stop him.

Or kill him.

Just try it!

All right, we won't touch him.

He's already dead to us.

We won't even look at him or speak to him.

I did it for you! I did it to free you!

I don't care about the chains, I'd rather be here than where Krumu is.

We all do.

Ore.

Tamago...we can't beat them.

Come on.

Go on, drink.

It's only vinegar.

It'll keep you from feeling sick.

It'll drive out the evil spirits.

Here, have some tobacco.

It'll take the taste away.

Don't swallow it, chew it. Chew!

Got it?

There. Not bad, eh?

That's better.

Doing good work there.

- What's your name? - Tamango.

Tamango? That's not a name.

I'll give you another one.

Like George.

George, huh? George...

Or Henry.

You like Henry?

Aiche, bring down the red book.

I'll make something out of you.

You know what a coachman is?

I'll make you a coachman.

A fine coachman, eh?

Look here.

Here's a coachman.

Not like that, though.

Fernando!

You can't look like a savage.

Yes, captain?

There.

A grand coachman.

You'd say "giddyup" all day, huh?

- That's what you'll do. - Yes.

Giddyup.

Gee up!

But just remember to behave yourself.

You missed a spot.

I'll clean it all.

It'll be bright and shiny.

And the captain will be happy.

You've changed your tune.

I have a good master.

I'm happy to work.

You might fool the white man with that stupid act, but not me.

What are you upset about?

Aren't I doing what you want?

Yes, I guess.

Then let me work.

Not until I pay back what I owe you.

You owe me?

Yes.

There.

Now we're even.

You, come over here.

I knew it.

"Yes, Captain, I'll be a good black."

Acting like the white man's got you in his pocket.

Go on like this and you'll end up dead.

You and the rest of them.

Go on, put it back.

No. You won't say anything.

Have you seen the captain?

What's the rush?

I have to talk to him.

He won't like it if I'm here with you.

The captain's jealous of me?

He's not jealous, he just won't like it.

Why should you care what he likes or doesn't like?

You don't like anybody, especially him.

But you could like me a lot.

Go on, admit it. You hate him.

Tell me the truth.

The truth?

Look.

You see that?

Every man who bought me put his mark on me.

And look here.

See these scars?

I've had them since my first master.

A mouse would have scared him, but he still beat me.

The captain's never branded me.

He's never beat me, abused me.

He treats me like a white woman. And there's your truth.

He's going to leave you when he reaches port.

You know he's going to Rotterdam?

And getting married?

You're going to be sold.

And branded again.

By your new master.

Unless of course it's me.

What a story.

He's not getting married.

And you're not getting me either.

You'll make up anything.

Did I make up all this?

Look.

He's got silk, gowns, jewels.

All the presents he's been buying for her.

You didn't know that, did you?

He's been hiding it here.

You're not in such a rush now.

Are you, Aiche?

They'll hang you, just the way they hanged Krumu.

Maybe.

Where did you get that stuff?

Don't get angry, I found them in the trunk.

Look, isn't it beautiful?

Put it all back.

So it's not for me?

- Who, then? - They're for...

It's none of your business.

Are they for that girl you're going to marry?

Who told you that?

Corot?

You'll get married and it's goodbye, Aiche.

What'll happen to Aiche?

We can sell her.

We'll take her to market, the slave market.

Dress up nice, Aiche.

Get up there on the block where they can all see you.

Smile and show your teeth, Aiche.

Twirl around.

Oh, such an obedient little Aiche.

How much am I bid?

500 pounds to the left, 550 to the right.

And 600 over here, sold to the man with the cigar and the big black hat.

Aiche...

Get down off the block.

And follow your new master.

I wonder what he'll be like.

Ugly or kind...

Young, old...

Aiche...

It's not like that.

Come lie down.

Old or ugly...

You'll make sure of that so that I'll miss you.

That's enough of that.

I won't miss you.

I'm just a slave, that's my whole life.

If you're going to beat me, you'd better do it before you sell me.

Get your mat.

Get your mat and get out.

Hurry up.

You'll sleep in the hold with the other women.

Every night.

Corot!

- What's the matter with him? - Nothing serious.

How did the wound get infected like that?

He needs the bandages changed.

Can't you take better care of the cargo?

A horse doctor would be just as much use.

Don't you clean up?

Look at this place.

It's a pigsty.

Do your job properly.

I think I know what's going on.

I didn't know that Aiche meant so much to you.

If you've got something to say you'd better say it tonight.

You going to hit me in front of a slave?

Pipe all hands.

Pipe all hands.

I already have.

Well, where in damnation are they?

Up on deck, you lazy scum.

What's the matter, shoes too small?

Come on, topside!

Free the jib.

Free the jib, come on!

Free the jib!

Look out. Out the way, you.

- Where's that damned bosun? - I don't know.

Close the portholes.

Close the portholes!

What is it?

- What happened? - They killed a white man.

Come on, let's check the cargo.

There's nowhere to hide the body.

They'll hang Tamango.

Tell them to look for a loose board.

There's a space under the floor.

Tell them!

They can't find it.

Tell them to keep looking.

Everything all right?

Tell me anytime if it isn't.

They're going to check the men. Warn them, quick.

Here.

I found it.

It won't come loose.

What's gotten into them?

It's the storm.

It's spooked them, like children.

This stinking tub.

A loudmouth bosun.

Blacks that would kill you as soon as look at you.

So why'd you sign up?

I was drunk one night and found myself here.

But it's the last time I ever sail on a slave ship.

Ha, I said that 15 years ago.

It's filthy work, but it pays.

It's blowing up a hard one out there.

- Hey, anyone seen the bosun? - No.

He's probably on deck.

No, he isn't.

I can't find him anywhere.

Look at me.

You know something, don't you?

I don't know anything. I was asleep.

Asleep in that storm?

I was asleep.

You saw the bosun in the hold.

I was asleep.

That's it, then.

We've searched the whole boat, he's not here.

He's not on board.

Maybe he got washed over.

No, captain. Not Bebe.

Look at him. I'll bet the blacks could tell us where he is.

- Come on, tell us! - Leave him!

Get off the deck!

- You really think Bebe was washed overboard? - I don't think it's possible.

But I don't want a riot starting.

So, what should I do?

Feed them or throw it over the side?

Dump it. Let them all die.

They killed Bebe.

Here.

Hear that?

That's Bebe's cat.

Chanting.

Just like on the St Dominico one night when some of them got loose.

They got out and crept onto the deck.

They killed the men on duty. Six!

I managed to get away but got this.

These blacks...

It's crazy to carry more than 30 on a trip. Crazy!

There, you hear them?

I'll make them shut up.

Quiet!

You know something.

The bosun was down here last night, wasn't he?

Answer me!

- I was asleep. - Asleep.

You think I'm stupid?

And you were sleeping too?

- During a storm. - Yes, we were all asleep.

- Asleep. - Sure.

- How could we do anything? - Shut up.

We're chained.

Shut up!

- Where'd you get that tobacco? - The white man.

Liar! You killed the bosun. You killed him.

Werner!

Give me that knife.

He killed him.

Give me that knife!

Come and get it.

That's enough.

He killed Bebe.

Put him in irons.

He killed Bebe.

Take him up to the sergeant.

You're going to be all right, boy.

We're going to help you.

But you've got to tell me the truth.

I don't know.

You don't know. Neither do I.

You're making up stories.

I don't know.

You can tell me. The others won't know.

You know what happened to him.

Tell me.

Stop faking and tell me.

He's not faking it, he's dead.

From now on there's going to be more security.

The slaves will be brought up for feeding and exercise twenty at a time.

- No more. - Aye, captain.

Turn the starboard cannon to face the slave deck.

Set the quarterdeck gun, too. Use grapeshot.

Post guards at the rigging.

Double the night watch.

Everybody will be armed at all times.

They'll find the body. We can't wait.

Only six of us have cut the chains, that's not enough.

We need the guns.

We'd never get the key.

Maybe we can.

Aiche?

She'd never do it.

You have any other ideas?

Thirsty.

Go on, then.

Quit it.

Go on, eat.

You want the key, go find it yourself.

I thought you were with us.

I don't want anything to do with this.

But you helped us last night.

Why?

Because you'd rather be with us?

Because that's where your place is.

Move.

Go on, get in.

Come on.

I'll take you.

Otherwise you'll get shot at.

You sent for her?

You can't let her go.

You need her?

Yes, I need her.

To tell me what happened to Bebe.

I knew she'd help.

Your eyes sparkle when you talk about Aiche.

Like stars?

I'm thinking of tomorrow, not women.

And then what?

After?

After that...

Get to work.

Harder.

They have to break on the first pull.

Something wrong?

It's hot in here.

I'm thirsty.

Have a drink.

Don't you understand, Aiche?

I'm trying to tell you that you're free.

I know it's unexpected.

But it's only natural.

You've been a good servant.

I appreciate what you've done.

I want you to know it.

You can't mean this.

When we get to port, I'll write it out on a big piece of paper.

With a red seal.

Write it now.

Now?

You can't even read it.

Write it.

All right.

"The slave known as Aiche..."

"...will be henceforth free..."

ROUTE NORTHWEST, VARIABLE WINDS. SPEED SEVEN KNOTS. CLEAR SKIES.

"Made by my hand this day, Captain Paul Decker."

Where's the word that says I'm free?

Here.

So I'm free.

I can say anything I want.

I can do anything I want.

That's right.

Then take your hands off me.

Don't touch me!

I can tell the truth now, the real truth.

Of course.

Well then, listen.

I hate you. I've always hated you.

Hated your hands all over me, hated that bed.

You like my hair long.

You like me dressed up with jewels.

But as for you...

There's not one thing I like about you, nothing.

You're lying.

I'm telling the truth to a white man for the first time in my life.

You're lying.

You're lying.

You're lying.

You're lying, you're lying.

Aiche, listen to me.

What were you trying to get from me?

What did you want to know?

Why did you try to buy me off like that?

What do you mean?

There was an old man on our plantation.

He was poor.

Poor and badly off.

But everybody looked at him with envy.

Because he had a piece of paper.

That said he was free.

I was only little.

But I still remember that paper.

With all my heart.

I might not be able to read.

But if I ever saw that word again I'd know it instantly.

You're right, Aiche.

I lied.

I made an excuse to get you up here.

I didn't want any information.

Aiche.

You're the only one I want in my life.

I'll give up that other woman.

And everything that goes with her.

If you'll stay with me.

Aiche.

You know I'm telling the truth.

You'll be free.

I'll write that word in the book.

It'll be right this time.

I don't belong with you.

I belong with them.

But you don't owe them anything.

Not a thing.

What did they want you to do?

Get my gun? My knife? The keys?

Nothing.

Maybe they wanted you to kill me.

Aiche, this is only your second trip.

It's my twelfth.

I know what goes on down there in the hold, it's the same every trip.

They plan, they plot.

They try to revolt.

And they always fail.

If I were in their place, I do the same thing.

But I'm not in their place, they are.

And me.

You know what you want in your lfe.

You and I want the same thing.

Those people out there will die for their tribe.

But we want to live for ourselves.

What makes you so sure I'm like that?

When you gave yourself to me for the first time,

for a few trinkets.

You sold them out.

You became...

What do the slaves call it?

White man's whore.

You'll stay.

I know you will.

The guns. We've got to get the guns.

Put the guns in our hands and we have a chance.

You saw where they keep them.

Now listen.

Tomorrow, when they're watching us on deck,

I'll pick a man for each of you.

After we eat they'll make us dance.

Go to where your man is.

Lie down as if you were resting.

- Wait for my signal. - We'll never make it.

- Never. - Tamango.

We can be free.

If we stand together.

Brothers in life.

Brothers in death.

Eat.

Aiche, the women are going to fight, too.

Are you with us?

If anything happens...

I don't have the key.

But they're counting on you.

You'll have to stop them.

Tell them.

Aiche isn't with us.

- So... - Hey, you.

What are you doing? Get back to the women.

It's not going to work.

Go forward. Forward.

All on the topdeck!

Get back!

Force them back to the hold.

We lost eight men.

Throw your rifles up on deck.

Give up those guns.

Captain!

We've got your woman.

Down here with us.

If we have to, we'll kill her.

What are you going to do?

Use the cannon?

We'll wait.

Wait? But why, captain?

Because that's an order, understand?

I'm not losing the whole cargo.

What's come over you? I thought you had your eye on the future.

We'll wait. They have to eat and drink.

They'll come up.

Why doesn't he fire the cannon?

He doesn't give a damn about us.

You know what it is.

It's that negress. That slave.

So...

Anyone else have ideas?

Right now there's only a few of them out of their chains.

Give them time and they'll all be free.

And then what?

Fernando.

Break out a keg of pitch.

Let me out.

You can't keep me here.

I'm not a slave any more.

I'm free.

Are you listening?

Free!

Free!

Free!

Free!

Don't you understand?

What do you think he's going to do?

He's not going to just turn the boat around.

He's not going to take you back to Africa.

What do you expect? You can't win.

They'll come out when they've had enough.

Hey, over here.

And you, there.

Nothing moving.

We can't smoke them out now.

How many more of us?

Throw me over the side if you want,

but there's only one thing to do. Fire on them.

Only enough to get into the hold and get one of them out.

Just one.

Which one?

Him?

Or her?

They've bolted it from the back.

That's the only way in, right?

Aiche.

Aiche!

Aiche!

Tamango!

Tamango!

Let Aiche come up and nobody will be punished.

I swear it, nobody.

You know me, captain. I've always obeyed orders.

But there's a limit.

There's a limit!

He's right, captain.

You said it.

It's them or us.

Tamango.

For the last time.

Come out.

Come out!

All right, take aim!

Fire.

Fire!

Ore.

Brother.

Brother.

Brother.

You can go out.

If you want.

They'll let you.

Maybe not all of you.

Most of you.

Or we can all stay here.

And fight them.

Even if we die,

we'll win.

Because they can sell living men,

but not dead ones.

Me?

They'll never sell me.

I'll stay.

I'll stay.

Bring the cannon.

Load it with shot.

You can go now.

Leave.

Go on.

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