Original subtitles

Film Yegor Baranov

Scenario: Natalia Merkulova, Alexey Chupov, Kim Belov, and others.

It's not salty enough.

Eat more fat, it will become saltier.

Somewhere in the vicinity of Dikanka

Don't lecture me! Not lecturing me, dumbass!

I don't like this place.

Damn forest.

I'm going to see my friend Taras in Khortitsa.

We will fight the Turks, it pays well,

I will have land and serfs.

You can make a fortune even here.

Look, Petrovich is back.

With a booty!

Sorry, brothers. I wasn't so lucky.

At least, here is a girl, to have a good time.

This is something at least.

Of course, without a woman it is less funny.

Don't worry.

Starring: Alexander Petrov,

Oleg Menshikov Eugene Stychkin,

Like a chicken without a head!

Michael Vilkova, Julia Franz

It would be better if I brought salt.

Have mercy, please!

My father and I will pray for you.

Don't worry, we won't hurt you.

We aren't beasts, anyway!

Hello, sir.

You are lost?

See his horse's breastplate.

Expensive, probably.

Yes, and the horse is good, too.

Well.

How about a little chat?

Gogol: The Beginning

Chapter 1 Murder in Dikanka

Based On the work of Nikolai Gogol

Miss Otoshinskaya Elena.

Found dead in her own living room.

Saint Petersburg, 1829.

Killed and exposed partially on fire

around the area of the right hand.

On the neck there are strangulation marks.

Pretty French nightgown.

It is not necessary to write this down.

Nikolay Vasilievich,

come, write faster.

My wife prepared a goose for dinner.

Do you know what will happen if I am late?

The children will leave me only the beak.

Write. - Excuse me.

Write.

The body of...

Yakov Petrovich!

As it goes...

Mr. Kovleisky?

Great, Yakov Petrovich.

I must confess, I didn't expect you.

Nikolay Vasilievich,

what is going on with you again?

Look at him. Our Gogol has had another crisis.

Gogol? - Gogol.

Is that your real name?

Gogol. Nikolay Yanovsky.

I had a friend with the last name Omelet.

- Are you the assistant? - Yes.

I told him that he had to take care of himself

if I should work with him.

So, this Miss Atashinskaya

was going to marry the merchant Kerenina.

This man had connections.

He got to the governor this morning, for help to resolve this case.

The murder and theft are clearly the work of the Klimovskys.

They got in, strangled her,

forced the safe and stole the money.

Let's organize some peasants to get hold of the culprit.

Maybe they'll hand over the killer.

He knew her.

Sorry?

The murderer knew her very well.

They were close.

Here - he's started again.

Mister clerk,

Have you noted everything? That's good!

Can I have it?

A volcano, a cross, a lamb.

What does it mean?

I do not know. My hand wrote by itself.

By itself?

A volcano, a cross, a lamb.

Does it say something to you, Mr. Kovleisky?

The volcano.

This is her horse.

Does she have a coachman?

Here.

Somov Ivan, her coachman.

He is a part-time servant.

She had no heir; it will therefore be sold at auction

and to the grace of God.

Oh, Vanya!

What a tragedy. Eh?

Are you baptized, Vanya?

I'm not a Turk. Of course.

Perfect.

So show me, Vanya,

your cross.

Tell me, Nikolai, what is your surname?

- Vasilievich. - Nikolai Vasilievich.

Mr. Nikolai Vasilievich.

Look here.

Do you see the scratches on her palm?

Do they remind you something?

- The cross? - Yes, the cross.

She tore it away from the attacker, when she was strangled.

Then like this.

It tightened in her hand.

Let's see, let's see. The lamb.

"My lamb"

That's how you called her!

When you were alone. Isn't it?

Because of her curls.

Well, Vanya, you loved your mistress, right?

I loved her.

I loved her more than my own life. And she loved me, too.

So why marry another? If everything was so good with you?

She no longer had a penny. There was no money anymore.

That's why she agreed to marry him.

She said, "I can't live like this anymore."

Vanya.

"I cannot anymore!"

And I...

And I don't know how it happened!

Take him away when he's done.

Well, gentlemen, congratulations to all of you.

The case is closed successfully.

Especially to you, Nikolai Vasilievich.

Write a full report without detailing this story with the lamb.

Because not everyone will understand this.

Well, Mr. Kovleisky, you can thank Gogol.

It's you who'll get the glory, not him.

And what kind of fainting does he have?

You know, it switches him off periodically.

Over time and more often. Is it a fear of blood?

Somehow... I can't understand.

Sometimes there is no blood, but he still falls.

If it is murder, then he surely always does.

And if it is a simple case?

Well, if something is just stealing or a domestic brawl,

he doesn't fall at all.

And he always writes something, during these spells? Yes?

In general, yes.

His hand moves with the pen over the paper.

Usually nothing is clear.

Not clear, huh?

Or you just can't read it.

Yes? Kovleysky?

Best to you and yours.

Hans Küchelgarten

Masterpiece by M. Alov. Do you have it?

Alov?

Yes,

18 kopecks.

18 kopecks apiece.

Ask him for a discount

We paid 16 at Zakharov's.

Petya, wait outside.

I would like to buy

all copies of this book.

One two three four...

Hans Küchelgarten

You pay to have them printed,

then you pay to buy them,

And now you burn them.

By the way, your mother

via Fadey Venediktovich

with her connections, could find you a job in the secret police.

Instead of working to write a book.

You're waiting to let the critics attack you,

And then you cry like a woman,

burn your own books, paying your own money.

I have a funny master.

Yakim, I will sell you to the Crimean Tatars.

Some, like you, they cut off their tongues.

I will sell you and I will redeem you without a tongue, understand?

It will not work for you to redeem me.

Because you don't have any money left.

You will have spent everything on your books, Nikolai Vasilievich.

Yakim, Crimean Tatars!

I am silent. I am silent.

Poltava

Mirgorod

Life only provides a little fuel for the writer.

It disappears

in writing, like these books,

The more suffering, and frustration,

the better the writer.

So don't be upset, Nikolai Vasilievich.

The best is yet to come.

I'm sorry to show up like this without warning.

Today I'm leaving, perhaps for a long time.

I was passing by, and I took advantage of it.

I came to say you,

I was very pleased to meet and to work with you.

Although briefly.

Thank you.

I am...

I have heard a lot about you.

That you are...

an investigator, able to reveal the most difficult cases.

So people say.

Well, yes. I have the honor.

Wait!

What?

Where are you going?

To the Poltava province.

I have some urgent business there.

Something tells me - one of the most interesting

in all of my service.

You are surely in need of a writer.

Take me with you.

Are you sure? Can you handle it?

You know, the case is complicated, and the journey is long,

And then, there are your... fainting...

Yes, I'm sure I can handle it.

Especially me. I was born in that area.

I can be useful to you.

Well look, Gogol.

You have five minutes to get ready.

Near the village of Dikanka,

the bodies of young women were found.

Three bodies, to date.

Do you think you will find more?

And the killings are likely to have a ritualistic quality.

The local population, as you know, is poorly educated,

and therefore superstitious. There are rumors

of gypsies, evil spirits, masonic conspiracy...

But of course, we Muscovites will also accused; this cannot be avoided.

We need to catch the killer as soon as possible.

Or the killers.

Mirgorod

Poltava

How did you sleep?

We are almost there.

Village of Dikanka

Well, that's what I was afraid of.

Yakov Petrovich, bread and salt! Bread and salt!

We would prefer bacon and borscht.

Of course.

Come to my home. Everything is on the table, the meal is hot.

Come on, come on. You will stay with me.

And who are you, my dear?

Alexander Khristoforovich Bing,

Head of the local police department...

And this... However, come to me, there you'll meet everyone.

Do not consider it disrespectful, but we prefer to stay at the hostel.

We are so used to it.

Of course.

Well,

where's the girl?

Frankly, we hadn't thought about it, but...

it can be arranged.

Alexander Khristoforovich, where is the murdered girl?

There was a message to not bury the body,

to keep it on ice until the arrival of the inquiry officer.

It just isn't Christian.

What would the family have said?

Yes, and who would agree to keep a corpse in his cooler?

Yakov Petrovich, we do the same work.

We need the locals of the region to worry less.

Our job, Alexander Khristoforovich,

is to catch the murderer as soon as possible.

Today we are going to exhume the body.

Do you want to dig?

How could you?

Usually, father, with a shovel. How else?

Your soil is good - loam. So it will not take much time.

Merciful Mother of God...

Now that's all clear.

He refused to let me house him.

Is he undermining us? Why does he need us?

We are small people.

Who knows what he will discover?

"A pig has a nose for mud"

Follow me.

Don't worry. We do not have bed bugs.

Well, almost. No more than elsewhere, that's for sure.

Get comfortable.

Yours is at the end of the corridor.

How about lunch, Nikolai Vasilievich?

I am so hungry.

I walked past the kitchen.

There is quite a choice!

There are pies, dumplings, donuts

and much more.

Nikolai Vasilievich, it already rustled inside me.

According to reports,

there was a rider nearby at all the crime scenes.

On a black horse.

Moreover, everyone describes it in

approximately the same way and everyone calls it

an evil spirit.

That's it, dear Nikolai Vasilievich.

Always the farther from the capital we get, the more superstitious the people are.

What's the point...

of killing these girls?

Some kind of degenerate who probably just enjoys it...

How often have you encountered that type of person?

Not that often.

Some time ago, I had a peculiar case.

From a Registrar College someone stole his overcoat;

suddenly it began to kill and gut people.

Not just people, but officials. Not lower than advisers at least.

Can you imagine? He killed them and gutted them.

He was taking their organs, grilled them and ate them.

Nikolai Vasilievich, a large slice or a small slice?

Small.

What is this house over there?

The Danishevskys live there.

He is not local and rarely seen in public.

He only comes out on rare occasions.

Well, we don't have a morgue here.

We have prepared a barn for you.

Well, well...

What are you going to tell us about, beautiful?

Over the girl's chest is a small incision

made with a sharp object.

The cut was shallow and cannot be the cause of death.

So, now the fun part.

Yes!

The aorta is cut.

And it seems by a professional.

A doctor...

or a butcher.

How are you, Nikolai Vasilievich?

Great, Yakov Petrovich.

Wonderful!

Most impressive is the complete absence of blood.

I congratulate you.

No fainting today.

I am doing my best.

Even if you don't look good. Never mind.

Listen, how about a drink?

Thank you for now, but...

If you don't need me anymore, I'd like to take a walk.

Take a walk.

You?

It's me.

Am I dreaming?

As far as I know, no.

I can pinch you if you want.

Where am I? How did I get here?

Our horses knocked you over.

The coachman tried to warn you, but you didn't seem to hear him.

Alexey and I brought you here.

You were ranting all the way.

Sometimes even in verses. About a certain Louisa.

Is she your girl?

No, no.

This is the heroine of a terrible poem that you haven't read

or will never read, thank God.

How is he?

He talks about poetry.

Excellent! So he's better.

Danishevsky. Alexey.

I see you already met my wife?

You introduced yourself to our dear guest?

Lisa.

Nikolay.

Yes, these killings...

Everyone is talking about these murders.

And what do they say?

Well... No one really knows anything.

But everyone has his own version, of course.

Opportunities to be entertained are rare in the region.

The local landowners have two passions, drink and boasting.

And controlling the peasants.

Try the quail.

And what has...

brought you here?

My uncle...

The most honest man. I have not read the history.

Alyosha wants to say that he inherited the mansion from his uncle.

Yes.

We thought we would settle the formalities and return to St. Petersburg

but were struck, so to speak, by the picturesque region.

Lisa!

What's wrong with you? Do you feel bad?

No, no.

I'm just tired.

Lisa, did you forget?

Forgive me, Nikolai.

Don't worry.

She just has to take regular treatments.

The female body is weak.

Have some wine.

Thank you.

I have to go.

I'll give you a horse.

Do you know how to ride a horse?

Get over there!

Come! Horse, let's go!

Who are you?

Oksana, the miller's daughter.

How did you end up here?

The horseman who kills people, he chased after me!

Black eyes glowing... In the woods...

No one's chased you.

How is it not chasing? I saw him, he's real, he...

Come on.

Where?

Warm you up. I'll make you some tea.

Thank you. Aren't you afraid here?

Afraid of what?

About the murders? Didn't you hear about them?

Three young girls just recently..

Murdered.

More.

What are you saying? More were killed.

A lot more...

were killed.

How many?

You seem to know something about this. Right?

Tell me.

Get some sleep.

Soon you will know everything.

Everything in its time.

So her name was Oksana?

Ghana, the light of my eyes. I will ask you something.

Is there a lake and a windmill over here?

Not for a long time.

Yakov Petrovich, I don't know, maybe I imagined it.

Sometimes the difference between dream and reality is very small.

And for an impressionable mind like yours,

I'm afraid that makes no difference at all.

From the point of view, let's say, of the writer, it would not be bad.

But from the point of view of the investigation, we will see.

Well, Nikolai Vasilievich, let's go.

Where?

To the mill.

That was thirty years ago. There is nothing left of the mill.

Only stones. What do you hope to find there?

So, Mr, Assistant. Are you satisfied with it?

Did you like the walk?

The girl was here.

Said she is the miller's daughter.

And the mill was intact.

It's my coat!

I lost it here.

So you...

You say, this is where you saw the miller's daughter?

And her name was Oksana?

Yes.

Lord have mercy... How do you know her?

Everyone knows it. It happened 30 years ago.

Well, they say there was a beautiful girl.

Until she drowned.

Then her father went crazy and hanged himself.

Only the stepmother was left.

It was a very sad summer.

Tesak, what are you talking about?

How could it have been the miller's daughter

who drowned 30 years ago?

What, Yakov Petrovich?

Your assistant can resurrect the dead?

The abilities of Nikolai Vasilievich may be

beyond your understanding.

Well yes, yes.

So, then a few more girls disappeared.

About a dozen.

You mean...

You say that the county already had similar

crimes here?

And you remain silent?

Do you even think what you are doing?

Do you even understand why I'm here?

Or are you intentionally hiding these crimes?

Yakov Petrovich, I would appreciate...

I would appreciate you answering my question!

My duty is to prevent the spread of ridiculous rumors.

It is impossible for these murders to be linked.

Our murderer should not...

couldn't even be born at that time.

The devil kills them.

And the devil has no age.

Now, without you and your Oksana, Alexander Khristoforovich would have hid

these killings thirty years ago.

Say, do you remember all the details

of your night walk? - I remember everything.

But maybe it was a vision anyway?

Yakov Petrovich, do you know a good doctor in Saint Petersburg?

I need a good psychiatrist.

Why? - I'm going crazy,

Nikolai Vasilievich, we are looking for the truth.

And there are only two ways to do this.

The one that leads us there and the other that takes us away from it.

No need to consult a doctor now.

Nikolai Vasilievich!

Lisa?

Thank God you are all right.

Yes, all is well.

How do you know...

The horse that Lesha gave you

came back covered in thorns and scratches.

I worried so much...

Yes?

Yakov Petrovich, meet...

"Houses, gardens. Everything is visible, everything is light.

All in gold the bell tower shines.

And the ray shines on an old fence.

Everything was captivatingly turned upside down

in silver water.

Fences, a house and a little garden in it.

Everything is moving in the silver water.

The vault turns blue.

and the waves of the clouds go.

Your poems?

Don't you dare lie.

Alov! Is that you?

Yes.

But...

But how did you get it...

Lesha and I read a lot of books.

When you raved, it seemed familiar to me.

I have read your ü Kühelgarten.

So you're a poet, Nikolai Vasilievich?

And I thought I burned all the copies.

Never do that again.

You are only an instrument in the hands of God who speaks to us through you.

Your books do not belong to you.

And you do not dare to burn them.

Promise you will never do it again.

It's just... - Just promise!

Very well.

I promise.

That's better.

Maybe staying in our area

will give you food for a new creation.

Yakim! - Yes?

I've been rude to you lately.

Lately?

When I cradled you in my arms, you were good to me.

Since then, no longer a kind word.

What a grouch you are, Yakim. Grumbling and grumbling.

Have you met a girl? That's good.

At least we have not come in vain.

What are you talking about?

We have a platonic relationship.

We are... friends.

But of course, master.

I made children all over Russia,

with platonic relationships.

Enough to populate three villages.

Yakim! Go to sleep.

And your vulgar stories. Keep it to yourself.

Of course, as always.

My stories are vulgar and should listen to yours.

What are you doing? - Digging a hole...

What are you digging a hole for? - To find the money.

What do you want money for? - To buy needle.

Why a needle?

Help me!

How?

You can see what others do not see.

Who are you? And where am I?

I know you're looking for a black rider who murders young women.

I will help you if you help me.

But how can I help?

Help me to take revenge on my stepmother.

Every night she appears in a lake, pretending to be a mermaid.

She sucks the power from me and my sisters.

She did great wickedness to me.

Look at my face.

The spells have taken away the color of my cheeks.

Look at my neck.

She left marks with her iron claws.

Forever.

Look at my eyes.

They are blinded by tears.

What can I do?

You can see. Look!

She is among them.

She hides, but she is among them.

Raven, raven, what are you doing?

I'm digging a hole.

What are you digging a hole for? - To find the money.

What do you want money for? - To buy a needle.

What do you need needles for? - To sew the bag.

Why a bag? - To buy salt.

Why do you need the salt? - To salt the cabbage soup.

Why do you need the cabbage soup?

To pour in the eyes of your children.

Ghana?

Yes, Nikolai Vasilievich.

I think I've done something stupid.

When I agreed to come with you here.

I didn't even have time for breakfast.

A good breakfast is the foundation of a healthy diet.

A healthy diet is the foundation of longevity.

So here, you say, she was torn apart?

Ghana, wait a minute!

It's all because of you.

Dana, I don't understand...

What are you talking about?

For the love of God, what's wrong with you?

What are you doing?

You ruined everything. What are you getting into?

What an adventure, gentlemen.

Incomprehensible powders.

Witchcraft, it seems.

Are you all right?

As you can see.

Very good.

The dagger is small,

Damascus steel.

Probably the murder weapon.

I found the same mark

wherever the girls were killed.

Look at this.

I never would have thought that the killer was a woman.

I thought he should have tremendous power.

She was possessed, I assure you.

Well, in any case, it seems everything worked out perfectly?

Yakov Petrovich caught the killer with our help.

The killer resisted and... died.

The report will turn out beautifully.

For this occasion, I offer you dinner at my house.

To tell the truth, I have little appetite.

Tomorrow we go to St. Petersburg.

I only want to sleep,

No offense, Alexander Khristoforovich.

I understand.

Lisa?

I was told that you are leaving tomorrow.

I had to say goodbye.

I will miss you.

And I as well.

Lisa.

And...

And you, and...

and these places

and the air...

But you didn't catch the killer.

The black horseman continues to kill.

Wake up, or you're going to burn alive.

Yakov Petrovich!

Do not go, you will die!

Yakov Petrovich! It is impossible!

It is impossible!

Take the body of Yakov Petrovich back.

There isn't much left, but better

to bury people in their homes.

I won't go anywhere.

What?

The real killer has not yet been found. His remains were not found in the house.

Ghana was only the accomplice of the killer.

Until a new investigator arrives from St. Petersburg,

I will replace Yakov Petrovich. And this is my decision.

I respect your wish to be useful,

but you are an educated man, so you will understand.

Yakov Petrovich was a great man, a legend, and you...

What can you do?

You're just a paper scraper.

Enough, Mr. College Secretary.

Look at things like the Germans.

Be realistic. You have nothing more to do here.

If you have any objections, write to the third section.

But please, Alexander Khristoforovich, give a detailed account...

of all what happened.

We must find the killer together with you.

The real killer...

Or killers.

Yakim, unload our things!

Nikolay Vasilievich,

Unload!

Well, as you command.

No, no. This is all him, that writer.

I don't know from whence he discovered everything.

Something is not right with him. I haven't met such people before.

He has some strange power.

Dark powers from a dark source.

How could I know?

No, please! Don't!

GOGOL

Chapter 2 The Red Cape

A few days later

Come here.

Over here, quickly!

However,

Khavronya Nikiforovna,

my heart desires something softer

than your pies and cakes.

I have no idea

what you're talking about.

About what? Your love, of course.

God knows what you are up to.

A little more, and you will kiss...

We've been caught!

Who's there?

Get dressed, come on!

Get out through the stove.

Who was it?

- So who was it? - Nobody.

- And what's that? - Like a jacket.

A red cloak.

It's nothing, Khavronya Nikiforovna.

There are naughty children.

Oh, this is bad. So they know! If they tell your husband...

So you already snooped about, Popovich?

Not snooped. But found out.

And now I would like to hear the details.

Please.

Last night the local woman Khavronya was stabbed to death.

Right in her house.

And on the stove was drawn a mark.

Exactly the same

as your murderer horseman left.

There he is.

We brought you a criminal on a Saxon platter.

Please, interrogate.

A cape.

Red.

On the porch...

What cape?

Any child will tell you this.

This is a damn omen.

Unfaithful women fear it more than death.

Damn bastards toss a jacket in front of the door.

Consider everything, the right sign, that he will come soon.

The candle... starts turning green.

Then the swine's snout.

The hellish devilish snout

It was taking up the whole room!

Alexander Khristoforovich,

you really believe that Popovich is the rider

who killed three girls, a woman and Yakov Petrovich?

Listen to me carefully.

You are the investigator.

Investigate! Find me the real killer.

I will make sure he gets what he deserves.

First of all, I need to inspect the house of the late Khavronya

and I still need a draftsman.

- Who? - An artist...

who will sketch everything that I indicate.

Of course.

And a sculptor who will sculpt everything.

Paraska...

Witch!

Here is the blacksmith.

Hello, Vakula.

Live long and healthy.

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol.

Our new interrogator.

Came from St. Petersburg,

in order to investigate the murder of the girls.

Did you draw this?

Well, I...

I should have covered them long ago.

I never had time.

The police.

Your assistance is required.

More precisely,

your talent as an artist. - I don't do this anymore.

Look for someone else.

Understand me, this is very important.

We are looking for a rider who kills innocent girls.

And, eh...

And you have the opportunity to help us out.

Your horseman - it is an evil force.

The devil is his servant.

I will not get involved, so do the same.

Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

Dad, Tyat, Marushka wants to tell you something.

But she is shy,

Maruska, tell me, what do you want from dad?

Maruska wants earrings like the stars in the sky.

You can do that?

Go inside, daughter. We'll talk later.

Good, dad.

Goodbye.

If we don't stop the rider,

he will come for your daughter, too.

Rest, O Lord, the soul of your servant Khavronya,

in your kingdom free from pain and suffering,

In your kindness and your love for all men,

forgive her all sins that she may have committed,

have mercy and take her in your kingdom of heaven

and help us to sacrifice our souls to do good work.

Hello, good people.

This is the investigator from St. Petersburg.

So, father, the burial must therefore be delayed.

Until the investigator has finished his inquiry.

Well, tell me where was the body found?

Here where you stand.

Gritsko and I drank in the pub.

He asked my daughter to marry.

Then I came home and...

Thank God, my daughter Paraska was out with friends.

She has not seen this obscenity.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Where is the mark that the murderer painted on the oven?

It was where you stand.

We covered up this devilry.

Why did you do this?

What is covered can be discovered.

Is there vinegar in the house?

With God's help it will work.

Lord, save us!

Nikolay Vasilievich... - Quiet, Quiet!

What kind of tree is it?

You drawing is even worse than your detecting.

It looks like an oak tree. But I could be wrong.

It is certainly a linden tree.

The same that grew on our property.

The little ones loved to sit on the grass under it.

A tree...

A forest...

Why is it necessary to get the trunk in the yard?

And why did you decide to search Cherevik's house?

Because Khavronya was not killed by the rider.

Not the rider?

And that sigil? - The mark proves nothing.

Besides, it was not drawn properly. The symbol inside the horseshoe

was upside down.

The horseman always killed young girls,

and then suddenly he decided to kill Khavronya?

The horseman always killed in the forest, and then suddenly slays inside a house?

Get to the point.

The conclusion is simple. Everything is staged.

Someone has done this to lay the blame on the horseman.

And this someone is Cherevik?

Yes, it is he.

Cherevik decided to take revenge on his unfaithful wife,

while her daughter was out with friends.

He came home, left a red cloak, and killed Khavronya,

And then we were sent on a false trail.

For Cherevik, this is all too tricky.

Alexander Khristoforovich...

I found this under the tub.

We are holding you, my good fellow.

You painted the mark on the stove.

- We've seen... - I didn't kill her!

I already told you that we were in the pub. Gritsko will confirm this.

If Gritsko does, then it's because he covers for you.

He will end up at a labor camp with you. Nobody will see you again.

You won't have a son-in-law or grandchildren.

Have mercy! - No mercy!

For Gritsko there is hope.

But only if you confess everything to me.

Then you will go alone to a labor camp.

Well?

Think on it, Solopy.

Do not ruin the life of your daughter.

Why deprive her of her groom?

Why deny it?

I killed her.

This turncoat warned me that she was cheating, and I killed her.

Do not touch Gritsko.

He didn't know.

Well, that's nice.

So let's write it down.

What about the candle?

My daughter Paraska

bought them on the market in Poltava from gypsies.

She said to decorate the house.

Nikolay Vasilievich! You're constantly in the way.

You should leave.

I have only one request,

before you send me to the labor camp...

let me celebrate Paraska's wedding today.

It's my only chance to see her get married.

This special day, the autumn equinox.

I would sit at the wedding under your watch.

It's finished. He signed and admitted everything.

It was not him.

It is necessary to perform an autopsy on the deceased.

How is it not him?

You yourself raised suspicion against Cherevik.

And that the rider had nothing to do with the murder,

with the killing of Khavronya.

So... Get back to your investigation.

I have to attend to business.

Come on, wait.

Work together, dammit.

Put it there.

Mr. Investigator,

where do you want the doctor?

What does "where" mean?

You asked for a doctor. There he is.

Womgard Leopold Leopoldovich.

- Is he drunk or something? - Yes.

He doesn't stand up well,

But he can still cut in this state.

Pour him this, if he starts passing out.

Don't overdo it.

Will you drink?

Dear Gogol, you look bad.

Drink, it will make it easier for you.

I know firsthand. - Thank you.

Superficial injury. Light penetration.

With such a wound, she would have still lived two days.

So from what did she die?

Here it is:

Her little heart.

Come and see this.

Here's a curiosity. A valve's outpouring of blood.

The poor...

Her eyes... Before she died...

went wide.

Ligaments in the throat ripped off as she

screamed hard and long.

Some heartbreak.

You want to say that she died because of fear?

And you, it turns out,

are versed in medicine.

Okay, I was... I was the best at the university.

I even wrote a thesis.

That's why they sent me here in exile.

I'm wasting away here, all alone.

Keep me informed if you find other bodies.

Anything is better than sitting without work.

Nikolay Vasilievich,

Listen to me.

You are a true master of your craft.

I'm at your service.

You have to close the door, or goats and chickens will come in.

Nikolai...

Vasilievich...

Lisa...

Nikolai Vasilievich.

What are you doing here?

Elizaveta Andreevna...

You... Sorry...

I wanted to see you...

to talk.

It's a little late to visit me.

Let's call it a night meeting.

What do you want to talk about?

Excuse me, but I have a stupid question.

Did you happen to see me...

visiting you?

The night before last?

I don't have a habit of taking visits at night.

Especially not young men.

I am...

rereading your Küchelgarten.

Why are you reading this nonsense?

Why are you so ashamed of your work?

I'm ashamed -

that's too weak a term.

Can you imagine -

When I was in St. Petersburg, I went to see Mr. Pushkin, himself.

I wanted to show this kind of trash

to this great poet.

And what did Alexander Sergeyevich say about your work?

Glory to you, Lord, nothing.

Alexander Sergeevich played cards all night

and he was not able to receive visitors.

When I think about it... What if he accepted me?

And you know what?

It's my -

worst nightmare.

See, you write about Germany.

You write very beautifully.

But maybe you should

write -

about what you know well?

This place, for example.

You, like no other, feel these areas.

You were born in Little Russia. This is your home.

So write about it.

Forgive me for such a late visit.

I have to go.

Wait a minute. Maybe you shouldn't

walk through the forest so late?

I'm calling a coach.

No.

You...

Do not worry, I will get there.

Take care of yourself.

You are a good person.

Paraska!

Paraska!

Paraska!

Yakov Petrovich!

Yakov Petrovich!

Paraska? - The devil is there.

Silence! Hush!

Let's go.

- Did you see in these woods... - See what?

Paraska!

Paraska, where are you? I've looked for you all over the village.

Paraska,

What are you doing here with the Muscovite in the forest?

Gritsko, it's not what you think.

I will explain everything. I want you to know...

Well, when you can explain, then okay.

- You see... - Yes, I see, I see.

Stop! You have nothing to bet.

- Mr. Pushkin, my dear... - Calm down, gentlemen.

I will now loan five hundred rubles from Pyotr Arkadevich,

and I'll get it back right away. Alexander Sergeevich,

better borrow from me right away.

You don't care if I lose then.

And who is that there?

Oksana?

But you...

died.

What's going on here?!

How is all this possible?

Don't you know?

You're having a bad dream.

You want to wake up, but instead you end up in another,

even more terrible dream.

The world in which you live is not the only one.

There's another world -

Dark. Hidden.

Where evil does what it wants.

You can cross the threshold in that world.

Because you are strangely linked to that dark force.

This is your gift.

If you don't learn to control your gift,

you will never find the rider.

You...

Will you help me?

I can only guide you.

The rest is up to you.

However, there is a person who disturbs you.

Who?

Lisa.

- What does she have to do with it? - She takes your heart,

and draws you in the wrong direction.

Tell me...

recently at night I, you

and Lisa...

What was it?

Which of you actually came to me?

Who cares?

You were pleased.

Tell me, which was better? I, or she?

Was it you?

How dare you pretend to be her?

And don't get any closer to her, understood?

Clear?

Wake up. You have slept all day,

You live life to the fullest, Nikolai Vasilievich.

Like a master.

Who painted you like that?

Do you not remember?

I don't remember.

Yakim, bring me some kvass. I am thirsty.

- And my head hurts... - From the blow, or what?

- No, it's the alcohol.

Kvass won't help.

I've prepared something else for you.

Oh, yeah.

The blacksmith came yesterday. He brought some drawings.

He says you asked him to draw dead girls.

Thank you.

Take some brine with it; it will help,

Yakim, are you trying to kill me?

Why did you give this nasty thing to me?

I can't even think about alcohol...

But the headache is gone, right?

Don't get angry.

But don't drink anymore, or the result will be the same.

- I sprayed the drawings.

- Oh, that's fine. We'll let them dry.

What is this?

Oh, I forgot to tell you, master.

This is the chest of Yakov Petrovich.

As we packed his things to send them to St. Petersburg,

We found a note on it attached.

Here.

In case of unforeseen circumstances,

please give this trunk to Mr. Gogol.

Only there is no key.

No way to open it.

Paraska!

You will not be happy...

- Go home, I tell you! - Let go of me!

Leopold Leopoldovich!

Oh, Mr. Investigator!

Welcome.

I'm sitting here alone,

And there's no one to talk to.

Leopold Leopoldovich, tell me.

You're a doctor. You know about chemistry.

Of course.

After all, medicine and chemistry -

these are sister disciplines.

Look at this candle.

There is something strange about it.

Tell me, what else is contained in it, except wax?

Laudanum...

Belladonna.

Absinthe and something else.

Where did you get such a candle?

At the crime scene.

Paraska, Cherevik's daughter, bought it from the gypsies.

The gypsies?

They, you know, they are great masters in chemistry.

Popovich assured her it burned with a green flame.

Green?

So, it contains copper oxides.

What else did your Popovich see?

In the house there arrived a pig's head, and his eyes were sparkling and...

Alexander Sergeyevich?

You are absolutely right.

And you are Mr. Gogol, correct?

Yes.

How do you feel, young man?

Good. I'm fine.

OK. Allow me then to ask you one thing-

What are you currently working on?

I... work...

as a secretary for the secret police.

I'm writing an account about...

a pig's head...

and a red...

cape.

Are you serious?

You seriously hope that it will sell well?

Lord! Nikolai Vasilievich.

What happened to you? You scared me so much!

Forgive this fool for lighting this horrible candle under your nose.

I was expecting some hallucinations,

but you collapsed like death here.

Lord... Tell me, what did you see?

A nightmare. Everything was so...

Real.

Lord!

Who knows what nasty things

they have brewed in this candle.

Wait, you are saying...

That when the wax is burned down

and has reached the core,

the candle released smoke,

and when people inhale the smoke,

they hallucinate?

Well, yes.

Nikolay Vasilyevich, there is a saying: "Fear has big eyes."

So someone gave this candle to Khavronya.

When Popovich came to her, she lit the candle

and they started to hallucinate.

Then the killer came to them in the house with a mask of a pig...

She died of fear, before the killer stabbed her.

Nikolai Vasilievich, what do you think -

who could it be?

Maybe the one who brought this candle to the house of Khavronya.

Or...

She...

Why did you protect her?

I'm talking about your daughter

Paraska.

I know she killed Khavronya.

What are you talking about? - No, Gritsko!

That night when Gritsko fell asleep drunk in the pub.

You went to your home

Because you knew that your wife was there with Popovich.

You wanted to catch them yourself.

But when you approached the house, you did not expect to see this.

I understand that you really love your daughter.

Therefore, you protected her.

But she committed the murder, and she must pay the price, not you.

Why did you take all the blame?

Paraska... Is it true?

Everything is my fault.

My child suffered...

because of this wicked reptile.

It was necessary to send her to the grave for a long time.

I understood it too late.

Forgive me, my daughter.

I'm sorry to have let this serpent live under our roof.

I should have killed this viper a long time ago.

Flee, little ones!

Run away!

Stop it!

Nikolai Vasilievich, come on...

Are you alive?

Where is Paraska?

If we reach the river...

Damn root!

They couldn't have gotten far.

Tesak. - Yes.

It seems to me that they headed for the river.

And if so,

then we'll catch them.

At the bend.

Can you take us there?

- Yes, I know the way. - Let's go.

I need to warm up.

Don't look at me like that.

The blood in my veins freezes.

You must understand that if I hadn't killed

that witch, we couldn't have gotten married.

Ali, don't forget how she forbade my father to bless us.

You are my beloved; we will run away far from here.

I believe happiness awaits us there.

We will pray for our sins,

in a new place.

You won't pray for anything,

Murderer

Where is your bride?

You thought killing me would make you happy, dirty sow?

You will not be happy! You will follow me

down to the fires of hell!

And here is your new husband!

Take her, she is yours!

She's yours!

No!

Wait!

It's very close.

The living will go no further.

I have all the symptoms: delirium, tremors, hallucinations...

Where am I?

Why is it so dark?

No, don't come near me!

To the darkness!

Well done, master...

But what about you scared that witch?

I don't understand myself.

There are no witches.

You just have to warm up.

Gentlemen...

God is my witness that you are the only people in Dikanka

whom I can trust.

And I ask you to help me

to find the rider.

I believe that together we can

stop him.

Listen.

A charitable deed.

I'm with you.

But, unlike those here, I believe neither in God nor the devil.

But I must tell you.

Your arrival completely relieved me of boredom.

Gentlemen, I'm all yours.

What is it, master? We will never get out of this pit.

Yakim, stop grumbling.

This is the chest of Yakov Petrovich Guro.

I'm sure we will find inside a lot of useful things for our investigation.

Vakula, can you open it?

The one who makes locks can open them.

You're welcome.

Lisa!

Lisa?

Meister!

Nikolai Vasilievich. Dear, why do you frighten us?

Lisa...

is in danger.

The End