Original subtitles

a CTB Film Company production

1917

We've been expecting your arrival for several days now, Sir.

I'm not a "sir". Call me Doctor, or just Mikhail, if you like.

And what's your name?

Mine? I'm Vlas.

Onward!

Snow fell early this year.

Screenplay by Sergey Bodrov Jr.

MORPHINE

based on autobiographical short stories by Mikhail Bulgakov

- Hello, Doctor. - Hello.

Hello.

- Hello. - Hello.

Hello, Doctor, Sir. Thank goodness you've arrived.

Yegorych, I'll take care of the luggage. Start the samovar please.

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Anatoly Demyanenko. I'm a medic here.

- I'm Dr Polyakov. Glad to meet... - We've been waiting since spring.

We sent so many requests...

Your predecessor Leopold set things in order, but we can't manage without a doctor.

We had to send a third of our patients to the town.

- Let me take your coat. - Good thing they sent you.

We'd probably have waited until next spring. This isn't the most desireable place...

Let me introduce you to our obstetricians.

They're also our nurses.

This is Anna.

And this is Pelageya.

I'm Mikhail Polyakov.

I'm a little bit cold...

I'd like to get warm. Warm up.

Oh, yes! My God, of course! Come this way. Here's your house.

I'll get your things. Quiet, you two.

Right behind you. Come in, come in.

Come in.

Aksinya will be your cook. Warm yourself by the fire.

The samovar is getting ready.

Aksinya will make chicken soup for you.

Would you like some vodka after your journey?

This way.

Here. This is Leopold's study... I mean, your study.

We used to get financial support from the Nikolskoye gentry.

Leopold ordered the books from Leipzig.

And there's enough medical supplies to get us through two revolutions.

When it happened in February, he packed up and left.

He even left his gramophone and his records behind.

He loved Russian music.

This is where he slept.

Hush, hush.

This way.

There's our dispensary.

Watch your step.

Could you hold this, please?

This is our dispensary.

We've got ointments, acids, leaches...

Antipyrine...

...caffeine, adcetris...

...morphinum.

Insipin. That's the last jar of it.

This way.

Almost there.

This is our operating room.

Do you get many childbirths here?

People here are uncivilized. They still go to the old women for that.

We get patients after their so-called "care".

We had a case when one decided to puncture the amniotic sac.

When they got here the next day, the baby's head had knife marks all over.

Leopold was an expert when it came to complicated deliveries.

- You've got great instruments. - Indeed.

Sometimes he operated from morning until night.

He ordered all of the instruments from Germany.

- What was Leopold's surname? - His surname?

We usually called him by his first name...

- How did he sign his prescriptions? - Just "Leopold".

This way.

Your bed is ready, Sir. There's an extra blanket in the cabinet.

When you wake up or if you need anything knock on the stove.

We live downstairs, on the other side.

You see, Sir Leponty, they broke the bell...

Get some rest. God forbid they'll bring anybody tonight.

- How was my chicken soup? - Good, thank you.

May the Lord bless you.

Chop some firewood!

THE FIRST INJECTION

Sir!

Sir!

Sir, something terrible has happened!

Sir!

Doctor.

- There's a man dying in the ward. - What do you mean, dying?

He's convulsing on the floor, already turned blue.

Doctor!

Where's the medic?

- He's sleeping. - Wake him up!

Anatoly!

It's over...

His heart stopped.

How can I determine the cause of death without an autopsy?

Doctor, that might get you in trouble.

His relatives will say you slaughtered him here.

Besides, you'll need their permission, and they won't give it to you.

Nonsense! He didn't die from diphtheria. We need to know the cause.

He died from heart failure. His myocardium burst, and he died.

Diphtheria has nothing to do with it.

Diphtheria...

I know that.

But they'll say I couldn't treat a children's disease.

My first patient dies...

Mikhail, I prepared an anti-diphtheria serum for you.

Tell Anna I developed an allergic reaction to the serum.

Tell her to bring some morphium.

- Alright. But what should I tell her? - Tell her I got sick from the serum.

Here. Give this to her.

Thank you.

WINTER

Mikhail!

- Did you sleep well? - Very well, thank you.

Why didn't you wake me? Do we have any patients?

There was one with a toothache.

Mikhail, people say there's a new revolution down in Petrograd.

- Is that so? - That's what they say.

Vlas, start the samovar, and heat some water for washing.

- How are you feeling, Mikhail? - You've got the magic touch, Anna.

I'm feeling great, healthy as a horse.

Mikhail, would you like to try some gooseberry jam?

Gooseberry? Let's try it.

This year I decided to make jam from gooseberries.

Of course, Pelageya makes it better.

Yes, no question about that.

I wouldn't be so sure.

How many patients did we have today?

Twenty-two.

We hospitalized two of them.

Yes.

Sometimes, when there's a snowstorm, no one comes for a week.

Drink your tea, Mikhail. It'll get cold.

It's almost time to go to bed. You must be tired.

Look, someone's coming.

Yes.

It seems we got ready for bed a little early.

I'll go take a look.

It's probably a childbirth.

- What is it? - A woman in labour from Zalesskoye.

I think it's a transverse lie.

Ah... I see...

Get everything ready, Pelageya, I'll be right there.

Easy, easy...

We'll need to perform a podalic version.

It's alright, my dear. The doctor will turn the baby around.

Easy, easy, dear...

Get the chloroform ready

I'll go get my cigarettes. I'll be three minutes.

Hold her.

It's sugar. A midwife put it in.

If a baby doesn't want to come out they lure it out with sugar.

Savages...

- Flush it out immediately! - Hold her.

Sometimes they hang a woman upside down by her ankles

to get the fetus into the right position.

What can I say...

- Did she fall asleep? - She's sleeping.

Very well, we'll perform a podalic version.

Let's start.

Clamp.

Is she alive?

Hey there, little girl...

You performed it very well.

- How's her pulse? - Normal.

You're a genius, Doctor.

THE SECOND INJECTION

There's no hurry.

- Hello, Anatoly. - Hello.

Onward!

Mickey, hush! Anatoly, please take him.

Of course.

She's from Nikolskoye.

Colonel Schaeffer's bankrupt widow.

Are you our new doctor?

Doctor Polyakov.

THE FIRST AMPUTATION

Doctor!

Don't light it, please.

Doctor!

Doctor, I'll pay any money! I'll bring you food!

- Just don't let her die! - What happened?

- She got caught in a breaker. - In a what?

- They were breaking flax. - What flax?

Doctor, let's not torture her.

- Camphor. - She'll die soon.

Camphor, I said!

Wash my hands.

Prepare a drip with saline solution.

Scalpel.

Clamp.

Clamp.

Saw.

- How's her pulse? - Weak. More camphor?

Yes.

Anatoly, help.

Nippers.

Let's not touch the other leg.

Let's just wrap it with gauze. At least she'll die outside the operating room.

Prepare the plaster.

Is she dead?

Still alive.

You've probably performed many amputations.

Well...

When she dies, make sure to call for me.

- He's as good as Leopold. - Indeed.

Get Vlas here.

THE SNOWSTORM

Good day, Sir.

Where is Anna?

- Well? Is the girl alive? - She's alive.

We gave her morphine, she's asleep now.

- Hello, Anna. - Good afternoon, Doctor.

- Anna, I... - Excuse me...

- They brought a few more. - Turn your head to me.

I didn't dare trouble you right after such an operation.

There's a man with inflammation. He might need suppositories.

Yes, absolutely. Do it.

Anna, I think there's a need for another injection.

- Who is it for? - Another injection... of morphine.

Doctor, I'm dying. Let me go and die at home

I'll be right there, Doctor.

I can't bear this pressure in my chest.

Have some tea with me, Anna.

They will probably bring someone. I can feel it.

That's a beautiful woman. Is she your wife?

No...

I mean, she's an acquaintance of mine... Former. She's a singer.

- She's beautiful. - You're beautiful too, Anna.

Are you German?

Yes.

- Have you been to the Bolshoi Theatre? - Yes, twice.

- And where's your husband? - The Germans took him captive.

Look, someone arrived. Alone.

- That means he came for you. - Do I have to go somewhere?

- You shouldn't go anywhere now. - Frankly, I have no desire to go.

- Hey, where are you going? - Let me in!

Doctor, a note for you!

- Why the helmet? - I'm a fireman from Shalometyevo.

- Who is it from? - The medic.

He came to our clerk's wedding.

The master's daughter and him got engaged yesterday.

After the engagement, the clerk decided to give her a sleigh ride.

The horse suddenly bolted.

The bride hit her head on the jamb, and got thrown off the sleigh.

Now they're watching the clerk so he doesn't hang himself. He's gone mad.

Let's go, Doctor. My horses are fast.

- We'll be there in no time. - But there's a snowstorm.

- Are these fire horses? - Yes.

- Come on! - Onward! Go!

- Are we here? - Doctor, hurry, she's dying!

- I'm begging you, hurry! - Get your hands off me.

Hurry, she's dying! I'm begging you!

My name's Lev. I heard about you.

You're the nearest doctor around, we don't have one...

Where is she? I'll need horses for the way back.

She died. Sorry to bother you. A basal skull fracture. I thought...

You thought what?

Dr Bomgart said very good things about you...

Misha Bomgart? Where is he? We studied together.

I was his medic in Simonovskaya.

He... died.

Misha?

I'll take your coat.

How? When?

It's been a month. He went to Moscow and didn't come back.

Either he got killed or he drowned... I don't know for sure.

We were friends.

I understand...

He was looking forward to seeing you.

- I don't know what to do with the clerk. - Does he know she's dead?

No.

Fedya, dear, calm down.

- We'll give you an injection. - I killed her!

Stop it! You're not letting us do our work!

Remove his jacket.

Easy, easy there, enough...

Calm down, Fedya, dear, it's over. Everything's fine.

- Please, calm down... - You'll live through this.

Killed... her...

That's it, Fedya, it's all over. Get up. Calm down, dear.

Get up and come with me, I'll put you on the sofa... Lie down.

Everything's going to be fine. Calm down, please.

Well, shall we go?

Doctor, Sir, we can't go! There's a snowstorm!

It's only about 8 miles, and my patients are waiting for me! We'll make it!

Do you know the way?

I do, but it would be safer to spend the night here.

Mr Polyakov, I'm out of supplies. Could you lend me 5 g of morphine?

I've already ordered some, I'll return it soon.

I have 30 beds with patients, and no doctor.

All right, let's go.

Come on! The journey will be more fun.

THE WOLVES

- Are we lost? - We're lost.

I told you we should've stayed, but no, you needed to leave right away.

You have no pity for animals or people. Now we've lost our way.

Can't see the road at all.

Stop yelling! Get back on the sleigh, I'll lead the way.

Have some rubbing alcohol, you'll get warm.

Onward!

Thank you.

Burns like fire. God bless you.

Sit down. We're back on the road. We were right next to it.

Onward!

Why are you rushing?

Onward!

Look, are those dogs?

- Wolves! - Onward!

- Wolves? - Damn wolves!

Move it! Onward!

Faster! Onward!

We got away. Doctor, can I have some more of that wine?

KUZYAYEVO

So...

Vladimir, do you think this new overthrow is permanent?

I think so.

It's time to leave, Vasily. For England.

They don't have any revolutionary ideas there.

Sir, a young doctor from Shalometyevo and a medic are downstairs.

They lost their way in the snowstorm. Shall I bring them here?

Bring the doctor here! We'll talk about the revolution.

But first, ask him if he's German.

And we'll need more wine.

Welcome. Glad to meet you.

- Hello. - Hello.

I'm Dr Polyakov.

Sorry to trouble you, but we lost our way. Wolves were chasing us.

- Wolves? - Our dear doctor nearly died!

I'll introduce you, gentlemen.

He's a wonderful doctor. First of all, he saved me.

Secondly, he's a very nice and brave man.

Let's get him some champagne!

- Hello, Ekaterina... - You're an incorrigible aristocrat, Ekaterina.

Pour him some vodka, Semyon!

EKATERINA KARLOVNA

We only had about a mile and a half left to go.

Is this Kuzyayevo?

- You're totally lost, Doctor... Mikhail... - Alexeyevich.

Mikhail, good fortune brought you to the Kuzyayevo estate.

The owner is our kind host, Vasily Soborevsky.

- He's big on politics. - Very happy to meet you.

And his charming heir, Osya... Osip Vasilyevich.

Vladimir Favorsky, the capital's talent, and a traveller. He's just back from Spain.

He's a playboy, but also a great painter.

An illustrator.

And this is Tanya. She plays music and sings very well.

This is my colleague, Leo Gorenburg.

German?

I'm a Jew... baptized.

I remember you.

You're from Dr Bomgart's hospital. It was you who helped me...

That's correct.

- You're a commoner, aren't you? - No, I'm not.

I'm a member of the RSDWP.

I know what RSD stands for, but what's WP?

Workers' Party.

You don't look much like a worker.

- Tanya was going to sing. - Yes, I remember.

Wasn't there also dancing planned?

Were you really chased by wolves?

Sorry, my dear girl. Continue playing.

Tell me, can such a complicated mechanism as the state...

...be ruled by illiterate workers?

What about law, economics, military science?

There will be new lawyers...

commanders, doctors.

- What's wrong with the old ones? - Listen to this, gentlemen.

Why do they oppress the old convocation?

Because that's where the fat priest has been taking bribes

and selling vodka.

Why do they foul the estates they call home?

Because maids were raped and whipped there.

A palace that can be destroyed is not a palace.

A Kremlin that fades away is not a Kremlin.

A tsar who fell from the throne is no longer a tsar!

Not my words, but those of a true aristocrat, Alexander Blok.

It's cold today, isn't it?

What would you like, your Excellency?

Well, I'll have some vodka.

- How are you? Recovered? - We're good, warmed up.

But I'm not going anywhere. Spare me, in the name of God.

- Listen, brother, where's the crapper? - Use the master bathroom. This way.

So, he takes out a gun and starts shooting...

Brothers, pour me some more. I can't get warm.

Pour him some more.

I don't like this medic. Where's the doctor?

They said he went to the "crapper".

He's not here.

- Maybe he's in the "outhouse"? - I'm tired of your stupid jokes.

And that prostitute of yours is vulgar, and you push her to everybody...

Calm down, Tanya.

- Let me in, I need to go. - Go to the outhouse instead.

Where were you, Doctor? Were you flirting with Tanya?

You'll see.

We interrogated the medic here. Doctor, which class do you support?

I know only two classes: the sick and the healthy.

Tanya, sing for us, please.

GORENBURG

Come on! Onward!

- Well, did she live? - No, she died before I got there.

Meet your colleague, Lev Gorenburg.

He's a medic at the Simonovskaya hospital.

- We've met before. - Hello.

They ran out of morphine. Tell Anna to lend him 5 g. He'll give it back.

Get away from the stove and sit still, or I'll tell your father!

You're very pretty.

- What is it? - Call for Anna!

Anna, please give me an injection.

Mikhail, you ask for it too often.

I won't prepare the solution for you anymore

Anna, dear, I really need it now. I'm ill.

- Get treatment, Mikhail. - Where?

Go to the district. Morphine is not a cure.

I can't forgive myself for preparing it a second time.

Anna, are you saying that I'm a morphine addict?

- You're becoming one. - Will you make the injection or not?

No.

Anna, give me the keys to the dispensary.

Mikhail, please, I'm begging you to stop.

Will you give me the keys or not?

No.

You're just a nurse here.

I order you as a doctor, give me the keys immediately!

So will you make it or not?

Come here to make an appointment.

- We need to see a doctor. - Wait.

- What's the boy's last name? - Kovalyov.

Has it been hurting long?

- It doesn't hurt anymore. - Then why did you come?

- Because my arm will rot. - Exactly.

And we'll have to cut it off. What were you thinking before?

I had work to do... milord.

Take this paper and go to our medic Anatoly...

and send in the next patient.

Hello.

- I'll take it from there. - All right.

Move away. I'll take it myself.

ANNA NIKOLAYEVNA

Forgive me.

It's my fault.

I shouldn't have given you the second injection.

It's my fault.

You're done for. And me as well.

Don't cry.

Anna, I've already decreased the dose

I'll get off it.

If I have to, I'll get treatment. I know a doctor in the district.

The medic suspects something.

He can see there's less morphine in the dispensary.

Tomorrow I'll go to the district and order more.

You need to go to Moscow.

Want me to come with you?

Anna, dear, it's nothing.

I'm not a morphine addict. Didn't I decrease the dose?

What do you want then?

What?

For you, I'd...

Maybe your singer will save you?

I don't need anyone but you, Anna.

I want an injection too.

I want to understand why you love it so much.

THE PHARMACY

Onward!

Get out of the way!

Make way!

Are you blind?

- 40g of morphine? - Yes.

We don't have that much. I'll give you 10g.

- Hello. - Hello.

Hello.

You're from Simonovskaya. How can I help you?

Comrades, are you in this together? We don't have that much.

Excuse me, but I ordered it a month ago. I have a receipt.

Comrades, I have to send it to the front.

I've got 17g here: 10 grams for your colleague, and the rest for you.

I have 30 beds and 47 patients!

I believe my colleague from Muryino has fewer.

Mr Bomgart...

I don't care who gets what. Settle it among yourselves.

I think Mr Bomgart doesn't need it anymore.

And by the way, you still owe me 5 g.

Has it been going on for long between you?

What?

- You and the doctor. - What?

I understand. He's young and handsome.

Why don't you marry Anatoly?

What, he proposed to you too?

You yourself said he's old.

It's you and I who are old, not him.

Onward!

I'll probably go to Moscow on holiday.

Why Moscow? Things aren't better there these days.

You need to sterilize your syringes, Misha.

You already have abscesses. They can get infected.

Yes... sterilize...

I'm not a nurse, I'm just a doctor.

You've got the magic touch. Your injections are painless.

I can't even prepare the solution properly.

Make some... please.

The main thing's not to increase the dose. At first I did, but now I've lowered it.

Addiction to Morphinum hidrochloricum is a terrible thing.

It can make you feel...

...awful.

It's good...

It's good medicine, morphine.

Only I think it will be the death of us, Misha.

Don't be silly, Anna.

It's the highest manifestation of human spiritual strength.

You need to go.

You need to go.

THE TRACHEOTOMY

- How are you, Mikhail? - Great. Many patients today?

About 15.

- Are there any bad cases? - A girl. They just brought her

I'll be right there.

You took your time... It's diphtheritic croup.

- How long has she been ill? - This is the fifth day.

- Granny, quiet down. - She got ill on Sunday.

What were you thinking for five days?

- Give her some drops! - Which drops do you suggest?

Doctor, you know better.

- Calm down. - She'll choke!

Quiet, you! And you - get up or I won't even talk to you.

They're always like that.

Kill their own children. Pelageya!

- Will she die? - She will.

Oh, God! She'll choke!

You're too late. Her throat's clogged, she can't breathe.

She needs an operation.

We'll cut into her throat and insert a silver tube.

Otherwise she'll die!

Don't give him permission!

Make up your mind in five minutes, or I won't do it!

- I don't give my permission! - Anatoly, take them outside.

Hey, both of you, go outside!

Sir...

When my husband comes back and finds out... he'll kill me, I swear to God.

Anatoly, prepare the instruments, a catheter, and get Anna here.

Did they give their permission?

- You don't feel well, Anatoly? - No, no. I'm all right.

How can it be, Doctor? Why cut her throat?

- Get rid of this granny! - Her mother is stupid, but I won't let it happen!

- Go! Everything will be fine. - I'm not giving you permission!

The doctor knows what he's doing.

Prepare another dose for tonight.

Quit fighting, calm down. I said, stop it! Go away!

Clamp.

Hooks.

Anatoly, you're blocking the light.

Scalpel.

- I'm holding it. - Leave him, he fainted! Hold it

I'm holding it.

Let's open it up.

The tube.

I'm holding it.

Thank you.

Remove the hooks.

Suture.

Let's go, Daisy.

A token of my gratitude, Sir!

God bless you!

- My wife's praying for you. - Vlas, take it.

Good God, bless the doctor and keep him!

Save him and watch over him.

How are you doing?

Christ willing, I'm fine, Doctor.

Good.

Look, your father isn't poor.

I can give you an address in Moscow, where they can make you a good prosthesis.

Really, a good one.

Right then...

THE FIRE

Miron! Come here!

Excuse me.

Doctor!

Sir! Kuzyayevo is burning!

- What? What is it? - Don't get up.

Onward! Go!

- Doctor! Our master's been burned! - Take him to the hospital.

- Why did you burn me, brothers? - Vasily, are you all right?

With you, I've always...

Brothers, I've always been good to you...

- Why did you burn me, brothers? - Dear God...

With you, I've always... Why did you burn me?

Brothers... I've always...

Prepare bandages!

- You're not Germans... - Everything's ready.

- Morphium! - It's ready.

Tanya, Tanya...

Anatoly, who's the worst?

Vasily and his daughter. I haven't seen the rest yet.

- Where is Anna? - Doctor, I... later.

Vlas brought three more!

The patient... died.

His heart stopped.

And his daughter?

Looks like she also...

She died.

It wasn't morphine.

I lied to you when I said I had decreased the dose.

You were making a 2% solution, but I was secretly making 4%.

And I filled empty jars with...

That's why they died.

- That means I'm a killer. - No, Misha. You're just ill.

They'll condemn me to penal servitude.

No, nowadays nobody cares about them.

Besides, they were landowners.

Misha, you need to go and get treatment.

You have a visitor!

It's the medic from Simonovskaya.

I came to pay off my debt... Dr Polyakov.

Well...

Shall we have some vodka maybe?

I think it's better we don't.

I need to go to the district.

THE TOWN OF UGLICH

Stay still.

- Tell Anna I'll write to her. - I will, Sir.

Take this.

- Stepan, where should I put the bucket? - Bring it here.

HOSPITAL

You're not the first nor the last, officer. Stay here a month.

These days the psychiatric hospital is the sanest place.

Besides, it's quieter here than in Moscow.

Some people want to be in a revolutionary storm, so to speak...

but here it's nice and peaceful. In a word, provincial.

Hello, colleague.

Visiting the pharmacy again?

No. This time, I came to see you.

- Kirill! - What?

Admit him.

This way please, Mr Polyakov.

This is your bed.

Are you going to the toilet?

It's over there, to the right.

The toilet's over there.

Are you here for a procedure?

Which ward are you in?

I'm Polyakov.

Polyakov...

Polyakov, ward 10.

You're scheduled for the afternoon. We'll call for you.

Morphine addict?

I can lend you some vodka.

Give me your cup.

Do you have any money?

How much does it cost?

The bottle is 50 roubles.

You can pay later.

The toilet's over there.

Buy The Voice! The best newspaper! All the latest news!

Latest news from the front! New steamboat built on the Volga!

The best newspaper! All the latest news from the front!

Good day, Elizaveta. You look wonderful.

Thank you, Captain.

Halt!

- What's the problem, soldiers? - Come here and I'll show you!

Who do you think you are?

Help! Help!

On the ground! Don't move! I'll kill you, Jewish scum!

- Shut it, you idiot! Shut up! - Get the hell out of there!

Shut up now!

This is a psychiatric hospital. The people here are sick.

They don't know what they're doing. They're mentally ill.

- They're sick people! - We'll look after them now.

- Who was shouting? - They're mentally ill people!

Over there! The last ward!

Lunatic...

Oh good Lord...

- Do you have papers? - What?

Do you have papers? Credentials?

I'm Dr Polyakov.

Do you have papers?

I demand you give me all of the medicines on that list!

- Do you have a warrant? - A warrant?

By the Revolutionary Committee's decree I can even arrest you without an warrant!

Just take everything...

Hello.

Anna!

Doctor?

Polyakov? You...

Doctor!

Wait! Mikhail, one second! Wait!

Polyakov, how did you get here?

You need to go.

You've been here long enough.

CINEMA HALL

You know... I don't have any money.

Please, take my watch.

No, I won't take it.

Go in for free. Go.

THE END