Original subtitles

Star Media presents

Denis Rozhkov

Glafira Tarkhanova

Mikhail Trukhin

Screenplay by Igor Ger-Karapetov

Music by Roman Arkhipov and Aleksandr Afanasov

Directors ñ Aleksey Chistikov and Aleksandr Fironov

Producers ñ Vitaly Bordachov and Vlad Riashin

Strange Wings

He sees me and starts to climb. I tail him.

He moves to the left. I hold on.

I take aim from behindÖ

Andrey!

Chief of Staff wants to see you and Captain Rudakov. On the double!

Rudakov has just come from a reconnaissance flight. Heís asleep.

Feel free to wake him up if you have guts.

As you were.

I donít care. Execute the order!

We got an order from the front HQís political division.

They need two of our planes to convoy a cargo.

You fly the carrier to Liubshino airfield and bring crates back here.

Comrade Major. What is this cargo? Why the rush?

The Germans are bombing our sector.

They are evacuating the oblast Party committee. This is no joke.

Second Committee secretary Comrade Kizhayev

came to the airfield himself to receive the cargo.

Thereís a whole truckload: classified materials, archive, and medicine.

Captain Rudakov has been on a reconnaissance flight this morning.

He needs rest. Let me couple with Trostiakov. This is no big deal.

Tell this to Comrade Kizhayev.

First thing he asked was who had shot down most planes.

Who are the best? Well, Rudakov and Novikov.

He insisted that I woke you up. Off you go.

I see. Second Secretary, huh? Yes, Sir!

Donít pick up any fights. Your orders are convoying the cargo.

You can shoot some Jerries later. You got me?

Yes sir.

Any news about your wife?

Iíve sent a request. Nothing so far.

Well. OK. Donít let me down.

Andrey?

Andrey, jump!

Where the hell are you?

Easy.

Easy, please!

Here.

What?

Come on.

Novikov?

Jumping Jesus! Look at these classified documents!

I donít get it. Where are they?

Iíll be damned! This is cognac!

Guys. Thereís a crate full of cognac here!

Where?

What is this?

Your pilots have failed a simple mission.

You bastard!

Weíll find out what had happened.

Was it sabotage or cowardice?

YouÖ

Captain, no!

Andrey, a coward? Volodin is a coward!

You bastards! The guys died defending your trash!

Let me go! Get off me, I said! Iím done.

Bastard.

Youíll rot in Gulag! Youíll eat your own shit!

Your pals have gotten off light!

Youíll wish you died with them.

Liosha, donít!

An armored convoy has left Novosergeyevskoye to Krasny Val.

General Steinís armored divisionís vanguard

has left the railway station, moving in the same direction.

They met here, near this bridge.

We donít know where they went after that.

They never showed in Rodimovo where we expected them.

Comrade General, they must be inside this sector.

Recently the Germans have been guarding it thoroughly.

We tried air reconnaissance. They donít let the planes come close.

Weíve lost five planes there in the last two days alone.

This is too many. Donít you have any experienced pilots?

Captain Rudakov would be able to do it. But...

But what?

Heís awaiting the court martialís verdict.

So you attempted on Second Secretaryís life.

Rudakov, was that shot your own idea? Or did somebody tell you to?

People like himÖ I wouldnít have missed if I were on my plane.

I see. You wouldnít have missed.

Donít even doubt it.

OK. Weíll put it on the record.

Rudakov fought at Khalkhin-Gol, in SpainÖ

Comrade General. Rudakov is one of the divisionís best aces.

He has 8 German planes on his record. He snapped. It was stupid.

His friend was killed in that battle.

Stupid, you said? Beware, Colonel.

His snapping off can ricochet at you.

Prior to the incident, Captain Rudakov had proved himself

an able and politically aware commander.

He has many citations and was merited for courage.

Anyone will confirm this.

Yes, sir, Comrade General.

So you decided to stand up for him.

Donít you have anyone else to send on this mission?

I do. But Rudakov will definitely complete it.

Kizhayev has a big grudge against him.

Well, we arenít offering him a tour to the Crimea, though.

He could easily die on this mission.

At least he would die doing his duty.

Comrade Chairman. I believe the plaintiffís guilt is proved.

The Captain doesnít deny it. I think everything is clear.

Announce the verdict, Yuri Petrovich.

In accordance with the Order by the Presidium of the Supreme Council

of July 13, 1941, and Article 18/9 On Courts Martial,

Captain Rudakov, born in 1910, is sentenced to capital punishment.

The sentence will be executed immediately.

As you were!

As you were. An order from the Chief of Stuff, Gen. Korneyev.

Capt. Rudakov is to report to the Army HQ immediately.

Signed by Chairman of Court Martial Col. Zakharov.

As you were. Left turn! Forward march!

Donít get too excited. The sentence was reprieved.

Weíll talk about canceling when you come back from your mission.

What mission?

Youíll have to fly to the Jerriesí rear. Iíll explain while we drive.

Come on.

Good afternoon.

Hello.

Do you have the medicine?

Yes.

Here.

Thanks.

Polina?

Yes?

Can I walk you back? We need to talk.

OK. Iím always scared when I walk through the woods.

Wonít they miss you?

They are plastered and catching some Zís.

Excuse me. I mean they are drunk and asleep.

Come on, then.

What was it you wanted to talk about?

The Germans are doing not so good at Moscow.

Our commander is mad as a hornet.

If it goes on like this theyíll start killing every man in sight.

What are you trying to say?

Youíd better leave.

There are people in the village

whoíd gladly give you up to the Jerries as officerís wife.

Weíre almost there.

Golikov, let him go! Heís one of us!

One of us? Heís a bloody collaborator!

You idiot.

Shut up!

I vouch for him.

Heís been providing us with medicine for 2 months now.

OK. Hold on. Get up.

You could have given me your hand.

I donít want to touch you.

Come on. Letís go.

Go ahead.

Here and here. These are two airfields.

Here, here, and here ñ anti-aircraft units.

If you pass by the Messerschmitts, the anti-aircrafts will get you.

What if I try it from here?

Major Yashinís airfield?

The main thing is to cross the frontline quickly. Do I have a chance?

How will you fly back?

Not enough fuel.

You have to come back here anyway.

So youíd have to go past the anti-aircraft and the Messers.

Anti-aircrafts are what Iím concerned about. MessersÖ

Will you help me?

We can do something about them.

They are installing a portable radio on your plane as we speak.

As soon as you give us their bearings, weíll send the team on duty.

If you can make it to the river, consider it done.

It could work.

Welcome to Stalinís aviation, Liosha.

Thank you, Semionych.

Iím flying, goddamn it! Iím flying!

Iím flying!

Why canít we fly like this?

Donít be jealous. Right, sir?

Right.

What is he doing?

Heís really good.

Iím flying.

Youíre a fast runner.

Captain Rudakov reports for executing the mission.

Welcome, Captain.

Lieutenant Konstantin Maretsky. Or just Kostia.

Aleksey.

This is my friend Kolia Voronin. Donít be shy.

Iím not.

Hello.

Now, everybody knows each other. Letís get to business.

Col. Manerov told me about your mission.

We have a number of suggestions he has approved.

What are they?

Lieuts. Maretsky and Voronin will come with you as wingmen.

Escorted reconnaissance?

Only to the frontline! Comrade Major, may I?

Go ahead.

It was my shy friend Koliaís idea.

Cut it. Tell him.

We suggest a distraction. We approach the frontline together.

Then you go do you business, and we distract them

so that they forget all about you.

Sounds good.

The radio has been installed on your plane, right?

Yes sir.

Get ready.

Yes sir!

I assure you they are smart kids.

I can see that. May I get ready for the flight?

You have your permission.

Russian fighters are attacking Colonelís car.

That canít be true! Colonel never leaves his bunker.

Hold on, guys!

Any news?

Nothing so far.

Kazan, Saratov is calling! Over.

Where are these bastards?

Goddamn it!

OK. Saratov, Kazan here. Do you copy me? Over.

Comrade Colonel, contact established.

Saratov, Kazan here. Do you copy me? Over.

Kazan, Saratovís speaking. I hear you loud and clear. Over.

Mount!

Get ready!

Move it!

Check ammunition loads.

On the double!

Enemyís vehicles accumulated in sector 31-17.

These bastards have camouflaged them under haystacks.

Good job, Liosha! Now, get back home.

Weíve organized warm welcome for you already.

Yes sir.

Long time no see.

We meet again.

Whatever. Iím no easy catch.

Goodbye, Ivan.

Goddamn. Saratov, Kazan speaking. Iím shot down.

Kazan, Saratov here.

He was so close.

Mom, am I recovered already?

Yes. Sleep.

Letís go home, then.

Weíll talk about it tomorrow.

You need to sleep to be strong tomorrow.

You donít sleep. How can you be strong?

Letís do it the army way. Close your eyes!

Right turn! No, go to sleep.

If you get tired I can carry you. Iíll have a good sleep.

Deal. Good night.

Do we have any schnapps left?

Heís back!

Right, heís come to. Matveich!

Damn. Heíll puke all over my sledge.

Why the hell are you making fuss around him?

You should have shot him right there, at the plane.

Shoot him? No. I want to get my reward for him.

And citation, too. This guy wonít talk.

Even if he does, the Jerries will get all the credit.

We wonít be able to prove we were the ones who found him.

Youíre full of shit, Matvey.

Unlike you, Iím smart. Heís no use to us.

Goddamn it. I thought I would die. Thanks.

What are you waiting for? Get to work!

Weíll find no radio here, though. Another blanc.

How did you get here?

Iíve fallen from the sky. Captain Rudakov.

First Lieutenant Labash.

Reconnaissance team commander Captain Liubashin.

Ever heard about me?

Never. But Iím glad to meet you anyway.

We have to get out of here. Can you run for 2 km?

Yes.

Then letís go.

On the double!

How are you doing, pilot?

Iím fine. I havenít run in a while, though.

Itís OK. Weíre almost there. Letís go.

Calm down, Yakovlev. Itís us.

OK.

Have some rest, pilot. Youíve had a good run. How is this one?

The bastard didnít spill a word.

Give me an official report, Stuff Sergeant.

Yes sir, Comrade Lieutenant.

The prisoner was quiet and didnít say anything.

Move him aside. Let me talk to him.

Easy!

You have some rest. Give the pilot something to eat.

Yes sir.

Where is your camp?

I donít know.

Answer me!

I swear, I donít know.

Youíre lying.

I swear!

Weíve run into the Germans yesterday near Osinovka.

Three our guys were killed at once.

Tishchenko, our radio guy, was killed by a grenade.

So now we our without communications.

Zero efficiency!

Show me! This is the last time I ask.

Here and here.

Are you positive?

Yes.

Are you sure?

Yes.

OK.

Captain, can I have a word with you?

We have important information on the Germanís movements.

We need to give it to the HQ ASAP.

The sergeant told me you are out of communications.

Is the radio on your plane working?

It should. The plane didnít blow up, and the landing was soft.

Show me where the plane is.

That way.

Yakovlev. Your gun. Youíre going with me.

Come on.

Wow! How did you survive, pilot?

Staff Sergeant, be polite with your seniors.

Your family?

Yes. Excuse me.

Itís OK. Is the radio OK?

Letís see.

Just make it quick.

Let me plug the battery in.

So?

Check the antenna.

Circle him!

Go ahead!

Follow me!

Polina, Iíll wait outside.

Doctor.

Yes?

I respect you deeply. If not for you weíd all be dead.

But this friend of yoursÖ I donít like him.

I donít know whatís going to come out of this.

Heís a nice man. He fully understands his guilt.

Heís trying to make amends.

I see we donít need bandages anymore.

I told you.

How is Shapovalov?

Iím doing what I can. He needs a surgery.

I have neither instruments nor conditions for it.

Itís OK. We are going east soon. Weíll take him with us.

Theyíll make him as good as new there.

Doctor, you should come with us.

Iíll think about it.

Heís come to senses.

When did you figure us out, Captain Rudakov?

As soon as we started running.

Explain.

Your guys canít run. Short-winded scouts? I donít think so.

They were clanking their guns and knapsacks, too.

Thatís not how you behave in enemy rear.

Your Staff Sergeant talks like a criminal and has an elephant tattoo.

Itís a symbol of a repeated offender and turncoat.

Such scum doesnít belong in the Soviet Army.

Shut up!

Even less in reconnaissance.

The captain is right.

I didnít have much time to prepare the operation.

I had to improvise and use whatever I could.

Well, Captain, let me introduce myself.

Again? Donít lie to me this time.

Why would I? SS Obersturmbahnfurer Katulski.

Abus, Yasha. Thereís no need to introduce those youíve killed.

Well, Captain? Will you cooperate?

Too bad.

OK, I wonít keep you any longer. Abus. Shoot him.

Give me the photo back. What do you need it for?

Go ahead.

Move it.

Can I have a cigarette?

Dream on.

Stop!

Freeze!

You bastard!

Well?

He asked for a last cigarette.

And?

I didnít let him.

Good. It was his choice.

Blow up this trash and letís go.

Goddamn it!

Come on, roll it!

In a moment.

OK.

Damn!