Original subtitles

MAMLUK

Based on the novella "Mamluk" by Uiarago (K. Tatarishvili)

Written and Directed by David RONDELl

Director of Photography L. SUKHOV

Production Designer R. MIRZASHVILl

Music by A. BALANCHIVADZE

English Subtitles by T. Kameneva

Starring:

Khvicha - Dato DANELIA Gocha - V. DJODJUA

Tsira - M. LONDARIDZE Mahmud - O. KOBERIDZE

Ali-Bei - G. KHORAVA Zeinab - L. ELIAVA

Aslan-Bei - G. SHAVGULIDZE Mzekha - D. TSERODZE

Taguia - M. VASHADZE Revia - E. MAGALASHVILl

Markoz - B. ZAKARIADZE Rodam - V. ANDZHAPARIDZE

Ali-Husein - Z. LAPERADZE Ali-Yussouf - Sh. GOMELAURl

Zaidol - G. KOSTAVA Ibrahim - G. SAGARADZE

Napoleon Bonaparte - T. SAKVARELIDZE

Venetian horseman - V. VASHADZE

A Georgia-Film Studio Production

"Mamluk", which means "white slave" in Arabic,

is the name given to the warrior slaves of Egypt

who made up the kings' guard.

The Mamluks were recruited mainly from among Georgians,

Circassians and other natives of Caucasus

who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Eventually, the Mamluk leaders

rose to become feudal lords, seized power in Egypt

and ruled the country for several centuries,

up to Napoleon's invasion.

In the late 18th century, Georgia,

pillaged and weakened by foreign invasions

and by the despotism of her own feudal rulers,

suffered her darkest days.

The fortresses on the Black Sea, occupied by the enemy invaders,

became the slave market places.

Every year thousands of young men and women

were sold and sent to foreign bondage.

Georgian mothers no longer rejoiced over their new born.

These shores were bathed in flows of human tears.

Trading in slaves lasted until the 19th century,

until Georgia became part of Russia, when it was stopped.

Long before this, King Solomon of Imeretia

had also made an effort to halt the slave trade.

And whosoever, whether he be of high or low station, Lord or peasant,

who, after thorough search and inquiry

shall be proven to have engaged in the sale of a man, woman or child,

shall be ostracized by the sacred councils,

and he shall, without further trial, suffer to be blinded.

And if any man, in acceptance of bribery,

refuses to blind him,

he shall himself be banished by the sacred councils,

and he shall be hanged.

Oh, mama!

What is it, Gocha? Did you fall from your horse?

You'd better look after our goats, if they're still there.

They're still there! Over there, on the hill.

Why did you trip me up?

I didn't do it on purpose.

- You marked one! - You'll be sorry for teasing me.

What can you do to me? Win over me in wrestling?

- Why not? - Let's see how strong you are.

Come on!

You know, you do have a funny ear.

That's how I was born. That's why I'm a marked one.

- Is that how you'll always be? - I guess so.

My mother said I can't ever be lost, one can always find me.

- Shall we go, Gocha? - All right.

Go! Go!

Gocha, come earlier tomorrow.

All right, Khvicha. You wait for me.

- My darling sonny! - Mama!

You were gone so long. You must be hungry, are you?

Now how did you tear your shirt, little rascal?

I wrestled with Gocha today and I won.

May you always win all of life's battles, my son.

My sonny got tired. Been up on his feet all day.

Little black swallow,

Where will you fly?

Neverwill you find a sky like ours.

You can never live in a distant land.

For each new spring

Will you homeward bring...

The village lived in sorrow after the kidnapping of little Gocha.

But life beside the blue Tekhuri River did not stop.

The men toiled in the fields, as they had for centuries.

Work faster, sons. Dig deeper.

Look what a beautiful day it is.

We must finish work by dinner time.

Tell me why the weeds always are thickest on our land.

They take over the land like a horde of Mongol Tatars.

You have a short memory, brother. We didn't weed the fields last year.

Right, we didn't have time for that. We had to fight a war.

Damn those wars!

See now why so many weeds?

Rejoice, friends! They're coming!

The women are bringing our dinner.

Who is this? My Khvicha!

My son, my hope.

How are things, my boy? You haven't let our goats get away?

Glory be to Thee, Most High!

Protect us, O Lord, and bring peace to our land.

Let us live till that day

when the men may go to the fields without arms

and ourwomen may bring us our food to the fields without guards.

Good people! Can you spare a drink of water?

Who can that be?

Forgive my audacity, sir.

Honor the Taguia family. Will you share a cup of wine with us?

Thank you for the honor.

Over here, sir.

I'm Bardga Revia, a nobleman.

Sit down, sir.

- Drink, sir. - I cannot drink wine.

I'm on my way to the Nokalakiev mineral springs for a cure.

- Help yourself. - Thank you.

Tell me what's new in the world? You have traveled far and wide.

Is it true that the Czar has issued a strict order

forbidding to sell people into slavery?

And whoever kidnaps and sells people shall be blinded?

Yes, it is true. He ordered this.

Now you need have no fears.

Oh, no, my Lord!

He had a friend, little Gocha, our neighbor.

He was kidnapped recently.

They're of the same age. They grazed the goats together.

Taguia, is this your boy too?

Yes, sir, this is my youngest boy, Khvicha.

Forgive me for saying this.

We would have defeated our enemies long ago but for our own nobles.

To our princes, we don't even have human souls.

Well, now you won't lose not only your soul but a single goat's ear.

- Must you leave so soon? - I wish to arrive before nightfall.

May you have a good ride, Lord Bardga.

Thank you for your hospitality. God be with you.

Thank you.

Mother, look how our swallows have grown since the summer.

Soon they will leave to fly southward.

Where will they fly, mama?

Far across the blue sea,

where is neverwinter, where the sun shines all year long.

Khvicha, don't go far away, sonny.

I won't, mama.

Khvicha!

- Want to go for a ride? - I would like that.

Give me your hand. Now hold tight.

- Want me to make him gallop? - Yes.

Here we go.

I want to go back now, please.

- Quiet! - What's up?

I think someone's crying in the village.

It is only a dog howling.

Maybe someone died?

My baby!

- It is our mother. - Something is wrong.

What happened? Who was kidnapped this time?

Khvicha, Taguia's son.

Let go! Let me go!

I don't want to live now! Oh, my poor child!

Please, help me, people! Khvicha, my darling son!

Calm yourself, for God's sake.

The men will catch the bandit and bring the boy back.

Woe is me!

Khvicha, my son! Khvicha, my dear!

I wish I were dead, not to ever see this day.

My little son, the hope of my old age.

Khvicha, my son, my boy...

A fine boy.

Sssh. Don't wake him up. He's tired.

Good work. How did you do it?

You're a loathsome man. You're the devil himself.

You know, Kuchuna, in this world all the man has to dream of

is a swift horse.

What do we do now?

I must get to the Rioni this night.

I count on you, Kuchuna. We shall meet at Prince Chorishvili's.

All right.

Didn't you promise not to engage in this horrible business?

I'm keeping the boy.

This will be the last time, Mother, I swear it.

You will destroy yourself and all of us, son.

I've promised him to Fazil-Pasha, and he's already paid me the money.

No!

Your mother forbids you to do that.

And drive away that black-bearded bandit from here.

I know what I'm doing.

Oh, my God!

Yagundissa.

Tell the priest to come here now.

Oh, my God!

Please, go in, father.

How is the Princess?

She is not feeling well.

Who is that man? I don't know him.

Oh, that man? He's a relation from Mingrelia.

The Princess awaits you.

I would rather step on a serpent than meet that damned priest.

He saw you right away, and I'm sure he's become suspicious.

Clear out of here now, or they'll catch you and have your eyes put out.

Then you can go around the world.

May he be cursed.

I wish that priest go to the devil!

What is troubling you, Princess?

I'm between two fires.

Tell me, father, what I should do.

You know that my son and husband

took a vow recently

to never sell anyone into slavery to the Pasha again.

They took a solemn vow before the Czar.

But today that bandit and scoundrel

brought another stolen child.

Oh, father!

You know

that the Czar has issued that terrible order.

What shall I do?

Alexander is my only son.

But he won't listen to me.

What shall I do?

Tell me, father.

I'm powerless.

Such a misfortune...

Calm yourself, Princess.

I know how hard a trial this is for you.

God will help you.

And the child? What shall I do with him?

I will keep the child with me for a while, Princess.

I shall see to his education,

then later, I may be able to find his parents and return him to them.

Yagundissa!

Bring the boy here.

Come closer. Closer.

How heavily lies this sin upon us all.

Don't cry, my child.

Don't be afraid of us, child. Calm yourself.

What is your name?

- Khvicha. - Don't cry, Khvicha.

Princess, you're the most worthy of all women.

May our Lord bestow His most generous blessings upon you.

Thank you, holy Father.

Calm yourself. His blessings upon you.

Come with me, Khvicha.

Marika!

Marika, guess who I have brought you.

Who is this child?

Another innocent victim of man's sinful greed.

What a sweet boy.

You told me that the Czar had stopped this monstrous slave trade.

We cannot create the kingdom of heaven in a day.

Poor child. Stop crying, little one.

- How unhappy your mother must be! - That will do.

You will only make the child feel worse.

Give him something to eat and put him to bed.

Go with her, Khvicha.

I shall be right back. Keep calm, child.

Khvicha.

Khvicha.

Look what I've brought you.

Look, I had your name embroidered here.

But I can't read.

I'll teach you to read. Look.

Khvicha.

Awake already, Khvicha?

Go and wash up. Your breakfast is waiting for you.

Go, my boy. Don't be afraid, dear. Go.

A pox on that cursed priest! That bearded goat!

Just because of that damned priest ourwork was wasted.

It wasn't so easy to kidnap that boy.

Bardga!

We can't allow that priest to triumph.

Don't worry, Prince.

As my name is Revia, I tell you that puppy will be ours.

Now this is sung in a low voice. Try it, Khvicha.

May Your humbleness be seen by all people.

Very good. And now take a little higher tone.

Excellent, my boy. Now recite verses by Rustaveli.

- Which verse? - Any verse.

Well, try " Hey, you life, what is your aim?"

Hey, you life, what is your aim,

You would swirl us like the sea.

Anyone believing you Soon will weep over his fate.

You will send some far away,

Cut the root under another,

But the Lord will save the man, Won't let misfortune him smother.

Very good! Enough for today, my boy.

You may go now. Go and play.

Grandpa Markoz, when will we go home?

Very soon, my boy. Soon I will take you home.

Thank you, Grandpa Markoz.

Give me the jug. I'll carry it.

- No, I can do it. - No, let me.

Look, the blackberries. Let's pick some.

Tsira!

Khvicha, you'll soon be going home, won't you?

Yes, I will.

I would like to go with you.

Come on then.

Farewell, my dearest Khvicha.

May God be with you. Go, my dear.

God bless you. Tsira, say goodbye to Khvicha.

Tsira.

When I grow up, I'll come to you.

Come, child.

Let's go.

Have a good journey!

Do not forget us, Khvicha! Do not forget us.

Look, Khvicha, just beyond those blue mountains lies your village.

Your parents and brothers are there.

Perhaps your mother looks at you now

from one of those mountains, but we cannot see her.

Don't be sad, my boy. Soon you'll be home.

But when, Grandpa Markoz?

We shall cross through this forest and be there by nightfall.

Khvicha, come here, climb up with me.

No, I would ratherwalk.

All right.

Look there, Khvicha.

See that wide strip across the plain? That's the river Rioni.

If we followed its banks, we'd have reached the Black Sea.

There, at the mouth of the Rioni,

the Georgians built a fortress,

but now it is in the hands of the infidel Pasha.

He ordered to send our children to Istanbul.

He'd have sent you there too, Khvicha, if we had not...

- Goodbye, my native Georgia. - Woe is us, woe.

May you be cursed!

Where is justice?

Oh, what a misfortune!

My son! Let me go!

My dear!

I'm not satisfied with this trip.

In all my days I've never known a worse failure.

I'm ashamed to be seen in Istanbul with such goods.

Ali-Yussouf, you've taken 50 prisoners, more than the rest of us together.

There's no sense to go to Giurjistan for the goods.

And who's to blame?

The Imeretian King Solomon is to blame.

He's prohibited to sell slaves.

And now he seeks help from Russia.

What?

O Allah!

Stretch thy blessings on Fazil-Pasha.

He gave me a strong Georgian boy.

Make him a eunuch, he will fetch a much better price.

Why such idea? He has a face of a real Mamluk warrior.

If this wind does not calm down, we are in for trouble.

What is it with you?

You've grown afraid of the sea in your old age, Zaidol?

Let's better play a game of backgammon.

I would play for a good stake.

If you lose, you give me that giant Akhaltsikhian of yours.

What? You must be crazy.

He's the best of the lot and I would risk him in a game of backgammon?

And if I win, what are you putting up?

My long-haired Salome will be yours.

Hassan, what shall I do with that girl with the long tresses?

She won't stop crying, she's making me deaf.

Shall I calm her down for you?

She must be calling for her husband.

Well, I think I know how to console her.

Are we any worse than her husband?

Girl!

You, girl, can't you hear?

Hey, girl!

Stop that crying.

There's no need for that.

Stop it.

You infidel!

- She's miserable enough as it is. - How dare you, giaour?

Take that! Take that!

You dog!

Three, two.

Six, five.

Six, five.

You think I gave up? I'm coming. Two, one!

You can say goodbye to your giant.

Ali-Yussouf! Zaidol! Ibrahim! Come quickly. The slaves have revolted.

What's the matter?

That one started it, Effendi.

He's Zaidol's slave.

I don't doubt he started it. Give him a hundred lashes.

Wait. Not so fast. First let us know what it is about.

For the one who provoked it, 200 lashes won't be enough.

We have stood enough of this.

We demand to be treated like human beings,

orwe die and take you to the bottom of the sea, too.

Stop it. Let me see what brought on this quarrel.

This scoundrel insulted a woman.

He is the one who provoked us. He has to be punished.

So it is Hassan who's to blame?

He's wrong, I swear by Allah. One shouldn't hurt women.

This is Ibrahim's doing.

Why do you say that? I was playing backgammon with you.

I demand that your guards keep their hands off my slaves.

Just listen to him! What does he want from me?

Merchants, behave properly.

Caucasians are hot-tempered people. You must be careful with them.

Take Hassan away.

Look! Our swallows.

My mother said that every year

they fly beyond the sea to a warmer country for the winter.

Yes, they fly to the land where we are being taken.

But they will return home and we shall not.

There's Istanbul! The greatest city in the world.

I want to go with you! I'll go with you!

- Come here, little mouse! - Let me go!

Faster!

Hurry up!

- Where are you taking them? - Get away.

Faster! Move!

Go away.

Here, beside the Mosque of Nour- Osmane, there was a slave market.

They sold people at this market.

Bring them here.

Hussein-aga is coming. Hussein-aga is here.

Greetings, Hussein-aga. Greetings.

We greet you, Hussein-aga.

Our greetings to you.

- Greetings, dear Hussein-aga. - How are you Ali-Yussouf?

How are you doing?

Ah, my dear Hussein-aga. We didn't do well.

Regrettable. Most regrettable.

- A Georgian? - No, a Circassian.

An excellent catch. Very good.

Let me go!

Shut up or I'll break your neck! I'll whip your soul out!

Let me go!

- Who is that crying? - A captive boy.

Let me have a look at him.

Ahmed, bring the boy here.

Don't cry, boy.

- A Georgian? - That's right.

- What is your name? - Khvicha.

Khvicha. Good, very good.

Such a fine boy shouldn't cry.

- He's well put together. - Yes.

He may make a fine Mamluk.

Let him fight another boy.

- As you wish. - Come on, then.

Ahmed, go and bring another boy.

That one is much too big for him.

Khvicha, can you win over him?

If you beat him, you'll get a present.

Bring a carpet.

Good for you, little one.

Don't be afraid.

You're a brave boy.

Good. Here you are.

Now, Ali-Yussouf, how much?

I like him. What is your price?

For you I shall make a special price, but it's final.

You have no fear of God. For this price one can buy a whole squadron.

Do as you like. But you can see this boy.

I know forwhom you want to buy him.

Effendi.

I cannot take less, Hussein-aga.

The piece of silk that I gave to Fazil-Pasha

cost me 50 medjidies.

He will make a fine Mamluk.

I do this only for you. It is the will of Allah.

Hussein-aga. I bought a boy, too.

I'd like to see if he's strong or not.

Let's try him against your boy.

Khvicha, do you wish to fight again?

Bring the boy here.

Khvicha!

Gocha! How come you're here too?

You've been kidnapped, too?

You told me you'd never get lost.

- Nothing will separate us now. - Nothing in the world.

Khvicha, who is this boy?

He is my friend. We're from the same village.

Honored Sir, I'd like to buy your boy.

I will give you the same price I paid to Ali-Yussouf.

I myself would buy your boy. I like him very much.

The Georgians and Circassians make excellent warriors.

I sell them to Egypt to the Mamluk Beys,

so I'm paying a good price for them.

I can't, my friend, I bought this boy for a friend in Venice.

Let's not waste time, Hussein-aga.

Take him away.

- I'm going with you! - I'm not leaving you!

- Keep away. - Let go of him!

Gocha! Gocha!

Come back here.

Let go of me! I'm not going anywhere!

Let go of me!

Calm down, boy.

Be careful on yourway, man,

do not forget

that Evil is prevailing over Good always and everywhere.

Hussein-aga bought many more slaves for the Mamluk Beys,

and headed with them for Egypt.

The Mamluk Lords fought and ruthlessly oppressed the Egyptians.

To replenish their armies, the Beys purchased stolen children

to be raised as future warriors.

Torn from their country, these young men feared no one.

Their only friends were their swords and Arabian steeds,

from whom only death separated them.

"He who has not seen Cairo has seen nothing,"

says an old Arabian tale.

"It stands on a land of gold,

the sky above it is a wonder!"

In the middle of the 18th century, the Mamluk warlord, Ali-Bey,

revolted against the Turkish Sultan,

and seized power in Egypt.

Master, the revolt has been suppressed.

Have them locked in the fortress.

Master, the merchant Hussein-aga has arrived.

Hussein-aga? Send him in.

Allah's blessings upon you,

oh the great King of Egypt and the two seas.

Approach, Hussein. Sit here, please.

Now what of your travels, Hussein? How was your trade?

We're doing poorly, Master.

Why so?

Lately, it's been hard to get all of the prisoners we would like to get.

But I did not come empty handed to you.

I've brought for you a boy from Georgia.

Splendid, Hussein. Where is the boy?

He's here, in the hallway, Master.

Have the boy brought here now!

A fine looking boy.

Come here, boy.

Come closer.

What's the boy's name?

- Mahmud is his name, Master. - No, it's Khvicha!

Your name is Mahmud now.

Khvicha!

Giurjistan...

It was so long ago...

Mahmud.

Good. Good boy.

Come here. Come, there's nothing to fear.

A fine strong boy. Born warrior.

He'll make an excellent Mamluk.

- Can you ride? - I can.

I'll give you a horse there's no equal to in the whole world.

I'm pleased with the boy.

I'll raise him. I'll give him my name.

An excellent idea, Master.

Abdullah.

Take the boy away.

Go with him, Mahmud.

Mahmud.

Read.

In the name of Allah the merciful.

In the name of Allah the merciful.

In the name of Allah the merciful.

Renamed Mahmud, Khvicha was brought up among the Mamluks.

Where before he had learned the Bible,

now he studied the Koran and the martial art.

The greatest reward is to die

on the field of battle with one's sword in hand.

And in time, Mahmud-Khvicha became a true Mamluk.

Mahmud!

Mahmud!

I didn't even think he'd hear me.

Who is he?

The adopted son of Ali-Bey. He's so good-looking!

He's brave and very strong.

You know, Zeinab, Mahmud is a Georgian, from your country.

- How do you know? - I know, I heard it many times.

Who is to be competing next?

Our master, Aslan-Bey.

Keep away.

Mahmud!

Mahmud!

What is it, Zeinab?

For a minute I thought...

But no, it's not possible.

Congratulations on your victory, Mahmud.

In reward, I name you Chief of the Palace Guards.

- Come to the palace tonight. - Thank you.

- May Allah protect you ever. - Thank you.

Congratulations.

Mahmud, accept my congratulations as well.

This is the beginning of a great career for you.

Thank you.

Mahmud.

Why are you so silent?

And why are you so sad?

You must be very tired, are you? The victory doesn't come easy.

Aslan.

My guests are getting bored.

Come on, think of something.

Yourwish is my command.

Black swallow,

whitherwill you fly?

Where will you find a sky like ours?

Where will you see the mountains like ours?

Georgia reminds me a fairy tale,

Where even the trees sing war songs...

Mistress!

Have no fear of me.

Tell me where you're from, what your name is?

- Who calls me? - I, Mahmud.

Mahmud?

Accept a gift from me.

I had your name embroidered here.

But I cannot read.

I'll teach you to read. Look here.

Khvicha.

Tsira!

You recognized me, my dear!

It's been a year since I was brought here.

Tsira, it's like a dream!

I recognized you at once, Khvicha.

I've never dreamed we'd meet again.

Khvicha, my dearest!

You won't let me die here, will you, darling?

Go now, someone may see us.

Tsira!

Hassan, I'm going to the palace. Catch up with me.

Yes, Master.

Oh Allah, cursed be our oppressors,

the Mamluk Beys!

The Mamluk Beys plundered and oppressed the people of Egypt,

and the people hated and cursed them for it.

May all the curses of Allah descend upon you and your descendants!

May all your sons shed many bitter tears!

Mahmud did not escape these curses,

but even without them, he felt miserable.

Faster, work, lazy rabble!

Why don't you work, you malingering cur. Get to work!

Since I got here,

I've known only suffering, and so it shall be till I die.

What can we do? It is our fate.

- Where are you from? - Greetings, Master.

You don't remember?

When they kidnapped me, I was just a child.

One thing I know.

Behind those mountains lies the sea. And beyond the sea,

there are very high mountains.

That's where I was born.

One can only fly there,

but we are not birds.

And where is Zeinab?

- She is ill, Master. - What's the matterwith her?

At the tournament she saw a man from her country, and been crying since.

Who is he?

Mahmud, the ward of Ali-Bey.

Mahmud?

Hello, Mistress. Don't be afraid of me.

Why are you crying?

Don't slaves have the right to cry?

Calm yourself. I'm your faithful friend.

Zeinab, I was sent to you.

By who?

- Mahmud. - Mahmud?

Trust in me. Soon you will see him.

Go in, Mistress. Mahmud awaits you within.

Tsira!

Khvicha!

Your sad song reminded me of my childhood.

I'm grateful that fate sent you to me.

I would rather die than remain here.

Are you so homesick?

I still have the hope that one day I will get back to Georgia.

Khvicha, let's run away from here as soon as possible.

But I'm a warrior.

I have taken a vow.

Avow to what, Khvicha?

To whom did you swear? To the enemies of your country!

You forgot your poor mother, your people, everything!

To whom are you giving your strength?

You've got only one home country.

Enough.

You've said enough.

Yourwords have ripped into me like the sharpest sword.

You say to run away? We may pay for it with our lives.

I prefer death to slavery.

Tomorrow night, wait for my signal.

You will see it from yourwindow.

A fire will flare up on the river. Come outside at once.

I'll be waiting, Khvicha.

My dearest boy.

Tsira, come here.

Get in the boat, quick.

Push off.

I will teach you a good lesson! You dog!

I'll send you to hell!

Khvicha!

Throw him into the dungeon!

Time had passed.

Mahmud was set free so that he might redeem himself on the field of battle.

He was given command of a detachment of cavalry.

Many years had passed since.

Glory to Allah!

Glory to the victorious army of the Mamluks!

Glory to Murad-Bey!

Mamluks! My dear brothers!

Today we must choose a new chief of our army,

to replace Hamid-Bey, killed in battle.

Name a worthy man

who merits such honor.

- Who is so worthy? - Aslan-Bey!

No, Mahmud! Mahmud is most worthy!

It was 10 years ago.

Do you remember the day when our army encircled Ceuta

but failed to seize the fortress?

Mamluks!

Who was the first to bravely and adroitly leap onto the enemy's wall

and bring victory to us?

That Mamluk was made the commander of a hundred.

What is his name?

Mahmud!

Brothers! Brave warriors!

I know not who I am, norwhere I was born.

I know only that I'm a Mamluk.

My sword is my father,

my hand is my hardness.

Many of you perhaps remember how we struggled at Assouan.

Remember the man

that in the heat of the battle bravely forced his way

into the enemy ranks and brought victory to our army?

Who was that warrior?

Mahmud! Mahmud!

And do you remember how our army stood at the Thebes ruins?

Our enemies were on all sides of us and ready to rout us.

Who rode forth then and gave that cry: "Mamluks, follow me!"?

Who like an arrow rode at the enemies' throat?

Who, with one blow of his sword, cut off the head

of the leader of the enemy army?

Who was that man?

Mahmud! Mahmud!

Allah has willed it that the new chief of our army shall be Mahmud.

So be it!

Mahmud-Bey!

Mahmud-Bey, take it.

Dear Beys.

You've probably already heard the news.

Rather unexpected news.

Alexandria has been invaded

by the forces of the short French Pasha, Napoleon Bonaparte.

The insolent French have dared

to set foot on our soil,

and are hurrying to start a war against us.

What do you say to this, Beys?

Let them come. We'll teach them a lesson.

I do not understand why this short Pasha makes war on us.

What harm do we do him?

Egypt is here and France is there. What does he want?

I think this short Pasha has his own reasons.

There is no use establishing his reasons.

We know the main reason of this war.

This man says, "I'm mighty and I will fight you.

If you're true warriors, take the challenge. "

- We'll fight him. - We'll destroy him.

Soldiers!

Forty centuries of history look down upon you

from the tops of those majestic pyramids.

Mahmud-Bey commanded the right wing of the Mamluk army.

His mission was to fight the French cavalry.

Mamluks! Follow me! Forward!

The short Pasha was quick.

His cavalry in disorder, he made the cannons save the situation.

Fire!

Those dogs shoot well.

Forward!

Hassan.

Where does their infantry come from? They're not Frenchmen, are they?

I think they're the Venetians.

Hassan!

You cursed giaour!

Mamluks, forward!

Follow me!

Giaour!

I might die but avenge Hassan!

Giaour!

Oh, mama!

Oh, mama!

Who are you? You look familiar.

Where could I see this man?

Gocha!

The marked one!

Gocha.

Gocha.

The marked one.

Gocha, my dear. Don't you recognize me?

I am Khvicha.

I am Khvicha. Can you hear?

God, why do You punish me so cruelly?

Can this be true?

Yes, this is real.

What are you? A Mamluk?

A Georgian?

Where is your native land?

Don't you want to know how your mother is?

Your father?

Where is your home?

Your Tekhura.

Have you ever thought of them in this distant land?

It was such a long time.

You got used to the new life.

Fortune smiled to you.

You're no longer a base slave. You've reached the heights of power.

And now?

Where is that power now?

Here is my power.

My wealth, my treasure, my native land.

I killed you.

Your Khvicha killed you.

But why?

Mahmud-Bey, you're alive!

Mahmud-Bey!

Why are you standing here? Where's your detachment?

Murad-Bey sent me for you. He's calling us immediately.

Mahmud. Mahmud, what happened?

Djafar, why are you standing here?

The short Pasha has destroyed our army!

Mahmud, all the Beys are looking for you.

Perhaps he is wounded.

Why are you staring at this dead giaour?

He's a Venetian commander. The dog that died a dog's death.

Who is a Venetian?

He is no more Venetian than I am Egyptian.

Oh God! He's gone crazy.

Oh, God!

Oh God, where are You?

Only injustice and violence are reigning in this world.

Mahmud!

You blaspheme? You betray your oath?

Maybe he was bribed by the French?

That's possible.

His men lie dead

and he stands here safe as though nothing has happened.

I will not forgive you this, giaour!

Allah!

Traitor!

One was dressed in the rich clothes of a Mamluk Bey,

the other in the uniform of the Venetian Guardsman.

But who would know that the first one was not Egyptian,

nor the second one Venetian?

Both were sons of the long-suffering Georgia.

The End