Original subtitles

Where have you been?

I've been around and around, and through the Earth.

Have you met him?

There really is no one like him on this Earth...

unblemished, true, devout, and righteous.

You think so?

Dear Elza!

I started writing this journal the day I decided to kill you.

I'd like to go far, far away, never to return to this land.

I would leave my love forever, if only my heart wouldn't break.

I'd like to go to Neverland, and sit down at the edge of the great beyond,

I'd think about my darling no more, oh if only my heart wouldn't break.

I'd stay here at this place, I'd forget about my love,

I wouldn't care if she loved someone else,

Oh if only my heart wouldn't break, oh if only my heart wouldn't break...

For many a Hungarian soldier, the last shred of hope was their faith in getting home,

in the call of the motherland.

I would run to you, my darling, but I must wait my turn.

Every second seems like an hour,

but every step I take towards the wagon leads me closer to you.

Sergeant, sir!

Sir, the soldier's name is not on the list, sir!

Let me see that.

There's no problem here. The soldier's in the wrong line.

Welcome to Soviet Russia.

But... Sergeant, sir, there must have been a mistake.

I'm on my way home, to Budapest, on leave.

It says that right here, you see? Furlough.

Take this, you'll need it.

Sergeant, sir, I've been here for a year.

I just want to go home.

Listen, son, either the papers are lying or someone doesn't want you to get home.

Now get out of my sight before I have you whipped.

Back in line...

Home has never felt so far away.

I'm disappointed, betrayed, abandoned...

Step by step, getting further away from you.

Rounds: one... two... three... four... five.

I get whatever crap the motherland could sweat out.

No need.

You know, son, in truth none of us should be here.

But it's our duty.

We're here to defend our country, right here, right now.

Here?

Thousands of miles away?

Distance means nothing out here.

Today we're here, but tomorrow we could be in the Carpathians, fighting.

And if everyone had your attitude...

Fighting against whom?

Don't you even know that much?

Sure I do...

against the red, the bolshie, the primitive Asian hordes.

But Sergeant, sir, these are just empty words.

You're a good man, Lombos. Or at least you're not any worse than the others.

But this is not your decision, or mine.

We must fight for our country, our families, our women,

so that in the end we can all go home and live in peace.

Thank you, Sergeant, sir.

Private!

I'll look into your case. You have my word.

If what you're saying is true you'll be home by Christmas.

Mail call!

Camp mail is here!

Is this all you've got?

Well? Lombos?

Nothing.

Maybe it just fell through the cracks somewhere.

Just because you didn't get mail from home doesn't mean no one loves you or misses you anymore.

This is what we've got to believe, alright? Got to.

Otherwise you'll lose your mind.

Water, over here!

Whore!

Don't, Comrade Commissar! This woman is a traitor!

Bird, bird, leave the nest! Wolves are coming!

Bird, bird, leave the nest! Wolves are coming!

Stand to, prepare for incoming!

Shame on you soldier. Get out of my sight!

Take your places, attack is expected.

Stand to, prepare for incoming!

Let's go, move it!

Prepare for incoming!

Hey, look what I've found for you.

No, no, I don't want that.

This, I need another one of this.

Is this one good? Yeah it's good.

You're right, it's much better.

Whoa, what's that?

This? Nothing important. It's mine.

Let me see that.

Here, I'll trade you some cigarettes for it.

Ah, thank you!

Hey, what are you doing?

Damn it! I needed that thing.

Never mind.

Cigarette?

Birdie, birdie, leave the nest, wolves are coming, over.

Launch the offensive at once!

Launch the offensive at once!

Launch the offensive at once!

Want some?

Marmalade?

Here.

Lombos, damn it, where did you get that?

Eat!

For the sausage.

Don't sweat it, that's not why I gave it to you. Anyways...

Come on.

What the hell was that?

Are we moving in?

Give me that.

The binoculars, damn it.

What?

Those filthy Russians, sending POW's onto the minefield.

We're the ones who laid those mines.

Regardless, they should rot in hell.

We're moving in.

Go, go, go!

Move it!

Need help?

Holy crap!

You're Hungarian?

Can I get it back?

Sorry about that...

The picture too!

Your wife?

Partly.

She's pretty.

Thank you.

Pretty, and young. I'm sure she gets a lot of attention.

So what? What are you trying to say, old man?

Nothing.

Well, it wouldn't be the first time a lonely woman, left at home... mistakes...

Not a chance. And you're not the person I'm going to discuss it with, anyway.

Who else? Those guys?

All right, old man. Though it's none of your business, my wife's not like that.

No one's like that, at first.

The loneliness, the deprivation... emotions will fade over time. So, how long is it you've been out here?

Over a year.

All the other soldiers have gone home at least once. All but me.

My name's the only one missing from the list every time.

They must have bungled something up in Pest.

Well, it sounds fishy. Could it be that someone doesn't want you to go home?

Here comes the part where it's my wife somehow messing with the papers...

You've said it, not me.

But, let's just say, hypothetically, if she does meet a man with connections...

well it won't take all that much to arrange that you die over here.

Come on buddy, it's all good. You're here, and you're alive.

That's enough! It's my wife you're talking about you old dog, not some lowdown whore.

Shut your mouth or I swear I'll throw you out of here right in front of those Russkies.

I meant no harm. I'm just an old man running his mouth...

So, how did you get to the front? Don't tell me you were drafted.

Forced labor.

Are you a Jew?

Partly.

Got a problem with that?

No, not at all.

Let's keep quiet until they calm down.

Why did you want my journal, anyway?

Paper's good... to roll cigarettes with, to wipe my ass with...

You know what?

Keep it.

Got a gun?

There's something here.

Thank God they are gone!

Thank God!

Let's get out of here.

Wait! After the fires go out. It's easier in the dark.

Where did you come from?

Budapest.

I was a teacher.

I see. You got drafted, and now you're here, in the middle of nowhere,

killing people who never did you any harm.

You know, I don't really get this whole situation. Why did we even come here?

They said Bolshevik evil, but... who are the Bolsheviks?

And what's wrong with them? They haven't done anything to you or me.

Those fancy lords, though, they must know. Sure, they're at home having fun while we...

What are you talking about?

You'd get a bullet in the head for even half of what you've just said.

Come on, buddy, don't believe these things have to be the way they are.

Take charge.

You've served your country long enough, and what did you get in return?

A soldier's oath is for life.

Even if you're right, no self-respecting Hungarian man would ever betray his country.

No mercy shown, no mercy expected. That's the verdict. I won't compromise.

And yet here you are, holed up in a pit with me, pondering surrender.

Don't tell me you're not. I know you better than you think.

You're tired, and you've had enough.

Alright, it's time for you to shut up, old man, or you can go find yourself another pit.

Come on man, we're just talking. I'm not the one you're mad at, anyway.

What the hell is on you?

A German... corpse.

You fool.

I'm not red, I escaped from labor service and found a Russian uniform.

I... I... put that down.

Did you defect?

No way.

I carry water behind the frontlines.

So you did defect.

So, is it working?

I hope so.

And what if you come across a checkpoint, you speak Russian?

Not much, just enough to get by.

Well, I'm actually pretty good at Russian.

Can you get me one of these?

I'll try, stay here, I'll be right back.

Lajos Ziffer, by the way.

Mihály Lombos.

Hurry up, please!

Come here!

I bet you haven't seen anything like this before!

Is that some sort of a joke?

Please, let me do the honors.

Get up, and walk.

Go to hell!

What should we do with him?

I don't give a shit.

He would probably enjoy it if you did.

Bring him up!

Get up you bastards!

Everyone check if your neighbor's still alive. If you find a dead body, pull it to the side.

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

What now?

What do you think? Malenkij robot.

Reinforcement has arrived so they're taking us to the gulag, I think.

I don't want to go there.

Why? Who does?

It's either the gulag or you get a bullet in your head. Thank your lucky starts you're not the one lying here.

Stop!

Doptsenko, come here.

Let them get some water.

Come on! Hurry up!

Bastard!

Stop!

Put them on the wagon.

What was all that for?

I don't know, It seemed like a good idea.

Give me one reason why I shouldn't shoot you right now, you bastard.

I speak Russian.

Big deal... here everyone speaks Russian.

So what?

I also speak German.

That's not enough either.

I speak Italian, too.

Great!

You'll be clearing Italian landmines, then.

Take the professor to the trampler squad.

How are you doing comrade commissar?

I'll live.

Let me take a look at your wound.

Have today's reports come in yet?

Yes, they're here.

Let's see.

Lena!

Excuse me, I thought you were someone else.

What was that?

Nevermind!

No! Medical exam first.

Dismissed.

Alright, let's get it over with.

Tolik, what are you thinking of?

Never mind, nothing important.

We shouldn't neglect it like this.

I didn't know what I was missing.

By the way, you have only yourself to blame, you fool.

If only you had kept quiet you'd be sitting on the train by now.

Yeah, on the way to Siberia.

I want to get home.

Bon voyage.

Is this the custom here?

Are you kidding, buddy? Only the strongest can survive here.

Adapt, keep a low profile.

Anything you do, stay out of trouble, and they might not let you starve to death.

You're going to help me.

Why would I do that?

Because I ask you to.

And because you don't have a choice.

You'd rat me out, boddy?

Like nobody's business.

You can't hide anyway.

I can find you anywhere.

The difference between reality and the hallucinations of a man

who have lost all hope is only revealed in hindsight.

Amidst all this noise, I'm trying to find solace in the shadow of silence,

watching myself go slowly insane.

So this is how I became one of the tramplers.

Tramplers are a bunch of lunatics, petty criminals, deviants, political pariahs, POW's,

and collaborators - in other words, war scum - gathered from around the Soviet Union.

Most of them I don't care much for, but there are a few valuable people.

Take Kolja, for example, who had been a circus clown in the civilian world.

His only sin was lampooning Stalin's speeches.

They wouldn't even wait for him to get off the stage.

Luckily, he did not lose his sense of humor.

He gave us a lot of laughs.

His final performance, however, didn't make anybody laugh.

Then there is the scraggy Suchov, a devout communist who would speak to large crowds,

calling for ruthless resistance to the enemy.

Then he was drafted, but he couldn't stomach the horrors of warfare.

Some say he's protected by a higher power.

The fact is he just weighs to little, to the detriment of those walking behind him.

The longest-serving trampler is most definitely Uncle Kurgen,

who has skillfully avoided landmines for almost a year.

Easy for him: he had planted most of them himself.

The guards literally fight over who goes behind him.

If you didn't watch your step you could lose it any minute.

It was also a great opportunity for settling disputes.

And then there is me, alive, for now. My fellow prisoners accepted me pretty quickly.

In general, Russian people don't hate Hungarians. Most of them have never even met my kind.

Except for Dobchenko and Harkov.

Right from the start, they had devoted special attention to making my days even more miserable.

Stop!

Their childish games have already claimed many tramplers' lives.

Their bets didn't have any real stakes.

The foreign currencies used in the game were completely worthless to them.

This is the value of human life around here. It's worth a few colored pieces of paper.

In reality, Harkov and Dobchenko are not bad people.

They just treat enemies of the system the exact way their country expects them to.

Deep down, I get it.

I am nothing more to them than one of the thousands of enemy soldiers

trampling around the fields in their homeland.

Not that our guards would have it easier, either.

They're pushing us, and the NKVD's pushing them.

And we all know that the only way is forward, regardless of what obstacles lie ahead.

Can I have some of that?

No.

It's empty. But even if it wasn't, you wouldn't get any.

Hey, where did you get that?

Got it. Found it. Does it matter?

You lucky gypsy.

You're the one who's lucky.

I sure look the part.

You don't trigger the mines.

Out here, you're immortal.

You know which ones die? Those who are afraid. I'm not afraid, so I don't die.

Because I'm already dead. Look!

See, this is the scar from a bullet. It came in at a flat angle and bounced off.

I guess I might be lucky after all.

When we are not trampling, we are marching.

When we are not marching, we are digging.

Trenches, graves.

Did you know, son, that tramplers get the most vodka in the Soviet army?

That makes sense. It would be harder to send us to the minefields when sober.

Scraggy Suchov drank himself to death, the poor sod. The lucky one wasn't immortal after all.

We could avoid them. If you pay attention you can see where they are.

Dig!

They are always watching.

So...

When it's under the snow, ice begins to form there.

Clear?

And in the summer, grass is more scarce around it.

If you stick to nice, healthy patches of grass, you'll be just fine.

For the smallest mistake, Soviet soldiers could easily find themselves among the tramplers.

It's a world full of suspicion. The guards keep an eye on us, and we keep an eye on them.

And the NKVD, well, they like to keep on eye on everyone,

especially each other.

What are you still doing here?

You should have disappeared by now!

I remember this place. If you follow the tracks you can get home.

They're having a big night tonight. You could make use of that.

They leave the villagers alone. There's a lot of old folks here.

And wounded ones.

That's where they'll keep us overnight.

Zhenyka, my dear, come have a drink with us.

Come on, let's have a drink.

To Stalin!

What's going on here?

You've got nothing better to do than to harass the comrade? Get out of my sight!

What was that about, Tolik?

Does it bother you that someone notices the woman beneath the uniform?

Zhenyka...

Why are you so afraid of your feelings?

Dear Elza, I started writing this journal the day I decided to kill you.

Why do you want to kill me, Mihály?

Why would it be better without me?

No longer you give me more strength.

Only I can count on ourself.

This terrible pain and yelling are not the end but a new beginning.

You are weak, face it!

All that happens now are outweigh you.

If you lose me, that can easily mean the end for you.

Think about it, what are you going to do!

This is all I'm going to remind. You should believe.

Old man! Hey, old man!

What do you want?

I'm breaking out of here.

You're on your own.

Come on!

I even got a rope.

So what?

Everyone's drunk now.

Everyone?

That or asleep.

You won't have to do anything. I'll sling it over, just make sure it catches on something.

On what?

On your mother!

Very funny. Alright, get on with it.

Ironic.

If we hadn't been at war I would have proposed to her already.

If we hadn't been at war I wouldn't even know her.

Oh damn it, It's just not fair either way.

You hung me out to dry again.

Don't blame me.

Your destiny is in your own hands now.

Perhaps it wasn't the right time.

But maybe it is now...

Look!

What are you doing?

What? What now?

What are you doing?

It's just... a keepsake.

Hand it over.

Let's get this done quickly.

Finally, you can make yourself useful.

Antonio! Where are your units stationing?

Where are your units stationed?

No answer.

I don't even know what would I do without you.

Ask him again!

Antonio! Where are your units stationing?

Oh no...

He said: oh no...

I happen to have understood this one as well.

Tell him it's the last time we'll ask.

Antonio, don't be an idiot, say something.

They'll beat the crap out of you no problem.

That's enough!

If he won't say anything, he's dead.

I won't say anything. I won't betray my brothers.

Spare us this patriotic bullshit. Talk, damnit, or these guys will rip your guts out.

Across the river... the Germans left behind... some minor rearguard units.

Across the river... the Germans left behind... some minor rearguard units.

Well, that was worth getting beaten to a pulp over. Let's see the map.

Show us exactly where they are on the map.

There are two German units here,

and us Italians over here.

And Hungarians here...

He says there are two German units here, and the Italians are over here. That's all he knows.

Take him outside!

Are you done?

Yes.

Comrades! Soldiers of the Red Army!

Comrades, our motherland, the glorious Soviet Union needs you.

Do not let fear take hold of your hearts. We are not backing down!

Comrades, our motherland, the glorious Soviet Union needs you.

Do not let fear take hold of your hearts. We are not backing down!

Look, guys, what a nice surprise!

Stop!

No, no, I'm on your side! I'm Italian!

You're lying, you treasonous bastard.

Don't shoot!

No, no, I'm on your side!

You're lying, traitor! Get on your knees!

You filthy pig, you son of a bitch.

Heil Hitler! Avanti Benito Mussolini!

How dare you pronounce the name of our glorious Führer you filthy jew!

Guilty conscience? Time to decide whose side you're on.

Go on, what are you waiting for?

These Russkies, and all the random crap they'll eat...

Time to die, bitch!

Lena!

Lena!

Russians are not ungrateful people.

Zhenyka, the doctor whose sister I had saved, put in a good word on my behalf with the political officer.

I felt the effects immediately.

As a reward for my glorious act, I got to see what it's like to be a pusher.

It's not a whole lot easier.

It is the relationship between the pushers and the tramplers that truly captures

the cynical attitude of the system regarding the lives of its soldiers.

Indeed, the primary objective of the pushers is not about leading the poor bastards

onto the killing fields, but about protecting them from enemy snipers.

According to this sick logic of power, the death of a trampler

is only useful if it also takes a landmine out of commission.

Have you seen the new VT16 yet?

No, I haven't.

Everyone says it's worth a look.

What was that?

We only encountered resistance in the village. We've isolated the incidents.

What about the factory?

The factory is all clear.

Then we'll sweep the factory first.

Understood, sir!

Disperse!

Come on!

Come on!

No!

What happened?

Sniper!

Come on!

Bring the Hungarian!

Come on! Quick!

Wait!

No!

He must've tipped them off.

Where do you think you're going?

I can save her!

Let me go!

No, no you can not, look.

Damn it!

I can save her.

It makes no sense.

I can save her.

You'll get shot also.

Let me go!

Too late! You cannot help her.

You don't understand, she's my sister.

You'll get shot!

Let me go!

You'll get shot!

No, let me, I can still save her.

Comrade Komelkova, this is an order!

No!

Sniper's dead. Hold your fire!

Lena...

Lena...

I'm here, don't worry.

No, no, no, no don't go.

You tipped them off, you bastard!

As I stood there watching life escape from that girl's body, I felt shame.

I was ashamed because I empathized with these people,

even though I'm supposed to hate them, them being the enemy and all.

They most definitely see me as the enemy now.

The trust is gone like it had never existed. At this point I knew there wasn't a place for me here anymore.

It's over, you bastard!

My days are numbered. There's nothing to protect me from the guards anymore.

What do you want?

Look! That's the Carpathian range over there.

And that, over there, is a minefield.

The time has come. Now you can settle the score with everyone.

Everything that happened was your fault. I should never have listened to you.

I have only myself to blame for you.

What the hell's wrong with you, private Lombos?

What happened, soldier?

Have you figured it out...?

Shut up!

There's nothing you can teach me anymore.

It's time for you to get out of here!

Why do you have to talk to me like that? I've always wanted the best for you.

Look, son.

To me, you're nobody!

Do I really have to explain all this to you?

I can see through you old man.

You are a weak sucker!

You're not going do anything, anyway. Never have, never will.

You couldn't even wrap your prehistoric brain around the fact that...

Shut the hell up now, you son of a bitch!

You don't know shit about me!

Loyalty and honor mean nothing to you.

You think I wouldn't do anything? You really think that? Watch me!

Sorry old man, but I have to get home.

Without you!

Comrade Varvalin!

There seems to be something wrong with my ears.

I don't understand.

I can't hear the mines detonating.

Understood, sir!

Comrades!

It's time for absolution of all your sins.

Don't be afraid to pay the ultimate sacrifice defending our homeland.

Comrade Stalin the magnificent demands one last effort from you.

Those who survive this day will be released from the penal battalion, and may return to their regular units.

Comrades!

It's time for absolution of all your sins.

Don't be afraid to pay the ultimate sacrifice defending our homeland.

Sniper.

Aim at the treeline.

You son of a...

Hi there!

What the hell were you thinking, man?

You thought you could make it all by yourself? That you'd get home in the end?

I don't need you!

I never have.

Give me back the journal.

You have it.

You've always had it.

You win.

Trust me.

Trust me.

Private Lombos, you're home, after all. You're home.

But is home really there?

Mihály...

So you've come back to make the right decision.

He has already decided.

He's coming with me, because he committed the ultimate sin.

I'm standing here with my head held high.

My sole motivation was the faith in my return.

Can you even hear what you're saying, man? Instinct and faith - an eternal paradox.

But you see it's forcing you to make one final decision.

I have already made my decision.

I've been playing you from the start.

Reason is above both faith and instinct.

First I lost my faith, then I had to act against my instincts to finally get here.

Reason?

I like you, man!

You want to gain the upper hand over me by using the wisdom I imparted on you.

Then, let it be.

Here, over here comrades!

This one's still alive!

Medic! Need a medic over here, quick!

It's not serious, just a surface wound. Lucky fellow, he'll be up on his feet in a few days.

Who is this man? Does he have any military or party papers on him?

Nothing, Captain. Scavengers probably took all his stuff, thinking he was dead.

Nevermind, we'll figure that out later. Take him to the rear and have the doctors take a look.

We need all available hands. The hardest part's yet to come...

that's Hungary over there.