Original subtitles

A NETFLIX SERIES

AUGUST 1968

WEST GERMANY

Welcome to Radio Free Europe.

The director welcomes you. It's an honour to meet you, General.

- Thank you. Are you a fellow countrywoman? - Yes.

Moscow says that Prague is preparing a counter-revolution,

but our brothers just want socialism

that is more humane,

with more freedom of expression and speech for the Czech people.

In the name of freedom, I appeal to Russian soldiers...

If there is an order to invade Czechoslovakia,

do not obey!

PORTUGAL MAXUQUEIRA RECEPTION CENTRE

...to invade Czechoslovakia,

do not obey!

♪ Whoa, have love ♪

♪ Whoa, baby, will travel ♪

♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh, have love ♪

♪ Whoa, baby, will travel ♪

♪ I said if you need lovin', then ♪

♪ Mm-hm, I'll travel ♪

♪ Yeah, I'll travel from Maine to Mexico ♪

♪ Just to find a little girl That loves me so ♪

♪ No matter when No matter where I'll be ♪

♪ I'm lookin' for a woman That'll satisfy me ♪

♪ Have love ♪

♪ Whoa... travel... ♪

Don't move! Stop the car.

Don't move!

Where's the reel?

- What? - The reel!

- What do you mean? - Don't play dumb.

The reel you're taking to RARET.

The reel!

There you are.

♪ If you need lovin', then ♪

♪ Mm-hm, I'll travel ♪

♪ Whoa-oh, I said ♪

♪ If you need lovin', then ♪

♪ Whoa, I'll travel ♪

♪ Whoa! ♪

48 HOURS EARLIER LISBON

Mmm.

Mmm.

So, what? You pretend that you don't know me, yeah?

I've no idea, João. I suppose so.

Mmm.

What time is it?

- I have to go. - Already?

...just had a baby...

Don't stand around on your own, my love.

You know who's asked about you twice already?

Who's that talking to Father?

Jaime Ramos. He's the new one in charge of PIDE.

What do you mean, you don't know who he is?

As soon as power was given to your father, he was one of the very first appointed.

I don't like him particularly.

But I suppose he's... useful.

And he's proven to be loyal.

Have you packed your bags yet?

João?

- I asked you if you'd packed your bags. - What bags?

Are you not leaving tomorrow morning?

Ah. Yes.

I apologise, sir.

- Don't worry. Alcina? - My son is also a keen pianist.

- He's at home, having lessons. - That's magnificent.

Thank you. Thank you!

- At home... - Leave that, my boy, you'll cut yourself.

- Fabulous. - No, it's no trouble.

I'd rather you didn't. Please, sir.

And, of course, the opportunity to hear Madalena play the piano.

I asked a friend of mine from the conservatoire

if tonight, they might play the piano.

Alexandre?

- Perhaps I should start? - No, no, not yet. Thank you.

I would like to present you to a friend of mine. Jaime Ramos.

Alexandre Petrovsky.

- Your surname, I believe... - It's Russian.

My family was forced to, uh... flee the country

after the revolution by the Communists.

Well, one day, you'll be able to return.

The reigning Communists won't always retain power.

Any day now, it'll be over, I would say.

♪ It was a cold winter day ♪

♪ When we went to your place On the coast ♪

[on radio ♪ There was not a soul in town ♪

♪ Not even a ghost ♪

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Engineer João Vidal.

I'm the new technical coordinator for the antennas.

Your identification, please, sir?

Hmm.

I need to search the vehicle, if you don't mind.

Ah! Looks like you managed to get here, then?

- How are you? - I'm well.

And you?

Some time since we left university.

- You look the same, Gonçalo. - Hmm. Bet I do.

I'm pleased you're here at RARET.

I hope you're planning on staying for a while.

If they let me in. I can see that security here's important.

Well, with good reason.

As you know, we don't just play music from the Eurovision Contest all the time.

Elias, are you finished digging around?

That's fine.

Please, go ahead, sir.

Thank you. Get in.

You'll like it here.

The setup the Americans have is pure luxury.

What are they like?

Who cares about the Americans?

But the American women are simply pretty perfect.

And the work?

Nothing like the National Broadcasting Service.

- It's light-years ahead. - Proof of that are the antennas.

Yeah.

To be able to receive each country they have a specific tilt.

The Russians don't leave us alone. Never, ever.

They're persistently trying to block our broadcasts.

- Do you manage to stop them from doing so? - Hmm... Most of the time.

To be honest, it's not so bad now and then if the commies are able to do it.

As long as the Cold War's fought, our jobs are guaranteed.

Well, don't say that too loud. They might hear you.

Every single year, we expect RARET to be shut down.

But do the Americans want to build a relay in another country?

No. Wouldn't be able to. No.

Portugal is at the right distance to send the signal to the Eastern Bloc.

Shortwave antennas could only be set up here,

in the middle of nowhere, in Glória do Ribatejo.

But all the time, we keep hearing them say that Russia won't hold out much longer.

But we don't know if there's any truth in this

or whether it's just part of the propaganda.

MAY GOD ALLOW THE WORLD TO RISE AGAIN TO LIBERTY

This is the office of the director, but he'll be waiting for us over there.

War is waged with more than weapons, though, and that's where we get involved.

Amen.

The whole complex was built like an American city

here in the middle of Ribatejo.

And here is where we receive the transmissions

in VHF and UHF from Lisbon.

Some of the other reels come in from the complex at Maxuqueira,

which is not far away.

- Do the recordings come in Russian? - Mmm.

Russian and other languages. We don't understand a word of it.

We have to send them to the translators

to make sure the recording we have is correct.

We also have a telegraphist who remains in permanent contact

with someone on the other side of the Iron Curtain

to make sure the signal is transmitted correctly.

And who gives us the information?

Embassies, agents... People who are on the payroll of the Americans.

João Vidal. James Wilson, director of RARET. Welcome.

Nice to meet you, sir.

I've heard good things about you.

Well, I'll do my best.

Come. I'll show you the transmission room.

You'll like this. Just wait and see.

- Give me a second. - Change the frequency again.

- Bernadino... - We'll change the transmitter.

- Too much interference. - Come on!

- Change the frequency. - Change the transmitter.

- Hurry up and do it! - Changing it to 7255.

- Faster! - Changing it now.

- Yeah. - 7255.

Bernardino. I've been sent to tell you there's too much interference.

We changed the transmitter.

- Transmitter seven, frequency 7255. - 7255.

- Come on! - Can you confirm it?

Ramiro, what's the matter?

What's the problem?

The Russians blocked our broadcast. We're opening new frequencies now.

- Are you receiving it now? - Prepare another one.

- Where are we? - You have another?

Give me one second.

- Yep? - Prepare this one.

- Okay. Okay, we're transmitting. - Yeah.

Brilliant job.

The good guys always win.

It's good to be the good guys.

This is engineer Ramiro. He's our technical director.

João Vidal. It'll be a pleasure to work alongside you.

You're the secretary of state's son, hm?

Here, though, my position is engineer.

That's fine. Well, best of luck.

This place is like a village. Everybody knows everything.

João, meet the team.

Bernardino, it's a pleasure.

- Hernâni. - A pleasure.

- You want a coffee? - Yes, thank you.

Good morning, Senhora.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Two coffees, if you wouldn't mind.

Carolina?

- Come here. - Please excuse me.

Go outside.

- But why? - Just go.

I'll handle this. Just go.

I'm going to Guinea.

What do the villagers have to say about the presence of the Americans?

Well...

There's always someone who complains, mm?

You know we have a lot of Reds here in Ribatejo.

The people that work the fields, mainly those.

But the CIA know what they're doing.

That's why most side with the Americans.

So, tell me, why did you leave the National Broadcasting Service?

I fell out of love with Lisbon.

Do you know Mia? A telegraphist at RARET.

Mm. Sure. What of her?

I met her in Lisbon, at a friend's of mine.

I'd like to see her again.

Mm, I bet you'd like to.

Bet you'd like to, but it won't happen as she's no longer here.

- Why? - I don't know.

She left her post and moved on.

None of my business.

That's enough, thank you.

Senhores.

Afternoon.

How are you? I just received some new shaving blades and scissors,

- if you would like to have a look? - I have enough.

If you need more? How about you pour me a drink?

I can't believe Benfica lost in the final against that English team.

We'll get it next year! Roaming to victory!

Sooner or later, we shall once again conquer Europe!

I need a new blade. I left mine back in Lisbon.

For blades, you have to speak to me.

Blades, brushes, scissors, combs, nail clippers.

If you'd like to come over to my truck, I'll show you the whole collection.

Please excuse me.

Tomé! Some sauce, please?

Over in the fields, a few miles past the petrol station belonging to Zé Mudo,

you'll find a shed.

I was told to present you with this.

Hey.

Don't go without the blade.

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Aah! ♪

♪ You're gonna wake up one mornin' ♪

♪ As the sun greets the dawn ♪

♪ You're gonna wake up one mornin' ♪

♪ As the sun greets the dawn ♪

♪ You're gonna look around In your mind, girl ♪

♪ You're gonna find that I'm gone ♪

- Good day. - Good day.

João!

João!

Gonçalo.

Welcome committee. So, is it too late?

No, I was just tidying up some things.

- João, Doc. Doc, this is João. - Miguel.

- Glad to meet you. - How do you do?

No matter whatever the problem you have, the doctor will always prescribe you...

- Aspirin. - Aspirin.

Is it normal here for the nights to be so hot?

- Pfft! - What, here? Oof!

Here, it's much hotter than you'd get in the jungles on the border of Angola.

The only one who's used to this is the doctor,

who's from the land of the Indians.

Except, in Rio de Janeiro, the Indians are no longer there.

Because they killed them all.

- What drew you to Portugal? - Brazil is complicated.

Constantly avoiding bombs, as well as people disappearing...

- Could you... could you open this? - Yes.

Can you believe this guy's luck? It's like he's royalty.

We'd only be looking out for this by marriage.

Oof. Tell me about it.

- Good evening. - Here.

- Good evening. - How are you, Roberto?

Excuse me, sir. Dr. James asked you to the house.

- Your father rang. - I should go there.

Of course. Good evening, gentlemen.

- Thank you. - Have a good evening.

Go and reassure your family.

Well, we'll be at the barbecue, if you wanna drop by.

Shall do. Good to meet you.

- Hello? - Hello, Father?

João, finally we've managed to get hold of you.

I've only just arrived.

Did you ask them to put me up in my own villa?

Your mother insisted that I should do so.

Please don't arrange things for me. Never again.

Suit yourself. Listen,

always stay in touch, and behave like a gentleman.

We hold James Wilson in the highest regard.

Goodbye.

Y'know, João, the locals don't know what we're doing here.

Not even the ones who work on the inside.

And it's not in our interest,

nor in the interest of the Portuguese government,

to provide explanations.

With antennas of such a spread and size, it's difficult to be unnoticed.

Have dinner with us tomorrow night.

I appreciate the invitation,

but I don't want to appear to be getting any special treatment.

Well, you already are, so best enjoy it.

See you at eight o'clock?

In that case, I accept the invitation.

Good.

Have a good night.

Thank you, João.

- Sleep well. - Thank you.

- Good night. - Good night, sir.

...the military presence of the Soviet Union

next to the Czechoslovakian border

may indeed cause some concern to the Western powers,

even though the Soviet Union stands by their claims

that they are scheduled manoeuvres and nothing more.

- Go on. - It's three.

- We have three. - There's a coin.

- Come on, show us! - That's not allowed.

- The rules are different here. - What do you mean?

- How many? - There's three. Three.

- Three. - Three. Come on.

- Good evening. - Oh, Elias. How are you?

- Come, grab a beer, my friend. Go on. - I can't. I'm on duty.

- Relax. Come on, have a beer. - Doctor, with the greatest respect...

- Come on. - ...rules are rules.

- Some people need a good night's sleep. - Huh?

I see. Elias is absolutely right. Rules are rules, guys, and so...

Yeah, actually, same goes for you

when you want prescriptions for all your family members

who don't actually work here at RARET.

Oh, come on. You don't wanna cause me problems, Miguel.

- Go on. Give me one. No one saw. - That was nearly it.

- What? - Sh, sh, sh.

I'll open it when I'm off duty. Understand?

Yes, it's for Portugal, Elias.

- Good evening. - Hello, João.

Oh, hello.

Come on, go to bed. Tomorrow is a working day, remember?

- João. Have a beer with us? - That was great, Doc. Really good.

- You told him. - Here you go.

Sir, I'm proud of you.

"Order is not a spontaneous product of society."

"It's the outcome of intelligence and authority."

You've got a silver tongue, but it's gold I want.

- Three. - Once more.

- I didn't write this. - Yeah, fine. Go.

- Four. - It was Professor Oliveira Salazar.

- That makes sense. - Yeah, it makes sense.

Go on, four.

I don't understand.

What?

There are three reasons why you'd be doing this, as far as I know.

Money? No. Presumably, it's one of the others.

Either it is extortion...

or it's out of conviction.

So, which one is it, then?

Is that the reel with the interview?

- I'll take it to RARET now. - Okay.

The comrade who was with me was taken by the police.

I'm brand new at RARET.

We've got to get that fucking reel back before it's too late. Put this on.

Take mine.

Here.

Don't move! Stop the car.

Don't move!

Where's the reel?

The reel!

- What? - Don't play dumb.

The reel you're taking to RARET.

The reel!

There was only one reel in the car.

Ursula is our only solution.

We use her already?

You only became close so that we were able to use her when we needed to.

But we weren't due to meet today.

Only two translators on the job in Lisbon.

I'll handle the other one.

Yes?

Ursula, it's Franco.

Adam was involved in an accident.

He got hit by a car just outside his house.

Was he badly hurt?

- What will happen to him? - Uh...

Just broke his leg.

The main problem is that there's going to be a broadcast today,

and it needs to be checked urgently.

Then I'll have to come.

That's right. Your transport will arrive soon.

Thank you.

- Good afternoon, sir. - Good afternoon.

You know the drill by now.

If you wouldn't mind opening the boot as well? Thank you, sir.

Have you stepped up security?

You may carry on, sir.

I apologise for being late. I had some personal problems.

You'll have to talk to Ramiro.

I warn you, he has little tolerance for being late.

It won't happen again.

Transmitters that are on are two and one.

I'm still not acclimatising to this weather.

It must be such a big change,

living in Lisbon, then suddenly coming to Glória.

I like it quiet, though.

It's not always peace and quiet.

You wait for one of the gatherings with the Americans.

Are you usually invited to those?

No, but I worked on the last Fourth of July.

They had fireworks there too.

Please, may I ask you a question?

Yes?

Is it true you were in the war?

Yes, in Angola. Why?

How was it? War?

I'm sorry for asking, but my fiancé's just about to leave...

I'm sure he'll do everything he can to avoid getting hurt.

Good afternoon, Mrs. Ursula. How are you?

Uh... Getting by, as they say.

Have a seat, and I shall bring you your tea.

Uh... I don't have time today. How about to the studio?

Yes, I can do that.

So good of you.

Here's the keys.

The reel's in there. When you're done, lock the door.

- Yes? - It's only me.

I have your tea.

- Close the door, please, if you would. - Yes.

Lenin, unlike all of his successors,

including the current ones,

has never been a hypocrite.

He has never been...

João...

- ...until the development... - João...

What are you doing? You can't be in here.

João...

Can you please leave?

- I've got work that has to be done. - I don't care.

Oh.

- I'm listening. - Gonçalo.

- Yes, sir. - We need the interview with the general.

Okay, I'll go get the reel. Okay.

Gonçalo!

- Two of the valves are burnt. - I'll have a look later.

Not later. Ah, ah, ah, ah...

- James asked me to pick up the reel. - Who's your chief, hmm?

This was way too risky.

So, which transmitter was it?

Just come on, come on.

I have to go to the bathroom. Just give me a minute.

- We'll leave together. - No.

- We mustn't be seen. - Don't forget the keys.

Thank you.

Quickly, go now.

BATHROOMS

Gonçalo?

Can I help you?

I need you to open the door and give the reel to me.

STUDIO 3

Um...

It's fine, honestly. I can take it to the broadcast room.

No, no, don't worry. James called me and gave the instruction to me.

I will, therefore.

- You from Maryland, too? - Yeah.

Yeah, for about 150 years.

I've never tried these. What do you call them?

Cheetos.

- Can I? - Yes, please.

I read in Diário de Notícias that the US tested a new missile

capable of carrying ten nuclear warheads.

Well, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Let's hope there will not be a bloodbath in Czechoslovakia.

Yeah. Speaking of which,

we should be about to broadcast the interview with Boris Barkov.

Who is he?

A Russian general who turned against the regime.

- Shall we go to the table? - Mmm.

- Please. - Yes.

Please, this way.

- João. - Oh, thank you.

Uh, Sofia, Ramiro...

My wife's cooking is something to behold.

Well...

Otília.

- I hope you'll enjoy tonight's... - Who's speaking?

One moment, sir.

Senhor James, it's Senhor Bill.

- I'll take it in the office. - Mmm.

Excuse me.

Sofia, I didn't realise that you had been a nurse.

Oh, yeah. Uh...

- Oh, when I got married, I had to quit. - How long have you been married?

- For six... - Six years now.

You know, maybe you can help me.

I'm preparing to vaccinate the children in the village from tuberculosis, and...

Well, actually, my wife already has a lot to do, with the household...

- Yeah. - Mmm.

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have to go back to the broadcast studio.

I can go with you.

It's not necessary. It shouldn't take long.

I'll be back shortly. Carry on.

Another drink?

I want the name of every person in touch with the reel before transmission.

General?

Yes, it's you.

The man dies. The problem dies with him.

Czechoslovakia was tonight invaded by troops from the Warsaw Pact.

According to the report from Prague,

the tanks that have taken to the streets number in their thousands.

Given tonight's invasion,

it seems the country will be remaining under Soviet rule,

bringing an end to the Prague Spring and socialist democratisation

that Dubček was advocating against the regime in Moscow.

Agency confirmed. Russia controls Czechoslovakia.

You told me security had been reinforced after the car attack.

It was.

No one came in or out who was not authorised to be here.

And we searched everyone.

We have a KGB agent inside RARET.

We have to find and eliminate him.