Original subtitles

This story is inspired by real events.

The people and events shown were created for artistic purposes.

Any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Previously.

If you disrespect me, they'll hang you, fucking Indian.

-[gunshot] -[screams]

Run away, Doroteo. Run away, Son.

[Villa narrates] My life has always been a tragedy.

-[Urbina] You like livestock? -Well, yeah.

I know a ranch further down the road.

You get what I mean?

Stealing is wrong, Doroteo.

You know I've always told you that.

Fate brought me here. I'm not looking for forgiveness.

And I'd rather be an outlaw than have my family want for anything.

[birds chirping]

[horse nickers]

Did you lose something, my friend?

If you brought other men,

I have plenty of bullets.

I'm Silvestre Terrazas.

Journalist.

Editor of "El corrido de Chihuahua."

I'm alone. Can we talk?

Have a seat.

I came because Don Abraham González wants to meet you.

He's the leader of the Chihuahua Anti-Reelectionist Party.

What for and why?

We saw you kill Claro Reza.

Don Abraham told me,

"I must meet that man.

We need him."

Don't think I go around killing everyone who comes up to me.

But traitors piss me off.

Loyalty.

One more reason to meet Don Abraham.

It's a great opportunity, Mr. Villa.

Opportunity for what?

To stop being hunted...

and become someone more important.

Transcendental.

[footsteps approaching]

[lamp clicks]

[González] Good evening, sir.

You must be very shrewd and stealthy to have bypassed security.

I like that.

Put your gun away. You won't need it.

[footsteps approaching]

May God bless you this evening, Don Abraham González.

You're very calm.

Not afraid or anything.

I like that too.

Take a seat, Don Pancho.

I've been looking into you.

If you were here to kill me,

[laughs] I wouldn't be speaking with you.

But let's get down to business. Time is precious.

How much do you know about my party or Francisco Madero?

-[papers thump onto table] -The San Luis Plan.

A call to the Mexican people to raise arms against Porfirio Díaz.

Our motto is "effective voting, no reelection."

[Villa narrates] Abraham González gave me a lesson in Mexican history.

What I liked and understood best

was the part about taking from the rich to give to the poor.

He asked me to join him, to recruit men for the cause.

I thought, "Why not?" And I swore my loyalty to him.

PANCHO VILLA

PANCHO VILLA CENTAUR OF THE NORTH

Porfirio Díaz governed Mexico for over thirty years in his own style.

He had Indian blood, and used silly makeup to whiten his skin.

He used to say, "Poor Mexico, so far from God, and so close to the U.S."

But he allowed the Americans to exploit our trains, mines and lands.

He repressed striking workers who demanded eight-hour workdays

and the same salary foreign miners were receiving.

He sent rurales to shoot strikers, with support from gringo rangers,

who went back and forth across the border freely.

That ignited the Revolution.

Díaz's main opponent was Francisco Madero, exiled in Texas.

A weird guy.

He believed in spiritualism and freemasonry as much as democracy.

When the dictator Díaz reelected himself once again,

Madero called to start the Revolution up North

on November 20, 1910.

Pancho, it's time to launch the campaign.

Pascual Orozco rose up.

Who is he?

Orozco is a merchant who has trafficked arms on the border,

to help our cause,

and who doesn't have a good relationship with the ranchers.

When Madero called the people to revolt, Orozco and a few brave men

were the first ones to attack the federal guards in Ciudad Guerrero.

[Villa] I bet he earned everyone's respect!

[González] That's right, sir.

I'm going up north to support Orozco

and to prepare Madero's entrance.

You'll head south to gather all the people you can

and then go to San Andrés,

where you'll ask for Cástulo Herrera.

I know you'll be able to obey, and complete the task,

for the sake of our just cause.

I promised you. My word is my bond.

Just tell me which city we'll take first.

To show them that the Revolution means business, Chihuahua, the capital.

Or Ciudad Juárez.

REPUBLIC OF MEXICO

UNITED STATES - TEXAS

NEW MEXICO CIUDAD JUÁREZ

-[Villa] Whoa. -Pancho Villa?

I'm Cástulo Herrera.

My pleasure. At your service.

We'll go into the town.

We haven't seen any federal guards but we need to stay alert.

We're told that they left yesterday.

That's why everything's so quiet.

Let's see if they left equipment or anything in the garrison.

-Villa. -[horse whinnies]

Go and buy provisions.

There's money in these saddlebags.

Let's go!

-[chatter] -[hooves clattering]

Hello.

Anybody here?

[storekeeper] I'll be right with you.

What can I do for you? What do you need?

Well, everything.

My troops are outside.

-That explains all the horses out there. -Aye.

Yes, but what I need most is

to know your name, miss.

[laughs] Oh my God. What for?

Well, so I can brag that I know you.

María de la Luz.

I go by Lucita.

What about you?

What's your name?

My name is Francisco Villa.

I go by Pancho,

but you can call me anything you want, beautiful.

So, are you gonna tell me what you need? Or will we be here all day?

Well, everything in sight.

And if you have any liquor, that too.

Are you gonna pay for it?

Sure, Lucita, I'm a revolutionary.

What's that?

Look, a man named Madero rose up against Don Porfirio.

And we're supporting him.

Really?

But Don Porfirio has been President since my grandma was young.

That Madero must be crazy.

And you too.

Yes, yes I am.

Crazy because I found someone like you.

Tell me your list and I'll get everything to you later.

[sheep bleats]

My man.

[Urbina] The federal guards went up North.

Herrera ordered to keep watch at the station while the troops eat.

What about us? We just sit and wait?

What can I tell you?

We'll just have to obey.

I'll go get the men.

[distant train whistle]

[birds chirping]

Here comes the train, man!

[train whistle blows]

Let's go.

[train bell clangs]

[engine hisses]

Want some beef tacos, boys?

On this side. This way. Come on, this way, this way.

Come on, come on, come on.

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

-Don't shut it off. Step on it! Let's go! -[shots continue]

[engine squeals, hisses]

Hey man, wait! We don't know how many there are.

[Villa narrates] That small victory tasted of glory.

And one could get used to that taste.

-[Herrera] Hooray for the Revolution! -[revolutionaries cheering, shouting]

Enough! Don't waste any more bullets, men!

Let them celebrate, man.

Celebrate what? That they did nothing?

We scattered the guards, not you.

Son of a bitch.

Now, Lucita. What did you bring?

I'm starving. Come on.

[Villa narrates] Thanks to Silvestre Terrazas...

[soldier] Let's go! Move!

...we learned that in the train we attacked was the feared General Juan Navarro,

who Porfirio Díaz himself had sent to subdue us.

-[Navarro] All right? -[soldiers] Yes, sir!

[Navarro] I want them in threes at the back. Now!

A telegram from him

said that many Federales were coming with Navarro to stop us.

[Navarro] The First Brigade will come with me to Tecolote Hill to catch Herrera.

MEXICAN TELEGRAPH OFFICE Chih.

The Second Brigade...

Take cover, take cover, assholes.

-Cover me. -[explosions]

Cástulo's men have arrived.

-Let's go, man. Let's go. -Move it, move it!

[Urbina] Move it!

[groans]

-Move, move it, General. -[shots continue]

Forward.

Cover the other flanks.

[shots continue]

Come on, lie down.

Get down, General!

We gotta run, man.

We gotta leave reinforcements, that's it.

Okay. That's right.

[neighs]

Stop the advance. Cease fire!

[Villa narrates] Tricking them with our hats,

we managed to barely get away.

How are you, Villa?

Good.

It just grazed me.

But I have a question.

If you could hear the gunfire from here, why didn't you help us?

It's better if four die rather than five.

Besides, your orders were to wait on this side.

But you're not good at understanding orders, are you?

By the way, I got a message from Pascual Orozco.

Get ready. He wants us to enter Ciudad Guerrero all together.

That son of a bi...

Hey, take it easy, man.

It's not worth it, hmm?

Best if I gather your troops.

Get to Ciudad Guerrero and tell them we can't support them,

they'll have to manage on their own.

Yes sir, General. [tutting]

Good afternoon.

"The doctor won't be arriving with the medicines."

So you know someone near Ciudad Guerrero who's sick?

Too bad!

And what a coincidence.

[Villa narrates] In the end I did meet Orozco,

the man everyone was talking about.

The government made a first gesture for a cease fire.

They just want to buy time and screw us over.

Francisco Madero and Abraham González are in Texas getting support and weapons.

Cástulo, you'll head north to escort them

-and help however needed. -But I think...

You'll do as I order, as you should.

What about us?

We'll be up against General Navarro.

Or up against Porfirio Díaz himself, if need be.

Right. We'll go where there's fighting.

That'll be all, gentlemen.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like a word in private with Mr. Villa.

[horse neighs]

Francisco,

your reputation precedes you.

You're a man with great... passion.

But war demands discipline and respect for orders.

You can't behave like you're in a gang of outlaws.

-Cástulo Herrera told me you were... -Mr. Orozco,

we all have a past.

I left mine behind.

Nor do I go around gossiping about yours.

-But you can't talk to me like this. -And know this...

Know this,

I wasn't born to obey anyone's orders.

And to avoid arguing with you, I'll continue the fight,

but on my own.

Hey, Francisco Madero ordered you to stay...

I don't even know Francisco Madero!

Abraham González invited me.

He embodies the Revolution for me!

And I hope that's clear.

[horse neighs]

Listen carefully, Terrazas.

The situation is very difficult.

The rebel forces are growing.

The Americans say that if a civil war breaks out,

they'll have to get involved to protect their interests.

Don Porfirio doesn't want an invasion.

Nobody does, General, but...

You can correct that

by offering the rebels a pact from the President.

Think about it.

After all, they trust you.

Very well.

I'll do it.

But on one condition:

I want an audience with Don Porfirio.

Don Porfirio, I remember what you said

to a foreign journalist a couple of years ago:

"The Indians are used to being guided by those with authority.

They're unable to think on their own," you said.

Very true.

The poor are ignorant and don't understand power.

They inherited that from the Spaniards.

Submission.

I've been forced to stay to make them progress.

Now you're afraid of an armed revolution.

Do you want to offer the rebels a pact?

I'm afraid of the suffering that a civil war brings.

I have seen it.

I bet the Americans will invade us because we're unable to agree.

What can I do?

Go to Chihuahua and try to calm everyone down.

This is my proposal.

They either accept it or a lot of blood will be shed.

If Madero wakes up that tiger,

we'll see if he is capable of taming it.

[Villa narrates] Francisco Madero entered Mexican territory

with an army of 800 men.

The Federales immediately met them with gunfire.

He barely managed to escape.

HOORAY F. I. MADERO

EFFECTIVE VOTING, NO REELECTION.

What a miracle.

I thought I'd never see you again.

Well, I came here because I want to get married.

Oh, goodness. To whom?

To some beautiful gal from around here.

I don't know her.

If you have a mirror, I'll show her to you.

[Lucita's mother] Oh, really?

Let's see if he measures up.

I'm not just gonna hand over my daughter Luz, Mr. Villa.

[Villa] Why's that?

Have I done any harm to you or your family?

No. You just wanna steal her heart.

If you haven't stolen it already.

Mamá Elena!

Mr. Villa is here because he told me he wanted a shirt. I swear.

Mmm...

If you're so kindly making a shirt for me...

...could you also think about Lucita and I getting married?

-As it should be. -[Elena] Oh, really?

Don't tell me you're gonna fire off shots wearing my brown shirt?

I hadn't thought about that.

I'd look really good killing Federales, right?

You don't say. Well, wear it often then.

Let me just tell you one thing.

Put one single hole in that shirt, and you won't be marrying my Lucita.

[Villa gasps]

Just to end up suffering? No, God forbid.

Pancho Villa, my man!

You're so young! I wanted to meet you and give you a hug.

There is much talk about you.

Much obliged, Mr. Madero.

Don Abraham and Orozco will catch up with us soon.

[Villa] In half a day, my men can move

and concentrate wherever you want.

I've been told they're more than 700. We just need weapons.

In a few months, you've managed to gather more than 700 rebels.

Very good, Pancho.

This book is about spirituality and the occult.

It's the science that allows you to communicate with past lives.

You can even talk to the dead.

I'll be damned!

[exhales]

Well, no...

You're a refined man... and you read.

I respect you for that.

Why should I deny it?

I was an outlaw and I can barely read.

Wherever I went, I was hunted like a rabid dog.

I know I'm not liked by everyone.

And that I've made many mistakes.

But I've changed. I swear!

If you don't believe me, ask your dead men.

I want to do something with what I've learned in this cursed life.

I want my own death to serve some purpose.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I'll talk to the press, Pancho, so they know you've changed.

And that you are an honorable man.

[Villa narrates] After that, I felt like Don Francisco was a father,

who had forgiven all my misdeeds.

If we take the capital, Chihuahua,

it will shock the international press and public opinion.

It'll be very difficult without more ammunition.

I feel the same way. The Federal garrison is powerful

and they'll have time to get reinforcements when we mobilize.

It's more feasible to take Ciudad Juárez. It's closer for us.

And it'll be easier for us to get weapons from the U.S.

Exactly. It's very close to our friends up North.

I wouldn't want to have any problems with them.

I'm glad all our officers agree.

Let's see how long before Villa says he doesn't take orders.

I gave Mr. Madero my word.

In the meantime, you and I will coordinate

so we're not screwing around once the bullets fly.

So, what will it be first?

Chihuahua or Ciudad Juárez?

Easy, Pancho.

Democracy means knowing how to listen and searching for ways out.

I'll consult with my advisers.

I'll confirm with you as soon as we make a sensible decision.

[Villa narrates] General Navarro moved few troops to Ciudad Juárez.

That's the bridge with the gringos: it shouldn't go to the Revolution.

That's why we moved close to Ciudad Juárez,

to receive more weapons from the border.

Until one of Mr. Madero's famous "advisers" arrived.

Someone named Venustiano Carranza.

And so the days passed... until we got bored.

Orozco and I didn't agree with all the excessive chatting,

so we decided to make peace for the sake of the Revolution.

When I was a kid, I learned

that there are two ways to settle issues between men:

with bullets or games.

Since we're on the same side, we'll have to play.

Your horse or mine, for the winner!

[all] Yeah!

[crowd cheers]

[horse approaches]

Not bad at all. Let's see if he can match that.

[cheers]

Man, his hand slipped.

Hey! Bullseye!

[laughs] That's it!

-[crowd cheers] -[man] Hooray for Villa!

-[man] Hooray for Pancho! -[all] Hooray!

Here I am, Pancho. With my trap shut tight.

You win.

Yes, I won,

but you're in command, General.

We're at your command and you have our respect.

[man] Long live the General!

-Out with this bad government! -[all] Out with it!

Long live the Revolution!

[all] Long live the Revolution!

-Long live Pancho Villa! -[woman] Long live Pancho Villa!

-Right! -[gunshots]

-Hooray! -Long live Villa!

-[man] Long live the Revolution! -[all] Hooray!

If our troops attack and bullets reach the United States,

we've already been warned.

Their army would have to intervene and I don't think that would be right.

-We should... -[Villa narrates] That Carranza

was a rich, pompous land baron raised in a solid gold bassinet.

It gave me a bad feeling

that he was there only for his own interests and those of his class.

That is why we must assure Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson that...

Excuse me, gentlemen.

What the hell does the gringo ambassador have to do with the Mexican Revolution?

Pancho, I beg you, let Don Venustiano Carranza speak.

He's a very important man who has supported our movement.

[Villa] Oh, yeah?

What army does he command?

How many men has he killed?

How many times has he been wounded like us?

[Terrazas] President Díaz

has offered to retreat the army from Coahuila, Sonora and Chihuahua.

-And to hold free elections. -Free elections?

Just like thirty years ago?

Do you believe him?

[Orozco] What do you think?

I don't think, I just get pissed.

People will think we're a bunch of cowards.

So much time spent here and we look like this.

Too many opinions is the problem.

I don't know about you, Villa,

but I didn't take up arms first for nothing.

I feel the same. I don't know anything about politics.

What are we gonna do?

Whatever you all decide.

May 10, 1911.

[rooster crows at a distance]

[Villa, in English] Dude, you speak Spanish?

El Paso, Texas.

[in Spanish] Bring me the usual, a double strawberry milk shake.

Hey, Colonel, isn't it too early for a milk shake?

Well, it's too early to start a battle.

-But what can we do about it? -[rooster crows]

No, that's right.

You know what? Bring me one too, but make it a single.

[dog barks in the distance]

-[rooster crows] -[dog continues barking]

[horse neighs]

Ah, Gustavo, please tell Ambassador Wilson not to worry.

I ordered our troops to retreat.

But Francisco, Orozco and Villa are right.

That will give Porfirio Díaz more time

to prepare his defense in Juárez, or Chihuahua, or wherever.

[revolutionaries shout]

[man] They're coming!

[Villa narrates] Mr. Madero sent a note to General Navarro saying:

"Juárez will not be attacked."

But we had a different plan.

-[explosion] -What was that?

[distant gunshots]

[distant explosions]

-[explosions continue] -[horse neighs]

-[gunshots continue] -[explosions continue]

That Madero has no word of honor.

He said they wouldn't attack so we'd let our guard down.

I understand there's another rebel battalion

at the other end, very close to the cemetery.

They've cut off all water and power.

If we don't stop them, they'll soon surround us.

[distant gunshots]

Reposition those cannons and mortars.

And open artillery fire at will from both fronts.

[soldier] Yes, General.

[lieutenant] But General, if we fire from here,

we could hurt our own troops or even civilians.

This is a battle, not a party, Lieutenant.

Gather all available cavalry and open fire.

That's an order!

And I won't repeat it.

At your command, General.

[distant gunshots continue]

Mr. Madero, gentlemen,

we were in El Paso when all this began.

Orozco, I gave my word that we would not attack!

Well, yeah, but it's too late for that.

We're here for a Revolution,

and what's a revolution without a revolt?

Colonel Villa, I order you to stop that attack.

[Villa] Mr. Madero,

-I have enormous respect for you... -[explosion]

...but that won't be possible.

We won't let our men die.

-With permission, General Orozco and I... -[explosion]

-...will lead our men. -[explosion]

-Ready? -[men] Yes, Colonel. Ready.

-Let's go! -[revolutionaries shout]

-[revolutionaries continue shouting] -[explosion]

[shouts continue]

[explosions continue]

[gunshots continue]

Now, assholes!

-You wanted a Revolution? -[explosions]

-Let's give it all we got. -[explosions]

What's our strategy, Colonel?

-Our strategy? -[explosions]

You have lots of bullets?

-[all] Yes, Colonel! -[explosions]

Right on.

-Like the Apaches. -[explosions]

Let's get 'em!

And beat the shit out of them!

-We're gonna surprise them. -[explosions]

Let's go, Urbina. Let's go!

[horse neighs]

[horse neighs]

-This is all very strange, isn't it, man? -[horse neighs]

Where is everyone?

[Villa] I don't know.

[gunshots]

[Urbina] Let's go, man. Oh! Take cover, man.

[horse neighs]

[Villa] Let's go, man!

[gunshots continue]

[Villa] Everyone, out!

Get out of the square!

-The dynamite, the dynamite. -[gunfire]

Give it to me, man, give it to me. Give it to me, give it to me.

-[gunshots] -[explosion]

-Hurry, come. -Man.

[Villa] Stay back, don't go in!

[Urbina] Look, man.

I'll create a diversion so when I see them, you destroy them, okay?

Don't worry.

Oh, they're shooting from both sides. Come on.

Man, bring the miners. Have them knock down the wall.

You're gonna get to the garrison house by house?

There's no choice. I'll cover you, man. It's my turn.

[Urbina] Come on. Hurry, hurry!

Hurry up! Everyone get inside!

Hurry, man!

Come on! Knock down the wall, let's go!

[man] Don't stop!

Come on, come on, come on!

That's good, that's good, that's good!

Man, bring the people!

Got it.

Come on, everyone inside!

Inside!

Hurry inside!

[revolutionaries shout]

[man shrieking]

Come on, man!

[explosion]

[gunshots]

Clear, Colonel.

[Villa] They're firing from up there, man!

Let's hit them. I'll get him. I'll cover you. I'll cover.

Go, go.

Hurry!

Hurry, man.

I'll cover you.

[Urbina] Get inside, man.

[Villa] Go, man, go.

[man screams in distance]

Man, there are some in the back.

Throw some dynamite for me, man.

Man, there are Federales everywhere.

I'm coming, I'm coming. Hang on.

Do it, man, do it.

Throw it, throw it, man.

That's right!

To the garrison!

-Come on, hurry! -[shouting]

[Urbina] Let's go! Hurry up, everyone. Cover the Colonel.

[distant gunshots]

[distant gunshots continue]

[men speaking in the distance]

[Navarro] Kill them all.

[lieutenant] You heard the General. Prepare to attack.

Let's go!

-[Villa] Blow them up, blow them up. -[Urbina] Coming, coming.

[shouting]

Take aim!

Take their weapons!

[revolutionary] Hands up.

[soldier] We surrender.

-[soldier 2] Don't shoot. -[soldier 3] Don't shoot.

-Colonel. -General.

As I said, at your command.

Urbina, go get the others.

Let's go.

CENTRAL GARRISON II MILITARY ZONE

[shouting]

[revolutionary] Villa!

-[Urbina] Colonel Villa! Look! -What is it?

-[Urbina] Bring that pig. -What's going on?

[Urbina] Look, look. This old man wanted to escape.

He's not a soldier.

No.

[Spanish accent] I'm a hunter.

I've been at the bell tower,

slaughtering your dirty fucking Indians.

And I would do it all over again.

[trigger clicks three times]

Translated by Michelle Bradley