Original subtitles

VACATION WITH A GANGSTER

Screenplay: Ennio De Concini, Dino Risi Story: Dino Risi

The story we're about to tell you begins in a September day of one of these years-

But we can also begin it this way:

There once was, on a cliff above the sea, an old castle transformed into a prison.

In that castle, every morning,

a group of detainees was taken to the big carpentry hall...

to start their day's work.

A poetical and curious work, and, we might even say, somehow cruel.

Just imagine those poor souls were condemned to make toys.

Dolls, wooden trains, papier-mâché horses...

.. so, the children's phantasy's delicate tools were made by hands that, one day,

armed, had wounded or killed.

Our story begins now.

Watch this man and the gestures he's making.

His name is of no interest. He has become a number.

That number is important. Let's remember it: 5823.

Like the castaway's bottle thrown into the ocean,

that little horse now starts its journey.

Following it, we'll see the whims of chance, or of fate, as you like best.

Stop!

Guys, look, a little horse!

- Look how the car wrecked it! You'd say it's a pizza! - A massacre!

- Throw it away! - Wait!

- What is it? A note? - Yes.

- Well? - What does it sa? - Wait!

Listen:

"Kid, this note was written by number 5823,

sentenced to 20 years in the Monteforte prison.

The people have abandoned me.

Upon God's name, I swear I'm innocent!

Help me!"

- Get inside. Come on! - Close it!

It's worth living for such an enterprise!

I don't know if you realize the luck we've had!

We must act very cautiously! Nobody mustn't know anything!

No one besides us!

Is that clear?

What do you plan on doing?

Monteforte sull Mare... Al right! We'll go this summer. On holiday.

- This summer?! And wait for months?! - You can't plan an escape in one day!

- How about the Count of Monte Cristo? - No, we must act right away!

- Wait a sec! Who's in command here? - I am! I found the note!

- That's not a reason. - I'm the strongest!

That's what you say!

Who's the boss?

- Who's the boss? - You are.

Now you're talking...

- Are you all with me? - I am. - Me also!

Now, listen to my plan.

First thing, we must all be passed.

Passed at all courses?! How do we do that?!

- We'll make it, you'll see! - Without learning?

Maybe we'll have to learn, but it doesn't matter. Something else does

- What? - We must find money.

- Money?! - Lots of money! 20-30,000 lire at least!

- What for? - It's an escape we're planning.

- Is an escape that expensive? - Of course!

- How will we find it? - Sharpen our minds!

- Well, what about it? - What about it

- How much? - As we've agreed: 200 lire a day.

- 200 a day? - Yes.

- Forget it! 100 tops. - 180.

120.

- 160. - 140.

150. Come on, let's have it.

- Hey, advance payment! - Hands off.

- 150. Go. - There's 10 lire missing.

Alright, alright...

Come on, guys! The big prisoner's day! 20 lire prisoner stamps! Special edition!

Easy, easy guys! One at a time!

- Here. - What's this stamp thing?

- Stamps for prisoners. - What prisoners?

- Those in prisons, who else?! - Well, so what?

- Would you like being in prison? And innocent, besides. - No.

Then, buy stamps for the innocent prisoners!

Buy and show that the class leader heart hasn't turned to ice yet!

Give me one.

5 stamps for the class leader! Long live!

The teacher!

Today I'll read you a few pages...

.. from a Risorgimento writer...

.. Silvio Pellico.

The book is called: "My Ten Years' Imprisonment".

"On the 10th of April we arrived at our place of destination,

.. the dreaded fortress of Spielberg.

Within it are imprisoned some three hundred wretches,

for the most part robbers and assassins.

some condemned to hard prison, others to that called very hard prison,

This HARD IMPRISONMENT comprehends compulsory,

daily labour, to wear chains on the legs,

to sleep upon bare boards, and to eat the worst imaginable food.

The very hard, signifies being chained in a more horrible manner,

one part of the iron being fixed in the wall,

united to a hoop round the body of the prisoner... "

- What're you up to?! - Half an hour! Half an hour we've been waiting!

- Hurry up, kids! - He's right! It's been one hour!

23,855.

- One, two... - Wait! There's also these!

.. three, four, five... six!

Latin... three!

History and Geography... four!

Mathematics... five... Sports... seven!

Well done!

Soldarri...

Eight... Nine... Nine... Ten... Nine... Well done, Soldarri!

You are still the first! Well done!

Such a jerk! Look at the airs he's putting on!

We're done for!

Farewell, holiday. Farewell, innocent.

I have an idea!

Really?! You'll really take me in your gang?

Yes, but I've told you with what condition.

You'll do our homework, and prompt us when questioned.

And I, being the boss, I'll allow you to take part in the escape.

Thank you, Gianni!

Be a man!

Nino, the note...

- Swear upon this. Do you know the oath? - Yes.

On this message I do swear, upon my honour as a man,

I'll follow Gianni's orders and I'll fight for the release of the innocent prisoner...

.. giving the Monte Cristo gang...

- giving the Monte Cristo gang... - My blood.

- your blood. - Your blood!

.. my blood and, if need be, my life.

I moreover swear I'll not betray the secret I've been entrusted with to no living soul.

From this moment on you're also one of the Monte Cristo gang!

Hey, guys! Look!

- The prison! The Monteforte prison! - That's where we have to go?

Of course! At Monteforte! - And it all depends on you!

On me?!

How much does it take him to look at the grades?!

Here he is!

- How did it go? - Almost all of you have passed.

What do you mean "almost all"?!

- All except one. - Me?

I'd have sworn! It was that cowardly Maths teacher!

It doesn't matter. A flunk didn't kill anyone.

Then, you won't be able to come with us at Monteforte?

Sure I'll come!

- I don't have to ask for permission. - That's true. You're an orphan...

You didn't have to sweat to convince mother to let us go to Monteforte.

From now on, only one thing matters.

To free the innocent!

Andrea! Where're you going? How many times must I tell you not to leave on your own?

- Andrea! Andrea! - Let's go to the hotel.

Boys, take the suitcases! Move it, boys!

Write. 3rd of July, 0900 hours. Everything as I imagined.

I proceeded to a careful examination of penitentiary's walls using a telescope.

The wall is smooth.

Barred windows.

I think that escaping with a rope must be impossible.

Guys! Look, guys!

Yes, guys, it's true! A white signal!

Go check if it's dried.

"Parts of the old walls can bee seen from the sea.

Deep cracks grant the access, in some points,

to tunnel-cells corresponding to old secrets.

Freddy, look what you've done! You've wet all our money!

A cave!

Courage! Come on, get in!

Help! Help!

If we don't find the passageway, we'll never be able to free the innocent!

Gianni, look what I've found! A piece from a skeleton!

Maybe it's a human bone...

A chicken bone... Super stuff...

And still... And still, something tells me the passageway is here!

And if it's here, we must find it! Let's go!

Wait a sec!

- Wasn’t Annibale with you? - No.

Where's is he, then?

He's up there! Let's go!

Guys! This way! Come! Come!

What is it, Annibale?

- Let's go in! - Come on, courage!

- What a cave... - It's cold!

A big one!

Anniba'!

Annibale!

That way!

- Here he is! - Annibale!

Have you heard?

It's empty!

Guys! We've found the passageway!

Is anybody in here?

What do you want?

6 flash-lights, a lantern, one crowbar, a blowtorch, a wrench,

2 picks, an axe, a pick-lock, a fuse, 6 yards of rope, a chipping pick.

I'll call grandpa.

We'd need dynamite here...

Guys, I can't go on! I can't even close my fingers.

Did you think it was like at the movies?

Or like in the adventure novels?

Reality is different, my boys...

Here we'd have needed that Wizard Baku;

he'd have touched the door with his magic rod, like this...

.. and the door would have o...

- It's opened! - Look, guys! A tunnel!

- Yes, a tunnel! - Like in the book! - It'll lead us to the secrets!

Forward! Who's got guts? Follow me!

- And now? Where to? - Wait.

Let's see. Hold this...

There!

Let's take that path first.

"MILITARY ZONE DO NOT ENTER"

Let's go! What kind of a man are you? Scared by a bat?!

Come on, boy. Come on. Come here. Come here.

- It's looking at you. - No, at you.

Oh my God! It's looking at me!

It's leaving!

Come on, boy! Come here!

Silence! The prison is above us!

Guys, we're there!

You go, Nino.

- Me?! - Yes, you're smaller.

It's full of prisoners! Must be at least 200!

Let me see!

I'm sorry for the love birds, but, if they want it, they'll have to walk to us.

- Or swim... - If they can...

We've made it!

Let's go!

- Know what they told me this morning? - What?

- That there even is a prison! - Can't be!

Oh yes! With more than 400 lifers!

We should stay indoors!

- And I who left the drawers opened! - Hope it isn't a penal colony!

- You think we didn't? - Who made us do this?

Look at that one! An escapee!

Come and see! Made from real horn! Classy combs! Sir!

Through combing your hair?

Am I bothering you?

Now that we've found the passageway, we should enter the prison,

by night, take the guards out, even if we have to kill them!

Kill them?!

- But there must be at least one hundred... - So what? A nice machine gun!

- Rather put them to sleep than kill them. - Gianni, what do you think?

Are you dreaming?!

You aren't even listening! And we're giving it all we've got!

I'm listening, but these are not matters to be decided lightly.

- We have lots of time to think about it. - I have an idea.

Come on, let's hear it.

- I thought sending him... - A tank?

No. A note. To let him know we're working for him.

And how will you send it to him?

- In a cake. - In a cake?!

A cake with a note inside. A note that could say, for instance:

"Be in the yard at midnight. We'll come to set you free.

The Monte Cristo gang found the horse. "

This is a good idea!

- What do you think, Andrea? - Well...

Approved. But, just a second...

Who's going to give him the cake?

You!

Al right, al right! You go buy it, and I'll catch up with you later.

- It'll work out. - It was the best they had!

- Couldn't I cut a slice? - Are you nuts or what?

I mean, for the prisoner’s health...

- Have you written? - Yes.

Someone's coming! The cake, quickly!

Here!

Oh, it's you. Finally! We were waiting for you.

Look, Gianni!

- It's a nice cake. - And good, also!

- And the note? - Here it is.

Listen.

"Dear innocent, soon, the bell will toll for your release!"

"Be ready, because we have discovered a secret passageway!"

"Don't forget to swallow this piece of paper as soon as you've read it. "

"Goodbye. The Monte Cristo gang who found the horse. "

- It's alright. - Give it to me.

- What do you want? - I've brought a package for a prisoner.

That way.

Where're you going?

- For the number 5823. - And what is 5823's name?

Hello. Hello?! Hello!?

We are the guards. What?

I can't hear a thing!

- Hey, you1 What was that number? 1,... - 5823.

- Who could have sent this? - What's it to you, if it's good? Come on, slice it!

It's good.

Could be something serious. The note is clear. It's an old gang.

The only thing I can't understand is what the hell is with this Monte Cristo gang...

And, then, that horse! A horse! What's that got to do with it?!

It's strange... We'll see. Pedro and Amalia were sent here for this.

- Tell me something soon! - Be sure I will. I'm looking for a way out for you anyway.

- What way? - I'll tell you when the moment comes.

Don't worry. And don't let them suspect anything!

- I'm relying a lot on this note. Try and find out. - Don't worry.

I'll do everything possible.

Let's go! The visit is over!

- I'll send you cigarettes... and something to eat. - Thanks.

The passageway is ready. We can remove the bars with two fingers.

- How will he get into the yard? - He'll be locked in his cell.

That's what's worrying me. Maybe I'll be able to talk to him. The guards know me now

Where will we hide him afterwards?

We'll find a place. Let's focus on getting him out for now.

Give me a hand!

- What time is it? - Four past eight.

Understand? The meeting was at seven.

What the hell can he be doing?!

He must be with that girl, isn't it?

See him on the buoy? Who knows what he might have told her?!

- Allowing himself to be tricked this way... - And by a woman of all things!

Wanna bet he told her everything?

If he's betrayed the oath, he'll have to deal with me

No! Gianni couldn't have done such a thing!

Know what? From now on, I'll assume command of the operation.

You? No, Andrea. You're not smart enough.

- Up to now, you haven't come up with anything! - You are not a leader.

It's looking bad, isn't it?

To think ten years ago it was the most beautiful ship in the harbour!

I sailed on it and saw all the ports in the Orient!

- And now? - It's abandoned.

The owners have disappeared before the end of the war.

- Is anybody sleeping on it? - Who could sleep on it?!

- A bum, maybe. - We can go aboard, then?

As far as I'm concerned...

Tell me something... How come you're hanging out with those kids?

They're my schoolmates.

And then... I've told you: we're up on something together.

On what?

- On something big! - I understand. You won't tell me...

I can't! There's an oath...

It must be pretty big, if you won't tell me...

But I don't want to know...

- You see - As soon as I met you, I trusted you...

.. and now I have to tell you something. Something very important!

I also have a secret I'd want to share with you, but you must promise me...

You can trust me! I swear!

You think I'm here to sing, don't you? To entertain people?

No, there's something much more important!

- What? - I'm here to help a prisoner escape!

- An innocent! - An innocent?

- Wouldn't it by any chance be... - Who?

- 5823. - Why? D'you know him? Know anything about him?

No. Don't cry, Amalia.

- He's my brother! - Your brother?!

- Yes! - We're also here to free him, Amalia!

- Really? - Yes, we've already set everything up!

Everything's ready for his escape!

We've found a passageway! That's why I sent him the cake! To let him know!

You'll see, Amalia, we'll set him free! One of these nights we'll set him! free

Orangeade, toffees!

- Toffees, orangeade! - Great news, guys!

Well? What's the matter with you?!

We've decided to put you on trial.

- On trial?! Me?! - Yes! You!

- What for? - For having talked with that woman today, on the buoy...

.. and for not having come at the meeting.

- You are stupid. - You're the one who's stupid!

- You want a correction, kid? - Why don't you try?

- Hey, guys, we can't quarrel now. - He's the one who started it!

I have the urge to leave you on your own!

- I'd like to see what you'd do... - Why? What did you do these last days?

- I've worked for you, if you want to know! - Great work...

You say I went for a walk with that girl, don't you?

Maybe you'd like to know who that girl is...

She's a singer, that's who she is!

- No, she's the innocent's sister! - What?!

- Who told you? - She did! She's here to free him!

- Like we are! And she's not the only one! - And who are the others?

One's an illusionist and the other one...

The other one we'll meet him tomorrow. The meeting is at four. On the beach!

Didn't you know there're guards everywhere?

That the alarm rings if you touch a bar?

- That there's the "Magic Eye"? - The "Magic Eye"? - Damn!

Yes. Leave these things to us, who are from the trade.

We'll get him to the tunnel, and you'll help him escape.

What did I tell you, guys? See I was right?

You shut up! And afterwards?

Good! Afterwards. That's the thing.

Because you understand the operation doesn't end here. They'll look for him,

they'll hunt him down! Even if he's innocent!

Maybe, they'll try to kill him!

I'm turning to you who want to take part with an artistic number, money, or gifts

in the show that, with the kind permission of the warden, officer Montinni,

we've been allowed to perform in support of the detainees...

.. the evening of the coming 7th, in the prison's show hall.

I'm sure my plea to your sensitivity and good heart will not have been for nought!

If there's anyone who wants in! Don't wait! Courage!

I'm giving these two combs worth 400 Lire!

We'll make sweets!

- I'll read poetry! - I can impersonate an air raid!

What's happening?

There's no one!

- What's the time? - One minute to midnight.

Here we go, then!

Listen! This is Amalia!

Here we are! They've turned the lights off!

Who is it?

- They're coming! - Silence!

Quickly! Let's go!

You two, that way! And you, that way! Go!

Los Angeles. A violent cloudburst has devastated the south part of Florida.

More than 2,000 families were left without homes.

- Nothing... Turn it off. - Damages are estimated at hundreds of...

- Are they going to the harbour? - No, to the hills.

Teams of armed volunteers have joined the police in the animated hunt,

but, till now, the search, extended to the entire area, has remained fruitless.

The mysterious three-headed dog, maybe child of a spinster's fantasy, is nowhere.

Our news bulletin ends here.

And now, pop music. "I Feel Yours", sung by Amalia Dorles.

- A pity Gianni isn't here. - Let's hope nothing happened to him.

Gianni!

- Let me breathe! Such a race! - How did it go?

He's al right and in safety!

- But he's wounded in the shoulder. Bandaged. - Wounded?!

Yes, here. But it's nothing serious. He's an extraordinary man!

- Let's hope they won't find him! - No. There's no danger of that.

That is a safe place. And then, they're looking for him on the hill.

- What did he say? - He sworn he'd die fighting!

That they won't catch him a second time!

He'd sooner die!

But first...

.. A massacre! He'll wack them all!

That's exactly what he said!

Guys, we've done a great job! He also said that!

But this is Amalia's voice...

- And where's she? - She's there, with him. They wanted to be left alone.

Who knows how long he hasn't seen her...

They embraced each other like they didn't want to let go ...

Listen, Gianni, you said he wanted to do a massacre. How come? Is he armed?

You bet he is! That big a revolver he's got!

His friends gave it to him! Calibre 9!

Open up! It's us!

Quickly! Quickly!

You, move it! Come on!

We've brought you some...

So, you are my liberators! My saviours.

The Monte Cristo gang...

Well, what're your names?

This is Andrea.

Ugo.

Nino.

And this is Mario.

And this is Annibale.

You know, he found the passageway to the tunnel.

Later, later, Annibale...

Better tell me what's the police doing? Where're they looking for me? Where?

- I saw jeeps going up-country. - I heard people say you had got away.

- And around here? - Only the harbour police.

The harbour police...

It wasn't cautious you all coming together. They could have seen you,

- could have followed you. - Don't worry! We know how to make them lose our track.

You're great! Really great!

One's think you'd never done anything else!

But, who taught you all this stuff?

We've read about it. We've even seen it at the cinema.

Have a drop too!

It burns!

It burns?

God! Real whisky!

Pass it.

It was needed...

Have you got a cigarette?

He's sleeping...

- Poor guy... - Must be tired...

With everything that went on...

Why don't we leave and let him sleep?

And who'll raise the alarm if anything happens?

- True... the alarm. - He's closed his eyes.

Let's let him sleep.

- Go away, boys. - Amalia!

Leave here!

Why?

Any time, something can happen here,

the police might come and I don't want you found.

Leave! Please!

But we're here to defend him! And to defend you, Amalia!

You are just kids...

He can take care of himself, I can assure you...

- Don't you trust us?! - I do, but they mustn't find you in here.

I'll be watching over him. Go!

Go!

They must be beyond the harbour...

What were you talking about?

What were you doing with these snotty brats?

I had told you to stay in there!

I've treated her badly, haven't I?

Now, I'm going to make with her. Yes, yes...

You're drunk!

No! Let go of me! Go away!

Are you sure she's his sister?

What is it, Annibale?

Hey, guys, look!

Look! He's not number 5823!

- No! - He's not the innocent!

Then it's true! He's a criminal!

- He killed people. I heard that. - He'll kill us too!

Amalia has tricked us.

- What shall we do? - We must leave! Alert the police!

Where're you going?

Where were you off to?

We've found out the truth! You conned us! You're not the innocent we wanted to free!

- You didn't put the note in the horse! - And you're not Amalia's brother!

So what?

Put yourself in my place.

Would you expect me, just out of that prison,to say:

"You're wrong, boys1 I'm not the one you wanted to set free! I'm someone else!"

And, quietly, go back inside?

Well?

You should be proud you've set free a guy like me! Proud!

One who likes guys with guts!

One who has more than enough guts! More than enough!

Look.

D'you see this? It's a whole. A whole made by a 9mm bullet.

The bullet still is in the lung.

You know, I can feel it when I breathe...

Do you know what it is?

A memento...

A memento from the Genoa bank hold up!

30,000,000 cash!

There were four of us: I, "The Student", "The Conman"...

.. and "The Dutchman".

All the newspapers talked about it! All!

Close to San Remo we jumped from a racing train!

"The Dutchman"... "The Dutchman" took a bad fall...

.. they picked him up, piece by piece...

Heard about the Modena prison revolt? I set it up!

You could walk around heads high,

saying: "We got out of prison Jack Mariotti!"

Jack Mariotti! Wanted by all the police in the world!

A real man! A man who puts his life down the line!

Not like your comic strips heroes...

A man who has lived in the best hotels, and has driven a car as long as a liner!

Hats off for Jack Mariotti!

Quickly!

Where're you going?

Come here! Come here!

You're staying here with me! You don't move! Got it?

What do you want to do? He's a kid! You wouldn't hurt him, would you?

They won't get me! And if they try to get me out, I'll shoot you!

No, sir! Don't kill me!

My friends aren't bad!

They won't tell the police!

Even if you're not innocent! But don't kill me!

I'm very young! I barely am 11 years! Don't kill me!

Cut it out!

I must get out of here! Come!

Shut up! Shut up!

- Stop! You'll get yourself killed! - Annibale! He's killed Annibale!

Help! Help! Help!

- Help! - Don't shoot! The boys are there!

Careful, Gianni!

Help!

Go, kids! Get out of here!

Move! Come on!

He killed Annibale!

Gianni! You've forgiven her, haven't you?

Amalia! Amalia!

Gianni has forgiven you! And so have we!

The adventure of the Monte Cristo gang is over.

Like in the adventure books: bad people go into the hands of justice,

and the innocent was freed.

This man returning alone to resume his place in the world...

.. maybe doesn't even remember that distant day...

.. when he hid his desperate message in a papier-mâché horse,

and surely ignores the fact that, thanks to that gesture, five generous boys

.. got acquainted with good and evil.

They got out of the dreams of childhood,

to enter the reality of life.

"To Annibale, a dog with noble feelings, fallen on the battleground,

fighting for a just cause, the Monte Cristo gang erected this. "

- THE END -