Original subtitles

MIDNIGHT FILMS, the GREEK FILM CENTRE and the HELLENIC BROADCASTING CORP. ERT SA

present the film

_Are we ready? _Ready.

Let's go.

1974.

A battalion of undesirables near the border with Bulgaria.

THE VALIANTS OF SAMOTHRACE

Left-right, left-right, left-right, left!

- I have a sister! - I have a sister!

- A real doll! - A real doll!

Her name is Northern Epirus and I love her a lot!

You're deadbeats!

- In the distance far away - In the distance far away

I can see Korytsa!

Oh, Dad! Did you have to go get yourself exiled on Makronissos!

I see it and my poor heart breaks!

Why should I have to pay for your sins and suffer...

in this battalion of undesirables.

What business have I here?

On your knees!

Raise arms! And...

- I have a sister! - I have a sister!

- A real doll! - A real doll!

Her name is Northern Epirus and I love her a lot!

Her name is Northern Epirus and I love her a lot!

You're deadbeats!

In the distance far away!

In the distance far away!

I can see Korytsa!

I can see Korytsa!

Script by Stamatis Tsarouchas and Sophia Sotiriou

Get a move on you deadbeats!

Leave him, you jerk!

Get up, you sissy!

If you touch him again I'll rip your guts out!

Move!

Directed by Stamatis Tsarouchas

The motherfuck ers are killing us. I can't stand it any more.

Get up, Angelonias. You'll be running lik e crazy.

I'm not going anywhere.

Put a lid on it you prick! You're driving us nuts.

Watch out you oaf! You stepped on me!

Move it!

One of these days you just wait and see you asshole...

Get a move on with your gear!

On the double!

Fuck you!

Move!

Angelonias! Five days confined to camp for the delay!

Where's your rifle and gear you jerk?

- Don't yell. I just woke up! - 20 days confined to camp!

Watch it! You keep ramming me.

Where are they taking us? It's been two hours already.

First time that's happened.

20 + 1 left to go.

Shut up, man. Is this the time for an ideological discussion?

What business have we in Thessaloniki at this hour?

Do you think there's been some revolt?

It's not dawn yet and already you're full of crap, soldier!

Get out all of you! On the double!

Battalion! Line up in squads! Assemble in threes!

My dear children, since early this morning...

the sacred earth of our country has been violated by enemies...

Our country is in danger...

and it is our duty to defend the island of Cyprus...

At this critical time our country needs us!

A general mobilization had taken place...

and we could hardly believe it.

They'd been preparing us for other things...

but the Turks beat them to it.

And now they're asking us to fight for the motherland.

Who? Us scumbags?

Battalion! Attention!

Shoulder arms!

Present arms!

- Kalaidzidis! - Sir!

- Where are the maps? - Right here, Sir!

So... our orders are to sail to Cyprus in absolute secrecy...

that's why we will be boarding a passenger ship...

- A passenger ship? - That's right.

Presumably so that we don't become a target.

You mean we'll be disembarking in a port, Sir?

Good question... but one which hasn't been clarified as yet.

In any case our orders are to head for Cyprus.

Any more questions?

What about supplies, Sir? We're totally unprepared.

I ordered three trucks loaded from battalion warehouses.

I hope they reach us before the ship arrives.

And if they don't?

What can I say? It's in God's hands.

So... This is the course we'll be following.

Where's Thessaloniki?

From Thessaloniki we'll sail to the island of Skyros...

and from Skyros to the island of...

What's this island?

What a time Death picked to come calling...

Grab a ball!

What's so funny, man?

It's my fault for keeping you company.

You think what he said was so funny? Ball!

Grab my ball, you jerk! Hick!

Would you look at these jerks! I'm fed up with you, man!

You're laughing too, Doc? An educated guy like you...

banding together with these pricks like it's some big deal!

It's my fault for even giving you the time of day!

I who was born for great things...

like conducting orchestras with 200 violins...

100 stringed instruments, 50 trombones and clarinets!

And here I am talking to you hicks!

Everybody get out! Move it!

Fall in!

Who are these men, Captain?

The first conscripts, Sir!

- Why did you bring them here? - What else could I do, Sir?

Their marching orders are to report to the 562.

Since when did we become a battalion of conscripts?

Did you bring the supplies?

We crammed them in one of the trucks.

You left behind supplies and brought this miserable lot?

What am I supposed to do with them?

If we're not good enough for you, we can take off!

Shut up!

- What are you? A priest? - No.

- Why haven't you shaved? - Do I have to?

Of course you have to! This is the army not some brothel!

- Sergeant! - Sir!

Get his name!

- What are you? - Souvlaki cook.

What's your army specialty, you idiot?

Artillery signalman.

Why aren't you wearing a helmet?

They didn't give me one.

Shut up!

Do you recognize them?

Do you know who I am?

My sky?

Shut up!

- Sergeant! - Yes, Sir!

Have all these men shave and get their hair cut right away!

We don't have time, Sir. The ship's on its way.

- Watch it, Beethoven! - Jerk!

Watch where you're stepping, you prick!

What the hell! Am I everyone's target today?

What's it saying? Translate.

Shut up and let me listen.

It says the Greeks are defending themselves...

but the Turkish landing forces are far superior in number...

and two Greek aircraft with special forces were shot down.

We're in deep shit!

They're using us for bait.

What happened, man? Is the captain drunk?

But as we sailed for Cyprus, plans changed.

Instead of landing on the war-torn island...

the battalion was split in two. Most disembarked on Limnos...

and we found ourselves on another island...

where they greeted us with bands and parades...

as we were led by our captain. Clip clop!

Man, are you out of tune. What are you guys playing?

Manolis Petalas. Commanding Officer, Samothrace Company.

Achilleas Papalexandrou...

Commander of the Samothrace Island Gendarmes. Welcome!

Happ y to meet you.

- My wife. - Welcome.

- A pleasure to meet you. - Let me introduce our Mayor.

Nice to meet you. Issidoros Leloudas.

I welcome the representative of the revolution saved the nation.

- The phoenix... - Excuse me.

Shoulder arms!

Gentlemen, you know, of course, that as of this moment...

the island is under Army command.

We know.

That's why we're here, Captain. To offer our services.

Very good. Please indicate an area where we can camp.

I think the monastery is the most suitable. Right Mayor?

Yes, we've already talked about it and notified the Abbot.

Good.

So, we can set off.

We'll lead the way in our Jeep and you follow.

- Just a moment. Issidoros! - Yes?

Cadet officer Issidoros! Cadet officer Kalaidzidis!

Order the men onto the trucks...

and we form a convoy behind the Commander's Jeep.

Get in the trucks!

Come on! Move it!

- Looks like a blessed land. - I don't know if you noticed...

but there are a lot of beautiful women.

Goddammit, soldier! When did you manage to check them out?

Didn't you see that crowd of females at the port, Sir?

Here I am worrying about what's ahead of us and you guys...

- There's no hiding beauty, Sir! - You rookies watch out!

Don't you go putting me in a compromising position...

or I'll have you shot, especially you who are my driver!

No, Sir! I was just making conversation.

Just making conversation...

In view of the tragic developments brought about...

- Where did you get that, man? ...by the Turkish invasion...

of Cyprus, the president of the republic, General Gizikis...

today meets with political leaders in order to form...

a civilian government of national unity.

According to reliable sources exiled political leader...

Constantine Karamanlis is expected to take over...

as head of the government.

Stop, you guys! The junta has fallen!

- Good morning, Father. - Good morning.

- The commander. - Welcome.

It looks like we've come to an island paradise!

So...

First job...

We fortify the two hills on the beach.

- Sir... - What's up?

It seems there have been political developments, Sir.

Really?

- The news isn't good. - Meaning?

I've just been notified that the government has resigned...

and a civilian government led by Karamanlis is taking over.

You don't say!

Well I'll be damned!

Now listen up. These things don't concern us.

One machine gun will cover the left...

and the other the right side of the beach.

Is it the only dangerous spot?

There is another beach near the archaeological site.

- May we, Captain? - Of course!

- Sotiriou! - Yes, Sir!

Get the radio and come with me on the double!

- Kalaidzidis! - Yes, Sir!

Order a break for mess!

Magnificent! Magnificent!

And the trees give us perfect cover!

Alexis, establish radio communication...

with the others at the monastery.

Eagle 2! This is Eagle 1! Do you read me?

I don't think they can hear us, Sir.

But why? We're not that far away.

Perhaps because there are many intervening natural obstacles.

Switch to short wave.

Are you receiving anything?

I can hear something in the back ground.

- But I can't make it out. - Let me have that.

Darn! What's this I'm hearing...

Could it be the Turks are on the island?

Is this a secure location? Does anyone know Turkish?

- Where are you Captain? - I'm right here.

May I?

I think they spoke English with an American accent.

Come now! It's from the American base in Kavala.

We hear them all the time here.

Goddammit they gave us a real scare!

Petalas, who wasn't exactly a linguist...

got real mad at the Captain's wife for laughing.

Machmalidis!

What happened?

Get up, you animal!

I'm not an animal, Sir!

What? You're talking back to your C.O., you animal?

You heard what I said. I'm not an animal!

Get up and report! Right now!

Shoot if you're a man! Shoot!

I'll kill you!

Go ahead! Shoot!

I'll have you court-martialled!

Better let it go. It's a no-win situation.

- Will you be eating here, Sir? - The hell with you!

- We should be going too. - Yes, Captain.

Now let's hear you bark, if you can, asshole! Go on!

Aren't you giving out any detentions now, man?

He must be severely punished for insubordination.

Manolis, I'm talking to you as a friend now.

In this situation there's no need to make things worse.

This is the army. Without discipline we're screwed.

Right. But don't forget what the battalion's been through.

Excuse me for interrupting but it's our customary treat...

Thank you, Father. What do you think Kalaidzidis?

I think Cadet Officer Issidoros is right, Sir.

Everyone's right here, except me.

Don't take it personally, Manolis.

Besides, Machmalidis is our best... and only... gunner.

Oh very well.

Assemble squad.

A short while ago a very unfortunate incident occurred.

Where's Machmalidis?

- Present, Sir? - Come here Machmalidis.

Gunner Apostolis Machmalidis, 109th Infantry Division, Sir!

Can you tell your fellow soldiers...

exactly what happened a little while ago?

Go on.

- You ordered me to get up, Sir. - Louder!

Well go on!

You ordered me to get up, Sir.

I was asleep and you said: "Get up you animal."

We've run out of supplies!

The commander of Samothrace island, Petalas...

took it to heart and like another Napoleon...

played the role he was assigned.

He set up his headquarters in town and mobilized...

all the island's public services.

Alexis and the signalmen parked themselves in the phone company.

Grigoris set up shop at the local infirmary...

since there was no other doctor on the island.

Kalaidzidis and his team took over the archaeological site...

and, led by Issidoros, we stayed at the monastery.

He ended up by posting the company's 120 soldiers...

in dozens of locations, contrary to military tactics.

How about giving us a hand, Beethoven?

The artist works up here!

His grandiose plan concluded with the trench at Pahia Amo...

that Machmalidis dug alone as punishment for insubordination.

You're not being bold, young man, you're being brazen!

How dare you? Don't you know our band has a long history?

With what qualifications?

You know I've pursued advanced musical studies.

I was born to conduct great orchestras... 200 violins...

150 string instruments, 20 oboes...

Out!

What was that?

Out!

What a voice!

You think?

You're a born tenor.

Sit down, young man.

My dream was to be a singer. Where have you studied?

Milan!?

So, I'll let you have the band on one condition...

You won't play Theodorakis, Hadjidakis, X archak os...

Mark opoulos and especially not Kelaidonis!

I have nothing to do with popular music...

...from Tchaik ovsky and up! - No! He's a communist!

- No! He's a Russian! - No! He's a communist!

- OK. He's not a Russian! - That's more like it!

We have so many songs from the Greek tradition...

Lavranga, Patetso, Kalimeri...

And one more thing, Mayor...

I'd like some means of transportation...

a question of conductor's prestige...

We'll take care of it. We can't let our conductor walk!

- The bird is the work of... - Leloudas... my grandfather.

He bequeathed it to me before he died.

The phoenix rising out of the ashes and the flame...

that gives wings to the bird!

Come on, Brownie!

The other way!

- Good morning. - Good morning.

May I make a long distance call to Germany?

Of course you may. Give me the number and go inside the booth.

Hello. Greece calling!

You sure have a lot of calls to Germany.

- That's where most of them work. - You don't say?

Yes, there's no one left on the island.

Nike of Samothrace on the line.

Are we going to be eating beans every day?

- Is it my fault, Angelonias? - Hello! Machine-gun nest!

Hang up, Machmalidis. I've got someone else on the line.

Hello... hello...

I can hear you... Hello...

This is the chapel...

Hang up, you guys. I'm on the line.

Get off the line, you guys. I'm talking to Angelonias.

This is St. Peter's. Hello.

What fucking connections, man! Everyone's on the line?

Hello, Angelonias, what's up?

Can you put me through to Athens?

In a couple of hours when the supervisor leaves.

OK. So I'm hanging up now.

- Me too, man. Don't forget. - Hang up, you hick!

Since when can you dial? You had a phone in the sheep pen?

Lighten up, Lakis!

Fuck off you eavesdropping hick!

What happened, man? You're late.

The old man gave us another lecture.

He said we should watch our behavior. You know. The usual.

OK. You take over because I've had enough in here all day.

Father Anthimos, come eat with us.

Thank you, son but I'm fasting for the feast of the Virgin.

Don't worry. We're having bean stew again.

I can't have oil either.

How come you can't have oil and you're eating olives?

Having oil would be considered breaking the fast.

Then the same is true of olives since oil comes from olives.

Look, son, we observe the fast to demonstrate our abstinence.

Then you shouldn't eat olives either.

No... the olive is a fruit of the earth...

like tomatoes, cucumbers...

that's why we eat them without oil...

But oil comes from the olive which is a fruit of the earth!

Precisely. Oil comes from the olive, so it isn't a fruit.

That explains it...

But I still don't get it.

When you press an olive you get oil...

A guy could go crazy here!

What's with you? Every day bean stew?

Be grateful we even have that!

We'll see what we'll be eating when we run out.

We'll eat you, you prick!

Excuse me, Father, is bread fasting food?

Yes, my son.

How come if it's not a fruit of the earth?

No, bread is fasting food because it comes from wheat...

...which is a fruit of the earth. - Then so is olive oil...

which comes from the olive which is a fruit of the earth.

Yes, but we said that oil...

- Don't confuse me, son... - I'm real sorry, Father...

- Hello, Gramps. - Good to see you, nephew.

- How's it going? - Fine.

So are we going to continue with that game of chess?

- I plan to cream you today! - We're in a good mood I see!

- It was your move, right? - Yep.

- May I ask you something? - Shoot it.

Why is it that when I'm about to put the moves on a girl...

I freak out at the last moment?

- Love in the making, son? - Cut it out. Nothing happened.

She just came yesterday to make a call and looked at me...

...with such beautiful eyes! - Go on, go on.

She came back again today...

with a friend of hers...

and this time she smiled at me.

Right. You've got to make the third move. Now play!

Here we go!

Grigoris, I'm leaving. If you need anything, you know...

Fine, Georgia.

- Goodbye. - 'Bye.

I see Georgia...

- What? - The familiarity...

"Grigoris you know... Yes Georgia..."

Shut up, you jerk. The woman's married with a child.

You don't say? Married, but...

Give me a break!

Hello.

Yes, he's here.

I'll tell him.

Get the hell out of here. Petalas is looking for you.

We'll never finish this game? So long!

Scala di Milano, Berlin Philharmonic...

Metropolitan Opera...

Could it be I'm a conductor and I don't know it?

Let's go!

Let's see some coordination, you guys!

And you, Armodius... hold your breath.

I want that... that...

What are you doing here, man?

I want to sing too.

Go away! There's a war on! Get it?

- So then I want to fight! - Get the hell out of here!

- We'll see about that... - Scram!

Come on, guys, let's take it from the beginning.

What the fuck's gotten into you and you keep interrupting?

- Can't you see I'm creating? - Petalas is on the warpath!

At this hour of day? Just when we got the tempo right!

Sotiris is waiting with the Jeep's engine running!

Nobody can make it in this place...

so, guys, same time tomorrow, OK?

OK, Beethoven!

Cut that out!

Dimitri, you liar, you set my house on fire...

Where are you off to, honey?

- Where did she come from? - Thinks she's a movie star!

Where've you been?

- Now what happened? - Noon patrols!

Man! I get it!

- Where were you, soldier? - The infirmary, Sir.

- Where's the radio? - Right here in the Jeep, Sir.

OK. Get in. We're patrolling the guard posts.

- Sure is tasty! - Free range that's why.

What the hell are they doing here at this time of day?

Goofing off, rookies?

We just finished, Sir and we thought we'd take a break.

- At this hour of day? - It's a lot of kilometers, Sir!

Oh all right.

- Say... any leftovers? - Some...

Fine. Give me a little bean stew.

This place has given me an appetite.

How will you eat, Sir? I don't have anything...

Give me a loaf of bread and I'll show you...

Good... now pour it in and be careful.

The bloody thing's cold.

We eat our food cold every day, Sir. We're being screwed.

Always complaining, Machmalidis!

Goddammit!

It was too watery!

So, as of tomorrow the food deliveries will alternate...

one day they'll start from here...

and the next from the archaeological site...

And that's just because you dug a mean trench, Machmalidis!

A war ship on the horizon!

Where is it, man?

- What can you see Machmalidis? - Doesn't seem to have a flag.

It doesn't? To arms! To arms!

To the trench! On the double!

Looks like it's turning.

Something smells in here?

What the hell? You barbecued lamb chops?

Would you like to take a look through the field glasses, Sir?

Let me have them.

You're up to something here. My nose never fails me.

What's that smell? Lamb chops with incense?

Don't tell me you bagged a wild goat, goddammit!

Doesn't look like a landing craft...

more like a destroyer...

Machmalidis! Fire two warning rounds!

There we go! They're hoisting a flag!

It's Greek! Goddamit! It's ours! Get out!

- You startled me! - I want to talk to you!

Please go away before somebody sees us.

I'll wait for you at the fortress...

tomorrow afternoon...

Your move, you jerk. Block him.

What a woman!

Shut up, man! That's the wife of the gendarmes commander!

That doesn't stop her from being beautiful!

After Constantine Karamanlis was sworn in as Prime Minister...

the members of the government were also sworn in...

Way to go, Karamanlis!

The rascal's a leader... anyway you look at it!

- What do you say, Achilles? - Yes, of course.

He's so good-looking! Just gorgeous!

A water-melon patch, man! Let's go! What are we waiting for?

- Hold on! Someone might see us! - At this hour? Are you crazy?

Let's go!

- It's so sweet, Issidoros! - Pure honey, man!

I told you so! I spotted it the first day we came!

Must be a rural guard! Take cover!

Goddammit!

I told you he'd be somewhere around here.

- Did you guys hear something? - Eat up, you jerk!

You're always hearing ghosts!

You motherfucker Angelonias! I'll cream you!

Alexis! Wake up, man! The staff will be here any minute.

OK. Will you make coffee?

Why're you asking? It's not like you ever made any!

Cut me some slack, man.

Wait a minute. In a little while.

The more I think I've got to lay those cables at the look out post.

I'd like to know what they'll do with all those kilometers...

...after the mobilization's over? - You're very optimistic!

You'll be getting your discharge from right here, boy!

And be grateful for it!

I'd like to ask you something, Father...

but I want an honest answer.

How do you manage?

What do you mean?

Don't you miss... you know what I mean...

Don't put me in a difficult position...

I just wanted to know how you overcome the sexual urge...

The government has abolished the sign of the phoenix...

as the nationalemblem. The Defense Ministry has ordered...

the emblem removed from all military caps...

- The bird's been abolished. - When did that happen?

- I just heard it on the radio. - Are you sure?

I just heard it! Go on! Break them!

The fucking thing won't break!

What are you doing there, man?

Can't you see? We're pulverizing our birdies!

Are you crazy, man? That's our country's emblem!

Cadet officer!

Hey, scumbag! Do us the favor!

I'll report this to the C.O. Right now!

Two soldiers have taken ill suddenly, doctor.

Again? What's this? An epidemic?

OK. I'll be right there.

He won't be long.

- What's up, Machmalidis? - I'm hurting a lot, Doc.

Let me take a look.

Unbutton yourself.

You mean you're the one who'll examine me?

Who else?

- So, does this hurt? - No... no.

What about here? Does this hurt?

No...

But you're in pain.

- Aren't you? Sure you are! - Now I am, doc!

And his color's not too good either... right, Georgia?

Get them ready right away.

You've got the same thing too.

- Get what ready, doc? - Take it easy.

- Everything will be all right. - But I...

- You brought the penicillin? - The what?

Hurry up before the seizures start!

Seizures? Give us a break, doc! We're out of here!

- What's up, rookie? - Nothing much.

We're establishing communication with the outside world.

Hey guys! You can see everything from here!

Oh, gods!

- He's off his rocker! - The way we're going...

we'll all be basket cases by the time we get out of here.

Sotiris was right. One by one we had begun to freak out...

including Petalas who had become obssessed with the Moon.

That's what they call the mountain of Samothrace. Moon!

From its summit Poseidon watched the battles...

of the Trojan War. Perhaps Petalas had heard about it...

and that's why he'd go up on the mountain...

and gaze through his binoculars waiting for the Turkish hordes.

Our only problem was food supplies...

but we solved it in our own way.

Tonight I decorated my guitar with ribbons...

and I sing for the beautiful girls...

Machmalidis, get your wet grave ready, you prick!

In the sea! Move it! He's off his rocker!

Get in! Get in!

Do something, Sir. The soldiers have begun to protest...

and I'm afraid they may start looting.

Yes, I'll wait.

Oh, really?

Fine. I'll give the order.

Yes. Goodbye.

Goddammit! Enough is enough!

What did he say?

That we should remove the bird.

What bird?

Don't you get me started! What bird indeed!

The bird from our caps.

What did he say about food supplies?

Apparently they're trying to find a ship to get them to us.

- Give me a break! - You told him all right!

I had to. They've abandoned us in this godforsaken place...

Come in.

Good morning.

Good morning.

The Ladies Auxiliary decided to sweeten you up.

You're spoiling us.

It's the least we can do. You're protecting us up here.

We're just doing our duty.

Will you try one? It's a Samothrace specialty.

Thank you.

Ambrosia!

Ladies, you'll force me to requisition...

all the sweets you make.

May I?

You must do something, Commander.

What can I do? It's not within my jurisdiction.

The situation couldn't be worse.

Everything's falling apart. There's no hierarchy, nothing.

You got any suggestions?

You can send a report to Limnos Regional H.Q.

You're an affiliated corps... and you're superior in rank...

They're all enemies of the motherland.

You may be right. Very often internal enemies are the worst.

Hello.

Yes, Sir.

Of course. It will be carried out.

They'll leave nothing standing.

Dear father, now that you've come home from exile, I'm away.

It looks like your exile turned out to be good for us...

because here where they dumped us, we found our paradise.

I just hope the Turks don't decide to attack...

In this forsaken place we won't even have time to say a prayer.

And if I'm a hero I'll never know...

I'm the soldier who wasn't destined to strike a blow...

War never began for me, I couldn't give it my best...

Daring and courage were never put to the test.

And if I'm a hero I'll never acquire glory...

In the dark I'll walk alone, that's the story...

But if my country wants to it can judge me...

A brave man who happened upon peace...

The Attila line stretches out methodically...

on the blood-soaked land of Cyprus...

extending from the bay of Morfo to the bay of Famagusta.

The way they're going they'll be occup ying the whole island.

What can I tell you Issidoros? I just can't figure it out.

I can't understand. What does Karamanlis think he's doing?

What can the man do? He had to deal with a junta.

Excuses. Can't you see the army's totally disorganized?

Don't let's exaggerate...

So where's the army?

How can he allow them to humiliate us this way?

Something's brewing.

I feel like commandeering three boats...

and launching my own invasion on the Turkish coast opposite.

That's not bad!

Pray the Turks don't cotton to the idea and strike us here.

Let them if they dare! We'll show those boys a good time!

We're expecting them with our finger on the trigger.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

The wine's from the guys.

Your health, my valiants!

Some valiants! Looting's the only thing they're good at.

I beg your pardon. What are you getting at, Captain?

Your brave lads have stripped every single water-melon patch.

If you please, Captain. You're offending us.

The locals are always offering us things. No one forced them.

Well they complain to me that you've stripped them bare.

No such thing has come to my attention.

Sotiris! Get the Jeep. And you others turn in. It's late.

What's gotten into you Manolis? You're leaving?

I think I'll take a ride to the guard posts.

Come on now. Don't spoil things.

We didn't mean any harm. What the hell? We're friends.

Come on. Here's to us!

Kind hearts and think about it. It's not bad.

Ten.

Six.

It's my turn to cut.

King! King.

Queen!

Gin!

You don't listen to me.

Give me a break, Father. Let me play.

Ace!

Take it!

Go away, Father. Are you playing for me?

Who's calling at this hour?

Fuck it! It's not for us. I'm taking them with my Jack.

- Ace! - How many aces have you got?

Someone answer that. It's gotta be for us.

Father... could you?

Hello.

What "hello", you jerks? Why don't you pick up?

Who is that?

Alexis from the phone company offices, you jerk! Who're you?

Father Anthimos from the monastery. Hello.

Excuse me, Father. I didn't know.

- It's all right, my son. - Where are the guys?

In the yard.

Tell the the C.O. 's on his way for inspection. OK?

OK.

Guys! Put the cards away. The C.O. 's coming for inspection.

Fuck! He's got insomnia now that lady luck's smiling at me!

Come on. Let's break it up!

Anestis! The candlestick! Sentry! To your post!

I was afraid you weren't coming.

I shouldn't have. I'll be late and they'll be looking for me.

Don't be afraid.

How beautiful you are.

I want to be with you... all the time.

Do you believe me?

I'm leaving. I won't be back.

- Psomiadis! - Here!

- Georgiou! - Here!

- Angelonias! - Here!

What's this, Angelonias?

How should I know what my Mom sent me? Open it if you like.

Hope it isn't anything subversive.

Now? Now that the junta's fallen...

- Soumis! - Here!

At last! Traviata! Casta Diva! Carmen! Fur Elise!

You were born for great things, my boy.

Cut it out, you jerks! We'll crash!

This is Samothrace, man!

More! More!

Wall, you jerk!

I'm off.

- Good night. - Good night.

Courage! We're almost there.

You prick Angelonias. You'll pay dearly for this!

Let's go before Petalas wakes up. He's had enough.

Hey you guys. Isn't that the nurse?

I knew it.

The dirty old man. That's why he didn't want to come!

Here we almost got killed and he's...

I got an idea.

Let's go leave the Jeep and I'll tell you.

- What happened to you jerks? - We almost got killed.

What happened?

The brake's broke and we crashed into a wall.

Hell! It's a good thing I didn't come with you.

Come on in.

Where's Sotiris?

In the garage. He's trying to repair the Jeep.

- He wasn't hurt? - That dog?

- Will it sting? - Move your hand, you faggot!

It hurts, baby?

Isn't the nurse coming to help you?

You're asking too much!

The girl's probably tired out.

Why? She was on the night shift?

Do I know? Maybe she was on emergency duty last night.

- What are you jerks implying? - Us? Nothing. Just saying...

What rumors are you spreading, asshole?

- Me? - You, Romeo!

Look at you! Fooling around with the immigrant's daughter!

Why're you ratting on me, Doc? I didn't spread any rumors.

The others saw you!

What's going on? Everybody's gotten themselves fixed up?

Come clean, Doc. We saw her leave a little while ago.

Goddammit!

Come on! Tell us!

Tell you what, you idiot?

Tell us! Was she good?

You jerks! If this gets out, I'm dead!

Imagine the nurse's husband chasing the doc...

through the streets and her running after him shouting:

"It's not what you think! It's not what you think!"

Will you love me?

Can't you see?

And when you leave?

When I leave, I'll take you with me.

You're lying.

As soon as you're discharged you'll forget me.

I swear.

I'm not lying.

I want to be with you all the time.

If my Mom finds out she'll kill me!

I won't let anyone hurt you.

If you like I can come tomorrow even... to your house...

No! No! It's better no one finds out.

Marina... I love you.

On the secret seashore...

white as a dove...

The political parties have intensified their campaigns.

At a giant rally in Thessaloniki...

the head of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement...

Andreas Papandreou outlined his party's program...

...but the water was salty.

What's this?

He plans to govern Greece in a polo neck sweater?

Anyway, he's a real charmer!

We thirsted at noon...

How about that Theodorakis! He's bridged the gap!

Now babies have opinions!

I don't know about you, Gramps, but the man's way ahead...

So? How about it? Shall we go?

Absolutely.

Sit down. Sotiris, go get the Jeep.

We're thinking of going for a drive on the beach.

And don't stay up too late. See you're in by ten.

These are difficult times.

Yes, Sir.

One night when it rained, when it rained monotonously...

One night when it rained until dawn...

Shall we go back to town, Sir?

What town? Let's go to the monastery...

and pay a surprise visit to my valiants!

Guard!

Guard!

What happened Manolis? The guard has the day off?

Guard!

Where are your valiants, Petalas?

Open up, rookies!

Guard!

Open up!

You're going to invade Turkey with these losers?

Open up!

Where are they, Father Anthimos?

The boys are inside, sleeping.

Sleeping? The boys?

I'll show them!

The boys indeed!

- Rookies! Issidoros! - Yes, Sir!

Rookies!

Out! Out!

Out you scum!

Issidoros!

- What's with you Manolis? - Manolis?

Don't ever call me Manolis again.

I'm your commanding officer and as of right now...

you're confined to camp. Do you read me, Cadet Officer?

- Yes, Sir! - Sergeant!

- Yes, Sir! - Assemble squad! Now!

Everybody out! On the double!

Move it!

The Turks caught us sleeping!

You shut up!

Squad! Attention!

Who was on guard duty?

Step forward!

That's an order!

It was Private Angelonias, Sir!

Angelonias!

Sir!

No, don't...

- I'm married... - So am I... married...

You'll be court-martialled. I'm a commander's wife.

Don't worry, baby. I'm a commander's driver.

How should I know he'd be coming for a snap inspection!

If I get a month's detention you'll pay for it!

He won't. If he had he'd already have told Thanos...

to enter it in the books.

- What's he doing now? - Nothing.

He's holed up in his office and won't talk to anyone.

Dear mother, your son is not worthy to wear...

the honored uniform of a Greek officer...

My only salvation is now...

Good morning. Is the commander in?

- Yes Mayor. - Thank you.

- Yes? - The Mayor wants to see you.

Send him in.

- Good morning Manolis. - Good morning Mayor.

- What's up? - What do you think?

- How's it going? - How do you think?

Last night's party was great but the wine went to my head.

You should see what it did to me!

I was pounded by a thousand hammers...

to say nothing of being nailed...

You mean...

Damn him! Didn't you see him gloat?

Don't pay any attention. It was the wine.

Now we've got to get ready for the October 28th parade.

- Parade... that's all I needed. - Don't spoil it for me...

The whole island can't wait for the day.

It used to be just the school kids who paraded...

- but now we have the army too... - Army?

Forget it Mayor. No way.

This way it's like you're admitting defeat.

A fine parade is your chance to show that lousy cop!

- Get it? - Think so?

I think so.

To the Commander of Limnos Gendarmerie Regional H.Q.

Further to my report dated 10-9- 1974...

I am obliged to revert...

and report that the situation on the island of Samothrace...

is now out of control...

due to the continuing raids by the soldiers based here.

If we had a little Strauss to listen to now, eh Issidoros?

It's fine this way.

You can't imagine the pleasure of listening to "Blue Danube"...

with all these grapes over your head.

Unfortunately gendarmerie forces cannot intervene...

since as you know we are under martial law...

and the island is in the hands of an inept Greek officer...

You act like a jerk but it's worth it.

You sound like an expert in love, Sir.

When it comes to love, I'm a professor, boy!

My clothes, motherfuckers!

Angelonias, you scumbag, you did it! L"ll kill you!

Sir! They took my clothes! Give me back my clothes!

My clothes! Father Anthimos!

What's up, boys? What happened to the sergeant?

Not to worry, Father. He's cleansing himself of his sins.

We were now well into winter.

Life was continuing at its usual slow pace...

on the island of Samothrace. Our only entertainment...

was the Saturday booze-ups at Lyroudias' bar in town...

and the daily card games at the guard posts.

Many of us are getting tired of the inactivity...

The need to find other ways of breaking the monotony is great.

A radio station would fill our lives in the hard winter days.

It came about thanks to the signalmen...

who had a knowledge of electronics...

and soon the first radio show was a reality.

Good morning, rookies! This is a historic day.

The first radio station of the Valiants is now in operation!

Is anyone listening to us, you jerk?

Am I great or what?

We begin our program with a song...

dedicated to our commanding officer...

the greatest and stealthiest guy among us!

There's still something of the junta about him...

but deep inside he's a good guy.

That's why we're dedicating this song to him...

although I'd have preferred to begin with "Carmen"...

but my rocker buddy Alexis is threatening...

to take me off the air if I don't play this first.

"Break on through to the other side", boy!

After this you can call in with special requests.

A report from Gendarmerie Regional H.Q. Has placed me...

in a very difficult position.

I get it. Someone from here must have blabbed.

Precisely. And I demand an explanation.

Don't pay any attention to him, Sir.

The man's resentful because he lost power. You understand.

What power? Here he depicts soldiers as pirates...

who loot and plunder unfortunate farm bosses...

er I mean peace-loving farmers and that you've lost control.

Exaggerations! We were hungry and forgotten for two months.

You don't say! Leonidas and his Spartans ate black soup...

and your reprobates can't last two months?

They're not reprobates, Sir!

In any case I have to forward the report to division H.Q.

Goodbye.

The son of a bitch.

What happened, Sir?

That's it. The game's over.

- I don't understand. - You will... in a few days.

You mean that...

It's high time someone put things in order here.

- Things have gone too far. - Come now, Sir.

That's the way it is.

The next song is obviously dedicated...

to the most lovable goatherd in the squad. Machmalidis!

The great Beethoven wrote the Pastoral Symphony.

Hello...

- Angelonias! - What is it, shepherd?

Scratch your balls with a pick axe 'cos a rake doesn't cut it!

Swineherd!

For the girl I loved...

once in Samothrace...

I'm dying... dying...

- What's wrong, Manolis? - Do something, Doc. I'm dying!

What do you feel?

He's had too much to drink.

Let's get him to the infirmary.

And he's light as a feather goddamn him!

Shut up, man. The guy's hurting.

Assholes. I'm dying and you're laughing...

What's that Doc?

What d'you think it is?

Watch out you don't jab him in the wrong place!

Like in one of his balls, for instance?

Cut the bullshit.

What have you done you jerk, Doc? You killed him!

Where's Sotiris.

He got food poisoning and he's in the infirmary, Sir

I hope it's nothing serious.

No, he ate something that didn't agree with him.

Well anyway...

we'd better get going.

Improvements, I see. Now I'm leaving we got stereo!

It cheers us up a bit, Sir until the new CO arrives.

Do you know who it will be, Sir?

- Cut the "Sir" shit, rookie. - Can't do that, Sir.

Fine. I don't know who it will be.

Everything happened so quickly you see, but you should know...

Manolis! This is dedicated especially to you.

Your Valiants salute you!

- No, no, no! - Baby!

What is this, you pricks?

Yes, yes, yes.

No, don't! I'm married!

So am I baby!

I know that voice from somewhere.

It's Sotiris!

I'm a commander's wife!

I know her too. She's the wife of...

I thought Sotiris had food poisoning.

What have you gone and done you rascals!

Greetings Papalexandrou!

I'm a commander's wife...

and I'm a commander's driver.

Tell them to eliminate every trace.

If they discover anything we'll all be court-martialled.

I'll miss you rookies.

Stand to!

Shoulder arms!

Present arms!

The Scala di Milano.

The Berlin Philharmonic.

N Opera in New York.

The Samothrace Philharmonic!

I could have been a conductor, don't you think so, Father?

Yes, my son!

If one is born for great things...!

Time goes by and I'm all out...

of words, ideas and opportunities...

I who always gazed at the peaks...

I became a hero only in fantastic films...

Time goes by and I always worry why...

and how my thoughts were lost...

but I have inside me this great will...

to overturn all those things I couldn't achieve...

Born for great things...

and for hard struggles...

through dreams and miracles...

to win a place in the ages.

Born for great strides...

to stand higher than all the rest...

to exorcise past mistakes...

to change eras and roles...

Translated by Elly Petrides

Subtitling process Audio Visual Enterprises SA

DVD Authoring Power Music Productions A. E.