Original subtitles

Open the door, for heaven's sake!

I was attacked by brigands.

Turks?

Turks, Moldavians, Greeks, what do I care?

Please let me in!

These barbarians killed my escort.

They stole my luggage, my horses.

I hurt myself.

I have nothing left.

On your way, sir. We don't open this door to anyone.

Find shelter for the night, and tomorrow, at dawn…

Take the path to the west.

Walk without stopping.

You'll come across the home of old Gorcha.

He'll provide you with food

and a horse for your trip.

Gorcha, you say?

Good.

Whatever you do, don't stop in your tracks.

This forest abounds many other dangers.

Farewell, sir.

Please don't hurt me!

Madam, I am the…

Marquis Jacques-Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé.

Diplomatic envoy of the King of France.

Excuse me sir, I…

I am a lost traveler. I seek the home of old Gorcha.

I was told he could help me.

What happened here?

Is this the work of the Turks?

What happened to the residents?

Won't you sit down?

He wants to see the old man.

Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm starving.

Madam, let me introduce myself.

I'm the marquis Jacques-Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé, diplomatic envoy of...

Ahoy!

Anja?

Piotr?

Vlad!

Your father's home.

Praise the Lord!

Jegor!

How I've missed you!

What is this outfit this outfit?

Is the father awake?

Who is it?

I am the Marquis Jacques-Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé…

Diplomatic envoy of the King of France.

An unfortunate incident I lost my escort and my luggage.

I was told that a certain Gorcha might be

able give me a horse to continue my journey.

Of course, once in port, I shall see to it that the gentleman is richly compensated.

You've reached old Gorcha.

We are his children.

I'm Jegor, his eldest son.

And this is my wife, Anja.

Our son, Vlad.

My brother, Piotr.

And my sister, Sdenka.

We're not used to visitors, sir.

Even less so, those of your rank.

But you're welcome here.

We'll do everything we can to help you.

At last, Jegor! We're out of horses.

Anja.

They took everything from us.

I know where to find them.

I'll pick one up for you tomorrow.

Thank you, sir.

That's very charitable of you.

You may have noticed:

our village was pillaged by the Turks…

A little over a month ago.

I defended as best I could my family and my home.

As a result…

I joined the few survivors of the region who had decided to take up arms.

We followed them.

We set a trap for them.

And we took our revenge.

We slit the throats a dozen of them.

Alas, their boss…

The infamous Alibek, escaped us.

Well, that's interesting.

It turns out that I too belong to a family that was famous for its feats of arms.

Not against the Turks, of course, but against the Lords of Beaujeu.

In the 13th century.

I'm gonna go say hi my father now,

and make sure that he can see you.

Father?

His room is empty. Where is he now?

Please answer. Where is it?

He's gone.

What do you mean, gone?

He went off to fight.

Fighting.

He unhooked his old harquebus and left.

He didn't want anyone call him a coward.

But it doesn't make sense.

How could you let him do it?

At his age! In her condition!

Where did he go? In which direction?

What did he say?

My children.

I'm off.

Wait for me 6 days.

If at the end of 6 days, I haven't come back…

Say a prayer in my memory,

because then, I'd be killed in action.

But if ever…

Which God forbid…

I came back after those 6 revolving days…

I command you to forget that I was your father…

And not to let me in, no matter what I say or do…

Because then I'd be nothing a cursed Vourdalak.

What's this all about?

Have you all lost your minds?

When did he leave?

It will be exactly 6 days tonight, at 6 o'clock.

In that case, let's be ready to welcome him.

Anja, prepare supper. Doesn't skimp on anything.

Sdenka, go and pick him some blackberries.

And you, get changed.

Come on.

Well, thank you for the broth. It was delicious.

Would you like a refill?

No, thank you.

I beg your pardon. May I ask you a question?

I heard a word earlier. I don't know what it means.

What is a Vourdalak?

I don't know.

She's not very warm, your sister-in-law Sdenka.

And yet, that's what lost her.

What do you mean?

Poor girl!

Falling in love, just like that, with the 1st vagrant!

Around here, everyone knows everything.

That's why no one ever wanted to marry her.

Alas.

He has to stay here.

With us.

Forever.

We wouldn't mind, really.

But she spends her time daydreaming.

Mumbling prayers.

And doing strange things.

I think she's gone mad.

Well, thank you very much for the broth.

What a charming picture.

Would you like help with your picking?

Do you like blackberries?

Yes, I love them.

I hate them.

You must be very worried about your father.

No.

Tell me, what is a Vourdalak?

What's the point? You wouldn't believe it.

Always say. I love discovering new things.

There are some things it's better not to talk about.

If you say so.

Sdenka.

Beautiful Sdenka.

Your eyes are like 2 torches that light...

Here.

An apple.

Don't you dare to judge us, stranger.

So we won't from doing the same to you.

Here.

Why torture me like this, little peasant girl?

Why so much cruelty?

Come on.

No one will see us.

Just a moment.

Let me start by show you something.

It's the place where I like to bathe in secret.

Please follow me.

Hey, wait for me.

Where are you?

Follow my voice.

Imagine if someone were to fall.

Imagine his skull hitting the rocks below.

Do you hear that infamous crack of bone?

Scary, isn't it?

I would have given you my arm,

but it seems to me that you've had enough for one day.

In any case, you have nothing to envy to the naughty coquettes of the court.

-The French court? -Yes.

Why should I? Are you interested?

Always say.

Why bother, ma'am?

There are some things it's better not to talk about.

I miss the yard.

But what I miss most is French cuisine.

Dinner parties…

And above all the conversation of beautiful women.

Because there aren't many around here.

I couldn't agree more.

Speaking of which, have you Anja's cuisine?

I miss the holidays too.

Balls.

And dancing.

What do you do?

The sarabande or minuet.

This is ridiculous! Stop this.

Certainly not. It's too pleasant.

Would you like to give it a try?

Never.

What is it?

A map of Europe.

Take a look.

You can see all the roads.

Roads, mountains, rivers, yes.

You see, France is here.

And we are…

That way.

I'd like to get out of here.

Even anywhere.

Only sadness and brutality flourish in our land.

Why are you staying?

Where would I go?

All my memories are here.

This cliff is my only friend.

And I'll rush from its banks on the day my misfortune is perfected.

I love life, but it's not what I prefer.

But what are you saying?

His name was Jovan.

He wasn't from here and had no future or money to offer me.

But I loved him.

We wanted to get away away from it all.

Alas, someone knew.

We had agreed to meet at midnight on the cliff.

I waited a long time.

But I heard the shot.

I went back to bed.

This is where I buried him.

That's where my dreams now lie.

But my dreams still speak to me.

Everything speaks to those who know how to hear.

Even the dead.

Give me your hand.

My hand?

Here.

What a horror!

I don't believe in fate, I don't believe in fate.

Of course you don't, you don't have one.

Sdenka.

The bell.

It's 6 a.m.

He didn't come back.

Our father is no more.

There's no proof that he's dead.

He said so himself.

Shut up, you idiot.

I didn't give you the floor.

-Don't talk to him like that. -Shut up, all of you.

I'm the eldest.

You owe me obedience.

My God, Father!

He's breathing!

Just a moment.

How long has he been here?

I'm sure it's been he's been here for days.

Our own father!

Don't do that, Jegor.

Shame on you!

Father, are you hurt?

Sit down, please. He needs air.

Father, can you hear me?

That dog! That dog!

Somebody shut him up!

No.

Piotr, obey.

But...

You should eat something, Father.

I'm going to bury it.

You're in a lot of pain, Father.

But what folly to have gone off, alone, to fight the Turks!

At your age...

Especially since I was already in combat.

Alibek.

You can hang it over the door.

That way, everyone will know he's gone.

And that it was by Gorcha's hand of Gorcha that he perished.

How is this possible?

Are you laughing at me, boy?

Yes, Grandpa, you're funny.

Bouh!

How I love this child!

Is there any purer treasure in this world than that innocent look?

Come on, it's late.

-No, it's not. -Vlad, come to bed. Yes, you can!

Father, I must tell you: We have a guest at our table.

He's a foreigner.

A rich lord who strayed onto our land.

He doesn't have a horse anymore. I'll go tomorrow…

I hope my lord will forgive the modesty of my home.

We're just humble folk.

And if our manners seem brusque…

That we are not accustomed to welcoming

to welcome to our table powdered courtiers.

-Any what? -Oh, but I'm very tired.

Please excuse me. We'll talk tomorrow.

Take me to my room and put me to bed.

Dogs don't think.

Their brains are narrower than do not allow them to…

Make judgments or conjecture.

However, when a dog loves you…

Is unconditional love.

No matter who you are.

However you may appear in the eyes of those who think…

Are just guesswork…

Allow themselves to make judgments.

Here.

You'd lost him.

Thank you, sir.

We look forward to seeing you.

I'll show you to your room.

Here we are.

I hope this suits you.

Yes, it's perfect.

Thank you very much.

-Good night, sir. -Good night, Piotr.

What are you doing here?

Why do I dance?

Please stand up.

Jegor wants to talk to you.

Hello.

Ah sir, come.

Jegor, your son. I don't know what's the matter with him.

Not now, Anja.

I don't get it.

I stayed at his bedside all night.

I guess I must have dozed off an hour or two at the most.

If you only knew how ashamed I am.

If anything happens to him, I'll…

I must go and find him.

Let me accompany you.

No, I'll go alone.

Obviously, you'll have to wait for your horse.

I understand.

Jegor, please. Hear me out.

He's feverish.

He doesn't eat.

Anja, calm down. Let me through.

For your father, you're ready to abandon your son?

-What kind of man are you, anyway? -Anja!

It's just a fever. Just put him to bed.

I'll be back tonight. Don't worry about a thing.

Thank you, sir.

I'm afraid of going crazy.

What's up?

Last night I had a terrible dream.

I could hear something.

Like a voice whispering over there in Vlad's room.

I stood up.

I waited for my eyes to get used to the dark.

But nothing helped.

I wanted to call Vlad.

But I didn't dare terrified of being overheard.

And suddenly, far away…

A noise, an obscene, repulsive noise.

Like a wet chew.

My hands encountered something.

It was her little bed.

But Vlad wasn't in it anymore.

I searched and all I could find a damp, soiled sheet.

And then the air filled with a stench…

Unbearable. I beg your pardon.

-What's wrong with this child? -She's got nothing.

Strange. So did I, had a troubling dream last night.

We look forward to seeing you.

Is he going to die?

If we do nothing, it's very likely.

What are you saying?

We need hawthorn branches,

garlic flowers, and aspen wood.

Aspen... I know where it grows.

But where are we going?

That branch on your left, it'll do the trick.

Piotr, remove the branches and the sharpest point possible.

Are you going to tell me at the end what we're doing?

A stake.

A stake?

Either.

Things from the grave must remain there.

Our father is no longer our father.

It's an infamous carrion,

back among us for the sole purpose the sole purpose of sucking our blood.

A Vourdalak doesn't just attack anyone, sir.

He particularly relishes the blood of his close relatives…

And loved ones.

Beings who, once dead, return in their turn.

Families, entire villages were decimated.

Love itself is a curse for us.

Some say that to mop up their drool,

they chew on the shroud in which they were buried.

They chew like pigs, spying on us.

Are you serious?

They are leeches and evil, sir,

that nothing can kill.

To prevent them from doing harm…

We have to burn down their house,

have them sprinkled with holy water by a man of God…

Or immobilize them.

Since the dead try to rise again…

Our only salvation…

Is to nail them to the ground.

Let's go home, it's time.

Wait for me.

You're not thinking of killing your father, are you?

Catch your breath, sir.

In any case, you're making good progress.

You could easily outrun my friends at court on the promenade.

Because whatever you may think of me, I have female friends too,

to whom I am very close and whom I greatly respect.

Good for you!

It's great fun.

They walk very little, and only move from one chair to another.

Good for them!

For longer distances, they even a sedan chair, just imagine.

It's fascinating, really.

And now's as good a time as any to tell me about the yard.

Do you all have that dreaded esprit d'à propos in France?

We look forward to seeing you.

Ahoy!

I don't get it.

I looked everywhere.

No trace of him.

We'll leave the lanterns lit…

And the front door open.

In case he came home tonight.

-As for your horse, sir... -That's not the priority.

Don't worry.

What's all this? Step aside.

What have you done to my son?

Jegor!

-Answer, you wretch! -Let him go. -You know very well what's going on.

The old man himself had warned us.

Let those who refuse to open their eyes answer for the misfortunes that await us.

And take off that coat. It's not yours.

They're losing their minds with this old wives' tale.

When I think my brother believes it too.

Well, I'm not surprised.

Do you know what he played with as a child?

With ribbons.

You must think for brutes, my father and I.

But you should know that if this family is still alive…

It's thanks to us…

And certainly not thanks their gris-gris and their songs.

You're an educated man,

don't tell me you're giving the existence of these Vourdalaks?

I don't know.

No, of course not.

Why not vampires? While we're at it?

Approach.

Small!

Come back, where are you going?

Wake up!

Can you hear me?

Where are you?

Show yourself, sir.

Sir, if I were not so indebted so indebted to your hospitality,

I'd begin to have serious doubts about your intentions towards this little one.

Really?

I forbid you to go near it.

I warn you: I'm armed.

And of what.

This legendary rapier accompanied in the Italian wars.

I won't hesitate to use it.

How about that!

So, it's to protect my family that my lord stays with us?

Monseigneur is too good.

But aren't these my daughter's petticoats

holding him back?

You wouldn't be the 1st, you know.

You're wrong, sir.

My intentions are honest.

I have a deep affection for Sdenka a deep affection.

The latter is in no way to blame.

I'm well aware of that.

Monseigneur is admirable.

His heart is pure.

His blood is noble.

And if, for that matter, to stay with us,

I would have no choice but to accept but to accept him as one of us…

I'd probably end up loving it.

Jegor, your son, your father.

The viper is in its nest.

And the wolf sleeps tonight.

All quiet, my boy.

Don't make any noise.

This is the fruit of our negligence.

Father, praise God, you have returned.

What have we done to this child?

What have we done in the sunshine of our old age?

He was the best of us.

Alas, our tears will not bring him back.

Be strong, my son.

Hmm, Monseigneur.

Good timing, sir.

Since you are head of this family,

it seems to me that it's up to you to bless this grave.

Hear that?

Bless this grave at once, I command you.

Are you ordering me?

Piotr, how dare you?

A son ordering his father about?

Has anyone ever seen anything like it?

-Say the prayer. -What if I refuse?

-You're no longer our father. -Stop, Piotr, stop!

I'm not your father anymore?

In that case, who am I?

Now, Piotr, do it!

Well yes, what are you waiting for?

Do it!

I knew it!

Girl!

What a shame!

Attack me!

I, who have nothing but love for you.

Even for you, my daughter.

You who so slanderously dishonored us with that vagabond.

Fortunately, my old arquebuse is watching over this family.

But let's leave Jegor to his fatherly duty.

Let's go home.

Nothing is sweeter for a father than the peace of home.

Just sit there and make yourself scarce.

His home must be sorely my lord.

How can we alleviate her pain?

I know: Let's dance!

Make my daughter dance. You're dying to.

Dance, I tell you!

Here we are.

-Where's the stake? -Piotr has it.

I'll go and get it.

My lord's calves must be a delight

for young women of the French court.

How I understand them!

My son, here you are at last!

Don't catch a cold.

Here.

Come on.

Come with me.

Take a look.

See how proud you look!

You're like me, Jegor. You're a winner.

You're a man.

Run away, save yourself.

I was hard on you.

But I don't regret it, because...

Back off, corpse!

Even dead, you still come to torture us!

It's all over for you, monster.

Jegor, Sdenka, seize him.

If a father is not everything for his children, he is nothing.

Bury him with his dog.

Listen to me, Sdenka.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We have to leave now.

Take your hands from my sister right now.

Everything was fine here before you arrived.

It is you, stranger, who brought misfortune upon our family.

I'm a man of honor.

I have only one word.

Tomorrow morning, you'll have your horse.

You will leave and never come back.

If I were to see you again, sir…

I wouldn't hesitate a second to kill you.

Mom.

Mom.

Anja.

Run away, Anja.

He's not your son.

Vlad, my son.

Anja!

Listen to me, go home.

Jegor!

There's no need.

He can't hear you. He's dead drunk.

He's not your son, Anja.

You buried it yourself, you madwoman!

Do you think I've forgotten it?

In that case, run. Run away!

You know as well as I do what has become of him.

Do you believe that death and all the devils of hell…

Can only take a second…

Warn a mother to go and kiss the child taken from her.

Brute!

You're all brutes!

Mommy, I'm cold.

My little one.

A bird.

A bird.

Can you hear it?

Just listen.

He sings of my arrival.

What are you saying?

Piotr, my darling brother!

This bird, you sent it to me.

You alone kept me among the living.

But you've arrived safely. And I'm joining you.

I braided the hawthorn. The circle closes at last.

Oh, beautiful bird.

Go tell my cliff to open its hospitable arms.

In the fumes of sage and incense…

I'll throw myself off its edge.

Go, little bird! Fly away!

My journey is over. My misfortune is perfect.

Sdenka, don't do this for heaven's sake.

Sdenka, come back. Set me free, I beg you.

So my brother can kill you? What a great idea!

Wait here for your horse, sir, and go.

-It will be better for everyone. -It won't.

Please don't do anything. We'll leave together.

I'll take you to court.

I'll show you the gardens, the balls.

You'll be happy.

I swear to you.

The courtyard.

How I wish...

Alas.

Farewell, Sdenka!

Farewell, thank you for everything.

Thank God!

Psst.

Come on. We have to leave.

What do you think you're doing? Get a grip.

Sdenka, this really isn't really not the time.

Hmm, my lord, exquisite taste!

Why?

Sdenka! Where are you? Where are you?

Ah sir, here you are at last!

I owe you an apology.

I got carried away by my temperament.

And I regret it bitterly, my friend.

Come back, my friend, come back.

Just a moment.

Don't blame me, handsome stranger.

Don't hate me for not knowing how to be free.

Cruel fate.

If only I'd met you sooner…

How different my life could have been so different!

I love you.

Damn you!

Don't jump, Sdenka.

I don't have much time left.

But you, you're free.

If you have the slightest friendship for me…

listen to what I have to say.

Do not leave this world before you know it.

It's vast and stunning.

You'll love it.

Go to the French court, for example.

Yes, why not?

Come and show these people what beauty is all about…

What nobility is.

Live as you please.

I'm so sorry.

Excuse me.

EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF THE DUCHESS OF GRAMONT

Versailles, June 7, 17..

(...) Around four o'clock in the morning my maid entered

in the company of the most singular creature in the world:

A lost stranger, pale as a candle, who seemed to be seeking my protection.

Without hesitation I collected it.

God! What sadness in this look and yet what grace in these manners!

I have only known this poor child for a few hours

but I already feel the greatest tenderness for her.

I think she's starting to love me too...