Original subtitles

Polish Television presents

FOUR TANK-MEN AND A DOG

JOY AND BITTERNESS

Based on a novel by

Photography

Production manager

Directed by

You're doing pretty good,

if you keep it up I'll let you stay in the kitchen,

I'll take care of you.

You're with us corporal and you don't know anything.

We already have a crew... and we don't need better meat.

Stop splattering, you'll make the ground muddy.

- You tramp! - Lie down Szarik.

Don't touch me, we're not that good friends.

A dog and you two, it's a zoo not a kitchen.

She's heavy...

You've been gone a while.

We've finished our training too.

...I'm a...

You lack experience. I got assigned to the headquarters.

The headquarters broadcast for the whole brigade,

all the crews and to the commanding headquarters.

You didn't write.

I didn't have time.

Every Saturday and Sunday I went out dancing...

I was very popular...

Private Kos... bring some water.

Here.

Let the boy talk. We can manage without him.

Why are you sighing like that?

I like your bars.

I have only one.

When we go to the front I'll have two.

At the headquarters they say we will take the offensive soon.

They always say that.

Our crew is like one palm,

both to us and the enemy.

That's our sign.

Take a seat.

You've changed...

Remember when I gave you my gloves on the train?

Are you reproaching me about a present?

Me?

I wanted to talk...

Take them, I don't need them.

It's summer, warm...

What are you saying Lidka? I'm not reproaching you,

don't be silly. You'd better help me peal the potatoes.

Some platoon leader, you have to introduce me.

Here dog.

What's with your dog? You give it to him.

Beast. He could bite your leg off.

Don't mess with me and I'll take care of you both.

You and the dog.

What's her name?

What's the matter? Don't you like the cook?

The cook and everything.

That's how it is in the army.

You're on your own, but it'll be different on the front.

Everybody's on the front, the Americans...

The Americans, English, French. Rokosowski got to Bug already.

And we just sit here doing nothing.

Jelen, chop some wood.

Yes sir.

What are you staring at?

You're not a dog, you have a mind of your own.

Have some.

No? Fine.

These cans are for everybody to go with the potatoes.

Where a hundred people eat a few might eat their fill.

- What's her name? - Leave it.

Don't be so smart, kid.

You were giving meat and bones to the dog.

- You were. - Me?

- Stop it. - You punk!

Did you call corporal?

I'll show you.

Corporal Kucharek reports himself in the kitchen.

Who pushed the cook into the pot?

What are you doing with that axe?

Private Jelen reports that the cook fell into the potatoes

he fell in by himself because he was stealing back fat.

- What back fat? - Bacon.

Back fat, that is bacon.

Instead of putting it in the pot he ate it himself.

What's your story?

The kid was taking meat for the dog.

I'm asking who ate the bacon?

Guard!

Tell the commanding officer to give him ten days detention.

Yes sir.

About turn. Forward march.

Where's the guilty one?

Szarik come here.

I'd put him together with the cook

but I'm afraid it might be bad for the cook.

The cook gave the dog a bone, but he doesn't take anything...

from strangers so I had to feed it to him.

You're from Olgierd's crew?

Szarik... Ball...

He doesn't look much like a ball.

I see you're a smart dog Szarik.

You can tell a stranger from a friend.

We'll enroll him as a member of the army.

He can get his share of food then.

- Thank you colonel. - Get to work.

We'll manage, colonel.

Colonel, sir!

- From army headquarters? - Yes sir.

Are they ringing for dinner? It's not ready yet.

Alert!

Battle alert.

We're going to the front.

Oka to Hardbeam three, where are you?

Hardbeam three here. Where am I?

Hardbeam three you look stupid.

Dumb joke.

Ajoke.

Tigers.

T-6.

They got a lot of them.

When we get to Poland

they'll ask me: Where were you born solider?

What will I tell them?

There's no time to explain where from and how.

You know what, Jelen?

Give me some good place in your country.

Where do we have such dark people?

Silesia... no, maybe in Sandomierz...

- We'll call you Grzes. - Grzes!?

Your father was a chimney sweep from Sandomierz.

A chimney sweep? From Sandomierz.

What's a chimney sweep?

At your age you don't know?

A chimney sweep is a person who...

Cleans the barrel from the oven.

Hey guys, Moscow!

First Polish Army...

Chelm is freed.

Are you ready? Give me these headphones.

Louder!

... entered the territory...

Chelm and Lublin were freed today, July 22

at 2100 hours Moscow sends greetings...

Go to sleep. Tomorrow the artillery is going to battle.

What about us?

Lt'll be our turn soon.

Szarik! You recognized me!

Where are you from?

Gdansk.

I'm from Ustronie. Where the Vistula starts.

My father works at the steel mill and my mother's at home.

The mill?

He's doing his worst cause it's for the Germans.

And your parents?

My mother died when the Germans burned down our house,

I ran away, I was looking for my father

I got all the way to the Pacific.

Did he fight in the war?

Near our home, at Westerplatte.

Did you eat yet? Get as much rest as you can.

- Bring me some too. - Alright.

Yes sir.

Hurry up.

They let you go?

How come?

None of your business.

I'm your friend.

I went to the colonel,

I promised not to stay behind the tanks.

Are you telling the truth?

I didn't promise you anything.

That's for the dog.

That's for the lieutenant.

Your dog already got his share.

It's for the colonel.

Battle or no battle, I wouldn't let him off.

You have to believe...

many things happen to people in life.

What if they hadn't believed I wasn't on the German side...

Careful Grigorij, there are mines on the left.

Everybody out.

Get out. Damn it.

Gustlik, watch out for the mines.

Damn.

Stop staring, Janek. This is not a drill.

Get the gun from the tank.

You drove off the road, Grigorij.

I was relieved that the planes missed us and my hand slipped.

You're lucky it wasn't an anti-tank mine,

just a little bug. Go start the engine.

Come on Gustlik, together.

The technicians just passed us, we're way behind our brigade.

You nazi.

Olgierd, Gustlik! Look!

I got him.

Olgierd, I shot him down.

Pull a little harder.

Don't write I was a cook, write I was a tank man.

Corporal Kucharek shot down a plane...

Olgierd!

He kept his word.

Who?

The cook.

We have to inform the colonel.

Maybe he had a wife, kids.

He died like a tank man.

Is this Bug?

I think it is.

Did you hear that?

All this is going so slowly.

Let us through Miss.

I can't.

Our brigade is on the other side already.

I said I can't.

We're Polish. We're going home to mother.

You'll go when it's your turn.

Who has the right of way?

You're very nice, but I can't let a tank through.

You got scared of a girl?

Why didn't you go when I was talking to her?

Some hero.

Now we'll have wait till evening.

Guys, I have an idea.

- Where, here? - No, there, at her feet.

Fetch.

Szarik, fetch.

Attention, attention! The Ruffalo Circus!

Again Szarik. Good dog.

Hardbeam? Oka here, where are you?

Oka, Hardbeam three here.

The river's flowing, we're standing, the dog's jumping.

What? Who's jumping? Hardbeam. Report. What's going on?

The dog's jumping. Don't bother me.

Good dog.

Have you eaten? Yes?

Faster.

Again.

Look honey.

What a cute dog.

Who's cuter?

Some teeth.

Who am I talking to? Move on.

- Don't block the road. - Take it easy. Look.

Well, look. Damn it.

Szarik. I haven't eaten anything either.

- What have you got? - Nothing.

Nothing? You have some bacon?

- No. - No?

- No. - Maybe some sausage?

- No. - Let's see.

Oh, an egg.

Attention. Last trick. Breakfast.

The show's over, you can go.

Don't stand there. Move it.

He takes it and gives it to me. Come here.

I'll show you.

I'll take you to court.

Saboteur. Get lost.

I'll get you.

Welcome.

Thank you madam.

Have you seen my son?

Hey old man, you got a beard like a hedge hog.

Calm down, Marylka, I kiss only old men.

Take these flowers.

Have I missed anybody?

- Where are you boys from? - I'm from Ustronie.

I know that area. And where's this dark guy from?

He's from Sandomierz, his father was a chimney sweep.

Why doesn't he say anything?

I... I'll...

He's so moved he can't speak.

Long live!

They brought a Polish dog, it barks just like ours.

Julka, bring some food for the dog.

- Listen, in 1939... - Oh, son, in 1939...

Have any of you heard of lieutenant Kos?

- Where did he fight, corporal? - Westerplatte.

Everybody died there, over 7000 men.

- Less then 5000 were there. - Depends on how you count.

Come to our house. It's close by.

Near the school, by the river. There are roses in the garden.

We have to move on.

Maybe you'll be stopping close by.

Maybe.

Thank you, but we don't know where we'll be stopping.

But you'll come to town tomorrow at four, alright?

Alright.

See you at five, promise?

Promise.

- Hurry up guys. - There's time.

It's not polite to keep people waiting.

One lady is not people.

Maybe we should stay, what if I won't know what to say...

Then you talked so well she kissed you. You promised.

Where are you going?

We're supposed to be at the factory at four.

Not four but five and not at the factory but at the school.

A kiss, a promise... I have to go.

I'm going for supplies, I can give you a lift.

Let's go guys.

Wait for me! Don't go without me.

Around the rustling forrest. Is this true or a dream?

What does this familiar sight remind you of?

Vistula's yellow sand, and straw roofs.

Oka flows wide as the Vistula Deep as the Vistula.

Welcome, boys. Hurrah, hurrah!

Cheers! Cheers!

Just no trouble, there's not enough vodka for everyone.

Citizens...

Long live the friendship between Poland and Russia!

Please sit down. Help yourselves.

Cheers. Pass it on.

Citizens, a toast to our dear soldiers.

When the people rose to fight the rich were in the capital.

The people cried: Victory or death, the rich talked of rent.

Bless you rich lords

for our slavery and chains...

Bless you princess and prelates

for a country stained by the blood of fellow countrymen.

Poland hasn't died yet, while we're still alive...

What foreign powers took away, we shall by sword regain...

You think this is the right place?

- The roses are here. - So they are.

What are you afraid of? Out of my way.

You go.

There's no one there.

You've already met the dark one.

Come in.

Please sit at the table.

You can sit here lieutenant...

...Jarosz.

Were you born in Siberia?

My father was born there and I...

Of course, what a striking resemblance.

Look... gentlemen.

Maybe he's your grandfather, Olgierd Jarosz, leader...

Yes. My name's also Olgierd.

What a wonderful reunion.

Sit down gentlemen.

I even managed to get a chicken.

Would anybody like some egg? Help yourselves.

- And you? - And Janek too.

Has everyone been served?

Lieutenant, please.

Let's drink to our...

Not so officially.

To your health gentlemen.

After five years the white eagles are back...

The last time I saw Polish soldiers was in 1939...

The high school I taught at was turned into a hospital.

It was Queen Jadwiga's high school, I became a nurse.

Wounded from all around were brought to our hospital.

They were mainly young boys, like you...

We'd bring civilian clothes to the soldiers that got better.

I remember one old man even brought his frock...

We did it so the Germans wouldn't take them prisoner.

Cause they took everyone, even the sick, the old the young...

They'd take them to war camps...

We'd take addresses to let their families know,

nobody knew anything about their relatives' fate.

It's good all that is over.

Now it's just a memory...

Listen...

I have somewhere a tankjacket.

I don't need it, you can have it.

I'm sure you could use it...

Just the thing for a mechanic.

Many Polish soldiers eluded imprisonment thanks to us...

But there are many graves from those times in our cemetery.

I'm sorry for saying such sad things, it's such a nice day...

The white roses are blooming.

Come back from the battle field, Johnny.

Come back to our house, like you did before.

In return I'll give you the most beautiful rose blossom.

How can you treat him like this, he's part of the crew.

All hands to battle stations.

At Stalingrad it was also hard sometimes...

Szarik, shake hands, good dog.

I...

Few words, little vodka but a lot of heart.

Guys, let's go to the cemetery.

Hey, your father's alive.

Did you think you'd find your grandfather?

Well, what did you have to drink?

Cherry vodka, Soir de Paris... what is it?

Let's go guys.

Good bye.

Stay.

Some young guy...

What is it Hans?

Are you def?

Nothing. The cook brought the stew.

- Damn it. - Let's go help.

It's nothing.

This stew is good.

But what?

Damn. Not a moment of peace and quiet.

What are those idiots doing up there?

Willi!

Do it.

So they're in a mood forjokes?

Throw the cover.

You'll lie.

Thank you.

Is this your lastjoke?

Yes, now let's split.

Willi, Willi, be quiet.

Not here...

Listen Janek, back home in Georgia we had this story.

There was this boy and this girl.

They loved each other, he gave her a ring.

They were walking in high mountains, rocks on the left

a chasm on the right, a narrow path, she leaned on the rock

her ring slipped off...

and fell down the cliff.

He saw her sadness and he went to the bottom of the canyon.

A stream flowed there. He searched for many years...

The canyon was big and the ring small.

Finally he found the ring and took it home to the girl.

She was waiting for him, but she was old and gray.

What good is this ring for when life passed us by.

That's what she said putting the ring on her finger.

But when she put it on they both got younger.

He looked at her, her red lips, hair black as a raven's wing.

Who searches patiently not only finds

but time also awards him by giving extra hours.

Guys, where is Gustlik?

What are you doing here?

It's closing time, no time to look around now.

Get the traitor. He's a traitor.

There.

You son of a gun, you're together with the Germans?

- What are you doing? - He smells like a kraut.

Traitor, they beat and killed people and he's with them.

Corporal Kos, corporal Jelen...

You want to be like them? Let's go.

You want to be prejudiced like them? Hatred is contagious.

Maybe it's them that killed my mother and father?

Maybe they killed my father too.