Original subtitles

MARS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT

AMEDIA

present

MARS-FILM production

The creators of this film did not seek

to reconstruct the events of the Mongol-Tatar Yoke epoch.

The plot and the heroes are the product of the authors' imagination

ALEXANDER USTYUGOV RAMIL SABITOV

YULIA PERESILD SVETLANA KOLPAKOVA

SABINA AKHMETOVA SANJAR MADI

SERGEI PUSKEPALIS ARTUR IVANOV

ARUZHAN DJAZILBEKOVA DINA TASBULATOVA

KARINA ANDOLENKO ARTEM ALEXEEV

EVGENIA DMITRIEVA LARISSA DOMASKINA

SERGEI SOTSERDOTSKY BORIS KAMORZIN

WRITTEN BY OLGA LARIONOVA

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MORAD ABDEL-FATTAKH

MUSIC BY ZINOVIY ARVANITIDI

ART DIRECTORS - DAVID DADUNASHVILI YURY GRIGOROVICH

EDITED BY ELENA DENISEVICH DENIS LUZANOV, IGOR REPIN

SOUND BY OLGA SUBBOTINA VADIM RUDOBELETS

COSTUMES BY MARIA YURESCO

MAKE-UP BY ELENA ARSHINOVA ELENA MAMEDOVA

CASTING BY LIKA LEONIDZE

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GALINA NAKHIMOVSKAYA

POST-PRODUCTION BY ALENA KORNEEVA

LINE PRODUCERS - VAZGEN KHACHATRYAN ALEXANDER MARTYNOV

PRODUCER ARAM MOVSESYAN

PRODUCER ELENA DENISEVICH

GENERAL PRODUCERS RUBEN DISHDISHYAN

LEONARD BLAVATNIK NELLI YARALOVA

a film by TIMUR ALPATOV

THE GOLDEN HORDE

Episode Nine

Nikita!

Ivan sent me.

We might be sent on a march on behalf of the Great Horde.

He has asked everyone who are with us to get to our guard.

That's not our decision.

Think of something.

Wait.

You're a woman, Ivan's wife.

Have you lost your mind, man?

Your eyes and hands betray you.

Be careful.

That's a ruler to behold!

He respects a good pedigree and manners.

He didn't let my lady to sit in the same tent with dirty slaves.

- Who are you singing praise for? - Who else?

Their Khan Berke.

God grant him good health!

You ought to praise only one man

Mengu-Timur.

Many thanks to him for allowing to humiliate and hurt you for so long.

Leave us.

I see you've settled in quickly under Khan Berke's protection.

I'm so glad to see you.

You're my Khan.

But you must hate me.

I disgraced you. I took you away from your husband.

I should've taken my own life back when it all happened.

And I would've without hesitation

if my husband were a worthy man.

But he brought me only indignity.

When you...

You are like a beautiful leopard.

You're strong,

clever, and brave.

I want to wash away my past

like steppe dust.

I want to be yours alone.

I want us to pray to the same God.

Help me, Khan.

And I'll do anything for you to become whatever you want to be.

Ivan-agha,

I've arranged this meeting for you But know this is the last time.

If you're not back at work in 5 minutes...

- Ivan, dear! - Nastya, we don't have much time.

You must get among our guards.

Yes, my love. I'd love to, but I'm already in Nogai's hundred

and I doubt I'll be able to leave him.

Do it.

We're getting ready to escape.

You must be by my side.

Do you understand me?

I'll do everything, darling.

My heart...

We must be ready when our people start rioting.

Why should we risk our heads?

We have our bread and meat here and a roof over our heads.

And in our village I didn't see a dry crust a day.

Did you give your oath to the Prince

before they drove us here?

Did you swear your allegiance to him and to the Russian land?

The Prince?

But who gave us to these pagans? Who sent us to the Horde?

You wear our garments like you've been born in them.

Long skirt

and covered head are the lot of women from all nations.

Do you want to wear trousers and a kaftan?

No, it's enough for me that you wear them.

- You've promised Azar will see me. - Yes.

I hope I'll do everything right.

Any day now we'll march against Hulagu.

Does the Khan want you to lead the march?

Berke never speaks plainly.

I think he's choosing between me and Nogai.

I hope he passes you by.

Why should I cede the honor to punish Hulagu to Nogai?

Khan Berke plays his own game.

He's not ready to give his throne either to you or Nogai.

Why do you think that?

When an old man marries a young girl, it means only one thing.

He's hoping for an heir.

Could he just be tempted by a young body?

He's the Khan.

What prevents him from taking her?

No, he wants to legitimize the one who, perhaps,

is already growing in the womb of his new wife.

If Hulagu wins...

Nogai will be dead or captured.

You'll get rid of a dangerous competitor.

And if Nogai returns with laurels of victory,

the Khan will destroy him.

He doesn't need a hero his army loves more than the Great Khan.

I order to prepare you for the ritual.

He left her recently, Great One.

And she ordered a Mongol dress to be made for her;

and she wants to convert to our faith.

That slave will see what I can do

when the matter concerns my only son.

Go to her and tell her:

Ush-khatun is glad that her son's favorite concubine will share his faith

and she will personally dress her for the ritual.

You're up early, Stepanida!

I haven't slept. Have you heard what's going on here?

I have, my lady.

Is it true that he put that Tatar girl to the Princess' rooms?

And sent lady Radmila to the farthest house?

You're spouting nonsense!

The Prince is kissing the Princess feet for saving the city from the pagans!

What would've happened with you and you daughters if not for her!

I didn't mean anything by that!

I'm ready to kiss lady Radmila's feet myself.

It's just those women spread rumors! And I...

But it's true that she'd gravely ill.

Since that Tatar girl has come back, the Princess has been ill.

Both medicine man and the doctor saw her.

Could it be a hex? But who would've dared?

Alright, I don't have time. And keep it a secret!

Hello, Princess. I've heard you're feeling better.

If that's the reason for your visit, tell people I'm well.

Not only that.

But that's a private conversation.

Sit down, Prince.

I...

came to apologize.

For not keeping your son safe.

For the moment of weakness and offer to surrender the city.

When I though what those pagans can do to the child, I...

as if lost my mind.

When your wife Ustinia advised you, you lied better.

- I can swear on anything. - Enough.

Be thankful that the Prince had no time to deal with you.

He certainly hadn't.

- Everyone saw what occupied him. - Shut up!

On his land and in his house

the Prince acts as he sees fit.

And no small fry dares to admonish him.

Only he brought her here and left.

And the people are raging. There are rumors the Prince went mad

and conspired with the Tatars behind the people's backs.

If a riot starts, what will you do?

I don't know anything about these sentiments.

You've been ill.

I didn't want to worry you.

What should I do?

If something happens to her, the Prince won't forgive me.

Let me take care of her.

I'll get her to a safe place; and when the Prince returns,

he will decide himself what to do about her.

Go, Prince.

I need to think.

You promised to the people to talk to Radmila.

It's madness to punish them because of a pagan slave.

Their anger is justified.

It's too late to talk about it.

Arguing with her will look like going against the Great Prince's will.

This girl like a smoldering spark in a haystack.

Flame will flare any day now. And we won't be able to contain it.

We could spare Prince this tough choice

without dirtying our own hands.

What are you hinting at, Prince?

This girl

is hot-blooded

but...

unwise.

If we open the cage,

she will flew out.

And will end up in the flames of people's anger.

Nobody will dare to kill the Great Prince's lover.

Especially now, after what Radmila did.

Radmila

instilled fear in them.

But you, Father,

can ignite their anger.

I've learned

that Hulagu will march against the Horde within a month.

I have this time to decide

who will lead the march against him,

you or Nogai.

Nogai has more combat experience.

But he's too hot-headed and straightforward.

Hulagu is called the Steppe Fox for a reason.

Only cunning and patient adversary can defeat your sworn enemy.

Every time I'm surprised with the difference between you two.

Nogai would've struck his chest and said

that he's ready to march out against Hulagu tomorrow.

And you, by praising yourself, left yourself a chance to think

whether you're ready to risk your hide.

Just say a word. I'll saddle up

and charge your enemies, Great Khan.

Remember, Mengu.

I'm as simple as the executioner's noose,

as the grindstone a butcher hones his knife against.

And there's only one way to earn my trust.

What way is that, Great One?

To be ready to give your life in the name of the Golden Horde.

This is the sword

your father held, fighting alongside Batu-Khan.

I hope, now you'll protect your Khan Berke

in the great march against treacherous Hulagu.

The Khan hasn't chosen the leader for the march yet.

Make him choose you.

Tell him you're a proud descendant of Genghis Khan.

I haven't decided yet

if I want the responsibility for the outcome of that march.

What?

I hope my hearing is playing tricks on me.

Do you, my mother, wish me such swift death?

Brave warriors go to Paradise and live forever.

But from the moment you decide to become a coward,

I'm going to think that my son is dead. Get out!

Your father's sword?

You'll get it

when you're mounted up at the head of the Horde Army.

You'll ruin Ivan

and get yourself into trouble.

Here he's at least alive.

You've managed to live on your own just fine.

Without Ivan it wasn't life.

I wish for a bath and clean shirt.

Line up!

Hurry up!

From this day forward

my personal attention will be on every one of you.

Only the most capable and loyal will have the honor

to march with the Horde Army against treacherous Hulagu.

The rest will be left behind to guard the slaves and builders.

- Got it? - Yes.

Did you hear?

The rest will be sent to guard.

Try less in training.

How could it be?

We're betraying our Orthodox faith, it's such a sin!

God will punish us!

God has punished me in advance. What should I fear now?

Ush-khatun sent you this dress for the ritual.

Thank her for me.

Why are you standing there? Help me dress!

Mother Goddes Etugen

and Great Spirits of Earth and Sky,

take me under your protection.

What's wrong? Ustinia!

Get the healer, now!

It burns!

She was poisoned.

The poison got onto her skin.

Heal her!

You know I'll be generous.

Forgive me, Khan. I did what I could.

Who dared?

Hey, you!

Who had brought the dress she was wearing?

Your mother sent it.

Get out!

You've lost the last shreds of shame and manners.

- Which poison did you use? - Unhand me, Mengu-Timur!

You've lost your mind!

What you saw

was Gods' punishment.

The Gods punished that wench

for daring to think she's worthy of our faith.

And your favor.

Enough of that nonsense.

I spent 26 years raising you

and scant months were enough for her

so you forgot your filial duty

and respect of your elders.

Do you mean obedience?

You're a man, Mengu-Timur.

I would never dare pressing you.

I know my place.

But you're blinded by passion.

If she dies,

I won't forgive you.

Gates and railings for the White Mosque will arrive later.

The smiths don't have enough bronze and iron.

I've heard somewhere in the Horde there is a lot of weapons taken

from the prisoners back in the time of Genghis Khan.

And the Army doesn't use it.

Perhaps, it should be melted down for the new mosque?

Those weapons are the memory of Mongols victories

and the Horde's greatness!

Although...

No, I don't even want to ask!

What are you afraid of, Bakhtiar?

You're a valuable man and the Khan won't touch you.

He needs you.

The construction of the city hasn't been finished yet.

And if he thinks your request is worthwhile...

If he manages to do it,

there'll be enough weapons for everyone.

Have you lost your mind?

We're on the verge of war, every warrior counts.

I've heard Nogai takes only the best ones against Hulagu?

Doesn't it mean that some troops will stay at the headquarters?

You know a lot, Bakhtiar-agha.

Watch out,

I might decide that I've cherished an enemy spy.

Mercy, Great Khan.

Nothing could be further from my mind.

I'll talk to Nogai.

Ivan-agha,

I've talked to the Great Khan.

He agreed.

Is she better?

Unfortunately, it's a temporary improvement.

She might not last to the evening.

When she's worse, send for me right away.

Matriona...

Matriona...

Has Ush-khatun sent you?

No.

I was just curious to see

how a woman worthy of 30,000 warriors

and the Grea Khan's favor will fight death.

I know what has been used on you, Princess.

I've made this poison myself.

And I have the antidote.

Drink it all.

In a few days you'll be well.

Khan Mengu will reward you generously.

I don't need it.

When you reach your goal, remember Azar.

The clans have patrols everywhere. They might know we're coming.

Shigarkan is expecting me.

- Hold you swords ready! - Hold you swords ready!

There she is, shameless girl!

Look at her. It's clear she's a witch.

- A witch, a she-demon! - She bewitched our Prince!

Hit her!

Hit the cursed wench!

Sir!

Hurry, people are killing the Tatar girl!

Run!

- Who did that to her? - People, who else.

Another minute and they would've killed her.

God willing, she'll get well.

Forgive me, girl. I haven't protected you.

I'll be more careful from now on.

The Prince went for a mortal combat with the pagans!

And you left her alone! Unprotected!

What is she had died?

How would we look him in the eye?

- Answer me! - It's my fault, my lady.

I failed to keep an eye on her. I know she loathes me

so I hesitated to stay close. I thought she'd sent me away.

You are the Prince's man.

And she is his slave.

You have the order to guard this property like an apple of your eye.

The wench has no right to decide who's to be close to her.

Lock all the doors,

so she's unable to stick her nose out on the street.

- Yes, my lady. - Do they give her meals?

From the Prince's table, my lady.

Feed her better.

And find and whip those who have hit her.

Publicly, so the others will feel no desire to do anything like it.

It will be done, Princess.

Go away.

Again you've brought me overgrown cucumbers

when I asked for small ones.

And butter!

It's not the same butter that was the last time.

Darya is unwell and

her daughters-in-law haven't got the hang of it yet.

Tell them, if my dough doesn't rise by tomorrow,

I'll tell other grocery suppliers.

- Have they paid you? - Yes.

Though some extra would've been good, the prices are up.

What extra?

You see what life is like nowadays.

This new tribute is strangling the life out of us.

Last year we could barely sow.

And we ate all the livestock.

If draught hits, we'll all be done with, nobody has any reserve.

What the Tatars didn't take, the Princes cleared out.

Hush! Do you want to end on a rack? A protector of people.

What? I'm just saying what people are thinking.

And that girl!

They say, Berke has sent her to turn the Prince to their faith.

And eliminate our nation entirely.

They almost killed her today, did you hear?

No.

And they would.

They would've torn her apart if was not for Eremei and his men.

Go, Prokhor. I don't have the time to talk to you.

I'll tell Miron about the money.

You know what happens to people who take what belongs to others.

I didn't take anything that doesn't belong to me.

It was his decision to be with me.

What can men decide?

They stumble like cattle where their flesh urges them to.

Be you three times his loving and faithful wife,

he'll betray you one day anyway.

For a new young body.

He married you because of your influential family.

He spent a month giving me gifts

and winning my consent.

I dreamed about life in the convent

and I thought no one but Christ was worthy of me!

So when a month later I refused him,

he tied me up and brought me to Vladimir!

So go to the convent now.

Leave him to me.

They will bring you food and take away the chamber pot

three times a day.

What are you doing here?

I've brought her food.

Lock her up tight afterwards

and give the key to Stesha.

Here's some food.

Or is simple bread is above your station now?

- Thank you, Marfa-khanum. - There, there.

Stop it.

They wanted to kill me.

I told you so; I warned you.

I'm scared!

What will happen to me now?

I don't know, girl.

I hope, the Prince will return soon, safe and sound.

They only scared of the Prince's ire.

Don't trust anyone; don't eat the food Stesha brings you.

Do they want to poison me?

I don't know.

But more than one girl wilted here for no apparent reason.

So, eat and drink only I or Eremei bring you.

Nargiz! Perish the thought to run away from here.

Out of these walls you won't survive.

Marfa-khanum,

do you also think that I'm a witch?

I think that you're a shameless girl,

and stupid with it.

But not a witch. I see a witch at once.

- How? - By my dough.

If a witch comes into my kitchen,

my dough spoils instantly

and never rises.

And you baked wonderful pies!

Better than I did!

Go!

Go!

The danger has passed.

She'll live.

The doctor said it was a miracle.

What are you doing, Azar?

I won't shy away from going to the Great Khan

and telling him everything.

Telling him that you wanted to poison your son's concubine?

It was you who gave me the poison.

I'd say I mistook it for a cure.

Ustinia was healthy;

what ailment did you want to cure?

You're going to regret helping her, Azar.

Kid! Look!

Balaban-Pasha!

We're almost there!

It's a good swill.

I'll be damned...

It's Sarai Berke.