Original subtitles

CHINGACHGOOK THE GREAT SNAKE

Based on The Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper

The Delaware Tribe celebrates the rescue of its wounded chief.

Our story takes place in the early days of the American Colonies.

Like all tribes, the Delaware trade with European settlers.

The Indians underestimate the value of their hides.

They pay inflated prices for metal goods.

They are overcharged for horses too.

The unfair trade forces the Indians into greater dependency.

Colonial powers vie for control of the land.

Unwittingly, the Indians lose their freedom.

Their tribal animosity is exploited.

The Delaware become enemies of the Huron.

Today the Delaware celebrate.

Chingachgook is hero of the day.

He will show how he saved the chief's life.

He will receive Wahtawah's hand in marriage.

The Huron have abducted Wahtawah!

Chingachgook and Deerslayer separately follow the kidnappers' trail.

Thornton, this war is a bloody awful war.

- Was it a long voyage from London? - 60 days.

Not bad, eh what? God sends many real chances to fire.

We should give Canada to the French and keep what lies south.

We must decimate the Redskins so they become a minority, eh what?

But the Redskins are our allies.

As you like.

We pay the Delaware, the French the Huron.

We can watch them exterminate themselves.

I don't understand.

You are a young officer.

You still have much to learn.

You exploit the tribal warfare. Their trust, their bravery, understand?

The English Crown must fulfill the hopes of the natives for a better life.

We must bring justice and freedom.

Bless your beliefs, Thornton. The Crown wants power and riches.

We won't miss out.

- I said it's a bloody awful war? - Yes, sir.

- The date today? - 1st October 1740, sir.

Correct. On this day, the border is still the same.

The middle of Lake Ontario.. French to the North.

We rule the east of this damned awful new world.

An ideal point of departure.

You are a military arse.

It would be unfair tactics to send you out as avenger.

You'd return with no nose.

- I'm not scared. - Said the mouse to the snake.

- What's up? - Bear and cabbage.

Delightful!

Wars decivilize a man.

My language is proof of that.

- Gentlemen don't say "bloody". - Yes, sir.

Hunters?

They never use rifles to hunt.

- There's talk of war at the fort. - It's possible.

That's the place.

A beech and three oaks.

No broken twig.

You shouldn't leave broken twigs as signs.

- The Delaware never do that. - Can't you think of something else?

Harry, there.

What's special there?

The little spruce.

I cut off its crown.

- I hid the canoe ten paces from here. - You have sharp eyes, come on!

Tom Hutter's water castle.

- It's beautiful. - You get used to it.

All lakes are the same. Water with land round the edge.

- Without water it would be just land. - Greenhorn!

I want to get across.

I don't like all the shooting.

Look at this!

A Huron moccasin.

Come on! We're safer over there.

- Where does Tom Hutter come from? - No one knows why he's here.

The old dog is seeking his fortune in trapping.

No one home.

Tom has a wife?

He did.

She's dead.

His daughter lives here.

Judith.

What a doll!

Bright, young.

- You're interested? - That's just it.

I'm a bit of a hunk, but...

If she weds another, I'll kill him.

- What if she likes someone else? - I'll shoot him down.

I spent 100 doubloons on her so far.

I can't sell beaver skin if I stay here.

- That's why you're here. - That's why I'm here.

- And you? - I'm meeting Chingachgook.

The Great Snake.

- Huron took his girl. - How will you meet?

- The lake and the forests are huge. - We'll meet.

He might have gone to sea.

Shooting may mean that Chingachgook's near.

The Huron could have killed Great Snake.

I don't understand how you can help a Redskin.

He's my friend.

Red bucks and game are the same to me.

Who shall ride to New Littlefield?

The Moor lies in between.

Who shall ride to New Littlefield?

The Moor lies in between.

No one gets through, and no one gets back.

Not on horse and not on foot.

And there's no point.

Who writes such beautiful songs?

Who's with you?

If you can't say anything else, at least he's honest.

A trustworthy friend of mine.

Welcome, young man.

You have to trust every White Man.

What about the shooting?

It looks serious. A messenger got through.

War with the French again.

At least I can look after your daughter.

Thanks, Harry. I can look after myself.

- Deerslayer, please meet Judith. - Welcome.

Careful, Miss.

Cook these tender for our guests, they're female fish.

- What are you up to? - He grew up with the Delaware.

If we need to fight, he can hunt.

He's the best hunter I know.

- What brings you here? - He wants to meet Chingachgook.

Huron stole his girl!

Terrible. And in the middle of a war.

The English will fight for this land.

The French too.

Poor Judith.

Well, I'm still here.

Your arrival won't do any harm.

I must get you to the fort.

- What do you think? -I don't like the officers in the fort.

You are a subject of the English Crown.

I grew up here.

There are Huron around the lake who have fled the fighting.

- Women and children are there. - The mob has reached these parts.

Where will you meet him. Here at my place?

By the cliffs on the lake. He could help if the war gets serious.

Help? I only ask how?

How can a Redskin help us?

I don't trust the Huron or the Delaware.

Chingachgook is my friend. So you don't trust me.

That's fine.

But we are at war.

Why did you steal me?

Why am I your prisoner?

I don't know. It's the men's business.

Chingachgook will take all your scalps.

You say women and children are there.

They're vulnerable. Not bad business at all.

What do you mean?

There are premiums for scalps.

They pay serious money.

The scoundrels do fine. Head money.

Women and children. Big and little scalps.

The colony pays.

- That's a pity. - A missionary.

- I mean... - We won't.

The Huron are our enemies. It's good to know where the enemy is.

You're a good shot, Deerslayer.

There.

See Captain Warley!

Thornton, can't you ride?

You're scared of nothing! The horse for Thornton!

Off with that nag!

The King wants all officers to enjoy respect.

It looks bad when cadets bite the dust.

- Where did you find them? - By the river.

I report, sir: French patrol captured.

- Four men, four horses. - Four horses? Delightful!

He's asleep.

That's good. He was only in our way.

- He loves Redskins too much. - Let's go!

They've gone ashore. Go after them.

- They're reporting on the Huron? - No, scalping Huron.

- You know for sure? - I overheard Harry.

- It was Harry's idea? - Father's not done it for years.

He can't afford to make enemies out of the Indians.

The war's changed that.

The Huron could kill your father.

- He should have thought of you. - Go after him. You could help him.

- What about you? - Don't worry.

I'm often here alone.

The tomahawk is raised.

We and our families are in enemy land.

The Delaware roam these parts.

Before the second noon from now we will be back in our own woods.

Before the sun rises.

With arrows.

No guns will speak.

Palefaces are on the lake.

Will we leave without enemy scalps?

Our families' safety is more important than the scalps of palefaces.

Wahtawah, go to sleep.

Do not flee. Stay here and live with us.

Wild Rose thinks of the Delaware, but she'll never see them again.

Know that I am your friend.

I will be Chief of the Huron.

The chief's wife must be like Wild Rose.

The palefaces from the lake are our enemies.

No trace. We only wanted to offer you some firewater, right?

The Huron captured my father.

- You know what that means? - Yes.

- The Huron will kill them. - Yes.

How can you be so calm?

- They wanted to scalp their families. - This is war.

The fort pays bounty for an Indian scalp.

- We invented scalping? - Yes.

I know better.

We didn't invent it but we made it a business.

Kill or be killed: the law of the frontier.

Why do you say that?

- Hutter's a... - Don't forget he's my father.

- Can you see a way to help him? - And Harry?

We could pay a ransom.

- What with? - Father's chest.

There must be valuables inside.

It's locked.

I've never opened it. I don't know where the key is.

Find it.

I must go onshore.

I'll meet Chingachgook. He may be able to help us.

Deerslayer!

If in danger, get in the kayak.

Cruise on the lake until I return.

Come out, Hurons!

The Huron and Delaware are at war.

It's between English and French for our game.

- We are enemies. - You are rash.

You speak the words of cowards.

Let us fight.

We are brothers.

Test your might on the palefaces.

The Delaware talk like women.

Jump!

Careful!

Miserable pigs!

They didn't know she was Wahtawah.

That doesn't make it better.

You are a paleface and still my brother.

This is my friend, Great Snake.

Where is my father?

- The Huron are breaking camp. - My father?

- A captured Huron may help us. - A ransom for prisoners?

One for three captives?

- Three? - You forgot Wahtawah.

Got the key?

That's the chest. But where's the key?

If there is a key, it hovers not in the air.

It swims not in the lake.

I've looked there. His gun and some powder isn't enough.

- Their scalps are worth twice that. - Right.

It's terrible.

It fits! Pull the chest out!

If your Lordship permits?

What a beautiful dress!

The dress will make Wild Rose Queen of the Whites.

But it's no exchange for scalps.

Here's another.

These are unearthly animals.

- Very good for Huron. - Are you sure?

The two-tailed animal is great magic.

Can we buy them back? And Wahtawah?

You do not buy a Delaware girl.

Huron, I must speak with you.

Great magic from Manitou!

- Great magic. - You are free.

I'll take you to the shore. Tell your chief of the magic animal.

We shall give you one for every white prisoner.

They're packing. Will they take us?

- They'll take our scalps. - I'm not in a jovial mood.

No wonder! This is my first time too.

We're not used to it.

What will happen to Judith?

No idea.

Deerslayer may take her to the fort.

That bastard can go to hell!

The palefaces want to take our families' scalps.

They shall beg for their lives at the martyr stake.

Then they shall lose their scalps.

If I get free I'll kill you all. All of you!

I come from the lake. Magic two-tailed animals.

One of them for each prisoner.

Do you think they'll take our offer?

- We shall see. - I think they will.

We may be safer in the fort.

- You would be best off there. - And you?

I'm a hunter.

- I don't like the people in the fort. - There are bad people everywhere.

What do you mean?

Harry is a bad person.

- Doesn't he want to marry you? - He boasts too much.

- Father wouldn't mind. - Don't be unfair.

I think he really likes you.

Maybe, but I know a better one.

Huron are coming on a raft. Swimming Tom and the other.

Stay under cover and stay armed. It may be a trick.

Is there a chief among you or have you sent mere braves?

My brother is proud.

Split Oak makes Delaware tremble.

What does Split Oak suggest?

My brother sent the Huron a message and lifted their hearts.

Will he show us the magic animal with two tails?

Here is one of them. I want to trust you.

Trust? I see two gun muzzles in the window.

Drop your weapons, and we'll drop ours.

Damn! My chest!

Great magic! Does my brother have more animals?

One for each prisoner.

The old prisoner is wise.

King of the lake, a great warrior. For him, two animals are enough.

Give that animal back!

Why let a dark cloud come between Split Oak and his brother?

One animal per prisoner. The second animal.

Prisoners first!

As my brother wishes.

Judith, my dear.

Did you weep for me when I was held by the savages?

The lake is swollen with my tears.

Are you mad, Redskin? I'll...

Do you want to ruin us all?

It was only a joke!

Arrowhead is dead.

The palefaces on the lake broke the peace.

They shot at our backs in cowardice. All palefaces will die.

Everything on the lake will belong to the Huron.

I swear this in Arrowhead's presence.

The Huron will scalp anyone, red or white.

- That's no reason for us to. - Listen, in wars, people die.

What are a few worthless skins?

Are Indians people?

Redskin scalps are like wolf ears.

- I'd take money for both. - And women and children's scalps

With less risk.

You'd not let anyone skin a beaver.

We're at war.

- Good Injuns are dead Injuns. - Living Indians your allies.

The law is on our side. We are the masters here.

You steal our land and murder our people.

What? You call us thieves and murderers?

Quiet!

Damned Redskin! Lake and land are mine.

- You're unfair. Who would... - Shut up! This is men's business.

The lake has been ours forever.

I've been sailing on that lake for 15 years.

It's my property, and I'll keep it.

You're speaking as if he were a white man.

You're right, my boy.

What sort of people are you?

And you? You broke into my chest. You gave bandits all I sweated for.

Sweated for? He saved you from being killed.

Enjoy it all in peace.

You drove off Deerslayer and his friend. Now you fight?

- The Huron will come. - You can be sure.

Because of your shooting.

We would all be safer in the fort.

I'm not abandoning all I have because of Redskins.

What now?

We'll get in the kayak.

Cruise on the lake.

It's not worth thinking about the men. I feel sorry for the girl.

White Rose fell for my brother too.

I came to help you free Wahtawah.

When the sun shines through the treetops tomorrow,

Wahtawah will be with me.

All quiet. Come to the horses.

Enemies in camp!

Hey, Greenhorn!

On a horse.

I thought you were on the lake.

- Well... - What happened?

Should I wait until they skin me alive by the old marsh?

And Judith?

It's your job to play the hero.

Great Snake is a brave warrior.

Arrowhead, heir to the chief's honor, is dead.

I offered him peace and he declined.

I didn't want war with Huron.

- Why creep around our camp? - You stole my girl from the Delaware.

What do you care?

Great Snake is no Delaware.

I'm the son of Unkas the Mohican chief.

- Your people is dead. - The Delaware accord me all honors.

Be a warrior of the brave Huron.

Go to the floating house and tell Tom:

"The Huron are going."

When he goes to sleep, bring the floating house to shore.

I can tell bravery from cowardly advice.

My brother wishes to speak with Wahtawah.

I know why you came back in spite of the fight.

I thought you wouldn't guess.

- Build this yourself? - Yes.

The Evil Spirit haunts us.

I heard it all. He spoke very loudly.

Tom and the other white man wanted my scalp.

I know. I was nearby.

You called me with birdsong.

Why do you care for the palefaces? He is no friend. Don't protect him.

Listen to the chief.

Delaware women would mock me if I became a Huron to save my scalp.

My heart is heavy because Arrowhead is dead.

Wahtawah was to be his wife.

Stay with us, Great Snake, with your wife.

You will be the joy of my eyes.

As proof of your loyalty, outsmart Swimming Tom.

- He will sleep when we come. - He has a daughter.

She is innocent as brother Deerslayer.

We want Swimming Tom.

I am a warrior, not a traitor.

You will die a warrior at the stake.

Your spirit will dance in your ancestors' hunting grounds.

I'll make you pay for this, swine! You should think of me!

Yes, sir!

Luck in the morning. Five doubloons.

Aren't you ashamed? For four beaver skins?

Undried. Five doubloons.

I can get beaver skins fast. But this is risky.

A Redskin's not worth more than five doubloons.

Good. Then I'll have to speak to the captain.

About French Indians.

Captain Warley is breakfasting. I won't go in.

Breakfast. That's a thought.

What do we simple hunters and trappers have left in wartime?

All our possessions have lost half their value.

- We need scalps for money. - You can't live like that.

- You're deluding yourself. - You'd be safe in the fort.

In the fort? I'm not an old woman.

I must leave you.

Please stay, Deerslayer! Please.

Only until evening.

- You're going to the house? - Where else?

- The Huron may have come at night. - I watched carefully. Nothing happened.

That's no proof.

Do you see a raft or canoe?

No, but it could be hidden under the jetty.

Rubbish!

I see nothing.

Filthy rats! I'll kill you...

- Judith! - Here I am!

I can't strip the fort for them. This wine is excellent!

Hutter and his daughter are in danger.

Judith Hutter? Why didn't he say?

Charming creature. Shame we can't help her.

Hutter can handle Redskins.

- They are subjects... - You're stubborn.

Our Indians are advancing toward the French.

You're not attracted by those 50 Indian scalps?

I cannot strip the fort militarily.

I know the camp. I'll take troops straight there.

We'll have them before they can think of weapons.

- How many are there? - 50, Your Grace. Women and children.

7 times 50. That makes...

Where is the camp?

Here.

Split Oak and his red dogs.

You know?

He's gawking now.

There's fantastic salmon in Otsego Lake.

He guarantees minimal losses.

You can rely on me. Dead safe.

Excellent chance to earn the King's honour.

Corporal!

Eight sections ready to march! And my fishing line!

Come on!

Water!

Water!

Father!

- Damn and blast. I'm finished. - Oh yes, father.

I'm not your father. In the chest, the little case, the gold.

Who is my father?

I always...

really loved you, Judith.

You were always my father. You always will be.

Judith... I murdered.

The admiral, his wife.

The dress.

The uniform.

Pirates! Murderers!

Does your skin prick before the battle?

No, sir.

Have one on me. Better dead drunk than dead!

What were you thinking?

I was thinking you take a third of the premium.

The soldiers a third and I the rest.

We shall see.

- You're sure they won't catch us? - Sure. Their camp is on a spit.

- Water on three sides. - Good.

One shot, the Huron think the enemy's done.

Hold your tongue, Mohican.

No tribe can be compared to the Huron.

Mohicans thought that, but their bones bleach in the sun.

Whoever serves the English will die.

As long as our tribes feud,

the palefaces will destroy us all.

Chingachgook begs for his life.

- Much has happened in three days. - That's how long I've known you.

It feels like years.

We are young people, we should be honest.

Do you understand?

Could you imagine that you could be happy with a woman?

- With a woman like me? - A woman like you?

- I like you, Judith. - Let's go together.

I don't like the wild anymore. It took my parents.

I hate it all. The lake, the woods...

Deerslayer, we love each other. We have all that we need.

I'll take you to the fort. I promise.

- Will you stay there too? - No.

Then let's forget it.

You are doomed to die, Mohican!

Great Snake has proven his bravery.

But he cannot match the Huron's strength.

Red Buffalo will break Great Snake's pride.

The knife!

Stop! Huron battle honorably. Finish!

Deerslayer, stay here.

Deerslayer!

Let me lie here.

Go on.

Large is the world.

Wide are the seas.

Nimble Elk will take you back to your home woods.

And... make peace.

With all tribes... of the Red Men.

- They are Delaware, our allies. - Delaware?

Brave warriors. Useful.

Hands up!

We have a treaty with the Delaware.

We can't ally with you.

You use our arms and rejoice when our weapons kill ourselves.

Red dogs! He'll pay for that, corporal.

I have not had the pleasure of seeing you.

We are all in God's hands.

My heartfelt condolences.

Come to the fort. I'll protect you.

We return to the Delawares.

They won't die out like the Mohicans.

The Council of Elders will learn what we have seen.

Subtitling: TITELBILD, Berlin with Adam Ure et al. Copyright © 1999