Original subtitles

'Russia' TV Channel

Non-Stop Production with the participation of Twin Media

PRESENT

Vasily Grigoryevich, do you intend to torture me long tonight?

Yevgeny Mironov

Chulpan Khamatova

Alexander Domogarov

Leonid Okunev

Sergei Kachanov

Leonid Gromov

Yuri Stepanov

Sergei Taramayev

Pavel Barshak

Sergei Barkovsky

Yuri Itzkov

Andrei Yerofeev

Alexander Samoylenko

Don't stick out!

Brother...

Forgive me.

Alexander Petrov as artist Perov

in Vladimir Khotinenko's film

DOSTOYEVSKY

Part One

December 22, 1849. Semyonov parade ground

Script Eduard Volodarsky

D.O.P. Ilya Dyomin

Production designer Vladimir Donskov

Bring him out!

Costume designers Natalya Dzyubenko Natalya Studenova

Make-up artist Yekaterina Shakhvorostova

- Good morning, gentlemen. - Good morning!

How is it any good? Think before you talk.

Sound engineers Sergei Sashnin Anton Karakolev-Peterkov

Music Alexei Aygi

Editing Maksim Polinsky

Alexander, what are you doing here?

They may get the idea that you sympathize with the convicts.

- Leave immediately! - I'm sorry.

Producers Sergei Melkumov Sergei Shumakov

Director Vladimir Khotinenko

Present arms!

They'll read the confirmation now.

- What? - The sentence.

On the order of His Royal Majesty the Emperor

the court-martial commission,

established on the royal order for sentencing

23 plotters according to court-martial laws,

and having thoroughly and in all details reviewed their case,

looking into circumstances regarding each one

of the defendants, has concluded

that even though the measure of their guilt is uneven,

for some of them took a greater,

others a lesser part in the evil intent,

yet all of them had been sentenced

according to the court-martial criminal code,

and therefore based on this code were pronounced guilty.

They are to be stripped of their noble status

and executed by firing squad.

Convict Dostoyevsky!

The court-martial finds defendant Dostoyevsky

Fyodor Mikhailovich guilty

of having received from Moscow in March this year

from defendant Plescheev

a copy of the criminal letter of writer Belinsky,

and of having read it in public gatherings - at Durov's,

and later at defendant Petrashevsky's,

after which he handed it over with the purpose

of making copies to defendant Mombelli.

Therefore the court-martial had sentenced

retired lieutenant engineer Dostoyevsky...

It's impossible, they can't execute us...

for not reporting on writer Belinsky's letter,

undermining religion and the state,

and of the ill-intended writing of lieutenant Grigoryev,

to being stripped of his noble status

and property, and to death by firing squad.

Brothers!

Before you take death you have to repent.

God forgives sins to the repenting.

Father!

You have performed your duty.

You are no longer needed.

First three - to the poles!

God is merciful.

It will be good up there.

Ready!

Aim!

Stop the execution!

Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

From the Emperor - brought by express courier. Urgent!

Well, thank God then.

Major! The execution is cancelled!

With the Emperor's grace.

- Cancel! - Thank God!

God is merciful.

Brought back from the dead.

My word, truly... Brought back from the dead.

Get the shackles!

It's over, master.

It's over. Over. It's over.

It's over.

These are the rules of the game.

We take turns throwing the dice.

There are arrows on the dice,

that show directions.

The many moves you get - so many steps

you move your piece.

Out of Moscow and toward various towns.

This one's mine! Shall we start?

I make the first move.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, for I have sinned.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

have mercy on me, for I have sinned.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Dusya! Dusya, come with me!

Gimme the dipper. You didn't buy it.

Water, guys! Nevalid Petrovich woke up!

For Nevalid Petrovich, the blood brother!

Cut that crap!... Brother!

Since when are you my brother?

You and I didn't squander one ruble on drink together.

So not so fast.

Don't you barge in!

Don' barge in yourself! Some freaky monument!

Some proud bird yourself!

- Well what if I am! - What kind?

- That kind! - A Kagan!

You're a scoundrel, not a Kagan!

Why don't you scuffle with him? No use tearing your throat.

I'll go to my father and I'll tell him:

Father, I have sinned against the Sky...

Them seven do not back down before one!

... so I no longer deserve to be called your son.

Accept me as your slave!

Line up!

Brother, my dear friend! I haven't fallen into despondency,

nor have I lost my spirit. Life is life everywhere.

Life is within us, not without.

For me - it is the people,

and to be a man among the people, and remain so forever,

and in whatever hardships

not to despond and not to fall.

That's what life's purpose is.

I have gotten to know this.

Look, Zherebyatnikov arrived! Cheerful as ever.

Had plenty to drink and to eat, that's why.

He's cheerful and nice with the dog.

With us - he's worse than a beast.

Ivan the melancholy guy settles in my tummy today.

And I'd console my Mareika too.

Bread and salt - to old man Antonych! Hello there!

Health to you too - if you're not joking.

Antonych, I thought you'd turned up your toes.

First you kick the bucket.

- Hope I'm not interfering? - No.

I've a question.

You, being an intellectual and of noble blood,

have to know about Napoleon.

He's kin to the one who came here in 1812, right?

He's kin.

What kind of a president is he then?

The people elected him, so he's the president.

And he may very well become Emperor.

So he'll recruit soldiers and come here again?

Anything's possible...

- Are you literate? - I am.

I read here what I can get.

Gimme 3 kopecks.

I'll get us some tea.

You drink tea?

I do.

There.

Be right back.

Master sir, you'd better not welcome Petrov.

And why's that?

He's a brigand, a murderer.

For him stabbing a man to death - is as easy as winking.

Wouldn't spare a child.

I had the impression he was a kind man.

Kind?! Oh sure, all of us fellas here are kind.

Put a 7-inch nail in our mouth -

we'll bite it off. Take care, master.

There you go!

Thank you. You have some tea too.

Thank you.

Close the ranks!

Don't stretch!

Well if it's not Gazin!

He looks like he's stoned.

If I may ask,

on what kind of profit can you afford to drink tea?

I gather you have money?

You've come all the way to misery to feast yourself on tea, eh?

Some toff - arranging tea ceremonies!

- I am talking to you! - Cool off a bit!

Cool off, Gazin.

Gazin! They stole your wine!

Cool off, Gazin.

God saved you, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

Hey, you!

Give it a go, will you!

Wheat buns!

Hot wheat buns!

Oh, the grey dove moans,

Day and night it moans,

And my sweetheart

Flew away...

A bun for me too.

Why didn't you come yesterday?

So we came today.

Think you were Mitya!

They summoned us, or we would've been there for sure.

Oh sure, as if we believe you!

Last night all your lot came.

Like who for instance?

Maryashka came, Khavroshka came,

Chekunda was there too!

Akim Akimovich, is it...

How is it possible?

A bothersome business. Not many volunteers.

But if they get drunk - there're many more of'em.

You have to set the time, the place,

make arrangements and stuff...

The guards have to be in on it - and that means money.

5 silver kopecks will not do the job.

I haven't seen you for quite a while. You've lost some weight.

I was fat - and now it's as if I'd swallowed a needle.

Now she'll be able to squeeze through a closed door!

Here, let me see.

I'll bandage them for you.

Sir!

Come with me.

I'll show you real love.

You'll forget everything.

Come with me!

What's your name?

Lisa.

- You from this land? - No.

- Where from? - Riga.

- German? - Russian.

You been here long?

- Where? - In this house.

Two weeks.

Enough, master.

It'll be morning soon.

Fyodor Mikhailovich, don't. You shouldn't do that.

I am in love with a woman. Tender, splendid.

Proud, cruel. She doesn't love me, you understand?

I need you only to entice my imagination

to draw vivid lusty images of her. Is that clear?

Very clear. Yet not any girl would be good for that.

Why waste time dreaming of the splendid beauty?

You need a pretty girl to suit you now.

No matter if she's a slut. True?

You can only fall in love with a woman who is hard to get.

You cannot love a creature

that belongs to each and everyone.

It is unnatural.

It is depravity, filth. Baseness.

Such a foolish man you are.

You think I'm some kind of an unfeeling puppet?

You think I don't see when they compliment me?

- Or love me? - What's wrong with you!

Don't you understand I insulted you just now?

I've humiliated you deeply? As I have myself.

You must be sick.

Healthy men have never said anything like that.

Let's do it!

I will love you so!

You will forget your beauty.

Don't think about anyone.

You just love me, that's all.

What is your name?

Fyodor.

So I ask him: Who are you?

So far I'm a human being. And who're you?

So we began to beat him up. He lasted whole 2 hours!

- No kidding! - Tough guy!

No wonder your ears are sticking up!

Why aren't you asleep,

Fyodor Mikhailovich?

Care for some tea?

Still hot...

Thank you.

Good tea.

I was meaning to ask you, Petrov.

When you committed your first crime,

you must've been a juvenile?

I didn't commit no crime.

Why'd you end up in prison? By mistake?

No, there was no mistake.

The first misfortune happened to me

when I'd just turned 15.

Misfortune?

Misfortune...

Petrov, I wanted to suggest...

You help me all the time. Here, take 10 kopecks.

All right, wait!

I'm sorry, I didn't want to offend you.

Offend me...

No one can offend me.

They offended and beat me so many times, that now...

I can cut anyone's throat for injustice.

I was young then...

I was young then...

I enjoyed life...

Orlov went on the run!

Brothers!

Lucky bastard!

The people have wits.

I bet my boots they'll catch him.

- And you'd like that. - You bet I would!

Some stew we got here!

I say, they won't catch him.

They won't catch no one.

One year later...

He won't take 2000.

He'll go meet his maker.

He'll make it in 2 stages.

Orlov - is a hardened chap...

He's been to hell and back.

Guys, do your job with all zeal. Or else...

- Maybe we can get away with it? - Watch it!

Zherebyatnikov won't make it easy for ya.

Brute...

I warned you!

Have mercy, Your Nobleness!

Be like a father to me!

Make me pray to God for you!

Don't destroy me, have mercy!

My friend,

what shall I do with you?

It's all in your hands, Your Nobleness! Have mercy!

You think I don't pity you?

You think it's a pleasure for me to watch them whip you?

I'm human too.

- Am I human or not? - Of course you are, Your Nobleness.

You are the fathers, we are the children. Be a father to me!

My friend, think for yourself.

I know that from the human point of view

I should be treating you, sinner,

with sympathy and indulgency.

It's honest truth you are talking, Your Nobleness.

Yes, treat you with indulgency.

It's not me, it's the law.

I serve God and my Motherland, right?

I will commit a grave sin

if I weaken the law. Think about it!

Your Nobleness!

All right!

Be it so, I make an exception for you, Orlov! Only for you!

You're a famous man in Siberian camps.

I'll spare you this time -

I'll ease your punishment.

I know I'm committing a sin, but God forgive me.

I'll pardon you this time, alleviate your punishment,

and you will hope this will happen next time too,

and you'll commit a crime once again. What then?

Think about it.

- It'll be my sin. - Your Nobleness!

I'll prove it!

I swear before the throne of my Creator!

Will you swear to me you will behave yourself from now on?

God punish me, if I lie! I'll be damned if...

Don't swear, it's a sin.

I'll take your word for it.

Well, listen here...

I'll spare you only out of pity

for your orphan tears.

You are an orphan?

An orphan, sir. All alone in this world.

No mother, no father...

But mind you,

it's for the last time.

- You know the sacred words? - Of course I do, Your Nobleness.

'Our Father, who art in heaven...'

Well, go ahead and beg him!

Bring him forward!

Bring him forward!

Burn him! Lash him!

Beat him! Burn him!

- Give him more! - He'd better scream.

As if he didn't know.

If he'd scream - they'd spare him some.

Burn the swindler! Burn the bastard! Let him have it!

What's with him, brothers?

Looks like he's conked out.

Stop it!

Scum! Line up you!

You want to get the whipping too?

What's with him? Who allowed it?

He needs to be taken to hospital.

Well take him then!

Go on, let's move it!

Burn him! Have no mercy!

No mercy for the whiner!

Lift his head.

It's the rule.

Tell me, Fyodor and Mikhail,

do you read the Gospel regularly?

- We do. - We do.

And do you pray?

We do...

Fyodor,

tell me this:

Is there God or isn't there?

There is God.

There is God.

Is there the Devil?

And the Devil is there.

Where?

Everywhere...

And God is everywhere.

Everywhere?

If He is everywhere,

why is it that He hadn't punished me yet?

Or has He?

Close the ranks! Don't stretch!

Has that been happening to you long, Fyodor Mikhailovich?

It happened...

You lie down and lie still.

I call it 'the breeze'.

Can you get me some water?

Of course, tea! I'll get you some tea.

And jam, and rolls.

You need to get some strength.

What a gentle name - 'the breeze'.

I'm reading through your 'Poor People' again.

Yes...

Here it's such a distraction for me.

It's a present.

And I've got a present for you, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

It's not allowed.

All books except the Holy Scripture are prohibited.

That's back in the barracks. This is the hospital.

- Here I am my own master. - May I?

I thought you might like this.

You know what I was thinking?

If God summons a man and asks him:

How can you justify the existence of humankind?

If I had to answer that question,

I'd show Him this book 'Don Quixote'.

All the justification is in there.

Say, Fyodor Mikhailovich, is it unbearable?

It gets unbearable at times.

It's OK. What can you do about it.

Those in the prison camp are not animals, they are people.

Perhaps better and worthier than myself.

There'll be something to write about.

What're you staring at? Looking if I'm dead or not?

- I'm alive all right! - Thank God.

It's been two days - and you wouldn't come to.

I've to kick off - the sooner the better -

and pass another 1000.

How would you endure it?

I'm used to it.

Or else they will put me on a team

and drive me away to Siberia.

I'll run away again.

No one can stop me.

There you go, master.

- You care for some tea? - Be glad to.

Thank you so much.

Sweet!

Thank you so much.

Have some yourself, master.

Look at him! The serf found himself a master!

The master's not used to being without a servant.

I don't mind serving him.

Hairy-mugged clown!

Who's the hairy-mugged clown here?

You are, who else!

It's your snout that looks like a pig's butt.

Khristiantsev!

You know why you're gonna kick the bucket soon?

Only after you, Orlov.

You breathe the wrong way.

You breathe in the good and breathe out the evil.

That's not right.

Why don't you shut up!

I'll see

what you'll be breathing out after the next 1000 rods.

I've to go through my 1000 rods yet,

and you God has already killed.

Why don't you do your dying routine and let other people live?

What'd you get your first whipping for?

I stabbed an officer to death.

I was in my third year of military service then.

Got meself 4000 whippings.

Passed it twice.

Then got another 2000 in the prison camp.

There.

Have some, it'll keep you warm.

Have some.

Rods're much worse.

They slash you deeper, cause more pain.

A stick only hits.

Whereas a rod tears your skin to tatters.

Takes time to heel afterwards.

I've tried them both.

A robust guy can take about 1000-1500 sticks at a time.

But rods would kill him.

Don Quixote de La Manche

3 years later...

- Come on! - Fyodor Mikhailovich

- is coming out today! - His tortures're over.

You sound like you're mourning him.

He'll go to St. Petersburg,

and he'll live like a real master there!

A good man, God bless him!

He was good in the prison camp,

and outside he'll not as much as notice you.

That's true. A sow is no match for a goose.

Have to unshackle him.

He's leaving us.

Gimme your hoofs.

Careful! Watch the foot!

Now you can walk free, master! You're on your own now.

Semipalatinsk

Semipalatinsk. Spring. 1854.

France and England have finally

betrayed their systematic pretence,

and admitted their antagonism with Russia,

which manifested itself in their ships trespassing into the Black sea.

The last memorandum dated February 18

on the occasion of terminating diplomatic relations

contains the course of the case

and provides sufficient proof

as to which of the two sides - Russia

or the two sea empires - had started the hostile actions.

His Majesty the Emperor, forced to enter the battle against his will,

will dedicate all efforts to maintaining the independence

and integrity of the Russian State...

Watch out!

which he had inherited from his ancestors,

who hadn't yielded one inch of Russia's soil.

An important prerequisite of the conflict was the fact

that in Europe, including the Kingdom of Greece,

as of the 1840s there was

an upsurge of anti-Russian sentiments. The press

harped on Russia's intention to get possession of Constantinople.

Principles of Nicholas II policy

dictated that he be reserved in encouraging

national movements of the Balkan peoples.

- I think this one. - Turquoise.

Take the turquoise one.

It suits your face better.

I beg your pardon, I didn't introduce myself.

Dostoyevsky. Man of letters.

Fyodor Mikhailovich.

So you are the writer? Dostoyevsky?

Maria Dmitriyevna Isayeva.

Maria Dmitriyevna, the writer gentleman is right.

He has a sharp eye.

Very well. Turquoise.

Wrap it for me.

Both!

- Fyodor Mikhailovich. - Yes?

Would you mind if I ask you to see me home?

Y-yes... I mean, no!

Can't seem to get used to this place.

I come from Astrakhan.

It's where my family is.

Over here.

Thank you.

Come with me, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

What took you so long?

What were you up to, Masha?

Shopping again? Silk, velvet!

How can one be such an unthrift!

You know I'm without pay!

Maria Dmitriyevna,

I'm sorry, but pr-probably I'd better be going.

Oh no! Not at all.

Stay!

I'm awaiting a new appointment.

Yes, sir, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

I am indeed pleased to meet you.

And this novel of yours,

'Poor People' - I read.

And admired it immensely too.

Thank you so much.

You see, Fyodor Mikhailovich, my dearest wife,

whom you had the pleasure to meet today, -

has a great passion for buying clothes.

She wants to dress like St. Petersburg's

high society does. Is that not true, Masha?

My god, we are offended!

Did she tell you

she comes from an old French noble family?

She didn't?

That's because there was little time.

You don't know each other well enough yet.

When my dearest wife begins to tell you

that her grandfather Francois...

Amedei...

Damn, I don't remember the rest...

Her grandfather emigrated to Russia together with Duke de Richelieu...

I fell for this trap myself! I believed her!

Fyodor Mikhailovich, how fatal for a Russian man

is his credulousness. In reality

my dearest wife's ancestor was a Mameluke

who served in Napoleon's troops

that invaded Russia.

During the retreat

fate has thrown this Mameluke into Astrakhan.

How all of us seek romanticism!

- Splendid romanticism at that! - Alexander!

Conduct yourself!

I conduct myself the way I do.

I'm my own conductor.

Charming pun.

Yes, I apologize for barging into your home

so unceremoniously.

- Excuse me, Fyodor...? - It's Mikhailovich.

Dearest Fyodor Mikhailovich,

You have barged into my home

only because of my dearest wife

whose charm of course you couldn't resist.

She is charming, isn't she?

This exquisite frail beauty.

Yes, frail.

She is sick, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

Consumption.

And in her soul there's

general discomfort. Disappointment with dreams not coming true,

dissatisfaction with the whole world,

frustration...

And people who feel

great mental discomfort

destroy everything in their vicinity.

So beware, my friend!

She will destroy you too!

As a man to a man:

Those who suffer from consumption are especially greedy

for sexual experience.

In bed they show unparalleled passion and temperament,

in that passion there's so much heat,

and so much austerity,

a healthy woman is not capable of...

I have to apologize.

I need to register in the regiment barracks.

I'm shan't keep you, Fyodor Mikhailovich.

Was happy to have met you.

Be sure to drop by some time.

Do come by all means!

Yes. Thank you.

Translation - Elena Baskakova

Subtitling by Sergey Smirnov (mykstery)