Original subtitles

USSR State Television and Radio Committee

Odessa film studio

GSC

Good Services Center

Happy New Year!

Moscow music instruments factory

Mr. P. Amatin

-May l? -Take a seat.

Listen to that!

The sound of our products.

Well, what is it?

l wanted to wish you a Happy New Year. And say good-bye.

Oh, no you don't: the working day isn't over yet.

But l've told you:

my fiancee is arriving from Kitezhgrad.

Kitezhgrad? Never heard of it.

You know, Kitezhgrad...

The city they raised from underwater not long ago.

-Your fiancee, is she beautiful? -More than that!

-Who is she? -A lady-wizard, a witch.

A fiancee and already a witch?

lt's her line of work. Magic in the service sector.

You're a courageous man, lvan Pukhov.

-Why is that? -A wife who's a witch...

That's, you know...

-Anyway, congratulations. -Thank you.

The things they make up

to leave work early before the holidays.

Wizards!

WlZARDS

Starring Alexandra Yakovleva

Alexander Abdulov

Ekaterina Vasilyeva

Valentin Gaft

Valery Zolotukhin

Emmanuel Vitorgan

Mikhail Svetin

Roman Filippov

Anya Ashimova

Semion Farada and others

KlTEZHGRAD Stop at passengers' request

WOWl

World-of-Wonders lnstitute

for lncredible Services

Wow-wee!

The people that must be working here!

The questions they must be dealing with!

Who put this question here?

lt was in the storeroom with all the other letters.

Take it down.

Happy New Year? WOWl!

All questions must be raised appropriately,

in a timely manner.

This one - on that wall.

What is your contribution to science!

Read it later.

They'll start appearing soon.

They're ticking.

Excellent!

lt's today or never!

l suggest running the MW trials at 10 sharp.

All academic council Members must be there.

-Do we invite the wise cat? -Where is his translator?

Here l am.

-Has the cat started talking? -He's trying.

Second year l hear this.

We put the cat on the council so he might practice.

But he's lazy. That's no way to behave!

All institutes doing research ln our field

have talking animals: donkeys, chimps, parrots.

-But he's not a parrot! -You have three days.

Better start talking in two.

l draw your attention to the MW's design.

lt must reflect its contents, unobtrusively.

lt must be simple, but tasteful.

As my deputy in charge of research, you will help Alyona.

Excuse me, but we must talk.

Don't be so obstinate, talk.

You have two days!

Kira, we must talk

Right here? Come to my office.

No, phones everywhere, can't stand the sight of them.

Written request

For the seventh time l ask you to be my wife.

For the seventh time l agree. When l have the time.

-ls that all? -No.

-What is it you want? -l want it to be certain.

With rings and formalities, like it is with normal people.

Today's a very important day.

All your days are important.

As soon as the trials are over.

-Tomorrow then? -Yes.

-Promise? -lf all goes well.

Alyona, may l congratulate you.

-The trials will go well. -l hope so.

May l ask you out to lunch?

Just a friendly lunch for two, with champaign.

l'm not having lunch today.

l'm on a diet!

A diet!

What a lady!

A ravishing beauty, a dream!

One must take care of her!

Please, accept this - for your lunch with the lady.

And this, too.

What's all this? Who are you?

l'm a guest, a special guest.

A guest from the sunny South, with an order.

You look a little odd here.

Me? Odd? Take a look at this.

Stamped five times!

An order for one Magic Wand.

For the whole sunny South! ls that asking too much?

You're early, mister, there's no Magic Wand yet.

No wand? But how?

The Magic Wand is not ready yet.

They are working on its design.

Magic Wood Shop

No entry! Creative search in progress!

Maybe, you threw it up there?

Where's the drawing?

Alyona didn't leave anything. Must have been in a hurry.

Where to? She's at work.

Made a sign with her little finger, and was gone.

She must have left it here. Couldn't you have saved it?

l can't do that, Vitya. l'm not a magician.

And who turned a salary's worth of water into wine?

Reproaching me again? When was the last time l did it?

Something must be done. Maybe, invent it ourselves?

-Don't, Vitya. -You're in the way.

Don't tease our superiors.

-Want me to look for Alyona? -Sit here, detective.

l'll find her myself.

-Hello? -Alyona, my love!

Fly out today, l can't stand being without you.

Of course, my dear.

Why are you sitting and not working?

Where's Sanina? Where's Kovrov?

l'm waiting for them.

Kostya plus Liusya...

Equals love.

-What's this? -Oak.

l can see that.

The question was: who are these Kostya plus Liusya?

l don't know, it was there when they brought it.

Clarify, who these people are,

and penalize them for damaging the wood.

Appolon Mitrofanovich, the wood is quite old.

These two may no longer be with us.

Penalize them posthumously.

And now, to work.

You will design the form under my personal supervision.

Form nowadays is attached great...

contents.

You can begin. With the oak.

-Have you seen Sanina? -No.

-Have you seen Alyona? -No, l haven't.

Where can she be?

l see all your freckles.

What freckles? They're gone.

-Gone? Where? -Till spring.

Till spring?

l'll keep them all winter.

Your time is up.

But l haven't told you the main thing!

Hello! Alyona!

Lady, l know you like music.

We'll sing you a song.

Don't put down the receiver!

All together now!

We may be far, Far from each other,

lt's just a few words That we can exchange,

But if there is love at first sight,

Why can't there be love at first word?

Love's like a forest fire - all it needs is a spark.

lt flares up from one word

And eclipses the sun.

lt bursts in, like a wave, don't try to resist it,

all it needs

is one tone to flare up to the skies.

To flare up to the skies.

Love knows no restrictions, No boundaries,

lt can warm any heart.

lf people decide to tie the knot in letters,

They can do it by phone as well.

Love's like a forest fire - all it needs is a spark.

lt flares up from one word

And eclipses the sun.

lt bursts in, like a wave, don't try to resist it,

All it needs is a tone

To flare up to the skies,

To flare up to the skies.

lt's for you to decide what will follow.

lt may look a bit like a joke,

But even if we are joking,

This joke may Start something new.

Love is like a forest fire - all it needs is a spark.

lt flares up from one word

And eclipses the sun.

lt bursts in, like a wave, don't try to resist it,

All it needs is a tone

To flare up to the skies,

To flare up to the skies.

Hey, lady,

you can continue talking!

l forgot to tell you the main thing.

They gave us an apartment!

Why didn't you tell me that in the first place, silly?

Sorry, l can't talk right now.

Hello, sorry for being late.

Alright, let's start. All here, finally.

l always take the rap for you.

-What's this? -lt's the MW - the Magic Wand.

-Your idea? -Are you kidding?!

Supervised by Satananeyev.

What a numskull!

Mark my word: this numskull will cause a big stir.

So, whose creation is this?

Yes, l wonder.

lvan Stepanovich, help me out.

-So, whose creation is this? -Revolting!

lnteresting design.

Really?

Democratic.

-Convenient. -Very nice!

Frankly, l expected something a bit more elegant.

-lf there are no objections... -No objections.

The design is accepted.

Let us proceed to performance trials.

All we have to do is make a wish.

Alyona, take the floor -

Make a wish.

What's the matter?

Just wish for the most wonderful thing in the world.

A month-long vacation starting today.

The most wonderful thing - our beautiful ladies!

But they're already here.

-lt's no time forjokes. -Flowers.

Excellent!

Attention, please.

Now l will waive my hand

and say: ''a flower bouquet,''

and the flowers should appear on that table.

You can observe that the wand is very user-friendly.

Don't you think that to ensure objectivity

the Wand should be handled by a disinterested person,

unfamiliar with contemporary magic?

-Where do we find one? -That's me.

l am that person!

l'm unfamiliar with magic, never even read fairytales!

-Who is he? -l'm a businessman!

l have an order! l'll do it, you won't be disappointed.

One, two, three!

A flower bouquet!

lt's working!

-We did it! -Success!

-Academy! -Scrolls of fame!

So, who wants another flower bouquet?

Or ''Bouquet of Abkhazia'' wine?

Enough of that!

We are not finished yet!

We have to think of a way to present our invention

to the public at large.

Thank you, everyone.

Thank you for your help.

Just put the wand in here.

One fur-cap for winter? My ears are cold.

Warm them at home.

Laboratory of complete surprises

Alyona, why pick someone from the outside?

-We have our own heroes. -Stop it, please.

-Congratulations! -So, you got wind of it.

-We are very happy for you. -Thanks, kitties

-You're leaving? -Not forever, l hope?

-Alyona will return. -She promised.

Does Kira know?

l didn't want to tell her before the trials.

Vitya, can you get me a ticket for the late flight?

Foma, please send a wire to this address.

What if we invite the acceptance committee

not as usual,

but, say, on December 31 .

Throw a big New Year party, with singing and dancing,

and, most important, with our MW demonstration.

A ball - that's wonderful!

-lmpressive and farsighted! -Yes, l agree.

-What does he think? -Just a minute.

lmpossible to translate.

Fat bastard!

l suggest the following:

a welcome ceremony on official troikas,

a Christmas fir-tree with fireproof lights,

and Father Frost from the local supplier.

Followed by a modest meal plus dancing to tv music.

-Three tv sets in a row. -ln a row? Are you sure?

We must get a professional pop music group.

-How about our amateurs? -No.

Get someone to help you and start working.

-Can l take Sanina? -No objections.

What do you think, lvan Stepanovich?

A pop group - that's good.

But a committee on New Year's eve...

-You think they'll come? -Sure they will.

You'll see to it personally.

What do you mean?

You'll be in Moscow tomorrow: invite them, persuade them.

But l had other plans for tomorrow.

l know, and yet l insist.

Alright.

Come to my office before you leave.

Book lvan Stepanovich a ticket for the night flight.

l'll provide the weather.

Alyona, tell us more about him. What's he like?

He's incredible!

What does one do to be loved so much?

Tell us.

l can't put it all into words.

You search or you don't, it doesn't matter:

there are no clear paths or ready answers in love,

But one thing l know, l know for sure...

ln love all is not that smooth and simple,

And beauty is not a decisive factor.

A woman must have some kind of enigma,

A woman must have some kind of enigma,

some kind of mystery about her.

lt's not easy to be always sweet and elegant,

As if there were no cloudy days in your life.

But to become someone's only one,

Believe me, that's an even bigger task.

ln love all is not that smooth and simple,

And beauty is not a decisive factor.

Hey, who's that singing?

Who's supposed to.

A woman must have some kind of enigma,

Some kind of mystery about her.

Love will come to you one day and explain

What l failed to explain right now,

How each woman has her own enigma

And her own mystery.

ln love all is not that smooth and simple,

And beauty is not a decisive factor,

A woman must have some kind of enigma,

A woman must have some kind of enigma,

Some kind of mystery about her.

May l?

l wanted to inform you of certain things.

An inspector-general is coming?

l've overheard something,

thought you might want to know.

Your see, Alyona lgorevna

is getting married.

Sorry, l have to go.

Daybreak, first century ad,

Smell of honey and mint,

Red squirrels jumping

on cedar trees.

A group of centaurs

Rushes somewhere,

Maybe, out for a stroll,

maybe, with a serious task.

She's busy with our amateur group.

-This man is also waiting. -Waiting, very much so.

l have an order.

What is it?

l'm so happy for you, Alyona! Come back after lunch.

-Think she'll sign it? -Of course she will.

Then l'll go have lunch.

l'll go have lunch, too.

Nightfall in the XX century.

My heart is uneasy,

l'll lean on a birch,

Silent under the skies.

Close my eyes

And maybe l'll hear

how stars, like blue cobbles,

Ring under centaurs' feet.

Centuries have passed,

And they're gone without a trace.

But l'm sure: centaurs,

centaurs existed!

Centaurs, where have you gone? Where?

Centaurs!

Centaurs!

Centaurs!

Centaurs!

Centaurs!

And you want to show this to the committee?

ln this form - it will not do.

l believe it's not that bad:

Energetic, light.

You? Here?!

Disappear, all of you!

Why so strict, Kira?

So that you don't stare where you're not supposed to.

That's something new.

For the first time in 7 years you're jealous.

You came in so unexpectedly.

l just came to say good-bye.

You're angry?

Consider the circumstances.

lt's the last time.

The service sector, Kira, is infinite.

lt's endless, like the Universe.

And just as eternal.

Unlike us.

l promise.

As soon as you return.

l'm tired!

Magicians can go round in circles, too.

Not easy to love a witch?

lt's not easy not to be loved.

You are loved.

Bless you.

Yes... one needs sound health to work here.

l'm not sure we'll see each other in private

before the New Year.

So, here it is.

-lt's for you. -Not that, please!

Why not?

l already have 13 watches, all from you.

Let us stop at that magic number.

But l don't have any other present for you.

Here's what you can bring me!

You're something!

One can't really be angry at you.

-You are still a child! -l'm a woman.

And that says it all.

That's enough!

Hello... Speaking.

Rumor guaranteed.

Excellent! Long live rumors!

All l hear is ''no'' from you.

-Once l said ''yes.'' -When was that?

You asked, whether l hear you.

-Season's greetings, Alyona. -Thank you for helping me out.

l'm so glad to see you beaming.

-Up to something vile? -No, pure.

l'm getting married.

Congratulations from all my heart.

ls that the guy?

Of course not! He's in Moscow. l'm flying out tonight.

-Night flight? -Yes.

l'm on the same flight!

Then you'll be a witness at our wedding.

l gladly accept this invitation.

And, please, accept this, without delay, so to speak.

l hope you like it.

Thank you.

l'm very grateful to you!

lt's so unexpected!

-Thank you very much. -See you at the airport.

-Hope you're not late. -Very unlikely now!

-l must talk to you. -Not to me.

Our talking cat, or, rather, silent cat, has run away.

-Which cat was that? -There's only one!

You just mentioned two.

You told him to see you in 2 days - and scared him!

l didn't invite cats.

And you will come to my office, as scheduled.

Could you tell me the way to the director's office?

First turn to the left, then to the right.

So, it's first turn to the left.

-And the finished products? -You'll see.

Although, Alyona is flying out tonight.

And l'm not well-versed in music, or pop groups.

They might send us something unsuitable.

You've told her my instructions?

She wouldn't listen.

That's strange. What's wrong with her? Tell me.

There is one thing. Marriage.

-She's getting married. -That changes everything.

To lvan Stepanovich Kivrin.

-What's the matter? -Nonsense!

Who on earth gave you that idea?

Facts, as they say, can be quite stubborn.

Does that surprise you? He's handsome, free!

She...dresses quite well.

You look upset.

-Give me the facts. -They are evident to everyone.

lt was he who prevailed on you to accept the wand's design.

You wouldn't have ever accepted its democratic look.

-Go on. -Her fiance's name is lvan.

The whole lab knows that.

She was hiding his surname, though.

And she's going to Moscow for her wedding.

Your secretary has her written request.

By the way, they're on the same flight.

Olya, do you have Sanina's request?

Yes, it's here.

-May l go to lunch now? -Please do.

-Continue. -What's more to say!

l've just seen them kiss.

And he gave her a watch on a chain.

You're lying! Not the watch! That's impossible!

Why get angry at me?!

See for yourself: the watch is there, on her chest.

Dirty tricks!

Dirty tricks!

-Olga! -You let her go to lunch.

-Bring him here! -Kivrin is already gone.

-Then, bring Sanina! -Yes, ma'am.

Right now!

Dirty tricks!

Have you solved everything with Kira Anatolyevna?

May l to detain you just for a few minutes.

You're going to Moscow, to see your fiance, l presume.

That's right.

How do you know?

l also know that the two of us were appointed

to organize the New Year's ball.

-l can't. -l don't understand:

l'm approaching you with all my heart, so to speak,

and you show preference for some greenhorn.

l don't understand, Appolon Mitrofanovich.

l gave you presents, timed for the holidays.

Flowers, for instance.

You didn't seem to mind.

You gave me grounds for hope.

You're joking.

l'm notjoking.

You have a vivid imagination.

That's surprising.

You must write poetry. Do you?

l don't.

That's why Kira chose you.

You'd better do it. You'll have to, anyway.

We'll see about that.

So we'll see.

What a woman!

What a woman!

Why don't you look at things my way?

l must look at things your way?!

Have you never been in love?

-lncredible insolence! -lnsolence?

But l'm getting married!

Just like that?

lvan and l decided to marry long ago.

And wanted to present me with a fait accompli? No way!

What do you mean?

-But you have no right! -Now you bring up your rights!

What about obligations?

l'm not obliged to organize

any concerts for you.

You must follow my instructions!

-Please, he's waiting for me. -He can wait.

And cool off a bit.

l beg you.

l have neither strength, nor time.

Look at the time.

You're sneering at me.

lt's you who's sneering. l'll go to him no matter what.

-l forbid you to! -l will still go!

-l'll issue a reprimand. -All in vain - l'll go anyway.

-No, you won't! -l will, l will!

Silence!

She busy again! No good having lunch.

You won't fly anywhere, my dear!

You won't fly anywhere.

Won't fly anywhere.

l take the spring from your heart.

There'll be winter in its place.

What's happening? We're on fire - or not?

What's happening?

-Hey, are we on fire - or not? -We're sunbathing!

l'm sorry, something with my head...

lt's alright.

l'll start preparing for the ball right away.

lt seems the ball will be very important for us.

-Correct? -Absolutely correct.

Thank you for your trust.

-Careful. -Excuse me.

-l must have slipped. -l understand.

Good-bye.

lt will soon pass.

These things happen.

-Who're you? -l'm a guest!

-From where? -From the South!

-What are you doing here? -l need to sign some papers.

The secretary is out, all this thunder and lightning.

-Was anyone here? -Not a soul.

-Where? -What?

-The pass. -The pass?

Oh, l've lost so much weight! Where's the pass?

-Where do l sign? -Sign? Here!

Thank you.

Alyona is up to her neck in research.

Do you like it? We're getting ready for the ball.

Where's your braid? lt looked so pretty!

This is not a music hall!

Nor a hair salon!

Get out!

Stop this noise right now!

l'm not keeping anyone here against their will!

Do you understand?!

l'm criticized, hence, l exist.

Everything is ok, Alyona!

Flight 313, seat 13, departing at 8.30pm.

Everything in order.

l sent out your wire, the addressee will meet you.

Best of luck, so to speak!

Mr. Bryl, l didn't ask you to wire anything.

l give you 10 minutes to write an explanation

why you were absent during normal working hours.

-What's with you, Alyona? -And stop calling me Alyona.

Be so kind as to address me by my first name and patronymic.

That's one thing. And l'm not going anywhere.

Please, return the ticket.

What about...

As for you, Kovrov, be so kind as to come to the lab

dressed in proper attire.

ln a suit, like Bryl's, at least.

As for you, take you hat off!

How did it go, Alyona?

Have you seen Kira? Has she signed it?

That's no business of yours!

-ls Alyona in? -She's in.

But she's also off, l believe.

l'm so happy to see you Appolon Mitrofanovich.

Go home now, this evening l'll need you both.

Sit down, please.

Pay attention to him.

-l was actually going to see you. -So nice to hear that.

l'm so glad to be working with you on this.

-What will you assign me? -The pop group.

An excellent pop group, at that.

Pardon me, back in a minute.

Kira, so to speak, gave strict instructions.

Kovrov, are you following our discussion?

Yes, l'm following everything.

Tomorrow l expect to hear your ideas.

Where can l get A pop group - at night?

You're asking me or the deputy director?

Here, at our Laboratory of complete surprises!

-Aren't you a magician? -Well...l am.

Without ''well,'' please.

Yes, l can do without ''well,'' and without this lnstitute.

Only our lnstitute keeps magicians

and wizards on its staff.

What would you be without our lnstitute? Nothing!

Just an individual.

A very accurate and correct observation.

-Do you understand, Kovrov? -l understand alright.

-We understand. Can we go? -Go and do some work.

Yes, ma'am.

Today you invited me to lunch.

l'd like to offset my refusal

by inviting you to dinner.

A simple, neighborly gesture.

We live in the same building, but you've never visited me.

What's the matter?

l don't want to hear a word about your Sanina.

We just want to know, what happened.

-She's dizzy with success. -Doesn't look like it.

The change in our Alyona is so sudden.

Must be something serious. Maybe, it's Sataneyev's doing?

lt may well be.

He's been cooped up in Kira's office all day.

They must be talking about her.

-Let's eavesdrop. -How can you?!

Of course we can't! He just blurted it out without thinking.

-Blurted it out?! -No, ok, you didn't.

Let's go, l'll explain it to you.

Explain it to me!

lt can happen to anyone.

Magicians, wizards!

Turn on the intercom for them! To think of it!

One can solve these things without any higher education.

l've always admired your gift of persuasion.

lt was not only persuasion. l had to apply force.

lf you understand, go ahead.

And remember: they must not meet.

lf she kisses him before the New Year...

You are so clumsy, Vitenka!

A woman cannot share her secret with two men at a time.

An expert on human nature, eh?

lt's you who flies in magic clouds,

we, sinners, walk on earth:

turn into a rabbit, or a purring cat.

Simple, everyday magic.

Go away.

Could you show me the way out? There's no one else to ask.

Everyone disappeared at 6pm. ls that some kind of magic?

Draw him a plan how to get out of here.

Draw it yourself, l can't - too pressed for time.

-Think he knows already? -l'm positive.

Hey, draw it.

-ln a hurry? -Very much so.

Tomorrow l'll be back home. Got the order signed.

Thought l'd be here till the New Year, even fell asleep.

Then, bolts of thunder, like we have in the mountains.

Then out came the girl, then - the director.

She didn't ask me a thing. And signed everything!

-Where did the sounds come from? -From there, behind the wall.

l saw lightning, too. Excellent lnstitute!

A bit noisy and too many corridors, though.

Finished the plan? Thank you very much.

She cast a spell on her!

A spell!

-Who, Kira? -Yes.

To lift it, Alyona must kiss her fiance before the New Year.

-Why cast a spell on her? -lt's all Sataneyev's doing.

Told her they would lose a valuable employee.

Meanwhile, he's pursuing Alyona himself.

He's getting on my nerves! l'll turn him into dust!

Or into dirt, slush, mud!

-lnto...what do you call it?... -lt'll come to you!

How could she fall for that?! Kira, a smart woman!

What are you talking about? Kira is just a woman, too!

Enough of this wailing. We must act.

Easier said than done: Kira is not easily dissuaded.

Kivrin could do that, but he's gone.

We must send a wire to him. To her fiance.

Tell him to come at once.

-Give me the address. -Spinoza!

-What did you draw the plan on? -Oh, my God!

-Stop right there! -They will take away my order!

-Give it back! -l won't give it back!

-Just that piece of paper! -No!

lt's notjust a piece of paper, it's my order!

A legally sound order, stamped accordingly!

Stamped five times!

Take him from the right, l'll go from the left!

-We just need the paper. -Camel!

Out of my way.

He's getting away!

l'll explain everything!

lt's not for me personally, but for the whole sunny South!

Let's do it officially!

Here it is.

Again, my good luck!

My order's here. Everything's fine.

This way.

No, not there, not again. Enough is enough!

Aha!

Who designs these buildings?! Who?!

Who designs them this way?!

There's a vague shadow

lying on the floor.

l ask the magic mirror

to share its wisdom with me.

l look into it,

like into the skies

Up above,

And in it l'll see you.

The glass between us

is like moonlight,

But there's nothing stronger

than that glass.

l stand before it,

As bright-eyed as ever,

Just don't walk away from your side.

Like fellow-travelers

Standing side by side,

My guarded glance

Meets your glance.

Eternal depth in my glance,

Bright stars shine,

Once again l'm the first

to lower my eyes.

The glass between us

is like moonlight,

But there's nothing stronger

Than that glass.

l stand before it,

As bright-eyed as ever.

Just don't walk away from your side.

All l see is stillness

in the frame of the night.

Who is real? Could it be you?

Beyond the woods, the rivers,

could there be a place,

Where you look in the mirror,

And seek to see my face?

The glass between us

is like moonlight.

And there's nothing stronger

Than that glass.

l stand before it,

As bright-eyed as ever,

Just don't walk away from your side.

Question number one.

Am l being fair to Alyona?

lt was her own fault.

One can't forgive treachery.

Besides, lvan Stepanovich must realize

and understand his mistake or delusion.

l'm not sure what's closer to the truth.

You are driven by anger. You're being unfair.

Any woman in my position would do the same.

You are notjust any woman.

You must be very careful.

How much longer must l sacrifice myself?

lt's easier to sacrifice others.

Alright.

Show her to me.

Now show him.

Enough!

Let everything stay as is.

l'm all ears.

All of a sudden l'm fed up with my lab.

This service sector. lt's not prestigious, is it?

No scope, no scope.

And the people l work with?

Take Bryl. Or this Kovrov, with his awkward enthusiasm.

He is not capable of real magic.

Take my word, he'll let us down with the pop group.

Don't worry, I've taken precautions.

Tomorrow Kamneyedov...

will bring a group from Moscow, in good style.

From Moscow?

I'm so fed up with Kitezhgrad.

That, I must tell you, is a more complicated task.

No one gets anything for free in this world.

Even fools.

Nothing personal.

Go to your fiance.

You'll be in Moscow.

I have no fiance in Moscow.

Or in Kitezhgrad, so far.

My dears!

Why stop in the doorway? Bring it in.

We have nothing left.

-Where is the photo? -Just a second.

Sly fox! Why did you take it?

I showed it to the girls.

- And what did they say? - They said she's beautiful.

We already know that.

You're not bad either, but she's better.

-Time to go to the airport. -Wait, it's too early!

Better be early, Alyona doesn't like to wait.

Vanya, are you afraid of her?

Put on your coat, or your mom will be worried.

She let me stay for keeps. l'll stay with you.

What are you talking about?! Put on your coat!

lvan Pukhov? A wire for you.

Arrival delayed, is under a magic spell.

-That's nonsense. -Maybe, it's a joke?

And what if it isn't?

ls it possible to cast a magic spell for real?

Anything is possible, if you really want it.

Where do l go now? The train station?

-Mr. Pukhov? -Yes.

The car is waiting.

-Hurry up, or you'll be late. -Late?

To the station. Your train leaves in 40 minutes.

That's it! Thank you.

Go home. Mom will get worked up.

l'll see you to the train-car.

Vanya! What if you won't get a ticket?

Mr. Pukhov

is urgently asked to come to train-car No. 13.

Vanya! Where are you going? This is train-car No. 13.

lf l'm not mistaken, you're Mr. Pukhov.

-How do you know me? -We're expecting you.

They notified us.

As soon as the train starts, l'll bring you some hot tea.

Nina! Go home!

l'm going, l'm going!

-Please, clear the compartment. -ls something wrong?

We have our tickets!

This gentleman is from the lncredible service.

What do we do now?

-lmpossible. -No way to treat people.

l repeat: he is from the lncredible service.

So it's in your interest to go quickly...

-Was that necessary?! -Take a seat, please.

Why did you do that? One bunk is enough for me.

Actually, l don't know why l did it either.

lt's been authorized!

To the person who finds me!

l'll come to you no matter what.

Katya!

She's still in love when asleep.

Vanechka, darling.

-We must tell Kovrov. -By all means.

-Drinking again? -Not a drop.

l was waiting for you.

-So, how did it go? -He's coming.

Let me give you some relief.

-Hard work, huh? -Hard is not the word.

Hypnotizing taxi drivers, conductors, musicians -

l nearly died.

They don't make people like they used to.

-What about the musicians? -They were the worst.

Couldn't you persuade them to come here?

We could have solved the pop group issue.

Everyone knows what to do. That's enough, l'm better!

We should talk to lvan.

lt's all so sudden, and with no information

he can do something rash!

-When do we talk to him? -Right now.

-This very minute. -That would be great!

Why are you giving me that look, Vitenka?

Just reckoning, estimating.

Well, you go on reckoning, while l'll go home.

l must have left my key in the door.

Open the door.

Talk to lvan - and you can go strait to bed.

Talk to him yourself. You're the magician, you're paid more.

Only our accountants know that.

What we need here is simple, everyday magic.

You're much better at it than l am.

You're going to his train-car.

But they'll think l'm a train thief,

l'll get arrested, beaten up.

lmagine: wood-goblins, house-spirits,

and you'll be a train-goblin.

How can you do this to me? Don't do it, please.

Well, good luck to you.

-Train-goblin! -What about my shoes?!

Forgive me, they fell down by accident.

-Who are you? -l'm a train-goblin.

Who?

Ever heard of wood-goblins,

water-spirits?

Well, l'm a train-goblin.

Temporarily.

ln view of the circumstances.

Be careful!

l'm very careful.

Well, hello.

Just don't touch, please, don't.

l'm here on business.

-You're lvan Pukhov, right? -As a mater of fact, l am.

Have you received the wire about Alyona?

Yes, l have.

lt said she was under a magic spell.

Can you explain that?

A spell is when you are turned into some object.

Say, a log or a goat.

What?

Any magic manual will tell you that.

But that's not interesting.

The practice has nearly been abandoned.

lnstead, if you are left your own appearance,

but spring and all that is taken from your heart

and replaced with freezing winter,

that is what we call

real magic.

One is turned into a different person,

who understands everything, but sees it differently.

You will find Alyona a different person.

Who could have done such an awful thing to her?

That's not the point. The point is how do we lift the spell.

The point is both - who and how!

How do we lift the spell?

Every evil spell has a remedy.

Young man, it's love.

-Love? -Yes, love.

Do you really love Alyona?

Actually, l do.

Actually... l mean really?!

-ls that important? -Extremely!

l really do.

Tomorrow you'll need to prove that.

And now, go to sleep,

recharge your batteries, you'll need it tomorrow.

Sleep, now? You must be kidding!

You absolutely need some rest.

Tomorrow, don't be surprised.

And don't do anything

without consulting Mr. Kovrov

or Mr. Foma Ostapovich Bryl.

Especially the latter!

That's good. Now sleep.

Time for bed!

Don't you argue with me.

And don't you open you eyes before dawn.

ln the valleys and hills, under ground and at sea -

it's time for bed!

Time for bed!

Night sets all things right, simple and complicated.

Blunders, errors, mistakes - it corrects them all.

How it's done - people will never know.

Still awake? Go to sleep, l tell you.

Time for bed!

Early morning is wiser than night.

Put off all your worries till morning.

lf you believe in good,

Maybe, the world will be better.

Time for bed! Time for bed!

Night sets all things right, Simple and complicated.

Blunders, errors, mistakes - it corrects them all.

Script by

Arkady Strugatsky Boris Strugatsky

Directed by Konstantin Bromberg

Cinematographer: Konstantin Apryatin

Production designer: Vladimir Lykov

Music by Yevgeny Krylatov

EXlT

Still awake? Go to sleep, l tell you.

Go to sleep...

End of Part One