Original subtitles

The screenplay was written from the autobiography of Imre Nagy,

original documents and records.

With the exception of Imre Nagy's family

all characters are fictional.

In the co-production of

With the support of The Ministry of National Cultural Heritage

The Hungarian Motion Picture Public Foundation

The Hungarian Historical Film Foundation

The National Cultural Programme

and the Cultural Ministry of the Republic of Slovakia

I dedicate this film to young people

A film by

THE UNBURIED MAN

Cast

Music

Screenplay

Photography

Directed by

Budapest, June 15, 1987

You turn to me

with the request

that I apply for the rehabilitation of my father, Imre Nagy,

that I consent to the exhumation of his remains

and his worthy reburial.

I cannot meet your request.

I shall explain why.

The Hungarian revolution was crushed by a vastly superior force.

The years of revenge followed

with illegal trials and mass executions.

Then silence...

deadly silence...

for over thirty years.

My father and the other martyrs remain lying in unmarked graves

because the holders of power

are the same as those who sent them to their death,

removed all traces

and burnt the films and documents of the trials.

I'd like to quote

my father's last words:

"The only thing I'm frightened of is being rehabilitated

by those who betrayed me."

I consider this last thought of his as a testament

and respect it deeply.

Budapest, October 6, 1956 Reburial of L�szl� Rajk

Never again! We vow before the coffins of our comrades

that never again will the blood of innocents be shed.

The party is determined

once and for all to settle the mistakes of the past

and insure that such a tragedy

should never occur again.

Blue violet droops its head

because the dew doesn't dampen its root

Let the dew fall on the violet�s dry root

For I've found my true love.

- To our good health! - To Imre!

We want freedom! We want freedom!

Budapest, October 23 1956

Come down, Joe!

Move it, Joe!

Everyone's been waiting for you!

Try this, straight from the vine.

- Let's go! - Excellent!

Come in, the comrades are waiting.

Imre Nagy in the government!

We demand general, free and secret elections

with the participation of parties of the Popular Front

and the election of new MPs In the national assembly.

- Comrades! - We aren't comrades!

Friends,

I have appeared at your summons.

I greet you all.

I pay my respects to the youth of Hungary!

We've had enough!

My friends,

I would like to speak.

I promise decisions will be made,

serving as a base for a free,

independent, democratic

and socialist Hungary!

Down with the party!

We have to make a fresh start.

Long live the rebirth of the Party!

Hurrah!

Friends!

I would like to finish.

I don't think my words have ever let you down.

I promise that parliament will

remove all obstacles by constitutional means

and all that you want will become reality.

Long live our People's Republic!

Hurrah!

Long live Hungary!

Free Hungary!

One thing is certain: no-one can come to any harm for participating in the uprising.

Our government guarantees complete amnesty.

Have negotiations begun about the withdrawal of Soviet troops?

May I take a photograph?

The Paris Match is dedicating an issue to the revolution.

Please! Go ahead.

The government and I

are having continuous talks with the leaders of the Soviet Union

about the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary.

According to my plans we'll hold free elections.

With several parties.

We proclaim peace, not vengeance!

Firstly: we'll restore the Kossuth crest.

Secondly:

the national day will once again be March 15, symbol of national unity.

Thank you!

Our party leaders are in complete agreement

that the armed attack launched against our republic

must be driven back with all possible means.

Attention!

The government of the People's Republic of Hungary, in the interest

of ending further bloodshed and restoring peace orders a general

and immediate cease-fire.

The armed forces are ordered to fire only if under attack.

The National Government, imbued by a deep sense of responsibility

for history and the people of Hungary,

by expressing the unanimous wish of the Hungarian nation,

declares the neutrally of the People's Republic of Hungary.

With it our centuries-old dream comes true.

The revolutionary battle fought by heroes

of the past and present

has brought victory to the cause of freedom and independence.

November 4 1956

According to reports from the HQ of the freedom-fighters

over 1000 Soviet tanks are stationed round the capital.

According to reports from the Hungarian News Agency

the Soviet troops led a general attack against the city.

This is Imre Nagy speaking,

President of the Council of Ministers of the People's Republic of Hungary.

This morning Soviet troops launched an attack against our capital

with the obvious intention

of overthrowing the legitimate and democratic government of Hungary.

Our troops are at war.

The government is in its place.

I make this announcement to the nation and the world.

Well,

we must stay. I'm not going to any embassy.

The Russians will lay siege to Parliament first.

We'll all be shot.

Tito's offer is the only chance of talks with the government.

We must win time. The UN must react. And our families?

I don't know...

Inform the ambassador that we're temporarily accepting

Tito's offer.

Budapest, November 1956 The Embassy of Yugoslavia

- Have you any cigarettes, comrades? - Walt a bit...

...Soviet troops have occupied Parliament

where Imre Nagy and his government were convening.

The radio reports the heroic resistance of the Hungarian army

and calls upon the country to defend itself.

Here. I've written it.

- Come on, time for bed. - Read it!

Look If we rewrite this here...

The decision to resign from the Warsaw Pact

was a big mistake of the Cabinet's.

The West is silent. That's why they invaded us.

The counter-revolutionaries get more and more brazen.

They cruelly persecute the supporters of democracy.

Fascists and others...

The boss is here. Please leave.

The Hungarian revolutionary worker-peasant government,

In the interest of our country and the working class,

November 1956 J�nos K�d�r

turns to the leadership of the Soviet army

for help in destroying the dark reactionary forces

and in restoring peace In our country.

The radio has just announced that the Presidential Council

has decided to discharge the Imre Nagy government.

What?

K�d�r heads the new revolutionary worker-peasant government.

- Who?! - K�d�r!

We must do something.

Resign! You and K�d�r should be on the same side.

- Sign your resignation! - I won't and don't ask me to!

Come on, you've been mislead by these hotheads!

Don't insult them! This is the legitimate government.

A member of which you were until you betrayed it.

It was a counter-revolution. Horthy's men are back!

We are old communists. We've always kept together.

Even in Moscow. I won't be able to help later.

- I'm not counting on it. - You'll regret it.

And now...

let me go home!

Once we're allowed home we'll talk.

You must understand our position. Now that our relations

with the Soviet Union are improving the solution is in your hands!

I understand you perfectly.

I started to write my resignation...

Excellent, Comrade Nagy! You must gain time.

You can clear things with the party later.

Excuse me, but you didn't allow me to finish.

I started writing it, but I no longer know whether

I'll finish it.

The future of Hungary is at stake.

There's only one thing I can give in writing:

I can only talk of my political conduct as an independent person!

I see.

Guys, have you any cigarettes?

- Maybe. - Then give us one.

Comrade K�d�r has signed it!

Here it is!

We're promised immunity.

You can come to no harm.

You no longer need asylum. You can go home!

Wonderful!

We're going home!

Thank you, comrades, for the hospitality.

It might be better to stay.

Thank you, but we must face our own fate now.

Goodbye!

Comrades, everyone on the bus!

Get a move on!

To the bus!

- Where are they taking us? - I live nearby.

- Don't push me! - I'll go by foot.

Everyone on the plane!

Comrade Nagy? You two are both coming with us.

- Where are they taking them? - Where are they taking us?

Come with us!

Mum!

Father!

Snagov, Romania, November 23 1956

Good day!

Comrades Katerina and Miljics. They'll help you with everything.

Good day, comrades!

Your medicines...

How long can they keep us here?

I don't know.

I'll ask tomorrow...

if I can meet Zs�ka and the others.

Katerina!

Forgive me for being curious.

But do you speak Hungarian?

Do you speak Russian?

She must be dumb!

Here's a petition.

Please give this to the Romanian or Hungarian comrades.

And tell them that I expect an answer.

I'll take this.

- Where the hell have they brought us? - Is this Siberia?

Thank God it's not Siberia.

- Where are we? - What's this place?

Stop!

Get back!

Let's stay together!

They're speaking Romanian, not Russian.

- We're in Romania! - Faster!

- This way! - To the house!

- Don't you touch me! - Leave my wife alone!

Relax, this isn't a prison, it's a manor!

All this food!

I'm starving!

Greetings, Hungarian comrades!

Help yourselves!

Go ahead!

You'll be put up in separate rooms.

- To our good health! - Where did they take Imre?

We don't even know where we are! Let's do something!

The world won't allow this! They'll negotiate with us.

What are we celebrating?

- It's a party resort by some lake. - We must contact Imre Nagy.

Budapest, December 1956

The Workers' Militia is formed,

a voluntary body created for the defence of state.

My God!

Comrades! What's happening to me is unjust.

I protest. I can only defend my views at home.

We must get home.

This reminds me of Kazakhstan and Siberia... of captivity.

You were young.

You didn't have a family then.

I'll take care of you.

I told you they were there! On the other side!

- Dad! - Mum!

- How are you? - Can you see us?

Can you hear us?

- Are you well? - Take care!

How was it?

"The Lord is my shepherd

I shall not want.

He maketh me down to lie In pastures green...

He leadeth me the quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again within the paths of righteousness

and me to walk doth make even for His own Name's sake."

Hm... I've forgotten it...

A stormy life...

A stormy life.

I was born on June 7, 1896 In Kaposv�r.

Only when I crossed the county border at the River Sl�

did I feel truly at home.

Hills... valleys...

well-tilled land...

The typical landscape of Somogy!

My homeland.

The soil.

My grandparents were farm workers.

My father, a handsome man,

was a groom in his youth.

My mother was barely 18 when she had me.

An old road-layer lived there too.

- Good day! - Good day!

He was a wiry man who carved things from wood.

Never missed a service on Sundays.

His shirts had small hoofs patterns on them.

That was my favourite shirt too. The one with hoofs.

Our biggest day was March 15.

We marched proudly In our best clothes

wearing the national rosette.

I remember now!

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

I will fear no evil for Thou art with me..."

We fought a lot at school.

We formed groups according to where we lived.

In summer we swam In the River Kapos.

In winter we skated In the mill-course.

I remember when the boys from P�csi Street came over.

One day we were swimming

and they stole our clothes.

We ran after them, shielding our willies.

Leave us!

A fat boy pounced on me, pinned me to the ground,

and bit into my bare stomach. I still have the mark.

I know!

Leave us alone!

Be off with you!

Look: here, there.

We're here!

- Dad! - Mum!

Look!

By January 1957 hundred of thousands had left Hungary.

Now for our message service.

J�zsef to Anna: "Have trust in God and the final victory."

From G�za K�lner:

My new address is Germany, Bayern, Deckendorf.

At the outbreak of the first war

I joined the workers' movement.

In the circle of fellow-workers

I somehow felt a different and a freer person.

I was found fit for military service after barely a few months' training

was taken to the Italian front In August 1915.

Our regiment was posted to Isonzo.

There was almost no cover against the enemy grenades and cannons.

I was wounded in November In heavy gunfire.

At Christmas my mother visited me.

She traveled across foreign countries and war zones to see me.

She looked so young, she was taken for my sister.

That's how she was announced. She came to say goodbye.

She must have felt we'd be parted for a long time.

She brought me food

and a bag of earth from Somogy.

I still have it...

Later I was taken to the Russian front.

I fell into captivity

and was taken to Siberia to a POW camp.

I was an active member of the left-wing debating society.

It was here the news of the October revolution reached me.

I was fascinated. I thought the revolution would

put an end to the misery of landless peasants

and create a just society.

I started learning Russian.

I escaped from captivity and lived from odd jobs around Lake Bajkal.

I grew fond of Russian peasants.

I fought in the Red Army.

Finally I returned home to Kaposv�r in 1921.

Happy birthday!

- Bravo! - Happy birthday!

Happy birthday!

This is all I could make.

- A little girl, and a boy. - Thank you.

Here's a clown for you. Your grandfather's present.

Thank you!

- What's the news on the other side? - I've told you.

There's a school. Mum and Dad teach us too.

I've heard about that.

We play snowballs in the garden. We even have a Christmas tree.

- Do you eat properly? - Yes, the food's good.

But Granddad, it's time to go home, isn't it?

When I ask Mum she just cries.

Granddad, you know everything. When are we going home?

I can speak Romanian. The soldiers are teaching me.

I promise we'll go home.

Leave me!

- Granny! - Enough!

Stop it, will you!

Dammit...

Trials began in January 1957.

230 people were executed for participating in the revolution.

About 23 thousand were imprisoned

and 13 thousand interned.

- Imre, hello! - G�za!

Good news: K�d�r wants to talk.

So do I.

I'll undergo any party inspection. You've expelled me so many times!

You'll be given an important post. If you co-operate.

Don't be foolish.

That was counter-revolution. We were both mistaken.

No! We weren't mistaken now.

In 1945 when you pushed me up front

I accepted so I could realize my dream of land-distribution.

Then in 1953 when poverty once more became intolerable

you upbraided me and threw me out.

I was called back in October by the people.

Counter-revolution is a deadly danger to the movement, you know that too!

But this was revolution. I can't call it anything else.

It was what we communists dreamt of our whole lives.

I saw it in Russia in 1919 and 1920:

this is what revolution looks like.

Hungarian people suffered a lot from Stalinist terror

and they rebelled.

Take this.

We believed in the noblest ideals of mankind.

But meanwhile...

we weren't infallible either.

All along we committed terrible mistakes.

As far as I'm concerned: I admit to it.

But you continue to walk in the shit.

We can't do anything else!

The new government needs you. Others have accepted posts.

How can you expect any view from me when I'm locked away here?

I'm a captive. What's happening at home? Does the world know about us?

- Tell me one thing: Have I been expelled again? - Of course not!

Actually, conditions are gradually stabilizing.

Trams are running again, shops are being restocked,

people are working, life goes on.

The devil take it, as they say in Somogy!

So?

What's the answer?

Are you so afraid of us?

If you sign this you can go home.

You can all go home.

I'm not signing it.

Imre, what's up with you?

Are you trying to redeem the world?

Who do you think you are, a romantic hero?

The papers have come.

- Have you read them? - No.

All old papers. Several months old.

Never mind.

Let's have a look.

M�ria!

Read this!

"...as far as quelling the counter-revolution,

we seem to have pretty well knocked the leaves

off the tree of counter-revolution and gathered the litter."

Etc...

He says: "Comrades! I'm a humanist.

I have even been mocked for being sentimental

and sentimental people aren't good communists.

But if I consider that in this counter-revolution

there was someone who willfully aimed at armed subversion,

then in vain has he been

a member of the Communist Party for 28 years

and in vain do I know him and am sorry for him -

he must die,

because the life of the people is more valuable than anyone else's

and that is real humanism..."

Don't cry! I don't like it.

They're here.

On behalf of the government of the People's Republic of Hungary

I order the arrest of Imre Nagy

for crimes against the state.

I object! What grounds do you have?

- I also order a house search. - I haven't committed any crime.

In that case you'll be able to clear yourself before a court.

- And what about my wife? - She's staying here in Snagov.

She'll continue being taken good care of.

You can be with Zs�ka and the children. They will allow this.

I want to go with you!

According to the orders

you must stay.

Get dressed!

Alright, alright.

- Imre! How are you? - And you, boys?

What will become of us?

Don't cry!

Don't cry...

Stop it!

Where're they taking us?

Where're they taking us?

Rotten fascists! Scoundrels!

Shut up!

Swines.

Budapest, April 14, 1957

A walking stick,

a hat,

a bunch of keys.

- What's this? - Earth from Somogy.

- From where? - My homeland.

Your laces!

A watch,

a pen,

a scarf...

Infectious diseases, operations?

I've had typhus twice

and was wounded in the first war.

I have a weak heart,

two heart attacks.

And I have bad eyesight.

Take off your clothes and sit down.

Deep breath...

Again!

Right.

I'm Imre Nagy. The Prime Minister.

I need a pencil and paper.

I'm phrasing an official draft in my case.

I'd like to write! Do you hear me? Give me paper and a pen!

Give my glasses back at least!

I can't see.

What can I do here?

I'm almost...

suffocating! There's no air!

The devil...

devil...

The devil take it!

Come down! And put the stool back. You can't rearrange things here.

Have you ever...

Have you ever been locked up? Because I have.

At the front or POW camp...

those who let themselves go, died.

Okay, come down then.

Get up! Swab the floor!

For you to see better.

Summer's here at last the weather's fine.

We go to the pool when we've time.

While mum gets dressed dad gets mad

She's so slow she takes all day

How I love the pool

Turn off the radio, you ass!

Don't bother, you've no neighbour.

Tidy yourself up. For interrogation.

Go straight on!

Come on!

Sit down!

Please...

Where were you,

who did you meet and speak to between October 20 and 23 1956?

On October 20 or 21, I don't exactly know the day,

I was at a grape harvest in the country.

My wife was with me.

Who did you meet during these days?

As far as I remember on October 22

when I returned to Budapest in the evening

Comrades Kov�cs and Mik� called round.

We had a chat and they left.

How many people attended your 60th birthday and who were they?

Friends, writers, journalists...

I too was surprised how many of them had come.

- It was a political demonstration. - No! - That's what it became.

It was just... a private event, my birthday.

We are aware

that by this time the "Imre Nagy" group was active.

I don't know of any group.

I won't accept your answer, it's a lie!

I don't lie! I'm no criminal. I'm prepared to discuss my views

and will take responsibility only for them.

The interrogation is suspended.

Thank you for the glasses! I now see things clearly.

And I won't commit suicide anyway.

Where were you and what did you do on October 23?

I was at home and I went for a walk in town.

Based on our information we have established

that you had discussions with someone.

I didn't have discussions with anyone.

I won't accept your answer as it doesn't correspond to the truth.

I ask you to make an honest statement.

All I can say is I was at home.

It seems unnecessary to waste time on this question.

You're aim is to prove I was organizing something, but I wasn't!

Excuse me,

couldn't I have a pencil and paper to write up

- whatever I remember? - No. You have to answer here and now!

- What did you do and who did you see on October 23? - I won't answer!

If I were to answer I'd contribute to your degrading this case,

which to my mind is a matter of principle and politics

- to simple crime! - The interrogation is suspended.

Where were you,

who did you meet and have talks with on October 23?

I'm not prepared to answer questions put to me like this.

A light!

Doesn't the question suit you?

It's not that.

You must understand: I'd like to clear myself.

And I don't see why

you're diverting political issues onto the level of crime.

Prove that you really didn't commit a crime.

How could I prove something I never committed?

If you're so sure of yourself you can answer my question.

I won't answer. I said so.

- The interrogation is suspended. - Good night!

How was the meeting arranged on October 23 in a private home?

I refuse to answer.

Did future members of the government take part?

I refuse to answer.

So you maintain you got there by chance?

I don't wish to answer. And I refuse to sign the records.

So you don't wish to make a statement.

The interrogation is suspended.

On the same question P�ter Boga on April 15, 1957

testified the following:

"On the morning of October 23

M�rton Fodor gave me a ring and invited me to his home.

There he told me he had invited Imre Nagy, Ferenc J�nosi

and a select company of friends. The "Imre Nagy group."

This confirms the group existed.

I'm not interested in what others say.

I know they are honest people.

What they testify about me and themselves is their own affair.

I have my own standpoint to adhere to.

Are these testimonies false then?

I refuse... to answer.

The interrogation is suspended.

What can the time be?

If I knew at least whether it was morning or night?

Who is it today? Looks like blue-eyes.

I was a POW in Siberia for 3 years.

I haven't forgotten: the winter was long and tough.

The temperature often dropped to minus forty or forty-five.

Summers were short. Short and dry.

And hot.

There was a man from China. He taught us

to imitate animals to stay alive.

He imitated the dog, the monkey.

He made strange movements. Then he taught us.

In China the clenched fist is the moon.

The open palm the sun.

And the two together light.

Light...

light...

Mother!

- Come here, my girl! - Mind you don't fall! - Now!

All I can do is repeat what I've said so far:

I object to the examination.

My arrest is unwarranted. I don't wish to answer.

Answer the question!

I said I won't answer.

Your behaviour is irrational.

Whether you like it or not

the examination will be carried through.

The interrogation is suspended.

Budapest, May 1, 1957

Comrades! Workers of Budapest!

What is the special significance of today's May Day

for our people and internationally too?

On our May Day festivity

we resoundingly declare

to friends and foes alike

that our nation will heal the wound caused by the counter-revolution

and is determined to

build on Hungarian soil,

moistened by the blood and sweat of generations of workers,

a free and independent

socialist Hungary!

I haven't been interrogated for weeks!

Please tell me what's happening!

I want to speak to the governor!

I want to continue my testimony!

Come on!

I don't want to...

I don't want to die.

I don't.

Mother!

What's the time? I don't even know what day it is.

Under the circumstances your condition is satisfactory.

You must take your pills. You will get them every day.

You have stomach pains because you don't eat.

You must eat!

I won't eat until I get a pencil and paper.

And until I know how my family is.

This is beyond my competence.

Here're your pills. Take them.

I haven't once been allowed to go for a walk!

The cell is airless and foul smelling.

The windows are boarded up.

- I can't breathe! - I might be able to help that.

July 30 1957.

Thank you.

Not eating is your business

but you must take liquid.

Lead the prisoner away!

What lovely weather, gentlemen!

Lovely.

It took me months to get home.

White terror back here and my comrades in prison.

I met M�ria �get� in the workers' hostel in Kaposv�r.

She danced the csardas marvelously.

Do you want to be free?

Come on then!

Off you go, you're free!

50, 51, 52, 53...

54, 55, 56...

57...

58...

59...

When we say the people of Hungary

defended the cause of socialism, it's the truth, comrades!

All kinds of historical merits have been mentioned, comrades.

The historical merit belongs to

the workers of Hungary, who

- and our peasant brothers will forgive us for this -

have been fighting for people's power

since autumn 1918

and have never deflected from that aim.

How are you?

They haven't heard me for weeks.

Or is it months?

I'm beginning to lose my sense of time.

- You know... - I know exactly how you feel.

My advice is... you should take your medicine.

What for?

I wouldn't mind if it were the end.

I thought you wanted to defend yourself.

That's why I prescribed a cordial tonic.

If you don't take it, you won't have any strength.

To tell you the truth your health has declined seriously.

That's why I'm prescribing a high-calorie diet.

What for?

I haven't been heard for ages.

You must understand: it's my duty to help.

These medicines are marvelous. Honestly! From abroad.

But it's most important that you eat.

Are the comrades afraid

that I'll drop dead before time?

I'm sure several have died already.

J�nosi?

Boga?

Somogyi?

Simonovits?

M�rton Fodor?

Dear God!

Here, eat.

Yes.

Enjoy your meal.

I'm sick. My heart's prickling.

And my hand keeps going numb.

To appear before the court of the people's democracy, terrible!

Are you talking to yourself?

If you hadn't suspended the curfew on October 25

there wouldn't have been such big crowds on the streets.

I maintain that without the consent of the other leaders

I wouldn't have suspended it.

Decisions were made jointly at the time,

by Comrade K�d�r among others.

Let's leave K�d�r out of it.

As prime minister I had the right to change my orders.

I owed responsibility only to the party and the people.

Assessing your actions is the concern of the court.

The interrogation is suspended.

You knew counter-revolutionary gangs were active in the country

yet you stood by the concept of a national revolution!

There's not a word in your October 28 speech about the danger

of a counter-revolution.

Counter-revolutionary acts were committed in October, but...

I never considered them a decisive factor.

I believed that during a revolutionary event of this size

- such incidents were inevitable. - But...

the victims determine the character of a revolution,

at least according to the ideas of Marx and Lenin.

I started out from the fact

that the main role was played by the working class.

I also saw that many party members participated in the events.

What's more: they played leading roles.

You haven't stated whether you uphold your reasoning.

I don't wish to discuss my present standpoint.

And when do you wish to discuss it?

When I see fit politically.

The interrogation is suspended.

We communists have our confessional too.

It's called self-criticism.

There were people who called themselves communists

and acted like

a bad Catholic who commits villainies all year

and then around Easter goes to church to confess,

walking away afterwards reborn and reassured

to start all over again after Easter.

There's not one of us who we can look up to with esteem.

This may not be good, but I also think it's useful.

For we've come close to each other,

we see when the other is right,

and we see his mistakes.

And I believe that luckily our regime dares to speak out now.

It's dry. it needs watering.

I'm giving you the examination material to study.

So the interrogation

has come to an end?

Yes.

You'll get a pencil to make notes.

I see.

And when will it be?

Soon.

You've officially been charged by the prosecution.

You have the right to choose your defence

from the names on the list.

We both know this is just a show.

Alright then! I'll choose my defence.

The interrogation is suspended.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Take a seat.

"Subversion of the political system,

offences against public safety, treason,

suffering and destruction afflicted on the working class,

danger of war affecting mankind..."

These are the counts for which I need your defence.

I'll do everything I can.

I fear that won't be enough.

You know what?

I'll try to defend myself.

As always. I have one request:

that they shouldn't treat me as a child.

You must be working with J�nosi and the others' defence.

Please give them this message.

They should testify against me.

I'll take responsibility for everything.

They can do anything

to defend their own lives.

But then they must live with that

if they're able to.

Could you tell me the date and the time?

Tut-tut.

Such a big boy, and you don't know the date?

- Didn't you go to school? - No.

There was a flower here last time.

And now it's nowhere.

But I can imagine it.

As if it were still here.

Can you see it too?

I can. It's red.

Yes, it is.

June 9

1958.

Thank you.

Comrades!

The trial beginning tomorrow is a closed trial.

And the whole procedure a state secret.

We must proceed in the strictest possible way.

During the trial you will be accommodated

in the building and are forbidden to communicate.

Offenders of the state secret will be most severely dealt with.

Nothing that happens in this building,

I repeat, nothing, comrades, can be leaked out.

Do you understand?

June 9 1958 First day of the trial

The Presidential Committee of the People's Republic of Hungary

has convened this law court

to ensure litigation consistent with the interests of the people

in the charges brought against counter-revolutionary crimes.

The People's Tribunal opens the trial of Imre Nagy and co

on the counts of action directed at subversion of the

popular democratic system and treason. I order a closed trial.

I object!

I resolutely object!

I object

to a closed trial given that this case has great significance.

It's of both local and international interest.

I dismiss the appeal.

I'd like to ask the film crew to begin.

You are recording the trial.

This is a closed trial

which means everything said is a state secret.

I call on the accused, Ferenc J�nosi.

Stand up!

Ferenc J�nosi, accused of the 9th order,

Calvinist vicar, married, father of two minors,

chief secretary of the Patriotic People's Front from 1954 to 1955,

director of the Pet�fi Museum. Have you understood the charges?

- I have. - Do you plead guilty?

Pardon?

I asked to what crimes do you plead guilty.

To every point of the indictment.

Sit down.

Accused of the 2nd order! Have you understood the charges?

- I have. - Do you plead guilty?

Yes, I plead guilty to every point of the indictment.

Sit down.

Accused of the 4th order! Do you plead guilty?

- Yes. - To what?

To every point of the indictment.

Sit down.

The trial will continue.

Imre Nagy! Accused of the 1st order.

Take a seat. You'll be tried seated with respect to your age.

Thank you but I'll request it if necessary.

- Please take a seat. - I'd rather stand.

Very well then.

Do you plead guilty?

No.

I see.

I don't plead guilty though I understand the charges.

I feel it my duty to announce to the court the fact that I feel

I'm a scapegoat,

called to account not for my own actions.

It's very bad to be a scapegoat but I will take on the role and...

The People's Tribunal condemns no-one for crimes other

than those they've committed.

I trust so, your honour. And am relying on it...

a little.

I call on the first witness!

Do you maintain your testimony concerning the Imre Nagy group?

I maintain that hostile elements in the Imre Nagy group aimed at

overthrowing the power of the workers.

Your Honour, I have consistently denied

the existence of an Imre Nagy group and continue to do so.

I caution the accused of the order of the trial.

The court refuses to discuss issues of ideology.

I was present and heard them planning actions.

The hostile forces gathered in the Pet�fi Circle

under the banner of reaction.

In a demagogic way they abused the heroic efforts of the working class.

And belittled our marvelous socialist achievements.

Excuse me, but I cannot accept this. My opinion differs.

Sit down!

- Continue. - I adhere to my testimony.

The debates of the Pet�fi Circle opened the way to fascist restoration.

The trial continues. K�roly Kov�cs.

You are being heard as a witness in the case of Imre Nagy and co.

You said that the politics of Imre Nagy

were spread in the Pet�fi Circle.

We tended to discuss democracy.

I have a question for the witness:

what do Imre Nagy's politics mean?

The witness cannot give a political lecture.

Just briefly, your honour.

What he expounded in June 1953 in the new government programme.

We are concerned with 1956, not June 1953!

Excuse me, but witness answered the question

as to what was meant by the politics of Imre Nagy.

We chiefly meant the reforms of June 1953.

I'm content with the reply.

You cannot choose the answers.

This is the correct answer, not the one you insinuated with your question.

Keep order, please!

- I am keeping it. - You're not.

It also includes not correcting me.

I didn't correct you.

It is my right to raise questions.

Behave fittingly before the People's Tribunal!

I insist on you accepting the witness's reply.

Put this on record, please!

Hurry up!

...and when 8 communist comrades were murdered in Miskolc

with the greatest barbarity your opinion didn't change?

I too saw the danger of counter- revolution. But I didn't consider

the events of October

as a counter-revolution.

Your Honour, I saw the essence of it in...

In what did you see the essence when countrywide fascists bands

with assorted forms of cruelty were murdering workers?

- Return to your place! - I wish to continue.

There's no occasion for that. Tell me where you were

- and who you met on October 23? - On October 23 1956

a popular rising uniting the whole nation broke out with such force,

so unexpectedly that I was as surprised as you were.

How dare you involve me?

When I was asked to lead

the government of national unity at this decisive moment, I accepted.

Enough! I order a break.

Allow me to finish, your honour!

We wanted to restore the country's independence.

We demanded the withdrawal of Soviet troops.

We wanted a democratic political rule.

First of all: a multi-party system.

Because... I love my country,

your honour!

And finally,

Imre Nagy,

accused of the 1st order...

His criminal behaviour,

headstrong obstinacy,

two-faced duplicity

and his unquenchable hatred of our popular democratic system

excludes the possibility of taking into consideration

his over forty years in the labour movement

and his old age and ill condition. I ask the Tribunal

to impose the severest penalty

befitting treason and betrayal of class.

The Supreme Court's Tribunal will pass judgment.

June 15, 1958 the verdict

In the name of the People's Republic Imre Nagy accused of the 1st order,

son of J�zsef Nagy and Roz�lia Szab�,

...one daughter, university lecturer,

with a pension of 3600 Ft, propertiless...

Hungarian citizen with a clean criminal record, has been found

guilty

of the crime of subverting the popular democratic system

and the crime of treason.

For which the Tribunal

sentences him to death and total confiscation of property.

His defence has pleaded for mercy. Do you wish to exercise this right?

Have you understood the question concerning the plea for mercy?

I have,

and I don't plead for mercy.

- Take care of the family! - Lead the prisoners away.

Your Honour! The last statement I make

was written several weeks

before today's verdict.

And I don't think anything needs to be added.

To my mind the sentence is unjust.

And not only unjust, but also pointless.

This is why I cannot accept it.

After a year and a half of prison

which brought me such hatred and suffering

I have to die for an ideal.

But I no longer mind.

After what you've done to this ideal

it has no more sense for me.

I'm certain that history

will pass a just sentence on my murderers

and the Hungarian people may acquit me of the charges.

I place my fate into the hands of the Hungarian people

because it is my duty.

Signed: Imre Nagy, prime minister of the People's Republic of Hungary.

Budapest, June 15 1958

Thank you.

The only thing... that fills me with revulsion

is of being rehabilitated one day by those who are hanging me now.

Please give these letters to my family.

One to my daughter.

This one.

And the other one...

to my wife

and my mother.

Anything else I can do for you?

I'd like to have back the photo that was taken away from me.

And the bag of soil. You know, I got it from my mother.

I'll try.

Door!

You can go.

What will happen?

How will I die, doctor?

You'll be led into the yard at 5 am.

the appointed judge will check your identity, read out the sentence

and hand you over to the executioner.

The sentence will be carried out at nine minutes past five.

You won't feel pain, just the touch of the rope on your neck.

Your heart will stop after five or six minutes.

Then nothing.

Thank you.

- I'd like to remain alone. - Yes.

Doctor!

I had no other choice.

I must die a free man.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Door!

The devil take it

Comrade K�d�r.

It's just been reported.

It's over.

The fallen freedom-fighters, the victims of reprisal,

the people executed in Illegitimate trials,

the known and the unknown all died for a single cause:

for the independence of the Hungarian nation.

Once Hungary has a government free from criminals

I will petition for the following:

Complete rehabilitation of the 1956 revolution.

Exhumation of the remains of Imre Nagy and his companions.

Their worthy burial in a single national mass grave.

I'd like to emphasise

I only wish to turn with this request

to a renewed government purged from criminals.

I refuse to talk to murderers.

Erzs�bet Nagy.

March 29, 1989 New Public Cemetery

Exhuming of the body of Imre Nagy

Erzs�bet Nagy.

K�roly Moln�r, welder.

Executed in 1958. Lived 28 years.

S�ndor Moln�r, miner.

Executed in 1958. Lived 25 years.

Andr�s Nagy, iron turner.

Budapest, June 16, 1989

Executed in 1958. Lived 24 years.

Imre Nagy, prime minister. Executed in 1958. Lived 62 years.

J�zsef Nagy, hauler. Executed in 1958. Lived 29 years.

J�zsef Nagy, miner. Executed in 1958. Lived 29 years.

J�zsef Nagy butcher's assistant.

OCTOBER 2003 PLOT NUMBER 301

Executed in 1959. Lived 23 years.

J�zsef Nagy, hauler. Executed in 1959. Lived 25 years.

Imre Moln�r, border guard. Executed in 1957. Lived 23 years.

On June 6 1989 the Supreme Court overruled

the sentence passed in the case of Imre Nagy and his companions

and acquitted them for lack of criminal offence.

The same day J�nos K�d�r died.