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Ride to Freedom
Place and time of the action: The governorate of Grodnow 1830
Cavalry Captain Volsky, if you please...
Cavalry Captain Saganov, if you please...
I have to ask the two opponents if a reconciliation is possible?
Since I don't get an answer I am obliged to point out...
that according to the Imperial Russian Military Code, officers participating in a duel as opponents, seconds or accessories...
are punished by degradation.
The military surgeon present isn't be subject to any punishment.
Gentlemen, are you ready?
I count to three:
One...
two...
three.
Halt!
Did you see that, Ensign?
That's the marksmanship of a Polish squire.
We all shoot like that.
One might try it out one day, Ensign.
Why?
All you have to do is give me a condescending look.
No, nothing.
No problem.
For three weeks you'll have to hold your temper in check, Saganov.
A pity.
How are you, comrade?
Thank you.
When are you going notice, Ensign...
that I've been giving you a condescending look for hours now?
In an insulting manner, Ensign?
Do you doubt it, Ensign?
Doubt? Not at all. Hoping for it, that's what I do.
Hurry up!
You'll be hearing from me, Ensign.
# [Russian song]
Ensign!
Let me see your horse.
Where have you been till now?
I've been out exercising my horse, Cavalry Captain.
It seems you've been doing some lively exercises.
And why did you take my pistol case?
He isn't allowed to answer this.
Ensign, you may go.
Good morning, Julek.
It seems you've had another go with your pistol.
Yes.
Whom?
One of our friends.
One day you'll break your neck.
The Colonel wants to see the officers at once.
All the gentlemen are here, Colonel.
All of them?
We're in luck then.
You've injured yourself, Cavalry Captain Saganov?
Yes, Colonel.
Probably on your morning ride.
Yes, Colonel.
Nobody of the Polish gentlemen seems to be injured.
This is most interesting.
I am very happy about that.
Gentlemen, in short:
those mornings rides will have to stop.
I've watched it for two months, but now it is I who's going to explode!
If you don't feel comfortable with us, my dear sirs from Poland...
then let me tell you that I haven't been asked either whether I wanted to have you or not.
We have all sworn the same oath of allegiance.
And we must obey,
wherever we are stationed.
Don't you ever forget it!
Thank you, gentlemen.
I should have been more severe with the Poles, shouldn't I?
I think it has been effective, Colonel.
Besides, His Excellency the Governor wants us to treat the Poles in a more diplomatic way.
But that's what I did.
What do you say to that, Ensign?
Bad luck.
We'll have to wait a few weeks.
A pity.
- So, Saganov... - Yes.
Because of the remark he made about me last night?
hmm
But he had been so drunk that he could hardly stand on his legs.
That's what he'll get it he can't kept his mouth shut.
You've acted like a good comrade,
but when I overlook Mr. Saganov's silliness then I have my reasons.
I find your tolerance strange.
I'm not so diplomatic as you are, I shoot.
I shoot too, when I'm really offended.
But Julek, it doesn't matter if you shoot some reason into him or if I do.
For me it's more fun.
Don't begrudge me the pleasure.
Attention!
Good morning, Ulans!
Good morning, Cavalry Captain.
You know, one ought to start a totally new life.
No drinks...
no cards...
no women...
and no debts.
Such a decent noble life like the one you're leading.
Burak!
Let those reins loose.
You're tearing off the horse's head!
Don't ride out of line!
Keep the line!
About turn!
Without drink...
that's possible.
Without cards...
I'd manage that too.
But without love...
that's impossible!
And debts... debts...
I think I could do without debts.
He can wait, this doesn't press.
But the tailor!
The tailor.
He hasn't sent me a reminder for eight days.
Julek?
Say, did you again...
This is very comradely of you...
but when I don't pay my own debts, then...
then I have my reasons.
But Jan, it's of no importance whether you owe him or I.
For me it's more fun, don't begrudge me the pleasure.
This is the limit! Now Burak has fallen off his horse!
Cavalry Captain!
There's a carriage drifting down the river.
Let it drift, sonny.
Cavalry Captain.
A short glance would be worthwhile.
Cavalry Captain, we must take action.
Two ladies in distress.
This hasn't been established yet.
It all depends on the ladies.
We're taking action.
Have the lifeboats saddled, the Squadron shall set sail at once!
Brute! Idiot! Imbécile! Crétin!
Ahoy, my ladies!
Ahoy!
Don't joke, come here! Save us!
The ferry got lose, the ferryman is totally drunk.
We're coming!
Squadron, gallop!
Company, halt!
Ten men after me!
The others, dismount!
All ovations, speeches of gratitude and tender compliments, later please.
Catch the rope!
Pull us to the riverbank.
Pull!
24... 27...
30 pretty men!
That's terrible, Your Grace.
Ladies, take your places, we'll go ashore soon.
And you can go home now, come on.
That way, straight on!
Take him to the riverbank.
Well, the rescue action part is over.
And now, my dear little lady...
Let me look at you.
Whether the shock hasn't done you any harm.
We're quite good sailors.
Did the telescope lie?
No!
Shall I come over?
No!
Apparently the Cavalry Captain had to ascertain first who it was that needed to be rescued.
How fortunate that we've met his requirements.
Otherwise we'd be on our way to the Baltic Sea now.
Isn't it so, Cavalry Captain?
Good-bye, Cavalry Captain.
Who is it to whom I owe my thanks?
Cavalry Captain Volsky of the Ulan Regiment King...
King John Sobieski.
You know me, Madame?
Not you, Cavalry Captain, but your uniform.
Is your regiment stationed at Grodnow now?
Only its best squadrons.
The first and second.
If I may ask, will the ladies travel any further or...
will you be staying in Grodnow?
Perhaps we'll stay.
Couldn't one see you again?
Possibly.
And to whom may I send flowers?
Ask your comrade Count Stanievsky.
And send him my greetings.
From whom shall I greet him?
From Katerina Ivanovna.
Ensign, everybody mount, gallop back to the parade ground.
All listen to my command:
Mount!
At any moment the "old man" (Colonel) may come, Jan, and you're going swimming.
I've made a fantastic acquaintance.
We've pulled two girls out of the water and one of them...
That's exactly what I imagined.
You couldn’t possibly imagine!
Such a sweet creature!
And I've made quite an impression again.
Look, there they are.
You really should have a look at them, it's worth it.
Ahoy!
ahoy!
- Foolishness! - Bring the Cavalry Captain's horse.
I have a feeling that you'll be in the saddle and after her in 10 seconds.
I don't belong to your squadron.
She's as pretty as a picture...
wonderful eyes...
a sweet mouth...
a charming name...
Katerina
Ivanovna
You're looking up already!
She sends you her greetings.
nine
But you're already in the saddle!
Ten.
Off he goes.
And you didn't like it in Paris anymore?
Didn't you find a heart there?
There were lots of hearts, but none of them spoke my language.
All the same, I would have stayed on if my brother hadn't called me back.
He doesn't approve of my travelling around the world any longer.
All alone.
And after all, he's right.
I see, one wants to marry you off.
Yes, and I think my brother has already chosen a husband for me in Petersburg.
That's why I'm to travel there so quickly.
And here he wants to convince me about the affair.
Will he succeed?
Do you imagine that I let myself be married off?
No, I don't.
You see.
For the present, I'll stay here for a few days.
Squadron, move left!
It seems to be an extensive reunion.
Ensign, ride over there, otherwise the old man will find out.
Don't trouble yourself, Ensign.
This is great, Volsky.
This is what I call true riding.
And if you allow, I'll personally warn the Cavalry Captain Stanievsky of me.
Are you well, Julek?
I can't complain, I have my service, I don't go out much...
I daresay I'm not the ideal of a dashing Ulan officer.
I don't hold this against you.
The fact that this pleases you, Katerina...
I don't hold that against you either.
Are you on good terms with my brother?
We're strictly on professional terms. I've seen His Excellency only once.
When we reported for duty here in Grodnow.
And I hardly think that our relations could be friendlier.
We're strangers here.
And we're not very popular with our Russian superior officers.
Even though we try very hard to adapt ourselves.
Julek!
Yes?
Shall we go out riding together tomorrow morning?
At 6 o'clock, when the world is still empty, like we used to do in Paris.
Agreed.
I beg your pardon.
Cavalry Captain!
You'll join your squadron at once, where you belong!
And you'll perform your duty the way I see fit.
Yes, Colonel.
Julek, will you introduce me to the Colonel.
I'm always available for pretty women, Madame, except when I'm on duty.
Our esteemed Colonel Bobrikov of the 3rd Cossack Regiment.
Her Grace the Princess Katerina Tchernikov
sister of His Excellency, the Governor.
Then there's a complaint by the city council
because of drunken and disorderly behavior of the Cossack regiment in the streets at night.
Throw it away.
That is all, Your Grace.
- The rooms for the Grand Duke? - Are ready.
- All the guests for tonight have been invited? - Yes Your Grace.
Do you have any news to report in that other matter?
For weeks it's the same procedure each morning:
At 6 o'clock in the morning Her Grace and her groom arrive at the birchwood forest.
And almost at the same time Count Stanievsky turns up.
The groom is told to report back again 1 hour and 20 minutes later.
And Her Grace and the Count always ride along the same paths.
Across the forest...
and back along the great avenue.
Thank you.
You may go.
Good morning, Misha.
Such a storm today, I almost got blown off my horse.
It had been marvelous beyond words.
I hope I'm not disturbing.
No no, you're not.
Tell me, Katia...
what are your plans?
When do you intend to leave?
I mean, I am very happy to have you here...
but somebody in Petersburg would be even happier if you went there.
I could imagine us celebrating the ball tonight
and your leaving tomorrow morning...
If it's absolutely necessary, of course, Misha...
But why the hurry?
There's no question of hurrying. But why are you hesitating?
What's keeping you here?
I'm bored to death here, and you find it marvelous beyond words in Grodnow.
In Grodnow!
Meanwhile Petersburg is waiting for you.
Petersburg!
And a man all the women are crazy about:
charming, rich, of highest Russian nobility
and an excellent horseman on top of it.
Katia
Despite those advantageous prospects I'd rather stay here for a while.
You've turned three days into three weeks.
I shall consider this a compliment to myself...
and I'd rather not think about what is really keeping you here.
So you're again very well informed.
Yes I am.
I'll decide tonight...
whether I shall leave tomorrow.
- Good morning, Julek. - Ah, good morning.
Where have you been?
I've ridden around the town.
That's very zealous of you.
And how did your horse get those flowers?
Flowers? What flowers?
Indeed! I say! The *** picked herself some flowers.
- So you both have come to an understanding? - We have.
That is, I think so...
What do you mean, have you come to an understanding or haven't you?
But Jan, you know my clumsiness.
We've been together every day, but I haven't found the right moment yet to tell her...
What? You haven't proposed to her yet?
No.
That's good.
That's very good.
Why, what do you mean by that?
Listen to me, Julek...
I've watched it for a while, but...
honestly, the whole affair makes me uncomfortable.
I'm not the marrying kind...
but as far as I know it's a matter....
to be treated with utmost care.
Especially in a case as complicated as yours.
What's the meaning of those dark allusions?
They aren't dark at all.
I'll shed some light on them right now.
We don't want to lose you, Julek.
And all of us have noticed, that you've turned a bit...
you know what I mean...
Marrying into such a family...
highest Russian nobility...
I don't know, but...
I could imagine...
that gradually... without your noticing...
one day you'll have forgotten that you're a Pole.
And we'd feel sorry for you, Julek.
The mail for the two Polish squadrons.
- Have you read them? - Yes sir.
In these five letters there are complaints about alleged suppression and victimization.
I didn't find any objections in the other letters.
Give them to me.
Here a girl writes:
or a wife to the Ulan....
Ulan Blashek
Has the man acted suspiciously?
Blashek? Blashek?
No, Colonel.
so that woman from Warsaw writes:
"The children don't like to go to school anymore.
"because only Russian teachers are teaching now...
"and they are very strict."
And you think that's unsuspicious!
You ought to train your staff better!
Get into those skulls that the government has a reason...
when it split up the Polish regiments...
had them transferred, torn apart.
Burn those letters, all of them!
Colonel.
What they don't know, can't unsettle them.
Water. A tumbler full.
- Water? - Yes, water.
Of course water.
How far is it to Grodnow?
To Grodnow? Our cart takes the whole day.
But a rider on a good horse, 5 to 6 hours.
Five to six hours?
You're good Polish patriots, aren't you?
Two Russians are chasing after me.
At all costs, I must be in Grodnow before they are...
with our Ulans.
I need the best horse you have around here.
Do you understand?
The uprising has started.
Keep those two busy for a while.
Under no circumstances are they to get fresh horses!
And you haven't seen me!
Understood?
I am crazy with joy that I may stay at home, totally crazy.
Is the parting in my hair straight now?
It isn't.
In heaven's name, give me a hand.
Stay at home, then you won't need a parting in your hair.
Do you imagine I'll go there for my pleasure?
I've been ordered to go.
I am so sorry, you poor man.
The effort it takes you to surmount your disgust.
You'll have to drink champagne till you can't stand straight.
And you'll have to eat caviar and you're forced to dance.
Nothing doing.
That's duty.
I can imagine your disgust when you're conversing with the noble ladies in dark corners.
pooh, conversing!
Have I ever conversed with noble ladies in dark corners?
I know, you shudder to think of it.
One of them might even pull you outside, into the park.
to a walk in the moonlight.
You innocent lamb.
But the moon doesn't shine tonight.
You, I could slap your face left and right!
What kind of a parting is that?
If you must go...
you should at least be the prettiest man.
I can demand that.
If a girl falls in love with you I'll scratch out her eyes!
And yours too!
Are you coming, Jan?
No, I'm not ready yet.
Then I'll come up for a minute, I have to tell you something.
You don't have to hide.
It's only Julek.
I beg your pardon, I thought you were alone.
Don't fuss, come in.
You know Janka.
Good evening, Count.
But this is charming, Miss Janka, how did you get here?
She turned up suddenly three days ago.
She couldn't stand it without me.
No wonder.
But it's not true, don't you believe him, Count.
Alright, then I was wrong.
You're not here at all.
Stop it, the Count wants to talk to you.
Such a great girl, don't you lose her.
Well Julek, what's the trouble?
Well...
I've decided to talk to Katerina Ivanovna tonight.
I'll propose to her.
Then I wish you happiness, Julek.
This morning you said something to me, I've thought about it the whole day.
But you were wrong, Jan. Nothing is changed.
Even if I marry that Russian, I'll always belong to you, just like I used to.
You can always rely on me.
Hey, do you know the Count Stanievsky?
- Where does he live? - Third road to the right.
And between us everything'll remain unchanged?
If you won't change...
you can rely on me.
It's alright.
Don't hang around here, go and fix that affair of yours.
You have my blessings.
Won't you join me?
Well I...
I'm not in such a hurry as you are, I...
- Please announce me to the Count. - I regret...
Tell him I've come from Warsaw.
I'm sorry, but the Count is not at home.
But I must see him at once.
Perhaps he's still with the Cavalry Captain Volsky.
What did Julek want?
He came to ask if he's allowed to get married?
You?
Whom else should he have asked?
Knowing you, you've advised him against it of course.
That would have been my duty...
as his friend.
But I gave him my permission...
for once.
Everybody's getting married...
all around...
Only we'll have to wait a bit...
till the rich uncle from America..
But you haven't got one!
Then we'll have to economize on our own.
Janka!
Janechka.
Don't cry.
hmm?
It won't be long and you'll be Madame General Volsky...
you'll have seven little Volskies...
and you'll weigh 200 pounds.
And I'll be back in an hour.
I'll just strut across the ballroom,
wolf down a bit of caviar,
wash it down with a thimble of champagne,
generously refuse all offers of moonlight walks,
and whoops - I'm back again
here with you.
- Cavalry Captain Volsky? - Yes?
I'm looking for Count Stanievsky.
I have an urgent message for him.
My good man, you won't find him tonight.
He's at a reception at the Governor, come back tomorrow.
Then you'll listen to me!
I've been in the saddle for 48 hours, Cavalry Captain.
I have orders for you from Warsaw.
Is there a place where we can't be overheard?
In here.
So, what do you want?
I don't have much time.
Who is giving the orders?
The Polish national government orders you and Count Stanievsky
to take back your two squadrons to Warsaw at once.
Are you mad?
The oath you and your comrades have sworn to the Czar is no longer valid.
The whole country is in uproar.
We need every man, every horse, every lance, Cavalry Captain.
Man, you're risking your head talking like that!
Who do you think you're talking to?
You have no idea what's happening at this hour in Poland.
In this moment in the streets of Warsaw innocent people are dying.
In this moment Russian soldiers are shooting our men, women and children.
In this moment our homeland is fighting for freedom, Cavalry Captain.
Ever since our soldiers have been sent away the situation has become unbearable at home.
They have started to let us sense their power.
They have humiliated us as much as they could, they have tortured us...
kicked us like cattle.
And we've obeyed.
We've kept quiet for peace's sake.
We haven't moved one bit till it got unbearable.
They have banished children, 14 year old boys to Siberia
for high treason,
because they sang Polish songs, banished to Siberia for 10 years, Cavalry Captain!
Then our patience was exhausted.
Then we saw blood and hit back.
And we would have been cowards if we hadn't acted that way.
This is what I had to tell you.
And now you may go dancing, Cavalry Captain...
if you still feel like it.
Both squadrons shall ride tonight.
The Russian officers are celebrating at the Governor.
There couldn't be a better occasion.
Will you ride with us?
No, I have to proceed to Vilna...
to the other squadrons.
I totally forgot, Janka...
I may be away a bit longer.
There is such a bustle tonight because of some Grand Duke.
So don't worry, Janka, if I...
if I may be a bit late.
I won't, Jan.
Just go.
What is it, Janka?
I shall...
pray for you all, Jan.
You know, Julek, this is our last evening together.
My brother has urged me to leave tomorrow.
He knows, by the way, that we've met daily.
And you'll obey him?
I told him that I'll make up my mind tonight, after the ball.
What if I asked you not to leave?
Katerina, you've known me long enough.
You know that I find it hard to express my feelings.
Perhaps... Katia...
Perhaps you've found here what you've been looking for in vain so far?
A heart which speaks your language.
Katia!
May I call on your brother tomorrow...
and ask for your hand in marriage?
Katia?
- A bit late, Volsky, watch out that the old man doesn't see you. - Good evening, Saganov.
There you are at last.
The old man missed you at the reception.
He'll be missing us all very soon.
Listen!
Each of you will leave quietly now, we'll meet in the pavilion near the park gate.
You'll wait for me there.
No questions! Leave at once!
- Bonsoir M. le Capitaine. - Pardon me, but I have some important matters to discuss with the Ensign.
- But Cavalry Captain! - No talking back, leave at once!
Your Imperial Highness, you've reserved this dance for the Princess Tchernikov.
Charming.
But the next Mazurka will be mine, and the one after that too.
And the following dances are the exclusive right of Mr. Stanievsky, understood?
Alright, but if let go of me now, I'll be back sooner.
That makes sense.
Quadrille - Mazurka - Polka - Gavotte - Polonaise
Jan, you may congratulate me.
Everything's perfectly alright.
What's the matter, Jan?
Julek!
Something terrible has happened.
In Poland a revolution has broken out.
Our Polish friends seem to find the atmosphere here too Russian.
One after the other disappears.
The new government wants us to return to Warsaw at once.
Of course I agreed.
Also in your name.
We'll ride in half an hour.
At this moment, Jan? At this moment?
You don't know what you're asking of me!
I do, Julek, but this is about more important matters!
It's not easy for me either.
But it must be.
Cossacks are shooting our people, it'll be terrible if we don't help them.
I can't wait till I'm in the saddle.
Julek!
Where's your meeting point?
The pavilion near the park gate.
The others are there already.
We'll stop by the barracks and then we'll ride as fast as the horses will stand.
I'll leave first. Careful when you follow, the Russians mustn't notice anything.
Come soon, Julek!
We'll wait for you.
This is incredible!
You've had to fight your way through to us?
Yes Colonel.
There's a revolt in every village.
In the last Polish village my escort was shot off his horse.
The Regimental commander and the Cossack squadron leaders.
Please have a rest.
Have him brought a bottle of champagne.
Malinovsky, you're in command in the stables.
Yes sir.
Mravinsky and Orlevich, you take care the men leave their quarters in silence and are on their horses like lightning.
Kravinsky and the Ensign, you're responsible for the moving out of the squadron Stanievsky.
But where is the Count?
He'll be here soon.
The barracks are to be cordoned off. No Polish officer will leave the ball without my permission.
I want reports at all times.
Everything will proceed in silence, unobtrusive.
His Imperial Highness' evening mustn't be spoilt.
Thank you.
I ask permission to report something.
The Polish officers have already left the ball.
What!
They left one after the other, I noticed it but didn't think it suspicious.
This is most interesting.
Then we'll deal with the matter otherwise.
You'll arrest the Polish officers and have them confined to barracks.
But I want no shooting!
The town mustn't be frightened.
My Grodnowians are to sleep in peace.
Perhaps the Count has changed his mind?
What do you mean by that?
It's been a while now that we're waiting.
He'll come.
He'll come for sure.
My last official dance. From now on the evening belongs to you.
Katerina...
I...
I won't call on your brother tomorrow.
Not yet tomorrow.
Perhaps it'd be better if we waited some time.
Perhaps he'll refuse anyway, and then...
then...
Then we'll marry without his consent.
Then we'll leave from here.
Somewhere...
where nobody knows us.
Where we can be alone...
and happy, Julek.
Julek!
Do you intend to wait for the Count till tomorrow morning?
He won't come anymore.
It'll be the devil to pay if we don't leave now.
Alright.
Let's go.
We've been begging to for some time now.
To our happiness.
Our happiness.
Our mazurka.
Halt!
Freeze!
The bridge is closed off.
Place your weapons in the middle of the bridge and advance, one after the other.
I have orders to arrest you.
Volsky!
Be reasonable!
Back!
Go!
Get yourself another one, I'll be back soon.
Your Excellency, it had been a most charming evening.
I'll report to His Majesty only the very best from Grodnow.
Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.
Your Imperial Highness, it's 1 o'clock.
I know, it's time again.
Your Excellency, I'm being sent to bed.
Well?
Your report?
We've trapped them on the bridge.
Four Poles fell.
First Lt. Malinowski and the Ensign have been taken prisoner.
We are still searching for Cavalry Captain Volsky.
- Our losses? - 2 officers, 6 men
- All quiet in town? - Yes sir.
Nobody noticed anything.
Thank you.
I suppose the Polish dream for freedom has ended now.
At least, regarding Grodnow.
Your Grace, I find it most embarrassing that in my regiment...
Don't apologize.
By the way, what do you think about the conduct of the Count Stanievsky?
Well ... eh... in my opinion...
he behaved most correctly.
As regiment commander I am most satisfied that the most senior officer...
Is that so?
Correct.
You think so?
Good night, Katerina.
I have to leave after all, even if I find it hard to.
Those few hours will be over soon, Julek.
And we'll meet again tomorrow afternoon.
Good night, Julek.
You won't forget, Katerina, what you've promised me?
That you'll join me when I...
if any obstacle, anything unexpected happened...
But Julek, there is nothing which could keep me from joining you...
and being happy with you.
I've promised you that.
I thank you, Katerina.
Now I'm not afraid of tomorrow anymore.
Katia!
Come to me.
Sit down here.
Have you amused yourself tonight?
It has been wonderful, Micha.
Whom did you like best?
His Imperial Highness, of course.
Whom else?
Very well, I won't probe any further.
So?
How did you decide?
I won't leave.
Aha.
And you won't have to leave either.
You didn't come, Julek.
They've kept you back by force?
We didn't succeed.
They had already blocked the bridge and that's where they caught us.
Saganov was there, with his Cossacks.
We lost too much time in the pavilion...
waiting for you.
Kravinsky, Orlich, Ovinsky and Ribek were finished off with sabres - dead.
I don't know where Malinovsky and the Ensign are.
Why didn't you come, Julek?
Why don't you answer?
Answer me, Julek!
So you didn't want to come!
Because of that woman, you've delivered us to the Cossack's sabres.
You've acted like a coward!
You've been afraid, Count.
Afraid your career might be ruined.
that you might be put against the wall...
that your pretty, distinguished and unimportant life might be over!
Such a mean little *** fear!
And I believed in you!
I looked up to you like to an idol.
The others wanted to leave much earlier because they didn't trust you.
But I gave orders to wait for you.
And now I am also guilty of the death of those poor devils.
Why don't you answer me, Julek?
You must be trembling that they might me find in your apartment and think you're involved with us.
Don't worry, Count.
I'm leaving.
Count!
The Count didn't go to bed?
Shall I serve breakfast now, Count?
Good morning.
Look who's coming.
Groomed, bathed, had his breakfast too...
He looks as if he has no idea.
Perhaps he only pretends.
Good morning.
Good morning, Count.
- Did you stay long last night? - I did.
My comrades aren't here yet?
No...
You haven't heard?
How do you mean?
I don't understand.
Come.
Your comrades have mutinied.
They were going to be arrested, it was a tough fight.
Four of them fell unfortunately.
We've arrested the rest.
And Cavalry Captain Volsky?
This is a strange matter.
He fought like a devil, escaped without a trace into the night...
one hour later he met a patrol on the bridge, only two men, and...
he let himself get arrested without any resistance.
Now all three are sitting over there, in the detention room.
Volsky, Malinovsky and the Ensign.
You should be glad that you haven't joined that madness.
Cavalry Captain, please wait for me in my office.
I have to talk to you.
Gentlemen
I announce to you the court-martial's decision:
The Ulan officers Volsky, Malinovsky and the Ensign Milevsky
have been found guilty of the crime of mutiny.
The judgment is the same for all of them:
degradation
and death by hanging.
The punishment is severe but just.
A dishonorable conduct merits a dishonorable death.
Tiresome affair, that is...
Gentlemen, the Governor wishes this embarrassing affair to be kept secret.
Therefore I order that the men, Poles and Russians are to be kept ignorant of the events.
The execution will take place tonight after sunset in the backyard of the barracks.
And now some pleasant news, gentlemen.
We'll march to Warsaw with our Cossack squadrons tomorrow morning
to assist in crushing the uprising.
And we'll profit from the occasion to wash clean the honour of our regiment
which has been soiled by irresponsible elements.
His Majesty, our Supreme Commander
Hurrah ... hurrah
Thank you, gentlemen.
No need to mention to Count Stanievsky the way in which the Polish officers will be executed.
His situation is hard enough already.
Cavalry Captain.
I thank you professionally and personally
for your irreproachable conduct in this horrible affair.
In my report to His Majesty I made special mention of your reliability and loyalty
and I've suggested you for a promotion.
As a sign of my personal trust...
I order you to lead the two Polish squadrons to Kiev tomorrow
to their new quarters.
See to it that they're ready to march tomorrow morning.
Colonel...
and what'll happen to my...
to the imprisoned Ulan officers?
You can imagine which sentence the court-martial had to pass.
They'll be shot?
Yes, the judgment will be executed tonight.
And I am to tell the Count...
that His Excellency expects your visit this afternoon.
I think about a private matter.
I thank you, Colonel.
A decent guy, that Stanievsky.
He deserves to make his good fortune.
Good morning, Cavalry Captain.
Good morning, Ulans. Get on with your duty.
We ought to take Stanievsky with us.
He's all alone now.
Good morning, Cavalry Captain.
We're leaving for Kiev tomorrow. Get everything ready. We won't return here anymore.
Hey you! Unsaddle that horse!
Won't the Cavalry Captain Volsky be on duty today?
No, he won't.
Count, we're having a little breakfast among comrades. We'd be very pleased if you'd join us.
I'm sorry, gentlemen, I can't... I don't drink either...
one little glass... come on...
Gentlemen!
Let's raise our glasses for the first toast in honour of our comrade Stanievsky.
Long shall he live! Hurrah!
We couldn't have handled the whole affair in a more clumsy way!
Instead of thinking about it leisurely, sleeping a night over it...
we went off like the fire-brigade.
That simply couldn't have worked.
It had to fail.
Look how the Russians handled it.
They were informed in time, cut us down with their sabres, put us before a court-martial...
and tonight they'll hang us.
A round, clean, well thought-out affair.
Nothing could go amiss there.
This will work out fine.
Till they cut us off.
What do you say, boy?
I think he fell asleep.
Hey, Ensign!
Leave him alone!
From tomorrow he'll have time enough to sleep.
You don't have an inch of feeling.
Take me like I am.
It's no use trying to change now.
I can't stand it anymore.
Let them shoot us, in God's name!
But hang!
Hang!
I'm horribly afraid thinking about it.
Don't let them get you down, Ensign.
Clench your teeth!
You're not the only one.
Think of those who preceded us last night.
Think of Mravinsky, Orlich...
Yes yes yes, but it's all so meaningless!
Being exterminated, and for what?
What have we obtained? Nothing!
Whom have we been of service? Nobody!
That's not true, Ensign.
We won't be alive tomorrow, it's of no consequence how we die.
Whether fighting or on the gallows.
One idea will live on.
The idea of Poland.
The will to be free.
Perhaps it'll take us a long time.
Years...
Decades...
And countless men will have to die for the cause yet.
but if only a single one of those men...
through our example, through our determination...
through our courage will be inspired to act likewise...
to risk his own life also...
then our death, the dishonourable death on the gallows hasn't been meaningless, Ensign.
Then we too will have made a contribution...
till one day the last Russian will have been chased across the border...
and Poland will be free.
This is exactly what I'm thinking.
You've said that very well, Jan.
And that's why tonight the Cavalry Captain Volsky...
the First Lieutenant Malinovsky and the Ensign Milevsky...
will let them place the noose around our necks without flinching.
Right, Ensign?
- What do you say? - Yes sir.
Where's the Schnapps, by the devil!
What a mess! If they only would leave us now!
It's a scandal! Shameful!
Come on, let's leave!
Don't go!
I can't leave now.
There must be some other drink in this inn.
Landlord, what else have you got to drink?
A lot, Your Honour, wine, beer, champagne...
everything Your Honour desires...
Bring it on, the champagne!
- Does it hurt? - No.
I didn't promise him anything.
I didn't give him my consent.
There are other duties besides.
Duties towards oneself.
Duties towards the people one loves...
who are close to you.
And one doesn't have to join in any madness...
throw everything into the gutter, life, career....
future, happiness...
only because a madman wants it so!
No, one doesn't have to do it!
One doesn't have to do it!
That matter's closed now.
Over and done with.
Once and for all.
And when I'm telling you to sing, then you'll sing!
Understand?
Leave me alone, I won't sing.
I cannot sing today.
Leave him in peace.
I cannot sing and shout and drink like you all!
It turns my stomach when I think what's going to happen to the Poles tonight.
Don't get upset, Ensign, what is it to you!
It's shameful!
Shameful for all of us, I'm telling you!
They aren't mean criminals!
What else are they?
Decent guys who haven't done anything we wouldn't have done in their place!
And they are to be hanged for this?
It's a disgrace!
Shut up, Ensign.
You don't understand anything.
Throw him out.
What did you say?
Who is to be hanged?
You!
Throw the brat out!
You may know it too, Cavalry Captain.
Your comrades!
To the gallows!
Out with you!
You're drunk!
Out with you!
At last I've found you, Count!
I've been looking for you for hours.
What do you want of me? Leave me alone.
Where is Jan, Count?
What's happened to him?
What is it to me! I don't know anything!
Count!
You must tell me everything, Count!
Something must have happened! A disaster!
He was going to ride to Poland with his comrades...
I've waited for them at the side of the highroad
the whole night I've waited, but nobody came.
What has happened?
Tell me the truth!
I beg you, leave me, I told you I know nothing.
Yes, a disaster has happened.
They have been arrested.
and sentenced to death.
Tonight it'll be all over with them.
All over?
This isn't true!
You're lying!
Tell me that you're lying!
They've hesitated too long.
They've waited too long.
Waited for me...
And I didn't join them.
I've deserted them.
It's all my doing, they owe it all to me!
But I'm not better off than they are.
I'll leave this earth before they do.
No!
No!
No!
You won't do it, Count!
You have no right!
This mustn't happen!
But he's your friend!
It's your duty to save him!
You're the only man in the world who can help him.
He isn't lost yet, it's not too late yet.
He's still alive!
He's still alive, and as long as he's alive...
anything might happen!
Anything must happen!
Count!
You have so much power.
You could do anything!
He mustn't die!
God in Heaven, he mustn't die!
Don't let him die!
Help him!
Have pity on him!
He's still alive.
But he's still alive!
It's not too late yet.
The Cavalry Captain Count Stanievsky.
Let him come in.
Dear Count, how charming of you, I've been expecting you.
And now we'll make the whole affair easier for the both of us.
You mustn't hold it against me when I confess that I had some scruples...
but, well...
those scruples have been dispelled by your conduct last night.
Please sit down.
Well...
Your Grace, I ask you to pardon my comrades Volsky, Malinovsky and Milevsky.
I know, Your Grace, my comrades have committed a grave crime.
But they are young and reckless.
Grant them their lives, Your Grace.
I appeal to your pity and your humanity, Your Grace.
They are brave and excellent soldiers who haven't done anything wrong till last night.
The sentence is terrible, Your Grace.
I have to suppress a revolt and a mutiny.
In this case it is useless to appeal to my pity or my humanity.
- Your Grace... - It's useless!
I don't want to hear another word on the matter.
Now let's talk about the real purpose of your visit.
It'll be more pleasant for the both of us.
Your Grace, I ask to be dismissed.
For the next two hours the instructions are as follows:
Nobody is to enter or leave the barracks, except the officers.
The Ulans are not allowed to leave their quarters.
Group one will reinforce the guard at the barracks front gate.
Group two will take position near the stables.
Group three will block the entrance to the Polish wing.
Group four will assemble in the smaller inner courtyard.
Sergeants, march off your men.
You run to my house and tell my servant he's to get the horses and carriage ready.
and you'll leave at once for my estate in Poland.
There you'll wait.
You'll wait for Jan.
He'll come and fetch you.
How so? He's been here and didn't come to see me?
Why?
You've refused him!
We didn't even talk about you, he came here for a totally different purpose.
This isn't true!
You're lying!
You're lying!
You don't want to admit that you've refused him!
Calm yourself, Katia.
I have nothing to do with the whole affair.
Events occurred last night which induced the Count to abandon his former request.
What events?
What happened?
Tell me!
The constable and the sergeants!
Shut the door.
And what'll happen to him?
Count Stanievsky will lead the two Polish squadrons to Kiev tomorrow.
As to his future career, Petersburg will decide that.
I'm sorry, Katia...
that the affair had to end so abruptly.
Stop it, Misha.
Stop it!
I understand how hurt you must be.
Leave me.
Leave me alone.
I beg you, leave me alone.
If I'm bothering you...
Everyman must know his duty!
Everything must proceed in total silence and with utmost speed.
If anybody blunders everything may fail and we'll hang at the gallows too.
The Cavalry Captain may rely on us!
Let's go, we have only a few minutes left.
- Everything prepared? - Yes, Colonel.
Attention! Hands up!
Attention!
Eyes left!
Bring those three men here.
Eyes front!
March left!
March off!
Get going! To the gate!
Now!
Halt! Stand still!
Why?
Alarm!
to the guns!
Nobody moves!
Or we'll shoot!
Run to the stables, get on the horses and off with you all!
- Julek! - Jan!
Away with you, there's no time to lose!
We've warned you!
Alarm!
Alarm!
Squadron! Gallop! March!
Let's go, Ulans!
Close the gate!
Everybody follow me!
Bring the horses! Mount!
Go after them!
The Count isn't at home.
He left.
Perhaps to the barracks.
You mustn't go to the barracks!
Please don't go to the barracks!
How dare you!
Let me out!
No, you mustn't go there now!
- Open the gate! - Halt!
Who approaches the gate will be shot!
Stanievsky!
Storm the gate!
Get going!
Attention!
Fire!
We must take the gate!
Once more, attack!
Once more, attack!
Are you deaf!
Damned dogs!
Attention!
Fire!
Colonel!
The next time we'll aim at you!
We've no more bullets left, Cavalry Captain.
Then it's all over now.
Get lost, all of you, follow the others, but quietly.
But Cavalry Captain!
Get lost, I don't need you here anymore!
You're more important in Poland.
Ride off!
Left and right, across the wall, off you go!
And attack them from both sides from the outside.
Cavalry Captain.
Away with you!
The end [subtitles serdar202]