All language subtitles for MIHAI VITEAZUL - CĂLUGĂRENI (1970) – film lungmetraj online.en

Victory!

Calugareni

For more than one hundred years,

Europe has trembled under
the attacks of the Ottoman armies.

1593.

Sultan Murad III urges
his troops to Vienna,

under Sinan Pasha's command,

to defeat the last obstacle between
them and a divided Europe.

As a miracle repeating over
and over along the centuries,

these armies have to face
three insignificant principalities:

Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia.

All three would play
a crucial role in this battle.

In these troubled times, a man
would rise in the right place,

to fulfill its destiny.

Patrascu's son was meant to perish,
to flee or to win the battle,

to become a prince.

MICHAEL THE BRAVE
THE BATTLE OF CALUGARENI

Eat, milords!

Feed yourselves!
I see you're weak!

Or maybe you don't enjoy my lunch.

Of course we do!

- Is it good?
- Yes, it is!

Do you hear me, Pavel? This will
teach you to rise against me again!

Spike him!

- Eat! Don't you like it?
- Of course we do, Your Highness.

They're afraid of me. But is
the only way, in these times.

I am faithful to you, Selim Pasha.
Tell it to the mighty sultan!

I gave you two chariots
full of healthy children.

I know we don't have do it
anymore, but...

I'd give you two chariots of gold,

if you gave me you know whose head.

And what if he deserves more?

Voivode Alexandru has forgiven you!

No. As I haven't forgiven him.

Michael, I was always your shadow.
I always did what you wanted me to do.

Our home has turned to ashes
and we are hiding abroad.

The Voivode has put a price
on your head. Where will it end?

I'll go all the way, Stanca,
no matter where it may lead me.

Alexandru's men are after me.
I stopped just for a moment.

Where's Nicolae?

- I hid him.
- Where?

- I'll take him with me.
- No.

His life is in danger. Alexandru will
want revenge, if he sees I'm gone.

- No. You can't have him.
- I'm not used to this kind of words.

You should learn. You've taken
everything from me, Michael.

Even if you succeed,

you can't give me back
my serene and short happiness.

Don't worry! No one will touch
my son. Not even you.

Especially you.

As you have risen against him,

Voivode Alexandru has ordered
your capture, general of Craiova!

Not inside the church.

I fear a trap.

You're handsome but stupid, Hassan.

Don't you understand?
I made a promise.

There's too much silence.

They, too, feel something in the air.

Selim Pasha...

The Buzesti brothers...

You're right on time, Mihal.
How did you get away?

It was easy, Selim.

Radu... Father Stoica...
Brothers, let them pass this time!

Only this time.

But without the children!

Nobody move!

For the love you have for me,
let them pass with what they have!

These are children from our land.

Why, Michael?

Because I can't get to Istanbul
without his help.

I know him well enough to know
he never lets his pray loose.

Selim is my childhood friend.
Please, let him pass!

Make way!
Let them pass!

Michael!

Mother...

You have sold your soul to them too.
The son of Voivode Patrascu...

You don't care about anything!
You want the throne at any cost!

You'd cover yourself in shame!
I damn you for all eternity!

You stand and watch your foe
mocking your people!

Don't curse me, mother!

The Prophet's teachings are great,
but I still don't understand:

Why do you need to rule
over such a wretched country?

I want to be the mightiest man
in this country.

Mihal, my friend...
We are the mightiest of all here.

Look at me!

Which one of you is stronger?

Doesn't anyone dare fight him?

You! Come here!

Do you want this knife?

Yes, sir.

- But you have to earn it.
- I will, sir!

Punch him!

Beat him!

Do as I tell you!

Wait!

Now you hit him!

Enough!

Get up!

Kill him!

These are my children, Mihal.

What's your name?

Hassan. Before, when I was ugly and dirty,
it was Ionica.

Now it's Hassan.
You can kill me, dirty infidel!

You learned to contain yourself,
but not entirely.

Had I not loved you,
I would’ve had to kill you.

Maybe you'll be sorry you didn't.

You haven't changed, Mihal.

- Selim, I want to ask you something.
- I'm listening.

Why did you join Sinan Pasha's army?

Allah whispered to me that one day
I could become grand vizier.

You're dreaming, Selim.

Mihal, will your uncle lani
give you the money?

I don't know.

Two days ago, Alexandru offered me
two chariots of gold for your head,

and now I'm losing mine,
going along with you.

That means Allah didn't give me the brains
my mother would’ve wanted him to.

This one will make us rich.

If he's willing to pay this much,
how much money does he make?

Let him pay!
We'll settle later.

Mihal!
Alexandru's here.

Iani, give him whatever he asks for!

Think again, Michali!
This is a great deal of money.

No. We'll pay what he asks.

Come on! Move!
Get out!

We need another 300 000 coins.

I gave you my entire wealth.
I swear on my beard!

- I'll pay you back.
- Yes, but you know how it goes...

520 000 coins in all. This means
543 000, interest included.

- I already told you it's not enough.
- Sign here!

I talked to Di Ventini, the richest
banker of the Genovese quarter.

- He's waiting for you.
- Di Ventini...

- You won't see a coin from him.
- Why, Selim? How do you know?

He won't pay even his respects.

I'm sorry, Signor Michele,
but I'm afraid I have to say no.

Oh, Rossana!

This is prince Michele.

If there is any other problem,
I am your humble servant.

Rossana, entertain the prince!

My brother, Carlo, is the living image
of our much praised Italian impetuosity.

I am Rossana.

I'm curious: Could you tell me
the subject of your conversation?

I'm sure you heard everything,
contessina.

It's so exciting to see men
fight for their goals!

You, then start to see their weak points,
their touching side.

You didn't plea for your cause too well.

- I'm not used to asking.
- Then how will you get anything?

I've been living here for many years.
It's a strange world.

The shortest way is never the right one.

A smile may bring death,
while a frowning, life.

Let me ask you something:
How old are you, contessina?

Prince, is the house of Di Ventini
your last option?

Yes.

- And what happens if you don't get the money?
- I'll die.

You don't seem a man
of such simple judgments.

Contessina Rossana,
have you ever thought

that there are men who await
to watch the sun up close?

For them, this moment may never come,
but they are still trying.

What did the dame say?
She's the one who runs the business.

What did she say?
Tell me word for word!

- She said this is a strange world.
- Will she give you the money?

I don't know.
She didn't say anything.

- Is she beautiful?
- Why?

This means you've grown older than me.

Mihal, think it over! We still may
leave tomorrow, alive and well.

My money...

Ventini afendi...

Please come in, Your Excellency!

Signorina Contessa,
I'm your humble servant.

My sister was so curious to see
your true oriental decorations,

that she convinced me
to take her with me.

Today I tried to look at the sun too.
It's hard.

- My eyes were full of tears.
- Thank you, contessina.

Signor principe, our house
agrees to you for your honorable demand.

Our mild doubts
had nothing to do with you.

I tossed and turned in my bed
all night long.

If Alexandru pays Sinan Pasha
a greater sum,

the high sultan will cut off your head,
dear nephew!

Look at him! The pig!
Woe to us!

Sinan Pasha agreed.
He wants to see you.

You should speak little.
He's wreckless and moody.

You miserable sod!

Is this him?

Young man, where do you think you are?
At the Court of Rome?

Before the mighty sultan, you bow
to the ground and kiss his slipper!

Let's see!

Good... That's the way.
Rise!

You made a good first impression.
I heard good things about you.

That you walk in fear of God,
that you are rich...

I heard very bad things
about your rival, Alexandru.

Proof of his betrayal
has been shown to the master.

But...
you may not be to his liking either.

Your Highness, we did everything
to please the almighty sultan.

Did anyone ask you anything?
Let's go!

We don't know what the thoughts
of this man are,

while Alexandru has always
submitted to us.

There's Alexandru!

Dear Christ and Virgin Mary, help them!

Only Allah can help you here.

Have mercy, great sultan!

Have mercy, great sultan!

The hearing's over.

Wait! Stay a little longer!

Leave us alone!

Come with me!

I like you.
Everyone is crawling here,

even those who have the hoofs of
their horses full of Europe and Asia's dust.

But I could’ve not liked you.

What made you dare?

We only have one life,
almighty sultan!

Right... Too bad!

Master! Have mercy!
Almighty sultan!

Murad! You'll be sorry!

You'll be sorry you chose him!

Mihal bey,

what do you think is Allah's
most precious gift to man?

- Life.
- You couldn't have said otherwise.

You're too insignificant.

You'll be reigning over a small land.

One day, your lords will bribe
my men, as you did,

and I will give the order.

Man's greatest gift is power, Mihal.

The most precious one
and the most tiresome.

- Listen!
- I'm listening, almighty one.

When you leave, you'll be a poor
prince of some small country.

Your neighbors will humiliate you,
you'll fear us... Stay here!

When he was young,
Sinan was a Christian, too.

I'll give you an army and then
you'll know what power is.

What do you say?

I'm not an army man
and I don't want to disappoint you.

- I care too much for my head.
- Too bad!

Allah will sometimes put
petty souls into strong bodies.

Why?

- What was Alexandru shouting earlier?
- That you'll be sorry you chose me.

You don't care too much for your head.

Indeed, I may be sorry one day
that I chose you.

Why don't you enter, your Highness?
Everybody wants to meet you.

I came here to thank you.
I must leave.

- I'm sorry.
- Why did you help me?

Because you're not like the people
that usually ask us for money.

I was impressed to see
that you didn't know how to beg.

- Do you know where my country is?
- Now I do. It's east of Transylvania.

I'll be travelling there soon,
at Alba Iulia.

A friend of mine, Christina von Habsburg,

is getting married to prince Sigismund.

I'll be close to your country

and, normally, I want to know
what happens to my money.

I'm talking nonsense. I'd very much
like to know your country, prince.

Bucharest - December 1594

- We've been robbed!
- Give us our money!

They locked the gates!

They robbed us!
They must pay their debt!

Why are you laughing?

I rarely saw my father. We've been hiding,
he was on the road...

I don't even know if I can recognize him
dressed like a prince.

He got to the throne with our money!

Pay your debts!

Give us our money!
You robbed us, you thieves!

Give us our money, you thieves!

Let him come outside and pay his debt!

You thieves!

I'm glad to find you in good health,
Your Highness.

What kind of a ruler is he?
He doesn't pay his debts!

- He's hiding!
- Michael, what's going on?

Nothing.

Who are these men?
Why are they shouting?

You're imagining things, Stanca.

- Nicolae!
- Preda!

- I'm so glad to see you!
- Nicolae!

Welcome! Come with me!

Preda...

Present our son to the Lords' Council!

Wait!
You don't need these trinkles.

Don't you have anything to say to me?

I missed you, Stanca.
I waited for you.

Thank you,
especially because it's not true.

You put your life at risk
for a throne such as this, Michael.

Was it worth...?

Milady, your rooms are ready.

- Radu!
- Enough! Silence! Stop whining!

I want to know if you'll give me the money
or not.

We've already done it once.
We keep wondering...

What, Filimon? Do you or don't you
have money for the Turks?

What about the gold coins I gave you?

You're buying weapons,
but never pay the tribute.

Who spoke?

I am too dumb to speak,
but, if we can, we'll pray...

Pray in church, milord, for forgiveness!

But not to the Turks to forget
about their tribute.

We're a cursed country,
Your Highness. We've gone poor.

- What did you decide?
- We're with you, Your Highness.

Stand straight, Nicolae!

What do you say?

Buzesti! Selim Bey is free to enter
wherever he wants.

To see how faithful we are
to the great sultan.

Faithful?! You haven't paid
the legal tribute for 6 months.

Our soldiers who guard your throne
didn't receive their pay.

Sinan Pasha is upset
and that's why I'm here.

The country is poor, Selim Bey.

Didn't you know it
when you asked to be prince?

Stroe!

Selim Pasha...

Even though some lords
don't want to pay,

all the debts of me and my country
will be paid today.

We have gathered the money
in the house of the brothers Buzesti.

We'll proceed like so, to please everybody.
Announce the crowd so they can be joyful!

- You rode a long way, Selim.
- A very long way, Mihal.

Is it ready?

Yes. Do come in!
We'll pay for everything!

Thank you.

- He lives in fear of the Turks.
- You said it!

If it weren't for them...

I was ordered to speak to you
like this and that is what I did.

You can kill me, Mihal, but I don't know
why you wanted to rule here.

I know what you're worth.
And earlier I was talking to the prince,

not to my friend.

I know, Selim.
And I thank you.

Stroe!

To the chariots!

Mihal!

I liked it!
Now I recognize you!

Like in the old days!

Jump, Selim!

Selim, take your horse, go to Sinan
and tell him what you saw here!

You are free. You talked to me in two
different ways. I answered the same.

What is it, Radu?

It's the house we were born in,
Your Highness. But we are glad.

Don't worry!
It was old anyway.

Long live the prince!

Forgive me, my son, for doubting you.

- I'm sorry.
- What did you think, mother?

Is this what you think of me?
That I can sell my country to foreigners?

And you? What did you think?
That I, Voivode Michael,

would drink the cup of shame
to the last drop?

From this day on, I free myself
in front of God and you

of any debt and submission!

And I will free the same way
all those who are with me!

We have one life and one honor!

Wake up!
We've been sleeping for too long!

The existence of a wall between us
and the Ottoman Empire is mandatory.

The territory of the 3 principalities
must come to our attention.

As we appreciate
the determination and noble courage

of Sigismund Bathory,
prince of Transylvania,

who cast away the Ottoman rule
and became our precious vassal,

we chose our nephew, archduchess
Maria Christina de Gratz,

to be the valiant prince's wife.

Calm down, Sigismund!

Through this marriage we will show the world
we want to make the prince a champion...

My dear cousin, if my adhesion
to the Christian cause

forces me to suffer the martyrdom
of this marriage...

...General Basta will ensure
Transylvania's independence with our troops.

I ask the general to explain his strategy
for the other two principalities:

Wallachia and Moldavia.
Herr general...

Your Majesty...

Gentlemen...

I'm happy.

I've always dreamt of becoming
a humble protector of the cross,

of giving my life in revenge
of the sacred wounds of our Savior.

This day...

Dear Boris, the fate of our coalition
is sealed.

The fate of the two neighboring
countries is of great concern to me.

Here are the messengers
of prince Aron of Moldavia,

who announced that they accepted
to be vassals of Transylvania.

You'll make friends with the devil,
to meet your goal.

I will properly settle things
with Wallachia.

This young man gets on my nerves.

Prince, don't forget
Wallachia is under Turkish rule!

Does Your Majesty think Murad
would invade Wallachia?

In his place, wouldn't we do the same?

What do you know about the new prince...

Michael Patrascu?

He's a most unreliable character,
Your Majesty.

With money and shrewdness,
he bought the throne from Sinan Pasha,

whom he seems to be friends with.

And he has recently paid his creditors
by setting them on fire, like boars.

What can we think of a man who meets
his commitments in such a manner?

He's an adventurer.

He just wants to gather money
and disappear in a quiet corner of Europe.

Your Eminency, we are glad
you are so well informed.

What other details do you bring us,
general Basta?

Your Majesty, as a tactician,
I'm interested in two things:

Our enemy and our ally.

I understand prince Sigismund wants
Wallachia to be our battle ground.

We must protect the dwellings
of the civilized world, Your Majesty.

Wallachia is a country only by name.
It has no master.

Braila

Cernavoda and Zimnicea

Nicopole and Vidin

Get up, Preda!
We're not in Istanbul yet.

Drop your weapons!

Rusciuk

On your knees!

- Preda!
- I'm here, milord!

- Preda, do you remember your Latin?
- Yes. I learned it in Padua.

Let me hear you!

Good... Tonight you will prepare
for a long journey.

- Milord... Now?! When...
- Preda Buzescu!

Tonight you're leaving for Rome.

Your deeds are worthy
of your Roman ancestors.

Transmit this message from us
to the valiant prince Michael:

he is not facing alone
this pagan Goliath.

Can we then count on the help
of the Holy Church?

The Romans were famed
for their practicality.

I'm glad to see this virtue
has not wasted away.

Tell prince Michael

that the Holy Roman Church
will support his actions

not only through its warm prayers,
but with all its financial might.

How can I interpret these precious
words, Holy Father?

I see why you're saying this.

The army of Rudolph of Austria
will join you at the soonest.

In nomine Patris et Filii
et Spiritus Sancti, amen.

As for us, my son...
Big words, but petty interests!

I can assure Your Holiness
that I'm in great difficulty.

I could barely soothe the pure
passion of prince Sigismund.

- But general Basta's ambitions...
- Plots and childish pride!

You've been everywhere,

but you never said a word
about this Wallachian prince.

Your Holiness, all our reports
saw him as faithful to the Turks.

He seemed unreliable.

This unreliable man makes his way
to Istanbul by sword, Your Eminence.

You will go see His Majesty king Rudolph
and you will ask that Basta's army

leaves right now to the help
of prince Michael.

Benedico te.

Charge!

Stanesti and Serpatesti

Giurgiu

Razgrad

Varna

Adrianopolis

What is this?

- Selim Pasha's coming.
- Selim Pasha?! He dares?

You have the courage to face me?

You bastard! You had the nerve
to tell me you knew him.

- Didn't you ever suspect anything?
- No.

You're a fool, then.

- What do you think he'll do?
- He's cunning and swift.

He'll fight us until the end.
And if he gets help...

He will conquer Istanbul
before I have the chance to get there.

And I wander through these sands...
You're the only one to blame!

Who sent you?

The almighty sultan is waiting
for you in Istanbul ASAP.

What about you?

The great sultan made me head
of the armies that fight in Persia.

Charge!

Go get them, brothers!

My God, father...
So much water!

It's salty!

Prague, 1595

It was just the right moment,
because Sinan is busy fighting in Persia.

And the Wallachians' attack
took the Turks by surprise.

General, you explain everything
in such a crude manner! Funny...

Didn't you invite this prince
to the Council's round table?

I, for one, cannot trust him.

And his victories are the result of hazard.

- Your Eminency, what do you think?
- The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Indeed. This unreliable man, who used to
pay tribute to the Turks, unknown yesterday,

has amazed the entire Europe today.
We must help him.

Allow me to take leave, Your Majesty.

A brilliant tactician
with the pride of a child!

The mere idea of another's success
makes him hate him,

even if he doesn't know him.

What advice of the Holy Father Clement
do you bring me?

Your Majesty, this time I bring you
the gold promised to the Holy League,

to gather an army against the pagans.

Eminency, one gives such news
at the beginning of a hearing.

I must confess this is
a most pleasant surprise.

I'm happy I can be of some use to you,
Your Majesty.

- Still, I'm worried.
- I'm listening, Your Eminency.

Do you think we can trust
this stranger with the gold

that the Holy Roman Church wishes
to donate to the Crusade?

I was thinking that prince Sigismund
was the most...

Don't get me wrong, Cardinal!
I won't have it.

I'm not that mad to give the much
awaited money to the first comer, no.

We will organize an army.
You will go meet prince Michael.

You will crawl inside his soul,
a primitive one, I suppose,

you will give us detailed info
and then we will decide.

I'm anxious to see prince Michael
among so many heroes!

I have the feeling I'm seeing scenes
from the Iliad.

Your Highness... Our Holy Father
sends you this cross,

as a sign of that which
you are fighting for.

When will the army arrive, Eminency?

Preparations are almost done.

The Holy Father and Rudolph the Emperor
decided to give you all the support

you asked for.

The great general Basta will join
swords with your invincible army.

When?

- In 5 months.
- 5 months?!

You're too great a tactician
not to see that such an attack takes time.

Look over there, Your Eminency!

And there. Do you know what these
warriors wait for? For me to raise my arm

and tell them that 10 000 mighty
soldiers came to their help.

Then, they would howl for joy and
bring down the walls of Istanbul!

With or without Basta,
I would have been there in a week.

- Preda!
- Yes, milord!

Call the men!
We're going home.

How so, milord?

If I you say another word,
I'll cut your head off!

Your Eminency, maybe I was wrong
to ask from so far away.

You're the cousin of prince Sigismund.

Do you think he would agree to grant me
army help me keep the Turks to the Danube,

until the Christian army gathers up?

Prince, you were right to think about your
Transylvanian brother.

You'd better ask him personally.
And I will bless this friendship

between two princes reigning
over two neighboring countries.

We'll leave together, then.

The noble count Gaspar Cornis,
great champion of the Hussars,

is honored to fight against
the prince of Transylvania,

count of the Székely people and ruler
over part of the Hungarian country,

Sigismund of Bathory!

I dedicate my battle

to the noble lady, the archduchess
Maria Christina of Austria,

my beloved fiancée, whom I think
of as most beautiful and pure,

and I will fight to prove it.

I hope that after our wedding

the prince will find a better way
to spend his energy.

- Do you love him?
- He's nice, but he's childish.

You talk to your prince! He's awful.
Do you think he can speak?

Anyway, he knew.

Your Highness, today is sunny,
the colors are shining...

won't you smile?

You're right.
I was deep in my thoughts, Contessina.

Forgive me!
I didn't want to upset you.

I don't have this right, Rossana.
I owe you money.

Tell me: had we been to Bucharest,
would you have set me on fire too?

- What kind of a man is Sigismund?
- He's just the way you see him.

Had I taken him out with a pole,
he wouldn't have stood up. What's so funny?

Applaud!

Michael of Wallachia!

I'd like us to start our friendship
with a chivalrous contest!

Don't say yes!
For Christ's sake, don't!

My dear friend, we are not here
to have a friendly fight.

Your Highness, fighting with a lance
is a knight's privilege.

I thank you for granting me
this privilege, Sigismund.

Don't, Michael!

Prince Sigismund of Bathory,
undefeated champion,

challenges prince Michael of Wallachia!

- Dear God an Virgin Mary, help him!
- Who's he?

Voivode Michael,
the one who beats the Turks.

You can't compete without a helmet!
It's against the rules!

Let's hope fate will teach him a lesson.
I'd be best for everyone.

You can't!
It's against the rules!

Go ahead, prince!

He asked for it.

Rossana Di Ventini,
you didn't tell me a thing!

Are you alright?
Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine.

You're crazy. Don't you know
he did it for you?

- Oh, my lord, you shook him hard!
- He bit the dust! He asked for it.

Your Highness, no matter
how much my pride has to suffer,

I'm honored to shake your hand.

- You deserved the victory.
- It was an accident.

Oh no, please! You proved to be
a fine handler of the lance.

Milord... we don't have time to fight
between us. But we do with the Turks.

And another thing:
they are damn excellent lancers.

Such a subtle politician...
Brave as Achilles and shrewd as Ulysses!

I get it, although my cousin,
the cardinal, says I miss subtleties.

You know what?
Let's have our talk right here!

It's nice here.
It smells like horses.

And strong men. I feel we'll be friends.
That's why let me speak as such!

I studied your proposals
and I agree to them.

May God be with us! Sigismund,
I'll tell you something you don't know:

The Turks can be defeated.

My dear friend... Always the same!
Right to the point.

I ask you:
Can you beat them all by yourself?

No. That's why I'm here.

Prince, I wouldn't want to offend you...

But what are you
to those that can help you?

- I'm myself.
- No, my dear friend.

And I'll tell it to the end,
even if we have to fight again:

You're nothing. Most people
never even heard of the country you rule.

I know you could kill me for these words.

What are your relations
to the European courts?

Me, Sigismund of Bathory,
to count on Rudolph's help,

I have to marry his niece!
Compared to her, Lucrezia Borgia's a saint!

- How many men do you have?
- All the men in the country.

Oh, I beg you...
Let's skip the big words!

I know you suffer.
You're proud.

But I ask you:
have you received any other help

except the cross that my cardinal cousin
asked me to send you?

So it was from you.

We're all wondering who's this Michael,
where did he appear and how he looks like.

Is he a man or is he half-bear?

The king of Spain
doesn't know his own empire...

- You want him to know you?
- So?

Do understand! Your actions
must be supported by a name

that itself is a key
to European courts!

- That is... your name, Sigismund.
- Right.

To the entire Christian world,

the house of Bathory,
allied soon with that of Habsburg,

are your only guarantee.

But if your pride is stronger
than your country's interests...

Think it over!

Understanding that the entire transalpine
Wallachia, with all its virtues,

can only be saved under the merciful
and deep protection

of the most praised prince
of Transylvania, Sigismund Bathory,

we, Voivode ruling over this country,
receive the protection of this high Prince.

Our common purpose is to fight
against the wretched Crescent.

May God help us!

Amen.

Here signs, God willing, the prince
of the Sacred Roman Empire,

of Transylvania, Moldavia
and transalpine Wallachia,

count of the Szčkely people
and ruler of part of Hungary,

Sigismund Bathory.

Here signs our representative
Michael Patrascu,

our beloved faithful.

Ok, now it's over.
Now you can count on our full support.

Gentlemen, let's celebrate!

With all these ceremonies, I didn't
get the chance to congratulate you

for your many victories.
If I ever get the chance,

I will be happy to give you
the command of my cavalry.

Go to hell!

I wouldn't have believed it possible...

And all my hopes were
with His Highness Michael...

I was hoping he'd remember
us Romanians here,

for we are under fierce oppression,
milords...

Shut up, man!

I was afraid you left.

You're very sad, Michael.

May God have mercy on him,
if he doesn't keep his word!

I will be the end of him.
He'll curse the hour he met me.

What about you, Rossana?

I've been waiting so much to see you!

I imagined our meeting
a hundred ways.

Because I must tell you...

Will we ever see each other again?

If you stay here, yes.

I want to speak to Selim Pasha!

What's the name of the river
in front of us?

Romanians call it Neajlov.

How many men and cannons do they have?

About 14-16 000 men and 20 cannons.

Tell me, Selim Pasha, did you think
I'd fight the Wallachian,

while you played the hero in Persia?

Yes, Sinan Pasha.
That's what I thought.

Do you remember when you brought him
to the Court, to take his throne?

It's a long time since then,
but I remember.

Tomorrow you will wash away this shame.

Allah be with us!

What's this noise?

Mosquitos.
We're in a swamp land, Your Grace.

Milord...

Lord, I want to ask you something.

Do you want me to make you
a metropolitan?

No. I want to stay with the army.

I don't want you to regret one day
that we joined our fate, father.

- The Lord is stronger and wiser.
- Maybe, but this is my will.

Father, guess who's here!

Stanca... You? Here?

I brought you another 300 horsemen
from Oltenia. I knew you'd need them.

You're so brave, Stanca!
As always.

Nicolae, my son, go to sleep!
We have a hard day tomorrow.

- You look worried.
- No... I'm just sad.

They left me again.

I humiliated myself in front
of that liar Sigismund,

telling myself he's a Christian, like me...

That we'd need one another
in front of our enemy.

And I was wrong.
We have an old saying:

"Better an enemy
than a friend who's a liar."

Where did you find 300 horsemen?

I gathered them how I could,
then I bought weapons and horses.

Michael...

I want to ask you something.

- Can I do something for you, Stanca?
- Yes. And it's a lot.

- I know that...
- Nicolae.

Yes, Nicolae.
Let me take him away!

Only God knows how tomorrow will end.

He's our child.
Your heir.

Go, Stanca! Do what you want!
Maybe it's my fate to be end up alone.

The Transylvanians are here.

Oh, Count Kiraly!

Your Highness...

Do you think it was wise to choose
such an uncomfortable place?

How many men did you bring,
Your Excellency?

500 Szčkely men. Mhm.

My prince and your ruler

is disappointed he couldn't come personally,
with his army,

but he is now in Alba Iulia,
where he is celebrating his wedding

with the duchess
Maria Christina of Austria.

500 men?
Is this the promised help?

Your Highness, my experience as
a warrior means more than you think.

Count, I'm fed up with talks and promises!

Father Stoica, show the count where he can
place his men! The others, go to your places!

Milord, I'm knight Tompa.
You can cut my head off,

but it's not my fault.

It's that one...
May the Devil take him!

We, the Szčkely men,
we'll fight with your 'till death.

We know you.
We heard a lot about your reign.

Alright, Tompa. I thank you.

Tomorrow, my sweet wife, you will
see a most wonderful tournament.

I hope you'll have enough energy
left to be a winner, my dear.

I'm impressed by your cold attitude
in front of all these beauties.

You have the most troubling beauty
I've ever seen.

I'd give my principality
in exchange of your good will.

Your Highness, in politics,
duplicity may be a virtue.

But in love, though,
it is the emblem of the weak.

As beautiful as rich and merciless!

In fact, I'd forgotten your heart
belonged to our valiant Wallachian.

Our vassal...

Poor Kiraly!
Who knows where he is now?

I don't see why we sent him there.
With or without him,

the Wallachians will still lose the battle.

And if he wins,
who'll rise up to his pride?

Win?! How do you think that
the Wallachian could crush Sinan?

Don't get excited, gentlemen!
No matter the outcome,

we will still be the true winners.

- We?
- Your Eminency, we planned it all.

Have you forgotten that
the Wallachian is my vassal?

A victory of his will make the entire
Europe know the bravery of my troops.

If Sinan wins, it will cost a lot.

And his weakened army will have
less chances in a battle with us.

Indeed! He'd even have to build
garrisons in the conquered towns.

Sheikban Pasha!

You'll take the command of the center.

You'll charge the bridge
with the Janissaries of the first line.

It must look like the ultimate attack.

I'll send the second line
in your support.

You'll go on attacking him
1000 steps beyond the bridge,

then you'll fall back, as if defeated.

You must lure the Wallachian
here, to the other side of the bridge.

Mustafa Pasha!

You'll let the Wallachian 1000 steps
this side of the bridge.

Then, you'll charge along the river
with your right wing, on a retreat song.

Rumelia's armies led by Hassan Pasha
will do the same thing on the left.

Then, we'll catch him in a pinch.

You may go.

If the Wallachian crosses the bridge,
he will fall in our trap.

Satargi Pasha, you stay as reserve,
behind the hill.

And you, Selim Pasha, will stay with me.

Do you object?

No, Your Grace.

I haven't seen so many Turk soldiers
in all my life.

They're like sand on the sea-shore
for numbers.

If the Turks cross the bridge,
you strike on the side, to the right.

I'll attack them on the left.

Father, you help the pedestrians!
Don't go back a single step!

It's time.
May God help us!

The second line and 20 more cannons
to enter the battle!

For the bridge attack, at my command!
Charge!

Follow me, brave men!

Charge!

Give the signal!

Stop!

Don't cross the bridge!
It's a trap!

Don't cross the bridge!
Stop!

Do not cross the bridge!

The Wallachian is not stupid.
Let all Pashas gather for council!

The Wallachian stopped at the bridge,
but he moved all his troops.

He doesn't have any hidden armies.

Mustafa, you will make a wide detour
on the right with the Anatolian armies.

You will cross the Neajlov
and, from the other side,

you'll strike the Wallachian army
on the side.

We'll do the same on the left side,

with Rumelia's armies,
led by Hassan Pasha.

The bridge will be under attack
by the Janissaries and Spahis.

Get going!

The first round was a kids trap,
plotted by Sinan.

The true battle begins now.

Go into battle, brothers!
I call the Stone troops!

Let's go!

The Wallachian engaged
all his forces in battle.

Now's the time for Hassan
and Mustafa to attack.

You'll enter the battle
and not give in a single step!

Where's Hassan? Where's Mustafa?
I'll cut their heads off!

Mustafa! Charge!

Fall back!
Go back in order!

In order!

We lost. Let's fall back!

What? We came, we saw,
and now you want us to flea?

- I won't do such a thing.
- It's an order.

I won't listen to such orders.
Come with me!

Your Spahi seized their cannons.

Where's that stupid Hassan?

This wretched swamp!
We're lost.

Let's go around!

What would you do
if you were me?

Do you think I'm too old to fight?

You're the one who's helpless,
with your damaged hand!

Now it's our turn.

Listen carefully!

We can still beat them.

Brothers Buzesti... And you, the others!
You will attack from the center.

I'll come on the shore,
towards the bridge.

And you, Cocea...

You have a hard challenge ahead of you.

All I ask of you is to follow me!
And don't you forget:

Better to have an enemy in the ground
than in our country!

Follow me!

What?

Your Grace... The Wallachian
leads new troops.

They attacked us from one side
of the bridge.

Shut up, you fool!

Fight! It's his last breath! Fight!

Fire!

He had less than 300 horsemen.
Charge!

- What is this?
- They went to our camp.

- We're lost!
- Call for retreat!

Don't run away! Wait!

The Turks are running away!
Don't give up!

Fight, brothers!

Follow me!

Charge!

Sinan Pasha!

Sinan Pasha!

Sinan!

Victory!

Victory!

Save me, Selim!

Can I really save you
with this damaged hand?

Or should I save the sultan's flag?

I promise you can have anything
if you save me!

Don't just stand there!
Help me!

Victory!

Victory!

Your Highness, I gathered the wounded.

- Everything's ready.
- A wounded Turk wants to speak to you.

Hassan?

My name's Ionica, milord.
It will be until I die.

And let me serve you faithfully!

Take him, take care of his foot
and treat him with honor!

From now on, I want to see him
at my side. Let's go!

So many dead, milord...
Too many!

I know.

Romanians will never forget this battle,

but nor will our enemies.

Resync and corrections
Bogdan Movileanu