All language subtitles for When the Raven Flies (1984) English

IRELAND

The soft will conquer the hard.

That's how dripping water eats
through a stone,

how the pen overpowers
the sword.

Remember that my children.

They seem to have plenty of
silver here in Ireland.

What shall we do with him?

He's too young.
He won't last the journey.

Kill him.

He's old enough to have
seen too much.

Run!

THE RAVEN FLIES

ICELAND
20 years later

What news of NonNay,
merchants?

King Harald hasn't cut
his hair yet -

and says he won't until he
controls the whole of NonNay.

And keeps on killing you.

I heard that one of his assassins
killed Erik's father this winter!

So Harald's had him murdered
like the other rebels.

The old man should have come
to Iceland with his son Erik.

He was on Viking raids with
us in Ireland.

They're more careful now in Ireland.

It was easier to take slaves
when the blood-brothers fled to

lceland nearly twenty years ago.

They didn't flee, they were looking
for new land, we wanted to be free.

ls Thord expecting a visitor?

There is a passenger from NonNay.
He has business with Thord.

That's him, the one with the staff.

What does he want with Thord?

He didn't say, just that he had to get
to Iceland no matter what the cost.

One of Harald's assassins?

He's not armed.
He just carries that staff.

We'll soon see if he's armed or not.

You have business with Thord?

That's a heavy knife.

| asked if you had business
with Thord?

l was asked to give him
this bag of silver.

By whom?

Bjorn.

He said Thord had lost it and
would pay well if it was returned.

Where did you meet Bjorn?

That's between me and Thord.
Show me the way.

Who's this Bjorn?

Bjorn cheated Thord and Erik
when they were on a Viking raid.

He disappeared with some
silver they took in Ireland.

I can't see how the likes of him
could have got the silver

if it's the same lot.

What do you know about him?

Nothing, but he was always
asking about Erik and Thord.

What did he ask?

How they lived in Iceland and
how they were getting on.

He seemed to know them.

I don't trust people who answer
a question with a question.

This knife is supposed
to be heavy.

I want the furs back that
I packed the slaves in.

You can see the goods are
unspoiled and in fine condition.

The lads will give one or two
some treatment.

If we do that now they'll be
as meek as lambs

even if we rip the clothes
off their backs.

Is that what you're looking for?

A heavy knife.

Spare us! Spare us!

This is a big country
and sparsely settled.

Now you'll have to fend
for yourselves.

Why are you doing
this for us?

They visited my father in Ireland
and then there was no one to help.

Keep away from the shore.
Hurry!

I said I had business
with you, Thord.

Mother, Mother, the black stallion
has come back alone.

Father!

The stallion came back alone.

Did it come home alone?

Yes, all alone no rider.

It is the black stallion, Father.
l'd know it anywhere.

Father, is there blood
on the horse?

Is that blood on the
horse, Father?

Who are you?

Show Erik this brooch
and he will see me.

There's a guest. He asked
me to give you this.

There's a guest.

Who are you?

I come from your father
in NonNay.

Why did he send you?

King Harald has fallen.

Your father has accepted
the title of earl.

He wants you back in NonNay.

He wants you to take
over his affairs.

| asked why he sent you?

When there's silver on offer
I don't say no

even if there is a long
journey involved.

How did you come?

With the merchants that do
business with Thord.

And have you spoken to Thord?

No. His men lent me this horse so
I could come directly to you.

How can you prove
what you say?

Your father said,

"Erik always keeps the other part
of this brooch on his person."

He also said you would reward me
handsomely when you got it,

in silver.

Come in. We'll have some ale.

I think I'd rather be on my
way to Thord.

First I've got to pay you.

When there's silver on offer,
I don't say no.

They've been here but the
merchants are gone.

Why didn't we meet them
on the way?

We shouldn't have sent them on
their own. It's the same old story.

They've stopped off at Erik's
and we missed them.

And the blood on the horse . . .

You are an honest man.
Why are you then called a fox?

How did you know that?
I heard it at your father's house.

That was when Thord and l
were on our Viking raids.

Then I was a dubbed fox,
because I am a fox.

What kind of fox?

A crafty fox.
No one can trust me

And I trust no one except
my blood-brother, Thord.

No thank you.

Don't you drink?

You've got a reason for drinking,
just had some good news

but I have to press on
and see Thord.

No need to hurry.

Yes, othenNise he might think
I didn't exist.

What do you mean?

If the news I brought you

had been brought by a stranger
you hadn't seen.

Would you have believed it?

A fox like you doesn't believe until
he's seen the man and the proof.

Until you've seen a man
he doesn't exist.

I must touch everything

both things and people.

You are real enough . . .
aren't you?

Well I've got to hurry.

Have some food first.

I'll send a man with you.

l have an errand with
Thord.

You don't trust me?

No, why should I?

I wouldn't either if I were
a crafty fox like you.

Help yourself.

lt's Thord's horse.
That's certain.

Show this Gest to Thord's place
and don't let him out of your sight.

Someone dropped his knife here.

Do you recognize it?
It's covered in blood.

It belongs to one of Thord's men.

How do you know?

I killed him.

Don't, don't kill me. . .

I know your face. You saved my
life in Ireland when l was a boy.

For that l spare you now

but only on condition that you
go directly to Erik

and say that Thord and his men
lay in wait for us and killed me

and that you managed to
escape alive.

Go to Erik and take him this
news then I will not kill you...

He'll never believe me.

Show him the wound l inflicted
on you, then he'll believe you.

Tell him I'm dead

then waste no time in leaving
Erik and you'll live

for I will kill them all.

I've searched through many
lands for you.

I killed Erik's father and slew
Bjorn in NonNay

and Thord's men who went
to the beach

and they'll all die.
For Odin has given me strength.

Be assured that if you don't
do what I say

I'll follow you like a shadow

and cut you up into carrion
for his crows.

You've heard the news?

At long last we can go home.

What news?

King Harald has fallen, and we can
leave this place. The exile is over.

Who says so?

Gest, didn't you get the news?

Who is this Gest?

The man who came with
the merchants

and brought me the brooch
from my father.

You must have met him
on the way.

He has just left for your place.

And he brought you the brooch
from your father.

Let me see it.

Father told me that if he ever
sent me the brooch

it was a sign that he needed me.

What's that?

He's forgotten the money.
Who?

Gest. And he seemed so careful
and proper.

Did Gest bring this money?

No, it's the money l was going
to pay him with.

Where did you get this money?

I've had it since we were
on our Viking raids.

Why do you ask like that?

Don't you recognize it?

These coins are identical to the
ones Bjorn disappeared with.

The men are found. Their bodies
are lying here in the sheep pen.

Gest. This is Gest's doing. We've
got to find him. Get the horses!

Do as I told you.

Where is Gest? Why have you
come back on your own?

They ambushed us.
Who?

Thord and his men lay in wait
for us and killed Gest.

They wounded me. But I
managed to escape.

Liar!

I'm not.

You are. Where is Gest?

Gest is dead.

Tell me where Gest is
or I'll kill you.

Thord killed him.

You're lying about my
blood-brother

and for that you're going to die.

What have you done?

He was lying about you.
He said you had killed Gest.

That I killed Gest?

He said you ambushed them
and killed Gest.

Why did he say I killed Gest.

I don't know.

I would have liked to
have asked him.

But he lied about you.

Weren't you a bit too
quick off the mark?

Now you've killed the only witness
who could back up your story.

I'll find him. I'll get him.
Come on!

He can't have got far.

He was on his way to your
place. Let's go there.

Einar, you're not to go in there.

You know you're not allowed
to play here.

This is your father's sacred place.
Where are you, you naughty thing?

You're the best mother
in the world.

Father, did you find the men?

I'll tell you later.

Now we're alone with the gods.

Now we can talk.

I fought by your side against
King Harald

and came with you to
this awful land.

We've always been able to trust
one another.

This Gest wants us dead

so we have to stick together
or we both lose.

What do you mean?

If we stick together like we've
always done

then we're invincible and
Gest knows it.

That's why he's trying to sow
the seeds of distrust between us.

But I don't know if he's
Harald's assassin or not.

He said Harald was dead
and I believed him

when I saw father's brooch.

You must believe me.

Believe me.

I believe you.

But what are my men to think?
All eyes are on me.

Go home and get the bodies of
my men and the silver.

I'll wait here. Then we'll
find this Gest.

Erik's going home to get the
silver and the bodies.

You brothers ride after them.

Watch what they do,
but keep out of sight.

Were the men's bodies
in Erik's sheep-pen?

Be careful. I am relying on
you not to be hasty..

This Gest stole the silver
from Bjorn.

He probably followed him to
all the way south to Rome.

Then he comes all the way north to
Iceland to leave it on Erik's table.

It's a strange man who steals from
the poor to give to the rich.

I'd like to meet him.

Who said Bjorn took the silver
in the first place?

Wasn't it Erik?

Go immediately and try to
find the merchants.

Ask them who Gest is and
if Harald has fallen.

Thord said they had gone.

Do what I say.

Has anyone seen Gest while
I've been away?

I don't even know what
he looks like.

I didn't see him.

You saw him.

Yes, I think so.

You think so?

I didn't really take a
close look at him.

Don't you understand the
trouble we're in?

Three of Thord's best men were
found dead in our sheep-pen.

On, on! We've got to keep
going or all is lost.

The horses are coming.

A surprise gift from Erik!

Where is Erik?

and the brothers you sent
after him?

You know, I'm not betraying
my blood-brother

by returning to NonNay.

Our men have been killed
in ambushes and Gest

has so cunningly confused
matters between me and Thord

that it will be a along time before
the truth comes to light.

We can't live on this barren
rock any longer.

Home in NonNay

Harald is dead and my
father is an earl.

I'll share this silver with you
if you come home with me.

Bring out all our weapons.

To arms.

Now we'll see what stuff
you're made of.

Why are you going to war
and who is the enemy?

The one who murdered my men.

And who is he?

I'll find out.

If Erik has failed you then weapons
won't repair your friendship.

You're a Christian, and that's
your problem.

How many more of us does Erik
have to kill before you believe me?

Why?

Why? What more do you want.
Can't you see he's killed them

because he's going to flee
to NonNay

his father, an earl, sends him
the brooch

an ear! under King Harald who
sends Erik the silver in settlement

and now Erik is going to flee
and join King Harald.

He has betrayed us.

On! On!

What's the news?

The merchants are in the north.

They say they brought a man from
NonNay who went to meet Thord.

He was with the men who were
found dead in the sheep-pen.

What's the news from NonNay?

They told me that your father
and two of his men

were killed by a stranger
last winter

by one of Harald's assassins,
so the story goes.

ls Harald still alive then?

According to them. Perhaps
Gest is Harald's assassin.

Not a word about this. We're
leaving all the same.

There you see. He's getting the
boat out. He's going to flee.

l'll attack them from the other
side. You wait here.

I'll give you a sign.

Show what you're
made of.

Kill him.

Don't kill me.

On your feet, dog!

Idiot! You're not worth killing.

Run for your lives.

Defend yourself traitor,
and die with honour.

l have betrayed no one.

l'm innocent, and you can
have the silver.

You don't believe Gest exists.
That's just what he wants . . .

but he's real, and when
you find him

you're doomed too.

If you must see me dead,
blood-brother,

then at least be man enough to
do the deed yourself.

Carry our men into the house
and put Erik in the temple.

Father, was it a great battle?
How many men did you kill?

ls Erik dead?

The power of our weapons
is a gift from you.

With your spell I saw through
Erik's treachery.

The dead will go
to Valhalla tomorrow.

Gather all our firewood.

I will lay Erik to rest
in the hillside above the farm

in the tomb I had reserved
for myself.

His tomb shall bear witness

that I kept my part of our
blood-brother oath.

I will honour your memory

though your cunning nature
got the better of you.

What's that Father?

Ill-gotten gains . . .
and not for children.

What is it?

It's the silver I took from
cruel giants in Ireland.

How were they cruel?

They breathed fire and
had two heads.

What did you do?

I cut off their heads and
took the silver.

And did they die then?

Is there a lot of silver
in Ireland?

I'll tell you the story later.

No. Well now, Father,
It's time you went to bed.

Mummy, did you know that Daddy
killed all the giants in Ireland.

Take these gifts with you
to Valhalla

in the knowledge that your
death pains me.

May this tomb never be violated
while I live.

Block the mouth of the cave
and fence it off.

Well brother.

Now you are far more powerful
and wealthy than you were before.

What sacrifice should we offer?

What sacrifice do you
have in mind?

The blood of your battle horse.
would please Odin.

l have already marked
the horse as Odin's.

That is what Odin wanted.

Wouldn't you like to ride
this horse?

Yes, but I don't dare.

Shall I ride him?

Yes, go on. Then Thord
will kill you.

l'm his brother.

That makes no difference.

l was there when he marked
the horse as Odin's.

and swore he would kill whoever
mounted him without leave.

Thord can't deny me anything.

I'll be in charge before
you know it.

I thought little Einar
was to take over.

Son of that Irish whore. I'll put
a stop to that! Never!

If he killed his blood-brother
he could just as easily kill you,

even if you are his natural brother.

He would not sacrifice his horse
and the gods will punish him.

What's going on?

He took the horse.

Who?

I told you we shouldn't have
taken him prisoner.

He's getting revenge for Erik.

It was just as though Erik
was on the horse.

Find the horse no matter
what it costs.

Ride on. They'll never catch
you on this horse.

We've looked everywhere...

...it's as if the earth had opened
up and swallowed the horse.

That horse was Odin's alone.

I shall offer you whatever
sacrifice you demand.

Give me a sign and I shall obey.

Daddy, look at all the ravens.

What's that you've got?

The raven brought it.

Did the raven bring it?

Yes, he just flew down
with the hat.

Einar, come and eat.

Is it from you?

Even my own son.

I would even sacrifice him
if that is your will

but how can I be sure
what you want . . .

Are you asking for my son?

Show me a sign

and I will obey . ..

Have you seen anything?

No, just these ravens that are
always hanging around the rock.

The ravens are Odin's.

If he has sent them, then he is
displeased with me.

I'm going to sleep up in the watch
cave tonight and wait for the horse

to return or for a sign to come
from the gods.

What sign?

They've spoken to me before.

Guard our son well tonight.

Be calm, I am your brother.

Don't you remember our game
with the hat, back in Ireland?

They murdered our parents
and abducted you.

Since then I've thought
of only one thing . . .

finding you if you were alive.

I've searched in many countries
and finally found you here.

When revenge has been taken
we'll go back to Ireland together

and everything will be as it was.

And l was so afraid.

Don't be afraid. Everything that
has happened has been my doing

and it will soon be all over.

What?

Killing the men who
murdered our parents.

Are you going to kill Thord?
Yes.

Do you know I have a
child by Thord?

You can't change that.

We'll take him home with us to
Ireland.

Then he won't be like them.

Our father said, "the soft will
will conquer the hard".

That's how I've lived all
these years,

that's how I've tried to bring up the
boy, as our father brought us up.

They'll take him from you
when he gets older

then he'll be just like them.

See these blood-stained logs.
I've turned them to the wall.

Now they'll be paralysed with
terror, and they will all fall.

But if taking revenge hurts
the child or me?

I'll never be far away.

| see everything that happens here.

Just walk out of the farm and wave
if there's any danger and I'll come.

Can I be sure?

I am your brother. That's why
I'm here.

They are angry.

They have turned their backs on
us and will destroy us all

unless I give them the sacrifice
they have demanded - my son.

What are you waiting for?
Make the preparations.

We shall carry the gods out to the
rock and show Odin's ravens

that I would even sacrifice my own
son to appease them.

The gods haven't asked
for your son.

What are you doing here?

I said, the gods haven't asked
for your son.

Keep away. You're a Christian.

Maybe that's why they've asked
for the child I had with you.

The gods didn't turn themselves
to the wall. He did it.

Who?

Gest. He came here during the night

and turned the gods to the wall.

Come down here, quick.

Why didn't you tell me
this before?

l was sure you wouldn't believe me.

Why should you have believed me
when you didn't believe Erik,

who is your own blood brother?

And why should I believe
you now?

He said he would return tonight

and threatened to kill me if I
didn't give the all clear sign.

If I give the sign you'll get him.

Take him, take him.

Who are you?

Gest.

That's no answer. I want
to know who you are.

Then you have to ask
many questions.

I've got plenty of time.
Who are you?

l was your agent when Bjorn tried
to buy his life with the silver.

Answer my question or you'll
die a slow death.

l was King Harald's assassin when
Erik's father was slain

and I took the brooch.

And who are you now?

Now? I seem to be your guest.

And given a chieftain's
welcome.

Haul him up.

We'll let him hang there until
he's come to his senses

and told us the truth
about himself.

Who are you and what do you
have against Erik?

Why did you make me kill him
when he was innocent?

Or was he going to flee?

l have prepared a feast for you.

Now let us celebrate.

We're in no hurry. He must not
die before we find out who he is.

Hjorleif, guard him well.
I trust you.

Take that up to him.

I had to tell.

Thord was going to
sacrifice the boy.

Leave this place and
never return.

I can't get far.
Where am | to hide?

Go out to the tomb where
Erik is buried.

It is sacred and they'll
never look for you there.

He has gone.

Who?

Gest has gone.

Hjorleif!

Don't say anything. Gest escaped
from me . . .

so I have to flee or they will kill me.

Look at me.

If you had something to do with
Gest's escape, then tell me now

before we find him.

I gave you Gest. Why should I
release him?

No, it was the sacrifice that
smoked Gest out.

The sacrifice made you talk.

If you won't talk now I'll have
to sacrifice to the gods again.

They have not failed me.

Someone once said to me,
"the soft will conquer the hard".

Don't you think enough blood
has been spilt.

While Gest walks free the blood-
sacrifices will continue.

So it was all the work of a man and
I thought you were angry with me

and were demanding my son.

I didn't understand that
the sacrifice

was the means you gave
me to trap Gest.

Now l have no choice but to
play the same trick again

we'll smoke him out.

Stop the search.

We will only find Gest with
the help of the gods.

Bring them out and prepare
for a sacrifice.

What are you doing?

Appeasing the gods.

You must do exactly as I say.

You know what they demand

It's difficult but you've
got to do it.

We'll go out together

and you lie down where | show
you with your eyes closed.

You mustn't open them, no
matter what happens.

If you succeed

you'll have shown the gods the
courage they demand of their men.

And if I open my eyes?

Then you'll never be a hero
or a Viking.

I know you can do it.

And it's alright even if mother
gets frightened.

She's just a woman.
You're a man.

I'll tell you a story.

What story?
Wait and see.

Close your eyes.

Once upon a time there were
two invincible giants.

When they were attacked
they stood back to back

and fought as one man.

Once they went to sleep at the
bottom of a high cliff.

A little boy like you appeared
on the scene.

He climbed up the cliffs

and dropped a stone
on one of the giants.

The giant woke up and said to
the other, "Stop kicking me."

"I didn't do anything," said
his friend crossly.

They went back to sleep.

The boy threw another stone.

The giant jumped to his feet
and shook his friend angrily.

"Stop it, or you'll be sorry."

"Leave me alone,"
said the other giant.

Then they started to fight.

Once they'd started they couldn't
stop because they were friends.

And at the top of the cliff
sat the boy,

enjoying himself immensely as the
giants beat each other to death.

The tomb. Gest is in the tomb.

Look out.

Now you no longer have the
advantage of being out of range.

Now we're equal

you with the bow and me
with the knife.

I would have liked to have met
you on these terms sooner,

but you were too many,
and the knives too heavy.

This is just between me and you.

Who are you? Tell me.

You once said he was
too young.

But he was old enough to have
seen to much, like Bjorn said.

That's why I'm here.

You killed my parents

and made my sister
your whore.

That's why you
have to die

Father, Father...don't
leave me.

Now I'll take you back
home to Ireland.

I'm staying.

These were
Father's books.

It's best you have them.

I want you to go.

l have buried
the weapons.

From now on the pen will
replace the sword.

The power of the mind will
conquer the hand.

He's old enough to have
seen too much.