All language subtitles for Jan Hus celý film Česká filmová klasika

The first part of the Hussite
Revolutionary Trilogy

JAN HUS

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At the end of the Fourteenth
and beginning of the Fifteenth century

the Czech Kingdom was one
of the most powerful states in Europe.

The wealth of the Church, the high
aristocracy and German merchants

was won from the sweat and blood
of the subject people,

who were falling into ever-greater
destitution.

Reformers emerged who began
to criticise

the extravagance and profligacy
of the lords and rich merchants,

although their chief demand
was for the reform of a Church

fallen into vice and the acquisition
of wealth and wordly power.

An effort of these reformers culminated
with the work of Master Jan Hus.

Hus could only wage the struggle
against feudal repression

in a religious form. And so, by calling
for the victory of divine truth

he was also calling for a just
social order.

Jan Hus addressed the widest
section of the Czech people,

and as a result his teachings
formed the ideological basis

of the Hussite movement - the most
powerful revolutionary struggle

until that time in world history.

Prague 1412

When truth becomes falsehood,
devotion at once stands out,

people honour and serve creatures

of all kinds
rather than their Creator

forever blessed.

What do you want?

Be quiet! There's no work for you here!

Johanka!

I have to go,
my mistress would scold me.

Well, Stasek, still nothing?

How far are you?

Ah, Martin's going his own way again.
Why don't you follow the model?

This is the queen of heaven, a fine,
exalted being.

And you do some village girl.

But there's something in it.

It's not bad, boy. It's clear
you work with love.

But he is in love!

I see! That's her! Pretty.

My wife to be. She serves
the councillor Stumpfnagel.

You have a skilful man, girl.
If only he wasn't so stubborn.

What do you want here?

They're my friends, sir.
Both good masons.

They recently worked
on the Saint Havel market place,

until they halted construction.
- Give us a chance, sir.

I don't need them! There's
less and less work.

Even those here are working at half pay.

He's had it.

Hunger got him.

One man!

Up here! And you, pull! Don't gawp!

Work! Or I'll cut your wages!

Listen, Christians!
Listen, sinners!

Come and buy these all-powerful
papal indulgences!

Just look at that masquerade!

That's priest Hell.

He threatened that he'd have my father
buried beyond the cemetery wall.

He squeezed my last groschen out of me.
And still that wasn't enough for him.

Here it is! Come with me!

Hey, you! Where's the money
that you owe me?

I had to pay the baker.

So the baker is dearer to you
than your spiritual pastor?

That scum thinks of nothing else
than food!

Put down the axe and come here!
Well, what about it?

Hold him!
And the axe here!

Don't take it!
J�ra!

That axe is mine!

No longer. I'm taking it as payment
of your debt. Let's go!

How shall I feed my family?

You bloodsucker!
- Thief!

What are you bawling at?
Why aren't you working?

I can't. The priest took my axe!

So much the worse for you.
I don't need day labourers.

What'll become of us?

Get out of my sight! Be gone!

He also has a purse for a heart!

Evil bastards!

Give, Christians, for the salvation
of your souls,

give groschen, which anyway
you can't take to your grave!

Look at this serpent
without spine or bones!

Buy them up!

Reflect, miserable sinners,
what terrible suffering

awaits you for your sins after death!

Priest Hell is scaring the old women.

Look how the devil's hoof sticks
from his cassock.

But don't despair!
The Pope has mercy on you and sends
you

all-powerful indulgences.
- Which Pope? There's dozens!

The true Pope of Rome.
John the Twenty-Third.

They elected him last year
so all good things'd come in threes.

Whoever gives sixty groschen
merciful God will pardon one hundred

days of suffering in purgatory!
- You're a right benefactor!

Those with money go to heaven
and those of us with empty purses

straight to hell, right?
- Rot your blaspheming tongue.

Master Palec, should we
throw out the simoniacs?

Wait.
- Buy salvation. Don't delay.

Do you see it, Master Stanislav?

This receipt confirms how much
of God's mercy you've bought.

Have pity on the most wretched.

Quiet here! Throw out this tramp!

Look at those soldiers.
They wear the King's colours!

It's not possible!
- Let's go!

Today only the Pope can beg here.

Welcome, old man, God has led you
to us.

Look, everybody,
at this repentant Christian,

this poor man has brought us
everything he owns!

I'm taking it to market, Father.

Five days' indulgences.

You thief! Give me back my axe!
People, this is no servant of God!

He's a liar! How can he promise
that your sins will be forgiven?

Only God can forgive sin.

Mother!

You pack of heretics! Do you hear them?
Hus speaks through them!

The curse of Hus on you!

Heretics from Bethlehem!
Hus heretic!

You cobblers, you stinking vermin!

We'll soon shut him up,
and close down and demolish

that nest of heretics, that Bethlehem!

You'd be so lucky!

I believe in Wycliffe, leader
of hell, patron of Czechs, and Hus,

son of his only...
- Blasphemers!

...who is conceived of Lucifer
and born from his mother!

Make way for the commissioner!

What's going on here?

Who dares interrupt the sale
of holy indulgences?

These heretics from Bethlehem.

They are possessed
by that devil Hus!

Clear the square!

His Highness strictly
forbids riots and fights

on the streets!

Because the Pope, it's said,
if we understand it,

gobbles up all
that belongs to others.

Martin!
I was worried about you.

They'd stop the Master preaching!
- He won't listen to them!

They can't silence him!

Come, we'll go to him!
- And ask him.

Let's go.

So he knows we're all behind him.
- Yes.

And the Holy Father in Rome
damned the Holy Father in Avignon

And the Holy Father in Rome
damned the Holy Father in Avignon

and the Holy Father in Bologna, and all
three, mindful of Christ's injunction

to love your neighbour, have declared
war on each other.

That's why the Pope steals from
the faithful by selling indulgences.

Ah, welcome, my dear friends.

We'd like to speak to you in private.

Come in. I have finished for today,
my friends.

What has happened?

You don't know? The Prague people
have risen up against indulgences.

Everyone wants to know
what our university thinks.

Our duty is to publicly condemn
trafficking with sins.

Yes, but King Vaclav has allowed it.
He fears Rome.

But I don't understand how our
King's opinion can change our judgement.

We are governed by truth,
as Scripture teaches us.

That's right, but by doing so
we turn the King against us,

and he's your one powerful support
against the Archbishop.

For the moment we can't speak out
against indulgences.

And it would be best if for a certain
time you stopped preaching altogether.

I shall not stop! If Rome wishes
to close the Bethlehem Chapel,

where preachers speak in the people's
own language, where a Czech feels

like a Czech, where shall the truth
be spoken anywhere in the country?

How could I be silent in the face
of such iniquity!

Without the King we can't do anything
against the Church.

How can you say this, Stepan,

you, who scold the Church
more fiercely than I myself?

That was between ourselves,
the Masters, a matter for scholars,

but to explain it publicly
to the common people, as you do,

how on earth can they understand it?
- It's clear you don't know them.

The people understand as the poor
fishermen understood Christ.

They went to him
and became soldiers for truth.

Yes, all this is leading only
to conflict.

Master Stanislav, you were the first
to lead me on the path to truth.

I'll never forget the gratitude
I owe you. What should I do?

What can I say, an old man
before the grave?

They have terrible power.
They used it against me.

They crush anyone who opposes them,
my son.

And should we look on, as Rome
blackmails and impoverishes our people,

as all our country's riches
flow abroad?

Can you see what a fire you're
starting? Think how terribly this

may end. It'll lead to the break-up
of the nation!

The nation is and will be split,
and I don't believe it can be avoided.

Remember one thing, my son.
Matej of Janov, Milic of Kromeriz,

all reformers of the Church merely
criticised it and wanted to improve it.

But you go against the Church.
- Only against a bad Church!

We're going.

Jan, we came to warn you
in good faith.

I came as your friend.

Friend Stepan on one side
and friend truth on the other.

Who should I follow?

Visit us, Christ the all-powerful...

You hear? And you'd wish
that I hid the truth from them

and deceived them?

The people! You're driven by pride.
For you the people are everything

and you can't see that you're
rushing towards disaster.

I hear jealousy in you, Stepan.
You will find yourself on the edge

of disaster if you despise the people.

Master Jan, the priests proclaim
that Bethlehem will be closed.

That you will no longer preach there!

Dear Master, we're worried
about what you'll do.

Son, at this last moment,
consider your actions carefully.

Don't listen, Master,
don't abandon us!

Father Hell today caused Jira
to lose his livelihood.

The bastards exploit us mercilessly.
- Who would support us?

You won't stop preaching, will you,
Master?

How could I, have no fear!

Until now I've gone with you,
now I'll go against you.

Brothers and sisters!
Master Jan will preach.

He will!

Brothers and sisters, do you want
to stand with me?

We do and we will stand with you!

I shall not cease to preach in
Bethlehem, I shall stick by you loyally,

and persevere with you.
- We're with you!

Let them try!
- He'll preach!

We're with you!

Come and look, Johanka!

How do you like it?

It's beautiful!

But Martin, what've you done?
It's me!

Yes, and aren't you
as beautiful as the Virgin Mary?

But that's a sin!

No it isn't.

When people come to church
they'll see you among the saints

and know what love means.

You're my prettiest and dearest girl
in the world.

And soon my wife.

Scripture says that the first
shall be last,

and the last shall be first.
And Master Jan says:

Terrible will be the judgement
on the worldly and religious rulers,

who impose on the people their own laws
instead of Christ's laws.

One day the Pope said to his
prelates and bishops:

Am I not God's first representative
on this earth?

And the bishops and prelates replied:
Certainly, you are God's first

representative on this earth,
Holy Father!

The Pope said: Is it right that God's
representative on this earth,

his bishops and prelates should be
without money?

And all answered: Certainly,
it is not right.

And the Pope smiled and said: What is
most important for ordinary sinners?

And one bishop stood up,
fat as a barrel, and replied:

The pardoning of their sins,
Holy Father.

And the Pope ordered: Then go out
into the world and sell indulgences!

The more you sell the better
and happier you'll be!

So like a flock of crows the sellers
of indulgences alighted on this earth

to peck up every grain of gold
or silver! They know no mercy.

Their hearts are hard and their lips
poisoned with envy and lies.

They trade everything, sell everything.
You want to baptise a child? Pay!

To confess? Pay!
You want the last rites? Pay!

You want to rob and murder?
Pay and you will be pardoned.

If the devil himself came and paid
he'd go to heaven!

And with the money they squeeze out
of Christian people they carry on

their business. Usury, beautiful
horses, cattle of no use they keep,

they play at dice and drape precious
robes and furs around their concubines

to fornicate with them, like stallions
and bulls, while Christ

walked barefoot in a simple robe and
had no roof under which to lay his head.

But you all
robbers of the poor, you murderers,

thieves, simoniacs!
For the people and God damn you!

The unhappy wealth
in which the Church wallows

has poisoned all of Christendom
to the soul.

Where do the disputes between Popes,
prelates and bishops come from?

Dogs fight over a bone. Take the bone
and they stop.

Take away money, wealth, property,
worldly dominion from prelates,

bishops and other priests and at once
they will cease to scramble for offices,

bribe and pay for rank,
and disputes between Popes will stop.

Remember one thing, whether it's
a simple priest, bishop or Pope himself,

if they live in sin,
they cannot represent God's will.

Brothers and sisters, do not despair
that you are small and oppressed.

Know that before God
a simple peasant, labourer or woman

of the people, living purely and
devoutly, is greater than a priest,

bishop or Pope living in sin. Amen.

Like when a storm passes,
leaving the soul pure and clear.

And they want to silence such a man!

And close and knock down
this chapel!

Neither the King nor I will ever
allow it!

It is not God's will that some
should be rich and others poor.

How could he do it?
To publicly denounce the sale

of indulgences, when I allowed it!
Does he want to set us against Rome?

It's check, King!
Now your crown's at stake!

Highness, the Holy Father,
the Cardinal d'Ailli, the universities

in Paris, Bologna, Leipzig are turning
away from Bohemia,

as if we had the plague.

You must attack, uncle.
Otherwise you won't be able to resist.

Bohemia will not be calm
until Hus is silenced.

Don't touch Master Jan.
You yourself were his friend.

Yes, I erred there.

But now I have penitently returned
to the pale of the Church.

For fear of your office
and your property.

My Lord, don't trust a person
who has betrayed his beliefs.

When Hus criticised the landowners
and merchants for their profligacy

they let him speak. But when
he started to criticise

priests and prelates
you made of him a heretic.

When I heard him the first time
I at once felt that he speaks the truth.

And fearlessly wants to protect it
against everything.

You always intercede on behalf
of the Bethlehem preacher.

It's strange, so cold and strict,
yet when you speak of him

your eyes burn with fire.
- Lord...

Certainly, Highness,
Master Jan is right that the root

of all evil is the Church's wealth.
They already have half of our country

and soon will own the whole kingdom.

The Church should devote all
its care to the souls of the faithful.

Today, it's too diverted
by worldly matters.

It's high time for a Council to meet
that would remedy these matters.

That's also the wish of all Church
fathers and the Pope.

But you, lords, speak of Christian
Zealotry and at the same think of how

to seize Church property. Don't defend
the heretics who stir up the Prague

people. If Hus continues to find
refuge here, the Holy Father will place

an interdiction on Prague.
- Stop, priest!

Your Highness, Master Jan Hus.

Have him enter.

Your Highness, you summoned me.

Hus, what are you doing?
Until now I've protected you.

I know you've always spoken against
wrongdoing, and in favour of the

Czech people. I supported you when
the Germans began to take over at

the Prague university and took away
their right to three votes.

They'll never forgive us that.

But now you also chastise the Pope
and you don't know when to stop.

It's not enough for him that
he inflames people in his preachings.

He does the same with his writings,
which aren't in Latin for the learned

but in Czech so the common people
can read them. And by so doing he's

simplified Czech letters so even the
crudest people can learn them easily,

and he sends his pupils among them
so that they can learn to read.

And that's bad? I want everyone
to be able to follow Scripture

and know what is good and what evil.

I want everyone to be able to recognise
truth according to his reason.

That is the greatest heresy!

Of course. Only the high-born
and learned can improve things.

Not the rabble! You only needlessly
stir up discontent.

Highness, the priesthood stirs up
discontent through its wrongdoings,

vices and stealing from the faithful.
What sort of Church is it when priests

trade in indulgences, sell sacraments
and live in sin. They inflame people.

And you only pour oil on to the fire.

I can't remain silent before
my people and not speak the truth.

And if you want to remedy the Church's
ills, act quickly, before it's too late.

After all, that's why God gave you the
sword, to defend people and the truth.

You well know that I've given my heart
to the Czech land and its people.

But I tolerated you for too long,

until the Germans and the Pope
deprived me of the imperial crown.

I'm threatened from all sides! At home
the people agitate against Rome

and in Rome they say that our
land is a kingdom of heretics and that

I am a King of heretics. They're just
waiting to be able to invade us.

That's why, Hus, I impress on you...

Be reasonable in your preaching,
don't inflame the people unnecessarily.

I'll silence anyone without mercy
who agitates the people.

Out of my sight! All of you!

If there isn't peace and order in Prague
I'll have your heads!

That madman is the only one here
with any sense.

Come,
I want to think of other things.

Now you've got what you wanted.
I warned you but you didn't listen.

Remember, you alone are to blame
for everything that happens.

Dear Master, if everyone stood
against you, I believe in you. I hope

the King will find the courage
not to allow Rome to rule our country.

Thank you, your Highness!

My beloved is a scented flower,
he loves me with all his strength...

My beloved is a scented flower,
he loves me with all his strength...

God's grace upon you on this
your wedding day and future days.

Freely have you come together and
freely will stay with each other

for many years until your final days.

Be like open books to each other
and remain faithful to the love

you have in your hearts. Be loving
towards others, for in love

is life's eternal grace.

Then will your lives be happy. Amen.
Your Master Jan.

He remembered us.

What are you sniffing?
- Bethlehem.

Don't prattle.

May God send you happiness

and freedom from woe.

So you can walk easily
through the world, Johanka.

Oh, they're beautiful, thank you.

Our neighbour started it
so I'll join in. This is from me.

Apron. That's nice!

An empty purse, pocket full of holes,
I only know how to hew stone.

So I've brought you a gift
from our Lord God.

You're a good boy, Stasek.
Thank you.

And I the last as the oldest.
Girl, I've kept this

from my wedding to give to my own
son's bride,

but I love you as my own daughter.
Take it.

You've given me so much!

Be very happy.
You have a good man.

Enjoy it.
And imagine it's roast meat.

Go and tell to give them wine.

Something's going on outside.
There are people everywhere.

I don't want to be told anything.
Rather look over there.

Wouldn't you like to get married
right away!

Me? So my husband can lock me up
at home.

You're right. Don't get married.
Have a drink with me, my little chick.

Wait!
Come here with that.

What? It's short! You bastard!
- I was in a hurry, sir.

Send it back. Bring a new one,
or I'll put you in a basket

and have you ducked in Vltava,
you cheat!

Thank you, sir,
but why do you give it to us?

Maybe just for my own pleasure.

To your health and your good heart,
sir!

To the health of our beautiful
Czech land,

which produces such beautiful daughters
as your bride.

The rabble are out again. A person
would fear to go on to the street.

Hallo, a wedding! Blessings
for eternity, Amen. You certainly

won't forget the Holy Church
on such a day as this.

Thief!
This time you won't escape!

It's you! You, you heretics!
You Hussites!

What are you begging for?
Booze, or your dancers?

Silence! You've a brothel in the New
Town! I recognise you.

How dare you?

You do little penance.

For seven days you'll be protected from
the devil's temptation in the tower.

You can top up that barrel of wine
in your belly with water.

You can't give me orders! I'm
subject to no-one but the Archbishop.

What! The Archbishop?
Who is Lord in Bohemia? He or I?

The King! Mercy!

Do your duty! He's yours.
Head down.

Hurry, run away.

Well, uncle, he'll go moaning
to Rome again!

Hey, bring the wine, a whole skinful!

My friends, I'm having such fun.

A beautiful day. Hey, innkeeper,
wake the fiddler!

What are you doing? Here you are!
And play, play, play!

Groom, as your King I have the right
to the first dance. Bride.

You're pretty.
What do they call you?

Johanka.
- Johanka.

Johanka, I'll dream about you,
I won't sleep, I'd have your face hewn

in stone and placed in the cathedral
as the Virgin Mary.

My Martin's already done that.
He's a stonemason.

Come with me to the castle.

Not for all the treasure in the world,
my King.

Girl, I like you! Groom, you should
value your bride. She wouldn't

give you up for all the treasure in the
world. That's rare among women.

Come and look. They're going to burn
the Papal Bull at the town hall!

They're all there. Come quickly!
- Come on!

Wait, you lunatics!
What's got into you?

They ruin a person's every pleasure.
More quarrels and affrays.

Just go ahead. They'll pay dearly for
the first drop of blood that is spilt!

The legat's come to Prague,
woke up the canonry

to join him to plunder
the whole Czech land around.

Buy your indulgences! I'm selling them
cheap! You can murder, fornicate,

rob, everything will be pardoned
if you just pay up!

See the Bull that permits the sale,
declared by the Antichrist,

otherwise known as Pope
John the Twenty-Third.

But his real name is Baltassar Cossa,
the well-known pirate,

murderer, poisoner and committer
of incest!

See how it burns, this
fraudulent Bull from the false Pope,

John the Twenty-Third; and all
the power and pride of the sinful

Church will burn as well.

Labourers, let's go, we'll drive
the traders out of the churches!

This is the fault of Hus!

This foolery could see
the end of our business.

They've stopped sending me
pepper from Genoa.

Nuremberg turned me down for
a loan due to the heresy in this land!

What should we do?

Why doesn't the King
punish this Czech rabble for once?

He's happy enough
to borrow money from us.

But no-one's allowed to touch Hus!

They're going to ransack
the churches!

I demand the council protect
the priests against these hooligans.

Send the guard to the streets!

Beloved in Christ, believers.
Come to us with open purses and buy

indulgences for the salvation of your
soul. For the Pope is God on earth

and may pardon your sins and suffering.

And in his name so can every priest.
Priest is thus greater than the Virgin.

She gave life to Christ just once,
while we create it every day

at the holy mass.
- It's not possible!

You lie! You lie!

You trade in indulgences,
you're a simoniac!

Traders don't belong in the Temple!

Mercy. Mercy! I didn't want to,
they ordered me...

And now we're ordering you.

From today you'll stop selling
indulgences. - Swear!

I swear! I swear I'll never
sell them again,

just let me go, for the mercy of God.

What did you say outside
about our Master?

Did they also order you to say that?

I didn't say a word about Jan Hus,
not a word...

Repeat after me: Master Jan Hus...

Master Jan Hus...

...is a man of a holy life.

...is a man of a holy life.

Flee, you beer barrel.
- Drive out the traders!

Labourers!
To the Church of Saint James!

To the Church of Saint James!

Those three!
- They're the ringleaders!

Catch them!

Brothers! Help them!
Martin!

Run, Johanka, flee!

Put them in irons! Heretics!
They should go the scaffolds!

Help, save my husband!

Mistress, I beseech you, do something,
I'll serve you until death.

Sir, have mercy on my Martin!

For a rabble like that?

You should be glad
I don't have you put in the pillory!

Get away, you whore!

I won't serve you any more!

I pity you. You're so young.

But the Holy Church is merciful and
will surely pardon you if you repent

and admit that you were corrupted
by the heretic Hus.

Don't you see? The Pope sells
indulgences to raise money for war!

Enough! We'll hang them up.
As a warning.

God will punish you!
You will never silence truth!

Where did they take them?
- To the town hall.

Don't worry, I'll make sure you see
your husband as soon as possible.

I'm so afraid.

Don't cry. I'll go and put right
what I've caused.

No, Master, you've done nothing.
Martin couldn't keep quiet.

Let's go.
- They'll have their revenge.

Don't worry. The councillors won't dare.
They only want to frighten people.

Those lads can't be harmed.

You'll save them.

Master Jan!
Bless him! Bless him!

Come and look, there are
thousands of them! Thousands!

Head upon head!

I no longer feel my life is safe.
I therefore ask you, councillors,

to provide me with a guard.

Frenclin! Give the Papal
Commissar four bailiffs.

And you'd better go out the back.

Good, good, and don't spare
those blasphemers!

They've been sentenced.

Is it true that you've imprisoned
three young men

that you arrested in the Tyn Church?

Dear Master, it is the King's will

to maintain order and peace
in the city.

These three youths are guilty
and must be punished.

So, punish me.
I preached against indulgences.

They only acted according to my words.

It's not our role to judge you.

Nor them. You want revenge.
But consider.

By doing this you'll only enrage
the people more. They won't move.

And they won't allow you to harm
these boys.

You won't agree?

So, I'll go and tell this to the people.
- Are you threatening us?

No, I'm warning you.
You know what an angry people means.

When they start to ring the bells
of revolt your bailiffs won't be able

to save you. When they knock down
your gates and smash the windows

and roof, when they occupy the town
hall, they alone will judge.

It, it, it is...
For the peace of the city.

The judgement can't be overturned.

Nobody will rescind it,
but let's wait.

Set them free. Act wisely.
- It's impossible to compromise so much.

Perhaps it would be enough
to postpone execution of the sentence.

That's not enough. Pardon them.

All right, Master.
We'll do it, albeit unwillingly.

They shall be pardoned. But you,
Master, shall do something in return.

Tell the people to disperse.

If you give me your word.

As soon as they disperse
we'll set the prisoners free.

We all are agreed on this.
- Yes. Certainly. Yes.

All right.

Know that by this measure you preserve
peace as the King has ordered.

A shame we couldn't have
kept him here.

His turn will come.

Isn't it enough for him that he's
upset the Germans from the university.

Now he's like to drive us out
of the town hall!

Bless you, Master Jan!
Bless you! Bless you!

We've hoodwinked him.
- But he has great power.

Frenclin!

Take the condemned to the scaffold!
But use our own people,

I don't trust the Czech bailiffs!

Not now!

The judgement must be carried out.
Immediately.

No-one would expect it.

Councillor Stumpfnagel,

you ensure
that the judgement is carried now.

Quickly.

Quicker, quicker!

Martin, where are they taking you?

Let them go, they promised
to let them go!

You gave Master Jan your word!

We won't get any further!

So do it yourselves,
right here!

Form a circle!
- Quickly! Quickly!

Stasek!
Let my son go!

Don't kill him! Have mercy!

Mommy!

Take my life for his!
What he said I also say!

Me too!
- Let them go! They're innocent.

Hear, God's knights,
prepare for battle...

My child!

Sing and praise the Lord
for love and peace...

Martin!

...sing...

Martin!

This is the fate of anyone
who would transgress as they did!

Murderers!
- Kill me too! I was with them!

Have my head as well!

Brothers, we aren't afraid to die
for truth like these martyrs!

Take me! I helped them drive out
the simoniacs!

Kill me!
- Kill us all!

Go ahead, you cowardly dogs!
- Brothers, at them! Beat them!

My unhappy son!
My child...

My God, how is it possible!

I thought that you'd save them.

Who'd have thought they'd break
their word and commit such murder.

Martin, my love.

They are holy martyrs...

...who for God's law
laid down their lives

and washed their robes in the blood
of the Lamb.

They gave up their lives
as a sacrifice to God,

and therefore deserve an eternal crown.

And they washed their robes
in the blood of the Lamb.

My sons, you've laid down
your young lives for truth.

The first have fallen in the battle
that now begins. Our first martyrs.

But we promise you
that you have not fallen in vain.

We shall not be deterred from the truth.

You joined in battle,
and we'll pursue it to the end.

I, John the Twenty-Third,
servant of God's servants,

declare on Jan Hus the Church's
strictest malediction

as an errant heretic.
Nobody may give him bread

or water or invite him into their home.

Wherever he may be
all baptism, blessing and burials

are forbidden.

May our damnation fall on you
like stones

wherever you may be!

Anathema sit! Be damned!

The Germans are heading
to Bethlehem! Pull it down! Kill Hus!

To the flames with him!
Nest of heretics! Heretics!

Brothers, at them!
- Help! They're coming!

Master, did you see how they fled?

They wanted to destroy Bethlehem,
damned papists.

Thank you, my beloved, but I think
we will have to say our farewells.

You want to leave us?

They won't dare lay a hand on you,
we'll defend you.

They're clever and ruthless.
Didn't you hear?

They've pronounced an interdict
on Prague.

How could I have it on my conscience
that your preachers are silenced.

If I remain in Prague you won't be able
to baptise

your children or bury your dead.

But if I go to the country I'll be able
to continue preaching

as if I were here with you.
Their power won't reach me there.

Am I not right, brother Polak?
- I think you are.

And what do you think, Johanka?

Martin laid down his life
for your teachings.

And I will follow you everywhere.
- You're a good girl.

And what do the rest of you say?

I don't want to part with you,

and I thank you for all
you've done for me.

I ask but one thing.
Never stray from the truth.

Be faithful to it and allow nobody
to deflect you from it.

We face severe trials, but truth
shall ultimately be victorious.

In the countryside the oppression
of the serfs reached its peak.

In the countryside the oppression
of the serfs reached its peak.

The tithes levied by the Church,

and the meagre return for their labour
became intolerable.

May God punish you!

Be merciful, Father!
He was ill and couldn't work!

He owes the monastery twenty days.
He'll pay them off building the dam.

And twenty more on top for being
so difficult about it.

Don't ruin us!

And the ten groschens welfare?
Have you forgotten about that?

Thieves! Unchristian robbers!

Take him!

Simon!
Don't take my husband!

How shall I feed the children!
We'll die of hunger.

Open! You owe serf duties!
Open up!

I can't pay, I have no money!

Don't cry, we'll help you!

Rather the grave than such a life.

Why is God punishing us?

God isn't punishing us. It's evil
authority. Some preacher said it.

Didn't you hear about him?
He goes through the villages.

He's followed by crowds of people.

And apparently we shouldn't
even obey evil authority!

Apparently it's a sin!
- A sin? Who said so?

Jan Hus.

Jan Hus.

And if I'd paid no heed to malediction
all the Prague churches would

have closed and devout people would have
been deprived of religious services.

So now I've come to you
and speak to you.

And if they tell you: Follow him,
seize him, for there's no-one

who can save him, I tell you,
do not give in to their threats.

These are surely only the first
skirmishes, after them will come

the battle, and it will be the battle
of all the Lord's faithful against those

who are not faithful,
the honest against the dishonest,

the oppressed against
the oppressors. Amen.

The Papal legate,
the Cardinal Bishop from Lodi.

King Vaclav, His Excellency,
Pope John the Twenty-Third is vexed.

Hus, who is subject to a malediction,
still preaches freely in Bohemia,

protected by the Czech lords.
The Holy Father demands that

you hand Jan Hus over to the court
of the Holy Council in Constance.

My Lord, do not let Hus
be handed over

to the enemies of truth
and certain death.

He is a most dangerous heretic.

He must be silenced without delay,
his books burned so that not a word

or memory remain after him. Nothing.

The Czech nation shall not
give up its most beloved preacher

to a foreign court.

We try our subjects
in our own country.

The Council and the Pope
are the highest court

for every Christian.
- Now you have shown your

true face, legate. You want to give
orders to the Czech King.

Your Royal Highness, now is your
opportunity, show that you are master

in your own home.
Resist dominion from Rome!

Teach the priesthood some decency!
- We'll all stand behind you!

Give the order and we'll confiscate
their estates. Then they'll soften.

You've heard, legate.

We, Pope John the Twenty-Third,
together with the Holy Roman

Emperor Zikmund, have convened
Council of all Christendom in Constance

to renew the unity of the Church
and exorcise all heresy.

You, Vaclav, King of Bohemia,
shall compel Jan Hus

to appear before the court.

If you do not comply we shall declare
a crusade against you and your country.

All of Christendom will rise up
against the Czechs and crush them.

And Zikmund writes
that he won't be able to prevent it.

A nice brother.

Don't let our enemies frighten you.

Well, decide!

I never yearned for military fame,

which my subjects would have to pay for
in blood and hardship.

I wanted the Czech nation to enjoy
the happiness of peace.

I even liked Hus,

because he always fearlessly fought
for the good of my people.

But now, when the fate of the whole
nation is at stake,

one must not be guided by one's
heart alone.

Hus himself will know
what he has to do.

The Antichrist is abroad,
seducing people...

They wish to wage war,
a crusade,

on this blessed land.

If you decide to go to Constance,
King Zikmund promises you

safe-conduct for the journey there
and back, however your case is decided.

Zikmund will chair the Council.

I wouldn't trust them.
Not the Council not Zikmund.

How many times has he let down
Vaclav, his own brother.

It's difficult to advise.

Master Jan, our castles and forts
will protect you against all,

even kings and popes!

So, how do you decide?

What decision? Listen.

...prepare for battle.

Your song, Master Jan.

And my answer.

Don't go, Master.

Listen, my beloved!
A Council of all Christendom has been

called to Constance to remedy
the Church. They've called me

to defend before the whole world
what I've preached and taught.

That's why I'm going.
- We won't let you go!

Don't go, Master. They're luring
you into a trap.

Don't trust them!

Defend yourself from here
and we'll fend off any attacks on you!

All your enemies will be there.

But there'll also be people there
who can be convinced by the truth.

And consider what's more important.
My physical life,

or the words of the acknowledged truth
which nobody, no aggression,

can remove from the people's memory?

Dear Master, man of God,
may God bless you.

But you will never return.

The Papal delegate went
a day before Hus.

The devil!
The devil is at our heels!

Listen, German Christians!
He's on his way to us,

disguised in priest's garments
to deceive you.

But beneath those robes
is hidden the awful magician Jan Hus.

His glance causes mothers' breast milk
to sour and men to lose their strength.

Beware of looking at him, shut the doors
to your homes and hide your children.

For in his form is concealed
Satan himself!

See? The cross wasn't enough!
- He didn't even go to hell!

Lord, bless our daily bread.
- Amen.

Come in, neighbours,
don't be shy.

Eat with us.

Be seated.

They told you I was the devil. Well,
have a look, I don't have any hoofs.

And you, which authority do you
belong to?

The Augustine monastery.

So, the Church authority. Thank you.
Well, you're doing very well.

Monks must first be governed by God's
Commandments, and love their flock

as themselves. And because they took
a vow of poverty, they should share

their wealth with you
and the other poor.

And you surely have enough corn in the
monastery granaries, and fish, game and

wood from the monastery forests. You
probably don't know what to do with it?

Yeah. Our monks are so
generous!

Hans, when did our abbot last
invite you for the carp?

What an idiot I am! They chased me
half a day through the forest

when I went for brushwood and perhaps
they wanted to invite me on a hunt.

Venerable brother, don't think
badly of them. They say the first thing

that comes into their mouth.
But they are good people.

I know, we understood each other
immediately.

Every authority requires
work and pay.

And you, when you baptise these
peasants' children or bury

their dead, do you take and demand
money from them?

How could I? They have nothing.
I know them.

And why does your authority not
know, and not want to know, that

they are poor? Why does it fleece them
of money and force them to labour?

They have nothing but destitute lives
and they toil for a few lazy monks,

each of which is rich enough to support
dozens of people until they die.

They are followers of Christ, who was
king of the poor.

Serfs should work, authority command.
That's how it is meant to be.

True. God placed authority over us all,

but in the Holy Scripture he also
gave us his Commandments.

If authority fails to comply with these
and by its style of life violates them,

who deserves to be obeyed more,
people or God?

We've never thought about
such things before.

What is that?

It's a custom from the time
when I was a hungry scholar.

I always used to make a spoon
out of my bread in order

to scoop up the peas. I would then
eat the spoon.

Ah, in those days I couldn't wait
until the day I became a priest,

had a good living and robes
and was esteemed by people.

But later, when I gained
in understanding

and read Scripture,
then I understood.

God gave man reason so that he could
distinguish between right and wrong.

And to the evil so he could resist.

Yes, but it's time to leave.

We've still a long road ahead of us.

So bid us farewell in love.
Thank you for your hospitality.

And think about what we spoke of here.

I shall, thank you.

May God be with you.
- And with you, Father.

That's a holy man.

The Holy Council met in the town
of Constance on the banks of Lake Boden

in 1414 in order to renew
Church unity

and eradicate all heresy.

The little town was bursting
with activity, all manner of languages

and unheard-of sinfulness, and thus
they called it the Babylon of nations.

To all who can read!
The stubborn Czech heretic, the damned

Jan Hus, is to appear before the court
in Constance.

This is the charge they advertise
against you. And the signatures?

Of course, Tiem and Stepan Palec.
They lost no time!

A former friend is always
the worst enemy.

But it has to be taken seriously.
They're capable of anything.

That's why I can't wait
for public hearing when I'll be freely,

freely to address the whole world
of Christendom.

Then let them do with me
what they will.

Come in!

Forgive me, Master.
A message. They want to see you.

Jan Hus?

I am burgrave of the town of Constance,
which has in you a very

distinguished guest, Master. I have been
asked by the most venerable father,

Bishop of Lodi, to bring him to you.

He brings you a message from the holy
congregation of cardinals.

Not a message - an invitation.
They would like to speak with you.

I've come to Constance to speak,
but publicly,

before the assembly
of the whole Council.

Of course. But this would only be
a private conversation,

a sort of preliminary interview.

Sirs, I point out
the Master is under direct

protection of the Emperor. Zikmund's
safe-conduct guarantees

his immunity. Until Zikmund's
arrival no action is to be taken

in Master's case. Then anything
of this nature would be illegal.

A mere discussion with the
Cardinals illegal?

Or might the Master be afraid
of such an interview?

And why have you taken with you
so many armed men?

The guard is for his protection.

We've passed through
the whole German empire unharmed.

But I am responsible here.
There are now more foreigners

than local people in the town.
We don't know what may happen.

Sheriff Bodmann has guaranteed me
the Master's safety.

But I guarantee his safety
to the King of Bohemia!

I've arranged the invitation,

if the Master has the slightest concern,
we shall leave.

I would only mention something
that might interest the Master.

The cardinals wanted to agree
the public hearing with him

and how it should be held.

Is it really about the public hearing?

Don't believe him, Master!

Why? Isn't it the purpose
of my journey? Come, gentlemen.

All right, but I'll go with you.

Out of the way!

I'll announce you, Master.

I won't move from your side
until I bring you home again.

Your fears are unfounded. I've
the protection of Zikmund and the Pope.

The reverend cardinals are waiting.

What does this mean?

Your lordship doesn't have to wait
for Master Jan Hus.

He'll be here some time.

Treachery! Let me see the Pope!

The Pope has acceded to the will
of the holy congregation of cardinals.

They all shall answer for this
to King Zikmund!

Please don't be worried
if you hear of my death.

Don't be alarmed by the enemy's threats,

and do not fear either pain
or suffering.

Know that I also did not retreat
before the enemy's threats

and did not recant a single article.

Let us enter!
We must speak with the King!

That's not possible at this moment,
gentlemen.

We can't wait.
The matter is extremely urgent.

His Highness has an important
meeting. I repeat, gentlemen...

What is it that can bear no delay?

A matter of your honour, Highness.

We've come to hand you
a letter of protest

from the Czech and Moravian lords.

This concerns my honour among
the Czech lords! This is serious.

Well, read.

Your Highness, King Zikmund,
we hereby protest that

your promise to guarantee the freedom
of Jan Hus has not been kept.

Master Jan Hus has been imprisoned
for half a year to shame of the whole

realm, the Czech nation and Vaclav IV.
We thus request that in accordance

with human and divine justice
he be freed from prison and be allowed

freely to hold his case in a public
hearing before the Council.

If this does not happen...
- Enough! Give it here.

You are threatening me?

No, we are warning you.
And if, your Highness, you wish

one day to enter the Czech Kingdom
as its welcomed heir...

Then I have to dance to your tune.

The Holy Father himself
guaranteed Hus absolute freedom.

I had Holy Father arrested yesterday.
He tried to flee from the court

of the Holy Council. So you don't like
that I didn't keep my promise,

and the cardinals chastise me for having
offered the heretic protection at all.

Do you not know that you stand before
the Holy Roman Emperor?

That's precisely why
we expect royal justice from you.

- Tss!

All right. As the constant guardian
of justice, so that the Czech Kingdom

does not feel dishonoured, I guarantee
that Hus shall receive a public hearing.

I shall not recant!

Recant! Intractable heretic!
- Son of the devil!

Silentium, patres! Silence!

I thought that integrity and order
would better suit this assembly.

How dare you judge us?
You are judged!

I did not come to a court,
but to be heard in public.

And if I myself had not voluntarily
decided to come,

nobody could have forced me.

That is true. I'm but
a simple knight,

but I'd venture to defend Master Jan
the whole year in my castle.

If necessary even against the king.

See them! They're the ones!

Such a plague has infected all Czechs!
He's an intractable heretic!

I didn't come to stubbornly defend
my teaching. And if I have erred,

please show me from Scripture.
I will gladly accept my guilt.

How dare you wish to dispute
with the Holy Council?

You have not a trace of humility
in you!

They're chasing him
like a pack of hounds after a deer.

Too many dogs.

Jan Hus. I gave you safe-conduct
so that you could travel safely.

It doesn't protect you against
the court. I've secured this hearing

for you. But how poorly you repay me.
Be reasonable. Do you want to be

wiser than this entire holy assembly
of Church fathers?

Everyone tells you: Recant!
What more do you want?

Your Royal Highness. Thank you
for the safe-conduct and the hearing.

You certainly know their value.

But I can't recant
what I haven't taught.

Why can't you recant heresies
even if, as you say, some of them

you haven't taught? In your place
I'd have no scruple to renounce them.

Haven't you preached that
the assets and income of priests

should be forfeited?
- Scripture states...

You want to destroy the order
of the world.

And didn't you say that it's not
necessary to blindly obey authority?

Yes. But with the reservation...

That's enough.

Your Highness, please listen.
This will interest you.

Repeat exactly what you've written!

It's not necessary to obey spiritual
or wordly authority

if it is wrong or if it lives in sin.

Not even the emperor?

Not even the emperor.

Who, my son, is without sin?

So every cobbler should decide
whether authority issues

right or wrong instructions?

It's not the cobbler who decides
but the Commandments of Scripture.

In order that we follow them correctly
God has given man reason.

You hear, reason!

Please! Not faith, nor obedience
to the Holy Church, but reason!

That is rebellion against
the authority of the Church!

But you yourselves used
to genuflect to John Twenty-Third,

kiss his feet and call him the most
holy, when you knew very well,

as I did, that he's a shameful
murderer and simoniac.

Recently you disparaged him, chained
him and condemned him as a heretic.

What is this to do with you?
- Are you the Council?

That's what he used to shout out
to the common people!

Yes. That's probably my greatest sin.

He's full of pride and hatred!
I know no heretic worse than him.

I ask you, Jan Hus,
for the last time.

Recant, and you can count on
the clemency of the benignant Council,

or will you choose death by being
burnt to death as a heretic?

I don't have a choice between
recanting and death by fire.

I can only choose between
truth and lies.

And I want to remain faithful to truth
until death.

So you don't recant?

I don't recant because you haven't
convinced me that I'm wrong.

Should I now for fear of a punishment
that will quickly pass,

renounce God's truth?
- Silence!

Soon you will silence me forever.
But you will never silence holy truth.

For every martyr twelve new
will arise

and these will lead it to victory.

You have condemned yourself.

You will be thrown out of the pale
of the Church as a black sheep

and given over as a convicted heretic
to worldly justice. Take him away!

I declare everything I have testified
against Master Jan Hus has been

without any personal rancour towards
the defendant, and has only been

according to truth and the greater
fame of the Holy Church.

If we don't force Hus
to recant, the Czech heretics

will make a martyr out of him.

My friend!

You're not frightened to shake the hand
of a condemned man before everyone?

Most beloved Master!

You shouldn't trust him even
if he promises to recant.

If he returned to Bohemia he'd inflame
the whole kingdom. I know them.

Either burn him or send him
to prison for life.

Did you hear?

Instead of supporting him.
A nice heir to the Czech crown.

Red-headed bastard!
He'll regret those words.

We'll never forgive him that.

Do you have any wishes,
Master?

I do, my friend. When I've
written this letter,

please send it to my friends.
It's for the last time.

God be with you.

Did you call me?

Yes. I want you to confess me,
Stepan. My last day is upon me.

Why me exactly?

Because you've known me the longest.

And because you're Czech, like me.

You thought of me?

No, I don't want to, I can't.
I can't confess.

I'm sorry that you can't.

They've already condemned my books
to be burned,

they won't give me a hearing.

It's the end. We're talking together
for the last time.

Jan, in the name of our former
friendship, I beseech you. Acquiesce.

Save yourself! Recant!

Always the same thing. Recant!

They couldn't compel me with threats.
So now they send you?

Trust me, nobody sent me.
It was my decision, and believe me,

I ask you from my heart, just think what
evil your words have already caused

at home in Bohemia.
- Stepan, Stepan.

Once we were like brothers
and now you stand against me.

You've harmed me the most.
Is your soul satisfied now?

It's futile. Forgive me, farewell.

Farewell, Stepan.

Remain seated, my son.
I don't come to you as a judge,

but as your fatherly advisor.

I can talk differently here
than before the assembly.

I want to speak to you man to man.
I like you.

You're a brave man. Educated.
Pure of heart.

It would be shame to lose your life.

I have one more proposal. Recanting
in no way affects your honour.

It's the best way for you to see
that we are not so cruel.

Sign and save your life.

What sort of a life would it be
if I knew how terribly I would have

let down the people that I speak for.

Are you blinded by pride? Have you
not heard that you are condemned?

Don't you see your manacles?
Don't you want to be free?

No. Even like this I am free.
I am free to choose.

And I have chosen. For truth.

Are you so simple or so evil?

There's no helping you! Be damned!

Don't obey, Master.
- Don't abandon us.

Who would stand for us?

My Martin laid down his life
for your teaching.

Don't stop preaching, Master.

How could I? Be not afraid.

Brothers and sisters, will you stand
with me?

We will!

Know that I shall not stop preaching,

I shall stick by you loyally
and persevere with you.

We're with you!

Although I must walk
through the valley of death,

I shall fear no evil
for you are with me.

I shall not fear the thousands of people
who press around me.

Shall we begin, your honour?

It's not necessary to hurry,
Lord Marshal.

He might recant at the last moment.

See how numerous are my enemies
and what hatred they have for me.

Save my soul and deliver me,
let me not ashamed,

for I believe in you.

Do you hear?
He speaks the holy truth.

Don't listen to him!
He's a heretic!

Brothers and sisters! Don't believe
that I taught heresy!

I only preached that you need not and
shouldn't obey evil and bad authority,

whether religious or worldly.

Friends, dear friends!

Only now have they allowed us
to speak with you.

Greet everyone at home,
my friends from the university,

the doctors, my beloved brothers,
the cobblers, tailors and scribes, too.

Tell them to remain firm
in the known truth, as I have been,

to the last minute.

Hurry!

Farewell, my beloved!

For the last time, Hus, I exhort
you. Save your life. Recant!

I wanted just an order for the people.

And I want to die in the truth
that I taught, wrote and preached.

Enough!

Do not fear those who kill
the body but can do no more.

As I, Jan Hus, standing on the eve
of death, did not fear them.

Stand therefore in the known truth.

Never give up and be not diverted
from it by others.

Serve truth, live in truth, and defend
truth to the death.

We give our oath!

We give our oath!

THE END