All language subtitles for William.Tell.2024.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264 (SDH)

(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)

TELL: Three days ago,

my soul was free
from thoughts of murder.

Like moths to the light,
we run to war,

our future deeds mapped out
before us in blood.

(PEOPLE SHOUTING
AND SCREAMING IN DISTANCE)

TELL: I had balanced
my account with Heaven

and sought a peaceful life.

My bow rested.

But every road conducts us
to our end.

We push onwards,

intent on our own business,

then are forced to change.

The sand is run.

I have killed again.

Now my trade is retribution.

Vengeance, my occupation.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(SHEEP BLEATS)

WALTER: Morning, Father.

-TELL: Ready to hunt?
-Of course.

-Can I try the new bow?
-Aye.

Here. Come here.

SOLDIER: Burn them all!

(SIGHS)

WOLFSHOT: Quickly, quickly!

(HORSES NEIGHING)

WORKER: Hey. Austrians.

The Wolfshot.

His tax is heavy
and my purse is light.

Continue.

I shall return.

Your husband, where is he?

He's farming.

You're a little light.

Oh, it's not enough.

Well?

Ah, it'll rain ere long
and we need shelter.

Arrange food for my men
and prepare me

a bath.

(WOLFSHOT HISSES)

(MEN LAUGHING)

(BIRD CALLING)

(BOW CLICKS)

(IBEX BLEATING IN DISTANCE)

Make it clean, Son.

We're huntsmen, not savages.

(IBEX YELPING)

We learn our lessons
in failure.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

A storm is coming in.

Let's move down,
take shelter in the village.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

-(WOMAN CONTINUES SCREAMING)
-(MEN LAUGHING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

There you go, pig.

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(BAUMGARTEN GRUNTS)

(BOTH GASPING)

(WOLFSHOT SCREAMING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(HORN TRUMPETING)

(HORN TRUMPETING)

SERGEANT: He's here somewhere!

Baumgarten!

Search everywhere!

(HORSE WHINNYING)

(GROANS)

-(HORN TRUMPETING)
-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(GROANS)

(SERGEANT SHOUTING
INDISTINCTLY)

(THUNDERCLAP)

KUONI: The wind is too strong!

Bring the boats ashore!

Let's make haste!
Protect the catch!

TELL: Bit more.

(ALL GRUNTING)

Thank you, my friend.

Are you for home?

Aye.

-Is all secure?
-Aye.

-We bid you farewell.
-Safe travels.

-Secure the catch!
-Let's be gone.

Help! Help, they're after me!

I need this boat!

KUONI: Who on earth are you?

BAUMGARTEN: I need this boat!
Help me cast off.

The boat! Aid me across!

No man could steer
against storm and wave!

Please!
I have no other choice.

You'll die out there.
Why such haste?

I am already dead,
should they find me.

Speak, man! Who pursues you?

The Wolfshot's horsemen.

-WALTER: Who are you?
-My name is Baumgarten.

-I am a farmer.
-WALTER: You're bleeding.

I have settled him.

KUONI: Who?

The Wolfshot.
The tax collector.

You are mad.

He wronged my wife!

Then he took her life.

So I gave him
a bloody benediction!

Now the Viceroy's troopers are
upon my heels.

Please!

I beg of you,

in God's name, aid me across.

KUONI: I'm not taking you.

The Austrians will
hunt me down.

-I'm a father, with child.
-KUONI: And what of me?

A wife and child at home

-as well as you.
-TELL: Hold!

No man can steer and row alone
in this weather.

I say, put trust in God
and help him in his need.

You can steer
as well as any man, Tell.

There's the boat.
Take it. Try you.

I am in your hands. Please!

Don't, Father.
The winds are too strong.

BAUMGARTEN:
Please. I beg of you.

(HORN TRUMPETING)

TELL: They're close.

If we find him here among us,
we are all dead.

(HORN TRUMPETING)

MAN: Burn it, Tell.
Burn it all!

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

I'll get him across.

BAUMGARTEN:
Thank you. Thank you.

Run home to your mother.

We need horses
brought to Ingenbohl.

Meet me at the waterfall

and remind her of my love.
Go, go, go!

I will honour
thy word, Father.

-(KUONI GRUNTS)
-WALTER: Godspeed!

(HORN TRUMPETING)

SOLDIER: Oi, you!

Stop in the name of the law!

(HORN TRUMPETING)

KUONI: Everyone,
get inside now, quickly!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

-SOLDIER: Where is he?
-Who?

-Where is he?
-Who?

We pay our taxes
in this village!

The Viceroy's taken
his pound of...

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

SOLDIER: Torch the village!

(MAN SCREAMING)

(HORSE NEIGHING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

Where was he killed?
In which canton?

GESSLER: A farm,
in Unterwalden, my Lord.

To lose such a man
is careless.

GESSLER: The tax collector
was at fault. He was a fool.

KING ALBRECHT: He was our man,
collecting our taxes.

No one should have
touched him.

Reverse thy doom

and secure
thy position, Gessler.

Let us move with caution.

Caution?

We need revenue
and wealth from this land.

Show them no mercy.

My Lord, numbed earth is
barren of all fruit.

Secure the killer
and teach the Swiss a lesson.

The Wolfshot's murder is
a crime,

but also an opportunity.

Now we have every right
to defend ourselves with force

and under the guise
of justice.

There is no justice in war.

That is where this is leading.

GESSLER: My Lord,
do we want war?

Switzerland is
surrounded by mountains.

Nature... is its own defence.

It is hard to attack
from without.

We...

must control it...

and dominate the Swiss...

from within.

SUNA: Ha!

SUNA: What shall
I do with you?

In the thickest of the storm.

Are you insane?

Is that him?

(GROANS)

'Tis a marvel you escaped.

Had you no thought
of wife and child?

I had, and therefore saved
a father for his children.

He braved the lake
in all its wrath,

and I thank him for it.

Yes, he's a kind
and helping hand for all.

But when we are in straits,
who then will come to our aid?

God grant, we never may stand
in need of any help.

You have me.

(SCOFFS)

(GROANS)

Give him the horse
and let us be gone.

Well?

I must see him safe.

A hero and a fool.

You have disturbed our peace.

May God forgive you.

TELL: I'll return soon.

Be home in time
to feed the goats.

-Go.
-(SUNA GRUNTS)

TELL: I have a friend
in this region,

a nobleman.

We fought together
in the Holy Land.

He'll hide you.

(BELL TOLLING)

GESSLER: My Lady Bertha.

Gessler.

The King's valour and pride
excel themselves in you.

He must be proud of his niece.

I hear the whispers.

It seems the King gains
money in Switzerland

but loses hearts.

There is no progress
without loss.

Good and bad run together.

There is no triumph
in needless bloodshed.

And forget not,
I have Swiss blood.

GESSLER: Our countries'
fortunes are entwined.

As I hope are ours.

Good day, my Lord.

He moves me to rage.

The King is keen
for your union.

And you would
be wise to listen.

Do not mistake his purpose.

He does not love me.
He just needs me.

Cousin,
the King requests your time.

KING ALBRECHT: You truly are
my brother's daughter.

And as wilful as he.

Spend time with Gessler.

Hunt, talk, learn.

Attraction will build.

-No, my Lord, I beg you.
-You are a Habsburg.

And will marry an Austrian.

-My mother was Swiss.
-And your father Austrian.

It is pity you're a woman.

You'd be useful in battle.

But we'll use you in marriage.

BERTHA: My Lord.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Rudenz.

Belted and plumed,

and all thy bravery on.

Thou art
for the Austrians, boy?

Uncle,

your will?

Before you depart,

share with us
the ancient custom

of our house. Come.

Walk with me.

There was a time I was
with them in field and forest,

directing all their labours
with my own eye,

just as my banner led them
into battle.

Now I'm fit only
to play the steward.

And so... (GRUNTING) I go

in ever-narrowing circles

to the narrowest

and the last...

where all life...

(CHUCKLING)
...comes to a stop.

I am but my own shadow.

Soon,

I will be but my name.

Come.

Come, Rudenz.

Now...

you know our pledge.

One cup, one heart.

WORKERS: One cup, one heart.

Rudenz.

I must be away.

Wait!

-Leave us.
-MAN: My Lord.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Why do you show
such disrespect

to thine own people?

You know they suffer
under the Austrian banner.

Why do you insult them further
by refusing to take the cup?

Do you know
what the Austrians call us?

"Peasant nobles."

A wiser course would be
to bend in homage.

Only then can we prosper.

No, no.
Do not shield thine eyes

and make them blind
to your people's needs.

Our people need
to secure the favour

-of the Austrian King.
-(SCOFFS)

The world is his, Uncle.

His the markets,
his the courts,

his, too, the highways.

We cannot protect ourselves
against his growing power.

Where do you learn
such things?

Mmm?

Rudenz, I have no sons!

One day,
all this will be yours.

And what will I become?

The chieftain
of a shepherd race?

Settling petty squabbles
between the farmers of Schwyz

and the shepherds
of Unterwalden?

The tempter's voice has
truly caught thy willing ear.

No, no, there is no tempter,
don't you see?

Here I am nothing,

but there,

aligned with Austria,

I can be something.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

(BELL TOLLING)

GERTRUDE:
The tax collector was a brute,

and he deserved to die.

Do not accept this tax.

STAUFFACHER: Be patient,
my darling Gertrude.

We will not have to bear

this Austrian occupation
much longer.

Change will come,
as it always does.

Impetuous rulers...

have the shortest reigns.

Once we are Austria's,
we are hers forever.

Yes, but come, my love.

Drink with me.

I have to feed the horses.

STAUFFACHER:
The horses can wait.

I cannot.

BAUMGARTEN:
Thank you for the food.

GERTRUDE: Eat well.
You are safe here.

We will secure you
passage at dawn.

BAUMGARTEN: Aye.

But am I to be banished

and never see
my children again?

'Tis better than hung.

GERTRUDE: You were brave,
and you fought for your wife.

And now, we must
fight for our country.

(CHUCKLING) Gert...

Gertrude.

They are loyal.

We can all speak freely.

You speak with
a fearless tongue, Gertrude.

GERTRUDE: I'm no stranger
to the cost of war.

We have good men

who can wield a weapon
as well as them.

Wife, you stir wild
and perilous thoughts

from a time that
my friend and I had

long since forgotten.

GERTRUDE:
What choice do we have?

STAUFFACHER: My darling...

this house that you love,

my family home that you have
made your own.

Unrelenting war...

would burn it to the ground.

GERTRUDE: With my own hands,

I would hurl
the kindling torch

would it set us free.

Let us go with God.

We've seen many men
declare that pledge

and die.

So you have retired
from battle?

One day,

just outside Jerusalem,

a land as hostile and strange
as you can imagine,

I was cut off,

alone and desperate.

My horse was powerful,

easily outstripped
the Turks who hunted me.

But to escape, I slashed
a path through the woods

and thereby...

disturbed a nest

of bees.

The bees surrounded me

and settled on my mare.

And they so fiercely stung
the beast,

it threw me to the ground...

and then writhed

and died...

before my eyes.

I sat for a moment,

very, very still...

and then saw
how the bees began to die.

One...

by one.

So, yes, Gertrude,
you can fire the people up.

But be careful
what you ask of them.

They will sting for you...

but they will die.

(LOUD BANGING ON DOOR)

-(MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
-Wait.

(LOUD BANGING ON DOOR)

STAUFFACHER: We have visitors.

-Gessler.
-(SHOUTING CONTINUES)

-(BREATHING HEAVILY)
-Shh!

What should I do?

-Hide him.
-Where?

Plain sight. There.

-Right there.
-(BANGING ON DOOR)

-There.
-GERTRUDE: Remove your apron.

Come on.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

STAUFFACHER: Please...

-(BAUMGARTEN GRUNTS)
-STAUFFACHER: ...come.

GESSLER: This is
a grand house for a Swiss.

-Oh, plate. Plate.
-GESSLER: Who is the owner?

STAUFFACHER:
It was given by God, sir.

Free and unfettered
as the mountain air.

What brings you here, my Lord?

GESSLER: We search for a man

who did heinously slay
my governor.

Have you seen
a stranger pass through?

STAUFFACHER:
No, my Lord. Come.

GERTRUDE: Praise God, sir.

What an honour.

Search the house.

(SIGHS)

The eagle of weapons. Yours?

TELL: Aye.

May I?

Of course.

(EXHALES)

'Tis well crafted.

Many men can wield
such a weapon, but...

few can master it.

Your name?

Wilhelm Tell.

GESSLER: Well, Tell,

like the eagle,

I too make my prey.

Soaring bird
or a beast to chase...

makes no difference to me,
for now...

I hunt a murderer.

With solemn reverence,
our king...

has tasted grief.

He mourns not for the death
of his governor. Instead...

he asked why.

(CROSSBOW THUDS SOFTLY)

"Do they not love me?

"Do they not want
my allegiance...

"and the riches I can endow?"

"Worry not, sir", say I.

'Tis but the bloated blood
of ignorance

that bleeds with such excess.

There is but one bad apple...

and we must rid it
from the barrel.

So now I hunt.

My Lord.

GESSLER: Oh.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

My Lord,

the house is clear.

GESSLER: Mmm,
the house is clear.

Fair Swiss...

do not lose
the life you've built

for men you do not know.

If there is something
you need to say to me...

I'd say it now.

TELL: My Lord,

your unpleased manner is
clear to all.

But you waste your time here.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

The man you seek...

lies not here.

Sir, you tread upon
our hearts. Come.

There is no foulness
in this house.

Only love.

-GESSLER: Only love?
-(MEN LAUGHING)

Come, sir, please.
Sit. Join us.

King's honour, friends.

(SIGHS, BREATHING HEAVILY)

(DOOR CLOSES)

After everything
we have been through, Tell,

the horrors that we have seen,

am I to lose the life
that I have built

to men like that?

They're lying.
Let the pox damn them.

You were not sent here
to fawn and coax

-these boors into submission.
-'Tis no matter that they lie.

(MAN GROANS)

Skulk and hide
amongst these peasants.

Find out all you can
about that man Tell.

-Let me take him now.
-Mark him tight.

Let him think himself safe.

I will bring such
a scourge to these...

people.

Then I'll leave them naked
and trembling before me.

GERTRUDE: Enough of this.

We must gather allies!

Few will act

for fear of consequence.

Go to Altdorf and meet
with Furst, the priest.

There are many
who agree with us.

Furst connects the cantons.

He's crucial to the cause,

and his mind is sharp
and alert to all philosophy.

Tell, will you make
the introduction?

He is wary of strangers.

What you expect
of me is too much.

The town is beset with spies.
They follow his every move.

We need you to help.

I will take you to him.

But if you meet with Furst,
he will inspire you.

And then you will plot.

And from there, my friend...

from there,
there will be no return.

(SINGING IN GERMAN)

Your Highness,
may I present him?

(BOY STOPS SINGING)

Prince Rudenz of Attinghausen.

(DRUM BEATING
IN STEADY RHYTHM)

(DRUM BEATING STOPS)

KING ALBRECHT: Young Prince,

it takes courage for you
to come before us today

and bond the Attinghausen name
to the Habsburg court.

You fool.

You shouldn't be here.

Unless I bend the knee,
we cannot be together.

KING ALBRECHT: I understand
there is private difference

betwixt you and your uncle.

He taught me
to know the face of right,

in that I trust.

He simply misunderstood
my purpose, that is all.

And you trust us?

I trust that it is better

that both our houses
work together.

I am in love with the man
that you are today,

not the man that you think
you should become.

I have nothing to offer thee.

Fame hath not stamped me yet,

nor have I proved myself

amidst the courtly throng
of knights.

Proved what?

You do not need
to sell yourself to Austria.

-Wear your freedom with pride!
-And lose you?

There is no profit in war.

He forfeits his own blood,
that spills another.

But do you work
with us or for us?

For you.

Caution. You do not commit
a fault you cannot correct.

Your indiscretion is plain
for all to see.

-Wait, my lord...
-Set aside

that you're spoken for.

The more
these so-called Swiss nobles

pay respect to us,
the easier our task.

So, for now...

humour him.

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

-(SWORDS CLANGING)
-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

Please, let me go!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Stay there, Father.

That's my bull!

-SOLDIER: Move back now!
-That's my animal!

No!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAMS)

(GRUNTS)

(HORSES GALLOPING
AND NEIGHING)

Father, we need to leave.

You go before it's too late.

They won't care about me.

Go, Son. Go.

Go, go, go.

SERGEANT: Swiss!

-(SHUSHING)
-TELL: (SOFTLY) Get down.

SERGEANT: What in God's name

-has happened here?
-Get down.

Who did this?

Speak!

Speak, old man!

-I'll kill these pigs myself!
-Hold.

SERGEANT: Who did this?
TELL: Hold still.

Help him.

Who slaughtered my men?

(OLD MAN SCREAMING)

Free him from his pain.

(OLD MAN CONTINUES SCREAMING)

Kill... Kill him.

SOLDIER: Straight ahead!
Straight ahead, men!

-Take him to the horses.
-No!

-No! No!
-TELL: Take him. Take him!

There's no time
for a mad battle.

-You'll be killed. Come.
-TELL: Take him!

And now it begins.

There! Go!

(GROANS)

Kill them!

-(GROANS)
-SERGEANT: Kill them!

(GROANS)

(STAUFFACHER GRUNTS)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

(MAN GROANS)

STAUFFACHER: I know
what worries you, Tell,

but listen.

My sword has been resting,

and I hoped
it would remain so.

But this...

is about our families,

our freedom.

I violated an oath over there,

and I'm stained in blood.

It haunts me now
and it will forever.

Yes, but that was over there.

I feel your enthusiasm
for the fight,

but hot thoughts
beget hot deeds,

and hot deeds can
destroy us all.

Are you ready for that?

BAUMGARTEN: We must go!

(HORN TRUMPETING)

(HORSE NEIGHS)

STAUFFACHER: Do they control
the town now?

Seems so.

STAUFFACHER:
Go with the workers.

It will allow you to pass
the guards. Go!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(WOMAN GROANING)

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

(MAN SCREAMING)

STAUFFACHER: I know this man.
He worked on my house.

-A true craftsman.
-My Lord.

Did not expect
to see you here.

How fare you, sir?

I am a prisoner
in my own land.

Why such haste
to prepare the town for war?

I know not.

Many have fled,
but the town still breathes.

Are they arming the town
to keep us in or keep us out?

They fear rebellion.

If you could see the dungeons
that they have built.

SOLDIER: Swiss!

Back to work on the ramparts!

I must return.

Good evening to you.

This is no longer our town.

-No.
-Find Furst.

How many killed?

A dozen.

(METAL CLANKS)

And where are
the Swiss corpses?

Just the old man.

(GRUNTING)

(GROANING)

GESSLER: First,
the tax collector,

and now this!

They neither fear
nor respect us.

Until we find
the men responsible,

let others pay the price.

-I want arrests!
-Yes, sir! Yes, sir!

Tell is mired in this mud.

STUSSI: Give me license, sir?

GESSLER: For what?

Make them bend the knee.

Make it public.

Aye.

Put a thorn through their soul
and see how they break.

Yes, sir.

-"Yes, sir."
-(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

Well, in the meantime,

I have more...

country matters to attend to.

The King has requested
I teach his niece...

how to hunt.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Where are you sending
God's wealth?

FURST: To safety.

Dangerous times.

-Greetings, Furst.
-Welcome. Thrice welcome.

What seek you here in Altdorf?

The olden times.

-The olden Switzerland.
-Ah.

Well, let us hope
you bring them with you.

News of Baumgarten
precedes you.

There was much excitement.

Tell me, is he safely hid?

He is here in Altdorf,

along with
my old comrade Stauffacher

and another caught up in this.

They seek your counsel.

The men of Schwyz
and Unterwalden

both seek the counsel of God?

(CHUCKLES) 'Tis not
the counsel of God they seek,

but your subversive mind.

What frightens you so?

We should be stopping a war,

not starting one.

And yet you bring me men
who seek rebellion.

The Austrian throne is
not secure.

The pomp and ceremony
of their court is

neither just nor chivalrous.

It hides a savage intent

that presents itself
in naked violence.

We can outstrip them.

But not if we are divided.

Many have spoken to me.

Few have had
the courage to act.

But I see before me now
men who are ready.

Well, we are more than ready.

Then the time is right.

Unite the cantons.
Bring the Swiss together.

Work as one.

Stauffacher, your task now is
to rouse our leaders

-from their slumber.
-STAUFFACHER: Aye.

FURST: I will use the church

and rally friends
here in Altdorf.

BAUMGARTEN: I will
go back to Unterwalden.

I have comrades there.

FURST: What of the clan chief,
the Baron of Attinghausen?

I hear he shares our views
and will be crucial.

MELCHTAL: And yet, his nephew,
Rudenz, bends the knee.

FURST:
But Attinghausen does not.

He is old Swiss.

His name alone will rally
thousands to our cause.

What of you, Tell?

TELL: Each man shall
have the post

that fits his power.

And I'm nothing
but a humble huntsman.

A dozen dead Austrians
would disagree.

(HAMMERING)

COMMANDER: March!

(TRUMPET BLOWING)

TOWN CRIER:
I, in the King's name,

give ear!

People of Altdorf,

it is the Lord
Viceroy Gessler's good will

that the helm
shall be given honour

-as the King himself.
-(PEOPLE LAUGH AND BOO)

Hear ye!

All those who pass by

shall give it reverence

with bended knee.

Down to a helm on bended knee?

-TOWN CRIER: Only then...
-This is madness.

...will the King know

who are his true
and loyal subjects.

It is not safe for you
to be seen together.

-TOWN CRIER: Back to work!
-(PEOPLE BOOING)

TELL: Gessler's man.

Come, my friends.
Speak with your brothers.

We shall meet
on the morrow's night.

At Ruetli,
on the left bank of the lake,

a hidden cave lies.

If we want peace,

prepare for war.

Aye.

MELCHTAL: Aye.

There's a tide
in the affairs of men,

which, taken at the flood,
can lead to victory,

but I know not
where this current leads us.

Whether we will swim...

or drown.

WALTER: Father.

(HORSE NEIGHS)

Is the farmer safe?

For now.

My fool is back.

(CHUCKLES)

Go feed the goats.

Pleasure to see you, too.

(SUNA CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

(GOAT BLEATS)

Come here.

(LAMB BLEATS)

(GOAT BLEATS)

Come on.

(WATER SPLASHING SOFTLY)

You're home,
but your thoughts are not.

You think we're safe here?

We're damned if we fight
and damned if we don't.

Violence is such
a fearful thing, my love,

even in a righteous cause.

I know better than most

the scars
that invaders can inflict.

(TELL SIGHS)

Our boy will know
danger either way.

(TELL EXHALES)

What is it you propose?

I can hold the sword

-as well as any man.
-No, no.

-We will go together.
-No.

I have
such slaughterous thoughts

that tear my soul.

I have done
more than I should.

Look at me.

Our very love was
spawned from murder.

A very different time.

Do you want to relive that?

What you did back then
was noble

and just. Look at me.

What you do now
will be the same.

But we will do it as one.

(TELL BREATHES DEEPLY)

Your beauty conquered me...

the first moment I saw you.

My life with you
is my sole joy.

Without it, I am nothing.

The faith and trust
I place in you is sacred.

You will never be without.

-(SOLDIER GROANS)
-(DOG BARKING)

(SOLDIER GROANS)

(GESSLER GRUNTS MOCKINGLY)

(IMITATES BARKING)

(GESSLER GRUNTS)

(YELLS)

(SOLDIERS CLAPPING)

GESSLER: I kiss your health,

my lady.

You exert yourself
for your own pleasure.

Not yours?

You think that fighting
like a dog in the mud,

cur to cur, is a display
that will melt my heart?

(PANTING) I have other ways.

(DOG BARKING)

BERTHA: You promised
me a hunt.

'Tis past dawn,
the boar will slip away.

How shall we proceed?

There are other things
to hunt.

You seem upset, my dear.

I am, and I wish to return.

Then let me persuade
you to stay.

The King has
proposed our union...

for good reason.

We should embrace

his blessing.

To present harsh rage
does not greatness show.

You will never win
my heart like that.

And you will lose
the hearts of the Swiss

-if such governance continues.
-(CHUCKLES)

Emotion...

clouds your judgment.
How sweet...

you are.

STUSSI: My Lord!

A moment, my lady.

(GESSLER GRUNTS SOFTLY)

(SIGHS)

My blood is boiling.

God, I want to rut with her.

-Is it done?
-Aye, sir.

Firmly in place in the square.

How formed is their plan?

Hard to say,
but I can find out.

Furst is easily apprehended.

The cleric?

His death is long overdue.

But he's too prominent
to arrest without cause.

Torture is unreliable.
They confess to anything.

Tell is at the heart of this.

He was brazen about
his friendship with Furst,

and they...

they plotted openly.

Aye.

That toad, Gessler,
fouls you with his touch.

You're clearly more familiar
with him than I thought.

I do not choose to be
the wife of that parasite.

You seem happy
to let the King dictate

the disposal of your hand.

The same lust of conquest

that would rob you of
your liberty endangers mine.

Your love cannot rescue me.

Well, then what can?

Fight for thy land.

Do not make this
about me or us.

This is about
our country's soul.

Apart from you,

my country's welfare is
all I wish for.

Round your head
a tangling net is wound.

How can I hope to win you

if I take up arms
against the King?

The King would have
me deceive thee.

He believes it would hold thee
closer to the court.

I must pretend a love for thee
that is no pretence...

whilst pretending an affection
for a man I loathe.

So the King plays me.

And has me for a fool.

And you?

-Do you play me?
-I have no play.

Only love.

Fill the position

you were born to fill.

And stand by your people.

(DOOR OPENS)

Burn it, Tell! Burn it all!

TELL: Go! Go! Run!

(SUNA MUTTERS)

SOLDIER: Tell! This way.

(TELL GROANS)

-(VILLAGER YELLING)
-No. No. No.

(IN ARABIC)

(SUNA SPEAKS ARABIC)

(DOOR OPENS)

No. Stay. Safe. Safe.

-Stay. Stay here.
-Tell, we must leave.

(TELL GRUNTS)

SOLDIER: Kill them!
Kill them all!

Kill them!

-Kill them!
-(MAN GRUNTS)

Kill them! Kill them!

-(WOMAN WAILING)
-Leave them there!

SOLDIER: Burn it!

Burn them all!

-The boy. The boy!
-(GRUNTING)

(SOLDIER GASPS)

-(SUNA SCREAMS)
-No! No.

(SUNA SOBBING)

(SOLDIER GROANS)

Take it.

We have to leave now.
We have to leave now!

Move! Move! Move!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(BELL TOLLING)

COMMANDER:
Your orders are clear.

Arrest all those who pass
without bending the knee.

(FURST CHUCKLES)

Well, this cannot be Walter.

-WALTER: Furst.
-How you've grown.

-Are you well?
-Yes. You?

FURST: Listen.

I must speak
with your parents.

Here is some coin.

Skimble-skamble, young man.
Make yourself busy.

Salaam alaikum.

FURST: Greetings, Suna.

Have the others returned?

Yes, everyone we need
is in the chapel.

SUNA: Then we have
much to discuss.

But not here.

Shall we join them?

Yes.

WALTER: Hey.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

WOMAN: Come along, children.

Come now.

Watch the boy.

Are we to arrest the child?

The father.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

I'll go.

Walter, come. Let's be gone.

Father, why is there a helm
upon this pole?

It's no matter to us. Come.

COMMANDER: Stand.

I command you,
in the King's name.

-You've broken the mandate.
-Suna.

You must kneel
before the helm.

TELL: Er...

-Kneel, you say?
-COMMANDER: Kneel.

Your child, too.
Or you will be arrested.

-TELL: Friends...
-Go to the chapel.

There you will find some men.
Tell them to come here.

-Make haste.
-Be calm.

Kneel, or to prison
you shall go!

-Prison? Father.
-No.

Don't move.

To threaten me is one thing,

to scare my child is another.

STUSSI: He said kneel.

You hear that, Swiss?

You kneel.

SUNA: Sir?

Sir, please.

Just...

Just let me take my son.
He's but a boy.

This man is an enemy
to the King.

You're a traitor.

Will?

-Wilhelm, no!
-(PEOPLE GASPING)

SUNA: Tell, no!

A traitor?

Stop! This is Wilhelm Tell.

An honest man
and a worthy citizen.

-Let go of me, Tell.
-SOLDIER: Stand back!

Or you and your family
will be put to death.

SOLDIER: Stay back,
or I swear to God

you'll regret it!

STUSSI: Take him
away to prison.

-SUNA: No!
-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

-No!
-COMMANDER: Back!

Back away or face the sword!

Back!

Why do you take this man?

He has challenged
the King's sovereign power.

-And for this, to prison?
-FURST: Come, my friend,

have God's mercy
and let him go.

Hence with you.
Take him away to prison!

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

Try, if you dare,
to take this man away from us.

How dare you challenge
the Governor's command!

-Come on!
-(HORN TRUMPETING)

(HORN TRUMPETING)

Move! Make way
for the Viceroy!

(TRUMPETING CONTINUES)

SOLDIER: Stay back! Stay back!

Move back, now!

Move back!

(PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(PEOPLE BOOING AND JEERING)

STUSSI: My Lord!

This man was apprehended

for passing the helm
without obedience!

(SOFTLY) We need
to take him in quickly.

The crowd is growing hostile.

And waste a show?

Fortune has smiled
upon us. If he bows...

they will all bow.

Guards!

This does not bode well.

GESSLER: Keep those people
under control!

COMMANDER: Keep them in order!

Keep them in order!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

SOLDIER: Move back!
COMMANDER: Move back!

Weapons at the ready!

Tell, do you so lightly
hold our King

that you refuse
the greetings to the helm?

TELL: No, sir.

The action sprung
from inadvertence,

not from disrespect.

If you forgive me now,
as is in your gift,

I will go

and not offend again.

Then kneel.

I bend the knee to no man.

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

MAN: Yeah!

(PEOPLE JEERING)

'Tis dangerous to carry
deadly weapons, and yet...

you flaunt yours before us.

I hear you are a master

with that bow.

Do you deny

that this...

is yours?

Or do you deny
you are the archer

they say you are?

He is a master archer,
my lord!

-(SUNA SHUSHING)
-(PEOPLE GASP)

Is that boy thine, Tell?

Aye.

A mongrel boy.

(STUSSI CHUCKLES)

-Come here.
-No.

No, sir, please!

-No, sir, please!
-MAN: No. No.

Walter!

No! Walter!

(PEOPLE JEERING)

(PEOPLE BOOING)

MAN: Not the boy!

How good an archer is he?

-At a hundred yards...
-Oh, louder!

At 100 yards, he'll shoot
an apple off the tree.

Right.

Then you shall prove thy skill.

Take the bow
that thou wears so proudly

and make thee ready
to shoot an apple from...

your son's head.

-What?
-No!

-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
-Tell!

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

GESSLER: Look well
to thine aim,

for should you miss,

thy head

and thy wife's

shall pay
the ultimate forfeit.

What monstrous thing is this
you ask?

How can you play
with a child's existence?

Your challenging tongue
tests my patience.

Know your place, woman.

I am my mother's son
and my father's too.

-I will wear the apple.
-No! No!

Walter, you know not
what you do! (GRUNTS)

I command you to shoot
an apple from his head!

I would rather die.

Thou must shoot,
or with thee dies the boy.

Enough of this.

Do not jest, my Lord,
with these poor souls.

Who says that I jest, my lady?

Huh?

Get on your knees I ask you,

and beg the Viceroy
to spare your life

and the life of your family.

Do it for your son.

-My Lord...
-How dare you speak

before your counsel is asked.

FURST: In the name of God,
let me pass.

I'm a man of God.

COMMANDER: Ah.

(PEOPLE GASP)

(SCOFFS)

Let this suffice, sir.

Let justice yield
to mercy here.

Sir, I beg you,

-in the name of God...
-Don't.

...spare a father
this unnatural doom.

-Do not kneel to him.
-(FURST EXHALES)

Come here.

-Come here!
-SUNA: No! No!

-Put him against that pole!
-TELL: He's but a child!

SUNA: No! Please!
MAN: No.

Leave him be!

(SUNA SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(WALTER GRUNTS)

Here!

Here is the apple!

Commander,

pace out the distance
from that pole to the mark.

Twenty paces as the custom is.
Off you go.

Clear the way!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

MAN: Don't do it!

COMMANDER: Eight.

I cannot raise my bow
to my son.

Gessler, release me
from this shot.

Here.

Here.

Here's my heart.

Summon thy troops
and have them strike me down.

(SHUSHES)

-(TELL SIGHS)
-No.

I do not want thy life.

I want... (MIMICS WHOOSHING)

RUDENZ: Gessler!

You outstep your powers!

I owe reverence to the King.

He sanctions not this cruelty.

Thou growest bold!

RUDENZ: To be silent longer is

to be a traitor to my King
and country both.

Friends, I have been dumb
to the oppressions

-I was doomed to see.
-Silence!

The King is my Lord.

Not you!

-Let him go! (GROANS)
-(BERTHA SCREAMS)

(PEOPLE GASP AND SHOUT)

-(BERTHA SCREAMS)
-Halt!

You peasant churl.

The King will hear
of your treachery. Seize him.

Here is the spot!

Tell,

I apologise.

Yes, you helped

the wretch Baumgarten
across the lake

and...

he has slayed
my men in Schwyz.

BAUMGARTEN: This is madness!

-(MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
-It is I you seek!

I killed the Wolfshot.

(PEOPLE GASPING)

I alone should bear the guilt.

Release Tell.

Let this bloody business
be done.

Hold him.

(BAUMGARTEN GRUNTS)

You!

You are Baumgarten.
I should have known.

Well...

you shall not make poor
of our power again.

Wear your guilt in blood.

No!

(PEOPLE GASPING AND SHOUTING)

(SQUELCHING)

TELL: No!

TELL: No!

No!

Hold!

No more blood!

Take the shot
or more will die!

I will take the shot!

(SOFTLY) No.

I will take the shot!

Thou has shaken me
from any hope of peace,

turned the milk of humankind

as to rankling poison
in my breast.

Whatever the outcome
of this day,

it is on you.

Load thy bow.

Forgive me, Son.

The apple.

GESSLER: Fetch me a seat.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GRUNTS)

Tell. Tell?

Please.

Take the knee,

please.

(IN ARABIC)

GESSLER: Oh.

Yes.

Here we are, Tell.

Don't disappoint us.

(TELL BREATHING DEEPLY)

(BREATH TREMBLING)

(INHALES DEEPLY)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

(PEOPLE CLAPPING AND CHEERING)

The shot was good.

Woe to him who drove a man
to tempt God by such a feat.

GESSLER: Look to yourself,
Bertha, and learn obedience.

Take her away!

I am the King's niece!

You have no authority over me!

GESSLER: Tell!
BERTHA: Get off me!

Tell! Wow! What a shot indeed!

Wow! Tell...

Thou didst place
the second arrow in thy belt.

I saw it well, I see it now.

What was thy purpose with it?

Whatever it may be,

I promise thee thy life.

Wherefore the second arrow?

Well, if you promise
not to take my life,

I will take you at your word
and speak the truth.

Had my child been struck down,

the second arrow was

-for you.
-(SNICKERS)

-GESSLER: Arrest him.
-How dare you!

-(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
-How dare you!

-Take him away.
-(YELLING)

You can't do that!

-Stop!
-MAN: How dare you!

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

Help!

(GRUNTS)

I will never forget
how fearless you were today.

Take this.

Rudenz! Go back to your uncle,
raise an army.

Meet us at Ruetli.

Go, Rudenz, to the horses! Go!

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

Sir, we must move him hence.

What was 50 is now 100
and will soon be more.

We cannot control
this crowd, my Lord.

Then take him.
Entomb him in the dungeons.

By road?

If we parade him through
the towns and villages,

it will do nothing
but encourage revolt.

Take him by boat.
Stussi, he is in your charge.

PEOPLE: (CHANTING)
Tell! Tell! Tell!

Why not kneel, huh?

Such a small gesture.

You hear my brethren roar.

Do you think
the people will kneel now?

(PEOPLE CONTINUE CHANTING)

When you die...

these people, they will not
be shouting for you then.

There will be
no martyr's grave.

Your history...

will never be written.

Go on.

Go on!

(GRUNTS)

-Take him!
-(TELL LAUGHING)

PEOPLE: (CHANTING)
Tell! Tell! Tell!

Why?

You betray me...

and you betray your King.

BERTHA: The King
whom you have failed?

What will he say
when he learns of today?

Your heavy hand has
created a hero.

(GESSLER GRUNTS)

He will congratulate me

for killing

the Wolfshot's murderer

and arresting
the rebellion's leader.

All that is left...

is to decide your fate.

So I'm your prisoner?

Or my bride.

Obedience is not in my nature.

Mmm.

Well...

there is no dark mystery
to being a wife, but...

you will learn that.

Get off me, you animal!
Get off me!

Get off me!

(GESSLER SCREAMING)

(BERTHA GRUNTS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Touch me again and see
where this blade ends up.

A prisoner it is,

you sanctimonious whore.

(BELL TOLLING)

Oh, I fear I am too late.

(BELL TOLLING)

Rudenz.

(WHIMPERS)

My boy.

(ATTINGHAUSEN WHIMPERS)

Uncle.

Forgive me.

I am here,

chastened but wiser,

ready to proclaim
my loyalty to our house

and fight for what is ours.

A heart that sees
and owns its error...

claims my trust.

(ATTINGHAUSEN CHUCKLES)

Henceforth...

this castle shall
bear your name.

Oh, it is not just
your lands that I inherit.

Your heart and your spirit
live on in me.

(ATTINGHAUSEN BREATHES DEEPLY)

RUDENZ: My friends,

in shame,

I offered service
to the Austrian King.

No more!

With this cup,

in the name of Attinghausen,

I vow to strike
at the throat of our enemy.

One cup, one heart!

PEOPLE: One cup, one heart!
One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!
One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!
One cup, one heart!

These priests of my Order
will stand the watch

and let us know
if anyone approaches.

Follow me.

Give them your hands.

You are all welcome.

You, sir, is there not
a suit between us

about a piece of land
of ancient heritage?

We are enemies at court,

but here we can be one.

FURST: Reconcile
your differences in peace.

I regret we are forced
to meet here in secret

to plot crime
and black conspiracy.

STAUFFACHER: What is woven
in the gloom of night

shall free and boldly meet

the morning light.

-Halt!
-(INDISTINCT MURMURING)

STAUFFACHER: Who goes there?

-Friend or foe?
-RUDENZ: Hold!

Hold your swords, my friends.

I am a Swiss,

and I will act as one
with my whole heart and soul.

You bent the knee.

No more!

He is ancient Swiss.
We must respect his title.

The Baron of Attinghausen
is dead.

-What?
-(PEOPLE GASPING)

He now bears his name.

I was deaf
to my uncle's voice,

as I was blind
to my country's need.

But if you cannot accept
my presence here,

I shall leave.

GERTRUDE: If the new Baron
of Attinghausen wants

to join our fight,
then we should welcome him.

Our work tonight is
to make partnership,

to bring our tribes together.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Sir!

We must turn back!

Gessler's orders were clear!

(WOOD CREAKING)

(STUSSI GRUNTS)

Sail on!

TELL: Rage on, winds!

Lightnings, flash your fires!

This is nature's revenge

for making me raise
my bow against my son!

Gessler will summon
an army from the King.

If that happens,
we are finished.

We must strike.
We must surprise them

before they realise
we are united.

REDING: Then who shall lead?
There are three cantons here.

Let Uri take the sword.

Unterwalden will not
take orders from Uri.

-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
-Enough!

Enough.

I will not have

petty squabbles break
our resolve.

My husband is in chains.

And while we argue,
he suffers.

And they win!

GERTRUDE: Friends...

we are born of one blood.

Our children
of one common home.

We're all one heart.

Brothers...

sisters...

form a ring of steel.

Draw.

Plant your swords
of power within the ground.

The nations
around us have yielded

to a foreign conqueror.

But we here alone,

we have kept our freedom.

So tonight,

we form a bond.

Port side!

(BERTHA GRUNTING)

CAPTAIN: Fasten that rope!

Come on, faster! Move!

-SOLDIER: Captain!
-Brace!

-(CRASHING)
-(MEN GROANING)

(BERTHA YELPS)

The key!

There!

-(BERTHA GRUNTS)
-(SOLDIER GROANS)

(GRUNTING)

(SOLDIERS GROANING)

(SOLDIER GROANS)

-(BERTHA GRUNTS)
-(SOLDIER GROANS)

(SOLDIER SCREAMS)

-Tell!
-(ROARS)

Tell.

ALL: With his own good sword.

True brothers and sisters
never to part, in danger...

(TELL AND BERTHA SHOUT)

...or in death!

ALL: In danger or in death!

TELL: Oh. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Rest. Rest.

-Are you well?
-Yes, yes.

-(BERTHA GRUNTS)
-(LOCK CLICKS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

MAN: Tell!

TELL: Come. Come.

MAN: Tell, it's Kuoni!
TELL: Calm.

The Lord has manifestly
wrought a miracle

on thy behalf.

We can scarce credit
our own eyes.

What are you doing out
on such a night?

Well, we saw the shipwreck
and came to aid.

And aid I need.

I must track Gessler.

We spotted his troops earlier
on the road to Küsnacht.

He must pass through
the gorge of Küsnacht.

You can take him there.

There's only one way in,
one way out.

It is too treacherous for you
to travel on the public road.

It is patrolled by soldiers.

There's another way
through the mountains.

Few know it,
but I can show you.

-I hunt best alone.
-I know these woods!

I stayed here as a child.

They were my castles
and playgrounds.

Very well. You guide me.

We're all with you, Tell.

We are confederates all.

My friends,

I need your bows.

GESSLER: It is clear
Tell is not a man of...

empty words.

Now I pay the price
for not having killed him

when I had the chance.

Misfortune favours
my every move.

STUSSI: My Lord.

Sir.

-My Lord.
-Hold your tongue.

You have damned me.

Listen, sir.

He will strike you
in the gorge outside Küsnacht.

No, you listen!

How can I trust this
not to be false?

These men,

they met him last night
after the storm.

(CHUCKLES) Oh.

The princess was present.

To lose Tell is bad,

but to lose her too?

And now I am
messenger to the King,

and we all know...

what happens to messengers,
don't we, Stussi?

That does not have
to be the message, sir.

If you bring him Tell's head,
it will save your own.

Now, we must be cautious,

but we can trap him.

When he takes his shot
at you, sir, we will have him.

-So now I'm bait.
-'Tis only you he wants.

Then a target he shall have.
See it done.

Stussi,

go to the castle at Sarnen
and take command.

Hold it.

RUDENZ: We take Sarnen,
we cut off their supply lines.

-STAUFFACHER: Mmm.
-Then we can take Altdorf.

We hold our honour
higher than ourselves,

and we seek no praise
for this peril we suggest.

But the best way
to take Sarnen

is by stealth.

By stealth?

The harvest feast is
fast upon us.

'Tis custom for the serfs

to bring gifts
to the Governor.

Some 10 or 12 women can
easily hide amongst them,

their weapons concealed.

Once inside,
they can secure the gates.

SUNA: The men can wait
in the nearby woods,

and once we're in
and the gates are secured,

you can launch the attack.

Are we agreed?

STAUFFACHER: Aye.

The rest of the army
will camp at Altdorf.

We pray for your success
in taking Sarnen.

Once it's ours,

Altdorf is next.

May God's grace be with us.

It is an honour
to fight beside you.

The honour is mine.

(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)

(MAN SINGING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Our duty is served, my Lord.

Accept our gifts.

Kill them all!

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

We need to go.

(HORSES' HOOVES TRUDGING)

SOLDIER: Down
in the gully there, see?

TELL: We're expected.
They know we're here.

Take it.

-BERTHA: Where is he?
-Well, he's there somewhere.

You find me a way out.

I have to get closer.

COMMANDER: Pull up!

Hold. Hold!

-Wait for the second carriage.
-WAGON DRIVER: Yes, sir!

(GROANS)

(YELLING) You bastard!

SOLDIER: Where is he?

GESSLER: Oh,
you bastard, Tell!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

GESSLER: Tighter!

-SOLDIER: Where is he?
-Fall in!

-Yes, sir!
-GESSLER: You missed, Tell!

SOLDIER 1:
Stick together, men!

Split the troops
and surround him.

-(BOLT WHOOSHES)
-(SOLDIER GROANS)

-(HORSE NEIGHING)
-(GESSLER ROARS)

COMMANDER: Move!
SOLDIER: Yes, sir!

SOLDIER 2:
Where is the bastard?

-(BOLT WHOOSHES)
-(GESSLER GRUNTS)

-(BOLT WHOOSHES)
-(SOLDIER GROANS)

Start fleeing, Tell!

(BOLT WHOOSHES)

He is one man!

-Find him!
-(GROANS)

Find him!

COMMANDER: Move!

-Up there!
-SOLDIER: Fire!

(ROARING) Yes!

COMMANDER: After him!

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING
INDISTINCTLY)

(HORSE NEIGHS)

(BERTHA GRUNTS)

(TELL GROANS)

Tell!

(GROANS SOFTLY)

GESSLER: Tell!

(GRUNTING)

(GROANING)

-(ARROW WHOOSHES)
-(GESSLER GRUNTS AND PANTS)

(GROANS LOUDLY)

(GROANS)

BERTHA: Take this.

Nothing shall content me
till I'm even'd with him.

(GROANS)

Too much blood,

too little brain.

Revenge might drive you,
but it also blinds you.

What know you of such things?

I know
that anger blunts your power.

He missed you by how much?

By a breath of air.

Feel the pain.

-(SQUELCHES)
-(GROANS)

It dwarfs what you will feel
if you fail us.

Your ignorant abuses have
increased resistance,

allowed them to organise.

And you lost my niece!

-(SQUELCHES)
-(GROANS)

Kneel.

(GROANS)

God,

arm this man with the thunder
of your church

and lead him to victory.

(GROANS)

So where do we go from here?

We must move forward.

I face exile.

I have nothing to lose.

Then bring proportion
to your thoughts.

Go to the King,
use all your wits and grace

to dissuade him
from helping Gessler. Hmm?

I will try.

But do something for me.

Return to your people.

This is no longer about
our hate for one man.

Plan.

Organise.

Fight for our country.

GESSLER: God...

give me purpose and will

to secure the force
of the Lord.

I hope he listens to you.

Return to Altdorf.

Hold it until I can
raise an army.

PEOPLE: (CHANTING)
Tell! Tell! Tell!

(PEOPLE CONTINUE CHANTING)

WALTER: Father!

TELL: I feared
I'd never see you again.

What's wrong?

-SUNA: Tell.
-My love.

My heart.

SUNA: The attack failed.

We were betrayed.

They were waiting for us.

STUSSI: Open the gates!

SUNA: One of our own told
Gessler's men our plan.

We stood no chance.

-Kill them all!
-(WOMEN SCREAMING)

(ALL GRUNTING)

No!

I'm here. I'm here.

(GROANS)

SOLDIER: Shield! Shield!
SOLDIER 2: Cover!

(SOBBING)

No!

(STAUFFACHER CRIES SOFTLY)

SUNA: We are broken.

Bring us together.

Make us believe again.

What was over there

is now here.

There is a law
in each well-ordered nation

that curbs us
from our savage appetite.

And that law is God's law.

But God has long forgotten us.

And that law is no more.

Fight for her.

Fight for us.

With my own breath,

I will keep that faith.

With my own hands,
I will avenge,

but I need you strong.

Today, we are neither
farmer nor peasant,

nor gentleman or noble.

Today, we are Swiss.

ALL: Yes!

But, friends, we are in hell.

We need to claw our way out.

We need to show
the men of grosser blood

that we are ready...

to fight.

ALL: Yes!

For many years,
I hunted and killed alone.

I never wanted
part of any group.

I now know this course leads
to nothing but despair.

I failed!

I failed.

I failed to kill the man

who made me raise
my bow against my son.

And I failed to understand

that true brotherhood
bonds us...

makes us stronger.

But, friends, in war,

there's no margin for error.

One false whisper,
one late fist,

one missed arrow,
and you are...

dead.

Tomorrow there will be
no error.

Tomorrow we will
take back our homes,

our town, and our country.

And how will we do this?

Yes, we will
summon up our rage.

ALL: Yes!

We will summon up
our skills in battle!

-ALL: Yes!
-And we will teach our enemy

how we war!

(ALL CHEERING)

TELL: But most importantly,

we will be willing

to die.

Yes.

Whoever is willing

to die wins any fight.

So I want you to look
at the person next to you.

Look that person in the eye

and ask that person,

"Are you willing
to die for me?"

Do it. Do it.

Ask that person,

"Are you willing
to die for me?" Do it.

-(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
-TELL: Do it, everybody.

Do it. Do it.

Do it. I want
to see everybody do it.

Do it! Do it.

Look that person in the eye
and ask them,

"Are you willing
to die for me?"

"Are you willing
to kill for me?"

SUNA: I say yes! Yes!

Yes, they are!

Yes, they are!

Yes, they are!

Now raise your weapons
to the sky!

(ALL YELLING)

Climb out of hell

and claim back God!

(ALL YELLING)

-SOLDIERS: (CHANTING) King!
-(HORN TRUMPETING)

(CHANTING) King! King! King!

Stain the virtue
of your enterprise with blood,

and melt the spirit
of their people

with the hot sword
of vengeance.

Their youth shall
die in the field,

victim to your serried lances.

Let your will,

-mass, and might...
-BERTHA: Stop!

-...carry the Habsburg name.
-BERTHA: Halt!

-This must stop now!
-(SOLDIERS MURMURING)

I beg you, please,
stop this madness.

The Habsburg House is
not united in this cause!

(SOLDIERS GASPING)

Grant me a moment
of your time, my Lord.

Silence! What mean you
by this disruption?

You cannot rule like this!

You are feared
more than loved.

-(SCOFFS)
-Good men die in your name,

and each morn new widows howl.

I will hear no more of this.

She's unwell

and embarrasses herself.

Dispatch her!

-(INDISTINCT MURMURING)
-KING ALBRECHT: Go forth

-and march to Altdorf!
-BERTHA: No!

-(BERTHA SHRIEKING)
-SOLDIERS: (CHANTING) King!

(HORN TRUMPETING)

FURST: Should we attack,
the town will burn.

-And our people?
-FURST: Gessler.

He will kill them all.

A frontal attack

will mean their certain death.

Well, then we must
get men inside

and attack from within.

How?

You.

Did you help the Austrians
fortify the town?

Aye, sirs.
But not out of choice.

The town is sealed.
How did you get out?

There is a small tunnel, sir.

Leave.

(DOOR CLOSES)

On the morrow,
you will be dead.

By your own hand.

DUKE JOHN: They will
discover you in this room,

bled out from the wrists.

LEOPOLD: And your shame
will then be complete.

Either you do it, or...

You will.

I must protect my future.

BERTHA: Your future?

(CHUCKLES)

Know that he mocks you
in private...

and your inheritance is dust.

From you...

From you I expected more.

Are you happy
to watch him take my life?

I know you.

We played together
as children.

Then take it.
Take it and do it yourself.

-(DUKE JOHN GRUNTING)
-(MUFFLED SCREAMING)

(MUFFLED GROANING)

BERTHA: Where is he?

-(BERTHA GRUNTS)
-(GROANS)

(KING ALBRECHT GROANS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

GESSLER: Oh, you chant
and cry war, yet...

you have not the troops
to take the town.

Neither you to defend it.
You steal our air, Gessler.

Your air.

Should one arrow fall
upon these walls,

I will burn this town
to the ground

and all within it.

And you will burn with it.

Yes, I am a bastard
in mind and deed.

Born the very worst of men.

What may you have within
that you kill with such ease?

For all who take the sword
shall die by the sword.

I, too, am prepared to die!

That...

I just might live.

TELL: You're
a coward, Gessler.

You abuse the innocent,

use them as a shield.

-Let them go.
-No, no, no, no, no.

The King's troops will
be here soon.

You can't get into the town.

If you try,

you will kill
your own good people.

TELL: Those "good" people are
camped out here in full view

and grow in number every day.

Why not take us?

GESSLER: Best to keep distance
from the acrid smell of Swiss.

It's disgusting!

-Tell, enough of this.
-(SOLDIERS GROANING)

These peasants...

their passion...

FURST: Hide until first light.

GESSLER: ...does not
match their skill...

-And then we take the gates.
-...in battle.

My army will not
attack the town.

By sunrise,
you will let my people leave,

and I will let you...

live.

STAUFFACHER:
(SOFTLY) That's it.

They'll be in by now.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(HORSE NEIGHS)

-They're inside, sir.
-Well observed.

I should cut you now,

and wash you in blood,
you servile little shit!

Who are you? Who sent you?

You're not meant
to be up here.

(SCREAMING)

-(SOLDIERS GROANING)
-Sir!

-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
-They're dressed as priests!

(SOLDIERS SHOUTING
INDISTINCTLY)

(SOLDIERS GROANING)

Man the gates, both of you.

-Now!
-COMMANDER: Sir.

Man the gates!

And kill all the priests!

Now!

(ALL ROARING IN UNISON)

MAN: Now!

SOLDIER: Look out!

(SOLDIERS GROANING)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

SOLDIER 2: Take cover!

Protect yourselves!

Get that gate open! Hurry!

MELCHTAL: I'm trying!

(ARROWS WHOOSHING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Stay tight!

Fire!

SOLDIER: Get back in line!
Stay there!

-Formation!
-MAN: Formation!

Formation!

Formation!

Forward!
We need that gate open!

(GRUNTS)

(MEN GRUNTING IN UNISON)

Come on!

(GRUNTS)

(MEN GRUNTING IN UNISON)

Charge!

(ALL YELLING)

Easy.

(YELLING)

Rudenz!

-(FURST ROARING)
-(SOLDIER SCREAMING)

(GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTING AND YELLING)

RUDENZ: Gessler!

Finally.

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(RUDENZ GROANS)

(ROARS)

(BOTH STRAINING)

(RUDENZ GROANING)

(STUSSI GRUNTS)

(RUDENZ EXHALES)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Let him bleed.

Come here.

WALTER: Help me!

(WALTER WHIMPERING)

WALTER: Stauffacher, help me!

Help me!

Stauffacher!

-(SOLDIER GROANS)
-(GESSLER GRUNTS)

-MELCHTAL: Tell!
-Walter.

-Keep moving forward.
-Walter!

MAN: Forward!

Keep pushing!

TELL: Walter!

(SHOUTS)

(WOMEN AND CHILDREN SCREAMING)

MELCHTAL: Wait.

Take one more step,
and they will all burn.

Guards!

(WOMEN SCREAMING)

Tell, your life is intact

and your son's too.

If you want him...

and these people to live,
you will let us leave.

Lay down your bow

and order your men
to do the same.

Shoot him.

I cannot raise my bow
to my son again.

Do it!

(HORN TRUMPETING)

(HORN TRUMPETING)

Look. Yes.

See that, Tell?

(HORSE NEIGHING)

An army comes for you.

(SOLDIERS CHANTING
INDISTINCTLY)

Lay down your weapons!

Lay them down, you Swiss dogs!

-Lay them down.
-TELL: Hold.

-GESSLER: Now.
-Hold.

You are lost!

You're finished!

Your heads will be on pikes.

GESSLER: Surrender now!

Now!

Retreat!

The King is dead!

Look!

(LAUGHS)

MELCHTAL:
The army is retreating!

(PEOPLE CHEERING)

No, no, no, no, no. No! No!

Stussi, stay. Stay with me.

Stussi, wait. Wait!

Pick up your weapons now.
Do not surrender.

Stay with me!

Hold strong!

Do not lower your weapons!

Do not drop your weapons!

Stay with me!

MELCHTAL: Take them!

(GESSLER GRUNTS)

(GESSLER GROANS)

Walter! Walter!
Come here! Come to me!

(PEOPLE CLAMOURING)

(GESSLER GROANING)

You... (GRUNTS)

You live a deadly lie, Tell.

You promised your flock
freedom and redemption,

yet you've given them
nothing but blood.

Go on, kill me.

There'll be another Gessler,

and you will never... (GROANS)

outgrow your hunger for rage.

You are a poison.

And you will
leave this world...

unsaluted.

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(GESSLER GROANING)

And one...

less Gessler...

is a victory...

I'll take for now.

(GESSLER GRUNTS)

Move away, Son.

We are huntsmen, not savages.

What is this?

Is this pity?

Huh? Mercy?

Huh?

Tell?

(GROANS)

(GESSLER GRUNTS)

Tell!

Tell!

(FURST RECITING PRAYER
IN LATIN)

(BELL TOLLING)

Amen.

TELL: (IN ENGLISH)
Farewell, my friends.

The graves of war have yawned

and yielded up their dead.

My heart...

is broken.

You refused
to let tyranny rage,

and you made
steel of our valour.

Now you are...

no more.

But, God,

answer me this.

When will
this bleeding business of war

be done?

BERTHA: Hyah!

QUEEN AGNES: God,

I am no longer woman.

I ask you to unsex me here,

then arm me with the thunder
of the church.

I seek righteous vengeance
for my father's blood.

And I vow before you, God,

to kill all those
who rallied against him.

-Their servants...
-SUNA: Tell.

...their children,
and children's children.

I vow

to slaughter whole generations
upon his tomb

and bathe in their blood
as in the dew of May.

SUNA: We feared you dead.

Many want it so.

Is it true?

I could think
of no other option

that would make
his army turn around.

Our country owes you.

Come, join us.

But you must know this.

Even now,
the cruel Queen Agnes comes.

She is protected

by the foul righteousness
of the cross...

and seeks your head, Tell...

and all you know.

SOLDIERS: Queen!

SOLDIERS: Queen!

SOLDIERS: Queen!

SOLDIERS: Queen!

SOLDIERS: Queen!

SOLDIERS: Queen!