Original subtitles

There was a photograph of Bogumil on the wall.

I collected the children's pictures.

But I forgot Bugumil's.

Even now I forgot abut him.

Oh, God! If only this upheaval in the course of history...

could stop for a moment...

and let Bogumil's photograph be rescued!

Mrs Niechcic!

The town hall's on fire! Everything's on fire!

I've rented a cab. Pack your things.

Hurry! Or we'll never get away!

Come on! Or it'll be too late!

Nights and Days.

Screenplay by Jerzy Antczak

From the novel by Maria Dabrowska

Starring

Part one: Bogumil and Barbara

Basia, dance with me.

Mama!

I'm so happy.

Why aren't you dancing, Basia?

Mr.Josef!

After the gallop you'll lead the quadrille.

First, madam, a mazurka!

You promised it to me!

Once your wedding's over...

we can marry offTeresa to her Kociello and then...

And the it will be Barbara's turn.

I have the very man for her.

One who likes what?

Water lilies!

Bogumil... Wilt thou take this woman, Barbara,

to be thy lawful wedded wife?

I will.

Barbara... Wilt thou take this man, Bogumil...

to be thy lawful wedded husband?

I will.

I don't love him,Teresa.

It's impossible to love a man, who...

Teresa, is it possible...

to love one man all your life?

I don't know. I've never been truly in love.

What about Lucian?

Lie down.Get some rest.

Get some rest.

I gather that in Kaliniec they're saying I'm engaged.

Scotch this gossip. If it comes to the worst, I'll say no.

I'll say no and it will all blow over.

Wake up, Lucian! Look at what my sister's up to!

She says she's given up dressmaking...

And is now giving arithmetic lessons. How about that?

She's sensibly gone back to her old likings.

Just like you, returning to your old bachelor ways!

I warn you! There'll be trouble!

Don't threaten me!

People are snubbing us.

Stop threatening and nagging me!

Barbara's not coming here for the holidays either.

She's spending them at Bork with the Ladas.

A party at Ladas must have everything!

Squash, hum, drink, cards, dancing!

Music!

I swear, it's like touching a piece of silk.

Miss Barbara is like a daughter to us.

When she visits us the sun seems to peek into our house.

I, Bogumil,

Take thee, Barbara...

To be my wedded wife...

To have and to hold...

For richer, for poorer...

In sickness and in health...

A Lada party must have everything!

Squash, hum, dancing...

Who's the young lady in the colored dress?

- I'll introduce you to her. - No, no, later.

There's no later at the Ladas! I'll introduce you.

Why intrude?

This minute!

Miss Barbara, may I present our hero...

Mr Bogumil Niechcic.

I, Barbara...

Take thee, Bogumil...

To be my wedded husband...

To have and hold

For better, for worse

For richer, for poorer...

In sickness and in health...

To love cherish and obey...

Till death do us part.

Long live Mr.Toliboski!

Bravo, Mr. Josef!

Would you believe it?

Mr.Toliboski got married.

He has married a plain but rich young heiress.

The wedding was in Warsaw.

But they're going to live a few miles from here at Borowno...

which is the bride's dowry.

Won't they ever stop that racket?

My head's bursting!

They have to tune up and get ready.

Couldn't they do that at home?

Why is everybody staring at me?

Oh!They're looking at that Niechcic fellow.

Surely they must see his faults.

His lack of education.

His uncouthness!

No. In his new suit he cuts quite a figure.

Surely so handsome a man still in his prime...

could have found a wealthier and prettier match?

Heavens! Suppose he falls for that girl?

He's proved he's capable of love at first sight!

No. I think he really does love me.

Never mind that he's in his thirties.

I'll never see eighteen again either.

If I back out now nobody will ever want to marry me.

Don't let me disturb you.

Ijust wanted to show the house to my fiancee.

What's to see? You'll have your fill of this pigsty yet!

Off with you, children! Upstairs!

Whose are these children?

Those?The present factor's a Mr Winczewski.

That's his wife. They're leaving Krepa.

This whole house will be ours then.

The whole house, madame.

It has some very nice rooms. I can show you.

Large, bright...

No, I can look around some other time.

Some other time.

It looks a mess but it's going to be renovated.

I don't have to see it today.

I know it must look a little daunting...

- but wait till it's renovated. - But honestly, I've seen nothing,

I like as much as Krepa.

Beautiful hair...

I also had such long, beautiful hair.

Now it's all come out.

- Excuse me, sir. -Who are you pushing, oaf?

I have a message for Mr Niechcic.

You'll get the hang of it in time.

I'll teach you everything.

Chickens, ducks, guinea hens...

each have to be set differently.

And their eggs are also checked differently.

I know.That much I've already learned.

How's the work going?

Uphill. In this cold and rain.

Hard to work.

The potatoes are rotting.

It beats me completely,Walenty.

The barometer's set fair but look at the weather!

If it goes on raining, everything'll rot.

Careful, or you'll bang your head.

You should raise lots of poultry.

And hogs. Hogs pay best.

What's the matter?

We won't get the Winczewski house.

They have to stay on a few more months.

I deceived you. I promised you the earth and now...

But, Bogumil, I really do like it here.

Sir!

I'm awake... I'm awake.

The Uprising continues and is near to victory.

Ijust dropped in to see you and I have to get back.

You can't.There are Cossacks in the village.

Besides I told you...

that in the last battle your unit was routed.

And that you have to wait...

You have to wait for a courier to tell you...

where you are to assemble.

Your favorite Chopin prelude, Barbara.

The ''Insurrectionary''.

Do you know that song?

No, I've just heard it. I like it.

I thought you sang it in the Uprising.

No, we didn't.

During the uprising Uncle Klemens was wounded in the head.

We dragged him half-dead off the battlefield.

But since then his mind's been clouded.

He kept thinking he had to go back and fight.

- Bogumil! -What's happened?

- Do those dogs ever stop howling? -What's wrong, Basia?

I'm sure I'll die giving birth.

Take me to Kaliniec.

I want to see Mama andTeresa one last time.

Calm down.They are howling just like village dogs do.

Jesus.

Calm down, please.

You can't possibly not stay for the fete.

I don't feel up to it. I'd much rather return to Krepa.

On this of all days?

When we've organized everything?

We couldn't have without Lucian's help.

He used his influence to persuade the governor...

that this is a charity affair.

Look what I get because of Michasia.

Michasia, please.

I can't just sit at home.

I keep up the piano, breed dogs...

and though we have no children,

I cultivate domestically.

Dear Ladies, let me report,

that the crews are ready!

Michasia, for God's sake, you'll fall in the water.

Calm down.

Such is my life.

Michasia spends her whole time wheeling and dealing.

A lottery concession here...

Property deals there...

Daniel! Of what interest can our businesses be to Barbara?

I never have her to myself.

Bravo for the winning crew!

Bravo for the winners!

...they have founded three nurseries, an old people's home,

the cyclist's society, a charity society...

On this solemn day, tribute must be paid

to two remarkable women, who have organized today's festivities.

I refer to... the two loving wives.

Why can't I shine like them?

They never even completed high school.

But they've acquired social graces from mixing with people.

Until recently Michasia thought Darwin was a city.

You must leave the country.

You can't be a factor's wife forever.

For country people there's only one answer: move to the city.

It's only there that you can get on in the world.

In business, industry, government. There's no end of openings.

All you need is a little drive and your fortune's made.

We'd soon find something for Mr. Bogumil.

An insurance agency, some business or other.

Ask Lucian, how many people he's helped.

That's right, ask Lucian.

I can see no future for us.

No life, if we go on languishing there, in Krepa.

Come to bed, Barbara. We'll be home tomorrow.

And rot there the rest of our lives!

Know how they see us? As housekeepers!

I've been worse than that in my life.

What lives those two lead!

Always doing something!

If we moved to the city, I could also make something of my life.

I knew that if you came here you'd want to leave me.

Who says, I want to leave you?

You do.You wouldn't be having all these other ideas otherwise.

Stop going on at me! I'm miserable enough as it is.

Why are you miserable?

Because I'm sick. Can't you see?

For God's sake, why aren't you asleep yet?

As for those two, wait till I give them a piece of my mind!

I'll tell them all!

He's asleep again.

He does nothing, but sleep.

What's the matter?

I came to fetch you.

I can't believe it! Really?

Oh, my dearest! She came to fetch me.

Look, forty wagonloads today.

I'll show you something.

Look at my oat crop!

Pure gold!

Straight into your hand!

You really came to fetch me?

I can't believe it!

Do you think, that if I paid them by the acre,

they'd get it done quicker?

How is it that you never finished school?

Your family always set so much store by education.

It's true.

I haven't completed my education.

For nine years I wandered abroad

mixing with men without a future and I too was doomed.

When at last I dragged myself out of that mire

and returned here

I soon got the feeling

that something would pull me back into the pit.

It was only when I met you that there gleamed a hope

that I still had a chance, that I could sill end up a man.

I don't know, what made me so bold.

But I sensed that you too were troubled.

And that if we shared our load, it would be lighter.

I didn't want to pry.

I was sure I could help you get over it

and that you could help me make something of my life.

In what way?

All I knew was that if I had you...

I could still be of service to the people.

I thank the fate that, marring without love,

it was him, I was given for a husband.

Thank God I never told him that I didn't love him.

Out!This is as far as I go.

What do you mean? You can't turn us out here!

Can't you see, what's going on? The Prussians!

Jesus Christ.

People, give way!

Piotr Niechcic Died: age four.

When you were ill,

and I thought I was going to lose you,

I made a vow, that if God spared you,

we would leave this place.

I thought, that if we move, your spirits might revive.

I wrote toTeresa asking her to see,

if there was anything interesting going.

Her reply arrived today.

She says, that a mile from Kaliniec

there's an estate with a vacant stewardship.

The owner's lawyer, Mr. Daleniecki, is in Kaliniec

and wants to sign the papers at once.

The estate is called Serbinow.

And what do you think?

I guess I'd miss Krepa.

When it came to the point, I took fright. I must be getting old.

But we can't stay here forever. This could be our lucky break.

But how can we leave a place

where Mama, Uncle Klemens, Piotr are burried?

Piotr isn't here, or there or anywhere.

Take me to my children in Nieznanow.

Please, take me to my children! Please, take me to Nieznanow!

To my children!

And now-the dance! Everybody, come to the ballroom.

No, no, please!

If we could dispense with the dancing...

Please, no dancing.

I mean, please enjoy yourselves

but I'm afraid, my husband and I can't.

We shouldn't dance.

But what about the musicians?

They can play. Nobody will mind.

Of course. Let them play.

Josef, the polonaise!

Remember five years ago?

I gave a welcome dance for you.

I introduced you to each other.

It all began at the Ladas.

Heavens! Five years!

I swear it's like touching

a piece of silk.

Oh, Mr.Jan...

Mr.Jan.

I haven't seen you in five years.

-You're even lovelier than then. -You're too kind.

You dance with the school teacher, but not with me?

For old time's sake.

I can't dance.

I can drink, but not dance.

Let me go!

Mr.Jan! I'm not dancing.

I'm not allowed to dance.

Let me go!

I'm not allowed to dance.

Please, I'm not allowed to dance.

You're drunk.

That's right.

You knew, I was fond of a drink.

You shouldn't have let me.

But you preferred to have a good time.

What did Lada say to you?

Nothing.

Did he insult you?

It's no insult to a woman.

It may disgust her...

but not insult her.

I see. If you're not insulted, by some roughneck's advances,

you obviously no longer love me.

It means, you'll leave me.

If I wanted to leave you, I'd have done it long ago.

Two years ago a man fell in love with me.

-Who? -Just a man.

He wanted me to leave you. He proposed.

Who was it?

Your hands are like iron! You're hurting me!

I'll tell you, before you start getting any wild ideas.

But let go!You're hurting me!

-The school teacher at Bork. -The school teacher?

-What did you do? - Nothing, I laughed.

I'm not the unfaithful type. Or the loving.

A vow is a vow.

So that's what was going on behind my back!

Nothing went on!

Fancy even talking like this! At our age!

Once you had Piotr. Now you're alone.

Now I know you'll deceive me, desert me.

That's as may be...

but I'll certainly never tell you anything again!

Really.

I won't deceive you.

Oh, God.There was never mud like this at Krepa.

And you agreed to take all this on?

We're back on the rocks just when we'd gotten afloat again.

Come on now! Pulling this estate into shape

- is what I call a real challenge. - But think of the views at Krepa!

Just fields and woods.

Here it's so dark and gloomy. All you can see are the ponds.

But at Krepa you were always complaining.

Not at the views!

Come and take a look with me!

You never saw such wide open spaces! And the soil! Come and see.

I'm fed up with walks!

Besides, until the Lalickis leave, I shall be eating my heart out.

I can't leave.

The job I was promised has fallen through.

And I refuse to impose on relatives.

Believe me, nothing will grow here.

You'll never get rid of this couch-grass.

And you'll end up like me.

Nobody can make a go of this place. Nobody!

You'll curse the day you came here!

Old rags, turkey feet, chicken feet...

Good Morning!

I'm Shimshel. Shimshel of Kurza.

And something tells me,

that a nurse will soon be needed here.

And Shimshel will bring one!

But we have no children.

Is that so hard?

If there's love, there have to be children, too.

Once happiness has blossomed here

and his honor has mended holes in the roof,

and plastered the porch...

and his good lady planted flowerbeds,

Shimshel sees lots of children here... Lots of children!

And what will they will be like? Pure honey!

It must have been a cloudburst.

Hurry up!

It's no use patching things up. We need new roofs.

These are rotten.

Store the seeds in the outbuilding and the house.

Two more weeks of this and we'll drown!

Faster, faster!

Lalicki! Give me an axe!

Here!

My goodness! It'll flood the whole house!

Stables, cowsheds, pigpens- they're all awash.

There's no alternative.

I'll have to put that binder in the here.

Faster! Get on moving!

Shoe the horses properly!

Banasiak! Get over to that field beyond the moor!

And see that you don't overheat the horses!

How am I expected to come in? Through the window?

Turning a house into a barn!

Oh, God! It's too much!

Bogumil! Let's clear out to Kaliniec. You're sure to find a job there.

Fine folk!Turning a house into a barn!

You hear them? Hear what they're saying?

If they don't shut up...

I'll give them a piece of my mind!

They're not worth it, Barbara!

Put the harrows in the shed.

I'm moving out at last.

Lend me a couple of wagons.

And remember, nothing will grow here.

You'll end up just like me! Goodbye!

Everything's coming apart.

But I'll lick that couch-grass.

All it needs is a few years sweat.

Making the estate actually pay will have to wait.

I won't write to Daleniecki. He complained,

that my predecessors did nothing, but demand money.

We'll have to cover minor outlays ourselves.

How?

I'll have to borrow.

We'll be ruined.

What can we do here?

Everything will rot and we'll die of fever.

Some of these ponds will have to be filled in.

But maybe I'm wrong?

Maybe the ponds will make the plants grow?

No, we mustn't rush things.

There's so much to be done.

Hushaby, my love, hushaby...

Why are you still up? Do we both have to kill ourselves?

Don't smoke so much. It could be bad for you.

What does that matter? What does all this matter?

All what?

This world.Our sleepless nights.

These people, even us.

We're born, we die...

but everything goes on regardless.

Why are you in such a black mood again?

We have t keep with the local gentry, don't we?

We can't live like freaks.

Know what these country gentlemen are?

Ignorant jackanapes!

They think their estates will last forever.

Besides, to go out you have to have something to wear.

And I don't have anything.

You have that gleaming dress with the gleaming bodice.

You can go anywhere in that and be the belle of the ball.

Firstly, I haven't worn it for years.

Secondly, you'd find me attractive in a sack!

Break!

Yes, the break!

Marychna, I love you so much.

Stop it, children are watching.

Two more days of sunshine and we'll have the rye in.

Excuse me, sir.

There's somebody to see you.

-What's the matter? - I'm Roman Katelba.

I was sent by Mr Daleniecki.

So you're Roman Katelba.

We're busy harvesting.

Back to work!

Back to work!

Afine harvest. Right on time.

I don't count my chickens, Mr Katelba.

Where did you train?

- I have all the papers with me. - Put them away.

Me Daleniecki recommendation is good for me.

Yes! I like to go to Peszke's wineshop.To play cards.

I'm not like most of our friends.

I prefer a short life and a merry one to hanging about salons...

and kowtowing to the governor.

And don't tell me

I'm to blame for our marriage breaking up.

You and your ridiculous pride!

''I don't need your money. I can earn my own living!''

Any wonder? When I saw you'd gone back to your bachelor ways

and refused to put your family and home first...

I began teaching.

That's what hurt me most! I can never forgive you that!

-What's the matter? -That's nothing.

I'm growing old and my nerves are frayed.

I expected to find you ill and gone to seed

but you look a picture.

Stay the evening, please.

I came to visit you, but I gather you're going away again.

Yes, I'm taking the girls to Lithuania for the summer.

I feel like burying myself in some backwater,

where nobody could set eyes on me.

I'll come over to Serbinow tomorrow or the day after.

All right.

What's the matter?

You looked at me the way Piotr used to.

And he brushed his hair back just like that.

It's incredible, but I've only just noticed, that he is...

that he was, so much like you.

You and Bogumil.

Why go to Lithuania? Spend the summer with us.

You've promised to visit so often.

No. I have to go to Lithuania.

Krepa! Krepa!

That's where it all began.

What?

What began in Krepa?

What began in Krepa?

- I must be going. -What's the rush?

There's something the matter with me.

I have to see the children.

Please, Bogumil, tell them to harness up and drive me back.

A great deal has changed in my life.

I never thought I'd ladder so easily.

Ladder?

Yes - like a stocking.

I put too much trust in life...

and that's what lost me.

Oh, Bogumil!

-There! I forgot about flowers. -Thank you.

But trust Bogumil to rememeber.

-You'll suffocate from the scent. - I'll leave a window open.

Come and see us on Sunday. I insist!

Bye.

Thank you very much. Bye.

Good bye.

It was nice, wasn't it?

Don't you speak to me.

What have I done?

You made me look a fool.

Heaping flowers on people behind my back!

I simply had some spring cut. I've done it before, often enough.

No! It's me who cuts flowers for guests.

Besides, that's not a point.

Just tell me how didTeresa know, who to thank for the flowers?

-There's something between you. -What are you talking about?

You loveTeresa, don't you?

I do not love Teresa.

What's so odd about me being pleased to see her?

I even think of her and that's as far as it goes.

As far as it goes.

Still, I must say I'm happy, that for once I've made you jealous.

- I am not jealous. -Yes, you are.

Not over you! God! You're so dense!

You're jealous, so you must love me.

Have it your way. And you think that's a proof of love?

You're wrong!

The man I love, could shower, God knows who, with flowers

and I'd forgive him.

I am not jealous. Not in the way you think.

I can't bear the thought

of once again being talked of as a woman thrown over.

Yes, now I understand.

Bogumil.

I've known all along that you don't love me.

As for that other man,

I learned about him before we became engaged.

But I preferred to think it was just an idle fancy.

Besides, you said yourself you loved nobody

and I swallowed that.

I didn't say that to hurt you.

I never did love anybody. Except...

Except?

You.

-Come back. - And make things even harder later.

The girls are with me at Serbinow.

Perhaps you'd like me to bring them here?

If I die...

If I die... In the chest of drawers

No, no. not the chest of drawers.

I've forgotten.

If I die...

You're better now, aren't you?

You're better.

The doctor says you can drink buttermilk and fresh cream.

If I die...

I'll go to Serbinow and bring you some.

In the chest of drawers...

I'm moving to Czestochowa.

I'm building a big cementworks.

I've had enough of this sybaritic existence.

Carousing to all hours of the night.

Shady business deals.

That's all right for Michalina.

The doctors have told me to stop drinking. Fools!

They're trying to frighten me, but I'll outlive them all.

I know everything's going to go right for me.

ThatTeresa will help me.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

Reason tells me not to, but I can't help feeling...

that death... that the dead...

I believe thatTeresa will help me.

None of you realize, what losing her has meant to me.

Yes...

Well, I'd better be going.

Afew weeks, before she went abroad...

she packed her letters here.

She asked me to give them to you if she died.

I have a fervent request to make of you,Thad.

I want you to return the letters...

which I have written to you in these past years.

They must disappear along with the memory

of our ill-fated, but blissful meetings.

I owe that both to you...

and to Lucian and the children.

But that is a matter between me and God.

Look,Teresa! A lark!

Look at what the rain and hail have done to my crop!

Young Krepski the owners's son. He's just returned from a sanatorum.

Isn't he handsome?

I can't see anything special about him.

Good morning.

I enjoyed myself.

I've missed a lot, not visiting you.

But know you'll never see the last of me.

I'll be calling frequently, whether you invite me or not.

You'll always be most welcome.

Well? Isn't he ever so attractive?

Not to me, he isn't.

Why not?

Doesn't he ever come to life?

When he has to.

The one thing I like about him is his calm.

But he walks about as if he was miles away.

But that's part of his charm.

- I fear that... -What?

Nothing.

I' m so tired, that all I long to do...

is lie down and sleep like a log.

You don't like me, want me, any longer.

No! I do like you. But I'm kept so busy...

by the house, the children, everything.

Things will change, believe me, just be patient. I beg you.

Just be patient.

I see you don't recognize me. It's me old Shimshel.

Old rags, turkeyfeet, chickenfeet...

- How are you getting on? - I'm in the haulage business.

To Kaliniec, to Czalbow.

Carrying goods and people.

Especially people, right now.

But I'd rather not earn a single kopek,

than have to witness these misfortunes.

And now, I'm ready to take you, wherever you wish.

Five versts from here is the village of Borowno.

The village of Borowno.

And theToliboski estate is about two versts beyond it.

No, not there. I've changed my mimd. Turn back!

I'm sure one of the peasants will put us up for the night.

What will you find there? Dirt and stink.

But Mr Toliboski is a fine gentleman.

His isn't a manor. It's a palace.

He'll welcome you with open arms.

I'm doing very well, Uncle Joachim.

Two fine daughters

and now a son.

Nothing wrong with daughters,

but for a boy there are always better prospects.

Joachim, look at what a beautiful grandson I have.

A lovely little boy.

Look at his hands... his eyes.

He looks like Basia.

Your health, Lucian.

Look at him, Barbara.

I don't recognize him.

Why isn't Lucian drinking?

Lucian, Barbara's worried that you're not drinking.

We'll see about that.

You can't refuse me.

For shame! Draping yourself

all over another man, a widower to boot.

What will she think of me? She'll spread it all over town.

Why are you so sad, Lucian?

You're not drinking. I've been watching you.

I've drained many a barrel in my time. Enough is enough.

How is business?

Fine. Business is fine.

Except, that I don't feel well.

I have to take care.

And that's tiring.

Laugh it off!You'll live to be a hundred.

I can't go on. I'm too old.

Everything will be all right, you'll see.

You look fine.

- Really? - Really.

Lucian.

Just look at Michalina.

Stop it! I've had enough

of your rows and eternal scenes of jealousy.

I'm leaving.You can't live with people who don't heat their houses.

I'll move in with Bogumil.

Cheers!

Here at least I feel needed.

I wish I had come earlier.

Here it's so nice and relaxed.

I'm cut out for country life.

And there's always someone around. Not like at Michalina's.

There it's always gloomy and empty.

-Josepha? -What?

Give me your arm and walk back to the house.

I'm short of breath.

I'm not paid to wait on feeble old biddies.

-Want me to wipe you as well? -Get out of here this minute!

I'll pay you what's due then clear out!

Help me, I'm dying!

Maybe he's ill?

My little sunshine.

Easy now, mother, please.

What's the matter?

She sneezed into the snuffbox and got it into her eyes.

Go away, all of you!

He can stay. He won't hurt me.

We'll wash your eyes and you'll be fine.

Remember this, write it down.

You're an angel, a real angel.

I'll be good now. I promise.

Will I be better?

Of course you will. Good as gold.

Keep an eye on my mother.

If she tries to go out, stop her. Even forcibly!

I'll not be kept in a prison.

Don't you dare spy on me or tell tales!

Who's spying?

Better still, fetch Bogumil.

He alone understands me.

I don't know, what we're to do with her.

She's now relieving herself on the floor.

I take her out- no, but as soon as she's back in her room...

Calm down, my dear.

What are we going to do?

Send for Dr.Wettler?

He was here three days ago.

Let's call him again.

Don't cry, my baby.

What's the matter?

He's crying and crying.

Him ill, her ill. I can't take any more.

Don't cry.

What good old days they were! I was young and pretty.

One of my suitors was... Never mind!

I preferred reading old romances!

Countess Czarnowska and I used to sneak up into the attic...

so nobody could find us.

One day I tripped up in the dark and knocked a tooth out.

I love this room. Do you know why?

It reminds me of when I was a girl.

All your rooms reminded me of lavender and wax.

How long ago it was!

Why don't we sing something?

What do we sing?

''Buckle on Your Swords''?

I expect someone from the family will come before the funeral

and afterwards we ought to provide luncheon.

You'd better instruct the servants.

If you're feeling so detached...

that you can think about entertaining...

why don't you see that?

For me death is too awful to be bothered with distractions,

whose one object is to gorge and souse yourself.

Wait!

Where are the children?

Thomas is in the pantry.

The girls are in the room with the body.

I wanted them to see it being laid out.

I told them to pick some flowers.

Let them learn so they'll know...

how to prepare us for burial.

My God!

Dragging children into it!

You've become no better than yokels!

You're whole family!

Wallowing in your Serbinow bog!

You've no heart! No feelings! None of you!

I remember my mother as a highly intelligent women.

There was no company like hers.

I could die at the thought of that life having drained away.

And you fuss over guests and luncheons!

Oh God!To think you have to say something so terrible...

to compose yourself!

Show me your children, Bogumil.

Thomas is asleep

and the girls are in the garden.

I'll fetch them.

How's your health?

The same.

The doctors look wise and tell me to stop drinking.

My daughters.

Curtsy, girls, curtsy.

What are your names?

- Agnieszka. - Emilia.

What? Speak up?

- Agnieszka. - Emilia.

- Agnieszka and Emilia? -Yes.

Very pretty names.

Bring them round to Piekary some day.

These arithmetic exercises are a mess!

Stop yawning or you'll strain your jaw.

There!Thomas has a critical mind.

Emilia? You're so thick!

What's going on?

Can't you light a fire?

Maybe the wood's damp?

- Ijust can't do it. -The wood must be damp.

I've blown till my head's spinning.

By the look of it I expect the chimney needs cleaning.

I don't know, Ijust don't .

Back to the barnyard!

God knows, where you dug up these good for nothings!

Bone idle, but the'll eat you out of house and home!

Write, my child.

Barbara!

Look at the letter, that just came from Paris!

From Daleniecki. His letters bore me.

From Daleniecki. Read it, please.

''Dear Mr. Bogumil, I have just received your remittance for the revenue...

from the last year's beat crop.''

I am amazed and delighted.'

- Delighted? - ''Not so much by the actual sum,

...as by such a bumper crop.' ''When I put you in charge

of the waste that Serbinow was eleven years ago...

Eleven years!

''In your hands Serbinow has become...

an estate without it's match for miles around.'

No wonder, seeing we had to go hungry

and spend all our time clearing couch-grass.

What makes you so bitter and angry?

You're still a young, attractive woman.

Neither of us will ever understand each other.

Let's each of us just get on with our own work.

Do you know Mr Toliboski?

Yes, I did once.

But that was long ago.

I doubt either of us would recognize each other.

I believe he's a widower?

Yes, but the children have inherited a lovely property.

And Mr Toliboski... Is he now a swell!

- Shimshel! - Hello, Mrs. Niechcic!

I've brought a visitor.

My name is Hlasko.

Sorry, I don't have...

That's better now.

I recognize you from your photograph.

Mrs. Barbara Niechcic, right?

I've brought presents for your children.

- From your brother. -You know him?

Julian Ostrzenski, the engineer. I'm just coming from Petersburg.

It's twenty years since I saw him.

He's a wonderful man.

His club's his whole life now. He even sleeps there.

What about the railroads he was building?

That was long time ago. All he cares about now is...

the table, billiards, operetta and gypsies!

He likes gypsy ballads best.

What a squalid country it must be if it so debases everything!

He's a good man. That club is his family.

I don't wish him such a family, or myself such a brother.

But no wonder. Was our father any different?

With him, too, it was eat, drink and be merry.

And are we any better? Isn't Daniel a wrack of a man?

And look at how Thomas is turning out.

Our whole family's fallen apart.

In fact we Poles are still going to the dogs.

I've been a teacher for twenty years.

The last eight in Petersburg, in a Polish home.

Do you know of anyone around here...

who might need a private tutor?

As luck would have, yes.

We do, don't we?

You said yourself

that the only thing that could stop you leaving for Kaliniec,

was if by some miracle we found a tutor.

Well, here's your miracle.

Thomas! Get down! Have you done your homework?

We weren't given any. Miss Hlasko mislaid her glasses.

Liar!You hid them! Of all the stupid pranks!

Get down.You know, she's blind without them.

Emilia hid them.

Don't lie to me! And who let you take the horse out?

Daddy.

Daddy? Go on there.

Is it true you allowed him to go riding?

No, I didn't.

Why do you lie? How often have I told you, Klemecki, not to let him?

Try keeping him out of mischief!

Besides, he doesn't ask. He sneaks it out...

and so cleverly, that nobody's the wiser.

Rubbish! A horse isn't a needle that can just vanish.

You're always handing me some nonsense!

Next time you see him taking a horse out...

tan his backside for him.

What? I won't hear of a child being whipped!

That's the limit!

You could make a sheet from this.

Remove the lace and sew here.

No. It's too good for that.

- Or this one. -Tood good, too.

- So what will we use? - All these are too good.

This one. And that's all.

But this is a lovely sheet. It would be a shame to...

No, it wouldn't. For the poor nothing's too good.

What's going on?

We're making sheets for the village.

They cannot live in dirt.

I'm going to be ruined.

Another five men failed to report for work.

At this rate everything will come to a halt!

Daleniecki will have to accept these losses, won't he?

It's an act of God, isn't it?

Typhus is typhus.

Stop moaning!

Typhus, typhus! Big deal!

Is human life worth so much

that you have to keep weeping over it?

- Drink! - I can't!

Drink or the plague'll get you!

Drink or you catch it!

Would you kill three fat chickens to make broth?

Felicia, tell them at the dairy to prepare church for buttermilk.

And Dr.Wettler said something about white meat.

You think chickens are green?

We'll take a little bacon.

Leave my kitchen be!

But I need a little lard.

I run this kitchen!

Take it from the rooms!

What's this smell of alcohol?

-Where? - Here.

It's carbic. I rub it on every day as a disinfectant.

Run for it!The doctors are coming!

They're coming for the ill!

Take cover!

Get up!

The've come to take you to hospital.

Come on!

be quiet, please.

I won't let them take you!

Let him die at home, but not at the hospital.

We have to get him to hospital.

Come to your senses! We came here for your own good!

Stop shouting!

They took my son-in law. Where is he?

I won't let you take my man! Over my dead body!

He's ill. Dr.Wetler said, he must be taken to hospital.

I won't let him go.

How quick you drop off to sleep.

Agnes has shivers again.

She doesn't have a fever

and she was playing all day.

So it can't be a cold. So what is it?

Maybe she's upset by the scolding you gave her.

She's never upset. There she takes after you.

I'd say she's simply growing.

Maybe it's malaria? Why else would she have shivers?

Though, I'm not surprised. Everybody's bones ache here.

Maybe it's malaria.

No, it's some nervous disease, which will develop.

She'll be starting school soon.

How can she go there, with such shivers?

- But she's over it now? Asleep? -Yes.

Or suppose she's mental?

It may be something that runs in the blood.

But how?

Grandfather Laurenty could have caught something in France.

What are you talking about for God's sake?

And didn't Uncle Clement go off his head?

Then there was Mother's senility.

And Grandmother was melancholic.

She tried to commit suicide by jumping in a well.

Really, always asleep!

Try talking anything over with you!

Leave your door open. You always lock yourself in.

It's you, who lock me out!

Where do you think you're going?

Come home at once!

At once, dammit!

How many times have I told you to come home?

Why are Emilia's eyes so puffy again?

No, you're imagining it.

Children always sicken a little in the spring.

From not drinking cod-liver oil in winter.

Imagine so neglecting your own children!

Summer's the best remedy for them.

Mummy!Thomas fell off!

I did not! Ijumped off but I tripped on landing.

Why are you lying? We all saw you fall off.

I'm a good rider! I never fall off!

Stop lying! How often do I have to tell you to?

And stop all this riding! You'll get my children killed!

Katelba doesn't seem to be much use to you.

I'm only just starting to get things move.

Starving away and what for?

To line Daleniecki and that woman's pockets!

They don't count.

You'd starve your own children to see they get their money.

My dear, they'll pass, we'll pass

but the land will remain and has to be looked after.

Nothing else matters.

It does to me!

If you have to serve, serve a cause.

For me the land is a cause.

One worth serving and the one I serve.

Nonsense! All you serve is Daleniecki!

No!

You have to slow down.

At our age life and health no longer mean so much.

But our children will need us for years yet.

We're facing ruin!

The hay's lost!

Look at you! Come inside!

There's no chance of the rain stopping!

Come inside! Look at you!

The hay's lost.

So let's say good riddance to all this...

So let's say good riddance to all this...

and clear out.

Let's go anywhere! Then we can stop worrying about rain.

The children have to go to school.

I want them to live normal lives among people.

Private tutors are a thing of the past.

But only Agnieszka is big enough to go to school.

Even if we sent her away, we would have to pay her keep.

And employ a tutor here for the other two.

How could we manage?

We have to get used to the children costing us more and more.

But where's the money to come from?

We're all but ruined!

I'll take them to live in the city.

They can go to the kindergarten and we won't need a tutor.

You want to leave me.

If you go, you won't come back.

You do get the silliest ideas!

Wherever you might be, I'll come back.

But you can't blame me

for missing the city so!

Oh, dear! I left a bag with some money on my desk.

What money?

Just two gold coins.

Just two!They're still gold! We have to go back.

Come on! Nobody will steal it.

We'll do our shopping and then go back.

You're so absent minded!

I like that street less. Too narrow and hot.

But at least here you can feel life going on around you.

Watch out.

-Where shall I wait? - Round the corner.

I'll go on. I have to collect a coat from Nussens's.

Fine.

- But take care crossing the street. -Yes, we will.

-Where's my wife? - By the store.

They have lovely coats here. Just right for Agnieszka.

But what about the pans, and the stockings for the children?

You have the money for them in your purse.

So I do.

You're impossible out shopping!

I wonder if I was right to buy that coat? Wait here.

-What is that? - I bought you a brooch.

I refuse to wear any brooches!

I'll return it then, but I'll feel a little silly.

Should I ask for my money back?

Or get that ring for Agnes?

That's all I need! A child playing with jewelry!

I never feared anything so much...

as your father staring to buy me rings or brooches.

I'll be right back. I want to buy some ointment. Come, Agnieszka.

Good morning!

Hold it.

Good morning, Mr.and Mrs. Niechcic!

Mr Daleniecki wants to sell Serbinow. Behind your backs.

How do you know?

Mr Daleniecki has a spy here.

It's Shimshel, I'm afraid.

Be careful of Shimshel!

I have a four-year contract. I'm not worried.

Does Daleniecki think of anything but his own interest?

- I'm not worried. -Then, it's all right.

Whether you are or not or he has a spy or not...

Daleniecki can always sell Serbinow.

Sit up straight!

I'm suffocating again and everything's going black.

Bogumil, I'm suffocating.

-Which is it. - Let me do it. Hold it, please.

I feel horrible.

Valerian? I keep telling you not to give me valerian.

What's wrong with mummy?

Don't be a nuisance! Can't you see she's ill?

Felicia, take them out. Go on!

I'm better now.

Where's Agnieszka? Not feeling well?

I'll send for Dr.Wettler.

Don't you dare.

We're almost homeless and you want to waste good money?

Want me to have another stroke and die?

I shan't see the night out.

I'm suffocating, Doctor.

I'm suffocating!

I keep the children awake.

Please, take these drops.

I can't. I keep thinking I'm going to die.

You must take this medicine.

That's better and you must stop crying.

The medicine is on its way.

Give me a cigarette.

I can't be a bad heart.

It's just my stomach pressing on it.

My stomach has always been my main trouble.

The doctor said you weren't to upset yourself.

I know better.

I can't bear to think of what will happen to the children if I die.

Swear you won't bring them up as yokels.

I won't bring them up as yokels.

So you believe I'm going to die. What did Wettler say?

Tell me!What did he say?

That I'd be the one to die if you don't stop nagging me!

Joachim was the head of your family. You ought to attend his funeral.

And travel all that way?

I can't leave the children to their own devices.

All that way? it's no more than seven miles via Malocin.

Nine, not seven.

- Know-all! -That's right!

Uncle Joachim came to your mother's funeral.

Because he liked gadding about!

You men all do, don't they?

In that case I'll go!

Oh, God!There's a dead man, and they're fighting again!

You also like gadding about?

I never go anywhere.On such an occasion it's good to mingle with people.

What people? We do not own this land and those people aren't worth anything.

All the good people died already and the rest were sent to Siberia.

I don't know to whom we belong.

Watch out because there is a broken bridge next to the windmill on the way.

Yes, I know.

Thomas, come down!

Get back children.

Make sure you don't lose a wheel or something.

And watch out for those ruts near Malocin!

They've turned up Joachim's will.

It says that part of the estate is to go to the members of the family,

who have fallen on evil days but deserve better.

What does that mean?

In short, you too benefit.

-Who? -You?

- Me? -You.

In the name of the Holy Father and Son...

Couldn't you have told me earlier?

I couldn't believe it myself. But it says:

''To the children of Adam Ostrenski,

That means you get 6,000.

Oh, my God! Suppose the will is contested?

It'll be invalidated and that will be that.

They'll find catches and loopholes to flummox the devil himself.

Forget all about it.

Suppose the will's a forgery?

We'll be dragged through the courts. And what then?

It will be loss trouble waiving our claim.

Forget all about it's what I say.

You're right. If they pay up, well and good.

If they don't we won't starve.

6,000 rubles.

But probating takes time. And there's sure to be snags.

What snags? I can't see any.

Just wait until Michalina goes into action!

She'll make sure there are no hitches!

Now Daleniecki can do what he likes to Serbinow!

Cheers!

Heavens!

My God! What a windfall!

Drink up!

If we are to buy a house in Kaliniec it should be by a monument.

Only there we'll get good drinking water.

- I'm glad you'll get your money. -6000 roubles.

I'm getting old and I can't make any provisions for you.

I sometimes think we waited too long

before starting a family.

Go on!You look just the same as when I first met you!

You're incorrigible! Drink up!

Incorrigible!

Six thousand roubles!

Help me undress, will you?

What will we do with this money?

I'd like to see a bit of the world, at last and visit Cracow.

Failing that, let me see?

Take the children to a spa... to get rid of their coughs

and eternal tonsilitis.

Six thousand roubles!

It would be worth investing in drainage.

We could plant fruit trees and grow asparagus.

All this may be ours one day.

I have a first option of Serbinow.

Buy a house in Kaliniec, I say.

We can't afford boarding school for all the children.

In Kaliniec I'd have them at home.

You could bring in provisons. I'd look after the house and children.

I'm tired I think I'll turn in.

- Something's wrong? - No.

Are you all right?

Are you sure?

But you musn't fret. It's bad for you.

- Has your heart been acting up again? - No.

I'm perfectly all right.

For all I care Daleniecki can sell Serbinow.

As a matter of fact, I do feel a little unwell.

But then do I ever feel well?

By evenings I'm out on my feet.

It's because you don't love me that you're in such a bad way.

Because of what?

Is it my fault that I was never your type?

They say even the greatest love passes.

If I lived with Toliboski for so many years

would I also be weary of intimacies?

But I've grown fond of Bogumil over the years.

I know what a good man he is.

It must have been decreed

that dislike and attachment, aloofness and closeness

that no such feeling last or fill your whole being.

One merges into the other...

and none is ever total and complete.

But they add up to a whole... that keeps rolling on.

But where and why?

End of part one.

Nights and Days.

How will you manage, when the children and I go away?

I'll get by.

We were happy together, weren't we?

Why don't you answer?

Bogumil, say something!

If you're so good to me as a parting gift

I wish you could leave everyday.

Watch out for that door, the handle is loose.

Yes, sir.

Can I fix you something to eat?

How sad it will be here without the lady and the children.

Felicia!

- Felicia! -On my way!

Yes, sir!?

- Are the shutters closed? -Yes.

Good morning.

Good morning, dear neighbor.

Why don't you join me? You're just on your own?

I'm a grass widower now, Mr Wojnarowski.

My family has moved to Kaliniec.

I decided it would be better for the children.

Then come over tomorrow for the hand of vint.

My eldest daughter is here.

She's not much of a player, but we can make it a threesome.

If I only have the time, I'd be glad to.

Mr Bogumil Niechcic,

My daughter, Xaviera.

There's dry rot in every room.

There's water everywhere at Wegryn's place.

I know, how it is...

The thrashing floor's a mudbath.

Calm down! Mr Niechcic is only an employee himself.

What's this gathering?

We want to talk about what's due to us.

Due to you?

Don't you get paid on time?

So what's the matter?

-Go ahead, Cierniak! - Let me go.

I'll begin with myself!

My quarters are the worst of all.

The whole roof's come off.

The pigpen's are wrecks.

The roofs had been repaired, but still leak.

We've got no floors.

And if anyone has the floor, it's rotten.

I've seen I inspected your quarters recently.

So I know they need repairing.

But it's not up to me.

You don't have to remind me of what's wrong.

I remember.

I don't have to be reminded.

And don't leave any potatoes behind.

One here, one there make a big heap.

Carry on like this and we'll never make Serbinow pay!

There are no scraps left for us.

Our master takes everything.

These landlords have grown clever

but the day will come when everybody's equal.

Top and bottom, everybody will be equal!

One day Mr High and Mighty Niechcic will be collecting his own potatoes!

- Stop talking nonsense! -Come on! Are you daft?

Get to work before I knock your block off!

My, you've brought enough for a feast!

I was afraid I'd find you out.

At a party or at some cafeteria.

Where are the children? Out in such rain!

Don't ask me.Thomas and Agnes are never home.

Thomas needs a man's hand. Afather's hand.

I can't handle him any more.

Anyway, you're better off here.

At this time of year Serbinow is awash with mud.

What of it?

With a good pair of boots what harm can mud do me?

None, I guess.

But you don't sit here alone all day, do you?

You see people. Don't you.

No.

As usual I sit around by myself.

And I don't care for company.

Especially, when I think of poor Lucian.

The doctors suspect he has cancer, you know.

I know.

Actually, I might go out. But here you have to dress up

and lock the door. It's not like in the country.

There Ijust put on a shawl and step straight outside.

I understand, Basia, I understand.

It's only at Serbinow that we're loved.

Anywhere else, we might as well not exist.

How can they love us, when we don't love each other.

How can it be? You always told me, you love me.

I do love you.

I do.

I wanted to make sure you were tucked in.

Goodnight.

Mr Woynarowski has asked you to come round tonight.

His servant was here yesterday.

It's probably too late now.

I thought I'd never see you.

Father's out. Gone away.

Wait. Let's talk.

Fine.

Why are you following me?

We can talk at a distance.

Don't be afraid. I'll keep out of your way.

How can you talk such nonsense?

- I once tried to poison myself. -When?

In Warsaw.

I met this man.

You are a tragic woman, he told me.

Later I learned it was a bet.

That was when I tried to poison myself.

Father rescued me.

If you're going to walk out on me, do it at once.

My child? What can I offer you?

New and even greater misery?

I won't go there again.

Staying up at night, late dinners aren't for people,

who have to get up at cock's crow.

Father's given me a choice. Either marry Ostrensky

or go away to Switzerland to study.

What am I to do?

I'll tell you what to do.

Why are you rejecting me?

You crazy child!You offer me a miracle, which I can't accept.

Why not?

Do you know, how old I am?

What do I care?

It's about that Ala Chrobot.

We want you to fire her.

Young girls and children shouldn't be allowed near her.

She's right, sir.

Ever since she took up with your Mr Katelba,

she's becoming so stuck up.

I'd like a couple of days off. I have to visit my mother.

Now? When the work's not finished? When the rain's flattening the crops?

I've worked here long enough to know I can't ask without a reason.

I know where my duty lies.

-What am I to do? - Stop drinking.

Get on with your job and get married.

How can I marry when that Ala Chrobot has blinded me?

I'd find myself a fiancee...

but she says, if I marry, she'll burn the bride's eyes out!

Then why don't you marry her?

Who? That slut?

I'd die of shame.

She drags me off to bars,

because she knows she'd have no power over me sober.

Then you'd better move somewhere else.

I could write to Daleniecki.

That wouldn't do any good.

He has it in for me. He wanted me to be a spy,

but I know how much I owe you.

I refused to spy on you.

Just because he put me through school

doesn't mean I have to sell my soul to him.

You...

you scum.

It's me Ala Chrobot.

-What do you want? - Not here!

-Order him to marry me. -Why should he marry you?

I love him.

I can't live without him. Nor can he- without me.

He's infatuated me.

Then why won't he marry you?

He says I've infatuated him.

Maybe. But what can I do?

Am I worse than the girls they do marry?

Even though I'm poor and sullied?

He won't have you, as you are. You have to change.

Change?

Live differently.

Better still, clear out and forget about him.

If it happened to you, would you forget so easily?

Would you?

I'll have my supper here today.

The dining room's too empty and gloomy.

Do you know, where that Chrobot girl comes from?

She's a flotsam.

Who's interested in where girls like that come from?

They just drift from place to place.

Taken advantage of everywhere.

I've also had my ups and downs.

When I was 16 I went off to work in Prussia.

Like Ala I was full of hopes.

And like her I was taken advantage of.

Each time I thought it would work out.

But it always ended in tears.

Leave your wife.

I can't.

Why not?

I can't link my life with yours.

You love her that much?

I don't know.

''I don't know.' It's always ''I don't know.'

My life is ending, yours is beginning.

There can be nothing between us, except this madness...

which I'll bless and you'll curse. And be ashamed of.

I know these lonely winter evenings aren't a pleasure.

-Thank you. - But Chrismas is near

and I'll come for two weeks.

If I were you I'd visit Pamietow.

Woynarowski is very charming.

That's why I visit him. Sometimes we play cards.

But usually we talk.

Talk.

How I dream of having someone to talk with.

There! Look!The first star!

The first star's appeared.

It's time to sit down to supper.

But I know you love me.

- And that she doesn't love you. - Let's not part in anger.

- Please, leave! - Now?

I don't want to see you!

- Shouldn't I wait... -Get out of my sight!

That Woynarowska girl is strange.

People might think she's leading you on.

If you'd have thought of it, we could have seen her off together.

I didn't realize you'd feel hurt.

I did it as a favor to Woynarowski.

What's the matter?

I'm wondering, whose strength and intellect is that life scaled to.

You're surprised by my appearance.

No.You just look a little overworked.

- I'm dog tired. -You need a rest.

No, no. I need to take stock of myself.

And of the world.

I'm buying some land. Just few acres.

I'll plant an orchard and build a house.

Burying yourself in the country is your idea of bliss?

My hopes failed elsewhere so I'm going back to my roots.

- Staying long? - I'm afraid I have to leave today.

But you'll visit me when I've built my house?

Remember.You've promised. It means a lot to me.

I must talk to you. I get funny ideas.

Death is staring me in the face.

It's the one thing that forces everyone

to collect himself and stand in his eternity.

It can't be bought off or eluded.

I used to wonder if it could ever be possible

to accept death truly and physically.

Now I know it is.

When your whole being hurts

you want it to stop hurting.

And when you realize, as I have,

that nothing on this earth can bring relief,

you want to stop existing.

After Teresa died...

you alone were dear to me.

When I was left alone I ran away from you.

Not that you ever knew. I thought you were happy.

'Cause if you were not happy...

But you are happy, aren't you?

-Yes. -You are happy.

Happy.

-Where's Katelba? - He's gone out of his mind.

Spent all day with that Chrobot girl!

It's disgusting to watch their goings on!

They've no shame! And in front of children!

She'll debauch us all!

Who asked you? I'll give you debauch!

Hark at the bigmouth!

Never mind all this gossip! I want the work done!

Give me that scythe! All you do is sharpen it.

Get to work!

Get to work!

Bogumil!

- Daleniecki is coming! -When.

Surely to sell Serbinow!

- How are the things? - All's well, sir.

As for the buyer you asked me about,

you'll have to be very careful if it's not to come out.

Damn Jews! They'll sniff out everything.

So that's that. I'm not selling Serbinow.

And even if I were, I'd discuss it with Mr Niechcic.

- He's a buyer himself now. -What's he buying?

He came into some inheritance and bought a property in Kaliniec.

-Why wasn't I told before? - It's only just come up.

I hope you've made plans for your legacy.

It's for my family...

It's my wife's money.

You want to leave and have a place of your own.

And I've been planning to raise your commission...

and extend your contract for five years more.

How could I ever leave Serbinow?

I'm attached to every inch of it?

The trees I planted are bearing fruit.

I've watched these wastes blossom into plowland.

But if you offer me better terms, I shan't object.

You know best, what you're worth.

In a year or two...

the youngest will also be at school.

They'll be good students. You'll have no problems.

They'll be good students. You'll have no problems.

Till love comes along and they start feeling their oats.

Love? God forbid!

Life has nights, days- and Sundays.

Except there are less of them than in the calendar.

But I have a feeling now,

there's a Sunday coming for us soon.

When I took over Serbinow 15 years ago, I found a ruin here.

Empty barns, empty pigpens, empty stables.

It's hard to believe you've been here fifteen years.

How time flies! Fifteen years!

Agniesia, come over.

Did you pass with honors? Which year are you now?

-Junior, auntie! - Good girl!

Here you have the best view.

You can see the whole Serbinow landscape.

These are our loveliest ponds.

Wonderful.

Imagine! I had to force this man into the carriage.

He kept saying: ''I'll be intruding, it's family occasion'' and so on.

Surely you know, how fond of you we all are?

Mr Ceglarski's a credit to our industry.

You have no idea of the business he and Anselm are doing!

Great indeed.

Europe's in no danger of anything historic happening.

Revolutions, wars, may still break out

but in Asia or Africa.

Let's see things in a historical or at least a geographical perspective.

Are wars or revolutions necessary to make things happen?

Take your seats, please.

Quiet times, when everybody does his bit, are also historical.

Yes, indeed!

Someday someone will write a history

of just such quiet hardworking times.

The crops are in.The weather's fair.

I've got guests in the house.

I'll be sowing soon.

So perhaps in a small way I'm also making history.

Are you sure you left that money here?

Never mind! It wasn't much. Only tips for the servants.

-Wrapped in a handkerchief. -What a way to carry money!

Must I sit with that dog again?

Bodzio!To the carriage with you.

Do come again. We'll be delighted to see you

Visit us on Sundays.

As often as you can!

Good night, daddy.

Good night, mum. It was wonderful.

Good night.

Barbara!

Yes, what?

Where'sThomas gone to?

I'll find him and question him myself.

But, please, don't get in a lather.

You'll question him?

You're scared of your own children.

I'll make a man of you, even if I have to kill you!

Who let you take other people's money?

-Who let you?! - Bogumil, you'll kill him!

He's owned up! Stop picking on him!

Out of my sight! Both of you!

You thief! Get out!

Get out!

I know...

I know, it wasn't for you.

You wanted to buy candy for the boys.

We'll go and apologize to Father.

And on Sunday we'll see Auntie.

Tell her I found the money after they'd gone.

My son... Don't be the death of your mother!

You're a good boy.

You must be a good boy.

Let him go, you dumb wench! People don't all get killed in a war.

Let me go! It's the draft!

Jesus!

Oh, my God!

Why should they die on foreign soil?

Why?!

Lord, why have you punished me with that card?

People! People!

Sir! Sir!

If everybody refused to go what would they do?

Take them by force!

I'm not letting mine go!

Take these call-up papers and hand them out. I can't do it.

As a boy I learned French. But I forgot it all.

And I can't even remember that tune, that Miss Woynarowska used to sing.

What does that mean?

''If you loved me''!

But later she taught you to understand?

Understand what?

That singing.

At a certain age a man should grasp, that he can't appeal to a young girl.

Too bad, if a hearts still young

and eager for the joy it missed in youth.

Perhaps it's worth letting yourself for passion for a while

and live for these few weeks in such a way,

that you'll remember them all your life.

Are you sure, the man you met at aunt Michelina's

- is named JozefToliboski? -Yes.JozefToliboski of Borowno.

He knows you from the old days

and he will call tomorrow for a visit.

I said you'd be pleased.

Toliboski?

Paying a call?

Whatever gave him such an idea?

Very well. We can recall old times.

We haven't seen one another for 25 years.

Did I say something wrong?

- How does he look now? - Nice. He has a long beard...

- Black. - No, gray.

Naturally. He must have aged too.

Didn't I ever tell you about him?

No.

- Crowds are gathering! -There'll be a demonstration!

We'd better go back to Serbinow.

Let's pack and go.

What about Mr.Toliboski?

After so many years he can wait a little longer.

PackThomas's things!

Barbara!

Stop! Please!

Barbara, listen, please!

-We simply dropped in. - I'll explain you everything.

-We're leaving. - Please, listen to me.

Don't please. Listen to me. Can you hear me?

Stay! Can you hear me? Please!

Please, listen to me. I will explain.

Barbara.

Carry on. Don't mind me.

I know Zarnecka died during my ilness.

Why keep it from me?

Wettler said you weren't to be upset.

Poor old thing.

She thought she was irreplaceable.

But the world didn't even know she existed.

Life passes in that same way for all of us

and vanishes without a trace.

With or without us.Those nights and days flow on regardless.

Come to that what makes people try so hard?

Why do they worry so much over their lives?

That Saturday, when I came here I was to meet that man.

But I didn't do it.

I ran to you.

I didn't think you cared about me that way.

That aspect of life has meant nothing to you.

At any rate, not for some time.

And you ran out of fear of yourself.

No. Not of fear.

It wasn't out offear.

I love you, Barbara. There couldn't be a greater love.

Although you were and are with me

more out of fear than anything else.

Goodness! How gray you've grown.

And what will become of Felicia?

There's a widower who wants to marry her.

Bogumil!

Bogumil!

Bogumil!

Barbara!What's happened?

Jesus. I dreamt of Lucian.

Why fight illness and death only to bear the burdens of life?

I had such dreadful thoughts on the wedding day.

The wedding day!

Fetch the children.

They'll be hot from dancing and it's time to go back to Kaliniec.

The revolution's petering out. Like everything in life.

I expect the war with Japan will be over soon.

Barbara! Never mind revolutions!

Daleniecki has given me permission to build new bunkhouses.

He's marring Miss Mioduska. That's why he's so generous.

How love changes people.

I promised you new quarters. I kept my word.

How did you do it?

I squeezed it out that Parisian gentleman.

Very good!

Get to work!

Move! Bring the bricks!

Get it going!

- Bogumil! - Dad!

Agnes has graduated from school with honors.

That's my girl!

Thank you.

Let me show you something. I'm building new quarters.

I have to hurry in case Daleniecki butts in.

Really, with honors?

Do you really want to go to that university?

Yes, Papa.To Lausanne, to study natural science.

But is there a future in that?

Not being rich, we have to bear that in mind.

Everything will be all right. Don't worry!

Order! Order!

Snadowski hasn't finished yet. Quiet, please!

Polish independence will again become an international issue!

War is going to break out in Europe any year now.

The issue of independence, trampled under foot,

will be a trump card in the battle for Europe's future.

So today, here on Swiss soil, we demand:

After a century's bondage Poland must again be free!

And independent!

That letter from Miss Woynarowska in Paris has changed everything?

Destroyed all we have meant to each other for all these months?

Nothing in what I feel about you has changed.

I consider that business finished.

Miss Woynarowska, Miss Xavvy.

That's what my parents called her.

When I was fourteen. I used to see her at our house in Serbinow.

I almost fell in love with her. Congratulations on your choice!

She's lovely.

I feel sorry for her.

She's unhappy.

She was here in Lausanne. Forever switching courses.

And she left for Paris without graduating.

I'm worried about her. She's so unbalanced.

Go to her then! Console her!

I won't go to Paris.

Why not?

I want to be by myself.

Besides, I'm not my own man.

I belong to the cause.

I'm discovering Serbinow all over again.

Working like this I hope to discover a purpose in life.

How grand it is when every bone in your body aches

and you drop off to sleep

before you have time to start brooding.

Good morning, Mama! Agnes!

Where's Emilia? What's happened to her?

She's still at school. My class was let out earlier.

The headmaster had to visit his sick mother.

The main thing is that I've made it into the fifth grade.

But they wrote that you wouldn't pass.

I re-sat three subjects.

I flunked one, but I can make that up after the vacation.

Where's your report?

My report? How could I bring it when I had to come here on foot?

It would have been creased.

Anyway, the reports aren't ready yet. There are still marks to come in.

They'll send it on through Josefat.

Whose hat is that?

I did something silly.

I borrowed five roubles. And bought myself a hat.

I hoped you'd forgive me seeing that I passed.

I don't hold with extravagance.

- Five roubles is cheap at the price. - I was asked to send the money back.

Overlook it. Please. It'll be the last time.

I'll give you the money.

Here. This is to repay what you owe.

Another five when I see the report.

Let's drink!

Cheers!

Doubles for these gentlemen! But strong!

Let's see the money first.

It's on me!

His Lordship's paying!

Oh, yes, sir!

- Let's go somewhere! -Where?

Outside.Come on!

Not there? I'll find you.

Jesus Christ!

Good morning, ma'am.

I've brought Master Thomas's things.

And the Ostrenski maid says

he's to return Master Bogdan's hat.

What hat?

The one he swiped. I mean, borrowed.

A panama or something.

Not so loud!

Who taught you to take other people's things?

Without their permission!

Answer me! Or I'll whip you like a dog!

I won't do it again!

You'll kill him!

Daddy, no!

I won't do it again!

You'll kill him!

Daddy, no!

You'll be sorry!

Bogumil! He might take his life!

If he means to live like a scoundrel, let him!

Thomas!

I can't find him anywhere.

-Where's your father? - In his room.

When the poor lad may be lying dead in some ditch!

Remember his threat? About killing himself?

What about me? I might also come to a bad end?

Yes, you do seem to be continually moping.

What's the matter?

I love someone, Mama.

And he loves me.

But we can't marry.

He's too dedicated to think of personal happiness.

You love a dedicated man?

And he loves you? Why, it's a miracle!

A miracle I dreamed of all my life!

Do you know what being dedicated means?

Order him to throw a bomb and he will, no matter what!

Don't tell anyone about it. Even the Father.

We've parted. I'm getting over it.

My child.

Are you to have as unhappy life as I have?

Get changed Mama. You're soaked.

Where have you been all night?

Up a tree! He's a gutsy boy.

How could you, when we were all so worried?

Kiss him! He's learned his lesson.

He'll be a good and wise boy.

Have you made up with your father?

I know you're a good boy. And wise.

You have something I have never seen before.

You are everywhere. I have to see you.

He loves me and he needs me.

He wants me there. I must leave at once.

He loves you?

He hasn't informed us of his intentions.

He didn't even ask.

He can't come here. He's exiled.

While you slept, he fought. Went to prison.

What did he fight for?

The same thing as you did in '63. Which you now condemn.

I don't.

But I saw you beginning to love work here.You alone.

So I thought, you might switch to farming, when you graduate.

I might buy some land one day to assure you...

What Poland needs isn't planting potatoes!

Or serving the rich.

I do not serve the rich.

I serve the land!

It's another's man but I never had my own.Or squandered it.

I serve the land.

So another two years have sped by.

Harvest here is all but over.

The doctor's ordered me to bed but I pay him no attention.

This time the barometer hasn't let us down.

That's true.

-God be with you! -And with you!

Keep on working! I sent the wagons for the rye.

- How much? - Four.

- Is it enough? - I guess so! I didn't have more!

God bless you!

Miss Woynarowska's returned.

They say there was some unhappy romance.

But now she's married to Ostrenski. She's given him twins.

I'm glad you've come for a longer visit.

Pass me my glasses.

I got so old, I can't read small letters.

The Tripoli been unprecedented in the history of the last century.

In the era of political talks and peace propaganda.

It's going to be a new European war!

That's the point!

We're looking forward to it!

Our poor country, if only the war can restore

our independence and dignity.

And to set out from this oppression.

Please!They'll kill me!

Nothing'll help you now boy.

Thomas, aren't you frozen in that thin coat?

Close that door!

Agniesia!

Get hot tea and go to bed!

What happened, son?

I've been robbed!

What happened?

They robbed me of everything!

My coat, my suitcase with my new clothes

and my linens.

Heavens! So many misfortunes at once!

No, they took my coat last night,

when I was returning home.

And the case?

No. I lost the case today.

I left it in a doorway and went to find a cab.

When I got back, it was gone.

You don't have to buy me new clothes.

Any old rags will do.

After the vacation I'll start tutoring.

I already have something lined up. Very well paid.

''The young man is at that dangerous stage in life.''

''...when attending lectures appeals less...

than going out on the tiles with dubious company.'

''Thomas is a good, kind, generous and outgoing boy.''

''But he has to be kept on a short rein, which I can't do.'

''I have suffered the misfortune of being robbed.''

''The thieves took my furcoat

''...and a suitcase belonging to one the teachers. Maria Hlasko.''

She's clearly hinting she wantsThomas to leave.

Bogumil! I'm at complete loss!

If she thinks that was him...

who took the coat...

and that's why she wants him to leave...

For goodness sake! Do you want me to live little longer?

Bogumil!You're his father!

What will become of our child! Save him!

Don't go!

Please! Let me calm down.

Bogumil, promise, you won't beat him up.

I'll go to that general and say, that village of Jarosty is ours.

That it had been confiscated. Illegally!

Illegally!

Thomas! Go home!

Go home! Quick!

Thomas!

I'm not saying you're disgracing us.

But have you no shame in front of these people.

What's wrong now? Everybody drinks at weddings.

And they like me more than the lot of you!

If you exist...

O'God! If you exist and are a redeemer...

...save this boy from evil.

If you damn, then damn me, because I am to blame.

Spare me no anger, no fear.

Save my child.

Save the soul that has gone astray.

Anselm has obtained a concession to build a factory

-and wants to buy your lots. - I can offer you 9,000 roubles.

Take it, Barbara. It's an excellent deal.

If you think it's not enough...

No, no. Besides you know best. Right?

Anselm is engaged. The wedding's in the summer.

His fiancee comes from a good but poor family.

No dowry, my dear.

Rich wives are sought by spend thrifts. I want to make money.

My wife has to be healthy, bright, pretty and mine.

Here's a letter form Agnieszka.

She writes that she'll come home this autumn.

I'm going to drain Serbinow.

I've built the new quarters. Now it's time for the drains.

I'm going into Kaliniec.

I'll go and see the land improvement man.

Well?

Do as you think best. I don't like him.

He must have a polyp. His mouth's open.

Why hasn't Daleniecki replied. He's always prompt.

You rushed things. He's capable of not consenting.

It will be your fault!

Not consent? Let him try!

I'll wash my hands and resign.

Let him find someone else to replace me.

I can wait two more days for the advance.

I'm baffled by this delay.

I've just sent a wire, reply prepaid.

Have you heard what a killing young Ostrenski made?

He said he was building a factory,

but he sold the land to a timber company.

At a 100 percent profit!

He's a smooth operator.

He bought out the owners

and pocketed the profit they could have made.

''Adressee unknown. Returning letters, Bonard.''

-That's strange. -What am I to do?

Today's the deadline.

Either I drop the whole thing

or I sign a contract and risk my own money.

Risk it? God forbid!

There isn't any risk. I'm sure he'll agree.

I'm going to Kaliniec.

If you meet Anselm, give him a piece of my mind.

Let him know, what people think.

You're right. I'll tell the crook a few home truths.

I've come to sign.

Good! It pays to move fast.

-That telegram came at last? -Yes.

But we don't need Paris. We know, who Mr Niechcic is.

-The deposit? -Tomorrow at the latest.

Ten thousand. Your signature's as a paper.

Nine.

Nine?

Make it nine.

Payable tomorrow at the latest.

Of course.

It's the first time I've failed to raise money for the asking.

And in three different places.

Pelmutter promised me a loan against the grain crop.

Now he says, next week. No more business with him!

What am I to do?

I have to pay the deposit tomorrow.

Why beg favors?

We have our own money in the bank.

Use it.We'll get it back in two weeks.

What of the risk?

I won't have you fretting any longer.

In any case, what risk?

You got a letter from Daleniecki.

From Paris?

Yes!

Bogumil!What's the matter?

What is it?

Daleniecki has sold Serbinow.

''I wish to inform you of the sale of Serbinow.''

''The preliminary papers have been signed.''

Signed!

But it adds here:

''All outlays in excess of 3,000 roubles

require the consent of the owner.'

That was one of the terms.

But you're spending a sum well above 3,000.

What did you need it for?

What?

I don't use French perfume. I smell of dung.

Because dung's my work. And I know what this land needs.

I have the final say in things.

I and the contract.

There was also an unwritten one,

which gave me some freedom.

Yes, but you overstepped it.

And now how will you pay that 9,000?

Because I certainly can't!

I tore that 9,000 from my wife and children!

I gambled everything on that property and I lost.

Because of your fly-by-night trade in human fortunes!

It was only to scrape a living

that we went to work for a man like Daleniecki.

Fine manners, brains...

but underneath it all-a scoundrel.

Whatever he may be. Serbinow is his.

To me Serbinow means more than the daily bread.

I can't imagine life anywhere else.

Nonsense! Life exists everywhere.

You said so yourself.

We'll live.

We'll live.

We must live.

We owe you our survival...

But I don't want you to pay with your own money.

It's Daleniecki's doing, I swear.

I wouldn't let him go so easily.

I know he's a ruthless crook.

Besides, she gave him this condition.

Now, when I got to know you...

I'm sorry that you have to leave.

So, please!

Accept my offer and stay in Serbinow.

-On the same conditions. - No, no. I won't stay here.

It's too late now.

But I'm glad you'll be the master now.

I treat you like a son.

Owrucki figured we should get more money than we expected.

After twenty years we should charges the percentage of the estate's income.

Can't be!

We can get it in cash or in the land.

I wouldn't have expected it.

I told him I'd think it over.

I don't want to parcel Serbinow...

but to sell it- is like selling someone dear and close to me.

It's too dear to me.

- Shall I give it up? - I can see no reason why.

We duly deserve it. And shouldn't feel ashamed.

Perhaps Owrcuki convinced that scoundrel about it.

I think he didn't talk with Daleniecki,

but he'll pay us with his own money.

And I'm upset as I can't agree to that.

I don't understand.

I really, don't.

Why are you trying to guess who's going to pay you

the money that you and your family deserves.

Isn't it all the same whose money it is?

Have you thought about the years wasted here?

Wasted.

Here, in the fields, in the pigsties, in the stables and what for?

Just to make Daleniecki rich?

As you know I've been parcelling Pamietow.

A bit here, a bit there.

But now the news has reached us...

of the skullduggery of that popinjay.

Xaviera and I would like to offer you...

the house and home farm of Pamietow.

A hundred acres in all.

I shan't ask much. I know who it'll pass to.

20,000 roubles.

What you can in cash. As for the rest...

Xaviera is the mistress of Pamietow now...

and agrees to as many installments as you need.

Where's the bloody card?

Thomas is at the lime-kilns.

I work there, too.

What's he doing there?

Nothing... Loafing about...

He's said he's cross with you. And with the other people.

You must take him home! You must take him with you!

If he's hurt it'll be my fault again!

-Ala! - I was afraid you wouldn't come.

Where'sThomas?

Let's go to the lime-kilns.

I'll see where he is.

Have you seen Thomas?

He's at the lime-kilns.

Let's go!

Give me your hand.

The son of such a father!

Gambling!

Oh, it's you mom?

What are you gawking for?

Come on... Home!

I've done nothing, leave me alone!

-You've never done anything! -Why all this fuss?

- I'm training at my friend's factory! -Yes. I can see that.

My friend's father owns this pottery.

I saw your training.

I was to move to the office tomorrow!

With you it's always tomorrow!

Stick to the kils if you mean to work.

When I could have had a decent job in the office!

What you become no longer matters.

Serbinow has been sold.

-We'll go together. - I'lljust fetch my suitcase.

-We'll go together. - Again you don't trust me!

You'll see who's telling the truth!

Where to now?

Son!Wait!

Wait!

Why did you come? I won't come with you!

It's madness, my son.

It will pass!

I'm unhappy enough as it is.

Let's go home.

God knows what I'll do from grief!

Having to leave all this now!

Having to leave all this now!

It's wicked.

Serbinow will endure without us.

Bogumil, do tell those drivers to be careful...

or everything will be broken.

I've told them already.

Take the barometer. It will be safest with you.

Walenty!

And then,Walenty, see this mud and hay is gone.

Do you know where my grandmother's vase is?

I think...

I'm afraid it'll get broken.

... it's in this trunk.

Can you find it, please?

Papa! I'm packed!

I'm so happy we're leaving Serbinow.

I'll stay here for the night.

I have some things to attend to.

Up with our master!

Long live!

Get the coach!

No need. I'd rather walk.

What's wrong, Bogumil?

I don't know.

I don't any longer feel as keen as I ought.

Yet we've earned a place of our own.

People wouldn't let us be wronged and kept us afloat.

The roof has been patched, the walls plastered,

but my work is good for nothing. Dry-rot and damp everywhere.

I've spent a lot of money,

but we must protect ourselves against the old age.

What else can come across?

We don't want Thomas to go back to Warsaw.

He learned there how to brawl.

We're afraid to leave him in Kaliniec, too, because of this girl.

- I'm so happy to be with you again! - Sit down!

We enrolledThomas to the commercial school again.

Though, he didn't pass the repeat.

There's something wrong with Emily.

She's sad and mournful.

I thought she'd take to farming instead of learning.

I was wrong.

It's all the worse here.

She worries about it. She's so sensitive.

I wonder, why she's been so calm so far.

Either I'm old or I've forgotten how to farm my own land

and must learn again.

I'll take a stroll... Consider the plans for spring.

Take your sheepskin!

Wandering around the fields so long!

At your age!

Bogumil. Take it off!

-What's the matter? - It's nothing.

My God!You're almost burning!

There's something in my chest. Give me some water! I'm parched.

Why did you take that sheepskin?

I must go to the fields... to the fields...

My God! Forty degrees!

Don't be frightened by the fever.

Unconscious.

But do not worry.

I must to the fields...

His condition's not to be taken lightly, but no more.

Nothing dangerous. It's his left lung.

Pneumonia?

Take it easy, my dear.

it's essential to keep calm.

His heart is a bit tired but still strong.

I'll apply camphor at once.

What is this hollow under his collarbone?

The rib must have been broken.

Yes, yes. He was bayonetted during the 1863 Uprising.

I counted up to twenty scars...

He must have been a man of iron, with so much blood lost...

Has he ever had lung diseases?

No. He's been taken to cough only recently.

The lung under the hollow is calcified.

It's the beginning of emphysema.

A man of iron...

You have a more spacious house here.

And the surroundings are prettier.

How about Woynarowski?

Atownee in his old age!

With a broken ticker in his heart! Yet he carries on!

By rights he should have been dead 20 years ago.

Barbara... Barbara...

Yes, darling?

Barbara.

Drink up.

Was I sick?

Yes, but you're better now.

Drink your medicine.

Medicine? So there's been a doctor? To see me?

He said everything would be all right. Drink it up.

It's bitter.

I've been so much trouble and expense...

Don't be angry.

I will not be hammered.

I will not be hammered.

I will not. I won't let them.

I won't conceal that the left lung is suppurating.

The condition is not hopeless but grave.

Thomas!

Study, son, study.

My child...

Where's Agnes?

She'll come...

Be sure of it...

The left lung is worsening.

Courage, dear lady, courage.

Mother!

Father wants you.

Barbara... Barbara.

What is it, Bogumil?

DidThomas pay the money back?

What money?

Oh, yes, he paid it back.

The dear boy... my son...

Barbara, I'm dying.

Don't leave me.

Don't leave me all alone.

-Agnes! - Mother!

My dear child!

- Mother! - My child!

I didn't hear you come in.

What's going on?

Thomas and Emilia have invited some friends.

They're dancing.

It's a house of mourning! How could they?

I have no grudge against them.

Emilia says people are having fun everywhere except here.

Let them enjoy themselves. Just through the summer.

When I get back. I'll take you to Warsaw.

You'll live with us.

No. I must stay here. To look after things.

Or they'll squandor Father's work. All of it.

Me, too.

Don't say anything. Emilia andThomas are so happy...

to be leading their own lives.

They deserve something from life.

Emilia's getting married. To young Bartold.

They refuse to live in Pamietow.

I prefer a decent tenancy to some old state.

That's what he said.

So I mean to sell it. I wrote to Martin and Agnieszka...

for their consent and they wrote back:

''It's your property. Do as you see fit.'

''I'm sending the authority right way.''

''Pamietow bears memories of Father, which dwell in us.'

''And wherever we go, we take them with us.'

So Pamietow will have to be sold.

I was in the park, yesterday. And I thought Bogumil was with me.

It's better forgetting he is gone.

Gone...

I myself told him to put on his sheepskin...

If he hadn't, he might not have got overheated...

and still be alive.

''Archduke Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo!''

''Read all about it!''

You know what, Julia?

This quiet life in town is getting me down.

I must find something to do.

I was happy in Krepa with Bogumil. In that Winczewski house.

The barometer is set fair.

In Serbinow they'll be harvesting.

I'll see toThomas. Something has to be done with him.

Perhaps I should take to charity. I hope it's not too late.

Of course not! You are young and pretty.

I heard Mr Ceglarski say: Barbara is so vital!

She has a sense of humor and intelligence!

I'm too old, Julia.

Too old to begin anew.

I'm glad it's easy to keep this small flat tidy.

No dirt, no mud.

I was so tired with keeping the farm, the livestock, the servants...

that now I have some rest at last.

Rainy seasons, dry seasons, harvesting...

Washing, cooking, for everybody just to hear-

''Mother, I'm hungry.'

What's this all about... What for...

If I'd known more of this world... even of the universe...

I'd have answered the question.

But to do this, one must have more free time.

You can't get stuck in the hum drum, everyday life...

and at the same time explore the mysteries of the world.

Perhaps in the future, people will be able to do both.

At present, however, it's enough to know...

that wherever you are, only if you're a decent human being,

you participate in carrying the fate of the world.

I shell not pay your bills!

Mama darling! This honestly is the last one.

The last bill.

It's from missing Jadwiga so much.

I can't live without her!

As soon as I graduate I'lljoin her in France.

I'll study at the Polytechnics, just to be close to her.

You will see!

We'll get married. I'll become a credit to you.

Mom, please! One more time.

How much is it?

All told... this one and a couple of earlier ones.

You'll be the death of me!

How much do your debts total to?

All told, several hundred roubles.

Several hundred! I won't touch the estate funds.

They're your Father's sweat. They're sacred for me.

But there's still some of your jewelry left.

You don't need it anymore. It could be sold.

It's wrong to sell something of value.

It's a lovely brooch.

But I need money in a hurry.

I know,Thomas's debts.

I'd put a notice in the paper saying:

''I disclaim liability for the debts of my son,Thomas Niechcic.

And sign it:''Barbara Niechcic''.

But I'm confident he'll mend his ways.

Why don't you come with us to Zabloc?

It's so lovely there now. It's all been redecorated.

I'll stay in Kaliniec.

I feel so guilty leaving you alone here in the dusty town!

I'm not living in a desert. My friends will visit me.

Agnes is coming in August. And I have Julia.

All aboard!

So long, mom!

So long!

God bless you!

Get in!

Thomas!Take care!

God be with you!

Emilia, take care of him! He needs much love.

Bye, bye, sonny!

Bye, mom, bye!

Bye, mom, take care!

Barbara! At last! Barbara!

What happened? It's the war?

No, I've retired.

I'm my own master now.

I can watch what Michasia's doing!

Julia, coffee, please!

I've decided to go back to my scientific work.

I have to do something, contribute to the society!

I've brought you a most precious thing.

What's that?

My latest work.

A chapter about flora and fauna of Kaliniec.

Why are you going?

I'll go and see, what Michasia's doing.

It's all a mess. His eyesight must be worsening.

Line over a line.

Pity.

Now when he has time to do something important.

To achieve something in life... It's too late...

Michasia's never understood him.

''He's become freaky'', she says.

''He's become freaky''.

A France-German war is odds on!

The Russians are to withdraw to the Vistula River.

I was talking to an officer.

They are moving out tonight. There are only patrols left.

So Kaliniec is the best place to sit out the war.

I wonder, where the first historic battle will be?

The Russians will defend themselves near the Vistula River,

that's near to Zablocie.

The Bartolds and Thomas''ll soon be coming to Kaliniec.

I've been expecting the Sniadowscy, for 2 days already.

You must buy some ham.

But it must be lean! Agnes hates fat ham.

And some rolls and fruits for Thomas...

He loves them.

But... the trains stopped coming.

The remaining soldiers are said to blow up the station

and the bridge. So how will our children arrive?

I don't think they'll come by train.

During the war you have other means as well.

Maybe there won't be any German-Russian war.

Here they come,just like on maneuvers.

Leave the cafeteria, please.

- Leave it, please. -Why?

I don't understand.

-Why are they running like mad? - Mobilization has been announced.

- It's the war. -War?

Mobilization!

The war... And my children are so far away.

All cigarettes from my shop are bought out!

They've clean out every shop!

Mobilization!The war!

We're leaving the day after tomorrow.

The war's started.

The whole town is seething!

I'd better stay for the night here. I'lljust let my old man know.

My dear Julia.

Things like wars I'm not afraid of.

Besides...

they won't kill us all,

and even if they did...

you wouldn't help it anyway.

But if someone does turn up at night...

Agnieszka and Martin or Tomaszek, I could make the tea.

I'll make it. It's nothing to lose sleep over.

The Russians are gone, the Germans will come and be gone, too.

They're a civilized nation.

And they're fighting Russia, not us.

The citizens of Kaliniec!

Please, keep peace and discipline!

Casimir!

Casimir's become the Commander of the Fire Brigade.

Do you have the news?

Everything's all right.

The people are ready to create self governments!

We're getting on well.

We've issued the coupons and transported food to hospitals.

- Mr Ceglarski's seen to that. -What's the German reaction?

Give way!

Break up!

I was waiting for the Polish Army and it didn't come...

The Cossacks are at the toll gate.

The Cossacks were seen at the suburbs.

The Cossacks are at the toll gate!

The citizens of Kaliniec treacherously

opened fire to unarmed German soldiers.

Hurry!

We're leaving! Come on with us, Auntie!

Take whatever's to hand! There's no time to lose.

Hurry, for God's sake!

The German are at the suburbs! They're setting fire to the town!

Go! I'm staying.

I can't go!

Consider!You'll die here!

So be it! I must wait for my children!

Basia!

There's no time to lose.

Father!

Let's be going. Don't waste the time!

Basia!

Basia!

We'll stay at Czarnowka!

Go without me! God bless you!

In Serbinow... they'll now be reaping the wheat.

The barometer will be set for change.

Bogumil would be worried.

Please, hurry!The cab will take off!

Wait! Don't go away!

Put on something warm! Quick or we'll burn!

I'm not going any farther.

Are you going to leave us in the middle of the road?

Can't you see what's going on? The Prussians!

Christ!

Please, take me to my children to Nieznanow.

Please, take me to Dr.Wettler, to Nieznanow.

Please, take me to my children.

Can you take me to Dr.Wettler?

To my children!

Bogumil, help! Save our children...

The good Mrs Niechcic doesn't recognize me.

It's Shimshel.

How are things?

I'm a carrier now.

Drive to Kaliniec, to Czolbowo.

I carry merchandise or people.

So many passengers I've had lately!

But I'd rather not earn a kopek than look at this.

I'm ready to take the good Mrs Niechcic, wherever she bids.

Turn round! Can't you see what's going on?

It's doomsday! The war's driven them mad.

Look at them!

- Let's go back! - People, what are you doing?

Make way! What are you doing?

I'm driving Mrs. Niechcic here! People!

Give way! Give way!

Don't be upset.We've no room left.

Excuse me.

You're from Kaliniec, too, no doubt?

Father's gone to the other estate...

to find accommodation for some of these people.

And he asked me to apologize to all of you.

We really have no room left.

He said to try Chetow or Jastrzebice.

There's room there.

Oh, yes. That's very good.

I know Mr Katelba from Jastrzebice very well.

Thank you very much.

DIRECTED BY

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

MUSIC

The End