All language subtitles for Vent dest 1993 (1)

The accused is aware
of the seriousness of his crime.

By stealing from our stores

he has stolen from his comrades.

I request the highest form
of punishment.

He recognises the facts.
He has shown regret

and has apologised.

The war is almost over.

I ask the court martial
to show mercy.

Hang him!

Execution!

This true story began
on 2 May 1945

in neutral Liechtenstein,

a few days
before the end of WW2.

Kurt!

Don't shoot!

It's a Russian general!

Drive on!

WIND FROM THE EAST

Commander...

Troops are coming in
at Schellenberg.

At the frontier post.

5 minutes ago.

I'm not sure, maybe a regiment.

They're Russians in German uniforms.

No, it's not the Red Army.

It's Russians dressed as Germans.

What is it, Father?

A state secret?

Keep your pose!

How can I paint you
if you're moving all the time?

If you want me, Anton,

just ask.

Do you want me?

Wash your hands first.

You still haven't answered
my question.

These damn Russians
caught us unawares!

There were only two guards.

They fired,
but the bastards kept coming

and they got through.
A whole army with guns and kit.

And their women!
Can you believe it?

They even brought their women.

What have you got against women...

Herr Ziegler?

I don't take that,
and we're full!

You don't take it?

Do you take gold?

You have to take them.

Ministers' orders!

The officers and their families
must be lodged.

- Who's paying?
- No idea. It's that or requisition.

As Prince of Liechtenstein,
you can't send them back, Franz.

They'll be executed.

And Ziegler is well aware of it.

He knows about the Bolsheviks.

And Tito. It's his duty
as a priest to protect them.

As head of the Parliament
he has other duties.

These men are asking for our help.
Their lives are at stake.

Ziegler is worried
about our own citizens.

How can we feed the Russians?

We have the Red Cross supplies.

But there are more than
500 of them!

We are 12,000.

I believe I screamed at you.

Excuse me, darling.

Really? I didn't notice.

No?

What did Ziegler say exactly?

That the Germans could come
and swallow us up tomorrow.

It is what Ziegler fears most.
And to be honest, so do I.

At Yalta they decided
to return all the Russian,

civil and military, to the USSR.
They don't want to upset Stalin.

So we are in danger?

Yes...
It's a possibility.

Protect us, Father, and bless me.

Thank you.

Madam, this is the best bread
I've ever tasted.

And your coffee
is on a par with your bread!

Excuse me.

Good day, Father.

Well...

I suppose... we had to meet
sooner or later.

Indeed, if you are in charge
of these men.

Holmston-Smyslovsky. General
of the 1st National Russian Army.

But wearing a German uniform.

We fought with the Germans
against the Bolsheviks.

I mean, the Soviet army.
And only against them.

I must offer my apologies

for barging into your country,
but it was for a good cause:

to save my 500 men
whose lives are threatened.

Must I beg for your pity?

Or beg for you mercy
to receive your pardon, Father?

Let's speak outside.

Move the barriers!

Good luck!

Don't worry. See you tonight.

All these refugees. It's terrible.
What more can we do?

Oh, yes...

they'll die too!

And all the others,
if you send us back to Feldkirch.

The English, the French...

even the Americans would hand us over
to Stalin and his butchers.

That's untrue.

I'll give you
a letter of safe conduct.

Excuse me, Father, but the Bolsheviks
would wipe their arses with it.

It's their speciality.

Your remarks are offensive, General.

Do you find them more offensive

than 500 corpses rotting in a ditch
just across your border?

Such an atrocity is impossible!

I'm sure of it!

If that were true I wouldn't be here.

All these people are catholic,
children of our Church.

The bastards you want to hand us to

do not believe in God.
They spoil everything

God taught us to love.

Remember what the Red Army
did to our nuns,

raping them like savages
on the altars of our churches?

And how they ripped out
the tongues of priests,

to stop them
from spreading the word?

You dare preach to me?

You think I don't know
who those Ukrainians are out there?

It was they who cleaned out
the Warsaw ghetto!

They sent the Jews
in cattle trucks to Auschwitz!

- Those are your soldiers!
- No, not my men!

My men did not do that!

There is scum everywhere!

Here like elsewhere!

The heads of killers are like fruit.

Only when they are cut
do we see the rotten inside.

You seem excited this morning.
Everything okay?

He doesn't want to leave.

Are you surprised?
In his place, I'd feel the same.

Maybe you should introduce us.

Dr Joseph Hoop, Prime Minister
of our government.

General...

Smyslovsky.

Doctor Hoop...

Smyslovsky, is that a Russian name?

No, sir, Finnish.
But for the Russians that's the same.

I don't wish to appear rude,
but please excuse us a few minutes.

I shall go and finish my breakfast.

I am at your disposal.
Gentlemen...

Well?

He has 500 well trained, armed men.

It's a threat to our security.
In one day,

he could take over the country.
- That's correct.

And if he does,
the Allies will attack them,

and our country
will be left in ruins.

- That's correct.
- So...

if you agree,

I suggest we contact the French
or Americans, through the Swiss,

and leave the problem to them.

And we...
just wash our hands of them.

We have no choice.

We have nowhere to lock them up.

There are the elections soon.

You haven't forgotten?

And then...
there's no proof they will be killed.

The very possibility
makes me want to help them.

Very well, I shall see His Highness.

No point. His Highness
has already made his decision.

Don't get up, gentlemen.

May I present Doctor Hoop,
Prime Minister of Liechtenstein.

My wife, the countess Irena.

I understand you are Polish, madam.

Your brave country
has suffered a great deal.

Thank you.

I shall excuse you from
the barbarian names of my officers.

You must understand
that here in Liechtenstein,

we are in a delicate situation.

There are many possible dangers.

General...

can you swear on your honour
that both you and your men

have done nothing that the Allies
could consider a war crime.

Yes, sir.

On my honour.

Thank you.

So if you feel disposed to submit
to the clauses of the Geneva Convention

concerning the status
of prisoners of war,

our prince, Franz Joseph,

is ready to grant political asylum
to you and your men.

With some conditions.

These people have come to our land

with no invitation.

But our beloved prince
has been kind enough

to grant them political asylum
for a limited time.

These poor people may soon
be able to return to their own land.

But until the war is over

we are to share with them
our daily bread and our homes.

In return, they will work
on your farms and on your land.

Brethren,
I ask for your understanding.

No provocation.

And no fraternising either.

Be vigilant.
And above all, no relations

between these men
and the women of our land.

These are our last hours as soldiers.

From now on we will be civilians.
We must look like civilians.

The men will be dispersed
to work around the country.

I don't know how long
this situation will last,

but be certain that I will do
all I can to ensure

our evacuation to a country
where we will be safe.

I have personally promised
to be responsible for discipline.

They have my word.

Relations between our men and
local women are strictly forbidden.

Good.

Drunkenness and damage to the locals
will result in imprisonment.

The guilty shall be
handed over to the Allies.

Ensure the men understand my orders.
Their lives depend on it.

Excuse me.
You're needed, General.

Thank you, Lisa.

Gentlemen...

We'll speak again later.

Push!

I've told the girl
we're not to be disturbed.

I'm afraid
I am at a disadvantage.

I beg your pardon?

You apparently know my name.

But I have no idea
of yours or your friends'.

Excuse me, I'm always forgetting.
Dulles...

American Secret Service.

We'd like to talk to you.

Sit down.

- You've had an amazing war.
- Really?

Yes, General.

We've been following
your 1st Army very closely.

And I never saw you...
How careless of me.

The Eastern Front
does not concern us.

We do not want to meddle
in Soviet affairs.

That's a pity.

Really?

You, in the West, must understand

that I fought the war
with honour, for a cause.

That's debatable.

The problem is not the cause,
it's the timing.

- And when is the right time?
- One must never be right too early.

Whether it concerns Galileo
or even crusades

against the Bolsheviks.

We would like your help.

And in return, we could perhaps
offer you ours.

Admiral Wilhelm Canaris.

Head of German Intelligence,

the Abwehr.

- You're his friend.
- And I am honoured to be so.

Can you tell me more?

You know that he was involved
in the attempt on Hitler's life.

They arrested him last summer.
I don't know what has become of him.

He was sent to a camp
and was hanged last month.

One month...
One month before the end.

Are you surprised?

No.

Canaris used
his networks to defend the Reich,

but also for political reasons.

He was already thinking
about after the war.

It's almost over.

Go on.

Very well.

But this must remain confidential.

In private, Canaris was convinced

that the alliance between
the Americans and the Soviets

was unnatural,

and that it would not survive
after the war.

- He had made provisions.
- These provisions are

of the utmost importance
for the safeguard of the free world.

It's for a similar reason
we frequent Russian émigrés.

Canaris and I
shared the same hunting ground.

I wanted soldiers,
and he wanted spies:

men to be trained by the Abwehr
capable of operating in the provinces

taken over by the Bolsheviks.

Top class spies in the field,
ready for everything.

Any power
hostile to the Soviet regime

would covet such men.

I represent the United States,
not just any power.

I need the men
that you and Canaris know.

Yuri Nikolskoy.

- That's the Brandt farm.
- But...

Alexander?

We retreated together.

Hello, I'm Yuri Nikolskoy.

I've come to work for Mr Brandt.

- I'm Frieda.
- Let me do it.

I have the feeling we've come home.

But you said you wanted to return.

Not now.
Neither to your home nor to mine.

Our son will be born here.

You must be the Russians.

Yes. Good day, madam.

Come in and make yourselves at home.

Come on, there's some hot tea.

You work too hard.

Yes, but what else can I do?

Thank you, darling.

Here, what do you think?

- Can it wait till tomorrow?
- Of course.

So...

what's the situation?

With the French and the English
it's the same old song:

Hand them over to the Soviets
when they show up.

The Americans are a mystery.

A certain...
Allen Dulles met Smyslovsky.

A courteous meeting

according to him.
He's not very forthcoming.

Two of his officers might be working
for allied intelligence.

That may be how Dulles found him.

According to Red Cross,
English troops in southern Austria

shot Cossacks
not returning to the Red Army.

There has even been talk
of mass suicides.

One thing is clear:
we are alone.

Our Swiss neighbours
have let us know that.

But they can't just abandon us!

They must protect themselves.
As anyone else would.

Except us.

True.

Except us.

God knows why Ziegler

insists on victory bells
in a neutral country?

Maybe because
they're bells of peace.

The war is over!

Who are those people?

Frenchmen from the camp at Dachau.

They're going home.

Yes, as head of Parliament,
I am overjoyed.

It's the best place for them.

The only place.
Very well...

I shall send the notifications
to Your Highness.

You seem happy, Father.
Are the Soviets coming?

Not yet.
There's a commission first.

Now we'll find out who is right.

No.

Good day, gentlemen.

Have you opened the meeting
on the pavement?

Just waiting for you outside.
It's such a fine day.

Well, here I am. Let's go.

We don't feel you will go back
on your decision but...

"We"?
Who are "we"?

- Are you their spokesman?
- We are unanimous.

I do believe
that it's inside Parliament

that decisions are made.

Unanimity is rarely achieved
in the streets.

Long live our Soviet comrades!

Long live Stalin!

Shut up, communists!

This isn't the Resistance,
you're soldiers!

You put the lives
of 12,000 countrymen at risk

to save 500 foreigners

who only know how to fight,
butcher and kill!

So they are guilty?

With no hearing and no trial?

They are guilty
and we can now send them

to the firing squad?

Because they thought,
rightly or wrongly,

that the German army

was the only way to get rid
of their own dictator.

At least they had a valid reason.

Tell me, Klaus...

your cousin was an SS officer.
Do we vote for his death?

And the two Russians
working in your stables...

are they blood-thirsty killers

with knives between their teeth?

Are they?

No, these are brave men.
Hard workers.

And you wish them dead?

No.

Of course not.

Fit a face to it
and it's more difficult, isn't it?

This is about the lives

of our fellow countrymen.

Not about names and faces.

Actually, it's about fear.

Yours and mine.

But I won't turn my back
on the truth.

That's enough, Hoop!

It's a matter for our prince.
He will listen.

As always,

Father Ziegler, with great interest.

Sit down, gentlemen.

Well, Father...

what am I supposed to understand?

Well, we are convinced that...

our Prime Minister

lacks foresight...

in not giving in

to the Allies' demands and that...

he is putting
the future of our country at risk.

Gentlemen...

we have survived
for two and a half centuries.

And I firmly believe
one can only survive

by being oneself,
not by trying to please.

I don't wish to please

the Allies or Stalin.

Dr Hoop and I have discussed it
several times.

We think it is just, and therefore

good for Liechtenstein...

to remain in the eyes of the world

a small nation,

but an honest one.

I hope I have persuaded you.

Thank you.
When the Soviet Commission

for Repatriation arrives,

I would like
Dr Hoop to lead the negotiations.

I'd prefer it if neither you nor he

paid particular attention to me.

Thank you, Lisa.

- Are you laughing at my suit?
- No!

I was just smiling.

Don't you like my smile?

On a day like this,
I miss my uniform.

When do they arrive?

At two o'clock.

Will you be summoned?

No, today they'll establish...

what Hoop calls...
the basis of an agreement.

That I'd love to see:
Bolsheviks and agreements!

Don't turn round!

Gentlemen, shall we sit?

I'm Joseph Hoop, Prime Minister,
and these are

the members of Parliament.

I know who you are, Dr Hoop.

I am...

Your credentials?

Thank you.

Very well,

Colonel Cheko and Captain Climenko...

You are both welcome.

I hope we share the desire
for these negotiations

to succeed.
- I won't negotiate.

I am here to organise the return
of our citizens to the homeland.

Then there should be no problem.

The trucks will be here in two days.

Perfect.

Two days.

Colonel...
May I see your list?

List? What list is that?

The list of Soviet citizens
asking to be repatriated.

Excluding those from the Baltic States

that you annexed in 1939.

It is not internationally recognised.

They all go.

I'll say it again.

All.

I just have to register
the names on your list

and everything is fine.

Just bureaucracy.

There is no list.

That's annoying.

Never mind, we have one.

Then, give it to me.

An official request

will obtain a prompt and affirmative reply.

Please bring us your request.

But excuse us for now.
Come, gentlemen.

What is it, boy?

Afraid of the Bolsheviks?

They killed all my family.

Mere peasants!

The German advance saved me.
Now they're back.

It's over, boy.

You're in Liechtenstein now.
A democracy.

Now you live with me.

And you can stay.

You're part of my family.

What's the doll for?

- Your daughter's birthday.
- Maria? God, it's true!

Martha could have
reminded me. I am the father!

No more noise. Okay, Maria?

You, too, Eric.

- It looks easy.
- It is.

As long as you respect the wood.

Can I try?

Try what?

It's beautiful.
Maria will be so happy.

In six months
you'll do the same for me.

You're staying?

It's decided?

We're refugees.
We'll go where they tell us.

We have something to say.

Stop a moment and listen, Natalya.

It's Martha's idea.

A good one then.

Since Martha's mother died,
her father has been ill.

He is bored.

He will rent you his farm
and go to live in Vaduz.

There he can play cards all day.

His land is next to ours.

If we work together,
it could be a big business.

It sounds wonderful.

Thank you.

And thank your father, Martha.

- But...
- But what?

No buts...

In fact, there are.

What if we make plans now,

all kinds of beautiful plans,

and are ordered to Russia?

It would be too cruel. Do you see?

No plans.

Not yet.

But you promised me, Gregory.

Remember the life you promised me?

It's here, with Martha and Peter.

Speak to him.

I'll look after the herd.

The bandit Smyslovsky
does not deign to come

and answer to his charges.

Worse, he's represented
by a minion.

Nevertheless,
in reply to your request,

here is the list of our prisoners.

This is indeed
a complete list of your

so-called prisoners.

- But I refuse this denomination.
- For Liechtenstein,

they are prisoners.

So we can proceed,
I will accept another term.

Any suggestions?

Deserter.

Deserter, how's that?

Unacceptable. They are members
of the 1st National Russian Army,

officially serving
under the German High Command.

That scum is no Russian Army!

It's a gang of criminals!

So how about... prisoners of war?

If you had surrendered

in Germany,
you would be prisoners of war.

Is that acceptable?

Agreed.

The...

prisoners of war

must be returned to the USSR
without delay.

First they will go to Feldkirch,

to the French authorities,

who will take them to Vienna

where they will be handed over
to the Soviets.

That's it.

One moment, Colonel.

"The Soviet Commission
for Repatriation..."

Here it is...

"...is to negotiate the return
of Russian citizens."

Are the negotiations over?

There is nothing more to add.

I must misunderstand

the word 'negotiation'.

There is nothing to add.

Except that...

the prisoners
will not be handed over.

You should read this.

Now?

Just the signatures
on the last page.

Roosevelt.

Churchill, Stalin... Impressive!

This document was signed at Yalta.

It allows us to repatriate all

I repeat, all Russians,

free or prisoners in Europe.
- Interesting.

Just one problem. I can't see

the signature of our prince,
Franz Joseph.

They must have forgotten
to invite him. It's the only answer!

Funny, isn't it?

But you are wrong
to mock our prince.

I shall explain something
once and for all.

This is a small country,

but it upholds rights.

Your threats won't stop us
from respecting the law

or from making you respect it.

It wasn't our war.
Yalta is not our concern.

And if Eisenhower says that Russians
freed in the allied zone

will be handed to the Soviets,
again we are not concerned.

Because Liechtenstein is not a zone.

- It is neutral and independent.
- This is ridiculous!

If democracy is ridiculous,
go home!

But remember this:
any man in the 1st National

Russian Army who wants to return
to the USSR can do so,

and you will ask each one of them!

No one will leave here by force!

Or against his will! No one!

No one will go with you,
you bastard!

Lieutenant Zolchin!

Really? Remind me of his name,

Prime Minister.
- Lieutenant...

Mikhail Zolchin.

Remember that name...

Cheko!
- I will remember.

Count on it!

Cheko put an end to any doubts.

Total hatred poured out of him.

And the others?

And Anton?

The others are worried
about reprisals.

When the Russians left,
Anton wouldn't speak.

But...

is there a danger? Really?

In principle, no.
But we all make mistakes.

Six tanks
and an infantry battalion

are enough to flatten Liechtenstein.

They would make their excuses

and offer to stay
in order to rebuild everything.

And what do they care...

Truman, Churchill and De Gaulle?

I suppose there is danger.

I'm afraid.

Lunch!

Go help Frieda, my boy.

- What was your father like?
- He was the strongest on the kolkhoz.

What's that?

A kolkhoz, what is it?

- A farm.
- Like ours?

No, much bigger.

So your father was rich?

He was very poor.

But if the farm was so big...

It wasn't our farm.

I don't get it. Whose was it?

The state's. Everybody's.

Well...

that's what they said.

My information was correct.

Your correspondent is Swiss,
and I trust him.

The editor confirmed it.

You must warn your men.

It won't be easy.

Dr Hoop will do all he can

but he's being watched.

The NKVD must have agents
among my men.

How about Argentina?

Our friends are working on it.
I'm hopeful.

Thank you for everything.

What did he say?

Vlassov was captured.

And 10,000 of his men executed.

10,000 men!

We can't help them now.

I'll be damned before they touch
one of my men!

Zolchin!

Do what you like,

but ensure they know
what Cheko and his cronies can do!

They'll have no mercy.

Inform all the men.

But don't compromise Dr Hoop.

Do it quickly. Now!

Yes, sir.

Let them know...

that the negotiations for Argentina

are going well.

Yes, sir.

Is it true?

A hypothesis.

An optimistic one.

The Orthodox Church is involved.

What is it?

Dr Hoop sent it.
He said it's urgent.

Read it while I change.

"Dear Anton...

"The Soviet commission

"is preparing to meet

"Smyslovsky's men

"to see who wants
to return to the USSR.

"They should be accompanied
by an observer

"with integrity and objectivity.

"Yours is the first name
to spring to mind.

"Mopel can second you.
Send your reply

"to the Parliament.
Your friend, Joseph."

If you go you can evangelise

those damned Bolsheviks!

You'll break new ground.

New ground is not my vocation.

Excuse me.

- Sorry, all has changed.
- This whole thing is a mess.

You're right.

- Why did you pick me?
- You're an important person.

They won't pressurise the men
before you.

I'm honoured.
When will they come?

It's postponed today.

With everything not quite as it seems,

I think they're stalling.

Like the general?

Right! But for different reasons.

Did you find
anything interesting?

There wasn't enough time.

I thought you'd speak more.

I expected a Soviet to respect
the rules of politeness.

Quite a mistake!

The mistake, Dr Hoop,

is the stupidity

of you and your prince
risking your country

to protect criminals.

It could be a mistake,

and it's quite possible
that I'm stupid.

But risk? I don't quite follow.

Do you expect us
to give in to your threats?

You are intelligent enough

to answer that yourself.

By the way, Captain Barinkova,

you must have woken early
to bring me a message

that your superiors could have given

by telephone or to a driver.

It must be one of the disadvantages

of being a woman officer
in the Red Army.

I understand your bad mood.

Wrong, Dr Hoop.

What puts me in a bad mood
is dealing with little men

who are blind and deaf,

in their little country.

Little men who have never seen
blood spilt or shot guns.

You're right,
we don't have your experience.

Before Hitler, your old ally,

attacked you,
you had already attacked

Finland, the Baltic States
and Poland.

What is certain is we didn't win
this war to have to deal

with people like you.

Make a call

and ask the Americans
what they did to the Cossacks.

And how the English forced people

into convoys,
to send back our traitors.

If a few thousand people from here
end up in cattle trucks

bound for the East,

who will ever know?

How many are you?

12,000?

It would only take a few trains.

You must have suffered badly
to speak like that.

Goodbye, Captain.

20 million of my countrymen died.

Never forget that.

It's a lot.

In Leningrad we ate rats...

and even human flesh, to survive.

I could understand you
if I wasn't Russian.

But I am Russian.

The Nazis killed my parents,

hanged my husband...

So the war is not over for me.

It will be one day, perhaps.

I hope so, madam.

You pig!

Was this war fought for silk stockings

for your Austrian whores?

You're off to Siberia!

It's for the general. His orders.

That's even more serious.
General or not, I'll file a report.

He'll be sent to fight the Japanese!

Captain Barinkova is in charge.
Cheko can't act without her consent.

I take it you noticed?

I completely agree.

She is elegant, subtle,

wounded deeply by her loss,

and the more dangerous for it!

Can we rest a while?
I haven't had your training.

Still no news about the Bolsheviks?

Nothing.

Yes, that's him.

I'm not in the least surprised.

He only sees things
in the worse case.

But this time, he may be right.

What do they have in store?

They are twisted.

This is the calm before the storm.

They are looking for weaknesses,
studying files...

They are very thorough.

More than you imagine.

I have news
from a trustworthy source.

Armed groups of communists
from Yugoslavia and Italy

are making reprisals
in southern Austria.

I shall keep on my guard.

Thank you, Dr Hoop.

I shall also warn my men.

Are you still in touch with Dulles?

Yes, he comes to see me
now and again.

You wouldn't listen!

Now look!

Enough!

Put your trousers on, boy.

You look stupid.

Go and make yourself decent, girl.
Make some coffee.

Don't put that on.

It needs dressing.
Ask Frieda to clean it.

Go on!

Quite a scene this morning!

Eight policemen!
That's 2/3 of our armed forces.

Have you mobilised the troops?

We'll get their statements,
and the French will take them.

The French? Why, Anton?

They did not respect the rules.

Your rules, Joseph.

They will be expelled
and the French will take them away.

That's it!

What happens after
is not our concern.

- And it will appease the Soviets.
- So it will!

Bravo, Anton. Well done!

I want to see the witness statements.

I don't want an investigation,
but let's stay within the law.

Our law.

We don't need written statements.
The witnesses are upstanding citizens.

That makes our position
all the stronger.

- When do the French get here?
- At 4 o'clock.

We have only six hours.

- We'll have to be quick.
- Impossible!

We would need at least 24 hours
to gather all the witnesses.

Then we'll have to tell the French...

that certain facts
need to be checked...

that there are formalities...

They'll understand.
The French love bureaucracy.

I need your help. Can I count on you?

We must establish perfectly
each man's guilt.

Guilt? There was a rape!
Well, attempted rape.

- Have you told the general?
- Not yet.

You should have.

Hide, quick!

Tell me where the general is, bitch!

Spit it out!

- Lisa!
- Don't move!

Is he upstairs?

Take me to his room! Move!

Leave it, that's an order!

To the Jeep!

It's not too bad?

Is she okay?

Nothing serious.

I didn't tell them.

Good, Lisa you're very brave.

I'll take care of your sweet face.

Come with me.

- Everything okay?
- Thank God!

I was afraid!

Dr Hoop, you are very well informed.

I know nothing.
I came to tell you Ziegler has had

3 of your men arrested.

- Is it serious?
- Yes. I need you now.

Anyway, you can't stay here.

We'll move you to Vaduz.

Nikolskoy...

Private.

The charges from Mme Brandt

and the farm boy against
Yuri Nikolskoy have been dropped.

Let him go.

Get back to the Brandt farm
on the double.

Move.

Effeniev... Private.

He's in bad shape.

Your police are very enthusiastic,
Dr Hoop.

No, it was his comrades
putting a stop to the rape.

You bastard!

After what happened to you!

What was that?

He was forced to watch the Bolsheviks
rape his mother and sister.

Ziegler would do well
to hear the rest.

His father was a priest.

They cut his tongue out
for preaching anticommunist sermons.

In that case, General,
one could plead

extenuating circumstances.

I'm sorry, Joseph,

but he raped a teenager.
We can't treat it lightly.

And it could happen again
if we don't set an example.

I agree wholeheartedly.
Hang him!

The war is over, General,
and with it martial law.

Our court will decide.

He'll be tried
under Liechtenstein law.

Autumn 1945

- Leave it!
- What's going on?

Clear off!

- Your lawyer has already lost!
- Shut up!

I'm sorry to call you
at such short notice.

Don't mention it.

Have all my men been warned?

No idea.

Ziegler will quickly hear
of any absentees.

Two are certain to miss the call.

That's another problem.

But I didn't ask you here
for that, Boris.

It's been made official.

They want to question you
here tomorrow at three.

I can't do much tomorrow,

but if, as a lawyer,
I can help you today...

My dear friend...

Where shall I begin?

If I had any idea
what my crimes were

I would ask your advice.

I fought this war
as I did the last.

Like 7 generations before me,
I have fought with honour.

As my illustrious and bellicose
family has always done.

My conscience is clear.

Fall in!

Get in line!

Move yourselves!

A Russian explaining
to the Soviet police

why he is in the German Army

seems completely surreal.

Quiet!

Why are you here?

You are Russian soldiers.
You have nothing to do

with the people
of this little country.

And the people of this little country

don't want you here.

True,

Father Ziegler?

True?

True, I suppose.

There, you see?

So, who are you?

Most of you
are captured Soviet soldiers

or prisoners of war

forced to join the German Army

to fight with scum

against your own comrades.

Oh, I know... I know

some people back home

think that a bullet in the head

is all you deserve.

But not me.

I understand you.

Because I am a soldier.

But...

there are others here

who were not captured,

who are not prisoners of war,

who simply ran away.

We could call them deserters.

Not me.

I call them

little pieces of shit!

You're one!

Are you a little piece of shit?

- Answer.
- Yes, Colonel.

Yes, what? I didn't hear.

I am one of those

little pieces of shit, Colonel.

About time!

Do you have a name?

Krassov.

Is that all?

Alexander Victorovitch Krassov.

Alexander Victorovitch Krassov.

Men like this
Alexander Victorovitch Krassov

deserted because they were
cold and hungry.

Or because they had lost
their regiment.

These things happen.
Not to me, but to those

like Alexander Victorovitch Krassov.

There are others among you
who may have made the same mistake.

That is why you are here today
in this little country.

Because you know you made a mistake.

I know it was only a mistake.

Alexander Victorovitch Krassov,

your mother misses you.
She hasn't seen you

since May 1941.
Remember the 2 weeks leave

you spent mostly with Alexandra?

Alexandra, Alexander...
Your names are almost the same.

Remember how beautiful she was?

She's even more beautiful now.

Look.

Turn it over, there's a message.

She wants you to go home.

She still loves you.

Your mother wants you back.
Only you are left.

You father died. Asthma...

I'm sorry, Alexander.

It was only three months ago.

We have news for each of you.

Frieda.

Petrov Gregory lvanovitch?

Here.

Comrade Petrov...

I am happy to meet you at last.

You were taken prisoner in 1942.

But you have
quite a reputation, I see.

Estonian family,
both parents teachers, only son...

You're a brave man, Petrov.

Two medals from the Soviet Army.

It seems your studies
helped you in the army.

One more year of studies.

Just one.

And you will be a doctor.

The USSR needs men like you.

But I am in
the National Russian Army.

Can you forget that?

You are quicker than me.

But then, you are an intelligent man.

You deserve a reply.

Your comrades, too.

Listen very carefully to this reply.

Come!

Now you know what we have tried
to do for you

with the little time we have had.

Now you know that in Russia

we haven't forgotten you

and that people can't wait
for your return.

But nonetheless...

you did take up arms
against your own brothers.

This can't go unpunished.

Stalin, our father,

our beloved leader,

has decided that your punishment

will be a rebirth.

Forget the camps!

Forget prison!

You will pay your debt
to your country in the noblest way.

You will spend two years
rebuilding our ruined cities.

Your officers will undergo
political re-education.

Then, you can go back
to the ones you love.

Free at last to live your own lives
in your houses,

in the land of your birth.

We'll be back in seven days.

You can bring your wives,
if you have one.

We'll find a place for them.

You were perfect, Cheko.

Gregory Petrov would be
a good recruit for the NKVD.

I'm sorry.

I'm glad you started.

The view is great up there.

I heard that woman.

Medical studies...
both parents teachers...

I didn't know that.

You said they worked in a factory.

It's true.

- And now they're teachers?
- Before the war, they were.

They were sent to the factory.

I was...

I am a medical student.

Did you hear her?
I can go to medical school.

So you've decided without asking me?

Decided for me and the baby?

Do you know why
the general brought us here?

He thought they would shoot us all.

It's not true. You heard them.

Do you want to risk that?

- It's not our business.
- Yes, it is.

You're our only friends.

I always felt...

you were a clever man.
I'm not educated, but we're friends.

I didn't know you wanted to be a doctor.
Nor did Natalya.

You're clever enough
to start over, here.

And there is a chance
your general is right.

Would you risk all your lives
just to be a doctor?

No, to keep my promises to Natalya.

I don't care about your promises!

We dreamt of cars, caviar and furs
when we lived in a tent!

In the snow, being bombed!

All I want now is to live.

I want to live here and now.
That's all!

It's Ziegler.

Sorry Joseph, I can't sleep.

Me neither. Go on up.

Sit down.

- Excuse me, Emily.
- Good evening.

- Cognac?
- With pleasure.

I've been thinking.
Their manipulation is plain to see.

Cheko and the captain
tell terrible lies.

Are you sure?

They are evil incarnate.
I was horrified.

In the end,
I almost believed him myself.

He was almost human.

She was almost motherly.

Most of those poor boys
believe everything they are told.

I'm sure they wish to return
to Russia. I'm quite sure.

Boris must talk to his men.
Only he can convince them.

- You must intervene, Joseph.
- I can't, it's too dangerous.

Europe is a time bomb.
The armies make and unmake laws.

We could disappear.

If the Soviets learnt
of the palace treasure,

it would be a certainty.

You must warn them.

You have risked so much.
Even against Anton.

Whatever happens, you have
the full support of the Parliament.

You must do something.

Where is the war criminal Smyslovsky?

General Smyslovsky is waiting.

Bring him in.

Prime Minister...

Gentlemen.

Who are you?

I said, who are you?

Why is this poor man shouting?

Do you understand him?

I don't.

I speak a little.

Perhaps you could interpret for me?

Dr Hoop, forgive me, but...

this man speaks a language
which is foreign to me.

But luckily, Lieutenant Zolchin
knows the basics

and can act as my interpreter.

If you would ask this man

to speak directly to the lieutenant

we might be able to start.

We have a problem of communication.

The lieutenant will pass on
what you say.

Before we begin,
this man must identify himself.

Who are you?

He wants to know who you are.

If they don't know who I am,

then we are clearly
wasting our time here.

Just a formality.

Of course, Dr Hoop.

Count Arthur Boris
Holmston-Smyslovsky.

General of the 1st National
Russian Army of the Wehrmacht.

In my file it only says
Smyslovsky, Boris.

Arthur and Holmston
were added in 1920

to confuse the Bolshevik
secret service and its hideous,

twisted, evil-doing gnomes,

better known as the Cheka.

You are Finnish, Boris Smyslovsky.

You were born in Terioki
on 3 December 1897.

What did he say?

If he wants my biography,

I prefer to do it myself.

It will be quicker, and also,
I am the best qualified.

I left the Mikhailovska
Artillery School in St Petersburg,

was given the rank of Lieutenant in 1915

and sent to the front at eighteen.

I went to Austria
during the Bolshevik revolution.

My father and most of my family

were killed in a concentration camp
by that lot!

I joined the White Army in 1918.

And I fought against
the revolutionary army for 3 years

until my unit
was imprisoned in Poland.

Then I fled to Germany
where I joined its army.

I was a German Major in 1940,

promoted to
Lieutenant-Colonel in '42

and General in '44.

I organised
the 1st National Russian Army,

with which I fought, for Greater Russia,
against the Bolsheviks.

We fought only on the Eastern Front
against the Red Army.

And we served with honour.

The 500 men that are here

are all that is left
of my 3,000 soldiers.

Thank you.

Colonel Cheko...

you bring charges

against General Smyslovsky
for war crimes.

The burden of proof
for these crimes rests with you.

He has admitted our first accusation.

That is enough.

Can you be more precise, Captain?

Being in the White Army
between 1918 and 1920,

he admits to
the murder of Soviet citizens.

Do you have statements?

After his court martial,

you will have the statements.

I'm sorry,

we need them here and now.

Do you have anything to add?

Yes,

I do.

They speak of the murder
of Russian citizens.

They seem confused.

If these representatives of the
political police could understand,

I would remind them
of the military code.

But...

they are butchers.

Butchers representing butchers!

The only law they know

is the law of the slaughter house!

They have enslaved Russia
with murder!

And with murder, they keep power!

Smyslovsky, you are dead!

You are dead!

Yes, like General Vlassov is dead.

You are as dead as a dead pig!

Like Vlassov!

And we pissed
on his stinking corpse!

And his 10,000 dead men!

Shot like rabbits!

Well...

everything is clear.

There is no
Commission for Repatriation.

These Bolsheviks are murderers.

They just admitted
to killing Vlassov

and wiping out his army.

10,000 men slaughtered.

Lies and death,
that's what this commission is.

You have all heard this Mr Cheko.

Colonel Cheko,
Captain Barinkova,

once again, can you give me

any proof against General Smyslovsky?

Smyslovsky,
you will need to run fast

and hide your whole life.

You won't be safe anywhere.

What are you doing?

- I'm taking notes.
- You will see us again.

Very soon.

Remember, the USSR is powerful.

- And we won the war.
- I'll make a note.

Gentlemen, the session is closed.

General,

were the 10,000 men a supposition?

No, Father. Unfortunately
it was an underestimate.

I hope it helps your men understand.

Let's pray they do.

Death to Stalin!

My poor Cheko,

the commissioner will want
to congratulate you personally.

Thank you.

There's no hurry now.

Ziegler and his followers
will probably win the election,

and as they now adhere to your cause,
they'll soon make you a hero.

Our prince won't oppose your staying.

Thanks, but no.

We will cause you problems.

The USSR has no influence
in Argentina,

we'll be of no trouble to our hosts.

The only thing that bothers me
is learning Spanish.

Which my wife speaks fluently.

Do your men know about Argentina?

Zolchin has seen to it.

Unfortunately,
we heard late this afternoon.

We were just wondering...

What will happen to the two lovers?

It takes a long time
to set up an investigation.

If you and your men leave soon

we can let them go for...
good behaviour.

They may even flee the country...

Our police don't have the means

to chase lovers as far as Argentina.

I think you're becoming less rigid.

More optimistic.

You know what Napoleon said?

"What I admire most in the world
is that the mind

is mightier than the sword."

Come here, it's important!

Lieutenant Zolchin sent me!

Remember Vlassov's men?

Well, now it's possible
to go to Argentina.

Where's that?

Olga will show you. It's far away.

We'll be safe there.

The general wants to take us there.

- There?
- Yes, there.

- Oh, no.
- No, it's too far

Are you coming to Argentina?

How do we know?

Who's telling the truth?

You didn't tell the truth.

I've never hidden anything.

I told you everything about me
and all my family.

You knew I worked in a factory.

You knew we were poor, everything.

I believed we were from
the same world.

But I loved you.

I love you so much that...

I wanted to ignore
anything that came between us.

You'd have distrusted me
as a student doctor.

- And then...
- Then what?

The men I was with...

You mean poor,
uneducated people like me?

I mean people
who could have become hostile.

Aggressive.

Because I was different.

Not better. Just different.

It's like that everywhere.

Worse in a closed world
like the army.

Even the other women
would have hated you.

Gregory, my darling.

Let's do it.

Let's do what you want.

Please.

Then we're going home.

Watches! Who wants a watch?

You'll all have a watch.

There's one for everyone back home.

Smile.

Dr Petrov!
Want to be in the photo?

Gregory!

- Natalya?

Let her go!

Calm down, comrade.

Get in line.

Those who chose to return
only went as far as Hungary...

General Smyslovsky
took the rest of his men to Argentina.

Much later,
he returned to Liechtenstein

where he died
on 8 September 1988.