Original subtitles

SECRET DELIVERY

I remember the last winter before the war.

It was the last time I saw my parents laugh

and talk without a care in the world.

Together with a German family we were friends with,

we would all go skiing on a hill known in the region as Hat Hill.

My brother Jíra and his best friend Jochen

were looking forward to sitting next to each other at school.

But then everything changed.

Jíra and Jochen couldn't be friends anymore

or go skiing together.

All Germans, including Jochen and his family, now lived in the Reich,

while we stayed on the other side of the border, in the Protectorate.

The front reached us in the beginning of February 1945,

but the Nazis would not admit defeat.

1945 PROTECTORATE OF BOHEMIA AND MORAVIA

Here.

German deserters.

They are rounding them up.

My Dad said so.

What's going to happen to them?

They'll get shot.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Our parents wouldn't allow Jíra to see his German friend Jochen.

But Jíra kept crossing the border.

Should I get him?

No. Let him do whatever he wants.

Little brother.

I'll never forget that fateful day when all our lives changed.

- Go on! - Giddyap!

Look, a hare!

Not here, little hare!

- Damn it, are you blind? - Shit!

Hands up!

Are you mental?

They were shooting at a hare at the border.

Almost got me.

Good thing you don't sit next to me at school, Stinky.

Look at those boys of ours!

Mad, right?

Giddyap!

Jíra! What are you doing?

I've been drafted.

Lucky you, then.

With that leg of yours,

they'll take one look at you and send you back.

They're drafting cripples too now.

If I don't go, they'll shoot me for desertion.

Don't worry about Jochen. We'll take care of him.

I'm sending Jochen to Helga.

Didn't she leave you two for an SS man?

She's still his mother.

Whatever.

We'll be here. Always.

You in one piece?

Yeah, I guess.

My ski flew off.

I see it. It's down there.

Crap!

Quiet!

Who are they?

Gebirgsjäger!

They're looking for partisans and deserters.

They've caught a few already. Brought them outside the school today.

They've got great skis.

We have to find your ski. Let's go tandem.

Look!

Maybe a wounded animal.

Hurry! Run!

Who do you think he is?

Who he was, right?

He's dead.

What if he's not?

Jochen!

You German?

I'm...

Czech.

Are you German?

No.

He's a Nazi for sure, and now he'll shoot us both.

We should have stayed away.

A bit dark for a Kraut, don't you think?

You American?

He's probably from Africa. There are people like him there.

English?

I'm French.

What's a Frenchman doing here?

I don't know.

We're getting nowhere.

You wait here with him.

Where are you going?

I'll go get Dad.

What happened? Jochen!

He needs a doctor.

Why, Father?

Are you stupid, seeing Jíra?

What did I tell you? He's Czech! You're German!

Mr. Erlebach, it's not Jochen's fault...

Father!

Stop!

The boys were skiing on Hat Hill, and he crashed into a tree.

- Go on. - Off you go.

Sorry, Jíra. There was no other way.

You could've said something before punching me.

You would have ducked.

If I'd known why, I wouldn't have moved.

Jíra! What happened to you?

Jíra will be fine.

- Good evening, Mr. Soukup. - Doesn't look too good to me.

Dad, it's not what it looks like.

- We'll talk about that later. - Jíra, for heaven's sake! Who did this?

He did...

Karl?

The boys found him in the forest.

Who is it?

Is it a Gypsy?

No.

A pilot.

German?

French.

Jochen, unhitch the horse.

Come inside, Jíra.

I'll take you.

Vašík, home. Now.

Get out of here!

Take him to Anka's room.

Come with me.

- It's his. Hide it. - Right.

Anka?

Go get Dr. Holubec.

What should I say?

Why don't you just tell him we have a French pilot here?

Boženka... Off you go!

Vašík, you're in the way!

Where are you going, all alone like this?

Get in. I'll give you a ride.

No, thank you.

Get in.

Don't be afraid of me.

Where will it be?

To Dr. Holubec.

He lives by the church.

Someone at home ill?

My brother.

He was out skiing. Crashed into a tree. Broke his nose.

Thanks.

- Thanks a lot. - No problem.

The Nazi! He's coming here! And he's coming for me!

Sit down.

Good afternoon.

Hello.

My name is Gollwitz. I command the Gebirgsjäger here.

What are you doing here?

You live in a village in the Reich.

I just brought Jíra home.

Mr. Gollwitz, have some soup.

Listen, boys. I understand.

When I was your age, I got into a lot of mischief too.

Look.

This is my family.

We lived in Varnsdorf before the war.

This is...

Kurt and Leni.

Nice kids.

Stop meeting up in the Reich.

End of discussion.

And that means what?

That it's forbidden.

And if it's forbidden, we don't do it.

- We what? - Don't do it.

Boženka, use this if he can't take the pain,

but I think snow will be fine.

Just keep icing it, and it'll be all right.

I'll take you home, Doc.

Thanks.

Doctor, could you take a look at me too?

I often feel pain... here.

I can take you home later, Doc.

Thank you. All right.

Do you know Postmaster Tománek?

I'm staying with him, in case you ever want to see me.

- Let's lay him down. - All right.

Hold his leg here.

A bit more.

More.

You'll have to keep his arm immobile.

That leg...

is really bad.

What's his name?

Pierre.

He needs to get to a hospital as soon as possible.

Couldn't he stay here and you could come and treat him?

What?

No way, Anicka. He needs surgery.

I know old Vican at the hospital in Lejkovec.

He's with the resistance.

But how will we get him there?

Could you take him, Doctor?

No.

The patrol stopped me twice yesterday.

I don't dare. Sorry.

We can go.

- It's not good, Boženka. - He's at risk of sepsis.

He needs a hospital right away, or he's done.

Pierre is a pilot. If they find him, they'll shoot him on the spot.

Nice seeing you, Karl.

Next time around, please don't almost kill that boy of mine.

Let's go, young man.

- I'll try to find the parachute tomorrow. - Karl.

Thanks.

Let's hope he survives this.

Let's hope we all survive this.

He won't last long.

So we'll bury him here too.

- Boženka! - What?

I just don't get it.

Whatever did we do to get ourselves a French pilot?

A half-dead one too.

And he looks like a Gypsy!

We can't even pretend he's one of ours.

- I'll take him away in the morning. - Do you know how far Lejkovec is?

- I do. - At least 20 miles.

That's not that far.

It's winter.

It's almost twice as far now.

I wouldn't say that, Boženka.

So it'll be just you and a wounded pilot?

There are patrols everywhere.

A German rescued him, and you want me to let him die?

If he croaks, he croaks.

It's not our fault.

Václav, do you want to get caught with him?

They'll shoot everyone in the village.

Throw it in.

I have homework to do.

- Good night. - Good night.

And, Anka, you leave Pierre alone.

Why wouldn't she leave him alone?

I don't know. I just don't want her eyeing him up.

What?

You wouldn't understand.

Giddyap. Careful.

How are you?

I'm on my way to the sawmill.

Let's go, then.

I hope I don't have to say this twice. Not a word to anyone.

Mom! As if you didn't know me!

You shouldn't have said that.

So what am I not supposed to say?

Stupid! We all know you'll spill the beans anyway.

You're stupid yourself. And your big nose is even stupider.

Vašík, it's not that hard.

Just don't tell anyone anything.

Off you go.

We found this in the forest under Hat Hill.

This implies...

we expect everyone's help.

I knew a guy...

Got wounded in the woods,

but he was alone.

What an idiot.

It was winter, like now, and he froze to death at night.

We'll do it this way.

Anyone found hiding or aiding the enemy in any way

will be shot on the spot.

With his family and all his friends.

- Hello, miss. - Hello.

- Hello, children. - Hello.

What happened to you?

He was being a smart-ass. Weren't you, little brother?

You really did this?

No, it was...

Who?

None of your business, you crackling eavesdropper!

But I know something. Something you really want to know.

We don't care, you greaseball.

I heard Dad talking to Gollwitz. The Nazis are looking for a pilot.

Eda, what else did you hear?

Well, Eda?

Can we be friends?

But we already are friends, Eda. Just tell us. What else did they say?

- More people will be staying with us. - What people?

Soldiers. They'll be searching the cottages for the pilot.

When are they coming?

Two, three days.

Mom's already trying to figure out what she'll cook.

What's going on back there? You should be in your seats! Eda!

- Time for some grammar revisions. - No!

Come on! We'll get to birds of prey later, like I promised.

Eda, you're up.

Deaf Granny after school.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Jíra, you're late.

Vašík, go help Mrs. Pecínková.

- We must be able to rely on everyone. - I know.

Barka and Jarka are in Hejskovice.

They're solid, and their uncle's a vet.

Honza Petrík and Franta are in Mlcov.

We served at mass together.

There's a resisterance group in Lejkovec.

- Resistance group, Jíra. - That's what I said.

We must remember everything we say. If anyone ever found anything...

We're dead.

I'll burn this. The map too.

I'd like to meet Pierre before we start.

Tom, we must be completely invisible.

So I'm supposed to save someone I've never met?

You really think there's time

to show Pierre to all those kids

who will be helping us,

so they can tell him they'll be saving him?

If you really think it's important, fine.

You forgot the little kids.

We need a few small kids in each group, so we're less conspicuous.

We need lots of hay, water, food, medicine and blankets.

What if he needs the toilet?

Old newspapers and a milk bottle.

Dad?

We're taking Pierre away tomorrow.

Who is?

Jíra, Vašík and I.

Or Pierre will just end up dead under our manure!

If you were Jíra, you'd be getting slapped right now.

I've already asked Vera and Tomáš Kubík for help.

They promised they'll talk to kids in Studenec and Hejskovice.

Stop it, Anka.

They'll send Pierre on.

From village to village, all the way to Lejkovec.

What will he eat? Where will he sleep?

Who'll treat his wounds?

Dr. Mejstrík is in Borejov. He's as reliable as our doctor here.

You said yourself there are good people everywhere.

Yeah.

But it's not easy to find them.

There's a resistance group in Lejkovec. Aren't they good?

- We'll get him there. - No way.

No one's taking him anywhere.

But, Boženka, you said it yourself. He can't stay here.

So pray he doesn't make it.

They'll be searching the cottages.

When?

More Nazis are coming to stay with the Tománek family.

How do you know?

Eda talked.

Well, we must do something.

Fine. We'll take him. But not our children!

Mom, but you know children won't be as conspicuous as adults.

Anka, I said no. Not another word.

I'll go see Holubec in the morning.

He's a doctor. Let him take care of the pilot.

Tomorrow morning, I go to the front.

Here's some food, at least for a while.

Go to sleep. Take Jochen with you.

I'm going to see Pierre.

Me too. Jochen, let's go.

Leave him alone!

I just want to see if he's still breathing.

He is, Vašík. Say your prayers.

And off to sleep.

Look, this is Smrcí.

This is Studenec.

Hejskovice, Mlcov,

Borejov and Lejkovec.

When will the Giant Mountains be ours again?

Don't worry. We'll have them back. When the war is over.

When will the war be over?

Come straight home after school.

Got it? You too, Jochen.

Thanks, honey. Off you go.

- Brok? - Let him go! He'll give us away!

Brok!

There you are.

Here.

What were you doing there?

Giddyap!

- Tomorrow's my birthday. - Amazing, Béda.

Remember to tell them to talk to the vet. It's their uncle.

And come back right away. We'll need your help. Got it?

Yeah, got it. I just thought, since it's my birthday tomorrow...

Repeat after me, Béda.

House number 4.

Barka and Jarka. And the vet.

House number 4. Barka and Jarka.

House number 4. Four. Barka and Jarka.

The vet. Number 4. Tomorrow's my birthday.

Search the cottage, barn, shed...

Mr. Tománek! What are you doing here?

We're looking for a pilot.

A pilot?

Don't you think we would've noticed a plane landing here?

What do you think, Mr. Tománek?

There you have it.

Would you like some?

We didn't find anything, sir.

Thanks.

Where are the children?

At school. Where else would they be?

Can I have one more?

Giddyap!

Stop!

Karli.

Hay.

It's just like home.

Off you go!

- Off you go! - Go!

What's he doing here?

You mean Jochen? He's our friend, remember?

He's not our friend anymore!

We found Pierre together!

So?

Pierre's ours!

Calm down, Tomáš!

House number 4.

Barka and Jarka.

The vet. Number 4. Tomorrow's my birthday.

Looking for someone?

Hello. I'm here to see Barka and Jarka.

They live in number 4.

This is number 6.

I messed up. Like always.

Don't worry about it. Come get warmed up. You're freezing cold.

I'll make you some tea. You can see the girls afterwards.

Just for a little while, then. Because it's my birthday.

Well, there you go.

I don't know if I can do it, Anka.

He's so swarthy. And so handsome.

Yeah, well, he's a Gypsy.

Verka, you'll have to manage.

You've got no choice.

You only have to get him to the vet in Hejskovice.

You said you'd burn it.

I changed my mind. You'll need it.

If worse comes to worst, you can always eat it.

Thank you.

You stay here, Toník.

If Pierre needs to pee, give him the milk bottle.

Toník, you're an Indian on a warpath.

And now's your watch, got it?

Is he deaf or what?

He's not deaf. We talked yesterday. Didn't we, Toník?

I don't like this.

- Are you dumb? - No.

Wait until Tomáš and Vera get back from school.

Coffee.

- Milouš! - Yes, Mr. Tománek? Come have some.

Thank you, Mrs. Tománková.

May I?

Where did you get this?

I found it in the snow in front of the pub.

Pretty girl, right?

Yeah, pretty.

- What are you doing? - Pierre's ours!

Where are you?

Inside, now! You're supposed to be in class.

Go on in. Hurry up!

And I'll want to see a note from your parents for yesterday.

Béda! Finally! Show us the way to the vet.

What happened?

Wolves.

What is it, girls? What do you want?

Uncle, we need you to hide something for us.

- Again? - It's just for one night.

Saving kittens again?

Not kittens.

He's badly hurt.

Who, damn it? A dog?

- If you don't help us... - He'll die.

Vašík! You alive?

Vašík!

Anka, I won't ask where Jíra is or where you were yesterday,

but I want to see your parents.

Tell them, okay?

Hi. We're Barka and Jarka.

- I'm Jarka. - And I'm Barka.

I'm Jochen.

I'm Jíra. Come on, we gotta go.

Wake up, Béda.

Giddyap!

You'll sleep well here, my friend.

Is that him?

Vilda! Go to the Petrík family in Mlcov. Can you do it?

Sure. Honza is waiting for you. Make sure no one follows you, okay?

Girls, you get going as well.

- Just a bit longer! - Off you go, I said!

Here it comes.

This is all I can do for you.

Good night.

Thank you. Very much.

Thanks a lot.

- Good night, men. - Good night.

Look at the way it's looking at me.

It's probably never seen such an ass.

Good night.

Night. Good night, men.

Good night.

Anka, do you have any idea what could happen to those boys?

But it's not my fault!

Where are they?

I really don't know.

They split.

Václav, you have to find them.

Can you tell me the stops?

Nazis shooting Nazis. They're panicking.

We got a message that the Russians might reach Lejkovec in three days.

Not a word to anyone.

I'm not stupid.

Good evening! I need to talk to Honza.

Sit down. You're freezing cold.

I'll get you a cup of tea. Come in.

What's going on, Vilda?

That's Uncle Vican. You don't have to be scared of him.

What's all this mischief?

Just a message for me.

Must be important, Vilda, if they're sending a messenger at night.

We sent messages like that too when we were boys.

A secret delivery. Passed on...

On and on...

From village to village.

Dad, we'll need your help.

Yours too, Uncle.

Jochen! Pierre's gone!

Maybe he just went outside to pee.

- Pierre! - Be quiet!

Pierre!

How are we supposed to find him in this darkness?

- Pierre! - Be quiet, I said!

Crap! That was my bloody nose!

Hear that?

Told you he just went out for a pee.

Where did you get the photograph?

In the snow.

He's always picking stuff up. He's an idiot.

Who gave it to you?

No one gave it to him. He picked it up somewhere.

I'm telling you, he's an idiot.

And that implies?

That it's the pilot.

What is it you Czechs still want?

You didn't have to fight.

I have no idea what they still want.

You just keep causing trouble!

Can I go, Mr. Tománek?

Will you join us for lunch, Herr Leutnant?

Will you?

Thanks.

- Dad, will you remember them? - Remember what?

The stops.

Don't worry, darling.

The last one is at Mejstrík's. In Borejov.

Right.

The Nazis have set up a hospital at Mejstrík's in Borejov.

You can hear shooting here too now.

Poor man. He's got little kids.

What happened to your face?

Got kicked by a sheep.

We can't go, guys.

- Mum and Dad won't let us. - We're really sorry.

What happened to you, little man?

Red beets.

- From Mom, for Pierre. - It's good for the blood.

Mr. Gollwitz here is also a teacher.

He taught in Varnsdorf before the war.

Physical education and music.

He just wants to chat. Then we'll continue with our lessons.

PROTECTORATE

There are good people here.

But there are bad people here too.

Our people are here.

Our people are my friends. So...

You have friends,

but so do I.

I don't have any friends.

What does that imply, children?

And that implies, children?

That it's serious.

That's enough, Eda.

That friends talk to each other.

About everything.

If you want to tell me anything privately,

you'll find me at the post office.

Here, with Eda.

With his family.

And now,

let's sing.

Green, green, green Green is all my clothing

Green, green, green Green is all I've got

Oh, why do I love so Everything that's green?

It's because my darling Wears a huntsman's green

Now, together.

Green, green, green Green is all my clothing

Green, green, green Green is all I've got

Oh, why do I love so Everything that's green?

It's because my darling Wears a huntsman's green

Hello.

Hello.

I'm looking for my son.

Jíra. And his friend Jochen.

Were they here?

Girls?

Is this even the right way?

- I don't know. - Look at the sun.

I see it. So?

You can tell the time from the sun.

Why do we need to know the time?

- We need to know where we're going. - Quiet!

Honza!

Go home, guys. So you're back by nightfall.

No way!

Vilda and Kuba are going back. But Jochen and I are coming with you.

Pierre's ours!

- That wasn't the plan. - Well, the plan has changed.

I'm Jochen.

Nice to meet you.

Get some rest, boys.

I've arranged everything with Dr. Mejstrík.

Jožka Vican will be waiting for you tomorrow in Borejov.

Honza, show them their room.

We need food and clothes!

Honza!

Get some clothes.

This is my son and his friends.

Who is this?

My brother. He got injured in the woods.

They were the same age as us.

Dear Mom,

I have to warn everyone.

Please don't worry about me. Anka.

LADIES

Hurry up, Milouš!

- You got everything? - Yes.

Slowly, Milouš. Look, this one's for me.

- Oops. - You know why it happened?

I know!

- One more time, Milouš, and... - I know, Mr. Tománek.

Slowly! I'm warning you!

Anka? You going? Hop on, quickly!

Weapons ready!

Death to traitors of the German Reich!

Fire!

Hi, boys.

You must be freezing.

Go warm up in the church.

Go on.

Jožka is waiting for you.

Father?

We've got food and brandy here.

Not a word to anyone.

Or you're dead men.

Come on, guys. Let's put him behind the altar.

- Where are they? - I don't know.

The horse is outside. They're here somewhere.

Boys?

Jíra!

Dad!

You both deserve...

- A punch in the face? - Yeah.

Come.

This is Pierre.

- Hello. - Hello.

I'm a doctor.

Let's take him out from behind the altar.

Boys, put blankets on the floor.

What are you doing?

That's Mrs. Majerová. Her funeral's tomorrow.

Such a nice lady.

We stole apples from her, and she never snitched.

I cleaned the wound. You'll be fine.

I'll disappear in the night.

Pierre, hold on.

You'll be with the resistance tomorrow.

Old Vican leads them. He's a good man.

What did he say, Doc? Anything important?

He said you're a perfectly coordinated illegal band.

Goodbye.

Jožka.

I'm taking the horse. You'll bring him back early tomorrow morning.

Honza! Franta! Let's go.

I should go.

Where to, lass?

- Stay here for the night... - The Nazis are at Mejstrík's!

Where's Pierre?

Who is this?

Anka. From Smrcí.

We couldn't put him in the coffin. Mrs. Majerová was inside.

- So we put him behind the altar. - Is he alive?

Yeah, he's alive.

Mejstrík treated him.

Wait. You can't go now.

Everyone's suspicious at night.

You told your mum we'd be in the church?

No!

Yes... Sort of.

Mrs. Milotová, you really shouldn't be here.

I brought soup. It's still warm. Here.

And these will keep you warm.

Mom, he doesn't understand.

He's French.

I forgive you, Evie.

See? It's Mrs. Malá.

- This is no good. Both of you must go! - Over my dead body.

Give us a moment.

We'll say goodbye, and then we'll all head home together.

Jožka?

What happens now? Do you need me and the boys to help out?

Or should we head back home in the morning?

Dad! Me and Jochen found Pierre.

And we'll save him.

You've done enough already.

Well?

You did great, guys.

Lojza and I will take over now.

Dad will be waiting for us at the hospital in Lejkovec.

They'll take care of Pierre.

Come on, Mrs. Malá.

Thank you.

Pierre!

And you are?

Jíra's sister, Anka.

And you?

Jožka.

Waiting for someone?

Lojza, but... I guess his mom didn't let him.

We have to go.

Giddyap!

Open the coffin. Now.

You can't do that! We're in a church!

Oh, but I can, little man.

Hans.

Open the coffin.

Search this place!

Jožka!

Oh, no!

No!

I'll go have a look.

Jožka!

Be careful.

Honey.

- Dad! - Vašík!

Where's Anka?

She's not here?

I've figured it out.

You'll wait here while I take Pierre to the hospital.

Dad will take care of him.

Then I'll come back, and I'll take you home.

You can't be serious. Are you?

Fine. Go home on your own. I don't mind.

No. We'll take Pierre to the hospital together.

- I just... - What?

Nothing, I guess.

Let's not talk about it, then.

Pierre!

Here are the civvies you wanted.

My husband's shirt. The largest one I found.

Sir... Sorry, I should also...

What should you also?

Get some money? Is that what you think?

For suggesting the funeral?

You're a snitch, Tománek.

And a stupid one at that.

The men heard something in the pub from a gravedigger.

I just passed the message on. It wasn't my fault, sir!

And what does that imply, Tománek?

Eda! Get your father!

I need him to help me take things to the basement!

Dad?

Air raids had already destroyed much of Lejkovec.

And they weren't stopping.

Families with children streamed past us.

As did Nazi soldiers fleeing the front in disguise.

We headed in the opposite direction,

hoping no one would notice in the chaos.

What do we have here?

The French pilot.

Smart brats.

Go!

Pierre and his wife visited us after the war.

They met everyone who had helped make the secret delivery

and thanked all the children.

You made it.

You must be Anicka.

All except Jochen.

Jochen and his father were relocated to Germany.

Jíra and Jochen never saw each other again.

Bring him in.

And me?

I'm with Jožka. We emigrated to France.

The Communists later imprisoned Jožka's dad.

In prison, he shared our story with another political prisoner named Stránský.

He wrote it into a novella: Secret Delivery.

SECRET DELIVERY