Original subtitles

THE REVOLUTION OF THE CIVIL RETURN Venezuela.

Here's where the English are, and here's where we are.

We need someone that can give us an advantage in Venezuela.

You know I got no experience with patrolling, right?

You have a college degree, you're a lawyer.

What we need is a legal understanding of the country.

Its affairs, social situation, its dealings.

Our sources tell us that there's tremendous oil deposits in that country.

What about the government?

All the power lies in the hand of one man, General Juan Vicente Gomez.

You know this guy?

You know this Gomez?

No, but we know he's a peculiar, odd man.

His decision-making is done very mysteriously, but he

does what he has to do and gets it done without fail.

He rules with iron hand.

He acts like a peasant.

Even with all the power he has, he looks favorable in our presence there.

If you can win him over, we'll have the country in our pocket, understand?

The way to go about that is to make direct contact with him.

We feel that's the way to go.

You do speak Spanish, don't you, Joe?

Very well.

I grew up in a farming taxes.

I learned to ride from the mouth of my friends, the children, the farm boys.

Come listen to these sounds.

Listen to these sounds, Joe.

The sounds of a city that's thriving follow these sounds.

Sounds of motors running, motors that run on petroleum.

Every time a motor starts, we make money.

So tell me, soldier, what's your answer?

Slaves!

Slaves!

This is what we are!

Slaves!

Slaves!

Slaves!

Slaves!

Slaves!

So much work as animals to live in misery!

Slaves!

Yes, Isabel.

We're going to go.

Come back!

They have a safe job here.

They have a safe job here for many years.

Come back!

Don't you realize it's a deception?

You're going to starve to death there.

Come back!

I treated you badly, Benito.

Did I misbehave with you and be unfair to your family?

I deceived you.

Then why did you go?

We, the people of the countryside, the earth tells us things.

Things that you don't listen to.

There you have it.

All of it!

All of it!

Just for you.

Why are you letting him go?

They're from here.

They're not leaving.

Mine are leaving with me.

What happened?

Does it hurt?

Rafael, your grandfather is dying.

Manuel doesn't want you to say anything.

You know how grumpy he is, but the old man is very sick.

He's not well.

He's in a house in the hill.

He wants you to go see him.

Where are you going?

I have to see my grandfather.

He's dying.

You don't even ask for my permission.

Rafito, my son.

I'm so glad you came.

I'm so bad in this state.

What's wrong, Grandpa?

I don't want to eat or drink coffee.

I just want you to help me get down to the beach.

So I can see the sea again.

God didn't make us live in misery.

We're responsible for our fate.

We have to hang ourselves.

Work.

You have to work, son.

You have to travel a lot.

Son, I want to leave you something from what's left of me.

But you have to swear you'll only use it when you're leaving.

Go home.

Go.

And look for it in the suitcase.

Go.

Wait.

God bless you, son.

Go.

You're old enough to be irresponsible.

You didn't even talk to me.

I'm your own son.

Calm down, Mr. Raimundo.

Calm down, Mr. Raimundo.

I can explain.

What are you going to explain, you bastard?

You want to get rid of me, but first you're going to have to kill me.

No!

Go on your own, honey.

Go on your own.

I'll go later.

I promise.

I promise.

Forgive me.

There's nothing to forgive.

Come back, son.

Come back.

Don't go.

Don't go.

Don't go.

Goodbye, Rafit.

Have a good trip, son.

And there you are, until that crazy idea of going after that scoundrel is over.

Cologne saw Venezuela on its third trip in 1498.

For the first time, he saw firm American land.

And when he saw it, the admiral thought he had found the earthly paradise.

Cologne referred to this new land as a lover can describe the meeting with his lover.

In this blessed land has found the most benign climate.

Its lands and its trees are very green and as

beautiful as an April in the gardens of Valencia.

These people are of very beautiful stature.

And many bring pieces of gold under their

necks and some tied to their arms some pearls.

These are great proofs that this is the earthly paradise.

He's gone crazy.

Take him out.

A barbaric expression from the baroque to my bolereo.

Many times, when I hear you score, I evoke the sound of the harpsichord.

It looks like they broke the individual.

We pushed him to the limit, as you told us.

It was hard.

How many times did they hang him?

Three times, Captain.

Did he let go of something?

A last name.

General Pimentel.

Are you sure?

Silva confessed before he died.

What about the rest of the plotters?

They're in jail.

But the boss is here, at the party.

I'm sorry.

My dear General, aren't you going to retire before dinner?

No, no.

Of course not, Mr. Minister.

I was looking for a drink.

So, General, I think there will be some surprises before dinner.

No, not here.

They can't see us here.

Come with us.

The minister is waiting for you.

Come with us.

Don't move.

Sit down, General.

Sit down.

You're the most important guest at this meeting.

First time in the city?

Yes.

It's the first time I visit the country.

Really?

I've noticed that the weather is very good.

Yes.

Especially in Caracas.

There are other much warmer areas, but no doubt our city has a very nice climate.

I've also noticed that the people are very affectionate.

Affectionate?

Affectionate.

Yes, affectionate.

Is that the word?

Much more than the people in my country.

Really?

Yes.

They kiss and hug here a lot.

Yes.

That usually happens when people are very close.

Or when they love each other a lot.

Yes.

They don't have anything wrong with loving each other.

Nothing wrong with that?

No, of course not.

I agree.

Especially when the third person doesn't notice.

What did you say?

Sorry, ma'am.

What do you want to say?

Nothing.

I just want you to be my Cicerone and take me to see the rest of the city.

The city?

Yes.

The city and its people.

Affectionate.

But that happened four years ago, Minister.

We were in the middle of a war and the ambassador wanted to ask me some questions.

About our neutrality in the war, isn't that right?

We talked about that and many other things.

About President Gomez's support in the new explorations in search of new gases.

Shut up.

You think I'm stupid.

The victory was still uncertain.

We had to prepare for anything.

I understand your concern.

Your country was facing a difficult situation.

But what I want to clarify now has nothing to do with that.

What do you want to tell us then?

This has been one of your best friends for years.

In this country, nothing is what it seems.

Right, Ambassador?

Look at him.

Maybe this is the last time I see him.

This traitor, this bastard, is going to spend the rest of his life in prison.

It's true that we were concerned about neutrality during the war.

But that happened.

I assure you that we never proposed any conspiracy.

Ambassador, I know that you see our country as

a barbaric place full of thugs and sedition.

And you're right to think so.

I just want to convince you that that's going to change.

It's taken us a lot of effort, but once the order is reestablished,

we won't allow it under any circumstances and we won't let anyone subvert it.

We know the importance of tranquility and peace for foreign investors.

Excuse me.

Everything is ready in the dining room.

Just wait for the gentlemen to start.

I think it's time to eat.

Gentlemen, attention, please.

Mr. Christopher Richardson, the British ambassador to our country, wants to make

an announcement that will surely interest all of you.

Ambassador.

First of all, I'd like to thank you for the invitation, Mr. Carrillo.

What I want to announce is that it's of great importance and reveals the

confidence of the investors of my country in this great nation and its government.

The Royal Petroleum Company, as you all know, is our company...

Excellent, that theatrical blow to unmask Pimentel in front of Richardson.

When did you find out he was the head of the conspiracy?

Pimentel isn't the head.

The head is Colonel Lucio Marin, but he fled through Colombia.

We had revealed the conspiracy, but the most important thing was missing.

A culprit.

So?

Pimentel had attended a few meetings, but we knew

about his encounters with Richardson during the war.

We wanted to send a signal, a clear message to

the English of who's in charge in the country.

So I took advantage of the fact that a prisoner reported him.

So you sacrificed one of the best officers in the Venezuelan army.

Those are the most dangerous.

You've decided, thanks to the presidential annuity, to invest 10 million dollars...

Now tell me if it wasn't worth it.

...in the areas granted to Mr. Carrillo.

In this country, I've told you many times, nothing is what it seems.

We're all someone's instruments, even if we're not aware of it.

Today it was Pimentel.

Tomorrow it could be me.

Or maybe...

It's an honor, Mr. President.

We didn't think you'd... Enough!

Is Mr. Ryder here?

Yes, General.

Have you been treated well?

I can't complain, General.

Come see me in Maracay.

I'll be expecting you next week.

Jose Leon, is that you?

Yes.

I'm going to open the window.

I brought you clothes and shoes from Luisa's mother.

Oh, Amanda!

This is ugly.

You won't like it.

It's old-fashioned.

Look.

Shut your mouth, girl.

I told you to keep the clothes.

I didn't tell you to take them off.

Don't move.

Shut up.

Come here.

Thanks.

I swear, don't tell anyone I helped you escape.

I promise.

Thanks.

Good luck.

Don't worry.

Watch out, girl.

The old woman will protect us.

Oh, boy.

He's dead.

What's this?

This woman won't cause any trouble.

Do what you have to do.

Kill her!

No!

Stay still.

Stay still.

Stay still!

Where'd you get that?

Don't move.

I told

you to stay still.

I told you to stay still.

They're killing these poor animals.

Get out of here, sir.

I'm an expert on them.

Come on.

We had the same problem in Texas.

I know how to cure them.

I can help you, sir.

General, are you waiting for Sol?

Yes, here.

Grandpa, can I tell you something?

What is it?

I went to class today.

How'd it go?

Very well.

I passed an exam.

How'd it go?

It went well.

That's good.

What about your sister?

She's at home.

General, why'd you leave her?

I want to use this moment to talk about the mission I was entrusted with.

Let's go.

General.

Sir?

General?

The only thing I've learned up until now is that the general loves horses.

It would probably have been better to stay in Caracas doing what everybody else does,

flatter him, indulge him, and then hire someone local as a frontman.

If nothing happens soon, I'll return to Caracas.

I assure you I've done everything possible here.

Elba, take a cable for Joe.

Under no circumstances move from where you are.

No one has gotten as close as you have.

I can promise you that you're very close to what we're looking for.

Have a little patience, Joe.

Have a little patience, my friend.

Gomez is just testing you.

Good morning, Mr. Ryder.

Good morning, sir.

I'm glad you didn't leave.

You waited so long because you wanted to tell me something very important.

Yes, sir.

We're from the New Jersey Petroleum Company.

Enough!

Save your explanations.

I know you want to explore.

I'm interested in a country like yours making investments in Venezuela.

And in which area is your company interested?

Sir, we're very interested in these areas, sir.

You're not fools.

That place seems to be of great interest to many.

Secretary, come here.

I'm writing a letter of recommendation on behalf

of Mr. Ryder addressed to Minister Fomento.

You've shown several attitudes that I admire.

You've been patient.

You've been consistent.

And you haven't spoken too much.

This last one is the virtue of great negotiators.

Thank you very much, sir.

Were you a soldier?

Yes, sir.

But I just got into battle at the end of the war.

That's not much.

You're still alive.

It was a great carnage.

I was assigned a mission, General.

I've done everything humanly possible to accomplish it.

Sometimes that's not enough.

Sometimes you have to act a little more than humanly.

At the beginning, instead of Mr. Ryder, my dear friend, Mr.

Ryder, Thank you, sir.

After getting into combat and getting out alive, haven't you ever had the feeling of

staying in this world to do something important?

I hope it goes well for you.

If you have a problem, don't hesitate to come see me.

I won't hesitate, sir.

I won't hesitate.

That's how it'll be.

Your husband is a very clever man, isn't he?

Yes, he is.

He's a little cruel, but he'll be a very rich man.

How are you so sure of that?

He says that under the ground of this country there's

a treasure that very few can imagine, but he sees it.

He says it with so much conviction that it's very hard not to believe him.

What's going to happen to us?

Us?

You mean between you and me?

No.

I mean the company I represent.

You know Antonio's with the English, but Gomez wants to get you in the game.

So I'm sure he'll find a way to help you.

Are you sure about that?

Of course I am.

Antonio confessed it to me.

You're going to make great concessions.

You'll see tomorrow.

Go ahead.

You'll wonder why Mr. Carrillo is here.

The Royal Petroleum has a concession in the area that your company is interested in.

That concession is about to expire.

However, the contract is renewed automatically unless

one of the contractors decides to put an end to it.

It's Benemérito's wish that in the interest of his request, the Royal

Petroleum agrees with his company to explore the area of La Rosa.

The rest of the area is up to us.

Exploring Venezuela is very expensive.

The infrastructure available is very weak.

Or simply, it doesn't exist.

It's a colossal investment.

Perforating or establishing new populations.

Well... I have to consult with my superiors, sir.

That's the president's wish.

He'd be very pleased if the companies reach an agreement.

Good.

We'll wait for your response shortly.

Thank you very much, sir.

You're a bitch.

You're a bitch.

I don't know how I got to be with you.

You're a bitch.

You're full of shit.

You're a bitch.

You're a bitch.

You betrayed me with that damn gringo!

You're leaving my house tonight.

I don't want to see you ever again in my life!

Damn you, you're a son of a bitch!

No.

I can't stand it.

Go.

One more minute.

In my life.

I don't want to see you ever again in my life!

I love you so much.

So much.

What you've done is very serious, Antonio.

I don't understand how a man like you... I can't take it anymore!

I wanted to put an end to all that.

But not like that, Antonio.

Not like that.

Can you imagine?

This could be the end of my career.

Can you imagine?

They love it!

What do you want me to do?

Get me out of this, please.

Please.

Get me out of this.

I know you can do it.

But it's going to cost you dearly, Antonio.

I'll give you whatever you want.

I don't care.

Get me out of this.

I love her.

I don't think

I can get there.

Or do I?

Chantanos are hell, and we've lost men because of malaria and snakes.

But you know what this business is like.

Okay, it's true that there are men everywhere and that you can't take a step

outside the camp without getting stuck in that shit of melted asphalt.

But so far, they're just clues.

I don't think we should lose hope yet.

Not until we're sure it's not there.

We shouldn't risk another failure like in Talcón.

I'm sure of it.

The oil is right here, below us.

We can't fail our first attempt here.

We'll keep exploring every inch of this land.

Okay?

Good.

We'll go back to work.

We should also solve the problem with the trap as soon as possible.

We can't keep paying Narciso Ferrer so much.

Good.

How much do you want, then?

It's not that simple.

That man is a real man.

He's illiterate.

Then we'll go somewhere else.

It'd cost us three more times.

There's something that man loves more than money.

We have to do something.

We need to find a way to stop this.

We need to stop this.

We need to stop this.

We need to stop this.

We need to stop this.

We need to stop this.

What does it say?

Ask how to kill him.

With a knife.

With a machete.

With a rifle.

A clean shot,

from a distance.

No witnesses.

Where'd you get all this?

You pay and don't ask.

The day of my boss's arrival is near.

I'm going to make a Sancocho with a drum roll in Sonoran.

Come on, Menino.

Let's eat, man.

Okay.

That son... That son is mine.

What'd you say, Rafa?

I came to get you.

If you don't want me, I'll see what I can do.

My dear, no, Faier.

Soon we'll be filling up the tank.

Cheers.

We just need to redistribute some things at work and fire some workers.

But there shouldn't be any problems, right?

I've been through so much and traveled so far, and we were going to end up like this.

Killing each other like dogs.

Think about your children.

Think that if we've fought and survived, it's to do something for ourselves.

Think, damn it, think!

Or do you want us to lose everything?

Here, sir.

Hello.

What's this?

It's for helping me, Mr. Reyes.

You know that after the reduction, I ran out of fuel.

Yes, but... Where'd you get this from?

I understand no one plants here anymore.

Good for you.

Good for you, Mr. Reyes.

Here, eat this.

It's big.

That man raped me, Lisa.

I cheated on Rafael.

I don't know who he is.

I told you I'd have him.

I cheated on him.

You didn't cheat on him, honey.

Relax.

Relax.

You're not to blame.

Relax, Miranda.

Listen to me!

Benito, please tell them I'm going to fall!

Thank you, sir!

Benito!

No!

They burned down the garden and the vineyard.

They burned down the farm.

Everything!

Damn it!

Damn it!

A child is always a blessing from God.

A blessing from down here!

That's it!

Petroleum!

An industry!

I've never seen it come out of the ground.

I've seen something else.

The crops, the crops in the ground.

The children of the land!

Mr. Reyes, if you can't find petroleum, what are you going to eat?

Goodbye, Benito.

Benito!

Benito, look at me, please!

Goodbye, Isabel!

No, Benito, no!

Help!

Get me out of here!

Come on!

The children of the land are burning down!

Help!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

Get me out of here!

Help me!

Help me!

Ladies

and gentlemen, we find ourselves in the face of a great historical event,

an unprecedented milestone perhaps in the evolution of the world's petroleum

industry, that the rich potential which may exist in further slavery might just

equal one-half of the production of all our wells worldwide.

It would be great injustice not to recognize the importance in this

achievement of the perseverance, the personal effort put into the strategic

objectives of this company by someone who you all know.

The

name of the Royal Petroleum Company, to construct, establish, maintain and

format works whose function is to distill and refine petroleum oils and to prepare

distinct products for the purpose of sale, and will include to purchase, rent or take

possession of any necessary lands and prepare those lands with the purpose of

constructing buildings, for cultivation, for paving over, draining, building roads,

paths, railways, dykes, docks, embankments, bridges, viaducts,

aqueducts, canals, tanks, pools, dams, radio stations, telegraphs,

telephones, gasworks, hotels, clubs, restaurants...