Original subtitles

OUR VILLAGE

Orphans from all over Europe have found refuge in the Pestalozzi village.

Housed in different homes according to their nationality,

they receive an education there in their native language.

Children and educators remain in contact with their own governments.

On its own scale, the village aims for peaceful coexistence among its peoples.

We thank the management, the teachers and children of the village

for their collaboration on this film, shot primarily in Trogen.

The characters and events in this film are fictitious.

I need more thread, it won't hold.

Harry, get us some more wire.

Otherwise the candles won't stay upright.

You just have to turn them over.

Don't overdo it, We'll run out of wire.

Robert, give the wire to Jimmy.

Tell him not to use too much.

What'll they give us? I'd like some skates.

Giorgio, be careful not to set the tree on fire.

Don't worry, I'm doing it right.

- Marianne! - Yes. - Taddaus! - Here!

- Ronald! - Yes!

- Mariella! - Here.

- Rudi! - Yes!

- Hello, Alan! - Thank you.

Oh, look at this... A postcard from Warsaw!

A postcard from the Poles? From our...

Yes, from our Polish children.

They say they are doing well.

They are thinking of us and wish us a Merry Christmas.

They all signed.

- Stasiek. - Janusz. - Marian. - Adela.

Yes, all of them. Wanda wrote it.

- Do you want it, Alan? - Yes, thank you.

- Andrea! - I'm here. - Michaelis! - Yes!

- Eugen! -Yes! - Hermann! -Yes!

We'll go over there? There's still time.

What is that keeps me here?

In this remote corner of the world.

Pestalozzi Village in Switzerland.

Is it this child? This little grave?

I only know this where I belong.

But only a short while ago, it was different.

The world here seemed far too small.

Too much was happening outside.

I wanted to get out, and see it.

I thought at last I'd found the perfect job.

First Hamburg, then Dusseldorf. Later, of course, Berlin.

Certainly be very different from your peaceful Swiss job.

Think you can start in about a month's time?

Yes, I think so.

I'll hand in my resignation as soon as I get back.

This way, please!

This way!

Plenty of room in front.

- So what are these? D.P.s? - Yes.

- Where are they off to? - To Hamburg, then overseas

Here's your train.

Well, cheerio, and thanks very much.

Look forward to seeing you in about a month's time!

- Righto. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

We can't take you, do you understand? Anja!

- The train to Hamburg is about to leave! - Anja!

Please let me through!

Attention! Please stand back!

Let me through!

Get back!

I want to come with you, I don't want to stay here.

My little Anja, you promised to be sensible.

You'll be well treated in that home.

I don't want to go there!

Please let me go!

I want to come with you!

- Anja! - Mummy, I want to come with you!

Anja, God bless you, my child.

Mummy, Mummy, I want to come with you!

God bless you, Anja!

Anja! No, no!

Stay where you are, Anja!

Hey, stop!

Let go of me!

- Where are you going? - Let me go!

Don't cry, little one. I'm here, everything will be alright.

That's it, you have a good cry.

Go on.

It's alright.

That was really awful, wasn't it?

Why, look, the lady's crying, too.

Hadn't you better give her your handkerchief?

Haven't you got one?

Here, you take mine.

Now we can all dry our eyes.

Go on, blow your nose. Go hard!

That's the good girl.

Would you like a bit of chocolate?

There... Go on, take it.

Thank you.

- Her parents? - No, her foster parents.

They had to leave her behind. It was impossible to get a visa for her

What is she?

D.P. orphan.

We don't know anything about her. Not her name, her parents' name. Nothing.

- Is she German? - I don't think so.

Those Baltic people you saw

picked her up by the side of the road in 1945.

It was impossible to find out where she came from originally.

Thank you very much, Sir.

You speak English like a little princess.

They teach them English in our camps, in case they get a chance to emigrate.

I have 30 little English children just like you....

Not my own, of course.

But I am sort of their father.

You see, they haven't any parents either.

Are you working in an orphanage?

No, it's a children's village up in the mountains in Switzerland.

Perhaps you've heard of it. It's called the Pestalozzi Village.

Pestalozzi... of course I've heard of it!

Well, we have 200 war orphans from all over Europe.

Children just like you.

A whole village, just for children?

Just for children.

Perhaps one day you'll come and visit me there, eh?

I'd better hurry on or miss my train.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Perhaps we'll meet again some day. Who knows?

Goodbye.

The time has come to make a decision... Ah, Mr Manning.

Sorry I'm a bit late... this was the last game before I go.

- A sort of international cup final. - I understand.

- Who won? - No one yet.

Zero-zero so far!

Not bad for France.

Do you all know that Mr Manning is leaving us at the end of the month?

Mr Manning? What a shame!

I'm sure I'll be able to get up here for a weekend, once in a while.

Let's hope you will.

We were talking about the opening of the German house.

Mr Payanotidis, you were about to say something.

The discussion is not about

accepting or not accepting German children here.

We all agree to welcome them.

The question is... what difficulties will arise?

Yes, we all agree...

except for...

When? When do we bring them in?

Let's just bring them in.

- Please, Mr Bellatti. - With pleasure.

Sorry for the wait, children. Please sit down.

Have you made a decision?

No one wants to talk?

- Me. - Ah, Jean. Well, speak.

We don't want any Germans here.

We... you say "we".

Does the English house agree, Michael?

We don't want Germans here!

And can you give me a reason?

The others don't want them, so we don't want them, either..

That's not a very good reason, you know.

Peppo, don't you understand the meaning of our village.

Don't these children, like you, have the right to be here?

- No. - Tell me why, Peppo.

They killed my father.

What did he say?

They killed his father.

Jadwiga,

Have you forgotten your condition,

when I found you three years ago in a cellar in Warsaw?

You were starving and sick.

You were crying so hard!

Do you know why we want to take in these children?

Because otherwise, they risk dying,

from hunger or illness, like you, back then.

And for the rest of their lives.

So, Jadwiga?

What do you think?

It's useless.

That's all, children. You may return home.

There's nothing more we can do for the moment.

It's very disappointing.

Let's leave them alone for a while. Perhaps they'll change their minds.

Mr Meili, I don't entirely share your opinion.

Like you, I'm amazed by their violent reaction.

But I believe it's pointless to try to convince them with words.

Let's bring the German children in, and see what happens.

Our children will quickly realise that they are exactly like them...

That they like to play soccer, ski, climb trees.

Mr Manning can afford to be optimistic.

He will be gone by the time the problems arise.

We are the ones who will suffer the consequences of his optimism.

Please, Miss Piwonska, don't take it personally.

It’s not personal. I'm thinking of my children, that's all.

It's too soon, Mr Meili, believe me.

For all children, not just Polish ones.

Mr Manning will have left when the German children arrive.

He's only demanding something of us that he's unwilling to undertake himself.

- That's unfair! - Please, no arguing.

I suggest we take a vote.

We all agree that German children can belong in our community.

The question is: when?

Those who think it's too soon, raise your hand.

I'm sorry, Alan.

That's all for today.

Miss Piwonska, could you spare me a moment?

- Excuse me, Stefan. - Certainly.

May I walk as far as your house with you?

Fine.

Can you tell me what I did to deserve all that?

You did nothing... I just said what I thought.

I'm worried about the children, and that's all.

Yes, but you made me feel like a fool, as though I'd done something terrible.

Is it a crime to want to change my job?

If you really want my opinion...

I think it is.

I see...

You apparently don't understand that this is not the kind of job

where you can pack your bags one day and say " Goodbye, I've done my bit."

Children often call us Father and Mother up here...

and they really mean it.

They've lost their parents once already.

Do you think it's fair...

that they should lose them a second time?

I know, it's asking rather a lot.

But I thought that you were, somehow...

Yes?

I suppose there's no reason why you should care what I think.

Of course I care.

I'm afraid you expect a little too much of me. That's all.

- Are you busy? - No, not at the moment.

There's something I'd like to show you

I think it might explain a lot of things.

- Is Andrzej here? - No, he must be upstairs.

Look, there he is.

He stands there like that, for hours at a time.

As if he were on guard or something.

Hello, Andrzej!

Get a good view from that window?

What's the matter? Why don't you go down to supper?

I can't leave.

They may come any moment.

All of a sudden, they're there.

And then it's too late.

He means the Germans.

But that's all over now.

We promised you...

As long as you don't want them to come, there won't be any German children here.

Andrzej, have I ever lied to you?

I'm good to watch.

Alright, you can watch as long as you want to..

But you're going to miss your supper

This way, Mr Manning.

Look at this.

I told them to make a drawing of the village.

It's charming.

- That's Jadwiga's. - Yes.

That's Andrzej's.

Good gracious! So what does it mean?

He said, "That's how it will look when it's burning."

That's the way he still sees things.

Incredible!

Now you see why I'm afraid it's too soon.

Enjoy your meal.

What is it, Adela? Aren't you hungry?

I don't like white rice.

Adela is very picky.

Go to the kitchen and eat some sugar and cinnamon.

- There isn't any. - There was some this afternoon.

I ate it all.

You're lucky, I bought some this morning.

Be a good girl, Andrzej, go get the groceries from my room.

The bag is on the table.

Hurry up, your rice is going to get cold.

Hello, what are you doing here?

Hey, what are you doing here?

Hey!

Wait!

Where do you come from?

Can you understand me?

Don't be afraid... I won't hurt you.

What do you want here?

I'm looking... I'd like...

I'd like to see Mr Pestalozzi.

- Who do you want to see? - Mr Pestalozzi.

- Mr Pestalozzi? - Yes. Isn't he here?

Come with me.

Come on, don't be afraid. I'm Andrzej, of the Polish house.

Will we see Mr Pestalozzi?

Pestalozzi isn't alive any more.

He is... dead?

Oh yes, since more than 100 years.

- But I saw him. - You really did?

Come on, I'll show you.

It's him... that's Pestalozzi.

Our village is named after him.

He got terribly old.

The man I met, looked quite different.

Where did you meet him?

What are you doing here, children?

Haven't you started eating yet?

Who's that, Andrzej?

I don't know. She simply came.

She was in the garden.

What are you doing here?

Do you understand me?

- Where are you from? - She speaks English.

English?

Strange. Why did you come here?

She wanted to see Mr Pestalozzi.

- What? - She says she met him.

Mr Pestalozzi? Where?

I saw him. He told me to come here.

He did? Why, that's wonderful!

Now, suppose you tell us where you come from.

Come in,

Excuse me, Mr Meili, did you happen to see...

Andrzej, what are you doing here?

I sent him to get something, and he disappeared.

He brought this little girl here. Can you help me?

Let's sit down, shall we?

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Now, come on... Where did you ran away from?

Perhaps she's too tired.

You don't want to tell us where you come from?

Not your name, or anything?

I think that's enough for tonight.

Alright, but you'll tell us tomorrow, won't you? Are you hungry?

Take her to the kitchen, eh?

Hello, Wehrli? Is there anything hot left?

- Do you like prunes and rice? - Yes.

The Polish mother is coming... That's good.

But where will she sleep tonight?

Can she come with us? Please!

Of course, we have a bed available.

Miss Piwonska will look after you. Tomorrow we'll have a little talk.

Won't you say good night?

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- What was your name again? - Anja.

Ah, now we're getting somewhere.

Anja, who?

I don't know, they just called me Anja.

Who are "they"?

It's alright. Good night, Anja.

Good night, sir.

Shh! You'll wake her up!

No risk at all!

Didn't you see how much she ate?

Let go of me!

Let go of me!

Shh! She's dreaming.

What is she saying?

Be quiet, listen!

I want to come with you, I want to come with you!

What's she saying?

Mummy... mummy...

I want to come...

That's German!

Hey... you...!

Why do you speak German?

Are you a German?

Why didn't you tell us?

Just let her sleep.

If you don't answer, we'll tell the others.

Come on.

We have to tell the others.

Sneaking a German girl onto us! How disgusting!

- Stasiek! - What's up, girls?

She's German.

- Who? - The new girl, in our room.

What? A German girl?

The new girl is German.

That's not true! Who told you?

She was speaking German in her sleep!

We must warn the other houses!

Janusz, come with me!

I'm telling you... there's only one thing to do.

We'll go right over to Meili, this minute, all of us.

That's silly, he'll only start lecturing us.

She has to be gone as soon as possible.

Yes, we'll send her away, tonight.

Already tonight? No!

But of course, when there's no one in the house.

When Wanda and Zieli come back, she'll be gone.

We'll just tell them she's gone, we don't know where.

Well, let's get going, fast!

Get up! Do you hear? You have to leave.

- Get out of here, and quickly. - Don't you understand?

Take your things and get dressed!

But why?

- We don't want you here. - Not in our village!

Please... Miss Wanda!

- Miss Wanda! - Be quiet. - Get dressed.

You have five minutes.

We'll be waiting for you downstairs, understand?

Five minutes. That's what they've always given us.

I think we've fixed it alright.

There'll be terrible trouble, I tell you!

Come on, cowardy-custard!

Shh!

Come with me, quick!

I'll show you, you'll understand.

Come on...

Go ahead!

This way. I'll show you. You'll see.

That was in Warsaw.

They shot.

The tanks came.

They forced the children ahead.

It burned.

There was smoke.

Quite black.

People screamed.

There was lightning.

Everything trembled.

My mother was in that house. My mother...

In the house that burned down.

My mother.

My mother and my sister.

Stop it! You're animals!

Can't you see she's scared? She's crying!

Listen, you don't want to protect that dirty...

Are you crazy? They'll hear us!

Where is she? She's gone.

Sure she's gone. You see, it worked!

Anja! Anja!

Andrzej, stop!

Anja!

Anja, are you there?

Anja, listen to me... It's safe now. Come out!

I won't let them hurt you. You needn't be afraid.

Andrzej, where are you?

- There he is! - Leave her alone.

Why are you trying to hide her?

Nobody's going to hurt her. She's just got to go.

- Come on back! - Do you want to stay here?

Watch out!

No, there's a door on the other side. Quick!

I definitely heard something.

Yes, I'm sure it came from here.

Where's the light in here?

Wait, don't run away!

Come on, and you too.

Stasiek, Janusz, what is it? What' going on?

What's happening? What's going on here?

Andrzej, what's going on?

- She's up there. - They chased her away.

Excuse me, Uncle Alan, we told you we didn't want any Germans here.

So she had to go.

You chased away that poor little girl?

No, she's up there. But they mustn't hurt her.

- Anja, where are you? - Come on, let's look.

Mr Pestalozzi.

- Hey? - Mr Pestalozzi.

Good heavens, it's you!

How on earth did you get here?

- You told me to come. - I told you...?

So you just came.

I say, I know this child!

Do you know her? Who is she?

A DP orphan.

There, look, it's alright now. You're quite safe.

Here, take this. I remember you didn't have one.

Come on...

You! Get down!

Give me your handkerchief, clean your coat a little.

You should be ashamed.

Go home now!

I'll talk to you tomorrow. Now go.

One minute Mr Meili... I'd like to talk to them now.

Michael, Stasiek!

Peppo, Jean! Come here!

You're a fine lot, aren't you!

Michael, will you tell me exactly what you had in mind.

Well...

We thought you wanted to...

We really didn't know, Uncle Alan.

What do you mean, you didn't you know?

That you might have scared her to death?

That you might have done her permanent harm?

No, Mr Manning, really not.

You didn't know...

And you think that's an excuse?

That's exactly the excuse they always used.

You should have known better.

You could see she was a child, just like yourselves...

who'd been through the same things that you have.

Or wasn't that enough?

Well, wasn't it?

Go on, go home.

Wanda and Stefan, please go with them.

Good lad, Andrzej.

- Andrzej! Wait! - Leave him alone!

It's alright, Anja. You're staying with us tonight.

By the way, if you thought she was a German, you're wrong.

She's no more German than you are.

I'm terribly sorry, I know it's my fault.

I never dreamed that day at the station that she's take it seriously.

Children!

Keeping her here won't be easy.

But after all she went through,

it would be quite impossible to send her away.

She's fast asleep... Completely exhausted.

How on earth she managed to cross the frontier, I can't imagine.

Apparently some one down by the lake offered to bring her across.

By the way he told her she'd better not speak German up here...

or you'd send her away at once.

Well, I never!

She'll be alright with us.

- There she is. - She's awfully still.

She might be sick.

- Maybe she's dead. - Silly! She's asleep.

Let's go.

Aren't you rather sorry you are leaving us, Mr Pestalozzi?

Mother...

Marian? Were you expecting me?

Here...

What is this?

I was against the German house.

I wanted to burn the German house down.

- You wanted to set it on fire? - Yes.

And now, you're giving them to me?

I've changed my mind.

Thank you, Marian.

It's the most beautiful gift you could have given me.

Now go to bed.

Mr Manning?

It's me... Wanda.

Wanda? Has something happened?

There's something I've got to tell you.

I hope I didn't wake you.

Marian just came to see me.

And do you know what he brought me?

Matches!

He wanted to set the German house on fire.

What did he want to do?

It's unbelievable!

It's alright now, he's changed his mind.

He even seems to like the idea of the German children coming.

You know, what you did tonight, may have solved our problem.

Let's hope it did.

By the way...

I hope you've forgiven me for today.

I feel a bit ashamed.

There's nothing to forgive.

It was nice of you to have called.

Well...

Well... Um...

Good night.

Yes.

Good night...

Good night, Wanda.

That was the night, when many things changed for me, and for Wanda.

For all of us.

Only the village remained the same.

It was a turning point for our children.

So when the German children arrived,

they were accepted as if nothing had happened

If all the children in the world

Wanted to hold hands

They would go around the Earth

One single circle

Would encircle the mountains and the seas

The world would become one nation

If all the children of the world

Wanted to hold hands.

Well done! That's very good, isn't it?

Have you tried it in French?

Yes, Miss Wanda, but it's difficult.

Let's try anyway. All together, in French.

Gently, just the first part.

If all the children of the world

Wanted to hold hands.

Anja!

Anja, come here! Good news!

What is it?

You can stay, you're one of us now. You've got a permit!

I can stay?

Oh, Mr Manning, I can stay! Miss Wanda, I can stay!

I can stay here forever!

- Does she have her permit? - The Swiss authorities approved it.

We wouldn't have let her her go anyway.

Isn't it wonderful? We're going to celebrate,

but after the rehearsal. Thank you.

It's nice, your song. Isn't it, Anja?

I'm glad you like it.

It's a shame you will be gone when we actually do it.

And you won't hear the rest of the program.

- Perhaps I can come to some rehearsals. - Of course, whenever you like.

By the way, can you do without Anja for a moment?

Certainly.

Come on, let's start again...

What I want to know is,

whether you've decided where you’d like to stay when I'm gone?

Are you really going away? Please don't.

You've got so many friends now, you won't even notice it.

I don't want you to go away... I want you to stay in your house.

Look, this isn't easy for me, either, you know.

Anja, I'm going to talk to you very seriously.

You came here because of me.

And I couldn't possibly have left, until I knew you were quite alright.

But now you've got to take over for me.

I hope you'll write to me some time and tell me how they all are.

Elizabeth and Michael...

- ...and Miss Worthington. - And Wanda.

And Wanda, of course.

And Andrzej, too.

You know, he needs you very much.

- Do you really think he does? - I'm sure.

Perhaps I could go and live there, then.

In the Polish house?

- Yes. - Splendid idea!

I'll go and talk to Mr Zielenski about it right away.

I've got some coloured pencils for Andrzej. Will you give them to him?

Sure

Tell him to draw you something nice.

- Thank you. - A rabbit, perhaps.

I'm not quite sure it's a good idea.

That's shame because she'd like it so much.

It'd be an excellent thing for Andrzej, too.

That may be.

But come... I'll show you something.

I got a nice present today.

- You got a present? - Do you know what those are?

Oh, I can't read Polish.

New official school textbooks from Warsaw.

Their content is thought-provoking.

Things are changing pretty fast at home.

Do you believe it's wise to involve a non-Polish child in our house...

in such uncertain times?

Come, Stefan... You're taking too gloomy a view.

Dad, should we put it higher?

That's very good, keep going.

Stasiek, how would you feel if Anja came to stay with us?

That would be very nice.

Well, I don't want to stand in her way. If she wants... let her come.

Thank you, Stefan. I'll go and tell her.

[ WELCOME ] ...and we hope you'll be happy here.

- We welcome to the Polish House. - Thank you.

What a beautiful cake!

We did it all by ourselves. Especially for you.

Thank you very much.

Good luck, Anja, enjoy yourself.

Who's sitting next to her?

Me! Me! Me!

Wait, let Andrzej sit next to her.

He's the one who found Anja.

Would you have some tea with us?

I'd love to, but I'm terribly busy and haven't done any packing yet, at all.

Well, of course.

Are you going on that walk to Hohenfels tomorrow?

It ought to be a nice expedition.

Yes, I hope so.

Good, that's grand. See you then.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, Alan.

Let's reach out to one another.

We will all be brothers and sisters.

We will be at home everywhere.

What tree did this come from? Come on, it's easy.

- From a "modrzew." — "Modrzew"? - It means "pine."

- No, it's a larch. - Absolutely, Karl. A larch.

Look what I found!

Oh, mistletoe! Wonderful.

I've been looking for this for so long.

What for, Miss Worthington?

Andrzej, why don't you come with us?

We're collecting branches.

We've got to learn the names of all the trees.

I don't care what they're called. I'm drawing.

What's it like up there?

Want to see? Here, catch!

Can you really see all that from up there?

Come on up. See for yourself. Can you climb?

- Well, I'll try. - I'll help you.

- Isn't it wonderful. - Is that where we came from?

Yes. We've climbed pretty high, haven't we?

Do you see the railway line?

Yes.

Oh, what a funny little ship down there!

It looks like a toy!

Hills and woods, till the end of the sky.

No, those are waves... that's sea down there

We're on the bridge.

- Bridge? - The captain's bridge, of course!

This is a big ship. Are you a good sailor?

- I don't know, I never... - Well, how do you feel?

No, Andrzej, please! Don't! Please!

Please, Andrzej, now it will break!

Stop, it's going to break!

You'll be alright, you've got a strong stomach. You can come along.

Me? But where are we going?

We're just arriving in Africa!

Is it hot! The Equator! Hang on!

The anchor!

Heave ho! Turn, mate, go on, turn!

Aye aye, Captain!

Heave ho!

Heave ho!

Heave ho!

What on earth is that?

Africans!

Look at that! Who'd've believed it?

- We just came from the equator. - We've dropped anchor!

Come down, Andrzej, hurry up.

The others must be already at the castle!

Shh! A wedding is taking place!

A wedding... A wedding!

- Let's wait until the end. - Kids, let's surprise them!

Let's sing them a song when they come out, okay?

- What song? - "Three Blind Mice"!

"With My Fair Maid"

Wait! Let's sing something they'll understand!

- Why not a Swiss song? - "Oh, dear little angel!"

- Very good. Does everyone know it? - Yes... Yes...

Come on, let's line up!

- What is that "Oh, dear little angel"? - It's a Swiss song.

"Oh, dear little angel,

Always, always

I'll be thinking of you!

Don't tremble, Don't worry,

"The house won't collapse..."

Look!

Andrzej, where are you?

Come on, you needn't be afraid.

Do you think they kept prisoners here?

- I think they lived here. - People?

Yes, who wanted to hide from their enemies.

No one would find you here.

- You can't live in the dark. - We did.

You? How?

In Warsaw, under the houses, so they wouldn't find us.

Oh, good, here are the others!

Hullo there! Two-man expeditions?

How did you two get down here? Wanda was looking for you.

It's alright! Anja and Andrzej are down here!

- Anja and Andrzej are here! - They're here... Here...

When did they get there?

Miss Piwonska, Mr Zielinski wants to speak with you.

- What? Here? - Yes. He says it's urgent.

I called the village to reach you, but you weren't there.

- Why? - I took a ferry, there was no train.

- What happened? - A call from the Polish Legation...

Alan... oh, I thought you'd never come..

What's the matter?

I must talk to you... I've got to leave immediately.

You've got to leave?

I've got to catch the night plane for Warsaw.

Zielinski is here. Kurtan came from the legation this morning.

I've to go back to take a course,

and the planes only go every fortnight.

It's all of a sudden, isn't it?

It's incredible.

They can't do that!

From one moment to another, just for a course.

- Yes they can. - When will you be coming back?

I'm not quite sure. I suppose in a few weeks time.

But you will be gone.

Wait for me here. Zielenski's got a taxi.

- Can you walk down with me? - It's time, Wanda, I'm sorry.

- I'm coming. - I'm going, let's meet at the car.

I'm going to say goodbye to the children.

What do you think is behind all this, Zielinski?

It's strange that at this time I'm having Wanda go...

and not me.

Perhaps they're starting to rely more and more on young people.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence.

Do you really believe in coincidences in such matters? I don't.

Goodbye!

Isn't there something fishy about this whole thing?

No, I don't think so.

Such a tremendous emergency... Just because of a course?

Supposing they won't let you out again?

What ever makes you think that?

Why, it's absolutely certain I'll come back.

Yes, but not much before January, anyway.

No, I'm afraid not.

So this is really goodbye, isn't it?

Yes, I suppose it is.

But somehow I just can't believe it.

Neither can I.

Wanda, I don't know quite what to say, but...

Yes?

It's just simply not possible. We can't...

Alan...

We...

My darling, we must see each other again, please

- This is crazy. We've simply got to! - I must go... please...

- I'm coming with you. - No, no, please...

Let me go!

I'll miss my plane. I must go.

Goodbye, Alan.

Goodbye.

Take care of yourself.

- It's you, Pinky, not Alan. - Oh, shut up!

- His nose is too big. - He has a cold.

He's not enough hair.

I'm not finished.

Good morning.

Good morning!

Please sit down!

- Good morning, children. - Good morning, Uncle Alan.

Sorry I'm late.

Well, I’m glad to see someone's taken over in my absence.

Well, don't let me interrupt you, Pinky.

You were explaining the isosceles triangle, no doubt.

Yes, Uncle Alan.

Now go on... The isosceles triangle...

The sum of the sides of the isosceles triangle equals the sum of the...

Yes?

The sum of the angles of the iso...

I'm afraid you're thinking about the equilateral triangle.

Now look here...

A self-portrait, I see!

This is a geometry class, Pinky. I think you're getting confused.

Sorry, Uncle Alan.

Not at all, not at all! You have talent.

I have a rather sad announcement to make to this class.

Things have somewhat changed in the last few days.

You will not have a new teacher, as you expected.

Instead, Mr Manning will stay on and continue his work.

Hard luck, old man.

That's great, Uncle Alan! It's smashing!

More bad news.

Instead of geometry 5 days a week...

you will only have it 3 days for the next 2 weeks.

This will give Mr Manning more time to rehearse the concert parties...

taking over from Miss Piwonska.

Next time you will make up your mind a bit sooner. It will save us time

There won't be a next time. Oh, incidentally...

Have you had any news from Miss Piwonska?

Just some postcards. She's fine.

If you should write to her, don't tell her that I'm still here.

Or about the school concert... I should like to make it a surprise.

Alright. That's alright.

Sit down, everyone.

Let's get down to business.

The isosceles triangle, my friends...

No, no, no! Please, stop stop stop.

We're trying to surprise Wanda, not shock her!

Look, please... Try and get the time right..

One, two, three...

How beautiful!

Coco, do you know your lines?

"Nice little brother, nice little brother"

"It's time to part ways..."

Kids, this isn't right! It's wrong.

It's not "Bruederlein fein"!

But like this "Bruederlein fein..."

- It's beautiful! - It's good!

Bravo, it's very good!

Magnificent!

Oh my, it's beautiful... It's superb!

Carnival in the village of Pestalozzi. Program.

Grand Carnival Festival — With the show "Songs of the World".

Oh, not yet, they'll die.

They're to be taken to the station with us.

In the meantime, put them in some water.

When does Wanda's train arrive?

It's a full 2 hours yet.

I say! Wanda's come. Didn't you know?

When?

Ages ago. She's in the office.

She came in a big black Studebaker with a man.

Anja, Stasiek! Wanda has arrived!

She arrived by car with a man. She's with Mr Meili, come here!

Stasiek, are you talking about Wanda?

Wanda is here, with Mr Meili.

Go on with it, I'll be back in a moment.

Calm down, children!

Wanda is busy, she'll come later.

- Is Miss Piwonska here? - She's with Mr Meili, but I think...

Come in!

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to interrupt.

I just heard that you were back, Wanda.

You're... You're still here?

Mr Karginski very kindly gave me a lift from the airport.

This is Mr Karginski, from our Foreign Office.

He accompanied me on the plane from Warsaw.

This is Mr Manning, the teacher at the English House.

- How do you do, Sir? - Very glad to meet you.

Most interesting, your work up here.

Please don't let me interrupt. I'll wait outside.

Oh, not at all!

We'd finished. And I'm expected in St Galle in half an hour.

I would have liked to discuss all of this with you in more detail.

And I will do everything I can to ensure this decision is reconsidered.

- I'm sure you understand. - Of course, Mr Meili.

But there's nothing I can do, I'm sorry.

You must understand... I'm just following orders.

I will contact your Legation and our authorities in Bern.

Do as you see fit.

I reiterate our gratitude for everything you have done for our children.

- Goodbye, Miss. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye. - I'll see you out.

Goodbye. We'll meet again tonight, anyway.

Goodbye, Sir.

Wanda... you’re back.

But why didn't you let me know you'd put off your journey?

Put off? But I haven't. I'm staying.

I got out of the other job almost immediately after you left.

If only I'd known that.

If only you'd written!

Darling... I didn't write, because I...

It sounds a bit silly, now... But I wanted to surprise you.

Alan...

Do you know why that man is here?

Why he came all the way with me from Warsaw?

No.

He came to tell Meili that the Polish children have to go back.

To go back?

To Poland.

It's a government decision.

But it was the Polish government that originally sent them.

The world has changed a lot since then, Alan.

Is that a good enough idea to destroy the whole idea of our village?

In their opinion, it is.

Aren't you going to put up a fight against it?

- Meili will, I think. - But you, Wanda?

Are you just going to accept it? Pack up and go?

Please, you can talk to me, Wanda.

I can't let myself think of politics.

I can only think about my children.

Alright, what about your children? What's going to happen to them?

They will live with me.

I've been put in charge of a children's home near Warsaw.

Oh... I see.

What's going to happen to me then?

To us?

I love you. You know that.

Well, aren't you going to answer?

What do you want me to say?

Anything but that.

Are you going to tell the children?

- No. Meili will... tonight. - But after the show?

What show?

Oh of course...

That was supposed to be a surprise too.

I took over your concert after you left. It's come along quite nicely.

Oh, Alan!

What about Anja?

Is she going with you?

- No, she can't. - And Andrzej?

Yes, he'll have to go.

Do you really think it's going to be as simple as all that?

I didn't say anything was simple.

How long will their conference last?

I see. Goal Director Makarewicz is in Warsaw, isn't he?

No, wait.

But I spoke to him recently. Yes.

Hello... Yes, I'm still talking. Miss...

Now it's cut out.

No, not now. I'll try again later.

...we weren't surprised.

Neither Dr Zielinski nor I were.

Dr. Zielinski attempted to contact the Polish authorities in Warsaw.

We didn't want to worry you,

but our community is clearly threatened.

This is not possible.

I can explain this decision.

I don't see that there's anything to explain, eh Wanda?

The world has changed since the creation of this village.

Put yourself in the children's shoes.

What will happen if they return to Poland, aged 16 or 18?

So you defend this decision?

No, I'll try to explain.

Don't bother.

Let's keep calm.

But is there any chance that the Polish government will change its mind?

Perhaps. I know people in Warsaw who think like me.

Dr Makarewicz is my friend. He replaced me at the Ministry.

I've been trying to reach him since this morning.

But what if they refuse?

We're doing our best, Alan.

In Bern as well. We're doing everything we can.

I will keep you informed of developments during the evening.

Shouldn't we cancel the concert?

Absolutely not.

Let's not spoil this evening for the children.

Please come with me.

- Stage fright? - Terribly!

Okay, I'll come. I'll go with her.

Nothing can be done.

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

That's what I was afraid of.

If Warsaw's decision is final, there's nothing Switzerland can do.

It's an irrevocable agreement.

Warsaw's decision isn't final, I'm sure of it.

If only I could reach Makarewicz... I'll try again.

No, let's go back inside. Don't alarm the children.

I will call you.

"For the song".

"For the song".

- "For the song". - "For the song".

"For the song".

For the song and the wedding, dear friends, we thank you.

But before the feast begins, the music plays for dancing!

Ah, what a joyful round dance Ah, what a beautiful tomorrow!

In chorus our voices answer each other

Carrying this message far and wide.

If all the children of the world

Wanted to give themselves a hand.

We are the Finnish children

And we are the girls and boys of France.

The Greeks also send their greetings

And Austria wants to join the circle

We, the Poles, give you a hand

With us, Italy speaks to you loud and clear

One word!

To be carried beyond mountains and sea.

Peace!

The Peace!

Peace! Peace! Peace!

Peace!

If all the children of the world

Wanted to hold hands!

That was truly wonderful. You must sing that at home, too.

We'll have an entire carriage of the train just for us.

So, who's from Warsaw?

Me... Me...

Where are you from, little bride?

I... I...

My name is Anja.

She is not Polish.

- Not Polish? - The Polish house took her in.

In that case you'd better go and join the other children for a while.

I have to talk to my Polish friends. It won't take very long.

Come along, Anja.

You'd better wait in the hall.

- Uncle Alan! - What is it?

I've got something terribly important to ask you.

Not now... Have you seen Wanda?

- Isn't she on the stage? - No, she isn't.

Is it true that Anja can't come with us?

To Poland? No, I'm afraid not. She's not Polish.

Then I want to stay here too.

Andrzej, I'm afraid that won't be impossible.

But I don't want...

Andrzej, I know it isn't easy. We'll talk about it later.

Wanda!

- He's gone... Quick! - Wait, Andrzej.

Shouldn't we ask Stefan first?

No! They're all against us.

There's nothing else we can do.

I won't go without you. Come on!

Oh, there you are.

I've been looking for you everywhere.

What are you doing here?

I'm searching...

I'm starting...

But what's the use, anyhow...?

What's the matter, Wanda?

I couldn't stand it down there any more.

I didn't want to be stared at.

I didn't want to be stared at, like that.

I just can't stand it anymore, do you hear me?

- Please, Wanda, please... - I can't, Alan. I simply can't.

Please... leave me alone

It's a crazy thing to do... Come here and start packing a lot of books.

As if that would help.

It doesn't help.

Alan...

- I've got to go. - No! - I've got to.

I'd feel like a deserter leaving the children at the moment,

when they've never needed me so much.

I love you, Wanda.

I love you too.

but the children...

The children will forget. I won't.

Oh, please, Alan... Please don't! You mustn't...

No, Wanda, I'm not going to make it easy for you.

But...

Alan!

Yes?

Wanda! Alan!

Could we have a word with you, Meili?

- You too? - What do you mean?

Stefan!

What's going on?

I was looking for you, Wanda, I informed Mr Meili...

- Excuse me one moment, Stefan... - No... Wait.

What did you inform Mr Meili about?

- I cannot go back to Warsaw. - But what happened?

The man I've been trying to contact all day, has been arrested.

- Makarewicz? - Yes.

He was the last of my friends.

Then you can't go back.

But this is incredible, you know very well...

Please... Alan. Not now.

Does this mean...?

It means that since Mr Zielinski has an important reason...

that prevents him going back...

Wanda alone is responsible for the return of the children.

But this is impossible!

Wanda and I decided that we...

Pestalozzi Village, Meili.

A boy and a girl... on the train?

Yes... where?

Yes.

No, we're on our way!

It was the Oberwil stationmaster.

The conductor of the evening train

saw a boy and a girl on the train who looked suspicious, perhaps from here.

They got off at Hohenfels and headed towards the castle.

- I'll get a car. - I'll check the houses.

- I'll go see! - They're still in the hall.

It must be Andrzej and Anja.

Nobody knows where they are.

Quick... let's go.

Hopefully we can drive through the village.

Tonight there's a large masked parade...

and they're setting off fireworks up by the castle.

I don't think they've seen us.

We're lucky... There's no snow down here.

But it'll be pretty cold in the cellars.

We'd better collect some wood, so we can make a fire.

Wait... there are people!

Hey...

Is anyone there?

Hey!

Hey!

- Andrzej, are you there? - Yes, I'm here.

I'm scared.

Shh! I'll light the candle.

We need to move forward, come on.

We'll have to divide this up into rations.

Then we'll be able to stay here for a few days.

Do you think we'll have to stay here so long?

If we don't wait until they're gone, they'll send me back..

But Andrzej, all that time in this cave!

As long as we have something to eat, we can stay here.

At night, I'll get wood for the fire.

In Warsaw, that wasn't so easy.

If they found you outside, they'd shoot you.

You could hear the shooting.

One day, a bomb made a hole..

and we could see all the fires in the streets.

You should go to sleep now.

I'll watch.

One of us always keep watch.

Andrzej, don't you think Wanda will be very angry with us?

They'll soon forget about us.

Now go to sleep.

Good night, Andrzej.

The stairs... They've disappeared...

Is there no other way out?

Please wake up!

Wake up!

Andrzej!

What is it?

Andrzej, wake up!

Please wake up!

The stairs... The stairs have gone!

Did you hear them blow up?

Quick! We have to get out of here!

The water will come any moment.

We'll drown!

Andrzej, what are you talking about? I'm scared, let's go back!

No, not that way.

- They're fighting down there. - Who?

Can't you hear the drums? They're attacking!

We have to climb and try to get through a window... Come on!

Andrzej, please wake up!

- Not that way! - Let's go back!

Anja!

Anja, wait!

Not that way! They'll kill you!

They'll kill you!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Hey...!

Get everyone quiet... Something has happened.

Silence! Something's happened.

Help!

Help!

We're coming, Anja! We're coming!

- Anja! - Go left!

Anja! Everything's fine. What happened?

Where's Andrzej?

In there... I lost him.

Let's go.

- Call a doctor, quickly! - Yes.

I'll call a doctor, he fell into the hole.

Go see, he doesn't look good.

That's right... that's right...

Breathe quietly...

It will hurt less.

That doesn't hurt so much now.

I'm sorry, Uncle Alan.

I know we shouldn't have done it.

But Anja and I...

We... We...

It's alright, Andrzej, it's alright.

You see, I really thought it was war again.

Mr.. Mr Meili...

...they didn't shoot Anja, did they?

No, Andrzej, Anja's quite safe. She's with Wanda.

But they'll start again again!

Please don't let them start again!

Please... Don't let them...

Hush... it's alright.

She oughtn't to wake up much before lunch.

With any luck I'll be able to get her down this afternoon.

I shall see you tonight, then.

Yes.

Alan...

It's alright, I understand.

There's no question, now...

I'll have to go.

Yes.

Thanks.

You've been so very good to me.

I shall never forget it.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, Wanda.

...having lived four years in the village of Pestalozzi,

will retain his rights as a citizen of the village,

and may contact the village at any time, with complete confidence.

Pestalozzi Village, Trogen.

Albert Meili, Village Director,

Esko Riojoman, children's representative.

Thank you, Stasiek.

Children,

we must say goodbye for good.

I'll say it again...

You can return to your Pestalozzi Village...

whenever you want.

Well...

goodbye...

- Goodbye, Janusz. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Marian. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Jadwiga. - Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Adela. - Goodbye.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye, Wanda. - Goodbye.

Let's go, kids. Make sure you haven't forgotten anything.

Thank you, Wanda. You've done so much for us.

No one will write us any more songs.

But anyway, we're not in the mood for songs.

Actually, I should have seen it coming. There were plenty of warning signs.

Well, that's the end of an illusion.

Don't say that, Mr Meili. It's not true.

The years spent here weren't an illusion.

If I weren't so sure...

If I thought Andrzej had died for an illusion...

I don't know...

I wouldn't be able to move forward.

Don't let doubt overwhelm you.

We're counting on you, you know?

Even more so now that we are going to be separated.

Count on me? After what happened?

Weren't you the one quoting Pestalozzi?

What matters...

is not what one accomplishes, but what one tries to accomplish.

She was asleep when I left her.

Don't leave her alone too long.

She made a very strange impression on me, when I said goodbye to her.

- Did she cry? - No, she didn't.

She hasn't since...

Yes, I know...

You know, it's queer....

I believe she feels it's our fault, somehow.

Perhaps she's right.

Anja.

Thank you, Uncle Alan.

Hey, you! What do you want?

Is this Pestalozzi Village?

Pesta... Wait one minute!

Anja, look out the window a moment.

I feel we're going to be needed.

Subtitles by FatPlank for KG