Original subtitles

TUNNELS SUN IN THE DARK

[Binh An Dong Hamlet, Cu Chi District, South of Vietnam, 1967]

Rest in peace, comrade.

Name? Age?

Tu Dap.

32 years old.

Deserter, aren't you? Which unit?

Where are you from?

Why did you come?

I'm from Long Dien.

I work in a car garage.

I'm dodging the draft.

Is this Binh An Dong hamlet?

I'm looking for Auntie Nam.

What's she to you?

My mother's sworn sister.

Auntie Nam's daughter.

Do you have proof?

What is your mother's name?

Loan.

Her name is Loan.

When she was alive,

my mother never mentioned that name.

Miss Ba.

You won't kill me, right?

Our mothers were childhood friends.

They got married and grew apart,

so you don't know.

They arranged for us to marry.

She kept telling me to go see you.

Don't go out.

It's a mine field around here.

If you hit a mine, you're done.

Are you a mechanic?

Yes.

The guns need repairing.

Can you do that?

I can, Miss Ba.

Hey.

The arranged marriage,

is it true?

Go straight. Someone will pick you up, comrade.

How many guerrillas are in our team?

There're only 21 guerrillas here

holding out in Binh An Dong.

These are sleeping quarters.

Father.

What?

Help me fix the cartridge clip.

It keeps slipping out.

Let me see...

But I'm not good at this.

Ask someone else.

My daughter.

Kitchen chamber.

Food storage, also.

Bamboo crafting is a tradition in our village.

From baskets to cupboards, we can craft anything.

I'll craft a bamboo B40 for you.

Promise?

It'll get harder to breathe down there.

Large meeting chamber. Third level.

You saw the smaller one up there.

Exits to the surface

and the river on every level.

Booby traps placed everywhere.

We make do.

Do we need more fortification?

For the bigger bombs.

But it's a bit damp,

can we store medicine here?

No problem. The packages will arrive soon.

These are from Uncle Sau, comrades.

Sau Lap, I don't need it no more.

Gosh, Bay.

It's the real deal.

It's the real B40, Bay.

Am I dreaming?

Luc Tac, let's take turns using it.

Listen up.

This is comrade Hai Thung.

Leader of the military medical unit.

We're ordered to safeguard the medical supplies,

field hospital.

These boxes store are

valuable medicines and medical equipment.

More precious than gold.

Bringing them here was no easy task.

We must protect them with our lives.

Understood.

Their unit stays here in the third level.

We Binh An Dong guerrillas stay above.

Remember.

You are not allowed down here, got it?

Understood.

Let's get out.

I'll leave you to it, Hai Thung.

Bay.

Stay a bit.

This is from Mr. Sau, for you only.

Is that so?

Excuse me.

Since the mission requires,

I will have to read it for you myself.

Right.

Do you recognise Uncle Sau's handwriting?

"To Bay Theo,"

"Hai Thung's team is actually"

"the N38 military intelligence unit."

"Your task is"

"to protect the transmissions at all costs."

"Remember,"

"this mission is top secret,"

"so only you should know about it."

"Uncle Sau."

You should tell everyone to disperse

to reduce casualities.

The bombing will be very intense.

Begin.

Incoming aircraft.

Are you done?

Continue.

Turn it off.

Fuck it. They have sharp ears.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

At ease.

Ba Hieu!

You're distracted!

Do it again!

Stab!

Turn faster! Again!

Stab!

Again.

Do it again!

Ready!

Why are you so harsh?

We're not special ops.

Save your complaints for the enemy.

They'll give you a medal.

Do it again.

Ready!

Stab.

Cam. Quickly. It's boiling.

Take cover!

It'll take forever.

Let me try something.

Build a fire.

I'll try.

Here you go.

Put it here.

Are you sure?

It's fine. Put it down.

Do it.

Let me out of here, please.

I want out, too.

You're crazy, Tu.

You must think of Ba Huong.

She's really into you.

Hey, it's fish!

We have fish today.

Eat up you guys.

No fish for you, grasshopper.

Bay.

I saw the medical unit laying cables in the scorched forest.

What were they doing?

It's their work.

How could I know?

Attention.

Why so serious?

As you all know.

Command had us guard the medical supplies.

It's very important.

Soon, there will be a massive raid.

When?

Soon.

Another Cedar Falls?

Cedar Falls is nothing!

Listen up, everyone

From now on, number one,

no cooking above ground.

Two, even if the enemy is right outside,

we stay silent to, no shooting,

to keep our secret.

Three,

we won't retreat when they attack.

We must stay to fight until the end.

So?

Are you up for it?

That serious?

Are you scared, Bay Sat?

I'm not.

But how can we fight with these weapons?

We must find a way.

That's that. Eat up.

- Why aren't you eating? - Leave me alone.

I need to talk to you.

Tu Dap.

He can't stay.

I was told to run background checks on everyone.

If we can't be sure he's one of us,

then he's a threat.

We can't afford to be careless.

OK.

I'll kick him out.

Do you see me as a worthless...

freeloader?

It's not that.

Then why try to get rid of me?

Miss Ba.

Lend me a SKS bullet, will you?

I wanna test out this magazine I just fixed.

Tu Dap.

Tu Dap.

Come back here.

I'm ordering you. Come back now.

We got movement on the left.

I'm hit.

Napalm casings mean aluminium scraps.

I'll collect and sell them.

Payment for my food.

Comrade Ba Huong.

Who shot the aircraft?

I did

to collect Napalm casings, they're aluminium.

They are valuable.

The locals took care of us guerrillas before.

Now they evacuated everyone.

We have to exchange scrap metals for food.

I know it was dangerous to do so.

I promise not to do it again.

Bay.

Alright.

I'll let you off this time.

I'll request Command

to supply you with food.

Tu Dap is a real daredevil.

I should've killed him.

If you can't do that,

run the background check on him.

So?

I'll do it.

Tu Dap said he's from Long Dien,

it's the grey area,

it's hard to tell friends from foes.

A woman like you,

if they catch you they will rape you

then throw your corpse in the river.

Don't they dare--

You're so tough. Aren’t you?

Background check is my job,

not yours.

I'll go.

I need to see Tu Dap's mother for my personal matters...

Damn. You're risking your life.

Is it worth it?

Bay.

Are you hiding something from us?

What's so important about some medicine boxes?

God damn it.

It's like I have

a bomb in my chest these days.

Don't you think it's odd?

No aircrafts.

No choppers.

No sign of artillery.

The Americans are taking a break,

Ut Kho,

sing us a few songs.

The blade falls, a hero's life fades away

La Thanh,

how could you bear to execute an old friend?

Even if you harbor no love for him,

this act should not have come to pass.

To kill an enemy, perhaps I understand,

But a friend? How could you lend a hand?

Beloved brother Don,

how fleeting it appears, this life of liberty

Among the peaks and flowing streams,

a fearless soul journeyed on

How I long for when we confronted trials as one

Through life and death, united we'd stand

Yet today, we find ourselves torn apart

In this execution ground, we bid farewell for eternity

- Uncle Sau. - Uncle Sau.

It's raining bombs outside.

How did you manage to get here?

Uncle Sau.

Uncle Sau.

I came for a drink.

Prepare some snacks.

Let's drink.

Are you hinting at my drinking habits?

I'm serious. Do you think I'm kidding?

Is Bay Theo overworking you?

He surely is.

Without my ideal, I would have left him.

He's like a pregnant lady with mood swings.

He acts as if I'm not his daughter.

In a few days, it will be more fun.

Bay Theo has his reasons for being so hard on you all.

I know this guy works the hardest.

His burden is heavy.

You must help him carrying out the mission.

Your efforts

will be acknowledged by our Country,

and our people.

- Do you understand? - Yes.

The Viet Cong will still control the Cu Chi tunnels.

You keep this up and they'll lose their shit.

Show them how formidable our tunnels are.

Yes!

Wait.

Hold on.

I have just built

a new kind of anti-tank mine.

It's good.

Bay.

In the corner.

The detonator is in the can.

Please take it out.

I haven't tested it out yet.

Let me try it out once.

After that, deal with me however you want.

Our anti-tank mines only work

if the tanks run over them.

A tank track is about 28 inch wide.

It's hard to guarantee a direct hit.

I've made a detonator

that uses a sweeping mechanism.

I plant a branch on it.

A tank is about 118 inch wide.

It will surely hit.

Get ready.

Pull.

We damn well need him, Hai Thung.

Fine.

But keep him out of the tunnel.

Sure. He has nothing to do down there.

Arranged marriage my ass!

There's no such thing.

You liar.

I almost believed you.

Have you decided?

Decide what?

That guy.

It's your job. Why do you ask me?

On your next visit, bring some sesame salt

for your fiance.

Should we arrange a wedding?

A gift from Tu Dap.

All girls in our team get one.

He's so handy.

Lucky you.

Watch your words.

Where are you, Miss Ba?

You lied.

You never worked in a garage in Long Dien.

You worked in the military armoury in Hua Trach.

You tried making mines,

accidentally blew up three officials,

and had to flee to here.

I should have reported your lies.

How foolish of me!

I even covered for your lies.

No matter what,

I'm not a defector.

I have...

a gift for you.

Everyone already got your gifts.

Why am I the last?

But yours has to be special.

I'm not special.

I don't need a special gift.

Give it to someone else.

Stay still.

You'll step on mines!

Damn it! Are you nut?

I have the real thing.

I don't need your toy.

It's not a toy.

Did you really make this?

Test it out.

It's your chance. Shoot.

Can you please ask Mr. Hai Thung

if we can set up a movie night in the basement?

No, you can't!

It's ironic that the Americans bombed us

while we were about to watch a movie.

Damn it!

Shall we delay?

How do we screen during the bombing?

Comrade. Can we leave now?

Only after the screening.

Get in. Quickly.

Start preparing.

We will do the screening here.

Don't worry.

This is our most durable chamber.

Have you forgotten about her death anniversary?

You or your brother

can take shelter at the base.

I told Sau Lap already.

No need.

It's an order.

Gotta leave someone to take care of your mother.

The next raid is gonna be rough.

It will be dangerous.

Tell Cam to go.

She's your daughter.

Damn. She wouldn't go either.

It's the same everywhere.

Bay, what do you mean I have to go to the base?

Ba, you go. I won't.

You guys are pissing me off.

You lot are so damn stubborn.

Miss Mo.

It's Miss Gung!

It's a B40 grenade launcher.

How can guerrillas obtain it?

Watch closely. It'll soon be my show time.

Don't you dare block me with your shadow.

Is transformed into deadly weapons,

which destroyed enemies' tanks.

See!

It's me.

- That's my back. - Damn!

This is the most intense bombing

I have ever seen.

They only targeted our side, it seems.

Nothing on the other river bank at all.

More scraps metal for you to collect.

Don't fucking question it.

Hueys.

Fuck!

They're setting up camp, plotting a full-scale attack, it seems.

Tu Dap! Mad man.

I told you he'd be useful.

Mark this spot.

A major raid is coming, we need to hide.

This is rice paper.

This will keep you going for a few days.

You...

can't tell a soul I showed you this spot.

The tripwire mines.

Retreat.

Listen up.

Divide and head to the entrances

and guard there.

Cam, follow Ba Huong

to the riverside entrance to aid Van.

Copied.

Luc Tac. Sau Lap.

Leave the B40.

I'm just...

I'm just using it as a pillow.

Find something else.

The tanks are right there.

Let me take one shot, Bay.

Guard the scorched forest gate.

Do not open that hatch, no matter how hot.

I'll kill you if you reveal our location.

We are like chickens

baked in clay.

Let me stay here.

Guard the field-side tunnel for me.

Go.

You're so cold.

And foolish.

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

Asthma.

What the fuck is asthma?

Ut Kho...

What?

Ut Kho...

Keep breathing, why are you talking about Ut Kho now?

Don't die, Sau Lap.

Sau Lap, Sau Lap...

I'll get Bay.

Sau Lap...

Sau Lap.

Please save Sau Lap...

They've surrounded this area, too.

Go find Van in the river bank bunker.

Smells like toxic gas.

Cam, you stay here.

Pull back.

Alright, I'm in.

Where's Ut Kho?

I thought she was right behind?

Ba Huong.

Let's go.

Leave me here with Van.

- Head down, head down. - To the river.

Both of you, guard these entrances.

Move here if detected.

Dad.

They're flooding the tunnels.

Ba Huong and Ut Kho are trapped there.

Start digging.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing matters.

Whatever happens...

doesn't matter anymore.

Oh the cuckoo bird feasting on longans sweet

Oh the yearning spouses, missing each other's scent

Just like the fish, in its tank, content...

I'm pregnant.

Who's the father?

I don't know.

It was too dark. I couldn't see.

We're at the tunnel entrance by the river,

where an unknown number of VC are hiding.

We're searching for the entrance

to the tunnels now. Over.

VC in the river.

There may be other entrances under water,

but we cannot locate them. Over.

Where are they?

Watch out!

- I don't see them. - I don't know. I can't see.

Bay.

Damn.

The Americans are pumping water into the tunnels.

I have to blow up the pumping machine

to save Ba Huong and Ut Kho.

Let me distract them.

Are you crazy?

You don't wanna find out who it was?

What for?

We're all gonna die anyway.

Who do you think it was?

No clue.

Certainly not your Tu Dap.

He doesn't dare going into the tunnel.

We have contact with the enemy at public 9-7-5.

Where are they?

We got hit.

They got an RPG.

Sau Lap...

Sau Lap...

Sau Lap...

Get off of me.

Luc Tac.

Get back inside or Bay'll scold you.

Give me the grenade launcher.

Get down!

Let me take a shot.

Fuck.

Retreat.

Luc Tac!

This is not working.

I can't do this.

Go! You need to go!

Leave me alone!

It's very difficult to block off

the VC base from the riverside.

We need Tunnel Rats. Over.

Western attack progress report...

We're listening in to the American radio.

They thought we're barbaric,

didn't care to secure their communication.

...need further instructions. Over.

The western tunnel path...

Bay.

In past search and destroy missions,

they focused solely on our team.

But it's different this time.

They're attacking Binh An Dong

at all sides.

The western tunnels have been destroyed.

Use the scorched forest route, then.

It's isolated. Harder to access.

Right here.

In the south.

Is there any other gate?

The underwater one.

It's hard to block it.

Hai Thung.

I'm listening.

Hell. I'm worried about these kids.

They're still so green.

We're only good at tunnels work.

Snipe enemies, set up booby traps...

Those stuff.

That's guerrilla way.

We can only do so much.

I get it, Bay.

Fuck.

Forgive me for saying this.

This mission...

is too much for us.

What if our lack of experience

showed in front of the Americans?

What if we failed? That'd be our fault.

Bay.

Hold on for two more days.

There's one more important report we must make.

After that, you guerrillas can withdraw.

Damn it.

We ain't fucking backing down.

I just want to let the kids know

what they are giving their lives for.

That's all.

We're at war, Bay.

Get up.

Change the sleeping bunker.

Let me be.

Can't let you be.

I did it...

I'll bear it.

That guy is hiding his face,

leaving you to suffer alone.

You're generous with that bastard.

But I'm not.

Tomorrow, even if every one dies,

I will still drag him to the military court.

Go sleep in my bunker.

That's an order.

Go!

Fuck you!

I've set up five bombs along the river.

Tomorrow morning, I'll blow them up.

After that,

I'll go into the tunnels to look for you.

Who said you can go in there?

Do you want to die in there?

You have a better chance to survive out here.

Take care.

I've reported your problem to Bay.

Everyone will know eventually.

Need to sort it out soon.

Ba Huong.

About Ut Kho problem...

Your solution is... questionable.

I'm so embarrassed.

Bay.

A child needs a father.

It's our final battle.

What are you afraid of?

Off you go.

You go on.

Bay, Uncle Sau is here.

Gather around.

Uncle Sau!

The guy with bamboo grasshopper, where is he?

He died.

How many people died?

A moment of silence to remember our fallen comrades.

A moment of silence begins.

Alright.

Holding off the Americans for so long,

all of you are heroes.

It's all on your shoulders.

You know us.

Worst case, we die, no big deal.

Uncle Sau.

I need to ask you for a favor.

I know what you want.

Is it about Hai Thung?

Tell them.

Tell everyone who Hai Thung is.

No more secret?

No more.

Hosnestly, I couldn't keep a secret

and have spilled it already.

I was afraid to get a scolding from you.

Be my witness.

He disclosed the secret, not me.

Feeling relaxed yet?

Very much so.

The last transmission must go through.

Sure.

How much time do you need, Hai Thung?

24 hours,

for the messengers to bring us the documents.

The tunnels must hold strong.

Are you ready?

We're ready.

Uncle Sau, I need another favor.

Another one?

Ut Kho wants to get married.

Please give her a wedding.

Ba Huong.

Who's the guy?

Bay Theo?

Do you have the wedding offerings?

Coming right up!

You guys planned it all!

Stand straight.

Leave.

Don't come back.

Please take care of the kids.

Rest assure. I will.

Uncle Sau.

Take care, Uncle Sau.

Uncle Sau!

Should we go underground?

Parts of the tunnels are damaged.

We can't move fast.

Turn around. There's an entrance nearby.

I'll distract them.

Uncle!

Hurry up.

They'll be here soon.

The dogs can detect the smell of blood.

Uncle!

Let's go!

They're right down here. Send the translator in.

Uncle Sau!

Go ahead.

I can't walk any further.

I'm not leaving you.

We know you're down there.

Come out. One person at a time.

Hands up.

We won't shoot.

Or else, we'll kill you.

Uncle Sau! Let's go!

I'm wounded.

He said he's wounded.

I can't walk.

- Uncle! - He cannot walk by himself.

I surrender.

He surrenders.

Dig through the tunnel.

Then blow it up.

I'll stall for time.

Give it to me! Move!

Lizard 6, this is Hound 11.

Captured one wounded Charlie.

Apprently a senior officer.

We'll extract information from him on the spot.

Requesting order. Over.

Where are the others?

Why don't you call them out?

Where are the others?

Why don't you call them out?

My surrender is enough.

He said his surrender is enough.

I’ll give you information.

He will give information.

I bet you don't know

where the power of Viet Cong lies?

You don't know the power of Viet Cong, don't you?

Charlie's talking.

Translating now. Over.

Before you, there was the French.

Before you, there were the French.

Big ships, big guns, powerful forces.

1946.

The French attacked Ha Noi.

13,000 troops.

13,000 troops.

Viet Minh only had more than 10,000 soldiers,

2000 guns...

Guess how long the fight lasted?

How long the fight lasted do you know?

Two months.

Then Viet Minh decided to stop.

Viet Minh decided to stop the fight.

Otherwise, they could have kept fighting indefinitely.

We spread out in small teams.

We were everywhere.

When to fight,

how to fight,

How to fight...

is our decision.

is our decision.

Unpredictable.

Unpredictable.

It's the people's war.

It’s the people's war.

The tunnel's the people's war.

The tunnel's the people's war.

You stand no chance of winning.

You can't win.

- Grenade! - Oh shit!

- Get back! - Run!

The high ranking VC wasted himself.

Another inter-regional tunnel over 10km long was discovered,

connected to the outskirt of Saigon.

Evidence shows that Charlie uses this tunnel

to transport documents from Saigon to Binh An Dong. Over.

Bay.

Hey.

Bay.

Damn.

Here's some fine tea.

Come have a drink.

- Bay. - Yes.

As predicted,

they have surrounded us.

Only the riverside's left.

How about...

How about the scorched forest?

They might have discovered it.

How about Uncle Sau and the kids?

Haven't heard anything on their radio.

They should have gotten away.

Bay.

Bay.

Is everyone ready?

All good.

Don't worry.

Everyone is ready.

- Enemy spotted by the river. - Where are they?

I don't know. I can't see!

I'm burning!

Jump! Jump!

I'm burning!

Stop.

Down.

Ba Hieu!

Are you crazy?

Bay Sat! Give me your hand.

Come on!

What's wrong?

He's inhaled poisonous gas.

I'm going blind.

I'll wash your eyes. Just breathe.

Bay.

That was me.

I've wronged you.

I've wronged Ut Kho.

Just breathe.

I've wronged Ut Kho.

Bay.

Bay.

Just shoot.

Do it.

Over here! Let's go!

The Lizard team is taking over the mission.

We need to clean up 2 dead VC bodies. Over.

There are a lot of sleeping quarters down here.

Enough room for two enemy platoons.

We found Charlie's kitchen area.

Looks like a lot of food.

This food supply depot is prepared to support

long-term combat in the tunnels.

Found...

various maps detailing the tunnel systems

along with medical supply.

...clothing, and other essential items

for long term defense.

We'll gather items for further examination use.

Run away!

Hold!

Fuck!

Retreat.

Let's go, Tam.

I think he was just bitten by a snake.

We're bringing him out.

Hey, we should wait for back up.

The Lizard team

is very close to the transmission source.

We're charging in. We need back up.

Ba Huong.

Ba Huong.

It's me, Tu Dap.

It's me, Tu Dap.

Tu...

Get down.

- Ba Huong. - Get down!

- Grenade! - Get down.

Cover your ears.

The Viet Cong has detonated mines

and collapsed all entry and exit points.

We still have some people who can be evacuated.

Requesting order.

Done?

Yes, sir. We're done.

Bay.

They got away.

Mission completed.

Hush...

This is no big deal.

Bay.

Pass this to the bosses.

All your merits.

Damn... it.

How I long for...

a cup of tea...

under the sun.

Bay...

Bay...

Bay...

Water...

Ple...

Please.

Water.

[During the war, Cu Chi was one of the critical intel hubs]

[for the H63 strategic intelligence network.]

[It played a colossal part in securing the final win on April 30, 1975, ]

[sealing the end of Vietnam’s brutal 21-year fight for freedom.]

[Over its 400 square kilometers, Cu Chi saw 50,454 raids,]

[losing 10,101 civilians and over 10,000 soldiers gave their lives.]

We invented the tunnels during the French war.

But they were only a few kilometers long.

During American war, more than 200km of tunnels were documented.

The Americans evacuated all the people with aircrafts.

Anyone they saw.

Those who stayed behind relied on the tunnels.

Cu Chi's high ground

with some areas 25m above the river.

The third and deepest level

can reach 6m underground.

It can be stuffy.

We mainly stay on the first level for better airflow.

In Operation Crimp, began January 8th, 1966

when the Americans started the raid,

more than 3000 officers were stuck

at Phu My Hung and An Phu,

having to hide in the tunnels.

That's a lot of people.

I lived in the tunnels for a long time.

It was a wiped-out land back then.

How about Cedar Falls operation?

The Cedar Falls operation really sounds brutal

but they'd attack for a certain period and then stopped,

which was nothing compared to what happened here.

Here, the war was 24/7.

"Destroy all, burn all, kill all", that was their policy.

Without the tunnels, we couldn't have fought.

Each hamlet had its own tunnel entrance.

If an outsider wandered in,

they would blindfold him,

and lead him outside,

releasing him far from the entrance.

The tunnels had many branches

and were connected to the trenches,

combined with bunkers for battle,

so called "combat bunkers".

During battles, we rotated between bunkers;

if one was at risk,

we moved to another.

They dropped all types of bombs.

timed bombs, airburst bombs,

and ground-impact bombs.

I dismantled them all to study

and taught myself mine-making.

We'd stick a branch in it,

if a tank went by and hit it,

it'd blow up.

It's simple. Even the common people can make it.

You have to stay in Cu Chi for a long time

to really understand how we fought the Americans.

You can't just grasp everything

in just a few days.