All language subtitles for Gibel Otrara (1991) 272 min.ENG.05

Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studios and

the Alem association present

Ardak Amirkulov's film

THE FALL OF OTRAR

The beginning of the thirteenth century...

... was a fateful time for the
peoples of Asia and Europe.

The ruler of Khorezm,
the great Muhammad-Shah,

... is going to declare
war on Baghdad.

Unzhu, a Kipchak scout,
returns to Khorezm...

... after serving seven years
in Genghis Khan's army.

Screenplay:
Svetlana Karmalita & Aleksej German

Photography
Saparbek Koichumanov
Aubakir Suleyeev

Production Design:
Aleksandr Rorokin and Umirzak Shmanov

Music: Kuat Shildebayev

cast: Unzhu - Dokhubek Kydyraliyev
Kairkhan - Tungyshbai Dzhamankulov

Shinvyskhan - Bolot Beyshenaliev
Mukhamedshakh - Abdurashid Makhsudov
??? [dialog]

Yalbach - Zaurij Zekhov
the apostate - Kasym Zhakibaev

THE SCOUT
part one

Don't move.

Don't turn away, keep looking.

Today you're a guest here.

When the heat's gone
there'll be a lot of birds here.

The flies have grown fat.
First the birds eat up the flies.

and then ...

At first they scream and cry
and ask for water.

This water.

Ask me, Unzhu-khan,
what their guilt is.

What's their guilt?

This old man is a Koran interpreter
with funny ideas.

That one is a Kipchak like you.

His untruth is very much
like yours.

Did Kairkhan come here?

He will in due time.

- Nobody forbade me to look at his face.
- I'm a guest here.

Now you'll drink it up and get the helmet.

Smell it.

The Great One hasn't
doubted your words yet.

It can be Allah sent you
here to save us.

If you fail, well then
you'll die an easy death.

Remember that we are dust
on Allah's toes.

Right. But the dust of rock
is different from that of dung.

I can do little for him.

He can do even less for me.

I came here of my own free will.

The same goes for them
save that old fool.

???

???

That old bald-headed mouse!

Farewell, brother,
whatever stock you are.

URGHENCH,
the centre of the state of KHOREZM

easy if it were Kayrkhan ???

THE PALACE OF THE SHAH

How come the machines
are made from logs

when the Mongols have no wood?

Right. But if they saw these drawings

they'd break my back.

The Chinese make these machines
to break their city walls.

If a Chinese is a bad shot,

he is used as a charge.

???

If somebody runs away in fear
they execute 10 people.

If 10 men flee,
they execute a whole hundred.

You were at the head
of 100 Mongol warriors, weren't you?

Not 100 but 1000!

But among them there were many Chinese.

Merkits and other peoples' warriors.

There were even Moslems.

Khan Unzhu speak with Mongols and Chinese in their tongue.
With us he talks like a Moslem.

A Chinaman has come.

First Genghiz-Khan sends
merchants to reconnoitre.

???

They make a sand copy of the enemy land.

In your town too there're many merchants.

They have gold plates
with beasts drawn on them.

Any Mongol takes such a merchant
to the great Genghiz-Khan.

I have seen it.

Tell this Chinese about
the meaning of your drawing.

[Chinese]
You see various formations of three tumens*:

one of them shoots arrows
and flees to stretch the pursuers.

Two others to the side of him
finish it all up.

Oh Great One! This man speaks
a tongue I don't understand.

I speak over 40 dialects of my land,

but perhaps,
way up in the mountains ...

You're a Chinaman!

Genghiz-Khan is now devouring
the liver of your people!

Your land is being ravished
by dogs!

How could he command Chinamen
without knowing their tongue?

The Kipchaks refuse to go to Baghdad
and you don't care!

I hold the Universe in this hand.
Who cares about Genghiz!

What did you come here for?

Genghiz-Khan's horses are
closest to my land.

Rubbish!

Who put you up to it?
My mother? My son Jeladin?

You'll tell me everything
in the Merry Execution Tower,

when flies start eating your eyes.

Start from the beginning, not the end.
Who sent you here?

I've told you everything,
even how they break warriors' backs.

- The brazier!
- They don't spare rulers!

They keep their mothers
chained in jail.

- Who sent you here?
- I told you everything!

???

???

It's just Kairkhan's tricks.

He seeks power and is holding
talks with Baghdad...

for me to turn my sword
against some unknown Mongols.

I will come to you in two days...

and you'll be talking
while I'll keep silent.

If your words are truthful,
Allah will forgive me...

because you're the first speck of dust in the storm
that's going to bury the entire world.

Life is a crooked wheel
which leaves a crooked track.

This day is Allah's gift to us.

First He took it away and
then gave it back.

It was me He had in mind
chasing the flies with snow.

But my eyes are swollen.
Tell me what you can see.

Do you know I'm Khan, sinner?

Do you think, I'm a sinner?

His robe conceals God.
???

Your eye-sockets are empty.

One can see with one's soul.
But then is it worth seeing?

There's only one good thing in the world. Snow.

It chases away flies.

Allah created life on earth,

but people began devouring
one another and death came to us.

But death horrifies the living.
So He invented a torment...

the chosen ones, like me,
may call death.

You too will realize that
when the flies are here.

My death! ???

You stupid Kipchak!
You can only pull the bow-string.

But the arrow's flight
is guided by Allah.

Hangman!

Take Kairkhan.

I'll have your arm cut off,

and you won't be able
to take off your pants.

Hangman!

I will become Allah's martyr...

and my death
will make the Kipchaks stay with you.

My men do not lie.
The last one in the Merry Tower

will breathe out the truth to you
before he dies:

We're three times as many
as the Mongols.

Take your sword, summon the people
and glory is yours!

Kairkhan is a khan.
You can't give him up to a hangman.

The Great One made a joke.

My nephew will remain in favour as before.

You risked something more important
than finger.

Oh Creator!
Heed the voice of your humble slave.

May the true solution
dawn on the Great Muhammad Shah!

Give patience to the martyr on the pole.

Hey, Corporal.
I want to see the Vekil.

The Vekil may come after the evening prayer.

On the other hand,
he may not come at all.

Stop whistling.
You'll wake up the flies.

What you want will never be.

We are all doomed to death anyway.

Hey Khan, what are you doing way up there?

Get down to earth.

???

???

Hey Khan, you're all soiled.
Wash yourself with snow.

???

???

???

???

The Khan is coming with me.
You'd better say your prayers.

Can you fight like that,
Kipchak?

I can. Even better than that.

Put on your boots.
It's a shame to go barefooted.

Post a new guard and string up
someone instead of the Khan.

Hang on.

Take the old man.
He knows a lot and may be of interest to you.

What were you babbling about?
Seems Allah's seen me.

Man's thought is momentary.
Allah's wisdom is infinite.

Oh Allah!
Give me patience to stand it!

Kneel down!

See who saved you?

Come closer. I've a poor sight
???

but I can hear well.

Why are you wheezing, Kipchak?

I was afraid of telling lies
when the flies went for me.

So I wanted to cut my
throat with rope

when your son did not believe me
and Kairkhan forgot about me.

You say Kairkhan, huh!?

So he didn't see you
after your seven-year absence.

Yes. Great One!

You must use my full name
when addressing me. Listen!

Terke-Khatun,
Ruler of the Universe,

Mother of the Great One,
Queen of the Women of the Earth.

Speak up.

Kairkhan sent me to the Mongols
seven years ago.

I've been loyal to him,
his son and to you.

As he was sending me there,
Kairkhan said...

who needs this earth without
the Kipchaks?

So I rose from a slave to the
commander of 1000 horsemen.

I have mastered the tongues and
learned their art of fighting.

I learned the tricks
of their scouts.

I know the way our whisper
reaches their ears.

Did you talk to the Baghdad
Ruler's men?

I've never been to Baghdad.

You don't have to see Baghdad
to tell one about it.

You learned Chinese.
Did it help you any?

Will the Turkmen Jelaladin
defend the Kipchak steppe?

No need to defend it.

You've got to get your army started...

and drive Genghiz Khan to the
yet-uncaptured Chinese cities.

If Genghiz Khan turns his army here...

he'll have no reinforcements.

If your eyes are not good
then believe mine:

Genghiz Khan will saturate the earth
with human fat.

I've seen it done.

First you'll rest a bit
and have fun,

then you'll come back here,
to tell the hangman the truth of your life in Baghdad,

and not in China, where they
want Jelaladin on our throne.

You'll recognize his men from Baghdad.

They'll be shown to you.

You'll be pardoned and take
command of 1000 men in Khorezm.

Farewell, Kipchak.

Farewell, Great One.

The Chinese are good at
treating eyes.

It's me who has the right
to bring up this subject.

Kairkhan promised you an easy death
if you persist.

You'll tell him a different story now
and promise something.

Life is more interesting
when viewed from a high hill.

But you live in the steppe.

Are you a foreigner?

I believe in the same God as you.
Why should I be one?

That God ran nails through
his hands.

By the way, Kairkhan,
who sent you the Mongols,

is now here, in his palace,
and not in Otrar.

Tell them you saw him in Baghdad.

So I will.

The Great One is interested in you.
She may promote you.

Want a woman from Egypt
who is taller than you?

I'd rather have a Chinese girl
with small feet.

How will you explain
what you want?

The Chinaman swore
you don't know their language.

Don't disgrace yourself.
The Great One likes spying.

She is fascinated by young bodies.

Your clothes will be given back to you
in the morning.

MERCHANT YAVLACH'S HOUSE

What's this, merchant?

It's a Chinese machine
making holes in a wall.

The Chinese are gentle people,
the same as their walls.

They cannot damage your walls.

I hear you merchants serve
the Kagan* to get cheap goods.

You model our Moslem lands
from sand and rock...

for Genghiz Khan.

I hear you have gold plates
which make any Mongol serve you.

Now my men will ransack
the whole place.

You know what they are going to look for.

You may look me in the eyes.

They are not the eyes of Allah,

nor the eyes of Genghiz,
the yellow-eared bastard you sold your soul to.

And your sons will be guests
in the Merry Tower.

The great yellow-eared Genghiz
once wore blocks on his neck.

How can a faithful Moslem
serve an ex-slave?

I've never been in Baghdad,

but I know that the Ruler of Baghdad
and the Kipchak khans are your enemies.

Lie down and don't move!

You lift up your heads
you'll have them cut off.

??? Mongol song

???

Perhaps high up
in the mountains...

I warned you I'm a better fighter.

May your soul forgive me.

I did it obeying Allah's will.

I'm Allah's arrow.
Yes, I am Allah's arrow.

Don't weigh down on the plank, Chinaman.

I've cut off the signal string.

I happened to visit your homeland, remember?

Unfortunately, your Hindu saw me
from behind the lanterns.

Now his soul's hiding
over the high mountains.

I wonder where your soul will fly?

???

Well, I speak Chinese
and nobody understands me.

And you, poor wretch,
will die without understanding me.

It hurts... I'm dying.

My family's names are in the casket.
Read them when I'm gone.

Your Allah will never forget
this deed.

Your kin will never understand me.
Our languages are different.

I gave you just a light thrust.

You'll be dying long.

???

You'll have time to think
about your homeland.

Sometimes it's really important.

I think Allah chose me
to be His arrow.

Just for a while, of course.

Are you Allah's arrow?
Yes, I am Allah's arrow.

- Who are you?
- I'm Allah's arrow.

??? Mongol song

???

???

???

I'll punish you, my tongue...

for your singing and shouting
in the Mongol language.

Can it be I'll sing Mongol songs
when we've killed them?

Quiet! I'll do you no harm.

- I'm here.
- Good day, Kairkhan.

We and the young khan
expected you to come yesterday.

He's your wet-nurse's son.
Don't kill the boy.

???

You're so crafty, you've nearly
outwitted yourself.

I ought to have told you...

it was not only Jelaladin
I met in Baghdad, but you too.

So now you, not me,
would be cutting your navel.

You gave me away to hangmen.
I've brought you my payment.

Give me the torch!

Want some water-melon wine?

I see you still remember its taste.

- Where are you taking me?
- To where your children are.

Everybody face the wall!

???

You're prospering, merchant.
Give me a present.

This way, merchant.

We did nothing to the kids.
They were only watching.

We asked your scribe
if you had been in Baghdad.

He said yes. So did the kids.
Everybody says yes here.

Your luck they couldn't describe Baghdad.

You may take your sons with you.

???

They'll recover and
be very docile.

???

The Great Khan gives you
his bracelet as an award.

These Khans sold themselves
to Baghdad as you said.

You'll be taken home
for 10 pieces, merchant.

One can buy decent clothes
for 30 pieces here.

We're setting out in two days.

We're starting tomorrow.
Where is our scribe?

If you're not in a hurry
I'll go find him.

I have to let the kids' blood, merchant.

The Kipchak and Turkmen khans
who refuse to go to Baghdad...

will be sent to the Merry Tower.

I sent a messenger to Jelaladin,
but his palace is heavily guarded.

You're no arrow,
but dirt on Genghiz Khan's horse's tail.

I like Genghiz.
He never betrays those who serve him.

???

Maybe you're right.

You should have shouted out the truth
in his face and then died on the pole.

The truth from a martyr's
throat would've taken effect.

I sent five men. Three returned.
But not you...

When you saw death
you betrayed me. All of you.

My poor people have no martyr.

Right. Set your people right.

Khan, be a martyr.

- Be what?
- A martyr!

It's so simple.

Stand up and
shout to the Great Council!

"I swear on my mother
whom I don't remember.

I'll repeat all this
on the pole."

But you have golden shoes
and your name's Kairkhan.

So you must live.

But I spit on you! That's why
I've lived over the last days.

Call your henchmen!
The Great One will reward you for that.

I'll do it myself...

I'm like a dog that bit its master.
I'm tired.

When the strong offend the weak,
it is only injustice.

But when the weak offend the strong,
it is a disgrace.

You killed the great men's servants,

you heard
what you were not to hear.

There are a thousand ways in life.
You'd better choose the longest.

There is a place on the Khorezm Sea,
where people change their faces.

I'm going to sleep well tonight
and not talk to myself.

Don't turn me out, Kairkhan.

Don't turn me out.

??? song

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

I sent my thoughts to Allah.

Now listen to what has come back to me.

Convey my words to the Vekils
and they'll tell the people.

My son Jelaladin will go to far-away Irat,

for the people living there
are in need of a wise ruler.

My troops will have to be
satisfied with the fact

that there are enough brave warriors

ready to defend our faith.

The ruler of Baghdad
has refused to promote Allah's faith.

He has committed many crimes
and has lost the truth.

Shall we put up with it
and leave Islam unprotected?

???

Lead us to Baghdad!

It's a shame to go barefooted.

Kairkhan doesn't want you here,
nor in Otrar.

The arrow of Allah!

Take the torch!

song ???

???

???

???

???

This is how it was,
when Allah created the world.

But He created it without this.

GENGHIZ-KHAN'S
HEADQUARTERS

Did your fat ruler himself
talk to you about me?

I said: "Your troops are a wisp of smoke
compared to his fire."

This is what he gave me.

It's too hard to shake the world
with so small a hand.

The Shah wore this bracelet
when a little boy.

Why are there two stones
around this city?

This is Otrar,
the capital of the Kipchak land.

It has big walls and
a strong army.

Muhammad declared war
on Baghdad.

We'll catch the fish of
knowledge from trade rivers.

He who mounts his horse in haste
may fall from it.

Let the caravans with our goods

go all the ways
and one of them to Otrar.

Our warriors will work
as servants and drivers.

Let everybody in Otrar
learn about it.

You'll pick the goods
and the Moslems, merchant.

You come from this city, don't you?

Yes, I am from Urgench.

You've travelled far and wide.

Have you ever come across
people that live eternally?

No, my Great Kagan.

And you've never heard of them?

There's much talk about them,
but I myself saw people...

who'd lived 200 years and more.

When you see them, bring them to me...

or find out where they live.

Your sons may rest a bit.
We'll give each one several wives.

You're second great after my God.
I realized it long ago.

But the boys need mosques.

God is everywhere,

so one can pray to Him everywhere.

But the fact that I'm talking to you,
merchant, doesn't mean a friendly talk.

- My boys!
- No, not here! That way.

song ???

???

???

???

???

The city's already in sight.

I'm not going farther.
Let's do the payment here.

50 pieces are lacking, though.

Do you dread the meeting
with Muhammad-Shah's men

when the Moslem warriors
are preparing to march on Baghdad?

I've misjudged you.

Were we bad as your guards?
You've been so friendly to us.

You can buy a horse
for a thimbleful of this oil!

A merchant's purse is fed
by the road where I am king!

Be modest with the city guard.

I know where your home is.

Don't stick out your ass
and you'll be rich.

P'raps it's the Khorezm Sea

where people change their faces?

Do you remember me, old man?

On the pole you were closer to God,
but you didn't like it.

I ordered to have you taken off.
Was I right?

The Kipchak. Allah's arrow!

Do you have much work to do
in this world?

Oh, no!
I'm no match to you!

Allah put me in this quiver
and keeps me there so far.

But I have plenty of money.

I could buy you a donkey
and we'd go somewhere.

You'll tell me about things
I don't know.

And I'll think about my future.

We could even make a pilgrimage.
Let's go.

Sometimes it seems to me
I have always lived.

Thoughts can be put into one's head
if there's room in it.

Your head's bursting
with your own thoughts.

If you wish, I'll tell you

about the wrong interpretation
of the Koran.

THE FALL OF OTRAR
part 2

One year later

Hey, Khan, we'll go to Otrar
with a lot of money.

Alright, but do not drink
during the trip.

Let's go.

In front are the goods
of the yellow-eared Kagan!

???

OTRAR
???

Karavan-basni is our.
You never go to Otrar,

but we don't care.
We'll pay you a lot more

and the millet liquor'll shorten your waiting.

Kairkhan says
the Mongols may come in.

All right. Let's start then.

But Mongols cannot be
slaves or drivers.

They can only be warriors.

A good melon's going to
grow here.

If the Khan does not
know the town,

I'd show him around.
Just for one copper coin.

???

Hey, Khan, are you going to
buy this house?

Maybe I already have.

Don't listen
to this slave's babbling.

Nobody will turn you out.

Don't be afraid of me.

I'm not afraid of you, at all.

It's just my husband died
in the holy war for Baghdad.

That's a Mongol spy!
He came here with the caravan.

Don't go near the horse!
I've been a guard for 20 years.

What kind of guard would I be
if I did not recognize you?

Just the kind you are now.

I told you he's a Mongol spy!

I'll come back tonight and
sleep on the threshold.

Your eyesight is poor.
I'll show you to the Chinese doctor.

He attaches little crystals to the eyes
and the patient sees better.

Read this!

Lighting a little stick is
wiser than cursing darkness.

Well, what'll you say to that?

There is so much wisdom in it
that one cannot but wonder...

where the people that gave us
those sages have gone.

Yes, indeed!

You took part in the Baghdad
march, didn't you?

Yes, as a plain Kipchak warrior
by your graces.

- How come you're alive?
- What's that to you?

I've learned a thing or two
from the Mongols.

- ???
- ???

???

They say it was freezing cold
on the mountain passes.

- Did you get frost-bitten there?
- Yes!

I'm a tiny rock in the
landslip of errors.

You're lying!

You damaged your face
before that!

You guide merchants, drink liquor
and sleep like a tramp.

Now you came with caravan
like a dog following a tiger.

Do not you ever go into your house!

- All right, I'm leaving today.
- I've found it!

Read it!

These books are full of wisdom.
Losing them means losing everything.

Where shall we put this...

if you want to challenge
not only fire...

but time as well?

We'll put them into
the clay chests

and surround them with
our Otrar bricks.

Porcelain is also strong,

but there are few people
who can make it.

I'll sleep at home, Kairkhan.

Good, but scouts serve both sides
with equal zeal,

that's why you're no longer
a warrior, but just Unzhu.

The Mongols are measuring
the walls.

Have you grown mute, Unzhu?

They don't need to measure the walls.

In the caravan they have people
who're in charge of the walls and pastures.

There're others who know how many lariats*
will have to be stretched from tower to tower.

And the Chinese know
where to strike walls.

There must be Moslems
in the city...

who were granted tablets...

which promise them life
for certain services.

Yes, Kairkhan,
for certain services.

If you kill them

we'll be the first to stand
in the way of Genghiz Khan.

You keep singing the same old song
with no beginning...

and one and the same end:
our death!

They'll find it hard
to break through the walls,

but for them "hard"
means "long".

The heat affects
the warriors' stomachs.

A horseman's not supposed to
sit on his haunches.

That's the only fear they have.
I think they talked about...

how to let out the canals' water...

to make us sit on our haunches!

Is Khan Arslan still alive?

Did you have a friend there?
One like me?

No! Not like you!

Unzhu didn't lie.
This gold thing was inside a cake.

You spent all your life
in fear, merchant,

so now you have no fear
left in you.

But Allah will give it back
to you in full measure.

A Mongol messenger learns
his message by heart...

and sing it to his Kagan
like a song.

You'll sing Genghiz about
my people, our high walls,

our chain armour and our swords.

I'll have to surrender your head
to find peace.

O Great One!
You killed those who talked you out of going

to sacred Baghdad
and Allah froze your troops.

I destroyed the scouts
and not the caravan.

The drawings of your fortress,
the grazing grounds -

All that was found
in the caravan!

You were looking for the Kagan's tablet?
Here it is!

I joined your banner
and changed my name

not only to defend my people!

Give me troops and commanders,

I'll press the Yellow-Eared One
to the Chinese towns

and rip his belly apart
in his own land.

Your towns will find peace
and you - glory!

When a son becomes a husband
he wants independence.

???

To you, Kairkhan,
this war means independence.

All right.

I'll think it over!

The envoys of the Kagan,
Ruler of the Mongols!

The Ruler of the World
send his greetings...

and expects a ransom
for the caravan and Kairkhan's head.

They're the faithful
and serve the infidels.

Hangman, they are yours!

One of them must die,
and brand the Kagan's tablet
on the chins of the others!

Envoys cannot be killed!
You'll get your war!

The Great Shah grants you
this sabre, Kairkhan.

The head of Genghiz's envoy
was cut off with it.

He appointed Karajikhan,
co-ruler of Otrar,

his wisdom will set off
your gallantry.

The Great Shah doesn't rush you.
Still he hopes

you'll be on your way home at dawn.

Your son stays here,
in Urgench.

Get ready to start!

Those not ready by sunrise
will be executed!

The Great One stayed up
all night.

Allah prompted a decision
to him:

the troops will not leave their cities

and the commanders will stay
in the Merry Tower.

Our lands are plentiful,
the Great One said,

and Genghiz will grown weaker
with the siege of each city.

The whirlwinds don't last long.

Allah may save my people...

or throw them
to the bottom of a big well

called time.

You'll stay here, in Urghench.

To horse!
Light the signal torches!

Break up into two's!
To Termez, Sauran and Otrar!

I'll send no messages
to the Great One although...

your troops are in the steppe.
You're a great warrior, Kairkhan!

Take me with you as a junior commander!

Hear me out!
Pray don't do it the way everyone does!

I'll tie this to the handle of your sword.

You'll feel shackled with it.
When you decide to remove it,

turn your troops back!

Mind you don't get into a trap!

When the Merkit* brigades turned back,

enticing the Kipchaks,

your Fifth Brigade had already
been slaughtered...

and the Merkits found Kipchaks
waiting for them.

They did
what we did many times.

At night they stole up
to the ambush...

where your Fifth Brigade
was lying in wait,

and when the Merkits turned back,
enticing the Kipchaks,

your Fifth brigade had already
been slaughtered.

Hey! The Great Kagan wants
to see you!

Kagan ???

Oh, Great One! They did
what we did many times.

At night they stole up
to the ambush...

where the Fifth Brigade
had already been slaughtered.

You cannot kill a whole brigade!

Those deserting the field of battle
shall learn eternity without entering the camp.

This one is not afraid of being cheerful!

Let him shout cheerfully me
that the mosquito...

flying from their river to their city...

will only fly over my warriors.

A duel between a
Kipchak and a Mongol.

Do not let him duel!

You grab hold of my boot
a bit too often!

To Genghiz you're
nothing but game!

Hey, Kipchak! Did you say
goodbye to your wife?

- Are you a frightening one? - You have no wife?
Then say goodbye to your horse!

Good day!

Stay here!

Write!

Then you'll have to leave,

otherwise, I will curse you!

All the dead Kipchaks
shall rise from their graves...

and curse you.

Writes legibly and in thick
characters...

since what you'll write
will challenge time,

if Allah so wills.

You'll finish as follows:

"It happened in the year of the Dragon,

and we, the Kipchaks, are saying
goodbye to each other."

My people have come
to the end of everything...

and the beginning is
not to be expected soon enough.

Now go!

Do everything as I told you!

So they can't hear?

But I heard it! Listen!

An ear is nothing but a hole.
Lie down!

Take off your hat!

- ???
- ???

Sound enters one through his body.

Even the deaf can sing and play.

???

???

???

- ???
- ???

Quiet!

Dig counter-passages!

Soon the Great One
will send us relief!

And you play!

It's the convoy of the
captured warriors.

The assault starts at dawn.

???

What is it, old man?

I am wondering, Khan.

It's been my life-long
dream to stop being a slave.

You promised to set me free,
but not for me,

to go home
but to be killed by a Mongol.

On the other hand, your land
is far away from here...

and your kinsfolk are
out of trouble.

Is it good
that I've no one to think about...

and don't want to die for
anyone, even for you, Khan!

Forgive me! All my life
I've hated your orchards.

In summer they grew yellow,
now they're destroyed.

Your city's like an old
woman with wizened breasts.

Am I supposed to die for that?
No! It's not my life. It's someone else's life.

Your shoulders show you have
never worn wooden blocks.

That means you've never killed anybody!

- Give me an arrow!
- What for?

I saw your back.
It's smooth.

That means you've never raised
your hand against your master.

So you'll never understand me,
old man!

Halt ???

Kairkhan,

It's a ruse!
They'll drive captives in front of them.

The warriors'll go through
the tunnel.

We're Kipchaks, brothers!

Drive them all up!

You're so big,
still your hands are shaking.

Keep joking, are you?

Khumar!

Get ready!

Your ass has shut out half
of the world, Khumar.

I'll cut you to pieces!

Let's leave here, Unzhu-khan!

Get the oil and fire here!

???

Here we set fire to the ferret's muzzle.
Now, let's see his tail smoking.

Hey, how about my teeth?

how about my teeth ???

???

I did it farthest!

It's raining!
Enough's enough! Let's go!

Look lively!

Why did Kairkhan forbid you
fighting, Unzhu-khan?

Kairkhan wants to see you.
He's receiving Mongol guests.

Unzhu-khan! Kumarkazan �nder ??? khadjib

Good day to you,
Arslan-khan!

???
Let go of the horse!

You're right!
It's me, commander Unzhu!

Want me to scratch your shoulder blade?

You used ??? to like it.

You look too scruffy, Unzhu.

But I've no resentment
against you.

Sit down. Have some tea.

Sit down. Let's talk a bit.

How are your wives and herds?
Has your son grown up?

Why are you dressed like
a simple warrior ???

I guess the Kagan is angry
with his gallant noyon*

for its inability to capture Otrar.

???

I've been missing you.

I heard you were strangled ??? by the Chinese.

We co ??? sulted in their to one of their cities.
Where is the armour I gave you?

And where is half of your people,
Arslan-khan?

Don't you dream about your
s ??? ain killed by the Mongols?

Hey, you killed his Merkits,
didn't you?

But our cities were ready
to fight you.

You have no cities at all.
This is a piece of the cloth

I found in the chief house
of your God in Bukhara.

Our dogs are running about
Samarkand and Urghench.

And your fat Shah is tied to
the Kagan's tent...

by the organ he made his harem
so happy with.

Take him!

Mistakes, so many mistakes!

It's not the same fabric.

It looks very much alike though.

The Mongols are very cunning,
you know.

I've always disliked you,
Unzhu,

because I have always felt
my guilt towards you.

That's the way it was.

Now it's going to be different.

If a stinking Merkit
brought me this cloth from Bukhara,

that's still undefeated,

then why could not a similar cloth have
been brought to Great One from Otrar?

So the troops I'm expecting,
haven't been sent?

Tonight we'll send the Mongols
from the north side.

There will be a lot of people
and fire there.

When the guests leave,
nobody pays attention...

to them or the servants.

You and Khumar
will disguise as Mongols.

Start a fire on the hill at dawn.
Here is a letter, Unzhu.

I'm not the best messenger
to the Great One, Kairkhan.

Quiet!

Now go!

Well, if a piece of cloth
is stretched between trees,

it'll snap when the wind blows.

But if the trees are weak and the cloth
is strong, the trees will snap.

If you fix a cloth in a boat,
the boat will sail.

Why? I think boats never thwart the wind.

Your Arslan-khan and his surviving
Merkits and noyons...

are playing dice. I'm going
to play too.

Want to hear us talk
while we play?

There, with your Mongol friends?

Friends? You know better
than that.

I trust very few people,
that's why I'm in Otrar.

I had my doubts about you
and proved right.

Allah's dropped the mosque!

Woe to us! Allah's turned away
from us! Allah's wrath! Let go!

Pull out the tongues of those
daring to say or whisper...

that the mosque's fall
means Allah's wrath!

Allah can't side with the
infidels!

Down on your knees!

Allah can't side with the
infidels,

the defilers of Islam.
Allah is with us!

Let them announce that
for seven days.

Pull out the tongues of
those daring to say...

that the fall of the mosque
is a sign of Allah's wrath.

To edify them,
the hangman will have extra work to do!

I didn't say anything!

Allah's my witness,
I didn't say anything!

What if we say the mosque's
buried the tunnel dug by the infidels?

???

Hey, Mongol,
we've got to hurry!

What's wrong with my eyes ???
Or with my head ???

With your head!

Where is the cupola
of the old mosque?

Ogul says Persians give
out awards...

on any occasion,
even for a minor deed.

Here nobody does that.

That's not as it should be,
my friend Unzhu.

???

Allah, pray moderate
your wrath!

I don't know
what I am guilty of.

Those sleeping can hear
neither their commander...

nor their death.

They are bowing
before the Great Karajik-khan!

The Mongols are entering
through the great gate!

Shut up! If they hear you
they'll cut off our tongues!

Hurry to the city gate!

They'll kill you, mother!

???

Watch out!

Get ready!

Make way!

Step aside!

How long are you going
to lie here?

Close your eyes!
Don't look at me!

What's your name?

You've always been
a lousy shot!

So you too are lying here!

I'll be back soon.

???

??? song

???

???

???

Why'd you stop singing?
Come on, sing!

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

soldiers' talk ???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

Which one of you can confirm...

this man's Kairkhan...

governor general of Otrar?

???

We can all confirm that!

All Kipchaks and this boy, his son too.

He's a great warrior and if
we hadn't helped the Kagan...

You are talking like
a tradesman.

The Kagan's designs are
so great that the hook-nosed man

can neither help him...
nor stand in his way.

A Mongol warrior can't see the one
who betrayed if only once.

It's a bad example, isn't it?

And since Mongol warriors
must be everywhere...

you and your people have no
place on this earth.

Yavlach's speech ???

???

???

???

soldiers' talk ???

???

???

# song lyrics ???

???

???

???

???

Father!

???

???

???

???

???

Want some meat?

You've just thought
what everyone thinks about.

When I was born, there raged
a terrible wind.

The sky was yellow and
my eyes grew yellow too.

But people didn't realize
I was the wind of wrath.

They hurt me a lot and my eyes grew
more and more yellow.

I can see better and
farther than other people.

I hear what other people hear.

I have yellow eyes and
not yellow ears.

So you are mistaken there too.

When you slaughtered my caravan

giving me back only
a wet-assed merchant,

my eyes grew yellower.

Just a trifle yellower!

You know well whom I killed.

And I saw your brigades
with wet asses.

???

Want some meat? No?
Look at them!

They are learned old men.

The wind can only raise trash.

???

They belong to our people
but both of them want me

to skin the other one alive
only because...

one says God says this

and the other's God
a slightly different ???

I keep my horses in the
houses of their God.

Each promises to prolong
my life...

if I kill the other one.

Why do you think I'm wrong

when I let my horses trample down this land?
I want something different to grow here!

These Chinese told me a lot
about the great conquerors.

Whole peoples have
disappeared but still...

people remember many
details about those rulers.

Some of these details are
pleasant to my ears...

while others are not!

And though there was not one ruler
like me among them...

still I must think about
what people'll tell about me...

1000 years after my death.

And of course you're nothing
but a detail.

I wouldn't like them to
ever attach much importance...

to what happened to your city.

Only laughter can save us
such exaggerations.

Why are you not eating?

I wanted to chain you here
by my tent,

so I'll chain your regal
aunt instead.

As for you, I'll commit
you to eternity.

Your visage will be coated
with silver.

That'll do too much credit
to your merits, of course.

But on the other hand,
my dear ???

My victory!

Some time later they'll
do us justice.

I'll be considered wise,
right, Chinaman?

Don't kill my son!

What d'you want with one
boy in this huge world?

If I let such fathers'
children live...

they'll slaughter my
grandchildren.

Don't grudge him the silver,
Chinaman!

soldiers' talk ???

# song lyrics ???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

???

I saved this girl in
exchange for this plank...

which was thrown to me by
a Mongol at the gate.

He decided I was the one
that had opened it.

How will you reward me
for it, Khan?

I might set you free.

You're a great deceiver, Unzhu-khan!
Where are your Chinese doctors?

What have you been doing
over the last two years, Khan?

I've been killing. We
started in different ways...

but the end was always
the same.

And everything might have
been the other way round.

???

My life too has gone awry.

When I was her age

I couldn't imagine I'd
live the life of a slave.

???

???

And who could imagine...

that the shaker of the universe Muhammad-Shah
would die a destitute tramp?

And that the mistress of all women
would be chained and be happy to be thrown a bone?

Who could imagine the Great Kairkhan,
who wanted me to become a martyr,

would become one himself.

Listen, I hear our Otrar
held out longer than any other city.

Translated by O. Flynn
Edited by R. Svirina

THE END

Transcribed by mitbrille @KG 2013
new timings and corrections by serdar202@KG 2017