Original subtitles

STEPS TROUGH THE FOG

It happened not so long ago, in one early spring.

Hitler's divisions have girded the mountains with iron hoop.

Majority of the Liberation army was found in the cauldron of destruction.

Reports tell that there was 80 of them on this post.

Breaking the circle and brigade departure was depending on their resistance.

They were dying all night, resisting enemy charges.

They stayed on their posts until the last fighter of the squad didn't leave.

Eyes that were saying goodbye to them maybe were telling 'Farewell',

believing that there are no survivors out there.

Yes, there was 80 of them on the beginning of the day.

And at sunset... This is where our story begins.

Gavrilka!

Let's hurry up. They're already here.

Wrap your arms around my neck.

All of ours have gone, we have to catch up.

Look at them showing off on our post, damn Krauts!

Why didn't they come while I was up? - Shut up, we left just on time.

Now we have to try hard, to catch up the brigade. - It's easy now, Gavrilka.

Gentlemen Germans don't fight wars at night, we'll be with ours in the morning.

Do you hear, those are our bombers. - I hear.

Living artillery is pushing forward.

Water, water... - Here, take it.

Help me, comrades.

Take it. - Don't give up on me, my dears!

Lieutenant sir, you've finally came to this post.

Majority of the enemies is long gone.

And you were held back here by a bunch of dead men.

Captain sir, this was the strongest fight of all offensive.

We used all resources available. - And you still failed.

Like it's said 'Bandits have resist impossibly.'

I just don understand Captain, how did they stay alive after all that bombing.

And fighting like devils.

What do you think? Maybe these boulders protected them.

Not so much lieutenant sir, it's something else.

I don't know if there's any survivors.

At the end of the battle only these two machine guns were firing, lieutenant.

So, just two of them?

And there's wounded too.

I'll send a patrol to dispose them at once!

Don't be so hasty with a patrol, lieutenant sir.

But Captain, I have a task to dispose all those bandits that are left behind.

And I have a special task, lieutenant sir.

And from today, you'll listen only my orders.

Men, is there water anywhere? I'm burning.

Let's go down there to look for some. We'll find our route on the way.

Where should I send a patrol, Captain? Should they bring them back alive?

Same again, lieutenant. I said that no patrols are needed.

Captain, main command wants your presence.

Captain Andres Keller, I'm listening.

Tear that, damn Krauts! - No, if we do they'll rush to find a cut.

Go under it.

Let them believe there's no one here.

What?

General impression?

Fighting activity was stopped with their tough resist.

Yes, yes.

Immediate consequence is breach of partisans

who are retreating on northwest.

Yes. No, there's no prisoners.

What?

From military aspect, analysis is completely clear.

No, they won't be back soon.

New element has appeared.

I'll apply Jung variant.

What will happen to us until the end? And when will we catch up the brigade?

Leave that now. I don't want to be dying of fear too.

Listen.

Our people are much further than last night.

You think we'll catch them up with this Germans on our back? - What do you suggest?

What shall we do? - What can I suggest?

You know what's awaiting us.

Who knows how many miles without food, trough this wasteland.

There's no other way, we'll act according to the situation.

Is it easier for them? - Sure is, they're trough and they know where they're going.

They're not carrying anyone on their back.

We'll follow the brigades. We'll follow the echoes of the battle.

Lieutenant sir,

order your soldiers that they don't shoot a single bullet without my order.

I don't understand, Captain sir. - How many days they were keeping this post?

5 days we were besieging this hill. - 5 days?

So they were starving on their posts?

What does that Gavrilka think?

I haven't eat in two days and he's moving forward. Like I'm a beast of burden!

You don't have to shout, I understand you. - Thank you, your understanding means a lot!

Do you think I'm full because of that? - Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.

I know you didn't, it slipped you, like it always does. We know each other.

Tell me, what do you want from me? - Just to annoy me less!

That you don't talk much. Leave me that...

Gavrilka, Vignja, come back!

What is it? What happened? - Murdja's gone, I can't see him.

Where are you going now? - Mother of God, what was that?

What happened, Murdja? - What do you mean, what happened?

If you were annoyed that much, you wouldn't came back! - Give me your hand.

Easy, easy.

Get some rest.

Look where was I because of you!

Say, you won't leave us now?

Are you thinking about that crap too, while I'm breaking my legs under you?

And who told you that? - No one told me, it's just,

I was thinking, alone. - About that? Nothing else?

What else, when it's difficult for me while you're carrying me.

Oh God, what kind of man am I carrying? I'm dying and it's difficult for him.

Get up! Come on, ride.

I was often thinking, Captain and wondering

what's forcing that men that charge on us without clothes or shoes, and to die

without saving. What is that strange force?

And what's your conclusion? - Nothing captain, that's a riddle for me.

Yes, but not just for you.

That riddle is troubling us all.

We have to approach to that problem in a special way.

My management decided to solve that riddle. - Do you have any results?

Many of it. Inter alia, to a basic one.

That all of the theories about them that our soldiers made, mean nothing.

What's with them? Atavism, folly, primitivism?

What's that strange discipline which I don't understand at all?

People! Kraut patrol! They must've ran into our men.

We sure showed them! Commandant...

Check if there's something for us.

I thought I'll starve... to death.

We should get out of here a soon as possible. - We should it damn it!

My stomach is sticking to my spine for two days. - We mustn't stay here.

Dear God! What is he doing with me!

You see, they simply believe.

They're filled with the feeling of some kind of missionary.

They convinced that the world will live differently and better with their favor

and managed to contaminate people.

I think that's the secret of their permanent and impossible endurance.

If it's, like you say, permanent, then it will never end.

You're suffering hard, Gavrilka. - Yes, pretty much.

We found two meals, and what will happen next?

I was thinking about that.

We have no chance to stay alive. - Let that go for now.

What else will you think...

These are our men. How are they here?

They must've fallen asleep of exhaustion. - It's good that we found them.

Ask them where are they going. - You're pleased, huh?

Typhus patients.

Germans...

Those bastards are searching the forest.

If they see us, we're history.

Let's look around.

Whenever they go somewhere, I think they won't come back.

And strange thoughts are coming in my head.

Do you believe that they can save us?

I'm not thinking about that. If they can, they will.

Why 'If they can'? You think that they don't have strength? - I don't think that.

But they can lose strength. - How can you be peaceful with that?

Am I fooling myself if I think they can save us?

They're healthy and I'm asking that they take care of us. - Leave me alone.

You don't think I see their faces when they're carrying us? Like they carry Krauts.

Don't be selfish. They're carrying us honestly. Aren't they doing everything?

Look, there's a chance that we'll catch up with the brigade? - Loaded like this?

Don't fool yourself, Gavrilka. Brigades have left and that's finished.

You saw what we've been trough. And what is still awaiting us.

Behind this pit there's a mountain, then pit, then mountain and so on.

We don't have to across all of it. We'll go slower later.

That's it damn it, we'll go slower. What will we eat?

There's no German troops there. These few cans we found is everything.

There's no beasts here anymore either.

In the end, don't forget that you don't dispose only with your life,

but with mine too.

We'll going to catch them up. - Unless they overtake us, like those poor guys.

Maybe some SS face is watching me from the forest. - Don't imagine things, Murdja.

Germans didn't kill typhus patients today, we'd heard that.

Besides, we'll be careful.

Captain, day is coming to an end. - Yes.

And? - And if it's just about these bandits, I'll bring them to you alive.

You're solving things so quickly, lieutenant.

To bring them to me alive?

Why didn't you capture them on their posts?

Yes captain, but night is near, and they could disappear.

You're right about that lieutenant.

This type of people can disappear inexplicably.

You can send a patrol now. But just to watch them.

Yes, captain! But that means that we'll follow them like this tomorrow?

Maybe.

And maybe the day after tomorrow.

Who knows, lieutenant.

They were sitting in the way that I thought they're still alive.

That's strange about typhus patients.

Numbness, apathy.

They were probably sitting still when they were killed.

And now those SS scum are wondering in the forest and look that same kind of men.

And you were gladden, huh? You though it would be more carriers.

I was thinking about you, mate. It would be easier for you. - I didn't think anything.

It could've happen that have another guy like you.

You wouldn't carry him for sure. Gavrilka would, but you...

What are you arguing about. - He keeps telling how heavy I am.

The guy thinks he's so light, that I'm simply enjoying.

I'd ask you what would happen with us, if those Krauts up there aren't dead.

And if we didn't find those few cans.

Maybe someone would watch us the same way we were watching those poor men on trees.

Do you hear him? - Don't argue with him anymore.

I won't carry him anymore. I'll carry Vignja, but not him.

That nagging around my head is harder than Stuka's siren, it'll blow my mind.

Will you go with him? - Yes, it's not important for me.

But I'm heavy, Murdja, heavier than him.

Even if you 10 times heavier, I can't carry him anymore.

And now you'll annoy the commandant. He has the nerves.

You made me cry. At least I know where I am when I'm on his back.

What's the deal Murdja? Go on watch.

Gavrilka, where are you going? - Don't worry Misko, I'm going to replace Murdja.

Everything I can do, is to stay with them.

and that we all perish in some ditch.

Mother of God, should I die like that?

What's with you, Murdja?

I don't want to die like that! I won't!

I was never choosing my death, and I don't want to chose it,

but if I have to die, then I should die in combat, not like this! What is this?

I was ready to die for a thousand times, even yesterday too.

You think I didn't want to live yesterday when everything was crumbling around us?

I wanted to live so much, mate! So much!

But I never thought about retreating and to leave you alone.

My, Murdja...

I'd like to get drunk, to forget.

I'm craving for warmth, peace,

for house ingle and soft bed.

A woman next to me, to caress her.

I don't remember the curves or sent of the woman's body.

That's all so far away.

Why then? What's the use of all this?

You said yourself that I'm not disposing just my life, but yours too.

But you forget, theirs too.

What do you think now? - I think they'll will fall quickly.

And if they don't?

I don't know captain. Whenever I thought is the end,

everything was starting again.

Germans! - I knew it!

Why them? - Who else can be? - Who stayed behind us?

We'll see. - We'll see?

Order those fools that they don't shoot a single bullet without my order! - Yes, captain!

Now he'll be able to look around.

There's the answer who shot behind us.

He'll be back! I know for sure, he'll be back!

We're done!

Please Miller, order those men in operative command to stop

flying above this ground.

I don't want any plane flight here.

Of course! Varian Jung will be questionable.

Listen, Vignja, we're in tough situation.

We have to warn them.

If they abandon us, comrades will find out. - What's with you, they didn't even try that.

They didn't, but maybe they will. I'm sensing that.

Man is weak, in these situation can give in, to become a beast.

I know what I'm saying. Remember Capurko! - You became such a coward.

I can't believe you changed that much. Should I slobber and shouting all around

that I want to live, huh?

You don't have to shout. But no one is asking you to give up life so easily.

Damn me for being wounded with you.

How can you not have some understanding? Friendship, to think of me for a while.

What do you want from me. - To not reveal that you don't care about life.

If they found that you're taking everything easily, they'll solve this fast!

They'll leave us in some ditch!

Plane has left, we're going. - Whatever you order.

Leave it, I'll take him.

We're together again, my dear.

Say, is it very hard when you're carrying me like this?

You see dear, it's not easy.

Let me ask you something. - Ask me, just ask me!

Were you scared of that plane? - I didn't, dear,

I was afraid of something else. - Of what?

Of you. - Of me? - And believe me, I'm only scared of you

in this silence. - Gavrilka!

Look, Paul, how they are climbing up that rise stubbornly.

What is that fanaticism that's forcing them so much?

Maybe they're scared from their commissars. - Where do you see those commissars, Paul?

They're not here, but the specter of fear. - No, Paul.

That fear, that's us.

That was a strange battle, Paul.

Our plan to surround and destroy,

was obstructed by these men in front of us.

And everything would be different if they didn't stop us to plunge a wedge

to the guts of their columns.

There's similar examples in today's war.

But the thing that was on this post is the thing that interests me.

How will our plans be successful in the future if that kind is in front of us?

You see, their powers are near the end.

Every physical thing has its limits.

But they're still holding up. Yes...

You see, Paul, tomorrow doesn't promise them nothing good.

There's a new mountain before them. - So, tomorrow,

you want to say, captain... - Yes, Paul.

On certain limit they must have the wish to live.

I'm looking for that limit, Paul.

And when I discover that,

I'll know what's the way to destroy rebels.

What are you doing, for God's sake?

I'm dying of thirst. - I should've let you to drink once and for all!

Look at you! You heavier 10 kg now!

My God, isn't this burden enough? Undress! - You only know to yell at me!

Damn it, you'll bury us both. - I'm very sorry for torturing you.

But you could've talk that way in the morning? I heard everything!

I'm sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean like that. - I know what you meant,

don't try to get away with it. Nice talking, well done!

Enough, Murdja! Stop it already!

It's not enough, you should've heard him this morning. He'd ride me until I die.

I was talking, I had to talk like that.

You had doubts, huh? - Yes, I admit.

Man can give up in these situations.

and because it seems that you're doing everything with half of will.

Then know this mate, I'm doing this without any kind of will!

Without will, be sure of that? - Like that?

So I was right? - That's not all.

You said that man can become a beast in difficult situations? That goes for you too?

I wasn't talking about all men. - You're lying, you were talking about all men,

including you. You'd probably did that if you were in my position.

You'd leave me and you'd go away.

Is this wound and this sun that's burning me not enough?

Was I fighting for damn paradise, or for revolution?

Do you have to torture me too?

Oh my God! He's riding me, and I'm torturing him.

Look at that. - Enough already, Murdja!

I said stop it, damn it!

Alright, I'll stop.

Everything has to be stopped one day. Everything is clear.

You're very strict Gavrilka. - Should I listen to that?

We all know that thing he's saying. There's no way out.

You'll fall yourself tomorrow. - Then I'll think about it tomorrow.

Gavrilka, we know each other for a long time.

I want to ask you something.

I'm not asking you to go to the end.

You'll kill me, while you have the strength to get out alone.

Promise me that.

Gavrilka! Hey, listen. Gavrilka.

I found a cave! It's big an completely dry, and most important, hidden.

Come and see.

Do you understand man? We have a great opportunity to hide them here.

They'd stay here for a few days, sheltered from rain and wind, they could rest.

Wait, Murdja. - I know what you mean, but there's water, we'd leave them food,

and two of us would be faster, and we'd come back with a troop to get them.

Come, come and see.

You thought of that well, Murdja,

but we're not leaving them in this wilderness.

You're stubborn, Gavrilka.

Do you think, mister Anders, that we'll find out everything we need with those 4?

Not everything, Paul.

But they'll help us to get to significant information.

We have camps fool of those bandits.

I don't understand, mister Anders, that we couldn't examine that already.

But there's a big difference between those, and this that we follow.

Man is a strange phenomena, Paul. He's often acting like a beast.

Put him in the cage, put him under the whip, he's showing one side.

but in free action, sit down Paul,

in free action his nature has completely different characteristics.

Our experts in camps solved the problems that interested them very easily.

But our soldiers didn't find a secret of the rebellion resistance.

Couldn't our intelligence find out their targets?

We know why are they fighting,

but the essence of the mechanism of their will is not known to us.

There's a worm that threatens to destroy order that we're creating, Paul.

To find a remedy for their destruction, we have to study them good first.

I'm feeling safe, protected. - Of course.

It's no nice to be in warm place.

Fire, roof above your head.

If something killed me on the post, I wouldn't be sorry.

But now,

now I want to live.

There was 80 of us. Only four of us left.

We had big luck, mate,

and it has to follow us until the end! We have to live, Vignja.

How were you living your life, Misko?

How?

A bit happily, but much more sadly.

That's why I wouldn't want to go back to that kind of life.

That life, ours, that's coming...

Yes, everybody dreams of something.

And you? I never asked you.

It wasn't nor sadly or lonely for me.

I had a girlfriend. She was pretty.

And the voice she had. She was singing my favorite song often.

You know that 'For once more, I'd like to believe in happiness.'

I know!

That comes tomorrow...

Anyway... - Then the war came,

revolution, I met Gavrilka. - And the girl, what happened with her?

I don't know. Maybe she's still waiting for me.

I'll leave you, Gavrilka.

You know I did more than I had to.

But did I need to lose this small strength in such a unfruitful venture?

I'm not a stupid man.

And I'm not a coward either. You know that very well.

If I need to die for revolution, here I'll die right now,

but I want to make some benefit out of it, I don't want to die stupid.

Nothing is binding me to listen you, and to follow you on this journey.

Because revolution doesn't want suicides and victims in vain.

It needs us alive, not dead!

And it would be crime if you'd ask anything more of me.

Alright, Murdja.

You'll go and we'll departure.

I didn't want to ask anything more of you.

So you were expecting this? - Yes, you were talking about that all the time.

Will you go right away? - Not right away.

But before I leave, I want to tell you something else.

No one can judge me if I stay alive, because there's no law

to judge me if other solution was death! - What laws are you talking about?

About those which I know, damn it! Ours! - Don't talk nonsense.

We're creating those laws today.

Times are hard, so hard that one can fall under it.

but even if we want it or not, those tomorrow will follow our example.

That's the problem and trouble of our position. - Do you think I don't feel that?

But this thing we're doing is impossible. Impossible, do you understand, man?

Strength has come under my throat. Where is the exit, the men,

settlement? Look, just wasteland around us.

And finally, who'll tell that example of yours to people?

And who will be able to tell people what happened here?

We'll stay here to rot, to be covered by oblivion!

Are you aware of that? - Maybe, Murdja.

If we die, probably no one will be able to tell what happened here.

But if we stay alive, in the way you want,

they'll find out something else.

There was a guy who wanted to live like that. His name was Cepurko.

You know what happened to him? - What are you saying?

When you doze off, wake me up.

It's getting foggy down there, send the patrol to be closer to them.

Leave instructions about camouflage.

Why did you shoot? - They're here. - Who? - Germans.

Where did you see them? - In the grove.

Stay here.

We're done, they'll abandon us now.

Get some rest.

Why didn't you wake me? - They were here. - Think about it, Murdja,

what kinds of Germans are they when they looking at you while you're shooting at them.

Get some sleep.

In the end, don't forget that you don't dispose only with your life,

but with mine too.

I was thinking about that.

We don't have a chance to say alive.

We'll stay here to rot, to be covered by oblivion!

I don't want to die like that! I won't!

Was I fighting for damn paradise, or for revolution?

We all know that thing he's saying. There's no way out.

You'll kill me, while you have the strength to get out alone.

I'll leave you, Gavrilka.

o one can judge me if I stay alive, because there's no law to judge me

if other solution was death!

You're thinking about dragging them, huh? - I guess I'll have to.

Die, damn it, die! That's your thing.

I was thinking about that, tonight. You're wrong.

You're not the same Gavrilka who told me so many times,

'Don't tremble while you're holding a gun, Murdja, learn to kill, there's no

sentimentality in revolution. Heart must be quiet.'

You were talking like that. And I was learning, and I learned.

What's with your theory about revolution interest, where are we with it?

It seems you forgot it tonight.

Leave, and don't ask for explanations.

But I have to know that. It's your duty to explain it to me.

I was never teaching you that revolution interests are just cold blooded killing!

And I never told you that hear has to be quiet about everything.

Mister Andres, your efforts weren't in vain. What you predicted, it started.

Yes, Paul. Mechanism of their will has started to crumble.

As you can see, egoistic need to be alive and to move the borders of death is so strong

that there's no force that can restrain it.

Alright, Gavrilka. So you decided?

I'll go quietly, because I know you'll die stupidly.

Do you think I'll die like that?

Death is far away, it'll have to make an effort to catch me.

We're traveling together for a long time.

Maybe it'll go around me this time. - Gavrilka.

Maybe you're considering to leave them. Not now, but later.

Tomorrow, for example. - No, I won't.

I'll stay with them as long as they can stay alive.

You see Paul, the thing we couldn't beat with arms,

is starting to crumble by itself.

Now they'll tell us a secret how to take advantage of their conflicts.

What are you waiting? We're done talking. - We're not done yet!

Don't get carried away with your posture, Gavrilka.

The way you are, maybe you're not needed anymore to set example for people.

I'm just wondering, will it be needed for them to remember some

deaths for example.

Revolution and dying will end, Gavrilka. And even every memory of this time!

And you sacrifice will be hard for them, and they'll try to forget it!

When I think of that some rickety scum,

that's lying in mom's bed, will piss on our graves tomorrow!

Did you ever think about that?

I'm going, and I don't think I'll look back.

There's nothing left. It's over.

We said goodbye forever.

Will you pick up a gun, to send me off?

Why don't you kill the bastard? Why are you letting him to leave?

Shoot now until he's to far away for the bullet.

I won't pursue him.

But why? - Because I want to meet with him.

To see how far will he go.

That revolution which you carry inside you, will stay here to die with us.

And the one he carries in his rotten soul will live,

and will spread above us!

And you Vignja? You wanted to die, to sublime.

Now you had the opportunity. Comrade gave you a chance.

Look at that scum, how he whistles up the hill.

He goes to live on your and my account. On account of us all!

Give me that schmeisser, I'll kill that bastard, damn it!

Give me!

You're disgusting, Misko.

He's doing what I would maybe do.

I couldn't stand that someone's dying and killing me with his death.

My death isn't the first or last.

That's the only thing I can do. Finally.

You're wrong, Gavrilka, if you think that I left!

I'll come, and I'll the comrades everything that happened.

They won't convict me, they'll even agree with me.

Because normal people can't judge differently.

I know, they'll admire your act.

You sacrificed yourself, so they'll admire you.

But remember, you've made stupid sacrifice!

And stupid sacrifices don't cause anything but compassion.

Yes, yes. That's the point.

According to the map, stream should be nearby,

and mountain hut next to it.

We have him, Paul. This one will discover for us everything our contacts couldn't see.

As you can see, result is here. - And that other case, mister Andres?

They're not mature yet, we still have time. - And what should we do?

To concentrate on the runaway.

We mustn't lose this deserter out of our sight even for a second.

Just in case, you'll send patrol on a detour to the next mountain.

All my orders are still effective.

And I'm looking at you, how fearful you've become.

You're not that Murdja that I used to know.

Something happened with you. You're changed.

You even see beasts. - Who are you?

We are old acquaintances. - I never saw you before.

You saw me, but maybe you don't want to remember that.

It's uncomfortable for you to go back to uncomfortable things.

What uncomfortable things? - Those in the forest, on that night.

It was unforgettable.

Remember now. We are walking,

and silence is around us. Moonlight, just like now.

I'm walking in front of you, I'm enjoying in all of that,

and I'm breathing like a dragon. 'Breathe!', I think,

'breathe, this is your last time.'

And believe me, I thought for the first time,

how man can be drunk of air,

when he's in the right mood.

What are you chatter about?

What mood are you in? - That mood

when you were taking me to the pit.

I still feel how that gun barrel is poking me in the ribs like wasps.

That's a strange feeling, believe me. Just a small thing.

You are... Capurko! - Mate, you remembered!

What are you doing here? How are you here?

I shot you!

That's the point exactly, you didn't shoot me.

I have to confess that's the real reason of our encounter.

But I shot a full clip in you.

It's true, mate, it's true. That was a full clip!

I still have marks from it.

I'd be dead, if you wanted that.

But it seems that you decided to spare me.

The verdict was not fair, you knew that.

What unfair verdict?

That verdict, they wanted to kill me with.

Just because I wanted to stay alive.

One would say, like you now.

That's why I'm waiting for you, to continue the trip together.

Because, telling the truth,

our destinies are now completely tied.

Easy mate, easy!

I know you're in a hurry. I'm not for hesitation either,

but we have to make a plan.

What are you playing here, you louse? What shared destiny?

What plans? What do I have with you? - Come on mate, don't get angry.

We are in the same spot, to say like that. We're both deserters.

If we don't think of something, comrades will kill us in no time!

We'll both be in the pits. - You damn louse!

Get away from me, I'll really kill you this time! - You won't, mate, you won't.

Who will confirm there, when you'll have to lie,

that you were the only one left?

Damn bastards.

Yes, that wasn't so long time ago,

But this story doesn't end here.

Maybe again, who knows where, the conqueror will stand before that

same riddle.

There was 80 of them on the beginning of the day.

Translated by Inglourious @KG