Original subtitles

The Film Enterprise “Film Units” Film Unit “Wektor” presents:

PEARL IN THE CROWN

Screenplay and dialogues:

VI/ith:

Music:

Production manager:

Costumes: Make-up:

Sound:

Editing:

Production Management:

Atelier and Lab:

Production manager:

Director of Photography:

Directed by:

- Is that him I can see? - Yes, Matthew, it is!

Good day, good day.

Huryin' like you was comin' home from a war, not a shift.

Three of them came today: one with curtains,

one with scarves, one with tame squirrels.

- What's new in the mine? - Everything's all right.

Heard three of them came today.

No meat today?

The boys said there'd be a rissole.

So you've got a tongue in your mouth, I thought you'd swallowed it.

Open your mouths! Tongues out!

Show me your hands!

- And your other hand? - Haven't got one today.

Show what you've got in it?

- Show to me only, then. - Nothing in it.

Shall I tell you what you've got? A rissole.

- No. - No?

- No. - If not, show me your hand.

No, the other one.

Father's dinner's getting cold, show the other hand.

All right. We'll turn round, all of us.

And if there's a rissole on the plate...

...it'll mean it was there all the time.

Look now!

Scarves, curtains, squirrels! They'll be bringing tigers next!

- Shall I play something? - Go on!

Play, just our old songs.

One... two!

We live in holes...

Work so hard...

They're cheating us...

Take us away...

Be off with you, Johnny!

Hey, that's my cloth!

Police!

Run! They're beating him!

Has Erwin come out?

He said to hell with them and cursed the chaps for running away.

- Feel stupid? - Everybody does but we can't help it.

It's the third time, Maryniok.

Now you're going to pay for it, I promise you!

You can go on jabbering, I'm not comin'out!

If you don't, you'll regret it, Erwin. I'm warning you.

Who said you could call me by my first name?

Don't remember feeding pigs with you, I beg your pardon!

We'll talk about it when you come out!

- Mr Kopyrniok... - Well, Maryniok?

To hell with you!

And tell the Krauts they can kiss my ass!

- Get out of there, Maryniok! - Kiss me, foreman...

You coming out, Mister Maryniok?

Thanks for the “Mister“ but I'm not, even if you crucify me!

We won't do that, but we'll empty this cesspool filth...

into your foul mouth if you don't come out of that damned hole!

You'd pour shit on a Pole, a former insurgent?

L'll count to three! One...

Where were you when we fought those, who are now up there with you!

Erwin!

Don't humiliate yourself Johnny! Where's your pride?

Erwin, come out! They're going to pour that filth!

What are you trying to make me do, Johnny?

I said I won't and that's that!

I'll stick it out!

- What will it be then, Mr. Maryniok? - Shit, by your leave, Mister Kopyrniok!

As you wish.

Pour!

Why aren't you, grandpas, asleep tonight?

Is it the end of the world?

We've waited for you since dusk. How's Erwin?

- He's alive. - Thanks be to God in heaven!

You damned old cripples!

Off to bed! Or must I come down?

- Erwin's health, and his honour! - Bottoms up! Cheers!

Johnny!

Why did you let them in?

They knocked at the door.

- 757. - 322.

Stop, stop, we're not going! They want to flood the mine!

Don't say!

Stop, boys! Wait! I've got important news.

Are they giving something for free?

Come here, all of you. This is important!

In 2 weeks they're going to close down and flood our mine.

How do you know?

Ochman, Grudniok and I represent our party group.

I'm telling you this so there won't be any quibbling later.

- Is it reliable news? - It's a cinch.

- Are you quite sure? - Absolutely.

It's the decision of Herr von Mischke, the rightful owner.

He can do what he wants with the mine.

We're only working this month. And then adieu! To hell with us!

It's not the 1st of May! Stop that twaddle!

Don't talk such rot, you're a grown-up now!

You know as well as I do what's cooking.

They'd announce it if it was true!

They didn't because they're afraid of riots.

They'll wait to the last moment.

Swear that it's true! Then I'll believe you.

- We can swear if you want. - Swear by God Almighty!

I can't because I don't believe in God.

Might hurt the feelings of those who do.

- Can't swear by God... - Alright then...

- Swear by anything else. - Say, by the youngest of us.

- Who's the youngest? - Antek or Johnny.

- Where are they? - Johnny is younger.

Come on Johnny!

See him: by Johnny I swear

that the mine is to be flooded,

at the owner's wish. By decision of the company board.

The date was fixed for the 18 of August.

- Stop. - The rascals!

God damn them!

- We want to prevent it. - Where are we? In Poland or Germany?

That Kraut can do what he likes here?

I'll have to talk to this “Herr“ personally!

I suggest we don't work today and not leave the mine.

How's that?

I think we should put it to the vote. What about you?

Democracy for me every time!

Those in favour of stopping work, hands up!

Who's against?

It's ten past six.

Now sit down in a circle.

We'll elect a strike committee.

To talk to the management on behalf of us all.

Find out what's up and keep order down here.

Who do you suggest?

Let things be as they are now.

The three of you! I've nothing against you.

Agreed, but I suggest two more.

August Mola - he knows what he wants.

And Frank Bula; he doesn't say much but knows too.

So we've two things put to the vote.

Who is for a committee of three?

Who is for a committee of five?

Five is voted. Who's in favour of these men?

Who's against?

Those elected please stand in the middle,

and show yourselves.

Now we'll elect a chairman.

He'll have the right to speak and sign papers, if needed.

It must be secret voting.

Come here, Johnny.

Your hands are clean, you'll collect the votes.

Read it.

Siersza.

Siersza.

Bula.

Siersza.

What kind of circus is this? Get to work!

No work from now on, foreman!

We're on strike!

You want to flood the mine, so we're stopping work!

It'll be tit for tat now!

You know your place? Get up!

Stop!

Leave him alone, boys!

Get a stretcher!

You're in charge, Walter, keep order here! The others follow me.

I'm calling from 480.

I want to speak to the director.

Miner Hubert Siersza speaking.

I'm the chairman of the strike committee.

We're on strike as from six ten,

as a protest against the decision to flood the mine.

We demand the withdrawal of that decision.

Otherwise we won't start work

and we won't leave the mine.

- Nice weather today. - Thanks be to God!

Quick, to your places, boys, and sit still.

We want to pass, can we?

They're trying to scare us like children.

Perhaps they're beginning to shut down the mine?

They've put the light out to enlighten us.

God be with you!

You are invited to talk with the management.

The director is waiting up at the top.

Not only you want to flood the mine, but also you take us for fools?

- I don't understand. - What?

That last part.

Good thing you understand the first bit. But don't you act fool.

- I think it's very unwise of you. - Thanks, and of you too.

We're only going to talk and decide down here only.

I'm sorry.

You're a Pole, aren't you?

It's a dirty trick! There's coal here!

They'll flood the mine, then get the hell out to Germany.

It's not because they're Germans!

It's that we've been digging coal here for generations!

It's sacred!

I, August Mol, say they have no right to flood the mine.

That would be worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.

They can flood themselves, not us!

- Is that her I see? - Yes, it certainly is.

Hey! Mata-Hari!

Take off those pants! Show us what you've got underneath!

They'll do everything to get us out of here.

So listen, all of you.

If anybody thinks it's wrong, he can go up now.

Not everyone has to strike. No need to be ashamed of it!

Who else wants to go up?

That's all then.

Give our love to our people up there. God be with you.

Always the same when the Miss wears the trousers.

Go to hell, all of you!

Now stand in fours. We'll divide up into 4 groups.

Three groups will guard the outlets.

The fourth one will keep watch by the lift.

In twos, every 2 hours.

Don't go farther than 100 metres from here.

The first group is yours, Bula.

The second one - August's.

The third - Ochman, the fourth - Aloys.

Let's check our watches.

It's 12.45 sharp on my watch.

They're damn punctual too.

Siersza Hubert, the head of the strike committee.

That's all right with us.

I see.

We stand by our conditions.

We'll only talk down here. Or you'll kick us out?

No threats now!

Who do you think we are? We demand justice!

First group after me.

We'll sound the alarm with this.

No falling asleep, and be on your guard!

Didn't our Dad come up?

No. Go tell Mum there's a strike down there.

What's the time? He should be here by now.

Here they come.

How many of them?

Two or three.

What happened?

A strike in the mine.

A strike!

No smoking except here, boys!

Get ready for the night.

Get yourselves something for bedding.

But don't you dare touch the explosives.

May I tell you something?

You know, when those others got in the lift...

...I was damned scared you'd go too.

A chap who doesn't play football because of his wife...

...could be no good here either.

Sorry, but I had to tell you this.

Hit the rail if necessary.

Once if it's something less important, twice for an alarm.

Before going to sleep let everybody think what to do next.

I've all sorts of ideas going through my head.

But one must think calmly.

Depends on what's happening up there.

Nothing's happening. Everybody's waiting.

But they know our waiting is worse than theirs.

Don't know if I'll think up anything.

I'm ashamed to admit it but when I lie down...

...all I see is women, all naked, too.

Then try to think sitting up.

When we get out of here, the committee will have a mass said for you.

L'll officiate.

- Who's there? - St. Vincent a Paulo with a wooden leg.

Erwin! Hardly out of one lot of shit, and you're into another?

- I'm almost inclined to believe in God. - Hallo boys.

It's all just like I imagined.

I've brought you something.

A man can get along without food or women, but smoke he must!

Boys!

I came down to tell you how glad I am.

At last someone's taken the bull by the horns.

You've no idea how important you are!

- I just came to say that. - Aren't you staying with us?

I can't. I'm red, they fired me, you know.

They're just waiting for this. And I may be of some use up there.

A lot of fuss there. Cars coming and going.

Policemen all over the place! The starost's there too.

Racking their brains how it came about!

Is it true they poured shit on you?

God's truth.

Johnny rescued me.

Come with me, we must talk things over.

Nobody's to come in here.

Stand by the phone, August.

Thank you, Erwin.

When we get out, I'll invite you for a game of skat.

Oh, your family send their love. And thanks for the invitation.

How's my woman?

Sitting by the stove crying.

May I ask you something, Erwin?

Go on.

- Can't live without her, eh? - No, I can't.

What would she do if I got out of here?

Don't know.

Same thing as you would, I suppose.

- I don't understand. - She'd run away from you.

- That's what you think? - It is.

I think so too.

Don't worry,

if you die, l'll marry her...

...and take care of the boys.

- Don't laugh at me. - I'm not laughing at you.

Can you promise me that if something happens,

you'll marry her and take care of the kids?

- Turn around. - Why?

I want to look at you from behind.

Matthew, wait for me!

- What's this? - What have you got there?

It's a rifle, I think.

- It's a strike, not an uprising! - What, no uprising? Are you sure?

We took up arms in 1921 during the strike!

That was in 1921.

We were fighting for Poland then - but now?

Oh hell, it's all a mistake then!

Look, there's still plenty of Germans left.

What about a few potshots in our old age?

They are Polish Germans; if you shoot at them...

...a Polish policeman will blow your brains out.

Matthew, you old democrat, you! Can't I even run around with a rifle?

Don't cry, Mary! There won't be any uprising!

All present?

We're all here, Erwin.

To go as a delegation.

- How you spell “demand“? - With a

Aloys should go to the Mining Department.

Because he speaks literary polish, without our dialect.

Besides, he's been to Warsaw twice, too.

Careful, don't dirty it.

When they hear about this monkey business in Warsaw,

they'll give those Protestant gents a lesson.

They may pour shit into the poor men's coal-pits.

I agree to that. They own what is up after all.

But we must draw the limit here.

Poland begins somewhere down here, doesn't it? Aloys,

when you're in Warsaw, find out where it begins under the ground, ok?

Go to Erwin for money.

Avoid people, better pretend to be daft.

Who's there?

I've brought volunteers from other sections!

Erwin wants me to tell you that Major Suchanek has arrived.

Well, well! Handsome Alexander himself here!

They're coming down!

Wait, Aloys! To your places, all of you, and groom yourselves!

- Sit down! Pretend not to care. - Lend me your comb.

You crazy?

Who knows, maybe the priest comes to bless us?

- God be with you! - God be with you.

It's a simple matter, and it goes the way you want it.

The director is waiting for the strike committee.

The rest of you may stay under the ground.

The board... they may change their minds... and listen to you.

Congratulations on your getting the best specialist

in breaking strikes, major Suchanek.

The Polish police has nothing to do with my mission.

Police or no police...

We won't come out till you sign an agreement...

...that the mine will be intact and nobody gets fired!

- And that's final. - I'm sorry.

The management warns you they'll resort to strong measures.

And we warn you, we have justice on our side.

I think you're wrong.

Aloys, in God's name, go and seekjust and enlightened men.

Letters, boys!

- Wyra. - Present!

- Sierofi. - Present!

- Chowaniec. - Present!

How many of us? 243? No, 242! Aloys has gone to Warsaw.

Where're you putting those cigarettes?

Water?

Holy water.

Kosma's youngest boy is in hospital, he got burnt with hot water.

Ziombik's wife beat him up.

Old Mrs. Kloskowa had a fall but is all right.

Somebody stole all Piechaczek's chickens and rabbits.

Which one?

Left...

You choose.

- Three cheers for the opponents! - Hurray!

You block-heads! Are you nuts? This is no picnic!

Over here, Hubert! Helmut's fainted.

L'll teach you to climb over roofs!

I'll tell father when he comes back.

Silence!

Nothing to fuss about.

A man fainted and they're taking him to the hospital!

Listen, this is the important thing!

They received our delegation!

And agreed to let us send down once every 24 hours

half a pound of dry food and a bowl of soup per head.

And letters from families.

From now on, we're collecting medicines and stuff for soup.

We need 200 bowls.

We'll cook in one big pot.

I'll go to the butchers' and bakers'.

- What kind of tune will it be? - What would you like?

- Church style or something red? - As long as it's not a Christmas Carol.

Don't worry!

Shut up!

What are you writing? I haven't said anything yet.

"These gentlemen up there... “

...have money aplenty“.

What do you mean, “up there“, I don't like it.

- It must be Polish, not Silesian. - They are up there, aren't they?

It's no good. It sounds silly. Begin again.

“Those gents of high standing have money enough.

The poor miner, poor worker

Is just skin and bones“.

If I had some vodka it would go better. Read it!

“Those gents of high standing have money enough.

The poor miner, poor worker Is just skin and bones“.

That fits, it's good!

No, it doesn't fit.

- How many each? - One.

- What day is it today? - The twentieth.

The fourteenth anniversary of the second uprising.

- Hell, how time flies! - We're in the rough again.

When did we have it smooth?

You had your uprising and what of it?

You ran about, shooting...

And you haven't even gained the right to work!

Not to mention privileges!

Erwin, the greatest insurgent! The real “King of Poland“!

Been starving for five years now!

He's the king of the slums with a crown of shit!

And now they want to flood these holes!

- That's how things look for real! - I don't agree with you, Albert.

We gave Poland Silesia. Isn't that enough?

Though those who give everything, don't get anything in return.

- That's the way it is. - So what?!

Those uprisings of yours, those mines, foundries...

...Poland doesn't need them now.

The Germans are still masters!

Only the police aren't Germans now, but Poles.

And this is our damned paradise!

Boys!!!

Listen, will this be all right?

We'll sing it first, then we'll teach you.

Play the tune, will you.

Those gents of high standing have money enough.

Now you boys!

Those gents of high standing have money enough.

It'll be our revolutionary mass, I would say.

Let them know we're really alive down here.

Put me through to the director, please.

...three, four!

Those gents of high standing have money enough

The poor miner,

The poor Worker

is just skin and bones

If masters could be sacked

All over the World,

People would not starve no more

Money they would have

Brothers they would be

Now the hour approaches

Let us stand and fight

For being all together

It will be easier to Win

A better life for all

Mr Maryniok, Mr Maryniok! Your uniform!

Where have you been so long, Erwin? At confession?

How did you guess?

- Never seen a man changing before? - We've sent a letter to dad.

A pity, the management can't see this. They might soften!

When you get out, you can perform at the fair.

Aloys is back!

Give way, chums!

You've been squeezing through South America or what?

- I had to wade through the slime. - What did they say in Warsaw?

The Mining Department agrees with the management.

They said we should come out and talk.

It means that they support them, not us.

Looks like it, boys.

They told me off, said our strike was illegal.

That it's the state's job to keep law and order.

And that it's nothing to do with us, and so on.

So now at least we know where we stand.

Give me my jacket.

It was my best one.

I've brought you a newspaper.

There's a front-page article about us.

“Draconian decision of German company“.

“Heroic strike in the “Zygmunt“ mine“.

Here's a photo of our people, you can see Johnny's wife best.

You can read it when it's dry.

She can't wait to see you!

You won't look at her!

Silly fool! All Poland has seen her.

But you won't! I don't want you to.

- We won't forgive you this! - Never thought you were so mean.

You'll regret it.

Sitting there, taking it easy? What did we elect you for?

We know what you expect of us.

Can't you see we're racking our brains?

Well, speak up.

I think that after what we just heard...

...we should start a hunger strike.

If the government isn't supporting us,

they're more stupid than we are. Or they just don't care about us.

Yes, I agree with you on that.

We'll not let them make ragmen of us.

Because that's what they've been doing for 14 years!

We have to put an end to that!

If we don't help ourselves, God himself can't help us.

He seems more inclined to absolve the better people.

- What do you say, men? - To what?

You mentioned two matters.

I think we ought to break off contact with those up top.

Start a hunger strike and hold out.

Or go up at once.

All the workers and all honest Poles are now looking to us.

We can't turn our backsides to them. They're writing about us.

- Shall we give up or not? - We won't.

Who thinks otherwise?

I understand we've started a hunger strike.

From now on we're not eating or drinking anything.

Thanks for having chosen the simplest way.

Now we'll sing to that.

Put me through to the director, please.

"Austrian Emperor's granddaughter - a socialist“.

“Bus-conductor finds suitcase with intestines,

brings it to the police“.

“Conference of Workers' Universities“.

“Former French Minister discusses strength of Red Army“.

“Polish planes in Bordeaux“.

“Cinema 'Adria' - Soviet film 'The Tempest"'

“Wages Drop in Sugar Factory, 50 % of Workers Fired“.

“Cinema 'Capitol' - Sensational film about two women,

'Adventure at Midnight"'.

Damned expensive tickets.

And here, beautiful Clementine tells the count...

...that Paris is an immoral city.

Be quiet, boys! l'll talkto them.

Leave it alone, Johnny! We're not allowed to!

That's just our “luck“! Why didn't they send it earlier?

- It's pea soup. - No, it's onion.

- Beet soup. - Goulasch.

- They've flooded them! - Quiet!

Quiet!

They've started a hunger strike. Not going back on it now!

- What'll happen? - It's our turn now.

Help with this cart, Mr. Lompa.

They've sent it back? Did we burn the soup, God forbid?

- They've started a hunger strike. - Couldn't they eat first?

One must be full for a hunger strike.

After 3 days down there they've gone silly!

Light them!

Forward!

Run away!

Get up, boys!

Get out of here.

You're sick, Albert!

Let me go! I can walk by myself!

Albert!

- Stop blabbing. - I see; breakdown at work.

The “Ruch“ football team is playing with “Cracovia“...

If they win, they'll be champions of Poland.

Remember our conversation?

I think I apologized then.

- You were right. I wanted to get out. - I felt that.

Want to look at my woman?

If you come back to the team, you'll be playing for us.

The son must replace the father.

Off I go.

- Where you going? - Home! Shift's over!

What happened?

Open it, Albert. It's me.

- Go away or I'll blow everything up! - Don't be angry. Open it.

Bring a prop. We'll break it in.

Quiet!

Here!

Get the lift! We'll send the sick men up.

Hubert,

what's wrong with me?

Save me!

You've done your duty boys, now you going up.

I'm sorry, Hurbert.

Police!

Are you alive, Matthew?

Iam.

Move a bit, I want to have a look.

He's just died.

Couldn't he have waited for us? He knew we can't hurry up-hill.

So you've gone, Matthew.

Did you hear that, August?

Yes. It's our mothers' sobbing.

The rats missed us and came to pay a visit.

They're hungry.

- Perhaps they want to join us? - Don't be silly.

They've come to see what we've got on the brain.

They're running from under the lift!

Sorry, but I always drink beer after the mass.

- You've got quite a willie, August! - That big!

Hubert!

Rats are running from under the lift.

- Sure you aren't seeing things? - We both saw them.

What have you got in your hands?

Are you crazy?

Let them know we value our beliefs more than our lives.

Let them know that the place a man works in...

...is sacred to him.

It can be taken away from him...

...but sacred things should never be destroyed.

That's the greatest barbarity I know of.

I've been thinking all this time.

And I know we are shouldering...

...a great responsibility.

In the name of all miners, and the ordinary honour of man...

...we must face up to it.

That's why I made this suggestion.

And now we'll vote.

Who's for Frank Bula's idea?

Who is against?

Thank you.

I want to speak to the director. This is Hubert Siersza.

I have the honour to inform you...

...of the last resolution of the striking miners.

We demand, all of us...

...that you flood our mine with us in it.

That is our wish.

And our last will.

- Did the phone ring? - Yes, it did!

We've won.

August, Johnny,

open the lift, we're going up.

I've talked to the starost. They accept our terms.

Those gents of high standing

Have money enough

The poor miner,

The poor Worker

is just skin and bones.

They're coming!

THE END