Original subtitles

"O Europe, so many borders! On every border, murderers..."

(Attila J�zsef)

Reveille!

Hey!

Yes, sir!

- Line up in two minutes! - Yes, sir.

Reveille!

My boots!

Who took my boots?

Give them back! I'll die here!

- Pog�ny! - Yes, sir.

Here!

What's the matter?

I report, sir, my boots have gone.

When?

- During the night. - Where from?

- From my feet. - You sleep in your boots?

To prevent them being stolen.

For carelessness hop round the yard!

Whatever you're told, don't stop, but report

you're doing your punishment.

Do you understand?

- Yes, sir. - Start!

- Konr�d! - Yes, sir.

Draw a circle in front of me!

All boots are in the circle within 30 seconds!

Yes, sir. Start!

- Pog�ny! - Yes, sir.

- Choose your boots. - I report, sir,

I'm doing my punishment.

I'm sorry. You had the opportunity, Pog�ny.

Whatever!

Line up within 30 seconds in boots!

Yes, sir. Start!

I report, sir, I carried out the order.

Join!

You are too well off here for three weeks

building the defence line.

Enjoying the Ukrainian spring, do you?

You'll be in the front line again, soon.

To sweep mines till you all die!

No breakfast today for stealing boots.

Dirty shirkers!

I'll show you.

There's no need to shout, S�ndor.

Report!

Sergeant, I report 306/2 Special Labour Platoon

strength: 98, 2 invalids 96 ready to march.

No one's sick here expect the dead.

Everybody is ready to march!

TWO HALF TIMES IN HELL

Take him!

Sing! One-two-three-four...

Sing louder! And happier!

Have you had enough, R�cz?

I have, sir.

Are you still a communist?

I am, sir.

Well.

How long can you stand it? Because I can stand it.

For eternety, son.

A staff patrol.

Do you hear?

The mail probably.

- We'll be taken back to the front. - I don't think so.

There are always good connections at the top.

I report, I brought this.

You'll see. Either they'll change the people or bringing the mail.

�nodi!

Here!

Di�!

If we don't meet, all the best.

And to you. And everybody.

- Take care yourselves! - Hurry up, go!

Will he be taken home?

Maybe.

Dress up, boy. You'll go to the battalion with the corporal.

Hurry up, damn you!

If you're taken home, go to my mother

and tell her to send me boots. Boots!

Will you go to my wife?

She was very ill when I left home. I don't even know whether...

- Take this letter with you! - What's going on there?

Everybody down, except �nodi!

- The boots, Di�. My mother... - Look at the ground!

- Get going, �nodi! - Yes, sir.

Up!

Down!

Up!

Down!

- You are �nodi the Second? - I am.

Why �nodi the Second?

There was another �nodi in our team.

But he broke his leg and quit.

Is there no other �nodi the Second?

- Another? - Dont' laugh! Attention!

One moment, lieutenant.

That's him, no doubt.

- Is that you? - May I?

- That's me. - Bravo.

- Zigaretten? - Danke.

Feuer?

No, no, danke.

What does Di� mean?

It's my nickname. �nodi, Di�. I suppose...

...they like me.

- Are you a Jew? - No.

- Communist? - No.

Then why you are here?

I suppose, because I slapped Turcs�nyi in the face.

Who is Turcs�nyi?

He was a military commander in the factory.

He abused my mother. And it upset me.

Listen, �nodi!

Captain Heilig wants to celebrate the F�hrer's birthday

by arranging a football match.

He mentioned you to me.

They have their team. I don't know their name.

They need a rival team.

From us?

First he wanted to collect soldiers, but I've explained to him

that they are old substitutes.

You are responsible for organizing the team

and put it together. That's all.

What are you waiting for?

- It can't be done, sir. - What?

These are skeletons. They can't even kick a pebble.

They will fall out in the first five minutes.

We need food, sir.

He says the men are weak. They need more food.

The match is absolutely essential. The frontline theatre can't come...

and I have to arrange some celebration.

I'll take care of the extra food myself.

You'll get extra food till the match.

- You won't loose by it. - I see.

All we need then is a ball.

A ball? What for?

For training. We have to train every day.

- And certainly we will not work. - What?!

No one can work and play football.

It's my experience. If you want a real match...

Get out! What do you think!

I don't think anything, sir.

You've gone mad! They've promised food and you didn't take it?

- Why didn't you accept it, you fool? - How could you?

- What food did they promise? - Leave me alone!

Skeletons can't play football.

I've told you a thousand time football is a sacred thing.

Otherwise I do not have to apologize.

What's going on here?

Slack in the daytime, fun at night? Shut up at once!

Rotten, lousy gang!

G�za!

Here! Take it.

- What about the mail? - I don't know.

And the front? Where are the Russians?

I told you, leave me alone!

Bring some light here! I think Majoros is dead.

- Doctor, are you awake? - I'm going.

He's dead.

- What's left of him? - A cap, but it's torn.

- Any food? - Nothing.

Russians!

Russian guns.

They're coming.

It was of the best materials.

Erzsi found it too expensive but I said the bed would last a lifetime.

It's worth the money.

- Wasn't I right? - Yes, you were.

She was in the third months with my baby, when I left.

The baby must be two months old now.

Where is the letter now, in which she wrote it.

The soil is damn hard!

Work during the day, dig a grave at dawn.

Why did you come? You weren't ordered.

For my boots.

He took them, poor devil. He wanted to live.

You're a bloody fool, Di�!

Why?

- Because I didn't accept it? - Yes.

- We could have food. - And?

I was invited to Switzerland and Spain for a lot of money and I didn't go.

And now it's better, isn't it?

I couldn't leave my mother.

I don't care about Hungary.

It's a flag from coloured rags, nothing else.

You're talking nonsenses, Di�.

Listen, G�za. You're a clever man, I have to admit.

You're grand in literature and aesthetics for sure.

But I'm also grand in some sort of things.

I was only 17 when I became a member of a football team.

Three goals in the first match...

Every women wanted to go bed with me.

What do you think?

I loved only one woman in my whole life.

My wife.

I left her only for three minutes while I had a smoke.

A bomb killed her in the air-raid shelter.

It'll do, boys. We can take him in.

Is anybody in it? It's so light.

I've put him in it.

- What was his name? - Mikl�s.

- His age? - 34 years.

G�za! Where is Hungary?

There.

- �nodi! - Yes, sir.

Here!

- Yes, sir. - Take it. It's free.

Sit down.

Come on, sit down!

I'm not so bad, believe me.

I know everybody hates me here.

I don't like torturing people. But what shall I do?

But an order is an order.

I'm not angry with this ass of a communist either.

He is so much trouble. Why can't he be a honest Hungarian?

Don't you think?

Tell us a story, �nodi!

Which story?

- The Swedish woman. - You've already heard it.

It's a good story.

Tell us and I'll give you a piece of bacon for it.

Malm�, 1938. We won for 2:0. After the banquet

a chick comes to me. She was the chairman's daughter.

A stout, white skinned blonde girl.

She wanted to go with her. We go out there was a nice car.

She drove like hell. In a second we left town.

She unbuttoned her blouse and she opened it...

No underwear.

Just the pink flesh.

She took off the blouse, accelerated. The skirt is off.

She held the wheel with one hand and - my God! - stepped on the gas.

The pants is off.

She had nothing but her stockings.

And then?

She stopped at an abyss and showed me what to do

or she'd run over it.

I pulled the hand-brake and did my best!

I had to survive.

I like you, �nodi!

Are the Swedish all like that?

All of them.

We ought to conquer Sweden too.

What's this? Rotten shirkers!

�nodi! Come here!

Here is your ball and this cheese.

It's Nov�k lieutenant's order to organize the team.

You do not have to work till the match.

I'm your superior officer.

We can choose from other companies as well.

But no Jews if it's possible.

- Understand? - Yes.

Here you are.

No problem, G�za. I told you, football is a sacred thing.

A great match against the Germans. You have to go with us, Guszti.

We will play football, mate.

Not me. My legs are over.

I'd be happy if I can keep them.

- Chilblain? - Yes.

The doctor...?

When it will be?

Next saturday. It'll be the house-painter's birthday.

- And they need you? - There's no one else.

They've heard about me, so I'm the captain. But what can I do?

I've found only 8 men within two days. There's no more...

Even these are all muddlers.

There are the Tank� brothers,

Koczina...

But who'll play the left side?

- You can play the left side. - Who'll shoot for goal, then?

Whatever!

- And we don't have a goalkeeper. - It stinks here, �nodi.

Hurry up! So much talk!

Just a moment, Corporal.

Guszti, take it. We've got extra food to grade up.

- I can't... - No arguing!

- �nodi! - Yes.

Damn you!

How long I have to wait?

Sorry, Corporal. It was an old friend of mine.

Guszti Kov�cs. Was he such famous?

A national goalkeeper. Capped 18 times.

And like a father to me.

Why is he here?

For being a fool. He gave books to read to the youngsters.

Let me see!

- I have to take it. - It's a souvenir from Stockholm.

- Give it to me! - I told you, it's a souvenir.

From some woman.

I won't beg for it.

You'll not need it anymore.

What do you mean, Corporal?

Nothing.

Take shelter!

Steiner!

Yes, sir.

Attention!

- Sergeant... - Shut up!

I said attention!

Sergeant!

- The wire... - You disobey the order?

You swine!

Sergeant, I report we came to ask if there is someone

who can play football?

- Play what? - Football.

Who can play football?

Go to your mother's...

Leave our mothers alone, Sergeant.

Corporal, give me the paper!

Jews!

Who can play football?

People, we will play football. Here is the ball.

Those who can play comes with me.

Well. Step ahead.

You can all play? You are lying again, Jews.

But I'll kill those who've lied.

You know I always keep my word.

There is a ball, so we can try out.

So, once again...

Who can play football here?

Steiner!

- You can play? - I can, sir.

Steiner! You want to live!

But if you can't, you'll die!

I swear I can play.

Upon my mother's life!

- Which position you play? - Outside left.

Outside left. That's what I need.

Try him!

With your left.

Not so bad.

Left foot or both feet?

Pardon, sir?

Left foot or both feet?

Both feet, certainly.

Okay. I'll take him. Good day, Sergeant.

Good day, Sergeant.

We'll see you each other, Steiner.

Wait!

Warrant officer! Here!

- Yes, sir. - You go with them!

You were a sportsman or what?

- You can play football? - No.

But I can't go. I'll be taken away in any minute.

The Governor deal with my case personally. I'm here by mistake.

- I'm Korn�l Ferencz. - The world shooting champion?

�nodi ll. I'm sure you've heard about me?

Yes, of course.

I'm so sorry, but I hope you understand.

I'll be going to the battalion

- to teach the officers to shoot. - Shut up!

You'll teach your mother...

Rotten Jew!

I'm not a Jew.

- I'm the solder of the Hungarian... - Shut up!

You can go, until I change my mind!

- Have you eaten the cheese? - Why?

I'd like to watch it.

The cheese belongs to the team.

- You promised to... - Let me eat for Christ sake!

I'll give you my camel-hair blanket if you take me into the team.

- Pure camel-hair... - Di�!

If nobody else, but you have to take Bokros into the team.

- He had typhoid. - We play. We are not a hospital.

- Don't beg to this... - Shut up!

Di�, he had typhoid. He hardly stands on his feet.

Di�!

You remember, I cured you when you were ill last winter?

Remember?

You want to play also?

I want to eat, Di�. That's all I want.

It's not a welfare club for God's sake!

The whole company can't play. Who can play over 50 years?

I gave you quinine, Di�.

- Three portions per day. - Don't beg to this...

You want to give a good laugh for the Germans?

- Get out of my way, you...! - Go to hell, hear me?

You bootlicking bastards!

�nodi, come here!

Your dixie. There's some soup left.

Thank you.

- Are you organizing this match? - Aha.

- I'd play. - You, Sergeant?

Yes. I used to play sometime.

No way, Sergeant.

You either play regularly or not at all.

Di�!

- Is that you? - Yes.

Give me some water!

Here you are.

Pour it in my mouth, I can't lift my arm.

Arthritis.

My shoulders hurt.

Why do you do it day after day?

You'll kill yourself!

You're right, but I won't be the first.

But even if this devil kills me I won't renounce my principles.

Not even if I die.

Put some wet clothes on my shoulder.

First of all the Tank� brothers.

Rudolf Koczina!

Sztyep�n, Ern� Balogh!

Cs�pi Pog�ny!

Korn�l Ferenczi, world champion!

Steiner!

G�za Kar�csony!

Then �nodi ll.

- And R�cz! - No way, son!

Not R�cz!

I report, sergeant,

I can't organize the team without him.

- Why not? - Because he is the inside right.

- Him? - Yes, him.

But if you want to report to the German Captain...

Go ahead, R�cz!

Company, attention!

Players, dismiss!

- Can we go, Corporal? - Go ahead!

Now pull up your socks, boys!

You clown!

You clown!

What a party!

You want to play in this, Pog�ny?

There's no other clothes on me. I bartered them for potatoes.

Try to find something for him. He can't play in this.

These stones are the goals.

G�za! Come here!

- You really mean it? - What?

This whole mess?

Don't upset me!

Come, G�za!

Don't be a crawler. Csorba is not watching.

What do you want. Don't spoil the discipline at the beginning.

We get extra food to play football.

And if you don't want it, you can go back...!

- Don't shout! - He'll hear it.

He's right.

Run around the green for relaxation.

Don't be afraid, G�za. Others would take it.

Come on, again! Okay, boys, come back, it would be enough.

Come on, again. Always keep your eyes on the ball. It's the secret.

- Watch it, Di�! - Kick it, Rudi!

That's it, G�za. Very good. You'll be good.

Here, Steiner!

Put it down and kick here!

Don't afraid of it.

Take the ball and come here!

Here you are, sir.

You've lied to me, Steiner.

- Yes, I did. - Why?

Because...

I don't want to die so soon, Mr. �nodi.

If there is a way, I want to go home.

You've said you can play. Swore upon your mother's life.

She's dead, Mr. �nodi.

I never played football. I sold books.

It wasn't easy either.

You swine! You scoundrel!

Who do you think I am? You're an outside left?!

You bastard!

You go back to your company!

Report to Csorba that you were lying to me and you can't play.

Don't get me killed, Mr �nodi.

I'll learn to play, you see. I'll learn everything.

Go! I can't stand, when I'm fooled.

Di�!

- Let him stay, Di�! - It's not your business, G�za!

I'm the Captain here.

If you send him back, the Nazis will kill him.

Who cares? Why did he deceive me?

Go back to the goal, G�za!

Stand up, boys!

Wait, Steiner!

I'll go with you.

Where?

To Csorba. I won't stay here.

I see.

Go to hell!

But let us know when can we start digging your grave.

Don't be a fool, Di�. If you send them back, I'll go with them too.

Me too, Di�. And my brother, too.

Don't be fools! You cannot miss such opportunity.

Sorry, Di�. I'm out.

Bastards!

- Good evening! - Company, attention!

Don't do that. What a stupid thing.

I'm looking for Steiner.

I was afraid, you'd never come, Mr. Szab�.

Just a moment, Mr. Szab�.

I'm coming, Mr. Szab�.

Please, take a seat, Mr. Szab�.

Stop that. Stand at ease.

The scissors, Mr. Lipt�k, if you please.

What style do you wish, Mr. Szab�?

You are the specialist, Steiner. I leave it to you.

Some nice and up-to-date...

Very well, Mr. Szab�. It'll be up-to-date.

- You have it here? - Yes.

- Here you are. - Not now. Afterwards.

If you're satisfied, Mr Szab�.

Very well.

- Can he cut hair? - Like playing football.

- How many families you have, Steiner? - What do you mean?

- How many children? - I see.

Two. They are twins. Both boys.

My wife is rather economical concerning births.

Here they are. It's a little bit wet.

Tough kids. What's their name?

The bigger is �rp�d, the smaller is Csaba.

- You're a musician, Mr. Pog�ny? - Yes, Mr. Szab�.

- I was a drummer at the Coconut Bar. - At Pest?

At Buda, Mr. Szab�. In the Burg.

He has a very good song. Won't you hear it, Mr. Szab�?

- Why not! - A tin!

Are you mad? He's the only human being here. Stop it.

- I can't. Is it very bad? - Awful!

What shall I do?

Great!

I'd listen to you till the morning.

- Can you play anything else? - The Bolero-tango.

- I'm ready, Mr. Szab�. - Really? It was rather quick.

Though it wasn't easy.

You have a very thin hair.

Have you got a mirror?

Give me the mirror!

Steiner, Steiner! Awful!

You are lucky, because up here in the hills

one isn't so choosy. Right?

Well, here you are.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Next time you'll sing again.

- Good bye. - Good bye.

Are you nuts, Steiner?

Taking deadly risk for a flute!

Why do you need it, you fool?

I'll take it home to my children.

I bargained for it for days.

I always took home some present...

...even if I only left for a day.

- I should bring something even from here. - For Arp�d and Csaba?

Thank you, Mr. Lipt�k.

- What will you take home for souvenir? - Me?

Till I get home...

It's time to go to bed.

Cheer up, old man.

We all have our troubles.

I have my birthday today for instance.

The 33rd. All my friends came with bottles in the packet.

We had party till the morning.

Don't cry. I'll make you a nice haircut � la Steiner.

The bald headed have hair on other spots!

- Stop it! - I'm not.

I don't want him to cry on my birthday. I want to cheer him up.

Stop it!

- You idiot! - I won't. I'm in high spirits.

Because you've feasted! Chees and cans.

And so? You envy me?

Put down the scissors, you fool!

Don't be mean with those which aren't in your dirty game!

You swine!

- This is not football, you swine. - Help, Di�!

- Di�, they'll kill me! - Leave him alone!

Beat the players!

They're gobbling cheese.

Damn!

You swine!

Are you crazy? For a cheese? For a damned cheese?

- You! - What are you doing?

Try to remember that we are human beings.

Who I call come here and take the letter.

The reading is allowed after dismiss.

- Understand? - Yes.

S�ndor Sztank�!

So here you are, you scoundrel.

Trade Union member. Are you?

I was, sir.

Attention!

It's from your wife. You may go.

- Endre M�rocz! - Yes, sir.

Well, son. You still dishonor the Germans?

Do you still believe that they will lose the war?

I report, sir, I'm not.

I know they will win.

You're lying. I see it in your eyes.

You'll get your wife's letter next time,...

...because you were lying. Dismiss.

- J�nos R�cz! - Yes, sir.

He is tough, you see, even he is a communist.

He deserves his letter. Here you are, R�cz.

Breakfast and marching out! Dismiss!

No more letters, Sergeant?

I gave out all of them.

My wife writes every day. Every day.

It's impossible, Sergeant. It can't be.

What? Tell me!

That there are no more letters.

You've hit the nail on the head.

There are certainly more letters. I was just kidding.

Of course there are. Quite a heap of them.

There are many.

Let me see, who wants to see those letters?

So many of you? Well.

Pog�ny, here!

Yes, sir!

Collect all the letters into that bucket.

Come on! Move!

Give one to everybody who asks for it.

You're smiling?

Yes, Sergeant.

Why?

- I've got good news, sir. - What?

Let us know. Read!

Dear G�za,

I sit on the train, following you, maybe I'll found you before evening,

Maybe this face in flames will be smooth,

Maybe you'll start to speak in soothe.

The water is running, wash yourself, and here's the towel, dry yourself,

- the meat is cooking... - Stop it!

Don't fool with me!

Throw that letter away!

I was in a cabaret with my wife just a year ago.

We laughed at everything...

One never is aware of hapiness.

Who's that?

- What happened? - He cut off his fingers.

- He did it with an axe. - Did anyone see?

If yes, he'll be court-martialled.

No one was there.

He asked me to do it first, but I couln't do it.

So he did it himself.

Take him away!

Come and sit down.

He was a tailor. Even if he gets away with it...

- A tailor with two fingers... - If he gets away with it...

Let's hope he gets away. Even with two fingers.

His wife was very ill when he left.

He doesn't even know whether she's still alive.

Come on, Steiner, I try to make something out with you.

First we'll head.

I'll do my best, Mr. �nodi.

- Where have you been? - Up on the hill.

To have a look.

- We could escape. - Could what?

Escape.

Woods all round.

We could get far away without leaving the woods.

What is it about?

- To escape? - Don't shout!

Balogh, Sztyep�n, Dank�, go and play.

Come!

Koczina, you too.

And Steiner!

You're in it, too?

I'm, Di�. And Tank� and Sztyep�n too.

I see. And who'll play?

Nobody, Di�.

What a nice idea!

The craziest think I ever heard!

I'm not participating. If they catch us, we'll be shot.

We can't accept that they can trample down on us.

We are not lice! We'll try to find the partisans.

We will find them.

I won't go. It's crazy to escape now.

Just now when we're well off?

But how long?

What do you think will happen to us after the match?

We were brought here to die!

Don't shout, for God's sake!

Listen, R�cz!

I'm tired with your bolshevik blarney.

You are fooling everybody.

We get food for playing football and I'm responsible for it.

Don't shout, Di�!

If one escapes, all of us will be killed.

That's for sure.

Let's escape all together, Mr. Di�!

You dare to speak? You dare to open your mouth?

- No, Mr. �nodi. - Be glad you're alive!

I'm glad, Mr. �nodi.

Come on! Stop this nonsense.

We will play for real.

What are you waiting for?

Tell me, �nodi. What did they promise you after the match?

- To take you home? - You swine, you...

Or a badge of honour?

A German badge of honour from Heilig?

- I'll smash you! - Shut up, Di�!

- I'll kill this bolshi. - Stay still!

What happened? Why are you on the ground?

- Csorba is coming. - Stay still, Di�!

What happened.

We don't know exactly.

He slipped, or what.

Leave him alone!

What's wrong, �nodi?

Are you hurt?

It's nothing, Corporal.

Come on! Give me the ball!

Form a circle and kick the ball.

Can you go out, Corporal?

Hardly feel his pulse. He is very weak.

- He isn't coming, yet? - No.

What takes him so long?