All language subtitles for The angel wore red

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[telephone ringing]

Hello. Hawthorne here.

Oh, New York?
Well, put him on.

Hello, Charlie, how are you?

Me? Oh, fine! Fine.

No, nothing new.

Oh, sure,
there are disturbances.

A few guys getting killed
here and there.

Well, that doesn't add up
to a revolution.

Listen, Charlie

the generalissimo
will never get this far north.

Sure, sure, I'm working.

What do you want me to do?
Invent a war for you?

I know. I know you need copy.

Color stories, huh?

Human interest, yeah.

Sure, sure,
I'll dig up something.

Okay, Charlie.

[sighs]

Now where the devil
am I gonna find

a human interest story.

(Hawthorne)
But the fact is
a story was beginning

though I didn't know it then.

At 12 o'clock,
the bishop summoned

a young priest
named Arturo Carrera.

- Good day, monsignor.
- 'Good day, father.'

Oh, good day, Arturo.

I do not see
how we can keep our eyes closed

to the situation
any longer, father.

There comes a time
when we must take a stand.

Read this.
Read it out loud.

I want to hear how it sounds.

"Entry to this house of God
is forbidden

"to immodestly dressed women
whose frocks do not cover

their elbows and their knees."

Yes. Very good, very good.

Now I want to translate it
into German

into English, and into Italian,
and post it on the door today.

Is this all
we have to be concerned

within the church today?

'What's the matter?'

Women's elbows and knees?

But did you know that
one tried to come in last week

in what I believe
are called "Shorts."

Better in shorts I would have
thought, than not at all.

Monsignor..

...have you forgotten
that fewer than 15 percent

of the workers attend mass
here anymore?

And that where we once had
love and trust

we now have downright hatred.

Does no one in the church
ever ask themselves

the reason for this?

Well, there are certain
proprieties that--

Monsignor..

...the church in Spain
is falling to pieces.

All Spain seems to be falling
to pieces.

Tomorrow it may be the world.

I-I-I don't mean
to be impertinent.

But at a time like this
when one church after another

is being burned or destroyed
and another priest

murdered every day

have we really nothing better
to worry about

than a few knees and elbows?

The church of God, my son

is like a net
let down into the sea.

Then why doesn't it
catch more fish?

Whatever your intentions, father

you are being impertinent.

Very impertinent.

We must all pray to God to give
those people back their faith.

They haven't lost
their faith in God

they've lost it in us,
the church.

We failed them.

They look to us for protection
against cruelty and injustice

and this is the kind of answer
we give them.

A preposterous reminder
that there are certain parts

of a woman's body
that bishops disapprove of.

Why shouldn't they look to other
people for help and hope?

I wonder if you understand
the seriousness

of what you are saying, father?

I think I do, monsignor.

I've thought about this
for a long time.

Then there is no excuse for you

to confuse the eternity
of the church

with the weaknesses
and failures of its members

or to forget
that for every failure

there is a martyred priest

whose blood is the very seed
of the church.

How do I know
they were martyrs?

'Arturo, please!'

Why weren't they simply
just fools?

'I have been patient with you,
father.'

How do I know they didn't die
for a myth?

Or for a ghost?

The ghost of a dead church.

A cause isn't necessarily true
because a man dies for it.

His dying merely proves
that he believed in it.

Not that he wasn't a fool
to do so.

Arturo, my son

will you kneel with me
and ask God for forgiveness?

I-I-I cannot..

I cannot bring myself
to believe..

...that this church is serving
either God or man today.

I cannot believe that
God Himself is anymore impressed

by the platitudes
and empty piety

than the people here are.

I-I can't.

I-in the seminary, I was taught

love and deeds.

I was taught that the poor
and the dirty

were as important in His eyes

as the owners of Hispano-Suizas
and great yachts.

The truth is that nothing

nothing, nothing I was taught
in the seminary

has been of any value to me
here, whatsoever.

And more and more
I find myself

sharing the workers' feelings.

This is not
the church of our fathers.

This is a different church.

A church I don't understand
or respect.

And what is worse

a church in which I can find
no way of serving Him

as I was taught
to serve Him.

Don't go any further, Arturo.

It may not be so easy to un-say
the things you are saying

or to undo such a rash
and wicked act.

May God forgive me
if I'm wrong.

But I can accept this church
no longer.

I must find another way.

[intense music]

Arturo.

[music continues]

Get off the line,
operator or censor

or whoever you are,
I'm talking to New York.

Uh, Continental
Broadcasting Company.

Hello, New York?

Charlie?

No, I haven't talked to Madrid
this morning

but I can tell you right now,
it's just another rumor.

Certainly, that's
an air-raid siren. So what?

Every time three seagulls
fly over this place together

'some drunk pushes
the button again.'

'Just a minute, Charlie.'

I wanna make a little
correction here.

That joker wasn't drunk
this time

and those aren't seagulls
dropping this stuff.

This is a kick-off,
Charlie boy!

The war is on!

[dramatic music]

[explosions]

[people screaming]

Oh, dear Mother of God.
Oh, I don't want to die.

[sobbing]

Will you let her sit down
please?

- Let her sit down for a moment.
- Never mind.

Oh, thank you.

[explosions]

This is the new crusade.

To put to rout
the enemies of the church.

If the crusaders don't blow us
up first, of course.

They won't hit the churches.

I hope not.

But during the Rif War,
they invariably killed everybody

they had set out to rescue.

[bombs whooshing]

[sighs]

Have you a jacket and trousers?

Of sorts, monsignor.

The people will be angry
after this and attack us again.

But this time,
they will destroy our cathedral.

Don't say that, monsignor.

But one thing
they must not destroy.

They must not destroy
our holy relic.

The blessed blood of St. John.

So after this is over,
you will change

to your jacket and trousers

for no priest will be safe
in the streets.

Then you will take
our holy relic out of here

and deliver it to our friends

who are fighting for our Lord

and against
this wicked government.

[dramatic music]

(child #1)
'Mother, mummy, mummy.'

Please, mummy.

'Mummy. Mother..'

[child crying]

I don't want to be alone.

- Is it very bad out there?
- Horrible.

Perhaps, I can do something
to help.

Oh, no, don't, please.

There is a doctor
and some soldiers there.

Please don't leave me alone.

Alright, I won't.

I'll be alright in a minute.

[music continues]

Thank you.

You're alright now?

No, I'm not alright,
but I am better.

W-were you as scared as I was?

More scared, I'd say.

Oh, no, that's impossible.

Nobody can be that scared.

I wonder if there might be
another way out of here.

Well, you might try
through there.

Oh, yes, let's try it.

Aren't you coming too?

Uh...y-yes, in a moment or two.

[chuckles]
I should mind my own
business, huh?

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it
to sound like that.

It-it's just that..

I'm the only person who can help
myself at the moment.

I know.
Sometimes I feel like that.

Perhaps, perhaps,
you need someone to talk to.

I wish I had.

- You're not married?
- No.

Well, that's,
that's a part of it.

- You are lonely.
- Yes, perhaps.

Adios.

A-Arturo.

Arturo. Mine, Soledad.

Adios, Soledad.

(man on speaker)
'Attention, comrades.'

'The bulletin number five.'

'It has now been established
that today's inhuman'

'and barbarous attack
on this defenseless city'

'was guided by traitor priests'

'signaling to
the flying gangsters'

'from the towers
of the churches.'

'One hundred and seventy-five
deaths'

'have already been reported'

'including 58 women
and 17 children.'

[explosion]

[people clamoring]

Comrades, comrades, comrades!

The priests did it!

The priests are
on the wrong side.

On to the Cathedral!

[dramatic music]

[clamoring]

We must get it to those soldiers
who are coming

to protect us, to their leaders.

[machine gun firing]

Do you think you can do this,
father?

I will, monsignor.
I promise you.

I'm sure you will.

[intense music]

[clamoring]

Corpus Domini nostri
Jesus Christi.

Corpus Domini
nostri Jesu Christi.

Corpus Domini nostri
Jesu Christi.

[clamoring]

[music continues]

[clamoring]

[clanking]

[music continues]

(man on speaker)
'Attention, comrades,
to bulletin number ten.'

'Two of the traitor priests
of the cathedral'

'have escaped and are still
at large in the city.'

'Priest Arturo Carrera'

'was recognized
at the Corria Goncorra'

'at 9 o'clock,
wearing a black suit.'

'Carrera is
about 35 years of age'

'and of medium height.'

'Priest Isidro Rota
is short and fat'

'and reported
to be wearing clothes'

'of a rather sporting
character.'

'These men are murderers
and enemies of The Republic'

'and any citizen failing to do'

'his full duty
toward their apprehension'

'will himself be punished
as a traitor.'

'Long live The Republic!'

[whistle blowing]

[whistle blowing]

[instrumental music]

- Your order, senor?
- [indistinct]

Afraid somebody will see you
here?

No.

Wouldn't you like to go
someplace

where it's more private?

In one of those boxes?

They are not expensive.

Alright.

Now, if you excuse me,
passion-flower

I must get back to
the unpleasantness of work.

But is that good for an
eyeball? Water?

It's not water, honey.

It's English gin.
Very antiseptic.

[laughs]

I have to make a broadcast
at 3 o'clock.

'That's 9 o'clock
New York time.'

(Soledad)
But do you need four eyeballs?

Every one-eyed gentleman
needs at least four

for routine social demands.

This one has a rather wicked
glint in it

for leering at you girls
after midnight.

This one..

...has a good,
clean, honest look

for dealing with mothers.

This one..

- This one is simply bloodshot.
- What is that?

Ah, this one is
for patriotic occasions.

That's a small American flag
painted across the pupil.

A tribute
to God's country impossible

for the old-fashioned,
two-eyed man.

- Well, adios, dear Soledad.
- Adios, uncle.

What's the name
of that girl down there?

[instrumental music]

Would you like to buy me
a little drink?

Not tonight, senorita.

[music continues]

A call for you in number three.

- Who is he?
- I don't know.

I never saw him before.

- Senor.
- Already?

(man on speaker)
'Attention, comrades.'

'The fugitive
Priest Arturo Carrera'

'has been recognized
within the hour'

'in the Plaza del Sol.'

'He has discarded his jacket,
and can now be identified'

'by his black trousers
and white shirt.'

- Did you follow me here?
- No.

Well, then,
what are you doing here?

You were telling me
I was lonely.

Yes, I know, but I didn't mean
a place like this.

I was only joking,
I just came in here

to get away from
all the trouble out there.

Yes, I know.
Isn't it terrible?

All this shooting and bombing
and burning everything.

'What's it all about?
Do you know?'

It's a revolution
against the government.

Whatever it is, I wish
they'd leave the churches alone.

I don't care
what they do to the priests

but it is bad luck to burn
churches.

Just look at that.

Usually we have twice
as many people

on a Thursday night.

Look, why don't you go to
the cafe and wait for me there?

It won't take me
a minute to change.

Would you mind
if we just stayed here

and talked for a while first?

Just talk?

That's all, yes.

You see,
that's the trouble.

That's why I'm sorry
you came here because..

...if you like somebody and they
find you in a place like this

well, right away,
they might get the wrong idea.

You know, people don't always
understand about people.

No. I know.

Working here doesn't
make me any different.

It's just a job to me.

You know that I don't know
half the names of these fellows.

- 'You see what I mean?'
- Yes, yes. I see.

I knew you would.
Whose drink is this?

I bought it
for that other girl.

Oh, thank you, darling.

Health, pesetas,
and love, Arturo.

(Soledad)
'Now what?'

Everybody remain where you are

and be ready
with your identification papers.

'Just the men.'

- What's this all about?
- They're looking for a priest.

- A priest in here?
- Yes.

How do you like that?
A priest in a cabaret.

I hope they don't beat
him up in here.

That will really
ruin the whole night.

- Will they come up here?
- Oh, I suppose so.

Why?
Aren't your papers alright?

I haven't got any papers.
They're at home.

In your cassock.

Get downstairs. I don't want you
here when they come.

No wonder you were so worried.

Get downstairs. It will only
mean trouble for us both.

[instrumental music]

Wait, I know a way.
Come on.

You don't want to
be beaten up, do you?

I don't want
to get you into trouble either.

Go in there.

Come on.

[music continues]

[gun firing]

[whistles]

You are very brave,
but you are also very foolish.

So are you. Come on.

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, come on,
let's see your papers.

Come on, come on.

We're alright now.
It is just across the street.

(male #1)
'Come on, come on.'

'Alright, come on,
let's see your papers.'

This way, senorita.

Not tonight, caballero.
I've already got a fella.

[men laughing]

I know that fellow,
and it's not a priest

he's usually after.

Wait here.

[gun firing]

Two to one,
they shot the wrong fellow.

[gun firing]

Well, it's not
the Ritz of course, but..

'Guess who.'

Which one?

This is me,
and that's my little sister.

She's married now.

I'm going back there some day
when I've saved enough money.

Where's that?

It's a little village
in the mountains.

You wouldn't know it.

I'm supposed
to be a dressmaker.

You know you're risking
your life doing this, don't you?

Oh, I doubt that.

I'll move in
with the girl upstairs

and then, tomorrow morning
we'll get you out of here.

Anyone who helps the priests
is equally guilty.

The announcements said that.

Those shaggers
don't frighten me, father.

I thought
you didn't like priests.

I didn't know
you were a priest.

[gun firing]

I'm not anymore.

Will you say that again?

I said I'm not a priest
any longer.

I left the church
this morning.

Left it? How?

Just walked out. That's all.

But you can't do that,
can you?

You not only can, but you must
if your faith has failed you.

Well, I've never
heard of anything

like that before
in my life.

Have you got a back way
out of here?

- Back way? For what?
- Well, I can't stay here.

Why not?
You're not a priest anymore.

- You just said so yourself.
- I-it's too dangerous.

But it's not dangerous anymore.
They've already checked.

But that's not the end. They'll
be checking the houses next.

But I won't let them in.
The door is already l--

Don't you understand?
It's a mob out there.

- They'll break down the door.
- Well, alright. Here.

- Let's push this against--
- It's no use.

They know I'm still
in this quarter.

It's only
a matter of time before

they start
checking every room.

Don't you like me?

Yes. Very much.

Is it because
I'm a cabaret girl?

Please try and understand me.

I'm frightened.
I'm frightened for us both!

Why do you think
I brought you here?

Because you're very kind
and very brave.

You took pity on me even though
you don't like priests.

Did I know you were a priest

when you came
in the bomb shelter?

Did I, did I know
you were a priest tonight

when you came in the cabaret?

I brought you here
because something said..

I don't know what.

Something said,
this is a very special person.

That you should take care
of him, not let him get hurt.

Because some day
he'll be very important.

And I-I tell you this
before God Himself.

- I'll come back.
- No, you won't.

I promise you.
I promise you I will.

No, you won't.

No, because..

Because you know
there's no danger now.

But I'm not good enough for you.
I'm a whore.

- Please, please believe me.
- Get out!

- Please.
- Get out!

If you'll tell me how.

Which is the back way?

Find it yourself.

I'm very sorry, Soledad.

Once a priest, always a priest.

(male #2)
'Open up in there!'

This is the militia!

'Open up!'

- Stay here and keep quiet.
- But what will they do?

It doesn't matter what they'll
do. Stay here and keep quiet.

- Do you understand me?
- 'Open up in there!'

I'm sorry.

(male #2)
'Open up.'

'Open up!'

Come in.

I'm Carrera.
The man you want.

Alright. Come on.

[music continues]

(man on speaker)
'Today our loyal army
fights two forces.'

'The rebel troops approaching
the city from the south.'

'And the secret enemy
within the city.'

'There's five priests
and other rebel sympathizers'

'who are working to spread
fear and defeat among us.'

'Both forces will be destroyed!'

[glass shatters]

[indistinct chatter]

(Hawthorne)
But there was another force
that no army could fight.

The unhappy hearts
of a troubled people wondering

where the sacred relic
of St. John had vanished.

It led me,
for reasons of my own

to visit the local prison.

Arturo Carrera?

- Yes.
- My name's Hawthorne.

Continental Broadcasting
Company.

Yes.

I understand you withdrew
from the church yesterday.

I'm sorry. It's not a subject I
want to discuss for publication.

This is not for publication.

I represent
another interest at the moment.

Did you desert your fair bride

because you lost
your faith in God?

No. Of course not.

You can speak
quite freely with me.

- I'm an infidel.
- What interest?

Would you be willing to serve
Him outside the church?

Well, naturally,
t-that would be my hope, but..

Would you be willing
to discuss your position

with a member
of the government?

If you can't tell me
whom you represent

then, uh, there's nothing more
we have to say to each other.

I'm sorry.

Must say, you leave something
to be desired

when an effort's being made
to rescue you.

(Hawthorne)
By now, I knew that Carrera
was my big story.

And the path to him led
through the commandant.

Alright then, let's approach it
from another angle.

You're wasting your time,
my friend, with anything

you have to say
on behalf of a priest.

What you're being offered here,
captain

is an opportunity
to serve your government

on a global scale.

Strike the chains
from this convertible priest.

Give him a small office,
a modest title

and you will have reshaped

the thinking of the world
single-handed.

Never again
will they be able to say

that you shoot priests
like rabbits.

You misunderstand,
Mr. Hawthorne.

It is traitors and not priests
that we shoot like rabbits.

When there is no war
and the priests confine

their activities
to their churchly duties

they would be of
no more interest to me

than so many fortune-tellers
and witch-doctors.

But as long as they
plot and plan

against their legal
government

they are spies working
for the enemies

of that government
and will be dealt with as such.

Does that make
my position clear?

You sound prejudice to me.

Indeed I am.

Prejudice against
an institution that has

ridden on the backs
of our people

since the time
of The Inquisition.

You're the Intelligence Officer
here, aren't you?

Yes, comrade general.

I'm General Clave,
the new commander.

What's all this blood business
on the walls?

What blood business?

It's chalked over the walls,
everywhere.

"Where is saint
somebody's blood?"

Has the enemy got
saint somebody's blood?

I saw it a dozen times
on the way from the airport.

With your permission, captain.

It's a local
religious legend, general.

The holy relic
in the cathedral here was a drop

of blood believed to have been
shed by St. John.

It's been working miracles here
since time immemorial.

One of the beliefs
is that whoever holds it

cannot be defeated.

[chuckles]
What nonsense.

Napoleon's words exactly
outside this very city in 1812

just before being driven
back over the horizon.

Ah, that's right, by George.
I remember now.

The only defeat
he suffered in Spain.

- Where is it?
- That's the big question now.

It seems to have disappeared

during the patriotic
bonfire last night

and the news is beginning
to disturb

some of the apprentice atheists.

May I ask who you are?

Mr. Hawthorne
is an American broadcaster.

I'm sorry,
I don't talk to journalists.

Will you excuse us please?

Certainly, comrade general.

- Is that true what he said?
- I'm sure it is.

A relic like that can exert
a powerful influence

in a place like this.

It's what the priests
have done to Spain.

Damn it, Paul,
I've never seen such a war.

People all the same color,
same language.

I can't tell one crowd
from the other.

Now, somebody's blood.

- What was his name?
- St. John.

Local fellow?

Some centuries ago, I believe.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Get out and shut that door.

This is confidential.

- We've got to pull out of here.
- Already?

There is no way to defend
this place. It's a bloody trap.

And these troops we've got here,
these militia men

they're not really soldiers.

Just civilians with rifles,
and half of them

are no more than schoolboys.

They are very brave,
comrade general.

Brave, but inaccurate.

But I am going to need
your help, captain.

I'm a little rusty
at this business.

Well, it happens that I retired
from the army ten years ago

and haven't read
a newspaper since.

They've got a lot of new ideas
these days, haven't they?

- A few.
- I thought so.

They never let
well enough alone, do they?

No, not if they think
they can do better.

That's it. Exactly!

The mistake they all make.
Trying to improve things.

In the old days,
war made sense.

One country fought
another country.

Entirely different uniforms.

Our crowd spoke Spanish
while the others jabbered away

in something else.
A very simple situation.

If you couldn't understand what

the other fellow was saying,
you shot him.

But the way it is today..

I think that we should get
this relic, comrade general.

- What relic?
- 'The holy relic of St. John.'

- You really think it will work?
- In a way.

- It's a matter of morale.
- Morale?

That's another piece of nonsense
they've cooked up since I left.

In the old days,
you simply told your men

to get out there and fight.

And they got out there and
fought. Not "Why" just "Whom."

You really knew where you stood
in those days, by George.

E-excuse me, comrade general,
but about this relic, um..

Do you know
what I think we ought to do

about that relic, captain?

- What?
- Get it.

A relic like that can exert
a powerful influence

in a place like this.

That's what the priests
have done to Spain.

I'll go after it at once,
comrade general.

Don't just go after it.
Get it.

- Yes, comrade general.
- It's a matter of morale.

Of course.

[instrumental music]

Here.

- 'Come in.'
- Go in.

Shut the door.

You seem to have lost
your faith

at a very convenient moment,
father.

I don't expect you
to believe this

but the process has been
going on for some time.

- And you are an atheist now?
- No.

It was my faith in the church
which failed.

Not my faith in God.

It's a curious thing
that two priests

were missing
from the cathedral.

It is even more curious that
the holy relic in the church

was also missing.

Can you explain that to me?

No. I didn't know
it was missing.

I suggest to you that one
of those priests..

Either you or Canon Rota

was ordered by your bishop

to take it and deliver it
to Franco and his rebels.

I know nothing about it.

I'd already left the cathedral
before the attack came.

But why are you
so interested in it?

I didn't know that atheists
placed any importance

in...in religious symbols.

We don't, but we know
that an ignorant mob

of renegade Christians do.

And always will.

This relic could become
less a symbol than a weapon.

Like a hidden battery
of artillery.

When did you last see
Canon Rota?

You mean, your men
are already disturbed by it?

The people are always disturbed
about something.

Perhaps they'd be less disturbed

if their hearts
were not ignored.

Yes, you are still a Christian.
Still preaching.

If I might make
a suggestion too, captain

you obviously know nothing
whatsoever about Christians.

Particularly,
renegade Christians.

Otherwise, you would know what
to do about their disturbance.

You mean, you do?

Yes, I think I do.

I think I know
very well what to do.

And if I can make another
suggestion, I'd like to do it.

You would like to do something
for the socialists?

No, I'd like to do
something for the men

the ones that are troubled.

I'd like to comfort them.

I'd like to be a...a missionary
to the hearts

of your ignorant
and troubled mother.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

What happened?
Did you find him?

I told you I would, didn't I?

- He's.. Is he alright?
- Oh, sure.

They didn't beat him up again,
did they?

He's probably
the most un-beat-up priest

in the diocese today.

But what is all this,
don't tell me you are in love

with this whirling dervish?

Are you crazy? How can you be
in love with a priest?

I was just worried about him.

Besides,
he's not a priest anymore.

Well, whatever his current
spiritual status

you won't have to worry
about him for a while in a way.

- What do you mean?
- He's joined the management.

- Joined what management?
- The government.

Department of worried atheists.

Well, that's the craziest
thing I've ever heard of.

A priest going over
to the heathens?

Would you be good enough to move
just a little bit to your left?

[music continues]

How would you like
to lose the other one?

T-the aims of socialism
are exactly the same

as the aims of the church.

T-they follow different paths,
but the destination is the same.

Man's happiness.

'I think if you keep this
in mind, i-it may help you.'

(man on speaker)
'Although our troops continue
their courageous resistance'

'we have again been obliged
to rectify'

'our lines in certain sectors.'

How far would you say,
captain?

Fifty or sixty kilometers.

The opposition tonight says 40.

The Continental Broadcasting
Company

won't have a correspondent here
very long

if he continues to listen
to the enemy wireless.

The Continental
is trying to be

a fair and impartial observer,
captain.

It hates both sides.

Are there any plans
to rectify our lines

by getting the hell out of here?

On the contrary, we're already

preparing a counter-attack.

Reinforcements are arriving
from Barcelona tonight

and the city is in no danger,
whatever.

Soledad.

- Wait a minute. You..
- What's the matter?

But I didn't know
the soldiers were that close.

- N-no--
- If I'd known I..

I could've got you out.
I swear I could.

I'm sure you could have.

But everything's alright now.

That's why I am here.
To tell you about it.

But you're, you're not angry?

No. Not in the least.

Would you like to hear
what happened?

Yes, I would. Very much.
Come on in.

Would you like to talk to me
some more about it?

Yes. Very much.

Come on.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

The situation isn't likely
to rise off.

Any more questions?

About the holy relic.

What they call
the "Blessed blood."

Is it true that if we haven't
got it, we will be defeated?

The holy relic
has a place in many hearts

but it will never have anything
to do with victory or defeat.

Not even the church
can tell you that.

- I don't understand him anyway.
- 'Any more questions?'

- 'What's he talking about?'
- 'Alright, thank you.'

[dramatic music]

If you want help, come and
see me. You know where I am.

Thank you.

I need some help too, Arturo.

I'm sorry, comrade.

I sleep in what's left
of the cathedral.

If you could come up there
some night, late.

I can't. It's impossible.

I don't think
I can last much longer.

Please go away.
I'm not going to report you.

But don't try to see me again.

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

He's a fool and he always was.

Coming to me
in a public place like that.

Endangering both our lives.

- What did he want?
- Help, he said.

If I could help him there.

How can I go to the cathedral?

They're watching me
all the time.

You mean now?

Perhaps not here and now at this
moment, but they must keep

an eye on me,
I'm a renegade priest.

Well, I suppose he had
no one else to go to.

That's what worries me.
Nobody liked him.

But it's not your fault,
darling.

There was nothing you could do,
really.

I should have done something.

It's just that I'm not..
I'm not certain of things yet.

I shall know better soon.

- Is that what you think?
- What do you mean?

Well, just because you got
a late start

I don't know why you expect
to be any less mixed up

than everybody else.

This is a nice place.

It's so peaceful.

[gun firing]

Well...at least
it used to be, anyway.

They're rounding up
deserters again.

Or digging out members
of the fifth column.

I quit this morning.

Quit?

The cabaret.

You said you understood,
but you didn't really.

I-I wish I knew..

...how to tell you..

...how I feel about you.

Is it good?

Yes, it's very good.

Do you really like me?

That's what I wish I
knew how to tell you

how much..

How much..

That I feel...awkward
and clumsy like a schoolboy.

If I tell you something..

...you won't laugh?

No. I promise.

I like that.

Because it makes me feel
like a schoolgirl.

- You won't laugh now?
- No, no, I'm not laughing.

I'll tell you something else.

You are the first person I've..

I've ever really known
in my life.

The very first.

You promised
you wouldn't laugh.

Mm-hm.

This must be the way
young girls feel

when they've just met
a wonderful boy.

And they just touch hands..

...and can't say anything.

I once saw my little sister
like that.

She'd just sit
with this boy and..

...and not say a word.
Neither one of them.

And every now and then,
they'd giggle.

I cried myself to sleep
the first night I saw that.

[instrumental music]

Don't.

Don't say it
unless you really mean it.

I'll mean it.

And if..

...if you are not sure, if you
don't know yet, I'll wait.

But if you do say it
and don't mean it

I'll want to die.

Because this will never happen
to me again..

...not like this.

I love you.

Say it again.

I love you.

Like my little sister
and that little boy.

The same, but more so.

- And you won't be sorry?
- No.

- You're sure?
- Heh..

That's what I keep
asking myself.

"How can I be so certain,
so soon?"

But you know, a priest
doesn't live in a vacuum.

He may not share in all of life,
but it's not a stranger to him.

His ears, and eyes,
and thoughts.

And you're not the first woman
I've ever seen..

...or talked to..

...or thought about.

Just the first I've ever loved.

The first I've ever wanted
to spend my whole life with.

[crowd chanting]
No pasaran! No! No pasaran!

No! No pasaran! No! No pasaran!

[indistinct chatter]

Is that a full battalion?

That's all that's left of it,
comrade general.

- More desertions?
- Yes, comrade general.

You think it's that relic?

They're afraid
the rebels have it.

Where is that
intelligence officer?

- What's his name?
- Comrade Captain Botargus.

- Go and get him.
- Yes, comrade general.

Intelligence officer.

What a war.

We'll move the second battalion
out at midnight.

That's the last man I'm going
to waste in this bloody trap.

What about the prisoners,
comrade general?

The order from Madrid?

- How many have we got here?
- About two hundred.

Very well, call them
in here at 2 o'clock

and we'll send them
down the line as a roadblock.

It's a dirty trick sticking
civilians into the trenches

but that seems
to be the whole art

of winning wars these days.

Successful dirty tricks!

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

Father Rota?

Father?

[music continues]

Father Rota?

[music continues]

Don't be frightened, father.

I'm a friend of Arturo's.
Father Arturo.

I, I brought you some food.

I'll put it here for you.
He wanted to come himself.

He wanted to help you,
but he's still being watched.

They don't really trust him

but if there's anything
I can do for you.

If you will just tell me..

Alright,
I'll leave you alone now.

I'm sorry I frightened you.

Goodnight, father.

[wind howling]

[whistle blowing]

[dramatic music]

Run, father! Run!

[screams]

Thank you, senorita,
for leading us so promptly

to the man we were after.

- Has she been searched?
- 'Thoroughly, comrade captain.'

You're in a very serious
situation here, senorita.

The charge against
that priest is treason.

Now, what were you doing
with him?

Exactly what I told your friend.
I took him some food.

- Don't lie to me.
- I'm not lying to you!

He was a hungry old man
and I took him something to eat.

I know he was a priest
and I shouldn't have done that.

Hungry old priests
should starve to death!

But that's all there was to it.
What more can I tell you?

What did you say to him?
What did he say to you?

He said nothing to me.

Not even "Thank you"
for the food.

What did the Reverend Arturo
tell you say to him?

Who is that Reverend Arturo?

How would you like to be
questioned with instruments?

What more can I tell you
if I don't know anything?

You have no idea
how many people

manage to remember things
they never knew..

...until a few of their
fingernails are pulled out.

If I were you, I'd think
this whole situation over again.

Now, don't you worry about it.
I'll write the letter for you.

You just tell me
what you want me

to tell her and where she lives.

Salio San Amantina.
Age 20.

Arturo?

Wait a minute.

Is it true that in the eyes
of the church

a priest never loses
his holy powers

regardless of what he does?

That's what the church says.

And you, for example,
can still hear

a confession
and give absolution?

Yes..

...under certain circumstances.

Come with me.

One moment, captain.

I'm no longer a priest

and I've no intention
of pretending to be one.

Oh, not even for an old friend

and associate
who has asked for you?

The Reverend Canon Rota
is to be executed

in the morning.

Would you deny him
his final consolation?

[instrumental music]

Canon is a brave man.

There are no limits
to my admiration

for a brave man,
even a priest.

And if such a man has a fancy
for such nonsense--

One more thing, captain.

You'll be wasting your time
if you think you'll be shown

the secrets of a confession,
even by an apostolic priest.

My dear Arturo, you're being
much too suspicious.

The hiding of a holy relic
is hardly a sin to be confessed.

Now, go in, please,
and get it over with.

[door unlocks]

[dramatic music]

- 'I'm very sorry, father.'
- No.

This is very kind of you.

Have you any news
of the young woman?

What young woman?

The one you sent
with the food.

Is that how they caught you
in the cathedral?

Didn't you know?

Did they arrest
the young woman too?

Yes. Didn't you send her?

Oh..

Then, I'm afraid I've put
you in a very cruel position.

- I thought you'd changed.
- No.

I was hoping you might do
this last service

to the blessed relic.

I won't even discuss
that with you.

There is nobody else.

I'm no longer a member
of the church and you know that

perfectly well, do you want me
to confess you or not?

[dramatic music]

- Forgive me, father.
- 'Of course, I do.'

You never believed
in it anyway, did you?

- No.
- 'Neither did I.'

I was either too stupid

or not stupid enough.

I don't know which.

All those miracles..

But now I do.

Walking the streets
all this time..

'...hiding in crowds,
listening to the whispers'

'I learned something.'

'Have you seen
what they write on the walls?'

Yes.

They're terrified, Arturo.

They've got no God now.

They've been emancipated
from all that.

All they've got now..

...is this sad
little secret faith

in a drop of blood.

That's been as much
a part of their lives

'as their fathers and mothers.'

It's like a little lamp
in their hearts

that nobody else knows about.

And as long as
they can look inside

and see its light
and feel its warmth..

...they know that the way home
is still open.

'Now, it's flickering
and they're frightened.'

'If it goes out,
they will be like'

'little children
lost in the dark.'

'That's why the rest
of them died'

'God rest their dear souls,
to keep it burning.'

- The rest of whom died?
- 'Our brothers.'

- All of them?
- Didn't you know, really?

No.

I thought they'd been arrested,
that's what I was told.

They were.

All, but Peres and Desidro

who died in the church.

And monsignor?

Wouldn't tell them.

'The others...I don't know
how they stood it.'

I don't know how they kept
from giving in..

...when you're in pain
like this.

They pulled out my nails.

Nothing..

...in neither heaven nor Earth

seems worth it.

Bless me, father,
for I have sinned.

[dramatic music]

I've changed my mind.

Where is it?

[music continues]

Was a young woman
brought down here tonight?

Not down here.

[alarm blaring]

[indistinct clamoring]

God, we wanted seagulls
this time.

[aircraft whirring]

[explosions]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[alarm blaring]

[indistinct clamoring]

[music continues]

That was a pretty
long confession.

- Where is Senorita Soledad?
- Waiting for you, my friend.

- Crying for you, in fact.
- Why didn't you tell her?

I didn't know it myself
at first.

Arrest this man.

Wait!

Pull her up.

[groans]

- Arturo..
- But she doesn't know!

No, but you do.
Rota just told you.

(Arturo)
'But he didn't!'

A little higher.

[Soledad screams]

The priests were fools
to the end

but you are not a priest now,
you're a man.

And that's your woman there.

- A little higher still.
- Let her down. Let her down!

As soon as you've told me
where that bloody relic is

the exact information.

That was a confession,
you know very well

what a confession means!

I know you Godly people
have peculiar ideas, but, uh..

Will you kindly tell me what
the hell you're doing there?

In two more minutes, I'll have
the relic, comrade general.

Do you mean that thing
wa-was going to save the city?

I mean that relic
that you ordered me to get.

- Has she got it?
- No, but--

Then, let her down.

Of all the colossal stupidities.

Get her out there with the rest
of the prisoners.

Who is this fellow?

The priest who knows
where the relic is.

Take him out there, too

and all the others
in the cells down here.

Is this the way
you wage war now?

Hanging beautiful women?

But this is a matter
of importance, comrade general.

Would you like to have a drink
with me in my quarters?

What a war.

Is this really what you've been

fiddling away with all evening?

If you give me
one more minute to--

For what?

To save a city
that's already lost?

Don't you know we couldn't
save the city now

with five gallons
of that blood?

I tell you the truth
before God, captain.

I just hope that my officers

scare the enemy
as much as they do me.

Now you come with me,
I've got a job for you.

[horses neighing]

[indistinct chatter]

- Attention!
- Prisoners! Attention! Silence!

You have had the bad judgment
to be born in the wrong country

in the wrong year,
and on the wrong side.

And so it is
with the greatest regret

that I'm now going to play
a very dirty trick on you.

In order to gain time,
I'm going to send you south

to meet your friends
who have set out

to overthrow
their government by force.

But then, these friends
will also play

'a very dirty trick on you.'

'Having rewritten
one of the cardinal rules'

of warfare,
they do not take prisoners.

They will shoot you.

Such unhappily
is the nature of war

in this new era of dirty tricks.

'But the government
you have tried to betray'

has no intention
of permitting you

to be murdered
in cold blood like that.

The minute you are fired upon,
you will be given rifles.

And you will then
have the privilege

of deciding for yourselves

whether you want
to fire back at your friends

or just stand there
and have your tail shot off.

This will be the final
dirty trick.

Long live The Republican.

[indistinct chatter]

Good luck, captain.

If you run into
the generalissimo

give him my regards.

We fought together in Africa.

Prisoners, attention!

[dramatic music]

Have you ever covered
a civil war?

It's like trying to make love
in a revolving door.

(male #3)
'Prisoners, fall out!'

'But keep close to the road.'

Come on, move along.

[instrumental music]

Did he really tell you
where it was?

And if the general
hadn't come in

I should have told him.

You would have?

I would have had to.

Oh..

[chuckles]

But I would have
deserved it, anyway--

No, no, no.

How could anybody be so stupid?

He was just too clever for us.

What do you think
you can do about it?

I don't know.

They'll never get it.

- Give me your hands.
- Who says so?

Comrade captain says so.

(male #4)
'Attention!
This way, everybody!'

- 'Come along!'
- 'Come on!'

- 'This way.'
- 'This way, everybody..'

[instrumental music]

Come along!

Alright!

- 'Silence!'
- 'Silence!'

(Botargus)
'Silence!'

'Silence!'

This man was sentenced

to be executed this morning
for treason.

'The sentence will now
be carried out.'

'All prisoners will keep
their eyes to the front.'

'I want you to see
what happens to a man'

'who tries to betray
his country!'

Alright, comrades.

Ready!

Aim! Fire!

[guns firing]

[gunshot]

If only I could get it
away from them.

The generals and the bishops..

...using it
as an instrument of war

to make men kill each other.

If I could get it away
from this insanity

save it from
such desecration.

[instrumental music]

Come on, inside.

Is this Posadas?

No, we won't reach Posadas
until tomorrow night.

Is that where you're going
to broadcast?

That's what the script says.

[instrumental music]

God is very patient, isn't He?

There is no end to his patience.

Do you think
He'll understand me?

I believe so.

It won't be easy.

I don't suppose there are any
easy ones for Him.

I've always believed in God
and the Holy Mother

but I've never
been sure about priests.

Once I saw the pope in Barcelona

when I was a little girl.

I wasn't sure about him, either.

You mean the cardinal.

No. The Pope.

Everybody said he was a pope.

He certainly looked like it.

What about this, you and me?

Do you think
He'll understand that?

We'll leave Him
to decide about that.

I'm sure He'll do what's right.

I'm afraid He'll have to do
a little better than that.

[woman sobbing]

[instrumental music]

Will you hear my confession,
father?

I'm not a priest any longer.

Please, father, bless me.
I have sinned.

- I am not a priest.
- Please, father.

What's the matter with you?

Have you never seen a priest
with a girl in his arms?

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

[fighter plane revving]

[machine gun firing]

[clamoring]

[intense music]

[indistinct yelling]

[speaking in foreign language]

[instrumental music]

There is my little village..

...where I was going back
one day, you remember?

Inside.

[instrumental music]

How are you, Mac?

- Hi, uncle. Nice trip?
- Lovely.

Oh, this is Major Garcia
from Madrid.

- How are ya doin'?
- How're you doing?

I am sure Senor Hawthorne
understands the necessity.

I'm covering the battle,
not the politics.

Am I liable to get
my head shot off?

If you insist on
broadcasting a battle

you can't do it from too great
a distance, can you?

I didn't insist,
I was insisted

all the way from New York.

How far is our setup from here?

We've got the cable in a field
just down this road

about three kilometers
behind the line.

Well, that sounds cozy enough.

Comrade Hawthorne
has been reminded

that he is to make
no reference whatever

to how he got here.

Be of good heart, captain.

All them managers
will be observed

until I'm well over the border.

Go on.

[car revving]

[instrumental music]

[woman whispering]

[indistinct chatter]

You miss her very much,
don't you?

- Miss whom?
- Your wife.

Your fair bride.

Why do you say that?

I can tell.

And you'll miss her
even more tomorrow.

Don't talk like that.
Not tonight.

She's the one you want
to be with tomorrow

when you can only have
one of us.

You are the only bride I have.

The only thing
I have in the world..

...or want.

Perhaps.

Perhaps, I can help you decide.

Perhaps, I can make
your choice for you.

- If you please, senorita.
- Oh, not again.

The comrade captain
wants to see you.

Doesn't this shagger
ever give up?

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

How can you be such a fool?

How long do you think
he could last?

Priests and children always
return home when night falls.

He can't go back.

Not if he's never been away.

I don't believe that.

Has he had a moment
of decision yet?

Then, how can you be so sure?

[wind howling]

[cricket chirping]

Don't you think
you should find out

before it's too late?

We're going to move up
at 4 o'clock.

'After that, of course,
you'll never know.'

Will that be all?

If you say so.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct whisper]

In the name of the Father,
the Son

and the Holy Ghost, amen.

When was your last confession?

Forgive me, father,
for I have sinned.

'It's been six weeks since my..'

Captain?

Yes, senorita?

On second thought I..

Of course.

[gun firing]

Those guns you hear now
are the rebel guns.

They're big ones.

Such a barrage
is usually a prelude

to an advance or an attack.

But any serious ground action

at this moment
seems most unlikely.

(Soledad)
'Darling?'

What happened?

I wanted to be with you tonight.

- You alright?
- 'Yes. I am alright.'

[sighs]
If only we could..

...if only we could fly away
from here before the morning.

I can.

- The same offer?
- Yes.

What did you tell him?

I told him I'd try.

But that doesn't mean
that I'd tell him.

What does it mean?

I could tell him something else
and then..

...and then I'd get it,
and take it away, like you said.

- Take it where?
- Wherever you said.

Away from here.

That's what you meant,
wasn't it? Away from the war.

Do you...do you really think
you could do it?

I think so. I could try.

Supposing..

Supposing you were caught?

I..

I'd just keep on lying to him.

I'd never tell him the truth.

Do you think it would be alright
if I took it

to, to my village
in the mountains?

Uh, it's certainly away
from everything.

Do you think
it would be safe there?

I would stay there with it.

No, no.

Don't you trust me?

You know better than that.

I don't want you
to be caught.

I won't be.

- Have you got a pocket?
- Yes.

Would you be too afraid
to have it on you?

No.

I'd be afraid,
but not too afraid.

[crying]

[dramatic music]

(male #5)
Quiet, careful,
the socialists are just ahead.

Comrade..

I want to see
the comrade captain.

Wait here.

Can you see anything out there?

No.

I thought I heard something.

That woman wants
to see you again.

Oh. Thank you, comrade.

Well?

- How can I get away?
- The same way you got here.

Straight back up
this road to the city.

Where is it?

Still in the cathedral.

In the same place,
in the high altar.

Very good.

We'll go together and get it.

But I want to leave now.
I'm scared!

You'll go back up
with us tomorrow

after we've delivered the others
into the line.

- Is there a sentry forward?
- Yes, comrade captain.

But you told me I could
get away from here tonight!

I told you no such thing.

- What's his name?
- 'Vincente.'

- 'Hey, Vincente.'
- Let me go!

- Tie her up somewhere.
- Let go off me! I want to go!

(Botargus)
Comrade Vincente.

Vincente!

[gun firing]

(Soledad)
Arturo! Arturo!

Open the door, please.

[gun firing]

[groaning]

[indistinct yelling]

[dramatic music]

(male #6)
'Comrade!'

[indistinct chatter]

You in the church!

Throw your weapons out!

(male #7)
'I give you one minute to throw
everything you've got out.'

We're prisoners, we're unarmed.
We have no weapons.

- How many are you?
- 'About 200.'

Will you let me
come out and explain, alone?

Alright. Come out
with your hands up.

This way.

What do you mean "Prisoners?"

- Whose prisoners?
- Nationalist prisoners.

These are our guards.

We're being taken up
to the front to be killed.

What kind of filth is that?

Why couldn't they kill you
where you were?

They want to use us
as a cover for their retreat.

They are going to give us rifles
and we go into the trenches.

Where are the rifles?

In that truck there.

And you say there are 200 men
in there?

Yes.

Then you've got nearly
two companies of men in there.

Yes, but they're not soldiers.

They're civilians,
unarmed civilians.

Civilians?

Two hundred civilians hiding

in a church behind the line?

But they were prisoners,
they were compelled to do

what they were told.

Have you any proof of that?

- Ask them.
- They're filth.

What good would that do?

How could I tell
if they were lying or not?

- But listen to me, please.
- It's no use.

I can't take
a chance like that.

I hate to shoot 200 men

but I don't know
what else to do.

I'm already one hour
and a half behind schedule.

Captain?

You don't mean that, do you?

Of course, I mean it,
this is a battle

and I've got orders to follow.

There's no provision
for 200 prisoners.

And I'm certainly
not gonna leave

that many men loose behind me.

I'd be shot myself
if I did a thing like that.

But you can't shoot them!

They're not the enemy, they're
friends of the rebellion.

They're members of the church.

We're gonna have to leave this
to you, captain.

It's a filthy job.

But I've simply got to get
this column moving again.

You'll have to shoot them
in batches

with a machine gun, I suppose.

Who are these?

That's the guard. Ask them.

Don't talk nonsense.
What else could they do but lie?

Shoot them first.

What about confessions, major?

What confessions?

Confession must be granted

to all who ask for it.

Those are
the generalissimo's orders.

There are 200 men in there.

You mean, we have
to confess 200 men?

'All who wish it.'

Very well. Get on with it.

But I'm afraid that means
you're going be here

for the rest of the night.

- Adios.
- Adios.

May I make one suggestion,
captain?

Will you let me finish
all the confessions first?

As dreadful enough
as it is without such gunfire.

Of course.

Captain,
these are all true Catholics.

I, myself, was on a sacred
mission taking a holy relic

to a place of safety.

What holy relic?

The relic of the cathedral.
Blood of St. John.

Where is it?

I-I haven't got it.

- I sent it away.
- But how?

I thought you said
you were all prisoners.

If-if you'll let me
explain it to you.

You must think me
very simple, senor.

It is God's truth, captain.

Then show me the relic.

Since you sent it away

perhaps you can bring it back.

Then it will be
not only God's truth

but also His will.

Father, is there nothing
you can do about this?

No.

Even in uniform
a priest's influence

is effective only
in spiritual matters.

(Arturo)
I want you to summon up
all the courage that you can.

The decision is that
we shall be executed.

This is the chaplain
who will hear the confessions

of those who wish it.

Will all who wish to confess,
raise their hands.

Arturo.

[groans]

Arturo.

[groaning]

[instrumental music]

(male #8)
'Mother, mother.'

Mother, mother.

Shoot straight, senors.

Fire!

[machine gun firing]

[intense music]

You've got 200 more men to kill.

What are you doing out here?

Two hundred more
innocent men to kill!

Come on, get back in there.

Who are you going
to answer to for that?

God or your major?

Two hundred murders!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[speaking in foreign language]

[speaking in foreign language]

Bless me, father,
for I have sinned.

Go on, please.

It is two weeks
since I last confessed.

Since then I have loved a woman.

So long as you loved her in God.

But I am a priest, father.

A lot of us are about to be
killed. You understand that.

Not all of us.
Some of us will get away.

Still willing?

May God have mercy
on your souls.

(Soledad)
'Arturo.'

[instrumental music]

Wait.

Arturo..

...I lost it.

Is this over?

No, it's just the beginning.

Do you think
He will really understand?

(Arturo)
'I think so.'

About you too?

I'll ask Him too.

I loved you, Arturo.

I loved you, Soledad.

Bless me, father.

[bells tolling]

(Hawthorne)
I had found an end
to my story.

And ending far greater
than anything I had dreamed.

The young captain had
given me the blessed relic

to return
to its appointed guardian.

The blood of St. John was
supposed to work miracles.

As you know, I am an infidel.

All I know is..

...two hundred people condemned
to die now live.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]