Original subtitles

M. Gorky Central Film Studio for Youth and Children

- Hey, let's go! - Yes, let's go!

Romantic people.

- Hey, enough, let's go.

And endless strife, Peace only a dream-like yearning.

Let's go

- Go ahead! - Follow me.

THE DAWNS HERE ARE QUIET

In two parts

Written by Boris VASSILYEV Stanislav ROSTOTSKY

Directed by Stanislav ROSTOTSKY

Director of Photography Vyacheslav SHUMSKY

Production Designer Sergey SEREBRENNIKOV

Music by Kirill MOLCHANOV

Starring

Andrei MARTYNOV

Irina DOLGANOVA

Yelena DROPEKO

Yekaterina MARKOVA

Olga OSTROUMOVA

Irina SHEVCHUK

Also starring L. ZAITSEVA A. MESHCHERYAKOVA

N. YEMELYANOVA, A. CHERNOV

Part One

IN THE SECOND ECHELON

What kind of a commander is he if he cannot find his army boots?

It's right here! I threw it under the bed.

Oh, you did, didn't you?

When fighting men return from the front line, they like to live it up.

Only I won't stand for any breach of the regulations.

Comrade Major!

Five days extra guard duty!

She won't let me milk her without a kerchief.

You make a report, I'll reprimand you and send you new soldiers.

And then it will be the same again, right?

Try to send me non-drinking guys who can keep their hands off the girls...

You mean eunuchs?

As you see fit.

You can't even maintain order. Women!

The civilians aren't under my command, and they are who make trouble.

Comrade Major, come in the house. The samovar is still hot.

No, thanks, I must be going.

All right, Vaskov.

And you, section commander, place yourself at the disposal of HQ.

Yes, sir!

I'll be sending you soldiers, Vaskov,

who'll keep their noses out of the booze and their hands off the women.

- Why can't we stay for a while? - Let's go!

Got your way, eh?

Good luck and give them hell!

Calm down...

- They were such good guys. - We have only ourselves to blame.

Our respects to the Commandant!

Remember us well!

This is no way for Command HQ to run things. No way at all.

Three days now the depot's got no protection.

The Major acted too hot. He got himself a problem.

Can't find good soldiers for our section.

It's quiet here, isn't it?

It's all on account of you women.

I think we should ship all the females from the front.

To Siberia!

If you did that, who would wash for you?

This is it. Out you get!

You're here, fighters.

The anti-aircraft crew is here.

With their own commander?

It doesn't look like it, Fedot Yefgrafovich.

Thank goodness. When there're two in charge it's awful.

Hey, boys, the anti-aircraft gunners are here!

Let's go and see!

Fall in!

- So you're here. - That's right.

Attention!

Comrade Senior Sergeant,

1st and 2nd squads of the 3rd section of the 5th Anti-Aircraft Battalion

are here at your disposal to defend the depot!

Reporting Section Leader Kiryanova!

Well... So they've found non-drinking soldiers.

- Hey, grab this! - Hurry it up there.

- Move, girls! - Over here.

Couldn't you find something lighter?

Set up the kitchen on the bank.

You won't overstrain yourself.

Can't stand on your feet?

Step on it, girls, get settled in.

The last anti-aircraft team was housed in billets.

Sure, only they were men and not girls.

- What's your name? - Lisaveta Brichkina.

- Where are you from? - From Vologda.

You worked on a state farm?

I did. But mostly helped my father.

You're a smart girl.

Let's get that table in place.

All right now. No one leaves camp without my permission.

- Even to go gathering berries? - Wrong time of the year.

Can't we even get watercress?

We'll get skinny without extra food.

Only don't go beyond the river. There's a lot of it here.

Lyuda, Vera, Katya, guard duty!

Now just wait a minute!

Anything wrong, Sergeant?

- Katya will be guard commander. - Well, thanks for nothing.

Posting of sentries should be done strictly according to the regulations.

And this is just a travesty.

The regulations... The regulations to a soldier are his...

The Commander personally authorized us to do so, Comrade Sergeant.

For military secrecy.

You mind going now? We've got to get organized.

You'd better think of the amenities.

What amenities?

There are hardly any bushes around.

The regulations, the regulations are for a soldier like...

Hard at work, Fedot Yefgrafovich?

Take care and do the right size.

And don't overdo it either.

You're the only man left here. You know, for breeding.

You'll be changing the roof over your head every night.

You should be ashamed, Pauline! You are the wife of a soldier.

- So behave accordingly. - Come on, Fedot...

Maybe mine will be cared for by someone there too.

For him out there

life is not sweet as well.

While for a woman, so they say,

a nip is enough.

So please accept the graitude

...of all us women here.

Maria, you got any moonshine?

Rita, have some tea with us!

Glory to the Soviet Border Guards!

Pioneer, Learn to Shoot Accurately!

Pioneer, Be Ready for Labour and Defense.

Champagne

Time to go to bed, girls. Lights out!

Still, it is hard for women, the war.

They all volunteered.

It's all right, they're young and healthy.

Full bosoms.

Hm, bosoms... To be caressed by

the jagged shell splinter.

- What is that? - You mean you don't know?

- It attracts attention. Remove it! - There's a regulation.

- What regulation? - Army regulation.

Personnel of the feminine sex

are specially authorized to dry washing on all fronts for camouflage.

I'll check on that. If it doesn't exist, I'll take if off and burn it.

Who is going to let you destroy property of the state?

Property of the state!

He's cute, but so old-fashioned.

Cut it out!

... says so seriously...

... and I tell him...

Stop! Having a stroll?

- Yes, having a stroll. - On the other bank of the river?

On the other bank of the river. Peaking is wrong, Comrade Sergeante.

Take off your belts!

Take off or I will do it by force!

And now, comrades soldiers, go to your Commander and report

that Commandant has put you under the arrest for 3 days

for the violation of the immediate battle area regime.

At the double time!

They want to conquer me with their female tricks! I'm not a lady's man!

Maybe you shouldn't see it like that...

They call you 'old man' among themselves,

so you should treat them accordingly.

Try knocking

before you enter, Comrade Sergeant

This is not a stable.

Well, why would you be naked if the host is in the house?

And for the future, I will be in charge for the order in my division

Well, maybe then you can also be in charge of the order

in the garrison.

I'll be in charge, if the need arises.

You have entrenched yourself here and just give out the orders!

Who has entrenched?

Are you trying to say that he has entrenched?

There are 16 shell splinters in his body

Look at his chest! Looks pretier than yours!

Glitters more!

Entrenched!

I couldn't even think... Yes, allow such people in and they will...

Here is their ammunition,

Comrade Troop Commander

And please organize the trainings in accordance with the regualtions.

I will control it personally.

Air raid! Action stations!

Move it!

Don't forget your weapons!

Brichkina! Chetvertak!

Move it, girls! Move it!

- First group - right sector! - Second group - left sector!

Civilians to the dugouts!

Aircraft!

Twelve o'clock high!

Ready, right!

Ready, left!

- Speed one forty! - Speed one forty!

- Eighteen! - Eighteen it is!

Short bursts!

- On target! - Fire!

Speed one fifty!

Twelve!

Ten!

Eight!

Messerschmitts on the right! Take leader!

Speed one eighty! Long shots!

Fire!

- Range sixteen! - Range sixteen it is!

Lida!

Fire!

Why are they shooting at both planes? They should only go for one!

You know it all? The girls are fighting, and you're hiding in a hole!

Go out and help! Instead of hiding behind women's skirts!

Everyone stays at his post in a war!

What, Lisaveta? How is she?

- A flesh wound. - It will heal.

The Messerschmitts are leaving!

At the chassis! At three o'clock!

Speed one forty!

Correct your sights!

Short bursts!

Hit it, Rita!

Fire!

- On target. - Fire!

A bull's-eye! Hit 'em!

- Hit 'em, girls! - Kill 'em!

This is where my job begins.

- Where're you going? - I must take him alive!

Come back!

Well done, Ossyanina!

- His parachute hasn't opened. - Maybe he's wounded.

He is not going to like it in that lake anyway.

Don't waste ammunition, you'll miss anyway.

The other's still holding.

Look, Vaskov's going to swim to him.

He'll bring him in.

I wonder if he falls in the lake or in the forest.

Wait!

She got him!

That makes both of them.

- Bring a stretcher, girls. - We can carry her ourselves.

No, it's safer on a stretcher.

How she hit him!

Careful!

Don't worry! We did everything right.

No, not right! They should've been taken alive!

Why don't you just...

You know what, or do you need details?

Attention!

- Comrade Major! - At ease.

Good work. Who did this?

Junior Sergeant Ossyanina personally.

Not personally, but with the group.

Very good. You'll get a medal for this.

No, no medals!

- You took the pilots? - They fell in the lake.

The first's parachute failed to open.

We were just about to take the other when she...

- A shame. - That's what I say, a shame.

Why did they want to make a reconnaissance over your region?

We have two casualties.

I'll ship them out. I brought you reinforcements. Get acquainted.

May I talk to you a second, Margarita?

Hello there, new girls. Oh, they're beautiful.

- How long for? - Depends how we like it here.

Fancy boots.

Is it an excursion or what?

The woman on the front is an object of steady attention.

But let's be frank about it, there are unacceptable cases.

Why are you telling me this?

Well, I'm being frank.

A high-ranking officer, and a married man,

got himself a girl friend... Well, you know how it is.

What do I have to do with it?

Don't take offence, let me finish.

A member of the War Council learnt about it.

That colonel got transferred, and I was ordered to take care...

of the said "girl friend".

I see.

- Can I be dismissed? - You're dismissed.

Hey, girls, here's Rita.

I'm section leader Ossyanina.

Gunner Komelkova.

Gunner Gourvitch.

and she, instead of I am proud to serve Soviet Union, goes: I need no decorations

And when I was in the 4th grade

a bear killed my father.

What's bear got to do with this?

I am the oldest.

and there were 7 more mouths to feed.

That was the end of my education.

And all of them have finished high school.

That's 10 grades, minus my 4

So I am laggining behind more than my education lasted.

I can't deal with them, Comrade Major! Send me to the front line!

What's wrong? Have you caught cold? Yes indeed, Comrade Major!

Vaskov!

And noone's on duty!

Listen, Vaskov, the girls need a proper trim.

Don't you worry, Comrade Major, I will see to it.

All right then.

I wanted to do that with them myself!

According to the regulations! But then this air raid happened.

No, I meant a different thing, organize a steam bath for them.

Get well soon, girls!

Try to return to us! Write to us!

Why did you turn down that decoration?

I've got an account of my own to settle.

Well, real independent, aren't we?

There're some girls I can't understand.

- You mean me? - Yes, that's right.

They already told you? All right, give me a lecture.

You prefer to do it now or keep till later?

- I had a husband, Zhenya. - Another girl stole him?

Don't try to cry on my shoulder.

No, he was killed on the third day of the war.

- When he was on the Finland front... - I got this there too.

So while he was freezing in the snow

his wife was making it with the regiment horse doctor.

He got the custody of his son through the court.

And he put him at his mother's.

The garrison under my command has the right to a bath tomorrow.

Report to me for a soap issue.

That's why I volunteered to come on this post. To be near my son and mama.

I'm not alone now.

I'll go again tomorrow.

You're a lucky girl.

I've got no one in the whole world.

My brother and sister and mother - all of them were massacred.

- There was an air-raid? - No, they shot them.

The high-ranking officers' families were all executed.

An Estonian woman hid me at her place.

I've seen everything.

How about that colonel, Zhenya?

How could you do it, Zhenya?

Well, I did it...

Major Luzhin reporting for duty.

Welcome.

This is my daughter, Zhenya.

I did it.

Give me two rations, for me and Tatiana.

- Who's going to scrub my back? - The Senior Sergeant.

Well, he's one who wears pants.

Let's draw lots for him.

Oh, he's just an old boor

with a 20-words vocabulary, and all of it Regulations.

In any case his housekeeper's not complaining.

That's not true!

Did you hear that? She's fallen for him!

Our Brichkina got a case for that Chocolate Soldier!

When's the wedding?

Shame on you!

Keep to yourself everything those women tell you.

Sure, you know best, a hero's widow!

You'd better shut up. You yourself...

I think I ought to warn you, Comrade Senior Sergeant,

you're getting on my nerves and I have nothing to lose.

What did you say?

Let's not start quarreling, girls.

Let me read a poem for you. All right?

What's the matter, you silly one?

I don't know, Rita. I don't know anything...

We lived all alone on the edge of the forest.

My father was a ranger.

My mother always said to me,

"Just have faith, daughter.

Maybe your happiness is just around the corner.

Anyway, it won't pass you by."

So you are leaving?

Yes, tomorrow.

- Who's there? - It's me.

Feeling lonely?

That's right.

You mustn't do silly things, even if you're lonely.

In the spring he sent me a postcard.

You should study, Lisa.

Come to the city in August. I'll get you into a technical school.

That was last year, in 1941.

Have faith, Lisa. Don't give up hoping.

Maybe you will find happiness around the corner.

And maybe it will be tomorrow.

Only I have already turned my corner.

You have to be on the alert

For threat awaits you here and yonder.

And should you get away unhurt,

You will, at last, believe in wonder.

At last you'll see and understand

That fortune wasn't your intention,

And that the futile dream you had

Was of extremely brief duration.

The cup was filled and overflowed

With joy of exquisite creation,

And all I had is your possession,

And we are bound with the world.

I think that every now and then,

You will remember, smiling dearly,

The dubious childish dream we tend

To take for happiness, naively!

Sonya, read another poem.

I loved you once: Of love, perhaps, an ember

Within my soul is not extinguished yet;

But let that be no prompting to remember,

Or be a cause of sadness or regret.

I loved you once, quite hopeless, dumbly tender,

By jealousy and diffidence oppressed;

I loved you once with such complete surrender

As may God grant you may again be blessed.

What is it?

What's the matter?

Ossyanina's so lucky.

She had the time to get married and to have a child.

And I've been a prisoner of this uniform since I was 18!

Don't say that.

You'll have everything one day.

Zhenya, he's a married man.

But I love him, Dad.

Stop it!

- Comrade Colonel! - What do you want?

Here, sir!

Zhenya! What are you doing here, Zhenya?

What are you doing?!

Stop it!

Murderers!

What's wrong, Zhenya?

You're not the only one with an account to be settled.

- Who's next? - Komelkova.

- And next? - Chetvertak.

- Take this, Rita. - No, you shouldn't.

Take it.

- Next one. - Yolkina.

Thank you.

Don't be mad at me, girls, I...

I overheard everything you said yesterday.

I promise I'll keep it a secret forever.

I've got some sugar, concentrated milk. I always get some left.

Get ready for the bath.

Take it, Rita.

You're so nice.

Section, halt!

At ease. Break ranks.

- Going fishing, Comrade Sergeant? - No, swimming.

The water's so cold you'll freeze to death.

It's much better in the bathhouse.

What if a crab grabs you?

Come with us. We'll scrub your back!

- Lisa, stop it. What a weird girl. - Wait!

Go to hell, all of you!

Hi, girls!

Oh, Zhenya, you look like a mermaid!

Your skin is shining through!

They should make statues of you.

You're so beautiful...

Putting a shape like that in an army uniform...

Let's get some steam up in here!

Hey, you kids! Don't touch anything!

Well, this is great!

A good hot steam bath is a soldier's greatest friend.

When we'll be all old and play with our grandchildren,

I guess we'll remember this steam bath.

First we have to get our own children.

Hey, girls, look at this!

Lingerie is my weak spot.

If you dare to wear that weak spot, I'll see you get an extra guard duty.

I already did so much extra duty for that I won't know the difference.

- And you wore it anyway? - What would I wear it for?

Oh, girls, I look so homely.

Oh, cut it out, Galka.

Come here.

Look how slim she is.

We'll make a beauty out of you!

- How about having a ball? - Great idea!

- What's the occasion? - No occasion, just to spite!

This is our village. This is Lake Legonte.

Murmansk Railroad's along here. And the White Sea Canal.

And arrows and circles all around. I wonder why.

All the routes are marked, too.

They know everything.

Not everything. They know the route around the lake.

And the marshes are indicated as though they can't be crossed.

The girls have borrowed Pauline's phonograph. They're having a party.

So watch out. All the steam could make them thirsty.

I'll give them a party!

- Zhenya, how much longer? - Put a different record on! - Just a sec.

Let me go!

Hey! Why? We have only started! Why did you stop?

Quiet!

Zhenya, let's start.

Come on.

Oh, Zhenya, you're a sorceress!

I only wish there were men to dance with.

Okay, I'm willing to stand in.

N.K. Krupskaya State Orphanage

Oh, Galka, he sure is something!

- Does he write to you? - But of course! Every day!

Oh, that's a fiance! Beautiful!

- Well-dressed. - Blonde.

- What's his name? - And you want to know everything!

That's our girl! Decorated, an artist!

Oh, I'd go for any man nowadays...

Yes.

Well, girls, I will corner our Commendant tomorrow,

in some dark nook.

Oh, if she corners him, there won't be much left afterwards.

Enough with this nonsense.

If I hear it once again, you'll end up standing sentry.

Come on, Rita! Let them talk.

Well, they can fall in love, I will not say a word.

But to do it in the bushes, I don't understand.

Show us, be an example.

Am I wrong?

Hey, stop it!

We haven't sang in while.

- Thank you. - Sing us something good, Zhenya!

As he was saying:

Will you belong to me?

So my life be

Passion and fire.

A smile so charming,

Eyes' fascination

Promised forever

A bliss of desire.

To me, poor heart, So he was saying,

To me, poor heart, So he was saying,

Though he didn't,

No, he did not love.

No, he never, oh never loved me.

Misha!

Misha!

We're leaving today.

This is for you.

[book by A. Blok; his poems are used in the film]

Thank you.

I know you love it.

The Germans have taken Minsk.

Yes, I will deliver it tomorrow in person.

Proud to serve the Soviet Union!

They sing and dance.

I don't know how.

Yes, sir.

Here comes that man about town. Hold your hat!

- The Commandant. - Vaskov is coming.

Oh, am I not scared! Attention!

Comrade Garrison Commander!

The section under my command is in recreation.

Four guards have been posted. No casualties.

Many thanks for the bath.

Senior Sergeant Kiryanova reporting.

Go on, dance. I'll watch a little.

- Will you make it back in time? - I'm afraid I won't.

- A Russian dance. - I'll ask him.

What dance do you like best?

Time to hit the sack. Reveille is at 6.

Wait, Rita.

Zhenya, sing for us again. The Senior Sergeant will like that.

No, girls, the show is over. Regulations.

Yes, we could use some sleep.

Well, I guess I'd better be going.

Stay a little, Pauline. You'll get soaked through in the rain.

Well then, in that case...

I don't feel like sleeping. It's still light outside.

That's enough. Hit the sack, girls. On the double!

Comrade Commandant! Comrade Commandant!

Comrade Commandant!

What is it?

Germans in the forest.

- How do you know? - I saw them. Paratroopers!

Two of them, with machine guns.

Give the alert! Send Kiryanova to me! Move!

Yes, sir!

Prepare for action!

Kiryanova, Vaskov wants you!

Yes Sir! It's me!

The Germans are in the forest near the disposition.

Discovered today in the quantitu of 2 people.

Two Germans!

By Sergeant Ossyanina.

I've put the troops on general alert. I think we should comb the area.

May I have your permission to do it?

There're only two of them. I could handle both of them myself.

While the trail's still hot.

Yes, Comrade Major!

Attention!

At ease.

Ossyanina, pick out the volunteers.

Zhenya!

- Galka! - Wait a second, Ossyanina.

This is a manhunt for Germans, not a dancing party.

And Germans are armed with automatic weapons.

- They must know how to shoot. - They'll manage.

May I come too?

I have nothing against it.

Now one more thing. Anyone here speaks German?

I can.

Haven't you read the regulations? How do you answer?

Gunner Gourvitch!

Where are your caps?

Say in German, "hands up".

Hande hoch!

That's right.

All right, I'll take Gourvitch. We'll be leaving for two days.

What were you doing in the forest at 4 am?

Just the regular night business.

Night business...

I have personally made a toilet for this business.

Or you do not fit?

Comrade Officer, there are questions

a woman may refuse to answer.

No, there aren't any women here

There are soldiers and officers. It's war.

and while it lasts, we'll all be of neutral gender.

Ah, that's why your bed is still unmade

Comrade Officer of a neutral gender.

It seemed to me I saw...

Well, put a cross if you see things

- They had a heavy box. - They carried explosives.

And they headed for the railway, in the direction of Kirovsk.

That's far.

- But through the forest. - Then we have to inform the railway guards.

She will report.

These trophies that I fetched from the water,

give them to the third.

And infrom him about our route. And you, Ossyanina, eat.

All right.

Give me your gun.

Well, at least you do not have any slugs there yet.

All of you have to clean your guns thoroughly.

This rule determines if you have your tea tomorrow or not.

Take off your boots.

What kind of order is that? Should we take off our clothes as well?

Quiet! Execute order.

With these boots you will not fight for a long time.

You'll march 3 km and get bloody blisters all over your feet.

All of you, this is how you should wear foot cloth.

It's high time they learnt this, Comarade Senior Sergeant.

And these boots are no good.

You'll ruin your heels.

Are you alone, Maria?

Yes, alone.

But do not be afraid of the enemy.

He moves through our rear areas

So he is afraid of us.

Put the guns together, quickly!

And another thing. In the case we see the enemy or sth is not clear

is there anybody who knows how to make birdcalls or animal noises?

I asked a serious question!

Out in the forest we can't use speech. The Germans have ears also.

I know one.

- One what? - A donkey bray.

Sounds real.

There aren't any donkeys here.

All right, we'd better try quacking like the ducks. I'll show you.

That's how the drake calls to the duck.

Yes, true. Let's make an arrangement:

Two quacks will mean the enemy's in sight.

Three quacks means get back to me. Is that clear, comrade gunners?

He was a good provider for the family.

In the summer he farmed,

in the winter he hunted.

He's a good host.

I'll be back in 2 days, Wednesday the latest.

Where does this come from?

Oh you women...

Men need war as fish needs a bicycle...

And for you it's even worse.

Form a rank! Move it, move it! Brichkina!

Attention!

My second in command during the course of this operation

is now officially Junior Sergeant Ossyanina.

Don't forget about the ducks.

Left turn, forward march!

Come back soon, girls!

Zhenya!

In double column, march!

Galka! Don't do anything stupid!

Your mother and father living? Or are you an orphan?

An orphan? For all I know I could be an orphan.

You mean you're not sure?

Who can be sure of anything these days, Sergeant?

You're right.

My folks live in Minsk. I studied in Moscow, and then...

- You haven't heard from them? - No, nothing.

- Your folks are Jewish? - Naturally.

Naturally. If they were in Moscow, they'd be all right.

Maybe they managed to escape?

Those dirty sons of...

If you want to swear, go right ahead. I'm getting used to it.

- Are you hurt? - No.

All right, Gunner Gourvitch, quack three times.

- What for? - To be sure everyone's on their toes.

You forgot my lessons?

What's wrong?

If anything were wrong, you all would be dead by now.

You came running through the under- growth like a herd of heifers.

- Are you tired? - Not a bit.

That's good. Did you notice anything on the way here?

Not much. A tree branch broken back there.

Very good. Absolutely right. And you?

Everything seemed normal to me.

- The dew was knocked off the bushes. - Good eyesight!

Very good, Gunner Brichkina.

There were also two tracks made by the boots of paratroopers.

Judging by the toes, they're heading around the marshes.

That's going to take them a twenty mile hike at least.

So much the better. And we're going straight across.

How?

Not here, of course. I know a trail.

Now take ten minutes for a smoke and to relieve nature.

Cut that out!

On your way!

Don't run far!

Take it.

Here.

Why do we need this?

To try the ground before you make a step, we're in the bog.

There won't be time to call for help.

The Gunner Brichkina carries the stuff of the translator.

- Yes Sir! - Why?

No questions!

- Komelkova! - Yes Sir!

Take the rucksakc of the Gunner Chetvertak.

With pleasure!

Help me please.

Hey, little Gunner, give me your gun as well.

Knock it off!

Personal weapon is carried by everyone personally.

I will go ahead. Follow me.

Gourvitch, Brichkina,

Komelkova, Chetvertak.

Junior Sergeant Ossyanina brings up the rear.

No mistakes! Follow me, cover in file! And skids...

What is skid?

Do you mean skidoo?

- What are you hoding in your little hand? - Some stick...

So this stick is called 'skid'. All clear?

Another entry!

Entry? Where to?

To the dictionary of dialectisms, Comrade Officer!

- Evgenia, stop it! - That's all right.

She'll soon forget her jokes.

Is it very deep?

In some places... It can come up to...

Well, for you, up to the army belt. Keep your weapons dry.

Follow me! Step where I do.

Of all the filthy...

- Komelkova, keep going! - I am!

Come on...

Don't come near her, Chetvertak! Ossyanina, get out by yourself!

Go on, Galka.

- Comrade Sergeant! - What do you want?

Keep going! Or we'll all sink!

One of my boots has come off!

- Can you see it? - No.

- Where are you going?! - I'm trying to help her!

Hold it! There's no turning back!

Brichkina, stretch out your pole.

Come on out of there, Komelkova!

Follow me! Forward!

How about my boot?

You can't find it now.

Come on, Komelkova. You'll make it.

Hold on, Zhenya!

Keep going, keep going. The island's not far now.

Keep going. Forward!

Follow me, in my tracks.

Don't worry, girls, we're almost there!

Tired?

It's nothing.

Are there leeches here?

There's nothing here. It's a dead place.

Don't be scared. That's just marsh gas.

The local folks say the old man of the woods lives here.

- Who? - A kind of devil.

Just old wives' tales, that's all.

And yet another entry.

Don't hurry, walk slowly. Now we can take a rest.

Oh, that feels good.

Hard work, huh?

- You can say that again. - Rest for a while.

What a bungler you are, Galka. You should've squeezed your toes.

I did.

Don't worry. We'll make her a special swamp boot.

I see.

- Only after the marsh. Can you wait? - I can make it.

After the bath, this is all I needed.

I'm wet through, right to my... I mean to my army belt.

Why haven't I put on my lingerie?

Zhenya!

On your feet!

Take your poles and follow me in the same order.

We'll get dry and warm up on the other side.

Don't spread out!

Zhenya, you got a mirror?

Zhenya, will you comb my hair?

You're cute enough as it is. Comb it yourself!

- Zhenya, no time for that nonsense! - I'm coming.

Everyone ready? You can come now.

Well, Comrades of the Red Army, everybody okay?

All in order, Comrade Senior Sergeant.

- Not too cold? - There's nobody to warm us anyway.

- You'll be steaming soon. - Why?

Here, put this on.

So that's a swamp boot.

- Comfortable? - Fine. Even better than the boot.

Let's get going. We've about an hour and a half foot-slogging to do.

All right, on the double!

Move it, girls!

- Warmer now, Komelkova? - No steam yet!

Here the Sinyukhina Crest starts to rise.

On the other side of the crest there's another lake.

It's called Legonte.

A monk by that name used to live here.

He was looking for wordless peace.

There's enough wordless peace here.

The Germans have only one way through: By the crest between the two lakes.

And endless strife, Peace only a dream-like yearning.

Through blood and dust, A horse of the steppe is running,

And tramples grass...

Comrade Gunners!

The enemy in the form of two Germans, is moving to the Lake Vop sector,

intending to secretly approach the Kirov Railroad

and the White Sea Canal named after Comrade Stalin.

I intend to engage the enemy in this position

and force him to surrender.

Should the enemy offer resistance, I'll kill one and take the other alive.

Leave all the belonging on the reserve station with the gunner Chetvertak.

Questions?

- Why am I reserve? -This isn't important question, comrade gunner.

- Galka, you're our reserve. - We have no questions, all is clear.

If all is clear, keep quite on your positions.

- Let me do all the talking. - In German?

In Russian! And you'll translate if they don't understand. Is it clear?

If you stick your head out like that in combat,

there's no field hospital nearby, and no mamas either.

You should engage the Germans at a distance.

Before you get to pull the trigger, you'll be riddled all through.

So I order you to stay on the ground.

Stay on the ground until I order you to open fire.

Or I'll forget that you're women and...

And no sleeping on guard duty! That's all.

We have chosen an excellent position.

See for yourself.

Germans can walk only along the shore.

They will be going up these rocks for 3 hours at least.

And all this time they will be under our observation.

And our reserve position, we can easily

go back to it, at any moment.

But I don't think we'll need it.

We'll quickly deal with those two subverters.

Why are you banging? I am not your friend.

do not steal pieces from me.

Tuck in as the gunner should!

I tuck in.

I see. You're as meager as a crow in the early spring.

You can barely walk on those legs.

- That's my constitution. - Constitution...

Look at Brichkina! Her constitution is the same, but still,

there are some pleasant sights.

The Germans will not come sooner than in 4 hours.

- Germans? - Where?

Damn it... I thought that...

Get some rest, Fedot Yefgrafovich.

It's all right, Ossyanina. I just dozed off, I guess.

It'll be the everlasting rest for me if I miss those Germans.

What if they kill our officer or blow up an important object?

How would I explain to the Army Tribunal

that, instead of combing the forest and catching those Germans,

I was sleeping somewhere.

Felt sorry for the girls?

Was afraid to lead them into an attack? That's not an excuse.

No, it's no excuse if I haven't carried out my mission.

Maybe they're asleep too, now?

- You bet. - They're humans, too.

You said that the crest is the only way for them to approach the railroad.

- And it is about... - Forty miles.

In unknown country, and seeing death behind every bush.

Margarita... what's your patronymic?

Just call me Rita.

Do you mind?

To a valiant defender of his country.

A present.

- Want a cigarette, Rita? - I don't smoke.

And that Germans are humans too, somehow I'd never realized that.

I'm glad you said it.

- Is it dyed? - No, it's real.

Mermaid.

Can't a girl comb her hair here?

Go on, put yourself in order.

Sergeant, can I ask you a question?

You can.

Are you married, Sergeant?

Yes, I am, Gunner Komelkova.

And where is she?

She's home, where should she be?

Any children?

Children?

There was a boy.

What do you mean, there was?

Just that. My mother couldn't save him.

Why?

My wife had walked out on us.

Rita, you should tell him everything.

I will when we get back.

I can see you're a well-trained soldier, Gunner Brichkina.

You're well organized.

And your quacking is just great.

- Did you notice anything? - Nothing much.

Keep your eyes open, Lisaveta.

If there's any movement in the bushes,

if the birds seem upset.

You're a forest girl, you see everything.

It's beautiful, isn't it?

As if there's no war.

Lisa, Lisa, Lisaveta, Sweeter than a baked potato.

Choose the husband here before you, Or I'll go and choose him for you.

That's a little song we used to sing back home.

Are you from these parts, Sergeant?

I've been stationed here a while.

And back home we used to sing...

We'll sing together later, Lisaveta.

When we've accomplished our mission, then we'll sing.

- You promise? - I said so, didn't I?

Don't forget, Comrade Sergeant!

Those born in the years of bane,

Don't remember the path they tread.

We, the children of Russia's pain,

Haven't the strength yet to forget.

Those burning years of destruction!

The harbinger of madness, or of hope?

The days of war, the days of insurrection

Have stamped our faces with a bloody glow...

Have stamped our faces with a bloody glow.

Who are you reading to?

- I asked who are you reading to? - No one. To myself.

Then why read aloud?

It's poetry.

You're straining your eyes.

But it's daylight, Comrade Sergeant.

I was just talking, that's all. Don't sit too long on those rocks.

When they cool, they'll draw the heat from your body. Put your coat under.

All right, Comrade Sergeant. Thanks for the advice.

And don't do any reading aloud.

The evening air is thick and humid, and dawn is quiet around here.

A voice can be heard nearly five miles away.

To Sonya. Ever yours, Misha.

What are you huddled there for?

I'm cold.

Let me feel your head.

You have a fever, Comrade Gunner.

Touch of the marsh shakes. On account of that lost boot.

You'll take it straight, or shall I cut it?

- What's that? - Medicine.

- Medicine? It's alcohol! - Yes, alcohol.

No, I won't!

Drink it. That's an order.

Drink up!

Oh, mama...

Hold your breath!

You'll see your mama only if you survive.

Oh, I've gone all bubbly inside.

That's nothing. You'll simmer down in a while.

- You'll get cold without your coat. - Don't worry, I'm strong.

I want that fever gone by tomorrow. So do your best. Make an effort.

I'll make an effort.

After the war, there'll be mother for each survivor.

What? The Germans?

- Lie down. Orders are to sleep. - How is Galka?

- Where's Rita? - She's up there with Vaskov.

How are you? We need more of this.

Bizarre things.

Sleep. Your feet must hurt, they're not used to it.

No, do not worry. They are used to it.

You should rest. I'll be on guard.

What's happening?

You hear that?

That's birds.

Yes, magpies. The magpies are all upset there.

It means someone's coming and upsetting them.

Quick, go wake up the troops. Get moving. Send Gourvitch over.

Keep under cover! Hush!

Good morning, Comrade Sergeant.

Morning. How's Chetvertak?

Sleeping. We didn't wake her.

Right. Stay beside me. And keep your head down.

I will.

Are you out of your mind?

- But there's noone there! - They're here! Examining

these rocks we sit in. There is no other way for them.

There they are!

See them? There they are. The two of them.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Six. Seven.

Eight. Nine.

Nine. Ten.

Eleven.

Twelve.

Twelve. Thirteen.

Fourteen. Fifteen.

Fifteen. Sixteen.

Cuckoo, cuckoo in the sky, how many years before I die?

One.

Two.

Three.

Four

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

End of Part One.