All language subtitles for The Match (2020)_track4_[eng]

(soft dramatic music)

(vocalizing)

(upbeat music)

- Watch out, Maggie.

Get back on defense, David.

(upbeat music)

(cheering)

(whistle blowing)

(soft music)

- [Branko] What's the matter?

- I'm terrible, Grandpa.

- Yes, you are.

- [David] Thanks for the encouragement.

- Come.

(soft music)

If playing football meant
doing everything by yourself,

you would be the best.

Sure you want to score the
winning goal and be the big hero.

Everybody wants to do that for himself.

But you cannot be the hero every time

you're playing football.

Maybe you should play tennis.

- No, I love football.

- (chuckles) Of course you do.

It's a love that never ends.

A love you cannot betray.

- When did you know?

- How much I loved football?

Well, I must have been a
few years younger than you.

My father took me to see a match.

He didn't tell me where we were going.

It was supposed to be a surprise.

And what a surprise.

I'll never forget going
up the steep stairs.

And all of a sudden, I see in front of me

this endless, bright green field.

I swear, I've never seen such
a bright green in my life.

At my age, I forget too many
things. Too many to remember.

But I never forgot that day
and the way the field looked,

the way the field smelled.

Some memories stay with
you. They never fade.

They are too important.

- Was it different?

- Everything was different.

How many footballs do
you have at home now?

- 10, I think.

- 10.

I had only two, and they were two more

than all my other friends.

Your great-grandfather
owned a nice restaurant,

where all the local players
came and celebrated.

So as gifts, sometimes
they gave him footballs.

I begged my father day and night

to let me go outside
and play with the ball.

No way.

Not a chance.

They were too rare and precious.

Owning a ball meant to be privileged.

And my father didn't want the other boys

getting jealous of me.

- I know I wanted to do
everything by myself,

but that's because I thought I could.

- Sacrifice, David.

A team can only win when
you set aside your ego

and work for everybody.

Football is the only sport
where a team that has

no chance of winning
can surprise the world.

If only they do what?

- Play as a team.

- Exactly right.

- We were better today.

- Yes, you were. But you lost.

The best team doesn't always win.

(soft piano music)

And I should know.

- Know what, Grandpa?

- There's a story I never told anybody.

Not even your father knows.

- Does it have to do with football?

- Yes, it does.

That's why I want you to hear it.

It's time.

(soft piano music)

(crowd clapping rhythmically)

- [Crowd] 10, nine, eight,

seven, six, five,

four, three, two

one, happy new year!

(upbeat music)

(crowd applauding)

(singing in foreign language)

- Branko.

(singing in foreign language)

- Yes, sir.

- Do you know who this is?

- Yes, sir, that's Laszlo Horvath,

and the team that beat, the Nazis.

- Sh, yes, yes, that's right.

Now, your only duty today is to make sure

that their glasses are never empty.

- Yes, sir.

- Here, just go.

(singing in foreign language)

- Compliments of the
maitre d', Mr. Horvath.

- Aren't you too young
to be serving alcohol?

- Yes, sir, but I'm only
serving it, not drinking it.

- Soon enough, you will know why it makes

everything and everyone much more fun.

- Don't believe anything
he's trying to tell you.

Either he is lying or
trying to corrupt you.

- I just told the kid he's too young

to be serving alcohol.

- Well, in a minute, he'll
be offering you a drink.

So scram, kid, if you wanna save yourself.

- I will, sir.

- No no, no no no, wait a second.

Come, come closer.

- I'm s--

- Come, come.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Horvath.

- Laszlo.

- Mr. Laszlo, I don't think
my father will approve.

- You know,

you deserved it, so.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

- Happy new year.
- Cheers.

- Happy new year.
- Happy new year.

(signing in foreign language)

- I see what I like.

(singing in foreign language)

Wish me luck.

- I will, as always.

(singing in foreign language)

(upbeat band music)

- I'm Laszlo Horvath.

- Nice to meet you.

(upbeat band music)

- You never were the shy one.

- A man can never have
enough of two things in life.

- With you of all people,
I always thought limiting

yourself to just two things is a sin.

Besides, the beautiful side of this place

has clearly taken a fancy to you.

(glasses clinking)

On the contrary, the
opposite side seems to be

paying even closer attention
to your every move.

- I thought I told my
mother not to come here.

- The Nazis. You have
their undivided attention.

Well done.

- So what? I care enough
to stare right back.

- Are you deliberately
trying to provoke them?

Do you know what happens to
them who stare at the devil?

- Even this devil is
nothing but flesh and bone.

- They don't think they are.

- Well it's their Achilles heel, not mine.

- This is just vanity. Just be careful.

There's a lot of them
in here and out there.

Please, I'm begging you. Do me a favor.

Stop it.

(upbeat band music)

- You're a famous man, Mr. ?

- Laszlo.

- That's the name, Laszlo Horvath.

We all had a bet, if you were indeed

the famous player everyone remembers.

- Did you win the bet?

- Yes, indeed.

- Good, because just years ago,

you guys didn't fare so well.

- Please, do not remind me.

You and your men were fortunate enough

to beat the Nazi team three to two.

But this was seven long years ago.

We're much better now.

- I can see.

Soon enough, all of Europe will be Nazis.

So you can play against
yourself, which is great.

That way, you can prevent
yourself from ever losing again.

- May I suggest a small wager?

My fellow men and I have
a proposition for you.

Considering you were a part
of a team that beat the Nazis,

we would like an opportunity
to get back a little bit of,

how would you say, pride.

Whoever manages to bounce
the ball in the air

between two people the
longest, without it falling

to the ground, wins.

Loser pays the winner food, drinks,

anything, for the entire evening.

I insist, Mr. Laszlo.

- You know what? I'm
a little bit confused.

I thought pride is what you're wagering.

- Very well.

You win, and we will pay whatever you

and your men wish to consume.

And if we win, pride is what we will take.

- Pride is not won. It is earned.

And besides, that's not
too much of a wager.

Since everything at our
table, as you can see,

is already on the house.

- Maybe you have another suggestion then.

- In the matter of fact, I do.

You, your fellow men,
your army, all of you,

leave Budapest tonight.

And never come back, ever again.

- Mr. Laszlo, even if you were to win,

I'm not sure you would
want this to happen.

(laughing)

- It was worth a shot.

- I insist.

(glass clinking)

If I could have your attention,
ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you.

The famous Laszlo Horvath and I

have come to terms on
a bit of a fun wager.

The only thing we need to
complete this wager is a ball.

Does anyone here know where to find one?

- I can't even remember
what made me raise my hand.

I was so scared.

If I hadn't raised my hand
and gone down to the basement

that New Year's Eve, things
would have been different.

Much different.

Ha, but my God, they must
have bounced that ball

between them a good five minutes.

(crowd clapping rhythmically)

I was amazed.

Everybody was amazed.

(crowd clapping rhythmically)

(group gasping)

(crowd clapping rhythmically)

(upbeat music)

- Congratulations, Mr. Laszlo.

Fortunate as you were in '36.

- Fortune takes a backseat
when you have those two men.

- Gentlemen, please.

(upbeat music)

- After me, probably the best two players

your eyes will ever see.

And let me tell you a little secret.

Even when drunk, they're still better

than any men you put against them.

Cheers.

(glasses clinking)

(upbeat music)

- Another toast.

- Already?

- One more drink. I insist, Mr. Laszlo.

To the Third Reich.

- To empires, from Romans in 476

right down to the Ottomans in 1924.

- You do know your history, Mr. Laszlo.

- You know what all those
empires have in common?

- Please tell me.

- Our history.

- The history we are about
to make will be written

by the winners living in our times.

- Come on, let's go.

- I hear it's pretty
cold out there in Russia.

I suggest you pack warmly.

- Gentlemen, I think we should
probably call it a night.

(singing in foreign language)

Hurry.

(singing in foreign language)

You were a great football player.

Nobody knows that better than me.

(singing in foreign language)

Things have changed.

Accept this.

(singing in foreign language)

(punches striking)

(singing in foreign language)

(groaning)

- Branko.

What happened?

- That man, he's hurt.

(singing in foreign language)

- Did you ever see him again?

- Mr. Laszlo?

Yes, not a day goes by
that I don't think of him.

He was, and still is, the reason

why I am here telling you this story.

Mr. Laszlo.

I haven't said his name
like that since then.

(soft dramatic music)

- Horvath, if you are not
outside in less than 10 seconds,

they will drag you out by force.

This is not the time
or place to be defiant.

Come outside.

Immediately.

(soft dramatic music)

(groaning)

- That would not be a wise move.

You have five seconds to line up

with the rest of your friends here.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

And one.

(groaning)

You here are the privileged ones.

But never forget that
you're all expendable.

It's up to each and every one
of you to decide your fate.

Now get to work.

(soft dramatic music)

- Give me a hand.

I recognize you.

You won't remember me, but I remember you.

I played against you, four to two.

I was a member of the regional team.

Name's Karolyi, Karolyi Faraco.

I was a defensive midfielder.

You scored four goals in that game.

The scoring drive you
made in the second half,

I can't remember seeing
anyone do that since.

You were an artist out there.

Combination of artist and a magician.

Flair of Michelangelo and the
nerves of steel of Houdini.

Our Hungary, it stopped
being a country a while ago.

And our government, just
a puppet of the Nazis.

So now they're arresting
anyone they consider a threat.

Intellectuals, undesirables,

as opposed to dissidents like me.

For whatever reason have you.

Work us hard every day.

Till even our souls begin to feel tired.

- Why are you complaining?

Aren't we the privileged ones?

- That means we're still alive.

- I don't know. We'll be worked to death.

- Speak for yourself.

But don't drag others
into that abyss with you.

We've heard stories what
happens to other camps,

so even if we are being
worked to death I'd take it

any day over dying in
the gas chamber (spits).

Who knows what makes a man like that tick?

You ever see him play, Jakob?

- See?

I was in the stands
when he scored the goal

that beat the Nazis.

- He was a great player on the field.

Good at sports, bad at life.

- I'd rather be good at life

than a world champion in any sport.

- Oh.

- Tibor, any news?

- I heard the rumor that the Nazis

are losing ground in the East.

The whispers might be true.

- My father always taught me that a beast

is most dangerous when it is hurt.

- And your father, is he safe?

- They separated us.

My wife, son, mother, father, sister.

We had a nice bakery, you
know, best one in town.

When it all began, it came so quickly.

All the people that used
to come to our shop,

they no longer wanted to help us.

When you need help the
most, they disappoint.

- It's the law of survival.

- No, it's the law of
selfishness, of not caring.

- Do you think that he cares?

- From the looks of it,

I think he stopped caring a long time ago.

- My first days here were unbearable.

Time stretched on where I didn't know what

day or month it was.

You know, you think you'll spend this life

learning, reading, loving.

And now, every moment here
is spent just surviving

for the sake of survival.

And you ask yourself,
What am I surviving for?

What will be left out there of this world

if this madness ever ends?

- Even when I was overseeing
construction in Jur,

I never worked crews this hard.

They want us to die.

- Hands of a baker.

Should be covered in sugar and flour,

not hard, ugly blisters.

A good baker must be
able to sense the dough

with his fingers.

- His name is Tomasz.
That's about all we know.

Not even the other Gypsies
know anything about him.

- He doesn't speak.

- The Nazis, just for spite,

give him more food than
they do the rest of us.

I think it's because they
want to keep us on edge.

I'm Janko.

(cloth tearing)

- You really think they will have any use

for the things we're building for them?

- Of course.

One thing they're not is stupid.

All things being considered,
we here, we're the lucky ones.

Some are being sent to the
battlefield near the fronts.

We heard stories that
they use them to clear

the minefields by making
them march across.

I know why we are here.

But why would a famous Hungarian like you

be sent to this miserable place?

(slow violin music)

- And Colonel Franz Wertz,

the Nazi leader of all of the camps,

has honored us by making
our camp his headquarters.

For your information, Colonel
Wertz reports directly

to General Siegle, the Nazi commandant

of the entire region.

(birds chirping)

- Carry on.

- What is the count?

- 29, sir.

- How many?
- 29, sir.

- Bring that fool outside, now.

Now!

- May God help him.

(groaning)

(kick striking)

- Everyone managed to follow the rules,

yet you choose to be
the only one to put all

the other men at risk
by being disobedient.

Isn't it bad enough your
behavior is the reason

Andreas is in the hospital, huh?

(blows striking)

Stand up.

(speaking foreign language)

- Henckel, enough already.

Are you not aware who this
man is you are beating?

This is Horvath the great.

The greatest Hungarian to ever
play the game of football.

It's good to see you again, Laszlo.

I still remember that free kick,

the one that won the gold
medal game against us.

That was right after I fouled
you at midfield, remember?

- I only remember that Nazis lost.

- You and I must talk.
Bring him to my office.

- But Colonel, I do not think
this is a very good idea.

Even if he is a famous football player,

it doesn't mean he has the right

to defile us time and time again.

- I will see this man, in my office.

- Laszlo was too crazy
to live an ordinary life.

He would play life the
way he played football.

Fast, relentless, unafraid.

He would fight anybody at any
time, without thinking twice.

If he saw a tornado coming,
he would go straight for it

and shout, Give me your best shot!

Some people live just to get by.

But not Laszlo.

He lived his own way, for as
long as life would let him.

If life was a game of football,

Laszlo would play each of the 90 minutes

as if they were his first and last.

- You always were, different, Horvath.

Everyone stared at you when you played,

afraid to miss the next great
move you were about to make.

I have to admit to you
that we, as the Nazis,

we were always quite jealous.

But let's not share that with anyone.

(birds chirping)

Lieutenant Henckel would have
surely killed you out there

today if I did not intervene.

You can pound your chest
like a gorilla in the jungle,

but even you might tremble if suddenly

the barrel of a gun was
pointed to your face.

- You guys wouldn't do that?

- You are certain?

- Yes, you would shoot me in the temple

so that I couldn't see what was coming.

- The element of surprise, of course.

- To you, maybe it is a surprise.

To me, it's the desperate
move of a coward.

- Always you were such a funny one.

Now, seeing you today

has given me an extraordinary idea.

So, in less than two months,
it is the Fuhrer's birthday.

April 20, to be exact.

I would like to arrange a game.

A football match between
you and the men at the camp

against the Nazi team to commemorate

such a momentous occasion.

- You can't be serious.

- I am not like you,
Laszlo, I don't make jokes.

This is an opportunity for all of us.

- Us?

And who are we?

- You, me, the men of the camp.

- The men in this camp are
barely given anything to eat.

They're in no condition to play.

- This is a chance.

A real chance to play a game that you love

and at which you are
truly one of the best.

You will be a winner
just by playing, Laszlo.

You can think of it as a
friendly exhibition match.

You would display your skills.

A tribute to the Beautiful Game.

And something special
for the men of the camp.

In a way, something special for me too.

- It does remind me of an old saying.

Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

- Laszlo, I am speaking as
someone who wants to help you.

A wolf can spare a sheep if his
appetite has been satisfied.

- I've been under the assumption
that an endless appetite

for everything, anything, anyone

was a trademark of the Third Reich.

- I'm serious about this.

- It's not just up to me.
You're asking for a lot.

- Of course I am.

But I'm also offering you
something few are given.

I would have to inform
General Seigle, of course.

He loves football.

I'm sure with my blessing,
he would approve.

(soft music)

Oh there's one last tiny detail.

Your feet may have made
you a hero to your fellow

countrymen, but your
mouth will get you killed.

Next time, fortune might
not be on your side

as me, saving you from
yourself this morning.

I would not count on that good fortune

if you were to say no to me.

And my suggestion is

to take my offer as a gift.

That'll be all.

(men groaning)

- [Laszlo] We had an interesting talk.

- Talk? Nazis don't talk.

They take, they order, they kill.

- The one thing about the Nazis

is that their memory
of a loss never fades.

- So that's all you talked
about, how you beat him once?

- No, not entirely.

- He wants us to play a game.

- A game? What kind of game?

- A match, a football match.

- Against whom?

- Against Nazi team, on Hitler's birthday.

- Is this some kind of cruel joke?

- Franz was serious. So am I.

- But how can we play a football match?

If we all tried running for five minutes,

we'd faint, and this isn't five.

- He's right. We don't have
the strength or stamina.

(dog barking in distance)

Maybe this is our one chance.

Don't forget, every chance of failure

also presents a chance to succeed.

However, any inaction resulting from fear

guarantees failure.

- If all of you think we should play,

then that is what we'll do.

No team can win unless there's team unity.

Now, who wants to play?

(dog barking in distance)

- Conditions must be met.

We'd need better food, time
to train, build a real team.

- Very good. Then you and I
will ask for these conditions.

- You and I, what do you mean?

- You and I.

Since you and Andreas were
former members of the regional

team and Andreas is unavailable,

that makes you the co-captain.

Welcome aboard.

(dog barking in distance)

- 26, 27, 28.

29.

30.

- So good to see you, Mr.
Horvath. Very punctual.

As I understand, Colonel Franz is

expecting you this morning.

Please understand that I don't give a damn

about who you are and what you used to be.

- Karolyi, let's go.

(classical violin music)

(knocking on door)

- Come in.

Ah, Laszlo. So good to see you again.

Welcome.

So, who is this?

- This is Karolyi Faraco.

He represents men in this camp.

- Please, sit.

So, gentlemen, I have excellent news.

General Seigle is very
excited about the idea

of a match, and in fact he has asked

to personally be given progress reports.

- We are also very excited, but

this does depend on certain
things we will require.

- Such as?

- Food.

Real food, larger portions
for every man in this camp.

- Go on.

- The team itself,

I need to search other nearby camps.

- I doubt you'll find anyone.

- If you're allowed to pick
whoever you want in all

of the Third Reich,
then I should be allowed

to pick the best available
players from nearby camps.

- Hm.

What else?

- We cannot train and
work at the same time.

I hope you understand that.

In order for us to look like a team,

we have to train like one.

So, until the match is played,
we don't work. We train.

- Is that all?

- Karolyi.

- One hour every three weeks

to write letters to our loved ones.

And mail delivery to us twice a week.

(shovels scraping in distance)

- I must regrettably inform you

that all your requests cannot be granted.

The food situation can
be improved perhaps.

I'll consider the mail issue.

But you are still are prisoners
inside this labor camp,

and by definition you
will work and come up

with a team from the men you have here.

- Is that definite?

- Absolutely.

- Then please inform General Seigle

we cannot play this match.

Karolyi, let's go.

(rakes scraping)

- You just walked out on a Nazi colonel.

- Trust me, I know the Nazis.

He wants to play a game before
the real game, so be it.

- Is that game called Who Gets Shot First?

If it is, please don't put me in it.

- Halt! The colonel orders
both of you to halt.

(gun firing)

(dog barking)

(soft dramatic music)

(dog barking)

- He's playing a game.

He's playing a game.

- Gentlemen, our talk wasn't quite over.

Please see to it that
you follow me inside.

- [Guard] Go.

Now!

- Please tell me that you
knew he was going to miss.

(soft music)

- Let us have a mutually satisfying

conclusion to our meeting, yes?

I have reconsidered your
requests, and I'm willing

to increase the quality and
double the food portions.

When it comes to work, the
men will work in the mornings

and train in the afternoons.

- The letters, we insist.

- Yes, the prisoners will have enough time

to write and receive mail.

You may visit three camps.

- Five.
- Four.

- I will pick the very best 15 players.

- A match is played
with 11 men on the field

the last time I counted.

- I'm being generous when I request 15.

As these men can barely
walk, let alone run.

I must have reserves.

What if someone gets
injured, like Andreas?

- This is quite enough.

13 players, not counting Andreas.

I will see to it that what we agreed

today is put in writing.

But remember, you and
you alone are responsible

if anything goes wrong with
any man on the team you choose.

The match is exactly 36 days away.

This will give you plenty
of time to prepare.

Oh, Laszlo, one last thing.

Good luck.

- How did you know?

- The moment he said
General Seigle was excited,

and I knew he could not back down.

It's Hitler's birthday,
and if everything goes nice

and easy for him then he gets promoted.

Let's go find our team.

(soft music)

- I can only pick an
additional 11 men for the team.

Whoever plays will get shorter work days,

but training will be intense.

I need you to be completely honest.

Who here can play football?

Be honest.

All right, Jakob.

(soft music)

Good, I'm impressed.

Tibor, you're next.

(soft music)

There's hopelessness
all around us, but here,

tonight, there is hope for Hungary.

Tomorrow, we will find
the rest of our team,

and we will start to work right away.

- They didn't look like a
team just yet. Who could?

Conditions were terrible.

Nobody was thinking about football.

Football was a means of survival.

(soft music)

(birds singing)

Word spread to other camps
that whoever was lucky enough

to be chosen, they would be sent

to a camp with better conditions.

- Everyone! Who here can play football?

- [Branko] Naturally, everybody
became a football player.

(soft music)

Some of them were quite good.

Some others,

well, they did their best.

(birds calling)

(soft violin music)

- Come on, Laszlo, let's go.

- Do you know what happens to
them who stare at the devil?

- Even this devil is
nothing but flesh and bone.

- They don't think they are.

(soft violin music)

- Who is that man over there?

- The prisoner is teaching the
violin to the camp commander.

- Can you invite that
prisoner to come over?

- I do not think this will be possible.

One does not interrupt
the commander's lesson.

- Then please inform the commander

that the interruption of his lesson

comes at the request of General Seigle.

(soft violin music)

- Laszlo, this is it. It's the last camp.

We only have one slot left
to fill. What are you doing?

We need players, good ones.

Why are you wasting our final choice

on man who's playing the violin?

- Go, get the ball.

- Did you request to see this prisoner?

- That would be correct, Commander.

- May I ask why?

- We need him.

- For what? To play the violin?

- No, to play football.

- Hm.

Violin players don't
play football, do they?

- You, put down the case.

(geese clucking)

- Yes, we have a
goalkeeper. Great reflexes.

(geese clucking)

Give me that.

One more time.

- You, do you play football?

That's what I thought.

Then again, if you don't play,

that would enable our beloved
Third Reich to win, hm?

Yes, take him by all means.

But go.

- Can someone tell me
what this is all about?

- I'm Laszlo, this is
Karolyi. Welcome to our team.

- A man entering a camp holding a football

meant there was hope.

Then Laszlo became this hope for everyone

who saw him, including me.

And I was the last one who expected it.

- What did I tell you, Branko?

I said never let them leave.

(exhaling)

What do we do now?

- I'm so sorry, sir. It
will never happen again.

- But who will get them back?

- I will.

- How?

Come on.

- I don't know what it was.
Call it destiny, chance, fate,

a role of dice.

I thought about it countless times.

Why was he there in that exact moment?

- Go into the truck. Wait for me.

- A few seconds later, and
he wouldn't have seen me.

- You always defy me.

It's unacceptable.

Where did they go?

Don't look at me like I'm stupid,

like I'm some kind of scum.

You're a scum!

- Let's go. We have what you wanted.

- You piece of shit. You stupid.

Get up!

Get up.

- That's not our fight.

You can't save everyone. Let's go, Laszlo.

- [Laszlo] Excuse me, Commander.

- You were told to leave.
You have your men, now go.

- Yes, but this boy.

- What about the boy?

He's state property. What's that to you?

- But General Siegle and Colonel Wertz

do outrank you, am I right?

So in a way, if I'm here
with their authority,

I outrank you.

- You think that's gonna
keep me from shooting you?

- No, of course not,
no. But your logic does.

If you were to shoot me, you would have

to explain it to the general
and to the commander why

their personal birthday present

to Fuhrer is no longer possible.

Think about it. It's no good for anybody.

- Get out.

Get out.

- Wow, Grandpa, you
must have been very good

if he picked you.

- I wasn't.

And anyway, I was too
young for him to pick me.

Even if I was as good as you are now.

- So, why did he pick you?

(birds singing)

Grandpa?

- I was a boy who never
saw himself becoming a man.

(engine humming)

- So we have a violin-playing goalie

and a kid as our substitute.

Good work, Coach.

- There is more to this
game than pure skill.

- The kid is Number 14.

The colonel will never let you keep him.

- We'll see.

(engine humming)

(vehicle approaching)

- Tell them to come back.

- Prisoners, come here, now!

- Congratulations.

You seem to have assembled
a formidable team.

But correct me if I'm wrong.

I count 13 men and one child.

Are you trying to adjust the
rules by sneaking an extra

person onto the field
due to his small stature?

- No.

- 13, you will keep to
what was agreed upon.

Henckel, take the child.

- No, no, wait.

Wait, who do you think
will clean up after us?

Get the ball when it goes out of bounds,

supply us with water?

One thing about kids is
they have lots of energy.

- Do you think of me as a fool?

- No.

- Hm, it is always
something with you, Laszlo.

But fine.

You will have an extra pair
of feet to run for you.

You want this?

- Yes.

- That means you will
have more energy to spare.

So, for the next two days,

you and your team will get a vacation,

from all food.

You can of course change your
mind right now if you want.

- No.

- Good.

- He never should have picked me.

It didn't make any sense.

I was just some boy he
once saw and remembered.

A little boy had no place among men

whose children were
lost or in other camps.

Yet, he stood by my side.

(dog barking)

- Can't sleep?

- No.

Everyone is angry at me.

- Not having food for a few
days will do that people.

But don't worry, they'll get over it.

You know, I've made many
mistakes in my life.

But this time I did the right thing.

Go to sleep now. You'll
need it for tomorrow.

- I will, Mr. Laszlo. Thank you.

- In the days leading up
to our glorious match,

you may think you are special.

But you are nothing of the sort.

Any and all preferential
treatment you might get

accustomed to, don't.

You are all still prisoners

and will be treated as such.

Anyone not fulfilling his work assignment

will be punished with swift action.

Anyone attempting to escape will be shot.

And this includes also

the youngest team member.

I hope not one of you gets injured.

I'd hate to see Laszlo play a game

with 10 men and this little boy.

When the final whistle blows,

everyone will go back to
what he was doing before.

Including watching over geese.

Would I be correct?

The commandant is anxiously
awaiting your return,

and so are all the geese you let loose.

One little boy will have to
catch every single one of them.

(engine starting)

(car door closing)

- Don't let him get to you, kid.

- I won't.

- But it's okay to feel scared.

But you have 13 backs to watch over you.

Am I right, Karolyi?

- Aye, captain my captain.

- Are we angry about the food?

Are we angry about Andreas?

- [Group] Yes.

- [Laszlo] You should
be angry. I'm furious.

So we have to use it.

Every time you see Nazi come
charging down the field,

remember how hungry, remember how angry

you were in this moment.

Anger wasted on the wrong
address is anger that lingers on.

So send it the way of the Nazis

and you won't waste a single breath.

Are we angry?

- [Group] Yes!

- [Laszlo] Are we angry?

- [Group] Yes!

(cheering)

(soft music)

(players shouting)

- Good morning, gentlemen.

- General Seigle, welcome.

- How is Team Laszlo looking today?

- I don't see them posing
a threat to our team.

I predict a comfortable victory.

The Fuhrer deserves it.

- Who is the man with the ball?

- That is Sandor Stekely, a
regional player from Buckhalter.

I would say, behind Laszlo
Horvath and Karolyi Faraco,

he is likely their third-best player.

Laszlo discovered him at another camp.

He's a real find.

- Sandor Stekely of
Buckhalter, any relation

to Magda Stekely, the famous opera singer?

- Yes, I believe that is his wife.

- How interesting.

(crickets chirping)

- How is your family? Do
you know where they are?

- No, sir, I don't.

My father helped a Jewish lady.

Our families were friends.

She helped in the kitchen.

One of the waiters told
the Nazis to save himself.

And that's it. They
separated us, immediately.

And burned down the restaurant,
and there was nothing left.

- I was angry and furious,

because I didn't think
I deserved to be saved.

There's a guilt you carry inside,

because you are the only one who survives.

Why me? Why not them?

Why not all of us?

- What about you, Laszlo?

No kids? No wife?

- I took my time to pick the right girl.

- And?

- And there were too many to pick from,

so I couldn't make up my mind.

I don't know. I just.

I kept waiting and waiting and,

then the war begins, and suddenly no one

cares that much about falling in love.

- I think you love football
so much that no one else,

not even a woman, stood a chance.

- That could be true. Football
always was my first love.

And whenever I did love someone else,

football became kind of my mistress.

They would all wonder where I was,

what was I doing and
thinking I was unfaithful.

But no, every chance I
had I was on that field.

I was there.

The scent of freshly cut grass.

The moment when you slide on your cleats.

And the moment when that football
gently touches your foot.

It's a love affair of epic proportions.

You play

for and out of love.

And on a very good day,
when the game loves you back

and you taste the
victory despite the odds,

that's the day to live for.

- Yeah (knocks wood).

Two more weeks.

- Then we find out if
David can topple Goliath.

- We're not David. We're
an ant under David's foot.

- Good.

If they think of us as an ant, we can win.

- Sandor Stekely, correct?

- Correct, sir.

- The colonel would like
to see you in his office.

Now.

(classical music)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(knocking on door)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(lighter striking)

(opera singing in foreign language)

- What a voice your wife has.

It seems my superior General Seigle

is a great admirer of her.

And he's not a man who
is easily impressed.

- What does my wife have--

- At his invitation, your
wife will tonight be giving

a performance at a
concert house in Karlovac.

And your wife has asked the
general if he'll see to it

that this letter be
personally delivered to you.

(opera singing in foreign language)

I have of course prepared
your release authorization.

(opera singing in foreign language)

Thank you.

(players shouting)

- Sandor!

- Sandor, all right, come on.

(players shouting)

(birds singing)

- I think you should talk to him.

- Sandor?

Join us.

(birds singing)

You all right?

- Yes.

My wife,

I think she wants to help me.

- Help you, how?

- I received a letter today.

There is a way for us
to be together again.

- No, no, don't fall for their trick.

They're trying to sell you a story.

- What if it's true?

I know her handwriting. It was hers.

- Karolyi, give me your letter.

Give me your letter.

It's been put back.

Never underestimate the Nazis.

- Yes, but this is different.

We were offered a deal.

- Don't you see what
they're doing, Sandor?

It's your life.

- Fine.

- San--

- Do you think it's true?

About their offer?

- Doesn't matter what I think.

The game hasn't even started,
and they're already ahead.

(players chattering)

- I changed my mind.

I can't go through with the offer.

Please, I must speak with the colonel.

- I do not know what
you are talking about.

- Please, I'm begging you.

Tell my wife we're through with it.

- Back to work. Prisoners' duty.

- Please, Henckel.

Please.

- Sandor, stop.

(players chattering)

(players shouting)

(soft piano music)

- Tomasz, I must see my wife tonight.

Please, I know what I'm doing.

I will be back in the morning.

(opera singing in foreign language)

(dog barking)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(dogs barking)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(dogs barking)

(opera singing in foreign language)

- [Guard] Halt!

Halt!

(gun firing)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(dogs barking)

(opera singing in foreign language)

(dog barking)

(audience applauding)

- Brava!

Brava!

Brava!

(soft music)

- Was I not clear that if
someone tried to escape

they'd be met with severe penalty?

- You instigated this.

- You did this to yourself!

You picked these men! You
wanted to see other camps!

Sandor was your choice!

He was a weak man who made
a stupid and fatal error.

- I will have to find somebody else.

- No!

- He was one of our best players!

- You have 11 men, and of
course your violin player

and the little boy, and
if someone gets injured

you can play with 10 men, I do not care.

You will inform your team that all

of your privileges have been taken back.

You will receive limited
food, and there will be

no more mail delivered
until the match is played.

- This is not what we agreed to.

- Your teammate broke the
promise you made to me.

We are done here. Good day.

Henckel.

- You can't be serious about me playing.

- I wasn't before, but
now I have no choice.

You gotta be ready.

Can't you kick a ball at all?

- Well, yes.

- If you have to play,
you'll play defense.

- This is insane.

We are days away, and
you have to teach him

how to kick a ball.

We wouldn't be in this
situation if you didn't pick

a violin player with two
left feet, and a little boy.

- How could I deny this boy

his chance at growing up and getting old?

- So, what's the plan?

- We all bunker down in our goal,

and we'll wait for our chance.

- Sounds about right.

- Anytime you have an
opponent who is clearly better

than you, you can't go
at them guns blazing.

So we'll let them shoot
their way out of ammo,

and then we wait for a
crack in their armor.

The moment that whistle
blows, they're coming at us.

Patience is not something
they're known for,

and they won't be practicing it against us

because they expect us
to lose, and lose badly.

The longer we manage to hold them back,

the more nervous they will get.

And when certainty is
replaced by panic, we strike.

(group applauding)

- If all we do is defend, how do we score?

- What have we been training for?

- To defend apparently.

- Our chance will come
from a counterattack.

When they lose a
possession, which they will,

I'll make sure I get
the ball to one of you.

- So that's the plan?

We wait for them to lose the possession.

- If they ever lose one.

(grunting)

- [Laszlo] You all right?

- Yeah.

- Aaron, when in doubt, what do you do?

- I kick the ball as hard as I can.

- Good man.

- There is so much you
are capable of doing.

We have a baker, we have a florist,

we have a bookstore owner.

We have a man who still
hasn't spoken a word.

We have fathers and
sons, and we have pride

and dignity, and we have so much more.

If we are going to rain on
their Fuhrer's birthday parade,

it's not going to be with what I can do.

It's going to be with
what each of you can do.

- [Branko] Somehow, we were
coming together as a team.

They tried to break
us, but it didn't work.

Whatever they did, we
ended up feeling close.

And as for Laszlo, as things got worse,

the more it fired up his anger.

And he pushed and pushed
everyone to the edge.

We'd watch him run and run.

And if he was ever tired,
he would barely show it.

(soft violin music)

If he didn't stop, no
one dared to stop either.

(group applauding)

Each of us had a hunger that was deeper

than just the lack of food.

(soft upbeat music)

- At all times, what do we do?

- [Group] Stay together.

- I'll yell France.

(laughing)

The code is France.

When you hear that, run up front.

All right?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Tomorrow, well, I don't have
to tell you what is tomorrow.

So get some rest and
don't think about the game

until the match begins.

At all times, what do we do?

- [Group] Stay together.

(cheering and applauding)

- You think he knows what he's doing?

- He should know. He's played
the game all this life.

- Do you think we have a chance?

- To do what?

- Win.

- Of course.

- I just wanna survive another day.

- Laszlo said not to think about
football anymore, so don't.

Good night.

- Good night.

- Why did you save me?

- You ever like a girl so much

that you can feel your heart beating

right up here, near your throat?

- No.

- Have you ever kissed a girl?

- No.

- There is your answer.

Without love and a kiss, life
is nothing but a big old book

filled with pages that
have nothing to say.

- There was this one girl.

I always walked past her
house on my way home.

- Did you smile, every time you saw her?

- Yes.

- Did she?

- Sometimes.

- That's nice, isn't it?

- Yes, it is.

- You'll find out one day what it's like,

when that nice turns into extraordinary.

- Good night, Mr. Laszlo.

- Good night, Mr. Branko.

(soft piano music)

(feet stepping)

- Andreas, what are you doing here?

- Hospital released me yesterday

and ordered me to report back to camp.

- How do you feel?

- I'm ready to help
our team win the match.

- Too bad you can't play.

All the positions have been filled.

- You gave me your word.

Andreas is not included
in the final count.

We had written agreement.

- Yes, he can board the truck.

(engine starting)

(gate closing)

(soft violin music)

- You've never played this
before. It's beautiful.

What is it?

- It's called Kol Nidre.

It's played in many
synagogues on Yom Kippur Eve.

The holiest of Jewish holidays.

- That's what you played
the day I met you.

- Laszlo, you have a good memory.

- No, don't tell me you
were teaching a Nazi officer

how to play a Jewish melody.

(laughing)

- It was worth the risk.

- Come on. Keep on playing.

We all need it.

(soft violin music)

(engines roaring)

- [Branko] It was the first
time in ages we had all seen

something clean and fresh.

Something that smelled new.

- [Player] Soap, real soap.

- [Branko] I think that was the only time

I saw them behaving my age.

- Branko.

(laughing)

- [Player] So clean.

- [Group] Whoa.

- Nine.

(handle squeaking)

(water running)

(soft music)

- Whoa (laughs).

- [Branko] Little things become big quick

if what you take for granted
is taken away from you.

(soft music)

- Aaron is going to play
the part of our coach.

You just stand up--

- I hope I'm not intruding, gentlemen.

Do you like the uniforms?

- Please, please, have a seat.

I can hear you also enjoying
the towels and the soap.

One must always have fresh
towels on a big match day, eh?

- Now, if you'd excuse me,
Colonel, I'm about to enlighten

these men with my super-secret strategy

that I won't like you to hear.

Unless you are here to spy on me.

- No need for that.

We want a just and fair
battle on the field.

- And the men in this room
represent fairness and justice.

- Certainly. I will
leave you with your team.

Oh, one more thing, you will not need

to wear your armbands today.

No need to mix politics and
sport on such a great occasion.

- What a fine idea, Colonel.

This match does indeed have
nothing to do with politics.

We are all here to have a great time.

- Yes.

Best of luck.

- Come closer.

My team.

(soft music)

Let's just play together

and show these Nazis that football

is not a game in which they always win,

because what I see in front of me,

it's not just a group of men.

I see a team, a team that can beat anyone.

(knocking on door)

- Let's go now.

- Let's show them what
it feels like to bleed.

- Yeah.

- To victory.

Today, and always.

- [Group] To victory!

(applauding)

- For years, I couldn't go to see a game.

The sounds I heard that day wouldn't stop.

(crowd booing and whistling)

The hate they had for us, it was constant,

like a scream that kept
coming, coming and coming.

It still echoes.

(crowd booing and whistling)

- Grandpa, was anyone rooting for you?

- To make the show complete,
a few were allowed in.

We could see them, but we
could not hear them well.

(cheering)

It was the only moment
our people could rise up

even the slightest against the enemy.

(soft dramatic music)

- General Seigle, welcome.

- You've put together
quite the event, Franz.

- Thank you, sir.

- Impressive, very
impressive, very impressive.

- Very good, thank you.

(soft dramatic music)

(crowd cheering and applauding)

- Were you scared?

- No, not on that day.

I had been scared and close
to death many times before,

but on that spring afternoon,

being scared was not an option.

We wanted victory for us,

and for those who were
not afraid to rise up.

We wanted to show our
people that even if this

was a football match,
it meant something else.

Enough was enough.

(engines roaring)

- [Crowd] Sieg Heil!

Sieg Heil.

(crowd cheering)

(soft dramatic music)

- The Hungarian team,
they don't look like much.

- They have been practicing, sir.

I've given them many privileges
to prepare for today.

- I know the Reich will prevail,

but we must give a good performance.

A believable one, if you know what I mean.

- Of course.

- I want those in attendance
who are not rooting for us

to feel good about the
ability of their men.

Despite the final defeat.

- Of course. So do I, sir.

But don't let their looks fool
you. They are a feisty bunch.

Like a pesky animal.

Always looking for a way out.

They will put up a fight.

- Good.

(soft violin music)

- They came at us, wanting blood.

(whistle blowing)

(soft violin music)

- You all right?
- It's okay.

- And Laszlo was right.

They kept coming
relentlessly, left and right.

The Nazi team must have had the ball

in its possession the entire half.

We were dodging bullets,
and somehow it was working.

And as Laszlo had predicted,
they tried skipping

their ground game and
switching to an aerial game.

And when they tried going through the air,

we knew we had them in a panic.

I have never seen a team try
so hard and achieve so little.

The more they shot, the more they missed.

The more they missed, the
more the seed of doubt

we hoped to plant began
to grow and spread.

All we did was defend, defend, defend.

But Laszlo said to wait, so we waited

and waited for the tiny crack.

And just before the half.

- France!

(soft music)

- (grunts) A bolt of lightning.

(cheering)

And boy, were they stunned.

(whistle blowing)

That walk to the locker room

will stay with me till the day I die.

When I remember our
team for a moment there,

they were just like me.

Like a little kid with
the type of smile you get

when you're fearlessly happy.

- Is this part of the
celebration, Herr Wertz?

I wonder if you have been
feeding these prisoners

better than we have our own players.

Perhaps I should consider
you to be hired the next time

our team trains for a much
more serious competition.

Another month and you could have made

these prisoners into world champions.

- I assure you this is
just luck. That is all.

Nothing short of a glorious victory

on the Fuhrer's birthday
is what we will see.

- I do hope so.

We did not come to see '36 repeat itself.

- Absolutely not.

If you will excuse me.

(cheering)

- What happens now?

- Karolyi, how's your ankle?

- I feel fine. I'll pull through.

- Good, what did I tell you?

Goals are what comes.

When you look at the
scoreboard, we are ahead.

I love it!

(cheering)

- You think they'll offer us something

in return for losing?

- Wait a second, what losing?

- Don't you think we have
something to bargain with now?

- Nazis, they don't bargain. They take.

- So, I must congratulate you

on an extraordinary but also
a very lucky performance.

- It's not luck. It's skill.

- I hope you men don't
mind, but I need to borrow

your captain for a brief moment.

- There's two of us.

- I will speak only to you, Laszlo.

- I'm sorry, Colonel.
Wherever Laszlo goes, I go.

- Don't you let that football uniform

give you any sense of entitlement!

Is that understood? This is an order!

- Yes, sir.

- Laszlo, outside now.

Laszlo, the great. Trying to embarrass me.

Congratulations, you're
doing a mighty fine job.

- You wanted a match. You wanted
drama and competition, so.

- What do you want? Tell me.

- You couldn't have come
here without a plan.

- That's enough! No more games.

- I want each member of my
team to be granted his freedom.

Freedom, you remember that word?

None of the men in that room

have tasted it for a long while.

- You can't have it.

- All right.

Me, for their freedom, that's what I want.

- I could do away with
you anytime I see fit.

- You could before this match started.

But now, from what I can see,
you are in a bit of a bind.

Just as your Nazi team is.

- This is only just a spectacle for you.

- Freedom for them.

You've got Europe at your feet.

What's freedom to a few men to you?

(soft music)

- I cannot give you this.

Don't you turn your back on me!

(soft music)

- What you gonna do, risk losing?

- I could promise you nothing,
and we could still prevail.

- You could prevail, but
is it worth the risk?

Your men's feet must be aching
from all the missed shots,

and don't forget I'll be there waiting.

Waiting for another
mistake by your pretty team

just as I was waiting a few minutes ago.

- All right.

Your team can only gain
their freedom if they lose.

(soft music)

- I will tell my team
that losing the match

will get them their freedom.

(soft music)

(door closing)

- If we lose to them, you get to walk.

Yes, you get your freedom.

- All of us?

- No, I stay behind.

- No no no, that can't
happen. We're a team.

- Must we be reminded that
the one thing that Nazis have

never given us besides
freedom is their word

that nothing bad will happen to us?

- All our families are an example of that.

- What's the guarantee
that they keep their word?

- There isn't one. It's up
to each of you to decide.

- Lose a game, win freedom.

Sounds about right.

I say it's a fair deal.

- I can't tell you what to do.

This isn't just about football.

It's life.

(door opening)

- [Guard] Let's go now.

- Whatever happens, if we
are wining when the clock

out there shows 60, I don't
wanna see you on the sidelines.

- Why? Should I st--

- No matter what, you have to promise me.

Find a place and hide there.

Stay there until everyone leaves,

because they're gonna
come and look for you.

- I promise, yes.

- [Player] Laszlo, come on, let's go.

- Good.

(soft music)

- I didn't know why he wanted me to hide.

I was confused and angry.

Because if we won, I wanted
to be with them to celebrate.

They were my team, my family.

(soft music)

(whistle blowing)

(soft dramatic music)

(crowd cheering)

(whistle blowing)

(soft music)

(groaning)

Laszlo was the rarest of men.

You could steal the game from him,

you could make him bleed
and try to break him down.

You could take away his freedom,

but his will to win, never.

What other men saw in his eyes on that day

made them do something no
one thought was possible.

(soft music)

(whistle blowing)

That little ant underneath David's foot

had let out a roar that could make

even a lion run with fear.

(soft music)

- I will be back. I promise.

(soft dramatic music)

(whistle blowing)

- Needing a penalty,
it's not the right recipe

for victory, Herr Wertz.

(soft music)

(whistle blowing)

- Yes, yes!

(crowd applauding)

(soft music)

- [Branko] My natural
curiosity got the better

of me on that day.

I know I had promised Laszlo, and I did.

But I had to see my team again. I had to.

Whatever the cost.

(soft music)

(screaming)

- His game is done.

- But we only have a few more minutes.

- He can't play.

Tomasz, Tomasz.

Have you ever been in goal?

Good, now is your chance.

- We're not playing defense now.

- Aaron, Aaron!

I remember what we practiced.

When in doubt, just kick the
ball as hard as possible.

- But far away from our side.

Come on.

(whistle blowing)

(soft music)

(cheering)

(cheering)

(soft music)

- That was the last time I ever saw them.

Laszlo didn't save me
once. He saved me twice.

(footsteps approaching)

(guns firing rapidly)

(footsteps approaching)

(footsteps receding)

- What happened, Grandpa?
What happened to them?

(soft music)

- 13 men died that day
because they fought back.

They died because they
said enough to an evil

that the world had never seen before.

The beauty of football
was kind to them that day.

The ugliness of the world
surrounding them was not.

Not a day goes by without me thinking

of the happiness I saw on their faces.

(soft music)

Football resembles life sometimes.

The struggle, the discipline,

the sacrifice it demands.

Remember that, David, every time you play.

And sometimes it saves
a life, as it did mine.

So, every time you go out there and play,

always give your best.

You owe it to the game
and to what it represents.

Laszlo was our best player.

But if he tried to do
everything by himself--

- You wouldn't have won.

- I couldn't have said it better myself.

Come here.

It's getting late. We better go.

I don't want your mother to worry.

(soft music)

(soft dramatic music)