Original subtitles

The men are shooting

The cannon is thundering and the infantry is on the alert

Not one foreigner can get through

Because the Piave River pushes him back

Monte Grappa, nobody is running away here

We are determined to win or die

It is very frightening

But we are brave

If it is cold and raining

The fire of the rifles warms us up

With these bayonets

The musket bursts and shooting will prevail

Monte Grappa, Cecco Beppe is running away

He must escape, and then dance a waltz

When that day comes

For all the Germans and Austrian- Hungarians

It will be the shortest day

Therefore, I ask...

that this court impartially judge,

with the right rigor,

defendants Coppola Francesco, son of Giuseppe,

and Lo Grugno Franco, son of unknown father, if they are guilty.

Your Honor, gentlemen of the court...

I've finished.

- Chancellor, did you report that? - Yes, General.

The word goes to the Defense.

Your Honor, gentlemen of the court,

I am here to represent

a more illustrious colleague, a teacher who couldn't come today.

It is my first plea and my first trial.

I must announce to you, and am sorry to do so,

that my illustrious teacher of law and life,

attorney Eugenio Petulazzis,

cannot intervene in this trial

because in a glorious circumstance,

he too shed his dose of blood

for our adored country,

glorious, invincible and beautiful,

sacred, and mother of us all, and also of you.

My illustrious teacher, attorney Eugenio Petulazzis,

as I was saying,

was gloriously hit by an Italian truck

waving the glorious flag of our army,

driven by a young man called Giuliano,

who appears to have run away to Sicily.

And I have the impression that we will hear about this Giuliano.

Now let's talk about these two... What can we call them? Soldiers?

Not soldiers because they were not worthy of their uniforms.

And we will not call them men because they are not so,

since he who is not a good soldier is not a good man either.

What should we call them? Beings, individuals, protozoa?

What are they? We'll see! We'll see what they are.

This is my first plea and my first trial.

And if it doesn't go well, it's not my fault. It's my first time.

But it could be successful.

I could begin with my defense line...

I could begin with citing a soldier's right.

This soldier's right is extended

to a sort of legal military social

consecutio temporis.

I could even turn to the right of civil and free man,

a man projected towards things, structures and institutions

of the French Revolution seen by Thomas Burke in 1872.

For such a treatise,

it would take months, years.

But the man of few words gave this up.

Do you know him?

Me? Never heard of him.

With such adversaries, cases could be easily won.

Why set up my defense on a judicial line?

We don't have two delinquents, we don't have two criminals.

We have two brothers,

two sons of the same mother of which we are children.

Two Italians, sons of that Sicily,

separated from Italy only by a stretch of sea.

They, as us, speak our same language.

As us, they breathe the air and the blue sky of this blessed Italy.

As us, they warm up in the sun that warms our fruits, our harvests.

As us, they express themselves. As us, they are embraced,

warmed by those long, merciful and blessed arms

that are the Italic idiom, its language.

They use our same words, our concepts and our language.

- They are Italians like us. - Sir...

I ask for an interpreter!

Speak forth.

- Speak forth! - Dad, tell him.

He says you are "impedogliando" and "enia".

You're arousing an outbreak, in other words.

I didn't understand "in other words".

Must be a residue of Arab etymology coming from ancient dominations.

- Attorney! Get to the facts. - I'll get to the facts.

The facts begin...

In 1915, May.

Italy is a rose garden.

Roses and petals!

But the wind, the May breeze, becomes a stormy wind.

War clouds are crowding the sky, Diana cries out,

from Gennargentu to the Alps, to the Apennines.

The most beautiful buds of our rose garden,

our young men, leave, chest out, with a limped look.

Each drop of the Piave becomes a note.

- The Piave becomes a song... - Attorney!

Everyone went to war here except you.

So avoid useless rhetoric and go on.

The facts. 1915.

The facts begin on that morning

in which Francesco Coppola

began his personal war, his advancement

that began in the back alleys of poverty

towards the fortress of riches

following an unexpected inheritance.

Excuse me, where is Michele the Scoundrel's home?

Where's Michele the Scoundrel's home?

Wait. I'll tell you right away.

You see that road? Don't go over there.

Go over there, always straight.

Don't look at anyone and keep on going straight.

It's not the first road, nor the second.

Be careful, farther ahead you'll get hit by a shoe.

Yes, he'll throw a shoe at you.

A farmer will, because you can't go there. It's his field.

When you get to the end...

come back a bit because you'll have gone too far ahead.

Then don't turn left anymore.

Turn right. There is a door on the right.

Knock, and a man with a moustache will come out.

He's from town and knows where that man is.

If I go straight, won't I get there sooner?

I don't know. I'm a shepherd.

I go around to Lucania, Veneto, Emilia, Germany, everywhere.

- Is he dead? - Not yet.

- When will he die? - You must be patient.

Darn! He is eternal!

Uncle Michele!

Uncle Michele!

He had everything.

He had everything. Poor Uncle Michele!

He had everything.

Except health.

Where are you going?

- Michele the Scoundrel is here? - Yes, he's here.

- Are you a family member? - No, a relative.

Is he dead?

- I hope not. - It would be trouble for everyone.

- You're all care for him? - Yes, very much.

He hasn't assigned his inheritance yet.

Thank goodness I arrived in time.

Be quiet!

Don't cry.

Uncle Michele!

Uncle Michele, answer.

- Are you dead? - I'm not dead yet.

- He isn't dead. - You want me to die!

Yes, it's what we want. But first you must make a will.

I will leave you my things.

Very well.

Who will you leave Marcolina to?

- What is Marcolina? - 20 hectares of land.

- Uncle Michele! - Lovely land!

Uncle Michele, who will you leave the mountain lodge to?

Pietruccio and Mariolina.

Did you hear? He left you the mountain lodge.

- Wow! - Awesome!

The mountain lodge!

Who are you leaving Building to?

To Alfio.

- Thank him, Alfio. - Thank you.

- Thank you, Uncle Michele. - He even had a building.

Building... It's an ox.

It got four medals at the fair.

- If he doesn't talk, it's a mess. - Who will you leave Michelina to?

To Marietta and Agostino.

Fine. Thank him.

- Thank you, Uncle Michele. - But Michelina is a hen.

A hen?

- He is stingy. - No, a scoundrel.

- Who are you leaving Miguzzo to? - Calogero.

Calogero, thank him.

Thank you!

- The olive grove? - Teresa.

To Teresa. Fine.

Who will you leave the sow to?

- To Taridda. - Thank you, Uncle Michele.

Cerino, Filadelfio, Carolina,

Nunziatina, Margherita... who will you leave them to?

Speak before I end up getting screwed.

To you.

Alright. The jerk made an effort.

The house and all there is,

to you.

Handsome Turiddu!

You are handsome!

You are handsome!

Now you can die in peace.

- Fine! Die! Die! - Beautiful!

Just a moment. Just a moment!

What are you leaving me? I am the son of the sister of your wife's cousin.

Go away. Let him die in peace.

I have a right too. Uncle Michele, what're you leaving me?

You're right, Ciccio.

- You are kind. - Yes, but what will you leave me?

- You are a good boy. - But what will you leave me?

Fra... Fra...

Frame?

One last gasp and you'll make it.

Franchino.

Franchino?

- Is it a farm? - It's not a farm.

- A horse? - It's not a horse.

- An ox! - Do I have horns? It's me.

- You? - I was an orphan.

Uncle Michele considered me a son.

Now that Uncle Michele died, you are my adored father.

I give up this inheritance! He disgusts me.

- Dad, don't say that. - You're crazy. I'm going.

- Dad! - We are real men, not lunatics.

- Yes, but let me by. - You can't go by yourself.

You're going by yourself?

- Who will you leave the boy with? - He is older than me.

Age doesn't matter.

When you're an orphan, you're always a child.

- But I don't want him. - Why not? Is he ugly?

- You think he's handsome? - Take him as he is.

Listen to me.

Uncle Michele, as a young man, was a man of honor.

His will must be respected.

Very respected!

Everyone got homes, carts, horses.

I'm starving and I have to feed a monkey?

Yes, sir. You must take care of him.

Give him some peanuts, but take care of him.

You must protect him, support him,

and help him grow up.

- Understand? - What a great inheritance!

- It is a legacy. - Sure.

A legacy... A legacy...

- He left me a big problem. - Adored Dad!

Now that I've found you, I will never leave you.

The monkey, I mean the orphan,

started to love this father he had unexpectedly found.

What could Coppola do?

Coppola, like a tender kangaroo,

tried to protect and take with him,

in the pouch of his affection,

the little boar... I mean... the orphan.

But although there was much affection on one side,

and much gratitude on the other side,

one day the irreparable took place.

Leave me alone. Go away.

- Dad, why are you abandoning me? - Don't call me "Dad"!

- I am not your father. - Yes, daddy.

- Take me with you. - Where can I take you?

This is my home and all that I have.

- But now you have me. - I'd forgotten my inheritance!

This great asset.

You think I'm stupid, huh? I am little, but all brain.

- I have great ideas in here. - Will we eat your ideas?

Your brain?

I live by selling these clay things

and I pull a cart because they confiscated my mule.

We are at war.

A draft card could suddenly arrive and they could send you to the front.

Soldiers eat every day! In fact, two and three times a day.

I don't care to go to war just to eat.

I am a pacifist and am fine, even without a mule.

- You found the mule. - Where is it?

Me, Dad.

Get inside. I'll show you how a cart is pulled.

- What are you doing? - I'll show you how it's done.

Dad!

Dad! Don't leave me!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad, is the cart broken?

You've ruined me.

- You broke everything. - No. The plate is still whole.

You broke everything! You ruined me!

Go away!

You broke all the clay things!

Go away!

He left me all alone.

We see again those who are alive.

Good for you, Ciccio.

- And those who aren't alive? - You don't see them again.

You want to see us, don't you?

As soon as I saw you, I was happy.

Great. Did you hear him?

Tell me why you abandoned the boy?

Abandoned? I lost him!

- I am looking for him. - Really?

- I swear. - Very well.

We found him.

- No! - Yes.

Franchino, where are you?

Father! I am here!

My father!

Why did you abandon me in the cursed jungle?

- You don't hug him? - Yes. My son!

Look at what a touching scene.

Hold him or he'll fall.

He is weak.

Pick him up. He is your son.

You must take him with you for your whole life.

- Even to your grave. - The grave.

- Is that clear? - Yes.

Let's go.

So what did Coppola do?

He again put inside his loving pouch the little walrus...

Excuse me. The orphan. Excuse me, little boar.

Don't worry.

He let him convince him to face a new enterprise.

It was a dark period for Italy,

one in which gray defeatists with greenish, bloodless faces,

nestled in the sick shadow of the cafes of a stunned Italy,

had changed the glorious and unfortunate name of Caporetto

into the more defeated one of "Capochino".

My son, do it for your country.

Do it for your king, for your father who can't go.

And careful with women.

It is an offering for the Red Cross. A caress to those who gives a cent.

To those who gives one Lira, I'll give a kiss here.

- If I give 100 liras? - I'll slap you.

Other offerings?

Please, Ettore, you are my best friend.

Stay very close to her as if you were me.

You will feel alone in that big bed.

Don't worry. I put the big one in the basement.

We bought a small bed.

- Remember what I said? - Yes.

I must watch out for hand grenades.

I must smoke few cigarettes and take quinine every night.

And now goodbye, my dear. The army is leaving.

If I didn't leave, I would be a coward.

Alright, go.

Poor woman! It's your husband, isn't he?

Yes, but I'm not worried.

He is used to it. He's already been in Libya.

You'll see that my great idea will work.

When they see us, they'll cover us with gifts and food.

They'll give us many packages.

As of today, I will take care of you.

Really? I've no more worries!

- Some charity. - Packages too.

- Some charity. - Give us packages.

We are two poor souls.

What beggars!

- Packages too - Some charity.

- Even care packages. - Poor things!

It must be terrible for you not to be able to fight.

- Mutilated? - No, handicapped.

- You're suffering, aren't you? - Very much.

They give packages, lunch baskets, presents to recruits.

To us, poor handicapped souls, they don't give anything!

I'd like to be a man!

- Why? - You're fine the way you are.

I could serve my mother country. I'd do it with passion.

You'd do it with passion too.

- Long live our mother country! - They feel pity for us!

You arouse pity and disgust.

Don't tell my wife.

Lieutenant, we're ready to leave.

Bye.

- Excuse me, dear. - Have you finished?

- Dad, pull out your hand. - What if they enlist us?

Momentarily! We'll steal two recruit bands

and get food packages and gifts, and we're all set.

You have an intelligent son!

- Miss Red Cross! - What do you want, nice soldier?

- Will you give us a package? - Here is a bouquet of flowers.

- Dad, this is for you. - I can't eat flowers.

- Sheep eat them. - Here!

- Are you on military duty? - I'm from Catania.

Bravo, volunteers. Get in!

- Get in, idiot. - You get in too. Hurry!

- We'd like a package. - Get in!

We'd like a package. A package!

Station master, the signal!

- The train is leaving. - We'll get off at the first stop.

Excuse me.

- Which is the first stop? - Caporetto.

This is war? Go shove it up...

Dad, it may seems incredible, but I am very much afraid.

Me too. It's your fault that we're in this hell.

If this continues, we'll end up in paradise.

- I want mom. - Be quiet!

They're shooting!

Hello? 47th Fast Brigade.

Who is it?

Fazzani! Don't be a kid. We're really shooting here.

What is the troop doing?

The troop is shooting... hoping... and dying.

"Dear mom, don't worry. I'll be home for the holidays."

"Kisses. Pasquale."

- How many are there? - Ten.

Mom, did you hear the blow?

Eleven.

No, ten. I can't do eleven.

Mom, I tried.

Dad.

Dad!

- What are you doing? - Dad, you're alive!

- What are you doing? - We're kissing. We're very close.

- We are father and son. - It's not true.

I take this opportunity to state our civil situation.

- We are victims of an error. - A railway error.

We went to the station to get the packages.

Instead, they sent us here.

- We'd like... - Packages.

Silence! Your duty is to shoot!

- Let's get out of here. - I'm leaving this place. Get lost.

I didn't say "shoo", but shoot!

Alright.

Sergeant, I want to remind you of our middle class position.

Stop with this bullshit.

Now you must sing as your companions do.

The enemy will think that our morale is very high!

- Sing! - I'll sing.

The cemetery of us soldiers.

Ta- boom, ta- boom, ta- boom.

- This funeral song has given me an idea. - More ideas?

If the Austrian- Hungarians caused you to die from a hand grenade

that exploded on your head and shattered your brain,

your assets would go to me, right?

Are you a jinx too?

I wanted to ease your conscience.

This is a machine gun that plays the dance of death.

It's not a machine gun. It's that American writer.

He has a fixation. He always writes.

The situation is complicated here. We must find shelter.

Right. Let's say farewell to the weapons.

Thank you for the title.

A FAREWELL TO THE WEAPONS

Dad, an airplane.

Who is that audacious person flying over the enemy line?

- Who is that madman? - Maybe it's Baracca.

Whatever the name, he's crazy.

Speak in Italian!

Where is it going?

It's coming down.

- Among the enemy. - No. The wind is taking it here.

Back up. Attention!

Wow, what a landing!

- Yes, Colonel. - Major Baracca!

- I am not Major Baracca. - You're a "chanteuse"!

Yes, Colonel.

I was sent by the back streets to perform for the soldiers.

But you risked your life.

I don't fear danger. I will fight with the soldiers.

With her here, my soldiers will go crazy.

- Yes, alright. - With you, we'll win every battle.

Yes. I don't understand what you say.

- Let's move. - I am waiting for an answer.

- Come with me. - Yes.

I'll explain the situation.

Well?

Ann List, you are a famous artist.

I appreciate your performances.

You cheer up the troops.

I am an admirer of your imitations, of your quick changes.

Officers, report in ten minutes.

I could help you with my imitations. I could be a spy.

You want to be an Italian Mata Hari?

Try me. I speak German well.

Who is speaking?

Frassardi.

Lieutenant Frassardi, you are under arrest.

Ann List, go back to the camp.

I'll get you a means now.

Meanwhile, I will go back to the mud.

The mud of the trench, among my men who risk their lives.

Lucky them!

Excuse me, where does this side lead to?

- To Mo... - To Monza?

- To Mo... - To Monreale.

To mortal death!

- And the other side? - Same thing.

- Dad, I'd say to go right. - Then let's go to the left.

Watch out for the step!

Yes, sir! It was the command.

When the Austrians cease fire, we'll attack.

- We'll distribute grappa. - Double ration.

Only the elders. The others are not ready to attack.

- Go, Sergeant. - Yes, sir.

Did you see? We are safe here.

- There is no more shooting. - Let's hope so, Dad.

- Elders? - Why?

The elders have a right to grappa, not the recruits.

- We are elders. - Then drink. That's it!

- You have an intelligent son. - For once!

Cheers!

- What is it? - 180 degrees! It's to perk you up.

Attention! Attention!

- We're listening attentively. - We're attentive.

Stand up! Straight!

I can't. The trench is too low for me.

- If I get up, they'll kill me. - You must keep straight like...

You see?

Five, four, three, two, one.

Attack!

Darn, the gun!

Attack, Savoy!

What are you doing, idiot? Go attack!

Who is...

- Why aren't they going? - They are recruits.

You elders have the honor of facing the enemy.

- We are recruits. - For drinking, you were elders.

Now you are recruits.

Go or I'll blow your brains out!

I'll kill you here!

Where are you going? The attack is there!

Go on!

Go attack! Remember the Alamo!

Darn them.

- Who are you? - Soldier Rino Ferruccio.

I was born in Trieste, but live in Portogruaro now.

- What are you doing? - I don't know. I don't understand.

There is confusion. From what I understood,

it's to liberate our Trieste

from the secular and despicable,

very despicable Habsburg domination.

I will crawl.

My Trieste, I'm nostalgic!

I am going far away from you

- Dad, he's crazy. - I am crazy.

- You are normal. - No. I listen to your nonsense!

Why do you treat me like this? I even got grappa for you.

Don't remind me of the grappa!

Murderer!

Dad, don't leave me. You're leaving me as an orphan? Dad!

I want to remain without children, you jinx.

I'm leaving. I don't need you.

- I'll win the war by myself. - Dad, don't leave me.

Did you see my father? Where is my father?

Dad, wait for me!

- Dad, I found you again! - No!

Surround that position and watch out, boys.

- It's full of shooters. - What did he say?

Where are the shoes?

- What? - The shoes.

You said "shoes".

- What did I do? - You are innocent.

I'll kill anyone who says differently.

- Stop! - The Mafia!

I'm a specialized hired shooter from the continental Royal Army.

With this rifle, I'll turn you into a colander.

You wanted to abandon the orphan on the battlefield.

It's not true.

I don't believe you, scum. Go get him.

Franchino, my son!

- Thank you! - Forget it.

Dad! I'm happy to have found you

in this battlefield.

Thank you, Uncle Turi. Let's go. We'll save ourselves.

- Go on. - Come on, Dad.

Go fight.

Who are you?

- I'm German, you're Italian. - He is the enemy.

- Yes, modestly speaking. - And now?

I immediately realized

that you drank a lot of grappa like me.

He is one of us. He's looking for packages.

I noticed right away from your fall

that you are a bit afraid, as I am.

I realized right away from your fear that it was a bad attack.

- What shall we do? - I'll tell you.

We are safe inside this big hole

and let's see how the battle ends up.

If the Germans win, you'll be my prisoners.

If the Italians win, I will be your prisoner.

Very simple!

- What do you think? - You are the head of the family.

And so, at the end of their first war action,

these two valorous heroes managed to catch a prisoner.

They did not receive gold medals.

They did not receive mentions.

They received no praises.

They received no leaves of absence.

They received no...

These two humble infantrymen,

together with other humble infantrymen,

in a humble hospital,

were able to attend

a humble performance...

Featuring the amazing Ann List.

This beautiful girl

made Colonel Daini say...

He was known not only for his military power and his wit.

He said, "I am a soldier.

A soldier's life is tough,

but thanks to Ann List I'd live my whole life".

Some think I'm French Some think I'm Spanish

But I was born in Conte di Mola And I am the best

Some think I am French Some think I am Spanish

But I was born in Conte di Mola And I am the best

Dear Bebè, what are you looking at?

I feel ill when I see you

Bravo!

- She was at the station. - When we faked being handicapped.

She is beautiful, and fascinating.

Would you like to have a son as tall as I am?

Get down immediately!

The move!

Who dares?

- It wasn't meant for you. - I hope not!

Bravo!

- Toys and perfumes! - Thief.

- Blackcap. - Thief.

- What I say is an order. - Blackcap.

- Goodbye Variety Shows! - Yes!

- Despicable! Disgraceful! - What are you saying?

- I am insulting her too. - Those are songs.

Thank you, boys. I'd like to please you,

but tonight I want to dedicate a special number to Col. Daini.

A quick change performance. I will be right back.

Music for you!

- You are so beautiful! - Control your nerves.

He is tired.

- What? - Do you speak French?

Yes, of course.

May I? Lt. Farsaldi.

Head of interpreting services. It's hard to believe, huh?

- My wife sent me a package. - A kind thought. Here.

"Ettore and I think of you night and day."

Her and Ettore think about you, even at night.

Ettore is my best friend and he defends her.

I see. Ettore, the defender of Troy.

Thanks. Enough, boys. And now, a surprise.

A quick change that I will do tonight for the first time,

the most typical sergeant of the whole regiment.

He is the most sergeant among all sergeants.

She wouldn't be able to deceive shrewd people like us.

- What do you say, Lieutenant? - I don't think so, Colonel.

- There is a similarity. - You think?

Yes, but she doesn't have a moustache.

Move, slow pokes, or I'll arrest all of you!

Understand? I'll arrest all of you if you don't move!

So start hustling!

She's perfect!

Perfect!

- She's identical! - Why are you laughing, moron?

- He called me a moron. - It means idiot.

- He offended me. - Why are you upset with us?

We had you make a good impression.

I'd have preferred they capture you, or even me,

rather than see you again.

There is no communication between the sergeant and us.

Let's thank Ann List for her extraordinary...

Quick changes.

That thing she just did.

And now the show continues

with the performance of the wizard Maccheroni.

- There. Feel better? - I feel sick.

I'm sorry, but look at what a wonderful performance!

What are you saying?

- I feel ill! - I know.

I feel ill!

Soft beds, Red Cross women pampering you, special meals.

It's all for the sick, and they keep on complaining.

- It's great to be sick! - Yes, it is. Being sick!

I have an idea. Come.

Where? The dancers are coming now.

- I don't care. Come. - He doesn't like dancers.

- Colonel, a message from Ann List. - Thank you.

- You're not watching the show? - You don't like dancers?

Do you get bored?

Is this a questioning? A cross examination?

Who's that? So...

I GAVE YOU PROOF OF MY ABILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO SERVE MY COUNTRY

I'LL BE WAITING IN MY DRESSING ROOM. YOURS ANN LIST

She is crazy. Lieutenant, do me a favor.

Go to Miss Ann List's dressing room.

Tell her politely, to forget such an impossible request.

It will be done. It's a pleasant assignment.

- Dad, why are we getting undressed? - You didn't understand a thing!

If I hit you?

- You hurt me. - And what comes out?

- Blood. - And you make me suffer.

I am allergic to blood and I will faint.

If they see us, where will they take us?

- Where? - Say it. To the hos...

- To the house. - No, to the hos...

- Hostel. - No! To the hospi...

- Pal. - What? Hospipal?

- I don't know. - The hospital!

- And what is there? - The morgue.

No. What is inside there?

Soft beds, Red Cross nurses pampering us and special meals.

- And no front. - If you say so, alright.

- Bravo. - I'll sacrifice myself.

- Hit hard. - Are you ready?

Don't make me suffer.

- Did blood come out? - I didn't feel anything.

- This is lead! - Yes, but this is iron.

What are you doing in there?

Answer. Where did you put your uniforms?

Uniforms?

- They stole our uniforms! - Who did it?

- I didn't notice. - Are you making fools of me?

- Sergeant! - Yes, sir!

- At ease. - Yes, Captain!

- What are you doing? - I am reprimanding these two.

- What did they do? - I caught them...

Speak up!

- Captain! - Enough. Know what you should do?

- No, sir. - Unload the truck and get the mines.

- Yes, sir. - Mine the field facing the command.

Then with a 34- kilometer- march, reach the rear.

- Alright? What're you waiting for? - Orders.

I gave the orders. You must get moving.

- Yes, sir! - Go!

He yells a bit, but he's a good man.

Are you sick? I can see that. You're thin.

You are sick too, but we'll cure you.

After the recovery you'll go to the front.

Come on! It's no big deal.

One front more, one front less. What's the problem?

- Dad, did you hear that? - Relax. We won't go to the front.

Permits are suspended for everyone.

- Permits... - Everything is solved, sir.

- Alright. - Ann List won't disturb you anymore.

I convinced her she's not fooling anyone with her disguises.

Not me! But I've the impression that she can suddenly appear

like Mazzini, like Garibaldi, like you, Fiorelli.

- In fact, I'm not Fiorelli. - Ann List! It isn't possible!

Put your moustache back on. That's Fiorelli's moustache.

You took off his moustache? Where is Fiorelli?

- In the dressing room. - Maybe in his underpants!

Wow! You are really good.

You are really good.

- I just thought of something. - What?

I think that if you managed to deceive me, you could also...

Do you know Field Marshal Gassman?

I am taking on a serious responsibility. Listen.

The Austrians placed a cannon beyond Caporetto.

It's a 420 that could kill all my men.

Tonight we will leave our positions and will go south.

You will stay here

and become a German spy, Frau Gretel.

I'll get you the necessary IDs.

Field Marshal Von Gassman

is very sensitive to a woman's charm.

If you make him fall in love...

The rest is up to us.

I entrust you with a goal that can cost your life.

- Think it over before accepting. - I already thought it over.

Thank you!

What enthusiasm! The moustache bothered me a bit.

- Door. - What door?

- The door. - Shall I remove it?

No, close it!

This is the right place for us.

Come.

Don't make any noise.

- Don't make any noise. - They can hear us.

Tomorrow we'll reach the inhabited area and mix in with the crowd.

- In underwear? - I'll find a suit.

- Two suits. - One, mine.

When we go out, we'll separate.

- You're leaving me? - Yes.

- What did I do to you? - You ask?

- Who destroyed my chart? - I did.

- Who said to pretend to be crippled? - I did.

- Who sent me to the front? - Me, again.

- I always have lots of ideas, dad. - Don't call me that.

- Yes, Father. - Don't call me father.

- Yes, Pops. - Don't call me Pops!

I told you we are not relatives.

I know. We are father and son.

- Idiot! - There's a cat in the trunk.

Let's help him get out.

- It's a tail without a cat. - It's Ann List's trunk.

Look at all the uniforms.

She is well organized.

Don't be a clown.

Someone is coming!

Hurry, you sheep!

- He's the sergeant. - Maybe they know you ran away

and want to shoot you. - You ran away, too.

- They must not shoot you. - Be quiet.

Go on, sheep!

You have a 42- minute rest.

Then you must unload the trucks...

Get the mines, and mine the field in front of the command.

Then, with a 34- kilometer march,

you will reach the rear.

You must do many things. Don't forget them.

This is a job that must be done with all your soul.

Darn you and all your ancestors!

In 42 minutes they will leave. We can sleep peacefully. Sleep.

- You're not singing a lullaby? - Sleep!

42 MINUTES LATER THE SITUATION HAD CHANGED

Dad! Dad!

- I woke up. - I see it. Did they leave?

- No. - Darn it!

- How will we run away? - Let me think.

Let's put hay on top of our heads and try to escape.

I am too tall to be mistaken for a haycock.

- A what? - A haycock.

Let's take off the capes and go down.

- We should take off our capes? - Yes.

- Why? - You'll understand one day.

Come.

Hurry! And be quiet.

- Shall I come down too? - Yes.

- What are you doing? Get down! - Wait for me.

- Hurry. - Here I am.

- Don't make noise. - They are snoring.

Let me sleep!

- Let's wash up. - Weren't we going to run away?

We can't do it now. They haven't left.

Feel the water.

- How is it? - Warm.

- What language is that? - They come from northern Italy.

They're from northern Italy.

What are you saying? Don't attract attention.

Excuse him. He's a rough southerner.

Where are they from?

Maybe from Southern Tyrol.

The usual Southerners

Very good, Sergeant. You caught two prisoners.

I am the prisoner. They're all Germans. Run!

Understand? They're all Germans!

- They're all Germans! - Dad, I washed myself.

They're all Germans.

- We are in a German camp. - Where are the Germans?

If they find out we're not Germans, they'll kill us.

We must find two German uniforms and get dressed.

Come. Everything is in Ann List's trunk.

That corporal wanted to burn the old woman alive

because she had denied eggs to him

Yes, exaggerated...

And he wanted to have us shot because we told him not to do it.

He's not a bad man

Corporal Hitler wouldn't hurt a fly.

Understand? As of this moment, don't talk.

- What if they ask me something? - I don't understand.

- What if they ask me something? - Answer, Jawohl.

- You know what it means? "Yes". - Jawohl.

Beautiful, beautiful Italy

Everything is beautiful. Birds, children...

Florence, Saint Peter's, spaghetti, everything is beautiful.

Beautiful women...

But Italians...

Italians are ugly

They are ugly and we'll kill them all!

We'll kill them all...

Because we want to conquer Italy from Germany

so that our emperor will be the greatest

and now let's all sing together!

The enemy has placed mines along the passage way.

We must create an opening for a patrol of explorers.

Two volunteers are needed.

Because they will surely lose their lives.

Those who volunteer...

Stay here.

The others go.

Bravo! You are willing to sacrifice your life

for the victory of the great Austrian- Hungarian empire!

Alright, then go.

Hurry.

Hurry!

MINES

We don't have devices to locate the mines

By risking your lives, you'll facilitate our advancement.

Corporal, the snowshoes.

They still want to joke around!

You must leave visible tracks by walking like this.

For the emperor! Come here!

Stop!

That way!

The Germans are hiding. It must be a game.

No, they're teaching us to walk when the snow will fall.

I will run.

Watch out.

Dad, run!

If they were all like this...

With such soldiers, we'd conquer the world.

In the end, the Germans like us.

It isn't dangerous to take a walk in the meadow.

Dangerous? What are you saying?

Dad, let's run and have fun.

We'll run away now.

- Wait. What is it? - It's stuck...

Why did they stop?

They are on a mine!

Pull hard and it will detach.

- Those guys are wonderful. - Prussian school.

They made it!

- Dad, they're calling us. Why? - I don't understand them.

Come back!

He says to turn back.

To the left.

Alright! The snowshoes!

He says to remove the snowshoes.

Don't throw the snowshoes.

Mr. Hungarian, should I throw it?

Like this!

What is going on?

We're on a minefield!

Captain, marshal Von Gassman wants the heroic soldiers to go to his quarters

if they survive...

You are responsible for their arrival.

Dad, they're lifting us!

Where are they taking me? Dad!

Help! Help! I'm afraid.

I have no intention of flying! Where are they taking us?

Where are they taking us?

Help!

Dad, I am afraid!

- Help! I am afraid! - Don't yell! They'll hear us.

If they realize we aren't Germans, they'll kill us.

We're going down.

Why are they applauding us? Do they think we are artists?

GENERAL CITY COMMAND

The jacket of one of your soldiers was missing a button.

That's unforgivable.

Dear Colonel,

you lost too many men to conquer that position.

Our heroes would have died on that minefield.

Unforgivable.

You...

I don't like you.

Now you know what you must do

Who makes a mistake pays!

Bury them.

Where are you going? The corpses are over there.

General, Mrs. Gretel is waiting to be received.

Well, after lunch we will have coffee together.

I heard about your behavior in the minefield.

I had you called in

because I am pleased to have two heroes here.

I expect from everyone...

Maximum correctness...

And maximum precision.

Everyone knows that with me...

Anyone who makes a mistake pays!

Marshal Von Gassman will receive you after dinner.

Good, I have time to put on some Austrian perfume.

The General wants to be well served, understand?

For the cook

The cook...

Water.

Wine!

Egg.

Egg.

Bread.

Bread!

- Broth! - Broth.

Broth.

Bread!

Bread!

I have the impression that you committed a few mistakes

and with me

who makes a mistake pays!

- If they catch us, they'll kill us. - You make fart- noises!

- You did it too. - Be quiet. Look who is here!

- Dad, there's a woman. - Who is she?

- She's Ann List. - What is Ann List doing here?

- She dyed her hair black. - Black?

Dad, she's getting closer.

- Did she have to put it here? - Be quiet.

Come, Von Gassman.

Mrs. Gretel.

You are as fascinating as always.

If you sneeze, I'll kill you.

And you are as gallant as always.

You seemed changed since we met in Vienna.

Remember that evening on the hills of Grinzing?

Certainly.

Why don't you sit down?

There's time.

First you must tell me why you came here!

You learned Italian well...

Not as good as certain Italians who learn German.

It's the German general. She's a spy!

This hair isn't as nice as that of Mrs. Gretel.

- He scalped her! - Is he an Indian?

You are a spy!

A spy gets 100 years of jail.

Now you'll tell me the whole truth and be careful you don't make a mistake.

With me,

anyone who makes a mistake pays!

What would I get out of saying I'm a spy? I know what awaits me.

Italians say, "You give me something and I give you something."

Let me destroy the Italian army with the 420

and I will save your life.

- I'd rather die! - Silly heroism!

If you cooperate, you'll avoid being shot.

So? Where is the army?

I will never tell you.

I'll find out just the same with scopolamine, the truth serum.

- He wants to shoot her? - He wants to give her an injection.

- Maybe he'll shoot her later. - Is she ill?

With a scopolamine shot,

the subconscious comes out, even if you don't want it to.

Scopolamine!

Hurry! We've already lost too much time with this spy.

We must do something. We must save her.

- What will we do? - Hurry! The scopolamine!

Hurry. Let's run!

You made a big mistake

by injecting me with the truth serum.

With me...

Anyone who makes a mistake pays!

Capt. Bolzer reporting.

What report? Speak in Italian.

We are in Italy and everyone must speak Italian!

Be careful!

Don't make a mistake.

With me, anyone who makes a mistake pays!

The three spies that escaped will pay too.

I'll have them caught and shot.

Captain Rilke paid too.

He accidently gave me scopolamine, the truth serum

that brings out repressed subconscious instinct.

But I am not afraid of my instincts because I am Prussian.

Very righteous. I bend but I don't break!

I am the most valorous soldier of the German army.

And don't make me waste more time. What do you want?

The colonel wants to know when the offense begins.

If you give me a kiss, I'll tell you.

I like beards!

Order carried out, Captain!

And well done.

Good morning, Captain.

I kiss your hand, Miss.

Captain, stop that coach!

There are three spies inside.

Alarm! There are three spies in the coach!

Saint Barbara, protector of sailors, save us!

The road is full of holes. Be careful!

If you are afraid, close your eyes as I do. Here it is!

- I found two big cigars. - What brand?

- Dynamite. - Dynamite?

Stop! We are full of dynamite. We'll explode on the first hole!

It's better than being shot by the Austrians.

What'll I do with this?

- Throw it! - Throw it at the Austrians!

- They lost sight of us. - A hole!

Again with the Germans.

Get out!

Hurry! Get on the plane!

Go away or we'll slice you like salami.

This is it!

My God!

- Dad! - We made it!

Yeah, we made it!

Dad, we're flying! Let me off!

We are heading towards the Italian lines.

Let me get off. I'm afraid.

- Mom! - Be quiet!

Dad, I'm afraid!

Don't worry.

It's all because of the packages.

- You know that. - I don't want them anymore.

Now take this!

They're shooting at us because they think we're Austrians. We must go.

Saint Rosalia, protector of fishermen, save us!

Guys, the Austrian 420!

My gosh, it's so long!

We must advise the Italian command of its position.

Who will advise it?

That cannon must be destroyed.

Only this way, can our men advance.

I'll reach the Italian command.

- How? - I'll jump with the parachute.

- What did she say? - She'll jump.

She'll hurt herself. My gosh!

What is she doing? She's crazy.

Do as I do. Under the seat, there's a parachute.

- What? - A parachute.

Miss Ann!

Miss, come back up!

Did she jump with the parachute?

- Let's get the parachute! - Hold still!

- Where are you going? - Stay here.

Where are you going?

Don't leave me. Wait for me. I'm coming with you.

You can't abandon me! I am your son!

Leave me alone!

Don't leave me! I see houses above the sky!

Help!

Dad!

- Leave me alone! - Wait for me!

Wait for me! You can't abandon me!

Help!

Dad, help!

I feel dizzy!

- The Bersaglieri! We won! - We made it.

Victory!

Victory! Victory!

We won.

We won!

In the name of victory, I ask you to give my protégés

what they truly deserved

in this battle, in this war,

that was heroically fought, although wearing civilian clothes.

They should not have to say "ungrateful country". No!

The country is not ungrateful, and I ask that the country

gives these valorous soldiers what they are entitled to,

the honor of the firing squad,

a firing squad with full honors.

I ask for a special firing squad made of king's guards.

It will be a shooting that they will remember

with gratitude and joy.

Not being shot in the back, like unworthy soldiers.

The shots will be fired at the chest and not with covered eyes,

but without a blindfold, with eyes wide open

for them to see the bullets,

and the last message the country gives to them.

A firing squad? I am a civilian. He is guilty.

We've nothing to do with it. We went to the station to get packages.

I swear!

We were hungry.

Your honor, gentlemen of the Court,

before the sentence becomes definitive,

I remind you that we are in the courtroom

of a court martial during times of war.

Today you're alive, tomorrow you're dead,

but for them this is the shortest day!

The Accused having been heard, and above all the Defense,

this court states that the two defendants,

Coppola Francesco and Lo Grugno Franco,

are acquitted of the offenses they are accused of.

- They can be set free. - I object! Acquitted?

I asked for a heroic shooting!

Acquitted? There must be a shooting!

The funeral will be paid by the State and I'll have the rifles doubled.

I don't want to see anyone. Go away. The session is over.

Alright. I will leave. My assignment has ended.

Meanwhile, I will appeal. I must go now.

I have to leave this courtroom.

The temporary license

that the psychiatric hospital gave me has expired.

I must go back at 4:30 because there is broth and cooked prunes.

At 4.45 I have my urine analysis.

Goodbye. The sentence has taken place.

Let's love one another and shoot each other as brothers.

Long live Italy, long live France, long live the Allies,

down with the Austrian- Hungarian empire.

Let's love another, songs of war!

Cecco Beppe is running away

He is crazy. I told you that he's crazy.

Dad, come. You want to stay inside?

Luckily, it went well.

- Did you see who the president was? - Who was it?

Ann List! She is capable of anything.

At the theater she performed Garibaldi, Mazzini, Colombo.

She even looks fat.

Come, I'll show you.

- Excellency, I kiss your hands. - It's not necessary.

- Ann, you did a good job. Thanks. - Ann?

Ann List, don't joke. The trial is over.

Don't make that face. Remove the moustache.

Are you crazy?

I am glad you were acquitted.

- The verdict was right. - The moustache is real.

Real! Go away or I'll have you shot! Go!

- Let's leave right away. - We are going, General.

- Bye. - Good luck!

- What do you want? - To serve my country.

Again? At least wait for the next war.

Let's hope it is soon.

Are you crazy?

- Finally free! - We are free, Dad.

- Free! I'll always be with you. - Ciccio!

The mafia...

I'm checking on you. Where will you take him?

To the zoo.

Zoo, my foot!

These are men who are needed to go to war!

We conquered Fiume and we'll conquer the towns around it.

We conquered Pola and we will conquer even more!

Trento is ours now

and after Trento we'll conquer even more cities!

Peace and good will, brothers.

THE END