Original subtitles

This is what I wrote in my diary:

"It was very hot last night.

"I slept a dreamless sleep."

Use your gun.

Hold the wire up with the butt.

At that time,

we often used to leave the little valley

where the company was stationed

and climb,

keeping strictly to the paths, up and up.

I found the going tough.

I often had to ask for a rest.

We sat and rested in silence,

looking down at the frontier post.

What sort of cigarettes are they? De luxe?

I don't know - with filters.

Go on, then.

Reach out.

Has someone taken a grenade?

- Today is June 17th. - There were 4 out of 5.

- Starts? - Yes, 4 Starts.

Anti-personnel?

Put one ahead of us, by the second hill.

Mazalov! Come here.

- Are the alarms in place? - Not yet.

- And the type 2s? - Yes, one.

On the path we're going to take?

It's off during the day.

We'll add a tripwire later.

Put a PZM mine in front of that trench.

- Where? - Right in front of the trench.

The situation is stable.

I'd like to go to the village.

I got home on the 31st.

Can you believe it, I got home on the evening of 31st December.

I'd love that, even at 11 p.m.

Just because they held me up for 4 hours.

These trenches cover the approaches to the frontier post.

It is one of several, situated at different vantage points.

Each post is surrounded by its own minefield

and is responsible for its own defence.

If these soldiers win an engagement,

they save their own lives

and the lives of those below.

If they lose, everyone dies.

In this war, it seems, no prisoners are ever taken.

It's OK for you.

We've still got to go down.

Chapter 11 The Tale of the One-Eyed Devll

- Me? - You.

No.

- This water is from the base. - Can we wash?

We washed in the Panjsher.

An officer came, the commander of the base...

He came up here.

He saw us bathing, he sent a soldier to say

"Get out quick!"

- Snipers? - Yes.

This water needs boiling.

- No problem. - Let's put it here.

I reckon the war's over.

They've left us alone today.

Don't speak too soon.

They might still give us some bother.

- Any news? - Not a peep.

I've reported.

What about decorations?

- Makarych and Bukhan? - Yes.

What for, the Order of the Easy Chair?

Yes, they'll be put forward for a decoration.

And why not that guy, our bloke?

Why not put forward Saraikin?

- Well? - I don't know.

They say there were two scouts in the mountains.

Were your men there too?

They were taken out,

along with the others.

It must be a joke.

Well, there was that boy who came back in tears.

A frontier-guard.

Valerka was there. The group was just going down with ammunition.

After morning prayers, I waited for a quarter of an hour,

discharged my gun,

and that was it.

I looked sadly up at the sky.

Vityok, the water-carrier.

They've brought some wounded to Post 10.

They said a Russian got killed.

If it was true, there would have been a hell of a row.

We'll get some boxes

to take the stuff to the mountains.

- Preparing for Liberation Day... - We'll get some boxes.

I look at these soldiers

and it seems to me

they can't have had much in the way of human happiness.

They have left Russia,

and everyone who looked to them for help.

Perhaps some of them

don't have anyone

waiting for them anywhere.

Lord, save and protect us.

Put your trousers on.

- What? - Put your trousers on.

Where are the others?

Still over there.

Hasn't Gurin said anything?

Is he back?

It was Ponarin who left.

He hasn't said anything.

Either that or I didn't hear him.

This is the 46th calling Plevna.

Did you get through?

Roger.

Where's your gun?

- Where's your gun? - They took it.

- What? - My gun.

But we have three.

I don't care.

Take your things and go down.

- Why? - For your treatment.

I brought the ointment with me

so as to put it on up here.

Sure?

Put your things in the dug-out.

What do you prefer?

Meat or butter?

"Meatter."

Give me some water.

Give me the mug.

Where's the tea? Have you hidden it?

Are you off your rocker?

- My what? - Your rocker.

- Tea? - Yes, with sugar.

Thanks for dinner, Yura.

Have some tea.

Have you tried the radio? You must.

- You must contact them. - They're not answering.

- Are you using their channel? - No, ours.

- What did you say? - There's too much cloud.

Stormclouds.

Anyhow, it's quiet today. What about tomorrow?

Maple 1 calling Maple 2.

Maple 1 calling Maple 2.

Maple 1 calling Maple 2.

Their receiver's not switched on.

You know that song,

Your older slster got marrled...

It's the next one on the tape.

We can listen until nightfall.

Why?

That's when we have to give the tape back.

It's not allowed on night-watch.

Look, lightning.

The clouds have been drifting across all day.

You...

You don't even look at me You won't remember me

You don't even look

In my dlrectlon

You don't even look at me

You don't even know I love you

We need a guitar.

I didn't find any in Kulyab.

Why should they have them?

37,000 roubles isn't much for a Zenith Reflex.

- Do you think it's expensive? - Yes, a bit.

The other guy's got a Zenith, that's why he wants one.

Did you leave the axe?

That axe over there?

- I put it there. - Did you take it?

No, it was hot.

He says we've mucked up the tape.

Sanya, here's a mission for you:

You can repair the tape-recorder sockets.

I need another battery.

Why? This one is OK.

We're already carrying five magazines each.

Look, it's working again!

Today is a strange,

uneasy day.

Our surroundings blend into the dust.

This wind is called the Afghani.

It makes one feel Ionely and troubled.

It looks a bit like rain.

No. I don't put any faith in those clouds.

No, it's not going to rain.

This is Asia.

Everything is complicated.

Sanya!

Send the men over for their dinner.

He can't hear.

Chow-time!

Eat, eat!

Dinner!

Switch on the radio!

Use the radio.

Use our channel.

Send your men over for their dinner!

He's got it at last.

It's going to rain.

Look at those clouds.

They are coming from two directions.

We're going back to the frontier post,

but I still can't forget those flashes.

Another note in my diary:

"I feel safe. I am not afraid

"to follow these men along the path.

"They seem to treat me as one of themselves.

"But perhaps I'm wrong

"to think that they see me as one of them."

The day is over.

The base is less than a kilometre away.

- There's no more water here. - There should be some over there.

Go and wash them.

Is the spoon clean?

Do you want tea in it?

Tea at breakfast, tea at lunch, and lots of tea at dinner.

Everybody happy?

Happy birthday!

- How old are you? - 22!

Cigarettes.

Lighter.

Wine, please.

People will think it really is wine.

It's OK, we're eating rice.

- What are you eating? - Water.

Have you finished?

Vovchik, Vovchik!

Come and eat.

Tea?

Is it stewed?

It's pretty rough.

Call the others while it's still hot!

The day is over.

No fighting today.

Thank God.

Left, right...

An alarm went off in the bushes.

So they really were there.

Call them for dinner, or it'll be cold.

I arrived at Guchkom

in April.

When I first came, the grass was still short.

When I left, it was ready for haymaking.

I'll never forget that day The day when I became a soldler

Aim quicker!

The second mortar, fire!

Hurry up!

Hurry up, the second mortar! Go on, go on!

Go on, aim!

You must aim quickly!

Well, I'll be off now, back to my position.

- Good night. - Thanks.

Subtitles: Alexei Jankowsky

Subtitling by TVS - TITRA FILM