Army of Valhalla (2003)

[bunniefuu]

A long, long time ago...

...when the Vislans lived
by the Vistula...

...the Buzans by the Bug,
and Goplans by the Goplo...

...when each tribe
had their own gods...

...cruel Popiel came to power...

...to be eaten by mice in the end.

Written by

from the novel by J.I. Kraszewski

starring

with

camera operator

sound

edited by

militaria and horse training

make up artists

costume designers

executive producer

music by

production designer

directors of photography

produced by

co-director

directed by

"Unworthy of power is he
who abuses his authority."

Chronicler Wincenty Kadlubek,
13th Century

What do you see?

Blood...

...blood...

Two brothers... in blood.

A fortress on fire... mice...

I see you, Prince.

And mice... mice everywhere.

You're lying! I slaughtered
all the Mousey tribe!

I see you... Prince...

- And the tower in flames.
- Lying old witch!

Stone doesn't burn! The dungeon
will teach you to tell other fortunes!

This prophecy comes
from the spirits!

I'll put out your fires!
I'll drive the fortune tellers away!

And raze the shrines to the ground!

Don't seek w*r with the Gods.
w*r with people

will suffice!

THE OLD TALE
WHEN THE SUN WAS GOD

We went for Poznan,
we went for Poznan.

We went for Poznan,
we went for Poznan.

We conquered Poznan,
we conquered Poznan.

Weapons we captured,
weapons we captured...

...took captives and loot,
took captives and loot.

Some may rejoice...
the others shall weep.

Victory! Victory!

Victory!

Victory!

Victory...

...my Lord, victory!

- And the young Princes?
- Alive and well, sir!

They were supposed to perish!

Praised be the Gods!

Neither of the two d*ed in combat!

The Guardian kept an eye on them!

Curse on the Guardian!

Pour it into the mead.
For sleep.

Eternal sleep?

No.

Not yet.

Glory to the victors!

Glory! Glory! Glory!

What about Poznan?

Glory!

Mother, whose head is it?

- Head of a fool.
- Why did he die?

For revolting against your Father.

I want to cut off heads, too.

You'll be the prince, my son.

And you'll cut off the heads
of those who oppose you.

Victory!

- Which one fought better?
- Hard to tell.

- With sword?
- No difference.

- With axe?
- No difference.

Guardian, please approach me.

Thank you for bringing up
my nephews so well.

Praise him!

Praise! Praise!

My honored Uncles...
and you, members of my tribe.

When my brother d*ed 10 years ago...

...you granted me the rule...

...till his sons become men.

That day has come.

Tomorrow I'll pass the rule
to the one pointed out

by the Gods.

Which of the two will become Prince?

Which will get power...

the fortress and the army?

And which of the two will get...

...nothing?

To the Gods' verdicts!
Let them be praised!

Praise! Praise!

Are you afraid?

To shed one's kin's blood...
is the worst of all crimes.

I share a coward's bed?

I bought you, bitch!
You were a sl*ve!

- I gave you a son.
- Because I f*cked you.

I gave a son to a ruler,
not to a serf!

Tomorrow, you'll bow
to the new Prince...

...and your tribe will never recognize
your son. He'll lose everything...

...even his life.

Go...

Let this blood fall upon me.

Make way!

Is the Kn*fe yours?

It is.

You k*lled your brother.

No. I don't remember.

I remember nothing.

And what do you say?

The law says...

...death for death.

Death for death! Death for death!

A horrid crime...

...k*lling one's own brother.
The law says...

...death for death.
But the m*rder*r...

...comes from our tribe.

Let us not shed our kin's blood.

Let us be merciful.
Let us have mercy.

Blind him!

No!

They believed the story.
Nobody even doubted.

- And the Guardian?
- Him? I'm the rightful ruler now.

- And what about your son?
- A son is his father's heir.

- Even the one born of a sl*ve?
- I'll make them vow by the Sun.

And if they don't believe?

Then, the whole tribe will be-

No. They'll rebel.

Take the peasants' sons hostage.

Whoever crosses this circle
perishes!

A witch!

Maybe a witch.

We know how to deal with witches.

I'm next!

Where did you come from?

From the woods.

- You 're good at playing a witch.
- You've seen me?

So... that was you?

They took it for your witchcraft.

My father will reward you.

You can do it yourself.

How?

By kissing me.

- Have you gone mad?
- I guess I have.

Thank you.

I'll be back.

Get inside!

- The Prince sends his regards.
- That means...

...an order.

So it does.
Send two sons to the fortress.

- And if I refuse?
- We could come back with hundreds.

One son will be enough.

Sambor!

You'll go.

No!

Go away!

Woman, go away.

Father, don't give me into sl*very!

Not you I'm sending but my eyes.

You, here?

They're taking from all families.

- No entry.
- Why not?

The Prince has fallen ill.

My time is coming to an end.

You'll get well, if the Gods permit.

Before I close my eyes, please vow
to recognize my son as the Prince.

Swear by the Sun.

A sl*ve's son cannot be our ruler.

He is my son.

But a sl*ve bore him.

Then he must die.

For peace's sake.

- To avoid future turmoil.
- No!

Oh, Gods, no!

I'm begging you... I implore...

His life...

I'm begging you...
Spare his life.

Spare his life...

I'm cold.

So very cold.
Some mead... I beg you.

Some mead... mead... please!

I don't want to quarrel...

...before I join our forefathers.

Let's drink to concord.

All right.

Thank you.
Now I can leave in peace.

To concord.

To concord.

To concord.

Concord.

- To concord.
- To concord.

My entrails are on fire!

Mine, too.

The mead isn't so hot...
It's poison!

Treason!

You refused to recognize my son.
Die, you swine!

Curse on you!

You shall perish as we do!
You and your bastard offspring!

And that bitch of yours!

People!

They're k*lling each other!

The Prince is still alive.
But they...

They fought for power,
like beasts!

Remove the corpses!

Make offerings to the Gods
for the Prince's life.

I'm back!

I know.

- You're here at last.
- Leave and don't come back.

And why?

Because I like you.

I like you as well.

- Very much so.
- That's bad.

Why?

Because I could fall in love with you.

- You fear to love?
- No.

But I mustn't.

You're still a maiden.

My Father promised me to the Gods.

- You want to be a priestess?
- I wanted to.

And now?

- Run away with me.
- What?

Run away.

I don't even know your name.

Stay here.

He can't escape.

Good sh*t.

Who are you?

A hunter.

Why did you help me?

One to five is not a fair fight.

You're wearing Thor's hammer.

You were with the Vikings.

You're Ziemowit, Piast's son.
I knew your Father.

- I can't do it here.
- Our farm's nearby.

Will you manage to ride?

Hide the corpses,
or they'll burn down your house.

What's wrong?

I wonder if the peasants believed.

What difference does it make?

The Guardian didn't believe,
and he's already yonder.

Who's there?

Znosek, sir!

- Important news!
- Come in!

Only a horse

came back from the chase.

Follow them.

I will, my Lady.

Slaughtering...

...one's own kin is the worst crime.
This calls for an assembly!

A custom long forgotten.

Not by all!

Hold on.

Now.

And if it was poisoned?

Sear the wound!

- You want to call a meeting?
- That's my intent, yes!

I'll pass the word out and it will spread

- on and on.
- The Prince is vindictive.

- Might ask for your head.
- Let him!

No felon will rule over us.

- You want to elect a new Prince?
- A Prince?

Whatever for?

The tribes will rule as in the past.

The neighbors will inv*de you.

They'll grind you...

...to dust.

They won't.

They never did and never will.

Tomorrow I'll ask your father
for your hand. If he refuses...

You'll draw the Gods' wrath on us!

The shrine is a day away.
Stay here, gather your strenghts.

The shrine is a day away.
Stay here, gather your strenghts.

They'll find me and k*ll all of you.
I must leave by dawn.

You won't manage to ride.
I'll give you a wagon...

my sons and some of my men.

You need all your men here.

And Ziemowit, Piast's son
stands for ten warriors.

I'll escort you.

- Where and when is the assembly?
- As in the past, in the old oak grove...

before Kupala's Feast
when people flock to celebrate.

I shall recover by then.

That's for you. For the journey.

And that. Make an offering
to the Gods. Let them protect us.

I'll have a matter to you.

- Speak.
- Not now.

I'll come back.

I'll be glad to see you.

Away! Go away!

Go!

Where... are they?

Who?

The mice.

- The mice?
- They chased me...

I tried to flee, but I couldn't.

They caught up with me...
I fell...

They mice crept all over me.

They got into my eyes...

...into my mouth...
They were eating me alive!

You drink too much!

The prophecy mentioned mice.

Mice play when the cat is away.
You're sleeping,

and the Guardian disappeared
without a trace!

They didn't come back?

Wisz is sending out word.

Sending out word?

An assembly?

How dare he!

Dreaming of old privileges!

You're asleep, nitwit?
They could slaughter all of us.

Take the most loyal men.
None of the peasants' sons.

- Bring me Wisz's head!
- And if I meet the Guardian?

You'll bring two heads.

A quarter of the loot goes to me...

...for chosing your warriors.
- A lot.

A lot, you say?

Wisz is a rich peasant.

I can always summon other men.
We're leaving at daybreak.

- What?
- Hush!

- They'll att*ck your Father.
- Who?

Smerda. At dawn!

Did you hear that?

Some big fish.

A pike.

They don't expect anything.

Open the gate!

I wish you well...

...though you serve a felon.
Go away!

Seize him!

Remember the mother,
avenge the father.

- Blood for blood.
- Blood for blood.

I'm with you.

I want to be your brother.

- Accept me.
- Father d*ed for the peasants.

- They should call for revenge.
- I'll avenge him with my sword.

- You'll have a brother in me.
- And you'll have brethern in us.

There was no time to ask Wisz.

Now you're the elder.
I want to marry your sister.

The younger one?

She's not meant
for weavning and childbearing,

but for the sacred fire and divination.

Chosen by the Gods.

Girls dream about such fate,
until they savor married life.

I love her.

Father vowed that if her mother
survived the delivery...

he'd offer the child to the Gods.

Now, her parents are yonder.

I do not wish to offend
the spirits or the Gods.

I'd be glad to oblige, but I can't.

You prefer an enemy to a brother?

When you need friends, not foes?

I can't.

I'll take her by force.

And we'll defend her with force.

- I vow by the Sun...
- I vow by the Sun...

- I vow by the Sun...
- I vow by the Sun...

...to conform to and obey...

...whatever the assembly decides...

...even if it were against my will.

He who summoned us d*ed,
but his spirit is here

- and demands revenge.
- Father's blood calls for revenge!

The law says: Death for death.

Death for death!

Who was the k*ller? Smerda.

- k*ll Smerda!
- He followed the Prince's orders.

And if he k*lled of his own will?

- Then the Prince is innocent!
- He is guilty! - He's innocent!

Wisz summoned you here...

...to judge a felon.

The Prince slaughtered
all of his kin.

Who saw it?

I did! I saw the corpses!

They d*ed in a fight for power.

A sword doesn't turn the flesh blue...

...or makes the mouth foam.

It doesn't k*ll dogs.

He maimed the bodies
to hide the signs of poisoning.

A crime unpunished
gives birth to another crime!

- What say you?
- Death.

Death! Death!

Death!

Death!

Death.

- Death.
- Name...

...your commander!

Our tribe is the largest.
We're giving the most men.

Bumir!

Let the strongest lead!
Giant for the commander!

Our tribe is the oldest.
Let Dzikowic command!

And what about us?
Are we worse?

Choose whomever you want!

But choose a leader.

What for? We'll att*ck in a mass!

Yes, that's right!

In a mass!

Ten heads are better than one.

- Let's do it!
- And the harvest?

Harvest first. w*r after the harvest!

- He's right!
- After the harvest!

Strike on Kupala's Feast.
They'll be drunk and unarmed.

No warrior will dare
to fight that night!

- They won't defend the fortress?
- My men will.

- k*ll the peasants' sons!
- Call the Vikings.

- They'll wreck havoc.
- Good!

- Peasants will seek your protection.
- The Saxons are nearer.

A Viking loots and leaves.
But a Saxon?

Once he sit down his iron-clad butt...

You'll be a great ruler, son.

Greater than your father.
We're safe until the harvest.

There's time to summon the Vikings.

When the boys get drunk and wild...

...they might mistake me for a girl.
Some could try to steal a kiss!

Go back home. Leave the feast!

Go home.
If you stay blood will flow!

- You're insane!
- Insane! Insane!

You know...
once, I was beautiful too.

But tears washed the charm away.
I'm insane!

- I love you!
- No!

- You love me!
- No!

Mila!

Fetch the beer!

She'll waste away in the shrine.

I haven't sent for you.

Not yet.

I k*lled someone. I betrayed
the Gods by falling in love.

You k*lled?

I was the cause of my parents' death.
He kidnapped me, I struggled!

With whom? Whom did you k*ll?

Ziemowit... Piast's son.

Oh, Gods! Ziemowit
slain by a girl's hand?

Lmpossible.
The prophecy can't be wrong.

I'll keep watch over the holy fire.

You are too young.

Please, let me.

All right.
But this will be only a trial.

She k*lled...

- Ziemowit, Piast's son.
- Ziemowit?

Lmpossible.

Leave your horse here, sir.

There is an underwater passage.

Dark forces...

...evil spirits, flee away!

Flee!

Flee...

flee away...

Fever...

...go beyond swamps.

Fever...

...go beyond forests!

He fell asleep...

I did my job...

- Unless someone casts a spell...
- Water...

I wish I had some live water...

But where to find it?

Beyond the hills and far away...

Far, far away...

A wild boar att*cked me.

It must have been a really huge one.

Shame and disgrace!

Stabbed by a girl...
A laughing-stock.

Even old wives will laugh...
until I get her.

- She's in the shrine.
- I'll kidnap her from anywhere.

Insulting the Gods and people.

I don't care.

I wanted to become
her brothers' brother...

...to avenge their father's death...
They refused to give her.

- And the fortress?
- What about it?

They decided to att*ck Popiel.

The assembly
is the tribe's voice.

Popiel is not my concern.

- You didn't like living with Vikings?
- I did.

- So what drove you back?
- If I only knew...

A longing.

A longing?

I missed the forest.

Forests are everywhere.

But they smell different.

Go back to the Vikings.

Why should I?

Join the Vikings...
or the Saxons... or Russians.

You're a brave warrior.
They'll welcome you and pay well.

Why should I go?

If Popiel is no concern of yours,

then neither are we or this land.
Go away...

...and never come back.

Their decision to wait
has filled our granary.

They're late.

The peasants?

- The Vikings.
- Pity I sent for them.

That filthy mob won't even dare...

And yet.

Light the stake!

Let them know I do not fear them.

Wait till they come nearer! Wait!

Strong walls.

- How to get past?
- att*ck the gate.

The gate is well guarded.
We need ladders.

Ladders? Lmagine me on a ladder!

There are relatives of ours
on the other side!

- They won't fight their own kin!
- My two sons!

And mine!

Nielub! Open the gate!

- You'd be useful there now.
- Sure!

Come out to us!

Gniewko, Wramot, Nielub, Bolko!

Bow to your fathers!

Stop!

Stop!

Now!

Turn back!

Back!

Learn.

Burn the bridge!

Damn you!
You and your kin shall die!

- You'll start eating your own sh*t!
- We will starve you to death!

Surround the fortress with guards!
Watch the lake and the woods!

Who do you think you are, smart-ass?

We know what to do.
Each of us has...

...his own deals to settle here.
And you? You're not one of us!

Go away, before someone thinks
you are in Popiel's service!

Leave!

Leave!

Away with you!

Go away!

Careful!

Careful!
Or the blood will rush.

- May I rest here?
- Be our guest.

- You're going to the shrine?
- Yes.

- But I see you're not too well.
- Give me some water.

Mila! Don't you see that
our guest is weary?

Wounded in a battle?

- In the woods, by a boar.
- I thought

you had been at the fortress.

Will you put us up for the night?

Take in a guest, take in the Gods.

- Why are you staring at him?
- He looked at me, too.

A rich man.

But I wouldn't call him a jug-maker.

He seems a jug-breaker to me.

Vanish, ghost!

I'm not a ghost. I'm alive.

I'm alive.

Touch me if you don't believe that.

I haven't k*lled you!

You regret that?

You came to k*ll me?
Don't do it here.

I'm not seeking revenge.

- I wanted to see you.
- I had to defend myself.

I was promised to the Gods
by my father.

I won't forbid you to make offerings...

...and talk to the spirits
at the sacred stone.

The spirits are jealous
like people.

You can't serve both people
and the Gods.

I love you.

I'll kidnap you,
risking your stabbing me.

Please, go, and don't come back.

And if I do come back?

k*ll me! k*ll me!

Don't you dare kidnap her!

- Father Wizun!
- Be a man!

- Should I take revenge?
- Gain fame at w*r, not in wedlock!

- Jarucha, you know everything.
- I do, I do.

I know you have the hots!
Pour me some.

Jarucha likes her mead.

Give me some love potion.

What? You're the best love potion.

Give me the love potion!

For him? A love potion is too weak.

We need some magic.

Honey, honey, sacred honey.

Honey, honey, sacred honey.

Oh, goddess of love!

Let your lips taste sweet to him.

Let your breasts taste sweet to him.

Let your womb taste sweet to him.

Let him stick to you
like this grain does...

Soon we'll see some horses!

Give it to him
looking straight into his eyes.

Don't blink!

He'll be yours.

But if you blink, forget about him.

- Thank you for your hospitality.
- You're welcome. Have a good trip.

Let the Gods guide you.

A farewell drink.

Run!

Run!

Save my child!

Wild beasts are better than people!
Into the woods!

Jarucha! Into the woods!

My beloved...

To a good beginning!

To Odin!

- Haven't I seen you before?
- You have, Jarl Sivald.

You sailed with me.

Untie him!

- Join us.
- You assaulted us.

You used to plunder, too.
With us.

Despite your promise!

I'm sorry, but your Prince
invited us.

- Popiel.
- Yes, Poppel.

- What are they talking about?
- None of your business, dwarf.

Join us or leave.

I have the right to seek revenge.

No doubt. But don't try.

It'd be a waste of your life.

Mysterious are the ways of the Gods.

Run!

Run for your life!

People!

That's the Gods' wrath!
Punishment for raising

against the Prince!
If we'd been loyal,

he'd defend us against the Vikings!

Go to the Prince

and beg him forgiveness!

He will come to our defence!

Let us appease the Gods!

True! That's the Gods' wrath...

...for your brawling...

...and stupidity!

Go ahead, bow to him.

Beg him for mercy.

Him, the butcher of your kin
and of your sons!

The traitor who brought
the Vikings! What will you say...

...up yonder...

when your turn comes
to face the spirits of our ancestors?

There is your commander.

Obey him!

- He will lead you.
- The Guardian!

The Guardian is our commander!

Choose your decurions
and centurions.

Not according
to their tribal ranks...

...but to their skills as warriors!

Son of Piast...

...approach.

When my voice becomes weak...

...heed to Ziemowit, Piast's son.

He's young...

...but no stranger to battle.

Make an oath...

...by the Sun!

By the Sun!

Without horses we can't
catch up with the Vikings.

We'll wait for them halfway, instead.

*Thor took their minds away!

*They didn't burn the boats!

*They still can do it.

Odin!

Surrender!

Or you shall all perish!

For each of our lives
you'll pay with ten!

We can't afford to lose men.
We still must fight Popiel.

Let the Gods decide!

Jarl is calling the bravest one...

...to stand up against him!

If Jarl falls...

...you'll take our swords.

If your man is k*lled,
we'll sail away.

What? No volunteers?

You want to win with cunning only?

Men with hares' hearts!

Me.

Swear by the Sun
that you'll keep your word.

Swear by Odin
that you won't come back here.

- By the Sun.
- By the Sun!

Drop you weapons!
You have sworn...

...by Odin!

We swore to give you our swords.

They'd been like a pack of wolves,

but they d*ed like true warriors.

Let their spirits sail away
to Valhalla.

They want more?
Call the Saxons.

- Did you hear?
- Yes, my Lady.

You dirty bastards!
Want some more?

Come on, then, don't be shy!

You stinking cowards!

Time for a bleeding!

Will you order to strike?

No.

Just surround the fortress.

Don't let anybody
sneak through the walls.

He tried to sneak through.
We found this on him.

Popiel's emblem.

- I saw him with the Vikings.
- What are your orders?

Speak!

- Speak, you weasel!
- The Saxons!

I am to fetch the Saxons!

Enough.

Let him go.

What?

Let them know nobody will help them.

You dirty bastards! Stinking cowards!
Die, peasants!

k*ll them! k*ll them!
Death to the peasants!

Why don't you order to strike?

- A lot of men will perish.
- w*r is w*r.

You want a victory
that no one will celebrate?

What do you see there?

A tower. And some pigeons.

Pigeons always return home.
Grain...

Spill grain!

Forgive us, Gods,
for sacrifing birds to save people.

Let them fly!

Brilliant idea.

A Russian princess used it
against rebels.

- You know a lot.
- Let's go!

To the keep!
Everyone into the keep!

There!

- What now?
- We'll summon the Saxons.

- They stopped Znosek.
- We'll send another. We're safe!

The granary is full!
We can fight back for a long time!

- How long?
- Very long.

Too many mouths to feed,
too few hands to bear weapons!

- They're getting rid of the useless.
- They won't leave the keep.

- Mama, I'm hungry!
- Wait!

- But I want some food!
- In a moment!

Open the granary,
run the mills!

Mama, I'm cold!

Lousy bastards!
You can't burn the tower!

We have plenty of food!

Don't come closer to the tower!
Don't waste your arrows!

We're out of grain.

- What?
- We have no grain.

- Mice.
- Mice, sir.

Mice!

Mice!

His head will pay for our lives.

Gods...

...I curse...

I curse you!

You've seen the Gods' wrath!
The prophecy came true!

A man can't live without his head...

...the bees without their queen.

Yesterday came the Vikings...

...tomorrow it'll be the Saxons!
Elect...

the new Prince!

The Guardian!

The Guardian! The Guardian!

I'm old!

I have no son
and will not have one.

Who'll be my successor?

More assemblies, more quarrels?

There is someone...

...that many of you here...

...owe their lives to!

Ziemowit!

Glory!

Do you... still wish
to run off with her?

Yes.

If you appease the Gods,
they'll forgive you.

Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

And they lived happily ever after.

Ziemowit succeeded the Guardian
on the throne.

Then, his son, Leszek,
followed by the grandson Ziemomysl...

...and the great grandson Mieszko,
who cut down the sacred oaks...

...overthrew the Gods of old...

...and taught his fellow Polans
to worship Jesus Christ.

...and taught his fellow Polans
to worship Jesus Christ.