William Tell (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Three days ago,

my soul was free

from thoughts of m*rder.

Like moths to the light,

we run to w*r,

our future deeds mapped out

before us in blood.

I had balanced

my account with Heaven

and sought a peaceful life.

My bow rested.

But every road conducts us

to our end.

We push onwards,

intent on our own business,

then are forced to change.

The sand is run.

I have k*lled again.

Now my trade is retribution.

Vengeance, my occupation.

Morning, Father.

- Ready to hunt?

- Of course.

-Can I try the new bow?

-Aye.

Here. Come here.

Burn them all!

Quickly, quickly!

Hey. Austrians.

The Wolfshot.

His tax is heavy

and my purse is light.

Continue.

I shall return.

Your husband, where is he?

He's farming.

You're a little light.

Oh, it's not enough.

Well?

Ah, it'll rain ere long

and we need shelter.

Arrange food for my men

and prepare me

a bath.

Make it clean, Son.

We're huntsmen, not savages.

We learn our lessons

in failure.

A storm is coming in.

Let's move down,

take shelter in the village.

There you go, pig.

He's here somewhere!

Baumgarten!

Search everywhere!

The wind is too strong!

Bring the boats ashore!

Let's make haste!

Protect the catch!

Bit more.

Thank you, my friend.

Are you for home?

Aye.

-Is all secure?

-Aye.

-We bid you farewell.

-Safe travels.

-Secure the catch!

-Let's be gone.

Help! Help, they're after me!

I need this boat!

Who on earth are you?

I need this boat!

Help me cast off.

The boat! Aid me across!

No man could steer

against storm and wave!

Please!

I have no other choice.

You'll die out there.

Why such haste?

I am already dead,

should they find me.

Speak, man! Who pursues you?

The Wolfshot's horsemen.

- Who are you?

- My name is Baumgarten.

- I am a farmer.

- You're bleeding.

I have settled him.

Who?

The Wolfshot.

The tax collector.

You are mad.

He wronged my wife!

Then he took her life.

So I gave him

a bloody benediction!

Now the Viceroy's troopers are

upon my heels.

Please!

I beg of you,

in God's name, aid me across.

I'm not taking you.

The Austrians will

hunt me down.

- I'm a father, with child.

- And what of me?

A wife and child at home

- as well as you.

- Hold!

No man can steer and row alone

in this weather.

I say, put trust in God

and help him in his need.

You can steer

as well as any man, Tell.

There's the boat.

Take it. Try you.

I am in your hands. Please!

Don't, Father.

The winds are too strong.

Please. I beg of you.

They're close.

If we find him here among us,

we are all dead.

Burn it, Tell.

Burn it all!

I'll get him across.

Thank you. Thank you.

Run home to your mother.

We need horses

brought to Ingenbohl.

Meet me at the waterfall

and remind her of my love.

Go, go, go!

I will honour

thy word, Father.

Godspeed!

Oi, you!

Stop in the name of the law!

Everyone,

get inside now, quickly!

- Where is he?

- Who?

-Where is he?

-Who?

We pay our taxes

in this village!

The Viceroy's taken

his pound of...

Torch the village!

Where was he k*lled?

In which canton?

A farm,

in Unterwalden, my Lord.

To lose such a man

is careless.

The tax collector

was at fault. He was a fool.

He was our man,

collecting our taxes.

No one should have

touched him.

Reverse thy doom

and secure

thy position, Gessler.

Let us move with caution.

Caution?

We need revenue

and wealth from this land.

Show them no mercy.

My Lord, numbed earth is

barren of all fruit.

Secure the k*ller

and teach the Swiss a lesson.

The Wolfshot's m*rder is

a crime,

but also an opportunity.

Now we have every right

to defend ourselves with force

and under the guise

of justice.

There is no justice in w*r.

That is where this is leading.

My Lord,

do we want w*r?

Switzerland is

surrounded by mountains.

Nature... is its own defence.

It is hard to attack

from without.

We...

must control it...

and dominate the Swiss...

from within.

Ha!

What shall

I do with you?

In the thickest of the storm.

Are you insane?

Is that him?

'Tis a marvel you escaped.

Had you no thought

of wife and child?

I had, and therefore saved

a father for his children.

He braved the lake

in all its wrath,

and I thank him for it.

Yes, he's a kind

and helping hand for all.

But when we are in straits,

who then will come to our aid?

God grant, we never may stand

in need of any help.

You have me.

Give him the horse

and let us be gone.

Well?

I must see him safe.

A hero and a fool.

You have disturbed our peace.

May God forgive you.

I'll return soon.

Be home in time

to feed the goats.

Go.

I have a friend

in this region,

a nobleman.

We fought together

in the Holy Land.

He'll hide you.

My Lady Bertha.

Gessler.

The King's valour and pride

excel themselves in you.

He must be proud of his niece.

I hear the whispers.

It seems the King gains

money in Switzerland

but loses hearts.

There is no progress

without loss.

Good and bad run together.

There is no triumph

in needless bloodshed.

And forget not,

I have Swiss blood.

Our countries'

fortunes are entwined.

As I hope are ours.

Good day, my Lord.

He moves me to rage.

The King is keen

for your union.

And you would

be wise to listen.

Do not mistake his purpose.

He does not love me.

He just needs me.

Cousin,

the King requests your time.

You truly are

my brother's daughter.

And as wilful as he.

Spend time with Gessler.

Hunt, talk, learn.

Attraction will build.

-No, my Lord, I beg you.

-You are a Habsburg.

And will marry an Austrian.

-My mother was Swiss.

-And your father Austrian.

It is pity you're a woman.

You'd be useful in battle.

But we'll use you in marriage.

My Lord.

Rudenz.

Belted and plumed,

and all thy bravery on.

Thou art

for the Austrians, boy?

Uncle,

your will?

Before you depart,

share with us

the ancient custom

of our house. Come.

Walk with me.

There was a time I was

with them in field and forest,

directing all their labours

with my own eye,

just as my banner led them

into battle.

Now I'm fit only

to play the steward.

And so... I go

in ever-narrowing circles

to the narrowest

and the last...

where all life...

...comes to a stop.

I am but my own shadow.

Soon,

I will be but my name.

Come.

Come, Rudenz.

Now...

you know our pledge.

One cup, one heart.

One cup, one heart.

Rudenz.

I must be away.

Wait!

- Leave us.

- My Lord.

Why do you show

such disrespect

to thine own people?

You know they suffer

under the Austrian banner.

Why do you insult them further

by refusing to take the cup?

Do you know

what the Austrians call us?

"Peasant nobles."

A wiser course would be

to bend in homage.

Only then can we prosper.

No, no.

Do not shield thine eyes

and make them blind

to your people's needs.

Our people need

to secure the favour

of the Austrian King.

The world is his, Uncle.

His the markets,

his the courts,

his, too, the highways.

We cannot protect ourselves

against his growing power.

Where do you learn

such things?

Mmm?

Rudenz, I have no sons!

One day,

all this will be yours.

And what will I become?

The chieftain

of a shepherd race?

Settling petty squabbles

between the farmers of Schwyz

and the shepherds

of Unterwalden?

The tempter's voice has

truly caught thy willing ear.

No, no, there is no tempter,

don't you see?

Here I am nothing,

but there,

aligned with Austria,

I can be something.

The tax collector was a brute,

and he deserved to die.

Do not accept this tax.

Be patient,

my darling Gertrude.

We will not have to bear

this Austrian occupation

much longer.

Change will come,

as it always does.

Impetuous rulers...

have the shortest reigns.

Once we are Austria's,

we are hers forever.

Yes, but come, my love.

Drink with me.

I have to feed the horses.

The horses can wait.

I cannot.

Thank you for the food.

Eat well.

You are safe here.

We will secure you

passage at dawn.

Aye.

But am I to be banished

and never see

my children again?

'Tis better than hung.

You were brave,

and you fought for your wife.

And now, we must

fight for our country.

Gert...

Gertrude.

They are loyal.

We can all speak freely.

You speak with

a fearless tongue, Gertrude.

I'm no stranger

to the cost of w*r.

We have good men

who can wield a weapon

as well as them.

Wife, you stir wild

and perilous thoughts

from a time that

my friend and I had

long since forgotten.

What choice do we have?

My darling...

this house that you love,

my family home that you have

made your own.

Unrelenting w*r...

would burn it to the ground.

With my own hands,

I would hurl

the kindling torch

would it set us free.

Let us go with God.

We've seen many men

declare that pledge

and die.

So you have retired

from battle?

One day,

just outside Jerusalem,

a land as hostile and strange

as you can imagine,

I was cut off,

alone and desperate.

My horse was powerful,

easily outstripped

the Turks who hunted me.

But to escape, I slashed

a path through the woods

and thereby...

disturbed a nest

of bees.

The bees surrounded me

and settled on my mare.

And they so fiercely stung

the beast,

it threw me to the ground...

and then writhed

and died...

before my eyes.

I sat for a moment,

very, very still...

and then saw

how the bees began to die.

One...

by one.

So, yes, Gertrude,

you can fire the people up.

But be careful

what you ask of them.

They will sting for you...

but they will die.

Wait.

We have visitors.

Gessler.

Shh!

What should I do?

-Hide him.

-Where?

Plain sight. There.

Right there.

- There.

- Remove your apron.

Come on.

Please...

...come.

This is

a grand house for a Swiss.

- Oh, plate. Plate.

- Who is the owner?

It was given by God, sir.

Free and unfettered

as the mountain air.

What brings you here, my Lord?

We search for a man

who did heinously slay

my governor.

Have you seen

a stranger pass through?

No, my Lord. Come.

Praise God, sir.

What an honour.

Search the house.

The eagle of weapons. Yours?

Aye.

May I?

Of course.

'Tis well crafted.

Many men can wield

such a weapon, but...

few can master it.

Your name?

Wilhelm Tell.

Well, Tell,

like the eagle,

I too make my prey.

Soaring bird

or a beast to chase...

makes no difference to me,

for now...

I hunt a m*rder*r.

With solemn reverence,

our king...

has tasted grief.

He mourns not for the death

of his governor. Instead...

he asked why.

"Do they not love me?

"Do they not want

my allegiance...

"and the riches I can endow?"

"Worry not, sir", say I.

'Tis but the bloated blood

of ignorance

that bleeds with such excess.

There is but one bad apple...

and we must rid it

from the barrel.

So now I hunt.

My Lord.

Oh.

My Lord,

the house is clear.

Mmm,

the house is clear.

Fair Swiss...

do not lose

the life you've built

for men you do not know.

If there is something

you need to say to me...

I'd say it now.

My Lord,

your unpleased manner is

clear to all.

But you waste your time here.

The man you seek...

lies not here.

Sir, you tread upon

our hearts. Come.

There is no foulness

in this house.

Only love.

Only love?

Come, sir, please.

Sit. Join us.

King's honour, friends.

After everything

we have been through, Tell,

the horrors that we have seen,

am I to lose the life

that I have built

to men like that?

They're lying.

Let the pox damn them.

You were not sent here

to fawn and coax

-these boors into submission.

-'Tis no matter that they lie.

Skulk and hide

amongst these peasants.

Find out all you can

about that man Tell.

-Let me take him now.

-Mark him tight.

Let him think himself safe.

I will bring such

a scourge to these...

people.

Then I'll leave them naked

and trembling before me.

Enough of this.

We must gather allies!

Few will act

for fear of consequence.

Go to Altdorf and meet

with Furst, the priest.

There are many

who agree with us.

Furst connects the cantons.

He's crucial to the cause,

and his mind is sharp

and alert to all philosophy.

Tell, will you make

the introduction?

He is wary of strangers.

What you expect

of me is too much.

The town is beset with spies.

They follow his every move.

We need you to help.

I will take you to him.

But if you meet with Furst,

he will inspire you.

And then you will plot.

And from there, my friend...

from there,

there will be no return.

Your Highness,

may I present him?

Prince Rudenz of Attinghausen.

Young Prince,

it takes courage for you

to come before us today

and bond the Attinghausen name

to the Habsburg court.

You fool.

You shouldn't be here.

Unless I bend the knee,

we cannot be together.

I understand

there is private difference

betwixt you and your uncle.

He taught me

to know the face of right,

in that I trust.

He simply misunderstood

my purpose, that is all.

And you trust us?

I trust that it is better

that both our houses

work together.

I am in love with the man

that you are today,

not the man that you think

you should become.

I have nothing to offer thee.

Fame hath not stamped me yet,

nor have I proved myself

amidst the courtly throng

of knights.

Proved what?

You do not need

to sell yourself to Austria.

-Wear your freedom with pride!

-And lose you?

There is no profit in w*r.

He forfeits his own blood,

that spills another.

But do you work

with us or for us?

For you.

Caution. You do not commit

a fault you cannot correct.

Your indiscretion is plain

for all to see.

-Wait, my lord...

-Set aside

that you're spoken for.

The more

these so-called Swiss nobles

pay respect to us,

the easier our task.

So, for now...

humour him.

Please, let me go!

Stay there, Father.

That's my bull!

- Move back now!

- That's my animal!

No!

Father, we need to leave.

You go before it's too late.

They won't care about me.

Go, Son. Go.

Go, go, go.

Swiss!

Get down.

What in God's name

-has happened here?

-Get down.

Who did this?

Speak!

Speak, old man!

-I'll k*ll these pigs myself!

-Hold.

- Who did this?

- Hold still.

Help him.

Who slaughtered my men?

Free him from his pain.

k*ll... k*ll him.

Straight ahead!

Straight ahead, men!

-Take him to the horses.

-No!

- No! No!

- Take him. Take him!

There's no time

for a mad battle.

- You'll be k*lled. Come.

- Take him!

And now it begins.

There! Go!

k*ll them!

k*ll them!

I know

what worries you, Tell,

but listen.

My sword has been resting,

and I hoped

it would remain so.

But this...

is about our families,

our freedom.

I violated an oath over there,

and I'm stained in blood.

It haunts me now

and it will forever.

Yes, but that was over there.

I feel your enthusiasm

for the fight,

but hot thoughts

beget hot deeds,

and hot deeds can

destroy us all.

Are you ready for that?

We must go!

Do they control

the town now?

Seems so.

Go with the workers.

It will allow you to pass

the guards. Go!

I know this man.

He worked on my house.

-A true craftsman.

-My Lord.

Did not expect

to see you here.

How fare you, sir?

I am a prisoner

in my own land.

Why such haste

to prepare the town for w*r?

I know not.

Many have fled,

but the town still breathes.

Are they arming the town

to keep us in or keep us out?

They fear rebellion.

If you could see the dungeons

that they have built.

Swiss!

Back to work on the ramparts!

I must return.

Good evening to you.

This is no longer our town.

-No.

-Find Furst.

How many k*lled?

A dozen.

And where are

the Swiss corpses?

Just the old man.

First,

the tax collector,

and now this!

They neither fear

nor respect us.

Until we find

the men responsible,

let others pay the price.

-I want arrests!

-Yes, sir! Yes, sir!

Tell is mired in this mud.

Give me license, sir?

For what?

Make them bend the knee.

Make it public.

Aye.

Put a thorn through their soul

and see how they break.

Yes, sir.

"Yes, sir."

Well, in the meantime,

I have more...

country matters to attend to.

The King has requested

I teach his niece...

how to hunt.

Where are you sending

God's wealth?

To safety.

Dangerous times.

-Greetings, Furst.

-Welcome. Thrice welcome.

What seek you here in Altdorf?

The olden times.

-The olden Switzerland.

-Ah.

Well, let us hope

you bring them with you.

News of Baumgarten

precedes you.

There was much excitement.

Tell me, is he safely hid?

He is here in Altdorf,

along with

my old comrade Stauffacher

and another caught up in this.

They seek your counsel.

The men of Schwyz

and Unterwalden

both seek the counsel of God?

'Tis not

the counsel of God they seek,

but your subversive mind.

What frightens you so?

We should be stopping a w*r,

not starting one.

And yet you bring me men

who seek rebellion.

The Austrian throne is

not secure.

The pomp and ceremony

of their court is

neither just nor chivalrous.

It hides a savage intent

that presents itself

in naked violence.

We can outstrip them.

But not if we are divided.

Many have spoken to me.

Few have had

the courage to act.

But I see before me now

men who are ready.

Well, we are more than ready.

Then the time is right.

Unite the cantons.

Bring the Swiss together.

Work as one.

Stauffacher, your task now is

to rouse our leaders

- from their slumber.

- Aye.

I will use the church

and rally friends

here in Altdorf.

I will

go back to Unterwalden.

I have comrades there.

What of the clan chief,

the Baron of Attinghausen?

I hear he shares our views

and will be crucial.

And yet, his nephew,

Rudenz, bends the knee.

But Attinghausen does not.

He is old Swiss.

His name alone will rally

thousands to our cause.

What of you, Tell?

Each man shall

have the post

that fits his power.

And I'm nothing

but a humble huntsman.

A dozen dead Austrians

would disagree.

March!

I, in the King's name,

give ear!

People of Altdorf,

it is the Lord

Viceroy Gessler's good will

that the helm

shall be given honour

as the King himself.

Hear ye!

All those who pass by

shall give it reverence

with bended knee.

Down to a helm on bended knee?

- Only then...

- This is madness.

...will the King know

who are his true

and loyal subjects.

It is not safe for you

to be seen together.

Back to work!

Gessler's man.

Come, my friends.

Speak with your brothers.

We shall meet

on the morrow's night.

At Ruetli,

on the left bank of the lake,

a hidden cave lies.

If we want peace,

prepare for w*r.

Aye.

Aye.

There's a tide

in the affairs of men,

which, taken at the flood,

can lead to victory,

but I know not

where this current leads us.

Whether we will swim...

or drown.

Father.

Is the farmer safe?

For now.

My fool is back.

Go feed the goats.

Pleasure to see you, too.

Come here.

Come on.

You're home,

but your thoughts are not.

You think we're safe here?

We're damned if we fight

and damned if we don't.

Violence is such

a fearful thing, my love,

even in a righteous cause.

I know better than most

the scars

that invaders can inflict.

Our boy will know

danger either way.

What is it you propose?

I can hold the sword

-as well as any man.

-No, no.

-We will go together.

-No.

I have

such slaughterous thoughts

that tear my soul.

I have done

more than I should.

Look at me.

Our very love was

spawned from m*rder.

A very different time.

Do you want to relive that?

What you did back then

was noble

and just. Look at me.

What you do now

will be the same.

But we will do it as one.

Your beauty conquered me...

the first moment I saw you.

My life with you

is my sole joy.

Without it, I am nothing.

The faith and trust

I place in you is sacred.

You will never be without.

I kiss your health,

my lady.

You exert yourself

for your own pleasure.

Not yours?

You think that fighting

like a dog in the mud,

cur to cur, is a display

that will melt my heart?

I have other ways.

You promised

me a hunt.

'Tis past dawn,

the boar will slip away.

How shall we proceed?

There are other things

to hunt.

You seem upset, my dear.

I am, and I wish to return.

Then let me persuade

you to stay.

The King has

proposed our union...

for good reason.

We should embrace

his blessing.

To present harsh rage

does not greatness show.

You will never win

my heart like that.

And you will lose

the hearts of the Swiss

if such governance continues.

Emotion...

clouds your judgment.

How sweet...

you are.

My Lord!

A moment, my lady.

My blood is boiling.

God, I want to rut with her.

-Is it done?

-Aye, sir.

Firmly in place in the square.

How formed is their plan?

Hard to say,

but I can find out.

Furst is easily apprehended.

The cleric?

His death is long overdue.

But he's too prominent

to arrest without cause.

t*rture is unreliable.

They confess to anything.

Tell is at the heart of this.

He was brazen about

his friendship with Furst,

and they...

they plotted openly.

Aye.

That toad, Gessler,

fouls you with his touch.

You're clearly more familiar

with him than I thought.

I do not choose to be

the wife of that parasite.

You seem happy

to let the King dictate

the disposal of your hand.

The same lust of conquest

that would rob you of

your liberty endangers mine.

Your love cannot rescue me.

Well, then what can?

Fight for thy land.

Do not make this

about me or us.

This is about

our country's soul.

Apart from you,

my country's welfare is

all I wish for.

Round your head

a tangling net is wound.

How can I hope to win you

if I take up arms

against the King?

The King would have

me deceive thee.

He believes it would hold thee

closer to the court.

I must pretend a love for thee

that is no pretence...

whilst pretending an affection

for a man I loathe.

So the King plays me.

And has me for a fool.

And you?

-Do you play me?

-I have no play.

Only love.

Fill the position

you were born to fill.

And stand by your people.

Burn it, Tell! Burn it all!

Go! Go! Run!

Tell! This way.

No. No. No.

No. Stay. Safe. Safe.

-Stay. Stay here.

-Tell, we must leave.

k*ll them!

k*ll them all!

k*ll them!

k*ll them!

k*ll them! k*ll them!

Leave them there!

Burn it!

Burn them all!

The boy. The boy!

No! No.

Take it.

We have to leave now.

We have to leave now!

Move! Move! Move!

Your orders are clear.

Arrest all those who pass

without bending the knee.

Well, this cannot be Walter.

- Furst.

- How you've grown.

-Are you well?

-Yes. You?

Listen.

I must speak

with your parents.

Here is some coin.

Skimble-skamble, young man.

Make yourself busy.

Salaam alaikum.

Greetings, Suna.

Have the others returned?

Yes, everyone we need

is in the chapel.

Then we have

much to discuss.

But not here.

Shall we join them?

Yes.

Hey.

Come along, children.

Come now.

Watch the boy.

Are we to arrest the child?

The father.

I'll go.

Walter, come. Let's be gone.

Father, why is there a helm

upon this pole?

It's no matter to us. Come.

Stand.

I command you,

in the King's name.

-You've broken the mandate.

-Suna.

You must kneel

before the helm.

Er...

- Kneel, you say?

- Kneel.

Your child, too.

Or you will be arrested.

- Friends...

- Go to the chapel.

There you will find some men.

Tell them to come here.

-Make haste.

-Be calm.

Kneel, or to prison

you shall go!

-Prison? Father.

-No.

Don't move.

To threaten me is one thing,

to scare my child is another.

He said kneel.

You hear that, Swiss?

You kneel.

Sir?

Sir, please.

Just...

Just let me take my son.

He's but a boy.

This man is an enemy

to the King.

You're a traitor.

Will?

Wilhelm, no!

Tell, no!

A traitor?

Stop! This is Wilhelm Tell.

An honest man

and a worthy citizen.

- Let go of me, Tell.

- Stand back!

Or you and your family

will be put to death.

Stay back,

or I swear to God

you'll regret it!

Take him

away to prison.

No!

- No!

- Back!

Back away or face the sword!

Back!

Why do you take this man?

He has challenged

the King's sovereign power.

- And for this, to prison?

- Come, my friend,

have God's mercy

and let him go.

Hence with you.

Take him away to prison!

Try, if you dare,

to take this man away from us.

How dare you challenge

the Governor's command!

Come on!

Move! Make way

for the Viceroy!

Stay back! Stay back!

Move back, now!

Move back!

My Lord!

This man was apprehended

for passing the helm

without obedience!

We need

to take him in quickly.

The crowd is growing hostile.

And waste a show?

Fortune has smiled

upon us. If he bows...

they will all bow.

Guards!

This does not bode well.

Keep those people

under control!

Keep them in order!

Keep them in order!

- Move back!

- Move back!

Weapons at the ready!

Tell, do you so lightly

hold our King

that you refuse

the greetings to the helm?

No, sir.

The action sprung

from inadvertence,

not from disrespect.

If you forgive me now,

as is in your gift,

I will go

and not offend again.

Then kneel.

I bend the knee to no man.

Yeah!

'Tis dangerous to carry

deadly weapons, and yet...

you flaunt yours before us.

I hear you are a master

with that bow.

Do you deny

that this...

is yours?

Or do you deny

you are the archer

they say you are?

He is a master archer,

my lord!

Is that boy thine, Tell?

Aye.

A mongrel boy.

-Come here.

-No.

No, sir, please!

- No, sir, please!

- No. No.

Walter!

No! Walter!

Not the boy!

How good an archer is he?

-At a hundred yards...

-Oh, louder!

At 100 yards, he'll sh**t

an apple off the tree.

Right.

Then you shall prove thy skill.

Take the bow

that thou wears so proudly

and make thee ready

to sh**t an apple from...

your son's head.

-What?

-No!

Tell!

Look well

to thine aim,

for should you miss,

thy head

and thy wife's

shall pay

the ultimate forfeit.

What monstrous thing is this

you ask?

How can you play

with a child's existence?

Your challenging tongue

tests my patience.

Know your place, woman.

I am my mother's son

and my father's too.

-I will wear the apple.

-No! No!

Walter, you know not

what you do!

I command you to sh**t

an apple from his head!

I would rather die.

Thou must sh**t,

or with thee dies the boy.

Enough of this.

Do not jest, my Lord,

with these poor souls.

Who says that I jest, my lady?

Huh?

Get on your knees I ask you,

and beg the Viceroy

to spare your life

and the life of your family.

Do it for your son.

-My Lord...

-How dare you speak

before your counsel is asked.

In the name of God,

let me pass.

I'm a man of God.

Ah.

Let this suffice, sir.

Let justice yield

to mercy here.

Sir, I beg you,

-in the name of God...

-Don't.

...spare a father

this unnatural doom.

Do not kneel to him.

Come here.

- Come here!

- No! No!

- Put him against that pole!

- He's but a child!

- No! Please!

- No.

Leave him be!

Here!

Here is the apple!

Commander,

pace out the distance

from that pole to the mark.

Twenty paces as the custom is.

Off you go.

Clear the way!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Don't do it!

Eight.

I cannot raise my bow

to my son.

Gessler, release me

from this shot.

Here.

Here.

Here's my heart.

Summon thy troops

and have them strike me down.

No.

I do not want thy life.

I want...

Gessler!

You outstep your powers!

I owe reverence to the King.

He sanctions not this cruelty.

Thou growest bold!

To be silent longer is

to be a traitor to my King

and country both.

Friends, I have been dumb

to the oppressions

-I was doomed to see.

-Silence!

The King is my Lord.

Not you!

Let him go!

Halt!

You peasant churl.

The King will hear

of your treachery. Seize him.

Here is the spot!

Tell,

I apologise.

Yes, you helped

the wretch Baumgarten

across the lake

and...

he has slayed

my men in Schwyz.

This is madness!

It is I you seek!

I k*lled the Wolfshot.

I alone should bear the guilt.

Release Tell.

Let this bloody business

be done.

Hold him.

You!

You are Baumgarten.

I should have known.

Well...

you shall not make poor

of our power again.

Wear your guilt in blood.

No!

No!

No!

No!

Hold!

No more blood!

Take the shot

or more will die!

I will take the shot!

No.

I will take the shot!

Thou has shaken me

from any hope of peace,

turned the milk of humankind

as to rankling poison

in my breast.

Whatever the outcome

of this day,

it is on you.

Load thy bow.

Forgive me, Son.

The apple.

Fetch me a seat.

Tell. Tell?

Please.

Take the knee,

please.

Oh.

Yes.

Here we are, Tell.

Don't disappoint us.

The shot was good.

Woe to him who drove a man

to tempt God by such a feat.

Look to yourself,

Bertha, and learn obedience.

Take her away!

I am the King's niece!

You have no authority over me!

- Tell!

- Get off me!

Tell! Wow! What a shot indeed!

Wow! Tell...

Thou didst place

the second arrow in thy belt.

I saw it well, I see it now.

What was thy purpose with it?

Whatever it may be,

I promise thee thy life.

Wherefore the second arrow?

Well, if you promise

not to take my life,

I will take you at your word

and speak the truth.

Had my child been struck down,

the second arrow was

for you.

- Arrest him.

- How dare you!

How dare you!

Take him away.

You can't do that!

- Stop!

- How dare you!

Help!

I will never forget

how fearless you were today.

Take this.

Rudenz! Go back to your uncle,

raise an army.

Meet us at Ruetli.

Go, Rudenz, to the horses! Go!

Sir, we must move him hence.

What was 50 is now 100

and will soon be more.

We cannot control

this crowd, my Lord.

Then take him.

Entomb him in the dungeons.

By road?

If we parade him through

the towns and villages,

it will do nothing

but encourage revolt.

Take him by boat.

Stussi, he is in your charge.

Tell! Tell! Tell!

Why not kneel, huh?

Such a small gesture.

You hear my brethren roar.

Do you think

the people will kneel now?

When you die...

these people, they will not

be shouting for you then.

There will be

no martyr's grave.

Your history...

will never be written.

Go on.

Go on!

Take him!

Tell! Tell! Tell!

Why?

You betray me...

and you betray your King.

The King

whom you have failed?

What will he say

when he learns of today?

Your heavy hand has

created a hero.

He will congratulate me

for k*lling

the Wolfshot's m*rder*r

and arresting

the rebellion's leader.

All that is left...

is to decide your fate.

So I'm your prisoner?

Or my bride.

Obedience is not in my nature.

Mmm.

Well...

there is no dark mystery

to being a wife, but...

you will learn that.

Get off me, you animal!

Get off me!

Get off me!

Touch me again and see

where this blade ends up.

A prisoner it is,

you sanctimonious wh*re.

Oh, I fear I am too late.

Rudenz.

My boy.

Uncle.

Forgive me.

I am here,

chastened but wiser,

ready to proclaim

my loyalty to our house

and fight for what is ours.

A heart that sees

and owns its error...

claims my trust.

Henceforth...

this castle shall

bear your name.

Oh, it is not just

your lands that I inherit.

Your heart and your spirit

live on in me.

My friends,

in shame,

I offered service

to the Austrian King.

No more!

With this cup,

in the name of Attinghausen,

I vow to strike

at the throat of our enemy.

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

One cup, one heart!

These priests of my Order

will stand the watch

and let us know

if anyone approaches.

Follow me.

Give them your hands.

You are all welcome.

You, sir, is there not

a suit between us

about a piece of land

of ancient heritage?

We are enemies at court,

but here we can be one.

Reconcile

your differences in peace.

I regret we are forced

to meet here in secret

to plot crime

and black conspiracy.

What is woven

in the gloom of night

shall free and boldly meet

the morning light.

Halt!

Who goes there?

- Friend or foe?

- Hold!

Hold your swords, my friends.

I am a Swiss,

and I will act as one

with my whole heart and soul.

You bent the knee.

No more!

He is ancient Swiss.

We must respect his title.

The Baron of Attinghausen

is dead.

What?

He now bears his name.

I was deaf

to my uncle's voice,

as I was blind

to my country's need.

But if you cannot accept

my presence here,

I shall leave.

If the new Baron

of Attinghausen wants

to join our fight,

then we should welcome him.

Our work tonight is

to make partnership,

to bring our tribes together.

Sir!

We must turn back!

Gessler's orders were clear!

Sail on!

Rage on, winds!

Lightnings, flash your fires!

This is nature's revenge

for making me raise

my bow against my son!

Gessler will summon

an army from the King.

If that happens,

we are finished.

We must strike.

We must surprise them

before they realise

we are united.

Then who shall lead?

There are three cantons here.

Let Uri take the sword.

Unterwalden will not

take orders from Uri.

Enough!

Enough.

I will not have

petty squabbles break

our resolve.

My husband is in chains.

And while we argue,

he suffers.

And they win!

Friends...

we are born of one blood.

Our children

of one common home.

We're all one heart.

Brothers...

sisters...

form a ring of steel.

Draw.

Plant your swords

of power within the ground.

The nations

around us have yielded

to a foreign conqueror.

But we here alone,

we have kept our freedom.

So tonight,

we form a bond.

Port side!

Fasten that rope!

Come on, faster! Move!

- Captain!

- Brace!

The key!

There!

Tell!

Tell.

With his own good sword.

True brothers and sisters

never to part, in danger...

...or in death!

In danger or in death!

Oh. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Rest. Rest.

-Are you well?

-Yes, yes.

Tell!

Come. Come.

- Tell, it's Kuoni!

- Calm.

The Lord has manifestly

wrought a miracle

on thy behalf.

We can scarce credit

our own eyes.

What are you doing out

on such a night?

Well, we saw the shipwreck

and came to aid.

And aid I need.

I must track Gessler.

We spotted his troops earlier

on the road to Ksnacht.

He must pass through

the gorge of Ksnacht.

You can take him there.

There's only one way in,

one way out.

It is too treacherous for you

to travel on the public road.

It is patrolled by soldiers.

There's another way

through the mountains.

Few know it,

but I can show you.

-I hunt best alone.

-I know these woods!

I stayed here as a child.

They were my castles

and playgrounds.

Very well. You guide me.

We're all with you, Tell.

We are confederates all.

My friends,

I need your bows.

It is clear

Tell is not a man of...

empty words.

Now I pay the price

for not having k*lled him

when I had the chance.

Misfortune favours

my every move.

My Lord.

Sir.

-My Lord.

-Hold your tongue.

You have damned me.

Listen, sir.

He will strike you

in the gorge outside Ksnacht.

No, you listen!

How can I trust this

not to be false?

These men,

they met him last night

after the storm.

Oh.

The princess was present.

To lose Tell is bad,

but to lose her too?

And now I am

messenger to the King,

and we all know...

what happens to messengers,

don't we, Stussi?

That does not have

to be the message, sir.

If you bring him Tell's head,

it will save your own.

Now, we must be cautious,

but we can trap him.

When he takes his shot

at you, sir, we will have him.

-So now I'm bait.

-'Tis only you he wants.

Then a target he shall have.

See it done.

Stussi,

go to the castle at Sarnen

and take command.

Hold it.

We take Sarnen,

we cut off their supply lines.

- Mmm.

- Then we can take Altdorf.

We hold our honour

higher than ourselves,

and we seek no praise

for this peril we suggest.

But the best way

to take Sarnen

is by stealth.

By stealth?

The harvest feast is

fast upon us.

'Tis custom for the serfs

to bring gifts

to the Governor.

Some 10 or 12 women can

easily hide amongst them,

their weapons concealed.

Once inside,

they can secure the gates.

The men can wait

in the nearby woods,

and once we're in

and the gates are secured,

you can launch the attack.

Are we agreed?

Aye.

The rest of the army

will camp at Altdorf.

We pray for your success

in taking Sarnen.

Once it's ours,

Altdorf is next.

May God's grace be with us.

It is an honour

to fight beside you.

The honour is mine.

Our duty is served, my Lord.

Accept our gifts.

k*ll them all!

We need to go.

Down

in the gully there, see?

We're expected.

They know we're here.

Take it.

- Where is he?

- Well, he's there somewhere.

You find me a way out.

I have to get closer.

Pull up!

Hold. Hold!

- Wait for the second carriage.

- Yes, sir!

You b*stard!

Where is he?

Oh,

you b*stard, Tell!

Tighter!

- Where is he?

- Fall in!

- Yes, sir!

- You missed, Tell!

Stick together, men!

Split the troops

and surround him.

- Move!

- Yes, sir!

Where is the b*stard?

Start fleeing, Tell!

He is one man!

Find him!

Find him!

Move!

- Up there!

- Fire!

Yes!

After him!

Tell!

Tell!

Take this.

Nothing shall content me

till I'm even'd with him.

Too much blood,

too little brain.

Revenge might drive you,

but it also blinds you.

What know you of such things?

I know

that anger blunts your power.

He missed you by how much?

By a breath of air.

Feel the pain.

It dwarfs what you will feel

if you fail us.

Your ignorant abuses have

increased resistance,

allowed them to organise.

And you lost my niece!

Kneel.

God,

arm this man with the thunder

of your church

and lead him to victory.

So where do we go from here?

We must move forward.

I face exile.

I have nothing to lose.

Then bring proportion

to your thoughts.

Go to the King,

use all your wits and grace

to dissuade him

from helping Gessler. Hmm?

I will try.

But do something for me.

Return to your people.

This is no longer about

our hate for one man.

Plan.

Organise.

Fight for our country.

God...

give me purpose and will

to secure the force

of the Lord.

I hope he listens to you.

Return to Altdorf.

Hold it until I can

raise an army.

Tell! Tell! Tell!

Father!

I feared

I'd never see you again.

What's wrong?

- Tell.

- My love.

My heart.

The attack failed.

We were betrayed.

They were waiting for us.

Open the gates!

One of our own told

Gessler's men our plan.

We stood no chance.

k*ll them all!

No!

I'm here. I'm here.

- Shield! Shield!

- Cover!

No!

We are broken.

Bring us together.

Make us believe again.

What was over there

is now here.

There is a law

in each well-ordered nation

that curbs us

from our savage appetite.

And that law is God's law.

But God has long forgotten us.

And that law is no more.

Fight for her.

Fight for us.

With my own breath,

I will keep that faith.

With my own hands,

I will avenge,

but I need you strong.

Today, we are neither

farmer nor peasant,

nor gentleman or noble.

Today, we are Swiss.

Yes!

But, friends, we are in hell.

We need to claw our way out.

We need to show

the men of grosser blood

that we are ready...

to fight.

Yes!

For many years,

I hunted and k*lled alone.

I never wanted

part of any group.

I now know this course leads

to nothing but despair.

I failed!

I failed.

I failed to k*ll the man

who made me raise

my bow against my son.

And I failed to understand

that true brotherhood

bonds us...

makes us stronger.

But, friends, in w*r,

there's no margin for error.

One false whisper,

one late fist,

one missed arrow,

and you are...

dead.

Tomorrow there will be

no error.

Tomorrow we will

take back our homes,

our town, and our country.

And how will we do this?

Yes, we will

summon up our rage.

Yes!

We will summon up

our skills in battle!

- Yes!

- And we will teach our enemy

how we w*r!

But most importantly,

we will be willing

to die.

Yes.

Whoever is willing

to die wins any fight.

So I want you to look

at the person next to you.

Look that person in the eye

and ask that person,

"Are you willing

to die for me?"

Do it. Do it.

Ask that person,

"Are you willing

to die for me?" Do it.

Do it, everybody.

Do it. Do it.

Do it. I want

to see everybody do it.

Do it! Do it.

Look that person in the eye

and ask them,

"Are you willing

to die for me?"

"Are you willing

to k*ll for me?"

I say yes! Yes!

Yes, they are!

Yes, they are!

Yes, they are!

Now raise your weapons

to the sky!

Climb out of hell

and claim back God!

King!

King! King! King!

Stain the virtue

of your enterprise with blood,

and melt the spirit

of their people

with the hot sword

of vengeance.

Their youth shall

die in the field,

victim to your serried lances.

Let your will,

- mass, and might...

- Stop!

- ...carry the Habsburg name.

- Halt!

This must stop now!

I beg you, please,

stop this madness.

The Habsburg House is

not united in this cause!

Grant me a moment

of your time, my Lord.

Silence! What mean you

by this disruption?

You cannot rule like this!

You are feared

more than loved.

Good men die in your name,

and each morn new widows howl.

I will hear no more of this.

She's unwell

and embarrasses herself.

Dispatch her!

Go forth

- and march to Altdorf!

- No!

King!

Should we attack,

the town will burn.

- And our people?

- Gessler.

He will k*ll them all.

A frontal attack

will mean their certain death.

Well, then we must

get men inside

and attack from within.

How?

You.

Did you help the Austrians

fortify the town?

Aye, sirs.

But not out of choice.

The town is sealed.

How did you get out?

There is a small tunnel, sir.

Leave.

On the morrow,

you will be dead.

By your own hand.

They will

discover you in this room,

bled out from the wrists.

And your shame

will then be complete.

Either you do it, or...

You will.

I must protect my future.

Your future?

Know that he mocks you

in private...

and your inheritance is dust.

From you...

From you I expected more.

Are you happy

to watch him take my life?

I know you.

We played together

as children.

Then take it.

Take it and do it yourself.

Where is he?

Oh, you chant

and cry w*r, yet...

you have not the troops

to take the town.

Neither you to defend it.

You steal our air, Gessler.

Your air.

Should one arrow fall

upon these walls,

I will burn this town

to the ground

and all within it.

And you will burn with it.

Yes, I am a b*stard

in mind and deed.

Born the very worst of men.

What may you have within

that you k*ll with such ease?

For all who take the sword

shall die by the sword.

I, too, am prepared to die!

That...

I just might live.

You're

a coward, Gessler.

You abuse the innocent,

use them as a shield.

-Let them go.

-No, no, no, no, no.

The King's troops will

be here soon.

You can't get into the town.

If you try,

you will k*ll

your own good people.

Those "good" people are

camped out here in full view

and grow in number every day.

Why not take us?

Best to keep distance

from the acrid smell of Swiss.

It's disgusting!

Tell, enough of this.

These peasants...

their passion...

Hide until first light.

...does not

match their skill...

-And then we take the gates.

-...in battle.

My army will not

attack the town.

By sunrise,

you will let my people leave,

and I will let you...

live.

That's it.

They'll be in by now.

-They're inside, sir.

-Well observed.

I should cut you now,

and wash you in blood,

you servile little sh*t!

Who are you? Who sent you?

You're not meant

to be up here.

Sir!

They're dressed as priests!

Man the gates, both of you.

- Now!

- Sir.

Man the gates!

And k*ll all the priests!

Now!

Now!

Look out!

Take cover!

Protect yourselves!

Get that gate open! Hurry!

I'm trying!

Stay tight!

Fire!

Get back in line!

Stay there!

- Formation!

- Formation!

Formation!

Formation!

Forward!

We need that gate open!

Come on!

Charge!

Easy.

Rudenz!

Gessler!

Finally.

Let him bleed.

Come here.

Help me!

Stauffacher, help me!

Help me!

Stauffacher!

- Tell!

- Walter.

-Keep moving forward.

-Walter!

Forward!

Keep pushing!

Walter!

Wait.

Take one more step,

and they will all burn.

Guards!

Tell, your life is intact

and your son's too.

If you want him...

and these people to live,

you will let us leave.

Lay down your bow

and order your men

to do the same.

sh**t him.

I cannot raise my bow

to my son again.

Do it!

Look. Yes.

See that, Tell?

An army comes for you.

Lay down your weapons!

Lay them down, you Swiss dogs!

- Lay them down.

- Hold.

- Now.

- Hold.

You are lost!

You're finished!

Your heads will be on pikes.

Surrender now!

Now!

Retreat!

The King is dead!

Look!

The army is retreating!

No, no, no, no, no. No! No!

Stussi, stay. Stay with me.

Stussi, wait. Wait!

Pick up your weapons now.

Do not surrender.

Stay with me!

Hold strong!

Do not lower your weapons!

Do not drop your weapons!

Stay with me!

Take them!

Walter! Walter!

Come here! Come to me!

You...

You live a deadly lie, Tell.

You promised your flock

freedom and redemption,

yet you've given them

nothing but blood.

Go on, k*ll me.

There'll be another Gessler,

and you will never...

outgrow your hunger for rage.

You are a poison.

And you will

leave this world...

unsaluted.

And one...

less Gessler...

is a victory...

I'll take for now.

Move away, Son.

We are huntsmen, not savages.

What is this?

Is this pity?

Huh? Mercy?

Huh?

Tell?

Tell!

Tell!

Amen.

Farewell, my friends.

The graves of w*r have yawned

and yielded up their dead.

My heart...

is broken.

You refused

to let tyranny rage,

and you made

steel of our valour.

Now you are...

no more.

But, God,

answer me this.

When will

this bleeding business of w*r

be done?

Hyah!

God,

I am no longer woman.

I ask you to unsex me here,

then arm me with the thunder

of the church.

I seek righteous vengeance

for my father's blood.

And I vow before you, God,

to k*ll all those

who rallied against him.

- Their servants...

- Tell.

...their children,

and children's children.

I vow

to slaughter whole generations

upon his tomb

and bathe in their blood

as in the dew of May.

We feared you dead.

Many want it so.

Is it true?

I could think

of no other option

that would make

his army turn around.

Our country owes you.

Come, join us.

But you must know this.

Even now,

the cruel Queen Agnes comes.

She is protected

by the foul righteousness

of the cross...

and seeks your head, Tell...

and all you know.

Queen!

Queen!

Queen!

Queen!

Queen!

Queen!