THE GILDED HOUSE OF SAMARKAND
I'm Armenian. My name is Sevan Vartès.
The Turks massacred my people.
I was only a child,
and if I can speak about who I am and where I'm from, I owe it to Corto Maltese.
Corto's long journey in central Asia
started in 1921.
This picture is the only portrait I have of him.
He reached Adana, in Turkey, from the island of Rhodes.
He described to me the unbelievable show of the rotating dervishes of that city,
of the mystical trance that took possession of them,
while the Ottoman empire,
which was immense and arrogant
before the first world war,
had disappeared.
That's how Turkey paid the price for its alliance with Germany.
Enver Bey was its inspirer when he worked in Berlin before the war.
He was one of the most merciless executioners of the Armenian people,
one of those who were responsible for their extermination in 1915.
In 1921 he dreamt of bringing back Turkey
to its old boundaries, together with Mustafa Kemal.
Corto crossed Turkey up to Van,
then he reached Azerbaijan. From Baku,
he crossed the biggest inland sea of the world, the Caspian Sea.
He disembarked at Krasnovodsk, then from there he reached the Emirate of Bukhara.
There he met again with Rasputin the unbelievable.
He had escaped from a prison with an eccentric name:
"The Gilded House of Samarkand".
On August 4th 1922,
Corto and Rasputin witnessed the death of Enver Bey.
It was in Russian Turkistan.
I wish I were there,
above all because the honour of avenging Armenia
was of one of ours, Hagob Melkoumian,
who was ahead of a Bolshevik battalion.
After that, Corto and Rasputin went to the Kafiristan
in Afghanistan, a region that Kipling called "land of the nonbelievers".
In September 1922 they crossed the border with Pakistan.
Some British soldiers took them to Chitral,
then they went their separate ways..
What was Corto looking for, in that decaying world?
One day he passed Venice, so I asked him for that.
His answer, as often happens, started with a question:
"Have you heard of the ancient treasure of Cyrus, the ancient Persian king,
"which was stolen by Alexander The Great? "
...and he told me a beautiful story.
"I'm leaving these notes to anyone who can find their hideaway,
"beneath the moon over the mosque of Kawakly."
Hey there!
Stop!
- Things must really change, in Turkey. - Most definitely.
Welcome, Chevket. Welcome.
Chevket?
The whole world's against us: the Armenians, the Greek, the French, the Italians,
- the Bolsheviks... - And also the conservatories,
- Isn't it, Chevket? - Enough!
We have to stay loyal to Kemal!
With Kemal the chaos will come, and the end of the traditions.
Only Enver Pasha can build a great Turkey.
Enver Pasha is crazy! A great Turkey is an impossible dream!
- It isn't anymore. - Wait!
No. There's no time for waiting, we have to act.
He just had different ideas!
But dangerous ones. Too dangerous.
Get rid of the body.
Chevket, you'll be the first to know.
The time has come.
Enver Pasha broke up with the Caucasian Bolsheviks.
Come, Chevket.
We'll leave for Adana by the end of the week.
In the meantime, be discreet.
As for discretion, you can count on me.
Let's meet again by the docks of Mandriakos in five days.
We'll find Enver Pasha in Samarkand.
Don't you know that no one can walk around Rhodes at night?
How strange, lieutenant... That man was arrested an hour ago,
but he was dressed as a Turk.
- He escaped? - Yes Captain.
The prisoner escaped wearing one of our uniforms.
Sergeant said he must have had accomplices.
Looks like he's a member of a mysterious society.
Lance-corporal, the only mysterious thing here is your stupidity!
- Captain? - What!
The Royal Navy has found the fugitive.
- Corto Maltese? - Sorrentino!
One day in Venice, the next in Rhodes...
Thanks to the army you can lead a worldly life...
What are you doing here?
If I told you I'm looking for a lost manuscript, would you believe me?
You can go.
A lost manuscript... And looking for the lost manuscript
maybe you lost your name as well?
Why does everyone mistake you for Chevket?
I wish I knew. I think we look alike.
- Have you got a picture of him? - No. Unfortunately no.
Then maybe you want to take one of myself, Sorrentino?
Don't take advantage of my friendship, Corto.
What's friendship, but something to take advantage of?
Sorrentino...
I'm not Chevket.
Tonight I met some very nice Turks,
and I also met someone I know.
Man or woman?
What's wrong Cassandra? You shouldn't be asking such questions.
Man or woman?
A Policeman. Didn't you always know everything?
Give me your cup.
I see things...
...terrible things.
Strange.
You'll kill yourself but it's not you who will die,
and when you finally find what you're looking for,
you'll lose it in a flash.
Your prophecies are never cheerful.
Are you afraid?
Have you ever heard of a certain Chevket?
Isn't he one of those crazy people who fight to unify Turkey?
- Have you met him? - Yes, I have...
...and yet I haven't.
See you later Cassandra.
I'll interpret those signs my own way.
"I'm leaving these notes to anyone who can find their hideaway,
"beneath the moon over the mosque of Kawakly."
"Stranger who have found these documents,
"find the great gold I couldn't find."
See, those small crosses were drawn by Trelawny,
a friend of Shelley and Byron's.
Nice route...
Armed fanatics everywhere.
Trelawny took care of everything.
Show them the sign of Salah Ad-Din...
It will open you the doors of the dervish school in Adana.
Very effective against machine guns.
Tell your brother to prepare the schooner.
Why did you throw it away?
I'm a Christian, but I offered it to the God of the Sea. One can never know...
Do you believe in your sister's predictions?
Of course! But if she only predicts bad luck,
she'll never have clients.
And if I told you that it's going to storm, would you believe me?
It's the Meltemi, the northern-eastern wind.
The God of the Sea didn't like your offer.
Any mooring points around here?
We're near Tarsus.
I'll try to understand where we are.
Friends deserters!
Officers, non-commissioned officers, men of arms, soldiers...
Halberdiers, guards... We've entertained you for two months,
trying to relieve your melancholy.
For you we've performed Wilde, Shaw,
- Alphonse Allais... - Dance!
But I'm not a dancer, I'm an actor!
A bad actor, therefore dance!
Coward! You're a brute and an ignorant Turk!
I'm not rude.
I'm just in love.
Savages! Ignorant!
Don't let him escape!
There's nobody here.
Hey Kabum, have you seen him?
Colonel...
Have you seen him too? That's him, isn't it?
Chevket.
You're terrified,
as if you had seen a ghost.
Yes, Maryann.
You aren't too far from the truth.
- You could run away. - Run away?
But where? Where?
Bring me that man!
But colonel, we...
We must help that mysterious fellow.
- But how? - Just like at Waterloo!
Charge!
That dog of Akim has betrayed us!
That's not Akim, it's the Englishman!
I'll take him by surprise!
I'm dead, right?
- Am I dead? - It's just a scratch, nothing serious.
Hey you, down there!
We have your commander!
- If you want... - We don't!
But you don't even know what this all's about!
We do. You want to make an exchange!
- And what do you want? - To kill you!
That won't be easy!
Chevket!
Don't you remember me? I'm Farid...
I helped you rob the Bank of Aleppo
and kidnap the beautiful Armenian girl.
I'm not Chevket.
I don't know him, I've never seen him and I don't want to see him.
My mother used to say that to meet one's double brings bad luck.
Then... You aren't...
It's unbelievable!
Isn't it, Farid?
Listen to me now. How much authority do you have over your men?
Authority? Don't make me laugh...
I bet they've already chosen a new leader.
And then they have that woman.
They can exchange her, they won't touch her...
At least you won't touch anybody anymore.
Did you hate him so much?
That filthy man used to abuse Maryann,
and also me.
We were in the army theatre,
we were taken prisoners at the end of the war.
I want to kill all of them, but first...
- I want to make them suffer! - Calm down, what the hell!
Let's try and save your friend.
My friend?
Who, that bitch? Don't make me laugh...
- But you've just said... - That she was abused,
not that the slut felt sorry for that.
What will you give us for the woman?
If you set her free, I'll let you go away.
Otherwise, to get out of your shelter
you'll have to cross my machine gun's fire.
Let's go away, we'll get by.
Maybe we shall, but Maryann won't.
Don't move!
Good Kassem.
Have you killed the Colonel?
No matter who's killed him, he's dead.
- You're also dead, unless... - Unless what?
You've got something to swap.
An anchored sailing ship, and it isn't even mine.
- We're highlanders, not sailors. - Alright then.
Listen. I know where Alexander the Great's treasure is.
In the mountains, away from here.
And should I take your word for it?
What would you gain by killing me?
Pleasure.
If you lied to me, I'll kill you slowly.
You won't have to.
I always keep my promises if I can.
Wait for me in Van, near Semiramis's Wall.
My name is Reshid, don't you forget.
And you don't forget this name:
Corto Maltese.
Alright.
Let's go before the French arrive!
Bravo! A great actor...
...and a big liar. Wonderful, that story of the treasure.
Luckily enough it's true, or we would have come to a bad end.
But where's Maryann?
I'm sure she's laying down somewhere, and not by herself.
Maryann!
Were you looking for me, sir?
Madam...
- Corto Maltese... - Eveline De Sabrevoire.
What was it? Maryann? Piera Rovigota from Maerne?
Mind your own business!
Don't hurt me, I'm wounded!
Are you? Oh my God! And you, don't just stand there!
It's nothing serious.
Nothing serious? Brute!
I didn't want to...
Piera Rovigota from Maerne...
My children! Why do you make me suffer so much?
Very bad, very bad indeed. What a cheap actress.
You shouldn't have said that!
He's dead.
My God!
That cannot be true!
I just wanted to scare him!
You haven't even grazed him.
His heart gave in.
- Too much emotion. - Poor John...
It's all my fault!
What will become of me now?
Don't be afraid. It's me.
My goodness, I have seldom slept so well.
It's the open air. I was like that at your age.
Have you met anyone?
Oh yes. A lot of people coming and going up there.
I've even joined a travelling company.
They had me play a small part.
- Was it fun? - It's the story of a sailor
who's haunted by a ghost.
He tries to get rid of it, but he can't.
I'll go ahead in order to learn the rest.
You can return to Rhodes. I've got some friends here.
What shall I tell Cassandra?
That I'll be back soon.
Who are you?
You'd better speak!
This sign let you in our school.
Who gave it to you?
A traveller.
He hoped for you dervishes to help me reach Samarkand.
Samarkand?
Are you one of the mercenaries who fight for Enver Pasha?
No.
I'm after Alexander the Macedonian's treasure.
Very funny.
Usually the westerners come around here
to live a new spiritual life,
not to look for treasures. What do you really want?
To go to Samarkand to help a friend.
Can I smoke?
- What friend? - A friend who has made a mistake,
and is kept prisoner because of that,
inside a place called "The Gilded House of Samarkand".
His keepers are fierce.
They're ruthless killers and torturers.
My friend Rasputin is in that prison.
That's mine! Give it back to me!
Shut up!
How can one eat this shit!
- But... I liked it so much! - Sure...
Bad, you're really bad!
Do you want to see what bad really means?
Give me a cigarette, Persian.
No. My religion prevents me from smoking.
Not again with the story of your religion!
I've seen you smoke! Where do you hide them?
Under the prayers' rug!
Then I'm the bad one...
The prison's called "The Gilded House" because the only way to escape
is through hashish-induced golden dreams.
What do you expect of us?
That you put me in touch with the dervish school of Samarkand,
so that they can help me set him free.
I have to consult the older members.
I'll give you an answer tomorrow.
Tonight you can sleep here.
Unless you prefer to dance with us...
I don't think I'm up to it..
- Now what? Come in! - Good evening.
- Merry Christmas, dear friend. - Chevket!
- I'm not Chevket but yourself. - Myself? My goodness...
I should wake up.
You won't get away with it so easily...
You're alone with your conscience,
and you know what your conscience says very well...
Corto escapes reality.
Corto never commits himself.
And what about his friends? Huh?
Do you ever think of your friends?
What are you doing here? Weren't you in Samarkand?
In fact I'm there and you're happy with it, aren't you?
The beautiful women, the money, they're all for you now, Corto.
while I'm left with the nightmares.
- It's not my fault. - Shut up, egoist!
Can't you see the state I'm in?
You invited me to your dreams,
but I had to wait.
There were women before me here, don't deny it.
I know that women were here.
It wasn't a woman.
It's someone who was supposed to be lost in my melancholy,
and came to tell me I'm wrong.
Then it's someone who knows you well.
So? Are you listening to me?
Or do you want me to rot in this mousetrap?
Bad!
It's your fault! What did you make me smoke huh?
Because of your shitty tobacco
I arrived late to someone's dream!
You are bad!
Bad?
You have no idea...
Soon it will be Christmas,
and everyone will receive beautiful presents. And how about me? Huh?
What for me?
Nothing. Nothing, but this stupid Persian.
I'd better sleep.
and run away from this life of madness and crime,
which devoured my youth.
Not bad, these words...
I hope to remember them
when I meet some beautiful and educated American girl.
Who knows what Corto would give
to speak such words with women...
Stop! What are you doing?
Me? Nothing... You've had a bad dream.
You were speaking, when you suddenly fell asleep.
What do you expect of us?
I...
I would like...
As I have said, I would like to get in touch
with the dervish school of Samarkand.
They could help me set my friend free.
You will have to face a lot of danger,
The way is unsafe. Besides the brigands
you could meet those who profess to be patriots,
the Kurds... the Armenians...
Maybe the Armenians have good reasons for that.
- Is that Chevket? - Yes.
He's the one who massacred our people.
For our martyrs!
One can die in many ways.
This is one of them.
Once in Samarkand
find our brothers,
and tell them my name.
They will help you.
He who faces death to help a friend
shall be respected,
even if he's an infidel.
- Corto, honey! - Maryann! Where were you?
Oh honey, I was escaping from everything and everyone.
Forgive me, but the sight of you makes me talk nonsense...
Calm down Maryann. I won't leave you here.
I hoped so...
Come.
We have to find a way to reach Van.
- Reshid is waiting for me there. - Reshid? That monster? But why?
I have given him my word.
Just keep on walking.
Maryann, you should change your clothes, you're attracting attention.
Inside my sack you'll find something suitable.
You can undress behind there.
How do I look?
Not too bad, isn't it?
Cover up your hair, don't provoke these people.
Oh, you're jealous... How dear!
No. You're wrong.
Do you like the Karagos theatre?
I still don't know.
He's Beherubi, the simpleton.
How strange... that puppet reminds me of someone.
What's wrong, my dear?
I think I'm watched.
I'd better be in prison than with you,
infamous niggar.
I prefer to die in this infamous prison of Samarkand...
Huh? What? What have you said?
There's a friend of mine among the spectators?
But I know him! However I can't call him my friend...
So you're trying to hide now...
Those who hide have a bad conscience, Corto Maltese.
Yes!
That's him. Corto the sailor is among you.
- Excuse me, let me pass. - Stop! No entrance is allowed,
except to the puppeteers.
I knew you were behind all this.
- What are you doing? - What?
You don't like jokes anymore?
You make heavy jokes.
Stop it! You're ruining the show!
Listen, I have nothing against you.
I had a baggage, some money, but everything has disappeared.
Maybe... However you're alive.
Weren't there two women with you?
Maybe you should look for them.
Sheitan! Sheitan!
Sheitan... Sheitan... Sheitan...
- What has he done? - He's a Yezidi,
a worshipper of the devil.
They have to break the circle to let him escape.
What do worshippers of the devil look for?
A better life, like anyone else.
By the way, I'm not worse than others.
I have to reach the frontier.
Wait. First, let's go eat something.
- I have a favour to ask you. - Why me?
- Because you seem honest. - I see.
Listen to me.
A friend of mine, an Armenian, was killed together with his family.
Only an 11 year-old child survived.
She has some relatives on the Russian side.
And I should take the girl with me only...
because I seem honest?
Don't be cynical.
I'm sure you'll help that young girl.
You're sure of it?
Everyone chooses their path, then goes straight ahead.
And the rest is "kismet".
Tomorrow take the child to Semiramis's Wall.
- Some friends of mine will be there. - Which friends?
A certain Reshid, a Kurd.
Do you know him?
Your friend and his companions were hung two days ago.
- Who did it? - The military governor, Chevket.
- Chevket again... - Hey, you two!
What are you looking for?
I know him. He's an old Yezidi.
You cannot wander about here!
We're leaving at once.
You are, but he isn't.
Where to?
Just run!
Don't stop!
But where did they all come from?
Who were those people?
Friends.
They distract the policemen when they're after someone.
Oh Corto, my darling, finally!
Stop simpering, Maryann.
How did you find me?
Van isn't a big town.
An English sailor who wants to cross the border with an Armenian child
is easy to find.
What do you want from that child?
Your friend Bahiar is holding her as a hostage
to make sure you won't disappear with the treasure.
He knows you aren't Chevket but just resemble him.
Bitch! You and Bahiar are accomplices!
Calm down.
The little one won't be in danger as long as they need me.
She will reach her family. I promise.
Oh, dear!
- I heard a shot. - Of course.
We're at war.
Why did you kill him?
He was trying to be clever.
If I have understood well, Bahiar isn't on anyone's side.
He betrayed Enver Pasha and the Turkish revolution,
and he's keeping me alive because I'm the only one who knows
- where Alexander's treasure is? - Exactly.
- Isn't it beautiful to be here together? - It is, Maryann.
Like a real little family.
Here's the frontier.
Russia is on the left, while Persia is on the right.
- Where would you go? - To Persia.
I have some relatives near the fortress. They could help us.
What's the fortress?
Alamuth. It's the hideaway of the old man from the mountains
and of the sect of the assassins.
You know the classics...
What's wrong?
This old engine's had enough for today.
It needs cooling off.
It's so beautiful up here...
How dare you?
That pig touched me!
So what? You find a Christian, you touch a Christian!
I wouldn't do it.
That woman never jokes.
And I tell you that woman likes to be touched. Don't you?
You like to be touched by a Turk.
Come on, say you like it...
What did you say to him?
I told him to leave it be.
But he believes you like it.
And what do you think?
I think you should take off that veil.
Welcome back, Venexiana Stevenson.
A long time ago, in those mountains,
someone called "the old man from the mountains" lived.
His real name was Aloadin.
He made the whole valley of Alamuth
a beautiful garden of Eden,
where women danced and played,
and practised the art of love.
They knew how to live!
Aloadin took some young fellows there, he made them smoke hashish,
and the most beautiful girls satisfied their needs.
That way, the young fellows became part
of the criminal sect of the "hashishins".
The old man could ask them to commit the most ferocious deeds.
They obeyed to get the hashish and the beautiful girls.
- That's heaven. - Just a tall story...
Not at all. The sect was real.
When the Mongolians arrived,
the hashishins were dispersed.
You're wrong, Corto Maltese.
The hashishins welcome you.
Stay calm and nothing will happen to you.
What's going to happen when Bahiar understands you're a traitor?
If there's a traitor, that's Bahiar. He betrays everyone.
At least we're loyal to the cause.
New Alamuth.
Ambition beyond any means.
What are you mumbling?
Nothing. I'd like... I'd like to know what will become of us.
The women can stay here,
and you can always be sold to Bahiar.
There's something wrong.
How strange, there's no sign of life.
Something must have happened after we left Alamuth.
They must be crazy...
Hey, wait.
You should be more cautious.
And what do you care?
What happened up there?
Send a young man out on reconnaissance.
Sure, a young man...
Abbas! Go and find out what happened!
- Hey Abbas, have you heard? - Me? No. What?
Abbas, come on, hurry up!
But I'm scared!
Go!
Wait, I'll go with you.
Nothing changes, I'm still scared.
We're just going to have a quick glance.
Maybe Kan Reza's Cossacks were there.
He's an old officer of the Shah.
He swore he would kill us all.
Why, are you into politics as well?
Everybody is, nowadays. There's no other way.
Have you been to New York?
- And what's it like? - Not bad.
- What would you like to do there? - Make money.
And be happy among beautiful women, and drink champagne.
I was told that western women
are crazy about Asian men. Is it true?
It's not that easy.
Let's wait for the night.
All those clouds will hide the moon.
When I was young, I used to give each cloud a name.
Clouds are clouds, and that's all.
You know Abbas, you remind me of a friend of mine.
He's the best at destroying any traces
of human weakness.
You, Russian! Follow me!
Hey, but what happened to the Persian?
Can't you see? He's dead.
He hung himself... But why didn't you stop him?
It was none of my business, he must have had his reasons.
However I have to admit he did all by himself, without asking for my help.
- Cigarette? - Corto!
I almost feel like crying.
Dirty bastard, how did you know I was here?
Unbelievable, have you become a Turkish general in the meantime?
- Have you called me a bastard? - Oh yes,
the dirtiest bastard I've ever met.
My name is Chevket.
and I'm a real Turkish general,
but lately I've had the gift of ubiquity, it seems.
Someone who looks like me is around here.
You've just told me his name, Corto.
- Do we look so much alike? - No.
Corto Maltese has a pierced ear,
and he would never hit a harmless man.
He isn't a son of a bitch like us.
- Did you call me "son of a bitch"? - Yes.
and if you try to hit me again, I'll kill you.
And now tell me what you want.
You must be crazy.
And that matches with the information I got about you.
Wanted by the police in many countries,
condemned to death by an Islamic court
for being a "revolutionary agitator"...
No way! One thing is to ransack,
another thing is politics!
You have two ways to get out of this hell:
becoming a voluntary instructor in the Emir's army,
or burning on the stake.
Voluntary instructor...
I've always wanted to do it!
By all the saints of Great Russia, I've always dreamt of doing it!
To be a commander you must be a believer. Are you?
Yes, I'm a Muslim.
Then it's alright.
Now we'll find you a nice uniform.
You're lucky, Russian.
Everybody makes a career here, but me.
I don't care about all this.
I feel like my friend Corto is around here.
But where?
The moon is high tonight.
It will bring us good luck.
How strange... I thought the moon
- would be hidden tonight. - You were wrong.
It's time to go.
It's completely desert.
I'll go and tell the others.
Problems, problems, problems...
- Where are the others? - They left.
Maybe they didn't want to meet Reza Kan's Cossacks.
I'll go to sleep.
Tomorrow will be a hard day. Good night.
And you, Maryann? Don't you go to sleep?
You don't really want to understand...
This is no time for it.
In the exercise of one's duties, there's a particularly pleasant moment,
or rather when others submit to your desires.
But there's an even more pleasant moment,
and it's when they stop noticing they're being given orders.
- Qaid Rasp! Qaid Rasp! - "Qaid Rasp" what, idiot!
Qaid Rasp, I'm late for the lectures on power!
Don't worry, you'll never exercise power.
- Is that why you bothered me? - No, forgive me.
General Chevket wants to see you.
And when were you supposed to tell me?
- Here I am Chevket. Did you want to see me? - Yes.
I want to introduce you to general Enver Pasha.
That crazy man who wants to unite all the Asian Turks?
You can think that, not say that.
Enver, here's the new qaid.
And so you're the new instructor?
Instructor of a bunch of incompetents.
Whom are we going to fight against?
Russia,
and all its allied governments.
No problem. I'll go to organize the retreat.
What?
Sorry, Pasha,
but how you can beat the Russian army
with this handful of worthless people?
- You're Russian. Whose side are you on? - On my side.
And I know the rules of a game.
I'm Russian, but my real nationality is money.
I will fight for you as long as you pay me.
In this insane adventure,
I could only be surrounded by insane people.
He lives out of history.
I thought a little war would satisfy him,
- some war against some emir, but... - He's romantic.
He didn't forget that the Russians preferred Kemal to him.
Between you and me, his dream for a Turkish federation
will never see the light.
When a ship sinks, one must learn to swim.
I see.
And since we are two sons of bitches,
we'll take precautions.
Where's the regiment's cash box?
- Who's that? - Bahiar the Kurd.
An adventurer whose past doesn't count, and who has no future.
It's unbelievable.
I met someone who's identical to you,
- a certain Corto Maltese. - Yes, I've heard of him.
Then...
Listen to me well.
He knows where the treasure of the golden mountain is.
I will exchange it for that little Armenian I'm holding in hostage.
I need your men to recover that fortune.
What makes you think that Corto will come down here?
The little Armenian.
He will try everything to save her,
and we'll kill him as soon as we've had the treasure.
Take the little Armenian with you, qaid.
She's too young for my taste.
That's not why I'm granting her custody to you.
We have to give her to your friend Corto.
Corto is around here... Great news.
Come here, child.
Come to uncle Rasputin, who will be like a mother to you.
Come on!
Let's run towards the golden destination.
Long live gold!
You seem stupid.
How dare you?
You're nothing but a little scoundrel!
Shameless girl!
Stupid creature!
And you?
Where have you come from?
Are you Corto or Chevket?
Oh, it's you!
Where have you been all this time?
What are you doing? Are you leaving again?
Oh, you woke up, beautiful soldier...
Where's my beard?
I shaved you.
You look much better now, naughty boy.
Hands off me, idiot!
Corto warned me that at first
you'd be hard to deal with.
Stupid and useless creature! However...
if I understood well you named Corto!
Good evening Rasputin.
But is that you or Chevket?
You know this Chevket too!
Glad to see you again, Rasp.
You're the only one who can call me Rasp.
Rasp doesn't sound too bad.
How did you get here?
- Friends. - Oh.
- And how did you know where I was? - Friends.
Then you've come out of friendship...
- No. - I knew it.
You'll never change.
Are you're afraid to admit you're tender-hearted?
No.
Therefore you've come out of the friendship you feel for me...
- If that makes you happy... - It really does.
And then, where would you find someone else like me?
I have to say you're right.
Do I really look like Chevket?
Oh! Is that what worries you?
Haven't you met him?
- He's no longer here. - Isn't he?
How long did I sleep?
- Ten days. - Ten days?
But what happened?
Chevket holds a little Armenian in hostage.
He will set her free her in change for the directions to the treasure.
We have to reach the Afghan border.
- How about Enver Pasha? - He's still there,
but most of his soldiers have abandoned him.
The Russians! The Russians!
- This way! - Down there!
Hurry! Hurry!
You're crazy, you nearly died!
Tell me where the treasure map is!
It's in my head. Trust me!
Come on! What are you doing?
All's quiet.
Armenian battalion!
Remember the dead!
Charge!
- Don't stop! - Come on!
I can't run...
Corto, help me please!
Great interpretation...
Yet you still love me, don't you?
Hey! What's wrong with you?
Don't abandon me, Corto. Don't you leave me...
No one will abandon you.
I'll stay close to you.
What are you doing here? We're retreating.
- What's wrong with him? - He remained unconscious for too long.
He's weak.
Then he's useless. Let me kill him.
- Don't even mention it. - Hey you,
how do you know I'm useless?
You can never help it, can you?
You always have to kill someone, don't you?
Why, what was he going to do?
Shut up and get up.
We've looked for you everywhere.
I was with Rasputin.
I don't think you two know each other.
Famous Captain Rasputin...
I have heard of you.
Very well, so you know what to expect.
Qaid Rasp! We've looked for you everywhere!
Really? Why?
Why?
Because you're the commander who shall lead us to the victory!
Which victory? You're crazy!
I won't lead you anywhere.
I've always known you were a traitor.
- Like Chevket, after all. - Calm down.
Don't get angry, let's go to Pasha.
There's no need for that.
We don't need Pasha to execute a traitor.
Could you tell me what's wrong?
My God, I feel sick.
My head is spinning...
Corto!
Corto! Corto! Corto! Corto!
- You won't feel anything, I promise. - Let go of him!
Do you want to die with Rasp? No problem.
Tie him up!
They've cheated you!
Come on Turks, you can't be serious!
Yes Rasp, make yourself respected! Come on!
Are you having fun?
I don't want to die this way. Do something!
We have to try and save them.
I can't move.
I feel sick. I'm scared.
- Who's this woman? - Your personal barber.
So, naughty boy, you left me all alone...
Don't even think about it,
and untie me at once, idiot!
Oh, I'm tired of being abused.
Untie this villain yourself.
That woman has risked her life to save us.
I haven't asked that idiot for nothing.
But if you really care, I will thank her later.
What's fucking wrong now?
- Great shot! - Those are the Russians.
Nice guys, aren't they?
Hey, Rasp!
You've mistaken me for someone else.
- I don't think so. - Hands off, Turk!
The Russians are retreating. Qaid, you're good.
Well, I did my best.
This story is going to an end.
Most of the fighting Bolsheviks are Armenians.
They see me as the executioner of their people.
Let's go Rasputin, you've heard Pasha. We have nothing to do with it.
- Have I harmed you too? - No.
Nevertheless I don't like you,
but I'm not entitled to judge you.
How strange. Have you noticed?
We're in August, yet it's quite cold.
Oh, qaid, I forgot.
If you find Chevket,
kill him.
Goodbye, gentlemen.
I can't believe it.
Men, the revolutionary fate
is giving us a magnificent present!
Fire! Fire!
Kill him!
Armenia's avenged!
We'd better go.
- Let's go pick up the women. - The women?
But it's a useless waste of time. I hate women!
Don't lie. Everyone knows you like them,
- Maryann in particular. - Maryann?
My God, you're crazy.
You don't want to spend all life alone, do you?
- Hey, do you know this step? - Are you joking? I know them all.
What are they doing?
Don't know... dancing.
I'm not surprised.
They are glad to be alive.
Do you think we're crazy?
No... We're just dancers.
As regards me, I'm a graceful dancer thanks to my mother.
She was the étoile of the Maryinsky theatre.
She played Columbina with Marius Petipa, the great dancer.
At the end of her career she married my father,
a Russian prince.
I'd heard he was a tailor for women...
A tailor for women?
Our friend Venexiana is pregnant.
Pregnant? How long has she been?
For more than two months.
Then she can't go with us.
but we can't leave her alone either.
Why not? She's a practical woman...
Don't talk nonsense.
She is... She's intelligent, independent,
- strong... - Listen, you two.
I'll stay with Venexiana.
At least I'll be useful to someone.
It's noble of you, but I can't leave you two alone.
How about the Armenian child? What will become of her if she stays with Chevket?
She's right, these two women know their business. Let's leave at once.
I shall give you a message for the commander of the Red Army at the frontier.
He's a friend. He will let you pass in a flash.
You've made surprising friends, lately.
Maryann told me.
What can we do?
Keep going.
Otherwise you did everything for nothing.
If you find what you're looking for,
it will be as if I've also found it.
- Was it you who...? - No. It wasn't me.
Tell me... I'm asking someone who knows him well.
Has that man ever been in love?
A long time ago, he fell for a girl who lived cut off from the world.
They gazed at each other, but never touched each other.
Every kind of new experience scared the girl.
Then she recovered from her phobia and married someone else.
Poor Corto. He's so sweet...
Yes. Melancholy and sickly sweet... Disgusting.
And you, naughty boy, have you ever fallen in love?
Have you got children?
I don't think so,
unless I made them with some jailer.
But you don't care for anything!
You're just an old maid,
and I hope never to see you again.
Come on!
You don't even know how to deal with mules!
Not true, I have no problem with mules,
but that's a she-mule.
Chevket and his gang are there.
We can catch them.
What are we waiting for?
My mother says that to meet one's double brings bad luck.
Don't tell me you believe in that bullshit!
Of course I do.
A worshipper of the devil predicted me two things,
which have come true,
about a tree with uneatable fruits
and about someone who had to die in order to live.
To die in order to live?
What nonsense.
That's what Enver Pasha did.
No one will forget him now.
The wizard also told me about a disappearing shadow.
A disappearing shadow? Oh...
That's even better.
He said it would be a journey
to where the east wants to become the west.
He was right.
A lot of things change, in these times.
Thank God.
not everyone's like you.
You cannot live in the past forever.
- Alright, then. What shall we do now? - Sleep.
Good night Rasp.
There's a fire up there.
- Maybe there's some highlander... - No.
It's Corto Maltese.
If you say so...
Yes I do.
And that's that.
- How are you, sir? - I'm well,
but very tired.
Unbelievable.
You must be Corto Maltese, the sailor.
And you are Timur Chevket, the traitor.
Have you brought me the treasure map?
No. I've come... for us to commit suicide.
How strange.
You must be a demon.
You have no shade.
- Glad to see you again. - It's my pleasure,
even if you left me alone in the middle of a battle.
I had to, before the Russians arrived.
Did Corto Maltese tell you about the treasure?
We don't need him.
- Look! That's beautiful... - I don't see anything special.
But hey, look!
Do you think I'm so stupid to get to the edge?
I have to say I hoped for that,
but if you prefer another way, here's my proposal.
What's wrong?
- Why? - Just for pleasure!
With someone like you, it's just for pleasure.
Lower the gun before I get angry!
Help me, I'm wounded!
You're greedy, Rasputin.
You did all by yourself.
- Is it bad? - Not really,
but I have to extract the bullet.
- But you aren't a doctor... - I'm not,
but I've extracted other bullets before.
What a shammer!
It hurt!
You wanted to take revenge for that little Gauguin I stole from you...
Sleep!
Rasp is really bad, isn't he?
He's bad, but he doesn't know.
You look great.
Do I?
What have you brought me?
The treasure of Samarkand.
Don't tell me... I'm rich.
Very rich.
The treasure is near here.
Trelawney's instructions
match with the signs on the map.
It's in the frontier area wanted
by Russia and England.
Kipling called it "land of the nonbelievers".
- Look! - That's Ahriman,
the evil god of the ancient Persian religion,
a very dangerous demon.
- Less than me. - Come on, let's go!
Stop there, Turks!
I'll go first.
Then? What are you waiting for?
Don't tell me the mountain's sliding away now!
How are we supposed to get back now?
You're right, I didn't think about it.
Say you like me all the same, please.
There's no doubt about it.
Corto, where are you? Give me your hand.
What, are you pushing me?
- I'm not, it was the girl. - I wasn't, uncle Rasp was.
I'm not your uncle!
Stop it!
We can't go on in the dark.
The great gold!
What are you doing?
Well, the match burnt out...
Light a new one!
I'm getting some paper.
I don't understand.
That cannot be!
My gold was there!
Tell me child, have you seen the treasure too?
I haven't seen anything, uncle Rasp.
You haven't seen anything? You want to keep the gold, don't you?
Careful or I'll throw another stone at you!
Wait, Rasputin.
We had the same vision, but it lasted only for a second.
Maybe it was a hallucination.
Many things can be done in a second.
You two wanted to keep my gold!
That's nonsense! We have to get out of here.
Do you really think you can make me get out of here?
Do as you wish. I feel a draught,
there has to be an exit somewhere.
Where are you going? Hey!
Where are you going?
- Why did you put it out? - It wasn't me,
there's no more paper. Give me your hand, child.
I can see a light!
Lieutenant, come to see!
Who are you?
We're Afghan carpet dealers.
We got lost in these mountains.
Luckily you escaped the avalanche.
We're going to Chitral. You can join us.
Lieutenant London,
fifth Regiment of the Royal Riflers of the frontier.
Well, then, Corto, have we seen the treasure or not?
We wanted to see it,
even if wasn't there.
It's in the labyrinth of our questions
and of our answers.
Where are you going now?
I'll go back to Venice.
There are many Armenians there.
They'll take care of the child.
Tell me...
Did we really look alike?
No.
# subtitles: lyliakar #