GUARD: When are you going to get a real knife?
You can keep this.
ASSISTANT: Who has your papers? MAN: Right here.
DIAZ: Good morning, my children.
Well, come closer. Come closer.
Here are their names, my president.
Now then, my children, what's the problem you've brought me?
Well, someone has to tell. You must have come for something.
Yes, my president, we have come for something.
Well, you. You tell me.
You know that field?
That field with the big white rock just south of Anenecuilco?
- My president, our delegation... PABLO: Shh!
- They've taken our land away. - Who took your land away?
Children, when you make accusations, be certain you have the facts.
- Who took your land away? - The biggest state there.
- It's bigger than a kingdom. - They've taken our valleys.
- Left us only the rocky hillside. YOUNG MAN: We can't grow our corn.
OLD MAN: That's right. There's a new fence with barbed wire.
We can't feed our cows. Those three houses by that white rock?
- They burned those! - They're planting sugarcane in our land.
Can you prove that you own this field?
Our village has owned this land since before history.
We have a paper from the Spanish crown and from the Mexican Republic.
Well, if this is true, you have no problem. The courts will settle this.
I'll send you to my personal attorney.
But before you see him, I urge you to find your boundary stones.
Check them against your grants and titles.
Verify your boundaries. Facts. Facts!
Now, my children, I have many other matters to attend to.
I've been your president for 34 years. It's not an easy job being president.
GROUP: Thank you, my president.
- Thank you. - Thank you, my president.
What's next?
We can't verify the boundaries, my president.
The land is fenced and guarded.
They're planting sugar cane in our cornfields.
- The courts... - With your permission...
The courts?
Do you know of any land suit that was ever won by country people?
Has your land been taken?
My father's land was taken long ago, my president.
My children, I'm your father, your protector. I'm of your blood.
But believe me, these matters take time. You must be patient.
With your permission. We make our tortillas out of corn, not patience.
And patience will not cross an armed and guarded fence.
To do as you suggest, to verify those boundaries...
...we need your authority.
I cannot possibly exercise such authority.
- But you advise it. - I can only advise.
Then naturally, my president, we will do as you advise.
Thank you. With your permission.
You!
- Yes, my president? - What is your name?
- Zapata. - What is it?
Emiliano Zapata.
[GROUP SINGING IN SPANISH]
EUFEMIO: There you are.
FATHER: Thank you, my son.
ZAPATA: My pleasure, Father.
MAN 1: Come here! Come here.
MAN 2: Here! Here, here!
Here!
[HORN BLOWS]
Go back! Go back!
MAN 3: Get the one on the white horse, the one we're supposed to bring in!
That's the one, the one on the white horse. That's the one, come on!
FERNANDO: Zapata! Emiliano Zapata!
Emiliano Zapata!
Zapata! Emiliano Zapata!
Zapata? Emiliano Zapata?
EUFEMIO: The stupid, he's still coming.
ZAPATA: Who do you think he is? - A stranger.
- Shall I kill him? - No.
- Shoot in front of him again. PABLO: Don't hit him.
When I want to hit, I hit. When I want to miss, I miss.
A man has been known to die of a close miss.
FERNANDO: Zapata! Emiliano Zapata!
He's more stupid than I thought. He's still coming.
He's crazy. You know it's not nice to kill crazy people.
- Should I try him again, a bit closer? - How can you come closer?
- Maybe he has a message. - Maybe it's a trap.
Why don't we kill him? It's so much easier.
- What does it cost? One bullet... ZAPATA: No!
- What do you want? - I'm looking for Emiliano Zapata.
EUFEMIO: He's not here.
- His friends sent me. EUFEMIO: Who are his friends?
- People of the village. EUFEMIO: He's not here.
[WHISTLING]
I have no weapons.
- What's this? - Writing machine.
- Sword of the mind. - I thought you had no weapons.
Don't you dare break that! Put it down! Put it down!
No.
Put it down.
You are Emiliano Zapata.
I come with news of Madero, leader of the fight against Diaz.
Give me some water.
- Why do you come to me? - Give me some water while I talk.
Fernando Aguirre.
Pablo Gomez.
- I want to talk to you. - Talk.
- I want you to listen. - Well, talk.
"The despotism of Porfirio Diaz is unbearable.
For 34 years, he's ruled with the hand of a ruthless tyrant."
[BLANCO NEIGHS]
- Yeah, Blanco. Pretty soon now. FERNANDO: Listen.
"The meaning of democracy has long been forgotten.
Elections are a farce. The people have no voice in the government.
Control is in the hands of one man and those he's appointed."
ZAPATA: Who wrote that? - Francisco Madero.
"If we are to bring back to Mexico the freedom that goes with democracy...
...we must unite to drive this tyrant from office."
- Who's Madero? - Leader of the fight against Diaz.
ZAPATA: Where is he? - In a part of the United States, Texas.
- A fine place to fight against Diaz. - He's making preparations.
Now he's ready to move.
He's sending out people to spread the word, search out leaders in Mexico.
I was sent to the state of Morelos.
[BLANCO NEIGHS]
Careful. The smell of a mare came in on the wind and he's restless.
So am I.
- The people told me... - Don't believe what people tell you.
EUFEMIO: Hey. Hey you!
- Come on, eat. - Go on, eat.
ZAPATA: Madero? PABLO: Yeah, remember?
I read to you about him.
- You promised to teach me to read. PABLO: I will. I will!
[EUFEMIO WHISTLES]
[SOLDADERA SINGS]
Let's talk to this man more about Madero. Maybe he has a letter.
Anybody can write a letter, even you. I like the look of his eyes.
- Then go and talk to him. - I can't.
- Why not? - Not now.
I know why.
I want you to go to Madero and tell me what you see.
- Me? He's in Texas! - Then go to Texas.
- How far is it? - Who knows? Go and see.
- I've never been out of our state. - Now you will be.
I want you to go see if we can trust him.
I like his face.
But a picture is only a picture.
- When do you want me to go? - Now.
- Now? - Right now, cinch up.
[EUFEMIO WHISTLES]
If you like what you see, tell him about our troubles here.
And tell him that we recognize him as a leader against Diaz.
- Where is he going? - What?
- Where is he going? - I don't know. He didn't say.
- Now where is he going? EUFEMIO: I don't know. He didn't say.
- What's the matter with him? - Woman, what else?
- Where are you going? - Where else?
- What about her? - She can take care of herself.
This is all very disorganized.
[MEN SINGING IN SPANISH]
[CHURCH BELL RINGS]
ZAPATA: Police.
Josefa, I must speak with you. Shh!
- The rurales are after you. - I risked my life to come here.
- When may I speak with your father? - What for?
- To ask permission for your hand. - No, don't do it.
- Why not? - Just don't do it.
- What is wrong with me? - That's not it.
- What would be wrong with me? - What do you mean?
I have no intention of ending up washing clothes in a ditch...
...and patting tortillas like an Indian.
Who says this?
- My father. - My mother was a Salazar.
Zapatas were chieftains and when your grandfather lived in a cave.
Always remember that.
Well, you're not chieftains now. You have no land, no money.
- You'll be in jail by tomorrow. - Be still!
I've been offered a position by Don Nacio Delator.
Don Nacio Delator does not employ fugitives from the law.
If I accept, he will have me pardoned.
Why in the world would Don Nacio need anyone like you? Why?
Apparently, you do not know I am the best judge of horses in the country.
You are the only one who does not know this.
I was with him for years, I bought every horse in his stable.
When I have not helped Don Nacio buy his horses...
...it's later discovered that they have five legs.
Conceited monkey.
Do you know that I can take you away with me by force, now?
By force?
I would not prevent you.
I would go with you because I couldn't prevent you.
- But soon you will go to sleep. - And then?
Sooner or later you will go to sleep.
You wouldn't do that. A respectable girl like you?
Yes, I would. Because I am a respectable girl.
A respectable girl wants to live a safe life. Protected, uneventful.
Without surprises. And preferably with a rich man.
You don't mean that.
I do.
Come back when you can offer me that. He's going to let you go. Don't scream.
The police are after him. Let her go.
- I like him. JOSEFA: You do?
I mean, he's a terrible man. A fugitive, a criminal.
I like him too.
Rub it in. Rub it in harder.
They're so lazy. Luncheon is ready now.
If this is the best of the lot, where are the others?
- Are the others here? - They're so lazy.
If they're not stealing, they're asleep. If they're awake, they're drunk.
- Let's look at the others. - But luncheon is served.
DON NACIO: Lt'll wait.
STABLE OWNER: Hey, hey!
- This is what I'm talking about! - What is it?
STABLE OWNER: Stealing! Even a horse's food.
They steal everything!
DON NACIO: Stop it, Emiliano! Stop it!
Get ahold of him!
Get him out!
Get out!
STABLE OWNER: Get out!
When I had the charges dismissed, you promised.
- I don't want to regret it. - I know.
I've told you, violence is no good.
- Then why does he use it? - So full of anger!
- That boy was hungry. - Calm down, calm down.
Now, look, Emiliano.
You're clever and able, you might even be important...
...have money and property, be respected.
You told me that's what you wanted. Do you want it or don't you?
- That boy was hungry! - Are you responsible to everybody?
You can't be the conscience of the whole world.
ZAPATA: Thank you. WORKER: You should see them go down.
You have another cigar?
- Some of your admirers. - Indians.
The most civilized thing about you is your taste for good cigars.
I'm gonna prescribe for you, Emiliano.
You need that wife.
- You ever spoken to Josefa's father? - No.
- Well, why not? - He doesn't like me, I don't like him.
In the world of business, few people like each other...
...but they have to get along or there wouldn't be any business.
Now look, Emiliano. Now you have position, clothes...
Go to Seņor Espejo, tell him I'm your patron. Make your peace with him.
And don't forget, the president has drawn a circle around your name.
You must behave.
You better start practicing now. Go over and apologize to him.
Well, go ahead.
- I apologize. - Accepted. Accepted.
All right?
- You know them? - He's a friend. He's been away.
EUFEMIO: Hey, look.
- What's that? - Texas.
Hello.
- He spoke of you. - He wants a message.
One strong push from the North or South and Diaz drops like an old bull.
- The time has come. - Why don't they lock Madero up?
- They protect political refugees. - Why?
- Up there, they're a democracy. - We're a democracy too, and look.
- I know, but... - I'll explain it.
Up there, the government governs, but with consent.
- The people have a voice. - That's right.
They have a president, but he governs with the consent of the people.
Here we have a president, no consent.
- Who asked us if we wanted Diaz? - Nobody ever asked me nothing.
FERNANDO: Well... - How are you in all this?
Madero sent him with me.
- He wants a message. - Tell him to get another leader.
- You don't believe in him? - Yes.
- So? - Tell him to get another man.
- As you wish. - I have private affairs.
I don't want to be the conscience of the world or the conscience of anybody.
As you wish.
- Nacente, what's the matter? - Get away from the prisoner!
Nacente, what are they taking you in for? Hey, Nacente.
He can't talk, Emiliano.
Nacente, here.
- What did he do? - They're the craziest people I've seen.
- Well, what did he do? - They're always doing something.
What are you going to do with him?
I think you better let him go.
Let him go!
Should have cut the rope without talking.
He crawled through the fence to plant the corn.
My father does the same thing. He still thinks it's his own field.
Stubborn. That's what you are.
No, not stubborn. The field is like a woman.
You live with it all of your life, it's hard to learn that she isn't yours.
He understands.
Mano, I couldn't catch them...
- I'm sorry we've caused you trouble. MAN: Now they'll be after you.
- You can hide in my house. - It would be an honor.
Thank you.
ESPEJO: You mentioned Don Nacio? - Don Nacio is my patron.
He has assured me that I will be a man of substance.
On that basis, I presume to sue for your daughter's hand.
Do not think I'm insensible of the honor you do me...
...by offering to take my daughter off my hands.
Why is it impossible for me to get a glass of cold water?
- Go, go! - Shh!
MRS. ESPEJO: Go, go!
But I do not need to give the problem a great deal of thought...
...before I answer with a permanent and unchanging no.
The answer is no.
- What is wrong with me? - We have a proverb:
Though we are all made of the same clay, a jug is not a vase.
- What is wrong with me? - I'd hoped you would not ask again.
But since you have, you are a rancher without land.
A gentleman without money. A man of substance without substance.
A fighter, a drinker, a brawler. These things you are.
Though I have nothing against you personally...
...and I can see wherein some quarters you may be considered desirable.
But my daughter...
I have no intentions of finding her squatting on the bare earth...
...patting tortillas like a common Indian.
What are you doing?
Find her a merchant. A musty, moth-eaten man like yourself.
Let her be queen of warehouses and mistress of the receipt book.
MAN: All right, bring him down here. Down here!
[STONES CLICKING]
[MAN HOLLERS]
Clear the way.
This man is a criminal.
You are making yourselves liable for his crime.
What are you trying to do?
We are here, my captain, with your permission...
...to see that the prisoner does not try to escape. For if he did...
...you would shoot him in the back. Is that not so?
- You're breaking the law. - No, helping the law...
...guarding the prisoner.
FERNANDO: Zapata. The wire. - What do you mean?
Telegraph wire. Cut it before he uses it.
CAPTAIN: Don't touch that! This is rebellion.
- Emiliano? - Cut.
[EXPLOSION]
[MEN YELLING]
MAN 1: No ammunition? MAN 2: No ammunition.
ZAPATA: What? MAN 2: Uniforms and blankets.
ZAPATA: No ammunition? MAN 2: No ammunition.
EUFEMIO: Hermano, come here. Look what I found.
[PIANO PLAYS]
[MEN CHEERING]
ZAPATA: Ammunition? MAN 3: No. Dynamite.
- Boxes and boxes, all dynamite. - Ammunition?
- Powder and dynamite. ZAPATA: How much?
- Plenty, look. JORGE: What do you think?
Only one way. We use what we have.
- Anything doing? - A few women.
- I liked it when they were shooting. - Maybe Zapata's out of ammo.
- I wouldn't depend on it. - They went away.
Market women. If it's a market, they've gone.
- I don't trust the Indian women. - No sign of Zapata.
- Send out a scout. WOMAN: Captain! My captain.
GUARD: What are you doing? - Like to buy eggs?
Get away!
WOMAN: Pile those baskets. GUARD: Get away!
WOMAN: Pile. Hurry. GUARD: Get away, or I'll fire!
Get the baskets. Quick.
[GUNSHOTS]
Fire!
[GUNSHOTS]
[MEN HOLLERING]
[WOMEN SINGING]
MAN: Emiliano! Remember the gun that flanked us from the hill?
ZAPATA: Yeah. - He and his brother...
...lassoed and took the gun from the gunner. Look at his size.
- You do that? - Of course. Bring the gun!
ZAPATA: Leave the gun.
Did you do that?
Where's your brother?
He was killed.
- He should have a reward. - Hey, hey. Mano, here.
Here.
Do you want this pig?
Well, what? Anything.
Not my horse.
That's a good horse.
He says that's why he wants it.
Take him.
- What did he do? - I'm waiting to find out.
Don Emiliano, my friend...
...I'm here to present representatives of our great liberator...
...Francisco Madero. Gentlemen.
Gentlemen, here he is. I found him for you.
Emiliano Zapata, one of my oldest acquaintances.
I think we know each other.
My congratulations, General Zapata.
ZAPATA: Read it.
- Read it! - "To Emiliano Zapata:
I, Madero, act on authority given me by the forces of Liberation...
...grade you general of the armies of the South.
- Hey, padre. - May a day come...
...when I embrace you in triumph. Long live Mexico."
He signed it with his own hand.
I and my family would be happy...
EUFEMIO: Now you have to wear things a general wears.
I and my family would...
- Where did you get those? - Well, off a general, where else?
General.
My wife, my daughter and myself would be honored...
WOMAN: A present.
Boys! General Zapata!
[GUNSHOTS]
Take this one, please. It's nicer.
What a waste of time.
- He should've stolen her. - This way he gets her father's money.
But is it worth all this?
I have loved with all my heart 100 women I never want to see again...
...and he is still after this one. It escapes me.
Did you think of me?
It is said, a warrior's shield is his sweetheart's heart.
Huh?
We have a proverb: A man well-dressed is a man well-thought-of.
A monkey in silk is still a monkey.
But when love and beauty come into the house...
...then throw out the lamps.
- It's an hour and three-quarters. - I know, makes me sick.
That's how these people go about getting married.
Excuse me.
Do you believe the saying: An egg unbroke, a horse unrode, a girl unwed?
I believe that a man is fire, and a woman fuel.
And she who is born beautiful, is born married.
[BLANCO NEIGHS]
Can you get away from the window? Let some air through.
And get that horse out of here!
Go on!
Best horse I ever had.
Josefa, let's go walk, there might be a breeze.
- A walk? - Alone?
A whipped dog is the wiser dog.
Do you think that three women and a goose make a market?
I believe that love cannot be bought except with love.
And he who has a good wife wears heaven in his hat.
After love food, a cup of chocolate?
- A starved body has a skinny soul. PABLO: Emiliano!
- Shh! - Emili...
The pediment of the heart is the stomach.
Alicia, will you bring chocolate?
PABLO: Emiliano. - What?
Diaz ran away. He left the country.
MEN: Viva Zapata! Viva Zapata!
[BAND PLAYS]
- It's true? PABLO: It's true.
Josefa, the fighting is over.
- Josefa! Josefa! - Mama, be quiet.
The fighting is over.