Spain is crumbling before Napoleon.
The impact reaches the American colonies.
The end of colonialism is no longer a dream for the American peoples
who, almost in unison, rise and form their own governments.
But the revolution can only occur through a war.
Counter-revolution comes in no time to restore the old system
by means of blood and fire.
By 1815 only the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata
are left standing.
From Cuyo, an isolated poor area, Jose Francisco de San Martin
gathers., instructs and commands
an army of five thousand and two hundred men
to cross the Andes and free Chile.
This is the first step of a greater plan:
the freedom of a whole continent.
REVOLUTION
Buenos Aires, May 22, 1 880
Please, do come in.
It seems he's already awake.
Please, do come in. Come in.
Good morning, Don Corvalan. I am Reynoso, from the newspaper.
Make yourself comfortable.
Would you Iike some wine?
Elsa be kind and bring us a bottle of wine
and two cups, please.
Sure, my general.
I will collect the owed rent from the remaining coins.
Good.
Next week the steamer with General San Martin's remains
arrives to our country.
I did know him.
Of course.
That is why I am here.
I would like to know what he was like.
hysically, intellectually I mean.
They say he was a well-built and vigorous man with piercing eyes,
who knew what you were thinking ust by Iooking you...
I met him back in 1816.
I was still a young man.
Since I knew how to read and write. I was sent to the general barracks.
Good morning., my General.
Good morning The news, quickly.
We have information on the passes...
MENDOZA October 7, 1 81 6
Attention!
And you are?
My name is Manuel Esteban de Corvalan. sir.
-Son of Jesus Corvalan. -You are nobody's son here.
Here, you rise or fall on your own merits.
-Understood? -Yes, sir.
All right.. every morning at seven, in my office.
Yes, sir.
Come on. move. you are starting right now.
I believe this passage is feasible. sir. ,
But, in this point and this one we do not have a pastures survey.
This map is useless, gentlemen.
We only have a few days and I still don't have the survey
of the passage where three thousand souls shall pass!
Come on, move. , I do not have all day.
Certainty.. accuracy!
Call AIvareZ Condarco immediately to my presence!
Honorable Supreme Director.
should I not have the mules I need. I shall Ieave on foot.
That is, I will be arriving in Chile on the fifteenth.
I will see to it.
These articles are the only thing delaying me.
I am working Iike a dog to Ieave on the 1 5th of the following month.
If everything goes as planned.. the scenario will be different.
If not, we are doomed.
Horrible calligraphy.
Copy it and try to pull a nicer handwriting.
Boy
-Yes, Sir. -Do you know this game?
No sir. I have never had the chance to study it.
That's a pity. It is a great exercise for concentration.
Molina.. Iet us have a game.
Come on.. do not be shy. Have a seat.
Black orwhite?
-BIack is fine, my general. -Have a seat.
Well, that's it boy. You may Ieave.
Tomorrow at seven, in my office.
Yes, sir.
SOUTH OF CHILE, December 27, 1816
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
MENDOZA, January 16, 1817
"People of Cuyo, we are facing a terrible time.
Chile is suffering the worst part ofthis despicable war.
The Royalists are vandalizing the population
regardless of their age, gender or condition.
Inequities are huge, and sad are their results.
Soon, the snow covering the Andes shall melt down, ,
and we - not them - shall cross them.
We shall prevent such evil, Absolutism,
from expanding over our territory or lingering on our neighbor's soil.
I have requested Buenos Aires for the essentials. ,
but they have rejected my request.
That is why, once again, we need to save. ,
to be extremely frugal., to reuse materials a thousand times
and to work together to fulfill this expedition.
Tomorrow, when we depart.,
we will be leaving women and children behind.
However we shall do it with joy not sorrow,
because the result of such sacrifice and absence is no other than freedom.
There are not enough words to praise your effort.
All this is because of you. Your very own hands, goods and coin
have created an army from scratch for the benefit of a whole continent.
We will triumph, because there is no tyrant,
no matter how strong he is,
who can silence the joy of a free people. "
'General-in-chief
of the Andes Army.
a copy.'
Behold the General.
The General!
The General is coming!
The General!
Listen, Aldao.
General.
It is not to confess my sins why I am here.
I see.
I have come to talk about the 8th regiment.
If when you are on your way you see them doing some witchcraft,
Iet them do it.
I am not asking you to accept it. Just look away,
turn a blind eye or Ieave.
If they ask you to bless an item of clothes or a saint,
please do it.
Of course, General.
Is everything ready, AIdao?
Almost.
AImost. We have packed hosts.. statues..
ointment, Christ's blood.
The most important things.
We need to test the mobile altars and then we are done.
And, how are you?
I don't know.
A Iittle uneasy.
It is my first time fighting a battle.
You are not fighting a battle. You have to assist the troop.
Of course, assisting the troop is like fighting a combat..
a great responsibility.
I do not doubt it.
AIdao, if you need to tell me something..
do it before tomorrow.
Up in the Andes, it will be too late.
All right.
Remember what I have entrusted you.
-Farewell. -Farewell.
Out.
Where are you going?
You are a Corvalan, you must stay.
We have plans for you.. young man.
But father, this is my wish.
What wish are you talking about?
This man has clouded your mind.
First. he takes my slaves away,
then my Iand.. and now my son.
There is no San Martin, no revolution,
no war in this house worth a dime.
And you have upset your mother.
No.. young man.
You are too young to decide anything.
This is my decision and it is final.
Are you willing to die in the hands of those mad men?
If you Ieave, do not bother to come back.
I shall no Ionger consider you my son.
Then so shall be it.
I'd rather be an orphan than have a Royalist father Iike you.
Pardon me, mother.
Eat before it gets cold.
She sleeps just Iike you.. when you sleep.
She is beautiful.
Keep your voice down.
Tell me.
There is something troubling my mind.
If something happened to me.
If I don't come back.
Please talk to the child about her father.
Sleep with me tonight.
Stay with me.
Forgive me if my manners haven't been quite graceful Iately.
Please know that I'm proud to call you my wife.
To a glorious campaign.
To the future.
To our beautiful women.
To the country!
-Cheers! -Cheers!
God save our land!
Hurray!
One copulates more often during war.
You wouldn't publish that in your newspaper.
It must be fear or something.
We cannot escape death.. that's a fact.
-Good. -Women experience exactly the same.
Good, very good.
How would you describe the founding father?
What does the country mean to you?
Pardon?
What does the country mean to you?
The country is the territory.
Father of what country?
The one called by you Argentina?
Of the former kingdom of Chile? Of Peru?
Or all of them together?
Would you get that little box for me.. please?
When crossing half of us were Chilean
and the other half from the united provinces.
Most veterans... Take that notebook, please.
Most veterans were Chilean
and we had never fired a single round.
It's one of the general's notebooks.
Look how meticulous.
The man kept count of every single nut,
fodder. round of each and every one of us.
Look in the middle of the page.
He even had time for sketching.
LAS HORNILLAS. January 24, 1817
Good, that's wonderful news.
A successful start.
Boy, write.
To O'Higgins with a copy to Soler
My dear friend, the first steps of the campaign
have been successful.
Freire has entered Chile without any casualties.
The royal troops are falling back to the south of Talca.
We believe we are going to reach the plain in a couple of days.
Get some sappers ready to mark the field.
Looking forward to hearing from you, sincerely yours, San Martin.
Make sure the boy gets everything he needs.
Give him a tent, hot water.
Long enough has he traveled on his own.
Meat must be cooked to last two or three extra days.
Separate the mules for its transportation.
Give each man a glass of brandy or wine, as they Iike..
but just one.
It's just to celebrate this gracious moment.
Good, now go.
-Boy -Yes. sir.
What do you have there?
No. The red notebook.
It's a diary with my notes.. sir.
A trip journal.
'General San Martin is 5.5 feet tall. Iight skinned..
with a prominent nose and a deep Iook.'
A prominent nose?
Observation is not a virtue of yours, boy.
Do you want to be a soldier or a writer?
Both, sir, if God's willing.
Remember we are at war. young man.
This information may be dangerous in wrong hands.
Maximize security measures.
No man shall set his hands in this document.
Go now, you must also celebrate this day.
-Our future is uncertain. -Yes, sir.
If you'll excuse me, thank you.
Attention.
Gentlemen, grab your glasses.
Today we shall drink wine.
Whatever you wish to drink.
It's a direct order from General San Martin.
We have taken the south.
Before attending to the front, we must attend the call of nature.
More than one has died when emptying their bowels.
Father AIdao.
What are you doing here boy?
I am the General's scribe.
I must stay within 1 50 feet from his tent.
Let me have your seat.. soldier.
Did your father give you his blessing?
We argued and I insulted him.
Is that a sin?
Insulting your own father, I mean.
I do not know.
I don't know what to say.
It is difficult these days to know what a sin is and what is not.
A man that fights for his freedom and gives his Iife for his brothers,
that is not a sin.
That is what Jesus did.
But, the Pope supports the king.
I understand.
You don't understand, Manuel. You do not know what you doing.
War is not what the books teach us.
War is not calculations, or numbers, or tactics or medals.
War is mud, smoke..
the smell of blood, shit,
men whining, and pain.
War is absurd because it drags a boy Iike you,
with a whole future ahead, to fight.
But it Iooks Iike there's no other way.. is it?
I'm far from that road. sir.
I was brought in to deal with other issues.
I'm not even carrying a gun.
Then, you should ask for one,
because the Royalists won't care whether you are unarmed or not.
Excuse me, my general.
Come in.
Have you drank too much wine Iast night?
No sir, I'm fine.
Listen.
From now on you shall not move from my side, is it clear?
Yes, sir.
Roll up that map and put it here.
Corvalan, from now on
you will carry those maps and hand them to me, at my request.
It shall be an honor to serve you, sir.
Take them with you when we move
and put them here when we camp.
Yes, sir. Your orders are my command.
Nowwrite.
"Campaign Status Report for the Central Government.
Your Excellency Supreme Director. The strategy is working as planned.
The 6 columns are moving forward with small
or no resistance towards its objectives.
The Royalists do not know where to expect our attack.
If everything develops as planned., the first men
shall arrive to Chile on February 8,
four days prior my arrival.
The only thing perturbing my mind is some reports
on the advance of two thousand to three thousand royalists
from Santiago de Chile to the Aconcagua valley.
who shall clearly have a more favorable position than ours.
My friend., I cannot trust this to chance,
a whole campaign may be lost if wrong decisions are taken.
That is why I want to quicken the pace with my escort
through an alternative path
to arrive together with the first ones on the eighth
and be able to prepare the troop myself.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for Major Alvarez Condarco
with the survey of possible paths. "
LAS LLARETAS. February 3.. 1817
-My friend. -General.
Where shall we head now?
We have surveyed the entire area and found some possible paths.
How much time would I save?
General, no division can pass through there.
I shall not pass with a division.
How much time?
If you leave at dawn, about four days.
Could it be done in Iess time?
If you move during the night you may lose your course.
Do you swear it shall be four days?
Four days.
Good, give me the best tracker you have.
Would you Iike a cigar?
The road here is quite wide. You shall wade across a river.
Then, the path becomes narrower and there you can cross the Andes.
Perfect.
Do you realize that if something goes wrong,
you may put the whole campaign at risk?
Do you think that pleases me?
Regardless if something went wrong, it's my duty to do so.
No.. Condarco, I must arrive before anyone.
I shall reconnoiter the area
and have some time to organiZe the troops.
It is not a whim.
-Of course, General. -Do you understand?
-The Guide.. my General. -Let him in.
o come in, please.
No one knows the road through Valle Hermoso
betterthan him, General.
Villagran, sir. At your command.
There was a matucho in MendoZa named Villagran.
He caused me many headaches.
That would be my disgraceful brother, sir.
With all due respect, sir.
I understand.. you may Ieave.
Leave Villagran.
-lf you'Il excuse me. -Leave.
You give me a snake as a guide, Condarco.
He is a good man. I could not have drawn
half of the roads without him, my General.
Hold me responsible for that man's patriotism.
But he is from a Royalist family.
I understand that your scribe, Corvalan..
is the son of the Royalist Iawyer
that represents the town council of Mendoza.
You see General, snakes or patriots may be found under any rock.
If you'll excuse me.
How many days through this road?
About six days.
And the one on the right?
Four days, but it is in poor conditions.
This one shall be then.
That road is dangerous, sir.
Soldiers, move.
Don't you understand?
That path Ieads us only to death.
Beg that nobody survives.
As soon as I arrive to Santa Rosa,
I shall order your execution for contempt.
Understood? Leave that.
What is this?
What is going on here?
General.
This is Father Garcia from the eleventh regiment.
He was moving two Ieagues ahead of us and threw this when we reached him.
-Corvalan! -Yes.. my General.
He could only draw this map after seeing your maps.
You traitor Priest!
Damn, damn you.. dodgy thief.
Kill him.
He is a traitor.
How many more are they?
How many snakes?
They assign me a tracker of uncertain patriotism.
An incompetent secretary
and now a traitor priest.
Eyes, words and souls in the hands of these matuchos.
From now on.. everyone is responsible for their own Iife.
Is that clear?
Watch him day and night. He will be useful in Santiago.
Yes, my General.
Boy. Leave immediately and intercept the generals.
Yes, Sir
Maps.
Should you see the tracker or anyone talking to that Royalist, kill them.
Matuchos.
You.
Quiet.
Useless soldier, you are no good to the King or to your country.
Sir, quiet.
You utter words you do not comprehend.
Freedom.
What do you know about freedom?
-You still play with dolls. -Quiet or I shall kill you.
-Good-for-nothing. -Do not dare me.
If you want to kill me, then shoot.
Shoot your first maturrango.
Come on. shoot!
Shut your mouth.
Officer, give me your uniform.
You two are traitors, that's what you are.
Officer, put the gun down.
-Put the gun down. -You two are traitors!
Traitors!
Shoot him, shoot you first Royalist.
Quiet.
-Put your gun down, Officer. -Quiet!
I owe you an apology.. sir.
Where shall we head to?
Two Ieagues from here is the Iongest but safest road,
with good weather conditions, of course.
Help.
Where to?
This way.
This way, boy
Do not stay there.
Come on.. get up.
I am truly sorry.
SANTA ROSA. February 10.. 1817
Good afternoon, sir.
Is this Santa Rosa?
Certainly, sir, this is Santa Rosa,
but there are no settlers, no army.
There's nothing here.
I cannot tell whether we are too late or too early.
What day is it today?
February 10th.
When should have Soler arrived?
On February 8th.
And O'Higgins?
Today, sir.
What day is it today, soldier?
What day is it today?
Where is Soler?
Where is O'Higgins?
Where is my army?
Gentlemen, we are safe.
Settle the camp here.
The Iargest room shall be for the General Staff.
The press goes there, make sure there are no Ieaks.
Streams. Water for the mules.
Corvalan, get your pen and paper and start to write.
"First regiment to the people of Chile.
People of Chile; my army shall free you
from the tyrants oppressing this precious land.
With your cooperation, the process will be faster.
Gather your horses and mules. Waste no time.
Enlist soldiers shall be granted a decoration.
Those who bring their own weapons shall receive an award.
Be part of the victories already achieved.
Will and determination. , that is all you need.
Freedom is only one step away".
Right now they are in this area.
They have deployed two minor divisions here,
but there is nothing to fear.
Survey the Iand here, here and here.
Condarco,
I want accurate reports on the enemy troops every two hours.
As soon as O'Higgins arrives, tell him to come see me.
Pardon my interruption, General. I must have a word with you.
I am Iistening.
I know you do not trust me and that I have disappointed you
but I assure you I did not help that man.
I understand. Do not worry.
That's not all.
I am not capable of completing the task you entrusted me,
so I beg you transfer me to a division.
Your wish is to fight now?
Bravery is driving you to fight.
What about the man of letters?
Sir, should my presence in this cause been so far completely futile,
do let me contribute in some other way.
It is much more important to take up the quill than the sword, boy.
You should now that by now.
Yes sir, but I doubt of my ability and I am willing to amend my mistake.
You have overcome many obstacles, boy.
However.. I am not to object a free man's will
should you consider necessary to take such path.
But know that I do not agree with such decision.
Leave your equipment.. someone else shall take your place.
Farewell.
Sergeant Blanco!
Sergeant Blanco, General San Martin requests your presence.
Where is Sergeant BIanco?
Sergeant Blanco!
-Listen to me.. Sergeant. -Yes, sir.
Your people shall withdraw as soon as the first enemy bullets are fired.
I do not believe my people will do that, sir.
You should feel proud of your troop, but this is not about bravery.
Remember that always,
when one feels scared. the rest soon follow suit.
I tell you this as a soldier and because of my experience.
I shall bear that in mind, sir.
Listen to me carefully.
You shall never Iook down when getting shot.
Your troop must always see you on your feet and moving forward.
I shall do so, sir.
And if your men ever Iose their heart,
you shall remind them why we are fighting.
Understood. sir.
Good.
What are we fighting for?
Freedom.
We fight for freedom.
Because it is our destiny at this moment.
But better would be not to have such a duty.
Freedom can be just a word.
But we do not fight for just any freedom.
We shall achieve something greater, Sergeant.
The deepest of human's desires.
Do you understand, my brother?
Come in.
Good.
I know you and your men fight with your hearts.
Sir?
A player Iike you deserves a good chessboard.
I am grateful.. sir.
Take it with the condition that we finish this game in Santiago,
in celebration of our victory.
-lt shall be my pleasure, sir. -Good.
General.
Gather the General Staff immediately.
The Royalists are reaching this point.
They have arrived there first, gentlemen.
Hand me the survey.
Fine gentlemen.. we shall hurry. We shall split into two.
O'Higgins.. you shall be in charge of the first division.
Soler, you of the second one.
Both columns shall have the same number of artillery,
infantry and cavalry.
Brigadier,
you shall take this hill at noon.
Yes, sir.
How are road conditions?
Tortuous.
I wouldn't advise it, General.
-How Iong? -One third more, General.
Soler, you must reach this point by noon
and cut the rearguard, is that clear?
-ls that clear? -Yes, sir.
Leave right now, if you must.
Brigadier,
you shall not move forward until you see Soler.
O'Higgins shall not move forward until he sees you.
If these men are smart,
they shall move uphill.
If they don't,
then we'II be doomed.
CHACABUCO. February 12.. 1817
Soldiers,
each of you know the effort we made
and the difficulties we have overcome.
What we have accomplished so far is good, but not enough.
The enemy is awaiting, gentlemen. They are heavily armed.
You are America's only hope.
Each of you carries the freedom within yourself.
Three hundred years of slaughter and barbarie
have bloodstained our Iand,
but we shall put an end to it.
Soldiers,
I am proud to be here Ieading such willing warriors.
Our sons. and their sons shall remember this moment
with pride in their hearts..
because they shall inherit a Iand worth Iiving in,
where they will be able to sow, grow and live free from any chain.
Where each man shall decide his own fate,
regardless of its color, Iineage, or history.
God and death see no distinction between men.
Because all Sons of Man deserve, for once and for all. to be free.
Let us be free! That the rest do not matter at all!
-God save our Iand! -Hurray!
On your feet, everybody, stand up.
Do not hide, Soldiers, fight! Let's go.. everyone.. move.
Soldiers, Iet's go.
There is no room for cowards, fight.. move.
Soldiers, Iet's go eighth, move forward, move.
Let's go.
Fire!
You, on your feet, Gervacio!
-Gervacio! -No!
Come on.. don't be scared, stand up and fight.
Let's go eighth, move.
Let's go! move!
Condarco!
General.
Where is Soler?
He should be somewhere around here.
Let's hope, for your sake, that you are not mistaken.
Now listen to me.
Tell Soler to forget about the rearguard,
he shall cross those hills and strike the flank. Run!
Yes, General.
Should you not make it on time, bother not to return.
I shall not be as merciful as the Royalists.
You, up, right now.
Attack!
Miserere mei., deus, secundum Magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et Secundum multitudinem miserationu
Tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea
We shall flank these two hills and strike from the side.
Attack!
Soldiers, to your horses!
My horse!
Let's go!
"Your Excellency.
an eight-hundred-men division of the Chilean Army
has just been defeated this afternoon,
in the plains of Chacabuco by my army.
I'm afraid no further details can be in so short notice provided.
Nevertheless. , your Excellency should know
that no words can describe the bravery seen in these troops.
Our casualties do not reach one hundred men. "
God save our land!
Hurray!
"Six hundred prisoners, counting officers;
four hundred and fifty casualties and a flag I am proud to carry
is the result of a prosperous day. "
-God save our Iand! -Hurray!
"The behavior, courage and knowledge of these brigadiers.,
Don Miguel Soler and Don Bernardo O'Higgins,
is worth admiring.
Brave soldiers with a will of steel. "
You, sirs.. are the best men I have fought with.
GIory is yours to enjoy.
Let's prepare for tHe celebration.
-God save our Iand! -Hurray!
-God save our Iand, boys! -Hurray!
"We have completed this campaign in twenty four days.
We crossed the highest mountain range of the world.
We have put an end to tyranny and freed Chile.
God save Your Excellency for many years to come.
Chacabuco Head-quarters at the battle field.
February 12., 1817
Did you ever see him again?
A couple of times.
We took different roads.
My arm was useless.
A crippled soldier cannot do much.
It is terrible to be my age
and realiZe that the best moments
are Iong gone.
My whole Iife recalling that year.
Just that year.
you know?
Don Corvalan.. this way, please.
Move aside.
Come on boys, come over here.
Seat next to me.
Cold?
Come, come.
Come, all of you, come.
Gather here, please.
Please get closer to Corvalan
One step backwards.. please.
Stay still.. please.
Very good.
Still.
Stay still.. Corvalan.
PEOPLE WHO FORGED THIS COUNTRY