STARRING
NOVEL AND SCREENPLAY BY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
MUSIC BY
DIRECTED BY
1944.
Late September.
The Warsaw Uprising nears its tragic end.
The Old Town, Riverside, Czerniakow and Sadyba fell long ago.
Zoliborz, Mokotow and the downtown areas,
cut off and surrounded by massive German forces, are in flames.
This company now numbers 43.
Three days ago, there were 70.
This is their commanding officer...
Lieutenant Zadra.
He recruited these men and is responsible for them.
His second-in-command, Lieutenant Wise.
He drilled discipline into his boys with an iron hand.
And this is Halinka, the messenger girl,
who promised her mother on leaving home that she'd keep warm.
They probably all made similar promises.
All mothers are the same.
Sergeant Major Bullet writes in a perfect hand.
He carries all the company records in his case.
Officer Cadet Korab suffers greatly without his daily bath.
But the boys of the 3rd Platoon have bigger troubles.
Slim, Korab's aide,
hopes to build airplanes after the war.
Finally, the composer.
He's not a soldier.
He joined the company only yesterday.
These are the heroes of the tragedy.
Watch them closely,
for these are the last hours of their lives.
Hey!
Hello, Zadra. Right on time.
What's that? Were you hit?
Just caught a little draft.
What's the situation?
As you can see, the dive bombers were here.
The Germans have tried to push through three times.
Good thing they sleep at night.
You won't have an easy life here tomorrow.
More like an easy death. Anyway, we'll try to hold out for a while.
I'd like to stay too.
What, till Judgment Day?
But we'll be hailed by future generations.
They won't take us alive.
That's right. The Polish way!
What's wrong? You've always been a hotshot.
I've had enough, all right?
What am I to tell my men? They trust me.
You're losing your nerve. There'll be no time for brooding here.
Bartek almost abandoned the front positions today,
as if the little shit had somewhere to go.
It's getting cramped around here.
They want to finish off Mokotow and start in on downtown.
Damn! I can't believe it's the 56th day of the uprising.
Hell.
Yes, that's always an option.
Bozena!
What's the news?
We've met before.
You gave me these the first day of the uprising.
- Do they fit? - You bet.
To think they'll rip 'em off me when I die.
I see you've joined the uprising.
What does your mother say to that?
She's dead.
Is your wound bad?
No, it's nothing.
Too bad you already-
Excuse me. Is there a phone around here?
There will be.
Can I call Rakowiecka Street?
Are you crazy? The Germans are there.
I know, but you see, I live there.
Let me call, all right?
Go see the commander.
That way?
Some lived in style in Warsaw!
A bourgeois drawing room. Absolutely appalling.
Our pistols and grenades
against their tanks and airplanes.
When will we wise up?
Orders are orders. No sense philosophizing.
Korab.
Post sentries and send out a patrol.
Yes, sir.
Six volunteers, step forward.
Yes, sir!
I have a special assignment for you.
- Wait. You're a composer, aren't you? - Yes.
- Play something nice. We have a piano. - But I have -
- Come on. - Good God, it's a Bechstein!
Take that piece of junk away. It rattles too much.
No, play La Comparsita or something like that.
I had a dream about you today, Halinka.
We were dancing a tango, and -
Well? What's new, Halinka?
Lieutenant, you promised me a gun.
I don't want to be empty-handed. Everyone else has something.
This little thing? I was hoping for a Parabellum.
A Parabellum? It'd knock you off your feet.
This is just right for you. It'll kill a man at six feet. Take it.
Stop that noise.
Play something
with some feeling.
I could get you a real gun,
instead of that cap gun.
Cap gun?
Then why do you carry such an antique?
- All clear? - Yes, sir.
Don't go crazy.
Lieutenant,
may I call my home on Rakowiecka Street?
My family should be there. May I use this telephone?
Just ask them to put me through to 4-0-2-1-8.
All right. Let's see what's going on there.
Zadra here. How are things there? You still alive?
- We've got no windowpanes. - Windowpanes?
I've forgotten what they look like. You're lucky to have a roof.
Listen, can you try 4-0-2-1-8?
- One of ours? - No, on the German side. Rakowiecka.
- There's no one there. - That's what we want to see.
- I'll try. - Okay, I'll wait.
They say there's no one there anymore.
Wanda?
It's me, Michal.
What's going on there? I've been trying to find you all this time.
Where are you calling from?
Well... the resistance.
I've joined one of the units.
Is there still a resistance?
God only knows how, but there is.
What about you? - They're in our building.
- Deporting people? - I don't think so.
Rounding people up, setting them on fire. I'm glad you got out.
Wanda, my God!
Here's the little one.
Zosia.
Zosienka, it's me, Daddy.
Daddy, come home soon. Why do they keep shooting?
They're coming for us, Michal!
Holy Mother of God, we got cut off.
- All sentries posted, sir. - Thank you.
Slim.
What do I do now?
Go get some sleep.
Everybody get ready for dinner!
Halinka, let's find somewhere to sleep.
Lieutenant.
Lieutenant, sir,
I don't have any records of Korab's platoon.
Don't bother me with your records.
It's going to start soon.
But we must keep records, sir. There will be casualties.
That's for sure.
But stop bothering me now!
Slim, see anything there?
Nothing. The potato diggers have just returned from the fields.
Only the devil knows
if they'll live to eat them.
If they send any more dive bombers, they'll level this place.
Are you ready, Korab?
They'll start by 8:00 for sure.
I'll just shave first. I have ten ammo belts.
- How old are you, Korab? - Twenty-three.
At that age life doesn't seem so precious.
You know, these are the final days.
I know, but we'll make them bleed first.
Is Daisy back yet?
What's wrong?
Nothing.
You know how to use that?
Careful!
Are you crazy?
It's not that complicated.
Just be careful.
I'm going. The Germans will be finishing their breakfast.
What are you playing?
It's out of tune.
Too many musicians around here.
I'm going.
Just don't go nuts.
It'd be a pity to lose an artist.
What do you know?
Oh, sorry.
That's all right. Come in. What's this about?
You should get up.
It's hardly the time - - Is that how you speak to an officer?
Now's precisely the time for it.
We're in love.
And how's Daisy?
Jacek, I'm here.
I don't stink, do I? I left my shoes in the hallway.
It's about time you stopped wandering around those sewers.
You were supposed to be back yesterday.
Were you worried about me?
I stopped worrying long ago, but Zadra was asking about you.
Are you jealous?
Me?
Fat chance.
But you spare no one.
I just smiled at Zadra, like I do with everyone.
Exactly. It looked as if you had a soft spot for him.
That's just how I am. It can't be helped.
Too bad.
You should've stayed downtown, where you've got all those...
friends.
They're going to finish us off, here.
I know.
Look what I brought you.
Real English tea and cigarettes.
You know I don't smoke.
Where'd you get them?
From my aunt.
Your aunt.
Jacek, I came back just for you.
Me? That's interesting. Why?
Well? Why?
Why?
Because I'm your messenger.
Did you know the main attack will be here?
Stop shaving, will you?
Wash up. You stink.
Been sunbathing in the nude?
I spent all of July in Zalesie
and got back to Warsaw on August 1st. God knows what for.
Did you stay with your aunt in Zalesie too?
Here we go!
- Get out of here, damn it! - Don't be an idiot!
Keep firing!
Left machine gun lower! Lower!
Watch out!
Take cover!
Hello, Bartek?
Damn it, both phones are dead! They'll come from behind.
Zefir? - Sir!
Run to headquarters.
Report that we're holding the Red House but Bartek's section is gone.
We need a counterattack, or else they'll cut us off. Go!
Got all that? Then go!
Junk! Useless pipe!
They'll finish us off in ten minutes.
Withdraw.
We can't stop them with our fists! Enough, damn it!
That's the last shell, Slim.
Slim actually hit 'em!
Goliaths.
Leave me alone. I'm all right.
Keep still.
You're not hurt, are you?
I'm glad you're okay.
What's happening?
What about the platoon?
What are the Krauts waiting for?
Is Zefir back? - No.
We're surrounded.
How's Korab?
He's alive. He'll be fine.
They're wiping out my men.
Don't go soft.
- The silence is deafening. - It's only a brief pause.
They're scheming how to finish us off.
Front door didn't work, so they'll try through the kitchen.
Now's a good time to withdraw, sir.
Lieutenant, you never used to smoke.
Nerves?
Fear.
This war's eating at all of us.
Not me. I've smoked since I was a kid.
When did you join the resistance?
July of 1941.
Decorations?
The Cross of Valor for an attack on Blanka -
An attack on Blanka Palace.
Wounded in the right side of the chest
on September 26th, 1944.
Next of kin
in case of death?
Thank you.
They've found a way to get to us.
They're not doing anything.
I've changed my mind.
I won't build planes after the war is over.
Zadra.
Zabawa's looking for you. Something's happened.
Sir! Company in the Red House reporting, sir.
Hello, Zadra.
Take off, Zefir.
Losses?
Twelve dead, 10 critically wounded.
You'll be leaving here at dusk. We're moving to the downtown area.
What? How?
Through the sewers.
I'm not going.
Are you crazy? Only a couple streets are left.
They'll finish us off by tomorrow.
I'm not going.
All that blood shed, and we crawl away like rats?
The sewers!
How can I look my men in the eyes?
That's an order, Zadra.
Screw your orders!
You're a damned civilian, after all.
Don't you want to save your men?
They trusted me.
We all trusted someone.
Here. This is your pass to the sewers.
Take care, Zadra.
Why's it so quiet in here? For God's sake!
So put on some music.
Stop that.
Stop that!
Maybe you'd prefer a symphony.
Here, you play it.
On this thing?
Wiseguy.
Listen up, kids. Good news.
What is it? Reinforcements?
We're crossing into downtown...
through the sewers.
What do you mean?
We're leaving here?
We can't hold Mokotow.
There are only a few streets left.
They'd crush us.
Hear that, guys? We've been fighting in this coffin for nothing!
It's an order from headquarters.
Nothing.
A void.
Even now all I come up with are empty sounds.
Don't drink any more, please.
I'm impotent, understand? A pathetic hack.
That's the real tragedy.
- Please, don't drink. - I'm glad this torment is ending.
Give it to me. I want some too.
So the handsome trooper loves you, does he?
Is he your first?
Something tells me we won't live through this night.
It's easier to die when you're in love.
Nonsense.
Melodrama.
Don't get carried away.
Make room for the company commander!
Drink, Zadra. - You've gone mad.
You too, Halinka?
I'm not drinking. I'm listening to music.
Music? So now you all feel like hearing music?
And you're playing?
For the last time!
Drink, Zadra. It'll help you through the sewers.
So this is your sense of discipline?
At your post till the end - only dead drunk!
It's a long way to downtown.
Plenty of time to sober up.
- What'll we do downtown? - Keep fighting.
Keep fighting? They'll squash us like bedbugs.
Nothing'll be left of the city.
Shut up! You can't even die like a man!
On the contrary. Now I know how to die.
- Company roll call. - Yes, sir.
But now it's a platoon, not a company.
Don't anyone so much as fart once we're off.
Quiet as a family tomb.
Otherwise, the Germans will slaughter us.
If anyone's frightened, let him come to me,
and I'll hold his hand.
Well, chin up, old pals!
Attention!
All present and accounted for and ready to march.
Two officers, five NCOs and 20 riflemen.
You're drunk. This is no time for drills.
Thank you.
At ease.
Forward march.
Can you make it, Korab?
I'm going. Give me that.
Let me try. I've got nothing to lose.
He needs two strong men.
I'll take care of him. You needn't worry.
You'd better come with me.
You can show us the way.
The way is pretty easy.
Please, let me go with Korab.
Wise, cover us till we get across.
Tiger tanks.
This is the last barricade. Get in the sewers, friend.
Lieutenant, may I respectfully report that it's our turn -
Respectfully report into the hole.
Why, you little -
Sir, have you seen my daughter? She's blonde -
Let's go!
Gentlemen, wait! Please, wait!
My daughter's tall and blonde, in a brown coat.
Please wait.
Gentlemen, have pity.
Don't leave us!
- What is it? - Shit!
Oh, God, what amazing acoustics!
"I see a land of heavy dreams and shadows."
Stop with the poetry and get a move on, maestro!
Quiet! The orders were no talking.
I'm too tall for - Goddamn it!
You have it easier, Halinka.
Gas! Gas!
Germans! Gas!
Wise, let's turn back. There's gas ahead.
The Germans are up there already.
We have to catch up with the company.
Stop! What is it?
The Germans let in gas! Is that the way back?
I suppose so.
But who knows for sure? All these sewers look alike.
I'm from the Old Town.
I've had enough of these sewers and this shitty game of hide-and-seek!
They let in gas! Go back!
Go back, there's gas!
People, where are you going?
People!
My head's spinning.
Must be the gas.
You're feverish, Jacek. There's no gas here.
We'll never catch up.
Perhaps we should call Michal.
No need for that.
I know this sewer.
The way's not difficult.
We'll make it by ourselves, slowly.
I'm gonna rest a minute.
Keep going, damn it!
Jacek, keep going. You'll rest at home.
Home? Does anyone still have a home?
You're really strong, Daisy.
As if you were used to carrying heavy loads.
I've never carried anything heavy.
Actually, I know nothing about you.
We fought together in the uprising.
I know that, Daisy, but...
You want to hear my life story now?
Is it long?
Longer than this sewer.
Keep going.
What's that?
Look.
A lantern at the junction? Or what in hell -
Maybe it's the Germans.
They wouldn't dare come down here.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Jacek, it's just an ordinary candle.
This is the first barricade. You can rest here.
- Someone help me lift a wounded man! - Quiet!
What are you staring at?
Quiet, the Germans are above us!
Quiet, you stupid son of a bitch!
It's already 7:00.
Just think. It's day up there.
Call Lieutenant Wise.
Lieutenant Wise, report to Lieutenant Zadra.
Lieutenant Wise, report to Lieutenant Zadra!
Gas! Gas!
It'll be difficult to enforce discipline down here, Lieutenant.
But orders must be given. What do we do?
Let's wait for Wise. We can't leave them behind.
Damned matches!
It's not the matches, sir.
There's too many feet stirring up this crap, releasing fumes.
That's what's killing us, not the grenades.
I used to dabble in chemistry. Don't you feel weak, sir?
No!
Still, there's no oxygen in this air.
Let's save ourselves, Lieutenant.
What about it, sir? Do we leave the men to die like this?
Is that my fault? Why isn't Wise here yet?
Call him!
Don't sit down! The air is worse near the water.
You won't be able to get up.
Let's go, Lieutenant. We mustn't stay here.
I'm going to go then.
I'll call them.
Lieutenant Wise says we should go ahead.
They stopped so that Korab could rest.
Anyway, Daisy knows the way.
They'll catch up with us.
Let's go, Lieutenant.
Let's go, boys.
Slow down, Wise.
Hurry up.
Zadra's probably up in the Alejach district.
Give me the canteen.
It'll just make you weaker.
Come on, give it to me.
You want some?
Sure. It's cold.
I'm worn out.
That's enough.
It's the waters of Lethe,
the river of oblivion.
A simple home brew, but it cheers you up, doesn't it?
You hear those sounds?
Hurry up, composer.
Christ, what's that? Wise!
Jesus!
Are you alive, Halinka?
Witold! Where are you? Where's my child?
Shut up! Shut up, damned woman!
You've sold us out! Murderers!
Open up!
Open it up!
Let me through!
"Thither we came, and thence down in the moat
I saw a people smothered in a filth
That out of human privies seemed to flow"
- What are you saying, Michal? - It's not I, child, but Dante.
I can't open it!
Get down here, damn it! You'll bring the Germans down on us!
Hurry up!
Wise, let's save ourselves! I'm scared.
Stop your whining.
Think I don't want out of here? We're going back.
You look bad, Jacek.
You'll have your shave as soon as we get out.
I don't care.
You must be very ill.
Now what?
Rain?
I hear the sound of rain.
Quiet!
Don't cry, child.
Can't you hear
everything here is singing?
Yeah, and maybe you're seeing angels too?
Come on! Don't stop! - Quiet!
Hear that? Listen!
Nonsense! It's the water!
I can hear it.
I can finally hear it.
You know?
I can hear it.
Shut up, damn you!
What's with you? Have you gone mad?
Ridiculous, rude man.
How could you understand?
Come back here! Don't be a fool!
Stop or I'll shoot!
I order you to come back at once!
Why am I so weak?
We'll never reach downtown anyway.
There's no way.
This damned sewer has to end somewhere!
Let's go.
What's that?
Probably a wounded man.
Could that be a man howling like that?
Let's keep going.
Sir, I can't make out those sounds.
I'll go have a look. Wait here.
Here's your howler.
It's a man. Let's get out of here, sir.
I know him.
A colonel from headquarters.
Which one of you will carry him?
What's the matter?
Forward!
Where do we turn?
There should be a sign for Wilcza Street somewhere on the left.
We should have brought Daisy with us. She knows the way.
Daisy's taking care of Korab,
and we know how to read.
We can't do it, Lieutenant.
Let's get out now, or we never will. Holy Mother!
There is no sign.
- Call the men, Bullet. - Yes, sir.
Get up! The lieutenant is waiting!
Go on ahead.
Wait a moment. I'm feeling weak.
Let's rest.
There!
There should be a sign that says "Wilcza."
No, there's no sign.
- Well? - They're coming.
Hold on to me, Zadra.
I've had enough of this.
Just keep moving your legs.
Daisy, aren't you tired?
Why should I be? I'm not wounded.
It's quiet and murky but
we're walking through a dark and fragrant forest.
We're stumbling through stinking shit.
You're always straight to the point, Daisy.
You could never fall in love, could you?
What?
Keep moving your legs...
or it'll take us three days to get there.
You're running a high fever, and we'll starve to death here.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
What's that?
He was old.
Probably frightened to death during the gas panic.
Stupid people. Never been in the sewers before.
No, I don't see anything.
There it is, guys! The sign!
"I... love...
Jacek."
Oh, God.
My head's spinning.
Maybe there's gas in the air.
Look at the fog.
You're a child, Jacek. The fever's making you see things.
Wait, this is our sewer.
See it? Wilcza.
I would never have noticed it on my own.
I can barely see anything now.
Let's go up. Give me your hand.
I'm coming.
Your hand.
Hold on to me!
I can't climb up there. I can't make it.
Daisy, go on by yourself.
You idiot!
You can't pull me up there.
Go, Daisy. You'll bring help.
I'll just rest here and wait.
Look. There's a sign over there.
Large letters.
"I love..."
We have to save the batteries.
There's some writing up there.
What does it say?
"I love...
Janek."
Who could have written such nonsense?
It's not nonsense.
Empty sewers.
Germans at the hatch up there. It's fear, you understand?
Someone wrote it, and it made them feel better.
I used to pass this way too.
And what did you write?
"Kiss my ass"
and other things like that.
And who's this Janek?
A guy that some girl loved.
A lot?
Yes.
Very much, Jacek.
Come on, let's go.
No, we'll never make it, Daisy.
I'll just wait and rest here.
You'll bring help soon, won't you?
Get up!
- No. - Quiet!
I must have just imagined it.
My head's whirling so fast...
I can even hear music.
Oh, right. It's the fever.
No, I can really hear it.
Who was that?
Has he gone mad, or have I?
He's been mad for a while. Don't you remember him?
Strange.
I don't remember a thing.
Michal.
Michal, come back!
Quiet.
He can't hear you anyway.
Stop sniveling, damn it!
Let's go!
I won't make it up there,
but I want to live.
All right, Jacek. Don't worry- you'll live.
We'll go straight that way.
The sewer should run into the Vistula soon.
It's dry here. There must be an exit nearby.
Turn on the flashlight.
The battery's weak. We'll get there anyway.
No.
It can't be.
I have no strength left.
We're never getting out of here.
This is the end. - What do you mean?
What end? No! I've got someone to live for!
I'm right here. Who do you have to live for?
What do you mean, who? My wife and child!
Your wife and child?
Funny.
You never mentioned them.
You weren't wearing a wedding ring.
Really? I have it right here.
Look.
See? I have to live.
Let's go back up the sewer.
Quick, while I'm still on my feet!
Just a minute.
Turn off the light, Wise.
Come on, get up!
Daisy, let me sit a moment.
No.
I have to...
I have to rest.
Jacek, we'll be at the river soon.
I can't open my eyes.
They hurt.
Then don't.
It's the fever.
You'll have to stay in the hospital quite a while.
Where's this hospital?
What, don't you think we'll get our lives back?
Never.
To live, Daisy.
I promised you that.
I was so rude to you -
We'll settle that later.
I've been bad.
I see light ahead, Jacek.
We're going to live.
Don't open your eyes. It's too bright.
Is it much further?
I see water, Jacek...
and green grass.
Let's go there...
Daisy.
You can rest now.
We'll come out onto the grass soon.
No, don't open your eyes...
because the sun's come out.
Hands up!
Give me the wedding ring.
Come out! Come out!
Slim, throw that damned gun away.
We've got to save people. You're going to kill yourself.
That stunned me, damn it.
Throw it away. Let's get some fresh air.
Get lost!
Light!
Air, sir!
We're going to the inlet. Tell the men, Bullet.
The inlet...
We're turning left, guys. We're going to the inlet.
They're coming, Lieutenant.
They're coming.
No good.
It's blocked.
We're turning back...
if we've got the strength.
I have to get my men out.
Sir, we must have some air.
It's death back there!
They've hung grenades, the dirty bastards!
Hold on.
Good.
Just one more and we're on our way.
Let's go. Let's go outside, Lieutenant.
Thank you, Mother of God.
Lieutenant, where are we?
Why aren't they coming out?
Call them, Bullet.
We're safe.
Fresh air at last.
Let's get away, sir.
Bullet, call them. They might have gone too far.
They fell behind long ago.
I only pretended they were behind us.
You bastard!
And my company?
They're still in there?
My company.