Señor Jacson, hey! Señor Jacson!
-This is for you. -Here you go.
Hands off!
Women shouldn't go to such places. Even in the afternoon.
I'll take you to my place.
No. You're an excellent lover for everyone.
But not for me.
No one can be as good in bed as him.
He screwed all this damn world.
Sleeping with him is like injecting a drug into the brain.
It's like sleeping with God himself, you know.
-Let me take you home. -Why? I'm fine here.
You and him are very much alike, Frank. You do not like to admit defeat either.
Give it to him. And tell him...
No, do not say anything.
I do not want to see him. Especially now.
Do it for me!
Fine. He called me today for a picnic.
Jacson, my friend, you are not yourself today.
You're not even blaming me for all the sins of humanity.
What happened?
Nothing.
Today I was told that I do not know how to admit defeat.
And that makes us similar.
Well, I have nothing to admit.
I have never had real defeats.
Although I was on the edge many times.
I was always changing the situation for my own benefit.
An example is the story on the armored train...
I do not care about your armored train, I'm sick of it.
These were the best years of your life, your peak of power.
I'd like to know something else.
Now I recognize you, Frank.
Go ahead. What are you accusing me of today?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
This is ridiculous. People will never forgive you.
Can you not just sign this treaty?
I cannot. There is no army.
PETROGRAD. DECEMBER 1917
Nobody's left to fight for us. We need to give the Germans what they want,
or they will conquer half the country.
Then make the soldiers fight!
Don't you get it? We demoralized the army.
We cannot force these soldiers to fight.
Refuse. They cannot force you, right?!
Lenin waits only for this: "Trotsky gave up on an arch-important mission."
"Down with Comrade Trotsky!" No.
Well, that's it. It's time.
VLADIMIR SKALON 1872-1917 RUSSIAN GENERAL, MONARCHIST
Don't you mind?
So, you are Trotsky. Managing the foreign affairs.
I guess we should drink.
For the acquaintance.
You are cunning about the third way.
There are two ways out of the dead end you drove Russia into.
Capitulation or death.
Vladimir, let's be honest.
You, the Tsarist generals,
have drawn your dear Russia into the war.
We were fulfilling our duty.
If it weren't for your revolutionary agitation,
what did you call the soldiers for?
To shoot officers, fraternize with enemies.
Who's to blame, that our ideas were closer to the soldiers?
Your ideas have turned a battle-worthy army into a herd!
And you did it! The Bolsheviks!
I want to remind you, despite this,
you still accepted the power of the Bolsheviks, Comrade Skalon...
So cool your heat.
I did not accept your power.
I accepted the will of Russia.
My Motherland... It is...
As a darling... but mad woman.
Has no clue what she does.
She will understand it then.
Will be terrified and sorry.
But I will always be with her. For better or worse.
Bravo. The words of a true patriot.
"Russia", "Motherland"... Just mere words.
Yesterday Courland was a part of Russia.
Tomorrow it will be Germany.
What should Courlandians consider their Motherland?
The world revolution abolishes the concept of Motherland.
It is obsolete, like everything you've lived for.
Forget about your Russia, it has changed.
What stops me from shooting you right here and now?
At least I'll keep the officer's honor.
Unarmed?
Some tea, comrades?
Put it on the table.
THE NEUTRALITY ZONE BREST-LITOVSK, DECEMBER 1917
THE SOVIET DELEGATION IN BREST-LITOVSK: WAR OR PEACE?
DECEMBER 3. THE BEGINNING OF TRUCE NEGOTIATIONS WITH GERMANY.
The German government insists on the immediate signing of a peace treaty
based on the national determination in Poland, Lithuania, Courland,
Estland and Livonia.
As acts, witnessing the will of these peoples,
the German government is considering
a statement by the governments of Poland,
Lithuania, Courland, Estland, and Livonia
signed in November and December of this year.
Livonia will be the German Empire?
The people of Poland want to join Germany? Nonsense!
That's enough! What a show! This is not the will of the people.
Just scrawls, made under your dictation
by puppet rulers of the occupied Russian Empire!
Skalon, you, as the former Tsarist general, may forget
there is no Russian Empire anymore.
There are these... "Councils of Jewish Deputies".
As the Commissar of Foreign Affairs I responsibly declare,
that Soviet Russia is ready to sign an agreement.
However. I would like to give more clear status to Livonia.
If this is the only problem,
by the end of the week we'll prepare all the papers.
Nice to meet you, Comrade Trotsky.
I order you to start printing agitation leaflets in German, ASAP.
Write about strikes and police outrage.
The revolution in Germany is a matter of time.
Our task is to accelerate this pace.
ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER
Show in articles an explicit picture of the situation in Germany,
which the authorities hide from their soldiers.
Stop. I order the distribution of half a million copies of leaflets
on all fronts, where Russian soldiers contact with Germans.
Stop.
The People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Trotsky.
Do you think his plan will work?
-Maybe. -Will you let him do this?
After all, he will become the savior of Russia.
Koba... It seems to me lately
that the fate of Trotsky concerns you more than the revolution itself.
DECEMBER 9. THE CONTINUATION OF TRUCE NEGOTIATIONS WITH GERMANY.
A sleepless night, Hoffmann?
Well... It's time to discuss your separate peace with Ukraine.
Ukraine? What about it?
Well...
You have signed a separate peace with a part of Russia.
And the illegitimate government signed it.
Don't mess me about!
Let's continue when Hoffman cleans his shoes,
and recalls the diplomatic etiquette.
THE PEOPLE ARE AGAINST WAR!
LAND AND LIBERTY TO REVOLT
RUSSIANS COULD DO IT, WE CAN TOO!
OUR COMMON ENEMY IS THE WORLD CAPITAL!
SAILORS RIOTING
RIOT IN KIEL
POLICE ARREST GERMAN WORKERS
The Soviets are blatantly procrastinating.
We won't bear this any longer. I suggest advancing on Grodno, today.
Are you mad?
What war? What Grodno? There is a revolution! Do you get it?
What have you decided, Kaiser?
Every minute counts.
Use the army against the rioters. Let them shoot to kill.
DECEMBER 12. THE FINAL STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS ON A TRUCE.
Before we sign the treaty,
I'd like to inform you an attempted revolution in Germany failed.
The all-out strike was stopped.
The military factories are working again.
By the direct order of Emperor Wilhelm II, as an ultimatum,
we demand from Russia to sign the peace agreement
in 24 hours.
Clause 5 amended as follows:
Russia undertakes promptly
the complete demobilization of the army.
Including military forces formed by the current government.
In addition, all Russian war ships should be back in Russian ports.
And stay there until the universal peace is signed.
Or they should be completely disarmed.
Military vessels of countries at war
with the states of the Central Powers
being under the Russian influence,
are treated as Russian war ships.
What do you mean, we won't sign? Is this war or peace?
Neither. No peace and no war. Write it down.
The urgent order of the Commissar Trotsky. Move all troops from positions.
He's insane, gentlemen!
If the war were ever conducted in self-defense,
then it has long ceased to be so for both sides.
I told you! He's insane!
He's crazy, gentlemen! He's crazy! Stop him! Traitor!
Hands off me!
This is madness...
Are you really going, gentlemen?
We intend to.
The Germans guarantee shelter for those not tied to Bolsheviks.
I can't go to the Germans.
I do not get how you decided on this, Vasily.
And you, Vladimir?
Are you okay?
Don't worry, gentlemen.
-Skalon, are you going? -Just a moment...
That poor fellow had every reason to hate you.
You lied that Russia had no resources for war.
There were some in the opposition.
-And who were they? -The Cossacks.
Sure, what can we do without them...
Save it, Trotsky.
You had a chance to put the squabbling aside
and unite to fight the foreign enemy.
Germany was exhausted on the edge of defeat.
If we'd made such a union, this would mean that our new world
would be unable to exist without the traditional pillars of the old world.
But you could have saved the great state.
Stalin would not have to extort back Finland, the Baltics, and Galicia.
You chose the Germans.
-Your pride... -Quiet.
What?
You know what the locals call this place?
Olla de cocodrilo.
The crocodile vortex.
Give me that.
Don't move, Jacson! Don't move!
You attract the attention of predators. Do not move.
-You are crazy. -"I am German".
Imagine that I am a German. What will you do?
Wait till they eat you? Or take my helping hand?
You should have seen your look!
Full of hatred and horror at the same time.
I deceived you, there are no crocodiles here. Get out.
I want you to understand one simple thing.
I was thrown into the vortex many times.
It does not matter, every time I swam out.
Finally Lenin was forced to sign the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
You see?
PETROGRAD. JANUARY 1918
I'll call a spade a spade.
The negotiations with Germany failed.
Therefore, I formally withdraw the authority of the Commissar.
This is called "washing your hands of it."
I'm not going to wash my hands of it, Vladimir.
From what happened we all must learn a lesson.
The country cannot exist without a strong, disciplined army
ready for military operations.
Stick to the topic, Trotsky.
I'm not declining responsibility for my failure, but...
If we had had a capable army, no one would have dared to dictate us any terms.
Proceeding from the previously mentioned,
I ask to impose on me the duties of the commander-in-chief.
And the task of forming the new Red Army.
You did not manage to sign the peace treaty.
You want to cope with war?
If someone wants to take the responsibility
for the restoration of the army, they are most welcome.
I declare a break in the meeting.
I hope you are aware, Leon,
that if you fail again...
I know. That's why I have one condition.
-Condition? -Yes.
Key posts of the new Red Army
should be taken by the specialists of the Tsarist army.
They are professionals. And they are real patriots.
You propose to give power to the army again...
-And Tsarist officers... -Yes.
And issue an open order.
In case of treason by a Tsarist officer, his family should be executed.
Nonsense. We've been preparing a class revolution not for that,
not to obey the same satraps, but dressed in our uniform.
I will support you.
Go ahead.
Where did you get such good fellows? Comrade Sermuks.
You said that the revolution should not only be frightening, but admirable.
Comrade Trotsky, let me introduce my wife, Larisa Reisner.
-Appointed as a military reporter. -I recall you.
I read your wicked essay about me.
I apologize for that article. Larisa is a poet.
She liked anarchism.
She still can't get rid of maximalist remarks in her publications.
You have nothing to explain, Comrade Raskolnikov.
Think better about forming the Volga fleet.
Good?
All aboard!
Well, Leon, now it all depends on you. The fates of Russian and world revolutions
are literally in your hands.
I'm not exaggerating.
Are you going to the front, Koba?
I don't have such a nice uniform as you do, Trotsky.
We'll both do everything for the victory, right?
Why are you up there?
-Kick them, Dad! -Certainly.
I hope they won't kill you.
How could they? Look at my armor!
There is no such cannon to break it.
Help your mother. I'll be back.
Do what you have to do, Leon.
Bye, Dad!
The telegraph just brought bad news.
Kazan fell, which means that, unless a miracle happens,
the young Soviet Republic will die without food and oil.
The Red Army has mostly fallen apart, entire regiments are deserting.
A sense of approaching disaster is in the air.
Because of this, you want so much to live and to feel.
Remove the beginning. In the future, never mention defeat.
Whatever happens, the position of the Red Army is reliable.
Success is on our side. Our valiant troops push the enemy back.
European workers are about to throw off the yoke of world capital.
-Comrade Trotsky. -Yes.
We are approaching.
-Is everything clear? -Yes, Leon.
We cannot go any further, Comrade Chairman.
Kappel battled through the rear positions and cut the line. He is coming.
They know you are here. There is no way back. They locked us up.
-How much time do we have? -An hour.
You can go down the river. We will try to go back to Boguchaevsk.
I came to stop the retreat.
And if I run away now, this will completely demoralize the army.
You will die if you stay.
Death is not important. It is more important how to die.
If I die fighting,
it will be easier for my successor.
But we are not going to die with you.
Then turn in your weapons. You are arrested. Both of you.
Yeah, right...
The soldiers are under our command.
What's next?
What are you going to do next?
Desert?
Dissolve the soldiers and go where? To Kappel?
They will take you in chains. And send you to the front line.
They really do not like renegades.
One way or another, you'll have to fight.
Then die. It is a matter of time.
Put your weapon on the table.
Take them to the guardhouse.
No, chain them.
Hand out weapons just before the fight.
Take them away.
Change your clothes into something appropriate.
We have enough cartridges. But not people. The White Army is three times larger.
Bicyclists will guard the passage, and the train to the river...
Stop! Everyone into line!
Everyone. Bicyclists, stenographers, even cooks!
Trotsky... You have already been seen at the front.
People will talk about it. Shouldn't we evacuate the command?
Am I not clear? Everyone into line! Go.
Yes.
Our only chance is defense.
They also think so, and they are not waiting for us.
Our only chance is a victory.
They think we are afraid!
But we'll cut them to pieces! We will turn their weapons against them!
If we make this unexpected step.
We will attack them ourselves!
I am afraid of death, too. Like all of you.
But I'll go there to survive.
And if I'm fated to die,
then I'll die in battle for what I believe in.
Forward, march!
Comrade Trotsky, our troops are retreating.
Stop!
Stop! Where are you going?
Go forward! Into the breach!
Listen to me, soldiers!
We've already won. We've got just one step left.
Turn around! Into the breach!
Or I'll shoot you!
Into the breach! Well done!
Well done.
Hush... Lie down... Don't get up, you are wounded.
-We... won? -Yes.
The reinforcements came up and Kappel was kicked out.
I never thought you could.
Sit in the saddle?
I'm a village boy. I love... horses.
No. Be so angry. You have been cursing them out!
The soldiers can really treat you like a father
after your words about their mothers!
I had to dominate...
Sexual power is the main power. It's the advantage...
-You read Freud? -I talked to him.
Trotsky, the soldiers are waiting.
Hooray!
If any unit willfully leaves positions,
its commissar and its commander will be shot first.
Then every tenth fighter.
In case of desertion, every fifth fighter will be shot.
Courageous and brave soldiers will be put in command.
Cowards, self-seekers, and traitors won't get away from the bullet.
Death or victory. Trotsky.
Comrade Trotsky, Raskolnikov.
Comrade Trotsky. Kazan is ours. The Red Army moved into a decisive attack.
Thanks. You can go.
Sylvia! Your fiancé scared all crocodiles in the area.
You need not be afraid of anything; he is as safe as houses.
Still, the amazing ability,
not to admit defeat and be self-satisfied with victories...
Where is your objectivity?
Objectivity is simple, Jacson. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Nietzsche was right.
-Nietzsche? -Yes.
His life ended in a mental asylum.
Do you want to end like him? Well then. Live in a fictional world.
A normal person cannot turn the world upside down
to organize two revolutions and still be alive.
Look at me, Jacson, I'm alive.
-Really? -Yes.
You are 60, you are an old man. You are an exile at the end of the world.
Trying to fight with the great politician by writing memoirs no one will ever read.
Stories of a defeated man. You just cannot... you refuse to admit defeat.
Think you're still in the saddle? On your damned armored train?
-This is ridiculous! -Then why I am laughing alone?
This mumbling... for a solid hour...
I had to you give you this, but...
But I distracted you with my walk. I see.
My dear, beloved Leon...
You are a man of action. So am I.
There is not much time left for us, especially for you.
We both know this.
I have money. It doesn't make sense for me to stay here.
Why should we hide? We are two almost dead loners.
Living in prisons of our present lives.
Let's leave and create a new one?
We'll spend the rest of our days as ordinary people.
By the sea. In love and comfort. I'll be waiting for you in our bar.
I'll understand if you don't come.
I'll try to understand.
But I am leaving tomorrow, with or without you.
Yours, F.
Why did you come back? She's probably waiting for you.
Yes...
You see, Jacson,
leaving with Frida, I would admit
that my old life is over and I cannot do anything more.
Hell no.
Do you understand me?
Hell no.
SOUTHERN FRONT. TSARITSYN 1918.
Comrade Trotsky...
Comrade Chairman. Why didn't you warn us, we would have prepared!
Tell your people to go out.
-What for? -A confidential conversation.
Comrade Voroshilov, are you as decisive in battles?
Go on.
I did not invite you to sit down.
And fix yourself up
talking to the Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council.
I have one question for you. Why are you sabotaging my orders?
I execute those orders which I consider necessary.
In that case, you are arrested. I'm sending you back to Moscow.
My people are everywhere. You will be ground to dust.
That's true.
We'll execute you here.
Comrade Trotsky! I was just following orders!
-Whose? -Stalin's.
-Really? -Yes.
You are the front commander,
Stalin was assigned to you only as the head of the food unit.
You follow the orders of a quartermaster?
He is the hero of the revolution! A member of the Council of People's Commissars!
You heard that? Koba is now the hero of the revolution.
Find and bring to me this hero.
Arrest this one.
-May I? -Yes.
Come on in. Stay here.
I advise you to put off the light, Comrade Trotsky.
We are being bombed from airplanes.
What else would you advise me?
Do not stand there, Koba, sit down.
You know that thanks to former Tsarist military specialists,
our army has finally started to win?
With the exception of the front, under the command of the revolution hero,
the quartermaster Koba.
Are you listening?
I mentioned it several times.
The revolution wasn't undertaken
to bring the people under command of the former Tsarist officers.
Holy hell! Koba! You are as you were!
You are an ex-con. A petty criminal with the psychology of the shopkeeper.
You don't know a thing in politics or in military strategy.
Where are you going?
Do not talk to me like that, Comrade Trotsky.
I dismiss you and Voroshilov from the front.
Go back to Moscow
and do not get in my way, I'll crush you otherwise.
You know... Comrade Trotsky.
You're right. I can really do much more in Moscow than here.
I just want to tell you one parable.
Once, one proud eagle was flying in the Caucasus mountains.
He saw wild ducks in the lake.
The eagle wanted to catch one and rushed down.
The duck dove into the water, and the eagle was left with nothing.
The eagle was very angry.
He rise up again very high, to the sun.
Folded his wings, threw himself down like a stone.
"You won't get away from me!" And he also dived into the lake.
But in the water, he began to suffocate. And almost drowned.
And the duck waved her wings and flew away.
"You see, eagle...
I feel great in your skies,
and you are drowning in my lake."
An instructive parable. But I'm not an eagle, I'm a lion.
And I'm not a duck.
You know, Koba, I also remembered an old parable.
Once the jackal came to the lion.
And said, "Let's fight." The lion grinned and turned away.
The jackal threatened to tell every animal that the lion was scared of him.
The lion yawned and replied,
"Let them think I'm a coward,
but they won't despise me for killing a jackal."
You'd better turn off the light.
Natalia, you may go, I'll work a little more.
Have you ever thought about how...
How it will happen?
No. Never.
I do not believe you.
You are too old to last long.
And too much Trotsky to die in bed.
You think... It may be your single thought.
In any case, your "way" of avoiding liability is not for me.
This is more a manifestation of weakness.
In my case, maybe.
But in your case it would be an example of courage.
Be brave.
I have not expected anything more from you.
I'm already dead. Like everything you lived for, Trotsky.
Boom.