LOTNA
Screenplay
Cast
Director of Photography
Music
Directed by
Captain!
What a horse!
Can you see this gallop?
She's flying.
A grey one!
- I'm starving.
- If there are ladies here, you'll live.
They aren't greeting us.
They got the news about Germans
quicker than we did from the staff.
I wonder who's been here?
You could have washed her back.
You're late.
Be quiet.
Lotna...
you're back.
Please, gentlemen.
- Capt Chodakiewicz.
- Lt Wodnicki.
- Cadet Grabowski.
- They took all the horses away.
And she... went after the herd.
They took them in the night...
and got into their cars.
They said the war was going to end
in two weeks' time.
- A great horse.
- Probably after Galka.
- Her father's name was Icarus.
- Where can you hide it?
The Germans broke the front line.
They'll be here soon.
- Did anybody ask you?
- A dispatch to the commander!
Captain, a dispatch!
- You can go.
- Yes, sir!
Gentlemen, to horse!
What a horse!
Its colour will instantly draw
the enemy's fire.
In case of bombing
cover her with a coat.
- You're sure to die if you ride her.
- To charge on such a horse just once!
I'd advise you to withdraw from
the palace for at least a few days.
You know what can happen to you here.
At my age... probably nothing.
I'm like an old wreck.
It holds together...
as long as you don't move it.
Where have you been so long?
Take Lotna out. Tie her up well.
She came to say goodbye to me.
A beautiful mare!
- Do you like it?
- Very much.
The same.
Captain...
Lotna... is my last joy.
Please, take her.
Let her carry you...
to victory.
God bless you.
Tembek!
Take out the white mare from the stable.
The girl will show you.
- The saddle from my Wrona.
- Yes, sir!
Lotna...
Uhlans are coming!
Planes!
- Where's sergeant?
- He'll be here soon, he'll catch up.
Captain!
I didn't steal it! He gave it to me!
We can go back. I swear.
Why would I need such a horse?
I took it... for you, captain.
Saddle her!
So you've got a horse.
Lotna? She's precious.
I wouldn't exchange her for any girl.
Witek, you have the same taste as I do.
Have you ever seen such slender,
strong legs?
Such an ankle!
This nimbleness! Grace!
He's having a dream.
A nightmare is torturing him.
Be quiet, for God's sake!
Germans.
Stop!
Wait. What fish!
Jesus!
I got hit in the very heart.
Damn. There's still a sign.
A cigarette.
A flea must have bitten you.
- But you don't believe in dreams.
- But what if...
God forbid!
That's what bothers you.
It's about Lotna.
Pull!
- The shorter one!
- Gentlemen.
Let me not wait for too long.
Butterfingers, they'll make her lame.
A cigarette.
- Have the tanks come?
- Not a single one.
- Go back to the platoon.
- Yes, sir.
- We're surrounded.
- We're going to break through.
Only infantry and cars on this road.
We're going to this ford.
Here the woods will give us shelter.
We must get out.
We'll be needed yet.
Our only chance...
is to break through with sabres.
Damn.
Don't spatter at the trumpet, snot!
Did you bump into Germans?
Tell me.
Watch out. He is walking
as if he was drunk.
Sleep. Dream about a wife.
But not yours.
What's the situation?
- Ask captain.
- Tell me what you know.
- We're knee deep in this shit.
- Have the tanks come?
No. Just infantry and cars.
The tanks go blindly.
They're afraid too.
You throw a grenade...
and they roast like on a frying pan.
Remember to shave, boys,
it's a holiday.
Lady...
the troops are leaving.
They won't even have breakfast.
Has something happened, captain?
Do you have any news?
You're leaving us.
If you harness the horses to the coach
and stand by the woods...
you will see a nice uhlans' charge.
Incomplete uniform.
It undermines the commander's authority.
- Yes, sir!
- To horse!
Here they are, bastards.
Retreat, after me!
Have you seen it, cadet?
- I cut one of them on the head.
- One of them met with my lance.
They don't like our sabres.
You look impressive, sir!
- Who let you?
- I wanted to walk her off.
- A mare from your cavalry troop?
- Yes.
- She's an Arabian.
- A great horse.
- You have a dead soldier.
- Yes. The captain.
You're sitting on her
like a bishop on the potty.
Put a pillow under your saddle.
I'll manage.
But you really aren't sitting properly.
Let me do it, child.
Take it.
Who was laughing?
Let him give 5 zlotys.
You'll make our horse lame.
He is going to kill himself.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us...
Your coin, sergeant.
- Let it be for the Sunday plate.
- God bless you.
Wait...
You want to fight...
So remember, dear children,
apply yourselves to study
so as not to worry your parents.
Children, who'll answer
the following questions?
"What do we love our homeland for?"
We must love our homeland, because
many beautiful teachers work here.
What are you doing here?
Why are you laughing?
The floor has just been painted.
Will you please go out.
Ewa! You went to
Saint Hedwig's middle school.
You were proud,
surrounded by friends.
I was too shy to bow to you.
I don't know you. It was a long time
ago. We didn't exchange
- a word.
- We spoke once.
- When?
- In winter.
I was following you with a friend.
He threw a snowball at you
and hid in a doorway.
You brushed the snow away
and called me: "A pig".
It was you? I'm sorry.
- It went off so suddenly.
- He's gone already.
Let me go.
- Carefully, I'll help you...
- I can do it myself.
It would be a pity to ruin such hair.
If I had a locket,
I'd take one as a souvenir.
You don't even know,
how much you've influenced my life.
I'll be back soon.
Yes, sir.
We've got a new order, Jerzy.
Everything is falling through.
We have to stay,
let through the infantry
and with a handful of uhlans
cover the retreat.
- How long are we going to stay?
- Until evening.
- Until Germans press us.
- Great.
Are you mad?
We'll bury the captain.
The horses will rest.
Wake up! I'd show you on the map
where Germans broke through.
They're surrounding us!
Don't cry.
Don't be afraid, we're staying.
- Is this your room?
- Yes.
Let me introduce myself.
Cadet Jerzy Grabowski.
You've changed much since
the time you were at school.
We don't need this horse here!
It's my horse Lotna.
Look! It's beautiful!
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Lieutenant Wodnicki.
My...
fiancee.
Lieutenant!
Congratulations. We need to prepare
the wedding.
Everythings is ready
for the funeral.
You haven't changed at all.
At all!
- I'm going now.
- I won't let you go.
It's still bright. We'll be on time.
I can't.
I haven't been at home since morning.
Who knows what will happen tomorrow?
I want to tell you something.
Be quiet.
- We'll hide.
- Where?
- In the attic.
- No.
Don't be afraid.
Where will you go now?
Come, you'll make it home.
Go first.
You go first.
Jerzy?
Jerzy!
Quiet.
Watch out.
Bend down.
- Come.
- I can't see anything here.
There should be leaves here.
Or hay.
What's here?
Prudent farmers.
Wood will absorb the scent.
Don't be afraid,
these are empty boxes.
You see? Sit down here.
Look, how good they are.
Thank you.
Look... You have grey hair.
- Can you see it?
- It's a cobweb.
Jerzy, sit still.
Jurek!
Don't stand up.
Where's cadet?
- He's been very busy today.
- He hasn't shown since dinner.
Boys... go to sleep.
We're not sleepy, lieutenant.
Jurek!
- Somebody's calling your name.
- It's lieutenant. Let him seek.
- He suspects something.
- So what?
I just said it like that.
Do you remember
how cool you were towards me?
Did you really think
that I'm upset because of the floor?
You seemed taller
and more serious then.
- A real teacher.
- You also looked like a real uhlan.
Is it good or bad?
With this ring I thee wed
and pledge thee my troth.
Let it be a sign
of heavenly blessing.
Join your hands.
I, Jerzy... take thee...
Ewa... for my wife.
You can kiss.
- A lot of happiness.
- Thank you.
Ewa!
Look how happy I am.
You and this horse.
Strong.
As if Jesus
walked through your throat.
Give it to me! They're waiting!
Watch out!
How it smells, sergeant.
Sure! It's rye!
It's rye from the first threshing.
Hurry up!
Now it's no longer
so strong, sergeant.
That's all right. I'll keep it
for a rainy day.
Here you are. But be careful.
Don't cross the path
of the newly-weds!
Bring the band.
He put on the uniform to get away.
- I can't play it.
- They'll teach you in the army.
My legs hurt.
We'll cure you, we have a vet.
You're conscripted
to the 3rd cavalry troop.
I'm a violinist in a Philharmonic,
I've never played at a wedding.
- It won't work out.
- You'll give a real show.
Why don't we have a drink?
You can drink,
but only half a shot
so as not to get drunk.
- It'll be enough for us and the girls.
- They're as tight as thimbles.
Exactly for this finger!
You're unbearable.
Here's the organist
getting the groom drunk.
He has quite a job to do!
Take my place,
I'm going to have a drink with uhlans.
Lieutenant deserter!
He won't stay! Give him a penalty drink!
Thank you.
- She's a real stunner.
- I'm so tired.
A demijohn!
Don't take your eyes off it!
Gentlemen, fresh honey!
What will happen to us?
It's getting tighter.
They've been marching since morning.
You cannot see the end.
They'll have rolled by morning,
we have our order.
Aren't you dancing?
Sit down.
There's nothing to be envious about.
You don't stroke me like a cat
and I'm not a child any more.
- I'll remember.
- I hope somebody remembers about me.
They're illuminating us.
We're being tracked.
In the morning the planes will come.
But it's not until morning.
And now it is night.
Ewa, are you happy?
Of course.
Be glad.
Tomorrow it may be too late.
Why are you sad?
I knew you are here.
- You're drunk.
- No. I'm not.
Look. What a horse!
- I'm not an expert.
- Just open your eyes.
- I don't want to.
- My life may depend on her.
- You should like her.
- I don't want to share you with anybody.
You're only mine.
I also belong to the cavalry troop.
Let's go.
Time passes very slowly,
when you wait.
For death...
No. For you.
Look, there's a war...
and I got married in a veil.
You're beautiful.
Wait.
Jerzy!
Let us have this place, sergeant.
- What has happened?
- We have injured people in our room.
- We don't have anywhere to sleep.
- I see.
Laton!
Gather the people.
Cadet with his wife are there.
Good night, lieutenant.
Germans are approaching! Run away!
Here our map ends.
Soon Poland will come to an end.
Aren't you bored
by this excess of happiness?
Be patient.
Maybe you'll get both widows.
- It's not for you!
- Will you remember me?
- Witek, I want to talk to you.
- It's not the right moment.
Take care of Jurek.
You're in command after all.
If I only could, I'd tell you
to take him and protect him.
But as long as he's in the saddle,
he won't let his sabre go.
Take his horse away from him.
It brings bad luck.
I'd like to.
You're jealous of her.
You promissed it to me!
Halt!
What has happened, corporal?
Why are you fleeing?
Germans!
Germans...
- Jerzy!
- They're close.
Go this way with the troop.
I'll hold them here.
- Calm down. We'll go together
- I'm the one who gives orders.
We'll meet at the point 45.
Let's go then!
There's enough Germans for everybody.
We're staying here!
It's going to be hot here.
Boys!
I thought you were Krauts.
Germans, lieutenant!
You always run away
like bats out of hell.
- Did you bump into Krauts?
- They made a bloodbath on the road.
I saw 4 people being killed.
And the company commander...
He was a sturdy man like you...
And all that is left of him is... a leg.
- You managed to steal the hens.
- I hid in a henhouse.
Should I have left them for the Krauts?
They're good, fat.
They stink.
Smell them, they stink...
of cowardice.
We'll see, who'll prove a coward.
Hey, you... she shows no signs of it.
Should she have it written
on the forehead?
Jurek!
I'm going. Hold the horse.
Ewa... It's war, not an excursion.
So sit down beside me.
You're calling me like a baby.
They're going to laugh at me.
When I was a little girl,
I used to play house.
I organised parties for my dolls.
I'm inviting you to our place,
cadet.
Forget about the war,
uhlans, horses.
How important you are.
Walking, commanding...
I wanted to make a weapon inspection,
for discipline.
They'll think that without officers
they can do what they want.
It's from our wedding reception.
Will you remember
our happy moments?
Despite the war?
We'll come back here some day.
Damn. Planes, take cover!
Don't shoot!
Jerzy!
Jerzy!
They're flying with bombs.
You should be with the troop.
The cadet is still green.
We're here so they don't get
into trouble like the others did.
They're coming!
- Shall we fire at them?
- Don't even try!
Wait for my order!
Germans have surrounded us.
We're going back. This way.
Take the machine gun!
Lieutenant knows what he's doing.
It's easy to lose people,
and more difficult to lead them out.
It's all because of this old mare.
You meet such a pest
and it brings you bad luck.
Death itself rides her.
Shoot her...
and it's all over.
You must understand. It's not my fault.
Prepare to salute!
Fire!
We'll mark it like this.
Hold it.
Cadet...
Jerzy Grabowski... killed
on the day...
- We're setting off soon.
- We have 8 horses and Lotna.
Gather the people.
- Where's Lotna?
- In the barn. Scared like a child.
- What about the injured?
- We'll leave them.
- To Germans?
- And how will you take them?
- We're not going to our quarters.
- What will happen to them?
- People will take care of them.
- There's nobody here.
- Is it getting closer?
- If it gets quiet - they're coming.
- What about us?
- You're staying.
- People will help you. You'll live.
- But he's taking her with him.
One hasn't cooled yet,
another one's waiting.
- She's on heat, bitch.
- Quiet! You are uhlans!
Go! Don't wait!
You have your Lotna.
Thank you, uhlans.
You did your duty...
as soldiers very well.
For Our Country, lieutenant.
Whom shall we give it back to?
You'll give it back,
when the regiment forms anew.
It's our turn, lieutenant.
- You go first, Laton.
- Why?
I'll break through on Lotna.
- Are you up yet?
- What bread, boys!
It'll do you good.
I'd die for you... my boys.
My son has also gone to war.
Maybe somebody we'll help him too.
Boys!
Did you see
a lieutenant on a white horse?
No. Get lost.
- Where's the frontier?
- By the windmill.
Close. You'll even manage on foot.
Stop or I'll shoot!
Laton!
What have you done with the horse?!
Stay away from the horse or I'll shoot
you! You stole her from me!
I know it well!
You put it to death!
Stay away from the horse!
You wasted the horse
and now you want the widow!
Attention, sergeant!
Lieutenant...
Give it to me, sir. I'll do it.
Text: Adam Zdrodowski.