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Yankee (1966)
It's a
pretty low price. Nothing's for free. That's my motto. - Mine, too. Nothing's for free. - Never share. - That's my second motto. - And mine, too. Never share. Can none of you two gentlemen content himself with our gratitude? Particularly with mine. There's a saying: When in doubt, let fate decide. - You want to give it a try? - The loser takes the money. Reward yourself with the woman. And you with the bounty. Adios! - That's mine! - No, we share! Share! As if. To the river! Where are you going, Yankee? Don't cross the river. It's the land of the Great Concho. Well, Perro. Are we roaming around again? Why? We're on the way to the Great Concho. Your compass must be broken, muchachos. This ain't the way to the Concho. - This is the way to the border. - I know, Luiz. But it's not wise to go to the Concho on the direct way. Look. That's all we got. The "Cheap John" has the bulk of the loot, and he scrammed across the border. - Did I give you a clear account? - Yes, yes. And that's all you have to account for? Or is there something else you have to account for? What do you mean? That's all I got, Luiz. You didn't think we'd abandon the gang after the coup, did you? No. We ain't no dirty traitors. - Who said you were? - You know what the Great Concho said? "If Perro doesn't fancy us anymore, he can just go." But the Concho has one condition. - Just a tiny one. - What... condition is that, Luiz? That you make him your heir. Your sole heir. Let's go, boys! Where are you from? From far away? What's with this masquerade? I don't find it amusing. I assure you, there's not much to laugh about here, stranger. Whoever takes on the Great Concho, ends up this way. Excuse my ignorance, my dear friend. I'm just traveling through. Your Concho must be very powerful when you always refer to him as "great". I never met a stranger who was stranger than you are. How can you not know who the Great Concho is? Everything you see belongs to him, just like his shirt and his sombrero. If his shirt and his sombrero resemble this village here... ... then he's no example of elegance. - Your impression might deceive you. It might not be a pretty village, but it's in the middle of the border area. Everything that goes in or out passes through here, understand? If I got that right, the village is poor and the Concho is rich. - I like rich people. - Yankee... Watch your tongue. You see them? They were traveling through, as well. And instead of finding their way out, they found death. Tell me, what did they do to make it up that far? They were seven and tried to fool around with the Concho. They raided the post waggon, and then... ...they passed through here. Here, of all places, understand? Morons. I told you: This village is just like a sieve. When you got dollars in your pocket, you won't get through here. I warned you. Even if that's not in my interest, since I'm also the gravedigger. You said there were seven who did the raid. - There are only three. What about the others? - They won't go very far. They managed to get away with the loot. But the Concho will get them. - Where are you going? - To the sheriff. - Sheriff! - Sheriff! Get out, you snail! Take a look, sheriff. We caught three more. I brought you this one. Two more are at the river. That makes six. Cheap John scrammed. But he won't get far, even though he has the gold. Poor bastard. - Right, Pedro? - Right, he won't get far. Pay good attention, sheriff. His head is worth 3,000 dollars. If the law is too dumb to pay that, it belongs to the Concho. The Great Concho knows no financial losses. When he doesn't need his men anymore, he sells them used. The law suggests, the Concho strikes. And he collects from the living and the dead. Seor! Seor! My husband was with Perro! - Where is he? - Your husband feels better than you do. - He's cooling off at the river. - No! What shall I do now? Do it like the others. Console yourself. Or let the Concho console you. Get lost! No! No, no! No! - No! - Get up, muchacha! You'll feel better after a good ride. Let's go! Let's go! No! Forgive me for ruining your lasso, seor. But this is my horse, I know it all too well. It's very tired and it doesn't want to ride. Tastes differ, Yankee. Your horse doesn't like to ride and we don't like you. Buzz off. New faces usually aren't really welcome in these parts. There are faces and then there are faces. Maybe mine makes the cut. Sure. Might do. At a place far away, though. Listen to me, my friend. Take your face and carry it away. And when you're traveling through the country, try to hold your breath. Even the air belongs to the Concho. And he doesn't like people to avail themselves of it. Then I'll try to keep breathing to a minimum. Move, or you're risking to breathe for the very last time. Let's go! One-Eye, bring me a beer into the office. Your gallery, sheriff, is not up to date. Someone already cashed in on that one, for example. And what does that have to do with you? What do you want? I'm here on business. This place seems to be ideal for my business dealings. Talk straight. What kind of business dealings? Safe business dealings. In the nature of these here. Don't be upset, sheriff. I just want to make business with the Great Concho. And you could tell him about that. I'd like to have him as my business partner. Individually, they're not worth much, but when you catch them all at once... You profit from the quantity. Come on, tell the Concho. You know what I'm doing right now, Yankee? I'm riding myself into the shit, like you. If they find out that I dress your hair, they'll waste me. Guaranteed. Can't you shave yourself, Yankee? I never do things others can do for me. What about this razor, Consalvo? Does it cut well? It has a big blade, seor. You need a steady hand. Real steady... Would you mind if I prefer Consalvo's hand? Do you remember the lasso that was used to drag the woman? You cut it with a single shot. Pretty much like this... A throat ain't no rope, seor. A rope can be knotted together or be replaced. There's no replacement for a throat, though. Why not? You know what? I've seen lots of knots and lots of throats in my life. Come on! Get off the chair, Yankee! The Great Concho wishes to see you. I thought so. That's exactly why I came here, to refresh myself. A waste of effort. No matter if clean or dirty you'll always be a filthy Yankee. Move! Yankee! What about my money? That's not for the beard, but for the fun. Soon you'll get your fun for free. Let's say another 100, Carlos? Well, Carlos? I'm in if you bet it on the American. Even double. For each dog that dies, there's a laughing cat. Perro's death will bring us luck. - Goods are on their way! - Heavy goods? - Well, I can't see that. - Take a good look. The goods I want should be heavy: Gold. I sent two men to the bank of Los Alamos... ...to make the cashier talk. He's supposed to tell us when the gold coach arrives. - Will he tell us? - The cards say nothing about cashiers. - Only that goods are on their way. - Must be the gold from the post waggon. - That can't be seen. - Don't they say a thing about Cheap John? Will we find him? Take a good look! Come on, grill them some more, those damn cards! Oh no, now you cursed them. They won't say anything anymore. Damnit! I brought you the Yankee. And they don't tell me to keep my back clear, these cards? - What's gotten into you? - Go away! These are all portraits of you, seor? Pretty. It's a shame, though... ...that something's missing. - What the hell is missing, you think? - The numbers. What numbers? Spit it out. Well, all the portraits of your men have numbers on them. I saw that in the sheriff's office this morning. Ugly mugs. But nice numbers. Who the hell did you bring me there, Luiz? Someone who looks for portraits to sell frames? And you, what kind of hostess are you? Leaves the guest standing around like a horse. Come on! Is a stool okay? Do you want a cigar? Fine stuff from smugglers. No, thanks. You don't smoke? Is your throat burning? Then you have to wet it. A whiskey for the gentleman, quick! More whiskey! For you. Good manners. But real bad goblets. I'll give you a whole set if we're going to do business together. We still need a jester on our court. You always said that, Philosopher. What kind of business are you talking about? A killer business if you ask me. I only arrived this morning, but already saw two interesting things: Your minister for burial affairs sending Mr. Perro straight to hell. And then, when I was at the sheriff's, I had a look at the famous family portraits. Those with the numbers. And that got me an idea. - What goddamned idea is that? - A damn good idea, I think. Founding a company together with you, for selling heads. Heads? Of stone-cold characters. Of those. To make this clear: They're not worth much, but the numbers on the portraits are good. Excellent idea, Yankee. And is there also a bounty on your head? I'm not yet on the market, seor. That's a shame. The company should be built on equal shares. A skin for a skin. What capital are you bringing in? I'm bringing the business concept. He's someone who should cry, but he makes us laugh instead. I told you we found a jester. That's enough! The Concho founds no company. With nobody. The Concho has only one partner: Himself. Me! Myself. A good partner. One who sees with his own eyes, and hears with his own ears. And who keeps his back clear all by himself. The Concho has only one partner: The Great Concho. Don't you think you're too great for a single pair of shorts? And you? Can't you see you're way too small for me? Maybe as a partner, but as an enemy, I might grow. Not against me. A jester will always be a fool. And if I'm not amused anymore, I'll let my men have some fun. You treated me as a frame seller, a fur trader, and a jester. While actually I'm a safe. Hombre, talk straight. Speak out. Like I said, a safe. Very secure and full of money. What money are you talking about? Money I earned myself. It's not here, but in a safe place. - Where is that place? - In the old mine. The money from the post waggon. You searched it in vain. I already found Cheap John... ...and became his heir. But if you found the company, I'll give you the money from the train... ...as a bailment. I don't like you, nightingale. You can't impress me with your drivel. Go to the mine. My men will go with you. If the money is there, good, if not, you're dead. Gold Tooth! Take four smart boys and accompany the Yankee. Gold Tooth... If the gold isn't there, sound him out. If he screws you, I'll screw you. Does the nightingale fancy this game? I might not be a nightingale, but I do like the game. Good, I like it, too, but I only play to win. Then you can only play with folks who have no luck. And I'm always lucky, also in game. Not as lucky as I am, frame seller. Okay. Goodbye. There are only two options, and only two. You will either meet me again, or you'll meet the devil. Won't make a difference, seor. The devil has horns, too, and they can break. Let's go, boys! On your horses! We're there. This is it. In there. You others come from the back. I'll be waiting here for you, Yankee. Let's hurry! And don't you forget, Yankee: If you don't come out with the gold, I'll come up with some lead. Okay. - The gold should be here. - Where? Stop there, Yankee! It's here! Tough luck, Yankee! Bastard. Get up! Go back to the Concho. And tell him that the Yankee makes the deal himself. All your heads have their value. I'll sell them all. Tell him that! And also tell him that his head will be last. Consalvo! The Yankee is here. Consalvo! Get the cart out. - The luxurious one. - And I prayed for your soul... Go now and get the horses ready. - Luiz! Let's go. - Go, boys, quick. Angelo, Tattoo, let's go! If someone is surrounded by fire, there's two options. Only two: He either burns or goes insane. The weapons we're getting are far more valuable than words. I also have a motto. This one: Burn if you don't want to be burned. You like it, Philosopher? - What about the Yankee? Spit it out! - He said... ...that he'll sell our heads. All of them. One after another. Yours will be last... He wants you to know that. I know what I have to do. I know that the Yankee is a fool who puts his life at stake. Damn bastard! You stole my joy to kill you... ...by letting the bastard run off. Luiz! You stay and keep your eyes open! We'll take care of the weapons. - Let's go, boys! - Let's go! Come on! There'll still be time to play with the Yankee, that fool, when we come back. - Why did you come, grave defiler? - Because of the dead. - I was told there were some here. - Who told you that, grave shoveller? Who? - The Yankee. - Where did you see him? - At the tavern. - On the horse, Portuguese! And you, what are you doing here? Where did you crawl out from? Why the hell did you come here, Yankee? I don't want to get involved in your affairs. I don't want any trouble, understand? Yankee, I'm talking to you! I have nothing to do with it! I don't know you, I never knew you and I don't want to know you! I don't want to see you, I never saw you, got it? Let's go! Ruano, take the reins! You! To the other coach! Quick! Where's the Yankee? I don't know anything, seor. Absolutely nothing. The man you're looking for wasn't here. Why are you snooping around here, huh? The American gentleman said that he's waiting for you. Where is he waiting for me? Spit it out, cockroach! - At his new house, seor. - What new house? - The one of the Great Concho. - The house of the Great Concho? Who's there? You laid cards for the Concho. For me... ...you'll read my hand. Luiz! Luiz! Where the hell is he? Rosita! Luiz! Damnit! Rosita! Where are they? Where is Rosita? - Talk! - I don't know. - Talk! - I was asleep. Concho, I went to the village. The Yankee was there and I wanted to get him. How could I have known? Men! I want a bounty on this bastard. Painter, draw his warrant of apprehension. I want to see it on all the walls of the country. I'll crush you, Yankee! I wouldn't be myself if I wouldn't want to crush you. That's...! That's...! That's how the game ends! Yankee, you lousy bastard. I want to feel you under my whip. I want to make myself 100 portraits with the shreds of your skin. Bleed! And die! We're there. You like the place? You don't seem too happy. I'm sorry, but you'll have to do without my company for a while. Come on! No, what are you doing? Let me go! I don't want to. - Where are you taking me? - An abandoned village. - I couldn't find anything better. - Dirty liar! Let me go! You disgusting racketeer! What are you doing? Why are you tying me up? I'm sorry, it's a line for a horse. I couldn't find one made of silk. - Hold still. Stop screaming! - No, let go of me! - I'll be back soon. - I want to go! The Concho will make you pay! You'll have to pay for this, you coward! You gutless pig! You dirty Yankee! Tattoo! Powder! Dear Lord! Luiz! Fire! Burn down all the houses! Every one with my warrant on it! Burn them all! Burn them! Burn everything down! Fire! I want them to remember me. Even without my portrait! Forever! Fire! Come on, hombres! Fire, muchachos! Philosopher, you see that? Burn, if you don't want to be burned! I'm always on the fire's side. Luiz! Luiz! Come on! Take this horde of dogs to the front of the church. Let's go! Hombres! To the front of the church! All outside! Come on, quick, people! Greetings, sheriff. Go and join the others. Go! Sheriff! Come here. Tonight, a disgusting Yankee broke into my home. He took my woman. Understand? My woman! Is this your way of protecting righteous citizens? Is this your way of earning your money? Huh? Pedro, I make you sheriff. Take the star. I want to see that Yankee bastard in chains before sundown. Find him! Or you will rue the day you were born. All of you! Luiz! Tattoo! Put the face of that Yankee on every wall. And remember: If he doesn't pay, you will! Now it's your turn, Indio. How long do you think you can endure this? If you get tired, you'll be the executioner of your own wife. Talk! I'll provide every one of you with a different death. As long as this dog won't show up. I don't know anything, seor. Absolutely nothing, I swear. - Which bell ist that? - That's the one from the abandoned village. Then that's the Yankee. On your horses, hombres! Let's not keep him waiting. On your horses! Go, come on! Are you afraid, Great Concho? I thought you're so brave. You proved that tonight. It really takes guts to burn down houses of women and old folks. You can distinguish yourself a lot more here. Here are no women, old people or children. Nobody's here, Great Concho. Or are you afraid of the light? This is your shadow. - Damn Yankee! - Stop! He'll lead us in his direction. With his voice. Take a step forward, Huge Concho. You do know this place real well. The houses still bear traces of your heroic deeds. Or are you scared by the bodies of your victims? What are you doing, Portuguese? Are you killing the wind? - He's there! - Let's get him! - Hold it. - Don't waste any lead, Angel Face. If I were you, I'd guard it better than gold. Angel Face! Even angels sometimes need a good advice. Concho! It's not too bad around here. It's a restful place. Would you like to stay here forever? You and your whole family? Sleeping until Judgment Day? We'll put you to sleep, you American vulture. We're experts on that field, and you know it! Why aren't you answering? Has your tongue already rotted away? Yankee! Open your dirty mouth! Pedro! Go! - Now go! - Where are you going, Pedro? Congratulations, Pedro. They put the star of justice on your chest. A glamorous career. It's just a shame that it'll be so short. Very short, Pedro. I don't like you as a sheriff! Pedro! Take good care of your shoulders! I said the shoulders. Don't you even know where your shoulders are? Pedro! Great Concho! I'm here! Quick! Surround the church! He can only be here. Search everything. Great Concho, quick! Look! Come on, Concho. Why do you keep your woman waiting? You think I came here because of her? - You dying nightingale! - Why else? Because of me? What's a nightingale worth, compared to a lion? Come on, go and get your woman! It's a risk, but risks are part of the game. - Or don't you want to play anymore? - You know I want to, Yankee! But only if the stakes are high! And you are my stake now! Come on, you two, go ahead. That was the wrong move, Great Concho! So, aren't you going to pick your flower? What are you waiting for? For her to wither away? You can get her now! I don't need her anymore! Hurry up, Concho! You know that I'm here for business. And I have no time to lose. Me neither. Me neither, Yankee. Have your knees turned to jelly, muchachos? Are you performing a little scaredy-pants dance, Tattoo? You'll never get to your mistress like that! But I got to you, you pile of shit! Your stench lead me here. Your mucking around with us has an end now. Throw the rifle away! The gun, too. Move! You see? The last move was mine. Grab him! The game is over, nightingale. The loser pays! And there is no chance to get even. - A king-size bite for the Queen. - Bravo! The smell of roasted meat turns me on. You should have been in the village last night. That was one hell of a barbecue, guys! Concho, what's wrong? The Great Concho is in a bad mood. We should amuse ourselves, muchachos! Come on, Concho. Boys, can't you see that the Concho isn't eating? Meat for the Concho! And what about raw flesh? What kind of effect does raw flesh have on you, Rosita? The Yankee's lips, for example. How did the Yankee kiss you? - We want to see it! - No! - Move! - What the hell! Why are you doing this? We know that you're a good kisser. What's your problem with me? It's not my fault! Let me go, I said! I don't want to! I don't want to! Let me go! - Show us how you did it! Now! - No! Kiss him! Philosopher! If the fire surrounds you, there are two options. And only two. You either burn or you go insane. You said that, Philosopher, remember? But I want to see deeds follow the words. Cigar! Take him down. Down, on the ground! Gunpowder! Yankee! You are a great player, aren't you? Have you ever played with fire? It's a very nice game, believe me. It warms the blood. And I have the pot. Yankee! A special treat from Tattoo. Concho! They're coming back, the ones you sent to Los Alamos... ... to loosen the tongue of the cashier. - Finally, those snails. Get this one out of my sight! Careful! He mustn't die yet. Get him out! Concho, the bank's waggon left Los Alamos. - When? - This morning, but... But what? Spit it out! But it was empty. It was a sham. No gold. Damn! What do you want from me? I'm just a simple employee. I don't give a damn about what you are. I want the gold! Where is the gold? Where? It will be transported on rafts, seor. On the river. Hombres! I can tell you that we'll be the richest men in all of New Mexico by tomorrow! - Long live the Concho! - Long live the Concho! - How's the Yankee doing? - How should I know? He's over there. Is he still alive? He's not doing too well, but he's alive, muchachos! And we're dead tired. You came to propose a business concept to the Concho. To cash in on our heads. Were you serious about that? Because I'd be in. Two equal shares: One half for me... ...and the other half for you. Tattoo! A special gift from the Yankee. Portuguese! Philosopher! The Yankee took off! Stop! Freeze, you bastard! Hombres! We caught the American. Come on! Great Concho! The game isn't over yet! Come on, quick! On the coach. And no protest. Come on, you sluts. Forward! Check for others. And don't waste time! A shave, please. Seor, seor! This portrait was hung up by the Concho. You be quiet. I don't need any more trouble. What's up? Are you afraid to die? Your hand is shaking. - Easy on my skin. - Alright, seor. I saw it with my own eyes. I swear! - Spit it out! - He went to Consalvo, I swear! It's either this Indio or the Yankee who's crazy. It's better to check it out. Go. Take a look. Luiz was right. The Indio is crazy. The sombrero, seor. Good luck. Adios, Yankee! The Great Concho is waiting for us at the river! Forward! Forward! Get down the coach and push! Move! Push! Goodbye! To the rafts, hombres! Let's go! Bring them ashore. Careful! Put them there. Hombres! Put the cases on the coach. You were right, Great Concho. We're the richest men in all of New Mexico. Let's go. If someone is surrounded by fire, there are two options. And only two: He either burns or goes insane. Right, Philosopher? You betrayed us, Luiz. You disgusting worm! Stop there! Stop right there, Yankee! Drop the gun! You, too, Great Concho. Drop the gun. Your game is over. Now I'm playing. The gold belongs to the one with the weapon. You said that a hundred times, Concho, remember? A bad day for nightingales. Right, Yankee? - Bad day for lions, too. - Exactly. But I'm the one with a few bullets left. In here. While all you have is a single, measly bullet in your gun. Just a single one. A single bullet is more than enough for someone who knows how to use it. But games with the life at stake don't take that long. And a living player is still a player. A dead player is nothing more than carrion. Better an interrupted game than a lost match. Apart from that, one plays for fun, not to win. That's a guideline that might be enough for somebody else, but not for me. I told you. I'm a player who never leaves the game on halftime. Only an amateur panics. I have control over my nerves. I'm one of those who never leave anything on the table when they win. You gambled your head away, Yankee. I won it. And I'll take it. You can have it. But isn't it too easy that way? That way you won't have the fun you were hoping for. You'll have to do without the game with the fire, for example. I could think up another game. Bounce-ball. That's an exciting game, you know. And I have the bank. The game is over. And the bank has been broken. By rule of thumb, this gold might console me over the bounties. If it's not quite enough, I just paid something extra. Every game has its price. The best ones are damn short and fast. I'll leave the vultures to you. You lost some customers as a barber, but you gained some as a gravedigger. Tear the warrants with the numbers from the walls... ...and give them to the devil. He's the only one who still needs them. - Adios! - Adios. Adios, Yankee. Good luck! |
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