Lokis. Rekopis profesora Wittembacha (1970) - full transcript

Almighty God,

I put myself in Thy care
on this journey

which I've undertaken for
Thy glory and the good of man.

Guard me from all misery
and sickness.

From Satan and sinister spirits.

From the temptations
of the spirit and the flesh.

Grant me a safe return home.

Amen.

Film Polski Presents

LOKIS

Starring



Music by

Production Supervisor

Director of photography

Written for the screen
and directed by

The lady in the next compartment
kindly asks

if the priest would take
a cup of tea in her company?

I'm a pastor,
not a Catholic priest.

It's pastor in German
and priest in Polish.

But what the deuce is
the difference?

There is a difference,
but you're partly right.

Give my card to the lady,
thank her and say

I'll join her in 5 minutes.

Representative of the
Konigsberg Biblical Society

- Please, do come in.
- How do you do.



I'm Catherine, duchess of Pacow.

My niece Julia Dowgiello.

Miss Pamela Lemon,
Julia's governess.

Delighted to meet you,
my ladies.

Do sit down, Professor.

Thank you. it's rather
tedious to travel alone.

We had company as far
as Klaipeda,

but the sea was unkind to us.

You have a long journey
behind you.

We're coming back from London.

They served dreadful tea
on the boat.

It was a German boat.

We Germans have little
taste for tea.

Yet our coffee isn't good either.

- He's forgotten something.
- What?

The milk, my lady.

Russian tea is drunk
without milk, my dear.

You'll poison yourself.
Tea without milk is poison.

I'll take this poison. Look, Pam.

Do something, Sir.

I'm not an expert in poisons, but

this one seems harmless
to me.

That's one of the English
prejudices.

They asked me in London whether
We drink kumis in Lithuania.

And whether white bears
walk in the streets of Vilna.

The English think Vilna's
on the North Pole.

They always ask about
those white bears.

We're nearing the frontier.

Prepare passports
and luggage for the customs.

Thank you for your company,
my ladies.

We're getting off at Vilna.

How far are you going,
professor?

I intend to do some research
in Lithuania and Samogitia.

Come and see us in Vilna.
I receive on Thursdays.

You must come, Reverend.
You might meet a white bear.

I can see one already.

That'll restore your faith
in the common sense of your people.

What a shame I'm not a Gypsy.

You can't possibly mean it,
Julia.

The question is
- is this a Prussian,

Russian, Lithuanian or
a Polish bear?

It's cosmopolitan, like the Gypsies.

Over there is...

Azarelis.

- That's Where he lives.
- Who?

Strukis, Old Nick the bob-tailed.

I don't understand.

- Azarelis -the big swamp.
- Don't talk in riddles.

- I'm afraid to say it.
- Then don't talk at all.

This friend's a terribly
big pike without tail.

He pops out in a bob-tailed
German coat.

Why German?

Old Nick dresses in German way.
Like Pazurkiewicz.

And who's he?

Another devil.

An incubus, people say.

The worst kind.
Walks round the village.

Makes the peasants drive him
or comes in his own carriage.

Didn't I tell you?
He broke our wheel off.

We must hide there.

I'll go to the village
blacksmith.

You wait here father.

Sweet Jesus! The Evil one!

Wait, my good man!

The count has personally instructed
us on your rooms, Professor.

We hoped the horses'd reach
you before the nightfall.

The storm prevented them.

The Count is very sorry
he can't lunch with you.

He has a bad migraine.

You'll eat with Doctor Froeber
who attends the Countess.

Luncheon will be served at one.

If you wish anything,
ring for the footman.

Give us some starka.

As a doctor,
I highly recommend starka to you.

It's the queen of all drinks.
40 years old.

There's no better tonic
for the alimentary canal.

The most important of organs.

Your health!

Isn't it delicious?

Is the count frequently
indisposed?

It depends on how you look at it.

He's the picture of health
compared to his mother.

- Is the countess not well then?
- She's in a poor state.

But I'd cure her if I had my way.

What's her affliction?

I'd like to describe it
in the Petersburg's Medical Journal.

- Is it that serious?
- Well, I'm afraid it is...

She fell ill over 30 years ago.

A few days after her wedding,

she and her husband,
the father of our master,

went to a hunt.

Our Lithuanian ladies are
great horsewomen.

The countess refuses to eat.
She threw the soup on the floor.

Dammit!

The confounded shrew!

I'll finish her story
some other time.

Take a nap after lunch.

You must rest after a journey
through this savage country.

Anybody there?

What do you want?

A man was looking into
this room from a tree.

You must be mistaken, Sir.

I'm sure I'm not.
It may have been a thief.

That's impossible, Sir.

In that case it was a domestic.

Do you wish anything, Sir?

Shut the window.

I apologize for being unkind

to such a distinguished
visitor, Professor.

- I'm count Szemiot.
- On, good morning.

Thank you for your
wonderful hospitality.

Has your headache gone?

Yes... until the next attack.

Are you moderately comfortable
with us, 'barbarians'?

I'm perfectly happy here.

You recognized me?

Recognized?

You caught me frolicking
yesterday.

But my dear Count!

I was in my study all day
feeling poorly.

In the evening,
walking in the park,

I was seized by curiosity.

I should have said something,
introduced myself.

But the incongruous position!
Please, forgive me.

I can only envy you your zest,
Count.

Am I forgiven?

But of course!

Is it true that you have

Lawicki's Samogitian Catechism
in your library?

The Duchess of Pacow
mentioned it to me.

Let's go and have a look.

I don't know my father's
library too well.

But I do know that he
loved rare books.

I read almost nothing but
contemporary ones.

You intend to translate
the Bible into Samogitian?

But those who speak
Samogitian can't read.

You can't learn to read
without books.

When they get them, they'll want
to know what's in them.

It's happened
in many savage countries...

I'm not referring to Samogitia.

When the last person who
spoke Corinthian died...

it's so sad. Humboldt apparently
saw a parrot

which knew a few words of the
tongue of a tribe long since extinct.

Here are the rarest books.

Unbelievable!
Lawicki's Catechism!

The mysterious force of attraction.

Please consider this
library your study.

No one'll disturb you here.

I can't tell you how
grateful I am.

Who's there?

Good morning, Professor.

I didn't hear you come in.

I must have dozed off.

I had an awful night.
My fiendish patient kept me awake.

But I'll find a remedy.

The herbalist says
remarkable things.

I found a book I thought
didn't exist.

Congratulations.

I didn't finish
the countess's story.

This room is the right
place to do it.

The late count was the art
connoisseur.

He once invited here an
Italian painter.

The man, having heard so much
of the family tragedy,

did some drawings on it.

It all began with the hunt.

Here are the hunters riding off.

The countess lagged behind
or got ahead of them.

No one knew which.

Suddenly the count saw his wife's
groom galloping at all speed.

My Lord he cried,

a bear's carried off her
ladyship!

Where? asked the count.

Over there said the groom.

That's her horse,
but she's not in sight.

Finally one of the Woodmen
called: There! There!

Where?

Here.

- What did the bear want with her?
- Devour her.

Then one of the
rascally woodmen,

so drunk he couldn't tell
a rabbit from a stag,

fired both barrels

not giving a damn whether
he hit the beast or the lady.

And whom did he hit?

He got the bear.
You can't beat a drunk.

What then?

The countess was badly scratched.

She was unconscious but alive.

Yet when she came to, it was found
that she was out of her mind.

4 doctors were called in
for consultations.

They said the countess
was in the family way

and the change for the better
might come when the baby is born.

Nine months later she gave
birth to a healthy boy.

But there was no change
for the better.

Only increased insanity.

The count showed her the baby.

Kill him! Kill the beast!
cried the hapless woman.

And almost broke the
infant's neck.

She's been like that
ever since.

But these drawings are
rarely shown to visitors.

So don't give me away,
Professor.

I wish you success in
your studies.

Where do you get ice
at this time of year?

It's quite simple.

At the close of the winter

half of the lake ice
is stored away in the cellar.

There are deep cellars
in this palace.

With many a mystery
hidden in them.

Isn't it so, count?

Maybe.

Now we're going to have
quite a show.

Ivan, the hen!

No bid.

I'll say the whist
and you follow suit.

- Where shall I put it, my Lord?
- Over there.

- Won't it break away?
- No, my lord.

What kind of bird is this?

A hawk.

Accipiter gentilis.

We're waiting, Professor.

Attention!

He's descending!

Take this fellow to the
usual place.

Thank you for the game.

I'll see you at lunch.
I'm going to have a bath.

I'm glad the count had a good
hunt today. it'll ease his mind.

I thought the hawk got away.

The lust for murder
is stronger than fear.

Here's the count's
curio collection.

He used to call it his
meditation sanctuary.

Now this sanctuary is
somewhat neglected, as you see.

How do you like this
quail family?

The count caught
and stuffed them himself.

When he was only 10.

Got it! At last!

What's this?

An osprey caught by our
fishermen.

The plunderer overestimated
its strength.

And was drowned by its victim.

When claws fasten on a thing,

reason has no say in the matter.

I think for this fish the time

when it carried a corpse
on its back

was the happiest of all times.

It was the terror of the lake.

You mentioned a Samogitian
ballad, professor.

I got it in Vilna.
It seems rather important.

Would you like to hear it?

Willingly, if you allow
me to smoke.

But of course.

I understand poetry only
when I smoke.

It's called The Switez Maid...

She's a folk-tale character.

Who is this fair youth wonder
With the young maid at his side?

Who by the blue waters wander
Of Lake Switez at moon-tide?

She gives him red sweet berries
He gives her flowers to braid.

She must be the love of
this youngster

He must be the love of this maid.

So you know it?

Who gave you this
Samogitian ballad?

A young lady I met in the
company of the duchess of Pacow.

Miss Dowgiello?

Wild, Wild Julia.

She passed on to you one of
Mickiewicz's lovely ballads.

And I meant to publish it as
a Samogitian original.

So you met Julia.
What do you think of her?

She's very sweet.

And very beautiful.

Particularly her skin.
it's so remarkably white.

Yes. As white as snow.

And as cold.

Get her out now.

Wait, Professor.

You'd like to watch, eh?

Don't be shy, she pays no
attention to strangers.

No.

I'd hate to be in your way.

I don't expect hydropathy
to help in this affliction.

But the experiment may serve
medical science.

A curious thing how these
women like the treatment.

They probably see it as
a magic rite.

Silver fish,

who will catch thee?

Golden bird,

who will shoot thee?

That's quite an idea.

What do you think of euthanasia,
reverend?

I'll have to dip her
once more.

Hold her!

Here are the bitches from
Zorany, my lord.

- You know anything about dogs?
- Very little I'm afraid.

They'll do.
Take care of them.

You noticed the terror
of the dogs?

Why are animals so terrified
of me?

I suppose they sense that
you like them

only for being useful to you.

Indeed,
I've no love for animals.

They're no better than people.

What an unusual tree.

People were sacrificed here.

All religions are suspected
of this.

I doubt if it can be proved.

I shouldn't doubt it if
I were you.

Witches and seers used to
perform their rites here.

Kind lords,

for the love of God,

by all you hold sacred,

take pity on me!

- Who's this?
- You'll see in a moment.

Throw me a penny
for a drop of vodka.

To warm my poor body with.

- What are you doing here?
- You can't want to eat this.

My good Lord,

poor people eat everything
God gives them.

Lithuanian stomachs are
lined with iron.

Don't touch it.

Better don't touch it.

Here's sample of local colour.
A witch charming a snake.

She could tell you fortune.

I'll tell you if you'll get
anything at the Dowgiellos.

You know me, witch.

God forbid. He knows you.

He says that the white dove
is not for you.

Can you use a gun in need?

We have wolves and bears here.

You're either a lucky man
or this hag's a real witch.

You're going to see
a unique thing.

What's this?

Lithuanian bisons. Aurochses.

So this noble beast still
exists in Europe?

They went off to the
blackwoods.

The king of the beasts
must be dead.

They'll be choosing a new one.

It's you who'll be their king.

You're big and strong.

- You have claws and fangs.
- Go away, you cattle!

- You'll be their master.
- Away, or I'll kill you!

Farewell, king of the beasts!

It's a swamp.

There are more things in
Lithuanian forests than

are dreamt of in your philosophy.

Here you are!

I'm so glad you came at
the right time.

I got a new gown from Paris.

It's not for me, she'll dress up.

Welcome.

Professor Wittenbach
- Madame Dowgiello.

Professor has come to complain
about Miss Julia.

She played a trick on him.

Well, she's still a child,
Professor.

You should forgive her.
She confessed everything.

Isn't it beautiful?

Julia, Julia...
Professor's complaining about you.

Oh, no. You gave me the
opportunity

of getting to know a lovely
ballad by your bard.

- Am I forgiven then?
- Not yet.

You will be when you keep the
promise you made to me in Vilna.

Have you forgotten?
Do you remember it miss Lemon?

I'll never remember the
name of that dance.

The Mermaid...

I even have the right partner.

I hope Julia'll make good
of the of fence now.

You must dance for
the good of ethnography.

Choreography, child.

The professor's no
choreographer, mother.

He's interested
in primitive folklore.

We'll dance it as peasants do.

I'm a mermaid, a water nymph.

Lithuanian swamps are
swarming with them.

You mustn't come near me.

I suppose I can play it,
though the music's barbarous.

Here We go.

The mermaid emerges
from the lake,

she comes to the fisherman,

and begins to lure him.

He's young and stupid,

so he's easily seduced.

You seized me like a bear.

I am sorry.

Then by boat to Uruguay.

That's very far.

What made you go so far?

I studied the native language.

- It must have been dangerous.
- Tiresome, I should say.

We lost our way once and went
without food for a week.

I had to do what the gauchos did.

I opened a vein of my horse
and drank his blood.

- How did you like it, professor?
- It was morally hideous.

But thanks to it I've the honor
to be present here.

Did it taste like claret?

No. Blood's sweeter.

Where do you open
a horse's vein?

- Behind the ears I think.
- I don't understand.

The count's speaking of
horse blood.

Yes, behind the ears.

The ladies are waiting.

Good night, my lords.

Our civilization's a Spartan
one as you see.

In Uruguay I had to sleep
on the ground.

Yes, they're more savage
over there.

What do you think of Julia?
Was your first impression right?

She's charming.

But isn't she too much
of a coquette?

Do you think she really likes
that young lieutenant?

The aid-the-camp?
How should I know?

He's no good.
Women like his sort.

I beg to differ.

Shall I tell you what I think?

Julia cares more for the
favors of count Szemiot

than for all the Army officers.

I mustn't go to sleep
with arms close at hand.

It happened to me once

that I fired a gun when
I was asleep.

And nearly killed my
bed-fellow.

Would you mind keeping
the key until morning?

Time to sleep.

Good night.

Perhaps he's sick.

He talked and moaned
in his sleep.

Maybe he's a somnambulist.

He can be dangerous when
sleep-walking.

It may be hereditary.
His mother...

But the count's in his
right mind. So educated.

That's as it may be,
but he's peculiar sometimes.

He often stays in his room
for days.

Or roams the country at night.

Reads some impossible books
on metaphysics, physiology...

God knows what.
A waste of time.

You know what he really needs?
I'll show you in a minute.

Make no noise.

See yourself.

Nice, huh?

Shame on you!

Aren't they lovely?

Like princesses when they
are naked.

Don't run away!

Don't frown so, reverend!

They didn't see who scared
them off.

I repeat what I said
about our invalid.

Our Hercules needs a Hebe.

Believe me, each of these girls

would be proud if she could
entertain her master.

Only look at him!

No mistress,

doesn't get married.

That's wrong.

I'm going to give him
some releasing remedy.

You should have seen me
at his age!

I consider your gross
materialism highly disgusting.

Your prying was a disgrace.

Though you may be right from
the medical point of view.

I wish count Szemiot found
a bride worthy of his merits.

Let's not talk about
it anymore.

Who's that?

- The count.
- He'll topple over.

He's going to jump.
Mad as a hatter.

Do you like our historic
treasure?

You frightened me.

I was afraid you'd fall down.

I was looking at a countryside.
I saw you wading.

Did you count the steps?
113 of them.

How do you explain man's dual,
two-sided nature, professor?

What do you mean?

Aren't you seized by a desire to
jump mixed with a sense of fear?

It's a purely physical reaction.
Exhaustion after climbing up.

Caused by the blood
mounting to your head.

Let's not talk about blood.

Suppose you have loaded gun
in your hand.

Suddenly you want to kill
your friend.

Murder horrifies you.

Yet it haunts your thoughts.

If all your thoughts were
written down,

the mildest of judges

would send us to prison
or to an asylum.

I never thought of killing
anyone.

But should such a thought
occur to me,

- my reason ought to discard it.
- That would demand consideration.

Which means time and cold blood.
Do We always possess both?

Hey, owls,

eagle-owls, ravens!

We too shall know no mercy!

First we'll tear the food away.

And when the food is gone,

we'll tear the flesh away!

Until the bare bones gleam.

The chorus of birds speaks
these lines.

Yes, I know.

What does the title
Forefathers mean?

It's a name of the
commemorative rite

in remembrance of our forefathers,
our dead ancestors.

It's probably a heathen
tradition.

- You want to produce this drama?
- Yes.

To try at least.

Though my late father...

...considered it untheatrical.

Is anything wrong?

Where are the servants?

Excuse me.

What's happened?

The doctor's angry.

He says the music's disturbing.

My father wasn't fond of
the theatre.

It was my grandfather
who built this stage.

This room used to be
a ball-room.

You see... I intended...

I told you not to play ever.

Give it to me, I say.

Go to your room.
Lie down.

I'm so sorry professor.

Last night's
gale unsettled us all.

Shall We smoke?

I regret that I acted
on the spur of the moment

and went to the Dowgiellos.
All's finished now.

I'll never see her again.

You think I'm in love with her,
don't you?

The fool of a doctor thinks that.
No,

I never loved her.

She amused me.

I loved looking at her
white skin.

I wish to thank you for
your hospitality.

But I must leave tomorrow.
I'll explore the country a bit.

Then go back to Konigsberg.

Were We of any use to you?

Let me assure you...

But you know better.

Lo, and behold!
Lo, dog's tongue!

Our fiddler's been killed
by cats.

His hands and feet,
his heart and head,

they're under the table buried.

Never look through a crack,
the devil's behind it.

- Is this a proverb?
- Yes, an old one.

I must write it down.

What was that other saying?

Bear and Lokis are the
same thing.

What precisely does Lokis mean?

The same thing as bear.

Some call them Lokis.

Others call them Bear.

When they speak of madmen.

That's an old dance, too.

A letter from the count.

We looked for you in 3 villages.
The carriage is waiting.

So...

...it has come to be.

I was right.

We'll have two weddings.
A catholic one after the Advent.

You'll marry them now in
the protestant way.

In the palace chapel.

Our bridegroom seems to
be in a hurry.

There'll be supper only
for the family.

Then a sumptuous wedding
at Christmas!

Shoot him! Shoot him!

Kill him! Kill!

He's carrying off a lady.

Kill the beast!

My dear friends,

I bind you now in holy
wedlock before God.

You're entering a new life.

A life no longer filled with
the joys and amusement of youth,

but with serious duties
and experiences.

May God, the lord of
all Creation

have you in His care.

On this great day I've
decided to call an amnesty.

Danilka, open the cage.

I'm setting my prisoners free.

Oh, my God!

May the palsy strike you!
May worms eat you alive!

You haven't seen the last of me,
you wild beast!

That's gratitude for you.

I'll drown that maid.

She let the countess
sneak out on the balcony.

It's ruined everyone's humor.

Was that the reason?

I thought it was the face
slapping. Why?

It's customary here.
A legal trick, you know.

An excuse for a possible
divorce.

- Disgusting!
- Dear friends,

my dear countess,
now a married matron.

Allow us for the last time
to treat you as a child

and offer you this toy.
Straight form Petersburg.

Oh, what a sweet teddy bear!

Its neck's broken.

Don't be sad, darling.
I'll buy you another one.

- Who's there?
- it's me.

Oh, it's you...

Come in then.

You can't sleep either?

It's an uncanny night.

Have you noticed how
still it is?

The wind has subsided.

Wle have the first snow.

A still wedding night.

Let's play cards.

The countess must be restless.

We've tied her down to her bed.

- Well, I'm waiting.
- Oh, God!

- What is it?
- Something fell down.

You're seeing things.

Let's get some sleep.

Good night.

Excuse me gentlemen.

Let's go. Apparently something
happened upstairs.

Open up, count!

- Is there no other way out?
- There isn't. Count!

Has something happened?

I saw from the park that
the window's open.

Wle must force the door.

Open the door, count!

Julia, darling, say something!

Open up, count!

- Julia, open up.
- Open up!

What's going on?
What happened? Julia!

Over here!

What happened?
Let me pass!

A basin of water and bandages!

And my surgery kit!

No blade inflicted this wound.

Teeth did!

You're a strange man,
reverend.

One might think you're
sorry to leave this place.

Who knows, maybe...

I'm happy I'm going to see
normal life again.

Cities, traffic, gas light.

I've no idea why I stayed so
long in this wilderness.

You know,

this pack of fools probably
really believe

that the count turned into
a bear,

bit his wife and ran off
to the woods.

I may have sounded too
gruesome about that wound.

While he probably bit her
in the heat of love.

She fainted,
he took fright and ran away.

He'll be back in a week.

He must be sitting tight
somewhere. Unless...

Unless what?

Unless he too believes he's
changed into a bear.

Then it'll be his mother's
lot - insanity.

I foresaw that too.

You were aware of his state,
and yet, you didn't help him.

On the contrary,
you drew him towards madness.

I observed it and asked myself:
why does he do it?

I was bored stiff in this
wilderness.

You're a rascal.

And you're a coward and hypocrite.
Did you help him?

You're a clergyman.
Did you comfort him?

True,
their suffering amused me.

Because I despised them,
like everything else. Myself included.

The world's a dunghill to me.

But why do you despise them
and consider yourself superior?

Eternal rest give unto them,
oh Lord!