The Naked Jungle (1954) - full transcript

( wild tribal theme playing )

( calm, mysterious theme
playing )

( cawing )

That's a Siji bird.

Kind of rare.

You usually don't see them
this far down the river.

Something
must have scared it.

Us, perhaps.

No, they are used
to my boat.

Although the jungle
doesn't often see

someone as pretty as you.



Are you flirting with me,
captain?

( laughs )

Wouldn't dare,
Mrs. Leiningen.

Very tough man,
your husband.

I haven't had a chance
to ask you before,

but how well do you know
Mr. Leiningen?

I brought him up river
on this same boat,

about 15 years ago.

1886. July '86.

What kind of man
is he?

I beg your pardon?

What is
Mr. Leiningen like?

I thought you were his wife,
Mrs. Leiningen.

I am.
But I've never seen him.



You've never seen
your husband?

I know it's not polite
to ask questions, and I won't.

So I better get back
to my work before
I can't stand it.

The captain's confused.

I've been asking questions
about my husband

and now it's your turn.

We're getting close
to your husband's land.

It begins just beyond
that next bend.

I'd better start getting
my things together.

Oh, there's no hurry.

We won't reach his dock
until tomorrow.

Is it that large?

There's more to it
than size.

This is another world,
Mrs. Leiningen.

Beyond that next bend,

your husband has more power
than a king.

( animals calling )

You know about me,
don't you?

You haven't mentioned it
the whole trip,

but I think you know
all about me.

( chuckles )

Your name was Joanna Selby.
You're 25 years old.

You come
from New Orleans.

You married Mr. Leiningen
by proxy.

You've never seen
each other--

Oh, you know
a great deal.

When your part of the marriage
ceremony was performed,

Mr. Leiningen's brother
acted in his place.

When the marriage by proxy
was performed here,

I took your place.

I was very good.

I also performed
the ceremony.

You're almost
one of the family.

Well, as commissioner of
this area for my government,

I have to know
everything.

And besides,
I'm what you call nosy.

( laughs )

Will you be stopping off
at my husband's place?

No.

No, I have business
further upriver
I cannot delay.

A little while ago,
a bird flew over us.

Yes, I saw it.

There have been
many such birds lately.

My government wants to know
all about these birds.

Sounds very mysterious.

I hope it remains so,
only a mystery.

At any rate,
after tomorrow,

I will not see you again
for a while.

But I wish you
much joy

of our marriage
to Mr. Leiningen.

Thank you.

But you still haven't told me
anything about him, you know.

In a few days,
on my way downriver,

I will stop
and visit you.

By then you'll know more
about Leiningen than I do.

( ominous theme playing )

Mr. Leiningen will probably
be here soon.

Well, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Thank you.

( tense theme playing )

Ma'am...

you are
very welcome here.

We're very glad
you have come.

We hope to be
very much in love with you,

and you be
much in love with us.

( cheers in tribal dialect )

We think
you're very pretty.

( group cheers )

My name is Incacha.

I'm Mr. Leiningen's
number one man.

Whatever you wish, it is me
you will ask. I--

Well, where is
Mr. Leiningen?

Whatever you wish,
it is me you will ask.

-I will see it is done.
-B-B-But--

But where is
Mr. Leiningen?

I am Incacha.

I'm Mr. Leiningen's
number one man.

And I'm Mr. Leiningen's
number one wife.

I expected him
to meet me here.

Where is he?

Ma'am, he's...

He's coming
from the jungle.

He's very dirty.

He does not wish to see you
like a dirty man.

Please...

you will come?

( whimsical theme playing )

Thank you.

His name Mayi.

You want him?

What about his family?

Oh, they glad to lose boy.
Make plenty.

Mayi.

Up.

( indistinct talking )

Boys, unload the things.

Give him a bath.

We give him a bath.

We give him two baths.

Your servants, madam.

Zala,
your number one girl.

( squawks )

Do you speak English,
Zala?

Yes, ma'am.

I hope you and I are going
to be very good friends, Zala.

Yes, ma'am.

( pleasant theme playing )

What was Mr. Leiningen
doing in the jungle?

Yes, ma'am.

Is that all the English
you know?

Yes, ma'am.

( humming )

Beautiful!
I like these clothes.

( horse whinnies )

Take them away!

Let us go.

Let us go.
Let us go!

Mr. Leiningen?

Yes, ma'am.

( men arguing
in tribal dialect )

We will keep them here
tonight.

No. They must go back
to the village house.

It is tribal law.
It is tribal law!

Take them away.

( dark, enigmatic theme
playing )

( giggles )

( giggles )

Leiningen, madam.

I'll be right out.

( delicate romance theme
playing )

You're not dressed,
madam.

I should come back
another time.

I'm not undressed.

And we are married.

Madam...

My name is Joanna.

I know that, madam.

Leave something on me.
I'm getting chilly.

You have
a sense of humor.

I don't like humor in a woman.
It's been my exp--

I'm just trying
to be friendly.

And you interrupt.

You don't like
being interrupted?

No.

But never mind.
You'll get used to me.

I hope so.

Frankly, you're
not what I expected.

Am I worse or better?

Just... more.

More than I expected.

I think if I study
that awhile,

it might turn out to be
a compliment.

Are you making fun of me,
madam?

I'm sorry.

I know this must be
as difficult for you
it is for me.

We haven't made
a very good start, have we?

No.

But then I might not be
what you expected.

A little dirty.
Uncouth, perhaps.

Not quite the gentleman
you might have pictured.

I hope we're not
going to quarrel.

I am your wife,

and I intend to fulfill
all my marital obligations

as happily as I may.

I want to please you.

May I speak very frankly,
madam?

Please do.

You know my situation here.

This plantation is a long way
from civilization.

I could not leave it
to find a wife.

But I wanted a wife.

Your brother explained
all that to me.

You want children.

So do I.

You're very...

Bold?
Never mind.

What I want to say
is this--

Our contract,
marriage by proxy,

is not an uncommon way
to get a wife in the jungle.

Only you are uncommon.

How did my brother
find you?

He advertised
in the New Orleans papers.

You'll be flattered
to know

there were
nearly 50 applications.

He picked you.

Not exactly.
I didn't apply.

You see, I've known
your brother for many years.

He asked me to read
the applications

and help him choose
a wife for you.

I became interested.

Finally decided I'd be much
better for you
than anyone else.

Your brother
didn't agree with me,

but I managed
to convince him.

It wasn't easy.

Very stubborn man,
your brother.

You might not
believe that.

It runs the family.

Really?

I know why
my brother picked you.

But what made you decide
to marry a man
you'd never met?

I think it was your letters
that decided me.

Your letters
to your brother.

I could tell
how lonely you were.

I knew you needed me.

I don't need anyone.

Not even for children?

I suppose I'm to consider
myself fortunate
you came down here.

Perhaps not right now,

but when you know me better
you will.

Perhaps when you know
me better,
you won't care to stay.

If I had thought there'd be
any doubt about it,

I would never have left
New Orleans.

You're here
and you're welcome.

We do things by schedule
in the tropics.

We eat early,
we go to bed early.

Dinner's at 7.

What time is bedtime?

Whenever you wish,
madam.

I wouldn't want to upset
your schedule.

( chirping )

Your coffee smells much
stronger than
New Orleans coffee.

It is.

The dinner was wonderful.
Very good chicken.

It was lizard.

The climate's
very pleasant here.

It's not nearly as hot
as I thought it would be.

This is winter.

That's right.
We are pretty far south.

How far?

Does it matter?

Not really.

I was just trying
to make conversation.

Why?

I can't think
of a single reason.

My brother wrote me
that you play the piano.

I'd like
to hear you play.

We'll have our coffee
in the other room.

I'd like to hear it played
before the termites get at it.

I had it brought upriver,
2000 miles.

For me?

No. For anyone
who could play it.

I wanted someone
who could.

( plays simple melody )

Play.

What would you like
to hear?

I know nothing
about music.

( plays Chopin prelude )

What made
you stop playing?

It's too sad.
I'll play something else.

I'd like
my coffee now.

Would you mind?

One lump or two?

Two.

Black.

Do you speak
any languages?

Aimeriez-vous parler
en français?

Would you like to converse
in French?

I don't speak French.

I was merely
trying to see

if you were everything
my brother said you were.

Yes.

I am exactly
as represented.

I speak several languages,

play the piano,
converse intelligently,

and have very nice teeth.

Would you care
to count them?

Why, that's what you do
with horses when you buy them,

isn't it?
You count their teeth.

Fortunately,
I have all mine.

You also have a temper.

Yes, I know!

And you don't like a woman
with a temper, do you?

I don't mind.
I have a temper myself.

You surprise me.

You're very beautiful,

intelligent, accomplished.

There must be something
wrong with you.

I'm not that lucky,

to get a perfect woman
just like that

out of the grab bag.

There's something wrong
somewhere.

I thought
you didn't like me.

I thought you were
disappointed in me.

Instead,
you're afraid of me.

You think so?

You're looking
for a fault in me,

anything so you can
ignore me.

( plays joyful, breezy music )

You know a lot about men,
don't you?

You wanted an ornament.

Something nice-looking to go
with the rest of
the furniture.

Brought up the river
with great difficulty,

just keep it dusted

and see that the termites
don't get at it.

That's the kind of a wife
you wanted.

Instead, you got a woman,
and you're afraid of me.

I said
you know a lot about men.

More than you know
about women.

Where did you learn?

From what man?

That's it, isn't it?
That's what's wrong.

You've been
with another man.

I was married.

Didn't your brother
tell you?

No.

He left that out.

Everything else
about you...

everything...

...all but that.

I made a point of letting
your brother know.

He should have told you.

Perhaps he knew me better
than I thought he did.

How long
were you married?

Nearly a year.

He was killed.

How?

He drank.

He was very gay, very charming
and usually drunk.

One night he went out riding,

very gay, very charming
and very drunk.

The money you sent
to pay my debts, paid his.

So he was no good.

He was the kindest man
I've ever known.

He was a weakling.
You didn't like him.

I loved him.

How many others

have there been?

Madam...

you've seen my house.

It took me seven years
to build,

to make it what it is
in the heart of the jungle.

They laughed at me
up and down the river.

But it's
what I wanted.

I wanted it to be filled
with beautiful things.

I wanted a family
I could be proud of

in this house
that I'm proud of,

in the land that I took out of
the river and the jungle,

with my bare hands.

The only condition I ever made
about anything

I brought up the river,

was that it be new,
worth the effort.

Madam, this piano
you're sitting at

was never played by anyone
before it came here.

If you knew more about music,

you'd realize that
a good piano is better
when it's played.

This is not a very good piano.

I'm not finished
with you, madam.

Yes, you are.

Good night,
Mr. Leiningen.

( intense tribal
music playing )

Attention!

Attention!

She sinned.

Now, begin.

Go back to the house,
madam.

I heard the music.

If it's some kind
of native ceremony,

I'd like to watch.

This is no place for you.

Will you do as I say?

I'd like to watch.

Then watch.

That's the boy
they brought in last night.

He's trying
to kill him.

Why don't you stop it?

He stole the man's wife.

Now he's being punished.
I can't stop it.

No one can.

( blowgun shoots )
( man grunts )

( excited chatter )

( yells )

He is dead!

He is dead!

It's over, madam.

I suggest you pay attention
to what I say in the future.

Have you no heart,

no feelings at all?

And you!

I thought you were decent
and gentle.

You're as bad as your master.

The dead man was his son.

( singing spiritual song )

Yes...

...you made another mistake.

Perhaps
your worst mistake

was leaving New Orleans.

You'd better see exactly

what you're up against
down here.

Come with me, madam.

Without these locks
my whole plantation

would be 6 feet
under the river,

where I got it from.

It took me five years
to get a foothold here.

I started with 20 acres
and four men.

I nearly forgot the English
language in that time.

I was 19 years old.

My irrigation moat,

built by men who had never
seen one in their lives.

I had 100 men
by that time.

I used to lose
two or three a week.

Headhunters.

And this is
what we get.

Eight hundred Indians
working for me

on nearly 200,000 acres
of river bottom,

eaten by flies, worms, lice.

A half a dozen diseases
men get in the jungle,

all for that.

So that your friends
can drink chocolate

with their breakfast
in New Orleans.

Go ten miles in any direction
from here and it's civilized.

But go ten paces
beyond where I stopped

and you're in the bush,
the living jungle,

where no man has a name

and the only law
is to stay alive,

even if you live
like a beast.

In the jungle,
man's just another animal.

I don't believe that.

Kutina!

Come here.

This is Kutina.

He's one of the first four men
who worked for me.

Kutina,
this is Leiningen's woman.

I like you.

He says he likes you.

He's more civilized
than the rest.

He's like Incacha.
He has Mayan blood.

They were one of
the most intelligent races

in the history
of the world.

They were mathematicians,
architects, builders.

But they stayed
in the jungle too long.

Kutina, show Leiningen's
ma'am your treasure.

All right.

Kutina treasure.

Go back to work.

Yes.

After this, madam,
stay in the house.

That's where civilization
ends down here.

( squawk )

Shut up.

Something wrong
with that bird.

Hasn't said a word
for three days...

...till now.

At that, he's said
more than you have.

Everything I say seems
to make things worse.

I'm trying
not to irritate you.

I've noticed that.

I find it irritating.

I'm very tired.

Good night.

Madam.

That perfume
you're wearing...

is it one of those I had
brought up the river for you?

No, it's my own.

Why aren't you in bed?

Make faster?

No. Go to bed.

( melancholy theme playing )

( thunder crashing )

( wind blowing )

It wasn't locked.
It never has been.

I didn't think
it was necessary.

My perfume...

The perfume
I wanted you to wear!

Isn't it good enough
for you?

Have you even tried it?!

You're my wife!

Maybe you forgot that.

Leiningen's woman.

( serious theme playing )

I'm sorry for you.

This...

won't happen again.

It doesn't matter.
That isn't what I meant.

I'm not interested
in your opinion of me.

I want you to leave.

I'll see
that you get money,

enough to make it all right
that you came all this way,

but I want you
to leave.

I'll send
runners downriver

and the boat will be
back for you in a few weeks.

And that'll be
the end of it...

Yes.

I made a mistake marrying
someone I'd never met,

but you made a mistake
coming here.

No. I was looking
for something,

and I was willing to risk
anything to find it:

The strength and purpose
that was missing

in my first husband.

He was a weakling.

So are you!

Your weakness is your pride.

Yes, I'm proud.

Too proud to take
another man's leavings.

Maybe you don't realize
what it meant

to me to have you
come here.

I told you I was 19
when I came out here.

Before that I had no time
for women. Afterwards...

In the jungle they have
a name for the man

who goes into
the native villages at night.

No one calls me
by that name.

You said I didn't know
anything about women.

You were right, madam.
I know nothing about women.

Nothing at all.

I thought about that
when I saw how you were.

I couldn't understand
why it was so important to you

that I'd been married before.

Then I realized.

That's why I'm sorry for you.

I'll have this fixed.
Afterwards...

until your boat comes,

whether you lock it or not
doesn't matter to me.

( birds squawking )

( plays up-tempo drumbeat )

( speaking tribal dialect )

Christopher.
Commissioner, how are you?

It is good
to see you again.

It's always a pleasure
to have you with us.

But what brings
Gruber here?

He complains
you're stealing his workers.

The only workers
I've ever known Gruber to lose

were the ones
he worked to death.

( chuckles )

Have him line up his men.
I'll show you which are mine.

Bring all the men
together here quickly.

Come here.

Line up outside.
Let's go!

Well, point out the men
you say are yours.

These two are mine.

I see
how you recognize them.

If I ever catch you
whipping your men, Gruber,

you'll leave South America
that same day.

I've got
their contracts here.

You'll find their crosses
and their thumbprints

alongside their names.

I have to ask you this--
Where did you get
these two men?

Where I get all my men.
They came out of the jungle.

Make him show you
their contracts.

I make no contracts
with my men.

Then how do you
keep them?

They just stay.

Perhaps because
I have no bullwhip.

According to Gruber's book,
they're his men.

I have to
turn them over.

First I have to hang them.

Hang them? For what?

Murder. They killed
one of my men.

He's trying to trick me.
Where's your evidence?

Incacha,
bring Kutina here.

( crowd murmuring )

Here's what's left of it.

This head is
several years old.

It's ridiculous.

If you insist,
we'll take the head downriver

and have the experts
go over it.

No.

Mr. Leiningen
is a man of honor.

If he says these men
are to be hanged...

then let them hang.

Bring the rope. Do not delay.
Come quickly. Good.

( shuddering )

Be brave.

Well, it looks like we're all
ready for the hanging.

( laughs )

( both gasp )

No! Stop!

Let then down!
Slack that rope!

Let them down, I say!

Let them down.

I thought
you were bluffing.

I wouldn't have let it
go this far.

If you're serious
about hanging them,

they have the right
to a trial.

If Leiningen doesn't
hang these men,

I want them back!

The law is not clear
in a situation like this.

I'll have to look it up when
I get back to the home office.

Get along quickly,
now. Upriver!

I couldn't let you
hang them, Christopher.

I didn't think you could.
I had to stop you.

I was counting on it.

( commissioner chuckling )

( chuckles )

( playing stirring
piano music )

( music stops )

Finish it.

I can't.

Then start again.

I'd rather not.

I'm sure the commissioner
would be disappointed

not to hear more.

Perhaps Mrs. Leiningen
is tired.

It takes time
to get used to our climates.

I'll be
looking forward

to a full recital
on my next visit.

I'm sorry,
but I won't be here.

Madam had such a full life
in New Orleans,

she finds our country
somewhat dull.

She's leaving.

I am sorry. I...

thought you would love
our country.

Oh, I do.

It's everything
I expected it to be.

Beautiful.

Then why
do you leave us?

Mr. Leiningen thinks
I don't belong here.

The commissioner
is not interested

in our differences, madam.

I don't want the commissioner
to think I'm leaving

because I don't like
his country.

Your reasons are unimportant
to the commissioner.

Forgive me,
that is not correct.

I would be desolate
to think

Mrs. Leiningen was unhappy
with my country.

I shall always remember it,
and your kindness.

Good night,
and goodbye.

Only good night,
Mrs. Leiningen.

May I say something?

You may not.

Will you have
a good crop this year?

-Do you really care?
-No!

But conversation is better
than quarreling.

Each year, my friend,
I have seen you

get a little more lonely,
and a little harder.

You're turning to stone.

I expect a better
than average crop, thanks.

No. No more. I have to start
early tomorrow.

Where to?

The Rio Negro basin.

I was halfway there when I met
Gruber coming downstream.

He was foaming
at the mouth,

so I thought I'd better
come back with him.

I can handle Gruber.
Don't worry about me.

I was worried about Gruber.

( scoffs )

What's going
on at the Rio Negro
that it needs you?

Well, we've had
some strange reports recently.

Nothing definite.

Trouble?

I think so.

Your servants...?

They've gone to the village.
You can talk.

Siji birds have been seen
as far west as Ecuador.

Even the monkeys are moving
out of the Rio Negro.

Something is
driving them out.

And I think
it's something big.

What?

Marabunta.

( suspenseful theme playing )

You really think
it's that?

I'm hoping not.

It hasn't happened
in years.

I looked it up before I left.

Twenty-seven years ago
was the last time.

A hundred years
would be too soon.

I have to
go and see.

How were you
planning to go?

Upstream to the mouth
of the Baramura,

then across
to the big river.

I'll go with you.

We can take the woman
as far as the Baramura.

She can get
the mail boat there.

You want her to go that badly?

If it's marabunta
in the Rio Negro,

she'll be glad to go.

Perhaps it is best
for her to leave.

I don't think I'm mistaken
about what is happening.

You sound frightened.

I am.

Not you,
huh?

What would it take
to frighten you, Leiningen?

I haven't seen it yet.

And you've seen
everything, eh?

Everything but marabunta,
I think.

( knocks on door )

Who is it?

Leiningen.
May I come in?

The door's open.

Please don't be
disturbed.

I'm not,
Mr. Leiningen.

My name is Christopher.

I haven't asked before,

but I hope you've been
comfortable here.

These rooms...

These rooms used to be mine.
I thought you might like them.

I do.

Perhaps while you're here,
you'll open that door for me.

It seems to be stuck,

and you're very good
at opening doors.

It's rusted.

Things rust...

...very quickly here...

...or rot away.

The jungle's corrosive.
It swallows up everything.

Even men,
sometimes.

You've been reading...

Joanna?

I found it in your library.
Poetry.

I don't read much myself.

I bought all those books
by weight.

Eight hundred pounds of books
is what I ordered.

Well, whoever selected them
for you has very good taste.

It was you, wasn't it?

Why lie about it?

Are you afraid I might think
you weak for reading poetry?

Perhaps.

As Fontaine says
somewhere in there,

"Each man is three men--

"What he thinks he is,

"what others think he is,

and what he really is."

And which Leiningen is this?

The last.

The real Leiningen.

Uncertain...

complex...

a little pompous, even...

Even laughable, sometimes.

I've never laughed at you.

I know...

and I've appreciated it...

in my fashion.

( distant drumbeat )

I've...

written a letter...

to my brother
in New Orleans.

When you get there,
give it to him.

He'll make all the necessary
arrangements.

I'm leaving right away,
apparently.

Tomorrow. The commissioner
and I are going upcountry.

You'll go with us, and then
across to the big river.

You can catch a boat there
in two or three days

instead of waiting
until next month.

I...

I hadn't realized
that you were in such a hurry

to see
the last of me.

Oh, it's not that...

The hurry, I mean.

It's not wanting
to get rid of you,
it's just...

I don't like
what's happening to me.

I think you're sorry
about tonight.

I tried to embarrass you.

I'm not like that, usually.
I don't like to hurt things.

I...

I was hurt...

but I'm over it now.

But when you
get back home

you'll realize it was better
to end it before it began.

You'll be happier

with your own kind.

Perhaps I will.

Someday you'll find
what you're looking for.

I hope you will too.

Yes.

Well...

I wanted to say
these things.

We won't have time
to talk on the way.

Then this is goodbye.

I'm sorry it started
the way it did.

I don't know
what went wrong.

I guess I'd never be able
to get it out of my head

that you loved someone
before me.

I don't know how
to be second.

I can only be first.

That's very important,
I know.

Christopher...

You don't dislike me anymore?

I never did.

( tragic romantic theme
playing )

( distant drumbeat )

I'll be back
in four or five days.

Sooner
would be better.

There was drum talk
last night.

I heard it.

Something coming,
drums say.

Did they say what?

No.
Just something coming.

Very big trouble,
drums say.

More better
you come back quick.

I'll be back
as soon as I can.

Are you ready,
madam?

There are 14 varieties
of river bug

where we're going.

We're used to them
but they'll find

that dress you're wearing
very convenient.

I'll manage
to survive somehow.

Let's go, men!

( animals calling )

( gasps )

She's having
a bad time.

But not a single
complaint.

Stubborn.

Yes, a terrible fault.

Fortunately,
we do not suffer from it.

Madam, are you still up?

Yes. What is it?

I went through your luggage
and found these things.

Wear them tomorrow.

This is for the bugs.
The natives make it.

It doesn't smell very good,
but it works.

What do I do with it?

Just rub it in.

The effects last
two or three days.

Would you mind?

Thank you.

( moans )

( cries out )

( panting )

Something woke me up.

We as well.

It took us a while
to realize what it was.

The silence.

I have never
heard it before.

This silence.

There's one way of waking up
any life in there.

( excited chatter )

Quiet!

Nobody speak!

Nothing there.

There's something there
all right,

but it's not afraid
of guns.

What time is it?

Almost 4.

It's nearly light.

In the morning
we'll find out.

We're not waiting
for morning.

Get ready to move out,
away from the river.

We'll go cross-country
to the Baramura.

Men, let's go to the
Baramura village. Hurry up!

( tense theme playing )

( speaks tribal dialect )

Go on to the village.

Deserted.

Not a soul around.

This village has been here
for over 200 years.

How can it be?

There's no sign of a struggle
of any kind.

They weren't forced out.
They ran.

There's a canoe coming!

There's no one inside!
There's a canoe coming!

Get back.

Madam.

It's Gruber.

Looks like they caught him
while he was drunk.

We're going upriver.

Get in the canoe.
Quickly!

I don't know
much about you.

I'll have to
take your word.

Do you have courage?

Yes.

I mean
a lot of courage.

I'm not afraid.

She's not going with us.

We can't leave her
here alone.

They'll stay with her.

For about five minutes.

Till we disappear around
the first bend in the river.

We have to
take her with us.

What about the boat
I'm supposed to meet?

There won't be any boat.

Not now.

Where we're going, there won't
be anything left alive.

Hurry up, men!

Something strange!

Quiet!

Is there any high ground
near here?

Yes, that way.

We have to get up above
this green stuff.

Ashore.

( insects buzzing )

Stay here. Understand?

( ominous theme playing )

What is it?

Marabunta.

Soldier ants.

Billions and billions of them
on the march.

For generations
they stay in their anthills.

Then for no reason
they start to move,

gathering up others
as they go.

Until they become
a flood of destruction.

How do you stop them?

You don't.

You just get out of
their way.

They're moving southeast.
Toward my place.

They'll be there
in a week.

They must put out
an advance guard of some sort.

Look.

I'll be waiting
for them.

( fierce battle
music playing )

Leiningen come!

Leiningen come!
Zala, madam come!

Men, get the carriage ready.

Take care of the men
in the boat.

Yes.

Come, men, let's go.

( talking in tribal dialect )

Marabunta.

You'll want to
keep going downriver.

I have to
get to the telegraph.

I'll give you
some fresh paddlers.

What about you?

I told you, I'm staying.

This isn't something
you can fight.

You'll wind up
like Gruber did.

If there's a way of stopping
the ants, I'll stop them.

If you don't care
about yourself,

think of your men,
all your people here.

I am thinking
of them.

Fifteen years ago
they were savages.

I took them
out of the jungle.

If I leave now,
they'll go back,

and that'll be
the end of civilization

along the Rio Negro.

I'm staying,
and so are they.

If you can hold them.

And I don't think
you can.

Marabunta!

Foreman, hold those men.

Yes. Stop! Do not move!
Come back here!

I'm running out of time.

If you don't mind,
I'll make this fast.

Madam, I'm sorry
for everything
that's happened.

If you're trying
to say goodbye,

-don't bother.
-Why not?

I'm staying here.

No, you're not.

Get in that boat.

No.

Your Indians, you want
to keep them here.

You need them
to help you fight

and they're starting
to leave already.

If I leave and they see me go,
what about them?

Will any of them stay
if I go?

You're quite a woman.

- You're right.
- What?

You've both gone mad.

Leiningen,
you're up against a monster

20 miles long
and 2 miles wide,

40 square miles
of agonizing death.

You can't stop it.

I can stop something
no bigger than my thumb.

They're organized.
They're a trained army.

They're not individuals.

They have generals
and they think.

That's the worst part
of these ants,

they actually think.

So do I.

I think you'd better
be leaving.

You saw what happened
to the jungle.

While you're
smoking a cigar,

they can eat
a full-grown bullock

right down
to the naked bone!

They'll pick
this plantation clean,

and you with it.

I'm staying,

if I can only hold
enough ground to stand on.

They won't leave you
that much. Not an inch.

No one has ever stopped them,
and a lot of men have tried.

Don't be a fool, Leiningen!

Get out!

Get out while you can!

While there's still time!

Leiningen,
don't be a fool!

Don't be a fool,
Leiningen!

( shouting in tribal dialect )

You are not good man,
Leiningen!

This plantation is no good,
Leiningen!

Leiningen inyete apichune.

Leiningen ei inyete apichune.

Koko biefono agarrito
waikimie...

What is he saying?

He say,
Leiningen not afraid.

Leiningen's woman
not afraid.

Mero-o-renyo hito,

monoki,
marabunta bi.

( shouting )

Now the ants come.

Omei petine
omei onepei!

Assikumo!

He say,

if you wanna go,
go then.

Back to the jungle.

Live like your fathers,

hunt each other
for heads,

or stay here
with Leiningen

and be brave,

like Leiningen's woman.

( clamoring )

( group quiets down )

( talking )

( tense action theme
playing )

( somber dramatic theme
playing )

Will your men stay?

They'll stay tonight
because they're ashamed.

They'll stay tomorrow
because they have to.

I burned their boats.

I wish you hadn't
done that.

So do I.

It's done.

We're locked in here.

Now we fight.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Huri, go up the tree there.

Satoro, go to the dam.

Sororo, go there.

Quabasa, go high
up in that tree.

( hectic theme playing )

Be sure and cut down

every branch
hanging over the moat.

Do you think this moat
will stop them?

Ants are strictly
land creatures.

They can't swim.
Right, Incacha?

Monkeys not swim also.
They cross rivers even so.

The intelligence of monkeys
is more than ants,

and less than man.

Is so. But when ants come,
monkeys run.

If they cross the moat,

we'll fire this brush
to protect us.

Get everybody inside the moat.
Post lookouts in the trees.

( blows horn )

( blows horn )

( blows horn )

( blows horn )

( blows horn )

Christopher?

Come in. You might as well
see this.

Caught him
this afternoon.

He's an advance scout
of some kind.

Handsome devil,
isn't he?

I've been studying
him all evening.

The face of my enemy.

Who knows?

Perhaps he's been
studying me.

Even alone
they look frightening.

Well, where they go,
no life is left but their own.

That's what
we're up against.

If I were a sensible man,
Joanna, what would I do?

Fight or run?

You have to fight.

A man like you
doesn't run.

In any case,
you're not a sensible man.

You wouldn't have chosen
a wife by mail if you were.

I'm beginning
to think

the only sensible thing
I ever did was send for you.

Why do you
say that now?

Maybe because
it's too late.

The ants are advancing through
the cocoa plantation!

The ants are advancing through
the cocoa plantation!

Men, what is the matter?

Marabunta!
Upriver at cocoa fields.

What is it,
the ants?

They're on their way.
About ten miles from here.

Get my horse.
Bring me some fresh cigars.

( rousing adventure theme
playing )

They're headed this way
all right.

They travel
about 6 miles a day.

They'll get here
early tomorrow morning.

Keep the men here.

Fire a shot if you need me.
I'll be at the dam.

I want you to stay
at that wheel night and day.

Sure, sure,
till marabunta die.

Watch for them every minute.
They're quick.

An ordinary man
wouldn't last long.

Not enough meat.

You'd last
about half an hour.

So keep
your eyes open.

And listen for our signals,
we may want to flood them out.

( battle call )

Okima, from the cocoa field.

Marabunta catch him.

Signal the man at the dam
to let in more water.

Open all the gates,
tell him.

As long as it's deep,
we're safe.

Take the body back
to the village.

( blows horn )

( quiet suspense theme
playing )

( battle call )

( water splashing )

( elegant, pensive piano music
playing )

You were right
about that piano.

It's much better
when it's played.

It needs tuning.

Tell me
about women.

Where shall I begin?

Anywhere. I find
the subject interesting.

Well, there's very little
to tell really.

There are men
and there are women.

They're like...

oh, spoons.

If they are alike,
they go together quite well.

Tell me about spoons.

I do believe you're developing
a sense of humor.

( romantic theme playing )

More than that, Joanna.

Christopher.

Christopher, please...

...are you sure?

You're my wife, Joanna.

( buzzing )

( dire adventure theme
playing )

Marabunta! They're
coming across on leaves!

Come on!

( men shouting )

Sound the alarm.
They're trying to cross.

Signal the dam, more water.

( blows horn )

( blows horn )

( yelling )

My eyes!

My eyes!

( screaming )

We need more water.

( blows horn )

Kill the ants!

Something's gone wrong
at the dam.

Oh!

( horse whinnies )

Fire the signal
to retreat.

( plays frantic drumbeat )

( blowing through shell )

( shouting in tribal dialect )

Come on!

Bring the oil!

( buzzing )

Hurry up!

( sighs )

Christopher!

Christopher!

Mayi.
Mayi, Mr. Leiningen?

Where is
Mr. Leiningen?

Christopher.

Why didn't you awaken me?

There was no reason to.

But the house.

What have you done
to the house?
Th-the furniture?

Burned.

Gone. Nothing left.

Except our friend here.

I built this place
out of my own will.

Like an Indian makes
a doll out of clay.

Now I've destroyed it
the same way.

It took me 15 years
to build my paradise.

Three days to turn it
into Hell.

I wanted wife and children
to hold what I built.

Here's my heir.

You've given up.

No, I've been beaten.

There's a difference.

I've lost everything.

Everything but you...

and in a little while,
maybe that too.

I'll never leave you now.

For whatever
it's worth to you

now that I have nothing else
to give...

I love you.

That's all I've ever wanted.

We'll start from here.

This is where we meet,
Christopher.

And where we say
goodbye too.

The ants are
still out there...

and we've nothing else
to burn.

Do you know
how to use this?

Yes.

Well, keep it with you,
every minute.

What for?

For yourself, in case
the ants get through.

What about you?
What are you going to do?

Up there:

We're completely surrounded.

Here's our one chance
to stay alive,

if I can blow it up.

It's a small dam
with sluices.

They keep back the river
when the water level rises.

It's up now,
2 or 3 feet.

That's enough.

Enough for what?

To flood what's left
of my plantation.

I'm giving back everything
I took from the river.

( courageous theme playing )

This oil will give me
some protection.

Open the gate.

Open the gate!

( splashing, crashing )

Here comes the water!

( excited chatter )

- Open the gate.
- Open the gate!

The water has gone.
They are opening the gates.

Christopher!

Christopher!

Christopher!

( cheering )

( triumphant theme playing )