The Rat Savior (1976) - full transcript

The Rat Saviour

lm sorry, gentlemen, very sorry.

But there are no vacancies.

Thats all, folks.
Go home.

- Excuse me, I just... - M! Gajski,
I keep telling you there's no news.

These are crisis times.
Wait until things improve.

So for the thin! time we strongly request
yet again that some action he taken

to enable this office to
perform its normal duties.

- In some places the plumbing is...
- Good day. - Can I help you?

It's about that manuscript
I submitted a month ago...

A novel called 'The Epidemic".



It's about a disease, hut it's
actually about bureaucracy.

Yes... Just a moment.

- There were we?
- 'The plumbing is..."

...is so corroded that the leaking water and
damp have made the premises so musty

that they are unsuitable
o! work and occupation.

Please, can't you see the
predicament we're in?

I'd like to know if
you'll he publishing it.

Here below... that's it.

I'm sorry to return it
but it's not for publication.

You promised!
You said it was brilliant.

I don't know, maybe I did.

Maybe l liked it personally but
there are other hoard members.

I don't think many of them liked
how you described the epidemic.

Where were we?



"... Unsuitable for work
and occupation."

The floors are rotten,
white-ant infested,

and on the verge of collapsing.

They're a haven for rats,
mice and other vermin.

But the novel is symbolic, sir...
It's not meant to he real.

I'm sorry but I can't help you.

Even if the artistic elements were satis-
factory the time is not right for a novel.

I'm sure you understand.
Goodbye.

With respect to the above we request
an urgent committee inspection.

No cash... no goods!
Please, we're very busy.

- What's going on?
- He wants credit again.

Here you are...
You don't need to pay me.

- I think we're closing down
anyway. - Thank you, Mr. Rllpcic.

- Tllat's all you! things, Mr. Writer.
- Be patient. l'll pay you soon.

Be patient? You haven't
paid me for 3 months!

lm a poo! widow.
That's what I live from.

I'll pay you as
soon as I get a job.

Sure.' You look for work
but I pray you don't find it.

What work could
you possibly do?

- Come on... I don't wanna see
you anymore. - Let go of me.'

- I'm still a tenant.
- Tenant?

Very well...

I won't he tenorised.'

- Good day.
- Good day.

- So miss... how are you doing?
- The same as you.

- No good. - That's how it is, I guess.
Books are not popular right now.

I guess so.

- Do you have lots of hooks?
- Shelves and shelves of them.

- Are they all yours?
- No, my fathers too.

- And you?
- No, these are all I have.

We shouldn't stand together. They are
harder to sell if we hotll selling them.

- It's quite cold, isn't it?
- Yes.

Here...

- Take it.
- No, it's really too much.

Take it, I don't need it.
I have lots of scarves.

- How can I repay you?
- Don't worry.

You might he able to sell
some of you! hooks too.

- I'll give you my telephone number.
- Take this down, please.

- 30... 64- Whafs you!
name? - Sonja.

- How much are these hooks?
- Whatever you like.

Thank you.

Excuse me, do you know
where that girl lives?

I know as much as you, son.
But she's here quite often.

Because I'm you! mayor, the town's
problems weigh heavy on my heart.

- You're the life basis and foundation of
this town... - Sony, have to check.

...of its industry, commerce,
economy and culture.

You are the lifeblood of
this town. It's driving force.'

And while you're ensuring the
existence of this town,

it's inacceptahle of providing you
with the most basic means of survival.

That's why I've come here,
lady and gentlemen citizens.

To try and do everything to improve your
lives and to make them more bearable.

You must understand that we,
as local administrators,

face a multitude of problems.

We're in major economic
crisis which affects

not only our country
but the whole of Europe.

Despite that, we've made great efforts to
deal with what is most essential to you...

You! housing arrangements
and you! jobs.

Therefore, my fellow citizens,

I call on you to support us

since we have you!
welfare at heart.

But with all the struggle, we don't want
to allow to cloud the look for the future.

And don't forget the age-old saying...

"Every cloud has a silver lining!"

I owe you. I owe
you, dear friend.

Madame... Have you seen that
girl? He! name was Sonia.

No, I haven't. You can stand here
and wait. She might come again.

Excuse me, sir. I'm afraid sleeping
here is strictly forbidden.

Do you think I like being here?

As park watchman,
I must wam you.

ll' the police see you you'll
he jailed for vagrancy.

Fine! Al' least I get free accommo-
dation. ls that you, Mr. Rllpcic?

- Mr. Gajski...
- Why are you in uniform?

Well, l closed my shop because of
debts and joined the public service.

It's much more secure.
I know I'll get paid.

Yes, l guess it's tlle times. l won't get
you into trouble. l'll find somewhere else.

Wait... I know a place.
It's not too comfortable, but...

Who needs comfort?

Don't tell anyone about it.
It's just for a night o! two.

- Otherwise l'll he in trouble.
- Don't worry Mr. Rllpcic.

That's it. The deserted
Central Bank Building.

260 empty rooms. It's all
boarded up but I know a way in.

- Doesn't anyone come here? - Only the
odd official. But never at this time of day.

Not there. This way...

lt's a little awkward
hut it's tlle only way in.

Here below it goes in.

Give me a hand.

Follow me.

- It's easy when you know how. But
don't tell anyone. - Don't worry.

I'd better go.
You make yourself at home.

- But only for a night o! two.
- Okay. Thank you Mr. Rllpcic.

Exchange.
Can I help you?

I need a number
but I'm not sure...

I'll put you through to Group A.

Group A. Numbers umle! surveillance.
Hello... Can l help you?

I need a girl's number. He! name
is Sonia. She lives with he! father.

- 3064. - Yes, that's if.
Thank you.

3... 0... 6... 4.

Hello?

That's strange, dad.
The phone is working now.

Who's calling, please?

ls that you, Sonia? We met at the
market. The hook seller, remember?

l can't believe we're speaking.
Where are you calling from?

From the abandoned
Central Bank Building.

I'm amazed I got you! number.
Where do you live?

97 Kestenova St.

Hello? Hello?

97 Kestenova St.

I haven't had something
like this in a long time.

Hail the saviour!

Hail the saviour!

Ladies and gentlemen...

I'm happy to see...

...tilat our mission is
becoming reality.

Those who are not
with us are joining us.

Those who are against us
are disappearing one by one.

The day is not fa! off
when well he all there is.

And, otherwise, nobody more.

What's happening with
Professor Boskovic?

He'll die tonight, Great Saviour.

He lives at 97 Kestenova
St. with his daughter.

Then liqllidates him.

- There is a spy.'
- Up there he is.'

- Up there he is.'
- Do not let him escape!

It was right here, sir.
I was upstairs.

There is no trace of anything, sir.
Certainly not of a banquet.

It can't he. They
were here. I saw them.

Come with me.

Let's go.

This is where they
keep their food.

It was all there.

They might have killed Professor
Boskovic. His home has been ransacked.

If he exists, I'm sure
he'll prove to he quite okay.

It's most serious, sir.
They're a threat to all of us.

It's late and I've been
on my feet all day.

I have a long night ahead of me.
Go and get some rest.

Thank you.

That's enough...
That's enough! Stop it.'

I know what you're up to.
But you never succeed.

He's an informer!
He needs a good lesson.

Kill him!

- Don't let him go.'
- Stop!

Let him go.
I'll take care of him.

Come on. Let's go.

The dance goes on.

I'm Professor Martin Boskovic.

Prof. Boskovic has
been liquidated.

Not yet.

I knew they'd come for me
so I was ready to flee.

You! phone call was a signal
that the time had come.

- Why didn't you call the police?
- You saw how much they believed you.

Here we are. I'm at my friend's
house. They've gone abroad.

Come.

Come in.

This is my daughter.
I think you've met.

Hello, Father.

Hello. Come in.

What son' of work do
you do, M! Gajski?

I studied philosophy. I write
but without much success.

- Actually, I'm unemployed.
- Philosophy.

Have you read En' Ertnls
'The Heritage of the King Rat"?

- No. - It was written
400 years ago in Germany.

Ertnls was hllmed
to death in Bremen.

You're no great writer and
I'm no great scientist.

People hnlsh me off o! laugh
at what I'm doing here.

Maybe we can join forces.
You an me, together.

- Science is not my forte.
- It doesn't matter.

l'm offering you a post as my assistant.
ll' you accept, you'll have to live here.

I'm honoured, but I
won't he of much Ilse.

Please excuse me.
Will you he my assistant?

- Yes, Professor. - We'll talk late!
about what's ahead of lls

En' Ertnls. 'The Heritage
of the King Rat."

The rat, a cunning
and dark creature,

can control the human mind.

It rules over the mysteries
of the underworld where it,

capable to changing
its appearance.

The rat, a cunning and dark creature,
can control the human mind.

It rules over the mysteries
of the underworld where it is.

They dress as humans,

they grow arms llml legs.

They dress as humans,
have human eyes and faces

and are indistinguishable
from humans.

The love epidemics,
hunger, wars, invasions.

The rats get together, mysteriously
disguised and act like people.

You may even talk with them
without knowing who they are.

They steal and make profits
unfathomable to honest men.

They deceive with their garb
and soft-spoken manner.

The kill, hum and cheat.

They're fond of luxury, good
food, drink and especially power.

In times of crisis, the Rat Saviour
arrives a huge Guinean rat.

He grants them powers beyond
human understanding.

Sit down.

Do you think it's working?

Yes, if it's a rat poison
you're looking for.

A rat poison for human
rats, not for animal rats.

Do you believe that those people
in the hank were not real people?

What if they were rats
transformed into people?

I'm looking for indicator B.

It's a potion for detecting people
with the slightest rat like properties.

And killing them.

The chemicals I need are
disappearing from the shops.

Maybe I can find some for you.

Think it over.
It could he dangerous.

Working with me, you'll attract
the whole mall's attention.

They'll he after
you more than me.

Why do you need so much?

There are lots of rats
at my place, so I...

Why didn't you say so?
I've noticed it too.

They've multiplied so
much recently.

- I rent out rooms so I...
- Okay, okay.

I must wam you though.
It's not inexpensive.

- Don't worry. l'll pay you. - Very well.
Come hack in two days. l'll tee it up.

What's wrong, Sonia?

I don 't know.

0n one of the shelves,
there was a rat.

He was looking right at me.

I feel so sick.
I've never felt like this.

Come, you'll feel better.

I'm feeling much better.

I told you.

- What happened, sir?
- You! place is full of rats.

- What rats? We don't have rats.
- Rats.' Real rats, you idiot!

There. Sonia is now out of danger.
As if nothing eve! happened.

The people in the tavern.
What were they like?

Everything seemed normal.

He's now obsessed with
devouring his own kind.

A cannibal rat.

We'll release him into
the sewers tonight.

Late! on, we'll
release some more.

- Why did you kill them?
- It's olnjoh.

We're from city sanitation.

By the way, what does it concern
you? Who are you generally?

Sonia. What are
you doing here?

I had to come out.
I was afraid of you.

Sonia! Sonia!

Was she really like me?

Very much.

How was she dressed?

I don 't remember.

There.'

The Rat Saviour.

When he disappears,
they'll he what they were.

I don't really understand
what you're trying to say.

Was it a murder
o! an accident?

Was Professor Boskovic
bitten by an animal? A rat?

- 0! did some organisation
kill him? - Probably both.

The criminal law treats
animal victims as accidents.

But if it was premeditated
then it wasn't an "accident".

If I remember,

you took lls to a hank once to show lls the
headquarters of a secret organisation.

I did. But I never dreamed it
was an organisation rlrn by rats.

0! that many
were in its service.

My dear sir, you're
stretching credibility.

- Anything new?
- Nothing you haven't seen, sir.

- Pack up.
- Yes, sir.

My deepest
sympathy, miss. Sir.

My deepest condolences.
It's a difficult moment to all of us.

- Who are they? - I don't know.
I've never seen them.

Let's go.

Quickly.

Please keep this confidential.

I've noticed some strange
things happening there.

It's not an isolated case, Mr. Mayor.
They've taken over key civic positions.

- The Chief of police... - Leave the
chief to me. l'll take care of him.

Could you continue working
on that indicator alone?

Maybe. I learned a lot
from the Professor.

- But I need some... - Yes, the
chemicals. I provide those.

We'll keep in touch.
The next time you come...

please use the lea!
door, not the main one.

You can speak to my personal
secretary. She has my full confidence.

Come, I'll show he! to you.

I'm sorry, I have an important
meeting in 5 minutes.

- I can't thank you enough. - You can
thank nle when it's over, young man.

Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

Do you realise
what this means?

You! father had found
the indicator.

They came to destroy
it and they're all dead.

I wonder what
the Professor did.

- I call the police.
- No.'

We'll only tell the mayo! about this.
l'll get rid of the bodies.

I know nothing about it.

I'll tell Mr. Mayo!
that you are here.

- What's you! name?
- Gajski. Ivan Gajski.

I'm sorry. M! Mayo! is not in.
He's just gone out.

If you can't wait, you can write a
note, stamp it and give it to me.

- Perhaps he left a message.
- Try again tomorrow.

Who knows what's
going on over there?

He might have
been liquidated too.

- Hail the Saviour!
- Hail the Saviour!

Excuse me. Who is the man
who went in there?

- Who are you? Are
you all right? - Sony.

Maybe he went in here.

Kindly explain, sir, what's
going on? Who are you after?

- He must he here.
- Who are you looking for, sir?

- What gives you the right, sir?
- Call the police.

Police? The man's not
normal. Call the hospital.

Help me. He's down
there somewhere.

- Who are you after?
- A monster! A rat.

For God's sake, sir. If you like
rats, catch them yourself.

Be sensible. They're people
with the power of rats.

- Il' the leader dies, they all die.
- Maybe they're all in you head.

- What's going on? - He's chasing
rats. - - He must he mad.

- Go home, folks. You come with
me. - I'm not going anywhere.

- Let nle go.' - Come with nle.' - What's
going on? Leave the man alone.

Mr. Mayor.

- I know this man. Get my
car. - Yes, Mr. Mayor.

- It's all right, ladies and
gentlemen. - It's the mayor.

I don't understand that. Wondering
the major knows such people.

- I nearly had him.
- Who, Mr. Gajski? Are you okay?

The Saviour.
Look. This is his.

Fantastic.

Why did you go it alone?
You should have called me.

I did. Didn't you!
secretary tell you?

My. dear, Mr. Gajski.
She was one of them.

There are so many I
don't know who to trust.

Don't he surprised I'm here. I've
been going out alone a lot recently.

I can feel something happening.

I must do something,
but what?

Professor Boskovic knew them.
He could have saved us.

He'd found indicator B.

Why didn't you say so before? That
makes you the saviour of this town.

You! ca! is ready Mr. Mayor.

Take the gentlemen home.

We need to talk. Come
to my office tomorrow.

Thank you Mr. Mayor.

To the Flower Market, please.

In the cellar!

Great Saviour. I was told
to watch the hank.

I didn't say you held
you! meetings there.

The man had nowhere to
go. I only tried to help him.

That's just it.

The wonl "llelp" exposes you.
lt proves you are still what you were.

Proceed.

What's wrong, M! Gajski?
Didn't you suspect that it was me?

We're everyone and everywhere,
despite your indicator.

Don't he afraid. We're more
human than any of you.

0l" ties with them only give
us supernatural powers.

You'll he as close to lls as
was you! friend M! Rllpcic.

0r Professor Boskovids
daughter at the tavern.

We've all been through it.
It makes us closer, it gives us power.

Sooner o! later, everyone will he with us.
From now, there?! he another Gajski.

0l" own. As devoted to
us as you! sweetheart.

Did you notice any difference
between you! Sonia and ours?

Ours may he...

a little less considerat...

but so much more a woman. You don't
seem to have much to say, Mr. Gajski.

We're old friends.
We'll he together now.

We'll have the
same goals. True?

Proceed.

Ivan! Don't go home.
They're waiting for you.

I barely got away.

Stop it.'

- You are not Sonia.
- What's wrong with you, Ivan?

Ivan!

Ivan!

- What's wrong with you?
- You do not deceive me.'

Who touched this?

Nobody. You know I
don't understand any of it.

Come.

Come.

I'm dying and there's no
hope for any of you.

Not until a new
saviour appears.

He'll come, but in a time of crisis.

You will call for him.'

He'll come, maybe soon.

He 'll come.

The Rat Saviour