The Pagan King: The Battle of Death (2018) - full transcript
On his deathbed, the reigning king bestows power to an unexpected heir who must find strength within himself to unite his people against the violent crusades which threaten their freedom.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
THE PAGAN KING
IN THE 13TH CENTURY, PAGAN TRIBES INHABIT THE LANDS
ALONG THE SHORES OF THE BALTIC SEA,
AND THE RICH TRADING NATION OF SEMIGALLIA
HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED BY ROME.
THE POPE'S ILLEGITIMATE SON, MAX, SEEKS HIS
FATHER'S AUTHORITY TO CONQUER THE REGION.
HIS ONLY PROBLEM IS THE SEMIGALLIANS THEMSELVES,
BRAVE WARRIORS WHOSE KINGDOM IS A PLACE WHERE
EVEN VIKINGS HAD ONCE FEARED TO TREAD.
- POPE'S RESIDENCE
- You want to become my papal ambassador? Why?
Well, I have no future in Rome.
I have no respect.
Here I'm just your bastard
son...
and you're the ruler of the
Christian world.
All I... all I want is to be the
ruler of Semigallia.
Very well.
But if you fail to bring me the
Ring of Kings, son or no son...
this will be your destiny, too.
Do you understand?
Fulke, don't take your eyes
off him.
Yes, Father!
Yes, Father.
Fulke?!
In future, you open the door
for me. Got it?
Wakey, wakey, Prince Pihto!
Now it's payback time for all
your years...
of high living in Rome.
The island of your birth
awaits you!
Who the hell are you?
Oh, I'm your new friend.
He doesn't look very pleased
to see me, does he?
Leave me alone.
Here's the poison.
How does it work?
First of all, the cramps start.
Then the fever rages, the organs
shut down one by one and then...
Finito!
Perfect!
Two bottles?
Just in case.
Maximilian, Father said
I'm coming with you.
Oh, why is that? Are you an
expert poisoner?
Umh, no...
Or trained assassin?
- No, not at all.
- So why are you coming?
I will preach the word of the
Lord...
and convert the poor, confused
Pagans to Christianity.
Fine. Whatever.
(WOLF HOWLS)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
I want to ask you something.
What is it?!
It's important.
You know if we win the game
tonight, we'll set sail?!
Are you sure about that?
About leaving?
About winning.
Yeah, I'm sure. We're ready.
We'll win and the ship will
be ours...
and we'll set out to see
the world.
Don't speak too soon,
pride comes before a fall.
You and your superstitions.
What's this important question
you wanted to ask me?
I want to know... if you'll
come with me.
You want us to go together?!
Yes, together! In good times
and in bad times...
till the end of time.
What if I say no?
Well, then I'll just have
to go on my own.
Or... perhaps I'll
kidnap you.
And once we're out at sea,
you'll have to accept...
your destiny and you'll grow
to love your Semigallian...
adventurer even more and then
I'll marry you...
in some far corner of the world.
I'll take that as a
'maybe'!
You better run, run,
run, run!
Peace, brother, peace,
lay still.
Peace, brother... peace, shh...
Quiet! Christ!
Per istam sanctam unctionem et
suam pissimam misericordiam...
adiuvet te dominus gratia
spiritus sancti...
Wonderful, but now you've
cost me two men.
Two?
Two, yes, two!
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Ahhh... my money's on the
winning team!
Where have you been?
The game's about to start.
Relax! We've got this,
I smell victory.
Oh and Lauga's coming
with us!
What!? No, no, no! You can't
just announce that...
you're taking your girl
with you!
Why not? Take Gilla too...
We'll talk about it later.
I have other plans.
That's for good luck!
Thank you, Gilla! Hi, Sigi!
Show them how it's done.
Line up!
Let's break some bones!
May the best team win!
To you. Sakens - Giant!
Take his legs! Go for the legs!
You can do it!
Yes! Yes!
Yes! Go!
Yeah! Yes! Yes! Whoo!
Clean fight, clean fight.
Go, go, go, go.
Haaa!
Hold him!
Yeaaaaah!
Hold! Hold!
He's gonna do the viper.
Hold! Now, Viper!
Go, go, go!
King Viesturs, we would like
to exchange this for a ship.
What do you need a boat for?!
To see the world.
Here's the world!
Yes, but we want to travel
and have adventures.
When do you set sail?
As soon as possible, while we
can still get over...
the rapids on Daugava River.
And then on to Dnieper River
and then into the Black Sea...
to Constantinople and then
who knows, maybe Rome.
Good luck, Namay.
- SAAREMAA ISLAND
- (THUNDER ROLLING)
I have to know, did you
have anything to do...
with my father's death?
How many times do I need to tell
you this?!
So tell me again!
No, I had nothing to do
with your father's death!
But since you arrived from Rome
everything has changed.
No, Max, you can't do that,
you can't hit me.
I am the ruler of Saareema now!
Pull yourself together,
you little shit.
Your father died because
it was God's will.
I know you're grieving...
but don't turn against those of
us who are trying to help you.
It's just... I'm not, not
sure I'm...
I'm ready to do what
you ask of me.
Do you believe in the one,
true God?
- Yes.
- Do you?!
- Yes.
- I want to hear you say it.
Yes, I believe in the one,
true God.
And that's all that matters.
This is your destiny, little
boy, as a Christian.
- You are a Christian, aren't you?
- Yes.
Very good. We've got a funeral
to organize.
Viesturs, king of Semigallia is
bound to set sail...
to honour his friend Oru by
drinking from his funeral horn.
Is that correct? Is it?
Yes.
Cheers!
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
- Hey, owl!
- I'm not an owl, I'm a squirrel.
Why are your eyes like
saucers then?
Because I'm taking a shit!
It's not the time for childish
jokes... perhaps.
Maybe not, but it's good
to see you anyway.
I'm so sorry.
When did you get back from Rome?
A while ago. I stayed too long.
What do you mean?
And now, according to the
ancient Baltic customs...
as Oru's son and heir,
I invite you to honor...
our dear, departed ruler's
ascent into the heavens.
My beloved brothers and sisters
of Saaremaa! Let us pray!
King Viesturs, such a tragedy
about Oru.
You knew him well, I believe.
He was a friend. We saw more
of each other before...
Ah, before the... before the
crusaders came to Saaremaa.
Please be under no illusions
I'm a man of peace.
That is to say, all I offer
are my condolences...
and my friendship.
This here must be your son.
Rigvars, strong boy aren't you?
I can see the family
resemblance... striking.
I have no doubt he will grow out
to be a great ruler...
just like his father and wear
the Ring with pride.
Well, God's blessings on you
both.
RIGVARS:
Father, who is that man?
Christian arse!
Pagan scum!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Maybe they were poisoned?
We all ate and drank the same.
What then? Are you saying it's
the work of the gods?
What will happen if the sickness
takes them both...
and Viesturs hasn't said who
will inherit the ring?
You know exactly what will
happen!
The Assembly will sit down and
decide the successor...
and it could be one of us.
Well, yes, but let's face it,
most people will vote for Ulups.
Maybe so, but he'll still need
our votes.
And you could still get them.
If what?
If you promise that the first
thing you do...
when you become king
is rid us...
of Viesturs' little friend
Valdis.
You know he deserves it,
that ginger rat!
I could be your advisor.
What!? You!?
I could advise for both of us!
Well, so can I, you sneaky shit.
- What'd you just say?!
- Shit!
Say that again! Say it
to my face!
Shit...
Stop it! Calm down!
- But he sta...
- Shut up!
(COUGHING)
Anyway, Viesturs can still use
his right as ruler...
and name his successor himself,
you know this.
What are you talking about?
It looks like your father will
be king soon.
Which will make you, Prince
Arko! Sounds pretty good huh?!
So what's the matter with him?
Nothing, that's the point.
He's sweet as honey.
And that always means he's up
to no good.
I know him too well, he wants
to go without me.
What are you playing at? We
can't take our women with us.
Why not? Have you talked
to Gilla?
No! Have you lost your mind!?
Think about all the women in all
the harbors around the world.
Hot as fire!
If Gilla heard you fantasizing
about other women...
you'd feel the fire all right!
You won't be laughing when you
see what you're missing.
A once in a lifetime opportunity
just...
Maybe you could still talk
them out of it.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
There's no one else,
it has to be him.
You're right. He's your
bloodline.
No one can argue with that.
We don't know who did this to
us.
It could be any one of the
tribal leaders.
Exactly. That's why it's
necessary that we choose...
someone who has nothing
to do with them.
Someone no one would even think
you would ask.
This is so hard. I don't want
his life in danger, too.
I know, I know, but it's what
we must do.
He's tough, he'll be fine.
You will help him,
just as you helped me.
Yes, my King.
Hey, you two! We need to leave
before the wind drops.
Gilla, please... no!
Wait! Wait! Just wait!
- Stop and... stop and listen.
- What?
- Gilla, love!
- I'm not your love anymore!
Gilla, I just didn't know
I needed to ask.
- Don't! Don't lie.
- Of course you're coming.
- I'm not lying!
- Stop lying!
- I'm not, please I'm begging you!
- Don't lie to me!
Get on the boat!!
Namay, you need to come with me.
Now!
- What is it?
- You'll see.
No, just you alone.
It's all right.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, little man! Hey...
Namay?
Namay, I'm not afraid to go to
the other side of the sun.
You're very brave.
Namay!
Yes, King Viesturs.
Take it.
(MUSIC STOPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
I'm very sorry.
Here.
He chose you. It's yours.
Me? No, no, I... I, I can't take
it, you, please.
We are not asking, you must.
Why me, I'm no Viesturs?!
You don't have to be Viesturs.
He chose you to be yourself.
The ring is yours.
And I beg you, as my king that
you promise me one thing.
You find who did this and you
avenge my family.
I've got a bad feeling
about this.
Valdis, has he survived?
You'll find out soon enough.
A very bad feeling...
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
People of Semigallia...
I have grave news.
Your ruler, your king, Viesturs
and his prince and heir...
Rigvars, have set sail to the
kingdom of spirits,
on the other side of the sun.
Before he died, he named his
new successor;
the one who will wear the ring.
Our destiny has spoken,
kneel before your new ruler!
Put on the ring.
Show them, so they can all
see it.
King Namay.
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
Not now, King Namay.
All Semigallians know about this
sacred place...
but only the chosen few know how
to find it.
You must remember this secret
path...
for when you return here
without us.
During times of trouble and
danger, Viesturs and all...
the other rulers of Semigallia
before him...
came here to speak to the gods.
I never thought I'd see this
place with my own eyes.
The spirits of our ancestors
live here.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
The spirits protect the ancient
wisdom...
and the silver of Semigallia.
Now all of this is in your
hands.
I'm not sure. What am I meant
to do?
Take care of those who want
to claim the ring.
You mean Daugulis, Birre, Ulups
and his son?
The tribal leaders, yes.
What do you mean,
take care of them?
What do you think I mean?
The people want a strong king
who will do whatever it takes...
to ensure their safety and
security.
- That's what Viesturs did.
- Really, Viesturs?
Believe me, you don't want to
know what he was capable of.
Now it's your destiny. You have
the ring.
Who the hell is Namay?
He's the son of Viesturs'
dead sister.
Oh, is he now, and he is not
even a tribal leader?
No, he's just some orphan.
And now he has the ring?
I believe so.
Fuck!
I created a perfect power
vacuum!
The ideal time to take control.
But no!
Stupid Viesturs goes and gives
the ring to a total nobody.
Well... there's nothing else
for it.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
We must attend his funeral just
as he attended your father's.
What!?
Yes, yes, we'll go, we'll go
to his funeral.
No, no, no! I'm not going.
They're bound to suspect me.
You know the pagan custom, no
one would dream of killing...
a guest during a funeral.
Good. This is just a minor
setback.
Oh, I'll still get that bloody
ring on my finger.
Yes, I will, mark my fucking
words.
Queen Rama, please,
I need you to stay.
I'm going with them.
No, please, you don't have to.
How can I stay when my spirit
and everything I love...
is setting sail for the other
side of the sun?!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
If it was me, I'd claim
my rights.
King Namay! King Namay!
Ah, stop it! Get up! Please,
this is strange enough already.
Oh, come on, show it to me.
Oh, wow.
Namay! On your hand that ring
means nothing!
When Viesturs gave it to you, he
was completely out of his mind!
Come on, Arko, this isn't
the time.
My father was meant to be king.
And if he isn't man enough to
take it from you, then I will!
Shut up, Arko and just sit down.
You're making a fool
of yourself.
I don't give a shit!
Is this what you want, Arko?
Don't do this.
Don't talk to me, you're just
a jumped-up servant!
This can be settled some
other way.
Now, let's settle it now
and forever.
All right.
Now, stay back, a sword fight.
Arko, give it a rest.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNICKERING)
Things just got a whole lot
more interesting.
You missed a golden opportunity.
Let's hope it doesn't come
back to bite you.
Let's get her into the light.
She'll do.
Let her go, Max.
Hmm, good idea, Pihto,
let's let her go.
Shh...
What did you do?
Well, I let her go.
No... you're a madman.
Let him run.
Murder! Murder in cold blood!
WOMAN: No, no, no.
The holy rules are broken.
Cast off, go. Come on, go, go,
go! Cast off!
(DOG GROWLING)
Faster come on!
(DOG BARKING)
It's Pihto's dagger.
It has the ruler's crest of
Saaremaa on the handle.
He's already set sail.
I was a guest of Pihto's father,
Oru, for some time.
I came to know Pihto.
What I learned about him
I found troubling.
In what way?
I won't waste your time
speculating as to why...
I believe Pihto has chosen
the path he has...
but suffice to say that it's
clear to me he had a hand...
not only in his own father's
death, but in the deaths...
of your very own King Viesturs
and prince Rigvars.
Now he takes the life of an
innocent woman.
He's out of control and needs
to be stopped.
It's time for revenge.
Revenge.
Revenge! Revenge!
Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!
Revenge!
Your king has heard you!
He will take the fighting men
of Semigallia to take revenge.
The guilty one must receive
his punishment.
Revenge!
Revenge! Revenge!
I'm sorry about what happened
to Gilla.
But in some ways her death
is a blessing in disguise.
Nothing strengthens a ruler's
authority more...
than a glorious victory.
It won't be easy, but I believe
in you.
You go to Saareemaa, return
triumphant.
Then we can rule Semigallia
together.
May the Gods and the spirit
of Viesturs be with you!
No way am I getting on his boat!
I'm not having our tribe being
accused of cowardice.
You'll go, that's it.
Don't forget, if something
should happen to Namay...
your father could be king.
I don't care!
- Shut up, you!
- Be a man, do it for the family.
As a mark of my respect for
you and your people...
I hereby place my own soldiers
at your disposal.
Let me get this right:
you're a papal ambassador...
and you're advocating the
overthrow...
of a Christian ruler
by a Pagan one?
This evil needs to be stopped.
Everyone come on! Let's go!
Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
Come on! Let's go!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
I want to go with you.
No, you can't.
Something isn't right, I can
feel it. I'm worried for you.
Don't worry. I'll be back soon.
I promise.
I don't want to stay here
all alone.
Look. You'll have all the power
of Semigallia and its people.
You can't just give me the ring.
Yes, I can. I'm the King.
Come on! Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
One of us ought to attack
from the rear.
My men and I should go
for the main gate.
They'll have it well guarded,
but we'll distract them.
You know this place better than
us. We'll take the back.
Let's go.
Why did Pihto leave his dagger
in Gilla's body?
He didn't think
we would come for revenge?
He panicked, he ran away and
just forgot to take it.
Stop overthinking this. Remember
what Max said.
That's the point, isn't it? It
was Max who found Gilla's body.
It was Max who told us about
Pihto.
It was Max who encouraged us for
revenge. Something is not right.
We can't turn back.
For Gilla, for Viesturs, for
Rigvars. Come on!
Okay.
Back! Everybody back!
Wall!
Hold!
Open up!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Viper!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Shit!
That was a beginner's mistake.
You allowed anger to
cloud your judgment.
Give me the ring.
Give it to me.
Sir.
Nothing, sir.
Unbelievable.
You gave it to your whore,
didn't you,
like a worthless trinket?
I don't need a
ring to destroy you.
Pagan scum, let me take
care of him!
No, that's exactly
what he wants.
He wants to die a
hero, don't you?!
Well Namay, I'm going
to send you to Rome...
they like a freak show there.
I can see it now:
The Last Pagan King!
They'll probably put you
next to the bearded lady.
Meanwhile, everyone in your
beloved Semigallia...
will know that you were never
worthy of the Ring of Kings.
Oh, look at you, revelling
in another's misfortune.
That's not really Christian,
is it?!
And what should I do with them?
Kill them and feed them
to the pigs.
Pihto, what the hell
are you doing?
This is insane. These men
are our allies!
- Were our allies.
- But your father...
My father nothing!
I am in charge now!
Come back! Come back now
or I'll...
Or what? You will kill me, too?
Yes.
(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
Show me that.
Give it to me now!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
SOLDIER: Get him!
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (UNSHEATHS SWORD)
- Huh?
- (SCREAMING)
- (FLESH HISSING)
Hey, Owl!
I'm not an owl, I'm a squirrel.
Why are your eyes like saucers
then?
Because I'm taking a shit.
I'm coming with you, Namay.
And once we've chopped off
that bastard Max's head...
I'll return to Saaremaa and
do the same to his crusaders.
Good to hear.
(TRIBAL DRUMS BEATING)
I'm not a slave, I'm not rowing
like this.
Max is way ahead of us,
we'll never catch him.
We should never have
come to this godless place.
This is all your fault!
Stop whining and keep rowing!
Why? Namay is no king.
He doesn't know how to lead.
I say we throw him
over the side.
I'll throw you over the side!
Hey! Stop! Sit down
and listen!
Max may be ahead of us, Arko...
but I know how we can catch
up with them.
How wonderful, our beloved
leader has another plan!
Come on, why don't
you share it with us?!
We can carry the boat over
the dune to the river.
That's our only chance.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Namay, well, he's on his way
to Rome.
I don't believe you!
Believe what you like, Valdis.
A change is coming to Semigallia
whether you like it or not.
And you can either be a part
of that change...
or you can allow it to cut
you down.
But, Valdis I have nothing
against you...
in fact, well, I see you
as an ally.
So I tell you what, I'll let
you go back to your people...
and you can discuss whether you
want to hand over the ring...
or whether I have to come and
take it, how does that sound?!
Everyone gather around!
What's going on?
Come on, come on now!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Zabis, run to Ulups, tell him
what happened...
and have him alert the other
tribal leaders. Go!
Namay's gone. Don't you
understand it?
He is not coming back.
Namay would never betray us!
That's beside the point!
He's not here, we have to
deal with this on our own.
Now answer me, do you
have the ring?
Do you have the ring?
This is no time for games.
Do you have the ring?
Yes, I have it!
But there's only one person
in the world...
that I'd give it up to,
and that's Namay!
Agh!
Let's not wait any longer.
Forward!
Hey, watch out!
Do you want to drown us all?
That's the river up there...
if you move this lever,
we will all die!
Lauga!
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Now what the hell went wrong?
Do you want to talk
about that now!?
Now... now we need to negotiate
with Max.
Negotiate?! I'm gonna kill him!
Come on, everybody, arm up!
Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!
We need to be smart about this.
Smart? Were we smart when
we let Max deceive us?
This is our land and we need
to fight Max and whoever else...
tries to take it from us.
You heard your king!
To your weapons, everyone,
arm up!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
Agh!
Go! Hold your line!
Drat... Max!
Max!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
Amen.
If we can't even defeat the
pagan savages of Semigallia...
then it doesn't look good.
We must be seen to be strong.
Just give me more soldiers
and I can finish this.
You failed me! I can't give you
a second chance.
Look, I know you're my son, but
I can't be seen to show favor.
Well, there it is.
Listen to me.
You are going to declare
a crusade on Semigallia.
Crusade?
Look, I want to help you,
I really want to...
but, but the fact is, no
good soldiers at the moment...
really there are none, they
are away on other crusades.
I don't need good soldiers.
I need merciless slaughterers...
and I know exactly where
to find them.
In nomine patris, et filii
et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
(ETHEREAL MUSIC PLAYING)
In the name of the gods that
reside within us all...
and by the life that courses
in my blood...
I choose you, Lauga...
to possess you, to be possessed
by you and to love you...
with all my heart
until the end of time.
In the name of the gods that
reside within us all...
and by the life that courses in
my blood, I choose you...
Namay, King of Semigallia,
to possess you...
to be possessed by you and to
love you...
with all my heart until the end
of time.
(MUSIC FADES UP)
Hey.
My Queen, thank you.
I never doubted you.
You sure about that?
Maybe once for a moment,
but never again.
Hi.
Pull, heave, heave, heave...
Te deum laudamus: te
Dominum confitemur.
Ah, look at him. He can't get
enough of it.
I'm really starting to lose
my patience with him.
He still thinks we want to
convert these pagan fools.
So you think all the other
tribal leaders will come then?
They will, now they know
that Traidenis is coming.
What is it with Traidenis?
No one wants to make an enemy
of him, nor should you.
We are very lucky that we
are good friends with him.
So if we convince Traidenis,
then we convince the others?!
Ah, now you're thinking.
But Traidenis doesn't
care about anybody.
He does his own thing.
That's it.
Why the cape?
To catch a skunk, first you must
cover yourself in its scent.
Now what you gonna say?
Any ideas?
All across Europe, people bow
down to Rome.
They are imprisoned in their
own homes...
paying taxes to live
on their own land.
We must unite and fight.
So what do you think?
Well, I think they will
tell you to fuck off.
Unite? Under whose leadership?
Is Semigallia not enough
for you, Namay?
You want to rule over all of us
now, is that it?
Max and his crusaders will
return...
and when they do, believe me,
there will be more of them.
We need to be ready.
Namay, we trade with Christians
from all over Europe.
Whilst they're only trading
with us, there's no harm done.
On the contrary, how can a cross
be bad, if it's made from gold?
And now, since we've defeated
them once...
they'll be more easy to control.
I admire your determination
and your lofty ideals, but...
You will never persuade the
tribal leaders to give up...
trading with Christian lands.
Sometimes, you need to look
at the bigger picture.
I see the picture only too well.
You're thinking of trade,
but Max is no trader.
He is a ruthless bastard
who is greedy for power...
and wants to make us his slaves.
We need to defeat him...
and the only way to succeed
is if we're united.
Listen, kid, when I heard that
Viesturs had given...
the Ring of Kings to some
nobody...
instead of an honorable tribal
leader, I was worried.
Now I've met you...
and I can see how wise
my dear friend was.
You pathetic, short-sighted,
self-satisfied, bunch of losers.
You're thinking just
about your own wealth.
I am ashamed to be part of
this assembly of smug fools.
Namay, when you need me,
send word.
(MEN YELLING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOG WHINES)
Max was right, you're way
tougher than your father.
We must never let the tribes
unite!
So what now?
We tell everyone that
Traidenis's men...
killed these people.
There will be no more
talk of unity then.
- No one can find out about this.
- No one will.
There's no one to point
the finger at you.
They're all dead! Don't worry.
This is just the beginning.
What the hell is the matter
with you?
You look like you've seen
a ghost.
Murderer!
- Why, Arko?
- What the hell are you talking...
Stop it. No!
Arko, no!
No!
Arko broke our laws.
May my son be cursed.
King Namay, my and my family's
lives are in your hands.
Keep your sword, Ulups,
you're gonna need it.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
(HOWLING)
The strength of the pack
is in the wolf...
and the strength of
the wolf is in the pack.
The other tribal leaders need to
realize the danger we all face.
They understand the danger
well enough.
They just want someone else
to fight Rome...
while they carry on trading.
A mountain with a wolf on it
stands a little bit higher.
The wolf dies where the pack is.
Do you trust your pack?
You mean Ulups?
You killed his son. He is twice
as dangerous now.
I was just upholding our tribal
laws.
Make yourself a sheep
and the wolf will eat you.
What is it, Ulups?
The crusaders are here. There
are more of them than before.
They're ready for battle.
We must send a messenger
to Traidenis.
There's no time, our men are
already prepared.
- We must attack them now.
- We?
Namay, I won't deny it hasn't
been easy between us.
But you were right, if we stick
together we will crush them!
He's right, we need to do
whatever it takes...
to keep invaders from our lands.
We have no choice.
You're honest and brave men.
Our disagreements are
in the past.
Let's prepare for battle!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
So we still have a deal right?
Oh, sure. Yeah, you can take
the lands beyond the river.
You, Birre, you, can have, hm,
you can have Saaremaa.
And Semigallia?
Oh, Semigallia belongs to me.
Traitors!
Whoa, whoa, I didn't betray you!
You have to trust me, I have
every reason to hate you!
But that is more important
than you and me.
You have to believe me, Namay,
as long as I have breath...
in my body, I will fight to stop
that bastard...
from taking even a grain of sand
from Semigallia.
Line up!
How do you like this,
pagans will defeat themselves.
Who'd have thought that
it would be so easy...
they look so strong and proud.
Yes, but pride is a friend
of envy...
and envy is a friend of greed.
If you dangle enough money
someone will always sell...
even if what they're
selling doesn't belong to them.
Finish 'em!
Ulups!
Save yourselves! Now!
Traitors die!
Retreat! Run!
Come on. Run. Get up.
Come on! Come on!
Leave me! Save Semigallia!
I'm sorry.
They're coming!
Siggi, we need to get the women
and children out of here now!
- Through the tunnel?
- Yes.
We'll try to slow them down.
Everybody, hurry up,
through the tunnel.
Come on then, let's burn
them out.
- Come on, come on, run!
- Mommy, where are we going?
Come on, come on quickly.
Flame!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Aim!
Mommy, wait!
Release!
Flame!
Aim!
Release!
Stop, stop, I beseech you!
Cleanse yourselves of sin...
and practice justice and
righteousness.
Love your brother as yourself.
Turn away from your
violent and destructive ways.
Do not stray from the path
of peace.
We are all God's children!
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Down the tunnel.
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Take him out!
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Aim! Release!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
SOLDIER: Come on, heave!
Fall back to the tunnel!
Come on, get up!
(SCREAMING)
Come on! Come on!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
- Come on.
- Hurry, hurry!
(WATER RUNNING)
Fuck!
Fuck off!
Namay, Namay, we can't do this.
Yes, I know but, we have
no choice.
This is the holy place.
We need to hide somewhere.
This is the place where
the ruler...
and those closest to him come
to commune with the gods.
We can commune with the gods
together.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
I should have asked Gilla
to come with me.
But I'll ask her tonight.
Smile, my friend, your
sad face is scaring me.
(DISTANT THUNDER ROLLING)
Mm, very well, I agree
to your terms.
We'll... we'll send a messenger
with you.
Oh and um... thank you.
Fulke, I'd like you to go
as messenger.
You'll be followed all the way,
of course.
Did you mean what you said?
Which part?
The part about allowing all the
Semigallians...
and their warriors to return
home in exchange for the ring.
Well no, of course not.
We'll take the ring when
they surrender...
and then we'll kill them all.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(HISSING)
Shh...
Shh...
Shh...
I wanted you to come with me,
so I could show you the world...
but instead I brought you here.
I'll go wherever you'll go,
wherever your path takes you...
I'll be with you.
Namay... Namay!
What is it?
There's a messenger from Max
on the shore.
How? Are there soldiers
with him?
He seems to be on his own.
Blindfold him and bring him
to me.
Namay, I have a message for you.
I don't care about that.
What I wanna know is who
betrayed us?!
Max says that if you give him
the Ring of Kings and with it...
your acceptance of him
as ruler of Semigallia...
you will be allowed
to return home unharmed.
You have until dawn tomorrow
to let us know your decision.
We will wait for you by the
hill on the edge of the swamp.
Get him out of my sight.
We must call a meeting.
No shit!
We can't trust Max.
Look what the crusaders have
done to our neighbors' lands.
What they are really
interested in...
- is getting rich off our taxes.
- I agree!
Maybe if we do that,
they'll leave us alone.
And then our children won't
starve or freeze to death.
I'm not bowing before
that bastard.
We've never surrendered before,
and we won't surrender now.
But at least we'd be alive.
You're joking.
As soon as they have the
ring, they will slaughter us.
No, we could be very
valuable to them.
I say we give Max the
ring and take our chances.
We have to trust him,
there's no other way.
He's right, Namay,
that's what we all think.
I just wanna go home.
Go on then, here it is.
Go on, take it, if you're happy
to explain to your children...
years from now that the reason
they don't have any freedom...
is because their father gave
it away.
We can't fight them.
If we fight them, we'll die.
So go on then, huh, take it,
please take it, give it to Max.
Anyone? Nobody?
If you can't do it, let me
do it for you, Namay.
It was you?!
I have always supported you.
You betrayed us?!
Why?
I just tried to save our people.
Offering your people up
for slavery is not saving them.
My fate is to serve. I serve
only the strongest.
That's not you any more.
Max will rule these lands.
I know you don't like to
hear it, but it's true.
So you say either we die
in battle...
or we live under the crusaders?
Well I say, it's better
to die on your feet...
than to live on your knees.
Come on, wake up!
You're on the wrong path!
I've already made my choice.
Because I wear the ring, you all
expect me to tell you...
what to do, but I'm not going
to, not anymore.
Everyone must choose their own
path, you can go with Valdis...
or you can stay with me and
fight until the end.
But there are too many of them
and too few of us.
No one can see a pack
of grey wolves in the fog.
This swamp is our home,
but to them it's a trap.
We will launch an
attack in the morning.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC ENDS)
I know this must've
been very hard for you...
but you can absolutely rest
assured...
you've done the right thing.
Ah, Namay, so good to see
you again.
Hand it over.
You're not having the ring.
Namay have sense, just give it
to him, you can't win this.
I'm afraid, he's right.
I think I'll take my chances.
Look out!
Charge!
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCREAMING)
Run!
I have the ring!
I have the ring!
SOLDIER: I've got the ring!
I've got the ring!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
SOLDIER: I found the ring!
I found the ring!
I've got the ring!
I got the ring!
You fool.
Fate handed you power and
you gave it away to everyone.
Well, this is the end of you
and your ring.
No, it's the end of you.
For us, it's a new beginning.
Your excellency, Maximilian's
dead.
"For God so loved the world...
"that he gave his only begotten
son..."
So what happens with
Semigallia now?
We'll just send someone else.
IT TOOK THE CRUSADERS ANOTHER
HUNDRED YEARS TO CONQUER
SEMIGALLIA BUT THEY COULD
NEVER BREAK ITS SPIRIT.
FOR NAMEJS TAUGHT HIS PEOPLE THAT POWER
AND LEADERSHIP COM NOT FROM ON HIGH BUT
FROM WITHIN, AND EVERYONE MUST TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN PATH IN LIFE.
TO THIS DAY, THE RING OF NAMEJS
REMAINS A SYMBOL
OF HONESTY, BRAVERY AND
PERSONAL FREEDOM.
(MUSIC FADES UP)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
THE PAGAN KING
IN THE 13TH CENTURY, PAGAN TRIBES INHABIT THE LANDS
ALONG THE SHORES OF THE BALTIC SEA,
AND THE RICH TRADING NATION OF SEMIGALLIA
HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED BY ROME.
THE POPE'S ILLEGITIMATE SON, MAX, SEEKS HIS
FATHER'S AUTHORITY TO CONQUER THE REGION.
HIS ONLY PROBLEM IS THE SEMIGALLIANS THEMSELVES,
BRAVE WARRIORS WHOSE KINGDOM IS A PLACE WHERE
EVEN VIKINGS HAD ONCE FEARED TO TREAD.
- POPE'S RESIDENCE
- You want to become my papal ambassador? Why?
Well, I have no future in Rome.
I have no respect.
Here I'm just your bastard
son...
and you're the ruler of the
Christian world.
All I... all I want is to be the
ruler of Semigallia.
Very well.
But if you fail to bring me the
Ring of Kings, son or no son...
this will be your destiny, too.
Do you understand?
Fulke, don't take your eyes
off him.
Yes, Father!
Yes, Father.
Fulke?!
In future, you open the door
for me. Got it?
Wakey, wakey, Prince Pihto!
Now it's payback time for all
your years...
of high living in Rome.
The island of your birth
awaits you!
Who the hell are you?
Oh, I'm your new friend.
He doesn't look very pleased
to see me, does he?
Leave me alone.
Here's the poison.
How does it work?
First of all, the cramps start.
Then the fever rages, the organs
shut down one by one and then...
Finito!
Perfect!
Two bottles?
Just in case.
Maximilian, Father said
I'm coming with you.
Oh, why is that? Are you an
expert poisoner?
Umh, no...
Or trained assassin?
- No, not at all.
- So why are you coming?
I will preach the word of the
Lord...
and convert the poor, confused
Pagans to Christianity.
Fine. Whatever.
(WOLF HOWLS)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
I want to ask you something.
What is it?!
It's important.
You know if we win the game
tonight, we'll set sail?!
Are you sure about that?
About leaving?
About winning.
Yeah, I'm sure. We're ready.
We'll win and the ship will
be ours...
and we'll set out to see
the world.
Don't speak too soon,
pride comes before a fall.
You and your superstitions.
What's this important question
you wanted to ask me?
I want to know... if you'll
come with me.
You want us to go together?!
Yes, together! In good times
and in bad times...
till the end of time.
What if I say no?
Well, then I'll just have
to go on my own.
Or... perhaps I'll
kidnap you.
And once we're out at sea,
you'll have to accept...
your destiny and you'll grow
to love your Semigallian...
adventurer even more and then
I'll marry you...
in some far corner of the world.
I'll take that as a
'maybe'!
You better run, run,
run, run!
Peace, brother, peace,
lay still.
Peace, brother... peace, shh...
Quiet! Christ!
Per istam sanctam unctionem et
suam pissimam misericordiam...
adiuvet te dominus gratia
spiritus sancti...
Wonderful, but now you've
cost me two men.
Two?
Two, yes, two!
(MUSIC PLAYING)
Ahhh... my money's on the
winning team!
Where have you been?
The game's about to start.
Relax! We've got this,
I smell victory.
Oh and Lauga's coming
with us!
What!? No, no, no! You can't
just announce that...
you're taking your girl
with you!
Why not? Take Gilla too...
We'll talk about it later.
I have other plans.
That's for good luck!
Thank you, Gilla! Hi, Sigi!
Show them how it's done.
Line up!
Let's break some bones!
May the best team win!
To you. Sakens - Giant!
Take his legs! Go for the legs!
You can do it!
Yes! Yes!
Yes! Go!
Yeah! Yes! Yes! Whoo!
Clean fight, clean fight.
Go, go, go, go.
Haaa!
Hold him!
Yeaaaaah!
Hold! Hold!
He's gonna do the viper.
Hold! Now, Viper!
Go, go, go!
King Viesturs, we would like
to exchange this for a ship.
What do you need a boat for?!
To see the world.
Here's the world!
Yes, but we want to travel
and have adventures.
When do you set sail?
As soon as possible, while we
can still get over...
the rapids on Daugava River.
And then on to Dnieper River
and then into the Black Sea...
to Constantinople and then
who knows, maybe Rome.
Good luck, Namay.
- SAAREMAA ISLAND
- (THUNDER ROLLING)
I have to know, did you
have anything to do...
with my father's death?
How many times do I need to tell
you this?!
So tell me again!
No, I had nothing to do
with your father's death!
But since you arrived from Rome
everything has changed.
No, Max, you can't do that,
you can't hit me.
I am the ruler of Saareema now!
Pull yourself together,
you little shit.
Your father died because
it was God's will.
I know you're grieving...
but don't turn against those of
us who are trying to help you.
It's just... I'm not, not
sure I'm...
I'm ready to do what
you ask of me.
Do you believe in the one,
true God?
- Yes.
- Do you?!
- Yes.
- I want to hear you say it.
Yes, I believe in the one,
true God.
And that's all that matters.
This is your destiny, little
boy, as a Christian.
- You are a Christian, aren't you?
- Yes.
Very good. We've got a funeral
to organize.
Viesturs, king of Semigallia is
bound to set sail...
to honour his friend Oru by
drinking from his funeral horn.
Is that correct? Is it?
Yes.
Cheers!
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
- Hey, owl!
- I'm not an owl, I'm a squirrel.
Why are your eyes like
saucers then?
Because I'm taking a shit!
It's not the time for childish
jokes... perhaps.
Maybe not, but it's good
to see you anyway.
I'm so sorry.
When did you get back from Rome?
A while ago. I stayed too long.
What do you mean?
And now, according to the
ancient Baltic customs...
as Oru's son and heir,
I invite you to honor...
our dear, departed ruler's
ascent into the heavens.
My beloved brothers and sisters
of Saaremaa! Let us pray!
King Viesturs, such a tragedy
about Oru.
You knew him well, I believe.
He was a friend. We saw more
of each other before...
Ah, before the... before the
crusaders came to Saaremaa.
Please be under no illusions
I'm a man of peace.
That is to say, all I offer
are my condolences...
and my friendship.
This here must be your son.
Rigvars, strong boy aren't you?
I can see the family
resemblance... striking.
I have no doubt he will grow out
to be a great ruler...
just like his father and wear
the Ring with pride.
Well, God's blessings on you
both.
RIGVARS:
Father, who is that man?
Christian arse!
Pagan scum!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Maybe they were poisoned?
We all ate and drank the same.
What then? Are you saying it's
the work of the gods?
What will happen if the sickness
takes them both...
and Viesturs hasn't said who
will inherit the ring?
You know exactly what will
happen!
The Assembly will sit down and
decide the successor...
and it could be one of us.
Well, yes, but let's face it,
most people will vote for Ulups.
Maybe so, but he'll still need
our votes.
And you could still get them.
If what?
If you promise that the first
thing you do...
when you become king
is rid us...
of Viesturs' little friend
Valdis.
You know he deserves it,
that ginger rat!
I could be your advisor.
What!? You!?
I could advise for both of us!
Well, so can I, you sneaky shit.
- What'd you just say?!
- Shit!
Say that again! Say it
to my face!
Shit...
Stop it! Calm down!
- But he sta...
- Shut up!
(COUGHING)
Anyway, Viesturs can still use
his right as ruler...
and name his successor himself,
you know this.
What are you talking about?
It looks like your father will
be king soon.
Which will make you, Prince
Arko! Sounds pretty good huh?!
So what's the matter with him?
Nothing, that's the point.
He's sweet as honey.
And that always means he's up
to no good.
I know him too well, he wants
to go without me.
What are you playing at? We
can't take our women with us.
Why not? Have you talked
to Gilla?
No! Have you lost your mind!?
Think about all the women in all
the harbors around the world.
Hot as fire!
If Gilla heard you fantasizing
about other women...
you'd feel the fire all right!
You won't be laughing when you
see what you're missing.
A once in a lifetime opportunity
just...
Maybe you could still talk
them out of it.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
There's no one else,
it has to be him.
You're right. He's your
bloodline.
No one can argue with that.
We don't know who did this to
us.
It could be any one of the
tribal leaders.
Exactly. That's why it's
necessary that we choose...
someone who has nothing
to do with them.
Someone no one would even think
you would ask.
This is so hard. I don't want
his life in danger, too.
I know, I know, but it's what
we must do.
He's tough, he'll be fine.
You will help him,
just as you helped me.
Yes, my King.
Hey, you two! We need to leave
before the wind drops.
Gilla, please... no!
Wait! Wait! Just wait!
- Stop and... stop and listen.
- What?
- Gilla, love!
- I'm not your love anymore!
Gilla, I just didn't know
I needed to ask.
- Don't! Don't lie.
- Of course you're coming.
- I'm not lying!
- Stop lying!
- I'm not, please I'm begging you!
- Don't lie to me!
Get on the boat!!
Namay, you need to come with me.
Now!
- What is it?
- You'll see.
No, just you alone.
It's all right.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, little man! Hey...
Namay?
Namay, I'm not afraid to go to
the other side of the sun.
You're very brave.
Namay!
Yes, King Viesturs.
Take it.
(MUSIC STOPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
I'm very sorry.
Here.
He chose you. It's yours.
Me? No, no, I... I, I can't take
it, you, please.
We are not asking, you must.
Why me, I'm no Viesturs?!
You don't have to be Viesturs.
He chose you to be yourself.
The ring is yours.
And I beg you, as my king that
you promise me one thing.
You find who did this and you
avenge my family.
I've got a bad feeling
about this.
Valdis, has he survived?
You'll find out soon enough.
A very bad feeling...
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
People of Semigallia...
I have grave news.
Your ruler, your king, Viesturs
and his prince and heir...
Rigvars, have set sail to the
kingdom of spirits,
on the other side of the sun.
Before he died, he named his
new successor;
the one who will wear the ring.
Our destiny has spoken,
kneel before your new ruler!
Put on the ring.
Show them, so they can all
see it.
King Namay.
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay! King Namay!
King Namay!
Not now, King Namay.
All Semigallians know about this
sacred place...
but only the chosen few know how
to find it.
You must remember this secret
path...
for when you return here
without us.
During times of trouble and
danger, Viesturs and all...
the other rulers of Semigallia
before him...
came here to speak to the gods.
I never thought I'd see this
place with my own eyes.
The spirits of our ancestors
live here.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
The spirits protect the ancient
wisdom...
and the silver of Semigallia.
Now all of this is in your
hands.
I'm not sure. What am I meant
to do?
Take care of those who want
to claim the ring.
You mean Daugulis, Birre, Ulups
and his son?
The tribal leaders, yes.
What do you mean,
take care of them?
What do you think I mean?
The people want a strong king
who will do whatever it takes...
to ensure their safety and
security.
- That's what Viesturs did.
- Really, Viesturs?
Believe me, you don't want to
know what he was capable of.
Now it's your destiny. You have
the ring.
Who the hell is Namay?
He's the son of Viesturs'
dead sister.
Oh, is he now, and he is not
even a tribal leader?
No, he's just some orphan.
And now he has the ring?
I believe so.
Fuck!
I created a perfect power
vacuum!
The ideal time to take control.
But no!
Stupid Viesturs goes and gives
the ring to a total nobody.
Well... there's nothing else
for it.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
We must attend his funeral just
as he attended your father's.
What!?
Yes, yes, we'll go, we'll go
to his funeral.
No, no, no! I'm not going.
They're bound to suspect me.
You know the pagan custom, no
one would dream of killing...
a guest during a funeral.
Good. This is just a minor
setback.
Oh, I'll still get that bloody
ring on my finger.
Yes, I will, mark my fucking
words.
Queen Rama, please,
I need you to stay.
I'm going with them.
No, please, you don't have to.
How can I stay when my spirit
and everything I love...
is setting sail for the other
side of the sun?!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
If it was me, I'd claim
my rights.
King Namay! King Namay!
Ah, stop it! Get up! Please,
this is strange enough already.
Oh, come on, show it to me.
Oh, wow.
Namay! On your hand that ring
means nothing!
When Viesturs gave it to you, he
was completely out of his mind!
Come on, Arko, this isn't
the time.
My father was meant to be king.
And if he isn't man enough to
take it from you, then I will!
Shut up, Arko and just sit down.
You're making a fool
of yourself.
I don't give a shit!
Is this what you want, Arko?
Don't do this.
Don't talk to me, you're just
a jumped-up servant!
This can be settled some
other way.
Now, let's settle it now
and forever.
All right.
Now, stay back, a sword fight.
Arko, give it a rest.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SNICKERING)
Things just got a whole lot
more interesting.
You missed a golden opportunity.
Let's hope it doesn't come
back to bite you.
Let's get her into the light.
She'll do.
Let her go, Max.
Hmm, good idea, Pihto,
let's let her go.
Shh...
What did you do?
Well, I let her go.
No... you're a madman.
Let him run.
Murder! Murder in cold blood!
WOMAN: No, no, no.
The holy rules are broken.
Cast off, go. Come on, go, go,
go! Cast off!
(DOG GROWLING)
Faster come on!
(DOG BARKING)
It's Pihto's dagger.
It has the ruler's crest of
Saaremaa on the handle.
He's already set sail.
I was a guest of Pihto's father,
Oru, for some time.
I came to know Pihto.
What I learned about him
I found troubling.
In what way?
I won't waste your time
speculating as to why...
I believe Pihto has chosen
the path he has...
but suffice to say that it's
clear to me he had a hand...
not only in his own father's
death, but in the deaths...
of your very own King Viesturs
and prince Rigvars.
Now he takes the life of an
innocent woman.
He's out of control and needs
to be stopped.
It's time for revenge.
Revenge.
Revenge! Revenge!
Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!
Revenge!
Your king has heard you!
He will take the fighting men
of Semigallia to take revenge.
The guilty one must receive
his punishment.
Revenge!
Revenge! Revenge!
I'm sorry about what happened
to Gilla.
But in some ways her death
is a blessing in disguise.
Nothing strengthens a ruler's
authority more...
than a glorious victory.
It won't be easy, but I believe
in you.
You go to Saareemaa, return
triumphant.
Then we can rule Semigallia
together.
May the Gods and the spirit
of Viesturs be with you!
No way am I getting on his boat!
I'm not having our tribe being
accused of cowardice.
You'll go, that's it.
Don't forget, if something
should happen to Namay...
your father could be king.
I don't care!
- Shut up, you!
- Be a man, do it for the family.
As a mark of my respect for
you and your people...
I hereby place my own soldiers
at your disposal.
Let me get this right:
you're a papal ambassador...
and you're advocating the
overthrow...
of a Christian ruler
by a Pagan one?
This evil needs to be stopped.
Everyone come on! Let's go!
Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
Come on! Let's go!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
I want to go with you.
No, you can't.
Something isn't right, I can
feel it. I'm worried for you.
Don't worry. I'll be back soon.
I promise.
I don't want to stay here
all alone.
Look. You'll have all the power
of Semigallia and its people.
You can't just give me the ring.
Yes, I can. I'm the King.
Come on! Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
One of us ought to attack
from the rear.
My men and I should go
for the main gate.
They'll have it well guarded,
but we'll distract them.
You know this place better than
us. We'll take the back.
Let's go.
Why did Pihto leave his dagger
in Gilla's body?
He didn't think
we would come for revenge?
He panicked, he ran away and
just forgot to take it.
Stop overthinking this. Remember
what Max said.
That's the point, isn't it? It
was Max who found Gilla's body.
It was Max who told us about
Pihto.
It was Max who encouraged us for
revenge. Something is not right.
We can't turn back.
For Gilla, for Viesturs, for
Rigvars. Come on!
Okay.
Back! Everybody back!
Wall!
Hold!
Open up!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Viper!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Shit!
That was a beginner's mistake.
You allowed anger to
cloud your judgment.
Give me the ring.
Give it to me.
Sir.
Nothing, sir.
Unbelievable.
You gave it to your whore,
didn't you,
like a worthless trinket?
I don't need a
ring to destroy you.
Pagan scum, let me take
care of him!
No, that's exactly
what he wants.
He wants to die a
hero, don't you?!
Well Namay, I'm going
to send you to Rome...
they like a freak show there.
I can see it now:
The Last Pagan King!
They'll probably put you
next to the bearded lady.
Meanwhile, everyone in your
beloved Semigallia...
will know that you were never
worthy of the Ring of Kings.
Oh, look at you, revelling
in another's misfortune.
That's not really Christian,
is it?!
And what should I do with them?
Kill them and feed them
to the pigs.
Pihto, what the hell
are you doing?
This is insane. These men
are our allies!
- Were our allies.
- But your father...
My father nothing!
I am in charge now!
Come back! Come back now
or I'll...
Or what? You will kill me, too?
Yes.
(EERIE MUSIC PLAYING)
Show me that.
Give it to me now!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
SOLDIER: Get him!
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
- (UNSHEATHS SWORD)
- Huh?
- (SCREAMING)
- (FLESH HISSING)
Hey, Owl!
I'm not an owl, I'm a squirrel.
Why are your eyes like saucers
then?
Because I'm taking a shit.
I'm coming with you, Namay.
And once we've chopped off
that bastard Max's head...
I'll return to Saaremaa and
do the same to his crusaders.
Good to hear.
(TRIBAL DRUMS BEATING)
I'm not a slave, I'm not rowing
like this.
Max is way ahead of us,
we'll never catch him.
We should never have
come to this godless place.
This is all your fault!
Stop whining and keep rowing!
Why? Namay is no king.
He doesn't know how to lead.
I say we throw him
over the side.
I'll throw you over the side!
Hey! Stop! Sit down
and listen!
Max may be ahead of us, Arko...
but I know how we can catch
up with them.
How wonderful, our beloved
leader has another plan!
Come on, why don't
you share it with us?!
We can carry the boat over
the dune to the river.
That's our only chance.
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
Namay, well, he's on his way
to Rome.
I don't believe you!
Believe what you like, Valdis.
A change is coming to Semigallia
whether you like it or not.
And you can either be a part
of that change...
or you can allow it to cut
you down.
But, Valdis I have nothing
against you...
in fact, well, I see you
as an ally.
So I tell you what, I'll let
you go back to your people...
and you can discuss whether you
want to hand over the ring...
or whether I have to come and
take it, how does that sound?!
Everyone gather around!
What's going on?
Come on, come on now!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Zabis, run to Ulups, tell him
what happened...
and have him alert the other
tribal leaders. Go!
Namay's gone. Don't you
understand it?
He is not coming back.
Namay would never betray us!
That's beside the point!
He's not here, we have to
deal with this on our own.
Now answer me, do you
have the ring?
Do you have the ring?
This is no time for games.
Do you have the ring?
Yes, I have it!
But there's only one person
in the world...
that I'd give it up to,
and that's Namay!
Agh!
Let's not wait any longer.
Forward!
Hey, watch out!
Do you want to drown us all?
That's the river up there...
if you move this lever,
we will all die!
Lauga!
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
Now what the hell went wrong?
Do you want to talk
about that now!?
Now... now we need to negotiate
with Max.
Negotiate?! I'm gonna kill him!
Come on, everybody, arm up!
Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!
We need to be smart about this.
Smart? Were we smart when
we let Max deceive us?
This is our land and we need
to fight Max and whoever else...
tries to take it from us.
You heard your king!
To your weapons, everyone,
arm up!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
Agh!
Go! Hold your line!
Drat... Max!
Max!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
Amen.
If we can't even defeat the
pagan savages of Semigallia...
then it doesn't look good.
We must be seen to be strong.
Just give me more soldiers
and I can finish this.
You failed me! I can't give you
a second chance.
Look, I know you're my son, but
I can't be seen to show favor.
Well, there it is.
Listen to me.
You are going to declare
a crusade on Semigallia.
Crusade?
Look, I want to help you,
I really want to...
but, but the fact is, no
good soldiers at the moment...
really there are none, they
are away on other crusades.
I don't need good soldiers.
I need merciless slaughterers...
and I know exactly where
to find them.
In nomine patris, et filii
et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
In nomine patris, et
filii et spiritus sacti.
(ETHEREAL MUSIC PLAYING)
In the name of the gods that
reside within us all...
and by the life that courses
in my blood...
I choose you, Lauga...
to possess you, to be possessed
by you and to love you...
with all my heart
until the end of time.
In the name of the gods that
reside within us all...
and by the life that courses in
my blood, I choose you...
Namay, King of Semigallia,
to possess you...
to be possessed by you and to
love you...
with all my heart until the end
of time.
(MUSIC FADES UP)
Hey.
My Queen, thank you.
I never doubted you.
You sure about that?
Maybe once for a moment,
but never again.
Hi.
Pull, heave, heave, heave...
Te deum laudamus: te
Dominum confitemur.
Ah, look at him. He can't get
enough of it.
I'm really starting to lose
my patience with him.
He still thinks we want to
convert these pagan fools.
So you think all the other
tribal leaders will come then?
They will, now they know
that Traidenis is coming.
What is it with Traidenis?
No one wants to make an enemy
of him, nor should you.
We are very lucky that we
are good friends with him.
So if we convince Traidenis,
then we convince the others?!
Ah, now you're thinking.
But Traidenis doesn't
care about anybody.
He does his own thing.
That's it.
Why the cape?
To catch a skunk, first you must
cover yourself in its scent.
Now what you gonna say?
Any ideas?
All across Europe, people bow
down to Rome.
They are imprisoned in their
own homes...
paying taxes to live
on their own land.
We must unite and fight.
So what do you think?
Well, I think they will
tell you to fuck off.
Unite? Under whose leadership?
Is Semigallia not enough
for you, Namay?
You want to rule over all of us
now, is that it?
Max and his crusaders will
return...
and when they do, believe me,
there will be more of them.
We need to be ready.
Namay, we trade with Christians
from all over Europe.
Whilst they're only trading
with us, there's no harm done.
On the contrary, how can a cross
be bad, if it's made from gold?
And now, since we've defeated
them once...
they'll be more easy to control.
I admire your determination
and your lofty ideals, but...
You will never persuade the
tribal leaders to give up...
trading with Christian lands.
Sometimes, you need to look
at the bigger picture.
I see the picture only too well.
You're thinking of trade,
but Max is no trader.
He is a ruthless bastard
who is greedy for power...
and wants to make us his slaves.
We need to defeat him...
and the only way to succeed
is if we're united.
Listen, kid, when I heard that
Viesturs had given...
the Ring of Kings to some
nobody...
instead of an honorable tribal
leader, I was worried.
Now I've met you...
and I can see how wise
my dear friend was.
You pathetic, short-sighted,
self-satisfied, bunch of losers.
You're thinking just
about your own wealth.
I am ashamed to be part of
this assembly of smug fools.
Namay, when you need me,
send word.
(MEN YELLING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOG WHINES)
Max was right, you're way
tougher than your father.
We must never let the tribes
unite!
So what now?
We tell everyone that
Traidenis's men...
killed these people.
There will be no more
talk of unity then.
- No one can find out about this.
- No one will.
There's no one to point
the finger at you.
They're all dead! Don't worry.
This is just the beginning.
What the hell is the matter
with you?
You look like you've seen
a ghost.
Murderer!
- Why, Arko?
- What the hell are you talking...
Stop it. No!
Arko, no!
No!
Arko broke our laws.
May my son be cursed.
King Namay, my and my family's
lives are in your hands.
Keep your sword, Ulups,
you're gonna need it.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
(HOWLING)
The strength of the pack
is in the wolf...
and the strength of
the wolf is in the pack.
The other tribal leaders need to
realize the danger we all face.
They understand the danger
well enough.
They just want someone else
to fight Rome...
while they carry on trading.
A mountain with a wolf on it
stands a little bit higher.
The wolf dies where the pack is.
Do you trust your pack?
You mean Ulups?
You killed his son. He is twice
as dangerous now.
I was just upholding our tribal
laws.
Make yourself a sheep
and the wolf will eat you.
What is it, Ulups?
The crusaders are here. There
are more of them than before.
They're ready for battle.
We must send a messenger
to Traidenis.
There's no time, our men are
already prepared.
- We must attack them now.
- We?
Namay, I won't deny it hasn't
been easy between us.
But you were right, if we stick
together we will crush them!
He's right, we need to do
whatever it takes...
to keep invaders from our lands.
We have no choice.
You're honest and brave men.
Our disagreements are
in the past.
Let's prepare for battle!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
So we still have a deal right?
Oh, sure. Yeah, you can take
the lands beyond the river.
You, Birre, you, can have, hm,
you can have Saaremaa.
And Semigallia?
Oh, Semigallia belongs to me.
Traitors!
Whoa, whoa, I didn't betray you!
You have to trust me, I have
every reason to hate you!
But that is more important
than you and me.
You have to believe me, Namay,
as long as I have breath...
in my body, I will fight to stop
that bastard...
from taking even a grain of sand
from Semigallia.
Line up!
How do you like this,
pagans will defeat themselves.
Who'd have thought that
it would be so easy...
they look so strong and proud.
Yes, but pride is a friend
of envy...
and envy is a friend of greed.
If you dangle enough money
someone will always sell...
even if what they're
selling doesn't belong to them.
Finish 'em!
Ulups!
Save yourselves! Now!
Traitors die!
Retreat! Run!
Come on. Run. Get up.
Come on! Come on!
Leave me! Save Semigallia!
I'm sorry.
They're coming!
Siggi, we need to get the women
and children out of here now!
- Through the tunnel?
- Yes.
We'll try to slow them down.
Everybody, hurry up,
through the tunnel.
Come on then, let's burn
them out.
- Come on, come on, run!
- Mommy, where are we going?
Come on, come on quickly.
Flame!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
Aim!
Mommy, wait!
Release!
Flame!
Aim!
Release!
Stop, stop, I beseech you!
Cleanse yourselves of sin...
and practice justice and
righteousness.
Love your brother as yourself.
Turn away from your
violent and destructive ways.
Do not stray from the path
of peace.
We are all God's children!
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Down the tunnel.
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Take him out!
In nomine Patris et
fillii et Spiritus Sancti.
Aim! Release!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
SOLDIER: Come on, heave!
Fall back to the tunnel!
Come on, get up!
(SCREAMING)
Come on! Come on!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
- Come on.
- Hurry, hurry!
(WATER RUNNING)
Fuck!
Fuck off!
Namay, Namay, we can't do this.
Yes, I know but, we have
no choice.
This is the holy place.
We need to hide somewhere.
This is the place where
the ruler...
and those closest to him come
to commune with the gods.
We can commune with the gods
together.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
I should have asked Gilla
to come with me.
But I'll ask her tonight.
Smile, my friend, your
sad face is scaring me.
(DISTANT THUNDER ROLLING)
Mm, very well, I agree
to your terms.
We'll... we'll send a messenger
with you.
Oh and um... thank you.
Fulke, I'd like you to go
as messenger.
You'll be followed all the way,
of course.
Did you mean what you said?
Which part?
The part about allowing all the
Semigallians...
and their warriors to return
home in exchange for the ring.
Well no, of course not.
We'll take the ring when
they surrender...
and then we'll kill them all.
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(HISSING)
Shh...
Shh...
Shh...
I wanted you to come with me,
so I could show you the world...
but instead I brought you here.
I'll go wherever you'll go,
wherever your path takes you...
I'll be with you.
Namay... Namay!
What is it?
There's a messenger from Max
on the shore.
How? Are there soldiers
with him?
He seems to be on his own.
Blindfold him and bring him
to me.
Namay, I have a message for you.
I don't care about that.
What I wanna know is who
betrayed us?!
Max says that if you give him
the Ring of Kings and with it...
your acceptance of him
as ruler of Semigallia...
you will be allowed
to return home unharmed.
You have until dawn tomorrow
to let us know your decision.
We will wait for you by the
hill on the edge of the swamp.
Get him out of my sight.
We must call a meeting.
No shit!
We can't trust Max.
Look what the crusaders have
done to our neighbors' lands.
What they are really
interested in...
- is getting rich off our taxes.
- I agree!
Maybe if we do that,
they'll leave us alone.
And then our children won't
starve or freeze to death.
I'm not bowing before
that bastard.
We've never surrendered before,
and we won't surrender now.
But at least we'd be alive.
You're joking.
As soon as they have the
ring, they will slaughter us.
No, we could be very
valuable to them.
I say we give Max the
ring and take our chances.
We have to trust him,
there's no other way.
He's right, Namay,
that's what we all think.
I just wanna go home.
Go on then, here it is.
Go on, take it, if you're happy
to explain to your children...
years from now that the reason
they don't have any freedom...
is because their father gave
it away.
We can't fight them.
If we fight them, we'll die.
So go on then, huh, take it,
please take it, give it to Max.
Anyone? Nobody?
If you can't do it, let me
do it for you, Namay.
It was you?!
I have always supported you.
You betrayed us?!
Why?
I just tried to save our people.
Offering your people up
for slavery is not saving them.
My fate is to serve. I serve
only the strongest.
That's not you any more.
Max will rule these lands.
I know you don't like to
hear it, but it's true.
So you say either we die
in battle...
or we live under the crusaders?
Well I say, it's better
to die on your feet...
than to live on your knees.
Come on, wake up!
You're on the wrong path!
I've already made my choice.
Because I wear the ring, you all
expect me to tell you...
what to do, but I'm not going
to, not anymore.
Everyone must choose their own
path, you can go with Valdis...
or you can stay with me and
fight until the end.
But there are too many of them
and too few of us.
No one can see a pack
of grey wolves in the fog.
This swamp is our home,
but to them it's a trap.
We will launch an
attack in the morning.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MUSIC ENDS)
I know this must've
been very hard for you...
but you can absolutely rest
assured...
you've done the right thing.
Ah, Namay, so good to see
you again.
Hand it over.
You're not having the ring.
Namay have sense, just give it
to him, you can't win this.
I'm afraid, he's right.
I think I'll take my chances.
Look out!
Charge!
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(SCREAMING)
Run!
I have the ring!
I have the ring!
SOLDIER: I've got the ring!
I've got the ring!
(DRAMATIC MUSIC FADES UP)
SOLDIER: I found the ring!
I found the ring!
I've got the ring!
I got the ring!
You fool.
Fate handed you power and
you gave it away to everyone.
Well, this is the end of you
and your ring.
No, it's the end of you.
For us, it's a new beginning.
Your excellency, Maximilian's
dead.
"For God so loved the world...
"that he gave his only begotten
son..."
So what happens with
Semigallia now?
We'll just send someone else.
IT TOOK THE CRUSADERS ANOTHER
HUNDRED YEARS TO CONQUER
SEMIGALLIA BUT THEY COULD
NEVER BREAK ITS SPIRIT.
FOR NAMEJS TAUGHT HIS PEOPLE THAT POWER
AND LEADERSHIP COM NOT FROM ON HIGH BUT
FROM WITHIN, AND EVERYONE MUST TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN PATH IN LIFE.
TO THIS DAY, THE RING OF NAMEJS
REMAINS A SYMBOL
OF HONESTY, BRAVERY AND
PERSONAL FREEDOM.
(MUSIC FADES UP)