The Winter Warrior (2003) - full transcript
In the autumn of 573 AD, the civil war that divides the Celtic nations in the post Romano- Britiain ends at the battle of Arthuet. The Celtic amies disband and the warriors return to their homes, but the losses to the combined Celtic forces are so great that the immigrants from Germania - the Angles who settled along the North Sea, boldly send raiding parties into the Celtic homelands. Fingal a Celtic mercenary soldier is returning home to his Roman wife, Lillian, who lives with his people of Caledon, Weighed down by his travel bags full of the treasures of war he rescues the slave, Jessica fom her Angle captors, to become his servant to carry his valuable homeward. Meanwhile Angle aiders capture Liilian, and in a fonfontation with Fingal, the Angle dullard Ulph, kills Lillian, thus destroying any hope of peace making. The Angles flee taking Jessica with them. After burying his wife, Fingal pursues the Angles. Meanwhile Ida, the Angle leader realises they are lost when they encounter the Picts, the playful bandits of the high hills. Fingal makes a bargain with the unruly Picts, paying them to defeat the Angles. Fearful of having to spend the winter in a hostile land, the Angles begin to panic and fight among themselves.
[rain spattering]
[thunder roaring]
[dramatic music]
[animal roaring]
[intense drumming]
[woman breathing heavily]
[woman grunts]
- You're a slave.
Well slave or not, never
throw a spear at me again.
I'll cut your bloody throat.
Now, pick those things up.
Save your tears for your
Angle master's burial.
- Frythod was a pig.
- You can talk.
Good.
Come.
You'll help me bury him.
[wind rustling]
[metal clanking]
[birds squawking]
- Rome is so beautiful, and
the monuments are ancient,
and the Colosseum
is spectacular.
- Don't you miss Rome then?
- Si, but I love it here.
- It rains all the time.
- Well, Uncle Fingal will
bring the sun with him.
- How did you meet Uncle Fingal?
- He was a commander in
Emperor Justin's army,
and the Lombard's invaded.
They brought the yellow
plague with them.
We had to flee and
leave everything behind.
- Uncle likes fighting?
- He does.
[man grunts]
[screaming]
- Ethne, run! [screams]
[intense music]
Run!
- Ah, come on!
- [Lillian] Run!
[screams] Help!
- Move!
Move!
[water burbling]
- Psst.
- Ethne, Ethne, go back.
- No, I'm frightened.
- Do as I say, go back
and wait for your uncle.
Mark the trail.
They'll camp here for winter.
Go!
- They'll kill you!
- No they won't.
I think their leader
wants me for himself.
Go now!
Fingal should be back soon, go!
[breaths heavily]
- You're the first Roman
girl I've ever met.
Good looking,
well-mannered, educated.
Should've seen some of the
hacks we've catched in the past.
Foul-mouthed, bad-mannered,
disease-ridden,
and ugly, unbelievably ugly.
But you, you're the kind of
woman a man wants to show off.
- Ugh, do you like stories?
- [Man] What kind of stories?
- Stories about gods and
demons and pillage and famine.
- [Man] Can you tell
stories like that?
- Oh yeah, yeah.
- [Man] Let's make a deal.
When we make camp tonight,
you tell me a story,
and I'll make sure my
men won't touch you.
- Yes.
- Ulph, get the
men on their feet!
[intense drumming]
[rain splattering]
[tense music]
[wolf howling]
- Why did you take
time to bury them?
- All warriors deserve
a decent burial.
- Why do you stare
at me like that?
- Like what?
- Like I'm a Jew.
- You've got me
all wrong, woman.
- You think I like
being a slave?
You're the fourth man in
as many years to own me.
- I don't own you.
I don't even want you!
But what would you do
on your own out here?
Hmm?
Another Angle raiding
party would capture you
or a wild beast would eat you.
- I can take care of myself.
Give me a knife and a
spear and I'll be gone
by the morning.
- Where would you go?
- Far away from this
miserable place.
Maybe, maybe to Judea.
- Judea.
And what would you do there?
- Visit the shrines
of my ancestors.
- It's all in ruins.
- How do you know?
- I've been through the holy
land with the Roman army
on the march to Africa.
- You're a mercenary.
- I'm a soldier for hire.
[bottle pops]
Is there anything
wrong with that?
- You plunder and pillage in
the name of righteousness.
- At least I don't eat dogs,
horses, or wild monkeys
like some of the
heathens I've fought do.
Or kiss little crude effigies
or sacrifice children.
I worship one god, the
God, the same god you do.
[sad music]
♪ Oh God, you are my God
♪ And I long after you
- So what's your name?
- Jessica.
- You speak like a Saxon.
- I was educated in Londinium.
My father traded goods up
and down the Germanic sea.
Four years ago,
his ship was seized
and I was seized as a slave.
- What happened to your father?
- They killed him for his money.
- I'm sorry.
- I was sold at the market
in Jorvik for a stolen horse.
- I'd say it was a good horse.
- I was passed as a camp
follower by the north Umbrians.
I learned to watch men kill
each other and not get involved.
- Heathens and Christians.
- Is there a difference?
Isn't one man much
the same as any other?
- You're wrong.
You've been a slave too long.
You need to be reeducated.
[dramatic drumming]
- [speaks foreign language]
[men grunting]
[men cheering]
[man screaming]
[bone cracking]
[man screaming]
[men cheering]
[bone cracking]
[dramatic music]
[scream echoing]
- This is your idea of freedom?
Don't you trust me?
- I stay alive by knowing
what men are capable of doing
and what women are
capable of undoing.
Feet.
[mellow music]
Night, sleep.
- [Jessica] Where
are you taking me?
- To Caledon.
I've given the best years
of my life to fighting war
for foreign armies.
I've got to give a meaning
to my life and my people.
- What will you do with
me when we get there?
- Maybe a poor farmer will
take pity on you and marry you.
[scoffs]
Aye, get some sleep.
[mellow music]
[bird chirping]
Are you coming or what?
We haven't got all day.
The rain's about to come.
- No.
- [Fingal] Pick it up or else.
- I will serve you, but
you must let me wash.
- Warrior approaching!
That's no way to
treat an old friend!
- Fingal!
- How you doing,
you old fur trader?
- And you, you old warthog.
You should be dead by now, ha!
- Aye!
The Persians tried.
And the Lombards have
tried, and now the Angles,
but I'm still here.
- Who's the woman?
- Ah, just another
casualty of the chaos
that exits everywhere.
- Does she keep
you warm at night?
- [Fingal] I have
a wife, Angwen.
- My woman died last winter.
Is she available.
- I don't think she'd
put up with your habits.
Let her be.
[birds chirping]
- You have been married, girl?
- So I exist to gather
wood and leaves?
To strike fire from flint so
a man can enjoy the comfort
of the hearth I've made.
- That's a woman's work.
A woman should obey her man.
- Your Christ came
to redeem women.
A woman it was who bore him.
A man who betrayed
him with a kiss.
Was it not woman who
washed his feet with tears
and a man who three
times denied him,
a woman who stood by his cross.
No less than men do
women possess this Earth.
- Fiery-Tongued one she is.
I'll buy her form you.
- I told you to let her be.
She's not for sale.
- I'll give you a bearskin
and three deerhides for her.
- I told you,
she's not for sale.
- A present, from some monks.
Let's keep talking.
[tense music]
- Gwyndol's druidic forces
outnumbered us three to one,
but they had one weakness.
They wouldn't fight at night.
And we were happy for the rest.
Their army was colossal.
[drumming]
And we felt the
morning would bring us
our last day of glory.
King Urion passed among us,
[drumming]
encouraging the wounded
and blessing the dying.
[men cheering]
He spoke brave words about
the courage and the valour
of the cymrae on both sides.
If the House of
Cullin has to end,
it is better that it destroys
itself than all Brittania.
He beseeched God to
grant his victory
over his wayward nephews
who were obsessed with
power and destruction.
[men cheering]
It was a great speech,
and when it was over,
we regrouped on a
sandy howl at Arthuret.
Dawn rose.
And Gwyndol's forces
streamed across the river
and tried to take the howl.
Thousands fell in the
carnage and slaughter.
In the midst of the
battle stood Midren.
Bring big distraction.
He saw the end had come for
his twin brother Gwyndol.
The famous warriors of the
cymrae all perished that day.
[melancholy guitar music]
Panshuin, with his battle
axe struck off Gwyndol's head
and paraded it on a
spear for all to see.
Midren went mad and
rent his clothings.
He smeared his face and
body with Gwyndol's blood,
but, on account that
he was a holy man,
he was allowed to stumble
and flee from the battlefield
to live out the test
of his miserable days
in the forests of Caledon.
I was the one he carried
Gwyndol's head on the spear.
It was not a joy, sir.
Only wailing for
the 80,000 lost.
- That many.
I wish I'd seen that.
- Too many.
Too many to bury.
The crows feasted on them.
And now, our problems
are with the Angles.
But we're too weakened.
- Angles are wily.
They like to sneak up on a man.
I bet you they sneaked
up on her a few times.
- I'm tired.
[foreboding music]
[drumming]
[woman screaming]
[man laughing]
[woman laughing]
- They boys are happy tonight.
They have a roof
over their heads,
and they don't have to
suffer Edwin's advances.
- You're not going
to protect her?
- She's just a herdsman's wife.
You told me your
husband is a soldier,
so you should understand
our way of life.
- Should I?
Do you think my husband tells
me everything that goes on
on his campaigns?
He's marked by his silence.
- Perhaps he is
an honourable man.
- If you were an honourable man,
you would protect
her from your men.
[laughing]
- Ulph!
Aelle.
Not in front of the lady.
Enough!
You promised me a story.
Edwin, take that cloak off.
- I am Isis, all that has ever
been, that is, or shall be.
No mortal man has
ever seen me unveiled.
Crowned with the moon and
clad in the robe of the stars.
[laughing]
[melancholy music]
- Quickly, no more,
little beauty.
[drumming]
Make it easy on yourself.
[grunting]
[metal clinking]
[tranquil music]
[mumbling]
- Hey.
Did you sleep well?
- Yeah.
What am I supposed
to do with this?
Wash or drink it?
- Do as you please.
- You think just because
you bring me a bowl of water
I'm gonna sleep with you?
- [laughs] Don't embarrass
me in front of my men.
Ugh, ugh, Edwin,
Hussa, Ulph, Aelle.
Take her to the trees and
do what you wish with her!
- No!
[speaks foreign language] No!
[woman cries]
- [Ulph] Bitch!
- When you're
finished, bury her!
- No!
- You will go to the stream,
and you will prepare yourself!
- You might as well kill me now!
[woman screaming]
- From now on, there'll
be no special favours!
One wrong look,
and you're theirs.
- No!
[woman screaming]
You bastard!
- Don't tempt me, wench!
- [Edwin] Ida!
Ah!
- [Ida] Be still boy, be still!
- [Edwin] No, no, no!
- [Ida] Be still!
- No!
- [Ida] Be still, be still!
- I'm blinded!
That bitch stuck
a stick in my eye!
- [Lillian] Good!
- [Ida] Be quiet!
[Edwin wails]
- Get up, I said.
Get up, I said.
That's an order!
It's the witch's doing.
Get back to the fire.
All of you!
I want the camp cleared now!
[wind whistling]
- The Angles have
killed my brother.
I will not rest until every
one of them is buried.
- [Ida] You two look tired.
- There's a large tower about
half a day's march from here.
- How many?
- Maybe as many as 20, 25,
all living in one big hall.
The hall is built on stilts
and pushes out onto the lake.
There's a short wooden causeway
that connects the
hall to the shore.
- You think we could take
it and hold it for winter?
- Easily.
We only saw about
four or five old men.
There rest are
women and children.
- Get some rest.
We'll move out when
this cloud breaks.
[birds chirping]
[Ethne screaming]
[Fingal shushing]
[fire crackling]
- This is my niece Ethne.
Don't be afraid.
She's just a slave I
freed along the way.
Ethne.
You'll come with me
and carry my weapons.
- She's a child.
Leave her behind
with your people.
I'll go in her place.
- Why would you do that?
- So you have something
to trade for your wife.
This is not my country.
I could never be happy here.
At least with the Angles I
have a chance of escaping
back to Londinium.
- What if they don't want you?
- Oh, they'll want me.
Ethne.
Was one of them
as tall as a tree,
and one of them couldn't speak?
- Do you know them?
- They're Frythold's cousins.
They came to this
country together.
Ida, their leader, has
been trying to bed me
for the last two years.
Angles live for sport.
They know someone'll
come after them
to trade for their hostages.
They're counting on it.
I know how to please soldiers
when they're far from home.
But it's gonna
cost more than me.
You have to take
coins and spoil.
- If that's the way it's
to be, then so be it.
But don't expect me or
Ethne to be grateful.
You're every bit one of them.
[tranquil music]
- You'd make a good father.
- I'm a soldier, lady.
- Maybe it's time
you became a farmer.
- With savages
intent on robbery?
- Well.
Treat a dog badly
and it will bite you.
- I don't need any
of your Eastern talk.
Angles will not be happy until
they've taken all our land.
- Why don't you
share it with them?
- And be made slaves?
Our people are free, and we
will fight for our freedom.
Just as your people have
fought since Moses' time.
- That's man's talk.
What about the girl's future.
Where's her mother?
- She died of the yellow plague.
- [Jessica] The plague came
as far as this distant place?
- There's no hiding
from something
that is carried in the wind.
In this land, you will
see the work of many,
but the land is
bare of people now.
The Angles are
constantly reinforced
with fresh immigrants.
To defeat them, our scales
must fall on ten men.
I'm most valuable as a warrior,
to fight those who
oppose my people.
- You're not driven by
self-interest and revenge
like all other men?
- I live by a code of honour.
If I did not live by that
code, you'd be dead, aye.
Get some sleep.
[tense music]
- Fesh Cuma, fesh cuma,
we come as friends.
It is Fingal, brother of Dougal!
I have his daughter here, he's
been killed by the Angles.
- You're not welcome
here, Fingal!
- Roderick, the
civil war is over!
At least show us some
Celtic hospitality.
[ethereal music]
- [Roderick] I lost
three sons in the war.
- [Jessica] You can't blame
the soldier for that, Chief.
- [Roderick] I've seen nothing
in him that impresses me.
- Why do you
despise him so much?
- He's the father
of my granddaughter.
- [Jessica] But she
calls him uncle!
- She doesn't know.
He went to war and left
my daughter pregnant.
His brother married her and
raised the child as his own.
- Does he know this?
- No.
He was gone eight years and
returned with a Roman wife.
She brought the yellow
plague with her.
It destroyed our way of life.
The Angles can do what
they please with her.
It is the will of God.
- So will you not help
him to get her back.
- If God is good,
God will help him.
- I pity you people.
You are bitter and divided.
With your little secrets,
you're no match for the Angles.
- The Angles will never come
in sufficient
numbers to defeat us.
- You are so wrong, Chief.
I have seen their keels.
They hold 40 men.
They come every day from
Denmark and Germania.
They are organised
and hungry for land.
- The spirits of our
ancestors would protect us.
- Your spirits have not
helped you up to now, Chief.
I think it is wise to
enlist Fingal on your side.
It's time to settle
your differences.
- You're a strange being.
You sound like a woman,
yet talk like a man.
- Make no mistake,
Chief, I am a woman.
[intense drumming]
- [Man] Angles!
- Is that them?
- Yes.
It's Ida and his brother Aelle.
- How many are in their band?
- He has four other
half-brothers.
They'll be hiding
somewhere in the trees.
- You still willing
to be traded?
- Yes.
- What do you want?
- We've come to
talk to your chief.
- I'll do the talking.
- We want food and tributes,
or we will kill everyone.
- You won't kill one
of your own, would you?
- That's cousin
Frythold's woman.
- Your comrades are dead!
- Leave this to me.
What do you want for her?
- Any of our women you have.
- Trade the Roman witch
and be rid of her,
and we can come back
and slaughter them all.
- We don't have
any of your women.
But if you give her up,
we will go away in peace.
- You'll have to
come and get her.
- What are we gonna do now?
- Shut it, Aelle.
This Celt's a fool.
- If you don't hand her over,
we'll set fire to your hall.
- Come now, lads.
Leave the civilians out of this.
We are fighting men.
I'll fight your champion.
If he wins, you can have her.
If not, give us what hostages
you have and leave our land.
- I told you this
Celt is a fool.
You will fight our
champion Aethelric.
My men will prepare the ground.
Make sure the Roman is
bound and kept hidden
until after the match.
- Aethelric has never lost.
- There's a first
time for everything.
[dramatic drumming]
- There'll be no punching,
kicking, or gouging.
First to two falls, wins.
To the death!
- [Angle Man] Come
on, Aethelric!
- [Angle Man] Aethelric!
- [Angle Man] Come on!
- [Angle Man] Aethelric!
[men cheer]
- [Angle Man] Come on!
- First fall to our man.
- [Angles] Yes!
- Aethelric!
[men cheering]
[Aethelric grunts]
- [Angle Man] That's it, boy!
[grunting]
[men cheering]
[grunting]
[men cheering]
[grunting]
[bone snapping]
[Fingal groans]
- Where is your honour?
You lost the match!
- [Ulph] What are
we doing here, Ida?
- [Ida] Let him have it, Ulph.
- [Jessica] Give him his wife!
- [Ida] Pull in
your spears, men!
- Fingal!
- Look lads, it's
her soldier man.
- He won the fight
fair and square.
- I'm a fair man.
Which one do you want, Celt?
The Roman or the Jew?
- You're a long way from home.
- Give back the witch, Ida.
She's been enough
trouble already.
- Quiet Ulph!
I'm sorry friend, but I
can't let you have both.
I need one of them to
keep me warm this winter.
- Give him his wife or I'll
charge you with falsehood,
light seven candles,
and heap the curses
of your gods upon you.
- Oh, I like a bit of spirit.
And you will go with me freely?
- Yes.
- Then it is settled.
We will wait in the
trees until dusk.
Bring whatever food
and tribute you have.
And your pretty wife
will be returned to you.
You have my word.
Move out!
[sad music]
- We have made our bargain.
Now give me my wife!
- Hussa, give him the Roman.
[Lillian grunts]
- [Ulph] Wench!
Wench.
Bloody wench.
- [Angle Man] Roman bitch!
[spear whistling]
- Lillian!
[sad music]
[Fingal sobbing]
- I'm sorry.
I've always brought
you bad luck, didn't I?
- I've never been here.
I've always been at war.
- Oh, it's not that.
Since I married you.
everything is going dark.
I'm dying!
I'm dying!
[breathing heavily] You've
made me happy, very happy.
I love you.
I think I.
[sad music]
[intense drumming]
- [Ida] Ulph!
You have undone my word!
- Coming at her,
she's already cost us.
[Ida grunts]
- It's over!
She's dead!
- [Ida] Later.
[sad music]
- How are you, son?
- Where's God now?
- It is evil they have done.
- I never truly loved
her the way she loved me.
Even in death.
She never cursed me.
- You must sit with the living.
How are your wounds?
- Well enough.
- We have spoken and agreed
you must liberate the Jew.
- Why?
- She is pure of spirit.
She showed us that she
is prepared to sacrifice
her freedom for you.
It is your creed to fight
slavery where you see it.
It is your duty as a
warrior to liberate her.
These Angles must pay
for their treachery.
Now that I have seen their ways,
I believe that we shall
all die at their hands
if we do not fight.
- I'm only one man.
- We have a gift that will
give you the strength of 10.
- This is the sword of
the great chief Kaneda.
He died when you were a boy.
He entrusted it to me
and bade me keep it,
until the day our
people find a warrior
who will lead them
wisely into the future.
- I am not that man.
- If you are not that
man, then the gods
have deserted [speaks
foreign language].
- Let it be none,
there is only one god.
It is a god of our
own saint Nanyu.
And only He that
we shall worship.
- It is agreed.
- Then in the name of God.
I will be your warrior.
[birds chirping]
- I have something
to say to you.
- Grandfather Roderick told me.
- Told you what?
- That I will stay with
him if you don't return.
- I will return.
- Will you be a
good father to me?
- I'll be the best
father in all Caledon.
- I love you.
- I love you too, Ethne.
- Mama told me you were
my papa before she died.
- Aye, aye.
- If you find Jessica,
can she stay with us, too.
- We'll see.
- The Angles were
seen yesterday heading
for the high country.
- Without a guide,
they won't find a way
across the mountains.
I'll catch them.
- Take this.
You may need it to
buy some friends.
- Ethne.
You take care of
your grandfather.
[melancholy music]
[upbeat music]
[laughing]
[paper tearing]
- How much is it worth?
- They're Christian.
It's worth its weight in coin.
- I'll buy me a dress.
- So we're just
gonna let them go.
- They're lost.
We'll pick them off one by one.
[dark music]
[ethereal music]
- It's impossible to get
a bearing in this land.
It's always cloudy.
- Maybe it'll clear tonight
and we can see the stars.
- When are we going home?
- Shut up, Edwin.
I'm tired of your moaning.
I wish you were a
mute like Hussa.
- Get her to get some
wood for the fire.
We'll camp here tonight.
- This place is wide open.
Fire'll be seen for miles.
We should make
camp in them trees.
- Haven't you noticed?
We're being followed.
Three of them.
I saw 'em this morning.
- Celts?
- Picts.
- Picts?
That means we're going
north, not south.
- Edwin's right, Ida.
What's the sport in this?
- If we march northwards
another few days,
then strike east, in three days
we'll reach the German Sea.
- Then what?
- We'll commandeer a
boat and sail home.
- Just like that?
- Look, we're short on numbers.
If Frythold hadn't been killed,
we wouldn't be in this position.
- You shouldn't have let
that Celt fight Aethelric.
- Edwin's right, Ida.
We should've taken that whore
and settled there for Winter.
It would've been easy to defend.
- You said it was easy to take.
A few old men and the rest
women and children [laughs].
- The Celt must've
shown up later.
- Enough!
We are warriors.
Woden is testing our courage.
- We're going to
the hidden world.
- Shut up, Edwin!
You're a disgrace to our family.
- [Ida] Hussa, you'll
take the first watch.
[upbeat music]
- Don't get up.
I've come to join you.
- He's one.
- Are you a Christian?
- Why, you want a bedtime story?
- She wants a new dress.
- How much would you
give us for this?
- Where'd you get that?
- Pay us for it,
and we'll tell you.
- I'm all out of
trust these days.
Why don't you just tell me?
- Her mother left it
to her when she died.
[laughs]
- Pull the other one.
You stole it.
- Ah, I did not.
He did.
- I did not, you hag.
The cyclops threw it away.
- Where was this?
- Half a day back that way.
- That way?
- No, they've been running
in circles for two days now.
They're actually camped
up that way, in the open.
- Can you guide me?
- It'll cost you.
- You still haven't
bought the book.
- Lead me to their
camp, and I'll give you
all the coin I have.
- Why don't we take his
coin and keep the book?
- I wouldn't try it.
I'm sure you are pretty
handy with those weapons.
But I warn you, you're
no match for me.
Why don't you just point
me in the direction
the Angles are camped?
Thank you.
[laughing]
[tranquil music]
- Get the fire going, girl.
- My name's Jessica.
- I know your name.
- You soldiers are all the same.
No manners.
- Aye, that's what
the wife says.
But I wouldn't dare
kick her out of bed.
You've met my wife, Frida.
- Yes, she's as fat as a pig.
- Why do you think
I'm away so much.
Tell me, girl.
Why did you save the
Celt from being killed?
- He spared my life.
Now we're even.
- You should've let us kill him.
- He's the best
fighter I've ever seen.
- Better than me?
- Yes.
- Why didn't he kill you
when he captured you?
- He needed someone to
carry his war tribute.
- He had some fine things.
Here, take this.
- I can't.
- This was meant
for the dead woman.
- It's yours.
When we make camp
tonight, you can wear it
and dance for me.
- When are we
getting out of here?
This place gives me the chills.
[sad music]
[upbeat Celtic music]
[screaming]
- Where's Edwin?
- He'll catch up.
- Hussa, go back and
help Edwin with his load.
Here, take this.
[laughing]
[foreboding music]
- Hussa!
- [Ida] Edwin.
- It's Picts!
They use axes!
- Get yourself together, Aelle.
- Shut it, Ida!
You're leading us to our deaths.
- He's right, Ida.
This is grim.
I'm going back the way we came.
Aelle, Hussa.
I don't see anything.
- [Aelle] He's not making sense.
- Whatever it is, he
doesn't wanna go that way.
- It's the Celt, isn't it Hussa?
- [Jessica] He's pursuing us.
- [Ida] That's all we need.
- [Ulph] How far to the ocean?
- [Ida] That'd be two days.
- Can we slow him up?
- We'll set some
traps along the way.
Come, let's move.
And stay together.
Move out!
[upbeat Celtic music]
[fire crackling]
- Don't get up.
- What do you want?
- First, you can
start by handing over
my dress and jewels.
- They're mine.
- You can hand them over
or I can tan your backside.
- Are you gonna let him
talk to me like that?
- Hey, oh ho!
I've been wanting to do
that for a long time now.
Give him the dress
back, sweetums.
[Pict woman crying]
- [Pict Woman] You
can have your dress.
- You're gonna help
me catch the Angles.
- It'll cost ya.
- Chief, we're hired.
[foreboding music]
- [Cole] I've even
recited to kings.
- Aye, dead ones.
He talks to the
stones, you know.
[Fingal laughs]
- [Pict Woman] He
only humours him
because he's my younger brother.
- I'm older than him!
- He is not!
- And I've got more
teeth than you.
- He has not.
- [Fingal] Cole.
- What?
- Trees are bent.
We'll go around this place.
- Don't be cuckoo.
If we go around that way,
it's gonna put half
a day out of our way.
Ugh, there's nothing
to be afraid of.
I know the way.
[low thudding]
[screaming]
- Stay back!
The whole way is rigged.
- We can't leave him
there for the crows.
- It's not always possible
to bury the slain.
Show me a way around this place.
[sad music]
The girl is helping us.
- [Pict Man] Where
are they headed?
- Don't ask me.
- [Pict Man] They must
be headed for somewhere.
- Back across the sea, I hope.
- The sea.
Of course.
- How much time did we lose
by going around the traps?
- A quarter sun.
If they've headed
back across the moor,
you'll never find them among
the mists of the high peaks.
- They cannot be
travelling as fast as us.
They must be in sight.
Come on, get yourselves up.
- You're a hard man, mister.
- You think the traps got him?
- Nah.
- Why are we so scared of him?
- There's four of us.
- He's the hunter.
We're the prey.
- So why don't we hunt
him and be done with it.
- I'm for that!
Hussa?
- He'll kill you all.
- Shut it, Jessica.
Maybe you're right, Aelle.
I'm sick of looking
over me shoulder.
- That's more like it, Ida!
- Yeah.
We'll string him up.
We owe him that for Aethelric.
- We'll need some bait.
- What?
- We go a job for you.
- This is far as we go.
- We go no farther.
- Thank you.
- [Pict Woman] Let's
go and bury my brother.
[bird screeching]
[upbeat drum music]
[men grunting]
- [Ulph] Admit it, Ida.
We lost.
- [Ida] I won't give in.
We'll reach the sea.
- [Ulph] We're in a bad way.
- We'll make it.
Once over these mountains,
we'll see the sea.
- You better be right, Ida.
Or I'm gonna kill ya.
- What's the matter
with you, Ulph?
Since we've started this raid,
you've been at my throat.
- I'm getting too
old for this, Ida.
Why don't we settle
down and pay others
to fight for us?
- [Ida] We'd be sending
them out to die.
If the Celts didn't kill
them, the land would.
- [Ulph] Look at us.
And what're we
gonna do with her?
- We'll let her go
when we reach the sea.
That Celt!
He doesn't know when to give up.
Come on, let's lose
him in the clouds.
[melancholy music]
♪ The grass and
mountains I have seen ♪
♪ Sights beyond my
wildest dreams ♪
♪ Beyond the valleys there's
a place I call home ♪
♪ Where I
♪ Where I
♪ Where I feel so un-alone
♪ Where I feel so un-alone
♪ Un-Alone
- Where's the sea then, Ida?
- [Ida] It's gotta be somewhere.
- There's nothing
but more mountains!
[Ida grunting]
- [Ida] Don't do this.
- Take your sword out.
I'm gonna kill ya.
[grunts]
- [Ida] You can't beat me.
You never will.
- [Aelle] Ida, Ulph! [groans]
- Hussa, stop 'em!
[grunting]
- Woden!
[fighters grunting]
- Come on, get it on with.
- To the death.
[grunting]
Die!
You shouldn't have killed
her, little brother.
[both scream]
[breathes heavily]
Anyone else?
Aelle?
Hussa?
What's the matter with you all?
Have you nothing to say?
I just killed our brother.
You.
You think I'm a fool.
- I think nothing.
- I am a fool.
I'm going down this
mountain to find the sea.
You can all rot here with Ulph.
- Ida!
Ida!
[ethereal music]
[water burbling]
- Ah, I'm slowing you down.
I'm not gonna make it.
- Don't talk that way, Aelle.
Let me rest, Ida.
- We must keep moving.
- I know, it's bad.
Give me an axe and a spear.
- No Aelle.
I'm not leaving you.
- Can't you see he's dying.
- What do you care?
- Each man should be allowed
his own way to go to heaven.
- Right Ida.
At least let me
die like a warrior.
- Go now.
I will wait for the Celt.
[tranquil music]
Wounded by war.
Worn by wounding.
High in the hills,
hankering for home.
Wrestled from women,
wrenched from wenching.
The weary warrior stands alone.
Blooded by battle,
axe blade broken,
spear shaft smashed,
helmet hewn.
Chanting war cries,
stirring the sleeping.
The warrior waits,
bereft of blood.
Thirsty for fighting,
hungry for hunting,
slinging of shields,
singing of swords,
proud in his posture,
brave in his bearing.
The warrior relishes
fighting his foes.
[screams]
[intense drumming]
- What took you so long, Celt?
The gods are waiting for me.
- Well they won't have
much longer to wait.
[grunting]
[metal clanking]
[tranquil music]
- Get up, girl.
- I can't go any further.
- Look.
We have one chance.
- What have I got to live for?
- Another 20 years of slavery?
- Look, I will free you.
I will desert my pig of a wife.
Marry you.
[Jessica laughs]
[metal clanking]
- What's wrong?
- It's not the Germanic Sea.
- Well what sea is it?
- It must be the western ocean.
[Jessica laughs]
- So we've been travelling
the wrong way all this time?
Oh, you're some leader, Ida.
- Quiet!
We can still steal a small boat
and sail northwards round
to the Germanic Sea.
- In Winter?
You'll drown us all.
Give up, Ida, you're beaten.
Maybe they'll spare you
and hold you in chains
until you're ransomed.
- After what Ulph
did to the Roman?
- What about him?
What does he think?
- Well Hussa, what should we do?
- [laughs] Angles
are men of the sea!
Isn't that right, Hussa?
Yeah, let's move out.
Move it!
[dark music]
[intense drumming]
Let's go!
I've waited a long
time for this.
Woden!
- Aye, prepare to
meet your god Angle.
[metal clanking]
[Ida groans]
[metal clanking]
- No!
Hussa.
[metal clinking]
[Ida groans]
- [Fingal] Your gods
spare you, Angle.
- You're a strange man.
- What do I do with you now?
- Free me?
- And let you go to Judea?
- If you wish.
- I brought this for my wife.
I want you to have it.
- I couldn't wear that.
- Then all this has
been for nothing.
[tranquil music]
♪ Oh God, you are my God
♪ And I long after you
♪ My soul is thirsting, aching
♪ And empty through
♪ I have seen you
in my sanctuary ♪
♪ And know you're
power and might ♪
♪ And on my bed, I lie
♪ Who watches all the night
♪ Oh Lord, your
love and kindness ♪
♪ Are more than I can think
♪ I will rejoice and sing it
♪ The shadow on your wing
[upbeat music]
♪ Yee-Haw
♪ Yahoo!
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a biddle a yahoo ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a biddle a ho ho ho ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a herd da hill da hey ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a herd da hill da her ♪
[singing gibberish]
[thunder roaring]
[dramatic music]
[animal roaring]
[intense drumming]
[woman breathing heavily]
[woman grunts]
- You're a slave.
Well slave or not, never
throw a spear at me again.
I'll cut your bloody throat.
Now, pick those things up.
Save your tears for your
Angle master's burial.
- Frythod was a pig.
- You can talk.
Good.
Come.
You'll help me bury him.
[wind rustling]
[metal clanking]
[birds squawking]
- Rome is so beautiful, and
the monuments are ancient,
and the Colosseum
is spectacular.
- Don't you miss Rome then?
- Si, but I love it here.
- It rains all the time.
- Well, Uncle Fingal will
bring the sun with him.
- How did you meet Uncle Fingal?
- He was a commander in
Emperor Justin's army,
and the Lombard's invaded.
They brought the yellow
plague with them.
We had to flee and
leave everything behind.
- Uncle likes fighting?
- He does.
[man grunts]
[screaming]
- Ethne, run! [screams]
[intense music]
Run!
- Ah, come on!
- [Lillian] Run!
[screams] Help!
- Move!
Move!
[water burbling]
- Psst.
- Ethne, Ethne, go back.
- No, I'm frightened.
- Do as I say, go back
and wait for your uncle.
Mark the trail.
They'll camp here for winter.
Go!
- They'll kill you!
- No they won't.
I think their leader
wants me for himself.
Go now!
Fingal should be back soon, go!
[breaths heavily]
- You're the first Roman
girl I've ever met.
Good looking,
well-mannered, educated.
Should've seen some of the
hacks we've catched in the past.
Foul-mouthed, bad-mannered,
disease-ridden,
and ugly, unbelievably ugly.
But you, you're the kind of
woman a man wants to show off.
- Ugh, do you like stories?
- [Man] What kind of stories?
- Stories about gods and
demons and pillage and famine.
- [Man] Can you tell
stories like that?
- Oh yeah, yeah.
- [Man] Let's make a deal.
When we make camp tonight,
you tell me a story,
and I'll make sure my
men won't touch you.
- Yes.
- Ulph, get the
men on their feet!
[intense drumming]
[rain splattering]
[tense music]
[wolf howling]
- Why did you take
time to bury them?
- All warriors deserve
a decent burial.
- Why do you stare
at me like that?
- Like what?
- Like I'm a Jew.
- You've got me
all wrong, woman.
- You think I like
being a slave?
You're the fourth man in
as many years to own me.
- I don't own you.
I don't even want you!
But what would you do
on your own out here?
Hmm?
Another Angle raiding
party would capture you
or a wild beast would eat you.
- I can take care of myself.
Give me a knife and a
spear and I'll be gone
by the morning.
- Where would you go?
- Far away from this
miserable place.
Maybe, maybe to Judea.
- Judea.
And what would you do there?
- Visit the shrines
of my ancestors.
- It's all in ruins.
- How do you know?
- I've been through the holy
land with the Roman army
on the march to Africa.
- You're a mercenary.
- I'm a soldier for hire.
[bottle pops]
Is there anything
wrong with that?
- You plunder and pillage in
the name of righteousness.
- At least I don't eat dogs,
horses, or wild monkeys
like some of the
heathens I've fought do.
Or kiss little crude effigies
or sacrifice children.
I worship one god, the
God, the same god you do.
[sad music]
♪ Oh God, you are my God
♪ And I long after you
- So what's your name?
- Jessica.
- You speak like a Saxon.
- I was educated in Londinium.
My father traded goods up
and down the Germanic sea.
Four years ago,
his ship was seized
and I was seized as a slave.
- What happened to your father?
- They killed him for his money.
- I'm sorry.
- I was sold at the market
in Jorvik for a stolen horse.
- I'd say it was a good horse.
- I was passed as a camp
follower by the north Umbrians.
I learned to watch men kill
each other and not get involved.
- Heathens and Christians.
- Is there a difference?
Isn't one man much
the same as any other?
- You're wrong.
You've been a slave too long.
You need to be reeducated.
[dramatic drumming]
- [speaks foreign language]
[men grunting]
[men cheering]
[man screaming]
[bone cracking]
[man screaming]
[men cheering]
[bone cracking]
[dramatic music]
[scream echoing]
- This is your idea of freedom?
Don't you trust me?
- I stay alive by knowing
what men are capable of doing
and what women are
capable of undoing.
Feet.
[mellow music]
Night, sleep.
- [Jessica] Where
are you taking me?
- To Caledon.
I've given the best years
of my life to fighting war
for foreign armies.
I've got to give a meaning
to my life and my people.
- What will you do with
me when we get there?
- Maybe a poor farmer will
take pity on you and marry you.
[scoffs]
Aye, get some sleep.
[mellow music]
[bird chirping]
Are you coming or what?
We haven't got all day.
The rain's about to come.
- No.
- [Fingal] Pick it up or else.
- I will serve you, but
you must let me wash.
- Warrior approaching!
That's no way to
treat an old friend!
- Fingal!
- How you doing,
you old fur trader?
- And you, you old warthog.
You should be dead by now, ha!
- Aye!
The Persians tried.
And the Lombards have
tried, and now the Angles,
but I'm still here.
- Who's the woman?
- Ah, just another
casualty of the chaos
that exits everywhere.
- Does she keep
you warm at night?
- [Fingal] I have
a wife, Angwen.
- My woman died last winter.
Is she available.
- I don't think she'd
put up with your habits.
Let her be.
[birds chirping]
- You have been married, girl?
- So I exist to gather
wood and leaves?
To strike fire from flint so
a man can enjoy the comfort
of the hearth I've made.
- That's a woman's work.
A woman should obey her man.
- Your Christ came
to redeem women.
A woman it was who bore him.
A man who betrayed
him with a kiss.
Was it not woman who
washed his feet with tears
and a man who three
times denied him,
a woman who stood by his cross.
No less than men do
women possess this Earth.
- Fiery-Tongued one she is.
I'll buy her form you.
- I told you to let her be.
She's not for sale.
- I'll give you a bearskin
and three deerhides for her.
- I told you,
she's not for sale.
- A present, from some monks.
Let's keep talking.
[tense music]
- Gwyndol's druidic forces
outnumbered us three to one,
but they had one weakness.
They wouldn't fight at night.
And we were happy for the rest.
Their army was colossal.
[drumming]
And we felt the
morning would bring us
our last day of glory.
King Urion passed among us,
[drumming]
encouraging the wounded
and blessing the dying.
[men cheering]
He spoke brave words about
the courage and the valour
of the cymrae on both sides.
If the House of
Cullin has to end,
it is better that it destroys
itself than all Brittania.
He beseeched God to
grant his victory
over his wayward nephews
who were obsessed with
power and destruction.
[men cheering]
It was a great speech,
and when it was over,
we regrouped on a
sandy howl at Arthuret.
Dawn rose.
And Gwyndol's forces
streamed across the river
and tried to take the howl.
Thousands fell in the
carnage and slaughter.
In the midst of the
battle stood Midren.
Bring big distraction.
He saw the end had come for
his twin brother Gwyndol.
The famous warriors of the
cymrae all perished that day.
[melancholy guitar music]
Panshuin, with his battle
axe struck off Gwyndol's head
and paraded it on a
spear for all to see.
Midren went mad and
rent his clothings.
He smeared his face and
body with Gwyndol's blood,
but, on account that
he was a holy man,
he was allowed to stumble
and flee from the battlefield
to live out the test
of his miserable days
in the forests of Caledon.
I was the one he carried
Gwyndol's head on the spear.
It was not a joy, sir.
Only wailing for
the 80,000 lost.
- That many.
I wish I'd seen that.
- Too many.
Too many to bury.
The crows feasted on them.
And now, our problems
are with the Angles.
But we're too weakened.
- Angles are wily.
They like to sneak up on a man.
I bet you they sneaked
up on her a few times.
- I'm tired.
[foreboding music]
[drumming]
[woman screaming]
[man laughing]
[woman laughing]
- They boys are happy tonight.
They have a roof
over their heads,
and they don't have to
suffer Edwin's advances.
- You're not going
to protect her?
- She's just a herdsman's wife.
You told me your
husband is a soldier,
so you should understand
our way of life.
- Should I?
Do you think my husband tells
me everything that goes on
on his campaigns?
He's marked by his silence.
- Perhaps he is
an honourable man.
- If you were an honourable man,
you would protect
her from your men.
[laughing]
- Ulph!
Aelle.
Not in front of the lady.
Enough!
You promised me a story.
Edwin, take that cloak off.
- I am Isis, all that has ever
been, that is, or shall be.
No mortal man has
ever seen me unveiled.
Crowned with the moon and
clad in the robe of the stars.
[laughing]
[melancholy music]
- Quickly, no more,
little beauty.
[drumming]
Make it easy on yourself.
[grunting]
[metal clinking]
[tranquil music]
[mumbling]
- Hey.
Did you sleep well?
- Yeah.
What am I supposed
to do with this?
Wash or drink it?
- Do as you please.
- You think just because
you bring me a bowl of water
I'm gonna sleep with you?
- [laughs] Don't embarrass
me in front of my men.
Ugh, ugh, Edwin,
Hussa, Ulph, Aelle.
Take her to the trees and
do what you wish with her!
- No!
[speaks foreign language] No!
[woman cries]
- [Ulph] Bitch!
- When you're
finished, bury her!
- No!
- You will go to the stream,
and you will prepare yourself!
- You might as well kill me now!
[woman screaming]
- From now on, there'll
be no special favours!
One wrong look,
and you're theirs.
- No!
[woman screaming]
You bastard!
- Don't tempt me, wench!
- [Edwin] Ida!
Ah!
- [Ida] Be still boy, be still!
- [Edwin] No, no, no!
- [Ida] Be still!
- No!
- [Ida] Be still, be still!
- I'm blinded!
That bitch stuck
a stick in my eye!
- [Lillian] Good!
- [Ida] Be quiet!
[Edwin wails]
- Get up, I said.
Get up, I said.
That's an order!
It's the witch's doing.
Get back to the fire.
All of you!
I want the camp cleared now!
[wind whistling]
- The Angles have
killed my brother.
I will not rest until every
one of them is buried.
- [Ida] You two look tired.
- There's a large tower about
half a day's march from here.
- How many?
- Maybe as many as 20, 25,
all living in one big hall.
The hall is built on stilts
and pushes out onto the lake.
There's a short wooden causeway
that connects the
hall to the shore.
- You think we could take
it and hold it for winter?
- Easily.
We only saw about
four or five old men.
There rest are
women and children.
- Get some rest.
We'll move out when
this cloud breaks.
[birds chirping]
[Ethne screaming]
[Fingal shushing]
[fire crackling]
- This is my niece Ethne.
Don't be afraid.
She's just a slave I
freed along the way.
Ethne.
You'll come with me
and carry my weapons.
- She's a child.
Leave her behind
with your people.
I'll go in her place.
- Why would you do that?
- So you have something
to trade for your wife.
This is not my country.
I could never be happy here.
At least with the Angles I
have a chance of escaping
back to Londinium.
- What if they don't want you?
- Oh, they'll want me.
Ethne.
Was one of them
as tall as a tree,
and one of them couldn't speak?
- Do you know them?
- They're Frythold's cousins.
They came to this
country together.
Ida, their leader, has
been trying to bed me
for the last two years.
Angles live for sport.
They know someone'll
come after them
to trade for their hostages.
They're counting on it.
I know how to please soldiers
when they're far from home.
But it's gonna
cost more than me.
You have to take
coins and spoil.
- If that's the way it's
to be, then so be it.
But don't expect me or
Ethne to be grateful.
You're every bit one of them.
[tranquil music]
- You'd make a good father.
- I'm a soldier, lady.
- Maybe it's time
you became a farmer.
- With savages
intent on robbery?
- Well.
Treat a dog badly
and it will bite you.
- I don't need any
of your Eastern talk.
Angles will not be happy until
they've taken all our land.
- Why don't you
share it with them?
- And be made slaves?
Our people are free, and we
will fight for our freedom.
Just as your people have
fought since Moses' time.
- That's man's talk.
What about the girl's future.
Where's her mother?
- She died of the yellow plague.
- [Jessica] The plague came
as far as this distant place?
- There's no hiding
from something
that is carried in the wind.
In this land, you will
see the work of many,
but the land is
bare of people now.
The Angles are
constantly reinforced
with fresh immigrants.
To defeat them, our scales
must fall on ten men.
I'm most valuable as a warrior,
to fight those who
oppose my people.
- You're not driven by
self-interest and revenge
like all other men?
- I live by a code of honour.
If I did not live by that
code, you'd be dead, aye.
Get some sleep.
[tense music]
- Fesh Cuma, fesh cuma,
we come as friends.
It is Fingal, brother of Dougal!
I have his daughter here, he's
been killed by the Angles.
- You're not welcome
here, Fingal!
- Roderick, the
civil war is over!
At least show us some
Celtic hospitality.
[ethereal music]
- [Roderick] I lost
three sons in the war.
- [Jessica] You can't blame
the soldier for that, Chief.
- [Roderick] I've seen nothing
in him that impresses me.
- Why do you
despise him so much?
- He's the father
of my granddaughter.
- [Jessica] But she
calls him uncle!
- She doesn't know.
He went to war and left
my daughter pregnant.
His brother married her and
raised the child as his own.
- Does he know this?
- No.
He was gone eight years and
returned with a Roman wife.
She brought the yellow
plague with her.
It destroyed our way of life.
The Angles can do what
they please with her.
It is the will of God.
- So will you not help
him to get her back.
- If God is good,
God will help him.
- I pity you people.
You are bitter and divided.
With your little secrets,
you're no match for the Angles.
- The Angles will never come
in sufficient
numbers to defeat us.
- You are so wrong, Chief.
I have seen their keels.
They hold 40 men.
They come every day from
Denmark and Germania.
They are organised
and hungry for land.
- The spirits of our
ancestors would protect us.
- Your spirits have not
helped you up to now, Chief.
I think it is wise to
enlist Fingal on your side.
It's time to settle
your differences.
- You're a strange being.
You sound like a woman,
yet talk like a man.
- Make no mistake,
Chief, I am a woman.
[intense drumming]
- [Man] Angles!
- Is that them?
- Yes.
It's Ida and his brother Aelle.
- How many are in their band?
- He has four other
half-brothers.
They'll be hiding
somewhere in the trees.
- You still willing
to be traded?
- Yes.
- What do you want?
- We've come to
talk to your chief.
- I'll do the talking.
- We want food and tributes,
or we will kill everyone.
- You won't kill one
of your own, would you?
- That's cousin
Frythold's woman.
- Your comrades are dead!
- Leave this to me.
What do you want for her?
- Any of our women you have.
- Trade the Roman witch
and be rid of her,
and we can come back
and slaughter them all.
- We don't have
any of your women.
But if you give her up,
we will go away in peace.
- You'll have to
come and get her.
- What are we gonna do now?
- Shut it, Aelle.
This Celt's a fool.
- If you don't hand her over,
we'll set fire to your hall.
- Come now, lads.
Leave the civilians out of this.
We are fighting men.
I'll fight your champion.
If he wins, you can have her.
If not, give us what hostages
you have and leave our land.
- I told you this
Celt is a fool.
You will fight our
champion Aethelric.
My men will prepare the ground.
Make sure the Roman is
bound and kept hidden
until after the match.
- Aethelric has never lost.
- There's a first
time for everything.
[dramatic drumming]
- There'll be no punching,
kicking, or gouging.
First to two falls, wins.
To the death!
- [Angle Man] Come
on, Aethelric!
- [Angle Man] Aethelric!
- [Angle Man] Come on!
- [Angle Man] Aethelric!
[men cheer]
- [Angle Man] Come on!
- First fall to our man.
- [Angles] Yes!
- Aethelric!
[men cheering]
[Aethelric grunts]
- [Angle Man] That's it, boy!
[grunting]
[men cheering]
[grunting]
[men cheering]
[grunting]
[bone snapping]
[Fingal groans]
- Where is your honour?
You lost the match!
- [Ulph] What are
we doing here, Ida?
- [Ida] Let him have it, Ulph.
- [Jessica] Give him his wife!
- [Ida] Pull in
your spears, men!
- Fingal!
- Look lads, it's
her soldier man.
- He won the fight
fair and square.
- I'm a fair man.
Which one do you want, Celt?
The Roman or the Jew?
- You're a long way from home.
- Give back the witch, Ida.
She's been enough
trouble already.
- Quiet Ulph!
I'm sorry friend, but I
can't let you have both.
I need one of them to
keep me warm this winter.
- Give him his wife or I'll
charge you with falsehood,
light seven candles,
and heap the curses
of your gods upon you.
- Oh, I like a bit of spirit.
And you will go with me freely?
- Yes.
- Then it is settled.
We will wait in the
trees until dusk.
Bring whatever food
and tribute you have.
And your pretty wife
will be returned to you.
You have my word.
Move out!
[sad music]
- We have made our bargain.
Now give me my wife!
- Hussa, give him the Roman.
[Lillian grunts]
- [Ulph] Wench!
Wench.
Bloody wench.
- [Angle Man] Roman bitch!
[spear whistling]
- Lillian!
[sad music]
[Fingal sobbing]
- I'm sorry.
I've always brought
you bad luck, didn't I?
- I've never been here.
I've always been at war.
- Oh, it's not that.
Since I married you.
everything is going dark.
I'm dying!
I'm dying!
[breathing heavily] You've
made me happy, very happy.
I love you.
I think I.
[sad music]
[intense drumming]
- [Ida] Ulph!
You have undone my word!
- Coming at her,
she's already cost us.
[Ida grunts]
- It's over!
She's dead!
- [Ida] Later.
[sad music]
- How are you, son?
- Where's God now?
- It is evil they have done.
- I never truly loved
her the way she loved me.
Even in death.
She never cursed me.
- You must sit with the living.
How are your wounds?
- Well enough.
- We have spoken and agreed
you must liberate the Jew.
- Why?
- She is pure of spirit.
She showed us that she
is prepared to sacrifice
her freedom for you.
It is your creed to fight
slavery where you see it.
It is your duty as a
warrior to liberate her.
These Angles must pay
for their treachery.
Now that I have seen their ways,
I believe that we shall
all die at their hands
if we do not fight.
- I'm only one man.
- We have a gift that will
give you the strength of 10.
- This is the sword of
the great chief Kaneda.
He died when you were a boy.
He entrusted it to me
and bade me keep it,
until the day our
people find a warrior
who will lead them
wisely into the future.
- I am not that man.
- If you are not that
man, then the gods
have deserted [speaks
foreign language].
- Let it be none,
there is only one god.
It is a god of our
own saint Nanyu.
And only He that
we shall worship.
- It is agreed.
- Then in the name of God.
I will be your warrior.
[birds chirping]
- I have something
to say to you.
- Grandfather Roderick told me.
- Told you what?
- That I will stay with
him if you don't return.
- I will return.
- Will you be a
good father to me?
- I'll be the best
father in all Caledon.
- I love you.
- I love you too, Ethne.
- Mama told me you were
my papa before she died.
- Aye, aye.
- If you find Jessica,
can she stay with us, too.
- We'll see.
- The Angles were
seen yesterday heading
for the high country.
- Without a guide,
they won't find a way
across the mountains.
I'll catch them.
- Take this.
You may need it to
buy some friends.
- Ethne.
You take care of
your grandfather.
[melancholy music]
[upbeat music]
[laughing]
[paper tearing]
- How much is it worth?
- They're Christian.
It's worth its weight in coin.
- I'll buy me a dress.
- So we're just
gonna let them go.
- They're lost.
We'll pick them off one by one.
[dark music]
[ethereal music]
- It's impossible to get
a bearing in this land.
It's always cloudy.
- Maybe it'll clear tonight
and we can see the stars.
- When are we going home?
- Shut up, Edwin.
I'm tired of your moaning.
I wish you were a
mute like Hussa.
- Get her to get some
wood for the fire.
We'll camp here tonight.
- This place is wide open.
Fire'll be seen for miles.
We should make
camp in them trees.
- Haven't you noticed?
We're being followed.
Three of them.
I saw 'em this morning.
- Celts?
- Picts.
- Picts?
That means we're going
north, not south.
- Edwin's right, Ida.
What's the sport in this?
- If we march northwards
another few days,
then strike east, in three days
we'll reach the German Sea.
- Then what?
- We'll commandeer a
boat and sail home.
- Just like that?
- Look, we're short on numbers.
If Frythold hadn't been killed,
we wouldn't be in this position.
- You shouldn't have let
that Celt fight Aethelric.
- Edwin's right, Ida.
We should've taken that whore
and settled there for Winter.
It would've been easy to defend.
- You said it was easy to take.
A few old men and the rest
women and children [laughs].
- The Celt must've
shown up later.
- Enough!
We are warriors.
Woden is testing our courage.
- We're going to
the hidden world.
- Shut up, Edwin!
You're a disgrace to our family.
- [Ida] Hussa, you'll
take the first watch.
[upbeat music]
- Don't get up.
I've come to join you.
- He's one.
- Are you a Christian?
- Why, you want a bedtime story?
- She wants a new dress.
- How much would you
give us for this?
- Where'd you get that?
- Pay us for it,
and we'll tell you.
- I'm all out of
trust these days.
Why don't you just tell me?
- Her mother left it
to her when she died.
[laughs]
- Pull the other one.
You stole it.
- Ah, I did not.
He did.
- I did not, you hag.
The cyclops threw it away.
- Where was this?
- Half a day back that way.
- That way?
- No, they've been running
in circles for two days now.
They're actually camped
up that way, in the open.
- Can you guide me?
- It'll cost you.
- You still haven't
bought the book.
- Lead me to their
camp, and I'll give you
all the coin I have.
- Why don't we take his
coin and keep the book?
- I wouldn't try it.
I'm sure you are pretty
handy with those weapons.
But I warn you, you're
no match for me.
Why don't you just point
me in the direction
the Angles are camped?
Thank you.
[laughing]
[tranquil music]
- Get the fire going, girl.
- My name's Jessica.
- I know your name.
- You soldiers are all the same.
No manners.
- Aye, that's what
the wife says.
But I wouldn't dare
kick her out of bed.
You've met my wife, Frida.
- Yes, she's as fat as a pig.
- Why do you think
I'm away so much.
Tell me, girl.
Why did you save the
Celt from being killed?
- He spared my life.
Now we're even.
- You should've let us kill him.
- He's the best
fighter I've ever seen.
- Better than me?
- Yes.
- Why didn't he kill you
when he captured you?
- He needed someone to
carry his war tribute.
- He had some fine things.
Here, take this.
- I can't.
- This was meant
for the dead woman.
- It's yours.
When we make camp
tonight, you can wear it
and dance for me.
- When are we
getting out of here?
This place gives me the chills.
[sad music]
[upbeat Celtic music]
[screaming]
- Where's Edwin?
- He'll catch up.
- Hussa, go back and
help Edwin with his load.
Here, take this.
[laughing]
[foreboding music]
- Hussa!
- [Ida] Edwin.
- It's Picts!
They use axes!
- Get yourself together, Aelle.
- Shut it, Ida!
You're leading us to our deaths.
- He's right, Ida.
This is grim.
I'm going back the way we came.
Aelle, Hussa.
I don't see anything.
- [Aelle] He's not making sense.
- Whatever it is, he
doesn't wanna go that way.
- It's the Celt, isn't it Hussa?
- [Jessica] He's pursuing us.
- [Ida] That's all we need.
- [Ulph] How far to the ocean?
- [Ida] That'd be two days.
- Can we slow him up?
- We'll set some
traps along the way.
Come, let's move.
And stay together.
Move out!
[upbeat Celtic music]
[fire crackling]
- Don't get up.
- What do you want?
- First, you can
start by handing over
my dress and jewels.
- They're mine.
- You can hand them over
or I can tan your backside.
- Are you gonna let him
talk to me like that?
- Hey, oh ho!
I've been wanting to do
that for a long time now.
Give him the dress
back, sweetums.
[Pict woman crying]
- [Pict Woman] You
can have your dress.
- You're gonna help
me catch the Angles.
- It'll cost ya.
- Chief, we're hired.
[foreboding music]
- [Cole] I've even
recited to kings.
- Aye, dead ones.
He talks to the
stones, you know.
[Fingal laughs]
- [Pict Woman] He
only humours him
because he's my younger brother.
- I'm older than him!
- He is not!
- And I've got more
teeth than you.
- He has not.
- [Fingal] Cole.
- What?
- Trees are bent.
We'll go around this place.
- Don't be cuckoo.
If we go around that way,
it's gonna put half
a day out of our way.
Ugh, there's nothing
to be afraid of.
I know the way.
[low thudding]
[screaming]
- Stay back!
The whole way is rigged.
- We can't leave him
there for the crows.
- It's not always possible
to bury the slain.
Show me a way around this place.
[sad music]
The girl is helping us.
- [Pict Man] Where
are they headed?
- Don't ask me.
- [Pict Man] They must
be headed for somewhere.
- Back across the sea, I hope.
- The sea.
Of course.
- How much time did we lose
by going around the traps?
- A quarter sun.
If they've headed
back across the moor,
you'll never find them among
the mists of the high peaks.
- They cannot be
travelling as fast as us.
They must be in sight.
Come on, get yourselves up.
- You're a hard man, mister.
- You think the traps got him?
- Nah.
- Why are we so scared of him?
- There's four of us.
- He's the hunter.
We're the prey.
- So why don't we hunt
him and be done with it.
- I'm for that!
Hussa?
- He'll kill you all.
- Shut it, Jessica.
Maybe you're right, Aelle.
I'm sick of looking
over me shoulder.
- That's more like it, Ida!
- Yeah.
We'll string him up.
We owe him that for Aethelric.
- We'll need some bait.
- What?
- We go a job for you.
- This is far as we go.
- We go no farther.
- Thank you.
- [Pict Woman] Let's
go and bury my brother.
[bird screeching]
[upbeat drum music]
[men grunting]
- [Ulph] Admit it, Ida.
We lost.
- [Ida] I won't give in.
We'll reach the sea.
- [Ulph] We're in a bad way.
- We'll make it.
Once over these mountains,
we'll see the sea.
- You better be right, Ida.
Or I'm gonna kill ya.
- What's the matter
with you, Ulph?
Since we've started this raid,
you've been at my throat.
- I'm getting too
old for this, Ida.
Why don't we settle
down and pay others
to fight for us?
- [Ida] We'd be sending
them out to die.
If the Celts didn't kill
them, the land would.
- [Ulph] Look at us.
And what're we
gonna do with her?
- We'll let her go
when we reach the sea.
That Celt!
He doesn't know when to give up.
Come on, let's lose
him in the clouds.
[melancholy music]
♪ The grass and
mountains I have seen ♪
♪ Sights beyond my
wildest dreams ♪
♪ Beyond the valleys there's
a place I call home ♪
♪ Where I
♪ Where I
♪ Where I feel so un-alone
♪ Where I feel so un-alone
♪ Un-Alone
- Where's the sea then, Ida?
- [Ida] It's gotta be somewhere.
- There's nothing
but more mountains!
[Ida grunting]
- [Ida] Don't do this.
- Take your sword out.
I'm gonna kill ya.
[grunts]
- [Ida] You can't beat me.
You never will.
- [Aelle] Ida, Ulph! [groans]
- Hussa, stop 'em!
[grunting]
- Woden!
[fighters grunting]
- Come on, get it on with.
- To the death.
[grunting]
Die!
You shouldn't have killed
her, little brother.
[both scream]
[breathes heavily]
Anyone else?
Aelle?
Hussa?
What's the matter with you all?
Have you nothing to say?
I just killed our brother.
You.
You think I'm a fool.
- I think nothing.
- I am a fool.
I'm going down this
mountain to find the sea.
You can all rot here with Ulph.
- Ida!
Ida!
[ethereal music]
[water burbling]
- Ah, I'm slowing you down.
I'm not gonna make it.
- Don't talk that way, Aelle.
Let me rest, Ida.
- We must keep moving.
- I know, it's bad.
Give me an axe and a spear.
- No Aelle.
I'm not leaving you.
- Can't you see he's dying.
- What do you care?
- Each man should be allowed
his own way to go to heaven.
- Right Ida.
At least let me
die like a warrior.
- Go now.
I will wait for the Celt.
[tranquil music]
Wounded by war.
Worn by wounding.
High in the hills,
hankering for home.
Wrestled from women,
wrenched from wenching.
The weary warrior stands alone.
Blooded by battle,
axe blade broken,
spear shaft smashed,
helmet hewn.
Chanting war cries,
stirring the sleeping.
The warrior waits,
bereft of blood.
Thirsty for fighting,
hungry for hunting,
slinging of shields,
singing of swords,
proud in his posture,
brave in his bearing.
The warrior relishes
fighting his foes.
[screams]
[intense drumming]
- What took you so long, Celt?
The gods are waiting for me.
- Well they won't have
much longer to wait.
[grunting]
[metal clanking]
[tranquil music]
- Get up, girl.
- I can't go any further.
- Look.
We have one chance.
- What have I got to live for?
- Another 20 years of slavery?
- Look, I will free you.
I will desert my pig of a wife.
Marry you.
[Jessica laughs]
[metal clanking]
- What's wrong?
- It's not the Germanic Sea.
- Well what sea is it?
- It must be the western ocean.
[Jessica laughs]
- So we've been travelling
the wrong way all this time?
Oh, you're some leader, Ida.
- Quiet!
We can still steal a small boat
and sail northwards round
to the Germanic Sea.
- In Winter?
You'll drown us all.
Give up, Ida, you're beaten.
Maybe they'll spare you
and hold you in chains
until you're ransomed.
- After what Ulph
did to the Roman?
- What about him?
What does he think?
- Well Hussa, what should we do?
- [laughs] Angles
are men of the sea!
Isn't that right, Hussa?
Yeah, let's move out.
Move it!
[dark music]
[intense drumming]
Let's go!
I've waited a long
time for this.
Woden!
- Aye, prepare to
meet your god Angle.
[metal clanking]
[Ida groans]
[metal clanking]
- No!
Hussa.
[metal clinking]
[Ida groans]
- [Fingal] Your gods
spare you, Angle.
- You're a strange man.
- What do I do with you now?
- Free me?
- And let you go to Judea?
- If you wish.
- I brought this for my wife.
I want you to have it.
- I couldn't wear that.
- Then all this has
been for nothing.
[tranquil music]
♪ Oh God, you are my God
♪ And I long after you
♪ My soul is thirsting, aching
♪ And empty through
♪ I have seen you
in my sanctuary ♪
♪ And know you're
power and might ♪
♪ And on my bed, I lie
♪ Who watches all the night
♪ Oh Lord, your
love and kindness ♪
♪ Are more than I can think
♪ I will rejoice and sing it
♪ The shadow on your wing
[upbeat music]
♪ Yee-Haw
♪ Yahoo!
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a biddle a yahoo ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a hi ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a biddle a ho ho ho ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide a
biddle a hide a biddle a he ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a herd da hill da hey ♪
♪ Hide a biddle a hide
a herd da hill da her ♪
[singing gibberish]