Viva Zapata! (1952) - full transcript

When are you going to get
a real knife?

You can keep this.

Where are your papers?
-Right here.

Good morning, my children.

Well, come closer.

Come closer.

Here are their names,
my president.

Now then, my children, what's
the problem you've brought me?

Well, someone has to tell.
You must have come for something.

Yes, my president,
we have come for something.

Well, you. You tell me.



You know that field?

That field with the big white rock in
the middle, just south of Anenecuilco?

My president, our delegation...

They've taken our land away.
-Who took your land away?

My children,
when you make accusations...

...be certain you have the facts.

Who took your land away?
-The biggest state there.

It's bigger than a kingdom.
-They've taken our green valleys.

Left us only the rocky hillside.
-We can't grow our corn.

That's right. There's a new fence
with barbed wire.

We can't feed our cows.

You know those three houses
by that white rock?

They burned those! -They're
planting sugarcane in our land.

Can you prove that
you own this field?



Our village has owned this land
since before history.

We have a paper
from the Spanish crown.

We have a paper
from the Mexican Republic.

Well, if this is true,
you have no problem.

My children, the courts will settle this.

I'll send you to my personal attorney.

But before you see him...

...I urge you to find
your boundary stones.

Check them against
your grants and titles.

Verify your boundaries. Facts. Facts!

Now, my children, I have many
other matters to attend to.

I've been your president for 34 years.

It's not an easy job being president.

Thank you, my president.

Thank you.

What's next?

We can't verify the boundaries,
my president.

The land is fenced and guarded.

They're planting sugar cane
in our cornfields.

The courts...
-With your permission...

The courts?

Do you know of any land suit
that was ever won by country people?

Has your land been taken?

My father's land was taken long ago,
my president.

My children, I'm your father,
your protector. I'm of your blood.

But believe me, these matters
take time. You must be patient.

With your permission, my president...

...we make our tortillas out of corn,
not patience.

And patience will not cross
an armed and guarded fence.

To do as you suggest,
to verify those boundaries...

...we need your authority
to cross that fence.

I cannot possibly exercise
such authority.

But you advise it.
-I can only advise.

Then naturally, my president,
we will do as you advise.

Thank you. With your permission.

You!

You!

Yes, my president?
-What is your name?

Zapata.
-What is it?

Emiliano Zapata.

There you are.

Thank you, my son.

My pleasure, Father.

Come here! Come here!

Here! Here, here!

Here!

Go back! Go back!

Get him, the one on the white horse!

That's the one we're supposed
to bring in!

That's the one, the one on the
white horse. That's the one, come on!

Zapata! Emiliano Zapata!

Emiliano Zapata!

Zapata!

Emiliano Zapata!

Zapata? Emiliano Zapata?

The stupid, he's still coming.

Who do you think he is?
-A stranger. Look at his clothes.

Shall I kill him?
-No.

Shoot in front of him.
-Don't hit him.

When I want to hit, I hit.

A man's been known to die
of a close miss.

Zapata! Emiliano Zapata!

He's more stupid than I thought.
Still coming.

He's crazy. You know it's not nice
to kill crazy people.

Should I try him again, a bit closer?
-How can you come closer?

Maybe he has a message.
-Maybe it's a trap.

Why don't we kill him?
It's so much easier.

What does it cost? One bullet...
-No!

What do you want?
-I'm looking for Emiliano Zapata.

He's not here.

His friends sent me.
-Who are his friends?

People of the village.
-He's not here.

I have no weapons.

What's this?
-Writing machine.

Sword of the mind.
-I thought you had no weapons.

Don't you dare break that!
Put it down! Put it down!

Mano.

Put it down.

You are Emiliano Zapata.

I come to you from Madero,
leader of the fight against Diaz.

Give me some water.

Why do you come to me?
-Give me some water while I talk to you.

Fernando Aguirre.

Pablo Gomez.

I want to talk to you.
-Talk.

I want you to listen.
-Well, talk.

"The despotism of Porfirio Diaz
is unbearable.

For 34 years, he's ruled with
the hand of a ruthless tyrant."

Yeah, Blanco. Pretty soon now.
-Listen.

"The meaning of democracy
has long been forgotten.

Elections are a farce.
The people have no voice.

Control is in the hands of one man
and those he's appointed."

Who wrote that?
-Francisco Madero.

"If we are to bring back to Mexico the
freedom that goes with democracy...

...we must unite to drive
this tyrant from office."

Who's Madero?
-Leader of the fight against Diaz.

Where is he?
-In a part of the United States, Texas.

A fine place to fight against Diaz.
-He's making preparations.

Now he's ready to move.

He's sending out people to spread the
word, search out leaders in Mexico.

I was sent to the state of Morelos.

Careful. The smell of a mare came in
on the wind and he's restless.

So am I.

The people told me...
-Don't believe what people tell you.

Hey. Hey you!

Come on, eat.
-Go on, eat.

Madero?
-Yeah, remember?

I read to you about him.

You promised to teach me to read.
-I will. I will!

Let's talk to this man more about
Madero. Maybe he has a letter.

No, anyone can write a letter, even you.
I like the look of Madero's eyes.

Then go and talk to him.
-I can't.

Why not?
-Not now.

I know why.

I want you to go to Madero
and tell me what you see.

Me? He's in Texas!
-Then go to Texas.

How far is it?
-Who knows? Go and see.

I've never been out of our state.
-Now you will be.

I want you to go see
if we can trust him.

I like his face.

But a picture is only a picture.

When do you want me to go?
-Now.

Now?
-Right now, cinch up.

If you like what you see,
tell him about our troubles here.

And tell him that we recognize him
as a leader against Diaz.

Where is he going?
-What?

Where is he going?
-I don't know. He didn't say.

Now where is he going?
-I don't know. He didn't say.

What's the matter with him?
-Woman, what else?

Where are you going?
-Where else?

What about her?
-She can take care of herself.

This is all very disorganized.

Police.

Josefa, I must speak with you.

The rurales are after you.
-I risked my life to come here.

When may I speak with your father?
-What for?

To ask permission for your hand.
-No, don't do it.

Why not?
-Just don't do it.

What is wrong with me?
-That's not it.

What would be wrong with me?
-What do you mean?

I have no intention of ending up
washing clothes in a ditch...

...and patting tortillas
like an Indian.

Who says this?

My father.
-My mother was a Salazar.

Zapatas were chieftains and
when your grandfather lived in a cave.

Always remember that.

Well, you're not chieftains now.
You have no land, no money.

You'll be in jail by tomorrow.
-Be still!

I've been offered a position
by Don Nacio Delator.

Don Nacio Delator does not employ
fugitives from the law.

If I accept his offer,
he will have me pardoned.

Why in the world would Don Nacio
need anyone like you? Why?

Apparently, you do not know I am the
best judge of horses in the country.

You are the only one
who does not know this.

I was with him for years,
I bought every horse in his stable.

When I have not helped
Don Nacio buy his horses...

...it's later found that they
have five legs.

Conceited monkey.

Do you know that I can take you
away with me by force, now?

By force?

I would not prevent you.

I would go with you
because I couldn't prevent you.

But soon you will go to sleep.
-And then?

Sooner or later you will go to sleep.

You wouldn't do that.
A respectable girl like you?

Yes, I would.
Because I am a respectable girl.

A respectable girl wants to live
a safe life. Protected, uneventful.

Without surprises.
And preferably with a rich man.

You don't mean that.

I do.

Come back when you can offer me that.
He's going to let you go. Don't scream.

The police are after him.
Let her go.

I like him.
-You do?

I mean, he's a terrible man.
A fugitive, a criminal.

I like him too.

Rub it in. Rub it in harder.

They're so lazy.
Luncheon is ready now.

If this is the best of the lot,
where are the others?

Are the others here?
-They're so lazy.

If they're not stealing, they're asleep.
If they're awake, they're drunk.

Let's look at the others.
-But luncheon is served.

It'll wait.

Hey, hey!

This is what I'm talking about!
-What is it?

Stealing! Even a horse's food.

They steal everything!

Stop it, Emiliano! Stop it!

Get a hold of him!

Get him out!

Get out!

Get out!

When I had the charges dismissed,
you promised.

I don't want to regret it.
-I know.

I've told you, violence is no good.

Then why does he use it?
-So full of anger!

That boy was hungry.
-Calm down, calm down.

Now, look, Emiliano.

You're clever and able,
you might even be important...

...have money and property,
be respected.

You said that's what you wanted.
Do you want it?

That boy was hungry!
-Are you responsible to everybody?

You can't be the conscience
of the whole world.

Thank you.
-You should see them go down.

You have another cigar?

Some of your admirers.
-Indians.

The most civilized thing about you
is your taste for good cigars.

I'm gonna prescribe for you, Emiliano.

You need that wife.

You ever spoken to Josefa's father?
-No.

Well, why not?
-He doesn't like me and I don't like him.

In the business world,
few people like each other...

...but they have to get along
or there wouldn't be any business.

Now look, Emiliano.
Now you have position, clothes...

Go to Senor Espejo, tell him I'm
your patron. Make your peace with him.

And don't forget, the president
has drawn a circle around your name.

You must behave.

You better start practicing now.
Go over and apologize to him.

Well, go ahead.

I apologize.
-Accepted. Accepted.

All right?

You know them?

He's a friend. He's been away.

What's that?
-Texas.

Hello.

He spoke of you.
-He wants a message from you.

One strong push from the North or South
and Diaz drops like an old bull.

The time has come.
-Why don't they lock Madero up?

Up there, they protect political refugees.
-Why?

Up there, they're a democracy.
-We're a democracy too, and look.

I know, but...
-I'll explain it.

Up there, the government governs
with consent.

The people have a voice.
-Right.

Their president governs
with the consent of the people.

Here we have a president, no consent.
Who asked us if we wanted Diaz?

Nobody ever asked me nothing.

How are you in all this?
-Madero sent him with me.

He wants a message from you.
-Tell him to get another leader.

You don't believe in him?
-Yes.

So?
-Tell him to get another man.

As you wish.
-I have private affairs.

I don't want to be the conscience of
the world or the conscience of anybody.

As you wish.

Nacente, what's the matter?
-Get away from the prisoner!

Nacente, what are they
taking you in for?

Hey, Nacente.
-He can't talk, Emiliano.

Nacente, here.

What did he do?
-They're the craziest people I've seen.

Well, what did he do?
-They're always doing something.

What are you going to do with him?

I think you better let him go.

Let him go!

Should have cut the rope
without talking.

He crawled through the fence
to plant the corn.

My father does the same thing.
He still thinks it's his own field.

Stubborn. That's what you are.

No, not stubborn.
The field is like a woman.

You live with it all of your life,
it's hard to learn that she isn't yours.

He understands.

Mano, I couldn't catch them...

I'm sorry we've caused you trouble.

Now they'll be after you.

You can hide in my house.
-It'd be an honor to watch your horse.

Thank you.

You mentioned Don Nacio?
-Don Nacio is my patron.

He assured me that I'll be
a man of substance.

On that basis, I presume to sue
for your daughter's hand.

Do not think I'm insensible
of the honor you do me...

...by offering to take my daughter
off my hands.

Why is it impossible for me to get
a glass of cold water in this house?

Go, go!

But I do not need to give
a great deal of thought...

...before I answer with a permanent
and unchanging no.

The answer is no.

What is wrong with me?
-We have a proverb:

Though we are all made
of the same clay, a jug is not a vase.

What is wrong with me?
-I'd hoped you would not ask again.

But since you have,
you are a rancher without land.

A gentleman without money.
A man of substance without substance.

A fighter, a drinker, a brawler.
These things you are.

Though I have nothing
against you personally...

...and I can see wherein some quarters
you might be considered desirable.

But my daughter...

I have no intentions of one day finding
her squatting on the bare earth...

...patting tortillas
like a common Indian.

What are you doing?

Find her a merchant.
A musty, moth-eaten man like yourself.

Let her be queen of the warehouses
and mistress of the receipt book.

All right, bring him down here.
Down here!

Clear the way.

This man is a criminal.

You are making yourselves liable
for his crime.

What are you trying to do?

We are here, my captain,
with your permission...

...to see that the prisoner does not
try to escape. For if he did...

...you would shoot him in the back.
Is that not so?

You're breaking the law.
-No, helping the law.

Guarding the prisoner.

Zapata. The wire.
-What do you mean?

Telegraph wire.
Cut it before he uses it.

Don't touch that!
This is rebellion.

Emiliano?
-Cut.

No ammunition?
-No ammunition.

What'd you find?
-Uniforms and blankets.

No ammunition?
-No ammunition.

Emiliano, come here.
Look what I found.

Ammunition?
-No. Dynamite.

Boxes and boxes, all dynamite.
-Ammunition?

No. Powder and dynamite.
-How much?

Plenty, look.
-What do you think?

Well, we won't wait.
We'll use what we have.

Anything doing?
-A few women.

I liked it better when they were shooting.
-Maybe Zapata's out of ammo.

I wouldn't depend on it.
-They went away.

Market women.
If there's a market, they must've gone.

I don't trust the Indian women.
-No sign of Zapata.

Send out a scout.
-Captain! My captain.

What are you doing?
-Would you like to buy some eggs?

Get away!

Pile those baskets.
-Get away!

Pile. Hurry.
-Get away from that gate, or I'll fire! Fire!

Go get those baskets. Quick.

Fire!

Emiliano! Remember the machine gun
that flanked us from the hill?

Yeah.
-He and his brother...

...lassoed the gun and pulled it out of
the gunner's hands. Look at his size.

Did you do that?
-Of course. Bring the gun!

Leave the gun.

Did you do that?

Where's your brother?

He was killed.

He should have a reward.
-Hey, hey. Mano, here.

Here.

Do you want this pig?

Well, what? Anything.

Not my horse.

That's a good horse.

He says that's why he wants it.

Take him.

What did he do?
-I'm waiting to find out.

Don Emiliano, my friend...

...l'm here to present representatives
of our great liberator...

...Francisco Madero. Gentlemen.

Gentlemen, here he is.
I found him for you.

Don Emiliano Zapata,
one of my oldest acquaintances.

I think we know each other.

My congratulations, General Zapata.

Read it.

Read it!
-"To Emiliano Zapata:

I, Francisco Madero, acting on authority
given me by the forces of liberation...

...create you general of the armies
of the South.

May the day soon come when I embrace
you in triumph. Long live Mexico."

He signed it with his own hand.

I and my family would be happy...

Now you have to wear
things a general wears.

I and my family would...

Where did you get those?
-Well, off a general, where else?

General.

My wife, my daughter and myself
would be honored...

A present.

Boys! General Zapata!

Boys! General Zapata!

Take this one, please. It's nicer.

What a waste of time.

He should've stolen her.
-This way he gets her father's money.

Yeah, but is it worth all this?

I have loved with all my heart 100
women I never want to see again...

...and he is still after this one.
It escapes me.

Did you think of me?

It is said, a warrior's shield
is his sweetheart's heart.

We have a proverb: A man well-dressed
is a man well-thought-of.

A monkey in silk is still a monkey.

But when love and beauty
come into the house...

...then throw out the lamps.

An hour and three-quarters all ready.
-I know, it makes me sick.

That's how these people
go about getting married.

Excuse me.

Do you believe the saying:
An egg unbroke...

...a horse unrode, a girl unwed?

I believe that a man is fire,
and a woman fuel.

And she who is born beautiful,
is born married.

Can you get away from the window?
Let some air through.

And get that horse out of here!

Go on!

Best horse I ever had.

Josefa, let's go for a walk in the park.
There might be a breeze there.

A walk?
-Alone?

A whipped dog is the wiser dog.

Do you think that three women
and a goose make a market?

I believe that love cannot be bought,
except with love.

And he who has a good wife
wears heaven in his hat.

After love food, a cup of chocolate?

A starved body has a skinny soul.
-Emiliano!

Emili...

The pediment of the heart
is the stomach.

Alicia, will you bring chocolate?

Emiliano.
-What?

Diaz ran away. He left the country.

Viva Zapata! Viva Zapata!

It's true?
-It's true.

Josefa, the fighting is over.

Josefa! Josefa!
-Mama, be quiet.

The fighting is over.

Emiliano?

It's almost morning.

They never get tired.
-Emiliano!

Emiliano, my little brother!

Josefa. Josefa, my sister.

Emiliano, come back to bed.

My darling friend, we are getting old.

We are getting very, very old.

I know what's the matter with you.

What?
-You, my friend, you have heavy blood.

You're unhappy the fighting is over.
-Half-victors.

All this celebrating,
nothing really won.

I love you, but I don't like you.
I never liked you, my darling friend.

There will be a lot more bloodshed.
-All right!

But not tonight! Here. Enjoy yourself.
Be human!

Emiliano?

You're restless.

Are you unhappy?

No. Go to sleep.

Can't you sleep?
-Pretty soon now.

What are you thinking?

Nothing.

You are too.
-No, no, no.

What are you worried about?

We'll find a good piece of land
someplace, and we'll settle down.

Now go to sleep.
-I don't want to sleep.

Emiliano, the fighting is over.

Madero is in the capital,
and tomorrow I'll go see him.

Can I go with you?
-No.

You think we'll have children?
-Yes.

We'll name them all Francisco,
after Madero because he brought peace.

Emiliano, is it something about me?

No.

You mustn't think that.

Then I want you to tell me.

I've seen Madero and all
the men around him.

You're not telling me.

Men from schools.

Lawyers, educated men.
-You're not telling me.

My horse and my rifle
won't help me there.

I can't read.

Teach me.

Of course.

Teach me now.

Get a book.

Hey, be quiet down there!

Can't you let a man sleep
on his wedding night?

"Mananitas." "Mananitas."

Begin.

"In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth."

"In."

"In."

"The."
-"The."

"Beginning."

Well, there he goes.

Old Diaz was rottener than we knew.

Huerta pushed from the North
with Pancho Villa's help...

...and you from the South...

...why, Diaz crumbled.
-Cardinal, sir.

When will the village lands
be given back? The people are asking.

Don't worry. Now, we will build
slowly and carefully.

Give me this. I'll sign this now.

The country people want to know.

They will get their land, but under
the law. It's delicate. It must be studied.

What's to study?

Land must be given back under the law
so there's no injustice.

And speaking of lands...
Close the door, please.

Let me show you this.

Thank you.

You see here,
where these two streams meet?

The land is very rich here.
Rich and level and well-watered.

And I'm told it has
a good house on it.

You know what this is, general?

No.
-This is your ranch.

My ranch?

It's a fine old custom to reward
victorious generals...

...and no one deserves it
more than you.

I did not fight for a ranch.

I don't think you know what I meant.

I know what you meant.

Forgive me, sir, but the land
that I fought for was not for myself.

General...
-What about the land I did fight for?

General, that will be taken care of.
Believe me. In good time.

Now is a good time.

General Zapata, sit down.
-I am not tired.

This is a constitutional government.
There's only one way to do these things.

This noise, this confusion, I can't think.
Get out! Out! Get out!

Give me these. I'll sign these now.

They're still waiting, sir.
-Let them wait. I'll come.

I'll be back. Don't let anybody else in!
Get these workmen out.

They make too much noise.

This mouse in a black suit
talks too much like Diaz.

No, he's right. This is peace.
It takes time. We must work by law.

Laws. Laws don't govern. Men do.

The same men who governed before
are now in that room. They have his ear.

They've got to be cleaned out.
-The land must be given back.

And if Madero doesn't do it...
-Yes?

Then he's an enemy too.

You're his emissary, his officer,
his friend.

I'm a friend to no one
and to nothing except logic.

Peace is very difficult.

Mano, what do you think?

It's a nice piece of land
they offered you.

What's the harm?
You've never taken anything.

The result? We have nothing.

Now, it's finally quiet.

General Zapata, don't you trust me?

You must trust me.

I promise you that my first preoccupation
is with the land...

...but in a way that is permanent.
Before you can do anything by law...

...you must have law. We cannot have
an armed and angry nation.

It is time, general, to stack our arms.
That is the first step.

That is my first request of you.
Stack your arms and disband your army.

And who will enforce the laws?
-The regular army, the police.

They're the ones we just fought
and beat!

Give me your watch.

What?
-Give me your watch.

Give it to me!

It's a beautiful watch.

It's expensive.

Now take my rifle.
-No.

Now you can have your watch back,
but without this, never!

You draw a strong moral.

You ask us to disarm.

How can we get our land or keep it
if we disarm?

But it's not that simple.
There's the matter of time...

Time is one thing to a lawmaker,
but to a farmer...

...there's a time to plant
and a time to harvest.

And you cannot plant
and harvest time.

General Zapata, do you trust me?

Just the way my people trust me.

I trust you and they trust me as long
as we keep our promises.

And not a moment longer.

Where are you going?
-I'm going home.

What will you do there?

I will wait, but not for long.

Kill that Zapata now.
Save time, lives...

...perhaps your own.

Were you listening, General...?
-I advise you to shoot Zapata now!

General, I do not shoot my own people.

You'll learn.
-He is a fine man.

What does that mean?
-He is an honest man.

What's that got to do with it?
A man can be honest and wrong.

I trust him.
-To do what?

I think it is essential to take my troops
to Morelos...

...and help him decide to disarm.

Yes.

Oh, excuse me.

No, no. Wait, wait!
Come in. Come in.

L...
-You can speak freely.

Yes. Excuse me.
Come in, come in.

I want to speak to Zapata again.
Ask him to come back.

He won't come back. He's stubborn,
but if you could come to Morelos...

...he's different there. You know,
his whole life has been fighting. He...

He can hardly read.

He needs you. He may not know it yet,
but he needs you to help him.

He can learn. He wants to.

If you'll excuse me for saying it,
you need him too.

I will come.

Thank you.
-I will come.

With your permission.
Excuse the interruption, please.

Troops are not necessary.

I will do it without troops.
These are fine people.

You know, General Huerta,
there is such a thing as an honest man.

Oh, the odor of goodness.
Get me a drink.

We're never going to get anywhere
as long as Zapata's alive.

He believes in what he's fighting for.
-So does Madero, sir.

I know, but he's a mouse.
He can be handled.

Zapata's a tiger.
You have to kill a tiger.

They don't mind giving up their arms,
now that I've explained it.

Explained it very well,
didn't he, Emiliano?

They have accepted it. Have you?

I've been fighting for so long,
I don't understand peace.

Peace is the hard problem.

Many men have been honest in war.
But peace...

I often wonder how a man can stay
honest under the pressure of peace.

Hey, Emiliano, what ever happened
to that little boy who got your horse?

He's dead. And they were never able
to find the horse.

This woman has three rifles.
-Husband and two sons, killed.

Senora.

Please. Take this.

No, it is too valuable.

As valuable as your sons?

Emiliano! Emiliano!
-What is it?

Ask him.
-What is it?

Huerta's forces are coming
through the pass!

Pretend you don't know it.
-No, they're not.

No, they can't.

How many?
-Three regiments with artillery.

Who posted scout?
-I did.

You?
-I don't trust him. I'm right.

Look at him!

Bugle.

I want to shake hands with our liberator
so I can tell my children.

Troops are coming?
Huerta has disobeyed my orders?

What did you say, sir?

Thank you very much, thank you.

I have to go and stop them.

Huerta would not dare!
Would not dare!

We must trust Madero.
Only he can bring us peace.

Emiliano, please listen to me!
-No!

Now get the snipers out
and flank the road.

Might be better to finish him off.

Emiliano, I give you my word.
I will stop the troops.

I hope so.
But if you don't, I will.

Sorry, Mr. President.
-Huerta must have misunderstood.

He's got good qualities too.
-Yes. I know, I know.

I'll talk to Emiliano.
I'll bring you two together again.

You look across the river.
I'll look upstream.

Hey, the hat.

Hey!

Here! Here!

All right.

Did you see him? Did you see Huerta?
-Yes.

Why am I a prisoner here?
-You are no longer a prisoner.

But they won't let me leave.
I have been here for days.

He's been guarding you
for your safety.

You have enemies.
-What enemies?

Zapata, Pancho Villa.
-I don't understand.

But don't worry. Huerta loves you.
He will protect you.

You must agree, here you've been safe.

Why doesn't he give me
safe conduct to the port?

When can I see him?
-Tonight.

He asked me to take you to him now.
-Good. Good, good.

I don't want to keep him waiting.
We mustn't keep him waiting.

Come on.

I'll be with you in a minute.

It's going to be all right.

It stopped.

Where are they?
What's keeping them?

We'll be late for the reception.
-There they come.

Will you step out, my president?

Is Huerta here?

Where is he?

Where, where is...?
What is...?

What you do is wrong.
Wrong, I say.

No, you can't do this.
I tell you, because, because...

No!

Come on, come on, I'm late.

Consorting with the enemy. You were
talking to an officer of Huerta's army.

We were ambushed.

We know that now.
What have you got to say for yourself?

Why not talk to him?
He was my brother-in-law.

They brought me a message
from my wife.

How did he know where to find you?
-I sent word...

You sent word
and we were ambushed.

Shoot him.
-Wait.

Look behind you.

Two hundred and forty-four
fighting men.

We planned a surprise.
Huerta was ready for us!

When they killed Madero,
we had to begin again.

We lost many men,
and there was a reason.

But this was useless.

Two hundred and forty-four
good farmers...

...your relatives, with victory
in their mouths, will never chew it.

Now you see why
we have hard discipline.

You told your wife where we would be,
and what?

Shoot him.

Thirty-two deserters from the other side.
They want to come over to us.

It's easy to come over to us
now that we're winning, isn't it?

Take care of them.

Go on.

Hexed.

I think I'll get some sleep.

Putting it off?

No.

You're looking tired, Emiliano.

You met with the enemy.
I have witnesses.

You don't need witnesses.
Just ask me.

It's true. I met with Madero
before he was killed.

You met him many times.
-Many times...

Even after he signed orders
to destroy us.

That was at the end.
Madero wasn't himself.

He tried to hold Huerta in check,
and Huerta killed him!

He was a good man, Emiliano.

Wanted to build houses, plant fields.

If we could begin to build
even while we're burning...

If we could plant while we destroy...

You deserted our cause.
-No!

Our cause was land, not a thought.

The corn-planted earth
to feed the families.

Liberty, not a word...

...but a man sitting safely
in front of his home in the evening.

Peace, not a dream!

Time for rest, kindness.

A question beats in my head:

Can a good thing come from a bad act?

Can peace come from so much killing?

Can kindness finally come
from so much violence?

Can a man whose thoughts
were born in anger and hatred...

...can such a man lead the peace?

Can he govern in peace?
I don't know.

You must have thought about it,
Emiliano. Do you know?

Do you know?

Do you know?

Two hundred and forty-four of our
fighting men were killed this morning.

We planned to surprise the enemy.
They surprised us.

Emiliano.

We've been friends
since we guarded the corn.

You know our rule against consorting
with the enemy.

Yes, my general.

And you ignored it.
-Yes, my general!

Shall I call the squad?
-Emiliano, not strangers.

Do it yourself. Do it yourself.

Message from General Villa.
Important.

General Zapata's busy.

General Zapata will see you now.

Why aren't you eating?

Tell me, why is he a general at all?
What's he got from it?

More. Look at you. Look at that dress.

Is this a general's house?

Pancho Villa knows what to do
with his opportunities.

Look how he dresses.
Don't argue with me.

More meat?
-More everything.

I know what I'm talking about.

It's a business opportunity,
and he's not taking advantage of it.

He could take half the state,
and everyone would respect him for it...

...and he won't touch it.
I give up on him.

Never had any faith in him!

What's that? Do you hear horses?

Are you hurt?
-No.

Sentry.

How'd you get through the lines?
-There are no lines.

Huerta's defeated.

If he's in Mexico City,
I'll see him there.

Congratulations, my son.

Are you sick?

No.

I'm tired.

I'm tired.

Something's wrong with you.

No, nothing's wrong.

We've won. I just need sleep.

Right this way, gentlemen.

Zapata.

Let's get this over with.
Here, sit down.

No.
-Sit there.

No.
-Sit down. Sit down!

What are they doing?

Pancho Villa's still talking,
deciding the fate of Mexico.

Let them take their time.
It's important.

Forgive me, but it's past 3.
-You're right, we should be asleep.

We have a great deal to discuss.
-What?

Political matters.

I ate too much.

I haven't anything to discuss.
I've made up my mind.

I'm going home.

I have a nice ranch now.
I'm going to be president of that ranch.

In the morning, I'll hear roosters
instead of bugles.

You know somebody took a shot at me
this morning, someone I didn't know?

What do you propose?

I've been fighting too long,
lost my appetite for it.

You mean, you're going home?
-I'm sick of it.

You beat one down
and two more jump up.

I used to think it would work.
-What about Mexico?

I figured it out.

Only one man I can trust.

Can you read?

Then you're the president.
-No.

Yes.
-No.

Yes. Yes, you are.
I just appointed you.

You sleep on it. You'll see I'm right.

There isn't anyone else.

Do I look like a president?

There's no one else.

Acting on the report that there have
been gatherings of disgruntled officers...

...Chavez, on your orders, moved in
with a troop of cavalry after nightfall.

The names of the deceased officers,
my president.

General, I am not president.
-General.

All killed?
-All.

Telegraph congratulations to Chavez.
-Yes, sir.

Next.
-A delegation from the state of Morelos...

...with a petition.

I know these men.

Carlito, how are you?
Pepe, you got skinny.

Well, what can I do for you?

What is it?

So?

What's wrong?

Well...

We've a complaint against your brother.
-My brother?

Your brother moved into
the hacienda di Alla.

And?
-He took the land you distributed.

He's living there.
-He put us out.

He killed a man who wouldn't go.

Carlito, is this true?
-It's true.

Well...

All right.

When I get time, I'll look into it.
-These men haven't got time.

These men haven't got time.
-Well, I just...

One minute.

They plowed the land and got it
half-sowed, and they haven't got time.

Your brother...
-My brother is a general!

And he became one, fighting and killing
many of your enemies.

And don't you forget it.

I'm one of you, and you can trust me.

Since you are,
you know the land can't wait.

The furrows are open, the seed's
not planted, and stomachs can't wait.

What's your name?

Hernandez.

What is it?
-Hernandez.

H-E-R-N-A...
-I have it.

Where are you going?
-I'm going home.

So you're throwing it away.

Leave tonight, your enemies will
be here tomorrow, in this room.

They'll hunt you down till
you get your rest in the sun.

Leave now, you won't live long.
-I won't anyway.

In the name of all we fought for,
don't go!

In the name of all we fought for,
I'm going.

I won't go with you.
-I don't expect you to.

Now I know you. No fields, no home.

No wife, no woman.
No friends, no love.

You only destroy.
That is your love.

And I will tell you what you will do.
You will go to Obreg?n or Carranza.

And you will never change.

Come on.

Brother, be careful what you say
to me.

Did you take the land away
from these people?

I took what I wanted.

Mano...
-I took their wives too.

What kind of a man are you?

I'm a man,
not a freak like my brother!

Get out!

Look, I fought as long and as hard
as you did.

Every day you fought, I fought!

I'm a general. Look. Look!
Here's my pay, a little dust.

I can't even buy a bottle of tequila.

We beat Diaz. He's living
in a palace in Paris.

We beat Huerta.
He's rich in the United States.

I have to beg pennies in my own village
from people who never fired a gun!

I'm a general! I'm gonna act like one!

And don't you or anybody else
try to stop me.

Chula!

So.

This land is yours.

But you must protect it.

It won't be yours long
if you don't protect it.

If necessary, with your lives,
and your children with their lives.

Don't discount your enemies.
They will be back.

And if your house is burned,
build it again.

If your corn is destroyed, replant.
If your children die, bear more.

If they drive you out of the valley,
live on the mountain, but live.

You always look for leaders,
strong men without faults.

There aren't any.
There are only men like yourselves.

They change.

They desert. They die.

There are no leaders but yourselves.

A strong people
is the only lasting strength.

Emiliano!

Mano!

What he said was true.
-He fought every day we fought.

He was a general.
-We will bury him as a general.

No.

He didn't die in battle.
I'll take him home with me.

Pancho Villa's in the North.
There's no trouble with him.

But Zapata, what about Zapata?

Sir, how could you fight
an enemy you can't see?

You're looking for an army to fight.
There is no army.

Every man, woman and child
in Morelos is Zapata's army.

There's only one thing to do.

Wipe them out. All of them.

Excuse me, sir, we can't
find anybody to wipe out.

We go there, the corn is growing,
there's a fire in the hearth, and no one.

We burn the house,
we destroy the corn.

We go back there, a new shelter
and the corn is growing again.

The people, they're like a different race.
They're not afraid of anything.

This is not a man we're discussing.
It's an idea, and it's spreading.

It's a man!

Cut off the head of the snake,
the body will die.

Ideas are harder to kill than snakes.
How do you kill an idea?

Kill Zapata, your problem's solved.

Let us through. Let us through!

Let us through.
-Let me by!

Well?
-We saw the supplies.

The guns are new, some never fired.
Machine guns too.

Ammunition?
-A mountain of it.

Have you seen it?
-Yes.

That would give us a year. And in a year,
we'd be ready for anything.

Why does he want to join us?
-He was stripped of his rank.

He wants revenge.

Stripped of his rank and now he's
a colonel with a first-class regiment?

Sounds like a trap.

But it's strange enough to be true.
-Yes.

How did he prove his good faith?

He executed Juan Calsavo, chief of
police, who killed many of our people...

Further proof he leads to you.

All right. All right.

Be here at sunset ready to ride,
and I'll think out some more proofs.

What has happened?
-Nothing.

Emiliano, I want to know.
-What?

What is happening?
-Are the hens beginning to crow?

Every night I have the same thought.
My heart says to me:

"Now for the first time, you have
your husband alone sometimes...

...without fighting, running, hiding."

But it also says soon you will be dead,
and I have never known you in peace.

Josefa, I'm trying to make a plan.

We're getting the ammunition we need.
-I don't want to hear!

Josefa.

Soon you will be gone, and a stranger
will come to tell me you're dead.

That is what is left for me.
That is what is left for me.

A federal colonel is giving me his
regiment and all his equipment...

It's a trick.
-I always suspect a trick.

This is an easy way to kill you.
-I haven't decided.

Don't go.
-We need the ammunition!

I have a feeling. Don't go!
-Enough! I will make up my mind.

Do you wanna die?
-I must do what is needed.

Do you wanna die?
-Josefa, that's enough!

I will make up my mind.

I must do what is needed.

I will be all right.

Look how the little clouds go
across the face of the moon.

The moon is racing.

Time's racing too.

Yes.

It reminds me,
you've made up your mind.

I don't speak for myself now...

...but if anything happens to you,
what will become of these people?

What will they have left?
-Themselves.

With all the fighting and the death,
what has really changed?

They've changed.

That's how things really change.
Slowly, through people.

They don't need me anymore.

They have to be led.

Yes, but by each other.

A strong man makes a weak people.

Strong people don't need a strong man.

Here.

Well?
-Una que de pegas destroyed us.

You saw it?
-The garrison is destroyed!

And the supplies?
-I saw them stacked and waiting.

What do you think?

What do you think?

He's passed every test.

Paco.

When will you go?

Now.

We leave tonight. It's safer by night.

Come, Marco.

Suppose something happened to me?

We'll get along.

And someday we'll go down
into the valleys again.

Until then, we know how to survive.

Don't, don't!

Emiliano, no.
Don't go, I tell you.

Emiliano, don't. Don't!

Emiliano Zapata.

Jesus Gauhava.

Where did you find him?
-He's yours.

Where have you been?
-A federal officer had him.

Got old.

Shoot that horse! Shoot him!

Shoot him!

The horse got away.
-The horse?

Well, these people
are very superstitious.

They must've been terribly afraid of him.
They shot him to ribbons.

The tiger is dead.

Well, that's the end of that.
-I don't know.

Sometimes a dead man
can be a terrible enemy.

Expose his body in the plaza
so they can see it.

So they can all see that he's dead.

Who do they think they're fooling?
Shot up that way, could be anybody.

He fooled them again.
-Are you sure?

I fought with him all these years.
They think they can fool me?

They can't kill him.
-They'll never get him.

Can you catch a river, kill the wind?
-He's not a river, he's a man!

And still they can't kill him.
-Then where is he?

He's in the mountains.

You couldn't find him now.

But if we ever need him again,
he'll be back.

Yes.

He's in the mountains.