Pancho Villa: The Centaur of the North (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 7 - La Batalla Perdida - full transcript

This story is inspired by real events.

The people and events shown
were created for artistic purposes.

Any similarity to reality
is purely coincidental.

Previously.

I'm going to give the police the chance
to join our fight.

[Fierro] And Los Colorados?

[Villa]
Get them out of the city and execute them.

If we unite,
we'll arm this country in a minute.

That is why I'm offering Carranza
as interim president.

[Villa] That could be,
but he has a major in Sonora.

Plutarco Elías Calles.



President Eulalio Gutiérrez
has stated that if you don't accept him,

you'll be considered a traitor
to the government he represents.

I'm happy to meet a man
who truly knows how to fight.

President Eulalio fled the capital
to meet with Álvaro Obregón.

What?

-[Fierro] Retreat for cover.
-[gunshots]

[Jáuregui] Let's go, General!

July 9th, 1915,
20 kilometers away from Aguascalientes.

Let's go, let's go, proceed!

-[soldier] It's the retreat.
-[Villa] Let's go! Run!

-[soldier 2] Quickly, quickly!
-[Villa] Let's go!

[Villa] At what point was
the Northern Division defeated so quickly?

Why? Where did we go wrong?

How did we end up running
like rabbits being chased by wolves?



Carry the injured!

-Let's go, General!
-Carry them!

Prepare to blow the bridge!

[Fierro] Let's go, General!

Before they block the north exit!
There's nothing to do here.

[gunshots]

[Villa] And what's next?

How will we keep the revolution alive?

[Villa groans]

PANCHO VILLA
CENTAUR OF THE NORTH

[Villa] Months before our defeat,
the country was divided in two.

Carranza supporters ruled
the east coast and the south,

while our allies, the Zapatistas,
couldn't contain them.

We controlled northern and western Mexico.

But there was resistance on all sides.

To make matters worse,

the American government
still hasn't decided

which faction to support,

as they're more concerned about the threat
of the German Empire and war in Europe.

Álvaro Obregón advances towards
the center of the country,

ensuring that trains with weapons
and supplies can arrive

from the Veracruz port,

where the cowardly
Venustiano Carranza remains.

Villa supporters must join forces

and move to Celaya, Guanajuato,

where the rail lines cross.

Obregón and I both know that

whoever ends up with Celaya
controls the flow of weapons,

food, and troops and will win the war.

[Villa] A submarine.

Five months before.

So it travels underwater
without letting any inside?

And it shoots missiles at the same time?

-I don't believe it.
-[in English] Oh, yes.

[in Spanish] Mr. Villa,
submarines are the latest technology.

In Europe, they use them
to sink enemy ships.

You could put one in the Gulf of Mexico,

so Carranza can't receive anything
at his ports.

Whoa, that's how much a submarine costs?

What if someone pulls the plug
and it sinks?

We lose a lot of money.

That's the cost of winning a civil war.
[clicking fingers]

[in English] Very fast.

[in Spanish] Well, yes,
but we have priorities.

Like coal for the trains to run.

Uniforms for new troops.

And most importantly, bullets.

So, help us with that
and then we'll see what we do.

[in English] Okay,
I understand, Mr. Villa.

[in Spanish] But the two planes
you ordered are already on their way.

Well, of course, Mr. Sommerfeld.

We ordered those
to add to the ones we already have

in the Villa Royal Air Force.

[in English] No need to worry,
Mr. Sommerfeld.

I already have your money in my office.

[in Spanish] Take care, man.

Pancho.

What do you think of Sommerfeld?

He hasn't failed us yet.

We have to hurry.
Zapata hasn't been able to stop Obregón.

Now he's off to Celaya.

Well, yes,
but these Americans don't trust us.

They request payment up-front,

and it's not like there's much money,
Pancho. We need more.

Jáuregui, we're going to Sonora.

Gather the mine and landowners.

All right, but what will you do?

What will I do?

[sighs] Whisper sweet nothings to them.

-[slam]
-[Villa] Now will you work the mines?

[miner pants]

The revolution needs your support.

Enough with the nonsense.

[in English] Mr. Villa, please.

[in Spanish] Let's be civil
as we come to an agreement.

[Villa] All right, man.

What's your name?

[in English] I'm Mr. Guggenheim.

[Villa] Oh, I know you.

You're the owner of the big mines

where you mistreat your workers

and haven't paid war taxes.

Mr. Villa, war is complicated.

You ask for support,
but so do Carranza's men.

Sure, but those assholes
want the money for themselves!

I want it for the people.

For the orphans.

I don't care if you're German or American.

You'll support the cause here.

If not, I'll take the mines.

And drive you out of the country.

-[people clamor]
-You can't do that.

Our governments have treaties.

-[in English] Our President Wilson...
-[in Spanish] What about Wilson?

[Villa] The problem was that
I didn't know Mr. Guggen... whatever,

was a good friend of President Wilson.

If he wants to protect you...

[Villa] And newspaper owners.

...he should get Carranza in line
and support us.

Then there'd be peace, right?

It's just lies and stories.

I never said that if the Americans
attacked Carranza, I'd support them.

Furthermore, just so it's crystal clear
for everyone...

if any nation attacked Mexico,

I wouldn't hesitate to fight back.

[Villa] Of course, my words weren't
well-received by the Americans.

And for good measure,

that asshole Carranza
paid several journalists

to write that my men and I
were getting rich

off of war taxes and expropriation.

WAR CONFISCATIONS:
THE NORTHERN DIVISION GOLD MINE

How dare they say that about me?

About Urbina, about my brother,
and even about you, Ángeles?

All of the money
has always been used for the cause.

It's been for the fight,
for the people, for the widows.

[Ángeles] Yeah.

They're fighting dirty
with public opinion.

[sighs]

The important part was to reduce
tensions with the US government.

I don't think we did the right thing.

No, eh?

Then what should I have done, Ángeles?

It seems like
we've been disagreeing lately.

Like when you insisted
I go attack Carranza in Veracruz

instead of reinforcing the north.

With all due respect, General,
look what happened.

The Zapatistas failed, and Obregón
is advancing towards the center

with all sorts of support from the port.

And it's my fault
the loathsome Emiliano Zapata

didn't follow through, or what?

[Jáuregui] Sorry, General.

It's time for your call
with Félix Sommerfeld from New York.

And what the fuck is he doing there?

Where are the bullets?

Why the fuck don't they want to send them?

Jáuregui already paid a deposit
for 1.5 million cartridges.

I need to stick it to Obregón.

General.

You know I always meet your demands.

But the armories insist on
advance payment.

They don't want...

any risk.

Risk is moving troops without ammunition.

If Obregón fucks us because of you,

tell those fucking Americans

Pancho Villa is coming for them.

I need you to look everywhere.

I need my brother to pay
the American armories immediately.

Of course, Pancho. Consider it done.

What are you going to do?

[Villa] I'm going to Irapuato.

Before Obregón takes Celaya.

Perfect, General. Whatever you say.
When do we leave?

You? As soon as possible.

But without me.

Go find President Wilson
and calm him down for me.

It's only right.

You said it yourself, right?

April 6th, 1915.

[Villa] What the hell is Obregón
doing leaving Celaya?

And with Yaqui Indians?

I imagine they know the land.

-Captain Durón.
-Yes, General.

How long until the cannons are ready?

The munitions just arrived.
They're taking them up the mountain.

[Villa] We can't let them get away.

I want the cavalry to follow them.

Have them prepare
and take their positions.

General, I thought we'd wait
until we were ready. Urbina...

The Northern Division doesn't hide.

They always win when they attack.

So get the cannons ready
as soon as possible.

And we'll see if it's true that
you were Ángeles's best pupil.

Give 'em your all.

[Villa] Obregón's movement
was actually a lure to have us leave

to locations outside of Celaya.

[soldier] Cannon one ready! Charge here.

-General.
-[soldier] Ready?

Félix Sommerfeld is on the train
waiting for you.

He says it's very important.

This better be important, man.

That being said, thank you
for getting the bullets here in time.

-Although we need many more.
-You can count on me, General.

Now, I have a question for you.

Can I trust you?

Of course.

Why are you being so mysterious?

Spit it out.

What I have to say is very serious.

It's coming from
the highest level of government.

But nobody can know we spoke.

Understood?

More or less, but what is it?

We know that this battle
is a factor in the outcome of the war.

[in English] It's like...

[in Spanish] ...our Gettysburg.

Well, I don't know what that is.

Tell me now. What does
the American government want with me?

President Wilson is offering you
our military support

and will cut off supplies to Carranza.

In exchange for
the states of Sonora and Chihuahua,

a Pacific port for our ships

and concession to the train
that crosses the Mexican isthmus.

Ah, right. That's it?

Let me tell you something, man.

Mexico is for Mexicans.

Our fights are ours.

I'm not begging you or anything like that.

So, tell whoever sent you,

thank you,
but Pancho Villa won't betray Mexico,

no matter how badly he wants to defeat
Carranza, Obregón and the other assholes.

[in English] Okay.

[in Spanish] I understand, Mr. Villa.

Being the patriot you are.

You have my respect, General.

[in English] Mr. Sommerfeld.

[in Spanish]
Was the same offer made to Carranza?

I was only sent to you.

Everyone ready?

Come on. Ready!

Cannon one, fire!

-[Durón] Fire!
-[Obregón] Don't retreat, assholes.

Do not retreat!

Cannon three, fire!

[soldiers screaming]

No, hold on, hold on!

Do not stop shooting, men. Keep loading.

Cannon four, fire!

[shell exploding]

-Advance!
-[soldier 1] Retreat!

Five, shoot!

-[soldier 2] Fire!
-[Obregón] Do not retreat, assholes!

Do not retreat, sons of bitches!

Did you not hear me? It's... [groans]

[distorted screams]

[Villa] We thought we could surround
and defeat them without their leader.

But history had other plans.

[Obregón screams]

Help! Help! Help!

Hold your ground!

[soldiers screaming, shouting]

[Villa] The fat guy that saved Obregón

was named Heidrich Kloss.

Two weeks earlier.

These barricades will protect you.

We need good cross fire.

This will take them by surprise.

Hey, higher, lift more, more, higher.

[Villa] Kloss was a Prussian veteran

who had just arrived with new strategies

being used in the European war.

-Our horsemen weren't prepared for that.
-[shouting]

Get ready!

Aim!

Fire!

[all shouting]

[Fierro] Stop, it's a trap!

[Villa] And our soldiers,
many of whom were new recruits,

didn't expect such a difficult attack.

Stop!

Fire!

Retreat! Retreat!

Retreat!

[bomb exploding, crackling]

[Villa] This time, it wasn't a bad dream.

I thought the battle would be short,

but it turned into
a nightmare that lasted several days

and then became weeks.

We were stopped again and again,

and forced to retreat to other cities

just to be defeated again.

[Urbina] Sorry, man. We barely escaped.

What happened?

I don't even know what to think.

My men say...

the bullets the Americans sent don't work.

That some were even wooden.

And the best ones
don't even travel 30 yards.

Do you think the Americans fucked us over?

No idea.

What they've been saying for days now

is that the Northern Division
isn't the same anymore.

Why would they say that?

Because I sent Ángeles
to the American president.

Raúl Madero stayed to protect the north.

And in terms of the endgame...

you arrive late and weak.

I'm sorry, my friend.

I'm sorry,

but my head and heart
aren't in it anymore.

I'm pretty down.

I brought what's left of my men.

And you know what?

I have a special favor to ask you.

You've been with me
in bad times and even worse times.

What can I do so you feel better?

Look, buddy...

I have a bad feeling.

I want to go home.

To the ranch, in Las Nieves,
to recover and see my wife.

And my kids.

And if I have to, well...

to prepare to die.

With you.

I'm telling you, man to man.

Don't think I'm abandoning you.

Eh?

There's General Santos.

He'll remain in charge.

But let me go home and say goodbye.

All right.

Thank you.

[Villa] What do you think, Fierro?

We even had to bring in women
for the fight.

Maybe they have more fight in them
than the assholes who flee

whenever the going gets tough.

[Refugio] Don't worry about us,
General Villa.

Most of our husbands were killed,
and we want revenge.

We women have as much fire and balls
as any man.

Right, ladies?

[all] Yes, General.

I'm so proud to have you here, soldiers.

-What's your name?
-Refugio.

Just that.

My last name died
along with my husband in Jalisco.

I was sure those eyes were Jaliscan.

If we get out of this alive,
you can be my refuge, like your name.

And I can be yours.

Let's go, ladies.

They've got heart, all right.

[Kloss] Let's go. Let's get 'em.

[soldiers shouting]

[soldier] First machine gun.

[Fierro] We have to split up.

Take your men there.
I'm going here with mine.

[Villa] Surprisingly, Obregón survived.

Though he lost an arm.

But that didn't stop him from
putting fuel to the fire

with new techniques.

Get every last one!

[Refugio] Sons of bitches!

[Villa] Obregón brought Yaqui Indians
from their lands up north.

And their lairs on the ground
surprised our men.

[Refugio screams]

Assholes!

Second machine gun.

Hold on!

[Villa] Urbina's brigade
with Santos in charge

was dispersed almost without a fight.

Now my man would have to respond.

Santos! Santos!

-Retreat, Santos! Santos!
-Santos!

[Villa] Not even our air force
could stop them.

I was hell-bent on fucking over
Obregón in one day.

Fire!

[Villa] And he ended up
fucking me over slowly.

And with foreign aid.

More than even I had thought.

[airplane crashes]

Over here, over here! Retreat!

[explosion]

[Fierro] Blow up the bridge!

Blow up the bridge!

[panting]

Let's go, General.

[Villa] I'm sick of running away.

Without fighting.

Weeks of hiding from Obregón.

While his General Calles prepared
our death blow in the north.

General Ángeles told you that,

and you sent him to the Americans.

Do you also look down on me?

[Fierro] He's not wrong, General.

He's not speaking nonsense.
Jáuregui remains here by your side.

As few are.

Thank you, General Fierro.

If not, I would've shot you already
for telling off General Villa.

But also,

with all due respect,

and much appreciation,

you're listening to advice less and less.

I'm listening.

What do you have to say?

Say it to my face.

Nothing you haven't already heard.

We can't go on like this.

Without weapons, money,

without men.

They've killed so many of us.

[Villa] Fierro, you think I don't know?

But that can be fixed with money.

We leaders should meet,
those who are still here.

What happened to my man, Urbina?

He can help us.

It's just that he's been gone for a while.

Jáuregui, talk with Ángeles.

To see when he's returning.

And check in with Raúl Madero

to see how many are left in his brigade.

I warned Villa that he'd lose
if he battled in those conditions.

He ignored me.

Their people weren't as tired as ours.

They had more ammunition.

But it's useless to regret it.

Tell me how it went with President Wilson.

He wouldn't even see me.

I spoke with his foreign secretary, but...

my mission failed.

I think Wilson will recognize Carranza.

That's one of the reasons
why I won't return.

I think,
like my deceased brother Francisco,

that the only way to end the violence

is to organize the country fairly.

And I'm not the only one.

Many have left Villa.

Obregón lost his arm,
but not his strength.

General Ángeles.

What the hell are you doing here,
Sommerfeld?

Your bullets were defective.

I summoned him for something else.
Please listen.

I didn't know about the bullets.

I was just an intermediary.
Not the manufacturer.

But if you'll allow me,

General Ángeles, I was eager to see you
before you crossed the border.

It's...

precarious.

I request your utmost secrecy
with what I have to say.

A confidential informant of my government

heard from a direct source
that if you return,

Villa plans to kill you.

[scoffs]

And I suppose I should believe
your confidential informant?

If you want to stay in our country,
you are welcome here.

You've been warned.
Your life is at risk in Mexico.

One day, Villa could kill you.

After the defeat, he's gone mad.

[in English] But...

it's up to you.

[plates clink]

[in Spanish] General, a letter arrived
from Raúl Madero and Felipe Ángeles.

Did you open and read it like I asked?

You don't feel tingling in your fingers
or anything strange?

I assure you it's not poisoned, General.

What poison
are you talking about, Marquitos?

I asked him to check
everything he brought me.

I have so many enemies now, and so...

I know they want to kill me
however they can.

Cut the bullshit.

So, what are my favorite generals saying?

When will we battle again?

I fear the news isn't quite so good.

It only took crossing the border
for them to forget about the Revolution.

It's desertion time.

People are tired of fighting.

Yes.

It's desertion time.

But also time for bravery.

And heroes.

I still have you.

And Fierro.

And my friend Urbina.

Even though I know he's at home
lost in a fucking bottle.

I'll bring him back to his senses.

[guard groans]

[gate squeaks]

[gramophone playing]

[Urbina laughs] Yeah.

Come here, Mara. Let's dance, yeah.

Come here, girl. Hey, I'm hungry.

-[Mara moans]
-[Urbina laughs] No, me. [laughs]

Hey, no. Oh, damn.

-One. [kisses] One.
-[Mara] No.

[Mara moans]

Urbina!

[Mara gasps]

[Fierro] Traitors!

[groans]

General Santos,

I didn't expect to see you here,
so perfumed.

I didn't know you liked to dance.

Last time I saw you,
you left the battle with Obregón.

And we were left to dance
with the ugliest girl.

[Santos groans]

[bystander screams]

[groaning]

[breathing heavily]

Why didn't you stick with me, man?

Because I was tired.

[sighs]

Why are you rich now?

There were rumors floating around

that you sold me out in the last battle.

What did the mining companies pay you
to betray me?

Or was it Obregón?

[Urbina] I never betrayed you.

I haven't even switched sides.

If I jumped ship,
it was only for my benefit.

Not to hurt you, General.

I've always loved you like a brother, man.

[breathing heavily]

[groans]

And now you're gonna kill me?

What do you think?

I'm going to lock you up in Chihuahua

while I decide what to do with you.

It's not that easy to get rid of you.

[Urbina pants]

-[Villa] Go now.
-[horse whinnies]

What do you think, Fierro?

Nothing. I think we've got
bad luck on our side.

I think Urbina will be our downfall
because we didn't kill him.

[Villa] Explain yourself.

When you make it out alive
from such a huge brawl,

another one will follow.

And a traitor will always kill

those who wanted to kill him
but instead forgave him.

Always.

[horses whinnying]

Halt! Whoa, whoa!

Stop there.

[Urbina] What's going on, Fierro?

Put the pistol down.

I was your first revolutionary commander.

I introduced you to Pancho Villa.

I even saved you.

Or have you forgotten?

How much did it take for you to betray us?

They're full of dollars.

-There's no more jewelry.
-That's it, General.

It's not much, right?

What happened?

Urbina started feeling sick.

He asked me to lay him down to rest.

So I did, with a very heavy heart.

[Villa] Come here, girl.

Tell me where the jewelry,
the gold and the money are hidden.

Or Fierro will put you to rest
with your husband.

You won't find anything here.

Tomás was headed towards Guanaceví
to hide his things.

But he left a map,
since there are a lot of caves.

Well, hand it over then.

On one condition.

If you promise I can go unharmed
to Torreón, where my daughter is.

I don't believe this map exists.

Guanaceví is very far.

Tomás hid the map. And I saw where.

And if you kill me,
you'll never know where it is.

[Villa] All right.

Then bring the map.

And tomorrow I'll send you
to Torreón by train.

I promise.

Basaseachi.

"Place of Coyotes," in Tarahumara.

Well, Marquitos, count the livestock
and anything of value in the ranch.

Watch the lady until we return.

But you promised.

I'm leaving you some gold.

In case the lady gets out of hand.

Young man.

Please.

At least let me send a telegram
to my daughter's grandmother.

So she knows I'm coming soon.

I can see you are different.

I'm begging you.

In the name of the Virgin Mary.

Come here.

We've already been here. What? What now?

Enough of that.

BOX OFFICE

TELEGRAPHS

[telegraph clicking]

The map you gave me was useless.

We searched everywhere and found nothing.

-[Mara] Well, I don't know.
-Ah, now you don't know?

What do you want?

I have an urgent telegram
for Mrs. Mara de Urbina.

She's right here.

I'll give it to her.

Get lost.

I told you to watch the lady.

Ms. Mara asked me to take her

to send a telegram
to her little girl in Torreón.

Oh, just "to her little girl in Torreón."

Well, it seems she already replied.

Read it.

[sighs]

The telegram is from Venustiano Carranza.

[sighs] It seems
Ms. Mara is offering to reveal

the location of the hidden treasure
in exchange for protection and money.

[gasps]

[Villa] Why are you scared?
You've seen many people die.

If she... [groans]
...knew how to read the map...

[pants] ...now we'll never find
General Urbina's treasure.

[Fierro] Then this is worthless now.

He's dead and buried now.

Now it's Pancho Villa's treasure.

And I'm going to find it.

Even if I have to make a deal
with the devil.

And then...

we'll send everyone
who betrayed us to hell.