Witness / 1969 / - Complete Hungarian film

Hungarofilm presents: THE WITNESS Cast Photography and music Written and directed by Péter Bacsó Speak to the forlorn poor with the mouth of a ruminating calf Chew into their hearts: they need not be heroes if they can't be Attila József For instance, József Pelikán, ***- keeper, never wanted to be a hero Hungary, 1949 LONG LIVE OUR GREAT, WISE LEADER! Not there! Józsi, there's meat at the shop! That's all until next week There's nothing for it but to kill Desirée Must we? Coat those ration cards in breadcrumbs Poor Desirée She has to die tonight And Desirée died I think we can start now Practice like hell, for God's sake Comrades, strike your picks in deep The brawny Workers' Brigade strides forth The sound resounds proudly from our lips Our new song of joy - Where's your father? - At a seminar - At this hour? - He's at work all day - What are they doing? - It's a patrol meeting The eight members of the Pelikán patrol! Choir practice Have you got a pig, lad? We haven't even the swill to feed it I'll be back Go and fetch the garlic I'll do the rest, Gizi Don't eat the fat, or you'll be sick Listen, what was that? Wasn't it the dog? All right, then A poacher on the horizon Hallo, Comrade Dániel Why so surprised? I've come to do a bit of fishing I've not been here for ten years So I noticed How's life? How's the wife? She ran off with bargee, a Romanian Oh, well. How about the children? Fine. Aren't you married yet, Comrade Dániel? Why so formal with me, Józsi? - How should I speak to a minister? - Let's not stand on ceremony I'll get angry if we, of all people, stick to formalities - What's the mood like around here? - Well... I read that it's excellent - Where did you read that? - In the Mood Report Then it'll be excellent Hold on! Gophers are the ***'s most dangerous enemies Wait a moment - Is that their hole? - Pour it down, Zoltán The kids will be pleased; they get two forints tail at a depot Hold it up for a moment - Where are you going? - I've got a bite What a fool I am; it must have been a fantastic catfish Promise not to tell anyone... ...I lost the world's biggest catfish You heard nothing, saw nothing But I've got a Council of Minister meeting Now you shut up and lie down Lie down and we'll make tea for you - Put some life into him, Gizi - I'll try What do you mean, "shush"? Where's that pig, or I'll get rough Not so loud, comrades, or you'll wake the comrade minister "Comrade Minister"! Talk like that will land you in jail Isn't illegal slaughtering enough, without abusing leading comrades? - Do as you like - It's a house search - What's going on, comrades? - Who are you, comrade? Have you never seen me before? Report, if you please Comrade Minister, it's a house search József Pelikán has been reported for illegal pig-slaughtering Proceed with your search, comrades; reports are sacred Put everything back in place And take note of one thing We have enough enemies. It's not honest workers we should harry Why should you upset József Pelikán's peaceful home? Have you taken leave of your senses? But he was reported What do you mean, reported? What if someone reported you for drug smuggling or bank robbery? Nine out of ten reports are crazy I don't understand. It was a serious anonymous report; typewritten Listen here... comrade Do you know the sacrifice József Pelikán made for us? Skip it, Zoltán No, Józsi, the comrades should know who they're pestering Now listen In 1944, in this very room... ...he was beaten and kicked by detectives. Why? To make him give us away A word from him would betray us; we were down here in the cellar Zoltán, don't We heard him being tortured, but he kept quiet He kept us five weeks underground You ought to take your caps off to him He hid us here, in this very place Comrades... ...perform your duty The law applies to everyone; a hundred times more so for communists I see Meanwhile, we'll drench this with petrol This is material proof, to be appended to the criminal evidence How else can we preserve it for the trial? - What's happening, dad? - Be good, children Let's go Don't bear it against me, Jóska; I couldn't help it No *** around, mind I'll send back your suit I don't think I'll need it urgently It's Mr. Pelikán! An aquaintance at last These are false, Mr. Gulyás Nicely done. Did I knock out the originals? The kids swept them off the floor. Now I'll get my own back Open your mouth, you torturer Mr. Pelikán, I'm paying the penalty. Must I lose my teeth, too? - What did you get? - Eight years We'll wait for them. But when they're up... That wouldn't be the right thing. It was my trade, after all I never bore any personal grudge Wouldn't I be useful to this regime? Has it such experienced people? They managed to detect me all right Jailed within 24 hours of illegal pig-slaughtering. Express work, eh? Was there punch-up? Do you mind? We can get on quite well without you, thanks Did you confess, Father? Kiss his hand; you never know Why are you here, my son? He's not a political, Your Grace. A common criminal: illegal slaughtering Everything is politics, my son. I shall pray for you On the third day, Pelikán was allowed visitors - How are things? - Everyone's fine - And the ***? - No problems - The water level? - It rose two centimeters yesterday You're not home evenings, I suppose Yes, I am Mind the little ones don't see your goings on Don't worry, they don't You saw the lawyer? Imagine, dad, Dániel sent his driver to see how we were He returned the suit and said he'd visit us one day Very decent, but what about the lawyer? He said he'll do all he can What will I get? It depends what you get it for You may be fined, or you might get the severest sentence... ... if they want to set an example What severest sentence? Death? Your punishment will depend on the example Charming! What else did he say? Don't be surprised if he asks for severe punishment, at the trial Who? The defence lawyer? It would be different if you were a rich kulak... ...but as you're a party member and the lawyer isn't... socialist law... What's that about socialist law? Think Well, setting an example is the main thing. And not to worry All right. Give them my love, take care of yourselves Guard the *** and watch out for moles and gophers Socialism still on the move, Pelikán? Have I got to bash your head in after all, Gulyás? We Hungarians should love each other. You've got high-up friends Put in a word for me; it's a pity to let me waste here Sod off, Gulyás I'm serious. I could name one or two people out to get you lot Isn't one of them called Csetneki? I'm saying nothing, but if you'd put in a good word for me... I wonder what's for supper? Noodles again If only they'd pour some oniony gravy over them The food was far better in our day Shut up. I had my fill of your food József Pelikán, bring your things Condemned cell? Comrade Pelikán, you are free - Free? - As a bird. Congratulations And the pig, Desirée? There never was a pig. You are innocent; all charges are dropped But I did kill that pig, so I'm rightfully here No arguments. You're innocent and that's that; orders from above Anyway, improve the food. Reactionaries mustn't criticize democratic prisons It's not that good outside, either, but one's more politically aware here No bones broken? You've lost weight. Who was the *** who informed on you? I'd have got ten years, but if someone's pally with a minister... You reported me, Csetneki You reported me, Csetneki Because it's as clear as a punch-up you reported me in 1942 What if I discovered a thing or two about you? - Such as what? - You sent the village lads to Germany That's no secret And you wore such a lovely Fascist armband I was only a small-time Fascist; they were exonerated Were they? No one asked my opinion. Now get out of here You've no right to do that Right? Get out before I chuck you out, though I'm a peaceful man Be off with you Very well, Pelikán But you're in for a big surprise - József Pelikán? - Yes. This is my daughter - What's in that parcel? - A duck Pelikán is here Please take a seat - Is Zoli Dániel in? - Wait a moment, please You can go in now Come back. What are you doing? What are you waiting for? - We're looking for Comrade Dániel - Is he out? - I don't know - When will he be in? - I don't know - Is he abroad? - I don't know Could you say if he's still minister here? I don't know Are you József Pelikán from Szigetnádasd... ...1 Trebich Nándor Street? That's right. I wanted to thank Comrade Dániel for his kindness Leave the parcel here Can we go? I hope you've a fridge here You can go You could put it in... Pelikán doesn't understand a thing One night a big, black car comes for him Where are we going? Are you going to hang me? Go on, tell me. We all have to die some time Even you, lads Were your mothers dumb, too? I'm to go up? God be with you, lads No gossiping about this, mind Welcome, Comrade Pelikán Aren't you hungry? We could have dinner together I've had supper, but I could eat a little something You may serve dinner, Comrade Goglák Those Christmases of childhood, eh, Comrade Pelikán? - What will you drink? - Me? More or less anything You leave the choice to me You look well, Comrade Pelikán The Danube air. You look well, too, comrade Oh, this office work withers on away - Good appetite - Thank you very much - Is this all mine? - Go ahead; tuck in Sucking-pig isn't bad, eh, Comrade Pelikán? - Comrade Virág, I confess everything - Easy now I slaughtered the pig We can wipe that out. Say nothing; we know everything, anyway That's all right, then Your jacket was made in 1938. English material, 85 per cent. Wool They don't make such material nowadays Shoulders a little over-padded, but good lapels Do eat some more Won't you eat anything? My stomach... but you go ahead It's good to encounter an old campaigner It's a pity we didn't meet earlier You see, Comrade Pelikán, one day we're going to ask something of you - What will you ask? - All in good time We'll be meeting again Suppose I dropped in on you with my family one day - On me? - To make friends To get to know each other; we're two good, old comrades after all The problem is, I can't produce such a supper No need to guzzle all the time All I can say is, Comrade Pelikán, the international situation... ...is intensifying Intensifying? It's good to know One must never forget that I won't One day, Pelikán took the children out for ice-cream Watch it, lads My sons Passionate photographers, and your old campaigner's family... ...is a perfect subject I'd gladly invite you to supper, but we've nothing but potatoes We could do baked potatoes, couldn't we? Excellent. But let's walk with the children first Well, if that's what you fancy How ingenious our people are I envy you, Comrade Pelikán The potato The word reminds me of something Doesn't the word potato ring a bell, Comrade Pelikán? No, Comrade Virág Take a good look at me. Doesn't it stir memories? I've got it! 1945; you shared out potatoes You didn't have a moustache then. You made a fine speech As you stood in front of the railway wagon a door opened... ...and the potatoes poured on top of you We struggled to pull you out; you could hardly breathe We were grateful to you. In those days there was no grub here at all Well, don't let's sentimentalise. We can wipe that out Isn't that the spare room? You last had a guest three weeks ago Zoli Dániel He was in bed after jumping into the river Fell in, more like. He was shivering like a jelly How did you know? No matter. But just remember this, Comrade Pelikán: Sucking-pig or potatoes, the class struggle is intensifying No more ammunition, Colonel Permission to use hand-grenades? I'd rather you didn't. Just hold on a moment Bursting paper bugs again, weren't you? They're allowed to make bangs! He's got a mania for paper bags Don't cry, lad. You'll live to see a jollier, happier world Sorry, Comrade Virág Not at all. We spring to the defence, come what may I want to say that it's inconceivable, criminal... ...that an old campaigner should mess about guarding dikes I'm quite happy where I am Your place is in a responsible, leading position. What are you good at? ***-keeping, gopher catching. I'm ideologically ill-qualified Do you love our great, wise leader? Of course Well, then So Pelikán became the swimming-pool director - Why are they waiting? - Who are you? The new director. Have they got tickets? They have - Why not let them in? - I can't because... I can't understand; speak louder Have they got tickets? Stop whispering. I've been sent here to create order Don't gawp at me, just give me your ticket Let the others in, please The pool is for workers to swim in Don't be funny, I asked to see your ticket, not your gun You there, have you got a ticket? Are you deaf? Treason! - Back again? - The regime can thrive without me, too Not for long - Why? - The Americans are coming Truman on a white horse? Don't you know anything new? Yes, your pals are jailing each other - What did you say? - It's even in the papers - God brought you, my son - In a black car, Father Any news about how long this is all going to last? I don't want to alarm you, but it'll last quite a while yet And the God of the Hungarians allows it So it seems. What's for lunch? Noodles We mustn't eat the seed-corn of the future, though I wouldn't mind a bite Bring your things I'm terribly sorry about that affair, Comrade Virág... ...but I did warn you that I'm ideologically ill-qualified If Comrade Bastion had been swimming in his general's uniform... ...then I'd have recognized him for sure... ...and I'd have protected him from the splashing throng But in those trunks he looked... perhaps it was the light He has already forgiven you We've arrested a ticket-collector; he was responsible It wasn't his fault; I didn't know the party line The collector's mother was the mistress of a mill-owing kulak He's confessed As a matter of fact, I'd like to go back to the *** Not a chance, Comrade Pelikán One day... ...we'll ask something of you Not now? In good time The tension's killing Just a moment, Comrade Goglák Isn't that a new skirt? It is, Comrade Virág It's short; sexuality is an *** of the decadent west We have no need of it. Am I not right, Comrade Pelikán? You're right, it is, Comrade Virág Hard, very hard You will have to guard a vulnerable outpost of cultural progress A political and ideological reorientation Must it be me? When we are absent, the enemy is present You are now director of the English Park Why "English Park"? That's what it's called Why English? Why not Gaiety Park, or Fun Park? Exactly You grasped the problem by the throat, comrade English Park? So the English imperialists can snigger at us? Not bloody likely! Gaiety Park; that's what the workers want So Pelikán got a new job. He set to work enthusiastically GAIETY PARK LONG LIVE OUR WISE LEADER! From today, the ghost train... ...will be known as The Socialist Ghost Train We'll get rid of the skeletons and old junk... ...and replace them with portraits of our leaders, especially Comrade Bastion What about the shrieks and rattling bones? They can stay Won't people be scared by Comrade Bastion? So what? Comrade Virág said the class struggle is intensifying Anyone with a skeleton in the cupboard will wet his pants on the ghost train Don't you agree, comrades? THE SOCIALIST GHOST TRAIN DOWN WITH BOURGEOUIS PSEUDO-CULTURE! THE FORGER OF OUR VICTORY A SPECTRE IS HAUNTING EUROPE WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT OUR CHAINS THE FORGER OF OUR VICTORY Here's some water, beloved Comrade Bastion Imbecile! Tell me if I've gone wrong, beloved Comrade Bastion I know I've a lot to learn Look at you, man! Attention! Father, I don't know, nothing goes right for me nowadays With the best of intentions, I misunderstand the party line And the water level keeps rising Don't fret, my son. Have a cigar Are you making offers, too, Father? Come on, I got it from them And you dared to run down our prisons "Our prisons"! Keep quiet, foolish man "Our prisons" when they're always locking you up One can learn from that, too Even if it's only by disputing with highly respected clerical reaction A ***-keeper having the opportunity to talk politics with a bishop It's a question of backbone - You'll soon be filleted - I think you're wrong there Excuse me I may be an idiot, but there's no going back on things The bishop's angry because he's lost his land and his schools Aren't I right? Can't you shut up? It's a stroke of luck you're locked up in here. You'd have a fit if you saw how our country is being rebuilt I'm not interested The bishop would hate to see peasant deserting church for factory Are you agitating here in prison? Aren't I right, Father? Let's not talk politics. What's for supper? Noodles and potatoes You see, things are improving Don't experiment with me any more, Comrade Virág Let me go back to the ***, the Danube's rising Life is not a whipped-cream cake, Pelikán I grow weary, too, sometimes I, too, am human There's many a sleepless night nowadays, Comrade Pelikán Drink a beer before going to bed, you'll sleep like a log Sleeplessness must be awful It really won't be long before we ask something of you, comrade Spit it out Patience. The right move at the right time Until then, a new watchpost, Comrade Pelikán Mercy. I'm a complete idiot One must build up self-confidence. Do you like... Our wise leader I was thinking of oranges. Do you like them? What sort? Oranges in general. A citrus fruit I'm sure I like them; I've not had one for twenty years ORANGE RESEARCH INSTITUTE At last we can begin experiments in Hungary We could put others in that corner; there's a warm breeze The crop was not big, but the only ripe orange... was diligently guarded until the opening ceremony Forward with the Hungarian orange! Show me your hands, Pisti You didn't eat that orange, did you? I thought it was here to eat Well, it wasn't You've ruined me, you rascal! What shall I do now, damn it? Comrade Virág, my son's eaten the orange. What shall we do? Take it easy. Here you are - That's a lemon - An orange I rule that beyond discussion What's this? An orange The new Hungarian orange Slightly yellower, slightly sharper, but our own Gala performance in Honour of the Orange Researchers Heroes of the Battle of the Orange We've won. It was worth it, wasn't it? You see, Pelikán, it's good to be sitting on our laurels I feel a little bad about it, though Why do we make such a fuss over it? We deceived the people, after all Who did we deceive? Ourselves? We know what it's all about The researchers? They're happy to have medals The masses? They don't eat oranges or lemons, but they're happy to celebrate The imperialists? We've given them a thorough beating I wouldn't like to be in their shoes We proclaimed a slogan: Let there be a Hungarian orange! And there was We made no empty promise, Pelikán That night the big, black car came for Pelikán again You're not exatly a chatterbox How are things, Comrade Pelikán? Should I know? Do sit down One eye weeps, the other twinkles. You know what I'm thinking about? I've no idea what you're thinking about The international situation is intensifying We've caught up with the latest group of inner-parasites - Another new group? - Dániel and his group - Dániel who? - Zoltán Dániel, the ex-minister You know him, too Of course I do. Zoli Dániel and his gang, that's a good one! What's funny, you fool? The whole thing. You comrades even spare time for such a joke This is no joke Zoltán Dániel is a soy, a traitor, a Fascist police informer It's a scandal that he evaded our vigilance for so long I may be an idiot, but I don't believe it. I know Dániel You know him! What difference does that make? You don't really know your own self And if I tell you he's confessed everything? Confessed everything... What do you mean: everything? Now just get prepared for it You'll be the star witness for what, for heaven's sake? Begin from the fact that Dániel is a spy, traitor, informer Now, do you still see nothing suspicious in his behaviour? Not even if you crucify me Couldn't you ask a better qualified comrade? Not a chance Think over what happened when Dániel last visited you Nothing happened Something must have He fished, we caught gophers, he fell in, I took him home to the spare room You found nothing suspicious in all that? Didn't he swear you to something? - Swear me something? - Think, now He made me swear to tell no one he'd lost a fantastic catfish There you are, then Are you sure it was a catfish? What else could it have been? All sorts of things. That's the whole point Spies don't work in a way to arouse suspicion; on the contrary The suspicious thing about them is that they're not suspicious Got it now, Pelikán? No. The suspicious thing about them is that they're not suspicious? Exactly - I'm not suspicious, but I'm not a spy - How do you know? Is it possible that I'm a spy? Everything is possible Many things may be possible with you, if you don't stand steadfast I see... I mean, I don't see at all Couldn't you leave me out of this, Comrade Virág? As you wish What do you want? Why are you harassing Comrade Pelikán? He's our friend Aren't you, Comrade Pelikán? Iced cakes For the moment, all we ask of you is to collect your thoughts I'll collect them, Comrade Virág But let me go back to the ***; it'll soon be high water Go back, by all means; we'll watch over you But remember: those who don't trust in us, don't trust in themselves Those who don't trust in us, don't trust in our bright future, either And those who don't trust in our happy, bright future... are traitors Thank you very much It's impossible. Incredible What's the matter, dad? Iced cakes I don't get it; am I that crazy? Zoltán Dániel confessed everything Everything? A pity Good God, do you know something? Were you in it, too? In what? How did you get mixed up with that poor devil? In the spare room, when he was last here - But he was in bed - I was in bed, too Good God! Put some life into him, you said So I got in with him to warm him up How could you? Nothing happened, we only talked He asked if I'd read a Clara Zetkin and whether I was studying hard - Nothing else happened? - No; I was surprised, too Think. Did nothing else happen? Honest, it didn't; I'd remember Wasn't there anything suspicious about Dániel? No, except that there we were and we just talked There. Eat it The suspicious things are those that aren't suspicious Even God Almighty doesn't understand that The suspicious things... are those that aren't suspicious Pelikán pondered the matter all night At dawn he slept, but his cigarette burned on My poor friend, I heard what happened The international situation is intensifying. That's burnt out I rule that beyond discussion, but did it burn by accident, I wonder? It was no accident The fire brigade didn't come, even though I gave the alarm My poor friend, life is not a whipped-cream cake We give blows and we get blows We're here, Józsi I don't want to sow suspicion, but didn't Csetneki bring them a bit late? We'll look into the matter Ask the comrade to come here I've got a question to ask, comrade The house is burnt, I rule that beyond discussion... ...but weren't you tardy with the extinguishing, Comrade Csetneki? Confidential orders: vigilance must come first We get many calls; first we have to check every one of them We must see we're not misled. That takes time That's true May I go? A strong hand. Resolution. Yes, that's the spirit Comrade Virág, would it surprise you to know that Csetneki's a Fascist? My poor friend, your nerves are shattered; I should keep tabs on you But no the house is most important It will be rebuilt, better than it was before The sky's the limit. Do you know who said that, Comrade Pelikán? I can guess THE SKY'S THE LIMIT SUPREME EFFORT TO REBUILD THE ***-KEEPER'S HOUSE No sand? I want sand, scour the world for it I rule that beyond discussion. And I expect gravel, too Scrumptious! Comrade Virág! No door? No window? Where are we going? Your testimony will be ready today Quite frankly, I'm rather nervous about it, too. I have a request Be very discreet If you don't like something, tell me Comrade Tuschinger is very sensitive, the artistic type I've finished it You can read it Are you Pelikán? Read it I envy you - Where have you got to? - The frogmen - Do you like it? - Very much. No clichés I rewrote it five times - Well? - Very good - I've got to say all this? - Naturally; you're the star witness I can take criticism, so let's have your objections, my good man Excuse me, this isn't my line and I'm an ideological beginner... ...but Dániel throwing tins containing his spy reports into the Danube... What did he throw, then? Eeaster eggs? Gophers. I know, because I cut off their tails first, for the kids Who's interested in that? It's pure naturalism. What else? It also seems that Comrade Dániel jumped into the Danube... ...and talked to enemy frogmen under water... ...about the *** of our great leader and other comrades... ...but in fact he fell in trying to catch a catfish - Did you see the fish? - No Your criticism is baseless; I insist on the frogmen. Eh, Comrade Virág? I think, the frogmen are good Maybe we could change the tins All right, but tell me how Perhaps I'm saying something silly... but what about keeping the tins... ...but covering them with gopher skins? That might be more credible Not bad; you've got a literery streak. Why don't you write? There are people much better than me I'll rewrite the gophers Any more objections? If I may say so, the secret transmitter business in my spare room... He was soaked to the skin, his teeth were chattering I put him to bed under the eiderdown But I happen to know something quite different My daughter Gizi got in with him. No question of a transmitter That's pure ***. Any more objections? None Strength and health, Comrade Bastion - Is it ready? - Yes, Comrade Bastion What's this? People don't even want to *** me any more? I'm not worth a *** nowadays? The previous trial... I didn't want to repeat myself. But I'll correct it "After our wise leader, Comrade Bastion was to be murdered." Will that do? Yes. Otherwise I like it So do I. It cost many a sleepless night; we wanted to avoid stereotypes Modesty! Don't flatter yourself If there's anything I admire in myself, it's modesty Who's that fat fellow? Pelikán, the star witness Comrade Bastion, I'm just a simple ***-keeper - I've seen you before - The swimming-pool; I was arrested Then Gaiety Park; arrested again. Then the orange grove; an award But I've a bad feeling now. I don't want to be a witness Then why are you here? I don't know either. I should be on the *** It's no good, Virág; we must have voluntary witnesses Understand? Good-bye, Béla You're leaving us? Comrade Virág, please don't leave me here Comrade Virág, I didn't mean any harm To the cemetery I didn't mean to get at you Beloved Comrade Virág, because of me? Not just you. We sacrifice our entire lives for you people... ...but you don't deserve us: heartless rabble And that's putting it mildly I admit I'm an ignorant ***, but please don't kill yourself Just give me a little lecture, so I can know what it's all about It's about truth which is being trodden underfoot I don't want to tread on anyone, but I saw with my own eyes With your own eyes, is that it? What you see with blind eyes, hear with deaf ears? And a dull brain; do you think you can attain the truth of our great aims? Not I, Comrade Virág. What bothered me is that I know Zoltán Dániel If I didn't know him it would be much easier to testify to his guilt Can there be any doubt? Show me one person in this lousy country... ...whom I'm not able to prove guilty in five minutes: you, me, everyone You may be right, but please put that gun away We shouldn't joke, we should act. Look here, I could shoot you That's true - Knock out your teeth - You're a bit late for that I could sit you on a hot stove, shove electricity through your testicles Or simply starve you But have I ever harmed you, Pelikán? I always thought you were the sort of comrade... ...who did what was entrusted to him of his own free will; happily, even I'm disappointed in you What's more, Comrade Bastion is disappointed in me In me, Árpád Virág Do you know what that means? I'm ready for anything, Comrade Virág Thank you... you have restored my faith Comrade Bastion, please I see. I'll go there I'll report to Comrade Bastion Comrade Bastion was participating in the customary autumn shoots - Where's Comrade Bastion? - At the second butt - I've never fired a shot - You'll soon learn - Poor bunnies - Moralizing again - Shouldn't we shoot back? - Have you gone mad? Can't you see what they're doing? I thought we ought to signal that we're not rabbits Don't you agree, Comrade Virág? Will my children get anything? It won't be just anyone who shoots me You? Must you disturb me now? Comrade Bastion, here is József Pelikán, evidence for the state He has accepted of his own free will, no pressure brought to bear The trial can be held - Is that true? - Yes; one tries to improve oneself It would have been a pity if you'd shot us Let's get on with it, then To work, comrades Like that - What type should he be? - I'll leave you that to you - You must have some idea - You are the best judge, comrade Should he be full of self-reproach? Or perhaps naive, wondering? A simple child of the people That will be fine Chin up, Comrade Pelikán Work at it hard Been a witness before? Never Get up on the stage Recite a poem You most know one I'm a ***-keeper Think. You must have learnt a poem in school "My mother's hen" "My mother's hen", by Sándor Petõfi On, mother's hen, what do I see? Are you living in my room with me? Well, to you God is good and kind... ...giving you a life so grand Stop. You've got a lisp No one ever said so You take it from me: a dreadful lisp Please don't say that Facts are stubborn things Say quickly: she sells sea shells on the sea shore Now this: swan swum over the sea I said you had a lisp It can be improved with hard work. Now, let's take it from the start You get a character? A simple worker; maybe once an ill-treated waif But you have to decide that for yourself But I wasn't a waif The essence of the character is wide-eyed astonishment You put all your faith in someone; now you realize you've been deceived You should be seething with hatred. Now start reading I met Dániel in 1942 An aquaintance, Tivadar Galván... Introduced him as an illegal communist He and his friends needed a hiding place Much too passive; try to put some soul into it I'll try At that time I never guessed he was a Fascist police informer... ...and a loathsome agent of the imperialists You should be seething. Now recite it by heart At that time I never guessed... I've forgotten what I didn't guess - Since when have you been forgetful? - Since when what? Exactly Sit down, please Thank you, comrades; I've taken the material over Repeat the following words in the same order: Ink-well, alligator, cornflower... ...kiss, lathe, toothpick. That wasn't too many - No, not too many - You try now Toothpick From the beginning Toothpick - Don't you remember more? - Not at the moment Never mind. Please lie down here, you'll fall asleep It'll be easier to concentrate in your sleep Can you fall asleep, or shall I apply hypnosis? I'll try on my own I met Zoltán Dániel in 1942 An aquaintance, Tivadar Galván, introduced him to me The witness's heart, chest and hearing organs are generally satisfactory Though I should note... ...he is extremely flat-footed I'm on my feet all the time That's no concern. I'll prescribe a suitable shoe Wear it, or I can't accept responsibility. Get dressed I think I've got it Hungarian worker, 1950 - How do you feel? - In what way? With your appearance I'm all right Comrade Virág, externally the witness is ready for the trial Potentially a perfect witness, Pelikán was allowed to visit home Meanwhile, the Danube had flooded and broken through the *** I met Zoltán Dániel in 1942 At that time... ... I never guessed he was a Fascist police informer She sells sea shells on the sea shore I met Zoltán Dániel in 1942 I haven't seen you for ages Well, yes, the international situation is intensifying What do you mean? The bloody river is sweeping everything away - Which river? - The Danube. Your Danube Comrades, life is not a whipped-cream cake Do you call that a whipped-cream cake? Something's not quite right here The day of the trial came round Is everything all right? There's a flood Hard times, but we'll weather them; life is not a whipped-cream cake I know - Why are you unshaven? - My razor and suit are under water That wicked water. But we won't leave it all that We've not worked all these weeks in vain; this is our day Appearances are important, too A job for the major; only shaving, not execution Straight to the witnesses' room Do you want to look through you evidence? No, I've rehearsed it so much A priest studies his breviary until his death. You know who said that? Yes. Give it to me We expect a very fine testimony from you Excuse me, but this is the sentence Oh, dear, those sleepless nights A horse has four legs and yet it stumbles Sit here - Cream or soap? - Soap - What size collar? - 43 I think - A strong neck - What? I said good morning, Mr. Pelikán Why are you here? Sit still, or I'll cut you I'm here for the same reason as you; I'm a witness, too What sort of witness are you, Gulyás? There are things that only I can prove I'm not in a mood for jokes The witness Elemér Gulyás I understand. The wretch knocked your teeth out, that's not nice You know that torturer? Just as you do. He got me in the kidneys Both kidneys. That was no joy, either Even nowadays I sometimes pass blood Poor Comrade Virág We can't nurse individual wounds in the international situation I've got butterflies in my stomach Stage-fright. Take deep breaths I've still got them The witness József Pelikán Courage. And always watch me József Pelikán, you are a witness in the trial of Dániel and his group Do you bear any grudge against the defendant? We were more like friends The law punishes perjury. Do you swear to tell the whole truth? How do you mean? Testify the truth only I'll try - What is your name? - József Pelikán - Occupation? - Originally a ***-keeper The flood has something to do with me - That doesn't belong here - Where then? I have your statement before me So you met Zoltán Dániel in 1942? Yes, I met Zoltán Dániel in 1942 An aquaintance, Tivadar Galván... ...introduced him... At that time I never guessed... Guessed what? That I'd meet a frogman Stop a moment; that came later Later - Then let's look at the frogmen - Let's What did they look like? What do you mean? Like frogs There were gophers, too... ...but they were real Have you anything to add to your testimony? Nothing. I mean, I have I'd like to ask the judge how this torturer got here What do you mean? I'd like to ask how this bloodhound got here ...and how come he's laughing in our faces I wasn't laughing; the witness is hallucinating Hallucinating, damn it! I object to a Fascist torturer insulting me Order, please, Pelikán Do you maintain your testimony? Feeling ill, Comrade Virág? Pelikán, do you maintain your testimony? Because he's writhing Nagging shock Because this hangman ruined his kidneys. Right, Comrade Virág? Sometimes he still passes blood Tell me to my face, you ***, what lies did you tell about Zoltán Dániel? The same thing you signed: Dániel was a paid informer You believe what this gorilla said? Your Honour, something's wrong here I may be an idiot, but everything's mixed up The flood's sweeping everything away, while this trash here... Zoli, say something. Were you really this henchman's agent? Sit down Elemér Gulyás, tell the witness what you testified just now Zoltán Dániel was a paid informer for the Fascist police What did you say, you sod? I beg leave to amend my testimony. Pelikán was a paid informer, too I paid him. Dániel was an informer, so was Pelikán That's a good one! Me, a police informer! Look here, Your Honour: he knocked them out And who else was a police informer? Comrade Virág? Comrade Bastion? What's that? Me? I heard it. I don't understand We must look into it József Pelikán, I ask you once more: do you maintain your testimony? You don't? I told you I didn't; are you people deaf? Pelikán returned to prison. The days passed and the years... I'm afraid there's a hitch. Rabbit's out of season... ...but here's beef with dumplings, will that do? Csopak Riesling? Out of stock. I've brought St. George Hill; it's as strong - Would you like some? - I don't want to rob you. After all... Tomorrow morning. But go on, have some. - Any children? - Eight It's not easy - No, it's not easy - It certainly isn't Good dumplings? I always recommend them to the condemned and they're always grateful They all like them, whatever their political views Of course, some can't eat at all; then I eat them myself Delicious dumplings shouldn't go to waste Do you want a priest? Not if I don't have to Of course. I'm completely mixed up That was very good. If only I had another life That's right I'm afraid I have to go We've had a good chat I've a seminar tomorrow and I haven't learnt a word You could help me Me? Go on, unless you want to sleep It's not because of sleep, it's because I'm ill-qualified It's only a beginner's course, child's play to you But it's vital for me; I've got a family to support Rum. Have some Have a steady drink Can you tell me what the Parliamentary Boycott was? - I can't imagine - Think, Pelikán Parliamentary Boycott? Everyone should keep their mouth shut, I guess You see, you know it And what about the dictatorship of the proletariat? It's when the proles dictate. Don't you understand that? What about the three functions? I know one We must strike down the counter- revolutionary Fascist band Strike them down... And the other two? Isn't that enough? A drop more, then I may remember I don't get it; it's never happened before If the executioner's ill, or got family business there's his deputy And if anything happens to the deputy, he's got a deputy I've never known an execution held up - I can wait - It's not good to wait. Sit down - Why? - It makes it a bit easier I don't get it - Who is Dr. Kotász? - The state executioner Why the hell are you yelling at this hour? There's a condemned man here... ...and there's no one to carry out the sentence I'll be right down Who are you? József Pelikán. Sorry to bother you, but I'm to be hanged What shambles. Well, congratulations, you're going to be rehabilitated I'd rather be hanged, please Rehabilitation means that you're innocent So hurry home now. You'll get the money by post Could you tell me about Zoltán Dániel? He's been home a week now You gobbled the dumplings, you drank the wine You're not being hanged, you'll even got some cash. What a gang! Why are you day-dreaming here? Clear off, before I lose my temper - Can you tell me what day it is? - Wednesday - What month? - April - What's the level of the Danube? - Do you want my girl, too? So Pelikán returned to the *** Once again the years passed What have you got against me? Comrade Virág! How are you, Comrade Virág? These are the people I fought for. I got a stomach ulcer because of them Never mind. You'll all be begging me to come back one day I wouldn't like to swear to that Why does history go on like this? So that humanity can cheerfully take leave of its past. - Marx The end.