"FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO Presents" "THE WHITE PLAGUE" "Based on the Play by Karel Capek" "Screenplay by" "Director of Photography" "Music by" "Architect / Sound Editor" "Cast" "Directed by" "The film was made in 1937" "Everyone must understand that for our nation, which is outgrowing other nations due to our population laws, the existing boundaries are becoming far too restraining!" "We are therefore in the right to demand more space for the fathers of our children to earn their livelihoods!" "We are in the right to demand more space for our people, a wider economic framework even if it means seizing them at the cost of weaker and decaying nations!" "We are in the right for we are ready to throw our nation's elite into the scale of history!" "Our powerful army!" "Our beautiful and brave young men." "Who are eager to bring on the tips of their swords new and wider boundaries to their people!" "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me ..." "It's plague." " No, it's leprosy." "They call it the white plague." " It's God's punishment." "He would be a strange god to punish poor men." "It first appears on your skin but when it starts eating you from the inside like me ..." "There's too many people in the world." " That's why the plague came." "If it were plague, your whole body would turn black." "But you are as white as chalk." " Lord, have mercy on me." "Report number 10 to pathology." "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." "Shut up, I can't bear listening to you." "This way, please." "Come here." "Do you see that?" "A small white spot on the skin surface, cold and insensitive." "Bring me a needle, nurse." "Do you feel anything?" " Nothing, professor." "It is macula marmorea." "That is why it is known as the white plague." "Although we simply call it Cheng's Disease or Morbus Chengi after Doctor Cheng who had first described several cases in a Pei-Pin hospital." "It is a disease threatening to become a pandemic that could spread all over the world." "Where are you going?" "I am here to see Professor Sigelius." " In what matter?" "ln a matter of science." " The professor is busy." "I and my school, which takes pride in being the clinic of the renowned Lilienthal, my late father-in-law, we believe that" "Morbus Chengi is a contagious disease transmitted by an unknown bacillus." "The disease, however, afflicts only adults aged 45-50 and older, not younger organisms." " Very interesting, indeed." "Is it?" "How old are you?" "Thirty." " I thought so." "I doubt you'd find it as interesting if you were older." "Morbus Chengi is a disease typical of advanced age." "Favourable conditions for disease development are probably the result of normal organic changes, which we call aging." "Science is helpless so far." "Simply inform your readers" "to see their doctor should first symptoms appear." "And what will their doctor do?" " Prescribe them a liniment." "Potash to paupers and Peruvian Balsam to the moneyed." "Will it help?" " Yes, against the odour from open wounds." "That's the second stage." "And the third stage?" " Morphine." "What was that?" " I don't know." "An explosion." " War gas." "I beg your pardon." "Let me in, please!" "I'm a doctor!" "Who let this man in?" "He said he was a doctor." " You're fired." "You know that access is restricted." "Thank you for helping my people, sir." "Not at all." "It is my duty." "Who was that?" " Baron Krog." "What brings you here, dear friend?" "There was an accident, Your Excellency." "With our new C Gas." " What happened?" "A vial broke in one of the workshops." " How many died?" "All." " An excellent result." "It is sad, of course, but ..." "Congratulations, Krog." "We must make sure that nothing gets in the papers." "How are things going?" " Ammunition is sufficient." "We can supply 30% more than demanded by the headquarters." "And aircraft?" " 150 airfighters, 50 air bombers per day." "And tanks?" " Sixty per day." "It seems we are ready." "Father is here!" "Good day, dear." " Hello, dear." "Good day, Daddy!" " Good day." "What's the news, dear?" "You seem very happy today." "Everything is going quite smoothly." "We're building up arms at full pace." "By the way, the new war gas caused a minor accident today." "But I'm not supposed to talk about it." "The main thing is that it proved successful." "We're working in three shifts at Krog's factory now." "And the baron is building six new ammunition works!" "Stop that thrumming." " Will there be a war?" "Definitely." "It would be a shame not to have a war with such a great commander and army." "I hope they won't call up our boy." "He too must fulfil his duty." "Besides ..." "Besides, he's too frail to serve in the army." "Not to worry, dear, the war will last but a week!" "The enemy will be crushed before even knowing that a war has broken out." "That's how it is done nowadays." "HEAD OF THE clinic" "Come in." "What do you want?" "Beg your pardon, my name is Doctor Galen." "What can I do for you?" "I've been trying to reach you five times, professor." "I must talk to you." " Well, if you must." "I have only three minutes, though." " Professor," "I am what you call a doctor for the poor and I've had many cases, especially lately when the white plague is spreading ..." "Morbus Chengi, a doctor of medicine is expected to use exact medical terms." "But when one sees those poor lepers putrefying before the eyes of their families, and the terrible smell, so to speak." "You ought to use agents removing odour." "But one wants to save those people." "I had many horrible cases." "And as I was standing by their bed with my bare hands, completely desperate ..." "That's a mistake!" "A doctor should never be desperate." "But it's such a horrifying sight, professor." "I told myself something had to happen, that I had to try something." "Not just stand there helplessly." "And did you?" "I did." " That's another mistake!" "In my opinion, a general practitioner should adhere to well-tried methods." "What good would it do to test those wondrous methods of yours on your patients?" " But professor ..." "I beg your pardon, I haven't finished yet." "And as regards Cheng's Disease, I advise you to use..." "Professor Sigelius to number 13   agents removing odour and morphine." "Mainly morphine." "This way." "FUHRER'S voice" "What an army!" "There's an article about that disease again." "When will they stop?" "My sister wrote it is spreading there too." "Nonsense!" "It's just panic." "I'd lock the lepers up and keep them away from people." "If someone gets the white plague, away with him." "It's simple as that!" "He's a fool." " Who?" "The newspaperman." "I'm surprised they didn't ban it." "He writes that nobody can protect himself against the disease and that it will afflict all people in their fifties." "Calm down." "He's not supposed to write like that!" "I'll never buy that paper again." "I'll teach them a lesson!" "Is a man expected to die at fifty?" "It would be strange justice if only the middle-aged were to get the disease." "Why?" "I ask you why!" "To make space for younger people, don't you think?" "Is that so?" "So even if your parents sustain you, work hard for you, they get in your way all the same!" "And they should die of leprosy to make more space for you youngsters!" "What a brilliant idea!" " She didn't mean it that way." "That's what she said!" " What's the matter?" "All I said was that something had to happen to make space for young people." " And it made your father angry?" "I wonder why?" "Everybody says so." "If it weren't for leprosy, who knows what would become of us." "Things may get better now." "As soon as the old peg out, isn't it so?" "!" "What's the matter?" "It's my mother." "A white spot appeared." "Here." "Don't smoke in the corridor, gentlemen." "You're still here?" "Professor ..." " Is there anything else you want?" "The thing is ..." "I can cure the white plague." "More than a dozen have claimed the same as you." "But I have applied my methods in practice with specific results." " What is the recovery rate?" "About sixty percent and I'm still not certain in some other cases." "Listen, had you said 100 percent," "I would have had you escorted out as a lunatic or a charlatan." "What am I supposed to do with you?" "Look, I understand that the idea of discovering a cure for Cheng's Disease is tempting." "It would mean fame, wealth, and even a university chair, wouldn't it?" "You're a foreigner, aren't you?" "Yes, I come from Pergamo in Greece." "Besides, I doubt that Lilienthal would allow a general practitioner to work at his scientific institute." "If you excuse me now." "He would let me work here." "I used to be his assistant." "What?" "You were his assistant?" "Why didn't you say so right away?" "Come, dear Galen." "Do sit down." "So you were my father-in-law's assistant." "I don't remember him ever mentioning your name." "He used to call me Doctor Childish." "Good Lord, so you are Childish?" "He used to say you were his best student." "Do you smoke, Galen?" " No, thank you." "I have angina pectoris." "It can't be that bad." "Let me have a look at you, my friend." "It's not what worries me now, professor." "I would like to ask your permission to apply my method here at the clinic on a few lepers that your consider lost." "They all are, Galen." "But since you are my father-in-law's favourite student," "I have a proposition for you." "You will tell us on what your method is based, we will consider it and possibly conduct clinical tests." "Just a moment." "That's not possible." "Unless clinically tested," "I cannot tell anyone how I treat the white plague." "Not even me?" "Nobody." "ln that case, there's nothing I can do, my friend." "It would be against the clinic rules." "I know, but I have my reasons." "What reasons?" " They are hard to explain." "I don't know how ..." "I will explain later." "As you wish." "Given the circumstances, we ought to close this matter." "ln any case, it was a pleasure to meet you." "Don't do it, professor." "I give you my word of honour that my preparation works." "I haven't had a single case of relapse." "I have letters from my colleagues who are sending lepers to me from the whole district." "It is a poor area, it will hardly ever become public." "See for yourself." " No, thank you." "What a pity!" "It seems I should leave, shouldn't I?" " Yes, I am sorry." "It's such a dreadful disease." "Some day perhaps, you yourself may ..." " What?" "I meant to say that one day you may need the medicine yourself." "That wasn't necessary." "It's a horrible disease." "I wouldn't like to putrefy while still alive." " Well, you ought to use agents removing odour." "Wait." "Let me see the letters." "Here they are." "But this means you have excellent results!" "Let me tell you something, Galen." "I'd like to use your method on several patients." "But I would ..." " Would you like to do it yourself?" "Yes." " Will you make it public then?" "On certain terms." "What terms?" "I will explain them later." "I see." "You would like the clinic to verify your method, reserving its further application solely to yourself." "That's quite impudent." "Come in." "Wait a moment!" "ln which rooms are the Morbus Chengi patients?" "ln almost all." "And non-payers?" "The poor are in room No. 13." " Who is their attending physician?" "The second assistant." " Very well, first assistant, tell the second assistant that starting from today, all patients in room No. 13 are taken over by Doctor Galen." "They will be his patients." "Furthermore, tell the second assistant that Doctor Galen's examination and treatment methods are none of his concern." "How much time will you need?" "Six weeks is enough." " You don't want to work magic, do you?" "Show Doctor Galen to room No. 13." "Professor, I am more than ..." "Good luck!" "Don't go away!" "Give me your word of honour that your methods will be applied solely in room No. 13." "You have my word." "You sent for me, Baron Krog." "As you know the accounting director died of the white plague 3 days ago." "You shall take up his office." "I am most grateful, sir, and I promise ..." "You may go." "I didn't want to tell you straight away, dear, but Baron Krog himself called me today and told me:" ""My friend, the accounting director died and because you are the best and most diligent clerk," "I have appointed you in his place, my dear friend."" "He always calls me " my friend." "My pleasure, Baron Krog."" "It's just like that." "Surprised, aren't you?" "Accounting director." "Five colleagues of mine wanted the job and they all died of the white plague." "One is tempted to say:" ""Thank God for the leprosy."" "How can you say such a thing!" " It's true." "Look at how it helped us." "If it weren't for the white plague, we would not be so well off." "Besides, nothing can happen to us because they found a cure." "Really?" "What marvellous results!" "That Galen ..." "He's a miracle." " He's a lunatic." "I've heard he closed his shabby practice in the suburb." "The nurse said he barely eats, except for a few rolls he carries in his pockets." "She wanted to order lunch for him but the administrator refused." "He said Doctor Galen wasn't on the list of boarders." "He's right, don't you think?" "Feeling any better today?" "Yes, thank you, doctor." " Like I told you." "I need some rest, nurse." "Doctor Galen, my mother ..." "A white spot appeared on her neck." "Could you help her?" "Please." "I'm afraid it's not that easy, my friend." "I had to give my word not to use my methods on private cases unless they are tested on room No. 13." "I regret to say it but I cannot." "I have no choice." "Talk to Professor Sigelius." "I regret to say it, assistant, but I cannot allow any exceptions on my clinic." "Goodbye." "Good day, minister." "I beg your pardon?" "His Excellency heard about your success in curing the white plague and he decided to ..." "It is a great honour for me and the clinic." "Your Excellency, I can hardly speak." "We at Lilienthal's Clinic are immensely honoured by your presence." "As scientists, however, we are aware of how negligible and petty are our merits compared to those that have removed the malign tumour of anarchy, averted an epidemic of barbarian freedom, leprosy of corruption, and plague of social decay," "which have afflicted and enfeebled the organism of our people." " Bravo, bravo." "I would therefore like to use this unique opportunity to pay homage as a simple physician to the greatest of all healers who cured us all of national leprosy with radical, yet life-saving therapy." "Bravo, bravo." "This way, please." "It's amazing how many employees the clinic has." "Nonsense, most are the secret police." "ln white coats!" "Don't put that down." "ln room No. 12, we have control patients suffering from" "Cheng's Disease." "They are not treated with our new method to allow us compare the achieved results." "I see." "I would like to see them." "I should warn you, Your Excellency." "The disease is contagious." "Moreover, it is a terrible sight, and the odour is unbearable despite all measures." "We soldiers and doctors are expected to withstand anything, aren't we?" "Let us go in." " Very well." "How can the Marshal stand it?" "It's horrible." "Gentlemen ..." " I am a journalist." "Wait until the Marshal leaves, please." "It seems you cannot withstand much, gentlemen." "Let us proceed." " This way." "The picture is quite different in room No. 13." "We apply our new method there." "Your Excellency may see for yourself." "What are you doing here?" "Who let him in?" "It's Doctor Galen." " Should he be here at all?" "Yes." "He works in room No. 13." "Why didn't you come to the welcoming ceremony?" "I was busy making medicine for my patients." "ln that case, you have to wait here." "You can't go inside until the Marshal leaves." "It's a miracle." "Congratulations, Sigelius, you have done great work." "Your Excellency, we are proud to contribute with our minor scientific achievement to the victories achieved by our great Marshal." "Professor Sigelius!" "You have three minutes, gentlemen." " Professor ..." "Besides, I am most excited." "If you only saw the compassion, the deep moral bravery of the Marshal leaning over the beds of the pitiful patients." "It was an unforgettable moment, gentlemen." "What did the Marshal say?" "The Marshal commended our work far too highly." "I am proud that our nation bears the palm and that this major victory was achieved at the clinic of my great teacher and predecessor Lilienthal." "Come in, Galen." "Join us." "This is one my meritorious brothers-in-arms." "Come, don't be shy, Doctor Childish." "Could you tell us, professor, on what your method is based?" " It is not my method." "It's the method of Lilienthal's Clinic." "Simply write that a cure for the world's most deadly disease was discovered!" "Nothing more." "However, if you wish to enshrine this joyful day let the whole world know about our leader and great commander, about our glorious hero who went among the lepers to fight the horror and the disease." "It was superhuman, gentlemen!" "Now if you excuse me, gentlemen, I have work to do." "Farewell." "Gentlemen, could you spare a moment." "Could you tell them that I, Doctor Galen, doctor of the poor ..." "To whom are we to tell that?" " To whom ..." "To all kings and sovereigns all over the world." "Please, gentlemen." "Let me explain." "I was in the war." "I was a military doctor." "And I don't want any more wars." "Tell them this, gentlemen." "Do you think they will listen?" " Tell them that otherwise all people will die of leprosy." "I found the cure for Cheng's Disease." "I discovered the medicine." "It's mine and I won't give it to them unless they promise to stop the slaughtering!" "Tell them I said so!" "Tell all the rulers they are old." "Tell them they will putrefy while still alive just as those people there!" "That all people will end like that!" "Would you let people die like that?" "Would you let people get killed like that?" "Why?" "When people are killed by bullets and gas, why should we doctors save them?" "If you only knew how hard it is to save a child's life or to cure caries." "It is easy to say "war" ." "As a doctor I must disapprove shooting and yperite!" "I saw what mess it can make in a human being!" "It is the duty of every doctor to eliminate wars!" "And how do you intend to eliminate wars?" "How?" "Very simply." "Tell them to abandon wars and I'll give them the medicine for the white plague." "Do you expect to force the governments of the whole world?" "I admit it would be very hard and I don't expect them to negotiate with me." "Though, you can write it in your papers." "Let them know that no nation will get the medicine unless it undertakes not to wage war!" "But no state will accede to such terms." "Just a moment!" "Maybe there is something to it." "It would mean involving the public, of course." "You're absolutely right!" "And you will tell them this:" "Do not fear, there is a cure!" "Urge your sovereigns to make eternal peace and the white plague will become history!" "And what if no government accedes to it?" "It would be a great pity but I could not give them my medicine." "I could not do that." " What would you do with it?" "As a doctor, I am to cure people so I would cure the poor." " Why only the poor?" "Because there's plenty of poor people." "I'd have crowds of patients." "Would you treat the rich?" "Look, the rich never came to me." "Let the rich and powerful advocate peace." "They can push it through." "I'll help them and everyone else." "But first they have to make peace!" "Don't you think that's a little unfair to the rich?" "I must admit it is." "But don't you think it is a little unfair to the poor to live from hand to mouth?" "Look, more poor people have always been dying." "It doesn't have to be that way, though." "Everyone has a right to live!" "If as much money was given to hospitals as it is expended on war ships ..." "Gentlemen, I kindly ask you to leave the clinic." "Doctor Galen is suffering from nervous exhaustion." "And there's the highly contagious disease." "This way, gentlemen." "Come with me." "You must be out of your mind, Galen!" "I won't have anyone talk such nonsense at my clinic!" "Stop this nonsense!" "For the last time I ask you as the head of this clinic to give me your medicine formula." "I am very sorry but" "I cannot do that." "ln that case, you will leave at once and never set foot in my clinic again!" "As you wish." "I am very sorry indeed but ..." " So am I." "Call the second assistant." "What will they think of me now?" "After I have officially announced that we have a cure for leprosy!" "Yet, I'd rather suffer such defeat than allow your Utopian extortion!" "I'd rather let all mankind die of leprosy than permit you to spread your pacifist plague for a single moment!" "You shouldn't talk like that." "As a doctor, you shouldn't be saying things like that." "I am not a mere doctor, sir." "I have the honour to serve our country and our Marshal." "You sent for me." "You will take over room No. 13 from Doctor Galen." "Doctor Galen will never set foot in the room again." "Get out!" "Come here." "Mummy!" "Damned man!" "How dares he?" "!" "I'd have him arrested and shot!" "He's a traitor!" " Who, dear?" "It says here that the cure was found by a Doctor Galen." "And that he won't give it to any state unless eternal peace is made." "What is so bad about that?" "How can you ask such a silly question?" "No state can do that!" "Were all the billions we had put in arms wasted?" "Eternal peace." "Why it's a crime!" "I'd lock him up!" " But he found the cure." "Scoundrel!" "Isn't the nation's glory nothing?" "And if our country needs more territory do you expect it will get it amicably?" "The doctor only said he wanted to eliminate wars." "Who is against killing is against our highest interests." "Do you understand?" "As you think, dear." "What's the matter with you?" "You seem somewhat ..." "Why did you put the scarf around your neck?" "Are you cold or what?" "No, I'm not." " Take it off then." "Or you'll catch a cold." "Let me do it." "Oh my God!" "Dear ... you have a white spot on your neck!" "Don't come in, the doctor would get angry." "You're alone." "But when your own wife and children shrink from you ..." "I can't blame them for not being able to stand it." "Look here, on the neck." " It looks fine." "I think so too and the doctor said it's healing well." "I wish I was doing well as you." "Next." "You too." "I haven't see you around." " No." "What do you do for a living?" " I'm a baker." "A baker can't be poor." "And I treat only poor people." " Doctor, when a baker is a leper, nobody will buy a single roll from him." "Even a beggar is better off than me." "Very well, come in." " Thank you, doctor." "I've heard that Doctor Galen strictly refuses to treat the rich." "He is a fanatic." "As a doctor, I believe he should be put into an insane asylum." "Sit down." "And what is the situation ..." " With Cheng's Disease?" "I'm glad you asked." "It's spreading rapidly." "Fortunately, people are more concerned about the war than the white plague." "They are absolutely confident." " In conquering the disease?" "No, in winning the war." "They place their trust in the Marshal, you, and our magnificent army." "Hasn't a cure been found yet?" "No, not yet." "Only Galen's preparation." "Under such circumstances, there is nothing we can do to fight the white plague." "We can, Baron Krog." "Thank God we can." "I am glad to hear that, dear friend." "And what is it?" "It is strictly confident for the time being." "Briefly speaking, an order introducing compulsory isolation of all lepers will be issued presently." "It is my work and the Marshal himself promised to put it through." "What do you mean by " isolation" ?" " Camps." "Anyone with a white spot shall be transported to a guarded camp." "And left there to die slowly." "Yes, but under medical supervision." "How much do I owe you, doctor?" "Are you penniless?" " Well ..." "Give me as much as you can afford." "It's for medicine for those who are even needier than you." "Dear Professor Sigelius ..." " What?" "Are you alright, Baron Krog?" "Perhaps you could have a look." "Good Lord!" "Do you feel anything?" "You can adjust yourself, Baron Krog." "Is it ...?" " It is too early to say." "It's just a small white spot." " What would you advise me to do?" "If you could persuade Doctor Galen somehow ..." "Galen?" "Thank you, Professor Sigelius." "Shouldn't I shake hands with you?" " With no one, Baron Krog." "You shouldn't shake hands with anyone." "Did you say the law on isolation of the sick will be issued soon?" "ln that case, I must arrange for higher production of barbed wire in my factories." "Come tomorrow, I've run out of my medicine." "I've used 300 doses." "Come tomorrow." "You all will have to come tomorrow, I've run out of my medicine." "Tomorrow morning." "What can I do for you?" "If you could be so kind, doctor, my wife ..." " Who are you?" "I'm an accounting director at Krog's works." " At Krog's works?" "It is a pity because I only treat the poor." "I am very sorry indeed but ..." " Have mercy, doctor." "No." "I only treat the poor." "The poor can hardly do anything." "But the others are able to enforce peace." "I say, what if you persuade Baron Krog to stop producing arms and ammunition?" "Well?" " But I ..." "I couldn't possibly do that." "It's out of the question." "I would never have the temerity to do it." "See?" "And how am I supposed to ..." "It's so difficult." "Doctor, it is your human duty." "Indeed." "I did assume such duty, though ..." "Look ..." "What if you resign from your office at Baron Krog's works?" "Tell him you don't want to help him make more ammunition!" "But how would I make my livelihood?" "Do you see?" "Your livelihood is war." "If only I could work as an accounting director elsewhere, yet one usually attains such position in old age." "You cannot ask me to do that, doctor." "That's just it." "One cannot ask anything from others." "Nothing doing." "It is a great pity." "Don't be angry at me, please." "You can't imagine how sorry I am but ..." "I cannot." "Believe me." "I cannot." "What a heartless knave!" "Give me strength, Lord." "Here you are." "You at the back, don't you want any?" "There." "Who's there?" " I came to see you, Galen." "Who are you?" "I don't know you." "Elevation point 306." "Elevation point 306?" "You are ... you are ..." "Doctor Martin." " Doctor Galen." "It seems we belong to enemy camps, colleague." "Help me with this man." "He's one of yours judging from his uniform." "He is dying." "He is so young." "What a sin!" "When will this madness end, my enemy friend?" "Is it you, Martin?" "It's been so many years." "Come and sit down." "Why have you come?" "Are you ill?" " No, not yet." "I read about you in the papers and I need to talk to you." "Do you really have the medicine that can cure the white plague?" "I do." " And you won't surrender it?" "No." " But how can you ..." "Withhold the medicine?" "Listen, Martin." "The whole world is again talking about war." "And it wants war." "Not the whole world, Galen." "Our people don't want war." "While our people can't wait for it to start." "Are they so bloodthirsty?" " Not at all." "They're as good as your people." "As anywhere in the world." "But they are bred for war." "There would have to be someone who would bred them for peace." "You arming too, aren't you?" "We are a small nation, Galen." "We only want to and have to defend ourselves." "What would become of us if we could not defend our freedom?" "We won't give in, Galen." "And when someone attacks us," "I myself will take a gun and shoot." "We all will!" "Maybe you're right, my friend." "Good Lord, how dreadful!" "Martin, do you think I don't have the right to withhold my medicine from the world?" "To force them to make peace?" "You don't have the right, Galen." "As a doctor and a man you're not in the right." "Should you succeed, though, you may have had the right." "Galen." "What would happen to all the sick people in case you die?" "Come." "It has all gone too far." "The public mind of the world will be fiercely against any war." "It is the fear of leprosy, Your Excellency." "People don't want politics." "It is the medicine they want." "They prefer health to laurels." "Cowards." "And just now when we are ready." "I want your guarantee that this tendency will be suppressed!" "Your Excellency, I cannot guarantee that for long." "Fear and distress is spreading among older people." "While the youth is enthusiastic and eager to follow you into fire." "It is the youth I need more." "We take small doses of the vaccinated animal's blood." "Pay attention because now we will add the D solution." "Do you understand?" "We sterilize it at 100 degrees." "Then we add 0.5% of phenol, and fill these vials in a rather primitive manner." "Why it's so simple!" "Thank you." "Martin, you must promise to use the medicine only to treat your poor." "And not to give it to anyone as long as I am alive." "ln case something happens to me, you'll fight instead of me." "Give my regards to you small, brave and free country." "What's the matter with you?" "I've got the white plague, doctor." "Let me see." "It's not that bad." "It is the white plague but ..." "What do you do?" " I'm jobless." "I used to work at a metal workshop." "And now?" " Whatever I can find." "Doctor, I heard you help the poor." "Well, it will take fortnight." "I'll give you six injections." "Can you afford six injections?" " Of course I can ..." "I mean it depends on how much it would cost." "It would cost you dearly, Baron Krog." "Doctor, I'm no baron." "Enough of this!" "We would just be wasting our time." "I know you only treat the poor, doctor." "But if you treat me, I'd give you ..." "A million?" "A million?" "Five millions." "Ten millions." "You could do a lot with ten millions, particularly if you have specific propaganda in mind." "Wait." "Did you say ten millions?" "I did." " For peace propaganda." "For whatever you wish." "You can buy the press with it." "My propaganda doesn't cost me that much in a year." "Would it really cost that much to make the press promote peace?" "It sometimes costs heaps of money to promote peace or war." "Look, I don't know anything ..." "Sit down." "Could you tell me how it's done?" "First of all, you must have contacts." " Contacts, eh?" "That's difficult." "I really don't know how I could ..." "Listen, Baron Krog, wouldn't you like to take charge of it yourself?" "You mean organize propaganda for eternal peace?" "Yes." "Organize the propaganda." "You have contacts, don't you?" "And I would cure you." "I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to do that." "You wouldn't ?" "Listen here ..." "Strange as it may seem, you are a quite honest man." " Maybe." "And you're a very naive man." "Do you honestly think you alone can enforce eternal peace?" "I'm not alone." "I have a powerful ally." "You are right." "The white plague." "And fear." "You can't imagine how afraid I am." "If fear alone were enough to overwhelm people, there would never be another war." "Do you think that most people aren't afraid of war?" "All the same, there always will be another war." "Is your fear of the white plague so strong?" "It is." "Listen," "Baron Krog." "What if your factories stop producing arms?" "I couldn't do that." "Good Lord, it's so hard." "What can you offer me then?" " Money!" "Money?" "Can't you see I wouldn't even know what to do with it." "You don't want to treat me, do you?" "I am truly sorry, baron." "You can dress." "Krog." "I sent for you, Baron Krog." "It's been decided." " This means that ..." "We will strike tomorrow at midnight." "And we will strike at the weakest point." "The tiny country standing in our way will not have a chance to defend itself." "One air raid should do it." "What shall be the grounds for such military action, minister?" "We have prepared them long ago." "lntrigues against our state, continuous provocations ..." "Enter." "Our ambassador did a magnificent job." "After being offended, he left his post and is on his way home." "And ..." "Your nephew is a superb soldier." "My daughter keeps telling me about him." "It seems, my dear friend, we shall soon become related, don't you think?" "I would be most honoured, Your Excellency." "And I would be most happy, dear baron." "Because I would not be who I am today were it not for you." "I will never forget that." " I did it for my country." "Besides ..." "It was in the interest of my industrial corporation." "Do you remember how we shook hands before I took the field with my soldiers against the government back then?" "One doesn't forget such moments." "Let us shake hands now, my dear old friend." "On the eve of a greater and more glorious war campaign." "Your Excellency, I cannot shake hands with you." "Why?" " I am a leper." "But, Krog!" "Oh my God!" "Krog." "Have you been to Sigelius?" " I have." "And?" " He sent me to Doctor Galen." "I've been to Galen." " And what did he say?" "That he could cure me in a fortnight." "Galen?" "Galen could cure you?" "On one condition, though." "Fulfil his condition then!" "It's an order." "What is his condition anyway?" "He wants my factories to stop producing war material." "Galen must be insane!" "Perhaps." "ln your eyes most definitely." "And in your eyes?" "Tell me what you think." "Your Excellency, last night I was ready to accept Galen's condition." "You would be insane, Krog!" "Fear will make me go insane, Your Excellency." "Is your fear so strong?" "If you only knew what a loathsome feeling it is when fear penetrates deep into your bones." "I keep hearing myself screaming behind barbed wire:" ""Jesus Christ!" "Doesn't anyone have mercy?" "Won't anyone help me?"" "I am fond of you, Krog." "You are like my own brother to me." "But what am I supposed to do with you?" "!" "Make peace, Your Excellency." "Make peace!" "Save me!" "Save us all!" "Save me, Marshal!" "Stand up, Baron Krog!" "I expect you to fulfil your duty to your country." "As you order, Marshal." "You will give me your hand on that." "I am a leper, Marshal." "I am not afraid!" "If I was afraid, I could not be a leader." "Your hand!" "Baron ..." "Gentlemen, you know my orders." "We shall strike at midnight." "Thank you." "Doctor Galen?" "Yes." " Come with us!" "Enter." "Doctor Galen?" " Yes." "I invited you to personally congratulate you on your success in treating the white plague." "Congratulations." "Thank you very much." "This way." "I have prepared a project." "Sit down." "I want the Holy Spirit Hospital to become a state institute for Cheng's Disease control." "And you are appointed as the head physician, Doctor Galen." "I am afraid I cannot accept it." "I have so many patients now." "It isn't possible." "Consider it an order, Doctor Galen." "I would be most pleased but ..." "I can't manage an institute, I don't have the experience ..." "Let me put it differently!" "You refused to treat Baron Krog." "I did not." "There was one condition, though." "I know!" "You will treat Baron Krog without any condition, Doctor Galen!" "Your Excellency, I am truly sorry, nevertheless, I must insist on my condition." "Doctor, there are means to force people to fulfil their orders." "Look, I know you can put me in prison ..." "And I will!" " Don't do it." "I have so many patients." "You will kill them if you put me in prison." "They wouldn't be the first dead on my journey." "You will change your mind, won't you?" "Are you such a fool or a hero?" "!" "I'm certainly not a hero." "I was in the war as a military doctor and I saw so many healthy people die." "I too served in the army, doctor." "Yet, I saw people fight for their country!" "And I brought them back as winners!" " That's just it!" "I saw those whom you didn't bring back." "Where did you serve?" "I was an assistant doctor with the 36th Infantry Regiment." "A great regiment!" "Any decorations?" "The Golden Cross with Swords, Marshal." "Bravo." "Thank you, Marshal." "Very well." "Now, you will go and report to Baron Krog." "I request to be arrested for disobedience, sir!" "You will arrest Doctor Galen." "Yes, Your Excellency!" " Don't do it." "Even you may need me some day." "Me?" "!" "Never!" "You may leave." "How am I to persuade such a hardheaded man!" "Look, I am very fond of Baron Krog, he is a rare man." "My only friend." "You can't imagine how lonely a dictator can be." "I'm talking to you as a man." "Doctor, save Baron Krog." "I haven't asked anyone to do me a favour for years." "It's so hard." "Although, I also have a favour to ask." "You haven't answered me, doctor." " Just a moment." "Look, your a statesman." "You have immense power." "Not that I want to flatter you, but it is unfortunately true." "If you offer eternal peace to the world, everyone would be so happy." "You're the only one the world dreads!" "The arms race is because of you." "If you said you wanted peace, there would be no wars in the world." "I was talking about Baron Krog!" "Your Excellency, it all depends on you." "Please!" "I beg you, save the poor lepers." "And as to Baron Krog," "I am very sorry indeed but ..." "I beg you, if only you do it for him!" "Baron Krog cannot accept your condition!" "But you can!" "You can do anything you wish." "I cannot!" "Do you think peace or war depend on my will?" "I must act in the interests of my people." "And should my people ever go to war, it is my duty to breed them for battle." " If it weren't for you, though, your people would never go to war." " They would not." "They could not!" "They wouldn't be so well prepared." "They wouldn't be aware of their strength and chances!" "Today, they are well aware of them!" "And I merely fulfil my people's will." "You believe that peace is better than war!" "While I believe that a victorious war is better than peace!" "And I must not deprive my people of their victory!" "Or of their dead." " Or of their dead!" "It is the blood of the dead that makes a homeland out of a piece of land!" "Only the war makes a nation out of people and heroes out of men!" "Dead men." "I saw more dead." "It's the nature of your profession, doctor." "ln my profession, I always saw more heroes." "They were behind the front line." "We at the trenches were not as brave." "What did you receive the Golden Cross for?" "For nothing." "I just bandaged a couple of wounded." "It was between trenches on the battlefield, wasn't it?" "Wasn't that brave?" " Not at all." "When one is a doctor, it is one's duty, isn't it?" "Listen, you and that peace of yours ..." "Why?" "What right have you to do all this?" "Has someone ordered you to do so?" "I don't seem to understand, sir." "I mean whether you are on higher mission?" " Oh no." "I'm doing for no special reason, I'm just an ordinary man." "ln that case, you mustn't ." "There has to be a higher mission!" "There has to be a higher will guiding us all!" "Whose will?" " God's will." "God put me in charge, otherwise I could not be a leader!" " I see." "That's why you're waging war." " Yes!" "ln the name of my people ..." " ... whose children will die in battle." "Yet gain victory!" "ln the name of the people   whose fathers and mothers will die of leprosy." "They are of no interest to me, they would never make soldiers." "I'm surprised I haven't had you arrested yet." "What are your orders, Your Excellency?" "You will cure Baron Krog!" "Our country needs him!" "Tell the baron to see me." "So that you could make him accept your absurd condition?" "Yes, Your Excellency." "After he accepts my absurd condition." "Do you insist on it?" " I do." "ln that case, however ..." "Yes, it is me speaking." "No ..." "And is he ...?" "When did it happen?" "Thank you." "Thank you." "You may go." "Thank God, Baron Krog shot himself five minutes ago." "Daddy ..." "You ought to go to bed." "You don't look well." "You must be tired." "No, my dear, ..." "Leave me alone now." "Go." "At this moment, when our silver planes are spreading destruction across the towns and cities of our deceitful enemies," "I wish to answer to my people for the most difficult step I had to make!" "I have started a war." "I have started the war without declaring it." "I have taken the field to put a stop to further degrading negotiations with the small rotten country that thought it could get away with provocations and insults aimed at our great nation!" "There was no other way but to punish and destroy this tiny bothersome state, that was continuously threatening our peace!" "To annihilate the lesser and inferior people who do not have the right to live!" "To destroy them no matter who protects them!" "Let the other superpowers show what they can." "All I say is: "We fear no one!"" "Hail to the Marshal!" "We didn't want the war!" "But we will win the war!" "We will be victorious for we are in the right!" "We are in the right." "What's wrong, Daddy?" " What's the matter, Your Excellency?" "We are in the right." "We are in the right!" "What is it?" "We are in the right!" "I can't feel anything!" "Take a look, please." "It's like marble." " No, Daddy." "It's nothing." "There's no need to look." "I know what it is." "Go, dear." "Leave me alone." "I'm coming!" "Hello!" "Get Professor Sigelius!" "Quick!" "They love me after all." "It is a great day!" "Don't cry, dear." "Your Excellency, I've sent for Professor Sigelius." "Well done, Pavel." "I should be treated according scientific rules, shouldn't I?" "Any news of our planes?" "None." "Do you hear them cheering?" "I've finally made a nation out of them!" "It's strange, it's cold as marble." "As if it wasn't me anymore." "I'm coming!" "The Marshal would like to thank you all!" "He shall proceed in his work now!" "Poor Krog." "Poor Baron Krog." "It looks like a sick room now." "You won't be sick, Daddy." "You'll see." "The world's best doctors will come and cure you." "You mustn't think about it, Daddy." "No, I mustn't ." "Wait till you see me riding at the head of my soldiers." "War is beautiful, Pavel." "It's the greatest thing a man can experience." "Strike on the right wing!" "Outflank!" "Until you have ten army corps there!" "Hello." "Professor Sigelius." " Send him to my father's bedroom." "Show the professor to His Excellency's bedroom." "Oh, I see." "The world's best doctors." "Your Excellency, only one man can help you." "Galen." "That's out of the question." "How much time do I have?" "Two or three months." "So little time." " Express cables." "I shouldn't but ..." "Forgive me." "I can hardly believe it." "Such a small nation." "They are fighting back." "Like hamsters!" "The attack on the capital failed." "We have lost eighty aircraft." "The tanks met fierce resistance at the borders." "The Marshal thought the initial strike would be enough." "His calculations were wrong this time." "An ultimatum." "Your Excellency, I bring news from the battlefield." "What?" "Leave me alone." "I can't ." "Not now." "Three months." "Only three months." "Go away." "I have bad news, Your Excellency!" "What?" "!" "Give it to me!" "This changes the situation!" "Send for ..." "No, I don't need anyone." "I'll give my orders in writing." "Mobilize another year!" " Yes, Your Excellency!" "Orders for the air force!" " Yes, Marshal." "No, it needs to be done differently." "Just a moment." "Lord, have mercy." "Lord, have mercy." "I await your further orders, Your Excellency." "Oh yes." "Here are my orders!" "Tomorrow I will head the attacking army." "I will command all the operations myself." "And my boys will follow me." "And after I win, I will lead my soldiers on horseback." "Through ruins." "A capital used to stand here once!" "And I will ride!" "Through ruins!" "With no flesh on me!" "And only my eyes left!" "I will lead my soldiers, a skeleton on a white horse." "And people will call out:" ""Hail to His Excellency, the Grim Reaper!"" "Doctor Galen's surgery!" "Hello, is that Doctor Galen?" "This is Krog." "You have to see the Marshal!" "Yes, he is seriously ill." "I am truly sorry but ..." "I know." "Your condition is peace." "Yes, I will tell him." "Wait a moment, please." "No!" "I don't want peace!" "I must lead my war!" "We must win the war!" "We are in the right!" "We are not, Your Excellency!" "I know we aren't , young man." "But I want my people to win." "Hang up the phone." "I can die for my people." "You indeed can but what will happen then?" "After I die?" "One ought to count with one's mortality, young man." "You didn't , though." "Nobody can replace you in the middle of a war!" "You've made yourself irreplaceable!" "We will be defeated without you!" "You're right." "I must first win the war!" "The war won't end in three months!" "You're right." "Three months." "God shouldn't have done this to me." "Hello, doctor ..." " What?" "He said yes?" "Well, not yet but ..." "Yes, I will tell him." "Daddy, if you tell him one word ..." "No, dear, hang up." "I cannot do it." "Your Excellency must do it!" " Do what?" "Call that man?" " Yes!" "To humbly offer peace?" "Pull out with my army?" "Yes!" " To apologize and accept punishment?" "Yes!" " To humiliate my people for nothing?" "Yes, sir!" " And to leave all the same." "Yes!" "But at a time of peace, sir!" " Never!" "Do you hear me?" "Never!" "Let someone else do it!" " No one else can do it, Excellency." "Why not?" " It would mean civil war." "Only you can order the army to retreat." "Let such a nation that cannot rule by itself be wiped out!" "You taught our people that." "You must live!" "It's a political necessity, sir!" "Maybe you are right." "Please ..." "Hello?" "Doctor?" " Is it you, Marshal?" " Yes." "Yes." "Yes." " Will you sign the peace treaty?" "I told you so." "Take a private car." "He should get off earlier not to arouse any attention." "I'm so glad, Daddy." "I'm so happy!" "He's coming in a few minutes." "We have to stop offensive at once and announce to all governments ..." "What a pity!" "It could have been a great war." "Such a magnificent army." "I've been working on it for twenty years." "You will work on peace now." "Tell the people it's God's will." "God ..." "If I knew it was God's will it would be a mission, wouldn't it?" "Peace." "God wants me to make peace." "Stop pushing." " Let me pass, please." "I need to get inside." "There's someone waiting for me." "Hail to the Marshal!" "Hail to war!" " No!" "There shall be no war!" " Coward!" " Traitor!" " Knock him down!" "Stop!" "Let him be." "What did you say?" "That there shall be no war!" "Wait a moment!" "Say it again!" " There has to be peace!" "Understand?" "Let me go, gentlemen." "Here you are and call out with us:" ""Hail to war!"" "Will you or not?" " No!" "The whole world will call out with me one day: " Hail to peace!"" "Kill him!" " Hang him!" "Beat it, blackguard!" "Get up and be off!" " Wait." "He's dead." " No loss!" "Just one traitor less." "It seems he was a doctor." "Hail to war!" "Hail to the Marshal!" "Furthermore, I order our army to halt offensive." "All forces that have penetrated into foreign territory shall immediately retreat beyond our borders." "The immense task lying ahead of us is not war but ..." " Peace!" "Your signature." "What is the matter, Krog?" "Your Excellency, Doctor Galen is dead." "My pen!" "God wants me to make peace!" "It is time to go." "Even a marshal has to observe his laws." "The Marshal shall address his nation." "My people." "I speak to you as your marshal." "I speak to you from a place of pain, from a camp of lepers, in the name of the suffering." "I was destined to learn that there is more human pain in the world than glory." "And only he who experienced glory may understand the pain and suffering of the human spirit." "And only he may fulfil the mission of humankind to bring peace among nations." "My people, my great and mighty people, only on the threshold of eternity, I realize I was led astray." "I therefore beseech you all to fulfil the peace treaty I signed." "Secure peace among nations, wish freedom to all people." "Help the weak and be on guard against violence." "Thereby you will gain your greatest victory and glory and you shall become the foremost and greatest nation of all." "We, the doomed and suffering, are praying for you and are proclaiming with you:" "Hail to peace!" "THE END" "English Subtitles:" "Renata Palova"