"*LAND OF MEN*" "From the beginning ancient Mexicans loved the light of their sky and the joy of their fertile land." "The sword of the conqueror irrupted in their bright days as proof of slavery as a bleeding wound in the young soul of our race." "Mexican people went through four centuries of shadows until the torch and the cry of the priest Hidalgo led them on the road to a nearly forgotten freedom." "But the watchful greed of foreign countries always considered Mexican land a certain and profitable booty." "Juarez, unmoved, stood up to the executioners brandishing Equity and Justice as flags giving his people a new chance at freedom soon over due to the greed of a few who turned their own country into a land of oppression and discord." "The people, tired of their misery, had to do something and the trodden blood of the innocents who cried out for their freedom opened the door to the Revolution." ""Our cause is doing very well." "God willing, the movement will begin very soon."" ""Keep up the spirits." "Thousands of men follow our cause."" ""Keep the weapons that you've been receiving hidden and do not hand them out until further notice."" "Federals!" "Out!" "Federals!" "Grandpa!" "That was Fernando, right?" "l think so." "Search him." "What is it, Captain?" "Rebels." "Mr. Panchito and Felipin." "Friends of yours?" "That's right." "Some of the guys who escaped were with them." "Do you have any idea who they might be?" "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you." "Gilberto, it is very dangerous to speak like that these days." "The Captain is right." "People might think we're against the Government." "What my son meant is, the role of sneak is always sad." "That's right." "If you excuse us, Captain, we're leaving." "Should we wait for you tonight?" "Have dinner without me." "I may be in a little late." "Okay." "Gather your men." "We must take these corpses to the post." "Do you think Fernando went home?" "Well... maybe." "I'll talk to him and his father." "It's a miracle that you aren't dead!" "Your Dad might as well be in your wake right now!" "So, please, quit that kind of adventure." "I'm sorry, Mr. Juan, Father but I can't betray my ideals." "ldeals?" "What are your ideals?" "Defending the humble and putting an end to the employers' and Government's tyranny!" "The people are fed up with this slavery!" "You don't have to take that responsibility on yourself." "Why not?" "Because you've never experienced that yourself." "Mr. Juan has been not an employer, but a brother to me and he has loved you like a son!" "I know that very well, Father." "And I am really thankful." "If all employers were like him the people wouldn't be up in arms." "Let the people fight for themselves!" "Why getting involved?" "l feel it's my duty, Gilberto." "Your duty is to support the Government." "I can't support a Government that protects powerful people and pays no heed to the people's suffering!" "Son, quit that and listen to Mr. Juan!" "He knows better!" "Dad, please..." "Let him, Jesusito." "We did our part in warning him." "It's up to him." "All I can do is ask you not to come to work tomorrow." "Give me the keys to the warehouse." "Come on, Dad... I can't employ an enemy of the Government." "Okay, Mr. Juan." "Here, your keys." "Come with me, Jesusito." "Jesus!" "You're so stubborn...!" "Why do I even bother?" "But I want you to know that nothing can change our friendship." "Thank you, Gilberto." "In that case, I need to ask you a favor." "Anything." "Wait here." "What is this mystery?" "Gilberto... ln the warehouse, behind some bales of hay I hid thirty rifles." "ln my..." "Yes, in your home's warehouse." "Jesus!" "What do you want me to do?" "Try to keep them hidden until I'm able to collect them." "Jesus, man!" "You're insane!" "Couldn't you think of a better place than my Dad's house?" "Don't you think that's the safest place?" "Well, it certainly is." "Who would suspect us?" "But... I'll be damned!" "If you don't want to help me I wont take it the wrong way." "Who says I don't ?" "Jesus!" "Now I am an accomplice of your so-called "ideals" !" "Gee!" "You'll see, this will make him forget about a revolution." "I don't think so." "Many people share Fernando's ideas in most ranches." "Well, too bad for him." "Gilberto!" "Yes, Dad?" "Let's go." "Fine, sir." "Should I tell my sister?" "No." "Maria shouldn't know." "I'll think of something to tell her later." "Fine." "Brother, what are you doing locked in there?" "Checking the warehouse." "From now on I'll take care of it." "You?" "What about Fernando?" "He argued with my father, they had a fight." "Gee!" "That Fernando is really bad-tempered!" "Well, why did you lock the door from inside?" "Because..." "Because I felt like it!" "I know you." "You have a girl in there, right?" "Well, what if I did?" "Nothing. I won't be a third wheel." "But you should at least respect your own house." "Chepina and Rafaela have been asking about you." "How do you deal with so many girl troubles?" "Well, get out of here now." "What's her name?" "None of your business!" "Obey your older brother!" "Fine!" "Go!" "Fine!" "Mom, people at El Sauzal ranch are really scared." "They want to go away." "Tell them I'll buy their land." "Yeah, right." "Don't you have enough?" "No, I don't ." "Your hand, Dad." "Your hand, Mom." "Juanito, go change for dinner." "We have a guest." "Yes, Mom." "ls the well fixed?" "Yes, Dad." "Wash your hands first." "But I just came in!" "Come on!" "I'm panting all day out cuz of the heat and... lt's not okay to say " cuz" ." "Jesus!" "Here, your shirt." "And your collar and your tie." "Forget it Mercedes, I'm not wearing those." "Wear them, Juan." "l said no!" "Collar and tie in this heat?" "You have to!" "What will your guest say?" "I don't care." "He knows I'm a rancher." "Please, Juan, wear them." "I said no." "I don't want my neck to be tight." "Yes, sir." "Your father and I went to school together." "So, in his memory, I want to continue that good friendship with the son of one of my best friends, Captain." "So it will be." "But, please, you don't need to be so formal with me." "Really?" "Well, I'll do as you say." "Do so, Mr. Juan." "Then I'll start by taking this collar off." "I'm sick of it!" "Man!" "Dad finally did something good!" "Juanito!" "You see what a bad example does, Juan?" "It's not a bad example." "It's just that these things are too tight." "Juanito and I are country men and we weren't born for etiquette." "This feels so good!" "Now I can talk and swallow!" "I was feeling like a suicide!" "A what?" "He means that he felt anguish discomfort, impatience." "Why using so many words?" "Just say " suicide" and cut the crap." "Juanito, watch your mouth!" "Well, this is how I express myself." "For the fancy stuff there's Gilberto who went to school in the capital." "Graduate?" "l was going to be an engineer." "And I would have been so proud." "But he wouldn't do that for me." "He didn't have the brains to be a student." "Well, that's a shame." "Our country needs good engineers." "What for?" "To turn them into lame employees of all those wealthy foreigners who own this country's main businesses?" "That's just an excuse not to study." "It's not, Father." "This man can tell you, he knows the state the country's in." "Trains, telephone, energy companies." "is there any Mexican in an important job?" "There isn't , right?" "If there were, they would be the Government's protégé!" "But a peasant, a rancher like me will never get anywhere!" "lsn't that right, Captain?" "Well... I'm not the right person to discuss that." "Of course you're not!" "You're paid to chase down and kill rebels." "Gilberto!" "I'm sorry, Father." "I must be shocked after seeing that poor old man and his son shot to death." "Everyone was very fond of them." "I was the first one to regret it." "Believe me, a soldier's duty is hard and..." "Juan!" "You have visitors!" "Who could it be?" "Excuse me." "Here we are!" "But we're not an itinerant store!" "Let's go." "Come on." "Who's there?" "Don't you recognize me?" "Angel!" "Long time no see!" "Rosita, girl, I'm so glad!" "I was dying to see you, old man!" "Hey!" "If anyone's old, that's you!" "Look at all these moths!" "What a journey, Mr. Juan!" "We ate dirt all the way here!" "Come in." "Come in and rest." "What do you mean "come in and rest" ?" "What about dinner?" "I would never deny a piece of bread." "Don't offend us, okay?" "We're not here out of hunger." "We've been hungry since last night!" "What is this?" "Did you bring your furniture?" "What's wrong?" "You can imagine." "Things are really heated over there." "Maria!" "Rosita!" "Gilberto!" "Rosita!" "Gee!" "Look at you!" "You've grown so pretty!" "Oh, Gilberto!" "Juanito!" "I'm so glad!" "Here we are." "Oh, Mr. Angel!" "Gee, man!" "How are you doing, sir?" "Mercedes!" "What a pleasure!" "Mr." "Angel!" "Glad to see you!" "This is Captain Mena." "Nice to meet you." "Angel Custodio, at your service." "Take Mr. Angel, I'm taking Rosita." "Where?" "To the washroom?" "Why don't we dine first?" "Dad, please!" "We're filthy!" "But it's not filth!" "It's the kind of dirt he likes!" "Don't they call you the Father of Dirt?" "Well, here!" "Dirt!" "Dad!" "Good evening." "Mr. Jesusito!" "Mr. Angel!" "What are you doing here?" "We're running away from the Revolution." "Many people are doing the same." "In fact, I just heard, Master Juan that the Fernandez are selling off their ranch!" "Cowards!" "Well, I think they found a buyer." "Hey, hey, why are you looking at me like that?" "I think we are going to be neighbors." "Come with us, Mr. Jesusito." "Excuse us, Captain." "Go ahead." "Juanito." "Yes, Mom." "Bring their luggage." "Gilberto and Maria, entertain the Captain." "Go to the living room." "We are staying here with you while my Dad sets up his grocery store." "ls that a problem?" "On the contrary, Rosita." "We'd love you to move in with us for good." "Chance is on the soldier's side." "ls it?" "lt is." "If it wasn't for your friends' unexpected arrival I wouldn't have been able to speak to you... alone." "Excuse me." "Why did you go so quiet, Captain?" "Whatever you were going to tell Maria you can tell her in front of me." "If you mean well, a brother is not an inconvenience." "Well said." "Miss Maria, I never thought I'd tell you that I love you in front of anyone but I'm glad your brother knows I love you honestly and that you'll make me very happy if you love me, too." "And you, Gilberto I sincerely offer you my hand as a friend." "Maria, don't you hear?" "That's your boyfriend calling." "Excuse me, Captain." "Go ahead." "I see that you still have hard feelings." "My sister's boyfriend is a very close friend of mine and I don't like you speaking of love to her." "I praise your loyalty to your friend but I'll insist even against your will." "Will you?" "l will." "There's something I want to tell you." "I hope you'll understand." "I may vanish all of a sudden soon." "Only for a while." "Why, Fernando?" "Because I have some pending issues with other ranchers." "I'm considering setting up my own business." "Well done." "You shouldn't be my Father's employee forever." "But why did you hesitate to tell me?" "Well since we've never been apart since we were kids I thought you wouldn't like the idea." "Have I ever disagreed with you?" "Never." "Why would I disagree now?" "So many helping hands!" "That's new!" "l always help you, Mom." "Give Rosita her food!" "Yes!" "Eat, eat!" "This just arrived for you." "It's urgent." "Thank you." "Yes, man, you're going to become a great farmer!" "No way!" "Let the cobbler stick to his last." "Leave me to my counter, my groceries two fifties for every peso and the rest is nonsense." "No way!" "Mr." "Juan." "There's an emergency." "I have to go." "Good night, everyone!" "Good night." "ls it something serious?" "An accusation." "It seems that a ranch nearby is hiding weapons." "I'll probably be ordered to search them." "So, things are getting worse." "So it seems." "Please say goodbye to Miss Maria for me." "Please forgive my daughter's impoliteness." "Don't worry, Mr. Juan." "Before moving on with your projects I want you to know something." "What?" "Well Mom told me Dad will give me as a wedding gift this house." "But we can't accept it." "You understand why, don't you?" "You're very proud of how your Dad made his fortune starting from a piece of land." "That's how we should start, too." "You're right." "We'll do that." "We'll make lots of money so that you'll buy this house where we grew up together!" "And we'll see our children in this swing that you made for me years ago." "Remember?" "Sure I do." "But we'll need at least a dozen more." "Right!" "One for each one of our children." "Fernando." "I'm glad to see you here, boy because that means you've dropped those ridiculous ideas." "I'm sorry, Mr. Juan, but my ideas haven't changed." "Fine." "I'm forced to forbid you to set foot in this house!" "But, why, Dad?" "What happened?" "Daughter please go inside and entertain our guests." "Yes, Dad." "What happened between Fernando and Dad?" "Why are they arguing?" "Who told you?" "Dad just forbid him to see me again." "Yes, boy, you'd do the same if you were me." "You'd never let your daughter marry a man like you..." "...an outlaw." "That's your opinion." "You have every right to sack me and to forbid me to enter your house but no one can stop me from loving Maria!" "Son!" "Look who you're talking to." "Master Juan you have no idea how much this hurts me." "It's hurts me too, Jesusito." "Specially because of you." "Me?" "Spin the wheel." "Oh, right!" "I was looking at your eyes." "They look lovely." "lt's because I'm worried." "No, they don't shine out of worry." "It's more like like twinkling stars." "l'm just nervous." "Because of the party?" "Right, you are like a race mare waiting for the shot to run off." "Look, Juanito, spin the wheel and don't compare me to those huge animals!" "Hey!" "Don't go thinking our race horses are insignificant." "They're very classy animals." "You'll tell me about it some other day." "Now I really need to finish my dress." "Will do." "Juanito is helping Rosita with her sewing." "Take a look and have a laugh!" "Do you think I feel like laughing?" "Be patient, baby." "Your Dad and Fernando will make peace in the end." "With such a temper..." "With you in the middle you'll see one of them will swallow his pride and tell the other that he's right." "Hey, Rosita." "Yes?" "I'm thinking that I've never met a girl as..." "As..." "As, what?" "As hard working as you." "Really?" "Really." "But that's not what I meant to say!" "What I meant..." "Well..." "Jesus!" "I'm so bad at words!" "As hard as I try, I can't express what I think!" "My sister's right when she says it's a miracle I can walk erect." "lt can't be that bad." "lt is." "Good and bright afternoon, Rosita." "May I help you?" "If you want to give Juanito a break..." "No, I'm not tired." "Look it's enough that you're doing my work at the fields so I'll be a good brother and help you against your will." "But..." "Obey your older brother." "Go on." "Fine." "Thank you." "How come Juanito and you are still single?" "He's too fool and I'm too clever." "Clever?" "You mean shameless!" "On the contrary." "I must have a noble heart." "I'm not married I don't want to make a woman miserable." "If I can make many women happy." "That's cynicism!" "But one day you'll meet your match." "You'll see." "Well, if that match is like you..." "...there's no discussion." "Gilberto." "Yes, Dad?" "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "Give me the keys to the warehouse, son." "To the..." "To the warehouse?" "Right." "What for, Dad?" "I offered to give the Captain twenty bales of hay." "Oh, well, in that case I'll have them sent to the barracks." "What for?" "His people are out there waiting." "You don't have to bother, Gilberto." "lf you give me the keys, I can..." "No!" "That's not necessary." "Let's go, Captain." "How was last night's search?" "We found no weapons." "I'm glad for the sake of the ranch's owners." "The firing squad was waiting for them." "But sooner or later we'll find those hidden weapons." "Well, Captain, I'll go back to the party planning." "We're expecting you tonight." "Sure, Mr. Juan." "Handmade cigarette, Captain?" "No, thank you." "I smoke dark ones." "Thank you." "You're welcome, sir." "GERMAN HARDWARE STORE" "contains:" "agriculture HARDWARE" "It's hot in here, isn't it, Captain?" "A little." "You have to be more careful!" "Put those tools back where they were!" "Twenty bales, Captain." "Go back to the horses." "Ready, Captain. ls there something else you need?" "Thank you." "After you." "To the horses!" "Excuse me." "Hey why are those tools so out of sight?" "Out of sight?" "Oh, right!" "Well, since they are brand new if they are at hand the peons will want to use those." "Would you like a drink, a refreshment?" "No, thanks." "See you." "See you." "Have a nice day." "Move!" "I saw that." "What?" "Those rifles." "But don't worry." "No one will know about it." "Thank you." "is that all?" "I think my silence is worth a lot of money." "No. I like that wallet with all its contents." "lt's the payroll." "l don't care!" "Give it to me!" "You can sleep tight now." "Excuse me." "Well, son, what's that secret that you need to tell me?" "Just a question, Mom." "How did my Dad make you fall in love with him?" "What did he tell you?" "Jesus!" "Why do you ask me that?" "Did I offend you?" "You didn't , son." "It's a weird question, but I'm not offended." "On the contrary." "It makes me remember the happiest day of my life." "Your Dad and I had liked each other for a while but he was too shy to speak to me about love." "Until one night, at a ball I intentionally dropped my handkerchief." "Juan gently picked it up and as he gave it back to me, he squeezed my hand and said:" ""l love you, Mercedes."" "My eyes told him that..." "that I loved him, too." "And that is how our happiness began." "What is that classified information?" "I was arrested because I parted with my group but they don't know I was helping the Government." "My General will promote me!" "Why?" "I found a place where the rebels stash weapons." "Look. I was about to send you this message." "If this is true, your promotion is certain." "Meanwhile, you're still under arrest." "My good friends we've organized this party to celebrate an outstanding event." "Mr. Angel Custodio, friend to all of us and wealthy city grocer has decided to sell his grocery store and become a farmer like all of us." "I didn't say that!" "Tomorrow he's signing the purchase of the Fernandez ranch." "Hurray!" "Hurray!" "Hold on a second." "lt is your turn to speak." "Well... I've been the victim of a conspiracy." "But since I've been forced to this ranch lifestyle what can I do?" "I'll become a rancher!" "Hurray!" "Hurray!" "Hurray!" "Listen carefully, my good friends to what I am about to sing." "These verses are about Zenaida an ungrateful woman who wouldn't love me." "Ungrateful Zenaida, I've been crazy about you ever since I met you." "I've known different kinds of flowers but none of them is anything like you." "Come on, don't be sad." "Sing with me." "No, please." "Come on, don't be shy!" "White dove, lend me your wings to fly to that garden that is so nice and I love I want to try its sweet honey." "If someone loves me in this world there will be someone else who also will." "I swear, I am a man not a soul wretched by a woman." "In this treacherous world peace isn't found until the end comes and until I find my Zenaida..." "...only then..." "Juanito!" "What is it, honey?" "Juanito squeezed my hand too tight and I hurt myself with my rings." "...I lost my parents, I lost everything." "You see?" "I'll give you a golden coin if you can find someone dumber than me here." "Give me that hand, I'll massage it." "No!" "No more, please!" "Stop!" "Dismount." "Tell Mr. Juan I need to speak to him." "Gilberto, I need to speak to you." "Okay, but look." "Have a drink first." "No, Gilberto, I need to speak to you right now." "Fine." "Sip this and I'll be right back." "Sister, don't be sad anymore." "Cheer up!" "It's just that..." "I have a headache." "Really?" "Well, I'll get you a remedy that never fails." "Pancho." "Yes, sir?" "Run to Fernando's and tell him that I need him urgently." "Hurry!" "Yes, sir." "That's disobeying your father, Gilberto." "How come, Mom?" "Fernando is not allowed in this house." "Right." "But if he stays out there and Maria sees him from afar how am I disobeying, then?" "l'll be right back." "Gilberto!" "Well, Rafaela." "Speak." "Rebel weapons hidden in my warehouse?" "Jesus, Captain!" "Who could think such nonsense!" "That's what I told my General." "But he thinks that even if you're irreproachable someone, taking advantage of you, has hidden those weapons." "Well, feel free to search." "I'll go get the keys." "I see that you don't care about what happened between us." "What do you want me to do?" "Hug you here, in front of everyone?" "Fine." "No!" "Not here!" "Gilberto!" "Yes, Dad?" "Give me the keys to the warehouse." "Yes, sir." "And please, try to behave." "See what you just did?" "Me?" "Yes, you." "But I'll forgive you if you stay right here and off my back." "Anyway, you know you're the one." "Here, take the keys." "Believe me, I'm really sorry about this." "This is your duty." "Shall we?" "Your attention." "Four men, follow me!" "I told you!" "They'll search the warehouse!" "We're in trouble." "Are there weapons in there?" "Yes, Pancho." "Give this to my father." "What are you going to do?" "Take the blow." "I won't let any of them pay the consequences." "Tell the boss what happened." "Where's Gilberto?" "ln the hall, I guess." "Rosita." "Sherry?" "What are you drinking?" "l'll wait for your glass." "I want to learn all of your secrets." "Who knows yours?" "Not even a priest." "l don't go to confession." "Really?" "Really." "Mom scolds him because he never goes to mass." "You big heretic." "Cheers." "Excuse me for a minute." "Unnail them." "Excuse me, Mr. Juan." "Why are you here?" "I know I don't deserve to be forgiven." "Anyway, I'm here to tell you..." "You have nothing to say!" "And again: this isn't the right time to ask my father for your job back." "Don't you hear?" "I said, get out of here!" "Let's go, Fernando." "What is it, Dad?" "Someone denounced that there are weapons hidden in there." "Weapons?" "Jesus!" "Search them." "Well, Captain, do you want us to go on searching elsewhere?" "No, no." "That's not necessary." "Put that back where it was." "Excuse me, then." "I'll go back to the party." "See you there, Dad." "Juanito!" "There are so many girls and you're here, alone." "I'm not, Mom, I'll dance with Rosita." "I'm just waiting for Gilberto to let her go." "Where's Maria?" "ln the garden, I think." "Have another one." "l've had four already!" "This will be the fifth." "Come on." "Okay." "Hey, Rosita, your face is getting red and I don't think it's out of shame." "I'm just so happy!" "I'll dance all night until I drop out of exhaustion!" "If you keep on drinking you may fall..." "...but not out of exhaustion." "Why are you interrupting?" "Go have a drink over there, come on!" "But I don't drink." "Obey your older brother." "Go!" "Fine." "Go ahead, drink it." "I've always obeyed you, Father but I need to remind you that it was you who taught me to love Fernando." "Remember, Mom?" "When we planted these trees as kids Dad said: "Juanito's there Gilberto's there and Fernando's here next to Maria's , so that they'll always be together" ." "Right." "I did say that, but I never imagined Fernando would ever deny me." "Do you think a Father's word is enough to erase a lifetime of love?" "It's as if you tried to root that tree up with your hands." "I may not be able to uproot it, but I can cut it down." "Even if you did, you can't separate its roots from those of the one that grew by its side because they are a part of each other." "That's how much we love each other, Fernando and I!" "Juan I want to ask you something." "If, when we were about to get married my father had forbidden our relationship what would you have done?" "Hey... do you think Fernando would dare to elope with her?" "I don't know." "But I would have eloped with you." "This collar!" "What are you doing here?" "That's none of your business!" "Go!" "l see why you got her drunk." "You're so evil!" "I was just going to cross her." "What are you doing here?" "Go back to sleep!" "You sanctimonious boy..." "Come on!" "Good morning." "Good morning." "Independence DAY" "Good afternoon." "Come in, Fernando." "Did you send for me, Mr. Juan?" "I did, boy." "My wife made me see that my daughter loves you very much that she's cried and well, I can't stand to watch her suffer." "So you can keep on coming here as usual." "Thank you, Mr. Juan." "Fernando!" "Maria!" "Maria." "Excuse me, Ma'am." "Thank you very much, Mr. Juan." "Don't thank me, Jesusito." "I still think your son is not a convenient man for Maria." "Anyway..." "Hello." "Hi." "Good morning, people!" "Good morning!" "How are you?" "Mr. Angel, are you ready to say "hurray" ?" "I am!" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Hurray!" "Hey, hey!" "Why so much excitement?" "It's my patriot spirit." "I'm an admirer of the priest Hidalgo who brandished the independence flag yelling:" ""Hurray for Mexico!"" "Hurray!" "Wait a minute!" "Wait a minute!" "For the celebration to be complete, we must yell:" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Hurray!" "And down with Spaniards!" "You were left alone, you Mexican man." "As long as there are decent people like these we, decent Spaniards, will keep on living." "Well... come on, daughter." "Collar and tie, Juan." "But, woman... lt's independence Day, you must dress deservingly." "Fine." "I hate this collar!" "That's enough." "Enough." "Watch my husband, Mr. Angel." "Don't let him take his collar off!" "Aren't you coming with us?" "No." "On Independence Day I always stay and celebrate with our peons' wives." "Let's go." "Come with me." "Fidel has a surprise for you." "Let's go." "l'll catch you up later, Dad." "Fine, son." "Come in, now!" "It's all ready!" "Who's that?" "A snitch." "A soldier that we caught last night." "I have this wallet." "I think it's yours, isn't it?" "Since his boss didn't give him a promised promotion we had to promote him ourselves." "Who would have thought he'd get so high?" "I really don't like that..." "Captain." "Pay no heed." "I think that's for me." "Can you sit down for a minute?" "These clothes are really not for me." "This collar makes me feel as if I was looking down on a vase." "Miss, let me pay my respects." "How are you, Captain?" "Thinking about you, always." "Every day I admire you more and I grow fonder of you." "Fernando!" "The boss just got here." "He wants to see you." "I'll go as soon as the ball is over." "No." "He's waiting for you out there." "Fine. I'll be right out." "Okay." "I really love you, Maria." "Remember I am engaged." "I know that." "And as long as you're not married I won't lose hope." "Captain, but I..." "Maria, I have to go out." "Do you want me to take you with your Dad?" "Don't worry about that." "It will be my pleasure to escort the lady." "Can I have a word?" "As many as you like." "Fernando..." "l'll be right back, Maria." "Excuse me, Miss." "Miss Maria is my girlfriend." "I know that." "But I'm in love with her anyway." "How do you want me to tell you to leave her alone?" "Any way that you want to." "But I don't think you will convince me." "Let's step outside." "Let's ." "I'm sorry, that will have to wait." "Why?" "Because I have something important to do." "But I'll deal with this as soon as I get back." "is it that urgent?" "Coward!" "Coward?" "Me?" "Miss, may I dance with you while your boyfriend's away?" "Fernando wouldn't like that." "Please, spare me a discussion." "Your wish is my command." "I hope some day I will have the chance to prove to you how sincere my love is." "Excuse me." "Lieutenant!" "Yes, General." "Find Captain Mena." "Hurry up!" "The time has come." "Arm your people and get to the ruins with them at 3 a.m." "Yes, Colonel." "Good luck!" "We have two hours to get ready." "Tell everyone." "Right." "Go back to the barracks immediately." "Tell your people to stay put and wait for my orders." "People are getting up in arms." "Yes, General." "I'm ready." "I'm sorry not to be able to say the same." "Coward!" "I am not a coward!" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Hurray!" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Hurray for Mexico!" "Look, while everyone is screaming I want to tell you a secret." "But not here." "Come with me." "Moon oh, moon you bring light when you rise you shine down on my loved one while she's walking." "My Rosita for your love I'm in pain and will be until I find someone..." "Ever since I saw you I loved you and wanted you just like my soul." "Ever since I saw you I loved you and wanted you a lot." "My Rosita you stole my peace of mind .and I won't get it back until I find someone to comfort my heart." "Gilberto, please, let's not get so far." "Are you afraid of me?" "No, that's not it." "Yes, I can imagine what you're thinking." ""This scoundrel brought me far away from people and is taking me down this lonely path and is taking me under those trees where the moonlight shines so nicely and, as he talks about the landscape he'll ask me for a kiss."" "Exactly." "Well, we are under the trees already and the moon shines wonderfully on you." "Kiss me." "Gilberto!" "Baby, your hand is really hard!" "Look!" "You ruined everything!" "In spite of your renown as an evil womanizer I was falling in love with you." "Foolishly, I thought I'd be different and you wouldn't treat me like you treat others!" "So, I blew it, so to speak." "Absolutely." "You won't believe this, but I had never been wrong before." "Since you smiled so fondly at me, I thought "this is a closed deal" ." "Let's go, now!" "Fine." "But forgive me, first." "You're forgiven." "No, don't say it like that!" "Let's see, say it with a smile..." "Enough of this!" "Really?" "Oh, come on!" "Peasants took up the call." "From every corner of the country peaceful men got up in arms willing to sacrifice their lives for the unexpected light burning in the horizon." "Like a voracious fire enthusiasm lit the hearts of oppressed people." "The violence of injustice gave birth to the violence of justice." "The eagerness for freedom joyfully left villages deserted separated men from their homes their children, their women." "Hope dried up good-bye tears and among the shadows of the night. the dawn of the revolution emerged." "Come on!" "Stand there!" "That's all." "Cover the hole." "I don't know when we will meet again." "Brother, it's still time." "Let them get killed!" "What do you earn from this?" "Me?" "Nothing." "So?" "Go out on a limb for something that's worth it but for some "ideals" ?" "Well, let's not discuss." "You'll understand some day, Gilberto." "It's you who should understand!" "If you get killed of crippled you will be of no use to your old father!" "Besides you have my sister to think about." "Maybe I'm doing this for them." "Gilberto try to keep Maria unaware of all of this." "She thinks I'm going on a business trip." "But now I know everything." "Maria!" "You weren't going to say good-bye, were you?" "You can imagine why." "It hurts me that you still don't know me." "I've never objected to your decisions why would I worry you with my tears now?" "Forgive me." "I'm leaving." "May God be with you." "Look rebels from several directions will attack Pueblo Viejo at 7 a.m. Go with your men to the town's barracks." "Yes, sir." "You will march to the abandoned hacienda where a group of them is gathering." "Get there within two hours and surprise them." "Yes, General." "Attention!" "Get ready to mount!" "To your horses!" "Our movement has been discovered!" "We must attack tree hours earlier!" "You two, stay here with ten men." "Pick them." "Okay." "Tell everyone to get on their horses and leave their hats." "Yes, General." "Bye, Pepe." "Good-bye, Fernando!" "Bye, General!" "It's time, boys!" "Let's go!" "Let's go!" "There they are." "We're dead!" "How are we going to stop so many people?" "Our parapet is good." "We can resist." "But not long enough for the General to attack the town." "We're in plain sight and they're not shooting?" "We shouldn't get any closer." "Halt!" "Attention!" "One shot!" "Fire!" "Should we shoot back?" "No!" "They'd know we're no more than a dozen." "This silence gets me thinking..." "No, Fernando." "We don't have enough ammo." "They'd run out." "So?" "So..." "Make a white flag." "Are we going to surrender?" "What are those morons waiting for?" "They want to shoot us at close range." "And we'll let them do so!" "Move forward, attack and fire!" "Hold your fire!" "Surrender?" "Without a single shot?" "That's too weird." "Answer their signal." "Come closer!" "Speak!" "My superior wants to avoid a senseless bloodshed..." "...and he wants..." "What?" "All of you to surrender unconditionally!" "Aren't you ashamed to be the messenger of such nonsense?" "Do you think this is a game?" "We have over 500 well covered men to defeat you." "No one is asking you for information!" "You are going to surrender!" "You have ten minutes to deliver your weapons." "The head of this unit should know that more of our troops are heading this way." "Troops?" "A bunch of peasants playing toy soldiers!" "Captain peasants' bullets kill, too." "Clock's ticking!" "I understand your attitude, but my orders are to exhaust all options." "They're exhausted!" "You have nine minutes!" "What's Fernando doing?" "Why isn't he talking to buy us time?" "We couldn't go any slower." "is he showing off his courage?" "No." "That means certainty." "I'd do anything to know how many men they really have." "Don't you think those hats are... too still?" "Watch from up there." "Open it!" "We were given ten minutes to surrender." "Ten minutes?" "Well, that's something." "If we manage to fight for 20 minutes more our job's done." "You were right, Captain." "They're less than 15 men." "That means that they're attacking earlier and they left these men behind to waste our time." "Let's get rid of these ones, first." "Attack!" "Okay, boys!" "Don't shoot until they get really close!" "Twenty federals each!" "Our guys are attacking!" "We did it!" "They can kill us now!" "Wait!" "They're attacking Pueblo Viejo!" "Let's go there!" "Moving in three rows!" "They're retreating!" "We fooled them!" "Up with Madero!" "Up with the Revolution!" "ROSlTA RANCH" "Who's that?" "Me!" "Juanito." "The door's open, why don't you come in?" "Jesus!" "I wouldn't come in just like that, like an animal!" "Speaking of animals, I brought you these." "Oh, these chicks are so lovely!" "They feel like silk." "An old woman was selling them on the road and I thought of buying them for Maria." "But then I remembered Maria doesn't like chickens." "They should stay with you." "Oh, Juanito." "You have such a subtle way of saying things that I can do nothing but thank you." "Don't thank me. I told you, those vultures weren't even for you." "Oh, here." "Did you buy these from an old lady, too?" "No, I stole those from Mrs. Lola's ranch." "She's old and ugly, she doesn't need flowers." "And since her husband joined the revolution..." "He wasn't alone." "Last night when we came back from the ball many workers had left." "This morning we didn't have any help." "Well, here I am." "Don't bother." "I wouldn't offer my help." "I'll go get Dad and Mr. Angel and I'll be back." "Quiet, gentlemen!" "The Federal Army hasn't been defeated." "What about our rights?" "Please, I beg you to behave!" "Otherwise, I'll have to get you kicked out!" "It isn't true that the Federals won." "But my son..." "He probably took Pueblo Viejo." "Jesus!" "I'm leaving." "Your father must be waiting for me." "Don't worry, Mr. Jesusito." "Chencho, another glass!" "Sure, Mr. Gilberto!" "Man!" "I don't know where this will get to!" "Guess what the General told me." "He won't have soldiers defend our ranches because they're fighting the rebels." "So, the rebels are more important than our concerns!" "What's wrong with this Government?" "Be quiet." "l won't !" "I don't care who feels alluded!" "I was tied up while they raided my home and took my best horses!" "How can some people be so cool about this?" "Don't you hear me?" "You say they tied you up, right?" "Who did?" "My own workers." "Well, that's natural." "What is?" "Dogs biting their owner's hand?" "If the owner always kicks them, why not?" "Are you on their side?" "I have no side!" "Just let me tell you that you get what you give!" "Those are stupid philosophies." "You should convince your father to defend himself!" "Then we'd defeat them and give workers a lesson!" "Why would I get in trouble?" "Life's meant to be enjoyed, Roque!" "As long as there are beautiful girls, why should I bother?" "Right, guys?" "Right." "Chencho, a round of drinks for everyone, on me!" "Done!" "See you, my friends!" "Bye." "The only one who's buying here is me!" "I won't beat him up because I want peace with his father!" "Mind your answer." "You know I only punish liars." "A worker told me the rebels took weapons from here." "is that true?" "Yes, sir." "Mr. Gilberto hid them under the henhouse." "Okay, go on working." "Excuse me, sir." "What do you think?" "I should kill him!" "Don't get like that." "Those weapons aren't here anymore." "That's not it." "He lied to me, that's what hurts me." "Why didn't he speak like a man?" "Good and bright morning, Rosita!" "Hello, Gilberto." "I swear, I see you and I feel like screaming: "Up with Spain!"" "I'm not even embarrassed to be crazy about a woman like you." "You should at least be polite and say you're glad to see me." "We have nothing to talk about." "I know that you love me." "You love me!" "You told me yourself!" "Let go of me, Gilberto!" "Come on, baby all I want is another kiss from you." "Go away, Gilberto!" "I don't expect to be loved by you just let me love you!" "Get off me, Gilberto!" "Gilberto!" "Get out of here!" "What you've done is unforgivable." "But, Dad, I just..." "Quiet!" "My sons must be gentlemen." "Otherwise, they're not my sons." "But what else can I expect from an evil man who didn't hesitate to endanger his family?" "I heard about your feat." "Hiding rebel arms in my house." "If you hate the Government so much why don't you grab one of those rifles and jeopardize your life!" "Because that's not my fight." "Wrong." "I'll tell you why." "Because you're a coward!" "You're getting this wrong, Father." "I had to hide those weapons to help Fernando who is like a brother to me." "And about Rosita..." "I just stole a kiss from her." "l'm not a coward!" "Watch your mouth!" "You taught us to hate injustice and you are unjust yourself!" "Gilberto!" "General, he's the man who hid the weapons in his house." "If he's here to volunteer, make him lieutenant." "Gee, Fidel!" "I've been looking for you for two weeks!" "Where's Fernando?" "He left for a very delicate job a few days ago and..." "And, what?" "We haven't heard from him." "My orders were to bring these prisoners, Captain." "Looks like destiny's determined to play with us." "It's a shame that we met again under these circumstances." "Isn't it a shame!" "The General's waiting to question them." "Take them." "Escort, forward, march!" "Where did you hide the ammunitions that you stole from our train?" "Answer me!" "Where are those ammunitions and those weapons?" "You know what will happen if you don't talk." "Asking us is fruitless." "Only Zarco knows where they are." "And where's Zarco?" "l don't know." "What about you?" "I don't know." "Me neither." "Fine." "Captain, take them." "If they haven't confessed within an hour, shoot them." "Yes, General." "Escort!" "About, face!" "Gentlemen keep in mind what I am about to sing to you." "At Pinar Hill a brave man has been shot to death." "He sang a sad song while he was a prisoner." "He remembered his parents..." "They're going to kill us." "And all because some weapons and ammunitions!" "You're right." "It's not until you're cornered that you realize how stupid you are to stand up in arms." "Then there's no way out?" "There's one." "What is it?" "What?" "I've been thinking that we only get one chance at life." "And my fianc,e, whom I adore, is waiting for me as well as my father, and I'm his only son." "And there's a whole life ahead of me to do a lot." "A lot!" "l don't think..." "Right!" "Let's tell them!" "Yes, Fernando, tell them!" "Guard!" "Tell the General I want to speak to him." "Don't be a coward." "Everything will be all right, you'll see." "Right!" "Right!" "I've decided to talk." "In exchange for my freedom I'll tell you where Zarco it." "Good. lf you confess, you'll all be free." "The three of us?" "Right." "That's a problem. lf l don't talk, you'll shoot me." "lf l do, my boss will." "That's your problem." "That's why I'd like to keep this just between us." "What do you want, then?" "Shoot my mates to be certain that they won't rat on me." "You're a coward!" "I don't care." "Lieutenant bring the other two out and shoot them." "Yes, General!" "Line up there!" "Attention!" "Escort, forward march!" "Attention!" "Halt!" "No!" "You traitor!" "Attention!" "Unit, formation by the left flank march!" "Do you have a match?" "Left!" "Left!" "I can't believe our countrymen's blood will run because of men like you!" "To the left!" "Left!" "And you managed to get a woman like Maria to love you?" "Keep your opinions to yourself!" "Load arms, arms!" "Ready!" "Aim!" "Fire!" "Come on." "Now, tell us where Zarco is." "He's here." "Right." "I am Zarco." "I will never say where those weapons are!" "Then, your mates..." "They knew it, too!" "But they were getting cold feet and I had to make sure they'd keep quiet." "No one mocks the Federal Army!" "You know what will happen to you." "Do your job." "I've already done mine." "Shoot him, too!" "Yes, General." "It had never been so hard for me to do my duty." "Believe me." "Right." "Good-bye, Captain." "Attention!" "Move column to the left!" "Left!" "Left!" "Attention!" "Halt!" "By the left flank!" "Left!" "Load arms!" "Ready!" "Aim!" "Fire!" "Maria!" "Maria!" "l'm coming!" "Fernando!" "Fernando!" "Men like him shouldn't die." "Let the enemy know so they'll pick up the body and give him a proper burial." "About, face!" "March!" "Good men fell, and even those who were indifferent understood that their blood shouldn't be spilled as if nothing had happened." "Their example shed light on their own sacrifice." "They were falling for an ideal for the supreme ideal among humankind." "Death was the best lesson for everyone who had remained outside the fight." "The outbreak of the revolution tore loved ones apart." "Women abandoned their homes while men stayed by the land that required the strength of their arms and the courage of their souls." "Miss Maria." "Let me offer my condolences." "Thank you, Captain." "Maybe you'll find comfort in knowing that Fernando died like a hero." "It's my fault, Jesusito for letting him go!" "Don't cry anymore, girl." "You make my pain deeper." "Let me find comfort in your eyes." "My Fernando's soul is in them." "I brought you a little food." "Look!" "" A little" ?" "It's the lamb I was going to give you." "But since you're leaving..." "I don't want it anymore." "This way you'll remember us when you get hungry." "Here." "Thank you, Juanito." "You won't write, will you?" "Of course I will." "Well, Rosita... please take care of Mom and Maria." "And before you leave I'll tell you that...!" "Gee!" "I can't speak, I have a knot in my throat!" "Relax, woman." "Captain Mena will escort you to the city and don't worry about us, we'll be fine." "Bye, baby." "Dad!" "Don't cry, baby, you're going to make me cry." "Come on!" "It's not like you're leaving for the North Pole!" "Bye, baby." "Bye, Dad." "Bye, Rosita." "Bye, Mr. Juan." "God bless you." "Gee!" "I didn't know saying good-bye was so hard!" "Back in the city our women will be out of danger." "Yes, but..." "And it is our duty to look after of our lands." "People say the counter makes you a slave!" "Well, the land is much worse!" "Rosita, God knows when we will meet again." "May God keep you safe." "Juanito!" "What?" "l love you!" "I love you very much, Juanito!" "I love you!" "I love you!" "What about Gilberto?" "What about him?" "Don't you love him?" "I don't ." "I have always loved you." "Haven't you realized?" "How could I?" "I'm so stupid!" "Come on!" "Ready, Mr. Juan?" "Go ahead, Captain." "March!" "Bye, Rosa!" "And you're leaving exactly when I was going to tell you that well, I..." "Gee!" "This is so hard!" "Bye, Juanito!" "Good-bye, Rosita." "THE revolution HAS WON" "MR. francisco l." "MADERO ELECTED president" "Chencho, has my brother been here?" "No, he hasn't ." "Can I get you something?" "A beer." "Hey, Major!" "Hi, Roque, how are you?" "How have you been?" "You see, miserable." "Watching the garbage that the whirlwind stirred." "Here we go again... I'm not talking about you!" "I said " garbage"  not "traitor" !" "Though they're the same in the end." "Shut up!" "Don't tell me to shut up, you son-of-a...!" "Relax, boys." "Give it back to him when he's sober." "Do you think I can't get another one?" "I'm so glad to see you!" "How's the family?" "Fine!" "The women are back from San Luis." "I'm glad!" "Oh, Juanito!" "You know?" "I sent for you because I want you to pave the way for me." "After the way I talked to my father I wouldn't dare go there just like that." "I want you to tell him that..." "I'm quitting the army and becoming an engineer like he wanted me to." "Right, Juanito." "Right." "I'm not the old Gilberto anymore." "I have been thinking a lot all this time." "Well, you're finally using your head!" "I also want you to ask Rosita to to please forgive my offenses." "Tell her I really love her and I want to marry her." "I'm not the right guy for that." "I'm not saying no, but whatever I might say won't matter to her." "If you really have changed so much let her see it, and if you convince her I'm sure she'll marry you." "And it will make all of us very happy." "Well, please talk to her anyway." "Do that for me." "Fine." "I'm leaving." "I'll see you here tomorrow." "Fine." "Gilberto!" "Juanito!" "Doctor!" "How is my brother doing?" "We took the bullet out." "The rest is up to God." "You can be proud of your son who died honorably." "But... my father..." "Be brave, boy." "Juanito..." "Juanito listen to me." "Can you hear me?" "I'm right here with your parents." "Your hand, Dad." "Your hand, Mom." "Hey, Maria." "Where's Gilberto?" "He's here." "Don't worry, Gilberto." "It's not your fault that I'm so stupid." "Come closer." "Hey, Rosita, I wouldn't want to die without doing what my brother asked me to do." "Forgive him." "I know that he really loves you." "And I'm glad this happened because that way I won't ..." "Don't speak, son." "Rest." "Juanito!" "Juanito!" "Just when Mexico seems to have regained its peace Francisco l." "Madero's murder results in a haste succession of presidents." "A new blood wave hits the country." "Greed for power unleashes betrayal and revenge and is oblivious of the ideals that led to the war." "A long time of peace was necessary to regain balance." "Then, the Revolution finally reached it's undeniable destination." "Therefore, the Government decrees land grants in every rural area of the country." ""Land and Freedom" is no longer just a phrase and it has become Mexico's living and joyful reality." "Authorities recommend serenity and prudence." "There must be no violence during this time." "Agreement..." "Gentlemen!" "Will you let them steal our land?" "Right now everything is being prepared for the grant." "Men who went up in arms in 1910 can finally rest:" "Their sacrifice hasn't been fruitless." "The tools they abandoned to join the cause are back to the hands of the laborers..." "Mercedes?" "Mercedes, honey." "What is it?" "Give me my collar and my black tie." "What for, Juan?" "I'm going to hand over my land." "Come on, you don't need a tie for that." "I've never needed it this much." "I must gather as much dignity as possible not to lose it now." "I'll get them." "Juan." "Here." "The blueprints to both our haciendas." "Thank you." "We'll be leaving shortly, Angel." "...men who gave their lives for our right to the land must know we're honored and grateful." "agrarian commission" "Patricio, I don't need you here anymore." "Go to the well and tell the butler to take everyone to plow by the small hill." "But, Juan, why having the lands plowed when you're about to deliver them?" "If you had adopted a child since he was a baby and devoted him all of your love and care and suddenly a law made you part with him would you stop feeding him and loving him just because he'll belong to someone else?" "Of course you're right." "You're always right, Juan." "Next, please." "l brought this." "On that desk, sir." "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "This is the case I told you about." "I beg you not to make me deal with it." "This man is my father." "l understand, Engineer." "It's okay." "Do what you have to do." "But, Dad... I beg you to do what you have to do, Engineer." "Please tell me where the piece of land that the law grants me will be." "In that case, it's up to you to choose, sir." "Keep the land of your choice." "In that case please I beg you to grant me this one, by the manor." "But, sir, the best, most fertile land is over here by the well that you built yourself pretty far from the manor." "Right, Engineer." "Those lands will produce more and make more money." "A lot more." "But I want this one because this is where l have a home this is where my children were born and where l've struggled to make good men and deserving citizens out of them." "Here my wife and I have seeded not only the land but also the spiritual seeds of brotherhood." "And this is, Engineer, where a son of mine who is like a piece of my soul, left years ago." "And this is where l expect to hold him with all my heart." "Father!" "Thus, the seed sown by our parents fructifies." "Mexico grows through time towards a bright future." "THE END"