"¤ THE DRUMMER BOY ¤" "Like the rest of Spain,..." "Catalonia in the early nineteenth century... was in an ambiguous situation." "Napoleon Bonaparte's troops peacefully occupied the cities,... invoking friendship pacts which the Spanish state had agreed on with the Emperor of the French,... and he, with cunning and no violence, was gradually taking over the entire country." "Fernando VII, enemy of the French,... staged a coup against his own father, Charles IV,... and Napoleon was smart enough to take advantage of the weakness of each of them... in order to make himself be officially appointed King of Spain,... a title later ceded to his brother Joseph." "The people did not quite understand what was happening,... and when on May 2, 1808, in Madrid,... an officer under General Murat... ordered a charge against groups who were demonstrating in favor of the Spanish monarchy,... popular indignation raged." "Military and civilians took up arms demanding independence." "But they were brutally repressed by what was, then, the finest army in the world." "In Catalonia, General Duhesme was in perfect control of the situation... counting on the discretion of his military leaders... and collaboration with most of the civil authorities." "The Catalán people were helpless." "Their only strength lay in village militias,... formed by peasants, who were armed if necessary,... under the control of mayors, usually Frenchified." "And although there was an obvious unease among the people,... life flowed with apparent normality." "Hey, stop!" "But what are you doing, have you gone mad?" "You're rehearsing a procession, not a parade." "That's better." "Now, continue for a while." "And you, don't distract people, Isidro." "Yes, you, you!" "And don't flash that innocent face, you can't fool me." "Go on, go on for a while." "Come on, come on, you don't have to come, you do nothing but clog the place up." "Here, Isidro, you come again tomorrow, when the biggest will be here." "Here." "So that's what're you up to, hm?" "Bah, here, but don't get used it, it's not nice to impose upon folks." "Let's go to the king's rocks." "Hey, come on!" "Ask for a basket, so we can fill it with snails." "Hey, Isidro, are you coming to hunt snails?" "I can't, I have to go to Barcelona with my father." "Are you really going to Barcelona?" "Yes, and maybe we'll stay over there." "That's a lie!" "You'll see, even if you don't believe me." "~ See you!" "~ Lucky you!" "Be careful, Juan." "It's OK, girl." "I won't stop working because of the French." "Daddy, Daddy, wait, I'm going with you." "No." "I said you're not going along with your father." "I will too be going, isn't that right?" "~ Some other time, Isidro." "~ You said I could today." "You always promise to take me and then you say some other time." "You're a liar." "~ He was promised." "~ It's up to you, but you know this isn't the best of times." "Isidro, you're older and you should understand,... the roads are full of robbers and thieves." "It's dangerous to travel." "But I can defend myself, I'm not scared." "Want to see it, you want me to prove it?" "Let's see, how could you prove that?" "Just watch me!" "Throw something into the air, Dad." "Fling it!" "Did you see?" "You see, Mom?" "~ We'll stay overnight in Barcelona?" "~ Depends on how long they delay us, son." "And can I see the sea?" "Sure, the store is next to the port." "And would I be able to get on a boat?" "Well, you can try." "Have you ever traveled by boat?" "To travel, which means to make a voyage, I've never traveled as such,... but many times I've helped load, and have been aboard ships." "Sailors even once invited me to eat rice." "Cooked rice on the deck, and when the fish got close... attracted by the smell..." "Thud!" "A blow, then cook them as a paella." "Yeah, liar, fish are caught with rods." "Well, that's from rivers, on the sea it's something else." "French, what are they doing here?" "Stop!" "They must have lost something." "What have you got there?" "~ Brandy." "~ Brandy?" "And what is that?" "~ Drink." "~ Where are you taking it?" "To Barcelona, to send to America." "Don't you carry gunpowder?" "You make gunpowder, right?" "Yes, here are hills of powder, but this is brandy." "Uncover a barrel." "OK, you can go." "Let's go!" "Dad, do the French rule everywhere?" "How should I know?" "The French should rule just in France,... but from what I've seen, it looks like they own the world." "Giddyup!" "Giddyup!" "Mr. Mayor, French soldiers... ~ Are you the mayor?" "~ Yes, I am." "Sign this." "But can I know what this is?" "Paper, paper stamped with the sigil of the Emperor." "I bring the edict from the governor of Barcelona." "Read this." "Come on, sign, I can't waste time in each town." "You, hoist that flag." "Proceed." ""Your princes have ceded me their rights." ""This monarchy is old, my mission is to renew it." ""I guarantee a constitution that reconciles sovereign authority with the people's liberties." ""Remember what your parents have been and have regard your current lamentable state." ""The fault is not yours, but belongs to the bad government which has ruled." ""Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor."" "He could be Emperor at home, but here he's not even a sheep-shearer." "~ Bravo!" "~ Sheep-shearer?" "Shearing service for French men and women,... all of them thugs." "¤ To San Antonio, a great dance will be there... ¤ From St. Maurice, everyone will come. ¤" "I think we're out of tune..." "Stop!" "Here's some more of these Frenchies." "You, help download those barrels, the goods are seized on behalf of the Emperor." "~ What nonsense are you saying?" "~ Silence, that's an order!" "~ You, keep still!" "~ Unload them, I said." "You can't do this, I'm responsible for the delivery of this brandy." "~ Come on!" "~ Let me go my way, this may be my ruin, and that of my family, friend." "The owner of the liquor won't hear reasons, and he'll believe it's me who stole it." "Why not follow me to the port, and confiscate there, if you're so interested?" "Help unload it unless you want to be missing your head." "~ Damn French!" "~ Soldiers!" "~ Hold him well!" "~ Thief, thief!" "I'll teach you to respect authority." "Leave him alone!" "Asshole!" "Go catch that brat right now." "Fucking Catalán, I'm sick of this rabble." "Now, let him go." "Grab these barrels." "Move out." "Daddy, Daddy, are you OK?" "You're bleeding!" "Careful." "It's nothing." "French thieves!" "I gave it to one in the back." "Stamped paper, Napoleon." "This means that we'll now all live in the name of that two-bit Emperor." "and have his sigil stamped even on our underpants, and what else?" "Do we also have to learn French?" "Don't get worked up, son --- if the king has abdicated to Napoleon, we must respect him." "That's a lie, the king could not have abdicated." "What do you want, him to come in person to tell us?" "The king's a prisoner in Bayonne, they may have gotten his consent through coercion." "Father, as captain of the militia, I demand that you hand over the weapons." "Right now I'm not your father, José, I'm still Mayor Viñas." "The militia will be armed when the town is threatened,... and a piece of paper on the wall doesn't threaten anyone." "Besides, in order to make a decision of such gravity... the full city council would have to meet." "That's another thing." "Summon a quorum, and don't forget that I'm part of it." "I think you're blowing things out of proportion,... but I don't want to oppose that, we'll have a meeting." "~ Today." "~ As soon as possible." "You, haul down that flag." "I give the orders." "You, leave that flag here." "~ What do I do, boss?" "~ Go ahead, it's no more than a cloth." "And what if I make underpants of it?" "Sir, the sheriff asks permission to deliver a letter from the Mayor,... he says it's very urgent." "~ Sir..." "~ Yes, yes, yes, I heard." "Wait." "You may go." "But I've already told them not to bother me at lunchtime!" "Did you come to bring a message,... or to watch how I'm eating?" "Come on, speak." "Excuse me, the Mayor asks if you can... convene the full council this afternoon." "The council?" "What's going on?" "This morning came a new paper sealed with an order from the governor of Barcelona." "The French soldiers who brought it have pasted a notice from Napoleon." "Well?" "Viñas snatched it, and went up to the town hall with the priest,... demanding weapons for the militia." "So they want the weapons, eh?" "Wow, Viñas had to be in on it, and I bet that your brother-in-law is involved in that as well." "No, sir, your son Juan wasn't there, they were Krutter, Jacinto, and Oller,... ~ but your son was not." "~ Thank goodness." "~ What do I say to the Mayor?" "~ Let him wait." "~ Excuse me, but..." "~ Didn't you hear me?" "Excuse me, sir." "The soup is good, Rosalia, could you serve a little more?" "Sorry, but it's not my business, Clussá, your quarrels with the French or whoever don't interest me." "I entrusted you with some barrels, and you will answer to me for them." "You can't do this, I'm ruined." "And what do you want, me to lose my money?" "Shame on me, since I trusted you." "I have been assaulted, beaten!" "Who knows what you've done?" "I protected your goods, if I'd let them just take, they wouldn't have beaten me up." "Why should I believe you?" "I told the truth, believe what you want." "Say whatever you want, but I want my money." "I can't grow myself into coins." "Insolence on top of this." "Your father was right, he always told me not to trust you." "There's some reason you were disinherited." "Listen, Quintana, what happens between my father and me isn't anyone else's business." "If you think I'm going to borrow money to pay you, you're very wrong." "I have come to explain, not to crawl before you." "No one will give you work." "I will confiscate your cart." "You'll have to go to my house to get it, and if you try, I swear it's the last thing you do in your life." "Are you threatening me?" "I'll report you to the justices." "Come on, woman, you'll see how everything works out." "Don't touch me!" "Go ahead, eat." "I'm not hungry." "Don't touch me, I told you." "~ But nothing happens..." "~ Nothing happens?" "You lose your job, they can take away your cart, and nothing happens?" "Have you seen what's for dinner?" "You know we don't have milk for breakfast tomorrow?" "And what I can do?" "No, of course, you can't do anything, you face the world and don't ask anyone for anything,... and the rest of us, we're just bedamned." "My dad's not to blame." "The French robbed us." "He wanted to explain but Mr. Quintana ignored him." "No, will I have to blame myself?" "It's not your fault, but not Dad's either." "~ Shut up, son." "~ When someone can't feed his family, he has to hold his tongue, Isidro." "You weren't there, you can't talk." "What I can do then, shut up?" "Well, I'll shut up,... and I'll go, but leave me alone." "Mom, Mom, don't be like that, please." "Mama, don't cry, forgive me." "Please forgive me." "My God, what will become of us!" "If you hadn't married me, you'd be the wealthiest heir in the village." "Maybe, but they wouldn't be here,... and with them, we are the richest folks in the world, Paula." "Who could that be at this hour?" "Who is it?" "What?" "In Manresa, they burned the Frenchies' stamped paper and have armed the militia." "They killed a Froggie, but two managed to escape, and tomorrow they'll know everything in Barcelona." "We must act quickly." "And how I can help?" "You have to talk to your father into giving us weapons,... you know that nobody here can move a finger without his permission." "I haven't spoken with him in years." "These aren't times for milking old grudges." "No, it's not about grudges." "I didn't want to talk to him, but he hasn't wanted to talk to me, either." "It would be enough for me to propose something for him to do just the opposite." "Why don't you ask him yourself?" "Or your dad, that's what the mayor's for." "He won't even receive me, and my father, you know,... he thinks that the French are the world's salvation." "No kidding!" "Come on, Juan, make an effort." "If I thought it would be useful, I would, actually." "Maybe you're right, think it over, anyway." "We'll be meeting at home until late." "~ Good night, Paula." "~ Go with God, Viñas." "Is there any other way I can help?" "Not now, but later on, we'll see." "Sorry, but the truth is it's better if someone else speaks to him." "~ As you wish, until tomorrow, Juan." "~ See you tomorrow." "You want me to go talk to Grandpa, Dad?" "There's no point, son." "Besides, it's too late." "Sorry, there's nothing to be done." "He won't go see his father." "He's a frog-lover just like his dad." "He's a coward!" "That's not true, he has his reasons." "I don't understand old Clussá, doesn't he realize that the French will control his crops,... bury us in taxes, and he'll end up as poor as we are." "What they should have done in Manresa, apart from burning the paper, is to hang those who brought it." "The French Lieutenant was killed." "But the soldiers who escaped will be arriving in Barcelona sooner rather than later,... tomorrow we'll have the Frenchies here with their muskets,... they'll surprise us in our underwear, discussing goldfish." "Are you going to play war?" "Where will you be?" "What, don't you hear me?" "Are you deaf?" "We'll be on the rocks." "And them, what fly stung them?" "I don't know, they're just crazy." "See you later." "I'll clobber you!" "Wait, don't leave me behind." "Good morning, Father, am I late?" "No, Isidro, come here, you're fine, but today we won't be practicing." "Anyway, here." "Tomorrow at the same time?" "We'll let you know, Isidro --- at the moment everything is canceled, tell the others." "~ Goodbye, Father." "~ Goodbye, son." "I better go to, Father, I have to continue traveling the region." "And you know, whoever wants to fight along with Manresa is welcome." "We need men, lead, cavalry, carts,... everyone will get a salary, footwear, and food." "Thanks, but I hope we can form our own force." "Even better, all that matters is to stop the French." "Here!" "~ Fight back!" "~ You're going to die!" "Here he comes." "You'll die, traitor." "Hold it, everyone!" "The priest said that we won't be rehearsing the procession." "I know, maybe there'll be no procession, it may even be a real war." "Why are you so quiet?" "Well, what's going on?" "You better go, we want nothing to do with you." "Are you crazy, or what?" "We don't want anything to do with cowards." "Want to see how I'll break your face?" "The sons of cowards are as cowardly as their fathers,... and everyone knows that your father refused to ask your grandfather... to give out weapons to the people." "Your father is a coward, and we don't want anything with cowards like you." "~ Take that!" "~ Your father's a coward!" "Leave my friend alone!" "Let me go, let me go!" "Here, you coward!" "Down!" "Take that!" "~ Coward!" "~ Your father!" "Let him, let him go." "Wait for me!" "What do you want now?" "I'm going with you." "But you don't even know where I'm going." "No, but I'm going with you." "Do you think I'm a coward?" "They're stupid." "I'll bend their faces!" "My father can't talk with Grandpa because Grandpa doesn't want to see him,... but I'm going to talk to him." "~ Can I go with you?" "~ Fine." "Will they let me go into the garden?" "Sure, since you're coming along with me." "And can I see the peacocks?" "Sure, but open your eyes." "Go on through." "So your father and Viñas sent you with this message... because they know you're the only one who I won't throw down the stairs." "No one sent me, Grandfather, I came on my own, I swear." "You can do a lot, and if you help, everyone else will, too." "Yes, yes, I know the mantra, don't repeat the lesson." "Go ahead, eat." "I've seen the French, Grandfather." "I've seen them with my own eyes." "They stole my father's brandy." "He was threatened with weapons." "They beat him in front of me." "They're evil, Grandfather." "That girl, is she with you?" "Yes, she wanted to see the peacocks." "~ Daughter-in-law!" "~ What is it, Father?" "Bring some tea to that girl outside, she's a friend of Isidro,... and Isidro's lady friends, they should be well treated." "Got it?" "But don't bring her up here." "Isidro and I need to talk man-to-man." "Very well, Father." "My son, you're a good guy and sensitive... and it's only logical that you felt out of your depth." "But things are not as simple as they seem,... and as you get older, you'll understand." "Maybe you're right,... and those soldiers you saw are evil,... cruel and arrogant,..." "But behind them, and maybe without them even knowing this,... they may bring new ideas." "Isidro, maybe you can't understand,... but the French have destroyed a tyranny." "They've granted the power to intelligencia." "They have created a new system,... and you can't go against the grain." "I...you're not going to get angry if I tell you what I think?" "Mmm...well, what do you think?" "I'm sure you're right, and that there are good Frenchmen,... but what I don't understand is... why, if the French are good, do they hurt others?" "What would you do in my place?" "I'd defend my fellows." "I'll go to city hall and hear the reasons from Viñas." "I don't want them to say that your grandfather is stubborn, refusing to talk to people." "But tell your father not to go,... when I see him, my blood boils." "Come here, Isidro, come on." "Take this, for you to buy whatever you want." "Thank you, Grandpa." "Is that girl the one adopted by the miller?" "Yes, she's called Nuria." "Take her with a grain of salt, you're very young and can't understand,... but trust me." "You are the oldest of my grandchildren and could well be my heir." "Someday you'll understand, and appreciate my advice." "Nuria is my friend." "Yes, son, I know." "Goodbye, Isidro." "Come back any time." "I love to talk with you." "Although it would be better if you came on your own." "Don't pay too much attention to Grandfather." "You can both come whenever you want." "And what if he discovers us?" "After eating, he naps, he won't notice." "And Uncle José?" "My simpleton of a husband?" "Leave him to me." "Why doesn't Grandpa want me to visit with Nuria?" "Since I have no children, you'll be his heir,... and maybe he'd like you to marry..." "I don't know, a princess, maybe." "What are princesses like?" "Ugly and stupid." "I'm sure Nuria is much smarter and prettier." "Come on, don't dawdle, she's waiting for you." "Shall we go?" "Hey, Mr. Ignacio, what I can buy with this?" "Five pesos?" "That's a lot of money." "I'd want sausage, pepperoni, sweets." "Not this." "Eggs, apples, few combs." "And this." "~ This?" "~ Yes." "~ You like it?" "~ Yes, very much." "Hey, I can give you a kiss?" "A kiss?" "Why?" "My father gives kisses to my mother." "But I'm not your mother, I'm a soldier." "It's that..." "I like you." "Get stuffed!" "Did you say sausages or pumpkins?" "Mom, Mom, Isidro has brought candy." "And a big pack of sausages." "~ Juanito, do you want to see how I beat you?" "~ Juanito is diseased!" "Come on, Nuria, let's go fishing." "~ Here, Pepa." "~ That shows that you went to see Grandpa, eh?" "Thank you." "~ Hi, Mom." "~ Your father told me that you behaved like a man." "I am a man." "This is for you." "It's too luxurious for me." "Don't you see that I have snot in my big schnoz?" "I don't like it when you talk like that." "But I like it, silly." "Go on, put it in my room." "In the dresser, in the drawer." "I'll also leave this, what's left over from what Grandfather gave me." "Thank you, son." "This little brother of yours doesn't want to arrive, and he has me wrecked already." "~ Mom?" "~ Yeah?" "Grandpa always speaks ill of my father." "He doesn't want to see him." "Why?" "Your grandfather is kind to anyone he wants to be." "When you married my dad, was he at the wedding?" "No, he wasn't." "He wasn't missed." "Why, why wasn't he?" "How would I know?" "Ask him." "Because your family was poor." "Why all this questioning?" "Have you talked to Grandfather about me?" "No." "It's just things that come to my mind." "Let's hear them, what's on your mind?" "Well, what's on your mind?" "Well..." "If Grandpa has money, why we are so poor?" "Bah, I wouldn't be like him." "I'd rather be like my father." "Mom!" "I'll put it in the dresser, right?" "Yes, in the top drawer." "~ Look, Mom, it's a gift from Isidro." "~ How beautiful!" "~ He brought me one, too." "~ Let's see, how beautiful!" "~ You, too?" "~ If you hit her, I won't give you any more." "Gifts, gifts!" "What is it about Isidro, that he seems to be in such a hurry to give to others?" "He'll never be rich." "But, hey, have you gone mad?" "What do you want, to stop the French?" "If they want, they'll raze the village and any other 100 villages who put themselves forward." "~ In Madrid they revolted." "~ And what do they win?" "Retaliation, blood, misery, hunger." "And what would you propose?" "Bargain." "Or rather, bargaining from Madrid or Barcelona." "They'll negotiate." "Do you forget that in Manresa, the stamped paper was burned and a French lieutenant killed?" "But Manresa is Manresa, and Sanpedor Sanpedor." "Sanpedor belongs to Manresa, in the same judicial district." "We can't abandon them to their fate --- if there's retaliation against Manresa, we must be with them." "But it's not just Manresa --- it's the same for Igualada with Franz, who also opposed French domination." "In Lleida they're preparing their defenses,... and refused entry to Napoleon's troops." "It's all of Spain that's coming forward." "Sounds good to me." "Arm the militia." "If you want to commit suicide, arm the militia." "Clussá, you know very well that it takes money." "Oh, so the truth comes out, huh?" "I'm willing to hand over some money... but very much more is needed." "I don't think I'll pay even five centavos." "But, there's the superior of the community of priests,... quieter than the dead." "What is your opinion, Monsignor?" "Most of the land is yours, and any changes would affect you directly." "Our community can't comment until we have better information." "In any case, it is a very delicate matter,... for a religious institution to support financially the armed struggle." "But isn't Montania's example in Manresa enough?" "He's also a cleric, and he's personally commanding the militia." "But not with money from the Church." "Apart from that, I have not yet declared myself..., either for or against." "The Church has to check its coffers." "Well, gentlemen, if necessary I shall disregard all of you,... but then don't come crying to me." "What's happening, Carrió?" "The whole region is in arms." "Gather the militia quickly, Viñas, the French have left Barcelona and plan to make an example of Manresa." "We've already delivered weapons to our people." "They could be here in eight or ten hours, there's no time to lose." "Don't be surprised, he brought us the news." "Along with another partner who is organizing the defense at Manresa, he actually deserted from the French army." "~ No militia." "~ But what are you saying?" "Neither the old geezer Clussá nor the priests want to pay anything, and we can't find the money to pay people." "In addition, the mayor refuses to arm them." "I'll talk directly with him." "Whatever, but I think it's useless." "We can pay your people, we have food and footwear,... what we need are weapons and ammunition." "All I can do is join you, too,... and call for those who want to to follow us." "~ What's going on, Juan?" "~ I'm going to Manresa with Carrió." "I'll bring lead, weapons, food." "So I'll earn some money, which we happen to need." "Don't go, Juan, don't leave me." "But nothing will happen, woman!" "And you, Shorty, don't give your mom a lot of trouble, or I'll string you up." "Dad, I want to go with you." "I can go with you, right?" "Not this time, Isidro." "I'm older, I can fight the French, you know it." "Sure." "Of course I know you're older, and brave,... and you're a first-class fighter,... but you have to take care of your mother and your brothers and sisters, you know?" "But I want to go with you." "~ Come on, Isidro, don't insist." "~ Let me come." "~ Oops, what a genius!" "~ I'll go, Dad." "Wait, Isidro, you can do something." "Gather your friends together and find me all the lead in town." "The weights of the clocks, statues, whatever, eh?" "And then you bring it to me at the square to load the wagon." "I can't, I have to take care of my mother." "What do you want?" "I apologize, I withdraw what I said." "~ You look like a little lamb." "~ Want to see how I'll break your face?" "If you touch her, you'll pay." "Then...she shouldn't mess with me." "That's what you get for calling me a coward." "I withdraw what I said." "OK, forgotten." "Now, listen to me: we must find lead and take it to the square." "My father has to take it to Manresa to make bullets." "Lead?" "Where do we get that?" "Where do we get that?" "Well...of the rings of the curtains, there are a lot of lead." "Water mains." "~ Bars." "~ Bars aren't leaden." "The bars aren't leaden." "But they may be worthwhile the same." "The leads of the dresses." "~ Give me the scissors." "~ I'm looking for them." "Go, go, go!" "Girls!" "Girls, what are you doing?" "Come on, open the door." "Lots of lead!" "~ Hey, give me the scissors." "~ I'm going to remove the rings." "You're stripping my house, boy!" "~ What's that, give me that!" "~ It's to make bullets, my dad told me." "Why do you want that?" "These rings are a pittance, they won't serve them at all,... and I had a hard time installing them." "Come here, give me those scissors." "Mom, let him be, even if we get a little at a time, we'll end up with lots of bullets." "My poor curtains!" "But what's going on?" "Rosalia, Rosalia, where are you?" "Rosalia!" "?" "The slingshots, fast!" "Isidro, get down from there right now!" "I can't, we need lead for ammunition, my father has to carry it to Manresa." "I said get down!" "Fast, slings!" "Damn kids, I told you to knock it off, and you'll see when I catch you!" "What are you doing, Lorenzo?" "Idiot, you've bonked the peacock!" "Isidro, you'll pay for that!" "Leave it there right now!" "Isidro!" "Thanks for the grill, uncle." "Come on, Lorenzo!" "Hey!" "Who the hell gave them this damned idea?" "Have they all gone mad?" "I'll deliver these weapons to whoever wants to use them against the French." "Stop that, it's no concern of women." "Yes, I know, it's men's business, but apparently, in this house, I'm the only man." "Get out of my way." "That's good, guys." "Aha, deserters?" "Lieutenant Franz Krutter, Pfaitzer regiment of Swiss Guards, in the service of His Majesty, Carlos IV,... or Fernando VII,...whoever." "Actually, to serve the people of Sanpedor." "All the people or just some of Sanpedor's skirts?" "Yes, in the foothills of the priest, buddy." "Paul Marat, the hero of the Bastille,... betrayed by a man named Napoleon Bonaparte." "The shearer of the French." "You know, as soon as you're ready, head to Bruc, the rendezvous's in Calmazán." "~ Good luck." "~ Those two still arguing in there?" "~ I suppose." "~ Well, let's take this opportunity, and get them." "I can't wait to get into action." "~ Well, goodbye and good luck." "~ Well, let's go, come on." "~ Hey, wait!" "~ Where's this crazy cow heading to now?" "I brought some weapons in good condition." "Give them to Viñas, he'll need them." "Forward, march, we're going." "~ Are you going to arm the militia?" "~ I'll try." "Dad, you're leaving for Bruc?" "~ Yes." "~ Good luck." "Friends?" "Friends." "~ I'll be waiting." "~ Take care of your mother." "Did you see how much lead we brought you?" "Sure, you're a phenom." "Come on, Isidro, your father has to go." "And don't forget what I told you, now you're the man of the house, right?" "Come on." "~ Are they loaded?" "~ No." "No matter, they don't know that." "They'll know who we are." "Let's to arms!" "Back!" "Hand over the weapons at once." "The French have already left Barcelona." "The militias of the Manresa region are waiting at the Bruc." "We have to be there, too." "One more step and we'll shoot." "You don't dare, coward." "Krutter, don't expose yourself." "Damn French toadies." "And what did they think, that we'd receive them with a lily in each hand?" "What do you call this village?" "It must be Bactorell, sir." "Well, we'll spend the night here." "We should continue, General Schwartz, we're not yet at the Bruc,... it's a difficult pass that's better get through at night so we would be safe from any ambush." "Are you afraid, L'affair?" "~ Answer." "~ No, sir." "So what's all this reluctance?" "Let's stop." "Aye, sir." "Quarter the soldiers in the church." "~ Look for something more comfortable for the officers." "~ Yes, sir." "Sir, hear those bells, they could be a prearranged signal indicating our approach." "We should bypass, General." "Damn bastards!" "Send a squad." "I don't want to hear those bells." "Aye, sir." "The coat." "Come." "Shoot." "Kill him." "The militias of Manresa, Igualada, and Sayen,... were fighting against time and resource constraints." "Most of these men had never handled a gun." "But they were all there, ready, not just to fight the French,... but, above all, to defend their own freedom,... and their own independence." "Gunpowder." "Rags." "Lead." "More rags." "The truth is I don't understand why you're doing this." "You left your country's army, lost your salary,..." "I understand nothing." "I made the revolution in France, friend." "I fought for freedom, equality, and fraternity." "But that Napoleon has betrayed us all." "Our flag was seized to satisfy his ambition." "We are no longer the land of the free, but of repression." "From Revolution to Reaction." "But you'll come out ahead,... if Napoleon's army seizes Spain,... the French will be the masters of the Spanish." "Not the French, just Napoleon." "Napoleon and his men would rule like the old aristocrats,... keeping it all in the family." "You know what the French really want?" "The same as you." "Living in peace." "Come, come, Pierre." "Right." "Keep it up." "Hey, so, if you really want to live in peace,... why are you waging war?" "Precisely, friend,... because you can't have peace when a few take advantage of the majority." "And if we want freedom,... it can't be just for a few but for all,... including you the Spanish, not just the French." "That's why we're here." "Because here you can still make a genuine revolution." "For now we must finish with Napoleon and his troops,... but then you have to lash out at those who push against the French... just to take care of their own pockets." "So don't forget: freedom, equality, and fraternity." ""Allons enfants de la patrie..."" "I don't understand, but you speak beautifully." "Neighbors, friends, everyone assemble in the plaza." "We demand the militia's weapons." "The whole region is on the warpath... waiting for the French at the Bruc." "We can't stay here like cowards." "Come all to the plaza." "Keep playing." "Listen, let's go the other side and then let's spread all over the town." "Let's go to the square." "The square." "To request weapons." "Are we going to tolerate that they sell us,... that we're used as beasts of burden?" "They say that Napoleon brings progress,... and that he's here to defend our rights." "Whose rights?" "Because the reality is that the factories are closing... and workers are on the street." "The landowners are threatening to abandon the crop." "And the French soldiers plunder as they will." "They preach to us about the French Revolution." "Let's make our own revolution." "Let's demand the weapons that they, those who speak on behalf of the people,... have denied us by firing on us." "Our weapons, the people's weapons." "Weapons, weapons!" "~ What are they doing?" "~ They're hysterical." "If they force the door and enter, they'll lynch us." "Try to stall, go on, go to the balcony." "You, guard the stairs." "Listen to me!" "Listen to me!" "Silence!" "The council has considered its position... and is willing to negotiate the organization of the militia." "Appoint a committee to come up to discuss the matter." "You must be calm to work things out." "Nothing will be solved with shouts and threats." "Don't be fooled." "How can we be calm when our homes are threatened,... and our families?" "!" "~ We want the weapons now!" "~ We don't want words, we want the weapons!" "Silence." "Silence!" "Do you know where the weapons are?" "~ In the armory." "~ Come, let's go." "Domingo, get moving." "How do we get in here?" "Through there." "Through there?" "That's very high." "~ Let's make a tower." "~ Good." "What was that?" "Be calm, a bit of calm, silence!" "Tread carefully." "Don't complain, silly." "Shut up, so they won't hear us." "Come on, give me your foot." "I think that was in the armory." "Go see what's going on." "Nuria, Nuria, what's happening?" "Shut up!" "You think it's easy?" "Who's there?" "Children, what are you doing here?" "Go on, beat it!" "Demonic children!" "Come, boys, come, come!" "~ Come on, guys." "~ Hurry." "Come on, come on, guys." "No more lies, the French could already be at the Bruc." "Open the doors for us all to parley." "We are tired of promises, Mayor." "Please, be quiet!" "My son and the other leaders seemed to have retired to deliberate." "It was time to give us a break." "Don't be overconfident, Viñas, they may be trying something." "~ Bravo, guys!" "~ This is fine, come quick!" "No noise, get moving smartly." "Rosalie, take the kids." "Here's ammunition." "Here, son, it's a militia captain's beret --- you've earned it." "The joke is over, gentlemen." "Surrender your weapons, we're going to need them." "Do what he says." "Recruit people." "Those who know how to shoot, teach the others." "Have the women seek out brandy and provisions." "We must leave as soon as possible for the Bruc." "Aye, my General." "Halt." "Come along." "My general, the Manresa turnoff doesn't match any of our maps,... it's a much more abrupt than the Degrosso place." "Do you mean that cartographers should draw each and every stone or tree?" "No, sir, I suggest you send a company of cuirassiers to Manresa, the rest could remain here." "Well, what are you waiting for?" "Aye, sir." "~ Here they are." "~ Mount up." "~ After them." "~ Let them come near." "You have to shoot from close by." "Remember, everyone shoots in the first row and then moves back to reload,... and the second row takes over and continues volley fire." "And if possible, run to collect weapons from the fallen." "Don't forget the powder and ball." "No matter how many weapons can we collect, there won't be plenty." "Let's go get them!" "They'll remember the Bruc!" "To the trees, hurry!" "Before they reload, fast!" "To the trees!" "Move!" "Damn Frenchy!" "Hurry, warn the main body." "Aye, aye." "~ They wounded Agustín." "~ Down, get down!" "Agustín, answer me." "Just finish off the Frogs." "Go ahead, kill the Frogs!" "They've cut the road, the company is surrounded." "Come on, hurry." "You, get him safe, fast." "Second line." "Fire!" "It's useless, they have all the advantage." "The horses can't maneuver here." "Cornet, sound the withdrawal." "What is that idiot doing?" "He's sounding withdrawal." "What the hell is going on?" "It costs them so much to rout four Catalán rubes?" "They're retreating, retreating!" "It seems incredible, may the Virgin protect us." "That man is seriously wounded, don't move him anymore." "Notify the rear guard, leave him here." "You have to take him to Manresa." "Bring a cart to carry the wounded." "They're retreating, we got them already, Paul, they're ours!" "Don't go crazy, Carrió." "Easy." "It was just a reconnaissance in force." "They fell like flies, like flies." "Come on, who wants to follow me?" "Don't risk yourself needlessly." "Come with me, heroes." "Out with the Frogs!" "We've won a battle but not the war." "But what are you up to, have you gone mad?" "Get back, get back here!" "Hurry, Pierre, you have to reach Calmasana as soon as possible." "Two lines of infantrymen in prone position." "Prevent them from reaching the gap." "~ Meloa." "~ Sir." "Take the news to the general on the double." "Aye, aye." "To your posts." "~ On your marks." "~ To the marks." "Back, back!" "Fucking Froggies!" "Come on, Carrió, we must regroup." "Come, come!" "Let's hope Carrió can stop them in time,..." "We, each to his place!" "Come on up, folks." "Leave the guns in Calmasana, and get the wounded quickly to Manresa." "All available men, there's no time to lose." "Follow me." "Please!" "I'm dying!" "That Froggie's wounded." "He's a human being, I'll help him." "Bastard!" "Juan, Juan!" "What the hell does this guy think he's doing?" "He's jettisoning the guns!" "He's injured, he can't master the horse." "~ Dad!" "~ It's Juan --- he's hurt." "Clussá, it's your son, he was wounded at the Bruc." "Daddy, Daddy, what's wrong?" "~ Juan, Juan!" "~ Don't worry, Isidro." "Where are you hurt, Dad?" "Damn, these..." "Juan, Juan!" "What have they done to you, Juan, what have they done to you?" "~ Nothing, woman." "~ Relax, Paula." "Daddy, Daddy, what have they done to you, Dad?" "Hurry, bring water, rags, bandages." "Juan, Juan, don't worry, I'll fix you right up." "Stop the bleeding, I'm going to find a doctor." "Viñas, don't waste time, Isidro will handle everything." "Get to Bruc right smartly, they need reinforcements." "OK, but I'll bring the doctor first." "Come along." "~ Daddy, Daddy!" "~ Go away." "Leave Dad alone." "Water." "~ Paula." "~ Yes, Juan?" "If they make it alive to Manresa... they'll pay you my militia salary." "Ask for Carrió." "You'll go yourself." "No." "I can't go anywhere." "Juan, Juan!" "What are you doing here?" "Out, out, out!" "Get out of here, go, go, go!" "Isidro, calm down." "Josefa, Domingo, get him out of here, out, out!" "Stop it, kiddo." "We don't want you or your damn money." "Out!" "Mom, get him out." "Quiet." "Father." "Take care of Paula." "She's left alone,... with seven children,... your grandchildren." "Poor Paula!" "My poor Paula!" "Take care of her." "Forgive me." "Daddy, Daddy!" "Don't leave me, Daddy, please!" "Wake up, please, Father!" "Don't go, please don't leave me!" "Father!" "Please don't leave me!" "Father!" "Please!" "Come on, Carrió, up, up!" "Get up!" "Mount up." "We can't stop them, there are too many." "We must resist, Pierre, whatever, they must be resisted." "~ If they get by they'll get rid of..." "~ Has anyone seen Carrió?" "Help us, Pierre." "Of course." "The militia of Sanpedor..." "These fucking Froggies, a little more and they'd wrap me up like a ham and send me to another world." "Weeds never die, Carrió." "We hope we're not too late." "You're just in time like rain in May." "Circle up by the upper road." "~ You have to attack from the flank." "~ And if we can, from the rear." "Follow me." "Bring me a horse." "Hurry!" "Courage!" "Quickly, my horse." "They're down there, if we go a little further, we catch them from the rear." "Yes, we will!" "It's amazing, it sounds like a thousand drums." "What's that, are we being attacked from the rear?" "Come on, children, go home." "This isn't a game." "The French have killed my father." "I have to avenge his death." "They've stopped, it's an army." "They are preparing to attack." "Quickly, reorient the lines." "~ Aye, aye." "~ Fall back to the open field." "Have the batteries bear on the ways out of the gap." "We won't be able to do it in time, sir." "That's an order." "Cornet, "ceasefire" and "assembly"." ""Ceasefire" and "assembly"." "They'll change tactics." "We must prevent their regrouping." "Here we go, hurry, let's break them!" "Keep playing, boy, play with all your might." "I'll be damned if I understand what is happening." "My reinforcements, now or never!" "Come on, folks, go ahead!" "They won't run past Krutter!" "Franz, Franz!" "Not now, I was just starting to have fun!" "Come on, cheer up, Franz." "Rosalia..." "I like this countryside." "You're tickling." "They've overwhelmed the rear guard!" "Four ranks of four." "Mount up, General." "Hold on." "Attack!" "Back, back, Froggies!" "Keep playing hard, kid, come on, don't stop playing." "~ They're driven off, we won." "~ We won!" "Our militia beat Napoleon." "We won!" "And those drums, where do those drums come from?" "Just that one drum." "Hey, boy, stop for a moment." "It's amazing, it seemed like an army." "It is an army." "Come on, Carrió, lots more needs to be done." "You're a hero, Isidro." "Your father in heaven, he'd be proud of you." "My dad!" "This is the legend of the drum of Bruc." "Legend of a people who faced down the giant,... the greatest general in military history,... and, for the first time, faced him with defeat." "Some claim that this story is not true,... and that the child with the drum never existed." "But is this, and no other, is the legend that the people wanted to cherish,... and don't forget that people often write stories... with their own blood." ""Wanderer, stop here, because the Frenchman also stopped." "He who ran over everything, wasn't able to get past here.""