"Present" "The Primate" "The Primate Three Years of the Millennium" "Written by" "Music" "Director of Photography" "Directed by" "Starring" "At the start of the 50s, the authorities of People's Poland escalated their policy of ruthless repression of the legitimate Roman Catholic Church." "Under the pretext of subversive activities against the State, many bishops and priests were arrested and most of the Church's estate was confiscated." "The year 1953" "Requisition it!" "Requisition these!" "Requisition these!" "Requisition these!" "Father Zadura, Father Wozniak, Father Jan Pochopien," "Father Zbigniew Wichlacz, Father Boleslaw Przybyszewski," "Father Józef Lelita, Father Franciszek Szymanek," "Father Debek..." "Father Wit Brzycki." "Vatican Agents Arrested in the Curia of Kraków" "Belvedere Presidential Palace" "The Polish Episcopate declares..." "Catholic children are educated in the spirit of Marxism." "We cherish the belief:" ""Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is His"" "and comply with it thoroughly but warn against mixing of the two." "Non possumus." "On behalf of the Episcopate Primate Stefan Wyszynski." "He's overdone it this time." "Should we meet with him, Mr. President?" "What for?" "Non possumus..." "means "we do not allow"." "Me?" "But for him the whole Church would be on our side!" "What does he tell the people that makes them believe him?" "God's children, my children," "Church of Saint Ann God's children, my children, consider this sentence from the Gospel for today:" ""Make yourselves purses that don't go to waste, the inexhaustible treasures of heavens"." "The Church always tells the disappointed to seek deeper" "for the light of truth in human actions." "Your conscience is the reflection of the inner truth of your actions." "It's the truth deep inside us." "It's God's truth that speaks there." "It's our self-control." "Social control cannot reach the self." "There's no freedom without law and conscience." "Brothers, should they tell you the Primate's hands are unclean, do not believe it." "I've never reached for my personal gain." "Should they tell you I turned coward, do not believe it, for I've never been a coward." "Should they claim I act against the nation and homeland, do not believe it." "For we want God in our country," "In our old-fashioned thatch-covered huts," "In our tongue and Polish ways," "May the brave Lech worship God," "Bless us O Holy Virgin," "Bless each of our estates," "We want God, we His subjects..." "Yes, yes..." "Good." "I understand." "They've agreed." "Nobody must know where he's kept." " And the international opinion?" " He's left to think over his affairs." "Good." "What's next?" "I wish he'd sign it." " It's not easy." " We'll put him on trial." "Mass prayers and demonstrations would follow." "A revolution." "You underrate his power." "You may not be up to it, general." " Think of Plan Three." " What can I do?" "I give you unlimited powers." "Be as wise as the devil." "This is about the soul of this nation." "Primate's Residence" "Who are you?" "How dare you?" "Security Service." "We have an important letter to the Primate." "His secretariat works by day and rests by night." "Please wait." "Come in." "You knew?" "I dreamed of my mother, who told me to get dressed." "That's illegal." "Let's go." "Rawicz Prison" "They're coming... stopped at the entrance to the building." "Finishing a smoke, possibly." " One's laughing." " I hear nothing." "You will very soon..." "The first barred door, the second..." "I'm not scared." "I'm not scared" "Good." "I pleaded with Bierut..." " He'll pardon me." " I know." "No..." "Prisoner Stanislaw Skorodecki." "Let's go." "Grudziadz Prison" ""May the Americans drop an A-bomb on the Russkies." "This would bring peace"." " Who said so?" " Marianna." " And Helena?" " Nothing." "Just prayed under the blanket in the evening." "And you, sister?" " What do you think?" " I don't know..." "Get dressed." "I got here because of my nun's habit." "This are your new quarters, Father." "You got two rooms, a chapel, and a garden." "Another priest lives nearby, your chaplain." "And a nun who is to be your maid." "You'll meet them soon." "I protest against this illegal action, against me, a Polish citizen, and Head of the Catholic Church." "It's a breach of the law and the constitution." "I want to send a letter to President Bierut." "Your accommodation is paid by the State." "Come in." " Praised be Jesus Christ." " For ever and ever." "My name's Stanislaw Skorodecki." "I'm a priest." "Please be seated." "I was brought from the Rawicz Prison" " to be your chaplain, Your Eminence." " Please sit down." "What will you think about me?" "You're in a difficult plight, indeed." "I should appoint my chaplain, not the Security Service." "I want to see you as my fellow inmate." "The future will tell." "Go to sleep now." "Come in." " Praised be Jesus Christ." " For ever and ever." "Your Eminence," "I'm Sister Maria Leonia Graczyk from the Grudziadz Prison." "They told me you are ill." "Are you, Your Eminence?" "They can do anything..." "I'm scared." "The stories I heard in jail!" "They've sent me on a mean mission." "Sister, it was fear that knocked, but courage opened..." "There was nobody there." "Calm down and go to sleep." "Let's see what the coming days bring." "Please." "Dear friends, despite our plight, it's a sin to be negligent." "Let's agree on a timetable." "We get up at 5 a.m., 5:45 Prayers and meditation," "6:15 Father Stanislaw says Mass, 7:00 I say Mass." "Are you making notes?" "9:00 Matutinum cum laudis, 9:30 Private chores, 6:30 pm." "Howe minores and some rosary, 8:45 p.m. Private reading." "No need." "Be seated." "Why did he raise you so early?" "Well?" "You used to tell before." "On other sisters, but not on him." "He's a holy man." "Or else everybody will know what you did in Grudziadz." "Conditions a rise for agreement between the Church and the State" "Where did you get it?" "Why did they lock you up?" "I wanted to teach religion in school." " They wouldn't let you?" " I got 12 years." "Let's not accuse anybody or hold any grudges." "They turned Room 6 into a chapel, where they pray only." "No talks on political issues." "Both speak Italian." "I'm sending tapes to decipher." "What we need here are remote recording devices." "Come in, please." "Yours is a soldier's discipline." "God sees everywhere, mister." "You have all you need?" " I miss some books." " Not everything was allowed." "I got a letter from your father." "Stay put..." "I'll read it." ""Dear son, thank God and you, my dearest son, for the news and the words" " of consolation in the letter." " Enough!" "..." " Give it to me." " My instructions say, "Read"." "Are my letters to him read likewise?" "Your letter was read in the presence of your sister." "You realize what means a letter to an ill father from his imprisoned son?" "To see his own handwriting?" "How dare you seize private letters?" "It's my instructions." "Some fragments were read twice." "Sister!" "The priest has spilled water!" "Clean up the mess!" ""There was wood before you came here." "And it will stay after you're dead and gone..."" "God, don't let me ever learn to hate." "I don't understand." "They talk Italian." "See them, smarts?" "In Italian?" " What's your language?" " Polish." "You speak it and I do too." "So does your mother, father." "Everybody!" "But they speak..." "Italian." "Sit down..." "And go on." " That's about all." " You heard nothing else?" " The Primate said..." " "There was wood..."" "How do you know?" "The People's Authority should know everything." "And it does." " "There was wood..." " before you came here"." " "And it will stay..." " after you're dead and gone"?" " Exactly." " I didn't know it's important." "Very much so!" "He said he wants to overthrow People' s Poland." "And you?" "Are you of the people or of those who speak Italian?" "Of the people." "Put down everything in it." "Come in, please." "It's no time for a walk, but how about one?" "Will you hear my confession?" "How come?" "You mean me?" "Yes." "Teach me." "Give me some consolation." "What should I say?" "Listen to your heart." "It will come." "Son," "words of men are so often... of little worth." "I won't teach you." "Listen to God more than to people." "When three generations pass away, this new order will fall." "They will say then, "We erred." "Sorry..."" "Time will come..." "Look, Stas." "Belief in the right purpose gives great courage." "And what's its purpose?" "It knows." "What's this scribbling?" "About your aching teeth?" "You told me to put down everything." "If you want to go to the dentist, just tell me." "But write it down when he has a toothache." "Yes..." "Yes..." "I'm waiting." "Set to!" "Come in, please." " Hello." " Hello." " How are you, Father?" " Thanks, I'm fine." "I'm a government representative." "Are you happy about your place of stay?" "A jail is a jail." "It's no jail but a monastery." "Bars don't make a prison, old walls don't make a monastery." " But it was one!" " You're right." "It was..." "The czar detained nonconformist priests in monasteries." "They could write letters, read papers, and move around." "Should I be happy?" "You've had enough time to mull over your attitude to the authorities, your work before the war and now..." "I ponder on all my sins all the time." "It may all change... if you sign this." "To resign from all my church functions of my own will?" "It's an insult!" " Any special requests?" " None." "And of the government?" "A copy of the decree that put me in here." "How long will I stay here?" "And I want to hear objections held against me by the authorities." " Is that all?" " Yes, it is." "I'll inform my superiors of your stance." "Now Plan Three." "Give the colonel the operational materials." "He's in charge now." "Good evening." "Good evening." "I've come to tell you you are in my charge." "At this time?" "You can decide about your destiny at any time." "You have any wishes?" "I've gone thru this routine for many months now." "Here's my proposition:" "With so much recording gear, why don't we record your questions and my answers once for all?" "You could listen to them when it fits your mood." "Why are you so haughty?" "It's my humility before the superior authority that gives me this strength." "Haughtiness... as you call it." "I'd like so much to call you brothers." "Why don't you think of yourself and apply for release?" " Who are you?" " One who wants to help you." "I won't do anything against the Primate... or the Church..." " I won't..." " I know." "But you have an ailing mother." "You want to study." "You better apply." "Is that why you came here?" "It's time to get up..." "Father Wyszynski teaches you Italian?" "The language of spies in cassocks." "I know Latin too." "Unfortunately." "Yet, you better apply." "This is your room." "The commander's door opened." "Someone came in." "You're eavesdropping on them." "It's Radio Free Europe." "Sep. 30, the Holy Consistorial Council headed by the Pope excommunicated all those responsible for the Primate's arrest." "Because of the sacrilegious move against Cardinal Wyszynski... to stop him from executing his church jurisdiction, the Holy Council declares" "that all those guilty of the above-mentioned crimes are excommunicated according to canon law" "and are convicted to infamy." "Thus, Boleslaw Bierut, Head of the pro-Moscow government, is excommunicated by the Pope." "It's the Middle Ages." "We've been anathematized." "We're thunder-struck?" "Something extraordinary happened?" " It's terrible news." " What?" "The Holy Consistorial Council anathematized all who had taken part in my imprisonment." "It's great news!" "Great because the Holy Father has anathematized Poland's President?" "Let's go to the chapel." "President Bierut badly needs our prayers." "Sister, join us, please." "I cleaned up here in the morning." "One must not stand between Christ and the priest." "What should bind the State and the Church is the true freedom of conscience." "We teach to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God... and to God what is His." "Yet, when Caesar sits on the altar, we say, "it's not allowed." "Non possumus!"" "So what?" "It's all rig ht." "You sure?" "It's only this sentence." "But what a sentence..." ""You don't look well", said I." ""I won't stand another year", he told me." ""Outside I'd eat less, but I looked much better"." "Did he say he wouldn't stand another year?" ""Write to the authorities", said I." " What did he say?" " Nothing." " What will you do outside?" " I'll work." "But not back in your convent?" "Just asking." "I wanted to know your plans..." "Sit down, sister." "So he won't stand another year?" "Feel sorry for him." "Get him to write a plea for mercy to the authorities." "But only when he complains..." "It's written all over." "This is for you." "I can't." "They know my folks are poor... and couldn't have afforded such luxuries." "This is from your community and from us for your good cooperation." "These stockings are... from me." "From now on you'll be on a regular payroll." " Me?" " Yes." "Like a teacher, writer, plumber, anybody..." "You work hard and we appreciate it." "But sign this, please." " What time is it?" " Seven o'clock." " A.M.?" " Yes." "Time for my mass." "I'll go to the chapel." "I've said Mass here for both you and me." "Someone accidentally did me a good turn by giving me the best chaplain." "Molenda, get dressed." "Would that you had his life story." "What's the use?" "Hello." "I'd like to ask how you are." "I need a doctor." "It's you who are responsible for your condition." "Those walks in the garden..." "Those are responsible who have deprived me of my freedom and rights." "You have the rig ht to be treated." "Come in." "A parcel for you." "From your father for Xmas." " And a letter?" " There was none." "Impossible." "I'd like to write another one to my father." "Lord, I'm not asking why." "Or else what should I need trust for." "Lord, I'm not asking..." "Lord, I'm not asking why..." "Lord, I'm not asking why..." "Or else what for..." "Lord, I'm not asking why." "Or else what should I need trust for." " How are you, dad?" " Well..." "I'm fine." "And Mom?" "She was a little ill..." " But is much better now." " Thank God." " How about you?" " Your time's up." "Don't worry about me, dad." " God speed you!" " God speed you!" "It got messy?" "My broom got stuck under the wardrobe." "So it got messy." "The mirror fell out but is not broken." "I'm working." "You're working..." "Maybe, you're working class?" "I know you think me stupid, 'cause I prefer to work rather than read books." "Something wrong?" "I hadn't seen my folks for 2 years." "Now they took me all the way to Rawicz..." "Doesn't it surprise you?" "And they tempt me to plea for release." "At least the sister or I should cooperate with them." "Both at best." "I trust you both." "I feel as though the noose were tightening..." "You said even two bishops had agreed to cooperate... let alone an ordinary priest or nun..." "You mustn't look for a traitor." "Even in yourself." "Let's go." "Xmas Eve supper is about to start." "You stay until late tonight?" "Till the morning." "It will be hard for you." "Your family may be waiting..." "to break a wafer..." "We'd ask you into the cell, but you wouldn't come..." " I wish you all the best." " God reward you..." "Father." "Consider this sentence from the Gospel for today:" ""Make yourselves purses that don't go to waste, the inexhaustible treasures of heaven"." "The Church always tells the disappointed to seek deeper..." "You don't know it was your last sermon." "Consider this sentence from the Gospel for today:" ""Make yourselves purses that don't go to waste, the inexhaustible treasures of heaven"." "The Church always tells the disappointed to seek deeper for the light of truth in human actions." "When will you be ready?" "I am already." "What is it?" "Xmas Eve celebration." "Your plea has been looked into." "The answer is no... for now." "You have to work on yourself a little." "What if your father wrote President Bierut a plea?" "Go ahead and try everything." "You want to confess?" "Yes..." "No..." "I don't know." "Cleanse your heart." "Father, my self-confidence is so low." "I can't." "I'm not ready for a confession." "Forgive me, Father." " Praised be Jesus Christ." " For ever and ever." "Amen." "People desire happiness but do not see it." "They seek it but are still unhappy." "I ask: why?" "Give us power over the souls." "All people will be happy with us, will not rebel or repress one another, like those with your freedom." "Don't discuss with him but look down... on me and the congregation." "We'll even let them sin." "They're weak and helpless." " It's Dostoevsky." " The devil rather." "I gave you Wyszynski's texts." "It's no problem to say his words by rote." "The trick is to say what he wouldn't himself but make them believe it's him." "Try to convince the congregation that a week should have 10 days." "Ten days?" "To work nine days and to observe Sunday on the tenth." "Come on." "God's children, my children, I'll share a secret with you." "There was a miracle:" "God came to me and said," ""Do you see how much work is needed?" "How hard it is to build equality and justice in our homeland?"" ""I do", said I." "God said," ""Then let's do without Sunday for some time." "Not for long." "But watch how soon prosperity will reign on earth!"" "In dismay, I fell on my knees and cried," ""God!" "Let's give the people one Sunday in ten days!"" "Excuse me, Father." "You have any wishes?" "Wishes?" "You've stopped my work, destroy my health, wish civil death to befall me, and ignore all my petitions to the authorities." "Wishes?" "I'll let my superiors know of your remarks." "Here's a letter from your father." "Don't ask about the cutout pieces." "Now the bad news, sent by phone." "Your father is alive but paralyzed." "I'm not asking why." "It's Thy will, not mine." "Just an ordinary man, I have the right to beseech You:" "Holy Mother, save my father." "By afflicting me, God, I know Thou have Thy intentions." "The prison is mercy for me, an asylum that helps me to probe my self." "You are the only one who won't let me stop half way through." "You do it on purpose." "Father, he's been refusing food for three days now." "Sister, give me water, please." "Oh, Stas, the ﬂu has got you..." "Leave us alone, please." "Don't worry about tonight's vigil." "I'll keep it myself." "You may sleep soundly." "Holy Mother, Mother of God." "Hail, Mary, full of grace, pray for us, sinners now and in the hour of our death." "Holy Mary, Mother of God." "We made it..." "You've held your own..." "We've held our own, Stas." "We were born for hope." "Have you seen it?" "Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God," "I choose thee today to be my Mistress, intercessor, Patron," "Protector, and my Mother." "I give myself to thee, Mary, into your servitude, and devote to thee my body and soul, my inner and mundane riches, my good deeds of the past, the present, and the future for the greater glory of God now and for ever and ever..." "Mary of Jasna Géra, do not leave me in my daily work and show me your pure face in the hour of my death." "Amen." "Yes..." "Yes, sir..." "Yes." "Get ready the meeting of Father Skorodecki with his father." "See to it that Father Wyszynski and the nun stay in their rooms." "He's clean!" " The letter." " What letter?" "A plea for mercy to President Bierut." "For my father to sign." "Bring it, Father." "Show it to me!" " What's this?" " Read it." "To President, Comrade..." "I earnestly entreat... to release my son before the end..." " No, I won't sign it." " Why?" "L, an ordinary man, father of a criminal... should write to the President?" "Just sign it." "It looks as if I wrote it myself." "Dad, they may let me go thanks to this." "Forget it." "You'll teach religion again and they'll lock you up." "And next time the verdict will be twice as harsh." "All right, I'll sign it." "Thank you, dad." "Sit down, brothers." "My dear friends, I've called you to declare my will:" "I renounce all my church functions and decide to remain in seclusion for ever." "That's all." "You may go now." "Well?" "Next week we'll arrange his meeting with the bishops." "I know m... my... mission now." "I'm the one to liberate..." "freedom... to free humanity from slavery and darkness," "to free... f... freedom from sin and guilt," "and open the eyes of humanity to the new morality." "Remember, we are the ones to liberate them from darkness." "Colonel, you're wrong." "You're wrong." "It's outstanding individuals, not riffraff... that play a greater part in history." " Riffraff..." " What?" "Riffraff?" "On your fours!" "And fetch!" "Remember who is your master." "We're the ones who liberate!" "Well, who's your master?" "Repeat!" "' Repeat!" "You!" "You didn't put it elsewhere?" "I always hid it behind the picture." "I searched Father Stanislaw's room too." "It's not there." " It may've been he..." " Get out!" "You have your heaven, but I...?" " We withdraw Molenda." " Why?" "As the nun's reports got lost, they may've learned about him too." "What do we do with him?" "Release the priest and nun as planned." "The Council of Ministers has authorized me to talk to you." "I'm listening." "I'll read you, Eminence, the government decision." ""The Government of People's Poland." "Office for Denominational Affairs." "Warsaw, Oct. 27, 1955." "I hereby declare that the Government of People's Poland has allowed Archbishop Stefan Wyszynski to move to the Nazarethan Convent in Komancza without the rig ht to leave the said place." "Should any contacts be made to foment subversive actions against the State, the guilty parties will be punished." "Director for Denominational Affairs." "Marian Zygmanowski..." " Have the bishops arrived?" " No." "How come?" " Father..." " I know everything, Stas." "Thank you." "Sister..." " Father?" " You both are leaving the prison." "What will happen to me after this?" "We will give you a certificate of honesty and fulfilled mission." "Should anything untoward happen, make use of my opinion and gratitude for what you've done for me throughout these years." "Thank you very much." "It's time to go." "Do not forget me." "Come over." "Sister Leonia chose the secular life." "For many years Father Stanislaw was Rector of the parish of Lubaczéw." "In 1956, Cardinal Wyszynski was allowed to return to Warsaw, where he was the Primate of Poland until 1981." "Stefan Wyszynski has gone down as the Primate of the Millennium in the memory of the Poles." "Subtitles :" "Jerzy Siemasz"