The Fugitive

The following photoplay is timeless.

The story is a true story.

It is also a very old story that is first told in the Bible.

It is timeless and topical.

It is still being played in many parts of the world.

This picture was made in our neighbouring republic of Mexico

at the kind invitation of the Mexican government

and motion picture industry. But the locale is not Mexico,

nor is it supposed to be confused with Mexico.

It is merely a small state, a thousand miles north or south of the Panama Canal

Who knows?

HINGES CREAK

Who are you?

Why are you here?

I belong here.

No.

No.

I know all the men in this village.

Are you from the...police?

I'm hiding from the police.

Oh...

You're a criminal.

Did you steal?

Or did you kill somebody?

No.

I'm a priest.

This was my church.

Please.

What's your name?

Maria Dolores.

And your baby's name?

My name. Maria Dolores.

And your husband?

I have no husband, Father.

This one has not been baptised.

Could you give her a name, Father?

So when she grows up to be married in a church

she can be called by name.

Will there be churches again, Father?

We must hope so.

In the village they have no hope.

They say the priests have all left us,

that the Church is dead.

In the village are many babies that have not been baptised.

Is that why you have been sent here, Father?

Perhaps.

But you are not afraid.

Yes. I am afraid.

Go and summon the others. Tell them to bring their babies.

They would not come for me, Father.

The men, yes.

The women, no.

Perhaps they will come for me.

BELL CLANGS

BELL CLANGS

BELL CLANGS

SHE MOUTHS

# Agua bendita

# Agua bendita

# Sol de la gloria

# Sol de la gloria

# Dulce promesa

# Dulce promesa

# Promesa

# Lava mi culpa

# Lava mi culpa

# Cuida mi alma

# Cuida mi alma

# Dame la luna

# Dame la luna

# Y la devocion

# Y la devocion

# Con este alma

# Con este alma

# Le salvaremos

# Le salvaremos

# Con tu esperanza

# Con tu esperanza

# Y tu caridad

# Agua bendita

# Agua bendita

# Cuerda del cielo

# Salva nuestra

# Salvanos, nuestra, nuestra

-# Felicidad

-# Felicidad

CHORUS: # Agua bendita

# Cuerda del cielo

# Agua bendita... #

Maria Dolores, I baptise thee...

FOGHORN BLARES

FOGHORN BLARES

FOGHORN BLARES

Atteeention!

Detail...

diiis-mount!

Diiis-missed!

Where's the chief of police?

I wouldn't know.

You...get out of here!

All right. Bring these people in.

-Drunk and disorderly.

-Fine five pesos.

-Drunk and disorderly.

-Five pesos.

-Alcohol in his possession.

-20 pesos.

Your excellency, I have no money.

I am not "your excellency"!

Won't you people ever learn?

I'm an Indian like you are.

Like you. And like you.

And I'm proud of it.

Stand up straight.

Let him work it off cleaning out the cells.

Wearing a holy medal under his shirt.

60 days in the bull pen.

What of the rest?

All drunk.

-Dismiss them.

-OK. Come on, outside. Come on. Hurry up.

Everybody outside. Hurry up.

CHEERING

Thank you for doing my work.

Somebody's got to carry on. Well, where were you?

With the governor.

He's in splendid health.

You don't look very happy.

The governor and I are friends. We understand each other.

He asked a few questions about you.

About me? What about me?

Well, he had a copy of your report on his desk.

You know how he feels about the clergy.

I feel the same way. We shot the last priest six months ago.

-The governor doesn't think so.

-Well, he's wrong!

The last priest was shot six months ago.

Do you wish to argue with the governor? That's stupid.

He gets information we don't get. There's no doubt about it.

What's the name of this priest?

What's his village? What's his parish? Where was he born?

That's the trouble. Nobody knows anything when it comes to these traitors.

Nobody talks. No-one knows their name.

They go from village to village. People hide them.

Superstitious fools. They'd do anything to hide a priest.

How can we find a man without a photograph?

The governor says we have got one.

You can tell he's a priest by the collar, that's all.

The picture's the best we have.

They look alike. I've shot him a dozen times.

We must have him before the rains come.

I know how to get this man before the rains come.

Do you know what I'll do? Take hostages.

Take a hostage from every village.

And if the people don't report him,

if they don't turn him in, shoot the hostages.

Then take more. It'll cost lives, yes,

but we've got to drive these people out of the country.

HE PLAYS GUITARRILLO

# Pobrecito guajirito

# Pobrecito guajirito

# Que se queda sin cena

# Por en tarde enamorado

# Lo teniamos encerrado

# Y lo vamos a matar

# La vecina de Gonchuto

# Dice que le gusta mucho

# Porque es muy facil amar

# Pues cantaba siendo nueva

# A las cuatro de la gaviota

# Que teniamos amado? #

WHOOPING

GIRL SCREAMS

SCREAMING

HE LAUGHS

BABY CRIES

What are you doing here?

Why did you leave your village?

My father made me leave...

..after you left.

I meant to come back.

I had work to do.

We're making a better world, Maria Dolores... For him, too.

It's a girl... Like me.

What's her name?

My name.

Maria Dolores.

How do you live?

Do you work?

I work...in the canteen.

Ah, Lieutenant.

Ay, you, what are you doing here? Get out of here!

BABY CRIES

I've got them all corralled in the plaza.

Are you the head man of the village?

-Si, senor.

-You know what we're here for, don't you?

We're looking for the priest.

Do you know what a priest is?

A traitor to the state.

Anyone who hides him is a traitor, too.

I know he's here. This was his village.

Up there was his church.

This is a very rich village.

It has lots of wax candles.

They were burned last night. There was water in the font.

Where's the priest? Point him out.

You superstitious fools.

Do you still believe what the priests told you?

All they wanted was money. What did they give you?

Anything to eat? Did they feed your children? No!

They filled you full of lies.

They talked about heaven, and said to be meek and humble.

Everything would be fine when you die.

They want you to die, not live.

They preach against the revolution because we want you to live, not die.

Where's the priest? Point him out.

There's a reward of £1,000 pesos. Point him out!

Why don't you trust me?

I'll find this priest. Do you know why?

We're taking hostages. Give up the priest, or we'll shoot them.

Can't you see I'm one of you?

I'm doing this for your own good.

This priest is a coward.

If he was half the man you think, he'd give himself up to save you.

Is it worth hiding a man like this?

Why don't you trust me? Give him up.

I don't want to see any of you die.

You're my own people. Can't you understand I want to give you everything?

All right.

I'll take you.

No! No!

No.

No.

Your excellency, take me.

Why should I take you?

He has a family. They need him. I'm no good. Take me.

If you're no good as a man, you're no good as a hostage.

What will you do now, Father?

I'll go to Puerto Grande.

Sell the mule.

Take a boat. Get out of the country.

It's better that I go, Maria Dolores.

I haven't been a good priest.

I don't understand, Father.

I'm afraid I don't understand myself.

Be careful of the police, Father.

Oh, what a fine mule.

A beautiful mule.

You must be rich.

Have you come a long way?

-How far is it to Puerto Grande?

-Two or three days.

With a mule like that, maybe one day.

Why do you want to go to Puerto Grande?

I have business there.

What a beautiful bag.

What do you have in the bag?

Jewels? Money?

A pistol, maybe.

Who is that man?

El Gringo. A very brave man.

He held up a gringo bank - stole 100, killed two or three people.

-Very brave.

-Who put that up there?

Why, the police. That's their business.

How long ago were they here?

Oh, two or three days. Don't worry. They won't come back.

Do you think I'm worried?

Why do you ask about the police?

I'm sorry if I offended you about the police.

Don't go. Stay. It's better. The river - it's nice.

It's too hot to travel!

Ah, you went so fast, you almost lost me.

-What do you want?

-I'm going to Puerto Grande on business.

It's more safe to travel together. Me, I can protect you.

You wouldn't refuse me, would you, sir?

-Why did you call me sir?

-I can see you are an educated man.

But you're tired. There's a place we can stop and you can sleep.

-I'm in a hurry.

-Why? It's not good. It's dangerous to travel at night.

Gringos, wild animals, snakes - they eat you up.

-They never touch me because I am a poor man.

-I am a poor man.

Oh, no, you have a mule, costly clothes, a rich bag full of money.

But you have no gun to protect you.

Oh, you have a light.

Isn't it beautiful?

A wax candle.

They cost a lot... real wax.

It's the kind they used to have in the churches.

I haven't seen one since the old days.

That makes everything fine.

It's nice to be comfortable.

It must be wonderful to be rich.

Go ahead, sleep. You're tired.

I will watch.

I'm never tired.

Why are you going to the city?

I'm keeping you company. I'm protecting you.

I'm your guide.

You said you had business there.

Me?! When did I say that? Why should I tell you lies?

I'm giving up my time to help you, to guide you.

You would get lost.

You don't trust me, just because I'm trying to do you a good turn!

Because I'm trying to be a good Christian you don't trust me.

You don't trust me.

Ah, good wine. I never had wine like that before.

What a lovely taste.

It's against the law to have wine. See, I'm protecting you.

What's the matter?

It wasn't consecrated, was it?

The wine wasn't blessed...

was it, Father?

-Why do you call me "father"?

-Don't be afraid. I'm a good Christian.

You're wrong.

I can find out easily, can't I?

All I have to say is, "Hear my confession, Father."

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

You cannot refuse a man in mortal sin, can you, Father?

The light! Don't!

Don't! Father!

Father!

Father!

FOGHORN BLARES

One third class.

FOGHORN BLARES

Well?

-My change. I have six pesos coming.

-What change?

Do you accuse me of being a thief?

Move on. Move on!

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

FOGHORN BLARES

< Father?

< Father!

Please, Father.

Why do you call me "father"?

Don't you know me, Father?

I'm Luis.

You gave me first communion.

My mother, she...she is dying.

HORN BLARES

SHIP'S BELL RINGS

FOGHORN BLARES

INCIDENTAL MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

I have no wine for the Mass.

Is there any in the house?

It's forbidden, Father.

I can't say Mass without wine.

It would be better if I went with him.

ANIMATED CONVERSATION

ORGAN-GRINDER PLAYS

ORGAN DROWNS SPEECH

HE MOUTHS

ORGAN-GRINDER STOPS PLAYING

MUSIC FROM RECORD PLAYER

BELL RINGS

He's a very big man. He's a cousin of the governor.

He can get you brandy.

-I don't want brandy.

-What do you want?

-I told you - wine.

-Wine is hard to get.

It's got to be wine.

So, you want some brandy, do you?

It's against the law.

Not brandy. I don't want brandy.

Isn't beer good enough for you? I could have you arrested.

-I wouldn't have troubled you if this man hadn't told me.

-Hey! Just a minute.

Come here.

I'm not a hard man. Sit down. Sit down.

To the contrary,

I always try to oblige my friends...

when it is in my power and does no harm.

I have a position.

You understand? This drink comes to me legally.

-Of course.

-I charge what they cost me.

-Of course.

-Otherwise I would be a ruined man.

Of course, your excellency.

Are you a talker?

He's my cousin. Not directly, by marriage.

His wife is related to my uncle's sister.

I don't mind you're telling the right people, understand?

-Here. This is good stuff.

-That's brandy, excellency.

-Very good brandy.

-But I don't want brandy. I want wine.

In these days you take what you get.

I think I'd rather have my 20 pesos back.

-How much?

-20 pesos.

Ugh!

How about two bottles of brandy?

One brandy and one wine, excellency, please.

-It's the finest brandy.

-I'm a wine drinker. I long for wine.

How about a bottle of gin?

Oh, no. Wine, excellency, please.

I was saving this for the chief of police. He's a great lover of wine.

-Take it or leave it.

-Thank you, excellency. Thank you.

Will you honour us by having a drink with us?

I don't mind. It's a hot night. I'll fix you up.

Ah, here we are. Here we are.

Ah, no. Wait, wait.

It's too hot for brandy.

I haven't had a glass of wine in a long time.

Come here. You don't mind if we sample it, do you?

Of course he don't mind.

He wants wine. You don't care where you drink it, eh, cousin?

-Ah, here we are.

-If you'll excuse me, I think I'll have brandy.

THEY BOTH LAUGH

What did I tell you? Brandy is what he wanted all the time. I knew it.

Here's to a great man, our governor.

Very good.

To my cousin, on my mother's side.

HE SINGS: "Largo Al Factotum, The Barber Of Seville" by Rossini

# Figaro

# Figaro

# Figaro, figaro, figaro... #

Shut up!

# Figaro...! #

Care for another drink, excellency?

# If you cheat

# If you cheat

# I'll try the wine now

# It's smoother than the brandy. #

Excellency, here you are.

Please.

Cousin, what's wrong?

I'll take some of that wine home.

-What for?

-For my friend.

Oh, you have a friend?

Once I had a friend myself.

My mother.

Sit down here, I'll tell you all about it.

Although now she's dead, you know.

Oh? With your permission?

Thank you. Thank you very much.

I think I'll try another one.

In fact, in the future I'll drink nothing else but wine.

How about yourself?

No, thank you. The brandy is much better.

That's right.

That's right! I'll try both.

# Oh-oh

# Oh, oh, oh, try both. #

WOMAN LAUGHS

Come in, come in.

Ah, never mind. We are having a little private party.

Care for a little drink? What have you got?

Wine and brandy. Try both. Very smooth.

What the gringos call a cocktail, I believe.

< Well, I don't mind.

This gentleman isn't drinking.

Oh, here, here.

Here, have a sip.

Have a sip.

That's the thing.

That'll cheer you up.

Another one.

Like a real man.

HE COUGHS

< ORGAN MUSIC

< GOVERNOR'S COUSIN: We want singing!

< GOVERNOR'S COUSIN SINGS

< # Figaro!

< # Figaro. #

CACOPHONY OF MUSIC AND SINGING

HE COUGHS

Brandy, eh?

Let's go.

Take him to the bull pen.

Attention!

-Another one?

-Brandy, sir.

Brandy? I see no brandy.

-You can smell it.

-I can smell your breath.

Take his name, Sergeant.

Get up!

Bull pen.

Haven't I seen you before?

Get up!

SHRIEKING AND WAILING

SHRIEKING CONTINUES

MARTIAL DRUM BEAT

What are you doing here, Father?

Who caught you? Who gets the reward?

-The man who caught me, I suppose.

-Who? Who!

-The police.

Traitors! So that's why they got me drunk.

Don't believe a soul these days.

Father, you're an educated man. Advise me.

-Where are they taking him?

-Forget him.

I'm poor. I have much to worry about.

-It's your duty to help me.

-Tell them now. They'll give you something.

Something! Why shouldn't I get it all, Father? It's mine.

Help me, advise me.

Hey, you. Come here.

The captain wants to see you.

-Where are they taking HIM?

-Through the town. It impresses the people.

Stay away from that man.

Brandy, eh?

Very, very serious.

Against the law, you know.

Where's the evidence?

Oh, yes.

The lieutenant broke the bottle. Too bad.

Ask him where he got it.

At the Hotel Splendide.

A poor man like this? At the Splendide?

You got it from a stranger, didn't you?

Yes.

You don't know his name, do you?

No.

< HE CLICKS HEELS

He work all his time?

He's all right.

Dismissed.

All right, fella. All right.

Father, here I am.

TINKLE OF COINS

Father!

Father!

Father!

Father!

DOG BARKS

Father!

Father!

Did you see the priest? I mean, a man.

I was a rich man. I had a million pesos.

Why did I trust him?

Father!

MAN SINGS SONG

# Ya me voy porque tu ya no me quires

# Como yo te quiro

# Adios, chaparita...

# Yo me voy para tierras muy lejanas

# Y ya nunca volvere

# Adios, mi vida

# La causa de mi dolores

# La vere entre

# Las flores

# Y al cantarte mis dolores

# Mi carino, pues...

# Adios. #

It's OK, sister. Give the change to...

Good night, Father.

Please.

Father, we thought you had gone.

We thought you had left this land.

It was not to be.

You must get over the mountains.

That's the only way now.

I'll go with you.

We must start right away.

If I could sleep...

I'll get you some food.

But we must start right away.

Please.

I'm going with you because I know the way.

Besides, we will be in less danger.

They will think I'm your wife and Maria Dolores your baby.

I hope you're not offended, Father.

Are you?

You're not angry, Father?

BABY CRIES

Ssshh.

COCK CROWS

DOG BARKS

HORSES APPROACH

Father!

HORSES PASS BY

< WHOOPING

What's in there?

My baby. Please! She's asleep.

Keep watch for New Boots, will you?

What have you got under here? A priest, maybe?

Maybe a sergeant.

Maybe a drink for a sergeant, huh?

BABY CRIES

Viejo!

How about a little cup, eh?

MAN PLAYS GUITAR

Hey, what have you got in there?

A kiss for a sergeant maybe, huh?

Perhaps.

Awful noisy out here. Let's go inside.

Come on. What are you afraid of?

Don't you want me to dance for you?

Dance?

Sure. Why not?

I can't dance in this dress.

OK.

Go ahead.

Father! Father!

It's the police.

You must get away.

Out through the cornfield.

Get across the river and wait for me.

BABY CRIES

Ssshh!

Sssshhh.

GUITAR INTRO

# Baila come si fuera en una guerra

# Y no me quiso llorar

# Y no me quiso llorar

# Baila como si fuera en una guerra

# Y diga a su companera Vamonos a madrugar... #

Yeee-haa!

WHOOPING

# ..el caballos que estan en el camino... #

What kind of men are you?

Are you swine to be enticed by a girl who shows her legs?

I'll have your stripes, Sergeant.

And you. With your fancy dress and fair legs! What are you?

What are you?

Tell me.

I don't know, Juan Raphael.

What kind of a woman am I?

Did I hurt you, Maria Dolores?

No, Juan Raphael.

No.

GUNSHOTS

They've found the priest. Let's go.

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

BABY CRIES

Maria, quiet!

Go on, Father. Beat it.

POLICE WHISTLE

GUNSHOTS

BABY CRIES

WHOOPING

Get on the other side of that road.

Get the priest!

See anything?

WHOOPING

Five years.

It's a long time.

I know from experience.

You've shown great courage, Father.

Oh, no.

No, it wasn't courage, Doctor.

It was only pride.

Yes, I see it now.

It was pride.

The first year, well, the whole thing seemed fantastic.

I couldn't believe there was any real reason to leave the country.

Things like that have happened before.

I thought I'd stay a month and see if things got better.

And another month. And another month.

-You know how time goes by.

-Yes.

Then I began to lose grace.

I began to have pride.

I began to think I was a brave man.

Who knows? A martyr.

I suddenly realised I was the only priest left in the country.

Those who weren't shot had left.

I can't blame them. They were quite right to go.

But in my growing pride, I couldn't understand that.

-Dangerous.

-Don't be so hard on yourself, Father.

A man is entitled to a little pride.

Not in my profession.

I was building a fine lie and wearing it like a proud cloak.

The strange thing is that,

all the time,

I knew in here I wasn't cut out to be a martyr.

When the real test came,

I couldn't measure up.

I didn't have the courage.

I was afraid to give myself up.

I let men die for me.

Innocent people.

Doctor, it's time for Father's nap.

Thank you.

Thank you, Doctor.

WINDOW OPENS

Father, don't be frightened, Father. I'm your friend.

I'm here on an errand of mercy.

-Have you brought the police with you?

-The police?

No, I'm here to do good. Believe me, Father.

I want to make up for my sins.

I have two mules outside.

Hurry, Father. The man is dying.

What man?

The gringo. The Americano. The man the police want.

He robbed a bank.

You know the man I mean.

He's dying, Father. He wants you to come.

You cannot refuse a man who is dying, Father.

He has so much to confess.

He's never betrayed his friends.

Neither have I.

Neither have I!

You don't trust me.

Go away. Do you think I'm a fool?

The man is dying. He wants a priest.

You're lying.

No. No.

I'll prove it.

No, the other side.

-Will he still be alive?

-Yes! Yes, yes, Father.

Father, did you call?

Father?

Beat it, Father.

When did you last receive the sacraments?

Ten...

15 years, I guess.

Beat it, Father.

Don't you want to confess?

No.

No.

You did when you wrote this.

I...I didn't write that, Father.

Beat it.

Get out of here. Don't be a sap.

-Remember...

-Get away.

You're dying.

You're given this chance to confess. You won't have another.

-Father...

-Yes?

Father,

I can't get...get my gun

under my shoulder.

Get my gun, Father, you're going to need it.

You have no gun.

Lie still, it's not there.

Listen to me.

You believed once.

Try and understand.

This is your chance. Like the last moment. Like the thief on the cross.

You've sinned but that only belongs to this life.

Forget about me, Father.

Skip it. Skip it! Take care...

Uggh!

Oh, merciful father,

the souls of the departed

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

# Promesa

# Lava mi culpa

# Lava mi culpa

# Cuida mi alma

# Cuida mi alma

# Dame la luna

# Dame la luna

# Y la devocion

# Y la devocion

# Con este alma

# Con este alma

# Le salvaremos

# Le salvaremos. #

Have you finished?

Yes, I've finished.

You've been tried and found guilty.

-Couldn't I have been present at my own trial?

-It wouldn't have mattered.

-I...

-In the morning.

I brought you a lamp.

It's hard to be alone on a night like this.

I'd rather be alone.

I have so much to think about.

May I ask you a question, Lieutenant?

When did you lose your faith?

When I found a better one.

Look, Priest,

I have nothing against you as a man.

Oh, I know that.

I'm the sort of man you lock up every day

and give money to.

I hate your arguments.

If you see somebody in pain,

you say, "Perhaps pain is a good thing."

Now you're shivering in your boots because you're afraid of pain.

But I'm not a saint.

I'm not even a brave man.

I'm a coward.

The priesthood is large. It's tremendous.

I was always too small for it.

THUNDER CLAPS

Do you know what's very strange?

I'm beginning not to be afraid.

Even you believe in God.

-That's not true.

-Of course you believe. That's why you're afraid.

-You want to kill God but you can't do it.

-That's a lot of nonsense.

Don't tell me you're not afraid.

-Listen, do you want to die?

-No.

I can help. I'll go to the governor.

Renounce your faith. Tell the people you've been telling them lies.

I'm sorry, Lieutenant.

In the village

there's an Indian woman,

Maria Dolores.

Yes, a good woman.

You baptised her child, didn't you?

Yes.

Can I get you some brandy?

It'll make it easier in the morning.

That's very kind of you but no thanks.

It'll make you forget.

No.

I want to live my death.

Father!

Father!

CHORAL SINGING

BUGLE PLAYS REVEILLE

Ready.

Get going.

Well? That's the last one, eh?

If you want me, I'll be in the Hotel Splendide.

Squad, ho!

About face!

Are you all right?

Yes, thank you.

Forward, huh!

Your blessing, Father. Your blessing.

-You can't sell a blessing.

-Forward!

Go home and pray. Give the money to the poor.

March!

MUTTERED PRAYERS

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

KNOCK ON DOOR

KNOCK ON DOOR

I am the new priest.

I am Father Serra.

Subtitles by Lisa Bloomer and Patrick McDonnell, ITFC, for BBC Subtitling - 2000

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