I understand. A sad story.
You will see my boy,
our welfare institutions...
...will rekindle the light of hope in your heart.
Excuse me, Mr Mayor.
Perhaps it would be better...
...to place the boy with a family.
But ... an orphanage?
I wasn't thinking of an orphanage, my dear Major.
but our small urban boarding school,
which, thanks to the great generosity of our citizens,
has been opened.
Even if it's small, it's still a boarding school.
I would rather say...
...a large family, patriarchal, and very modern.
A first-class institution, offering an excellent education.
Yes.
Normally, that would be a good solution.
Don't you agree?
Good. I'll get my secretary to arrange it.
Excuse me, Major.
You'll see. Things wil be all right.
I would feel good with you.
But we're in a war! You must understand.
Anyway, in a boarding school you can learn things.
A long way from danger.
But a long way from Rico, my only friend.
You'll find new friends, of your own age.
I don't want friends of my own age. I want Rico.
While Rico is serving the Fatherland,
you'll have to do without him.
Take this. It's not much, but you'll need it.
Thank you.
Are you leaving tomorrow?
This afternoon.
The train goes at 5.
When we get there, Rico will write to you.
That won't be possible.
Rico can't write.
Then I'll write to you, even if that's not quite the same thing.
So! I'll leave now.
Goodbye, Major.
Goodbye.
Is that your elephant?
Yes, Mr Secretary.
But he's not an elephant, he's a dog.
He's called Pin.
- Will I be all right in the boarding school? - Of course.
You'll have enough to eat, and a bed to sleep in,
And a headshave, so you don't get lice.
Stop walking so fast, you stupid beastl!
You'll be chained up soon enough.
Chained up? Are you taking us to prison?
No, to the dog pound.
No, I don't want that!
He'll have everything he needs.
What do you mean? Where's he going?
To doggy heaven!
Blest are the canines, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Are they going to put him down?
How should I know?
Pin, did you hear that?
Run!
Come back! You and that damned beast!
Come back, do you hear? Come back!
For the first time in our history,
after hundreds of internal divisions,
oppression and slavery,
begins this struggle for a unified nation!
From Sicily to the Alps,
from Trient to Trieste!
Italy! Italy!
Pin, this way!
Hey, you! Where do you think you're going?
To Major Lupo.
They've already left for the station.
The train will be leaving soon.
Major, we're ready to depart.
Thank you. Let's go.
Come on!
It doesn't matter, Pin.
We'll still find them.
We'll find them.
You can't sleep, either, Pin?
Mama used to read me a bedtime story,
about a Queen who couldn't have children.
That always sent me to sleep.
I still remember how it began.
Shall I tell you it?
So...
"There was once a king and a queen..."
"...who had no children."
"The queen was desperate,"
"so one day they went to see a witch."
"And she said:"
Oh, no!
This place is crawling with fleas!
Let's get out of here. Quick!
These damned fleas!
We've probably got lice as well!
What are you doing, grandfather?
Are there no people there?
There are people, but no one's listening.
Play them a soldiers' song.
A soldiers' song? No.
We make music so that people can forget this damned war.
Then something patriotic?
We'll try some Verdi.
I'll play along on the tambourine.
No, not the tambourine.
- You don't suit it. - Then you play the harmonica!
No, no.
"Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus,
that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans."
"Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades,
and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures,"
Nena!
"for so were the counsels of Jove...
...fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus..."
Grandfather, what is it?
Who is that?
A mad little boy.
"...first fell out with one another."
"It was the son of Jove and Leto...
...who set them quarrelling,
for he was angry with the king."
"And sent a pestilence upon the host, to plague the people."
Bravo! Very nice!
So where do you come from?
From Aosta.
Is that far from here?
Yes, a long way. A very long way.
Are you alone?
My parents died in an avalanche.
Someone found me and dug me out of the snow.
I nearly died.
Perhaps that would have been better.
Don't talk nonsense, boy.
Isn't there anyone you can live with?
Only a friend.
He's called Rico.
But now he's at the front.
Pin is his dog.
Do you live here?
As long as no one chases us away!
Come, grandfather.
I'm going to the chemist's, grandfather.
I'll come with you.
Poor grandfather suffers from rheumatism.
He can't sleep without tablets.
Pain-killers.
But can you leave him alone?
At home he's looked after.
Here we are. Here's the chemist's.
Pin, you stay outside and be good.
Is anyone here?
What would you like?
Some aspirin, please.
Stay inside!
You need another ten cents. They've gone up.
Everything's going up. The tablets come from Germany.
I hope we can still get them,
now the war's begun.
What's the matter? You haven't said a word.
Sorry. I was thinking about that officer.
Why?
Didn't you hear how they were whispering in the back room?
Why shouldn't they whisper? I often do that when I speak to people.
They're probably having an affair.
Could you understand anything?
Something about a river crossing, and a barrage.
And she told him to come back at eleven.
Then she'd be alone, as before.
Is that good?
No idea. He must be her boyfriend.
You make it sound funny.
Aren't we friends, too?
But not like those two!
What do you mean?
Do you think they're engaged?
No way! She's a married woman.
Her husband's always away.
I'm sure you're very educated...
...but you have no idea of real life.
- When did you last eat? - Two days ago.
More like two weeks!
Do you want to stay with us?
We'll make food for two stretch to three.
You can teach me that beautiful poem.
I'm sorry,
but I can't. I must find my friend, Rico.
But didn't you say he was at the front?
Yes. That's where I'm going.
I know the commander of his batallion.
I bet he'll take me on.
But ... at the front?
Aren't you afraid of the war?
Me? No.
Neither am I.
You're children.
You can't imagine what war is like.
Yes, I can. It's fighting and shooting.
Come! Come here.
Look at me.
Look at me! Don't turn away.
You see? This is what war is like.
What's the matter, boy?
Have you lost your tongue?
Which war was it?
Abyssinia.
1895.
That's now twenty years ago.
Twenty years.
Twenty years of pitch blackness.
I was...
...caught with my comrades in an ambush.
No one else survived.
There were spies everywhere,
who could report every movement of ours.
Nena!
What is it?
I understand all about the chemist's.
That officer. He must be a spy!
You're imagining things.
He's definitely a spy.
What are you doing?
They have an appointment for 11 o'clock. I'll watch them.
Are you mad?
There's a curfew. It's after midnight.
I heard the night bell.
Perhaps they're still there.
And if he's really a spy? What will you do then?
I'll report them.
I'll come with you.
No, better not.
But why do you want to?
For my own sake.
Pin, you stay here.
You can't come. It's too dangerous.
...And they're stationed here with three batteries...
...covering the foot crossing.
Then that's the worst position.
No one will expect a breakthrough.
And if everything there is secure...
Get away, Nena! They've seen us!
Quick!
Nena!
This is the end for you!
What's happening here?
You can't do this!
No! You can't do this!
Let me go!
If the boy hadn't been there,
our efforts to defend the Austrian attack would have been in vain.
You could say so, Lieutenant Rossi.
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
Can Nena and I go now?
Not yet. The General wants to see you.
He'll be here in a moment.
Tomorrow we must keep the country roads clear of traffic.
They can open again after curfew.
Make the necessary arrangements.
I rely on you.
First rank, one pace forwards!
Take aim!
Fire!
Come away from the window, children.
We didn't know.
Why did they have to be shot?
We're in a war zone.
Not far from here our soldiers are fighting for every footpath.
There's no room for pity.
Even if the man was Austrian officer,
who only fulfilled his duty and earned our respect.
Did he know you would shoot him if you caught him?
All spies know...
...what their fate can be.
You know, I can't be glad about this money.
- Think of it as a medal. - Two people had to die.
The Austrian was going to kill us! Perhaps we'd have got a medal for that.
Grandfather says: the more people you kill,
the more medals you get.
Goodbye, grandfather.
Are you really leaving us?
I must go to my friend. He's very close by.
I hope you find him.
Otherwise, come back here.
I'll wait for you.
I don't need any money.
I'll keep it for you.
And when you come back, we'll spend it together.
All right.
Come on, Pin.
Goodbye!
When the war's over, I'll come and visit you.
No, before that!
Ciao!
- It won't go, Giuseppe! - It must do!
Stop waving it to and fro like a lamb's tail!
Excuse me. Could I have some bread?
Yes. Wait here.
You've picked the right moment.
We need a strong man.
I don't understand foreign machinery.
These people have something against us!
They cause us all sorts of trouble.
You'd think they didn't want to be liberated!
Coringrato, here, here!
No, under! Under!
Watch out that it doesn't slip away.
If we don't hurry, we'll get to hear from Major Lupo !
You're from Major Lupo's battalion?
Why do you ask?
I'm trying to get to him.
Can you take me with you?
He probably thinks we're mail coachmen.
What do you want with him?
There's a war on, guns firing, boom, boom!
Quiet! Did you hear it?
Stop that hammering!
Austrian prisoners.
Hey! Why are you doffing your hat? Put it back on!
Or I'll make your wife a widow, understood?
Come, Pin! Come up here!
Now get under!
Bloz! Get over here!
In life, everything passes. Even this.
All right, look under the hay.
Get on with it! Stick your fork in it.
Lieutant, there's a huge beast in there!
- Get down off the wagon! - Have you gone mad?
What are you doing here? Fetch Girardet!
Look at what's hidden in the hay!
They've come from Aosta!
What are you doing here with us?
You're a right one!
Come on, Pin, get down.
Don't stand there like a drowned poodle!
I know it's not your fault. Dismissed!
No, wait.
- Have you told Girardet? - Yes, sir.
Girardet, what are you doing? You're supposed to salute!
And take your cap off!
Leave us.
Salt of the earth!
The Montenegran mists blot out the sun,
and what comes to reinforce us?
A boy and a dog.
Bravo! You've brought us a cold as well!
What is it with you?
You're in safe hands, far away from the war.
We give you a warm bed, food, drink...
...books, an education!
And what do you do?
It wasn't that. They were going to shave my head
and put Pin down!
You want to play the hero at the front?
No, I just want to be with you.
You want to be with us?
What does that mean?
I'm talking to you!
Rude, too, hmm!
I came to be with Rico, and with you.
But fine, I'm not wanted.
Halt! Stay here!
Where are you going?
Let's see what can be done.
And you, don't stand there like an idiot.
Make sure he gets something dry to wear.
Forwards! Get out of here! March!
As you command, Major!
So! That's fixed.
Now try these.
- Now he can go on parade! - That's right!
That's got to fit. How does it feel?
A bit loose.
The army doesn't usually take dwarves.
- I'm not a dwarf! - Then you're a half-pint.
Now for the jacket. Here!
The arms, Coringrato. Where are the arms?
- And we need some braces. - Braces are not part of military uniform.
Some braces, and they'll sit perfect.
No, no, no, no.
Look at that heroic chest!
We want to see him with the cap!
With the cap!
Where's the cap, Coringrato?
If you want to make him a laughing- stock, leave me out of it.
There's no bigger laughing- stock than you!
An Alpino from Capri!
Yes, I was born on an island in the middle of the sea,
but I like climbing on the rocks.
Fits like a glove!
Well? What do you think?
Satisfied?
Only so-so?
Enter!
Oh, it's you.
Come closer.
I asked you to come here...
...because of Mino.
Sit down.
I've thought about it.
There's not much can be done.
Sit down.
For now, we'll keep him here.
Unfortunately, he showed up on the eve of the offensive.
It would more complicated...
...sending him back than keeping him here.
He's completely alone.
This is not a kindergarten.
Even if it sometimes seems like it.
Listen carefully.
You are responsible for Mino.
And woe to you if anything happens to him.
If I see him playing cards...
...or drinking Grappa...
... or if I hear him cursing. Then you'll spend a month in the klink.
But Major, I can't...
No "buts"!
It's your fault he's here.
He wanted to see you.
What's going on out there?
"Kindergarten", didn't I say?
In case you hadn't noticed, sir,
the sky has cleared.
Good weather for a journey.
Indeed it is, Cirasola.
I'll be grateful when I find my son's body.
The snow will have melted.
I hope to find it.
Captain, pain is like a vampire.
Sooner or later it will kill you.
It sucks the blood out of the veins.
We'll see each other in ten days.
Certainly, Captain. And all the best!
- Have you got anything for me? - No, nothing.
- Again nothing? - No, again nothing.
Excuse me.
Is the pass to the mountain hospice open?
Sure, but better not go on foot.
I'll take you on my wagon for a reasonable price.
Thank you.
There they are, the rucksacks.
You don't find this sort in Aosta.
That's a child's rucksack!
Where did you get it from?
From Bastian. He lives up in the mountains.
It must be his nephew's.
Listen, this is very important to me.
What does his nephew look like?
Brown eyes, brown hair...
He came here once with Rico, Bastian's brother.
And he bought an old print.
An oil painting of Milan Cathedral.
Can you take me to this Bastian?
I could.
But only half way. The rest you'll have to do on foot.
That doesn't matter. Take me there.
Want something to drink?
Yes, he was here for a time.
Then he vanished.
If Rico was still here... My brother.
They always went around together.
They got on well together.
And no sooner was Rico gone...
...that he thought: Well, now it's over with the splendour.
Then he left without a word.
He never spoke to me.
Always to Rico.
As if THEY were the brothers, and not Rico and me.
Where is Rico now?
Are you sad?
A bit.
Can I stay with you now?
Don't you want to eat?
What about you?
Mino. Here, you can learn how to sew buttons!
What are you sewing onto your shirt?
Maybe tomorrow you won't need to do it any more.
Maybe they'll measure you one out of wood.
If I die, I want to look my best!
Are you dreaming? He had the seven of diamonds!
So what? Then he had the seven of diamonds.
If you're so keen on winning, play with someone else.
It's no fun with people like you.
Write...
Yes?
Write...
"I hope you're well,"
"and say hello to everyone from me."
"From me..."
And write: "I'm doing fine."
And then ask her...
...if she'll write to me about Luigi.
If he's being a good son.
She can tell me how he is.
Got it?
Do you want some?
No, thanks.
What are you doing with that flag?
They can use it in Austria to cover our graves...
...when we're in them.
When does it begin?
Tonight.
Early tomorrow we attack.
I'm coming with you.
I've already told you. War is not for children.
Nor for grown-ups.
When you come back, you must tell me everything.
Ah! Do you remember?
Agreed?
Certainly, General!
Agreed.
Very good.
What's the matter with you?
Nothing.
Pull yourself together, lad. Chin up!
42nd! 42nd! Can you hear me?
Two minutes to hour "X".
Or one-and-a-half.
Go to your station, Captain.
Wait for the signal.
- Let's hope it goes well. - Yes, Major.
41st Company!
Fix bayonets!
Everything's going to be different.
First, our troops will push them back,
and then we can stay here.
And now I have an Alpino uniform.
Do you see, Pin?
The magic thread.
It goes in there, and carries the voices...
...all the way to the trenches, where Rico is.
Attack! Forwards!
Rico!
Ciao, Mino.
No!
Don't, Rico,don't!
Don't!
You can't die! No!
Rico, don't leave me alone!
Rico, please!
Yes, General, we took the position, but...
Thank you, General, but...
...but we lost many men.
I need reinforcements immediately.
I see.
We'll do our best.
Certainly, General. Thank you.
Rico once saved my life.
Yes, I know.
What happens to Pin without Rico?
Will you send us away?
Here. Wipe your nose.
You'll send us away.
Me and Pin.
You sent for me, Major.
Did I? Oh, yes.
Captain...
...I wanted to congratulate you. Your men fought bravely.
Thank you!
But you, Captain, you didn't follow my orders.
Major, I thought I should make the most of our advance.
We could have pushed the Austrians further back!
With so few men?
You would have needed more men, with covering fire from behind.
I thought I had command of a fighting unit.
Not a stretcher party.
Captain!
If you play the hero without permission,
you'll have enough opportunity for that!
But while I'm in command, you'll stick faithfully to my orders.
Yes, sir.
You can go.
No, no.
I won't send you away.
I'll try to keep you here.
I just hope my superiors don't get to hear about it.
Otherwise it won't be good.
But you must promise me:
What you did today, you'll never do again.
You do not leave the camp.
Weren't you afraid?
No.
Well, well.
I was afraid. Very afraid.
I lied.
I WAS afraid.
Mino!
Come here, will you?
It'll only take a minute.
Will you read this for me?
It's from my son, Martino.
"Dear Papa,"
"I'm writing to you from Tourmour."
"As agreed, Mama took me to the market
and hired me out for three months."
"For 24 lire, a pair of shoes and a kilo of wool."
"Life here is hard, but you'll soon be back."
"Because my papa is stronger than..."
A Russian larch.
Did he write that?
Yes. What does it mean?
It's a saying. "As strong as a Russian larch."
He's right.
"What do you always say?"
"Us mountain people..."
Us mountain people can't be crushed!
Nothing can harm us.
"We'll see each other again soon."
"Soon we'll all be together."
"Me, you and Mama."
"Like before."
"Bye. See you soon."
Thank you, Mino.
Beautiful, isn't it?
Saint Joseph looks profound.
Just because he has a beard?
No, really!
Maybe.
But not unsaintly.
You know, for many years I was almost married.
It's peeling off.
Perhaps I would have had a son.
Yes. About your age.
Was she beautiful?
Yes.
She was.
And why did nothing come of it?
I thought that marriage was not for me.
And I still think that.
But it's not good to be alone.
And you can't have children if you're not married.
No, you're right.
At least...
It's the safest way.
Mama always said,
If I hadn't been there, she would have withered away.
Is that possible?
What do you think?
Does that happen?
You know,
something like that is possible.
Look at Mary.
How happy she is, although she had many cares.
Perhaps she would have withered away,
if she hadn't had Jesus as her son.
Like these flowers.
Come in.
Captain Michele Rasi, 44th Artillery Regiment.
I was informed of your visit.
Pleased to meet you. Do sit down.
What can I do for you, Captain?
I won't take up much of your time, Major.
I must speak to the Alpino Batallion.
A certain Rico Girardet.
I don't know any Girardet.
He should be in the mountains near Montenegro.
You must mean Major Lupo's batallion.
That was disbanded four days ago.
You can't tell me any more?
I can't help you any more.
You must contact the High Command of the Alpini.
Many thanks, anyway.
No need to thank me.
Captain!
Yes, Major?
Perhaps you should visit the military burial-place first.
Lupo's batallion suffered heavy losses in an attack on Montenegro.
Thank you. I will go there.
Just how many songs do you know?
Sopranzi, sort this out, will you?
Four cases of woollens,
eighty pairs of underpants...
Who are you, then? I don't know you.
Sartori, Andrea. Reserves.
You see? Now they're sending us bottled children!
Have you got any cigarettes?
Do you think we're playing at war here?
Yes, bring the next case!
Twenty-four books entitled "Preventing Alcohol Abuse."
What's that mean? There's no such thing as alcohol abuse.
Terenzi, shall I send these books back?
Alpino Sopranzi, what are you playing at now?
Obedience and silence.
Splendid! So then, if you'd be obedient and silent...
What's this here?
What?
A present from the Queen and the Queen Mother.
Two gramophones,
thirty-six records,
twelve boxes of needles,
ten games of Lotto,
four games of checkers,
Does she think we Alpini are here on holiday?
Sopranzi!
Thirty sets of Dominos, five games of chess.
Sopranzi!
If you'll give me the paper- work, I must get back.
Or I'll get it in the neck from my Captain.
That tedious old Rasi?
No, he's been transferred.
What did you say? What's the Captain called?
Rasi.
- What's his first name? - I don't know.
- What does he look like? - Like a man. Two arms, two legs...
Hey, you! Answer the question!
For this boy, it's very important.
Brown hair, quite thin, about forty.
Is he married? Does he have children? Is he from Milan?
I'm sorry. That's all I know.
But Picella, the Alpino who brought me here, used to be his orderly.
And where is Picella now?
He was sent to the trenches.
You're out of your mind!
I beg you!
If Lupo hears about it, we'll be on a charge.
Lupo's at divisional headquarters. He won't be back for ages.
Take me with you!
Captain Favero's even worse. The Yanks would call him "a son of a bitch."
What does that mean? "Son of a..."
I know what that means!
I'll ask this Picella, and let you know.
I can't wait. Please!
And what about Don Giuliano?
I'll clear it with Don Giuliano.
Oh, all right then.
We're leaving soon.
Yes, sir! I'll be there!
If we think Mino's mad, what would people say of us?
You're having me on! It's madness!
But it's for a good cause, Father.
Yes, you say that...
All right, when you get there, give this to the boys.
And tell Coringrato that I didn't find Saint Genato.
- Saint Genato? - He uses another saint for his miracles.
- Don't they all do miracles? - Yes, if you deserve it.
- Come on, Mino! We're leaving! - I'm coming!
- Look after yourself. - Yes, yes.
You're taking Grappa up there?
Is it a holiday?
Tomorrow there's a holiday.
Which holiday?
In honour of "Saint Attacus"!
Don Giuliano? Is there a Saint Attacus?
What did you say?
You were pulling my leg again!
Pin, stay here. Look after him.
Forwards!
Stop a moment.
There! Put this round your neck.
Americano had a spare.
It's on a clasp,
so it won't lose fall off easily.
And no one will miss it, either.
Bloz...
...are you afraid?
Me? Of what?
Of dying.
"A dead soldier can be no victor."
Why do they give you Grappa before each attack?
Because of the spirit inside. It gives you courage.
Like Don Giuliano's saint. He's full of spirit, too.
Do you know where Picella is?
He arrived this morning.
Picella! Someone's asking for you!
What is it?
They told us you were Captain Rasi's orderly.
How are things with his wife and son?
- Who are you talking about? - About Captain Rasi. Michele Rasi.
In the first place, he's not married and, as far as I know, he doesn't have a son.
And, anyway, he's not called Michele. He's called Giuseppe.
Giuseppe Rasi.
Then there must be a mix-up. Apologies.
I'm going down on foot.