ALEXANDER NEVSKY
Mosfilm Studios
1938
Scenario: Pyotr Pavlenko
Sergei Eisenstein
Directed by: Sergei Eisenstein
Dimitri Vasiliev
Director of photography:
Eduard Tissé
Original score by
Sergei Prokofiev
Lyrics: Vladimir Lugovskoi
Prince Alexander Nevsky, son
of Yaroslav - N. Cherkasov
Vasily Buslai - N. Okhlopkov
Gavrilo Olexich - A. Abrikosov
Master of the Teuton Order -
V. Ershov
The 13th century.
Knights of the Teuton Order
invaded Russia from the West.
Russia's vast and rich lands
beckoned an invader.
The German aggressors expected
an easy victory over our people:
Russia was still recovering
from the Mongol bloodbath.
The countryside was sown with
the debris of bloody battles.
- The Pleshcheevo Lake -
There was a battle
on the Neva River.
A battle on the wide Neva.
There we fought a vast
and vicious enemy.
A cruel adversary,
the Swedish host.
The bloody battle raged on.
We broke their ships
into matchsticks.
We spilled our blood
like water.
All for the sake of our land,
the great Mother Russia...
To your knees!
Who are you?
Who were you looking for?
Why are you hitting him?
What's all that shouting?
You are scaring the fish!
Halt!
Don't you start fighting!
A guest who enters a house
does not strike its owners.
Who are you?
The Prince of this land,
Alexander.
Is that you they call
"Nevsky"?
Yes.
Are you the one who
defeated the Swedes?
So what are you doing here?
Fishing.
Couldn't you find anything
better to do?
What's wrong with fishing?
We shall build a fleet and sail
to trade overseas. Right?
Come to us, to
the Golden Horde.
We will make you
a general.
We need warlords.
We have a saying:
"It's better to die than
to leave your homeland."
The Russian lands
we shall never surrender.
Whoever rises against Russia,
will be smitten.
Russia had risen on the enemy
at the Novgorod field of glory.
The Mongols are a hard-necked
people, a strong people.
It won't be easy
fighting them.
Is there a will
for the fight?
It is time to avenge the
deaths of our forefathers...
The Mongols can wait a while.
We have a more
dangerous enemy.
an enemy who is closer
and more cruel.
an enemy we could not buy
our souls from with ransom:
the Germans.
After we beat them, we shall
take care of the Mongols.
Let it be the Germans, then.
You know better where to start
but our patience is
at its end, Prince!
The Germans cannot be beaten
without aid from Novgorod.
The campaign against them
must start at Novgorod.
Novgorod is the last stronghold
of the Free Russia.
The fish are escaping!
- The Free City of Novgorod -
Vasily Buslai! Gavrilo Olexich!
Come to your old friend.
I have Indian armor,
Tartar spears.
- sharp Saracen swords.
- Stop lying.
You must have forged them
yourself overnight.
Every bird subsists
by its own beak.
We are fed up with wars, we
are busy with other matters.
The young bulls are frolicking,
smelling the spring in the air.
We've won glory in battle, now
it's time to think of ourselves.
Have you heard? Vasily
is going to get married.
When the she-goat is in the
yard, the billy peeks in.
I am tired of
spilling blood.
I fight one day, then
brood for two.
I wanted to go to the Volga,
play about with my battle-axe.
- but the brooding won me over.
- Go be a monk, then.
I am thinking about
matters of the heart.
If my wishes are not met,
I may well go to the monastery.
Like a bear, to slaughter
calfs on the altar.
Olga Danilovna, allow me to send
matchmakers to your father.
- No, I'll be the one to do it.
- Let her give us the sign.
She will tell us whom
her heart will choose.
Tell us, Olga Danilovna, which
one of us shall be your groom?
Forgive me, good people, I fail
to understand your meaning.
What do you mean?
Don't pull the bull by its tail!
Tell us who you will marry.
Choose one of us.
If you want a merry and
handsome lad, give me a sign.
If you prefer a more settled
and boring type, choose Gavrilo.
If you are looking for lumps,
choose Buslai.
If you wish to be a mistress
in your home, I'm your partner.
I do not know what
to say to you.
Both of you are good.
In time I shall
give you my answer.
Brothers! People of Novgorod!
The Germans have taken Pskov
and are advancing toward you!
They are slaughtering everyone
who dared to take up arms!
One who is caught with a sword,
is killed for the sword!
One who is caught with a loaf of
bread, is killed for the bread!
Mothers and wives are tortured
for their sons and husbands!
The Germans are like
wild beasts!
We know them well!
One who raises his voice to
scream, is killed for the scream.
One who is silent, is
killed for the silence.
They have divided Russia
among the German warlords.
One was awarded Pskov, another
- Novgorod!
Leave your trade,
good people of Novgorod!
Wait! What is this
senseless commotion?
Don't confuse these folks! We
have a treaty with the Germans.
What is Pskov to us? If need be,
we'll ransom ourselves!
We have surplus of goods,
lying around needlessly.
The waterfronts are piled high
with goods. The stores are full.
Will you trade Russia
for your goods?
What's with you? What Russia?
Where have you seen it last?
It's every man for himself.
Wherever you make your bed,
there's your homeland.
You lying dog!
A snake is known
by its hiss.
Don't you feed me
what I can't swallow!
A mother or a stepmother, it's
all the same to the rich!
Where they make a profit,
there is their motherland.
To us, the simple folk, the
Germans bring certain death.
We must invite Prince Alexander
and strike at the Germans!
- Alexander? Never!
- We don't want Alexander!
- We don't want him!
- Summon Alexander!
Let's not wait for Alexander.
We shall gather a host
and strike at the
Germans ourselves!
Domash the son of Tverdislav
will lead us into battle.
He has seen harder battles
than this. Lead us, Domash!
- Domash for general!
- Lead us into battle, Domash!
We are beset by
a great misfortune.
A great trouble requires
a great man.
Not I, another leader
is needed here.
A man whose arm is stronger
and mind is clearer than mine
whose glory has spread through
the land and reached the enemy!
Who is that man, brothers?
Prince Alexander,
son of Yaroslav!
We must invite Alexander
and call Russia to arms.
Otherwise the Germans will
decimate the Russian people.
We will be squeezed between
the Germans and the Mongols
and then we'll know
what trouble means!
Call for Alexander!
- City of Pskov -
Great Master!
Pskov is at your feet.
That's not the way to
make cities surrender.
If you give me Novgorod
in this state.
I shall hang you on
the nearest tree.
Great Master! Order your
men to gather ropes!
Ropes? Why?
To tether the rebels
at Novgorod!
They brazenly decided to resist
and invited Prince Alexander.
That was the man who defeated
the Swedes on the Neva.
A man capable of defeating us
has not yet been born.
As to princes, I have
enough of my own.
The brave knight Hubertus.
As Lord of all the
conquered Russian lands
I dub you the Prince of Pskov.
The glorious knight Dietlieb.
You shall be the
Prince of Novgorod.
Hurry to Novgorod, Ananias.
you must incite the residents
against Prince Alexander.
There is only one Lord,
who is in heaven
and his pontiff on Earth
is but one.
There is only one sun to
light the whole universe
and lend its light to
the planets and stars.
Holy Rome alone
shall rule the world.
Whoever does not bow to Rome
shall be put to death!
Well, do you agree?
It won't be your way, Tverdilo.
Russia won't bow to the Germans.
We have beaten you in the past,
we shall beat you yet again!
- All in good time!
- Hang the foul-mouth!
Father!
Let me come with
you, father!
Go away, Vasilisa!
Remember our blood!
Avenge us!
Wipe them off of the
face of the Earth!
Go to Peryaslavl.
Call Alexander!
Devastated Pskov is crying
out for you, Alexander!
- Peryalslavl -
Instead of mending nets we
should be fighting the Germans.
Go to sleep!
It's delicate work, not
like hitting the Swedes.
Prince! People from Novgorod
are asking to see you!
From Novgorod? Bring me
my ceremonial dress.
Let them in.
Greetings from the
Great City of Novgorod!
We have come to call you
to our aid.
Why? Have you quarrelled
among yourselves
and have no one
to separate you?
The enemy is near, Prince
Izborsk has fallen.
Pskov taken.
Pskov?
The Germans are advancing
toward Novgorod.
Is Great Novgorod
trembling with fear?
Have pity on the
orphans, Prince.
Forget the affront,
Alexander.
Rise for Novgorod!
I shall rise to avenge
the suffering of Russia.
No truer words have ever been
spoken. Rise to her defence!
Defence? I do not
know how to defend.
We shall smite them
with all our power!
Your warriors are not inferior
to the Germans, Prince.
My bodyguard alone
is not enough.
We shall call the
peasants to arms.
With their help we shall surely
defeat the enemy by spring.
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
Our warriors will have honors,
our fallen - eternal glory.
For the homes of our fathers,
arise, you Russian people!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
Our warriors will have honors,
our fallen - eternal glory.
For the homes of our fathers,
arise, you Russian people!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
We shall not give up Russia,
our enemies will be smitten!
Russia has risen against the
foe, to fight for Novgorod!
- Novgorod -
We don't want war!
Go back to Peryaslavl!
We don't have any
love for you!
You don't have to love me. I have
not come to you as a lover.
I came to lead you into
battle, Novgorod the Free.
If you don't fight
willingly, my lords,
the peasants will
break your bones!
The Mongols hold Russia from the
banks of the Volga to Novgorod.
The Germans are advancing
from the West.
Russia is lying between
the mallet and the anvil.
You stand alone,
Novgorod the Fair!
Arise for the sake of our
motherland, of our people.
Arise for the cities of Russia,
for Kiev, Vladimir and Ryazan!
Arise for the sake of our
fields, forests and rivers
for the sake of
our great people!
Lead the armed hosts
of Novgorod, Prince!
Lead the armies
of Novgorod!
Lead on! Lead on!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
No foe will tread over Russia,
no foreign army will plunder it.
No enemy will find its routes
or trample its fields!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
The spear-forgers donate
a thousand spears!
We shall make five
hundred shields!
A thousand!
- We give five hundred axes!
- A thousand!
We pledge our lives!
Lead on, Prince Alexander!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
Take everything!
I'm giving it all away!
If you have no weapon, take one!
Bring death to the enemy!
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Even a small bird
has a heart.
What say you? There is
no more time to wait.
Tomorrow we do battle.
Why keep us waiting?
Speak plainly!
Fate itself will
decide for me.
The braver of the two will
send his matchmakers to me...
Without proper tools you
can't even kill a flea.
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
No foreign make, this.
Forged with my own two hands.
Too bad, the mail
is a bit too short.
Arise, you Russian people!
In a just battle to the death!
Arise, people free and brave!
Rise to defend our fair land!
My brothers, you knights! King
Alexander has dared to resist us
but God's hand has
punished his impertinence.
His advance guard is trapped
in the forest, like a bear.
I invite you all to hunt
the Russian bear.
Lead them on their way.
The rabbit skips into a ravine,
but the fox follows him.
The rabbit runs into the woods,
but the fox stays on his tail.
So the rabbit jumps between
two birch trees.
The fox comes after him
and gets stuck!
It's twisting and turning, but
can't get free. What a calamity!
The rabbit looks at
her severely and says:
"Now I will violate
your chastity"
"No, neighbor, don't
put me to such shame!"
"Have pity!" cries the fox.
"I have no time for pity."
says the rabbit,
and violates her!
Got her stuck between the
trees, did he?
Yes, he did.
- And violated her?
- He did!
Run for your life, Prince!
Save your army!
The Germans are coming
like a tidal wave!
Domash has fallen.
Buslai taken prisoner.
Buslai, a prisoner?
You lying dog!
Buslai would never surrender!
You slanderous swine!
Prepare to rescue them!
- Chudskoye Lake -
- Why are you slipping?
- There is ice under the horses.
We shall stop his horsemen
right here, at Raven's Rock.
The ice is thin, Alexander.
It might break under us.
The Germans' armor is heavier. If
they break the ice, all the better.
To the shore!
Retreat back to the shore!
Where are you going?
To the shore!
What's your hurry, Vasya?
Isn't there enough space here
for you to stand and fight?
These parts are foreign to us
and covered with darkness.
It will be easier to fight
on our side.
Withdraw your forces
from the lake, Prince.
Hurry, Prince, he's
talking sense.
We shall return to our side of
the lake before sunrise.
It will be easier to fight
standing on our own soil.
Every stone there is a friend, every ravine
- a brother.
One who won't fight on enemy
soil has no need of his own!
We shall fight on
foreign soil. Understood?
I will not let these dogs
tread on the soil of Russia!
Peace be with you, Domash...
We shall fight on the lake!
Here, at Raven's Rock, we
shall place the main force.
You, Gavrilo, will command
the left flank.
I will take the right
with my bodyguard.
and will take the assault
force, as well.
You, Mikula, have your
men lie in ambush.
The Germans will attack
in a wedge formation.
The main force will sustain the
first blow at Raven's Rock.
- Who will lead the main force?
- You will.
You've been running all night.
In the daytime you shall stand
and sustain their blow,
halt the German wedge
and hold fast until we
crush them from the flanks.
Understood?
Let's go.
Take care, Vasily, stand
fast against the Germans.
Chain the supply sledges
together and put them behind you.
That will make it easier to
hold the Germans.
Right!
Don't forget the agreement
about Olga.
Don't you, either!
What are you standing around
for? Form ranks on the lake.
- April 5, 1242 -
The German wedge!
It is time.
When the Germans hit Buslai,
let the wedge stick in deep
and then we will hit them
together from both sides.
Retreat to the supply train!
Should we move the train back?
Quiet! We shall die
where we stand!
Take courage,
sons of Novgorod!
Hold them in! Don't let
the wedge spread out!
The time has come,
Alexander.
For Russia! For Russia!
For Russia!
Forward, peasant folk, now it's
our turn to hit the Germans!
This is a sword of such
well-tempered steel.
Tempering is not
the main thing.
The strength of a sword is
measured by the arm that wields it!
With knowledge you can
even kill a warlock!
Where is Vasily Buslai? Buslai!
Here is Vasily!
Here I am!
To your health, Vasya!
Now we can't get at
them with swords...
Don't be hasty, Saveliy!
Savka!
Your work shows no
results, Gavrilo!
Go on, show us
what courage is!
The Prince is with us!
Smite the Germans!
Bring the Master to me!
Take him to the
supply train.
We have carried the day!
I surrender.
A quail may be small,
but it's still a bird.
Too bad, the mail
is too short.
Some lie, torn with swords.
Others lie pierced
with arrows.
Their red blood pouring out.
onto the soil of Russia...
Izaslavna!
Anastasia!
Sister!
He who fell for Russia
has died a hero's death.
I kiss your sightless eyes
and caress your cold forehead.
As to the daring hero
who survived the fight
To him I shall be a loyal wife.
And a loving spouse.
Are you alive, Olexich?
I am... Vasya...
I shall choose a husband
for his courage in battle.
Can you hear her voice?
She is searching for us.
Hear my voice, my heroes,
answer me.
You are alive!
Dear ones!
- Thank God, you are alive!
- Where are the Germans?
There are no more Germans!
No Germans, my dear ones!
They were defeated!
Spread to the four winds
or sunk below the ice!
If so, we have won the day.
Glory to the Prince.
Glory to us all.
We have not shed our blood
in vain.
Olga Danilovna.
We have fought
shoulder to shoulder.
We have stricken the Germans
with all our heart and might.
I shall not live.
Olga... is yours.
What's with you? Are you going
to die before the wedding?
What's with you?
No, I have not been
destined to live.
I shall not take a wife.
You shall live, and your
glory will live with you.
Bow down before Gavrilo.
He was the first in battle,
your hand in marriage
belongs to him.
Come to your feet, Olexich.
- City of Pskov -
With all this commotion nobody
thinks about matters of state.
Good citizens of Pskov and
Novgorod! I would strike you,
lash you mercilessly, had you
talked away the Ice battle!
Russia would never forgive us
for the lack of daring.
So shall you remember it and
shall pass it on to your kin.
And should you forget it, you
become like Judas -
traitors in the eyes
of all Russia!
I promise: should trouble come,
I shall call Russia to arms anew
and if you stand idly by,
I shall strike you mercilessly
as long as I am alive, and after
it will be the duty of my sons!
And now let us have
a court of justice.
We should free the foot
soldiers. What say you?
What shall we do with them?
They were forced to fight.
And what about
the noble knights?
We shall ask for ransom!
Exchange them for soap!
What should we do with him?
You, the people, should
decide his fate!
No enemy shall tread
on Russian soil.
Arise, my people, arise!
Give my judgement, Prince.
Decide the fate of the girl!
I said I shall not choose
the better-looking one
but the one who was more
prominent in battle.
My son Vasily has never
been second-best to anyone!
They won't let a man
live or die in peace.
Forgive me, mother, for
contradicting your words.
I have never gone against
your will. Don't slander Gavrilo.
Judging fairly, neither of us
deserves to be the groom.
Vasilisa was blessed with
the greatest courage of all!
There were none braver than she!
Gavrilo was the next best man.
To this I pledge my
honor before the people.
So be it.
You have disgraced your mother!
I wanted to get you married.
So where's the problem?
There will be a wedding yet!
Couldn't you even be
the first in battle?
I wasn't the last.
Take for your daughter-in-law
the girl in the chain mail.
What a beauty!
I haven't lost yet, mother.
And now...
Let us celebrate!
Hooray!
Let's agree in advance, at home
keep your fists to yourself.
Go and tell everyone in the
foreign lands that Russia lives.
He who comes to us as a guest,
let him come with no reservation.
But he who comes to us with a
sword, shall die by the sword.
On this stands Russia, and on
this she shall stand forever.
"He who comes to us
with a sword
"shall die by the sword.
"On this stands Russia
"and on this she
shall stand forever."
