Father Sergius
Based on the story by Tolstoy [not Tchekov!].
Great success, thanks to the perfect mastery of the Russian
director, Yakov Protazanov, who adapted the work of the great writer.
Several years have gone by.
The cinematographic art has made huge progress.
And yet "Father Sergius" still stands as an important landmark in the
cinema history of Russia, and has lost none of its artistic value.
The father of Prince Kossotski, colonel of the guard in retirement,
had pronounced, as he lay dying, his wish that his son
follow a career in the army.
The children...
Six years went by. Kossotski distinguished himself
at the Academy for his brilliant skills and infinite pride.
And would have been an outstanding cadet, if not for his violent temper.
"These chops are inedible!"
"Silence! To solitary confinement...forward, march!"
Nikolai Pavlovitch often came to visit the regiment.
When he was 18 years old, Kossotski was promoted to officer
in the aristocratic regiment of the guard.
and as always...
Ten years went by. Kossotski seemed like a completely ordinary officer.
But he had one secret goal: to obtain the most brilliant position in high society.
Countess Korotbova, one of the Empress' favorite maids of honor,
was at first very cold towards him.
"The dances will soon begin."
"First, the mazurka."
"Will you promise me the mazurka, countess?"
"You are dancing, you are having fun, I am pleased, very pleased."
"You have promised me the mazurka, countess."
"I am tired."
"Sincerely in love with Mary, Kassotski's passion does not let him
see what everyone knows: She is Nikolai's mistress."
"People are beginning to talk about us...
It would be good if you could find a husband."
"But... maybe, it is possible."
"I understand, your Highness."
The following day.
"My daughter and I would be very pleased to see you."
Two months later, Kossotski proposes.
"Look how beautiful it is over there."
"I would like to have an answer."
"As mother wishes."
"I am very happy, Prince."
"Mother... and what if he finds out?"
"But if he loves you truly... he will forgive you, if he finds out."
On the wedding's eve.
"You know... in the beginning I wanted to get closer to you...
in a way not entirely disinterested...but then..."
"You are not angry at me?"
"I must tell everything... I loved him."
"We all love him."
"You... were his mistress?"
"By marrying me, you wanted to hide all this."
On the same day.
"I resign... immediately."
Arriving in his village, Kossotski decided very quickly to enter the monastery.
"My decision is firm."
"Perhaps you understand me."
By entering the monastery, Kossotski showed he despised
everything that seemed important to others.
"I must speak to the Father Superior."
And soon...
and he could...
"Sin is getting the better of me."
Three years later, Prince Stepan Kossotski
went into holy orders by the name of Sergius.
Four years later, Sergius was transferred to a large monastery in the capital.
"Tomorrow... will you celebrate the Mass?"
The superior was a skillful man who had achieved his ecclesiastic
career with the aid of his relations in high circles.
"And couldn't I see my old comrade, Father Sergius?"
"It's that prince, Kossotski."
"I'm happy to see you in this angelic appearance."
"Abbot... you expose me to temptations."
In order to avoid any temptation,
Sergius becomes a hermit in the far away Tambino desert.
In the nearby town.
"It's always the same. I can't stand it... I'm bored."
Makovkina, an eccentric divorcee,
disturbed all of town with her extravagances.
"Careful, it's loaded!"
"This is the road to Tambino."
"I'll spend the night over at Kossotski's."
"Dear Lord, why won't you give me faith?"
"Come get me at three o'clock in the morning."
"Allow me to come inside... I'm freezing."
"I'm not the devil, I'm just a sinner, I'm lost...
I'm looking for refuge."
"I wandered away from the path, and if I hadn't stumbled upon your cell..."
"Sit here... I'll go over there."
"Don't come in. I'm soaked... my feet are frozen."
"Don't come in. I must undress to dry myself ..."
"Listen, help me! I don't know what's happening to me."
"Father Sergius... Prince Kossotski!"
"I'll come back at once."
"What's wrong?"
"Let me take care of your wound."
"Go away!"
At three o'clock sharp.
"You have really won your bet. Congratulations."
The adventure with Makovkina was starting to spread
and Father Sergius' reputation was strengthened.
"Cure him, father."
9 years went by. More and more visitors arrived.
Next to Father Sergius' cell, some monks built a big church.
"Little Father, don't leave us."
"Until tomorrow; today I can't."
"But you don't look like a monk today, my precious."
In the evening, the merchant ordered his daughter to prepare.
"Holy Father! Bless my daughter so that she be cured of her illness.
It's been two years since she lost her reason.
She doesn't go out during the day... she's afraid of the light."
"I have seen you in my dreams."
"I saw that you would lay your hand on my chest... here, like this."
"What's possessing you... pull yourself together!"
"Really now!"
At dawn.
"We need to cut wood. Give me the axe."
In the evening he was already far from the monastery.
"I'm going to Tambino to see Father Sergius."
"Sergius is no longer there. Not any more."
He wanted to pray... but there was no one to pray to...
God was not there.
And he went from village to village, living off alms.
One day.
"Who are you?"
"Where's your passport?"
He was classed among the vagabonds, judged, and sent to Siberia.
THE END