9 www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2017 9 9 (Speaks Thai) Do you know him? 9 9 PEOPLE SHOUTING CROWD CHEERING CROWD CHANTING John!! John!! (Speaks Thai) John! John Rambo! I don't believe this. Where did you come in from? Washington. Good to see you again. You, too. You want to...tell me about it? About what? Yesterday I saw you stick fighting. You saw that? Yeah. And today I find you working in a monastery. They let me live here and I help out. And the stick fighting? That's for extra money. You gave it to the monks. You see a lot. Colonel, who are they? They're partly why I'm here. Bob! This is Robert Griggs - field officer with our embassy. John Rambo. Pleasure. Well, you're sure not easy to find. Why are you keeping track? Good men are hard to find. John... ..look at these photos. Most people can't even find Afghanistan on a map. Over two million civilians, mostly peasant families, have been systematically slaughtered by Russian armies. Every new weapon... ..including chemical warfare is being used. They've been very successful on many levels. I assume you're out of touch with the war's current status. After nine years of fighting the Afghan forces are holding their own with Stinger missiles. Except for one region - 50 miles over the border. The Soviet commander is exceptionally brutal. He's strangled off all aid from the outside. So, we want to...'investigate' the problem first hand. That's not my business. They've asked me to go. You're not going. Yes...I want you to come too. I did my time. What does that mean? My war's over. You said he was a great soldier. Well, Colonel, we've got a long walk down those stairs. Don't be down on him. He's following orders. This mission's important, John. Will we make a difference? Of course. It didn't before. That was another time. Come with me, John. I don't know what you think about this place, but I like it. I like belonging to something. You do, but not this. When will you come full circle? Meaning what? You said your war is over. Out there it is, but not inside you. Being here won't work, John. You can't escape what you truly are. What's that? A full-blooded combat soldier. I don't want it anymore. Too bad. You're stuck with it. Here's a story - this sculptor found a special stone. He worked on it for months until he finally finished it. His friends said he had created a great statue. But he said the statue was always there. He just cleared away the small pieces. We didn't make you this fighting machine. We just chipped away the rough edges. You must accept what you are. You must come full circle. I guess I'm not ready yet. Well, I must go. Promise you'll look me up when you're Stateside. I promise. Colonel... I'm sorry, but it's got to end for me sometime. I understand. Take cover!! (Russian accent) Throw down your weapons! and remain where you are! You cannot escape! We will not attack if you do not run! Drop the weapons! You have no chance of escape. Drop your weapons. NOW! Rambo! Something went wrong. What happened? Soviets intercepted them just over the border. We gather the Colonel's party was taken to a regional command. What are you doing about it? We can't do anything. I'm sorry. I thought you should know. What about me? What about you? Can you get me in? You're joking! I'm serious. It can't be done officially. Then make it unofficial. If it can be done. If you're captured or if this leaks, we'll deny any knowledge of your existence. I'm used to it. I'll get back to you. 9 9 9 (Speaks Pashtu) You want to buy? Many guns here. No. Where is Musak Ghani? What's your name? John Rambo. Wait here. We sell many in Afghanistan. Many landmines. Landmines everywhere. I am Musak Ghani. What is it? Griggs sent me. You are not like man Griggs send before. You do not look like military. I'm not. What you are - mercenary? No. Not military, not mercenary. What are you - lost tourist? I'm no tourist. Sorry. Where is the American? In Soviet fort. Near the village of Host - 30 miles over border. Mr Griggs sent your supplies. You wish to see them? You ask for these? Yeah. What are these things? Detonators. And this? What is this for? It's a blue light. What does it do? Turns blue. I see. How many more men come with us? It's just me. This is no good. I cannot take only one man. Griggs said you'd take me in - take me in. I am needed to take medical supplies. Otherwise many will die. You understand? I do not know who you are but you have no experience in war, have you? Have you? I've fired a few shots. "A few shots"? Come on, go back home and think it all over... ..for a long time. I did think it over. You did? Well, this is your choice but let me tell you... ..you cannot get the American alone. If you fail, do not blame me. I accept no responsibility. Sounds familiar. 9 (GRUNTS) (COUGHS) My name is Colonel Zeissen, regional commander of the sector. You are the first American captured in Afghanistan. Congratulations. I believe you are planning to supply enemy rebel forces with Stinger missiles. I should be interrogated by your superiors. Out here, I have no superiors. I am in full command. You are alone here. Abandoned by your government. What do you want? Co-operation. This sector has been under total control for over five years. There is little more I can do here. It is, as you say, without challenges. If you supply me with information about more deliveries of Stinger missiles it could help us both. After all, in the end, what everyone really wants... ..is peace. You've got some sense of humour. Please explain. You talk peace and disarmament while you wipe out an entire race. We are wiping out no-one. I think you are too intelligent to believe such propaganda. Again - where are the missiles? What missiles?! I have a way out for us both. You expect SYMPATHY?! You started this war. Deal with it. And we will. Very soon we will achieve a complete victory. Every day your war machines lose ground to poorly-armed freedom fighters. You underestimated your competition. These people have never given up. They'd rather die than be slaves. You can't defeat people like that. We tried - we've had our Vietnam. Here's yours. So, you wish to test me. Good. (Shouts command) This is Afghanistan! Alexander the Great tried to conquer this country. Then Genghis Khan, then the British. Now Russia. But Afghan people will never be defeated. Ancient enemy make prayer about these people. It says, "May God deliver us from the cobra's venom, "the tiger's teeth, and the Afghan's vengeance." You understand what this means? That you guys don't take any shit? Yes. Something like this. We go now. (Prisoners weep and wail) We will travel through the northern caves. To be safer. We go. This cave leads to the Valley of Five Lions. Once the king was requested to send 500 warriors into battle. He sent only five. His greatest five! And they won! It's better to send five lions than 500 sheep. The king was lucky. Lucky, huh? How much longer to the village? Two hours. Where in my sector are the missiles being delivered? I don't know. You're a liar! Where?! Arggh! Where?! All right, I'll tell you. I knew you were lying. Now! Where are the missiles located? Close. How close? In your ass! Arrgh! You've tried my patience long enough. I tried to be civilised. CELL DOOR OPENS (Speaks Russian) (Afghan speaks about John Rambo) The name 'John Rambo'... Do you know it? No? He says there are plans for a rescue attempt. He also knows where this man is going. We will welcome him. . Your kids use as much data as you do. So if you're tired of topping up their prepay, just add Red Share to your Red+ mobile plan and keep them connected with data to share and unlimited talk and TXT. 9 Last village in the valley. About 100 men here. There's lots of kids here. Yes. They're good fighters too. We'll talk with the leaders. They've never seen man like you. These are Mujahideen horsemen. There's 10,000 horsemen waiting at the border for weapons. Then they'll come back to fight. Let's go to the hospital. He's the only doctor for 500km. Their first medicine for two months. More gifts from the Soviets - mines that look like toys. We teach the children not to touch. Who's that? His name is Yuri. He's Russian. Deserter? He calls himself a defector. He can help us. He's been inside the fort. We should go now. (Soldiers debate) Bas! Bas! Bas! The mine starts here. Go one metre, like this. Then go two metre, like this. And like this. They have four towers. Four guards - here, here, here and here. Where are the prisoners kept? Here. If we get in, is there another way out? Underground - where is all the bad water. What is it called? He means sewer. Where is it? Here. Guards patrol there. You shouldn't go this way. We'll go through the minefields. This cannot be done. In there are many commandos. We are only this. We've lost too many men. We can't go there. I don't need many men. What do you want? I need four men for the whole operation. Then the Russians will come here and more people will die! I can't wait. You must wait for help! I'll go alone. You will die! Then I die. Wait! Please don't go! My name is Varsud. Don't judge us before you understand why we're not ready to help. Most of the Afghan people are very strong. We're determined not to be driven from our land. Our children die of disease, mines and poison gas. The women are raped and killed. Last year, in the valley of Laghman, the next valley, 6,000 Afghans were killed. Pregnant women were cut with bayonets and their babies thrown into the fires. They don't want to fight the next generation of Afghans. Yet no-one reads anything in the newspapers. What you see here... ..are the Mujahideen soldiers. Holy warriors. This is a holy war. There's no true death for the Mujahideen - we have taken our last rites. We consider ourselves dead already. Death for our land and God is an honour. So, my friend... We must stop this killing of our women and children. If getting this man free is necessary - so he can tell the world what happens here - then of course we will help. Leave us now, so we may speak among ourselves and find the best way to free this man. Thank you. We thank you. 9 They will decide soon. I must get in tonight. What is your name? Zamir! This boy is hard inside. His parents were killed last year. His brother died in the fort. He looks young, but fights like a man. What's your name? Rambo. Where are you from? Arizona. Arizona...how much days' walk? About two years. Two years. Are you a soldier? No more. I am soldier. Yeah? Are you here to fight? No. Are you scared? What is this? It's a knife. Let me see. Very good. Can I have it? No. What is this? You want everything! This is for luck. What is 'luck'? Luck is... (Speaks Pashtu) Oh, can I have it? I need luck. Me too. Look at the child. Always like this. Look there. It's a national sport. A game maybe 3,000 years old. They're always playing it. War, not war, they don't mind. You like it? I'll take football. You play it with your foot? Not really. Come, let's go. (Man calls) What are they saying? They want you to play. They're welcoming you. You can try if you want... but I'm not responsible. I'll try. Yes? What are the rules? Take the sheep once around and throw it in the circle. Why? Because there's a circle there. That's it? Yes. Very simple. Like football. The Lord must love crazy people. Why? He makes so many! Ah! Now you see how it is here. Somewhere in war, there's supposed to be honour. Where's the honour here? Where? We're going to the border. Are you coming? I'm going to the fort. Haven't you seen enough death? Go! Go while you can. This isn't your war. It is now. So be it. You're a good friend. Insh'Allah. I will show you the way. I will go too. No, you go with them. They kill all my family. I want to fight. Not with me. You go. Go on. Why must you do this? Because he'd do it for me. It's not OK to control your partner with threats. It's not OK to control who they spend time with,... ...how they use their phone or Facebook or how they dress. It's not OK to make them live in fear. It's not OK to say it's none of our business. Because it is our business. And it's not OK. Ever. But it is OK to ask for help. 9 Have you decided to talk? No? Very well! Soon you will be my guest down the hole. (Whispers) Come on! Go back! No. Go back! Shh! Come on. Stay here. You need me. I don't need you dead. Go back, understand? Let's go. (Prisoner yells) Come on. (Yells in Russian) (Barks order) (Screams) DOGS BARK (Guards shout) (Soldiers speak Russian) (Screams) Ah!! (Shouts in Russian) 9 (Gives order) (Fires gun) MAN SCREAMING (Man shouts in Russian) ELECTRICAL ZAPPING, SCREAMS OF PAIN SCREAMS OF PAIN SCREAMS CONTINUE (Whispers) American. American! (Whispers) (Whispers) Colonel! Colonel! Colonel! How'd you get in? Can you move? You're damn right I can. Let's go. John! Behind you! (Screams) GUNFIRE Go! John! Get out of here! (Orders in Russian) (Speaks Russian) Go on! Ohh! Ahh! Ow! (Moans) (Grunts in pain) Over here! Come on! Help me! (Orders in Russian) Take him! Go on. Hurry! Give me the boy. Halt! Come on! OK. Take the kid. Get down! Give me the boy. Khizam! Khizam! Ahh! Why are you so valuable to this terrorist? He tried to destroy me, but he failed. At sunrise, I will hunt him down and kill him. You don't have to. What?! HE'LL find YOU. Are you insane? One man against trained commandos? Who do you think this man is - God? God would have mercy. He won't. 9 It's all right. There's nobody there. This will hold a while. What's the fastest way out? North-west. There is trail between mountains. About three kilometres away. The trail is very difficult. Take the boy. I want to stay. You can't. You cannot go back there. Come to Pakistan. I must go back. He's your friend. But you'll both die. For what? Please come. Do what I say. Leave your gun. Let's go. Come on. I see you again? Sure. HORSE WHINNIES Errgh! (Gives orders) Errgh! Aargh! Aargh! (Yells) VOICES IN DISTANCE (Laughs) Aaaaaargh! Come on. Come on! Can you fly that thing? Let's find out. Let's go. Hurry! Get on! Hold on! (Yells in Russian) Over there! There! Hold on! Get him. Take my hand. We're going down. Hold on! Move it. Take what you can! Move it. Go on. We've got to get to the border. We'll stay here. Which direction, John? North-east. 9 (SPEAKS RUSSIAN) Hold it, John. I've got to rest. How's the wound? You taught us to ignore pain. Is it working? Not really. Don't take it personally. Thanks. (Speaks Russian) Go on ahead and find some cover. John! John! That was close. How are you? Well done. 9 We'd better split up. Sorry I got you into this. No, you're not. Are you listening? Who are you? Your worst nightmare. (Speaks Russian) (Speaks Russian) Good timing. What are friends for? Go back. I'll see if there's anyone left. John! 9 Across the valley's the border. We did it, John. Yeah. Wait. RUMBLING NOISE What the hell is that? Son of a bitch! Do not try to retreat. You cannot escape. Run and we'll attack. We mean no harm. I don't believe him. Come forward. You will get a fair trial. Drop your weapons. Got any ideas? Drop your weapons. Surrounding them's out. Hell of a time for humour. Drop the weapons, now. You have no chance of escape. Come forward. I wish to take you back alive. This is your last warning. The choice is yours. What do you say, John? Fuck 'em. If we're gonna go I wish we'd have taken that bastard with us. RUMBLING SOUND What is that? It's the rebels. (Speaks Russian) Come on! John, get out of there! Stay - you fight good for a tourist. Maybe next time. Do you want this back? No, you keep it. Can you not stay? I've got to go. Insh'Allah. Insh'Allah. 'Bye. 'Bye. Hard to believe, John. What's that? I hate admitting it, but we're getting soft. Maybe just a little. Just a little. # The road is long... # with many a winding turn... # that leads us to who... # knows where? # Who knows where? # But I'm strong,... # strong enough to carry him. # He ain't heavy,... # he's my brother. # So on we go. # His welfare is my concern. # No burden is he... # to bear. # We'll get there. # For I know... # he would not encumber me. # He ain't heavy,... # he's my brother. # And if I'm laden... # at all,... # I'm just laden with sadness... # that everyone's heart... # isn't filled with the gladness... # of love... # for one another. # It's a long, long road... # from which there is no return. # And while we're on our way... # to there... # why not share? # Yes, and the load,... # the load... # does not weigh me down,... # down at all. # He ain't heavy,... # he's my brother. Subtitled by the Australian Caption Center. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. # Woh, he ain't heavy,... # no, he's my brother. # He ain't heavy,... # he ain't heavy,... # he's my brother. # Woh, when the road gets long... # I may get a little bit weary... # but I know... # I can carry him ` # he's my brother. # And he ain't heavy,... # he ain't heavy. # Woh no. # It's a long, long, it's a long, long... # And he ain't heavy,... # he ain't heavy,... # Woh no. # It's a long, long, it's a long, long, long, long road. #