The Desert of the Tartars (Il deserto dei Tartari)

Monday, August 2, 1907.

It's six o'clock in the morning.

Today, my youngest son is going to leave our home.

After 3 years of military academy, he enters His Majesty's Army.

I hoped his first assignment would have been in town...

or at least nearby.

Instead, he's leaving for a lonely fort...

on the most distant border of the empire...

That horse... is a Tartar horse.

GIORGIO SILVAGNI, BAHMAN FARMANARA PRESENT

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Come on... Come on, wake up... it's six.

THE DESERT OF THE TARTARS

FROM THE HOMONYM NOVEL BY DINO BUZZATI

I can't be as happy as you are...

I can't blame you.

I know... but I don't want to leave remembering you like this.

I know how much it means to you.

But it's sad for those who are left behind, too.

Go now!

You're lucky...

You'll wake up everyday hearing the famous trumpets of Fort Bastiano!

I don't even know what this fort looks like...

I only know it's very far...

You're the one who's going to live the most exciting adventure.

Do you see those trees, over there?

When I reach them, I won't turn back, and you won't see me anymore.

Hey... Hey!

Hey there!

Captain... Sir!

What is it?

Nothing, Sir... I just wanted to salute you...

Who are you?

Lieutenant Drogo, Sir.

Go on! Our paths will meet downhill.

- I'm Captain Hortiz. - Lieutenant Drogo, sir.

I suppose you're on the way to Bastiano?

I'd given up the hope of ever finding the fort.

Why?

I must have taken the wrong way, Sir, and...

If you're coming from that direction, you most certainly did.

Those mountains are the border with the North Kingdom.

No army could cross them...

There's never been a fort around here. It'd be useless.

Bastiano is farther on... to the north.

I'm surprised that a messenger doesn't know where he's going...

I'm not a messenger, Sir. I'm going to Bastiano for my first assignment.

Congratulations, Lieutenant. You couldn't have made a better choice.

- Two years, I suppose. - Sir?

That's the rule. Two years on the border count double for seniority.

I didn't know that, Sir, and I didn't choose Bastiano.

- No? - I was ordered there.

That's odd... usually...

- Give me a drink, Strauss. - Yes, sir...

What's odd, Captain?

There aren't many volunteers for Bastiano these days...

That's the reason why you were ordered there, I guess.

- Would you like to drink? -Yes, please.

- Here... -Thank you, Captain.

Bastiano is a dead border station...

- as you will see. -Thanks...

It's alright, Lieutenant.

It was a splinter under the hoof.

What did the Captain mean with a "dead border station"?

A border with nothing on the other side of it.

Beyond the fort there is a desert...

And then... nothing.

The Desert of the Tartars...

They may even have crossed it, centuries ago.

But they vanished, after destroying the ancient city.

The desert has kept their name.

But the older history is, the more men change it into legend.

So, we don't know what's true and what isn't.

I've lived at Bastiano Fort for eighteen years.

I must say the place is more lively on the inside than you could say from here.

I see you are in a hurry to report.

Ride ahead...

Go... go ahead, Lieutenant...

Halt!

Advance and be recognized!

I'm Lieutenant Drogo. Assigned to Fort Bastiano.

I've come to take up my post.

I'm Lieutenant Simeon.

Lieutenant Drogo.

Welcome to Bastiano.

Thank you.

Lazare!

Marshal Tronk.

Take the Lieutenant's horse.

Come with me, I'll take you to meet Major Matti.

- Take over, Tronk. - But, we're in the middle of a training!

So what?

In case of alarm, the commissioned officer on duty takes command.

That's the rule, Sir.

Yes, Tronk, that's Paragraph 3. But paragraph 12 says:

"Guard posts not immediately exposed to attack, which is this case...

may be placed under the command of a high-ranking non-commissioned officer".

Any objections?

None, Sir.

Fine. Come with me, Lieutenant Drogo.

It's not your fault, but you've arrived at the worst possible moment.

I'm sorry, Sir.

Colonel, this is Lieutenant Drogo.

I'm delighted to welcome you to Bastiano.

The King himself has called us "the noblest guardian of His crown...

Our regiment is an enviable assignment for an ambitious young officer.

You'll soon see for yourself.

I'm listening, Lieutenant...

All positions ready to open fire 6 minutes before the general alarm.

Six minutes, you say?

Five minutes and 42 seconds.

It's a pity you're leaving us, Lieutenant. As a soldier... I'll miss you.

If I may say so... I'll miss you too, Sir. As a soldier...

You may go...

A fine officer. But all the same... a good riddance.

Would you like to be introduced to His Excellency now,

or tonight at dinner?

Tonight at dinner, Sir. It will be an honor.

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. My name's Rovine. I'm the doctor here.

Your medical file just arrived on my table. Welcome to Bastiano.

Thanks, Sir.

Excuse me, Colonel. Let me introduce to you... Lieutenant Drogo.

- Sir... - No, thank you.

Don't insist, I already told you...

You must take a decision... You're in bad shape...

I'm stealing the Lieutenant from you. Come with me, Drogo...

What's wrong with the Lieutenant Colonel's health?

A glorious battle wound... from the time when there were still wars...

Broken back... Steel corset...

He's the only one here, who's actually been under fire.

Why you persist? You'd be better off stationed in town.

Oh, right, you just arrived from the city...

help me convince him!

- Keep out of this, Lieutenant. - Be careful, for god's sake...

Getting involved in Rathenau's and Amerling's bickering can be dangerous!

Sirs! His Excellency!

Welcome back, Hortiz. I hope your travel was fine.

Thank you, Sir.

Dear Nathanson... General Conrad greets you.

He would like to have your help for the maneuvers in the south.

Please help yourself...

Carry on... please.

Please, Sirs...

This is Lieutenant Drogo, Sir. He has arrived this morning.

My papers are at the headquarters.

I request the honor of introducing myself to you.

My name is Jean Baptiste Drogo,

Infantry Lieutenant on first assignment.

Good evening, your Excellency.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo.

His Excellency, the Colonel, Count of Filimore...

commander in chief of the garrison, invites you to join us...

Colonel Nathanson...

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. I am in command of your company.

Captain Hortiz...

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. I am in command of the garrison's artillery.

Captain Von Sern...

We already met... I am doctor Rovine...

Major doctor Rovine.

I am Simeon, senior subordinate officer of the garrison.

Lieutenant Simeon.

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. I'm Amerling.

Lieutenant Von Amerling...

- Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. - Lieutenant Von Rathenau.

I am Maude. Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo.

Lieutenant Maude...

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. My name's Von Arnim.

Lieutenant Von Arnim.

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. I'm Sarteris.

Lieutenant Sarteris.

- Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. - Lieutenant Gothard...

I'm second Lieutenant Morel. Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo.

Second Lieutenant Morel.

Good evening, Lieutenant Drogo. Will you dine with us?

Thank you, Excellency. Thank you, Sirs. I am honored.

You can only see the desert from the advance post.

What can you see from there?

Stones... sand... dust...

And almost always, mist.

But further, to the north... You must be able to see something?

Nothing but mist... in winter and summer.

Still... there are some who insist...

that they've seen riders on white horses.

Patrols from the North Kingdom?

Maybe not...

Where else could they come from?

From the desert...

If it were true, the General Staff would know about it...

There are things they prefer not to talk about...

Colonel Filimore himself, he never mentions them.

- As for Hortiz... - Captain Hortiz?

It happened shortly after he arrived here...

He was in charge of the outpost.

He suddenly spotted them...

just at the edge of the mist...

Hortiz saw those riders?

He even gave the alarm...

He had a cannon shot fired.

A serious decision...