William Tell

Three days ago,

my soul was free from thoughts of murder.

Like moths to the light, we run to war,

our future deeds mapped out before us in blood.

I had balanced my account with Heaven

and sought a peaceful life.

My bow rested.

But every road conducts us to our end.

We push onwards,

intent on our own business,

then are forced to change.

The sand is run.

I have killed again.

Now my trade is retribution.

Vengeance, my occupation.

Morning, Father.

- Ready to hunt? - Of course.

-Can I try the new bow? -Aye.

Here. Come here.

Burn them all!

Quickly, quickly!

Hey. Austrians.

The Wolfshot.

His tax is heavy and my purse is light.

Continue.

I shall return.

Your husband, where is he?

He's farming.

You're a little light.

Oh, it's not enough.

Well?

Ah, it'll rain ere long and we need shelter.

Arrange food for my men and prepare me

a bath.

Make it clean, Son.

We're huntsmen, not savages.

We learn our lessons in failure.

A storm is coming in.

Let's move down, take shelter in the village.

There you go, pig.

He's here somewhere!

Baumgarten!

Search everywhere!

The wind is too strong!

Bring the boats ashore!

Let's make haste! Protect the catch!

Bit more.

Thank you, my friend.

Are you for home?

Aye.

-Is all secure? -Aye.

-We bid you farewell. -Safe travels.

-Secure the catch! -Let's be gone.

Help! Help, they're after me!

I need this boat!

Who on earth are you?

I need this boat! Help me cast off.

The boat! Aid me across!

No man could steer against storm and wave!

Please! I have no other choice.

You'll die out there. Why such haste?

I am already dead, should they find me.

Speak, man! Who pursues you?

The Wolfshot's horsemen.

- Who are you? - My name is Baumgarten.

- I am a farmer. - You're bleeding.

I have settled him.

Who?

The Wolfshot. The tax collector.

You are mad.

He wronged my wife!

Then he took her life.

So I gave him a bloody benediction!

Now the Viceroy's troopers are upon my heels.

Please!

I beg of you,

in God's name, aid me across.

I'm not taking you.

The Austrians will hunt me down.

- I'm a father, with child. - And what of me?

A wife and child at home

- as well as you. - Hold!

No man can steer and row alone in this weather.

I say, put trust in God and help him in his need.

You can steer as well as any man, Tell.

There's the boat. Take it. Try you.

I am in your hands. Please!

Don't, Father. The winds are too strong.

Please. I beg of you.

They're close.

If we find him here among us, we are all dead.

Burn it, Tell. Burn it all!

I'll get him across.

Thank you. Thank you.

Run home to your mother.

We need horses brought to Ingenbohl.

Meet me at the waterfall

and remind her of my love. Go, go, go!

I will honour thy word, Father.

Godspeed!

Oi, you!

Stop in the name of the law!

Everyone, get inside now, quickly!

- Where is he? - Who?

-Where is he? -Who?

We pay our taxes in this village!

The Viceroy's taken his pound of...

Torch the village!

Where was he killed? In which canton?

A farm, in Unterwalden, my Lord.

To lose such a man is careless.

The tax collector was at fault. He was a fool.

He was our man, collecting our taxes.

No one should have touched him.

Reverse thy doom

and secure thy position, Gessler.

Let us move with caution.

Caution?

We need revenue and wealth from this land.

Show them no mercy.

My Lord, numbed earth is barren of all fruit.

Secure the killer and teach the Swiss a lesson.

The Wolfshot's murder is a crime,

but also an opportunity.

Now we have every right to defend ourselves with force

and under the guise of justice.

There is no justice in war.

That is where this is leading.

My Lord, do we want war?

Switzerland is surrounded by mountains.

Nature... is its own defence.

It is hard to attack from without.

We...

must control it...

and dominate the Swiss...

from within.

Ha!

What shall I do with you?

In the thickest of the storm.

Are you insane?

Is that him?

'Tis a marvel you escaped.

Had you no thought of wife and child?

I had, and therefore saved a father for his children.

He braved the lake in all its wrath,

and I thank him for it.

Yes, he's a kind and helping hand for all.

But when we are in straits, who then will come to our aid?

God grant, we never may stand in need of any help.

You have me.

Give him the horse and let us be gone.

Well?

I must see him safe.

A hero and a fool.

You have disturbed our peace.

May God forgive you.

I'll return soon.

Be home in time to feed the goats.

Go.

I have a friend in this region,

a nobleman.

We fought together in the Holy Land.

He'll hide you.

My Lady Bertha.

Gessler.

The King's valour and pride excel themselves in you.

He must be proud of his niece.

I hear the whispers.

It seems the King gains money in Switzerland

but loses hearts.

There is no progress without loss.

Good and bad run together.

There is no triumph in needless bloodshed.

And forget not, I have Swiss blood.

Our countries' fortunes are entwined.

As I hope are ours.

Good day, my Lord.

He moves me to rage.

The King is keen for your union.

And you would be wise to listen.

Do not mistake his purpose.

He does not love me. He just needs me.

Cousin, the King requests your time.

You truly are my brother's daughter.

And as wilful as he.

Spend time with Gessler.

Hunt, talk, learn.

Attraction will build.

-No, my Lord, I beg you. -You are a Habsburg.

And will marry an Austrian.

-My mother was Swiss. -And your father Austrian.

It is pity you're a woman.

You'd be useful in battle.

But we'll use you in marriage.

My Lord.

Rudenz.

Belted and plumed,

and all thy bravery on.

Thou art for the Austrians, boy?

Uncle,