The Legions (Legiony)

August of 1914. For over a hundred years Poles have been living

under the partitions of Russia, Austria and Germany.

The Great War breaks out.

The partitioning powers turn against each other.

There's a forced conscription going on.

Poles, however, are creating their own armed forces.

LEGIONS

Stay down!

You want to see foreign places?

Damn deserter! Now you'll run after us.

I did my thing. Pay me!

I went around the entire village. Nobody wants to go.

- Nobody? - They're afraid.

We don't have any carts.

It's 15 km to the train station. Different teams, different routes.

Two people carry, third one is resting.

Take turns every 15 minutes. Don't get into any fights.

The train leaves at 6 pm.

Be there. That's an order.

I'll feel safer if you take this.

Gentlemen, let's go.

Step aside!

Away, you scumbag!

Let go!

Who are you?

A deserter.

They wanted to hang me.

Have you got a handkerchief?

Ola... you're beautiful.

Give me a second.

Where are your horses, cavalrymen?

Horses? Imagination is all you need.

- You Socialists share your wives? - Only with National Democrats.

- You want to get hit? - Try it.

Your sister meets the Rifle Squad man.

- And your sister looks like you? - Yes, she does.

Unlucky girl.

- Can you clean my shoes right now? - No way. Too many of them.

Do you ladies need any help?

Maybe you need some help?

We invite all the injured to the Women's League.

Don't look back!

What a piece of gun!

Leave it! Put it away to the box.

- Just checking. - We had an order!

- Officer my ass! - Put it back!

Where are you from?

From where?

From Łódź.

That's where we're heading.

We are starting an uprising.

Give it back, you moron!

Give it back! Don't give me orders.

- Come, Riflemen! - Let's go, boys!

Attention!

Put down the rifle!

Get down!

Get up!

- Where are you from? - From Lwów.

- And you? - From Poznań.

- You? - Cieszyn.

Get down!

They came from all over Poland.

They bought fancy uniforms with their own money.

Get up!

They even put eagle badges on.

Get down!

Get up!

My question is:

why are you here?

To fight each other?

- Citizen Król... - Get down!

Exactly: 'citizen'.

Why do we address each other this way?

Why are you standing up?

I wasn't fighting.

Get up!

We were slaves to three emperors.

But we don't give a shit about them.

We are free men.

We are citizens.

You came here willingly.

You can leave if you want to.

Get down!

There's the gate.

Get up.

This time we'll make it.

Otherwise it's over for us.

- Citizen Król! This deserter... - I know.

What's your name?

Józek.

That's it?

Attention!

Poles salute with two fingers. You know why?

One means honor, the other means fatherland.

Nice shoes.

I found them.

That's good. I lost mine.

Did you bring him, Zbarski? See what he's good at.

Let's see, what he's made of!

Get him, Franek.

Get up!

He's no use.

Give him a break!

Franek is in a good shape, huh?

Show's over.

Take it if you're hungry.

Can I be of any help?

Do you know where we're going?

I'm on my way to Łódź.

Come with me.

Sit down and peel some potatoes.

Go ahead.

And this is your sword.

You can do it... knight!

Move your ass, Franek!

No more Riflemen or Rifle Squads.

Your only insignia will be the white eagle.

However, until you receive your new insignia,

I order you

to exchange your old ones

as a symbol of brotherhood of Polish soldiers.

Riflemen, give your badges to Rifle Squads and vice versa.

Do you want a soul?

Give a soul of yours.

Nałęcz.

Osiecki.

Ratajko.

We'll be leaving soon. We will check the border for you.

Ola...

Go back to Lwów.

- How's your medical studies? - There's no rush.

I insist.

As a soldier I refuse.

Ola!

I love you.

See you tomorrow.

Whether we die fighting

Or in Syberian snowy forests rot

From our hardship toil and suffering

Poland will rise again

From our hardship toil and suffering

Poland will rise again

Citizens! Ahead of us lies the enslaved land.

Our goal is to set it free.

In the name of the National Government I declare a state of war with Russia!

Why do you, officer, pretend to be a corporal?

- You're going back to headquarters. - No way. I'm staying with these boys.

The Russians left the town, but people are hiding in their homes.

Wake up. The potatoes will not peel themselves.

Platoon Four line up in formation!

Have we crossed the border yet?

You didn't cross. You slept through it.

Left turn!

Forward.

Where are they going?

To the town.

Is there a railroad?

A real railway man you are! Get to work!

- Where you're going? - To Łódź.

Thanks for the ride.

Give the knife back!

I was in the Russian army.

They have more cannons than you have people here.

Hot off the press.

What's up?

Did you get a promotion?

Get the rifle.

This is our country.

It'll make you look more serious.

Which way to the train station?

Behind the town hall. Go straight.

Any trains to Łódź?

It's a war, mister. War!

- My God! - Stop it.

Are you crazy?

There are Russians everywhere.

On the tower...

On the tower.

Motherfucker.

Follow me!

- Józek! - Ola!

Run fast!

On my command. Fire!

Cease fire.

- Give me a cigarette. - You don't smoke.

From now on you are Wieża.

Józef Wieża.

Repeat.

Wieża.

Give him a uniform. He looks like a bum.

Sign it.

"Soldiers!

In the midst of the widespread passivity

it was necessary for the boldest and the most energetic

to shoulder their responsibility

the initiative of casting a spark on the gunpowder.

You cast this spark by setting an example to others,

as the leaders of the Polish nation's struggle for the independence.

In Krakow, the Supreme National Committee has been established