King Petar of Serbia (Краљ Петар I)

KING PETAR I

You probably expected a man that's better and more handsome

than any of the previous kings.

A man to astound everyone, win everyone over,

and meet every expectation.

You have before you but a humble old man.

I have come to tell you that I am willing to accept

the throne of Serbia granted me by God and by the people.

I promise to put all my interests aside

and that my only concern shall always be the Serbian people.

I shall warrant with my life

the freedom and the rights of the people I will lead.

On June 24, 1914 king Petar I

abdicated in favor of his son Aleksandar.

Franz Ferdinand - heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne

was assassinated in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914.

Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for it.

On July 23, 1914 it presented the Serbian government

with a list of demands that no independent state could accept.

These events led to the Great War, the bloodiest war ever.

July 24th 1914

WAR IS INEVITABLE IT'S ALL OVER

RELATIONS BETWEEN SERBIA AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY SEVERED!

All who are not part of the High Command, leave the room.

Key Makeup artist Dušica Vuksanović Visual Effects Ivan Èolić

We hoped that the diplomatic efforts

of the Russian Ambassador would give results.

-But now... -We have no choice but to fight and die.

The mobilization plans drawn by Mr. Putnik

should come into effect as of tonight.

Our farmer-soldiers have barely taken their uniforms off.

I suggest we also call his majesty King Petar.

I think we need his wisdom at this moment.

Good... This is fine.

Arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Your body, for some reason, produces antibodies.

They attack your cartilage, even though it's healthy.

The organism is practically attacking itself.

Do not skip your warm, relaxing baths,

even when you seem to be alright.

"Their horrible request has no precedent!

Now all hopes lie with Russia

and its promise of a diplomatic mediation.

You are needed, Petar.

By Pašić, the High Command and by your son Aleksandar."

Now I'm needed... Are you writing?

My advice is for the government to accept their requests.

What now looks like a weakness,

will be seen as diplomacy in future.

What seems punishment now,

will spare us from greater destruction tomorrow.

And what looks like spite today

will be sheer stupidity tomorrow.

My son, regent Aleksandar will surely make the right decision.

Protect yourself from the cold! Is that clear?

Right.

-And don't go hungry. -Right, mother.

Come on, Marinko! We're all waiting!

Remember what I'm about to tell you now.

Else you'll end up like your late father.

When there's a charge, don't be the first, nor the last.

Don't worry, I'll be back before winter comes.

My dear son...

-War scatters people at its own will. -I'll write.

Marinko we're waiting!

They're calling me.

Farewell.

Marinko, the war will end by the time you get ready!

Hello brothers!

Are you all right? Let's go!

Mother!

Please don't!

-Don't... -Where's your husband?

So you don't know where he is?

Where is your husband?

Which of you had no training, or has no combat experience?

-I! -Feeder! And you, loader!

You have no experience?

-No. -You'll lead horses!

That's St. Elijah, the thunderer.

We leave in an hour!

The battery shall pack food for two days.

At ease.

Who had no training, or has no combat experience?

-I didn't... -Feeder! And you, loader.

All others, hand me your army booklets.

Timer!

I served in the artillery. At Kumanovo.

Assistant aimer!

I know that one, captain!

Feeder!

Yessir!

Života, give them their assignments.

Save ammunition. No wasting!

Measure thrice... Five times!

-Get ready to move out. -Yes sir.

Hand me that brandy.

Majesty, I greatly admire all of your military achievements,

and the courage you've shown in battle.

-All the stories I've heard about you... -Aren't true!

No truth in them.

All that's said about war, isn't true.

Soldier, you're still wet behind your ears.

You all want to defend your homeland

thinking there's nothing nicer in life.

And then, if you're lucky, you get killed early on.

So you don't get to watch your companions getting killed.

Death is everywhere. Ugly and accidental.

Those that deserve it are not the ones to die.

Rather it's those that fate has chosen to meet the bullet.

In war, after a few weeks,

you loose your soul and your mind.

All that's left of you is your name.

What makes you go on is just your instinct. Of an animal...

Great courage in war is no virtue.

War is chaos, mindlessness.

Anyone that manages to keep his cool in that hell,

simply isn't normal.

Human lives are not the worst thing that's lost in war.

War kills the soul in each of us.

And I've fought enough wars...

It would be logical to expect them to cross the river Sava

and then continue the advance centrally,

along the basin of the river Velika Morava.

That's certainly what I would do in their place.

Still, there have been incursions

in the villages of Lešnica and Jelav along the river Drina.

Word is that they've drafted our brethren from Herzegovina

to attack their own people on this side of the river Drina.

We should get our troops ready to march.

To Mt. Cer!

What's your name?

I'm Momčilo Gavrić from Trbušnica near Loznica.

Why aren't you at home with your parents, young Gavrić?

I've no one any more.

The Krauts killed my whole family and torched the village.

My Mother and seven brothers and sisters.

Damned Krauts!

You're too young for the army.

I want to avenge my loved ones! Or die.

See that wagon behind me?

Say that Capt. Savić sent you. They'll take care of you.

Is that clear? Go now!

Engineers, move the wagon uphill!

Back to your duties!

Mind the horses!

Don't let steel rub against them...

Damned cough!

"Oh, Serbia mother dear

Thou must not shed a tear.

When you beckon, when you send your call,

we'll come one an all!"

Hold it there!

Camouflage it!

Easy now!

To the right!

The hand rub isn't helping any.

I need you to use your feet.

Your Majesty, an urgent telegram for you!

Slip it under the door!

I know what's it about.

A new damned war has started.

Open fire on Kosanin Grad!

Orders by general Stepanović! Open fire on Kosanin Grad Hill!

Understood!

Coordinates 32/0. Distance 3200!

-Wait for the order to fire. -Yessir!

Open fire on the enemy battery on the edge of the forest.

Coordinates... -32 and 0.

-Distance 3200! -3250...

We'll be short.

32/0! Distance 3200!

32/0... Distance 3200.

32/0. Distance 3200.

Three shells per piece! Rapid fire!

Fire!

Range correction salvo! Same elements!

Fire!

They got us in their sights!

-They're hitting us. We're exposed! -You don't say?

Over here! Quick!

Put it out! Throw dirt on it!

Bring more shells!

This is not good...

We're hitting short and wasting ammunition!

Set range 3230!

I knew it wasn't enough.

It's all right. You'll make it.

Call the medics!

Wait, the shell!

Call the medics!

Mother...

It's all right, you'll make it.

Calm down...

Put out the fire!

Throw dirt on it!

Medic! Over here!

Resupply the ammunition.

Medics are coming!

Take over, kid.