Tomas, what's taking you so long?
Father!
What's wrong?
Go inside the house!
Where is the rest of your family?
This is my family no more children.
You liar!.
Burn it!
Please, sir!. Don't!
- Father... - Father...
Wake up father.
Have you told Amir yet?
Not yet. I'm waiting for the right time.
Girl, he's no fool. You're starting to show.
I just wanted to be sure.
How long have you been getting the sickness?
Two weeks.
Doesn't Amir want a child?
He's always talking about the revolution...
And the army.
Men! Thats all they talk about...
Doesn't get the chores done.
Amir, you're home so early?
I don't mean to interrupt, but it could not wait.
Could you excuse us?
Don't mind me.
Thank you.
I have big news.
I have news, too... But you go first.
Well... Today, I enlisted as a cadet.
I know this may not be what you wanted.
But I thought you would be proud.
Dear...
Melati, this is the beginning of a new country...
It's worth fighting for.
But, why do you have to be the one fighting?
How can I call myself a man...
If I am not willing to fight?
You're a teacher, not a soldier.
Not yet. But I'm sure I can do this.
I thought...
We were ready to settle down and have children.
Melati...
That is why I have to do this... for them.
So that one day, our sons can be free men.
Or our daughters.
Besides, this is the best time for me to enlist.
While I am still young and don't have much to lose.
Correct?
Thank you.
Oh, what was it you wanted to tell me?
Nothing so important.
I'm done mending that button on your shirt.
Thank you, Melati.
You know I really love this shirt.
But I love you more.
Now, where are my shoes?
I can't believe you're joining the army.
After what happened to our parents.
Stop it! We don't talk about that, ever.
Do you want to end up like them?
Of course not.
It's just that you are my little brother.
With mom and dad gone...
You shouldn't be telling me what to do.
I should be taking care of you.
I'm head of the family now.
Joining the the republican army...
Is the best way to keep us safe.
Just wait until I get in uniform...
Every girl in the city will go crazy.
Who is it?
Its me... Marius!
I'm almost ready... give me a minute.
Where did you get that?
The question is...
What are we going to do with it?
It's illegal here.
We could get kicked out.
I know Soerono...
But, nothing wrong with having one last fantastic night before we go off to war.
I'm not kidding, Marius.
Commander Taufik is a serious Muslim and...
Well, I'm a serious alcoholic.
You coming?
Hide that.
Wait one second.
Who's that?
Don't worry, just a friend.
"The night is young, the stars are bright..."
Good looking... Be careful.
That's the kind of guy who can get you into trouble.
Who is that you were you talking to?
No one.
She looks pretty sweet, man.
Let's enjoy our last night as civilians.
Sorry, brother.
Watch where you step.
Excuse me?
Marius, forget it.
I said, watch who you run into.
I'm an officer in the Republican Army.
Brother, you're a cadet trainee...
I am here to join as well.
Go back to your farm.
Your shirt stinks of water-buffalo shit.
It's chicken shit.
Tell your mother to stitch you a new one.
Unless she's too busy with the milkman?
What did you say?
Come here!
You could get us thrown out.
Soerono, officer training is for people of good family.
You understand?
You're wrong.
Officer training is for leaders, Marius.
Exactly.
We lead, he follows.
But will he follow you?
Yes.
Just like today, Soerono...
You can follow me to the bar to celebrate.
Next!
Name?
Tomas Dalamente.
You're not on the list.
Next!
Sir, I want to fight.
As you can see, we're busy here.
The local militia can always use an extra pair of hands.
What's going on?
Sit down.
You want to be a fighter?
Yes, sir.
I can fight like a tiger.
You are a Christian?
Yes.
Your religion instructs you to turn the other cheek.
Correct?
It also teaches to take an eye for an eye, sir.
As does your religion.
All right.
Make your mark...
And don't disappoint me.
Next!
Name?
In the service of your country...
Each of you will be expected to honor himself...
And this unit.
Next to Allah, you answer directly to me.
You do not move unless I say, "MOVE!"
You do not talk unless I say, "SPEAK!"
When I say, "JUMP!."
You ask, "HOW HIGH?"
Lateness will not be tolerated!
Sergeant!
Sir.
Now, you two get the opportunity to serve...
The needs of your fellow cadets...
While the rest of the unit begins its training.
But, sir...
I signed up to be an officer...
Not dig holes.
I've been to university...
So has he.
University?
Well, then let me show you how this works!
Faster!
Come on, jump faster!
Hurry up!
Don't be lazy!
Come on, run along!
Run and run.
Every day we run!
He doesn't even wash before prayer.
He's not Muslim.
Christian, maybe.
Where's he from?
He hasn't said much.
Sulawesi, I think.
Dutch dog.
He'll never make a proper officer.
Don't worry, Marius.
I heard he did pretty well today.
I'm done.
Go ahead, I'll catch up.
Hey, you bastard!
Brother, it's not worth it.
Where is my cross, you bastard?
Marius, leave it.
Who are you calling a bastard?
I don't know anything about it.
Hand it over...
And I won't kill you right here.
Tell us who you stole it from? You dog!
Five years of boxing lessons at Batavia Academy...
What have you got?
What is this?
And destruction of army uniforms?
I told you not to disappoint me!
This despicable behavior is not acceptable.
Sir, Dayan did not...
Enough!
You will speak When spoken to, soldier!
While the rest of us eat as a unit...
You two...
Will dig the deepest foxholes in Java!
Yes, sir!
Why did you get involved?
It's not your fight.
You're not from Sulawesi.
Where you come from?
Bali?
You're not a Christian, either.
Now...
You've missed your dinner.
Not hungry.
So why did you help me?
I can fight my own battles.
You like to interfere with other people's problems.
He deliberately provoked you into fighting.
You must learn to control your emotions.
Make that anger work to your advantage.
I can control my emotions.
I just don't get along with those Javanese.
What I would like to know is, how do you do it?
I mean...
Every time I turn around someone is giving me trouble.
"Hey, you dog!"
"What makes you think you can be an officer, coolie?"
But you...
You just glide in and don't say a word, no trouble...
Like a spirit...
Invisible.
Dayan?
Thank you, my friend.
Just promise...
You will pray to all of your Gods for me.
But, you are a true believer.
I believe every man should be free.
See what happens when farmers try and play officer...
No discipline at all.
Why do you hate me so, city boy?
Do I scare you?
Me?
Scared of you?
Is it because a poor farmer from Sulawesi?
Is it because you fear?
Or because...
You don't have the guts to do anything about it?
You'll never be an officer, chicken farmer!
Hey city boy...
You know what we do with chickens on a farm?
Stop it, both of you!
I said, enough!
City boy...
Against farmer.
Java...
Versus Sulawesi.
Who wins?
The Dutch!
Stop squabbling like schoolboys and get some rest.
Tomorrow, we learn to fight like men.
Go on, get some rest.
Forget it, Marius.
It's not a competition.
Of course it is.
Life is a competition.
I trained with the Japanese military.
They say...
That the only competition you should win...
Is the war within yourself.
No wonder they lost.
Hey, you fooling around?
Indonesia Free! Free!
Republic of Indonesia! Indonesia!
Attention!
This one.
Sir!
Indonesia free!
Topan! Come on!
Can't even aim a gun and you try to fix radios?
Sergeant!
Sir!
Who does this belong to?
You, fat one?
Is this why you can't keep up?
Answer me!
Yes, sir. Not mine, sir.
Whose, then?
Surely not one of my good Muslims.
I seem to remember...
A certain rich city boy...
Who showed up worse for wear on muster day.
Come on, answer!
Sir, no sir, I mean, yes sir.
Sergeant!
Read cadet Marius' report!
Marius, last in rifle drill, last in marksmanship...
Last in physical training!
It's mine, sir.
You, Christian?
Perhaps I should have known.
Now, get out of my camp!
Please, sir...
Sir, if I may say so...
There are still some foxholes that need digging.
What's this? Command advice from General Marius?
Sir, the Commandant always says that a soldier.
Is that what I always say?
Do enlighten us, from your vast experience.
Speak!
Napoleon...
The French military genius...
Insisted that before his generals put a plan in action...
They must first explain it to.
So that the plan could be executed in the field.
And, perhaps the army can use a few simple fools.
Certainly plenty of them in this unit.
Start digging!
Yes, sir.
Ouch!
Topan, what are you making?
My jimat. It has holy power.
Jimat?
What kind of holy power?
If you stitch your favorite verse from the Koran
And wear it in battle...
You become invincible.
Can you teach me?
Of course.
Good...
I can use all the invincibility I can get.
Sounds like nonsense.
I'd rather have my rifle by my side.
I'd rather have your rifle as far away
You're crazy!
Forget my jimat.
Even a ghost would be scared of your aim.
Attention!
You.
And you.
Report to me in full dress.
First Soerono and then Amir.
Yes, sir!
Thank you, Captain.
Amir.
I have been watching you closely.
You may not be from a prestigious family.
But you are a good Muslim and a good leader.
Soerono will be my first lieutenant...
And I want you to be my second.
What do you think?
Thank you, sir...
But...
I am only a teacher.
When you came to me, you were only boys.
But now, you are men.
You are soldiers!
You have been trained, disciplined.
The enemy you are about to face is clever...
Intimidating and devious.
I expect each of you to go forth with courage...
And bring honor upon yourself...
Your country and this unit.
Dismissed!
Now, you may join the ladies.
Hello beautiful, you ever dance with a soldier before?
I'm married to one.
Lucky man.
He doesn't think so...
Or he wouldn't have left me
Maybe he trusts you.
Maybe he should try hugging me.
Maybe he should try kissing you.
Amir, I missed you so much.
Two weeks never felt so long.
Look, I got promoted.
You may address me as Lieutenant Amir.
Madam Lieutenant.
I like the sound of that.
Maybe, you will one day be Madam General.
I'd rather be the wife of a teacher
Honey, I'm worried.
Let's not speak of that now.
But the radio says the Dutch are massing for...
I'm not afraid of the Dutch army.
I'm more afraid of stepping on your toes.
So, which of these beauties will you dance with?
That one, there.
Dayan, I came to Java to fight...
Not to dance, Dayan.
You are too scared to dance? Come on.
Maybe in Bali, you are glad to dance.
Don't question our spirit, Tomas.
We were the last island in Indonesia.
Sorry, Dayan.
Two, three... yeah.
Now, just follow me.
No, it's not hand-to-hand combat.
One, two...
Come on, practice first!
I'm glad you came, sister.
Hey... that's wrong.
Front to back...
One...
Yeah.
Finished.
Officer Tomas, now you are ready!
What if she says no?
Tell her you're going off to face death.
I'd rather face death.
Good evening.
Soon I'm going off to face...
Dance.
I mean, would you like to dance with me?
Sure.
Now it must be my turn.
She's my sister.
Have a drink, my friend.
Hey, Topan.
Come on.
Wait a second, Topan.
Honey...
I have something very important to tell you.
Run and hide in the hills!
Grab your weapons!
Follow your commanders, quick!
Hurry! Hurry!
First platoon, all squads presented and accounted for, sir!
Second squad, all present and accounted for, sir!
Freedom!
Watch out! Hurry!
I bet the Dutch are gone.
I can smell those Dutch dogs.
What do they smell like?
Milk.
Or cheese.
Cheese?
Let's get a better position.
Topan, Topan!
Oh, Allah!
We're all going to die!
Topan!
Oh, Allah!
You're not going anywhere!
I'm sorry. We have to go back!
Steady.
Someone fires until there is something to shoot at.
We have to go! They're everywhere.
We're dead.
We're all dead.
Easy, boys.
This is what we trained for.
Retreat!
Well done!
Hold fire!
Lieutenant...
Commander Taufik sent us to reinforce your position.
Ucok? Ucok?
You two.
Take that position and shoot anything that moves.
Ready, Lieutenant!
Why are you still here, brother?
Soerono...
Senja?
Did you see her?
Where?
Where, Dayan?
She was down that way, but...
Lieutenant!
Soerono!
Tomas, the Dutch got around our flank somehow.
The Dutch are everywhere, Amir.
Tell everyone to fall back to that creek bed.
We can plan a new strategy there.
Retreat?
We're not surrendering, brother.
We have to pull back!
Why are you hiding?
Sir, we need to...
Come on, let's attack!
Sir, there are only eight of us...
We can't beat them, but...
Listen, With Allah's grace, we cannot be stopped.
Sir, respectfully, we should fall back to the creek bed.
We could defend that ground.
And surrender more of my country to the Dutch?
They don't deserve what is ours!
Freedom or death! Forward!
Sir!
Tomas, no! Stay down!
Amir, let go of me!
He's dead!
Coward! That man had heart!
But now it has a hole in it. Fall back!
You're not half the officer he was.
Maybe. But I'm the only one you've got.
But he said to...
It takes more than heart.
We have to use our heads. Now, come on!
Soerono! Where are your men?
Have you seen Senja?
Who's Senja?
My sister!
I saw a girl run that way... but I couldn't be sure.
Soerono!
Senja?
Amir, I'll meet you at the creek bed.
Tomas! That won't do any good.
Soerono!
What are you doing here?
Come on, they're almost on top of us!
Come on! Hurry up!
Marius, help me.
Marius...
I'm sorry, I can't.
My sister, have you seen Senja?
Don't worry.
Marius...
He was right there.
Tomas...
Have you seen...
Soerono!
Sister.
I'm so sorry.
I was afraid I would never see you again.
Soerono, you're going to be fine.
Tomas...
You take care of her now.
We have to get you out of here.
No...
I won't be going anywhere.
You need a doctor.
I'm cold.
Is it raining?
Don't talk.
Forgive me.
Marius!
You made it!
Where are the others?
Marius?
They're dead, everyone is dead.
I saw with my own eyes, they are dead, Amir!
We have to go, they're behind us!
Marius... What about Tomas?
Tomas, Soerono, everybody's is dead, Amir!
We have to go!
We're not going anywhere.
Soerono is looking for his sister, he is still alive!
He is dead, Amir.
Get a hold of yourself.
Where is Soerono?
Senja, we have to go.
We can't just leave him here.
I promised I would take care of you.
If we stay, you will end up like him.
How do you know that's not what I want?
Your brother wouldn't want that.
Well, he doesn't get a say, does he?
Senja.
No!
Soerono.
We have to leave, Amir.
The Dutch are butchering all our friends!
You're alive, praise Allah.
The others?
There are no others.
We're it.
Soerono?
Where is Soerono?
Soerono is dead.
You left him out there to die alone?
I stayed with him 'til he died.
He was my best friend.
He was my brother!
That's enough!
We have lost enough today.
We must not fight among ourselves.
We need to fall back to the eastern road.
And then move south.
Find the rest of our army.
Just surrender this whole area?
Our school?
Exactly.
We can't do nothing!
We need to attack!
Tomas, we are the only survivors.
If we die...
Then our friends died in vain.
We have to survive today, so we can fight tomorrow.
Lieutenant Amir, you've been an officer for one day
And you're always leading in the wrong direction!
Tomas.
And what about the girl?
What do you think the Dutch will do to her?
We live today. But, we fight tomorrow.
Marius!
You take Senja.
We'll meet you at the rally point!
Marius, hurry!
Dayan, cover me!
Careful, Lieutenant!
Lieutenant, come on!
Dayan, go to the village.
Tell everyone to evacuate...
And head east, where our army can protect them.
Yes, Lieutenant.
What about you?
I'll be right behind you. Go!
Amin!
Amin, come on.
These darkies...
So easy to kill.
Damn!
What is happening? What is going on?
Listen!
Everyone needs to leave town and head east.
In the hills, there we can protect you.
Why can't you protect us here?
What will happen to our homes?
We can't just leave our homes, sir!
What about my rice crop?
My goats! They will take my goats!
You can take your goats, ma'am.
Take some food and livestock, too.
So you would have us give up our homes?
And you say you will protect us?
How will you protect us in the jungle...
When you have already failed to protect us here?
Neighbors, listen to me!
The Dutch are after these revolutionary troublemakers.
Not innocent, law-abiding civilians like us.
Sir, please...
The Dutch are right on my heels.
I told you to get these people moving?
Well, l...
We are not leaving. It is our decision.
Sir, I must insist.
I was the Lurah of this village...
When the Dutch ruled this land many years ago...
And when the Japanese came...
And when the British came...
And I am still the Lurah.
We will survive!
Listen, sir!
Take cover!
You see! You must go!
Or the Dutch will hold us responsible!
Lieutenant, what about all those people?
There's nothing more we can do. Take cover!
Go meet up with the others.
And you, sir?
I must get to my wife's house before the Dutch do.
Melati!
Oh, Amir, I heard the gunfire in the village.
I have been so worried.
I'm fine.
Miss me?
I thought I told you to go into the hills?
I didn't think I could make it...
And I was worried about you.
And you! I told you to join the others.
I don't take orders from married men.
Neither do their wives.
It's lonely at the top, lieutenant.
Come on, let's go!
Please, sir, we are unarmed.
We got rid of the rebels.
I am the Lurah here.
And, now... The village is yours.
Is it now?
Well, thank you, Lurah.
You're welcome.
Now...
Where have they gone?
I don't know, sir.
Then you are of little use to me.
Burn this shitty village!
Kill anyone who so much as raises his voice to you.
And don't leave a grain of rice to feed these rebels.
Soerono died for a good cause.
For the republic.
The republic?
Your damned republic has taken everything from me.
Get your hands off me!
What now, Amir?
I don't know.
Will we be safe from the Dutch?
Should we move on to the south?
I said I don't know!
Lieutenant...
What?
Forgive me, its not my place...
But in the cadet school, they taught us...
That an officer can tell his men absolutely anything...
Except that he does not know what to do.
What if I really don't know?
Most especially not then, Lieutenant.
Then you must be very sure.
So, when there are no men, no ammunition...
Maps or vehicles...
And no idea what to do?
That is when an officer must be at his most confident.
Why don't you lead us?
Then who would be available to give me advice?
Listen up.
There's nothing more we can do today.
It will be dark soon.
The Dutch should not be able to track us at night.
Or more probably, won't bother.
But just in case...
Marius, you take first watch.
Why me?
Because you're the only one who owns a watch.
Tomas.
You go after him.
The rest of us get some sleep.
We get moving after morning prayers.
Yes, Lieutenant.
Triman
Lately, you don't pay attention and skip classes.
You have cuts and bruises on your arms.
I joined the local Youth Movement, sir.
Triman!
How can you sit in here and talk...
While others fight for you?
Damn, Manado...
You sneak around like a thief.
What are you looking at?
What?
What happened today, wasn't my fault.
I know.
You don't know anything!
I was there bullets flying, men screaming.
You weren't there, Tomas.
It was war. And you ran!
Everyone did.
Yes, everyone ran.
But you left Soerono behind.
Lucky he died... What if the Dutch captured him?
Shut your mouth! He was my best friend!
I could kill you out here...
And no one would complain.
But I'm going to give you what you wouldn't
...another chance.
I was scared.
I just couldn't, Tomas.
We were all scared today, city boy.
It's just... what you do about it.
That's what makes you a man?
No. It makes you a soldier.
Allah, so many have died, and now...
Those that are left are looking to me.
And l... I don't know how.
Allah, please grant me the wisdom.
And the courage to do it.
Melati, I want you to take Senja to Lambongan-Lor.
It's best you stay at your mother's house.
We have to bury Soerono.
He is buried deep in our hearts.
But...
That is enough for Allah. It must be enough for you.
His spirit protects you already.
You go with Melati.
We will walk you as far as the main road.
And then...
Marius... Tomas...
We must retrace our steps. Go back to the village.
Reconnoiter the enemy position...
So we can track their movements...
And see if we can help the people there.
And if the Dutch still hold the village?
Then we send them to hell!
Sir? Sir?
Sir, what happened here?
I was in the field with my sons
They killed my wife.
They butchered everyone.
I am sorry.
What is your name, sir?
Gunaryo.
Can you tell us anything about the Dutch?
Which way they were headed,
They had everything.
Fuel, barrels of it, in trucks headed south.
How many?
I'm not sure.
I heard ten...
Maybe even a hundred...
Or was it a thousand?
I am not so good with counting.
I drew this last night, sir.
These are the mountains over there.
Here is the river, and we are here.
I understand.
The Dutch came through here and continued south.
Why would they be heading that way?
There is really nothing of value to the south.
Obviously, they are pushing for the sea.
The divide-and-conquer strategy.
Julius Caesar? Machiavelli?
Who's Master Velli?
The Dutch are trying to slice the island in half...
Separate all of Western Java from the capital.
They are carving up the republic, piece by piece.
How are we going to stop them, Lieutenant?
Stop them?
Yes.
Have you forgotten what happened?
You want to surrender the country to the Dutch?
Is that your plan?
That's not what I said, Tomas.
Enough! We need to work together.
Trucks.
What did you say?
Trucks run on petrol.
My, such brilliance!
The four of us can't beat their whole army.
But we could stop the trucks.
The Dutch can only push as far as.
They have to send trucks with more petrol.
If they plan to push all the way to the sea.
Correct?
This is probably the best location to stop them...
Here.
When those petrol convoys come across this bridge...
We Will give them a proper welcome.
We have four rifles.
But only enough ammunition for three.
Two pistols and a machine gun.
But again, not much ammunition.
A pair of grenades and a couple of machetes.
But how can we do what forty cadets?
This time, we will surprise them?
Marius is right.
We can't beat them, just the four of us.
Who else, if not us?
The villagers are too scared even to talk to us.
What about you, sir?
Will you fight the men who murdered your wife?
I would have been offended if you had not asked.
Can he aim a rifle?
Can you?
Is there anyone else who will fight?
My sons.
Not much. But it may help.
I have many sons.
Dayan.
We need a lookout in one of those trees.
Tomas. Marius.
Start digging a position on that ridge.
Dig deep. It needs to be invisible from the road.
And hurry, we may not have much time.
Yes, sir.
It's so hot today.
Just do your job.
Dig, dig, dig...
When there is digging to do, it's always Marius.
Easier for you, pig farmer, you're used to this.
Chicken farmer, Marius.
Let me just catch my breath.
If you didn't waste so much of it talking,
But then who would entertain?
You know...
You might think you've got something on me.
But it doesn't matter...
Because we might as well be digging our oWn graves.
Where is that farmer?
And that army of kids he promised us?
Don't worry.
I keep my word.
Your shovel, sir.
Careful. He's college educated.
Sorry, I didn't realize, sir.
Let me show you how to work this.
Yeah, you dig first.
These are all your sons?
Yes.
Are we all ready?
Ready!
Go to your positions. You each know your duties.
Yes, sir!
Freedom!
Marius!
Thanks for the ride, Sergeant.
No sweat.
Anything for the intelligence corps, Major.
Will we reach headquarters by dusk?
Sure. You know the motto in the motor pool...
"We live for the open road!"
At headquarters, we live to read reports.
They're coming. Positions!
Sergeant...
What's that?
Samuels, De Boer, clear these goats off the road!
Visser, Janssen, guard the trucks!
Ambush!
Move your hand. Let me see.
Oh God! I'm a dead man, I'm shot!
Let me see. Calm down!
Typical Marius. It's just a scratch!
Now!
Freedom!
Well done. Your sons fought like tigers.
Now we should...
Father! Piro, sir!
Dayan, look for medical supplies in that jeep!
Let me go.
No, no! Please, Allah, don't take my son.
You kill my mother!
Now you shoot my brother!
Dutch bastard!
Can you save him?
He's lost a lot of blood.
But the bullet missed his heart and lungs.
I think it's lodged here under his shoulder.
I think the boy may live to see a free Indonesia, sir.
How do you know?
Actually, I was in medical school.
For two years. Then I left, Tomas.
Couldn't stand the sight of blood?
Actually, there was an incident with a nurse.
Careful, Marius. You hurting him.
Just relieving him of this.
Just need to clean this up to keep it from infection.
Very big risk, in our tropical climate.
We don't have a sterile needle for stitches.
If he doesn't get fever...
Your son is going to make it.
Now, to teach those Dutch dogs a lesson.
Tomas!
He's a commander, we can use him.
Tell us, where was your convoy headed?
My name is Paul Van Gaartner.
Major in the Army of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Serial Number NL75220.
You're not soldiers.
You're butchers.
I'm a teacher.
He's a farmer.
You Dutch are the butchers.
We are just little people...
Trying to live in our own country.
So I'll ask you one more time.
Where were you headed?
Stop!
We were heading towards... Lambongan-Lor.
Tomas! Tomas, where are you going?
Lambongan-Lor!
Tomas!
What?
We'll get there faster in this.
Why won't it go?