"Red Angels" [excerpt #3]
Aug. 7th, 2011 11:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nebrisLilya 'shakes' herself, consults a folded map.
Lilya
The ferry field is coming up. Let's keep
our eyes peeled.
Katya(o.s./radio)
I think I see it. Starboard, about fifteen
degrees.
LILYA
(looks down, smiles)
Right on the nose, Snowflake Three. Let's
go visiting.
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - day
The Two Yaks come in for a landing. The 'RUNWAY' is a grass field that has seen frequent landings, sitting in the middle the open countryside.
Cut to:
The aircraft taxi to a stop. Lilya slides back her canopy, looks around. She's not impressed. The 'field' is several TENTS, some beat up VEHICLES, and a lot of 'junk'.
cut to:
Lilya and Katya walk from their aircraft, pull off their flight helmets. A GROUP of GROUND CREW, 20's, male, scruffy, sit on boxes smoking and playing cards, studiously ignoring Lilya and Katya.
Lilya
Comrades, we need to be refueled.
crewman #1
(not looking up)
We don't have any gasoline.
Lilya and Katya look at each other. Lilya leans in, picks up a ration can. The Crewmen glance at her suspiciously. She pulls out her pistol. The Crewmen jump up in alarm.Lilya tosses the can into the air, fires at it: one-two-three-four-five! Each ROUND HITS, keeping the can airborne. Lilya reholsters her pistol, as the can falls to the ground: "CLUNK"!
crewman #1
Honestly, Lieu..Lieu.. Lieutenant! I..We
..There is no gasoline. Th..The fuel trucks
won't be here until morning.
Lilya
(to Katya)
I guess that means we're stuck here.
crewman #1
(scared)
I..I..I..
Lilya
(feral grin)
Relax, Comrade. I don't shoot people simply
for being fools.
He smiles uncertainly.
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - night
All sit around a fire. Katya plays a "sad song" on her accordion. Lilya reloads her pistol magazine. The Crewmen watch them with fascination.
cut to:
Lilya and Katya, bundled up in blankets, lay on a tarp under Lilya's aircraft, looking at the horizon: Stalingrad GLOWS and FLASHES in the distance.
dissolve to:
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - dawn
The Black Column rises in the distance. The Two Yaks take off in its direction.
dissolve to:
ext. 586th runway/Kalac' - day
A C-47 "DAKOTA" TRANSPORT PLANE with Soviet markings comes in for a landing.
ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day
Natalya and Vera stand and watch the C-47 as it taxis towards them. Behind them, the women begin getting up from the chairs. Most of them are 'puffy eyed'. Some just look
blank.
Natalya
It's about God damned time! This was the
worst thing possible. We should be up and
fighting, not sitting here in our misery.
Vera
Barkagan was very specific. All operations
suspended until he arrives.
Natalya
Well, he's here. The son of a bitch!
cut to:
Barkagan approaches with another officer, who limps and carries a cane. LT. COLONEL ALEXANDER "SASHA" KUKOV, 29, tall, tough, good looking.
Barkagan
(to Natalya & Vera)
Please have all the pilots assemble in
the mess hall.
Natalya
Yes, sir.
int. 586th 'mess hall'/Kalac' - day
All stand at attention in front of Barkagan and Sasha.
Barkagan
Comrade Raskova was a close personal friend
of mine and I feel her loss deeply, deeper
than you can know.
(deep breath)
Now, what I have to say does not reflect in
anyway upon Comrade Savitskaya.
(indicates Sasha)
This is Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kukov.
I have decided to place him in command of
this regiment until further notice.
Everyone is stunned.
Barkagan
Colonel?
Sasha
(steps forward)
Comrades, I know I am coming in under
very distressing circumstances and that
you are used to things being run a certain
way. But, things change and I run things
differently. So, Order Number One: All
members of this unit will remove all
non-regulation ornamentation from their
uniforms. Order Number Two: All members
of this unit will comply with regulations
regarding the length of hair. Those not in
compliance will see the regimental barber
before Twelve-Hundred Hours tomorrow. In
addition, there will be a general inspection
of the entire regiment at Zero-Eight-Hundred
Hours tomorrow. That will be all. Dismissed.
Barkagan and Sasha exit. The women cluster around Natalya 'gesturing', TALKING rapidly, etc.
All
(simultaneously)
Who does he think he is?-Talk to the
General!-Talk to him!-What regimental
barber!?, etc.
Natalya
Enough! We have our orders! We are soldiers.
Our duty is to protect the Motherland, and
to do that we have to follow orders.
Understood?
The women get quiet, look at her with dismay, but no one disputes her. Natalya turns, exits.
Vera
Come on, girls. Let's get going. We've
got a mountain of work to do.
The women 'pull themselves together', begin to exit.
int. marina's office/Kalac' - day
Sasha stands looking sadly at the desk. There's an unfinished letter on the desk, along with the 'Winged Sisters' PHOTO. Sasha picks up the PHOTO, looks at it, then places
it face down on the desk, looks up to see Natalya enter. The "mask of command" comes back up over his face.
Natalya
May I be candid, Comrade Colonel?
Sasha
Comrade Major, you have a duty to be
candid.
Natalya
(hard edged)
There is no way I can say this without
sounding self serving, but I believe
your appointment a mistake, nothing
personal, Comrade Colonel. This is a
women's unit, and we deserve, we require
a woman to lead us. Colonel Raskova is,
was, one the best CO's in 'this man's air-
force' and I think your appointment will
devastate unit morale.
Sasha
(gentle)
You are right, Comrade Major. Colonel
Raskova did an excellent job with the
Five Eighty Sixth. And I am an intruder.
But, for better or worse, she was a mother
figure. And if this unit is allowed to
dwell on her death, it won't be able to
fight. Let them hate me for a while until
their grief passes. This is new territory
for all of us.
Natalya stands there, listening, watching his face.
Sasha
Comrade Major, will you take care of
Colonel Raskova's things?
Natalya
Certainly, Comrade Colonel.
Sasha
Thank you.
He is about to say something else, when Vera enters.
Sasha
If you'll excuse me, I need to unpack.
They all salute. Sasha exits limping.
NATALYA
It's all so damned unfair!
Vera
Barkagan did it to protect us.
Natalya
How is that?
Vera
In many ways, we are still a provisional
unit, still vulnerable to political inter-
ference, simply because we are women. But
Marina Nicolaivna had the strength of her
legend to shield us. Like the little party
we had the other night. If any other General
Officer walked in on that, the "Great Marina
Raskova" would have had the power to deflect
any problems. You, Natalya Andreivna, though
you will make an excellent commander when
your time comes, you don't have that kind
of political power. Not yet. Hence, Alexander Kukov.
Natalya
Then I suppose I owe Comrade Kukov an apology.
Vera
(sly smile)
No, you don't. And I did overhear what
you said to him. He knows this unit is
important to Barkagan, so he needs us
in some ways more than we need him. Let
him work for it.
Natalya
Yes, Comrade Commissar.
(sighs)
I sometimes wonder if this is all worth it.
Vera
Which?
Natalya
The Revolution. Socialism. I never doubt
Mother Russia, but...everything else?
Vera
I will tell you this and then you will forget
it, except possibly in your dreams. What
truly matters is the Women's Revolution.
Until women are free from male oppression,
or worse yet, male condescension, real
social justice is not even feasible. That
is our true goal. By the way, Comrade Kukov
is very attracted to you. Make him work for
that as well.
Natalya
(laughs)
You are a monster, Vera Semyonova.
Vera looks at Stalin's Portrait.
Vera
(soft)
I was trained by the best.
Natalya opens a LARGE LEATHER BOUND ALBUM on the desk. It is filled with PRESS CLIPPINGS and PHOTOS of Marina and the 'Winged Sisters'.
Natalya
(teary eyed)
I am going to miss her.
She looks up at Vera, who has started to cry. Natalya begins to cry as well. They hug each other, SOB softly.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
The massive Column of Black Smoke towers into the sky, dominating the landscape. The Two Yaks fly around the edge of the Column. Below, the entire city seems to be
in flames.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya looks down at the inferno, mesmerized, 'crosses' herself. Then she notices something, keys her throat mike.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
In the distance, an AIR BATTLE is underway.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya is watching the air battle.
Katya(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, hostile activity at zero-
six-five degrees.
Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Acknowledged, Snowflake Three. We don't
have enough fuel to play.
(checks MAP)
Come to heading one-one-seven.
Katya(o.s./radio)
One-one-seven. Acknowledged.
Lilya looks at the Black Column and the air battle with her 'Mona Lisa' smile.
ext. 296th fighter Regt runway/East of Stalingrad - day
This is the STEPPE, flat, wide open land. The Runway swarms with HUNDREDS of CIVILIAN WORKERS, mostly WOMEN and OLD MEN. They fill in bomb craters and lay down hexagonal asphalt blocks. They work feverishly. To the side of the Runway, GROUND CREWS are scavenging the WRECKS of a HALF DOZEN YAKS. BUNKERS and AIRCRAFT REVETMENTS are dug deep and widely spaced. There are numerous AA-GUN EMPLACEMENTS. The Two Yaks come in for a landing. It appears to be 'snowing'.
cut to:
The Two Yaks taxi to a halt near the revetments, cut their engines. Even as Lilya and Katya slide back their canopies, GROUND CREWMEN are at the aircraft, pushing/ pulling them towards the revetments. B/G SOUND of Stalingrad: DISTANT RUMBLE of HUNDREDS of ARTILLERY PIECES, TENS of THOUSANDS of SMALL ARMS FIRING without pause. (We hear this non-stop at the 296th)
cut to:
Lilya and Katya walk from the revetments. Katya sniffs, makes a face, catches some of the drifting 'snow'.
Katya
It's ashes! What's...
She follows Lilya's ironic gaze towards the Black Column.
Lilya
What's burning? Offhand, I would say: everything.
int. 296th h.q. bunker - day
It's similar to the 586th's, but smaller and not as well laid out. Several MALE PILOTS are sleeping on cots by the wall. THREE MALE PILOTS sit quietly, smoke, drink hot tea. At the back, at a desk doing paperwork, is LT. COLONEL NICOLAI BARANOV, 28, gruff, prematurely aged.
As Lilya and Katya enter all eyes settle upon them. They proceed to Baranov's desk, come to attention. Baranov looks up, gives them a 'ragged' salute, which the Women return 'crisply'. Lilya hands him their orders.
Baranov
(distracted)
Thanks for the aircraft, Comrades.
He begins to read the orders, starts getting agitated, looks up at Lilya and Katya.
Baranov
Dismissed!
LILYA
(looks him in the eye)
We are not ferry pilots, Comrade Colonel.
We were transferred to this regiment by
General Barkagan as fighter pilots.
Baranov
The Comrade General is not in command here!
Lilya
I'm sure Comrade General Barkagan will find
that most interesting, Comrade Colonel...
Baranov, yes?
Baranov is positively sputtering with rage. Lilya watches him unflinchingly. One of the Male Pilots approaches. SR. LIEUTENANT ALEKSEI SALOMATEN, 22, a dashing 'man-boy'. He smiles charmingly.
Aleksei
(to Baranov)
Nicolai Sergeiavich, let me try her out.
Lilya gives him a sharp look. Aleksei puts his hands up, grins.
Aleksei
In an aircraft, Lieutenant! In an aircraft.
LILYA
(smiles 'Mona Lisa' smile)
Certainly, Comrade...?
Aleksei
Senior Lieutenant Aleksei Salomaten, at
your service.
Lilya
Lieutenant Lilya Litvyak.
They shake hands. There is 'energy' here. Baranov smirks, goes back to his paperwork.
Baranov
(mumbles)
Your funeral, Lieutenant.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya and Aleksei walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Aleksei
Radio silence. Stick to me. I'm going to
run you through some maneuvers.
Lilya just smiles and nods.
ext. sky/east of Stalingrad - day
The Two Yaks fly side by side. After a beat, Aleksei peels off, closely followed by Lilya. Aleksei dives, turns, loops, and generally flies like a madman. Lilya sticks to
him through out it all.
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
Several Pilots stand outside watching the aerial display. One of them, BORIS ONISHCHENKO, 20, cheerful, good looking, also flirts with Katya, who only slightly pretends not to notice. Baranov exits the Bunker just in time to see: The Two Yaks come roaring in, right 'on the deck', zoom up into a steep climb, then turn and drop down, 'pop' their landing gear, and come in for a prefect touch down. Baranov shakes his head, smiles with resignation.
Baranov
(mumbles)
I should ground both those idiots.
Then he turns and goes back into the Bunker.
ext. 296th flight line - day
The Two Yaks taxi to a halt. Ground Crew rush over, begin to push/pull the aircraft. Aleksei slides back his canopy, looks over at Lilya with an excited grin.
cut to:
Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line.
Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, I would like you to be
my wingman.
Lilya
(semi-coy)
Can you give me one good reason why I
should accept your offer, Comrade Salomaten?
Aleksei
No one else has ever kept up with me.
Lilya
Even your present wingman?
Aleksei
Not on a run like that.
Lilya
My 'wingman' has always kept up with me.
Aleksei
How about this then? Being my wingman will
get you around Comrade Baranov's stubbornness.
Lilya
Ah. Now that is a good reason. But that
leaves the problem of our present 'wingmen'.
ALEKSEI
(looks beyond her, smiles)
I think they may have solved that themselves.
Lilya looks to see Katya and Boris approaching, giving each other side long smiles like teenagers on a first date.
Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, this is Lieutenant Boris
Onishchenko.
Lilya and Boris shake hands.
Aleksei
(looks at Katya)
Boris Maximovich seems to have made the
acquaintance of his new 'wingman'.
Boris and Katya both seem a bit nonplussed, then look at each other, grin broadly.
Aleksei
I think we shall all make a good team.
Boris
This is just like double dating.
Aleksei and Lilya roll their eyes, Katya blushes, Boris grins a little wider.
ext. 296th "little bunker" - day
It's a 'little bunker' a moderate distance from the Runway. Katya and Lilya, each carrying a duffel bag, walk towards it, lead by Aleksei, who carries two kerosene lamps.
Aleksei
This was going to be an ammunition bunker,
but I think it will serve well as the
'women's quarters'.
int. 296th "little bunker" - day
Aleksei enters with the lamps lit. Katya and Lilya follow. The interior is actually quite roomy. There is wooden planking on the floor.
Aleksei
You see, a couple of cots and it'll be
just like the Winter Palace.
Katya and Lilya look around.
Katya
(smiles)
It's not bad.
Lilya
For a bunker.
Katya
Well, of course.
All laugh lightly.
int. 296th "little bunker" - night
Lilya and Katya are under their blankets in their cots. They have settled in, i.e. put up photos, placed some wildflowers around, etc.
Katya
You pushed pretty hard with Baranov today.
Lilya
I got what I wanted. Besides, what I didn't
want was to make bad blood by going around
him to the Political Officer.
Katya
They have no Political Officer.
Lilya
How is that possible?
Katya
Boris told me they keep getting killed.
Two died in air attacks, and another was
killed in a transport crash. Now, no one
wants the assignment. It's 'bad luck'.
Lilya
That's a very bourgeois attitude.
Katya
Oh, well.
Lilya
(looks around, smiles)
I think this just might work out.
Katya
(grins)
I think Lieutenant Salomaten is cute.
Lilya
(rolls eyes)
I think you need some sleep.
She turns down the lamp. It goes BLACK.
Katya(o.s.)
And he likes you.
Lilya(o.s.)
Oh, shut up.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Aleksei
The Two Hundred Ninety Sixth Fighter Regiment
is known as "The Free Hunters of Stalingrad"
because we are not assigned targets, but just
fly around the battlefield in small groups
of two to six aircraft looking for targets
of opportunity, usually transports, small
bomber formations, or stragglers.
Lilya
The complete opposite of standard Red Air
Force doctrine.
Aleksei
(grins)
Exactly.
Lilya and Katya give each other 'this is going to be fun' smiles.
Aleksei
Now, Comrade Litvyak-
Lilya
Please, it's Lilya.
Aleksei
(warm smile)
Lilya, you stick with me. Katya, you stick
with Boris.
Katya and Boris smile at each other.
Aleksei
(serious)
And everyone follow my lead.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
C/U Aleksei's face: an intensely focused expression. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING a short burst.
ALEKSEI'S POV: THREE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT (JUNKERS JU-52's,
'boxy' corrugated metal tri-motor's) in loose formation. They scatter as his tracers hit one of them.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
One Pair of Yaks pursues a fleeing Ju-52, while the other Pair of Yaks goes after another fleeing Ju-52.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak Fuselage: a TRI-MOTOR AIRCRAFT SILHOUETTE is stenciled on just below the cockpit joining a row of several other 'kill marks'.
Aleksei and Lilya smile at the SERGEANT, 30's, weathered, on the wing who has just painted the 'kill mark'.
Aleksei
Thank you, Comrade.
Weathered Sergeant
(grins)
One more and you're a double ace.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
MEDIUM SHOT of a small formation of GERMAN BOMBERS (HEINKEL HE-111's, twin engined, porpoise shaped, with 'greenhouse' nose)
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
He's intensely focused. The Bombers loom in his windscreen. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING. Tracers lance out towards the Bombers.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Bombers return fire, stay in formation.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
She flies on Aleksei's tail, scans the sky. Suddenly, she sees something.
Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Fighters! Eleven o' clock!
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
FOUR ME-109's zoom in on the Four Yaks. The Yaks go into a steep dive, breaking off into Pairs as they do so.
ext. Russian countryside - day
Two Yaks zoom along at 'tree-top' level, pursued by the Four Me-109's. The Lead German fires bursts of tracers.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei
(mutters)
Stick to me, Little Sunshine.
He pulls back on his control stick hard.
ext. Russian countryside - day
Aleksei's Yak pulls up sharply, goes into a near vertical climb, Lilya's Yak following 'like a shadow'. Only the Lead German Fighter sticks to them. The other Three Me-109's
overshoot, then start coming about. Suddenly, the Two Yaks drop down on them.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei 'focuses', fires.
ext. Russian countryside - day
A German Fighter is hit, goes nose first into the Ground, explodes. The other Two Me- 109's 'break' in opposite directions. The Two Yaks pursue one of them, but the Lead
German is still on their tail, firing away.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.
Lilya
(annoyed)
Enough of this!
ext. Russian countryside - day
Lilya's Yak pulls up, does a 'cork-screw' turn, practically standing on it's tail, then comes down directly above the Lead German. She fires straight into his canopy, he bursts into flame, hits the ground in a ball of fire.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak Fuselage: a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on the end of a row of four other 'kill marks'. On the wing of Lilya's Yak, Weathered Sergeant admires his work, then grins at Aleksei and Lilya.
Weathered Sergeant
You both make ace in the same action.
Guess that's like getting engaged.
Aleksei and Lilya blush, then laugh.
int. 296th 'mess hall' - dusk
It's laid out much like the 586th's Mess Hall, except that it's a totally 'dug in' BUNKER. Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris sit together, talk, laugh, tell air combat stories with their hands.
Boris
..So when we saw you two flame those One-Oh
-Nine's, we turned back after the Heinkels.
Katya
Boris and I destroyed one and shot up one other.
Boris
Too bad nobody saw us share that kill.
Lilya
We all have our unofficial scores.
Aleksei
(to Lilya)
What's yours?
Lilya
I count eight, including today. And you?
Aleksei
Fifteen.
Lilya
(smiles)
Oh, a triple ace!
All laugh. Baranov approaches.
Baranov
Comrade Litvyak, this arrived on the last
transport, 'special priority'.
He hands her a BOOK SIZED PACKAGE.
Lilya
(pleasantly surprised)
Thank you very much, Comrade Colonel.
Baranov
(ironic grin)
Anything for our newest ace.
He exits. Lilya pulls off the brown paper wrapping to reveal newspaper wrapping.
Lilya
It's certainly well protected.
She pulls the newspaper off revealing the 'Five Women' PHOTO in the silver frame: from right to left, in flight suits, Katya, Lilya, Marina(in uniform), Natalya, Ria.
Lilya
This is wonderful.
Aleksei
Who is that in the middle?
Katya
That is Marina Raskova.
Aleksei and Boris look impressed.
Boris
And to her right?
Lilya
The XO, Major Savitskaya. She's almost as
good as I am.
Aleksei
(grins)
And almost as pretty.
Lilya elbows him.
Katya
There's a letter taped to the back.
Lilya pulls the letter off, reads it, goes pale.
Katya
What's the matter?
Lilya
It's from Natalya Andreivna.
(reads, hands tremble)
"Dearest Lilya and Katya, I wanted to tell
you before you heard it elsewhere. Marina
Nicolaivna is dead. She crashed while on
area patrol. We think it was a mechanical
failure, but no one is really sure.."
Lilya puts the letter down, stares at Katya blankly.
Lilya
Just like that.
(tears run down her cheeks)
Just like that.
Katya hugs her. They both SOB deeply. Aleksei and Boris seem at a loss, then hug the Women, 'enfolding' them as they weep.
dissolve to:
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya and Aleksei stride towards the aircraft revetments.
Lilya
(determined)
Today, I'm flying lead.
Aleksei just nods. In the distance, the Column of Black Smoke towers above Stalingrad.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
Silhouetted against the Black Column, TWO JU-88'2 make a banking turn above the inferno, closely pursued by TWO YAKS.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya, stone faced, bores in on the Second Bomber until it looms in her windscreen. She begins firing long bursts.
int. second Ju-88 cockpit - day
Rounds savagely rip through the cockpit. CREWMEN SCREAM as they are 'hammered by the impacts'.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
The Second Ju-88 burns fiercely, begins to fall. Lilya over flies it in pursuit of the First Ju-88. Aleksei sticks to her tail.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya bores in on the First Bomber. She's a bit wild eyed and gets even closer this time.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei
(looks alarmed/'sotto voce')
Shoot, damn it! Shoot!
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
The Ju-88 fills her windscreen. She is practically landing on it. She fires a long, steady burst, tearing pieces off the Bomber. SOUND of DEBRIS HITTING the aircraft. Suddenly, the Bomber explodes, violently buffeting her aircraft, enveloping it in fire and smoke. The windscreen 'stars' from impacts, but doesn't shatter.
int. 296th h.q. bunker - dusk
C/U Lilya's face: She is covered with soot. Her eyes are cold.
Lilya
Destroyed: two J U Eighty Eight's.
Lilya and Aleksei stand before Baranov's desk. Baranov looks at Aleksei.
Aleksei
Confirmed.
Baranov marks it the operations book.
EXT. 296th H.Q. BUNKER - Dusk
Lilya exits the Bunker, closely followed by Aleksei.
Aleksei
Lilya, we need to talk.
Lilya
(keeps walking)
Not now.
Aleksei stops, watches her walk away.
ext. 296th "little bunker" - dusk
Lilya approaches the Bunker. Aleksei runs up behind her.
Aleksei
Lilya, please!
She stops, turns, sees the concern on his face, softens.
Lilya
(gentle)
What is it?
Aleksei
You should not get that close.
Lilya
(semi-coy)
That close to what?
Aleksei
(blushes)
To the enemy, of course.
Lilya
That's my job. And I got them each on
the first pass.
Aleksei
(looks at her with great intensity)
You could have been killed, Lilya.
Lilya
(moves close to him)
And how is today different from any
other day?
He seems on the verge of tears. She smiles, touches his cheek gently.
Lilya
You are a dear man.
After a beat, he embraces her, kisses her deeply. She responds passionately.
int. 296th "little bunker" - night
The Bunker has been 'fixed up': photos, maps, flowers, etc. A blanket hangs in the middle as a divider. A PHONOGRAPH plays "Maria's Aria" from Tchaikovsky's "Mazzapa". Lilya's cot is off to the side, the bed clothes, etc. are spread on the floor. Aleksei sleeps like a baby. Lilya sits next to him, wrapped in a sheet, writing a letter. (NOTE:The following scenes are MOS except for LILYA'S V.O.)
Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, Thank you for your kind
letter and the wonderful photograph.
C/U of the 'Five Women' PHOTO.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya, Aleksei, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Lilya(v.o.)
Hearing about Marina Nicolaivna broke my heart,
but that the first words came from you..
cut to:
Lilya and Aleksei climb into their aircraft, look up with sudden alertness.
Lilya(v.o.)
..made it easier to take.
A HALF DOZEN ME-109's are coming in on the deck, all guns blazing.
Lilya(v.o.)
It is strange, but somehow, that her own
aircraft killed her..
A YAK explodes in its revetment, as Ground Crew scatter.
Lilya(v.o.)
..it is as if the sky was reclaiming her..
Lilya and Aleksei crouch behind a sandbag wall. They seem annoyed. Rounds tear up some of the sandbags.
Lilya(v.o.)
..as if that was her fate from the beginning.
Katya and Boris leap down next to Lilya and Aleksei. They all smile at each other.
cut to:
A ROW of BODIES covered with blankets.
Lilya(V.O.)
Maybe, that is the purest fate of any Winged Sister.
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
Baranov stands outside the Bunker, looks up at the sky, anguish 'masqued' by rage.
Lilya(v.o.)
This Kukov fellow sounds a lot like our
Colonel Baranov.
A PILOT, 20, handsome, covered with blood, lays dead with open eyes a few feet away.
Lilya(v.o.)
They can be such scared little boys..
Baranov looks at the Dead Pilot, chokes back tears, snarls.
Lilya(v.o.)
..all big teeth and barking..
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Several YAKS and ME-109's 'mix it up'.
Lilya(v.o.)
..though I have found one..
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei is focused, closes in on a ME-109.
Lilya(v.o.)
..who might be different.
He fires. Tracers lance out, tear pieces off the Me-109, which begins trailing smoke and flames.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
TWO YAKS fly side by side as an ME-109 flies directly at them. All aircraft are firing, tracers 'crisscrossing'.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
He is focused, fires steady bursts.
Lilya(v.o.)
Aleksei plays the big boy games..
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya smiles her 'Mona Lisa' smile, fires steady bursts.
Lilya(v.o.)
..with dash and enthusiasm..
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Me-109 explodes in a ball of fire. The Two Yaks fly through the smoke.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak fuselage: HALF a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on.
Lilya(v.o.)
..but isn't threatened by a pretty girl..
cut to:
Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line, laughing.
Lilya(v.o.)
..who is also a skillful killer.
int. 296th 'mess hall' - night
At a table, Aleksei, Boris, and Katya talk air combat with 'hand gestures'. Lilya writes her letter.
LILYA(V.O.)
There, isn't that a shocking statement!
Lilya stops writing, looks at the others wistfully.
Lilya(v.o.)
But then, are we not all young angels of death?
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
FOUR YAKS fly through a sky of billowing white clouds and sunshine. Some distance below them, several GERMAN BOMBERS(HE-111's) fly in and out of the clouds. The Yaks peel off and dive on the He-111's. Suddenly, FOUR ME-109's dive in on the Yaks from the opposite angle, guns blazing. A Yak is badly hit, breaks up into several flaming pieces. Another Yak trails smoke and flames. Two Yaks bank and roll violently, dive into the clouds, with the German Fighters in pursuit.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei has 'zero visibility' flying through the clouds SOUND of a WOMAN CRYING IN PAIN on a 'broken up' RADIO TRANSMISSION. Suddenly, tracers zip past, but several feet away.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Aleksei comes out of a cloud. A beat later, so does an Me-109, its tracers lancing out towards Aleksei.
int. me-109 cockpit - day
The GERMAN PILOT bores in on Aleksei. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft. He looks back in surprise. A Yak looms right on top of him.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya is in a cold fury, fires steadily as she closes to ramming distance. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Me-109 is being shot to pieces, explodes. LILYA flies through the fireball, out the other side.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei looks over as Lilya flies parallel with him, his expression a mix of relief and anguish. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
A BURNING SOVIET FIGHTER flies towards the Bombers.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya is terribly burnt, SOBS, CRIES, grits her teeth, as she pilots her aircraft with bleeding hands. Flames spurt from under the instrument panel. A Bomber looms in her
windscreen.
int. German bomber - day
The ROOF GUNNER fires steadily, a growing look of terror on his face.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya smiles through her pain as flames envelop her.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Katya rams the Bomber, explodes violently, vaporizing both aircraft completely.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya, pale, bites her lip, swallows hard. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Both Yaks break in opposite directions, the Me-109 pursuing Lilya, who 'corkscrews' away. Aleksei falls in behind the Me-109, who breaks off, but he flies straight into Aleksei's tracers. The Me-109's wing explodes, breaks off. He spirals downward in flames. Lilya's aircraft begins to trail smoke, starts burning.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya pulls back her canopy, struggles out of the cockpit.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Lilya falls away from her burning aircraft. Her parachute opens. Aleksei circles her on the way down.
ext. open field/east of the Volga - day
Lilya drifts down in an open field with old furrows, rolls as she lands. The wind drags her several feet before she escapes her harness.
cut to:
Lilya walks with her bundled parachute. Aleksei flies over her, 'waggles his wings'. She waves. He circles around.
ext. dirt road - day
Lilya sits on her parachute by the side of the road. She seems exhausted. SOUND of TRUCK HORN. She looks up. An old MILITARY TRUCK is approaching. Lilya stands, waves, then collapses. The Truck pulls to a stop, RUSSIAN SOLDIERS jump
out, run to her. SOLDIER #1 looks at the tourniquet tied around her thigh above her blood soaked trouser leg, picks her up carefully.
int. back of old truck - day
The Truck drives along. Soldier #1 cradles an unconscious Lilya in his arms. SOLDIER #2 cuts open her boot, pulls it off. Blood literally pours out of the boot.
soldier #1
Oh, my God!
int. 296th infirmary bunker - night
It is a BUNKER with a ROW of HOSPITAL BEDS. Lilya is the only patient, her leg in traction, wrapped in bandages, looking twice it's normal size. She is 'puffy eyed'.
Aleksei enters, wearing a greatcoat. He sits on the edge of the bed.
Aleksei
How are you feeling?
Lilya
(smiles)
A little beat up, but otherwise all right.
Aleksei
Good.
An awkward silence. Aleksei reaches inside his greatcoat.
Aleksei
Brought you a present.
He hands her something wrapped in cloth. Lilya unfolds it, revealing a beautiful ivory handled dagger. She smiles brightly.
Aleksei
So you can cut your parachute leads. If
you have to bail out again.
Lilya pulls him into a hug, kisses him.
Lilya
(slightly teary)
It's a wonderful present, Aleksei. I love it.
She looks at him intensely, as if to say more. SOUND of SOMEONE APPROACHING. They break the hug. Baranov enters, strides directly over to her bed. He is tightly strung, slightly hysterical under the facade of control.
Baranov
Well, Lieutenant, that's it for you with
this regiment. You're going to be sent to
a hospital. And from there, transferred
back to the Five Eighty Sixth. Women just
don't belong in front line combat.
Aleksei
Nicolai Sergeiavich, most pilots who get
shot down, recuperate and return to duty
with the same units. And last I heard, the
Five Eighty Sixth was in front line combat.
The doctors say the wound really isn't that
bad, that she can heal here at the base
just fine. Others have done it, let her
do it, too.
Baranov
(shakes his head, looks at Lilya)
Comrade Litvyak, I know it's been a trying
time for you, but those are my orders.
Lieutenant Fedotova is dead. You are
wounded. I can't order more women to die.
(his voice cracks)
I just can't do it.
Baranov looks out the Bunker door. In the distance, the inferno of Stalingrad RUMBLES and GLOWS on the horizon.
Baranov
My wife and daughters died in the siege
of Leningrad. My wife was killed in our
house. My three daughters were vaporized
in the street by artillery fire. I could
do nothing for them. I can't..
Lilya
Listen to you words, Comrade Colonel. Your
wife, your daughters, they died in battle.
But they had no chance to defend themselves,
they became victims of this war. The women
who fly, the women who fight, they are not
victims, they have a chance. And if they
die, they die with honor.
Baranov's shoulders droop. He turns, looks at Lilya.
Lilya
Comrade Colonel, Mother Russia has daughters
as well as sons and we love her just as
fiercely. And they have..I have, made the
choice to fly, and perhaps die. And it is
a choice I will not change.
Aleksei
You know she's right, Nicolai Sergeiavich.
And she is a killer in the air.
Baranov
(sighs)
Alright, Comrade Litvyak. You can stay.
Baranov looks at her intensely, then turns to exit. Aleksei watches Lilya watching Baranov disappear out the door. Lilya looks lovingly at Aleksei.
LILYA
Thank you...My love.
C/U Her hands clasping the dagger.
Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, All the beautiful and
loving letters I have received from..
dissolve to:
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
C/U Lilya's hands as she writes a letter.
Lilya(v.o.)
. my Sisters at the Five Eighty Sixth..
Lilya sits in a plush chair outside the Bunker, her now lightly bandaged leg on a beat up ottoman.
Lilya(v.o.)
..have saved me from the melancholy madness
of sitting with heartbreak.
She pauses, looks at the ongoing flight operations.
Lilya(v.o.)
I am a little mad already, but I am healing quickly..
dissolve to:
ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day
C/U Natalya's hands holding the letter.
Lilya(v.o.)
..in both mind and body.
Natalya sits outside the Bunker on 'stand by', reads the letter. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE.
Lilya(v.o.)
The doctors say I have less than two weeks
before I can fly again.
Natalya looks at the other Women Pilots on 'stand by', who nap, smoke, read, etc. All of them have short hair and plain uniforms.
Lilya(v.o.)
Meantime, I watch flight op's and get a tan.
Something of a vacation I sup-
Sasha sticks his head out of the Bunker.
Sasha
Sections Two and Three, airborne!
Natalya, Ria, Ludmilla, and Alexandra jump up, head towards the flight line 'double time'.
ext. sky/above the don - day
FOUR YAKS fly in formation.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya
(keys throat mike)
Mother Hen, this is Rooster Six. We have
hostiles in sight. We are engaging. Over.
woman's voice(o.s./radio)
This is Mother Hen. Rooster Six engaging
hostiles. Acknowledged.
ext. sky/above the don - day
The Yaks peel off and dive down.
ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day
C/U of RUSSIAN SOLDIERS hugging the dirt in the trench. SCREAMING SOUND of a "DIVING" SIREN. A STUKA (JUNKERS JU-87, single engine dive bomber, 'vulture like') "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. C/U of Russian Soldiers: SOUND of
EXPLOSION. Dirt and smoke envelop them. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING in AGONY. A SECOND STUKA "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. Suddenly, tracers rip into the Stuka, tearing pieces off it.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya has the Stuka in her gunsight, is hammering away at it.
ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day
The Stuka, trailing smoke, breaks off, pursued by Natalya and Ria. The Soldiers in the trench start CHEERING. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. Some of the Soldiers are hit. The rest take cover, return fire. The ground battle continues.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Natalya and Ria chase the now burning Stuka at 'tree top level'. Suddenly, the Stuka plummets into the forest, smashing through the trees in a shower of burning pieces. The Two Yaks bank away.
ext. forest road/west of the don - day
A GERMAN TRUCK CONVOY proceeds on the road, escorted by a "FLAKWAGEN" (a QUAD 20MM AA MOUNT on a HALF TRACK). SOUND of AIRCRAFT. After a beat, the Two Yaks fly overhead. The Flakwagen opens fire.
ext. sky/above forest - day
A large stream of tracers lances up from the forest, hitting Natalya's aircraft, ripping holes in the wings and fuselage, tearing pieces off.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya fights to control her aircraft. It bucks and shudders. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".
ext. sky/above forest - day
Natalya trails smoke. Ria follows her closely.
ext. forest clearing - day
It is a long open clearing. SOUND of AIRCRAFT. Natalya comes over the tree line, descends quickly.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya concentrates intensely. Smoke fills the cockpit.
ext. forest clearing - day
The aircraft 'belly's in', slides, churns up a cloud of dust. SOUND of METAL "SCREECHING". It grinds to a stop in the middle of the clearing. Natalya slides her canopy open.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Ria flies over the downed aircraft as Natalya climbs out and waves at her.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya, on the wing, leans into the cockpit searching for something. She pulls out a sub-machine gun (w/o magazine), smiles. SOUND of RIFLE SHOT. A bullet hits the fuselage close to Natalya. She jumps behind the wing. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. More bullets hit around her.
Natalya
God damn it!
At the tree line, several GERMAN SOLDIERS emerge, begin to advance. Suddenly, most of them are cut to pieces by machine gun fire. The rest hit the dirt.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Ria roars over the clearing, guns blazing. She turns for another run.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya retrieves two drum magazine from her cockpit, takes more rifle fire, drops behind the wing. She quickly loads and 'cocks' the SMG, leans on the wing, fires several long steady bursts.
Natalya
Die, you God damned Fascist sons of bitches!
Ria roars overhead, guns blazing. Natalya laughs as she fires the SMG. At the tree line, the Germans return fire from cover, as rounds 'tear up the landscape' all around them. Some get hit, SHRIEK as they are flung back.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".
Ria
Oh, great! This is my favorite.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya is pinned down by heavy small arms fire behind her now burning aircraft. SOUND of "SPUTTERING" AIRCRAFT. She looks up. Ria, landing gear down, 'sputters' over the clearing, descends quickly. She touches down, bounces. Her gear folds up, the aircraft slams to a halt in a cloud of dust.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
Ria is dazed, her nose bloody. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft snaps her back.
Ria
Bastards!
She automatically presses her firing button.
ext. forest clearing - day
Ria's nose guns fire. Tracers lance across the clearing, scattering the re-emerging Germans back to cover.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
Ria
(amazed smile)
Wow! The damned things still work.
She fires again, laughs.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya's aircraft is burning fiercely. She fires a burst at the tree line, makes a run for Ria's aircraft. SOUND of SMALL ARMS FIRE. Bullets kick up dirt at her heels until
she flings herself down behind Ria's wings, fires back. Ria slides her canopy open, looks at the SMG incredulously.
Ria
You carried that in your cockpit!?
Natalya
(fires at the Germans)
I don't see you complaining.
Bullets strike the fuselage. Ria fires her guns, a couple of steady bursts, then nothing.
Ria
That's it.
Natalya
Then let's get out of here!
Ria quickly climbs out of her cockpit, drops down beside Natalya. Ria grins, shows Natalya a pair of hand grenades. Natalya smiles ironically.
Ria
The good Komsomol is always prepared.
Natalya fires long burst, changes magazines. She looks at her burning aircraft.
Natalya
My ship is going to blow at any second.
When it do-
The aircraft explodes in a large ball of fire.
Natalya
Now!
Natalya and Ria jump up. Ria tosses a hand grenade into her cockpit, sprints after Natalya. Bullets kick up dirt at their heels until they reach the tree line, take cover.
Ria pulls out her pistol. In the clearing, the Germans advance at a crouching run, firing as they go. At the tree line, Natalya and Ria fire at them from behind trees. They still wear their flight helmets. Ria's aircraft explodes, knocking several Germans off their feet. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING. Across the clearing, a HEAVY MACHINE GUN TEAM (MG-42) arrives, starts a 'murderous' fire. Natalya and Ria duck down as rounds rip up the trees all around them.
Natalya
I think it's time to go!
Ria
Good idea!
Natalya
You first! I'll provide cover!
Ria pulls the pin from the remaining grenade, looks at Natalya.
Natalya
Now!
Natalya fires a long steady burst. Ria tosses the grenade, sprints into the forest. The grenade explodes in front of the Germans, who hug the dirt. Natalya fires until she is
out of ammo. She drops the SMG, sprints into the forest.
ext. forest - day
Ria runs through the forest, Natalya right behind her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES. Ria stops, crouches, pulls off flight helmet. Natalya follows suit.
Natalya
(hushed)
What?
Ria
(hushed)
Listen.
The SOUND of GERMAN VOICES from several directions.
Natalya
(hushed)
Damn! The place is crawling with these
bastards.
(sees something, points)
There.
She gets up, heads for a pile of fallen moss covered trees. Ria follows her.
Natalya
We'll hide under here.
Ria starts crawling under the fallen trees.
Ria
(grins)
Hope you like bugs.
Natalya
(grimaces)
Just shut up and get under there.
Natalya crawls in after her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES gets LOUDER. The Women wait with pistols drawn. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE also gets LOUDER. A 'SKIRMISH LINE' of GREMANS move through the forest, gets close to the fallen trees. The Women hunker down. SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE gets even LOUDER. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES on top of the Women. The 'Skirmish Line' is moving past the fallen trees. GERMAN SERGEANT, 20's, 'hard bitten', stops, listens. This stops
other Germans. A look of alarm crosses the Sergeant's face.
German sergeant
(in German/sub-titles)
Incoming!
He dives for cover, followed by his Men. "HOWLING" SOUND of 'PLUNGING' ARTILLERY FIRE. Overhead, a rounds explodes among the tree tops, scattering branches and splinters. Exploding artillery rounds 'walk' through the forest, shattering trees, throwing up fountains of dirt. TWO GERMANS SHRIEK for a split second as they get hit, vanish in fire. A YOUNG GERMAN is flung against a tree, impaled by a huge splinter. He SCREAMS HIDEOUSLY, is silenced by an exploding round vaporizing him. Smoke and fire envelops everything. Natalya and Ria clutch each other tightly amid this chaos. Suddenly, it ends. SOUND of MAN MOANING in PAIN and FEAR.
man(o.s.)
(in German/sub-titles)
Mother? Mother? Where are you? Mother? etc.
Natalya and Ria remain still.
AUDIO FADE/DISSOLVE TO:
ext. forest - dusk
Natalya and Ria sleep in each others arm's. Natalya wakes up abruptly, waking Ria.
Ria
(hushed)
What?
Natalya
(hushed)
Quiet.
B/G SOUND of BATTLE 'at a distance'. Otherwise, silence.
Natalya
We should get moving.
She starts crawling out from under the fallen trees.
cut to:
Natalya searches a SCORCHED GERMAN CORPSE with distaste. A few feet away, Ria empties one canteen into another canteen.
cut to:
Natalya and Ria crouch around a collection of loot: rations canteens, cigarettes, etc.
Ria
(points)
We've got three canteens, plenty of rations,
some chocolate,
(picks up metal flask)
some brandy. I got that off that sergeant..
(makes face)
..what was left of him. All in all, we are
in good shape.
Natalya
Weapons?
Ria
(shakes head)
All smashed in the barrage.
Natalya
Oh, well.
They both pull out compasses, smile at each other.
Natalya & Ria
(simultaneously)
The good Komsomol is always prepared.
Both check their compasses.
Natalya
(nods)
That way is east.
Ria
(grins)
I concur, Comrade Major.
Natalya
I am most reassured, Comrade Lieutenant.
They gather their loot, head into the 'shelled' portion of the forest.
ext. Russian village - night
The full moon shines in the clear summer sky, bathing the HALF DESTROYED VILLAGE in an unearthly glow. Most of the COTTAGES lining the dirt covered MAIN STREET are partially or totally burnt and smashed. B/G SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE. FLASH of ARTILLERY on the horizon.
The Main Street is littered with WRECKED, BURNT OUT TANKS and ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, Soviet types at one end, German types at the other, with both mixed together in the center. CHARRED CORPSES protrude from the hatches of many of the vehicles. Natalya and Ria crouch, alert, pistols drawn, at the corner of a cottage. Cautiously, Natalya moves forward, disappears into the cottage. After a beat, Ria follows.
int. abandoned cottage - night
Moonlight shines through a gaping hole in the roof. Natalya picks through debris, finds peasant women's clothes, hands a blouse and skirt to Ria, who regards them skeptically.
Natalya
Here, put these on.
Ria
This could get us shot.
Natalya pulls a blouse on over her uniform tunic.
Natalya
If the Fascists capture us, we will be
raped at the very least. After that,
murder is a short step. If we look like
farm girls..
Ria
..We maintain an element of surprise.
Natalya
Exactly.
Ria
And with our uniform's underneath, we'll
look as fat as farmers wives.
They both grin, continue dressing.
ext. abandoned cottage - night
Natalya and Ria, in peasant dress, "babushka" scarves on their heads, slip out of the cottage, pistols drawn.
ext. Russian village - night
At the edge of the Village, Natalya and Ria move cautiously across the Main Street, stop in front of BURNT OUT GERMAN TANK. SOUND of MOTORCYCLES APPROACHING. They quickly crawl under the Tank.
Just beyond the Village, a PAIR of GERMAN MOTORCYCLES drive past the end of the Main Street. After a beat, several MORE MOTORCYCLES pass by. Then, an ARMORED HALF TRACK full of PANZER GRENADIERS. Then, another HALF TRACK, and another.
Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya and Ria, each pressed up against the Tank's tracks, watch this procession unhappily. SOUND of VEHICLES gets LOUDER. The WOMEN'S POV: GERMAN TANKS begin RUMBLING past, one Tank after another. The ground 'shakes'. Natalya looks at her watch. C/U Watch face: It reads "Nine o'clock".
dissolve to:
C/U Watch face: It reads "One o' clock".
The WOMEN'S POV: The procession of vehicles is down to only a few TRUCKS, then a few MOTORCYCLES. Natalya remains up against the Tank track.
Natalya
(hushed)
I think it's almost over.
Ria groans quietly, stretches. SOUND of ARMORED VEHICLES APPROACHING.
Natalya
Then again, I could be wrong.
The WOMEN'S POV: More ARMORED HALF TRACKS full of PANZER GRENADIERS begin passing by.
NATALYA
See if you can get some sleep.
Ria
Wake me if I snore.
Natalya
You can count on it.
Ria snuggles against the Tank track, closes her eyes. Up the street, Half Track after Half Track RUMBLES past.
dissolve to:
ext. Russian village - dawn
In the pale summer dawn, UNARMORED HALF TRACKS towing LARGE ARTILLERY PIECES roll past.
Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya sleeps, Ria keeps watch. SOUND of LIGHT TRUCK. Natalya wakes abruptly. The WOMEN'S POV: A LIGHT TRUCK drives down the Main Street, stops. Several GERMAN SOLDIERS dismount, fan out as if searching
for something.
A SOLDIER climbs onto the WRECKED TANK opposite the Women's Tank, starts examining a CHARRED CORPSE. Suddenly, the head falls off the Corpse. The Soldier "curses".(No sub-titles) SOUND of MEN LAUGHING. SOUND of 'MOCKING' VOICE. SOUND of MEN LAUGHING LOUDER. Boots approach the Women's Tank. SOUND of MAN CLIMBING onto the TANK. Natalya and Ria, pistols drawn, stay very still.
cut to:
The WOMEN'S POV: The sun is up. The German Soldiers sit in the Truck, smoking, quietly counting 'dog tags'. After a beat, they finish, start the engine, pull away. Except for the B/G SOUND of BATTLE, the Village is quiet.
Natalya and Ria both let out a very deep breath, almost collapse.
Ria
Comrade Major, I think I've had just about
enough of this.
Natalya
So have I.
(looks around)
Let's get the hell out of here.
Lilya
The ferry field is coming up. Let's keep
our eyes peeled.
Katya(o.s./radio)
I think I see it. Starboard, about fifteen
degrees.
LILYA
(looks down, smiles)
Right on the nose, Snowflake Three. Let's
go visiting.
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - day
The Two Yaks come in for a landing. The 'RUNWAY' is a grass field that has seen frequent landings, sitting in the middle the open countryside.
Cut to:
The aircraft taxi to a stop. Lilya slides back her canopy, looks around. She's not impressed. The 'field' is several TENTS, some beat up VEHICLES, and a lot of 'junk'.
cut to:
Lilya and Katya walk from their aircraft, pull off their flight helmets. A GROUP of GROUND CREW, 20's, male, scruffy, sit on boxes smoking and playing cards, studiously ignoring Lilya and Katya.
Lilya
Comrades, we need to be refueled.
crewman #1
(not looking up)
We don't have any gasoline.
Lilya and Katya look at each other. Lilya leans in, picks up a ration can. The Crewmen glance at her suspiciously. She pulls out her pistol. The Crewmen jump up in alarm.Lilya tosses the can into the air, fires at it: one-two-three-four-five! Each ROUND HITS, keeping the can airborne. Lilya reholsters her pistol, as the can falls to the ground: "CLUNK"!
crewman #1
Honestly, Lieu..Lieu.. Lieutenant! I..We
..There is no gasoline. Th..The fuel trucks
won't be here until morning.
Lilya
(to Katya)
I guess that means we're stuck here.
crewman #1
(scared)
I..I..I..
Lilya
(feral grin)
Relax, Comrade. I don't shoot people simply
for being fools.
He smiles uncertainly.
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - night
All sit around a fire. Katya plays a "sad song" on her accordion. Lilya reloads her pistol magazine. The Crewmen watch them with fascination.
cut to:
Lilya and Katya, bundled up in blankets, lay on a tarp under Lilya's aircraft, looking at the horizon: Stalingrad GLOWS and FLASHES in the distance.
dissolve to:
ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - dawn
The Black Column rises in the distance. The Two Yaks take off in its direction.
dissolve to:
ext. 586th runway/Kalac' - day
A C-47 "DAKOTA" TRANSPORT PLANE with Soviet markings comes in for a landing.
ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day
Natalya and Vera stand and watch the C-47 as it taxis towards them. Behind them, the women begin getting up from the chairs. Most of them are 'puffy eyed'. Some just look
blank.
Natalya
It's about God damned time! This was the
worst thing possible. We should be up and
fighting, not sitting here in our misery.
Vera
Barkagan was very specific. All operations
suspended until he arrives.
Natalya
Well, he's here. The son of a bitch!
cut to:
Barkagan approaches with another officer, who limps and carries a cane. LT. COLONEL ALEXANDER "SASHA" KUKOV, 29, tall, tough, good looking.
Barkagan
(to Natalya & Vera)
Please have all the pilots assemble in
the mess hall.
Natalya
Yes, sir.
int. 586th 'mess hall'/Kalac' - day
All stand at attention in front of Barkagan and Sasha.
Barkagan
Comrade Raskova was a close personal friend
of mine and I feel her loss deeply, deeper
than you can know.
(deep breath)
Now, what I have to say does not reflect in
anyway upon Comrade Savitskaya.
(indicates Sasha)
This is Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kukov.
I have decided to place him in command of
this regiment until further notice.
Everyone is stunned.
Barkagan
Colonel?
Sasha
(steps forward)
Comrades, I know I am coming in under
very distressing circumstances and that
you are used to things being run a certain
way. But, things change and I run things
differently. So, Order Number One: All
members of this unit will remove all
non-regulation ornamentation from their
uniforms. Order Number Two: All members
of this unit will comply with regulations
regarding the length of hair. Those not in
compliance will see the regimental barber
before Twelve-Hundred Hours tomorrow. In
addition, there will be a general inspection
of the entire regiment at Zero-Eight-Hundred
Hours tomorrow. That will be all. Dismissed.
Barkagan and Sasha exit. The women cluster around Natalya 'gesturing', TALKING rapidly, etc.
All
(simultaneously)
Who does he think he is?-Talk to the
General!-Talk to him!-What regimental
barber!?, etc.
Natalya
Enough! We have our orders! We are soldiers.
Our duty is to protect the Motherland, and
to do that we have to follow orders.
Understood?
The women get quiet, look at her with dismay, but no one disputes her. Natalya turns, exits.
Vera
Come on, girls. Let's get going. We've
got a mountain of work to do.
The women 'pull themselves together', begin to exit.
int. marina's office/Kalac' - day
Sasha stands looking sadly at the desk. There's an unfinished letter on the desk, along with the 'Winged Sisters' PHOTO. Sasha picks up the PHOTO, looks at it, then places
it face down on the desk, looks up to see Natalya enter. The "mask of command" comes back up over his face.
Natalya
May I be candid, Comrade Colonel?
Sasha
Comrade Major, you have a duty to be
candid.
Natalya
(hard edged)
There is no way I can say this without
sounding self serving, but I believe
your appointment a mistake, nothing
personal, Comrade Colonel. This is a
women's unit, and we deserve, we require
a woman to lead us. Colonel Raskova is,
was, one the best CO's in 'this man's air-
force' and I think your appointment will
devastate unit morale.
Sasha
(gentle)
You are right, Comrade Major. Colonel
Raskova did an excellent job with the
Five Eighty Sixth. And I am an intruder.
But, for better or worse, she was a mother
figure. And if this unit is allowed to
dwell on her death, it won't be able to
fight. Let them hate me for a while until
their grief passes. This is new territory
for all of us.
Natalya stands there, listening, watching his face.
Sasha
Comrade Major, will you take care of
Colonel Raskova's things?
Natalya
Certainly, Comrade Colonel.
Sasha
Thank you.
He is about to say something else, when Vera enters.
Sasha
If you'll excuse me, I need to unpack.
They all salute. Sasha exits limping.
NATALYA
It's all so damned unfair!
Vera
Barkagan did it to protect us.
Natalya
How is that?
Vera
In many ways, we are still a provisional
unit, still vulnerable to political inter-
ference, simply because we are women. But
Marina Nicolaivna had the strength of her
legend to shield us. Like the little party
we had the other night. If any other General
Officer walked in on that, the "Great Marina
Raskova" would have had the power to deflect
any problems. You, Natalya Andreivna, though
you will make an excellent commander when
your time comes, you don't have that kind
of political power. Not yet. Hence, Alexander Kukov.
Natalya
Then I suppose I owe Comrade Kukov an apology.
Vera
(sly smile)
No, you don't. And I did overhear what
you said to him. He knows this unit is
important to Barkagan, so he needs us
in some ways more than we need him. Let
him work for it.
Natalya
Yes, Comrade Commissar.
(sighs)
I sometimes wonder if this is all worth it.
Vera
Which?
Natalya
The Revolution. Socialism. I never doubt
Mother Russia, but...everything else?
Vera
I will tell you this and then you will forget
it, except possibly in your dreams. What
truly matters is the Women's Revolution.
Until women are free from male oppression,
or worse yet, male condescension, real
social justice is not even feasible. That
is our true goal. By the way, Comrade Kukov
is very attracted to you. Make him work for
that as well.
Natalya
(laughs)
You are a monster, Vera Semyonova.
Vera looks at Stalin's Portrait.
Vera
(soft)
I was trained by the best.
Natalya opens a LARGE LEATHER BOUND ALBUM on the desk. It is filled with PRESS CLIPPINGS and PHOTOS of Marina and the 'Winged Sisters'.
Natalya
(teary eyed)
I am going to miss her.
She looks up at Vera, who has started to cry. Natalya begins to cry as well. They hug each other, SOB softly.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
The massive Column of Black Smoke towers into the sky, dominating the landscape. The Two Yaks fly around the edge of the Column. Below, the entire city seems to be
in flames.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya looks down at the inferno, mesmerized, 'crosses' herself. Then she notices something, keys her throat mike.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
In the distance, an AIR BATTLE is underway.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya is watching the air battle.
Katya(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, hostile activity at zero-
six-five degrees.
Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Acknowledged, Snowflake Three. We don't
have enough fuel to play.
(checks MAP)
Come to heading one-one-seven.
Katya(o.s./radio)
One-one-seven. Acknowledged.
Lilya looks at the Black Column and the air battle with her 'Mona Lisa' smile.
ext. 296th fighter Regt runway/East of Stalingrad - day
This is the STEPPE, flat, wide open land. The Runway swarms with HUNDREDS of CIVILIAN WORKERS, mostly WOMEN and OLD MEN. They fill in bomb craters and lay down hexagonal asphalt blocks. They work feverishly. To the side of the Runway, GROUND CREWS are scavenging the WRECKS of a HALF DOZEN YAKS. BUNKERS and AIRCRAFT REVETMENTS are dug deep and widely spaced. There are numerous AA-GUN EMPLACEMENTS. The Two Yaks come in for a landing. It appears to be 'snowing'.
cut to:
The Two Yaks taxi to a halt near the revetments, cut their engines. Even as Lilya and Katya slide back their canopies, GROUND CREWMEN are at the aircraft, pushing/ pulling them towards the revetments. B/G SOUND of Stalingrad: DISTANT RUMBLE of HUNDREDS of ARTILLERY PIECES, TENS of THOUSANDS of SMALL ARMS FIRING without pause. (We hear this non-stop at the 296th)
cut to:
Lilya and Katya walk from the revetments. Katya sniffs, makes a face, catches some of the drifting 'snow'.
Katya
It's ashes! What's...
She follows Lilya's ironic gaze towards the Black Column.
Lilya
What's burning? Offhand, I would say: everything.
int. 296th h.q. bunker - day
It's similar to the 586th's, but smaller and not as well laid out. Several MALE PILOTS are sleeping on cots by the wall. THREE MALE PILOTS sit quietly, smoke, drink hot tea. At the back, at a desk doing paperwork, is LT. COLONEL NICOLAI BARANOV, 28, gruff, prematurely aged.
As Lilya and Katya enter all eyes settle upon them. They proceed to Baranov's desk, come to attention. Baranov looks up, gives them a 'ragged' salute, which the Women return 'crisply'. Lilya hands him their orders.
Baranov
(distracted)
Thanks for the aircraft, Comrades.
He begins to read the orders, starts getting agitated, looks up at Lilya and Katya.
Baranov
Dismissed!
LILYA
(looks him in the eye)
We are not ferry pilots, Comrade Colonel.
We were transferred to this regiment by
General Barkagan as fighter pilots.
Baranov
The Comrade General is not in command here!
Lilya
I'm sure Comrade General Barkagan will find
that most interesting, Comrade Colonel...
Baranov, yes?
Baranov is positively sputtering with rage. Lilya watches him unflinchingly. One of the Male Pilots approaches. SR. LIEUTENANT ALEKSEI SALOMATEN, 22, a dashing 'man-boy'. He smiles charmingly.
Aleksei
(to Baranov)
Nicolai Sergeiavich, let me try her out.
Lilya gives him a sharp look. Aleksei puts his hands up, grins.
Aleksei
In an aircraft, Lieutenant! In an aircraft.
LILYA
(smiles 'Mona Lisa' smile)
Certainly, Comrade...?
Aleksei
Senior Lieutenant Aleksei Salomaten, at
your service.
Lilya
Lieutenant Lilya Litvyak.
They shake hands. There is 'energy' here. Baranov smirks, goes back to his paperwork.
Baranov
(mumbles)
Your funeral, Lieutenant.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya and Aleksei walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Aleksei
Radio silence. Stick to me. I'm going to
run you through some maneuvers.
Lilya just smiles and nods.
ext. sky/east of Stalingrad - day
The Two Yaks fly side by side. After a beat, Aleksei peels off, closely followed by Lilya. Aleksei dives, turns, loops, and generally flies like a madman. Lilya sticks to
him through out it all.
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
Several Pilots stand outside watching the aerial display. One of them, BORIS ONISHCHENKO, 20, cheerful, good looking, also flirts with Katya, who only slightly pretends not to notice. Baranov exits the Bunker just in time to see: The Two Yaks come roaring in, right 'on the deck', zoom up into a steep climb, then turn and drop down, 'pop' their landing gear, and come in for a prefect touch down. Baranov shakes his head, smiles with resignation.
Baranov
(mumbles)
I should ground both those idiots.
Then he turns and goes back into the Bunker.
ext. 296th flight line - day
The Two Yaks taxi to a halt. Ground Crew rush over, begin to push/pull the aircraft. Aleksei slides back his canopy, looks over at Lilya with an excited grin.
cut to:
Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line.
Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, I would like you to be
my wingman.
Lilya
(semi-coy)
Can you give me one good reason why I
should accept your offer, Comrade Salomaten?
Aleksei
No one else has ever kept up with me.
Lilya
Even your present wingman?
Aleksei
Not on a run like that.
Lilya
My 'wingman' has always kept up with me.
Aleksei
How about this then? Being my wingman will
get you around Comrade Baranov's stubbornness.
Lilya
Ah. Now that is a good reason. But that
leaves the problem of our present 'wingmen'.
ALEKSEI
(looks beyond her, smiles)
I think they may have solved that themselves.
Lilya looks to see Katya and Boris approaching, giving each other side long smiles like teenagers on a first date.
Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, this is Lieutenant Boris
Onishchenko.
Lilya and Boris shake hands.
Aleksei
(looks at Katya)
Boris Maximovich seems to have made the
acquaintance of his new 'wingman'.
Boris and Katya both seem a bit nonplussed, then look at each other, grin broadly.
Aleksei
I think we shall all make a good team.
Boris
This is just like double dating.
Aleksei and Lilya roll their eyes, Katya blushes, Boris grins a little wider.
ext. 296th "little bunker" - day
It's a 'little bunker' a moderate distance from the Runway. Katya and Lilya, each carrying a duffel bag, walk towards it, lead by Aleksei, who carries two kerosene lamps.
Aleksei
This was going to be an ammunition bunker,
but I think it will serve well as the
'women's quarters'.
int. 296th "little bunker" - day
Aleksei enters with the lamps lit. Katya and Lilya follow. The interior is actually quite roomy. There is wooden planking on the floor.
Aleksei
You see, a couple of cots and it'll be
just like the Winter Palace.
Katya and Lilya look around.
Katya
(smiles)
It's not bad.
Lilya
For a bunker.
Katya
Well, of course.
All laugh lightly.
int. 296th "little bunker" - night
Lilya and Katya are under their blankets in their cots. They have settled in, i.e. put up photos, placed some wildflowers around, etc.
Katya
You pushed pretty hard with Baranov today.
Lilya
I got what I wanted. Besides, what I didn't
want was to make bad blood by going around
him to the Political Officer.
Katya
They have no Political Officer.
Lilya
How is that possible?
Katya
Boris told me they keep getting killed.
Two died in air attacks, and another was
killed in a transport crash. Now, no one
wants the assignment. It's 'bad luck'.
Lilya
That's a very bourgeois attitude.
Katya
Oh, well.
Lilya
(looks around, smiles)
I think this just might work out.
Katya
(grins)
I think Lieutenant Salomaten is cute.
Lilya
(rolls eyes)
I think you need some sleep.
She turns down the lamp. It goes BLACK.
Katya(o.s.)
And he likes you.
Lilya(o.s.)
Oh, shut up.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Aleksei
The Two Hundred Ninety Sixth Fighter Regiment
is known as "The Free Hunters of Stalingrad"
because we are not assigned targets, but just
fly around the battlefield in small groups
of two to six aircraft looking for targets
of opportunity, usually transports, small
bomber formations, or stragglers.
Lilya
The complete opposite of standard Red Air
Force doctrine.
Aleksei
(grins)
Exactly.
Lilya and Katya give each other 'this is going to be fun' smiles.
Aleksei
Now, Comrade Litvyak-
Lilya
Please, it's Lilya.
Aleksei
(warm smile)
Lilya, you stick with me. Katya, you stick
with Boris.
Katya and Boris smile at each other.
Aleksei
(serious)
And everyone follow my lead.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
C/U Aleksei's face: an intensely focused expression. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING a short burst.
ALEKSEI'S POV: THREE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT (JUNKERS JU-52's,
'boxy' corrugated metal tri-motor's) in loose formation. They scatter as his tracers hit one of them.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
One Pair of Yaks pursues a fleeing Ju-52, while the other Pair of Yaks goes after another fleeing Ju-52.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak Fuselage: a TRI-MOTOR AIRCRAFT SILHOUETTE is stenciled on just below the cockpit joining a row of several other 'kill marks'.
Aleksei and Lilya smile at the SERGEANT, 30's, weathered, on the wing who has just painted the 'kill mark'.
Aleksei
Thank you, Comrade.
Weathered Sergeant
(grins)
One more and you're a double ace.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
MEDIUM SHOT of a small formation of GERMAN BOMBERS (HEINKEL HE-111's, twin engined, porpoise shaped, with 'greenhouse' nose)
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
He's intensely focused. The Bombers loom in his windscreen. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING. Tracers lance out towards the Bombers.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Bombers return fire, stay in formation.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
She flies on Aleksei's tail, scans the sky. Suddenly, she sees something.
Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Fighters! Eleven o' clock!
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
FOUR ME-109's zoom in on the Four Yaks. The Yaks go into a steep dive, breaking off into Pairs as they do so.
ext. Russian countryside - day
Two Yaks zoom along at 'tree-top' level, pursued by the Four Me-109's. The Lead German fires bursts of tracers.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei
(mutters)
Stick to me, Little Sunshine.
He pulls back on his control stick hard.
ext. Russian countryside - day
Aleksei's Yak pulls up sharply, goes into a near vertical climb, Lilya's Yak following 'like a shadow'. Only the Lead German Fighter sticks to them. The other Three Me-109's
overshoot, then start coming about. Suddenly, the Two Yaks drop down on them.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei 'focuses', fires.
ext. Russian countryside - day
A German Fighter is hit, goes nose first into the Ground, explodes. The other Two Me- 109's 'break' in opposite directions. The Two Yaks pursue one of them, but the Lead
German is still on their tail, firing away.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.
Lilya
(annoyed)
Enough of this!
ext. Russian countryside - day
Lilya's Yak pulls up, does a 'cork-screw' turn, practically standing on it's tail, then comes down directly above the Lead German. She fires straight into his canopy, he bursts into flame, hits the ground in a ball of fire.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak Fuselage: a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on the end of a row of four other 'kill marks'. On the wing of Lilya's Yak, Weathered Sergeant admires his work, then grins at Aleksei and Lilya.
Weathered Sergeant
You both make ace in the same action.
Guess that's like getting engaged.
Aleksei and Lilya blush, then laugh.
int. 296th 'mess hall' - dusk
It's laid out much like the 586th's Mess Hall, except that it's a totally 'dug in' BUNKER. Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris sit together, talk, laugh, tell air combat stories with their hands.
Boris
..So when we saw you two flame those One-Oh
-Nine's, we turned back after the Heinkels.
Katya
Boris and I destroyed one and shot up one other.
Boris
Too bad nobody saw us share that kill.
Lilya
We all have our unofficial scores.
Aleksei
(to Lilya)
What's yours?
Lilya
I count eight, including today. And you?
Aleksei
Fifteen.
Lilya
(smiles)
Oh, a triple ace!
All laugh. Baranov approaches.
Baranov
Comrade Litvyak, this arrived on the last
transport, 'special priority'.
He hands her a BOOK SIZED PACKAGE.
Lilya
(pleasantly surprised)
Thank you very much, Comrade Colonel.
Baranov
(ironic grin)
Anything for our newest ace.
He exits. Lilya pulls off the brown paper wrapping to reveal newspaper wrapping.
Lilya
It's certainly well protected.
She pulls the newspaper off revealing the 'Five Women' PHOTO in the silver frame: from right to left, in flight suits, Katya, Lilya, Marina(in uniform), Natalya, Ria.
Lilya
This is wonderful.
Aleksei
Who is that in the middle?
Katya
That is Marina Raskova.
Aleksei and Boris look impressed.
Boris
And to her right?
Lilya
The XO, Major Savitskaya. She's almost as
good as I am.
Aleksei
(grins)
And almost as pretty.
Lilya elbows him.
Katya
There's a letter taped to the back.
Lilya pulls the letter off, reads it, goes pale.
Katya
What's the matter?
Lilya
It's from Natalya Andreivna.
(reads, hands tremble)
"Dearest Lilya and Katya, I wanted to tell
you before you heard it elsewhere. Marina
Nicolaivna is dead. She crashed while on
area patrol. We think it was a mechanical
failure, but no one is really sure.."
Lilya puts the letter down, stares at Katya blankly.
Lilya
Just like that.
(tears run down her cheeks)
Just like that.
Katya hugs her. They both SOB deeply. Aleksei and Boris seem at a loss, then hug the Women, 'enfolding' them as they weep.
dissolve to:
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya and Aleksei stride towards the aircraft revetments.
Lilya
(determined)
Today, I'm flying lead.
Aleksei just nods. In the distance, the Column of Black Smoke towers above Stalingrad.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
Silhouetted against the Black Column, TWO JU-88'2 make a banking turn above the inferno, closely pursued by TWO YAKS.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya, stone faced, bores in on the Second Bomber until it looms in her windscreen. She begins firing long bursts.
int. second Ju-88 cockpit - day
Rounds savagely rip through the cockpit. CREWMEN SCREAM as they are 'hammered by the impacts'.
ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day
The Second Ju-88 burns fiercely, begins to fall. Lilya over flies it in pursuit of the First Ju-88. Aleksei sticks to her tail.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya bores in on the First Bomber. She's a bit wild eyed and gets even closer this time.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei
(looks alarmed/'sotto voce')
Shoot, damn it! Shoot!
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
The Ju-88 fills her windscreen. She is practically landing on it. She fires a long, steady burst, tearing pieces off the Bomber. SOUND of DEBRIS HITTING the aircraft. Suddenly, the Bomber explodes, violently buffeting her aircraft, enveloping it in fire and smoke. The windscreen 'stars' from impacts, but doesn't shatter.
int. 296th h.q. bunker - dusk
C/U Lilya's face: She is covered with soot. Her eyes are cold.
Lilya
Destroyed: two J U Eighty Eight's.
Lilya and Aleksei stand before Baranov's desk. Baranov looks at Aleksei.
Aleksei
Confirmed.
Baranov marks it the operations book.
EXT. 296th H.Q. BUNKER - Dusk
Lilya exits the Bunker, closely followed by Aleksei.
Aleksei
Lilya, we need to talk.
Lilya
(keeps walking)
Not now.
Aleksei stops, watches her walk away.
ext. 296th "little bunker" - dusk
Lilya approaches the Bunker. Aleksei runs up behind her.
Aleksei
Lilya, please!
She stops, turns, sees the concern on his face, softens.
Lilya
(gentle)
What is it?
Aleksei
You should not get that close.
Lilya
(semi-coy)
That close to what?
Aleksei
(blushes)
To the enemy, of course.
Lilya
That's my job. And I got them each on
the first pass.
Aleksei
(looks at her with great intensity)
You could have been killed, Lilya.
Lilya
(moves close to him)
And how is today different from any
other day?
He seems on the verge of tears. She smiles, touches his cheek gently.
Lilya
You are a dear man.
After a beat, he embraces her, kisses her deeply. She responds passionately.
int. 296th "little bunker" - night
The Bunker has been 'fixed up': photos, maps, flowers, etc. A blanket hangs in the middle as a divider. A PHONOGRAPH plays "Maria's Aria" from Tchaikovsky's "Mazzapa". Lilya's cot is off to the side, the bed clothes, etc. are spread on the floor. Aleksei sleeps like a baby. Lilya sits next to him, wrapped in a sheet, writing a letter. (NOTE:The following scenes are MOS except for LILYA'S V.O.)
Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, Thank you for your kind
letter and the wonderful photograph.
C/U of the 'Five Women' PHOTO.
ext. 296th flight line - day
Lilya, Aleksei, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.
Lilya(v.o.)
Hearing about Marina Nicolaivna broke my heart,
but that the first words came from you..
cut to:
Lilya and Aleksei climb into their aircraft, look up with sudden alertness.
Lilya(v.o.)
..made it easier to take.
A HALF DOZEN ME-109's are coming in on the deck, all guns blazing.
Lilya(v.o.)
It is strange, but somehow, that her own
aircraft killed her..
A YAK explodes in its revetment, as Ground Crew scatter.
Lilya(v.o.)
..it is as if the sky was reclaiming her..
Lilya and Aleksei crouch behind a sandbag wall. They seem annoyed. Rounds tear up some of the sandbags.
Lilya(v.o.)
..as if that was her fate from the beginning.
Katya and Boris leap down next to Lilya and Aleksei. They all smile at each other.
cut to:
A ROW of BODIES covered with blankets.
Lilya(V.O.)
Maybe, that is the purest fate of any Winged Sister.
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
Baranov stands outside the Bunker, looks up at the sky, anguish 'masqued' by rage.
Lilya(v.o.)
This Kukov fellow sounds a lot like our
Colonel Baranov.
A PILOT, 20, handsome, covered with blood, lays dead with open eyes a few feet away.
Lilya(v.o.)
They can be such scared little boys..
Baranov looks at the Dead Pilot, chokes back tears, snarls.
Lilya(v.o.)
..all big teeth and barking..
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Several YAKS and ME-109's 'mix it up'.
Lilya(v.o.)
..though I have found one..
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei is focused, closes in on a ME-109.
Lilya(v.o.)
..who might be different.
He fires. Tracers lance out, tear pieces off the Me-109, which begins trailing smoke and flames.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
TWO YAKS fly side by side as an ME-109 flies directly at them. All aircraft are firing, tracers 'crisscrossing'.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
He is focused, fires steady bursts.
Lilya(v.o.)
Aleksei plays the big boy games..
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya smiles her 'Mona Lisa' smile, fires steady bursts.
Lilya(v.o.)
..with dash and enthusiasm..
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Me-109 explodes in a ball of fire. The Two Yaks fly through the smoke.
ext. 296th flight line - day
C/U of Yak fuselage: HALF a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on.
Lilya(v.o.)
..but isn't threatened by a pretty girl..
cut to:
Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line, laughing.
Lilya(v.o.)
..who is also a skillful killer.
int. 296th 'mess hall' - night
At a table, Aleksei, Boris, and Katya talk air combat with 'hand gestures'. Lilya writes her letter.
LILYA(V.O.)
There, isn't that a shocking statement!
Lilya stops writing, looks at the others wistfully.
Lilya(v.o.)
But then, are we not all young angels of death?
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
FOUR YAKS fly through a sky of billowing white clouds and sunshine. Some distance below them, several GERMAN BOMBERS(HE-111's) fly in and out of the clouds. The Yaks peel off and dive on the He-111's. Suddenly, FOUR ME-109's dive in on the Yaks from the opposite angle, guns blazing. A Yak is badly hit, breaks up into several flaming pieces. Another Yak trails smoke and flames. Two Yaks bank and roll violently, dive into the clouds, with the German Fighters in pursuit.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei has 'zero visibility' flying through the clouds SOUND of a WOMAN CRYING IN PAIN on a 'broken up' RADIO TRANSMISSION. Suddenly, tracers zip past, but several feet away.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Aleksei comes out of a cloud. A beat later, so does an Me-109, its tracers lancing out towards Aleksei.
int. me-109 cockpit - day
The GERMAN PILOT bores in on Aleksei. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft. He looks back in surprise. A Yak looms right on top of him.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya is in a cold fury, fires steadily as she closes to ramming distance. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
The Me-109 is being shot to pieces, explodes. LILYA flies through the fireball, out the other side.
int. Aleksei's cockpit - day
Aleksei looks over as Lilya flies parallel with him, his expression a mix of relief and anguish. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
A BURNING SOVIET FIGHTER flies towards the Bombers.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya is terribly burnt, SOBS, CRIES, grits her teeth, as she pilots her aircraft with bleeding hands. Flames spurt from under the instrument panel. A Bomber looms in her
windscreen.
int. German bomber - day
The ROOF GUNNER fires steadily, a growing look of terror on his face.
int. Katya's cockpit - day
Katya smiles through her pain as flames envelop her.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Katya rams the Bomber, explodes violently, vaporizing both aircraft completely.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya, pale, bites her lip, swallows hard. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Both Yaks break in opposite directions, the Me-109 pursuing Lilya, who 'corkscrews' away. Aleksei falls in behind the Me-109, who breaks off, but he flies straight into Aleksei's tracers. The Me-109's wing explodes, breaks off. He spirals downward in flames. Lilya's aircraft begins to trail smoke, starts burning.
int. Lilya's cockpit - day
Lilya pulls back her canopy, struggles out of the cockpit.
ext. sky/above the Volga - day
Lilya falls away from her burning aircraft. Her parachute opens. Aleksei circles her on the way down.
ext. open field/east of the Volga - day
Lilya drifts down in an open field with old furrows, rolls as she lands. The wind drags her several feet before she escapes her harness.
cut to:
Lilya walks with her bundled parachute. Aleksei flies over her, 'waggles his wings'. She waves. He circles around.
ext. dirt road - day
Lilya sits on her parachute by the side of the road. She seems exhausted. SOUND of TRUCK HORN. She looks up. An old MILITARY TRUCK is approaching. Lilya stands, waves, then collapses. The Truck pulls to a stop, RUSSIAN SOLDIERS jump
out, run to her. SOLDIER #1 looks at the tourniquet tied around her thigh above her blood soaked trouser leg, picks her up carefully.
int. back of old truck - day
The Truck drives along. Soldier #1 cradles an unconscious Lilya in his arms. SOLDIER #2 cuts open her boot, pulls it off. Blood literally pours out of the boot.
soldier #1
Oh, my God!
int. 296th infirmary bunker - night
It is a BUNKER with a ROW of HOSPITAL BEDS. Lilya is the only patient, her leg in traction, wrapped in bandages, looking twice it's normal size. She is 'puffy eyed'.
Aleksei enters, wearing a greatcoat. He sits on the edge of the bed.
Aleksei
How are you feeling?
Lilya
(smiles)
A little beat up, but otherwise all right.
Aleksei
Good.
An awkward silence. Aleksei reaches inside his greatcoat.
Aleksei
Brought you a present.
He hands her something wrapped in cloth. Lilya unfolds it, revealing a beautiful ivory handled dagger. She smiles brightly.
Aleksei
So you can cut your parachute leads. If
you have to bail out again.
Lilya pulls him into a hug, kisses him.
Lilya
(slightly teary)
It's a wonderful present, Aleksei. I love it.
She looks at him intensely, as if to say more. SOUND of SOMEONE APPROACHING. They break the hug. Baranov enters, strides directly over to her bed. He is tightly strung, slightly hysterical under the facade of control.
Baranov
Well, Lieutenant, that's it for you with
this regiment. You're going to be sent to
a hospital. And from there, transferred
back to the Five Eighty Sixth. Women just
don't belong in front line combat.
Aleksei
Nicolai Sergeiavich, most pilots who get
shot down, recuperate and return to duty
with the same units. And last I heard, the
Five Eighty Sixth was in front line combat.
The doctors say the wound really isn't that
bad, that she can heal here at the base
just fine. Others have done it, let her
do it, too.
Baranov
(shakes his head, looks at Lilya)
Comrade Litvyak, I know it's been a trying
time for you, but those are my orders.
Lieutenant Fedotova is dead. You are
wounded. I can't order more women to die.
(his voice cracks)
I just can't do it.
Baranov looks out the Bunker door. In the distance, the inferno of Stalingrad RUMBLES and GLOWS on the horizon.
Baranov
My wife and daughters died in the siege
of Leningrad. My wife was killed in our
house. My three daughters were vaporized
in the street by artillery fire. I could
do nothing for them. I can't..
Lilya
Listen to you words, Comrade Colonel. Your
wife, your daughters, they died in battle.
But they had no chance to defend themselves,
they became victims of this war. The women
who fly, the women who fight, they are not
victims, they have a chance. And if they
die, they die with honor.
Baranov's shoulders droop. He turns, looks at Lilya.
Lilya
Comrade Colonel, Mother Russia has daughters
as well as sons and we love her just as
fiercely. And they have..I have, made the
choice to fly, and perhaps die. And it is
a choice I will not change.
Aleksei
You know she's right, Nicolai Sergeiavich.
And she is a killer in the air.
Baranov
(sighs)
Alright, Comrade Litvyak. You can stay.
Baranov looks at her intensely, then turns to exit. Aleksei watches Lilya watching Baranov disappear out the door. Lilya looks lovingly at Aleksei.
LILYA
Thank you...My love.
C/U Her hands clasping the dagger.
Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, All the beautiful and
loving letters I have received from..
dissolve to:
ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day
C/U Lilya's hands as she writes a letter.
Lilya(v.o.)
. my Sisters at the Five Eighty Sixth..
Lilya sits in a plush chair outside the Bunker, her now lightly bandaged leg on a beat up ottoman.
Lilya(v.o.)
..have saved me from the melancholy madness
of sitting with heartbreak.
She pauses, looks at the ongoing flight operations.
Lilya(v.o.)
I am a little mad already, but I am healing quickly..
dissolve to:
ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day
C/U Natalya's hands holding the letter.
Lilya(v.o.)
..in both mind and body.
Natalya sits outside the Bunker on 'stand by', reads the letter. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE.
Lilya(v.o.)
The doctors say I have less than two weeks
before I can fly again.
Natalya looks at the other Women Pilots on 'stand by', who nap, smoke, read, etc. All of them have short hair and plain uniforms.
Lilya(v.o.)
Meantime, I watch flight op's and get a tan.
Something of a vacation I sup-
Sasha sticks his head out of the Bunker.
Sasha
Sections Two and Three, airborne!
Natalya, Ria, Ludmilla, and Alexandra jump up, head towards the flight line 'double time'.
ext. sky/above the don - day
FOUR YAKS fly in formation.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya
(keys throat mike)
Mother Hen, this is Rooster Six. We have
hostiles in sight. We are engaging. Over.
woman's voice(o.s./radio)
This is Mother Hen. Rooster Six engaging
hostiles. Acknowledged.
ext. sky/above the don - day
The Yaks peel off and dive down.
ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day
C/U of RUSSIAN SOLDIERS hugging the dirt in the trench. SCREAMING SOUND of a "DIVING" SIREN. A STUKA (JUNKERS JU-87, single engine dive bomber, 'vulture like') "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. C/U of Russian Soldiers: SOUND of
EXPLOSION. Dirt and smoke envelop them. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING in AGONY. A SECOND STUKA "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. Suddenly, tracers rip into the Stuka, tearing pieces off it.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya has the Stuka in her gunsight, is hammering away at it.
ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day
The Stuka, trailing smoke, breaks off, pursued by Natalya and Ria. The Soldiers in the trench start CHEERING. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. Some of the Soldiers are hit. The rest take cover, return fire. The ground battle continues.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Natalya and Ria chase the now burning Stuka at 'tree top level'. Suddenly, the Stuka plummets into the forest, smashing through the trees in a shower of burning pieces. The Two Yaks bank away.
ext. forest road/west of the don - day
A GERMAN TRUCK CONVOY proceeds on the road, escorted by a "FLAKWAGEN" (a QUAD 20MM AA MOUNT on a HALF TRACK). SOUND of AIRCRAFT. After a beat, the Two Yaks fly overhead. The Flakwagen opens fire.
ext. sky/above forest - day
A large stream of tracers lances up from the forest, hitting Natalya's aircraft, ripping holes in the wings and fuselage, tearing pieces off.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya fights to control her aircraft. It bucks and shudders. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".
ext. sky/above forest - day
Natalya trails smoke. Ria follows her closely.
ext. forest clearing - day
It is a long open clearing. SOUND of AIRCRAFT. Natalya comes over the tree line, descends quickly.
int. Natalya's cockpit - day
Natalya concentrates intensely. Smoke fills the cockpit.
ext. forest clearing - day
The aircraft 'belly's in', slides, churns up a cloud of dust. SOUND of METAL "SCREECHING". It grinds to a stop in the middle of the clearing. Natalya slides her canopy open.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Ria flies over the downed aircraft as Natalya climbs out and waves at her.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya, on the wing, leans into the cockpit searching for something. She pulls out a sub-machine gun (w/o magazine), smiles. SOUND of RIFLE SHOT. A bullet hits the fuselage close to Natalya. She jumps behind the wing. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. More bullets hit around her.
Natalya
God damn it!
At the tree line, several GERMAN SOLDIERS emerge, begin to advance. Suddenly, most of them are cut to pieces by machine gun fire. The rest hit the dirt.
ext. sky/above forest - day
Ria roars over the clearing, guns blazing. She turns for another run.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya retrieves two drum magazine from her cockpit, takes more rifle fire, drops behind the wing. She quickly loads and 'cocks' the SMG, leans on the wing, fires several long steady bursts.
Natalya
Die, you God damned Fascist sons of bitches!
Ria roars overhead, guns blazing. Natalya laughs as she fires the SMG. At the tree line, the Germans return fire from cover, as rounds 'tear up the landscape' all around them. Some get hit, SHRIEK as they are flung back.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".
Ria
Oh, great! This is my favorite.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya is pinned down by heavy small arms fire behind her now burning aircraft. SOUND of "SPUTTERING" AIRCRAFT. She looks up. Ria, landing gear down, 'sputters' over the clearing, descends quickly. She touches down, bounces. Her gear folds up, the aircraft slams to a halt in a cloud of dust.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
Ria is dazed, her nose bloody. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft snaps her back.
Ria
Bastards!
She automatically presses her firing button.
ext. forest clearing - day
Ria's nose guns fire. Tracers lance across the clearing, scattering the re-emerging Germans back to cover.
int. Ria's cockpit - day
Ria
(amazed smile)
Wow! The damned things still work.
She fires again, laughs.
ext. forest clearing - day
Natalya's aircraft is burning fiercely. She fires a burst at the tree line, makes a run for Ria's aircraft. SOUND of SMALL ARMS FIRE. Bullets kick up dirt at her heels until
she flings herself down behind Ria's wings, fires back. Ria slides her canopy open, looks at the SMG incredulously.
Ria
You carried that in your cockpit!?
Natalya
(fires at the Germans)
I don't see you complaining.
Bullets strike the fuselage. Ria fires her guns, a couple of steady bursts, then nothing.
Ria
That's it.
Natalya
Then let's get out of here!
Ria quickly climbs out of her cockpit, drops down beside Natalya. Ria grins, shows Natalya a pair of hand grenades. Natalya smiles ironically.
Ria
The good Komsomol is always prepared.
Natalya fires long burst, changes magazines. She looks at her burning aircraft.
Natalya
My ship is going to blow at any second.
When it do-
The aircraft explodes in a large ball of fire.
Natalya
Now!
Natalya and Ria jump up. Ria tosses a hand grenade into her cockpit, sprints after Natalya. Bullets kick up dirt at their heels until they reach the tree line, take cover.
Ria pulls out her pistol. In the clearing, the Germans advance at a crouching run, firing as they go. At the tree line, Natalya and Ria fire at them from behind trees. They still wear their flight helmets. Ria's aircraft explodes, knocking several Germans off their feet. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING. Across the clearing, a HEAVY MACHINE GUN TEAM (MG-42) arrives, starts a 'murderous' fire. Natalya and Ria duck down as rounds rip up the trees all around them.
Natalya
I think it's time to go!
Ria
Good idea!
Natalya
You first! I'll provide cover!
Ria pulls the pin from the remaining grenade, looks at Natalya.
Natalya
Now!
Natalya fires a long steady burst. Ria tosses the grenade, sprints into the forest. The grenade explodes in front of the Germans, who hug the dirt. Natalya fires until she is
out of ammo. She drops the SMG, sprints into the forest.
ext. forest - day
Ria runs through the forest, Natalya right behind her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES. Ria stops, crouches, pulls off flight helmet. Natalya follows suit.
Natalya
(hushed)
What?
Ria
(hushed)
Listen.
The SOUND of GERMAN VOICES from several directions.
Natalya
(hushed)
Damn! The place is crawling with these
bastards.
(sees something, points)
There.
She gets up, heads for a pile of fallen moss covered trees. Ria follows her.
Natalya
We'll hide under here.
Ria starts crawling under the fallen trees.
Ria
(grins)
Hope you like bugs.
Natalya
(grimaces)
Just shut up and get under there.
Natalya crawls in after her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES gets LOUDER. The Women wait with pistols drawn. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE also gets LOUDER. A 'SKIRMISH LINE' of GREMANS move through the forest, gets close to the fallen trees. The Women hunker down. SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE gets even LOUDER. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES on top of the Women. The 'Skirmish Line' is moving past the fallen trees. GERMAN SERGEANT, 20's, 'hard bitten', stops, listens. This stops
other Germans. A look of alarm crosses the Sergeant's face.
German sergeant
(in German/sub-titles)
Incoming!
He dives for cover, followed by his Men. "HOWLING" SOUND of 'PLUNGING' ARTILLERY FIRE. Overhead, a rounds explodes among the tree tops, scattering branches and splinters. Exploding artillery rounds 'walk' through the forest, shattering trees, throwing up fountains of dirt. TWO GERMANS SHRIEK for a split second as they get hit, vanish in fire. A YOUNG GERMAN is flung against a tree, impaled by a huge splinter. He SCREAMS HIDEOUSLY, is silenced by an exploding round vaporizing him. Smoke and fire envelops everything. Natalya and Ria clutch each other tightly amid this chaos. Suddenly, it ends. SOUND of MAN MOANING in PAIN and FEAR.
man(o.s.)
(in German/sub-titles)
Mother? Mother? Where are you? Mother? etc.
Natalya and Ria remain still.
AUDIO FADE/DISSOLVE TO:
ext. forest - dusk
Natalya and Ria sleep in each others arm's. Natalya wakes up abruptly, waking Ria.
Ria
(hushed)
What?
Natalya
(hushed)
Quiet.
B/G SOUND of BATTLE 'at a distance'. Otherwise, silence.
Natalya
We should get moving.
She starts crawling out from under the fallen trees.
cut to:
Natalya searches a SCORCHED GERMAN CORPSE with distaste. A few feet away, Ria empties one canteen into another canteen.
cut to:
Natalya and Ria crouch around a collection of loot: rations canteens, cigarettes, etc.
Ria
(points)
We've got three canteens, plenty of rations,
some chocolate,
(picks up metal flask)
some brandy. I got that off that sergeant..
(makes face)
..what was left of him. All in all, we are
in good shape.
Natalya
Weapons?
Ria
(shakes head)
All smashed in the barrage.
Natalya
Oh, well.
They both pull out compasses, smile at each other.
Natalya & Ria
(simultaneously)
The good Komsomol is always prepared.
Both check their compasses.
Natalya
(nods)
That way is east.
Ria
(grins)
I concur, Comrade Major.
Natalya
I am most reassured, Comrade Lieutenant.
They gather their loot, head into the 'shelled' portion of the forest.
ext. Russian village - night
The full moon shines in the clear summer sky, bathing the HALF DESTROYED VILLAGE in an unearthly glow. Most of the COTTAGES lining the dirt covered MAIN STREET are partially or totally burnt and smashed. B/G SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE. FLASH of ARTILLERY on the horizon.
The Main Street is littered with WRECKED, BURNT OUT TANKS and ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, Soviet types at one end, German types at the other, with both mixed together in the center. CHARRED CORPSES protrude from the hatches of many of the vehicles. Natalya and Ria crouch, alert, pistols drawn, at the corner of a cottage. Cautiously, Natalya moves forward, disappears into the cottage. After a beat, Ria follows.
int. abandoned cottage - night
Moonlight shines through a gaping hole in the roof. Natalya picks through debris, finds peasant women's clothes, hands a blouse and skirt to Ria, who regards them skeptically.
Natalya
Here, put these on.
Ria
This could get us shot.
Natalya pulls a blouse on over her uniform tunic.
Natalya
If the Fascists capture us, we will be
raped at the very least. After that,
murder is a short step. If we look like
farm girls..
Ria
..We maintain an element of surprise.
Natalya
Exactly.
Ria
And with our uniform's underneath, we'll
look as fat as farmers wives.
They both grin, continue dressing.
ext. abandoned cottage - night
Natalya and Ria, in peasant dress, "babushka" scarves on their heads, slip out of the cottage, pistols drawn.
ext. Russian village - night
At the edge of the Village, Natalya and Ria move cautiously across the Main Street, stop in front of BURNT OUT GERMAN TANK. SOUND of MOTORCYCLES APPROACHING. They quickly crawl under the Tank.
Just beyond the Village, a PAIR of GERMAN MOTORCYCLES drive past the end of the Main Street. After a beat, several MORE MOTORCYCLES pass by. Then, an ARMORED HALF TRACK full of PANZER GRENADIERS. Then, another HALF TRACK, and another.
Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya and Ria, each pressed up against the Tank's tracks, watch this procession unhappily. SOUND of VEHICLES gets LOUDER. The WOMEN'S POV: GERMAN TANKS begin RUMBLING past, one Tank after another. The ground 'shakes'. Natalya looks at her watch. C/U Watch face: It reads "Nine o'clock".
dissolve to:
C/U Watch face: It reads "One o' clock".
The WOMEN'S POV: The procession of vehicles is down to only a few TRUCKS, then a few MOTORCYCLES. Natalya remains up against the Tank track.
Natalya
(hushed)
I think it's almost over.
Ria groans quietly, stretches. SOUND of ARMORED VEHICLES APPROACHING.
Natalya
Then again, I could be wrong.
The WOMEN'S POV: More ARMORED HALF TRACKS full of PANZER GRENADIERS begin passing by.
NATALYA
See if you can get some sleep.
Ria
Wake me if I snore.
Natalya
You can count on it.
Ria snuggles against the Tank track, closes her eyes. Up the street, Half Track after Half Track RUMBLES past.
dissolve to:
ext. Russian village - dawn
In the pale summer dawn, UNARMORED HALF TRACKS towing LARGE ARTILLERY PIECES roll past.
Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya sleeps, Ria keeps watch. SOUND of LIGHT TRUCK. Natalya wakes abruptly. The WOMEN'S POV: A LIGHT TRUCK drives down the Main Street, stops. Several GERMAN SOLDIERS dismount, fan out as if searching
for something.
A SOLDIER climbs onto the WRECKED TANK opposite the Women's Tank, starts examining a CHARRED CORPSE. Suddenly, the head falls off the Corpse. The Soldier "curses".(No sub-titles) SOUND of MEN LAUGHING. SOUND of 'MOCKING' VOICE. SOUND of MEN LAUGHING LOUDER. Boots approach the Women's Tank. SOUND of MAN CLIMBING onto the TANK. Natalya and Ria, pistols drawn, stay very still.
cut to:
The WOMEN'S POV: The sun is up. The German Soldiers sit in the Truck, smoking, quietly counting 'dog tags'. After a beat, they finish, start the engine, pull away. Except for the B/G SOUND of BATTLE, the Village is quiet.
Natalya and Ria both let out a very deep breath, almost collapse.
Ria
Comrade Major, I think I've had just about
enough of this.
Natalya
So have I.
(looks around)
Let's get the hell out of here.
