The Great Wall (2016)
Director: Zhang Yimou
Stars: Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Pedro Pascal, Zhang Hanyu, Lu Han, Lin Gengxin, Eddie Peng, Huang Xuan, Ryan Zheng Kai, Karry Wang, Yang Mi, Chen Xuedong, Pilou Asbæk, Numan Acar
Plot: When a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is imprisoned within the Great Wall, he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of the world. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism as he joins a huge army of elite warriors to confront the unimaginable and seemingly unstoppable force.
* * *
(MEN WHOOPING)
(CLAMORING)
(MEN SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY)
(MEN WHOOPING)
(HORSE NEIGHS)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(MEN SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY)
Najid, cut the horses loose!
(HORSE NEIGHING)
(ALL SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY)
(GROANING)
(GRUNTING)
We have to turn back.
We have been riding for six months.
And we’ve lost 20 men.
But we survived.
Yes. By chance.
Any one of us could have met that same fate.
We were the strongest.
Remember why you’re here.
In the West, we would be enemies, and I would have to kill you.
At least here, we have a common goal.
RIZZETTI: Oh, yes.
This black powder.
It turns air into fire.
And kills a dozen men at one time.
It is the weapon of our dreams.
And what if it’s just a myth?
Men have sent word that it’s real.
And those men are dead.
And we are next.
We have no maps,
no medicine
and no food.
No one is going back.
We take inventory of what we have left
and finish what we started.
TOVAR: There’s not much here.
The moon is strong.
When the horses are fresh, we move.
To where?
WILLIAM: North.
If they keep after us, we’ll kill them in the mountains.
The magnet.
Too heavy.
TOVAR: Useless.
I’ll have it.
It’s all yours.
(MAGNET THUDS)
Amigo, only you would carry a stupid magnet through the desert.
I can use it to make a compass.
Rizzetti won’t make it.
The wound is festering.
We’ll be dragging a corpse.
I heard that.
He’s earned the right to die where he wants.
I’ve been left for dead twice.
It was bad luck.
For who?
The people who left me.
(TOVAR CHUCKLES)
Maybe Rizzetti’s right.
(CREATURE SCREECHING)
Where are they?
(CREATURE GROWLING)
(GASPS)
(GASPS)
Hill tribes?
It’s no man.
(WHISPERS) Then what is it?
Whatever it is, it’s hunting.
(CREATURE GROWLING)
(PANTING)
What was that?
I don’t know.
I took its hand.
TOVAR: We need to move.
WILLIAM: Agreed.
I’ll take the hand with us.
What the hell for?
So someone can tell me what I just killed.
(HORSE SNORTS)
(HORSES APPROACHING)
TOVAR: Persistent bastards, aren’t they?
We’ll take the rise, make a stand there.
What a long shitting way to go to die.
(MEN WHOOPING)
(MEN SCREAMING INDISTINCTLY)
Mother of God.
(MAN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(SWORDS DRAWING)
(IN ENGLISH) I have no need to go down fighting.
Agreed.
I say we take our chances with the gents in front of us.
I haven’t surrendered in a while, eh?
It’ll come back to you.
Follow my lead, we’ll be fine.
Of course, my friend.
Where you go, I follow.
You’re doing such a great job already.
(SOLDIER SCREAMING IN MANDARIN)
(CONTINUES SCREAMING)
(IN ENGLISH) They know what it is.
And they don’t look happy to see it.
All the more reason to get the hell out of here.
Our weapons are on that table.
Have you lost your mind?
I can take out the guards on the perimeter with my bow.
You cut the legs out from under the officers.
I must confess, this is not my favorite plan.
LIN: Where was this found?
You speak English.
Fantastic.
Where was this found?
It wasn’t found.
It was taken.
That thing killed three men before we took it down.
Where?
Two days’ ride.
North, in the mountains.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Two of you, you did this?
Well… (STUTTERS)
I killed it.
Alone?
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Tell me how.
A swing of the sword.
The hand, it came away clean.
The beast fell back into a chasm.
Why are you here?
We came to trade.
We were ambushed.
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(GRUNTING)
(IN ENGLISH) You are soldiers.
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(SIGHS)
Mmm.
(DRUMS BEATING)
(IN ENGLISH) Are you killing us, sister?
Two lost travelers?
(SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
(IN ENGLISH) I think she’d like that.
If it is death, my dear, we need time to pray.
I’m trying here.
Sister, I know a siege when I see one.
What comes at you so hard you need a wall like this?
What the hell did we kill out there?
STRATEGIST WANG: Tao Tei.
You killed a Tao Tei scout.
You killed it alone.
You’re correct.
We are under siege.
But we did not expect the attack for another nine days.
TOVAR: Attack? Tao Tei.
What the hell is a Tao Tei?
Many things about your story have importance.
You are not to die today.
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(KEYS RATTLE)
(WHIRRING)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(MAN GRUNTING)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(SOLDIER GRUNTS)
(METAL CREAKING)
(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
(IN ENGLISH) The black are the foot soldiers.
And the red?
Those are the archers.
And the blue?
They’re all women.
What the hell do they do?
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Look at this army.
Have you ever seen anything like this?
Incredible.
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) They look nervous.
(SIGHS) It’s a big wall to be so nervous.
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
Do you hear it?
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(DRUMS BEATING)
(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(SCREECHING)
(SCREECHES AND GROWLS)
(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTS)
(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
(GRUNTING)
(SCREAMING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(WHIRRING)
(IN ENGLISH) William, over there.
Why isn’t he tied up?
There’s our escape.
(SCREECHING)
(GROWLS)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(GROWLS)
(GROWLING)
(DRUMS BEATING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(GROWLS)
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS)
(IN ENGLISH) We need to move!
We need to move or we die!
(SOLDIER SCREAMING)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(GROWLING)
(IN ENGLISH) Go, go!
Go and fight!
(SOLDIER SCREAMING)
(GRUNTS)
(SCREAMING)
Cut me loose!
Fight or run?
Run where?
(SCREAMING)
(GRUNTS)
WILLIAM: Aim for the eyes!
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS)
(GROWLS)
(SOLDIERS SCREAMING)
(GROWLING)
(SCREECHING)
TOVAR: William!
(GRUNTING)
(SCREECHING)
(GROWLS)
TOVAR: Hey! Bitch!
(SNARLING)
(SCREECHES)
(SOLDIER SCREAMING)
TOVAR: William.
I need a shot.
(SCREECHES)
(SHRILL CRY)
What god made those things?
None that we know.
Think they’ll hang us now?
I could use the rest.
(GRUNTS)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) You’ve earned General Shao’s praise.
Will they come back?
Yes.
SHAO: All we can do is prepare.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
MAN: (IN ENGLISH) Who are you?
(PANTING)
Easy.
I’m Ballard. Hmm?
William.
This is Tovar.
BALLARD: What are you doing here?
We came looking for black powder.
I bet you did.
I came with mercenaries for the same thing.
Twenty-five years ago.
And did you find it?
Finding it and leaving with it alive are two different things.
You saved the west turret. That was extremely diplomatic.
We weren’t being diplomatic.
We were trying to stay alive.
You smell like animals.
Thank you.
Clean up and they’ll feed you.
(DOOR OPENS)
(DOOR CLOSES)
He knows where the powder is.
Then why is he still here?
He needs help getting out?
Right.
We play our part,
take the powder and go home.
I didn’t sign up for this.
Which part?
Well, all of it. But mostly the monsters.
There’s a lot of them.
We really do smell.
(ALL APPLAUDING)
General Shao welcomes you as honored guests of the Nameless Order and thanks you for your skill and courage.
We are honored to be honored.
Is that the best you’ve got?
(CLEARS THROAT)
(SCOFFING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
LIN: (IN ENGLISH) Commander Chen thinks your bow is not worthy of your skill.
Tell him there’s no better weapon here.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(ALL LAUGH)
(SHAO SPEAKING)
(ALL CHEERING)
(IN ENGLISH) They wish to see you shoot.
In here?
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) What was that?
LIN: He thinks you have fear.
Too many people.
Get one of the cups.
Now?
Get one of the cups.
I want to eat.
(SLURPS)
You remember how to do this?
Last time didn’t go so good.
We were drunk.
How high?
Ten yards. Six hands to the right.
Turn around.
No, I’ll do it this way.
On my count.
Amigo…
One.
Two.
Three.
Pull.
(ALL CHEER AND APPLAUD)
(YAWNS)
Good luck with that.
I want food.
Who taught you English?
Sir Ballard.
English and Latin.
Heard he’s been here for 25 years.
You won’t let him leave.
He must stay here.
What about us?
Pace yourself.
The meals are regular here.
I hope not to stay that long.
I like your thinking, but I suggest you keep your plans private.
You aren’t the first Westerners to come here looking for black powder.
We’ll discuss it tonight. Bring your partner.
How long have you been here?
Always.
I was not five years old when I came here.
I have no other family.
We’re the same.
I was given to an army before I can remember.
As a soldier?
Worse. As a gleaner.
Packs of children, we’d clean the battlefields.
After, when the fighting’s over.
I became a page, a pikeman’s boy…
For your country?
No. I fought for food.
You fight to eat.
You live long enough, you fight for money.
How many flags do you fight for?
I don’t know.
I fought for Harold against the Danes.
I saved a Duke’s life. I fought for him until he died.
Fought for Spain against the Franks.
Fought for the Franks against Boulogne.
I fought for the Pope.
Many flags.
We are not the same.
Meet me on the Wall. I have something to show you.
He should be careful with her.
She’s very powerful here.
Then it is a fair contest.
Come.
Hmm.
You wish to try?
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
(WOMAN SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(ALL CHUCKLE)
(IN ENGLISH) She says men have so much to teach us.
(GIGGLES)
I don’t think that’s what she said.
You know what I think?
I think you’re afraid.
You said that this morning.
And yet,
here I am.
Yes.
Here you are.
Will you jump? Or not?
WILLIAM: These men know what they’re doing?
LIN: Wrong question.
Whether or not the cable is attached,
that is the question.
(WILLIAM CHUCKLES)
And the answer?
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(STUTTERS) Xin ren.
(IN ENGLISH) Xin ren means trust. To have faith.
Here, in this army, we fight for more than food or money.
We give our lives to something more.
Xin ren is our flag.
Trust in each other.
In all ways, at all times.
Well, that’s all well and good, but I’m not jumping.
I’m alive today because I trust no one.
A man must learn to trust before he can be trusted.
Then you were right.
We’re not the same.
(MEN GRUNTING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(LAUGHS)
(IN ENGLISH) My God!
(CHUCKLES)
A taste, a glimpse.
A few pilfered grains from Strategist Wang’s supply of black powder.
He’s mastered the transmutation of these elements.
People speak of a weapon.
There are many weapons here.
Why have we not seen them?
(SIGHS) There are many things you have not seen.
And many things you should pray will not be needed before the siege is through.
The Tao Tei will return.
When the drums call to battle, the guards leave their posts and take their positions on the Wall.
That is our moment.
We want to be riding away as the battle rages.
And the armory doors? You have keys?
I have black powder.
Enough for several doors.
He brings us in. We get us out.
(POUNDING ON DOOR)
(MAN SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) As you fought, where was this stone?
In my bag.
Its unseen force is powerful.
I believe this strange stone could help us.
We try everything.
Where are the Tao Tei now?
STRATEGIST WANG: The mountains, regrouping.
Where do they come from?
About 20 centuries ago,
there was an emperor whose greed brought deep suffering to all of China.
The heavens sent the meteor that struck Gouwu Mountain,
turning it green and releasing the Tao Tei.
From that day on, the Tao Tei rise every 60 years to scourge the north of China.
They come to remind us of what happens when greed is unchecked.
They eat anything, alive or dead, and take food to their queen.
She depends on her soldiers to feed her.
Only with the food they provide is she able to multiply.
The capital, and its two million people, is only 800 li away.
If the Tao Tei ever had that much nourishment, no corner of the world would be safe.
You can’t hunt them?
Men try.
They disappear.
We never find their bones.
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SHAO SPEAKING)
(TAO TEI GROWLING)
(SNARLING)
(SOLDIERS MARCHING)
(GROWLS)
(SCREAMING)
(SCREECHING)
(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
(CRIES SOFTLY)
(GROANING)
(THUDS)
(DRUMS BEATING)
(MAN SINGING)
(ALL SINGING)
(IN ENGLISH) This is envoy Shen from the palace.
He has brought important records to help with the coming battle.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) A 900-year-old battle report.
(CONTINUES IN MANDARIN)
BALLARD: (IN ENGLISH) At the Hansha gates, three beasts mounted the Wall.
They killed many men as they went forward.
Then, by the grace of the ancient gods, the beasts stopped…
(READING IN MANDARIN)
…and sat peacefully as we slaughtered them.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) At the Hansha Gate, was a magnet just like this one.
I believe that magnet was the reason that two of you Westerners killed the Tao Tei so easily.
I believe the magnet makes the Tao Tei deaf.
Without instruction, they fall still.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) How can we be sure?
Why not try it?
Capture a Tao Tei.
See if it works.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
LIN: (IN ENGLISH) How?
No net is strong enough.
Hunt them. Like a whale.
You know what that is.
Uh… A water beast.
Hundred times the size of a Tao Tei.
A spear that grabs. Hook the bone. Pull them up.
(STRATEGIST WANG SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) I’ve seen it done in Spain.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) What the hell are you doing?
We need to be free when the attack comes.
How many chances do you think we will get?
Be injured. Be missing. Be a coward.
Get out of this.
We did enough.
(MAN SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(WHIRRING)
(BOWL SHATTERS)
TOVAR: (IN ENGLISH) He’ll be here.
When? When it’s over?
We start and he will find us.
Start?
We’re jumping off a cliff here.
I have everything. Powder, tools, maps.
It’s all hidden and arranged along the route.
Once we start, there’s no going back.
(METAL CREAKING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHES)
(SOLDIER 1 SCREAMING)
(SOLDIER 2 SCREAMING)
(GROWLING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SOLDIERS RESPOND)
(SOLDIERS RESPOND)
(SOLDIERS GRUNTING)
(ALL SPEAKING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(SOLDIERS GRUNTING)
(SOLDIERS SCREAMING)
(IN ENGLISH) I’ll find him.
Forget him.
He’d rather die trying to impress the new general than grab the key to every counting room and brothel in the world.
Good God, man. The time is now!
I can’t go without him.
More the spoils for us!
We need his bow!
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(STRAINING)
(MAN GRUNTING)
(SCREECHING)
(WHIMPERING)
(WHIMPERING)
(IN ENGLISH) No, no, no. Stop!
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
WILLIAM: (IN ENGLISH) There’s too much tension.
Chain will break.
That way. That way.
Let him run!
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(SCREECHING AND WHIMPERING)
(IN ENGLISH) Stop! Stop!
We need longer for the sleeping potion to work.
(SCREECHING)
That way. That way.
We need to isolate it. Separate it from the others.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SOLDIER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
STRATEGIST WANG: (IN ENGLISH) The chain won’t hold much longer!
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
LIN: (IN ENGLISH) William, wait.
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) These arrows will scream as the Tao Tei run.
Aim for the sound.
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(ARROWS REVERBERATING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(TAO TEI GROWLING SOFTLY)
(CONTINUES GROWLING)
(CHAINS CLANKING)
(GRUNTS)
(CHAINS CLANKING)
(WILLIAM GRUNTING)
(MAN SPEAKING)
(CHAINS RATTLING)
(ARROW WHOOSHING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(GRUNTING)
(BOTH PANTING)
(IN ENGLISH) I’m only saving you so I can kill you myself.
Grab an ax, we’re fighting blind.
(ARROW WHOOSHING SOFTLY)
(WHISPERS) Not yet.
I know what to do!
(ARROW WHOOSHING)
(SCREECHES)
The fire’s not holding them back.
Die well, brother.
What the hell are you doing?
She’s listening.
(ARROWS WHOOSHING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(EXPLOSIONS)
(PANTING)
(CHAIN CLANKING)
(SOLDIERS SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(PANTING)
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WILLIAM SIGHS)
(IN ENGLISH) Did it work?
Yes. The beast was captured.
(GROANS) My friend…
He was unharmed.
Why did you go over the Wall?
(SIGHING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Did I say it right?
Thank you.
Black powder.
It is a terrible weapon.
It would be better if you had never seen it.
I know very little of the outside world.
But it seems to me,
the greed of men is not that different from the Tao Tei.
Is that true?
The strong take what they want.
Forget what you have seen.
(TAO TEI GROWLING)
(CAGE RATTLING)
(GROWLS SOFTLY)
(STOPS GROWLING)
(SIGHS)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
Hmm?
(IN ENGLISH) You’re much braver than they think.
You wounded?
I was looking for you.
To say thank you.
(SCOFFS)
TOVAR: You feel good, huh?
Maybe you sing a little song, eh?
I will join you.
We can sing together how you saved the grateful chinos.
You saw what happened out there and that’s what you say?
I see black powder.
I see a man forget his friends.
The black powder’s not going anywhere.
What goes nowhere is you.
You’ll never get what you want from this.
You think they see you as some kind of hero?
A man of virtue?
Maybe you can fool them, but I know what you are.
You know what you are.
A thief,
a liar,
and a killer.
And you can never undo the things you have done, and you will never be anything.
(GRUNTS)
Good to see you again, amigo.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Nothing?
No.
How do you know he won’t betray us?
I don’t.
They’ll kill him. They’ll kill him no matter what.
The time they spend killing him is time they are not chasing us.
Careful with that. There’s powder here.
Tovar. (SIGHS)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Have a look. See if it’s gone out.
Is it safe?
Of course it is.
(WATER RUNNING)
(BOTH COUGHING)
(BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY)
BALLARD: Shake it off, man. To work.
TOVAR: I thought you said it was safe?
We’re in, aren’t we?
You’re here.
We’ve come to our senses, eh?
TOVAR: Ballard has planned well.
Getting out is easy.
There’s a gate. 20 miles west.
We dodge the hill tribes.
We can make it.
They need us here.
They need more than us.
(SIGHS) These people are doomed.
Don’t be a fool.
I’ve been a fool.
I’m done with it.
Brother, please.
We’ve been fighting for nothing.
For greed.
Amigo, after all the blood, and cold, and pain, with this black powder in our saddle bags, we win.
You come with me.
I can’t do that now.
Stay and fight.
William…
BALLARD: Think he’s dead?
It’d take a lot more than that.
(STRATEGIST WANG SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
TOVAR: Come on.
Hyah.
(INDISTINCT MURMURS)
(TAO TEI SNORING)
(ALL GASP)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) I tried to stop them…
You dare to speak to me?
I didn’t do this.
And you came here to trade.
And you knew nothing of black powder.
What a fool you must think I am.
If I was with them, why would I be here?
I tried to stop them. I tried…
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
You lie.
Some part of you knows that’s not true.
If I were not the General, I would kill you myself.
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(DOOR LOCKS)
(IN ENGLISH) Which way, left or right?
Go up and take a look from the high ground.
Hyah!
(HORSES NEIGHING)
No!
No! Bastard!
(PANTING)
(EXPLOSIONS)
(SCREAMING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
WILLIAM: (IN ENGLISH) What happened?
What happened?
We have failed.
The Tao Tei are in the Kingdom.
You are free to leave. Take what you wish and go.
This was the General’s final order.
Where is she?
To do what?
To fight?
Is there a chance?
There’s only one.
Kill the Queen.
Kill the Queen, or we all die.
Leave.
Tell the world what you have seen, and tell them what is coming.
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)
I’ll need my bow.
If I’m to join you, I’ll need my bow.
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) He wishes to join us.
(HORSES NEIGHING)
(MEN APPROACHING)
(ALL GASP)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(SNORING)
(ALL GASP)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(CHITTERING)
(CHITTERING)
(GRUNTS)
(GROWLS SOFTLY)
(MEN LAUGHING)
(MUFFLED IN ENGLISH) No.
No.
No.
No.
No, don’t throw that thing near fire!
(EXPLOSIONS)
(GRUNTS)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(MEN SCREAMING)
(GRUNTING)
(TAO TEI GROWLING)
WILLIAM: (IN ENGLISH) Above you!
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) Behind you!
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(LIN GRUNTS)
I set you free.
And here I am.
There’s the Queen!
They will not attack while the Queen is feeding.
We have a chance!
Hold on!
(SCREAMING)
(CLATTERING)
(SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(PEOPLE SCREAMING)
(HORSE SNORTING)
(IN ENGLISH) There is an underground canal here.
WILLIAM: Has it been breached?
The Tao Tei should all be above ground.
And the one we captured?
STRATEGIST WANG: We load it up.
We feed it.
And it will return to its Queen.
Good.
(HORSES WHINNYING)
(TAO TEI SCREECHING)
(MAN YELLS)
(GRUNTS)
You’ll have one hell of a scar, but you’ll live.
(LIN SPEAKING IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) We’ll come back for him.
(TAO TEI SHRIEKING)
LIN: They’ve broken through!
(TAO TEI BREATHING)
(GROWLING)
(SNARLS)
Patience, William.
(SNIFFING)
And it will go to the Queen when it’s done?
It should.
It will.
(SHRIEKING)
Let it in.
(GROWLING)
I can get a shot from above.
(DOOR THUDDING)
Go! I’ll hold them back.
Wait. Not yet.
WILLIAM: Hit.
Go higher.
I’ll get a better shot.
(GROWLING)
(CALLING)
STRATEGIST WANG: General!
It’s up to you now!
(GROWLS)
(CALLING)
We have one black powder weapon left.
Give me the spear.
I’ve trained for this my whole life.
(SPEAKS IN MANDARIN)
(IN ENGLISH) I’ll get you the shot.
(ALL SNARLING)
(BOTH GRUNT)
(LIN GRUNTS)
I’ve got you.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(CLATTERING)
So, how’s life without me?
A little slow.
You’re a hero after all.
Well, it looks that way.
You seem pleased with yourself.
And what are they giving you for all of your troubles?
A bag of gold?
A victory parade along the top of the Wall?
All the black powder I can carry.
And a cavalry escort to get me home safely.
Well, congratulations.
Thank you.
So what is this? You’re here to rub my nose in it?
Well, would you blame me?
The last time I saw you, you left me for dead.
And the time before that, I saved your life.
True.
You know, the Emperor gave me a choice.
I could take the black powder, or I could take you.
Please tell me you chose the powder?
I don’t even know you anymore.
(CHUCKLES)
The horses are saddled and waiting.
Best we ride before nightfall.
I’ll be inside.
Don’t leave without me.
I came to say goodbye.
I understand congratulations are in order.
General of the northwest territory.
That’s quite an honor.
Seems you’ve made your choice.
Him?
Believe me, I’m already thinking about trading him back for the powder.
(CHUCKLES)
TOVAR: I heard that.
Perhaps we were both wrong.
We are more similar than I thought.
Thank you, General.
(HORSE GRUNTS)
Are you sure you don’t want to go back?
Of course I do.
I just don’t trust you to make it out of here alone.
(TOVAR LAUGHS)