Bruc, the Manhunt: The Birth of a Legend

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On 6 June 1808, the aim of

Napoleon Bonaparte's lnvlncible army

was to destroy the Spanish army's

gunpowder store

and so control the who e of Europe

With only 25 km to its objective,

the Grande Armee,

for the first time in its history

knew the bitter taste of defeat

in the Sacred Mountain of Montserrat.

A defeat that encouraged

all the oppressed peoples

to flght for freedom.

Take care of those who have

a chance to survive.

What happened?

They jumped on us.

There were hundreds of them.

And that deafening noise...

It was the devil's own work.

Do you really believe they had

hundreds of volunteers?

I promised my mother I'd be back.

And you will.

It wasn't the devil's work.

Let us pray in honour

of Juan Casellas

and all those fallen

in the Battle of the Bruc.

With the help

of the Virgin of Montserrat

they defeated the French army.

Where is Juan?

I'll talk to that fool later.

We'd better go in now.

Excuse me.

I didn't mean to disturb you.

It's beautiful!

Are you a painter?

- A journalist.

Henry Magne from "Moniteur".

You must be the young man

they're all talking about.

People here like to talk.

Don't take any notice of them.

No one better than you

could tell me what happened.

How could a handful of volunteers

force a whole army to retreat?

It was...

It was the mountain.

The mountain?

The mountain and

the Virgin of Montserrat.

There's no more to tell.

Thanks for the drawing.

I doubt they'll be back. But if

they are, we'll beat them again.

They've defeated all

the armies in Europe.

A small failure won't stop them.

You say that because

you're half-French.

Miguel! Don't talk like that

to the doctor.

Leave him. He'll soon realise

all new ideas come from France.

No one can stop that.

- Father...

My brother will.

If he did it once in the Bruc

he can do it again.

That's enough, Miguel.

Listen to your mother.

Sorry, he's a bit impulsive.

I always wondered

when the first defeat would be.

I imagined something...

More glorious.

Choose!

The implacable style

of Pascal Baraton

or the iron fists of the "Turk".

Make your betsl

It's your last chance.

One...

Two...

Three!

Go ahead! The flght...

can begin now.

It's urgent, Captain.

From the Emperor's headquarters.

Dear, Eric:

I never thought l'd ever have to

read a communique of defeat.

It is at such moments of despair

that I need soldiers

like you.

You belong

to that race of brave soldiers

that only France can produce.

Don't let

our enemies defile the French flag

with impunity.

I know you'll pursue that drummer

till you find him,

and that you'll cut off his head

and show it to the World.

The whole of Europe will know

that those who threaten the honour

of France must die.

I'm counting on you.

We have a winner!

The implacable Pascal Baraton!

Gather all the men.

How many did you kill, Bruc?

My name is Juan. I hate to be called

Bruc, especially by my brother.

Pay attention. These weapons

are useless at over 15 metres.

Why won't you say what happened?

How many men where there?

To hunt you must be patient...

and quiet.

It can smell us. Come.

There it is.

What are you waiting for?

Shoot!

Run!

- Where to?

This way. Miguel!

Jump. Run!

I keep thinking about it.

You were very brave

in the Battle of the Bruc.

I was lucky.

Your mother and I

have some savings.

Not much, but enough

to get you to Barcelona

to join the Military Academy.

I've watched you grow, son.

You're as hard as these mountains.

And there's no better hunter

than you in the whole region.

Father, please...

There is no future here, son.

You'll be a coalman all your life,

same as your grandfather.

Same as your children

if you don't change.

And now is the moment to do it

Believe me, son.

Gloria's father is a doctor.

He won't let her marry

a mere coalman.

Then let me have that money

to start my own business.

So I can stop being

a mere coalman.

I'm proud of you, son.

We all are.

Marti!

- Juan!

What's my godfather doing here?

- I've a surprise for you.

Granted by the Field Marshall.

I wish I'd been with you

in the Bruc.

But first you should

wash yourself.

The Frogs will take their time.

They'll never forgive us.

Napoleon had never lost a battle.

We'll thrash them again,

llke in the Bruc.

Like in the Bruc.

- Long live the Bruc.

Good night, sir.

Stop!

Load your weapons.

Stop or we'll shoot!

Where is he?

Where are you going?

Don't you dare follow me again.

Do you like it?

A lot.

- It's for you.

No it's yours.

You've earned it.

I want you to keep it

till the day we get married

That will be the only time

I'll wear it.

I've spoken to my father.

He knows someone at

Havana's General Hospital.

I could get a job there.

We could fulfil our dream.

Here he is, the hero of the Bruc.

Hunted down like a rat.

It's not him.

Who is he?

Not the one from the Bruc?

It's his younger brother.

It's his brother.

What shall we do, Captain?

Burn it!

Juan...

- It's my home.

What happened?

- I don't know.

Go and find Marti, qulck!

Father! Father!

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

Miguel!

Miguel!

Miguel!

Miguel!

No!

Miguel!

Hang in there, Juan!

Marti!

Attab!

I want everyone out.

Don't make us throw you out

by force.

Are you French?

So am I.

Henry Magne.

Journalist

Here.

Five!

Leave your homes

or we'll burn the village.

I want names.

Fiancees, cousins, grandparents.

All your relatives.

Anyone related to Juan Casellas

come out here immediately.

Now!

No!

Please, stop!

He's just a child.

If you weren't French,

you'd be dead.

The next one in your head!

No!

Please!

I'm his flancee.

She's telling the truth.

Look.

Nouaille!

How many times do I have to tell you?

We must stay together. Let me see.

Attab, follow him.

- Don't move.

Two thousand silver reales

if you come with me.

Is no one going to do anything?

I'm offering two thousand reales!

We must do something.

For the love of God!

They took my daughter!

Take care of him.

- I'm not a doctor.

Never mind.

- I have no instruments.

Do what you can, please.

Baraton! Attab!

Let me see.

What you have done

is honourable.

If the wound is infected,

we'll be delayed.

He is there.

Let's wait for the Captain.

He's here somewhere.

No!

Down!

Captain, he's with the girl!

No!

- Don't movel

You've had no time to reload.

Run, Juan, run!

Nouaille, stay with her.

The others come with me!

Give it to me.

We don't know if he's dead.

I want his head.

Bring it to me.

Why do you sing in English?

You hate them.

With all my heart.

But their songs are merry.

This one is very popular.

"Garryowen'.

I'd never heard it.

It's one of my favourites.

Captain Maraval taught it to me.

He was my teacher at the Academy.

He's like a father to me.

Can you untie me a moment?

Please.

I cured you.

Captain?

Father!

Drop your sabre!

Drop your sabre!

On your knees!

- No.

On your knees!

- I only knee before the Emperor.

And you, free my daughter.

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