For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada Page #3

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Together,

we would be much stronger.

We'll stay out of your way.

We're going to Autln.

Jose, women are here

with ammunition.

Bring Adriana in.

The what?

The women

with the ammunition.

Que viva Cristo Rey, Padre.

Que viva.

I also brought three nurses.

God bless you, Adriana.

God bless you,

and thank you, ladies.

You are as important

to this war as any soldier.

- Gracias, Padre.

- S, Padre.

God bless you.

Padre. Excuse me, Padre.

You think that's right to involve

the women like this?

Our Catholic sisters

are a big part of this war.

Without them bringing

ammunition, food,

taking care of the wounded,

all would be lost.

Ah.

[ chuckles ] All right.

Do you need ammo, guns?

No, no, no.

You keep the ladies'

ammunition, Padre.

We've got plenty from

the federales we've killed.

[ glassware clinking ]

TULITA:
What is the occasion?

Hmm.

- Salud.

- Salud.

An attorney for the League

representing the Cristeros

came to see me today.

They want to hire me

to command their rebellion.

You?

Yes.

Well, how ironic.

You cannot fight for something

you don't believe in.

I may have issues with the Church,

but I believe in religious freedom.

And I believe in you.

And if I'm successful,

the church bells will ring freely again,

and our girls,

they can continue their catechism.

You are really considering this?

Yes.

Tulita, I have asked them

for 3,000 pesos a month.

That's twice what

the federal generals make.

Plus 50,000 in insurance

for you and the girls.

They've agreed to everything.

I'm not gonna die.

So you have it all figured out?

And where do I and the girls fit in this?

Tulita, listen to me.

I'm dying here.

I'm a military man.

You knew that when you married me.

You a Cristero?

You are an atheist.

GOROSTIETA:
Are you awake?

Yes.

You were right.

It would be hypocritical.

I'm going to turn 'em down.

You may have nothing you believe in, but I do.

I believe in what you would be fighting for.

Maybe by doing it, you will, too.

Just come back to me, General...

to us...

to the loving man I married.

I promise.

CALLES:

The American secretary of State--

Cmo se llama el gringo ese?

Mr. Kellogg.

Kellogg...

is making the outrageous remark

that Bolshevik forces

are at work in Mxico

and stating

that we have to guarantee

the life and property

of every U.S. citizen in Mxico.

What does he think I am?

Mxico will not tolerate

foreign governments

meddling in our internal affairs.

Thank you for coming.

Not at all.

Dwight, do you speak any Spanish?

Just a little.

Look, I'll be blunt.

Our ambassador to Mexico

has botched things, badly.

You revamped the aviation policy.

You've been General Pershing's

right-hand man.

I think you can handle

ambassador to Mexico.

Cal. Cal, my dear friend,

I'm honored.

Don't answer now.

Think about it.

Talk it over with Elizabeth.

[ chuckles ]

What's the real story?

President Calles is repealing

the Bucareli Agreements.

are finished.

And what would you like me

to do, Mr. President?

What you always do.

Fix it.

Let's be frank.

You called them Bolsheviks.

[ chuckles ] I was simply

calling a spade a spade.

Would you have us just roll over

and let them steal our oil fields?

And just how do you

think offending them

is gonna help our cause?

President Coolidge

wants a diplomatic approach.

I'm convinced he's right.

Half of Europe just became

the Soviet Union.

We need Mexico

in more ways than one.

Well, I warn you from experience

that there's no negotiating with Calles.

Thank you for your assessment

and your advice,

but I am the current

ambassador to Mexico.

The results of your tenure

speak for themselves.

Now, why am I getting all this pressure

from the Knights of Columbus

about this conflict between Calles

and the Church?

Conflict?

Oh, that's nothing.

[ birds squawking ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

We're Cristeros, and we're taking

the gold off this train.

Viva Cristo Rey.

[ kiss ] You see?

Que viva.

It's all right. Stand aside.

[ whistle blowing ]

That's it.

Excellent, Pablo.

[ passengers screaming ]

[ women sobbing ]

CRISTERO:

We are only after the gold.

We are Cristeros.

Don't be afraid.

[ bell ringing ]

Get the passengers off the train.

[ chuckles ]

- [ laughs ]

- You did it, Pablito.

Well done!

Pablo! Pablo!

Pablo.

Pablo. No, no. Pablo.

CRISTERO:
Ac.

Francisco.

Francisco!

Take the dynamite.

Blow the safe.

Clear the people from this area!

ndale! Forma fila!

Muvase! Muvase!

Clear this area!

We're blowing the safe!

Camine! Camine!

Come on.

Vmonos!

It's lit, sir.

Muvete! Muvete!

Are all the passengers out?

Are all the passengers out?

Yes, sir, they are.

Then what are you waiting for?

Set fire to this train!

ndale! Aprate!

Hgale! Hgale!

We got it, all of it.

[ overlapping chatter ]

[ man screams ]

MAN:
Fuego!

[ people screaming ]

These so-called Cristeros

burned hundreds

of innocent people alive.

The Mexican government has proof

that the Roman Catholic Episcopate

ordered this atrocity.

Bishops have agreed

to leave the country,

avoiding responsibility,

and abandon Mxico.

General, everything's ready.

You can communicate to troops

in any area through us.

Our best undercover operative

will accompany you.

This is for you.

And viva Cristo Rey.

Caballeros,

General Enrique Gorostieta.

And what's this catrn you hire

Iike you hire a whore

gonna do for us?

Who is this ranch hand

who has already decided

that his military strategy

is better than that

of a twice-decorated general

who fought with Huerta?

Why should we trust you?

Because I know

how to lead an army.

This is not about killing 1 4,

Victoriano Ramirez.

It's about winning the war,

and war is chess.

Teniente.

I've been following this war very closely.

The federales, they control the trains

and the towns the trains go through.

The outlying towns

and villages will be ours.

There will be no reason to fight

Iined up in front of each other

like ancient knights.

We will fight with lightning

attacks from the wings,

and before they know

what happened to them,

the Cristeros will be gone.

We will not attack from one side,

but from two and sometimes three,

Iike a jimador and his machete.

Understood?

How many armed men

and cavalry do we have?

General Vega.

I know who you are.

I have 4,000 men and 1 00 cavalry.

Good.

General Pedroza.

I have 2,000 at your service,

comandante.

I have 700 armed rancheros

on horseback,

and I will command my own men.

And you will take orders from me.

Like hell, I will.

Then why are you here?

I don't know.

Well, I do.

You wanted to meet me.

You knew that we needed

a central command,

and you wanted to see

what kind of man I was.

So I will tell you,

and I will tell you all.

I am a veteran of two wars,

and I was promoted to general

when I was very young...

for a specific reason,

because I have a gift.

Yes, I have a gift--

for military strategy.

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