For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada Page #5

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Please sit.

Well, I understand there are some

in Washington

who don't see it that way.

We've been following your war

with the Catholic Church.

I would hardly call it a war.

Terrible, what happened on the train.

They were led by a priest.

What does that tell you about

their so-called moral superiority?

Barbaric.

But surely that doesn't represent

the entire Catholic population.

In my experience, it's small groups

of extremists that start wars.

In my experience as a revolutionary,

a small group of determined men

can bring down a government,

and that is why every Catholic aggression

must be responded to immediately,

forcefully, and without hesitation.

And if we continue talking politics,

we're gonna ruin our digestions.

Ambassador, salud.

Salud.

Bienvenido a Mxico.

[ overlapping chatter ]

Hey!

- Victoriano.

- Eh?

Don't go through the canyon

to Tlaquepaque.

It's a trap.

How do you know that?

My scout was there yesterday.

Let's just say it's a gut feeling.

An ambush is what

I would do if I was them.

Let me ask you something, General.

I'm just curious.

If we die, if you lose this war--

We're not gonna lose this war.

If you lose this war,

do you still get paid all the money?

Or do you get, like, half?

I'm just curious.

You want something from me, Flaco?

[ spits ]

If we die, we all die,

but my family will be taken care of.

That's very good for your family.

We'll go through the canyon.

Of course you will.

[ spits ]

Go with God, then.

Hyah! Hyah!

[ horses neigh ]

[ men whistling ]

Mi General,

why did you let him

disrespect you that way?

VICTORIANO:

Up in the rocks!

They're up in the rocks!

Take cover!

Que viva Cristo Rey!

Wait here!

[ birds squawking ]

Viva Cristo Rey.

Que viva.

Hyah.

Muvanse, muchachos.

Jose!

Mi General.

Chamaco's very happy to see you.

He's very tired.

I heard you saved Victoriano

even though he said those things.

A man like Victoriano,

respect is won.

Look at him. Come here.

Look how beautiful he is.

He's a Friesan.

His name means "little child."

He's a legendary war horse

from northern Europe.

In the Middle Ages, he would carry

armored knights and kings into battle.

His owner gave him to us

specifically for our cause.

He's the only one

of its kind in all of Mxico.

Go.

Say hello.

What's it like to ride him?

You tell me.

He'll need to be exercised

tomorrow morning.

But you have to be gentle on the reins.

He has a very sensitive mouth.

And he's very fast.

He loves to run,

so you have to hold on tight.

Hey, Chamaco.

Bello Chamaco.

But what's it like to ride him?

It's like being close to heaven.

Jose.

I've never had a son, but if I did,

I would want him to be just like you.

Que viva Cristo Rey.

Que viva!

Bueno. [ continues in Spanish ]

...meijor fortificacin.

Pero cunta gente

tenemos en esta rea?

Aqu en esta rea, tenemos

unas dos mil tropas--

Seor Presidente.

Mi General Ortiz

and almost 500 men are dead.

Ortiz?

That's impossible.

Who told you that?

A counterambush, sir.

Cristeros hired Enrique Gorostieta

as commander

of all the Cristero forces.

General Gorostieta is behind this?

He fought with Huerta, sir.

I know.

I know that.

What I don't know

is how could someone like Ortiz

be so incompetent?

Gorostieta.

His treason will not be forgotten nor forgiven.

Do you understand?

Go to Los Altos immediately.

Bring all the men you can.

Yes, Mr. President.

Go.

Go! [ raps table ]

Gorostieta is back in politics?

Yes, sir.

But I know him.

His heart is not in this.

Find out what he really wants.

What he--

Porfirio Daz used to say,

"A dog with a bone in his mouth

doesn't bark and doesn't bite."

In politics, everything has a price.

Go find his.

How was the ride?

Like flying, sir.

Come here.

Tomorrow morning,

I'm going to lead the men into battle.

Want to carry the flag?

It would be an honor, sir.

We leave at first light.

Today we are gonna

send a message.

We are gonna send a message to Calles

and to the rest of the world...

that freedom is not just for writers

and for politicians and--

and for fancy documents!

Freedom--

Freedom is our home,

our wives, our children, our faith.

Freedom is our lives...

and we will defend it or die trying!

It is not only our duty to defend it,

but it is our right!

You must remember that men

will fire bullets,

but God decides where they land!

Que viva Cristo Rey!

Que viva!

- Que viva Cristo Rey!

- Que viva!

- Que viva!

- Que viva!

GOROSTIETA:

My dearest Tulita...

today was a magnificent day,

and not simply because

we routed the federales

in our greatest victory yet.

There is a change

in the spirit of my men,

a transformation

I can see in their eyes.

They finally believe

we can win this war.

I know the federales

can sense this, too.

The scent of fear now blows

from their camps.

We must strike them harder now,

push them back

so the people will be emboldened

to support us in the cities.

Then Calles and his army

will have nowhere to hide.

My strategy cannot fail us,

and I will be home before long.

Keep me close in your heart, my love,

and I will see you again tonight

in my dreams.

This--This war

has Americans and other foreigners

reluctant to do business

or even visit,

and I wonder if...

you can see your way

to some kind of compromise.

No.

But if your country and my country

would strengthen their ties...

this could end very quickly.

That's not what I had in mind.

Actual military support is--

of course, is out of the question,

but I think a provision could be made

for the sale of American

machine guns and aircraft.

When can I get the planes?

Well, Mr. President,

first we need the gesture of goodwill.

Now, I think a different position

on American petroleum interests

would go a long way.

I will bring your generous offer

to Congress.

[ overlapping chatter ]

Forward!

[ groans ]

[ coughs ]

Mi General, here's my horse.

[ gasping ]

Hey. Hey, what are you doing?

Come here. Come on.

Get on the horse.

You'll be faster alone, mi General.

What are you doing?

Get on the horse.

Sorry, mi General.

Get on the hor--

Jose!

They're gonna kill you!

Get on the horse!

I'll be fine, mi General.

[ shouting ]

Stay low, Jose!

I'll come back for you!

- Take cover!

- Do it!

Viva Cristo Rey.

Que viva.

Jose!

GOROSTIETA:

You took his horse?

You took a boy's horse?

He refused to get on.

It was either him or me.

Is he dead?

I don't know.

I looked for him myself.

He wasn't among the dead.

I think he either escaped to the forest

or he was captured.

Send two men. Search for him.

I already sent men to the forest.

He'll be all right.

He's braver than most men.

This is true.

Leave me alone.

Get my horse ready.

[ exhaling sharply ] Oh, God.

Victoriano.

[ sniffles ]

That is my boy.

We let him down.

He inspires me,

and we let him down.

This is, um--

Here.

I found that...

where I left him.

That was his.

Jose!

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