The Deep Dark (2023) Movie Script
1
- Henri.
- Yeah?
Get the dynamite. I'll try the pick,
but we may have to blast it.
Okay.
- Water?
- Yes.
- How many sticks are left?
- Twenty.
Bring half of them down to the end.
Here's your pick.
Okay, Chief, it's clear.
THE DEEP DARK
"Every God-given day"
"Into hell I descend"
"In pain I make my way"
"And it's never a friend"
"That's what I heard"
"From my pa and grandfather"
"They're the very same words"
"I tell my son and my brother"
"Just a little effort more"
"And we'll get to the night"
"That which sleeps safe and sure"
"We'll restore to the light..."
Firedamp!
We're lucky.
The gas pocket must be farther back.
What do we do now?
Go fetch the penitent.
It's him. Don't look into his eyes.
The penitent. Holy Mother of God!
Where?
My post at the back.
Ten meters down the tunnel.
Get back.
I have to blow up the gas.
Listen to me.
your this cave's keeper and I am your supporter
this cave
Keep it nice
What is this?
Run! Run from here.
Amir!
Amir!
MOROCCO
Amir!
Come down! Hurry up!
I'm coming!
Come on!
Jump in!
Amir, have you done this before?
No.
And you?
No.
But I've been told about it.
If you pass,
they take you to France
to pick stones underground.
Stones?
Coal.
That's right, coal.
And it pays real good!
Today's the day, I can feel it.
You say that every time.
Are you dying or something?
Let's get started!
Line up!
Stop, stop
Come fast, come.
Come fast
Okay, I'll sum up for the latecomers.
Those of you who are selected
will have a job and accommodation.
You'll have money to send
to your families.
You'll have bank accounts,
into which your salary
of 44 francs per day will be paid.
Mining is tough work.
But you'll have an 18-month
renewable contract.
Now open your shirts.
The reds stay here.
The greens get in the truck.
Nice and strong.
Too old.
Too puny.
A bit young, but you'll do.
A big strong guy!
Are you sick?
No sick guys.
Hello, Monsieur.
- You speak French?
- My mother's a French teacher.
Did I ask about your mother?
Red.
Please, I need this job.
The job doesn't need you.
Too old.
What you just did
took courage.
Or a big dose of stupidity.
In either case,
you may be of some use.
Too puny.
And too old.
The greens!
Get on the bus.
Put the hero...
in the group for mine 5.
Devil's Island?
He won't last two days.
Exactly.
MINING REGION
OF NORTHERN FRANCE
Excuse me, I...
Excuse me, my good fellow,
I'm looking for...
Monsieur.
- I'm looking for Mr. Fouassier.
- Over there.
Professor.
Mr. Fouassier.
Thanks for seeing me.
The pleasure is all mine,
Mr. Berthier.
I hope I'm not disturbing you.
Your men look busy.
On the contrary,
it's pretty quiet today.
In your letter you didn't say
how long you will need.
As long as it takes.
- You realize we're working?
- Then we have that in common.
And the company which employs me
is paying you handsomely
for accepting my presence here.
You know why they call
this mine Devil's Island?
Because it's hot?
No. Because the conditions
are the worst, even for old hands.
In the north, if a miner screws up
he gets sent here.
This is it!
Where we send everyone down.
I don't see any miners here.
They're in the building opposite,
where the cable goes.
Okay. And what was that?
It's code.
One ring for material coming up,
two for men,
three for injured.
Here we can see the depth
and manage the descent.
How deep does it go?
Michel, what's the lowest point?
930 meters.
No, that's no good.
I need to be at a thousand meters.
We can dig deeper.
When do you want to go down?
Tomorrow.
Impossible! It'll take two weeks
to reach a thousand meters.
We have to clear and secure the zone.
Sorry.
Mr. Fouassier.
Mr. Fouassier!
I have no time to lose.
And you have everything to gain.
Take it.
A week. Come back next week.
- We'll see what we can do.
- Good.
And about the team...
Stop! Stop everything!
- Let us through!
- Get out of the way!
Let them through!
Let them through, goddammit!
The rock fell on his leg.
We had no time,
but Roland got him out by himself.
Unbelievable!
- Was it still falling?
- All over.
Who's the hero of the day?
Roland Neville.
Him.
I'll go down with him.
I already have your team.
I'm not asking.
With him.
Next week.
Goddamn asshole of a professor!
Roland,
drop by the office before you leave.
You're done for today.
What are you all waiting for?
Get back to work, go on!
Come in.
- What happened?
- A rockfall, at Clara.
What the hell are you doing,
working that seam?
You know it's not stable.
It's the only one
we can still get at.
So we have to go deeper.
No, too dangerous.
Scared?
You know I'm not.
Blow up the west gallery.
We know the seams go down that way.
I'm not risking my men's lives.
A drink?
Okay.
Remember the bridge we blew up
on the Route des Arcs?
How much stuff did we use?
Ten kilos?
Fifteen?
Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven kilos of dynamite?
Yeah, we really wanted
to stick it to the Krauts!
Remember what happened
when the convoy finally got there?
The detonator fouled up.
Remember what you said to us?
"Let's do it!
"If I die,
"it'll be with fire in my belly,
not as a chickenshit!"
And we followed you, me first of all.
That was different, it was war.
You risk your men's lives every day,
going into that hellhole.
They'll follow you, as always.
Okay.
Right, now that we're in agreement,
the bad news.
- Next week you take a tourist down.
- Goddammit!
- Who this time?
- A scientist.
Well connected, so we have no choice.
He wants samples.
I didn't understand why.
He been down before?
What do you think?
Stop bellyaching.
You and your men
will get the usual bonus.
And look.
You'll even get a bit more.
We'll see about that after.
You got a young trammer
to replace Patou?
No, but a dozen Moroccans
have just arrived.
You can have one.
Two arms, two legs,
what more do you need?
Pick one who can at least speak French.
See you.
Look at the new one!
So... is this our Arab?
He's okay, not too flabby.
Makes a change from Polo!
I'm Polo.
He's a Gyppo!
I said that for your own good, "cazzo"!
Soon you won't be able to see your dick.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
I'm Santini. Well, not really,
but it's what they call me.
Amir.
Amir?
They'll probably call you "Arab"
or "raghead."
What's your number?
039?
That's an old one.
It was Patou's.
Hey, Santini, you got a new girlfriend?
'Va fanculo Louis!'
'Cazzo di merda!'
You know where it is?
It's over here.
Here's 039.
Has anyone explained it to you?
Each rope has a number.
Your clothes and shoes are on it.
And some soap.
For washing when you come back up.
Put your badge on the little hook.
Okay?
Here you go.
Come get ready
Here.
Hey, raghead!
Sure you wanna go down with us?
I just want to work.
You'll work all right!
It ain't like back home.
Why him to replace Patou?
Look at his face, a proper Arab!
Amir, is that right?
Yes, Monsieur.
There's no "monsieur" here.
Roland. Call me Roland.
The big mouth is Louis.
The Spaniard is Miguel,
the Italian is Santini.
And the grinning fatso is Polo.
Cut that out!
You don't have the experience
or the shoulders.
- So do what we tell you, okay?
- Yes, Monsieur.
Roland.
Polo.
Go ahead, to the stables.
Know what they call us miners?
"Dark faces."
Because once down there,
Italian, Spanish, French, or Arab,
we're all the same color.
The color of coal.
Let's go.
Louis!
Today, for your sins,
you stick with him.
CLEAN, THIS WAY
Hey, watch out!
Get a move on, Amir!
We're next, Amir, hurry up.
- Me first!
- Hey, Louis!
Watch your head.
Have a nice day!
- Hey, Jean-Louis.
- Roland.
No dawdling, Arab!
Or we'll leave you here.
Amir, hurry up!
The other team's done some good work.
Yeah, but there's twenty meters
of shit on the rails.
Louis, some light on Clara, please.
Who's Clara?
A coal seam.
We always give them broads' names.
The dip is good.
The seam's descending
but we can still get at it.
Santini, you going in?
Go on.
Mig, you going up there?
I'll hand you the hammer.
Louis, you and
Amir clear the rails.
- Why do I have to?
- Don't argue!
Come on.
Go on.
That's good.
What are you doing?
It's not chow time, up you get!
What's "chow"?
Lunch.
Hey, guys! Where are you?
I bust my lamp, I can't see!
Don't move, I'll send you some light!
Amir.
Go find Polo, give him a hand.
Pronto!
Polo, it's Amir, I'm coming!
Where are you?
That's...
What's up?
You never seen a horse before?
Yes, but I never expected
to see one here.
This is Cartouche.
He's a good fella.
The best horse of all the mines.
One of the last too.
They'll be replaced by machines.
Don't be afraid.
Gently now.
- But he's...?
- Blind, yes.
He was, before coming down here.
We're not...
It was that or being eaten.
We got him from a circus.
Cartouche.
- Light the way, Amir, let's go.
- Yeah.
Five minutes, guys.
Yeah, it's Roland.
You can start up the machines again.
Sorry, I couldn't find my bag.
Let me see.
What?
You see the bite marks?
Give me your bag.
What's that?
Hang your bag up high,
on a hook.
Always.
The rats can sense danger.
That's why we feed them.
They have their place here.
I can see that you don't like me.
I just want to work
and be part of the group.
Sorry, Roland.
Don't be sorry.
Be better.
Santini, it's time.
You'll sleep well tonight, huh, Arab?
Guys, listen up.
Professor Berthier here
will be coming down with us today.
Afterwards,
you'll get a bonus of 400 francs.
You'll do everything I ask of you
without any backchat. Understood?
Let's get to work, then.
Have you reached a thousand meters?
What do you expect to find?
Treasure?
A word of warning, Prof.
Our job is to bring up coal,
not to dig up graves.
No, but it's just to blow up
the floor here.
Just here, you see? Here.
Blow up the floor? Are you crazy?
Are you joking?
It's the Spanish fellow's job, isn't it?
The shotfirer.
That's right, isn't it?
We'll see
if you survive the descent first.
Thank you, my good fellow.
Berthier, this way.
For your information, Berthier,
there's no government down here.
This is our domain.
I'm responsible for my men's lives.
Yours too.
I understand.
We'll set up your blast,
if that's what you want.
- You can get your...?
- Samples.
Right!
Samples for you, bonuses for us.
Everyone's happy.
Miguel.
Yes, Boss?
We're gonna need you.
- How much are we talking about?
- Ten kilos.
We're blowing up the floor at Mathilde.
Yes, the floor.
Mathilde?
It's a coal seam.
They give them all women's names.
How elegant!
There's nothing elegant down here.
Come on.
Out of the way.
Yes, this is the spot.
Right here.
- Louis, what do you think?
- It's okay, it'll hold.
Mig.
- It's all yours.
- Messieurs, move aside!
I'll give it plenty!
Berthier, go to the back there.
Thanks, Amir.
What do you think?
It's madness.
But for a 400-franc bonus,
if he wants it to blow, it'll blow!
I'm ready.
Polo, quick!
- Sorry.
- Where you been?
I was with Cartouche.
Go ahead.
This is shit!
We ain't going down there!
Are you chickenshit?
If we don't check it out,
we'll have to stop digging.
With galleries underfoot
it's too dangerous to carry on.
We're lucky it hasn't all caved in.
We can't stay here.
I'll go for a look.
That'll do just fine! Let the Arab go.
I wouldn't fit anyway.
That goes without saying!
It looks deep.
We'll struggle to get back up.
- Polo, can you fix us something?
- Yeah.
I've got some beams, we'll widen it,
I'll get Cartouche down,
then I'll shore it up.
Let's get to it!
Well, Prof, are you happy?
All this mess is for you.
May we know
what exactly you're looking for?
Give that back!
What are you doing?
Are you insane?
You thug!
You know stuff
you're not telling us.
You haven't been straight with us.
You want us to go after it?
After you, then!
Careful now!
Slowly!
Berthier, what can you see?
It's hard to say.
You should come down.
All right.
Send the gear down.
Yes.
My God...
No one'll ever believe us.
Miguel, do you know it's possible?
What are you talking about?
The damned of Saint-Louis.
An old miners' legend.
It's said that, a hundred years ago,
an old mine around here caught fire.
They couldn't put it out.
Thirty or so miners were trapped.
They couldn't get to them.
They blocked up the mine,
burying them alive.
They might have already been dead.
So what?
It's still a heinous thing to do.
Why mention that legend now?
The bodies were never found.
Not a single one.
It's thought
that they found a hollow or a cave.
They couldn't dig this deep back then.
Well, legend or not,
this area could be dangerous.
We'll need equipment.
Berthier?
Berthier?
Let's find the idiot!
This is different.
Yes, it's limestone.
And these are pickax marks.
You may be right.
In any case, there have definitely
been miners through here.
- What you scared of, Eyetie?
- They died here!
Their spirits are still here,
for sure!
Forget the dead,
we have a living guy to find.
Do we care about him?
If he dies, no bonus.
Is that what you want?
Then we agree.
Come on.
What a jerk!
We'll have to split up.
Santini and Louis, you go left.
- Miguel, you with me?
- Yes.
The first to find Berthier,
just yell.
Roland.
What about me?
Choose for yourself.
We'll meet back here.
Professor!
Professor!
Professor!
Professor!
What?
I knew it.
I knew it!
A Saint-Louis miner.
What's he doing here?
We have to get outta here!
Are you crazy, Louis?
- This'll be worth something.
- We'll be cursed!
No.
He tore his fingers to pieces.
Let's go!
Take the stuff, but let's just go!
Leave him alone, Louis!
- Guys.
- We have to leave now.
- Where is everyone?
- We have to go.
- Guys!
- What?
We, the damned.
We, the unpunished.
It came for each one of us.
Like a shadow,
it hid in the deep dark.
Now it sleeps,
but I hear it still.
It will return.
We're cursed!
IT WILL RETURN
We're cursed!
'Cazzo di merda!'
You should have
seen your face, Eyetie.
Come on,
let's go.
This is a dead end.
Here.
Now what?
Dim your lamps! Don't argue!
Well, did you find anything?
Just a dead end and a body.
A Saint-Louis miner.
No doubt about it.
We found two of them.
What did I tell you?
And the prof?
- Is that him, those lights?
- Yeah, taking photos.
Let's grab him and get outta here!
Yeah.
Turn your lamps off.
I'll deal with him alone.
This is great!
What are you doing?
Let me go!
Let me go!
- Will you stop being a smartass?
- Yes. Let go!
You bunch of morons! That's worth
a thousand times your annual salary.
Watch out, Berthier.
We're down at the bottom, remember?
My men will tell the
same story as me.
Is that a threat?
Absolutely!
Why do you keep running off?
I just wanted to have a look
over there, in the dark.
And I knew you wouldn't let me, so...
Because it's dangerous.
You're risking your life and my men's.
Your men are being paid for it.
Screw your money!
- Don't put us in danger again!
- I'm sorry, I...
I wanted to be sure that it's here,
and we are almost there,
that's all.
I'll behave myself.
Professor.
What's this?
This is why we're here.
Behind this wall
is something I've been seeking
for years.
You want to blow up that wall?
If you want our help, Berthier,
tell us what we'll find behind it.
Something ancient.
Of priceless historical value.
I hear "priceless" and "value."
Mig, what do you think?
Yeah, it's...
pretty solid, but not impregnable.
I can open it up.
Berthier, I want your word
that it's not dangerous,
and that once you get
your samples and scientific shit,
we're done here.
You have my word.
Go ahead, Mig.
The best shotfirer in France
is a Spaniard!
Excuse me.
Holy Mary, mother of God!
It's magnificent.
Here, Amir.
More light here, please.
Where?
Here, shine your light here.
- Like this?
- Yes, yes.
I'll take a few samples.
Here, I'll give you this little box.
Hold it there.
That's it.
How old is all this?
You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Centuries?
Add a few zeroes!
Incredible!
Berthier, can we go now?
Yes, just a minute.
- Hurry up.
- I'm coming.
Louis.
There's a passage here.
- I'll have a look.
- No, Louis!
- Louis says there's a passage.
- A passage?
Louis, where are you?
Here.
You should take a look at this.
God Almighty!
What happened here?
Sainte Barbe, save our souls!
Prof, what's all this?
I don't know,
maybe the bodyguards of this place.
They must have been fighting
to protect something.
That's what they were protecting.
Whatever's in there
must be worth a fortune.
This is simply historic!
What is it, Professor?
According to legend...
a sort of god.
Well, he was worshiped as such.
What are you talking about?
No, nothing.
It'd take too long to explain.
I have time.
I've been researching
this for 27 years.
Do you have 27 years?
- Amir, come here.
- Leave him alone!
He's a miner, under my orders.
You've got what you wanted, let's go.
No, I have to...
You can come back with your pals.
Enough already!
I just have to take a few photos.
I'll be very quick.
What you been doing?
Working. You should try it sometime.
You call that working?
Santini, stop being a smartass
and go up first.
Mig, excuse me.
- Easy does it.
- What's wrong?
Nice work, artist!
Cartouche!
Be calm Polo
Come on!
Polo
Stay here!
Cartouche!
Shit!
Get back, Amir! Get back!
Watch out!
Are you okay, guys?
- Polo?
- Yes!
I'm with Amir, we're fine.
Okay.
- Miguel?
- I'm okay.
- Louis?
- Yeah.
Santini?
- Roland...
- There he is!
Oh, shit!
- Santini, can you move?
- I can't feel my leg.
- I can't feel my leg.
- We'll get you out.
Louis, are you ready?
One, two, three!
Here, we'll put him on this.
- What can I do?
- Keep him level.
Polo's working on it already.
Don't worry.
There, there!
We'll make a stretcher to carry him.
Hey, don't go! Stay with us, okay?
We're in the shit.
Everywhere's blocked.
- Got any charges left?
- Yes.
But if I set any off here,
the whole gallery will fall.
They must have heard us up there.
- There's no one up there.
- What do you mean?
I didn't see a soul while you were gone.
We were alone when we came down.
Was that your doing?
Was it you?
- What?
- What did you do?
Did you ask Fouassier to make sure
it was only us down here?
It was necessary.
Necessary?
Look at the harm you've done!
I didn't cause the cave-in.
Shut up!
This isn't helping. Stop it.
Roland, we can't get out.
Not that way, in any case.
There must be a way out somewhere.
The Saint-Louis miners
would've found it.
- They didn't have my explosives.
- Miguel's right.
If we find a spot, with the
dynamite we may have a chance.
The bone is sticking out
of his leg.
- I know how to put it back.
- Shut up!
Polo and Louis, take Amir with you.
Go find an in-draft, a crack,
that we can blow up,
to get back up in the mine.
- Now?
- Yeah.
- Now.
- Okay.
We have to get him out quickly.
Be brave, Santini.
Come on, Amir.
Fuck off...
Bite on this, pal.
Wait, wait.
Guys? Guys, please!
Where are you?
Polo!
Louis!
Guys!
Oh, it's you.
What are you doing here?
Come on, Dopey.
But keep your mouth shut!
What are you doing here?
So this is how it ends, huh?
I don't intend to die down here.
I meant the mine.
Our livelihood.
Yeah, they'll probably close it down.
You saw that tomb.
This is something out of our league.
More important people than us
will be coming here.
They won't give a damn
if we lose our jobs.
If only it was him on the stretcher
instead of Santini.
I'm just saying.
No, you shouldn't talk like that.
You said it yourself.
Accidents happen.
No one would say a thing,
about the tomb or the accident.
I only said it to scare him.
Polo and Louis think the same as me.
At least think about it.
He's passed out.
Where are the others?
Hurry up, Louis!
What are you doing?
It must weigh 3 or 400 kilos.
Give it your all!
I don't think it's sealed.
Here, use this.
- I lift, you push.
- Yeah.
You're crazy! Berthier said...
Not another word, Arab!
No one'll notice
one more skeleton down here!
There, there.
Come on.
One, two, three!
- Why do you want to open it?
- It won't budge!
Don't you get it?
We won't get our bonus,
and they'll close the mine.
- So?
- "So"?
Didn't you hear what Berthier said?
He said this is some sort of divinity.
So I'm thinking
there must be offerings inside.
If we're losing everything,
we deserve a little compensation.
Come on, give us a hand!
Hurry up!
We shouldn't.
Shit!
What about these?
- These trinkets. Can we sell them?
- Let me see.
No, these are worthless.
- And the shield?
- What?
- The shield.
- Show me.
It's good, we'll take it.
People like this sort of thing.
Can you shut up?
Shit!
Now we can open it.
Well played, Arab!
Come on, let's push.
Sainte Barbe, have mercy!
I think she heard you.
We're rich, buddy!
No more mining.
God bless Berthier.
This is wrong.
An Arab who won't steal?
You don't see that every day!
I have to tell the others.
I have to tell the others.
You listen to me!
Let go!
If you say a word, you're dead!
Do you hear me?
I can tell them the truth,
that it was you who opened it.
Louis!
Stop it.
- He wants to rat on us.
- He won't.
Too right he won't!
He knows what'd happen to him!
Louis!
Leave him alone.
Don't forget, Arab!
If you talk I'll kill you, you hear me?
I'll kill you!
What are you doing?
Taking a piss?
You have no respect.
It doesn't bother them.
But still!
It's not right.
Come on.
It's not right.
Let's go.
- Here, give me that.
- No!
Don't touch.
I know you.
And we'll give some to Santini.
He can't work now.
We'll help him out.
What are you doing?
Do you want to blow us up?
That's a no-no.
It's a no-no in the mine.
Not in a crypt.
Quick!
Hey, Polo! Hey, it's us!
What's going on?
We were in the crypt, and...
What?
There's something alive in there.
Alive?
- You didn't open it?
- No.
It was... it was already open
when we got there.
It attacked us.
You're saying the body ain't fully dead?
Roland...
I know what I saw.
What?
Let him go!
Hold on!
Come on!
What happened?
"What happened"?
He's dead.
That's what happened.
I have to take a photo.
- What?
- Darn it!
I left my bag back there.
What a fool!
You want a photo?
That's enough, I'm gonna kill him!
Miguel, stop it!
- How long did Fouassier give you?
- Twelve hours.
So no one'll come looking
for a good ten hours.
That's if they even know where to look.
Berthier, what is that thing?
All I know is that...
it was an unknown civilization,
which lived here for centuries.
They worshiped that sarcophagus,
which is even older.
To them it was like...
a god sent down from heaven.
They carried out sacrifices
in this place, and...
Why sacrifices?
Because they were afraid of it.
It's not a sarcophagus.
It's a prison.
We'll theorize later.
Right now we have to find a way out.
God or not, the army will sort it out.
I know where that thing is.
May I, Professor?
Yes, of course.
Going from here...
since we didn't come across it,
it can only have gone
in that direction.
Right. If we take that path,
we'll retrace our footsteps,
and find ourselves back where we were.
Santini!
Santini!
"Santa Maria, madre de Dio..."
We're there.
This is it.
Santini!
Santini! Shit!
Where is he?
- We have to kill it!
- No, don't!
Santini!
Santini.
I don't want to die.
No.
My children, my children...
We're all going to die here.
This is all I have left.
We have to trap it.
Draw it into a dead end.
Here. We have to lure it
into one of these tunnels.
Can we kill that thing?
It's like you and me.
I saw it dragging a big heavy miner
at top speed. It's not like us.
No, what I meant was that
stabbing it with your pickax
would be enough.
So an explosion should work.
- Let's do that, then.
- It's not that simple.
We have a choice to make.
Blow that thing up or get out of here.
I don't have enough dynamite for both.
So we're done for.
No, I have an idea.
But you're not going to like it.
It can't be worse
than just waiting for that thing.
We have to go back in the crypt.
- Shit!
- No, no, no!
Listen! Do you have a better idea?
It's what we have to do.
Go back and translate the inscriptions,
to find a way out.
You think they wrote it down,
in case they forgot?
I've studied that civilization enough
to know that they didn't live in caves
or underground.
- So they came here from...
- Outside.
- So there must be a way out.
- More a way in.
But... yes, that's the idea.
Very well, but no more splitting up.
I want you all in view.
I don't like this.
I don't like this at all.
"This is the way.
"The path of those
who do not touch the ground."
Do you understand?
It's like the same directions
from pillar to pillar.
Professor.
- What?
- Look at this.
Here.
It's the same message, isn't it?
Yes, it's...
the same directions.
"Left, right, right..."
Wait.
I mustn't get this wrong.
Yes, that's it.
We have to carry on.
Professor.
Were you using an "abjad"
for your translation?
A what?
An "abjad."
It's a writing system
which attributes a numerical value,
from one to a thousand,
to the consonants of Arabic.
The attribution of the numerical value
follows a non-alphabetical order,
which creates eight words,
the first of which is "abjad."
So... hence its name!
Berthier, is this the right time
for some schooling?
Wait.
Left.
Thank you.
The devil take me!
Careful what you say.
We're not far from him here.
Prisoners?
No.
Volunteers.
For certain rites
they dropped them into the pits,
and the survivors
were judged the most suitable
for the real sacrifices.
Volunteers? So why the cage?
In case they changed their minds.
What else does it say?
"The survivors of the great fall
are the only ones
"who deserve the desire
of Mok'noroth."
- Mok'noroth?
- Yes.
It's what they named that thing.
What does it mean?
Eater of souls.
What now?
Miguel, watch our rear.
We all know what's following us.
We're going in circles.
Berthier?
He's right.
But if that's the case...
we should find ourselves back at...
The tomb chamber.
Just by chance!
If you rile me anymore,
you know how it'll end!
I followed the directions.
It was worth a try.
What's that?
Here too.
All over the inside.
I should go first.
It's my fault we're in this situation.
You took the words out of my mouth!
You want to decipher your hieroglyphs?
Go ahead.
Go ahead, Berthier.
Show some courage.
Wait, Professor.
- The blood is Polo's horse.
- Okay.
The monster did it.
But it's not here,
and there's only one way in.
We're safe here.
Then do what you have to do,
but hurry up.
Berthier, what are you doing? Berthier!
What did you do? Are you crazy?
I know exactly what I'm doing.
You'll get us killed.
- You think I don't know their plan?
- What?
What'll happen if I find the way out?
I won't be needed and they'll kill me.
- They wouldn't do that.
- No?
You're too naive, my young friend.
Help me find the solution
to our problem.
I'm sure the answer is here
on these walls.
Here.
Give us more light,
so we can see something.
We'll lever it.
Push, guys!
More, go on! Push!
This is about
the awakening of Mok'noroth.
And this is about the suffering
in the world.
The poor animal.
What?
No, nothing.
So, what does it say?
What's that?
- Amir.
- Yes?
Light all the torches.
I'll get the pickax.
Go on.
We'll try like this.
Come on, Louis, help.
Are there other tombs?
Yes. Nine.
Scattered around the world.
"The nine will awake from their sleep
and overrun the earth,
"to prepare for the coming
of the Great Old One."
The Great Old One?
Abdul Alhazred
wasn't so crazy after all, huh?
Professor.
The pit you mentioned.
"Only those rejected by death
deserve to feed Mok'noroth."
To bring it food?
I think that they were the food.
My God!
So...
"This is not dead
"which can eternal lie,
"and with strange aeons
"even death may die...
"for Mok'noroth has but one master."
What does it mean?
It's about the final sacrifice.
Of the one they call "the Master,"
the master of that abomination,
will, in return, become an immortal god.
And here?
These hieroglyphs don't mean anything.
What?
It's a palindrome.
It reads the same in both directions.
Look, Professor.
Look.
This inscription here... and here.
It's on the circular door
at the entrance.
Entrance or exit,
it depends on your point of view...
Wait! What did you just say?
Point of view? I don't know.
Why?
An entrance
or an exit.
It depends on your point of view.
You're a genius,
Amir.
And I never knew! Why?
These words aren't a phrase,
they're a delineated route.
But why a palindrome?
Why can it be read both ways?
Because...
whether you were going from here
or coming in from the outside,
you found your way the same.
All the devotees had to do
was learn this phrase
to know the way in both directions.
Professor, does that mean...?
Yes, my dear Amir.
We're going to get out of here.
Professor.
The horse is alive, I saw it move.
What are you talking about?
Its belly is ripped open.
Step back...
slowly.
Don't make any movement at all.
You're magnificent!
This is the first contact
of our civilization with a god,
a veritable god!
Professor, no!
Roland!
Roland!
Come here, Amir, quick!
Leave it, leave it
It's trapped in there,
but I don't know for how long.
We can't stay here.
Berthier?
One less problem!
Shut your mouth, Louis, okay?
Shut your mouth!
Just a minute.
What was the plan? To kill him?
That's what he told me.
So? You got a problem with that?
That's enough, you two! Let's go.
- You're the monsters.
- Shut up, Arab!
Which Arab?
The one you threatened to kill
if he told the truth?
What does he mean?
- What are you talking about?
- It's nothing!
Roland, look in his bag.
- Show me.
- No.
"Hijo de puta!"
That's out of the tomb.
All of this is your fault!
I'm gonna kill you!
Wait, Miguel! Wait!
Let me see.
Let me see.
The bastard!
I should dump all this down the mine,
and you with it.
It'll go to Polo's
and Santini's families.
Berthier's too!
We have to get out of here first.
And without the prof I don't see how!
So we're screwed?
No, not yet.
I can get us out of here.
Well?
Give me a moment, please.
I mustn't get it wrong.
Take all the time you want,
but get us out.
What is it?
I heard something.
Don't move.
Turn your lamps off.
Don't tell me that thing got out.
Shut up, Louis!
I gotta switch it on.
Louis, no!
No, Louis!
Miguel!
Amir! Get outta here!
Louis!
We have to move. Come on!
Okay, which way?
Wait.
I don't know.
Give me a second, please.
Let me see.
I opened the tomb, Roland.
Polo and Louis wanted what was inside.
I wanted to be accepted, so I opened it.
It's all my fault.
It doesn't make much difference now.
This is where we are.
Get us out of here.
But how, without Miguel?
I've got his gear, I know what to do.
And Louis?
I saw him being dragged
into the darkness.
It's just us two left.
We can still escape that thing.
We have to stop it.
To stop it getting out.
If it gets to the surface,
it'll kill everyone.
In the miners' cottages first.
Your families.
You know I'm right.
What? We're just miners!
What can we do?
The government can deal with it.
- I don't think you realize.
- I don't realize?
They're all dead!
They were my responsibility
and they're all dead.
Don't tell me I don't realize.
They were my family, my friends.
I don't know you,
I don't owe you a thing.
It's each man for himself now.
We're in the middle
of the palindrome.
Halfway along the route.
It's that way.
What is it?
Oh, no!
I don't believe it.
The Saint-Louis miners.
They didn't know
they'd been sealed in down here.
Just like us.
He must have been their shotfirer.
They must have tried
to blow out the exit, but...
they couldn't do much with that.
I'm sorry, Amir.
It ends for us both here.
We can't go back or get out, right?
The only possible access point...
was this, and it was sealed off.
And?
There's one way we haven't considered.
The sacrifice pit.
It goes directly to the surface.
Come on, Amir.
Tell me that you know where it is.
I think Berthier was going that way
when he led us back to the tomb.
He followed the directions on the wall.
But I saw his mistake.
He translated using an abjad.
But he forgot that Arabic reads
from right to left.
So we have to reverse it all.
I can find the pit
by reversing the directions.
We start from the room with the pillars.
And this time we go the right way.
"Left, right, right" is...
right, left, left...
right.
Child's play, huh?
Come on, let's get outta here.
Once and for all.
Come on!
Amir!
Hold on!
Don't let go!
Don't let go!
Amir!
Louis!
Let him go!
Don't move.
Amir...
Louis...
Let him...
What do you want?
I don't understand.
No!
What do you want from me?
Let me out.
Let me out...
Master.
Master?
I...
must go outside.
"Mok'noroth has but one master."
I opened the tomb.
Free me!
Give me
your life.
Give me your soul.
And you will be...
a god.
You can make me a god?
Yes.
You'll never leave here.
The sacrifice pit.
Amir!
Roland!
Grab my hand, quick!
Come on!
That's it!
Come on!
That's good. Come on!
You were right.
We'll blow it up,
that damn thing with it.
Courage!
Come on!
Okay, Amir?
Courage!
Come on, kid!
Look what it's gonna get.
But we have to get higher first.
Yeah, okay.
Come on, Amir.
Come on, help me.
I can't go any farther.
Keep it up!
We have time, we can do it.
It's coming!
The handle! Where's the handle?
No...
I see it!
No, it's too late Amir.
It's coming, Amir, it's coming!
No, Amir, no! We don't have time!
Amir!
Amir, it's on us! Forget it!
Come here.
Come on, here we are!
For the dark faces! Huh?
Do it.
- Henri.
- Yeah?
Get the dynamite. I'll try the pick,
but we may have to blast it.
Okay.
- Water?
- Yes.
- How many sticks are left?
- Twenty.
Bring half of them down to the end.
Here's your pick.
Okay, Chief, it's clear.
THE DEEP DARK
"Every God-given day"
"Into hell I descend"
"In pain I make my way"
"And it's never a friend"
"That's what I heard"
"From my pa and grandfather"
"They're the very same words"
"I tell my son and my brother"
"Just a little effort more"
"And we'll get to the night"
"That which sleeps safe and sure"
"We'll restore to the light..."
Firedamp!
We're lucky.
The gas pocket must be farther back.
What do we do now?
Go fetch the penitent.
It's him. Don't look into his eyes.
The penitent. Holy Mother of God!
Where?
My post at the back.
Ten meters down the tunnel.
Get back.
I have to blow up the gas.
Listen to me.
your this cave's keeper and I am your supporter
this cave
Keep it nice
What is this?
Run! Run from here.
Amir!
Amir!
MOROCCO
Amir!
Come down! Hurry up!
I'm coming!
Come on!
Jump in!
Amir, have you done this before?
No.
And you?
No.
But I've been told about it.
If you pass,
they take you to France
to pick stones underground.
Stones?
Coal.
That's right, coal.
And it pays real good!
Today's the day, I can feel it.
You say that every time.
Are you dying or something?
Let's get started!
Line up!
Stop, stop
Come fast, come.
Come fast
Okay, I'll sum up for the latecomers.
Those of you who are selected
will have a job and accommodation.
You'll have money to send
to your families.
You'll have bank accounts,
into which your salary
of 44 francs per day will be paid.
Mining is tough work.
But you'll have an 18-month
renewable contract.
Now open your shirts.
The reds stay here.
The greens get in the truck.
Nice and strong.
Too old.
Too puny.
A bit young, but you'll do.
A big strong guy!
Are you sick?
No sick guys.
Hello, Monsieur.
- You speak French?
- My mother's a French teacher.
Did I ask about your mother?
Red.
Please, I need this job.
The job doesn't need you.
Too old.
What you just did
took courage.
Or a big dose of stupidity.
In either case,
you may be of some use.
Too puny.
And too old.
The greens!
Get on the bus.
Put the hero...
in the group for mine 5.
Devil's Island?
He won't last two days.
Exactly.
MINING REGION
OF NORTHERN FRANCE
Excuse me, I...
Excuse me, my good fellow,
I'm looking for...
Monsieur.
- I'm looking for Mr. Fouassier.
- Over there.
Professor.
Mr. Fouassier.
Thanks for seeing me.
The pleasure is all mine,
Mr. Berthier.
I hope I'm not disturbing you.
Your men look busy.
On the contrary,
it's pretty quiet today.
In your letter you didn't say
how long you will need.
As long as it takes.
- You realize we're working?
- Then we have that in common.
And the company which employs me
is paying you handsomely
for accepting my presence here.
You know why they call
this mine Devil's Island?
Because it's hot?
No. Because the conditions
are the worst, even for old hands.
In the north, if a miner screws up
he gets sent here.
This is it!
Where we send everyone down.
I don't see any miners here.
They're in the building opposite,
where the cable goes.
Okay. And what was that?
It's code.
One ring for material coming up,
two for men,
three for injured.
Here we can see the depth
and manage the descent.
How deep does it go?
Michel, what's the lowest point?
930 meters.
No, that's no good.
I need to be at a thousand meters.
We can dig deeper.
When do you want to go down?
Tomorrow.
Impossible! It'll take two weeks
to reach a thousand meters.
We have to clear and secure the zone.
Sorry.
Mr. Fouassier.
Mr. Fouassier!
I have no time to lose.
And you have everything to gain.
Take it.
A week. Come back next week.
- We'll see what we can do.
- Good.
And about the team...
Stop! Stop everything!
- Let us through!
- Get out of the way!
Let them through!
Let them through, goddammit!
The rock fell on his leg.
We had no time,
but Roland got him out by himself.
Unbelievable!
- Was it still falling?
- All over.
Who's the hero of the day?
Roland Neville.
Him.
I'll go down with him.
I already have your team.
I'm not asking.
With him.
Next week.
Goddamn asshole of a professor!
Roland,
drop by the office before you leave.
You're done for today.
What are you all waiting for?
Get back to work, go on!
Come in.
- What happened?
- A rockfall, at Clara.
What the hell are you doing,
working that seam?
You know it's not stable.
It's the only one
we can still get at.
So we have to go deeper.
No, too dangerous.
Scared?
You know I'm not.
Blow up the west gallery.
We know the seams go down that way.
I'm not risking my men's lives.
A drink?
Okay.
Remember the bridge we blew up
on the Route des Arcs?
How much stuff did we use?
Ten kilos?
Fifteen?
Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven kilos of dynamite?
Yeah, we really wanted
to stick it to the Krauts!
Remember what happened
when the convoy finally got there?
The detonator fouled up.
Remember what you said to us?
"Let's do it!
"If I die,
"it'll be with fire in my belly,
not as a chickenshit!"
And we followed you, me first of all.
That was different, it was war.
You risk your men's lives every day,
going into that hellhole.
They'll follow you, as always.
Okay.
Right, now that we're in agreement,
the bad news.
- Next week you take a tourist down.
- Goddammit!
- Who this time?
- A scientist.
Well connected, so we have no choice.
He wants samples.
I didn't understand why.
He been down before?
What do you think?
Stop bellyaching.
You and your men
will get the usual bonus.
And look.
You'll even get a bit more.
We'll see about that after.
You got a young trammer
to replace Patou?
No, but a dozen Moroccans
have just arrived.
You can have one.
Two arms, two legs,
what more do you need?
Pick one who can at least speak French.
See you.
Look at the new one!
So... is this our Arab?
He's okay, not too flabby.
Makes a change from Polo!
I'm Polo.
He's a Gyppo!
I said that for your own good, "cazzo"!
Soon you won't be able to see your dick.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
I'm Santini. Well, not really,
but it's what they call me.
Amir.
Amir?
They'll probably call you "Arab"
or "raghead."
What's your number?
039?
That's an old one.
It was Patou's.
Hey, Santini, you got a new girlfriend?
'Va fanculo Louis!'
'Cazzo di merda!'
You know where it is?
It's over here.
Here's 039.
Has anyone explained it to you?
Each rope has a number.
Your clothes and shoes are on it.
And some soap.
For washing when you come back up.
Put your badge on the little hook.
Okay?
Here you go.
Come get ready
Here.
Hey, raghead!
Sure you wanna go down with us?
I just want to work.
You'll work all right!
It ain't like back home.
Why him to replace Patou?
Look at his face, a proper Arab!
Amir, is that right?
Yes, Monsieur.
There's no "monsieur" here.
Roland. Call me Roland.
The big mouth is Louis.
The Spaniard is Miguel,
the Italian is Santini.
And the grinning fatso is Polo.
Cut that out!
You don't have the experience
or the shoulders.
- So do what we tell you, okay?
- Yes, Monsieur.
Roland.
Polo.
Go ahead, to the stables.
Know what they call us miners?
"Dark faces."
Because once down there,
Italian, Spanish, French, or Arab,
we're all the same color.
The color of coal.
Let's go.
Louis!
Today, for your sins,
you stick with him.
CLEAN, THIS WAY
Hey, watch out!
Get a move on, Amir!
We're next, Amir, hurry up.
- Me first!
- Hey, Louis!
Watch your head.
Have a nice day!
- Hey, Jean-Louis.
- Roland.
No dawdling, Arab!
Or we'll leave you here.
Amir, hurry up!
The other team's done some good work.
Yeah, but there's twenty meters
of shit on the rails.
Louis, some light on Clara, please.
Who's Clara?
A coal seam.
We always give them broads' names.
The dip is good.
The seam's descending
but we can still get at it.
Santini, you going in?
Go on.
Mig, you going up there?
I'll hand you the hammer.
Louis, you and
Amir clear the rails.
- Why do I have to?
- Don't argue!
Come on.
Go on.
That's good.
What are you doing?
It's not chow time, up you get!
What's "chow"?
Lunch.
Hey, guys! Where are you?
I bust my lamp, I can't see!
Don't move, I'll send you some light!
Amir.
Go find Polo, give him a hand.
Pronto!
Polo, it's Amir, I'm coming!
Where are you?
That's...
What's up?
You never seen a horse before?
Yes, but I never expected
to see one here.
This is Cartouche.
He's a good fella.
The best horse of all the mines.
One of the last too.
They'll be replaced by machines.
Don't be afraid.
Gently now.
- But he's...?
- Blind, yes.
He was, before coming down here.
We're not...
It was that or being eaten.
We got him from a circus.
Cartouche.
- Light the way, Amir, let's go.
- Yeah.
Five minutes, guys.
Yeah, it's Roland.
You can start up the machines again.
Sorry, I couldn't find my bag.
Let me see.
What?
You see the bite marks?
Give me your bag.
What's that?
Hang your bag up high,
on a hook.
Always.
The rats can sense danger.
That's why we feed them.
They have their place here.
I can see that you don't like me.
I just want to work
and be part of the group.
Sorry, Roland.
Don't be sorry.
Be better.
Santini, it's time.
You'll sleep well tonight, huh, Arab?
Guys, listen up.
Professor Berthier here
will be coming down with us today.
Afterwards,
you'll get a bonus of 400 francs.
You'll do everything I ask of you
without any backchat. Understood?
Let's get to work, then.
Have you reached a thousand meters?
What do you expect to find?
Treasure?
A word of warning, Prof.
Our job is to bring up coal,
not to dig up graves.
No, but it's just to blow up
the floor here.
Just here, you see? Here.
Blow up the floor? Are you crazy?
Are you joking?
It's the Spanish fellow's job, isn't it?
The shotfirer.
That's right, isn't it?
We'll see
if you survive the descent first.
Thank you, my good fellow.
Berthier, this way.
For your information, Berthier,
there's no government down here.
This is our domain.
I'm responsible for my men's lives.
Yours too.
I understand.
We'll set up your blast,
if that's what you want.
- You can get your...?
- Samples.
Right!
Samples for you, bonuses for us.
Everyone's happy.
Miguel.
Yes, Boss?
We're gonna need you.
- How much are we talking about?
- Ten kilos.
We're blowing up the floor at Mathilde.
Yes, the floor.
Mathilde?
It's a coal seam.
They give them all women's names.
How elegant!
There's nothing elegant down here.
Come on.
Out of the way.
Yes, this is the spot.
Right here.
- Louis, what do you think?
- It's okay, it'll hold.
Mig.
- It's all yours.
- Messieurs, move aside!
I'll give it plenty!
Berthier, go to the back there.
Thanks, Amir.
What do you think?
It's madness.
But for a 400-franc bonus,
if he wants it to blow, it'll blow!
I'm ready.
Polo, quick!
- Sorry.
- Where you been?
I was with Cartouche.
Go ahead.
This is shit!
We ain't going down there!
Are you chickenshit?
If we don't check it out,
we'll have to stop digging.
With galleries underfoot
it's too dangerous to carry on.
We're lucky it hasn't all caved in.
We can't stay here.
I'll go for a look.
That'll do just fine! Let the Arab go.
I wouldn't fit anyway.
That goes without saying!
It looks deep.
We'll struggle to get back up.
- Polo, can you fix us something?
- Yeah.
I've got some beams, we'll widen it,
I'll get Cartouche down,
then I'll shore it up.
Let's get to it!
Well, Prof, are you happy?
All this mess is for you.
May we know
what exactly you're looking for?
Give that back!
What are you doing?
Are you insane?
You thug!
You know stuff
you're not telling us.
You haven't been straight with us.
You want us to go after it?
After you, then!
Careful now!
Slowly!
Berthier, what can you see?
It's hard to say.
You should come down.
All right.
Send the gear down.
Yes.
My God...
No one'll ever believe us.
Miguel, do you know it's possible?
What are you talking about?
The damned of Saint-Louis.
An old miners' legend.
It's said that, a hundred years ago,
an old mine around here caught fire.
They couldn't put it out.
Thirty or so miners were trapped.
They couldn't get to them.
They blocked up the mine,
burying them alive.
They might have already been dead.
So what?
It's still a heinous thing to do.
Why mention that legend now?
The bodies were never found.
Not a single one.
It's thought
that they found a hollow or a cave.
They couldn't dig this deep back then.
Well, legend or not,
this area could be dangerous.
We'll need equipment.
Berthier?
Berthier?
Let's find the idiot!
This is different.
Yes, it's limestone.
And these are pickax marks.
You may be right.
In any case, there have definitely
been miners through here.
- What you scared of, Eyetie?
- They died here!
Their spirits are still here,
for sure!
Forget the dead,
we have a living guy to find.
Do we care about him?
If he dies, no bonus.
Is that what you want?
Then we agree.
Come on.
What a jerk!
We'll have to split up.
Santini and Louis, you go left.
- Miguel, you with me?
- Yes.
The first to find Berthier,
just yell.
Roland.
What about me?
Choose for yourself.
We'll meet back here.
Professor!
Professor!
Professor!
Professor!
What?
I knew it.
I knew it!
A Saint-Louis miner.
What's he doing here?
We have to get outta here!
Are you crazy, Louis?
- This'll be worth something.
- We'll be cursed!
No.
He tore his fingers to pieces.
Let's go!
Take the stuff, but let's just go!
Leave him alone, Louis!
- Guys.
- We have to leave now.
- Where is everyone?
- We have to go.
- Guys!
- What?
We, the damned.
We, the unpunished.
It came for each one of us.
Like a shadow,
it hid in the deep dark.
Now it sleeps,
but I hear it still.
It will return.
We're cursed!
IT WILL RETURN
We're cursed!
'Cazzo di merda!'
You should have
seen your face, Eyetie.
Come on,
let's go.
This is a dead end.
Here.
Now what?
Dim your lamps! Don't argue!
Well, did you find anything?
Just a dead end and a body.
A Saint-Louis miner.
No doubt about it.
We found two of them.
What did I tell you?
And the prof?
- Is that him, those lights?
- Yeah, taking photos.
Let's grab him and get outta here!
Yeah.
Turn your lamps off.
I'll deal with him alone.
This is great!
What are you doing?
Let me go!
Let me go!
- Will you stop being a smartass?
- Yes. Let go!
You bunch of morons! That's worth
a thousand times your annual salary.
Watch out, Berthier.
We're down at the bottom, remember?
My men will tell the
same story as me.
Is that a threat?
Absolutely!
Why do you keep running off?
I just wanted to have a look
over there, in the dark.
And I knew you wouldn't let me, so...
Because it's dangerous.
You're risking your life and my men's.
Your men are being paid for it.
Screw your money!
- Don't put us in danger again!
- I'm sorry, I...
I wanted to be sure that it's here,
and we are almost there,
that's all.
I'll behave myself.
Professor.
What's this?
This is why we're here.
Behind this wall
is something I've been seeking
for years.
You want to blow up that wall?
If you want our help, Berthier,
tell us what we'll find behind it.
Something ancient.
Of priceless historical value.
I hear "priceless" and "value."
Mig, what do you think?
Yeah, it's...
pretty solid, but not impregnable.
I can open it up.
Berthier, I want your word
that it's not dangerous,
and that once you get
your samples and scientific shit,
we're done here.
You have my word.
Go ahead, Mig.
The best shotfirer in France
is a Spaniard!
Excuse me.
Holy Mary, mother of God!
It's magnificent.
Here, Amir.
More light here, please.
Where?
Here, shine your light here.
- Like this?
- Yes, yes.
I'll take a few samples.
Here, I'll give you this little box.
Hold it there.
That's it.
How old is all this?
You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
Centuries?
Add a few zeroes!
Incredible!
Berthier, can we go now?
Yes, just a minute.
- Hurry up.
- I'm coming.
Louis.
There's a passage here.
- I'll have a look.
- No, Louis!
- Louis says there's a passage.
- A passage?
Louis, where are you?
Here.
You should take a look at this.
God Almighty!
What happened here?
Sainte Barbe, save our souls!
Prof, what's all this?
I don't know,
maybe the bodyguards of this place.
They must have been fighting
to protect something.
That's what they were protecting.
Whatever's in there
must be worth a fortune.
This is simply historic!
What is it, Professor?
According to legend...
a sort of god.
Well, he was worshiped as such.
What are you talking about?
No, nothing.
It'd take too long to explain.
I have time.
I've been researching
this for 27 years.
Do you have 27 years?
- Amir, come here.
- Leave him alone!
He's a miner, under my orders.
You've got what you wanted, let's go.
No, I have to...
You can come back with your pals.
Enough already!
I just have to take a few photos.
I'll be very quick.
What you been doing?
Working. You should try it sometime.
You call that working?
Santini, stop being a smartass
and go up first.
Mig, excuse me.
- Easy does it.
- What's wrong?
Nice work, artist!
Cartouche!
Be calm Polo
Come on!
Polo
Stay here!
Cartouche!
Shit!
Get back, Amir! Get back!
Watch out!
Are you okay, guys?
- Polo?
- Yes!
I'm with Amir, we're fine.
Okay.
- Miguel?
- I'm okay.
- Louis?
- Yeah.
Santini?
- Roland...
- There he is!
Oh, shit!
- Santini, can you move?
- I can't feel my leg.
- I can't feel my leg.
- We'll get you out.
Louis, are you ready?
One, two, three!
Here, we'll put him on this.
- What can I do?
- Keep him level.
Polo's working on it already.
Don't worry.
There, there!
We'll make a stretcher to carry him.
Hey, don't go! Stay with us, okay?
We're in the shit.
Everywhere's blocked.
- Got any charges left?
- Yes.
But if I set any off here,
the whole gallery will fall.
They must have heard us up there.
- There's no one up there.
- What do you mean?
I didn't see a soul while you were gone.
We were alone when we came down.
Was that your doing?
Was it you?
- What?
- What did you do?
Did you ask Fouassier to make sure
it was only us down here?
It was necessary.
Necessary?
Look at the harm you've done!
I didn't cause the cave-in.
Shut up!
This isn't helping. Stop it.
Roland, we can't get out.
Not that way, in any case.
There must be a way out somewhere.
The Saint-Louis miners
would've found it.
- They didn't have my explosives.
- Miguel's right.
If we find a spot, with the
dynamite we may have a chance.
The bone is sticking out
of his leg.
- I know how to put it back.
- Shut up!
Polo and Louis, take Amir with you.
Go find an in-draft, a crack,
that we can blow up,
to get back up in the mine.
- Now?
- Yeah.
- Now.
- Okay.
We have to get him out quickly.
Be brave, Santini.
Come on, Amir.
Fuck off...
Bite on this, pal.
Wait, wait.
Guys? Guys, please!
Where are you?
Polo!
Louis!
Guys!
Oh, it's you.
What are you doing here?
Come on, Dopey.
But keep your mouth shut!
What are you doing here?
So this is how it ends, huh?
I don't intend to die down here.
I meant the mine.
Our livelihood.
Yeah, they'll probably close it down.
You saw that tomb.
This is something out of our league.
More important people than us
will be coming here.
They won't give a damn
if we lose our jobs.
If only it was him on the stretcher
instead of Santini.
I'm just saying.
No, you shouldn't talk like that.
You said it yourself.
Accidents happen.
No one would say a thing,
about the tomb or the accident.
I only said it to scare him.
Polo and Louis think the same as me.
At least think about it.
He's passed out.
Where are the others?
Hurry up, Louis!
What are you doing?
It must weigh 3 or 400 kilos.
Give it your all!
I don't think it's sealed.
Here, use this.
- I lift, you push.
- Yeah.
You're crazy! Berthier said...
Not another word, Arab!
No one'll notice
one more skeleton down here!
There, there.
Come on.
One, two, three!
- Why do you want to open it?
- It won't budge!
Don't you get it?
We won't get our bonus,
and they'll close the mine.
- So?
- "So"?
Didn't you hear what Berthier said?
He said this is some sort of divinity.
So I'm thinking
there must be offerings inside.
If we're losing everything,
we deserve a little compensation.
Come on, give us a hand!
Hurry up!
We shouldn't.
Shit!
What about these?
- These trinkets. Can we sell them?
- Let me see.
No, these are worthless.
- And the shield?
- What?
- The shield.
- Show me.
It's good, we'll take it.
People like this sort of thing.
Can you shut up?
Shit!
Now we can open it.
Well played, Arab!
Come on, let's push.
Sainte Barbe, have mercy!
I think she heard you.
We're rich, buddy!
No more mining.
God bless Berthier.
This is wrong.
An Arab who won't steal?
You don't see that every day!
I have to tell the others.
I have to tell the others.
You listen to me!
Let go!
If you say a word, you're dead!
Do you hear me?
I can tell them the truth,
that it was you who opened it.
Louis!
Stop it.
- He wants to rat on us.
- He won't.
Too right he won't!
He knows what'd happen to him!
Louis!
Leave him alone.
Don't forget, Arab!
If you talk I'll kill you, you hear me?
I'll kill you!
What are you doing?
Taking a piss?
You have no respect.
It doesn't bother them.
But still!
It's not right.
Come on.
It's not right.
Let's go.
- Here, give me that.
- No!
Don't touch.
I know you.
And we'll give some to Santini.
He can't work now.
We'll help him out.
What are you doing?
Do you want to blow us up?
That's a no-no.
It's a no-no in the mine.
Not in a crypt.
Quick!
Hey, Polo! Hey, it's us!
What's going on?
We were in the crypt, and...
What?
There's something alive in there.
Alive?
- You didn't open it?
- No.
It was... it was already open
when we got there.
It attacked us.
You're saying the body ain't fully dead?
Roland...
I know what I saw.
What?
Let him go!
Hold on!
Come on!
What happened?
"What happened"?
He's dead.
That's what happened.
I have to take a photo.
- What?
- Darn it!
I left my bag back there.
What a fool!
You want a photo?
That's enough, I'm gonna kill him!
Miguel, stop it!
- How long did Fouassier give you?
- Twelve hours.
So no one'll come looking
for a good ten hours.
That's if they even know where to look.
Berthier, what is that thing?
All I know is that...
it was an unknown civilization,
which lived here for centuries.
They worshiped that sarcophagus,
which is even older.
To them it was like...
a god sent down from heaven.
They carried out sacrifices
in this place, and...
Why sacrifices?
Because they were afraid of it.
It's not a sarcophagus.
It's a prison.
We'll theorize later.
Right now we have to find a way out.
God or not, the army will sort it out.
I know where that thing is.
May I, Professor?
Yes, of course.
Going from here...
since we didn't come across it,
it can only have gone
in that direction.
Right. If we take that path,
we'll retrace our footsteps,
and find ourselves back where we were.
Santini!
Santini!
"Santa Maria, madre de Dio..."
We're there.
This is it.
Santini!
Santini! Shit!
Where is he?
- We have to kill it!
- No, don't!
Santini!
Santini.
I don't want to die.
No.
My children, my children...
We're all going to die here.
This is all I have left.
We have to trap it.
Draw it into a dead end.
Here. We have to lure it
into one of these tunnels.
Can we kill that thing?
It's like you and me.
I saw it dragging a big heavy miner
at top speed. It's not like us.
No, what I meant was that
stabbing it with your pickax
would be enough.
So an explosion should work.
- Let's do that, then.
- It's not that simple.
We have a choice to make.
Blow that thing up or get out of here.
I don't have enough dynamite for both.
So we're done for.
No, I have an idea.
But you're not going to like it.
It can't be worse
than just waiting for that thing.
We have to go back in the crypt.
- Shit!
- No, no, no!
Listen! Do you have a better idea?
It's what we have to do.
Go back and translate the inscriptions,
to find a way out.
You think they wrote it down,
in case they forgot?
I've studied that civilization enough
to know that they didn't live in caves
or underground.
- So they came here from...
- Outside.
- So there must be a way out.
- More a way in.
But... yes, that's the idea.
Very well, but no more splitting up.
I want you all in view.
I don't like this.
I don't like this at all.
"This is the way.
"The path of those
who do not touch the ground."
Do you understand?
It's like the same directions
from pillar to pillar.
Professor.
- What?
- Look at this.
Here.
It's the same message, isn't it?
Yes, it's...
the same directions.
"Left, right, right..."
Wait.
I mustn't get this wrong.
Yes, that's it.
We have to carry on.
Professor.
Were you using an "abjad"
for your translation?
A what?
An "abjad."
It's a writing system
which attributes a numerical value,
from one to a thousand,
to the consonants of Arabic.
The attribution of the numerical value
follows a non-alphabetical order,
which creates eight words,
the first of which is "abjad."
So... hence its name!
Berthier, is this the right time
for some schooling?
Wait.
Left.
Thank you.
The devil take me!
Careful what you say.
We're not far from him here.
Prisoners?
No.
Volunteers.
For certain rites
they dropped them into the pits,
and the survivors
were judged the most suitable
for the real sacrifices.
Volunteers? So why the cage?
In case they changed their minds.
What else does it say?
"The survivors of the great fall
are the only ones
"who deserve the desire
of Mok'noroth."
- Mok'noroth?
- Yes.
It's what they named that thing.
What does it mean?
Eater of souls.
What now?
Miguel, watch our rear.
We all know what's following us.
We're going in circles.
Berthier?
He's right.
But if that's the case...
we should find ourselves back at...
The tomb chamber.
Just by chance!
If you rile me anymore,
you know how it'll end!
I followed the directions.
It was worth a try.
What's that?
Here too.
All over the inside.
I should go first.
It's my fault we're in this situation.
You took the words out of my mouth!
You want to decipher your hieroglyphs?
Go ahead.
Go ahead, Berthier.
Show some courage.
Wait, Professor.
- The blood is Polo's horse.
- Okay.
The monster did it.
But it's not here,
and there's only one way in.
We're safe here.
Then do what you have to do,
but hurry up.
Berthier, what are you doing? Berthier!
What did you do? Are you crazy?
I know exactly what I'm doing.
You'll get us killed.
- You think I don't know their plan?
- What?
What'll happen if I find the way out?
I won't be needed and they'll kill me.
- They wouldn't do that.
- No?
You're too naive, my young friend.
Help me find the solution
to our problem.
I'm sure the answer is here
on these walls.
Here.
Give us more light,
so we can see something.
We'll lever it.
Push, guys!
More, go on! Push!
This is about
the awakening of Mok'noroth.
And this is about the suffering
in the world.
The poor animal.
What?
No, nothing.
So, what does it say?
What's that?
- Amir.
- Yes?
Light all the torches.
I'll get the pickax.
Go on.
We'll try like this.
Come on, Louis, help.
Are there other tombs?
Yes. Nine.
Scattered around the world.
"The nine will awake from their sleep
and overrun the earth,
"to prepare for the coming
of the Great Old One."
The Great Old One?
Abdul Alhazred
wasn't so crazy after all, huh?
Professor.
The pit you mentioned.
"Only those rejected by death
deserve to feed Mok'noroth."
To bring it food?
I think that they were the food.
My God!
So...
"This is not dead
"which can eternal lie,
"and with strange aeons
"even death may die...
"for Mok'noroth has but one master."
What does it mean?
It's about the final sacrifice.
Of the one they call "the Master,"
the master of that abomination,
will, in return, become an immortal god.
And here?
These hieroglyphs don't mean anything.
What?
It's a palindrome.
It reads the same in both directions.
Look, Professor.
Look.
This inscription here... and here.
It's on the circular door
at the entrance.
Entrance or exit,
it depends on your point of view...
Wait! What did you just say?
Point of view? I don't know.
Why?
An entrance
or an exit.
It depends on your point of view.
You're a genius,
Amir.
And I never knew! Why?
These words aren't a phrase,
they're a delineated route.
But why a palindrome?
Why can it be read both ways?
Because...
whether you were going from here
or coming in from the outside,
you found your way the same.
All the devotees had to do
was learn this phrase
to know the way in both directions.
Professor, does that mean...?
Yes, my dear Amir.
We're going to get out of here.
Professor.
The horse is alive, I saw it move.
What are you talking about?
Its belly is ripped open.
Step back...
slowly.
Don't make any movement at all.
You're magnificent!
This is the first contact
of our civilization with a god,
a veritable god!
Professor, no!
Roland!
Roland!
Come here, Amir, quick!
Leave it, leave it
It's trapped in there,
but I don't know for how long.
We can't stay here.
Berthier?
One less problem!
Shut your mouth, Louis, okay?
Shut your mouth!
Just a minute.
What was the plan? To kill him?
That's what he told me.
So? You got a problem with that?
That's enough, you two! Let's go.
- You're the monsters.
- Shut up, Arab!
Which Arab?
The one you threatened to kill
if he told the truth?
What does he mean?
- What are you talking about?
- It's nothing!
Roland, look in his bag.
- Show me.
- No.
"Hijo de puta!"
That's out of the tomb.
All of this is your fault!
I'm gonna kill you!
Wait, Miguel! Wait!
Let me see.
Let me see.
The bastard!
I should dump all this down the mine,
and you with it.
It'll go to Polo's
and Santini's families.
Berthier's too!
We have to get out of here first.
And without the prof I don't see how!
So we're screwed?
No, not yet.
I can get us out of here.
Well?
Give me a moment, please.
I mustn't get it wrong.
Take all the time you want,
but get us out.
What is it?
I heard something.
Don't move.
Turn your lamps off.
Don't tell me that thing got out.
Shut up, Louis!
I gotta switch it on.
Louis, no!
No, Louis!
Miguel!
Amir! Get outta here!
Louis!
We have to move. Come on!
Okay, which way?
Wait.
I don't know.
Give me a second, please.
Let me see.
I opened the tomb, Roland.
Polo and Louis wanted what was inside.
I wanted to be accepted, so I opened it.
It's all my fault.
It doesn't make much difference now.
This is where we are.
Get us out of here.
But how, without Miguel?
I've got his gear, I know what to do.
And Louis?
I saw him being dragged
into the darkness.
It's just us two left.
We can still escape that thing.
We have to stop it.
To stop it getting out.
If it gets to the surface,
it'll kill everyone.
In the miners' cottages first.
Your families.
You know I'm right.
What? We're just miners!
What can we do?
The government can deal with it.
- I don't think you realize.
- I don't realize?
They're all dead!
They were my responsibility
and they're all dead.
Don't tell me I don't realize.
They were my family, my friends.
I don't know you,
I don't owe you a thing.
It's each man for himself now.
We're in the middle
of the palindrome.
Halfway along the route.
It's that way.
What is it?
Oh, no!
I don't believe it.
The Saint-Louis miners.
They didn't know
they'd been sealed in down here.
Just like us.
He must have been their shotfirer.
They must have tried
to blow out the exit, but...
they couldn't do much with that.
I'm sorry, Amir.
It ends for us both here.
We can't go back or get out, right?
The only possible access point...
was this, and it was sealed off.
And?
There's one way we haven't considered.
The sacrifice pit.
It goes directly to the surface.
Come on, Amir.
Tell me that you know where it is.
I think Berthier was going that way
when he led us back to the tomb.
He followed the directions on the wall.
But I saw his mistake.
He translated using an abjad.
But he forgot that Arabic reads
from right to left.
So we have to reverse it all.
I can find the pit
by reversing the directions.
We start from the room with the pillars.
And this time we go the right way.
"Left, right, right" is...
right, left, left...
right.
Child's play, huh?
Come on, let's get outta here.
Once and for all.
Come on!
Amir!
Hold on!
Don't let go!
Don't let go!
Amir!
Louis!
Let him go!
Don't move.
Amir...
Louis...
Let him...
What do you want?
I don't understand.
No!
What do you want from me?
Let me out.
Let me out...
Master.
Master?
I...
must go outside.
"Mok'noroth has but one master."
I opened the tomb.
Free me!
Give me
your life.
Give me your soul.
And you will be...
a god.
You can make me a god?
Yes.
You'll never leave here.
The sacrifice pit.
Amir!
Roland!
Grab my hand, quick!
Come on!
That's it!
Come on!
That's good. Come on!
You were right.
We'll blow it up,
that damn thing with it.
Courage!
Come on!
Okay, Amir?
Courage!
Come on, kid!
Look what it's gonna get.
But we have to get higher first.
Yeah, okay.
Come on, Amir.
Come on, help me.
I can't go any farther.
Keep it up!
We have time, we can do it.
It's coming!
The handle! Where's the handle?
No...
I see it!
No, it's too late Amir.
It's coming, Amir, it's coming!
No, Amir, no! We don't have time!
Amir!
Amir, it's on us! Forget it!
Come here.
Come on, here we are!
For the dark faces! Huh?
Do it.