- 4 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:18It was Romania, 1955, and Communism had come to our country.
00:25I was 14 years old and looking forward to visiting my father.
00:31He was a dedicated pastor who followed God sincerely.
00:35I just didn't expect that he would be led here.
00:42The Communists tried to control everything, including the churches.
00:47That resulted in two types of Christians, those that backed up the Communist government
00:52in exchange for safety, and others, like my father, that defied it in order to preach
00:58God's truth.
01:01I've come to see my father.
01:03Contents on the table.
01:05Everything is to be inspected.
01:10Bring the prisoner.
01:12Aduces prisonierus.
01:17You have 20 minutes, no more.
01:23My son.
01:28Father?
01:30Mihai, you have grown so much.
01:33Are you well?
01:35What have they done to you, father?
01:37I'm all right, Mihai.
01:39Don't worry.
01:40Hurry up!
01:43Mother says not to worry about us, father.
01:46She says if anything happens, that we shall meet in heaven.
01:52Heaven?
01:53Did you hear that?
01:55Is she here?
01:56Your mother?
01:57She's not.
01:58They only allowed me to...
01:59No questions about relatives allowed.
02:02Mihai, have you appealed for me?
02:03I have been here all these years, without a trial.
02:07They want letters.
02:07No question about trial.
02:09Our...
02:09Our church members.
02:11I said no questions.
02:12Are they doing well?
02:13Enough.
02:14Time's up.
02:15But I just got here.
02:17You don't follow the rules.
02:19I just got here.
02:19Your time is up.
02:21Father!
02:22Mihai, Mihai, Mihai.
02:23Let me go.
02:24Let me go.
02:25Let me go.
02:26I just got here.
02:27Father!
02:27That a drug.
02:28Father!
02:29I love you, father!
02:31Let me go!
02:32I love you, my son!
02:33Let me go!
02:33Let me go!
02:33I love you!
02:35Stand strong in your faith!
02:37In your faith!
02:39Stand strong!
02:40I will, father!
02:43By God's grace!
02:45I will!
02:48I will!
03:14When I said I will stand strong in my faith, I meant it.
03:19I had seen my parents live out their faith, and I had always been a part of their mission,
03:26even as a young child.
03:52The soldiers have gone now.
03:54That's enough for the night.
03:55Be careful as you go out.
03:57And here are some tracts you can pass out to others.
04:00And please, as usual, be careful.
04:03Praise God!
04:04What a wonderful family I have!
04:07My son is a lookout while I teach the Bible, and my wife a secret distributor of God's Word.
04:13Who could ask for more?
04:16Especially for a pastor in communist Romania.
04:19Thank you for the Bible study, Pastor Wumran.
04:22There are not many places left in Romania where one can hear the Word of God taught as it should
04:27be.
04:28Which is why we must do all we can to keep the faith strong, regardless of any risk.
04:35There is no one in the hallway.
04:37Now be careful.
04:38Make sure your Bible is well hidden.
04:41Quietly now.
04:43May God be with you.
04:46Good night, not the Boona.
04:47Good night, Aunt Alice.
04:50Thanks be to God.
04:52Another meeting, and the Lord has kept us.
04:54We have much to thank God for.
04:57A growing church, and a wonderful family.
05:00And I hope it stays like this forever.
05:02And so do I.
05:03But for now, it's off to bed with you.
05:06Oh, really?
05:07Yes.
05:08Mother and I have an important event to attend tomorrow.
05:11Then I will go with you.
05:12I don't think so.
05:13I can witness to the soldiers.
05:15Not tomorrow.
05:16I can pass our tracks secretly.
05:18You know I can.
05:19Good night, Michal.
05:22This gathering of all the churches has been organized by the communist government.
05:26They want us to support their ideas.
05:31And we thank comrade Stalin, who unites our faith under the banner of communism.
05:40Call me no longer bishop.
05:43Call me comrade!
05:47Oh, that is the man I was telling you about.
05:52And his reaction to your offer?
05:56Security in exchange for backing the government?
05:59He'd be a fool not to cooperate.
06:01I do not think he will disappoint us, coronel.
06:05Sergio, what do you make of this?
06:07A disgrace.
06:08We've had hours and hours of speeches by none other than church leaders.
06:12All of them backing the communists.
06:14So, what did you do?
06:15Richard, I have a family to think about.
06:18You've said nothing?
06:19Richard, this is shameful.
06:21So many of the pastors are afraid to take a stand for God.
06:25You must wipe the shame of the face of Christ by setting things right.
06:28If I do, I may be arrested and you may end up without a husband.
06:33This is not a time for any of us to be cowards.
06:36Perfect.
06:37Here he comes to give his speech.
06:41Today, we as ministers are being asked to work with our new government for the good of our country.
06:49Excellent.
06:50But how can we respect a government that denies the existence of God?
06:54What?
06:55Denies us the reading of the Bible and shuts down the places in which we meet to worship?
07:01Such a government deserves not our support, but our pity and our disdain.
07:06Silence!
07:07Shame on the cowardice that does not stand and defend our God.
07:11The people of Romania need us now more than ever.
07:14It is for God that this church was built.
07:17It is for God!
07:21Not disappointing, did you say?
07:23But final, final, wait!
07:25Richard, you have said what many of us have not dared say.
07:28But now you have riled the beast.
07:29You must leave Romania at once.
07:31Sergei, it is when the wolf approaches that the shepherd must turn to face it.
07:35Not to flee.
07:36Silence!
07:37People need us in Romania.
07:39And in Romania, we shall stay.
07:43He has too much influence with the people.
07:46We can take care of that.
07:47Just say the word.
07:49No!
07:49That would only make matters worse.
07:53Look at them, so easily swayed.
07:56No, I think Wurbrand can be put to use.
08:01If he is not swayed by reason, we have other means of persuasion.
08:09You did the right thing.
08:11And there is no turning back.
08:17What if they come after you?
08:20Then we must be brave and continue to do all that we can to teach others about Christ.
08:26Even the communists?
08:28Even the communists.
08:30Remember what Jesus said?
08:32Love your enemies.
08:34Do good to those that seek to harm you.
08:37I will pray for that kind of love, Father.
08:40Good boy.
08:42Now have a good night.
08:45Father?
08:46Yes?
08:47Do you suppose the government is spying on us?
08:50After what I said today, they could be.
08:53But if so, we will still keep doing our work for God.
08:57We must pray for courage.
09:03This is the place.
09:06Our orders are to keep an eye on Wurbrand.
09:25Good afternoon, Pastor Wurbrand.
09:27Andrei, what are you doing here?
09:29I would think you would be at home getting ready.
09:31My suit, Pastor.
09:32I imagine we will see you in a few hours.
09:35Well, if I don't show up, you won't have a wedding.
09:47Is Father home yet?
09:49I expect him any minute now.
09:52You go ahead and eat.
09:53I will wait for your Father.
09:54Lord, thank you for your many blessings.
09:58Be with Father as he goes about doing your work.
10:02Give us boldness and courage.
10:05Amen.
10:21Excuse me.
10:25Good.
10:27They are gone.
10:29Stop.
10:30Let me go.
10:31That's in Drupal.
10:32That's in Drupal.
10:33Where are you taking me?
10:36Quiet.
10:47Is Father home yet?
10:50Not yet, sweetheart.
10:51Go to sleep.
10:55I'm sure he's fine.
10:57Nobtebuna.
10:58Nobtebuna.
10:59Nobtebuna.
11:00Good night.
11:06Oh, Lord.
11:07Help us.
11:11You are...
11:14I'm...
11:15I'm...
11:17I'm Richard Wurmbrand.
11:18Correction.
11:19You were Richard Wurmbrand.
11:23Now you are Vasile Georgescu.
11:28Prisoner number one.
11:31Richard Wurmbrand is no more.
11:36Take the prisoner away.
11:47But that's impossible.
11:49According to our records, your husband has fled the country and...
11:54Hmm...
11:54Church money missing.
11:57Typical.
11:57Richard would never do such a thing.
11:59Oh, of course not.
12:01You must tell me where you've taken...
12:03Fast?
12:04You heard the report.
12:06Your husband has gone.
12:07He has left the country.
12:09Now stop wasting my time and get out!
12:18Yes, she was here.
12:20I told her that Richard fled the country.
12:24And...
12:26You know...
12:27We have our plans for her.
12:33I said new names.
12:35Everybody on this list is dead.
12:37Who are you working with?
12:40Do not play with me.
12:41My patience is running out.
12:43I can easily have you killed.
12:48Except...
12:48You want me kept alive.
12:50Only enough to break your stubborn will.
12:53And use me as an example of someone who has come to his senses.
12:58Splendid!
12:59Who sees the light of communism.
13:02Now you're coming to your senses.
13:05Through the blows of force.
13:07I'm sorry to disappoint you, carnal.
13:09But communism will never triumph over the power of God's love.
13:15God changes you from the inside with love.
13:19Not from the outside with force.
13:22But you have yet to taste of it.
13:25You would be surprised what a little pain can accomplish.
13:29Place your hand on my heart.
13:31If it beats rapidly, showing that I'm afraid, then know there is no God and no eternal life.
13:39But if it beats calmly, as if to say, I go to the one I love, then you must think
13:49again.
13:50There is a God and an eternal life.
13:54Well, then.
13:57Let's speed up your journey to God.
14:00Shall we?
14:02And I know just the person to get you there.
14:06Brânzaru!
14:12Hello, Christian.
14:22The End
14:24Mihai!
14:24What's wrong?
14:26Welcome home!
14:28I tried to keep him out!
14:30Who are you?
14:31She isn't that she...
14:33Leave her alone!
14:36Get away!
14:37What do you want?
14:38Times are changing, comrade!
14:40The boy?
14:42He does not need an entire room just for himself.
14:45It is a new day in Romania!
14:47We share what we own.
14:49You may keep one room.
14:51The rest is to be used by members of the police.
14:54The police?
14:58Well, then.
15:00I shall be happy to have you as our guest, officer.
15:03What?
15:04No!
15:04I hope you will find our home a comfortable one.
15:07He can't leave!
15:08Excuse us!
15:08He can't!
15:09Come, Mihai.
15:10I don't want to share our home with the police.
15:13We have no choice, Mihai.
15:14And besides, you won't have to.
15:17I want you to go and stay with Aunt Alice.
15:20What?
15:21What?
15:22You need me here, mother?
15:23It's only for a little while, Mihai.
15:24It is much too dangerous for you here.
15:27And I must keep the war going with the other believers.
15:30You will go to school as usual and do your best there.
15:34The danger here will be mine alone.
15:36Maybe when father gets back we can-
15:38Oh, Mihai.
15:38I wish that were the case.
15:41But I have the feeling that father will not be back anytime soon.
15:46He may be gone for a long, long time.
16:07Well?
16:09Ah.
16:11He's a stubborn one.
16:13Nothing yet?
16:15What?
16:15Names?
16:16Just three.
16:18Sabina, Mihai, and God.
16:22When he's conscious, that is, I could try something more painful.
16:30Hmm.
16:31No.
16:32I have something better in mind.
16:36Perhaps it's time to inflict pain of a different nature.
16:42Such as?
16:43The man calls out for his family.
16:46Perhaps if he sees what his lack of cooperation is doing to them, he'll come around.
16:58I was glad to see my father, even if only for a few minutes.
17:03How I missed him.
17:04And how thankful I was that I still had my mother.
17:09Mihai!
17:10Mihai!
17:11Mihai!
17:12It's me, Aunt Alice!
17:14It's you!
17:15Mihai!
17:17Aunt Alice!
17:19I was able to see father.
17:20We must contact mother.
17:22Mihai!
17:23Oh, Mihai!
17:24Your mother...
17:26She has been arrested.
17:28Arrested?
17:29Oh, no.
17:30Not my mother, too.
17:47I see you are praying for your family, perhaps.
17:53I have news.
17:56Good news.
17:57Romania is building a new canal.
18:01It will take several years and, well, your wife, she was generous enough to volunteer.
18:10No, not a canal.
18:12Oh, Sabina, can't be with you.
18:15Oh, and your son, he has done very well for himself.
18:22Yes, indeed.
18:24In fact, he now wears the proud red scarf of a communist student.
18:31I am sure you are proud of him.
18:34I knew that would cheer you up.
18:38You know, if you were more cooperative, you could have done more for your wife and son.
18:44As it is, they are both working for the state now.
18:48Think about it.
18:50Love your enemies and pray for them, Yuzu.
18:53Oh, praying again?
18:56For your family?
18:57No, Colonel.
18:59I am not praying for them.
19:01I am praying for you.
19:04I...
19:04I am praying for you.
19:06Then don't waste your time.
19:08Your prayers will do nothing for me, as they have done nothing for your family.
19:15Besides, what kind of help can you expect from a God that doesn't even exist?
19:27No.
19:28If there is one thing I know, it is that God is, and that he has never abandoned me or
19:36my family.
19:38Lord, I believe you are with me even here.
19:42I believe you are with my family.
19:46Help Mihai.
19:47Help him to stand strong in his convictions.
19:53You are the first in your school to wear the scarf.
19:58A symbol of communist principles.
20:01Wear it proudly.
20:11No!
20:12I will not wear your red scarf.
20:15How dare you!
20:16The communists have put my parents in prison because they believe in God.
20:20I am proud of my parents!
20:22I am proud to be a Christian!
20:38I pray you will be with Sabina...
20:41Give first strength to endure and boldness!
20:45Boldness and love to share your world with others.
20:56and jesus said rejoice and be glad for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you
21:02so you see god can help us rejoice even when we suffer god can help us as we pray i
21:10know being a
21:10prisoner is not easy for any of us sabina but i think god you are here your talks about god
21:18they help make things bearable we know god is here with us in our heart i said quiet
21:26hey you're that pastor's wife aren't you the christian i am and you do you have christ well
21:36christian you don't seem to be following my orders i thought christians were supposed to be good
21:42obedient maybe you aren't a christian maybe you need to be baptized
21:50hey what do you think dimitri i think you're right
22:02get up please my ribs i i think they're broken
22:10i said up i hope that teaches you a lesson keep your preaching to you
22:17getting baptized too oh be quiet
22:26sabina are you all right no i'm all wet but praise god
22:35i knew i needed a bath let him down take a rest
22:59have you anything to say
23:04i i forgive you what
23:09i i forgive you carnal
23:13i i forgive you for all this i forgive you for what you have done to me to my family
23:24for for the beatings
23:28what you you are crazy perhaps a few more beatings
23:35i i might die soon carnal and one day so will you
23:45we will both have to stand before god
23:49i am i am ready
23:53are you
23:56this one is in for a long time place him in solitary he is to see no one not even
24:04the guards
24:05i'm tired of his words how long as long as it takes
24:32lord i cannot bear it any longer why why do i remain here
24:40why why what what this sounds like yes yes it is it's morse code yes i am a pastor
24:58one year in solitary have spoken to no one
25:06i worked for communists did many wrong things hurt people i need to confess can god forgive me
25:27yes god loves you
25:31he can forgive you
25:37what is wrong with him
25:41tuberculosis
25:41give him an injection
25:43at least you will be alert enough for the hearing
25:46hearing
25:48we do things by the law here
25:50don't you know that
25:52i've been here all this time
25:55now i get my hearing
25:56do you have anything to say in your defense
25:58i
25:59what
26:00this is ridiculous
26:02he's too sick
26:03what do you have to say in your defense
26:05what do you have to say in your defense
26:09i
26:10i love god
26:12no change whatsoever
26:14then you are hereby sentenced
26:15twenty years hard labor
26:18twenty years
26:19this man is dying
26:21he won't live
26:23past one month
26:25dump him in room number four
26:28the death room
26:30stubborn man might as well die
26:34i'm through with him
26:36lord
26:38i
26:39i
26:40i feel like i'm dying
26:43be
26:43be with my family
26:46be with sabina
26:49help her
26:52you
26:53you
26:54this one
26:56you
26:57and
26:58you
26:58the troublemaker
27:00get rid of them
27:03oh
27:04sabina
27:07here
27:08here
27:08this will help your guests to cold
27:11i hear
27:12this is the room where they
27:14place those who are ready to die
27:16yes it is
27:17though some
27:18like richard
27:19seem to defy death
27:20he has been here
27:21six months
27:23god is the one responsible for that
27:26eat
27:27this is all we have
27:29we shall give thanks first
27:31so you too are a christian
27:32years ago
27:33in solitary
27:36someone
27:37pastor
27:38he led me to christ
27:41morse code
27:42i thank god
27:44every day
27:45for that man
27:46my friend
27:47we meet at last
27:52i'm thankful my brother
27:54then let us sing a song of gratitude
27:57what
27:57we have no instruments
27:59ah
28:00if god can use wrapping on our prison walls to preach
28:04shall we not use the chains that bind us to make melody to him
28:20here
28:22let me help you
28:32and as the bible says
28:34if we suffer with christ
28:36we will also reign with him
28:40what
28:40what
28:41where are you taking me
28:51he has been gone a long time
28:54we best be ready to attend to him
28:57i'll attend to the wounds
28:58do we have any more rags
29:05all right
29:06here we go
29:08let's see this
29:11well then
29:14shall
29:15shall we continue the sermon
29:16richard
29:17you just got punished for preaching
29:19don't you think you should stop for a while
29:21i am a pastor
29:23i have to preach
29:25and besides
29:26i made a deal with the guard
29:28a deal?
29:29yes
29:30yes
29:30a deal
29:32i preach
29:32he gives me a beating
29:35he is happy
29:36i am happy
29:37so
29:38let's start
29:39oh
29:41anyway
29:41this last beating
29:43should more than cover today's sermon
30:01you've heard the news
30:02amnesty
30:03seems the government has been getting some outside pressure
30:06so
30:07some prisoners will be freed
30:08and others
30:09well
30:09they're deciding in there
30:13Vasile Giorgescu
30:14also known as Richard Wernbrandt
30:17been here eight years
30:19no change in behavior
30:21get rid of him
30:25just try to get some sleep
30:29what is
30:30what
30:31up with you
30:32hey richard
30:34can't be with you
30:36courage richard
30:37god be with you
30:39if you can
30:39tell my
30:40tell my family i love them
30:43out
30:44ha
30:45unlikely
30:45your son is in prison too
30:47what
30:48no
30:49richard
30:50i hear he's a thief
30:52runs in the family i guess
30:54too bad you weren't around to help him old man
30:57god
30:57please take care of my family
30:59what are you going to do to me
31:03against the wall
31:05oh jesus
31:06i am yours
31:07oh
31:13what
31:16i
31:16i thought they were going to shoot me
31:21i
31:22i'm free
31:23i'm free
31:24i'm free
31:36richard
31:38my dear
31:39drug room
31:40i thought i would never see you again
31:42i knew god would keep you
31:43i knew it
31:44it's
31:44it's been so long
31:45are you right
31:47i was told you were working on the canal
31:50i
31:50i thought you were dead
31:53and
31:54i
31:54i
31:54it's all right
31:55come
31:58it's so good to be home
32:06it's all right richard
32:07come
32:09come
32:23come
32:24come
32:25come
32:25come
32:25and
32:26they
32:26they shall separate you from your company
32:29they shall approach you and cast out your names
32:32for some man's sake
32:38Nihai
32:38Father, oh father, you're free
32:42My dear Nihai
32:45Now we're all together once more
32:47Thanks be to God
32:50See Richard, God has kept us strong
32:54And more dedicated to him than ever
32:57Then let us waste no time
32:59We shall thank God for the privilege of suffering for his cause
33:03And place ourselves as a family in his hands once more
33:08And then?
33:10And then we shall get to work once again
33:13We have no time to lose
33:15The people of Romania need God's word now more than ever
33:24I've nearly forgotten my Bible in all this time
33:28But while I was in prison, four things were always on my mind
33:33First, there is a God
33:35Second, Jesus is our Savior
33:40And he goes with us everywhere
33:42Even prison
33:44Third, no matter what we go through here
33:48There is the reality of eternal life
33:52And fourth, God's love
33:55Even in the face of torture
33:58Is always the best of ways
34:05Upon his release from prison
34:07Richard insisted on fasting and giving of thanks for three days
34:11During that time, he wrote down all that he had experienced and learned during his incarceration
34:16Including hundreds of sermons and poems that he had composed and committed to memory
34:21A ceaseless preacher of the gospel
34:24He embarked on preaching almost immediately
34:26Since religious church gatherings were outlawed
34:29He and his congregation took to meeting in woods
34:32To celebrate anyone's supposed birthday
34:35At the party, Richard would preach
34:37They celebrated birthdays every Sunday
34:41Eventually, Richard was arrested again
34:43When word got out to the international Christian community
34:46There was uproar
34:47The government offered to sell him at a price
34:51$10,000
34:53This was quickly raised and Richard was freed
34:56Richard, Sabina, and Mihai made their way to the West
34:59Where they founded Voice of the Martyrs
35:01An organization that helps and brings awareness to the many Christians around the globe
35:06That suffer persecution
35:08Untiring in their mission to preach the gospel
35:11And aid those persecuted for it
35:13Richard and Sabina continued their work
35:15Until Sabina's death in 2000
35:17And Richard's in 2001
35:20Mihai Wurmbrand continues their work as a member of the Voice of the Martyrs
35:24In 2006, Richard Wurmbrand was chosen by the people of Romania
35:29As one of the ten most influential people in the country's history
35:33More people became aware of the horrors of the Communist government of Romania
35:38Through Richard Wurmbrand's testimony
35:40Before the United States Senate in 1966
35:43Where they saw firsthand the tortures that were inflicted upon him
35:47The Communist government of Romania collapsed in 1989
35:51The Wurmbrand's ministry continues to this very day
35:55The Wurmbrand's ministry
35:57The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:15The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:16The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:18The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:19The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:19The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:20The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:21The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:22The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:22The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:22The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:23The Wurmbrand's ministry
36:23The Wurmbrand's ministry