During the second half of 2007, Iran's Channel 2 aired a 28-episode series called "40 Soldiers." The series, created by Mohammad Nouri-zad, examines the development of Iranian culture from four historical perspectives: the mythological pre-Islamic period, the life of national poet Hakim Abol-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi (935-1020 CE), the life of Imam Ali, and the modern era.

In his portrayal of the life of Imam Ali, the director depicts the Muslim siege of the Jewish fortress of Khaybar. The Muslim army, led by Imam Ali, manages to conquer the fortress, following a sword fight between Imam Ali himself and the Jewish military commanders.

The last part of the series, which aired in December 2007, is set on an island in the southern Persian Gulf at some unspecified time in the future. The story is as follows: Dr. Mohsen Tabesh, an Iranian bank manager, weds his daughter Pantea to the son of Farid Memarian, who is a lecturer and also a newspaper editor. At the wedding, Tabesh's security guards betray him to the American soldiers, and rob the wedding guests. The American soldiers take this opportunity to invade the island where the wedding is being held. The Islamic resistance that is subsequently formed against the American soldiers summons the "40 soldiers" - heroes from Persian mythology - who vanquish the soldiers.

To view the part of the "40 Soldiers" series depicting the life of Imam Ali on MEMRI TV, visit:
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1680.htm .

To view the part of the "40 Soldiers" series depicting the American invasion of the Iranian island on MEMRI TV, visit:
http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1681.htm .

Clip No. 1680: Imam Ali and the Muslim Conquest of the Jewish Fortress of Khaybar

"The Jews [Who Lived] in the Suburbs of Al-Madina Harassed the Muslims, Especially the Prophet [Muhammad]; They Repeatedly Violated Agreements"

Narrator: "The Jews [who lived] in the suburbs of Al-Madina harassed the Muslims, especially the Prophet [Muhammad]. They repeatedly violated the agreements. This is Khaybar, an inhabited region far from Al-Madina. Some of the fortresses of the Jews have been liberated by the Muslims, but their most important fortress still stands, and all the Muslims efforts to take control of it have been unsuccessful. Hunger afflicts the Muslim army, making the campaign even more difficult. They are all hungry - even the commanders and the Prophet's companions."

Muslim: "Abu Rafah, tell the Messenger of God to give up this useless siege."

Abu Rafah: "What are you talking about?"

Muslim: "What I'm saying is true. Either the Jews of Khaybar will kill us, or else we will die of hunger."

A herd of sheep wanders into the encampment.

Abu Rafah: "What's going on? What are you doing? Abu Saleh!"

Abu Saleh: "God sent the Israelites sustenance from heaven, and to us, He has sent sustenance by land."

Muslims lead a captured Jew, Abu Aswad.

Muslim: "Where is Muhammad?"

Another Muslim (to Abu Aswad the Jew): "Come with us."

Abu Rafah: "Who is this man? Where are you taking him?"

Abu Saleh: "He is a shepherd from Khaybar."

Muslim: "[We captured him] along with 50 fat sheep..."

Abu Saleh: "Praise God for not forsaking the Muslims."

Muslim: "The people of Khaybar have provided us with food."

Abu Rafah: "Leave him alone, until the Messenger of God rules what to do with him and his sheep."

Muhammad: "I have already made my decision."

Abu Rafah (to Muslims slaughtering sheep): "Get up. Stop."

"Muhammad, Accept Me as One of Your People"; "Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, This Man has Become a Muslim"

Muhammad and Abu Aswad the Jew walk together, talking.

Abu Aswad: "You are so calm. Do you accept the prophets of the Jews?"

Muhammad: "I accept them all, but the way God conveyed to me, not the way the Jews view them."

Abu Aswad: "I have lived among the Jews for many years. Will God accept me?"

Muhammad: "He is kindhearted."

Abu Aswad: "Will He accept me?"

Muhammad: "Look inside your heart. What do you see?"

Abu Aswad: "I see light."

Muhammad: "This is the grace of God."

Abu Aswad: "Muhammad, accept me as one of your people."

Abu Rafah: "Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, this man has become a Muslim."

Abu Aswad: "Oh Messenger of Allah, you will decide what to do with these sheep. I will do with them whatever you command."

Muhammad: "Return all the sheep."

Abu Saleh: "Oh Prophet of God, we are hungry. We have no food."

Muhammad: "Do as I say. These sheep belong to the Jews. Tell the Jews to open the gates of the fortress and take them back."

Muslim: "Oh Messenger of Allah, these sheep are our booty."

Muhammad: "Booty is something you take in war."

Abu Aswad: "For years, I have been talking to you in my heart."

Muhammad: "You have been destined to end your days in good fortune."

Abu Aswad: "Do you mean because I have become a Muslim?"

Muhammad: "Rise and behold the end of this good man. He is as close and dear to my heart as you. Embrace him, and take a good look at him, because in one hour, you will see him no more." [...]

"I Have Come Here to Recount the Story Of Khaybar Once Again, in Order to Gain From It the Knowledge Sought by the Universe.... I Have Come From... Future Centuries... From an Era in which People Yearn for the Truth"

Narrator: "I have come here to recount the story of Khaybar once again, in order to gain from it the knowledge sought by the universe. I have come from afar. I have come from tomorrow, from future centuries. I have come from an era in which people yearn for the truth. I have come to pick a flower of truth of what happened at Khaybar, for the people of tomorrow. Here the Jews built seven strong fortresses, and here they organized their rebellions against the Muslims."

Muslim: "Oh people of Khaybar, open the fortress and get your sheep back. Have no fear, we are not going to harm you."

The people of Khaybar open the drawbridge. Jewish fighters leave to bring the sheep back inside.

Jewish guard: "Abu Aswad, get inside. I'm talking to you, old man. Get inside. I'm talking to you, old man."

Abu Aswad: "I, Abu Aswad, am no longer a Jew. I am a Muslim, a Muslim."

Abu Aswad beats the guard to death with his staff.

The Muslims cheer: "Allah Akbar!"

Abu Aswad: "Allah Akbar!

"Allah Akbar!

"Allah Akbar!"

Another Jewish guard: "Shut up."

Abu Aswad: "I will send you to Hell too."

Jewish guard: "Prepare to die."

The Jewish guard beheads Abu Aswad, and the Jews carry the body of the slain guard into the fortress.

Young boy, son of the narrator: "Mother."

Narrator: "Darling, did you see how short is the distance between the birth and death of the lovers of truth?"

[...]

Jewish warrior picks up Abu Aswad's head and throws it to the Muslims.

Jewish warrior: "This is for you. Aren't you hungry? Eat it. We are not afraid of you hungry people.

[...]

"Close the gates. Quickly!"

The Jews of Khaybar attack the Muslims from within the fortress.

Marhab, Jewish warrior: "Oh Muhammad, be smart and leave. This is Khaybar - not Khandaq, Ghor, or Badr. This is Khaybar, with its 10,000 fighters, who are willing to sacrifice themselves. Did you hear me, Muhammad? Save yourselves and leave."[...]

"I Am Now Inside Khaybar; I Have Come Here to See the Truth"

Narrator: "I am now inside Khaybar. I have come here to see the truth, to believe in it, and to take one flame of the truth in order to illuminate my generation."

Narrator: "The siege of Khaybar has continued for a long time, and the Muslims have come no closer to taking it. The Prophet gathered them and said: 'This fortress must be crushed and liberated by the Muslims. Otherwise, from this strong fortress, these infidels will devise plots to destroy the truth, and will ignite the fire of strife. This is Khaybar. Someone must destroy this impregnable fortress - but who is that someone? The Prophet entrusted his standard to his commanders."

The Muslim beat the drums of war.

[...]

The Jews attack the Muslims from within the fortress. The Jews are victorious.

[...]

The drawbridge is opened and Al-Hareth, a Khaybar warrior, emerges from the fortress.

The Jews cheer: "Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!"

[...]

The Muslims and Jews engage in face-to-face combat.

The Jews cheer: "Al-Hareth!

Al-Hareth!

Al-Hareth!"

[...]

Al-Hareth: "Muhammad, where are you? It is I, Al-Hareth. The God of Moses has intensified the hatred for you that I harbor in my heart. Even if all the Muslims are destroyed and only one remains, I will pour upon him all the deep hatred I harbor in my heart, and I will burn his bones. Oh Muhammad, I am weary of your stupid men. If you have any sense, you will leave immediately. Otherwise, you will feel the wrath of my sword."

The Jews cheer: "Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!"

[...]

Muhammad: "Abu Rafah."

Muhammad takes the standard from him.

[...]

The Jews fiercely attack the Muslims. Al-Hareth emerges from the fortress.

Al-Hareth: "Muhammad, if you have a warrior worthy of me, send him over." [...]

"The Prophet Has Come to Extinguish the Strife of the People of Khaybar"

Khaybar region - far from Al-Madina

Narrator: "The Prophet's small army has set up camp near one of the seven fortresses of Khaybar. The nascent Islam has yet to gather many followers. Nevertheless, the people of Mecca and Khaybar collaborate in planning riots and strife among the Muslims. The Prophet has come to extinguish the strife of the people of Khaybar. But the battle cries of the people of Khaybar struck fear in the hearts of the small army of Islam. Abu Rafah, a friend and companion of the Prophet, who was bought and freed [from slavery] by him, describes the deployment of the enemy:"

Abu Rafah: "The people of Khaybar built seven fortresses - Na'im, Qamus, Shiqq, Nastat, Sulaalim, Watih, and Katibah. Some of these fortresses have secret passages, which connect them to one another underground. The people of Khaybar, in times of danger, send their women and children to the Na'im fortress, while the soldiers assume their positions in the Nastat fortress, which is besieged by us."

Muslim: "So there are many people in these seven fortresses?"

Abu Rafah: "There are between 14,000 and 20,000 people."

Muslim: "20,000 people?"

Other Muslim leader: "We, on the other hand, have no more than 1,500 men and 200 horses."

Muslim: "We are doomed."

Another Muslim: "20,000 people is a large number."

Abu Rafah: "The people of Khaybar place their hopes on the Qamus fortress."

Muslim leader: "You should call it by its name - the fortress of Marhab."

Abu Rafah: "True, the fortress of Al-Hareth and Marhab. Until now, everything that has happened to us was done by only Al-Hareth, and Marhab's sword is still in its sheath. The people of Khaybar consider Marhab to be their savior."

[...]

Muslim: "I've seen him once. If he is anything like Al-Hareth, we are doomed."

Abu Rafah: "But the Messenger of God proclaimed that we would conquer [Khaybar], and he is never wrong."

Muslim: "Tomorrow, he will pass on his standard to one of us. Who will it be?"

Abu Rafah: "Tomorrow he will pass his standard to a man who is always on the attack and never retreats. He loves God and His Prophet, and God and His Prophet love him. He will not return until God uses him to break down the gates of this fortress. Oh, companions of the Messenger of god, prepare yourselves for the capture of this fortress. Tomorrow will be a great day - the day of victory." [...]

"This Fortress has Stood Proudly for Many Years, Waiting to Fall Only at the Hands of Ali"

Narrator: "It seems as if this fortress considers only Ali to be worthy of opening its gates. This fortress has stood proudly for many years, waiting to fall only at the hands of Ali."

Abu Isaac, leader of the Jews (to one of the archers): "Well done, young man.

"Al-Hareth, I am worried because of Muhammad. Look at how he has been acting today. He is standing alone in front of his army, holding the standard."

Al-Hareth: "Don't worry. This fortress is different from the other ones. We are superior to Muhammad's weak army in every aspect."

Abu Isaac: "They already occupied five of our fortresses."

Al-Hareth: "What you see there is Muhammad's entire army. We are eight times larger than them, and we have swords, spears, and bows and arrows, as well as plenty of food. Moreover, Marhab's sword is still in its sheath. Has anyone ever been able to overcome Marhab or me?"

Abu Isaac: "Our eyes are upon you two brothers, and so are the eyes of the God of Moses."

[...]

Abu Isaac: "Al-Hareth, you have participated in many wars, and you have spilled the blood of many soldiers. Now the eyes and hopes of the Jewish people are upon you.

[...]

"Muhammad has summoned Ali."

Al-Hareth: "Ali?"

Abu Isaac: "That's right - Ali, the son of Abu Talib."

Al-Hareth: "Ali, the son of Abu Talib."

Ali: "What a blessed day is today."

Muhammad: "Dear Ali, this fortress remains standing. Choose the brothers you wish to take with you, to break through the gates of this fortress. Our prayers go with you."

Crowd, led by Abu Rafah: "Allah Akbar

"Allah Akbar

"Allah Akbar"

Muhammad: "My Lord, these hands beg you for victory. Do not make them despair."

Muslim crowd: "Amen."

Muhammad: "My Lord, strike the fear of Ali into the hearts of his enemies."

Muslim crowd: "Amen."

Ali: "Al-Hareth, didn't you want a worthy opponent? Here I am - Ali, son of Abu Talib."

[...]

Ali: "Al-Hareth! Did you hear what I said to you?"

Al-Hareth emerges from the fortress on horseback

[...]

Al-Hareth: "Son of Abu Talib, death is my second name. I am death. I am the link between heaven and earth. Who can withstand my sword and spear? Ask your cowardly people about the strength of my sword's blows. Who am I?"

Jewish crowd: "Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!"

"The Real Jews Have Been Waiting For Generations for Our Prophet to Come; We Are With You, Not Against You"

Ali: "I have heard about you, Al-Hareth. Do you have any other companion other than your sword?"

Al-Hareth: "What do you want from me?"

Ali: "I want you to think."

Al-Hareth: "What a ridiculous expectation. My thought is my sword. Now my sword will demonstrate my thoughts. Retreat, so that your honor does not become the subject of gossip."

Ali: "Let me tell you what's good for you, Al-Hareth. We are closer to you than the idol-worshipping people of Mecca are. We belong to the same family. Our religion is the same religion about which spoke with the Lord. Don't be reckless, Al-Hareth. The real Jews have been waiting for generations for our Prophet to come. We are with you, not against you."

Al-Hareth: "Don't try to calm me down, Ali. Your words mean nothing to me. I am far from being a Muslim. If you are a man, let's see you withstand my sword and my spear. Don't flee, like your cowardly people."

Ali: "Calm down, Al-Hareth. Our religions are akin. Don't be so quick to be our enemy."

Jewish crowd: "Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!

"Al-Hareth!"

Al-Hareth: "Oh son of Abu Talib, draw your sword and approach."

Muslim leader: "He will win, won't he?"

Another Muslim leader: "He's knocked him to the ground."

Al-Hareth: "Draw your sword, son of Abu Talib. Draw your sword and approach, son of Abu Talib. Show me that you can withstand the blow of my sword. Approach!"

Ali mortally injures Al-Hareth

Muslim crowd: "Allah Akbar

"Allah Akbar

"Allah Akbar"

Jewish soldiers: "Return to the fortress."

Abu Isaac: "Come back! Come back! Where are you running to, cowards? Stay here, and do not flee. Come back and bring the body of Al-Hareth. What a calamity. Al-Hareth! Alas, the people of Khaybar."

[...]

Jewish rabbis pray and chant

Rabbi: "Have they fled again?"

Another rabbi: "Abu Isaac always brings the same news:

Rabbis burst out laughing

"They were frightened, they fled, they were killed."

Abu Isaac: Honorable sirs, Al-Hareth has been killed."

Marhab, Jewish warrior: "Killed?!"

Abu Isaac: "The honorable Al-Hareth..."

Rabbi: "He's dead?"

Another rabbi: "What did he say? Oh dear."

Rabbi: "Oh no, what a calamity."

Marhab: "You said he's been killed, Abu Isaac?"

Abu Isaac: "He died a very painful death."

Marhab: "Who dealt the fatal blow?"

Abu Isaac: "Ali."

Rabbi: "Ali?"

Abu Isaac: "The son of Abu Talib."

[...]

Rabbi: "Oh dear... The wound is so deep."

Marhab: "He was killed with a single blow. Tell them to bring me my battle gear. I don't need a horse."

[...]

Narrator: "Marhab is the hope of the people of Khaybar. He is a warrior who knows nothing but victories, and he has killed many a brave man."

Ali: "Marhab is the last hope of the people of Khaybar. I consider him a great warrior. I hope he listens to my sincere words, and does not forsake the blood of his people. My brothers, future generations will follow in our footsteps. Do not lose faith in God. We will prevail. Allah Akbar."

Marhab (addresses his people): "In my view, the Muslims are the angel of death for the Israelites. They have come to separate us from Moses and Aaron. The eyes of Judaism are set upon you and me. Fight, as if you want to wipe them out. I will eradicate this community [of Muslims]."

Jewish army: "Long live Marhab!"

Marhab: "I will eradicate this community."

Jewish army: "Long live Marhab!"

Marhab: "The blood of Al-Hareth has been spilled on the ground. We are the supreme people."

Jewish army: "We are the supreme people."

Abu Isaac: "We are the supreme people."

Jewish army: "We are the supreme people."

Marhab: "We are the chosen people. We are the supreme people. We are not like those ignorant Arabs. We will eradicate them."

Marhab emerges from the fortress clad in armor

Jewish crowd: "Marhab! Marhab!

"Marhab! Marhab!

"Marhab! Marhab!"

[...]

Marhab: "You killed my brother, Al-Hareth, son of Zaynab from Khaybar, right?"

Ali: "I gave him a chance, but he did not use it. I told him that if he became a Muslim, he would be saved. I say the same to you."

Marhab: "Me, become a Muslim?! I drink Muslim blood. Me, a Muslim? Muhammad, you have come to your own graveyard of your own free will. Here I am - Marhab, the hunter and killer of lions. Here I am - Marhab, avenging my brother Al-Hareth."

Ali: "You are a well-known hero, but even great heroes do not rely only on their arms of steel, but use their minds too. Think about it. All the monotheistic religions continue one another, and do not run parallel to one another. The path that began with Adam, Noah, Moses, and Jesus culminates with Muhammad."

Marhab: "Enough talking, Ali. If you are a man, let's see you voice the battle cry. The people of Khaybar know that I, Marhab, am armed to the teeth with weapons and iron, and that I am experienced and well-versed in battle. The moment the sharp blades reach me, I will draw my sword and spear."

[...]

Ali: "Despite your thirst for our blood, we have an affinity to you."

Marhab: "Our path differs from yours."

Ali: "How can you say that? The paths of all the prophets are the same."

Marhab: "What you are saying is false. The path of Moses is different."

Ali: "Your Moses is our Moses too. A Muslims who does not respect and honor Moses is not a true Muslim."

Marhab: "Stop talking, Ali. You have your religion, and we have ours."

Marhab loses a sword. Ali delivers a deadly blow to Marhab. The Muslims charge the fortress.

Narrator: "Eventually, the last unconquered Khaybar fortress was taken. The great Prophet always gave the people of Khaybar a chance, except at times when they shut the door on compromise, with their continuous treachery and scheming. The events of Khaybar serve as a sacred lesson to those who doubt the distinction between truth and falsehood."

Muslim leader: "Dear Ali, I congratulate you and us on this victory."

Clip No. 1681: Persian Mythological Characters Vanquish American Occupation of Iran

U.S. Soldiers Take Over Island
"An Island in the Persian Gulf - Sometime in the Future"

An elderly man beats a drum on the seacoast

[...]

U.S. Commanding Officer Isaac Hamilton (to soldiers): "Faster. Hurry up."

Akbar Kebraye'i, a sugar merchant: "What's going on here?

[...]

Hamilton surveys devastated wedding hall. Several Iranians remain in hiding. The bride is sprawled on the floor

[...]

Hamilton: "Who is he? Ahmad-Abadi?

Farid Memarian, a lecturer: Yes, Mr. Ahmad-Abadi."

Hamilton threatens Kebraye'i, pointing a gun at his forehead, then introduces himself.

Hamilton: "Hamilton. Isaac Hamilton."

Memarian(to Kebraye'i): "Introduce yourself. Tell him your name."

Kebraye'i: "Kebraye'i."

Hamilton: "Kebraye'i?"

Kebraye'i: "Yes, mister. You pronounced it correctly. I am Akbar Kebraye'i."

Memarian: "I am Memarian. My name in Farid Memarian."

Hamilton: "Memarian?"

Memarian: "That's right. His name is Tabesh, Dr. Tabesh."

Hamilton: "Tabesh?"

Mohsen Tabesh, a bank manager: "Yes, Mohsen Tabesh."

[...]

Hamilton places candles around the unconscious bride.

Hamilton: "Hello, little Alice. Open your eyes for me. Come on, sleeping beauty. What's your name? Would you tell it to me?"

Memarian: "Her name is Pantea."

Hamilton: "Pantea?"

Memarian: "Pantea."

Hamilton: "Very nice. Beautiful."

Pantea the bride opens her eyes.

Memarian: "Don't worry, my dear. They are our friends. The nightmare is over."

Pantea: "Mother... I'm awake..."

Memarian: "Everybody is fine. Don't worry. We stayed here for you. These are our friends. They are not strangers. You can believe me, my dear.

[...]

Kebraye'i (to himself): "Where did they pop up from, all of a sudden? Or, in fact, is there a place where they are not to be found? If you close your eyes, and put your finger randomly on a map of the world, you'll see that they know every inch of land better than the locals. You don't think so? Take a look..."

Kebraye’i (to one of the U.S. soldiers ): "What is the size of this island in kilometers, mister?"

Soldier: "110."

Kebraye'i: "What did he say?"

Memarian: "He said 110 kilometers."

[...]

Hamilton: "Mister Memarian."

Memarian: "Yes, sir."

Hamilton: "Are you the father of the bride?"

Memarian: "Yes, sir."

Hamilton: "Where is the groom?"

Kebraye'i: "The groom? The groom - he did a runner."

Hamilton: "He did what?"

Memarian: "He's gone, sir. Gone."

Hamilton: "May this young pretty lady be mine for some time?"

Memarian: "What?"

Hamilton: "Didn't you get it? I said: May this young pretty lady be mine for some time?"

[...]

Memarian: "I don't speak English so well."

Hamilton: "Don't you worry. Farsi will do too."

Memarian: "Do you know what the word 'surprise' means? I was taken by surprise. I can't think so clearly."

Hamilton: "The island has been occupied by us."

Memarian: "No!"

Hamilton: "Yes."

Memarian: "They have occupied the island. What should we do, Mr. Kebraye'i? Mr. Tabesh?"

[...]

Hamilton: "Get her for me."

Memarian: "Mr. Hamilton..."

[...]

Pantea: "Father."

Memarian: "Don't be afraid, don't worry at all. As long as I'm here, you have no need to worry."

[...]

Pantea: "Help!"

Several U.S. soldiers chase Pantea, pointing guns at her.

Pantea: "Father... Mr. Tabesh... Mr. Kebraye'i...."

Kebraye'i: "They're just having a laugh with you. They don't mean any harm."

Hamilton raises blinds revealing Persian artwork.

Pantea: "Mr. Kebraye'i, help me."

Kebraye'i: "Such behavior is unbecoming for an educated girl like yourself, Pantea."

Pantea: "I am doomed. Do something."

Mr. Tabesh: "Stop, we are friends, stop."

U.S. soldier pushes Mr. Tabesh over a table. Pantea hides behind her father, Memarian.

Memarian: "I am against aggression. I detest aggression. We can resolve this issue by..."

The soldier butts his rifle into Memarian, throwing him at a table.

Pantea: "Help me, Mr. Kebraye'i."

Kebraye'i: "Such behavior is unbecoming for a smart girl like you."

Pantea: "I'm doomed. Help me."

The Islamic Resistance Steps In

Kebraye'i: "Oh what a night - It's a night of nuptials. Take a look at the bridegroom - how handsome he is. Blessings upon the bride and bridegroom..."

Narrator: "Five bullets for five invading soldiers."

The soldiers are shot at from outside. Two members of the Islamic resistance, Omid and his wife Zahra, enter with guns in their hands.

Omid: "Nobody move!"

Zahra grabs Pantea.

Zahra (to Pantea): "Calm down."

Omid holds Hamilton at gun point

Omid: "What are you doing here?"

Hamilton: "No."

Omid: "Talk!"

Hamilton: "No."

Omid: "I asked what you are doing here."

Omid punches Hamilton.

Memarian: "You are acting recklessly. This is reckless behavior. You turned a simple problem, which could easily have been resolved through dialogue, into an irresolvable problem."

Omid: "Take his gun, and give it to me. I said: Take his gun, and give it to me."

Zahra: "Calm down."

Kebraye'i: "Don't shoot, my son. They are not merely bad weeds that you can remove. Do you know who they are? Even their dogs have I.D. cards, let along themselves. He killed five young men, just like that."

[...]

The Islamic resistance member takes the weapons of the dead U.S. soldiers and hands one to Mr. Tabesh.

Member of the resistance: "We must defend ourselves."

Mr. Tabesh: "Don't make things more complicated than they already are, and don't pretend to be a guerrilla fighter. We've been humiliated enough already."

Omid: "These people have occupied the entire island. 'Oh my Iran, my Iran, you are dearer to me than life itself.' Wasn't it you who recited that poem?"

Kebraye'i: "Not me. I've got to go somewhere really urgently."

Hamilton grabs free of Memarian's hold and hits him. Zahra shoots at Hamilton.

Kebraye'i: "Help!"

"Did You Think That We Are Like Iraq or Afghanistan, and That You Could Come Into the Country And Achieve Your Goals Easily?"

Omid points a gun at Hamilton

Omid: "Get back to your place. I told you to go back to your place."

Memarian (to Hamilton ): "Sit down."

[...]

Omid ties Hamilton to a chair

Omid: "You have not yet said what you are doing here. Did you think that we are like Iraq or Afghanistan, and that you could come into the country, and achieve your goals easily? Do you want me to tell you what you are doing here? You are here because of your complexes. You're running away by moving ahead. You occupy [countries], and plunder them, so that nobody will complain about your own cultural emptiness. Isn't that true? Everybody can see that this pointless invasion is a reflection of your complexes."

Hamilton laughs. Explosions and gunshots are heard in the background

Hamilton: "Meaningless. Quite meaningless. It's meaningless. Meaningless."

[...]

Zahra: "You weaved a web of lies, and you expect the people of the world to believe you. The greater the lie, the more useful it is. In the name of human rights and democracy, you are trying to achieve your goals. Your lack of culture is your weakness. Your problem is that you don't have a history. True, you are rich, but despite all your riches, your identity wouldn't even fill a suitcase. You perpetrate acts of murder and looting and you kill human beings in order to compensate for your weakness."

Hamilton: "Shut up, you fool."

[...]

Memarian: "Their technology is their history. Their identity is their money, their wealth, and their atomic bombs."

[...]

Omid: "We need help, real help. Can you go and get help?"

Zahra: "I never thought there was so much hatred and violence in me. What am I doing with these weapons? Doesn't that go against my feminine nature, Omid?"

Omid: "Look at Pantea. What happened to her is the result of inaction - both ours and hers."

Zahra: "God, what kind of disaster has befallen us?"

Hamilton: "I like it. You are a brave couple."

Kebraye'i: "He spoke in Farsi."

Kebraye'i lights a cigarette for Hamilton.

Omid: "So you know Farsi too."

Kebraye'i: "Didn't I tell you that they are a different kind of creature? If you place your finger at random on a map of the world, you will find that they know everything there is to know about that place. Farsi is nothing - they speak French, English, and everything..."

[...]

Memarian: "I myself have no dispute with you. I totally understand your situation. I have often held dialogues with your colleagues. I have written treatises with them, and I have delivered lectures. Here in Iran, I am a thinker. I am a teacher, and I navigate political and economic crises. My friends call me the 'non-conformist' - maybe because I insist on defying the norms. I am sure that we understand each other very well. What do you want, after all? Security. We can work together. You provide us with security, and we will support you."

[...]

Zahra: "Pantea!"

The wedding hall comes under attack from the outside, Pantea stands upright in the line of fire and is wounded.

Memarian: "Pantea!"

Zahra: "Pantea!"

Memarian: "Pantea, what are you doing? Pantea, where are you going?"

Zahra: "Pantea!"

Kebraye'i: "Come back. Come back."

Memarian: "Damn you!"

Zahra: "Pantea!"

Zahra sets out to save Pantea, but she herself falls down. Omid comes to the rescue.

Omid: "Pantea!"

Hamilton: "No!"

Pantea is mortally wounded

Memarian: "I'm out of here. I'm not staying here."

Kebraye'i: "If we are safe outside, I'm going out too."

Memarian, Kebraye'i, and Tabesh, run out of the hall but meet a barrage of fire and return.

Kebraye'i: "They have taken control everywhere."

Memarian: "We couldn't get out and negotiate with them."

[...]

Omid: "We need to get help, no matter what. How - I don't know."

Zahra: "God, how could we be so careless? When did they plan this, and when did they take action?"

Omid: "Throughout the time that we didn't do anything."

[...]

Kebraye'i, Tabesh, and Hamilton aim their weapons at Omid.

[...]

Memarian: "Throw down your weapon. Put it aside. Get out."

Omid puts down his weapon.

Memarian: "When you two weren't here, we made new decisions. Did you hear what I said? When you two weren't here, we made new decisions."

Omid: "Yes, I see.

[...]

"You are a prisoner of your own words, and you are a prisoner here too."

Memarian: "I am free, can't you see? It is you who are a prisoner, yet you pretend to be Che Guevara."

Kebraye'i: "If we had their money and power, we would have been acting the same way."

[...]

Tabesh: "I know that it seems as they are attacking, occupying, and plundering, but one can look at it differently. Do you have any money? No. Do you have any power? No. Do you have science, technology, and management abilities? No. When you lack all these things - what's wrong with relying on people who have all those things?" [...]

"My Coffin is Large Enough for Another Corpse"

Hamilton: "You smell like a coffin - a disintegrating coffin with a rotting corpse in it. All this wealth of yours... You see them - Mr. Tabesh, Memarian and Mr. Kebraye'i - they are willing to nail you to the wall at my command. I lack identity? I lack history? Didn't I say that you smell like a coffin?"

Omid: "My coffin is large enough for another corpse."

Hamilton: "You are making an effort for nothing. Why were you incapable of killing me? Because you consider me a POW. You could have negotiated with me. Do you know what there is beyond these walls? A military force that is like a fist encompassing you and all you have. Even if you had killed me, you would still have remained a prisoner of that force."

[...]

U.S. soldiers lead Kebraye'i, Memarian, and Tabesh out of the hall at gunpoint.

Kebraye'i: "I can help you. Let's talk about it."

[...]

Omid is tied to a pole.

Hamilton: "It's just you and me now. Now you can start with your bravado again. I don't see your wife. Where did you send her?"

Omid: "She went to get help."

Hamilton: "Help? Help... Where did you go to get help from? The island is under our control. Where will she get help from?"

Omid: "From a place where you have no foothold."

Hamilton: "From where?"

Omid: "From near and far."

Hamilton: "Don't move much, or else 220 volts might hit your body. So you think we suffer from a lack of history and identity?"

Omid: "Isn't that true?"

Hamilton: "Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't.

[...]

"We have things that the coming generations will not even dream of. Fine, you have your history, your identity, your myths, your decorated tiles, your domes, and even the historic sites of Minar Jonban and Takht-e Jamshid. But this island belongs to me."

"We Have Ali and Hussein, And You Don't... We Have Martyrs, And You Don't"

Omid: "Hamilton! Hamilton! Listen, the things you mentioned are our identity, yet they are not. Hamilton! Hamilton!

[...]

"We have Ali and Hussein, and you don't. Listen up, Hamilton. We have martyrs, and you don't. We have [the courageous] Malek-e Ashtar, and you don't. Hamilton! Hamilton!"

[...]

U.S. soldiers enter the wedding hall.

Omid: "Hamilton! Hamilton! Should I go on? We have Khomeini, and you don't. We have the Basij members, and you don't. We have the Mahdi, and you don't. We have Fatimah, and don't."

The gun of a tank is driven through the walls.

[...]

Omid's wife, Zahra: "I had no choice but to leave the island and to go somewhere else - to a place where I can ask for help from anybody who has a sense of brotherhood with Iran and the Iranians. Woe betide my homeland. I fear the day the enemies will covet and conquer you."

She boards an amphibious vehicle and escapes into the darkness of the ocean.

Hamilton: "Fire!"

"Fire!

"Get her! Get her, I want her. Don't let her escape."

[...]

Zahra: "Beyond the roars of those who consider themselves to be masters of the world, there are barefoot people, who, like Moses, will bring about the breakdown of Pharaoh's power of steel, and will cast him into the sea. Men from among the nation, on their way to liberate their homeland and their faith, smile in the face of death. These are the anonymous sons of Iran, who make no demands."

[...]

Hamilton: "My soldiers!"

The soldiers march off.

U.S. Commander: "My Pleasure and Yours Lie in Watching an Old Culture Fall Apart"

"More killing, more blood. Is there anything more pleasurable than that? Whoever seeks pleasure in song, wine, lust, and riches is lazy. My pleasure and yours lie in watching an old culture fall apart."

[...]

The U.S. soldiers perform a drill.

Hamilton: "To whom does the world belong?"

U.S. soldiers: "The world belongs to us."

Hamilton: "To whom does the world belong?"

U.S. soldiers: "The world belongs to us."

Hamilton: "We are the masters of the world."

U.S. soldiers: "We are the masters of the world."

Hamilton: "We are the masters of the world."

U.S. soldiers: "We are the masters of the world."

Hamilton: "We are the masters of the world."

U.S. soldiers: "We are the masters of the world."

Hamilton: "Say it."

U.S. soldiers: "We are the masters of the world."

[...]

As the elderly man beats the drum on the seacoast, Iranian forces run to battle.

[...]

Hamilton: "We are now facing several battalions that have united against us. The stench of their antiquity assaults our sense of smell."

[...]

The elderly man beats his drum on a cliff on the seacoast. The Iranian forces march from the coast.

Iranian forces: "Oh, Mahdi!

"Oh, Mahdi!

"Oh, Mahdi!"

[...]

Hamilton: "My soldiers, have fun."

U.S. soldiers: "We will have fun."

Officer: "Say it."

U.S. soldiers: "We will have fun."

Officer: "Say it."

U.S. soldiers: "We will have fun."

Officer: "Say it."

U.S. soldiers: "We will have fun."

The Iranian forces march through a forest

Iranian forces: "Oh, Mahdi."

[...]

Commander of Iranian forces: "My dears, we were careless, and they used it to occupy this island. However, our carelessness could be the beginning, not the end, of the road."

U.S. Commander: "In Order to Remain Masters of the World, We Have Destroyed Many a Culture"

Hamilton addresses his troops; figures from Persian history face them.

Hamilton: "My soldiers, victory will be yours. There is no doubt about it. Our children will be proud of you. Kill more and more, because our survival depends on your ability to finish off these lowlifes. In order to be able to face us, they brought their history and identity to the fray. In order to remain masters of the world, we have destroyed many a culture. They had the audacity will cause others to summon their destroyed cultures too. In order to become complete masters of the world, we must destroy them too, if you want to grab the world in your fist. We will have respect for them once they are dead. We will have respect for them once they are dead."

U.S. soldiers: "We will have respect for them once they are dead."

Hamilton: "The world belongs to us."

U.S. soldiers: "The world belongs to us."

Hamilton: "Well done, my brave soldiers. The world will be proud of you. Kill those morons who are held captive by their past. By killing each one of them you remove another obstacle from the path of humanity. Humanity will owe you a debt of gratitude. You are the architects of our outstanding culture - the culture of world domination. They are the only ones who reject our domination."

[...]

Hamilton: "We are not like Genghis Khan."

U.S. soldiers: "We are not like Genghis Khan."

Hamilton: "We are not like Genghis Khan."

U.S. soldiers: "We are not like Genghis Khan."

Hamilton: "We are the friends of humanity."

U.S. soldiers: "We are not like Genghis Khan." [...]

Persian Heroes Come To Iran's Defense

Hamilton fires his handgun at the figures from Persian history, but the bullets have no effect on them.

Hamilton: "First four soldiers prepare to fire."

"Fire!"

They open fire, but again, the bullets have no effect on their adversaries.

Hamilton: "Prepare to open fire!"

"Fire!"

All the soldiers open fire, to no avail.

[...]

The figures from Persian history, on horseback, charge at the U.S. soldiers. The soldiers begin to scatter.

Hamilton: "Where are you going? Come back, you stupid cowards. Stop, don't go. Where are you going, you idiots? Don't go, you cowards. Stop, where are you going? Don't be afraid."

[...]

Hamilton is left alone and escapes to a cave. He opens fire all in every direction.

Hamilton: "Ahoy, where are you? We are the epitome of power. We are the supreme race. We are the sole and absolute masters of the world. You're no match for us, you lowlifes.

[...]

"This is me - the god of technology, the god of civilization."

Malek Ashtar: "I am Malek Ashtar, the source of purity and bravery."

Abu Raf'e: "And I am Abu Raf'e, the slave freed by the Messenger of Allah. Wherever there is injustice, we will do whatever needed."

Hamilton tries to shoot at them but they remain unaffected.

Rostam: "You call us lowlifes, you rootless man? Get out of our land!"

Sohrab: "Didn't you hear what my father said? Get out of our land!"

Rostam: "If you keep on killing and killing, you will be giving up the land to your enemies."

Commander of the Iranian forces: "You have come to this island from the other side of the world to say that you are the epitome of power, the supreme race, and the absolute master of the world. Do you want to know who is the epitome of power?"

[...]

Esfandyar: "You have said many things, stranger. Stay here, and witness the courage of the people of Iran."

Hamilton is surrounded, the elderly man beats his drums, the scene ends with the image of the Iranian flag.