All language subtitles for Senso (1954) 720p

That pure wave of holy sound

Goes straight to the heart!

Come, for the altar will grant us
the joys of unspoiled love

Manrico, the gypsy!

Come look. She's in chains
- Oh God!

Those barbarians
have lit the pyre!

Heavens! My whole body trembles!

My eyes are blinded!

- You're trembling!
- With good reason!

You must learn... that I am...

Who?

Her son!

VENICE - SPRING OF 1866

THE LAST MONTHS OF THE AUSTRIAN
OCCUPATION OF THE VENETO.

THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS
FORGED A PACT WITH PRUSSIA,

AND THE WAR OF LIBERATION
IS IMMINENT.

The horrid flames of that pyre

Consume every fiber of my being!

Put it out,
you godless wretches

Or I shall quench it
with your own blood!

I was her son
before I ever loved you

Not even your suffering
can stay my hand

Oh, my poor mother,
I hasten to save you

Or at least to die with you!

Or at least to die with you!

To arms! To arms!

We stand ready
to fight for you...

or to die with you!

To arms!

Foreigners out of Venice!

General La Marmora
is on the march!

Long live La Marmora!
Long live Italy!

Long live Italy!

Where are the stewards?
This is a disgrace!

General, come look.

If this continues,
we'll have to empty the theater.

Just look at this!

How delightful!

This is the war Italians prefer:

showers of confetti
to a background of mandolins.

Coward!
You're a coward!

I'm ready to show you that
the Italians are willing to fight you!

And if you're a gentleman...

Let me go!
You have no right to touch me!

Long live Italy!
Venice will belong to Italy!

- Where are you going?
- To the lobby. I'm dying of the heat.

This is hardly the time.

Leave me alone.
You know I do whatever I wish.

I will not permit you
to go with these flowers.

It all began that evening.

It was the 27th of May.

My cousin, Roberto Ussoni,

one of the organizers
of the demonstration,

was also a leader in the underground
movement in Venice.

I was worried because he had
so needlessly exposed himself

by challenging that officer.

I was desperately thinking
of how I might help him.

Roberto.

Livia!

It was madness
to take such a public stand.

You shouldn't have done it.

All I know is I lost my head when
that scoundrel said those words...

- What will you do now?
- He's accepted my challenge.

At least, so it seems.

We'll fight a duel.
- No, you mustn't.

To take on an officer
in your position?

The consequences would be...

Something must be done.
Leave.

You must leave
the theater at once.

Go home, or to Massenza's...
wherever you want.

But wait until I send word.

Please, Roberto,
you must be careful,

for everyone's sake.

I know. Don't worry.

But did you see?
They rose up tonight.

There's still a lot to do,
but they're waking up!

Let's go.
We'll go by way of the pier.

- Farewell, Roberto. Go!
- See you soon, Livia.

- Go now!
- See you soon.

That's La Marmora's declaration.

We haven't published it
in the newspapers, of course.

It's utter nonsense

and would only further
agitate the Venetians.

At least some people here
think little of his provocations.

It's a pity we have
to give up our music, Count,

but we cannot allow La Fenice
to become a hotbed of sedition.

I'm the first to agree,

but please believe me

that this is doubtlessly the work
of some agent provocateur.

Yes, it's certainly been
a delightful evening.

Ah, Countess Serpieri.

There's to be a duel.
I'm serious.

Someone challenged
Franz Mahler.

Perhaps they wish to recreate the battle
between the Horatii and Curiatii.

His challenger is well known
to you, Countess.

Please, let us not dwell
on this unfortunate incident.

That young man is a distant relative.
We rarely see him.

Aren't relatives always
those we know least?

I know him very well.

No, there will be no battle
between the Horatii and Curiatii.

My cousin
isn't interested in politics.

He's completely indifferent

to that kind of thing.

He must have had
other reasons.

This Lieutenant Mahler...

I've heard a lot about him.

I'm sure you have.

All the ladies of Venice
are talking about him.

You see? They must have
had words over a woman.

Thus is the course of history
so often altered, is it not?

Is he under your command,
Your Excellency?

- Mahler? Certainly.
- Yes.

I'd love to meet him.

Since all the ladies of Venice
are discussing him,

I'd like to be able to
as well.

You shouldn't ask such a favor
of one of your admirers.

Lieutenant Mahler
is far too dangerous a rival.

Would you care to sit down?

No, thank you.
I'm very familiar with Il trovatore.

Besides,
you Austrians love music.

We Italians come to the theater
for very different reasons.

We have arrived.

There's the tower

Where prisoners languish

The poor man
was brought here

Go now, leave me

And fear not for me

I may be able to save him

Fear for me?

Sure and ready
is my protection

Countess, Lieutenant Mahler.

Countess Serpieri.

In this dark night
I'm near to you

- Would you care to sit down?
- Thank you.

O gentle breeze

You who fill the air
with your sighs

- Do you have a good view?
- Very nice, thank you.

Do you like opera,
Lieutenant Mahler?

I'm very fond of opera,
Countess Serpieri,

when it's an opera
I'm fond of.

And you?

I'm very fond of it.

But I don't care for it
when it takes place offstage.

I dislike people behaving
like characters in some melodrama,

with no regard
for the serious consequences

of a gesture
dictated by impulse

or by unforgivable
thoughtlessness.

May I speak very frankly?

Please do.

It's the only manner of speaking
that I appreciate.

If I've heard correctly,

a duel is take place tomorrow.
Isn't that so?

And it's up to you to accept
the challenge. Is that true?

I'm curious to know.

I'm very curious myself.

Don't accept that challenge.

It isn't right
to risk one's life for...

Why are you
so concerned about my life?

It's a matter of principle.

Don't worry.

Neither my life nor your principles
are in any danger.

This foolish incident

will soon be resolved
with a pair of handcuffs.

What do you mean?

Waken in him the memories...

What splendid music!

Will you return
tomorrow evening?

If you'd allow me to...

I don't feel well.

I must go.

No, please stay.

Good night, Your Excellency.

- Depriving us of your company so soon?
- I don't feel well.

I'm so sorry.

Good night.

Let's go.

If you don't feel well,
perhaps we should wait...

- I said let's go.
- As you wish.

Good-bye, Countess.
Leaving so soon?

Come back and see
Der Freisch�tz with us.

Your Excellency.

Colonel.

They arrested Roberto
as soon as he left La Fenice.

No, it can't be!

He was with Don� and Meneghini.
They arrested all three.

We must
do something at once.

Why don't you tell your husband?
If he got involved...

Let me handle this.

You two go to Massenza's.
I'll send you word.

Leave this moment.
Don't take any chances.

Good night.

Have you heard?
They arrested Roberto.

Listen, I've never
asked you for anything...

but you must do something
to free Roberto.

If you wanted to, with your influence
and your contacts...

That lieutenant
must have reported him

so he wouldn't have to fight.
- Of course.

Why would an Austrian officer
fight an Italian civilian?

The very thought is absurd.

If your cousin had
a speck of good sense...

Can't you see
what this could mean?

Perfectly well, and I want
nothing to do with this matter.

They were right to arrest him.

You'd involve me in this foolishness
that is none of my concern?

I've had enough.

Don't speak to me of this again.
ls that clear?

Such childish pranks!

What do you hope
to gain anyway?

Along with many others,

Roberto was condemned
to a year of exile,

I felt a dark foreboding

of what his departure
would mean for me.

Ussoni, Roberto.

Until we meet again.

I hope it will be soon,
my guardian angel.

Try to get to Aldeno as soon
as possible, and get word to Cavalletto.

We need a strong, safe link
between our forces.

I hope to come back soon.

Garibaldi's in Desenzano.
Just think: The moment's close at hand.

May we meet again as Italians!

Roberto, please be careful.

Attention!
Forward... march!

But when I saw
that officer again,

I realized he was the cause
of all my worries

and that for days
I'd actually been dreading

the thought of encountering him.

Countess Serpieri.

What is it?

Would you allow me to give you
safe-conduct through this quarter?

No, thank you,
Lieutenant Mahler.

There's a curfew in Venice,
and it's already quite late.

Will you have me arrested
for being out after curfew?

I don't believe in having people arrested
for little infractions of the law.

What about the arrest
of Roberto Ussoni?

Oh? Was he arrested?

I thought he was just
sent somewhere for a while.

He has been exiled,
and you know it.

You think it was all my fault.
I assure you, you're wrong.

I hope you believe me.

I think this Ussoni
probably enjoys it.

He's the type that was born to be
a martyr to some noble cause.

And what were you born to be?

Exactly what I am.

Exactly.

Good night.

Wouldn't it have been simpler
if you'd told me last night at the opera

that this man Ussoni
was your lover

and you wanted me to do what I could
to keep him here in Venice?

A man with a minimum
of good breeding

would not take advantage
of the fact I'm alone to insult me.

I asked you not to follow me.

I'm not following you.

- So you're not following me?
- Think of me as your shadow.

Thank you.
My own is sufficient.

But mine gives you
more protection.

Don't follow me, I say!

Is he dead?

Yes.

But how...

Come quickly!
Hurry, please!

Sergeant, look at this.

Damn it, he's dead!

Quick, two of you men
pick him up.

These damned Venetians
kill someone every night.

Bring him along.
One of you at either end.

Hurry it up.

I knew the poor devil.
Why just a while ago...

He just arrived in Venice
a few days ago.

Thank you.

You see,
it really isn't very pleasant

to be in an army
of occupation.

You live on intimate terms
with people who hate you.

And being young...

and away from home...

and lonely...

one has flirtations
with their sweethearts and wives.

I understand.

Good night, Lieutenant.
I'm not frightened any more.

Please don't bother
walking me any further.

Good night.

But there is something
I should like you to know.

Roberto Ussoni is not my lover.

He's my cousin...

and the person
I admire most in the world.

Do you admire him more than...
your husband?

You know,
my husband and I have

very different attitudes
toward the Austrians.

He's willing to accept them.
He courts their favor.

I'm like my cousin:

a true Italian.

Good night.

Countess Serpieri...

We walked together
for a long time...

through the deserted streets.

My earlier prejudices
were dispelled.

Time no longer existed.

There existed only
a secret and unspoken pleasure

I experienced
in hearing him speak and laugh,

and in hearing the echo
of our footsteps

in that silent city.

Where are we going?

Wherever you'd like.

I don't even know where we are.

Though here we are
just the same.

These are my billets.
This is where I live.

Alone?

No, with some fellow officers.

We sit around half dressed

and drink beer
and talk about girls.

But now I'm through with all that.
- Why?

Because I've met you.

- What did you find?
- A piece of broken mirror.

Why do you look
at yourself so intently?

You enjoy looking
at yourself that much?

Yes, I do.

I never pass by a mirror
without looking at myself.

Why do you enjoy it so much?

I like to look at myself
to make sure I'm...

me.

Is that the only way
you can be sure?

No.

Also when
a woman looks at me

the way you're looking
at me right now.

"It is Judgment Day.

The dead rise again

to eternal joy
or eternal suffering.

Yet still we embrace.

We care nothing
for heaven or hell."

You like those lines by Heine?

Why not?

I don't like what they mean.

What a shame.
With war about to break out...

- You think there'll be war?
- Oh yes.

Though I don't see
why people should kill each other

over matters
that don't concern them.

Do you believe in war?

I believe that
the freedom of a people

must be defended
at the cost of one's own liberty...

or life.

Then we'll be enemies,
won't we?

I don't believe that
for a minute.

I suppose
it's a serious failing of mine

that I've never taken any interest

in war, politics,

losing or gaining territory...

all those serious matters

for which a man
ought to be prepared to die.

You see, I believe that

even if one man was born
on this side of this river

and another
on the other side of that mountain,

it doesn't mean God put
the river and the mountain there

to keep them apart.

You talk like a child.

I don't understand how a military man
could have such ideas.

The thought of you
as an officer is absurd.

I agree with you.
It is absurd.

It's all quite absurd.

I must go now.
It's almost morning.

Livia?
That is your name?

Yes.

When may I see you again?
Tomorrow?

It's impossible.

I'll be waiting.

By now it was dawn.

The city was beginning
to come to life...

and I felt
almost a sense of shame.

How could I have passed
an entire night

with someone I hardly knew...

an Austrian officer?

I... an Italian woman,
married...

a woman who had
never before in her life

committed
the slightest indiscretion.

And yet, four days later...

four days spent in the vain hope
of accidentally meeting him again...

four days later
I found myself running to him.

I'd managed
to persuade myself

that only he could
do something to help Roberto

and that it was
my duty to ask him.

Quite a doll, eh?

Want to play?

I've waited and waited...

and now you've come.

"We care nothing
for heaven or hell."

From that day on
we met often.

We saw one another
in a rented room

Franz had found
in the Old Quarter.

You know...

in a room of this kind there's always
some kind of little noise like this:

the curtains rustling,

or a moth or fly
beating against the windowpane.

Have you noticed it?

No, Franz.

You never really hear it
until afterwards.

But then you remember
it was going on all the while

you were so close together.

Do you, Franz?

You remember that you heard
this little sound all the while...

without really noticing it then.

It's only later...

that it becomes
a detail of the experience.

Can a detail...

be that important?

A part of the adventure.

Almost as important as...

As what?

As the color, odor,
and softness of her hair...

on the pillow.

Haven't you noticed that before,
my sweet?

No, Franz... never.

Oh yes...
l keep forgetting.

What?

I keep forgetting that the past
doesn't exist for Countess Serpieri.

There's only this moment...

and tomorrow.

Only this moment, Franz.

Only this moment?

No tomorrow?

Will you hand me that brush?

You know, if someone told me...

"There's only the present moment.
There's no tomorrow

beyond this very instant..."

I'd feel as if a doctor
had informed me

I was fatally ill...

that I had only
a number of hours to live.

Yet now I know it's true.

There's only now.
Only now, Franz.

There is no tomorrow.

Whenever you leave,
you say,

"Good-bye, Franz.
I won't see you again."

But I expect you
just as confidently as ever.

You may not expect to see me again,
but I expect to see you.

Perhaps you do.

But you've had
so many "adventures"

during which the room was filled
with the sound of a moth...

or the buzz of a fly beating
against the windowpane,

which you only
remembered afterwards.

At that point you rose

and set that poor insect free

just as gracefully as you freed
yourself from the woman's heart.

But don't worry.

In our adventure...

you won't have to make
even that little effort.

I will make it for you, Franz.

I will get up
and open the shutters...

for your butterfly heart to fly back
to the light it came from.

Would you hand me
those hairpins, please?

Madame, I have retired
from your service as chambermaid.

You'll have to get
your own hairpins.

Franz...

take this to remember me by.

What a lovely medallion!

Here, next to your heart.

Now I must go.

I must go.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, my sweet.

Franz, would you let me
go off like this?

Of course not, my dearest.

I knew you wouldn't go.

One afternoon, as I waited
in vain for him in that room,

for the first time
I realized, in terror,

that I was no longer in control of my
feelings, as I'd mistakenly believed.

I must go out,
and no one else is here.

Shall I leave the door open,
or will you go down?

Are you sure the lieutenant
left no message for me?

No letter?
- Quite sure, ma'am.

But perhaps you'd gone out
and no one else was here.

What can I say?
Maybe he's gone.

A captain who used to come here often
was suddenly transferred once.

Which reminds me: Would you know
anyone who could help me?

They want to requisition
my house for military quarters.

Don't they have
barracks for that?

Ma'am, see if you can help me.
It's for your sake too.

I know you can do anything...
Countess.

I know you very well.

My sister spent
many years working for...

You're leaving?
What if the lieutenant should arrive?

Besides, Countess...

what if the lieutenant
really is gone?

Who'll pay the bill here?

I've never said anything,
because I know him well,

but just the linens alone...

Thank you, ma'am.
That's better.

Excuse me.
ls Lieutenant Mahler in?

He's still in Venice, isn't he?

Yes, he's still in Venice.

- Do you know whether he's coming back?
- No, I don't, ma'am.

- I'll wait.
- Please.

Make yourself comfortable,
miss.

Do you like our little place?

Won't say she likes it,
but she comes all the same.

Two pairs of shorts...

three shirts...

two dress shirts...

and two sheets.

There. The gentleman will come by
tomorrow to pay his bill.

The lieutenant didn't say
where he was going?

How should I know?
He didn't come home last night.

He was out... all night long?

Certainly all night long, no.

But this morning he came here.
I mean, you saw him.

No, I didn't. Maybe he was
with Kati, or Nena.

With whom?

Well...

if you want to wait,
suit yourself.

But you're sure he's not somewhere
nearby? In the barracks?

He's not around here.
I can assure you of that.

It's about the only thing
I can assure you of.

But if you're patient...
and since you're a friend of Franz's,

you certainly must be.

Ludwig left Franz an hour ago.
They'd been playing billiards.

Where he went after that
no one knows.

Just can't keep
your mouth shut, can you?

Don't pay any attention.

He doesn't know
what he's talking about.

Why don't you sit down?

Franz oughta be here
in a few minutes.

We never know what he's doing
or where he is.

He's always on the move.
He's hard to pin down.

But what can you do?
That's the way he is.

Once before,
we shared an apartment

for three months.

In Innsbruck.

My days were spent receiving
the girls who came to look for him.

And even when he was home,
he often wouldn't see them.

- Countess, we're leaving!
- Who says so?

The count has given orders
to pack everything.

- You must be mistaken.
- Oh no, ma'am.

What's happening here?

You might have
at least told me.

Or don't you think I...

The Prussians
have occupied Austrian Holstein.

This means that war has begun,
and I think it would be wise...

No, it's impossible!

Just like that...
on a moment's notice?

What do you want?

I'm awaiting orders
from the countess.

There's time, Laura.

My husband's decision
stunned me.

But I managed to persuade him
to delay our departure

at least 24 hours.

Lieutenant Mahler, please,
of the Eighth Company.

The Eighth Company
is not here any longer.

They're at the barracks
at Misericordia.

Countess!

The count told me to find you
and bring you an umbrella,

though you didn't tell me
where you were going.

I thought I'd start out
at Countess Marcello's or...

You're all wet!
What weather!

Even the sky has gone mad,
all because of the war.

I remember back in '59
as if it were today.

The count was worried.

"She had something to do," I said.
"When one is going away..."

Also, a man came looking for you...
one I'd never seen.

No, I didn't say anything
to the count.

The man said it was urgent,
that you should go

to 349, Campo San Gerem�a
and ring three times.

When did he come?
Who was he?

I didn't know him.
You'd just gone out.

I wanted to come
and look for you.

I'll be back later.
Give me the umbrella.

What should I tell the count?

Whatever you like!
It doesn't matter.

I don't care what you say, understand?
Go on, spy on me!

Tell him everything!

It wasn't necessary
to follow me, to spy on me.

I would have told you myself.
I don't want to keep on lying.

Yes, I have a lover.

I love him. I want to live
with him, you understand?

Livia, finally!
We've been waiting. Come in.

Livia!

Livia, how wonderful
to see you at last!

Oh, it's you!
I didn't know you'd returned.

You might have let me know.

We managed to cross
the border last night.

I must get in touch with our friends here.
There's no time to lose.

Why didn't you confide in me?

She wanted me to think that...

You can't understand.

I've been
very clear with Livia.

Now I should tell you
what I told her.

I have absolutely no intention
of accepting the duties

the Austrian government has
recently insisted on offering me.

I was born and raised
here in Venice.

All my business affairs
and all my loved ones are here.

It's clear that whatever
the outcome of this war,

Venice will certainly
become part of Italy.

The French emperor
has guaranteed it.

For all these reasons,
I wish to help you.

You can trust me.

As you see,
mine is a very practical offer,

not dictated by passions or ideals
or beliefs that I don't share.

I understand.

And what do you want in return?

I told you: to go on living
undisturbed in my native city

no matter what happens.

- I can't promise anything.
- Of course.

But one day you might
speak in my defense.

...And one ruby ring.

One gold watch and chain.

Livia, could you be ready
to leave tomorrow for Aldeno?

Nothing would please more more.

For days
I've been telling Livia...

Yes, it was I.
I wanted to wait.

I was certain
that you would return.

Very well, Livia.

But now there's
no more time to lose.

Even I am leaving
Venice tomorrow.

I must reach the headquarters
of the Italian forces.

They'll have instructions
for all the volunteer troops.

The liaison
is organized fairly well.

Luca is already at Aldeno.

I'll soon be there too...
in four or five days, if all goes well.

You must take along the money
contributed to our cause.

Hand me that.
They need it urgently.

Our volunteers are living
off charity, like beggars.

It's a healthy sum.

Of course, you probably
helped collect most of it.

We've waited a long time
for this moment...

yet now it's caught us
almost by surprise, hasn't it?

It stuns you.

But now all of us must behave
as if the life of every fighting man

depended upon
what we're doing.

We no longer have rights, Livia...
only duties.

We must learn
to forget about ourselves.

I don't care if it sounds bombastic.
Italy is at war.

It's our war!

It's our revolution!

Roberto's words...

and his faith in me...

gave me the courage
to leave Venice.

Those first quiet days
in our villa at Aldeno

reminded me
of the convalescent period

that follows
a violent childhood illness.

Laura! Laura!

I'm coming. Just a minute.
Keep your voice down.

When the dogs started barking,

I saw someone on the balcony.
The window's open.

I didn't hear a thing.

Be quiet now!
The countess is sleeping!

Who is it?

It's me... Laura.

What is it?

Forgive me, Countess,

but the guard is here.

Yes?

He says they saw someone
on your balcony.

Countess!

They say they saw someone
on your balcony!

Yes, it was me.

- Have you gone mad?
- Yes... in Venice, when you left!

Is the door locked?
- The door...

Laura?
- Yes, Countess.

It was me.

Go to bed now.

See, stupid?
Waking the whole house!

Did they see me?

Whatever possessed you to come here?
What made you do it?

Are all those dogs to keep away
your enemies or your lovers?

Why did you decide
to come here, Franz?

I didn't decide to come.
I just came.

I just suddenly knew I had
to see you again, so I came.

Shall I go now and let
your dogs tear me to pieces?

Go there and hide.

Go on.

Over there.

I... don't believe

you risked your life
to see me.

I might have believed it before...

before all those
missed rendezvous...

before those agonizing days...

when I couldn't
find you anywhere.

I'm younger than you are,
Countess Serpieri...

and I'm not as clever
as I try to appear.

When I began to realize
I'd fallen in love...

with a woman
who could never love me,

all I could think of doing
was running away.

That's why
you didn't see me again.

But even that was useless.

When I found out
you had run away from me,

that you had left Venice,

all I could think of
was how to see you again.

You must have some reason
that I can't guess.

Why else would a man risk his life
to come here?

Don't you know?
War has been declared!

War...

I'm so tired.

I only want to look at you,
be with you.

That's why I came.
I think of nothing else.

I might have believed you... once.

If you don't believe me,
I'd better go at once.

No, wait!

Wait.

Franz, come here.

Franz, stay here.

Here? All right.

Please, keep quiet...

please...

and wait.

There are thieves
on the grounds! Thieves!

Countess, what's going on?

Be quiet, you fools!

Countess, what a scare!
I knew something was going to happen.

All night long I was restless.
I just couldn't get to sleep.

Was that really you on the balcony?
- Certainly.

Simone, search everywhere!
See if you can find any tracks!

Yes, sir, the gravel's
all been scattered!

Make sure no one's hiding
on the grounds!

Yes, sir!

Good, Simone.
Keep on searching with the dogs.

Do you need me
for anything, ma'am?

No.

I don't need anything.

Go back to bed now.

Keep on with the search.

He must have escaped
when he heard the dogs bark.

I'm going back to bed.
- Good night, sir.

Giuseppe!

Have a good look
behind the stables!

I'm sorry.

You must forgive me.

We're not in Venice any more.

I've changed.

I can think straight again.
My mind is clear once more.

- Livia, listen...
- No! We're not in Venice any more.

You made me forget every shred
of decency and dignity.

It's true.
Every shred of dignity...

for a wretched and illicit love...

that brought
nothing but shame.

Livia, my dearest.

We're not in Venice any more.

All right.
We're not in Venice any more.

The fact has been established.

May I sit down?

Yes.

You can't go
until they've tied up the dogs.

Thank you.

I'm so sleepy.

I haven't slept for three nights.

I love the smell of summer...

the smell of dry, golden wheat
that's cut and gathered.

It's full of that fragrance here.

I'm so tired.

There's such
a lazy sweetness in the air.

What is it?
Did you say something?

The dogs have gone away now.

You spoke so softly.

I couldn't hear you.

I couldn't understand you.

Didn't you say
something like...

something like...

"Franz...

dear Franz...

I'm lonely.

Please...

stay with me."

You misunderstood me.

Forgive me.

I misunderstood you.

I said you had to leave now.

You must go... you must go.

I beg your pardon?

I said it's safe now.

You can go.

"It's been such a long time...

since we last saw
each other, my sweet"...

that's what I dreamt
you would say.

I said go now.

Go... go... go.

Are you sure?

Is that what you really want?

I was hoping
you'd ask me to stay.

Yes, Franz.

I beg you... stay.

Franz, wake up, my love.

It's almost morning...

and you said you had to be
in Verona before nightfall.

Who... who is it?

It's me... Livia.

Franz, wake up.
It's light out.

What did you say?

You must leave at once.

The sun will be up soon,

and if they see you...

Close your eyes.

- I didn't close them all night.
- Why?

I watched you as you slept.

That's why I slept so well.

I dreamt I was home...

a little boy playing soldier
with a wooden sword.

- I must go.
- Oh, I wish you didn't...

I wish I could...

You wish you could what?

Keep you, hold you close,
as I did last night,

for all my life.

Good-bye.
I must go now.

The sun's coming up.
It's already late.

You wouldn't want them to see me
climbing out your window, would you?

No, don't go yet.

I'll hide you.

I'll keep you with me
for one more day.

Wait.

We have to hurry!

Come quickly.

Livia.

Come.
Stay with me a while.

No, I have to be in my room
when the maid comes.

- It's still early. There's time.
- Don't talk so loudly.

I'll be still.

This really isn't so bad here.

I'd love to stay here all my life.

Then why don't you stay?

You don't realize that I'm expected
to go out and become a hero now.

Try to forget about that.

It would be wonderful
to be able to forget... everything.

A friend of mind did something
that shocked me.

Who?

A comrade.

An officer.

What did he do?

He managed to bribe a doctor

to declare him unfit
for military service.

He went for an examination,
you see...

and the doctor certified
there was some defect in his heart

which made a quiet
civilian life necessary.

So he went home...
a free man.

- How could that be?
- I told you: He bribed the doctor!

Gave him a large sum of money.

I thought certain things
just weren't done.

But after all, the men of my class
are rather spoiled, like children.

We like the uniforms
that flatter our manly figure.

The gold braid and buttons,

the fanfare of brass,
the postures and attitudes of heroes.

But then there's
the other side of the coin.

The separation from women.

Hunger... cold... fatigue.

Oh yes, we're ready to raise
our glasses to future victories...

but we don't want to pay
what those victories sometimes cost:

the missing arm,
the leg cut off at the hip.

Don't!

The hideously disfigured face
so horrible it makes you scream.

And why?

War!

Tens of thousands of soldiers
ready to slaughter each other

for no reason or purpose.

Reason has nothing
to do with war.

What is war anyway,

except a convenient method
of forcing people to think and behave

in the way
most beneficial to the rulers?

Why so quiet, my dear?

What's on your mind?

War is horrible!

I'll come back
just as soon as I can.

So many of them
passed by last night.

Even heavy artillery.
The whole house shook.

They've come from Innsbruck,
headed for Verona.

- Verona...
- Count!

Should I report
last night's incident?

No, better not.

But I bet it was someone spying
on our grain supply,

trying to get us in trouble.

The men wouldn't say anything.
They all stand to benefit.

Nevertheless,
put someone on guard at night.

Wha... Look over there!
Isn't that Le Ronghe?

That fire is at Le Ronghe!

There's a fire at Le Ronghe,
and a big one too!

Let's go see.

Sir, look at that thick
black column of smoke!

I'd say the hayloft
has caught fire!

We'd better send someone
down there at once!

To Le Ronghe!

Look, sir!

It starts at Mangini's house.

It can't be.
His house is behind the hill.

It's further off.
I'll bet it's the stables at Piovene.

Come on. Let's go look
from the granary.

They're probably just burning
some underbrush.

Can't you see the column of smoke,
ma'am? That's Mangini's house!

Oh yes.
You can see perfectly.

Perhaps it's
a military encampment.

It's better we make certain.
Come with me, you two.

I don't like this at all.
Let's look from the window.

Let's hope
the wind doesn't change.

- With all that grain stored...
- Let's hope not!

Hear that, sir?
The bells at Le Ronghe!

They finally made up their minds!

Were they waiting to set fire
to the whole countryside first?

You can't see much from here, sir.
We'd better look from the other side.

What's happened?
This door has been locked!

The grain's
holding it shut, sir.

You can see perfectly
from here.

It may be a skirmish between the Austrians
and the patriots in Romagnano.

Sometimes, to get revenge...
- Are they camped in the center of town?

This is crazy!
Dangerous for everyone!

They're not very close, but sometimes
reinforcements come up.

And for that all our farms
should burn? Antonio!

Call Giuseppe.
- Yes, sir.

Antonio!

Tell him
to hitch the carriage.

Hurry up!
- Yes, sir!

We can be there in 15 minutes.

No use wasting more time here!

Countess...

What is it?

That... person is there.

And Luca's here too,
from Romagnano.

Good morning, Countess.

Good news.

Marquis Ussoni reached
Italian headquarters on the Mincio.

It's only a matter of hours now.

Our orders should arrive any moment.
Garibaldi is in Sal�.

Two of our representatives
met the general's envoy in Trento.

General Garibaldi
praised our patriots.

He didn't realize
we had so many men.

Just watch.

When his troops arrive,
they'll find the job already done.

We don't need anybody's help
to free our land.

Yes, of course.
You'll tell me all about it.

Come back later.
This evening, perhaps.

Countess...

Marquis Ussoni also sent word
that you should give me

the money collected in Venice.

It should be
more than 3,000 florins.

I don't know.
I didn't check.

It must be as you say.

This evening, I said.
Come back this evening, all right?

It takes time for a fire
to spread like that!

And nobody tells you anything,
of course!

Not a single word.
I may be a fool, but...

- Sir, the carriage is almost ready.
- Good.

- I'll go, sir.
- Try and hurry.

- Good morning, Count.
- Good morning.

Antonio, my hat.
Hurry up!

- Show Luca to the door.
- Good-bye, Countess.

- See you this evening.
- Very well.

How did you get here?

Laura... isn't that her name?
Your maid.

I thought you sent her.

She's wonderful.
She came and got me,

put me in here,
brought me breakfast.

My goodness!
She knows that you're here now!

What's wrong with that?
Isn't that what ladies' maids are for?

Countess, the count
is looking for you.

We're leaving.
Don't wait for me for lunch.

- Very well.
- What?

I said very well.

My respects, Countess.

Good-bye.

What are you thinking?

I was thinking...
something terrible.

Tell me what.

This morning, in the granary...

you told me
about that friend of yours

who was sent home...

because a doctor said
he had a bad heart.

So?

Why can't you do the same?

Me?

Yes, Franz, you.

Pose as a cripple

and bribe
some rotten quack doctor

to say there's
something wrong with me?

Yes.

Do you think me capable

of such a contemptible act?

And even if I was
so contemptible...

there's a matter of cost.

How much?

Two thousand florins.

Two thousand florins?
Impossible!

- Is it more than I'm worth?
- Oh, if I only could...

you could stay here near me,
maybe in Trento, couldn't you?

Regulations demand
that soldiers unfit for battle

must remain
near their own regiments.

- If I only could!
- I have to leave. It's late.

If I'm not in Verona,
I'll be considered a deserter.

I can be shot.

Of course, that would solve
all our problems.

I have no more time!
- Wait, Franz!

Wait.

Close that door.
Come here, quick.

My sweet, is this yours?

Your husband's?

Well, whose?

I can't tell you!
You'd think I'd gone mad!

I have!
I have gone mad!

Oh, my sweet! My sweet!

My poor, desperate love!

My darling...

my poor, frightened sweet...

- Who is it?
- May I come in, ma'am?

Stay out!

Don't come in!
- But I must, ma'am!

Stay out, I tell you!

Did you count it?
You think it's enough?

What you've given me
is your heart,

and not only your heart.

Isn't it strange...
it doesn't seem wrong to take it.

It would feel wrong
not to take it.

Countess!

Ma'am, I think
the count is returning.

Very well. I understand.

Tonio saw him down in the village,
and he told him...

I told Tonio to stay in the kitchen.
I also called the gardener in too.

He must avoid the terrace because
Ada's there gathering the laundry.

I tried to call her inside, but...

And Luca's here too.

I had him wait
in the drawing room.

All right.

Write to me
as soon as you can.

I wrote the address here.

Get some civilian
to take your letter to Luca.

I'll get it immediately
that way.

I must have news of you.
- Yes, I'll write you.

As soon as you can.

Go now.

Send word when it's all arranged
and I'll join you at once.

I can't live like this.

You shouldn't love me.

Nobody should.

Now I was
irrevocably tied to him.

For his sake
I'd forsaken and betrayed

everything for which the others
were so desperately fighting...

those dreams which they had
struggled so long to make reality.

Marquis Ussoni.

I'd advise you to reach Oliosi
by avoiding the left flank of our front,

as soon as
you're out of Valeggio.

But you'll run into serious obstacles.
It won't be easy.

Thank you.

Best of luck to you, sir!

Stop!

Can you take me to Oliosi?
- It's dangerous.

Don't worry.
We'll find another route.

Come on.

What's the best route
to Oliosi?

Oliosi? Those roads are blocked.
There's fighting going on.

Try to reach that hill,
then turn left.

You'll come to a large farmstead
called Ca' Pasquale.

Right here.

Keep left from there.

Then we take the road
to Maragnote and Menso.

Good. We bypass Oliosi
and still get to Sant'Ambrogio.

Thank you, Lieutenant.
Are you from the south?

- Naples.
- Good luck, Lieutenant.

- I'll take the reins now.
- Just take her slow.

I must get beyond that hill.
It's urgent!

I have a pass signed
by General La Marmora in person.

Sound the alarm!

I received
a letter from Franz.

He'd received his exemption
and was in Verona.

But he urged me to stay
where I was.

The journey was dangerous,
and he feared for my safety.

Battle had commenced
all along the front,

and the news
that reached Aldeno

seemed to confirm our hopes
of an Italian victory.

You can see the cannons
from Sant'Ambrogio.

- The Germans are leaving Verona.
- No, they left yesterday.

Now we'll get rid
of those Germans for good.

Quiet, everyone!
Luca's here!

Let's hear what he has to say.

Here he comes.

What did he say?

The Germans have fled Verona!

We'll get every last one of them!

Long live Italy!

Good day, Countess.

The Austrians are leaving Verona?

Yes, Countess.
We're advancing all along the front.

The Austrians sent for reinforcements,
and they're leaving Verona.

This time they'll drive 'em all
into the sea!

Long live Italy!

But will we be cut off?

The time has come for us
to act as well. Marquis Ussoni...

We've had no word about him.
No news. Nothing.

We can't make a move yet.

We must wait for orders.

But Countess,
we can't wait any longer.

Even if we've received no word,

our troops must move in
and occupy the area.

There's no time to lose.

We'll be cut off.

Garibaldi himself is coming!

Just think, ma'am.
Garibaldi, for heaven's sake!

What's going on?
What are you doing?

Lieutenant, what's happening?
Where's everyone going?

We've been ordered to retreat.

All right, keep firing!

Who are you?
Are you wounded?

Everyone's retreating, Lieutenant.
Haven't you heard?

It's a disaster.

Well, we're not running away,
are we, boys?

No, sir!
Nobody here's running back!

Lieutenant,
your orders are to retreat!

Understood, Lieutenant!

You'll see how we retreat!
Huh, boys?

Come on, boys!

I decided to leave at dawn,

before the patriots could occupy
the countryside around Aldeno

and before Italian troops
could reach Verona.

I knew I was leaving
my home and my people forever,

yet I felt
no remorse or regret.

The sides of the carriage
were burning hot,

and I felt suffocated
by the sweltering air.

I had Franz's letter with me,

and I read it over and over again,
though I knew it by heart.

"My darling Livia...

you have saved my life.

The money was sufficient...
for now at least...

to fill the doctors'
greedy bellies.

They exempted me,
and I'm stationed in Verona.

I have a nice room
overlooking the Adige

on Via Santo Stefano, No. 149.

I long for you
day and night.

But don't come just yet.
Stay where you are.

The journey would be
too dangerous.

Love me always

as I love you."

Do you have a pass
to enter Verona at this hour?

No, but I am Countess Serpieri.

My husband's an Austrian official.

I came to stay
with relatives in town.

Very well, ma'am.
You may pass.

But I warn you: The streets of Verona
are not very safe for a lady tonight.

Thank you.

Quickly!
No. 149 Via Santo Stefano.

Quickly!

Well, well.
What a lovely surprise.

What?

I'm here.

Has something happened?

I'm here, Franz.

I told you in my letter
not to come.

Didn't you get my letter?

But I had to come. I couldn't live
with the anxiety any longer.

What anxiety?

Anxiety about what?

What might happen to you.

You knew I was safe.

And you knew
why I was safe...

your money.

You knew I'd bought
my way out of danger...

into security, comfort...

peace, pleasure.

But I had to be sure.

I had to see for myself.

Well, now you've seen.

You shouldn't have come.

You were wrong to come,
and you'll be sorry you did.

You see...

I'm not an officer now.

I'm not a gentleman now.

I am a drunken deserter.

And I stink to high heaven

of cowardice and vice!

I'm here now, Franz.

I'll stay with you always.

I've given up everything for you.

Take me in your arms, Franz.

I haven't washed or shaved
in a couple of days.

I don't want to disgust you
by coming too close.

You'd get dirty.

Franz!

- You're not alone.
- Pay no attention to her.

She comes in every night for an hour
or two to keep me company.

Would you like to meet her?

Don't be shy.

After all, she belongs to you.

I pay her with your money.

Clara, come here.

I want you
to meet a great lady.

Countess Livia Serpieri.

She's traveled a long way.

As you see,
she's quite exhausted.

She drove through the troops
returning from battle.

Men who weren't lucky enough

to have what I have:

a wealthy patroness.

Clara, get her
something to drink.

Wash it first!

Stupid girl!

It's for a lady.

Ladies don't drink out
of unwashed glasses, do they?

One must be polite
to one's guests.

She doesn't want it.

She doesn't feel well.

What are you waiting for?
Help her, you fool!

Take off her veil
and hat and gloves!

Countess Serpieri is a lady of fashion
and of high degree!

Can't you see that?

She's an Italian aristocrat.

I told you about her.
- No, you didn't.

You just don't remember.

You didn't listen because
you thought I was bragging.

You thought I was bragging
when I told you that a real lady

like Countess Serpieri

had fallen in love with me.

Really.

She said she'd never
have known what love was

if it hadn't been for me.

Why do you say
those things?

Is it to hurt me
or to make yourself suffer?

I'm sorry.
I couldn't hear.

You speak so softly.

Did you hear
what she said, Clara?

No, I didn't hear anything,
and I don't want to hear.

I'm going home.
- You're mad!

Livia...

you can't let her go out
at this time of night.

Invite her to join us
at our table.

Do it.

Please, will you stay?

Pay no attention.
He's drunk.

Who the hell
do you think you are?

Do you have such
a high opinion of yourself

that you can't sit
at a table with a tart?

What's the difference
between you two?

I'll tell you.

She's young and beautiful,

and men are willing
to pay for her.

You, on the other hand...

Why are you looking
at me like that?

I don't like being
looked at in that way!

You think I'm losing my mind?

I haven't lost my mind.

I've never been
more sane in my life.

Listen. Try to understand...

and see me as I really am,

not as a figure
of your imagination.

The idea you have of me
is pure fantasy...

invented by you!

It has nothing to do
with the real me.

What am I?
How do I live?

How do I get by?

I live
on two kinds of money:

the money
I get from women,

and the money I get
by cheating at cards.

I'm a master at both.

Those are my assets.

I also have a few liabilities.

I'm a deserter
because I'm a coward.

And I don't mind in the least
being a deserter or a coward!

What do I care if my compatriots
won a battle today

in some place called Custoza

when I know they'll lose the war...
and not only the war.

Austria will be finished
in a few years...

and a whole world
will vanish...

one to which we both belong,
you and me.

This new world your cousin talks about
holds no interest for me.

It's far better not to get
involved in these things...

and enjoy yourself
as much as possible.

And you think
the same way I do.

Otherwise you wouldn't
have given me money

to buy yourself
an hour of love.

That's enough!

It's too late!
It's over!

I'm not your romantic hero!

And I don't love you any more.

I needed money and I took it...
that's all.

Oh, I nearly forgot:
I'm also an informer.

It was I who denounced
your cousin to the police.

Of course, you always knew that
but pretended not to

for the sake
of our little romance.

Go on!

Run, lady!

Run, run, you trollop!

Get out of here!

Break your neck!
Don't stop!

...With devastating precision.

Afternoon report
of the Fifth Corps.

Santa Lucia was taken
after heavy fighting.

By 7:00 p.m.
we had taken Custoza.

The enemy certainly put up
an admirable fight.

The first of their offensives
was particularly forceful,

and their officers set
a fine example for their men.

I came to carry out my duty
as a loyal subject.

Ah, the countess is Austrian?

Venetian.

Here.

I don't understand.
ls this letter addressed to you?

Now, then, I'm in a hurry.
Explain.

The letter is from...

Franz Mahler
of the Third Artillery Regiment.

And so?

The letter is very clear.

He paid a doctor
to certify him as unfit.

He's a deserter
from the battlefield.

Ah, now I understand.

The lieutenant was your lover,

and now, for revenge,
you'd like to see him shot.

Think it over, Countess.
To be an informer is despicable,

and your present action
amounts to murder.

Lieutenant Schneider!

General, you must do your duty.

Show that woman the way out.

See that this order
is carried out immediately!

It's highest priority!

You understand?
Highest priority!

To be carried out
immediately.

Officer, you are to immediately arrest
First Lieutenant Franz Mahler,

residing at
No. 149 Via Santo Stefano.

Franz!