Original subtitles

ANNA KARENINA

BASED ON LEO TOLSTOY'S NOVEL

AND "IN THE JAPANESE WAR" BY VIKENTY VERESAEV

EPISODE 2

MANCHURIA, CHINA, 1904

I've been made general.

Colonel, have you heard?

Yes, I heard about it.

The order has been signed.

Congratulations, Your Excellency.

I wish you a fast recovery.

The order...

We should celebrate.

They're all scoundrels there.

Good day, Colonel.

Good day.

How are you feeling?

Not bad.

What have you done today?

They keep bringing wounded men in.

We change their dressings, feed them...

and send them to the hospital.

I've long wanted to ask...

How did things turn out for you?

My father died...

not long after my mother's death.

Then my sister Anya died.

Your daughter.

She was so little, only five. Do you remember her?

Yes, I know about that.

I was brought up by my godmother:

Lydia Vronskaya.

I went to university, graduated...

worked in a hospital, then privately.

I got married. Though I'm single now.

Then the war started.

I went to the front.

Now, as you can see, I'm a military doctor.

Who's that Chinese girl? Where did she come from?

I don't know.

She ended up here somehow.

Or she was abandoned.

That's how war is.

So she's here for now.

Why didn't you go to your daughter's funeral?

I wanted to go.

I wrote and asked. They refused.

If you had come, nobody would have sent you away.

Would they?

Anyway...

I have an hour.

Maybe an hour and a half.

After that ball, I went to St. Petersburg.

There were no seats on the train. I was about to ride in third class.

But then an acquaintance offered me a ticket.

It belonged to his brother, who couldn't travel due to iillness.

Year 1872.

I couldn't sleep all night.

I kept thinking of Anna.

I thought of her face and of everything she had said.

Heart-stopping images of a future together kept forming in my mind.

I knew then that all my happiness...

the entire meaning of life...

was to see and hear her.

ST. PETERSBURG

Is there anything you need?

Can I be of any service to you?

I didn't know you were traveling.

I came here to be...

I came to be where you are.

Forgive me if what I said offends you.

What you said is shameful.

And I beg you, if you're a good man

forget what you said, just as I will.

Not one word or gesture of yours will I ever forget.

I cannot forget.

Enough.

Alexei, I�m here.

Yes, and here is your devoted husband.

Hello.

As devoted as I always have been, and burning with the desire to see you.

Is Sergei all right?

That's all I get for my impassioned words?

He's all right, quite all right...

Count Vronsky.

I believe we've met.

So you left with the mother and returned with the son.

Are you back from leave?

I hope to have the honor of visiting you.

I'd be delighted. We receive visitors on Mondays.

What a good thing that I had half an hour spare to meet you

so that I could prove my devotion.

Mama!

Sergei!

- I'm so happy you're back! - My dear boy!

That girl from Moscow you were telling me about...

The one who can read and write. Do you prefer her now?

To me, you're the best in the world!

I know.

Run along, my dear, I'll find you in a minute.

Finally, my solitude is at an end.

You wouI'd- not bellieve how uncomfortable it is to dine alone.

I can tell your trip was a success.

How is our dear Stiva?

You can't even imagine.

I felt so sorry for him and Dolly. I pitied them with all my heart.

I don't suppose such a person can be forgiven.

Even if he is your brother.

I know that not even family ties

can prevent you from expressing your sincere opinion.

I know this trait in you...

and I love it.

You've not been anywhere. Are you not bored?

Perhaps you should pay someone a visit.

No, there's no need.

You know, Latnikov, from your department...

Before I left for Moscow...

Ah yes, the collegiate secretary with the...

funny hairstyle.

What about him?

He told me...

He virtually confessed his love for me.

Well, any woman in society may be subjected to this.

- But... - Anna, I trust your tact.

I refuse for us to be lowered to the point of jealousy.

It was not even worth mentioning.

Maybe it's pointless to tell, then?

And thank God there's nothing to tell.

Are you leaving soon?

I have to go to the ministry.

And tonight, I'm seeing petitioners.

How do you manage everything?

As you know every minute of my day

is planned out.

And in order to get through everything...

I must adhere to the strictest punctuality.

At any rate, I am glad all ended well, and that you are back.

Is Moscow talking about the provision I've put through at the council?

Sorry, I've heard nothing about it.

Here, it has caused quite a stir.

Constant ovations.

I have a story for you!

It's rather embarrassing, but I must tell you.

Well, tell us, then! We're all ears.

I won't mention names.

Even better we'll try to guess who it is!

Stop drinking. Eat now.

I'm not hungry.

You see, for me this is a matter of life and death.

Do you understand me?

I think I do but I'm in no position to say so.

I feel that only you, despite probably detesting any kind of feelings...

only you can understand me.

You, brother, are fortunate!

- Why? - Your whole life is ahead of you.

- And yours is behind you? - Not exactly.

But you have feelings I just have passing fancies.

- Passing fancies. - It's not love.

I've been in love before. This is different.

Some kind of force has possessed me.

I tried to escape it because I decided it was impossible.

You understand?

The kind of happiness that doesn't exist.

I fought it, but see that I can't live without it.

Vronsky! Vronsky!

Just a second, gentlemen.

Wait there, Vronsky.

- Have a drink with us. - Thank you, but I must stop.

I've had enough. I'll be drunk.

How have you been?

Not well, not well at all. And all because of women.

That's why I wanted to ask your advice.

Let's say you love a woman...

but she happens to be married.

But you're obsessed with her. And here's what I don't understand...

It's like you happily eat your fill, and then steal some bread from a bakery.

You know, that bread smells so good, it becomes so hard to resist!

- So, my question is... - My dear sir,

if you wish to be a buffoon, that's your business.

But be informed that if you continue this farce in my presence

I'll teach you some manners.

- But I... - I'm not joking. Be quiet!

- I'd be glad to settle this. - Come now brother.

Please accept my apologies, Count.

What was that?

...you're referring to women?

Gentlemen, I'm just getting to talking about women!

You still haven't told us how it all ended.

It never ended. It had only just begun!

That's right, gentlemen. So, her husband

arrived at the regiment complaining of his wife's honor being insulted.

And to make it worse, she is pregnant.

And what did the colonel say?

What could the colonel say?!

The strange thing is that I have no memory of pursuing her.

I mean, I remember on the whole...

in a general way.

But the details? I don't remember.

I remember the pain I felt when I hadn't seen her in a long time.

Here, in the chest.

You know, like a smoker who has no tobacco...

I followed her everywhere.

Wherever she went, I went too.

But she rejected me.

There was no hope.

I wanted with all my heart to see her

To see her eyes, her smile...

the way she frowned.

Madness...

When my mother heard she thought it was...

"A vulgar society liaison."

Mark my word, my dear.

Nothing better puts the finishing touch on a brilliant young man

- as a liaison in high society. - Mother!

Besides, I really liked Karenina.

She has so much love for her son.

As I do for you.

Yet, she�s the same as any other...

beautiful, respectable woman.

Bear that in mind.

I heard that they married for passion.

For passion? Who considers passion nowadays?

Well, there it is.

The only happy marriages I know are ones of reason.

In such marriages, people have moved past their follies.

Like scarlet fever: you get it and get over it.

If you really want to know what love feels like

you should err and then make amends.

- Even after marriage? - It's never too late to repent.

then you make amends.

We were together in the Caucasus.

And we've met again here. He's been demoted...

The captain? I recognized him right away.

I've got a nine!

What do you mean? I know what I said.

I can draw whenever I want! I bet a hundred.

You already gave out the cards? Now what?

Chickening out?! Vronsky, tell him!

- You're an officer. Stop him cheating! - Yes, of course.

I'll never play with you again, swindler!

Next time, I'll punch you in the face!

And you'd be right to.

I still don'nt know exactly when she decided.

And it was indeed she who decided.

Then Anna told me about a conversation she had with your father.

I believe that conversation decided everything.

You think Anna ran off to Vronsky?

No. Anna ran from Karenin.

- Anna, I need to talk to you. - You do?

Well, let's talk then, if we must.

- But I'd prefer to sleep - Anna, I must warn you.

Warn me? About what?

As a result of your thoughtless actions,

you may give society reason to talk about you.

Your over-animated conversation with Count Vronsky drew attention.

You're always like this.

I don't understand.

It bothers you if I'm bored. And it bothers you if I'm happy.

Well, I was not bored. Does that offend you?

Anna, you're not yourself.

Whatever is the matter?

What do you want from me?

I wish to tell you something.

As you know, I see jealousy as a humiliating and degrading feeling.

I shall never allow myself to be guided by it.

But there are certain rules

which cannot be broken with impunity.

I absolutely don't understand at all.

You're not well, Alexei.

Well, I'm listening.

And I listen with interest, for I wish to understand.

I have no right to go into the details of your feelings,

and besides I regard that as useless and even harmfu

Your feelings are a matter for your conscience.

But my duty to you...

and to God,

is to remind you of your duties.

Our lives were joined together not by man, but by God.

Only a crime can break that union:

a crime which brings severe punishment.

I don't understand a word.

Oh goodness me, I'm so sleepy!

Anna, for heaven's sake, don't speak like that.

Perhaps I am mistaken, but believe me...

I'm saying this as much for my own sake as for yours.

I am your husband, and I love you.

Alexei...

Really, I don't understand. Explain what you find...

Please let me finish.

I love you.

But I am not speaking of myself.

The most important people are you and our son.

But if you feel that my concern has even the smallest justification

then please think a little

and if your heart prompts you tell me...

I have nothing to say.

And it really is time for bed.

I'm here to see Count Vronsky.

You're here?

Dismiss him.

Yes, you can go. I won't need you tonight.

I'd like to see your house.

Yes.

Yes, of course.

You know, a long time ago,

when I was seventeen,

my aunt and I rode to Troitsa.

Was that really me?

So much of what back then seemed so beautiful...

and out of reach has become worthless.

And what I had back then is now forever out of reach.

How stupid!

Care for some wine?

No, I don't want any.

And now, many years later, I remember all of our meetings.

As if it was yesterday.

I remember the sparkle in her eyes, the scent of her hair, how she said:

"I have nothing but you. Remember that."

That's what she said.

Vronsky!

Vronsky, can you come over?

Does it hurt?

My head does.

But otherwise I'm not bad.

It's like I'm roaming in the fog.

I hear you and the doctor talking...

but I can't grasp the meaning.

What did the doctor tell you about me?

Just tell me.

We're soldiers, after all.

Yes, soon.

Is the doctor a friend of yours?

No, I knew his mother.

You mean you loved her?

Yes, I loved her.

Did she l�ve you?

She did.

And yet...

you parted ways?

Yes. She died long ago.

It's been over 30 years.

I see.

Will something of us remain after we die?

Love, for example?

If we no longer exist...

where will our love go?

Unlikely.

You know...

I had a daughter.

Maximov? Did you hear?

You know, I have the same dream almost every night.

I dream that both of you,

you and Karenin, are now my husbands.

And I'm surprised by how it used to seem impossible.

I tell you that this is so much simpler, that both of you are now happy.

It's like a nightmare.

It weighs heavily on me.

Every day, I wake up in terror.

Anna think about it...

Many people already have an idea of our relationship.

Yes.

And soon everyone could become aware of our love.

Don't you understand?

All women who envy you can't wait for confirmation of...

What of it?

I'm not afraid.

But, Anna, I can sense the torment in our position.

I can see your shame caused by this need to lie and hide.

We'll have to conceal our love.

Lie, deceive, dodge, constantly consider what others might think.

Do you love me?

You know I do! From the first day we met.

Me too, me too!

Well, I didn't know at first.

And later, I even hated you. I thought that...

no, it doesn't matter.

Thank God that's all behind us.

I'm cold. Hold me.

But Anna we have to do something.

I see how you agonize about everything:

about society, your son your husband.

Not my husband.

I don't know... I don't think about him!

- He doesn't exist. - I don't believe you.

I know you. Your pain is for him as well.

He doesn't even know.

His ambition has but one concern. his daily schedule. Nothing else.

Maybe he knows, maybe not. I don't care...

We'll discuss this no further! It's pointless to do so.

Stop all that.

Stop it.

I'm not embarrassed about my love.

I'm proud of it.

- Anna... - Whatever our fate may be...

we took it in our hands.

And we will not bemoan it.

It's late.

I have to go.

When will we meet again?

Wednesday, one o'clock.

Attention!

At ease. Sit down.

Samarin, can I have a light?

- Sir, what's this war about? - What?

They say this war is over Manchuria.

So why are we here? We wouldn't even live here for free.

Think of all the land we passed in Siberia - no end in sight!

What was the Tsar thinking starting this war?

Your Nobleness what if peace is reached? Would we have to pay Japan?

Yes, they'll likely demand reparations.

Then they'll impose yet more hardship on the peasants.

No. I'd rather keep fighting.

END OF EPISODE 2