Original subtitles

THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII

What is it, boy? Be good now.

Quick! Get the gold and get out!

Have mercy! Please let my son live!

It is incredible that in the heart of the Empire,

a gang of thieving cutthroats are running about with impunity.

What will Rome say?

That our Praetorians

aren't capable of stopping the criminals, a handful of wretched Christians!

And if they don't find the guilty,

the Emperor Titus will revoke my appointment.

I want the criminals! I want them at any cost!

My men are doing everything possible. - Possible isn't good enough!

Do the impossible.

I want their heads! - Don't fear, divine Ascanius, soon they'll be in your hands.

And Rome will be eternally grateful.

Well said.

These words are worthy, just.

Honest.

Thank you, great priest.

May Isis preserve for me a counselor like you.

You deserve it well, Ascanius.

However, in the temple let's humbly pray that the goddess grants your wishes.

No one would imagine that he could love a volcano.

And yet, in battle, how many times have I feared to see it no more.

I've never seen Vesuvius so beautiful.

Centurion Glaucus Leto, conqueror of Palestine and Syria, friend of Titus,

I give you with all due solemnity, our marvelous city.

Where we'll find full casks and beautiful women for all of us.

May Jupiter be with us, Marcus!

The best of war is the returning, the smells of home,

the fire lighted, our women…, happiness.

Peace awaits us. Let's go! Away!

I've arrived. My home is over here.

See you soon. - Goodbye, Glaucus.

But I realize the joy of returning home

is embittered by the sorrow of leaving you. - Goodbye, Caius.

Don't complain! Always the last to leave and the first to return, eh?

Good luck, all!

There's the sea. - Finally.

After so long without it, I'm dying to be at Pompeii.

Now, we're really home.

By Diana, she'll die! - She can't hold the horses!

Glaucus, where are you going? Turn back! - We must overtake her!

Give me the reins!

Wonderful!

By Gallus, nobody else could have done it!

You remember what Glaucus did in Palestine?

The gods have sent you, Centurion!

If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. Thank you.

I owe you my life. It still seems impossible…

The muscles of Glaucus don't know the word "impossible".

Hail!

The aedile Ascanius will be grateful to you for having saved his daughter.

Next time, be more careful. Horses don't respect beauty.

Well then, goodbye.

Come and find me at my tavern. For you, drinks are always free.

Goodbye, Aelius. - Goodbye.

Get ready to fight off your wife. 6 years will make a woman a tiger.

When you think she'll caress, she'll claw. - Don't worry, I have a tough hide.

You find it much changed? - The city? No.

The only thing that's marvelous is a girl who doesn't give in at first.

The aedile's daughter has turned your head?

Your father will be happy to see you. Did you tell him you were coming?

It will be a surprise.

Get him! Get him!

Get him! Stop, you damn scum!

Damn thief, now I'll show you!

What has the boy done? - He stole a chicken.

I didn't do anything! I swear! - Yes, you stole, I saw it, damn thief!

He arrests a thief of bread.

And leaves alone and unpunished Christian killers!

Haven't you whipped enough? - But thieves must be punished.

That's enough. Let him go. That's an order.

I've never seen a Roman centurion take the side of a thief.

He who only steals bread is not a thief. He's only starving.

It's not true I stole! - We must arrest him. That's the law.

Galen!

The centurion is right. Hunger is not a crime.

You can't arrest him for a piece of bread.

And then guests must be honored.

Welcome to Pompeii.

Julia, I… - Enough! Let's return to the palace.

I think that lady is a goddess.

For the aedile Ascanius, more lovely than Venus.

She's Julia Lavinia, his second wife. He's crazy for her.

Well, thank her. Without her, you'd be in jail.

What is your name? - Marcus Antonius, son of Julius.

And you centurion? - Glaucus Leto, the eldest son of Fabius.

What's the matter? - It's nothing.

Take this. And try to pay for your bread next time.

No, thank. I don't need it. I don't care for bought stuff!

See you soon, Centurion.

And watch yourself. Pompeii is full of beautiful ladies.

Don't worry, Marcus. My family awaits me. Go!

Father!

Father!

Bastards!

Nydia! Nydia!

Nydia!

Antonius, why do you come here?

It's dangerous. Go away.

Nice way to treat one bringing you gifts! You don't deserve them.

However, given that I'm here.

Take this. - What is it?

It's a very high class necklace.

It'd like to be the more beautiful. But that… is impossible.

Where did you steal it?

I steal? My Nydia, what do you take me for?

Every time I bring you a gift, you immediately think I stole it.

Maybe because it's true?

Well… besides… I didn't steal it!

I simply borrowed it from those who've more than me.

What can I do if I can't return it?

That's my logic.

When the gods put the fruit on the trees, they didn't say we had to pay.

But the farmers sweat to work the land.

We must all work to survive. - Yes. - You too, Antonius.

I work? Ah, Nydia!

Nydia, you're going to ruin me. - Nydia!

Antonius, somebody is coming here! - I'm going, I'll be right back.

Antonius! Put this back where you took it.

Yeah, if I let myself be seen, you know how I'll get it!

Is that you, my lady? - Yes.

What is it, my lady? You sound sad.

This morning when the horses slipped from my hands, I felt all was lost.

All of the sudden,

I prayed within, "God of the Christians, help me!"

How could that be? No sacrifices?

Pray! Pray that God illuminates your soul.

Open your heart to His word.

It's hard to feel like I do. To have a faith that vacillates,

to reject another for fear of accepting it.

Do not be afraid, Helen. Since I was little, I suffered much for being blind.

I couldn't accept such darkness.

Now, faith and much joy of life gives me strength. I have found serenity.

I'd like to have your honesty, Nydia.

The only thing we know is they attack by surprise the homes in sight of Pompeii.

And rob and kill without mercy.

Virgilius Rufus, Valerius Polybius, Lucius Tarsus and many others.

These are just some of the victims who like your father fell by the Christians.

Illustrious people: the honor and pride of our city.

But why? Why so much blood?

A Christian reaction against the Roman empire.

But they won't intimidate us. Now that you're back,

your peerless sword will destroy them.

Of course, Ascanius.

What did I say?

Forgive him, Ascanius, grief overwhelms him.

I'm very worried.

If the report of his father's death reaches the emperor, my position is unsure.

Glaucus has many powerful friends in Pompeii.

And Rome owes much to him.

We must do something! - Today is the ides of March.

A splendid celebration…

will show the Emperor of Rome that nothing has changed in Pompeii.

Julia! Divine one!

My eyes and my heart fill with joy whenever I see you.

Your counsels are always wise.

High Priest, all the citizens must participate in the festival of Isis.

Enough, Glaucus, you had enough. - Ah, shut up.

Wine won't kill your pain.

Look. Just look around!

Look how Pompeii entertains itself!

They honor the gods while the dead are forgotten.

You're right, Glaucus. I've heard everything. I'm very sorry.

Oh, drink!

No babbling. Come and drink!

A perfect night to have a festival!

Count on us, if you want to avenge your father.

Your houses are intact.

Your people are still alive.

I lost my father.

Ascanius already said to me,

"Welcome back, Glaucus. Take up your sword and avenge your father!"

"My Praetorians have failed."

But I will not!

I swear!

Glaucus, wait. Where are you going like that?

I'm going to have some fun? - What are you going to do?

Hey! Be nice and get me a glass of wine, Centurion!

Hey, who do you think you are? You know how many here are better than you?

What are you doing there? - Nothing. See.

Choose here, friend. Inside you can have lots of fun without spending too much.

Always take my advice:

Every time you go on a bender, come pass some time here. Careful!

Through there.

Look, everyone is drunk!

Keep your distance. I can't stand the smell of wine.

Anything wrong?

You mustn't be sad at the festival.

You'd bring dishonor to the goddess Isis with your poor enthusiasm.

I don't think this is the right way to honor the gods. - Let go of me!

Let me go!

No! Let go of me!

Come here! - Arise, praetorian!

With your face near the ground just like a pig!

Don't play the buffoon entertaining the court.

Some fine hero!

Whipping boys and attacking poor maidens!

Is that not true?

But don't confront criminals. Criminals are armed and ready to kill.

That's too dangerous a game for a coward like you.

Glaucus Leto! Your sorrow gives you no right to offend.

Don't forget you're speaking to your comrade in arms and a soldier of Rome.

Divine Ascanius, let him talk.

The centurion has evidently been drinking.

I respect and understand his pain.

I only can't forgive the interruption of the entertainment.

And I like… to have fun.

Step forward, Centurion. Always so ready to have fun with me.

I know nothing about boxing.

Don't worry, Glaucus. I'll teach you.

What do you think of it, Priest?

Have you seen such unleashed rage?

I ask permission to leave the party.

The rites of the temple of Isis await me.

If we only could follow them just once to their hiding place.

That is true. They should do that.

But how will we know when the bastards will strike again?

Instead of gabbing, why don't you go in the kitchen and help the women?

As I was saying, I prefer the rebels in Palestine, I swear!

Were that our only trouble.

Hail, Tribune. Remember me?

Of course, you're the one who's always borrowing goods. What are you doing here?

I'm looking for your centurion friend. I've been looking all night.

He hasn't been seen. What do you want? - Can I trust him? Who is he?

Listen well. If you need to say something, say it right now.

This is friend of mine and Glaucus. - Fine.

OK, OK. No reason to take offense.

I just wanted to be sure before I spoke. You call Glaucus your friend, right?

Yes, Glaucus Leto. - What do you have to say?

Regard closely this ring.

The name of the father of Glaucus!

Fabius Leto Cesonius. - Where did you find it?

"Found" isn't the right word exactly.

Let's say "fished" from the pocket of a soldier. - When?

Tonight, at the festival.

When I saw the name, I thought he'd be happy to have something from his father.

Antonius never forgets his friends.

Well done, Antonius. Glaucus will be grateful.

There's more. Look what else I found in his pockets.

What's that? - A black hood used by those who killed your friend's father.

They wear them when they attack so not to be recognized. I know because I saw.

Are you sure of what you're saying? - Why not?

I'm sure that the man or the people at that tavern know many things.

And you'd be able to find your client? - Where I left him, no one could move him.

Then, let's go. You find Glaucus, bring him here and wait for us.

We've got here just as he was leaving.

Here, you deserve it. - I did it out of friendship, not money.

Careful, he's coming. - Good, go then.

Tribune!

What are you looking for in the holy temple of Isis?

You owe me nothing. And neither does your slave.

I only wanted to let loose my anger and pain.

If your spirit is noble, in it can only be the desire for justice and forgiveness.

Not revenge.

I see you've already thought about entertaining the guests.

I'm sure you can do that far better than I.

I ask permission to go.

Forgive her, she's still a child.

She hasn't learned yet to control her feelings.

I like sincere people.

Soon it will be a new day.

And once again the sun's bright light conquers the night's darkness.

And men, once again, will forget all their pain.

The morning's sun isn't enough for me.

But there's always the hope that things will change for men.

That is if they know how to put it to good use.

There are many lovely things that are worth possessing. You just need to look.

Centurion, Caius is outside. He wants to speak to you.

Excuse me.

Marcus is waiting for us at the tavern. He found a trace of your father's killers.

Marcus!

It was all my fault. He died because of me.

You couldn't have known. Be calm.

Marcus's death will be avenged, I swear.

I'll help you. I won't have any peace until I find the man at the tavern.

And I'll find him. I swear.

Nydia! - Antonius.

Helen told me about poor Marcus. It's terrible. - Yes.

And again the guilty ones are the Christians.

But you don't believe it, do you? - I only believe what I see.

People killed without mercy.

And on the walls of their destroyed homes is found a cross.

Like the one you wear around your neck! That's all I know!

Antonius!

Antonius!

Antonius, listen.

I don't want you to suspect the Christians too.

My friends are not capable of committing such horrors.

Our faith doesn't preach revenge and crime.

I want you to talk to Olinthus who has come from Palestine.

He better than I could explain and convince you of our innocence.

Tonight, in the great cave of Vesuvius. Olinthus will come to speak,

Come too, Antonius. I can't vindicate by myself

what our faith is.

Antonius, why don't you answer?

Who are you?

You're not Antonius! - Thank you, Nydia, thanks.

Your information is precious.

Nydia, what is it?

Galen has discovered where Olinthus and the others will be!

It was me who told them how to find them. Me!

They'll kill them all!

We must warn them quickly. We must get there before them!

We thank you for warning us.

But we won't run away. We are innocent.

The Lord will give us strength to resist the terrible trial that awaits us.

Maybe, our behavior will convince Rome

that the crimes committed with the signs of the cross are not our acts.

But don't you understand that sacrifice will serve you nothing?

They will all be tortured. Killed!

You must fly. The Praetorians will be here soon.

No, Helen, we must stay here.

Nydia! Nydia, save yourself at least!

I won't leave my brethren in faith.

It's you Helen who must save yourself. You are not a Christian.

Your father's guards mustn't find you among us.

You can help us more by being free.

Are you sure this is the place?

Have no fears, this time they won't escape. Forward!

Pater Noster, qui es in caelis

sanctificetur nomen tuum.

Adveniat regnum tuum.

Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in Terra.

Stop! Please!

Get them out of here!

No! Stop! What are you doing?

In the name of the Roman Empire and by the authority granted by the Emperor Titus,

the aedile Ascanius has today proclaimed the following edict:

If in 3 days, those guilty of the numerous murders and theft committed in Pompeii

do not present themselves of their own accord to justice,

all the Christians in the city prisons will be put to death.

Have you decided to talk?

Or do you prefer your arms and legs torn off?

He's dead. - Good. One scum less.

Lay on. He must talk.

I want to know the names of the killers.

Quick, speak!

Unless you want to feel the pain of your burning flesh.

Let him be! No!

Let him be! He's innocent!

Innocent!

We are all innocent!

Don't touch him!

Once again…, will you speak! - No!

No! Leave him alone! Don't touch him!

Enough, Galen!

Rome doesn't make justice by torture.

And you? Why won't you confess?

Tell us who the real killers are and I guarantee you'll get a fair trial.

How can you bear to see your companions reduced to this state without any guilt?

None of the religions requires such a cause.

We can't confess something that none of us has ever committed.

The Christians are innocent.

You can kill all of us in here but you won't find what you seek to know.

I swear.

Now we'll see, if you'll speak.

Ascanius went to his villa in Herculaneum.

He'll return when the three days of the crime have passed.

But I need to speak to him about this. I've just come from the prison.

Those people die by torture but swear they are innocent.

The guilty always cry innocence and the Christians aren't any different…

Rome wants the criminals, not martyrs.

Ascanius can't annul an edict. - He must!

And if he won't listen to me, I'll go to Rome, to Titus!

Glaucus!

I was looking for you. I wanted to speak to you.

I… I can't take it anymore. They are not the guilty ones.

And how do you know?

The other night in the grotto when they were arrested,

I was there.

I went there to tell them to fly and save themselves.

But they stayed to prove their innocence. They let themselves get taken.

Without fighting back the centurion Galen.

And now Galen tortures them cruelly. He'll throw them to the beasts.

Helen, as long as there is no evidence against them the tortures will cease.

That's why I'm going to your father.

I thank you. You don't know happy I am…

I wasn't expecting that you…

You're the only pure and beautiful thing that I've found in this city.

In anywhere. In all my life.

I love you.

I'm so happy.

Now fly to the villa in Herculaneum and bring my father back.

Ascanius will listen to me. I'll be back soon.

May Fortune go with you!

Glaucus, Nydia is in prison. They arrested even her.

Don't worry, for now no one will hurt her.

I go to Ascanius at Herculaneum. Warn our friends at the tavern to be ready.

Our zealous centurion wants to know many things.

His curiosity must be stopped forever.

There.

The crows will finish off our work.

Nobody over there realizes how much the government weighs on my shoulders.

It surely gives me more worry than joy.

Then your life here is more pleasurable, at Herculaneum.

Only when you're near me.

Master! Master! - What's the matter?

Quick, master, quick! Come and see!

It's done. It's out.

Well done, Cheroneus. Go! I'll take care of him now.

Does it still hurt much? - It burns.

But it's a good sign.

The wound that hurt doesn't kill.

Don't fear, you'll live long then.

How are you, Glaucus?

Forgive me if I didn't come earlier.

I can't stand the sight of blood.

Between you and me,

If I could avoid tomorrow's spectacle at the circus,

all those people made desperate by the beasts.

all those heaps of bones!

If those damn Christians will confess, we can avoid this spilling of blood.

You won't find the guilty ones among them, Ascanius. They are truly innocent.

It has been a very nice evening, eh?

Oh, yes. Thanks, see you soon. - Bye then.

I remained hidden as you ordered.

But I can't bear to live underground without air.

Besides, I don't think there's reason to be afraid anymore.

The only one who suspected me was that officer.

And he'll never talk again.

Yes, you're right. He'll never speak again.

Well then, what do you want to do?

High Priest, I've always served you faithfully.

With 1000 sesterces, I can go to Greece or Egypt. Wherever you like.

I swear I'll never return to Pompeii. - That's a rather expensive solution.

But your idea of disappearing from Pompeii seems a good one.

Come, help yourself.

Go on. Take whatever you like.

Glaucus!

It is not wise to act like that. You have need of rest.

Don't forget your wound is still healing. - Where is Ascanius?

He couldn't close his eyes last night. Your news has disturbed him much.

The possibility the Christian prisoners are truly innocent took away his peace.

Excuse me, Centurion, the divine Ascanius will see you soon.

The centurion cannot stir. I'll speak to him myself.

No, Julia. If Ascanius wants to see me, it must be important.

And beware! If you have disturbed without cause, I'll have you whipped!

Take me to the centurion, I have important news.

Glaucus! This boy says he has important news for you.

Antonius! What are you doing here?

But you're hurt. What happened to you?

An attempt to kill me. But the gods were with me.

That damn high priest! He has struck again!

The High Priest? What do you mean?

What do you mean he struck again?

I don't understand. Explain!

Go on, talk!

The Christians are not the murderers. The masked men are under his command!

How dare you accuse the sacred priest of Isis?

I saw him with my own eyes!

I found Marcus's man. I followed him until he entered the temple.

I heard him say everything to the High Priest! - Liar!

Go to the temple.

Under the statue of Isis you'll find all the treasure hoarded by the assassins.

You know well what will happen to you if you are lying.

I believe him, Ascanius. I see it all clearly now.

If more proof is needed, we'll find it in that temple.

Then we'll go to Rome, to Titus, so this scum can get what they deserve.

Let's go.

What do you intend to do now, Ascanius?

I don't know yet.

I must go to Pompeii immediately. And end that torture.

I can't allow the slaughter of innocents.

If Glaucus brings the proofs,

the High Priest will pay for everything he has done.

No, Ascanius. You must not go to Pompeii.

I don't understand.

Listen well, Ascanius.

Glaucus told you the truth:

the Christians are innocent.

The High Priest is innocent. He, Galen and all his men

do exactly what I want. What I command.

Julia… it's not possible!

I was yet a child when Roman soldiers dragged me to Rome.

I was very scared, crying, not understanding what was happening.

But then I saw my siblings and my mother killed at the Tarpeian Rock without mercy.

I have never forgotten their screams.

Right then I swore revenge and always will as long as I live, by any means!

And with the same cruelty mine were treated with!

Enough, Julia! I can't listen to you anymore.

No, Ascanius, you must listen.

All these years, I have only been living for my vengeance.

With the jewels you gave me, I paid those men!

Those assassins!

Call it what you want. I have achieved my revenge.

And with the treasure my people brought me,

I can arm my legions finally to reconquer my kingdom!

Then…

all this time I was just a tool for your vengeance.

You've made me an accomplice in your plans!

Your love was never true.

I never loved you for a moment.

But I will not follow your path.

My love was always true.

But I'll do anything I can to stop you.

Only Pompeii is dear to my heart now.

Praying won't help you!

The justice of men will strike you down!

Turn around! Your gods will not save you!

We were waiting for you, Centurion.

Watch out, Glaucus!

Move it! Get him!

Try to get away and warn the others!

I've waited a long time for this moment!

I have come for you, priest and you won't escape me! - No, no!

No, no! No, don't do it!

I'll give you all you want, make you rich. Don't kill me!

Don't fear, worm. I need you alive.

I want everybody to hear your confession!

No, Glaucus! You'll never force me to do that!

Thank you, my goddess.

You came just in time. - I didn't do it to save you.

Glaucus was a true man.

He was more worth than all of you put together!

I didn't have to kill him to stop him.

That damn bastard was about to destroy all our plans!

You're almost sorry that he's dead.

In your heart and mine there should only be hate

for those who invaded our land, for those who slaughtered our people!

Well now… at last!

With this treasure, we can pay mercenaries and drive away the Romans from Egypt.

And you could ascend the queen's throne.

Let's go, Julia. This land starts to burn under our feet.

No one will leave! My revenge isn't finished.

All the exits of the temple are watched, Centurion. You cannot escape.

In the name of Rome, I arrest you for the murder of the aedile Ascanius.

The deadline of our late lamented aedile's edict has expired and no one has confessed.

In the name of the Rome and the people of Pompeii,

I demand that the Christian murderers shut up in our prisons be put to death.

What about the killer of Ascanius?

The centurion Glaucus Leto will be executed in the circus.

There's not enough proof to condemn a soldier of Rome without a trial.

Who is capable of doing it and of assuming responsibility for his death?

I am!

I was present at the time.

I saw myself Glaucus plunge the dagger in the breast of Ascanius.

And I caught his last words.

It was a cry for revenge!

And why would the centurion Glaucus commit such an atrocity?

Glaucus Leto wanted to prevent the Christians from being condemned.

I can confirm this myself.

Glaucus told me about his intentions.

Intentions which prevented Galen in fulfilling his duty in torture.

The contagious disease of Christianity had possessed the spirit of Glaucus.

That is why he killed Ascanius!

To prevent justice from being done to his companions in faith!

That's a lie!

Glaucus is not a Christian.

He did not kill my father.

And you, citizens of Rome, becoming accomplices in a crime,

much more atrocious than that accused of the Christians!

Helen is in love with Glaucus. And the Christian faith is her faith!

You can't look to the truth in her!

Priest, the accusation you direct towards Helen is quite serious.

Ask her yourself. Ask her to deny publicly her adored god.

She will not. I am certain of it.

Have you heard, Helen, the accusation made against you?

In memory of your father, in the name of the gods, I ask you deny it.

Just one word and your innocence is assured.

Is it true that you love Glaucus?

Is it true you are a Christian?

Yes, I love Glaucus.

And my true god is Christ.

Go on, arrest her. She like Glaucus must die at the Circus.

Condemned to die like that without a way to defend themselves!

They shouldn't have done it! Glaucus is a Roman citizen and a centurion!

Let's do something, talk to the senators! - It's no use.

Now the High Priest holds sway.

Then let's run to Rome! To the Emperor! - It's already too late.

Before he arrived, Glaucus would be dead.

No, we need to get him out of prison immediately.

And then… - But how with only three of us?

Have no fear. We'll find someone to help us.

Helen! Helen!

Why are you still here? - I hoped much to see you before I die.

But you mustn't die.

I cannot renounce my faith.

Better to die.

But you are too young.

Christ teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This is the light which will soon illumine my death.

To live amongst such crimes… it'd be worse than death.

I love you, Helen.

And I'm convinced Julia and the priest are the true murderers of our fathers.

They cannot destroy our love.

Our lives, yes. But not our love.

Come on, get up!

Move! Out! Paradise is calling!

Enough! No more time left for lovers.

Don't touch her, you damn dog!

Hear that? It won't be me who'll hurt her.

Glaucus! - Helen! Helen!

Glaucus !

Over here, I'll show the way.

Glaucus.

Free him!

You cannot give pardon. His death must serve as an example.

Come, it's our turn.

I got it. Here we go. We'll be rewarded.

What are they waiting for? Shoot!

Nydia!

Helen! - Nydia!

Stop, Nydia!

Nydia!

My son!

Tullia! Tullia

Tullia!

Tullia!

My son! My son!

My son! He's inside!

Let's go to the sea!

And Glaucus and Nydia? - Let's go, hurry!

Mother! Mother!

Here's your baby.

Nydia !

Antonius… - I'm here.

I'm coming to you.

I'll never you again.

Why do you cry, Antonius? Are you afraid of dying?

No, I'm not afraid.

I'm sorry. We've could have…

lived happily.

We are united.

Oh, my treasure! My treasure!

Glaucus!

Helen! - Glaucus!

He's trying to swim through the flames.

I can't see him anymore. Where is he?

He swims underwater.

Oh, Lord! Please let him appear!

There he is!

English subtitles by sineintegral@KG