Original subtitles

In the previous episodes...

The King is waiting for me in Rome in order to nominate me Prime Minister.

Italy loves me and demands from me order,

efficiency and safety.

Baldo, to you I give the fascist militia.

Remember about the job, for my husband.

I already have a wife to piss me off!

Don't compare me to her.

You think you can make do without me, in bed and out of bed.

The fascist party's proposal is simple, but effective.

Whoever gets 25% of the votes, gets 65% of the seats.

This law is the death of us all, don't you understand?

No, they don't understand.

I have a duty to tell you that from your vote on the electoral law...

..depends, in a certain sense, your destiny.

Coming! Coming! He's coming!

Coming! Long live the Duce!

Duce! Duce!

Belgioioso Square Milan, October 28th 1923

They said of us that we were something ephemeral.

Duce! Duce! Duce!

That we had no doctrine!

That we would last a few weeks.

Melancholic masturbators of history,

who "never" understand history!

12 months, 12 "glorious" months,

have passed since our triumphal...

..march on Rome!

Rome! Rome! Rome!

Do you think we will last 12 years?

Duce! Duce! Duce!

Duce! Duce!

Duce! Duce!

Do you think we'll last 12 years multiplied by 5?

12 years multiplied by 5?

Multiplied by 5!

Benito.

Benito.

I can't see you like this, come on. It's a party, you said so.

No one thought we would last and, instead, look at this!

You seem like those melancholic children

who are sad on their birthday.

And maybe, because of a wrong little gift, they feel misunderstood...

I understand, Cesarino, I understand. But I'm neither melancholic nor sad.

So what's up?

If you don't understand it,

it means your intelligence is just a legend.

Come on, I've been drinking a little.

Call Balbo.

And anyway, I know what's wrong. I just wanted to hear it from you.

Duce! Duce!

For Benito Mussolini!

Hey, hey, alalà!

Remind me why I appointed you General Commander of the Militia

and the State pays you handsomely.

For my valor...

To make those wild beasts, into soldiers!

Obedient and disciplined!

And avoid making them do stupid things,

like beating a priest to death!

It's something that got a little out of hand,

but that Don Minzoni was a declared anti-fascist.

He spoke of children's freedom.

I sell my soul to the Church, for this fucking electoral law,

and what do your friends do? They kill a priest!

I ask, can you be more stupid, in your opinion?

- Who cares, the law passed. - It passed thanks to me!

Thanks to me! And it's thanks to "me"

thet we'll have so much power that no one will be able to take it away from us.

If Italians feel horror for us, if they don't vote for us...

You can shove these up your ass!

Do you understand?

We need votes. No more deaths.

I don't want to risk anymore. Is this clear? Enough!

A man of your stature who starts spying like a servant.

Are you so interested in what's my problem?

What's wrong is, you have that bad thing

that happens to us at a certain point in our existence, when...

..when we start numbering things.

When we start numbering things, how many years do I have left?

How many summers? How many Christmases?

And there is no number big enough to reassure us, is it?

Because precisely at this point in life,

numbers become irremediably small, 15, 20...

..nothing.

That's why you hate those who have fun, those who don't think about it, you hate them.

But there's no other way, Benito,

because precisely because life is short,

we must forget that it end!

Stop talking bullshit, Cesarino.

It's not bullshit. - It's bullshit! It's not true.

You're drunk as an idiot! Philosopher of my ass!

I have to give you some news that won't help you.

- What happened? Tell me! - A disaster.

- Busting my balls! - The Jew...

The Jew...

Sarfatti.

What happened? He was... he was fine...

He was so happy with his new job,

he threw himself into it heart and soul and neglected himself.

Scary.

Life...

it's not fair.

I appreciate your participation.

Hmm?

I appreciate...

I said that I appreciate your pain.

Oh, yes.

Well, in some way, I was fond of him too.

I feel sorry for you.

Nothing keeps me here anymore, Benito. I've decided to leave.

To leave?

Margherita.

Yes. Spain, Africa. I don't know yet.

You can't leave, there are elections.

- Women don't vote. - But you're not just a woman.

You don't seem to see the difference and I don't see the benefits.

I'm sorry.

Don't leave, I need you.

It's all so trivial.

Only seeing the value of things when you've lost them.

Life, people...

..love.

Margherita.

Thank you for visiting.

Forgive me, mourning for the Israelites is a profound experience.

I need to release my pain now.

Margherita!

You know the way out. Good luck with the elections.

Presumptuous. Ungrateful.

I don't need her.

We will win, we will win big, we will make history.

- It is history that makes you immortal. - Right.

First of all, the electoral program. Clear, simple, direct.

Public contracts for industrialists.

Promises of increases to workers.

Subsidies to farmers. Tax relief for the bourgeoisie.

Voting for the fascists must be the solution to all evils.

"Seem".

Now more than ever, appearances, must look real.

Excuse me.

Nowadays... "Excuse me"...

- Isn't there a maid for this? - I fired her, Benito.

What would be my purpose otherwise?

No one knows how to do things the way they should be done, the way you like them.

Without consulting me?

You are the wife of the Prime Minister.

You tell him, Cesarino. You are a lady.

Look here, I find myself a maid.

You're in charge outside and I'm in charge at home, is that a problem? Huh?

We're not the same as we used to be.

You have to get used to it.

You never know.

Thank you, Mrs Rachele, thank you.

And congratulations on the new house, it's wonderful.

I didn't do anything, he did everything.

I'll let you work.

Thank you.

The perfect wife.

Benito...

The law is a double-edged sword.

Whoever wins...

Whoever wins, takes everything. If we lose, it's the end.

Maybe Margherita was right. I should have settled.

The government, she...

But those who settle don't make history.

Benito, we can't lose. Victory is not up for discussion.

That's not the problem.

Then what's the problem?

Because I knew there was a problem and I knew you would bring it out.

If we win, and we "will" win...

..who do we send to parliament?

There are 360 seats, we don't have 360 candidates.

- No. - No. Decent ones, no.

And let's face it, the fascists are what they are.

Left, left, left, right, left!

Front line, forward. On guard!

- Thrust! - Ah!

- Thrust! - Ah!

- Thrust! - Ah!

Not bad.

Salute to the Duce.

Animal. You're a backyard animal.

Not even that,

you're just a piece of organic matter, amphibious, shapeless.

Do you understand what I mean?

A piece of wood?

A piece of shit! Get out!

Next dickhead.

Last name and first name, dickhead?

Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea.

- Benito. - Italo.

Come on, stand up!

Sorry, Benito, but I don't even listen to them anymore, I go on automatic pilot.

They're all dickheads anyway. Get out.

Get out, come on!

You couldn't have given me a more thankless task.

He understood.

They are ignorant, undisciplined, arrogant,

- and they have no respect for anything. - But there must be some good ones, right?

These are only good for beating.

I need respectable people to bring to parliament, Italo,

"respectable".

And, possibly, capable.

We could have 360 seats,

but do we have 360 decent candidates?

Today's...

"He has written the essay in a rather convoluted way,

he demonstrated an inability to solve problems,

even the most elementary ones"

"Athletic and not devoid of wit...

That one.

..but with a neurasthenic, almost epileptoid temperament. "

"He is not a normal individual."

"He does not know the concept of balance."

This other has a strong-willed spirit,

but is incapable of even the most elementary reasoning.

Then, schizoid traits, out-of-control aggression, kleptomania,

sexual disorder, primitive instincts,

still trapped in the anal phase...

What was I missing?

- Cesarino, are you crazy? - Shh.

What is that bird doing there?

This is not a bird, it's the king of birds. It's a peacock.

I know it's a peacock, but what the fuck is it doing on my bed?

A wretched man brought it. He says, it's a little gift for you.

Show off for the Duce.

Show off.

He also brought these for your children.

And a carillon for Mrs. Rachele.

A wretched man?

Benito, an independent democratic left-wing deputy.

- And what did he want? - To be one of our candidates, Benito.

A shitty man who has spat on us for years, and now,

in order to stay in parliament, is ready to put on the black shirt.

A disgusting turncoat.

He thought he could buy you with a carillon, two shitty toys,

and a peacock that can't even show off.

And you sent him away?

- I kicked him out. - A disgusting turncoat.

Miserable.

- Doesn't he horrify you? - He disgusts me.

- Write. - What? - Take notes, Cesarino.

Parasite.

- Do I write "parasite"? - No, we'll keep that to ourselves.

Abjuration of the party he comes from.

Oath of absolute loyalty to the Duce.

Total dependence on his will.

What is this?

What anyone who wants to run with us has to do.

We open a list to everyone, but under those conditions.

Humanity is disgusting.

Disgusting, Cesarino.

The National Fascist list is born.

Duce!

Duce!

- Duce! - Duce!

Back off, don't come any closer.

Cesare! Cesare!

Work! Move! Cesare! Cesare!

Divide by category, and each category in alphabetical order!

Cesarino, there's a line outside that never ends.

- It's what I think is? - It's a nightmare, Benito, it's a nightmare.

Everyone comes forward, not only deputies and parliamentarians,

but municipal councilors, trade unionists,

solicitors, worms and womanizers.

- Good, good. - What you mean "good"?

President.

It's an entire population of opportunists,

lined up to jump on the bandwagon of the likely winner.

You don't understand the extent of the thing.

They deny their ideals, they shatter their parties,

and make themselves available.

It's a monumental work of political and moral destruction,

- do you understand? - I understand.

I understand and I recognize that it is...

..it is brilliant.

It is tragic.

And it is on this tragedy that we will build our triumph.

But those who brought us here, the fascists, the real ones,

how do you think they will take it?

A second wave of beatings is needed. It is needed!

Complete the revolution.

Clean up, not take on board these shapeshifters, come on.

This is how the original nucleus of fascism is polluted.

Only those who sincerely and authentically share, and from the very beginning,

our ideas, can be part of our list. Where were those cowards

when we were tearing down the old liberal whore?

Where were you? Probably, shaking in a chair.

- Don't you dare. - Calm, gentlemen!

You too are guilty, Balbo, you too are guilty.

Because we are opening the doors to opportunists, right?

While we are kicking out of the Militia those "brave" young people,

who fought for our ideas!

Yes, yes, like those troglodytes who come from your area.

Who are you?

Who the fuck are you to decide who is in and who is not?

I am the General Commander of the Militia.

You are a kid.

General with chocolate medals.

You just want a comfortable chair for your flabby ass.

Someone say "enough".

Enough!

Enough!

Fascism is giving an unworthy image of itself.

There, someone had to say it.

Squabbles of low power, personal envy, petty rivalries.

Petty, that's right.

And petty deals, scheming, trafficking.

It was enough for you to skim the power,

to lose the purity of the revolutionary spirit!

The corrupt should have been kicked out, and instead we took his place!

It's true.

The Fascist Party, "this" Fascist Party,

is no longer my party.

Forni.

Wait, Cesare. Cesare!

Cesare!

- Cesare! - I'm in a hurry.

Where is he going?

What are you doing? Go away!

Benito.

Forgive them.

Come. Let's reason.

- Sit down. - You sit down.

Thank you, you took the words out of my mouth, before.

Man is a beast.

By its very nature, it is incapable of being satisfied, it always wants more.

It forgets the common good for personal interest,

it lets itself be overwhelmed by the worst instincts,

lust, greed, individualism.

Fascists, unfortunately, are not an exception.

I think...

I think it depends on...

..on death.

On the fear of death.

I'm not afraid of death.

Of course. Except those present, of course.

Cesare, fascism needs men like you at the top.

I neglected you, I was wrong.

However, I was inundated with prebends, with prayers from beggars!

A true fascist doesn't ask, a true fascist... does.

Especially now that we've opened our lists,

the backbone must be straight, healthy.

Benito, "this party is no longer my party"

literally means... that I'm leaving.

I will present my own list. A list of only true fascists.

A list against?

A list that goes back to the origins, to what we dreamed,

to what we promised each other.

A list of opposition, Cesare.

It depends, on where you stand, Duce.

Identity card. Passport.

So, from now on, when you have to do something for us,

this is your identity.

I'm sorry, Dumini, you've made too many mistakes.

Your old identity is unsalvageable.

"Gino Bianchi, son of Emilio and Francesca Fanni".

- Fanny. - Fanny.

"Born in Florence on January 3, 1895, journalist".

I've always wanted to be a journalist.

Get men of absolute trust, hm? Absolute.

What for? Exactly?

Let's call them, special operations.

All newspapers must be kept under control, ok?

The opposition brought back into line, but, Dumini, things must be done properly.

With caution, no fuss.

You show up at the party headquarters,

and when there are elections, at the voting booths.

And you persuade...

"We, we who pushed the country into war,

and led it to victory."

"We who shed blood for the homeland."

"Today we found the Fasci di Combattimento!"

"Today, March 23, 1919,

today fascism is born."

"For the future, the vanguard, the revolution!"

You remember, right?

San Sepolcro square.

It's just that I, sometimes, forget it...

..Forni doesn't.

That's who is going against us.

How?

He'll present his own list.

I've tamed them all,

the oppositions will present 21 lists

and with the new law they'll send a handful of people to parliament.

The left is disintegrated, they are divided into unitaries, maximalists,

communists, third-internationalists, and who will stand against me?

Who will stand against me?

The most fascist fascist of all.

Come on, Benito. How many votes do you think Forni to get?

- Maybe the ones that will make us lose. - One word is enough, Duce.

- Special operations. - No violence against one of us.

I say, let's see what he wants,

and then we make him an offer he can't refuse.

- They're not all like you. - Intelligent? - Whores.

Benito, intelligent people are all whores, trust me.

Are you that worried about elections?

Unfortunately, they have to be held.

And I admit that they bring out the worst in everyone.

We agree.

Cesare, it's this close now.

We have bent everyone, thanks to force, thanks to cunning.

We will have the country in our hands,

democracy will give us absolute power

and we will no longer need elections.

It's this close now.

We can't disunite now that we are one meter from the finish line, damn it, right?

We will make the country in our image and likeness.

That's the point, we are not a pretty sight.

You know that I agree?

But there is need for a little indulgence for those who have given so much

for their country and now finally see something in return.

And for me? What would there be?

We are all whores.

Mh-mh.

Inspector of Colonial Troops.

It's a magnificent position.

A general's salary.

There's the colonial house...

- ..women, lots of women. - Lots of women?

Lots, with an exotic, animal hunger.

You see?

You also think like that now, Benito.

No!

I just wanted to be sure that I could count on you.

And now that I've had yet another proof...

Thank you, Cesare.

Thank you.

We'll clean up, you have my word of honor.

It's easier to keep clean than to clean up, President.

I won't withdraw my candidacy, nor my list.

Forni.

Anyone who isn't with me is against me.

I won't bend the knee.

You, me, from whom should you protect?

Well, from any threat, President.

And who is it that should harm me?

- Well, I don't know. - The socialists.

The socialists? The socialists no longer exist.

In any case, you are the most important man in Italy,

you have many enemies.

Enemies compete to get on my list.

It's from those closest to you that you have to watch out.

Remember that.

It's from those that you should protect me.

And now, get the fuck out.

Good night, President.

Good night, President.

From friends and from myself.

Holy Mother.

Will you play me something on the violin?

- She doesn't like it anymore. - She doesn't like it anymore.

I don't like it anymore.

What do you mean you don't like it anymore?

Although, if your dad asks you, for once that he's here.

Rachele.

- You don't even like skirts anymore? - No.

I like these and fencing.

Fencing?

To beat you.

To beat me.

- Watch out, I'm good. - I'm not afraid, you are.

Ouch!

Who do you love more?

Myself!

Like you.

Aren't you coming to bed?

What did you wear?

A... what's its name?

Negligee.

Real ladies wear it.

Real ladies wear it.

If you don't like it, you can take it off.

Where are you going now?

I sleep in the prefecture, for security reasons.

You're going to that... whore.

I need you.

The lover or the counselor?

Both.

Human beings are sad,

more attached to things than to their own kin,

ready to change feelings and passions.

Machiavelli wrote it 400 years ago, and it's only getting worse.

When pessimism assails you,

you are more unbearable than when you feel like God.

I have never felt so far from a deity.

It would be enough for me to distinguish myself among men,

but even that is difficult for me.

How am I different from those who embrace me for interest,

for cowardice, for convenience?

I, first, have opened my arms to them.

I, first, betrayed their values.

To have allowed the corruption of their principles.

To have more and more, to have everything!

And you did well.

I did well?

One of my own, of the best, is going against me in the elections!

It is not you who betrays fascism, Benito.

Always wanting more,

until you have everything, by any means.

This is fascism. They should only be grateful to you. Everyone.

You collected them from nothing, from the trenches where they were dying,

from the houses where they could no longer stay, from the discards of history.

And look where you've taken them.

They are the soldiers.

You are the general.

And only you know how much did it cost to get this far.

Soldiers fight, they die, and they don't change their minds.

Generals must decide and must win,

by any means.

The counselor says this: "You cannot doubt now."

This is the time to take it all,

and then make sure no one can take it away from you again.

Do you want it or not?

Do you want it or not, Benito!

I want it.

So take it. The list means nothing.

Traitors mean nothing, the hard and pure mean nothing.

Free yourself from this burden, there will always be those who will be disappointed.

Those who will accuse you of having changed,

because others can afford to not change, you cannot!

You can't follow the rules of the world.

You are the one who makes the rules!

People won't vote for fascists, people will vote for you, Benito Mussolini.

And from the first to the last,

they can't wait for someone to take charge of their problems.

This... says the counselor.

And what does the lover say?

Leave me, let me go.

We, we who pushed the country into war,

and led it to victory.

We who shed blood for the homeland.

We, today, found the Fasci di Combattimento.

For the future, the vanguard, the revolution!

Fascism is born today!

Talk to me, Benito.

Damn, what nice shoes!

Thank you.

Are you happy with the salary we give you?

Very happy, Benito, thank you.

And you always have the car at your disposal, the hotel room paid for,

wherever you go, the rent here in Milan,

the booked table at the restaurant, the bonuses, we treat you well, right?

Very good, Benito, thank you.

May I ask you something?

Of course.

A fascist feels free to openly take sides against me,

and what do you do? Jerk off?

You jerk off!

- But you told me... - What did we tell you? What?

What?

Hurry up, we're missing the train.

Go.

Never leave me.

Today you say this, tomorrow you will push me away again.

You know it too.

To vote!

Duce! Duce!

"4 million and 650,000 votes.

We only needed to exceed 25%.

One in four Italians had to vote for us.

Instead, the new electoral law wasn't even needed.

Two out of three Italians voted for me.

They chose me."

374 deputies out of 535... are mine.

Long live the King! Long live the King!

Long live Italy!

I extend a greeting to the National Militia

that completes the military forces of the nation.

With the voluntary participation of the generous youth,

yearning to temper in arms training

their enthusiasm and faith.

I greet, in the newly elected, the generation of the victorious.

Long live Italy!

- What happened to the socialists? - They are out, in protest.

Protest? What do they want? Eight million Italians voted.

What do they want, Goddammit? We won, democratically!

"Democratically".

This is the last time there will be elections.

Next time I will vote in the name of everyone.

Rachele?

Edda?

Rachele!