Original subtitles

The Inspector's here. We can go back inside and start work.

I don't want to go back in there.

It's a job, Philippe. Get on with it.

Sickening.

Worst I've ever seen.

I'm going to throw up.

- Well don't do it here. - Don't step in the blood.

- How can I help it? - Dear God.

It's frenzied butchery.

They even cut his heart out, Inspector.

- Is there a weapon? - There's a knife on the floor

by the second body.

There had to be something heavier to leave them in this condition.

What kind of lunatic could be...

responsible for this?

I've questioned the immediate neighbors...

but I haven't found out much.

The couple's originally Italian, but...

they've been living here in Paris for years.

It's all over now.

The bad people have gone.

You're safe. You can...

come out.

That's it.

Don't be afraid.

No need to be frightened anymore.

You have to be a brave girl.

It's all right. I'm here now.

TUMULTUOUS POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS

GREAT MOVEMENT OF POLITICAL LEADERS

- Nice, was it? - Yes.

It always is with you.

You're...

beautiful.

Do you think so?

Yes, or I wouldn't say it.

Haven't you ever thought you could be doing something else?

No. What else?

To give pleasure is a vocation for me.

- A vocation,? Eh? - Absolutely.

Madame always tells us working in a brothel's like living in a convent.

You need faith, and mine is in love.

Well...

Madame is an extremely clever lady,...

making her girls swallow a story like that.

She bullies us to work hard.

Still, she does make sure we're well looked after.

What she's actually doing is protecting her investment.

Meaning?

What's it matter?

If you're content...

Let's go back down.

Fear can be utterly irrational, something we can't explain.

It can lie in our subconscious even though there's no actual reason,...

and for certain people it becomes an uncontrollable obsession.

A sickness that originates in infancy.

- Let's go back upstairs. - Soon.

Only a weakling could succumb to that...

or someone who's unbalanced already.

I know I wouldn't.

It just takes strong will-power.

You feel safe here, but in places that dig into a man's imagination...

Take the new wax museum. Its dark interior creates terror.

And yet there couldn't be anything to justify feeling that terror.

That's my point, although I don't think you'd take such an attitude...

if you were in there for a night on your own.

They're lifeless effigies,...

so I can't imagine they'd threaten me.

I'll bet you that you don't have the courage to stay there the night.

I don't doubt I'd win that bet.

But why spend a whole night there...

instead of in a bed...

enjoying you... and your vocation?

I'll bet you 20 lire.

- 20 lire? - That's many nights together.

20 lire?

If you insist.

Here. No last minute doubts, Luca?

Remember there's nothing to be afraid of.

I'm going to do it... to make an ass of Giovanni.

And besides,...

I can't wait to spend the money.

I ought to go back or Madame'll be angry with me for sneaking out.

No, wait...

to make sure I go in.

You'll be my witness.

Tomorrow, you tell them you saw it with your own eyes.

I'll collect the winnings and we can drink champage all night long.

- Yes. Till tomorrow. - Sleep well.

GALLERY OF WAX FIGURES

He must have been locked in...

when we closed last night.

At this stage I'd say he was literally frightened to death.

If a mechanical effigy moved suddenly, that could have done it.

So your preliminary diagnosis is that he suffered a heart attack.

He was young and and may not even have known he had a heart condition.

And that?

What's the mark...

...on his neck? - I don't have an explanation yet.

Thank you, Doctor. You can move him now.

- Give me a hand. - You take his feet.

The quality of the hair is below standard.

Signore Volkoo,

Boris Volkoo.

This young man... did you know him?

Not that I'm aware of.

You have no idea I assume what he was doing in the museum?

Last night, I locked the museum entrance doors as usual,...

after checking no one was here.

I can't think how he got in. It's not that easy to break in.

Apparently he did it somehow.

Tell me, where does that door lead?

To my laboratory.

I'm surprised. I didn't expect the studio of an artist such as you...

to look like this.

It's more like a...

scientist's laboratory...

which in fact is what you called it.

- I think of myself as a researcher. - And what exactly...

...are you researching? - Perfection,...

which is what all artists strive to achieve.

I'm using techniques new to the artistic world.

- Successfully? - You must judge that.

Look at the exhibits in the gallery.

I can't deny I'm very impressed.

I would call them masterpieces, Inspector.

That is not arrogance.

Thanks for your co-operation. I know where to find you should I need you.

Delighted to be of service to you.

Didn't I tell you they'd employ me?

You always have all the luck.

There's another candidate out here.

Have you any experience as a costume designer?

No, but...

I've worked for my aunt for many years.

She owns a dress shop here in the city.

Did you create these fashions?

I'm sorry, but the position we advertised has now been filled.

If you wish to leave your address for the future just in case...

What's your name?

Sonia, Signore.

Sonia.

You can begin work tomorrow.

Nine o'clock.

I'm sorry. Did it blind you?

You'll be all right in a second. Forgive me.

I should just say, I work for the "Messagero". You know somebody...

apparently died of fright in the museum.

I'm writing an article about it, but I can't get an interview.

No one will talk to me.

- Do you work here? - Yes. From... tomorrow.

Then will you help me and persuade him to let me take some photos?

But I hardly know him yet.

I'm not really in a position...

Of course, I understand.

I shouldn't have asked, sorry. My car's outside, may I drive you home?

Thank you, but I think I can find my own way there.

But I can't. Unless you give me your address.

And why should I give it to you?

Because I took your photo. You might like a copy of it.

Do you have any change to spare, Signore?

Go away.

Just a minute.

Come back.

Like to tell me what...

- your name is? - Anna.

You're very pretty.

Judy hasn't given me any money, and so I'm going to give her...

a good beating.

See what happens now. Watch carefully.

- It's cruel. She doesn't deserve it. - So watch out, children.

I don't think it's fair, do you?

Well it's not...

too serious, I suppose.

Thank you, children. Something for the show man. Thank you, my dear.

You're very kind. Thank you, Madam.

Aren't you a generous little girl. Thank you.

As Judy said... If you play with a sword, in the end you'll get hurt.

Thank you. All right?

Does it taste good? Let's go.

Here we are.

My little nest.

Come on.

Will you undress or shall I do it for you?

That's not why I'm here.

Don't tell me this is your first time in a brothel?

- No, that's not the point. - Then what do you want?

Actually, I'd like to have a chat.

I'm used to hearing confidences.

And when I have listened to all your worst troubles,

you'll let me make them go away.

Yes, that's better.

Right, let's talk.

- And then leave the rest to me. - I write news stories.

I only want to ask some questions.

Well, you'd better go and talk to Madame.

No, the questions aren't about the business she's running.

You knew the young man who died of heart failure in the wax museum?

- Luca? - Luca.

- He was very generous. - And what else was there...

about him?

That depends... on what it's worth.

Well...

I'd say about that much if you've got anything interesting.

He was here that night, wasn't he?

Don't be afraid. It's only me.

You startled me.

I imagined for a second a waxwork had touched me.

Do they affect you so strongly?

They're very life-like.

Are you Italian?

No, Signore...

though I've been in Italy for many years.

But really I'm Parisian.

A Parisian?

I'm a native of Prague.

A magical city.

Have you ever been to Prague?

Not since I was grown up.

We travelled a lot when I was small.

No doubt even then

your hair was as soft as it is now.

I'm sure you were a pretty child.

Can't you be more careful?

You've damaged it, you idiot!

Don't be angry.

Don't be angry, I beg you.

I'm sorry, Signore.

You can always repare it, surely? It's only a statue

- in wax. - Perhaps to others.

The may be wax models to

others, but not to me.

Ciao!

That was childish. It wasn't just a mistake like last time.

I'm sorry.

- What is that poster? - It's to advertise a film.

"The Man with the Face of Wax". I wondered if you'd see it with me.

I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

I might have, but after this trick you played on me I've lost interest.

Let me walk you home then.

Wait.

Soon...

very soon now we'll open our doors to the public.

And my art will finally be revealed to the world.

The death of that young man...

has given us publicity that's very welcome.

It must be exploited.

I will create a new scene,

"Mortal Fear".

There are candidates other than Sonia.

- You pig! Get out of the house. - I'll go when I want to.

I won't let you use our daughter to beg...

so you can pay for your disgusting habits!

The only thing I ever hear you...

- say is "I want another drink". - And is that so surprising

with a nag like you waiting to welcome...

- me home at night? - Not much longer.

I'm leaving you, I'm taking Anna with me.

And if I have my way you'll never...

see her again. I mean it! I mean it!

We'll see what the police have to say about that.

They know you hit her.

They know you hit me.

You don't deserve a beautiful daughter like her. You've never...

- done a decent day's work. - Shut up.

What's the matter? Can't you take the truth?

You're a weak, pathetic excuse for a man. I hate you!

- I despise you. - I'll show you how weak I am.

Yes, that's right! Hit me! Hit me again!

That's all you're good for.

Drinking yourself into a stupor and hitting a woman!

...your ugly drunken face again. Get out!

Get out!

Anna!

How old was she?

Her mother says she's 13,

her father says a year younger, but they're too distressed to agree.

Let me have a scalpel.

Have you any idea...

- what killed her? - That's what I'm about to find out.

She's alive...

for Heaven's sake!

Our pathologist found a puncture mark on her neck.

Her attacker injected her with a drug our chemists can't identify.

In effect it slows the heart almost to zero.

We have an incident containing the elements for a great news story.

Have you any idea who might have done it?

No, none whatever.

And my superiors aren't letting me have all the resources I need.

You hope that good press coverage will increase general awareness.

Quite so. I count on you to make that point.

And there aren't any problems in getting to the girl?

No. Money to her parents will open their door.

But I'd just as soon not know you'd talked to them.

I haven't done anything! I don't see why you've arrested me!

This huge hand round...

my throat was hard. He was hurting me.

And... was there anything else?

Yes. The hand was cold.

It was cold. Cold like metal?

Come, Anna, tell us. He's a reporter.

Your story will be in the paper.

Do you have anything...

else to tell me?

I was trying to call out.

There was a long needle and I felt it go in.

Then there was nothing.

Thank you.

I'd like to take...

your photograph now. Do you mind?

Keep very still.

Are you all right, Sonia?

I had...

the nightmare again, Auntie.

I'm not sure it was a good idea to work in the museum.

You protected me against my own terror for too long.

I have to face the world again one day or else go insane.

I must have courage.

My darling.

Please send all information on Sonia Lafont. Paris, right?

I didn't think you would succeed.

- In what area? - In keeping this job.

For months Boris refused to employ anyone as costume assistant.

No doubt you've noticed he's very...

nervous when there are strangers around?

I'm no longer a stranger.

- Have you known him long? - For more than 10 years.

He took me up when I was alone.

My father...

beat me until I bled.

My skin carries the scars and my heart carries the hate which...

I shall always bear him.

Boris has been good to me, never beaten me.

Without him, I...

would scarcely exist.

My life has purpose since I became his student.

And I'm his only...

true assistant.

Don't forget that.

THE IRON HAND

I was so terrified I couldn't breathe.

Blood drenching everything...

God, it was horrible.

And that metallic hand...

Those long terrible talons on it...

I have nightmares still in which I see them.

And so...

when I...

when I read your article...

It made you feel you could tell me.

Though I have to admit I hope you'd have told me anyway.

I don't know why...

why I'm telling you all this. Nobody else has heard it.

Maybe it's just my honest face.

Yes, I trust you.

But...

I know nothing about you.

Well, we could...

We could remedy that.

Would you like me to send Arabella to you, Signore?

- Maria. - Fine.

I really must say these models are very convincing.

I wouldn't think it possible to produce such realistic wax figures.

I'm very flattered.

I'm glad you like them so much.

He's a reporter on the "Messagero". He's come to interview you.

Many thanks, Sonia.

Your effigies are very beautiful.

The paper would

- Iove some photographs. - No, I don't think so.

I'm not at all confident photographs would do justice...

to my work.

Didn't you see the notices...

requesting you not to touch the statues?

Look, Sonia.

Many years ago, this was worn by the most beautiful of women.

No one has worn it since.

- It's very lovely. - That's why it's for you.

For me?

A tribute deserved.

It's finished, Boris.

An effigy to rival all the rest.

He's very good.

Marvellous, Alex.

You've done well.

And now, all we need is a victim worthy of Jack the Ripper.

I have an idea...

who that might be.

Perfect, I think.

"Come to this address, I want you now."

- Thank you. - Generous as always.

- See you in a month, I hope. - You will.

- Elene? - Yes.

I need your help.

I want to meet a lover just for an hour.

- Who is he? - Read this note.

Your admirer is anonymous, Georgina.

I'm sure I know who sent it, though.

Would you take my regular Wednesday client?

Madame makes it a rule never to disappoint a personal client.

- Just this once. - Once too often.

You can pretend I've gone to... the doctor, I feel ill.

Then go.

- But don't be too long, all right? - "Be clever and quick". Our motto.

Thanks. Ciao!

I've come. It's Georgina.

Where are you?

Naughty boy. Are you hiding?

You're pathetic.

Your wax statues and inventions, who cares about them? Who's interested?

No one! You couldn't even see your wife has a real man now!

Stop!

- Did you hear? - What, Sonia?

- I heard a noise. - It'd be your aunt.

She wouldn't come here on a Sunday.

Anyone there?

The photo you took of me is gone.

Who'd want it?

Please. Go on, Elene.

It's four days

since anybody saw her. I'm certain that something awful has happened.

It's possible she decided she wanted a rest.

No, she'd have told me. Surely she wouldn't just have gone.

Besides, she left all her clothes in her wardrobe.

I'm not the person to speak to. There's somebody on the next floor.

He'll need a photo.

I have one. It's not appropriate, but it's the only one I have.

The photo is artistic. It was taken...

by a client. A count.

Count or not, I don't think we'll feature this.

Perhaps if it's cropped...

It's the face we'd need.

As for the rest...

Listen, speak to Rudolfo.

- Tell him I sent you. - Thank you.

Then I want you to come back.

There's something bizarre about this, don't you think?

Well, you aren't going to take photos of them all?

- Why? Are we in a hurry? - Yes, I'm scared.

Of what? Go stand by Count Ugolino. He won't eat you. Go on.

We haven't got time to play around. Come on.

- Spoil-sport. - Hurry up, Andrea.

I was stupid to be talked into this. I'll lose my job if they find out.

I'll be thrown out, thanks to you.

Look on the bright side, it's known no girl can resist me.

If you do lose your job, I'll take you on...

- As a wife and mother. - I'm being serious, Andrea.

Please take your photos and get them out of here.

And you promise not to publish anything?

I know. Don't worry, I told you these are only for my scrapbook.

No one else will see them.

Hurry!

- What? - I'm sure I recognise her.

Different hair colouring, but...

It's her.

Who is she?

She was a prosti...

Well, the same as this statue, I suppose.

You said "was",

as if the girl was dead.

Seems that she disappeared.

I talked to her friend...

who was seriously concerned.

She thought that something dreadful had happened to her.

What a strange...

coincidence.

There is an explanation.

Boris's models...

are based on people he's observed.

And Alex draws their portrait.

He may have known her, so he used her.

Open it.

Excuse me.

- Marie Antoinette's dress. - Let me see.

- Do you like it? - A bit too pale.

I thought that it'd go well with the other...

Sonia! It's all right.

Don't be afraid.

What happened? What on earth upset you?

Open your eyes.

Feeling better?

Talk to me.

You feel better?

Let me help you.

Up you get.

You fainted. It's fine.

It's all right... I... How stupid, I'm sorry.

It's all over now.

How did you copy the details so exactly?

What do you mean?

I still can't quite

catch my breath. If it's all right, I'd prefer to go home.

Do.

Something odd's going on there.

But what?

Could you give a man a coin or two?

I'm out of luck.

Hello?

Where are you?

Where are you?

Courage little one. It's all over now.

You needn't be frightened.

Don't try to use it too much.

In a month you'll be fine.

Did you recognise the lunatic who did it?

Inspector,

think of a way to protect my niece.

Madame...

I've thought of little else for 13 years.

And since then, Sonia's lived with me.

I think better with a little more light.

I beg your pardon, Inspector.

I'm used to living in darkness, I forget it's not the same for others.

A fall from an over-frisky stallion blinded me.

The despair I suffered at first has receded with the years.

Now the only pain is the feeling I haven't carried out my promise.

What promise?

I swore on the grave of my sister

I'd look after Sonia

and protect her with my life. I was all she had.

Now she's all I have.

May we discuss your sister?

Marta had got married when she was 17.

A man called Volk, a mangy type.

Dabbled in... in alchemy.

Did experiments into Heaven knows what.

In a few months she saw all too clearly the marriage was a mistake.

She was saved when Volk died in an accident.

She'd already met Victor.

When did she start living in Paris?

She went after the death of Volk.

And is Sonia...

Volk's daughter... or Victor's?

Do you approve,

Inspector Lanvin?

- How do you know me? - You worked on the murders in Paris.

I know your name from then.

All the papers printed your photo. You haven't changed.

You have a good memory.

We seem to share that

- characteristic, at least. - And there many be other interests...

we have in common.

This slaughter in Paris,...

for example?

Is my representation accurate?

Yes, very. Too exact almost.

All artists try to aim for perfection.

Yes, but it's so detailed.

I don't think any paper gave some particular facts,

such as the iron hand which is featured here...

and about which only the killer could know.

That was dramatic licence, I admit.

My motive to include the iron hand came out of a different case.

A girl was attacked, and talked...

- about an "iron hand". - And supposing she imagined it...

- Or lied? - What's the connection to Paris?

There was such a hand.

It was seen by a child who personally witnessed...

the killings. Her survival is a fact never reported in the press.

But that is why I am still...

investigating the case after so many years.

I'm glad to see you're looking better.

This is Inspector Lanvin.

You haven't...

already met, have you?

He's never given up and finally...

thinks he's found the lunatic who killed my family 12 years ago.

But can't you identify him?

All I saw of him was that terrifying...

hand.

I didn't see his face at all.

Well, suppose he's right, suppose his suspicion...

that the killer was your mother's first husband is correct.

Judging by all I've heard, he must be much older than your employer...

at the museum is now.

Even so, the inspector is absolutely convinced he has the right man.

It's only suspicion. Suspicion's not enough. What you need is proof.

Of course we do. He knows that.

Which is why he wants us to work together.

I can do certain things to unsettle Boris.

Can you? What, precisely?

What have you done? I told you not to touch her!

I had to. She came between us.

You're a maniac!

You're a maniac! A bastard lunatic!

There's lots of work to be done here.

You will have to stay late in the evenings.

After what's happened,...

you must not walk alone at night.

It's dangerous.

This house is big enough.

I'm suggesting you...

sleep here when it's necessary to work later into the evening.

I'm sorry, the last thing I want is to...

frighten you.

I propose a toast.

To your health.

Forgive me.

How...

stupid of me. I'm so clumsy. Give me your...

other glove.

I'll take them home to wash them...

and bring them back tomorrow.

Don't worry.

Lanvin will make sure that I'm not put in danger.

I don't have your key here, you must have left it up in your room.

Here.

THE MAN WITH THE FACE OF WAX

Who are you?

Don't I recognise you?

Let me through. I'm here to speak to one of the guests.

- You noticed nothing strange? - No, nothing.

He left his key in his room when he went out, which can happen. I hold...

a duplicate to all the rooms and I gave him one.

I suppose no one...

called on him later?

I'm grateful. Thanks.

I'm here to see Inspector Lanvin.

Why did you want to see Inspector

Lanvin?

Can't I persuade you to have some coffee?

Thank you.

I feel terrified by Lanvin's death.

Palazzi questioned me for an hour, but he didn't believe what I said.

Why should he believe it?

That didn't find anything which connects...

Boris with Lanvin's murder.

Nevertheless, I know Lanvin was killed by Boris.

Don't ask how, but I know it.

It's irrational, Sonia.

But I'm worried even so.

Say there's truth in what you suspect.

You're in terrible danger

if there is. In any case, you mustn't go back to the museum.

Go away just for a while.

Andrea, what difference would that make?

He must surely have guessed who I am, so I'm not safe anywhere.

Just promise me that at least you won't set foot in the museum again.

Those are veins! How can they be...

real veins?

My God, they're corpses!

Palazzi has to see them urgently.

Hand them to him as soon as he gets here.

- He can reach me at my office. - All right.

Something's happened to her. You must find her.

What time does she usually get home?

She leaves the museum at eight,

so she gets home at the latest by 8:30.

Signora, we've met, I'm Andrea.

Why are you here? What's happened?

Sonia didn't come home last night.

What do you want here at this hour?

I want Sonia. Sonia's disappeared.

Why come here to me?

- I haven't seen her for days. - Hurt her and I swear I'll kill you!

I'm not listening to this! Get out, or otherwise...

Or what? You'll bring the police here?

And maybe you'll explain why your wax models are actually human...

- corpses and this is a morgue? - What nonsense.

- What laughable nonsense. - That's a voice I'll never forget.

I'd recognise it among a thousand.

Boris Volk.

Boris Volk.

You aren't mistaken? You're quite certain?

I remember that voice and the pain it caused.

Boris Volk.

Don't touch me.

Are you all right?

- Sonia. Rescue Sonia. - I'll come back.

How beautiful you are.

You're as beautiful as your mother.

Perhaps even lovlier.

Once it was different.

Even then my art was...

touched by genius.

But now it has a new dimension.

The world refused to recognise me then, now it will be forced to.

My gentle sensitivity was mocked,

despised as ineffectual weakness.

People wanted only violence and terror.

All right, I could give them that.

No one...

has expressed pain and sorrow as I have done,...

because I carried a vast store inside me.

That sorrow I bestow on the wax figures.

And so in their moment of death I grant immortality.

I honour those who,...

like me, were cast out by society, reviled by it.

Go to her.

See what she has been brought to.

And now you are mine.

Only mine, Marta.

- Forever. - No.

Look.

I'll never let you...

hurt me again, like my father.

You thought of me as your creature, but I am not. Burn!

In hell.

You'll have to try to get out through the exit at the far end.

Let's go! Don't stop for anything.

- Have to go that way. - Lf there's no choice, let's go now.

Wait till they get the door open.

Don't stop.

Come on, quickly! Now or never.

Come on, Sonia. Now, let's go.

For God's sake, hurry!

The ceiling's alight.

Come on! Come on!

Shield your eyes and keep going.

- Just keep going. - It's all right.

Don't be frightened.