Original subtitles

DOORS RATTLE, WIND HOWLS

A riot? At a factory in Paris.

Has it been suppressed?

The situation is still unfolding.

There are...

..a large number of casualties.

I'm sorry - is this an appropriate setting?

I'm interested in current affairs.

Well, eat it now. Get some strength.

So how did the trouble start?

Someone spread a rumour that wages were to be cut.

Someone.

Soldiers are finding these in the pockets of the agitators.

Thank you.

Some have confessed to being in the pay of the Duke of Orleans.

Well, that's the proof we need.

Arrest him.

That...may be unwise.

The Duke is inexplicably popular with the people.

Well, so are you. It doesn't mean you can get away with treason.

Here's a spoon.

For once, I agree with Mr Necker.

Orleans has won over the Parisians

with his generous charity and distributions of bread.

Because he's hoarding grain.

And yet, according to his printing presses, I am the grain thief.

If I were, then...

..this bread wouldn't be full of sawdust.

Replace it.

Oh, no. Don't...don't bother.

We're finished here. I have to get ready for the Estates General.

Darling, finish your meal. Finish your meal.

Spirits are restless, but an assembly of the nation's...

Spirits are restless...

The day my heart has been waiting for so long has finally arrived...

..has finally arrived.

An assembly of the nation's representatives will...

..listen only to the advice of wisdom and...prudence.

Your Majesty. You...

Are you ready?

The Third Estate don't need convincing by your tax reforms.

You must focus on persuading the First and Second.

Still feels like a terrible gamble

to put him in front of such a large crowd. His nerves are poor.

If your hands shake, put them behind your back. I find that helps...

Shut up, both of you.

I know what to do.

You look magnificent.

Madame Deficit in all her finest.

Good luck.

So there are three types of people in the kingdom.

There are...

..bishops and priests.

They are called the First Estate.

Then there are the knights and nobles.

They are called the Second Estate.

And then...

..there's everyone else.

The ordinary people who work for a living.

They are called the Third Estate.

The ordinary people are very small.

Yes, but there's a lot of them.

And some of them

are very clever. GIGGLING

Papa...

..hopes that the Third Estate

will help him persuade the First and Second

that they must pay more tax.

Oh! LAUGHTER

RECITING UNDER BREATH

Just speak it as we practised.

You'll be wonderful.

His Majesty the King!

APPLAUSE

Her Majesty the Queen!

MUTED APPLAUSE

Silence for the King!

This...

..is the day my heart has been waiting for.

To be here,

surrounded by the representatives

of the country I am so proud to command.

Much time has passed since the last gathering of these Estates General.

Times have changed.

Monarchs have changed.

AUDIO DISTORTS: But the values which guide us remain the same.

Stupid whore... I stand before you,

16th of my name...

ECHOING WHISPERS

NORMAL SOUND RESUMES: Spirits are restless.

But let agreement reign in this assembly

as we work together for the happiness and prosperity

of our great kingdom.

I speak as a sovereign

who is the first friend of his people.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

God save the King!

God save the King!

God save the Queen!

Long live the Queen! God save the Queen!

WHISPERS: Are they being sarcastic?

No.

No, I don't think they are.

God save the Queen!

INDISTINCT VOICES OUTSIDE BELLS TOLL

QUIETLY HUMMING TUNE

DOOR RATTLES

Cats and dogs out there.

That's London.

Put that bloody book down.

Not as if you don't know the plot.

I can't get enough of the central character.

She's fabulous.

I'd like her more if she made some money from her scribblings.

Sure the publisher will pay me soon.

Here.

I got you a present.

For me?

Fucking hell.

Perhaps now you can stop stealing my clothes.

Another dress?

Thought you didn't have any spare cash.

I always have enough to treat my favourite girl.

Oh, come on! Can you just tell me

where you've hidden the rest of your diamonds?

Like I said, they're gone.

Spent them making this place nice for you.

You didn't know I was going to turn up.

You always do.

And the sooner you accept that we are meant to be together...

..the happier you'll be.

Seriously, though,

where are those diamonds?

What on earth?

Mademoiselle Tussaud is making a model of my head.

When her work is done,

I will be displayed in the window of the book shop

so people can admire me.

What if no-one stops to look?

You underestimate my popularity.

Helps that your kitchen feeds half of Paris.

These rumours about hoarding grain - are they true?

What if they are?

I want you to be the solution to the people's misery,

not the cause of it.

One can't make a souffle without breaking some eggs.

Look what you did with The Marriage Of Figaro and Jeanne's memoirs.

It's not the same.

We're close.

Don't bottle it.

Louis thinks the Estates General will save him,

but that remains to be seen.

These are the books of complaints, you see.

Papa asked the whole kingdom

to send him their worries so he can solve them.

I'm not sure how Papa will fix this one, though.

These people are complaining that the crows eat their crops.

WHISTLING

Papa?

I got another one.

Wow. Shall we see how it compares?

Mm-hm.

Here you go.

Thank you.

What do you think?

Biggest one yet. Mm?

Any news from the Estates General?

No.

I don't understand.

I mean...

..why the delay?

Well, the Third Estate believe

they are disadvantaged by the voting system.

But Mr Necker advises me not to

be part of the debate, not to intervene.

He thinks they can sort it out for themselves.

Mr Necker.

He's a great advocate of doing nothing, huh?

I loathe him, too,

but he seems to understand what the ordinary people desire.

Just like Jeanne de Valois.

Her memoirs are selling like hotcakes.

I thought I'd destroyed every copy, but more keep coming. I'm sorry.

Oh, you can't suppress her.

Whatever is thrown at her, she bounces right back.

This isn't living.

I need an adventure.

Let's go to America.

We wouldn't have to hide there.

It's too far. From what?

Everything.

I can't be crossing the Atlantic every time I want to see the boys.

The boys are in the earth.

Besides, what's in America you can't have here?

Life.

There, we could be anyone.

I'm getting too old for capers.

Why can't we be happy with what we have?

Darling?

Wake up. Oh, my God.

Louis, he's really, really cold. He's cold. Darling...

My God...

Bring the doctor. No, no, no, no.

No, come on, wake up.

No! No! HURRIED FOOTSTEPS

DOOR OPENS, CLOSES

Oh...

Sire, etiquette says the body must be prepared as quickly as possible.

No, no, don't take him. No, don't take him.

It's etiquette.

No! No... SHE WAILS

I will take him.

Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh...

I know, I know, I know. I'm here.

I've got you. I've got you. Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh...

It's OK. I know, I know.

What now?

His heart will be buried at St Denis...

..his body at Val-de-Grasse.

It will be a simple funeral.

But he's old enough for a state funeral.

It wouldn't be right.

Not with the economy as it is.

But... Excuse me.

Where are you going?

Hunting.

DOOR OPENS

Louis...

Antoinette, I am so...

..so sorry for your loss.

ECHOING: Mama... Mama, where are you?

Mama...

Any more correspondence?

The rest require the King's signature.

He's hunting.

But...is he well?

The Dauphin has set him back.

We must protect him from undue pressure.

Inside, outside.

Outside. Outside.

Outside. Inside.

And how are you?

I'm fine.

There's no time to be anything else.

Your Majesty.

I speak on behalf of these men of the Third Estate.

This is an inconvenience. You must make an appointment. I'm sorry.

It's an outrage.

What are you doing?

We've tried. But you refuse to see us.

I am in mourning.

Sire, with respect, you must settle the argument about how we vote.

The privileged estates insist on an ancient system

that denies the ordinary man his voice.

I cannot intervene. Someone must.

These men represent the majority of your subjects.

My son is new in his grave.

Are none of you fathers?!

Enough.

Remove these men.

CLAMOURING

KNOCKING, VOICES STOP

Remember yourselves.

Your Majesties have our condolences.

But until this matter is resolved, the meeting hall stands empty.

Now, the financial situation grows worse by the day,

and unless the estates can meet,

you may find yourself mourning your child...

..and your kingdom.

CHANTING: How are we treated? As nothing!

What should we become? Something!

What is the Third Estate? Everything!

How are we treated? As nothing!

What should we become? Something!

What is the Third Estate? Everything!

How are we treated? As nothing!

What is the Third Estate? Everything!

200 pages of drivel and I don't even get to mention.

First Marguerite,

and now Jeanne de Valois.

Seems you're rather forgettable.

Let's go back.

I'll make you up another of your powders.

Louis is telling Normandy that he's the new Dauphin.

Poor boy.

When our older brother died...

..Louis inherited his diamond buckled shoes.

Obviously.

They were too tight,

but Louis...

..he wore them for days.

They nearly hobbled him.

And now all that stands between you and the throne is that child.

Should he increase his bodyguard?

I'm not a monster.

But does his spine look a little...crooked to you?

No.

Anyway, at this rate, you might beat the King to the grave.

What did the doctor say about your stomach complaint?

Why would I consult a doctor?

It's only indigestion.

JEANNE: "I have read authors who assert that courage is

"a characteristic of the male sex.

"But I consider it a desirable qualification for a woman.

"I have made it my life's mission

"to acquire sufficient bravery to withstand life's misfortunes...

"..of which I have encountered more than my fair share."

There's a problem with the Third Estate.

They're tired of waiting for the First and Second

to agree to their demands.

I'm afraid they've taken matters into their own hands.

You...you may have heard that the representatives of

the Third Estate have broken away from the Estates General.

Yes.

Necker has informed me that...

..they have declared themselves a National Assembly.

Pardon? A what?

The sole legislative body in France, apparently.

But...you make the law. Yes.

However, they wish to kindly relieve me of that burden.

They've proclaimed...

I can proclaim myself the King of the Congo -

it does not make it so.

And why are they on our tennis court?

NECKER: They're drafting a constitution to limit royal power.

Well, that's awkward. A constitution?

You must do something.

Yes, we must do something.

What do we do?

I don't know. Something, Louis.

It's probably...just a phase, isn't it?

Necker, what do you think?

It's hard to tell.

It's hard to tell? You're supposed to be an adviser, so advise.

There's something to be said for giving them what they want.

I'm sorry, are you serious?

You could give them a constitution.

Oh, God...

A hand in power.

And the moon on a stick.

COUGHING

Careful, Necker. I know you're a commoner,

but you're supposed to be on our side now.

Forget appeasement.

Now is the time to impose your sovereign authority.

Excuse me. I need time to think.

He can't show weakness.

The Crown will be at risk if he does.

Yes, well, perhaps the best way forward is a compromise.

Thank you, Necker.

Yes, a compromise - excellent plan!

That way, no-one gets what they want.

Do you have a better idea?

COUGHING

You're in a terrible state.

Provence, let me take you back.

You'll feel better after a nap.

We demand to see the King.

He's busy.

This preposterous National Assembly is illegal.

Thank you for your insight.

It robs the Crown and the Parliament of all authority.

Never mind that - it turns the whole natural order on its head.

The nobility will not be dictated to by commoners and imbeciles.

Who learnt from your example.

You defied the King's authority at every turn.

In the parliament...

..at the notables,

in your salons, in your drawing rooms.

In your arrogance,

you saw yourself more fit to govern

than the man appointed by God.

Who is himself unfit.

Unfit?

The only difference between you and those imbeciles

in the National Assembly is they had the guts to finish the job.

Out of my way, boy.

Provence, don't!

I regret how I let you embroil me in your treachery.

God will judge me for my actions...

..but I will face no judgment from you.

Get...out.

Out!

My treachery?

Your Majesty.

From Marguerite.

Is he there?

Yes, he is.

Leave me. I'm unwell.

Sorry to hear that.

I know we don't always agree,

but Louis respects your advice.

Continue.

Well, I believe...

..that certain individuals

are exploiting this unhappy situation

for their own political ends.

You mean my cousin.

Orleans' ambition grows by the day,

but I am also concerned about Mr Necker.

He is courting popularity with the people...

..and the army.

And he's very keen

to persuade the King to surrender his God-given powers.

You suspect a coup?

Is it possible?

He wouldn't be the first commoner to seize a King's crown.

His support of the National Assembly could be the start of a power grab.

He needs to go.

Yes.

But Paris supports him.

If we were to get rid of him...

..the city may turn against us.

We don't have enough troops stationed nearby to support us.

Order reinforcements from the borderlands.

They're less likely to be infected by treachery.

Wife? Fix me my powders.

DOOR CLOSES

You and the Queen in league.

The world really is upside down.

We're both loyal to Louis.

Hmm!

Changed your tune.

Well, lately I've had occasion to...

..reflect on my choices.

The doctor believes something is eating at my innards.

Bitterness and unfulfilled ambition.

That and...

..something more terminal.

DOOR CREAKS

What's the special occasion?

Are you going out? Oh, um...

..fancied a change, that's all.

You look nice.

Well, if that's all your conversation,

I'll go down to the pub.

Have a nice time.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

That leaves things wide open.

Oh, dear.

It's Belize all over again.

But without the pirates, unfortunately.

And where are you running off to this time, then?

Huh?

So you're leaving, then? For America?

I think they'll like me there. I'm sure they will.

Come on, give me the diamonds.

I'd rather not. You're not leaving till you do.

BANGING, FOOTSTEPS

Jeanne de la Motte, show yourself! Search every room.

You men, search those rooms.

You, upstairs.

Guards. Did you do this?

No.

She must be somewhere in the building!

Just hide yourself. I'll deal with them.

There she is! What are you doing?

Jeanne de la Motte, you're under arrest!

Jeanne? Jeanne?! Jeanne!

THUD

La Motte, you're under arrest.

JEANNE: "Whenever my eyes met those of Her Majesty,

"she honoured me with a smile.

"A fatal smile that allured me to my ruin.

"And when Her Majesty saluted me in this affable manner,

"I attempted to convey how much I felt myself honoured

"and how extremely grateful I was for her attentions."

How did she die?

She fell from a window.

What happened?

Apparently her husband pushed her.

I believe Necker is encouraging the rebels at the National Assembly.

So what do you want to do?

I've done it.

I...sent him into exile.

Guards are escorting him back to Geneva. Did...?

Hi, sweetie. Hi, sweetie. Do you want to come with us?

No, no. Fresh crepes? No. No.

MAN GROANS, SHE SHRIEKS

Marguerite.

I thought I'd never find you.

I didn't plan on this chaos when I chose the meeting point.

We need to get you out of here.

If someone recognises you...

No, no, no. I don't care. No, you don't understand.

It's really you. You don't understand.

The discontent has spread from the countryside,

not just to Paris -

it's everywhere.

I've decided to recognise the National Assembly.

Louis... There's just no other option.

About Necker...

I thought you'd be pleased that he was gone.

It's just I'm...I'm worried about the reaction in Paris.

No, I had him spirited away under the cover of night.

No-one will even know he's gone.

A bonfire. DISTANT SHOUTS

Seems a bit early. I wonder what they're burning.

SHOUTING Hold on...

GUNFIRE

Normandy!

The child, there. The child.

Normandy! Attack the pig!

Oh, my God!

Take him! Take him! Run!

Who were they? We're not sure yet.

The intruders were trying to collect grain

the Queen was supposed to be hoarding.

How could it happen? Where were the guards?

We had to make economies.

The palace guard is...much reduced.

We should flee.

We should stay.

What do you want to do?

You should take the children to Saint-Cloud.

I bought it to protect us from your brother,

not the whole of Paris.

Then where?

If we run, we are deserting our duty.

If we stay, will our children be safe?

Will they be safe if we leave?

PROVENCE: We have to stay.

Men just came here and tried to attack my family.

I understand that,

but out there we are completely exposed

and we lose our power base.

And worse - we show fear.

It's your decision.

But what are we made of if we run at the first sign of trouble?

You swore an oath to serve France.

We stay.

God put us here. He will protect us.

I will make sure the household is secure.

Send for Orleans.

We've decided to stay in Versailles.

Have we?

You remember Marguerite, don't you?

Oh, you were right -

he does look rough.

Why is she here?

The King exiled her.

And the Queen invited me back.

Besides, letters of banishment are illegal,

according to our new National Assembly.

Not that my exile was valid in the first place.

She was framed by her jealous husband.

You can't hurt me.

I'm dying.

I'll leave you to fill him in.

Marguerite and I intend to live our lives together.

She's moving back into my rooms.

We don't need anyone's permission.

So you've chosen to humiliate me in my final days.

While this disease is eating at my insides.

Oh, the only thing eating your innards is the rat poison

I've been feeding you for the last six months.

"My powders, wife."

"With pleasure, husband."

So...

..I'm not dying?

No.

I need you alive

so I can torture you with the one thing that causes you the most pain.

My happiness.

Don't shut me out again.

We may not have the most conventional of marriages...

..but we're stronger together than we are apart.

That's why I didn't kill you.

DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS

I see you're stepping up security.

I'm not the only one.

Leave us.

DOOR CLOSES

Two waistcoats?

Are you worried I might stab you?

Well...

..lucky for you, I need you alive.

Calm the mob in Paris.

Half of them are probably in your pay.

Starving people don't need an incentive

to protest against their oppressors.

Well, they might not be so hungry if you...

..weren't hoarding grain in your cellars.

Because that's what you do, don't you?

This is not my doing.

I didn't declare a pointless war on Britain

or spend millions liberating America.

I didn't create the deficit and then hide it.

I didn't infuriate the parliament by pursuing vexatious court cases.

What would you have done in our place?

I would have married my son to your daughter.

I would have reunited our families.

And then, today,

you and I would be on the same side.

Right, right.

Speak to the Third Estate

and tell them to abandon the National Assembly.

It's too late.

This regime is finished.

You are this regime!

By blood, you are closer to the French throne than I'll ever be.

And yet you are King of France.

I'm expected in Paris.

There will be chaos if this continues.

You have a son. Look at me.

Is this what you want for him?

Hmm?

I have the same hope for my son as you have for yours.

That he will inherit my throne.

Well, there it is again.

Walking away like a coward.

Well, walk away now and you will deserve that title.

He loved this bed, didn't he?

We will see him again.

And Sophie.

I know we will.

Do you remember when we were first married...

..and all of Paris came out to cheer us?

Later we found out that a hundred...

A hundred people died in the crush, yes.

Some people said it was an omen.

That I would be bad luck.

But you didn't listen.

I think it's me who's bad luck.

You always said...

..if a monarch is good to his subjects, they will be good to him.

Were we bad to our people?

SHOUTING

If we were...

..we didn't mean to be.

Burn! Burn! Burn!

Long live the Duke of Orleans!

CHEERING, SHOUTING

Long live the Duke!

Long live the Duke! Long live the Duke!

DOOR OPENS

I've finally replaced Louis in their hearts and minds.

The Queen has ordered more troops to suppress Paris

and destroy the National Assembly.

Really? No, but it's a great rumour.

This is where it starts.

Real change.

GUNFIRE

To the Bastille!

Come on.

Everyone's heading to the Bastille

to release Louis' political prisoners.

I think I'll stay here.

I want to be a king, not a martyr.

But the people should see you protesting alongside them.

What, as an equal? Yeah. That's not what they want.

They think they want radical change,

but look who they've chosen as their leader -

a prince of the blood.

Oh, you arrogant bastard.

TUTS Oh, please.

You chose me, too.

The rats are fleeing the sinking ship.

You must take control.

Show your authority or we will drown in this madness.

Louis is King.

Let him handle it.

Did you say goodbye to the Queen?

She won't see me.

Tell her to leave this place.

There's danger everywhere. No-one can be trusted.

I will tell her you said so.

I do love her, Lamballe.

A mob is invading the Bastille.

What?

They're releasing the prisoners and raiding the ammunition store.

It's a revolt. Oh, no, sire.

It's a revolution.

DISTANT SHOUTING

Come out!

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

GUNSHOT

SHOUTING

Down with tyranny!

SHOUTING