Original subtitles

Reverend Mother, His Majesty has sent me here.

May the Holy Spirit guide and protect him.

Thank you, Reverend Mother. May I come straight to the point?

The King is gravely concerned.

Frankly, the situation in the city is desperate.

Well, we are ready to help in any way our vows permit.

We have ten beds in the infirmary. They are at your disposal immediately.

Four hundred and eighty -five women have died of cholera this week alone.

Three hundred and sixty men.

One third of all children under ten so far. No one is safe.

It can only be a matter of time before it reaches you here.

Well, if it is God's will, we are ready to be called to him.

We are not afraid of death.

The king has given orders to start the evacuation.

Those who have already taken orders may remain. The others are to return to

their families.

What do you mean?

Are you suggesting I send my novices out into the world?

My dear Reverend Mother, the novices must return to their families at once

the danger is over. No.

I cannot allow it.

I cannot.

You may try to order their bodies about, but I must think of their immortal

souls.

It seems that the Archbishop does not agree with you.

What?

Oh.

Then, may God...

You return to the world you once left behind.

Well, for some of you, your time away from here will be a test of your faith

your obedience to God's will.

Evil, I know, will surely tempt you.

But remember, there is only one true path to happiness.

You chose it once.

Be true to yourselves and choose it still.

Now, let us pray to the Blessed Virgin to

guide us and to keep us pure in mind and body.

change your mind.

Have a safe journey.

There's nothing we can do.

Just race with our souls.

Your stepmother, Matilda, is looking forward so much to seeing you.

She's been busy making preparations to welcome you.

To tell you the truth, I think she's a little nervous.

Colour is in the fine dust which gets into the homes.

Carry on, carry on. We quite understand.

Better safe than sorry.

It may not be science, but it works.

There's not been a single case of colour in Monte Ilici.

That's what you need.

Maria, we're all so pleased to see you again.

Your brother and your sister are waiting for you at the house.

She's just great. You remember your room?

Your little nest.

I've always meant to have this place redecorated. So damp in winter, all

ruins.

But we see you so rarely now.

When was the last time you came to Catania?

Anyhow, I never got around to doing anything about it.

And now, of course, I can't get work done without no money.

Oh, tonight!

Do you like it here?

A window without bars.

I think it's been established, my dear Pecker, that the cholera has no say in

where it goes or whom it touches.

It's like the wind.

Oh, aren't they beautiful?

And don't try to tell me it's a skirt sent from God to punish our sins.

That was fair. There'd be many more in their graves.

Oh, Maria.

Come and meet the Valentinis.

They've been renting the house over by the pine forest for the last few

And this is my best friend.

And this is Maria, I do suppose.

Yes, it is.

Why, she is the image of one of the saints you see in church above the

Isn't she such a dear?

I can think of someone else who would benefit from a good convent education.

So let's plan how we're going to amuse ourselves this summer.

Perhaps a letter to Brother Nino.

Nino, I'd like you to meet Maria.

Nino, don't go.

Nino!

Apologize for my son's behavior.

He has so much studying to do now they've suspended classes because of the

cholera. All he does is study.

Books.

Vigilante!

There's a good boy.

Say hello to your new mistress.

Don't be afraid, Maria.

Show him you're not afraid and he'll make friends.

Go on.

Go on, Maria.

He won't bite you.

Would you permit me the pleasure of this dance, mademoiselle?

Congratulations, you dance very well.

You should have more respect, young man. I'm so done.

Thank you, mademoiselle.

You must be very tired, you.

Come. Come and have a look.

You look after her.

May I join you for a hand? Ah, by all means, Nino, my boy.

It's your turn now, Maria.

Oh,

nonsense. Now, what are you going to sing?

Well, there's a song we sing at chapel.

I love it.

Now, let me show you the view.

And there's Etna.

Isn't it enchanting?

And in the evening, you get the benefit of the sunset.

Oh, it's so extraordinary.

It never stops surprising me.

Well, I do hope you'll be comfortable.

And if you need anything, you just ring the bell.

Isn't it all so beautiful?

It seems a world away from the convent.

You play very well, my dear. Did you learn at the convent?

A ridiculous tattler.

Very idea.

I'm afraid you've not done like Blatty.

I'm afraid.

All we learn at the convent is to obey orders.

And to cry in silence.

Quite astonished me, young lady.

Hardly the attitude one would expect from a girl about to become a bride of

Christ.

We can go back home if you're feeling tired, Maria.

Thank you, Judita.

Please, don't worry on my account.

She's probably looking for thistles. Come on.

You really can be mean sometimes, Judita.

That was your idea, Giuditta.

My idea?

What sort of irresponsible girl do you take me for, Signor Nino?

Oh, good afternoon, Maria.

Good afternoon, Signor Nino.

Please, let me introduce you to my friend Mariana.

She's my best friend from the common.

I've read so much about all of you here in Maria's letters. I feel we've already

met. It's a great pleasure to make your acquaintance at last.

Enjoy your walk.

Goodbye, Giuditta.

Ali, come.

Ali, come on, boy.

Ali.

Here, boy.

Come on, Ali.

Come on, boy.

Come on, let's go.

Signora Vizzini, may I have a word with you, please?

It's about Maria.

Carmela, take these things inside.

Maria, we've become like sisters these past 12 years. I can read her like a

book. You see, it was difficult for us to leave the convent.

The Mother Superior was right to warn us.

But she got it all wrong.

It wasn't Satan waiting for us at the convent gate.

It was life and the freedom to live it. My dear child.

Why are you telling me all this? How do you think I can help you?

I ask nothing for myself, I assure you.

I'm speaking to you because I'm concerned about Maria.

She would never admit this to anyone, but I suspect she has doubts about her

vocation.

Naturally, any girl is bound to question whether she's fit for such a sublime

honor.

You do realize, my dear child, that to be a bride of Christ...

It's the greatest possible honor any girl could aspire to.

In that case, madame, may I ask why you did not choose the cloister for yourself

instead of forcing it upon a defenseless girl like Maria?

I'll write as soon as we're home.

Don't worry, Maria.

Every day, just as we promised.

Just as we promised.

You can count on me.

You come stay with us next time.

We'll talk about our problems and sort out our future.

In the future, no letters are to be sent or received without my knowing.

Do you understand?

This must be about my hundredth trip to Etna.

You know, it never fails to soak up exactly the same excitement you did the

first time.

Is this the one I like?

Maria, what are you doing still in bed?

Come on, they'll all be waiting. They won't miss me.

I'll only be in the way.

They'll have a better time without me. Come on, do it for me.

For your father.

It's nothing to enjoy yourself.

Come on, five minutes.

Come on, here.

I'll set that. You're lucky. Here she is, everybody.

Where's my horse? Good morning. Good morning, Papa. Hello.

Hello.

How are you feeling this morning, Maria?

Good morning, Maria.

Let me help you up.

Good morning.

No time to waste. We'd best be off before it gets too warm.

Are we all ready?

Is everyone here?

Never seen anything like that before, have you?

When the volcano erupts, that's what happens.

The red -hot lava destroys everything in its path without pity.

Maria?

Maria, come.

And when he got to the edge, he fell over and he...

It's turning out to be a magnificent day, isn't it?

Oh, I've never seen such a fine day.

Come on.

We'd better join the others.

You know, in one way, Maria, you couldn't say we're in the same

Except for you, you're on holiday, whereas I have to keep up my studies

I'm here.

What are you studying?

I'm studying to be a lawyer.

A lawyer?

Oh, that's wonderful.

But, Maria, you know what I'd really like to do?

I want to see this world.

Palermo, Naples, and Rome, Paris.

I dread the thought of spending 50 years of my life sitting behind a desk

from Monday to Friday.

Why don't you travel then?

Because my parents, my parents have already made enough sacrifices for me.

I owe it to them to stand on my own two feet as soon as I can.

And then when I've shown them that I can... Maria, are you all right?

Here, take my arm.

That's it.

Thank you.

Now, you mustn't tell anyone what I just told you.

I want you to swear it.

None don't swear.

You're not a nun.

I haven't taken my vow.

Yet.

But when God wills, I'll become a novice.

And then I will take my vow.

You're not a nun yet.

As I'm not a lawyer yet.

We both have a long way to go.

Thank you.

How could anyone ever question the existence of God?

When did you enter the convent, Maria?

You don't mind if I ask, do you?

After my mother died.

My father married Medusa and then Judita.

Indeed you were born.

And I went into the conference.

When I was seven.

Seven? And your mother, do you remember her?

Oh, yes, of course.

Of course, I'm sorry. You're stupid of me. Oh, no. I shouldn't have asked. No,

just don't often have the chance to talk about her.

Not even with my father.

But he is always with me.

In the deepest part of my heart.

Of hearts.

When you believe in the Holy Spirit, you know.

You know someone that you loved.

I loved you.

Always with you.

I don't know how to explain it better.

You explained it very well.

I never want to go up that cursed volcano again as long as I live.

Not even if the king himself invites me next time. It was just sheer agony.

I quite enjoyed it.

Well, of course you would.

You think suffering is good for the soul.

to see your own nakedness in the convent.

I'd have thought the more you cover yourself, the more people want to see

underneath.

past your bedtime.

I couldn't breathe, Mama.

I needed some air.

Forgive me.

I'm modern in the world.

Come on, they're all waiting. Oh, my bonnets. You don't need a bonnet, let us

see. Beautiful.

Come on, it's the party of the summer. We mustn't be late.

Here we are, ready to go.

Good evening, Tatna. Good evening.

Goodbye, dear.

Goodbye. Enjoy yourself.

Why's she coming here?

I don't know, what are you thinking?

Maria's a nun.

You can't go gallivanting around the country singing and dancing.

She isn't a nun yet.

Anyway, if Maria's not going, neither am I.

Besides, I'm tired and I'm not really in the mood for this party.

What?

You'll let me go on my own?

Like a widow?

I've got the idea.

Oh,

come on, Papa. Don't be such a spoiled boy.

Don't worry about me, Papa.

Dear Molly and Teresa, I'll stay...

You've been drinking too much

The party was stupid.

You'd have been as bored as I was.

Maria, can we talk, please?

Just for a little while.

Please?

Let's sit here, shall we?

You know, Maria, I'm very cross with you.

Why? What have I done?

You've made me doubt my vocation.

You don't want to be a lawyer anymore.

No, not exactly that.

I just wish that at the university they taught us to doubt a little less and to

believe a little more.

You see, we're trained to judge others and to persuade them of things that,

well, we don't necessarily believe in.

It's quite the opposite of what you do.

Maria, now that I've confessed my doubts to you, can I ask you something?

Do you have any doubts about your vocation?

I know that I have no right to ask you.

But who else is there to give you the courage to speak your mind for once and

say what you truly feel?

I was born to be a nun.

It is my destiny.

Your destiny.

What you call destiny...

It's only what the others have preordained for you.

They are simply forcing you.

Oh, no. No one is forcing me, Nino.

I promise you.

I always wanted to divert myself to God.

I love my convent.

I'm happy there.

Aren't you happy here?

Yes, but...

This world is not my world.

It scares me.

Even beautiful things sadden me.

Because I know one day I must leave them.

We all have to leave the things we love.

That's the way life is.

That's never stopped two people falling in love before.

Look into your heart before you decide to go back to the convent.

Forever.

I know you're afraid.

You're not used to people talking to you about love.

But you must believe me.

You're the only girl I'll ever love.

Here we are.

I don't want you to get in trouble with Matilda.

Quite wonderful.

Hide there. I'll be back.

Yes, ma 'am.

Oh, are you tired, darling? Yes.

Good night.

God bless. God bless. Sleep well. Mama, what about Nino?

Oh, don't worry about Nino. Go to bed. Sleep well.

again soon in Catania. Yes, of course we will.

Where's Nino? He couldn't wait.

Now that Catania's been declared safe again, he ran off early this morning. I

expect he's gone to find her when he's sitting his examinations.

Let's all have a drink. Oh, yes, a drink.

To what?

To next summer.

To next summer.

We've got to get moving.

We will, we will.

Thank you.

It's a long day.

we so precipitously had abandoned in fear of death.

We offer thanks, O Lord, for our deliverance.

But we commemorate today also our loved ones who were taken from us in that

terrible scourge.

We pray for the repose of their souls and the forgiveness of their sins.

went to Aetna.

And... And... Oh, I thought I'd heard the last of these ridiculous

This was last summer, young lady.

You're still making this fuss.

It's high time you turned your attention to your duty to God.

You're a novice, remember.

Give yourself to working for your sisters.

Did you clear all this nonsense out of your head?

Say three home areas.

Take a good act of contrition.

Be careful where you put your feet.

This cell has been here since the convent was built.

I'd say it'll never be empty.

Is this your first time here?

Yes, Mother.

Well, there's always a first time.

Most important thing is not to be nervous.

Come on.

Do you want to eat it?

Take care of your own filth.

Now, come here.

Watch your face.

Thank you. How are you, darling? Are you well?

I'm very well.

Praise be to God.

Are you on a Valentini? Yes.

Tecla Corrado came to visit us this morning, and Nino.

Wanted to say goodbye to us before he caught the boat.

Nino? Yes.

It's his first case.

We can't imagine how proud he is.

He's been sent to assist a senior lawyer in Naples. You have been wonderful,

Matilda. Why wouldn't they take him? He's a wonderful boy.

There's no use trying to console Rodita with that.

From the way she behaves, you'd think they were married already.

Married? Oh, I wanted to be the first one to tell my sister.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Tell me what?

Nino and I are engaged.

Can you believe it?

I'm so happy I can hardly believe it myself.

Was it a pleasant dream? A dream that you can share with us?

Those who take their vocation seriously do not dream.

You do want to take holy orders, don't you?

Don't you?

How is she, Reverend Mother?

What did the doctor say?

Ah, Signor Vizzini, calm yourself.

She has been unwell, that is all. But he is quickly recovered.

Have you seen her eyes?

Her eyes?

What do you mean?

They have a look.

I remember my late wife, Maria's mother.

She wasn't much older than Maria.

Take these sad memories from your mind, Signor Vizzini.

I know.

I know how much you've suffered.

But now...

Go to Maria.

She will be very happy to see you.

Go.

Thank you.

Oh, the commotion you should see.

Theme -stresses, fittings, a whole new outfit for Judith.

Thank you.

And for your mother, of course.

And, would you believe it, for me.

They've decided I need a new suit for the wedding.

And after complaining about the expense... Your mother's gone and given

lavish apartment as a wedding gift.

Oh, please remind me. I must remember to take measurements for the curtains

before I go back.

I'm not even sure I know where to begin.

Well, at least it's close by. Judith, I will only have to cross the street to

come see you.

in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the

presence of the church's minister and his community.

Christ abundantly blesses this love.

He has already consecrated you in baptism, our riches and secure by his

sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting

fidelity. I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I

Antonio Valentini may not be joined in matrimony to Dutita Vizzini.

Dutita, will you take Antonio here present for your lawful husband,

the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?

I will.

Antonio.

Antonio.

Antonio Valentini.

Will you take Conchita, here present, to be your lawful wife?

Or put her into the right spot with him under the church?

I will.

a certain ruler and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead,

come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

And Jesus arose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

And behold, a woman that was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years came

behind him and touched the hem of his cape.

But I think this must be mold on the underside, Matilda. It's molding off.

It's perfect, Matilda.

Everything looks wonderful.

You'll be so happy here.

It's really a splendid place. Well, the Duke left himself, as you can see.

Is Sarah Cavallo really a Duke? Duke, Count Barron, the title doesn't matter

when it's the only thing they have left.

He was old and he was poor and so like a fool I lent him the money.

Nobody else would.

I wouldn't have enjoyed foreclosing on a poor old man.

Maybe I wasn't such a fool after all.

You've got such a good head for business on your shoulders, Miss New.

Where is that florist? I can't abide a house without flowers. Just isn't a

I had the pain to put a coat of paint on in the bedroom just to make it decent.

Because I've always believed that the decor of the bedroom is the bride's

domain.

I think it's a little early in the day for that, isn't it?

Come, I'll show you the bedroom.

Let me show you.

We must hurry or we'll be late for the service.

Mother Superior wants us all together.

Let them get on with their work.

Just be patient for a few minutes.

There.

I can guess who came up with this clever idea.

They've been happy to let her rot down here for years.

Now they want to persuade us she's no different from any of us.

I wish we didn't have to take her to Nuncio's sermon.

I can't stand that man.

Here, Ben, calm down, dear. It's nothing to get excited about.

There are men I know, men whose families I have known for years,

far more years than I care to count, who say to themselves when they see me,

as I was saying,

as I was saying,

who say to themselves, who say to themselves, who say to themselves when

meet me in the street, there goes a luckiest fellow in Catania.

Quite a lucky, well, one man alone with 200 women.

They don't understand that our habit is an outward sign to the world that we

have given ourselves body and soul to our Lord.

We have taken vows of obedience and chastity.

We are not men and women like others.

We are children of God.

Now I have a few remarks to address to those among you who are yet to stand at

the altar alongside Jesus Christ.

You are the most vulnerable, all of you.

You are so close to our Lord, and nothing, nothing makes Satan more

relentless than a young girl about to give herself to God. Of course, life

be easier if we could recognize Satan, the Prince of Darkness, by his cloven

hooves and pointed tail, wouldn't it, eh?

Satan, who has suffered nothing to lure you from your divine bridegroom, serve.

I'm going to warn you of some of the tricks he might get up to.

I'm sure that many of you must have met a young man, tender and affectionate,

devoted and sincere, promising you a life of happiness.

And you believed him?

But this man you dream of and believe in has been sent by...

She looked so peaceful when she came into the church.

She was smiling and happy. Well, don't upset yourself. Go back to yourself.

All of a sudden, she seemed to break down.

Yes, well, these things happen.

But she'll get over it.

She has done more times than I can remember.

Why is she like this?

Some silly doctors who wanted a quiet life decided it was epilepsy.

But it's more simple and immensely more complicated.

I'll tell you things.

Perhaps if she came home with us, just for a little while, things would sort

themselves out.

What do you think, Reverend Mother?

Well, I'm in favor of anything that will bring about Maria's full recovery.

Good. Then it's settled.

Is that your wish too, Signora Bettini?

Reverend Mother, everyone knows how reluctant you were to send the novice...

home during the epidemic.

And if I may say so, you were absolutely right.

Maria loves the convent. It almost broke her heart to leave you and the other

sisters. I thought she was happy with us.

No, Giuseppe. We were happy to have her. There's a great difference.

No.

My only concern is that Maria be allowed to fulfill her vocation.

The only thing that matters to her.

What if she should leave the convent?

And decide to abandon her vocation?

What would happen to her?

To you, she's the most beautiful, and to me, the most beautiful girl in the

world. But let's be realistic.

She's so frail, so vulnerable.

Who would marry her?

No one.

Not even if we loaded her with gold.

If you want my opinion, Maria must remain here.

It's the best place for her.

How are you, Agatha?

There's something I must ask you.

If you'll please listen.

He has no one.

There'll be just the two of us.

I'm in love.

They told me I'd forget about him.

They were wrong.

When you love someone so deeply, you never get...

Is that impossible?

Agatha!

Who's that?

Calm down.

I could be your maid.

Judita. She's suffering. I want to help her. Judita, it could be dangerous for

you.

Judita's going to have your child.

All I had was a dream of what might have been.

But a living child is more than a dream.

When I confessed my love, you told me that you truly wanted to be a nun.

That it was your destiny, you said.

That no love on this earth would make you change your mind.

You didn't perhaps realize how much I loved you.

And how difficult it was for me to try to stop loving you.

I didn't know.

No one ever told me about love.

I'm ready to go back to the convent.

Into where I belong.

Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary.

Mother of God, pray for us sinners in the hour of our death.

Amen.

Maria.

You know it.

I truly envy you.

None of us have found that secret path to happiness.

Not me.

Nor Judita.

Much less our beloved Matilda, who thinks happiness can be bought with

All that matters in the end, Nina, is that you never forget the love you've

received.

You will always be in my heart.

Like the spirit of my mother for as long as I live.

Don't suffer.

This is how it should be.

is the last day of your life on this earth.

You shall forsake this mortal life forever and enter the kingdom of

heaven.