Original subtitles

ANNA KARENINA

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY LEO TOLSTOY

AND "IN THE JAPANESE WAR" BY VIKENTY VERESAEV

EPISODE 5

She's very restless.

SAINT PETERSBURG, 1874

The wet-nurse may not have enough milk.

Whom should I have told?

Mrs. Karenina is still not well.

Send for the doctor.

Mama, Mama!

- Yes, darling? - You know,

- Papa received the Alexander Nevsky Medal! - I know.

- Well-wishers have visited already. - Is he glad?

Of course he's glad.

He deserved it.

Vasily, did you know Papa's got the Alexander Nevsky Medal?

Tell me, Vasily, what's higher than the Alexander Nevsky Medal?

The Vladimir.

And higher still?

Highest of all is the St. Andrew.

But higher than the St. Andrew?

- I don't know. - What, even you don't know?

Do you know, Mama?

His Excellency.

Have a good walk?

Yes, it was great fun, Papa.

I saw Nadya.

She told me you'd been given a new star. Are you glad, Papa?

Firstly, please don't prattle.

Secondly, the work is important, not the reward. I want you to understand that.

If you work and study hard just to get a reward,

the work will seem difficult to you.

But when you work because you love it

the work itself is your reward.

I hope you understand?

Well, go to your room,

and repeat your lesson for tomorrow.

I'll come later to check.

How is he progressing?

One cannot say

that Sergei lacks ability.

Actually, he's far cleverer than most children

But he learns poorly.

He is only 9.

He's a child.

I think he just doesn't want to learn

that which he's being taught.

He has a certain coolness towards those important questions,

which ought to touch the soul of every person, every child.

Perhaps he cannot learn those things

simply because his own soul's claims are more binding on him

than those of his teachers?

Try seconde under the arm, then riposte.

Attack! Seconde under arm!

Keep your wrist steady, Count.

Degage up, then quarte!

Coul�! Your arm! Keep your arms straight, Count!

Degag� up, qiuarte again!

Coul�! Your arm! Arms straight, Count!

Wrist steady.

D�gag� up.

Then quarte. Coul�!

Quarte. And riposte to the chest. Touch�.

Excellent. You're back on form, Count.

But remember your feet. they're the measure, they keep you safe.

And you, your Excellency, were splendid as always.

I heard your news.

You refused down your appointment and are leaving the re iment.

Have you resigned?

I approve, of course. But there are ways of doing things.

I think what you did was right.

But not the way you did it.

What's done is done.

- And besides, I'm quite happy! - Yes, for now.

But it won't be enough for you. Besides, we need people like you!

- Who does? - Who?

Society.

Russia does, or it'll go to the dogs!

We need a party of independent people like you and me.

You and I know many people In power.

Aren't they independent?

No, because they don't have or were not born with,

an independent position, a name.

They weren't born close to the sun, as we were.

More.

They can easily be bought

with either money or favor.

Well, you're certainly superior.

I may be inferior to them, or stupider, though I don't see why I should be.

And yet it seems to me that I have one important advantage:

the fact that I am...

both of us are...

less easily beught.

But there, is one essential thing I lack.

I have no desire for power.

I used to but it's gone.

Excuse me, but that's not true.

Please, let me finiish.

That's why I wanted to see you.

You acted as you were duty-bound to.

I see that. But!

Give me carte blanche to arrange things.

Come back to the army.

Come to Tashkent - there's a war on.

And such opportunities! In a few years you'll be a general!

Don't you see? I want nothing.

Listen.

We're the same age.

Perhaps...

in quantity, you know more about women.

But my opinion is, that women are the main obstacle to a man's career.

It's hard to love a woman and achieve anything.

The only way to love conveniently and without hindrance

is to get married.

But without marriage...

look how many have ruined their careers over women.

You have never loved.

Perhaps.

And another thing:

women are far more materialistic than men.

We turn love into something immense,

but they are always

so down to earth.

Do you give me carte blanche?

We'll talk about it later. I'll look you up.

Then again...

do as you think best.

I agree.

Who is visiting?

Princess Yelizaveta Tverskaya.

Your husband would allow it.

Don't say that it is I who doesn't want to.

- He shot himself because of you. - That's exactly why I don't want to.

I'm glad you're at home.

You're never seen in society.

I haven't seen you since Anna's illness.

I'e heard all about how caring you are.

You're a wonderful husband!

How are you feeling?

We've been talking too much.

Selfishness on my part. I shall leave.

Wait, please, I have something to tell you...

no, you.

I will not, and cannot, keep anything secret from you.

Betsy told me that

Count Vronsky wishes to visit before leaving for Tashkent.

I said that I could not receive him.

My dear, you said that it depends on your husband.

No, I can't receive him, besides...

In short,

I am very grateful to you for your openness.

Goodbye, my dear.

Mr. Karenin.

I know you are a truly magnanimous man.

I am only an outsider,

but I love her, and respect you, so much, that I venture to offer my advice.

Receive him.

Alexei is the embodiment of honor

and he is going to Tashkent.

Thank you for your sympathy and advice, Princess.

But my wife must decide for herself whether she can receive someone.

Goodbye.

Princess, how lovely! I have just been at yours.

We meet but briefly, I am leaving.

Something must be done.

It's impossible, impossible.

As her brother, you can help.

I'm glad you think so. That is why I've come to St. Petersburg.

The whole town's talking of it. It's quite impossible!

She's pining away.

He doesn't understand that she cannot trifle with her feelings.

There are 2 options:

he must either act decisively, and take her away,

or give her a divorce.

But this is suffocating her.

Yes. That is why I have come.

Well, not only for that.

I've been made a chamberlain! Karenin helped; I've come to thank him.

But the main thing is to settle this.

Well, may God help you.

I am very grateful to you for your openness.

I am very grateful for your decision.

I agree that since he is going away,

there is no necessity for Count Vronsky o visit. However, if...

Why repeat...

what I have already said?

Let's not talk about it ever again.

I left this matter for you to decide.

- And I am very glad that... - That my wish coincides with yours?

Yes

Princess Tverskaya's interference in family matters is utterly uncalled for.

- Especially her.. - I don't believe what they say!

I know she is truly fond of me.

- I have sent for the doctor. - But I am well.

- Why do I need the doctor? - No.

The baby's crying again.

The wet-nurse doesn't have enough milk.

Why didn't you let me feed her when I begged to?

She's just a baby, and they're killing her!

I wasn't allowed to feed her, and now I'm being blamed.

- I'm not blaming you. - Yes, you are!

Forgive me.

I'm upset, I'm being unjust.

But leave.

There is no necessity...

for a man to come and say goodbye to the woman he loves.

For whom he has ruined himself,

and who cannot live without him!

No necessity at all.

Good day, Alexei.

How are matters?

Why does everyone look at me expectantly?

What?

It's quite clear to me,

that both society and my wife demand something of me.

But I can't understand exactly what.

I don't think...

that I can bear much more of this...

flood of contempt.

Which seems to be written on the faces

of everyone I meet.

What's all this? I don't understand.

Ripping me to shreds like dogs.

My only salvation is to hide my wounds from them, but I...

I can't keep on fighting this uneven battle much longer.

Forgive me.

I don't...

feel very well at the moment.

I've heard of women loving men even for their vices,

but I hate him for his virtues.

has a physical effect on me, it enrages me.

I can't... I can't live with him.

You see, I know he's a kind, excellent man.

I'm worthless in comparison. And yet, still I hate him.

I hate him for his magnanimity.

- The only thing left for me is... - You're unwell.

And on edge.

Believe me, you're exaggerating. None of this is so very terrible.

No, Stiva, I'm ruined.

No, I'm worse than ruined.

I'm not yet ruined.

I can't say "All is over." On the contrary.

I feel that it's not over.

I'm like a taut string that has to snap.

But it's not over yet.

The end will be terrible.

We must just gradually loosen the string.

Every situation has a way out.

I've thought and thought...

there is only one.

You can't see your position as I can.

Let me give you my honest opinion.

You married a man 20 years older than you,

without love,

or not knowin what love is.

Perhaps that was a mistake.

- A terrible mistake. - But it's a fact.

Then you had...

you fell in love with another man.

That was unfortunate.

But that is also a fact.

The question is: do you wish to go on living with your husband?

Is that what he wishes?

You can't understand.

I feel as if...

But I shouldn't save myself. I can't.

We'll hold something out to catch you.

I do understand.

I see that you can't express

your wishes and feelings.

There's nothing...

Except for it all to be over.

He realizes that. Surely you can see this is a burden on him too?

You're both miserable, and for what?

When a divorce would solve everything.

I didn't wish for that, but only because it seemed

like unattainable happiness.

I'm so sorry for you both.

I'd be so happy if I could arrange things.

Divorce.

Yes, divorce.

Believe me, it's the best way out for married people in such positions.

It is quite simple.

It seems quite simple to you.

I've thought it over thousands of times.

Not only is it not quite simple, to me it seems impossible.

What concerns you so?

I cannot take upon myself a fictitious charge of adultery.

Still less could I allow my wife, whom I love and have forgiven,

to be exposed and shamed.

What will become of my son if we divorce?

Leave him with his mother?

That's out of the question.

She will have her own family.

His status as a stepson and his upbringing, would be poor.

Keep him then.

Keep him with me?

But that would be an act of revenge, and I don't want that.

But everything can be resolved, agreed on.

Yes, but by agreeing to a divorce,

I would be ruining Anna.

And I would ruin her forever.

If she were divorced she would go and live with him.

Their union would be unlawful,

because under Church law, a wife

whose husband is living cannot marry.

This is most strange.

- If she lives with him... - Yes.

She'll live with him, and in a year or two

either he'll leave her or she'll start a new union.

And then I...

by agreeing to an unlawful divorce, would be to blame for her ruin.

But she wants nothing,

doesn't dare ask, she hopes for your generosity.

strikes your right cheek, turn the other to him...

takes your coat, let him have your cloak.

Yes, yes.

I will take the disgrace on myself,

even give up my son.

Do as you like.

I agree.

Vronsky! Vronsky!

You know how the Tsar and I differ?

- I've no idea. - The Tsar grants a divorce

and nobody benefits.

But when I do, 3 people benefit.

- What are you talking about? - I'm so happy I did this.

For I'm sure Karenin won't go back on his word.

- What do you mean? - Karenin's agreed to a divorce.

Now you can see her.

How I longed to see you!

How I longed to see you!

I don't know what he has decided about Sergei.

Don't talk about that. Don't think.

Karenin did not let Anna take her son.

We took our daughter, and traveled around Europe.

We delighted in the kind of freedom we had never known before.

Especially the freedom to love.

You've come back to life.

You know,

our new life is so delightful that I feel

unforgivably happy.

I'm happy too.

The better I know you, the more I love you!

Only, let me speak now.

I love you for yourself, and...

for your love for me.

I'm impdssibly happy when you're near.

Don't ever leave me.

Anna, I don't want to leave you.

I'm happy too, when you're near.

Your character traits that I'm getting to knew,

are inexpressibly dear to me.

In everything you say, do and think,

there is something...

particularly fine and noble.

Anna, your strangle adoration frightens me.

It often frightens me too.

I'm terrified semetimes.

I don't dare show you... how insignificant I feel

compared to you.

If you knew, you'd stop loving me.

And there's nothing I fear more than losing your love.

But Anna, you...

I'm afraid to imagine ever stopping leving you.

I love you.

You are my life.

You and your love are everything! to me.

If you doubt my feelings,

then let's get married. But...

you don't want a divorce.

- Sometimes I don't understand you. - Do try.

I have inevitably made Karenin unhappy. But I...

I don't want to profit from his misery.

I too am suffering and will go on suffering.

- Why? - Please, don't.

I decided that I ought to lose what I valued most.

And I have lost...

my good name and... my son.

- But Anna why don't you want to... - Because I'm wrong.

I want neither happiness,

nor a divorce.

I will suffer the shame and separation from my son.

Yes, those were her words.

MANCHURIA, 1904 - "I made Karenin unhappy,

I will suffer the shame and separation from my son."

Listen

did you really love her?

I shot myself because of her.

- After her death, I went to war. - No, I...

One can shoot oneself,

or seek out death in war.

I meant something else.

Did you truly love her?

As she loved you?

Have you asked yourself that?

I have.

What was the answer?

I bought this pipe from the Chinese girl.

It's strange,

my father did a lot for me.

But truthfully I was never very attached to him.

But I loved my mother.

I adored her.

Much to do.

Goodnight.

How is your angelic son?

I cannot say I am entirely pleased with him.

We must speak of a subject painful to you.

Would that I could spare you these unpleasant memories,

but some have other ideas.

I have received a letter from her.

She is here, in St Petersburg.

She wants to see her son.

I was expecting this.

I don't think I have the rigiht to refuse her.

My friend, you see no evil in anyone!

On the contrary, I see that all is evil.

But would it be fair?

There are limits to everything. I can understand immorality,

but I don't understand cruelty!

And to whom?

But who will cast a stone, now?

I have forgiven everything,

and so I cannot refuse her

what her love for her son demands of her.

Is it sincere?

Supposing that you have forgiven.

That you forgive.

Do we have the right to affect the feelings of that angel?

He looks on her as dead.

He prays for her.

He asks God to forgive her sins.

And it is better so!

But now what will he think?

I had not thought of that.

Well, if you ask my advice, I do not advise you to do this.

I see how you suffer,

how your wounds reopened.

Besides, what might it lead to?

To more suffering for you and torture for the child.

If she had any humanity left, she would not want this.

And if you permit me,

I will write to her.

All they want is to insult me, and torment my child.

And I'm to submit to this?

Not for one moment!

She is worse than I am.

At least I don't lie!

Isn't it natural to see my son when we are in the same city?

But Anna your...

our position now

will complicate matters.

What is so complicated?

You want to go to the house?

They may insult you, perish the thought!

You might run into his father.

If you must see your son, find out where he goes for his walks.

Can't you understand that a glimpse of my son is not enough?

I've been longing to see him,

I've so much to say to him.

I just want to hug and kiss him. He's my child!

The worst thing is that you think seeing my son is the least important matter.

How can you say that?

- If I love you, I... - I know...

that you will never,

ever be capable of understanding the depth of suffering.

Your cool tone whenever I mention it will make me hate you.

And I fear that more than anything in the world.

So from now on, do not ask me

anything about my son.

Sergei!

Mama!

- My darling boy! - Mama.

I knew.

Today's my birthday.

I knew you'd come.

Why are you crying, Mama?

I'm crying for joy.

It's been so long since I saw you.

I won't cry.

Come,

it's time for you to dress now.

How do you dress without me?

I don't wash in cold water any more.

Papa doesn't wish it.

- You didn't think I was dead? - I never believed it.

Didn't you my dear?

I knew.

Mama, guess how Nadya and I fell over today.

- How? - Such a fall it was!

We fell downhill.

Oh, darling.

Imagine, we rolled over three times!

Three times we turned over.

Mrs. Karenina! He's coming.

My darling.

My darling boy.

You won't forget me?

Papa won't come just yet.

Dom�t go.

Sergei, dearest.

He's better and kinder than I am and I have done him wrong.

When you grow up, you can judge for yourself.

No one's better than you.

Sergei, darling!

Wash and dry the wound.

One moment.

Done.

The saw, please.

There you are.

Mirror.

END OF EPISODE 5