1
00:01:15,823 --> 00:01:20,772
There are your Mongols.
In cages, as if they were animals.

2
00:02:13,023 --> 00:02:15,378
Death reigns here.

3
00:02:16,623 --> 00:02:19,376
We are being slaughtered like animals.

4
00:02:21,023 --> 00:02:23,218
Well, Polo...

5
00:02:23,383 --> 00:02:27,661
there are those invincible ones
Mongols of you.

6
00:02:27,823 --> 00:02:30,542
You lied to us and the Pope.

7
00:02:30,703 --> 00:02:35,618
Shut up. We say
that we are Italian merchants.

8
00:02:48,623 --> 00:02:50,181
We must kneel.

9
00:03:31,503 --> 00:03:36,213
Water. I beg you. Water.

10
00:04:15,943 --> 00:04:20,812
You are Matteo
and Niccolo Polo from Venice.

11
00:04:20,983 --> 00:04:23,338
We are merchants.

12
00:04:23,503 --> 00:04:28,258
I'm Niccolo. This is my brother Matteo,
that's my son Marco.

13
00:04:28,423 --> 00:04:32,655
We and our servants are
traveling with these gentlemen.

14
00:04:37,823 --> 00:04:43,341
I am Ali Ben Yussouf. The sultan
assigned me this area.

15
00:04:43,503 --> 00:04:46,700
It surprises us
that you speak our language.

16
00:04:46,863 --> 00:04:49,582
Is that so strange?

17
00:04:49,743 --> 00:04:52,701
It was the first language I learned.

18
00:04:56,983 --> 00:05:00,692
Ten years ago
I was still called Lorenzo Rizzo.

19
00:05:00,863 --> 00:05:04,412
I'm from Ragusa.
- Dalmatia ?

20
00:05:05,663 --> 00:05:09,258
We were born on the same sea.

21
00:05:09,423 --> 00:05:11,937
I was a fisherman.

22
00:05:12,903 --> 00:05:16,612
We were attacked
by Muslim pirates.

23
00:05:16,783 --> 00:05:21,095
I got hurt and
one of my companions saved me.

24
00:05:21,263 --> 00:05:26,337
We were captured
and sold as slaves in Tripoli.

25
00:05:26,503 --> 00:05:28,539
Then you are a Christian.

26
00:05:30,343 --> 00:05:32,379
A Muslim.

27
00:05:37,063 --> 00:05:43,059
I was fortunate to find a mentor
that made me see the light.

28
00:05:43,223 --> 00:05:44,861
Allah be praised.

29
00:05:45,023 --> 00:05:49,619
You didn't want to become a slave.
- I learned the real faith.

30
00:05:49,783 --> 00:05:55,494
I learned that Mohammed's work
continued from Moses and Jesus...

31
00:05:55,663 --> 00:06:00,942
the two prophets who preceded Him.
He is the greatest prophet.

32
00:06:01,103 --> 00:06:05,858
Is that why you don't want to drink with us?
Because we are Christians?

33
00:06:08,143 --> 00:06:12,341
I didn't drink
because this is the month of Ramadan.

34
00:06:12,503 --> 00:06:18,612
The Muslims celebrate the revelation
of the holy book, the Quran.

35
00:06:20,063 --> 00:06:23,021
From sunrise to sunset...

36
00:06:23,183 --> 00:06:27,222
we are not allowed any food
or take in water.

37
00:06:27,383 --> 00:06:30,022
If you were born a Christian...

38
00:06:30,183 --> 00:06:34,222
how do you talk the horrors
that take place here are okay?

39
00:06:34,383 --> 00:06:38,422
Our Lord has his life
given for us.

40
00:06:38,583 --> 00:06:40,972
The followers of Mohammed...

41
00:06:41,143 --> 00:06:45,534
destroy life,
in the name of God.

42
00:06:48,143 --> 00:06:49,735
Look.

43
00:06:50,743 --> 00:06:54,577
Those women, those children...

44
00:06:56,423 --> 00:06:59,062
have no more tears left.

45
00:07:00,663 --> 00:07:06,215
How many of those people are because of you
slaughtered to conquer a city?

46
00:07:06,383 --> 00:07:09,898
Jerusalem is for everyone
a holy city.

47
00:07:10,063 --> 00:07:13,180
Not just for Christians.

48
00:07:30,983 --> 00:07:33,816
Oil of the lamp
on the Lord's grave.

49
00:07:33,983 --> 00:07:38,659
That will take you to
the great khan of the Mongols.

50
00:07:38,823 --> 00:07:44,181
This is stated in the Pope's letter
that you bring to him.

51
00:08:12,583 --> 00:08:15,416
That is your superstition.

52
00:08:15,583 --> 00:08:20,782
In our mosques you will
find no idols...

53
00:08:20,943 --> 00:08:26,575
but your churches are full
with images that you worship.

54
00:08:26,743 --> 00:08:29,337
You declare his oil holy.

55
00:08:29,503 --> 00:08:33,894
You have God Almighty,
even divided into three.

56
00:08:38,983 --> 00:08:43,181
Allah is the only god
and Muhammad is his prophet.

57
00:08:44,263 --> 00:08:49,781
You Christian priests
and you, servants of Khan...

58
00:08:49,943 --> 00:08:55,017
according to our rules
deserves the death penalty.

59
00:08:57,223 --> 00:08:59,453
In the name of God...

60
00:08:59,623 --> 00:09:03,059
the god of our common
ancestor Abraham...

61
00:09:03,223 --> 00:09:08,172
Even though we now face each other,
I beg your mercy.

62
00:09:09,583 --> 00:09:14,816
It's not about us. William and I
embrace martyrdom.

63
00:09:14,983 --> 00:09:18,259
But she...

64
00:09:18,423 --> 00:09:23,213
These innocent merchants
have not chosen sides.

65
00:09:23,383 --> 00:09:25,180
Just thank the prophet.

66
00:09:31,943 --> 00:09:35,618
The man who saved my life
came from Venice.

67
00:09:35,783 --> 00:09:40,903
I was in his debt
and I'm going to pay that debt now...

68
00:09:41,063 --> 00:09:43,497
with you.

69
00:09:43,663 --> 00:09:48,612
I swore that I would others
would save if I could live.

70
00:09:48,783 --> 00:09:52,662
You get the horses
and your stuff back.

71
00:09:52,823 --> 00:09:56,736
You may return
to Palestine.

72
00:09:58,703 --> 00:10:04,539
We are extremely grateful to you,
but we must not deceive you.

73
00:10:04,703 --> 00:10:07,820
We have vowed to continue traveling.

74
00:10:07,983 --> 00:10:13,979
You will only have death upon you
find a path and not reach the khan.

75
00:10:14,143 --> 00:10:18,102
I've always said it.
They were wrong.

76
00:10:18,263 --> 00:10:23,701
We swore it.
- Going back is just as dangerous, isn't it?

77
00:10:23,863 --> 00:10:27,856
Yesterday we have
crusaders released...

78
00:10:28,023 --> 00:10:31,857
in exchange for our
captured fighters.

79
00:10:32,023 --> 00:10:36,096
If you drive west quickly...

80
00:10:36,263 --> 00:10:39,778
you catch up with them
and then you travel together.

81
00:10:39,943 --> 00:10:42,741
We are grateful...

82
00:10:42,903 --> 00:10:47,772
but that is, as I said,
impossible for us.

83
00:10:47,943 --> 00:10:50,377
You have read the letter.

84
00:10:50,543 --> 00:10:55,492
It's about a promise.
- And I promised to release you...

85
00:10:55,663 --> 00:10:59,451
but don't try my patience.

86
00:11:10,143 --> 00:11:13,499
Go back to Acre, to your pope.

87
00:11:14,903 --> 00:11:18,657
Tell him his covenant
with the Mongols.

88
00:11:18,823 --> 00:11:24,819
Just say you saw it
that the invincible are defeated.

89
00:11:27,103 --> 00:11:31,813
Tell him he
can only hope for one thing.

90
00:11:31,983 --> 00:11:37,011
That only world peace can come
if everyone understands...

91
00:11:37,183 --> 00:11:41,620
that all of us
have the same father: Abraham.

92
00:11:41,783 --> 00:11:45,219
The Christian, the Jew...

93
00:11:46,223 --> 00:11:47,576
and the Muslim.

94
00:11:51,063 --> 00:11:53,452
Grab your things and disappear.

95
00:12:00,263 --> 00:12:02,902
I want to ask you something else.

96
00:12:04,463 --> 00:12:08,251
You spare us,
but my friend died here.

97
00:12:08,423 --> 00:12:13,292
I saw you cry for him.
- He was like a brother to me.

98
00:12:13,463 --> 00:12:17,661
We want the symbol of our faith
put on his grave.

99
00:13:19,383 --> 00:13:21,453
I found that one.

100
00:13:30,503 --> 00:13:35,702
The Lord has protected us.
He will stay with us until Akko.

101
00:13:35,863 --> 00:13:38,775
You lied to us, Niccolo.

102
00:13:40,463 --> 00:13:44,661
We've all seen it
how it really works.

103
00:13:44,823 --> 00:13:47,291
The Mongols have been defeated.

104
00:13:47,463 --> 00:13:51,741
Listen to me.
What we saw means nothing.

105
00:13:51,903 --> 00:13:55,896
A lost battle hurts
the mighty Mongol Empire did not.

106
00:13:56,063 --> 00:13:59,658
For the khan means
Ben Yussouf's army...

107
00:13:59,823 --> 00:14:03,020
no more than a few grains
desert sand.

108
00:14:03,183 --> 00:14:07,301
Sometimes you don't like it
the apostate listened?

109
00:14:07,463 --> 00:14:10,102
We can't reach the khan.

110
00:14:10,263 --> 00:14:14,939
We must complete the mission.
You cannot break your oath.

111
00:14:15,103 --> 00:14:21,622
This is not a mission. It's all alone here
because of the merchant's greed.

112
00:14:24,063 --> 00:14:28,295
Nicholas and I are going back to Acre.
- Cowards.

113
00:14:32,783 --> 00:14:34,899
We are not cowards.

114
00:14:38,023 --> 00:14:43,256
You don't know us at all.
We've been through so much already.

115
00:14:53,063 --> 00:14:58,296
The Lord holds us accountable
for your lives and ours.

116
00:14:58,463 --> 00:15:03,378
He would never forgive us
if we were careless with it.

117
00:15:03,543 --> 00:15:06,819
Don't think we are cowards.

118
00:15:08,663 --> 00:15:12,895
Come along and we'll join you
with those crusaders.

119
00:15:13,063 --> 00:15:16,851
The Pope must know
that we can make peace.

120
00:15:17,023 --> 00:15:19,776
Not with the Mongols.
With the Muslims.

121
00:15:19,943 --> 00:15:22,218
Listen to him.

122
00:15:24,663 --> 00:15:28,941
What did you say?
- It's not that crazy.

123
00:15:29,103 --> 00:15:33,096
If we can't go any further,
Should we stay in Akko for a while?

124
00:15:33,263 --> 00:15:36,096
Then we wait until the coast is clear.

125
00:15:36,263 --> 00:15:40,939
You don't know what you're talking about.
- Not me, no.

126
00:15:41,103 --> 00:15:44,493
We must listen to them.

127
00:15:44,663 --> 00:15:47,131
They are wise men.

128
00:15:52,903 --> 00:15:54,495
Important men.

129
00:15:54,663 --> 00:15:58,338
Teobaldo was a crusader
and now it's the Pope.

130
00:15:58,503 --> 00:16:04,499
Maybe we'll see one of them
these priests also return as cardinals.

131
00:16:04,663 --> 00:16:07,097
Shut up, idiot.

132
00:16:17,663 --> 00:16:21,941
We move on
and you will come with us...

133
00:16:24,343 --> 00:16:29,940
even if I have to drag you along
and tie it to my saddle.

134
00:16:31,423 --> 00:16:35,382
Take it. You keep watch
until sunrise.

135
00:16:37,623 --> 00:16:41,821
I hope you guys tonight
find your sanity...

136
00:16:41,983 --> 00:16:47,615
and your courage. I don't want to be careless either
dealing with your lives.

137
00:17:12,943 --> 00:17:15,298
You're dozing off.

138
00:17:18,143 --> 00:17:20,703
I'll take over.

139
00:17:28,623 --> 00:17:30,932
I was thinking...

140
00:17:31,863 --> 00:17:35,333
That renegade, Ben Yussouf...

141
00:17:35,543 --> 00:17:41,015
is a remarkable man.
He has lived two lives.

142
00:17:42,063 --> 00:17:45,214
He has become a completely different person.

143
00:17:45,383 --> 00:17:48,819
He has looked death in the eye.

144
00:17:50,543 --> 00:17:53,774
That night at sea.

145
00:17:53,943 --> 00:17:57,458
Why were all those people
then finished?

146
00:17:57,623 --> 00:18:02,219
He gives the orders.
- War is horrible.

147
00:18:03,063 --> 00:18:05,782
A sea of ​​blood and tears.

148
00:18:06,903 --> 00:18:11,454
War knows no mercy.
- That's what I find so strange.

149
00:18:13,263 --> 00:18:17,097
Ben Yussouf showed us
his grace.

150
00:18:17,263 --> 00:18:20,539
Go to sleep, boy.

151
00:18:57,423 --> 00:19:00,017
The priests have disappeared.

152
00:19:03,143 --> 00:19:07,102
The priests...
The priests have disappeared.

153
00:19:07,263 --> 00:19:09,823
They're gone.

154
00:19:09,983 --> 00:19:12,656
I'm sorry, Marco, I was so tired.

155
00:19:12,823 --> 00:19:16,611
Are you not man enough?
to follow my orders?

156
00:19:16,783 --> 00:19:21,937
If only you had left with those two.
- It's all my fault.

157
00:19:22,103 --> 00:19:26,654
At least we lost them
and they don't arrive safely anyway.

158
00:19:26,823 --> 00:19:30,418
Where is the letter and where is the oil?
- Here.

159
00:19:30,583 --> 00:19:32,096
The crucifix too.

160
00:19:32,263 --> 00:19:35,778
See, I had you
should not take with you.

161
00:19:35,943 --> 00:19:39,936
I don't know you and what I see
I don't like it.

162
00:19:47,423 --> 00:19:51,541
Look, master.
The villages are on fire.

163
00:19:55,143 --> 00:19:57,179
We can't go any further.

164
00:19:59,143 --> 00:20:02,692
We have to go back.
Let's go home.

165
00:20:02,863 --> 00:20:07,254
Maybe the renegade was right
and we have to go to Acre.

166
00:20:16,503 --> 00:20:18,300
Look.

167
00:20:19,903 --> 00:20:23,657
We have to go south,
to Persia...

168
00:20:23,823 --> 00:20:28,578
and then on to Ormuz.
Here on the Persian Gulf, yes.

169
00:20:28,743 --> 00:20:31,416
Are we going by sea?
- It has to be.

170
00:20:31,583 --> 00:20:35,019
From Ormuz
we can go to India and China.

171
00:21:05,583 --> 00:21:07,778
Look, Marco. Ormuz.

172
00:21:27,783 --> 00:21:32,379
Ormuz, on the Persian Gulf

173
00:22:05,783 --> 00:22:07,375
Probably a funeral.

174
00:22:21,783 --> 00:22:23,182
Let them pass.

175
00:23:46,063 --> 00:23:49,339
This is not correct.
We have to go the other way.

176
00:24:27,063 --> 00:24:29,293
They burn the boats.

177
00:24:31,983 --> 00:24:34,622
Then there was plague on board.

178
00:24:40,063 --> 00:24:42,577
We can forget that sea voyage.

179
00:25:05,183 --> 00:25:08,778
Because they are China
could not reach by sea...

180
00:25:08,943 --> 00:25:13,733
they left Ormuz,
but the plague pursued them.

181
00:25:13,903 --> 00:25:16,463
Agostino fell ill and died.

182
00:25:16,623 --> 00:25:22,380
Marco became increasingly ill during
their journey through the Persian desert.

183
00:25:22,543 --> 00:25:25,819
In the days
that he looked death in the eye...

184
00:25:25,983 --> 00:25:29,578
father and son finally found each other.

185
00:25:29,743 --> 00:25:33,782
Niccolo's love
kept Marco alive.

186
00:25:59,423 --> 00:26:02,938
Badakshan. There wanted
his father to take him.

187
00:26:03,103 --> 00:26:07,016
He thought the dead
came back to life there.

188
00:26:07,183 --> 00:26:09,651
Genoa prison

189
00:26:12,623 --> 00:26:16,013
They've been here
under that withered tree.

190
00:26:16,183 --> 00:26:20,620
After ten days they reached
the edge of the desert.

191
00:26:21,663 --> 00:26:24,780
Marco was so happy
with his father's love.

192
00:26:24,943 --> 00:26:29,733
Time passed faster and
everything took less effort for him.

193
00:26:31,583 --> 00:26:35,292
They moved along the Oxus
in Afghanistan...

194
00:26:35,463 --> 00:26:39,217
and then they reached this plateau:

195
00:26:40,263 --> 00:26:42,493
Badakshan.

196
00:26:45,063 --> 00:26:50,091
A paradise for Marco.
His father had been right.

197
00:26:50,263 --> 00:26:55,098
The air was so pure,
that the fire barely warmed them.

198
00:26:55,263 --> 00:26:59,700
The flames were just that light blue
like the air itself.

199
00:26:59,863 --> 00:27:04,015
The water wouldn't boil and...
- Wait a minute.

200
00:27:04,183 --> 00:27:09,655
One of the guards
would also like to hear these stories.

201
00:27:09,823 --> 00:27:15,102
He would bring wine,
fresh bread and maybe even fish.

202
00:27:15,263 --> 00:27:19,051
These stories are alone
intended for our ears.

203
00:27:19,223 --> 00:27:21,578
If only my captain could tell them himself.

204
00:27:21,743 --> 00:27:27,693
Your captain Polo has too
been advised to forget them.

205
00:27:32,263 --> 00:27:37,132
Go on. How long stayed
the Venetians in Badakshan ?

206
00:27:38,663 --> 00:27:44,898
Marco regained his strength and he learned
some Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese.

207
00:27:45,063 --> 00:27:48,533
Enough to say 'good morning'
to be able to say...

208
00:27:48,703 --> 00:27:52,981
or 'I'm hungry',
'I feel like wine'.

209
00:27:53,143 --> 00:27:58,695
We must be able to do that in every language
say, even in Genoese.

210
00:27:58,863 --> 00:28:01,696
There they are. This way.

211
00:28:01,863 --> 00:28:05,651
How does the fairy tale continue?
- We are in paradise now.

212
00:28:05,823 --> 00:28:10,214
Flames as blue as the sky,
the paradise of Adam and Eve.

213
00:28:10,383 --> 00:28:13,580
Nonsense.
- Marco thought it was paradise.

214
00:28:13,743 --> 00:28:17,816
That man drives me crazy.
Can he go somewhere else?

215
00:28:17,983 --> 00:28:20,372
Guard. Leave that here.

216
00:28:51,983 --> 00:28:54,372
Badak...
- Badakshan.

217
00:29:01,383 --> 00:29:05,899
Badakshan, Afghanistan

218
00:29:33,063 --> 00:29:38,581
Come. The Tibetan guides say so
we have to leave before there is snow.

219
00:29:38,743 --> 00:29:41,416
We have to leave now.

220
00:32:07,503 --> 00:32:09,141
There you have it.

221
00:32:18,983 --> 00:32:21,338
I'll go first.

222
00:33:41,383 --> 00:33:42,816
Come on, Marco.

223
00:33:45,063 --> 00:33:47,941
Jacopo, stay with Marco.

224
00:33:48,103 --> 00:33:52,096
Come on, you can do it best.

225
00:33:53,343 --> 00:33:56,892
Well done. First your one hand
and then the other.

226
00:33:57,063 --> 00:34:01,341
One after another.
Don't look down.

227
00:34:02,383 --> 00:34:06,092
Don't stand still, Jacopo.
- Don't look down.

228
00:34:07,743 --> 00:34:09,335
Hold Marco.

229
00:34:10,903 --> 00:34:13,975
Look at me. Don't look down.

230
00:34:15,663 --> 00:34:17,255
Give me...

231
00:34:18,263 --> 00:34:22,654
Give me your hand.
Hold me. One step forward.

232
00:34:22,823 --> 00:34:26,338
Just one step. Well done.

233
00:34:27,983 --> 00:34:30,543
Well done. Just one more little piece.

234
00:34:30,703 --> 00:34:33,137
I'm holding you.

235
00:34:40,943 --> 00:34:44,538
the Pamir Mountains, autumn 1273

236
00:35:31,983 --> 00:35:36,420
Well done.
- Make sure he doesn't stand still.

237
00:35:36,583 --> 00:35:38,733
That's how it goes.

238
00:35:39,783 --> 00:35:41,739
Well done.

239
00:35:41,903 --> 00:35:45,293
Alexander the Great
has followed this path...

240
00:35:45,463 --> 00:35:48,580
when he left his army
led through the mountains.

241
00:35:48,743 --> 00:35:51,780
On Bucephalus, his warhorse.

242
00:35:53,423 --> 00:35:57,735
They say all these horses
descended from that horse.

243
00:35:57,903 --> 00:35:59,541
We hope so.

244
00:35:59,703 --> 00:36:04,731
I paid way too much for it.
They're already through it now.

245
00:36:27,863 --> 00:36:31,981
Come on, Jacopo.
You have to keep moving.

246
00:36:33,343 --> 00:36:38,133
It's not possible, it's too cold.
- You have to, otherwise you'll freeze.

247
00:36:38,303 --> 00:36:42,535
It's a lot colder
in the Pamir Mountains.

248
00:36:49,423 --> 00:36:54,656
The guides say we have the horses
have to leave behind.

249
00:36:54,823 --> 00:36:57,895
I should never have bought those animals.

250
00:36:58,063 --> 00:37:01,692
They don't want to move on either.

251
00:37:01,863 --> 00:37:04,423
They would come along
to the trade route.

252
00:37:04,583 --> 00:37:08,098
They say it starts here.
They don't go any further.

253
00:37:08,263 --> 00:37:10,618
Then you offer them more.

254
00:37:10,783 --> 00:37:14,173
They won't go any further, Niccolo.

255
00:37:14,343 --> 00:37:19,576
They are afraid of the evil mountain spirits.
They don't go any further.

256
00:37:20,943 --> 00:37:22,979
God help us.

257
00:37:59,103 --> 00:38:01,822
Mount Muztagh-Ata, winter 1273

258
00:40:26,943 --> 00:40:28,934
Father.

259
00:40:30,983 --> 00:40:32,974
My father.

260
00:40:39,623 --> 00:40:42,581
Drink up, it will cheer you up.

261
00:40:42,743 --> 00:40:48,375
You are in the lama monastery of
Muztagh-Ata in the Pamir Mountains.

262
00:41:22,423 --> 00:41:24,891
Who are you?
- I'm a novice.

263
00:41:25,063 --> 00:41:30,774
I hope to become a llama one day,
a Buddhist monk.

264
00:41:30,943 --> 00:41:35,095
I also have a long journey
behind it, just like you.

265
00:41:35,263 --> 00:41:40,496
How did I get here?
- My brothers found you in the snow.

266
00:41:40,663 --> 00:41:46,454
Your fire of life was almost extinguished,
but your karma wasn't done yet.

267
00:41:46,623 --> 00:41:50,536
My karma?
- Your fate.

268
00:41:50,703 --> 00:41:54,378
Your journey to the One
has only just begun.

269
00:41:59,703 --> 00:42:01,614
Where are they?

270
00:42:02,903 --> 00:42:04,541
Where's my father?

271
00:42:06,063 --> 00:42:12,502
You've been asking about him for days.
- To dawn ? How long have I been here?

272
00:42:12,663 --> 00:42:16,702
I have to find him.
- That wouldn't make any sense now.

273
00:42:16,863 --> 00:42:23,018
But you don't have to look for him.
He is safe, as are your companions.

274
00:42:23,183 --> 00:42:29,531
They almost died when they caught you
were looking for. The brothers saved them.

275
00:42:29,703 --> 00:42:32,376
Are you sure?

276
00:42:33,423 --> 00:42:35,459
How do you know that?

277
00:42:37,063 --> 00:42:40,100
Those are our clocks.

278
00:42:40,263 --> 00:42:46,338
This way all monasteries can contact us
keep. We are never alone.

279
00:43:07,423 --> 00:43:10,620
A prayer
that we repeat every morning...

280
00:43:10,783 --> 00:43:15,493
lest the insects
that we may have trampled...

281
00:43:15,663 --> 00:43:19,099
in a next life
end up better.

282
00:43:20,423 --> 00:43:25,543
It's all coming back now.
I remember your voice...

283
00:43:25,703 --> 00:43:27,773
and the bells.

284
00:43:28,863 --> 00:43:32,572
I want to thank you
take good care of it.

285
00:43:33,903 --> 00:43:38,181
You must thank Buddha.
- How should I do that?

286
00:43:38,343 --> 00:43:42,780
Buddha defeated in our country
the demons of superstition...

287
00:43:42,943 --> 00:43:47,778
and they became his servants.
The Guardians of Tibet.

288
00:43:47,943 --> 00:43:53,654
When He puts an end
of sins or of diseases...

289
00:43:53,823 --> 00:43:57,179
we say: God has triumphed.

290
00:44:16,623 --> 00:44:22,300
The bells express their joy
because your wheel of life is still turning.

291
00:44:44,463 --> 00:44:49,583
This blessed scarf expresses
that we are happy to have you with us.

292
00:44:49,743 --> 00:44:52,211
We call that 'katak'.

293
00:44:52,383 --> 00:44:57,218
If you keep the scarf in your possession,
God's blessing is yours.

294
00:45:03,263 --> 00:45:04,935
What is he doing?

295
00:45:05,103 --> 00:45:09,096
Such is the teaching of Buddha
set in motion.

296
00:45:09,263 --> 00:45:14,462
Life is infinite. We live and
die and are born again.

297
00:45:14,623 --> 00:45:18,502
We hit every time
get rid of more imperfections...

298
00:45:18,663 --> 00:45:22,815
until we finally
reach nirvana.

299
00:45:22,983 --> 00:45:25,702
Being one with God.

300
00:45:25,863 --> 00:45:31,176
You leave material things behind for that
behind you. They are not permanent.

301
00:45:31,343 --> 00:45:36,975
All these things are not real:
passion, jealousy, ambition.

302
00:45:37,143 --> 00:45:39,976
They are just illusions.

303
00:45:49,263 --> 00:45:54,098
Stay with us. Then you learn everything
about the mysteries...

304
00:45:54,263 --> 00:45:59,781
and when you are purified, you learn the
to overcome human weaknesses...

305
00:45:59,943 --> 00:46:02,377
and you reach nirvana.

306
00:46:05,263 --> 00:46:10,018
I can't do that.
- Can't you or won't you?

307
00:46:10,183 --> 00:46:14,096
I have the leader of my church
made a promise.

308
00:46:16,343 --> 00:46:19,141
You should never break a promise.

309
00:46:23,343 --> 00:46:26,779
We already knew what you would answer.

310
00:46:26,943 --> 00:46:30,333
Your companions will feel
join you.

311
00:46:34,623 --> 00:46:40,220
I understand you, Marco.
It is your destiny to travel.

312
00:46:40,383 --> 00:46:45,138
You will move from country to country,
with body and mind.

313
00:46:46,423 --> 00:46:49,221
And as for us...

314
00:46:49,383 --> 00:46:52,534
We make it travel
left to our minds.

315
00:46:52,703 --> 00:46:58,335
This way we can get to places
that others will never achieve.

316
00:47:15,343 --> 00:47:18,653
Father.
- We already gave up on you.

317
00:47:21,783 --> 00:47:23,341
What is this?

318
00:47:25,743 --> 00:47:28,177
There are many more trials to come.

319
00:47:28,343 --> 00:47:31,255
The steppe will stretch out before you.

320
00:47:31,423 --> 00:47:34,620
The Mongolian Empire of the Wind.

321
00:47:34,783 --> 00:47:40,062
We will pray that Buddha,
the eternal traveler, accompanies you.

322
00:48:14,663 --> 00:48:17,621
What is it?
- A signpost.

323
00:48:17,783 --> 00:48:21,856
The next waterhole
is west of us.

324
00:50:02,663 --> 00:50:06,292
We are friends,
in the name of the great Kublai.

325
00:50:08,423 --> 00:50:13,975
Welcome, in the name of the great Kublai
and from Bektor Khan, our leader.

326
00:50:17,863 --> 00:50:21,902
Gansu, in Northern China

327
00:51:31,023 --> 00:51:33,218
My name is Polo.

328
00:51:33,383 --> 00:51:36,580
My son, my brother.
We come from Venice.

329
00:51:36,743 --> 00:51:39,655
Welcome. I'm Bektor Khan.

330
00:53:54,783 --> 00:53:56,774
Drink up.

331
00:54:20,663 --> 00:54:23,257
Here's to your happiness.

332
00:54:24,623 --> 00:54:27,695
Be careful, it's very strong.

333
00:54:27,863 --> 00:54:31,458
What is it made of?
- From horse milk.

334
00:54:33,423 --> 00:54:36,733
My god.
If only we had our own wine.

335
00:54:43,063 --> 00:54:45,577
We are honored, Bektor Khan.

336
00:54:45,743 --> 00:54:50,021
We hope you like this gem
wish to receive.

337
00:55:00,263 --> 00:55:02,174
Take it.

338
00:55:02,343 --> 00:55:07,098
That is a very nice gift
for such a poor reception.

339
00:55:07,263 --> 00:55:10,653
I am grateful to you.
Where are you traveling to?

340
00:55:11,303 --> 00:55:14,579
To the summer city of Kublai Khan.

341
00:55:14,743 --> 00:55:20,101
That's far away.
- We've already traveled a long way.

342
00:55:20,263 --> 00:55:25,542
It's my honor. If you are rested
you, I will send supervisors along.

343
00:55:25,703 --> 00:55:28,661
Until then, you are our guest here.

344
00:55:28,823 --> 00:55:34,659
You will meet the great Kaidu,
the khan of all our tribes...

345
00:55:34,823 --> 00:55:37,815
which we expect here soon.

346
00:56:35,663 --> 00:56:40,453
Are those his daughters?
- More like younger women.

347
00:56:45,383 --> 00:56:47,499
You are well liked.

348
00:57:04,423 --> 00:57:06,379
How beautiful.

349
00:57:10,663 --> 00:57:12,654
Very different from mine.

350
00:58:59,263 --> 00:59:01,413
Why is he there?

351
00:59:02,463 --> 00:59:05,978
That young man is in love.

352
00:59:07,343 --> 00:59:12,371
He must remain seated in front of the yurt
of the girl of his choice.

353
00:59:12,543 --> 00:59:15,819
If she approves of him,
she comes out.

354
01:00:07,423 --> 01:00:10,859
Our people love to sing.
Do you like it?

355
01:00:21,543 --> 01:00:24,740
How old are you?
- 21.

356
01:00:24,903 --> 01:00:30,182
How many wives do you have?
- None, I'm not married.

357
01:00:30,343 --> 01:00:32,174
At your age...

358
01:00:32,343 --> 01:00:36,894
I had five wives and ten children.

359
01:00:38,343 --> 01:00:41,096
That's not how it works in our country.

360
01:00:41,263 --> 01:00:47,179
We ensure that every mare
is given a rider at birth.

361
01:01:07,583 --> 01:01:12,577
There is my son Kasar,
our wrestling champion.

362
01:01:28,663 --> 01:01:32,497
The winner gets two horses.

363
01:02:43,383 --> 01:02:47,171
Well done, son of mine. Great.

364
01:03:02,143 --> 01:03:05,260
You said so
that you were expecting Kaidu Khan?

365
01:03:05,423 --> 01:03:09,939
He's the champion
that Kaidu Khan sent us.

366
01:03:43,183 --> 01:03:45,651
Don't do that, Marco.

367
01:06:07,263 --> 01:06:09,174
The party is over.

368
01:06:11,223 --> 01:06:17,059
Where did you learn to fight like that?
- In the alleys of Venice.

369
01:06:26,343 --> 01:06:29,574
Milk from the mares for our gods.

370
01:07:10,743 --> 01:07:15,533
Kaidu, Kublai Khan's cousin,
comes to get new horses.

371
01:07:39,943 --> 01:07:42,377
Only the best is good enough.

372
01:07:42,543 --> 01:07:46,695
You have a good eye
for horseflesh, stranger.

373
01:07:46,863 --> 01:07:50,538
I know something about it. A little.

374
01:07:50,703 --> 01:07:55,618
You are especially pleased
about this horse. Why this animal?

375
01:07:55,783 --> 01:08:00,459
Do you like this horse better?
than the other?

376
01:08:02,303 --> 01:08:06,535
You can't do the sun
compare it to a candle.

377
01:08:07,823 --> 01:08:10,018
It's a beautiful animal...

378
01:08:10,183 --> 01:08:16,861
and with such a chest and such legs
he will be able to gallop all day long.

379
01:08:18,703 --> 01:08:20,819
He is quick-witted.

380
01:08:22,503 --> 01:08:24,892
He learns quickly.

381
01:08:25,063 --> 01:08:30,262
These horses are descended
of Genghis Khan's horse.

382
01:08:31,463 --> 01:08:34,819
The great leader,
the pride of the Mongols.

383
01:08:34,983 --> 01:08:40,376
You've seen how we live,
you know our customs.

384
01:08:40,543 --> 01:08:42,295
What do you think of us?

385
01:08:46,863 --> 01:08:50,173
You think our customs are barbaric.

386
01:08:52,143 --> 01:08:54,418
They are cruel...

387
01:08:56,463 --> 01:08:59,057
but it benefits your people.

388
01:09:06,583 --> 01:09:10,132
You know no fear,
just like a Mongol.

389
01:09:10,303 --> 01:09:13,659
We are savages, nomads.

390
01:09:13,823 --> 01:09:18,499
We live everywhere,
as long as our animals can graze.

391
01:09:18,663 --> 01:09:21,257
Like savages, in freedom.

392
01:09:21,423 --> 01:09:25,211
When limits are imposed on us,
we die.

393
01:09:25,383 --> 01:09:28,978
That seems to be the great Kublai
to have forgotten...

394
01:09:29,143 --> 01:09:32,977
because he wants us
locked up between its walls.

395
01:09:33,143 --> 01:09:38,058
Tell the great Kublai that Kaidu
will never follow his orders.

396
01:09:39,263 --> 01:09:42,812
We stay with the horses,
not in his cities.

397
01:09:42,983 --> 01:09:44,701
Tell him that, Polo.

398
01:09:44,863 --> 01:09:47,696
We have the world
conquered on horseback...

399
01:09:47,863 --> 01:09:51,219
and we will rule it on horseback.

400
01:09:51,783 --> 01:09:57,255
I have often thought that Marco
gave his imagination too much free rein.

401
01:09:57,423 --> 01:10:01,860
I tried to give him reality
to face.

402
01:10:03,023 --> 01:10:05,378
An example:

403
01:10:05,543 --> 01:10:08,103
He told me...

404
01:10:08,263 --> 01:10:14,099
that they are after the Pamir Mountains
and the Gobi desert...

405
01:10:14,263 --> 01:10:18,859
came to a huge castle,
the gateway to China.

406
01:10:19,023 --> 01:10:22,413
He said there is a big wall
was built...

407
01:10:23,463 --> 01:10:26,023
of six million steps long.

408
01:10:26,183 --> 01:10:32,418
He would lead through these areas
up to the mountains before Kambalik.

409
01:10:36,983 --> 01:10:39,053
Six million steps.

410
01:10:39,223 --> 01:10:43,978
I said, I don't believe that.
Nobody believes that.

411
01:10:44,143 --> 01:10:49,217
It was tempting
to leave the details alone...

412
01:10:49,383 --> 01:10:53,342
about the uses of
the residents of Camul.

413
01:10:55,263 --> 01:10:58,733
There are many towns and castles there.

414
01:10:58,903 --> 01:11:05,502
The men sing and dance and
play all kinds of musical instruments.

415
01:11:11,663 --> 01:11:14,131
When there are guests...

416
01:11:14,303 --> 01:11:18,660
must their wives
meet all their needs.

417
01:11:18,823 --> 01:11:22,577
Like the men
being away from home for a few days...

418
01:11:22,743 --> 01:11:27,214
the women are happy
and they submit.

419
01:11:29,823 --> 01:11:33,293
And those women
who wear all those pants...

420
01:11:33,463 --> 01:11:36,057
because their men love fat...

421
01:11:41,183 --> 01:11:44,858
I don't know if I'll leave that alone.

422
01:11:47,583 --> 01:11:52,054
That's not decent.
- Those are trivialities.

423
01:11:52,223 --> 01:11:56,102
We are concerned with more important matters.

424
01:11:56,263 --> 01:11:58,094
Go on.

425
01:11:58,263 --> 01:12:04,213
It's not always decent
but we can leave some behind.

426
01:12:04,383 --> 01:12:06,817
That gives color to the story.

427
01:12:06,983 --> 01:12:11,659
Maybe stay there at all
no more story left.

428
01:12:11,823 --> 01:12:14,098
Go on.

429
01:12:25,743 --> 01:12:31,739
When we have ridden for three days,
we come to the city of Chengdu...

430
01:12:31,903 --> 01:12:34,656
built by the order of Kublai.

431
01:12:34,823 --> 01:12:39,260
The khan is in the hot summer
likes to be on the water.

432
01:12:39,423 --> 01:12:42,654
He loves hunting.

433
01:12:43,943 --> 01:12:47,299
The great Kublai had ordered...

434
01:12:47,463 --> 01:12:52,457
that a residence was built there
in the middle of a vast meadow.

435
01:12:53,623 --> 01:12:56,296
It had to be built
of bamboo.

436
01:12:56,463 --> 01:13:00,615
Each stem had to be longer
then three hands.

437
01:13:00,783 --> 01:13:04,822
The dome had to come from the inside
are plated with gold.

438
01:13:11,543 --> 01:13:14,580
Chengdu, summer 1275

439
01:13:53,983 --> 01:13:56,816
What is he doing?

440
01:13:56,983 --> 01:14:00,976
What is he doing?
- It heats the water.

441
01:14:01,143 --> 01:14:03,737
Chen Pao, can I see that?

442
01:14:08,063 --> 01:14:12,932
This is just a stone.
- Those are special stones. Coal.

443
01:14:15,423 --> 01:14:17,778
They cut them out of the rocks.

444
01:14:17,943 --> 01:14:21,253
Nobody believes that.
Burning stones?

445
01:14:25,423 --> 01:14:27,618
They have to believe it.

446
01:14:34,063 --> 01:14:36,657
Do those people never talk?

447
01:14:36,823 --> 01:14:40,213
Your father likes stupid slaves.

448
01:14:40,383 --> 01:14:43,216
They only talk when you speak to them.

449
01:14:43,383 --> 01:14:46,898
You have to go to the khan
also wait your turn.

450
01:14:54,023 --> 01:14:59,177
Jacopo, Marco, we have to go
rush. We have to have an audience.

451
01:16:01,423 --> 01:16:05,974
What did you say?
- God has triumphed.

452
01:16:06,143 --> 01:16:09,453
That's what the lamas taught me.

453
01:16:09,623 --> 01:16:14,981
Who is that monk?
- Phags-Pa, the man of the documents.

454
01:16:15,143 --> 01:16:19,853
He's the man who gave us
would rather see it go than come.

455
01:16:23,663 --> 01:16:25,858
Let us lead the way.

456
01:16:29,703 --> 01:16:33,298
Don't stand on the threshold.
That brings bad luck.

457
01:16:48,823 --> 01:16:50,654
Please stand.

458
01:16:55,263 --> 01:16:58,653
A welcome return after all these years.

459
01:16:58,823 --> 01:17:03,772
I was afraid you were unable to attend
because of an accident or a war.

460
01:17:03,943 --> 01:17:08,812
Both caused delays
and Persia was in an uproar.

461
01:17:08,983 --> 01:17:13,613
Is that why you have those hundred priests?
not included?

462
01:17:13,783 --> 01:17:16,661
The Pope was
only just appointed.

463
01:17:16,823 --> 01:17:20,657
He will see you soon
send ten times as many men.

464
01:17:20,823 --> 01:17:25,772
Rome embraces you in friendship
and opens her heart to you.

465
01:17:25,943 --> 01:17:30,971
His Holiness wrote to you
this fraternal letter.

466
01:17:31,143 --> 01:17:34,977
Fraternally? Is he my equal?

467
01:17:35,143 --> 01:17:39,022
He is the leader of us
global faith.

468
01:17:39,183 --> 01:17:42,220
His faith is only global...

469
01:17:42,383 --> 01:17:47,218
if it is accepted
in my kingdom.

470
01:17:51,983 --> 01:17:56,818
We have protected these donations
in times of war...

471
01:17:56,983 --> 01:18:02,137
and they symbolize respect
that our Father has for you.

472
01:18:17,423 --> 01:18:19,220
Eccentric.

473
01:18:20,463 --> 01:18:22,852
I don't know any other religion...

474
01:18:23,023 --> 01:18:29,258
that's an instrument of torture
used as an art object.

475
01:18:30,823 --> 01:18:33,781
And as a symbol of power.

476
01:18:33,943 --> 01:18:38,812
We also have the rare gift
with us what you asked for.

477
01:18:39,743 --> 01:18:45,613
His Holiness is sending you a bottle of oil
of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

478
01:18:45,783 --> 01:18:47,216
Kneel, Marco.

479
01:19:08,063 --> 01:19:13,012
Is this oil from the lamp that is on the grave?
of your Christ is burning?

480
01:19:13,183 --> 01:19:14,582
That's right.

481
01:19:14,743 --> 01:19:18,418
We could travel through your realm
with golden steps...

482
01:19:18,583 --> 01:19:22,098
but we have
the dangers averted...

483
01:19:22,263 --> 01:19:25,619
with the powers of this oil.

484
01:19:25,783 --> 01:19:29,822
This is certainly a rare gift.

485
01:19:29,983 --> 01:19:33,771
I will do it with respect
to receive.

486
01:19:38,743 --> 01:19:42,577
You have more people
of your race.

487
01:19:42,743 --> 01:19:47,942
My servant and my son. He has
brought the oil from Jerusalem.

488
01:19:48,863 --> 01:19:51,980
My son and your servant.

489
01:19:52,143 --> 01:19:58,457
If he serves me as well as his
father and his uncle, I will be satisfied.

490
01:19:58,623 --> 01:20:01,376
How old is he?
- 21.

491
01:20:09,303 --> 01:20:15,014
You are faithful, you keep your word
held and returned...

492
01:20:15,183 --> 01:20:18,016
and that is an honorable achievement.

493
01:20:18,183 --> 01:20:22,938
Your possessions and wealth
are kept here.

494
01:20:23,103 --> 01:20:26,857
You take back double that amount.

495
01:20:35,063 --> 01:20:40,376
You must translate the Pope's letter
and we have a lot to discuss.

496
01:20:41,423 --> 01:20:47,578
I indicate the Holy Oil
Empress Chabi in safe custody.

497
01:20:55,903 --> 01:21:00,021
Master Marco, you have the oil
Already brought this far...

498
01:21:00,183 --> 01:21:03,573
that this end can still be added.

499
01:21:03,743 --> 01:21:05,096
Come along.

500
01:21:10,823 --> 01:21:12,461
Walk backwards.

501
01:21:38,623 --> 01:21:44,812
There it is finally. I already have one
prayed for and hoped for for so long.

502
01:21:49,583 --> 01:21:52,893
Did you bring this with you?
- Of course.

503
01:21:53,063 --> 01:21:55,702
From the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

504
01:21:55,863 --> 01:21:59,412
Can this oil really work?
perform miracles?

505
01:22:00,703 --> 01:22:04,935
In many cases yes,
but only if you believe in it.

506
01:22:05,103 --> 01:22:08,652
If you embrace our faith.
- I'd like that.

507
01:22:08,823 --> 01:22:12,896
Nayan, the khan's cousin,
told about Christ.

508
01:22:13,063 --> 01:22:16,100
He told me about this oil...

509
01:22:16,263 --> 01:22:20,620
and about the Holy Father, the Pope.

510
01:22:20,783 --> 01:22:24,696
Too bad he has his priests
did not send.

511
01:22:25,943 --> 01:22:28,935
We also have Christian priests...

512
01:22:29,103 --> 01:22:32,698
but they are against the Pope
and know nothing about Rome.

513
01:22:32,863 --> 01:22:36,981
I asked the khan
for this Holy Oil...

514
01:22:37,143 --> 01:22:40,260
that I need for a specific purpose.

515
01:22:40,423 --> 01:22:42,414
Come.

516
01:22:57,983 --> 01:23:00,861
I had this cabinet made for it.

517
01:23:05,063 --> 01:23:10,695
But I thought
that it would always remain empty.

518
01:23:17,863 --> 01:23:20,900
Have you spoken to the Pope yourself?

519
01:23:21,063 --> 01:23:25,215
He greets the great khan
and his whole family.

520
01:23:25,383 --> 01:23:28,659
I want to know everything about it
and about Rome too.

521
01:23:28,823 --> 01:23:32,418
If you only knew
how many times I've dreamed about it.

522
01:23:32,583 --> 01:23:36,098
About the palaces, the golden churches...

523
01:23:37,823 --> 01:23:40,621
Come sit next to me.

524
01:23:45,063 --> 01:23:48,658
Nayan has heard a lot
about the Holy City...

525
01:23:48,823 --> 01:23:55,661
and it is his dearest wish to pray
on the tombs of Peter and Paul...

526
01:23:55,823 --> 01:23:58,212
who died for Jesus.

527
01:23:58,383 --> 01:24:01,500
It's just as beautiful there
as Nayan claims ?

528
01:24:01,663 --> 01:24:04,018
I only dreamed about it.

529
01:24:04,183 --> 01:24:08,813
I wanted to go too, but there was
no pope, so it didn't happen.

530
01:24:08,983 --> 01:24:11,816
I met the new Pope in Acre.

531
01:24:11,983 --> 01:24:16,022
The pilgrims mean a lot to me
told about Rome.

532
01:24:17,783 --> 01:24:20,616
Rome is a great cathedral.

533
01:24:20,783 --> 01:24:23,855
It is a forest full of churches
and bell towers.

534
01:24:24,023 --> 01:24:25,900
There are walls around it...

535
01:24:26,063 --> 01:24:30,500
and the most precious jewel
is the Pope's palace.

536
01:24:30,663 --> 01:24:34,451
A thousand rooms with mirrors
that reflect light.

537
01:24:34,623 --> 01:24:37,581
A dark night
will be a summer day.

538
01:24:37,743 --> 01:24:42,737
A river flows through the city
that shines like gold.

539
01:24:42,903 --> 01:24:46,578
In the tomb you see
the footsteps of Jesus...

540
01:24:46,743 --> 01:24:51,214
who appeared to Peter
when he wanted to leave Rome.

541
01:24:51,383 --> 01:24:56,821
I want to get to know all those stories.
I want to find out so much.

542
01:24:56,983 --> 01:25:01,340
Every year the pilgrims are allowed
see a piece of the cross...

543
01:25:01,503 --> 01:25:04,620
and then there are sounds
thousands upvote.

544
01:25:04,783 --> 01:25:11,097
Nayan was right.
That city is actually heaven on earth.

545
01:25:11,263 --> 01:25:14,812
We don't have a city like that in China.

546
01:25:14,983 --> 01:25:19,534
China is so different.
You can't compare miracles.

547
01:26:57,143 --> 01:27:00,931
If you like a girl...
- Are you sitting in front of her yurt...

548
01:27:01,103 --> 01:27:04,220
until she asks you to come in.

549
01:27:05,863 --> 01:27:08,423
How does that work in your country?

550
01:27:08,583 --> 01:27:12,212
You strike up a conversation
with her brother or sister.

551
01:27:14,943 --> 01:27:19,812
My sister is not among them,
but I do know some brothers.

552
01:27:21,863 --> 01:27:26,698
They belong to the great khan,
they are part of his family.

553
01:27:26,863 --> 01:27:30,822
He has more than one wife,
as you well know.

554
01:27:31,783 --> 01:27:35,617
You shouldn't take too much
take the bait.

555
01:27:35,783 --> 01:27:39,822
We'll just keep watching.

556
01:27:39,983 --> 01:27:42,372
What's your name?
- Chinkin.

557
01:27:42,543 --> 01:27:43,976
I am...
-Marco.

558
01:27:44,143 --> 01:27:47,579
Son of Niccolo and
cousin of Matteo Polo.

559
01:27:50,663 --> 01:27:53,894
Who is he?
- The eldest son of the khan.

560
01:27:54,063 --> 01:27:57,100
The heir apparent.

561
01:28:35,864 --> 01:28:38,094
Wonderful.

562
01:28:58,304 --> 01:29:01,376
The prince invites you
to sit with him.

563
01:29:02,624 --> 01:29:04,296
Go ahead, Marco.

564
01:29:11,664 --> 01:29:13,222
Tasty.

565
01:29:55,024 --> 01:29:57,857
Who is that?
- A special man.

566
01:29:58,024 --> 01:30:03,018
His name is Lu-Tse-Yu and he is head
of the imperial printing house.

567
01:30:03,184 --> 01:30:05,015
What exactly is that?

568
01:30:05,184 --> 01:30:10,816
I know you guys copy books
by copying them by hand.

569
01:30:10,984 --> 01:30:15,535
The Han Chinese have
machines invented...

570
01:30:15,704 --> 01:30:20,903
with which books by the thousands
can be recreated at the same time.

571
01:30:21,064 --> 01:30:25,854
Just look.
This is a so-called almanac.

572
01:30:26,024 --> 01:30:31,621
The Imperial Predictions
astrologer for every day of the year.

573
01:30:33,264 --> 01:30:36,620
He comes before the end every year
from the summer.

574
01:30:37,864 --> 01:30:40,697
Every Chinese has one.

575
01:30:40,864 --> 01:30:46,382
It is a guideline for life
and protects you from misfortune.

576
01:30:46,544 --> 01:30:51,493
All our books and texts are
originating from the Han Chinese.

577
01:30:51,664 --> 01:30:55,293
We Mongolians have no alphabet.

578
01:30:55,464 --> 01:31:00,936
We learn our history, stories
and poems through our songs.

579
01:31:01,104 --> 01:31:04,494
One generation gives them
on to the other.

580
01:31:07,184 --> 01:31:12,463
The people of this country are lucky.
Everyone can learn to read here.

581
01:31:12,624 --> 01:31:18,256
Books are not alone here
for a few, like in my country.

582
01:31:20,624 --> 01:31:25,493
Everything here is so serene and beautiful.

583
01:31:26,864 --> 01:31:30,095
Everything is in perfect harmony.

584
01:31:30,264 --> 01:31:34,098
Yet if you listen carefully you can hear...

585
01:31:34,264 --> 01:31:38,621
the faint rumble of war
that disrupts this harmony.

586
01:31:38,784 --> 01:31:40,456
What kind of war?

587
01:31:46,464 --> 01:31:50,093
China is at the moment
divided in two.

588
01:31:50,264 --> 01:31:55,019
The north and these areas become
ruled by the Grand Khan.

589
01:31:55,184 --> 01:32:00,258
The ruler of the south is emperor
Tu-Tsong of the Sung Dynasty.

590
01:32:00,424 --> 01:32:03,097
As we celebrate here now...

591
01:32:03,264 --> 01:32:07,894
the Grand Khan's troops advance
on to the south...

592
01:32:08,064 --> 01:32:11,977
around the strongholds of the Soongs
to attack.

593
01:32:12,144 --> 01:32:15,819
There will be much blood of our brothers
are shed.

594
01:32:23,544 --> 01:32:28,459
Let us offer this drink.
To Natigai, our god.

595
01:32:30,864 --> 01:32:33,253
Here's to peace.

596
01:37:53,729 --> 01:37:55,242
Come on, Marco.

597
01:38:08,449 --> 01:38:12,647
I know a few saddles
and tents to be found.

598
01:38:15,809 --> 01:38:18,960
I'm glad you showed no fear.

599
01:39:07,009 --> 01:39:11,685
I saw a llama take off, so what
the shaman did didn't surprise me.

600
01:39:11,849 --> 01:39:14,682
Not even when that cobra hissed at you?

601
01:39:14,849 --> 01:39:19,923
I wondered how he could do anything to us
showing and hearing what was not there.

602
01:39:20,089 --> 01:39:24,605
You are here, but your mind
keeps wandering off. Where are you ?

603
01:39:24,769 --> 01:39:27,488
Excuse me.

604
01:39:29,369 --> 01:39:32,600
What is that thing?

605
01:39:34,129 --> 01:39:39,647
An instrument that marks the hours.
It measures the time that passes.

606
01:39:40,689 --> 01:39:45,001
Fantastic. Then you are not
more dependent on the sun.

607
01:39:45,169 --> 01:39:48,923
Are you always so easily distracted?

608
01:39:49,089 --> 01:39:56,325
No, but it's something new.
All new things fascinate me.

609
01:39:58,609 --> 01:40:02,488
Where was that lama monastery?
Point it out.

610
01:40:06,569 --> 01:40:08,048
There.

611
01:40:09,249 --> 01:40:11,717
And that was the way that...

612
01:40:11,889 --> 01:40:13,527
No, that's not right.

613
01:40:14,569 --> 01:40:18,005
That road is wrongly signed.
- Are you sure?

614
01:40:18,169 --> 01:40:25,280
Yes, the mountain pass was blocked by
boulders. We had to go through that valley.

615
01:40:25,449 --> 01:40:29,408
Your father and your uncle remembered
not anymore.

616
01:40:30,769 --> 01:40:34,523
Empress Chabi is right.

617
01:40:34,689 --> 01:40:40,685
She says you like more of your travels
than any other traveler remembers.

618
01:40:40,849 --> 01:40:43,283
I remember what interests me.

619
01:40:44,329 --> 01:40:46,524
Are you not comfortable?

620
01:40:48,729 --> 01:40:53,723
I'm not used to this attitude.
- I already noticed that.

621
01:40:53,889 --> 01:40:59,725
You may sit or stand as you please
want, but only when we are together.

622
01:41:06,929 --> 01:41:10,080
Tell me. What interests you?

623
01:41:10,249 --> 01:41:15,767
Most things. The customs
and beliefs of people.

624
01:41:15,929 --> 01:41:20,957
Their way of life. All kinds of things.
- Like?

625
01:41:23,089 --> 01:41:26,240
Their arable farming methods.

626
01:41:28,129 --> 01:41:33,249
The way they treat the sick and elderly
care, and what they teach children.

627
01:41:33,409 --> 01:41:39,405
Their merchandise: cotton in Kashagar,
pearls in Baghdad, and so on.

628
01:41:39,569 --> 01:41:46,759
Whether they mine metal or gemstones,
or something as strange as asbestos.

629
01:41:46,929 --> 01:41:52,686
A kind of cloth that doesn't burn.
It looks like salamander skin...

630
01:41:52,849 --> 01:41:57,286
but it is a mineral
from which they weave threads.

631
01:41:57,449 --> 01:42:01,203
I have it in the Tsiangyang Mountains
seen.

632
01:42:01,369 --> 01:42:08,366
The wild sheep in the Pamir Mountains
with their six palms long horns.

633
01:42:08,529 --> 01:42:13,887
And the yak where you have the tail
like prices.

634
01:42:14,049 --> 01:42:18,167
The reason why stories
and legends arise.

635
01:42:18,329 --> 01:42:22,447
That which makes a people strong or weak,
determined or uncertain.

636
01:42:22,609 --> 01:42:25,487
can you remember all that?

637
01:42:25,649 --> 01:42:30,723
I also write things down.
What the products of the region are...

638
01:42:30,889 --> 01:42:36,407
how many days the journey through the area
counted, the distance between cities...

639
01:42:36,569 --> 01:42:40,357
and there are also...
- Yeah, what?

640
01:42:40,529 --> 01:42:47,367
Every place, every city sends signals
to your eyes.

641
01:42:48,849 --> 01:42:52,319
The way the trails
and walk streets.

642
01:42:52,489 --> 01:42:56,880
Neat groups of trees,
regular plow marks in the fields.

643
01:42:57,049 --> 01:43:03,318
This shows that people are orderly
and take pride in their work.

644
01:43:03,489 --> 01:43:07,277
At home in Venice my mother always said:

645
01:43:07,449 --> 01:43:12,318
the laundry being hung,
tells something about every family.

646
01:43:12,489 --> 01:43:14,639
Look how that's been patched up.

647
01:43:14,809 --> 01:43:19,439
To the care with which it was done,
you can see they are proud...

648
01:43:19,609 --> 01:43:21,839
despite their poverty.

649
01:43:22,009 --> 01:43:25,240
She mentioned those clothes
the family banners.

650
01:43:25,409 --> 01:43:27,764
Do you hear that, Chinkin?

651
01:43:27,929 --> 01:43:32,684
These are the signals that the eye receives
and be able to catch the ear...

652
01:43:32,849 --> 01:43:36,888
when they are led
by an attentive mind.

653
01:43:38,529 --> 01:43:45,128
This kind of information has a ruler
necessary to understand a people.

654
01:43:46,329 --> 01:43:50,117
The way they live
within the walls of their home...

655
01:43:50,289 --> 01:43:53,008
and their talent for working the land.

656
01:43:53,169 --> 01:43:56,320
If there is somewhere
food scarcity is...

657
01:43:56,489 --> 01:44:01,847
do you also know where it is possible?
is a surplus.

658
01:44:02,009 --> 01:44:07,037
We have accurate data
necessary and we must study it.

659
01:44:08,089 --> 01:44:11,365
We need to know more
about our country and our people.

660
01:44:11,529 --> 01:44:13,485
Kaidu Khan says that...

661
01:44:14,529 --> 01:44:18,317
Kaidu ? What does he say?

662
01:44:19,529 --> 01:44:25,559
That a ruler must keep traveling.
- And what else does my cousin say?

663
01:44:27,409 --> 01:44:31,243
I hope I'm not saying something wrong.
- Go on.

664
01:44:32,329 --> 01:44:37,642
Kaidu said that good Mongols
always be near their horse.

665
01:44:37,809 --> 01:44:40,448
That makes them invincible.

666
01:44:42,969 --> 01:44:47,599
Forgive me. I didn't mean to offend you.

667
01:44:49,489 --> 01:44:55,359
He meant well.
- I know. Don't be afraid.

668
01:44:55,529 --> 01:45:00,284
There are so many people
who talk to me.

669
01:45:00,449 --> 01:45:05,842
I find it refreshing to meet someone
meet someone who talks to me freely.

670
01:45:06,969 --> 01:45:12,202
I admire Kaidu.
He is a Mongol through and through.

671
01:45:12,369 --> 01:45:15,645
But he doesn't understand this.

672
01:45:15,809 --> 01:45:19,882
I'm going to say something now
what you should remember well.

673
01:45:20,049 --> 01:45:24,759
You Chinkin, because you ever
will be my successor.

674
01:45:24,929 --> 01:45:29,002
And you Marco, because you might
becomes his servant.

675
01:45:29,169 --> 01:45:30,966
And that is this:

676
01:45:31,129 --> 01:45:37,318
You can see the world from a saddle
conquer but not govern.

677
01:45:37,489 --> 01:45:42,040
Everything is still fresh to you now
in memory...

678
01:45:42,209 --> 01:45:45,963
so report to Lord Phags-pa.

679
01:45:46,129 --> 01:45:49,405
Tell him everything you know.

680
01:45:50,729 --> 01:45:56,520
Our cartographers know their trade,
but some maps are outdated.

681
01:45:56,689 --> 01:46:02,047
Change whatever seems necessary to you.
I will reward you for it.

682
01:46:02,209 --> 01:46:07,488
It is a return for what you do
did for my father and uncle.

683
01:46:49,209 --> 01:46:52,087
He is a favorite
of the Empress...

684
01:46:52,249 --> 01:46:57,164
and has won the friendship
of Chinkin and the Grand Khan.

685
01:46:57,329 --> 01:47:03,120
Favored people have something new
to offer, but are quickly forgotten.

686
01:47:03,289 --> 01:47:06,679
The Khan and the Empress
are just fascinated...

687
01:47:06,849 --> 01:47:13,448
by the charm, the shrewdness
and the ingenuity of this stranger.

688
01:47:15,209 --> 01:47:19,088
The Empress pretends to
sent by her new god.

689
01:47:19,249 --> 01:47:24,403
I wish the Polo brothers
had brought their priests with them.

690
01:47:24,569 --> 01:47:30,121
I had defeated and humiliated them
with the power of our faith.

691
01:47:31,409 --> 01:47:36,085
But instead they have
took this young man...

692
01:47:36,249 --> 01:47:37,602
and their superstitions.

693
01:48:02,409 --> 01:48:04,445
The khan's archers.

694
01:48:04,609 --> 01:48:10,241
Their bows are useful in battle and
when hunting, but difficult to handle.

695
01:48:10,409 --> 01:48:15,199
They are unbelievably good.
I want to try it.

696
01:48:15,369 --> 01:48:16,848
Pull.

697
01:48:19,449 --> 01:48:20,848
To shoot.

698
01:48:37,809 --> 01:48:42,929
I can't get him back.
- It takes time to learn it.

699
01:48:43,089 --> 01:48:47,321
But you can do it, Chen Pao.
Shoot.

700
01:48:47,489 --> 01:48:51,004
I can't do that, master.
I am Chinese.

701
01:48:51,169 --> 01:48:53,842
It's okay with me.
- I'm Chinese.

702
01:48:54,009 --> 01:48:56,887
I am a Venetian.
That doesn't matter anyway.

703
01:48:57,049 --> 01:48:59,847
We are not allowed to use weapons.

704
01:49:00,929 --> 01:49:05,957
I want to learn this. The bow and the horse
make the Mongols so strong.

705
01:49:06,129 --> 01:49:12,238
By delving into the traditions
I want to get to know the Chinese people...

706
01:49:12,409 --> 01:49:17,529
and I want to tell my people about it.
- And then your armies come here?

707
01:49:19,769 --> 01:49:21,248
Have a seat.

708
01:49:26,209 --> 01:49:29,918
His Holiness the Pope,
the Grand Khan of my faith...

709
01:49:30,089 --> 01:49:33,240
says you need bridges
hitting between people.

710
01:49:33,409 --> 01:49:38,563
So that they understand each other
and can live together in peace.

711
01:49:38,729 --> 01:49:43,439
We can learn from each other.
- Yes, master. How can I help you?

712
01:49:43,609 --> 01:49:48,842
Don't call me master anymore.
- I have been ordered to serve you.

713
01:49:49,009 --> 01:49:52,718
Fine, but when we're together,
then call me Marco.

714
01:49:52,889 --> 01:49:55,244
If that's your assignment, most...

715
01:49:57,129 --> 01:50:03,318
Yes, and now teach me this. I thought
I always thought I was good at archery.

716
01:50:05,529 --> 01:50:11,286
You should not hold the bow in front of you
and pull the tendon towards you.

717
01:50:11,449 --> 01:50:16,000
What should I do then?
- The opposite.

718
01:50:16,169 --> 01:50:22,324
You hold the bow next to your ear, take it
string and then push the bow away from you.

719
01:50:24,049 --> 01:50:26,085
Success.

720
01:50:32,089 --> 01:50:33,966
Prince Chinkin wants to speak to you.

721
01:50:34,129 --> 01:50:37,360
My friend Chinkin.
I owe him a lot.

722
01:50:37,529 --> 01:50:43,206
I heard that, but be careful
don't get too intimate with them.

723
01:50:43,369 --> 01:50:46,122
Life at court is
not so simple.

724
01:50:46,289 --> 01:50:50,362
The mighty Phags-pa distrusts us
and our western influence.

725
01:50:50,529 --> 01:50:52,440
As well as Yelu Zhu...

726
01:50:52,609 --> 01:50:57,922
the chancellor whose relatives since
Genghis are already servants of the khans.

727
01:50:58,089 --> 01:51:02,048
Weigh your words on a gold scale.
I mean, don't say too much.

728
01:51:02,209 --> 01:51:06,646
We have been well received here
because we have behaved wisely.

729
01:51:06,809 --> 01:51:13,044
Bring our position to the Grand Khan
not in danger by being too familiar.

730
01:51:13,209 --> 01:51:15,200
There's too much at stake.

731
01:52:28,769 --> 01:52:31,237
Help. Chen Pao, come here.

732
01:52:32,609 --> 01:52:34,440
All of you.

733
01:52:34,609 --> 01:52:36,520
Help him hold it.

734
01:52:38,249 --> 01:52:42,765
Chen Pao, come here.
Come back. Help me.

735
01:52:53,409 --> 01:52:56,082
Open your mouth.

736
01:52:56,249 --> 01:52:58,604
Bite. Bite hard.

737
01:52:59,689 --> 01:53:03,238
Well done. Try to relax.

738
01:53:04,729 --> 01:53:07,607
Calm down. It'll be fine.

739
01:53:14,049 --> 01:53:15,926
Take him with you.

740
01:53:22,529 --> 01:53:26,886
You shouldn't move him
then he has another attack.

741
01:53:27,049 --> 01:53:29,802
We'll bring him
to the great Kublai.

742
01:53:29,969 --> 01:53:32,608
Who could have thought this?

743
01:53:32,769 --> 01:53:37,001
In this realm that by my grandfather
Genghis Khan was founded...

744
01:53:37,169 --> 01:53:43,085
he is torn to pieces, as if
an ox by a bunch of hungry wolves.

745
01:53:44,409 --> 01:53:47,640
The Imperial Guard has
strict orders...

746
01:53:47,809 --> 01:53:53,759
to everyone who such an attack
has seen...

747
01:53:53,929 --> 01:53:58,161
and anyone who happens to be there
heard something about...

748
01:53:58,329 --> 01:54:01,446
to be put to death immediately.

749
01:54:07,449 --> 01:54:12,159
The Guard is looking
to the servants.

750
01:54:13,689 --> 01:54:19,047
As soon as they find him, he'll be sick
killed, along with the others.

751
01:54:21,369 --> 01:54:24,441
And then we still have you.

752
01:54:27,249 --> 01:54:30,719
At least you're not begging for mercy.

753
01:54:30,889 --> 01:54:34,962
That makes it easier,
and you tried to help him.

754
01:54:36,329 --> 01:54:41,961
But I know you're my son
now actually despised.

755
01:54:42,129 --> 01:54:44,359
That's not true.

756
01:54:44,529 --> 01:54:51,207
Chinkin is my friend.
I don't despise him. Why should I?

757
01:54:52,409 --> 01:54:56,038
He gave me his friendship
as a token of welcome.

758
01:54:57,089 --> 01:55:03,801
My one and only friend and traveling companion
Giulio died on the way.

759
01:55:03,969 --> 01:55:08,565
I haven't had a boyfriend since then
had more.

760
01:55:09,649 --> 01:55:11,844
I thought Chinkin...

761
01:55:13,849 --> 01:55:16,044
You're wrong.

762
01:55:16,849 --> 01:55:20,285
You pretend falling ill
is contagious.

763
01:55:20,449 --> 01:55:23,964
So many have had this.
Also famous men.

764
01:55:24,129 --> 01:55:27,644
Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar,
the noble Roman.

765
01:55:27,809 --> 01:55:30,323
Alexander, the Emperor?

766
01:55:30,489 --> 01:55:35,358
It's just a condition. It had
no further influence on their lives.

767
01:55:35,529 --> 01:55:40,557
The two best generals ever
have existed. Everyone reveres them.

768
01:55:40,729 --> 01:55:45,883
They both had epilepsy. That
Father Anselmo taught us in school.

769
01:55:46,049 --> 01:55:49,121
He said it's nothing
to be ashamed of.

770
01:55:49,289 --> 01:55:54,238
In ancient times it was considered
as a sign of exaltation.

771
01:56:03,649 --> 01:56:08,439
My son has the mark
of sublimity.

772
01:56:32,329 --> 01:56:39,167
Master Marco takes over
an honorable position at my court.

773
01:56:39,329 --> 01:56:43,163
He can visit me at any time...

774
01:56:43,329 --> 01:56:47,561
and serve his commands
to be followed.

775
01:56:50,009 --> 01:56:54,127
Looks like you lost your belt.

776
01:56:56,809 --> 01:56:59,846
Take this one.

777
01:57:04,209 --> 01:57:08,646
The spirits in the air are restless.

778
01:57:08,809 --> 01:57:14,486
Perhaps the weather is unsettled
caused the recent disorder.

779
01:57:14,649 --> 01:57:18,324
I'll ask the shamans
to conquer the clouds?

780
01:57:18,489 --> 01:57:23,324
No, the summer season is over.

781
01:57:23,489 --> 01:57:26,208
We return to Khan-balik.

782
01:58:07,849 --> 01:58:13,481
There's Prince Chinkin
with his mark of exaltation.

783
01:58:14,529 --> 01:58:19,557
He appears to have recovered.
- He will never fully recover.

784
01:58:19,729 --> 01:58:23,404
He cannot be a worthy successor
of becoming the great Kublai.

785
01:58:23,569 --> 01:58:26,925
Chinkin loses his Mongolian nature.

786
01:58:27,089 --> 01:58:31,048
His mind is poisoned
by the ideas of the strangers.

787
01:58:31,209 --> 01:58:34,167
Lady Chabi wants the Grand Khan
convince...

788
01:58:34,329 --> 01:58:39,084
of miraculous power
of the oil of the Christian god.

789
01:58:39,249 --> 01:58:42,480
Beware of superstition.

790
01:58:44,889 --> 01:58:50,885
The Grand Khan sees it as a game,
but Chinkin is weak.

791
01:58:51,049 --> 01:58:56,487
And he is receptive to a belief
that glorifies weakness.

792
01:58:56,649 --> 01:59:02,804
Something needs to be done about this.
That bad influence must disappear.

793
01:59:02,969 --> 01:59:06,644
That dangerous tire is necessary
be broken.

794
01:59:17,729 --> 01:59:21,438
Marco, come with me.
We are leading the way.

795
02:00:32,689 --> 02:00:34,919
The wall starts in the north.

796
02:00:35,089 --> 02:00:38,161
They say he has 6 million
steps is long...

797
02:00:38,329 --> 02:00:43,039
and in some places so wide
that an ox cart can drive over it.

798
02:00:45,529 --> 02:00:48,362
This is truly unbelievable.

799
02:01:03,409 --> 02:01:07,243
Who built it?
- By the Chinese.

800
02:01:07,409 --> 02:01:13,041
1000 years ago to the northwest
to protect against the barbarians.

801
02:01:14,809 --> 02:01:20,167
Barbarians?
- The desert barbarians. The Mongols.

802
02:01:20,329 --> 02:01:24,959
Now it's just a monument,
a relic of the past.

803
02:01:38,009 --> 02:01:41,126
You asked who the Great Wall
had built.

804
02:01:42,729 --> 02:01:46,642
People will say
that it was the emperor of China.

805
02:01:46,809 --> 02:01:50,927
The son of heaven,
but that's not right.

806
02:01:54,969 --> 02:02:01,920
It was built by hundreds of thousands
slaves. Prisoners.

807
02:02:02,089 --> 02:02:05,445
One hundred years of forced labor.

808
02:02:07,129 --> 02:02:11,247
Several thousand of them died.

809
02:02:12,809 --> 02:02:15,562
Their tomb is this wall.

810
02:02:15,729 --> 02:02:18,880
The stones are masonry
with their blood.

811
02:02:19,049 --> 02:02:23,406
They were the builders.
They deserve the credit.

812
02:02:29,569 --> 02:02:36,008
There's a story about it
a beautiful woman. Meng Chiang Nu.

813
02:02:38,449 --> 02:02:42,886
Her husband had been convicted
to forced labor on the wall.

814
02:02:43,049 --> 02:02:46,962
She still wanted him
one last visit.

815
02:02:49,129 --> 02:02:53,008
When she found out
that he had worked himself to death...

816
02:02:53,169 --> 02:02:56,639
were her cries of sorrow
so poignant...

817
02:02:56,809 --> 02:03:03,203
that there was a crack in the wall
which has never been closed again.

818
02:03:03,369 --> 02:03:06,805
What a sad story.
- Not only that.

819
02:03:12,449 --> 02:03:14,280
Chen Pao has been killed.

820
02:03:30,009 --> 02:03:34,400
Your Chinese servant, Chen Pao...

821
02:03:34,569 --> 02:03:36,685
What's wrong with him?

822
02:03:36,849 --> 02:03:39,602
He was put to death.

823
02:03:39,769 --> 02:03:43,842
The Grand Khan's command
to spare his life came too late.

824
02:04:16,769 --> 02:04:20,762
You understand people
with a different faith.

825
02:04:20,929 --> 02:04:25,798
So why are you so strict
for you Chinese nationals?

826
02:04:27,569 --> 02:04:33,246
I don't have the wish
to succeed my father prematurely.

827
02:04:33,409 --> 02:04:36,606
But one thing is certain for me.

828
02:04:36,769 --> 02:04:41,559
When it's my turn, I want to
trying to teach everyone...

829
02:04:41,729 --> 02:04:44,197
that we belong to a people.

830
02:04:45,289 --> 02:04:48,565
Our only hope for the future is...

831
02:04:50,609 --> 02:04:57,003
that others and ourselves are the Mongols
no longer consider...

832
02:04:57,169 --> 02:05:02,323
as proud conquerors
from other countries.

833
02:05:03,569 --> 02:05:08,723
But as the sons
of that one motherland China.

834
02:05:08,889 --> 02:05:13,041
Can't the Grand Khan do that already?
- It's too early.

835
02:05:13,209 --> 02:05:18,044
The khan dares the Han Chinese
not to give high offices.

836
02:05:18,209 --> 02:05:23,567
And what about the main printer? Lu-Tse-Yu.
Your father has a lot of respect for him.

837
02:05:23,729 --> 02:05:26,084
Because he is a learned man.

838
02:05:27,809 --> 02:05:32,121
Teachers, philosophers,
artists and poets.

839
02:05:32,289 --> 02:05:35,599
Thousands of them serve
the Grand Khan.

840
02:05:35,769 --> 02:05:40,843
But being in the important positions
Mongolians and foreigners...

841
02:05:41,009 --> 02:05:44,524
who are loyal in their own interest.

842
02:05:44,689 --> 02:05:48,045
If the Grand Khan is driven away,
they become that too.

843
02:05:48,209 --> 02:05:52,088
Foreigners like my father,
my uncle and myself?

844
02:05:52,249 --> 02:05:57,039
Yes, but there is a difference between them
foreigners and aliens.

845
02:05:57,209 --> 02:06:00,167
A friend is never a stranger.

846
02:06:00,329 --> 02:06:04,800
Many foreigners have a high one
position. Achmet is supreme.

847
02:06:04,969 --> 02:06:06,607
The man who rules?

848
02:06:06,769 --> 02:06:11,285
He is the regent like my father
does not reside in Khan-balik.

849
02:06:11,449 --> 02:06:14,964
What kind of person is it?
- It's a Turkmen.

850
02:06:15,129 --> 02:06:19,839
A capable man. He comes to meet you
to all my father's wishes.

851
02:06:20,009 --> 02:06:24,878
You'll meet him tomorrow if
we are welcomed in Khan-balik.

852
02:06:26,689 --> 02:06:30,318
Khan-balik, autumn 1275

853
02:08:49,969 --> 02:08:53,757
I have the honor to give you some happy news
to pass on.

854
02:08:53,929 --> 02:08:59,879
General Bayan and your troops have
defeated the last Soongs.

855
02:09:00,049 --> 02:09:06,488
Emperor Tu-Tsong has fled and has
the Empress and her child left behind.

856
02:09:06,649 --> 02:09:11,245
The entire South is now united
under your rule.

857
02:09:11,409 --> 02:09:16,767
A great country with a ruler,
the most powerful country under the sun.

858
02:10:29,769 --> 02:10:31,122
Great Khan...

859
02:10:31,289 --> 02:10:35,601
the banners of the defeated Sung
bow to your victory.

860
02:11:16,729 --> 02:11:21,803
Arise, Bayan, sword of our empire.

861
02:11:22,009 --> 02:11:27,083
From today you will be in control
about the territories you have conquered.

862
02:11:27,249 --> 02:11:32,243
I appoint you regent.
In the name of my grandson Timur...

863
02:11:35,329 --> 02:11:40,039
to whom I will entrust the throne
which belonged to the Soong.

864
02:11:50,569 --> 02:11:56,838
So this is the Master Marco about whom
we hear such promising things.

865
02:11:57,009 --> 02:12:01,446
My son. Lord Achmet is
our benefactor and protector.

866
02:12:01,609 --> 02:12:06,683
And your friend too, I hope.
Please sit down.

867
02:12:09,729 --> 02:12:14,086
One rarely meets advisors
who know so much about the trade...

868
02:12:14,249 --> 02:12:17,047
like your father and your uncle, young sir.

869
02:12:17,209 --> 02:12:20,758
You have a very good name
to uphold.

870
02:12:20,929 --> 02:12:23,648
All I know
I learned from them.

871
02:12:23,809 --> 02:12:26,767
Well noted. A sharp mind.

872
02:12:37,609 --> 02:12:43,127
Developments in spices
and silk trade are interesting.

873
02:12:43,289 --> 02:12:48,317
We are in contact during our trip
established with traders in many countries.

874
02:12:48,489 --> 02:12:51,322
My son has it
all noted.

875
02:12:51,489 --> 02:12:56,005
As you just noted,
he is extremely clever.

876
02:12:56,169 --> 02:12:58,160
Now that the south has been conquered...

877
02:12:58,329 --> 02:13:03,449
we can open countless new markets
and tap into resources.

878
02:13:03,609 --> 02:13:08,399
I might soon too
an assignment for you, Master Polo.

879
02:13:08,569 --> 02:13:13,359
Although you have been added
to the court of Prince Chinkin.

880
02:13:14,529 --> 02:13:18,317
The prince has great regard for you,
just like the Grand Khan.

881
02:13:18,489 --> 02:13:25,486
He says you're the only one
who once rebuked him.

882
02:13:25,649 --> 02:13:28,800
I forgot who I was talking to.

883
02:13:28,969 --> 02:13:30,527
Undoubtedly.

884
02:13:31,569 --> 02:13:34,925
I would advise you not to
to do too often.

885
02:13:35,089 --> 02:13:39,367
I have seen noble heads roll
for less serious offences.

886
02:13:39,529 --> 02:13:45,206
But if you ever need help
or need advice...

887
02:13:45,369 --> 02:13:50,159
please contact me first
than with someone else.

888
02:13:53,169 --> 02:14:00,166
There are the realm of the mighty
Glorious days await Kublai.

889
02:14:00,329 --> 02:14:02,320
The victory over the Soengs...

890
02:14:02,489 --> 02:14:08,086
convinced the Grand Khan
that his army is invincible.

891
02:14:08,249 --> 02:14:12,561
His sword will not last
resting in its sheath.

892
02:14:12,729 --> 02:14:16,244
Soon he will be high again
stick it in the air...

893
02:14:16,409 --> 02:14:20,607
above the forest
of its banners and flags.

894
02:14:20,769 --> 02:14:24,842
The Juan dynasty will
triumph again.

895
02:15:03,729 --> 02:15:07,927
Phags-pa you should have a task
in the Imperial Archives.

896
02:15:08,089 --> 02:15:10,284
You will become a real scholar.

897
02:15:10,449 --> 02:15:14,886
A lama monk in Pamir said
that I could travel with my mind.

898
02:15:15,049 --> 02:15:18,200
It helps if I have my notes
rewrite.

899
02:15:18,369 --> 02:15:21,247
I heard horses all morning.

900
02:15:23,889 --> 02:15:29,202
New horses have arrived
from Shijiazhuang. They're great.

901
02:15:30,529 --> 02:15:33,760
That's why I thought about traveling.

902
02:15:33,929 --> 02:15:37,319
I could almost smell the dusty roads.

903
02:15:37,489 --> 02:15:41,038
Do you want to leave?
Have you had enough of Khan-balik yet?

904
02:15:42,089 --> 02:15:47,561
Of course not. I know Khan-balik
outside these walls at all.

905
02:15:47,729 --> 02:15:52,325
Here everything is so quiet and calm.

906
02:15:52,489 --> 02:15:54,764
So imperial.

907
02:15:54,929 --> 02:15:57,727
I'm having trouble with it
that I have nothing to do.

908
02:15:57,889 --> 02:16:03,088
My father and uncle are busy
with all kinds of new projects.

909
02:16:03,249 --> 02:16:08,004
Soon you will also have something to do.
My father has plans for you.

910
02:16:08,169 --> 02:16:12,367
What then?
- I'm not allowed to say anything about it yet.

911
02:16:15,889 --> 02:16:20,917
Phags-pa sent word that we
should be at the council meeting.

912
02:16:21,089 --> 02:16:26,163
Apparently my father
is preparing a new military action.

913
02:16:26,329 --> 02:16:30,766
As you will notice,
There will not be peace and tranquility here for long.

914
02:16:30,929 --> 02:16:34,399
Are you sure I should come too?

915
02:16:34,569 --> 02:16:39,962
That meeting has yet to start
not. Come, I'll take you outside.

916
02:17:01,449 --> 02:17:04,919
This is a means
against poisoning. Look.

917
02:17:09,209 --> 02:17:11,245
We have company.

918
02:17:18,089 --> 02:17:21,365
This is the roof of Khan-balik.

919
02:17:23,289 --> 02:17:26,565
Here come the best
astronomers gathered...

920
02:17:26,729 --> 02:17:32,247
to study the sun and moon,
and to consult the stars.

921
02:17:32,409 --> 02:17:37,529
Nobody plans for this
a wedding or a business trip...

922
02:17:37,689 --> 02:17:40,840
without looking first
how the stars are positioned.

923
02:18:20,049 --> 02:18:22,085
Now it's our turn.

924
02:18:27,489 --> 02:18:30,401
Would you like to consult the stars?

925
02:18:30,569 --> 02:18:34,278
No, I don't want anything
know about my future.

926
02:18:34,449 --> 02:18:38,886
My friend wants to ask you how happy
his days will be with us.

927
02:18:39,049 --> 02:18:41,643
And how long peace will remain.

928
02:18:42,929 --> 02:18:45,841
These are the signs of heaven.

929
02:19:11,729 --> 02:19:17,122
Dark clouds rage
across a cobalt blue sky.

930
02:19:17,289 --> 02:19:21,441
The mighty wind of the gods
blows in the sails.

931
02:19:22,929 --> 02:19:26,478
With eyes that cannot see...

932
02:19:26,649 --> 02:19:30,278
you will be a dark one
seeing mutilated night.

933
02:19:30,449 --> 02:19:35,569
High in the rising sun
burns the dragon.

934
02:19:35,729 --> 02:19:41,565
The banner of the Grand Khan
flapping in the sea.

935
02:19:41,729 --> 02:19:44,846
What does that mean?
- Listen.

936
02:19:45,009 --> 02:19:50,208
We need the patience of the stars
don't try. Let's go.

937
02:19:58,169 --> 02:20:01,286
With those needles
can cure almost anything.

938
02:21:23,209 --> 02:21:27,168
Two families coming together
for a wedding.

939
02:21:27,329 --> 02:21:32,164
One family has a son
lost, the other a daughter.

940
02:21:32,329 --> 02:21:36,766
The families are here for the ghosts
of the children to unite.

941
02:21:36,929 --> 02:21:41,684
They burn the effigies of
the children and they then become one.

942
02:21:41,849 --> 02:21:45,762
Bringing their brothers and sisters
their gifts.

943
02:21:45,929 --> 02:21:49,365
They have enough forever
toys and sweets.

944
02:21:49,529 --> 02:21:54,444
This is how these people foil
the attempt of death...

945
02:21:54,609 --> 02:21:58,648
for the children's joy
to take away life.

946
02:22:04,209 --> 02:22:05,278
Be good.

947
02:22:12,529 --> 02:22:17,398
You must pray to your God
who died on the cross.

948
02:22:17,569 --> 02:22:24,839
I've been teased for days
through dreams full of sadness and fear.

949
02:22:25,009 --> 02:22:28,888
A fierce storm awaits us.

950
02:22:29,049 --> 02:22:32,962
Marco's God has your prayers
questioned about me.

951
02:22:33,129 --> 02:22:39,364
He will also protect our peace.
- We don't know the word peace.

952
02:22:39,529 --> 02:22:46,879
It's just an illusion. A dream
from which you wake up sad.

953
02:22:48,009 --> 02:22:51,763
The empire needs peace
now that it includes all of China.

954
02:22:51,929 --> 02:22:55,638
The khan realizes that.
His wish has come true.

955
02:22:55,809 --> 02:23:02,248
He has old wounds
who are not healed by his pride.

956
02:23:02,409 --> 02:23:08,200
I have seen the seasons
coming and going...

957
02:23:08,369 --> 02:23:13,921
but there is always a new frontier
that must be crossed...

958
02:23:14,089 --> 02:23:17,286
or a new country
that must be conquered.

959
02:23:20,169 --> 02:23:25,482
There is a distant land,
an empire consisting of islands.

960
02:23:25,649 --> 02:23:29,961
There seems to be an abundance there
of gold and precious stones.

961
02:23:31,729 --> 02:23:36,962
He's already tried it
to conquer.

962
02:23:37,129 --> 02:23:41,202
Tried?
- The invasion was poorly prepared.

963
02:23:41,369 --> 02:23:46,921
Our ships were scattered
and that led to their downfall.

964
02:23:48,409 --> 02:23:50,286
Which country was that?

965
02:23:51,329 --> 02:23:57,723
It is called Japan-kwo,
or the archipelago.

966
02:23:59,089 --> 02:24:02,923
This is a beautiful vase,
Don't you think so?

967
02:24:03,089 --> 02:24:07,560
And this one too. They are made
by a man who comes from there.

968
02:24:07,729 --> 02:24:11,927
He was injured and was brought here
brought as a prisoner of war.

969
02:24:12,089 --> 02:24:19,040
He started sculpting things.
Animals, bowls and vases.

970
02:24:19,209 --> 02:24:21,803
I was impressed by his work.

971
02:24:21,969 --> 02:24:27,566
I got him released and...
that he was given a house and a studio.

972
02:24:28,609 --> 02:24:33,524
That man is the only one
what I know of Japan-kwo.

973
02:24:33,689 --> 02:24:38,319
Unfortunately, I'm not
agree with you, great Kublai.

974
02:24:38,489 --> 02:24:44,485
But if this is your order, we can
best strike at Kiushu.

975
02:24:44,649 --> 02:24:48,085
A surprise attack
by 20,000 or 30,000 men...

976
02:24:48,249 --> 02:24:50,638
on their defenses.

977
02:24:50,809 --> 02:24:53,642
Always a new wave of soldiers.

978
02:24:56,409 --> 02:25:00,641
I don't want to make the same mistakes.

979
02:25:00,809 --> 02:25:05,758
The first time seemed like the landing
and the attack also so easy.

980
02:25:05,929 --> 02:25:11,606
I was told they would be surprised
are. That they only fought among themselves.

981
02:25:11,769 --> 02:25:14,761
And then we turned out to be no side
to be able to handle more.

982
02:25:14,929 --> 02:25:18,239
Their swords for us
and the sea behind us.

983
02:25:18,409 --> 02:25:23,483
Won, the admiral of my fleet,
has prepared a plan of attack.

984
02:25:23,649 --> 02:25:31,203
He knows the enemy. In Korea we have
fought the Japanese for years.

985
02:25:31,369 --> 02:25:35,521
They attacked our shores.
With your help we can defeat them.

986
02:25:35,689 --> 02:25:38,522
You conquer the archipelago.

987
02:25:38,689 --> 02:25:44,366
Three thousand ships will sail
from my ports.

988
02:25:44,529 --> 02:25:49,080
Great Khan, our army must become
led by a Mongol.

989
02:25:49,249 --> 02:25:53,128
Of course, General Bayan.
We fight like brothers.

990
02:25:53,289 --> 02:25:57,248
Won leads the fleet and
the brave Argan's army.

991
02:25:57,409 --> 02:26:01,846
Together, as brothers,
we will defeat the enemy.

992
02:26:04,089 --> 02:26:09,527
From Kiushu we fall
the other islands.

993
02:26:09,689 --> 02:26:15,366
They are separated from each other
by the sea, and it must remain that way.

994
02:26:15,529 --> 02:26:17,565
Like two pieces of iron...

995
02:26:17,729 --> 02:26:22,849
which are melted down in an oven
into a sword and shield.

996
02:26:24,769 --> 02:26:30,719
My emissaries are on their way to the
prince of Japan-kwo and his regent.

997
02:26:30,889 --> 02:26:36,839
I have demanded their surrender.
We are now waiting for their answer.

998
02:26:38,129 --> 02:26:41,485
Japan will submit.

999
02:26:41,649 --> 02:26:48,327
Even there one must have heard
of my victory over Soeng.

1000
02:26:49,609 --> 02:26:51,247
Follow me.

1001
02:26:52,289 --> 02:26:58,842
All branches of the great family tree
of Genghis are reunited here today.

1002
02:27:07,209 --> 02:27:10,042
Noble people...

1003
02:27:10,209 --> 02:27:16,125
the king of Korea,
our brother and ally...

1004
02:27:19,409 --> 02:27:24,608
Admiral Won,
Commander of the Korean Fleet...

1005
02:27:26,209 --> 02:27:29,997
consisting of 3000 ships.

1006
02:27:34,449 --> 02:27:37,964
Kaidu Khan, my cousin.

1007
02:27:38,129 --> 02:27:43,442
He controls the vastness
central steppe area.

1008
02:27:43,609 --> 02:27:48,763
Bektor Khan, leader of
the nomadic families in Changzhou.

1009
02:27:50,489 --> 02:27:53,845
And his son Kasar...

1010
02:27:54,889 --> 02:27:58,359
the best of our young warriors.

1011
02:28:02,209 --> 02:28:07,966
Nayan, a descendant
of the great Genghis...

1012
02:28:08,129 --> 02:28:10,199
my ancestor.

1013
02:28:10,369 --> 02:28:15,284
He has chosen a new god
which has a cross as its sign.

1014
02:28:15,449 --> 02:28:18,282
A god from far away.

1015
02:28:18,449 --> 02:28:23,921
And yet he too is powerful
ally of the Mongols.

1016
02:28:25,489 --> 02:28:27,605
You already know the others.

1017
02:28:35,329 --> 02:28:40,005
You all know how many
of our brave warriors...

1018
02:28:40,169 --> 02:28:45,641
lie unburied at the bottom
of the Sea of Japan.

1019
02:28:45,809 --> 02:28:51,645
The insult of the successors
of Genghis Khan has not yet been avenged.

1020
02:28:52,889 --> 02:28:56,040
My emissaries are on their way.

1021
02:28:56,209 --> 02:29:02,205
We will soon know if the islands
want to submit...

1022
02:29:02,369 --> 02:29:05,645
or want to start a new war.

1023
02:29:05,809 --> 02:29:09,563
Great Khan, this is our weak point.

1024
02:29:09,729 --> 02:29:14,280
A Mongol is not a warrior
without his horse.

1025
02:29:14,449 --> 02:29:19,204
You mean you are willing to fight
to where your horses can reach.

1026
02:29:19,369 --> 02:29:23,282
Kaidu thinks the sea is his men
will make you weak.

1027
02:29:26,289 --> 02:29:33,001
The noble Kaidu and the wise Yeli-Zhu
adopt a cautious approach.

1028
02:29:33,169 --> 02:29:36,161
Caution is
a good quality.

1029
02:29:36,329 --> 02:29:43,121
But everyone here knows the problems
of the many regions within our empire.

1030
02:29:43,289 --> 02:29:46,486
Floods and epidemics
in the north...

1031
02:29:46,649 --> 02:29:49,721
and hunger in it due to war
devastated south.

1032
02:29:49,889 --> 02:29:53,848
War is never a solution.

1033
02:29:54,009 --> 02:29:59,561
Well, like victory
is rewarded with gold.

1034
02:29:59,729 --> 02:30:03,438
More gold than any other empire
has ever owned.

1035
02:30:03,609 --> 02:30:06,681
Who has ever been there
to determine that?

1036
02:30:06,849 --> 02:30:11,604
We just got acquainted
with the iron of Japan...

1037
02:30:11,769 --> 02:30:13,839
and not with his gold.

1038
02:30:18,169 --> 02:30:25,564
Phags-pa, you said there are fellow believers
of you live on those islands.

1039
02:30:25,729 --> 02:30:30,883
They spin a prayer scroll,
just like you. What do you think is wisdom?

1040
02:30:31,049 --> 02:30:35,520
Kaidu's warnings
are justified...

1041
02:30:35,689 --> 02:30:38,920
but Achmet's eye reaches far.

1042
02:30:39,089 --> 02:30:43,480
What he sees fills our hearts with hope.

1043
02:30:43,649 --> 02:30:47,244
Maybe it should be the last word
come from the stars.

1044
02:30:47,409 --> 02:30:51,163
The last word comes
from my emissaries.

1045
02:30:52,369 --> 02:30:57,124
I make the final decision.

1046
02:30:57,289 --> 02:30:59,280
And no one else.

1047
02:30:59,449 --> 02:31:03,442
Thanks, Jacope.
- I still prefer koumis.

1048
02:31:03,609 --> 02:31:05,759
Can I speak to you for a moment?

1049
02:31:09,529 --> 02:31:12,646
I have a surprise for you.
- What then?

1050
02:31:12,809 --> 02:31:15,243
Just wait and see. Something Chinese.

1051
02:31:22,249 --> 02:31:27,642
Finally in the open air.
- At least you can breathe here.

1052
02:31:27,809 --> 02:31:33,202
I know how you feel. Sometimes I love
it is no longer possible between those walls.

1053
02:31:33,369 --> 02:31:37,362
Then I feel like a prisoner
in a golden cage.

1054
02:31:37,529 --> 02:31:41,920
I have bad news for you.
We have to go back into the cage.

1055
02:31:44,809 --> 02:31:47,198
We are your prisoners, Marco.

1056
02:31:49,449 --> 02:31:53,078
Your father is wise...

1057
02:31:53,249 --> 02:31:58,084
that he seizes every opportunity
to leave Khan-balik.

1058
02:31:58,249 --> 02:32:01,286
Where has he gone this time?

1059
02:32:01,449 --> 02:32:06,318
He is crossing the Keizerskanaal by ship
on the way to some port cities.

1060
02:32:06,489 --> 02:32:09,003
With a load of spices from India.

1061
02:32:09,169 --> 02:32:15,768
You have now seen that Kublai
no longer lives like a Mongol.

1062
02:32:15,929 --> 02:32:20,559
He dresses like a Chinese,
his nails are painted...

1063
02:32:20,729 --> 02:32:23,687
and he smells like a woman.

1064
02:32:28,489 --> 02:32:31,242
The great Kublai is a wise man.

1065
02:32:31,409 --> 02:32:36,039
He follows many customs
and respects them all.

1066
02:32:36,209 --> 02:32:40,248
This is how he also deals with the gods.

1067
02:32:40,409 --> 02:32:44,368
He accepts all religions.
If only he confessed one himself.

1068
02:32:44,529 --> 02:32:49,000
Press your faith and your cross
not to others.

1069
02:32:49,169 --> 02:32:56,325
I share Kaidu Khan's opinion.
Mongolians don't accomplish anything at sea.

1070
02:32:57,289 --> 02:33:03,125
Empress Chabi thinks so too. She says
that the Japanese people have many virtues.

1071
02:33:03,289 --> 02:33:07,521
Enmity yields little.
- It's a rich country.

1072
02:33:07,689 --> 02:33:13,366
Everyone knows they have golden temples
and have mountains of precious stones and silver.

1073
02:33:13,529 --> 02:33:18,364
How do they know that? You said it yourself
has never been a merchant.

1074
02:33:18,529 --> 02:33:22,363
The astrologers predict
not much good either.

1075
02:33:22,529 --> 02:33:26,158
Those are theories.
We talk about reality.

1076
02:33:26,329 --> 02:33:29,082
And Achmet has his informants.

1077
02:33:29,249 --> 02:33:32,082
Here's my surprise.
- What is it?

1078
02:33:32,249 --> 02:33:37,198
Dough threads with butter and herbs.
A Chinese delicacy.

1079
02:33:37,369 --> 02:33:40,964
Just put it there.
- They look like boiled beans.

1080
02:33:41,129 --> 02:33:45,600
Enjoy it for yourself.
- One of our favorite dishes.

1081
02:33:48,649 --> 02:33:52,528
Great.
- How did you do that?

1082
02:33:52,689 --> 02:33:55,522
You're supposed to eat it like that.

1083
02:34:05,449 --> 02:34:08,646
This is the house of Saiamon,
the potter.

1084
02:34:20,929 --> 02:34:23,079
Who are you?

1085
02:34:23,249 --> 02:34:28,243
My name is Marco Polo.
I am in the service of the Grand Khan.

1086
02:34:28,409 --> 02:34:30,240
I've seen your work.

1087
02:34:30,409 --> 02:34:32,604
My vases are my everything.

1088
02:34:32,769 --> 02:34:38,844
Thanks to them I have a roof over me
head and I get a bowl of rice every day.

1089
02:34:40,209 --> 02:34:42,439
Take a seat, my friend.

1090
02:34:50,009 --> 02:34:52,842
Can you work in the dark?
- For me...

1091
02:34:53,929 --> 02:34:59,686
there is no darkness or light.
No night and no day.

1092
02:35:01,249 --> 02:35:04,400
Empress Chabi already said
that you were injured.

1093
02:35:04,569 --> 02:35:09,484
To my eyes.
Now my hands look in front of me.

1094
02:35:09,649 --> 02:35:15,121
Do you know Lady Chabi?
- She showed me your work.

1095
02:35:15,289 --> 02:35:17,280
Now I admire it even more.

1096
02:35:17,449 --> 02:35:22,762
I am privileged.
The darkness does not exist for me.

1097
02:35:22,929 --> 02:35:25,602
I chase him away with my hands.

1098
02:35:25,769 --> 02:35:30,206
I learned to make sounds
and understand voices.

1099
02:35:30,369 --> 02:35:32,200
I like your voice.

1100
02:35:33,569 --> 02:35:36,242
I need something from you.

1101
02:35:42,169 --> 02:35:47,801
The few vases I still have,
are already intended for someone.

1102
02:35:48,889 --> 02:35:53,280
There's not enough time.
- I'll come buy something another time.

1103
02:35:53,449 --> 02:35:57,567
I want to ask you something about your country,
the archipelago.

1104
02:35:57,729 --> 02:35:59,242
Why ?

1105
02:36:00,369 --> 02:36:04,408
I sense fear in your voice.
A threat.

1106
02:36:04,569 --> 02:36:07,163
No, you hear a desire to learn...

1107
02:36:07,329 --> 02:36:10,560
and for truth from untruth
to distinguish.

1108
02:36:10,729 --> 02:36:16,167
It seems like it
that you are as blind as I am.

1109
02:36:16,329 --> 02:36:20,766
I have to trust now
on my memories.

1110
02:36:22,209 --> 02:36:25,997
My people are divided among themselves
because of many things:

1111
02:36:26,169 --> 02:36:29,127
Disputes over religion and land ownership...

1112
02:36:29,289 --> 02:36:34,602
warlords who envy each other
and always wanting to fight for more.

1113
02:36:34,769 --> 02:36:38,000
Then there is the pride
of the noble families.

1114
02:36:38,169 --> 02:36:41,605
The fighters who are with us
are called samurai.

1115
02:36:44,089 --> 02:36:48,241
They are both magnanimous and cruel.

1116
02:36:48,409 --> 02:36:53,608
Born fighters.
They never give up their fight.

1117
02:36:53,769 --> 02:36:59,321
One against the other.
One family against another.

1118
02:36:59,489 --> 02:37:04,324
How could a country that was so divided
repel a Mongol attack?

1119
02:37:07,009 --> 02:37:12,447
These fingers are different
from each other, right? But beware.

1120
02:37:14,169 --> 02:37:19,004
Now they form a fist.
United and strong.

1121
02:37:19,169 --> 02:37:24,801
When our country is attacked,
we forget all mutual disputes.

1122
02:37:24,969 --> 02:37:30,362
Everyone obeys the monarch
and his regent, the shikken...

1123
02:37:30,529 --> 02:37:34,078
and its highest general, the sh�gun.

1124
02:37:34,249 --> 02:37:38,242
Then it's like Japan
has a heart.

1125
02:37:39,289 --> 02:37:43,043
A foreign power will attack our people
cannot submit.

1126
02:37:43,209 --> 02:37:49,284
The only ruler we accept,
is our own prince.

1127
02:37:49,449 --> 02:37:55,718
If our country must be defended,
we are ready for any sacrifice.

1128
02:37:55,889 --> 02:37:59,643
Even when we are there the sight of the sun
for having to miss.

1129
02:38:05,409 --> 02:38:08,924
Please listen to me.

1130
02:38:09,089 --> 02:38:12,968
An astrologer saw this omen
in the stars:

1131
02:38:13,129 --> 02:38:17,998
dark clouds rage
across a cobalt blue sky.

1132
02:38:18,169 --> 02:38:21,400
The mighty wind of the gods
blows in the sails.

1133
02:38:21,569 --> 02:38:25,926
With eyes that cannot see...

1134
02:38:26,089 --> 02:38:29,399
you will be a dark maimed one
see night.

1135
02:38:29,569 --> 02:38:33,244
The mighty wind of the gods
blows in the sails.

1136
02:38:33,409 --> 02:38:37,118
High in the rising sun
burns the dragon.

1137
02:38:37,289 --> 02:38:41,919
The banner of the Grand Khan
flapping in the sea.

1138
02:38:42,089 --> 02:38:47,925
There is a storm that only our gods
can erupt.

1139
02:38:48,089 --> 02:38:53,243
We call it the Kamikaze,
the wind of the gods.

1140
02:38:53,409 --> 02:38:57,118
He frees all the demons from the sea.

1141
02:38:57,289 --> 02:39:02,966
The flags of Kublai will be
swallowed by raging waves.

1142
02:39:03,129 --> 02:39:08,920
They will wave in a deadly
current at the bottom of the sea.

1143
02:39:11,049 --> 02:39:18,637
Go to your khan and resist
his plans. I see too many deaths.

1144
02:39:18,809 --> 02:39:21,642
Make sure reason prevails.

1145
02:39:22,809 --> 02:39:29,806
Doubts, uncertainties, discussions.
That's all behind us.

1146
02:39:30,849 --> 02:39:35,047
The Emperor of Japan-kwo has
let us know his answer.

1147
02:39:35,209 --> 02:39:39,566
My envoys have been beheaded.

1148
02:39:39,729 --> 02:39:44,564
We only have one choice:
war.

1149
02:39:44,729 --> 02:39:51,282
Until the enemy is exterminated
and all its fortresses are destroyed.

1150
02:39:52,329 --> 02:39:55,321
Don't be guided by anger alone.

1151
02:39:55,489 --> 02:40:00,961
We are all prepared as always
to fight against the enemy...

1152
02:40:01,129 --> 02:40:05,088
but we don't start a fight
against my better judgment.

1153
02:40:05,249 --> 02:40:11,199
We need to discuss this in more detail.
- I beg you. Listen to them.

1154
02:40:11,369 --> 02:40:15,521
Forgive me, Grand Khan, noble ones.

1155
02:40:15,689 --> 02:40:21,480
We've heard that even the
stars are against this venture.

1156
02:40:21,649 --> 02:40:26,279
An astrologer said...
- Close your mouths. All of you.

1157
02:40:27,329 --> 02:40:30,878
I am your excuses
and plenty of caution.

1158
02:40:31,049 --> 02:40:34,485
That's all fear and cowardice.

1159
02:40:34,649 --> 02:40:38,608
You are ready to fight,
but not at sea.

1160
02:40:38,769 --> 02:40:45,004
But the world that we have been given
consists of land and water.

1161
02:40:45,169 --> 02:40:49,959
The Noble Argan and Admiral Won
jointly command.

1162
02:40:50,129 --> 02:40:54,042
They will be our troops
lead to victory.

1163
02:40:55,489 --> 02:40:59,607
Our response to Japan-kwo
is war.

1164
02:41:01,249 --> 02:41:02,602
War.

1165
02:41:03,609 --> 02:41:04,962
War.

1166
02:41:07,049 --> 02:41:09,483
Apply it hot and with a cloth.

1167
02:41:24,289 --> 02:41:30,080
How is the stomach today?
from my lord? And with his legs?

1168
02:41:30,249 --> 02:41:37,644
My Chinese yin-yang doctor
torments me to take away the pain.

1169
02:41:37,809 --> 02:41:40,323
A very clever method.

1170
02:41:41,569 --> 02:41:46,085
I'll never forget the first time
that you wore your hair like that.

1171
02:41:46,249 --> 02:41:51,198
Spread out like the wing
of a raven.

1172
02:41:51,369 --> 02:41:56,238
'Your hair is more beautiful then
the mane of my horse,' you said.

1173
02:41:56,409 --> 02:42:01,164
The most beautiful compliment
that a Mongolian can give you.

1174
02:42:02,209 --> 02:42:05,918
I've neglected you, Chabi.

1175
02:42:07,209 --> 02:42:14,797
I've been way too busy
with affairs of state and with my plans.

1176
02:42:15,849 --> 02:42:18,886
Life can be so painful sometimes.

1177
02:42:19,049 --> 02:42:23,167
Our son Chinkin has today
raised his voice to me.

1178
02:42:23,329 --> 02:42:29,484
I'm worried about our son.
He seems to be weakening more and more.

1179
02:42:29,649 --> 02:42:33,244
It's like his disease
is always lurking.

1180
02:42:33,409 --> 02:42:38,039
I know. I chose it
not to punish him.

1181
02:42:38,209 --> 02:42:41,679
I had to today
make a very tough decision.

1182
02:42:41,849 --> 02:42:45,080
About Japan-kwo ?

1183
02:42:45,249 --> 02:42:47,524
Will there be another war?

1184
02:42:48,609 --> 02:42:50,406
Just put it here.

1185
02:43:00,289 --> 02:43:04,407
Japan-kwo has again
shed blood.

1186
02:43:05,729 --> 02:43:10,723
They beheaded the envoys
I had sent on a peacekeeping mission.

1187
02:43:10,889 --> 02:43:15,917
Yes, peace. I have to keep them peaceful
surrender requested.

1188
02:43:16,089 --> 02:43:22,039
A generous gesture. It had one
should be an easy conquest.

1189
02:43:22,209 --> 02:43:27,203
You get old when you start talking
about easy conquests.

1190
02:43:27,369 --> 02:43:33,638
The crossing is the most difficult,
but after that it's easy.

1191
02:43:33,809 --> 02:43:36,881
At least if...
- Like what?

1192
02:43:37,049 --> 02:43:39,609
If the gods help me.

1193
02:43:42,089 --> 02:43:44,239
Your god too.

1194
02:43:45,449 --> 02:43:52,958
Your Mongolian soul used to call out
the ghosts in the blue sky...

1195
02:43:53,129 --> 02:43:57,441
before you decided that superstition
to mention.

1196
02:43:57,609 --> 02:44:03,878
Then I was still young and in love
on you, like an innocent colt.

1197
02:44:04,049 --> 02:44:08,327
Call them again for me.
Just like before.

1198
02:44:09,569 --> 02:44:12,402
I don't trust the astrologers.

1199
02:44:12,569 --> 02:44:17,848
Japan-kwo's stars are too high
and too far for their weary eyes.

1200
02:44:27,929 --> 02:44:33,287
See what you can make up
from the milk I spill.

1201
02:44:55,249 --> 02:44:59,720
What do you see? What does it predict?

1202
02:45:00,769 --> 02:45:06,685
It predicts that you will have a large fleet
going to build...

1203
02:45:06,849 --> 02:45:09,761
to sail with it to Japan-kwo.

1204
02:45:09,929 --> 02:45:14,525
I already knew that. But what?
What does this mean?

1205
02:45:15,649 --> 02:45:22,043
It means that there where milk
and a cat meet...

1206
02:45:22,209 --> 02:45:26,441
an exchange takes place.
- Who's the cat?

1207
02:45:26,609 --> 02:45:30,318
When men act,
something is wasted.

1208
02:45:30,489 --> 02:45:36,086
Milk or blood or semen.

1209
02:45:36,249 --> 02:45:41,926
Then the cat appears from above.
You ask who the cat is.

1210
02:45:42,089 --> 02:45:47,447
The cat itself won't tell you.
Even though he knows best.

1211
02:45:47,609 --> 02:45:50,919
can you solve this riddle?

1212
02:45:51,089 --> 02:45:54,047
I asked you for help.

1213
02:45:54,209 --> 02:45:58,999
It's not wise
to want to look into the future.

1214
02:45:59,169 --> 02:46:05,608
According to my mother it was the cat
god or time or history.

1215
02:46:05,769 --> 02:46:09,125
You're just the waster
of the milk.

1216
02:46:09,289 --> 02:46:14,363
Follow my advice.
Leave Japan-kwo alone.

1217
02:46:26,329 --> 02:46:29,765
I just wanted to speak to you myself.

1218
02:46:29,929 --> 02:46:35,765
The khan was impressed with you.
He respected you and liked you.

1219
02:46:35,929 --> 02:46:41,526
But now you've seen how dangerous
and his anger can be unpredictable.

1220
02:46:41,689 --> 02:46:46,080
He was furious. He thinks
that you influenced Chinkin.

1221
02:46:46,249 --> 02:46:51,562
I'll be frank with you.
I assume you are discreet.

1222
02:46:51,729 --> 02:46:57,565
Phags-pa figured out that you're Chinkin
neglects his duties...

1223
02:46:57,729 --> 02:47:02,245
and you're poisoning his mind
with strange ideas.

1224
02:47:02,409 --> 02:47:07,642
Ideas that are just as strange
as yourself. I know it's not right.

1225
02:47:10,889 --> 02:47:15,599
The khan wants you to leave for a while
from Khan-balik.

1226
02:47:15,769 --> 02:47:19,444
He wanted you to go to your friends
steer north.

1227
02:47:19,609 --> 02:47:25,479
At my insistence you get it now
a more important task in the south.

1228
02:47:25,649 --> 02:47:28,846
I'm sure
that your father agrees.

1229
02:47:33,129 --> 02:47:40,558
There is no hiding it
I was sad that you wanted to travel again.

1230
02:47:40,729 --> 02:47:46,679
That's possible now. You also get the chance
to use that talent for observation...

1231
02:47:46,849 --> 02:47:51,001
that the khan admires so much.
- In what way?

1232
02:47:51,169 --> 02:47:54,878
You go together
with a group of tax collectors...

1233
02:47:55,049 --> 02:48:01,045
conduct a census in the areas
between Hanzhou and Yanzhou.

1234
02:48:01,209 --> 02:48:06,078
I don't know anything about taxes,
and I don't know those areas.

1235
02:48:06,249 --> 02:48:09,127
Your uncle Matteo is coming with you.

1236
02:48:09,289 --> 02:48:13,567
He will be a good companion
and be an advisor to you.

1237
02:48:13,729 --> 02:48:20,601
His experience in trading will please you
useful for your assessments.

1238
02:48:20,769 --> 02:48:22,760
Remember what happened here.

1239
02:48:22,929 --> 02:48:27,286
Use your natural gifts
but don't rush too fast.

1240
02:48:27,449 --> 02:48:33,558
And be careful.
It seems to be restless in Yanzhou.

1241
02:48:33,729 --> 02:48:37,039
I know the governor of Yanzhou.
That will help you.

1242
02:48:37,209 --> 02:48:43,762
Strangely enough, lack of experience
sometimes actually useful.

1243
02:48:43,929 --> 02:48:50,562
It prevents you from digging too deep
and disappears into the darkness.

1244
02:48:50,729 --> 02:48:55,245
In time you will
understand better.

1245
02:48:55,409 --> 02:48:59,527
For now you need two things
keep in mind:

1246
02:48:59,689 --> 02:49:05,559
The treasury is almost empty and needs to be done
be supplemented as much as possible.

1247
02:49:05,729 --> 02:49:10,166
And you don't like anyone
give you trust.

1248
02:49:10,329 --> 02:49:13,480
Not even to people
who seem like your friends.

1249
02:49:13,649 --> 02:49:18,200
Luckily I know the head tax collector
from Yanzhou.

1250
02:49:18,369 --> 02:49:23,841
He will give you advice. His name
is Talib. You can trust him.

1251
02:49:24,009 --> 02:49:27,524
When do we leave?
- Tomorrow morning.

1252
02:49:27,689 --> 02:49:33,047
The khan is aware. You don't have to
more officially had an audience with him.

1253
02:49:33,209 --> 02:49:35,643
He's got too much on his mind.

1254
02:49:35,809 --> 02:49:40,485
Prince Chinkin is also very ill again.
It looked so hopeful.

1255
02:49:40,649 --> 02:49:47,566
Man can hope, but God decides.
We can only be his servants.

1256
02:49:47,729 --> 02:49:54,328
I am grateful to you and hope that my
son will prove worthy of your trust.

1257
02:49:54,489 --> 02:49:57,242
It will be a great experience.

1258
02:49:57,409 --> 02:50:02,847
The south is rich and has a lot
trade routes that we do not yet know.

1259
02:50:03,009 --> 02:50:08,447
I have heard that there are wise men
living in the hills...

1260
02:50:08,609 --> 02:50:12,921
who have succeeded
to turn metal into gold.

1261
02:50:15,969 --> 02:50:21,919
If you discover their secret, I will
be the first to hear it from you.

1262
02:50:22,089 --> 02:50:25,320
Then all our problems will be solved.

1263
02:50:26,769 --> 02:50:31,968
A Chinese artist shows in his
drawing the beauty of the tiger...

1264
02:50:32,129 --> 02:50:34,165
and not his bloodlust.

1265
02:50:34,329 --> 02:50:41,201
For him, a tree is any tree
and a flower each flower.

1266
02:50:42,249 --> 02:50:46,640
I think only the Chinese
can fully understand that.

1267
02:50:47,729 --> 02:50:49,560
I understand.

1268
02:50:51,449 --> 02:50:53,917
Maybe I'm Chinese too.

1269
02:50:57,689 --> 02:51:00,999
I need our lessons
miss it for a while.

1270
02:51:01,169 --> 02:51:05,685
They send me on a journey.
- I know. To the south.

1271
02:51:05,849 --> 02:51:08,921
I have to go collect the taxes.

1272
02:51:09,089 --> 02:51:15,039
Achmet thinks it would be better if I leave
Khan-balik. At least, for a while.

1273
02:51:15,209 --> 02:51:18,360
They want to separate you and me.

1274
02:51:19,609 --> 02:51:22,203
Achmet and Phags-pa see it this way:

1275
02:51:22,369 --> 02:51:26,806
The further away you are
from my father and me, the better.

1276
02:51:26,969 --> 02:51:30,803
Why ?
- I told you so.

1277
02:51:30,969 --> 02:51:37,204
He's afraid of my mother and you
to influence the Grand Khan and me so much...

1278
02:51:37,369 --> 02:51:40,759
that we prefer your faith
above his.

1279
02:51:42,409 --> 02:51:48,484
I wish I understood him better.
- It's simple. He's a fanatic.

1280
02:51:49,929 --> 02:51:54,559
He only rests like everyone else
is a Buddhist in our kingdom.

1281
02:51:54,729 --> 02:51:58,085
Everything is justified for this purpose.

1282
02:52:08,329 --> 02:52:10,047
Help me.

1283
02:52:14,689 --> 02:52:19,399
You know you shouldn't move.
Rest is the best medicine for you.

1284
02:52:19,569 --> 02:52:23,039
Just a few steps.
To that tree over there.

1285
02:52:33,609 --> 02:52:37,397
We don't start anything
against their power play.

1286
02:52:37,569 --> 02:52:42,723
Achmet sends you south.
Phags-pa supports his decision.

1287
02:52:42,889 --> 02:52:46,040
The two rivals agree on this.

1288
02:52:46,209 --> 02:52:49,519
They see you as a pawn
on a chessboard.

1289
02:52:49,689 --> 02:52:53,398
No idea who likes it the most
benefits from this move.

1290
02:52:53,569 --> 02:52:58,848
Remember that the pawn
is the last to discover that.

1291
02:53:04,129 --> 02:53:08,486
I would love to come with you.
- I'd like that too.

1292
02:53:11,689 --> 02:53:14,886
Make sure you're cleaned up
when I return.

1293
02:53:18,449 --> 02:53:23,603
Like a Mongolian chieftain or
his son feels that his end is near...

1294
02:53:25,529 --> 02:53:30,808
he is taken to a tree
and placed against it...

1295
02:53:30,969 --> 02:53:34,803
because of the size of his body
to record.

1296
02:53:34,969 --> 02:53:38,518
Then the tree is hollowed out.

1297
02:53:42,649 --> 02:53:49,521
When the chief dies, he becomes
buried deep underground in the tree.

1298
02:53:49,689 --> 02:53:57,243
And there will be a new young strong one
tree planted on the site of his grave.

1299
02:54:01,489 --> 02:54:05,721
My father has decided
that I have to live in Shangtu.

1300
02:54:05,889 --> 02:54:09,928
He thinks the air in the countryside
will do me good.

1301
02:54:10,089 --> 02:54:13,559
He also has a new bride
chosen for me.

1302
02:54:16,009 --> 02:54:19,922
But I think
that I have already found my tree.

1303
02:54:26,129 --> 02:54:29,246
Kokachin, my bride-to-be.

1304
02:54:29,409 --> 02:54:33,197
An example of youthfulness
and zest for life.

1305
02:54:34,329 --> 02:54:38,880
Now I have to pretend to be a man
who thinks he will recover...

1306
02:54:39,049 --> 02:54:42,564
and he believes that
can still build a future.

1307
02:54:45,049 --> 02:54:55,564
Dutch subtitles edited by: Igor