Original subtitles

ADRIATIC SEA 1298

The turbulent 13th century is coming to an end.

The Mongols sowed death and destruction in Europe.

Crusades were fought against the advancing Islam.

In Italy, the cities of Genoa, Venice, Pisa and Amalfi fight each other...

for dominion over the Mediterranean Sea.

After his impossible journey, Marco Polo...

the command of a ship that must fight the mighty Genoese fleet.

I was on the lookout.

Right up in the crow's nest.

The night... I mean the sea...

A sound in the darkness.

I climbed down.

I crept across the deck.

Suddenly he was there. He was enormous.

A Saracen, three times my size. I swear it on...

He jumped on my back.

I felt his iron grip around my throat.

I stopped him, put my arm around his chest and squeezed him.

Just as I was about to kill him, another one showed up, brandishing his scimitar.

While I still held the first one tightly...

I grabbed an oar with both hands and...

How many hands do you actually have?

Enough to shove this oar into your big mouth.

Captain Polo.

It's our turn to keep watch. Go get some sleep.

We're near Curzola. Not yet in hostile waters.

Not that, but that doesn't say much.

We no longer see the Genoese, but they have lighter and faster ships.

They'll catch up with us again soon.

We must go to Curzola immediately. - With all due respect...

But we must not break the formation.

We have to stay in sight, in case it gets dark.

Keep your eyes open.

May Saint Mark protect us.

That fish is as old as Venice.

Maybe he's eating with your wife right now.

For Saint Mark.

Captain Polo...

Genoa, the prison

Here sits Marco Polo. No one has been to him...

since he was interrogated by Brother Philip.

Who are you?

Who are you?

Wait, brother.

Brother, help me.

Listen to me. I've answered your questions.

I can prove anything.

In the name of God, hear me.

Please explain what you have written here.

Stories you made up with Marco Polo...

in the eight months that you shared a cell. - Nine months and ten days.

He arrived here barely a month after he was captured.

He was weakened by his wound.

He talked in his sleep. That's how I heard about his travels.

I really enjoyed waking up and listening.

He fascinated me. He entertained me.

This is a serious matter.

We want you to tell us what the Venetian came up with...

and what you yourself have contributed.

He should still be here for that.

I can't speak for him.

We've been together a long time, but I hardly know him.

3 Where is he? Released?

Mr. Polo will not be released...

before we are sure he is not spreading dangerous lies.

Captain Marco speaks the truth.

He is a good man and a good traveler.

What's wrong with traveling?

He was taken out of this cell because he needed rest.

His answers have not yet removed our doubts.

We want him to get his thoughts in order...

and tells us the truth.

You're from Pisa. - That's right, yes.

My name is Amadeo Rustichello. They call me Rustichello.

I was captured in the first...

'trade war', about ten years ago.

This coat was as new then as yours is now.

I got it from a monk who came to hear my confession.

The smell of piety has now disappeared.

A piss on and a storyteller.

Writing is my profession.

Just as praying and forgiving is yours, I presume.

Brother... - Damian, from Bologna.

And of course you already know Brother Philip from Genoa.

We both belong to the Order of Saint Dominic.

Your order...

my discomfort.

These are just notes. Everything happened so quickly.

Marco Polo had such a good memory. He knew so many stories...

that I had to write them down.

I'd rather tell you about my stories. About my work.

Adventures, novels, comedies, tragedies.

I am read very widely.

A lot of what you've written here...

worries us, as it is our job...

to be mindful of the spread of fabrications...

that can corrupt the reader's mind.

We have been told that these are stories about pagan places.

About sinful practices that can corrupt innocent youth.

Here's what he told me.

I've never been to any of those places.

I am neither a merchant nor a traveler.

It's barely legible what you've scribbled here.

I already asked you to forgive my inconvenience.

Too much water in the ink.

The feather of a sick goose.

Look here.

Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, Venice.

Four quarreling maritime republics. Here, they're no bigger than fly droppings.

But they are afflicted with an enormous sense of honor.

A sin for which we must atone.

That is what your order should be concerned with.

Our job is to ask questions and report.

And since you...

or your sick goose...

you have made it impossible for us to read what you have written...

We ask you again to tell us everything you know.

Everything on these pages.

Please continue.

Everything is jumbled up. All those names of places, people...

countries, rivers, seas. - Set sail.

It all started in the year of our Lord 1254...

when Marco Polo was born in Venice.

The Queen of the Adriatic, according to the Venetians themselves.

Her harbour is always full of ships.

Its merchants touch all coasts.

One of them was Marco's father, Niccolo.

He had left with his brother Matteo before Marco's birth.

They stayed away for years.

Marco was left behind with his sweet, but sick mother.

She was too weak to care for him.

He was raised by his father's sister, Aunt Flora, and her husband, Uncle Zane.

They were attached to the land that their ancestors had stolen from the sea.

Young Marco was a dreamer. Every breath of wind made his heart sail away.

He had to help in his uncle's shop...

but he preferred to hang around the harbour and the quays.

He listened to the adventures of the sailors...

and hoped that one day he would hear that his father was still alive...

and would come back to Venice, back to him.

Come on.

When you've been all over the world, you meet the strangest people.

You can hardly imagine it. Yes, indeed.

People with dog heads...

eagles that can lift elephants.

But the women were friendlier than anywhere else.

And more hospitable, if you know what I mean.

They welcomed you with open arms. - And the men weren't jealous.

But if you touched their camels, they would cut you open.

So. And then they fed your innards to the dogs.

I remember when I was in Persia... - Where?

I reached Tabriz. I saw the Mongols. From afar.

There were thousands of them, with twice as many horses. Two to every man.

When we heard they were going to punish someone, we ran.

Excuse me, sir. - Say it, boy.

Did you ever meet my father, Niccolo Polo, on any of your travels?

He's traveling with his brother Matteo. - When did they leave?

Before I was even born. - Where did they go?

To the Far East, beyond Persia.

Unfortunately, I didn't encounter them. But I barely saw Persia.

One look at those Mongols and I was terrified.

A cruel people.

If your father ended up with them...

Cruel? They're straight from hell. And I was under their command.

Where then?

In Dalmatia, when Genghis Khan reached the border of Venice.

Why weren't you killed? - We didn't fight.

Otherwise, they won't rest until everyone is dead. Women and children too.

They pile skulls where houses once stood.

That's how they do it. Mountains of skulls.

They're also merciless to themselves. If you cross the line...

They first cut off your hands and feet and then your head.

Luckily, I was good with horses, so I was treated fairly.

Until the day they left.

They wanted a souvenir of us.

And we had to know that we were defeated.

So they chopped off our right ear.

The ears of every man and boy. Hundreds of thousands.

They filled baskets with them and took them home as trophies.

You don't believe me.

Your aunt Flora and I have been looking for you everywhere.

Your mother...

Things aren't going well with your mother. It could all end so quickly.

Do you understand me?

She wants to see you, Marco. She's been waiting for you all afternoon.

Just go to her.

God is benevolent.

I thought I wouldn't see you anymore.

I was with my friends.

You're just like your father. The house is too small for you.

You look so much like him, Marco.

My Niccolo.

So long.

Big hands.

He picked you up like you were a feather.

I did everything I could for you.

Now you need your father.

He's not coming back, Mother.

He'll come back. Just wait and see.

Whatever they say.

Don't forget that.

All of Venice will applaud him.

Welcome home, Mr. Polo. Welcome back.

And he's bringing presents for you, Marco.

Gifts for everyone. You'll be so proud of him.

The letter.

The letter your father sent. I want to read it again.

Before it gets dark.

Go on, take him.

I'm in a huge city...

with palaces and churches with golden roofs.

It feels like I haven't seen Venice in such a long time.

Not in months, but not in years.

The sailor who brought me the news of the birth of my son Marco...

will return soon.

I'll give him gifts for you...

and for Marco.

I'm glad you named it after the patron saint of Venice.

You read the rest.

I'll be back soon. I'm so eager to get home.

I shouldn't have left you alone.

The loneliness is also hard for me.

But I do all this, I endure all of this for us.

For you and for Marco, our son.

It's getting darker.

Did you put the candle in the window?

You must not forget that.

Your father must always know that we are waiting for him.

Even if he comes at night.

Pak m'n hand vast.

Don't cry. Don't cry, my son.

Tell him I didn't want to go.

That I wanted to stay awake. That I wanted to wait.

What are you doing? - Just letting in some fresh air, Marco.

My mother's room must remain as it is.

I understand how you feel, Marco.

But life goes on.

Your uncle and I are going to live here now. This is where we'll sleep.

Where do I sleep then? - Downstairs with your cousins.

Your mother told me: Flora, you have to protect Marco.

Easy to say. But what about?

Her illness left her destitute. She left nothing behind.

And your father.

What is he doing?

Instead of sending money to his family, he comes with these things.

Pagan objects that do not belong in 'n christian house.

They poison your soul. They didn't do your mother any good.

I'm throwing those things out the door.

But my father sent them. - Pagan idols. Witchcraft.

They were my mother's. She was too ill to get rid of them.

That one's coming out too. Give it here.

No, that's my father's. - I won't let you spoil it.

My brother should be ashamed. If he isn't already standing before God. Give up.

My father wants to make a fortune for us.

There is no fortune for the disbelievers.

Tartars, Mongols...

Cruel and barbaric people. Spawn of the devil.

Perhaps your father is among those savages.

Where the sun never shines.

That's the edge of the world. You can fall off into nothingness.

My father is still alive. And he will come back.

Marco, where are you going? What's wrong with you?

Many seasons and years passed.

Every day new ships reached Venice. Marco continued to hope...

on his father's return.

Venice summer 1269

Look how big they've grown, Marco.

What is that?

Look over there. Where did that ghost ship suddenly come from?

Marco, don't do that.

Don't be so stupid. Come back.

Come back. Are you crazy?

You know better.

Marco, where are you going?

Watch out, Marco. Watch out.

Marco, come back.

Go back, boy. There's a plague on board. Leave us alone.

Go away, boy.

Go back. Can't you see we're in quarantine?

Do you know Niccolo or Matteo Polo? - No. The plague is on board.

We're in quarantine. Come back.

That's the second time you've done it wrong.

This is a waste of time. - That rudder comes from another boat too.

With your help, we won't get anywhere. Are you giving up hope now too?

Lately, when I...

When I listen to the sailors' stories...

I feel like I can't breathe. Everyone thinks this is all...

the lagoon, the square, that's what it's all about.

But there is also a whole world beyond that lagoon.

As vast as the sky. Look.

These are the people with the dog heads.

And the eagles that can lift elephants.

If I draw them, they exist. - You have eyes in your fingertips.

Eyes that can see far.

Come on, I'll show you.

He's completed his masterpiece. Come on, Marco.

Look at what he painted.

Now look at this.

So you painted him yesterday. A monster.

Djenglo. - How?

He means Genghis Khan, the Mongolian king.

He's reached the edge of the world and he's angry...

because there is nothing left but the sea for him.

No more lands to conquer.

But look there.

There stands Niccolo Polo, with his brother Matteo.

They've reached beyond Mongolia. The whole world lies before them.

You're amazing, Bartolomeo.

That's not what I had in mind. - But let the sun shine on it.

It's really unbelievable.

A hundred pairs of hands wove it in a hundred days.

Too many days, too many hands.

No, thank you.

Even the Doge has never seen such a brocade.

The Sicilian king sent one to the Pope.

Not now, Mr. Zane. Another time.

Alvise...

Just fold it again.

Marco. - There's his uncle again.

Go ahead, go buy some fish.

Hurry up.

Come on, let's go.

They're taking him away. - Whip him.

Give him what he deserves.

Cod, please.

For half a ducat of cod. - You're late. I don't have much fish left.

And he has the last cod.

Take it. I don't really need it.

No. I shouldn't have come so late. Come, Caterina.

She may not refuse a gift for my mother.

Thank you. What's your name?

Hurry up, Caterina. You wanted to walk to San Luca, didn't you?

Marco Polo.

Thanks again, Marco Polo.

I've changed my mind. I want to go home. We're going to San Luca tomorrow night.

Where have you been? You were supposed to buy that fish, not catch it.

I lost the money. Dropped it or something.

can't keep your mind on it?

I have to nail it back on your shoulders.

Alvise, Luca...

This isn't how it should be. No wonder things are so bad.

You don't know how to work. You only dream.

And I'm working myself to death. Pick up that piece of cloth.

Does it always have to be this way?

I was afraid you didn't understand.

What did you understand?

That I wanted to see you again.

I thought so.

But I didn't dare hope. Until I saw you here.

Your eyes already said you understood.

You have beautiful eyes.

I like everything about you.

The way you move your head, and your hair.

My hair is way too long.

I have to comb it again every morning.

Where's your babysitter? - She walks too slowly.

And on this day she always goes to the cemetery.

Does your mother let you go out alone? - I wasn't alone. I was with her.

But I continued on my own. Anyway, Mother trusts me.

She must be a special woman.

Many people think so.

Are you becoming a merchant? Was that your stall at the market?

How do you know about that?

Did you think you saw me first? I already noticed you.

When then?

How could I have missed you? - You were busy with your fabrics.

Just like a real merchant.

I don't want a stall at the market. - No? You could get rich with that.

Maybe. But I want to travel. Just like my father.

Why would a son want to resemble his father?

I love my mother. But I want to be different from her.

I want to be myself.

Why aren't you with your father?

I never knew him.

He left before I was born.

He has traveled far.

Further than all the merchants of Venice.

How do you know if he's still alive?

I just know it.

I feel it in my blood.

And here...

in m'n hart.

My mother knew it too. We shared that dream.

Look.

He sent this to her just before her death.

Beautiful.

It's just a stone, made of water and grass.

You can keep it if you want.

I am right to wait for him.

If you feel it inside...

in your blood, as you say, then you are right.

And until he comes back, are you selling fabrics?

I work for my uncle. In my spare time, I'm building a boat.

A boat.

So I don't give up hope. With a boat, you're free.

I want to see new places, other people, other countries.

I go to the quay or to the square as often as I can.

Where the sailors are. - Why?

They tell such beautiful stories.

About unicorns, mermaids and dragons.

You speak as if you've seen them yourself. - I have too.

A friend of mine is an artist. He paints what I tell him...

On the walls of an old boathouse. You should see it.

I'd like that. - That's where the boat is.

I really feel at home in the boathouse.

It's time for me to go home. I don't want to.

But I have to. Really. My mother is expecting me.

Are they strict with you?

I told you my mother is very sweet and kind.

Even if... Never mind.

Do you want an apple?

Caterina. - Here, catch.

Thief. This is sacrilege. Stealing from the church.

You're Zane's nephew. I'll tell your uncle.

Wait. Not so fast. - What were you doing?

Pardon me, sir.

Have you ever met a Niccolo Polo?

Polo? - A merchant. He travels with his brother.

Where? - In Persia. In the Far East?

Does he have a red mole on his right cheek?

That could be. - Then I'm sorry.

The last time I saw him, he was pierced by Mongolian arrows.

Aren't you hungry?

Not anymore.

This isn't an inn. Your dinner was ready three hours ago.

I had to do something with my friends. - You're just wasting your time.

According to your uncle, you don't help out in the shop.

You forget everything, you don't pay attention. You lose money.

You're a bad influence on your cousins. This can't go on.

Do you want me to leave? - We'll take care of you and feed you.

I want you to do some work too.

You're working yourself to death for a lazy dreamer. That's how it is.

You are truly my brother's son.

A man who abandons his family and disappears.

Now he's wandering around somewhere, god knows where.

Marco, why do you always run away? Why won't you listen?

What is that supposed to do?

Isn't this the Silversmith's Place? - Why?

I'm looking for Donna Fiammetta. - Is that so?

So you don't just come here.

You look decent, even though you're still a child. Go upstairs.

Are you looking for me, young man? - I'm looking for Donna Fiammetta's house.

You found that.

May I speak to Donna Fiammetta?

That's me, in the flesh.

Do you like it? The body, I mean.

Are you sure you can afford Donna Fiammetta?

This must be a mistake. I'm here for Caterina.

Giuseppe, throw that scoundrel out. Out.

What were you planning? If you come back, I'll kill you.

Where were you this morning? - Here. Where else?

Good morning, Brother Anselmo.

Thank you for allowing my son to attend your school. I hope you will help him.

Pray for him. That's the best help he can get.

The courtesan goes to mass.

Hurry up, Caterina. The Mass won't wait for us.

For the second time, and I hope for you it's the last time:

Stay away.

What a shame. Come on, children.

It is good to be merciful to a fallen one.

But not in this case.

Dealing with a prostitute May God forgive me.

Just before the basilica. - Caterina isn't like that.

Conceived in sin. Like mother, like daughter.

She is a lost soul. No soul is ever truly lost.

But this boy... - I have nothing to be ashamed of.

I love her. - He persists in his sin.

He has been stubborn since childhood and never shows remorse.

He grew up without a father. - I have a father.

We haven't heard from him in years. - Lost sailors often return.

Marino, the son of Betta.

His gravestone was already in the cemetery when he suddenly showed up.

You saw him too.

He entered San Marco during Mass.

I keep praying. - And may God hear you.

But precisely because we hope to see your father again...

you must listen to the people who want to protect you from evil.

And against your own weakness and naivety.

We must always be vigilant. There are many traps for the good.

The devil wants to trap the good. We must be vigilant.

Learn to be humble, Marco. Nemo solus satis sapit, remember?

One man alone doesn't know enough. One thing is certain:

Your father has left for the darkness.

To parts of the world where only evil spirits dwell.

Beyond God's limits.

What do you mean? - Beyond the reach of the Church.

Your stubbornness worries me. You're turning a blind eye to the truth.

You forget what we have been trying to teach you for so many years.

Because you have learned something from us, right?

The most I know. - Thanks to us, you can read and write.

But I also learned something from them.

From the people who have seen the world.

You will always stay here.

Many of our brothers have followed... led the crusaders.

These walls do not prevent us from seeing and knowing things.

You can't know if my father is dead.

What can we say except that he is lost?

May God have mercy on him.

This will warm you up. Mulled wine with cloves.

Her mother is a courtesan, so what? You see a lot of them in Venice.

That doesn't mean Caterina is like that too.

Here's some honey.

After all, my father is a mason and I am a painter.

And your father is a merchant. Are you a merchant? No.

So she doesn't have to be like that. - Listen, Marco.

Your uncle is looking for you. The night watchmen will come here looking for you.

You better go home. The world hasn't ended.

Giulio is right.

I want to get out of Venice.

We need to finish the boat. - I've already found a bunch of sails.

Bartolomeo had a piece of Saracen sail.

Your sail will deceive the Saracens. They'll think you're one of them.

Fine. As long as I can reach the Dalmatian coast.

From there I can go east. - And Caterina?

The best boat in the Adriatic.

Look, they've lost their sail. - Hang in there. We're coming.

Where have you been all this time?

I had an accident while testing my boat.

Go on inside.

Your father is finally home.

Father? - I'm your uncle, Matteo.

Your uncle and aunt took good care of you.

And your mother? Did she ever talk about me?

Every day.

Especially when she was sick. She hoped to hear from you.

I'm not much of a letter writer.

But it was a shock that she's gone. She was a good woman.

I've often thought about going home, but...

According to Bartolomeo, this was your idea.

That was a way to be with you. The sailors told us about it.

Fantastic.

You have a great imagination. I thought you'd like them.

You must have seen amazing things.

According to the sailors, there are people with dog heads.

They talk, but bark when they are angry.

I've never seen one. I have.

I couldn't see them clearly, but they were barking.

Look at this, Niccolo.

That's a Mongolian woman. She has so many children...

that nature has multiplied her breasts.

Did you hear that from the sailors too?

That's nonsense. I've never seen such a woman.

You would have remembered that.

Father, how far have you traveled? How many miles?

The outward journey took years and the return journey even longer.

Where to? - Khan's court.

Djenglo? - Genghis. He's dead.

His grandson Kublai rules over all of China, Persia and part of India.

According to the priests, only beasts and evil spirits live there.

One day they will learn the truth. - What is it?

That place you call China. What's it like there?

It's a gigantic country.

Bigger and richer than you can imagine.

According to mother, you wanted to become rich.

And that was successful.

These are turquoise, rubies, pearls and emeralds.

Keep off.

They nearly cost us our lives. We were ambushed.

They took everything. We just managed to hide this one.

I have never seen such beautiful stones.

With one or two I can buy a boatload of fabric.

This is nothing. We had so much more.

The Khan has them. He wanted to make sure we come back.

It's like this, Marco. We're different than we seem.

We left as merchants.

But now we are ambassadors of the great Khan...

with the Doge of Venice.

I thank you, noble Doge, and you, Patriarch, for receiving me and my brother.

We bring big news.

The time of Genghis Khan is long gone.

Except in the imagination of Europe.

His successor Kublai is a peace-loving, civilized man.

But he conquered more territory. - That's right. Three times as much.

But now he wants to trade and make friends.

Friendship? With a barbarian?

China is similar to Europe in many ways. - China?

You call it Cathay.

Do you expect us to believe that?

Everyone knows those Mongols are bloodthirsty savages.

Yet it was only after we had reached 'civilization' that we were robbed.

We had already traveled countless miles, with these golden passes...

which the Khan gave to us...

when he appointed us as ambassadors.

My lord...

But this is gold.

Pure gold.

So you want to trade? - We are merchants.

It is beneficial for Venice...

if Your Serene Highness makes an alliance with the Khan.

Favorable to your master, yes.

But what does he have that is of any use to us Venetians?

Mountains of gold, diamonds, silver, lapis lazuli...

seas of pearls, silk, spices, precious furs.

We've already discussed this.

In two to three years we can open a trade route.

The exchange of valuables...

will make our Venice the warehouse of Europe.

Such large-scale trade with the unbelievers...

will certainly lead to far-reaching corruption...

and the downfall of all Christians.

We lived with them for years.

Yet our faith remains rock solid. - That's what you said.

I for one find it suspicious...

that your master approaches us at this very moment.

What do you mean? - You were misled...

by the wealth of your Khan and by his promise to engage in trade.

In Europe many kings and princes of the church are calling for...

into a crusade to redeem the world once and for all...

from that Mongolian scum. Your master will soon be trembling with fear...

when the crusaders stand before him.

Bishop, the Mongol Empire is ten times the size of Alexander's.

It stretches from Russia and Persia to India and China.

The rest of the world lives in its shadow.

If the Khan is attacked, he can deploy millions of warriors.

We fear for Venice and for all of Christendom...

if our leaders want to challenge him.

The gates of hell will not prevail.

The gates of hell shall not prevail.

Nevertheless, the first concern of our republic is to save souls.

As you well know, Patriarch.

We are not here to organize a crusade.

Let's dig a little deeper into what the Polo brothers tell us.

As merchants, you are unaware of the diplomatic obstacles.

I see many practical difficulties that we have to overcome.

Just shipping all that gold over such great distances.

In China, such sums are paid every day.

In the form of paper money.

These notes are printed with their real value in silver or gold.

They can be exchanged at any time with the Khan.

So they are promissory notes.

For the future, perhaps.

This is what money looks like there.

Of course, your Khan must have enough gold to exchange them.

So this is the money for which Venice has to give up its goods...

at the risk of her immortal soul? A few scraps of paper?

Not the paper, but the value it expresses.

That is nothing at all.

Suppose your Khan doesn't want to exchange it.

It's a matter of trust. - Should I trust those unbelievers?

Sir Polo, this is money.

The only real money.

It speaks. It has its own voice. It sings.

A candle, please.

And it is indestructible.

But this?

An illusion. It has no value that you can easily deduce from it.

What is this? The first accident could destroy it.

You just burned the equivalent of twenty pounds of silver.

Congratulations.

I repeat again that the Church is absolutely against it...

to make a treaty or agreement with the enemy of God.

The Khan is interested in Christianity.

Does he want to convert to the true faith?

Not really. After Mohammed and Buddha, he now also wants to study the Bible.

All doctrines interest him. - The mark of the true barbarian.

We had to go not only to Venice, but also to the Pope.

The Khan wants us to bring back a hundred religious experts.

Why? - He wants to organize a debate.

If we win, our faith is true.

And if we don't win? - This is a trick...

to ridicule the representatives of Christ.

To force them to renounce their faith.

It is a devilish way to destroy the true faith.

But if the Pope approves it... - Impossible.

There is no pope in Rome. There is no pope.

The Cardinals have been trying for three years now...

to find a successor for the deceased Holiness.

What should we do then? - You must wait.

And your master, the Khan, will have to wait too. Just like all of us.

Try to understand the patriarch.

Christianity, the only true faith, is constantly under threat.

I share his fears, but my responsibility is even greater.

Venice has many friends, but also dangerous enemies.

Do you know what that means?

That you spend a fortune on defense every year.

A constant drain on our finances.

Your argument has made me think.

If the peace the Khan offers can make our republic rich...

we cannot refuse immediately.

But from you, and that's why you had to stay here...

I want to hear the whole truth. God is your witness.

This was the truth. The patriarch must believe us.

With the Khan's help, the Holy Sepulchre can be recovered.

Take care, Mr. Polo.

We did fight in the Holy Land.

From Doge Vitale, Michiel in Falier...

led the Venetians in battle against the Saracens...

who had conquered Jerusalem.

We have honored the sacred cause with our own blood.

But now I speak to you confidentially. Not to your ears, but to your soul.

Venice has always traded.

We still sell weapons to those same Saracens.

And we buy spices, fabrics and precious metals from them.

Whether we want to make a covenant is difficult to say.

This isn't simply a matter of calculating your profit or loss.

We understand, sir.

I had no doubt about that.

For now I just say: Return to your Khan...

and tell him that Venice shakes his outstretched hand.

Even if the patriarch doesn't want it? - Church and state are separated here.

It's not always about politics, or even trade.

We are still in the service of the Word of God.

The Khan wants to talk to the Pope as soon as possible.

The Viterbo conclave is not yet over.

Why not? - The cardinals are arguing among themselves.

They're like kings or emperors. Eleven want an Italian...

ten a Frenchman. Yesterday the news came...

that the people destroyed the roof of the council chamber.

In this way they want to force the cardinals to choose a pope.

Then do you advise us to wait, sir?

In Viterbo time seems to stand still.

Only God knows how long that will last.

You must leave. Go back to your Khan.

Where are you going first? - To Acre, on the coast of Galilee.

There is a godly man in Acre, Teobaldo Visconti...

The papal legate of the Holy Land. He will help you.

I'm sorry, but I fear the wrath of the great Kublai Khan.

I don't want to go back without good news, a treaty, or the wise priests.

I wonder and I ask you, our Doge...

whether it would not be wiser to postpone our trip?

You heard me. Go now.

Go with God. For Venice and St. Mark's.

Genoa, the prison

I know him. He's also from Pisa, just like me.

Madness grows here like mold on the walls.

We've been stuck here for ten years. Pisa has forgotten us.

Humiliated in the war and still too proud to sign a peace treaty.

Maybe I've already gone crazy and don't realize it.

What does it matter? My mother has been calling me crazy since I was born.

I'm out of shape.

Come in, gentlemen. Come in and look.

And one, two, three of you...

Your mother was right.

I wanted to make you laugh.

We have a more authoritative audience for you today.

Sir Andrea, Sir Paolo and Sir Lorenzo.

Prominent citizens of Genoa. Jurists and theologians.

Go ahead. I'm just a writer.

We write books too. We know the phases of our work.

They can be compared to the seasons: In winter you study.

In the spring you sow, in the summer you reap...

And in the fall you rot.

We stayed with Niccolo Polo and his brother Matteo...

who after their visit to the Doge...

decided that it would be best to return to Kublai Khan immediately.

Then they manned their ship.

They hired servants who would escort them to Cathay.

Like them, they had to be adventurous and able to withstand great hardships.

Marco convinced his father and uncle...

that his friend Giulio was ready to travel with him to the end of the world.

Your name was Agostino? You look like a sailor.

You bet. I was even born on a ship.

You must also be able to travel overland. - No problem.

I'm from Padua. Always between land and sea. My brothers are sailors.

Almost forgot: My name is Jacopo.

You sort it out with these two, Matteo.

I don't need anyone else. Thank you.

So, guys. You're up for a trip like this, right? Good for you.

But don't forget it's hard work. My brother is strict.

He expects everyone to contribute.

Are you really leaving now? - As quickly as possible.

Where to? - First to Acre, to the legate.

Then to Persia and the East.

Why didn't you tell me anything?

It has only just been decided.

Aren't you waiting for a new pope?

We must go immediately. We promised the Khan that.

You want to go back to what you left behind.

So what? It's a fortune. You'll see for yourself someday.

But I'll go with you.

You're not coming. No way. Why not, Father?

You have no travel experience. - I can learn anything.

It's not a vacation. You need discipline, which you don't have.

You can't just leave me behind after all this time. That's impossible.

I'm not going to argue about this, Matteo.

Your father is right. The journey is dangerous.

You might get us into trouble.

I would do as I was asked.

Your father knows what's good for you. Venice is a beautiful city.

Stay here and learn a safe, virtuous trade.

You are a Venetian.

But a Venetian is born to travel, you said.

When then? - In the letter you wrote to my mother.

When I was young, she read them to me so often.

It was all I knew about you.

Maybe I said something like that. "I've wanted to be with you all my life."

I was wondering where you were, what you were doing.

But I always knew you would come back.

Don't leave me now.

I beg you.

Niccolo, come quickly. A man is looking for Marco's father.

He won't leave until he talks to you.

There he is, the filthy rat.

Thus far and no further.

We'll leave them alone. - So you're Mr. Polo.

Don't think you can save him. - From what?

Mine. I'm her father. Caterina's father.

What's this about? - He wanted to run away with her.

He spent the night with her.

He dishonored her. - Is that true, Marco?

He can't deny it.

She wouldn't say anything. I kept hitting her until she gave his name.

I go to court and the Church.

That would only cause a scandal.

I'm sure something can be arranged.

That can only happen if he marries her.

If she wants to marry... - Shut up.

What will be her dowry if they get married?

Dowry?

What do you mean? - A woman doesn't come empty-handed.

That's not how it works. Donna Fiammetta and I had plans for her.

We wanted to arrange a good marriage for her.

But now he has dishonored her. We want redress.

Right. So it's just a matter of how much.

We want a few days to think about it. If necessary, I'll go to the Senate.

There is no need for that.

We all want to avoid difficulties.

Trouble and gossip. Don't you think so?

Please.

It's not enough.

This just shows that we want to talk.

Excuse me, I want to talk to my son now.

I'd love to tear him to pieces.

You have three days. Then I'll come back.

Damn you young idiot.

It wasn't as he said. - Of course.

Caterina and I... - Shut up.

My son isn't marrying into that family. - You don't even know her.

That bastard threatened her. She's that bastard's daughter.

One more word and I'll think you're an idiot too.

There's no other way. - In five weeks we'll be in Acre.

We'll stay there for a while. He'll be home again in six months.

Then all of this is forgotten again.

Do you hear that? You're coming with us. - But only to Acre, understand?

Not one step further. Start packing now.

I'm leaving soon. Please, one more message.

Will you give it to her?

It hasn't been this cold in a long time. Not since the crusaders left.

So you've finally found your boat. A real boat.

You're leaving Venice. - From Venice, yes.

But I'm not leaving you. You're coming with me.

What does your father think about this? - I'll hide you on board.

You can wear men's clothes.

I won't leave you behind. You already have.

Or maybe I'm the one keeping my distance from you.

You're going too fast. You were born to travel the world.

Like a true Venetian. According to you.

But I am different.

When we got into the boat to leave that day, I was trembling.

But not from fear.

I didn't want to leave Venice.

You think I look like you, but I'm different.

We had made plans together. We had the same dreams.

I said things that deep down I didn't believe.

You actually see the things you dream about: the distant lands, the people.

When you talk to me, I see them too for a moment.

I have to go to mass, Marco.

One day... - Tomorrow. That's our day.

Come with me. - No, Marco.

I would only be a burden to you.

God, what am I saying?

I don't even know what I feel for you. I do.

You feel the same about me as I feel about you.

Feelings don't tell the whole story. Mother has other plans for me.

She wants me to marry a gentleman.

A wealthy man who has both feet on the ground and can take care of me.

Then wait for me.

I won't be gone long. I'll just go with you all the way to the Holy Land.

Then I'll go back again. We'll see each other soon.

You are not leaving your father.

You keep following him, even though your shoes are torn and your feet are broken.

If he sent you back to Venice, your heart would break.

Land in sight.

Land in sight.

Come on, Marco. Hurry up.

We made it.

Look, Giulio. You really wanted to see this, Marco.

Palestine.

Okay.

Get back to work, boy.

Shall we see the crusaders?

Acre is the last stronghold of the Crusaders in the Holy Land.

Akko, the coast of Galilee summer 1271

Marco, look.

Fantastic.

Can we get to Jerusalem safely? - We must.

I'm trying to imagine the city. - You have too much imagination.

You're not going anywhere. And you can't complain yet.

But, father...

Be thankful that you are here.

Who are you and what do you want?

We are Niccolo and Matteo Polo, merchants from Venice.

This is my son Marco. We've come to see the papal legate.

Go ahead.

So your mission failed. The Venetian Senate didn't listen.

Even though we were sent by the Khan himself...

the senate was not interested.

A trade route between Europe and the great empire of the East.

Who wouldn't seize such an opportunity? - They don't trust the pagan Khan.

But they did see opportunities for trade.

Not just for trade.

You seem to agree with me. We should get to know each other better.

And do you consider that desirable?

We've learned to hate the Mongols. After all, they're strange.

Doesn't hatred come from ignorance?

Well said. Suspicion and fear have already ruined many opportunities.

Sit down. We want to pave the way, build bridges, open doors.

But not just for trade. New thoughts.

And the gradual spread of the truth.

But I don't expect your patriarch has the vision to understand that.

Indeed. Not even when we explained that the Khan had sent us...

because he wants friendship with the Pope. The senators laughed. "Which Pope?"

They're laughing at Christianity. The Church has been leaderless for three years now...

because the cardinals only bicker and scheme.

How long will this continue?

For a while, maybe. We heard about the uprising at Viterbo.

We couldn't wait any longer. We promised to come back.

For the Khan, it's all about keeping his word.

The outward journey took us three years. The return journey could also take years.

We don't want to break our promise. - He seems like a special man to me.

Lord, the leader of the Templars awaits.

Okay. Lead him to my quarters. I'll be right there.

So he greets us and he offers us friendship.

But what does he want in return? - Two things.

We had to ask His Holiness...

to send along a hundred very wise Bible scholars.

To teach him the faith? - Not that.

All religions are allowed in his empire: Muslims, Buddhists, Jews.

His peace, the 'Pax Mongolica', is based on this tolerant model.

What religion is he of? - Of all and none.

He respects all religions. He seeks one to rule with.

The more he hears about ours, the more he wants to know.

Do you know what you're saying? Do you realize the opportunity we might be missing?

Listen: A Christian world, from Ireland to China.

That won't happen because there is no pope.

Come with me.

Not now. Be patient.

You had one more assignment.

Take some oil from the lamp at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

With what purpose? - The oil would be a powerful talisman.

That's right. The oil is healing, for those who believe in it.

But that doesn't apply to the Khan. Well, if he insists.

Why have you come to me?

To ask for help to reach Jerusalem.

It is not an easy journey.

Acre is ours, but the Muslims have almost all of Palestine.

As you can see, there is now an armed peace.

Only God knows how long that will last.

Come back tomorrow afternoon.

You receive a letter for the Khan informing you that your mission has failed. It wasn't your fault.

I will also write that not everyone in the West is blind to his gesture.

And whether he would like to try again when we have a pope.

I hope he understands.

Giuliano, prepare three safe-conducts.

For the gentlemen Niccolo, Matteo and Marco Polo...

so that they can go to Jerusalem.

See you tomorrow. - We only need two, sir.

My son is staying here with some merchants until he can go back to Venice.

Did he come here to trade?

Don't you care about his soul?

The Saracens occupy Jerusalem, but our pilgrims are still welcome.

Don't you want to make the pilgrimage?

Will you not pray on Mount Golgotha?

Following in the Lord's footsteps? - More than anything.

Then no one will remain in Acre. Three safe passes for Niccolo, Matteo...

in Marco Polo.

Who are they? - Bedouins

Are these Muslims? - In principle, yes.

But these are just herders.

They set up camp where their herd can graze.

Look, up there. Crusaders. Aren't they beautiful?

My God. These are soldiers of the Cross.

Jerusalem, summer 1271

There she is. Jerusalem, the Holy City.

This is where we set up camp. Agostino, Giulio, Jacopo.

We're not tired yet. Why don't we move on?

No one is allowed in or out after sunset.

Christians are not allowed to be on the streets after dark.

The curfew has already sounded there.

We're probably safe, but we'll put someone on guard anyway. Agostino first.

Let Jacopo go first. That way there's less chance of him falling asleep.

What's wrong with you? You haven't said anything yet.

Look, Marco.

Jerusalem. Don't you find it exciting?

I thought you would be happy.

So am I. And grateful.

But I keep thinking about those people who were slaughtered.

Those were our enemies.

They were cattle herders. Women, unarmed old men.

And they just killed those devils.

You used to always talk about those 'brave crusaders'.

I know. I don't understand.

I just can't understand it. - They're people.

They came here to fight for the right cause.

But then they realized that this was not going to be a short, glorious campaign.

There have been robberies and ambushes for years.

Here all the men, women and children together form a deadly enemy.

The laws of those Muslims are very strict.

Merciless to unbelievers like us.

Religious wars are the cruelest. You don't know what they would have done.

Maybe nothing at all.

What do you know? It's easy for you to say.

You still have a lot to learn indeed.

It's painful to lose the innocence of your childhood.

But your father means that if you want to survive...

you cannot simply pass judgment.

What a strange conversation to be having here.

What do you mean? - In this olive grove where we are sitting now.

This was once the Garden of Gethsemane.

You'll love this bread. It's freshly baked.

They call it pita bread.

Just try it.

You will wait for us by the camels and merchants at the eastern gate.

Can't they come along, Father?

No, the entrance fee is sixty grams of gold per person.

Here, Marco.

Put this one on.

What's this? - A turban. We have to wear that.

Blue for us, yellow for Jews. Here we are the Gentiles.

There was a truce, wasn't there? - You never know with those Mamluks.

So we're just going to quickly go to the Holy Sepulchre to get the oil.

And for heaven's sake stay close to us and keep your mouth shut.

If He were to come today, He would have to wear yellow.

Jesus.

What do you want? - We have a favor to ask of you.

What then? - Oil from the lamp at the Holy Sepulchre.

That is not allowed.

We have a letter from Archdeacon Teobaldo.

It's easy for him to say. "Just give away that oil."

But it is scarce. It is the purest oil.

We don't need much. - That's what they all say.

There isn't enough. Every pilgrim wants some of that oil...

to heal his voice or his leg.

Or to sell at home. Sell.

Of course we would like to give some alms to the church.

Of course.

Maybe they're right.

They need the money.

They are allowed to sell the oil.

For two drops of oil they can buy twelve bottles of wine.

It doesn't matter.

What purpose does a greedy monk serve here?

A messenger from Acre seeks some pilgrims named Polo.

That's us. - Follow me.

You must return to Acre immediately.

But we must continue our journey. - These are the legate's orders.

We've returned, sir. Thank you.

I trust your visit to the Holy Sepulchre was a success.

We had already come a long way.

But then I called you back. Do you really have no idea why?

No idea. I want that letter back to Kublai Khan.

As you wish, sir.

I'll give you another one.

When you left, I was still Teobaldo Visconti.

Then came news of the conclave.

The cardinals have made their decision. They have chosen me...

as the new Pope of Rome. Pray for me.

Do you, Theobaldo, accept your election as Pope...

which came into being according to the laws of the Church?

I accept that.

What name do you wish to adopt?

Gregory. In honor of the great Pope Gregory VII...

who has given so much strength back to the Church.

You, whom I can now call my sons.

You're not just going back to China as ambassadors for the Khan...

but also as our ambassadors, with the letter to the great Kublai...

the oil from the Holy Sepulchre, as well as our first papal blessing.

I still think I'm dreaming.

Try not to snore. - It's not easy.

What is this?

Your Holiness... - Please remain seated. Continue eating.

The sacred oil for the great Khan.

And these are gifts from me to him.

He is richer, but perhaps he will be impressed by our craftsmanship.

From the best goldsmith in Florence.

And the best glassblower in Venice.

We must not forget Venice.

Tell me, did Jerusalem live up to your expectations?

In some ways, absolutely.

And in other respects not at all.

I've never felt so humble. So close to the Lord.

But I was also very angry. - He doesn't have much life experience.

What do you mean? - I saw people paying money...

to enter a city that should be freely accessible.

I saw pilgrims who were only interested in false relics.

But the worst thing I found was seeing crusaders...

who massacred women and children. - Forgive him, Your Holiness.

The Church has a lot on its conscience.

I want to change that. And even more.

And with God�s help, we will succeed.

You have the oil and the gifts. But those hundred priests...

We can't afford to miss that many. If I could even find them.

But you won't travel alone. You'll be accompanied by two learned and pious companions.

Both from the Order of Saint Dominic. Brother Nicholas, a theologian.

And Brother William, who has studied the Quran.

They may grant absolution and ordain priests in my name.

They are the foundation on which the Church in the East will rise.

May we prove ourselves worthy. Our path is that of the martyr.

Don't be in a hurry about that, Brother Nicholas.

I want my letters to reach the Khan and for him to be happy.

Your Holiness. - Holy Father...

The Crusaders would love to see you. They want your blessing.

There are many of them. They've been waiting for hours.

I'll come right away.

The Great Khan trusts you. The three of you represent our sincerity.

Remember our agreement. You have to go home.

Mr. Niccolo, what is your first destination?

The port of Laias, towards Armenia.

A safe haven. Do you have friends there?

With ships going to Venice?

Master Marco...

Does your father want to send you home?

I just have to say it...

Forgive me, Holy Father. Your blessing alone is enough.

When my father stands before the great Khan...

I assume that I will be there.

Our new task now lies before us.

I bless you all.

Armenian Desert, Winter 1271

Marco told me that on their way to Persia they stopped in Armenia...

ended up in a war.

The Egyptian sultan Baibar was fighting the Mongols from Persia.

The Polos avoided contact with villages and caravans.

Before them lay the desert. A nightmare of heat and thirst.

It's probably not far now.

There. I knew we'd find it.

Water.

Wait. He's a Muslim.

A leper.

May God have mercy on him.

Do not drink.

Maybe it's polluted. Or poisoned.

Giulio, what's wrong? - I don't know. It hurts.

Don't let them know. Otherwise, they'll leave you behind.

I don't know if I can make it.

Everything is so different from what we dreamed. So difficult.

Go ahead and climb on. I'll take the donkey.

No. If they find out I'm sick...

If only I had some water. - My father says we'll find it quickly.

Just lean on me. Don't talk. Save your strength.

Now watch out.

Water

We are here now, not far from the Persian border.

In the middle of a war.

What do you plan to do?

We have no choice. We must keep going.

To Persia.

Now we really need your prayers.

We'll stay here until the wind dies down.

Mr. Polo...

We've been on the road for weeks now.

Sometimes we stop, or change direction.

We still don't know what's going on or what you're planning.

Remember that we are envoys of the Pope, Brother William and I.

We are in command of this expedition.

We trusted in you. We have endured many hardships.

We thought we could handle it.

Because if we found the Mongols...

our golden pass would show its worth.

We're already in Mongolian territory. Yet we hide, avoiding contact.

Why? - Leave these decisions to us.

We don't want to take any unnecessary risks.

From tomorrow onwards we will only travel at night for the time being.

So try to get some rest and leave us alone.

How're you doing, boy?

Better. Things are already getting better.

When the sun goes down, things get better.

It's warm. It'll do you good.

He's too sick. He won't survive.

I should never have brought them. Not him and not Marco.

The port of Laias is much too far west.

I should have dared to say no to the Pope.

Now Marco will have to stay with us. - Marco is strong.

I don't know. I know so little about him.

I barely know him.

He seems so...

different from me.

Muslims.

Muslim horsemen.

Don't do it, fool. Marco, bury this.

The cross. And the holy oil. Hide them.

Go away.

Tabriz, Saracen Camp Spring 1272

Giulio, please.

It's me: Marco.

I'm sorry, Marco.

Our friends...

would laugh...

if they...

would see me like this.

I wanted to...

I wanted to be just like you.

He is dead.

Giulio is dead.