Original subtitles

Bayerische Film-Gesellschaft m.b.H., Emelka Group Munich presents

HELEN OF TROY - The Fall of Troy A classic epic film in two parts

Manuscript freely adapted from the Iliad by HANS KYSER

Director MANFRED NOA

Cinematography GUSTAVE PRESS, EWALD DAUB

Set design OTTO VÖLKERS, BERTHOLD RUNGERS

Set construction PETER ROCHELSBERG, OTTO REIGBERT

Costume design LEO PASETTI

Costume execution WALTER WESENER

Cast

Produced by

BAVARIA-FILM A.-G. Munich Sonnenstrasse 15

Exclusive distribution BAYERISCHE FILM-GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.,

Emelka Group Munich, 1924

Part One: THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN Act One

Before the Temple of Adonis on Cythera,

the island of Aphrodite, goddess of love,

the Greeks invoke the arrival of spring.

"Adonis, god of spring, awaken, so that life can bloom once more."

"I place a myrtle crown upon the holy dove of Aphrodite.

May she find the most beautiful woman in Greece,

who with her naked beauty shall awaken Adonis."

In Sparta, in the palace of Menelaus, King of the Greeks,

Helen, the wife of the king,

sat playing the harp with her companions.

"The holy dove of Aphrodite brings you the crown of myrtle.

Oh, Queen! You are the chosen one for the festival of Adonis."

But Queen Helen was faithful to her husband,

and feared the temptations of Aphrodite.

"Menelaus, spare me the shame of exposing my nakedness to the eyes of strangers."

"You shall be the envy of the whole world. You shall go to Cythera!"

"Through Agamemnon, all of Greece shall pay homage to you."

Priam, King of Troy, sought the protection of the gods as well.

"Athena, our protector!

Spring returns.

Bring a year of peace to the sacred city of Troy."

"Priam, my King! The oracle's answer is favorable!"

"Light the bonfires!

Let the entire population come at once and, as a token of gratitude,

celebrate the festival of spring!"

And while Troy rejoiced in the festivities...

...on the hills above Troy, the sounds of a shepherd's flute

also praised the spring.

"Agelaus, my good father, why do you bring me this wreath?"

"My Paris, why do you always seek solitude?

Accompany me to the festival in Troy."

Agelaus had raised Paris, the youngest son of Priam,

although he was supposed to have sacrificed him to the gods

to prevent calamity from befalling Troy.

"Forgive me, oh gods!

Paris does not know that as son of a king, he is entitled to glory and power.

Please help him receive what is rightfully his."

In the twilight of that spring day, Paris fell asleep on Mount Ida.

"I, Hermes, messenger of the gods, say to you: Give this golden apple

to the most beautiful of the three goddesses who appears to you."

"I am Hera, goddess among goddesses. Choose me,

and I will make you the richest and most powerful man on earth."

"Give the apple to me, Athena, goddess of wisdom, and eternal glory shall be yours."

"I, Aphrodite, goddess of love,

will give you the love of the most beautiful woman on earth,

and make you the happiest man alive."

"I choose you, Aphrodite! You are the most beautiful of the goddesses."

"Follow my white dove, and it shall guide you safely across the sea."

The break of day.

"Let us go to Troy, to the festival of spring.

There I will sacrifice to Aphrodite the best and strongest of my bulls."

King Menelaus received a warning from the gods.

Hear what the oracle of Delphi has to say:

lf you lose Queen Helen to another man,

all of Greece will be forced to fight for her for many years."

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN End of Act One

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN Act Two

The festival of spring in Troy.

Furious that Paris favored Aphrodite,

Hera took revenge on Troy by sending a cyclone.

"Priam! Lord and shepherd over the people!"

"The goddess Hera seems to take grave offense at some unknown iniquity.

Her statue lies in pieces, shattered by her fury."

"Send me, your son Hector, to Greece, to the sanctuary of Hera.

With our finest cattle as an offering, I hope to appease her wrath."

"I, Aesacus, warn you, Priam! Woe be to you

should one of your sons sail for Greece."

"And so I ask the men of my people: Who dares sail beyond the sea?"

"Prepare the sacrificial ship!"

In the dark of night, Helen sought council from the oracle.

"You have the power to invoke the dark future.

Tell me if I should follow the call and go to Cythera."

"Your star shall tell you your fate."

Queen Hecuba, wife of Priam,

wrapped holy bands around the head of the Trojan envoy.

Wrapped holy bands around the head of the Trojan envoy.

"Adorn the cattle for the sacrificial ship with the garlands of holy Troy!"

Angered by the choice of envoy, Athena revoked her protection

over the city and hurled lightning upon her statue.

"Hurry! Call for the seer Aesacus!"

"Ask not, King! Seeing is knowing, and knowing is suffering!"

"The ship bears doom!

In your death you shall see the downfall of Troy!"

"Hector, may the sacrificial ship placate the guardian goddess of Troy!"

Wearing the divine girdle of Aphrodite, which she received from the priests,

Helen made her way to the feast of Adonis on Cythera.

"The princes of Greece are gathered to honor Aphrodite with a competition.

Take this wreath and consecrate it at the altar of Adonis,

so that it may be awarded to the winner of the chariot race at dawn."

Helen's entry into the arena of Cythera.

Menelaus prepared for the chariot race.

Achilles, the most noble of the Greek heroes.

"Thersites, you are cunning.

Since Helen will bestow the wreath, I must not lose to Achilles in the race!"

"I will prevent proud Achilles from partaking in the race."

"Since when does Achilles fight for women's wreaths?"

"Unharness the horses, Patroclus!"

"I will not compete!"

"I will not compete!"

Inflamed by Helen's beauty, Achilles desired to receive

the victory wreath from her hands.

"Hail Menelaus!"

"Quickly, get the horses! They are one round ahead of us!"

"Helen!"

"Hail! Hail! Achilles is passing Menelaus!"

"Hail! Hail! Achilles has caught up in the second round!"

The last round.

"I, Achilles, have won!"

"Shall I throw you into the dust at Helen's feet, Menelaus?"

"Stand together, princes of Greece!

The blood of the sacrificial animal has stained the altar. The gods warn of blood."

"Do not fight over Helen!

Swear that we will defend her together, against anyone

who dares do her the slightest harm."

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN End of Act Two

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN Act Three

On the sacrificial ship, Paris fought against the raging sea.

"We must turn back!

The ship can no longer withstand the raging storm."

"Let me take the rudder! There is no turning back!"

After her ritual bath, Helen stepped out of the bath

and put the sacred girdle back on.

"Should he be alive through whom you have awaked my yearning,

Aphrodite, then let him overcome all perils to reach me!"

"Your prayer has calmed the sea, Paris! We will follow you wherever you go."

"I fear that the oracle's prophecy is starting to come true.

Let us flee and return home!"

"Too late. Already the victor approaches to take me to the boat."

With melancholy in his heart, Achilles watched Helen as she left

in the High Priest's boat for the Temple of Adonis.

in the High Priest's boat for the Temple of Adonis.

"Helen, by the will of the goddess Aphrodite,

today you are the bride of her divine son Adonis."

today you are the bride of her divine son Adonis."

In the marble image of the god of spring, Helen recognized

the face of her beloved from her dream.

the face of her beloved from her dream.

"I have reached my destination! Hurry now, to the island."

"Hear my love, Adonis, I am yours!

Spring waits to be reawakened by our kiss."

Spring waits to be reawakened by our kiss."

"Oh, you have awakened, eternal creator of spring!"

"I am not who you hold me to be.

I am only a simple shepherd

guided by Aphrodite to the fairest of the fair."

The morning after the night of love.

The lovers awake in dishonor, though not of their own fault.

The lovers awake in dishonor, though not of their own fault.

"Flee, the High Priest approaches!

The curse of all of Greece shall be upon me, for you must know:

I am Helen, Queen of Sparta."

"I love you and cannot take another breath without you. Come with me!"

"I love you and cannot take another breath without you. Come with me!"

"We are lost. The sail is useless!"

"We are lost. The sail is useless!"

"Take the sacred shroud of Aphrodite for a sail. Hurry!"

"Cursed are you, Helen, you are unworthy to be queen!

Cursed by Aphrodite, whose sanctity you defiled!"

"Cursed are you, you wicked Trojan raider.

The Greeks will tear apart your villainous band. A curse upon Troy!"

The Greeks will tear apart your villainous band. A curse upon Troy!"

Meanwhile, the princes of Greece dined until the break of dawn,

Meanwhile, the princes of Greece dined until the break of dawn,

listening to the singer's songs of heroic deeds.

"Achilles, are you dreaming of the victory wreath

that Helen consecrated for you at the Adonis statue? Take this one!"

that Helen consecrated for you at the Adonis statue? Take this one!"

"Wash your disgraceful mouth with wine

before you dare speak the name of Helen!"

"What do you care about my wife?"

"Do you still have a right to Helen?

You, who out of arrogance exposed your wife to the eyes of others?"

"Listen, Helen has been abducted!"

"Greeks, remember your oath!

Now is the time to fight together for Helen!"

"At the Temple of Adonis we found King Priam of Troys sacrificial garland."

"To Troy!"

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN End of Act Three

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN Act Four

A mysterious plague raged across Troy.

Children perished and no remedy could be found.

"Have you still not seen the sacrificial ship?"

"Enough of your wailing!

I will place a new divinity over Troy and elevate it over all other gods."

Not knowing which of the gods he should choose,

Priam waited for a sign.

"A new calamity, my Lord and King!

The lions have attacked your herds.

They have killed two of my companions."

"We found this wreckage of the sacrificial ship in the sea."

"Then you must be dead, Paris, you solace of my old age!"

"Then hear, oh King, the terrible secret."

"Fear of punishment kept me from speaking.

Only now did Paris die. Against your will, I could not kill your son at the time!"

"I raised him in secret and loved him. He was as beautiful as a god."

"Aphrodite, goddess born of the sea foam,

cast this shroud through the sea and upon the shore to us."

"Aphrodite, is this a sign you give to me?"

"Then Aphrodite is the new guardian goddess of Troy.

Call a lion hunt in her honor!"

Shipwrecked and dashed about by the waves,

only with great effort could Paris bring his lover to safety on the rocky shore.

"Those are the walls of the sacred city of Troy, my home!"

Preparations for the lion hunt.

While Hector arms himself for the hunt, his mother Hecuba visits him.

"Have them show you to the mountain altar,

and there, sacrifice the blood of a lion for the soul of my dead child Paris,

for whom I have shed more tears than this bowl can hold."

Paris carried Helen into the hut of Agelaus.

"I'm just a poor shepherd of these hills,

who would conquer kingdoms for you, and yet has nothing but his love to offer!"

"Split up the hunting party. Lions have been seen in the hills and in the valley!"

"Give me the bowl for the sacrifice at the mountain altar!"

"Aphrodite, give me strength, so that I may win a new kingdom for her

who gave up a kingdom for me.

I would rather lose her and die

than know that she spends one day in distress and poverty."

"Never was your hunt better, Hector. Look, here is your brother Paris!"

"Now you too know the long held secret.

You are Paris, son of King Priam, and this is your brother Hector."

"Brother!"

"Aphrodite, help!"

"lf you are looking for a sacrifice, take me!"

"lf you have called me here, Aphrodite, to save these two,

then I will cease to be angry about my misstep."

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN End of Act Four

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN Act Five

Troy celebrates the successful lion hunt.

"Protected and accompanied by Helen, the envoy of Aphrodite,

your sons Paris and Hector return, King Priam."

"Kneel and kiss her robes! This woman has been granted wondrous powers!"

"My Paris, my lost son who has now been found!"

"Thanks to you, who has released me from the curse of the gods,

today I enjoy the happiest day of my life!"

today I enjoy the happiest day of my life!"

"Woe to you, Priam! This woman will bring doom!

Because of her, your sons will die,

and because of her, Troy will be reduced to ashes."

"Doomsayer, never have you spoken a word

which brought me prosperity!

Put him in shackles in the deepest dungeon!"

A ship of the Greek fleet

brought the commanders Agamemnon and Menelaus ashore to King Priam.

"I, Menelaus, demand Helen, my wife, from you, King Priam!"

"And I, Agamemnon,

in the name of all Greeks, demand the release of the Queen of Sparta!"

"Here begs an aged King, here beg his sons, and a grateful people:

Remain with us, oh guardian goddess, and do not take from us your blessing,

which you have bestowed upon Troy."

"You once laughed at my distress, and drove me to do

what I was afraid to do.

Now I must stay where fate has brought me.

Because, you see, lam the only hope these people have."

"Then I seek protection at this altar.

Troy is my new home."

"Greece, so offended, will not rest

until the flames shoot as high from Troys walls as that arrow flew!"

King Priam sought help from the gods.

After the Greek delegation returned,

a battle broke out on the shores near Troy.

Hector led the way, in an attempt to fight off the Greek landing.

Achilles challenged Hector to a duel.

"Call Paris and Helen!"

"Save Hector! Only divine intervention can bring victory to us!"

"Aphrodite, do not let me do evil against my own people!"

"It is not in my power to perform a miracle, oh Priam."

"Who will fight with me for Helen?"

"Victory! Paris has triumphed!"

"I, Agamemnon, King of the Greeks, place Helen under this sword.

We shall have our day of vengeance. Then she shall pay for her offense!"

"I alone am called upon to judge over Helen.

With this shield of mine, I will protect her from the sword of vengeance!

For I still cannot believe that she has done any wrong."

"You saved my life, my brother. Who gave this shepherd such courage?"

With loving gratitude, Helen places the victory wreath upon Paris' head.

"Now all my wishes have been fulfilled!

I have gained glory, and a kingdom is at your feet, Helen!"

"I will not return home until that wreath adorns my head,

for it belongs to me alone!"

THE ABDUCTION OF HELEN The End

Bayerische Film-Gesellschaft m.b.H., EMELKA Group Munich presents

HELEN OF TROY A classic epic film in two parts

Part Two THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY

Summary of Part One:

Paris,

the rediscovered son of Priam, King of Troy,

abducted Helen, wife of the Greek King Menelaus of Sparta.

A huge Greek army thus converged upon Troy to free Helen.

Her husband Menelaus thinks she is innocent; his brother Agamemnon does not.

The most courageous of the Greek princes was Achilles, who came with the army

to receive from Helen the victory wreath,

which she was supposed to have given him after a chariot race.

Troy came under siege,

for Paris was not willing to surrender his beloved Helen,

whom the Trojans worshipped like a saint.

The seer Aesacus was imprisoned in a dark dungeon

after he predicted that King Priam

would, in death, see the downfall of his kingdom because of Paris and Helen.

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act One

For years, war raged outside of the walls of Troy.

The Greeks, befallen by plague, were weary of war.

Night after night, funeral pyres burned within the walls of their camp.

Troy also lost countless heroes.

King Priam convened the council of elders to save the war-weary city of Troy.

"King Priam, take a vote on whether to surrender the cursed Helen to the Greeks!"

"I will sacrifice myself for her. Do not give her to the vengeful Greeks!"

"The Trojans long for peace and for an end to the bloodshed."

"Hector! You speak for Helen!"

Helen's divine beauty overcame all despair and hate.

"Even if it means my death to return to the Greeks,

from whom I was separated by the will of the gods, let me go.

I will give up even the love I have for Paris to free you of the burden of war."

"You will stay, Helen! There was not one vote against you!"

"The plague rages in the Greek camp! The gods are decimating our enemies!"

"See how Helen brings us good fortune! To the decisive battle!"

"Promise not to fight, Paris. For the sake of our love, don't go!"

The hunchbacked and perfidious Thersites incited the warriors to a rebellion,

which was opposed by Achilles and his friend Patroclus.

"Let us return home, Achilles! There are enough unfaithful women in Greece

who can make you a victory wreath. Why do you need Helen?"

"The same will happen to anyone who speaks another word of going home!"

"Achilles is not waging this war to return home without glory.

If you are weary of war, I will decide the outcome in a duel with Hector."

"Vainglorious Achilles! The war is for me to decide! I challenge Paris to a duel!"

"Only Menelaus has the right to duel, he was the victim of the greatest injustice.

Achilles must bow to the authority of the princes."

"Is this the reward that Achilles deserves? I would rather break my scepter like this

"Is this the reward that Achilles deserves? I would rather break my scepter like this

than return to battle with you!"

While the Trojans were preparing for battle,

Hecuba visited Helen.

"In a dream, I saw the earth run red with Hector's blood. He must not go to war,

but he will not hear the pleas of his mother and his wife, Andromache. Help me, Helen!"

"Hector, you too should stay away from battle!"

"Then stay for my sake!"

"Give me my spear, Andromache!"

"Shall Hector abandon me forever?"

"If you do not have mercy on me, at least show some mercy for your child,

and do not let him become an orphan."

"Zeus and ye gods, let my child be more powerful, more courageous,

and happier than his father, and let him bring his mother much joy."

"Does Hector love you?"

"Then go to battle as well. But promise me

not to leave Hector's side, and to protect him!"

not to leave Hector's side, and to protect him!"

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY End of Act One

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act Two

Hector led the Trojans to battle.

As Achilles, angry, remained in his hut,

the Greek army headed off to battle.

"Hector is on the battlefield!"

"My spear will no longer defend the Greeks.

For Achilles, the war is over!"

"Bring the women, sound the cymbals, let the flutes play!

I do not want to hear the din of battle, Patroclus!"

"I, Menelaus, challenge Paris, abductor of my wife, to a duel.

One of us must die. But the others shall depart in peace."

"Swear that no one will interfere in the duel.

Its outcome shall decide the war.

If anyone breaks this oath, let his bones rot unburied!"

Hector shook his helmet, and the lot that came out was for Paris,

who thus received the right to the first blow.

"Stop, Menelaus!"

"Do not be weak! Take revenge on your wife's seductor and strike hard!"

"Save Paris! Fight the Greeks!"

"Music! I do not want to hear the din of battle!"

"Achilles, help! The Trojans are breaching the gates and entering the camp!

Our army is barricaded behind the ships!"

"Will you have me violate my oath, Prince of the Myrmidons?"

"My loyal friend, let me fight in your armor.

The mere sight of it will strike fear into the Trojans' hearts!"

"I am bound by my oath. Go outside and protect our troops!"

"If Achilles does not intervene, all is lost!"

"Let me fight! Send me your Myrmidon troops!"

"The ships are burning!"

"Then put on my armor, dear friend.

Hurry, before the Trojans take our ships and prevent us from returning home!"

Helen brought the injured Paris into Troy. From the embattled Greek camp,

came a messenger with news, while more Trojans were on the way."

"The camp is lost! Hector has won!"

"I was looking for you, Achilles, so I could die in glory!"

"Patroclus!"

"Ye gods, protect Patroclus! Give him victory!"

"Patroclus died by Hector's hand."

"Damn my anger, which kept me from doing battle!"

"What is my life worth, now that you, Patroclus,

whom I loved so dearly, have fallen into the dust?"

"Hector, you will pay for this with your life!"

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY End of Act Two

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act Three

Troy made an offering in honor of Hector.

"Victory! Hector has slain Patroclus wearing the armor of Achilles!

Here are the weapons and the first prisoners."

"Helen! Our Queen."

"Ask for Aphrodite's aid, and adorn the prisoners' heads in her honor, Helen!"

"You inhuman brute! Have you forgotten that I am a Greek?"

"Our troops are fleeing from the Greek camp!

Open the gates and allow all the fleeing troops to enter the city!"

"Adorn the heads of the prisoners, Helen!"

"Never!"

"Paris, you dare to raise a hand against your father and king?"

"Away with him!"

"Follow me to the seer Aesacus!"

Aesacus has been languishing in a dungeon for eight years.

"Aesacus, for once do not prophesy misfortune for me.

Tell me that Hector lives, and all the treasures of my kingdom are yours."

"The prophecy is irrevocable: In death you shall see

the downfall of your kingdom and your family!"

Furious, Achilles sought among the fleeing Trojans

the murderer of his friend Patroclus.

"Flee, Hector, from the enraged Achilles!"

"Open the gate! Save Hector!"

At the sight of Helen, Hector realized his inevitable fate,

which he could not escape.

"I go to my death, for I refuse to dishonor myself!"

"Kill me, Achilles!"

"Hector, think of your child!"

"Hector, think of your child!"

"I beg you Achilles, on your life, do not abandon my body to the dogs,

but grant me the honor of a funeral pyre!"

"Achilles has killed Hector!"

"Strangle him! Tear out his tongue! Blind him!"

"Throw the cursed Greek from the walls!"

"Throw her down! Throw down that woman!"

"Destroy the bringer of doom, for it is because of her

that you lost what was most dear to you."

"I only want revenge upon one man: Achilles!"

"Who dares cast Helen to death with Hector's child in arm?"

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY End of Act Three

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act Four

After much deliberation, King Priam decided

to retrieve the body of his beloved son.

"King Priam!"

"We embrace the hands that killed our son and husband and beg of you:

Please give us Hector's body for burial!"

"Unspeakable grief forces me to my knees before you.

For me and for the orphaned child, do not deny the dead these last rites."

"I cannot. Too great is the suffering that Hector has caused me."

"lf you can still feel mercy, think of your own father,

and look compassionately upon my graying head.

Almost all my sons were killed by the war.

Hector was the best of them. Give him back to me!"

"Take the body of your son. In exchange I ask only one favor:

Helen has the object of my greatest glory, the wreath of Cythera.

I wish to place it on the grave of my dead friend Patroclus."

"lf you come without weapons as I have,

Helen shall throw you the wreath from the walls of Troy.”

"Strike him down! I see betrayal in his eyes!"

"I will come, King Priam, when the flames of Hector's funeral pyre call me."

As soon as Hector's body was brought back to the palace,

the sounds of grieving women and mournful song filled the air.

"You could not extend to me your hand in dying,

could not speak a word of farewell

to remind me of you as I weep day and night!"

"Now call Paris!"

"After Hector's death, you are the heir to this crown.

For Helen's sake, protect it from Achilles."

"Bring the deadly poison."

"It is your duty to avenge the death of your brother Hector. Kill Achilles!"

"Hector died for Helen. As is decreed by the elders, she belongs

to the one who kills Hector's murderer, even if it is the lowliest of my people!"

"Then I have no choice."

"Light Hector's funeral pyre, and let the flames call Achilles!"

"The fire of Hector's funeral pyre calls to you!"

"I don't trust the Trojans. Let me defend you with my arms."

"Paris, for the sake of our love, do not shoot!"

"Whoever shoots down Hector's murderer shall have Helen as a prize."

"Throw me the wreath, Helen!"

"A poor shot, only my heel has been hit!"

"Treachery! The arrow is poisoned!"

"Helen has betrayed Achilles. Take this sword and swear revenge!"

"Helen, I would have lost you if it weren't for that deed."

"Paris, with that cowardly shot, you have killed my love forever."

"Hector has been avenged! Paris has killed Achilles."

"Hector, we will follow you!"

"Priam, your cruelty will be punished.

Remember what the seer Aesacus said."

"That was the death sentence you pronounced for Paris.

To save Troy, this time I will succeed in sacrificing Paris to the gods.”

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY End of Act Four

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act Five

After the treacherous murder of Achilles,

After the treacherous murder of Achilles,

the Greeks decided to capture Troy with a trick.

According to a plan hatched by Ulysses, they built a huge wooden horse,

in whose hollow belly the noblest of Greek heroes could hide.

"Why do you hesitate? The hour of revenge is upon us!

Remember the infamous treachery when you stand in front of your wife!"

"Sinon, you stay back and do as you were told."

In the shadow of night, the Greek fleet withdrew behind a nearby promontory.

King Priam was tormented by terrible dreams.

Paris languished in despair in the dungeon.

"I came only at the behest of your pleading mother,

to bring you food and drink."

"Why do you appeal to my love, Queen Hecuba?

My love for Paris is long dead."

"Helen, I will kill myself if you leave me in my final hour."

"Leave us alone!"

At dawn the Trojans discovered the wooden horse,

while King Priam wandered through his chambers in a daze.

"King Priam, you wander about, lacking sleep,

because you are afraid to let your last child die."

"Ye gods, for the second time I offer my child Paris as a sacrifice,

if you show mercy on Troy."

"I have seen all my children die. Please leave me my last son!"

"I would even sacrifice Queen Helen,

if only you have mercy on the sacred city of Troy."

"Victory! The Greeks have withdrawn!

Only an enormous wooden horse towers over their burning battlements."

"Athena, the old guardian goddess of Troy, you have answered my prayers!

Now Paris and Helen must die!"

"A captive Greek named Sinon claims that the horse is an offering to Athena,

meant to ensure the return of the Greek ships. What should we do?"

"I killed Aesacus, the seer of the goddess Athena,

in order to avert doom from the city of Troy."

"Bring to my palace the sacred horse,

which Athena has sent as an eternal reminder of my guilt."

"By verdict of the King, you shall be put to death."

"I declare myself guilty, and am ready to atone for my guilt with my death."

"Helen, if I cannot live with you, it will be my greatest joy

to die together with you."

To loud cheers, the horse was pulled before the walls of Troy.

"If the stones of Troy won't give me victory, tear down the gate!"

"They have torn down the gate and brought the horse into the city!"

"The trick has worked, Ulysses!"

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY End of Act Five

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY Act Six

The night of victory and death...

A poisoned chalice for Paris and Helen.

"Bring Paris and Helen to the Palladium of Athena!

Let them pray for the fortunes of the city, for which they must die at sunrise."

"Flee, my son! The whole city is drunk. The gate has been torn down.

Flee!"

"You flee alone, Paris. I am ready for atonement through death."

"Then, Mother, I too wish to die!"

"In pain and sorrow I beg you.

Remember that I was once a mother of vibrant children!

Leave me the last child, my Paris."

In the palace, an exuberant victory celebration was held,

while a Trojan soldier guarded the sacred horse.

"Do not betray Menelaus!"

"Kill me, Menelaus!"

"The second arrow is for Helen!"

"Spare Helen! She was never guilty, she loves only you!"

"What prophecies? What did the seer predict?

Where is the demise of Troy I was to see? Answer me, seer Aesacus!"

"See what is written in flames:

In death you shall see the downfall of your kingdom!"

"The tombs are opening!"

"Look!"

"Away! Away with you!"

"They are giving the signal in Troy! To battle!"

With his sword, Menelaus entered the palace

and gave Paris the deadly blow.

"You killed my beloved, you demanded inhuman things of me,

and since I was not divine,

you pursued me with your hatred. This is now the answer of the gods!"

"Curse upon you, Athena, you deceitful goddess!"

Aphrodite had created the face of Helen with such beauty

that in the heart of Menelaus, suddenly the old love reawakened.

"Now I know that no blame falls upon my wife!"

"Let the past be forgotten."

The next morning the Greeks brought their loot to their ships

under the eyes of Menelaus and Agamemnon.

When the captive Trojan women saw Helen standing by King Menelaus,

they wanted to throw stones at her.

"If anyone deserves to be stoned, it is me!

For I, Menelaus, challenged fate,

thus bringing suffering upon us all, but most of all upon Helen!"

"Hail to the Queen of Sparta!"

THE DESTRUCTION OF TROY The End

Restoration and backup FILMMUSEUM MÜNCHEN

Reconstruction STEFAN DRÖSSLER

Collaboration: ANDREA KIRCHHARTZ, GERHARD ULLMANN, KLAUS VOLKMER

Graphics HEINER GASSEN

Suppliers:

Digital scans ALPHA-OMEGA, DIGITAL Munich

Digital processing CHRISTIAN KETELS, STEFAN WIMMER

Music JOACHIM BÄRENZ, CHRISTIAN RODERBURG

Recording and sound editing GÜNTHER BITTMANN, TOBIAS DRESSEL