Original subtitles

So we've come to this, Austrian dragoons, in

the streets of Vienna, their swords drawn against

their own people.

Don Taffi issue orders for the police to

be strict, fair, but strict.

My people must learn.

You have no right to arrest me.

I am a Slovene.

I'm a Czech.

Here we don't have Czechs or Slovenes, Croats

or Hungarians, only loyal subjects of the Austrian

emperor.

Take him to the cells.

Come.

Axe.

Come on.

Papers.

Name.

Maurice Ephraim Zeps.

What a surprise.

The editor of the daily news in a

police station.

It is hardly a surprise, sir, in a

police state.

This is not my first visit here.

In this time, how do you explain your

presence in a student's riot?

I was just passing by.

And inspector, I noticed no riot until the

police and the soldiers came.

Perhaps if you'd passed by on the other

side, these riots wouldn't happen so often.

Are you suggesting...

As a Jew, my quotation from the New

Testament is probably lost on you.

You'd better be at the disposal of the

police for further questioning.

Naturally.

I have nothing to hide.

You're lucky.

I wish I could say the same.

Next.

Papers.

I haven't any.

Your name, then?

Rudolf.

Rudolf what?

Take your choice.

Rudolf.

Franz.

Charles.

And no papers.

You're going to be lucky, my little humorist,

if you...

Your Royal Highness, I meant no...

You will forgive me.

I will forgive you, naturally.

And you, in return, will forgive these...

These friends of mine and release them at

once.

At once, Your Highness.

Thank you.

Oh.

Oh.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Your Highness, you ought to go straight in.

Not approved.

Why, after all these years, should it suddenly

seem necessary for the army to adopt a

new button polish?

We've managed perfectly well for three centuries.

Unparted chalk and spirit.

The new paste is said to be more

convenient on active service.

I will never consent to change for the

sake of change.

Not approved.

So.

I don't remember asking you to sit down.

No, sir.

When you were a child, and you were

insolent, I had you punished.

Remember, there's still punishment that I can inflict.

Oh, yes.

You once had me drilled for hours in

the snow at the age of six, sir.

Do you remember?

In one respect, at least, you've been consistent.

You've always disappointed me.

You don't ride as well as your mother.

You don't shoot as well as I do.

I wished you to accept a commission in

the Imperial Guard.

You chose a line regiment officers by nobodies.

I found a Spanish princess for you to

marry.

You turned her down in favor of a

Belgian.

In public life, you oppose me on matters

of policy, and you associate with me.

Liberals, anarchists, Jews.

Now this.

Your spies run very fast.

Fast enough to describe the company you keep.

Maurice Zeps just happened to be passing by.

Passing by.

Time to see your fine Imperial czars write

down a handful of young people who are

protesting against...

Order.

They were protesting against order.

Urged on by your friends of the socialist

press.

We see each other so seldom that we

should profit by the occasion.

Your private life...

My own.

It belongs to the people.

Next week, there will be a public celebration

of your fifth wedding anniversary.

I would prefer that until then, your married

life be somewhat more conventional.

Conventional as yours, sir?

With the Empress traveling from one end of

the world to the other?

Never at home two weeks at a time?

What drove her to that?

What drove her away, father?

Your mother and I...

Perhaps in our own fashion only, we love

each other.

I pray that one day you will find

such happiness with Stephanie.

Is it our happiness you care about?

Or that male heir for the Habsburgs we

haven't yet given you?

Anyway, if anything should happen to me, you

still have the Archduke Ferdinand.

I didn't know you was never born to

be Emperor.

You don't seem to think your son was.

Pluto.

Sir.

What is this war between us?

You should know.

You built it.

You tear it down.

Mother.

How are the maneuvers?

Are you going to get the Third Army

caught?

Well, I am second in command, and...

Our General von Lederberg is having problems getting

on and off a horse these days.

People do seem to live to an incredible

age in Vienna.

I mean, my father, he's still the right

side of 60.

He exercises daily, eats plain boiled food and

drinks, I'm afraid.

With great moderation.

You may be his age before you get

to be an Empress, my dear.

Your dress for the big occasion, is it

pretty?

What jewels will you wear?

Does it matter?

Your mother will come late.

And in black.

And with scarcely a jewel.

And every eye will be on her from

the moment she arrives in Vienna.

You don't even know if she's coming.

The last I heard she was fox hunting

in England.

Oh, she'll be here.

She always comes back when she has the

chance to give a performance over the perfect

mother.

Stephanie, be careful how you speak of the

Empress.

Do you hear me?

Always you side with her against me.

Heaven's name, I'm her son.

Then that is a thing you should remember.

I've seen you looking at her sometimes.

And not in the way a son should

look at his mother.

I always thought you were a prudish bourgeois

little fool, but I never thought your mind,

if you had one, was as mean and

low as that.

If you say such things to me again,

once, just once, I'll break your thick, stupid,

Belgian neck.

Helen Hoyos, you said?

Do you know the girl?

She's a new one to me.

A gypsy.

Her name is Marinka.

What does she do?

She dances and, well, she dances.

She dances.

It's so hot in here.

I need a change of air.

You mean, you need a change.

Will you be here tomorrow night?

If somebody invites me.

Nobody has just invited you.

Marinka, I'll be with you in a minute.

I told Hoyos to give your gypsy a

bath.

So, in the meantime, in case you are

bored.

Let's see, Caspar, you are a...

His Royal Highness's most loyal and obedient subject.

And if you are loyal and obedient, you

will firstly take off the rest of your

clothes.

Firstly, it's all done.

Secondly, you'll jump quickly into bed.

Secondly...

Secondly, also done.

Now, thirdly...

Thirdly...

From that I take it His Highness is

bored.

No, His Highness is very, very bored.

There are a lot of men who would

like to be bored by someone as beautiful

as Mitzi Caspar.

It's not our fault, poor girl.

It's the system.

What system?

The system of having archdukes, crown princes, and

willing, desperately willing women.

Last night at the court ball, that dark

Polish woman, the only one there who interested

me, I asked you to present her.

Well, I found out I'd already been to

bed with her.

And she had to remind you?

It took all my skill in diplomacy.

Even my father would have been proud of

me.

A dear old man.

Oh, but the emperor is not old.

The emperor was born old.

Old men should not be allowed to govern.

After our meeting at the party tonight with

the Hungarians, if you are still bored, we

can go abroad again.

We've tried travel.

We've tried politics, gambling, drink.

I don't fancy young men.

So what's left?

There's always innocence.

Innocence is too close to ignorance.

Now I'm afraid His Highness must resign himself

to being very, very bored.

You were followed?

They shook them off.

Where's Prince John and his men from Hungary?

They may have had more trouble getting rid

of the police than you did.

Been a long time since I've been to

the Prater.

Read this while I have a look around.

It's my article on the student strife.

Well, I hope it won't have to be

toned down like your last one.

Don't skip through it.

Read it.

I think it says some good things.

Headless, wearing a uniform.

Does he think he won't be recognized?

Oh, not here.

Besides, Tartuffe's spies still think he's at Zappos.

Your greeting finds a welcome in my heart

all overnight.

Pray, what is the reason for this visit?

I must see the king, your father.

The king?

What to ask, my valiant knight?

To ask for your hand, princess of mine.

Young lady, I wonder whether you would like

to have a drink with me?

Please go away.

I don't know you.

I thought you were on your own.

The lady's not on her own.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know you were with her.

I'm sorry.

I beg your pardon.

I beg your pardon.

...to convince your noble father and will him

over.

You must flee quickly before it is too

late.

And you're just as bad as he is,

telling lies straight out.

Lies?

That you were with me.

Audrey, I know you.

I can't see close to you without my

spectacles, and I'm much too bent to wear

them in public, so...

I could go and stand ten yards away

so you could see for yourself we're total

strangers.

Then it's just as bad for me to

be talking with you as with him.

Just as bad.

Then I mustn't.

But thank you just the same.

Ah!

Horrible man!

And who are you?

I am the devil, and I've come to

fetch you.

But why?

Oh, why?

Because I'm going to roast you.

I'm going to toast you.

Then I'll boil you into soup.

Mercy!

Mercy, Master Devil!

Please have mercy!

Mercy?

Never.

Mercy, she says.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

How sad it was.

She fell in love, and she was punished.

Oh, look.

Are you sure I don't know you?

I told you, we've never met before.

You seem vaguely fa...

Oh!

Look.

Oh, aren't they lovely?

This time it's my turn.

Ten hellas' worth.

I've a feeling we'll need them.

I'm hurt by such evident lack of faith.

Watch this.

Mist!

What did I say?

Mist.

This is getting monotonous.

Mist!

Mi...

Oh!

A ringer!

Ha!

A ringer!

Look, everybody, look.

The officer on my left wins a bottle

of rinsing for only...

Oh, sir!

I didn't want him to draw attention to

us.

I'm thirsty.

I was looking forward to the wine.

You know the saying, you might as well

be hanged for a sheep as for a

lamb?

Now perhaps you believe I was thirsty.

No, I'll believe anything.

My mother says I have the manners of

a coachman.

And have you?

I have exquisite manners when I need them.

I should have, anyway.

I went through seven governesses in my time.

Seven?

You must have been a holy terror.

Well, you know what it's like.

Did your parents understand you?

Have I said something so funny?

Oh, no, something sad.

Now I understand why we have parents.

So that we, their children, can remain misunderstood.

My children won't be.

I assume you don't have any.

Not even engaged?

I am what you might call pursued.

That I can understand.

Is there anyone likely to succeed in the

chase?

One thinks he will, but he's a lamb.

And the others are so busy with their

uniforms, their horses...

Would you like to dance with me?

I was going to ask you to.

I know little ladies shouldn't, but coachman's daughters

can if they want.

Heavens, but he must be the best in

the world.

Oh, I must vanish.

Thank you and forgive me.

No, she wouldn't have come in a place

like this.

Tom, I almost didn't recognize you without your

beard.

I should hope not.

What with six changes of carriage from Budapest

to Vienna.

By the way, dear cousin, this is Count

Karolyi.

I'm glad to meet you at last.

Good evening.

I'm anxious to hear your news.

First of all, Karolyi has been chosen as

leader of the Hungarian Rising.

Yes?

Let me explain.

For us to succeed in overthrowing the present

Hungarian regime, we must carry with us not

only students, intellectuals and discontented officers.

We must also have the support of ordinary

people, the landowners, the middle classes.

If I can go back with Prince John

as your cousin, his word will carry great

weight.

And if I can say that you are

the hinders, then we will have the support

from all classes that we need.

You can say this to your friends in

Budapest.

I support Hungary's claim to govern itself.

I believe in free elections, but only so

long as Hungary remains within the empire.

I'd hoped for something stronger.

I repeat, as long as Hungary stays within

the empire.

And remember this, my friends.

I intend to save the empire, not to

break it up.

God be thanked for sparing His Highness for

another day to live.

Your program for today, Your Highness.

At 11 o'clock, Schönbrunn Palace, to see

your mother, the Empress Elizabeth.

At 2 o'clock, the railway station, to

meet the Prince of Wales.

You will entertain him at dinner.

Tomorrow, at 11, a party of tennis.

I have the order of the guard laid

out.

Queen Victoria is sure to ask Edward if

I wore it.

Your Highness, you know my orders.

Orders?

Orders from whom?

From Count Taffy?

Have you become one of his spies now?

Are you, like everyone else in this palace,

working against me, trying to...

Your Highness, this migraine lotion.

You have it now, it hurts.

It's not the pain, it's the fear of

the pain.

It was your mother, the Empress.

She did not order me.

She asked me to help you give it

up.

It's dangerous, Your Highness.

I'm seeing her today.

In her honor, then.

Your Highness, good day.

My mother, where is she?

Her Majesty, the Empress, is in the palm

house.

She asked you not to stand on ceremony

today.

Don't look so cross.

We haven't.

In England, where they grow the most beautiful

chameleons, do you know what they use to

feed the plants?

No, Majesty.

Tea leaves.

They just empty the teapot right over the

roots.

Well, we will try the same, Majesty.

Tea leaves.

But we must find someone in Vienna who

drinks tea instead of coffee.

Your Majesty, perhaps you might try the British

Embassy.

You seem pleased to see me.

I am pleased to see you.

You might have announced your presence earlier, rather

than standing there just gaping.

It was such a delicious sensation having your

voice running up and down my spine.

Oh, Mother.

You can't believe what a wonderful surprise.

Getting you here for my wedding anniversary and

she almost makes up for the appalling five

years.

I'm so hot in here.

Can we go outside?

Of course we can.

Until tomorrow morning, then.

Otto, Fritz?

And you're looking tired.

Too many late nights in Sacher's.

I know what you're up to, even in

England.

And the migraine.

Is it better?

You want to know if I'm still taking

morphine?

Yes.

Not so often.

And in your honor, not today.

And today I found out how you knew.

How even my mother keeps spies on me.

But you also know that Lorschach and I

both love you.

I imagine my father thinks the same thing,

that he also loves me.

Don't imagine, no.

Well, he shows his affection for me in

the strangest possible fashion.

No more stranger than your affection for him.

Anyway, I'm so pleased to see you.

The monotony of that phrase has a certain

charm.

Why do you suddenly disappear all the time?

One day you're here, the next you're gone.

Never any attempt to say goodbye.

I hate the word.

It's so terribly, terribly fine.

I never use the word goodbye.

And my granddaughter.

God, I hate that word too.

Oh, she's enchanting.

Luckily she takes after neither of her parents.

Perhaps her melancholic temperament can skip a generation

like insanity.

In this family that could never be meant

as a joke.

Not in this family.

Never.

My dear Edward, how nice to see you

again.

Hello.

Delighted to see you.

Oh, this way.

Yours or mine?

I'm sorry?

National anthem.

I'm tone deaf.

Can't tell one damn tune from another.

The Radetzky March by the Elder Strauss.

Oh, yes.

They're ready, Your Highness.

Ah, voyage.

The guard of honor is ready for your

inspection.

Splendid looking body of men.

How is dear Queen Victoria?

Oh, astonishingly healthy.

And your own dear mother?

You see more of her in England than

we do here.

Ah.

Well done, Sergeant.

Jolly well done.

And Buffalo Bill, is he still in London?

Great friend, wasn't he?

No, he's gone on to Germany.

I think the Kaiser will have him in

the Prussian cavalry soon.

Poor William.

I think we should try harder to like

him.

Can't stand the fact of himself even if

he is my cousin.

Thank God you're not my cousin.

Almost everyone else is.

Ah, British decoration.

Very well done.

No, I'm not your cousin, but you know

I might easily have been your father.

My father?

It was almost impossible to even meet Elizabeth

without falling in love with her.

She's still the most beautiful woman in Europe.

Trouble was, she's so nippy on her feet,

just like she is on a horse, I

can never keep up with her.

I brought her a couple of foxhounds to

improve the blood in her pack.

Incidentally, why are they always red carpets?

Stations make fine places for assassinations.

On the red carpet, the blood doesn't show.

Bravo.

Well done, my dear.

Well done.

Oh, my dear.

Tell me, where's she from?

I think it's a Hungarian gypsy.

You know, we've every race and color in

the British Empire, but I've looked it up

on the map, and I cannot find one

single solitary Hungarian, let alone a Hungarian that

dances and looks like she does.

I don't think she's a gypsy.

When you're king, you can change all that.

Annex Hungary.

When?

You forget my mother's 85, and only 85.

The emperor's 60.

Only 60.

My God.

Here we sit there as the thrones, waiting

for someone to die so that we can

find a reason for living.

But you know, Rorob...

Oh, thank you, my dear Mitzi.

You know, you've got to come to terms

with life.

You must either accept the compensation, such as

these, or drive yourself mad with the frustrations

of waiting and waiting.

They call me a lecher and a libertine.

They say I gamble too much, all of

which I'm glad to say is true.

But at least I shall have shared some

of the emotions of the experiences of my

people, and I shall have lived before I

become king.

Why anybody should want the job, I sometimes

wonder.

Why?

My father can tell you why.

Man is born to be king.

Destiny, divine right.

He has them all.

Don't be so cynical, my young princely.

Your father does very well.

He has all the attributes of kingship.

All the skills of diplomacy.

All the stubbornness.

All the resistance to new ideas that the

man could possibly accumulate.

These students here in Vienna, they're alive.

They're exploding with enthusiasm, with ideas.

But to him, because they're dissenters, they have

to be criminals, have to be traitors.

Our Marinka.

Beautiful creature, isn't she?

Not British at last, but beautiful all the

same.

She doesn't usually wear so much, but in

honor of the Prince of Wales...

She does him too much honor.

Tell me, does she speak any English?

Only Gypsy.

By some oversight of my mother's past, I

never learned the language.

Though I have a feeling the oversight was

probably deliberate.

I think what you want to say is

already understood, Edward.

Edward, I must leave you.

Affairs of state.

Must you?

For an hour or two?

The blue door.

There's a private staircase.

Come and sit down, my dear.

Champagne.

Champagne.

What news?

Both Prince John and Count Carrelly managed to

avoid the secret police.

They arrived in Budapest safely.

And there?

They want you to commit yourself more fully.

Go on.

They want you to be their king.

Careful, Sepps, careful.

There's such a word as treason.

On the contrary.

It would be the only way to avoid

bloodshed.

The horrors of a civil war.

You're wrong, my friend.

Logical, but wrong.

Wrong because of my father.

He'd rather see the empire destroyed than have

it separated without his having ordered it.

No.

Tell them.

Tell them to be patient.

Patient?

And the people out there.

The poor who have no vote.

The journalist whose articles are censored.

And the young students who think they see

so clearly how the world might be.

Political prisoners.

And the Jews.

Have they to be patient, too?

And for how long?

As I said, tell them to be patient.

Because if I have to learn to be

patient, so by God shall they.

Just go upstairs.

Very well, Your Highness.

I thought you would never leave.

Not now.

Oh, well.

I just feel that we must make it

look like we've been very much occupied.

At least half an hour at the police

waiting outside.

Less than half an hour.

My reputation will be ruined.

Do you forget the feeling that you are

being...

That you are being used?

You?

Me?

What a question.

Bravo, Edward.

Beautifully played.

Trouble is, I shall never know if I'm

really any good, because they always let me

win.

Oh, nonsense.

Thank you for the game, sir.

Ah, Baltazzi, let that be a lesson to

you for coming over and winning our derby

last year.

But I hope to do it again, sir.

Against my horse?

I shall consider that a monstrous impertinence.

By the way, didn't I see your sister

and her two little nieces just now?

Oh, not so little now, sir.

Young ladies.

They were shy, in case you didn't recognize

them.

Nonsense.

Ask them not to run away.

After I've cooled off, I'd like to see

them again.

All right, sir.

Your Highness, this will help you.

Oh, my dear.

Thank you so much.

Edward, who's your friend?

He lives in Vienna.

His sister's Helen Bezzera.

I've heard of him.

Have you?

Hmm.

Widow of Baron Bezzera.

Not of the ordinary ten, never received at

court.

But he's a member of the Jockey Club.

I made him one myself.

One thing about you, Edward.

When you're a friend, you're a friend.

Come and meet them after the game.

And on the far side?

The Archduke.

Australia's riddled with Archdukes, so you must mean

the Crown Prince.

I don't see his wife here.

If only she went about with him more,

we might hear fewer stories.

Oh, there you are.

My dear Baroness.

And you, you little imp.

Imp of a young woman.

My, how you've grown.

Anna.

And George.

How delightful it is to see you all

once more.

Your Highness, may I present Duke Michael Breganza.

Know your uncle well.

Fished with him in Portugal.

Never caught much, though.

My dear.

Come with me a minute.

I've thought up a little plot.

I want you to play a part in

it.

Yes?

I understand that the family of my old

friend Balthazar has not yet been received at

court.

We are not, sir, from the old nobility.

Hoppycock, I regard this as a personal insult.

As soon as he's finished his game, I

shall present you to the Crown Prince.

To dear Highness we say thank you.

But having already had the pleasure, experience would

be a better word of meeting the Archduke

Rudolf who is in no further purpose in

meeting him again.

Unless to convey to him a simple message.

What message?

Please, tell his Imperial Highness that deception isn't

kind.

And it has confirmed one thing I was

taught at school.

Put not your trust in princes.

At whom are you smiling so sweetly, Helen?

At the belle Lariche.

Why do they call her the rattlesnake?

They say she has poison fangs that rattle

so much you always know what she's up

to.

Thérèse Estacombe mustn't smile so much.

Her teeth are as false as her pearls.

And what does she think she's wearing?

Wallpaper?

It looks so much like her.

Much more like an old flag.

That daughter of hers, that Liesl is very

pretty.

But stupid.

Almost as stupid as her father who wants

to be an ambassador.

I hear.

In the event of my falling asleep, my

dear Countess, I shall expect you to wake

me with your customary tact.

I shall have to

take an interest in that girl.

THE

END Beautifully done, my dear.

Beautifully done.

What was?

The way you woke me, of course.

Did you see that?

The bow he made.

Who's it for?

Caterina Schrapp, naturally.

Is it true about her and the emperor?

Of course she's his mistress.

Liesl?

Everybody knows it.

What does a mistress have to do?

How can I explain it?

You remember La Pompadour?

Well, suppose the emperor was Louis XV.

And suppose Caterina Schrapp was La Pompadour.

Oh.

Ah, hello.

Hello.

My dearest.

And you, you beautiful young creatures.

Ah, Theresa isn't here?

No, she went to see an actress friend

in another box.

Well, I'm sure she's going to be delighted

with what I have in mind.

Come, Liesl.

I have arranged to have her presented in

the emperor's box.

Me?

To meet the emperor?

Well, come quickly before the interval is over.

Now, a little color won't hurt you.

There.

And remember, always show your best features.

Tell me.

Hmm?

Tell me, when do I tell the emperor

about Papa wanting to be ambassador to Constantinople?

Well, darling, not right away.

Perhaps it would be better if you were

introduced to the crown prince first.

When do I tell the prince, then?

Well, there are moments of these things.

A woman, however stupid she is, should...

It might be better if you were not

to say anything at all.

Some women are most attractive when they are

speechless.

Here we are.

Let me see you.

There.

Yes, but in the Balkans, as you know,

one must always face the Turkish situation.

Oh, Your Highness.

Excuse me, Your Excellency.

My dear cousin.

Thank you for saving me from the Balkan

situation.

The young Baroness de Cal.

Your Highness.

The daughter of Baron de Cal.

Champagne?

Giselle was never my favorite ballet.

Strikes me as being mawkishly sentimental.

Well, run along, my darling.

You won't have far to go.

Your bus is just up the road.

I don't need a procurist, cousin.

Not yet.

Not yet?

Your

Highness.

Please don't move now.

I can't quite reach.

Hold the horse steady.

One moment longer.

There, Your Majesty.

It only needed taking in half a centimeter.

Just as long as it doesn't need letting

out.

Now, Ricky, watch the foals of the scare

as I rise.

Of course, of course.

You...

Hello.

Good morning, Mother.

What a lovely surprise.

How was it?

Unbelievable, Your Majesty.

The skirt, Rudy, the skirt.

Unbelievable also, Your Majesty.

Ah, now you see why it's most important

to try the habit on the horse.

You always look as your most beautiful when

you're riding.

The only money I ever came by, honestly.

When I was a child, your grandfather and

I used to dress up as circus entity.

And in some small villages, the people would

throw money.

Ah, such wonderful days.

We had such a happy...

And you, did you ever have a childhood?

Whenever you were there.

I was ill.

They thought I had consumption.

I had to be away.

Yet somehow you always managed to be there

for the important days of my life.

My first communion, my 21st birthday, my...

my wedding.

One look at that tiresome lot of a

girl and I should have stopped that.

But you forget.

I was also there on another very important

day.

Which one?

The day you were born.

Maria?

Maria?

Yes?

You realize that's the same tune you've been

playing for the last 24 hours?

This is when he lifts Giselle and she

turns in his arms.

Yes, darling, but he must be exhausted.

He has now lifted her 150 times.

Countess Lariche to see Your Excellency.

Shall I announce?

Ah, I'm so glad they've stumbled home.

Dear, what a delightful surprise.

Oh, just passing by and I thought, Oh,

no, Maria, please don't stop.

You have such a lovely touch.

How charming you look.

And what a ravishing dress.

Won't you sit down?

No, no, no, thank you.

I prefer to move about.

Walking calms the nerves and keeps one from

putting on weight.

May I?

Talk about weight.

Have you seen the young Dominique lately?

She puts flesh on with every breath she

takes.

At the opera last night.

For everyone's safety, she should really sit in

the stalls.

I don't think a box can support her.

But nobody noticed her, of course, because everyone

was looking at your daughter.

Maria was a sensation.

I've been simply besieged with questions about her.

Go on playing and listen to me.

My cousin Rudolph wants to see you.

For heaven's sake, take a little presence of

mind.

Go on, I'll follow.

He talked to me about you for a

whole hour.

No, no, no.

It goes like this.

Play louder.

He wants to see you.

I'm to take you to him.

Will you go?

Then leave everything to me.

I'd love to go and think, but I

must hurry away.

I've got to go for a fitting, the

new dress for Prince Philip's party.

It's going to be a terrible fall, but

what can one do?

I really must find Anna and Maria.

You know, I just have the most splendid

idea.

Why doesn't Maria come with me and help?

She has such a lovely taste.

Isn't it too late for the shop?

Oh, Helen, do me a favor.

Let me marry her for a couple of

hours.

I hate being alone.

Well, certainly, if you think Maria can...

Come quickly, quickly, Maria.

Go and change.

Are you sure you don't mind?

Is it all right, Mama?

Of course, my sweet, but you'll be back

soon.

Yes.

Please, please, may I come too?

No, no, you're much too young.

I mean another time when it's not so

late.

And don't worry about Maria.

She'll be in very good hands.

Oh, dear, I always have so much to

do.

I'm such a busybody these days.

There's no need to be nervous.

Stop that!

Just let me have a look.

You have no powder on.

At least not enough.

There.

Do what you like with your eyes.

They're marvelous.

But don't look so sullen.

You're not frightened, are you?

I don't think I'm frightened at all.

You have a lovely smile.

Use it often.

Rudolf doesn't like sullen people.

He has too many long faces around him.

Ratfish and his cab with the Countess Larich.

That was over years ago.

Good evening.

Enjoy yourself, my dear, and make the most

of this glorious opportunity.

Do you realize the future you may have?

And who knows?

You may even acquire the past.

This way, please.

Come this way, please.

If you please, follow me.

Put not your trust in princes.

Heather of Wales gave me your message.

I was beginning to think you weren't coming.

That perhaps at the last moment you'd be

afraid.

Afraid of what?

Oh, I don't know.

Of this gloomy place or of me.

You know, I think if you were there

I wouldn't be frightened of anything.

So this is where you live.

And these are yours.

Now when I'm thinking of you, I'd be

saying, at this moment, he's sitting in his

big chair.

His ugly big chair, if I can tell

the truth.

He's writing at his desk.

Oh, that's the wedding ring of Louis IX

of France.

Saint Louis.

It's not gold.

Not even silver.

Like most marriages, it's base metal.

Iron.

His fingers were almost as small as mine.

The wedding ring of a saint.

Imagine.

I don't care for that.

Do you always have him sitting opposite you?

My cousin Ludwig gave it to me.

To comfort me, he said, for being alive.

But being alive is so...

Ludwig, you mean King Ludwig of Bavaria, the

one who...

Lies.

These stories are all lies.

He was just...

Just strange.

He was not insane.

Nobody knows for sure how he died.

Won't you take off your hat and coat?

There's no mirror.

In the next room.

Is that a prince's bed?

It's good enough.

I don't sleep much anyway.

Can't this lourish out of my nose?

I look awful.

Is something the matter?

No.

You're just different from what I thought you'd

be.

Different?

How?

No, even that's not true.

I knew how you were, but I just

hoped you'd be different.

It would have been simpler, that's all.

I don't understand.

There's so many come here with the Countess

Lourish who powders their little noses as they

turn in through the gates.

The beginning is always the same and the

end is always the same and what comes

in between is...

Well, not for you.

I found that out.

I'm glad you found that out.

Now, thank you, Highness.

Thank Rudolf.

I thank Rudolf.

And when will I see him again?

Tomorrow.

I'll find a way.

Such a waste.

Caviar, champagne.

And make sure that they are wasted once

my back is turned.

You really meant it about not putting your

trust in princes.

I did.

Go to get Bradfish.

The Baroness is leaving.

Highness.

Good night, my love.

Good night.

What a lovely thing to say.

My love.

All right, Hoyers, off you go.

Will it always be like this?

Not always.

I'm glad.

For the moment it's enjoyable, but after a

while...

If only you weren't a Habsburg prince.

And yet, these seem to be the same

people who wanted to break up the empire,

bring down the Habsburgs.

No, Highness.

They are mostly wearing the colors of Austria.

To them, the monarchy is an institution.

You mean Franz Josef has become one.

These Hungarian risings that Caroli talked about, I

hope they don't mean violence.

A revolution is not often made without a

certain loss of blood.

Long live the Crown Prince!

No disturbance up front, sir.

I was worried.

Thank you, Rudolf.

It is a thoughtfulness that I appreciate because

so unexpected.

I don't see why not, sir.

Today I'm on duty.

Surely I was only doing what any Habsburg

would.

No, Rudolf.

Today you behaved as I'd hoped a son

of mine would behave.

Oh, and thank you, my dear, for that

wonderful piece of faberge.

You should thank Rudolf, Your Majesty.

He would never allow me to choose anything.

And please also thank Etsy for her delicious

letter.

Of course, I shall probably spend it until

our next anniversary trying to decipher it, but

the thought was highly gratifying.

Rudolf, don't go for a moment.

I want to tell you how deeply I

appreciated your gesture of protection this afternoon.

As your father, I would like to try

to know you better.

Your friend, the Prince of Wales, have you

profited by his visit?

Profited?

By any advice that he may have given

you?

Sir, Count Tuffer has his spies even at

Zachar's, at my private parties.

It was Edward, your friend, who spoke to

me.

He's sincerely worried about you.

Edward's private life hardly entitles him to preach.

I'm not referring to your private life, although

it may ease your mind to know that

I have no objection to your actress friend.

It may ease your mind, sir, to know

that I have no objection to your actress

friend.

It was your public life I wished to

discuss.

My public life consists of receptions, balls, charity

galas, duties that a dressed-up dummy could

perform.

I should be learning the business of government.

I should be there when you consult with

your ministers.

When you learn to moderate your views, you

will be welcome to join us.

To suppress what I sincerely believe?

Let me give you a father's, not an

emperor's, advice.

Don't trust the people.

Among the people there are certain enlightened minds,

but the people are a mob.

The same mob who stormed this very palace

when I was a boy, just eight years

old.

The same mob who killed my great aunt,

Marie Antoinette.

These are your people, the people you wish

to allow to govern themselves.

You look at these countries, these enlightened countries,

like America and France, and you wonder at

the humbug of it.

The republican countries still wage wars, they're poor,

still poor, their rich become richer, their police

and their judges are the cheapest that money

can buy.

You're listening?

I'm listening, but I'm not agreeing.

To maintain supreme power you must recognize the

responsibilities of power.

Power.

You hoard it like a miser.

Here I sit, heir to the thrones of

Austria and Hungary, and no more than a

political eunuch.

How would you like to be inspector general?

The most I could hope for was to

get command of the Second Corps.

Count Taffy is preparing a promotion to the

rank of full general, with a formal commission

as inspector of all the royal and imperial

forces inside the empire.

For once, I have nothing to say.

You will have to travel a great deal,

visiting the various units.

Your first duty will be to represent me

at Prague for the maneuvers with the Seventh

Army.

Father.

You are pleased?

Grateful.

Well, I won't keep you.

I'll be expecting you to open the dancing.

Tell Count Taffy that I...

Majesty.

She's different from the others, this young woman.

So different that I think everything should be

done to arrange her marriage to Duke Michael

of Braganza.

Portugal owes me something.

I helped him with his claims in Brazil.

And the family, you see, I don't know

them.

You wouldn't, Majesty.

But rich, immensely rich.

Cosmopolitan.

Much traveled.

We must see if we can arrange something.

Otherwise the family may have to start their

rich cosmopolitan travels all over again.

Any gun looks impressive when it fires blank

and makes a lot of noise.

What is its maximum elevation?

What's the maximum elevation on this gun?

We are proposing to manufacture this gun and

to know one simple and important fact we

have to ask a sergeant.

This is something I find far too often.

Either the sergeant should be promoted or we

ourselves, gentlemen, should take a course in gunnery.

These guns should be properly ordered.

Soldiers should be taught how to use them.

You can note that the horses are not

well looked after.

I see only one advantage in providing our

army with out-of-date maps.

If they fall in the hands of the

enemy, they'll mislead them, too.

General?

All maps of frontier areas are to be

revised and all officers examined in map reading.

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Rudolph.

Your Highness, this is an honor.

An intrusion, I fear, dear cousin.

I need your help.

I'm on my way through to a parade

at Linz.

I must see Maria.

She's out skating.

You know that little lake, the Egrinsee.

Then you will forgive me if I leave

you at once.

My train leaves in a few hours.

Your Highness, please, I beg you, be patient.

I don't understand.

Well, this girl is something we've never encountered

before.

I should have realized it.

This affair, though I know it is a

love affair, could leave her badly hurt, damaged,

spoiled.

All her chances of being...

of being happy with someone else.

Who told you to say this to me?

Was it Count Taffy?

I thought this time I had kept a

secret.

So my father knows, too.

That's why he made me act.

And I thought at last he was giving

me responsibility.

I was grateful.

I almost began to like him.

I remember now he said there would be

a lot of traveling.

Highness, Taffy told me to say this to

you, but it isn't why I said it.

For one thing, you can be sure.

I mean her no harm.

My friend.

You didn't seem surprised.

I wasn't.

Some nights before I fell asleep, I knew

next day I'd see you.

And last night I knew.

Hot chocolate.

Spiced wine for me.

My brother George.

I meant to keep watch over him.

Yes, he's out there with friends.

He's all right.

You know, it's terrible, but I can see

much better out there than I can see

you here.

Vanity, vanity.

But my love, you do look thin.

I am thinner.

Just worrying about you and what's been going

on in Vienna behind my back.

If it makes you jealous, I can say

there's been a lot going on.

For instance?

Duke Michael of Braganza has formally asked for

a mean marriage, but through his uncle, the

king of Portugal.

Tra-la-la.

And Count Tafias offered my uncle the post

of ambassador to Brazil.

I was a fool to think they'd leave

us alone.

The emperor has the largest ears in Europe.

And I think I have their greatest nose.

Yes?

Thank you.

How long?

Only a few hours.

Just passing by.

Did you get my letters?

Every day.

I've just thought of it.

What?

As they know now, they'll be open.

Copies will be sent to Count Tafias.

But why?

We have no one, do we?

Oh, yes, of course.

You've got a wife and a child.

And you will have an empire.

Maria?

What is it, Maria?

What is it?

Nothing.

It's hopeless, that's all.

So utterly hopeless.

It can't be hopeless.

Look at me, Maria.

I'm looking.

I have to go now.

This boring parade at Linz.

But while I'm away, remember this.

It may take time, but we will be

together one day.

And we won't be parted anymore.

So.

Now they meet openly in a public place.

Yes, Highness, no longer seems to care who

sees them.

It doesn't even trouble to avoid my men.

It could be easier to make peace between

two nations than to stop a man and

a woman thinking they're in love.

If a son or daughter of mine wrote

this kind of...

It would matter only to me and my

family.

But this discredits the name of Habsburg throughout

Europe.

It makes our royal house a cheap joke

for tavern gossip and the foreign press.

There is no stronger action I can take,

sir, without your orders.

Then I will do what the emperor would

wish me to do.

And what most fathers in the same position

would do if they had the power.

Or perhaps if I had your authority, sir,

a direct order might not be needed.

There are ways and means.

You will have my authority.

Who wrote this?

Tell me the truth.

And don't lie to me.

Why should I lie?

Would you rather believe someone who writes such

a letter and doesn't dare to sign it?

Tell me what it says is not true.

So it is true.

You have a lover.

You've been meeting secretly.

Now I know why you've had so much

shopping to do, so many little excursions.

What's his name?

Mother, it's not what you think.

He loves me.

What is his name?

I can't tell you.

What a disgrace.

The person who wrote this knows.

Who else knows?

Answer me.

Answer me!

Mother, if I told you...

I mustn't.

I can't.

Very well.

On this filthy person there is one good

piece of advice.

You would be well advised to see your

daughter leave the country as soon as possible.

That's what you will do.

No!

Give me his name!

I told you I can't!

Then you will not leave this house, this

room, until your bags are packed.

Mother!

Mother!

I don't

think you're enjoying your duties as Inspector General.

No, I'm not.

I've no real authority.

I'm still the puppet prince.

Anyway, that's not the issue.

I intend to resign my appointment the moment

we get back to Vienna.

And please don't ask me why.

But I am asking you why.

When you promoted me Inspector General, I was

happy, pleased.

I genuinely thought you had given me something

important to do.

It is important.

I'm beginning to see just how important.

Surely if you wanted me to...

to use your own words to travel a

great deal, you could have sent me on

some foreign mission.

China or Japan are far enough away.

Only one trouble, of course.

I would not have gone alone.

God be thanked for sparing His Highness for

another day to live.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

When did I get in last night?

Your train was late, nearly daylight, so I

let you sleep an hour or two longer.

Oh, country clothes today.

And tell Bradfish to go and fetch Baroness

Betzer.

Forgive me, Highness.

The Countess Larrich is in the empty room.

Was a desire.

I let her in.

In your bedroom?

Why not?

She's bent enough, I tell you, before.

Highness, forgive me.

Must be a reason.

You will not blame me for bringing bad

news?

Oh, for God's sake, you tell me what

it is.

Maria.

Her family has sent her away.

They know?

They know she has a lover.

They don't know who he is.

Who told them?

Count Taffy arranged it.

But they should know.

My father's consent?

Count Taffy's much too clever to act in

a matter like this without the Emperor's approval.

Why did they send her?

Why?

I mean, it hurt me.

Maria.

The family was too frightened to say it

only happened last night.

There was nothing I could do.

Believe me.

Them at once.

Today will not be possible.

His Majesty said he will not see anyone.

Not even you.

He mentioned you by name, Highness.

Not anyone for at least the next 24

hours.

Your Highness.

Will someone please get me a glass of

water?

Drink some more of this and put down

that silly gun.

No more wine, it's part of my aim.

Rans, you're dead.

Rudolph, you're dead.

Charles, you're dead.

Joseph, all of you are dead.

Reload it, please, Alex.

He's a good fellow.

Reload this for His Highness.

Highness, you're tired.

Let's all go home.

Home?

I had to wait at home for 48

hours to see my father.

Did you ever wait all that time to

see your father?

No, Highness, I didn't.

I never knew who my father was.

My father approves of you.

Do you know that?

I approve of you too, Mitzi.

By God, I approve of you.

I approve.

That's more like my Highness.

Let's have that.

An Inspector General without his sidearms, I ask

you.

Gentlemen, like all great musicians, you play, of

course, with your eyes closed.

They are now.

So you'll go to sleep like a good

boy.

Make me what my father sends for me.

I won't be asleep.

Don't worry.

Not all of them?

This is Mitzi you're talking to.

Remember?

Forgive me.

My behavior was shocking today.

What?

I forgive you.

Lie down next to me.

I don't want to crumple his dress.

I own others tomorrow.

You don't have to do that.

All you have to do is to go

to sleep.

You mean isn't

a way I sent her away, Marie?

Did you know that?

No.

Go to sleep.

I'm going away.

Yes, I'm going away.

Highness, where are you going?

The wedding ring of St. Louis.

Read what it says inside.

13th of January, 1889.

That's today.

U-V-L-U-D.

United by love until death.

Funny.

Never think of Venice in the rain.

From now on, I will only.

I love this weather.

You look like a child.

Happy.

But the rain isn't sad.

It's light.

Dancing.

Not weeping.

Dancing.

I wouldn't have said that.

I know.

That's what people think of snowflakes.

Dancing like a belly.

Not me.

I think of sleep.

Long sleep in snow.

But the rain, it's so lively.

Listen.

Marie Witzel, of the sleep in snow, I

think I love you.

Very much.

I know now that I love you.

You haven't been out of my thoughts.

Only you.

Remember once I told you, some nights before

I fall asleep, I know next day I'll

see you.

Last night I knew.

Some light, please.

I'm shy.

Truly, I'm shy.

Any light, it must stay on.

I'm frightened of the dark.

My love.

Oh, my love.

I'll never know what China sees again.

Who gave you permission to go?

Nobody.

I'm of age.

I have my own passport.

As Inspector General, I have no right to

leave the country.

I resigned my commission before I went.

And I refuse to accept your resignation.

Consequently, you face a court-martial.

All right.

Call the court-martial.

And this.

Your letter to the Pope.

Requesting.

Requesting.

An annulment.

Of a marriage that makes me the laughingstock

of all Europe.

My letter to the Holy Father is my

concern and nobody else's.

To me, the Pope and the Archbishop of

Vienna are mere chaplains to our family.

I will not tolerate our affairs being pandered

about by any other living person, priest or

no priest.

And then to have your appeal rejected by

Rome.

Could you humiliate us further?

Was it you who told them to reject

it?

It was not necessary.

They decided.

They kept me informed as head of the

family.

As for me, I shall never allow a

divorce between you and Stephanie.

This woman of yours, this...

That Sarah will never again set foot inside

this empire.

Your seal.

So much for your Holy Roman Empire.

You can send your ministers to me with

the papers.

Before this month is out, I shall have

renounced my titles and left this country for

good.

And if I refuse to accept the deed

of abdication, if your passport is taken away

from you, I shall leave you.

You can go one step further.

Your prisons are filled.

But I'm sure Count Taffer and his police

will find room for one more.

I'll leave you to the judgment of your

mistress and of her family to whom you're

bringing ruin and disgrace.

And of the children of your mistress.

Bastards who suffer humiliation wherever they go.

Habsburgs by blood.

But bastards, to be slighted by inferiors who

have just one superior grace.

The grace of marriage.

And to the judgment of the daughter that

you have now, if you haven't forgotten her,

she will grow up with the knowledge that

her father was an adulterer in his private

life and a traitor to his public cause.

Those men out there, of all races, Croats,

Slovenes, Czechs, Hungarians, their pay is low.

Most of them are far from home.

But if I gave the order, there's not

one of them who wouldn't die for me.

You meant what you said before.

Maria could never come back to this country.

I mean no harm to her or to

her family.

It rests with you to decide what harm

you will bring to them.

I'm even prepared to allow you to see

her again for a few days, perhaps, if

I knew that afterwards you'd never meet again.

Don't believe that I love her.

I don't believe that it matters.

Till the end of the month can I

have the time with her till then.

No man.

No policeman, no spies.

If I have your word.

You have my word.

I must have been asleep all night.

Where are we?

Finally.

They don't fly as straight here as they

do in Scotland, McTavish.

And you don't shoot as straight here as

you do in Scotland, Your Royal Highness.

Nonsense.

It's the light.

It's the light.

It's the late nights and the foreign wines

instead of whiskey and reasonable hours.

Rubbish.

Oh.

It's horrible.

I hate it.

I hate it.

Something I'll never be able to share with

you, this killing.

When I was a boy, my father thought

me unmanly because I liked watching animals and

studying them more than killing.

Now I kill.

Highness, to the right.

Corner of the wood.

Oh, don't.

Please don't.

You look so sweet.

You shouldn't.

I must say, you don't make it easy

for the huntsman.

I don't intend to.

What more do you want me to do?

Nothing.

And you don't have to like everything I

do either.

Your Highness.

Some friends of ours.

They've just arrived unexpectedly.

John.

Caroly and I have just crossed over from

Hungary.

Highness, tomorrow there is to be the biggest

demonstration the Budapest has ever seen.

Do you know what they're painting on the

banners and placards?

Prince Rudolf of Austria for our king.

Now is the time, Highness, when you must

declare yourself.

Poyos, you're Hungarian.

Tell him what it means.

Caroly is right.

It's the only way to keep Hungary still

within the empire.

You have to move.

You have to move now.

What happens if the emperor sends his armies

into Hungary?

Civil war.

But with you there as king, as his

viceroy, whatever you like to call yourself.

Who are those men?

They are friends.

Whose friends?

Ours.

Come and meet them.

Come and shake them with a hand.

Come and tell them you're with us.

What are their names?

One day perhaps you'll join us.

I just hope it won't be too late.

Rudolf!

Rudolf!

I just killed what must be about the

biggest wild boar seen in these parts for

many a long year.

Well done, Edward.

I'm going back to Vienna to see my

father.

You take Maria to my apartment in Schönbrunn

and wait for me there.

There's a ball tonight at Schönbrunn for the

Prince of Wales.

I want the Wetzlar family to have an

invitation.

But really, Rudolf.

I thought you'd been complaining that your friends

weren't received at court.

Well, tonight they will be.

Mad.

Like all the Habsburgs.

Stark, raving, mad.

Come on, come here.

What do you imagine you're doing with that?

It's for the faun we adopted.

Oh, it's so lovely.

So peaceful.

Remember what I told you, Snow?

Yes, sleep.

Long sleep, I remember.

And rain was for dancing.

Why?

Why what?

You sighed.

A heavy sigh.

Oh, it's the thought of Vienna.

And despite the presence of my mother, I'm

going back to court.

It's not in any way that I've made

you unhappy.

Just the opposite.

Good, because I've never been so happy.

And I only wish that I were God,

so I could bless everyone twice over.

First, with someone to love.

And second, with someone to love them in

return.

Would Her Ladyship like some more tea?

No, thank you, Lodzik.

Although those little biscuits were delicious.

And so bad for the preggo.

Then there is nothing more that Her Ladyship

requires.

Just that you tell me one thing.

How long have you been with the Archduke?

Since he was 12.

You're so lucky.

Not when he was 12, Your Ladyship.

A holy era.

You're very fond of him.

Like you.

If I may take the liberty, Ladyship, I

am very, very fond of His Highness.

That was a lovely thing to say.

Thank you, Lodzik.

Lodzik, would you announce me to His Highness?

He's at the half-bar, waiting to see

the Emperor.

Just tell him that I arrived, to inquire

how he was.

And, Lodzik, would you put these in water?

Oh, since I'm here, I might as well

leave a note.

Oh, I'm

so sorry to have disturbed you.

No, Shrek.

You should have told me.

And now leave us.

I wanted to know how my son was.

I see him so little.

How does he look?

He seems to me a little worried, Your

Majesty.

And tired.

Poor Rudolph.

He wasn't meant for this life they make

him lead.

I often wonder if anybody was.

I haven't met you, Mlle.

I go out so little now.

But I...

I do know that my son loves you.

Sit down, please.

You're even lovelier than I've been told.

You're so young.

How old are you?

I'm 20, Mlle.

Twenty.

Twenty, I...

was already unhappy.

But as I was young, I didn't die.

Oh, Vienna's not for the young.

Stay away if you can.

I like the country best, Your Majesty.

So do I.

So does Rudolph.

So does his father.

We're what we are.

But we...

we must be what they want us to

be.

Common children play kings and queens.

We play shepherds.

Sometimes even circus performers.

Wait long enough, you'll hear it.

Door closing.

Servant dropping a sport.

Oh.

Never completely silent.

One is never completely alone.

Yet...

one is always quite, quite alone.

Do you know what he said to me

the day he was married?

He said, Mother, say a prayer for me.

And I said, What prayer shall I make

for you?

And he said...

He's prayed to God that I shall never

fall in love.

Allow me to kiss you, my child.

You are very dear to my heart.

Good evening, Helen.

Oh, good evening.

Seems to be rather nervous tonight.

Never received at court before and suddenly commanded

to a ball.

No wonder.

Does she know who I am?

My mother was always the last to know.

Oh, look.

You kept us a well-guarded secret, and

that's it now.

Till the last moment, I wasn't sure myself.

You know how I hate being stared at.

Knowing they're all thinking, Oh, she's become hot.

Nonsense.

They're longing to rush home and tell all

their friends that they've just seen the world's

most beautiful empress.

There are not that many of us left.

But, um, couldn't you distract them somewhere?

Sometimes?

Taffy, Your Majesty.

The music, please.

If you're going to open the ball, sir,

I shall have to ask my mother for

the second dance of the evening.

Your father and I have talking to do.

I'm sure you can take the empress' place.

As a dancer, he can take my place

at any time.

My dear, could I...

I'm longing to talk to you, but there

are certain subjects which we cannot discuss in

public.

Baroness Wetzel, may I have your permission to

ask your daughter, Maria, to do me the

honor of opening the ball?

Have I your permission?

If Your Imperial Highness insists.

Your Majesty,

I don't...

Keep calm.

Remember that you are the Archduchess of Austria.

Maria.

Oh, how much longer?

Maria, look at me.

Maria.

Now smile.

Smile.

I want everyone to see us.

Now say something.

Good evening, Your Highness.

Good evening, my love.

Oh, take me away.

Please, take me away.

This will not last.

I give you my word.

It will not be allowed to last.

Your Majesties, allow me to present to you

the Baroness Maria Wetzel, whose fate has been

a matter of such great interest to you.

You're very beautiful, Baroness.

And your youth gives you the right to

expect everything of life.

Your Majesty is kind.

The Baroness and I have already met.

I trust that the liking I have for

her is mutual.

Your Majesty is truly kind.

I shall return now.

Perhaps you would come to see me before

you go.

But not too late.

Good night.

I'm proud of you, Maria.

God, how I'm proud of you.

I hope someday we have children so that

they too can be proud of you.

Edward.

Edward, I need your help.

You must let me come to England.

But, my dear boy, yours are the only

state visits I enjoy.

Not for a state visit.

To live there for good.

Wolof, when you think of England, you see

the white cliffs of Dover.

I see an elderly lady.

And however fond the Queen may be of

you personally, politically...

But one day you'll be king, and then...

Even then I shall not be able to

treat England as my own private house party,

to which I can invite everybody I wish.

Where can I go?

What shall I do?

You'll have to do the same thing as

I shall do tomorrow night.

What's that?

Go back to my wife.

Oh, but to flaunt the whole affair in

public is madness.

I tell you, sheer madness.

I did it for a reason.

To bring the affair out in the open,

which means you can no longer try and

push it all under the carpet like some

lazy servant with her sweepings.

But now your father's more determined than ever.

I don't know how a man can refuse

those eyes.

A child really is a wonder.

I was counting on that, too, that he'd

teach you someone special, not some backstairs Madame

du Barry.

You should have given me more time.

I'm sure I could have worked out something.

Something like my father's arrangement with Katharina Schradt?

No, thank you.

I want marriage, I want children, not some

hole-in-the-corner backstreet romance.

Marriage, nothing else.

It was I who brought Frau Schradt into

your father's life as an act of compassion.

Humanity.

Because if I didn't want to, you wouldn't,

in fact, stay and be in and share

your father's bed.

I had no right to ask a man

to lead an unnatural life in celibacy.

Darling, I...

I know it's marriage you want, even a

morganatic one.

Then I shall have it.

You will not deprive me.

Let's marry, Jo.

Oh, what, my child?

You are a child when you speak like

that.

I tell you, Mother, they harm me just

too much.

They drive me just too far.

Do you think your father doesn't know what

he's doing to you?

What he's doing to himself.

Because in your pride and stubbornness, you're both

the same man.

But if you think he's wrong, so are

you, my love.

And come away from that window.

You'll die of pneumonia, or I will.

Mother, I'm telling you this, and nobody else.

There's one last chance left for me.

Hungary, they want me.

They want me there to be their king.

I could go now and...

Listen, I...

But you listen.

Listen to me.

Get the girl out of the country, and

soon.

There are convents here where a girl can

be set and never come out again.

And with the madness prevalent in this family,

nothing is out of the question.

Do you hear me?

I hear you.

I have to go now.

Mother, thank you for what you tried to

do.

And tell the child I truly love her.

Because she truly loves you.

Remember I once told you I hoped never

to fall in love?

And now I have.

I'm really a very lucky man.

No, you're not that.

But you're a very good one.

Good night, Mother.

Goodbye, my son.

Highness.

Your Highness.

Forgive me coming here, Your Highness, but I

must leave tonight.

Already I may be too late.

You can't afford to be.

Your orders are for Caroli to hold up

the Budapest Risings until next week, until I

can get there.

And you agree to have them call on

you to become king of Hungary?

It's the only way I can keep Hungary

within the empire.

I suppose every man needs to justify treason.

Caroli insists on your signature to this proclamation.

And there's proof that you give me your

ring.

I suppose a signature in pencil is legal.

It's only for Caroli to see.

She doesn't trust my word anymore.

Your Highness.

I can't say I blame him.

Drive as fast as you can.

I don't want a rising unless I'm there

to lead it.

You've changed your mind.

You're sure?

This is immensely serious.

Suddenly everything has become immensely serious.

Stop speaking to her.

Ascend yourself.

Veljet Budapest.

Thank God.

I'll be so glad when we get back

to Malé.

So shall I.

In a horrible evening.

Maria.

Yes?

Would you do anything for me?

Yes.

Would you?

I just have done.

Ha!

Ha!

Ha!

Are you trying to kill us?

Driver!

Free?

Free?

You mean we're free to go?

Yes, you are for the moment.

Oh, by the way, Count Hoyers.

I think you should give this back to

its owner.

The Count doth have let you go.

Why not?

The rising in Budapest.

It's over.

And you must know that there's nothing left

for me to do.

Did you find out what happened?

Count Taffy had six battalions ready and waiting.

A hundred rounds of ammunition per man and

officers who were not Hungarian.

It was not just a failure.

It was a massacre.

Where's John?

No one knows where.

Caroly?

He shot himself.

Taffy returned the ring but not the papers

that went with it.

He still has the papers.

I wonder if a signature in pencil is

legal.

But you will never find out.

What was it Caroly said that day?

One day, perhaps, you will join us.

But I'd wait then, till you come back.

It would be a long, long time.

An impossible time to wait.

Better still, I'll go with you.

And if that were impossible?

How impossible?

I'd follow you anywhere.

I won't allow it.

I can't let you.

Another one, Bradfish, another.

And, Lozsik, fill yourself a glass.

Aenys, come, I want you to drink with

me.

Aenys, it is not something I should say,

but by asking me to drink with you,

you give me leave to speak as man

to man and not as a servant to

a prince.

In all the years I have been with

you, I have never seen you so happy

as you are tonight.

With your permission, Aenys, I'll drink to...

to...

In all the years you've been with me,

Lozsik, it's the first time anything's been broken.

Second time, Aenys.

Have you forgotten how you threw a razor

at me once and hit a mirror?

You're trying to say something to me, but

you keep on not saying it.

Let me say it for you.

If you went away, no matter where, but

if you went, I never came back.

Have you thought what becomes of me?

Wandering the world alone, strange world and a

lonely place because you won't be there.

Because I can't be.

They won't let me live with you, and

I wouldn't want to live without you.

My dear, I understand, and I've been trying

all the time to let you know I

understand.

But, dear God, why no one, not even

you, will ever learn how much I love

you?

Good night, my friends.

And until the next time we meet, God

keep you.

Forget the thought of the dark, nothing else.

What are you doing?

I've finished anyway.

Must be the heat of the fire.

My eyes, just want to open.

Go to sleep, then.

I don't want to.

Not yet.

God help me, though.

You know, if you want to change your

mind, there's still time.

Not without you.

I wouldn't want to live.

Just one thing, please.

Yes?

I don't...

I don't want to know when.

I'm frightened.

Not much, but frightened.

So am I.

You've no need to be.

I'm with you.

Always will be.

I wouldn't want you to be lonely.

For you to feel alone in the dark.

That's why.

For the unluckiest man in Austria, I've ended

up the most, most fortunate one.

We're both fortunate, for one thing.

Fancy to be able to say to someone,

I'll always love you.

And no, it must be true.

Always.

I loved you.

You were my first love.

I wish, I wish I could truly see

you one last time.

Remember what I used to tell you.

Some nights before I fall asleep, I know

next day I'll see you.

Yes, I know I'll see you.

Till tomorrow then.

Tomorrow.

I think I'd like to sleep now.

Good night, my love.

Good night, Sarah.

I'll always love you.

Forgive me, Highness.

I thought I heard a shot.

It is in my town, Roshek.

Some game keepers in the woods.

Hope you're right, Highness.