Original subtitles

THE ODYSSEY based on Homer's epic poem

PART FOUR

You come back alone, with no weapons.

They will ask for those who left with you twenty years ago...

... once you summon the assembly... - I will not summon it

Men are sheep following the stronger. Who are those suitors?

- I think the worst are Antinous and Eurymachus.

- Are they? They are so young...

- They were twenty years ago.

- Right, of course. Who else?

- Leocrites, Amphinomus..., - Ctesippus...

...and Amphimedontes, the son of Melaneus.

- I see. How many altogether?

- Just from Samos, already a dozen.

- They are many, Ulysses. Too many.

- No one must know I am here.

- And my mother?

- No, not even her.

(The ship launched by the suitors to catch Telemachus...)

(... came back to the harbor.)

- He took another route. He was lucky to be informed.

- We must eliminate him before he summons another assembly.

- Attack him in the fields and slay him!

- Yes, plundering his wealth is no longer enough.

(When Penelope heard that the suitors were on their way...)

(... she decided to precede them into the court room...)

(...she took her seat next to the royal throne...)

(... to speak to them.)

- What have you done with my son? - Your son?

His ship is in the harbor. I thought he was here.

- I'm asking you where he is! - I don't know. Am I his tutor?

- I know your schemes, Antinous. - You are badly informed.

- I once saw your father kneeling before the king...

...he was begging for protection, in this very room!

Ulysses saved his life then, now his son plots against mine!

Leave the palace!

You are a coward, just like your father!

No one is threatening your son, Penelope...

...and as long as I live, I will watch over him and protect him.

- Telemachus! Telemachus is back!

(Penelope rushed to meet her son...)

(She hugged him and kissed his face repeating:)

(... you are here, Telemachus, my sunshine...)

(Theoclymenus had also come the court.)

(... the maids hurried to wash and anoint the two men.)

Your journey transformed you. You are more determined, and quieter too...

...I feel proud of you. - I am pleased.

I wish I could give you an even greater joy, mother...

- When your father went to war, do you know what he told me?

In case I had bad luck, I trust you with everything: home, servants, herds...

... and my son. As soon as his beard grows, you will give him regency.

- And in this case, did he say you should marry again?

- You know this stranger? - You said his name was Theoclymenus.

- He asked for my protection when I boarded in Pylos. He killed a man.

- Why did you bring a murderer in this house?

- He is a prophet. He advised me to change my course.

I might owe him my life...

- You come back with a strange guest, you talk about the future...

...yet you say nothing about the one you searched for.

After traveling far and wide and gone through such perils...

...do you at least come back with news of your father?

Telemachus...

In Pylos, Nestor welcomed me kindly...

... but I got no news of Ulysses from him.

In Sparta, I met Helen and Menelaus.

I also told them what happens in Ithaca...

... they admire your patience, but can do nothing for us.

They ignore where my father is.

- Faithful lady, what could Menelaus tell your son?

Why not ask me when I can see the future?

I do not see men, but heavenly signs...

...and I know you must keep waiting for the king, you must...

...trick the suitors a little bit more, you know how to deal with them...

Odysseus would not act any different, you know that...

- How was he? - Who?

- My father... how was he when you married?

- Odysseus... how was he?

He was the last one to propose me.

My father despised him. He was not rich nor daring.

When my father refused him, Odysseus looked down and left ...

... not even turning around...

...then...

... I followed him...

...when he saw me, he packed his cart. He said nothing...

...he let Penelope sit down, and the cart moved off...

...then my father... wanted to stop us...

...he stood in the way, and wanted me to get off...

... but I took the folds of my veil and covered my face...

...Odysseus whipped the horses...

...and we went.

(Odysseus and Eumaeus headed to the city...)

(The swineherd had given his master a satchel and a stick...)

(... to complete his disguise...)

(...and all whom they came across thought :...)

(...see how heaven brings birds of a feather to another...)

(... look at the swineherd taking this beggar to the court...)

You look suddenly transformed, Penelope.

Such a gracious face! What has made you so attractive?

- You are lying.

- He praises your beauty, my queen. Why would he lie? We all admire you.

- My beauty went away along with my husband.

- So why would we be here, Penelope?

- Not for me.

(Athena had made her more handsome, and taller...)

- Silence, comrades!

Penelope will speak, quiet!

(... whiter than sawn ivory.)

- Custom in Ithaca, when a nobleman wants to marry...

... is to bring his own wedding gifts, not plunder the lady's wealth.

- Is this some new trick? Another way to save time?

- We believe you no more. Soon you'll see how bold we are.

Wedding gifts, you'll get this very evening...

... but be sure we won't leave until you make your choice.

(Even more handsome and majestic, the goddess had made her...)

Comrades, tomorrow Penelope will chose the new king.

(... whiter than sawn ivory...)

For now, let's enjoy the queen's hospitality.

(... but Athena didn't let Penelope recognize her husband.)

( ...yet he had just crossed the threshold...)

(...he was watching every detail, joy and pain collided in his heart...)

- I will stop here.

Better they don't see you with me.

The lords know my loyalty, so they enjoy putting me down.

I don't want them to insult you, because you are with me.

- Argos!

(It was Argos indeed, a dog Odysseus had raised himself...)

(...but he had no time to train him for hunting.)

You remember me?...

Is it true? After twenty years, you remember?

(Argos had the time to recognize his master, before dying...)

- Why are you here, old man? Where have you been?

I bet you rather beg your bread than work for it.

(With his back arched, Odysseus entered the room as an old beggar...)

(With his back arched, Odysseus entered the room as an old beggar...)

(... walking with a stick, and dressed in rags.)

Euryclea! Give some bread to the beggar...

... if he wants more, bring him a loaf, he may eat as much as he likes.

- Telemachus sends you this. - Let Zeus protect him, thank you .

(The suitors were banqueting in the court room...)

(... and Athena inspired Odysseus to pick up the remains of every suitor...)

(... to see for himself who among them was just and who was not...)

(...although all were promised to death...)

- Give me some leftovers, some bread, Sir

- Who is he?

- Please, have mercy. - Who can he be? I never saw him before...

( ...they all looked very young...)

(...Odysseus watched them one by one, youngsters oblivious of their sin...)

(... and wondered if any would escape his revenge.)

- Give something to a poor old man. - Get away!

- Telemachus, are we short of beggars? Did we really need more?

And you complain that your wealth wastes away!

- Thank you, Eurymachus for your concern...

... but do not mind. You may feed him with my permission.

- Get away!

- Have mercy, please. Thank you. Let Zeus reward you, my lords.

You give me some bread, you have the looks of a gentleman...

Who is rich can give more. That's justice in my land of Crete...

...do you know the island of Minos?

Before, I used to be powerful and wealthy like you...

...I had estates, servants and cattle...

...but one day Zeus reduced me to this ...

... misfortune was bound to me...

... I had nine sturdy ships, bound to Egypt for trade...

... but as soon as we landed, my men plundered the fields...

... they robbed, they killed, and I paid for their deeds.

- This man has paid for all... so we must pay for him!

- You are Antinous, a lord with a heart of stone...

... keeping all for himself, giving nothing away...

... not a pinch of salt, nor a piece of bread, yet reveling on the wealth of others.

(Telemachus felt pain for his humiliated father...)

(...but he shed no tears..)

(..and watched in silence, thinking about revenge...).

It's one thing to be hit when fighting, another to be hungry...

... the Gods will make you pay for what you just have done.

- Shut up and get away, or I shall throw you out.

- A stranger has just come...

- Last night, I had a dream : twenty geese were pecking...

... when an eagle descended from the top of the hills...

- He is not a beggar, he comes from far away...

... the eagle broke their neck, one after the other...what is this sign?

- Penelope, why not ask the stranger who just came?

- Irus is also here, how fun watching two dogs on the same bone!

(Irus was a popular beggar, a notorious glutton and drunkard...)

(Arnaeus was his real name, which his mother gave him at birth...)

(...but his nickname was Irus...)

- Who is this one? Taking my given place in front of me!

Get lost at once, you wretched, or we will come to blows!

- Irus! Be brave! Get us rid of him! Defend yourself! Throw him out!

- Hear them? Run while you can, before I break your bones.

- What wrong I have done to you?

I am one of your kind, taking what I'm given. There is enough for both...

- Nonsense, you lousy fool! Here is enough for me only!

Haven't you heard? Clear off, or you will spit your teeth.

- Do not challenge me....

- Gentlemen, get ready for the show!

- Come on, entertain us!

- Here is the reward! The winner takes this, the loser gets out.

- I shall fight because of hunger, but swear you don't hit me in the back.

- Enough talk, hurry up! Let's move to the outer court!

- Begin fighting, you clowns!

(Odysseus girded up his old rags, about his loins...)

(..thus baring his stalwart thighs, his broad shoulders and chest..)

(...and his mighty arms..)

(...Athena came up to him, and made his limbs even stronger still...)

(...and his muscles even more supple ...

(Odysseus struck Irus below the ear and broke his bone...)

(...blood gushed out of his mouth...)

(...he fell groaning in the dust...)

(...gnashing his teeth, and kicking on the ground.)

(Odysseus had pity to Irus, and told him quietly:...)

(...sit here now, keep the dogs and the pigs off...)

(... you are not the king of beggars, a miserable remains miserable...)

- This is yours.

- And now friends, let's all go back to our homes!

The queen wants bridal gifts...

...tonight, each will send his own, let's not keep her waiting...

...she seems so impatient to make her choice.

- You fought bravely. - Thank you

... You are Amphinomus, the son of Nisus, right? I knew your father once...

...but listen to an old man's advice, my son...

...there is nothing more unfortunate than man:

... unaware is he who believes fields will always be green...

... ignoring that all can change overnight.

These lords, for example...

... they behave just as if no punishment would come.

- Well, you don't say, you fool!

The beggar plays the prophet! - Leave this court, don't get back...

- Come, my mistress wants to speak with you. - Now?

- Yes now. The queen would like to see you.

- No, not now. Later, after dusk.

Antinous... Leocrites... Eurymachus!

- Come on, quick! Come!

- Even at night, you are here to bother?

Get away! Or I'll take care of you...

- Sit, I want to talk to you. - To sit with you?

... my queen, I'm only a poor beggar. - Rich and poor are equal at my home...

Take a seat.

- I am a beggar. Let me stay at my place.

Who are you? How did you get here?

Why do you resist? Does shyness make you mute?

Talk to me. Hardships read on your face.

You'll be respected in this house. I know about pain. I suffer too.

(Odysseus strived to restrain his tears...)

(For all these years, he endured so many ordeals to find his land...)

(...his son... his wife...)

(...and there he was, in front of her...)

(...an could not do or say anything...)

(...because it was not time yet...)

- Fear nothing, stranger. I just want to know who you are..

- If I tell you, my queen you will think I'm liar, or a drunkard...

... actually, you do not care about me, but about your husband.

I saw Odysseus. I really did...

...with an army, when he left for Troy, that was long ago...

- If you saw Odysseus, give me some proof. What do you remember?

- Twenty years is such a long time...

...but I remember...

... he wore a mantle of red wool...

...and on his mantle was a golden brooch...

... which showed a hound holding a spotted fawn in his paws....

- The fawn struggled to escape...

...I had sewn this mantle myself.

Stranger, how do you know this?

Who are you?

...but you are... - I am Aeton, and I was born in Cnossos...

- But you are...

...Odysseus! - My father was Deucalion...

...and his ancestors descended from Minos, offspring of the great Zeus...

...my brother Idomeneus went to Troy, and was one of few survivors to return...

- If you are Odysseus, why are you still lying?

- Your fame makes you a superior woman.

- Odysseus!

I want you to stay at the court.

I'll order a bed for you.

Euryclea! Take good care of our guest.

... he is not a beggar. He is Aeton from Cnossos,

...he used to be king once...

He is the same age as your master...

...but suffering makes you look older.

- You know, you remind me of the master I once lost...

...same looks, same voice... -I know, I have been told before.

- My beloved master, mourned by your old nurse...

...where can you be now?

...maybe in such a house...

...begging for a crust of bread, humiliated, offended...

... servants are treating him ill like they did with you you here...

(She recognized the scar done to Odysseus by a wild boar while he was very young...)

...Odysseus! Odysseus, my master!

...and I did not recognize you. You were in front of me...

- Say nothing! Don't betray me!

If you did, I would have no mercy, even for you!

- You sound so cautious and wise, stranger, give me some advice.

- Tell me.

- You saw that my home was full of young lords who want to marry me...

...my son seems impatient to get rid of me.

...what should I do? - Wait...

Odysseus shall return, and he will do justice.

- No.

Tomorrow, I will have all these young suitors compete...

... the first one strong enough to stretch the bow...

...which Odysseus left me...

... and sends the arrow through twelve hollow axes...

... will become my husband.

(Father and son were hiding their weapons...)

(...when a ray of light showed them the way...)

(... before Telemachus could talk, Odysseus said:)

(Ask no questions, my son and trust the Gods.)

(The night went by, and Penelope was anxious...)

(... looking at her wedding bed.)

Artemis, daughter of Zeus, shoot me with an arrow...

... or let the wind and the storm carry me away.

Let me die, Artemis!

(Odysseus guessed what she thought to herself...)

(he believed, now his faithful wife had recognized him...)

(...that she was by his side.)

He lies awake, unfortunate amongst mortals...

... now a stranger in his own home...

(Dawn slowly came after night...)

Since the Gods have seen fit to bring me home...

... father Zeus, let someone in my home give a shout...

... or let me have a sign of some kind from outside...

One woman stays at the mill, the others have ground their task...

... frail and old, she can hardly finish work...

...and thus she speaks : - Thunder, and not a single cloud...

...you sent someone a sign, Zeus almighty....

...grant the prayer of a servant...

... let the suitors dine for the last time in the house of Odysseus...

... they have worn out my back grinding this flour...

- Clear the tables with sponges, quick! The lords are almost here.

Hurry up! They will eat even more, today is a holiday.

- Euryclea, how did you serve our guest?

- Poorly, but I'm not to blame...

...he wanted no bed, and slept in a blanket...

... we gave him a bull hide to cover himself...

(Eumaeus arrived at the court...)

(...just like Euryclea and Telemachus, he could not yet call Odysseus by his name.)

- Who is the stockman? - Philoetius, you knew him...

...as a small child, don't you remember? - He grew up!

(Odysseus was feeling lonely, his mind was tormented...)

(...loneliness and sadness and doubt were in his soul...)

(...contriving the wicked lords was such a risky endeavor...)

(...with only his son and the swineherd standing by his side...)

(...but soon Athena, the clear eyed goddess, stood again in front of him...)

- Why are you doubting? Others would be content...

... with the help of even weaker allies...

... and you don't trust me, while I always rescue you in danger...

- Beautiful beast!

- Good day, old man. Torments have wrinkled your forehead.

- Philoetius!

The stranger is no beggar, he used to be a brave warrior...

- Same fate that may have befallen my master...

... he might also go about, dressed such in rags ...

... if he is still alive.

- Have you known your master? - I don't remember him...

- Of course, he was so young when Odysseus trusted him a flock...

... but indeed, he could have not chosen better.

Philoetius bred the cattle like no one else.

- Good.

I have trust in you...

...and will tell you a secret...

... your master Odysseus will soon reappear.

- When will he return? - Not so loud.

- Tell me, Philoetius. If he returned, what would you do?

- What I would do?

My master would need these arms. You should see what I would do!

(As every morning, the suitors came to the court...)

(...as they ordered, the fattest sheep and pigs had been sacrificed...)

(...and many oxen too. The inwards were cooked first)

(...meat was roasted, bread partaken, and wine poured into cups...)

(...the lords rushed on the food. The feast began in joy...)

(Odysseus was watching silently...)

(...but bitterness and desire for revenge were growing in his heart)

(He stood up, pushed by Athena, aggravating the lords)

(...he triggered their insults to make his wrath deeper...)

(One of the suitors soon responded...)

(He was Ctesippus, a proud and fierce lord from Samos...)

The guest has received his due share. What a good example!

Telemachus honors him at his table.

...I will treat him with a piece of meat myself...

...some choice cut that will feed him both for today and for tomorrow ...

(Thus he spoke, and threw a bull's hoof...)

(Odysseus avoided it by turning his head, smiling grimly...)

(The crowd remained speechless...)

(...but of all creatures on earth, none can be as vile as man...)

(...and they all roared with laughter, Athena obscured their minds...)

(...their mouths reveled on bloody flesh...)

(... but their eyes were filled with tears...)

(...the whole palace eerily echoed their laughter.)

(The prophet Theocymenus heard them, and made them this omen...)

- You wretched fools!

You should cry instead!

Can't you see the shadow floating over your heads?

Are your eyes completely covered with darkness?

I see the walls dripping with blood!

I see... the courtyard full of ghosts...

...trooping down into the night of hell, forever.

The sun is blotted out. The blighting gloom of death is over all.

- Another madman!

Hurry him up to the doorstep, so his stupid talk burdens us no more!

- Telemachus can chose his guests : a madman and a beggar!

- Listen Telemachus, I have some good idea:

... why not board them both on a ship and sell them as slaves?

For sure they'd be bought fast and cheap!

- Your jokes are worthless, and I only take advice from my mother the queen....

... I will hear no more sarcasms. I know you long to kill me...

...well keep on dreaming. I just won't tolerate my guests being insulted.

I am grown up, Eurymachus you will know.

- I forgot about this insolent youth. Pity that Zeus has not helped us...

... Telemachus speaks loud and sharp....

...these are mere words though, thus pay no heed!

(You had warned them, Theoclymenus...)

(...you gave them a chance to save themselves...)

(...but they remained deaf, enjoying the abundant meal..)

(...and the delicious foods they were served...)

(...yet they will now be served another meal...)

(...by the goddess and the hero...)

(...and allotted quite different seats...)

(Night was falling...)

(Athena had awaited the moment, inspiring Penelope...)

(...to offer the suitors the bow contest...).

(...a mighty weapon, given long ago to Odysseus by a guest...)

(How eagerly Odysseus would draw it in his youth...)

(But now, Penelope saw him tired and untimely aged...)

(...and thought he was singled out facing his enemies...)

- The queen!

(Everyone knew instantly she was about to speak crucial words...)

- My lords!

I will offer you a contest...

...who shall string this bow this bow with the strength of his arms...

... and send his arrow through each one of twelve axes...

... that man I will marry.

He may take me away from the house of my youth...

... and thus will become the king of Ithaca.

Eumaeus!

- Swineherd, bring it to me!

- Come on, lords, take the bow! The reward sits right here:

... the most noble in the lands of the Greek.

But you know this all well! What need to praise my mother?

Zeus must have confused my mind!

My mother says she will follow another, yet I am laughing...

...and amusing myself!

I will compete as well.

If I can string and shoot, thus my mother remains in this palace...

... instead of quitting with one of you, she will stay with her son, the winner...

(As he spoke, Telemachus tugged at the bow with his youthful hands...)

(...and hade to leave it off...)

Your arm is strong enough, you try, Antinous!

(In the mean time, Odysseus was hammering the axes..)

(Each was pierced in the head, above the blade...)

(...he aligned the iron so that the hollows made a straight line...)

- Come on, each of you in his turn, gentlemen...

....starting with you, Leodes

(Leodes was the only one to disapprove the arrogance of other lords...)

(...of course, he also coveted the queen's hand...)

(...but he loved Penelope, and prayed that one day she will follow him...)

(...and give him descendants since Odysseus vanished forever...)

- My veil!

(Testing the bow, Leodes soon grew tired...)

(...his hands were moist and his muscles got limp ...).

(...he would have to find some other Greek lady...)

(...to make his bridal offerings...)

(...he did not know Odysseus would seal his fate...)

- This bow shall take so many lives!

Better to die, than missing your purpose in life!

Better to die!

- You think no one can bend this bow just because you failed?

You were not born to be an archer...

... but others will have tighter muscles.

Your turn!

- Come on!

- If you help me do justice, you will live here as my own sons.

Tell the women to stay in their rooms, so they can hear...

... you Eumaeus and Philoetius lock the gates to the hall....

...so none of the lords can escape.

(Every lord tried and failed, to draw the king of Ithaca's bow...)

(...Athena stopped them all...)

Now comes Eurymachus. He tries and persists, to no avail.

... he doesn't know either the bow is under a spell.

- It's all over, Eurymachus. These lame muscles leave you no chance.

- Alright, I am out, but how will you do? Just you try, Antinous.

- My friends, it's getting late. Tomorrow, we celebrate Apollo the archer...

...let us delay the joust to tomorrow.

- Noble lords, please let me try once too.

Tomorrow, Apollo will chose among you whom he pleases...

...but for today, give me a chance to stretch the string...

... to test what remains of my strength.

- Are you out of your mind?

- Such a funny request! Who do you think you are?

If by miracle, you succeed, you would not get away alive.

- Why threaten him, Antinous?

Do you suppose the stranger wins and makes me his wife?

- It is impossible, my queen! - So why not let him try?

- You ask us why! Think what people would say...

... if the beggar achieves what the lord has failed!

- Eumaeus! Bring the bow to our guest!

The lords may resume tomorrow.

Until then, I am still in command.

The old man grasps the bow, proving it all over...

...warming it on the flame, one side then the other...

... seeing whether years had not hurt the horns...

...this man fancies bows and arrows...

...he must have such a tool at home...

I tell you, haughty lords, he is likely to string this bow...

... like I string the peg of my lyre ...

...his dismal hands stretch the weapon's string...

...the beggar is about to win with ease, like a game...

... and now the string sings, like the twitter of a swallow.

- He went mad!

- You dogs!

You believed that I would never come back from Troy?

You wasted my substance, wooed my wife...

... fearing neither the wrath of Gods nor the blame of men!

Time has come for you to die!

Telemachus! Expect no mercy from me!

None of you shall come out alive!

The bell has tolled for revenge and for dread.

Like terrified sheep...

... they look around to flee and escape their death...

...but the gates are locked... and I am frightened too!

- If you really are good king Odysseus, then your anger is just...

...but the causer lies here for all his evil deeds...

...Antinous was responsible for scheming this wedding!

He wanted power over Ithaca after killing your son.

... but we will pay you in full for all we ate and drunk...

- Repay me, Eurymachus? - Each one shall pay a fine...

... worth twenty oxen, bronze, gold, all you say Odysseus...

- Your offer is worthless, what I claim is your life, Eurymachus!

I claim all your lives!

- You will not get out, Odysseus ordered it!

Stay, no one will escape! Back! Stop! Back!

You betrayed the master with the usurpers!

You shameless bitches, your time is out! The king will not spare you!

- Open the gates! Let us out!

Open the gates!

Open the gates!

- I will kill you all!

Will you show up? Come!

- This was your last arrow Odysseus, stop!

- Catch this!

- All are crying...

- No shelter, nor salvation to the suitors. Athena is merciless...

... they fight no longer, they just run all around like hens scared of thunder...

... as eagles descend in circles, down on their petrified preys...

- Silence for all of you!

- Come forward!

- Zeus!

(A bride cried over her dying groom...)

(... a bride cried on her knees, despair tearing her heart apart...)

(...and Odysseus stopped, stunned by his own revenge.)

Stop, Telemachus! Enough!

(Next to him was Mentor, his father's friend)

- Where are the strength and courage you displayed when fighting for Helen?

....and that wasn't his father's friend, but Athena taking Mentor's shape

- What are you doing, when taking back your home? Weeping?

You must be strong, tough!

...I will be inflexible...

...ruthless!

Eumaeus, Philoetius! Find them! We have to kill them all!

- How many times had the Gods warned you...

... to honor loyalty and dignity of men.

You understood too late it was dangerous to ignore.

Blind and deaf, they claim Gods are unfair...

... while only they are to blame, they all pay back their crimes...

... and fate is cruel to those who sinned for years.

You who saw the slaughter, do not fear to be doomed...

... those who never betrayed know that justice can be reckless...

... and its clean eyes can be eclipsed by blood.

Now all is fulfilled, the Gods gave their judgement.

All is fulfilled.

- Euryclea, open!

Open the gates!

(Odysseus looked around in the vast hall...)

(...to see who escaped the slaughter...)

(... but all he saw were lifeless bodies, bathed in blood...)

(...like fish thrown by seamen on the shore...)

- No! Not him! Spare the poet!

- My eyes saw your revenge. My song will tell it forever.

You can kill me now, but you will be sorry.

- I will not kill you, Phemius.

You shall sing so that men know good deeds from evil ones...

Go, you are free.

Telemachus, the first task is now over.

We killed the foremost youth of Ithaca. We just had to do it.

We must expect their fathers and brothers, to seek revenge...

... let's save time. It will be rough.

Now I'm too tired to face their anger.

I have an idea... Telemachus!

Gather musicians to play loud......

... let believe Ithaca celebrates a party...

... and thus forgets the dead!

- Here are the servants who betrayed you. They confessed.

After some vain efforts to murder us, they tried to flee.

Don't you move!

Euryclea says only twelve have misbehaved with the suitors...

...it's enough to punish these as an example to the others!

Down on your knees!

Odysseus, do you want to watch them die?

- Let them first cleanse the hall and remove the dead.

Philoetius, bring me sulphur to purify the air.

Go to Penelope and tell her what happened. Wait!

First light me a fire, Eumaeus.

- Dear child, your husband has returned. Odysseus has returned!

Haven't you heard, Penelope? I told you that Odysseus was here, among us.

- Have I changed much?

I will dress up.

Help me!

Don't be afraid, girls, your fidelity shall be rewarded.

- Do you hear these sounds?

- I see lights up there.

- This is a wedding tune. The queen has chosen among the lords...

... she gave up waiting for her husband's return.

- I had recognized him, but he clapped my mouth with both hands.

He would have taken my life, if I had betrayed him, Penelope.

He is a real man, a wise man who kept his plans secret.

... cautious and reckless, he trusted no one.

No one!

- Like the sleeper, after a nightmare...

... waking up wide-eyed in the morning....

...soon forgetful of dangers...

- Get out!

You are alive!

You are alive, my son!

Mother, why don't you rush into his arms?

- In the arms of a stranger, why?

- A stranger? What do you mean, mother?

- He is unknown to me...my son....

Yesterday, he was only a beggar!

- That's how he introduced himself....

... I thought I saw my husband I thought I saw Odysseus....

He said he was Aeton from Cnossos.

... I saw the man whom I waited for, patiently, for twenty years....

....he showed me no trust...

... he lied, as though I would betray him....

... yes, to me, his own wife...

Why? Why?

I kept quiet. Odysseus's wife should be strong...

...but hiding your joy when twenty years waiting are finally rewarded...

...was my steadiness not obvious enough?

You have your proof.

But now my turn has come... ...to demand a proof.

Between spouses are tokens which others cannot know.

If he really is Odysseus...

... he will find such a secret sign to show me he did not forget...

...the years he did not doubt me.

- Have a bed ready for me, my queen.

I am exhausted. Please order.

My bed!

- Prepare Odysseus's bed.... and move it here.

- Who could move that bed, Penelope?

I carved it myself inside an olive tree.

My son, Telemachus, you do not know what it means to us...

... since childhood, your mother saw the tree grow every year....

...she wanted me to build our bed sparing its majestic stump.

....so I built the walls of the wedding room around the tree....

...I was young then...

You were not born, my son.

(As the sight of the land, is welcome to the shipwrecked...)

(..when Poseidon smashes his ship with storm and waves...)

(...even so welcome was her husband to Penelope...)

Odysseus, you have yet another duty to fulfil.

One more in Ithaca has waited for you. Your father.

Go to him. He retired on an old farm with some servants...

... and never comes to the court anymore. Go now...

...dusk is the right time...

...when the old think about those who are no more.

- Wait for me here.

(Anticleas's voice :)

Your father has grown old and sad waiting for you in vain.

He doesn't come to town, but dwells among the servants.

Like a savage, he sleeps near the fire in the winter...

... on a heap of olive tree leaves in the summer...

...sighing about Odysseus, hopeless and weak, until dark.

- Come!

Memories...

My father planted this tree...

How much time has passed!

But if I had to cut it, I would.

- There is nobody. - I know where he is.

- Father! - - My son! It is truly you!

Get up... - No! No!

- My son...

...you finally returned.

- Oh father, it hurts to see you like this...

- True, I was a king before, and now my only luxury ...

... are these hides to protect my fingers from thorns.

But I managed to keep a privilege....

See!

This good blade is solid bronze.

The only left from my former weapons...

... but it helped me clear the fields from stones and cultivate.

- I think you will have occasions to use it even better.

I went to the palace.

I killed all of my wife's suitors, and none has survived.

- The Gods exist on Olympus, since you avenged at last, my son.

(The servants prepared a bath for Laertes...)

(...the water was carried from very far...)

(... while Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius were guarding the house...)

- Father, now you came to live like a poor peasant.

- Yes, I live like my servants. My bed is a heap of straw...

... like them, I feed on olives, cheese and a few bread crusts...

... produced with my own hands, working from dawn to dusk...

... without being a slave. I would have been at the court.

I know what you're thinking.

True, I shouldn't have gone.

...I left Penelope and your son defend themselves alone...

... facing infamous lords eager to take your place while you were away...

... I have not been king for so long, son, king I am no more...

...since the day I trusted this island to your care.

Such a young king you were, brave and strong already...

...and cunning like a fox. You liked power, and I did not..

Thus I have relinquished, for you take my place.

Soon after, you left for Troy with your warriors...

We waited for ten years.

Respect from the people earned the queen years of peace...

...her loyalty was an asset to Telemachus....

...many seasons went by...

...your mother passed away, not seeing you again...

...and as all Ithaca's men , I believed myself you were lost forever...

How could I find the strength?

- My lord, all is prepared for your son to see you...

... the way he wished on the day of his return.

- Dolios was always kind to me...

... helping me find in this lonely and silent retreat...

... this quiet happiness, the Gods award me at the evening of my life.

- Father, you preserved your royal garment.

You will have to put it on to fight one more time.

- Bad luck brought him back to our island, out of nowhere.

Cursed be Penelope, who nurtured hope and delusion.

Hope made our sons woo her! Delusion of succcess...

He landed at the tip of the island next to the swineherd's home...

...servants saw him coming...

... and his son Telemachus landed there too on his way back from Pylos...

... he was certainly informed.

Then they went to the court.

Odysseus was dressed in rags...

...like a beggar, holding on to a stick...

...no one knew it was him, of course...

..and our youth teased him as any other beggar...

... but his iron heart endured every insult, and planned the day of doom....

...with Telemachus, his son, he hid the weapons in the hall...

Then Penelope, the hypocrite...

...offered the lords to marry the one who would stretch the string of a bow...

... that had belonged to Odysseus..

None of the young men could stretch the bow...

... only Odysseus could...

...he stood in front of them, looked at them with despise...

... and shot a first arrow, striking Antinous in the chest...

... then, arrows flew all around all collapsed one on top of the other...

... he slaughtered them all. Nothing but cries and groans...

...the ground smoked from blood!

- He killed them all!

Not one was spared!

Antinous!

My son! My beloved son!

Antinous!

- Fathers, mothers, and stunned families will make solemn funerals.

And then, may them forget!

- Antinous! Antinous!

- They were young and wealthy. - And yet they asked for more...

... may noble blood not fall back on the poor and innocent...

- Father, take this blade, it has toiled land enough.

We must act and take the lead.

Better face the fathers, before relatives come to their help.

Today will be decided who will be king of Ithaca.

- How much longer will this strife last, Odysseus?

No my son, don't get me wrong...

..I am not afraid, you know that.

What a joy to retrieve in battle the flame of my distant youth!

What a more glorious death could I wish for?

But you alone did justice...

... justice was on your side, would it still be if you continued?

The Gods protected you, now you are surrounded by silence.

- Master, to defend the honor of your house, we took weapons and stroke first...

... would it be right to spill more blood?

... should not the fathers and brothers take their swords instead...

... to avenge their own?

Offer them honorable peace. If they decline, then we will fight.

- Let's show ourselves lenient, we'll avoid a useless slaughter...

...maybe they will accept your justice, and your rule in Ithaca!

- No! Without fight, we shall never have peace!

- You must avenge, Ithacans. Your murdered sons deserve it...

... our sons killed by a wild boar, a man without honor!

Too young he became king, now this land is bleeding !

He slaughtered the foremost of our youth...

...first sacrificed in Troy, then struck by his own hands..

How many escaped his rage and thirst for revenge?

He returned, but what about our sons? Our ships, our soldiers, our sailors?

Gather your servants. Give them weapons.

Reach to those on other islands, whose sons were savagely killed...

...just like ours!

We will soon have enough troops to march against him...

...to destroy his house, to burn his harvests, and we will be avenged!

(Halitherses began to speak...)

(He could see the past and the future, and his words were wise...)

- Listen to me, Ithacans! Your weakness led to tragedy...

...you would hear neither me, nor Mentor, and your sons, out of stubborn pride...

...have committed evil, defying the Gods...

...dishonoring the wife of a hero.

Let us not head for misery!

- You false prophet, misery would be not to avenge our sons!

Let's go, it is your duty to make Odysseus pay for his deeds...

You know that. What are you waiting for?

- He must have fled to Pylos or Sparta, where he has mighty allies.

- No, he is still on Ithaca, I saw him...

...he went out to the fields with Telemachus and two servants...

... to the old farm where his father dwells...

- If this is true, let's not waste time talking. We must attack him now!

- This is a sign from the Gods!

(Athena said to Zeus :...)

(Oh, son of Cronos, you supreme ruler...)

(... do you wish to push war further or settle peace between adversaries?)

(Why such a question, my daughter? Zeus answered...)

(Haven't you ordered yourself that Odysseus would return?)

(Let's give them oblivion, said Athena.)

(Let's give them peace and oblivion, said Zeus.)

- Stop Laertes!

Bloodshed would be no use.

I say this to you too, bloodshed would be no use.

Lets peace be among you.

Peace on Ithaca, our island!

Offer a fee to the offended...

...and live together in peace.

Let peace be our common wealth, forever!

Live in peace now...

Let peace be upon you!

(Athena was watching over Penelope...)

(She gave her a sweet slumber, washing her face with ambrosia.)

(... she shed grace and beauty over her, mader more noble, more majestic...)

(...whiter than sawn ivory...)

- Oh, Odysseus...

Strange...

I feel we won't have nights like this any more.

But I'm not sad though...

- How often have I imagined this moment...

...when I would speak to you at last...

I only spoke with the Gods, and failed to understand them...

... whereas your love would have made everything clear.

- Every time you wish, your will find your bed ready.

Never be afraid to tell me what you think...

... or what a god has inspired you. I am here now.

- Soon I think, I'll go at sea again.

Tiresias foretold me...

...until I meet a people who never saw the sea, I will not find peace...

... a people eating no salt...

... knowing nothing about ships and oars...

...then, knowledge will come to me without effort...

...there, I shall stick my oar into the ground...

...offer sacrifices to Poseidon, and then return...

... my life shall ebb away gently, once I am full of years...

...and peace of mind, blessed by my own people...

... thus spoke Tiresias.

One day, his prophecy shall come to pass.

- Our fate is in the hands of the Gods...

...they have power on our lives...

... and nothing can else be done...

...but to watch and to listen...

... our joys and pains come from them...

... as our life and our death.

(After listening to the wise words of Penelope...)

(...Athena went back to the Olympus, where Gods are said to live eternally...)

(...where no storm ever blows, where no rain ever falls...)

(...where no cloud ever hides the shimmering light of the infinite sky.)

THE END

English subtitles : François CHEVALLIER - 2016