Original subtitles

QUEEN MARGOT

On the 18th of August 1572,

the marriage was to take place of Henry of Navarre

to Marguerite de Valois, sister of King Charles IX,

and of the Duke of Anjou.

The Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, taking advantage of the king�s weakness,

continued to direct the affairs of the kingdom �

she had desired this union between her daughter

and a Protestant prince, leader of the Huguenot party,

with the apparent wish to put an end

to the bloody wars that for 12 years

had pitted Catholics against Protestants.

But while in the Louvre

spectacular displays of reconciliation were taking place

between the two enemy parties�

Two riders were galloping swiftly along the roads of France

towards Paris.

Each of these men carried a message

that he had to deliver at the Louvre as soon as possible.

They could not imagine that in their hands,

each on his own,

they held an element capable of changing the history of France.

Show me the way please.

I'm happy to oblige.

Your humble servant, Count Annibale de Coconnas.

Yours truly, Count Joseph de La Mole.

In that case, let's enter together.

Come in.

- After you. - Thank you.

Greetings, innkeeper of the Beautiful Star.

Peasant!

Insolent fellow!

- Sorry, I didn�t see you arrive! - You should have. It�s your duty.

- A room. - And one for me.

I only have one left, with a single bed.

- Rather narrow, besides. - Then I�ll take it.

Pardon me, sir. By what right?

I arrived before you.

We arrived together.

- Is that what you think? - I don�t think it. I�m certain.

Tomorrow I have a long journey ahead.

I'm to serve the Duke of Guise. That gives me priority.

And His Majesty the King of Navarre awaits me at the Louvre.

That gives me priority.

Gentlemen, there is another inn a league from here.

These heretics have the nerve...

Should I cut you down to size, Catholic?

Stop fidgeting with your sword hilt, Huguenot.

- Perhaps by putting a mattress� - Innkeeper!

- Are you a good Catholic? - Yes, of course.

Then there is no room here for a heretic.

That was uncalled for.

I�m ready to prove it.

Gentlemen! There�s no need for that!

Stop! You might injure my customers!

We�re warming up a little, heretic.

I see no need to oblige you.

Parry this thrust, heretic!

Stop! Halt!

You�re made of iron!

Next time you won�t escape.

I, Charles IX, King of France by the grace of God,

beg all my faithful subjects,

both Catholic and Protestant,

to forget fratricidal strife and clasp hands

in accordance with the words of Christ:

�Love one another.�

Very well. Orders are orders.

Furthermore, today in the Louvre is celebrated

the wedding of our sister, Marguerite of France, Catholic,

to His Majesty Henry of Navarre, Protestant.

- Death to the Huguenots! - To the Bastille!

Death to the Antichrist!

Out! Out!

By giving my sister Margot today to my cousin Henry

I give my heart to all the Protestants of the kingdom.

Christ did not only say �Love one another.�

He also said: �Love your enemies.�

Long live the King! Long live the reconciliation!

Long live the King! Long live the reconciliation!

Long live the King!

Long live the King!

Well, Duke of Guise�

what are you waiting for to offer your hand to Admiral Coligny?

For him to offer me his first, Sire.

Come now, Coligny, make an effort. I will be grateful.

He�s not as bad as you think.

Judas knew how to kiss too.

Accompany me to my study. I will confide my campaign plans to you.

From now on I'm the one in command.

If your mother Catherine heard you�

My mother only thinks of exterminating.

These Italians have already done enough.

After all, we are at the court of France.

Speak, keep speaking.

More words. He thinks he�s the king.

What do you expect, Majesty? From reigning so long,

it was to be expected that one of these days�

I'm the one who reigns.

And, to begin with, I�m going to add a few surprises

to this little family celebration. Charlotte! Charlotte!

Henry of Navarre is in the ballroom.

I�m coming, Majesty.

Have you understood what I told you? I do not want that mountain man

to lie with my daughter Margot tonight.

Neither do I, Madame.

- You still love the Navarrese� - Yes.

All the better. That way you won�t have to pretend.

The Duke of Anjou is waiting in the antechamber.

Let that darling come in.

Gorgeous. My dearest!

Have you seen my new suit, Mother?

You look marvelous.

Take off that red. Wait.

Ren�, leave us.

The stole comes from Italy and the embroidery�

Oh, what a handsome king you would make�

- If Charles heard you� - He�d swallow his hunting horn.

The gentleman lost this while dueling.

What were we talking about?

Ah yes. We were drinking to the health of this medallion.

Without it this gentleman

would be as skewered as our innkeeper�s capons.

Isn�t it marvelous?

The portrait managed to protect a life

that belongs entirely to its model.

What did you say? �The portrait managed to protect

a life.�

- At least the lady was pretty. - Pretty? No! She is the most beautiful.

The purest. The most intelligent creature

a man could desire.

By heaven! I want to see her.

But it�s Margot!

Marguerite of France! Queen Margot.

It�s not possible.

This must remain a secret between us. Swear it!

- All right. - I swear.

Agreed.

Are you� one of her lovers?

No. I've only seen her once. From afar.

When her mother presented her to the King of Navarre at Cognac.

And since that day I live only for her.

Congratulations! A fine choice.

A wanton whose scandalous behaviour

- is the talk of the court. - I don�t believe a word of it!

She�s young�

A whore!

Beside her Lucrezia Borgia would look like a virgin.

You�ll see I�m right!

Stop, don�t start again.

And what about the reconciliation? What will you do with that?

It�s intolerable!

What is intolerable?

The King forced me to shake Coligny�s hand.

So what? You�re not dead.

Let's speak of serious matters.

- Is everything ready for tonight? - No, Majesty.

- We need twenty-four hours more. - Twenty-four hours?

I do not want Margot to spend the night

- with that bear-hunter. - Neither do I, Madame.

A little tact, Guise.

That you are my daughter�s lover is already unpleasant,

but to boast of it in front of me

- is in poor taste. - Forgive me, Madame.

Twenty-four hours! Twenty-four hours!

We went to the trouble of organizing this wedding

solely to gather all our enemies in Paris�

All that remains is to spring the trap on them

and you speak to me of waiting�

Waiting for what, pray?

A message from my brother, the Duke of Mayenne.

He must give the signal to the provinces so that the massacre�

I hate that word.

so that the �operation� begins at the same time throughout France.

- Who is carrying the message? - One Count de Coconnas.

A fairly reliable man.

These Huguenots are handsome. I�ll try one for a change.

- What�s the matter with you? - Poor Henry.

He hates parties and look at him.

What do you expect? One doesn�t get married every day.

Am I the one getting married, by any chance?

Certainly not me.

Little one, it's the Reformed religion marrying the Pope.

That�s all.

No doubt. But in a little while

it'll be Queen Margot who dismisses her ladies.

And Your Majesty who dismisses his gentlemen.

No, my dear. Our alliance does not go that far.

Sire, I'm most unhappy.

And if I promised to spend my wedding night with you,

what would you say?

I would say it's another of your Gascon promises.

Tonight at midnight, I will knock three times.

I must at least dance once with my wife.

Sad, Madame?

At being abandoned by Your Majesty.

It was necessary to open the ball.

And Madame de Sauve dances very well.

You know I dislike dancing�

At least all these festivities are finally over.

I've been so bored!

At least you have your friends.

Now my friends are yours, Henry.

Of course.

That�s why we�re being married, isn�t it?

But I mean your intimate friends.

- Monsieur de Guise, for example. - Majesty, I want you to know�

I know, Margot. I know you are an unfaithful wife

but a faithful ally. And I confess that at this moment

I need more loyalty in politics than in love.

- Sire, you have all my loyalty. - Thank you, Margot.

You are a true daughter of France.

Not to mention that, beneath all appearances,

your protection will not be useless to me.

- Why? - Just a feeling.

I think some things are being plotted here that are�

not very Catholic, I would say.

In that drawer you will find a red portfolio.

Come closer, Monsieur de Maurevel.

It contains the battle plans for the war in Flanders.

Are you still head of police?

- Yes. - In that capacity,

did you wage fierce war against the Huguenots?

- Indeed. - Red. The color is striking,

you cannot mistake it.

Did you try to assassinate Admiral Coligny here present?

Study it at home and bring it back to me tomorrow at the Louvre

when the bells ring for St. James.

- Goodbye, Sire. - Into my arms.

Always in my heart, my old warrior.

You murdered, if I�m not mistaken, Monsieur de Mouy,

old Duke de La Mole and hundreds of others�

But Sire�

The thing is, Maurevel,

the Huguenots are now my friends.

Imagine the rest yourself.

Majesty, my life belongs to you.

True, and I wouldn�t give a penny for it.

Is there no way I could redeem myself?

You would've to be very clever.

- Sire, my devotion to you� - A good shot, that is.

With a good arquebus I can hit a gold coin at fifty paces.

Perfect. This one is excellent.

What do you think?

Is this the way back into favour?

I don�t know. Gain the trust of some great lord of the court

- like my cousin Guise� - But how?

How?

For example, by removing one of his enemies.

- And who is that enemy? - Do I know?

There are so many�

Wait a moment.

I�m told of a man who enters the Louvre every morning

through the main gate

when the bells ring for St. James.

Many people enter through that gate at that hour.

Ah yes?

I believe the person in question will tomorrow carry under his arm

a red leather portfolio.

Sire, it's a joy to be able to collaborate

in the work of pacification you are carrying out.

Me? Not at all. Those stories aren�t my line.

I'm a poet. I hate intrigue.

That is what we most reproach our mother Catherine for.

Isn�t that right, Actaeon?

When I told you the name of the Duke of Guise

was a true talisman�

you will have seen that Henry of Navarre�s

is no less powerful.

It's time we part to fulfill our missions.

Perhaps we shall meet again around a great feast.

Are you staying at the Louvre?

Where else would I go? My attire is somewhat neglected

but we still keep the air of gentlemen.

And besides, I�m expecting supper.

God forgive me!

To start, pheasant, partridges�

- What�s wrong with you? - That man.

- The one in green? - With an arquebus in his hand.

He is my father�s murderer.

- You�re hallucinating. - I can�t forget that look.

Coligny!

Back, Admiral!

Nothing has happened. Keep calm.

I'm fine. I'm fine.

Majesty!

Where are you going with a sword in your hand in the Louvre?

From Navarre. I bring a message for King Henry.

Give it to me.

Well?

Madame, I�m sorry, but�

I can only deliver it in person.

In the provinces you don't know that, besides being Henry�s wife,

I'm his faithful ally.

My life is yours, Madame, but even if it costs me

the last drop of my blood, I cannot disobey my orders.

Calm yourself, sir. Follow me.

You will have to wait in this room.

I'm going to inform His Majesty.

What are you thinking?

Nothing. I was admiring.

People from Navarre seem very gallant.

I have orders to take you to His Majesty, the King of Navarre.

Idiot! Did you have to miss?

A gold coin at fifty paces, eh? Congratulations!

But Sire�

I warned you, Maurevel. It was your last chance.

Perhaps my pardon lies here.

To His Majesty, Henry of Navarre.

The Queen Mother and the Duke of Guise,

speaking of you, intend you to be the man most easily trapped.

The Queen Mother and the Duke of Guise are setting a trap for you.

A massacre of our people�

�is imminent.

Flee, all of you, if it's not already too late. Strike first�

�and attack the Louvre. Send La Mole with instructions.

Prince de Cond�

- Where is La Mole? - In a safe place.

Are you satisfied with my services?

Leave us, Maurevel.

Sire, I've just received this coded message.

Another one?

Decidedly, today is the day.

My brother, the Duke of Mayenne,

has sent Count de Coconnas to inform me

that our enemies know our plans.

We must stop the execution at once.

What enemies? What plans?

Sire, to serve you better, we had decided to rid you

of all the Huguenots gathered in Paris.

I'm glad you deign to inform me.

Don�t play the fool!

And to start with, you try to murder my old admiral.

A fine beginning!

I had nothing to do with it, Sire.

And who else could've armed the assassin�s hand?

Is he not your enemy? But we will defend ourselves.

We will hunt you down! We will set our dogs on you!

We will quarter you�

�and sound your horn!

Sire� the moment is grave.

With the support of his followers,

Henry of Navarre will take your crown.

Always with your exaggerations.

You are playing with your life and with ours.

I only play with my horn.

Give me that thing! Stop blowing it!

- My horn! - Idiot!

- Don�t you see you�re the leader? - Am I the King or not?

You�re just a cretin who doesn�t even know what he wants!

I forbid you to interfere in the partition of Navarre.

Shall I slap you? How dare you speak to your mother like that?

Guise, you�re tiring Margot.

It's not reason enough that she bears my sister�s name

for everyone to paw her.

Very well, Sire. I withdraw.

Your obstinacy will ruin us.

Exterminate�

Always exterminate. It�s the only thing she knows how to do.

- If only she did it well. - Pardon, Sire?

If someone came to tell me:

�You will be rid of all your enemies at once

and not one will remain

to reproach you for the death of the others��

Sire, that is exactly what the Queen and I have come to tell you.

Ah yes? Then explain yourselves.

There. The mouthpiece is broken.

And by the intervention of which saint will this miracle take place?

We are on the 24th of August.

It would therefore be through the intercession of�

�St. Bartholomew.

And it will be you, with your little sword,

who will kill ten thousand Huguenots?

You are very amusing, Monsieur de Guise.

Sire, everything is ready.

I have the Swiss, eleven thousand gentlemen,

a light brigade and the townspeople.

Your Majesty has his guard, his friends, the Catholic nobility.

We are twenty to one.

I do not want killing in my Louvre.

Outside is another matter.

Sire, I'm your most faithful and most obedient servant.

This is starting well.

But�

Take this order to the clergy of Saint-Germain

to sound the tocsin at midnight.

And do not forget that, when it concerns the glory of God,

it's better for the clocks to be fast than slow.

They may be preparing a spectacle for us tonight.

Yes, a funny spectacle.

With Swiss preparing their breastplates

and corridors full of armed men.

And what can we do if they are part of the ballet?

Sire, a ballet in which your mother-in-law takes part�

allow me to be suspicious.

Yes, but I will not stay here waiting.

I'll go see what is happening.

- Entry is permitted but� - Exit is not.

Those are the orders.

We are prisoners.

Brothers, let's pray together.

Charles!

Charles, what is happening? There is uproar in the corridors.

Soldiers maneuvering.

Pray for me.

Pray for me, dear sister.

It won�t be against Henry, will it?

We must surrender ourselves completely to the will of God.

You didn't marry me to him only to the next day�

- We are so small in His hands. - Answer me!

I need to know.

A messenger has just arrived from Navarre

with a message for my husband.

What did that message say?

I don�t know. Before handing it over,

the man disappeared inexplicably.

You see, Margot? What did I tell you?

They are sounding the tocsin.

His Majesty wishes to speak with you.

What does this mean?

His Majesty will explain.

I repeat the orders.

Tonight, each of you must slay his Huguenot.

Yes, it�s easy to say.

But those rascals defend themselves very well.

I know one who won�t defend himself much. Come with me.

- You first. - He�s trussed like a turkey.

To the Huguenot!

By Christ�s nails!

Help, Coconnas!

Coconnas, help me!

Leave him to me!

I�m sorry, Huguenot,

but the orders have changed again.

Death to the heretic! Long live the King!

Damnation. Be damned!

Good God!

- After him! - Don�t let him escape!

Break down the door.

Harder!

What is happening?

He�s asking for help!

Forgive me, Madame, for dying before you.

Well� Queen Margot.

Enjoy the moment, Huguenot.

I'm going to kill you at the feet of your beloved.

Since when do you enter the Queen�s chambers without knocking?

One does not knock when it's a matter of massacre.

Do not speak to me in that tone and withdraw at once.

You've already saved his life once.

Is that not enough?

Very well, Madame. I leave you this fine heart.

You may add it to your collection.

Gillonne, bring water.

Here is the act of abjuration, Sire. Only your signature is missing.

Sign, Henry.

From now on I want no more Huguenots around me.

Look.

Those are the wives of the Protestant leaders.

There! That cloud rising into the sky

is Coligny�s house, which is burning.

There on the quay! That corpse being dragged by those horses

is Mouy�s, your best friend.

Do you think you would live without me?

- Your Majesty� - Your Majesty is massacring

everything that is not Catholic.

It's my pleasure.

- God will judge. - God is with us.

The excuse of every tyrant.

Measures will be taken to ensure it.

Masses will be offered. Penance will be done.

That changes nothing.

Will you accept Mass, yes or no?

Sire, you are aiming very low.

Your reputation as a good hunter is in danger.

By God! I too must kill one today.

What is it?

- Your husband is with the King. - So?

He won�t spend his whole life in your bed.

You don�t understand. They are going to kill him.

There is not a single Protestant left alive in the Louvre.

Come!

I'm too big a quarry for you, my son.

Is Your Majesty practicing for the hunt?

Is this one still alive?

Believe me, Madame. I'm truly sorry.

- He will have sworn, at least. - He refuses to do so.

If I've understood correctly,

it is to you I owe the honor of organizing this feast.

I have my reasons.

For some time now things have been happening with you Huguenots.

We do not know where they may lead us.

I very much doubt these things will lead you far.

Make way! Make way!

Henry�

I've promised you my protection. I will never abandon you.

- Thank you, Margot. - But dear daughter�

what makes you think the King of Navarre

is in any danger?

You would do better to tell him to become Catholic.

Sire, you made him my husband before God and men.

She is right.

Henry is my brother-in-law. I cannot kill my brother-in-law.

And if he were no longer?

Maurevel, take the King of Navarre to his apartments.

And let nothing happen to him.

You will return here to report to me.

- Why are you interfering? - Because it concerns me.

Do you want a slap?

Did I teach you to answer your mother back?

What do you think? That you�ll slap me all your life?

Don�t you think that�s quite enough for today?

What a family, Holy Virgin, what a family!

To bed! Quickly!

Was it worth exterminating everyone

- just to leave this peasant alive? - As long as I'm on the throne

I will take no advice from a brat.

- Your throne? I laugh at it! - Try it. Come on!

Have you two finished with your throne and your quarrels?

Pack of favourites!

Pack of rogues!

I request Your Majesty�s permission to withdraw.

Granted, sir, granted.

Sire, your servant�

I salute you, Madame.

I sent Gillonne to fetch you a conspirator�s clothes.

Only thus can you leave the Louvre alive.

I cannot wear the clothes of murderers.

Fine. Very fine.

You will stay here until tomorrow.

Besides, better so. You are burning with fever.

We will find another way to get out of here.

That is impossible.

But I'm the one begging you.

I know. I'm grateful, but�

But what?

- I cannot stay. - Explain it to me, sir.

In a moment your husband will come to join you and�

And what?

From here one hears everything that happens next door.

Go on, sir.

You cannot demand that I be witness to�

Ah! So that was it?

Yes, Madame. That was it.

Then the man who wanted to kill you a moment ago�

was right in what he said.

- That you would die at the feet� - Of my beloved�

As you see, I cannot stay here.

Of course you can, sir.

The King of Navarre will not come to join me tonight.

Moreover, if he does, your jealousy will not suffer.

- He is only my husband in name. - What?

Everyone knows our union is pure formality.

Have you summoned me, Majesty?

Yes, to give you good news.

Your Henry is safe. I myself obtained the King�s pardon for him.

- How can I ever thank you? - I did it for you.

I also want him to thank you tonight.

- Tonight? - Write.

"Come to my apartments at once."

Majesty, a man whose followers have been massacred�

That word again!

�will hardly feel like a romantic rendezvous.

If you had ever made love to an Italian woman

you would know that with massacre or without massacre�

But if it reassures you�

Add: "And your life depends on it."

And sign. Very good.

I could not have put it better.

Take two men, or four if necessary,

to witness the adultery with you.

If Henry resists, kill him at once.

Dear, have the message delivered to the King of Navarre.

And go and get dressed.

Go.

Kill him? In his bed?

No! In his lover�s bed.

You will avenge the honor of the court

and be made a Grandee of the Louvre.

This is the best I could find. The white cross goes on the back.

- There is a sword too. - Thank you, Joseph.

Do you know what I heard?

Tonight we will work for your mistress.

Really?

We are going to surprise two lovebirds in their bed of love.

And they are illustrious persons.

Majesty, Majesty!

Come join me at once.

Your life depends on it. Charlotte.

Come to my apartments at once.

Your life depends on it. Margot.

Sleep. Let him rest.

Enter.

Well, Madame? Here I am.

- Anxious but happy. - What am I to understand?

The happiness is to see you. The anxiety�

Admit it, Margot, on a night like this

anything can be expected,

even being betrayed by one�s own wife.

You forget, Henry, that tonight I've given you proof of my loyalty.

That is the trouble with you Valois.

One never knows on which foot to dance.

We began with a minuet and ended with a funeral march.

- The Queen Mother is coming. - Undress!

Pardon?

We cannot waste time. Undress!

Sire, I beg you. Obey.

Holy God! I expected everything, but this�

Madame, nothing obliged you to lie to me.

- Why did you mock me? - Fool!

Poor little thing! To do this to her on her wedding night.

Good thing I�m here. I will not allow this insult.

- Nothing less! - What is happening?

Get up and come with me.

This is no time to sleep when the honor of the Valois

- is at stake. - Whose honor?

Yours, you silly girl!

My little dear. To do this to you on your wedding night�

I don�t understand anything.

- You will understand now. - What?

We are going to catch your husband in bed with his�

Don�t shout like that. You�ll wake him up.

- Wake whom? - Henry.

My husband.

Holy Virgin!

Virgin of the Rosary! Lord Jesus!

Damnation! Damn it all!

Thank you, Margot.

And do not think I was a fool just now.

Henry, listen to me. You are still not safe.

When my mother stalks a prey�

I must admit that as a mother-in-law she is unique in her kind.

As a wedding gift she offers me a massacre,

but that is not enough for her.

There is only one way to keep you safe.

Abjure, Henry, and she will be able to do nothing against you.

- If only it were that simple. - Your submission will disarm her

and at the same time you will save your life, your freedom, your crown.

You forget the most important thing, Margot.

There are things that are well worth one Mass.

Forgive me. I forgot it was not I who was meant

to end this love scene.

You are mistaken. This man is Monsieur de La Mole.

Handsome face�

Elegant figure.

He was wounded while bringing you a message

- and I sheltered him here. - Are you the messenger from Navarre

- I was expecting today? - Yes, Sire.

Forgive me, Margot.

Coming here to speak to me of uprisings�

This abjuration is nothing but a sham.

Today, quite simply, one must live.

Tomorrow we will rally our supporters.

We will take some fortresses, go on the offensive.

And do you know what we will find at the end?

The crown of France.

Sire� I'm happy!

- Nothing can be heard anymore. - What could they be doing?

- Doesn�t matter. Let�s go in. - No!

Madame, I'm afraid.

We are not going to stay all night behind the door.

Let�s go.

Gillonne, help me.

Thank you, Gillonne. You may withdraw.

But those two men�?

They will do nothing to me.

One has never been my husband.

The other is not yet my lover.

What a wedding night!

Hurry up, you lazy lot.

Only the Huguenots! Don�t make any mistakes!

Caboche is my old coachman. We can trust him.

- Where are they taking him? - To a safe place

where he can heal and recover.

- Alone? - No, he will have a companion.

Not only Your Majesty picks up the wounded�

Mine is an impressive man. A colossus.

Are they all quite dead?

Good. You may go.

- Henry! - Yes, Sire?

- Where are you going? - To Mass!

Bravo, Henry! Long live Henry!

- Long live Henry! - Long live!

- Long live Mass! - Long live!

All is well. He has abjured.

And you are happy? Idiot!

- If he abjures, he slips away from us. - What? Yesterday you said�

Yesterday I did not know he was sleeping with my daughter!

- But he is her husband� - Is that reason enough?

Since when in our family

do women sleep with their husbands?

- Do you sleep with your wife? - She is never here.

This must change. We risk revolution.

- What is that? - A package for you.

But who are you?

Master Caboche. Executioner of the Paris prefecture.

At your service. For this occasion.

Good. Come in.

Leave it on the bed.

Your lady sends it to you.

- I already have one dying man. - Then there will be two.

What wounds!

I've treated worse. Do you have something to drink?

I'm thirsty.

Who is there?

Who are you?

A poor dying man on his deathbed.

And I a servant no better than you.

Let's make common cause.

Let's fight together to keep living.

Or at least to go to Paradise together.

Well, you are very witty.

- Coconnas! - La Mole!

Damn it! This time you won�t escape.

But what is this?

- A little lamb? - No, thank you.

- I can�t eat more. - Come on, we must regain strength.

Serve me something to drink.

Ow!

- A little souvenir from you. - Always complaining!

You've left me a few souvenirs too.

Who started first?

Of course! Your Henry could've abjured 24 hours earlier.

Pierre, more wine.

Where has he got to?

- I sent him on an errand. - Ah yes. I forgot.

The gentlemen are improving day by day. Too well.

In a week there will be no trace left of their wounds.

- Thank heaven! - Yes, but�

- What? - It's a good sign, but�

I did not want to do anything without consulting you.

- Are you going to tell us? - They are bored.

Yes, that. Inactivity. Two men in their prime�

- I was ordered to bring them company. - What kind of company?

- The kind you are thinking of. - I forbid it!

Why?

She is right. They are young, handsome, full of youthful vigour.

And besides, why should it matter to us?

Come in, come in, my beauties!

What a pair of lovely creatures!

- My name is Rosine. And I'm Sylvia.

I'm Artaban, Hannibal, Count de Coco�

But we are not at a masked ball�

My friend and I are about to be married�

And we would not like to be recognised by you

in our fianc�s� arms.

As you wish. We will make love to masks.

- What do you think? - It�s his killer.

- Are you coming or not? - No.

What do you mean no? For what reason?

Because I'm faithful.

To whom? To a ghost? To a dream? To a cloud?

My friend will not join us. He is�

- Suffering? - No. Faithful.

We cannot leave him in that state. Something must be done.

Do it, do it.

What do you want?

Must we renounce your company?

My company is not available. I cannot dispose of it.

We know. Your friend told us.

But love is one thing�

and pleasure is another.

Yes, but for me the one does not work without the other.

- Good night, miss. - As you wish.

- That lady is lucky. - Lucky?

In our days, fidelity is a very rare virtue.

My poor child. The luck is mine.

You understand nothing.

I wonder why I'm telling you this.

A passion like this will be rewarded, won�t it?

Never mind. My love is so strong

that it's big enough for both of us.

I'm glad. For her, of course.

There is an excellent supper next door that is getting cold.

I suppose it's useless to insist.

I do not suppose. I'm certain.

You are rude. You will get nothing that way.

- I gladly forgive you. - It's an honor you do me.

Don�t worry. I can easily handle both of them.

One for Hannibal and one for Artaban.

I've changed my mind.

- Bravo! - Very good.

- But didn�t you say�? - You were right.

Love is one thing and pleasure is another.

Sylvia. Her name is Sylvia.

And her friend, Rosine.

Your fidelity is very fragile. It yields at the first assault.

Sylvia!

I think it's a name I shall like.

Three, four, five�

Queen of Cups.

A woman of a certain age will save you from all dangers.

It can only be you.

- Idiot! - My ball�

Where is your wife tonight?

Margot? She went to spend the night at the Convent of the Annunciation.

Does she want to be forgiven for some sin?

Of course. Doesn�t it happen to all of us?

It's dawning. I must go.

When will I see you again, Sylvia?

There is no reason. Your heart is already taken.

No, you've cured it.

The great love that yesterday was dearer than life itself,

- have you already forgotten it? - Yes, it flew away.

Flew. As if it had never existed.

- The fickleness of men! - But what are you complaining about?

I loved you better in love. Even if it was with another.

When will I see you again, Hannibal?

We will not see each other again. My heart is already taken.

Ungrateful!

Little one, I'm in love with a great lady.

It's she who brought me here.

She is very much in love and ready to sacrifice everything for me.

Will she be pretty, at least?

Well� so-so�

- Shameless! - Shall we go, Rosine?

Whenever you like, Sylvia.

Goodbye, gentlemen.

They are charming.

Aren�t they?

- You don�t look very happy. - Happy.

- Mine is a romantic. - So is mine.

Yes, she is not the Queen of Navarre but�

Idiot, you understood nothing.

- Understand what? - That it was her, Margot.

- No! - Yes!

But then the other one was�? Good heavens!

You are here, my dear brother-in-law�

I was trying to learn this noble game but�

I will give you a few lessons. Hold the handle straight, like this.

Then a sharp flick of the wrist and� but what is happening?

We act on the King�s orders.

My balls!

This game is forbidden throughout the Louvre.

To do this to me!

His Majesty fears accidents.

When he massacres thousands of Huguenots!

Pardon. The truth is he is jealous.

The only time he tried to play he got a bump on the head.

And you accept being treated like this?

One has to put up with it. He is the King.

- If you were king too� - What would you have me king of?

My mother wanted to send me to Poland the other day.

Me, King of Poland?

Why not Egypt, Egypt while we�re at it?

Listen. A hundred thousand men are waiting.

Navarre is in arms and Flanders has risen.

We will rally our supporters

- and take Paris. - What part do I play in this story?

You have your army, your friends�

Together we will be the strongest.

Is that what you think?

But that is a conspiracy!

Slowly. And in recognition of your services,

I deliver my crown to you.

My brother would die of rage.

You would only have to take his and give me back mine.

Here is the gift you requested of me.

It's quite a rare work.

Perfect.

Just imagine this peasant from Navarre

trying to teach the art of hunting to the whole court.

He will find within plenty to instruct him.

Majesty!

The ancients said that the taste for study

prolonged existence.

For once we will make sure they are wrong.

I do not understand your obstinacy.

What have you against that poor Henry?

He is an ambitious man who covets my son�s crown.

You told me so yourself! The omens were right.

All the horoscopes you mentioned confirm it.

A Bourbon on the throne of the Valois. Never!

One must be very powerful to fight against destiny.

Sometimes destiny can be stronger

and then it takes terrible revenge.

Nothing is more powerful than a mother

protecting her children.

Perhaps�

As you see, these pages have been soaked,

submerged for several days in a bath of arsenic

and are stuck together.

To separate them, one must moisten the finger,

thus to turn the pages,

and that is how the poison penetrates slowly into the body.

I hope not too slowly.

I came to congratulate you and found�

a treasure in your room.

- What treasure, Sire? - Don�t play innocent.

It's the most beautiful copy I've ever seen.

I swear I have no idea what you mean.

Right. You were studying in secret

to surprise us at tomorrow�s hunt, eh?

Little rascal.

I'm taking it as punishment.

Two in the morning! Do you want to kill me with worry?

If the streets are no longer safe for a Huguenot,

imagine for a conspirator.

I've seen Henry of Navarre.

- It will happen soon. - I don�t want to know!

We must take advantage of the next hunt�

I told you I don�t want to know.

Fine, let�s not talk about it anymore.

Don�t you realise the situation you�re putting me in?

I�m Catholic and you�re Huguenot.

- So what?

If I listened to my conscience I�d have to report you.

Have you seen them again?

Who?

Them, of course! Margot. And Henriette.

Two women come to ease

our lovesick hearts for a whole night,

vanish without trace, and you think that�s normal�

Possessing bodies doesn�t matter.

This is what matters.

You don�t look anything like a conspirator.

I don�t need to see Margot again to love her.

Thinking of her is enough.

You�re too simple-hearted.

And her? Does she think of you?

Maybe.

That beautiful sky, starry and blue�

That theatre where the dawn�

I know that song.

We sang it as children, remember?

�Will burn with the fires that light it�

There was even a legend about it�

- They said that� - Whoever sang it

without being madly in love

- would be in danger of dying. - Yes, exactly.

Time will bring

the end of all things�

Well, well�

- That beautiful sky� - Shut up!

What�s the matter with you?

- I don�t like music. - Keep going, Margot.

�starry and blue�

If something pleases me it displeases you,

and whatever displeases me pleases you.

I didn�t catch what you said.

Enough! Tyrant.

Go on, Margot. The King wishes it.

I�ve eaten too much.

The p�t� was exquisite, but too rich.

- Don�t you think? - I don�t know, I didn�t try it.

- No, why? - I have no appetite.

What�s wrong with Anjou tonight? Has he swallowed his ball whole?

And now play the clown.

Help me get this off. I�m bloated.

Shall I fetch your digestive powders?

No, it�ll pass.

Those Sicilians were extraordinary.

They knew more than seventeen ways to train a falcon.

Where did you get the book?

From Henry�s rooms. He was studying in secret

to dazzle us at tomorrow�s hunt.

- Don�t read it! - Why not?

Besides, I�m nearly finished.

Oh God.

What�s wrong, Mother?

As long as that p�t� hasn�t poisoned you�

What?

- What beautiful pictures! - Don�t touch them!

Why?

Since when do hunting stories interest you?

Go play with your balls and leave us alone.

That�s the limit! Now I�m allowed to play,

but all the balls are confiscated.

What are you talking about? That�s not true, Mother.

Liar. He banned playing in the Louvre

just to spite me.

I have more important things

- than that nonsense. - Silence!

Sending guards to the gaming room?

- Not at all! - Swear it!

- I swear. - Silence! Silence! Silence!

Enough!

You�ll drive me mad� Enough! What do I care about balls�!

Aha� the little schemer!

- Who? - Henry. He set it all up.

He made me think it was you to implicate me in the plot.

What plot?

Darling, you�d do me a favour if you fetched those powders.

A little gold box. On my dressing table.

Henry plans to use tomorrow�s hunt

to escape court with all the Huguenots.

They want to reach Navarre,

raise an army of two hundred thousand men

and march on Paris to avenge their own.

Where will the conspirators meet?

I don�t know. It�s agreed

we leave with Henry after the hunt.

A man will wait for us in the clearing with horses.

Then we�ll join the others somewhere else in the forest.

Which clearing? Which part of the forest?

- I don�t know! - A conspiracy and you don�t know?

I couldn�t find them, Mother.

There it is.

Sire, my girth is a little loose. Could you tighten it?

Of course.

I�ve been looking for you since yesterday.

Listen to me and don�t look surprised.

Anjou has betrayed you. During the hunt,

never stray from the King. Otherwise you�re a dead man.

- We must warn the others. - Careful!

You�re not wearing hunting dress, sir.

Yet you knew it was a mounted hunt.

Maurevel!

Don�t lose him.

When he rides off, follow him with your men.

When you find the main force,

sound the horn and we�ll be ready for the hunt.

Forward, gentlemen.

Today we hunt big game.

- This won�t work. - Margot!

Flee. Don�t stay. They know about the plot.

- What did I tell you? - We have to warn the others.

- No! - Break camp.

The roads are cut off. The area is watched.

- No way to save them? - You won�t reach them.

They�ll kill you first. I beg you.

If His Majesty begs�

It's not the Queen of Navarre speaking to you.

It's Sylvia.

In both cases the advice is excellent.

Sylvia.

That�s all we needed.

This is our first real kiss. The others didn�t count.

My first moment of true happiness.

- The others will never be the same. - There will be many more.

Let�s flee together. I�ll abandon everything.

I want to forget everything except your love.

Those men are in my hands. It would be a crime.

If you die, I�ll die too.

Would that not be a far greater crime?

Margot.

Sorry to interrupt, but�

do we have to stay here until they come to kill us?

Tell the King of Navarre I tried everything

- to save our friends. - Stubborn fool!

I�d like you to escort His Majesty.

And let them kill you? I�m sorry, but I�m coming with you.

Forgive me, madame.

You go on! I�ll hold them back.

Halt!

It seems you invited some friends to our hunt.

I don�t understand, Sire.

You forgot today is St Blaise, cousin of St Bartholomew.

At them, gentlemen!

At the rabble, gentlemen!

Now for the other one.

Dismount if you�re not a coward.

There� Quite a result.

Perfect. You must be proud.

Here we are. We plot a conspiracy,

play at falling in love� and end up in the Bastille.

I already knew it would happen.

Can�t you think of anything to comfort me?

Poor Hannibal. The day you walked into that inn

on the road to Paris�

you�d have been better off breaking a leg.

Yes, keep rubbing it in� I�m already miserable enough.

I�m miserable! I�m miserable!

- Enough. - Damn it all!

I�ve every right to be miserable if it amuses me.

I only have the crown jewels left.

I�ll have them brought to you if you wish.

Majesty, what you ask is impossible.

These two men are not ordinary prisoners.

We have special orders from the Queen Mother

concerning them.

I like being governor of this prison.

Some things money cannot buy.

Nothing? Are you sure?

You wouldn�t happen to know the remedy, would you?

Yes.

These colours, these pustules�

The smell too�

No doubt about it. Arsenic poisoning.

This dog� has it eaten anything odd?

While playing with that book it tore out a page and swallowed it.

That�s no explanation.

Not for most mortals.

Even less for you, so wise as you are.

You who read the stars�

But what have the stars to do with�?

With the poisoned gloves that killed Jeanne d�Albret?

Or this book intended for Henry?

Both objects came from the same shop.

Come.

Speak!

- Majesty� - I haven�t much strength left.

But enough to kill you before I die.

Even before that dog dies.

Speak!

You�re finished, Majesty.

Who commissioned that book?

Queen Catherine.

Good. Leave me.

How long do I have?

12 hours. Maybe 14.

More than I need.

What will you do, Majesty?

Reign.

Take that quill and write.

There.

This falconry manual was made by me�

I await death, madame. It will come just as you do �

in darkness and silence,

unannounced.

No, my son, no.

I wish to dictate my last will.

I�ll fetch your brother.

- Go fetch Henry. - Henry?

His place is not here.

Only a son of France may kneel

at his king�s bedside in the final hour.

Go fetch Henry.

I refuse.

By what right?

By the rights nature gave me.

I'm your mother.

- No! - What?

You ceased to be the instant

you took back the life you gave me.

My son� You�re delirious.

Do you recognise this book?

Read.

"This falconry manual was made by me

for Queen Catherine de Medici.

Ren�."

It was not meant for you, Charles. It was for him.

- You�re a victim. - Of a mistake. I know.

And to prevent such mistakes in future,

I wish to name Henry trustee of my will.

A man who plotted against your crown?

If Henry does not come at once,

tomorrow France will know the cause of her king�s death.

And if he does come?

We burn this book.

It was a weakness.

The people must never know a king�s weaknesses.

You have the length of this hourglass.

Margot!

I prayed so hard for one last wish � to say goodbye�

Goodbye is not what I came to say.

Tonight we will be together forever.

- No. - Listen.

You and your friend will ask to be taken to the chapel

to make confession. Henriette and I will be there

with two horses waiting at the door.

What a pity, Margot! How I would've loved you.

Why, when I say I�ll save you?

I�ve paid the price.

Damn it all! This wasn�t part of the plan!

No! No! Let me go!

No! Let me go! Let me go!

Executioner, apply the ordinary question to this man.

Very well.

No, no, no! No, no, no!

Fear nothing. I have special orders

from the prison governor.

And special orders require special wedges �

leather instead of wood.

They�ll hurt no more than a pat of butter.

We�re ready, Monsieur Prosecutor.

Scribe, be ready to take down

whatever the prisoner says.

- Very good, Monsieur Prosecutor. - First wedge � ordinary.

First wedge � ordinary.

How do you feel?

Not too bad, thank you. I can stand it.

A tough Christian�

Is the wedge fully in, master?

Scream, for God�s sake.

At last! Continue, master.

You�re breaking my bones!

Will he talk or not?

- Confess already. - Confess what?

Anything, just do it.

- I confess everything. - Write it down, scribe.

- What were you doing in that forest? - Conspiring.

Against whom?

Another wedge, Master Caboche.

- Against everyone. - Write it down.

What were your plans? One more wedge.

- We wanted to kill them all. - Write it down. Whom?

- Everyone. - Be specific.

- The King. - Got him.

- The Queen Mother. - Bravo! Who else?

- Queen Margot. - Queen Margot!

- The Duke of Anjou. - The Duke of Anjou.

- The Pope. - The Pope!

- The Emperor of China. - The Emperor of China.

- And the prosecutor. - And the prosecutor.

He�s mocking us!

- Are the wedges in properly? - They�re at maximum.

He can�t take any more.

Let�s hope the other is more cooperative.

Next one.

Thank you. I�ll never forget this as long as I live.

Then it won�t be long.

The torture was fake, but I still have to behead you.

And that one is hard to fake.

- What? - The only thing I can promise

is not to do it twice.

The neck is strong, but the shoulders are broad.

- You�ve been lucky. - I want to go to the chapel!

Sometimes the blow lacks force.

Then the axe doesn�t cut, understand?

- To the chapel� - You�ll be taken there at once.

Oh, oh, oh, oh!

To the chapel!

Prepare everything for the next one.

�And the accused having refused, despite the ordinary question

administered in our presence, to answer,

we hereby close the present proceedings

with the following findings:

guilty of the crime of l�se-majest�

and of attempt upon the person of the King,

Monsieur Artaban Hannibal de Coconnas

shall be taken to the Place de Gr�ve

to be beheaded at the conclusion of this trial.

The court has ordered that Monsieur de La M�le

be subjected to the ordinary question of twelve wedges.�

Will you give my friend the same treatment?

Of course.

You�ll be pleased with him. He has a magnificent voice.

Master Caboche, our man is waiting.

Any last wish?

I wish to make confession in the chapel.

First wedge � ordinary.

Aaaargh!

Well done.

For the funeral,

how about a very tight doublet with padded shoulders

- and slashed sleeves� - Silence!

Henry is with the King.

And what are you doing here?

Waiting for him.

I tormented you greatly, Henry.

Do not hate me.

Always against you.

Sometimes I resisted� but other times I gave in from weariness�

Let's forget all this, Sire. It's past.

The future terrifies me.

My beautiful kingdom of France�

is being torn apart by hatred, fanaticism and intrigue.

You are the only one who can save it.

I, Sire? How?

Here is what gives you the power to do so.

- The regency? - You are too skilled a politician

not to know it's the surest step to the throne.

Send my brother Anjou to prison,

send my mother back to Florence,

and make Margot Queen of France.

I shall obey you, Sire.

Go, monsieur.

Not that way.

This way.

There you will find death. Here, the crown.

But not yet. The time has not come.

Sire, in my desire to know the future

I've studied your horoscope in particular.

Why should I believe you, Ren�?

Think. You are alone, unarmed.

Anjou is preparing to succeed his brother,

Guise is on the roads with his men�

Do you think they will let you live?

Monsieur!

Forget the King�s crimes and see only a dying man�s suffering.

The daggers are under the altar cloth.

You have two minutes to escape. I�ll watch the door.

My love!

Henriette�

Get up. It�s time.

My God!

I endured the questioning. My bones are shattered.

- No, by God! - Hurry!

I�ll carry you on my horse, but we must flee!

I can�t.

It�s impossible. Go without me.

At least give me the joy of knowing you�ll live.

- Farewell, Margot! - Come on.

Forgive me, madame. His legs are broken.

He cannot climb the scaffold without a friend

to hold him up.

Quick, they�re coming!

Find your brother. Try to obtain his pardon.

Margot!

The King is dead.

Long live King Henry, third of that name!

Long live King Henry, third of that name!

There he is! Come on!

Sire, the road to Navarre.

First let's try to save two friends.

Sire, Anjou and Guise will be lying in wait.

- Who rides with me to the scaffold? - To the scaffold!

My poor Hannibal. See what my friendship has brought you.

It�s not so bad. We�ll settle accounts on the other side.

Keep your head straight, brave gentleman.

Noooo!

Noooo!

- Farewell, Margot! - Noooo!

Finish it!

Every man for himself!

Bring the bodies of those two heroes with us.

You will ride behind me, at the head of the column.

All follow my white plume!