Original subtitles

[ Music playing ]

[ Indistinct chatter ]

Your lozenge milord Cardinal.

Well, thank you, Fouquet,

you're always so thoughtful.

This may be a great day

for France.

And might I suggest that His Majesty has a son,

that his son might need a tutor?

I have noticed that you also think far ahead.

My only thought is to serve

to the limit of my poor ability.

[ Stomping ]

MAN: His Majesty, The King.

[ Fanfare ]

Well, how much longer do we have to wait,

is there no news yet?

Not yet, Your Majesty,

a matter of this kind demands patience

even from a king.

For a cardinal, you're not very consoling in a crisis.

[ Laughing ]

D'Artagnan, do you remember that morning

we were getting ready to fight the Austrian army?

Yes, sire, very well.

I felt a lot braver that morning.

[ Laughing ]

If Your Majesty pleases,

it's a boy, a beautiful boy.

[ Music playing ]

A boy.

[ Bell ringing ]

[ Crowd cheering ]

It has pleased Almighty God,

King of Heaven,

to bless the union of His Majesty,

King Louis XIII of France

and our dearly beloved queen

by giving to them and to you

a son.

This is the heir to the throne of France.

-[ Crowd cheering ] -[ Cannon fires ]

-Send for the King at once. -The King?

Impossible, listen.

Colbert then. Yes, that's it, Colbert.

He'll know what to do.

Colbert, where's Monsieur Colbert, please?

On the balcony with His Majesty.

[ Crowd cheering ]

[ Baby crying ]

Well, what is it?

D'ARTAGNAN: Her Majesty has given birth

to a second child.

A second child?

-Yes, a son, a twin. -[ Cannon fires ]

Another son.

Shall I take this other son to the King?

Impossible.

Who knows of this?

Only the midwife and myself.

No one else must know.

[ Music playing ]

Must you take him, too?

Your Majesty knows better than I

that your sons belong to France.

[ Music playing ]

[ Baby crying ]

-Follow me. -Yes, but Her Majesty.

I will answer for Her Majesty.

D'ARTAGNAN: Yes, My Lord.

[ Music playing ]

[ Cannon fires ]

Well, the messenger said it was urgent, what is it?

It is my duty to present to, Your Majesty,

your second son.

Fate has given France twin dauphin.

Two sons,

two heirs to the throne of France.

Your Majesty knows there can be only one

Dauphin of France.

To any other man in this kingdom,

twin sons would be a blessing.

Only to me, a king,

could they be a curse.

Worse than a curse, sire,

two sons would mean civil war,

self-seeking men pitting brother against brother.

The future of France depends on this moment,

on your being strong enough

to think as a king rather than as a father.

Of your sons, only one can rule.

Colbert,

I cannot order a death warrant

for my own son.

That isn't necessary, sire.

Send him away, no one need know,

even he must never know.

With whom?

Is there a man in all the world

with whom such a secret would be safe?

Yes, sire, one man,

D'Artagnan.

D'Artagnan?

Must I lose my son and my best friend as well?

D'Artagnan is my right arm.

He's also my friend, sire,

but you must give him the child,

send him home to Gascony,

settle an income on him,

permit him to raise the boy as his own

then France will be safe.

[ Music playing ]

My son...

how many times have we fought

shoulder-to-shoulder for France?

How many times has the life of the King of France

been safe in your hands?

My friend, D'Artagnan,

will you do this for me?

I am a soldier, sire.

[ Music playing ]

See that he has horses, everything.

All will be done, sire.

I will miss you, my friend.

[ Music playing ]

[ Baby crying ]

Go now, and quickly.

[ Music playing ]

In days to come, sire,

he may ask his father's name.

Tell him his father was a man

who gave everything for France

and was your very good friend.

Name him Philippe after me.

[ Music playing ]

The doctor and the midwife?

It's a pity there's no D'Artagnan for them.

[ Music playing ]

[ Music playing ]

Would you like to double the wager, Fouquet?

But the rope always breaks the fourth time.

Your Majesty is unusually lucky.

I'm a most unusual person.

[ Music playing ]

It didn't break...

and it always breaks the fourth time.

Are you sure you didn't tamper with that rope, Fouquet?

Your Majesty.

I regret intruding upon Your Majesty's amusement.

I'll double the wager on the next one, Fouquet.

Monsieur Colbert here, took upon himself to countermand

the other executions.

For what reason?

I have the honor to inform, Your Majesty,

that Her Royal Highness, Princess Maria Theresa,

entered Paris this morning.

Surely, the arrival of your fiancée

should not be attended by-- by hangings.

But don't they hang people in Spain?

Huh, or does everyone pay his taxes?

Well, she'll get used to it,

particularly if the tax on salt is not rescinded.

But Fouquet told me I could raise millions

with... a little pinch of salt.

Such a beautiful tax.

So sure, no one can live without salt.

History shows that the people have a way of going on living,

no matter what.

Uh, speaking of the salt tax, uh, reminds me,

I'm afraid I have to adopt drastic measures in Gascony,

the inhabitants of the Town of Tartas

made some ridiculous claim to exemption

from all taxes and they resisted Your Majesty's tax collector.

-Resisted? -More than resisted.

They put Your Majesty's representatives to flight.

They were led by a man named D'Artagnan.

Must we always be annoyed by these rebels?

I know the man, sire.

He was captain of your father's musketeers

and he spoke the truth.

For services to the crown, your father gave him

the village of Tartas free of taxes.

Such a reward probably grew out of some special service.

Collect the tax in Gascony and arrest of the rebels,

I've anticipated both of Your Majesty's commands.

[ Chuckles ]

-Clever, Fouquet. -Thank you.

I seem to have an engagement

with Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

I find it so very useful in relieving me

of such tiresome problems of state.

[ Chuckles ]

Ha!

Quite interesting, this Gascony situation,

don't you think?

I watched your career with great interest, Fouquet.

I know you to be ambitious,

avaricious, and dangerous, but not until now

did I know you'd be entirely without honor.

Without honor, I?

You knew very well the identity of D'Artagnan

and of the men with him.

Oh, yes, certainly, including Philippe.

And yet to curry favor with the King

you would betray a sacred trust,

a secret which has been kept up to now.

My dear, Colbert, how can you say such a thing?

You should know better than anyone

that a certain secret transformed me

from a cardinal's messenger

to a king's minister.

Keeping secrets is my business.

And are your intentions one of your secrets too?

Not at all.

I intend arresting Philippe and D'Artagnan

and hanging them as rebels.

It's a compliment to you, my friend.

Colbert,

you're a very clever man.

You have a most annoying habit

of always bringing about the things

you wish to bring about.

For instance, this marriage with Maria Theresa

which does not suit me at all.

The union of France, Spain, and Austria

is necessary to the security and future of France.

But I'm not interested in the future of France.

I'm interested in the future of Fouquet.

Who knows?

Someday, you may have certain plans for Philippe.

Well, that would be most unfortunate for me,

but don't worry,

I intend keeping this secret.

When I hang Philippe, no one will know

that he's the twin brother of the King.

Before you hang him,

the world will know who he is.

Sh.

Remember, secret.

[ Music playing ]

[ Laughing ]

Oh.

Gentlemen, musketeers.

-Oh. -Oh.

-He means you, too. -Oh.

[ Laughing ]

According to the tradition governing these occasions,

I wish to express my pleasure

at the honor of having you help me arrive

at the ripe old age of 22.

ALL: Hear, hear.

To France,

to my father who died for it too soon.

To my four godfathers who reared me so carefully

in the best tradition of the King's musketeers.

To the musketeers.

I claim the next toast

to our very accomplished godson,

the best blade in France,

next to me of course.

[ Laughing ]

And the most brilliant pupil

in languages and the sciences

that I have ever tutored.

And who's skill at wrestling is excelled

by only one other man, and I--

[ Chuckles ]

I'm too modest to mention his name.

[ Laughing ]

And who excels even me

in the more romantic past-times

including dice shaking.

[ Laughing ]

ALL: Hoorah!

Are you sure this is D'Artagnan's house?

How could I mistake it?

I've been here before.

You realize the people of our own town of Tartas,

are the only Frenchmen who aren't starving and in rags?

Which is too good to last long.

Remember, we've already had one encounter

with the royal tax collector.

To which we put a period

with a sword point.

[ Laughing ]

[ Banging on door ]

I can't remember inviting any other guests.

Captain D'Artagnan, formerly the King's musketeers,

and Lord of Tartas by order of Louis XIII.

By order of His Majesty, Louis XIV,

I arrest you for high treason

and assault on His Majesty's officers.

[ Laughing ]

You mean, His Majesty's robbers?

I order you to surrender in the name of the King.

Softly, my friend.

In Tartas, I administer the high, the middle,

and the low justice.

I make the arrests.

Isn't the King becoming frugal,

only nine men?

There's 90 more outside, flatterer.

Seize them!

[ Music playing ]

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Come along, get on.

[ Laughter ]

This is my first trip to Paris in 20 years.

And at the King's expense.

[ Laughter ]

Your Majesty,

Her Royal Highness, Maria Theresa,

-Infanta of Spain, -[ Cannon fires ]

Princess of Austria,

and His Excellency,

Count Mendoza,

Ambassador of the King of Spain.

[ Music playing ]

Your Majesty,

I present His Excellency,

the Spanish Ambassador.

Your Majesty.

We are pleased to receive you.

[ Cannon fires ]

MENDOZA: I have the honor to present Her Royal Highness,

Maria Theresa.

My mother.

Monsieur Fouquet.

I trust Your Royal Highness made a comfortable journey?

Monsieur Colbert whom you sent to welcome us

was most considerate.

[ Cannon fires ]

Why did you permit me to think I was sacrificing myself

for the good of the state...

when I find her beautiful?

[ Cannon fires ]

Do I make you nervous?

No.

No, Your Majesty.

It was the cannon.

Oh, you'll get used to that.

They seem always to be firing cannons in my honor.

[ Cannon fires ]

You're very lovely, my dear.

Of course, you're nervous.

I know just how you feel,

but you'll feel at home very quickly.

I'll try very hard.

[ Cannon fires ]

MAN: You're Majesties' dinner is served.

We always have a family gathering on my birthday,

just a few special guests.

[ Music playing ]

Ah, mademoiselle.

[ Music playing ]

Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.

May I present Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

[ Music playing ]

You might congratulate me.

It's not only by birthday, but I'm engaged to be married.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

I hope Your Royal Highness will be very happy.

Penny for your thoughts?

They're not worth a great deal.

I was just remembering, Your Majesty mentioned...

a family dinner.

Mademoiselle de la Valliere?

Oh, I always think of her as one of the family.

[ Music playing ]

I hope you enjoyed your journey through France.

It was slightly confusing, Your Majesty.

I find it very difficult to associate

the poverty of the provinces

with the splendor of the palace.

Well, the people of France are notorious misers,

but I am not a miser.

I have been taught to believe that when the people wear rags

and the King and his court wear velvet,

the result is always disastrous.

May I ask why you're so interested

in the people of France?

Perhaps it's because I have agreed

to become the Queen of France.

My father considers himself a servant of the state.

It's different with me.

In France, I am the state.

[ Glass breaking ]

[ Indistinct chatter ]

A gentle protest

against the salt tax, no doubt.

[ Indistinct chattering ]

That displaced Majesty's birthday.

Modern guise.

OFFICER: Stand aside there. Stay away from this gate.

Every one of you away from this gate.

-Arrest him. -I didn't do it.

-I didn't do it. -Who did?

I don't know. I don't know.

Take him to the Bastille, we'll find out.

So, they don't like the salt tax.

Double it!

Revive him.

Proceed.

No, no!

I can't stand it.

I'll tell, I'll tell.

You see, the glove always works,

usually on the first or second finger.

I remember a very stubborn fellow.

He withstood four fingers

until we came to his thumb.

I almost pardoned him.

Tomorrow,

when His Majesty goes to the cathedral

to light a candle,

he will be assassinated.

By whom?

I don't know, sire.

I only overhead them talking

just before I was arrested.

I was not one of them.

When and where?

I don't know, sire.

I don't know.

I don't know!

He may be telling the truth, sire.

He is telling the truth.

Once they start talking, they tell everything they know.

It would be well if my Lord High Constable

would tell me a few things about this assassination.

I'm doing everything I can, sire.

It's not enough.

[ Music playing ]

[ Bell chiming ]

How thoughtful of them.

They've sent my carriage early to be sure

I'm not late in keeping my rendezvous

with the assassins.

But Your Majesty, it's madness.

You can't expose yourself like this.

My dear Lord Constable, you said the same thing

at least 50 times,

but it doesn't change the situation.

Today is my late lamented father's name day.

Tradition demands that I light a candle

to his memory in the cathedral.

A king fears tradition more than he fears assassination.

There's a chance for me to escape assassination,

but no chance to escape tradition.

It's one of those unfortunate things

connected with being king.

But, Your Majesty, give me more time,

if only to discover when and where

they intend to strike.

You've had a thousand men

trying to discover that small point

since last night, and it's still a secret!

In exactly an hour and twenty minutes,

it will no longer be a secret.

-No one knows of this? -No, sire.

Just you and I, and the assassins?

I'm happy to report the Gascony business

is finished, Your Majesty.

I have the rebels below.

Gascony? Rebel?

Why yes, Your Majesty.

D'Artagnan, the man who assaulted

Your Majesty's officers.

Why do you annoy me with prisoners from Gascony?

Haven't you learned yet what to do with rebels?

It shall be done the moment I have

Your Majesty's signature to the order of execution.

Have my carriages ready.

Yes, sire.

Uh, Your Majesty is hanging a most interesting prisoner.

What?

COLBERT: Fouquet neglected to tell, Your Majesty,

that on the way from Gascony, he was cheered repeatedly

by villagers.

And just now in the courtyard below,

your own officers saluted him.

What for?

Probably because of the striking resemblance

the prisoner bears to Your Majesty.

Uh, didn't Fouquet mention the fact?

I failed to detect any resemblance.

You mean, they cheered because they thought

the prisoner was I?

Yes, sire.

Hmm, that's interesting,

and very unusual.

Does he really resemble me?

It's astonishing,

except for the moustache, he might be your double.

But...

I think I'd like to see this fellow.

But, Your Majesty, it's absurd.

I feel in the mood for absurdities.

Bring him to me.

-But... -LOUIS: Bring him, I said.

COLBERT: Why not bring them all?

They breed a more dashing type of rebel in Gascony.

Your Majesty might find them interesting, too.

Bring them all.

MAN: Line up there.

Your eyes did not deceive you, Colbert.

He does look like me,

except of course for the silly moustache.

I can hardly believe it.

I also have a slight scar,

a souvenir from one of Your Majesty's

tax collectors.

So you're the Gascony rebel who objects to paying taxes

and goes about cutting down my men.

Your Majesty could have taught your men better manners.

[ Chuckles ] Has a sense of humor, too.

Hmm, yes,

a very pointed sense of humor, Your Majesty.

It took a troop of Your Majesty's best men

to curve it.

Remove them to the Bastille,

all but this one. I wish to talk to him.

What we do with them depends upon our conversation.

Very well, Your Majesty.

Take them away.

-All but this one. -MAN: March.

[ Chuckling ]

Come here.

Do you know what happens to rebels?

I usually hang them.

So I've heard.

I see that you're quite fond of your friends.

Very fond, sire.

You could be quite useful to me.

For instance, at the moment, my carriage is waiting

to take me to the cathedral, to light a candle

in memory of my father.

It's very gracious of His Majesty

to remember his father.

It would be most amusing if you perform the ceremony,

impersonated me.

I'm willing to do anything to save my friends, sire.

Good, I was hoping you'd say that.

Suppose you begin by riding to the cathedral in my carriage,

without the moustache, of course.

I left Gascony quite suddenly,

so I have to borrow Your Majesty's razor.

And his clothes.

But hurry.

[ Fanfare ]

MAN: Attention.

His Majesty, the King.

To the cathedral.

Forward march.

[ Music playing ]

[ Laughs ]

-Here they come. -Here they come.

Here they come.

[ Indistinct chatter ]

The King is on his way.

His carriage is just turning into the street.

MAN: Good.

[ Crowd chatter ]

MAN: Here they come.

[ Music playing ]

[ Indistinct chatter ]

[ Music playing ]

MAN: Seize them. Cut them down.

[ Music playing ]

Well, go on.

Kill me like you've killed the rest of France.

Why should I wish to kill you?

But, Your Majesty, this is assassination.

These aren't enemies you're running down,

they're the people of France.

Since when has the King of France

had cause to fear Frenchman?

-What's your name, my friend? -John Paul, Your Majesty.

Why did you want to kill the King?

Well, why do you want to kill us?

Oh, Your Majesty,

this man is no assassin.

Last night, his baby died of hunger.

And this man is no murderer, Your Majesty.

The day before yesterday, his wife died.

No medicine, no doctor.

All these people have suffered, Your Majesty.

But what does Your Majesty know about suffering?

You live in a palace.

I want you to believe I'll do everything I can

-to change all that. -Oh, sire.

If we could only believe that.

The King of France has made many mistakes.

The greatest in losing common touch with his people.

I pray that the King be forgiven his mistake.

God bless Your Majesty.

[ Speaks French ]

ALL: [ Speaking French ]

[ Cheering ]

[ Music playing ]

[ Cardinal speaking in Latin ]

[ All speaking Latin ]

[ Cardinal speaking in Latin ]

[ All speaking Latin ]

[ Music playing ]

Forgive my intrusion.

I insisted I be allowed to enter.

I just heard how you proved yourself

a true king.

Strangely enough, I never felt more like a king.

I came the moment I knew you were in danger.

Why?

Is it not my duty as Queen of France

to be at the side of the King in time of danger?

The King would be an ungrateful wretch

if he failed to appreciate such a sense of duty...

but a most unfortunate man if it was only duty

that brought you to his side.

The king has shown very little pleasure

at the prospect of my company.

This moment, I'm praying that the king

be forgiven his mistakes.

[ Music playing ]

I, too, wish to light a candle,

not in commemoration,

but in thanksgiving.

[ Music playing ]

They look beautiful...

side by side.

CARDINAL: Let us pray.

[ Cardinal speaking in Latin ]

I'm sure you understand,

why its better for you to live at Fontainebleau.

Spanish Ambassador is becoming just a little difficult.

You're quite sure it's not the Spanish princess?

I'm rather disappointed in the Spaniards.

I've heard that they're a very hot-blooded race.

Well, if Maria Theresa is an example.

Yes, I've noticed.

Perhaps you require a special encouragement.

I became king on my fifth birthday.

By my sixth, I've learned not to offer encouragement.

Sooner or later, everyone comes to me.

A pity you did not also learn how to be in two places

at one time.

I may surprise you.

Remember, I am a most unusual person.

Really?

His Majesty?

I regret to inform Your Royal Highness,

that His Majesty is engaged.

Oh, but if you tell him who it is...

I'm sorry.

But when I left His Majesty half an hour ago

on our return from the cathedral,

he seemed most anxious to continue our conversation.

I know. I know.

King's have such short memories.

But I'm sure it would not disturb him

to know that I...

FOUQUET: Your Royal Highness.

I have learned through long experience

never to disturb His Majesty for anyone

when he's with the...

Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

Thank you.

His Majesty need have no fear of my disturbing him again.

[ Music playing ]

Deliver this in person to my father, the king.

-Guard it with your life. -Yes, Your Royal Highness.

MARIA: Go now.

[ Music playing ]

If it please, Your Excellency.

Yes, yes, yes, yes? Well, what happened?

The Princess was furious.

She stormed in and immediately wrote

a dispatch to her father.

Her father, huh?

-What did she say? -I don't know.

I couldn't get close enough to see.

You should have done better!

Fool.

Now, I have to find out what she wrote!

Get out!

[ Music playing ]

I've been searching everywhere for you.

I suppose I should feel honored.

Did you not have an engagement with me in the salon

to hear music?

Do you think it's good form to keep the king waiting?

I could hardly expect Your Majesty

to remember a thing so unimportant

as an engagement with me to hear music.

But it's very important, at least to the musicians.

I don't find myself in a mood for music.

In the past few hours, my appreciation of the beautiful

has suffered a great deal.

I wouldn't say that.

That's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen.

But the moment I leave you,

I'll completely forget what you wore.

And who wore it.

I'll be able to remember nothing,

but how beautiful you were.

Won't you sit down?

Please.

[ Music playing ]

Your Majesty's not always so preoccupied.

What are you thinking about?

I'm thinking that, after all, it may not be necessary

for you to go to Fontainebleau.

But the Spanish ambassador?

There's one thing the Spanish Ambassador does not know,

that I am a very unusual person.

[ Music playing ]

You know, I've just made a great discovery.

Stars are very beautiful in the proper setting.

Your Majesty has never given me cause

to suspect him of romantic inclinations.

Lately, I've been made aware that the king has been guilty

of many sins of omission.

Why were you angry?

Because I should hate you,

thoroughly...

and I can't.

At least there's still hope if you must force yourself

to hate me.

Why?

Perhaps because I've been very lonely.

I'm a stranger in a strange land.

A very beautiful and greatly loved stranger.

To be queen, I had to leave everything I loved.

I had hoped that perhaps the King

might sometimes forget I was queen...

and remember I'm also a woman.

You were afraid the King would forget you were a woman?

How could any man forget that?

I think twice the King did remember,

once in a cathedral and now.

When kings were created,

they were not given godlike qualities

to save them from mistakes.

Haven't you ever found yourself sorry for a king?

Yes.

I'm beginning to realize that princesses

also make mistakes.

But one can forget any mistake a princess might make.

Not when it's in writing.

[ Music playing ]

Your Majesty, I find myself in possession

of a most confidential and urgent message

from Her Royal Highness, Maria Theresa,

to her father.

I, uh, thought Your Majesty might be interested.

-From Maria Teresa? -Yes.

How do you find yourself in possession of it?

The courier who carried it

met with a most unfortunate accident.

Your usual type of accident, I suppose.

No, no, sire, much better than usual.

Did you read this?

Uh, well, no, that is...

not official.

So I'm cruel, arrogant, a spendthrift,

a liar, and a Turk.

Well, of course, you'll forgive it.

She merely does not understand, Your Majesty.

Forgive her?

[ Loud thud ]

MAN: The Spanish Ambassador

demands an audience with Your Majesty.

You see what happens when you encourage barbarians?

He demands.

Even among barbarians, the king's courier

may travel in safety.

I protest with all vehemence in the name of my king

the cold murder of his messenger.

My dear ambassador, what are you saying?

I am saying that a courier

carrying a letter from Her Royal Highness,

the Princess Maria Theresa, to the King of Spain

was murdered.

His body robbed and thrown into a ditch.

Why was I not told of this?

It's ghastly, impossible.

You're sure Your Excellency is not exaggerating?

His body lies at my house.

I trust you will accept my apology.

If my fiancée will rewrite her letter,

I will guarantee its delivery.

Was it an important letter?

It was a letter from a daughter to her father.

Oh, yes, probably mentioning her complete happiness here

and the eagerness with which she looks forward

to becoming the Queen of France.

I hope she included my warmest remembrances.

I have no doubt she did speak of you, sire.

She probably told her father that I was cruel,

arrogant, a spendthrift.

But pardon me your indignation.

Please assure the King of Spain

that I will discover the perpetrator of this outrage

and will know how to reward him.

I will convey your assurances to my sovereign.

[ Chuckling ]

I assured the ambassador

that I would reward the perpetrator

of the outrage.

Yes, I think it would look very well there.

Your Majesty.

Oh, uh, I neglected to inform Your Majesty

that Her Royal Highness is engaged

in packing her trunks.

Her Royal Highness is saving us the trouble

of having it done for her.

But what of the Spanish alliance which means so much to Colbert?

I have decided to prefer the English alliance.

After all, a navy is just as important as an army.

It'll be very difficult to explain that to Colbert.

I have no intention of explaining it to Colbert.

In fact, I suddenly feel the need to escape

from matters of state.

Yes, definitely, I will go to Fontainebleau.

[ Sighs ] Lovely place, Fontainebleau.

Hmm, lovely.

His Excellency, Count Mendoza.

Well, I suppose he pleaded ignorance

of the entire affair.

It's a most delicate situation, Your Royal Highness.

I cannot understand this man.

In one moment, he holds my hand and makes love to me,

almost making me believe him.

And in the next, he murders one of my servants.

Murderer or not,

he knows the contents of your letter.

Good, I'm glad.

I hope every word infuriates and humiliates him

as much as it did me when I wrote it.

[ Door opens ]

-I hope you bring me liberty. -More than liberty.

I bring you opportunity.

All I need is opportunity.

Philippe,

I knew your father very well.

You knew my father?

What was he like?

It's the sorrow of my life that I never knew him.

He was a great man.

No sacrifice for his country was too difficult,

and you can follow in his footsteps.

An hour ago, in rage and disgust,

Her Royal Highness, Princess Maria Theresa,

left for Spain.

You mean she ran away from Louis?

-Yes. -Good!

But I am here to ask you to follow her

and bring her back.

Bring her back to such a man? Never.

Your father would have forgotten his personal feelings

and remembered only his duty to France.

But it's insanity, only the king could bring her back.

I am offering you an opportunity to be king,

if only for one day.

France needs a good king,

if only to stand on the balcony before the people

for the betrothal ceremony,

long enough to proclaim the union

between Spain and France.

King for one day.

In one minute, the King could free D'Artagnan

or my friends.

I would only need to be king for one day for my purpose.

And for mine.

[ Music playing ]

Halt, halt!

-Shoot, fool. -Shoot? The King?

The King? Halt!

Why do we stop?

I took the liberty of stopping your carriage.

Has Your Majesty descended to highway robbery in person?

If I have, I'm merely following your example.

After all, you're robbing me of your presence.

I forbid you to enter my carriage.

There must be some mistake.

I thought I was the King of France

and gave the commands.

You might at least have said goodbye.

Goodbye.

We're going to miss you.

France will not be the same.

Why are you going?

How dare you ask me such a question!

I dare because France and I both love you.

Love?

You don't know the meaning of the word.

You never loved anyone but yourself.

What kind of man are you?

In one moment you speak of love,

while at the same time you're murdering my courier.

I'll never again believe anything you say or do.

Will you please believe that I know nothing

of your courier?

Believe you?

When you quoted from my letter to the ambassador?

But I never saw your letter, on my honor.

On your royal honor?

More than my royal honor.

On my sacred honor.

I do not believe you.

Well then, perhaps it's just as well

that you are returning to Spain.

You're hardly fitted to become the Queen of France

if you haven't learnt that the problems of a nation

and its people are more important

than the problems of any individual.

I do not need lessons in duty or conduct from you.

If this were the army, your retreat

will be called desertion,

cowardice in the face of the enemy.

If I were your enemy.

[ Woman laughing ]

[ Music playing ]

If our problems were only as simple.

It would be so easy taking you by the hand and running away.

The trouble with being king is that one can never run away,

not even with you.

I didn't think Your Majesty was the running away type,

if anyone.

Dear lady, believe me,

if we could escape our destiny by my forgetting

that I was ever King of France, by taking you by the hand

and going off with you across those fields,

we would descend from this coach forever

and I would be the happiest man in the world.

Far happier than I ever expect to be as king.

I wish I could believe you.

Did you ever dream with your eyes wide open?

I used to dream...

a long, long time ago.

I want you to dream of a balcony,

and under that balcony, thousands of faces

looking up at you with adoration and affection.

I want you to hear the voice of a cardinal

saying to those people "Heaven is pleased

to join Spain with France."

I want you to see me beside you at that moment.

I must be dreaming.

I do believe you.

[ Music playing ]

CARDINAL: Heaven is pleased to join Spain with France.

Do you, Maria Theresa, take this man

to be your betrothed?

I, Maria Theresa, take thee, Louis,

to be my betrothed.

And do you, Louis, take this woman

to be your betrothed?

I, Louis, take thee, Maria Theresa,

to be my betrothed.

[ Music playing ]

I find myself wishing that this were the marriage ceremony

instead of just the betrothal.

Then I could add,

"To have and to hold."

[ Crowd cheering ]

Let me congratulate you, my friend.

But then, you've always had a most annoying habit

of bringing about the things you wish to bring about.

A most amusing comedy,

worthy of so great a playwright.

As a fellow playwright, you understand

how narrow the line is dividing comedy from tragedy.

Quite right.

And I'm afraid His Majesty's executioner

will provide the tragedy

when this charming little comedy is finished.

His Majesty's executioner could provide the tragedy

before the comedy is finished.

Remember, secrets.

You and I know that the King's at Fontainebleau,

but the executioner doesn't.

One word from Philippe.

[ Crowd cheering ]

His Majesty left for Fontainebleau an hour ago.

He'll arrive there before you do.

Say to him that the announcement of his betrothal

to Her Royal Highness, Maria Theresa,

has caused great rejoicing among the people.

Ride fast.

His Majesty will be most anxious to receive such news.

MAN: Pardon, Your Majesty. This is the cell.

[ Door unlocks ]

They are desperate men, Your Majesty.

I'm quite used to dealing with desperate men.

No, no, sire. I insist.

I shall go first.

[ Chuckles ]

On your knees, dogs, His Majesty The King!

So, these are the rebels.

We regret our ignorance of Your Majesty's visit,

or we'd have received you in greater honor.

I trust you gentlemen have enjoyed our...

-hospitality. -Very much.

We've received every consideration we expected.

I'm glad to see you're entirely happy.

We'd be much happier if we had news of Philippe.

I suggest that Your Majesty treat him well,

just in the event that we escape hanging.

Your Majesty, he means by that

that we're very fond of Philippe.

I don't understand how anyone could be fond

of such a fellow.

I find him tiresome, ill-tempered,

and inclined to be a fool.

Your Majesty has never had the pleasure of meeting him

at the point of a sword.

Leave us, they may have secrets.

Yes, Your Majesty. Certainly, Your Majesty.

Don't you know me?

Do you recognize this?

Philippe!

There's no time for celebration.

This is the only way I could free you.

I've written an order for your release.

There are arms, horses, everything, outside.

Remember the little inn in Bordeaux?

Wait for me there. Quick, get back in.

These are innocent men.

Here's my order for their release.

See that it's carried out, immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

That is all.

[ Laughs ]

Philippe, don't you understand?

You must go, quickly.

Even now, it may be too late.

I was king for your object.

You wouldn't have me forget mine.

By now, D'Artagnan, Aramis, Porthos, and Athos are

riding southward on the four best horses

-in France. -They're gone?

It wasn't very difficult.

I merely walked into the Bastille.

-The Bastille? -It's a very dismal place.

I was glad to get out of it myself.

I should say so.

But now you must go, quickly.

No, not yet.

Before I abdicate,

I must say goodbye to the one person who I hope

will be sorry that my reign is over.

Philippe, go while you can.

Everything's ready, a horse, money, passport.

Thank you, my friend.

I appreciate everything you've done for me.

I hope France will appreciate everything

you've done for her.

Remember, we do not act until he's clear of the city.

But Excellency, I do not understand.

Capture the King?

I don't require you to understand.

I understand.

[ Music playing ]

[ Knocks on door ]

[ Music playing ]

Your Majesty.

Forgive me for calling so late.

But I felt I had to see you

and say goodnight.

[ Music playing ]

Tonight I stood with you on a balcony,

and kissed you.

I want you to know I'll remember how beautiful you were

till the moment of my death.

Louis, you have such a frightened look.

If I am frightened,

it's at the thought of losing you.

Losing me?

LOUIS: Kings are strange men.

It's true they have short memories

and are capable of dealing deep wounds.

Never trust a king completely.

Not even Louis.

[ Music playing ]

Hold that remembrance of me.

Goodnight.

[ Door closes ]

[ Music playing ]

Stand aside, Fouquet.

How dare you attack the king?

Your Majesty, who could dream of you

stealing out of the palace alone, like a criminal?

Why, I mistook you for a common thief.

You might have been badly hurt, even killed.

Well, now that you know who I am, stand aside.

I couldn't possibly permit Your Majesty

to take such risks.

It would be much better if Your Majesty

would return to the palace...

willingly.

I'm beginning to understand why you're so valuable

to the King.

[ Music playing ]

Hmm, very efficient.

Then they've had a lot of practice.

[ Door opens ]

I should have taken Fouquet's advice

and hanged you in the first place.

You are equally guilty.

Your Majesty could hardly expect me to know

that you are absent when you did not see fit to tell me.

Strange that such an impromptu impersonation

accomplished all your desires.

All, sire?

Isn't it enough that you compromised me with Spain?

Made me a laughingstock?

The only unfortunate thing for you both

is that I am about to have the last laugh.

This time I'll wager the rope will not break.

I've always said Your Majesty's unusually lucky.

I feel gratified that my end will at least

be a sporting proposition.

I lived my life the same way.

It's only by chance that I am on the wrong end of the rope.

I regret having to ask you to precede your friends,

whom you so cleverly set at liberty,

but I'll see that they follow you, quickly.

That is also a sporting proposition.

I'm glad the odds in their favor are much greater than in mine.

Call the guard of honor.

We must escort the ex-king to the scaffold

with proper ceremony.

FOUQUET: Yes, Your Majesty, and, of course,

with rolling drums.

By all means, with rolling drums.

We might also fire a cannon or two.

I appreciate the honor.

It grieves me to prevent such a touching ceremony,

but the hanging of Philippe is quite impossible.

Impossible?

My dear Colbert, not even your hanging is impossible.

Mine? No, sire.

But his, yes.

Not even a king may shed royal blood.

Royal blood?

I am saving Your Majesty the embarrassment

of hanging your twin brother.

Brother?

It seems that you've outlived your usefulness.

COLBERT: Not yet, sire, I hope.

Do you expect me to believe such an insane lie?

In the past, you've been more clever, Colbert.

But never more truthful, sire,

as Your Majesty's friend, Fouquet, will testify.

You see, we were both present at your birth and his.

I, by right.

Fouquet, as usual.

Tell His Majesty, Fouquet,

how his father, King Louis XIII,

sent his twin son, Philippe, to Gascony with D'Artagnan

and how, quite by chance,

Louis became king.

I suppose you have further convincing proof.

If Your Majesty is not convinced as he stands

face-to-face with his own likeness,

I shall be glad to present

the final unimpeachable proof

with Your Majesty's permission, of course.

I hope it's a pleasant surprise.

I promise Your Majesty will not be disappointed.

[ Music playing ]

ANNE: Philippe.

My son.

My son.

I often dreamed of meeting my mother in life.

I find equal happiness in meeting her in death.

In death?

Does Your Majesty require further proof?

It would have been better, madam,

if you had stayed in your convent.

Why do you demand vengeance on a boy

who has committed no crime but to be born your twin?

Kings do not control these things.

Destiny controls them.

If Philippe's resemblance to Your Majesty offends you,

you could exile him to some place

where the resemblance would have no meaning.

There are times, Colbert, as much as you annoy me,

when I suspect you of being a genius.

You're right. I couldn't hang him,

not because he's my brother,

but because it would be like hanging myself,

watching myself dangle from the end of a rope.

End the resemblance.

Send him to a place where he never will be seen again.

Of course.

[ Laughing ]

[ Music playing ]

I know how well you love power, Fouquet.

But you will never know complete power

until you've been obeyed in a place like this.

Only the king is obeyed here.

I have no aspirations towards the throne, Your Majesty.

Which is most fortunate.

At the moment I'm engaged in creating a kingdom

for a man who might have such aspirations.

Of course, I'm generous.

I provide him with all the trappings of a king,

even to a throne.

True, his kingdom may be rather limited.

In fact, it is limited,

limited to the walls of the cell above here.

A most amusing thought, Your Majesty.

Yes, it becomes positively hilarious

when you think that Colbert gave me the idea.

[ Laughing ]

It's a masterpiece.

Of course, that was my idea.

I thought it would be too confusing,

two kings both looking so much alike.

So I decided that one of the kings

should wear the mask

so as to avoid all confusion.

It's quite ingenious. It covers the whole head

and locks around the neck.

Most ingenious.

I wonder how long it takes the beard to grow, Fouquet.

Imagine not being able to get that thing off your head

and being strangled to death by your own beard.

[ Laughing ]

Of course, there will only be one key, which I shall keep.

I think I'll wear it...

on a golden chain, here,

next to my heart.

[ Music playing ]

Get in there!

His Majesty's order of imprisonment.

For life.

Guilty of high treason,

solitary confinement for life.

Will receive no visitors.

To be treated as any other prisoner

except he must be spoken to as a king!

King?

Spoken to as a king?

[ Chuckles ]

[ Music playing ]

GUARD: Good night, Your Majesty.

[ Guard laughs ]

[ Music playing ]

FOUQUET: Good morning, Your Majesty.

I'm sure Your Majesty would be delighted to know

that the king of the Bastille

is securely seated on his throne.

It's his anniversary, you know.

He began his reign a month ago today.

I trust His Majesty finds his kingdom to his liking.

And his crown.

I've been thinking,

it may be necessary to create another such,

uh, kingdom for my esteemed colleague, Colbert.

Oh?

If you'll pardon me, I know Colbert.

He'll dedicate his life to the liberation of Philippe,

which, of course, maybe be interpreted

as a patriotic gesture,

particularly if he should convince himself

that Philippe has an equal claim

to Your Majesty's crown.

A man dead of a broken neck

cannot devote his life to anything.

What?

Hang Colbert? Oh, no.

No, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty forgets,

Colbert's the friend of the people.

They admire his honesty.

One of the things about Colbert that irks me most

is that, like Caesar's wife, he is above reproach.

FOUQUET: Oh.

I wouldn't say that, Your Majesty.

All men make mistakes.

Not Colbert.

Well, I think he made a mistake when he signed this receipt.

Mistake? A receipt for 50 francs?

Your Majesty, supposing a comma

and three zeros appeared

after the fifty making it fifty thousand francs?

Your Majesty would then ask the impregnable Colbert

just what he did with the other forty-nine thousand

nine hundred and fifty francs,

and he would have no answer.

It's quite possible, isn't it,

that the people wouldn't cheer quite so loudly

for an embezzler.

A criminal.

Too bad, my friend, there's not room for another medal.

If Your Majesty's thinking of a reward for my poor services,

uh, might I suggest Madame Fouquet

would just love to be a duchess?

[ Chuckles ] You know how women are.

On the day that Colbert's hanged,

Madame Fouquet shall become a duchess.

Your Majesty.

What a pity.

Tsk. Such a great patriot.

Hmm.

[ Laughing ]

[ Music playing ]

Now watch your footing here, gentlemen.

The main Paris sewer runs through here.

D'Artagnan. How did you get here?

I have not forgotten the underground passageways

even after 20 years.

Oh, but this is insane.

There's a price on your heads, all of you.

[ Chuckling ] A good one, I hope.

Well, it's nice to be remembered.

Isn't it enough that you are hunted,

I'm about to be hunted?

Why must you come here of all places?

We had a rendezvous with Philippe in Bordeaux,

which he did not keep.

Yes, I know.

Where is Philippe?

Philippe is in the Bastille,

an iron mask on his head for life.

-What? -Yes.

A most fiendish invention of Louis'.

Now, you must go. Your only hope to escape

the rope or worse is to go while you have a chance.

Go?

Have you lost your courage?

Bravery is a great thing when there's a fighting chance.

Bravery is only great when there is no chance.

Look, my friend, at any moment,

the king's men may be here.

I'm already branded a criminal.

Now, I beg you to save your own lives.

Well, Philippe didn't think of saving his life.

Are you willing to surrender France into the hands

of a plunderer like Fouquet

and a king who's half mad?

I remember when you held France

in your own hands.

That was Louis XIII.

This is the reign of Louis XIV.

[ Knocks on door ]

Go back the way you came.

I'll not open that door until you've gone.

We're through with running.

Here, give me your coat.

I'll open the door.

[ Pounding on door ]

MAN: Open this door.

Yes, Yes, I'm coming.

I'm coming.

Now, control yourselves, gentlemen.

This is one fight we don't want.

[ Pounding on door ]

Yes, Yes, I'm coming.

-Who is it? -Open in the name of the king.

Oh. Oh, yes, milord.

Yes, milord.

Come in, milord.

Monsieur Colbert?

Oh, how unfortunate.

Only an hour ago,

he left for the south of France

for his health.

[ Chuckling ]

-I'll just make sure of that. -Oh, yes, milord.

Come in, milord.

You see, I'm quite alone.

The old fool's telling the truth.

MAN: The south of France? By what road?

Oh, I know nothing of roads, milord.

I'm only a servant.

Oh, pardon me.

Oh, I do remember his mentioning Marseille.

The road to Marseille.

D'Artagnan, you are a beautiful liar.

Thank you, milord.

[ Laughing ]

You see? We can deliver Philippe just as easily.

But delivering him is not enough.

Remember the mask.

Well, what can be put on can be taken off.

You're a bold man, my friend.

But in my gentler way, I'm also bold.

The key...

not only the key to Philippe's liberation,

but the liberation of all France.

So, you see, the boy of the birthday dinner

and of Mademoiselle de la Valliere is Louis.

The boy of the cathedral and of the balcony

and who brought you back is Philippe.

Philippe is my father's name.

I've always loved it.

Where will I find the key?

The king wears it around his neck.

Thank you.

I'll do it.

[ Laughs ]

[ Slurring speech ] Good night, my dear.

Good night.

[ Laughs ]

Good night, your majesty.

Good night.

[ Knock on door ]

But I said goodnight.

[ Knock on door ]

[ Sighs ]

Well,

Her Royal Highness.

I might say this is a surprise but it isn't.

In fact, I've been expecting you for a long time.

I've discovered that sooner or later,

all things come to a king who waits.

Perhaps you would not have waited so long, your majesty,

had you not been more pleasantly engaged.

[ Laughs ]

The trouble with you, my dear,

is that you're inclined to be a little too sensitive.

I'm beginning to understand

how many things a queen must overlook.

Really?

Sit down, my dear.

Sit down.

[ Slurred speech ] You know...

until tonight,

I was very disappointed in the Spaniards.

Because we're jealous and hot-blooded people?

Oh, no.

Quite the contrary.

We're also a most impulsive people,

quick to hate,

quick to love.

After I'm queen,

I hope to change your mind...

about the Spaniards.

You can, quite easily.

Don't you find it a trifle sultry in here?

I hadn't noticed, your majesty.

[ Music playing ]

Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

Now, the destiny of France

is in your hands.

You remember the way to the Bastille?

D'ARTAGNAN: How could I forget?

I think you're the bravest girl I've ever known.

It doesn't matter whether you bring Philippe back

as king of France

so long as you bring him back.

Depend on this.

Philippe returns or we stay.

[ Music playing ]

Put out your torches.

From here, we go in darkness.

[ Music playing ]

Time for rounds.

Why go? Nothing ever happens.

[ Music playing ]

[ Screams ]

Be quiet there.

I'll fix you.

Porthos, gag him, bind him.

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Philippe.

D'Artagnan.

Sit down.

Get this thing off my head.

My brain's bursting.

Yes, yes, I have the key.

How could your own brother be such a monster?

[ Loud screaming ]

[ Clock chiming ]

Four o'clock.

Thirty-three's seeing ghosts again.

Well...

[ Screaming continues ]

It turns, but it doesn't open.

It's a double lock.

A Chinese thing.

I-- I don't remember.

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Whip snaps ]

[ Whimpering ]

[ Screaming ]

MAN: Shut up in there!

[ Whip snapping ]

[ Screaming ]

MAN: Now, will you shut up?

The guard's just gone by.

We must get out while there's still time.

All clear.

[ Music playing ]

You've suffered enough.

You can be king or you can be free.

It's for you to decide.

Take me where the crown of France is to be found.

[ Music playing ]

Athos, guard that door.

Waken him.

No, it's not a dream, brother.

Remember me? The Gascon rebel who amused you

until you discovered he was your brother?

You should remember this, too,

one of your more clever inventions.

No, it's not there.

It's here.

Go away. You're dead, strangled.

How fast does your own beard grow, brother?

I'll give you anything.

I'll recognize you.

I'll make you rich, all of you.

A million francs in gold, two million.

When you turned the lock on this,

you locked out any mercy

that might have been in my heart.

You knew I was your brother, your twin.

We were almost one body, one life,

you half, me half,

but you forced my half to live in shadow and despair

so that your half might live in grandeur and glory.

There is one law in life, brother,

that not even a king can escape,

the law of retribution.

Pendulum of the clock of life swings

so far in one direction,

then very surely swings back.

The pendulum is swinging for you, brother.

The time has come when your half must live in the shadows,

not for what you've done to me,

but for what you've done to the people of France.

Not because I have suffered at your hands,

but because they have suffered more.

Not because you would have murdered me,

but because you have murdered them.

Because you betrayed a sacred trust,

because you've proven yourself unfit

to live in the light of day.

Fair exchange, brother,

my kingdom for yours.

Put it on him.

[ Gasping ]

[ Screaming ]

Now, see how you like it.

Let me out! Let me out.

A million francs in gold!

[ Pounding on door ]

LOUIS: Let me out.

I'm the king.

[ Pounding on door ]

Let me out.

Let me out!

Let me out.

I'm the king.

Help! Murderers!

LOUIS: Let me out. I'm the king.

[ Pounding on door ]

LOUIS: Let me out.

[ Knock on door ]

Yeah. Who is it? Come in.

Excellency. Excellency.

I told you to keep those dogs quiet.

But Excellency, men came,

gentlemen with swords, they choked me.

Gentlemen with swords?

Are you crazy?

No one gets in here unless I open the door.

Are any prisoners missing?

-No, Excellency. -No, Excellency.

You fools. You're drunk.

Do you think such lies could cover it?

You neglect your duty and permit those dogs

to wake me up again!

I'll attend to them first

and you later.

Get out of my way.

[ Shouting ]

LOUIS: Let me out.

Do you hear? Gold.

I'll give you anything.

I command you to let me out.

I'm the king!

I've never heard him scream before.

No, commandant.

Sooner or later, they all go mad.

Open the door!

I have a better cure for madness than any doctor.

Now, then.

Well, you do believe me, don't you?

You've come to set me free.

I'll make you rich.

The fools, to think they could do this to the King.

Hurry.

Be quick, I tell you. I'm the king.

[ Laughs ]

So I've come to let you out, have I?

[ Whipping ]

LOUIS: I'm the king.

You'll hang for this!

Yes, your majesty,

but after this command, in a whisper.

LOUIS: But I'm the king.

Now, maybe I can get some sleep.

Good night, your majesty!

[ Sobbing ]

But I am the king.

[ Sighs ]

Good morning, your majesty.

I trust you enjoyed a good night's rest.

Oh, Fouquet, good morning.

Pardon me.

I informed Madame Fouquet that your majesty

has graciously promised to make her a duchess.

Duchess?

Why? Yes.

Uh, Colbert.

Oh, yeah.

His spy system works very well.

It seems he was warned.

He escaped my men at the house,

but they'll have him before night.

Every road is closed.

Your majesty, I am very happy to report

that the tax on salt is yielding

double the revenue we expected.

Hmm.

Then I'm sure you'll also be pleased with this.

[ Clears throat ]

But your majesty,

this rescinds the salt tax.

I know.

Have you ever tasted fish without salt, Fouquet?

Fish?

Without--

why-- but...

-It's no good. -No.

-It's terrible. -Yes.

Besides, the people object.

-They don't like me. -Oh.

You can't eat fish without salt

any more than you can make cloth without wool,

or bread without flour.

So I have decided to remove all those taxes.

But why, your majesty? Why?

I had a dream, Fouquet.

Do you know where bad kings go?

Your majesty, you cannot do this.

I'm sure you're wrong.

You spent your whole life assuring me

that I could do anything.

For instance, I could even hang you.

Well, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty's in a jesting mood this morning.

Yes, amusing isn't it?

Very amusing.

[ Door opens ]

Your Majesty.

Monsieur Fouquet,

I regret my absence of last night.

It would have given me great pleasure

to have received you when you called

with your friends.

I'm told Your Majesty is seeking me in some haste.

Oh, yes.

I wanted you to proclaim these decrees

abolishing the taxes.

Your Majesty, this is one of the great days of my life.

But the receipt?

Receipt?

Oh, we found the money. It was all a mistake.

If you'll excuse me.

Your Majesty I feel slightly indisposed.

Of course, you must very careful of your health.

And I do hope Madame Fouquet will not be too unhappy.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, please.

Ho, there!

Hello there!

Fool, can't hear me.

[ Knock on door ]

Guard, guard.

Listen to me. I'll make you rich.

[ Chuckling ] Yes, I know.

You're the King of France.

A million Francs in gold.

Look, ask me for anything.

-I'll give it to you. Anything! -[ Laughing ]

But you don't understand!

You've got to listen to me.

[ Laughing ]

I can feel them growing, growing,

they'll strangle me!

You've got to take it off!

MAN: What? Take off your Majesty's crown?

I should say not.

[ Laughing ]

Why you dog, I'll tell the commandant about this.

Morning Madame, lovely day.

LOUIS: Ho, there.

Hey.

MAN: "Take this to Fouquet, the Kings minister

and receive 5000 Francs reward."

My son,

there is one thing you must do and quickly.

You must marry Maria Theresa at once.

Must?

Why, that's the most pleasant thing I've heard

since leaving Gascony.

Once you have married Maria Theresa

and the people of Spain and our own country

acknowledge her as queen of France,

there can be no question as to who is King.

MAN: Her Royal Highness, Princess Maria Theresa.

[ Music playing ]

Do you remember that day in your carriage,

we watched the boy and girl run off across the fields?

Philippe.

I feel just as they must have felt.

Colbert would like to ask you a question?

No, I think I'll ask this question myself.

Oh, oh most certainly your Majesty.

Will you be Queen of France?

Yes, your Majesty.

Even if the title is a little clouded?

Even if there were no title.

Even after I said to you never trust a king?

I can trust you.

Oh, there's more to it than that.

A technical question that must settled

before you can become queen.

Do you love me?

I've always loved you Philippe.

It maybe his Majesty who is getting married.

But you, your Excellency will be

the most handsome man at the ceremony.

Certainly the best dressed.

The carriage of the princess has just passed over the bridge

on the way to Fontainebleau.

Really?

How fortunate the bridge did not collapse.

Your own guard is waiting with your carriage.

Your Excellency, this person,

a herdsman, insists upon speaking with you.

A herdsman? What have I to do with a herdsman?

What's he want?

5,000 Francs.

-Hmm, for what? -For a tin plate.

There's some silly writing on it.

Plate? Writing? What do you mean?

Yes, your Excellency. Writing on a plate.

It says, "Philippe of Gascony

sits on the throne of France,"

when everyone knows the King's name is Louis.

Give me that plate.

5,000 Francs, it says, your Excellency.

Quiet.

Philippe of Gascony?

Throne of France.

For the first time in my life I was a fool.

Send for the captain of my guard.

Yes, your Excellency.

Take my carriage and my entire guard.

Go to the Bastille.

Take from his cell a prisoner who wears an iron mask.

Deliver him to me at the Church of Fontainebleau.

But your Excellency, the Bastille?

Are you afraid of hanging, my friend?

At this point, it's necessary for all of us

to hang together or we'll all hang separately.

Yes, your Excellency.

[ Music playing ]

Faster you fool, faster.

But we'll kill the horses.

Kill them then.

[ Choir singing ]

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here

at the sight of God and of man

in the Holy Mother Church

to join this man unto this woman

in the bonds of holy matrimony.

If there be any among you

who know why this should not be done,

let him speak now

or forever hold his peace.

I speak.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

Milord Cardinal, I warn you,

you perform this marriage at your peril.

That man is not the King of France.

The man is mad, seize him.

Stay where you are.

He may look like the king,

he may dress like the King,

he may even speak like the King,

but he is not the King.

But do not fear milord Cardinal,

his Majesty, The King of France

will attend your ceremony,

in fact, he is on his way at this moment,

and I have an engagement to meet him

on the Paris Fontainebleau road.

Wait, I'll go with you.

-[ Gunshot ] -[ Crowd gasps ]

Where are you going?

After a murderer and to bar the Paris road.

I pledge my life that you are the only King

that will come here by that road, this day.

You forget my friend that only a King can bar a road.

We will bar the road.

Milord Cardinal, my lords and ladies.

I beg your indulgence to deal with an enemy of France.

Forgive me, my dear.

I find I must disposed of another technicality

before you can become Queen of France.

[ Music playing ]

Your majesty,

I'm most happy to be the instrument

of your liberation.

You, liberation, you let them do this to me.

But your majesty.

[ Music playing ]

-Fouquet and his king. -If we must fight,

let's fight at the top of the hill,

their horses will be tired from the climb.

How far is it now to Fontainebleau

and the church?

Two leagues your majesty.

Two leagues to revenge.

Nothing must happen to my dear brother.

He belongs to me.

[ Music playing ]

Now we fight on foot,

surprise them as they come over the top of the hill.

You three on this side, Philippe and I over here.

And may the devil take the hindmost.

-We'll get the captain first. -Yes.

Now.

Why don't the fools go on?

We're attacked, your majesty.

Philippe delivers himself to us.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Groans ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Groans ]

Never mind me, stop the coach.

He's right, the coach must be stopped.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Gunshot ]

I learned that little trick in Flanders.

Remind me to teach it to you sometime.

Are you hurt?

[ Laughs ]

Always remember to lick your wound after the battle.

Faster driver, faster!

[ Music playing ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Music playing ]

[ Wood cracking ]

Get me out!

[ Screaming ]

[ Music playing ]

I find myself sorry for him,

when he's given me cause to feel nothing but hate.

Your majesty has other urgent unfinished business.

[ Music playing ]

You may proceed, milord Cardinal.

Who gives this woman unto this man?

I claim that privilege.

[ Music playing ]

CARDINAL: I join you in marriage

in the name of the Father,

the Son, the Holy Ghost.

ALL: Amen.

Congratulations, my son.

Now, you are the greatest swordsman in France.

D'Artagnan.

Porthos, Arthos, and Aramis will be waiting.

You wouldn't want me to disappoint them.

God save the King.

[ Choir singing ]

He was a brave man.

France will always need brave men.

And brave women

to remind men of their duty.

God save France.

[ Choir singing ]

[ Music playing ]