Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

(ominous music)

- Right!

- Turnkey!

Bring out the prisoner, William Gluck.

- Yes, Colonel.

Come out.

- Thought you were in a hurry to get me in?

- Gluck, General Lanen is inclined to offer your clemency

in return for information.

- What clemency can anyone expect from Gurko Lanen?

- If you value your life,

give us the names of your accomplices.

- I don't value it that highly.

- So you're the young man who made the mistake

of shooting at me this morning.

- My mistake was in missing you.

- You are worse than an assassin.

You're a fool.

(dramatic music)

- That's what your countrymen think of you,

Colonel Zimmerman, for saving Gurko Lanen's life

three years ago,

when Lichtenburg might've been saved

by another fool like me.

I missed you this morning because I was too far away.

But now...

- Stop.

Let him go.

That was the second mistake you made, Gluck.

Men like you never realize that I rule you collectively

because I can master you individually.

They tell me that you're a blacksmith.

- And proud of it.

- Good.

Well, I'm the son of a stonemason,

and also proud of it.

Zimmerman, you are not to interfere

under any circumstances. - Yes, Excellency.

(punches thud)

- Now you can hang him.

- Guard, fall in.

- Will you please see that Her Royal Highness' carriage

is ready, Stadt?

- Yes, Baron Von Neuhof.

- We're ready.

- You have everything?

Money, prospects?

- Everything.

- Remember, you'll not be out of danger for a moment.

- Yes, yes I know, but please don't worry about me.

General Lanen will never suspect.

For years, I've gone for drive

every afternoon at five o'clock.

- Yes, but today you're driving to Paris.

If anything happened to you,

I should never forgive myself.

- My dear, we both know that our last hope is for you

or for me to make a personal appeal to the French.

For weeks, General Lanen's watched your every move.

Therefore, I'm the one to go.

I thought we'd settled all that.

- This will inform Louis Napoleon

of true conditions in Lichtenburg

and what we offer for his intervention.

It will be fatal if it falls into the wrong hand.

- I'll see that that doesn't happen.

- Her Royal Highness' carriage is waiting.

- Very good, Stadt.

If you look at Louis Napoleon like that,

you will come back with an army corps.

(solemn music)

- Well done, Stadt.

- She's pretending to go for her afternoon drive,

but she intends to go further, across the frontier,

then to Paris.

- Her Royal Highness has just left the palace.

You may go, Stadt.

Well done.

- Thank you, Excellency.

- But you will stop her?

- It's difficult to believe that the prime minister

would accuse himself of treason in writing.

- But you've got him now, Excellency.

- You must have patience, Zimmerman.

Patience is a wonderful thing.

- Yes, Excellency.

- When you're after mice, you can treat them as mice,

but from Von Neuhof is a lion,

and you can't catch a lion in a mouse trap.

But treason, that will bring down even a lion.

- Yes, Excellency.

(Lanen knocks at door)

- See who it is, Stadt.

- Lovely afternoon for drive, my dear Baron.

Your parting with Her Royal Highness

must've been very touching.

I'm wondering how you could bring yourself

to permit a beautiful and inexperienced young girl

to set out for a foreign land

carrying a very dangerous letter

in your own hand writing.

You see, my spy system works very well.

- Just what do you mean, Lanen?

- I mean that when a prime minister conspires

to set the troops of another nation against his own people,

it is called treason,

and is punishable by death.

I've just given orders

to have Her Royal Highness brought back,

and with her, the proof of your treason.

- You wouldn't dare to lay hands on Zona of Lichtenburg.

- You mean that I wouldn't dare

to permit Her Royal Highness to leave Lichtenburg.

Aside from my personal feeling,

Zona of Lichtenburg is the symbol of an authority

that has existed in this country for 20 generations,

and I desire to employ that symbol extensively

in my dealings with the people.

Up to now, your influences prevented a closer understanding

between Her Royal Highness and myself.

It is a pity that such a braven careers as yours

must come to an end, my dear Baron.

Zimmerman?

- [Zimmerman] Excellency?

Baron Von Neuhof is to be confined in the palace dungeon

until the day of his trial.

- [Zimmerman] Guards.

(cheerful music)

- That's the first free breath I've taken

since we left the palace.

I can still feel every stone in the city

staring at the back of my neck.

- I'll feel like breathing

when we cross the frontier at Petsh.

Poor Baron Von Neuhof.

I wonder what will happen

when General Lanen discovers we've gone.

- Think of what would have happened if we hadn't gone.

It's getting chilly.

We're being followed!

- By whom? - The palace guard.

Max, hurry.

(dramatic music)

- She's seen us.

(dogs bark)

- This way! This way!

- Faster, Max.

(dogs bark)

(horses whinny)

(carriage wheel clatters)

- Are you all right, Countess, and Her Royal Highness?

- No, don't worry about us.

Go get the horses.

- I'm terribly sorry if my dogs frightened you.

- You, you ruffian!

My poor lamb.

- I do assure you, mademoiselle, it was an accident.

- He calls setting his dogs on us an accident.

- Isn't there something I can do?

- Can you get us to Petsh quickly at once?

- Not in your carriage, I'm afraid.

- Oh, forget the carriage.

Just get us to Petsh.

- In that case, it's as easy as-

- As what?

- As this.

(dramatic music)

- Mademoiselle seems to be in a great hurry.

- I am.

- Fritz, you know a shortcut through the woods?

- Yes, sir, this way.

- Hang on.

(dogs bark)

(ominous music)

- What happened to Her Royal Highness?

Where is she?

- Well, I don't know.

They were here when we went after the horses.

- Arrest these men.

Lieutenant Stone, take half the men

and search the left side of the road.

The rest of you, follow me.

They can't get far on foot.

Spread out!

(cheerful music)

- In my haste to make amends,

I've forgotten to ask who you are.

- Yes, silly, isn't he?

- And you don't know the ruffian who wrecked your carriage.

I'm the Count of Monte Cristo.

- Miss Favendop?

May I present the Count of Monte Cristo?

- I beg your pardon?

- Favendop, Zona Favendop.

- Oh, Favendop.

Very unusual, isn't it?

- Can't we go a little faster?

- Surely, hold on tighter.

(dogs bark)

(romantic music)

- Madam, after great effort, I, Hercules Snyder,

have found you the only carriage in Petsh.

Of course, the horses may not be the best in the world.

- Can they walk?

- Oh, yes, madam.

- That's all is necessary.

Point them towards Paris and start moving.

- Tonight, madam?

- Certainly, tonight.

- But it's dark.

- You don't say?

It usually is at night.

(romantic music)

- Paris is the other way.

You're looking back towards Lichtenburg.

- Yes, I know.

I used to think it the most beautiful country in the world.

Are you staying long in Petsh?

- No, I'm on my way to Lichtenburg on business.

At about five o'clock this afternoon,

it became a real pleasure trip.

I'm sure you weren't able to find a carriage.

- You were right, no carriage.

- But we must find one.

- No carriage.

That's too bad.

But after all, you do have one, because I sent for mine.

You haven't told me the object of your journey,

but I know it must be urgent.

It was the only right that I replaced your carriage

with mine to save you further delay.

Besides, the road isn't safe

for a young girl traveling alone.

Anything could happen.

- You're quite right.

You're sure you don't mind a very early start?

- Oh, not at all.

The horses and I will be waiting with the dawn.

- Dawn?

Haven't you had enough driving and excitement for one day?

You will forgive us, won't you?

(Countess yawns)

- Oh.

Good night.

- Yes.

- Oh, well,

good night. - Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, Miss Favendop.

- What are you doing?

- We're getting out of here.

I've got a carriage and it's waiting downstairs.

- You mean you- - I lied to him?

Of course I lied to him.

It was the only way to get rid of him.

That young man makes a career of helping people

who are in trouble get into more trouble.

- But he's so nice.

I feel guilty deceiving him.

- Zona.

Zona Favendop.

Ah, that can be changed.

And it's a long way to Paris.

(dramatic music)

- Soldiers!

Lichtenburg soldiers!

- See that nobody leaves this room.

Look here, fellow.

There's a carriage waiting outside, for whom?

- This is not Lichtenburg.

I don't know how you crossed the frontier,

but you have no right to ask me questions.

- For whom is the carriage waiting?

- Two ladies, guests, ladies of quality.

Their carriage met with an accident.

- And where are these two ladies of quality?

- In the parlor at the top of the stairs.

(soldier knocks at door)

(door cracks)

- Your Royal Highness?

- How dare you force your way into this room.

- My orders are to escort you

back to Lichtenburg, Your Highness.

I am also instructed to secure a certain letter

you are carrying to the emperor to the French.

- [Zona] Must I remind you

that I'm the Grand Duchess of Lichtenburg

and command my own person?

- I am under orders, Your Highness.

The letter, if you please.

- I think Her Royal Highness said

she commanded her own person.

- Who are you?

- My friend here will introduce me.

- Please, don't!

(swords clatter)

- Don't worry.

My father was best swordsman in France.

(table shatters)

(Edmund's body thuds)

- If I, Hercules Snyder, had been 20 years younger,

the whole Lichtenburg army

couldn't have taken her away from here.

- What kind of a country is it

when common soldiers lay hands on their own queen?

- From the tales I hear,

the days are as black as nights in Lichtenburg.

- Our poor little Grand Duchess.

A crown is a pretty heavy load for so young a head.

And so beautiful.

The saints be praised.

You are too brave a gentlemen

for those bandits to finish you.

- Are you sure you feel right, sir?

- Oh!

- Oh, there, there, poor gentleman, there.

- Faven.

Faven.

Favendop.

- Run, get the doctor.

He's out of his head.

- No, nevermind the doctor.

Get me my carriage.

My business in Lichtenburg is more urgent than I thought.

(dramatic music)

- Zona, please.

You've been pacing the floor for hours.

- Von Neuhof guilty, branded a traitor, a criminal,

and his only crime was in being my father's friend and mine.

- He was more than my master, he was my friend.

I would have given my life.

- I understand how you feel, Stadt.

You were one of the few people he trusted.

- Surely Your Royal Highness has some plan to save him.

- We must save him.

How can they print such lies about him?

- Because Gurko Lanen wrote them.

(Lanen knocks at door)

- You may go, Stadt, and Countess, if you don't mind.

- Ah, my roses.

A thanks offering for your safe return.

- General Lanen, I command you

to set Baron Von Neuhof free at once.

- Ordinarily, your wish would be my command,

but Von Neuhof must die.

I understand your grief.

You are thinking of his services to you,

but I must consider his danger to me.

- I consider that you're having him murdered.

- When the same thing happened to Caesar and Louis XVI,

they didn't call it murder, they called it patriotism.

- If Baron Von Neuhof is guilty, then so am I.

Arrest me.

- Arrest Your Royal Highness?

Unthinkable.

- Then I have nothing more to say to you.

- But there is something that I have wanted to say to you

of the greatest importance for three years.

If there is a difference between myself and other men,

it is because I have dared to carry out my dreams.

I dreamed of becoming master of Lichtenburg.

Well, I am master,

but I have other dreams, more personal.

Some men are born under a star,

and my great dream has been to share my star with you.

- What are you suggesting, General Lanen?

- You should be able to recognize

an honest proposal of marriage.

- Marriage, with you?

A liar, a murderer?

- Say it, madame, a peasant.

My blood springs from the soil,

and it runs rich and strong.

History proves that blue blood has always benefited

when mingled with red.

Better than any man, I appreciate all you represent.

Zona, you're a queen, but you're also a woman.

Together, we could build a greater Lichtenburg,

could pass its glory on to our children.

- Are you trying to say you love me, General Lanen?

- I've been trying to say it for months.

Even when you look through me, rather than at me.

I've often wondered when you look at me, what you see.

- I see a man I'd give my life to destroy.

Get out.

- I quite understand.

The heiress to greatness talking to the peasant.

Good morning, Your Royal Highness.

(dramatic music)

- This paper has been printed for months.

Now, some of you people here know who printed it.

My orders are to strip every house in this town

until we uncover the press.

- I know who did it.

- Who?

Who?

- I'll take you there.

- Go ahead.

Guards.

- There it is.

There it is, in here.

- Smash in those windows.

Clean out this place.

(windows shatter)

(citizen exclaim)

- Where's the press that printed this filth?

- I don't know.

- Where is it? - In the basement.

I heard it.

- Arrest him.

Schwarz, Weiler, come with me.

- Steady hand, sir.

All right, outside.

- So, you're Kurt Mirbach,

the man who prints The Torch?

Using your store as a blind to hide this press?

It took me three months to hunt you down.

You know the penalty for printing a newspaper

without government sanction?

- Yes, but the charges against Von Neuhof are lies.

There are some things not even the rope can strangle.

- Take him away.

(solemn music)

Clean out this pig sty.

- Stop!

This is not law and order.

- [Zimmerman] General Lanen

gives the commands for Lichtenburg.

- But this is tyranny!

- Arrest him!

(citizens exclaim)

(gun fires)

Stop him!

A thousand kronen to the man who catches him.

- This way!

- You two men search that street.

You come with me.

(dramatic music)

- This way.

- Not here, this is our own store.

- I know it is.

Where's your cellar?

- Over here.

Look what they've done.

I'll pay them back for this.

Why did you think of coming here?

- This is the one place

they'll never think of looking for you.

- Thank you for getting me away,

but you shouldn't have helped me.

They'll hunt you down and kill you on sight.

- How about you?

- Oh, I'm used to being hunted.

They've been trying to catch us for months.

- Well, ducking in here was simple.

I wish I knew how we were going to duck out.

- There is a way out, here.

This is the way we sent the papers out.

- Why didn't you escape this way?

- Oh, we couldn't do that.

These steps lead to some friends.

We might've betrayed them.

(ominous music)

In the old days, this was a cemetery.

- It looks as if it still is.

- This is the place.

(Hans knocks at door)

- Who is this man?

- He saved my life.

Gentlemen, the printing press is destroyed.

My father is arrested.

The same thing would've happened to me, only for this man.

(guards knock at door)

- Hans, at least you escaped.

I saw what you did, sir.

That was enough to assure you're welcome here.

- I saw what you did.

That was enough to explain you being here.

- I am Fritz Dorner, Lieutenant of the Household Guard.

This is Lieutenant Schultz.

- Lieutenant.

I'm Edmund Dantes,

sometimes called the Count of Monte Cristo.

- Monte Cristo?

- You're Monte Cristo?

- The richest man in Europe.

- It's like meeting a legend face-to-face.

You're twice welcome.

- Thank you for what you did.

(men chatter)

- Listen, everyone.

Disaster has dealt us a second blow, a death blow.

Gurko has given Zimmerman secret orders

that Baron Von Neuhof is to die at midnight.

When he dies, all that is good in Lichtenburg

will die with him.

- Von Neuhof?

- [Man] Yes, this is a picture of Baron Von Neuhof.

- Where are you going?

- Gluck missed him, I won't.

- Killing Gurko isn't the answer.

I could've done that long ago.

We must kill what Gurko represents.

- Yeah, you're right. - That's right.

- You must have a high opinion of our country.

Welcome to the tomb with the news

that our greatest man is to be assassinated,

and the knowledge that our Grand Duchess

is a prisoner in her own palace.

- Prisoner?

But surely you intend doing something about it.

- Easier said than done.

Zona is helpless without the support

and constant of Von Neuhof.

To save her, we must save Von Neuhof first.

- And Von Neuhof is in the palace dungeon,

under a death watch.

- As if an old man could dig his way out

with his bare hands.

- There is one chance,

but it's so slim, it's impossible.

- We'll take any chance.

- None of you can help me.

I have to have someone in the palace,

someone beyond Gurko's suspicion.

- You men make me a little ashamed of myself.

One hears of men like you, but never sees them.

You're right, if Von Neuhof's to be saved,

it must be from inside the palace.

Perhaps I can qualify as the volunteer you need.

- You?

But how can you, a stranger, get in the palace?

- By using a bank drop for 25 million francs

as a calling card.

Money has opened stronger doors.

I'm in Lichtenburg because General Lanen

has applied to the house of Monte Cristo for a loan.

- A loan? - Yes,

which I have just decided to grant.

(dramatic music)

- Gentlemen, I'd consider it a privilege

to help you prove that the torch of liberty

is difficult to extinguish.

- You mean be one of us?

- Mentally, I've been one of you

since my first hour in this country.

(men chatter)

My dear General Lanen,

so good of you to receive me.

Beastly businesses, this banking.

- Do you know, you look like an entirely different person?

- I hope the effect doesn't remain permanent.

You know, I'm glad I thought of buying these glasses

on the way back to the hotel.

They add that last perfect touch.

I wish I didn't have to do this.

- I'd understand perfectly

if you'd like to change your mind

about going through with it.

- Oh, I'm not worried about that.

I was thinking of Her Royal Highness, Zona.

After our meeting in Petsh,

she must've thought me a fool.

And now, when we meet again in the palace,

I have to make her believe

that I'm a bigger fool than she thought.

I can't let her know the me I'd like her to know.

And I can't let General Lanen know

the me I'd like him to know.

I, I'm getting a little confused.

I'm beginning to wonder which me is me.

(men chuckle)

- It'll take more than a few ruffles

and a pair of eyeglasses to fool Gurko Lanen.

- You'd be better off with a sword in your hand.

- I'm afraid General Lanen would suspect a man

who tried to get close to him with a sword in his hand.

- What makes you so sure he won't suspect a fop?

- A fop is a fool,

and a fool enjoys a strange protection

not shared by other men.

No one takes a fool seriously.

- You'll need protection if Gurko discovers

your real purpose is to help Von Neuhof escape.

- My dear Lieutenant Dorner,

I'm sure I can convince General Lanen

that the Count of Monte Cristo

has absolutely no interest in a slimy old dungeon.

(men chuckle)

Order my carriage.

I'm a trifle late for this appointment.

Four days, to be exact.

- Excellency, your carriage is waiting.

- The Count of Monte Cristo to see Your Excellency.

- Monte Cristo, eh?

So he decided to come three days after I had expected him?

If I were some sniveling prince,

these bankers would come fawning

to give me anything I wanted.

If I didn't need his money to build up my army,

I'd give His Excellency the Count of Monte Cristo

a lesson in keeping appointments,

All right, go ahead and bring him in.

We should have the pleasure of listening to another banker

give us excuses instead of money.

- My dear Count.

The Count of Monte Cristo, Your Excellency.

- Welcome to Lichtenburg, Your Excellency.

- Thank you.

Terrible sorry to be so late.

That's a weakness of mine.

I once kept the Tsar of Prussia waiting two weeks.

(chuckles) Oh.

But at last, I'm face-to-face with the great Gurko Lanen.

- I would hardly allude to myself as great.

- Oh, naturally not.

That's the privilege reserved for your admirers.

They say a cat can look at a king,

so perhaps the humble banker can look at a hero.

Do you mind my curiosity?

- Not at all, but won't you sit down?

- If only you knew how I simply adore men of action.

Strong, self-made men, with high ambition,

who grasp life firmly and bend it to their will.

My father was like that, you know?

- Yes, I do know.

A remarkable man.

- Yes, I suppose he was,

but I'm getting a little bored

having him stuffed down my throat by everyone.

Oh, don't misunderstand me.

I loved him and all that, but I I'll never forgive him.

- Really, why not?

- Well, if only he'd endowed me

with a little of his character, instead of all his money,

I too, might've been a man of action,

but I'm not, so there you are.

- Yes, but men of action can do nothing

without the support of influential bankers.

Surely you must thrill to the knowledge

that there is more power in your signature

than there is in my sword.

- Thrill?

I detest banking.

Why, at this moment it's taken me away from Paris

at the very height of the social season.

If it wasn't for my intense interest in meeting you,

I'd be very unhappy.

However, here I am, so there you are.

Oh, let's get on to business.

You applied to my banking house for a loan, I believe.

- Yes, sir, 25 million francs.

- 25 million francs?

Is that all?

Well, I thought it was more.

- Well, I-

- Hubba-ba, we can discuss that later.

Of course, I could give you a yes or no now.

But that wouldn't be good banking.

I've been taught to frown at a client,

put him off, keep him dangling,

so I'm afraid you'll just have to dangle a while.

Filthy business, isn't it?

- No hurry, no hurry at all.

I wanted to do to be thoroughly convinced

that your loan would be a secure one,

and I assure you- - Now, now, now, now, now.

Don't try and get a decision out of me.

I've already made one, but you must dangle.

- I trust that, during your stay,

you will be my guest here at the palace.

- That's most considerate of you.

I should be charmed.

- Colonel Zimmerman, send for Lieutenant Dorner.

- [Zimmerman] Yes, Excellency.

- Oh, there were two things that told me

to be sure and see in Lichtenburg, if I can remember them.

Oh, yes, your lovely countryside

and your Grand Duchess Zona.

I hear she's very beautiful.

- It would be my pleasure to present you

to Her Royal Highness.

Perhaps tonight?

We dine at 8:30.

- Charming, charming.

- Lieutenant Dorner, this is the Count of Monte Cristo,

my personal guest.

See that he's given one of the royal apartments,

and that everything is done for his comfort.

- Thank you, General.

At 8:30, then?

- A bit of a fool, Zimmerman, but rich.

I think if we handled him carefully,

we would get what we want.

- Zona, will you stop wriggling?

This is the fifth time I've gone through the motions

of getting you dressed.

- Are you sure I look all right?

- If you mean will he suspect

that you haven't had a week of sleep in four nights,

the answer is no.

- I remember he said

he was coming to Lichtenburg on business,

but I never dreamed he'd come here.

- Will you please try to remember

that you're a Grand Duchess?

- Darling, it's the first time in my life

I haven't felt like one.

He may be able to help us.

A man like the Count of Monte Cristo

must have powerful friends.

- Baron Von Neuhof had powerful friends,

and he's having his dinner in the palace dungeon.

Perhaps his last dinner.

I'm sorry.

(Stadt knocks at door)

- Come in.

- Dinner is served at the pleasure of Her Royal Highness.

- Thank you, sir.

(romantic music)

- Your Royal Highness,

may I present the Count of Monte Cristo?

- I'm happy indeed to welcome you to Lichtenburg.

- Your Royal Highness,

I can't tell you how honored I am to be here.

- The Countess Von Braun, the Count of Monte Cristo.

- My dear Count.

- Enchanted.

- The count of Monte Cristo is the last person

I expected to receive here.

- I hope Your Royal Highness won't think I'm presumptuous.

It's terribly funny, but, for a moment,

I had a feeling we've met before?

Perhaps it's because Her Royal Highness

reminds me of someone I once knew.

Oh, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

But of course, she was not the Grand Duchess of Lichtenburg.

Oh, no.

In fact her name was Favendop. (chuckles)

- What?

- Yes, really it was, Favendop.

- Well, my dear Cristo,

you don't strike me as being the type of man

who would let a beautiful woman escape him,

even if her name was whatever it was you said.

- Well, I did everything I could.

I was even ready to joust for the fair lady's favor.

I'm not a very good jouster,

but she rode off, out of my life.

- Shall we have dinner?

- My dear General Lanen, it's so refreshing

in this day of unrest to find a country where one firm hand

dictates the national policy.

Why, do you know, in France, it's come to the point where,

well, even a chimney sweep

considers himself as good as a king.

- In Lichtenburg, it is my policy

to keep chimney sweeps in the chimneys.

- Oh, chimney sweeps in the chimneys. (laughs)

Excellent, my dear General, excellent.

Very funny fellow, isn't he?

- I understand you're in Lichtenburg on business,

Your Excellency.

- Well, no, not exactly, you see-

- Oh, he's too modest.

Since three o'clock this afternoon,

Lichtenburg is indebted to His Excellency

in the sum of 25 million francs.

- On the contrary, my dear General,

I feel greatly indebted to you.

It's such a privilege to meet a great man

doing such great things for this country.

Would a count place a monetary value on achievement?

Don't you agree, Your Royal Highness?

- Gentlemen, I'll leave you to your cigars and port.

- But I don't smoke,

and my doctor assures me that port

is the reason all Englishman have the gout.

- If you'll excuse me, I have a headache.

- I'm afraid the ladies didn't enjoy their dinner.

- Oh, really?

I thought it very palatable.

- I have to report the 10 o'clock inspection

of the guard has been made.

- 10 o'clock?

Excuse me.

Must be the provincial atmosphere,

but I have that drowsy feeling,

just right after a good dinner

and before a good night's sleep.

- I quite understand.

You must have had a very tiring day.

Suppose we just say good night?

- Ah, the perfect host,

who knows the exact moment at which to say good night.

- Attend His Excellency.

- Schultz and I are ready at 11.

- 11.

Splendid, that gives me exactly 58 minutes and 30 seconds.

- This way, Your Excellency.

- If you don't mind, I think I'll go this way,

and I don't need an attendant.

(solemn music)

- Your Highness, what a pleasant surprise.

But fresh air is, I believe, the best cure for a headache.

May I?

- You change characters quite easily.

I saw you first as a cavalier.

Now I see you in the role of a fop,

flattering the ego of a man that your first personality

should have every reason to despise.

Just what is your true character?

- Oh, I'm a businessman.

A banker to be exact.

I believe in making my clients feel superior to myself.

- In Petsh, you made me believe

you were a chivalrous gentlemen.

I even cherished the memory of what you did that night.

- I hope you'll believe it's my desire

to add to that memory.

- By lending General Lanen all the money he needs

to completely destroy my country?

- But loans are not based on sentiment,

but on sound collateral.

- And what collateral does he offer you?

- A mortgage on the whole of Lichtenburg.

- What you have bought is a partnership

in his crimes against my people.

From what I've heard of your father,

he'd hardly be proud to know that his son

had financed a tyrant and a traitor.

- But perhaps I made this loan because I consider you

the most important part of my security?

- How unfortunate.

You should know that General Lanen

does not include me in the collateral,

for the reason that General Lanen

has proposed marriage to me, also on a business basis.

- You know, you're even more beautiful when you're angry.

- Good night.

- Ah, well, one thing at a time.

Goodnight, beloved.

- Therefore, I, Gurko Lanen,

do impose the sentence of death by hanging

upon the set Baron Von Neuhof,

and do order that the execution of this death warrant

shall be carried out at 12 o'clock midnight, May the 10th.

- Which is tonight, I believe.

- Do you have anything to say?

- Yes, you may deliver the last message to General Lanen.

Tell him that if he hopes to bury loyalty

to Zona of Lichtenburg in my grave,

it will rise again to destroy him.

- [Zimmerman] Guards.

(solemn music)

- Don't shoot,

just Lieutenant Dorner reporting for duty, sir.

- Well, for the rest of my life,

I'm going to view all fireplaces with suspicion,

but it's very useful.

- My father and grandfather

were officers of the household guard.

They taught me a lot of useful things about this palace

Gurko doesn't know.

- Let's hope that fireplace is one of them.

Are we ready?

- As ready as the last hope can be.

- But it's better than no hope at all.

- I feel that I dragged you into this.

- I galloped in.

- We've one chance in a hundred of getting to Von Neuhof,

to say nothing of getting him out.

- That makes it a sporting proposition.

Shall we go?

- This way.

- Where's Schultz?

- Making his rounds.

He'll join us below.

These stairs have been forgotten for 50 years.

- Let's hope they won't be remembered for another 50.

- In one minute, the sentry will inspect Von Neuhof's cell.

I'll meet you at the bottom of the stairs.

- All right.

- I'd better go in first.

You'll be recognized on sight.

- But you'll be recognized, too.

- No, I won't.

I decided to create another character

that General Lanen doesn't know.

And I hope he never will.

(ominous music)

- Well, it's the last night we'll have to do this.

- And good riddance.

- The problem with this job,

we're as much in jail as Von Neuhof.

- Yes, but we aren't going to hang in an hour.

(guard knocks at door)

- Nothing new.

He's sleeping like a baby.

- Well, I wouldn't be sleeping like a baby.

- You would, if you were an aristocrat like Von Neuhof.

- Well, let's have a look at him.

He's sleeping, all right.

- Remember the plan?

- I know it by heart.

- The minute we get Von Neuhof out,

we make for the north tower.

(Edmund knocks at door)

(punch thuds)

- Baron Von Neuhof, please don't be alarmed.

I'll have you out of here on a minute.

- Who are you?

- A friend.

- Young man, this is madness.

- If every prisoner thought that,

there'd never be an escape.

Come on, we're leaving.

- Take this gun, sir.

This way, quick!

They bolted the door from the outside.

(gong echoes)

- That's the turnkey, he's in trouble!

- We're locked in.

- Guards! - Hurry, men!

- Where are the guards!

- Something's happened in there.

- What happened, what happened?

- Quick, a man in a mask and cape took Von Neuhof.

The old corridor, quick!

- Guards, this leads to the armory.

- There are guards there.

(dramatic music)

- This way!

There's nothing beyond here.

This is a blind corridor.

Now it is even a sporting competition.

- You boys have been very foolish.

There will be four of us on the scaffold now.

- We haven't climbed those steps yet.

What's that?

- The old sewer, runs under here to the river.

- That's our way out!

- It won't move!

- It's rusted in.

- Let's all try one side.

- Fire into that bolt.

(guns fire)

- Go hold those guards off.

(guns fire)

- It's giving!

(guns fire)

- Schultz!

- There's nobody in here.

- By the time they figure out where we are,

we won't be there.

- This way.

(dramatic music)

- Traitorous swine.

- Take more than fairytales and goblins to explain this.

Not even a man in a mask

could disappear through these walls.

Look at that, footprints, finger marks.

Disappeared through the walls.

You imbeciles!

You stuffed dummies in uniform.

The world knows that I considered Von Neuhof

a special prisoner, kept him in this dungeon

where I could watch him to prevent his escape,

and you have dared to humiliate me

by permitting him to get away.

The man you were guarding was to die at midnight.

You two will die in his place.

- But Excellency, we're innocent.

- Innocent or guilty, you will die,

if only because I must show the bodies

of more than one traitor to explain such an escape.

See that my orders are carried out.

Now, pick up that grating.

- Let me go, Excellency.

Your life may be in danger.

- With Von Neuhof at liberty,

more than my life is in danger.

- In here.

- When you're after sewer rats, Zimmerman,

you have to go into sewers to find them.

- Baron Von Neuhof. - Baron Von Neuhof!

(men chatter)

- We're so happy to see you.

- Hans, Hans!

Go back along the path of the sewer

that leads to the palace.

Keep a close watch, we may have been followed.

- This is indeed a happy day for us.

- It's difficult for me to speak,

because I never expected to see you again.

And I shouldn't have, but for Monte Cristo,

who is a living proof

that if justice is crushed in one land,

men will spring to its defense in every land,

for the spirit of justice creates a common brotherhood.

Tonight, you have dealt Gurko Lanen a great blow,

not because you rescued a prisoner named Von Neuhof,

but because you set free a man

who was a threat to his ambition,

but it's no victory.

Gurko Lanen is not defeated so easily.

He's lost one prisoner,

but he holds another far more important,

Zona of Lichtenburg.

Until she is free, we have done nothing.

- But it will take an army to free her.

- Yes, I know it will.

Our one hope is still the French.

Louis Napoleon is my friend.

I leave tonight for Paris.

- We'll see that you get safely out of the city.

- Yes. - Yes, right.

(ominous music)

(water splashes)

- They came out of the water here.

The old catacombs.

Here are footprints.

They lead to this door.

Break it down.

(dramatic music)

The Torch.

Whoever he is, this Torch is dangerous.

He has a sense of humor.

(romantic music)

- Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness.

- Good afternoon.

You surprise me.

You're quite agile for a banker.

- Ah, but it wasn't the banker who climbed up here.

I just couldn't resist a balcony,

a beautiful girl, and the impulse.

A remarkable man could make a business

of freeing caged birds.

So many people who appear to be free are really prisoners.

- You appear to be quite free.

- Oh, but I'm not.

I've been a prisoner from the moment I found you

in your wrecked carriage.

You're a prisoner, too.

It's such a pity you have to be a Grand Duchess

when there are so many roads to be traveled,

mountains to be crossed, happiness, laughter,

all the things you could have

if you weren't a Grand Duchess.

- Who would give them to me?

- I would, and I could, too,

if you were really Zona Favendop,

the girl on her way to Paris.

Love could come riding up to her carriage,

but it's almost impossible for love

to pass the sentries of the doors of a palace.

- The man I'd welcome wouldn't find it impossible

to pass the sentries,

nor would it be necessary for him to enter the palace.

I'd go out to meet him,

a man like The Torch.

- What, a ruffian, a masquerader?

- A ruffian and a masquerader

who's unselfish enough to risk his life for others.

Such a man would dare take love in his hands,

be its master.

- Oh, you don't think I have daring,

that I could be master?

- Daring in sport, perhaps, master of money.

- I was speaking of love.

- That's to remind you I'm not Zona Favendop.

- Oh, Your Royal Highness, good afternoon.

(suspenseful music)

- Now.

(citizens chatter)

(men laugh)

- Who is this Torch?

- He must be a magician.

- How did he get Von Neuhof out of the palace dungeon?

- Gurko's soldiers are looking for him all over the city.

- Well, well, insulting, isn't it?

Must be a nasty sort, this, this Torch fellow.

- If I could only lay my hands on him.

- Well, why don't you just reach out and grab him?

You could, you know?

My, I don't envy you.

Too many problems.

Always worried about Von Neuhof, Louis Napoleon,

and now this Torch, who seems to me

to be just like some character out of a comic opera.

- My dear Cristo, at this moment,

your comic opera character

is a greater menace than the French.

I appreciate how really dangerous he is.

I've used the same weapons he's using against me.

Why, this Torch is more useful to Von Neuhof

than a whole army corps.

Overnight, he could become a hero,

a popular leader, and the people would follow blindly.

Mystery, excitement, daring,

those are the things that the people admire.

- Really?

Oh, well, then you have to catch the fellow.

You have made this Torch sound very formidable.

- Formidable?

Well, he's too clever to be run down

by a squad of pig-headed soldiers,

but I have my own weapons.

This Torch has friends, fellow conspirators,

any one of whom would sell his soul for 25,000 kronen.

(ominous music)

- May I?

A little closer, please?

Thank you.

Splendid, I'll double the reward.

And furthermore, I'm willing to wager you

that the fellow is nothing but a silly crackpot

with no more brains than I have.

- [Zimmerman] The French ambassador.

- Von Neuhof certainly hasn't been letting any grass

grow under his feet.

I've been expecting him.

Let him in.

- Please excuse me.

I find affairs of state simply horrid,

and even more repugnant than banking.

- His Excellency, the Marquis de Chatante.

- Good afternoon, Your Excellency.

Sit down.

- I can carry out

the instructions of my government standing.

General Lanen, I'm instructed to inform you

that my government recognizes Baron Von Neuhof

as the legal representative

of the government of Lichtenburg.

- Oh, really?

- Either your surrender Her Royal Highness,

the Grand Duchess Zona,

into the custody of the French government,

or she will be liberated by force.

- My dear Ambassador,

I'm not as naive as that.

To you, Von Neuhof may still be the head

of the legal government of Lichtenburg,

but I have Her Royal Highness, who is the government itself,

and possession is nine points of the law.

- Very well.

I will report your answer to my government.

- May I ask Your Excellency a question?

- Yes.

- What would be the attitude of your government

if Her Royal Highness announced her marriage

with one General Lanen?

- [Ambassador] Impossible.

- Not at all.

If she thought that there was any danger to her people

of a Russian invasion, she would do almost anything

to save them from such a fate.

- A Russian invasion?

- Surely Your Excellency realizes that Russia

is just as interested as France

in using Lichtenburg as a buffer against Bismarck.

I can understand the readiness of your government

to support Von Neuhof against me,

but is it as eager to support him against me and Russia?

Good afternoon, Your Excellency.

- Zona?

Zona?

The French ambassador just left, and Gurko is furious.

- That's because of Baron Von Neuhof.

I knew something like that would happen

as soon as he escaped.

Oh, Mathilde, if we could only do something to help.

(glass shatters)

- No, Zona, wait!

- There's a note there.

- [Both] To help Baron Von Neuhof and your people,

you must escape.

- A way has been planned.

- [Both] Be at the postern gate,

peasant dress, at 10 tonight.

- And trust The Torch. - The Torch.

Maybe it's a trap, a forgery.

- No, it isn't.

I know it isn't.

(Lanen knocks at door)

Come in.

You wish to see me?

- Isn't it natural for a man to wish to see

the woman who fills his thoughts?

- If you'll excuse me.

- You may leave without an apology, my dear Countess.

- Well, I never in my life.

(romantic music)

- Your Royal Highness, I have never seen you so beautiful.

You look almost happy.

- My opportunities for happiness

have been rather limited General Lanen.

I didn't expect another visit from you.

- Did you think me the kind of man

who was easily discouraged?

Discouragement only makes me fight harder.

- Do the kind of man you are

take into consideration my feelings?

- Zona, believe me,

I desire your happiness above anything else in the world.

- So you prove it by keeping me a prisoner,

away from my friends, my people.

Your kind of man, General Lanen,

wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice

even the woman he loved to his ambitions.

- Would it be such a great sacrifice

to share your throne, your life with a man who loves you?

- Could you marry a woman who despises you?

- If she knew how much I loved her, she wouldn't despise me.

My destiny has led me to this palace, and to you.

- I've already told you, General Lanen,

I wouldn't marry you under any consideration.

- My object in coming here

was to ask you to change that decision.

- That has the sound of a threat.

And if I don't?

- At the moment, Your Royal Highness,

it is only a suggestion.

- Of what?

- That I should be most unhappy

to adopt another method of obtaining your consent.

I have no wish to press you too closely.

I shall return tomorrow at this hour for your answer.

And in the meantime,

I hope that it will add to your happiness to know

this will be the longest night of my life.

- Mathilde, Mathilde!

- Yes, what happened?

What did he want?

- Marriage, only this time, it was a demand.

Mathilde, what'll I do?

- You can get out of here.

- Yes, yes, but how?

We'll need help.

- Stadt, that's it.

Stadt, we can trust him.

- You're right.

Get him, get him.

- Stadt, I know how greatly Baron Von Neuhof trusted you.

- Yes, Highness.

- He never doubted your loyalty.

- Oh, no, Highness.

- I want you to help me.

You must help me.

- Anything, Highness.

- I'm trusting you with the whole of Lichtenburg.

- The Torch?

- Somehow, you must get a peasant costume

for Countess Von Braun and myself.

I know what a risk you take,

but I promise you, the reward will also be great.

Will you do this for me?

- Yes, Highness, gladly.

- Go then, hurry.

(ominous music)

- I've thought to myself I've been of some small service

to Your Excellency?

- You've done well, Stadt.

- I've also thought to myself

I am fitted for much larger opportunities.

- A man's advancement rests upon his ability.

- Exactly.

I'm about to prove my ability by accomplishing something

even Your Excellency has found impossible:

The capture of The Torch.

- What do you mean?

Do you know who he is?

- No, but I know where he'll be at 10 o'clock tonight.

- Well, come on out with it.

- Did I mention, Excellency, that I'm an ambitious man?

And I'm sure Your Excellency would agree

that a man who makes possible The Torch's capture

has demonstrated his right to larger opportunities,

to say nothing to the financial reward.

- You're right, Stadt.

What do you want?

- I feel I could serve Your Excellency to better advantage

as a, shall we say, chief of a secret police?

- I have underestimated you, Stadt.

I admire a man who knows what he wants and how to get it.

I think the man that runs down The Torch

should be chief of a secret police.

- Thank you.

- And now?

- The Torch has a rendezvous with Her Royal Highness

at 10 tonight; he has planned her escape.

If you set a trap at the postern gate

near the servants quarters, you'll catch not only The Torch,

but Her Royal Highness.

- How do you know?

- Your Excellency forgets,

I also have Her Royal Highness' complete confidence.

If I can be of any further service?

- Cover every inch of the palace grounds with troops

and keep them concealed until The Torch walks into the trap.

- Yes, Excellency.

- I never realized how clever Stadt really was.

- But this is only your signature.

- Over it, write an order of the death of one Conrad Stadt.

- But I thought...

- If he will betray Her Royal Highness,

he will also betray me,

but do not carry out the order

until after we've caught The Torch.

(bell tolls)

- Everything is arranged, Your Highness.

There's a peasant car waiting outside the gate.

- Stand where you are.

- Stand clear.

- [Zimmerman] Lower your sword.

- I'll be glad to give it to you.

- Stay out, Zimmerman.

This is my prisoner.

(dramatic music)

(swords clatter)

- By the way you handle your sword,

you must be a gentleman.

- My father was the best swordsman in France.

- My father was the best swordsman in France.

- Don't worry, I'll be back!

- Monte Cristo.

- Stop him.

- I told you The Torch would be here

and now he's gotten away.

- Stadt!

- Yes, Your Royal Highness, Stadt.

- Zimmerman.

Conduct Her Royal Highness to her apartment

and keep it under constant guard.

She's not to go anywhere or see anyone

without my permission.

- If you please.

(stones scrape)

(fireplace clicks)

(fireplace clicks)

- Stop.

Good evening, Your Excellency.

- Good evening.

- Are you badly hurt?

- Oh, no, it's just a scratch.

- I was worried about you, so I followed you here.

- You came in without knocking.

- Yes, I am a spy.

- Now I understand.

Well, what do you want, Stadt?

- You know, it's very difficult for a man

who's always wanted everything

to suddenly discover he can have everything he ever wanted.

Just, uh, what do you consider your life worth?

For instance, it's worth 25,000 kronen to Gurko Lanen,

dead or alive.

- That's a miserly offer, don't you think?

I'm worth much more to myself.

- It is strange how one's sense of values changes.

Before I discovered you were The Torch,

I thought 25,000 kronen was a fortune,

but now I realize you could toss that amount to a beggar.

And I do not have to beg.

- You've a very clever man, Stadt.

Would you,

would you mind telling me how you found out about this?

- I've always enjoyed the complete confidence

of Her Royal Highness.

- Oh, I see.

And of course, you betrayed at the General Lanen.

- Suppose we say I took advantage of my opportunities.

- Oh, I'm a trifle nervous.

- Yes, I can understand.

- I also take advantage of my opportunities.

- I just can't believe it.

Monte Cristo, The Torch?

And I thought him nothing but a young idiot

with more money than brains.

- I called him worse than that.

And all the time, his life was in danger.

Oh, Mathilde, what must he think of me?

- He must think the world of you.

Good night, darling.

(melancholy music)

- What is it, Zimmerman?

- Stadt's body was found

where we fought The Torch last night,

with 30 silver coins in his hands,

and this tied around his neck.

- The Torch again.

(dramatic music)

Well, at least we're saved the trouble

of getting rid of the ambitious Mr. Stadt.

- Do you mind?

- Not at all.

- Thank you.

- A remarkable fellow, this Torch,

not only a grim sense of humor,

but the very devil in his sword blade.

- My dear General Lanen,

I came to Lichtenburg as a banker,

not to attend a perpetual masked ball.

This Torch of yours will upset my entire social season.

I wish you'd catch the fellow

so that I can get back to Paris.

After all, he is your affair.

- We'll catch him, and soon.

- Whether we catch him or not matters little now.

- Oh, I thought he was such a problem?

- Yes, he was a problem.

But in a few moments, Von Neuhof, France, and The Torch

will have lost their ability to interfere in my affairs.

- The Russian ambassador, Excellency.

- Go show Prince Pavlov here

and see that we're not disturbed.

- Your Excellency.

- My dear Paul, I've been expecting you.

The Count of Monte Cristo, Prince Pavlov.

- How do you do?

- So you are the young man with all the money.

- Not all.

- I wanted Monte Cristo here

so that he could witness the signature

of our historic agreement.

After all, he has a great interest in Lichtenburg affairs,

25 million francs' worth, to be exact.

- Oh, I think it covers the points of our agreement,

Your Excellency.

- Yes.

Yes, all ready for signature.

My dear Paul.

- Thank you.

- This agreement pledges Russia

to put me on the throne of Lichtenburg,

and to keep me there by force, if necessary.

Now you can understand why

the future activities of The Torch

are reduced to mere mock heroics.

- King Gurko I, it's incredible, really.

- I'll feel better when this agreement is deposited

in the embassy safe.

- This is more than an agreement.

It is practically an announcement of my betrothal

to Zona of Lichtenburg.

- [Pavlov] You'll make a charming couple.

- [Lanen] Thank you.

- Your Excellency.

My dear Count.

- And now, if you will excuse me, my dear Cristo,

I have a very important appointment at this hour.

I trust you will not have to return to Paris

before my wedding.

- Ah, yes, your wedding.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

(melancholy music)

- General Lanen is still outside.

He's been waiting 10 minutes.

Have you forgotten, my dear?

- He's here for his answer.

I'll go.

- You know why I'm here.

- My answer is the same.

What you ask is impossible.

- I think I told you that I would regret

having to adopt another method of gaining your consent.

The Russian ambassador has the duplicate

in his possession.

- You mean you've betrayed the people of Lichtenburg?

Turned the country into a Russian province?

Why, even you can't do that.

- I dreamed that one day I would be king,

and that you would sit by my side.

You forget, Zona, that I am a man

who dares to carry out his dreams.

- If the people knew you'd signed such an agreement

they'd storm the palace and drag you through the streets.

- Power of diplomacy lies in the fact that

the people never discover the truth until it is too late.

I know how deeply you love your people.

How concerned you must be for their welfare.

Zona, marry me.

Share my star.

We can rise to any heights with it,

and endow our children with its greatness.

- You're right about the concern I have for my people.

You've made it impossible for me to save them.

But I was born their queen.

I must remain their queen,

no matter what the cost.

- You mean you will?

- I cannot abandon my country

when it needs whatever protection I can give.

There's nothing left for me to do but marry you.

- Zona.

(horses trot)

(dramatic music)

- You're a bold robber, my friend, to accost me.

- [Edmund] I'm not interested in your purse, Prince Pavlov.

I'm pursuing a hobby.

- In a mask and cloak?

A rather dangerous hobby, I should say.

- I'm collecting the autographs of certain people,

like yourself and General Lanen, shall we say?

Do you think I carry pen and paper in my pocket?

- [Edmund] The autographs I want

are on the document you carry so close to your heart.

Forgive me.

- You fool, you'll hang for this.

(bell tolls)

(melancholy music)

- (gasps) Edmund!

- How did you find out?

Tell me.

- You told me yourself

when you were fighting for me at the postern gate.

- How?

- Of course.

I used the same trick against Gurko I used at Petsh.

- I should've known from the first.

- I didn't want you to know.

- Edmund, I remember all those dreadful things I said to you

at the same time you were risking everything for me.

But even when I said them, I hated myself for it.

Can you ever forgive me?

- I remember one thing you said,

that a man like The Torch wouldn't have to pass

the sentries at the gates of the palace.

You'd go out and meet him.

Is that still true?

- It's always been true,

from that very first day at Petsh.

- Then why did you write you couldn't see me again?

- Because,

not even The Torch can help me now.

I couldn't bear to look at you again

after you knew I must marry General Lanen.

- But you don't have to marry him.

That's what I came here to tell you.

- I've seen that.

That's why I must marry him.

- No, you saw Gurko's copy.

This one I stole from Pavlov.

Tomorrow, the world will know that Gurko's a traitor.

It won't let you sacrifice yourself to such a man.

I'm worn out, climbing in and out of windows

and up and down chimneys.

It'll be such a relief to go through an ordinary door again.

It would have been much simpler

if you had been Zona Favendop,

a young girl on her way to Paris.

- Edmund, you remember,

on the balcony, I slapped you.

- You know, we're not entirely safe yet.

- I must get back to my room before Gurko misses me.

Perhaps I shouldn't have come here at all,

but I had to let you know.

(suspenseful music)

(bell tolls)

- I warn you, General Lanen,

my government will demand satisfaction

for the manhandling of its ambassador.

And if our agreement is made public prematurely,

I will denounce it as a forgery.

- The safety of that document

means more to me than it does to you, Pavlov.

In the hands of my enemies, it would destroy me.

The Torch, the man's a genius.

Wherever he strikes, it's always in a vital spot.

We've been fools, Zimmerman.

We've be looking for this Torch in the wrong place.

He's right here in this palace,

and I can prove it to you by simple reasoning.

Four men in the whole world

knew of the existence of our agreement.

Now, three of them are here in this room.

The other- - Monte Cristo?

- That gilded fool.

- No, that very clever young man.

In whose interest has this Torch been working?

- Zona!

- Therefore, Zona must know who he is.

- In Russia, he would have been arrested on less suspicion.

- You can't arrest a man

as powerful as Monte Cristo on suspicion.

It requires proof.

And I think I know how I can get it.

Would you gentlemen be interested in joining me

in a psychological experiment?

Present my compliments to Her Royal Highness

and ask her to be kind enough

to come down here for a moment.

- Ask Her Royal Highness to come here?

- I think she'd be glad to come

if you mentioned that it concerns The Torch.

- Her Royal Highness.

- I don't understand why you asked me to come here.

- I wanted to prepare Your Royal Highness for a shock.

I know how great your interest must be

in a man who has risked his life in your service.

- My service?

- A short time ago, Prince Pavlov was robbed

of his copy of our agreement by The Torch,

but not without a struggle,

during which The Torch lost the one clue

which makes his capture inevitable.

My men are closing in on him at this moment.

- Why do you tell me this?

- Well, to soften your natural grief

at the news of his capture and sentence.

His activities force me to make an example of him.

- He will hang.

- [Lanen] There is nothing else I can do.

- Is that all you wanted to tell me, General Lanen?

- Why, yes.

- Since when has the hanging of one man

been of such great concern?

- In Russia, we are more forceful.

She's not interested in The Torch.

Your experiment was not very successful.

- You must be patient, Pavlov.

This is only the beginning of my experiment.

(melancholy music)

(Zona knocks at door)

- Come in.

Zona?

- Edmund, you must get away quickly.

General Lanen's men are on their way to arrest you.

- How did you find out?

- In the struggle with Pavlov, you left a clue.

- But there was no struggle with Pavlov.

- But you, well then why did Lanen tell me?

He's using me to trap you.

He'll follow me.

Oh, please go, while there's still time.

- He'll be too late.

By morning, the agreement he made with Pavlov

will be in the hands of the people.

He'll be glad to save himself.

- But he doesn't need until morning to destroy you.

Please go, for my sake.

- All right.

I'm going, but I'll be back.

He told them to arrest the Count of Monte Cristo,

but he didn't say anything about The Torch.

In the past, the Count of Monte Cristo

has protected The Torch.

Now it's The Torch's turn to protect Monte Cristo.

(romantic music)

If only you had been Zona Favendop.

- Edmund, I'm afraid.

I fear we may never see each other again.

Please, just for one instant, let me be Zona Favendop.

(footsteps thud)

- Guards, halt.

Guard every exit.

Arrest the Count of Monte Cristo on sight.

(dramatic music)

- [Guard] Guards, halt.

Guard the passageway.

Arrest the Count of Monte Cristo on sight.

- There are guards everywhere.

How are you going to escape?

- Through the fireplace.

The old fellows who built this palace

used their imaginations.

Do you love me?

- More than anything in the whole world.

- Keep saying that til I get back.

- I've made arrangements for you to stay.

Will you please put down that sword?

I regret that a cell will not be as comfortable

as your present quarters,

but it is only a temporary arrangement.

- I'm sorry to disappoint you.

(dramatic music)

(swords clatter)

(window shatters)

- [Lanen] Arrest that man!

- It seems that I am forced to accept

your kind hospitality after all.

- I'll trouble you for the agreement

that you stole from Prince Pavlov.

Because of your great interest in this document,

I want you to see it returned to its rightful owner.

- As I mentioned once before,

I'll feel much easier when this is in the embassy safe.

- At times, blind loyalty is dangerous.

Your friend, Lieutenant Dorner, for instance,

tried to warn you that we were coming for you.

- This is the first time I've permitted my feelings

to come before my duty, but I couldn't see them take you.

- He'll keep you company where you're going.

Take him away.

- Fall in.

Forward march.

(ominous music)

(bells toll)

(dramatic music)

- I understand now how my father must have felt,

20 years in a cell.

- I'd rather be dead than cooped up in a place like this.

- Don't worry, you'll get your wish.

Gurko Lanen's very accommodating.

- The Torch, hey?

There you are, Your Excellency.

A billy do for ya.

Shall I wait for an answer?

It's an invitation to the wedding.

If you stand on your tiptoes,

you might be able to see the palace from the scaffold.

(guards laugh)

(melancholy music)

(Edmund chuckles)

- I wonder why I never thought Gurko Lanen

had a sense of humor.

- It's beautiful, just as you're the most beautiful bride

that Lichtenburg will ever see.

- Oh, Mathilde, don't, please.

- I'm sorry, I'm just an old fool.

- There must be some way.

How can I walk to an altar

at the same moment he's walking to the scaffold?

Perhaps if I begged General Lanen,

he might save him at the last minute.

- Beg?

You can't do that.

- I can do anything for him,

just as he was willing to do anything for me.

(ominous music)

- The crowd is impatient for Her Royal Highness

and Your Excellency to make an appearance.

- In time, in time.

(guard knocks at door)

- Come in.

Her Royal Highness.

- You may go, Zimmerman.

- Zona, you're lovely,

but don't you know that it's bad luck

for the groom to see the bride in her bridal gown

before they meet at the altar?

That is, it would be bad luck, if I believed in luck.

(crowd cheers)

They're waiting for us.

- General Lanen, I know you're a man without mercy,

but I must ask you for mercy.

At this moment, you've realized all your dreams.

Your star is shining in the high heavens.

You have what you want.

- Yes, I have everything I want.

I have something for you,

your wedding present.

I do hope that it'll make you happy.

- You have the power to give me something

that will make me very happy,

the life of Monte Cristo, his liberty.

Please, send him back to France.

He can't hurt you now.

- But he can hurt me,

not as The Torch, but as a man

who has held you in his arms and kissed you.

If he were alive,

I would remember that every time I looked at you.

Shall we go?

(regal music)

(crowd cheers)

- Good people of Lichtenburg, Her Royal Highness and I

thank you all for this demonstration of your loyalty,

affection, and happiness at our marriage.

Her Royal Highness finds it difficult to speak to you

because of the depth of her emotion,

but I'm sure that she will join me

in saying that this is the happiest day of her life.

- This is the happiest day of my life.

(crowd cheers)

(somber music)

- That'll take care of you.

I guess they're ready.

(trapdoor clanks)

- It would have been worth coming to Lichtenburg

just to know you, if for no other reason.

- I'm glad I'm going to be with you til you leave.

- Who goes there?

- Transferred prisoners from Brigmond.

Out you come, line up!

March.

- Hands up!

Get in that jail.

- Baron Von Neuhof!

- Disarm them.

We'll need you.

Bring your keys.

Let's sack them up.

- Get back.

- Edmund!

Edmund! - Here!

- Open the door.

- Edmund. - Von Neuhof!

- Get back there.

- You didn't think we'd just stand back and see you die.

- It's all planned, you're going back to France.

- No, you're wrong.

If you get me out of here,

I'm going to a wedding that's about to take place.

- Edmund, let well enough alone.

We're grateful for your life.

You've done all that any man can do.

From now on, the fight is ours.

- Not while there's a copy of that Russian agreement

in Pavlov's safe.

- It's too late for that now.

The moment Gurko marries Zona,

he becomes co-ruler of Lichtenburg,

with the powers of a king.

Even if we had the evidence, there's no time to use it.

And the palace is surrounded by troops.

- Wait a minute.

I think we could use it, without fighting the troops.

A good surprise is deadlier than an army.

Hans, can you make a hundred copies like this quickly?

- Yes.

- How quickly?

- Two hours, maybe one hour.

- Too long, half an hour.

- I'll try. - Good, start now.

- Edmund, this is madness.

- Of course it is, we're all mad men.

That's why we have the strength of a thousand ordinary men.

- Well said.

We don't have much time.

(dramatic music)

- An outrage, an outrage.

I am the secretary to His Highness, Prince Pavlov,

the ambassador of His Imperial Majesty.

- Then you're just the man we're looking for.

Open that safe.

- I refuse.

- Open it.

- I will, but I warn you, only under protest.

- You'll write your protest after we leave.

- Max, the whole country will thank you

for letting us ruin your stock like this.

- If those wedding bells make Gurko king of Lichtenburg,

nobody's stock will be worth much.

- [Man] Here they are!

Monte Cristo!

- That's mine. - You all look marvelous.

- Thanks.

- Where's Hans?

- He's not here yet.

- What, no.

- Hans, they're waiting for you.

- Hans!

- I did it, but the press will never be the same.

- I knew you'd do it.

Pass these out.

Now, listen, everyone.

Remember to look and act

as though you really had been invited.

Be on your dignity as befits the occasion.

Once you're inside the palace, mingle with the guests,

but take up positions where you can watch every door

and every window and every soldier in the ballroom,

then wait for me.

- We might get into the palace,

but how will the Baron, you, and Dorner get in?

- You're marked men, they'll shoot you on sight.

- I know.

We'll have to capture the guards outside the palace.

- What, the three of you?

- We're all agreed the wedding must be stopped, aren't we?

- [Men] Yes!

- Well, then, let's stop it!

Hans! - Give me a gun.

- Give me a gun.

(dramatic music)

- But this is-

- I am extremely sorry, my dear Baron.

I don't wish to offend the Count Von Brauski,

but my instructions are to admit no one

without an invitation.

- In that case, we shall both leave.

- Oh, but my dear Baron, you were invited.

You must stay.

- I am sorry.

The invitations, gentlemen?

- I've ordered my carriage to return at 11.

Do you think the ceremony will be over by then?

- Oh, yes, sir, I am sure.

Thank you, sir.

- Invitations, gentlemen?

(regal music)

- Think it'll work?

- It has to work.

(staff knocks)

- Her Royal Highness, Zona, Grand Duchess of Lichtenburg.

(choir sings)

- Hast thou Zona a good and unconstrained will

and a firm intention to take onto thyself to husband

this man, Gurko, whom thou seest here before thee?

- I have, Your Imminence.

- Thou hast not promised thyself to any other man?

- I have not promised myself, Your Imminence.

- We let that Torch get away,

and there's 50,000 kronen on his head.

- Nevermind his head, but your neck.

The gallows we built for him, Gurko will use for us.

I am free.

- Here, help me.

- Help yourself, I'm on the way to the palace.

There might still be time.

- This servant of God, Gurko,

is crowned onto the handmaiden of God, Zona.

- If Cristo isn't here in another minute,

Lichtenburg will have a new king.

- The handmaiden of God, Zona,

is crowned onto the servant of God, Gurko.

- Signal or no signal,

I'm not gonna see my queen marry that-

- Quiet, you fool.

You'll ruin everything.

- Where is the captain of the guard?

Monte Cristo, The Torch, has escaped,

and there's 50,000 kronen on his head.

- Why tell me?

Won't be my lot to catch him, he'll never come here.

- Why not?

I have an invitation to the wedding

from General Lanen himself,

haven't I, jailer?

- There he is! - Attack!

(dramatic music)

- [Guard] Get him, boys!

(gun fires)

(guards bang on door)

- He's safe, he made it.

- They've locked us in.

Break it down.

- They can yell until they're hoarse.

They won't hear them in there.

We'll get in the old way, through the fireplace,

and meet Cristo on the balcony.

- If there be any among you who know

why these two servants of God should not be wed,

let him speak now or forever after hold his peace.

- I suggest that General Lanen

is best fitted to answer that question.

- The Torch! - The Torch!

- Yes, The Torch,

not a man in a mask and a cloak,

but the symbol of our liberty,

the son of a man who devoted his life

to the defeat of persecution and injustice,

the Count of Monte Cristo.

(guests chatter)

- There's no need to present me to General Lanen.

We're old friends.

- Arrest those men.

(guests exclaim)

- Stay where you are, everyone!

It's my extreme pleasure to inform you

that your guards are prisoners,

and you're taking orders from me,

and the palace is completely surrounded.

Gurko Lanen, I arrest you

in the name of the people of Lichtenburg

for the crime of high treason against the state,

the penalty for which is death.

(gun fires)

(guests exclaim)

- Watch every guard in this room!

- If anyone in this room moves,

there'll be no survivor to the throne of Lichtenburg.

- Proceed with the ceremony.

In another moment, Baron Von Neuhof,

you can present your charges to your king.

Well, go on.

Surely you haven't forgotten the words.

- Repeat after me.

I, Gurko.

- I, Gurko.

- Pledge my life and my love to Zona.

- Pledge my life and my love to Zona.

- To hold and to cherish her until death us do part.

- [Lanen] To hold and to cherish her until death us do part.

- Repeat after me.

I, Zona.

- I, Zona.

- Pledge my life and my love to Gurko.

- Pledge my life and my love to Gurko.

- To hold and to cherish him until death us do part.

- To hold and to cherish him

until death us do part.

- Your right hand.

Your right hand, Zona.

With this ring, I do thee wed.

- With this ring, I do thee wed.

- No!

(dramatic music)

- Don't shoot!

This is my privilege.

What, running from the throne, General Lanen?

(swords clatter)

I fear your fall will be as spectacular as your rise.

(guests scream)

(glass shatters)

- Edmund.

- Remember, I said I'd be back.

- Long live Zona of Lichtenburg!

- [Guests] Long live Her Royal Highness!

- This is really the happiest day of my life.

- Long live the Count of Monte Cristo!

- [Guests] Long live the Count of Monte Cristo!

Hooray!

(triumphant music)

(dramatic music)