Original subtitles

MAN IN BACKGROUND: You, out!

Go on!

PEOPLE COUGH

MAN: Move!

VLASEV: This way, Your Majesty.

Do you know who I am?

CHAINS RATTLE

Do you know who you are?

PRISONER: Ruler.

HE GRUNTS

HE SIGHS

PRISONER: I am Lord...

of all Russia

cousin of Emperor Peter.

You stole the crown from him.

You should...

give it back.

CHAINS CLATTER

One morning...

I heard...

birds...

sing...

in my brain.

A great honour.

VLASEV: What is?

Her Majesty...

paying us a visit at Schlisselburg.

Prisoner Number One.

Obviously someone very important.

I've heard rumours.

Obviously.

Don't listen to rumours.

MAN: Your Majesty. - DOOR SHUTS

CATHERINE: Thank you. I've seen enough.

The Lieutenant will take you back to the boat.

CATHERINE: I've seen you before.

Your Majesty?

Lieutenant Mirovich. With the guard here.

Yes, you made requests for money to my office.

Several times.

And we told you to stop.

I'm sorry if I offended...

Your Majesty, I can assure you it was never...

CATHERINE: It's a mistake to ask rich people for money.

How do you think they got rich?

By giving it away?

Your Majesty.

Did you appoint Lieutenant Mirovich

to guard Prisoner Number One?

I'm not sure I was responsible

for his appointment, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: I don't trust him.

PANIN: Your Majesty. I've been looking at your speech

and on pages 12 and 13

I have made some revisions.

Revisions?

This is my speech, Minister Panin. Not yours.

I've been working on this for years.

You know how important it is to me.

All I feel, Your Majesty, is that some of it...

That some of it is too liberal.

CATHERINE: I'll be the judge of that.

POTEMKIN: What would Your Majesty like me

to do with these?

I can think of a place I would like you to put it

but I'm not minded to be vulgar.

So give it back to Minister Panin.

Maybe he can nibble on it for his tea.

He's always been very good at eating his own words.

PANIN: Yes, Your Majesty. Count Orlov.

Don't you remember that young man?

- Hm? - Lieutenant Potemkin.

He was with us on the day of the coup

when we took your husband from the throne.

Peter allowed himself to be deposed

like a child being put to bed.

SOLDIER: She eats men alive.

You know that?

Sounds like an interesting proposition.

Let's listen.

CATHERINE: When I first came here from Germany

many years ago

I did not even speak the language.

I had little knowledge of the beauties

of the Russian church

and even less of the courage and the strength of its people.

But I fell in love with this country

its spirit, its passion

its soul.

But in these more enlightened times

I believe we need laws

that everyone respects and obeys

the rich and the powerful

as well as the poor and dispossessed.

And so, something needs to change.

Slavery does not have to be a Russian institution.

CROWD MURMURS

That didn't go down well.

I'm afraid I tried to warn your mother.

All of the audience here own serfs.

Most of them have thousands.

Russia's not ready for change.

Is it right for a rich man to own another human being?

Which is still the case in this country.

HE WHISPERS: Look at Orlov.

The man who put her on the throne

and now wants some of it for himself.

CROWD MURMURS

CATHERINE: I believe in reason.

I believe in progress.

And when the indomitable Russian people

fight for these things

and fight to gain a new empire

in which they will be universally acknowledged

then Russia...

your Russia, my Russia...

our Russia

will be truly and eternally great.

MAN IN CROWD: Great!

CROWD CLAMOURS

PANIN: She just got out of that one.

Patriotism. Always good.

You helped to get rid of her husband, Peter the Third

correct?

And now she thinks she can do what she likes

but does she have a right to the throne?

And what did you get out of it?

And? What are you saying?

MIROVICH: I'm... I'm saying she's a usurper.

Now, suppose there was a man

with a legitimate claim to be the Emperor of Russia.

I believe that man is a prisoner at Schliesselburg.

Attention!

GRIGORY: Well, they didn't seem to enjoy that very much

- did they? - CATHERINE: Not so much.

My son came late and looked bored.

GRIGORY: Yes, well, he wants your job, doesn't he?

CATHERINE: "She took the throne.

We can take it from her," that's what they think.

We're not gonna let them do that.

The army remains loyal to us.

CATHERINE: Why was Mirovich outside causing trouble?

I told you he can't be trusted.

PANIN: I honestly had no idea, Your Majesty.

And I can see that it makes him, potentially

a risk as far as the...

very important person he is guarding.

Oh, well, that's a colossal understatement.

Well, if you say you didn't know

you didn't know.

But my son must never be told about this.

Of course not, Your Majesty. This is between...

You and I.

And let us make sure it stays that way.

May I...

make a suggestion?

I'm afraid since the coup, your position is vulnerable

and anyone, however mad

even with a distant claim to the throne is a great risk.

Therefore, can I suggest an order

that states clearly

that if there is any attempt at an escape

Prisoner Number One...

is to be killed.

I know it goes against your liberal principals

but it comes from me.

You had no idea it was in place.

It's for your own protection.

We cannot risk a challenge to your throne.

"Divorce is possibly as old as marriage.

Although I suppose marriage is a few weeks older."

COUNTESS LAUGHS - CATHERINE: Voltaire.

- Oh, you're working. - Mm.

I just passed Count Orlov in the corridor, looking glum.

Oh, my fault, I suppose. Men!

Men.

CATHERINE SIGHS And what are you doing?

I was thinking of wasting your time...

if that was alright?

INDISTINCT CHATTER

OFFICIAL: You will all be seen in good time.

DOGS BARK - Just...

Your Majesty, what about the Girls' College?

Yes. Yes. That's done. That is approved.

COUNTESS: Don't mind me. - MAN: Your most imperial...

CATHERINE: Don't worry, I won't.

Your Majesty, The Turkish ambassador

has sent a strong note to us.

If we stray into their territory...

CATHERINE: Fire and death and the wrath of Allah.

Take absolutely no notice.

OFFICIAL: Of course, Your Majesty.

FOOL: Auntie...

aren't Christians supposed to turn the other cheek?

Especially when people are trying to kill them.

Ah! Your Majesty Peter? Still dead?

AS PUPPET: 'Fraid so. - PUPPET SHRIEKS

COUNTESS: I came to tell you I saw the most gorgeous man.

Oh, where?

In the courtyard round the corner.

If he's still there. He may have been snapped up.

Ah, there's always another gorgeous man

- around the corner. - How long have you got?

- Long enough. - COUNTESS GIGGLES

THEY LAUGH

CATHERINE: That's Lieutenant Potemkin.

COUNTESS: I saw him first.

CATHERINE: I don't think that's strictly true.

Anyway, who is the Empress of Russia?

You are, Your Majesty.

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION

I think we should inspect him more closely.

CATHERINE: Lieutenant Potemkin!

Are you lost?

POTEMKIN: I was once, Your Majesty.

But not now.

CATHERINE: What are you looking for?

The Office of the Palace Guard? The Gentlemen of the Bedchamber?

POTEMKIN: It was you...

Your Majesty. You.

Well, here I am.

My regiment said I was to report to your private office.

Thomas Dimsdale has arrived, Your Majesty.

I have to go.

Dimsdale being the doctor that inoculates

against smallpox?

Why, you're very well informed. Yes.

Yes, I'm thinking of trying it.

It's a risk, but then

life's a risk, isn't it?

From what I've heard

the evidence supports your choice.

I'll enjoy speaking with you again

but now, as usual, I am busy.

The Countess Bruce will look after you.

COUNTESS: I obey. - CATHERINE CHUCKLES

Lieutenant Potemkin.

GRIGORY: What about him? - You're right, it was the day

of the coup when I rode out in front of the troops.

He bent down and he picked up something I'd dropped.

He did.

- A sword knot for your sabre. - CATHERINE LAUGHS: Yes!

He obviously has a talent for picking up things.

SHE LAUGHS

We should invite him to the dinner.

You have an objection to that?

How could I?

It's not as if we're married, is it?

Don't let's have this conversation again.

We've had it so many times.

You know it's impossible.

FOOTSTEPS RECEDE - DOOR CLOSES

I'm not asking to marry you.

Well, what are you asking for then?

Recognition...

gratitude...

for what we did for you.

- You know you have that. - But in public.

Public and private are two completely different things.

- Your life is lived in public. - Thanks to you.

GRIGORY SCOFFS

That wasn't the deal.

I can't do this.

I'm sorry. I just can't.

INDISTINCT SHOUTS

SOLDIERS: Sir.

OFFICER: Soldiers!

SOLDIERS: Sir!

INDISTINCT SHOUTS

ALEXEI: How's my big brother?

Do you mind?

Can I not have a little romance?

Oh, is that what this is?

What do you think I get at home, Alexei?

Can I talk to you for a minute?

GRIGORY SIGHS

GRIGORY: I'll just be a moment.

How's it going with her?

Well, she's not the most exciting girl

- that I've screwed in the last... - With her.

Is that any business of yours?

It's politics. You fuck it up with her

and what happens to us and all that we've worked for?

She's never going to marry me.

Alright? God knows I've tried.

We put her there.

Without us and our armies, she's nothing.

She owes us, Grigory. And she knows it.

Use that.

Does it matter what I wear?

Does she care a damn that I'm reaching 19?

Does she love anything apart from power?

PANIN: She loves a lot of things

- Your Excellency. - A lot of men.

She's a very clever and well read woman, sir.

As you know, she came here when she was 15

taught herself Russian by...

Sleeping with a lot of Russian men.

That'll do.

For the service, I'm sure.

Where is she?

With the Orlovs, probably.

Murdering my father has made them close.

They kick him off the throne

then she becomes Empress and then they kill him.

On her orders probably.

Now she's terrified they'll kill her

unless she's sufficiently grateful.

We do not know that anyone killed your father

Your Highness.

Ah, there's an official explanation?

You probably drafted it.

"Haemorrhoidal colic", wasn't that it?

"Terminal piles." My God. I hate her.

PANIN: You do not hate her.

She is your mother. You love her.

Although sometimes of course, you hate her.

This is only natural.

And one day, you will succeed her.

No ruler lasts forever.

One day soon?

How soon?

Mother.

PANIN: Your Majesty.

Is that suitable for your coming of age ceremony?

PANIN: It is not to your taste?

CATHERINE: He's about to become a man...

PRINCE PAUL: If you'll let me, mother.

...not a Head Steward.

Look, I just want you to be someone of whom I can be proud.

Do you understand?

Um...

Ah, that one.

BELLS JANGLE

POTEMKIN GRUNTS

HE SIGHS

Oh, God.

It's not me you're interested in.

I thought I expressed a great deal of interest.

Oh, Lord.

I'm interested again.

THEY LAUGH

Ah, she is the one you want.

You're clever.

She likes clever men.

Madam, I am a lieutenant of no great import.

All I have is a liberal education

and my great fucking interest.

And she is the Empress of Russia.

Precisely. She is the one you want.

Yes, but the higher one climbs...

the more visible one's arse.

Although that could come to my advantage, I am told.

Huh?

POTEMKIN GRUNTS

I have good reason

for wanting you to go to this dinner.

And make a good impression.

The more she likes me, the better for you. Yes?

But where do I come into all of this?

You come in...

right here.

BELLS CHIME

Why is my son so unattractive?

COUNTESS: It may be something to do with his father.

The Emperor Peter was the ugliest man east of Berlin.

Yes, and now Paul wants to be Emperor too.

The moment he was born

my mother-in-law took him away from me.

She left me on the floor bathed in my own blood and sweat.

From that point on, I really... I never saw him.

GRIGORY: Lieutenant Potemkin, you're looking very smart.

Who are you trying to impress?

Something troubling Your Majesty?

CATHERINE: That's Lieutenant Mirovich. What's he doing here?

Do you know him?

POTEMKIN: Yes, he's a drinker and a gambler.

He owes money everywhere.

He seems in a hurry to leave.

The army is dangerous.

If they think they put you in power, Your Majesty

they'll always think they can take it away.

Are you implying Her Majesty's soldiers

are disloyal, Lieutenant?

I'm saying anyone can be manipulated.

Does the man know your son?

GRIGORY: Sorry, Lieutenant, is this any concern of yours?

What was Lieutenant Mirovich doing here?

Praying, I assume, Your Majesty. I really do not know.

Will you tell my son I wish to speak with him

after the ceremony.

Well, Lieutenant, we must pray too.

POTEMKIN: Yes, we must.

Sir.

We should keep our eye on Lieutenant Potemkin.

He's dangerous.

ARCHBISHOP: "The son can do nothing of himself

but that which he seeth his father do."

When we come to man's estate

we listen to the wisdom of our fathers

and claim what is ours by right.

A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation

and in all the best help give, Lord

to your servant, Paul

and keep him for many years.

THEY SING "MNOGAYA LETA"

SOLDIER: Make way! Make way!

SOLDIER 1: Whoa! - SOLDIER 2: Whoa.

MIROVICH: We wait here till night comes.

Check your weapons.

I was 16 when they married me to your father.

I didn't know that men and women were any different

under their clothes.

If you understand what I mean?

I brought myself up

so I am afraid I think that maturity is just...

- It's a decision that we make. - Is it?

CATHERINE: Oh!

You two, you're always in each other's company.

Are you hatching some conspiracy?

Uh... We were not. We were...

CATHERINE: Not... Not...

Ooh. "Not, not, not, not..." Not what?

- Hm? - I... I... Um...

I think our conversations may have touched

on the fact that

at certain stages, some thought that

when Paul reached his majority, perhaps he might... Um...

Yes? "Might, might..." Might what?

Many people had envisaged, Your Majesty

that... that you would act as Regent

until Paul attained his majority, after which...

he would, um...

Yes? What?

Take more responsibility, Your Majesty.

So many people want the Russian throne.

They die trying to get it

and sometimes they die trying to hang on to it.

People will tell you lies about what you are, Paul.

But remember

you are the son of Peter the Third.

You are the heir to the Russian throne.

One day.

Never forget that.

Now you've reached your majority

I think you should get married.

Yes, Mother.

Why don't you run along and think about beautiful women?

Has he been speaking with the army?

How much does he know

about what's going on at Schlisselburg?

Nothing. I swear it, Your Majesty.

Never talk about the succession...

or about power sharing.

Do you understand me?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I want responsibility for the boy

that's all, Your Majesty.

I have always been loyal to you

ever since we put his father from the throne.

Always loyal.

I want you to find out everything that's going on

at Schlisselburg.

I want to know about this Mirovich.

I do not employ you to foster my son's illusions about himself

but to protect me from those who wish me harm

and there are many.

WATER SPLASHES

SOLDIER: Stay close.

SOLDIER 2: Quiet.

CATHERINE: So...

To my son on his birthday

in the expectation of wisdom.

THEY LAUGH

- To Paul. - ALL: To Paul.

Now, you may have noticed there is an empty chair.

I have invited

one of the brightest and best of our young men

and he is late.

SHOCKED MURMUR

CATHERINE: Ah, b o n a p p é tit.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Lieutenant Potemkin.

At last.

POTEMKIN: I am so sorry to be late, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: Well, you look quite ravishing.

Coming from the most beautiful woman I have ever seen

that is indeed a compliment.

CATHERINE: No, no, no, no.

Before you sit down

everyone has to say something amusing.

And we hear that you are very amusing.

POTEMKIN: What should I say in such illustrious company

to raise a laugh?

"When I first came to this country

a long long time ago, I knew nothing about it.

But I fell in love with its people

their passions

their soul

the indominable Russian spirit.

And yet, this country must change.

Slavery is not a Russian institution.

Only then can your Russia

my Russia, our Russia

become truly and eternally great".

SOLDIER CRIES

SHE LAUGHS

THEY LAUGH

The history of women, Your Majesty

is the history of the worst tyranny in the world

that of the weak over the strong.

GRIGORY: In the end, Lieutenant

the strong have the last word, don't they?

Don't men rule the world?

I'll beg your pardon, Count Orlov.

I believe all of us here in Russia

are governed by a woman.

GUNFIRE AND INDISTINCT SHOUTS

SOLDIER: Clear!

HE PANTS

SOLDIER: Keep your wits about you!

SWORDS CLATTER - SOLDIERS SHOUT

CATHERINE: No one at my table is punished for making jokes.

The only crimes are stupidity

gnawing things...

GUESTS LAUGH - And yawning.

ALEXEI: Grigory.

She's fucking with you.

And so is he.

You know who he is!

Free him!

IVAN: Ruler. Ruler. Lord of all Russia.

I am the rightful ruler.

VLASEV: Easy does it.

MIROVICH: Free him! Free him!

- Orders are orders, Lieutenant. - MIROVICH: No! No, no!

He was Ivan VI, rightful ruler of Russia.

VLASEV: My orders are from Empress Catherine.

MIROVICH: Catherine is a usurper!

GRIGORY SNIFFS So...

you like this boy.

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

GRIGORY SCOFFS

You made it fairly obvious.

Look, I can talk to whoever I choose

in whatever manner I choose.

Do you know what I hold in my hand?

Absolute power.

Do you have any understanding of what that means?

Well...

It can mean nothing at all.

May I remind Your Majesty

that when we put you on the throne...

Now, you mind your language very carefully, Grigory.

Remember who I am now.

Have you forgotten?

You would do so at your peril.

We killed your husband.

I know who killed my husband.

I have it in black and white

in your bloody brother's handwriting.

Are you holding that over my head?

Still? Because you do that.

You watch and you wait

and then you move against people.

Everything I do is wrong, isn't it?

So I yawn?

Sometimes dinner with you can be a bit fucking dull!

You're running out of friends.

FOOTSTEPS RECEDE

DOOR SHUTS

COUNTESS: What are you thinking about?

- Gherkins. - SHE LAUGHS

POTEMKIN: Oh, what does any Russian think about

- when he makes love? - COUNTESS LAUGHS

- POTEMKIN: Gherkins, of course. - COUNTESS: Seriously, stop!

COUNTESS: Seriously... - POTEMKIN SIGHS

Seriously, Lieutenant. What you are thinking about?

I never know.

POTEMKIN: I'm thinking about her

the Empress, of course.

CATHERINE SNORTS

I enjoy spending time in her company.

The fact that she happens to be

the most powerful woman in the world

is entirely incidental?

Yes.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

MAID: Oh!

Were you looking for Countess Bruce, Your Majesty?

- Yes. Yes, I was. But... - MOANS AND LAUGHTER

Maybe it's best not to disturb her.

Unless of course you like that sort of thing.

MAID: I'm a married woman, Your Majesty.

I've nothing to do with...

CATHERINE: Would you tell her that she and Lieutenant Potemkin

are invited to play cards tomorrow night.

The Lieutenant made a most favourable impression.

MAID: Ah, yes, Your Majesty.

COUNTESS GIGGLES

POTEMKIN CHATTERS

COUNTESS SHRIEKS WITH LAUGHTER

PANIN: They wanted you to see it had been done, Your Majesty.

Violence is disgusting, but...

No one else knows.

Mirovich is under guard.

He knows they were under orders to kill Ivan.

I am afraid everyone will assume that it came from you.

Anyone with a claim to the throne is a danger to me.

Even this poor, deranged creature.

- Even... - Your son, Your Majesty?

CATHERINE: Paul is easily led.

There are unscrupulous people in Russia.

Fortunately, I am one of them.

So as you know.

PANIN: We could offer Mirovich a last-minute pardon

on the scaffold

on the condition that he does not say anything

about the death of this gentleman.

CATHERINE: We?

Are you suggesting that I offer him a pardon?

PANIN: It is obviously important to show firmness.

A public execution does that. But...

I also know that you are inclined to be merciful.

CATHERINE SCOFFS Not always.

Ask the girl who does my hair.

PANIN: Showing mercy would be popular, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: It could be so.

I am inclined to mercy where I can be.

PANIN: I hope by now, I understand

the way your mind works, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: So do a lot of people.

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

COUNTESS: Put your money down, gentlemen.

CATHERINE: Bets on, bets on.

Quickly.

- GUESTS GROAN - CATHERINE: Ah, you all lose.

MAN: There we go.

It seems everyone knows everything nowadays.

The Archbishop has somehow found out

about the death of Prisoner Number One.

If he starts talking...

CATHERINE: I've had him sent away before he does.

I think the English had the right idea

in the 16th century:

getting rid of senior clergy and major nobility

at the same time.

CATHERINE: Well, Lieutenant.

Not only good looking but clever too.

I'm lucky to have found you.

For those in power must learn to be criminal.

"What is any kingdom but a great piece

of highway robbery" after all?

- St Augustine. - POTEMKIN: Yes!

THEY LAUGH

- He reads as well. - GRIGORY: Evidently.

But will you fight for Her Majesty?

And not just feed her smart remarks?

Isn't a war with the Turks coming any day now?

Will you fight for the Empress?

To the death...

Your Majesty.

GRIGORY: May I make a suggestion

- about this Mirovich... - CATHERINE: No.

You may leave us, Grigory. And the rest of you can go too.

I want to speak to Lieutenant Potemkin alone.

- Tell me. - About?

Mirovich.

Your judgement of him was accurate.

He has done something very foolish.

POTEMKIN: Well, I know nothing about that affair, Your Majesty.

And I certainly will not raise his name in conversation.

CATHERINE LAUGHS

CATHERINE: Oh, I like you, Lieutenant.

You know, Panin has offered him a pardon.

That was the Minister's idea. Not mine.

POTEMKIN: But why would he do that?

Well, the danger is, you see

a man who is about to die may say anything he wishes.

He may throw around wild accusations

- on the scaffold. - POTEMKIN: So...

Minister Panin has led him to believe

that he is to expect a last-minute reprieve

- on the scaffold... - Mm-hm.

...in order to buy his silence.

But I mean, if you pardon him anyway...

Very good, Lieutenant.

If Mirovich is allowed to live

he's always a risk...

always there to be used by your enemies

to challenge your claim to the throne.

Quite.

I must say

I suspect Minister Panin's sudden enthusiasm

for a show of mercy.

The truth is I'm running out of people

I can trust, Lieutenant.

Do you know...

I have never passed a sentence of death.

I always wanted to be a merciful, liberal ruler.

Must be a very difficult decision.

Mm.

But one that, in the end, only you can make.

GRIGORY: Potemkin... - SOLDIER: Yes, sir.

...the coming man.

Success at court is the...

quickest route to failure, I am told.

I hear you play billiards.

Very badly.

GRIGORY: Then let us play for money.

POTEMKIN SIGHS AND MUTTERS

ALEXEI: A thousand, if you can sink it.

I tell you what...

You give me the thousand now.

If I miss, I give it straight back

plus an additional thousand.

If I sink it, you give me five.

Five thousand.

GRIGORY LAUGHS

POTEMKIN: What's so funny?

THEY LAUGH

You find that funny, do you?

OK.

What do you gentlemen take me for? Hm?

Just another ambitious young man

who's come to court to make his money?

To lie, and deceive and flatter his way to power?

POTEMKIN EXHALES - THEY LAUGH

Yes, yes.

You think I want to shine

the way the rest of you guys shine?

Like rotten wood.

Well, there you have it. You owe me five thousand.

If you're men of your word, that is...

HE GRUNTS

POTEMKIN GROANS

POTEMKIN GROANS AND SPLUTTERS

POTEMKIN: Boys, boys, boys, boys...

Huh? HE SPLUTTERS

GRIGORY: Fuck off!

You've done it now.

You've killed the bastard.

ALEXEI: He's better off dead. - POTEMKIN MURMURS

HE GROANS AND LAUGHS

Did you both kill the Emperor Peter?

Or was it just you, Alexei?

HE LAUGHS

GRIGORY: Alright.

Alright. Alright. Get off.

CROWD BOOS

PANIN: A lively crowd, Your Majesty.

CATHERINE: Yes. Yes, they are.

MAN IN CROWD: Traitor!

Our friend isn't showing much concern, is he?

He isn't.

I am glad Your Majesty has seen fit to show mercy

in this instance.

Did I say that was what I had done?

MESSENGER: By the grace of God

Queen Catherine the Second

the Empress and Autocrat of all Russia

have uncovered a conspiracy

to put an illegitimate Pretender on the throne

and have no hesitation in ordering the supreme penalty

for this hideous crime.

This is a mistake!

I was assured I would be pardoned!

This is a mistake!

I was assured I would be pardoned!

She murdered our true Emperor!

You all know she did!

WOMAN IN CROWD: You're the traitor!

CROWD SCREAMS AND GASPS

MAN IN CROWD: Again, again!

CROWD CHEERS

What have you done?

I spoke to him myself.

I never told him anything.

CROWD ROARS

GRIGORY: What are you doing?

Isn't it obvious? I'm writing.

GRIGORY: What about?

Ideas about equality for everyone under the law.

They're just ideas at the moment.

GRIGORY: It feels like something has changed...

between us.

I will always love you.

But it is over between us.

Why?

Because you have fallen out of love with me

and you don't have the courage to say so.

Oh, I know all about those girls you screw.

Even if I choose not to comment on it.

Because I still care for you.

But you want something I cannot give you.

You want power.

Is that a bruise on your face?

Have you been fighting?

GRIGORY: This fucking thing...

pushes my tits up too far.

POTEMKIN: I can't go to the ball.

GUEST: Your Majesty! How splendid you look.

GUEST 2: Your Majesty, it's so nice to see you.

The minister's to the right. And your son is this way.

There.

GUEST 3: Your Majesty!

GUEST 4: Course nothing fitted me!

Had to go through the whole wardrobe...

PANIN: How do we look, Your Majesty?

CATHERINE: I think one of you looks like a lesbian

but I'm not quite sure which one.

SHE LAUGHS I'm looking for Potemkin.

Too much rouge on this side.

Engageantes are not quite right.

I can't let her see me like this.

COUNTESS: Well...

I think your neckline may be too low, but...

POTEMKIN SOBS

Like this.

- You poor thing. - HE SIGHS

You really are in love with her, aren't you?

FOOL: I'm a woman, Auntie.

And I'm pregnant.

How could that happen?

GRIGORY: You should get rid of that fool.

Whatever you're paying for his jokes is too much.

FOOL: You can have my head whenever you need it, Auntie.

FOOL: I keep a spare head.

I kept this one from my last job.

Oh...

Didn't she like your jokes, you handsome bastard?

FOOL MOANS

I am Victor Heinrich Emmanuel

the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt

Your Majesty.

I hear you're looking for a wife for Prince Paul...

I have three attractive daughters.

CATHERINE: Yes, very beautiful.

- This is my wife... - Very. Very beautiful.

Lieutenant Potemkin?

ALEXEI: I should have killed him.

I'm not going to ask who did this to you.

And let us not think about revenge.

SPEAKER: Ladies and gentlemen

if you would like to make your way to the floor...

- Yet. Come on. - The dance is about to start.

MUSICIANS PLAY

CATHERINE: You know, we will do great things together.

And don't you worry.

You will have your day.

They will not go unpunished.

And you will blossom.

But not yet.

Because the Turks are preparing for war.

We need men like you.

Now, let's celebrate new beginnings.

SHE LAUGHS I want something Russian!

CATHERINE CLAPS

THEY PLAY RUSSIAN FOLK MUSIC

SHE LAUGHS

GUESTS CHEER