All language subtitles for Ulysses (1954) [BR 720p]

LUX FILM PRESENTS

SILVANA MANGANO

KIRK DOUGLAS IN

ULYSSES

PRODUCED BY LUX FILM
PONTI DE LAURENTIIS

SCREENWRITERS FRANCO BRUSATI,
MARIO CAMERINI, ENNIO DE CONCINI

HUGH GRAY, BEN HECHT,
IVO PERILLI, IRWIN SHAW

DIRECTED BY MARIO CAMERINI

CINEMATOGRAPHER HAROLD ROSSON

PRODUCED BY CARLO PONTI
DINO DE LAURENTIIS

MUSIC BY ALESSANDRO CICOGNINI

THIS IS A STORY OF GODS
AND MYTHICAL HEROES,

A WORLD WHERE REALITY
AND SUPERNATURAL BLEND TOGETHER,

MEN AND DIVINITY
FIGHT EACH OTHER.

THE POEM OF THE HERO ULYSSES
THAT THE GREATEST POET HOMER

WROTE ABOUT 3000 YEARS AGO.

Come on, ladies, go now.

The day is over.

And stay in your rooms.

Don't follow what Melantho
and the other handmaids do.

To satisfy
the vanity of the guests,

they violated
the rules of this house.

Off you go.

Eurycleia!

Eurycleia!

The sun tonight sank in the sea
in a bed of turquoise clouds,

and at the last minute,
a huge dark shadow

in the shape of a sail
suddenly covered it.

What does that mean?

For years you've tried to read
the color of the clouds,

the flight of the birds,
the blood of the sacrifices

to find signs
of Ulysses' return.

Don't torment
yourself, Penelope.

How could I not?

When the light leaves the sky

and the night takes over,
dark and quiet,

my torment and pain
become more intense.

Sometimes they feel unbearable.

Do you hear them? The princes.

My suitors.

Every day, for years,

they invade my house
like hungry dogs.

Every night they destroy,

drink, scream. For years.

What is going on?

Phemius is singing for them.

For 10 years,
the Greeks besieged Troy.

For 10 years, in vain.

And one day...

they got tired and disappointed

and left the field.

And on the white sandy shore,

they left behind
a big wooden horse.

Oh Trojans, why did you drag it

with joy, within your walls?

Didn't you know
that in its hollow belly

the smart Ulysses
was plotting your destruction?

Trojans, didn't you know

that you were
celebrating stupidly

for the victory and the peace?

But overnight Ulysses descended

from the tall horse

and opened wide the sacred door

to the Greeks
who came back in the darkness.

The Gods closed their eyes

and the walls
of the city burned.

Screams of massacre,

agony of the dead.

It was a huge bloodshed
for the people in Troy,

drunk and helpless.

It was a huge disaster.

But Ulysses' pride was bigger.

He reached the temple
of the Neptune God,

God of the sea
and defender of Troy,

and destroyed its statue.

Then Cassandra cursed Ulysses.

I curse you, Greek violators,

and I curse you
three times, Ulysses.

May Neptune's anger
descend on you.

You'll never find peace

and you'll die
in the depth of the sea.

Stop it!

- Stop, Phemius.
- The queen.

Look, Penelope is here.

- The queen.
- Penelope!

We haven't seen you in months.

Sing another song.

It's too sad for me

to listen to these
distant memories.

Not for us, Penelope.

- We don't live on memories.
- Shut up.

Respect her pain.

If it was pain
for someone who died,

it could at least turn
into resignation.

And you would pick one of us.

Nobody knows anything
about Ulysses.

Nobody can sing
that he is dead

unless they've seen
his body burning.

See, Penelope? Even the
fantasies of a singer upset you.

Deeply in your heart
you have a doubt.

Just as we have a certainty.

Where is Ulysses?
Where is he held captive?

You promised that you would pick
the date for your marriage

once done
with weaving your shroud.

Yeah.

You've kept us
at bay for too long

with that never-ending shroud.

The memory of Ulysses
prevents me from being quick.

Pain and tears veil my eyes.

And my hands get slow.

It would be better
if you smiled at one of us.

None of you...

- ...can compare to my dad.
- Why are we not worth it?

We also have strength,
a good spirit and a noble heart.

And your hunger is insatiable.

Do you know how many sheep
you have devoured?

Half of our herd.

And you are still hungry.

You are wasting
Ulysses' resources

and sullying his rooms
with your parties.

It's not for you
to judge, old man.

He's right!

You invaded my house

and destroyed my peace.

- You made me promise...
- It's not just a promise.

This is about the
future of Ithaca,

- without a king for years.
- It's true.

None of you deserves it.

So we'll keep having
a phantom king, a shadow.

Even your people
are tired, Penelope.

My relationship with my people
is none of your business.

You are nothing
but foreigners on this island.

I'm still the queen!

People in Ithaca
love their queen,

understand her pain

and respect her memories.

You are being too harsh
with your beauty.

You are too young to sleep
alone with your memories.

Ulysses is alive!

He will be back!

And that day
you'll regret all the offenses.

Come on, Phemius,

clear your throat
and keep singing.

Start from when
Cassandra appears.

Let's hear the curse again.

- Give me a drink, Melantho!
- Some wine!

Leucantho! Melantho!
Everyone, go away!

You are shaming this house!

What's in your heart?

You grew up here,
like the other girls!

You don't have
the right to rule.

- I'm Ulysses' son.
- You are an unreliable guy.

I'd only need 10 armed men

to kick you out of here.

Come here, young boy!

Come fight with half a man!

Move back!

Jump, young boy!

Telemachus, jump!

Run to your mom, boy!

Run, Telemachus, run away!

One day the shroud
will be done, Penelope.

And you'll have to find
a husband among those people.

None of them is worth
a smile or an arm of Ulysses.

And what'll happen to my son
if I married such crooks?

They'd kill him
the same day of the wedding.

- Mother.
- What's up, Telemachus?

What happened again?

I want to leave.

- Where?
- Away from here.

I can't bear their
insults and cruelty.

I want to find my father.

- You are leaving me too.
- We need to stop this.

We need evidence.

I'll talk with Ulysses'
old companions.

With Nestor in Pylos,
with King Menelaus in Sparta.

Don't leave me alone
with these people.

Do you think
that my dad is alive?

Yes, Telemachus.

Tell me the truth, mother.

You don't believe it either.

You can't leave me.

You can't leave me, son!

Don't leave me,
if you abandon me as well,

I haven't got anything left.

Your presence and your voice
since you were a kid

have filled my loneliness.

In your face and in your eyes

I've always found
Ulysses' face and eyes.

And I found the strength
that sometimes I was lacking.

Stay with me, Telemachus.

If you want me to resist,
don't leave me.

You have to resist, mother,
you have to trust it.

It doesn't matter
what I believe.

Ulysses is far away.

That's the only truth for now.

That's how the shroud
grows every day

and gets undone overnight.

That's how I keep fooling
those who are waiting.

And I keep waiting myself.

Ulysses!

- Nausicaa!
- Oh!

Nausicaa, what are you doing?

- Where are you going?
- There is a man.

Phaedra!
There is a dead man here!

- Where?
- Here, behind the rock.

Careful, Nausicaa,
don't touch him.

He is alive.

Look, he is moving.

Where am I?

In Alcinous' realm.

I'm his daughter.

- Which part of the world?
- Phaeacians's island.

It's close to Ithaca.

- Ithaca.
- You don't know Ithaca?

Who are you?

What's your name?

My name...

I can't remember.

You don't even remember
the name of your homeland?

I can't remember anything.

Clio, Ariacne, call Calopes.

We need to take him
to the palace.

Careful, Nausicaa,
he could be a God.

They say that Gods have
a human shape sometimes.

I hope not.

I hope he is a man.

- So?
- Alcinous, you know my ability

in handling herbs
and preparing potions.

My treatments for edema
are famous even in India.

Nature has no secrets for me.

I healed his body,
but his mind... I'm not a God.

Did you draw any blood?

No, Aesculapius says that
bloodletting is not a treatment.

It's to prove you are a doctor
at the expenses of the patient.

How can you lose
all your memories?

Either the Gods
gave him the oblivion

or he wanted to cancel
any sins or crimes

or someone.

I'm for the second option.

Father!

Father.

There he is.

May your realm be powerful
and you, king, grow wiser.

My doctor says
that you lost your memory.

I don't remember anything.

But you know
how to greet a king.

Your elegant posture
makes me think

that you've visited
other kings before me.

Can you not remember?

I can't remember anything.

Nothing.

That's strange.

Whoever you are,
you'll be my guest.

Prepare the banquet,

the dances and the games.

Bravo!

- Who wants to fight with him?
- You go.

No, I don't want to go.

Who wants to fight with him?

Who wants to fight?

Who wants to fight with him?

Congratulations! Bravo!

One moment, my friend.

Who's this?

He is the king's guest.

You shouldn't let him fight.

If he gets hit in the head,
it could be good for him.

His memory may come back.

He knows a few tricks.

Maybe he was a fighter.

Diomedes thinks he is a soldier.

- I'm a badass, huh?
- We'll see.

I'm sorry.

Father, he won! He won!

Yes, Nausicaa. He won.

Why are you looking
at me like this?

Because I see a woman taking
the place of my baby.

A hero, huh?
Have you ever seen a hero?

Agamemnon, Ajax, Ulysses.

Those were real men.

Ulysses' hands were
as big as barrels.

I saw him breaking
an ox's back with a punch.

This guy is not bad.

But he can't compare to heroes.

He's like a little bird
under an eagle's wing.

Take the sponges.

This is the gift
from the king for the victory.

Thank your king for me.

And this is my gift.

It's a rare unguent.

It smells good, doesn't it?

Just like spring.

It's made out of a secret
potion, a magical one.

I got if from a woman
who lives on the hill.

She said that it can heal
any wounds in just one night.

And it restores your youth.

The youth?

Give me a little bit, I need it.

The youth.

This is not a boy's arm.

You are the youngest
of them all here.

To me, you were born just
a few days ago, on the beach.

When you opened
your eyes and looked at me.

I'm going to call you Stheno,
the one who is strong.

And I welcome you here.

What's wrong?

What happened?

I don't know.

It was like...

a voice...

Was it my name, Nausicaa?

Nausicaa?

Yes, maybe it was.

Loedes, 45 paces.

Eurymachus 48.

Bravo!

Is anyone doubting
about my victory?

We'll see once there is
a date for the wedding.

I hope we'll know soon.

The trick of the shroud
is out there now.

You'll marry Melantho
out of gratitude.

And I'll marry Penelope.

Go away!

What do you want to bet?

- Penelope's dowry.
- Penelope's dowry?

- If she marries one of you.
- Of course.

Even number, I won.

You still have the stalls
and half of the herd.

I can still make up for it.

I won again! Ahah!

Oh, Penelope!

I lost all your dowry.

If you chose me,
it'll be a disinterested love.

Damn spy!

You'll regret revealing
the secret of the shroud.

- You vile spy!
- Stop it!

Now leave!

Leave this house
forever, Melantho.

- What can we do now?
- Nothing.

Telemachus, your mother
has to marry one of them

or we'll be dead.

- Are you so scared of dying?
- I'm old anyway.

I'm concerned about your safety.

- And the one that...
- Stop, Mentor.

His rage is reasonable,
however useless.

Here comes another one!

They're all here,
like flies on honey.

- Do you know him?
- I can't see him properly.

He can ride
his animals pretty well.

Antinous from Cephalonia.

The son of that worthless man.

There is no room for him,

it's too many of us
for just one bed.

You take care of the cart.

- What are you doing here?
- I need to talk to Penelope.

None of us has ever
disrespected Penelope

to the point
of going to her room.

Really? I'll be the first then.

- Where are you going?
- Let me go past.

Who are you?

Answer me, I'm Ulysses' son!

Don't be afraid, Telemachus,
I'll be your friend.

Hi, Penelope.

Your beauty is beyond
any poet's imagination.

Who are you?

I'm Antinous, from Cephalonia.

I know that the trick
of the shroud is revealed.

What are you looking for
in my house?

You.

But unlike the others,
I'm not here for your money.

Or to sleep under
your roof for months.

I haven't crossed the sea
just to look you in the eyes.

I'm here to fulfill
your destiny.

How dare you talk to me
like this?

Because I'm the only one
who knows about your loneliness.

I know you have been a widow
even before being a wife.

The phantom of Ulysses has been
around this house for too long.

Now a man needs to rule it.

A man that kicks
away the suitors.

That brings you
back to life, Penelope.

Enough already.

You can stay as a guest
if that's what you want.

That's not why I'm here,
I don't need a room.

You need to decide
a day to end your loneliness,

your pain, the long silence.

I need another day to think.

What difference does a day make?

You should decide now, Penelope.

With the new moon,
for Apollo's games.

Telemachus! Telemachus!

Go find him, Eurycleia!

And you should go.

Go away!

The long wait is over, Penelope.

Go away, go!

- Telemachus.
- What do you want?

Did you hear what he said?

Did you hear that my mother
picked a date for the wedding?

Even my mother betrayed Ulysses.

We cannot give up.

- We need to do something.
- What?

We are only an old lady
and a young man.

We'll find someone to follow us.

Someone who still
trusts Ulysses.

Who? Other women
and boys like us?

Ulysses' bow.

He was the only one
who could string it.

How old was my dad
when he used this bow?

You're an expert
with these jobs.

It's funny how a man's hands
can remember

something that his mind forgot.

Are you using it
for today's games?

Not sure.

Another victory will be
a nice gift for your bride.

When Nausicaa was 4 years old
she told her dad

that she would
only marry a warrior.

- A warrior.
- Maybe you are one.

It would be a nice gift for her
if you remembered your name

and your adventures.

My name...

My adventures!

Day and night
I'll chase the darkness.

In these cases recovery
is slow and treatments are...

- Go away, Diomedes!
- As you wish.

As you wish.

Being alone could be
a nice therapy.

A great therapy.

Do you think
he'll love the dress?

- Isn't it too simple?
- Don't worry.

He loves your youth,
not just what we add to it.

What a nice day for a wedding.

I hope you'll be happy
as we were.

Why wouldn't I be?

Girls don't usually know
the man they'll marry.

It's rare that a girl marries
a man who doesn't know himself.

What else do I need to know?

If the tree is nice
and the fruits are sweet,

who cares about the roots?

Oh, it's so ugly!

What if he doesn't like it?

What if I see a doubt
in his eyes once at the temple?

I couldn't tolerate that.
I want him to see me.

Nausicaa, where are you going?

You know that you can't.

Father, it's such
an old stupid habit

that lovers stay separated
the day of the wedding.

Why cannot a king
change a rule just for once?

At least this time,
for your daughter.

And I'm not going by myself.

Clisia, Artide! Come with me!

Okay, go with her.

Come on!

Sthenos!

- Sthenos!
- He's not here.

I curse you, Greek violators,

and I curse you
three times, Ulysses.

May Neptune's anger
descend on you.

The third sail!

The third sail!

Here, here!

What are you doing
with that fire?

We'll have
to sacrifice to Neptune!

He helped the Trojans
to build their city.

Where was he
when we destroyed it?

You dared challenge
a God, Ulysses...

Are you a priest or a sailor?

Back to your spots.

Come on, you!

Keep going with that rope!

Let's take the oars away.

We'll not survive!

The helm broke!

And the sail as well.

Let's throw
the cargo in the sea!

- The gold? Are you crazy?
- We are too heavy.

Gold, silver, statue
and everything.

We fought hard to conquer
the treasure of Troy.

The treasure of Troy
will get us sinking in a minute.

Obey! Cargo in the water!

If you'd sacrificed to Neptune!

There's no Neptune here,
just wind, water and death.

Throw the cargo in the sea!

Neptune!

Help me! The sail!

Careful, careful!

Everything in the water!

Go! Everything in the sea!

Have a great hunt, Ulysses!

We'll be back
with plenty of water and food.

Get the fire ready,
to sacrifice to Athena.

- Shh! Silence, please.

- Go, run.
- Is hunger making you blind?

There is no point in chasing it,

you'll mess up again.

Hey, look!

What a strange footprint!

- Look.
- Where?

Another one!

- Footprints of a God.
- A God for sure.

Or a man with big feet.

Let's not stay here,
let's go back.

I see fear makes you
forget about your hunger.

We'll leave once we have
food for us and our companions.

Grapes, Ulysses, we got grapes!

There is plenty!

- There are sheep!
- The sheep!

Come on, let's go!

- Where are we?
- It's huge.

- That's milk.
- Milk?

There they are!

Come on, let's go!

Here's the kid, take it!

Very good!

This cavern is for a giant.

Ulysses, look!

Very good!

Come with me.

Where are we, Ulysses?

This one is ready!

Skin it.

I don't like this place,
Ulysses.

- Remember the footprint.
- Don't worry.

Look at that cheese.

Keep it still.

Let's make the wine,
it's better than milk!

Great, there can't be
a party without wine.

Let's take as much as we can

and leave as soon as possible.

- Take care of your stomach.
- But think about it.

I'll bring you some wood.

Turn it around.

Nice and grilled.

Come on, quick!

Careful with the cheese,
there are hungry people waiting.

Come on, quick!

I don't understand
why you are in a hurry.

You shouldn't lose
something as precious as wine.

Come on, let's be quick!

Look!

Help!

Don't move!

Who are you?

Can you answer me?

You are thieves!

We are not thieves.

We are Greeks coming
back home from Troy.

Oh, I see.

Welcome.

Please remember
the rules of hospitality.

The laws of Jupiter.

What do I care
about Jupiter's rules?

I'm Polyphemus, son of Neptune.

The son of Neptune, we are lost!

No, no. Have mercy!

No, no!

Those Greeks are pretty hard!

Such a bad meat!

No, Ulysses,
where are you going?

I've got something
that will make Greeks tasty.

- What is it?
- Wine.

Wine? It looks like blood.

In fact it is.

It's the blood of the earth.

Why are you giving it to me?

Because it's good.

And if you like it, you'll
let us go out of gratitude.

We'll see. Let me try it.

Ahhh, that's so good!

Good, what is it made of?

Grapes.

Grapes? Those red things
that grow in the sun?

I like it, give me some more.

- There is none left.
- How is that?

I want more.

We'll go out
and get more grapes.

Come here, everyone!

We'll fill all the buckets
and wineskin with wine.

Very clever, you want to go out.

You are my guests
and you stay here.

I'll go get the grapes.

Stay here, don't worry.

I'll be back soon.

What are you doing?
Are you crazy?

We'll never be able
to move that stone, come here!

We're trapped,
we're going to die.

I told you,
we'll never get out of here.

- What do you want to do?
- Let me do it.

Let's get this cudgel down.
Help me before he comes back.

Careful, careful.

Come on! Come on!

Go, that's it!

Here, put it here.

Now lean it against the wall.

Let's sharpen the tip.

Give me the ax.

What do you want to do?

I want to get out of here.

- Are we killing him?
- No.

If we kill him, nobody
will move that stone.

I have a better idea.

Prepare a fire down there.

Come on, go help him.

Come on, Polites!

He's back. Put it down.

Hide it!

Leave the tip on the fire.

Here are the grapes!

Get me the wine.

Are you scared?

Okay, I'll go away.

Come here!

I said come here!

Don't be scared.

Quick, be quick.

Get some more.

Wine for Polyphemus...

the son of Neptune.

Get another one ready.

It's very good,
give me some more.

Wine for Polyphemus.

More wine for our guest!

Come on, don't be scared.

Give it to me, give it.

Here's the wine.

More, more, more!

- More.
- Some more wine!

Wine for Polyphemus,

the son of Neptune.

Come on, go!
Come on, go! Come on, go!

Wine, wine, wine, wine!

Wine, wine, wine, wine!

Well done, you Greek man!

Thanks to you I know
what's in the grapes.

You'll be the last one I'll eat,
out of gratitude.

How are you going
to eat me, raw?

Boiled, peppered or roasted?

Drowned...

in this stream of fire

that you created inside of me.

Let's be quiet.

I'm blind! I'm blind!

Damn you, traitors!

Cowards!

I'm going to kill you all!

You are worthless!

I'm here, I'm here!

Damn you!

Hey, I'm here!

Where are you?

Let's go, Ulysses!

The Gods will curse you!

Goodbye, Polyphemus!

I hope you'll remember us

and the wine
we made in your cavern.

Careful, Ulysses,
he can figure out where we are.

Stop being so scared.

Who's the ruler now?
Neptune or Ulysses?

The powerful God

or the smart man?

Come on, blind
drunken man! Scream!

Sure, fill the water
with your blind rocks!

Throw another one, again!

If your father asks
who got you blind,

tell him it was
Ulysses, Ulysses!

The one who destroyed Troy!

The son of Laertes
and king of Ithaca!

Keep rowing, lift the sail!

Come on, hurry up!

Come on, lift the sail!

Lift it.

Take it.

The lamb is overcooked.

Some water please.

There you go.

Give it to me.

There's no wind
but the current is good.

- Are you happy?
- Well, yes.

How about you?

I don't know, I have got
two different natures.

One that likes the house,
the family, the home.

The other one likes traveling,

open sea, mysterious islands,
demons, giants.

I often have nostalgia
for things that I've never seen.

Yes, I understand.

That's why I follow you, even if
sometimes I shiver with fear.

I often do that too.

There is a strange smell.

- I can smell it.
- It's quite dry.

Dusty, like dead flowers.

It's so quiet.

I can't even hear the rowing.

Look!

- The rocks of the mermaids!
- The mermaids?

If we hear their songs,
we'll be lost.

They'll attract us towards
the rocks to destroy us.

- Let's go, Ulysses!
- Let's leave, Ulysses!

Maybe it's too late.

Get the wax
and plug everyone's ears.

Tell them to look away
from the rocks and keep rowing.

Let's keep rowing!

That's what will save us.

Hurry up!

Don't be scared,
don't look at the rocks!

Keep rowing!
Put this in your ears!

What are you doing? Keep rowing!

Polites!

- What's up?
- Tie me up the mast.

No matter what I say
or order, don't follow it.

What do you want to do?

- I want to hear their singing.
- Are you crazy?

- Tie me up the mast.
- Okay, if that's what you want.

As tight as you can.

Put the wax in your ears!

You too, quick!

Tighter!

Even tighter!

Don't look up.

Don't look up, just row.

- What are you doing?
- He ordered me to do that.

- Why?
- I want to hear their singing.

Are you crazy?
Put the wax in your ears!

- Listen to me, put it.
- Do it before it's too late.

Ulysses...

Ulysses, it's me.

- Penelope!
- Yes, Penelope.

Your loyal Penelope.

You're in Ithaca,
your trip is over.

You're in Ithaca, Ulysses.

- Ithaca?
- Yes, in Ithaca!

Everyone, stop rowing!

I've been waiting for you
for a thousand nights.

Aren't you tired of the sea?

Don't you miss
sleeping in your bed?

You're home, you are in Ithaca.

- In Ithaca!
- Stop rowing I said!

- Stop, Ulysses.
- We are in Ithaca!

Stop!

Father, it's me, Telemachus.

- Telemachus?
- I'm a man now, father.

And I still
don't know your face.

Stop here, father,
this is your home.

Telemachus!

Stay in your realm.

It's your son
Telemachus calling you.

- Release me.
- Father, don't leave me.

- Release me!
- Stay here, father.

Release me! Can't you hear
my wife and my son?

Don't leave me!

Don't leave me!

It's over, get the wax off!

It's over, take the wax off.

Hurry, it's over!

- Get the wax off.
- What did you hear?

The Gods are sardonic
and have no mercy.

And their tricks are ferocious.

Ithaca seems so far away now.

I don't understand
what happens, keep left.

Something very strange
is happening.

The wind is blowing
but the sail doesn't work.

The ship is out of control.

- It must be the current.
- There is no current.

We got towards the open sea

but an unknown force
is attracting us to the shore.

I've never seen anything like
this. I can't control the ship.

Furl the sail, we'll go ashore.

How come? We don't know
what's behind those rocks.

But it'll be interesting
to find out.

Let's furl the sail!

Eurylochus!

Eurylochus!

Polites!

They left, Ulysses.

They are waiting
for you in my house.

- Who are you?
- Circe.

Circe the enchantress.

Such an ugly word,
how about the Goddess?

Have you changed
the course of the ship?

I was alone.

- What do you want from me?
- I want to help you.

Stock up your ship.

And provide you
with wind to get to Ithaca.

Why would you help me?

For years men have landed
on my island.

Men recognized for their beauty
and for their heroism.

And each time I would feel
more lonely than before.

But since the winds
have brought your name to me

and the echo repeated
your successes,

I've been waiting for your ship.

And for the first time, echo
and wind have not lied to me.

What's wrong?

It's strange.

The same proud face.

The same gaze as Penelope.

That's strange.

Why is that?

The difference between women
lies in the man's mind, right?

No, the difference
is that Penelope

wouldn't let a stranger hug her.

Not even if it was Ulysses?

Hey!

Hey!

Where is your mistress?

Why don't you answer?
Where is Circe?

Deaf and mute.

Perfect qualities
for servants here.

Did you call me, Ulysses?

I can't see you properly.

Why is it so dark?

To protect your sleep.

I don't like darkness.

I always sleep
on the deck of the ship.

So I wake up
with the sun every morning.

You can go.

The sun is up,
you slept for long.

I haven't slept
on such a soft bed in years.

- Where are my companions?
- They're here, don't worry.

- I'd like to see them.
- Maybe later.

There are many things that
you need to see on this island.

I don't have time, I need to go.

Polites? Eurylochus?

Leodes? Craiton?

Eurylochus?

What are these pigs
doing here? Go away!

Go away!

Why don't you answer?

- Where are my men?
- You are kicking them.

What a witch! You took
advantage of me sleeping

to turn heroes into pigs.

It was easier than you think.

You'd like to do the same
with me, right?

It won't be easy.

I know you hate men.

Maybe you hate me as well.

Give me back my companions!

You don't understand
that I did it to separate you.

So you can be alone.

Just like me.

Give them back, you Goddess,
demon, witch or whatever.

There is no point
in having you as an enemy.

Turn back into your human shape.

- Ulysses.
- Ulysses?

- We were looking for you.
- Where were you?

How do you feel? Are you okay?

- Sure, why?
- We ate and slept.

Something is hurting here,
as if I got hit.

Get onboard,
we'll leave in one hour.

Ulysses can't wait to leave.

I'll send to the ship
the supplies and my gifts.

Oh, thanks.

Get ready to go,
don't waste time.

Be quick.

Such a beautiful woman.

Goodbye, Circe.

Thanks for making my island
less lonely for one night.

- I need to go.
- I know.

I said goodbye.

We need to go before
the wind decreases.

The wind isn't blowing yet.

It doesn't start blowing
before sunset.

Before sunset?

There's no point
in leaving before that.

I don't want to kill them
with a lot of rowing.

They are good men,
I should be understanding.

They'll be grateful for it.

- Ulysses?
- Hi, everyone.

It's been a while.

Did you receive
the amphoras with the wine?

We're tired of eating, drinking
and being here for no reason.

We have a family
waiting for us in Ithaca.

Me too, Eurylochus. Me too.

After painting
the ship we'll go.

- We don't want to wait anymore.
- We lost a lot of time already.

We got a new mast, new sails.

The ship is fully stocked,
let's leave now.

Did you forget
that I'm the captain?

No, then come with us.

Right now?

What do you mean?
It's been six months.

Six months?
Has it been that long?

It felt like one day.

So, can you make a move?

Yes, sure.

Nice, huh?

I chose the color.
It looks nice on you.

It's very nice.

Look, Eurylochus.

We need to use this in Ithaca.

We are leaving.

- Without you.
- Sure, let's go.

One moment, you can't.

Neptune promised
to sink Ulysses' ship.

There will be
a terrible storm tonight.

Don't you see that
she has been lying to you?

If you listen to her,
we'll never leave.

Eurylochus, stop.
Tell them to paint the ship.

We'll be on our way soon.

May the Gods give you
the strength that you need

to lift the spell
that holds you.

Goodbye.

They won't go,
they are good men

but they can't cope without me.

They won't leave.

Circe!

Circe!

Where are my companions?
The ship is not there.

Where are they?

Look.

- Did they drown?
- Yes.

They have drowned.

Dead.

They didn't listen.

They were my companions.

I abandoned them.

They abandoned you.

I abandoned them.

Eurylochus, Polites, Leocrito...

Don't be too sorry,
they were not worth much.

They were simple men.

That's why I loved them.

As long as you are alive,
they won't be completely gone.

Come with me, let's go back.

Ulysses!

What are you doing?

Do you really think
that you can leave me?

I left you a long time ago.

Since my companions died.

Do you think
that you'll travel any farther?

You can't keep me here anymore.

Listen to me.

I'll give you something
to forget your petty dreams,

your miserable realm,
your wife getting older.

Stay here and tonight...

Olympus will have
another God: Ulysses.

- Immortal?
- That's my gift.

The greatest gift
a man has ever had.

No, there are greater gifts.

Be born, die,

and live like a man
between the two things.

Yes, living like a man,

full of fears.

Only those who are scared
know the value of courage.

The old age,
the skin that deteriorates

and eventually the death.

That's the terrible
legacy of men.

I accept this legacy.

I don't delude myself
with dying in a battle

or falling during a storm.

It'll take way less than that.

Sudden chills,

a bit of cold at night...

and still this fragile
bundle of fears

dared fighting against a God.

And it hasn't been defeated yet.

If one day people will talk
about me,

it'll be with pride
as I was one of them.

Their pride won't warm you up
in the world of darkness.

I give you centuries of light.

I won't mind closing my eyes

when it's time.

Ask the dead how happy they are.

Agamemnon!

Ajax!

Achilles!

All my dead companions.

Achilles, still offended
and upset in his face.

What face can a dead man have?

But death
should not trouble you.

I'm sure you are a king
in the world of the dead.

Spare me
your consolations, Ulysses.

I'd rather be a slave
to people with no land

than the king of the dead.

My life was short and glorious

but my death is long and heavy.

Ajax.

I'm sorry to have
caused your death.

You don't know pain,
only the dead know it.

Come, Ulysses.
Olympus is waiting for you.

Go to Olympus with Circe.

Everyone in the world
loved Agamemnon

except the woman I loved.

When I went back home,
she kissed me,

and when I closed my eyes
in a sigh of relief,

her mistress stuck
a knife in my throat.

Stay with Circe, Ulysses.

Come!

Eurylochus!

Don't you recognize me?

I should have painted
the ship that night,

instead of leaving without you.

- Did you suffer?
- No.

I'm suffering now.

Come, Ulysses.

Ulysses!

- Mother!
- Go away, I didn't call you!

Mother!

Are you dead?

- I died while waiting for you.
- I said go away!

You've been away for too long.

- I know.
- Go back to Ithaca.

Penelope is still
waiting for you.

Tricks and dangers
are threatening your house.

Yes, mother, I'll go back.

Mother! Mother!

Stubborn mortal,

proud of that short dream
that you call life.

In love with
your weaknesses and your sins,

seduced by death.

With such determination
even Gods are powerless.

Go then, if that's
what you want!

The sea is waiting for you.

- Here he is!
- Where?

There, by the rock!

Alcinous,
king of the Phaeacians!

My past came back to my mind,

I know my name and my homeland.

I'm Ulysses, son of Laertes,

King of Ithaca,
destroyer of Troy.

Down there across the sea,
there's my house.

My people, my son.

My wife.

I've travelled for many years,

persecuted
by the anger of the Gods.

I fought against the storms,

I heard the songs of mermaids,

I was cursed.

I knew death

but now I'm here.

Still alive!

Across the sea,
my land is waiting for me.

Fraternal king Alcinous,
please give me

a ship to go back to Ithaca.

Ulysses, king of Ithaca
and our neighbor,

we'll give you a ship

hoping that it'll take you
happily to your realm.

Nausicaa.

I'll take your tears with me.

In a world of evil and hatred,

they're part
of the love that I found.

So we've honored the Gods.

Apollo will be propitious
to us tomorrow.

If I win the games,
I'll sleep in Ulysses' bed.

And to thank
the God who helps me,

I'll kill
all the sheep of the island.

You were born
to rule, Eurymachus.

That's why you destroy
everything in one day.

I don't envy the winner.

Are you saying that being king
of Ithaca is not worth it?

The future king will need
to be a light sleeper.

What do you mean?

There'll be swords
behind every column,

poison in each cup.

- Conspiracy at every step.
- Please!

Ulysses is under the sea.

Or on some island
eaten up by vultures.

- Ulysses doesn't bother me.
- Who are you talking about?

- Telemachus.
- He is only a guy.

Have you looked in his eyes?

What do you mean?

After the wedding,

we won't be
sacrificing just goats.

Don't you think?

Huh?

Penelope!

Sorry for my audacity.

- I need to talk to you.
- About what?

You are sad.

Scared, overwhelmed.

You shouldn't be.

Don't be scared.

I'll make you happy.

- You?
- Of course, yes.

Don't you think
I'll win tomorrow?

It'll depend on your ability.

If you win, I won't mind
having someone like you.

Oh, you're finally talking
like a woman who is alive.

The woman that you should be.

The woman that I love.

If you really love me, Antinous,
I need a pledge from you.

A promise.

Whatever you want.

Just ask.

Save my son.

- Telemachus?
- He should not die.

I promise,
nobody will touch him.

I'll protect him
as if he was my son.

- If I could only trust you.
- You have to trust me.

And you have to trust my love.

I'll give you his custody.

Penelope!

There's a beggar who comes
from the island of Phaeacians.

He wants to talk
to you about Ulysses.

So many people said
the same thing during the years

to have a gift in return.

Or some hospitality.

He was one of his companions
during the war.

If you really knew my husband,
tell me about him.

Why are you not talking?

Who are you?

I'm Ulysses' friend.

We were companions
under the walls of Troy.

Many nights,
while waiting for the battle,

filled with sadness,
he'd talk about you.

What would he say?

"She has brown hair," he said.

"Wonderful and young."

"She has the sweetest smile

and a strange way
of organizing her hair

without paying attention
while she spins the wool

or while she looks
at the baby sleeping."

"Sometimes she'd talk
about her son Telemachus

who'd sleep
in his cradle smiling."

The day where
the ships left for Troy.

Sometimes he'd talk to me
about the day he left.

When you were crying
in his arms by the ship...

and you whispered,
"I'll be here when you're back."

"When you're back."

And sometimes, while on
the hostile walls of Troy,

the unknown stars were shining

and everything we loved
was across the sea...

he'd talk to me
about this house.

And this room
where you were waiting for him.

I've waited for many years.

At the beginning,
just the news of the war.

And the never-ending war.

Months at first, then years.

I spent my days wondering
where he would be.

With the soldiers?
Maybe there were women as well.

Beautiful women, full of life.

Maybe he forgot about me.

But Penelope is loyal.

It's so easy
for Penelope to be faithful.

Then one day
the news that the war was over.

And you are happy.

Everyone else gets back home.

Kings, servants, but not him.

He was the only one left.

And the waiting starts again.

And months and years again.

And years are made
of a thousand hours.

Made of days, and nights.

And nights.

And you are awake
in your empty bed.

And you wait.

You're right.

Maybe you cannot
come back too late.

Wait!

Listen.

I was bitter but tomorrow
I have to pick my new husband.

And just like a prison,
I'm bound to a promise.

And I know
that nobody can free me.

You can free yourself.

Me? How?

Remember the day
that you married Ulysses?

His bow fired an arrow

and through the holes
of 12 axes reached the target.

Yes, and I was the target.

That bow was very heavy,
nobody could string it.

Only Ulysses could do it

with the help
of the divine Athena.

Thank you, stranger.

There is a bed for you
in the guests' room.

Anything else that you'd like?

My desire is fulfilled since
I saw you and talked to you.

I wish you a restful sleep.

Thanks, Penelope.

Argos!

Argos!

You recognized me.

Shh, stay calm.

Be quiet!

My old friend,
we both changed.

Do you remember when
we'd go hunting for a whole day?

You were always
the first of the pack.

Quick on the trail,
fierce with the hold.

Now you are old
and can't lift your head.

But you recognized me.

Thanks to you,
I feel I've come back.

Did he recognize you?

Who are you?

Telemachus.

My son!

Father!

Father!

- Father!
- Shut up.

- Nobody should know it.
- I can't wait.

I'll tell everyone,
they'll blanch, shiver.

Don't say it till we are ready.

Why are you dressed like this?

Why do you look like
a stranger in your own house?

The Gods suggested this.

As well as other things.

My mother is desperate.

- Let's go and see her.
- No.

She shouldn't know either.

Till tomorrow.

Only then I'll know
if she still loves Ulysses

like the day she said goodbye
at the harbor in Ithaca.

- Give me a drink.
- Sure, sit down.

What do you want?
How did you get here?

Just like beggars,
through the servants' door.

Go away,
before they incite the dogs.

Let me beg these people.

Go away!

Telemachus is my friend,
he'd let me do it.

Telemachus doesn't have
any power anymore. Go!

Leucantho, let him.

Hey you, come here!

Come!

Give some charity
to an unlucky man,

you noble, illustrious princes.

Charity for an unlucky man.

Why don't you ask
your noble friend Telemachus?

He might not be around for long.

The poor were always
welcome in Ulysses' house.

Ragamuffin and insolent.

You talk as if you
were ruling already.

In this house,
we are both guests.

Go away, you dirty pile of rags.

Charity for an unlucky man.

Go away, ragamuffin!

Are you thirsty? Here you go!

Call a servant and kick him out.

Thank you.

May the Gods reward you.

Take this and go.

You are better than the others.

Leave this place
before it's too late.

What are you saying?

Are you crazy? Go away!

Till the competition is over,

I'm still the one deciding
who leaves this house.

He's right,
we are still his guests.

I'm happy to see you,
Telemachus.

What are those axes for?

It's the queen's idea,
she'll tell you more.

- Where is the queen?
- Be patient, Antinous.

She is dressing up
properly as a bride.

If you are in love,
you are not very patient.

- True.
- That's what we all think.

The queen.

May the Gods protect you.

Your beauty shines on us

like the sun in the sky.

The day has come.

And I'm ready
to keep my promise.

I'll marry
the winner of the games.

We've been looking
forward to this moment.

I've picked a game
which has long been forgotten.

This is Ulysses' bow.

I'll marry the one
who can string it

and will get the arrow
through the holes of the axes.

This is not part
of Apollo's games.

If you're afraid to fail,
you can always drop out.

I'm not scared, Penelope.

Challenge accepted.

Give me that bow.

I was the first crossing
the threshold of this house

to ask to marry Penelope.

I think I should be
the first one to try.

You can also be
the first one to leave.

- I surrender.
- Let me try.

Definitely not for me.

You are too fat.

This bow is cursed by the Gods.

Give it to me,
something doesn't convince me.

Apollo offended us,
he took away our strength.

How can he take away
something that you don't have?

Give me that bow!

This is a trick,
just like the shroud.

- It's true.
- I can't accept that.

This bow is cursed by the Gods.

Remember your promise, Penelope.

Can I ask the queen
permission to string this bow?

Do you dare compete with us?

I certainly can't do any worse.

- Insolent!
- That's unbelievable.

Did you hear? The beggar
wants to compete with us.

Penelope, would you like
this ragamuffin as your husband?

Don't worry, I don't want
anything. I have a wife.

If you'd like, you can try.

- You can't allow that.
- He is a beggar.

- It's insulting for all of us.
- What a farce!

Go away, go!

Hurry up, we've had
enough of this already.

It's Ulysses!

- Ulysses!
- Take the queen away!

Keep an eye on the other door.

Antinous!

You were the first among them.

The first with your pride,

first with your arrogance,

and you'll be
the first who gets killed.

Here, here!

No, Eurymachus!

Eurymachus!

They betrayed us!

Telemachus!

May the Gods curse you, Ulysses!

Ulysses, have mercy!

Have mercy!

I told you, I never spare
a man's life twice.

Careful, father!

Help!

Thank you, Athena.

Divine Goddess,

friend of this land.

You helped me in my wait
and protected my house.

Thanks for bringing him back.

They were my enemies,

but it's terrible bringing
death in my house...

- ...the day of my return.
- It wasn't your fault, father.

Ask the servant
to purify this court with fire

so that the revenge
of the dead never gets to us.

Yes, father.

Telemachus, Felecia has died.

His revenge was fair but brutal.

The man that I hugged
before the ship left

was different, he wasn't fierce.

He'd not kill.
Make him change, Athena.

Bring him back to me
the way he is in my memories.

Penelope!

Ulysses!

It was a long journey,
full of blood.

You are finally back!

The years
of our youth have passed

through the fury of the war...

...my long absence,
my bewilderment,

and your loneliness.

- You are back!
- Penelope!

Let's look forward to the calm
of the years to come.

You are back!

- Penelope!
- Ulysses!

Today Ulysses' palace,
Polyphemus' rocks,

Penelope's smile,
Circe's enchantments...

they are all blended
in the same dust.

But the immortality that
the hero refused from a Goddess

later on was given
to him by a poet.

And Homer's song
always lingers in the world

consecrated by the Greek genius
like a God's smile.

THE END