Original subtitles

THE MASTER AND MARGHERITE

Based on Mikhail Bulhakov novel published in 1966

Why did you stop? You should crush that beast!

- Do you still believe in devil? - These are no middle ages.

Who still believe in devil, nowadays?

Pontius Pilatus

Excuse me.

Where are you going?

Even he doesn't know where...

It's Nikolai Maksudov. The Master. The playwrighter.

Bring in the accused.

Pilatus voice was different,

...but Herod's palace was more or less the same.

Accused, did you incite the people to destroy the temple of Jerusalem?

Good man! Believe me...

How dare you call me a good man?

The accused called me a "good man".

Centurion!

Explain him how he must address the procurator.

You must address the Roman procurator as Hegemon. Do you understand?

Yes, I understand. Please, don't hit me.

Your name?

Yeshua Ha-Nozri.

Do you have a nickname?

Yes, Jesus Christ.

As far as I remember, Sire,

...Jesus was more robust, fatter.

You wouldn't be saying that You resemble him?

Oh, Azazelo...

Is it true that you incited people to destroy the temple of Jerusalem?

Please, believe me good man... er...

Hegemon...

It is evidently a misunderstanding,

...caused by the one who always follows me around with the parchment,

...writing down everything I said.

He does it his own way...

...and what he writes is always wrong.

It's just a misunderstanding,

...but he is a good man.

His name is Mateo Levi.

And what did you really say?

I said that the day will come...

...when the old religion's temple will fall,

...and that the temple of truth will appear in it's place.

I never said that I wanted to destroy any temple, Hegemon,

...believe me.

Only a madman would say such things. Do you think I'm mad?

No.

You are just a liar.

You speak about the truth, of which you have no notion.

What is truth?

You speak about the truth, of which you have no notion.

What is truth?

Who approved the text?

Now, that little worm will run to the telephone.

Stop the rehearsal!

Pavlov! Interrupt the rehearsal!

Sorry, Sire, but now it's time for you to take charge.

Hello?

Proletarian Writers' Union?

Rimsky, here, director of the theater.

May I talk to comrade Berlioz?

Yes, this is his office, but he's not in.

I'm replacing him today. Speak.

My name? Woland.

Professor Woland.

You can speak. Berlioz authorized me.

But Rimski! Are you opposed to the truth?

Don't commit an irreparable ideological error...

...and don't postpone the play.

Yes, I'm speaking for Berlioz.

He insists that rehearsals resume. Immediately!

Vagrant, why did you stir up people in the bazaar,

...talking about that truth of yours?

What is truth?

The truth is first of all, that...

...your head aches so badly, that you're having faint hearted thoughts of death,

...and it's even hard for you to look at me.

But your suffering will soon be over.

Your headache will soon go away, Hegemon.

Well! I see that your headache has gone!

Untie him.

Why do you call all men "good"?

Because all men are good.

It's the first time I hear of it.

- Is this all he is accused of? - No. There's more.

Do you know Judas Iscariot?

Of course.

- Is he a good man, too? - Yes naturally.

What have you told him about Caesar and state authority?

I told him that all authority is violence against man,

...and that one day there will be no Caesars nor emperors.

Man will enter the kingdom of truth and justice,

...where there will be no no need for any authority.

Interrupt the rehearsal.

Why?

Thanks, comrades, the rehearsal is over.

And tonight is the opening, comrade Berlioz?

There will be no opening night.

Wouldn't it be better to remove the play from the repertoire?

No. The author has his rights.

I had already suspended the rehearsal, comrade Berlioz.

I called you right away, but Woland, your V.P.,

...told me "I was enemy of the truth".

Have you gone mad, Rimski?

I just returned from the Atheist Writers' Congress.

My office is locked and I have the key in my pocket.

And I don't have V.P..

If I were you I'd get my head examined.

Nicolai, I always supported You, but this time it's impossible.

But why? Because Christ isn't like one in the Gospels?

Or does the way authority is talked about, bothers you?

It's just my interpretation.

It would be better for you to remove that part.

But I like it a lot. Why should I remove it?

Then there won't be an opening night?

Opening night is postponed. Rehearsals will continue!

Berlioz!

Can you at least explain things to me?

I see You need to get drunk?

Are you unlucky in love?

You have...

...a handkerchief so white..

...it looks like snow.

Is today a holiday?

No, it's Thursday today, a regular day.

Love took us unaware, like assassin coming out of nowhere,

...and it struck both of us.

Like a lightning...

...or a knife strikes.

Don't pay attention to what I said. I'm little drunk...

...and I am a writer.

Do you like this flower?

I like flowers,

...but the yellow ones remind me of the change of seasons.

I saw you this morning...

...at the tram stop.

Do you see?

What happened at the theater this morning?

Nothing.

These three idiots arrived.

Why did they stop the rehearsals and postpone the opening?

Because the fourth arrived.

How nice.

It's a machine I inherited from my father.

I like useless things.

"A shadow come from the sea and covered Jerusalem...

...on the 14th day of spring month of Nizan"

The day they condemned Christ.

Do you always write on the walls?

Yes, when I want my ideas to last.

I wrote my first draft for "Pontius Pilatus" on this wall.

This way I have it all in front of me. I don't have to turn the pages.

Look, there's the third act the most important one.

And up there - the epilogue.

Don't pay no attention to the mess.

Tonight I dreamt of Satan.

- Who? - Satan.

He looked me straight in the eyes.

How strange, people never look me straight in the eyes.

Except you, Margherite.

And where was your Satan?

Where did you find him?

Here, in Moscow.

I know it was just a dream,

...but it didn't surprise me.

I believe in the irrational,

...in the beneficial power of chaos.

Apparently.

But what are we talking about?

Maybe I've had too much to drink.

Margherite Nikolaievna,

...don't take offense, please,

...but why don't you stay with me tonight?

I will,

...but not tonight.

And you Nikolai,

...could you love me?

All three are dead...

...I have checked their bodies,

...they were cold.

Were they given the drink before being hanged on the posts?

Yes. But he refused to drink.

- Who refused? - Jesus.

Did he say anything?

He said that he laid no blame.

- No blame on whom? - That he did not say, Hegemon.

My dear Afrianus,

...I have to tell you that you're the best secret police chief we ever had.

I only follow your instructions, Hegemon.

Nothing more.

I heard that tonight certain Judas of Kiriath will be killed.

You spoke too flatteringly of me, Procurator.

I have no information on planned assassination of Judas.

You deserve the highest praise, Afrianus.

But tonight Judas will be killed.

Sorry, Hegemon, but I doubt it.

Judas will be watched by my men. No one can get near him.

And I repeat you, Afrianus, that Judas will be killed tonight.

I have the authority, and will use it.

Don't you agree, Afrianus?

I understand you perfectly, Hegemon.

Your orders will be followed,

...and Judas will be killed tonight.

Tomorrow I'll bring you the news of his death.

Where's the dog?

Where it is? It disappeared!

Do you think it is right time to be looking for the dog?

Is it how you rehearse?

Pavlov, I beg you, to demand more from the actors.

Comrade writer, you worry about the script,

...and I'll worry about the directing and about the dogs.

I consulted the Gospels. Everything is different.

Maybe we should send him to Yalta?

Remember that time with Dadov? It worked well with him.

He withdrew his play himself.

Yes, I can get you the tickets,

...but then they'll accuse me of patronage.

Everyone asks me, and refusing is unpleasant but...

Is comrade Berlioz at the Union Management?

Yes.

I was summoned.

Come, Nicolai Maksudov, we'll go together.

Thank You.

May, I?

Nicolai!

Is it true that you've...

- ...withdrawned your play? - No!

But people are talking...

Come on, you can confess, to me...

...that you've withdrawned "Pontius Pilatus",

...and accepted a seat in management.

If it only suffice to withdraw a work than all will be in management,

...and there are already too many there.

Yes, maybe you're right. And you know what? I've been asked...

...to write a novel and they granted me only 20 pages of paper.

Not enough even for a poem.

For me it'd not be a problem I'm writing on the walls,

...that way I see what I write.

Good morning.

I'm not late on purpose, believe me.

But you only called me half an hour ago.

May I sit down?

What a question, Nicolai Maksudov?

You're always welcome.

But I don't quite understand about the call.

Who called you?

I haven’t moved from here.

It wasn't you?

Than, I don't understand it, either.

You don't have a substitute?

But it's good thing that you came,

...so we can resolve this confusion about "Pontius Pilatus".

What confusion? The story is quite clear.

I can explain it if you want.

What you wrote is clear?

I'm not saying that it's a bad piece... Then why should I withdraw it?

You're the President. You like it - that's it, right?

You're perfectly aware that it can't be performed.

Don't you understand what you state, writing that all authority is violence?

Why? Isn't that true?

Something strange has happened to you, Nicolai.

You know what they say?

"Some texts can only favour our class enemies"

But how the truth could favour the enemy?

I repeat, Nikolai.

Think it over, do as I say. You must withdraw it spontaneously.

You look tired.

Why don't you go to Yalta for a few months rest.

Me? To Yalta?

If I understand correctly,

...my "Pontius Pilatus" was removed from repertoire.

- No, the rehearsals will continue. - Eternally?

What you are afraid of, Berlioz?

There's something I haven't told you.

I'm married.

It happens.

My husband works for the police.

Nobody's perfect.

There is something else I didn't tell you.

We didn't meet by chance.

I've been following you for a while.

Why, Margherite?

I've seen you going shopping alone many times,

...going out with the bunch of papers.

Once...

...it was holiday...

...you walked a lot.

There was a great wind.

You were so distracted...

...that I thought...

..."now the wind will take him away".

I liked the way you walked.

Like...

Like if you've just woken up.

I knew there were a lot of beautiful things left in my life to discover...

...but I would never have seen them on my own.

And you, why?

Maybe because of the solitude in your eyes.

Margherite, it would be better if you didn't love me.

Do you really think that all men are good?

I'm not so sure anymore.

Sometimes I think that...

...there's no justice, only the law.

- Are you looking for Nikolai Maksudov? - Yes.

Upstairs, to the right,

...just push, the door is open.

Nikolai Maksudov?

Nikolai!

Master?

Good morning, Oscar Danilovic.

Forgive my boldness, they told me the door was open.

Don't worry, Oscar Danilovic.

- We all do it. - Comrade Berlioz sent me.

My visit is private,

...let's say, confidential.

Nikolai, you know how much Berlioz appreciates you.

Excuse me for speaking like that, but Berlioz is a true friend of yours.

Did you come just to say me that?

Look...

Berlioz, and all of us,

...believe that the best thing for you...

...would be to send everything to hell and go to Yalta.

Yalta! It's a paradise!

Sea, sun...

Not everyone is that lucky.

And if I didn't feel like going?

You'd better think it over.

I'm sorry, but I really can't go.

I'm thinking of writing a novel.

A novel?

A novel about Satan. In Moscow.

You understand I can't leave everything here on it's own.

As you wish, Nikolai Maksudov.

Either you'll withdraw "Pontius Pilatus" spontaneously,

...or we'll have to discuss your case, today...

...at the Union's plenary session,

...with all the consequences.

Then go to hell.

Citizen!

You should not be unkind to animals.

Go to hell, you and your animals!

Well,

...I didn't mentioned hell,

...but you'll go there, no doubt of it!

One should be nice to animals,

...and black cats, in particular should be treated especially well.

Would you like a ride, citizen?

I'm sure you're going far.

To Treskaia street.

It's not true that there's always sun in Yalta.

Right now, for example, it's raining.

What?

Yes, yes, it's raining.

You'll catch a good cold today, Oscar Danilovic.

Where are we?

And you ask me? We're in Yalta, damn it!

How disgraceful, citizen.

Papers?

Where's your suit?

- In Moscow. - It's not funny!

- Foreign ships come through here. - My name is Oscar Danilovic.

I'm a writer, a secretary of the Union of Proletarian Writers.

A few moments ago, you got me a taxi in Moscow. How's that possible?

Couldn't you have a twin brother?

I don't know what are you talking about!

Come with me.

Maksudov, have you seen Oscar Danilovic?

Yes.

Let's start without him.

For the long time...

...the conduct of one of our members, has been strongly opposed...

...to the statuses of our Union.

We must be at the service of the masses...

...and he dusts off the religious myths!

These are not the Middle Ages, comrades.

Comrade Rimski speaks the truth!

I totally agree with him!

"Help."

"Please, confirm my identity."

"The Yalta police arrested me as foreign spy."

"Oscar Danilovic."

Nicolai, are you sure that you saw Oscar Danilovic this morning?

Of course. He wanted to send me to Yalta.

Comrades...

It's not your turn, Nicolai.

Others asked to speak before you.

Comrades, before this session I met with union management,

...and this morning I caught in my home, Oscar Danilovic,

...snooping around my papers.

Nicolai! Are you crazy?

Forgive me, Berlioz.

I know I'm causing you pain.

But the truth is, that you wanted to buy me off.

Yes, I know that at first glance it may not appear worthwhile...

...but you wanted to buy my freedom.

I declare...

...that my freedom is not for sale!

The freedom to write implies the freedom of the citizen.

At least I think so.

Without the real liberty there can't be real socialism.

Don't you agree, Berlioz?

Nobody can force me to withdraw a work which I believe is right.

Nobody can force me to be silent.

Comrades, you may misunderstood my worlds,

...but not my writing!

What the hell is he talking about?

About freedom, you idiot.

Dramatist Bobov has the voice.

I know him very well.

Have we gathered here...

...just to hear his sermon?

He saw his name on the affiches on the walls...

...and he thinks he's a Tolstoy!

Let him return home to his mistress!

Thank you, comrade Bobov.

Critic Lavrovic has the voice.

I strongly condemn...

I have the voice and I don't cede it to anyone!

Look at him!

The Master,

...I'm a writer, too.

But he can write whatever he wants,

...and I must follow the directives.

I'm not saying it is not fair,

...but down with privileges!

Everything for some, and nothing for others!

I share a single room and he has two rooms for himself,

...and he even got a bathroom!

Comrades, Bobov is drunk!

But no one keeps him from talking.

We can't go on, like that!

I don't understand anything!

The Master is one of our greatest writers!

Silence!

Sit down, idiot!

Despite comrade Bobov, declamation being too emotional...

...his comments on the Master are to the point.

I propose that we name the Commission...

...to examine the comrade's Maksudov case.

And you, Nicolai what do you have to say?

It's your turn, now.

What can I say?

The decision has already been made.

Pontius Pilatus

How's the play? No rehearsals today. All postponed.

May I see what's in the paper?

You can take it, I've already read it.

This table is reserved for the critic Lavrovic.

No, there must be a mistake. This table is mine.

This restauration is reserved for proletarian writers, only.

You can't stay here.

I'm a very famous writer. I write in all languages.

I just asked you because we don't want...

Will you be leaving soon?

Don't count on it.

I'm waiting for the best.

Rimski.

Can't you see I'm dancing?

The review of my "Pontius Pilatus" was in today's papers.

Yes, and?

The play was never performed.

How should I know what the press does?

I'm just in charge of the theater.

They couldn't have seen it without your permission.

They haven’t seen it.

At least not in my theater.

And as far as I know they'll never see it.

The commission decided to withdraw my play...

...before it could be seen,

...and the critics play along with this farce!

Good!

Ask the critics then, not me. There's Lavrovic.

Are you Lavrovic?

I read your review of my "Pontius Pilatus".

Have you seen the play?

Is it necessary to see certain plays to condemn them?

Our job is to not confuse the masses,

...because the masses also have a soul.

You're Latunski, right?

I'd like to talk with you.

Tell me the truth, Berlioz.

- Is my work so bad? - No, it's not bad.

Then you're guiltier than the others,

...because you understand more then them.

Berlioz,

...you sold your conscience.

- I'm not like you. - Of course not.

We're no equal, Berlioz.

- You're the man of authority. - Yes,

- ...and I will use it. - What's wrong with you?

You've just used worlds from my "Pontius Pilatus"?

What if someone were here to hear you?

What's wrong? Don't you feel well?

Nothing, nothing.

I'm better now.

I had some kind of hallucination.

Maybe it's time to send it all to hell and get some rest.

In Yalta?

What was I going to say?

Ah, yes.

That Jesus of yours,

...the so-called son of God...

...doesn't exist. He never existed.

If I understand you correctly,

...you say that Jesus never existed?

Yes, that's what I said.

Good, very good.

- You're an atheist? - Yes. I'm an atheist.

Allow me to congratulate you...

...with all my heart.

There's no need for that.

Being an atheist is natural in our country.

Someone who reasons can't believe in God.

Very good!

That's exactly...

...what old Immanuel Kant used to tell me.

And he is also the one who later...

...demonstrated existence of God.

If he hadn't die 200 years ago, today they'd put him in the madhouse.

The place where he is now isn't the place he wanted for himself.

Besides, I told him,

...when we dined together one day:

"Professor, professor,"

"...your ideas are too complicated,"

"...people will laugh at you. "

But please forgive me. I forgot to introduce myself.

I too, am a professor,

...of Black Magic.

My name is Woland.

I came to Moscow to do historical research...

...on the existence of God.

Please tell me,

...if God never existed,

...who directed mankind? Who governed and continue to govern the world?

- Man! - Man is mortal!

Tell me...

...perhaps you know what will happen to you tonight.

I'll preside over the session of the Proletarian Writers,

...unless a roof tile falls on my head.

Please...

A roof tile never falls on a person's head by chance.

Don't be afraid of roof tile.

You'll die in another way.

You'll be decapitated.

By whom? My enemies?

The intervents?

By a young woman...

...with a red scarf round her neck.

Now go!

- I must go. - Go!

And in the few moments of life left you,

...remember that Jesus existed! I saw him and talked to him!

And the devil?

Doesn't he exist either?

If we go on like this nothing exists.

That wretch is running to the office to the phone.

It's no use.

Anushka's already spilled the sunflower oil.

Catch you!

Let go of me!

What do you want?

What's going on?

Should I inform someone of that tragedy?

Berlioz!

Berlioz!

It wasn't my fault!

It wasn't my fault! He run into me!

I braked, comrades! I swear!

Poor man! He slipped on the oil and... Off with his head.

Anushka spilled the oil, and he slipped.

- Where's the head? - It disappeared.

I know...

I know who cut Berlioz's head off.

Who?

The Devil.

This is no time for jokes.

Professor!

Professor!

Berlioz is dead. Killed by Satan.

There is no doubt! It could only be the devil.

I saw it!

The tram cut his head off.

And now they can't find it.

This is his hat.

Calm down. We know you're worried,

...you just need some peace.

What? You speak of peace and the devil is in the city!

Yes I saw him!

He came for people like you!

Yes! you, Bobov!

When the last time you told the truth?

And you! Did you ever sacrifice yourself for anything?

And you! Did you ever love anyone who was beneath you?

You're all the same! Hypocrites and scoundrels!

You don't have a single opinion you would risk anything for it.

You're only interested in your accounts,

...privileges and your dirty lies!

With your cowardice you betrayed the revolution!

They won't let me work,

...and without work my life is meaningless.

If I can't write plays for the theater I'll ask the management...

...for a job as an extra,

...and if I'm no good, for one as stage technician.

But don't keep me away from theater, because it's my life.

I belong to this country and I believe in socialism.

I suffered for the revolution, because then as now,

...I believed that revolution meant freedom.

Stop persecuting me, or shoot me on spot.

Let me live, or kill me,

...just don't bury me alive.

I've been looking for you, I've been calling you all day.

I suffered for you.

Why didn't you answer?

They disconnected my phone, they don't want me to talk.

What they will do to you?

Nothing, nothing.

Margherite, I'm not well.

I'm in a sorry state.

I see.

- Margherite, I saw him. - Who?

Him.

The tram cut off Berlioz's head.

He had foreseen it. He had foreseen it all.

He also said...

...that Berlioz'd slip in a sunflower oil stain,

...and then he vanished.

Then it's true,

...you really aren't well.

No...

Listen, I wrote a letter.

Very important letter. It's here on the table.

Please mail it right away.

Tomorrow I'll come for good.

We'll wake up together everyday.

I'll come and live among your useless things.

See you tomorrow.

- Who are you? - Me? Grunja.

Where's Nicolai?

What are you doing here?

We should be asking you that.

Showing up in another persons house like this is bad manners.

And we're...

...educated people... decent people.

Grunja, tell her to get out from our apartment.

Please.

Tell me where he is. We were here together last night.

He couldn't have vanished like this overnight.

What? You're still here?

This is our house now.

I don't know who lived here before, and I don't want to know.

Come, Grunja.

Wipe that scribblings off the walls.

Excuse me, are you director of the theater?

Yes. What do you want?

- Where's Nicolai Maksudov? - What do you want with him?

Where's Nicolai Maksudov?

And why should I know?

I'm not interested in peoples' private affairs.

At least tell me where I should look for him.

At his place. Dverski 25, passage,

...the attic.

Couldn't he have moved?

You're a coward and a liar.

They're burying Berlioz,

...President of the Proletarian Writers' Union.

Look, Margherite Nikolajevna,

...they're burying the dead man and they can't find his head.

I don't know you.

True, You can't know me.

Oh, yes...

...they stole Berlioz's head.

I wonder who'd need it?

There wasn't much inside it.

"A shadow come from the sea..."

"...and covered Jerusalem..."

"...on the 14th day of the spring month of Nizan."

My God!

I'll be grateful for not speaking His name...

...in my presence.

Berlioz is dead.

But he is alive. Yes, he is.

Who are you?

I've been given different names...

...depending on the time and place.

Samael,

...Belial,

...Belzebub, Lucifer,

...even Satan.

But to you I'm Woland.

Professor Woland. A Black Magic specialist.

You will find the Master.

You'll see him soon. I promise.

Good morning citizen, Bobov.

Sympathetic citizen Bobov.

Who are you?

Don't you know?

I'm professor Woland.

My dear Bobov, no aspirin will help you,

...you ate a lot and drank too much wine and vodka, Bobov.

It's very bad for your intestines.

You were upset by Berlioz's death?

Too bad!

But it's already noon...

...and you're still in my apartment.

Grunja! Who does this cat belong to?

I'm very tired,

...an my show opens tonight at 8 at the theater.

It'll be what they've always dreamt of.

Art for the masses!

I assure you it'll be sublime.

You want to phone, too? It's become an obsession.

Hail, brother!

Hail, Bobov!

That monster is Azazelo.

The one who's about to kill you.

Ah, Bobov!

I can't understand how Bobov...

...could become a dramatist.

If he's a dramatist, I'm a cardinal!

And you Sire, why do you even speak to him?

Isn't he that scum I've wanted to talk to?

I'm listening, Bobov.

With your permission, Sire, but that guy has nothing to say.

He hasn't said a sensible thing in his entire life.

Isn't that right, Bobov?

What are you doing here?

This is not your house.

Speak! Cat got your tongue?

Oh, yes.

He's well known for being a talkative man.

His reports to police are numerous.

As far as the Master is concerned,

...it's abominable!

Do you enjoy being alive, Bobov?

Why do you enjoy being alive?

Back, Satan!

Satan...

Satan...

He was greedy, avid.

He ate and drunk too much.

A heart attack...

Who but the devil could foresee a man's death so precisely?

Only the Satan could eliminate a man of authority in such fashion.

Only the devil could come to Moscow...

...to demonstrate the existence of God.

Any veneral diseases in your family?

What are you doing?

Camrade Maksudov, we want to help you to get well.

I'm not ill.

Of course. But you are a little nervous and this will calm you down.

You need rest.

What rest?

You rest when you need to.

- I want to go! - Where?

- I must find him. - Who?

A Satan.

An obvious case of schizophrenia.

I'm not insane...

It's just an excuse...

...but I wouldn't trade places with Bobov...

...or Latunski...

...or the others.

Sir, please open the door.

Here comes the other little worm.

Oh, it's you.

I'm looking for comrade Bobov.

You're expected! Come in!

Come in.

- I came to... - A yes, why?

...to return the "Pontius Pilatus" manuscript to comrade Bobov.

No not there. that goes to the trash can.

My dear Lavrovic! How nice to see you!

Come in.

Come.

Make yourself at home.

This place is yours.

Come.

Sit down Lavrovic. What are you waiting for?

Are you hurt?

I'd...

I'd like to leave.

You haven’t arrived yet and already want to leave?

- Well you can't. - Sit down.

Good...

I see you remembered to bring the manuscript...

...of the Master's play.

Tell me,

...did you write that article without anybody having seen the play?

Not even you?

That's not very honest, don't you think?

You're a coward, Lavrovic.

A great coward!.

You mustn't confuse people.

He has a great responsibility to the masses and to the Party.

And he writes his reviews with grammatical errors!

Shit.

Would you like a glass of wine? We have excellent vintage.

Thank you, but I don't drink.

We were about to play poker...

...we just needed a fourth player.

I never play cards.

That's no good.

A man who doesn't like gambling or wine,

...or beautiful women is either sick or a coward.

Then it's true. Azazelo was right.

Lavrovic is a coward.

- Is he a coward? - No, he is just sick.

Sit down!

He doesn't know that he will die in five months time and of what!

March the 30th. Of liver cancer.

In the best state clinic.

- In the clinic. - In ward D.

But I know.

Off you go, Lavrovic! Get out!

Do you know how long you've had cancer?

Since you wrote that article about the Master's play!

Get out!

Don't forget your hat!

I'm not crazy!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Open up!

Open up! Open up!

We did a good job, didn't we, Sire?

And what's that lazy Korovjev doing?

Here I am, Majesty.

I nearly killed myself through work, and you know it, don't you?

Today Evening Opening Night!

Religion is an opium for the masses.

What's going on? Let me through.

Let me through! I'm director of this theater!

Come comrade, come.

Pontius Pilatus

It's an unprecedented provocation!

We put as many obstacles as we could,

...the author’s in the madhouse, and they advertise like that?!

In my opinion there's a reason.

They want to see who the Union's new leader should be.

So what should we do?

Actually, that "Pontius Pilatus" isn't bad.

I always said so.

The thing is Berlioz didn't approve of it.

He made me write that damned review.

Instead of recriminating,

...it would be better to phone the Ministry.

Hello?

The People's Ministry of Culture?

Yes, Minister of Culture, speaking.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

The premiere of "Pontius Pilate" will take place tonight.

Very good, Rimski!

Reserve two front-row seats for me, please.

And another thing,

...the famous Professor Woland...

What?

You never heard of professor Woland?

Well, that'll change soon.

Tonight, before the play he'll perform a seance of Black Magic.

Of Black Magic!

It was the Minister.

He said he already knows everything.

It's a test.

They want to see if we're in the line and if we obey.

- And we obey? - Of course!

Esteemed audience,

...after lengthy preparations,

...we present you the drama "Pontius Pilatus" by Nicolai Maksudov,

...but tonight we offer you a double show.

A foreign artist, professor Woland,

...will present an unusual show...

...of Black Magic.

We know that magic is superstition,

...and the show is precisely dedicated...

...to unmasking the magic.

Professor Woland!

- Azazelo! - Yes?

Do you know who this idiotic announcer is?

I have no idea.

Do you think he's finished making his stupid remarks?

He's gone.

Where are we now?

We are on earth, you idiots.

What do you see?

It moves.

What?

I can't make it out.

- Man! - Do they look bad?

No.

Not yet.

Are they different from the rest?

It's hard to know.

All right.

We'll see soon enough.

We can start.

Respected audience,

...in this hat is a 100 ruble note.

A real 100 ruble note!

It's gone. It blew away!

No, it didn't take off.

No, it didn't take off. It's there in the 7th row.

- Citizen Parcevski has it. - Exactly!

It's in citizen's Parcevski wallet,

...along with his I.D.,

...and a summon from the tribunal,

...for not having deposited food quota for his ex wife.

Professor Woland...

...will give everyone a 100 ruble note!

Citizens!

It is just a trick! A simple trick!

Dialectical materialism can explain it all!

So, explain it!

Esteemed citizens, I beg you to forgive this poor fool.

How disgraceful, comrade Rimski, behaving that way in front of people!

What will they think of comrade Azazelo?

If this bore wouldn't show up...

...your pockets would be full now!

A 100 ruble note for each one of you! And instead nothing!

Citizens!

This is a case of mass hypnosis!

An interesting experiment.

Let's ask the professor...

...to explain his trick.

You'll see how the fake 100 rubles that Parcevski has in his pocket...

...disappear at instant the same way they appeared.

It's not true!

Citizens Parcevski's rubles are genuine!

Do you take us for charlatans?

Are you suggesting Latunski,

...that yours dollars are also fake?

They are real and here they are!

Latunski, Latunski...

Don't you know that trading dollars is forbidden?

You can get five years for that!

Citizens artists it would be appropriate,

...to immediately reveal your tricks to the public.

Excuse me? What?

You must reveal your tricks.

Ah no...

I'm sorry but there's nothing to reveal.

- Everything is clear. - No, please,

...we need to know.

The audience demands the explanation.

And I say that audience doesn't demand any such thing.

But if you'd like me to reveal the truth, I'll humor you.

Tell me where were you last evening, Ariman?

Last evening my husband was working in his editorial office.

I don't see the point... There's nothing magical in it.

Yes Madam.

We didn't expect you to understand,

...but Ariman wasn't in his editorial office.

He spent the evening with an actress, from the travelling theater...

...Milizia Nikolajevna Pokobazko.

A charming young lady, twenty years younger than you!

And now - Margherite's Fashion Store!

Everything you see is yours!

We exchange old for a new,

...national for foreign.

All styles! Evening suits, sandals, shoes...

Everything is imported! And all is free!

Magnificent!

Go on! Go on!

Our spectators are impatient!

How beautiful! Stupendous!

One...

Two...

Three.

They're not real dresses!

Stop!

Stop!

I want you to know that this was not in the program.

We're getting tired of this guy.

Police!

Police!

Stop! Lower the curtain!

It's dangerous!

We'll all end in jail!

Get out!

Didn't you hear? Get lost!

Out!

A doctor!

Are you going to keep saying stupid things?

No! Not anymore!

- Will you make more phone calls? - No, no!

Will you spy again?

- No I won't do that anymore! - Are you sure?

I'm sure! I'll never do it again! I swear! Mercy!

Mercy!

Should we forgive him?

Mercy! Forgive him! Have mercy!

Forgive him!

Sire, tell me what I'm supposed to do.

People are the same everywhere.

...they love money,

...they're frivolous, ambitious.

But sometimes one finds the way to their hearts.

It rarely happens.

You can put his head back on.

Leave, disappear!

It's more fun without you.

One...

Two...

Three.

Bring in the accused!

He has read your play.

Unfortunately, He can't completely approve of it,

...so He won't take you into the Light.

But you will be granted Peace.

That's Pilatus wine.

Falernian.

It's 2000 years old.

I'm telling you that all authority is just a violence against man.

Do you realize what you're saying?

Why do you ask, Hegemon? Do I look like a madman?