All language subtitles for Désirée.1954.720p.BluRay.x264-[YTS.LT]

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Well, here you are, finally.

Thank Heavens.

- Desiree, do you realise how late
you are? Where were you? - I'll catch up.

Your brother and sister and I
were very concerned about you.

I went for a walk.

- A walk?
- In the park.

Are you trying to say that you
took a walk through the park?

Desiree, it's bad manners
to crumble your bread.

A walk in the park at this hour?
But that's foolish.

Anything might happen
to a young girl alone.

I wasn't alone,
I was with a young man.

Yes, a young man.

He came into our shop just before closing
time, he wanted to look at some silk.

You walked about the town
with this complete stranger?

He's not a complete stranger,

he introduced himself.

Finish your soup Desiree,
it's cold enough already.

But that's scandalous!

- Someone you met at the shop?
- I still have my virtue, Julie, honestly.

You are impossible.

He did hold my elbow.

I'm ashamed of you. Who
tells her about these things? Marie?

It's not proper, this is not the way
to behave, you're no longer a child.

That's the first time anyone in this house
has admitted that I'm no longer a child.

And you needn't be so unpleasant.
I did it all for you.

- For me?
- Mm. I told you him all about you.

How beautiful you are,
and how bright...

It was only a half-lie.

Very clever of you Desiree.
It's time Julie met some young men.

It would be so much easier for all of us
if she had a husband.

Marie, will you kindly
clear the table?

He's from Corsica, the young man,
a refugee.

Refugee indeed,
adventurer is more likely.

It is very dangerous
in these times to assume...

Oh, Ettiene, not again, it's been
five years since the revolution.

But we don't know what
this young man is about.

I told you he was about some silk.

Anyway, what I've been wanting to say is
that I've invited him to visit us tomorrow.

To visit us?

- When? - He has a brother,
he told me all about him.

- Two adventurers.
- This is disgraceful.

They live in Marseilles,
the brother is visiting.

You will have to cancel
that invitation.

But his brother is a general.

Even generals are suspect
in these days.

But I've never seen
a real general close-up.

- Sometimes...
- Yes?

Sometimes...?

Sometimes my family makes me sick.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it, I love my family.

I love you all.

Desiree you have to accept
one fact...

Since Papa died, I'm the
head of the family and I...

It really is not enough time
for him to cancel the invitation.

Is he handsome, the one for me?

Oh, very handsome by daylight.
But I've never seen him by moonlight.

These adventurers,
do they have a name?

Bonapat or Buonaparte,
something like that.

Bonaparte, what an impossible name...

- Madame.
- Good Evening.

Bonaparte, sir, Joseph Bonaparte.

We were very happy you were able
to accept my sister's invitation.

Thank you, sir.

My brother, Napoleon.

We are all so glad that you
could come, citizen general.

It was not difficult,
I had nowhere else to go.

My brother means, of course, that no one
else had been kind enough to invite us.

What I mean is... that after hearing
Joseph tell of your charming daughters,

I could have gone nowhere else,
Madame Clary.

Yes,

shall we, uh, be seated?

Thank you

Citizen General.

Thank You.

We shall have some wine, presently.

Well, you--you have a lovely garden.

Its early yet but...
when the lilacs are out

and the climbing roses,
round the summerhouse,

that is... the roses are out now
but in the autumn the lilacs...

Your brother is very young
to be a general, that is.

Not necessarily, madam.

Lafayette was a general at 20.

Has your brother been a general long?

Since last year,

when he command the troops
that drove the English out of Toulon.

Toulon, that is, mademoiselle, I'm sure
you've heard of it. Have you not?

Sometimes my ignorance
is beyond belief.

Would it be indiscreet
citizen general,

to inquire whether or not you are
in our city on official business?

I have no command at present.

But I shortly expect to be in charge
of the Italian campaign.

Italian? But we're not
at war with Italy.

It's my own personal idea.
I've made it known to Robespierre.

Is it true that Robespierre has
forbidden dancing in the streets

and has closed all the Houses
of Pleasure in Paris?

Desiree!

Please forgive my sister,
sometimes...

Your sister has the happy faculty

of saying the first thing
that comes into her mind.

She is without guile, a quality
almost unbelievable in a woman.

Desiree doesn't drink wine yet.

Why not? Wine is very healthful,
very strengthening.

Please.

Young girls do not need strengthening.

If you will permit me one
slight contradiction, madam.

They often do.

Yes, citizen Clary, we must
press on to offensive war on Italy.

Offensive war?

It is our sacred duty to instil
into all the European people,

our great ideas of liberty,
equality and fraternity.

and, if necessary,
with the help of cannon.

And now which one of you two ladies will
be kind enough to show me your garden.

You were staring at me
in the parlour.

What were you staring at?

Your uniform.

I didn't think a general
could be so shabby.

You must be very... poor.

I am, Desiree.

Tell me, when do you think my brother
and your sister will be married?

Married?

Yes. Soon I trust.
They're made for each other.

I spoke to Joseph
about it last night.

But last night they
had not even met.

Last night you and I
had not even met.

And here we are,
arm in arm in a magic garden.

Flowers blooming, music playing...

We must hurry or we'll lose them.

Exactly.

Confess, you must have
thought yesterday when

you invited Joseph that it would be a
good idea for your sister to marry him.

I thought nothing of the sort.

You must never pretend
with me, Desiree.

Wait, we better give them
a chance to get better acquainted

before they betroth.

I should like to know why you are
so concerned about this marriage.

Shh, I tell you.

Your family, obviously,
are very well-to-do

and I'm sure that your father left a
considerable dowry for you and your sister.

Do you mean your brother would want
to marry Julie only for her dowry?

How can you say that?
She's a lovely girl.

She is, anyway,
almost as lovely as yourself.

I'm sure that Joseph
finds her delightful.

And they will be very happy together.

I'm going to tell Julie
every word you've said.

Exactly, that's why I'm
explaining it to you so carefully.

You see, I want my family to be
well settled, Joseph will be the first.

The others will have to wait
until after my Italian victory.

And you think you can make
people do just as you wish?

That life will come out
just as you plan it?

Have you ever heard of destiny, Desiree?

Desiree, desired one.

It's a beautiful name,
it becomes you.

I will probably kiss you
before very long.

And not for your dowry.

They play the Marseillaise every night.

In the park.

It's always the last number.

Today that song is
played throughout France.

Tomorrow it will be played
throughout Europe.

A ragged army marching
on wooden shoes.

And you do not believe in destiny?

No one knows what's ahead.

Strange most people say that.

I know what's ahead.

I'm one of the men who makes history.

You laugh?

Well, I'm afraid I...
I always try to laugh.

You lied.

Wine is not strengthening.

I wish...

the night...

could have gone... on...

and on and on.

What are you doing?

I'm starting the diary Papa gave me.

At last I have something
to write in it.

Did he kiss you?

Julie!

Did yours kiss you?

Please...

a girl allows herself
to be kissed only...

Well, she allows...

Oh,

you're still too young
to understand these things.

How...

can...

it...

happen so quickly?

Are you having a daydream up there?

Oh.

What were you thinking about?

I was thinking that life
is really very simple.

Life is never simple,

but I agree that being in love
helps to make it less complicated.

This is a rather attractive piece.

Oh, it's too brittle.
This piece is better.

See those gold threads woven through it?
That gives it vitality.

- It won't go to pieces...
- Fantastic.

- You're a born silk merchant's daughter.
- Papa always said it was in my blood.

This is for Julie's wedding gown.

Quite unfashionable, we haven't sold
a yard of that since the revolution.

- But the ladies in Paris...
- The ladies in Paris are no longer ladies.

Today everything they wear
is transparent.

Oh, Surely, not everything.

General Napoleon Bonaparte?

Yes.

We went first to your barracks, sir.

They told me to find you here.

Well, what is it?

Warrant for the arrest of
Citizen General Bonaparte.

Napoleon?

Was this issued with the
knowledge of citizen Robespierre?

I regret to inform you citizen Robespierre
was guillotined in Paris three days ago.

I must go with them,
please inform my family.

- But I don't know where they live?
- 17 Rue Pavillon.

Even on a warm
summer day,

the uniform of a sergeant
in the republic army,

should be fastened
according to regulations.

- But where will they take you?
- I don't know. It doesn't matter.

Wait for me, I'll be back.

What have I said from the start:
adventurer.

Well, this will be the end of him.

Napoleon.

I've just been released,
I can't stay here.

- You must be cold.
- Only my feet.

Come and sit down,
I have many things to tell you.

- Was it very bad?
- No.

No, especially when one
considers the little packages.

I hope you got them all.

I did. The books, the wine, the cakes...

And the underdrawers.

Were they the right size?

Almost.

What happened?

They charged me with
plotting against the government.

But the men in the Ministry
of Defence are gentlemen

and when they found they had no evidence
against me, they ordered me to duty.

I'm so glad you're free.

I am to report at once to the special
mission of tracking down hidden royalists.

Will it be dangerous?

I'm an artillery expert,
I'm not a policeman.

It'll keep me away from the front,
bury me, let me be forgotten.

You could ask for a discharge.

You might join Etienne in the firm.

Are you mad?

Do you realise that I'm
the best general in France.

Do you seriously believe that
I would sell ribbons in a silk shop?

I didn't mean to offend you.

Is anyone there?

- Come in the house.
- Who's there? Who is it?

It's me, General Bonaparte.

- It cannot be you, you're in prison.
- You'll get wet.

Anyway, what are you doing here in the
middle of the night in this weather?

- Napoleon!
- Be still!

With whom are you talking?

He's talking to me.

General, you owe me
an explanation.

I will give you an explanation.

I have the honour to request
the hand of your sister in marriage.

No! With all my strength. No!

One Buonaparte is
quite enough in a family.

Loon!

Desiree, come in the house at once!

Did you mean that,
or were you just angry?

About my hand?

How could one help being angry?
Your brother shouts at me like a loon

and you ask me to become
a ribbon peddler.

Obviously, I meant it.

I came here directly from prison with the
express purpose of asking you to marry me.

Will you marry me?

Yes. Oh, yes.

You'd better go in.

No, it's lovely out here.

I must go now.
Say goodbye to my family.

- I'm leaving for Paris in the morning.
- For Paris?

Yes, I must speak with
a gentleman in the Ministry.

But you can't, if you go to Paris,
you'll be disobeying your orders.

And perhaps I'll be shot.

Can you loan me
some money?

Well, I only have 98 francs
in my drawer.

98 francs will do. Throw them
down when you get upstairs.

I'll go to Paris and convince them.
And when I come back we'll be married.

Please...

Please remember that I love you.

Oh, Paulette, have you
ever seen such silk?

Oh!

Isn't this a lovely piece of material?

This'll make a beautiful gown,
don't you think?

I told you a hundred times, our silk
is not to be handled, by any of you.

Just because your brother
Joseph married my sister,

is no reason why I have to put up
with the entire Buonaparte family.

Oh, it's not Buonaparte any longer.

Yes, yes, I know he changed it,
its Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte.

But it is easier to pronounce.

Frankly, I wish I'd never heard it.

The next time you
write your brother,

you can tell him Desiree
will not wait forever.

She hasn't heard
from him in months.

That's because he's having
such a wonderful time in Paris.

You know he hob-nobs with
all the diplomats and politicians.

And he spends most of his time in salons,
like Madame Tallien.

All the famous people
gather there.

And they drink champagne all day long.
And they flirt with each other
in little rooms.

Well, a man who spends
his time in such a manner,

doesn't deserve to marry
a girl like Desiree.

Ouch!!

Desiree, where are you going?

To Paris!

Desiree!

Who is she?

De Beauharnais!

Josephine.

- Josephine?
- Yes.

What is it you wish,
Mademoiselle?

- I wish to go in.
- Have you have an invitation?

No, but I believe I know someone
who knows me in there.

- Are you a friend of Madame Talienne?
- No.

Well, if you have no escort,
I cannot allow you to enter. Now, if...

- But, I must go in.
- But I've told you,

you cannot enter unless you are a
personal friend or are with a gentleman.

Ladies like you must
keep to the Rue St. Honore.

Now, if you don't mind...

Oh!

I'm very sorry citizeness.

It was really my fault.

Quite right.

Oh, I beg your pardon. But I...

I should like to belong to you...

This is hardly the time
or the place.

No, I mean for a few moments only,
until we get inside.

You see I must go in,
but I have no escort.

Please forgive me,
I shouldn't have bothered you.

No bother.

Whom shall I announce, General?

Your name citizeness?

Desiree.

And the rest of it?

General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte.

And citizeness... Desiree.

You found him yet?

No...

how did you know?

What a surprise!

What a pleasant surprise,
General Bernadotte!

I've just returned from the front,
Madame Talienne.

As always, my first pleasure
is to join your magic circle.

Oh, the soldier from the front,

it's flattering, but I see you've
already found a companion in Paris.

Yes, by a happy chance.

The moment the citizeness and I saw one
another, we fell into each other's arms.

Well, old friend or not my dear you're
going to have to share him with us.

Come... I want to show you
the most fantastic woman.

He was a waiter my dear,
a waiter.

And now he's Madame Racomiert's lover.

Oh, no!

Oh, he's gone so low.

My motto would be
"Never be in a hurry".

People will not stand for the bread
shortage much longer...

After all, they did not
win a revolution for that.

Is he teaching you to
speak Corsican, Madame?

It's impossible for you to understand
anything simple, Monsieur Talleyrand.

I love Napoleon, and he loves me.

Believe me its not your soul
he loves nor your body...

- Its your influence.
- Oh, come now, you forget yourself.

Yes, I guess so, but I am
carried away by the truth.

Perhaps you do seek glory,
my darling.

But we won't be grudge him that,
will we?

The pursuit of glory
creates solely a great hero,

contempt of it creates a great man.

Perhaps the pursuit of an
extraordinary woman can create both.

You're actually becoming
an expert at that.

Yes, yes, well,
everyone a toast.

A toast to General Napoleon Bonaparte
and our beloved Josephine.

May they be as happy married
as they are single.

Desiree!

Please remember that I love you...

Mademoiselle... what is it?

Let me go...

- Come, I'll take you home.
- No, leave me alone.

Put me down!

- Drive along, anywhere.
- Yes, sir.

- Back to Madame Talienne's?
- No!

- Anywhere.
- Yes, sir.

I disgraced you at Madame Talienne's.

I... I should apologise.

I apologise.

I'm not sorry for anything else,

I threw champagne
at her dress on purpose.

Champagne leaves spots...

She's far most beautiful than I...

A lady of the world.

I really must try not to cry so much.

I'll get your coat wet.

Don't worry tears don't leave spots.

We were to have been married.

I believed in him as I never believed
in another human being.

Now, without a word he just...

Really doesn't have to
be the end of everything.

Oh, it does, it does.

In the life of every woman
there is only one great love.

- It's so.
- Can you be that certain?

It says so in all the novels,
it must be true.

I really don't like discussing
another man's affairs. But,

there is something you should
know about General Bonaparte.

Aside from his interest in Josephine,
he was engaged for a long time

to the daughter of a
wealthy silk merchant...

- Oh?
- in Marseilles.

His brother's married to her sister.

So, you see, he wouldn't
have married you in any case.

His choice was between a bumpkin
with a large dowry

and a paramount
with useful connections...

Unfortunately, you have neither
dowry nor connections.

How do you know that?

I can tell by looking at you.

Perhaps that's why
you're so attractive.

13 Rue Tabac.

Would you allow me
to call on you tomorrow?

Aren't you in love with her?

- Good heavens, who?
- Madame Tallien.

No, I'm in love with you.

Oh, I can't bear a General,
none of you...

Well there are Generals
and Generals...

Again, would you allow me
to call on you tomorrow?

No.

Perhaps, I'm too old.

I'm leaving Paris tomorrow for Mar...

I'm leaving Paris tomorrow.

And I'm never going to return.

13 Rue Tabac.

Good night and thank you.

Truly, many thanks.

Don't worry, I'll go in and stay.

It's not that, it's just...

What I said just now, I was
teasing of course, in a way, but...

you are the very, most attractive...

Oh, it wouldn't do it, General,
really not.

It isn't that you are
too old for me but...

you can see for yourself.

I'm much too short for you.

December 15th, 1797.

I suppose by now
the whole world knows

Napoleon Bonaparte.

His face is everywhere.

They call him the strong man of France,
ever since he conquered Italy.

Just as he said he would.

He certainly has
taken care of his family.

Whoever thought Joseph would be
Ambassador of the French Republic,

here in Rome?

Anyway, I'm glad Julie asked
me to come and stay with them.

Marseilles has too many memories...

and who knows?

Diplomatic life may be interesting.

Diplomatic life is dull, dull, dull...

and this gloomy palace...

these cold floors and high ceilings...

and these awful statues...

at any moment I expect them to
turn into fountains spouting water

from all sorts of unlikely places.

And it's always so, so draughty and...

Ahchoo!

And one thing is certain...
I hate palaces.

You are glad you came to
Paris with us, aren't you?

Yes.

You're quite sure you wanted
to come to his dinner party?

Yes.

We'll be close by, if...

Well, now that he's married
to Josephine, of course...

Do you feel anything
for him anymore?

No!

No.

His Excellency and Madame
Joseph Bonaparte

and Mademoiselle Desiree Clary.

- Julie.
- Madame.

- Joseph.
- Madame.

Welcome to Malmaison, Mademoiselle.
It was good of you to have come.

The delight is completely mine,
madame.

Good evening.

It's inconceivable,
the little girl I once knew.

Desiree, you've become a temptress.

You've not seen me
in a long time General.

Too long.

Your success as our
Ambassador in Vienna has...

I intend to stay in Paris as long as
Joseph and Julie are here, General.

I shall see that they
remain indefinitely.

In the tradition of the
great French diplomats...

Ah, Bernadotte,

you know my brother and his wife.

And you seem to be acquainted
with the young lady.

I don't recall that I am.

Joseph, Julie, come and meet everybody.

Well, allow me to present her then,
Mademoiselle Clary,

General Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte.

The British isles can never
be invaded by the sea.

But there is another way.

Now, can you imagine,

battalion after battalion,
transported across the channel by air?

By air?

Huge balloons constructed
to remain aloft for hours.

Each carrying a half dozen men.

Inventors have shown me the designs.
Fantastic possibilities.

All of this, of course,
will have to wait.

It is now safe to reveal something that
Bernadotte and a few others already know.

In a few weeks, I should leave
for the Egyptian campaign.

We will sail from Toulon with 400 ships

and 2,000 pieces of artillery.

With the pyramids as a base,
we will unite East and West.

40 centuries will look down upon us
and we will not disappoint them.

What do you make of it,
Bernadotte?

Egypt...

Oh, um...

it will prove that cannon
is more effective than bow and arrow.

You misjudge my motives.

Victory in Egypt is necessary,

it is one more step, in bringing
order and peace to Europe.

Order and peace by conquest.

I'll tell you frankly, if I were Minister
of Defence, I'd forbid you to sail.

Then we must make certain that
you're not made Minister of Defence.

At least until after I depart.

General Bernadotte
doesn't approve of conquest.

Not even of ladies.

It must have been painful for you without
anyone in Vienna... at court, I mean.

At court and elsewhere.

Perhaps you never found the right lady.

I found her once
but she simply vanished.

I drink to her memory.

This one over here
is called the Donna Velota.

I've seen it somewhere.

It used to hang in Italy

and I borrowed it.

Her smile reminds me of your wife's.

Your tone is cold.

Did you expect it to be otherwise?

I thought I done everything I could
to make matters up to you.

By sending me every
eligible bachelor you knew.

I chose only my most trusted aids...

soldiers who have distinguished
themselves in the field of battle...

I am not a decoration to be rewarded
to some deserving officer.

It's time you were married.

Believe me, only in marriage can a
woman find a real meaning in life.

I should like to throw
these candlesticks at you.

Well... if you must, at least
let's not set fire to the place.

Desiree,
I must make you understand...

without Josephine I could not
have achieve command in Italy.

As a result of that,
deeds await me of which

the present generation
cannot even dream.

These chuckleheads who
call me bloodthirsty, mad, ambitious,

I am none of these.

I am the French Revolution.

And I shall know how to protect it.

The Crown of France is in disrepute.
It lies in the gutter.

It needs only to be picked up
with the point of a sword.

Do you understand that?

Do you?

I don't... I'm not certain.

We must be friends always.

The gardens are lovely here
in Malmaison.

There are chestnut trees

and a lake with black and white swans,

and a charming little building...

No, I don't want to walk in the
garden with you again, ever!

Would you object madam, if I
invited your sister for a little drive?

But of course General,
any afternoon..

I mean right now.

Yes, right now.

- But it's after dark.
- Only a little.

A silk merchant's daughter
from Marseilles.

Why didn't you tell me?

I was too proud.

I was too confident.

I called next day
at the house at the rue Tabac.

- They would tell me nothing about you.
- I asked them not to.

Thereby caused us to waste
three complete years.

But I thought of you many times.

Have I changed?

You're more nourished.

And I no longer hate Paris.

It must be the loveliest place
in the world.

I never want to leave.

Nor I.

Except that I'll probably be
in command of troops again, soon.

But I found a house that should
be perfect for you and the child.

What child?

Our child, of course.

Ordinarily I'm a man of
manners and protocol.

I'd call on you, and your family,
I'd bring you flowers,

take you to the theatre.

I'd do whatever is required
of a man before he proposes.

Three years is enough time to waste.

Oh, no, please.

There's no help for it.

You're the second man
I've ever kissed.

Do it again.

I was born in a small city
called Pau in Gascony.

My father was a clerk
in a lawyer's office.

I joined the army when I was 17.

You're not the second girl
I've ever kissed.

I don't mind, really.

I'm not apologising.

One more statistic.

Ever since the moment I left you
that night in the rue Tabac.

I've been in love with you.

I met him first.

I loved him.

You will always know that.

Do you still love him?

I haven't found out yet.

I hope not.

You think you could ever
be in love with me?

I think so...

my sweet General of the bridge.

Then we'd better risk the other.

Perhaps it doesn't matter
that I... No,

I meant perhaps it doesn't matter
that I'm too short for you.

The trousseau's all ready.

I embroidered the monograms long ago.

B's...

but I didn't know
they'd be for Bernadotte.

Look at him, his face is crab red.

He looks so offended.

Perhaps it's because
we named him Oscar.

You can be sure I had
nothing to say about it.

It's a hideous name.

It is a noble name.

It belongs to a Nordic Hero.

May we join this happy occasion?

- Of course.
- We're honoured.

We've come to pay our compliments
to the Bernadotte Dynasty.

Well...

how small he is.

They're always small at the beginning.

Oh, I brought these for you.

- They're beautiful.
- They're from our garden in Malmaison.

They're lovely. I'll put them
in a vase. Excuse me.

- May I come with you?
- Please.

There we are.

There baby, all right.

Quiet baby.

I hear that you're not pleased
about my return from Egypt.

A commander's place
is with his troops.

I returned to the place
I was needed most.

The situation here is desperate,

riots, corruption, political murders...

The government won't
last out the month.

I've tried and tried
to grow stems like these.

I do envy you your roses.

I envy you your son.

Some day I hope we'll come to visit
one of yours and Napoleon's.

It's kind of you to hope that.

Strange isn't it?

With my first husband,
I didn't really wish for children.

And I had two quite quickly,
before I was twenty.

- In fact...
- You're not speaking of leadership.

What you suggest is dictatorship
with you as the dictator.

I tell you,
it's up to us Bernadotte.

It's up to the general of
the army to save the republic.

What do you object to?

Your methods...

I see, well, I must know who
supports me and who does not.

If force is finally to be used,
where do you stand?

You came here to ask me
to join you in treason.

I must ask you to leave my house.

Well,

your husband is a very stubborn man.

Write that on the 9th of November
in the year 1799,

Napoleon Bonaparte was proclaimed
the first consul of the French Republic.

Those who tried to walk out of the
chamber of deputies in protest

were turned back at the exits...

by the bayonets of Bonaparte's aides.

If we're forced to flee,
I could dress as a boy.

You've been reading novels again.

Desiree, have you heard?

Joseph's to be Foreign Minister.

And we're moving to the Tuileries.

Josephine's going to do everything over.
It's all so dingy and old-fashioned.

Her apartment's to be in white.

Imagine me, Julie Clary, in the Tuileries.

You're not still writing your diary!

- Oh, ha, ha, how funny!
- Why funny?

Because everything's so different.

I, uh, I have an order
from the first consul.

General Bernadotte is to report
to him tomorrow at 11:00.

So very different.

The Nation has chosen me
as its guardian.

We've averted civil war.

Bernadotte, I ask you
to join my council of state.

Why do you do this?

Because France cannot afford to lose
one of her most able men.

Listen to me, Bernadotte.

Listen to some of the things
I've planned.

A unified code of laws,

a bank of France.

We need new roads and harbours.

I will abolish all hereditary titles.
All of these things and more.

A new program for the republic.

You are the last man
of consequence to oppose it.

I have never opposed the republic.

Then you accept?

Well, I'm delighted.

I'm delighted for yourself
as well as for your wife.

She was never one to
lurk about in alleyways.

Pasting up inflammatory posters.

And Bernadotte, if you choose to
number yourself among my friends,

well,

you will be most welcome.

I give you my loyalty.

I cannot promise you affection.

Oscar, it's time for your lunch.

Desiree, you're late already
for the coronation rehearsal.

I never saw such a girl...

The old dragon
gets grouchier every year.

Mama, will the Emperor
wear his crown to bed?

I don't know dear,
it may be too heavy for him.

Nor for Napoleon.

Emperor of the French.

Remember that night when he
came to visit us in Marseille?

Would you ever
have dreamed it then?

No, but I'm sure he did, he always felt
nothing was beyond him.

Look Mama, I'm a Marshal of France,
just like Papa.

Did you know that Jean was supposed to
call a Marshal "My Lord", even his wife.

- I never hear you do it.
- Oh, I do...

but only in our bedroom.

Desiree!

Notre Dame. The interior of Notre Dame,
dressed for his majesty's coronation.

Behold, if you please, his majesty.

Lo... her majesty.

The Imperial Orb so,
the sceptre thus,

the sword of Charlemagne, thus.

You ladies each a wife
of a Marshal of France, accordingly.

Now, the organ peals,
the procession begins.

Lightly, gracefully,
and above all joyously.

Her majesty starts, so...

Your high sisters
of his gracious majesty,

lift the train of her majesty's robe...

I told you I'm not going to
carry the train.

Nor I, she can't pull it by herself,
let her walk on her knees.

Mesdames, I implore you...

It is his majesty's expressed wish.

Not if he throws me out of France.

Madame Bernadotte,
we haven't seen you in some time.

- How is your family?
- Very well, your majesty.

Your little boy,
is he growing fast?

Very fast,
thank you your majesty.

Oh...

What is it, Monsieur Duprier?

Your Majesty, she's the Emperor's sister
but she is also the wife of a Marshal...

Well?

18 Marshal's wives,
9 pairs side by side.

But she's also to help
carry your majesty's train.

This leaves 17 ladies only.

And how can 17 ladies form 2s,
none to walk by herself?

Might I be of assistance in this
difficult and strategic operation?

You see, we will have only 16
Marshals' wives in the procession.

The extra one, the odd one,

will carry one of her majesty's
lace handkerchiefs.

On a pillow.

Now, I think that will be
a very poetic touch.

- A stroke of genius, your majesty.
- Now,

I think we should allow...

ah...

Madame, ah...

Madame Bernadotte,
the responsibility of this.

I think she will look lovely
in sky blue.

Sky blue isn't becoming to me,
I haven't worn it in years.

Yes, well...

Proceed, I will watch.

Ladies, if you please, your positions.

Organist.

Your Majesty,
if I may be permitted.

Now ladies,

we remember our positions
as we rehearsed them?

So, Your Majesty, mesdames...

Her Majesty's train,
I implore you.

Madame Bernadotte,
in your position, if you please.

So, music.

1 and 2 and 3 and 4...

and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4...

And lightly, gracefully, joyously...

happily.

Left and right and...

What seems to be the difficulty?

We refuse to carry her train.

We're made to do the job
of page girls.

You've heaped honours
on everybody, and what are we?

- Your own sisters.
- Nothing.

Well, what exactly
do you wish to be?

- If you want to know, a princess.
- Yes, a princess.

I thought I treated my family with
more distinction than they deserved.

You are a Marshal's wife!

Your husband is in the Ministry
of Finance, a fiddle player!

You are the countess Bourges!

Yes, you made me marry
the only man I knew

with whom I wasn't
the tiniest bit in love.

Sir, I beg you in your graciousness
you grant your sisters' request.

So that we may get on
with this rehearsal.

Princesses of what? Of where?

Very well. Kneel.

Now each of you is
an Imperial Highness, a princess.

Now, will you kindly arise
and carry the train?

Your Majesty.

Sire,

it is about the virgins.

What about them?

None can be found at court.

Why must we have them?

His majesty commands that
the coronation be modelled

in every detail after the
medieval ceremony at Durance.

Thus, 12 virgins
must walk to the altar

after the anointing of the Emperor.

Gentlemen, this is your problem.

I'm sure there are at least 12
suitable young ladies left in France.

In sky blue.

Last week the army even
drafted the son of the coachman.

Do you know how old he is?

He is 15.

What country will he die in?

Bavaria?

Spain?

I tell you they are taking boys of 15.

I know Marie.

My nephew's at the Austrian front.

My brother's only son.

They marched him away
with roses tied to his musket.

Everything went wrong.

They can't find any virgins.

And Josephine's crown with
the other ladies, doesn't fit properly.

She and Napoleon are having
a church wedding tonight.

The Pope won't crown them
unless they do.

They only had a civil
ceremony before, you know?

- What's this?
- It came for you this afternoon,

- from the Imperial household.
- Oh.

And I'm to have a special role.

I don't dance in
with all the other wives.

I come in all alone carrying Josephine's
handkerchief on a cushion.

Isn't that quaint?

Except that he's asked me
to wear sky blue, which I detest.

I don't care for you
having a special role.

- He wishes it.
- What did you say?

The Emperor wishes it, I can't
very well do anything about it.

The Emperor wished it?

Jean?

Every time he sees you, the comedy,
the opera, his receptions, now...

But that's ridiculous! Do you realise
how long it's been since he and...

I'm nothing but a memory to him.

Yes,

a memory he'd undoubtedly
like to refresh.

"Madame la Marschal...

"In Marseilles, you were kind enough
to lend me some of your savings

"so that I might travel to Paris.

"This journey has
bought me good fortune.

"It is an obligation I take
pleasure in meeting today.

"The amount involved at this time was...

"98 francs.

"Thank you,

Napoleon".

If he cannot forget,
it's because I am part of his youth.

I won't go to the coronation.

I'll stay in bed with a cold.

I'm seriously ill with a cold and
a headache, a sore throat, and...

I cannot take part
in the coronation ceremony.

Oh, I love you very much.

And I...

I'm not going to cry...

Heavens! He crowned himself!

A long time ago I pressed these roses
Josephine brought me.

Even then, I think she knew
what would happen.

And later,

I remember the way she
looked at him at the coronation.

Just 5 years back,

almost to the day.

Well,

this is one of his affairs
I won't attend.

This time I am staying in bed
with a cold I don't have.

For several years past,
I've lost all hope of having children

for my beloved wife,
the Empress Josephine.

Yet the political necessities
of my monarchy

require that I leave heirs to the throne
on which providence has placed me.

The interest of France...

demand the dissolution of our marriage.

I wish to state...

that my marriage is an obstacle
to the welfare of the nation.

as I no longer...

expect to be able to...

to fulfil my...

obligations.

To fulfil my obligations,
I resign to my love.

I owe everything
to his majesty's kindness.

As occupant of the throne
on which he placed me,

I have received abundant testimony of the
love and affection of the French people.

It is with regard
to these sentiments

that I consent to the wishes
of my regal consul.

You were the only one
who stayed away.

Perhaps I was the only one
who knew how you really felt.

That's why I sent for you.

I wanted someone with me
who knew how I really felt.

I have to leave in the morning.

The workmen are coming
to redecorate the rooms.

You were the only one
who stayed away.

Her Majesty wishes to retire now.
You can finish that in the morning.

Not "her majesty" anymore.

Please take the rest of this,
it'll help you to sleep.

Oh...
I've had so much already.

You threw a glass of champagne
at me once.

I made you very unhappy.

Forgive me.

I didn't mean to.

It's long ago and long since healed.

You ought to tint your hair, Desiree.
When you wash it...

just a little.

Give it a reddish glow.

It would be lovely.

Please, Madame.

It would be lovely.

She's...

She's only 18, you know?

That Marie-Louise...

that Austrian princess he's marrying.

She's... she's a Hapsburg.

The Hapsburgs are very prolific.

She'll have no end of little princes.

No end of little Hapsburg Bonapartes.

I must leave now, madam.

Please, he always knew
I couldn't have a child by him.

I told him so.

I even told him why.

He always knew, Desiree.

He...

He always knew.

Don't desert him, Desiree.

When he loses his powers,
he will need someone.

Who's there?

Me.

Who's me?

I was just leaving.

To begin with,
what are you doing here?

I wonder myself,
her majesty sent for me.

Oh,

for consolation, I suppose.

How very inventive of her
to choose you.

I always envied Josephine's
sense of theatre.

You are unkind sir,
she is truly heartbroken.

Well, don't whistle so with pity.

She leaves here with 700 dresses,
250 hats, 3 million francs a year.

Has she been crying?

Yes.

Well, she'll cry for several days.
And...

have a facial massage and
go out and order 10 new gowns.

If you'll just show me
the way out of here.

The door to the hall is there.

Don't you want to put
your shoes on first?

Desiree.

Citizeness Desiree.

Tell me, how is that fine fellow,
your brother?

He's been living here for some time.

There is now a Paris branch
of Clary and Son.

Oh, yes, Clary and son.

I remember you wanted me
to go to work for him.

Selling ribbons, I believe.

Yes, your majesty.

Well, we're quite different
people now, aren't we?

Or are we the same?

If I may have my shoes, please.

It's a pity you're
married to Bernadotte.

Well, to the future, then.

Marie-Louise of Austria.

Politically, she's very desirable.

And there is a certain...

look of fertility about her.

You don't approve
of this marriage?

I do not approve
of your divorce, sire.

I marry and divorce for France.

And will you kindly
stop calling me sire?

This belonged to the last Austrian
to inhabit these quarters,

Marie Antoinette.

The new Austrian that
undoubtedly wants to waltz.

I never learned,

teach me.

I cannot! Not here.

Here...

and now.

We are different.

I will not try to kiss you again.

Let us waltz.

No.

We will waltz.

No. You have to keep on turning.

1, 2, 3...

1, 2, 3...

1, 2, 3...

2, 3...

2, 3...

2, 3...

1, 2, 3...

1, 2, 3...

Our armies are everywhere now,
even in Spain...

and my husband's been
heaped with honours.

Oscar likes best Denmark's
order of the elephant.

But Jean-Baptiste treasures
this one from Sweden.

Since he's been wounded
and sent home, this last time,

I've seen him look at it often.

With a most curious smile.

Desiree.

Desiree, wake up.

Wake up, hurry! Put
something around you.

- Why must I wake up?
- What is it, Papa?

There is a new lord? You'll
hear all about it, just hurry.

There have been rumours for
some time. I didn't want to tell you.

Help Madame Bernadotte, a robe,
anything. Do you understand?

No, I don't understand a thing!

As chamberlain of his majesty,
Charles XIII...

I have the honour to report
that the Swedish parliament...

has unanimously elected,

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte

heir to the throne of Sweden.

Heir... to the throne?

King Charles wishes to adopt
Marshal Bernadotte as his beloved son

and receive him as a Crown Princes.

Oh, that would mean that
I'd be crown princess of Sweden.

Yes, Madame.

And eventually, Queen.

Queen?

But I don't know how to be a Queen.

We regret that you are not at time
to become accustomed to the idea.

We shall await your decision.

I'll make it quickly.

You gentlemen must have had
a long and tiring journey.

You must join us for a glass of wine.

Look Papa,
three crowns and a lion.

What a beautiful coat of arms.

Please,

tell me why Sweden
chose my husband.

Madame Bernadotte has not occupied
herself with affairs of state, gentlemen.

Madame,

for a century now, the importance of
Sweden as a great nation has been failing.

Our present king is very old,
he is childless.

If he dies without an heir,

there are certain forces within the
nation that may provoke civil war.

If that happens,
our country may well disappear.

We are an ancient state madame,
we want to survive.

But my husband
is not a Swede.

Precisely. We need fresh blood.

We need a man of stature
that Europe respects.

To be honest,
we need a marshal of France.

And Bernadotte is the only marshal
who is not servile to Napoleon.

But I'd have to learn Swedish

and I'm terrible at languages.

Your Royal Highness,
I trust it will be your Royal Highness,

may I teach you
your first Swedish word?

Skaal.

Skaal.

Skaal.

Sk...

skaal.

Well, you submitted
a remarkable request, Bernadotte.

You wish to surrender your French
citizenship and resign from the army.

I can respect a man's desire
to ascend a throne

but to change his nationality
is strange and incomprehensible.

My brother Joseph is King of Spain,
and he remains a French citizen.

Louis King of Holland, but he wouldn't
like anyone to call him a Dutchman.

Jerome of Westphalia, Marshal Murat,
Caroline's husband,

King of Naples, all rulers,
yet all still Frenchmen.

I am quite sure,
Madame Bernadotte,

that you have you given
considerable thought to this matter?

I have sire.

Do you know where Sweden is?

The North Pole.

Crown Princess of Icicle land.

And always in want, tell her
something of Swedish court ceremony.

It is very rigid, madame.

The Swedish Royal House
is extremely conventional.

My feet hurt sire, may I sit down?

The Swedish Royal House
is also mad.

The present king is incapable of
pronouncing one coherent sentence.

The one before him was deposed
because he was insane.

Really.

Since I hope to join
that monarchy, sire.

I must ask you not to insult it.

I request your decision.

Your majesty,
England has been breaking

our continental blockade
through Sweden.

What a joke on the English...

a French Marshal on the Swedish throne.

Very well, Bernadotte, go to Sweden.

But of course I cannot allow you
to renounce your citizenship.

It would be impossible.

I will call upon you should the
frontiers of France need defending.

That will not become necessary, since
France no longer have any frontiers.

His majesty's suggesting
that with you in Stockholm.

the... shall we say the interests

of France and Sweden
would always coincide.

I should, of course, always
serve the interest of Sweden.

And the interests of France.

I should serve the interest
of my former country

whenever they do not conflict
with the interest of Sweden.

Can it possibly be

that you have forgotten what
your former country meant to you?

Can it be that you've forgotten
the battlefields on which you fought

and the armies which you led?

It is possible that you have
forgotten the ideals of your youth?

I remember the ideals
of my youth, sire.

There are times when I feel
they have been betrayed.

Go on.

I've watched you juggle
the thrones of Europe...

I've seen you make kings and queens
of your brothers and sisters...

They were all uneasily.
Their subjects despise them.

I will not be a puppet
to be moved at your pleasure.

If I go to Sweden, it'll be as the
Swedish crown prince or not at all.

Sweden may not posses
the grandeur of Spain,

the climates of Naples.

It possesses something far richer,

a free parliament.

It has chosen me to rule it freely.

I will govern according to my
own ideas and those of my people.

Will you remind him
that he is a Frenchman!

And that his emperor
has a right to command him!

You were born to command, sire.

I was not born to obey.

You will remain a marshal of France,

and when there are new wars,
you will lead one of my armies

and furthermore you will add your
Swedish regiments to ours!

Would you make me
a greater man than yourself

by obliging me to refuse a crown?

Madame, is this your wish?

It is my wish, sire.

Very well, I see you have your
interest, and I have mine.

Your Royal Highness will love Stockholm.
It's a beautiful city.

They call it the Venice of the North.

I prefer the Venice of the South.

I put on my woollen underdrawers
and I'm still freezing!

Don't worry no-one's going to
look under my skirt.

Ahchoo!

I hate palaces!

Finally, the royal family
request that you stop sliding

across the throne room with Oscar.

Desiree, you must
learn a little restraint.

That is the most difficult thing of all.

I just can't cope with any of it!
Not any of it!

I walk wrong, I curtsy wrong,
I talk wrong.

I can't even manage the names.

Countess Lewenhaupt.

Baron Lewenhelm.

Chancellor Wederstaed.

Dorfningholm, and Durogartem.

Everything is with a umlaut.

The Royal Family
has suggested a few tutors.

Tutors, Jean? I haven't been able to
learn anything since I was ten.

Oh, I'll try, I'll try.

Lu-ven-haupt.

Lu-end-Haupt.

Lu- Ven- Haupt.

Lu- Ven- Haupt.

# But when I aught in spring appears #

# The flowers will remember #

# Cold and white in the winter night #

# Lies the drifted snow #

# Snow... #

I wanted to ask you,
my dear daughter

whether you feel you are fulfilling
your duties as crown princess of Sweden.

I don't know, your Majesty.

You don't know,
my dear daughter?

Well, I can't judge, I'd never
been a crown princess before.

It is extremely unfortunate
that you do not know.

But I will tell you how a crown
princess does not fulfil her duties.

A crown princess does not
fall asleep in public.

At court functions, she remains
awake and converses graciously.

She does not act as if
she was deaf and dumb.

I am sorry, your Majesty, but I keep still
so as not to embarrass my husband.

I sometimes say things which
prove to be embarrassing.

A crown princess does not allow
her servants to call her by her name.

Marie? But she's called me
Desiree all my life.

A crown princess does not
wander through the streets alone

inspecting the silk stores.

And why not?
I used to be in the business.

I must insist that you forget
what you used to be!

I'm sorry your Majesty but
I forget nothing or nobody!

You will have to in the future.

Your behaviour is already
one burden to the Swedish people.

Do not permit your origin
to become another.

- If I may leave now.
- No, my daughter, you may not.

I am leaving your Majesty.

I am leaving Sweden.

May I announce
your Royal Highness?

No, thank you. I'm accustomed to seeing
my husband without being announced.

- But I'm obliged to announce you.
- Who obliges you to?

Tradition, your Royal Highness,
for centuries...

Oh, don't threat, I won't upset
your tradition much longer.

Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness.

-Is there something particular, Desiree?
- Yes, I wish to speak to you.

I'll wait until you've finished.

It's a question of
breaking off trade with England

or defying Napoleon.

There are no other choices.

We must maintain peace
with Napoleon.

Napoleon's idea of peace is no one
should mention or oppose him.

I will not allow him
to dictate our trade policies.

If your Royal Highness keeps to that
there will be resistance.

I hope you will consider
your own position.

I fully realise that I'm still
on probation here in Sweden.

You're... uh...

Gentlemen, I believe we'll
continue this another time.

Now, if you'll tell me
what is so important

that a council of state
must stop for it?

I had a dreadful scene
with the Queen.

I was unspeakable,

but so was she.

Don't be angry with me
Jean Baptiste, please don't.

How can I not be angry?

Did you hear what
we were discussing?

Do you make any effort to know
what goes on in the world?

Napoleon is set on
a new blood bath in Europe.

Someone must stop him somewhere,
and you ask me to concern myself with

a spat between you
and the Queen?

Well, whatever it's about,
perhaps the Queen is right.

I came to tell you
that I'm leaving.

I'm going home.

You are home.

I'm sorry, Desiree.

I'm tired, I'm upset these days.

Look.

There's Oscar in the front rank.

Why do they always
march into battle with music?

It helps them to keep in step.

He'll make a good soldier.

Some day he'll make
a good prince.

And a good king, like his father.

Do you know what they call his mother?

A foreigner.

That is why I must return to France.
I only embarrass you here.

I lower your prestige more every day.
Say you'll let me go, Jean.

Do not ask me to say it.

When your position here is stronger,

and the people accept you
completely, I will come back.

When will that be?

Not until Napoleon is stopped
will there be any security for me.

Or peace for anyone.

I cannot let you go.
I cannot do it without you.

Dear, you cannot do with me.

There's too much at stake!
You know it.

Why do you look at me like that?

Because you're right.

Because I love you.

Because he will see you again.

When it's spring in Paris,

I'll go to our bridge.

Look out at the Seine,

and remember.

Oh.

Oh.

Let's go back to the table. Hm?

I'm so glad I made you come.

After all, it's an occasion.

And you've been here 8 months,
living like a nun.

Skaal.

- Happy new year.
- Happy new year, Desiree.

The emperor.

I regret that affairs of state
kept me from joining you until now.

I ask my son to be with us here on
this eve of a great year for France.

To the health of his young majesty.

To the health of his young majesty.

He's damp.

Precious.

I heard that your royal highness
returned to France some time ago.

May I ask what caused you
to leave your own country?

The cold, sire.

So, the cold.

Members of visiting royal houses
usually request an audience

when they visit my capital.

Court courtesy.

I did not think your majesty overly
concerned himself with matters of courtesy.

You were, Madame.

Since you're no longer a citizen,

you remain in France
because of my courtesy.

1,2,3... 1,2,3

You do well your majesty.

I was taught well,
your royal highness.

That must be the real
reason why she left Sweden.

Yes,

she's still in love with him.

He's still in love with her,
I'm sure of it.

My brother and his affairs,
he's such a fool.

When do you plan to
return to Stockholm, Madame?

When it is no longer cold there, sire.

Do you not miss your son?

Only a little less
than I miss his father.

In the meantime your husband
is playing a dangerous game.

Reports reach me that Sweden
is discussing an alliance with Russia.

Now, how true is this?

I only know that Sweden
wishes to remain at peace.

Impossible!

Time has come for choosing sides.

Do you realise that in a few days I will
send the greatest army of all time

to Russia, and after Russia, England?

Urge your husband to win our friendship
not our enmity for your own safe.

I'm sorry, but I know nothing
about politics.

You would do well
to take me seriously.

You forget. I was the first person
who ever took you seriously.

You've developed, Desiree.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

answer me, has the nation
ever had such a lovely hostage?

You laugh?

The matter I was working on earlier
tonight, is an order to Marshal Davout,

it instructs him
to march across Sweden

to cover the left flank
of our approach to Russia.

Technically that puts us
at war with Sweden.

And her royal highness is my hostage.

But I offer her my protection.

And for the first act
of the new year

was to disregard of the
neutrality of another country.

No.

My last act in the old year.

The church bells will ring
with our victories.

Before next new year's eve,
I will sleep in Moscow.

Ahhh!

Desiree! Desiree!

Oh, Marie, thank the lord,
it was a dream!

It was terrible, Marie!

I saw Oscar on the battlefield.

He was all grown-up and wounded
and bleeding and blood everywhere.

Bonaparte is here, Desiree.

He's here.

He has returned from Moscow,

just now.

Allow me, Your Royal Highness.

I am General Coulaincourt,
the Emperor's Aide.

No one in Paris knows
that we have returned.

We have ridden
for many days and nights.

Did you obtain that dressing gown
in Sweden?

No, it's from Paris.

Very becoming.

Marie, bring some brandy, please.

You seem surprised to see me.

Of course.

And yet we're old friends.

As I remember.

Why should you be surprised
at my visit?

The late hour...

and the fact that you come unshaven.

Yes,

forgive me, I seem to have forgotten
about it the last few days.

May I ask why?

No, no, you may not ask...
anything.

Coulaincourt, I should like to be
alone with your royal Highness,

if you don't mind.

Thank you, sire.

Your royal Highness.

I was about to ask why I'm
honoured with this unexpected call.

This call is no honour.

I'm here on a mission.

I have come from the steppes of Russia
where my soldiers lie buried.

The ones that still live
are snow blind

and they whimper
and cry like children

who do not understand
what has happened to them.

I have come from a land

where men crawl under their
dead comrades to keep warm.

How can I send a shawl?

I knitted a shawl for my nephew.

Help me to get it to him.
He needs it there.

I have the number of his regiment.
He would be easy to find.

Your majesty has couriers.

He needs his shawl,
this warm shawl I'm knitting.

A shawl to Russia

for my 100,000 dead.

For my frozen grenadiers.

A grey, warm shawl
for my Grand Army.

Go to bed, dearest.

Do you know who met with the Czar
before the battle of Moscow?

Do you know who
advised him to burn the city

so that my troops
could not winter there?

Do you know who suggested that I
be taking prisoner during my retreat?

Yes, I'm sure I know.

My husband.

Yes, your husband.

Your husband, I want
you to write him a letter.

A personal letter, immediately.

Perhaps if it comes from you he might
remember that he once was a Frenchman.

I want you to tell him that
I have returned to Paris

to prepare the final defeat
of my enemies.

Tell him that I offer him an alliance.

And tell him that I would like Marshal
Bernadotte to march at my side once again.

And that is why
you came to see me?

Yes.

And of course I was...

cold and tired and alone.

"Jean-Baptiste
has answered the letter...

and his answer is:

he will march against Napoleon,
not with him."

"Napoleon is defeated...

and Jean had led one
of the armies which fought him."

"The allied troops
are about to enter Paris."

"How I hope Jean is with them."

Oh, Jean.

I read that you might seek a divorce.

In order to marry
a Russian Grand Duchess.

To strengthen the alliance
between Russia and Sweden.

Don't believe everything you read.

If you think it would be wise,

I would make only one condition.

What's that?

That I become your mistress.

It's impossible. Too expensive.

You'll simply have to remain my wife.

I killed many Frenchmen on
my way back to this bridge.

At Leipzig he sent my
old regiments against me.

Men I'd fought with as comrades.

I reviewed them as prisoner of war.

Don't torture yourself, darling.

Now I go to face him.

The last link in the chain.

I pray...

Jean,

I want to come back.

I never knew how lonely
it could be to be alone,

until you left.

Soon?

Very soon.

Now that we're rid of him.

Thank you for choosing
the Island of Elba.

It will remind me of my birthplace.

Vegetation in there is not too
unlike of that of Corsica.

Well...

Well, gentlemen I'm ready for exile.

Bernadotte.

I have nothing in common
with those other friends of yours.

But you, a man who
rose from the ranks.

A soldier whose loyalty
I've always cherished.

Your deployment against me
at Leipzig was brilliant.

The tactics of a genius.

That is true. I learned them from you.

French standard's in the dirt.

Tell me, Bernadotte.

Did you enjoy your triumph?

How did you feel?

In despair.

Despair.

Well, that at least, is becoming
to the most illustrious traitor

France has ever known.

History will determine
which of us was the traitor.

But if it affords you
any satisfaction,

you may know that when I leave
your sight, I leave France.

I will never be back.

There is the difference.
I will be back.

"He has escaped from Elba."

"It will be more war."

"How will I ever
get back to Sweden?"

"There has been a battle
at Waterloo."

"And now Napoleon is
barricaded at Malmaison."

"And wants to fight to the death."

"At the gates of Paris."

"There will be more killings,
more blood."

"Napoleon must be stopped."

"Jean said it long ago,
someone must stop him..."

"somewhere..."

His own battalions
protect him at Malmaison.

Their bayonets are drawn.

If we try to seize him,
more men will die.

Unless he is turned over to
the Allied Command by tonight.

We cannot save Paris
from destruction.

He is stubborn and bitter, Madame.

But you, you have known him well.

He's always seemed to...

perhaps a woman...

Desiree.

Her Royal Highness
wishes to see the Emperor.

Oh, no...

Oh, just let me...

Desiree, he won't see you.

Why, Desiree...

I'm sorry if I startled you.

Well, I'm not accustomed
to having visitors here recently.

But then, you and I always
met rather unexpectedly.

Won't you please sit down?

You know, I once asked you to walk in
this garden with me, and you refused.

Yes,

I was afraid of you.

Well, you had reason to be.

You know Desiree, that hat
doesn't suit you at all.

Not at all. May I remove it?

I'm here for a purpose.

I'm sure you are.

Do you remember
when we first met?

That was the night you told
me you knew your destiny.

That was the first night
I kissed you.

You were thinking about my dowry,
General.

Hmph.

No, not entirely.

Truly not entirely.

I wonder what my destiny
would've been had I married you.

The same, I think.

Perhaps.

But the history of Empires
often depends on such trifles.

So does the history of people.

Yes.

Well, you're here on a mission.

I bring you a message
from the French Government.

You were sent to me as a courier?!

Do they think that I'll be swayed
by sentiment? What a shabby device!

I wanted to come.

Oh, yes indeed, you always enjoyed
taking the role of the courageous lady.

I'm not at all courageous,

just the opposite.

But when there's a great deal
at stake I can make the effort.

I am to tell you that the allies will
not accept the surrender of Paris,

unless you leave France.

If you do not give yourself up today,
the city will be destroyed.

There is nothing you
will let that message

to consent before and you may
take it back with the same answer.

I can still mobilise 100,000...

And how many of them will die?

How many more men will lie
in their graves because of you?

How many more French mothers
will hate you?

How many more children
will grow up cursing your name

because they have no fathers?

I've had to shed blood
but only where it was indicated.

What indicates it to you now?

Your destiny?

I judge my conduct by my conscience.

And my conscience is not troubled.

Day by day, I, too,
gave my life for my country.

And yet, my mother did not
wish me to become Emperor.

She did not even attend
my coronation.

I made Caroline's husband a
marshal and he joined my enemies.

I made Bernadotte a marshal
and he fought me in the fields.

I made war...

in order to secure peace...

not for a year,
but for a dozen centuries...

I dreamed of a United States of Europe.

Frenchmen, Italians,
Germans, Poles, Russians...

and all the others...

One law, one coinage, one people.

Was that so rash a dream?

No.

Only the way you dreamed it.

And now,

I'm to let myself be taken to that

godforsaken rock in the ocean -

Saint Helena.

I returned from Elba but
I will never return from Saint Helena.

Is this what you ask?

It is what France asks.

It is customary to handle the one sword
to the officer taken one prisoner.

Bernadotte will explain it to you.

At this moment,
I surrender to the allies.

Please don't hold it
like an umbrella.

Goodbye, Napoleone...

No one has called me that
for a very long time.

Tell me Desiree, when did you begin
to fall out of love with me?

I don't know.

Somewhere along the way.

Strange our paths, yours
and mine, and Bernadotte's.

You will go to Sweden
and become a Queen.

The two most outstanding men
of our time have been in love with you.

And you're no real beauty.
But you have a way with you.

Go and tell my brothers
to prepare for my departure.

I want to be alone for a while.

Desiree...

our engagement...

it wasn't only the dowry...

Go along now, before I repent.

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