All language subtitles for Esther.1999.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG_4_English

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

[Man] After the destruction
of Jerusalem

nearly six centuries

before the birth of Christ,

the Jews were taken
into captivity

in Babylon.

But 60 years later,

Babylon's territories
were conquered

by the persian army,

and engulfed
in a new vast empire.

By edict of king Cyrus,

[a]! Captive peoples

were set free,

and allowed to return

to their own lands.

But not all the Jews

returned to judea.

Many decided to remain

in the persian empire,

the capital of which

was the magnificent city

of susa.

[Music playing]

[Speaking in foreign language]

[Music playing]

[Speaking in foreign language]

[Music playing]

[Speaking in foreign language]

[Music playing]

[Woman] Stop! Stop!

- Thief! Stop him.
- [Man] There he goes.

- [Man] Come here, you!
- [Man] Hold it!

- [Man] Let me go!
- [Man] That's all!

- [Man] Move! Move!
- [Man] Let me go.

That wretched man
will have his hand cut off.

It's the harsh law
of the persians.

It's not the harshness,

Ezra,

it's the absence of clemency.

We, Jews, should remember

when we write our own law...

[Man] People of susa!

Make way for the counselor

of your king!

[Music playing]

Just look at him.

Ever since the kingdom of Saul,

every Jew has known

as long as there's
one amalekite on earth,

we are in danger.

It's been so many years.

Will this feud never end?

Maybe, but I still refuse

to bow before him.

[Mordecai] Come, Ezra,

we must try to do nothing

which can bring harm
to our people.

Haman is just looking

for an excuse to strike us.

[Man] Why can't we get through?

You stupid idiots!

Bow your heads before haman,

who brings gifts

for the great king of persia

and media.

[Music playing]

How dare he?

What is it, my lord?

Nothing.

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

His riches have opened
too many doors at court.

Soon he may even win
the king's favor.

Well, you know the king.

He may have his indulgences,

- but...
- Well then,

it might not be
as hard as we thought

to rid ourselves

of that impostor.

[Music playing]

[Speaking in foreign language]

[Speaking in foreign language]

You make me so proud, Hadassah!

You've a true gift
for languages,

you learn so quickly.

Well, I do have the best teacher

in susa, cousin.

She's so generous

and obedient.

That's because she has
the blood of king Saul,

from the tribe of Benjamin,

flowing in her veins.

Thank you, Ezra.

[Ezra] But heed my words

don't let her marry a foreigner.

Has someone asked for my hand?

No one!

Haven't you some...

Some chores to do?

[Ezra] Mordecai...

You shouldn't treat her

like the orphan you took in

many years ago.

She's a woman now.

You have to accept that.

I know, I know.

But she is a special girl.

She deserves a man
who is worthy of her.

If it be the will of the lord.

Hadassah,

what is this about a man?

So...

Should someone
be asking for your hand?

Is it anyone in particular?

Oh, I don't know.

The man of my dreams, perhaps?

But I will accept whomever
you choose for me.

You know me well,

and you're a wise man.

I know you'll make
the right decision.

Today, with haman,

I was neither wise nor prudent.

Hadassah, Ezra is not wrong.

Living among
the persians so long,

we have become like them.

But we are still Jews.

We are different.

But you've always taught me
that what matters is

what's in a man's heart,

not his blood.

Yeah.

Your father might not
have taught you so.

No father is more clear
to me than you are.

Nehemiah!

What are you doing?

The king's jewels,

Booty from all over the kingdom.

But they are better off here

than in their original places.

Like that gold basin.

It comes from the temple
in Jerusalem.

The Jews used it
to gather the blood

during the sacrifices.

Have you washed?

- No.
- Everything must be purified

before one of the most
important banquets,

ever offered by the king.

Wash!

Tend to the wine.

And taste it before offering it

to the king.

What if I die?

You can

but not the great king,
ahasuerus.

Come!

[Music playing]

Parathael,

are you instructing him well?

Remember that at court,

a false move

could cost him dearly.

[Parathael]
Come with me, Nehemiah.

Here is the wine
you requested, my king.

[Music playing]

To the health of our wise king.

May he live forever,

by the grace
of the god ahura Mazda,

for the eternal joy

of his loyal subjects.

[Music playing]

[Ahasuerus] If you, my subject,

are so full of joy,

why do you look so sad?

Won't you reply?

My lord...

I was thinking that this feast

will soon end.

Your servant haman is sad

because he cannot make it
last longer.

[Ahasuerus] You cannot,

but your king has this power.

Ahasuerus,

king of persia

and media...

Declare...

That every man here assembled

shall drink...

Without restraint,

each to his own desire.

[Shetar] You spoke well,

but answer this,

which of the king's jewels

would you desire for yourself?

They're all equally
magnificent, shetar.

I wouldn't know
which one to choose.

My king,

this man finds

none of your jewels
worthy of praise.

How brazen!

[Metallic clattering]

Haman, you say

that the king of kings

doesn't own a Jewel

splendid enough to...

Reflect his glory?

My lord,

the king's most beautiful Jewel

isn't among these.

Where is it, then?

Let it be brought!

A man's most precious jewels

are his wife's grace and honor.

There's no other beauty
in your empire

that can rival
that of queen vashti.

[Man] Ishtar,

the goddess of love

and war.

She must have her way,

and she is pleased

when she sees

the beautiful Princess

and the Valiant warrior...

Fall in love.

But other gods conspire

against the match.

Ishtar,

moved to pity,

begins to blow,

and blow,

and blow,

until the offending gods

are swept away.

[Laughing]

Love triumphs

and the enemies of love

are turned into ugly pigs.

[Laughing]

[Claps]

Why do I bother to bring artists

and dancers from faraway lands,

if my guests refuse
to show interest in them?

My queen,
we are not used to plays

that ridicule our king's gods.

We are confused.

I am not one
of those foolish courtiers

that prostrate themselves

in order to obtain favors.

I am the queen,

and I do as I please

in my chambers.

[Man] Harbona,
the king's eunuch,

asks to be received.

Don't just stand there,
harbona, speak.

The king requires
my lady's presence.

For what purpose?

He makes display of his
most treasured objects.

Am I such an object?

0h,

the most beautiful
of all, my queen!

It does not befit a lady,

much less a queen,

to be displayed before a man

quite drunk

after too many days of feasting.

The king wills it.

You are to wear the royal crown.

Say to the king that I refuse.

Queen vashti!

Queen vashti

wrongs the king

by refusing my command.

Not only the king,

but the officials,

and the whole people
in every province.

A royal command must be obeyed.

What does the law require?

If it please the king,

let a royal order
go out that vashti

be sent away from palace life

and never return
before the king again.

Let it be written among the laws

of the persians and the medes

so that it might not be revoked.

[Shetar] My king,
when word gets out,

all women will look upon
their husbands with contempt.

Let her royal position
be given to another

who is better than she.

Very well, memucan.

Scfibe!

Let it be written
to every province

in its own script

and to every people

in its own language.

Let it be sent

by swift couriers

to every province in the empire

that I declare

by royal decree

that the king

no longer recognizes vashti

as his queen,

due to her disobedience,

as she dared oppose

an explicit order by the king.

[Music playing]

Harbona,
go bring the queen to me.

There is no queen, my lord.

A decision made in haste.

It was the wine.

I revoke my command.

Bring vashti. I want her here.

I want to restore
her crown, huh?

It was a royal decree.

My lord, by law,
it cannot be revoked.

And not even the king

can go against the law.

What is your advice?

If it pleases the king...

Speak, haman.

Let beautiful young virgins

be sought out for the king.

Let the king
appoint commissioners

in all the provinces

to gather the virgins
to the harem

in the citadel.

And let the girl
who pleases the king

be queen

in vashti's place.

This suggestion...

Pleases the king.

Let it be as haman has proposed.

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

[Man] Search every house

in the town!

What are they doing?
That's my house!

- Wait! Wait! Wait!
- [Man] Break it down.

[Man] Hurry up!
Search those houses over there!

Come on, come on, hurry.

[Woman] Don't worry, mother.

[Man] Kill anyone who resists.

[Man] Hurry up!
Bring them all to the palace!

Hadassah!

[Man] Any resistance
will be punished!

You must obey the king's order!

Lookin that direction!

[Man] Move on
to the next street!

- Hadassah?
- Mordecai?

Thank god you're here.

Quickly,

quickly,

- you must hide!
- Why?

They're taking girls...

- What for?
- For the...

For the harem of the king!

Hurry! Hurry! Get in here!

Do you want to spend
the rest of your life

in a harem? Get in!

Be still!

Shh. Shhh!

[Man] Open the door!

In the name of king ahasuerus!

I will send them away.

[Man] Come on, open up!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

[Man] Your daughter
must come with us.

Daughter? I have no daughter.

Your neighbor says there
is a young girl here,

a very beautiful young girl.

But my neighbor is old.
He doesn't...

He doesn't see well.

You Jews,
you think you can outwit

a Chamberlain
of the great king of persia?

No, no. Perhaps...

It was a servant girl he saw.

She just cooks for me,

she doesn't live here.

Look, look, look for yourself.

[Music playing]

No daughter?

What is this?

Sir, you were lying to me.

[Mordecai]
It's not what it seems.

[Man] Keep searching
and bring her to me.

Come on, up, up.

Please.

- Leave me.
- Let's go. Hurry.

She's an orphan

and a kinswoman.

See here,

perhaps, we can discuss

an arrangement.

Say goodbye to your kinsman.

Goodbye, my dear cousin.

May the god of our ancestors

reward you...

For all your kindnesses.

Tell no one you're a Jew.

You cannot even use your name.

Call yourself "Esther,"

you know what it means.

Forget your name,

but never forget you're a Jew.

Except in the silence
of your heart.

Be brave, my child.

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

[Music playing]

This way.

Quick, quick!

Come on!

[Music playing]

[Hegai] Separate them!

Find rooms for them
away from the others

from Babylon!

Come, come.

Enter, my beauties.

Don't be afraid.

Jews.

Ah.

I am hegai,

in whose charge you will remain

until you move on
to the second harem.

Welcome to your new home.

Today, we shall begin
transforming you

for your encounter

with the great king

in the royal bedchamber.

Don't be upset.

We will begin
the prescribed treatments

with oil of myrrh,

and later with perfumes...

Little one,

there's no need to cry.

You will be taught

palace etiquette

and how to conduct yourself

in the presence of the king.

So that when your turn comes,

you...

Could even become a queen.

What is this commotion?

Make her be quiet!

If only she could be
with her sister,

who was also brought
to the palace.

You know this girl?

Not until now.

Then she is no concern of yours.

But her distress is my concern,

and easily remedied

by a man of authority here.

Men?

You won't find any men here.

I know a man's real strength,

and by your eyes, I see
more strength in you, hegai,

than in an army of warriors.

Who...

Who are you?

I am Esther.

[Hegai] Esther?

A babylonian name.

Your people are from Babylon?

No, I'm from susa.

[Hegai] Well,

Esther of susa,

out,

everyone out!

To the second wing,

with the babylonians!

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

[Man] This is
the full tribute of ebony?

Six hundred talents, yes.

And next we have incense.

Not you, again!

I told you,

don't bother me today.

What happens in the harem

is of no concern to me,

nor of any man,

save the king.

If you want
a long life, my friend,

forget the girl.

I was charged by her family

to see if she is well.

Please.

What's this?

[Man] Frankincense, sir.

You call this incense?

Second rate.

[Mordecai] You know
people in the court.

You know the eunuchs.

You could ask them.

You made an error.

[Man] How?

What are you talking about?

Here.

Sol did.

It's because you need

an assistant.

Appoint me.

I'm a scribe.

I can read and speak aramaic,

babylonian, and persian.

I could be of great help to you.

All because you know
how to count?

That incense,

it isn't actually second-rate.

Enough.

- My assistant...
- Uh-hmm.

Perhaps,

you will sit
within the palace gate.

You're a clever man,
mordecai, the Jew.

[Music playing]

[Hegai] The king
will tell you to rise.

Watch.

You will not bow with your head,

but with your heart.

You will walk lightly,

as if on water.

And when you do bow,

you will smile

but keep your eyes lowered.

[Laughing]

Silence!

It is forbidden

to look the king in the eyes,

save for the royal princes

and his closest advisors.

It is forbidden to rise

without the king's permission.

It is forbidden

to dress...

Carelessly,

and it is forbidden

to scratch yourself.

Forget whatever you have done

up until now.

[Music playing]

When it is your night
to go to the king,

you may ask
for anything you want

to take with you.

I will ask

for a necklace of pearls

that will reach to my feet.

I will have only a fan

of white feathers.

Perhaps the king

will never send me away!

[Laughing]

- Maimuna...
- Uh-hmm.

Why has no girl ever
returned from the king?

The first harem

is only for virgins.

And after our first night,
what then?

In the morning,

shaagaz will take you

to the second harem,

the eunuch in charge

of the concubines.

There you will remain,

unless the king delights in you

and calls for you by name.

Maimuna?

My lady?

What is it like?

I mean,

to make love to a man?

That depends on the man.

[Memucan] The murder
of the governor

of the southlands

is clearly an offense.

Even the king's life

could be in danger.

The assassins must be found

and punished!

Memucan's concern is justified.

We must send someone
there immediately.

This is a very serious matter.

Perhaps you should go, carshena.

Everyone knows
you've been coveting

the idea of a governorship

in those rich lands.

That is a lie!

[Man] Let me go!

I bring a message
to the great king

from the governor
of the southlands.

That's impossible.

The governor is dead.

Boy, don't you know

no one comes unsummoned

before the king?

The penalty is death.

It's a law.

But I was summoned.

By whom?

He was supposed
to be here, my lord.

I don't see him,

but I know his name.

It's...

It's...

Carshena.

[Indistinct whispering]

Carshena?

And...

Where is he now?

I don't see him!

[Clapping]

- [Memucan] Execute him!
- I'm innocent, my lord.

- I don't want to die.
- Be brave.

Your death shall not
go unpunished.

If one of you sent for this man,

his blood is on your hands.

There will be an investigation

of this carshena.

[Hegai] Esther,

what will you wear
when you go into the king?

You have seen
to my every need, hegai.

- You decide.
- But it is customary

to request something
to take in with you.

Well, in that case,

I'll rely on your wisdom.

I should bring whatever
you think I require.

It's for tonight.

[Music playing]

May the god, ahura Mazda,
be with you.

Tell us your name.

I'm called...

Esther.

Esther.

The name of the goddess ishtar,

the goddess of love, yes?

In the tongue of my people,

it has another meaning.

It means "hidden."

So you hide behind a veil?

Are you that ugly?

Rise, so I can see you.

[Music playing]

Are you a...

Mede?

Are you ionian?

Assyrian?

My people are loyal subjects

of the king of persia, my lord.

That's not an answer.

Silence is a rare gift

in a woman,

but I command you,

look at me.

What do you see?

My king...

I see a man with courage

and beauty in his eyes.

You're all the same.

You're lying to me,

just like they taught you to.

Well,

let us do what has to be done.

You picked a Rose in the garden.

Is it a gift for your king?

My lord, I picked it for myself.

Forgive me for taking it.

You are different.

You are courageous.

You're not like the others.

Perhaps.

The truth is
I've always been afraid

of the unknown.

And I've never known a man.

Esther,

no one will hurt you.

[Music playing]

Rise, Esther,

queen of persia

and media.

Hail to the queen!

Hail!

Long life and happiness

to queen Esther!

[Cheering]

[Music playing]

You're a Jew who bows

before a pagan king.

Esther is crowned queen

of all persia.

- Rejoice!
- How can I rejoice

when a Jewish girl is wed

to an uncircumcised heathen,

king or no king?

Our sons and daughters
are mixing

our precious seed with...

With foreigners,

and they take for themselves

foreign names like Esther.

Perhaps there is a hidden design

in this turn of events.

There's one way for us,

the way that leads us
back to Jerusalem.

[Man] All guards,

two steps forward, march!

- Two guards!
- [Man] Are you afraid?

[Man] It's not the first time
I've killed a man.

[Man] Huh, it's set then.

Tomorrow night.

Here is the poison.

To slip into his drink.

You have the dagger?

Uh-hmm.

[Man] Tomorrow night.

[Music playing]

Hathach!

Send for harbona!

I must speak
with the king immediately!

It's a question
of life or death.

Yes, my queen.

How came this evil news to you?

The man they call mordecai

the Jew,

who sits within
your palace gates,

sent word to me.

A Jew?

Are not the ears
of a Jew to be trusted

to save the life of our king?

Go on.

Mordecai overheard
teresh and bigthan

planning to kill you.

My lady,

just the word of a stranger

against that of two
of the most noble members

of the king's household.

Harbona, then why don't you
show the king

your precious dagger?

I can't, my lady.

I mislaid it several days ago.

It is by the fountain
in the garden.

It was to be bigthan's
murder weapon.

But everyone was
to believe harbona

was the real assassin.

And then teresh was to feign

harbona's suicide with poison.

[Harbona]
You wanted to poison me?!

And kill my king?

It's a lie!

We are falsely accused, my king!

Enough!

Memucan...

Memucan,

you conduct
a search immediately.

Guards!

Hold these men prisoner

pending an investigation!

- No!
- Please! No.

It will be done, my lord,

it will be done.

[Indistinct chatter]

So they are guilty.

But why did they want
to kill me?

This investigation of yours

doesn't say why.

They refused to explain
their reasons.

I had entrusted them

with my life!

They had my complete trust!

Who is behind this, memucan?

When will I see an end

to all these intrigues?

Execute them,

and let it be written
in the annals.

Let it be written...

In the annals

of ahasuerus,

the great king,

that in the month of tebeth,

- bigthan and teresh...
- My lord, haman is here.

Did plot
to assassinate the king.

And that the plot
was discovered...

- Let him in.
- By a certain mordecai the Jew,

who did save

the life of the king

with much alacrity

and courage.

My king...

If you bring nothing
but bad news, haman,

you may go.

One can hide nothing

from you, my lord.

[Clapping]

[Music playing]

Your stupid gifts

will get you nowhere.

I'm patient, Chamberlain.

And most of all,

I've time to wait.

Memucan.

Memucan,

I commanded you not to die.

How dare you leave me?

My lady,

no one is able
to make him see reason.

No, my lady,

no one may come unsummoned

before the king,

not even the queen.

The penalty is death.

The queen requests

to be received.

She's worried about your health.

[Ahasuerus]
Get away, all of you!

He is in pain, my lady.

He will overcome it.

No one can...

[Haman] My lord,

you have mourned him

for three whole days.

Do you want memucan to come back

from the valley of death

to remind you of your duty?

You must go back

to governing again.

If the queen has lost
the king's favor,

there will be sad days ahead.

[Music playing]

Haman.

What do you want?

Help me win back
the king's favor.

Speak to him.

I'm not in a position to do so.

You think you can
get away with this?

I got rid of carshena for you,

and this is how you repay me?

What's the trouble?

What was that all about?

Shut up, you foolish woman!

What more do you want?

The king is about to appoint me

his new lord Chamberlain.

[Music playing]

Are you mad?

You show no respect
for the king's

right hand man.

Never will I bow to that man.

The king commands it.

Who are you to disobey?

A Jew who prostrates himself

only before the lord.

[Music playing]

It's not so easy as it looks.

It takes time.

It seems I have plenty of time.

If you ask me,
our king should pay

more attention
to his beautiful queen.

So, now you know
what the king should do

better than the king himself?

Can't you see how she suffers

since she lost his affection?

- My queen.
- Hegai,

am I not still the same Esther

that you took under your wing?

Yes.

It seems I have lost favor

- with the king.
- That cannot be.

If I have done anything,

anything that has
displeased him.

Why should you think so?

He's not sent for me in weeks.

Please, hegai,

tell me.

- What shall I do?
- Be patient.

The king attends
to many urgent matters.

He instructs a new
lord Chamberlain besides.

Haman.

This man alone
does not show respect

to your lordship.

His superiors speak to him

day after day,

but he does not listen.

Pay him no heed.

The man is mad.

I cannot be bothered

by such foolishness.

I wanna talk to the Jew.

Him!

Bow your head!

You know I can make you do it.

You know that!

He despises me.

He insults me.

He turns the sweet honey

in my mouth to bitter bile.

You exercise the power
of the king.

- Do something.
- Kill him.

It's beneath me
to lay hands on him.

Jews!

They cheat us,

then hoard their wealth
to flaunt before us.

They think themselves
better than the rest.

Jews!

I don't wanna hear
anything more about them!

We should destroy them.

Destroy every man, woman,

and child among them!

All of them.

All at once.

Forgive me, my lord,

forgive me.

Haman requests
to speak with you.

Let him in.

My lord,

a most urgent matter

that must be discussed.

Away from indiscreet ears.

A certain people,

scattered and dispersed

among the populace in all
the provinces of your kingdom.

Yes, yes, yes,
come to the point!

Their laws are different.

There can be only one law.

One day in seven,
they refuse to work.

They hoard money

and cheat on their taxes.

How do you suggest
we solve the problem?

Eliminate the problem.

If it pleases the king,

let a decree be issued

for their destruction.

I cannot destroy
my own subjects!

If law-breaking is tolerated,

others will follow.

Tributes and
tax revenues decline.

Be logical, haman.

The dead yield no taxes, hmm?

It's not a question of taxes.

I will pay 10,000 talents
of silver

into the king's treasury
if need be.

My lord, the stability

of the entire kingdom
is in danger.

These people are capable
of far worse.

They can conspire against us.

They already occupy
important positions

in every city of the kingdom.

That's why I insist
we rid ourselves of them.

If what you say is true,

we must act.

Who might these people be?

A small,
insignificant clan, my king.

If my king trusts me,

I'll take care
of the details personally.

There is no one else
I can trust.

You will be granted

all the powers.

I want to know nothing
about the matter.

The lot falls to the 13th day.

And now the month.

The month of adar is propitious.

The 13th of adar.

Men cast the lots
but the gods decide.

The gods decide.

I shall make ready.

Scfibes!

To every province
in its own script,

to every people
in its own language,

by a royal decree of ahasuerus:

Let them destroy,

kill and annihilate

all the Jews,

young and old,

women and children.

Young and old,

women and children in one day?

The 13th day of the 12th month,

which is the month of adar,

and to plunder their goods.

And let this decree be issued

in every province
by proclamation,

calling on all the peoples

to prepare and make ready
for that day.

Your persian king
is going to kill us!

[Mordecai] No, no.

It cannot be.

We have lived here for years.

They are our friends.

They won't allow this to happen.

They won't.

We must leave
before it's too late.

Take these and go.

[Man] Hey you, girl.

- Come here! Come on!
- Leave me alone!

You know we can do what we like.

Please. Stop it.
[Indistinct] Please.

Help!

Somebody help me!

- You scum.
- Jew!

Leave him be.
We'll deal with him later.

Oh, my god!

Have you forgotten us, lord?

Have you forgotten us?

[Music playing]

Woe to the Jews!

Woe to the children of Israel!

We are undone!

Our enemies sit in ambush.

[Screams]

Woe to the Jews!

Woe to the children of Israel!

We are undone!

Why does our god...

Why does our lord not save us?

[Man] Get away,
you filthy wretch!

Katare!

Mordecai, be quiet.

Get a hold of yourself.

Shh.

- We are undone!
- Quiet, my friend.

- No, no!
- Quiet, quiet!

No!

We are finished!

You want to make things
worse for you

and your people?

Listen to me,

you must not play the fool.

Shhh!

Why don't you listen to me?

He's still there!

But he's been howling

- for hours.
- Who?

It is the Jew, my lady.

Such a racket.

He wails night and day

without ceasing.

He dresses in sackcloth
and ashes

and sits outside
the king's gate.

What Jew?

Oh, his name is...

It's the man who warned you

of the plot against the king.

Are you sure?

[Music playing]

The queen commands you

to make yourself presentable.

He refused them?

Why?

Hathach, return to him, please,

and ask him what afflicts him.

Ten thousand talents oszven

that is the price of our lives

for the king!

Tell the queen
that mordecai charges her

to go before the king

and plead with him
for her people.

But why?

Why was I not informed
of this decree?

[Hathach] My lady,

these are affairs of the king.

I don't know what gives
this mordecai the right...

"Plead for her people.“

but it is forbidden
to go before the king

without being called!

On penalty of death, my queen.

But if the king holds out
the golden scepter

that person may live.

Maybe the king remembers
the sweet nights

he spent with you.

If there ever was such a time

that he felt such
tenderness for me,

it is over.

It has been so long
since he sent for me.

I must go to mordecai myself.

I must make him understand.

If you are found
outside the harem,

outside the palace gates,

in the company of a man...

Do not think
that in the king's palace

you will escape...

Any more than
all the other Jews.

Because if you keep silent

at such a time,

[mordecai]
Relief and deliverance will rise

for the Jews
from another quarter.

But you, and with you,

your father's family,

will perish.

Hadassah,

perhaps you have come to royalty

for such a time as this.

Those were his words.

But, I beg of you, my queen,

do not risk your life.

Seize him.

Come on!

[Mordecai] Wait.

[Esther] Mordecai.

Mordecai.

Mordecai.

Hadassah!

[Esther] Shh. I'm Esther.

Go, gather all the Jews

to be found in susa.

Fast on my behalf.

Neither eat nor drink

for three days, night or day.

Esther,

if only I could have
spared you with...

[Esther] Do as I command.

I and my handmaids
will fast also.

Then,

I will go to the king,

though it is against his law.

If I perish,

I perish.

May the lord protect you,

Esther.

[Music playing]

[Indistinct chatter]

[Mordecai] Come in aid
of your servants.

We are in overwhelming danger.

Father, you who chose
our fathers.

You who punished us

and turned us over to our enemy

because we have sinned
against you.

Still not happy, they want us

to be completely annihilated.

Do not allow them
to triumph, lord,

but turn their plans
against them,

and strike the first
of our persecutors.

Put the words

that will touch the heart

of my king into my mouth.

Let them remind him of the love

he once felt for me.

And turn his heart against those

who hate and battle against us.

Let him be the one to yield.

Free me, lord.

Free me.

Deliver me from my anguish,
o lord!

[Music playing]

Maimuna,

I need to bathe and dress.

Please, lay out my robes.

[Music playing]

I'm ready.

[Music playing]

[Man] Next, great king,
we have the trade delegation

from bactria.

[Ahasuerus] Have they paid
their tribute?

[Man] Not yet.

[Ahasuerus] Huh!

Let them wait!

I've been waiting.

I have been waiting for months!

I have no intention...

Do not fear, Esther.

If it pleases the king.

What is your request,

beloved queen?

It shall be given you,

even to the half of my kingdom.

Let the king

and haman,

come today to the banquet

I have prepared in my quarters,

for the king.

Let it be

as our queen desires.

[Music playing]

Now, my delectable queen,

what is your petition?

Come, come.

Tell me.

What is your request?

It shall be fulfilled.

If I have found favor with you,

and if it pleases the king

to Grant my petition

and fulfill my request

then let the king

and haman come again tomorrow

to the banquet I shall
prepare for them.

This woman tries our Patience.

Indeed, my lord, as do they all.

Then I shall tell my wish

As my king desires.

[Man] Bow before
the great haman!

[Music playing]

All this does me no good

as long as I see
that insolent Jew

refusing to acknowledge me!

Vultures will feast
on his insolence

soon enough, father.

Not soon enough for me.

Then build a gallows

50 cubits high.

Get the king's consent

and hang mordecai upon it.

I'll have to build it
immediately.

[Music playing]

[Screams]

My lord?

I cannot sleep.

Shall I call a scribe,

with your permission, my lord?

His readings will help you
fall asleep.

Uh-hmm. Uh-hmm.

[Man] Two guards,
to go forward, march.

Two guards, take your position

to go forward.

In the 10th month,

two eunuchs of the threshold...

Did conspire
to assassinate the king.

By the grace of the god,

ahura Mazda, the wise lord,

the plot was discovered

and exposed...

By a certain mordecai, the Jew,

who sat within the gates

and by whose brave action

did save the life of the king.

Is that all?

The eunuchs were executed
under the laws of persia.

Harbona!

Ah, my lord,

the king wants to see you
immediately.

Do you know what he wants?

I believe he owes

a debt of gratitude to someone.

I'm yours to command,
king of kings.

Tell me,

what shall be done for a man

the king wishes to honor?

To the man whom the king
wishes to honor...

Let royal robes be brought...

And the king's horse,

with a royal crown on its head,

and let him be conducted
on horseback

through the open square
of the city.

Good!

Thus shall be done

for a man the king
wishes to honor.

[Music playing]

I'm brought low.

The gods are surely envious
of my glory

to so sorely mock me.

What scoundrel

invented my father's misfortune?

It was I!

I knew not that the king

meant to honor that foul toad.

I thought he wished to honor me!

And thus I proposed
a fitting tribute,

which he then charged me
to execute

in favor of my enemy!

If that mordecai

is part of the Jewish people,

I fear...

This is but the beginning

of your downfall.

What? [Knocking]

[Man] Open [indistinct]
this is from the king!

Open up.

My lord Chamberlain,
are you ready?

The queen's banquet is prepared.

You see, good wife?

I'm still the king's
right hand man.

The fowl was excellent.

My lord, the queen
looks like a goddess.

Even if she were
to feed me poison,

I would die a happy man.

Take care how
you flatter my wife,

lord Chamberlain.

Your king is a jealous man.

I intend only to praise my lord's
impeccable taste in women.

Enough.

Now, you promised to tell me

your petition and your request?

And it shall be granted?

Even to the half of my kingdom.

If I have won your favor,

and if it pleases the king,

let my life be given me.

That is my petition.

- Your life?
- And the lives of my people.

That is my request.

She ensnares me in riddles.

I know nothing
about your people.

We are to be sold,
I and my people,

not merely as slaves,

for then I would have
held my peace.

You cannot be sold. You're mine.

We have been sold...

To be destroyed, to be killed...

To be annihilated!

My lord,
perhaps I can explain...

And no enemy can compensate

for this damage to our king.

Speak clearly, woman.

What damage? What enemy?

Haman.

Through his enmity
towards my kinsman, mordecai.

Your kinsman?

Your kinsman?

Haman has decreed death
to all the Jews,

every man, woman, and child.

My lady, I beg you...

I have no wish to harm you.

How could I know?

[Splash]

Have mercy on me, I beseech you,

for the sake of my sons.

I will be your slave
if you but spare my life!

Guards! Eunuchs!

Will he assault the queen

in my house, in my presence?

It's a misunderstanding,
I can explain.

He insults the queen

and plots to destroy her people!

The penalty is death!

A gallows 50 cubits high

stands at haman's house.

He prepared it for mordecai,

who saved the king!

Hang him on that!

Great queen, save me!

Tell them the truth!

Wait!

My ring!

No! Have mercy!

Tell them the truth!

Please!

[Music playing]

Please don't bow
before me, cousin.

You are the most powerful woman
in the kingdom.

But that doesn't change
the way I see you.

Mordecai,

you know me well, remember?

This is the Hadassah I know.

The lord has granted my request.

But let us not rejoice too soon.

It's not over yet.

Yes, that is why the Jews
put their trust in you.

Let them keep their faith.

The king has come back to me
with his love.

I shall go to him and ask him
to revoke haman's decree.

I will not let our people down.

Approach, mordecai.

Give us your hand.

The trust
which we unwisely placed

in the hands of your enemy,

we now confer on you.

[Indistinct chatter]

My dear cousin,
as my king sees fit

to trust you, so do I,

with all my heart.

I give unto you my property,

and set you over
the house of haman.

So shall it be.

And now, if there be
no other urgent matters...

If it pleases the king

and if! Have won his favor...

Yes?

My lord,

how can I bear to see calamity

come on my people?

My own kindred.

Let an order be written
to revoke

the letters devised
by haman the agagite...

In which he decreed
to destroy the Jews

in all the provinces.

It was a royal decree.

It cannot be revoked.

It is the law.

The laws are made by the king.

Surely they can be unmade
by the king.

An edict sealed
with the king's ring

can't be revoked.

Not even by the king himself.

[Indistinct chatter]

Mordecai,

you have shown yourself

to be both wise and clever.

[Indistinct chatter]

Please, please, please!

Just one at...

Just one at a time!

Because if we all speak at once,

then nobody listens.

He's right. Listen to me.

Why you? First listen to me!

No, no, no, no, please,
please, please stop,

because by the time you decide
who's to speak first,

it will be the 13th of adar
and we shall all be dead.

Now, you said that the lord
has abandoned us.

What I say is...

We have turned away
from the lord.

Ezra is right.

How can the lord hear our prayer

- so far from Jerusalem?
- That's right.

We should return
while there is yet time.

What safety is there
in Jerusalem?

The walls lie in ruins.

[Indistinct chatter]

Listen! Listen, friends, please.

Please listen
to what I have to say.

You're not one of us!

I am a Jew, just like you!
But how could I survive

at the persian court
if I told them?

He's Nehemiah,
the king's cup bearer.

Let him speak.

Ezra is not wrong.

One day the Jews
must return to Jerusalem.

- But...
- But?

Is it so easy to give up

what we have struggled to build?

Our homes and our families
are here.

Our fathers and grandfathers

lie buried in this ground.

Listen to me!

Listen to me!

No, no, let him speak.

You must let him speak!

- Listen!
- [Man] No.

Listen...

The king has given authority

to queen Esther and mordecai,

to find a solution.

Give them time.

Have faith a little longer.

Have faith?

In the laws of persia?

Or have faith in the lord?

Salvation for the Jews...

Our very survival...

Dwells in the land
promised to Abraham.

Now, I would sooner live
in a city with no walls...

Than in the richest empire
that has no true faith.

[Indistinct chatter]

How will we find
a way to save us?

O lord, why have you
turned away from us?

Please, put the right words
into my mouth

to turn his heart.

Turn his heart.

Turn the heart of he
who battles against us!

Turn! Can't you see?

We have asked the lord

to turn our fate
against our enemies,

and in his goodness,

he has given us
the means to do so.

The law.

[Mordecai] To every province
in its own script,

and to every people
in its own language,

and to the Jews

in our script and our language,

by royal decree of ahasuerus,

king of kings,

to all his governors
and officials,

let the Jews in every city

assemble and defend their lives,

to destroy, kill and annihilate

any armed force of any people

that may threaten them
on a single day,

the 13th day

of the 12th month of adar.

And let this decree

be published in every province,

and issued to all peoples,

and let the Jews prepare

and make ready for that day.

[Indistinct chatter]

Ezra!

Ezra, have you heard the edict?

It doesn't promise triumph,
only bloodshed.

There's no guarantee
we will win.

At least we can
defend ourselves,

if all we have
is tools and stones.

Is this battle the right way?

This battle
will keep the Jews alive.

[Music playing]

Let us begin...

Blessed art thou, o lord,

whose hand is gracious
to those who seek you.

Protect and defend
your people tomorrow

on the day of battle,

and deliver us
from our enemies...

[Music playing]

The Jews have defended
themselves well.

Hundreds of people
have been killed

on both sides.

We are still awaiting

reports from the provinces.

I wanted to tell you myself.

Rejoice, my queen.

You've saved your people.

It's over, Esther.

The peril.

The blood.

It's all over.

Now, I have a request for you.

And I ask you to listen to me

if I have found favor
in your eyes...

Be my queen.

Share my kingdom, my nights.

Be the light of my life.

[Music playing]

I shall be your lover
when you desire me.

And your counsel
when you need me.

I've never given a woman
the love I feel for you.

It shall be so.

[Music playing]

I, Esther,
queen of persia, decree

that each year
the Jews will commemorate

the 14th and 15th days of adar,

because this was the month
in which their despair

was turned into joy.

Their mourning
into a feast of celebration.

With exchanging of gifts

and almsgiving to the poor.

And to remember how their fate,

or pur, was turned around,

it shall be called,

the feast of purim.

[Music playing]

[Man] While many Jews
still remained in persia,

others decided,
under the leadership of Ezra,

to return to the land

from which their ancestors

had been deported.

[Music playing]

[Man] They were sustained
on their long journey

by the desire to rebuild
a nation of their own.

In the temple of Jerusalem,

which Rose again
after the destruction,

they would pray together

with those of the Jews
who had returned

after king Cyrus'
edict years before.

The walls of Jerusalem
would rise again, too,

under the wise ruler, Nehemiah,

who was appointed
governor of judea

by the persian king.

Ezra, the scribe and priest,

became the spiritual leader

of the people of Israel,

and helped them to preserve

the divine word of the Bible

at the center of their lives

and at the heart of their faith.

"In the beginning,

god created the heaven

and the earth.

And the earth was without form,

and void and darkness

was upon the face of the deep.

And the spirit of god

moved upon the face
of the waters,

and god said,

'let there be light',

and there was light."

[Music playing]