Original subtitles

[music playing]

It's a pianola.

The artist is inside.

After I turn the switch,it doesn't need me at all.

Do you have a pianola?

It needs a little bashingevery once in a while,

otherwise everything comesout a bit too pretty.

Don't you think?

No melody without a little dissonance.

No faith without faithlessness.

No loyalty without betrayal.

Seven hours till morning.

I haven't slept in three days.

I dream of one thing.

One desire, one vocation.

To serve is all I desire.

I beg you. - Don't beg.

Every time I hear a priest beg,I get a pain in the kidneys.

Your devotion shines in your face.

I've seen you for years.

If I can see it so clearly, so can God.

Tomorrow, you'll be a priest,a priest hears everything.

He's like a beast in thefield with his ears held high.

You'll know who's praying in this parish,

who's thieving, who is sinning.

Are you ready that?

Yes, I am.

Some of the other novices are having

a whiskey in the kitchen.

Come on, let's join them.

I-- if I may continue my prayer?

You pray too much.

It gives me joy.

Very well.

[singing latin]

Hear us, Lord, our God, and pour out

upon this servant of yours theblessing of the Holy Spirit,

and the grace and the power of the priesthood.

In your sight, we offerthese man for ordination.

Support them with your unfailing love.

[singing latin]

My son, before you proceed tothe order of the presbyterate,

declare your intention before the people

to undertake this priestly office.

Are you resolved toconsecrate your life to God

for the salvation of his people, to deny

temptation, and unite yourself everyday

with Christ, the high priest?

No.

Yes.

People out here are poor.

That's good.

With the poor, we get nearer to God.

No?

Yes, I believe so.

No books or libraries.

The stupid peasants are luckyif they know their own names.

You've got your faith.

Yes.

Of course, you do.

We do not heat at this time of day.

Wood is expensive, unlessyou cut it yourself.

Yes.

Of course.

Uh, Father Antoine, the former priest, I shall

offer a mass in his memory.

No.

Tomorrow at midday,stand outside the church,

fix your eyes on the horizon.

Snow goes on for miles.

The silence is complete.

Some men bear such barrenness,gives them time to contemplate

their faith, their place as sinners in our world.

Father Antoine lacked such resolve.

He hanged himself.

God be with you, Father Romuald.

[speaking latin]

[knocking]

My mistress, Clarimonde, is dying.

She must see a priest.

Dying?

Yes. Come quick.

I beg you. - Yes, of course.

Too late.

Romuald.

Barbara, did a man comelast night for the last rites

for his mistress?

Did he take me away in his carriage?

It was cold last night.

To cold to rise from my bed.

How long have you been in service here?

40 years.

Are you ever lonely?

Do you ever long for a city?

For the sound of children?

For laughter?

For the touch of someone else?

You are a priest.

You are married to the church.

I'm not a priest, but I too serve the church.

I've lived here all mylife, and I shall die here.

Turn away.

Why?

Why must you deny me?

I will never hurt you.

But I have chosen you.

I have chosen only you.

Will you accept me?

Only one who loves God with suchdevotion as you can bring me

joy.

Do you love me?

Yes.

And do you desire my touch?

Yes.

I love you.

How strong?

How strong is your love?

I love you.

How much?

More than God?

Yes.

More than God.

ROMUALD [VOICEOVER]: What am I?

Priest who dreams he is Clarimonde's lover?

Or her lover who dreams he is a priest?

This is our last night here, my love.

Tomorrow night, my carriagewill come and take us away.

You will be my honored lover, and never

see your cold church again.

Till tomorrow night.

Stay awake.

Must stay awake.

Must resist her.

Sleep is the enemy.

Sleep brings dreams.

I beg you, my Lord, please protect me.

I beg you.

Never beg!

Pray before the crucifix, atnight you revel in the sense?

Who do love, the motherchurch or a whore of Babylon?

Barbara hears you crying her name in the night.

Do you know who this succubus is?

How can I know who she isif I don't know who I am?

You are a priest.

How can I be certain?

Perhaps, I only dream that I'm a priest.

You should be ashamed.

There is your beloved.

Clarimonde?

No, it can't be.

She's in my mind, in my dreams only.

It is her.

This ancient witch has chosenyou to bring her back to life.

How do you know?

You?

Only the love of the most devout

restores her from the dead.

Now, save what is left of your soul.

Renounce her.

Remove her from your life and dreams.

No.

She saw only to love me.

She stole your soul from the mother church.

She taught me how to love.

She taught me the meaning of pleasure.

Why is that wrong?

Renounce her.

What are you?

Answer me!

A priest.

I'm a priest.

Exactly.

I renounce you.

I renounce my dreams.

I renounce you.

I renounce my dreams.

Oh my God.

What have I done?

What have I said?

Father Romuald?

I was wondering when you would arrive.

Help an old man.

Why did you choose this cold parish?

To test my faith.

This is a good place for that.

This is a good place for that.

Blind faith, the onlysin one can never forget.

[music playing]