Original subtitles

CLOCK CHIMES

Wake up!

Wake up!

Hmm? Majesty!

Punctuality is the politeness of kings and queens.

It's the ceremony of the morning bows

to commemorate His Late Majesty.

Not again.

SHE SIGHS

The Dowager Princess de Conti.

Stand up straight. Ohh...

The Dowager Duchess de Nemours.

SHE SIGHS

Smile.

The Dowager Countess de Briey.

When is this going to end?

The Countess de Chavigny.

Mourning lasts for a year after the late King's death.

A year?!

Look at the state of this office.

How can you make a sensible decision?

What are you doing? You have to appoint the right people.

Your father wanted more! God rest his soul.

When will you give me a seat on the council?

Why don't you include the Orleans and Bourbon members of the family?

ALL: You have to make a decision!

SHE SIGHS

Deportment and poise are required at all times, Majesty.

Ohh!

CLATTER

I'm not on show now.

Can you... Can you see anyone else here, apart from my mother?

The Queen sets the standard.

My duty is to remind her of that high bar.

As she knows, only princes and princesses of the blood

or members of the nobility may enter her bedchamber.

Mademoiselle Bertin and Monsieur Leonard are not allowed to visit.

Ohh!

This is insane!

Ladies are not permitted to run at Versailles!

Ohh!

It's been two months, Louis.

Isn't it time to come out of mourning and begin our reign?

This is Versailles, Antoinette. We're not in Vienna.

OTHERS: Hear hear!

Yes.

I think it is time.

This is outrageous! You coward. Thank you.

COURTIERS MURMUR

Court mourning is officially over.

By whose order?

Mine.

THEY LAUGH

Yours?

With the King's consent.

Oh, there you are. Come stand by me.

Up.

I have decided to make Lamballe superintendent of my household.

QUIET GASP

That office was abolished many years ago, Majesty.

I'm resurrecting it.

Out of the question. She would be my superior.

A fresh reign demands fresher faces.

Don't you think?

I will not accept a demotion, Majesty.

OTHERS GASP

Oh, well, I'm sorry to see you go, Madame Etiquette.

LAUGHTER

My superintendent.

My superintendent.

Your Majesty.

Has the King spoken to you about his choice of Prime Minister?

Mercy, I have barely seen Louis since he became the King.

Austria's interests are paramount.

Your Majesty. Naturally. When aren't they?

The Empress favours the recall of Choiseul.

Hmm.

For once, I agree with Mama.

Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

So I've heard there's a new portrait painter

come straight from Italy. No!

SHE CLEARS HER THROAT

I've heard he's quite handsome.

LAUGHTER

And we know you're going to be quite interested...

OTHERS LAUGH

She parades her pregnancy to the world, and they fawn all over her.

Me? I'm just the Queen of France.

May I suggest you stamp your mark on your reign?

That's exactly what I intend to do, Mercy.

It's extraordinary. Did you design this one yourself?

Who else possesses my expertise?

What time is it recording, Beaumarchais?

YOUR time, sire.

It's counting the days, hours and minutes of your reign.

I don't know how to reign.

I... Have you chosen your Prime Minister?

I can't.

I need to put all of this in order first.

I'm here to assist you, sire.

Oh, it's lovely.

Ooh!

Ooh. This one.

Everybody... What's that?

I have decided to launch our style council with a ball.

THEY GASP

Versailles will dazzle for a new age.

The age of Marie Antoinette!

I hope that means we're going to have some fun.

That's why you're all here.

I'm relying on you, Saint-Georges.

SHE GIGGLES

Rose? Mm-hm.

Leonard? Mm-hm? Can I count on you?

We will turn this court upside down.

THEY WHOOP AND LAUGH

Stop, stop! This is too much too soon.

Versailles can't be torn down and rebuilt in a day.

Would you prefer us to live in a cloister, like you?

OTHERS GIGGLE

Let's set this palace on fire. Yes!

Finances under Fleury.

Keep.

Suppression of the Jesuits.

Burn.

Foreign policy during the Seven Years War.

Keep.

Yeah.

Hmm! Privy purse expenditures under Madame du Barry.

Burn. Of course.

The Petit Trianon.

Keep.

This one is about your brother.

Pass it to me.

Where did this come from?

The King's secret.

What secret?

Your grandfather's network of spies.

They worked behind the scenes without his ministers' knowledge.

Who was in charge?

Moi.

Oh.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Do you have a moment?

What about, madame?

Prime ministers.

We can talk later this evening, when I come to visit you.

See you...later, then.

Pass me the file on the Petit Trianon.

Stop it.

The ball is going to be thrown in her honour.

Who does she think she is?

No French queen has dared to step onto the public stage since...

Catherine de Medici.

Whilst he dithers, she is stealing his crown.

You've barely moved since you crawled out of bed.

I'm exhausted.

Josephine must rest. Of course she must.

Louis should appoint Maurepas and start ruling sensibly,

surrounded by all the able members of our family.

A proposition far too simple for my brother to understand.

Speak to him, Provence.

When will you recall Maurepas?

Who will you appoint to the Council of Ministers?

You may be paralysed, but your wife waltzes on without you.

Have you heard she's set up a style council?

I should go.

Sit down!

I haven't finished with you yet.

KNOCK ON DOOR

What are you doing here?

Have you spoken to the King?

I'm expecting him now.

I wish you a fruitful night.

Go!

Father always said I should have been the King.

What did he say about you?

Hmm?

"How can a tongue-tied cretin be let loose on France?"

He had a sharp turn of phrase.

Just like you, brother.

Look at this.

What is it?

A report on Du Barry's attempt to send the Dauphine back to Vienna.

It appears you were involved.

Where did you find it?

In Papa Roi's private cabinet.

Was he spying on me?

He was spying on everyone.

She's still here, isn't she?

Remind me, what is the point of her?

She is my wife. Hmm.

And does she deserve that title?

Appoint me to your council.

I can sort out this mess for you.

If you really do want to help France...

..perhaps you could offer your services to the style council.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Forgive me.

My duties kept me from visiting you this evening, madame.

I am sending you a gift in my place.

The Petit Trianon belongs to the King's favourite.

It is only right that you should have it to entertain your friends.

LAUGHTER

Isn't it beautiful?

Yes.

SHE LAUGHS

One, two...

NOTES CRASH No!

No, no, no, no!

Again? Yes. Yes!

We can't perform like this on our big night.

No, we can't.

Stop...

I won't do it.

Yes, you will.

I need someone on the inside reporting directly to me.

If that's what you want, why don't you do it?

I'm not joining her council.

I intend to run his.

MUSIC PLAYS

Well, hello, you two.

Didn't take you long to find us. Yes.

We could hear you torturing that instrument

all the way from the chateau.

Please come and, um, sit down.

We can't stay.

Have you met my friend, Saint-Georges?

Monsieur, an honour.

Madame, my pleasure.

Josephine has agreed to join your council.

Style isn't exactly your thing, is it?

I have more important things to think about.

You play an instrument. Obviously.

Well, she can join your orchestra.

Would you like to audition for me?

SHE LAUGHS

My wife doesn't need to prove herself to anyone,

least of all him.

Josephine...

..come and join me. We could practise together.

I really can't.

Provence is always telling me to be careful, aren't you, darling?

I have slowed down to a crawl waiting for the Dauphin to arrive.

FABRIC CREAKS

You disobeyed my orders, madame.

I don't follow orders, monsieur.

I am your master!

You may rule my household, but you don't rule me.

Coach!

LOW CHATTER

Where is Provence? Is he unwell?

He refused to watch them flaunt their friendship

in front of the court.

Quite right.

And where is Louis?

CHATTER STOPS

May I introduce you to the Chevalier de Saint-Georges!

Welcome to the Petit Trianon.

I hope you enjoy our concert.

CLATTER

LAUGHTER

Saint-Georges!

An old friend would like to say hello to you.

Choiseul, you came.

How could I refuse your invitation? Majesty!

I missed you.

I will write to Maurepas. You'd better get a move on.

Have you come far?

Exile feels like the end of the Earth.

Welcome home.

Let me present you to the King.

Can you help me? What is she doing?

Oh, my God.

Where is he?

What does she look like?

A virgin queen.

THEY LAUGH

He doesn't know what he's missing.

You're right.

Play something else.

Move! Move! Come on!

You too! You too!

MUSIC STARTS

No. No, no, no.

Don't do that.

Come on! Come on!

Yah!

Go! Go! Come on!

This evening, my wife showed everyone who rules Versailles.

I was treated like a nobody.

Your frivolous passion for parties

is the flaw in your character, Toinette.

Do I need to remind you of your duty to your husband?

Savoy will cast Austria into the shade

when Josephine gives birth to the Dauphin.

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

Your Majesty.

Who's that? Maurepas.

He's their protege.

Maurepas is a relic, like mesdames.

If he's a relic, you're a dinosaur.

SOFTLY: Good job.

PROVENCE SNIGGERS

HE WHISPERS

He's ridiculous. That's promising.

Where is the Queen?

She is visiting the Petit Trianon, sire.

You came to see me.

I came to talk to you.

Louis, why don't we live here?

Like Papa Roi did, with his favourite.

We can't.

Of course we can. We don't have time for a private life.

Aren't we entitled to be happy?

I don't know what it means to be happy.

Let me show you.

Kiss me.

Kiss me.

Get dressed.

Get dressed and come back to Versailles, madame.

Our duty is there, not here.

These aren't going to travel very far.

They are an attack on the Queen.

Find out who is responsible and report back to me.

The King's secret?

Congratulations. You have made your first appointment. Moi!

Any thoughts about your Prime Minister?

My aunts want Maurepas. My... My wife wants Choiseul.

LOUIS SIGHS

What do YOU want, sire?

I...

I can't decide.

Put them through their paces.

Hmm?

Who has better conformation?

The ancient fat one or the younger fit one?

HE GIGGLES

Where did you find it?

Under my pillow.

I'm being punished because I won't conform to their rules.

Perhaps you should.

All four ministries will report to me.

I have set a date for our first council meeting.

Will I be there?

Remind me, how old are you? 20.

Your grandfather didn't attend his first council meeting

until he was 34.

Who is she?

Yolande. Countess de Polignac

Married to Count Jules.

The one on the right? Mm-hm. A minor member of the nobility.

And they say the other one is her lover.

Oh! Her lover? Where do they live?

They're staying in lodgings in the town.

They live in the middle of nowhere.

Good afternoon, my Queen.

Good afternoon.

I'm afraid you will find a lot of these council meetings

rather tedious and complicated.

You don't have the slightest idea of what's going on in the world

when you're only 20 years old.

Count Mercy and I have resumed our private channel of communication.

The checks and balances...

Once Choiseul starts, he never stops.

You should see him in the council chamber.

He doesn't draw breath.

He says I'm too young to join the council.

Well, if you don't start now, when will you learn?

You need someone to guide you, not tell you what to do.

His strategy on Austria is sound.

Choiseul is too cosy with Austria.

It caused great upset at the time of your marriage.

His return can only weigh heavily against the Queen

in the eyes of this court.

Sire!

After you.

No, after you.

Oh...

Good evening.

Good evening.

Hello. Hello.

Darling Adelaide, your blossoming figure sends shivers down my spine.

Sweet Victoire, your toes are irresistible.

I long to...

..lick them one by one?

Naughty, naughty, mesdames.

LIVELY CHATTER

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

She's a sensitive flower. How charming.

CLASS CHINKS

Quiet. She's terrified of me.

You know she doesn't like men. She doesn't have to hate them either.

Chartres! Antoinette! Sorry.

He is the King.

Not so you'd notice.

Thank you.

Now that I have put all of Papa Roi's affairs in order,

I'm... I'm ready to announce my first ministerial appointment.

Chartres...

Who would have thought?

I've decided upon Maurepas.

SHE GASPS

Maurepas?

France's interests must come first. Good boy.

He will make an excellent Prime Minister.

He won't be my Prime Minister. Who will be?

Me.

You?

What's he going to do?

Clean up after you. SHE TUTS

Maurepas will be my mentor.

He will advise.

I will decide.

What about me?

When are you going to appoint me to the council?

I will discuss it with Maurepas.

Excellent. Excellent!

Your father would have applauded you working together.

God rest his soul.

How could you?

Leave her, Chartres. She'll get over it.

She has no choice.

I'm taking this.

This, can you wrap this up for me, please?

This same.

What...what are you doing?

I'm leaving.

Please don't go, Toinette. Don't worry. You're coming with me.

But I can't leave Versailles without permission.

You have my permission!

So, this... This is not coming with us.

Here we are.

We can't stay here, Toinette.

Protocol requires you to live with the King.

I'm done with protocol.

That's better.

No rules will operate here.

Come on. Your Majesty.

I'm not Your Majesty.

I'm me.

Yes, me.

Come on.

It's a pity you aren't staying.

You're the only one she might have listened to. I wish I could.

It would be rather pleasant to join her at the Petit Trianon.

What is it?

Open it. What is it?

What does it say?

Gosh, no.

I can't tell you! No, no.

She opens her legs to her lovers in public.

But not to her King in private.

Very good.

A mulatto enjoys penetrating her mind and...

Stop!

Continue. Ohh!

..her pussy?

Milk?

I'd rather have a double brandy.

They're all over Versailles.

Look at them.

I had no idea there were so many.

You have travelled into dangerous territory.

Everywhere you turn, you have made enemies.

You have even made an enemy of your strongest supporter.

You have to go back.

I have to go back?

What for? I'm not a wife, I'm not a mother.

And now there's no need for me to deliver the Dauphin

because Josephine will do that for me.

The King has ordered you to return to Versailles.

His word is the law.

Even you must obey it.

I urge you to take this opportunity

to move into Madame du Barry's old apartment,

where you will be close to your husband.

Thank you for coming at such short notice.

Ahem. Could you please close the door?

I'll...close it myself.

Bastard.

It's peppermint.

You are good.

Camomile.

You are too good.

What...?

Oh, God.

But you're no country girl. Stop that. Stop it.

Stop it.

It's disgusting.

There you are, Lamballe.

Have you been introduced?

We have...bumped into each other once or twice.

I believe you're related to Maurepas.

Isn't he your uncle?

Maurepas?

He...

He is related to my husband.

I don't hang out with geriatrics.

Neither do I.

Why don't...

Can't you just come and stay at the chateau?

If you were there, I'd be tempted...

..very tempted to go back.

Did you notice my companions at the park?

Yes.

Yes, we did.

We travel as a threesome.

We will find you something, won't we, Lamballe?

A comfortable apartment.

So...

..are you really going to make the Queen of France beg?

Yes, I am.

THEY GIGGLE

No, this won't do.

Can't you show me something bigger?

You'll have to speak to the superintendent.

She chose it for you.

I think I'll go straight to the top.

Here she comes.

Poor thing.

He has agreed to talk to you this evening.

Don't squander this opportunity.

It may be your last.

Tell you what, sir, if you don't catch this one,

next time I'll throw my wife at you.

THEY EXCLAIM

You're too heavy for that.

Your wife is glowing, monsieur. Isn't she just!

I'm surprised you allowed madame to leave her bedchamber

while she's protecting the crown jewels.

Madame can speak for herself.

Can she?

How are you, madame?

No, she can't.

She won't speak to charlatans.

Charlatans? Is that what we are?

HE is defiling the reputation of the Crown.

Be careful.

If you provoke Saint-Georges, he may challenge you to a duel.

He shouldn't be here.

I think he's looking for a fight.

You're right.

Should I accept the challenge?

Yes, I think you should.

Come on, monsieur.

I'll be gentle.

Boo!

LAUGHTER

I'm going to summon the guards.

You'll be thrown out.

He spoke to me. You won.

SHE SHRIEKS

SHE SCREAMS

FOOTSTEPS

GASPS AND GROANS

SHE SCREAMS

Out!

FOOTSTEPS

SHE GROANS

Jesus Christ!

Why are you slashing your thigh?

I just delivered your baby.

Ohhh!

I feel sick.

Catch!

What do I do with that?

Bury it.

I never intended for you to live there. You can see your position.

What position? When I'm here, you don't want to see me.

You won't even speak to me. And when you do speak to me,

you humiliate me in front of your family.

I was trying to protect you. Me?

You were protecting yourself from those old maids

who treat you like the little poodle.

No, no, it was...it was my decision to appoint Maurepas.

SHE LAUGHS

You have never made a decision in your whole life, Louis.

Don't talk to me like that, madame.

I'm your husband. Oh, are you?

Doesn't a husband touch his wife?

Share his bed with her?

Kiss her? Make love to her?

What sort of a husband are you?

Louis...

No...

Not like this.

I can't stop.

No!

Stop. Stop. Stop!

Stop! No!

Oh, no!

No!

Ohh.

This isn't working, is it?

No, please...

Please don't go.

DOOR SLAMS

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

FOOTSTEPS

A fresh batch of doves.

I haven't found out who is behind them yet,

but I did discover something on my travels.

What?

Madame's pregnancy.

It must have been very hard for her.

There was no baby.

Does my brother know?

He was with her when she suffered her...miscarriage.

Tell no-one, Beaumarchais.

Of course not.

Sire...

I am YOUR spy.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm here for you.

If you need me.

I'm sorry to hear about Josephine,

but this is your opportunity to seize the reins, my boy.

Much better if you father the Dauphin.

My wife and I...

..we are not suited to one another.

The Crown is not secure without a Bourbon heir.

If you can't impregnate the Queen...

..perhaps you should end your marriage.

I think she would prefer that.

I will speak to Count Mercy.

We have moved into perilous waters.

I urge you to come to Versailles.

Your daughter has become a threat to our alliance.

There is talk of a divorce.

I've asked the Empress to come.

We have no choice.

Your mother is the only one who may be able to save you.

DOOR CLOSES

SHE SOBS

What's wrong?

Come here.

Tell me what happened.