All language subtitles for Lucrezia Borgia (1935)

"THE PRINCE
by Niccolo Machiavelli"

"In the century where treachery,
cruelty, debauchery and violence...

were the means of government
and brute force was law...

Italy lived under the sign
of the Borgias.

In 1492, a former soldier
named Rodrigo Borgia...

was elected pope
under the name Alexander VI."

"During his youth, Borgia had
several children:

Cesare Borgia,
the perfect ferocious beast...

without a single blemish
of humanity."

Here she is, my lord.

What do you think of her?

Not much.

This is a surprise for him.

French wine.

Take it upstairs.

Now!

The child fears for her virtue.

She has good reason to.

Let go of me!

What an animal!

We need your help.

We've netted a pigeon.

Master Phillip's feathers.

What an idea, Carlo.
You're crazy!

Calm down. Don't get upset.

It can be taken care of without going
against the other Signor Borgia.

That's different, but risky.

How much do you want?

I'll put it on your tab.

It's nice of you to join us
for dinner.

Here you'll get everything
you want.

Don't give her a hard time.

She'll soon be a friend
of Cesare Borgia.

Come on, laugh,
by the blood of Christ!

Watch out! Careful, sonny.

Oh yes, the Borgias, our masters...

bandits who dishonored
galley slaves.

Cesare, a poisoner who has insulted
the name of the pope.

Let my friends go by!

They've insulted us!
You asked for it!

Beautiful.

"His brother Jean,
Duke of Gandia...

favorite son of Alexander...

was frivolous and refined...

a supporter of the arts
and more committed to beauty...

than to his own glory."

Master, admire
the Genoan brocade.

All the pope's kingdom
will be buying from you.

I'll take it.

Let's ask for a painter's opinion.

Sire, these materials are
quite extravagant.

I took a vow of poverty.

Listen to him!

It's so exalted.

- It's Sav...
- Savonarola, my lord.

You dare speak ill
of our Holy Father?

Oh, sir, I forgot.
These samples...

I'll take them.

If you have more beautiful ones,
show them to my sister Lucrezia.

Oh, to Lucrezia,
to beautiful Lucrezia! How?

At this hour my sister is asleep,
dreaming of life's gallant adventures.

Good, very good!

Is she still asleep?

No, she's waking up.

Open the curtains.

Did you have a good night?

Oh, very good.
Good morning.

- What's it like out?
- Beautiful and warm.

Did you sleep well?
Have sweet dreams?

Yes, but strange.

I dreamt that a young lord
went to the Vatican...

to ask my father for my hand.

When he arrived, he wasn't alone.
There were three of them.

Three husbands?

What an idea!

One would be enough for me,
but he should arrive quickly!

That's my bucket!

Who's making all that noise
on the terrace?

There's a match going on.
Come look.

- Hey, let's stop. It's too hot.
- You're right.

Already tired?

When you have
such an attentive audience?

Come on. Make an effort!

This time they'll tear each other
to pieces.

So it's we who are really
the strongest.

Even though it is we
who lean on their shoulders.

I pick the taller one.
He must be a knight.

They're fighting for a smile.
What asses!

How ugly he is.

All right. Come on, everyone!

Lucien, the milk bath.

Felina, the amaranth dress.

Let's hope Lucrezia's dress
pleases her father.

But if it pleases him too much...

he may have the whole court
dress the same way!

What makes you so brash
as to speak to me so frankly?

My knowledge of men, my lord.

Cesare Borgia can only dream
of the power of the Papal State.

Really, Niccolo Machiavelli.

What prompts you to counsel me?

The certainty of having found
the perfect model of a prince...

who knows how to reign.

Go on.

Look.

These principalities,
these duchies...

all in the hands
of your worst enemies.

You think I don't know that?

But I'm the youngest.

And the Borgias want to go on
accepting the slander and insolence...

while they forget the names
of the Colonnas...

the Orsinis, the Sforzas.

Never.

No one will be spared.

Look.

Who could believe
that the pope's sovereignty...

does not extend
through Romagna?

Be patient.

With Romagna conquered...

what would become
of the small republic of Siena?

And later, of proud Florence?

And perhaps even...

the kingdom of Naples?

All of Italy?

The challenge faced
by the first Caesar.

Why should a second Caesar
not carry on?

You are right,
Niccolo Machiavelli.

From now on,
your fortune is linked to mine.

And my name to yours,
Cesare Borgia.

Give it to me.

Greetings, great Chief General
of the Armies.

This is a surprise.

My brother coming
to a council meeting.

No horses to train?

No poets to listen to,
or clothes to try on?

Jean, Jean, you don't look well.

My father, Holy father.

Stay, Giovanni.

- His Holiness...
- I prefer "father."

So be it, Father.
Speak, I am listening.

Afterwards, it will be my turn.

I'm always pleased
to hear my children speak.

News from Florence that
the Dominican, Savonarola...

continues to preach against us.

He reproaches me
for dressing as a knight.

One must change one's appearance
from time to time.

I have a plan
against slander and rebellion.

Will you listen?

And I say to you,
citizens of Florence...

never in a Catholic state...

have there been
more frequent attacks.

Murder and rape
have become so common...

that no traveler is safe.

What is the reason for this?

The authority of Christ
is under siege!

I have my father's signature.

An order that declares
our enemies to be outlaws.

The Orsinis, the Colonnas,
the Sforzas.

Have I followed your advice well?

I've been absolved beforehand.

There will be a few obstacles
to overcome.

Or to suppress.

- Don't be afraid.
- I have confidence in you.

You have the trump card:

Your sister Lucrezia.

My God, you're right!

With her looks,
an arranged marriage would be easy.

And what will you make of her?
A princess, a duchess?

The Queen of France!

To the ruin of the despised family,
the Borgias!

Careful.
You're talking about the pope.

A pope who sacrifices the state
to his children?

Let the Vatican live,
but let the Borgias die!

We must eliminate Cesare,
a murderer.

And his brother,
that vain, debauched dandy!

And sweet Lucrezia.
At best, as worthy as her brothers.

It's not by force that
we'll rid ourselves of those tyrants.

It's by scandal!

I'm afraid of nothing.

I propose that one of us...

attempt to seduce
the sister of the abominable Cesare.

That should be easy.

So, who'll take on the challenge?

Well, I will!

And tomorrow, I'll lay siege
to the supposedly untouched citadel.

Yes, my dear, he went by twice
looking up at the window.

Twice?

What does he look like?

He's tall, with a good build.

Going by two times.
It's a beginning.

Do you think he'll go further?

I wouldn't hesitate,
if it were me.

I hope the heavens hear you!

Go with them, my dear.
Leave me alone.

- Is that an order?
- Yes.

You know I could call the guards.

Why? Am I in the harem
of a great Turk?

You're in the home of a young woman
on whom you've spied as she bathed.

Yes, you don't look like
a stable boy.

Thank you.

But, really, I didn't see anything.

Who were you trying to get to?
One of my servants?

To Sensia?

To me?

It takes courage to run such risks.

It would mean death, wouldn't it?

There are other dangers.

You're warm.

A little, my lord.

Drink. Go ahead.

To my lord's health.

It's the right dose.

You'll bring this wine
to His Eminence himself.

As if it came
from one of his sharecroppers.

Leave now.

Giacobo.

There was no one like him
for cleaning armor.

Oh, he was old.

Still working on your tapestry,
Penelope?

I was waiting for you, my lord.

- My beloved...
- Yes, I know.

Some hate me.
Some fear me.

And you... you love me.

Very surprising.

- I'm yours.
- Quite a gift.

But am I worthy?
That's the question.

All I know is that I love you.

To live here and see you
from time to time.

Surprising.

- Here's the doctor.
- His Eminence, the Cardinal.

Oh, my lord. He has drunk
a cursed wine. He is dying.

The cardinal liked good wine.

He didn't keep us waiting.

The first time...
did you come to seduce me?

Yes. And now I myself am caught.

You are at my mercy.

And I can always call the guards
and you'll be dead at my feet.

That's not what I'm afraid of.

No. You're only afraid
that I'll refuse you.

Think what you like.

Why don't you marry me?
I'm a fine catch.

And you'd come with me
to Pesaro?

We'll talk about that.

Am I to become a housekeeper
and raise children?

No, no. I love you.

And I you.

Lucrezia, watch out!
There are men in the garden.

I recognized Cesare's insignia.

We've got to decide.

My dearest, if I'm assassinated...

No, don't be absurd.

A Sforza here?
My honor compromised?

Can you imagine the scandal?

What have you found?

A man with your sister.
A Sforza.

You have visitors
without informing me?

Cesare Borgia, I love your sister
and want to marry her.

Marry her?

How dare you? Dog!

Haven't you already married her?

You're crazy, Cesare! Do you take me
for an innkeeper's servant?

I will be his wife. Do you hear?

And now, send your men away.

- What's the meaning of all this?
- The meaning?

The Sforzas, our enemies.

Exactly.
An alliance instead of hatred.

My diplomacy is better than yours.

- It's time you let me be a woman.
- Shut up!

Get rid of this pretty boy...
and fast!

They'll have your hide for this!

It's all yours!

Hold it!

You mustn't yell so, Cesare...

and make our lovely sister cry.

Sforza will make
an agreeable brother-in-law.

Idiot! Get out of here, Jean.
This is my business.

No, Cesare, I'm the oldest...

and the pope's lieutenant.

I'm giving the orders for once.

I don't want any discord here.

Do you understand?

Let Sforza swear that my sister
is still untouched. If not!

Enough, Cesare!

What are you saying
about young noblewomen?

You're not hurt, are you?

You must ask my father
for my hand.

In private, he's an easy man...

not intimidating at all.

"I, Alexander VI,
Sovereign Pope...

bestow my papal blessing...

upon the marriage...

of Lucrezia da Croce...

and Jean Sforza,
Count of Pesaro.

I, Alexander VI,
Sovereign Pope...

name as rebels and outlaws...

Cardinals Orsini and Alviano
and Prince Salviah.

Their castles and lands
are to be destroyed."

Their earldoms of Terrasini...

and the realm of Servia.

The King of France wishes
proof of our friendship.

We will send him our son Cesare.

As a hostage, Father.

As an observer, my son.

And we have decided to continue
the battle against our vassals.

I tell you, my brothers...

that the voice of God inspires
his noble servant.

The throne of St. Peter
is occupied by a usurper!

The council is over.

Have I forgotten anything?

How can we fight
against the worst rebels...

if your son-in-law
is named Sforza?

It's an obstacle to your control,
at least at first glance.

My in-law is not very dangerous.

That's enough for today.
I'm tired.

And it's practically finished.
You'll model the face as you wish.

Yes, madam.

How beautiful it is!

It would be regrettable
not to keep...

an expression of this mortal body
for posterity.

I want it at home.

To give it up...

Haven't you been paid
well enough?

More than you dared hope?

The statue at home?
Giannino will recognize it!

He's not even aware
of what treasures he has.

Sforza is in our way day after day.

We need an annulment,
but what reason can we give?

There is no child.

Therefore, the marriage
hasn't been consummated.

And that dog will be humiliated
in front of all Italy.

What news?

Filippo, a young sculptor,
just a whim.

Ayoung sculptor?

We'll stop his career
right there.

Hunting again?
Even at night you leave us.

Our evening will be ruined,
my lord.

Go ahead, Giannino.

We know what it means
to be a hunter.

Go ahead.

I'll take your place.

Sir, we must hurry.

We've picked up a fresh trail
and the wind is favorable.

Good-bye, Giannino.

Forgive me, Lucrezia.

Thank you, Matteo.

And make the hunt last until dawn.

Don't I know how to organize
a party for my sister?

Thank you, Cesare.

And I think I've done well. Look.

I'm the one who chose the guests.

- They're all courtesans.
- Did you desire monks and nuns?

Oh, no! No formalities.

Let everyone dance and drink...

and, above all, enjoy themselves.

Of course. An annulment.

Giannino will never agree.

We'll persuade him.

Enough discussion.

You have no idea where you are?

No. I followed some friends.

- I don't regret it.
- But who are you?

Donato. I've come from Ferrara
to fall in love.

Your name?

Lucrezia Borgia.

She can't be as beautiful as you.
But your name isn't important.

Yes, it is. We must be discreet.

- Don't be afraid.
- Afraid? I'm only thinking of you.

Don't ever speak about this evening.

Not to anyone, ever.

You're so young.

- So very young.
- If you only knew...

Haven't you talked enough?

Your brother has put aside
his fraternal feelings...

for he realizes...

That Sforza is in the way.

He must accept an annulment.

If not...

Mix up politics in conjugal matters?

Don't count on me, Cesare.

And if Giannino refuses?

For the good of the state,
Lucrezia must be set free.

I'm not so sure.

Good-bye. I have
two Arabian horses to try out.

What an idiot!

Your brother has left?

Forgive me, Cesare.

Get out of here, and fast!

Darling! You're hurt!

You're always right.

Because I'm the only one
who's not afraid of you.

It's true.

Everyone is afraid of Cesare.
No one knows him.

Lovely invention.

Get me to sign
a confession of impotence?

I'll have an heir, God willing,
when I want one.

I love Lucrezia
and I'm keeping her.

We can't force you, my lord...

but me must follow this up.

Come in.

Mario, see that my husband's
best horse is saddled up immediately.

Am I to understand, madam...

No. You are to understand nothing.

Go ahead.

That young man is delightful.

May I have him as a valet?

You may not.

Here's Sforza.
Careful, little sister.

Be dramatic.

- Greetings, brother.
- Your best horse is saddled.

- You must flee.
- What?

Don't you understand?
They want to separate us.

Any way they can.

Would they murder me?

Go back to Pesaro.
You'll be safe there.

Forgive me, darling...

And must I leave immediately?

Run your horse into the ground,
if necessary.

Let's not lose our heads.

- Lucrezia, come with me.
- That's impossible!

- They want to separate you!
- That's true.

No, Giannino. I'll join you later.

Go, I beg you.

You're right. I'll get ready.

- He's going to leave?
- You're finally free!

- You're a fine brother!
- Anything for such a lovely sister.

Thank you.

No, Giannino.
Don't lose any time.

Our house is so kind to guests.

You certainly have imagination.

Do you think so, Lucrezia?

With Cesare, the threat was
very realistic.

Very.

Look!

The bird had flown away.

Only Lucrezia and the duke
remained.

My brother is the one
who warned that dog?

Certainly.

The Borgia family is very united.

Too true.

And there are too many
of them.

Another body has been pulled
out of the Tiber.

It happens all the time.

He must say what he saw.

Two more turns.

Talk!

The pincers.

Stop!

I swear I'll tell everything.

- Tell what?
- I lied.

Last night
I was setting my nets.

I saw the murderers.

I saw... I swear I'll tell all.

Your Holiness.

What is it?

- Your Holiness.
- What news do you bring?

Speak!

My friends, the Duke of Gandia
has just been assassinated!

Send in the witnesses... quickly!

Why?

Holy Father.

Speak.

You'll have more gold...

than you ever dreamed.

Speak...

or you'll be tortured again.

- Absolution, Holy Father.
- Yes, yes. But talk!

I saw...

I was casting my nets...

before dawn, a troop...

five or six men on horseback.

One of them carried the body
slung behind him.

Go ahead, talk.
Everything, you bastard!

They stabbed him again.

A masked man
apart from the other said...

"Is he finished, Michel?

Are you sure?"

You swear you heard that name?

On my salvation.

And the words, "Are you sure?"

Michel...

I request an audience
with His Holiness.

Absolution, Holy Father.

Listen!

A man is coming in.

If his voice is that
of the assassins' leader...

say so!

And you will have total absolution.

Yes, Your Holiness.

Go in here.

Hide here.

Your salvation depends
on the truth.

His Lordship, Cesare Borgia.

Holy Father, someone has dared
attack a Borgia.

Cesare, you must find the criminals.

Criminals, my father?

There were several henchmen...

but only one assassin.

Do you have any suspects?

The Sforzas, perhaps?

- Or the Orsinis?
- They wouldn't have dared.

Are you sure?

That's the voice, Holy Father.

The voice. It's him.

Who is this man?

He saw the murder.

Or should I say...

fratricide?

I swear, Father. It's him.

You have a very loose tongue,
my friend.

I'll fix that.

Help! Help!

Yes, I killed my brother.

I'll kill anyone who threatens...

the Borgia's greatness!

My brother was
your unworthy favorite.

Help! Help!

Come, all of you!

Come witness what I have seen!

Come see my son's assassin!

Is it true?

Are you really locking yourself
in a convent?

Yes. I separated you
from your Sforza.

Freed you, rather.

Dare tell me you're sorry.

It's not Sforza.

It's my brother.

He'll be avenged.

By you, perhaps?

It's rumored that the duke
was murdered by his brother.

And do you know what else?

That I killed him out of jealousy.

That's how far the lies have gone.

Only our unity in public
can dissipate such slander.

You didn't really kill him?

Sforza is ready to sign
the annulment.

Keeping his hunting dog,
of course.

Now I'm alone.

You, alone?

What if I told you I was thinking
of another marriage for you?

Another husband... already?

Political reasons, of course.

No. Borgia reasons!

And what I want means nothing!

Wait until you meet him.

Who could your brother
have chosen?

A toothless old man?

Or maybe a monster?

Look.

Alphonse of Aragon.

You'll make a lovely couple.

His Holiness the Pope...

has named as his forces...

those of Cesare Borgia...

who will succeed...

the Duke of Gandia.

The Duke of Gandia is dead.

No greater affliction...

could strike us.

We loved him so...

that even the papacy
seems worthless...

as does all else.

As for the assassin...

we know nothing.

We are without clues.

You know why we're here.

We'll eat and drink.

Eat! Drink!

Come on, drink!

What are you waiting for,
in the name of Christ!

- I can't get near you.
- I'm getting married.

What a reason!

He's delightful.

He'll still be just a husband.

But I'll love him.

It's time for you to leave.

It's dangerous to be my friend.

Not yet, please.

You were speaking
of a special mission?

Yes, a young captain
at my sister's house.

Poor captain!

Tomorrow he will be in a fight
he doesn't understand.

Straight through the heart.

I hardly ever miss.

Once I knew a duke...

I know, I know.

- A favor.
- All right.

Give me the girl
who was standing behind you.

That one?

And?

Give her to me
and I'll do anything you want.

She's yours.

The poor boy. So young.

Probably some kind of fight.

All he said was "Lucrezia Borgia."

He who is sitting on the holy throne
must know...

that he has forgotten
his sacred mission.

Injustice and disorder have led you
to forget your sacred mission.

I repeat to you...

injustice and disorder...

have led you to forget
your sacred mission.

As for you, you are unworthy.

That is what Savonarola wished
to say to His Holiness.

Borgia's troops ravage Italy.

In whose name?
For what cause?

Savonarola has spoken.

The wrath of God is nigh.

I'm so happy.

I never dreamed...

You're crying.

I'm so happy with you.

Lucrezia, my love.
Why are you crying?

That you hold me in such esteem.

Am I wrong?

Why didn't we meet sooner?
If you only knew...

No. Don't finish your sentence.

I waited so long for love.

You already know I love you.

I didn't know what it was to love.

He looks like you.
He'll be a Borgia.

He looks like my husband.

Thank you, my child,
for having brought me such joy.

You're happy, aren't you?

More than I ever dreamed.

May I also have an audience?

Have you come from Ferrara?

Your Holiness, I bring you greetings
from the King of France...

an ally of the Ferraras.

Still utterly happy?

Still, Cesare.

And, thank God,
the birth of my child...

will stop any dissolution
of this marriage.

She's right.

Yet, one is always
in too much of a hurry.

Charles VIII dies,
Louis XII succeeds him...

and Alphonse of Aragon's hopes
for Naples are compromised.

Poor Alphonse becomes
completely useless.

At least in political terms.

I believe that for the glory
of the Borgias...

an alliance between Lucrezia...

I am delighted that your lordship
appreciates...

the advantages of this union.

Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara.

Of course, but as far as I know,
Lady Lucrezia is married.

True, true...

but Cesare Borgia is most skillful...

at making and breaking men...

according to their merit.

What news of my brother-in-law,
good doctor?

The duke is now out of danger.

You'll travel on a litter.

That way you'll be able
to stand the trip.

Soon I could do it on horseback.

No. We must be in Naples
before that.

The air in Rome is bad for you.

How I wish we were already there...

in the gardens overlooking the sea.

Alone with you.

Good news, Lucrezia.

The last criminal was strangled
this morning.

Did they confess?

We pulled it out of them.

- So it wasn't a plot?
- Just thieves, as I said.

Thank you, Cesare,
for coming every day.

It's not surprising that
I was concerned.

Today I must speak with you.

Leave us, my dear.

There's nothing that I can't hear.

Just a word.

Cesare can talk to you later.
You're still too weak.

Just for a minute, Lucrezia.

You have something...

important to tell me?

You be the judge.

All I have to say to you is this:

What happened in the morning
can also happen at night.

Why do you stubbornly refuse to see
what is happening?

Yesterday it was your son.

Today it is my husband.

And you do nothing.

It's your daughter
who must take up arms.

If I were to meet him in the street,
I would spit in his face!

And it's you
who are responsible for this!

You're going too far.

Justice will be done.

Your husband had enemies.

Perhaps out of jealousy.

You know there was
only one assassin, one enemy...

perhaps a jealous one.

- Believe in me.
- In you!

Who still believes in you, Father?

My master has spoken...

"Go and chase him
from the throne!"

You let the one man I loved
be killed.

Woe to you, Father!

Watch out!

Go down and give orders
to push the filth back.

The mob is growing every minute.
My throat would be slit in no time.

They've pushed through the gates!
It's unbelievable!

They're uncontrollable, my lord.

Before God, I swear...

that I think only of the glory
of the Church...

served through the work
of the Borgias.

Through your work?

Through your crimes!

What are you doing here?

Why did you flee from Rome?

Why?

Because I was ashamed to be
Lucrezia Borgia.

Ashamed to be
an assassin's sister!

And for whom is this mass?
The recently deceased?

- Your last victim.
- Alphonse of Aragon.

The husband you killed...

because I loved him.

You're wrong.

This pious ceremony
isn't for one dead man.

It's for all those
who have possessed you.

- I only loved one of them!
- Shut up! Come here!

Look!

They're all there.

Your companions for a week
or a night.

Look.

Filippo, Tybalt...

Mario, Angelico...

and countless others
whom I have reunited here...

for eternity!

Shut up! Shut up!

Have my lord come in.

I introduce the Baron of Villeneuve.

Ambassador for His Majesty,
Louis XII.

I carry His Highness' wishes...

to greet the Duchess
in person soon...

at your home in Ferrara.

Women rarely respond
to reasons of state, my lord.

By order of His Holiness,
Alexander VI.

I will be in Ferrara, sir.

I've renounced
all personal happiness.

"Savonarola, Relapsed Heretic"

Come, look at your fame, Ariosto.

The book is well illustrated,
isn't it?

I'd like you to write others.

The court of Ferrara will be rich
in arts and letters.

Right, my dear poet?

Right, Bembo,
my dear philosopher?

Good news, gentlemen.

Niccolo Machiavelli
is coming to see you.

He'll be delighted to see you.

What is in this letter?

The death of Cesare Borgia.

He died in Spain,
sword in hand.

You have heard the news,
gentlemen.

The court will be in mourning
for three months...

possibly for longer.

Clearly, the Borgias
can only live in Rome.

Have you pardoned him?

Yes.

You regret nothing?

I did the best I could.

I did what I could for the arts.

I only hope that history...

will revere Lucrezia Borgia
as a patron of the arts.

Will I succeed?

With history and legend...

does one ever know?

THE END