Original subtitles

THE BEAUTY OF THE DEVIL

Based on the legend of FAUST, who sold his soul to the devil.

Gentlemen...

our joy is mixed with sorrow...

as we celebrate the fiftieth year...

at this university...

of a man...

who has devoted his whole life to increasing human knowledge.

Our dear Dean, Professor Henri Faust.

Henri Faust, your daily life among us...

has been a model for all our students and for us too.

You have despised riches...

refused honours...

and denied yourself the simplest joys...

in order to devote yourself entirely...

to the service of the intellect.

The time has now come...

for you to face the great problems...

alone in peaceful retirement.

May God...

bless your work and guide your steps...

along that path of science...

where you precede us.

Faust, why are you running away?

I'm right here, behind you.

Don't you want to see me?

Why slam that door?

You know full well that at any hour of the day and of the night...

despite doors and walls...

I creep into your home like a thief...

and worm my way into your soul like a friend.

What's the use of studying those books...

that reveal none of the secrets you wish to discover?

Think back.

For fifty years, you have lived in solitude.

And what have you learnt?

Nothing, I know nothing.

Don't exaggerate.

You're the greatest scholar of this city.

But you won't discover nature's eternal secret forces in those books.

- Soon you will die. - Having achieved nothing.

Whereas if you accepted my help and agreed to call me...

see, all is set for the success of your great experiment.

And what if I called?

I'd come at once.

I didn't call you. I didn't say anything.

It's not time yet.

Yes, it is time, sir.

Dinner is served.

You're not eating, Professor?

I'm not hungry.

You're only hungry for knowledge.

Be quiet.

I didn't say anything, Professor.

Faust, you're wasting the last hours of your life.

Your knowledge only serves to measure your ignorance.

All you've learnt is that, without me, you'll know nothing.

With my help, you could know everything...

but you're scared.

You're scared, Faust!

I'm not scared of you...

or your ridiculous disguises which you fancy.

I'm not scared of your big horns, your coarse hair...

your cloven hooves, your monkey claws or bat's wings.

You poor devil. Do you think you scare me?

I'm Faust, your equal...

and I can be your master!

- So, the time has come? - Yes, it has.

I command you to show yourself.

And you do so the proper way... on your knees.

No, don't show yourself! Not yet!

Go away! I didn't call you.

Too late. I obeyed and here I am.

- Where? - Turn around and you'll see me.

What do you look like?

I have neither cloven feet nor horns.

Come out of that dark corner where you're hiding.

- Open your eyes. - I see nothing.

A new image just came out of your book.

Are you scared of yourself?

The devil looks and even sounds like you.

I did my best to please you.

Come on. You might at least welcome me.

Lucifer, go away!

Not Lucifer. Merely one of his humble lieutenants.

My name is Mephistopheles.

That's not very nice toward someone

who has come so far in order to serve you.

Maybe you'd prefer me disguised as one of your students?

Do you remember how respectfully I bowed to you?

Your stratagems took me by surprise but you don't scare me.

Now I command you to go!

You're supposed to obey me.

My only wish is to be your obedient servant.

But before I disappear for good...

allow me just one more word.

Look at your old decaying body, Faust.

It's falling apart.

It smells of death. It's very unpleasant.

By the way, do you know how long you have left?

I don't want to know.

The thought of death scares you?

No.

It's the thought of my useless life.

I can give you a brand new life for you to enjoy.

In exchange for what?

Hell always drives a hard bargain.

Sign this pact...

with your blood...

Never!

... and I'll do anything you say.

Did you feel that pain in your foot?

It's gout.

I always get it before a storm.

How distressing.

My poor man, one foot in the grave already!

Listen to the beating of your heart.

And look at your veins. That's a bad sign.

Such a shame! With your great discovery so near.

I won't sell my soul.

Lucifer my master, may I make an exception for this great man?

Listen...

I feel sorry for you.

I will give you time to finish your research...

unconditionally - Without a pact?

I won't mention one until you do.

There's a catch somewhere.

I'm not asking for a commitment.

I'm giving you youth... for free.

Look at yourself in the mirror.

What do you see?

The sad picture of my old age.

And now?

Now I... I see smoke and flames.

Look again and you will see a face...

which I already showed you, and its youth, which you envied.

Well, this youth is yours now.

You're seeing yourself, my dear Faust.

Your wish has been granted.

Where are you?

Call me and I'll come back.

My name is Mephistopheles.

Come back!

Sign our agreement...

and I'll be your obedient servant.

Mephistopheles!

Good luck, Faust. Enjoy my youth.

Feeling better?

I think so.

It's the best medicine.

What happened to me?

You seemed to be gesticulating at someone...

and then, you passed out.

So we carried you in here.

So it's true.

Here he goes again.

Have some more medicine. Come on!

- What is it? - The medicine? Eau de vie!

Eau de vie... I drank some, a long time ago.

- A very long time ago. - Is that so?

- I'd like to stand up. - Stand up then!

- Do you think I can? - Try.

- Did you see that? - What?

My legs really work.

It's quite amazing.

What?

Youth.

For many years, all I saw through my glasses...

were papers, words and figures.

I had forgotten there were...

trees...

stars...

girls' faces.

Mademoiselle, how do I look?

Like a young man who doesn't know what he's saying.

Did you just say young?

Young, young.

- Did you hear my voice? - You're hurting me!

I'm sorry. I don't know my strength yet.

Is that so?

That'll teach you to know your own strength.

Right?

My God!

Help! Help!

I suddenly felt so weak.

A strange emptiness.

Maybe...

Maybe he goes hungry sometimes.

Hungry?

Hungry?

- You think I might be hungry? - When was the last time you ate?

It's a sort of vertigo, isn't it?

A crampy pain, here...

a feeling of being cold, right?

- It happens to you too? - More often than I like.

I'm hungry. I'm hungry.

It's fantastic.

Friends, let's drink to what men never appreciate enough!

To youth!

Who will pay for all this?

The young man. He invited them all.

Why the smile?

Forgive me.

It's as though everything were whirling around me.

- Earth, sky, the present, the past. - It's the wine.

Don't blame the wine.

When I think of all those years I only drank water.

Friends!

Let's drink to an old white bearded fool...

who was never young.

Professor Faust!

Professor Faust?

Before we part...

let me drink to a particular person...

who shall remain nameless.

So generous, that he never asks for payment.

- That's you. - You think so?

I'm sorry but you're mistaken.

No refreshment without payment.

Don't worry, my lad, I'll see you're paid.

Just a moment.

I'll be back with the money.

Thank you, Mephisto!

He's not in his room either.

Let's have a look over there.

A thief!

Don't be scared. It's me.

- It's only me. - Help!

Don't be scared. I tell you it's only me.

Don't worry. I'll be right back.

Where is he?

He was in there taking some money.

He must have run off.

There! It's all sorted!

Here's your money, innkeeper.

- Is singing forbidden? - It's late.

What are you doing here?

Yes, what is man doing on earth? That's a big question.

- What are you doing on this bench? - Thinking.

You've no home?

How shall I put it?

I have one.

And I don't have one...

any more.

What's your name?

If I told you, you wouldn't believe me.

In short, you've no proper situation?

No, my situation is anything but proper.

- What is it? - A suspicious man prowling about.

What's in there?

Nothing.

- Everything's in order. - Where did he go then?

Don't worry.

He's gone.

- I knew I'd see you again. - You did?

- The cards told me. - The cards?

You don't believe in cards or in palm-reading?

- None of that. - Don't you believe in anything?

Oh, yes. I believe in the devil.

It felt as though someone were here watching us.

- Satan isn't as bad as they say. - Be quiet!

If you know so much...

tell me what will happen to me.

What an odd hand.

It's as though your life stopped and started again.

It looks as though the heart line...

What's your name?

Marguerite.

You're very young, aren't you?

- I'm nineteen. - Nineteen?

Don't laugh. You're not a lot older.

When I have your hand in mine, I believe it.

Go to sleep now.

The dogs will guard you.

Guard him well, Sultan. All right?

See that no one harms him.

Good night, Sultan.

Good night.

On my rounds, I saw this door open,

so I went into his laboratory.

This way.

- I found this mess. - There's been a fight.

They're the Professor's glasses.

Just between ourselves, he was a little odd.

He claimed it was possible to make gold.

- Gold? - Yes, sir, gold.

That's the motive for the theft...

or the murder!

The young man seen at his home was attracted by the gold.

Be quiet!

They're jealous of me.

It's just that they don't know you yet so they just wonder who you are.

That's for you to tell them.

Who are you? You haven't even told me.

I don't even know any more.

Before that evening when we met, what did you do?

I've forgotten who I was before I met you.

You'll forget me too.

You saw it in my hand?

Henri, there's a wound in your hand.

There's blood.

A wound?

It's a dried blade of grass. Look!

You'd let that scare you?

I feel I'm going to lose you.

I told you, I'm as free as air.

Who could take me from you?

Henri, where are you?

They're all waiting.

Come and show us what you can do.

Just watch me!

That's him!

Ladies and gentlemen, are you happy?

I am!

I'll tell you my secret.

Long before you were alive...

in a country you'll never go to...

a philosopher you never heard of, called Plato...

shut men in a cave...

in order to explain the earth's secrets to them.

Later...

another man you don't know any better...

in a country you'll never go to either...

the astronomer, Newton...

flew off among the stars...

in order to tell men...

the secrets of the heavens!

Well, the philosopher and the astronomer were both wrong!

So says a third scientist...

I, Henri!

You need only know one secret - the secret of youth.

It's the secret of happiness.

The secret of joy!

The secret of pleasure!

Come in and see for yourselves. Roll up.

Was that you laughing?

It's him!

It's him all right.

You were seen stealing money from Faust's house.

Since then, Professor Faust has not been seen.

- What did you do with the body? - What body?

Professor Faust's!

You killed the old man after a violent struggle.

Here is the evidence!

And the body...

You burned the body right here...

in that stove!

Kill him!

So, Mephistopheles, you're laughing?

But he who laughs last, laughs longest!

Gentlemen, I have finished.

Everything proves that man's guilt.

He keeps promising a disclosure that will prove his innocence.

But we're still waiting.

Our kingdom has suffered a terrible loss.

Faust was an eminent scientist...

The guiding light of our age!

Justice demands...

the only appropriate sentence...

for his murderer...

Death!

Has the accused anything to say?

Yes, Your Honour!

I wish to say something I hesitated to reveal...

until the last moment.

But I can wait no longer.

As the prosecution said, no one knows who I am.

No one knows my name.

Don't you find that strange?

The time has come for me to reveal the infernal...

Yes, the infernal plot that has brought me here.

We'll see who has the last laugh.

You want to know what happened to Professor Faust?

I'll tell you!

As incredible as it may seem...

Professor Faust is alive.

He is here.

But... Professor...

- Where have you been? - Travelling, Your Honour.

A very long way from here.

You might thank me.

I didn't call you.

Why did you come back?

We don't like our affairs talked about in public.

You wanted to force me to sell you my soul...

in exchange for my life.

You've defeated me, I admit it.

You're now free to enjoy youth's pleasures...

whilst I have to put up with your old rheumatism.

No hard feelings.

But if you ever are in need of my services, you know where to find me.

Rector.

Yes, young man?

Beware, that man isn't Professor Faust.

If you want to know, I am Professor Faust.

He's mad. Let's get rid of him!

Henri!

My dear fellow, where are you going to sleep?

You never thought about that.

Youth is so thoughtless.

There. I can't give you gold, I haven't made any.

But here's some money.

Don't thank me.

I'm always glad to help, you know.

You're too kind, Professor.

I know, Antoine, it's a failing of mine.

Dinner is served, Professor.

Dinner?

What a good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

You've changed since your travels, sir.

- For better or for worse? - For the better, of course.

- Where's the wine? - You drink wine now, sir?

I want wine, the best!

Since I've heard all about foie gras, truffled spring chicken,

creamed mushrooms, and lobster...

Now I want to taste them! Do you hear me?

Life's short, Antoine. Let's enjoy it!

Good morning, Professor Faust.

Good morning, Rector.

Our joy is shared by the Prince.

The Prince?

Yes. The Prince wishes to see you at once, Professor.

A carriage is waiting.

The Prince's wish is my command.

♪ The Prince's wish ♪

♪ is my command. ♪ - Professor?

You forgot your glasses, sir!

My glasses!

I forgot my glasses!

Professor Faust, Your Highness.

Be seated, Professor.

I assume that your disappearance...

your mysterious trip and unexpected return...

are related to your work.

Correct, Your Highness.

I've worked a lot lately.

Only you can save us, Professor.

The Treasury is empty.

See what we pay with?

Paper!

An excellent idea, Your Highness!

Soon this paper will be worthless.

We need gold.

To work, Professor!

So, you're tired?

Have you never worked before?

- All my life. - Doing what?

Well, what are we waiting for? Drive on.

Make way for the Princess.

Hurry up!

Back to work. What are you waiting for?

I feel the time is near and we'll soon have gold.

- God willing. - What was that?

God willing.

You've changed, Professor.

In the old days, you were always anxious.

You had these odd fears.

What fears?

That the endeavour of making gold was...

how shall I put it? Diabolical.

Really? You believe in the existence of the devil?

But, you and I both know the devil doesn't exist.

But we mustn't tell anyone.

- Take that and leave. - And my money?

You want money too? I'll pay you!

- You called me? - No.

Sorry, I thought I heard you call.

Young man?

Why don't you come in?

Just say the word!

You don't just help yourself here.

Serve me then!

You must pay first.

Gold!

A gold coin.

I'd forgotten they even existed.

Where did you find it?

It fell from heaven. Don't you want it?

Yes, of course. Let's see if it's real.

What's that?

Sand!

Listen...

Play the conjurer with me and you'll be in trouble.

Good evening.

Don't worry. The gentleman is my guest.

Come on, forget it!

Let's enjoy ourselves. Life is short.

I'm such a poor alchemist.

I make gold and it immediately turns into sand.

Here's to you.

You know much more than me, you know.

I've read your research.

You came so close to completing the Great Work.

Who can make gold can do anything!

Let's drink to eternal science!

You're scared of drinking with me?

Neither you nor your master scare me.

Here's to you.

I can see through your little game, you know.

You'll persecute me until I sell you my soul, won't you?

Let's discuss the deal, then.

What's your offer?

A long and blissful life instead of a long and poor one.

I'll help you become the richest and most powerful man.

And if I don't accept?

I hate to say it but then, true hell, here on earth.

Poverty, loneliness, evil men...

So that's your line.

You forget I can still escape your yoke.

How?

- I have only to follow that stone. - Why don't you?

And give you my soul at a knockdown price?

Oh, no, my dear demon!

That would make your job too easy.

Do whatever you want but I intend to accept whatever fate has in store.

I thought I'd won, but he's escaped again.

Oh, great Lucifer,

inspire me!

You know I'm only a second-rate demon.

I do what I can.

This soul isn't easy to handle.

I don't know at what end to take it.

Yes, that's it!

Oh, brilliant Lucifer,

only you could come up with such wonderful ideas!

I'll try it.

What a job!

Forgive me.

I've been too zealous and I apologise.

Let's declare a truce and be friends.

Leave me alone.

I know what your offers are worth.

And leave you to this miserable existence?

Never!

I want to make up for the wrong I've done to you.

I'm not asking for a commitment. Try me.

You want to discover nature's great secrets?

I'll help you.

You want to make gold?

I promise you success this very night!

Didn't I keep my word?

No commitment and yet, see how evething is easy now!

Finally, here's the discovery you've dreamt of for years.

And it's only the first step. Anything can be changed.

Sand into gold and gold into...

Up already, Professor?

I didn't sleep, Antoine. I was hard at work.

Besides, someone is using my bedroom.

- Someone? - Someone you know, Antoine.

And I'll ask you to treat him as a special guest.

- Let him rest. He's earned it. - Very well, Professor.

Good morning, lads.

This gold coin is for the one who deserves it the most.

In other words, the strongest!

- A gold coin! - And another!

Is it possible to make more?

- If Your Highess so commands. - I do!

What do you need?

Sand and genius.

I provide the genius, you provide the sand.

My dear, I wonder what people complain about?

They've got food...

They've got drink...

They've got... young women to smile at.

Really, life is most pleasant!

I never considered pleasure before.

Nor did I.

But don't you think we've worked enough now?

Isn't it time for some entertainement?

If a had your youth, I'd dance all night.

Can't you see that everybody is laughing at you?

Your legs are not used to dancing.

I can feel it.

Don't forget you're using a name respected in all Europe's universities.

Don't be angry.

In only a few days, you've become the most important man in the country.

Every woman gazes at you.

What more do you want?

What do I want?

To be alone with the Princess.

- That can be arranged. - Right now?

You're very demanding,

but if my master grants me the power...

Bravo, my dear Mephisto!

What have you done with everyone?

They all went to bed, during the long hours of sleep

in which I immersed you.

Where's the Princess?

I hope she's about to appear.

Who are you?

Your most faithful servant, your Highness.

What are you doing here?

I daren't ask Your Highness the same question...

but I thank my stars that you're here.

My sleep was troubled by a dream and I woke to see you.

Blessed be your dream, Madame.

What is that music?

I don't know, Madame...

but may it express what I dare not say.

Do not take unfair advantage of my situation.

Tell me who could keep his reason...

before a princess so beautiful and so...

lightly clad?

Monsieur!

Remember that I am your sovereign's wife.

The sovereign's asleep.

Whatever his dreams, they can't be more beautiful

than mine at this instant.

That's enough!

Someone's coming.

They've gone.

Don't show yourself yet. Your honour is at stake.

My honour doesn't require that you hold me in your arms.

That music again. Where is it coming from?

Give me back my hand!

Gracefully, Madame.

If you will return it to me with your forgiveness.

Satisfied?

You can't doubt my friendship now.

How do you like your new laboratory?

You can have the world's scientists working under you here.

- What more do you want? - To see the Princess again.

No miracles needed for that. She'll be wherever you are.

This patent which gives you the title of Knight Chevalier...

is a small token of our gratitude.

Your Highness...

I seek no other reward than the kind glances...

I see bestowed on me.

I hope with the help of my eminent friend...

Professor Faust...

I shall continue to be worthy of my scientific calling.

Through unexpected paths, we shall discover secrets,

that will amaze the wisest of men.

Soon, no one will suffer from hunger.

Soon wars will be impossible.

All thanks to progress.

- Did you see that devil? - Stop that. I need your help.

What for?

You already have youth, learning, fame and fortune.

I know, I know. But that's nothing.

- She loves me. - Who? The Princess?

Yes.

- That's a lovely discovery. - Make the hours pass in an flash.

Make me alone with her again.

I can grant you this favour once more. But after all I've done for you...

I need to know that I've not worked for nothing.

Don't thank me.

Just say you've found happiness.

I'm the happiest man in the world!

At long last, you've said it, my dear Faust.

May slumber prolong your dream of happiness.

The moment I've striven for has come.

Lucifer, I obeyed your orders.

Now help me.

Have Henri transported immediately out of the palace.

Make him as wretched as in the days when he mistrusted me.

Now wake up, my dear Faust.

Wake up to enjoy the reality of the happiness you owe me.

So that's the latest ordeal you had stored up for me.

The happiness I thought I enjoyed

was all but a dream.

Is man's life anything else but a dream?

I'm nothing any more.

After believing that the world was mine...

That's what you wanted, isn't it?

The world is merely an illusion, you know that.

Give me back that illusion and my happiness.

I'll pay anything!

I don't know what you're talking about, young man.

I'll give you what you wanted.

Here it is...

the blood you asked for.

I never asked you anything. Don't forget that.

You'll promise to serve me until the end?

You'll give me everything I want?

A pact is a pact...

and I gave you my word.

What name shall I use?

Your real name... Professor Faust.

Wait!

Are you certain that you won't bear me a grudge?

Leave your scruples aside!

You won't reproach me the cunning I resorted to?

All's fair in love and war.

Well then...

So be it.

"In the name of Lucifer, his master, prince of the underworld...

"on my last day, Mephistopheles shall claim my soul."

Signed, Faust.

All's in order.

Master, I am now your loyal servant.

Let's go.

- Bring us two glasses! - I said let's go.

At your service, Master.

Drink that bottle to my health.

- That's a gold coin. - Well, yes.

And a real one... from the new factory.

That Chevalier Henri must be quite a man!

They say he makes all the gold he wants.

I wish I knew the recipe.

Henri? When did you hear about him?

He's been the talk of the whole town for a while now.

Where have you been?

Explain yourself.

How can he know what was only a dream?

Who said it was a dream?

You really made gold.

You really wanted the Princess.

You really are the Henri they knighted.

But then...

why I am here?

Because I brought you here myself.

Don't be angry.

You said all was fair in love and war.

Don't look so gloomy. Be a good sport.

Think. You're powerful and I swore to obey you.

- Are you my servant? - For an hour and until your life's end.

Obey me then.

I want to be alone.

Why did you want to be alone?

You know very well that I'm your only friend now.

Greetings, Master.

I hope that today, your every wish will be granted.

Come on, smile. You're young. The sky is blue.

The world is at your feet.

You're right.

It wasn't a dream. They're all admiring and bowing to me.

Maybe do they even envy me.

See for yourself, your Highness,

man will be able to explore the seas in this submarine ship.

And it will be very useful in sinking entire armadas.

This flying machine will take him over mountains and oceans.

And destroy the best defended cities, burying everyone in the rubble.

We'll discover germs within the human's body.

You'll be able to spread epidemics in the countries around you.

We'll uncover the secret of matter...

and use the energy within each particle of dust.

Thus man will hold the power to destroy...

A country or a continent at will.

And maybe the earth and even the stars.

Come over here, my friend, and have a drink.

I hate music. It reminds me of heaven.

You know, angels with their big harps.

Mephistopheles, where is the happiness you promised me?

Don't be so demanding.

Being happy is up to you. The Princess will soon be here.

How do you know?

Tonight, I can foresee the coming events

as clearly as your image in that mirror.

- Really? - Yes.

Then show me what's going to happen in the next hour.

- Can you do that? - If it amuses you, Master, look.

Look at your own reflection...

leaving you and heading towards the future.

Here is the hour when the Princess will come into this room.

When she appears, you'll be waiting by the door.

She'll pretend to be surprised to see you.

You'll take her hands respectfully.

And since the time for respect has passed, well then...

There, you see, it won't be that difficult.

You'll arrange another rendez-vous. As to the rest...

that's up to you.

Can I not know what happens after that?

You can guess easily from what you saw of it.

I'm talking about the adventure which my life will become.

- Don't ask. - I have a right to know!

I paid dearly enough!

Foreseeing your happiness would only spoil it!

It's an order. Didn't you swear you'd serve me?

You're wrong. I'm telling you this as a friend.

What's so scary that you wouldn't tell me?

Nothing. Look.

This is what the mirror shows in a year.

See with what respect and love you're greeted.

Everyone will know you're the Princess's lover.

What about the Prince?

The Prince? He'll be dead by then.

He'll have died a few months earlier.

Whatever he suspected, he's in no condition to say anything now.

Obviously, you can't stop gossip...

about the nature of the Prince's death.

- You mean he'll be killed? - We all die one way or another.

Go on.

You must admit that while he's alive the Prince is in the way.

An old husband shouldn't enter his wife's room without notice.

One night...

he almost catches you but,

luckily, he forgets to look behind the curtains.

Are you mad?

Especially when science gives you a weapon that leaves no trace...

Who will commit the crime. Whose is that hand?

That of the loyal servant...

who swore to grant your every wish.

Who needed the Prince?

The Princess who pretends to be so deeply affected...

will be free to devote herself entirely...

to her new love.

Eternal love, isn't that what your heart desires?

My heart's desire, Madame, is to remain with you for ever.

I only feel alive when I'm next to you.

The world is nothing to me unless reflected in your eyes.

The same words...

but said to a different woman.

Time passes. The poor Princess...

should realize that.

But even the devil can't get her to listen to reason.

Now you have to put up with the tears...

of a jealous woman.

Shall I rid you of her as I did her husband?

- No! - Don't be hasty!

You'll need freedom...

to devote all your time to your new passion.

Yet another to whom you swear eternal love.

Enough! I don't need to know all that.

Didn't I tell you?

I don't care about all this.

How will I use my power?

Same as all other great leaders.

You'll have total mastery.

You'll reward those who obey all your whims...

and kindly give the rest time to repent.

If some remain obstinate...

the old methods are still the best!

I won't do that.

- You'll have to! - I only want men to be happy.

So you'll have to be harsh for their own good.

And it's for their own good that you'll work all night.

Making gold was child's play for us.

Transforming the world through science...

that is our supreme goal.

Uncover the secret of matter.

Use the energy of each particle of dust.

Here's the great discovery

that will win you the people's admiration.

So I'll leave nothing behind me but dust and ashes.

Isn't that the way of everything in this life?

And on the last day of my life...

- On my last day... - Don't look.

- I want to know my destiny. - Why punish yourself?

The years you gave me will be over.

It will be midnight.

My last night on earth will be like every other.

A night like any other for everyone, except me.

Only I will know that a merciless creditor...

prowls around my soul.

No one amongst these loyal friends and servants to share my secret.

No one will know that Faust...

has but a moment to live before eternal damnation!

Hell will claim its right and will cry out:

"Come, Faust, your hour is nigh!"

"On my last day, Mephistopheles

shall claim my soul." Signed Faust.

All's in order.

Why did you want to know your future?

Why didn't you listen to me?

I'm not as bad as you think.

I've become used to you.

You're my friend.

But you can't erase a signature written with your own blood, you know.

Fate is fate. You can't escape it.

Where are you?

You must stay here.

Professor, sir?

The Prince sent me to enquire after Sir Henri.

He must be considering some great problem.

He won't see anyone, not even me.

What caused this melancholy?

Heaven alone knows, Madame.

For three days he's been in his room.

He only comes out at night.

I was waiting for you!

I said yesterday I wouldn't be back.

- But you came. - You waited all the same?

I've never stopped waiting.

I hoped to see your face at every turn of the road.

Each night I was disappointed.

Each morning I'd hope again.

But now you're here.

- I shouldn't have come back. - Why not?

I don't want you to be unhappy.

I'm not.

I feel as though we've never been apart.

No time has passed and we're on the road together.

I was happy then.

Why can't you still be happy?

What's changed?

Come back here.

Ask me to forgive you.

Forgive me.

What is my sin?

You treat me like an enemy. You mistrust me.

What are you afraid of?

Nothing when you're here.

It's as if you protect me.

There. Two men are watching us.

My Lord, is that you walking the streets in the dark?

Your Highness is rather imprudent.

What are you doing here, Professor?

The Prince is worried about you.

Worried about me?

He'd do better to worry about himself.

As you know, Professor, if I stay at court...

the Prince dies.

Come, Professor. Goodbye, Chevalier.

Enjoy your walk, Your Highness.

Don't be afraid. You couldn't be in better company.

Who was that man who called you Chevalier?

A poor man, like everyone else...

who neither knows why he lives nor believes he'll die.

You called him Your Highness.

That's because he's the Prince.

The Prince?

So you can talk like that to the Prince and he calls you Chevalier?

I know nothing about you. Who are you?

I'm the richest man in the world but also the poorest.

- You're rich? - If it was gold you were after,

I could give you more than all your wagons could ever carry.

So why are you poor?

Even the most miserable beggar owns his own soul.

Ask no more, Marguerite.

Just one question. Why did you come back?

Because I could have been happy with you.

It's not too late. Let's go away tonight.

Henri, there's blood on your hand.

This wound won't heal.

Wherever I go...

he who seeks me...

will find me.

Not if I hide you.

Don't offer me hope. I have no right to it.

Nor a right to that!

Can't you even pray the Madonna?

She won't refuse the prayer of any criminal.

She'd refuse mine.

Let me go!

Who are you?

Professor Faust. Henri's only friend.

I can see that you would devote yourself...

for the one you love...

and you'd sacrifice anything for his happiness.

Am I right?

That can be arranged.

You have a rare little soul.

A very interesting soul.

You seem very busy. Don't you need my help?

There shall be nothing left of my work...

and of that science that has been my downfall.

You can't alter destiny.

Do not argue!

Go to the palace and erase every single trace of me there.

It shall be done.

You see that damned gold I made thanks to you?

Change it back into sand!

Great Lucifer, show your power!

Strike this city...

and destroy the work of this fool...

who thinks he can repent.

- Good evening, Professor. - Good evening, Rector.

Have you ever seen such a storm!

It's as though the end of the world had come.

Not yet, Sire. I'd know if it had.

Why did Henri speak of my death?

He was talking nonsense.

That gipsy girl is a witch, I'm sure of it.

They do bewitch you sometimes. That's true.

I hear he sees her every night.

Maybe is it just a passing affair.

Is she pretty?

No beauty can compare with yours, Madame.

But he sees her each night.

- You're so agitated, Madame. - Because I see you're worried.

I'm not worried. I am quite calm!

No witch scares me! I shall interrogate her myself!

Just see if I'm worried!

Come, my child.

I'll protect you.

- She's to see the Prince. - I know. I'll take her myself.

- Mind she doesn't escape. - She won't escape from me.

Why was I brought here?

The world is a wicked place...

But sometimes I can prevent its injustices...

and offer you its bounty instead.

Do you want jewels, dresses, parties...

everything a young girl desires?

- I don't want any of that. - Just ask.

I'll refuse you nothing.

You can't give me what I want.

Henri will return to you.

I'll see that your fate and his are bound for eternity.

- Only one condition. - What condition?

Show me your wrist.

What a nice wrist, still childlike and frail.

In exchange for what I'll give you,

I only want a single drop of your blood.

I would gladly give all of it to see Henri again.

Romantic little girl, one drop is all I need.

You'll sign your name with it.

- That's impossible. - Why?

I can't write.

Here's an unexpected mishap!

But never mind, I'll guide your hand.

You don't trust me?

I would do it, if Henri asked me to.

Henri is not the only one you can trust.

I don't know you.

How well do you think you know him?

I know more about him than you do.

I know I love him. That's good enough for me.

It must be very nice to be loved.

No one loves me.

Of course, no one loves you...

You're old, ugly and nasty!

Nasty?

Even though I'm offering you happiness.

You're lying!

I can see in your eyes that you're lying.

It scares me. Let me go!

You won't leave the palace until tomorrow morning...

when you'll fall into the hands of a howling mob!

Do you know how witches used to be punished?

They were burnt at the stake!

Demons are less cruel than a mob baying for justice.

Tomorrow there'll be nothing left of you but a handfull of ashes!

See? I can foretell the future too.

Now, be sensible.

- I know who you are. - I only want to be your friend.

- You're the spirit of evil. - At your service, my dear!

- Here's the girl you want to question. - Your highness, protect me!

The innocent have nothing to fear.

It is as if she were under a peculiar spell.

How could Sir Henri be attracted by such a girl?

I saw it with my own eyes.

He was at her feet.

Then it must be witchcraft. There's no other explanation.

Come on, child. Don't keep any secrets.

- He loves you, doesn't he? - Don't touch me.

This man is the devil!

Your Highness...

look at this gold candlestick she knocked out of my hands.

It turned into sand.

Arrest her and make her talk!

- Thief! - Thief!

- Thief! - Thief!

Thief!

I've been robbed.

Yesterday, in this chest, I had more than a hundred gold coins.

Look what I found this morning.

Show it me, my poor friend.

It's sand.

Don't pretend to pray, witch.

Come with us.

You're in league with the devil!

Come in, Professor, we need you as a witness.

- I had Sir Henri arrested. - We must confront him with that witch.

- Did she confess? - She tried to scratch my face.

Guilty or not, she must confess.

An attack has been perpetrated against the state Treasury...

and against your wealth.

The cause of these recent events can only be supernatural.

But witchcraft shall not prevail.

Go home!

Trust in your Prince's justice.

Your Prince commands you to disperse.

Hand over the culprits to us!

Happy now?

I followed your commands. See the result?

- Where's Marguerite? - Here,

about to be handed over to the crowd.

My Lord, the revolt is growing.

The guards can no longer restrain the rioters.

- What do they want? - For the culprits to be punished right away.

The poor child is about to pay for your foolishness.

Take me to the Prince. I'll tell him the whole truth.

Talk and you'll die with her.

Save Marguerite, that's an order!

- Give them the witch. - My Lord, she hasn't talked yet.

There's no time to lose.

Let the people have their revenge.

- Take her away! - Have mercy, my lord.

Before you send her to her death, let me save her soul.

Leave me alone with her.

What did I tell you? You're lost, Marguerite.

Only I can save you.

- Give me your soul and be happy. - It's not mine to give.

It's Henri's, isn't it?

- As a matter of fact, he sent me. - I don't believe you.

Henri is about to be burnt at the stake with you.

So be it and I'll be his in death.

That's where you're wrong, my dear.

Reject my offer and in death you'll be separated for ever.

Heaven won't allow it.

Henri has renounced heaven.

I don't believe you!

I'll tell you a secret. May Lucifer forgive me.

If you wish to share your lover's fate, you must follow him to hell.

I don't believe you!

He's damned. Look at this paper he signed...

with his own blood.

A miracle can still save his soul.

He sold me his soul, in exchange for my services.

Hurry if you want a share.

No, this page disgusts me!

My pact!

Lucifer, forgive my negligence!

"On my last day, Mephistopheles shall claim my soul."

Signed, Professor Faust.

That document is mine!

Professor Faust.

He's the one!

He's the culprit!

Lucifer, protect me.

I'm powerless without you.

Kill him!

There he is!

Lucifer, don't abandon me!

I know I've failed you, but don't let me be tortured.

Free me from this body which can feel pain.

Lucifer, help. Hell is less cruel than men.

Lucifer, take pity on me!

THE END