Original subtitles

GENOA PRISON Winter 1298

Help! Help me!

Help!

No, no! Help! Help me!

No, no, no!

Help! No! No!

No! No!

I know him. He's from Pisa like me.

Here madness grows like mold on the walls.

We've been locked up for 10 years and Pisa has forgotten us.

The war humiliated her,

but out of pride, she refuses a peace treaty.

Maybe I'm crazy too and just don't know.

That doesn't worry me.

My mother's been telling me that I'm crazy…

since I was born.

Well, I'm out of practice.

Up! Up!

Come, come! Look.

One, two, three… up!

Your mother was right.

I missed on purpose to make you laugh.

You have a larger and more eminent audience today, Messer Rustichello.

Messer Andrea, Messer Paolo, Messer Lorenzo.

Noble citizens of Genoa,

all distinguished experts in law, as well as theology.

Law and theology? Too much for me. I'm just a writer.

We write books too.

We know the stages of our work well.

Kind of like the seasons:

Winter for study, spring for planting.

Summer for the harvest… - And autumn for the falling of leaves.

We've reached the point in the story where Niccolò Polo

and his brother Matteo, come in,

after their visit to the Doge of Venice,

they considered it appropriate not to delay their journey back

to the court of the mighty Kublai Khan.

"They began by hiring hands…

and servants to escort their long journey to far away Cathay.

Men who shared their spirit of adventure

and the ability to endure the certain, many discomforts

of a journey through unknown lands.

The Polo brothers spoke to the sailors frankly,

VENICE Spring 1271

not hiding the dangers they should encounter

but promising such a reward,

that would secure them and their families' future welfare."

I've lost count how many times I touched Persian shores,

not to mention the Holy Land.

I've landed more crusaders in Palestine than any… - Yes, yes.

And your name is Agostino? - Yes, Sir.

You look like a real sailor.

Any captain will confirm it. I was born on a ship.

We need people too who can travel on land.

Then there's no problem there: I was born in Padua,

halfway between land and sea.

My family are all at sea. There's no one home.

I forgot: My name is Jacopo.

Very well.

Matteo, make arrangements with these two sailors.

I don't need any more hands for now. Thank you.

Can you two leave right away? - Certainly.

Be aware, the work will be hard.

Get your stuff and get back on board.

There's a shipment for Acre on deck.

Then you're leaving again?

As soon as possible.

Where to?

First to St John of Acre to visit the papal legate,

then on to Persia and Cathay

Why didn't you tell me?

We just decided.

Won't you wait for the election of the new pope?

No. We cannot delay.

The Khan has our word.

Because of the treasure left there? That's what worries you.

Is that wrong? It is a fortune. You'll understand when we return.

But… I'm going with you.

No, Marco, let's not discuss it.

Why? Father, why?

Because you have no experience. You're too young.

I can learn. - It's not so simple.

It takes a certain discipline, which you don't have.

After all these years,

you can't leave me home. You can't!

I have no time or desire to argue. Matteo, tell him.

He's right. It's a dangerous trip.

And you could cause us serious trouble, Marco.

But I'll do whatever you say.

Your father knows what is best for you.

Venice is a beautiful city. You're lucky to be here.

You can learn a good trade.

You are a Venetian. - But…

A Venetian is born to travel, you said that, Father.

When did I say that?

In the only letter you wrote to my mother.

When I was a child she always read it to me.

I never knew anything else about you. - Yes, perhaps.

I may have written something like… - You don't understand!

I've always dreamed of being with you.

I wondered where you were and how you lived.

But I always knew you would come back.

Don't leave me now.

Please.

Niccolò!

Niccolò, come home quickly!

There's a man asking for Marco's father.

He says he won't leave without seeing you. Come home!

There is that scum!

Stop! Stay there. Not one more step.

You're in my house.

Let's leave them alone. - So you are Messer Polo, eh?

Don't hope to save him. - From what?

From me!

I am the father. Caterina is my daughter.

What are you talking about? - He tried to run away with her.

He spent the night with her.

He dishonored her. - Is that the truth, Marco?

I… - You can't deny it!

She tried to protect him.

I beat her with a stick and finally she gave his name.

I will bring him before the Law and the Church!

You would only cause scandal.

The thing can be fixed.

It won't be so difficult.

There is only one way: He must marry her.

If she wants, I… - Quiet.

If they get married, how much will the dowry be?

Dowry?

What dowry? - No girl gets married empty handed.

It was different for us.

Donna Fiammetta and I were counting on her.

We guarded her like a jewel to marry her very well.

But now he has ruined her and someone must pay!

I see.

You're here to negotiate the price.

I'll need a few days. I must think it over.

Don't try to fool me. I'll go to the Council if you…

Oh, no!

That shall not be necessary.

No.

We all want to avoid inconvenience and gossip.

I'm sure of it.

Here: That's a good sum.

It's not enough.

It's just to let you know that we're ready to negotiate.

And now you must leave. I wish to speak with my son.

If it were up to me,

I'd stick a knife in his stomach.

I'll give you 3 days.

Not one hour more.

Deplorable, irresponsible, little idiot!

It's not like he said! - What is it then?

Caterina and I… - I don't want to hear another word!

How could a son of mine have relations with that family?

You can't judge without knowing her.

And you let that beast…

Let me remind you that beast is her father!

If you say one more word, I'll think you as stupid as your father says.

There's no other way?

The journey to Acre will take 5 weeks.

Then, we'll be busy there.

At least 6 months will pass.

Maybe by then the waters will have calmed down.

Do you understand?

You're coming with us. - Only as far as Acre.

Let us be clear: You shall go no further.

Now go and get your stuff ready.

Then you're going to see with your own eyes…

if it's like we imagined. - We leave in 2 days.

Take me with you, Marco. I want to get out of this city.

It's impossible.

Do you know how much I had to fight to convince my father to take me?

And it's not over yet.

Think about building another boat instead.

My father doesn't want me to go any farther than Acre.

I'll have to come back here.

And when I come back, we'll leave together.

I promise you. - Yet, there must be a way.

So I said to him, "Remember,

this is not just a boat, this is the boat my father left me."

And the boat sank? - That is correct.

Then what can a sailor do without a boat?

What he can't do is ask his friend's father to pay him back.

Unless you think complaining will get what you want.

You knew very well Marco was inexperienced.

You gave it to him at your own risk.

The fact remains that I lost my boat.

I am entitled to compensation.

For instance?

A place… on your ship.

As your servant.

What?

You would like to follow us on our journey?

Do you know that Marco will only get to Acre?

And that he'll have to return to Venice?

If we decide to take you with us,

you'll have to continue. - Yes.

A journey to the end of the world

for a boat that ended up in the mouths of fish.

Agreed!

We leave tomorrow. - Agreed!

Well? How did it go?

Poorly, eh?

We're leaving tomorrow. - Hooray!

Magnificent! - I'm going with them!

Bartolomeo! - Giulio…

Go now, we'll meet here after dawn.

I'm leaving soon.

Please, just one last message.

Will you give it to her?

So you found your boat? A real boat?

And you're leaving Venice?

Venice, but not you.

You're coming with me. - And what will your father think?

I will hide you on board. No one will see you.

I don't want to leave you. - You've already left me.

Or maybe I'm the one who's pulling away from you.

What? - You are always in a rush.

You were born to travel the world.

That's what it means to be a Venetian. - Sure.

According to you. But I'm different.

No. - That day,

when we left with the boat, I was shaking,

but not from fear.

I was breaking away from Venice and it hurt.

But I thought… - You thought I was like you,

but I'm not.

You really believe in the things you dream:

distant countries, other peoples.

When you told me about them, for a moment,

it was as if I saw them too.

But now…

Who knows, Marco, maybe someday…

Tomorrow. That's the day.

Come with me. - No, Marco.

I would be a problem and nothing else. I…

God, I don't know how to explain it.

I'm not even sure what I feel for you.

I know how you feel for me.

Exactly what I feel for you.

Feelings are not everything.

My mother has other plans for me.

She wants me to marry a man with a good position.

A down-to-earth man.

A rich man, who can take care of me.

Wait for me then.

I won't be gone for long.

My father will take me to the Holy Land and then send me home.

I'll see you again soon, I'm sure. - You won't leave him.

You'll follow him at any cost,

even if you have to endure the pains of hell.

If he really sent you back to Venice, it would break your heart, Marco.

Land! Land!

There, over there! The coast!

Land! Land! - Galilee!

The ropes! Raise the sail!

That's the 3rd time I've seen land! - Come on, Marco, hurry.

Get that sail up right! - Heave! Heave!

Come on! - Tomorrow double vegetables for all!

St Mark has protected us once again!

The Holy Land! We've made it!

See, Marco? This is what you wanted to see:

Palestine.

St John of Acre.

Giulio, get to work. - Yes, Sir.

Will we see the crusaders? - Yes.

Acre is the last Christian port in the Holy Land.

The last stronghold of the crusaders.

ST JOHN OF ACRE Summer 1271

Watch your money, Niccolò.

They say in this market, thieves can rob with just a look.

Will we have safe-conduct for Jerusalem?

We must have it. - Jerusalem?

I can only imagine what it will be like.

You have too much imagination, I told you before.

You won't be going much further and be thankful I'm very patient.

But, Father… - Marco.

Be thankful you made it to Acre.

Where do you come from and what do you want?

We are Niccolò and Matteo Polo, merchants from Venice.

And this is my son Marco. We need to talk to the papal legate.

Pass through.

So your mission has had no success?

Not with the Venetian Council, Sir.

Even by presenting ourselves as ambassadors of the great Khan,

the Council was not interested in what we wanted to say.

I thought the opening of a trade route between

Europe and the Eastern empire,

would be seen as a golden opportunity.

They say the Khan is a Mongolian and they doubt his good faith.

But they seem to sense the opportunity for trade.

Not only trade, Messer Polo. It's not just that.

Of course!

You seem to agree, young Marco.

It would give us a chance to know them better, Sir.

And they would get to know us. - Would that be desirable?

We are taught to fear and hate the Mongols,

like everything we don't know.

Doesn't hatred perhaps, come from ignorance?

Well said, young man.

Many opportunities are lost through distrust and fear.

Please, sit down.

We should open new roads, build bridges, open wide the doors.

But not only for trade, but for new thoughts and ideas,

to the slow and irresistible spread of truth.

But of course, I don't expect the patriarch to understand

the importance of all this.

That's true, Sir.

Not even when we told him that the Khan's main purpose

was to send us as ambassadors

to establish friendly relations with the Pope.

They all laughed saying that first we'd need to find a pope.

They laugh at Christianity's shame!

For the past 3 years, the church has been without a leader

because the cardinals are wrangling and playing politics.

Will they ever regain their reason?

There is no sign of it.

We left after the news of the revolt in Viterbo.

We knew we couldn't wait anymore.

We promised to return, Sir.

It is crucial to keep our word to the Khan.

It took us more than 3 years to get to Venice.

Heaven knows how long it will take us to return.

The Khan will think that we have not kept faith.

He must be an extraordinary man.

Sir, the Grand Master of the Templars is waiting.

Good. Show him to my room, I'll attend him later.

And thus,

the Khan sent his greetings and offers of friendly relations,

but tell me, what does he want from us?

Two things, Sir.

First, we must ask his Holiness to send along with us

100 doctors of the Church skilled in all the arts.

To instruct him in the faith? - Not exactly, Sir.

In obedience to his laws,

every religion is permitted in his empire:

Buddhist, Mussulman, Jewish.

On this act of tolerance, he founded his peace:

The Pax Mongolica. - Pax Mongolica?

Which faith is he of? - Of all of them.

And of none.

He grants equal honor to every religion.

Do you know what this means?

Do you realize the opportunity we risk losing?

Just think: A Christian world stretching from Ireland to China,

and all lost because we have no pope.

Come.

Later, please be patient.

What is the Khan's other request?

To bring some oil that burns in the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, Sir.

Why? For what purpose?

The Khan was told the oil is sacred, a powerful talisman.

And so it is, or can be.

For the true believers, it has the miracle of healing.

But it'll be, I fear, of little value to the Khan.

However, if he insists…

Is that why you are here?

We need your help to get to Jerusalem. - I see.

The journey is neither easy nor safe. We're holding Acre,

but the Saracens have the Holy City and almost all of Palestine.

As you can see, we live in a state of armed truce.

And only God knows how long it will last.

Come back in the morning.

I'll give you a letter for the Khan explaining that the mission's failure

wasn't your fault.

Try to convince him that not all western men disdain his gesture

and encourage him to try again when we finally have a pope.

I hope he'll understand. - He will, Sir.

Giuliano? - Yes, Sir?

Prepare 3 safe-conducts.

For Messer Niccolò, Matteo and Marco Polo,

to reach Jerusalem.

Until tomorrow then.

Forgive me, Sir, we'll need only 2.

My son will remain in Acre for a ship to take him back to Venice.

Has he come to the Holy Land only to buy and sell?

Doesn't his soul interest you?

The Saracens have Jerusalem,

but we fought so that our pilgrims could enter the city to pray.

Do you not wish to make the holy pilgrimage?

Do you not wish to pray on Golgotha?

Walk in the footsteps of our Lord? - It is my heart's desire.

Then, let's say no more: Continue your journey.

Safe-conducts for Niccolò, Matteo…

and Marco Polo.

Look, Marco!

They say that was the house of Lazarus,

the man who was resurrected by Jesus.

Who are they? - Bedouins.

Are they Mussulmen? - Mussulmen, yes,

but only nomadic herders,

who move around and place their tents where they find grazing.

Look up there!

Crusaders! It's them, up there!

Marco!

No…

JERUSALEM Summer 1271

There it is:

Jerusalem the Holy.

Good, we will camp here. Agostino, get the beds ready.

Giulio, help him! Jacopo, you too.

Excuse me, Sirs, we aren't tired. Why don't we go on?

After sunset, you cannot enter or leave the city

and no Christian may circulate in the streets at night.

There's the curfew bell!

We are safe near the city, but someone will stand guard.

After we eat, you take the first shift. - Better give it to Jacopo.

He probably won't fall asleep if he has the first turn.

What's the matter, Marco? You haven't said a word all day.

Look, Marco.

Jerusalem.

Isn't it exciting?

I thought you'd be happy.

I am.

And also grateful.

But I keep thinking of those poor butchered shepherds.

I know.

They were our enemies.

Father, they were simple shepherds: unarmed women and old men.

Those beasts killed them without mercy.

It's strange to hear you talk so

about the valiant crusaders you once admired.

It's true. I still don't understand.

I can't understand.

They are only men, Marco.

They probably arrived full of enthusiasm

because they knew the greatness of their cause.

Then they realized that the war to liberate the holy places

would not be a short and glorious campaign,

but years of sacrifice, of raids, of ambushes.

They fight against a united people,

and every child, every man, every woman is a mortal enemy.

These Mussulmen are very devout with strict laws.

Ruthless, when applied to infidels like us.

The bitterest war is the religious war.

Marco, we cannot know what those people had done.

Maybe they hadn't done anything.

What do you know? It's easy to talk.

Your father is right. You have a lot to learn.

It is painful, I know, to lose the illusions of youth.

Your father meant that to survive in this world,

one should never make hasty judgments.

What a strange conversation to have here.

Why? - Where we are.

This place.

It was known as the Garden of Gethsemane.

You're going to like this bread. Smell it.

Just baked. And such a smell.

Taste it.

You'll wait for us with the caravans and merchants at the eastern gate.

Yes, Sir.

Can't they come with us? - No, it's too expensive.

2 ounces of gold per person who enter the city.

Come, Marco.

Put this on.

What is this?

A turban, one of the rules. You must wear it.

Blue for Christians, yellow for Jews.

And remember: We are the infidels here.

I thought there was a truce.

Yes, but with the Egyptian Mamelukes in power,

Jerusalem isn't very hospitable. - We won't be long.

We're only going to visit the Holy Sepulcher,

to have them give us the oil.

But for heaven's sake, keep near and keep your mouth shut.

If he were here today, he would be wearing a yellow one.

Who?

Jesus.

What do you want? - We need to ask a favor, Father.

What?

Some oil from the lamp of the Holy Sepulcher.

We can't waste any.

We have with us a letter from the papal legate, Archdeacon Teobaldo.

It's easy to write.

"Give the oil, give it."

But the oil is scarce.

Here we use only the purest. - We just need a little.

That's what everyone says.

There's not enough of it.

Every pilgrim wants some,

to cure boils,

or a broken leg.

Or to sell it, once at home. Sell it!

Of course, we'd like to leave an offering for the church, Father.

Naturally.

Perhaps he's right.

They will need it.

And it is their right to get paid.

For a few drops of that oil, you could buy a dozen tankards of wine.

It doesn't matter.

What is one greedy monk…

before all this?

A messenger from Acre is looking for some pilgrims.

Their names are Polo.

They're looking for us. - Follow me.

Niccolò Polo? - Yes?

You must go back to Acre right away. - To Acre?

We must go on to the East. - These are the legate's orders.

More, I cannot say.

We've returned as you desired, Sir. - And I am grateful.

I hope that the visit to the Holy Sepulcher was successful?

Completely, Sir.

But it could've been an optimal start for our journey.

It was I who had summoned you.

Do you really not know the reason? - No, my Lord.

I want the letter back I wrote to Emperor Kublai.

As you wish, Sir.

I will give you another one.

When you left I was but Teobaldo Visconti, the legate in Palestine.

We have meanwhile received news that the cardinals

have finally come to an agreement.

And they have chosen me, unworthy as I am,

to be the new pope.

Support me with your prayers.

Will you, Teobaldo,

accept your election as Supreme Pontiff,

according to the sacred canons of the Holy Mother Church?

I accept.

What name do you wish to assume?

Gregorio.

In honor of the great pope Gregorio Vll,

who restored so much strength to the Church.

You, whom I can now call my children,

returning to China, you won't only be the Great Khan's ambassadors,

but our special envoys.

You shall bring our letter to the Khan and the oil of the Holy Sepulcher,

together with our first apostolic blessing.

I still feel like I'm dreaming.

Now it's time to wake up. - I will try.

What's going on?

Your Holiness…

No, please be seated. Finish your dinner.

The holy oil for the Great Khan…

and these are the gifts I wish you to give him from me.

We'll never surpass him in wealth,

but we hope to impress him with our craftsmanship:

The finest goldsmiths in Florence,

and the great glassmakers of Venice.

We mustn't forget Venice, right, Marco?

So, tell me,

was Jerusalem everything you imagined?

Much more in one sense, Holiness, and much less in another.

Yes?

I've never felt so…

humble and so close to the presence of the Lord.

Yet, I have never felt such anger.

He's just a boy with little experience, Holiness.

And why is that? - I have seen pilgrims pay

to enter a city that should be open to all those who want to pray.

And others whose only aim is to buy…

souvenirs or false relics. - Marco!

And what pained me the most

is when I saw the soldiers of the Cross,

killing innocent women and children. - Forgive him, Your Holiness.

The Church must answer for many things.

It will be our duty to change this and more.

And with God's help, we will succeed.

You have the oil and the gifts

but the Great Khan has also asked for 100 priests.

We don't have that many available and I doubt I could find them,

however, you will not travel alone.

I've chosen 2 learned and pious men to accompany you.

Both of them of the order of the blessed Saint Dominic.

Brother Nicola is an expert theologian,

and Brother Guglielmo has studied the teachings of Mahomet.

They'll have the power to absolve

and ordain priests and bishops in my name.

They are the stones on which will be built our Church in the East.

With prayer, we'll show ourselves worthy.

And with the awareness that our way is the way of martyrs.

Don't be too hasty to join the ranks of holy martyrs.

I want my letters to reach the eyes of the Khan,

and my words to sing in his ears.

We shall obey. - Holy Father,

the crusaders ask that you to appear and give them your blessing.

Of course.

There is a big crowd outside.

They've been waiting for hours. - I shall come presently.

The Great Khan has confidence in you.

You 3 are proof of our sincerity.

Marco, remember our pact: You must return home.

Messer Niccolò,

what is your first destination? - The Port of Laiazzo, Holiness,

on the road to Armenia. - Ah, yes.

A safe harbor. Do you have friends there?

Yes, of course, very many, Holiness.

With ships that go to Venice?

Young Marco,

your father wants to send you home,

but I only have to say… - No.

Forgive me, Holy Father. Your blessing is sufficient.

When my father stands before the Great Khan,

I am sure I will be present.

The labors of my new burden begin.

I bless you.

THE ARMENIAN DESERT Winter 1271

Niccolò, look!

Hide the crucifix and missal! Keep the horses still!

Marco, stay close to me!

No! What are you doing, you imbecile?

May God be blessed!

I thought…

Why didn't they attack us?

He responded to my greeting.

He couldn't do that after wishing us a good day.

It is an ancient Mussulman tradition.

You! Get up.

Don't commit sacrilege, he's praying! - You heard me, get up!

They are gone.

Your recklessness could've cost us our lives, priest!

If the Sheik hadn't stopped them…. - No!

God heard my prayer. - My brother saved your skin.

Now listen well:

The pope has advised us to take every precaution.

If you seek martyrdom in this journey, you go against his will!

You have a weak heart.

I am not afraid to pray to my Lord, even in the face of death!

Then you don't understand:

If you insist on offending every pagan we meet,

we won't survive the first 50 miles! Am I clear?

I think that maybe…

he is right, Brother.

Will the Mussulmen come back? - Possibly, yes.

They could've been part of a larger force reconnoitering in Armenian territory

to attack the Khan's forces.

We'll go to the next village to spend the night.

I know the people in the area.

They will help us.

The horses are exhausted. Everybody get down!

Water!

Water!

I knew I'd find the well again!

Stop. Stop! There is a Mussulman.

Wait. Stop! Stop!

Wait!

A leper!

May God have mercy on him.

Don't drink!

Maybe it's infected! Maybe it is poisoned.

Giulio, what is it? - I don't know, Marco, I hurt inside.

Don't let them notice.

Remember they said anybody left behind must stay there.

I'm afraid that… I don't think I can do it.

The reality is very different. It's so difficult.

Get on the saddle, I'll carry it. - No, no…

If they notice I'm sick….

If only I could have… some water.

My father says we'll find some soon. Lean on me.

And don't talk. Save your strength.

A Mongolian courier.

What did he say? - Did he talk of the plague?

Is the plague spreading?

There is war.

The Sultan of Egypt has invaded Armenia…

and he tries to push the Mongols into Persia.

We should be here, not far from the Persian border.

In the middle of a war.

What do you intend to do? - We have no choice.

We must go on.

Toward Persia.

Now your prayers are needed.

Marco! Be careful!

Damn it.

Marco! Marco!

Water…

Water!

Water!

Give it to me, please! - And me!

Giulio!

Water… - Giulio!

Water!

We're going to camp here. Unload the saddles and luggage.

Messer Polo!

For weeks now, we've been moving forward.

We stop, we change direction.

And…

we still don't know what is happening.

What are your intentions?

Don't forget that we are the legates of the Pope,

Brother Guglielmo and myself.

Therefore, we are responsible for this mission.

We have trusted you.

Through dangers and sacrifices, we told ourselves,

"Everything can be endured as long as…

one day we find the Mongols,

the Great Khan's men.

His passport will smooth over all roads."

We are already in territory controlled by the Mongols

and we hide and avoid the caravans. Why?

But why don't you let us decide? We want to act prudently.

We must avoid any unnecessary risks.

Tomorrow, we'll travel only at night, until we are in safer territory.

Get some rest.

And leave us in peace.

How are you doing, my boy?

Better, Sir. Better.

Out of the sun, I'm better.

Brother?

It's warm. It'll do you good.

Thank you.

That boy is too sick. He won't survive.

I shouldn't have brought them.

Neither he nor Marco.

The Port of Laiazzo is too far away. We'll never get there.

I should've had the strength to tell the pope no, but instead…

Marco will have to continue with us now.

Marco is a strong boy.

I don't know. I know nothing about him.

I barely know him.

And he seems so…

different from me.

Mussulmen…

The Mussulmen!

The Mussulmen are coming!

Put your swords away! Marco!

Hide these. - The crucifix!

The holy oil? - It's in the sack. Hide it.

No! Go away! Away!

Go away! Away!

The plague is here! - Giulio!

Go away! Away! - No!

The plague is here! Go away!

TABRIZ, SARACEN CAMP Spring 1272

Giulio…

Giulio, please.

It's Marco.

I'm sorry, Marco.

My friends…

at home…

they would laugh…

to see me…

like this.

I wanted to…

I wanted to be like…

like you.

He's dead.

Giulio is dead.

END OF EPISODE 2