Original subtitles

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n

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on July the 29th 1914 Austrian armies

attacked Bel Gray

capital of the small Balan state of

Serbia the serbs asked Russia for help

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s Nicholas appealed to Kaiser vilhelm of

Germany to save the peace but Germany

supported Austria and in the next two

days the Russian and German armies began

to mobilize

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look

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on August the first Kaiser vilhelm

telegraphed to the Zar earnestly

entreating him to hold back his

troops it's a telegram from Uncle villy

yes yes I know Anastasia

on the same day Germany declared a state

of war with Russia

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he was never

sincere

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never on August the 3D Germany attacked

Belgium and

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France on August the 4th Britain

declared war on

Germany on August the 6th Emperor France

yosf of Austria signed a declaration of

war on

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Russia I solemnly

swear that I will never make

peace so long as a single

enemy remains on Russian

[Applause]

soil under its president rodano the

Imperial Duma Russia's powerless

Parliament supported the war with

enthusiasm when a cousin of the darar

Grand Duke Nicholas a respected and

popular Soldier was created

commander-in-chief of all Russian forces

the Duma unanimously voted a huge

military budget

ah ah

Grand I am your friend till

death I'll do anything for the

[Music]

Duma as German troops Advanced towards

Paris Russia's Army of a million and a

Half Men moved up to the Eastern front

on the few poor Railways of their vast B

on August the 21st when only the river

man lay between the Germans and Paris

the French through their Ambassador

asked Russia to join the fight at

once the Russian first and second armies

struck in the north the German High

command sent two Army Corp from France

under two of its greatest generals

Hindenburg and ludendorf and defeated

them

utterly we are happy to have made such

sacrifice prices for our

allies yeah we shall survive our

Misfortune one battle does not win a war

here we are

advancing against the austrians yes but

we need ammunition heavy guns more

trained troops food for the troops boots

even an army cannot March without boots

a supply and Training Services are

beneath content I see what can be done

there are no medical

services the herself it is not enough

that Alexandra works for the Red Cross

the whole nation must join this war and

the government must lead them and have

their confidence and support

us half my troubles are caused in

petrograd only half there is nothing

wrong with the Imperial Army but unless

it is supported it will

die at all events the grand thinks I

ought to change the

government know that I do not trust

nikolasha he is not very clever and he

tries to dominate you he's a fine

General Nikki he carries

favor got make yourself useful and turn

the pages for T there's a good chair and

he imposes on your ministers with his

loud voice and

justications no one knows who isar

anymore you or nikolasha that is not

true the war will not go well so long as

he is there our friend is certain of it

then our friend does not approve of the

war he offered to come here and bless

the troops R Bren and hang some rare

icon here I wrote back to him to come

I'll hang

you we have enough troubles without that

Roan

Co I have not enough rifles not enough

shells there are no Communications for

months now I've been holding a line of a

thousand miles with half armed half

trained troops men cannot fight against

the German guns with beets where is

everything we're doing all we can your

highness but we're opposed all the time

by the s's minister I can believe it you

see there are plenty of factories that

could make Munitions but their offers

are refused the government factories are

only working at half speed the

government won't allow us to move goods

from one area to another anyway you

can't get trucks unless you bribe the

railway officials with

vodka there's nothing but repression and

corruption in petrograd your highness is

lucky to be here it makes me sick it

makes me sick at the

heart must son is in the guard's Army

sir he tells me they've lost most of

their best officers already the last

time his regiment went into action they

lost a third of their

men they gained a few vest of ground

which they later had to

abandon sometimes I wonder what right we

have to send our young men into

it through the summer of 1915 the

Germans pounded the Russian line forcing

it eastwards on August the 5th Warsaw

fell on September the 9th

vilner in the words of the Grand Duke

Nicholas the Army is drowning in its own

blood by Autumn the Russians had lost

nearly 4 million

men they dug in a new line which held

the tar sent for General alexf the

outstanding field commander from the

northern front what's the feeling

amongst the

troops they will still fight for

God and there

are we have these

men but how often can the Army renew

itself

sir we need nearly everything I know I

know we have no airplanes

and General headquarters yes yes I know

I'm going to recommend to the Grand Duke

he make you his chief of

staff he will not have me Your

Majesty he thinks there should be a

dictator

sir I am the

ruler General alexer

give me

strength I've made up my

mind and so

gentlemen now that the enemy has

penetrated

far into the

Empire my duty to the country which God

has committed to my

keeping

ordains that I

assume Supreme

control of the fighting

forces share the burdens and

trials of

war with my

Army and help it to protect Russian soil

against the

onslaught of the

foe I leave for General

headquarters in the

morning don't we yourself out lovey Alex

for be my chief of staff you'll see that

everything's

done and you must be my eyes and ears in

petrograd I rely on you for the

truth send the little one to me as soon

as you

can will he be safe Nikki oh yes I'll

look after

him if he's good I'll make him a

corpal God keep you

and you my

darling my ministers will send their

reports to

you and the dumer must I talk to those

upstarts oh no I've been part the

premier to dissolve it

we

have yes Alexander

di so the Dumar is

disolved what will you do now with no

voice I shall continue working for the

war through the voluntary councils of

the people so far as we're allowed

to it's a disaster that they own a

National Assembly of the people should

be closed you should know that there

should be a delegation to the sou would

you would

lead for what purpose my dear fellow to

tell him that the government is a

scandal and the war will be lost and the

government will be lost unless he puts

his house in order he has taken up

arms his place is here in petrograd not

500 M away the country is collapsing

here

as well as at the front by the poor

shiver and cue for food that doesn't

come the hard of

War if they have no help and no voice

the people will rise their name

isan maybe I should be able to do

something you what can you

do and to be appointed Minister for the

interior

you my dear protopopov are vice

president of the Duma it was a surprise

to me too I'd always hoped perhaps for a

governorship

but are you angry I am very angry indeed

the Doomer took an oath that none of its

members would serve office under this

government you have betrayed it and

you'll be able to do nothing you would

never dare there it is Minister for the

interior I shall make some

changes you better watch

out I have

friends at

Cuna you get mad every

day come in

those are the copies made for your

majesty thank you Alexia may I see no

but only battle reports if your Imperial

highness would care to see the prensky

guard

drilling may I talk yes

go there goes half my

sadness and a great deal of my joy

if your majesty would care to follow

me General brusiloff will attack here

over the carpathians once again this

time we hope to Vienna when in June sir

no no that's not soon enough I shall go

for my usual walk this afternoon I have

to consider some ministerial changes

those papers are for your Majesty's eyes

only

please by Sir if your majesty is

contemplating making changes it would be

better to replace the premier and his

new minister of the Interior Pro a pop

off that man's ridiculous General

alexf these are loyal men

only I had him here I could convince

him away from me he is so

vulnerable and he listens to

everybody has the minister of the

Interior arrived yes he's waiting on me

Majesty I'll send him in very

well dear prot poof his ideas are good

but I think he lacks

confidence I shall encourage him

good morning good morning your magesty

thank you for coming Alexander

dimitrievich I hope your majesty slept

better last

night no I slept very badly my

heart but we mustn't worry God will look

after

me I I understand that you had to punish

some soldiers who fired on the police in

petrograd yes

ma'am there was a small food ride we

sent troops to disperse it but they

fired on the police instead they were

low caliber

reservists 150 of them are to be

executed I have signed the

order I prayed to my icon for guidance

and then I

signed it is very sad but you did the

right thing

we must be

firm sit down my dear man you look very

tired I had a strange night your

majesty I went to bed much worried by

the problem but in the middle of the

night I awoke with a a very strong sense

of our friend's presence father gregori

was with you not in the flesh you

understand but in the spirit yes yes the

spirit I felt his wisdom and his

strength

it's as though he was saying do not

worry all will be well I know I too have

had that experience I fell into a deep

sleep and when I woke this morning an

immediate solution to all the problems

presented itself it was like a

mirical I hope I am humble your mesty

yes humbl man he came to me this morning

that with Gregor's help I may save

Russia but how

I haven't worked out the details yet I'm

drawing

graphs my father handed me his power

unbroken and I must keep it and pass it

to my son to Alexis that is my duty I

didn't want it do know have burd with it

Nikki you haven't been an autocrat since

195 that's what you and Alexander don't

seem to realize she is specialist and

she has the worst possible advisor you

all find fault with Alex on the contrary

I'm fond of her she's a beautiful woman

I'm sure she's an excellent wife and

mother but that is her sphere For

Heaven's Sake Nikki make her stay

there she's hated in petrograd they call

her the German

woman that damnable send her away Nikki

send her away let her live on your

Crimean Estates until the war is over

she'll be quite happy there she'd be

miserable

besides I need her in

petrograd we must be strong and face

everything

together how immensely dear you are to

me how is baby I long to see him cuddle

and kiss him for

me my darling little

wifey it is peaceful here and the little

one and I are both well

I'm sending you my cascara bottle to be

refilled please ask our friend not to

interfere in military matters which he

does not

understand when I read your

letters my eyes are

moist maest

[Music]

aren trust me

completely stay here when the rest have

gone but would that not be sin oh sin is

one of God's instruments we are all

sinners my dear but the greater the sin

the greater the Redemption if we believe

there is more joy in heaven have you

ever seen God

gregori I've seen the holy

mother when I was a young man I was

working in the fields at Po corcoy in

Siberia it's my Village I was working in

the farest

Fields one warm day in

Spring and I looked

up there was a tling white

light and in the light stood the Virgin

Mary she wore a dark purple dress with a

veil like the image of our lady in Kazan

Cathedral that's right but I did not

know that then she looked at

me and moved the arms like

this I didn't know what that meant so I

consulted the holy man he told me I

should make a long

pilgrimage since then I have walked to

all the holy places

the things that I have

seen what's your name munia or stay here

Mo when the rest have gone leave a note

of your husband's name the ministers

will find a job for him and Manus will

give him

money he's a

banker and let us dance why don't we

dance God gave us legs to dance with and

sing God gave us voices I want some

music music some life

life you are wanted Holy

Father at the

door uh do not

worry do not worry the Holy Father has

the protection of the

police everything will be transformed

I have the confidence of the har

people I shall make many new

Arrangements you must forgive me my

friends I must leave you I'm called to

sasco hello to the Imperial

Palace the doctors did what they could

for him but the journey was

bad he's been so

well pray

there my little child be a brave

Soldier where's the child here

father for

he is better now he will soon be

well how is the sage sir oh he's well oh

good good I heard he had a cold yes he

was always dedicated to please sit down

oh thank you well what have you to tell

me mik vladimirovich uh the news from

the front is still bad your majesty it's

not good you have any ideas I implore

your majesty to reconvene the dumer why

to give your majesty support the people

will be disturbed by another defeat and

they know the government is incapable of

preventing it and the dumer will bring

us

Victory have I your Majesty's permission

to speak

freely oh yeah see where your Majesty's

ministers capable men of independent

views whose sole aim was the support of

the country then the public would

respect them but the few honest ones are

not listened to and most of the others

owe their posts to one man only what man

the false stat sir gregori Rasputin you

think he's

false generally thought so s is

debauchery is association with people of

low repute I know I I know all that it

is said sir that he wants Russia to make

A Separate

Peace and even that your m it do too

that is a disgusting lie it is publicly

said sir that the empress acts for you

and agrees to these

things I hear sir I am consulted by all

manner of

people what do you suggest form a

responsible Ministry who will work with

the Dumar and listen to the people and

banish Ras Putin from

petrograd I speak from love of your

majesty and and of our Beloved

Country well there may be something my

friend want to say but um well you

exaggerate I

think at least give us a new premier

Boris sturmer is not up to it and I beg

you I implore you get rid of

protopopov you'll drive the country

insane with his own Insanity he can talk

of nothing but repression he makes a

muddle out of everything he touches

well I rather like prot poof but stumer

must go yes others have said sir now

whom would you recommend in this place a

transport Minister trof

trof not outstanding but is worthy he

would work with the Doom very well

then please do not think your majesty

that I came with an ultimatum no no no

thank you for being straightforward and

courageous not everyone is so

[Music]

I have no influence now be here none of

us have except Alexandra and her Mad

Monk we should have had her kidnapped

and put in a Convent make a plan

Nicholas you go too

far ah M vladovic

sir this is M vladimirovich Rano

president of the Imperial Duma her

highness the grand duess Maria Pavlova

I'll go have you to come

I felt it was a royal command johanes

sit down sit

down give him a glass of champagne

nicolasa it has been necessary to form a

family Council to safeguard the dynasty

which is being brought to the verge of

Ruin you think so M we all think so my

nephew the Z well meaning but he's weak

and the government has become a bad joke

has your highness not heard that sturmer

has been dismissed he's not important oh

thank you protop poof is the empress's

goet he's as absurd as his name Rasputin

after a few drunken hallucinations gives

his orders to Alexandra's hanger on Anna

veroba Anna veroba tells Alexandra who

instruct protopopov who simply does as

he's

told

occasionally is a great bore for them

they have to Telegraph the Zar for his

signature can you exaggerate a little is

impossible to exaggerate where Alexandra

is concerned I think we should have

faith in our new premier toov he's

absolutely opposed to Ras Putin nicolasa

I know him well he he came to me for

advice and I told him to see the Zar at

Army Headquarters now that's 500 miles

away from the sinena but my dear man she

writes

letters all night because when Nikki's

away she never sleeps sheets and sheets

of paper Nicolas has seen them haven't

you they're delivered every every hour

in treating this insisting upon that

because gregori Rasputin says so the

poor one believes he's keeping her son

alive what is the matter with a zarovich

sir he has

hemophilia inherited through his English

grandmother oh oh I didn't know no one

outside the court does you think it's

only because of the child she has this

creature hanging around or being very

kind she's boted by him she didn't

consider my son good enough for her dear

innocent little daughters but this

filthy lecherous Beast has the run of

the palace no doors are close to him

downstairs or up as they say I'm sure

Alexander's far too straight Lac to have

a lover even a holy one he's in the pair

of the Germans everyone says so the only

person the empress might listen to is

her sister the grand duess Sergey Ella

would never leave her Convent she might

be persuaded I'll go here I'm sure to be

very helpful if you would sir everyone

respects the grand duchess well I tried

to advise my niece when she first came

to this country I tried to teach her a

little tact even an empress requires a

little tact I said she went her own

stiff necked way offending everyone with

her autocratic manners and middle class

models Sunny they call that Grim woman

Sunny what can I possibly do m

now you're president of the Doomer

aren't you you're a powerful man and I'm

sure you're all revolutionaries there

Madam if you think I'm a revolutionary

are very much mistaken the empress must

be removed before she does any more

damage in my opinion she should be

annihilated M you go too far now don't

tell me how or when I prefer not to know

but if you can arrange this you will

have the Gratitude and help of the

entire family isn't that

right please allow me to forget what

youve just said your

highness yes you're very polite mial

vich but you won't be on our side if

Revolution comes will you madam I trust

that is an event which will never

happen good night good night

[Music]

Journey we rely on you now PR for better

government I shall do what is

possible has his majesty returned from

zaso

yes when can I expect an

audience this evening probably not

before his majest likes to walk in the

afternoons for the good of his

bowels how is his

majesty lonely I

think when he first came here he was

Frank and

friendly we thought we have our Zar at

last he is freed himself from all the

poison back

there but it followed him

you're scarcely an honest man around him

you know whom you're fighting I have

some idea all the troops letters we read

them are full of the empress and

Rasputin could you not have advised his

sir we have all given him advice there's

a sort of vacancy he stays for hours in

his room doing nothing pasting

photographs into an album he reminds me

of a skull on an old Battlefield that

the wind blows

through R oh yes yes I agree with that

he's a good man

R to

replace Bob

brinsky at the

Ministry of

Agriculture oh we have done rather well

three ministers replaced in 15 minutes

it's nice to get these very decisions

made quickly isn't it yes

sir and then there is uh one

more prot

poo ah yes I used to think so well of

him but of late he's been sending in

somewhat muddled reports graphs as he is

incapable of responsible action job is

beyond him he's become a laughing stock

indeed that is very

bad do like Lily's Mr

trer Sir such a sweet scent the empress

sent them to me when I sniff them I can

almost believe the dam at home I used to

have thear evich here too you know but

uh he's not been

well I'm

sorry if I might go on Sir H oh yes you

were saying um Pro po you think he

should be replaced I couldn't work with

him sir and he would be quite

unacceptable to the rest I see every day

the muddle over food distribution and

everything else with which he's

concerned grows worse it's bad enough

for whoever has to replace

him you're probably

right what Pro B well we'll talk about

it again but sir well little ladies need

to discuss final decisions

now go

to

Sir the

Doomer oh if you recommend it I'll

um I'll reconvene the

Doom it isn't

possible Ana your

majy my Ang I I I would like to speak

with on you for a

moment what is it

Mom Nikki

writes I am sorry for protop pop off but

it is risky to leave the ministry of

internal affairs in the hands of such a

man I beg you do not bring our friend

into this the responsibility is with

me that means that the responsibility is

with trep off of course

you see what they're trying to do they

are trying to do away with our friends

first Str now PR pop

off next they will get rid of us no M oh

yes that is what they want to do any

they want to destroy

us Nikki hopes to settle this without me

and he is going to recall the

dumer well I will not be left out

someone has got to think of the

future I have a Lexus to think of

I I can't get calm please sit down no

no no no I must

think I shall go to Army Headquarters

tomorrow tell friederick to make the

arrangements and and please send our

friend in yes your majesty

how is the little

one oh bless me father gregori I must go

to

Papa I give you God's

blessing he is dismissing protop poof

and recalling the Duma they have advised

him to

tell the little father he must keep the

ministers who are loyal to

[Music]

him well it seems to me that our

friend's ideas about people are

sometimes very odd so here's a device

I've well I've lost a lot of good men

who might have helped

us let's not at the te get C what good

man Nikki everybody tells and you listen

to everybody perhaps I've listened to

you for too long I'm sorry sunny I

didn't mean to snap

but this business of choosing ministers

is damnable I sometimes think my head's

going to

burst if you would only listen to our

friend all would be clear to

you can you not see that treap off and

the others want to see us friendless and

alone and that then they will get rid of

us oh sunny but they will my love unless

we keep strong trep off seems to me to

be an honest reliable sort of Chat N

everyone seems honest to you you cannot

see the wickedness around us the the

Envy even in the

family but I can and that is why they

hate me so much because they know that

Sunny is strong like a wall behind

you you give in about protop poof and

you give in to them

forgive me my love but I am fighting for

your Reign and for

baby that child was not given to us and

spared through all his illnesses for

nothing but we must guard his

inheritance and give it to him untouched

do you think that I don't realize

that I I know that it is diff difficult

for you my

love but you do have

help Father gregori speaks for the

millions of people who look to you to

lead them to save

them but you have turned your back on

him think of the number of times he has

brought the little one back from the

dead but that has nothing to do with

government it has everything to do with

government do you not real realiz that

father gregori was sent by God to save

the dynasty that he uses him to speak to

you and to guide

you if you would only

listen

Nikki it is not a question of protop

popof or XY Z but it is your power that

counts these men should be coming to you

with awe and fear to hear your will not

sitting here stating their terms and

give you advice doesn't dude be always

snapping and

shouting I do not suggest that you

snap I suggest that you

command you are the emperor and autocrat

of all the

rushers why don't you feel

it you should never have allowed the

dumer those brutes think they can speak

to you as they like

well you must crush them under you Nikki

you must be firm be Peter the Great be

Ivan the

Terrible do not laugh at me I am in

deadly

Earnest it is time for saving your

country and your child's

Throne oh how I wish I could pour my

will into your veins you do my love you

you strengthen me but those old days

there their past

Russia hasn't changed

Nikki she still loves to feel the Whip

and those who challenge your ideas must

be

removed rodano and many more it is war

with them all my dearest and we must

fight doesn't your soul speak to you

anymore

Nikki I simply want to do what is right

then trust

me listen to our friend who is close to

God do you dare turn away from his

wisdom I'm

so

tired I've never known things

worse I I know my love I

know you were always my good angel

will you trust me

then take our friend advice and and keep

protap pop

off if he refuses to dismiss him have

only two choices open I can either

resign or come to an arrangement with

rastin what possible Arrangement could

you make with that creature

I shall offer him a large house in the

country all expenses paid his own

personal bodyguard and 200,000 rupes on

condition he withdraws his support from

Potter pop off and stops interfering he

won't

accept perhaps you can think of a better

suggestion you're always full of

plans

no no

ah my dear Mi

vadimovich so your assembly of torers is

open again not be taken any notice of

the government serves the zard

Zarina still let me congratulate

you

never and

nowhere you repel me

[Music]

my beloved

angel we have lived through so much

together in these 20

years but I see great and glorious

things ahead for your Reign and for

Russia Ella has come to visit

us I do not know why so I must stop this

for a

while is so cold shall we go

[Music]

in you must rid yourselves of

rasp Nikki won't because he thinks of

you you are the one who must do it I

could not endure my life without him

he is my

strength he keeps me calm you are strong

put your trust in

God as you once did and stand alone but

my soul needs him oh it's not your soul

you're obsessed Sunny open your eyes for

the country's sake and the family

so it is the family who have sent you oh

well they are concerned they all want to

see us brought down you are unfair mien

wants her son to be the Zar and that is

her concern I came only because I am

your sister that is not

true you may go

back and you may tell them that your

visit has been in vain

you must go now you are making me

ill I will

never give up father gregori gregori

ovich I'm making you a good offer you

are a simpleton do you think mama and

papa will let that zah and the empress

will let you do what you like

money I don't need money the poorest

shopkeepers will keep me

supplied bodyguards I don't want your

bodyguards you're all a pack of fools

you cannot govern

Russia I have no such

wish what do you want me to

do Telegraph thear advising him to

dismiss protop

poo you all come to me when you're in

trouble you revile me you'd set the dogs

on me if you could when you want any

favor in in court you come sniveling to

me go and do what the Zar tells you

leave me and my friends alone friends

who are your friends Germans and German

sympathizers how dare you say that to

me I'm a

Russian what have I ever done except for

my country and for my

hoar I have advised Papa consoled mama

and saved the heir to the throne I work

for the people which you do

not I have implored Papa to stop the

Bloodshed is that

wrong I have made the government Hal

troop trains so that grain could be

brought into the

cities is that wrong I have chosen men

for the tar Council who love God which

you do not I am a religious man you are

nothing in a little while you will be

forgotten but I will

not nor will the

holy go and do your duty I will not

attack you if you do not attack me the

moment you are

protected

protected I will tell you something I

will not last out this

year my life will be taken

I know

that and after I have

gone everything will

fall and God will be

mocked and Russian will turn against

Russian and the ordinary people will

take the broken pieces of

Russia into their own

hands your people are at the the end of

their endurance sir even the Army is

restless and the working men are

beginning to strike for want of food and

traitors traitors or not sir they are

desperate CC and police patrols are

needed

everywhere with respect Sir you made a

grave mistake when you took over

responsibilities of commander-in-chief

of the army now all our reverses are

blamed on your

majesty you have lost the confidence of

your people I would rather say that they

have lost mine

the people of Russia sir have always

been prepared to fight for Saar and

motherland but the two are no longer

indisoluble they will not be repressed

forever they will rise against you and

we shall not be able to hold them back

and perhaps will not want

to it has always been my great desire

sir to see the Romanov Dynasty go on and

Russia to be at peace with herself

I believe you then do not force the

people to choose between the good of

their country and

you can it be that for 22

years I've tried to do my

best and for 22

years it's all been a

mistake yes

sir you've been wrong I

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the

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