Original subtitles

Europe at the close of the 18th century.

The nobility rules by oppression, supported by strong religious forces.

But the winds of change are blowing ...

Across the continent intellectuals and freethinkers -

demand reforms and freedom for the people.

It is the age of the Enlightenment.

I'm trying to remember him.

Johann.

I have to tell you about him. About us.

Why we did the things we did.

A Royal Affair

My beloved children, you do not know me.

But I am your mother.

Perhaps you have never forgiven me.

Perhaps you hate me. I hope not.

I now know that I will never see you again.

I am writing to tell you the truth, before it is too late.

ENGLAND 1766 Nine years earlier

I was officially wed to your father, King Christian VII -

- before even meeting him.

Even though I had never left England, I was now the Queen of Denmark.

A new life and an entirely new language.

'Good afternoon'.

'Shall we go for a stroll in the park?'

I had prepared and longed for this day ever since I was a little girl.

To be Queen of an exotic country -

- and honour and love my husband unconditionally.

Christian was said to be charming, interested in art and literature -

- and even fond of acting. I could not imagine a more perfect husband.

Denmark

Your Majesty. Louise von Plessen, your lady-in-waiting.

This is Reventlow, his Majesty's private tutor.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

Would you like to meet the King?

Your Majesty.

Gourmand! There you are, old boy!

There you are!

Did you miss, daddy?

Did you miss, daddy?

Your Royal Highness, please concentrate.

Why? I will never have any use for it.

When will I see Christian again? - His Majesty will attend the banquet.

Do you know where my books are?

The court is reviewing them. Some will be shipped back to England.

Why?

Many of your books are under Danish censorship.

I apologize.

I didn't know. - That's quite alright.

We will find something else for you to read.

Minister Bernstorff. He's the most powerful man here.

Minister Warberg.

Stay away from him, if you can. He has a very distinct odour.

That must be the King's stepmother. - Queen Dowager Juliane Marie.

And the Majesty's half-brother, the heir presumptive.

Neither she nor her son are popular with the people.

Why not?

His Majesty doesn't regard them as part of the family.

The Danish people have always had a sixth sense about these things.

You were so far away.

You have a flair for drama, my dear Queen.

Will you come to my chambers after tonight's program?

"Come, let's away to prison. We two alone will sing like birds in a cage."

She's enchanting. And so talented.

Yes. Thank you.

The nobility is captivated by her.

They seem to think she's needed. - Really? Why?

Many of them are saying she is just what Denmark needs.

A true artistic soul on the throne.

Thank you, that is quite enough!

What?

What?

That insufferable noise is giving me a headache!

Come on.

Move your fat little thighs and have a seat.

Go on!

The King is here to visit the Queen as per agreement.

It'll be fine.

Yes ...

Yes ...

Yes.

I'm sorry.

Don't steal my light.

What do you mean?

Take off your clothes and lie down.

"Oh, how I have sweated and slaved ...

... and yet nothing accomplished."

I wish I'd had the strength to forgive Christian's behavior.

"Someone to spare Man the fear of God.

Such a ..."

But I was too young to understand how sick and tormented he was.

All I could think about was -

- that I had to spend the rest of my life with him.

I began hating him for it.

In the eyes of the Court, I was soon blessed.

You were on your way, Frederik.

His Majesty wishes to visit the Queen's chambers.

I'm sorry, we've just begun another game of chess.

This has been going on for weeks. What is she thinking?

Having fulfilled my main obligation as queen -

- I saw no reason to maintain the facade.

I would pay dearly for that.

Christian, stop!

I never want to see your ugly face again!

You're fired, cow!

There, there. Relax.

A true queen delivers in silence and with dignity.

He has stomach pains.

I'm going on a tour of Europe.

I'll be gone for at least a year.

Do you think it matters to me whether you're here or not?

This was my life. My fate.

I had resigned myself to it.

Or rather ... it could have been my life.

Altona, a Danish colony in Germany 1768

Do you know where I can find the hospital?

Thanks a lot.

Excuse me, is Doctor Struensee here?

Johann Struensee? - Who's asking?

Count Rantzau requests that you attend to him immediately.

Count Rantzau? Are you sure you have the right Struensee?

I am not to return without you. - A count is calling. Better get going.

What do you think? Should I abandon my bleeding patient for some count?

Maybe he will pay you. That would be nice for a change.

What the hell is wrong with it? - Could you hold it for a second?

You're a bit of a mystery, Struensee.

Your father is one of Germany's most conservative priests -

and yet you insist on publishing praises to the French freethinkers.

If you hadn't written them anonymously, you'd be in prison.

Well written. Quite Voltaire-inspired.

Don't worry. You're among friends.

You've been using it too much.

But I'm sure your many lady friends are quite content.

Yeah, right. - I like him.

Am I done?

Struensee, how would you like a new position?

What position is that?

The King's personal physician.

Believe it or not, Brandt and I were at the very top of the Court.

High enough to be sniffing the chaste minister wives between the legs.

When King Frederik died, Bernstorff removed the ones he didn't like.

So here we are in the world's asshole.

Sorry about that. - We miss life at Court.

The King is in Hamburg right now on his grand tour of Europe.

But they're stuck. He's too ill to continue.

What's wrong with him?

The Court is now searching for a personal physician -

to take care of the King on the rest of his journey.

We could get your name onto the list of candidates.

You'd definitely need a new suit.

They would never let me near the King.

Why not? - I'm a small-town doctor.

And you had no trouble uncovering that I'm a man of the Enlightenment.

So are we! - I am. Rantzau just thinks he is.

Just don't talk about it at Court. Keep mentioning your father, the priest.

The Court loves that crap.

And in the unlikely event that I get the job? What then?

You use your position to get Brandt and me back into the inner circle.

What does a personal physician do? Blow the King's nose or ...?

Lick his feet, wipe his ass. Who cares? It's the King!

No! No!

I don't want to!

Johann Struensee?

You may have heard that the King has certain ... moods.

Only rumours. Do you have a theory?

He's been difficult since childhood.

But I think most of his problems stem from excessive masturbation.

You may enter.

Your Majesty, my name is ... - I don't need a doctor!

The Court thinks you need a doctor.

Do you have any idea why?

I like to drink.

I like hookers with big breasts, and I like fighting.

What's wrong with that?

I am King!

What if you weren't King. What would make you happy?

"To sleep, perchance to dream."

"Often expectation fails and most often there, where most it promises."

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

"They have their exits and their entrances -

and one man in his time plays many parts."

"What a piece of work is a man."

"There's something rotten in the ..." - I don't like that one. Pick another.

Come!

A horse ...

"My kingdom for a horse."

"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together."

COPENHAGEN, 1769

Your Majesty, there's a slight confusion about -

when and where the French tenor will sing.

In the dining hall, following dessert. But wait until the tables are cleared.

Is everyone by the main stairs? - Shortly, Your Majesty.

Then we'll call upon You and the ministers.

That was all, Your Majesty.

Lord Chamberlain ...

Did you remember Gourmand? - The dog. Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Where is the people?

Is there no one to cheer the return of the King?

We thought Your Majesty would be tired from the long journey.

I want to be greeted by my people. Get them.

Get the people here now! Otherwise I'll jump in the canal.

Do you hear me? I'll jump in the canal!

A splendid idea, Your Majesty. A nice swim in the canal would do You good.

Aha.

You really think so? - Absolutely.

Shall we?

A little later, perhaps. Come.

Can you believe that His Majesty has terminated Reventlow.

The tutor who's been with him since he was a child.

I think the new physician is a bad influence.

He is said to be an amoral libertine, who drags His Majesty to whore ...

Are you not spending the evening with the King?

He is giving Doctor Struensee a tour of the castle.

Struensee! You follow politics, right? - It happens.

You must join me in the council today, or I shall be terribly bored.

It is a rather harmless satire, Mr. Guldberg.

To call satire that mocks the nobility 'harmless' is unfortunate.

What is next. The Court? The King? The Church?

I am not inclined to put anyone in prison for a poem about -

the size of a nobleman's derrière.

A fine and a year's ban on publishing will suffice.

He has spent his apanage for the entire year in only 4 months.

He will not leave us alone till we respond.

As the letter shows, she was quite pleased and asked us to give -

the Russian delegate a token of our appreciation.

... extensive acreage which is a forest area ...

If we don't, the people may ...

... cannot allow primitive pirates to humiliate our fleet.

... 15 per tonnage.

What is it? - Just sign it, Your Majesty.

... agricultural reform is ...

... strikers to be thrown in ...

... and our naval officers. We have reached a decision.

They all think I'm crazy.

Hi!

What the hell is going on, why haven't we heard from you?

It's good to see you too, Rantzau. Brandt.

So, now we use first names? What the hell are we doing here?

Aren't we good enough for Court? - Come on in.

Rantzau! Brandt!

Your Majesty. - I missed you. Welcome home.

Why does Copenhagen reek of shit?

Shit, shit, shit ... I have the smell of shit in my nose, shit on my shoes.

I am the King of Shitty Town.

Your Majesty, have a drink with us.

Do you find it appropriate to visit whorehouses and drink every night?

For everyone to see.

Your Majesty, the people don't mind. - I'm not interested in your opinion.

Christian?

I apologize, Mother.

Why did I have to end up with that boring cow?

The world is full of princesses, and I got stuck with the grumpy one.

When she's not playing Queen, she's in her room sleeping.

Perhaps she's ill?

Of course! She must be ill. No one can be that boring.

Attend to her, Struensee. - I don't think the Queen likes me.

But one of your Court doctors ... - No, no. It has to be you.

Make her fun. I want a fun queen.

I'll send her to your chambers.

I find nothing wrong, Your Majesty. - I could have told you that.

It is your spirits.

Pardon? - Your mood.

You're in a bad mood. Do you get enough fresh air?

And hobbies? I hear you're an accomplished pianist.

You heard wrong. Are we done?

I will recommend to the Court that we move to the summer residence.

With your approval, of course.

Rousseau.

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in shackles."

May I borrow this?

Holstein, Germany

The loser gets thrown in the water!

No!

Yes! King Christian the 7th, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I hear there's a smallpox epidemic coming in Copenhagen.

What do you say, Struensee? - Let's hope it's a small one.

You've charmed our entire nobility, Struensee.

Perhaps we should acquire more?

You have an interesting book collection.

One day you have to tell me how you got it into the castle.

Do You ride, Your Majesty?

Not if I can help it.

It feels so ... clumsy.

That is because You use side-saddle.

As Your new physician, I'd hate for You to get ill, Your Highness.

It reminds me of England.

Locke and Voltaire are excellent.

But some of the Enlightenment's ideas are a bit extreme, don't you think?

Rousseau's notion of abandoning civilization and living in trees.

He knows it's not actually possible. - But still.

I agree that some of society's norms prevent people from living their lives.

How so?

Religion. Marriage. Anything that takes away from personal freedom.

Don't have children, Struensee.

I hadn't planned to.

So what do you want?

I want to travel the world, Your Majesty -

and see places you only read about.

That sounds like a good life.

What is that? - A wooden horse.

Don't be afraid.

Don't ...

Is he dead? - Yes.

He was punished by his master.

Why was this done to him?

Why?

I don't know. Perhaps he stole something or was in the wrong place.

But someone thought he should be tortured to death for it.

There's nothing we can do.

The Court owns estates in this area.

These peasants probably belong to someone we know.

Brandt, have you seen Struensee?

Yes, he returned to Copenhagen. Something about a smallpox epidemic.

Copenhagen, 1769 I don't know what to do. We don't have enough room.

How many dead? - Almost 20 today.

Who's he? I've seen him before.

He's a servant at the castle, Doctor.

You're out of your mind, Struensee.

Experimenting on the people is one thing -

but to risk the Crown Prince's life?

I am trying to safeguard his life. - What is he even doing out there?

His Majesty's personal physician has no business roaming city hospitals.

More than 700 people have died. Most of them children.

Today the epidemic crossed the canals and reached Christiansborg.

Have you previously tested this inoculation?

Yes. On myself as well. - What is the survival rate.

There's always some risk ... - 'Some risk'!

But if it goes well, and I'm confident that it will, he will be immune.

The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne! He's protected by God!

A smallpox epidemic is not picky. It kills both kings and queens.

As you very well know.

Your Majesty?

Mother, can we please leave?

Now we wait. - Dear Struensee, come sit with us.

The inoculation was a success.

Thank you, God.

God has nothing to do with this.

How many lives could your method save?

Most of them. If it's done right.

Then what are we waiting for?

Are you mocking me? - No. But I'm not the one to ask.

Her Highness proposes that the Court administers -

an extensive smallpox inoculation at the city's hospitals.

We looked into it, but the expense ...

Say no more, we have enough expenses as it is.

Inform Her Majesty that her proposal will be considered at a later date.

What's this? - Your Majesty?

"Anonymous."

"J.S."

Rantzau. - Your Majesty.

Allow me to introduce Madame Sophie Livernet.

Your Majesty, an honour. - The light of my life.

Have you noticed how well he behaves when he's with her?

She's only after his money. Her family lost their entire fortune.

As long as he's happy.

Yes, men ignore reason when it comes to beautiful young women.

'Le Morte d'Arthur'. Have you read it? Thomas Malory.

I've heard of it.

King Arthur's knight, Sir Lancelot, has an affair with Queen Guinevere.

The king finds out, orders them both killed, and the kingdom falls apart.

You're a fool.

I like you a lot. I don't want to mourn by your severed head.

Your Majesty. - Don't get up.

I managed to slip away from the ministers' wives.

Years of practice.

Do you think we'll ever be free?

The people, I mean.

Mankind.

Will your treasured Enlightenment -

free us from stupidity and fear of divine punishment?

I think so. Yes.

Frederik's generation will be the standard bearer for a new dawn.

So we should lie on our deathbeds and rejoice -

as the new dawn passes us by?

You will never see your brilliant ideas carried out.

At Court I have the authority of a mere maid.

And my husband?

He has the authority.

I don't think you realize how much influence you have on Christian.

He trusts you unconditionally.

What will you dress up as for the ball?

I'm going as a French courtjester. I shall talk like this.

Like a Frenchman. All night.

Do you remember telling me that everyone at Court thinks you're crazy?

That's funny. - I don't think you are.

I think some people are so sealed inside their fate that they hide -

deep within their mind.

You could be an amazing king, Christian.

You could make a difference, if you used your power in the Council.

I don't know about all that stuff. I can't.

Of course, you can.

How?

By doing what you love the most.

Acting.

Just like in the theatre. With lines that have already been written.

Acting?

If it were up to you, what would you change?

Honoured members of the Council.

No longer shall refined noble noses be tainted with the city's stench.

No longer shall the people suffocate in the reek of its own waste.

Your Majesty ... - I ...

... King Christian VII, hereby declare war on shit.

I want to triple the number of waste collectors on the streets.

Where will the money come from? - I knew you would ask me that.

The money will be acquired by cutting down on pensions -

for those who still have income from their estates and therefore -

do not need a pension.

Fine, Your Majesty. More waste collectors.

And Gourmand will be appointed honorary member of the Council.

Struensee!

Your Majesty.

You recognized me. - I would recognize you blindfolded.

But your costume is not very imaginative.

I'm afraid I am not very good at masquerades.

I believe this is the one night when everyone can be themselves.

But you never remove your mask. Do you?

Your Majesty.

Will you do me the honour?

Thank you!