Original subtitles

We'll visit Vicenza first?

Take that down to the carriage.

You have more endurance than I ever had in the military.

And where do we go then?

Verona, Pula, Brescia.

You will find each place more lovely than the last.

- And we'll continue to Milan? - That's heavy.

What's special about Milan?

Mm. The fabric.

Such magical dresses they have there.

Yes, it will be perfect.

- I'll see to it straight away. - Yeah.

Is that everything?

I'll see you by the carriage.

Wonderful, thank you.

Did you not tell him of your plans for Milan, Your Highness?

No.

He would not understand.

"With the help of his beautiful Empress, Elisabeth,

Emperor Franz Josef

intends to nip the blooming independence movement in the bud." Hm.

The Empress, interesting.

The Empress is indeed very popular among the people of the empire.

They even say that this trip was her idea.

"The most beautiful woman in all of Europe." Hm.

I'd say "medium beautiful" at most.

Your Majesty, the Austrians have oppressed the Lombards for over a century.

This visit may bring short-term improvement,

but it won't solve the problem.

Let's meet with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Piedmont.

- What's his name? - The Count of Cavour.

He requests an audience every week.

He'll get one now.

I thought we just had to watch Emperor Franz Josef dig his own grave.

I didn't think about her.

My little Empress.

You think you can save Habsburg from collapse with your kind heart?

Hm.

How charming.

THE EMPRESS

Minister.

Minister von Bach.

I have to hurry. The coach has come.

- I just wanted to say farewell. - Minister.

And to give you something.

So you won't forget me.

The first time you visited me,

that hot summer's day,

we shared a peach,

and with the back of your hand, you wiped your cheek.

And I had to kiss you.

Thank you.

It's clear to me now why you don't wish to accept my offer.

I am of too lowly birth.

You fear that your family will not accept it.

No, that is not it.

I wrote your father a letter asking for your hand,

and invited him here.

The letter was dispatched a fortnight ago.

No! You cannot make these decisions on your own!

That's not what I've done.

I just wanted to show you how serious I am.

You must rectify this.

Write to my father and tell him you mistook. Right?

Why won't you marry me?

I serve Her Highness,

and I'm committed to her.

Why do this to me if you know you love me?

When did I ever tell you that?

Your Imperial Majesty.

Ladies.

Farewell, Elisabeth.

Farewell.

This journey will give you and the Emperor lots of time to spend together.

So use it.

I thought we were travelling to Lombardy to embrace our subjects, Highness.

Help me with these.

As you wish.

Go on!

Hyah!

Enjoy yourselves.

Your Imperial Highness.

Your Highness, is there something wrong?

It is just unusual...

when my son is not in the palace.

I like it more when it's full of people, Highness.

It is so quiet.

The advantage is that we can finally do our work undisturbed.

- With pleasure, Your Highness. - Let's begin right away.

Has the Emperor approved the Cardinal's proposals for a concordat?

Not yet.

The Emperor has instructed me to examine the Cardinal's proposals.

Imperial Highness, I would like to go over my thoughts with you,

if now is a good time.

You are particularly unpleasant today, are you not?

Is there any reason for that?

You may make an appointment if you want.

I hope that was the last nasty surprise.

Your Imperial Highness.

Everything is ready for Princess Sophie

to spend the coming weeks with you.

This here is Cleo.

How can she be here?

I took the liberty of having some childhood toys sent over

from your parents' Nymphenburg residence.

That is very thoughtful of you, Margarete.

I thought you would be delighted.

Highness?

The years could not destroy your beauty.

If the painting displeases you, Your Highness, I'll have it removed.

That will not be necessary. It's been a while since I've seen it.

TWO WEEKS LATER

"When the Empress stepped out of the carriage in Verona,

all the people..."

Listen.

"...erupted in jubilation."

- They exaggerate. - It is how it was.

And in the Prussian paper?

"The visit to Lombardy-Venetia

ushers in a golden era for the Habsburgs under Empress Elisabeth."

But I have a question for you, Elisabeth. And do not lie.

This man is next to you in every picture. Here, there.

Looking ill-tempered in St Mark's Square.

He grins like a child in Verona.

Who is this?

Huh? A new companion?

They're all writing as if I were the only one of consequence.

That is not right.

I can't do what you do,

and that is good.

I can give you more time.

I don't want another child.

Not soon.

But I want us.

MILAN, AUSTRIAN PROVINCE

Gino.

What does it say there?

Um... "The Emperor and the Empress are coming to Milan."

"Everyone come to greet our Empress and our Emperor at the station."

Why don't we go see them at the station?

Some people say Elisabeth is different from the Emperor.

It could be true.

No.

Garibaldi says she's not our Empress.

Good day.

Buongiorno.

Stop there.

How does one address the Emperor's soldiers?

Not in Italian.

Go on, you know their language.

Answer them, please.

Buongiorno.

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.

Gino!

Be a good man. What do you say?

Buongiorno!

Gino!

There's nothing but propaganda in the papers,

Your Majesty, believe me.

The majority of the Lombards want to be free from Austrian occupation.

They hate the Emperor.

And what do you want from me, Count of Cavour?

I want the Italian-speaking territories to finally be reunited.

Under one flag,

with one identity.

Like France.

United under Piedmont's leadership, I presume?

Our brothers, the Lombards, need weapons to revolt.

I want to help them.

But our resources in the Kingdom of Piedmont are limited.

Don't cry, Prime Minister.

What do I get in return if France helps you?

The future Kingdom of Italy would be eternally grateful for your support.

Is that all?

In Milan, Emperor Franz Josef

will feel Garibaldi's resistance.

The world will finally see that Lombardy must be free.

Everyone.

- You, get back. - It must look like more people.

Get them standing in an orderly fashion.

And those people over there! And the pretty ladies in the front!

When the Emperor and the Empress come, everyone wave their flags! Understood?

You have to cheer, and all of you applaud, yes?

This way.

- When will we finally get to Milan? - Any moment now.

I've never seen such a landscape as this.

I must remind you that our visit to Milan is of great political importance.

I'd forgotten that you were here too.

Oh, and furthermore,

the Archduke Maximilian will also be in Milan.

Button your corsage all the way, Pauline.

He's bringing his fiancée with him

for the Emperor to grant consent to their engagement.

I'm not sure he'll agree to it after all that's happened.

Miladies.

Don't be stupid, Pauline. Do not lose your heart.

Never.

Or you'll be as good as dead at court.

Do you disagree with that?

The Imperial carriage awaits you at the station

and will take you to Villa Monza.

This evening, Viceroy Radetzky will host a dinner in your honour.

Your brother and his guest will also be there.

And be aware that thousands of your subjects

will be waiting at the station to celebrate your visit.

I have something else for you.

I commissioned it from a jeweller in the region.

This kind of workmanship is unique to Lombardy.

I thought that wearing it for the people now

would be a nice gesture.

Elisabeth!

Attention!

His Majesty Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria

and Her Majesty Empress Elisabeth of Austria!

Elisabeth!

Your Majesty, it is my honour.

Good Field Marshal, the honour is all mine, sir.

General. My wife.

Your Majesty, welcome to Milan.

Elisabeth!

This is your Emperor and Empress! Show some respect!

Remember what Garibaldi said. We won't obey, but no violence.

Not yet.

Giddy-up!

Out of the way! Hyah!

It looked like all those people were congregated under duress.

Franz.

I will raise our concerns with General Gyulai.

He'll be able to tell me more.

The last thing that I want now is this dinner.

I tried to sneak in to see you earlier while Duchess Bransner had stepped out.

Whereas I am absolutely determined to hold my instincts under control here.

Perhaps one day you could teach me.

Or perhaps not.

I never thought that I would ever say this,

I cannot wait till our wedding day.

If your brother denies us our engagement, my father will withdraw his consent.

Franz will agree to it.

He will be amazed I've found someone like you, my dear.

And with Napoleon, I have put things in place.

What could go wrong?

Your Royal Highness, you must change for dinner this evening.

Your Imperial Highness. This is a surprise.

Buol, what brings you here?

I've come directly from Piedmont. I bring my report for His Highness.

- Yourself? - I am introducing my fiancée.

Are you? Good.

Do not worry.

I'm not going to give you away. Not yet.

There isn't anything that you hold over me.

You tried to lure me into your foolhardy conspiracy,

yet I refused you.

So that's how you see it?

And who will my brother side with? Me or you?

You sure you want to tell him about it? What would happen?

Before you do that, I'd break off your engagement.

Your Imperial Highness.

Not even our mother could tell us apart.

Your Imperial Highness.

You look a little nervous.

I just had a...

I was drawn to this painting, I'm sorry.

I was of course aware that you had a twin sister,

but I really cannot tell which one of them is Your Highness.

So are these all your comments?

Yes.

I can't help but question

the reasonableness of the Cardinal's new laws.

Your role isn't to decide on what is or isn't fair, just what can be done.

It is up to me though to provide a moral assessment to such matters as well.

You must leave all of the moral issues up to me.

"Protestants shall be barred from teaching in schools

and from all university professorships."

"Only Catholics shall be responsible for educating our youth."

- Are you not a man of faith any more? - Are you not a woman of keen intellect?

I'm sorry.

Why would you give the Church so much power?

The Pope has assured us of his help

in keeping Lombardy-Venetia within the empire.

You're a lawyer.

Quid pro quo.

Pope Pius has a power that we can only dream of.

History teaches us

that oppressing any sole religious group has never helped to further any empire.

On the contrary.

Consider the plight of the Huguenots or the Thirty Years' War.

Seriously? For God's sake.

Imperial Highness, I am a very devout man.

But this whole concept sets us back decades, Highness.

No. It's you who set me back decades.

His Imperial Highness Archduke Maximilian of Austria

and Her Royal Highness Marie Charlotte of Belgium.

Your Imperial Highness.

- Your Majesty. - Maximilian.

Your Majesty.

It is a pleasure, Your Royal Highness.

I thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, it is an honour.

It pleases me too.

I hear you have been travelling a lot of late.

Yes. Travelling is a real passion.

Marie speaks five languages, including Basque.

Can you tell me who speaks Basque? And who even knows where it's spoken?

But the Princess here is also very well-versed

in European politics, much better than I am.

Should I marry her then instead of you?

Your Majesty, champagne?

Yes, please.

To your health, Your Majesties.

It is obvious that you've impressed my brother a lot.

Like no woman I have ever known.

Dear guests, Your Majesty,

what an honour it is for me to welcome you all here.

Dinner is served.

Your Highnesses.

Allow me.

Forgive me for what I just said about Marie.

It matters not.

I wanted to show him I'm happy.

Yes.

And Marie is really...

- One can see that she's someone special. - Yeah.

And she is very different from me as well.

So clear and composed, lucid.

I'm happy for you, Maximilian.

- Do you honestly mean that? - Yeah.

Almost.

Almost honestly.

À table?

Yeah.

I read an article saying your visit to Lombardy-Venetia

is going incredibly well.

That is how we felt...

previously.

Your Majesty, I must apologise to you emphatically for your reception.

It was inexcusable.

You mustn't do that.

You cannot make the crowd behave in ways they don't really feel, General.

Majesty, allow me to inform you

that the people of Lombardy do not know what they feel.

They are being seduced by Cavour and Garibaldi.

Count Buol, what did your talks in Piedmont yield?

Prime Minister Cavour has assured me that the rebellious groups in Piedmont

have never had any encouragement from him.

But in Europe, he agitates against us.

When Napoleon allies himself with us, then Cavour will yield.

Majesty, we cannot be certain that this will actually occur.

Well, I'm certain.

It's starting all over again.

Over and over again.

The bloodshed.

Field Marshal?

They were all hanged. Outside the city.

You mean during the revolution of 1848, do you not?

That was really so many moons ago, Field Marshal.

Don't you dare patronise me!

I know full well.

Majesty.

Highness, Field Marshal Radetzky has just recently turned 91.

Maybe it's high time to consider his well-deserved retirement

from military service, Your Majesty.

Even so, if the rebels take up arms, and we have already seen some rioting,

then we must vehemently retaliate, and very quickly.

I am of the opinion that they take up arms because their wishes are disregarded.

What wishes might those be, Your Majesty?

They want independence.

Her Highness is right. All of us must face up to the truth.

Lombardy would become a small, weak kingdom.

And then within a few weeks,

they'd be vanquished again by one of the neighbouring Italian regions.

Absolutely. We protect Lombardy.

Is it protection? Or is it oppression?

Max...

I say that if we want to hold the region, it requires action.

Majesty, the official language here should be Italian.

- We should promote education, culture. - I agree entirely.

Fight poverty, reduce our military presence,

and give the Lombards self-governance so we can regain their hearts.

- Yes. - That will be all.

- And they should also... - I decide what is right!

Not you, nor you!

I alone.

All of you can have your ideas.

In the end, it is my choice.

I am finished.

Franz, one moment, please.

That you dare to air your political views publicly is grotesque.

I've always had ideas for our Italian-speaking provinces.

You just want to impress your companion. That is all this is.

She is my betrothed.

Only if I say so,

or else she's nothing.

Now you have to listen to me.

Your brother will not agree to our wedding if you insult and disrespect him.

I grovel to no one, not even my own brother.

You were drunk and embarrassing.

Oh, I'm sorry that you had to find out this way, dear heart.

But this is who I am!

I drink all night and say what I really think.

And if you want to decline my offer,

this is the time.

Were you trying to impress her there? Your ludicrous show?

No.

If you betray me, Maxi, you will live to regret it.

I just want you.

Then what are you waiting for?

What happened today bothers me as much as it bothers you.

You cannot silence me like that, Franz.

How can you endorse his nonsense?

Publicly?

We share the same opinion.

I see.

I'd forgotten you share his political ideas.

But I also have my own ideas that have nothing to do with your brother.

This discussion is over.

Franz, do you know what this is?

This is the chain of the rebel soldier who was killed in our home.

You have his necklace?

- I'm going to see his family. - What was that?

You will do no such thing.

I forbid it, you hear?

And that is exactly why I didn't tell you.

Because you don't ever let me do the things that I want.

So, what do you want to do?

He gave us a clear sign.

And the people want to be heard, but you don't ever want to listen.

What do you think that they want to say, then?

These people want to leave our empire!

That's what they want!

Embracing our subjects in their homes?

That's primitive politics, Elisabeth.

I must look his mother in the eye

and tell her how sorry we are for her loss.

You're a lunatic.

Don't say that to me...

ever again.

You should go to bed.

"All three were delighted."

"The huntsman skinned the wolf and took the pelt home."

"And then later, the grandmother ate the cake

that Little Red Riding Hood had brought as a present for her,

and she regained her strength."

"Red Riding Hood, however, thought to herself,

'I will never again leave the path

and run off into the woods

when my mother forbids it.'"

Anna, run!

Your Imperial Highness?

Forgive me.

- Shall I put the Princess to bed? - Yeah. Yes, of course.

Keep riding to the northeast.

- It is the second village. - Thank you.

Are you scared, Highness?

Yeah.

Not much.

Your Majesty.

Can I come with you?

I'll come with you.

- Your Imperial Majesty. - I cannot stop you.

No one can.

However, I won't let you ride alone either.

You'll have thought your plan through, I assume.

Will you say, "Good day, I'm your Empress"? Hm?

Of course not. I have another idea.

Do you not think that the Imperial couple's visit

will promote unity in our provinces?

You're against the concordat, aren't you?

Just offering you another solution.

Perhaps their visit will provide a brief moment of calm,

but it will not guarantee any sort of protection.

Protection from what exactly, Your Highness?

The chaos.

Neither will Catholic reforms give protection, in my view.

I read the Princess a tale by the Brothers Grimm last night.

Have you read Little Red Riding Hood?

You're not trying to imply that the Lombards

are a big, bad wolf who wants us for supper?

No, but the Lombards weaken us. It's like an open wound.

As an injured animal is likely to be prey for the evil wolf, Majesty?

Exactly.

The way I see it, the Empress can embrace scum,

but there must always be someone who has a weapon at the ready.

And who is the wolf?

I have no idea.

But there is always a wolf.

If I may be so bold, I think I know which is you, Imperial Highness.

That one is you.

The girl looking directly at the viewer.

Do not expect a prize. You've been staring at it for so long.

That one looks like she's seen a lot more than she should have.

That will be all for now, von Bach.

I'm sure there are railway schedules you need to check?

Your Imperial Highness.

Excuse me.

The Tadini family?

Silvia!

Silvia!

Yes?

Hello.

I have a message for the family of Adolfo Tadini.

From the Empress.

I come from the Viennese Court.

Gino! Where are you? I need you.

I'm here.

There's a woman trying to speak Italian. She says she's from Vienna.

Good day.

Good day.

I... I am Eugenia. I come from Vienna.

I have a message from the Empress for the family of Adolfo Tadini.

What does she want?

She has a message from the Empress.

It's about Ado.

I'll get your father. Ask them to come inside.

My brother is dead.

Please.

A visit from Vienna.

What an honour.

My name is Eugenia.

I come here on behalf of the Empress.

And this here is my... is my valet.

I was an officer in the former Emperor's infantry.

Lieutenant Tadini.

God save the Emperor.

Why haven't you offered them anything? Make some coffee.

- Please sit down. - Thank you.

I have a message from the Empress.

From the Empress herself?

"On 5th July, 1856,

Adolfo Tadini performed an act of protest in the palace."

"While he was attempting to escape,

a guard shot him."

"That was a mistake."

"I'm convinced that Adolfo Tadini

meant no harm to me or the Emperor."

"I regret with all my heart

what happened to him."

"Elisabeth."

Adolfo adored the Empress.

Maybe you can put this at...

I don't know how to say "tombstone".

Una lapide.

The Empress wanted you to have this.

We are very grateful.

But I cannot accept this money.

- It means he won't take it. - Why won't he?

He brought shame to this family.

I no longer consider him my son.

- He will always be my son. - We will no longer speak of him.

- I'll speak of him whenever I wish. - Ado wanted what was best for his country.

All the young people following Garibaldi are crazy.

And your brother was too!

Don't be an idiot like him! You see what comes of it?

The soldiers.

Just because he didn't want to speak German.

He's just a child.

Look at what they did to him. Look at him.

Leave these people alone. Enough!

Enough!

We shall leave. We will intrude on your grief no longer.

He was brave, your brother.

He lived by example.

I will speak to the Empress.

She will hear of the soldiers' violence.

Can you tell your mother that?

I don't care about politics.

One ruler replaces another.

One bloodbath follows another.

Do you have children?

Do I have children?

Yes.

Two.

Very young.

Protect your children.

Hold them as tightly as you can.

My children?

Protect them always.

Thank you.

Without you, I wouldn't have seen that.

Who are those two?

They're from the Viennese Court.

One of the Empress's court ladies.

Here because of Ado.

Maybe Ado was right.

Maybe she could be our hope.

I saw the Empress. She was a helpless little girl.

She won't help us, Gino.

We have to help Lombardy ourselves.

To me!

- And back. Oh! - Very good.

Well done, Your Highness.

My turn.

Wonderful shot, milady.

- Good shot. - Ah.

Your Majesty?

I need to speak to you.

I have really tried to forget all that you did.

I just cannot do it.

I have asked so often for your pardon.

I wanted you to see me, Franz.

No.

You wanted her.

She didn't judge me. She was the only one.

You wanted the throne.

Or did you just crave attention?

All I know is I did not covet the throne.

But I need my brother with me.

I need that.

I cannot forget what you have done.

But I have to forgive you because...

it's destroying us.

And Marie? Do you love her?

With all my heart.

Then you shall wed.

Can you see yourself living in this villa? Hm?

- Yes, naturally. - But could you live here with me though?

And why would I live in a villa that is the Viceroy's home?

Because you are going to be the Viceroy's wife.

General Radetzky's 112.

Maxi, has he declared you the new Viceroy?

And my brother has agreed that we shall wed.

Your Highness.

This is just the beginning.

You and I, Maximilian,

we can be something extraordinary.

Anna, hurry, run home! Do not turn around!

- Sophie! - Run!

You must be glad to be heading back to Vienna.

I'm just relieved you returned home unharmed.

I was really worried yesterday.

There are times in life when you should follow your heart,

not your head, my friend.

No solo ventures, and do not be reckless.

I am only reckless on Tuesdays. I swear.

Military power is in General Gyulai's hands for the meantime.

Brother...

who, though, has the final word?

You look after our people, he, security.

I need you both.

Work together.

I'm counting on you.

I thank you.

I know that you encouraged the Emperor

to give Maximilian the opportunity he hoped for.

Take care of him, will you?

- He is more vulnerable than you're aware. - Au contraire.

He has been underestimated since he was a boy.

Your Royal Highness.

It was an immense pleasure.

Go on! Go on!

Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

You've returned.

My darling!

- Mama! - Oh!

I won't leave again. I'm here.

Hello.

"The Emperor names his brother, Maximilian of Austria,

the new Viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia."

"This could finally silence the resistance movement."

Damn.