Original subtitles

Franz Joseph, in all his splendor...

News from Vienna... It’s an heir to the throne.

So our gift is finished just in time.

Whore child, whore child!

You whore’s daughter, get lost!

Leave me alone!

Stop it!

- Come on, let her have it! - The little rat!

Want some, too?

Thank you for your attendance, baroness.

God bless you and the imperial family.

Begging your pardon, Majesty. Trouble at the convent school again.

What was it this time?

Marie.

- We’d said that you’d stay out of troub-- - You promised we’d ride out.

- I told you it’s not that eas-- - Why not?

You’re the Empress.

I want to come to the court.

To Vienna?

You’re better off here, believe me.

The others say I’m not a countess. Is that why you won’t take me?

No.

Why, then?

The court...

It’s like a girdle, too tightly tied.

- It stifles you, and in no time you-- - You promised my mother.

I’d rather be stifled in a girdle than spend one more day here.

You’ll be staying very close to us.

Like your mother once did.

Mommy, Mommy!

Hi, there, sweetie.

This is Marie.

And this is my daughter Gisela.

- Duchess von... - I know who that is.

How is the little crown prince?

Just fine.

Marie will live with us now.

What does my son say?

I’d like to tell him myself.

The likeness is uncanny.

Let’s hope not in every regard.

His Majesty, Franz Joseph the First,

By the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria,

President of the German Federation.

I hereby welcome all members in Vienna.

Together, we have successfully achieved security and stability in Europe.

I hereby declare open the Federation’s assembly.

First, I would like to...

Sit!

Welcome, Mr. von Bismarck.

Please excuse my delay, Your Majesty.

Berlin to Vienna is a long trip.

So true, Your Majesty.

Please, continue.

I’ve not yet begun.

Oh, good...

Then allow me to take the opportunity, in the name of Prussia, to bring you

my sincere, personal congratulations on the birth of the young Crown Prince.

I hope he and your spouse are in the best of health.

Thank you.

They are very well.

Time for a memorial already, you think?

Or how else may I interpret your gift?

Austria has gained merit in leading the German Federation.

However,

the time has come to step aside.

Prussia shall lead the German Federation!

Everyone knows that, in a war, you will not hold your own for long.

Compile a report on our arms, ammunition, and the remainders of our coffers.

Franz, there must be another way.

Bismarck wants to exploit our weaknesses.

To prevent war, I must confront him with an enormous army.

What’s your plan?

Under the given circumstances,

I have no choice but to beg for a few francs from Napoleon.

- Or more than a few. - He was your enemy until recently.

If I borrow the money from him to arm ourselves against Bismarck,

he won’t stab me in the back in case of a war.

SUMMER FESTIVITY

He only gets paid back if you win.

Or he sides with Bismarck once you show signs of weakness.

It’s the only chance.

Sisi,

don’t you want to give yourself a little more rest?

You worked long.

Everything all right?

Sure. Nothing to worry about.

I have to tell you something.

I brought Marie to the court.

Her mother was executed.

By us.

Marie isn’t her mother.

She’ll never find out.

I trust you know what you’re doing.

Thank you.

You were lashing out.

What did you dream?

A nightmare.

It’s fine.

What’s the matter?

I’m off to Biarritz to ask Napoleon for a loan.

What for?

Bismarck wants to push us out of the German Federation.

He’ll even risk war.

I believe siding with Napoleon is the only chance to prevent it.

Then I’ll accompany you.

I’d like you to take the time to rest some more.

It won’t look good, you arriving on your own.

Napoleon thinks much of his wife’s opinion.

As we know.

Careful!

Look here!

He was Franz’s engagement present.

He likes being talked to.

You shouldn’t tell him your secrets, though.

He might babble.

Isn’t the cage much too small?

He knows no different.

But he’s still a bird.

Careful... Careful!

Your mother gave me this for you.

FOR MARIE

I waited until you could read it yourself.

She taught herself to read and write.

She was a very impressive woman.

I see the same in you.

This was hers, too.

It’s yours now.

I have to go away for a few days.

Would you talk to him for me?

See you very soon, Marie.

It’s on our last big journey that we lost her.

I’m glad you’re accompanying me nevertheless.

Come, the carriage is waiting.

Don’t worry.

She already raised a boy once.

She’s here!

I didn’t think he’d really come.

Next time, we should hold back the invitation.

Sisi!

- We want to see the Empress! - Sisi!

Look what I brought from Paris...

So.

You try to win over the Empress.

And you Napoleon.

Isn’t it true? It’s wonderful.

He designed this dress, and I love it!

It’s perfect, isn’t it?

Happy to see you again, Majesty.

It’s an honor to greet you among my friends.

Your friends?

Eugénie? Eugénie, look at this!

- Excuse me. - Your Majesty?

Oh, it’s so cute!

My Lord, how cute.

What’s her name?

The French like to be among themselves.

Count Andrássy!

You look wonderful.

May I join you for a moment?

As you can see I’m extremely busy right now.

And what brings you to Biarritz?

Years ago, I had the pleasure of being sentenced to death by your husband.

So I took a look around.

I’d say you made the best of it, then.

It seems the French mamsels are also glad about your return.

May I?

So, you, too, traded Vienna for the Atlantic?

My husband and I want to strengthen the bond of a tender friendship.

With Napoleon? Why?

- I’d rather you told me how to. - A gift of the Mademoiselle Valérie,

Marquise de Baume-Clément, for Empress Eugénie.

- Thank you. - Surprise!

Asking a favor makes faster friends than doing one.

Show her your trust. Confide in her.

Stop.

Marie,

from the outside to the inside.

Warm hors d’oeuvre. Soup.

Fish. Main dish.

Dessert.

Did you know my mother?

Barely.

Do you know how she died?

That doesn’t belong at the dinner table.

She was ill. That’s all I know.

Your Majesty?

May I ask something of you?

For tonight, I’m longing for some...

privacy

with my husband.

How do you mean?

The domestics are all practically lodged in the same room with us.

At home, too, we barely had a minute

to ourselves.

So you’d like me to give you another room?

I’ll see what I can do.

If you’ll excuse me...

François Joseph,

what made you change your mind and accept my invitation after all?

I’m losing sleep over something, Majesty.

It’s about a woman, then?

A French one maybe?

No, unfortunately.

Frankly, Your Majesty, it’s Prussia I’m concerned about.

Otto von Bismarck is coaxing me into war.

What do you want from me, then?

I’m afraid my only chance is to oppose him with a worthy army.

Asking your former war enemy for help...

I’ll say!

To be honest, my dear François Joseph, Bismarck just departed.

He asked me to stay neutral in your matter.

What did he promise you?

I need no promises...

to choose my friends.

What happened?

Bismarck was already here.

We’re too late.

How did Napoleon react?

He didn’t tell me.

That means we still have a chance.

Franz, you need to keep your head now.

Who knows whom else Bismarck already spoke to.

It’ll be all right.

You’re not alone.

Your Majesty?

May I talk you into a photo, you and I?

The most beautiful European empresses on one...

chaise longue?

A photo that may, one day, be worth more than this palace, no?

Don’t move...

Hello, there!

How do you do it?

Even the little pup is spellbound.

We have to do all we can to win him over yet.

This won’t be easy.

Franz, a word?

- I’ll be waiting for you there. - “There”?

I asked Eugénie for a room with some privacy.

Asking for a favor sometimes makes faster friends than doing one.

It’s a proof of friendship.

She even told me how she, too, would wish for a night alone with him again.

I can hardly wait.

Go get him!

L’Hombre.

The Emperor is playing a red solo.

Bravo.

Ah, the most exquisite of guests...

The Austrian Emperor.

Have a seat.

The next round is still open.

They say Napoleon hates losing.

Me, too.

You have the spadille.

You must really be losing sleep over Bismarck

if you lay such a poor card with the hand you’ve got.

I was told you hate to lose.

What else do they say about me?

In Austria?

That you putsched your way up with the puffy chest of a frog thinking he’s an oxen,

are under your wife’s spell like a lapdog,

and that you struggle to make decisions.

That’s a good one!

It’s been ages since someone had the guts to stand up to me.

That’s really good!

Now that you’re here to celebrate, let us truly celebrate!

It’s been a pleasure to play cards with you, Majesty.

Oh, my, now don’t be a spoil-sport!

I have an engagement with my wife.

Really?

Good night, Majesty.

I hope you will choose peace.

- Easy now, let me help... - No, no, I’m fine.

I’m fine.

I’m fine.

You’re pretty out of breath, though.

Here.

Take this.

No, I’m all right.

I’m all right.

What are you doing out here at this hour,

Count Andrássy?

I wanted to go for a swim, but I guess not. Or?

Are you sure? You’ll catch your death!

Better than the Emperor seeing me in another man’s jacket.

- Where is the Empress? - She went for a ride, Majesty.

Good morning.

You got up early.

I was at the beach.

Napoleon made a point of ignoring me.

Meanwhile, I have a small thank-you for Eugénie.

A present from Elisabeth, the Austrian Empress.

I think I just destroyed everything.

Wait, will you?

My husband tells me you’re here to finance a war?

I...

You’re right.

- We’re here to ask you-- - In Laxenburg, we prevented one, together.

That’s what I want now, too.

And I thought you were interested in true friendship.

Please excuse me now.

We are empresses. There may be no such thing as friendship for us.

So you, too, have never had a true friend?

I...

Forgive me...

Please, stay.

“Always be honest and devout, my dear child.

“Love, your mother.”

I’m afraid the mission was a total failure.

Good evening, Joseph!

My wife told me I should introduce someone to you.

Baron de la Font-Chatteuille, President of the Banque Nationale de Paris.

Your Majesty.

You are still interested in a loan?

Your Majesty?

Are you lost?

Have you seen my husband?

I think the gentlemen have something to discuss.

It has been an honor, Your Majesty.

Just promise me one thing.

I will be still as a grave about our deal.

If you’ll allow the advice of a senior statesman...

It is rarely your enemy’s stabs that wound you worst.

Bismarck also spoke to your Hungarian friend.

Count Andrássy.

Your Majesty.

What a pleasure to meet again so surprisingly.

A festivity done well is worth any trip.

Is that so?

I hear your trip was founded in other reasons.

You, too, met with Bismarck, correct?

Do you really think I don’t keep my promises?

May I?

What happened?

- We have the loan. - That’s good, isn’t it?

I wish we could frolic around like that every evening.

Someone has to find out which side Andrássy is on.

Andrássy?

He saved the Hungarians’ lives.

Napoleon said Bismarck spoke to Andrássy as well.

He believes it was the only reason our friend was here.

- So talk to him. - I did.

But I doubt he told me the truth.

If the Hungarians side with the Prussians,

we’re done for.

I’m afraid if there’s one person he’ll tell the truth,

it’s you.

You want me to speak to him?

What?

Andrássy has already left.

But then I’d have to go to Hungary.

Yes.

You would.

Why are you hesitating?

I’m afraid you won’t want to come back.