Original subtitles

It’s over.

Austria has lost the war.

How many dead?

Almost 15 thousand.

And...

what about...

Franz?

We don’t know.

There will soon be riots in Vienna.

The people must know that the House of Habsburg has a future.

Even without Franz.

Who’ll give us our sons back?!

You sent our men to hell!

Your Majesty?

No news yet?

Not yet, Majesty.

Make sure the widows and orphans receive aid, too.

With all due respect, how will you pay for it?

Sell the silverware,

my jewelry, the horses... Whatever you can find.

Very well, Majesty.

And...

did you inquire at the Prussian field hospitals as well,

as I told you to?

I did. Nothing.

It’s as if the Emperor had vanished from the face of the Earth.

Your Majesty,

the royal carriage was seen in Vienna.

Why didn’t you send a message?

So all could see me like this.

Bismarck stopped his march onto Vienna.

Because of you.

Your Majesty, may I offer my help?

Get out.

Get out!

Let me help you.

Please...

Andrássy is alive.

That’s what’s on your mind, isn’t it?

- What do you know about my mind? - More than you think.

- You know nothing. - I can see it in your face!

Your silent desperation...

about life at my side.

- I chose you! - That’s not enough!

We’re not just two people who love each other.

You’ll always remain the Empress at my side.

And that duty will always be stronger than your feelings.

But we could have a freer life.

If you choose it.

You just don’t dare.

Only with the crown, am I.

Can you accept that?

See what I mean?

Your Majesty...

The Emperor sends me.

What is this?

After our loss, Austria will leave the German Federation.

That means we stand alone in Europe.

If the Hungarian rebels capitalize on this weakness,

the empire will be doomed by civil war.

Franz is giving you all powers to install an Hungarian parliament

and to restore the Hungarian constitution.

Franz is sending me to Hungary.

It is the Emperor’s explicit wish that...

Hungary receive the freedom to decide its own future.

- Let me in, I want to speak to my husband. - Pardon, Your Majesty,

we were instructed to let no one pass.

I am his wife,

the Empress.

Franz, please let us speak about this!

- Franz! - Majesty!

- Majesty? - Pack my things, I’m leaving.

Where to?

Hungary.

Hungary...

Send this to Count Andrássy.

We need his help.

Very well.

Majesty,

- how long will you... - I don’t know yet.

My child.

My brave, strong child.

Gentlemen, could you be any slower?!

- How long am I to wait? - Please forgive me, countess.

Take good care of Franz.

Send this letter to Berlin.

As of now, Austria no longer belongs to the German Federation.

HUNGARY

Are you well, Majesty?

It’s not my first diplomatic mission.

That’s not what I meant.

I feel like I’m...

free-falling.

Your Majesty.

Count Andrássy.

Countess.

Vienna sends its sincerest thanks for your services against Prussia.

It was an honor...

and my duty.

The parliament awaits yon tomorrow. But I must warn you.

Many say the time for final segregation has come.

I know.

Your room is prepared.

The ministers are expecting you in the salon.

Those kiss-asses will be fine without me.

Will you stand up Napoleon next week as well?

You know why he’s coming. He wants his money back.

Grünne can hold the eulogy on our nation.

Read it.

You’ll tell me.

Bismarck wants the German Federation to convene.

- He has all he wants. - Seems he doesn’t.

He wants me down on my knees?

Before him and the others.

- Never. - Franz, his armies are still at our border.

- You want me to grovel at his feet. - I want you to act like an emperor.

An emperor...

You wanted that crown.

So show that you’re worthy of it.

I had no choice.

And you know it.

You’re not yourself anymore.

Maybe I am, and for the first time.

Anything else?

Get lost.

You really want me to go?

I believe I made myself quite clear.

Arch-duchess?

Pack everything. Now.

- Come, Gisela, we have to go. - Rudolf.

Yes... Forgive me.

Gisela?

We’re leaving for Possenhofen. With Grandma Ludovica.

Would you like to take your doll?

Thank you. That will be all.

You must be tired from the trip. Would you like to take a bath?

Franz doesn’t expect me to return to Vienna.

I know what you have to lose.

Maybe a bath would be nice.

Yes?

Good night.

Grandma!

Well now! Gisi!

Néné?

Sophie?

What happened?

There’s plenty of room in our coach.

The Hungarian parliament is worse than a bag of fleas.

Empress Elisabeth of Austria!

Hunger,

illness,

war...

All of which the Hungarian people had to endure.

Despite it all, you welcome me.

I thank you for it.

Where’s the Emperor?

Now that he’s lost the war, he sends his wife!

This is the authorization by the Austrian Emperor.

I am authorized to execute all decisions taken here and now.

The Emperor’s only sweet-talking us!

At least let her finish!

Should I call for order?

France, Russia, Prussia...

Our only chance against such mighty nations is to stand together.

This is my offer.

The Emperor continues to represent both countries abroad.

In political and military matters.

In return,

this assembly will finally have all authorities

owed to a free parliament.

Vienna guarantees Hungary interior autonomy,

including its own constitution.

On the basis of this offer,

are you willing to negotiate about Hungary’s future as Austria’s ally?

- Majesty... - I’ve said all I have to say.

- But you can’t just-- - They’re practicing democracy.

I don’t want to disturb them.

Please inform me once they have reached a decision.

Franz, I had a really bad dream... Franz?

Get lost.

Oh, come on...

Get out of here! You whore!

Sisi...

The majority voted for your offer.

But that’s wonderful!

Yes.

- There’s one condition. - Which is...?

The Emperor must be crowned as King of Hungary with Stephan’s Crown.

I thought no one knew where the Holy Crown is?

There is a man who knows where it is.

He’s in prison at Buda Castle.

Ödön Körték.

I need to speak to him, then.

- He’ll never consent. - I have to try anyway.

Fine.

I saw you.

With that woman.

- That was a... - Whore?

Like my mother was?

You are not your mother.

My mother wasn’t a bad person.

You killed her nevertheless.

She betrayed us.

“You can’t make anything better by destroying it.”

I will go.

Farewell.

Get out.

Help!

Your Majesty, I must excuse the Emperor.

- He’s not feeling well. - My general...

His Majesty, Franz Joseph the First,

By the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria.

Good evening, Joseph.

General Count Grünne said you were... ill.

I thank you for your aid, Majesty.

- Without you-- - Even with my aid, you lost.

Even if Austria lost this battle,

I stand by my word.

The payback plan of my debt.

You are not to regret your decision.

My wife gives her best to your wife.

Where is she?

She’s not in Vienna.

Behind these walls, not only society’s scum lingers,

but also cholera.

Are you sure, Majesty, you want to see him?

Take me to him.

You must drink some water.

The cholera is draining you.

Your efforts are in vain, Majesty.

No.

I heard

about what you offered the parliament.

But who guarantees you’ll keep your word?

I do.

The Austrian Empress.

On my life.

On your life...

Big words, don’t you think?

No!

I left my family behind.

My children, my husband, just to be here with you,

a man marked by cholera.

How’s that for proof?

Yes.

I am a dying man.

But that’s a far cry from decent proof.

Well, then.

Will you give me the honor of a last kiss?

If you live to tell about it,

you will have your crown.

If I take you with me to my grave,

I shall have my revenge.

Revenge?

For my sister’s death.

Your sister?

What happened to her?

So he hasn’t even told you about her?

Although you look so much like her.

My sister...

was Gyula’s wife.

She was raped,

and strung up on a tree.

- Who...? - Your Majesty’s soldiers.

You don’t believe me?

Ask him.

Katharina was his life to him.

The apple of his eye.

Hungary can find peace only without Austria.

I will prove the contrary to you.

What is one life compared to a thousand?

Under the tree from which she hung.

That is where you must dig.

- Why do you help me if it was your people... - Why did you risk your life just now?

It’s not very far from here, is it?

I can head on alone.

I’ll give my all

so that never again there be such suffering in the name of the crown.

I know.

Your Majesty, a telegram from Hungary.

What is it?

My God, cholera.

Sisi lies dying.

God be with us.

What will you do?

Get the fastest horses you can find.

And wait for me outside.

His Majesty, Franz Joseph the First,

By the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria.

I lost this war.

And I assume the consequences.

I hereby resign from the German Federation.

In memory of the fallen soldiers

of both parties,

I wish

that my signature may finally seal peace between our nations.

And now, gentlemen, please excuse me.

Majesty...

Majesty...

She won’t even swallow anymore.

Your Majesty!

Countess.

Leave us alone.

Yes.

Please.

Sisi...

It’s me.

Please don’t leave me.

I love you.

Your Majesty, come.

I’ve had a room prepared for you.

Sisi!

How do you feel?

I thought for a moment...

death had come for me.

Franz is here.

Shall I... send for him?

How are our children?

They’re in Possenhofen with your.parents.

I expelled my mother from the court.

She took the children with her.

Lately, I haven’t been in the greatest shape.

I’m so happy you’re alive.

Sisi, you...

You and I,

the two of us, together...

It means everything to me.

We did what you asked of us.

Your Majesty.

The Hungarian Parliament has chosen freedom, and you.

You are to become King of Hungary.

Hungary will remain by your side.

Be Hungary’s worthy sovereign.

Take good care of her.

Today we’ll get it done.

- Should I help you? - No.

Easy now...

Easy does it.

Majesty. A message from Franz.

Finally.

Would Your Majesty allow me to have a seat?

Please do, countess.

Thank you.

Franz has dispensed me from my duty of being at his side

for the coronation, as well as of all other duties.

During that night,

when I stood face to face with death...

Death is a formidable teacher, Majesty.

I sensed that I wanted to live.

To savor all that I have been gifted.

There’s so much more than the Hofburg’s cold marble.

But I understood something else, too.

All that

I long for...

is nothing...

Without love.

If you wish, Majesty,

I will help you find what you are searching for.

I once said,

“An empress will never have a true friend.”

Yes.

I must have been wrong.

It is time.

Sisi.

Why are you here?

If anyone can find a way,

we can.