Original subtitles

• Your lozenge, Lord Cardinal. • Thank you, Fouquet.

You are always so thoughtful.

This may be a great day for France.

Hmm. Might I suggest that if His Majesty has a son,

that this son might need a tutor?

I have noticed that you also think far ahead.

My only thought is to serve to the limit of my poor ability.

His Majesty, the King!

Well, how much longer do we have to wait?

• Is there no news yet? • Not yet, Your Majesty.

A matter of this kind demands patience. Even from a king.

For a cardinal, you're not very consoling in a crisis.

D'Artagnan, do you remember that morning we were getting ready

to fight the Austrian Army? • Yes, Sire, very well.

I felt a lot braver that morning.

If your Majesty pleases,

it's a boy! A beautiful boy!

A boy!

It has pleased Almighty God, King of Heaven,

to bless the union of His Majesty King Louis XIII of France

and our dearly beloved Queen

by giving to them and to you a son.

This is the heir to the throne of France.

• Send for the King at once. • The King? Impossible. Listen.

Colbert then. Yes, that's it, Colbert. He'll know what to do.

Colbert! Where is Monsieur Colbert, please?

On the balcony with His Majesty.

Well? What is it?

Her Majesty has given birth to a second child.

• Second child? • Yes.

A son. A twin.

Another son...

Shall I take this other son to the King?

Impossible!

Who knows of this?

Only the midwife and myself.

No one else must know.

• Must you take him too? • Your Majesty knows better than I

that your sons belong to France.

• Follow me. • Yes, but Her Majesty...

• I will answer for Her Majesty. • Yes, my Lord.

Well, the messenger said it was urgent. What is it?

It is my duty to present to Your Majesty your second son.

Fate has given France twin dauphins.

Two sons.

Two heirs to the throne of France.

Your Majesty knows there can be only one Dauphin of France.

To any other man in this kingdom twin sons would be a blessing.

Only to me, a king, could they be a curse.

Worse than a curse, Sire.

Two sons would mean civil war.

Self-seeking men pitting brother against brother.

The future of France depends on this moment.

On your being strong enough to think as a king, rather than as a father.

Of your sons, only one can rule.

Colbert,

I cannot order a death warrant for my own son.

That isn't necessary, Sire.

Send him away. No one need know.

• Even he must never know. • With whom?

Is there a man in all the world with whom such a secret would be safe?

Yes, Sire. One man.

• D'Artagnan. • D'Artagnan?

Must I lose my son and my best friend as well?

D'Artagnan is my right arm.

He is also my friend, Sire.

But you must give him the child.

Send him home to Gascony.

Settle an income on him.

Permit him to raise the boy as his own.

Then France will be safe.

My son.

How many times have we fought shoulder to shoulder for France?

How many times has the life of the King of France been safe in your hands?

My friend, d'Artagnan,

will you do this for me?

I am a soldier, Sire.

See that he has horses, everything.

All will be done, Sire.

I will miss you, my friend.

Go now. Quickly.

In days to come, Sire,

he may ask his father's name.

Tell him his father was a man who gave everything for France

and was your very good friend.

Name him Philip, after me.

The doctor and the midwife?

It's a pity there's no d'Artagnan for them.

Would you like to double the wager, Fouquet?

But the rope always breaks the fourth time.

• Your Majesty is unusually lucky. • I am a most unusual person.

It didn't break.

It always breaks the fourth time.

Are you sure you didn't tamper with that rope, Fouquet?

Your Majesty.

I regret intruding upon Your Majesty's amusement.

I'll double the wager on the next one, Fouquet.

Monsieur Colbert here took it upon himself to countermand the other executions.

For what reason?

I have the honor to inform Your Majesty

that Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Theresa entered Paris this morning.

Surely the arrival of your fiancée should not be attended by,

by hangings. • Don't they hang people in Spain,

or does everyone pay his taxes?

Well, she'll get used to it.

Particularly if the tax on salt is not rescinded.

But Fouquet told me I could raise millions with... a little pinch of salt.

Such a beautiful tax. So sure. No one can live without salt.

History shows that the people have a way of going on living,

no matter what.

Speaking of the salt tax, uh, reminds me,

I'm afraid I have to adopt drastic measures in Gascony.

The inhabitants of the town of Tartas

made some ridiculous claim to exemption from all taxes, and they

resisted Your Majesty's tax collector. • Resisted?

More than resisted. They put Your Majesty's representatives to flight.

They were led by a man named d'Artagnan.

Must we always be annoyed by these rebels?

I know the man, Sire.

He was Captain of your father's musketeers, and he spoke the truth.

For services to the Crown, your father gave him the village of Tartas,

free of taxes.

Such a reward probably grew out of some special service?

Collect the taxes in Gascony and arrest the rebels.

I've anticipated both of Your Majesty's commands.

Clever, Fouquet.

I seem to have an engagement with Mlle. de La Vallière.

I find her so useful in relieving me of such tiresome problems of state.

Ah!

Quite interesting this Gascony situation, don't you think?

I watched your career with great interest, Fouquet.

I know you to be ambitious, avaricious, and dangerous.

But not until now did I know you to be entirely without honor.

Without honor, I?

You knew very well the identity of d'Artagnan

and of the men with him. • Oh, yes, certainly,

including Philip. • And yet to curry favor with the King

you would betray a sacred trust.

A secret which has been kept until now.

My dear Colbert, how can you say such a thing?

You should know better than anyone that a certain secret transformed me

from a Cardinal's messenger to a King's Minister.

Keeping secrets is my business.

And are your intentions one of your secrets, too?

Not at all. I intend arresting Philip and d'Artagnan

and hanging them as rebels. It's a compliment

to you, my friend.

Colbert,

you're a very clever man.

You have a most annoying habit of always bringing about the things

you wish to bring about. For instance, this marriage with Maria Theresa,

which does not suit me at all.

The union of France with Spain and Austria is necessary

to the security and future of France.

But I am not interested in the future of France.

I am interested in the future of Fouquet.

Who knows,

someday you may have certain plans for Philip.

Well, that would be most unfortunate for me, but

don't worry, I intend keeping this secret.

When I hang Philip,

no one will know that he's the twin brother of the King.

Before you hang him, the world will know who he is.

Shhh.

Remember,

secrets.

Gentlemen!

Musketeers!

He means you too.

According to the tradition governing these occasions,

I wish to express my pleasure at the honor of having you help me arrive

at the ripe old age of twenty-two. • Hear, hear!

For France!

To my father, who died forever true.

To my four godfathers, who reared me so carefully in the best tradition

of the King's Musketeers.

Musketeers!

I claim the next toast.

To our very accomplished godson,

the best blade in France—

next to me, of course.

And the most brilliant pupil

in languages and the sciences that I have ever tutored.

And whose skill at wrestling is excelled by one other man—and I,

I'm too modest to mention his name.

And who excels even me

in the more romantic pastimes, including

dice shaking.

Hoorah!

• You're sure this is d'Artagnan's house? • How could I mistake it?

I've been here before.

Do you realize the people of our own town of Tartas

are the only Frenchmen who aren't starving and in rags?

Which is too good to last long.

Remember, we've already had one encounter with the Royal Tax Collectors.

To which we put a period, with a sword point.

I can't remember inviting any other guests.

Captain d'Artagnan, formerly of the King's Musketeers?

And Lord of Tanas by order of Louis XIII.

By order of His Majesty Louis XIV, I arrest you for high treason:

an assault on His Majesty's officers.

You mean, His Majesty's robbers?

I order you to surrender in the name of the King!

Softly, my friend.

In Tartas, I administer the high, the middle, and the low justice.

I make the arrests.

Is the King becoming frugal? Only nine men?

• There's ninety more outside. • Flatterer!

Seize them!

Come along. Get on.

This is my first trip to Paris in twenty years!

And at the King's expense!

Your Majesty!

Her Royal Highness Maria Theresa,

Infanta of Spain, Princess of Austria,

and His Excellency Count Mendosa,

Ambassador of the King of Spain.

Your Majesty,

I present His Excellency the Spanish Ambassador.

Your Majesty.

We are pleased to receive you.

I have the honor to present Her Royal Highness,

Maria Theresa.

My mother.

Monsieur Fouquet.

I trust Your Royal Highness made a comfortable journey.

Monsieur Colbert, whom you sent to welcome us, was most considerate.

Why did you permit me to think I was sacrificing myself

for the good of the state,

when I find her beautiful?

Do I make you nervous?

No.

No, Your Majesty.

• It was the cannon. • Oh, you'll get used to that.

They seem always to be firing cannons in my honor.

You're very lovely, my dear.

Of course you're nervous.

I know just how you feel.

But you'll feel at home very quickly.

I'll try very hard.

Your Majesties, dinner is served.

We always have a family gathering on my birthday.

Just a few special guests.

Oh, Mademoiselle.

Forgive me, Your Royal Highness,

may I present Mlle. de La Vallière?

You might congratulate me.

It's not only my birthday, but I'm engaged to be married.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

I hope your Royal Highness will be very happy.

• A penny for your thoughts. • They're not worth a great deal.

I was just remembering. Your Majesty mentioned

a family dinner.

Mlle. de La Vallière?

Oh, I always think of her as one of the family.

I hope you enjoyed your journey through France.

It was slightly confusing, Your Majesty.

I find it very difficult to associate the poverty of the provinces

with the splendor of the palace.

The people of France are notorious misers.

But I am not a miser.

I have been taught to believe that when the people wear rags

and the king and his court wear velvet, the result is always disastrous.

May I ask why you're so interested in the people of France?

Perhaps it's because I've agreed to become the Queen of France.

My father considers himself a servant of the state.

It's different with me.

In, France I am the state.

A gentle protest against the salt tax, no doubt.

That's for His Majesty's birthday.

Tomorrow he dies.

Get away from these gates! Every one of you, away from these gates!

• Arrest him! • I didn't do it! I didn't do it!

• Who did? • I don't know! I don't know!

Take him to the Bastille, we'll find out.

So, they don't like the salt tax.

Double it!

Revive him.

Proceed.

No! No!

I can't stand it! I'll tell! I'll tell!

You see? The glove always works.

Usually on the first or second finger.

I remember a very stubborn fellow. He withstood four fingers.

Until we came to his thumb.

I almost pardoned him.

Tomorrow,

when His Majesty goes to the Cathedral

to light a candle, he will be assassinated.

By whom?

I don't know, Sire.

I only overheard them talking, just before I was arrested.

I was not one of them.

When and where?

I don't know, Sire, I don't know.

I don't know!

He may be telling the truth, Sire.

He is telling the truth.

Once they start talking, they tell everything they know.

It would be well if my Lord High Constable would tell me

a few things about this assassination. • I'm doing everything I can, Sire.

It's not enough!

How thoughtful of them.

They've sent my carriage early to be sure I'm not late in keeping my rendezvous

with the assassins. • But, Your Majesty, it's madness.

• You can't expose yourself like this. • My dear Lord Constable,

you've said the same thing at least fifty times. But it doesn't change the situation.

Today is my late lamented father's name day. Tradition demands

that I light a candle to his memory in the Cathedral.

The King fears tradition more than assassination.

There's a chance for me to escape assassination, but no chance to escape tradition.

• It's one of those unfortunate things connected with being King. • But Your Majesty, give me more time,

if only to discover when and where they intend to strike.

You've had a thousand men trying to discover that small point since last night,

and it's still a secret.

In exactly an hour and 20 minutes it will no longer be a secret.

• No one knows of this? • No, Sire.

Just you and I, and the assassins.

I'm happy to report the Gascony business is finished, Your Majesty.

• I have the rebels below. • Gascony? Rebels?

Why, yes, Your Majesty, d'Artagnan and the men who assaulted Your Majesty's officers.

Why are you annoying me with prisoners from Gascony?

Haven't you learned yet what do to with rebels?

It shall be done the moment I have Your Majesty's signature

to the order of execution.

• See that my carriage is ready. • Yes, Sire.

Uh, your Majesty is hanging a most interesting prisoner.

What?

Fouquet neglected to tell Your Majesty

that on the way from Gascony he was cheered repeatedly

by villagers. And just now, in the courtyard below,

your own officers saluted him. • What for?

Probably because of the striking resemblance the prisoner bears

to Your Majesty.

Didn't Fouquet mention that fact?

I failed to detect any resemblance.

You mean, they cheered because they thought the prisoner was I?

• Yes, Sire. • Hmm,

interesting,

and very unusual.

• Does he really resemble me? • It's astonishing.

Except for the mustache, he might be your double.

But...

• I think I'd like to see this fellow. • But, Your Majesty, it's absurd.

I feel in the mood for absurdities.

• Bring him to me. • But...

Bring him, I said.

Why not bring them all?

They breed a more dashing type of rebel in Gascony.

Your Majesty might find them interesting, too.

Bring them all.

Line up there.

Your eyes did not deceive you, Colbert.

He does look like me,

except, of course, for the silly mustache.

• I can hardly believe it. • I also have a slight scar,

a souvenir from one of Your Majesty's tax collectors.

So you're the Gascon rebel who objects to paying taxes and goes about

cutting down my men.

Your Majesty could have taught your men better manners.

Has a sense of humor, too.

Yes. A very pointed sense of humor, Your Majesty.

It took a troop of Your Majesty's best men to curb it.

Remove them to the Bastille.

All but this one. I wish to talk to him.

What we do with them depends on our conversation.

Very well, Your Majesty.

Take them away.

• All but this one. • March!

Come here.

Do you know what happens to rebels?

• I usually hang them. • So I've heard.

I see that you're quite fond of your friends.

Very fond, Sire.

You could be quite useful to me.

For instance, at the moment my carriage is waiting to take me to the Cathedral

to light a candle in memory of my father.

It's very gracious of Your Majesty to remember his father.

It would be most amusing if you perform the ceremony, impersonating me.

I'm willing to do anything to save my friends, Sire.

Good! I was hoping you'd say that.

Suppose you begin by riding to the Cathedral in my carriage?

Without the mustache, of course.

I left Gascony quite suddenly, so I'll have to borrow Your Majesty's razor

and his clothes.

But hurry.

Attention!

His Majesty the King!

To the Cathedral. Forward, march!

Here they come! Here they come!

Here they come!

The King is on his way. His carriage is just turning into the street.

Good!

Here they come!

Seize them! Cut them down!

Stop!

Well?

Go on. Kill me like you've killed the rest of France!

• Why should I wish to kill you? • But, Your Majesty!

This is assassination!

These aren't enemies you're riding down. They're the people of France.

Since when has the King of France had cause to fear Frenchmen?

• What's your name, my friend? • Jean Paul, Your Majesty.

• Why did you want to kill the King? • Well, why do you want to kill us?

Your Majesty, this man is no assassin.

Last night his baby died of hunger.

And this man is no murderer, Your Majesty.

The day before yesterday his wife died.

No medicine, no doctor.

All these people have suffered, Your Majesty.

But what does Your Majesty know about suffering?

You live in a palace.

I want you to believe I'll do everything I can to change all that.

Oh, Sire, if we could only believe that.

The King of France has made many mistakes.

The greatest is losing common touch with his people.

I pray that the King be forgiven his mistake.

God bless Your Majesty.

Vive le Roi!

Vive le Roi!

Forgive my intrusion.

I insisted I be allowed to enter.

I just heard how you proved yourself like a true king.

Strangely enough, I've never felt more like a king.

I came the moment I knew you were in danger.

Why?

Is it not my duty as Queen of France

to be at the side of the King in time of danger?

The King would be an ungrateful wretch

if he failed to appreciate such a sense of duty,

but the most unfortunate man if it was only duty that brought you to his side.

The King has shown very little pleasure at the prospect of my company.

This moment I pray that the King be forgiven his mistake.

I too wish to light a candle,

not in commemoration,

but in thanksgiving.

They look beautiful,

side by side.

Let us pray. In nomine pa...

I'm sure you understand why it's better for you to live at Fontainebleau.

The Spanish Ambassador is becoming just a little difficult.

You're quite sure it's not the Spanish Princess?

I'm rather disappointed in the Spaniards.

I've heard that they're a very hot-blooded race.

• Not if Maria Theresa is an example. • Yes, I have noticed.

Perhaps she requires special encouragement.

I became King on my fifth birthday.

By my sixth, I'd learned not to offer encouragement.

Sooner or later everyone comes to me.

A pity you did not also learn how to be in two places at one time.

I may surprise you.

Remember, I am a most unusual person.

Really?

• His Majesty? • I regret to inform Your Royal Highness

that His Majesty is engaged.

• Oh, but if you tell him who it is? • I am sorry.

But when I left His Majesty half an hour ago on our return from the Cathedral

he seemed most anxious to continue our conversation.

I know.

I know. Kings have such short memories.

But I am sure it would not disturb him to know that I...

Your Royal Highness,

I have learned through long experience never to disturb His Majesty

for anyone... when he is with Mlle. de La Vallière.

Thank you.

His Majesty need have no fear of my disturbing him again!

Deliver this in person to my father the King. Guard it with your life.

• Yes, Your Royal Highness. • Go now.

If it please Your Excellency.

Yes, yes, yes, yes? Well, what happened?

The Princess was furious. She stormed in and immediately wrote

a dispatch to her father.

Her father, eh? What did she say?

I don't know. I couldn't get close enough to see.

You should have done better, fool!

Now I have to find out what she wrote!

Get out!

I've been searching everywhere for you.

I suppose I should feel honored.

Do you not have an engagement with me in the salon to hear music?

• Is it good form to keep the King waiting? • I could hardly expect Your Majesty

to remember a thing so unimportant as an engagement with me to hear music!

It's very important. At least to the musicians.

I don't find myself in the mood for music. In the past few hours

my appreciation of the beautiful suffered a great deal.

I wouldn't say that.

That's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen,

but the moment I leave you, I completely forget what you wore.

And who wore it.

I'd be able to remember nothing but how beautiful you were.

Won't you sit down?

Please.

Your Majesty is not always so preoccupied.

What are you thinking about?

I'm thinking that after all it may not be necessary for you to go to Fontainebleau.

But the Spanish Ambassador...

There's one thing the Spanish Ambassador does not know:

that I am a very unusual person.

You know, I've just made a great discovery:

stars are very beautiful in a proper setting.

Your Majesty has never given me cause to suspect him of

romantic inclinations.

Lately I've been made aware that the King has been guilty

of many sins of omission.

Why were you angry?

Because I should hate you. Thoroughly.

And I can't.

At least there's still hope if you must force yourself to hate me.

Why?

Perhaps because I've been very lonely.

I'm a stranger in a strange land.

A very beautiful and greatly loved stranger.

To be Queen I had to leave everything I loved.

I had hoped that perhaps the King might sometimes forget I was Queen

and remember I'm also a woman.

You were afraid the King would forget you're a woman?

How could any man forget that?

I think twice the King did remember.

Once in the Cathedral.

And now.

When kings were created

they were not given godlike qualities to save them from mistakes.

Haven't you ever found yourself sorry for a king?

Yes.

I'm beginning to realize that princesses also make mistakes.

One can forget any mistake a princess might make.

Not when it's in writing.

Your Majesty,

I find myself in possession of a most confidential and urgent message

from Her Royal Highness Maria Theresa to her father.

I thought Your Majesty might be interested.

• From Maria Theresa? • Yes.

How do you find yourself in possession of it?

The courier who carried it met with a most unfortunate accident.

• Your usual type of accident I suppose? • Oh no, Sire, much better than usual.

• Did you read this? • Uh...

well... no... that is...

not officially.

So, I am cruel, arrogant, a spendthrift, a liar, and a Turk!

But, of course, you will forgive her. She merely does not understand Your Majesty.

Forgive her?

The Spanish Ambassador

demands an audience with Your Majesty.

You see what happens when you encourage barbarians?

He demands!

Even among barbarians a king's courier may travel in safety.

I protest with all vehemence, in the name of my King,

the cold murder of his messenger!

My dear Ambassador, what are you saying?

I am saying that a courier carrying a letter from Her Royal Highness

the Princess Maria Theresa to the King of Spain was murdered,

his body robbed and thrown into a ditch.

Why was I not told of this?

It's ghastly, impossible!

You're sure Your Excellency is not exaggerating?

His body lies at my house.

I trust you will accept my apology.

If my fiancée will rewrite her letter, I will guarantee its delivery.

Was it an important letter?

It was a letter from a daughter to her father.

Oh, yes,

probably mentioning her complete happiness here

and the eagerness with which she looks forward to becoming the Queen of France.

I hope she included my warmest remembrances.

I have no doubt she did speak of you, Sire.

Properly told her father that I was cruel, arrogant,

a spendthrift.

But pardon me your indignation.

Please assure the King of Spain that I will discover the perpetrator

of this outrage and will know how to reward him.

I will convey your assurances to my sovereign.

I assured the Ambassador that I would reward the perpetrator of the outrage.

Here's a trinket that will look very well there.

Your Majesty.

Oh, I neglected to inform Your Majesty

that Her Royal Highness is engaged in packing her trunks.

Her Royal Highness is saving us the trouble of having it done for her.

But what of the Spanish alliance, which means so much to Colbert?

I have decided to prefer the English alliance.

After all, a navy is just as important as an army.

It will be very difficult to explain that to Colbert.

I have no intention of explaining it to Colbert.

In fact I suddenly feel the need to escape from matters of state.

Yes, definitely, I will go to Fontainebleau.

Lovely place, Fontainebleau.

Hmm, lovely.

His Excellency Count Mendosa.

Well? I suppose he pleaded ignorance of the entire affair.

It's a most delicate situation, Your Royal Highness.

I cannot understand this man.

In one moment he holds my hand and makes love to me,

almost making me believe him. And in the next,

he murders one of my servants! • Murderer or not,

he knows the contents of your letter. • Good!

I am glad! I hope every word

infuriates and humiliates him as much as it did me when I wrote it.

• I hope you bring me liberty. • More than liberty.

• I bring you opportunity. • All I need is opportunity.

Philip,

I knew your father, very well.

You knew my father?

What was he like?

It's the sorrow of my life that I never knew him.

He was a great man.

No sacrifice for his country was too difficult.

You can follow in his footsteps.

An hour ago, in rage and disgust,

Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Theresa left for Spain.

• You mean, she ran away from Louis? • Yes.

Good!

But I am here to ask you to follow her and bring her back.

Bring her back to such a man? Never!

Your father would have forgotten his personal feelings

and remembered only his duty to France.

But it's insanity. Only the King could bring her back.

I am offering you an opportunity to be King! If only for one day.

France needs a good king. You have only to stand

on the balcony before the people for the betrothal ceremony.

Long enough to proclaim the union between

Spain and France.

King for one day.

In one minute, the King could free d'Artagnan and my friends.

I would only need to be King for one day for my purpose.

And for mine.

Halt! Halt!

• Shoot, fool! • Shoot?

• The King? • The King?

Why do we stop?

I took the liberty of stopping your carriage.

Has your Majesty descended to highway robbery in person?

If I have, I'm merely following your example.

After all, you're robbing me of your presence.

I forbid you to enter my carriage!

There must be some mistake.

I thought I was the King of France who gave the commands.

• You might at least have said goodbye. • Goodbye!

I'm going to miss you. France will not be the same.

Why are you going?

How dare you ask me such a question?

I dare because France and I both love you.

Love? You don't know the meaning of the word.

You never loved anyone but yourself.

What kind of man are you? In one moment you speak of love,

while at the same time you're murdering my courier.

I'll never again believe anything you say or do!

Will you please believe that I know nothing of your courier?

Believe you? When you quoted from my letter to the Ambassador?

But I never saw your letter. On my honor.

On your Royal Honor?

More than my Royal Honor. On my sacred honor.

I do not believe you!

Well then perhaps it is just as well that you are returning to Spain.

You're hardly fitted to become the Queen of France.

You haven't learned that the problems of the nation and its people

are more important than the problems of any individual.

I do not need lessons in duty or conduct from you.

If this were the army, your retreat would be called desertion,

cowardice in the face of the enemy,

if I were your enemy.

If our problems were only as simple.

It would be so easy taking you by the hand and running away.

The trouble with being King is that one can never run away, not even with you.

I didn't think Your Majesty was a running-away type,

with anyone.

Dear lady, believe me, if we could escape our destiny

by my forgetting that I was ever King of France,

by taking you by the hand and going off with you across those fields,

we would descend from this coach forever, and I would be

the happiest man in the world,

far happier than I ever expect to be as King.

I wish I could believe you.

Did you ever dream with your eyes wide open?

I used to dream.

A long, long time ago.

I want you to dream of a balcony,

and under that balcony thousands faces looking up at you with adoration

and affection.

I want you to hear the voice of a Cardinal saying to those people,

"Heaven is pleased to join Spain with France."

I want you to see me beside you at that moment.

I must be dreaming.

I do believe you.

Heaven is pleased to join Spain with France.

Do you, Maria Theresa, take this man to be your betrothed?

I, Maria Theresa, take thee, Louis, to be my betrothed.

And do you, Louis, take this woman, to be your betrothed?

I... Louis, take thee, Maria Theresa, to be my betrothed.

I find myself wishing that this were a marriage ceremony

instead of just a betrothal.

Then I could add, "to have and to hold."

Let me congratulate you, my friend. But then

you've always had a most annoying habit of bringing about the things

you wish to bring about.

A most amusing comedy, worthy of so great a playwright.

As a fellow playwright, you understand how narrow the line is dividing

comedy from tragedy. • Quite right,

and I'm afraid His Majesty's executioner will provide the tragedy

when this charming little comedy is finished.

His Majesty's executioner could provide the tragedy

before the comedy is finished. Remember our secrets.

You and I know that the King is at Fontainebleau,

but the executioner doesn't. One word from Philip...

His Majesty left for Fontainebleau an hour ago.

He'll arrive there before you do. Say to him

that the announcement of his betrothal to Her Royal Highness Maria Theresa

has cause great rejoicing among the people. Ride fast!

His Majesty will be most anxious to receive such news.

Pardon, Majesty, this is the cell.

They are desperate men, Majesty.

I'm quite used to dealing with desperate men.

No, no, Sire, I insist.

I shall go first.

On your knees, dogs! His Majesty the King!

So, these are the rebels.

We regret our ignorance of Your Majesty's visit

or we'd have received you in greater honor.

I trust you gentlemen have enjoyed our hospitality?

Very much. We've received every consideration we expected.

I'm glad to see you're entirely happy.

We'd be much happier if we had news of Philip.

I suggest that Your Majesty treat him well,

just in the event that we escape hanging.

Your Majesty,

he means by that that we are very fond of Philip.

I don't understand how anyone could be fond of such a fellow.

I find him tiresome,

ill tempered, and inclined to be a fool.

Your Majesty has never had the pleasure of meeting him

at the point of a sword.

Leave us. They may have secrets.

Yes, Your Majesty. Certainly, Your Majesty.

Don't you know me?

You recognize this?

Philip!

There's no time for celebration. This is the only way I could free you.

I've written a note of your release.

There are arms, horses, everything outside.

Remember the little inn in Bordeaux? Wait for me there. Get back!

These are innocent men.

Here's my order for their release. See that it's carried out.

• Immediately. • Yes, Your Majesty.

That is all.

Philip.

Don't you understand? You must go, quickly.

• Even now it may be too late. • I was King for your object.

You wouldn't have me forget mine.

By now d'Artagnan, Aramis, Porthos, and Athos

are riding southward on the four best horses in France.

They're gone?

It wasn't very difficult. I merely walked into the Bastille.

• The Bastille? • A very dismal place.

• I was glad to get out of it myself. • I should say so.

• But now you must go, quickly. • No, not yet.

Before I abdicate,

I must say goodbye to the one person who, I hope,

will be sorry that my reign is over. • Philip, go while you can.

Everything is ready. A horse, money, passport.

Thank you, my friend.

I appreciate everything you've done for me.

I hope France will appreciate everything you've done for her.

Remember,

you do not act until he's clear of the city.

But, Excellency, I do not understand. Capture the King?

I don't require you to understand.

I understand.

Your Majesty.

Forgive me for calling so late,

but I felt I had to see you, to say good-night.

Tonight I stood with you on a balcony and kissed you.

I want you to know I'll remember how beautiful you were

till the moment of my death.

Louis,

you have such a frightened look.

If I am frightened, it's at the thought of losing you.

Losing me?

Kings are strange men.

It's true they have short memories

and are capable of dealing deep wounds.

Never trust a king completely.

Not even Louis.

Hold that remembrance of me.

Good night.

Stand aside, Fouquet. How dare you attack the King?

Your Majesty,

who could dream of you stealing out of the palace alone like a criminal? Why,

I mistook you for a common thief. You might have been badly hurt, even killed!

Well, now that you know who I am, stand aside.

I couldn't possibly permit Your Majesty to take such risks.

It would be much better if Your Majesty would return to the palace...

willingly.

I'm beginning to understand why you are so valuable to the King.

Hmm. Very efficient.

But then, they've had a lot of practice.

I should have taken Fouquet's advice and hanged you in the first place!

You are equally guilty!

Your Majesty could hardly expect me to know that you were absent

when you do not see fit to tell me.

Strange that such an impromptu impersonation accomplished

all your desires. • All, Sire?

Isn't it enough that you compromised me with Spain?

Made me a laughing stock?

The only unfortunate thing for you both is that I am about to have the last laugh.

This time I'll wager that the rope will not break!

I've always said Your Majesty is unusually lucky.

I feel gratified that my end will at least be a sporting proposition.

I live my life the same way.

It's only by chance that I am at the wrong end of the rope.

I regret having to ask you to precede your friends whom you so cleverly

set at liberty. But I'll see that they follow you, quickly.

That is also a sporting proposition.

I'm glad the odds in their favor are much greater than in mine.

Call the Guard of Honor.

We must escort the ex-king to the scaffold with proper ceremony.

Yes, Your Majesty. And, of course,

with rolling drums.

By all means with rolling drums. You might also fire a cannon or two.

I appreciate the honor.

It grieves me to prevent such a touching ceremony,

but the hanging of Philip is quite impossible.

Impossible?

My dear Colbert, not even your hanging is impossible.

Mine? No, Sire. But his, yes.

Not even a king may shed royal blood.

Royal blood?

I am saving Your Majesty the embarrassment

of hanging your twin brother!

Brother?

It seems that you've outlived your usefulness.

Not yet, Sire, I hope.

Do you expect me to believe such an insane lie?

In the past you've been more clever, Colbert!

But never more truthful, Sire,

as Your Majesty's friend Fouquet will testify.

You see, we were both present at your birth, and his.

I, by right.

Fouquet, as usual.

Tell His Majesty, Fouquet,

how his father, King Louis XIII, sent his twin son, Philip,

to Gascony with d'Artagnan, and how, quite by chance,

Louis became King.

I suppose you have further convincing proof.

If Your Majesty is not convinced that he stands face to face

with his own likeness, I shall be glad to present the final,

unimpeachable proof. With Your Majesty's permission, of course.

I hope it's a pleasant surprise.

I promise Your Majesty will not be disappointed.

Philip...

My son.

My son.

I often dreamed of meeting my mother in life.

I find equal happiness in meeting her in death.

In death?

Does Your Majesty require further proof?

It would have been better, Madam, if you had stayed in your convent.

Why do you demand vengeance on a boy who has committed no crime

but to be born your twin?

Kings do not control these things. Destiny controls them.

If Philip's resemblance to Your Majesty offends you,

you could exile him

to some place where the resemblance would have no meaning.

There are times, Colbert, much as you annoy me,

when I suspect you of being a genius.

You're right. I couldn't hang him,

not because he's my brother,

but because it would be like hanging myself,

watching myself dangle from the end of the rope.

End the resemblance.

Send him to a place where he never will be seen again.

Of course...

I know how well you love power, Fouquet.

But you'll never know complete power till you've been obeyed in a place like this.

Only the King is obeyed here.

I have no aspiration for the throne, Your Majesty.

Which is most fortunate.

At the moment I'm engaged in creating a kingdom

for a man who might have such aspiration.

Of course I'm generous:

I'll provide him with all the trappings of a king, even to a throne.

True, his kingdom may be rather limited.

In fact, it is limited.

Limited to the walls of the cell above here.

A most amusing thought, Your Majesty.

Yes. It becomes positively hilarious when you think that

Colbert gave me the idea.

It's a masterpiece.

Of course, that was my idea.

I thought it would be too confusing, two kings, both of them so much alike.

So, I decided that one of the kings should wear the mask

so as to avoid all confusion.

Quite ingenious. Covers the whole head

and locks around the neck. • Most ingenious.

I wonder how long it takes the beard to grow, Fouquet.

Imagine not being able to get that thing off your head

and being strangled to death by your own beard.

Of course

there will only be one key, which I shall keep.

I think I'll wear it on a golden chain,

here, next to my heart.

Get in there!

His Majesty's order of imprisonment

for life.

"Guilty of high treason.

Solitary confinement for life.

Receive no visitors.

To be treated as any other prisoner,

except he must be spoken to as a king."

King...

spoken to as a king!

Good night, "Your Majesty".

Good morning, Your Majesty.

I'm sure Your Majesty will be delighted to know that the king of

the Bastille is securely seated on his throne. It's his anniversary, you know.

He began his reign a month ago today.

I trust "His Majesty" finds his kingdom to his liking.

And his crown.

I've been thinking.

It may be necessary to create another such

kingdom for my esteemed colleague Colbert.

If you pardon me,

I know Colbert.

He'll dedicate his life

to the liberation of Philip, which, of course,

may be interpreted as a patriotic gesture, particularly

if he should convince himself that Philip has an equal claim

to Your Majesty's crown.

A man dead of a broken neck cannot devote his life to anything.

What?

Hang Colbert? Oh, no. No, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty forgets,

Colbert is the friend of the people. They admire his honesty.

One of the things about Colbert that irks me most

is that like Caesar's wife he is above reproach.

Oh, I wouldn't say that, Your Majesty.

• All men make mistakes. • Not Colbert.

Well, I think he made a mistake

when he signed this receipt.

Mistake? Receipt for 50 francs?

Your Majesty, supposing a comma

and three zeroes appeared after the 50, making it 50,000 francs?

Your Majesty would then ask the impregnable Colbert just

what he did with the other 49,950 francs, and

he would have no answer.

It's quite possible, isn't it, that the people wouldn't cheer

quite so loudly for an embezzler

and criminal.

Too had my friend has not room for another medal.

If your Majesty is thinking of a reward for my poor services,

might I suggest, Mme. Fouquet

would just love to be a duchess.

You know how women are.

On the day that Colbert is hanged,

Mme. Fouquet shall become a duchess.

Your Majesty.

What a pity.

Such a great patriot.

Watch your footing here, gentlemen.

The main Paris sewer runs through here.

D'Artagnan!

• How did you get here? • I have not forgotten

the underground passageways even after 20 years.

Oh, but this is insane. There's a price on your head, all of you.

• A good one, I hope. • I always like to be remembered.

Isn't it enough that you are hunted, I am about to be hunted,

why must you come here of all places?

We had a rendezvous with Philip in Bordeaux, which he did not keep.

Yes, I know.

Where is Philip?

Philip is in the Bastille.

An iron mask on his head, for life.

• What? • Yes.

The most fiendish invention of Louis.

Now you must go. Your only hope to escape the rope, or worse,

is to go while you have a chance. • Go?

Have you lost your courage?

Bravery is a great thing when there's a fighting chance.

Bravery is only great when there is no chance.

Look, my friend. At any moment the King's men may be here.

I am already branded a criminal. Now I beg you to save your own lives.

Well Philip didn't think of saving his life.

Are you willing to surrender France into the hands of a plunderer like Fouquet?

And a King who is half mad?

I remember when you held France in your own hand.

That was Louis XIII.

This is the reign of Louis XIV.

Go back the way you came.

• I'll not open that door until you've gone. • We are through with running. Here,

give me your coat. I will open the door.

Open this door!

Yes, yes, I am coming. I am coming.

Now control yourselves, gentlemen. This is one fight we don't want.

Yes, yes, I am coming.

• Who is it? • Open in the name of the King!

Oh, oh! Yes, my lord, yes, my lord.

• Come in, my lord. • Monsieur Colbert?

Oh, how unfortunate.

Only an hour ago he left for the South of France,

for his health.

• I must make sure of that. • Oh, yes, my lord.

Come in, my lord.

You see I'm quite alone.

The old fool is telling the truth.

South of France? By what road?

Oh, I know nothing of roads, my lord. I am only a servant. Pardon me.

Oh, but I do remember his mentioning Marseilles.

The road to Marseilles!

• D'Artagnan, you're a beautiful liar. • Thank you, my lord.

You see, we can deliver Philip just as easily.

But delivering him is not enough. Remember the mask.

Well, what can be put on can be taken off.

You're a bold man, my friend.

But in my gentle way, I am also bold.

The key,

not only the key to Philip's liberation,

but the liberation of all France!

So you see, the boy of the birthday dinner and of Mlle. de La Vallière

is Louis.

The boy of the Cathedral and of the balcony

and who bought you back is Philip.

Philip is my father's name. I've always loved it.

Where will I find the key?

The King wears it around his neck.

Thank you.

I'll do it.

• Good night, my dear. • Good night.

Good night, Your Majesty.

Good night.

But I said, good night!

Well,

Her Royal Highness.

I might say this is a surprise,

but it isn't.

In fact, I've been expecting you for a long time.

I've discovered that sooner or later all things come to a king who waits.

Perhaps you would not have waited so long, Your Majesty,

had you not been more pleasantly engaged.

The trouble with you, my dear,

is that you're inclined to be a little too sensitive.

I'm beginning to understand

how many things a queen must overlook.

Really?

Sit down, my dear. Sit down.

You know,

until tonight I,

I was very disappointed in the Spaniards.

Because we're a jealous and hot-blooded people?

Oh, no.

Quite the contrary.

We are also a most impulsive people.

Quick to hate. Quick to love.

After I'm Queen,

I hope to change your mind

about the Spaniards.

You can, quite easily.

Don't you find it a trifle sultry in here?

I hadn't noticed, Your Majesty.

Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

Now the destiny of France is in your hands.

• You remember the way to the Bastille? • How could I forget?

I think you're the bravest girl I've ever known.

It doesn't matter if you bring Philip back as King of France.

So long as you bring him back.

Depend on this:

Philip returns or we stay.

Put out your torches. From here we go in darkness.

Time for rounds.

Why go? Nothing ever happens.

Keep quiet there! I'll fix you!

Porthos, gag him. Bind him.

Philip.

D'Artagnan!

Sit down.

Get this thing off my head.

• My brain is bursting. • Yes, yes, I have the key.

How could your own brother be such a monster?

Two o'clock. Thirty-three is seeing ghosts again.

Well...

Turns, but it doesn't open.

It's a double lock. A Chinese thing.

I... I don't remember.

• Open the door! • Shut up!

Shut up in there!

Now will you shut up?

The guard has just gone by.

We must get out while there's still time.

All clear.

You've suffered enough.

You can be King, or you can be free,

It's for you to decide.

Take me where the Crown of France is to be found.

Athos, guard that door.

Awaken him.

No, it's not a dream, brother.

Remember me? The Gascon rebel who amused you until you discovered

he was your brother?

You should remember this, too.

One of your more clever inventions.

No, it's not there. It's here.

Go away.

You're dead, strangled.

How fast does your own beard grow, brother?

I'll give you anything. I'll recognize you.

I'll make you rich, all of you.

A million francs in gold!

Two million!

When you turned the lock on this

you locked out any mercy that might have been in my heart.

You knew I was your brother, your twin.

We were almost one body, one life.

You half, me half.

But you forced my half to live in shadow and despair

so that your half might live in grandeur and glory.

There is one law in life, brother, that not even a king can escape.

The law of retribution.

The pendulum of the clock of life swings so far in one direction

and very surely swings back.

The pendulum is swinging for you, brother.

The time has come when your half must live in the shadows—

not for what you've done to me,

but for what you've done to the people of France;

not because I have suffered at your hands, but because they have suffered more;

not because you would have murdered me, but because you have murdered them;

because you betrayed a sacred trust;

because you have proven yourself unfit to live in the light of day.

Fair exchange, brother.

My kingdom... for yours.

Put it on.

Help!!

Now see how you like it!

Let me out!

Let me out!

A million francs in gold!

Let me out! I'm the King!

Let me out!

Let me out!

Let me out! I am the King!

Let me out! I am the King!

Yeah, who is it? Come in!

Excellency! Excellency!

I've told you to keep those dogs quiet!

But Excellency! Men came! Gentlemen! With swords!

• They choked me! • Gentlemen with swords!

Are you crazy? No one gets in here unless I open the door!

• Are any prisoners missing? • No, Excellency.

Why, you fools, you're drunk! Do you think that lies can cover it?

You neglect your duty and permit those dogs to wake me up again!

Well, I'll tend to them first, and you later!

Get out of my way!

Let me out!

You hear? Gold!

I'll give you anything! I command you to let me out!

I'm the King!

• Never have heard him scream before. • No, Commandant.

Sooner or later they all go mad.

Open the door!

I have a better cure for madness than any doctor.

Now then!

Well, you do believe me, don't you? You've got to set me free!

I'll make you rich! The fools, to think they could do this to the King!

Hurry!

Be quick! I tell you, I am the King!

So I've come to let you out, have I?

I am the King! You'll hang for this!

Yes, "Your Majesty"! But after this, command in a whisper!

• But I am the King! • Now maybe I can get some sleep.

Good night, "Your Majesty"!

But I am the King.

Good Morning, Your Majesty. I trust you enjoyed a good night's rest.

Oh, Fouquet, good morning. Pardon me.

I, I informed Mme. Fouquet that Your Majesty has graciously promised

to make her a duchess. • Duchess?

Why, yes. Uh, Colbert.

Oh, yes.

His spy system works very well.

It seems he was warned. He escaped my men at the house.

But I'll have him before night. Every road is closed.

Your Majesty, I am very happy to report

that the tax on salt is yielding double the revenue we expected.

And I'm sure you'll also be pleased with this.

But, Your Majesty, this rescinds the salt tax.

I know.

Have you ever tasted fish without salt, Fouquet?

Fish without... why... uh...

that... • It's no good.

• No. • Terrible.

• Yes. • Besides, the people object.

• They don't like me. • Oh.

You can't eat fish without salt

any more than you can make cloth without wool

or bread without flour.

So I've decided to remove all those taxes.

But why, Your Majesty? Why?

I had a dream, Fouquet.

Do you know where the bad kings go?

• Your Majesty, you cannot do this! • I'm sure you're wrong.

You spent your whole life assuring me that I could do anything.

For instance, I could even hang you.

Oh, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty is in a jesting mood this morning.

Yes, amusing, isn't it?

Very amusing.

Your Majesty.

Monsieur Fouquet,

I regret my absence of last night.

It would have given me great pleasure to have received you when you called

with your friends.

I am told Your Majesty is seeking me in some haste.

Oh, yes.

I wanted you to proclaim these decrees abolishing the taxes.

Your Majesty, this is one of the great days of my life.

But... the receipt?

Receipt?

Oh, we found the money. It was all a mistake.

If you'll excuse me,

Your Majesty, I feel slightly indisposed.

Of course! You must be very careful of your health.

Oh, I do hope Mme. Fouquet will not be too unhappy.

Excuse me,

excuse me, please.

Over there!

Hello, there!

The fool can't hear me.

Guard! Guard! Listen to me.

• I'll make you rich! • Yes, I know!

You're the King of France. A million francs in gold!

Look, ask me for anything. I'll give it to you.

Anything?

You don't understand! You've got to listen to me!

I can feel them growing! Growing!

They'll strangle me! You've got to take it off!

What? Take off "Your Majesty's" crown?

I should say not.

Why, you dog! I'll tell the Commandant about this!

Good morning, Madame. Lovely day.

Hello, there!

Hello, there!

"Take this to Fouquet, the King's Minister, and receive 5,000 francs reward."

My son,

there is one thing we must do, and quickly.

• You must marry Maria Theresa at once. • Must?

Why, it's the most pleasant thing I've heard since leaving Gascony.

Once you have married Maria Theresa and the people of Spain

and our own country acknowledge her as Queen of France,

there can be no question as to who is King.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Theresa.

Do you remember that day in your carriage when we watched the boy and girl run off across the field?

I feel just as they must have felt.

Colbert would like to ask you a question.

No, I think I'll ask this question myself.

Oh, oh, most certainly, Your Majesty.

Will you be Queen of France?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Even if the title is a little clouded?

Even if there were no title.

Even after I said to you, never trust a king?

I can trust you.

Well, there's more to it than that.

A technical question that must be settled before you can become Queen.

Do you love me?

I've always loved you, Philip.

It may be His Majesty who is getting married,

but you, Your Excellency, will be the most handsome man at the ceremony.

Certainly the best dressed.

The carriage of the Princess has just passed over the bridge

on the way to Fontainebleau. • Really?

How fortunate the bridge did not collapse.

Your own guard is waiting with your carriage.

Your Excellency, this person, a herdsman,

insists upon speaking with you. • A herdsman?

What have I to do with a herdsman? What do you want?

Uh, 5,000 francs.

For what?

For a tin plate. There's some silly writing on it.

A plate? Writing? What do you mean?

Yes, Your Excellency, writing on a plate.

It says,

"Philip of Gascony sits on the Throne of France,"

when everyone knows the King's name is Louis.

• Give me the plate. • 5,000 francs it says, Your Excellency.

Quiet!

Philip of Gascony...

Throne of France...

For the first time in my life I was a fool.

• Send for the Captain of my guard! • Yes, Your Excellency.

Take my carriage and my entire guard. Go to the Bastille.

Take from his cell a prisoner who wears an iron mask.

Deliver him to me at the church at Fontainebleau.

• But Your Excellency, the Bastille? • Are you afraid of hanging, my friend?

At this point it's necessary for all of us to hang together

or we'll all hang separately. • Yes, Your Excellency.

Faster, you fools! Faster!

• But it can kill the horses! • Kill them then!

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here

in the sight of God and of man

and of Holy Mother Church

to join this man unto this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony.

If there be any among you who know why this should not be done,

let him speak now or forever hold his peace.

I'll speak!

My Lord Cardinal, I warn you!

You perform this marriage at your peril.

That man is not the King of France!

The man is mad! Seize him!

Stay where you are!

He may look like the King, he may dress like the King,

he may even speak like the King, but

he is not the King.

But do not fear, my Lord Cardinal.

His Majesty the King of France will attend your ceremony.

In fact, he is on his way at this moment,

and I have an engagement to meet him on the Paris–Fontainebleau road.

Wait, I'll go with you.

• Where are you going? • After a murderer,

and to bar the Paris road.

I pledge my life that you are the only king that will come here by that road this day.

You forget, my friend, that only a king can bar the road.

We will bar the road.

My Lord Cardinal, my Lords and Ladies,

I beg your indulgence to deal with an enemy of France.

Forgive me, my dear.

I find I must dispose of another technicality

before you can become Queen of France.

Your Majesty,

I am most happy to be the instrument of your liberation.

You? Liberation?

You let them do this to me!

But Your Majesty, I...

Fouquet and his king.

If we must fight let's fight at the top of the hill. Their horses will be tired from the climb.

How far is it now to Fontainebleau and the church?

• Two leagues, Your Majesty. • Two leagues to revenge.

Nothing must happen to my dear brother.

He belongs to me!

Now we fight on foot. Surprise them when they come over the top of the hill.

You three on this side, Philip and I over here.

And may the devil take the hindmost!

• Get the Captain first. • Yes.

Now!

Why don't the fools go on?

We're attacked, Your Majesty. Philip delivers himself to us!

Go without me! Stop the coach!

He is right! The coach must be stopped!

I learned that little trick in Flanders.

Remind me to teach it to you some time.

Are you hurt?

Always remember to lick your wounds after the battle.

Faster, driver! Faster!

Let me out!

I find myself sorry for him,

but he has given me cause to feel nothing but hate.

Your Majesty has other urgent unfinished business.

You may proceed, my Lord Cardinal.

Who gives this woman unto this man.

I claim that privilege.

I join you in marriage in the name of the Father,

the Son, and the Holy Ghost. • Amen!

Congratulations, my son.

Now you are the greatest swordsman in France.

D'Artagnan!

Porthos, Athos, and Aramis will be waiting.

You wouldn't want me to disappoint them.

God save the King!

He was a brave man.

France will always need brave men.

And brave women to remind men of their duty.

God save France!