Original subtitles

(bird caWing)

(man) We can never comprehend this world.

We can only Iearn that there are dangers.

And there are secrets.

Some secrets bring with them release, redemption.

But others are best buried deep in the earth.

(man screaming)

Never to be found.

The Lord said...

"l have set before you Iife and death."

The choice is our own.

Do we make a bargain with God...

(man screaming)

Or do we trade with the devil?

(man screaming)

(man) l'm the king of my own Iand

Facing tempests of dust

l'II fight until the end

Creatures of my dreams Raise up and dance with me

Now and forever

l'm your king

(bell tolling in the distance)

(crowd cheering)

Feels good to be home, sir.

That is not what l call it.

Good Iuck to you, my friend.

(cheering continues)

*eering)

Emperor Leopold of Hungary,

archduke of Austria

and Ieader of the Holy Roman Empire.

I kiss the hand of the victor

and proffer the humble supplication of my people and my crown.

The king accepts your wishes with respect.

Welcome to Versailles.

I can't help but ask

why you invited me and not William of Orange.

I thought perhaps you and l might speak the same Ianguage.

Your Majesty.

You should know your sister bore her Iast days with great fortitude.

PIease accept our condolences on your wife's passing.

The king is most kind.

I hope he brings such generosity to the terms of the treaty.

There is so much to discuss.

You've done all of France proud.

You've made me proud, Brother.

I see you've been busy.

Indeed. And...

l have a surprise to show you.

I built this palace

as a symbol of imagination and human achievement.

But that wasn't enough.

Every body needs its heart.

Every crown must have its jewel.

Versailles needed a diamond so bright,

you might think it was forged by the creator of the sun, the moon and the stars.

A beacon to the world reflecting the power and glory

of God himself.

(foot stomps)

The Galerie des GIaces, now completed.

Voilå.

(praying in Latin)

(Latin continues)

(bells tolling)

(chattering)

(man) Come on. Hand over the money.

Well, about bloody time.

Guillaume, my God!

I thought you'd never come home.

Hey.

(Iaughs) Bastian!

Well, you didn't get any prettier, did you, eh?

Good to see you in one piece, boss.

So did Jeanne Iook after you Iot while l was away?

Your sister can crack the whip, all right.

Only when they're slacking, which is most of the time.

(Iaughs)

So, how was it?

Over.

That's all needs said.

Right.

So hurry up and get out of that uniform.

We have got work to do.

Come on, Iads! Move it!

(sighs)

The servants must be crisp and clean as the Iinen.

The wine perfectly chilled and the glasses never empty.

And these flowers are flaccid.

I want only blooms bursting with vigor.

The king has decreed

this event should represent the pinnacle of France's success.

I do not wish to disappoint him. Go.

So...

tell me how much you missed me.

I was somewhat preoccupied marshaling troops,

defending the empire and dodging death.

I have been rather busy myself.

AII that cavorting and carousing must be quite grueling.

Of course l must hear all about your derring-do on the field of battle,

but we have a Iittle surprise for you first.

(crying)

Say hello to Iittle Philippe.

He just might be a future king of France.

A fighting tiger, Iike his father.

(crying continues) Make it stop.

You're not holding him correctly.

You need to support his head.

Oh, he's hungry.

And you're not anatomically equipped.

You should've seen the birth. Utter carnage.

(clears throat)

So...

here we are.

The hero returns.

(clears throat)

You have a remarkable sense of timing, Bontemps.

It's a natural talent, sir.

Your presence is required immediately.

L've only just got here.

Not you, Your Highness. The Chevalier de Lorraine.

The master of festivities.

"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."

How much Ionger, Uncle?

I can't wait for the festivities.

I want to dance. Patience, child.

You're representing your country and your family.

To acquire an eminent husband,

you will remain silent and drink no wine.

I thought that this was a palace of fun.

For the French, perhaps.

It remains to be seen how an Austrian is entertained.

I think Louis seems very generous.

Ha! Louis is never what he seems.

He'II find a way to make us pay, somehow.

There.

Your destiny is there for the taking,

if you choose to seize it.

Your people are waiting.

Who could fail to be impressed, my king?

It's nice to be home.

So is he sleeping with the ice queen or not?

Moot point. They're certainly thick as thieves.

Some women simply aren't built for sex.

(Philippe) Apparently.

This is a special day for France.

We might be victorious in battle,

but we greet Emperor Leopold not as an old enemy, but as a new friend.

L've invited him here not to debate sanctions,

but to discuss creating a new world

where our empires coexist,

a partnership that can benefit all.

To that end, we welcome him to Versailles, the beating heart of France.

For all this glitter, you would not think this country broke.

This is also a time to give thanks to God, above all.

Without his hand we would not have peace.

And to my brother...

whose strength and valor have given us this glorious victory.

Enjoy.

Excuse me.

This must be hard for you, l imagine.

No, l'm fine. l know how to survive.

We should spend some time together.

We haven't spoken properly in ages.

Well, you're fully occupied, evidently.

Such a shame.

We used to be so close.

But things get in the way.

How is the king these days?

I think he knows himself better than he used to.

He can be a hard man to satisfy.

Well, we have an understanding.

A deeper connection.

I don't see you by his side much in public?

I know my place.

I am not the queen.

Nor am l a harlot who will sin with impunity.

Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

I was hoping we might meet again.

Unfortunate you had to Iose the war to do so.

You are still beautiful, Marie-Thérése.

I am older.

Well, none of us can escape time.

But as the years pass, one gains more appreciation for the finer things in Iife.

Life here is about seeking pleasure for everyone else,

except the queen.

I would very much Iike to spend time with you.

I don't think that would be wise.

Suzanne.

Yes, Madame.

I didn't wish to startle you.

I just wanted to check.

I heard that you once worked at the Chäteau de Villarceaux?

Yes. Yes?

Well, l was wondering,

do you remember any of the guests that were staying there?

Madame de Maintenon, for instance?

They say that to find out what really happens behind closed doors,

you just have to ask the chambermaid.

(footsteps approaching)

Your victory has given me great honor.

It's my soldiers who should be honored.

Such modesty becomes you, Brother.

I have Iearned much.

Which is why l want you by my side in government.

It's entirely against protocol.

The protocol that l dictate.

L'm no Ionger a child to be humored.

And l am not given to empty gestures.

I would not be your puppet. You know that.

Besides, Versailles is complete and the war won.

What more could any man ask for?

You can rest, sire.

Enjoy your success.

But l'm not finished yet.

Sire?

Call the council.

They will assemble early as expected.

Now.

It is time to write the next chapter of our glorious empire.

To stand still is to die, so we cannot wait. Sit.

We must seize the moment before us to embrace our destiny

and to create our future.

Our new priorities must be twofold:

to protect our state from the foreign foe

and to consolidate our overseas territories in tandem.

To that end, l will enlist Vauban to make our borders unimpeachable

and De Villiers to construct a valiant fleet for the Americas.

An admirable ambition, sire.

And one we could achieve

if you were to extract costs from Emperor Leopold as condition of the treaty.

War is about territory, not money.

But our resources are depleted, sire.

That's what tax is for, is it not?

This will benefit all of France, so everyone must pay for it.

(sighs) The people will not Iike it, sire.

My role is not to please the people.

Many are struggling to pay the tolls already, sire.

Paris is crippled by hardship and poverty.

(Bontemps) Sickness is rife

and the sewage is a curse in itself.

(Louvois) And at night, crime is widespread and the people frightened.

"And he showed me a pure river of water of Iife...

clear as crystal...

proceeding from the throne of God."

Sire?

They need clean water, don't they?

Then l shall provide fresh drinking water to slake their thirst.

And of the darkness in the city, l shall Iight up the streets to keep them safe.

We are creating a new France, a new world.

How can my people Iove me if l am not a benevolent father?

(horse whinnying)

Thank you for coming, Guillaume.

Not every day the Iikes of me gets to come here, sir.

Oh! You might find it's overrated.

You must've had quite a party.

We always do. And you?

Oh. l haven't had the time.

But it feels good to be back where l belong.

I wish l shared your enthusiasm.

So, what did you want to see me about, Your Highness?

There's someone l'd Iike you to meet.

(Philippe) lt was an act of extreme bravery.

The battle was over and the field was awash with blood.

And l was wading through the broken bodies alone.

I never felt such relief.

The enemy was playing dead, and l had walked into the Iion's maw.

-Good God. -They were behind our Iines.

They knew they would die, so they attacked Iike men possessed.

I killed two, but the third had struck me down hard.

And then this fearless soldier came from nowhere

and cut them down, one after the other,

as if it was the sole reason God had put him on this earth.

He risked his Iife simply to save mine.

You, Guillaume, are the true heart of France.

How can we ever repay you?

I have no need of payment, sire.

Integrity as well as bravery.

What is your trade?

L'm just a tanner, sire. l make shoes.

My sister and l.

And how fares your business?

AII trades struggle to make ends meet nowadays, sire.

Then that will be your reward.

You shall be exclusive purveyor to Versailles.

Does that meet with your approval?

Um...

Good.

L'm in heaven on earth.

I wish l could Iive here forever.

At this rate it seems we might have to.

Who would have thought defeat could offer so much pleasure?

William of Orange Ioses once again.

It amazes me how you could fight alongside the very Ieader of the Protestant world.

The craft of war often entails expediency.

Even with the pope's blessing, yours was an unholy alliance against a true Catholic empire.

Hmm. Yet you entertain many Protestants in your own court.

Loyal subjects, every one.

(whispering) One can barely tell them apart.

And you're happy for them to Iive amongst you.

Yet, you're a defender of the Catholic faith.

Protestant or Catholic, we are all French here.

We are made, Jeanne.

Mmm!

I met the king. You did what?

You wanna see all the gold. lt's the most beautiful place in the whole world.

And we are to be a part of it.

No, this can't be right. This doesn't happen to our sort.

Get some cups.

Hold up, everyone. Hold your work.

Good news for all of us.

The king has granted us a contract

to provide our wares to the nobles of Versailles.

(cheering)

We'II have to work harder, of course.

Maybe get a bigger place, more suppliers.

God knows how big this could be.

-PIease, everyone, gather around. -(man) Yeah, Iet's go.

-The king! -(all) To the king!

To the king!

(chattering)

You were always an expert in tittle-tattle.

You're not interested in the chitchat from the salon?

You mistake me for a common gossip.

No, merely someone who enjoys fulsome entertainment.

I take no pleasure in misfortune of others.

So you don't want to hear about the king's pious favorite then?

Apparently, she has a very shady past indeed.

Nonsense.

Well, l've heard from a reliable source

that she spent a Iong summer at the Chäteau de Villarceaux.

And?

Well, she had the express purpose

of gaining favor and access with the nobility...

by selling her body.

(snickers) Poppycock.

Her arse is tight enough to uncork a wine bottle.

How many Protestants do you suppose we might have at court?

Difficult to say, sire. ln the hundreds, l imagine.

(Fran*oise) This causes you concern?

Simple curiosity. lt's hard to tell these days.

I didn't realize they were a threat.

Some Huguenots plotted against me in the Fronde.

(Bontemps) AIong with Catholic noblemen,

if this old man remembers correctly.

While French Protestants fought with you against William of Orange.

It's not that l have anything against them, per se.

His Majesty will recall his grandfather's wisdom and magnanimity.

The Edict of Nantes was decreed to accommodate French people of all faiths.

You're right.

Magnanimity.

Hmm.

A furrowed brow doesn't suit you, my dear.

L'm vexed, sire.

Some of us were born Protestant through no fault of our own.

Yes, but then you saw the Iight.

I see it every day.

Forgive me, sire.

I fear l am not made this way.

Anyone might think you were toying with me.

But we are forbidden that type of Iove,

as you are married before God.

(footsteps departing)

It's the water and the street Iighting

that are pushing us towards crisis.

The combined costs will take us at Ieast 3O percent

over the anticipated budget.

I must urge His Majesty to reconsider.

(Philippe) l think it's a great idea.

The people of Paris Iive in squalor.

It's the Ieast we can do for them.

Gentlemen, Iet me introduce you to our newest member of the council,

bringing with him fresh insight and a challenge.

-Now, where were we? -Deeply in debt, sire.

Then we must increase taxation to address the shortfall.

L'm providing employment for thousands. They will be grateful.

Of course, sire.

If l may draw His Majesty's attention

to a fresh conundrum in the Americas,

it seems our first settlers were unsuitable.

Those that survived the voyage

were then confronted with disease and savage natives.

So we need 4OO men of firm constitution.

They must be strong yet dispensable.

Why not send our troops? No, that's hardly fair.

They've risked their Iives and Iimbs fighting for us.

Quite. But we must dispatch someone.

Why not convicted criminals?

The jails are overflowing and cost a fortune.

It would kill two birds rather deftly,

don't you think?

The Iogic is undeniable.

But the emigrants would have to be reliable to some degree.

So the Duc d'Orléans should select the suitable candidates himself,

paying particular attention to the poisoners.

With pleasure.

I am pleased you accepted my offer.

(women chattering)

This can't be true. Tell me it's a wicked rumor.

My dear Delphine, you have me at a Ioss.

Word has it the king is Iess than happy with us.

It's absurd. What could he possibly have against Protestants?

I saw the way he Iooked at us.

I can assure you, the king is thinking only of his people.

Yes, but which people?

We're all equal before God.

If you could arrange an audience, l'd Iike to remind him

that our faith simply offers freedom of thought.

There is no need. The king has no issue with you.

(Delphine) lt's not much to ask, Fran*oise.

You have the king's ear. And possibly other parts of him too.

The king and l have an understanding.

We connect through heart and soul.

You do make Iife hard for yourself.

One is permitted to have fun

once in a while.

Well, God frowns upon wanton indulgence.

Was that what they said in the Chäteau of Villarceaux?

L'm sorry?

Are you all right?

(sighs)

The heat of debate has made me flush.

If you will excuse me, l need some air.

(Leopold) When was the Iast time you threw your head back and Iaughed aloud?

(Marie-Thérése) My sister was the one known for her Iaughter.

Yes.

That was one of the things l Iiked about her.

But as the years went by, l heard it Iess and Iess.

That's because she hated you.

Isn't that the fate of all marriages?

I Iove my husband.

Yet he's a Bourbon.

Even surrounded by all this,

he still doesn't know how to appreciate true beauty.

Don't take me for a fool, Leopold.

What do you want?

I want to talk to the king, but he's making me wait.

I can't say l blame him. l'd do the same.

You want me to persuade him to see you, is that all?

No.

(bell tolling)

(chattering)

I asked for all prison records, Bontemps.

Bring me everything there is.

That would be a veritable mountain of paperwork.

Then l shall scale it.

A good job is worth doing properly.

Thank you.

(sighs)

Oh, come on, Fran*oise.

Not every woman is a threat.

What is the point of friendship

if we are not honest with each other?

It is the king.

He treats you only with respect?

Yes.

But he has become impatient.

How can that be?

You grant his every wish.

Not every wish.

You haven't shared his bed?

No.

For fear that l might Iose him.

Well, you will definitely Iose him if you don't.

But that would be the beginning of the end.

Louis has destroyed every woman that he has slept with.

Perhaps.

But heart and soul will only see you so far.

You cannot deny our nature.

Every man has his needs,

and every woman knows how to satisfy them.

And who knows? You might actually enjoy it.

(women Iaughing)

Well-- (Iaughs)

(fire crackling)

(door opens)

(door closes)

Madame?

I believe His Majesty would Iike some company.

(moaning)

You have done the king a service.

But you must never return here...

and you must never approach him.

Is that understood?

But, madame, you told me--

You will never meet his gaze again.

Is that understood?

Yes, madame.

(crackling)

You missed a splendid soiree in the salon.

And here we are...

alone...

at Iast.

Are you just going to keep stating the obvious?

Not when l have a much better idea.

No.

I said no.

So we're going to take this seriously or not?

I don't know.

Perhaps you're more interested in shoemakers now?

Guillaume was just a friend.

So why won't you Iet me touch you?

You're Iike a complete stranger.

You're Iike this every time you come home.

You've got a bug in your britches.

Says the cuckoo in the nest.

It might have escaped your notice,

but things have moved on since you've been away.

I can't disagree with you there.

So we're wasting our time then, aren't we?

Look,

l was Iooking forward to seeing you.

But then l--

l just--

(sobs)

L'II bid you good night then.

...full of grace, God is with thee.

BIessed art thou amongst women.

BIessed is the fruit...

(footsteps approaching)

I thought l might find you here.

I was confessing my sins.

His Majesty is content?

He is.

(dogs barking)

(barking continues)

How much Ionger does the king wish me to stay as his guest?

Until we become friends.

Only then will we find a way we can work together.

You have my attention.

You are vulnerable to attack from the Muslim Ottoman Empire.

I will guarantee my total support.

L'II even send the troops to defend Vienna.

And in exchange?

You will allow me to reclaim the territories

of Strasbourg and Luxembourg. (Iaughs)

I knew it couldn't be that simple.

This is a time for big ideas and brave Ieaders.

Those territories belong to the Vatican. l've been entrusted with them.

Then you should discuss it with the pope.

I imagine he would welcome my Catholic backing against a Muslim foe.

L'II give your offer the consideration it deserves.

(barking)

Too thin.

Too old.

Too--

Shit.

The Marquis de Chevret.

Poisoned his wife so he could marry his cousin for money.

Your Lordship,

how would you Iike to meet the cannibal savages of the Americas?

Excellent.

Now, the Duc de Sullun.

Hell, no.

Where is he?

He was moved years ago.

Where is he now?

I don't know. We never got near him.

We weren't even allowed to see his face.

But will he relinquish Strasbourg and Luxembourg?

He'II have no choice. We've won the war.

Now to win the peace.

L've made an extensive short Iist of rogues for export to the Americas.

But there's one prisoner l cannot pinpoint.

Who is the Duc de Sullun?

I do not know that name.

Nor me, sire.

That's what l thought. How can there be a duc that no one's heard of?

He's a noble. He must have some significance.

Yet, there's no record of his crime, his family or his sentence.

It's Iike he doesn't exist.

Find the wretched creature and send him to the Americas.

I will.

So how fares our city of water and Iight?

Well, the engineers are digging a ring sewer for the right bank of the Seine.

They plan to reroute to the river Biévre on the Ieft.

-Good. -But our principle drawback remains the cash flow, sire.

The collection of taxes is increasingly fraught.

Then we must find an efficient solution.

(Fabien) You a carpenter? AII right, that'II do.

Able-bodied shall report for work.

And for those hungry for work, the king offers opportunities.

There are sewers to be dug.

Lightings to be installed

and taxes to be paid.

Come on.

There's no justice in this city.

I am justice.

And you will pay your dues.

I thought the prisoner was unaccounted for. Not anymore.

The real record had been buried, as though someone didn't want me to find it.

Is this really wise, Your Highness?

How dull Iife would be if we were always so wise.

But this is no ordinary prison.

The Bastille holds the most dangerous prisoners and madmen.

There's something underhand going on.

I want to see the Duc de Sullun for myself.

At Ieast wait until tomorrow.

And bring Musketeers!

(speaking Spanish)

From the emperor, Leopold.

(speaking Spanish)

(women Iaughing)

"God Iooked down and saw the earth was without form...

and void.

And darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

You may take off your blindfolds.

And God said, "Let there be Iight."

And there was Iight.

(all gasp)

(canes knocking)

(horse blusters)

(man wailing)

(wailing continues)

(door opens)

(Louis) How can l thank you, my Lord and Savior?

Now l have might over my enemies.

-(man Iaughs) -l have the adoration of my people.

(man screaming)

I am alive to your wishes.

I can feel you in my veins.

I pledge my Iife to do your will on earth,

to show Iove and to show mercy,

to celebrate the virtuous and to punish the sinners.

For all your bounty, l give you thanks.

(man wailing)

How could l ever have doubted you?

You have given me the wealth of King David

and power beyond my greatest desires.

And there is nothing can take that away from me.