All language subtitles for The Man in the Iron Mask (1977)

[ Door opens ]

[ Door slams open ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Pounding on door ]

[ Pounding on door ]

[ Door slams shut ]

You must understand, monsieur,
I have strict orders not to let

Anyone see these prisoners. But,
an order from the minister, M. Fouquet.

[ Screams from torture ]

The rack, mademoiselle, still
the best way to loosen the

Villains tongue.

[ Faint cry ]

Tell me, monsieur, why does a
beautiful young lady of his majesty's

Court wish to see a wretch
like this de la Valli�re.

She's the man's daughter.

A fact that Monsieur Fouquet
would not want published.

As governor of the Bastille
one learns to be discreet.

Please.

Monsieur. Monsieur, I demand
to know why I�m here.

What have I done?

Who is my accuser?

When am I to be tried?
[ Door slams shut ]

To hear them complain,
they are all innocent.

[ Unlocks, opens door ]

Alone, as was promised.

Five minutes, no more.

[ Door closes, locks ]

Father.

Who's there?

What do you want of me?

It's Louise.

[ Whimpering ]
Louise?

Go away.

Oh, oh, I�m dreaming.

No. Papa.

You are not dreaming.

My child.

Ha, ha, heh, it is my child.
[ Sobbing ]

Forgive me, why, is it
on that account?

Let me see.

How beautiful you are.

So, so elegant.

Life has caught me seuking.

You knew when they
took you?

[ Coughing, nodding ]

Please, forgive me.

Why, why do you
blame yourself?

If I had not rejected
the attentions of M. Fouquet.

Fouquet?

Watch out.
We may be heard.

It would be better if I were
to be mistress and you were free.

Never.

I'd rather rot here.

If I gave love to him.

Never, never.

I must, if I have to, father.

No. No.

[ Choking cough ]

Mademoiselle.

My father and i...
- [ Coughing ]

Thank you
- [ Coughing ]

For your kindness.

Why do you stare at me so?

It, it's just that
you resemble.

Who?

An acquaintance.

Do not be afraid.

How could I harm
anyone so beautiful?

But you must tell me.
I must know.

[ Door opens ]

It is time.

Monsieur.

You there.
Come here.

Ugh!

What is it you see!

Let him alone.

Monsieur, monsieur, monsieur,
[ laughter ]

Ne.., n'est pas qui, qui
vous appelez guenarais?

Quiet.

[ Speaking French ]

[ Speaking French ]

See how the hawk
and the falcon

Conspire together?

I wonder what evil
they're hatching.

Fouquet.

-The master juggler
at work.

- The national treasury
plundered.

The very wealth of France
smoothly channeled into

Personal glory in his
chateau at Lowe.

Maybe we shall see him
pay it back one day.

But look at the real
scourge of France.

This water lily who
calls himself a king.

Patience, D'Artagnan, the real
Louis still wears the crown

And bears the scepter.
Any action against him

Must be a last recourse.

It cannot be
soon enough for me.

Fouquet has ears everywhere.

He must not get wind of our
plan until we are ready to act.

I will count the minutes
till the day.

Shhhhh.

I tell you...he lives.

Where?

In the Bastille.

God knows what stroke of fate
put him there for me to find.

Faith, uh, this is the work of those
jealous of my power over the king.

Colbert.

Yes, I long suspected that.

The venerated minister of
the interior to have a plot

To do me damage.

But, a move so bold as this,
is not only against me, it's uh...

Could be treason!

Delicious. I'll hang
the old fox yet.

Are you certainly sure
it's the boy?

Could be a prot�g� of
cardinal Mazarin,

Not just some look-A-Like?

The resemblance is too perfect.
It has to be.

We must be certain.

Must.

[ Jail door opens ]

Who are you?

What do you want?

Who brought this
prisoner here?

I don't know
who arrested him.

The order was signed by some
obscure prefecture in burgundy.

No one must see that prisoner
without my authorization.

Guard him well
or it will be your neck.

Rest assured, minister.

Rest assured.

[ Jail door closed ]

[ Applause and praise ]

Beat that Montfleury,
if you can.

Oh!

If you dare.

What, and risk
another tantrum.

I shall miss by
a league, my dear.

How brazenly de la valli�re
flirts with your husband, madame.

How openly your son
encourages her, madame.

Aw!
What a pity!

[ Laughter ]

[ Croquet bell tinkles ]

[ Applause ]

Ah, Fouquet, if you've
come to join the game

You are too late.
We are bored with it, and

Have found ourselves
a new distraction.

I seek a word in private.

With your majesty on
a matter of some urgency.

What a tedious man
you are, Fouquet.

You haven't asked the score.

I'll wager your majesty
played as successfully as usual.

We have won every set.

Congratulations, sire.

Come to our chambers
later.....much later.

How can we endure such
humiliation with a smile?

Easily, madame, if it
keeps him from my bed

With a common country girl?

You are not the
only one to be upset.

Look at them there.

I admire your strength, monsieur.

No sacrifice is too great, Fuval,
if one pleases one's sovereign.

Why is that?

Madame, if Louis takes
the gates prize.

Exquisite.

But we will have to arrange
for a new wardrobe.

His majesty is too kind.

Not at all.

It is a pity
to hide such assets.

You deserve gowns that
will show them off.

And allow one a
glimpse of paradise.

Come, come.
Why so shy?

Surely you have guessed
by now that I would give

The world for you.

Simply ask,
and it will be yours.

You majesty, I would
not presume...

My dear girl,
I expect you to presume.

Presume too much.

Demand more
than I can fulfill.

That will be my agony
and my joy.

Such is the game of love.

At which, I perceive
you are new.

Alas, I fear I will
never know the rules.

Nonsense.

I will instruct you.

For example,

When I shower you with gifts,
do not be too quick

To show your pleasure.

Pout awhile
and look dissatisfied.

But surely that would
hurt your feelings, sire.

Yes. Yes. Now you
begin to understand.

I will grovel at your feet.

Like this.

And kiss the hem
of your gown, like this.

And beg you to
forgive me.

Your majesty.

Hmm, hmm.

[ Chuckling ]

[ Laughing ]

Ah, monsieur, we have
been waiting....

[ Pleading to see the king ]

Will his majesty
see me now?

- His majesty craves the
minister of the interior's

Indulgence a little while longer.

[ Pleading for Fouquet's help ]

[ Fouquet ] much later.

Monsieur Colbert,
D'Artagnan.

Monsieur.

You are looking
more fit than ever.

Thank you.

And you're looking more
prosperous than ever, monsieur.

Monsieur.

Do you hear them?

How much longer
must we suffer this?

We must not act
impetuously.

Impetuously?

Our shores are
threatened from abroad.

Our people cry
out for bread,

And Louis writes
odes to peace

And dances the minuet.

What is to become of Paris
with such a king?

[ Knocking ]

The door.

Ignore it,
they will go away.

[ Knocking louder ]

Enter.

[ Door opens ]

Your majesty.

Ah, Fouquet.

How quick you are.

Pray, forgive the intrusion,
but the business that I spoke of...

I fear it cannot wait.

Alas, my dear, such are
the burdens of monarchy.

Please leave us.

Uh, no, through here.

The gates to you
new apartment.

Through this passage
we can come and go

Unobserved by the queen.

And my mother.

Too soon,
my one and only love.

Ah, Fouquet.
What a delight she is.

Such....
transparent innocence,

Such incandescent
beauty.

She seems demure.

Yes.

Too demure, we must admit.
We are at our wit's end.

Perhaps, uh,........
I could help persuade the girl.

You have her confidence?

To some small degree.

If you could but convince
her to trust herself to us.

We would be most grateful
in turn, monsieur Fouquet.

Your majesty.

Yes.

And now your
pressing business.

How could you be
so cold hearted?

Oh, Henrietta,

The face I see before me
I could easily love.

The man behind the face.

Oh, Louise!

[ Gasp ]

I left my fan.

The queen will surely
find it there.

[ King's voice within ]

- You must be mad, Fouquet.

- Artune never died
at birth.

He lives, sire,
I assure you.

That death was the
invention of your father's

First minister.

Mazarin.

A lie that he told
to the king

Which he accepted
in good faith.

The infant
was still-Born.

In fact, he lived,

And was taken away,
and brought up

In a secret place.

On the pretext of
sparing you mother

Of further grief,
a secret, quick funeral

Was prepared and a
coffin was buried.

Lord knows who was
really in that coffin.

The one thing that is
now certain, sire,

It was not your
brother, Philippe.

But what could it be
matter and motive

In all this?

Sire, the first born
is rightful heir to the throne.

You are the second son.

Now, he having in his
control the legitimate heir

Had the power
to manipulate you.

Horror, mother, who would
let her love a manner a usurper

Louis, a puppet king.

Precisely.

The ground we stand upon
turns to quicksand.

Fortunately Mazarin
died before he was able

To replace you on the throne
with your brother Philippe.

And the secret died
with him.

That is, we thought so
until now.

Are you certain
beyond a doubt

That this is our
brother Philippe?

I have myself seen
the birthmark.

Forgive me.

Identical with the one
your majesty bears.

What a fool
Louis has been

To think his
crown secure.

Sire, fear not.

I have the pretender
in safe custody.

What have you
done with Philippe?

Is he safe and sound?

What could be safer
and more sound than the Bastille.

The Bastille?

Where better to hide him
from Fouquet's spies.

Does he suspect anything?

No, nothing.

He's haunted by
the mystery.

It would be an act of mercy
to let him know.

We must say
nothing yet.

We should tell him
his true identity.

You and I are flirting
with high treason, my friend.

Let Philippe remain ignorant,
for his own sake as well as our own.

The rack can loosen
any man's tongue.

Even that of a prince.

Who has revived this
conspiracy against us?

Names?

I cannot point the finger
until I have more proof.

Get it, and when you have it,
we will extract our retribution.

Has our brother
any property?

Why, uh, just a small
estate in burgundy, I am told.

Confiscate it.

Eh.

And, uh, the fate
of the pretender?

Not a single drop of
royal blood is to be shed

In this, Fouquet.

Who would not want to
temp providence by

Condoning regicide?

Wise.

Very wise, sir.

Also we cannot forget
this pretender is more

Than our brother,
he is our twin.

Umm.

Our mirror image.
Our other self.

Wound Philippe and
might not Louis bleed?

Kill Philippe and
might Louis die?

No, we must find
some other way.

Sire, I know there's a
fortress remote and inaccessible.

We leave the place
to your discretion.

But know this, Fouquet.
We wish never to

Hear his name again.

And no one, no one,
is ever to look upon his face.

That is why mere
confinement will not suffice.

We must devise....
something.....special?

[ Opens jail door ]

We want you.

Come

Where are you
taking me?

Isle saint marguerite.

[ Horse whinnies ]

- Isle saint marguerite.

Isle St. Marguerite.
What is it?

A place of repose.

As restful as the
one I have just left?

Or moreso. You'll have
total seclusion

And constant
personal care.

I see the beginnings of it.
Thank you, monsieur.

Those shackles are
merely a temporary

Measure for
your protection,

In case you might
attempt something foolish.

I promise you they'll
be removed as soon

As we arrive.

You promise?

Faithfully.

[ Scoffs ]

What are you?

Hmm?

What are you?

A minister.

Not of the church,
I�ll be bound.

Perhaps I missed
my vocation.

Church of thank god.

Very good.

Perhaps you missed
your vocation.

I admire your
spirit, young man.

You come from
good stock.

What do you
want of me?

It would be unfair
to burden you mind

With thoughts that might
torment you in your secluded night.

What do you want of me!

Very well.

You should be
feel complimented.

You are a principal
player in a game.

A game of history.

That give you
food for thought?

I can smell the sea air.

Soon we shall enjoy
a brief voyage together.

Ho, there.

Get him, you fool.

Nope.

Not the face.

Not the face.

Here, get in.

[ Hammer pounding iron ]

No, I beg you no.

I have done nothing.

Please, I beg you, no!

No!

No....no!

- Listen to me.

- No one must be allowed to
see that prisoner without

- My express permission,

Or on orders of the king.

As for him, he must
never leave this island.

Understood?

Yes sir.

[ Prisoner whimpering ]

[ Pounds mask against stone ]

Why....................!

Why...............!

Ugh!

In the name of god.

Will no one tell
me who I am?

I'll leave you here,
for business with the king's tailor.

For the royal name-Day
celebrations at Vaux.

It promises to be
the event of the season.

And you will attend
this extravaganza?

I wouldn't miss
it for the world,

And neither must you.

What are you up to?

We make our move
at Vaux.

The king and all his court
will be assembled under one roof.

Prepare Philippe.

This order will release him
from the Bastille,

Then bring him to my
estate at Bersai, as planned.

- Drive on.

Let you see the king's costume.
You must be mad.

No one sees the king's
costumes before he wears them.

That would ruin
the surprise.

Ah...but that is the point.

You see, monsieur Fouquet
wishes to surprise the king

Upon his entry into Vaux.

How so?

The portrait of his majesty
wearing the costume

You have designed
for the masked ball.

You see, ms. Fouquet
has already engaged

One of France's finest
young painters.

Perhaps you have
heard of him: le Bandt.

Ah, le bandt.
The master of detail.

Especially with costumes.

The idea is to have a model
pose in the costume and then

Paint in the features
of the king.

Admirable.
A delicious surprise.

The treasure his majesty
will doubtless prize forever.

My finest creations
preserved for posterity.

Of course, if you're
still opposed?

Opposed?

I, a person unopposed
to the king's pleasure.

Pour some wine
for monsieur.

One moment.

I beg of you monsieur.
He will surely suspect.

Then, it will be
both our necks.

And stop shaking.

Yes sir.

Of course, it's nothing
without the king himself.

Where did they take him?

Ms. Fouquet did not say.

Leave me.

Captain D'Artagnan.

Captain.

Who are you?

My name is not important,

But, i...

What?

I know where
they've taken him

Where?

I can trust you.

I know I can trust you.

You tell me where he is,
and you may save his life.

Where?

The isle St. Marguerite.

My god, we must
get him out of there.

It would take an army
to penetrate those walls.

I only have a
handful of men.

Brave musketeers, too,
but not enough of them

To take a fortress.

But, we can always try.

Not by force, my friend,
by cunning.

Not now, Colbert, can you
not see we are busy?

I sincerely regret
this intrusion, sire,

But these matters
will not wait.

Le Coleral,
from Madrid.

For the ambassadors
tonight, sire.

Really, Colbert,
you cannot have chosen

A more inopportune moment.

And the usual, sire.

The usual, again, sire.

What have we here?

Merely a release order
for a minor offender.

You consider
this essential?

For your name-Day, sire.

This annual demonstration
of royal clemency

Helps to reaffirm your
subject's devotion to you.

They love you the more,
for your great compassion.

How shrewd you are,
Colbert.

Perhaps, too shrewd?

There.

Now, may we resume
our proceedings?

Sire.

Let us see the
suit brocade again, passoner.

Your majesty?

Nothing, it...

It is nothing, Armein.

Only what, your majesty?

Looking in the
mirror, just then.

A coldness
came over us.

As though someone....
had walked upon our grave.

God help me.

Dear god help me.

Nightmares......nightmares.

God!

Bring me some
sweet dreams.

Sweet dreams.
Sweet dreams.
Sweet dreams.
Sweet...

Bring me some
sweet dreams.

Louise.

I shall dream Louise.

I shall dream Louise.

Louise.

Louise....

[ Indistinct chatter ]

Take care, monsieur,

Lest the king
observe your advances.

[ General laughter ]

[ Indistinct chatter ]

And, uh.....

Thus, you keep
us both at bay.

What a cunning vixen
you have become, for one

So innocent.

Necessity is my tutor,
to my shame.

Come, listen to the fox,

By not yielding
to my ardors,

You saw your father
thrown into prison and ruined.

By rejecting the king's,
you risk a fate far worse.

A word to the wise,
my pet,

The next time...
the king offers you his favors....

[ Whispering ]

D'Artagnan has been
to the Bastille for Philippe.

D'Artagnan?

Then he must know that
his pigeon has flown the coop.

A pity he doesn't
know where.

He rides at this moment
for the coast.

Philippe must not
be allowed to reach Paris.

Oh! Oh!

Gentle, gentle.

I know not who you are,
or why you have come to help me.

That. That can wait, I think.

Are you strong
enough to ride?

Huh. I...just a little
light headed.

Get him ready.
There's no time to waste.

I want to talk to you.

Forgive me, monsieur.
Never have I been forced

To do so cruel a deed.

They gave you no choice.

Take this, monsieur,
so that you may never forget

What they did to you.

God be with you.

This man goes free as well.

But, ms. Fouquet...

Do you question
my authority?

Well, no, captain.

Well then, come
the boat is waiting.

Fouquet.

Fast.

Can you get me in this,
without locking it?

Yes, sir.

Good.

Give me your cloak.

My cloak, why?

And you get in mine.

Now, I shall play
the man in the iron mask,

And Fouquet, the fool.

To the horses.
To the horses.

Will you be all right
on foot.

Aye, monsieur. I have a
wife and family waiting.

My feet will fly me home.

Godspeed.

Godspeed to you.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

My lord, come.

Go!

You three, ride with him.
The rest follow me.

After them.
I'll deal with this.

Oh!

Are you hurt, sir?

[ Gunshot ]

Ride on, sir.
We'll hold them here.

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Gunshot ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

Oh!

Your sword.

Give me your sword.

Now, go.

Ugh!

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Philippe escaping ]

The king commanded that
his life should be spared.

Who is to tell the king?

D'Artagnan?
And lose his neck?

You and i....
are the only two witnesses.

There is still Colbert.

Colbert.

Captain D'Artagnan.

Captain!

Thank god.

You're alive.

Back there you....
you called me, my lord.

And you risked...
risked your own life

To save mine.

I must understand.

What is it...
you want of me?

Wh...

Who am i?

You, my prince....
are the true king of France.

[ Bells tolling ]

Is the resemblance
really so striking?

You could be his twin.

Difficult to believe.

I've head the tale
of this twin,

But they say the
child died at birth.

Still such myths
are enough,

To make you a threat,
especially to ambitious

Men like Fouquet.

A threat, or an asset.

D'Artagnan,

Is my chance resemblance
to the king

All that lies behind
these strange events?

A simple yes from you
is all the assurance I need.

Trust me.

Please.

What we do here is not
for personal gain,

But for France.

[ Knock on door ]

Oh, thank you, Andr�.

Come now.
It's time for you to dress.

There's much
for you to learn.

At last.
I'm tired of being the invalid.

Good.

For now I shall
teach you to play the king.

Again, and slowly

When you practice slowly,
you learn fast.

And rhythmically, staccato.
Ugh!. Ugh!. Ugh!

Come.

Yes!

Again.

[ Flute playing dance tune ]

And Louis France�s the first.

Left side.

Yes.

Henry the third.

Henry III was my
grandfather.

Wrong.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Your great grandfather.

Yes, my great grandfather.

Henry the fourth?

My grandfather.

Exactly.

What is you mother's name?

Anne of Austria.

Grandmother?

Marie de Medici.

Maternal grandfather?

Philippe the third,
of Spain.

Good.

Ugh.

Ugh!

Paternal grandfather?

Henry the fourth
of France.

Good.

Come.

Ariage.

And lunge.

Go.

Ah.

Oh, oh.

Oh...........!

[ Splash ]

It's coming very nicely.

- Very nicely!
- [ Laughing ]

One.

Two.

Chin up.

Chin up.

Louis XIII is my father.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

And one...

What is your
date of birth?

Sept. 5, 1638.

Good.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Very long.

Very good.
Very good,

And we do it
all over again, now.

Please, Charques.

Favorite pastime?

Dancing and gambling.

To whom do you
liken yourself?

The young Adomallus.

Ah!

Which name
flatters you most?

The Sun King.

Uh!

Get! Get! Get!

Good.

Good.

Again. Again.

Good, good, good, good.

Hut!

Who was cardinal Mazarin?

My father's first minister.
My mother's first lover.

Monsieur Colbert?

Minister of the interior,

Friend and ally.

Nicholas Fouquet?

Minister of finance,

Mark!

Mad!

Jacques, bring me that.

If you are to rule
this great nation,

You must learn
this thing,

[ Splash ]

Keep cool,
in battle or in sports.

Be angry,
but in cold blood.

Uh, wait here, my dear.
I promise I shall be brief.

Monsieur Fouquet,
what an unexpected surprise.

Please forgive the
interruption, but

The king did request
that I check his escort,

For the journey
to my chateau.

But please, don't
let me interrupt your....

It's a welcome intrusion
for an aging swordsman,

Uh, thank you, Fran�ois,
it'll be all for today.

Come, we'll adjourn to
the salon for a glass of wine.

[ Birds twittering ]

You!

The Bastille.

I.

How is it that
you're here?

By such means that
neither you nor i

Could ever comprehend.

My father.

Well, when I last saw him.

Thank god!

[ Voices in the distance ]

You are in danger here.

Come.

Louise.

How do you
know my name?

Everything about you.

You must have moved,
hardly longer.

Yet you remember me.

How could I forget.

I made your father
tell me all about you.

We spoke of
nothing else.

I even know where
you cut your knee

When you fell off
a pony as a girl.

It's as if I�d known
you all my life.

I�m the lump of a child
my father spoke of.

What could you
see in me now?

Now can that explain?

You've been cut.

I've dreamt of a
moment such as this.

I did too.

But I dared not hope.

I needed you to dream
my troubled sleep.

The two of you
are worlds apart.

I am revolted
by you brother.

What is it?

Brother?

The king.

My brother?

Surely you knew.

They say the resemblance
is purely chance.

They deceive you then.

I his twin?

You have a birthmark
do you not?

God, it's the true, then.

Is there no one
I can trust?

No, you are a king.

[ Fouquet calls Louise ]

Fouquet.

My heart, my life
are in these hands.

And both are
safe and sound.

[ Fouquet calls louder ]

He must not find you.

Our ballet has
bored you, my dear?

Your majesty misconstrues.

Give us your
opinion, then.

Very nice.

Nice.

We are overwhelmed
by your praise.

Yet still we feel you
prefer your silly rose

To our lavish ballet.

Not at all, sire.
I merely enjoyed its fragrance.

You find a simple flower
more beautiful that our creation?

Only as its beauty
is natural,

Not painted on
or contrived.

[ Murmur ]

There.

You see how transitory
your natural beauty is.

Such beauty as your
majesty has just destroyed,

Will endure in my
heart forever.

[ Crowd murmurs ]

How is it, Fouquet?
She stands us? She scorns us.

I think now we are more a
prisoner of her charms than ever.

You cannot allow this
to continue, madame.

Each day this girl
humiliates you more.

Not the girl, madame,

But her suitor, your son,

Who brings disgrace
upon our house.

The only disgrace in this
household, madame, is our marriage.

In god's name, Louis,
I am your wife.

Wife?
Nay, say rather burden.

For the sake of France,
and our beloved mother,

We agreed to a peace
with Spain, and got

This baggage in
the bargain.

- Louis, you are speaking
to the mother of you children.

My, and there's a
miracle, madame.

Far easier to span
Rhode�s harbor than

To husband this
mountain of sallow flesh.

Oh, come, my sweet,
before you leave

Let the world behold
the special vision of

Ecstasy that greets
these royal eyes each night.

When we retire.

Ow!

[ Queen gasps ]

May god forgive me,
if I could go back and see

My children fatherless,
I would wish him dead.

[ Queen sobs and cries ]

You knew.
All this time you knew

And you did
not tell me.

Is you're faith so shaken
that you cannot trust us any further?

If so, all is lost.

You saved my life
and rescued me from hell,

Whom else am i
to trust?

Well, let me hear
the plan.

Simply this, you'll go
through of the king during

Fouquet's celebration at Vaux.

There is, however, for you
one condition.

What price a crown?

The transition of power
must be swift and smooth.

The world must never
be aware than any

Change has taken place.

You must, therefore, agree
to rule as Louis the fourteenth.

For how long?

For the rest of
your natural life.

As first born am I not
the rightful heir?

Right or wrong has
little to do with this.

It's a matter of
political necessity.

- France is too unstable now
to risk a coup.

[ Sigh ]
but what of me?

I am not Louis,
I am Philippe.

Am I never to be myself?
What of me?

No.

I refuse to take any part
in such a travesty.

What of me!
Poor Philippe.

It sickens me to
listen to such stuff.

These old eyes have seen
to much suffering.

While you lay abed,
in burgundy.

Snug an safe far from
Louis' reach, well

My pampered young prince,
there were others less fortunate.

Consider, for example,
my trusted servant, Andr�.

Have you never wondered
at his constant silence?

He has no tongue.
They cut it out.

His crime?
This man, the only living

Witness of your birth
refused to divulge the

Secret of your whereabouts.

But, before you sever a tongue
always try persuasion.

There is a place
in the distant alps.

An estate, where the sun is soft,
soil rich, and the game plentiful.

You're free to retire there
and live out the rest of your life,

In peace and tranquility.

You royal identity
forever a secret.

Your needs amply
provided for.

No one will blame you
if you chose the safer road.

Myself....or my inheritance.

Your birthright is
the crown of France.

Did you know my
father well, D'Artagnan?

Enough to love him ever.

He was a brave man?

There was no braver,
gentler man in all Christendom.

It's a pity
you never knew him.

I.........am his first born.

I am the rightful
heir to his throne.

Clearly then, for a while you
will have to practice patience.

True, but in time you own
personality may emerge.

- Eventually blot out
all trace of Louis.

- But not at first.

- France could be
the envy of the world.

My friends...

I accept.

God save the king.

God save the king.

Perhaps you access
the chateau a servant,

But you will leave it
a king.

Agh!.....if I live to be one.
What you doing?

A thousand pardons.
One more suit, I beg you.

Thank you.

There!

Now, what do you
think of that?

I still see Philippe.

One moment, please.

One moment.

The main feature.

Now, what do you see?

An ass.

Magnificent.

His majesty will be
eternally in your debt.

Monsieur Colbert, I must
congratulate you

And also the artist.

Ah, it was never my
intention to outshine my host.

The portrait is yours
to present to the king.

Most generous, monsieur.

In appreciation of your
kind hostility.

I will present it to
the king this evening,

At the ball.

Monsieur Fouquet.

Hmm?

Conceal it till later.

Lest the king should
happen upon it

The surprise
should be spoiled.

Hang it in the
apartments of

Mademoiselle de la Valli�re.

She defends her privacy as
jealously as she does her virtue.

Be mild, I will take my leave.

Once again, M. Tousand,
thanks for your generosity.

What poet of antiquity
first warned us to beware

Of Greeks bearing gifts.

Watch him.

A little almond paste
to whiten the skin.

A touch of rouge.
Your cheeks and lips

A bottle or two
of sweet perfumes,

And the transformation
will be complete.

[ Knock on the door ]

Philippe.

So this is the
famous costume?

An exact replica of the one
his majesty will be wearing.

How will you
tell us apart?

I've taken the liberty
of having a subtle

Distinction incorporated
into the design.

Only we four will be
aware of the difference.

And M. Fouquet, of course.

Fouquet?

Don't be alarmed.
Everything has its purpose.

Now, come along, my boy.
M. Fouquet is waiting

For you to dress him.

Remember, just as
we rehearsed.

One false step,
and "scrck".

Yes, monsieur.

Now, leave us
duplicate a king.

Le Brandt�s painting
is excellent.

Why do you quibble?

I gather no one has
noticed the flaw.

Flaw?

Nothing serious
of course.

A simple oversight.

In what manner
of oversight.

Monsieur must promise
not to say a word to my master.

M. Patrin would
never forgive me.

I intended to present his majesty
with the painting tonight.

Is there something
you feel that I should know?

Simply, that in making up the
duplicate costume, there

Was an omission....

Costume?
What duplicate costume?

Why the one le Brandt as model
for his painting, you see...

It has a purple sash.

Umm, well.

Well, that's what the king
is wearing in the portrait.

A purple sash.

Careful.
Careful, I say.

I fail to see
the significance.

But, uh, but the king will be
wearing a white sash tonight.

Don't you see?

White?

Exactly.

Uh, M. Passerine changed
his design at the last minute.

Naturally it was too
late to change the portrait.

I can only pray his majesty
will not detect the oversight.

What has become of this
stupid costume?

I believe M. Colbert
still has it.

[ Sigh of relief ]

[ The present king Louis ]

[ Wearing a purple sash ]

Exquisite.

Ah! We're sure the queen will
find your majesty quite irresistible.

The queen...
off in a polar basket.

It is Louise de la Valli�re
whose praise we crave.

[ Laughter ]

We will surprise her with
a private showing before the ball.

[ Fouquet's chateau at Vaux-
Thundering ]

We go.

[ Philippe wearing a white sash ]

[ Whispering ] D'Artagnan.

[ Whispering ] She is here.

But not alone.

If I can't fool her maid,
I�ll never fool the whole court.

Your point is
well taken.

I must see her.

All right, all right.
But hurry.

Fouquet will be in the
king's apartment

At any moment now.

He must find you there,
not Louis.

It is indeed a tribute
to M. Le Brandt�s art.

That he is able to
improve upon perfection,

But then it does not speak
the ultimate improvement.

[ Girls laughing ]

Your majesty.

A thousand pardons,
my dear.

I merely came
to return....this.

Henrietta,
please leave us.

A miracle,
I thought you were the king.

Soon, god willing.

It was foolish
to come here.

This may be my
last chance to see you.

Hear me out.

If tonight's adventure
goes awry,

Promise me that
you will disavow our love.

I would rather cut
the heart from my breast.

For you're own safety, it is
vital that you never knew me.

I could not do it.

How I love you.

If I am king, before
this night is through,

I must rule
with Louis' name,

And not my own.

And with the queen as wife.
Not Louise.

I could never openly
proclaim our love.

Oh, Philippe.

Hold me,
I�m so afraid.

[ Door opens ]

Your majesty.

[ Philippe disappears
behind curtain ]

[ Door blows shut ]

What sort of
prank is this?

Who dares
impersonate the king?

Huh. But of course.
A hoax.

A jest prepared
by a clever host.

My apologies dear Louise.
For a moment we were....

Sincerely duped.

Yet, much more
than mere charade.

This impersonator.....

So....

Perfect.

So convincing.

[ Gasp ]

You!

Will you not
embrace me, brother.

[ Thunder ]

Guards help me!

Battle.

Help me!

[ Door opens ]

Not me, you fool.
There is the imposter.

- What?

Treason and conspiracy.
He dares to impersonate the king.

- Do not listen to
this treachery, Fouquet.

There is the usurper.
Take him!

Here is your man.

Fool, are you blind.

See who speaks the truth?

Duval.

Arrest him.

[ Thunder ]

What are you saying?

This is madness!

-Arrest him.

But, surely you
must be mistaken.

Here is you man!

- I am Louis!

- I am Louis.
I am your sovereign.

- Silence him!

What are you fools...

- Silence him.

Forgive me, sire,
for having been so blind.

- Your majesty.

What is your desire?

Has not the king
already once

Decreed his
brother's fate?

[ Thunder ]

[ Louis breathing heavily ]

So....let it stand.

[ Louis gasps ]

So.

I know of a plot that
was perpetrated against you,

And I promise that there
shall be retribution.

Indeed.

[ Thunder ]

You majesty.

[ Ballroom music ]

Now, the ball.

We shall proceed as if
none of this had happened.

As for you, captain,...

Your majesty.

We would feel more
secure with you at hand.

Do not leave our
side tonight.

I am your servant, sire.

My dear.

A little later.

[ Louis' muffled shouts ]

Send him to the saint marguerite
as ordered by the king.

His sublime majesty,
grand monarch of France,

Louis the fourteenth.

[ At Fouquet's chateau at Vaux,
King Louis/Philippe begins his reign ]

Your majesty.

Monsieur Fouquet.

Please accept this occasion
as token of my deep devotion.

To continue in your service
need be my only reward.

[ The new king surprises
with newfound respect and consideration ]

Majesty.

[ Murmurs in audience ]

[ Whispering ] mother.

Your majesty.

[ Audible kiss ]

My son?

I have never seen...

I have never seen
you look more beautiful.

My Louis?

[ Music begins ]

You are watched as not
my husband.

I�m as constant
as the sun.

Your dancing
is misdirected.

You dance as
always, my dear.

If my eyes do not
tell me otherwise,

I would think the man
with whom I am dancing,

Is not my husband.

A thousand
pardons, my dear.

If not your husband,
who might he be?

An imposter.

Were that the case, surely
you would be alarmed, madame.

I am rarely
taken by surprise.

And unlike you mother,
I can afford the best

In performance.

It follows then
that you would be

Ready for this usurper?

Most likely.

Ready to expose him?

I would have
little to gain,

Except, perhaps, your
return to my bedchamber.

Little gain.

Better your own husband, madame,
than some total stranger.

Quite the contrary.

Am I to understand
that you would not

Betray this
phantom imposter?

Let us say this usurper
could guarantee that you would

Be no less the queen
than you are now.

Then, I would have to be sure
that my children are secure.

And that they might
maintain their right

To the succession
of the throne.

Would you take
the word of such a man?

If he did not keep his word,
he would lose his head.

As you would have to hold
your tongue, or lose yours.

So true.

But this is an absurdity.
I intend to enjoy a long

And fruitful reign.

And so do i,
with my blessing.

If you would excuse me,
I should wish to retire.

I do not desire to spoil
your majesty's pleasure.

Goodnight, then, madame.

God be with you.

God be with you,

Louis.

Congratulations, monsieur.
Your ball seems a great success.

More than you imagine,
I wager.

Less than you image,
I wager.

Colbert, one of your problems
has always been that you

Tend to take you bows
before the final curtain falls.

Your trouble, Fouquet,
is you never realize when

The play is over.

You see tomorrow when his
majesty has departed

For Paris, you will
be arrested on the charge

Of misappropriation
of state funds.

Chevalier duval will
be taken into custody

As an accessory.

My dear Colbert,
I hate to inform you

That your plot to depose
the king and replace him

With his brother, Philippe,
upon the throne, has been foiled.

That is
Louis the Fourteenth.

On that point at least
we can agree.

In which case, you will be the
one to be arrested tomorrow

Morning on charges of
conspiracy and treason.

Poor Fouquet.
Look at them again.

What has become of de la Valli�re's
revulsion for the king?

Or could he suddenly
have changed overnight?

Oh, come now, she won't
be the first reluctant maid

That he has won over.

My, we do need
convincing, don't we?

Well, perhaps we could
remind you of a certain

Young apprentice tailor
in my employ.

The sashes.

All that trouble
and you never noticed.

Duval.

Too late. He's already left
for St. Marguerite.

On your order.

The king.

The king is dead.

Long live the king!

Listen well, jailor.
These are his majesty's orders

Therefore they must be
obeyed without question

The prisoner is quite mad.

I am Louis.

He believe himself
to be the king.

I am king.

He is therefore most
dangerous, and must

Never leave this cell.

No one is to visit
him, save you.

No one is to speak to him,
including you.

And when one day
his food remains uneaten,

You will provide mortar and bricks
and seal in the entry to this cell.

Then send word to Paris
that the man in the iron mask

Lives no more.

Louis! Louis!