Original subtitles

It's bad luck to kill a bat.

This isn't a simple bat. It's a vampire bat.

They drink cows' blood.

I'm sure you're aware of what happened in venice during the mardi gras of 1786.

Our house was the site of horrible events, most of them largely forgotten.

Therefore, I hope you'll be able to join me in venice,

to help me find that inner peace I've lost for far too long.

In answer to your letter,

you know I've dedicated my life to studying the legend of nosferatu.

From his transylvanian origins, dating back to ten centuries ago,

to his mysterious disappearance in venice, during the mardi gras of 1786,

when the plague decimated the city's population.

Nosferatu is considered to be a master of evil, second only to Satan himself.

As far as we know, his supernatural powers have made him immortal.

As a matter of fact, his name derives from the Romanian word "nosferat,"

which means "he who's not dead yet."

Yet, I'm convinced that death is what he really seeks to achieve.

I beg you, whatever you're trying to attempt, please wait until my arrival.

Good morning, sir.

We have a guest.

Do you know him?

No, I don't know him.

But I know what he's looking for.

He's here to shatter the precarious sense of peace we have under this roof.

I'll tell the Princess that you've arrived.

Francesco guardi - a portrait of Princess letizia canins

the Princess apologizes for not being able to come down. She'll see you in her room.

I thank you for coming.

I wasn't expecting you so soon.

I left immediately.

What do you think about my message?

It was too vague.

I couldn't give you a proper reply.

You wouldn't be here if it really was too vague.

If what you wrote is true, we don't have much time left.

It's already too late.

No more, thank you.

A branch of hematology studies this psychopathological affliction,

which is also known as thirst for blood.

Or vampirism.

Professor catalano is the world's leading expert in this field.

Vampirism? It sounds like something out of veterinary school.

The things I study, you see, aren't comparable to any normal discipline,

but rather to the unfathomable depths of the human mind.

Princess.

Good night, grandmother.

What does the church think about vampirism?

Pope Benedict xiv said that it's one of the ways evil uses to manifest itself.

And you're here in venice looking for vampires?

Vampires can be anywhere.

- Goodbye! - Good night! - Good night!

Why did you say there's not much time left?

Because it's true.

And I won't waste it with dinners and pleasantries.

You're right.

Come with me, I need to show you something.

I noticed that you were looking at my grandmother.

How old is she?

She'll turn 100 this year.

Grandmother lives a sheltered life.

She never eats with us, but tonight was an exception because she wanted to see you.

She fears that any outside visitor might alter the balance of our family.

Be careful, the floor is slippery.

We are more than 10 meters under the grand canal.

Nobles used to have crypts inside their houses.

This dates back to the time when the canins family settled in venice.

The family came from transylvania.

Are you all right?

Yes, it's nothing.

Here, look.

Why does this sarcophagus have three iron bands?

Have you ever seen something like this?

This band was rusted, one touch was enough to break it.

The other two seem to be in good condition.

According to the family legend, a vampire was buried in this sarcophagus.

I'm convinced that vampire was nosferatu.

It can't be.

He left venice two centuries ago.

At the time of the plague. I'm familiar with that legend.

But I believe he never left the city.

I know he's in there.

I want to open this coffin.

I want to rid my house of this nightmare.

Be thankful that he hasn't freed himself yet.

What's going to happen if we open it? What will the consequences be if we free him?

The consequences could be beyond our imagination.

If he's really in there, of course.

And I'm sure he isn't.

More than 200 years ago, he was on a ship that sank in the bay of biscay.

It is safe to say that nosferatu will be resting at the bottom of the sea forever.

I think you're scared.

I saw you feeling sick when we entered the crypt.

I have another way to prove to you that I'm right.

I know someone that can speak to those who have already existed, and those who haven't been born yet.

Someone who can see through time and darkness.

Come on, guys, let me go!

- Let's scram, quick! - What a bore.

- Princess. - Good morning, Princess.

Are you gianmarco tosatti?

- Yes, Princess. - My niece Maria told me that you're her boyfriend.

What? I'm not!

Jerk!

So, I'm not your girlfriend?

You hypocrite.

What were you doing in my bedroom?

The woman in that portrait looks just like helietta. Why did you hide it?

200 years ago, this house was the site of horrible events.

Yes, I know.

And the woman in the portrait was the cause of that tragedy.

A tragedy? What happened here 200 years ago?

I don't know yet, but I fear it might happen again, whatever it was.

Help me, please.

My walking stick.

Take this. Everything you want to know is in here.

Ut... utarefson?

What does it mean?

I've never heard this word before.

Read it again.

Nosferatu!

De secreto conflictu...

Curarum mearum neque sunt neque dicunt.

Latin is god's language!

The enemies of our lord often used it illicitly!

Acerbo funere mersit maxima turpitudo evenit.

"The abomination started in 1786."

That year, a tragedy took place within these walls.

An unprecedented tragedy.

Nothing could have stopped it.

I command you to get out!

I command you in the name of our lord! You'll do his will!

You foul evil being, 1 command you to surrender!

I command you in the name of our lord!

Surrender to the absolute authority of god!

Leave this righteous house!

In the name of the holy father, you'll do as I say!

I will defeat you!

The incarnation of iniquity!

May you sink into the depths of hell for all eternity!

That's when nosferatu left venice.

From that moment on, he disappeared without a trace.

And Princess letizia canins disappeared with him.

The church doesn't care about legends or stupid superstitions.

That book is a work of fiction that inspired the person who painted the portrait.

But if this story is true, then letizia is also a vampire.

To nosferatu, this house is a gateway to his past.

If he hasn't returned vet, he will.

And it's certain he'll be back.

We cannot allow such a sacrilege!

Pray for us, father. The devil lingers over this house.

I'm warning you.

What you're about to do might unleash terrible and unstoppable forces.

Come on, professor.

You're free to go if you don't want to take part in this.

We're just playing here.

I've always wondered how one becomes a vampire.

I mean, is that how they are born?

One could become a vampire if...

They're the illegitimate children of illegitimate parents,

or the children of a witch, or a wizard, or a suicide or plague victim,

or someone who was hanged, or died without receiving the last rites.

Even someone whose dying words are blasphemous,

or a murderer who dies unpunished.

And, lastly...

Those who descend from a vampire.

Take your places.

You must all join hands.

Whatever happens, do not break the chain.

- The priest must leave. - The church forbids séances!

- Form the chain. - The church forbids séances!

The priest must leave.

I must have absolute concentration.

Free your mind from every thought.

Breathe deeply.

Show your presence to those calling you.

You foul shaman.

You high priest of iniquity.

Even death refused you.

Holy father, holy virgin, please forgive the sins we are committing.

It is I who is summoning you.

What's happening?

Nosferatu.

Show your presence.

You enemy of life itself.

You depravation of humanity.

You grand master of decay.

You champion of evil.

You villain of villains.

You cursed being.

You king of depravities.

Come.

My prince.

Come, my master.

Come, I'm calling you.

Come.

Come to me.

Come, my master.

Come, come to me.

I'm calling you.

Come to me.

Come.

Come, my master.

I'm calling you.

Come to me.

Helietta!

Put her on the couch.

Open the curtains!

Helietta...

She'll be all right.

Follow me, I'm going to need your help!

What do you expect to find here?

Nothing.

Let's go back upstairs.

Come.

My prince.

Come to me, my master, I'm calling you.

Come.

Come. Your time has finally arrived.

The one who'll make you immortal is here.

I'm ready, master.

She's our youngest child.

Who is calling me?

Someone who lives far away.

Someone who lives in the present and wants to summon you.

You're wrong. This is an image from the past.

- Stay with us, master. - Don't leave.

- Please, master. - Don't leave us.

- What are we going to do without you? - Don't leave.

You will leave us soon.

My people can't live without you, master.

Your people are free. I'm going away.

No. You can't leave us after 200 years.

What is the meaning of time for someone who doesn't know death?

- Master... - Don't leave us.

- Stay with us. - Master...

Who's there?

Is it you, helietta?

Helietta?

In the name of god, stay back!

Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem, creatorem caeli et terrae...

Et in lesum christum, filium eius unicum...

Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto...

Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, domine...

Nosferatu did it, didn't he?

Yes.

You summoned him and he came.

He killed in your house, and he'll never stop.

What can we do now?

Love. That's the only weapon against evil. Only love can kill nosferatu.

- Love? - Yes.

Only the love of a virgin girl.

The love of an innocent human being.

It is said that nosferatu will die the moment he possesses a virgin girl.

Who could love such a vile creature?

I pray it won't be her.

Princess...

Princess?

- What is it? - We have to do it.

We have to find out who's buried in that tomb.

Every woman in our family is destined to suffer a violent death,

or to be taken away by nosferatu.

Let's lift it all together.

Christ.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, domine...

God!

Calm down.

There's nothing supernatural about it. The lack of air kept the body from decomposing.

And it crumbled to dust as soon as we opened the tomb.

It's happened before.

Mercury.

The spirit of all metals.

The one thing alchemists used to kill vampires.

They forced her to swallow it, before destroying her heart.

I know it's a bad time, but tonight I'll try to have fun.

I promise you.

Do you still love me?

Yes.

When will your professor leave?

When will your wife leave?

You're gorgeous.

What's wrong?

Do you feel sick?

I don't know. I feel ice-cold.

Let's go. I'll take you home.

Excuse Mel

helietta!

Helietta!

Helietta!

Letizia...

No...

No.

Letizia...

Tell me more.

I don't understand what you're saying, but your voice is so sweet.

It's an ancient language.

From a land of dead people.

A place I know.

Those words sound beautiful.

What do they mean?

They mean I'm here...

My beloved soul.

I've travelled through mountains and rivers,

I've passed the sky,

in order to reach you.

In order to reach you who called me.

It wasn't me that called you, but I've always known you'd come for me.

My prince.

I'll be back for you.

Your place isn't here.

He was here.

He came for me.

Her blood pressure is normal.

The wounds are superficial.

Your mistake is considering what's happening here normal.

I'm a doctor, this is how I reason.

Nosferatu merely stimulated her senses.

Yes, that's how...

That's how he's preparing the way to reclaim what he deems is his.

He wants to take her into the darkness with him.

In a macabre voyage

that is never going to end.

I'll do whatever it takes to stop him.

He'll never enter this house again.

Gloria...

Gloria...

Don't go, wait for me.

Help!

Come to me.

The dogs have stopped barking.

My rifle is loaded with .45 caliber shells that could stop a rhino from 100 meters.

They'll tear him apart.

- What's happening? - Hush!

He's out there.

I can feel it.

He's coming.

Stay back!

Stay back!

You're an unnatural being!

There's no place for you.

Not here, nor anywhere else.

In the name of the angels, I command you to leave.

You're the emanation of the devil.

Both life and death have refused you.

Both righteous and evil people have refused you.

Nobody wants you.

In the name of god, leave this place, you foul creature.

Life itself refuses you!

The essence of life itself!

Go away!

In the name of the almighty god, leave this house.

In the name of Jesus Christ, go away, you foul creature!

You vile abomination.

In the name of the holy cross,

you will obey my commands.

Obey!

Here I am, my lord.

Stay back!

Back!

Helietta, stop!

Only love can kill him.

The love of a consenting virgin.

He'll die the moment he possesses her.

The life you don't need...

Might be precious for others.

I own you now.

I'm your master.

You're leaving, I reckon.

Yes.

I have failed.

I've been defeated.

It serves me right, I suppose.

That demon...

The demon of death always opposes the will of our lord.

Where could he have taken her?

How can that monster never sleep?

He sleeps 24 hours every 24 days.

He rests in a coffin laying on cursed soil.

Soil taken from a land of suffering, sacrifices and miseries.

There's nothing like that here.

He always travels with a patch of soil cursed by god.

The screams of the dead accompany his sleep.

Men and women were carried away to an island.

A place where their flesh and spirit endured a thousand torments.

Their agony could be heard as far away as chioggia and pellestrina.

As time went on, that place of living corpses became

a place where the dead turned to dust.

A lazzaretto, a shelter for plague victims.

The city decided to bury those victims there.

Of course, the plague cemetery!

The dog island!

That's the ideal hideout for nosferatu!

It's in the central lagoon. They built a crematorium for plague victims there!

There's a bit of truth behind every legend.

It's ironic.

What a waste.

What a waste that we are able to discover the infinite arrogance

of the evil that surrounds us only when we get closer to the end of our life.

All this goes against the universal scheme of things.

God's scheme of things.

What are you going to do now, father?

My place is here. Here in this house.

It is my duty to protect these errant souls.

And I'm also the guardian of every suffering spirit.

The great dragon.

The ancient serpent known as Satan.

The corruptor of the world, along with his evil angels.

That's who humanity is up against.

Every man must fight against his own concupiscence!

Only god can never be tempted.

And never tempt.

I protect the living souls!

I'm a soldier who fights for the truth!

You tried to place yourselves on the same level with god!

That's why god has punished you!

You live surrounded by mud, yet you're too proud!

You claim to be wise, but your knowledge means nothing!

You live without following the word of the church!

You live with your arrogance!

You are nothing!

You are less than nothing!

Did you save my life because you want to kill me yourself?

I saved your life

because you'll help me to die.

Is that what you really want? To die?

Only if you'll help me to.

I will help you, if that's what you want.

Do you not fear daylight?

It's darkness that I fear now.

Pour the Mercury. This will take care of him forever.

The plague cemetery.

Sometimes they killed them while they were still alive.

Three coffins.

All three laying on cursed soil. Professor catalano was right.

Let's open them.

The young gypsy girl. She's a vampire, too.

Let's open the second one.

Helietta!

Helietta...

My love, what did he do to you?

She's breathing.

Nosferatu!

He's asleep. This is our only chance.

He can't escape.

We'll drive a stake through his heart.

Here.

Gloria!

- Gloria! - Run!

I've killed her! I've killed her with my own hands!

I'm gonna get him! We must find him!

My life will now be yours.

You're crying!

Wait, my love, wait.

Please, don't die yet.

Don't leave me now.

I've waited so long for this moment.

But now I'm scared of dying.

Run, quick!

Run!

We must get to the boat!

Look, it's helietta!

Helijetta.

Where are you going, helietta?

Stop.

Helietta, wait.

Helietta, come with me.

Let's go home.

You look so pale.

What have they done to you?

I'm happy now.

Now that you're here.

Come.

Kiss me.

Please, don't let me die.

I don't have that power.

Yes, you do. You can take me with you.

It would be worse than death.

It's what I want.

- I want to be with you for all eternity. - No...

If you can't die, 1 want to be with you.

You can take me wherever you want.

It's bad luck to kill a bat.

This isn't a simple bat. It's a vampire bat.

Subtitled by francesco massaccesi