All language subtitles for Salomes.Last.Dance.1988

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Evening, gentlemen.
And how are we this evening?

As close as two testicles,
Chilvers.

People are beginning to talk.

There is only one thing worse
than to be talked about,

and that is not
to be talked about.

- I wish I had said that.
- You will, Bosie, you will.

If you would like
to go up, sir,

Mr. Taylor will be
with you directly.

May I take the opportunity
to thank for you the ticket

to "Lady Windermere's Fan",
Mr. Wilde.

I enjoyed it immensely.

It's a regular triumph
with the public, Sir.

Yes, the whole town
is quite lit up.

I'm told that royalty
is turned away nightly.

Isn't that line getting
a little stale?

No line is ever stale
that leads directly

to the box office,
dear Bosie.

And where are you going?

Below stairs,
obviously.

To polish up your repartee
with a little bootblack?

I've rather taken a shine
to him myself.

You'll see him shining
as bright as gold tonight.

But don't be tempted
to worship the golden calf

or you'll suffer my wrath.

No sermons, please,
Bosie.

I'm not in the mood

for the missionary position
just now.

[ theme music playing ]

[ sighs ]

- Man: Ah, Oscar.
- Ah, my dear Alfred.

Congratulations.

I've never been more flattered.

The moon rising in
a jewel box of deepest night

could not be more
exquisitely displayed.

But if you're going to
redecorate every time a new play

of mine is published,
I fear you'll soon be destitute.

I'm feeling disgustingly
creative.

Oh, dear, you are not going
to write another play

to scandalize
the Lord Chamberlain

into banning it,
my dear Oscar?

I don't think
I could afford it.

What do you mean, hmm?
What are you up to?

I know you are the most
benign brothel keeper

in the whole
of Westminster,

but surely you're not going
to shut up shop, are you,

and send off all
those boys and girls

to warm their
pretty little bottoms

around a bonfire, huh?

- Where is everyone?
- Putting on their makeup.

Well, that's nothing new,
my dear.

Though, if I may so,

I think you overdone
the mascara

just a little tonight.

Are you going to perform
yourself?

You're getting warm.

They say that sex is
the theater of the poor.

You're not going to stage
"The Beggar's Opera," are you?

Um, stage?
Yes, we have built a stage.

- You're getting hotter.
- Uh-huh.

You're almost there.
Can't you guess?

I only play guessing games
when I want

to be beastly
to my darling children.

Oh, God, I promised them
a firework display tonight.

I say, this isn't some
elaborate charade

involving Guy Fawkes,
is it?

Oh, nothing so mundane...

though the date is not without
significance.

Guy Fawkes wanted to strike
a spark for freedom,

and blow up the Parliament
he considered oppressive.

You have done the same
with your play, "Salome."

The Lord Chamberlain
acting on behalf

of Parliament has banned it,

so a few kindred spirits
have hatched a little plot

- of their own.
- Ah

In defiance of the law
and in honor

of our greatest playwright,
the premiere of "Salome"

will take place here tonight,

the 5th of November,
1892.

I'm touched, my dear Alfred,
really I am.

But you must promise me
one thing.

- Of course, if I can.
- Promise me, you won't play
Salome.

Much too energetic,
my dear.

Woman: Here I am.

Evening, Mr. Wilde.
Chilvers said you was here,

- so here I am.
- Why, thank you.

Rose! How many times
have I got tell you,

you should've been ready
half an hour ago,

look at you.

Give Mr. Wilde
his cigars and get out!

Sorry, Sir.

- Beg pardon, Sir.
- Thank you, Rose.

Come on, Alfred,

she knows I only come here
for the cigars.

Don't be hard on her.

You may be hard on me
when you discover Salome

is being played by a skivvy.

- [ chuckles ]
- Salome?

Does she rehearse
the Dance of the Seven Veils

with her dusters?

She looks terribly
undernourished, poor thing,

Will she have the strength
to drop them?

She had better the little bitch
or I will murder her.

Well, you can afford
to these days

with servants to a penny.

How much have you spent
on the rest of the cast?

We're all doing it for love,
Oscar,

clients and courtesans alike.

Now take your ease

and imagine yourself
on a moonlit terrace

in the palace
of bad King Herod

on a balmy summer's night,
some 20 years or so

after the birth
of Jesus Christ.

And what our production
lacks in stagecraft,

we hope to make up
for in enthusiasm.

And any shortcomings
in design,

I know will be compensated

for by your
fertile imagination.

That sounds too much
like hard work.

I came here to be entertained.
Entertain me.

As always,
I shall do my best.

Well, you've never
failed me yet.

What's that delicious fragrance?
What is it?

Sandalwood? Myrrh?

No, It's a blending
of green carnations

and the pubic hair
of virgins.

Of course,
I should have guessed.

Let the play commence.

[ fanfare plays ]

Bosie.

[ both grunt ]

[ both grunt ]

[ groans ]

Ooh!

Oscar:
Well done, Kenneth.

As usual, you've captured
the perfect moment,

the climatic one.

And hope to catch many more

before the night is out,
Mr. Wilde.

While playing a part,
I presume?

But did I really include
a court photographer

in Herod's entourage?

Oh, no, we're playing a couple
of foreign guests,

but I've taken the liberty

of combining business
with pleasure.

As one would expect in
a whorehouse, Kenneth,

and if you're acting
is as grossly indecent

as your photographic studies,

we're in for
an outrageous evening.

Merde!

Merde to you too,
Mr. Wilde.

[ laughs ]

How beautiful Salome
looks tonight.

Man: Look at the moon
How strange she looks,

like a woman rising
from a grave,

she looks like a dead woman
seeking out the dead.

She looks strange.

She looks like a princess
in a yellow veil

with silver feet.

She looks like a princess
who has feet

like little white doves.

She could be dance.

She is like a dead woman

and she moves very slowly.

What a din.

Who are those
wild howling beasts?

The Jews.
They're always like that.

They are discussing
their religion.

Why are they discussing
their religion?

I don't know,
they're always at it.

The Pharisees
say there are angels.

The Sadducees say
they don't exist.

I think it's ridiculous to argue
about such things.

How beautiful the princess
Salome looks tonight.

You're always looking at her.
You look at her too often.

You mustn't look
at people like that,

something terrible
could happen.

She is very beautiful tonight.

Tetrarch looks glum.

Yes, he is looking glum.

- He's looking at something.
- He's looking at someone.

- Who's he looking at?
- I don't know.

Yo-hoo!

How pale the princess is.

Never have I seen her
so pale.

She looks like the reflection
of a white rose

in a silver mirror.

You mustn't look at her.
You look at her too much.

Herodias has poured
the Tetrarch a drink.

Is Herodias the one
with the red eyes,

the ruby lips, the ruby hips
and the red rubies?

Yes, that's Herodias
She's the wife of the Tetrarch.

Man: The Tetrarch loves wine.
He keeps three kinds--

One which comes from
the island of Samothrace

is as purple
as Caesar's cloak.

Ah, Caesar, I've never
had the pleasure,

Another, from the city
of Chipra,

is as yellow as gold.

Gold...
I love gold.

And a third,
which is a Sicilian wine,

that one is as red
as blood.

The gods of my country
love blood.

Twice a year,
we sacrifice youths

and virgins to 'em--

50 youths
and 100 virgins.

But it seems
we never give 'em enough,

'cause they still
persecute us.

In my country,
there aren't any gods now.

The Romans chased them out.

There are those who say
they hid in the mountains,

but I don't believe it.

I spent three nights
in the hills,

looking everywhere
but I didn't find them.

Finally, I called upon
each one by name,

but they didn't appear.

I think...
they are dead.

The Jews worship
a god they can't see.

- Really?
- In fact,

they only worship
things they can't see.

Ridiculous!

Man: After me,
will come one even more mighty

Sometimes,
he says fearful things

but we never understand him.

I'm not worthy to use--

Can we see him?

No!
The Tetrarch forbids it.

What a bizarre prison.

It's an old well.

An old well?

It must be very unhealthy.

Take the brother
of the Tetrarch,

his elder brother,

Queen Herodias'
first husband,

he was incarcerated
down there for 12 years

and he didn't die.

In the end,
he had to be strangled.

- Strangled?
- Who dare do that?

That one.

Naamán.

[ bang on gong ]

- Wasn't he afraid?
- Oh, no.

- The Tetrarch sent him
the ring?
- What ring?

The ring of death,
that way he wasn't afraid.

Even so, it's terrible
to strangle a king.

- Why?
- Kings have only got
one neck,

just like other men.

It seem terrible to me.

Now!

The princess is getting up.
She's leaving the table.

She seems bored.

She's coming over here.
Yes, she's coming towards us.

I'm not staying
I can't stay.

Don't look at her.
I beg you don't look at her.

It is strange that my mother's
husband looks at me so.

I don't know
what it means.

Actually, I do know.

Have you just left
the banquet, princess?

Would you like to sit down,
princess?

Why look at her?
Why speak to her?

Oh, something terrible
is going to happen.

How fresh the air is here.

At last, one can breathe.

Inside, there are Jews
from Jerusalem,

tearing each other
to pieces,

over their ridiculous
ceremonies.

Barbarians drinking
and spilling wine everywhere,

and then there are the Romans
with their brutality,

their clumsiness,
their swear words.

Ooh, how I detest the Romans.

Commoners,

giving themselves the airs
and graces of royalty.

Isn't it wonderful
to see the moon?

She is cold and chaste,
the moon.

I am sure she's a virgin.

She's a virgin.

She has never sullied herself.

She has never given
herself to men,

like the other goddesses.

Man:
The Lord has come!

The Son of Man has come.

The centaurs have hidden
themselves in the rivers

and the mermaids
have fled to sleep

beneath the leaves
in the forest.

Who said that?

It's the voice of the prophet,
princess.

Ah, the prophet,

the one that Tetrarch fears?

We know nothing of that,
princess.

- It is the Prophet John.
- The Baptist.

Boy: Shall I order
your litter, princess?

It is very beautiful
in the garden.

He has said monstrous things
about my mother, hasn't he?

We never understand
what he says, princess.

Yes, he has said appalling
things about her.

Woman:
Frightfully sorry,princess.

The Tetrarch requests
that you return to the banquet.

I'm not going back.

Pardon me, princess,
but if you don't go back,

something awful
could happen to you.

Is he an old man,
the prophet?

Princess, It would be best
if you went back.

Permit me to accompany you.

The Prophet,
Is he an old man?

No, princess.
He's a very young man.

Well, we don't know.

There are those that say
he is Elijah.

Who's Elijah?

A very old prophet, princess,
from the provinces.

Sorry, what reply should
I give to the Tetrarch

on behalf of the princess?

John: Do not rejoice,
land of Palestine,

because the rod of your
oppressor has been broken

from the serpent's egg
will come a basilisk

and he who is formed from it,
will devour the birds!

What a strange voice.
I would like to speak to him.

I'm afraid that's impossible,
princess.

The Tetrarch doesn't wish
us to speak to him.

He has forbidden even
the High Priest to speak to him.

I want to speak to him.

- It's impossible, princess.
- I want to.

Indeed, princess It would be
better to return to the banquet.

Have the Prophet brought out.

I have always been nice
to you.

You will do it,
won't you?

I only want to look at him,

this strange prophet.

Everyone talks about him.

I've often heard the Tetrarch
talk about him.

I think the Tetrarch
is afraid of him.

I am sure he is afraid
of him.

And you, Narraboth?

Are you afraid of him,
too?

I'm not afraid of him,
princess.

I'm afraid of no one,

but the Tetrarch
has officially forbidden us

to release him
from the well.

You will do this for me,
Narraboth,

and tomorrow,
when I pass in my litter

under the arch
of the vendors of idols,

I will drop
a little flower for you,

a little green flower.

Princess, I can't...
I can't.

You will do this for me,
Narraboth.

You know,
you will do this for me,

and tomorrow
when I pass over the bridge

of the vendors of idols,

I will look at you.

Through my muslin veils,

I will look at you.

Soldiers:
We dare not, princess.

How dark it is down there!

He must be terrible,
to be in a place so black.

It's like a tomb.

Didn't you hear me?
Let him out!

I want to see him.

I beg you, princess,
don't ask this of us.

Don't keep me waiting!

Princess,
our lives belong to you,

but we cannot do
what you ask.

In any case,

it's not
we who you must ask.

Oh, what is going to happen?

I am sure something terrible
is going to happen!

You will do it for me,

won't you,
Narraboth?

You will do it for me.

Narraboth,

I will smile at you.

Perhaps.

Look at me, Narraboth.

Look at me.

You know full well you will
do what I ask of you.

You know it,
don't you?

Me, I know it.

Send up the Prophet.

The princess wishes
to see him.

Send up the Prophet!

[ grunts ]

Oh, how strange
the moon looks tonight.

Through the clouds of muslin,

she smiles like
a little princess...

like a princess
with amber eyes.

John:
Tell him to come out

so that he may hear
the voice

of he who has shouted
in the deserts

and in the palaces of kings.

- Whom does he mean?
- We never know, princess.

Where is she

who having seen naked men
painted on city walls,

pictures of Chaldeans
etched in color,

gave way to lust
and sent envoys to Chaldea?

He is speaking about
my mother.

No, princess!

[ laughs ]
Yes, It's about mother.

Where is she who gave
herself to the captains

of the Assyrians?

Tell her to drag herself from
her bed of lasciviousness

from her bed
of incestuousness,

so that she may hear
the words of he

who paves the way
of the Lord.

So that she may repent
her sins!

Although she will never
expiate them,

but remain steadfast
in her crimes.

Tell her to come.

For the Lord

has his scourge
in his hands.

Oh, but he is horrible.

He is horrible.

Who is this woman
who looks at me?

I do not want her
to look at me.

Why is she looking at me
with her amber eyes

and silver eyelids?

I don't know who she is.
I don't want to know.

Tell her to go away.

It is not to her that
I wish to speak!

I am Salome,
daughter of Herodias,

princess of Judea.

Get back,
daughter of Babylon!

Fall back from
the Lord's chosen one.

Your mother has stained
the earth

with the wine
of her iniquities

and the cries of her sins
have reached the ears of God.

Talk on, John the Baptist,
your voice intoxicates me.

Princess, princess!

Princess! Ah!

Speak again...

Speak again,
John the Baptist,

and tell me what I must do.

Away,
daughter of Sodom!

Cover your face
with a veil

and heap ashes
on your head

and go into the desert
to seek out the Son of Man.

Who is the Son of Man?

Is he as beautiful as you,
John the Baptist?

Back...

Back!

[ wings batting ]

In the palace,

I hear the beating wings
of the Angel of Death.

Princess, I beg you
to go back inside.

Ah!

Angel of the Lord,

Why are you here
with your sword?

Whom do you seek
in this foul palace?

The day of the one who will die
in a scarlet robe

has not yet come.

- John the Baptist
- Who speaks?

John the Baptist,

I am in love
with your body.

Your body is white
like the lily of a meadow

that the scythe
has never cut down.

Your body is as white

as the snows
on the mountains of Judah

which descend to the valleys.

The roses in the garden
of the Queen of Arabia

are not as white
as your body.

Nor the footprints of dawn
which steal onto leaves,

nor the breasts of
the moon when she sets

on the bosom of the sea.

There is nothing
in the world as white

as your body.

Let me touch your body--

Away!
daughter of Babylon

It is through woman that
evil entered the world.

Do not speak to me.

I do not wish to hear you.

I listen only to
the word of the Lord God!

- Your body is hideous.
- [ whip lashes ]

It is like the body
of a leper.

It is like a wall of plaster
where vipers have passed,

like a wall of plaster where
scorpions have made their nest.

It is horrible.

It is horrible, your body.

[ groans ]

It is your hair

that I am in love with,
John the Baptist.

Your hair is like
bunches of black grapes

which hang from
the vines of Edom,

in the country
of the Edomites.

It is like the cedars
of Lebanon,

like the large cedars
of Lebanon,

which give shade to
the lions and to the robbers

who hide during the day.

The long black nights,

the nights when
the moon hides herself,

when the stars
are afraid

are not as black.

The silence in the forest
is not as black a silence.

There is nothing
in the world as black

as your hair.

Let me touch your hair.

Away, daughter of Sodom!
Do not touch me!

Do not violate
the temple of the Lord God.

- Your hair is horrible!
- [ whip lashes]

It's all covered
in mud and dirt.

It is like a crown of thorns
placed on your brow.

It is like a knot
of black snakes

twisting around your neck.

I don't like your hair.

It is...

your mouth that I am
in love with,

John the Baptist.

Your mouth is like
a band of scarlet

around an ivory tower.

It is like a pomegranate
cut by an ivory knife.

The pomegranate flowers

which bloom in
the gardens of Tyre

and are redder than
the roses

aren't as red.

The red cries of trumpets
that herald the arrival

of kings and frighten
the enemies

aren't as red.

Your mouth is redder
than the feet

of those who tread the wine
in the wine presses.

It is redder than the feet
of the doves

which live in the temples

who are fed by the priests.

It is redder than
the feet of one

who comes out of the forest

having killed a lion

and seen golden tigers.

Your mouth is like
a branch of coral

which fishermen have found

in the half-light of the sea
and saved for their king.

It is like the vermilion
that the Moabites find

in the mines of Moab which
the kings take from them.

It is like the pearl of
the King of Persia

which is painted vermilion

with horns of coral.

There is nothing
in the world as red

as your mouth.

Let me kiss your mouth.

Never, daughter of Babylon,

daughter of Sodom
never!

I will kiss your mouth,
John the Baptist.

I will kiss your mouth.

Princess...

Princess!

You who are like
a bouquet of myrrh,

you who are
the dove of doves.

Do not look
at this man.

Do not look at him!

Do not say such things to him.

I cannot bear it.

Princess,
Do not say such things.

I will kiss your mouth,
John the Baptist.

Now!

Let me kiss your mouth,
John the Baptist.

Princess, the young captain
has killed himself.

Let me kiss your mouth.

Are you not afraid,
daughter of Herodias?

Did I not tell you
I heard the beating wings

of the Angel of Death.

And has not the angel come?

Princess:
Let me kiss your mouth.

Adulteress' daughter.

There is only one man
who can save you.

It is he I was speaking of.

He was my brother.
Go and seek him out.

Closer even than a brother.

He's in the boat
on the sea of Galilee,

teaching his disciples.

I gave him a little
a box of perfumes

and a ring of agate which
he always wore on his hand.

John: Kneel down by the water's
edge and call his name...

In the evenings,
we would stroll by the side

of the river amongst
the almond trees.

and he comes towards you...

And he would tell me
stories about his country.

He comes to all those
who call him.

Prostrate yourself at his feet
and ask forgiveness

of your sins.

Let me kiss your mouth.

Be cursed, daughter
of an incestuous mother.

Be damned!

I will not look at you.

You are accursed, Salome.

You are accursed!

Princess: I will kiss your
mouth, John the Baptist.

I will kiss your mouth.

We must dispose
of the body.

The only corpses
the Tetrarch likes to see

are those he's killed himself.

You're right.
We must hide the body.

Soldier #1: The Tetrarch
mustn't see it.

Soldier #2: The Tetrarch
doesn't come here.

He never comes out
on the terrace.

He's too afraid
of the Prophet.

Where is Salome?
Where is the princess?

Why did she not return to
the banquet as I commanded?

Ah, there she is.

You must not look at her.
You are always looking at her.

This moon is strange tonight.
Isn't the moon strange,

like a madwoman looking
for lovers everywhere?

Ah, she's naked too
She's completely naked.

The clouds have tried
to clothe her,

but she doesn't want them.

She's showing herself
completely naked in the sky.

She's reeling across the clouds
like a drunken harlot.

I am sure,
she's looking for lovers.

Doesn't she reel
just like a drunken woman?

She's like a a crazy woman,
isn't she?

Woman: Let's go in,
there's nothing out here.

No, I'm staying here.
Manasseh,

lay the carpets down here,
light the torches,

bring out the ivory
and marble tables.

The air here is...delicious.

I shall take more wine
with my guests.

To the ambassadors
of Caesar,

one must afford
all of the honors.

It's not because of them that
you're staying out here.

Yes, the air here is
exquisite.

Come my dear Herodias,

we're keeping
our guests waiting.

Oh, I've slipped...

slipped in blood.

It's a bad omen,
a very bad omen.

What is this blood doing here?

And this corpse?

What is this corpse
doing here?

Do you think I'm like
the King of Egypt,

who never holds a banquet
without showing a corpse

to his guests?

Who is he anyway?
I don't want to look at him.

It's our captain,
my Lord.

It's that young Syrian you made
captain only three days ago.

I gave no orders
to kill him.

- He killed himself.
- Why?

I made him a captain.

We don't know why, my Lord.
He just killed himself.

How strange.

I thought it was only
Roman philosophers

who killed themselves.

Isn't that true,
Tigellenus,

that the philosophers
of Rome commit suicide?

There are others that kill
themselves, my Lord.

But the stoics, for instance,
they're a very crass people.

In fact, they are ridiculous.
I find them ridiculous.

So do I. It is ridiculous
to kill oneself.

We laugh a lot
about it in Rome.

The Emperor has written
a satirical poem about them.

It is recited everywhere.

He wrote a satirical poem
about them?

Caesar is marvelous.
He can do anything.

It's strange young Syrian
should kill himself.

I'm sorry, very sorry
for he was handsome.

He was very handsome.
He had languid eyes.

I've seen him looking
at Salome

with languorous eyes.

As I recall,

he looked at Salome
a little too often.

There are others,
who also look at her too often.

His father was a king.

I chased him from his kingdom
and you made a slave

of his mother
who was a queen, Herodias.

He was a guest here,
that's why I made him a captain.

I'm sorry he's dead,
I'm so--

Why have you left the body
lying here?

Take it away.

I don't want to look at it.
Take it away!

There's a wind.

- Isn't there a wind?
- No, there is no wind.

- [ farts ]
- Yes, there is a wind.

And I hear on that
wind something akin

to the beating of wings.

The beating of giant wings.
Don't you hear it?

- I hear nothing.
- [ farts ]

I don't hear it anymore either,
but I did hear it.

Maybe it was just
the wind, it's gone.

No I can still hear it.

Don't you hear it?
Just like a beating of wings.

I tell you,
there is nothing.

You are ill,
let's go inside.

I am not ill.

It is your daughter
who is ill.

She seems very ill,
your daughter,

never have I seen her
looking so pale.

Then don't look at her.

Give me some wine.

Salome, come drink
a little wine with me.

This wine is exquisite.

Caesar himself sent it to me.

Come, moisten your
sweet red lips with me...

and I will drain the cup.

I am not thirsty, Tetrarch.

Salome, come eat
some fruits with me.

I love to see the marks
your little teeth make.

Come bite into
this piece of fruit

and I will finish it off.

I am not hungry, Tetrarch.

See, how you've brought
herup.

My daughter and I
are of royal heritage.

Your grandfather kept camels.

- And he was a thief as well.
- You lie!

You know it's the truth.

Salome,
come and rest with me.

I will give you
your mother's throne.

I am not tired, Tetrarch.

Bring me...

Oh, I forgot what I wanted.

Oh, yes, I remember.

John:
The time has come

What I predicted
has come to pass,

sayeth the Lord God.

This is the day--

Shut him up!

I can't bear to hear
the sound of his voice,

forever spewing up
insults about me.

He hasn't said anything
against you.

He's a great prophet.

I don't believe in prophets.

How can anyone say what
will happen?

No one knows.
He's always insulting me.

But I think
you are afraid of him.

Yes, I know very well,
you are afraid of him.

I am not afraid of him
I am not afraid of anybody.

Yes, you are afraid of him.

If you are not afraid of him,

why do you not deliver him
to the Jews?

They've been asking
for the past six months.

That is so my Lord.

It would be better
to hand him over to us.

Enough!

I have already given you
my answer.

I don't want to hand him over.

He's a holy man.
He's a man who has seen God.

That's impossible!

No one has seen God
since the Prophet Elijah.

He was the last to see him.

God does not show himself
these days.

He is in hiding.

And that is why there are great
misfortunes in this country.

Ah, We don't know for sure

if the great Prophet Elijah
really saw God.

It is more likely that
he saw the shadow of God.

God never hides himself
from anything.

He shows himself
in everything.

God is in good
as he is in evil.

You mustn't say that.

That is a very dangerous idea.

It's an idea which comes
from the schools of Alexandria,

where they teach Greek
philosophy,

and the Greeks,
they are Gentiles.

They're not even circumcised.

We can't know how God acts.
His ways are mysterious.

God is all powerful.

He breaks the weak
and the strong together.

- He cares for nobody.
- That is true.

God is all terrible.

He crushes the weak
and the strong

as you would crush
wheat in a mortar.

But this man
has never seen God.

No one has seen God
since the Prophet Elijah.

Shut them up!

They bore me.

But it is said that
John the Baptist himself

is your Prophet Elijah.

That's not possible.

300 years have passed
since the Prophet Elijah.

There are those who say that
he is the Prophet Elijah.

Oh, I'm sure
he's the Prophet Elijah.

Oh, no,
He's not the Prophet Elijah.

Man: The day has come,
the day of the Lord,

and on the mountains there
sound the footsteps

of the savior of the world.

What does that mean?
The Savior of the World?

What does that mean?
The Savior of the World?

This is what Caesar
calls himself.

Caesar is not coming
to Judea.

Only yesterday,
I had letters from Rome.

They didn't mention it.

Tigellenus, you were in
Rome during the winter.

Did you hear anything
about it then?

No, my Lord, I haven't
heard anything either.

I was merely explaining
about the title.

It is one of Caesar's titles.

Oh, Caesar can't come,
he has gout.

They say he has elephant's feet.

[ clears throat ]

Also, for political reasons.

He who leaves Rome,
loses Rome.

He won't come.

On the other hand,
Caesar is master.

He'll come
if he wants to.

But I don't think he'll come.

The prophet was not speaking
of Caesar, my Lord.

- Not Caesar?
- No, my Lord.

- So who was he speaking of?
- Of the Messiah who has come.

- The Messiah has not come.
- He has come.

He's performing miracles
everywhere.

Not miracles.
I don't believe in miracles.

I've seen far too many.

This man performs
real miracles.

Once, during a marriage
in the town of Galilee,

a town of some importance,

he changed the water
into wine.

- [ farts ]
- My fan.

Tigellenus: People who were
there told me.

He also cured some lepers
who were sitting at the gate

of Cafarnaum
simply by touching them.

No, It was two blind people
he cured in Carfarnaum.

No, they were lepers.

But he cured the blind, too.

And we saw him on a mountain
speaking with angels.

- Angels don't exist.
- Angels do exist,

but I don't believe that
man spoke with them.

He was seen by a crowd
of people talking

to the angels.

These men irritate me.

They are stupid,
so stupid,

So utterly stupid.

- [ farts ]
- Ugh! Where is my fan?

You seem to be dreaming.
One shouldn't dream.

Dreamers are sick people.

- [ snores ]
- Go.

Woman: Then there's the miracle
of the daughter of Jairus.

That's absolutely right.
You can't deny it.

These people are mad.

They've been mooning
at the moon too long.

Tell them to be quiet.

What was that?

The miracle of the daughter
of Jairus?

Yes, it's true.
You can't deny it.

But what was it,

the miracle of
the daughter of Jairus?

The daughter of Jairus
was dead.

He restored her to life.

He raises the dead?

Yes, my Lord.
He raises the dead.

I don't want him to do that.

I forbid him to do that.

You must find this man
and tell him

I will not allow him
to raise the dead.

Where is he now,
this man?

He's everywhere, my Lord,
but is very difficult to find.

They say he's in Samaria
at present.

It's easy to see,

he's not the Messiah
if he's in Samaria.

It's not to the Samaritans,
the Messiah will come.

He left Samaria
a few days ago.

I think he's on
the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Oh, no, he's not there
I've just come from Jerusalem.

No one has heard anything
about him for two months.

So it doesn't matter.

You must find this man
and tell him on my behalf

that I don't want him
to go around raising the dead.

Turning water into wine,
curing lepers and the blind,

he can do that if he wants.

I have nothing
against that.

In fact, I think curing
lepers is a good deed,

but I will not have him
going around raising the dead.

It would be terrible if
the dead were to come back.

Man:
Ah, the wanton one!

The slut, thewhore,

Ah, the daughter
of Babylon...

Silence him!

eyes have golden eyelids.

This is what
the Lord God commands...

This is iniquitous.

a multitude of men

so that the people may take up
rocks and stone her!

Do you hear what
he is saying about me?

You allow him
to insult your wife?

He hasn't even mentioned
your name.

You know very well I am
the one he is insulting,

and I am your wife,
aren't I?

Oh, yes, my dear
and noble Herodias,

you are my wife.

You were also
my brother's wife.

You tore me from his arms.

Quite so.
I was the stronger.

But let's not talk these
things now.

It's because of this,

the prophet has said
these terrible things,

and in consequence
something dreadful may happen.

Let's not talk about it.

Just pour me a drink,
beloved.

You haven't mentioned how
pale your daughter is.

What is it to you whether
she's pale or not?

Never have I seen her
so pale.

Don't look at her.

Me?

Him.

Herodias!

Herod: No!

Me, too?

John:
On that day,

the sun will become as black
as a sack of feathers

and the moon will become
like blood

and the stars in the sky
will fall to the earth,

like green figs
from the fig tree

and the kings of
the earth will be afraid!

I'd really like to see the day
when the moon drips blood

and the stars fall
to earth like ripe figs.

He talks like a drunk.

I cannot bear the sound
of his voice.

- Order him to be silent!
- No!

I don't understand
what he is saying,

but it could be an omen.

I don't believe in omens.

He speaks like a drunk!

Maybe he's drunk
on the wine of God.

Herodias: What wine is that,
the wine of God?

What vines does it grow on

and in what wine cellars
will you find it?

Tigellenus, [ clears throat ]

when you were
in Rome recently,

um, what did the Emperor
have to say

on the subject?

- What subject, my Lord?
- What subject?

Uh, I-I-I I asked
you a question, didn't I?

I've forgotten what it was.

You're looking at
my daughter again.

Don't look at her,
I told you this before.

- You're always saying it
- And I am saying it again.

The...uh-the-the-the
restoration

of the temple

we talked so much about,

are we are we going to do
some something about that?

They said the-the veil

from the Sanctuary's
disappeared.

You took it yourself.
You're talking nonsense.

Dance for me, Salome.

I don't want her to dance.

I have no desire to dance,
Tetrarch.

Salome, daughter of Herodias
dance for me.

Leave her alone!

I command you to
dance for me, Salome.

I will not dance, Tetrarch.

- [ sighs ]
- [ giggles ]

See how she obeys you.

What is it to me
if she dances or not?

It doesn't matter.

Tonight I'm happy.
I'm very happy.

I've never been so happy.

The Tetrarch looks glum.

Don't you think
he looks glum?

He's glum all right.

Why shouldn't I be happy?

Caesar who is the master
of the world,

master of everything,
loves me very much.

He just sent me some
valuable gifts.

Also, he has promised
to summon my enemy

the King of Cappadocia
to Rome.

Maybe, he'll be crucified
in Rome.

He could do anything,
Caesar.

After all he is master.

So you see I have every
reason to be happy.

In fact, I am happy.
I've never been happier.

There's nothing in the world
that can spoil my happiness.

John: He will be seated
on his throne.

He will be clothed
in purple and scarlet.

In his hand,
he will carry a golden vessel

filled with his blasphemies,

and the Angel of God
will strike him down.

He will be eaten by worms.

Herodias: Do you hear what
he's saying about you?

He says you will be eaten
by worms.

[ all laughing ]

The Prophet never says
anything against me.

It's it's the King
of Cappadocia

he's talking about,

the King of Cappadocia
who's my enemy.

It is he who will
be eaten by worms.

Never, never has the Prophet
said anything against me,

except to say that
I was wrong to take the wife

of my brother
as my wife.

Maybe he's right.

After all, you are barren.

Barren!

You dare say that to me?

You who are forever
ogling my daughter

who asked her to dance
for your pleasure?

It is ridiculous
to say that.

I have a child.

You have never had a child
even by one of your slaves.

If anyone is sterile,
it is you, not I.

Shut up! I'm telling you
you're barren.

You have not given me a child.

And the Prophet says that our
marriage is not a true marriage.

He says it is an
incestuous marriage,

a marriage which
will bring misfortune.

I'm afraid he might be right.
I'm sure he is right.

But now is not the time
to talk about such things.

At the moment,
I want to be happy.

[ laughs ]

[ music starts ]

Get off.

[ mouths words ]

I'm happy,
I'm very happy.

There's nothing
I could wish for.

I am delighted to see you
in such good humor tonight.

It is so unusual,
but it is getting late.

Let us go in.

Have you forgotten?
We are hunting at dawn.

We must bestow honors on
Caesar's ambassador,

must we not?

[ burps ]

How glum Tetrarch looks.

Yes, he does seem glum.

Herod:
Salome, Salome, Salome,

Dance for me, Salome,
I beg you.

I'm sad tonight.

Yes, tonight I'm very sad.

When I came out here,
I slipped in some blood.

That's a very bad omen.

And then I heard--

I'm sure I heard the beating
of wings in the air,

the beating
of giant wings.

I don't know what it means.
I'm sad tonight.

Dance for me, Salome.

Dance for me.

I'll--I'll give you anything
you ask for.

Even if it's half my kingdom.

You will give me anything
that I ask for, Tetrarch?

Don't dance, my daughter.

Anything...

even if
it's half my kingdom.

Do you swear it,
Tetrarch?

I swear it, Salome.

My daughter,
do not dance.

On what do you swear,
Tetrarch?

On my life,

on my crown,

on my gods.

I will give you anything
you want,

even half my kingdom

if you dance for me.

Salome, Salome,

dance for me?

You have sworn, Tetrarch.

I-I have sworn, Salome.

My daughter,
do not dance.

I will give you
one half of my kingdom.

As queen, you would look
very beautiful,

if you were ask me for one
half of my kingdom.

Wouldn't she look
very beautiful as queen?

It's cold.

There's a very cold wind
blowing,

and...I hear...

Oh, why do I hear those
beating wings in the air?

It is though there's a bird,

a big black bird
hovering over the terrace.

The wind coming from
its wings is fierce.

It's a cold wind!

It isn't cold at all.

The contrary,
it's too hot.

I'm suffocating.

Pour water on my hands
Give me snow to eat.

Unfasten my toga quickly,

quick, careful,
no, leave it!

It's my crown that's hurting me,
my crown of roses.

It's as though the petals
are made of flames.

It's burning my forehead!

Ah, that's better.
I can breathe at last.

How red they are,
the petals...

like drops of blood

but it doesn't matter,

One must not look
for symbolic meanings

in everything one sees.

It makes life impossible.

But let's not talk
about that now.

I want to be happy.
I am happy.

I'm very happy.

I have every reason
to be happy, haven't I?

Your daughter is going
to dance for me.

Aren't you Salome?
You promised to dance.

I don't want her to dance.

I will dance
for you Tetrarch.

You hear what your daughter
is saying?

She is going to dance
for me, your daughter.

Quite right to dance
for me Salome.

And after you have danced,

don't forget to come and ask
for anything you want.

Anything you want,
I'll give you.

I have sworn it,
haven't I?

You have sworn.

I have never gone back
on my word.

I'm-I'm not one of those
to go back on my word.

I--I don't know how to lie.

I am slave to my word because
my word is the word of a king.

The King of Cappadocia
lies all the time.

But he's not a proper king.

He's a coward.

And he owes me money
he doesn't want to repay.

He said hurtful things.
He insulted my ambassadors.

But Caesar will crucify him
when he gets to Rome.

I'm sure Caesar
will crucify him.

Or he'll die eaten by worms
as the Prophet has predicted.

Salome Salome,
what are you waiting for?

I am waiting for my slaves
to bring me perfumes

and the seven veils...

and to unlace my boots.

You're going to dance barefoot.
Oh, that's good.

That's good.

Your little feet will
be like white doves.

They'll be like little
white flowers

that dance in the trees.

No.

I don't want her to dance
barefoot.

She'll dance in blood.
There was blood spilt.

I won't have her dancing
in blood.

That would be a very bad omen.

What does it matter
if she dances in blood?

You have walked in it yourself

What does it matter?

Look at the moon.

She's turned red as blood
as the Prophet said.

He predicted the moon
would turn as red as blood.

Don't you see?

I see it perfectly well

and the stars will fall
like green figs

and the sun is turning as black
as a sack of feathers

and the kings of the earth
are afraid.

That at least we can see.

For the first time in his life,
the prophet is right.

The kings of the earth
are afraid.

So let us go in.
You are ill.

They are going to say in Rome
that you are mad.

Let us go in,
I tell you.

John: Who is he who comes
from Edom,

who comes from Bosra
with his purple colored robe,

who glows in the beauty
of his clothes

and walks with
a powerful stride?

Why are his clothes
dyed scarlet?

Let us go in.

The sound of this man's
voice exasperates me.

I don't want my daughter
to dance,

while he is carrying on
like this.

I don't want my daughter
to dance

while you are looking
at her like that.

In fact, I don't want my
daughter to dance at all!

Don't go in!

My wife, my queen,
It's no use.

I will not go in until
I have seen her dance.

Salome!

Dance for me!

I am ready, Tetrarch.

Herodias: Do not dance,
my daughter!

[ Grieg's
"Prelude to Madness" playing ]

Oh-ooh.

[ giggles ]

[ crowd aws and applause ]

- Ugh!
- Now!

Marvelous, marvelous.

You see, she has danced
for me, your daughter.

Come here, Salome.

Come here,
so I can reward you.

Anything you want,
I'll give you.

What do you want?
Tell me.

I want it brought to me
presently

on a silver platter.

On a silver platter?

On a silver platter,
of course, isn't she charming.

What do you want brought
to you on a silver platter,

my dear and beautiful Salome?

You're the most beautiful
of all the girls in Judea.

What do you want brought
to you on a silver platter?

Tell me
and I'll give it toyou.

All my treasures
belong to you.

Tell me,
what do you want?

The head of John the Baptist.

Well said, my daughter.

I beg you, Salome,
do not ask this of me.

Don't pay any attention
to your mother.

She's always giving
you bad advice.

- You mustn't listen to her.
- I'm not listening to her.

It is for my own pleasure
that I ask

for the head of John the Baptist
on a silver platter.

Remember,
you swore Herod.

I know, I swore by the gods,
I know very well.

But I beg you,
do not ask this of me,

ask for anything else,
ask for half my kingdom.

I will give it to you,

but I beg you
do not ask this of me.

I am asking you
for the head

of John the Baptist.

Herod:
Salome, Salome,

let's be friends, huh?

Yousee--
What was I gonna say?

I've forgotten.

Yes, I remember
what it was, uh,

Oh, Salome, come,
come closer.

I'm afraid you
you won't hear me.

You know my beautiful peacocks,
my beautiful white peacocks

which live between
the cypress trees

and the myrtles
in the garden?

Their heads are golden.

The grain they eat
is gold, too,

and their feet
are dyed purple.

The rains come
when they cry out

and when they open up
their fans,

the moon appears
in the sky.

They walk two by two
between the cypress trees

and the black myrtles,

and each one has a slave
to look after him.

Sometimes they fly through
the trees,

and sometimes they sleep in
the grass or by the pool.

There are no animals
in the world,

as beautiful as they.

I'm sure no king on earth
has birds as perfect.

I'm sure even Caesar--

[ whispers ] Caesar has not
got birds as beautiful.

I will give you
fifty of them.

They will go everywhere
with you and amongst them,

you'd be like the moon,
on a great white cloud.

I will--I will
give them all to you.

I have only one hundred

and there's no king on earth
who has peacocks such as mine.

I will give them all to you,

but-but you must release
me from my promise

and-and not ask me what
you have asked of me.

Give me the head
of John the Baptist.

Herodias:
Well said my daughter!

You are ridiculous
with your white peacocks.

Shut up!
You're always shouting.

You screech like
a bird of prey.

Stop screeching like that.

Salome, Salome,

think of what you're doing.

This man comes
from God, perhaps.

I am sure he comes from God.
He's a holy man.

The finger of God
is upon him,

and God has put terrible
words in his mouth.

In the palace as in the desert,
God is always with him.

Well, it's possible isn't it?
Well, we don't know.

But it is possible that
God is always with him.

And it could be that
if he dies,

something terrible
will happen to me.

Well, he said
the day he died,

a great misfortune
would befall someone.

It could only be me!

When I came out here,

I slipped in blood
and then I heard,

I know I heard the beatings
of wings in the air,

the beating of giant wings.

These are both very bad omens
and there are others.

I know there were others,
though I haven't seen them.

So, so, Salome,

you don't want something
terrible to happen to me,

do you?

Listen to me...

Give me the head
of John the Baptist.

Ah, you see,
you're not listening to me.

Stay calm.
I'm very calm.

- What are you looking for?
- A handbag.

[ sings ] A handbag!

[ all giggling ]

Herod: I have got jewels
hidden here that

even you're mother
has never seen.

In a casket of ebony,
I have two apple goblets

that look like golden
apples.

Now if an enemy puts poison
in the goblets,

they become silver apples.

In a chest covered in amber,

I have slippers
encrusted with glass.

I've got cloaks from
the country of Ceres.

I have got bangles garnished
with carbuncles

and jade from the city
of Euphrates.

So tell me, Salome,
what do you want?

Anything you desire,
I'll give you.

I'll give you everything
except one thing.

I'll give you everything I own
except my life.

I will give you the cloak
of the high priest.

I'll give you the veil
from the Sanctuary.

All: Oy, vey!

Give me the head
of John the Baptist!

Woman:
What did she say?

Man: The head
of John the Baptist.

Woman: The head
of John theBaptist.

Give her what she asks for.

She is truly
her mother's daughter.

Why did I give my word?

Kings should never give
their word.

If you don't keep it,
it's bad.

if you keep it,
it's worse.

I think my daughter
did right.

I'm afraid something
terrible is going to happen.

There isn't any noise.

I can hear nothing!

Why doesn't he cry out?

If someone were trying
to kill me,

I'd scream and fight.

I wouldn't want to suffer.

Strike, strike, Naamán!

Strike, I tell you.

I hear nothing.

[ all gasp ]

You didn't want to let me
kiss you, John the Baptist.

Well, I will kiss you now.

I will bite your mouth
with my teeth

the way I bite into
a ripe fruit.

Yes,
I'll kiss your mouth,

John the Baptist.

I told you so, didn't I?
I told you.

Well, I will kiss it now.

Why don't you look at me,
John the Baptist?

Your eyes which
were so terrible,

so full of anger
and contempt

are closed now.

and your tongue that
was like a red snake

darting poisons,
[ laughs ]

it doesn't move anymore.

it doesn't say anything now,
John the Baptist.

That red viper who vomited
his venom on me,

strange, isn't it?

Why is it that
the red snake is still?

You didn't want me.
You rejected me.

You said infamous things to me.

You treated me like
a courtesan, a whore,

me, Salome,

daughter of Herodias,
Princess of Judea.

Though, now,
John the Baptist,

I am still alive
but you are dead!

And your head is mine.

I can do with it
as I please.

I can throw it to the dogs

or the birds
of the air.

What the dogs leave,
the birds will eat.

John the Baptist,

John the Baptist,
You were the only man

I ever loved.

All the others filled me
with disgust,

but you...

you were beautiful.

Your body
was an ivory column

on a silver pedestal.

It was garden filled with doves
and silver lilies.

It was a silver tower
adorned

with ivory shields.

There was nothing
in the world

as white
as your body.

There was nothing
in the world

as black
as your hair.

In all the world,

there was nothing as red
as your mouth.

Your voice
was a sensor filled

with strange perfumes.

And when I looked...at you

I heard strange music.

Oh, why didn't you look at me,
John the Baptist?

You hid your face behind your
hands and your blasphemy.

You placed on your eyes
the bandage

of one who wishes
to see his god.

Well, you have seen him,
your god

John the Baptist,

but me, me...

You have never seen me.

How I loved you.

I love you still,
John the Baptist.

I love only you.

I am thirsty
for your beauty.

I am hungry for your body,

and neither wine nor fruit
can appease my desire.

Oh, tell me what to do now,
John the Baptist?

Neither rivers nor floods
can drown my passion.

I was a princess

and you humiliated me.

I was a virgin
and you raped me.

I was chaste and you
filled my veins with fire.

Why didn't you look at me,
John the Baptist?

If you had looked at me,

you would have loved me.

I know
you would have loved me,

and the mystery
of love

is greater than
the mystery of death.

One must look only
to love.

Herod: She is monstrous,
your daughter,

utterly monstrous.

It's a vile crime
she's done.

It's a crime against
an unknown God.

I approve of what
my daughter has done.

I like it out here.
I want to stay for awhile.

Ah, the incestuous wife speaks.

Come, I do not wish
to stay here.

I am afraid something
terrible is going to happen.

Come, I say,
Manasseh, Issachar,

Uzziah,
put out the torches.

I don't want to see anything.
I don't want anything to see me.

Extinguish the torches,

hide the moon,
hide the stars.

Come, let us hide in
our palace, Herodias.

I'm beginning to feel afraid.

I have kissed your mouth,
John the Baptist.

I have kissed your mouth.

Is that the taste of blood?

Perhaps,
it is the taste of love.

They say love leaves
a bitter taste.

But what of that?

I have kissed your mouth.

Kill that woman.

Bravo, well done,
bravo!

What, no curtains calls?

Oscar: It wasn't as bad
as all that.

They're getting out
of their drag.

I wish they'd drag me out
of this hole.

Dear Bosie,

I knew you were more than
just a pretty face,

but considering how distasteful
you must have found it,

that was quite a performance.

I wish I could be as
enthusiastic about yours.

Come, come,
jealousy is not part

of a prophet's makeup.

And yours, my dear,
is just a little overdone.

If I may be permitted
a teeny criticism.

Oh, how I love your lips.

Let me kiss your lips,
John the Baptist.

No, thank you.

You got too much gold
on your own.

[ laughs ]

I'm well aware that
he's your favorite,

but I find gold irresistible,

and as you know,

I can resist anything
but temptation.

You took advantage
of my position.

And I might be tempted
to do so again,

if you don't close
your mouth.

Ah, Alfred...

Our prophet is somewhat
at a loss.

Bravo, Bosie Don't panic.
Help is on its way.

When you feel yourself
getting a good groping,

you know the stagehands
have arrived.

Alfred:
Very touching, isn't he?

He always is touching.

The casting was nigh on perfect.

I've always admired
the talent here,

but never more so
than tonight.

Your Herod out-Heroded Herod.

Oh, you don't think it was
a mistake casting the soldiers

from the rough trade,
then?

Inspired, my dear Alfred,
absolutely inspired.

I was delighted to find that
I'd written yet another comedy.

I'm afraid the staging left
a little to be desired.

On the contrary,
I found it extremely stagey.

The death of Salome
was pure verissimo.

How on earth do you
achieve such realism?

I wondered if you
were going to--

Well, Oscar,
tell us the worst.

My dear Lady Alice.

Your acting,
to tell the truth--

That remark generally
precedes an untruth.

I make no excuses
for my performance.

If it is good enough
for Queen Victoria,

it is certainly
good enough for you.

You've done a royal
command performance?

No Christmas at Balmoral
would be complete

without the entire family
staging "Macbeth."

Why Macbeth?

I had no idea her Majesty
admired Shakespeare.

The Balmoral ghost walks
only at Christmas Eve.

I was not referring
to my acting,

but to my costume.

It is the one I usually wear
as Lady Macbeth.

My dear Lady Alice,
You transcended country,

class and indeed
the very ???

Sarah Bernhardt should
look to her laurels.

Though, I must confess,

you lack one of
her most singular attributes.

Indeed?
And pray what is that?

A wooden leg.

[ all laughing ]

Man:
Remain where you are.

- Nobody is to leave the room
- What is the meaning of this?

- We're here to run you in.
- Run us in?

Terum dura, terum dura,
terum dura!

Oh, please, Alfred,
not the "Pirates of Penzance."

I'd hate to share a double bill
with Gilbert and Sullivan.

I assure you, Oscar--

Oscar Wills Fingal
O'Flahertie Wilde?

You're under arrest

charged with gross
sexual indecency

and the corruption of minors.

Bosie.

Alfred Taylor,
you're also under arrest,

charged with running
a disorderly house.

I've--

Now will you both
come quietly

or shall we use
the handcuffs?

That won't be necessary,
officer.

We've had one melodramatic
ending tonight.

Two might
be an indulgence.

Chilvers, my top hat
and cloak,

I'm going out.

I may be some little time.

You called, Sir?

Now, Alfred,
I think Bosie was miscast.

If you mount a revival,
he really should play Salome,

and I should play the Prophet.

With your head served up
in a silver platter?

Or my balls.

If you think I am traveling
in this horsebox

with two dangerous criminals

You are mightily mistaken,
my man.

Name and address, Miss?

"Miss"? I have never been
called Miss in my life.

I am the Lady Alice
Fitz Kensington Windsor.

I beg your pardon,
your Ladyship.

I had you down for an 'ore.

You have to come along
all the same.

Since when has it been
a crime to play charades?

Never, your Ladyship,
but we need you as a witness.

One of the chambermaids
has just been murdered.

Murdered, nonsense!
It was death by misadventure.

She slipped on a banana skin.

[ all laughing ]

Mr. Taylor, Mr. Taylor,
I got them.

Mr. Taylor, come back!

Mr. Taylor,
your hat and coat, sir.

Mr. Taylor!