Original subtitles

[EXCITING MUSIC]

[MUSIC ENDS]

[SOUND OF HOOVES]

Stop! Stop this carriage!

Everyone out! The baggage has to be inspected!

Idiot. Take a look at the Emperor's seal.

Yes, sir.

[SOUND OF HOOVES]

IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE 14TH AND 18TH CENTURIES,

AN ESTIMATED EIGHT MILLION MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN

WERE SACRIFICED TO WITCHCRAFT OUT OF DELUSION AND FANATICISM.

DEATH AT THE STAKE OR ON THE SCAFFOLD WAS OFTEN ONLY SALVATION

FOR THE PEOPLE OF THOSE DAYS AFTER YEARS OF AGONIZING TORTURE.

THIS FILM SHOWS THE STORY OF THE YOUNG COUNTESS SALMENAU,

TAKEN FROM ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

ONE OF THE WITCH HUNTERS, POPULARLY KNOWN AS BALZER ROSS,

A CENTURION IN A GERMAN PRINCIPALITY,

WHO DEMONSTRABLY HAD MORE THAN 250 GIRLS AND WOMEN

BURNED TO DEATH WITHIN THREE YEARS,

PERSECUTED THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTESS NOT ONLY OUT OF GREED,

BUT ALSO FOR STRONG SEXUAL REASONS,

WHICH DETERMINED HIS INHUMANE ACTIONS.

HIS CRUELTY AND BRUTALITY ARE UNPARALLELED IN HUMAN HISTORY.

[WOMAN SCREAMS] I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch!

Let me go! Let me go!

Oh, please, God help me! I'm not a witch!

Please, believe me! Help me God!

I'm not a witch!

Can't you please listen?

Help me God!

[ROMANTIC MUSIC]

[LAUGHING]

COUNT: It won't be long.

COUNTESS: Yes.

We'll be seeing Uncle Nicholas soon.

COUNT: Yes, Alexander, and I'm going to take you on your first hunt.

You're a good father, darling.

Oh.

Let's go faster, Papa!

He'll make a fine arrow-man.

You're right.

Sweetheart.

Mama, is Uncle Nicholas a king?

No.

What is he then?

Well, let's see.

Half man, and half saint.

Then he is a mermaid.

Mermaid.

Exactly.

Let's go faster.

Let me go! I'm innocent!

No, no! Help!

[MUFFLED SCREAMS] I'm not a witch.

No!

No!

- [WATER SPLASHING, BEAMS CREAKING] - Help!

Help!

No!

Help!

I want you to stop that.

I demand that you stop it.

You are interfering with an authorized judgment.

I demand you let her go.

In the name of justice.

She's been denounced as a witch.

Show me the indictment.

It's posted in the village.

Alex!

[SABERS RATTLING]

Alexander!

Alexander, you stay here.

[BLADE CLANKS]

I'll see you again, bastard.

Count Salmenau! Look out!

- Alex! - Damn it!

Count Salmenau.

- Elisabeth! - Oh, Alex!

What's the matter with Papa?

Come to me, my son.

VON ROSS: Damn you! Salmenau was a very important friend of the prince.

This had to happen before our official arrival at court.

It was open combat.

They can't challenge me.

- And I was victor. - Really?

And who told you he was a count?

Did he introduce himself to you before he drew his sword?

His servant called him by that name.

What?

His servant was a witness?

Yes.

Then you'd better get rid of him.

Understand? And quickly.

We must allow nothing to interfere with our work, Natas.

This incident is dangerous.

Let's investigate the child.

How old did you say he was?

Answer me.

Quite young,

but he was strong like the devil when he pushed the guard into the water.

Yes.

He's a devil's bastard, that's it.

VON ROSS: Post this document immediately.

Whoever assists a person suspected of dealing with the devil,

grants him protection,

or aids him in escaping,

will be considered one of the devil's people

and consigned to the executioner.

NICHOLAS: You're my best rider, Calder.

CALDER: I'm your obedient servant.

- You must ride like the wind. - Yes, sir.

It's of the utmost importance.

You must take this message to His Majesty.

Not a word to anyone.

I rely on you.

Be sure that it will be done.

For you, sir, I would ride through hell itself.

Go then, Calder, and Godspeed.

God bless you.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Elisabeth.

My poor child.

What a terrible tragedy has befallen you.

This letter to the court,

it has to help.

VON ROSS: I do hope, Your Eminence.

I appear in your eyes not only as witch commissioner,

but also as a man and a Christian.

EMINENCE: Your reputation for strictness and determination precedes you.

Satan and his demons are also one to give no pardon, Your Eminence.

You know,

Balthasar von Ross,

that we are not only the legal,

but also the spiritual leaders of this land.

Yes, I'm quite aware, Your Eminence.

But also every subject is called on to fight

against the devil and his cohorts.

As we all know, Eminence, the words of the Bible are valid.

Who was not for me...

is against me.

Good day, gentlemen.

I am the Countess Salmenau.

My husband, the Count,

was murdered by that man there, Your Eminence.

That's not correct.

If you'll excuse me, Countess, there can be no discussion of murder.

Your son killed one of my imperial assistants.

Quite incredibly imprudent, Eminence.

And your version, Countess?

My husband fought injustice all his life, Your Eminence.

When he saw the injustice that this man here was inflicting on a defenseless woman,

he tried stopping it. There was a duel.

It was fought honorably until

this monster murdered him by throwing his dagger.

Do you have proof, Countess?

My husband's death is proof enough.

All I ask for is justice.

You embarrass me, Countess.

You demand justice,

but do consider how you state this accusation.

Consider all the facets.

And above all, don't forget that the young girl

on whom the test was being performed

would probably still be alive today,

and also free from the taint of witchcraft.

If your son

had not killed the imperial assistant

who was holding the rope

with which he was just about to pull the innocent girl

out of the water.

I came here seeking justice.

And this I swear,

that the cruel death of my beloved

and the dastardly crime committed against him will be avenged.

I trust Your Eminence will find a way,

and be sure,

to protect me

from this sort of incrimination.

We will meet again.

[SOUND OF HOOVES]

[WATER RUSHING]

Is Papa in heaven, Mama?

Yes, he is. Sleep well, my darling.

Then he can see everything?

Yes, Angel.

Even that you're crying?

Yes.

[CLAMOR OF VOICES]

Say, aren't you from the castle?

Yes, I cook up there.

That's devil's weed.

Are you fetching it for the countess?

Devil's weed? I'm only getting greens.

Dill, plantain, lesser centaury, and celery.

Between ourselves.

She's going to make a love potion

that rips men's trousers off.

For Countess Salmenau?

No, for my sister's wedding. You're invited.

The countess, too?

You've really got the countess on your mind.

Arrest her.

Shut up.

Now we'll rip our trousers off.

But without lesser centaury.

- No! - They've got a witch!

[CHANTING] A witch, a witch...

[SCREAMS]

Soon you'll be standing before the eternal judge.

Come now, confess that you served the magic potion to the Countess von Salmenau.

[SCREAMS]

Isn't that the kitchen maid who bought the herbs for the countess?

She's the one.

[WHIMPERING]

Has she confessed yet?

No.

The list.

Why aren't more people burned than beheaded?

Wood is expensive for the burnings. Beheading is much cheaper, Master von Ross.

[SCREAMS]

The next degree of torture.

Father Melchior.

Just what are you doing here?

I have permission to hear the last confession of Marta, the kitchen maid.

Hurry up. She's very little time left.

No, no, not that.

If I were to confess what isn't true,

I wouldn't be able to justify myself in front of God.

[SCREAMS]

- No. - Hasn't the devil twisted her neck yet?

No!

[SCREAMS, BREATHS RAPIDLY]

No.

No!

[SCREAMS]

[BECOMES SILENT]

[CHEERFUL MELODY, BIRDS CHIRPING]

Hey, you! Hey, you!

Hey, there! Are you deaf?

Can't you hear?

Are you reading a book?

You don't answer me.

Don't read the book.

Look here.

Can you fly?

God forbid.

Our father left flying for the birds.

Nonsense. You forget that butterflies fly up.

Do it like me.

You should just raise your arms and then you flap.

That's it.

- [MAKES COOING NOISES] - Good.

ALEX: That's very good.

Good.

Now we both can fly.

If man were supposed to fly, our Lord would have given him wings.

I don't believe that.

He didn't give us wheels, but we can ride.

COUNTESS: Alexander!

Where can Alexander be?

Sometimes I think the ground has swallowed him up.

Down like a witch.

Does the noble lady believe in witches?

I believe in witches and demons when I see them riding by.

But our Lord Jesus Christ drove out the evil spirits from the people.

Of course he did, but evil is still among us.

Then you believe that evil still exists?

Of course. You can see it's all around.

For some it's obvious.

And what's in the people? It's called superstition,

delusion, hate and jealousy.

- Ah! - I'm the devil! I'm the devil!

You're a horrible child!

You'll never be a noble man.

Naughty boy.

Mommy!

I really frightened her, didn't I?

I'm taking you home.

You're the abbess of this convent.

You know who I am?

Yes.

I want you to give me some information about that boy

who frightened you with his unusual actions.

The Lord Lucifer does not make any discrepancies.

I've already had to burn abbots and bishops.

Did you notice his teeth?

Like a wolf.

Like a wolf.

[DOOR OPENS]

Wake up, Clementine.

Clementine.

Wake up.

Come with me.

- Come. - What's the matter?

Come with me. Come.

The cat of nine tails.

Over there.

Take the gown off.

Quickly.

Can't you hear?

Take it off.

- [WHIP CRACKS] - I want you to name them.

Name them.

I lied to the Reverend Mother.

I was in the garden secretly.

I spoke to the son,

the son of

Elisabeth

von Salmenau.

You spoke to that sinner, Elisabeth von Salmenau?

Oh, please, Reverend Mother.

She's not a sinner.

What contradictions.

You dare say that?

You impertinent girl.

The witch commissioner has come into our sanctuary.

You know what that means.

Into our holy sanctuary.

Strike me.

Strike...

me.

Strike me.

Strike Satan into me.

You must beat me so he

he cannot ever become master

over you

again.

Reverend Mother, what are you asking of me?

I am ordering you, child.

Yes.

Like the Lord

before his tormentors.

I want to abase myself.

Before you so that the witch commissioner

cannot become Lord.

Over the beautiful betrothed of Jesus...

Christ.

Please beat me.

Father in heaven,

- you are my witness. - Beat me!

- I can't. - Beat me.

- I can't. - Please.

No.

- Please. - No.

No!

Beat me.

- Please. - Oh, Reverend Mother.

No.

Yes.

Harder.

Yes. Yes!

I see his horns.

I see his spiky tail.

[YELLS OUT]

Harder.

Oh, he's coming for me.

Harder. Don't stop.

Hit me. Hit me hard.

Yes.

You got it.

[FIDDLE PLAYS]

[CLAMOR OF VOICES]

[MUSIC AND CLAMOR OF VOICES FALL SILENT]

FATHER MELCHIOR: What's the meaning of this intrusion?

What right do you have?

[IMPERIOUS] I am the man who asks the questions, priest.

Just what do you want?

Walpurga Stechlin, spouse of Thomas Stechlin.

No.

Walpurga Stechlin, in the name of the imperial witch commissioner

you are charged with the following.

You're suspected of bringing in the devil's bastards

with the magic aid of the witch's brew.

- [CLAMOR OF VOICES AND WRANGLING] - Stop. Stop this fighting.

They are both members of my congregation.

Then explain, will you, the love potion here tonight?

Their custom permits this.

Why?

Love potions are outlaw.

Or is your congregation unable

to perform without devil's brew?

Hey, what's happening?

Is this a wedding or a funeral?

What is that?

It's not for eunuchs.

Love potion is only for men.

Here.

Men, get your torches and burn this place.

No, don't.

Don't do it.

I beg of you.

[SHOT]

Let's get outta here!

A fine specimen of witch, this one.

[WALBURGA SCREAMS]

Now, a tasty mussel, don't you think?

Show us what you can do.

No, no, no.

Help, help.

I'd rather be a monk.

No, I can't.

Wet your finger. Maybe that will help you find it.

That's enough.

- Find it. - Take her away.

No, no!

- No! - Stop, you little witch!

Get her ready.

No!

Hold her.

I'm gonna screw the devil in your head.

No!

[HENCHMEN LAUGH]

Hey, careful of the blood.

Get in.

Bring her up, quick.

Your people do what they please.

The accused aren't questioned. Just beaten straight away.

Master law clerk has a weak heart.

You seem to have a weak heart also nowadays.

Especially with the herb woman, Pompanne.

You let her escape, so you'll find her.

Dead or alive.

Yes.

I shouldn't have to take the blame for it.

I haven't seen any instruments of torture.

Where are they?

When I deal with them,

I don't need any.

Ha!

Nothing but mob and rabble.

Where are the rich fat ones?

Don't trust yourselves to go after them, do you?

- I do what I'm ordered, sir. - That's not all.

By the way, you executed Henning Brabout, didn't you?

It was last year.

It was the 17th of November last, when you laid him on a butcher's table.

You delicately smashed his rib cage and slit open his belly.

Then you gelded him,

ripped out his heart, and slapped him several times across the face.

I like that.

I also hacked him into five pieces, but by then he was already dead.

What a pity.

- [PRISONER SCREAMS] - That'll teach ya!

This is inconceivable to torture someone because of a love potion.

Those idiots.

These touring trials are going to destroy our morale.

For whatever reasons, Count.

The herb girl was always ready to help everybody.

Now something's got to be done.

You are quite right! Elisabeth, we have got to do something.

What, Uncle?

I'm going to put her under the protection of the castle.

Just let this Mr. von Ross come to me.

- [GROANS] - Here, sit down.

But I've got to see the mayor first.

I can go. Where does she live, Uncle?

It's out of the question.

Look, time is short. You must tell me where her place is.

- Please, Uncle. - When you were a child,

you called the place the "Seven Humpbacks."

That's the place of the seven hills.

Yes, that's it.

We must hurry.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[HAPPY MUSIC]

Come on.

I'm a bird. I'm flying.

[CLEMENTINE MAKES COOING NOISES]

Faster.

That was fun.

Why is your head bald?

Do nuns have to shave their hair?

Huh?

One doesn't die of it.

Without any hair, you won't get a husband.

I'm betrothed to our Lord.

Let's go. I want you to come and fly with me.

[ALEX MAKES COOING SOUND]

I'm coming.

Here we go.

Don't be so slow. Hurry up.

[ALEX MOANS]

Did you hurt yourself?

I think so.

I'll take you home.

No, take me to Uncle Nicholas's herb woman.

She can fix my knee.

All right, lean on me.

[FIRE CRACKLING, PSYCHEDELIC MUSIC]

Ah, it's a mandrake.

[SPARKS CRACKLE]

[CLEMENTINE PRAYS IN A WHISPER]

What are you mumbling about?

Whatever you are mumbling about, it can't hurt.

- How's that? - Fine.

- It feels good. - Good.

Tomorrow it will be as good as new.

Thanks, Miss Pompanne.

How, may I ask, did you make this mixture?

Make a cross.

Quick.

I made it from devil's mud.

- Devil's mud? - Yeah!

[POMPONNE LAUGHS]

Of course, with horns and cloven foot.

Real devils go by coach.

Rather than limping through the streets.

All right, then. Go on in and arrest them.

No.

- [CLANGING] - No. Get out of here.

[POMPONNE SCREAMS]

Your mother wanted to see me hang.

Come here, little Count Salmenau.

Demon.

You stink like a wolf.

God, missus.

Burn this witch's hovel!

[EXCITING MUSIC]

Help me!

[CLAMOR OF VOICES AND SCREAMS]

Help me!

Take your hands off me!

Enough.

Move on to the dungeon.

Let's move on.

What are you doing?

- I have your son. - No!

You won't be able to forget me.

You filthy bastard.

You filthy animal.

[SHOT]

[MUSIC ENDS]

My son, a little child is now in your hands, commissioner.

Your son?

In my hand?

Make yourself comfortable, Countess, please.

Very kind of you.

Just give me my child and the nun.

- Do as I told you. - Right, sir.

You've no feelings because of your damned witchery.

You haven't enough human blood.

Don't forget, one day you'll have to face God.

I caution you to take care of what you say.

You feel so smug in your position.

You feel you're God, Master Witch Hunter.

But remember God.

He still has the power over criminal extortionists.

One more word out of you and I'll have you arrested.

Please.

Please, give me my child.

Put him in a shack.

You devil!

[POMPONNE SCREAMS]

Get away from me.

Shut up in there!

You arrested a nun?

Of course, when they pray with witches.

Every bride of Christ is a virgin.

Pity we don't know.

A virgin.

This Madonna stays with me.

Now I will...

Filthy beast!

You leave that child alone!

You dirty finger!

[BONES CRUNCHING]

[BONES BREAKING]

What's going on down here?

Get out!

Get out of here!

Everybody out!

[CLEMENTINE PANTING]

[CLEMENTINE SCREAMS]

What's that? Someone's screaming.

Something terrible is happening.

The torture master's at it again.

[CLEMENTINE SCREAMS]

Father in heaven.

Father...

I've never had a virgin before.

No, never.

[CLEMENTINE PRAYS INDISTINCT]

Oh, holy mother!

Oh, no.

Oh!

No. I've seen everything.

A nobleman turns into a pig.

- Horrible beast. - Lucifer appears in the shape of a pig.

And you're the devil's prostitute.

Pig!

[MILITANT GROAN]

VON ROSS: You'll be sorry for this, believe me.

I'm not really very surprised at you.

My Uncle Nicholas told me that

you have an unusual style with women.

I assume he meant the ones you put in chains.

You want to have your child?

First I'll see you burned.

Do you hear? Burned!

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING FAST]

She is lost, Father Melchior.

- [ORGAN MUSIC ENDS] - They're going to burn that little girl.

They have refrained her.

A bride of Christ.

We are all his property.

All the poor children

in the dungeon

are God's children.

[BEGGING] I tell you, she's a saint.

A pure saint.

She has suffered enormously because of you, my dear abbess.

You have to save her.

[SOBBING] Please. Please.

Don't you hear every night the confessions of the unfortunate people

who have to burn in spite of their innocence?

Your sympathy for the persecuted comes rather late.

Please, have mercy. Please.

You must help poor Clementine.

Please.

It's because of you that she's in the hands of that madman, abbess.

I thought of a way.

The most supreme protest is hereby issued by His Eminence

against the instructions from the witch commissioner

to bring a nun who falls under my jurisdiction before a worldly court.

It carries another name.

Can't you see that you're asking me to forge this document?

Yes.

Nothing will happen to you.

I will take all of the responsibility.

You want me to falsify this paper?

Yes.

The trial's already opened.

Bring in the accused.

[SILENCE]

[CHAIN RATTLES]

You are Sister Clementine,

member of the Clarisse Order?

Yes, Your Honor.

You've been accused of taking part together with other people in witchcraft.

And also of making unnatural flying attempts

with the boy Alexander, Count Salmenau.

Wait!

Will you please explain then just why

you've decided to judge an innocent boy for witchcraft?

Is he a demon that practices black art?

Or is it a sadistic desire to persecute the innocent?

Enough! Take the witnesses out of here.

The boy Count Salmenau will not be tried in this courtroom.

We have been asked to appear as witnesses

[LOUD] and we demand to be heard as such.

Please sit down.

I demand that the Countess Salmenau's child Alexander be released.

And you cannot hold him for a crime that he's completely innocent of.

And another thing, Commissioner von Ross,

he not only sentences, he also rapes.

The court will continue and you will tell the truth.

I'd like to ask a question.

Do you know what's happened to your accomplice in sorcery?

I am referring to Pompanne, the herb woman.

Didn't you appear on the same night through mysterious forces

in the company of the devil who broke the neck of the herb woman, the witch?

- What stupidity! - Silence!

You may once more ask the accused about it.

CLEMENTINE [SCREAMS]: Have mercy! Please!

Don't torture me again!

I will admit everything!

Perhaps she has many other interesting things to tell us.

[CRYING] I will tell you everything you want to hear, Your Honor.

But before I have to die,

please,

let me have my child!

What does she even mean about the child?

The doctor's examination has proved her to be pregnant.

Excuse me.

In order not to fall under the suspicion

of having a relationship with hell,

I am hereby inviting the countess

for an audience.

Come to see me tomorrow afternoon.

- Alone. - We will continue.

Was it the devil who committed this act of

fornication?

What do you mean

by fornication?

[RESOUNDING LAUGHTER SPREADS]

The devil appeared in your cell

and you kissed him on his ass.

Admit it.

[RETCHING]

Perhaps you might convince your head witch hunter to adopt acceptable manners,

not to speak of your own cruelties and your appalling breach of law.

Perhaps you want to be tortured again.

I admit everything.

Well then.

Yes,

I have.

She has admitted her love affair with the devil.

It has been registered.

Please,

give me something to drink.

[WATER SPLASHES]

Now you have a drink of water.

Don't you have any children?

Your Honor?

Tomorrow you will walk through the gates of fire to meet your devil lover.

And then you may ask Satan who made you pregnant.

NUN: Just a moment, please, sir. I have important evidence.

What's the meaning of this, clerk?

- A letter from His Eminence. - Let me see it.

These matters are referred to me.

Are you the chairman or am I?

The most supreme protest against the instructions of the witch commissioner

to bring the nun Clementine Pia before the court

in the realm of His Excellency etcetera etcetera.

Where did you get this?

Well, I got it from His Eminence, sir.

I mean... I mean that I got it from another nun that gave it to me.

And she got it from another friar.

Arrest the priest Melchior and put him to the torture.

Advisor,

trial is adjourned.

The signature of His Eminence is authentic,

but the name has been altered.

We'll soon have them all.

The priest Melchior will be executed

right after his confession.

The Countess Salmenau was the last one to deal with.

Afterwards we'll confiscate her entire estate.

The governor will be happy if he gets

half of such a nice sum.

We really must hurry.

[A MAN SCREAMS]

[EXCITING MUSIC BUILDS UP]

[MELCHIOR SCREAMS IN PAIN]

[QUIETLY] Confiteor deo omnipotenti.

- Mea culpa. - [METALLIC CLACKING]

Are you finished with your mea culpa?

No, no.

[SCREAMING, CRACKLING]

[MELCHIOR PANTING]

- Yes! - Write it down.

Write this down.

[SCREAMS] I did the falsification.

[WHIMPERING]

Who were all the men behind?

I need names.

Names! Names! Come up with the truth!

There are none!

There are none!

We better have the torture man.

There are none!

Then, stroke the fire.

[METALLIC CLANGING]

[DOOR SQUEAKS]

You bastard!

You torture people to death.

And then after you and your assistants have killed them,

you pretend that it's Satan that did it.

And then the torture master of the district

is held responsible for the whole business after you've moved along.

[FABRIC TEARS]

Are you sure you'll be in this district after this?

[METALLIC CLANGING]

[WATER DRIPPING IN THE SILENCE]

[CLANGING]

Why do you think that this third courier

has ever reached the sovereign?

How do you know that he'll help me?

My child in prison, parching,

with iron fetters put on his feet.

There is no justice here.

The witch hunter is in control.

You'll go through hell if you stay.

Even if I have to crawl to Rome to see the Holy Father,

from now on I won't shrink back

from any means for my child.

You hear?

Any means will be good enough for me from now on, uncle.

I can hear and see,

but you're being a very foolish child, Elisabeth.

Yes, niece.

Do you know the price these gentlemen charge?

I don't care.

I've made my decision.

It may be the wrong decision,

but remember, Elisabeth,

with women

there is something like violation of the soul.

But the virginity of my soul

will always belong to my husband.

From now on, I'm not going to say a single word to whatever you might do.

[DOOR OPENS WITH A CREAK AND IS CLOSED]

I'm waiting for your signature

and your seal, Your Honor.

Yes.

All trials, still pending in my principality,

concerning witchcraft

and the practice of black magic are hereby postponed,

signed by the Emperor.

I'll answer this later.

[BELL RINGS]

Has the Countess Salmenau arrived?

Yes, sir.

You have ridden hard.

It only took you two days.

- My compliments! - Thank you!

My people will take care of your accommodations.

Thank you, sir.

Can you lend me a few drops of blood?

Yes, sir.

And now,

you will spill some on me.

Where?

Here.

And again.

- [CHAIN RATTLES] - Send us home.

Clementine,

home to heaven.

All the children in heaven will be mine.

Tomorrow, Clementine.

Tomorrow,

I will be allowed

to see my betrothed.

Oh, my Lord,

make me strong enough.

Don't have any doubts,

although the shame

and the disgrace

have shaken your confidence.

You will see him.

When the last bell has quit ringing,

the last,

your first day will have come.

It was very kind of you to invite me here.

It is my pleasure.

I thought that we should have a chance to chat.

If you know what I mean.

It's a pity you didn't come to see me before.

You should take advantage of the fact that I'm...

Governor.

Your move.

And move carefully. It's up to you.

And what do you suppose

would happen

if I moved correctly?

It wouldn't be something

I regret to be sorry for.

I am careful,

but somewhat naive.

No more than I am.

I suppose

the worldly wisdom one acquires

is certainly

useful.

Maybe I can agree with that.

Who else could be a better friend

- [CLOCK CHIMES FOUR TIMES] - and advisor than yourself, Governor?

I'd like you to know that

I've taken steps on your behalf just today.

Confidentially,

there was a bit of a struggle.

It accomplished what I set out to do before seeing you.

It's the blood of your child.

No!

Don't worry, I've saved him from torture.

You can be sure. He's quite safe.

Please, I will do anything. Anything you ask.

If they can be freed, I promise I'll be grateful

in every way.

Can you perhaps do it?

If only you would.

I would do anything.

I will do anything. Do you hear me? Anything!

Your child will be free tonight.

Agreed.

[DOORS CREAK SOFTLY]

COUNT: Either like that.

[ROMANTIC MUSIC]

Come, come to me.

Come.

I love you.

[PARENTS LAUGH]

I was scared to death under there.

You look absolutely dead.

I love you so much.

[QUICK STEPS]

Let me out.

- EMINENCE: Arrest her. - What do you mean?

Let me go! Unhand me!

[THE COUNTESS SCREAMS]

The law states that the entire body must be shaved

per totum corpum rasurum,

especially...

the erogenous zone.

[COUNTESS SCREAMS AND GROANS]

Mommy, where are you, Mommy?

[SCREAMS]

But maybe now she will talk.

[COUNTESS WHIMPERS AND MOANS]

[WHEEL CREAKS]

I take anything.

Write this down.

I was there,

and I saw him sitting

on his throne.

The devilish arrogance

in all his dark powers

and with his contempt

[MOANS, WHIMPERS]

for man, contempt.

[SCREAMS] Where was it?

Where were you? Answer me, will you?

Can you describe it?

- Yes. - Are you writing this?

You have been asked where you have seen the devil.

I see him...

every day.

What do you mean by that?

Look into

the mirror,

and

you'll see the devil.

[RACK CREAKS LOUDER]

[COUNTESS SCREAMS]

I'll take care of her arrogance, Your Honor.

[COUNTESS WHIMPERS, SCREWS SQUEAK]

Mommy, what's making you cry?

The boy is about seven years of age and has a cleft palate

and has very strongly developed canine teeth.

Indicate that within a very short period he will undergo a rapid transformation

into a wolf-man.

[GROANS]

She's unconscious, Your Honor.

The devil himself protects her from the pain.

And

on the inside of his left forearm you can clearly see the devil's mark.

It's a black spot

on which we shall try the needle test.

Here it is.

Further proof that the devil fornicated with the mother of the child.

A witch.

And now, gentlemen,

I want to show you these teeth here.

Thank you. That'll do.

There's no doubt whatsoever about the wolfish nature of these teeth.

You can rest assured that all of the tests will prove that this nature is hereditary.

Don't you think

that we, too, have been so much influenced by superstition

that we are no longer aware

that nature can produce phenomena?

We really must be sure.

The needle test.

The needle test.

ALEX [CALLS PLEADINGLY]: Mommy! Mommy!

- Alexander. - Mommy!

ALEX [WHIMPERS]: No!

[ALEX SCREAMS]

- Mommy! - [SCREAMS] Alexander!

Alex--

[STIFLED SCREAMS]

Hold it!

Are you sure that it was your mother who taught you this art, was it not?

Mommy, these men are crazy!

Despite my innocence...

I want to die.

We shall continue the torture.

Tell

me what you want me to confess.

Man consists of two parts.

An evil body as a seed of the devil.

And a pure spirit which has to resist the devil's temptation.

The most important question would now be the following.

Is it possible that sexual intercourse

with the devil results in begetting?

According to Thomas Aquinas, the immaterial spirit of the devil

is capable of adopting a body to copulate.

Even if the devil adopts the human body,

he hasn't got a spinal column.

How is it possible for him to copulate?

That's not the question.

The begetting is neither affected by the sperms

ejaculated by the adopted human body,

nor by the devil's own orgasm.

You'll continue.

Beat me. I have no fear now.

I'm free.

I only want to see my son before I die.

Would you please bring him?

Please.

Please.

Please

kill me.

But spare my son, please.

I would be grateful.

In the case of the countess,

the demon presented himself to her husband

as succubus, the female courted demon.

In order to pass the count's sperm

to the countess with whom he copulated his incubus,

the courting demon of all the witches.

Yes, gentlemen, a witch.

Right down there.

Gentlemen,

that is how this...

this boy was begotten.

The very fruit of the devil himself is standing here before you.

The case has been concluded.

The defendant and her bastard's guilt have been recognized

and herewith duly convicted.

Their live bodies

will be put to the stake and burned.

Alexander,

I want to see Alexander.

The reasons for the count's pact with the devil are very simple.

Pride, self-conceit, self-righteousness of the nobility,

incited by the erroneous belief of gaining immortality.

Please,

just let me see my child

before I die.

Please.

You have been condemned by the court.

It is my duty to watch over you until they burn you at the stake.

Please.

Please.

I beg you.

You can take me.

Take my body if you want.

Please.

[KEYCHAIN JINGLES]

Please.

You are filled with the devil.

You'd kiss my body?

You'd make love?

You mean, all that?

Anything to see my son.

Let me think.

Anything you want.

It may not be easy.

Please.

I beg you.

Just to see Alexander.

That's all and

my body will be all yours.

Yes, I think so.

The witches are going to burn.

[CLAMOR OF VOICES GROWS LOUDER]

He's sleeping right now.

And my price?

Don't forget.

You promised to make love to me.

Yes, yes.

It's nothing

when I can see my child.

Mommy.

- Mommy, I can't move. - [CHAIN RATTLES]

Please take me out of here.

Yes, my precious.

- [KEYS JINGLE] - Oh, my little boy.

- Mommy. - My son.

HENCHMAN: Bring the countess and the kid.

TORTURE MASTER: They're both dead. Their necks are broken.

It won't be long and we'll leave.

HENCHMAN: Wine to celebrate the execution.

You have three guesses as to who really broke the countess' neck.

Satan has served him quite often, the bastard.

He's frickened him quite often, too.

COUNTESS: In a few hours we will all be together.

Forever.

And we will see daddy.

But he's dead.

Yes, darling, yes.

But in my thoughts, he's alive.

Come on!

Don't leave, Mommy.

I love you so.

I love you, darling.

TORTURE MASTER: Time's up!

Mommy.

The men will soon be here to take the chains off.

Mommy, please don't leave me.

And then mommy will come back and we'll be together.

TORTURE MASTER: Come on, we don't have much time.

Mommy.

ALEX: Mommy.

[CLAMOR OF VOICES, TIMPANI BEATS]

In the name of God

and of His Majesty the Emperor,

the nun sister Clementine,

a condemned witch,

is to be burned at the stake.

The imperial court so decrees.

The priest Melchior,

a confessed warlock,

is to be executed for his crimes of heresy.

The imperial court so decrees.

They will be transferred from life to death

by flames.

[CLAMOR OF VOICES]

Father Melchior

has been convicted as a sorcerer

and accomplice of the devil.

However,

he being the prison priest,

we show him mercy.

Therefore,

he will be executed first

and will not die by flames.

Will you complete that?

The storm will soon be here.

He shall be executed

by sword.

[ROLLING TIMPANI BEATS]

NICHOLAS: Wait! Hold it!

Stop the execution!

In the name of the elector,

for the time being, no further execution will take place.

In the name of our sovereign,

all these executions will be stopped.

The witches must die!

[SHOUTING, CLAMOR OF VOICES]

I shall like to know why the countess and her child are not here.

Don't stop us now!

He's unconscious.

Maybe we should have heard him out.

[DRUM ROLL, SILENCE]

Hurry up!

[THE CROWD SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS STOP, CLAMOR OF VOICES]

[HENCHMAN BURPS]

[SKINNY HENCHMAN LAUGHS]

HENCHMAN: Hey, torture master!

Take the countess's body with her son over to the execution site.

They want to make sure they're dead.

Yeah, I'm bringing them both.

I'm coming.

[EXCITING MUSIC]

ABBOT: Stop! Stop!

Clementine!

Clementine!

No!

[SCREAMS]

No!

In God's name, stop!

WOMAN FROM THE CROWD: I want to see! I want to see!

[FIRE CRACKLES]

Move back! It's getting hot!

[CLAMOR OF VOICES]

[FLAMES BLAZE LOUDER]

[SUPERNATURAL BUZZING]

[HISSING]

[THUNDER]

[THUNDER]

[MUSIC INCREASES AND FALLS SILENT]

[RAIN PATTERING]

Quick, you fool! Get her down!

Get her down before the crowd makes her into a saint!

Hurry! Move! Hurry up! Move!

[CROWD SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS AND CLAMOR OF VOICES FALL SILENT]

[DOOR CREAKS]

Here's something to eat.

Hey!

Now hurry up and get out of here before I change my mind.

Wait!

I'm doing this to erase my sins against God.

I think he knows.

I thank you for everything.

Thank you.

- Hurry, Mommy. - Yes, darling.

[SOUND OF HOOVES]

[SIZZLING]

[SOUND OF HOOVES]

[THE COUNTESS LAUGHS]

You have the hands of your father.

[ROMANTIC MUSIC]

[MUSIC ENDS]

Subtitles: Christopher Coco © 2024 Turbine Medien GmbH