Original subtitles

Passengers will please to descend.

- 'Papers!' - Flowers.

'Passengers will please to descend.'

Papers, papers..

This way for passport examination, please.

This way for passport examination.

Special rates for the coronation.

Special high rates.

"Rudolf Rassendyll, British subject.

Purpose of visit, pleasure."

What hotel in Strelsau, Mr. Rassendyll?

'I hadn't thought about it.'

Uh.. You better think about it.

If you don't wanna sleep in the park.

Well, in that case, I won't go to Strelsau

until after the coronation.

'I've come to your country for a well earned rest'

with the intention of going fishing for trout.

I beg your pardon, have I said anything I shouldn't?

I know my clothes are a little conservative

but we English always dress as if we're going

to a funeral when we're on a holiday.

Everything is quite in order.

Thank you for making me feel so much at home.

Alright, I'll take these. Thanks.

But your train's going.

I'm going to Strelsau on foot

in my own good time.

But you'll miss the coronation, sir.

I always make a point of missing coronation.

I hope your trout take as much interest in me as you do.

I shan't be able to land them fast enough.

It's a trick of the devil.

Shave him, and he'd be the king.

May I ask your name, sir?

Well, since you've taken the first step

in the acquaintance, gentlemen

perhaps you'd be good enough to give a lead

in the matter of names.

Well, certainly. Uh, this is Colonel Zapt.

And I am called Fritz von Tarlenheim.

We are both in the service of His Majesty the King.

Mm-hmm. I'm Rudolf Rassendyll.

I'm here on holiday from England.

And I was recently in the service

of Her Majesty the Queen.

- Rassendyll? - How do you do, Mr. Rassendyll?

- How do you do? - Rassendyll.

Of course. By heaven, your face betrays you, sir.

You know his history, I believe.

Well, I had heard a rumor or two.

I was hoping that our skeleton was safe at home

in our family cupboard.

Some skeletons are prodigious travelers, sir.

'Fritz, where are you?'

Here, Your Majesty.

Confound it, I thought

you'd lost yourselves again.

Who is this gentleman?

A distant relative of yours, Your Majesty.

Distant?

He seems too close for comfort.

That is something for which you cannot entirely

blame me, Your Majesty.

Oh, then who shall I blame?

But with Your Majesty's permission

I would suggest that the blame lies

equally between your

great-great-great-grandfather Rudolf

and my great-great- great-grandmother Amelia.

- I beg your pardon. - He's right, Your Majesty.

The man is a Rassendyll from England.

Rassendyll?

England?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ever since Amelia's time

the Elphberg face has cropped out

on one of us every now and then.

Well met, cousin!

You must forgive me if I seemed a little slow

but it's a bit early in the day to see double

even for me. Eh, Zapt?

But what are you doing here, cousin?

I must admit to being guilty

of the same offense as our mutual ancestor, Your Majesty.

And what was that?

Fishing in forbidden waters.

That's very funny.

That's funny. The man has wit.

You must come to my coronation tomorrow.

I'd give a thousand crowns

for the sight of Brother Michael's face

when he sees the pair of us side by side.

You shall stay at my hunting lodge.

And tonight we shall dine you right royally.

Our ancestors laid down some good wine

here in the lodge, cousin... Fritz.

They little thought that a bottle

or two was laid down for you.

All in the family.

All in the family.

Cousin Rudolf, I propose a toast.

Hear, hear.

Another toast.

A toast to..

Have we anybody left?

Your brother, Michael, perhaps?

We drink to Michael in vinegar, my friend, not in good wine.

I'll tell you a secret about my Brother Michael.

My Brother Michael does not love me.

- No? - No.

But he loves my shoes.

He feels that he should be in my shoes

and I should be in his.

No. No toast for Michael.

We'll drink instead to Cousin Flavia.

Soon to be my bride and queen.

Hear, hear.

Poor Flavia.

She never had a chance to choose anybody else.

Well, for that matter, neither did I.

It's a pity you can't meet the princess.

At least I'm told it's a pity. I haven't seen her for years.

She and I didn't get on very well then.

Still, let's hope we shall now.

I sincerely hope so, Your Majesty..

...if you're going to marry her.

They tell me she's far too good for me.

I can well believe it.

Y-you know what they say about me, don't you?

I drink too much.

I imagine that you're well able

to take care of yourself on that score, Your Majesty.

Oh, I've done my fair share of drinking in my day.

I'd be the last to deny it.

But tomorrow..

...in the cathedral..

...when my people place the crown upon my head

and proclaim me their king..

...I shall be their king for the rest of my life.

'But tonight..'

Tonight, I drink with my friends.

Uh, with my friend.

You know, Rassendyll, I like you.

You're a good fellow.

Oh, you're English, but... you're a good fellow.

I wanna drink a toast to you.

Confound it, where's all the wine gone to?

Josef!

Josef!

A bottle of the '68.

'Josef!'

Your Majesty, it is my duty

to remind you once more of tomorrow.

- What, again? - Yes, again.

Well, then, you've reminded me.

Now go on, sit down. Have a drink.

You have a duty, Your Majesty.

Duty, duty. On my last night of freedom?

I question your freedom to drink yourself into a condition

in which you'll not be fit to be crowned tomorrow.

I question your right to address me in that manner.

I served your father in--

I question your right to bring my father into this.

Your father honored his obligations to the crown.

Are you suggesting that I do not?

Your father never thought of himself, or of his own pleasure.

Your father never forgot he was a king.

By your leave, Your Majesty.

Zapt? Zapt?

What are you doing here?

The 1868, Your Majesty.

You sent for it.

Oh, did I?

- Josef. - Yes, Your Majesty?

I've had too much to drink.

- You better take it back. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Oh, no, no. Wait, wait.

We have a guest.

Excellent fellow, Josef. English.

Excellent fellow, Josef, but he can't drink.

I can drink.

I'm the king.

You better go to bed, Josef.

- Goodnight, Your Majesty. - Goodnight.

Sleep well.

Everybody, sleep well.

Everybody sleeps but the king.

Zapt.

Zapt!

I don't think much of your joke, sir!

You think it's a joke, do you?

This is no joke, Englishman.

That was quite an evening, wasn't it?

What happened?

Josef found him lying here this morning.

You didn't drink any of this last bottle?

Not that I know of, no.

I think you'd know if you had.

Why?

- Was it drugged? - It was.

- Have you sent for a doctor? - There's none within ten miles.

A thousand doctors wouldn't take him to Strelsau today.

'I know the look of it.'

'He'll not stir for six or seven hours.'

how?

Why? Who?

Who else but... Michael.

Michael? His own brother?

His half-brother.

Michael's mother wasn't exactly acceptable in court circles.

He wants the crown to be offered to him by the people.

He wants to pose as their savior from the excesses

'of an incompetent king.'

If he's not crowned today, he'll never be crowned.

Englishman... I am much older than you.

As a man grows old, he comes to believe in fate.

Fate sent you here.

Fate sends you now to Strelsau.

What?

I'd wager without your moustache

you could deceive your own brother.

Oh, you're out of your mind.

It's a risk, yes..

'...against a certainty.'

My dear colonel

I came here on a fishing trip.

I like to fish.

I'm an ordinary Englishman.

I couldn't begin to act like a king even if I tried.

I wouldn't deceive anybody.

What are you smiling at?

It conjures up quite a picture, doesn't it?

The cathedral crowded to the doors..

...the organ booming

I kneel to be crowned.

Then your friend Michael steps forward and shouts

"That isn't the king.

That's an Englishman named Rudolf Rassendyll!"

Oh, no, I'm sorry, gentlemen.

Then Michael sits on the throne tonight

and the king lies in prison or his grave.

After all..

...it would only be for today, wouldn't it?

By tonight, you'll be safely across the border.

And if I fail, what then?

Your life, and mine, and Fritz's here.

Confound it, I'd become awfully fond of this moustache.

Eh..

Well, I hope the crown's a better fit.

Well, what are we going to do?

We've got to hide him.

We can't chance Michael's men finding him here.

The cellar would be best.

- Pick him up. - But if they search--

- Josef will put them off. - But--

We're not playing. I know the risk.

If they do find him, he'll be no worse off

than if he's not crowned in Strelsau today.

Pick him up.

I beg your pardon, sir.

One moment.

How long have you been caretaker here?

'Ten years.'

Have you the key to the wine cellar?

- Yes, sir. - 'Open it.'

No.

No, no.

Drink it.

Drink it!

Tie her up. Better gag her too.

On the night before your coronation

you had to have wine.

Wine, and more wine.

Remarkable vintage, that '68.

Lock the door.

Sleep well, Your Majesty.

We go to see you crowned.

By heaven, we'll do it yet.

It's not bad.

It's not bad at all.

Oh..

I'll never keep that in.

'Look here, you've overlooked one thing.'

Yesterday's temples won't do for today's king.

You're right. What can we do?

Well..

...I suggest some bootblacking, preferably the king's.

I may as well be royal all over.

There. The last detail.

Remember, this is to be released 20 minutes

after Hentzau brings you word

that the coronation ceremonies have been canceled.

Twenty minutes, not before.

Yes, Your Highness.

And now may I offer you my congratulations.

A shade premature

but, um, thank you, Detchard.

Well, gentlemen

it's time for you to proceed to your posts.

The hour is almost upon us.

We go in the cause of our country

and our future sovereign.

Our future sovereign, Queen Flavia.

He looked at you when he said, "Our future sovereign."

Have you been lying to me, Michael?

Is it more than the regency you want?

No, of course not.

As regent, the sovereign power will be mine.

That's all he meant, my dear Antoinette.

Was it?

Is power all you want?

I'm afraid, Michael.

For me or for yourself?

You promised to make me your wife.

I want to be your wife.

I want to love you and make you happy.

Once you are regent, they would never let you marry me.

Michael, take the happiness we can have together.

Leave the power to your brother.

No!

I've played second fiddle to that drunken sot

for the last time.

Because his mother was a princess and mine was not.

He lived in the royal palace, he dined with kings.

Well, today the feast is set for Rudolf.

But it's Michael who will sit in his place.

Come in.

Count Rupert of Hentzau at your service, Your Majesty.

Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty.

Hentzau.

Your Highness.

Your wit is as inopportune as your appearance.

Why are you not at your post in the cathedral?

How can I witness the coronation of a king

who will be conspicuous by his absence?

Do we want to make it obvious to the whole world

that we knew he would not be there?

Incidentally, the burgomaster of Zenda

is outside to pay you his respects

at the head of a delegation of loyal peasants.

I told them you were probably too busy to see them

as of course you are.

There may come a time, Hentzau..

...when your services will no longer excuse your impertinence.

I called at your hotel again this morning

and as usual, they said you were out.

Curiously enough, you were out for once.

I'm glad you stopped lying to me.

I hate being lied to by women.

They never did before.

I always lied to them.

You and I will never have anything

to lie to each other about, Count Rupert.

Never? Somebody once called fidelity

the fading woman's greatest weapon

the charming woman's greatest hypocrisy.

And you're very charming

to anyone whose head is not bowed beneath a borrowed crown.

I thought I heard His Highness order you

to your place at the cathedral.

So you're trying to put me in my place too.

I love arrogance in a woman.

It's always so amusing to discover

that their arrogance is only a defense.

But you need no defense against me.

You and I are allies.

'Michael is plotting to betray us both.'

Poor Michael, how he shortchanges himself

deserting a warm, exciting woman of the world

for an insipid wax doll.

It was hardly up to your usual standard, Count Rupert.

I'd heard you were much more subtle.

What makes you think Michael has the slightest intention

of marrying Princess Flavia?

How else can he get the crown?

He doesn't want the crown.

As those in his confidence know.

He wants only to be regent.

So he's made you think he only wants

to be the man behind the throne.

Oh, no. He wants to sit on it.

And sit on it he never can

unless he sits beside the rightful queen.

And that queen is not you.

Even though you'd make a perfect queen.

I'm glad you believe me at last. I told you we were allies.

I can even help you to win him back.

And I'm the only man in the country who can

because I'm the only man in the country

who isn't afraid of him.

All you have to do is to give him genuine cause

to be jealous of me.

Would that be hard?

I, Rudolf

with justice and mercy, to deal sovereignty.

To guard with vigilance

and honor the welfare of my peoples

from all enemies..

Uh..

No, no. Don't tell me.

Uh..

From all enemies to defend them

and from the throne of my ancestors

to bear faithful rule, all this do I swear.

A little swift, but you'll do.

Stop shaking, lad.

They'll mistake it for a royal hangover.

Now, let me see.

We're alright till the cathedral.

The princess hasn't seen him for several years.

But Michael..

'Yeah. Well, I've told you all I can.'

I'll be at your side every minute.

Your capital, Your Majesty.

'God save the king!'

'God save the king!'

God save them both.

Steady, lad.

It's the day, the hour

almost the moment.

History is born out of a bottle of wine.

The king.

His Majesty has arrived, Your Highness.

The king? How's it possible?

Ride back to Zenda at once.

Find out who betrayed us.

If only he'd drunk what I wanted to put in that bottle.

♪ See the conq'ring ♪

♪ Hero comes ♪

♪ Sound the trumpets ♪

♪ Beat the drums ♪

♪ See the conq'ring ♪

♪ Hero comes ♪

♪ Sound the trumpets ♪

♪ Beat the drums ♪

♪ Myrtle wreaths ♪

♪ And roses twine ♪

♪ To deck the hero's ♪

♪ Brow divine ♪

♪ See the conq'ring ♪

♪ Hero comes ♪

♪ Sound the trumpets ♪

♪ Beat the drums J' ♪

Look now upon our liege lord, Rudolf V

'undoubted king of this realm.'

'And if any man would deny our sovereign lord's title'

'to our lands and fealty'

'let him speak now, or be attainted traitor.'

Receive the crown of the kingdom

and understand what a glory of sanctity and honor

and bravery it signifies.

'God save the king.'

God save the king!

God save the king!

- God save the king! - 'God save the king.'

I, Rudolf, with justice and mercy to deal sovereignty

to guard with vigilance and honor

the welfare of my peoples

'from all enemies to defend them'

and from the throne of my ancestors

to bear faithful rule

all this do I swear.

I, Flavia, do become thy vassal

'swearing to serve thee in truth'

'with life and limb..'

...until death findeth me..

...so help me God.

- Do I kiss her? - Yes.

Well, I think everything went off very well

don't you, for a coronation?

I mean, that is, not that a coronation shouldn't go well

provided the king puts in an appearance suitably dressed

and suitably rehearsed.

And suitably sober.

And suitably sober.

Yes, I was hoping you'd notice that.

By the way

among my other failings

I've rather neglected you, haven't I?

Two picture postcards in three years, I think.

To think that all this time you've been changing

into the loveliest princess in Europe.

'No, the loveliest girl in Europe.'

Your new responsibilities do not compel you

to shower me with compliments in private, Your Majesty.

You call this private?

I'm glad you think I've changed since you last saw me.

You're different too.

Well, wouldn't anybody seem different

with all this going on?

I probably looked like a prize idiot

and talked like one too.

You're too modest.

You really looked and acted like a king today.

Oh, thank you.

'It was delightfully unexpected.'

Oh..

Aren't you forgetting something, Your Majesty?

What?

Oh.

That's better.

Wait, I've got an idea.

Supposing you bow on my side of this goldfish bowl

and I'll salute on yours.

Like that.

There, isn't that more cozy?

They seem to like that.

Bless them. They're with you heart and soul.

Me? It was you they were cheering.

I felt like cheering you too when I first saw you.

- Everyone's waiting-- - Oh, no, please.

Don't go yet. It's such a relief

to have you to myself for a moment.

All daylong I've been on parade.

Cheered at, waved at, stared at.

Not a moment to tell you..

Tell me what?

It's enough to turn any man's head a bit.

I'm crowned king

I meet the loveliest, the most beautiful woman.

Well, that isn't what you used to say.

You used to call me, "That clumsy little scarecrow."

- I did? - Yes.

I should've been horsewhipped.

Those were my very words.

Once I kicked you, quite hard.

Good. I'm sure I deserved it.

But I hope you never find it necessary to kick me again.

You know, you've changed beyond all recognition.

It's almost impossible to believe

that anybody could change so much.

And so quickly.

Well, it must be that you bring out the best in people.

No. You've become an entirely different person.

They're waiting for us. We really must go.

Must we?

Another thing I always wanted to know

is the world outside really as wicked and exciting

as the novels make out?

What did you do on those long trips?

When you weren't drinking, I mean.

Oh. Well, when I wasn't drinking

I used to go fishing.

Fishing?

You used to despise fishing.

Well, I did and I didn't, if you follow me.

Have you ever done any trout fishing?

- No, and you know why. - Oh, I do?

I asked you to teach me. You sent me home

because I made too many mistakes

and scared the fish.

But once you really hurt me.

You've forgotten, haven't you?

I wish you had too.

It was my 14th birthday party.

I had my first formal dress.

I thought I was quite grown up.

You were to be the guest of honor.

I wanted to show you that the ugly duckling

had become a swan.

And What did I do?

At the end when everyone had gone home

and you still hadn't come..

...I hated you.

I'm beginning to hate myself.

Yes?

Well?

His Highness Prince Michael is waiting

to pay his respects to you, Your Majesty.

Well, let him wait.

And furthermore, Captain von Tarlenheim

I find your intrusion excessively irregular.

Rudolf, it's not wise to provoke Michael deliberately.

Oh, why not?

- Why be worried about him? - I'm not.

I'm worried about you.

Well, that's a different matter altogether.

We can't allow that.

Will you excuse me?

Oh, my dear Michael!

I had no idea you'd been kept waiting.

Why was I not informed of my brother's presence?

I will not tolerate such inefficiency again, gentlemen.

This is indeed a privilege

worth being kept waiting for, cousin.

It's most kind of you to say so, cousin.

You know, brother, this was a day

I'd really been dreading.

I had a queer feeling that something might go wrong.

But with you in charge

my fears were foolish, weren't they?

I can hardly thank you enough for arranging my affairs.

It's most gratifying to find Your Majesty

in such excellent spirits after the strain of the day.

As a matter of fact, I've never felt so fit in my life.

It must be the excitement. It's the first time

I've ever been crowned, you know.

Yeah, that's rather funny.

Don't you think so, brother?

- Very funny, indeed. - Yeah.

And there's another reason I feel so well.

I had an extraordinary native wine

with my dinner last night.

Soothed my nerves, slept like a top.

This one comes from very near your castle.

You really ought to try it sometime

if ever you're troubled with insomnia.

I very seldom suffer with insomnia.

Indeed. That shows what a very clear conscience you must have.

I have. And I have yet to have

a dream that didn't come true

provided I waited long enough.

Yes, of course.

Everything comes to him who waits.

I see I bore Your Majesty.

With Your Majesty's permission, I bid you goodnight.

Rudolf, do be careful.

You know how bitterly he hates you.

Well, now he knows how bitterly I hate him.

You still can't afford to make an open enemy of him.

He'd stop at nothing, even now, to ruin you.

Oh, you're overestimating him.

Or perhaps you're underestimating me.

Rudolf, if you won't think of yourself, think of me.

All my life I've known what my future had to be

and I was resigned to it.

But now..

Now I don't have to tell you how different it is.

Flavia, forgive me.

I had no idea that you might..

That I would..

I-I only want you to realize how much your life means to..

...to your country.

To my country?

And to your friends.

My friends?

And to your cousin and most loving servant.

What else matters?

Goodnight, Rudolf.

No, don't go.

Not yet. Stay a little longer.

But you'll be seeing me every day from now on.

You may even get tired of me.

Goodnight.

No. Goodbye, Flavia.

What a day for you to remember.

I'll never forget old Mueller at the cathedral.

He used to be the king's tutor.

He fixed his eye on you and never took it off.

I was certain the game was up

until I realized that eye was his glass one.

By the way, Rassendyll

what were you doing with the princess all that time?

Can't you even leave the king to do his own lovemaking?

That's enough of that.

Are you ready to go, Rassendyll?

We must leave at once if I'm to have His Majesty

back here by daylight.

Remember, if anybody comes here to see the king

you're to say he's asleep.

If it's Michael and that doesn't stop him--

That would be awkward.

So awkward that if that door is forced

you're not to be alive to tell about it.

Do you think I would be, sir?

Good lad. Come on.

Uh, Rassendyll, I'm not much good at speechmaking.

Well, we don't need one, do we?

Well, you know what I mean.

Yeah, I think I do, old man.

We have no time for sentiment.

Well, in a few hours time

I'll be plain Rudolf Rassendyll again.

You'll be lucky if you're not the late Rudolf Rassendyll.

That's a happy thought.

I feel my head wobbling on my shoulders

every minute you're in the city.

In the old king's time, we used this more often

than any other door in the palace.

It saved many a royal head..

...and many a royal reputation.

I.. Yes, come on.

No lights, eh?

That's odd.

Josef?

Josef!

'Josef!'

Thank you.

Locked. Here, take this.

The king!

Look!

- Kidnapped. - Or murdered.

Michael's been in Strelsau all day. Still is.

Yes, but that young devil Hentzau isn't.

I wondered why I hadn't seen him all day.

Well, that settles it. Now they know everything.

Yes, they know everything, but they can't speak.

They can't denounce us without denouncing themselves.

Can they say, "That wasn't the king

because we kidnapped the king and murdered his servant?"

- Can they say that? - No.

But that won't prevent them murdering the king.

With you in Strelsau, they won't dare.

If they do, they're finished.

Can they kill him and leave you on the throne?

No... you're asking too much.

No man could carry on this masquerade indefinitely.

I've done everything I can to help, but--

'Yes, I suppose you're right.'

'You've done everything that could be expected.'

More than could be expected.

It's just that.

...Rudolf is my king.

I have a feeling about the crown.

I suppose I feel about it

as another man might feel about the woman he loved.

He wouldn't like to leave her to her fate

without even a fight.

What will happen to her now?

- Hm. Princess Flavia? - 'Yes.'

If the king has been murdered

Michael as regent will proclaim her queen.

And then... marry her.

She'd never submit to that.

Flavia is a princess of the royal house.

She'd have no choice.

She would expect none.

And will you stand by and let that happen to her?

Will you?

His Majesty the King.

Your Majesty.

Oh, I'm delighted to see you.

Rudolf, are you worried about something?

Worried? With you in my arms?

I was just thinking, there'll never be

another night quite like this

or another waltz quite like this.

I'll never forget tonight as long as I live

if that's what you mean.

Nor will I.

Do you have to dance with anybody else tonight, Flavia?

I dance only as my king commands.

Well, then your king commands that.

Why do they all stop?

You know the rule. Because we do.

And you mean that

if we start, they'll go on?

Of course.

If we go out on the terrace

will they all come trooping out after us?

Of course not.

Well, then.

- Let's go out on the terrace. - Oh, not now.

- Later? - Later.

That is, if we can slip away.

Oh, no.

I want that promise.

Come, we must dance.

Not a step until I get that promise.

I promise.

The British ambassador, newly appointed.

- Do you know him? - Yes.

Let us trust in Providence.

You'll never get Providence interested in this enterprise.

Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness

His Excellency the British Ambassador and Lady Topham.

Your Excellencies.

Your Majesty.

Her Britannic Majesty the Queen Empress

commands me to convey her felicitations

upon your coronation.

Be pleased to convey our thanks to Her Majesty.

You may also add our felicitations

upon her jubilee.

Your Majesty

would it be premature to congratulate you

upon Your Majesty's approaching wedding?

Well, yes, it might be.

Rudolf, we should pay our respects

to His Eminence the Cardinal.

Amazing resemblance to the younger Rassendyll.

Not the slightest.

Your Eminence has greatly honored us tonight.

Your Majesty's subjects already love their king.

I think they're impatient to love their queen as well.

I'm grateful for the interest of the people

and of Your Eminence.

Graciously answered.

And now, the preparations for the ceremony

of necessity are going to be many and elaborate.

Would it please Your Majesty to name the date?

Now? Tonight?

It was understood that the ceremony

would shortly follow the coronation.

Well, shall we say, in six months' time?

So long a postponement?

Your Eminence, there's an old proverb

which councils us against crossing bridges

before we come to them.

If Your Majesty would examine that proverb

I think you would find it very difficult

to cross a bridge at any other time.

Well, I'm sure my cousin will understand.

Your cousin begs leave to bid Your Majesty..

...and Your Eminence, goodnight.

Goodnight, my child.

If you will excuse us, Your Eminence.

Flavia..

...you promised to go out on the terrace with me.

Is that a command, Your Majesty?

That's a command

but a very humble one.

Why did you ask me out here?

I couldn't let you go home

while you were still angry with me.

I'm sure you had excellent reasons for what you said.

Oh, believe me, I have.

There are times when a man might find it impossible to do

even what his heart prompts him to do.

But I never could willingly do anything to hurt you.

How can I believe you when I don't understand you?

Then will you believe this without understanding?

I love you.

Oh, is it true?

Or do you say that because you must?

I love you more than truth or life or honor.

Tell me, Rudolf

why is it that I love you now with all my heart

when I never even liked you before?

Never before?

It was at the coronation. I looked at you and..

And that was the first time you loved me?

You ask that as if you'd be pleased to hear me say yes.

Would "yes" be true?

Yes.

You seem so different.

I wanted you to be different from the Rudolf I knew

from the Rudolf I didn't love.

And you are. And you aren't.

Flavia..

...if I were different, if I were not the king..

Why do you say that?

Could you still love me if I were not the king?

In my heart, there is no king, no crown.

Only you.

Flavia.

I am not--

'Your Majesty!'

A thousand pardons, Your Majesty.

His Eminence the Cardinal is waiting to take his leave.

We must not keep His Eminence waiting.

Is anything wrong, Colonel Zapt?

Nothing, Your Highness.

It is always my unpleasant task to be the reminder of duty.

- Faithful Colonel Zapt. - God bless Your Royal Highness.

But above all, God save the king.

God save the king.

'The romance progressed very well tonight.'

You struck a good blow for the king.

What's to prevent me striking a blow for myself?

Don't take it so, lad.

You're bound in honor to play the king spot.

For honor? Have you left me any honor?

- Come, come. - You forgot the human element.

Didn't you?

I'm a man in love with a woman who loves me.

- You saw tonight. You heard! - I did.

Well, then why should I ever leave the throne?

Could you expose me?

If you did, you'd get Michael in my place.

I could marry the princess, send the king and Michael to--

If you did that, you'd have to kill me first.

Well, and what if I did?

I could raise all of Strelsau against you in an hour.

- You could, but you wouldn't. - Then find the king.

Find him!

Before it's too late.

Odd, a man not knowing his own brother.

But I assure you, they are enough alike to be twins.

You're trying to tell me the man I saw crowned is an impostor?

Not your type of fiction, I see, Your Highness.

Too incredible, but still, these things do happen.

I knew twin sisters once who.. Ahem.

But that's another story.

I see Your Highness isn't interested.

'Shall I go to market elsewhere?'

If what you say is true

why hasn't the king been heard from?

Where is he?

He's in a woodcutter's cabin.

Oh, and, by the way, royal blood

is not blue as most people think.

It's red.

I know because I had to spill a little.

You've abducted him.

It's an old medieval custom, abducting kings.

Rupert, only you could have carried out a coup like that.

What have you done with him?

Well, there's one thing we haven't discussed.

In fact, it's the same old topic.

In a cabin, you say? But where, man? Where?

Now, why do people abduct kings?

For fun, Your Highness?

Surely there's always the little matter of the king's ransom.

You can be the first man in the kingdom, after the king.

- How much down on account? - Ten thousand.

That's a poor price for a king and a crown.

- Twenty. - Well, it's too cheap.

But, I will admit he's a bit of a nuisance always whining

about being chained up.

- How badly did you wound him? - Not fatally, I'm afraid.

But the cabin is very damp, Your Highness.

He could easily develop... pneumonia.

And let the Englishman reign for the rest of his life?

- Could we ever expose him? - Mm.

That hadn't occurred to me.

But if the Englishman died first

and was buried in the cathedral as the king..

There are moments in your presence, Your Highness

when I feel myself an amateur.

This fraud is an insult to the whole country.

Your Highness shows me the path of duty.

It is the simple duty of a patriot to kill him like a dog.

There are times, Rupert, when we need the ladies.

Even in matters of state.

I'm about to ask a great service of you and Antoinette.

Rudolf Rassendyll?

It couldn't be a bill from my tailor, I suppose.

"If Mr. Rassendyll desires to know

"the whereabouts of the king

"let him come tonight at 2 o'clock

"to the deserted summerhouse behind the wall

"on Boulevard Elphberg.

"He must be alone.

If he neglects this invitation, he may harm Princess Flavia."

Oh, obviously a trick of Michael's.

- They must take you for a fool. - Now, wait a minute.

There's a bit more.

"If you hesitate, consult Captain von Tarlenheim."

Hm. They must take me for an even bigger fool.

"Ask him what woman would do most

"to prevent Michael from marrying the Princess Flavia

"and therefore most to prevent his becoming king.

And ask if her name begins with A."

"A?"

Antoinette de Mauban.

A French woman, madly in love with Michael.

Of course! She'll lose him if--

Where is the Boulevard Elphberg?

- Are you going? - I am.

Not without me.

Good man. But no Colonel Zapt.

He'd have 14 different reasons why we shouldn't go

and all of them good ones.

Well, if the colonel can't get news of the king

we'll get it for him.

You know this is a trap, don't you?

Three men are coming here to kill you.

Where's the king?

Before I tell you, I must have your word.

No harm to Michael.

Why do you betray him in one breath

and plead for his life in the next?

Think what you like.

Think that I just don't like murder.

Think that I'm just a jealous woman.

- Have I your word? - Yes.

As much as I can give it, if you tell the truth.

They're moving the king tonight

from a hut in the forest to Michael's castle near Zenda.

- That's what I wanted to know. - Wait.

If the castle is attacked

the king will be killed instantly.

No trace of his body will be found.

Charming character, your friend Michael.

- You want my help or don't you? - Yes.

- How do we rescue the king? - Leave that to me.

You must have his friends at hand

at his hunting lodge on some excuse or other.

Boar hunting, perhaps.

As soon as I can arrange an escape

I'll get word to you.

How will I know it isn't another trap of Michael's?

The man I send you will have the mate to this.

'Now go, and go quickly.'

And you?

If Michael finds out what I've done

you and I will not meet again.

Good luck... in everything.

And to you with the princess.

They've come. They're too soon.

'Mr. Rassendyll.'

'Mr. Rassendyll, forgive me if I interrupt you'

'at an inopportune moment'

but I'd like a friendly word with you.

I'm alone and unarmed.

It's Rupert of Hentzau. Don't trust him.

We can talk with the door between us, Count Hentzau.

'Will you give your word not to fire while we talk?'

I give you my word not to fire before you do.

Say what you have to say from where you are.

As you please.

A truce, while I offer peace terms.

Fifty thousand pounds in English notes

and safe conduct to the frontier.

Well, that sounds fair enough.

'Well, do you accept?'

Give me a moment to think it over.

Get out of the line of fire.

Yes.

Count Hentzau?

'Your Majesty.'

I hold you to your word and accept your offer.

Congratulations.

The money's in my pocket

and there's a good horse waiting for you.

Come out.

I'd prefer you to come in. It's less public.

- Do you mind? - 'Not at all.'

Careful, he'll shoot first.

What? After he's given his word?

In England, that simply isn't done.

Open it.

What, when there are three against one?

Alright, I'll open it myself.

Fritz!

I regret that we have failed to keep Your Majesty's

sufficiently amused here in Strelsau.

I would've suggested a much more varied program

than just riding with me.

But only I was foolish enough to believe that..

To believe what?

To believe you were serious when you told me

you preferred my company to the courts.

I should have known better.

But I'm sure after a really exciting boar hunt

you will be your old self again.

- Are you angry with me? - What right have I to be angry?

Last night you made me feel that every hour

away from me was wasted.

But boar hunting

that's quite a different matter.

Do you think I want to go?

Oh. Of course you don't. Your first duty is to the boars.

They'd never forgive you if you didn't hunt them and kill them.

Perhaps the boars will hunt me.

They might even kill me.

Doesn't the thought of my danger touch you?

Or do you weep for my danger?

Well, this is like you used to be..

...but not like the king I've come to love.

Oh, my darling.

Do you really think that I would leave you to go hunting?

- Then you're not going? - I'm not going hunting.

That is, not just for boar.

Then what?

- Rudolf, it's Michael. - Indirectly.

- Oh, darling, you mustn't go. - My sweet.

Shall I tell them that I can't go

because you and I have an engagement to go riding?

I won't let you go. Send someone else.

What kind of a king would do that?

- But I don't understand why-- - And I can't tell you now.

But I will tell you the moment I can.

You believe that, don't you?

Yes, of course I do.

Forgive me, Rudolf, I..

I behaved like a spoiled child.

You see, I've never been in love before.

Oh, my darling.

I really must go.

Stay here. Let me go alone.

No, don't turn.

If I see your eyes, I might forget to be a king.

Rudolf, come back to me soon.

Shan't a man come back to the loveliest woman

in all the world?

A thousand Michaels couldn't keep me from you.

But if I shouldn't, you'd never forget me?

Never.

'You'd be a brave queen and do your part?'

Though my life be empty and my heart dead.

You would do your part.

Rudolf?

Put away those popguns and take me to the king.

Well, the man's got courage, you must grant him that.

I'll grant him six feet of earth when time comes.

There's no time like the present.

Your Majesty, Count Hentzau with a message

from the Duke of Strelsau.

Tell him His Majesty is indisposed.

No, wait a minute.

Let's hear what he has to say.

Send him in.

Disarm him first.

Ah!

- The play-actor in person. - 'Hentzau!'

Your Majesty, I bring you

your brother's humble greetings

and his hopes that you will enjoy the boar hunting

here in Zenda.

And his respects, of course, to your two principal boars.

Well, what price the crown today?

The last offer was 50,000 pounds.

Do I hear perhaps 52,000?

You'd hear a much better offer than that, in private.

Oh.

Before we go any further

I must tell that I'm prepared to give you a chance to escape

your thoroughly well-deserved end

on the condition that you yourself return

the prisoner of Zenda to me alive.

Really, Mr. Rassendyll?

Do you seriously expect me to believe

that you, of all people, want the king back?

- You insult my intelligence. - I see.

Well, then you've come a very long way for nothing.

I hope not, for Michael's sake.

Oh, you've brought another of his generous ultimatums.

I have. He doubles his offer.

A hundred thousand pounds.

I thought it would amuse you.

Fact is, between ourselves.

Michael doesn't understand a gentleman.

You and I, we do, don't we?

Rassendyll, you're a man after my own heart.

Frankly, you and I are the only two people

worth saving in this whole affair now.

Aren't we?

This is my plan for us.

Now, listen.

Attack the castle boldly. Let your..

...friends ride at the head.

There's bound to be a little rifle play at first.

- Oh, unavoidable. - Arrange the time with me--

I have such confidence in you, of course.

Michael will fall.

The king will already have moved on to

a happier life in the next world.

And your friends, if they fall too, you and I

I, Rupert of Hentzau, and you, king of the realm

will be the only two left who know the truth.

Hmm.

And don't you think we're being perhaps

just a little drastic with Michael?

Perhaps a little. But..

...I make it a point never to trust a jealous man, don't you?

- Michael, jealous? - You know the lady, I think.

Oh, in the summerhouse. Yes.

But surely, no woman in her right senses

would prefer the duke to you.

Women are never in their right senses

thank goodness.

So you're doing all this for love.

How romantic.

Well, love and..

...Your Majesty's gratitude throughout

your long and happy reign.

And then, of course, you might turn over to me

Michael's castles and estates.

Oh, yes, of course, we mustn't lose sight of those.

You never know whose hands they might fall into.

Look what I offer you, the throne and the princess.

You were planning on them anyway, but this way, it's sure.

Shall we shake hands on it?

Hey, Zapt, Fritz, listen to this.

Count Hentzau offers me the throne.

That is, if you two don't mind being killed.

Their turn comes later, play-actor.

Yours comes now!

'Guards, stop that man!'

Play the queen, you blockhead.

Ah!

Florence Nightingale!

O Woman! In our hours of ease.

Uncertain, coy, and hard to please.

When pain and anguish ring the brow

a ministering angel thou!

Could I have some water?

You'll find plenty of water down here, sire.

So even a king can be curious, I see.

Now, Jacob's ladder went up into the sky, didn't it?

While this goes down into the moat

but it serves the same purpose.

Because if this castle is attacked

there are always two of us in the guardroom

just up those steps, ready to shove you down

Jacob's ladder.

Properly weighted, of course.

I'd like to be left alone..

...if your orders permit.

The audience is ended, Your Majesty?

Very well, sire.

Try to get some sleep.

And may you dream of Jacob's ladder

with paradise at the end of it.

Oh, I've just done my best to make His Majesty more..

...receptive.

Alright.

Your Majesty.

What do you expect to gain by this

except death?

Your admission that now, your senses restored

you've come to realize that people

would never accept a king

with your, shall we say, all too human failings.

- What's that? - Your abdication.

As soon as you've signed this

a comfortable bed is yours

and the best of care until you're strong enough

to cross the frontier.

I.-

I haven't lived like a king.

But perhaps I can die like one..

...and not disgrace the crown I never wore.

'A man here who insists he has a personnel message'

'for His Majesty.'

He says, he's one of the duke's men, sire.

'Have you searched him thoroughly?'

- 'Certainly, sir.' - Send him in.

- If only this is from-- - Quiet!

- What is it you want? - I have a message for..

I am to tell you that a troop of the duke's hussars

arrives tomorrow.

If there is to be a rescue, it must be tonight.

'You may count on me, sir.'

I am to lower the drawbridge at two hours past midnight.

But the noise.

You say the king will be killed at first alarm?

That is correct.

Madame says before the bridge can go down

one of your men must swim the moat and climb to her room.

And then?

Alone, one man might reach the dungeon.

That man alone must hold off the guards from murder

until the others can cross the drawbridge and get below.

Always two guards on the prisoner, you say?

Two by day and two by night, sir.

Any other men who can fight?

Only His Highness and Count Rupert tonight.

Three against six.

Well, tell madame that

we'll be on the shore at 2 o'clock

waiting for her signal

then I will swim the moat.

The others will wait until you lower the bridge.

Good luck.

But why three against six?

Surely we can take our men.

We don't dare if the secret's to be kept.

No, the odds are too great.

We must have help at hand if we need it.

Tell them to come.

Well, I think I should be the one to swim that moat.

Right, lad.

We can't afford to lose both our kings.

You'll lose one king tonight, whatever takes place.

If anything should happen to him and not to me

your game's up anyway.

I've been an impostor for your sake.

I'll not be one for my own.

No, Fritz, I swim that moat.

If we do lose you both

what's to become of those of us who are left?

They'll serve Queen Flavia.

I would to God I could be one of them.

Go now. Give Mr. Rassendyll time to hide in the passage.

And open the great doors and let down the bridge.

I hope I can work the mechanism, madame.

I certainly hope you can.

The duke has retired for the night.

Hentzau is in charge of the guards.

I was hoping I'd meet that fellow again.

The crash of the bridge will arouse the castle.

The guards will follow their orders and kill the king

before your men can get to him. Unless--

Unless I can handle two of them until my men get down to me.

- That's it, isn't it? - Exactly.

You see, I've trusted you, your word.

- No harm to Michael. - We're all agreed.

It means exile, I'm afraid

but that's what you wanted, isn't it?

Yes.

Down the steps is the passage to the guardroom.

Across the guardroom is the door to the dungeon and the king.

What was that?

It must've been somebody shutting a door.

Probably madame's.

'What's the matter? You're ten minutes early.'

'The Duke's as nervous as a cat on hot bricks.'

'What's he afraid of, burglars?'

Is it true that he sent for more men, Count Hentzau?

Yes, a whole garrison.

Let's hope he gives us an eight-hour watch after this.

Twelve hours is too long on guard.

Keeps you out of mischief.

You run in and out as you like.

'We've got to stay in that dirty hole.'

I'm gonna make the rounds of the doors and bridge

before I turn in.

It was very careless of you to leave your door ajar.

Very careless..

'...and very inviting.'

Oh. Yes.

Come now, admit I've been patient.

And patience is a virtue I generally lack.

You never lack audacity, Rupert.

Had it occurred to you I might not be alone?

I always accept the risks. I'm prepared for them.

You, uh..

You really shouldn't be here, you know.

Of course..

...I shouldn't.

Always inopportune, Michael, but always in time.

The moat can hold more than a king.

Not without making a splash

that would be heard all over the kingdom.

Michael!

Michael?

Michael.

I would never betrayed you.

'I did it only to save you, my darling.'

'Oh.'

'Michael.'

De Gautet, Lauengram, rouse the castle!

De Gautet! Lauengram!

The drawbridge!

I caught a servant trying to lower the bridge.

Must've been bribed. Go outside, guard it.

You better be quiet and get some sleep.

Kill the prisoner!

I'll help you.

Cousin Rudolf.

It's alright now, Your Majesty.

- Cousin Rudolf. - You're safe.

'Mr. Rassendyll.'

I thought you were more at home with a knife.

My knife turned out to be more at home in Michael.

We got in each other's way once too often

just as you and I have.

May I trouble you for those keys?

Thank you.

You've settled Krafstein, I see.

Bersonin too, I presume?

I almost hate to see you join them

with only a bullet in you.

Wait a minute.

How do you know it's Bersonin I threw into the moat

and not the king?

Oh, no.

You've worn the queen's uniform and the old school tie.

You'd never use my methods, Mr. Rassendyll.

Oh, I don't know.

Faced with death, I might.

May I have a last cigarette while we review the situation?

Half my kingdom!

For a match.

You've got your eye on Michael's castle and estates

or at least so you tell me.

Yes. You found it very amusing I remember.

But I'm scarcely in the position to laugh at it now.

Oh, I don't know.

At least this time you'll die laughing.

Thank you.

It's no good, I can't get used to fighting with furniture.

- Where did you learn it? - On the playing fields of Eton.

I see now how much I missed by not going to Eton.

Nevertheless, you did them one great service.

- Yes? What was that? - You didn't go to Eton.

Alright, this will be your last fencing lesson.

Look out for your head.

Why not stand your ground and fight?

"He who fights and runs away," remember?

You wanna try and get to the drawbridge.

I just killed a man for trying that.

- An unarmed man, of course. - Of course.

It's beginning to sound too much like the playing fields of Eton.

I'll return to fight another day too.

Goodbye, play-actor!

Alright, stand by in the courtyard!

The king?

The king lives.

Do you know

it seems a hundred years

since I struck you in the face.

Please forgive me..

...and be my guide, as you were my father's.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

And now, we mustn't keep him waiting.

I've tried to wear it with honor, Your Majesty.

I can't talk very much yet.

You're my best and nearest friend

Cousin Rudolf.

I-I wanted to keep you with me

to-to tell everybody what you'd done.

But Zapt says the secret must be kept.

He's right, Your Majesty. My work here is done.

Yes, it's done.

As no one but you could have done it.

I-I don't know when I shall see you again.

If ever I can serve you, Your Majesty..

You could never serve me better, cousin.

You've taught me how to be a king.

Is she here?

- Does she know everything? - Everything.

What did she say?

Nothing.

She wants to see you.

Your Highness.

I sent for you to thank you..

...for the service you have done this kingdom...and its king.

No one can know better than myself

how conscientiously you have played your role.

I love you.

With my whole heart and soul, I love you.

In all else I've been an impostor, but not in that.

'From the first moment I saw you in the cathedral'

'I knew you were the only woman in the world for me.'

As I stand here now..

...I know there never can be any other.

It would have made no difference if I'd known.

It was always you, never the king.

Is it true that you're going home to England?

Tonight.

Come with me.

I won't let them stand in the way of our happiness!

- Come with me. - If only I could--

Oh, my darling.

There's a world outside. Our world.

And think you'll be free. Free of these cares and duties

free to live as joyously and ha..

What is it, Flavia?

I was born to these cares and duties, Rudolf.

Help me to do what I was born to.

Help me to do what I must.

How can I, my darling? I love you.

But is love the only thing?

If love were all, I could follow you in rags

to the end of the world.

If love were all, you would've left the king

to die in his cell.

'Honor binds a woman too, Rudolf.'

And my honor lies

in keeping faith with my country and my house.

I don't know why God has let me love you.

But I-I know that I must stay.

Never to see you again.

Never to hold you.

Never..

My darling.

Your heart will always be in my heart..

...and the touch of your lips on mine.

We'll meet again, Fritz.

Fate doesn't always make the right men kings.

Goodbye, colonel.

We've run a good course together.

Goodbye, Englishman.

You're the finest Elphberg of them all.