Original subtitles

Amen.

You can do it.

the rules. I demand a right to compete. You demand nothing.

You have the right to one throw.

How many pieces?

you can beat that.

Antiope, why not wait till tomorrow?

No, we're going to do it now and indoors if necessary.

She's clever, that one.

She used just enough energy to qualify each time.

And you?

You had to go and kill yourself, winning every contest.

Just had to be the best.

Because I am the best.

No, no.

No!

Keep it down!

Antiope is the queen.

Antiope is the queen.

Antiope is the queen.

I'm truly sad for you.

You should have won.

Besides, your chance will come again in time.

You're mad.

If you think I'm going to wait four years.

Anteope. Cenara, the captain of the guard. She's waiting to escort you to

council chamber.

All right, would you tell her to come in? I'll just be a minute.

She's coming.

Yes?

Perhaps this is a good time for me to return you this.

This is your ring as chief of the armed forces. I always keep it until the

contests have been decided.

Thank you, Cenara.

And at the same time, I want to give you my resignation as captain of the royal

guard. But why?

Always the new queen places somebody of her own.

Somebody she can trust.

I trust you completely.

You served the last queen well and loyally, and I imagine you can do the

for me.

Of course, of course I can. All right, that's settled then.

You don't even want me to swear, no?

If I can trust you, I can trust you. I don't think swearing a hundred or so

add anything.

You can trust me.

It's just because this is not altogether conventional.

Somehow I don't think I'm going to be a conventional queen, now or ever.

If my clothes surprise you, there are a lot of other surprises to come.

For there are changes at hand.

Three score and seven years ago, our mothers brought forth a new nation.

But since then, what has happened?

We have forgotten what the word Amazon means.

We have become lazy and greedy and complacent and fat.

In brief, like a nation of men.

Our soldiers sleep in soft beds, and the only time we see the inside of a tent

is when we're at war.

And it's a fortunate thing that we've been at peace these last four years

because our once great army has truly gone to the bitches.

Now it's time for a change.

It's time to go back to the days when our Amazon laws were strict.

When we would punish any of our weaker sisters who would indulge in erotic

relationships with men.

For any contact with a male animal must be restricted to this once -a -year

meeting for breeding purposes.

And as that time is soon upon us, we must prepare ourselves for this horrible

ordeal and start exercises to make ourselves immune from the power of man.

are repulsive in mind and body.

Their hands are coarse and repulsive.

Their faces are insipid and ugly.

Their bodies are clappy and bony.

Their embraces are repellent and without love.

We must prevail.

Prevail. And finally, so that there can be no misunderstanding, we are going to

be one people without class or distinction.

This means that from now on, the army is going to be treated the same way as

everybody else.

and that special privileges will no longer exist.

Soldiers will work on the farms at the time of harvest and plowing, and

everybody will join in without exception. I haven't finished yet.

And members of the armed forces will sleep in tents five nights a week, and

military training will be stepped up so that we will always be in a state of

readiness. All right, now I've finished. Now you may speak.

When our new queen started her speech, I confessed.

I was agreeably surprised, because I also longed to return to the greatness

we Amazons once enjoyed.

But then, what did we hear?

Our army, the source of our true greatness, our soldiers,

the pride of our country, are to be humiliated, scorned, to be treated the

way as civilians. And everybody knows the army rules the country.

The army does not rule this country. It just fights its wars.

Our queen has spoken.

Our queen is right.

I suggest that for the moment we adjourn this meeting of the council.

That we spend time reflecting about what we've heard.

Remember, we have time.

Our queen is there for another four years. You want to bet?

There is only one solution.

She's got to go. But legally.

Of course.

Legally or shmeagly. Get her out.

And one of us should do it now.

Shira would never betray us.

Besides, I'm out of a job at the end of the month.

Now that servants aren't allowed.

I've been called up to the army.

We think, Hera and me, that if we just ask the Queen to give it up... The

she means.

Not the new regulations.

Though, of course... Well, it was just an idea.

Pretty stupid if you ask me. She didn't ask you. Sit down and shut up! This is

getting us nowhere!

Pleasant little wine.

Don't you think?

Very pleasant and not at all presumptuous in its breeding.

That's because it's from the right side of the hill, of course.

As chief of the College of Heralds, I occasionally find out... The only

you mean.

I occasionally find out things.

I've got the impression Antiopa has an important announcement to make.

Not another one.

Let her finish.

She's going to tell us that now it's the mating season that we should... So we

have to devote ourselves to this particularly disagreeable duty.

As you all know, for one thing and one thing only do we need men.

So for the continuation of our race, I'm afraid we have to do what has to be

done and bear it with great fortitude.

This year, for the first time, we're breaking new ground by meeting with the

Greeks.

They've sent us an emissary offering their services.

I don't exactly know why. Maybe they're curious, or maybe they want to find out

if the story's about us or true, or if we really are made as other women.

And now on to more serious things.

General, where are the deserters?

Deserters, quick!

March! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Halt!

Turn! Salute!

Desertion in the face of the enemy is usually punishable by death.

However, we are sentencing you to a fate worse than death.

But, Great Queen, my feelings for men are well known. All my life I've been a

conscientious objector.

And everybody knows I get sick near men.

I sneeze.

I come out in spots.

So do I.

See?

Just thinking.

No, you're too useful as advance guards.

Going ahead detecting the presence of males. No remission. For matters of

conscience, I have to respect.

You will serve the remainder of your military service in the medical corps.

Now remember, all of you, I'm going to be there right with you, suffering as

do. But one small word of advice.

It won't be quite so bad...

You keep your eyes closed.

My horse.

Queen's horse.

Abaddon!

Captain?

No complaints this morning?

No, sir.

No one on sick call?

Not a one.

Our stallions seem to be behaving like angels for this maneuver.

They're pretty close now, and they, uh...

They've already begun to smell the fillies.

What's all that clatter, Veritas?

The army.

I'm sorry those ruffians awakened you, Siam.

On the contrary.

It's the first time I've heard my army happy.

I'd certainly like to know why.

Get the horses. We'll take a look.

Your soldiers seem in good spirits, sir. So would you be.

They're out on the most popular military duty of their lives.

And each man is a volunteer.

I'm curious to know where they're heading.

They're heading for women.

You mean home to their women? If that's where they were going, they wouldn't be

in such high spirits.

But then, what women?

The Amazons.

Surely you've heard of them.

You mean you've never heard of the Amazons, sire?

Well, only silly stories and dirty jokes and something about them cutting off a

breast. These women formed a state without men, but needing to produce

They pay in copper for good male seed.

This year, the seed pods are Greek. Well, another fascinating aspect of our

foreign trade.

I'm looking forward to seeing these women who have managed to eliminate men.

But we must wait for the messengers from Athens. This is more important.

The messengers will know how to fight.

Women!

Where the hell are they? As long as you get me a nice black -haired one.

That'll do for me.

I don't know. I'd like one that's fair, but nice and big, you know.

I don't think they're even going to show.

Don't you worry. The women will come.

They're even more eager than you are.

Well, I hope he's right.

The food is slop, the wine sour, and the pay is ridiculous.

I'm sure it's the same in all armies.

I can see you're not a soldier.

Yes. What are you?

A merchant in sponges.

Well, Merchant in Sponges, it's very simple. The king is always away.

And if he's there, he's always surrounded by stupid advisors.

Because if he had any brains at all, he'd surround himself with young

advisors who have followed the troops and know what the country needs.

Well, once the king knows what you want, I'm sure he'll think

that you're right.

Aye, General.

Your Majesty.

General, any news from Athens?

Say it.

I didn't recognize you.

We didn't mean anything by our comments.

In any case, we certainly didn't intend any disrespect.

Respect, Commander, is often an enemy of progress.

You will be the first member of my military council.

General, come into my tent and let's hear what our aging advisors have

in my absence.

Veritas, let me know if these Amazons arrive.

Well, General.

First of all, the new coinage, Majesty.

You wish to approve the design.

One coinage for all the twelve states in the Federation.

As usual, people flatter me.

I didn't ask for my portrait.

The bull on this side can stay, but get something else on the other.

Olive leaf or whatever you want.

The canal for the supply of water to the suburbs of Athens.

And finally, the information you wanted about the copper.

It seems the Amazons mine their own. Where from?

The Blue Mountain area.

About 30 miles from here.

I'll send some patrols out this very night. About that annual breeding

operation, a part of the council is against it.

Why so? To prostitute our soldiers for a handful of copper isn't dignified. I

see. They seem to forget that our country needs the copper very badly.

means can be employed to get it. Such as? Tell me.

First, that cackling bunch of hens is no match for our Greek army. I can handle

them.

General, I'm a man of peace.

Besides, I'm very curious.

Tonight, at 11 o 'clock, my tent.

Why do we have to be so clean?

Because of them.

They'll be nice and fresh, like roses in the wind. Roses?

I can smell them now.

That's only me, lad. That's only me.

They'll be passionate, won't they, Sergeant?

Sure. As warm as kittens in heat. As light as gazelles.

Hey, look over there!

Take care of my horse.

I'll attend to the others.

Some gazelles.

Remember, be tough.

Very tough.

Well, it's easy for you.

You're only handling the commercial side of this encounter.

Being men, they'll try to wheedle something out of us.

Start cleaning their travel expenses, for instance.

She will be tough, don't you worry.

Who knows what new conditions they'll spring on us.

Now they've got us all this way.

The one in white under the flag.

Must be the queen, sir.

Let me have your helmet, Captain.

I'm not a king or a merchant in sponges any longer.

I'm a captain.

Second class.

Welcome.

Any request?

Only our expenses.

What do you know? We've marched a thousand miles.

No. Then...

Half all expenses.

Well, why don't we get this over with quickly?

Yes. Half your expenses.

And your request? That the knight of coupling should be three instead of two.

I must say, this proposal intrigues us. Listen, we're only interested in

increasing the chances for bearing children.

Nothing more.

Something else?

Our queen requests that your men should be chosen by us.

Surely to improve the, uh, the breed, I assume.

What else?

Ah.

I see something that may come in useful.

What do you mean?

What? Well, I see a man and a woman.

Come on. Come on, yes.

Not enough hair.

Over there.

Go on.

Good.

Accepted. Good. Get back. You have no business here.

Accepted.

That's 14. Beautiful.

But he's beautiful. He's good. I mean, yes.

Over there. Next. Accepted.

No way.

Overabundant, I would say.

Over there.

132. Yes, I've got that.

151. No, it doesn't come up right.

You're really fortunate, Melanie B.

Not to have to go through all this. That may be, but these figures still don't

correspond. What does it matter?

We would rather be in your place. Lucky you.

Everybody in place?

Do your duty.

Everybody in place?

Do your duty.

Leah?

Do your duty, too.

Of course, sister.

Even the queen bee has to go through this.

But the female spider eats her mate.

To eat his own? I've got to check the numbers. Being rich, I'll double -check.

You're lucky that's all you have to do with them.

Loras, please get me some more water. That salt beef has made me so thirsty.

Oh, it's empty. I'll be back in a minute.

Water for the queen.

Give me some water for the queen.

You must be quick. Go, go.

Here, give me the pitcher.

We've plenty in here.

What a ball, queen.

What a ball, queen.

There was enough advertising in that to melt a copper egg.

Even one invulnerable queen.

Fill it up again. That tall thief made me thirsty.

Men are repulsive in mind and body.

Their hands are coarse and rapacious.

Why don't you shut up? Men are repulsive in mind and body.

Not like that.

You'd better start again.

If you want.

I will show you. So?

Now let's get down to it. Not with your boots on.

When I make love, I'm never underneath.

This time, all right.

Next time, we'll see about that. No! No!

I suggest we change places.

All right.

Fine with me. Good.

One ingot of copper. No.

Let's recount it a third time.

I'm in the Queen's service. My name's Loris.

Loris! You're not here for that!

Is that clear?

The Queen doesn't need me right now. All right, stay here quietly.

Have something to eat.

Go and sit over there.

Now back to work. Here's the mistake, finally.

About time.

I found it an hour ago.

You're right.

We've received one and get too many.

Well, in a payback or even just tomorrow.

It's too complicated, but I am quite willing to personally earn the

extra ingot now.

If you collaborate.

Me? I'm exempt from all this.

I see no other simple way out.

Well?

I must make the sacrifice. I must.

Leave us and wait outside the tent.

You're lucky you don't have these obligations.

Get out!

Good evening, Captain.

I've been sent to conclude our commercial operation.

Do what you will, but do it quickly. The quicker, the better.

Very well. But let me take a good look at you first.

Stop fooling around.

That light's bothering me.

You afraid I might find you unattractive?

As a matter of fact, you're not bad, really.

How do you find me?

Well, the equivalent of one copper ingot.

All ingots are alike.

You have no preference.

I'm a bit dreary for making love.

We're not here... We're not here for making love.

No.

All right, begin.

Ooh!

What? It's your beard.

What is that?

What is what?

I don't know. I had the most peculiar feeling.

Unpleasant? Very strange.

Let go of my hand.

No, no, no. Take my hand.

I could have sworn I heard somebody say prevail.

Was it you?

It's worse with my eyes shut.

Do you ever practice oriental concentration?

Well, only when I'm with orientals.

Well, it accentuates the emotions. Did you know that?

Oh, yes.

I know.

I'm sure of that.

You know, when I reach the apex of concentration, I'm even capable of

killing.

Yes, but we must do the opposite now.

Like one of our Greek poets has said, let's make love.

Commander, do they often beat us? Not to my knowledge.

I see some changes are required in the Army's physical training department.

The men were busy all night, Your Majesty.

So were the women.

Imagine. All competitors for the riding contest.

Into the ring, please. All competitors for the riding contest.

I always disliked to hear women announcing things.

Even good -looking ones.

Commander, would you arrange for me what we used to call at the games in Athens

the porcupine? But, sire... Your Majesty, while you are with us, I am

responsible for your life.

While I'm with you, I'm a captain.

Second class.

Ready? Go!

Look over there. I wonder what they're up to.

Oh,

no, this is not treachery. Just a little game we used to play in Athens to teach

our soldiers discipline.

I want another line.

And kill people.

Five more Lancers. Are you sure what you're saying? Yes, I am. Well, five

men.

It's a mess.

Come on.

We won't do that.

I think she's broken her leg.

It should be her neck.

Come on.

She was my equal.

Why did she try to better me?

37 English was popular. Three nights stayed in her house. That makes it.

I came to say I'm sorry, ma 'am.

It was a foolish thing to do.

It was my horse that fell.

So I saw a roughness in the ground.

Oh, I brought you some ointment made in Athens.

I found it excellent the last time I fell off.

I didn't fall off. My horse stumbled.

Oh, of course, yes.

Loras, that will be all. Thank you.

Would you like me to sing for you?

No. Or to play the lute, perhaps?

No.

Oh, well.

Melanie, as long as I can't be there, maybe you can take care of tonight's

arrangements.

Very well.

Thus night her soldiers came, studying with wine.

In our country, drunkenness is punished.

We beg your pardon?

I suppose I'd better go and get it over with, too.

Ow, my ankle!

I can't apologize enough.

This has stopped you taking part in tonight's arrangements.

Yes, we're to be grateful to you for that.

I must say I admire your sense of duty.

That you as a queen should go to bed with, may I?

Merely common soldiers.

Our queen is chosen on merit, so it's important that we breed with the finest

stock, as with cows, for instance.

Tell me, ma 'am, do you find your life without men has any disadvantages?

Which ones?

Well, even the simple question of sexual pleasure can't be much good without a

man. How would you know? You're not a woman.

Excuse me, Great Queen, but we are changing the guard. Have you any special

instructions before we go on to... Thank you, no. You can mount guard outside my

tent as usual.

Yes, Great Queen.

Your people seem to be of many races.

Sisters come to us from many lands.

They're refugees from the slavery and the exploitation of the rest of the

Greek women come to you, surely? Oh, hundreds, and they all have heart

stories about men.

Greek men?

Greek men.

How you treat your wives as servants and the bearers of your children.

You never speak to them of anything intelligent or give them work to do, my

children, to be your equals.

And how you take your pleasure with so -called loose women.

But surely without men you must end up with relationships that most people

think unnatural.

Well, I understand that Greek men have relationships with young boys.

It has been known.

So you use one another for pleasure and...

We're just used for procreation the way we use you.

The difference is we pay you in good copper the way you pay your whores.

Yes, you pay us very generously, as if you have copper to waste it.

We have all we need.

But do you acquire it from the Cratons, or can you mine your own? We trade in

the Middle Sea, Crete, Egypt. We do well enough.

Oh, on your way home, if you pass by the Blue Mountains, I can give you advice.

The whole area should be prospect.

I think we're going to go home along the coastal road.

Well, the other's shorter and, as I said, more profitable.

You seem to be an awfully well -informed person.

An inquiring mind, that's all.

Well, I think you ought to take your inquiring mind and get some experience

the Great Tent, seeing how bravely our Amazons are supporting this unpleasant

but necessary experience.

You keep harping on that, like one of our Greek poets has said.

I think she'd up -protest too much.

Has it always got to be such an unpleasant, painful duty?

Almost always.

Thanks for the almost.

I shall keep it as a remembrance.

Oh, I brought this for you.

A trophy of war. I have a lucky hand when gathering loot.

Did I hurt you? No.

If only... If...

If only it had been your...

your arm.

Perhaps you don't know that an Amazon only becomes one after having killed a

man, so you wouldn't be my first.

I'm so sorry I shall not be contributing to such a brilliant career.

Guard!

Yes, Great Queen?

I have some orders for you.

Find Mopatia and tell her that while the Greeks sleep tonight, we're going to

strike camp.

We're going home?

Home.

Oh, and not a moment too soon.

Our soldiers lost the day competition, but beat them in the night one.

They have worn out the fillies. Still asleep.

They left the camp before dawn, sire.

Renouncing the third night?

Seems like it. And it seems they're going to run straight into the Scythian

on their way.

What are they doing here?

Patrols you told me to send around to look for copper mines in this area.

Yes, one of the patrols bumped into these civilians in the Blue Mountains.

That's northeast from here.

The direction I told them to take.

How far?

Thirty miles as a crow flies.

Through no fault of my own, I am not a crow.

So by foot.

Six hours march.

Commander, 400 men, hoplites and archers, all ready to move in ten

sir.

Silence! As they say, a man's work is never done.

If Antiope made us give up the third night, there can only be one reason. The

aphrodisiac has affected her mind. It's only the first small victory.

Male people.

There must be men in our territory.

Well, they won't get alive.

You don't know how many there are. I don't care just as long as no man

our territory.

that we've never needed help from males.

Except for one thing. As unpleasant as it is necessary.

We beg your pardon.

We give you an hour to leave our territory. We won't take that.

Come on.

You owe him your life.

That's dangerous.

And I say

we should have destroyed the whole of the Scythian forces.

We did wrongly to have our attention distracted by the Greeks.

Men will always gang up together when there is danger.

Especially danger from women.

Our group was still fresh.

We could have made it a massacre. I ask permission now to take an army against

the Scythians, to lay waste their land, and teach them in their own country a

lesson they will never forget.

Let her do this and they won't come against us again for a thousand years.

Have you all forgotten about the harvest?

The queen is right.

But if we go now, we will be back in time for the harvest.

Do we wait another year?

Wait like mere women until they come against us again?

Or do we Amazons prepare an expedition now?

Now!

You, Antiope, your first day as queen, made a speech, a long speech, saying

we must return to the great glories of our past.

We started as a nation of warriors.

Remember now your own words.

I said to you then, and I say to you now, a military does not rule this

It just fights its wars.

But a military action now might well pave the way for peace in the years

So this is my decision.

We will offer our sacrifices to the holy goddess Artemis, and then she will tell

us what we will do.

I, Archimora, High Priestess of Artemis, pray to our goddess.

to bless the weapons which you will use today.

May you hunt with skill and return safely with many animals.

To sacrifice to Holy Artemis so that we can benefit from her great wisdom.

Glory to Holy Artemis. Glory to the goddess.

This catch is mine.

It's a great risk you are taking.

No one can prove it wasn't an accident. Go on, Orthea.

Since when does the love of a male for a female make you suddenly womanly

sentimental?

Since when did some strange destiny split an arrow meant for a deer?

Don't ask me that question.

The arrow is Greek.

Accept these our sacrifices, holy goddess, and give wisdom to our queen to

decide what is right.

May the dream that comes from this plant be sent by the goblets and with this

drink of sacred ambrosia.

May your sleep come soon.

Your dreams be true.

Music.

The goddess has spoken.

The army is to march against the Scythians.

The expedition leaves this very night.

This is most irregular.

It takes one hour for the trance to happen. This is... I tell you, it's a

scandal.

Marpesa, come and ride with me.

Gladly.

You know, when we were children, she used to take my toys.

Now if she dared, she would take my life. But you gave her Marpesa because

no longer loved Marpesa.

Not in Albi.

Disputes are not good for a woman with child.

You'd better settle your differences.

Or with all this quarreling, you will lose it.

Well, if it's a boy, I have to lose it.

You?

Are you out of your mind?

Get out of here.

Not until I've paid off my debt.

Your debt?

What debt?

Well, you've paid me three nights.

I only worked one.

Please get out of here.

Yes, you can.

You see, I'm an honest whore.

You're a what?

They might come in here.

No, they won't. They might.

They're going to kill you, idiot.

I don't think so.

We told him only one hour. Oh, we shouldn't have let him in.

You were the first to accept the bribe. I didn't notice you were using a golden

bracelet. Shh, get back.

Have you had a cold?

No, it must be... A man in the city?

Come on, come on. There's a man in the city.

Sorry, Laura.

There's a man in the city.

Please, don't ever come back again.

There's a man here.

Quickly, quickly.

We'll wait for you in the pine forest where we saw the deer.

What on earth are you doing here?

Is that the alarm that I heard?

A man in the city.

What's that?

Heavy one.

Except for the right place or you would have found him.

Are you sure there's any right place?

And don't come back.

Hospital town.

Charming. Quick, quick.

Yes? She tells me. She has journeyed far to see you. She's very welcome.

There are copies from the palace that come afterwards.

Yes, I know.

I come from Clint.

My name is Melina.

Flame of your kingdom.

Queendom. has reached us.

Many women await my return with your answer. What is it you ask?

Freedom from male tyranny and union with all of you.

Well, in that case, our people are happy to offer you asylum and protection and

equal rights.

I think before you decide that, you should know a little more about us.

Yes, I would like that.

Very much.

Why do little Amazons have no fathers?

Why do Amazons have no brothers?

Why do little Amazons live without

their mothers?

Let's not be slaves to their children.

Early training.

Let's move on.

That's hard work.

Very hard work.

You see, we import nothing.

We just buy arms so that we can defend ourselves and expand.

Admirable.

Quite admirable.

Tomorrow I'll show you more.

We have the privilege of procuring food for ourselves on land and sea.

And, uh...

Even to fight and die is necessary to defend our liberties.

That's very inspiring.

Yet I must admit, poetry, sculpture, architecture, they're all still male

prerogatives.

Yes.

I know.

Art is the daughter of... ...sufferance.

We have to learn all about it. We must know it.

Yes, it would be a great conquest for us.

Women.

Please, please, return to Crete and tell your people everything that you've seen

and heard.

And may the goddess make your journey a happy one.

Oh, yes.

Thank you for everything, and goodbye.

By the way, one more thing.

Yes? What is it?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but with all this, when do you have time to get laid?

Oh, well, that sacrifice takes place once a year.

It's the only necessity, you know, for a man.

Do you understand?

I understand.

I'm too well.

Goodbye, Melina.

Jesus.

No ambassador could have done better than your wife.

Quite mad, but beautiful, that queen. Oh, not bad.

Oh, don't be a hypocrite. I'm not one of those old -fashioned women who smother

their husbands with fidelity.

I certainly know how to choose them.

Actually, I chose you.

You came to Crete to settle with the Minotaur and ran off with that ninny of

sister of mine. My dear, that story is a myth.

Now tell me, the copper, do they mine it or does it come from abroad?

You haven't kissed me yet.

How long do you think it's wise to cover your people through messages?

The Athenians are worried by your absence.

All the better, General.

A distant king stimulates the imagination of his subjects, and he

myth.

A king at court, however, is soon looked upon as a layabout, or at best, an

ordinary civil servant.

It would be more prudent for the queen to travel in my company.

Oh, she has decided to delay her return until tomorrow.

Don't worry, Sir General.

If I could find my way around my father Mina's labyrinth, I'm sure I can find my

way back to Athens.

I'll have an escort looking out for you.

What a nice general.

I was just thinking about those poor Amazons who think it's such a big thing

work themselves to death and make war in place of men.

You seem to resent the idea of women trying to improve the world.

I resent anybody trying to.

And if women were meant to improve it, they would have been built differently

the first place.

Oh, poor things.

One day they will learn when they have made the same mistakes as we men have

made before them.

At least you men are not so sullen about everything.

Yes, they do take themselves rather seriously.

Every Amazon I met talked to me as if I were a public meeting.

Poor thing.

Come, Jesus.

Ever since I met your somewhat fanatical queen, I... I wanted to prove to myself

I'm a woman.

I've missed you so.

What is it?

Darling, I can explain everything.

But only if you let me. It's me.

Now that you're disarmed, I want to tell you something. I'm not going to... Next

time I'll kill you.

She's starting to get on my nerves, that queen.

Just a little misunderstanding.

Which makes my delayed departure useless, no doubt.

I'm afraid so.

As a consolation, we can leave together now.

You were giving up the idea?

For the time being.

To be continued later.

The queen's horse!

Pull in the guard!

Attention!

I want two of you to get ready to run into Athens.

Now, tonight? Now, tonight. I want you to tell the Greeks that we agree to meet

with them again at the love camp.

Same financial terms.

We're going to kill every one of those Greeks. Every last one of them. That's

what we're going to do. Kill them?

Every mother's son.

Maybe they think they can treat a woman that way, but not an Amazon, and

certainly not this Amazon.

What changes would you make?

I would have our children be each other.

and taught beautiful things the way they do in Crete and in Greece.

And I would have them saying about something else but war.

And, Tiofe, if I take out this one brick, the whole stack will fall.

Be careful.

We have made a perfect state. Every day we become more prosperous.

We can make all we want. We're self -sufficient.

Oh!

Yes, except for one thing, the seed of man.

Loris! The water, quick!

Quick!

Don't take him away.

Please. It's the law.

You make the laws. You must keep them.

The nights are cold now. They don't cry for long.

She's right.

Please, Antiochus, rest.

No.

doing here?

She has the sickness that comes on women after childbirth.

Children, you're our queen.

Try to behave like one.

You can't mount a horse with one leg.

Or hold the reins and alarms with a single arm.

You are wrong. There can be no greatness without mercy.

Mercy.

Mercy. If we can't even show it to children... Enemy children.

We'll pass on the hatred of us to their children.

No, I say that we shouldn't be going out of our way to make enemies, but we

should be seeking allies, people who would be our friends.

Then I say, if our queen wants us just to play at war, then I say,

our queen...

Although I do not approve of what the Queen is doing.

Still, perhaps you, like many others, secretly love the queen for her beauty,

her goodness.

Perhaps you realize you will have to be guarded until it's all over.

Three -quarters of our sisters on the council will be with us, and the army

follow you.

So, it's mine.

Tonight?

You're restless tonight. What's bothering you?

It's better you don't know.

They wanted me to join in, but somehow I couldn't.

I'm not a traitor.

You have to do it now.

Yes. Wait.

The sacred oil will protect it.

It will all be over very quickly.

We'll settle this the way we did when we were children.

With our bare hands.

Bare hands?

Don't you think you could leave me now and let me get some sleep?

This palace revolution of yours just isn't going to happen.

Not in this palace.

What's gone on, I wonder?

Yes, if it hasn't happened now, it isn't going to tonight.

Today, you mean?

She's right, and I'm tired too.

I think you've been betrayed.

Yet, Oratea could never go through with it.

They're victims.

But I can see that from now on, I won't be of any importance to them either.

You understand?

You have to make me look a fool as well.

Marpessa.

I see many dead.

And the dead...

Horses, horses scream at the fish swimming blood

caught in hair.

And one near to us lies in this pool

and in her breast a foreign spear.

Come on, don't leave me there.

What should we do?

Whatever has been foretold will happen.

There is nothing you can do.

Melia, tell her she must not go.

I don't think it's me she listens to, Melody.

Listen, I'm not going to go, but it's not because of this old woman and her

bones, but because I choose not to. You have to go, Antelope. That is the law.

You're the queen still, and the queen must be a good child.

I won't go.

I'm going.

We'll be together.

You'll have nothing to fear.

Not with me.

And you?

Wanting to have sleep?

You and Melanie, then?

Are you other lovers?

No. What makes you ask that?

Because she... She seems jealous.

Well, that's your character. Besides, I think she's always wanted to be in my

place.

You mean here?

Right now.

You were worried?

I suppose that old witch was right.

I suppose the Greeks managed to kill us and not we them.

Nonsense.

They deserve to die.

They're men.

I can't seem to get rid of this terrible feeling.

Duel or something like that.

I think we shouldn't have agreed to meet.

I know what you're thinking.

Everybody has something to be ashamed of.

Something they never want to talk about.

That was yours.

One night of madness.

What do you mean?

My man? My captain?

It was an experience, I'll grant you that.

Not the experience he's going to get when I see him.

Deliberately sending us into an ambush with Ossipians.

Oh, you never told me that.

No, I never told anybody.

I got so sick inside of being betrayed.

And so obviously. You don't know how pleased I am. I was worried about that

gentleman.

Don't be silly. He's not long in this world.

Thank you.

Retea. Yes.

You're the only person I can ask this.

This last year's queen, has there been a... a disaster?

You must be mad.

There have been all sorts of improvements.

Too many, probably.

I know some of us oppose them, but still.

Why too many?

Improvements?

People who want to make changes can't do it slowly.

It takes time for people to...

Except changes.

That's all.

This is becoming a habit. In any case, you do it all wrong.

You draw your arm back over your shoulder like this before you throw.

It gives your enemy the time to get out of the way.

But if you do it like this... You draw a blade in the queen's presence.

No, no, no. Thank you.

You see...

Her Majesty was not trying to kill me, really.

No more than I was, either.

Because if we wanted to kill somebody, neither of us would have failed.

Though, why, in the name of the gods, why?

You're going to ask me why?

Yes. Well, you sent us into the country, into a full -scale ambush with the

Scythians. How can you ask me why?

Oh, that.

Yes, that.

Well, perhaps we can talk again when you're more yourself.

No, I am myself.

You know very well that you deliberately... Great Queen, if one is

say such things to an Amazon, you look extremely well and very beautiful.

And I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

All right, say it when I'm more myself.

When I am.

Oh, yes, and remember.

The underhand throw.

So much faster.

We shouldn't wait until tonight. We should kill him now.

Remember.

You must wait until Antioch gives the signal.

All right, let's get this over with.

Here, you'll need one too.

Be careful.

I count you.

Men are repellent in mind and body.

Their hands are coarse and rapacious.

Their bodies are flabby or bony and, uh, how does it go?

Oh, their embraces are repellent and without, without love.

Will you leave me alone?

You mean you pay me to leave you alone?

All right, all right. Do what you have to do, but do it quickly.

That isn't what you said last time in the palace. Shh, shh, shh.

What are you trying to do?

I'm trying to tell you that I love you.

Is this what you're looking for?

Who betrayed us?

Some of your friends.

I know you're planning to kill me, so... Why are you doing this?

The oldest reason in the world.

You see, I love you.

After my passion.

Oh, I've got to go through with this.

We've been enemies for centuries. We don't have anything in common. Only our

son. Our what?

You see, I saved him.

No. His name is Apollitus. I saved him and about 20 others. You're lying to me.

You're such a liar.

He's a fine little healthy animal.

Only one thing is wrong with him. What?

No, no, no, no. Tell me, what is it?

He has a mole.

A heart -shaped mole on his back.

Like his mother.

Where is he? I have to see him.

There's only one way.

No.

Get your hands off me!

Antioch!

What's happened?

Antioch! The queen's been kidnapped!

The Greeks have got her! They've kidnapped Antioch!

Come on, everybody!

Come on, everybody!

Hurry!

This has to be a vein.

Or men will tell the story for 1 ,000 years and laugh at the name Amazon.

What she did, she couldn't help.

All this was foretold.

We leave it the first life.

They'll come after me because they couldn't bear such dishonor.

We'll drive them off.

You'll be outnumbered.

Oh, look.

This is one of our garrisons, returning for the winter. They look fat from

idleness, but they'll soon teach a lesson to your squawking women or

I'll work with the best in the world, and I'll ride into the equal of any man.

Oh, yes, my dear, of course. We meet you every year at archery and riding. We

let you beat us.

Oh, you're a male fan. Anything you say, my dear, anything.

Listen, one day that great masculine pride of yours is going to have a fall.

Do you know that a man's powers diminish while a woman's appetites grow?

So some of my older friends tell me.

Oh, a king keeps up his reputation.

No, by this he crowns it.

Steal the queen of the Amazons. That is to make every man's private dream come

true.

Halt! Halt!

It's on the alarm!

The Amazons!

Light cavalry very light cavalry somewhat ragged on the flanks should be

problem

in my mind.

She always wanted to be queen.

I'm sure she deserved this more than I did.

You know, I think this means my people are ruined.

And I suppose that goes for me, too.

You mean you'll be a little short of money?

They tell me I'm rich. That's no problem.

But it is a problem. I don't have to come to you every time I want a new pair

sandals.

So what do you suggest?

Well, you said I could be your political advisor.

You mean help me? Yeah, sure.

And as your political advisor, I could get a salary?

An excellent compromise.

No, not as a compromise as my right.

I want to make some changes in this country as regards the position of

I'll be glad to get to bed tonight, won't you?

First, I think I ought to do something about the property laws.

A first night under a proper roof. And see that women have equal rights.

And then I think I shall give women the right to vote.

You'll have to educate them first.

And then I think young men should receive instruction in school on how to

love. Women, too, I hope.

And then I think I'll close the brothels.

What? Yes.

Who is that?

Must be Fedra.

Fedra?

Who is Fedra?

That's my wife. Whoa!

Oh, is that all? I thought she was your lover.