Original subtitles

Produced by Markes Film Studio together with Russkoye Film Studio

Based on the biography of Countess Darya Saltykova

The authors of the film followed the spirit rather than the letter of history

SALTYCHIKHA

SALTYCHIKHA

Episode 1 Invitation to Execution

In pursuance of Her Majesty's Supreme Decree.

For complicity in murder and torture.

For assistance in hiding these atrocities.

Ivan, son of Ivan.

Avdotya Kovalyova.

Savely Volkov.

Ermolay Kudryashov.

Fedot Frolov.

Stepan Petrov.

Are sentenced to public repentance and flogging.

To branding and indefinite hard labor.

Is it true that the empress arrived from the capital?

They say she arrived secretly.

Three days ago.

Aleksey Ilyich!

You're here.

So you got an invitation too.

That's not an invitation.

That's an order.

The empress ordered everyone to be here.

So she decided to teach the Moscow nobility a lesson.

Look! Look!

It's Kobzev.

The head of the Moscow Police.

He brought the truth to light.

Fyodor Ilyich, hello!

Tell me...

How did you manage to do it?

Without any fear.

You're a hero now.

Who told you that I had no fear?

Come on, don't be shy.

Congratulations are in order.

I'm sure you know...

Is the empress here?

What? What did he say?

Is the empress here?

For Christ's sake!

Good people!

Have mercy for Christ's sake!

Good people!

For numerous killings of orphans, peasants, elders, and women.

For arsons and violence.

Ermolay Kudryashov is sentenced to death.

By severing his wretched head from his body.

Look!

Burn in hell!

TORTURER AND MURDERER

By the statement of the State Senate and the Holy Synod.

Saltykova Darya Nikolayevna.

Is declared guilty.

In the death of 180 serfs.

Is it really true what they say about you?

She is hereby deprived of her noble rank...

And can't be called by the name of her father and her husband...

Neither can't she be called a human name.

Henceforth, she must be called "it."

Monsters! Monsters!

Monsters!

You have shown mercy.

I have shown weakness.

By the most gracious and merciful will of Her Majesty...

The death penalty is replaced...

With life imprisonment in a penitential pit...

Without light and human contact.

How?

A pardon?

She has pardoned this monster?

How is that possible?

How's that?

How?

20 years earlier...

Holy God.

Holy Mighty.

Holy Immortal.

Have mercy on us.

Poor child.

She barely saw her mother even when she was alive.

And who did?

The society hardly knew her.

They say she was beautiful.

But sick.

They say she had tuberculosis.

And weak nerves too.

They say she lived in Lithuania for the past year.

And died there.

They brought her here.

That's why she's in a closed casket.

Yes, my dear.

See? Neither connections nor money doesn't matter.

Good health can't be bought.

And if it could be bought...

The Ivanovs would live forever.

What a pity! In the prime of her life...

Stay strong, my dear, stay strong.

An orphan. Poor child.

To lose her mother...

She's not dead!

She's devastated.

Why are you saying that, sweetheart?

People are upset just like you.

My condolences, Nikolay Avtonomych.

Thank you for coming, gentlemen.

It's such a loss.

Being a widower is such a plight.

Stay strong, Nikolay Avtonomych.

Stay strong for your daughter.

Poor orphan.

Your mother is in heaven now, God rest her soul.

She's not dead.

Don't mind her.

She's upset.

She's not dead.

She's not dead!

She's not dead!

Calm down. Calm down.

She's not dead!

She's not dead!

Poor child.

It looks like she's having a seizure.

Maybe it's a seizure.

And maybe not.

Calm down. Calm down, my girl.

Calm down.

I'll give her a sedative.

It's the latest invention.

Three drops of mercury on an empty stomach before going to bed.

But the most important thing is rest.

Complete rest.

The girl must be really attached to her mother.

She barely knew her.

But a mother is a mother anyway.

Do you want to say anything else?

What? No.

Most importantly, don't worry.

And put the portrait of the deceased out of sight.

It might have an unnerving effect on the child.

Time and comfort, Nikolay Avtonomych.

Comfort and time.

God, I hope no one sees us.

- Did you lock the gates? - Yes.

Did you lock them well?

I locked them, okay?

Stop clucking.

Get the shovel and get to work.

Why are you yelling?

Okay, okay.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Good Lord!

Let's put on a shirt.

And go to sleep.

Tired?

My dear.

Put it away.

I can't see anything.

- It must stay, Darya Nikolayevna. - Put it away!

Do as she asks.

God rest your mother's soul.

Tikhon, what do you want?

Master ordered to take the portrait away.

She's here.

She's not dead.

She's here.

She's not dead.

She's here.

She's not dead.

She's here.

She's not dead.

She's not dead!

Tikhon! Tikhon!

Call master!

She's not dead!

Tikhon!

Tikhon!

What's the matter?

I'm sorry, master.

She saw her mother in the mirror.

She's having a seizure.

But I gave an order.

We put them away. All of them.

I swear.

She saw her in the mirror.

Master, should we send for the doctor?

No.

Take all the mirrors away.

But they are all covered.

For forty days, as it should be.

Did you hear what I said, fool?

Take all the mirrors away. All of them.

This isn't Ivanova.

And you said it was a seizure.

I did everything as you said, master.

And warned the maids too.

How's she?

Fever's down, master.

Thank God!

Who can it be?

Master!

The Saltykovs are here to see you.

Their excellencies say it's urgent.

To what do I owe the pleasure, gentlemen?

Nikolay Avtonomych, we're sorry for the late intrusion.

Can we talk?

I can assure you it's in your interests.

I don't understand your riddles.

Let me explain.

From the mouths of babes shall come the truth, and we proved it today.

With all due respect...

I don't understand what you're talking about.

Let me and my brother take a seat.

Times are tough now, Nikolay Avtonomych.

We, the Moscow nobility, are not welcome at court.

Have you heard the new joke?

Saint Petersburg is a theater...

And the Moscovites are actors in it.

What do you think?

Do you want to talk about politics?

That's the last thing that interests me now.

Let's get this straight, Nikolay Avtonomych.

You're a man of business. So are we.

You were generous to the whole of Moscow today.

But not to us.

That's a shame. They won't let it slip.

What do you mean by that?

To stage a funeral...

And bury some serf girls instead of your wife...

No one was supposed to know.

But the thing is, Nikolay Avtonomych, that we know, and someone else might.

If a thing like that comes to light, your money won't save you.

Do you want to leave your daughter alone in times like these?

You don't understand anything.

God knows I didn't want it.

You don't have to explain.

That's none of our business where your wife is and what you did to her.

A husband is his wife's lord and master.

Let's leave family secrets where they should be kept.

Let's talk business.

My brother and I have been planning to do something...

But we can't afford it.

Would you like to participate?

We're no strangers and can be of help to each other.

You're in no position to refuse, Nikolay Avtonomych.

Think about your daughter.

Parasha! Parasha!

Let's go.

Master told me to keep an eye on her.

She's asleep.

See? She'll be fine.

Let's go.

Just don't tell anyone.

Girls, but we were told to hide all mirrors.

No one will know.

Don't be scared, Parasha.

Go ahead.

Girls, I'm scared.

Watch out, or you'll see old Tikhon in the mirror.

My betrothed.

My beloved.

Come to me.

Come for supper.

My betrothed.

My beloved.

Come to me.

Eat with me.

My betrothed.

My beloved.

Come to me for supper.

My betrothed.

My beloved.

Girls!

Oh my God!

Fire!

What's going on here?

I'm sorry, master.

It's our fault.

You brats!

I told you...

I'm sorry.

Darya!

You should've told me earlier.

So she inherited it from her mother.

What should I do, Vikenty Petrovich?

What can be done?

There's only one thing that can be done.

Isolation.

Alas, doctors can't cure it.

In this matter, we go hand in hand with the church.

The convent?

It's quiet, and there are no mirrors.

She's ill, Nikolay Avtonomych.

Terminally ill.

And there's nothing we can do about it.

Where are we going, master?

To Znamensky Convent.

I'm counting on your commitment to my family.

Don't worry.

We call this illness 'possession.'

And we know what to do with it.

But only if it's your will...

It's all God's will.

Do what's necessary.

Dad!

Dad, don't leave me!

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

Don't leave me!

Dad!

She mustn't know about her mother.

Don't leave me!

She won't.

I'll make arrangements for contributions.

God bless you.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth.

Who art everywhere and fillest all things.

Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life.

Come and abide in us.

And cleanse us from every impurity.

And save our souls.

Amen.

O Eternal God, Who has redeemed the race of men from the captivity of the devil.

Deliver Thy handmaid Darya from all the workings of unclean spirits.

Command the evil and impure spirits and demons...

To depart from the soul and body of your handmaid Darya.

Let them be banished in Thine own holy name...

And that of Thine only begotten Son...

And of Thy life-creating Spirit...

Now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

Of Thy life-creating Spirit...

Now and ever...

Let God arise...

And let His enemies be scattered.

And let those who hate Him flee from His face.

As smoke vanishes, let them vanish.

Help me, God.

Help me with our holy Lady.

Help me say with gladness.

Hail, most precious and life-giving Cross.

Help me with our holy Lady, the Virgin Theotokos.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, sinners.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, sinners.

God sentences you, devil, to death forever.

Begone!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now and ever and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

She looks like an angel.

Good morning, my child.

Good morning, mother.

It pleases me to see your diligence.

I only pray for the day to come.

Soon.

Soon you'll become the Bride of Christ.

Come with me.

Darya...

My child, please meet Princess Bogdanova.

Yulia.

Yulia, this is Darya.

She'll be your neighbor.

Thank God I won't be alone.

Thank you, madam.

My child, you should call me mother.

Darya...

Explain our rules to our guest.

I hope you'll set a good example for her.

Of course, mother.

Well, I leave you with my mind in peace.

Is it sackcloth?

Will you help?

How do you manage without servants?

I was told you're of noble family too.

Have you been here long?

Ten years. I don't even remember the outside world.

Poor thing. That's terrible.

My uncle sent me here.

Old fool! He's worried for my chastity.

What a dummy! If he'd known...

I can't wait to come of age.

They'll marry us off to some old men, and we'll live the way we want.

A married woman can do anything.

I sure can find a better use for my money.

And what about you? Who put you here?

My father brought me to the convent.

That's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

They can't here you. You can be honest.

I have nothing to hide.

So your father brought you to the convent...

And have you got a mother?

My mother is dead.

And how did she die?

Let's hurry up.

We'll be late for the mass.

Mass is good, and when is dinner? I'm hungry.

The dinner is after the mass.

Before the mass, there's no sign of food here.

Damn it! Are you really a devotee?

Lucky me to get such a neighbor.

Look! What does she have there?

It's food. And you tell me there's no sign of it.

Who was she feeding then?

And what's there?

You can't go there. Let's go.

The mass is about to start.

Some rules you've got here.

My knees are all bruised.

It was more fun at the boarding school.

At least we could kiss officers through a hole in the fence.

Do you know what it's like to kiss a man?

It's like going to heaven...

And then all the way down to hell.

You forget about everything.

I can teach you.

Cut the jokes, Yulia.

I'll die from boredom with you.

I'm still wondering...

What's there under the stairs?

Behind that metal door?

Who does the nun bring food to?

It's none of our business.

What are you doing?

Put it away. It's not allowed.

Why?

Look.

No.

I'm the Bride of Christ.

If you were ugly at least...

Will you really bury yourself here?

Fool.

Leave it.

People say such things about your convent, I won't sleep with the lights off.

Won't you even ask?

What do people say?

They say that you keep a ghost locked in the cellar.

The Black Lady.

She sleeps in a glass coffin.

And drinks nuns' blood.

There's no ghost. It's just a myth.

No, it's not.

At night, it gets out of its cage and flies around.

And howls like this...

How are you, Darya?

What happened, Mother?

You had a seizure.

We found you unconscious.

It's been two days.

God bless you.

Let me take my vows as soon as possible.

It will save me.

Master!

The Saltykovs are here to see you.

Should I tell them you're sick?

What, are you sick, my dear sir?

You could have let us know.

We're no strangers.

Thank you, I'm better now.

What business brings you here this time?

How's your daughter, Darya Nikolayevna?

Is she in good health?

Yes, thank you for asking.

So, what's the matter?

As you probably know...

We have two nephews under our care.

Sergey and Gleb.

Gleb inherited from his mother Troitskoye estate and some wealth.

The Ivanovs and the Saltykovs.

It's a strong alliance.

You won't get a better offer.

Well, as you probably know...

Darya Nikolayevna is at the convent.

That's understandable. The girl lost her mother and was raised in the convent.

But now she's of age.

Isn't it time to bring her back?

She's a nun.

She seeks God.

She is detached from the worldly life.

That's good.

Our Gleb is of quiet character too.

She's religious.

He's undemanding.

They will make a great couple.

I'm sure that Darya Nikolayevna isn't the only eligible bachelorette.

You're of a noble family.

Many will be happy to marry your nephew.

And my daughter will stay in the convent.

She will be the Bride of Christ.

Such is her will.

And I respect her decision.

And now please leave me, gentlemen.

I really don't feel well.

Come on, Nikolay Avtomonych!

Her dedication to God is admirable.

But we don't live in heaven.

We see what times are coming.

Elizaveta is seriously ill.

Her Prussian minion is crazy but obedient.

And what if Ekaterina takes the throne?

And she will. Just wait.

And she can lash out at us.

She doesn't like Moscovites. She's afraid.

We need to stand firm, Nikolay Avtonomych.

To strengthen our positions.

It's our mission.

And we can't waste time.

I'll give you money for your noble mission.

I give you as much as you ask.

You've been taking advantage of my weakness for ten years!

And now you want to take my daughter?

No way!

Calm down, Nikolay Avtonomych.

We're no enemies.

We have common interests.

And we will forget your secret forever.

It will no longer be our business.

I swear.

And if you refuse...

The consequences may be most unpleasant.

Not only for you but for Darya Nikolayevna.

Don't be offended.

Try to understand us, dear sir.

It's time to bring Darya Nikolayevna back from the convent.

Your money...

Our influence...

It's God's will.

Lord!

Teach me how to forgive and never get offended.

To never be angry and hate no one.

Not to be impatient and quick-tempered.

Not to do things my own way and respect my parents and those who are elder or senior.

Not to snitch.

Not to clown.

Not to be rude to anyone or arrogant.

Not to offend anyone.

And not to vex anyone.

I wish I can keep her here.

But it's not up to me to decide her fate.

I can see what's troubling you.

I can tell you one thing.

Your daughter is completely cured.

Thank you.

I came for you.

It's up to you.

But why?

If it was only up to me...

Am I a toy to you?

I still see your toys in my dreams.

I hope the abbess is right.

You will be more comfortable in your new chambers.

Thank you, that won't be necessary.

You still don't want to part with your habit?

Well, perhaps this will cheer you up.

I don't know much about women's fashion.

I guess you either.

We got the most expensive ones. Now it's your choice.

My choice?

My choice was to stay in the convent.

Why am I here?

You're engaged to the Saltykovs' nephew.

It's a family thing. It's important.

I expect you to obey.

Engaged?

We're going to the ball tonight.

Your fiance will be there.

And now I'll leave you to the lady's business.