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(volcano rumbling)
(dramatic music)

2
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(dinosaurs screeching)

3
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(lion roars)

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(water splashing)

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(engine whirring)

6
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(thunder rumbling)

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(dramatic music continues)
(tail slaps)

8
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(whale vocalizing)

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(gentle dramatic music)

10
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<v ->I was the empress of Russia.</v>

11
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The greatest the country ever had.

12
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So I should be the one to bring the successor to the throne

13
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into the world.

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They thought little of me.

15
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Yet, I mastered the power game better than any man.

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(scoffs) Men? Yeah, yeah.

17
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I know everything that's said about me.

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That I got up to unspeakable things with countless lovers.

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But the truth? Only I know.

20
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(suspenseful music)

21
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(horses whinnying)

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(suspenseful music continues)
(air whooshes)

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(upbeat music)
(people laughing)

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<v Man>Cheers! Drink up!</v>

25
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<v Catherine>I can remember everything.</v>

26
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I wrote all of it down.

27
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<v Man>Your roll.</v>
<v Catherine>My life,</v>

28
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I doubt that any author could have written it better.

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(upbeat music continues)
(people chattering)

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<v Man>Give me some more.</v>
<v ->Look at that!</v>

31
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Look at that, boys!
<v Catherine>My mother</v>

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was born into nobility.

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<v Man>Ha-ha, I told you!</v>

34
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<v ->Surely, you can't be serious.</v>

35
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<v ->There is nothing else around.</v>

36
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You have the choice: cold, hunger and wolves,

37
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or warmth, food and peasants.

38
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<v Man>Ah, look at that!</v>

39
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(men laughing)

40
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<v Man>I won! (laughs)</v>
(upbeat music continues)

41
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<v Catherine>And me? I was a disappointment to my mother.</v>

42
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She thought I wasn't pretty enough, and above all,

43
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I wasn't a boy.

44
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But suddenly, I, of all people,

45
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was the one who could change our family's life.

46
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(men shouting)
(men laughing)

47
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<v ->After everything, this is too much, too much, I tell you.</v>

48
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And for the future wife of the Grand Duke of Russia.

49
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<v ->Most gracious one,</v>

50
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if you shout your destination any louder,

51
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then there is little chance of reaching it.

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So hold back, most gracious one.

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<v ->What do you say, huh?
(upbeat music continues)</v>

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(men muttering)

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<v ->Drink this, girl, it'll warm you up.</v>

56
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<v ->Hey, what's up? Go on, leave us, get going!</v>

57
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(patrons cheering)

58
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(cup chatters)
(men cheering)

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(gentle music)

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<v Catherine>My beautiful Russia.</v>

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I came here in 1744.

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I was called Sophie Auguste Friederike of Anhalt-Zerbst

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and was to be presented at court.

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(snow crunching)

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(sled scrapes)

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The kingdom needed a wife for the future emperor

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of all Russians.

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I was approved for this task,

69
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as long as I could prove myself.

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(horse whinnies)

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<v ->Sophie, pull yourself together.</v>

72
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You only have yourself to blame for drinking that filth.

73
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<v ->I'm truly sorry, Mother. It doesn't happen often.</v>

74
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<v ->I, I don't think you understand,</v>

75
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this is the opportunity of a lifetime.

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And you? Being stupid, challenging fate with your antics.

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I doubt you'll even manage to stand before the empress.

78
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<v ->Well, perhaps she should have a secret lover,</v>

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a singer from the court chapel.

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<v ->Child, you worry about your own business.</v>

81
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(gentle music continues)

82
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(horse whinnying)

83
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First things first,

84
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we must take care of your future husband.

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(dramatic music)

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<v Catherine>Our journey was 1,500 kilometers.</v>

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We were traveling for seven weeks.

88
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Although by Russian standards,

89
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that was just a stone's throw.

90
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We still had to travel for another four months

91
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to reach the kingdom's eastern border.

92
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After all, the ruler of this huge kingdom

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was expecting us in Moscow, in the Kremlin.

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(dramatic music continues)
(horses whinnying)

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(church bells ringing)

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(gentle music)
(carriage rattling)

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<v ->Sophie, would you please just stop fidgeting?</v>

98
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<v ->Yes, Mother.</v>

99
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Mother, look there. That must be her.

100
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The Empress Elisabeth.

101
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That dress is wonderful.

102
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<v ->She owns more than 5,000,</v>

103
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and never wears any of them more than once.

104
00:05:19,690 --> 00:05:23,170
Honored, Princess, please excuse me. My name is Maria.

105
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I will act as your lady-in-waiting during your stay here.

106
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<v ->Whatever you want me to do I can-</v>

107
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<v ->What do you mean by stay?</v>

108
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<v ->What's she like, the empress? How can I please her?</v>

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(dramatic music)

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<v ->Speak not, unless she has asked you to speak.</v>

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And if so, weigh up your words precisely.

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Elisabeth had her own great grand-nephew locked up.

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Nobody has heard from him since.

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<v ->What did he do?</v>

115
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<v ->Nothing.</v>

116
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(ominous music)
(feet thudding)

117
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(metal clanks)

118
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(door slams)

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In Russia, nobody is safe on the throne,

120
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as long as there is someone else who could seize it.

121
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<v ->The empress threw a child</v>

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in the dungeons?
<v ->Sh!</v>

123
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Not so loud.

124
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(dramatic music)

125
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There is not a single room in this palace

126
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where you can talk aloud freely.

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There are secret passages everywhere

128
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and the walls are quite thin.

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You must always assume that someone will hear you speak.

130
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And every person whom you trust can betray you.

131
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<v ->Psst. It's starting.</v>

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(dramatic music continues)

133
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(upbeat dramatic music)

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<v Announcer>I announce to Your Majesty,</v>

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Empress Elisabeth Petrovna, the arrival

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of the Princess Sophie Auguste Friederike of Anhalt-Zerbst

137
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and her mother, Duchess Johanna von Holstein-Gottorp.

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<v ->Go.</v>

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(upbeat dramatic music continues)

140
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(suspenseful music)

141
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<v ->Hmm, a charming girl. Charming.</v>

142
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(giggles) Alexei Gregorovich, what do you think?

143
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<v ->As astute as your observations are,</v>

144
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she's not comparable to Your Majesty.

145
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(giggles) Charmer, that surely

146
00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:54,293
would not cause me any alarm.

147
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I have heard that you are quite a smart girl.

148
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<v ->Yes. No, I don't know.</v>

149
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<v ->Everything remains to be seen. Huh!</v>

150
00:08:06,633 --> 00:08:11,633
(door clattering)
(gentle dramatic music)

151
00:08:17,273 --> 00:08:18,930
<v Catherine>Grand Duke Peter,</v>

152
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my cousin whom Elisabeth had adopted in order

153
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to someday take over her throne.

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<v ->Do it now.</v>

155
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<v Catherine>The man with whom</v>

156
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I should share a table and bed

157
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and eventually the crown, of course.

158
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<v ->We should leave the young people alone for a moment</v>

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to get acquainted.

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(gentle dramatic music continues)

161
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(floor creaks)

162
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<v ->Simply delighted, my dear cousin.</v>

163
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(Peter clears throat)

164
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Yes, we'd be happy. Yeah.

165
00:09:19,230 --> 00:09:21,203
We have chosen very well, have we not?

166
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<v Catherine>And now the course was set.</v>

167
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There was no way back.

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(gentle music)

169
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(water splashing)

170
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I came from the house of Anhalt-Zerbst.

171
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Our small city was nothing more than a fleck on the map.

172
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My father, Christian August, did have a dukedom,

173
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but his land was scarcely bigger

174
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than the Prussian king's front garden.

175
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It was only a hundred insignificant dominions,

176
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which befitting their social status,

177
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could barely feed their regents.

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(gentle music continues)

179
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But mother was born a Holstein-Gottorp,

180
00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:07,230
and was more closely related to Prussian King Frederick II.

181
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He had suggested me as a possible bride for Russia.

182
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He hadn't wanted to send his own sisters.

183
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(powerful music)

184
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Because an insignificant bride doesn't cause

185
00:10:35,890 --> 00:10:37,970
any significant difficulties,

186
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I yielded to all instructions,

187
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rejected my Protestant beliefs and converted to Orthodox.

188
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When Peter and I stood before the altar,

189
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I no longer bore the name which my parents had given me.

190
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<v ->My God, my little girl.</v>

191
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(gentle music)

192
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<v ->So that we do not misunderstand each other, valued cousin,</v>

193
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pack all your things and go on home.

194
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(men singing in foreign language)

195
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I personally assure you that your journey home

196
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will be comfortable.

197
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There will be no need to worry about that.

198
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(curious music)

199
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<v Catherine>Henceforth, I was left to myself,</v>

200
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and to my husband.

201
00:11:28,307 --> 00:11:32,210
(woman vocalizing)
(dramatic music)

202
00:11:32,210 --> 00:11:36,283
<v ->My God, how long has it been, Soph? Sorry, Catherine.</v>

203
00:11:37,450 --> 00:11:40,950
<v Catherine>Catherine. The empress chose Catherine for me.</v>

204
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Fine with me, that name was as good as any other.

205
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I had decided to leave the past behind me.

206
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<v All>In the name of the Father,</v>

207
00:11:48,377 --> 00:11:51,986
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.

208
00:11:51,986 --> 00:11:53,710
(dramatic music)

209
00:11:53,710 --> 00:11:55,600
<v Catherine>I can't explain it clearly,</v>

210
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but Russia was my country from the first day here.

211
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I would spend my life here,

212
00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,040
and it was up to me to shape this life

213
00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,167
so that it would make me happy.

214
00:12:05,167 --> 00:12:06,847
<v ->"My name is Catherine."</v>

215
00:12:08,839 --> 00:12:11,990
<v ->(speaking Russian) Of course my name is Catherine,</v>

216
00:12:11,990 --> 00:12:14,023
that is much too easy; ask me from here.

217
00:12:16,367 --> 00:12:20,249
<v ->"It has been simply delightful to meet you."</v>

218
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(Catherine speaking Russian)

219
00:12:24,951 --> 00:12:26,167
(horse whinnies)

220
00:12:26,167 --> 00:12:28,647
"How is the esteemed wife?"

221
00:12:30,084 --> 00:12:33,834
(Catherine speaking Russian)

222
00:12:35,282 --> 00:12:38,256
(horses whinnying)
<v Driver>Ha! Yah, hey.</v>

223
00:12:38,256 --> 00:12:40,160
(suspenseful music)

224
00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:41,590
<v Catherine>If I was the emperor's wife,</v>

225
00:12:41,590 --> 00:12:45,490
the Russian people would understand me and love me,

226
00:12:45,490 --> 00:12:48,420
but was this country easy to love?

227
00:12:48,420 --> 00:12:52,500
I had never seen poverty to this extent in my homeland.

228
00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:55,710
What was it like for people who had to live like that?

229
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For me, Russia was like a book and I could hardly wait

230
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to open its first page.

231
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<v ->Yah! He-yah!</v>
<v ->For my husband,</v>

232
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it was a shackle.
<v ->Hee-yah, hee-yah!</v>

233
00:13:04,591 --> 00:13:06,285
(bottle scrapes)
(wine splashes)

234
00:13:06,285 --> 00:13:07,542
(Peter sips)
(upbeat music)

235
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(sighs) Is this my punishment?

236
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<v Catherine>Peter von Holstein was also</v>

237
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from the German Dynasty.

238
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He never had designs on the Russian throne.

239
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He was a suitable candidate by a dynastic coincidence.

240
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Peter loved everything Prussian.

241
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Did I love him? How can you ask such a thing?

242
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(upbeat music continues)
(air whooshing)

243
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At the start, I hoped that we could arrange something

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with each other.

245
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(dogs barking)

246
00:13:46,180 --> 00:13:48,827
(door clangs)
(dramatic music)

247
00:13:48,827 --> 00:13:51,660
<v ->Come on, hurry up. Come quickly!</v>

248
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King Charles. Here, here, here are you coming here?

249
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Your place is behind the other one.

250
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(Peter sighs)

251
00:14:09,670 --> 00:14:12,531
So did you have a nice day, Grand Duchess?

252
00:14:12,531 --> 00:14:13,710
(dog barks)

253
00:14:13,710 --> 00:14:16,803
This poodle will be the death of me, so disobedient!

254
00:14:18,180 --> 00:14:19,230
It has no discipline.

255
00:14:20,140 --> 00:14:22,433
Outrageous! No discipline.

256
00:14:23,395 --> 00:14:25,002
(dramatic music continues)

257
00:14:25,002 --> 00:14:29,810
And now, we'll come to the pleasant part of the day.

258
00:14:39,890 --> 00:14:41,483
My dear, my dear Catherine.

259
00:14:43,020 --> 00:14:46,866
We play the decisive battle.

260
00:14:46,866 --> 00:14:49,318
(box clattering)

261
00:14:49,318 --> 00:14:50,845
(clock chiming)
(pieces clattering)

262
00:14:50,845 --> 00:14:53,512
(clock ticking)

263
00:14:56,866 --> 00:15:01,173
Pew! (sighs)

264
00:15:01,173 --> 00:15:05,600
Pew, pew, pew. (groans)

265
00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,643
Go, Catherine, you take the Russians. Take the Russians!

266
00:15:11,304 --> 00:15:13,187
(Peter imitated bugle blaring)

267
00:15:13,187 --> 00:15:16,267
Pow, pow, pow! (groaning)

268
00:15:16,267 --> 00:15:18,293
More! Pow! (laughs)

269
00:15:18,293 --> 00:15:21,090
(bells tolling)
(dramatic music)

270
00:15:21,090 --> 00:15:22,590
<v Catherine>After one year, the enquirers</v>

271
00:15:22,590 --> 00:15:24,110
were still friendly.

272
00:15:24,110 --> 00:15:26,420
After four years, quite impatient,

273
00:15:26,420 --> 00:15:27,390
and after eight years,

274
00:15:27,390 --> 00:15:29,690
it was clear that something wasn't right here.

275
00:15:31,270 --> 00:15:33,023
<v ->Well? And?</v>

276
00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:36,234
<v ->Well, as far</v>

277
00:15:36,234 --> 00:15:40,483
as I can judge. No.

278
00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:47,200
<v ->Hmm. (clicks tongue) But she sleeps with him.</v>

279
00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:48,333
<v ->That's true.</v>

280
00:15:50,810 --> 00:15:54,403
<v ->One must always take things into one's own hands.</v>

281
00:15:56,730 --> 00:15:59,683
Listen, I want you to arrange something for me.

282
00:16:01,134 --> 00:16:04,263
(dramatic music continues)

283
00:16:04,263 --> 00:16:05,096
Hmm. Yes?

284
00:16:07,935 --> 00:16:08,964
(cat meows)
(lips smacking)

285
00:16:08,964 --> 00:16:12,400
(Elisabeth giggles)

286
00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,360
<v Catherine>So as long as I didn't fulfill my holy duty</v>

287
00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:19,083
of motherhood, the days stretched endlessly in front of me.

288
00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:23,670
<v ->What do you think about this one?</v>

289
00:16:25,930 --> 00:16:27,033
<v ->Not green again.</v>

290
00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:32,833
My duty, be beautiful, chat, receive people.

291
00:16:32,833 --> 00:16:35,500
(upbeat music)

292
00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,653
A solid hour would go by before I was dressed.

293
00:16:47,580 --> 00:16:50,550
And that was only the first wardrobe.

294
00:16:50,550 --> 00:16:52,320
For the afternoon and evening society,

295
00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:54,140
the whole thing would begin again.

296
00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:56,463
Mm, the secret code.

297
00:16:58,380 --> 00:17:02,203
<v Maria>Frivolous? Hesitant?</v>

298
00:17:03,630 --> 00:17:05,290
<v ->And what is this called?</v>

299
00:17:05,290 --> 00:17:07,420
<v Maria>That's nymphomaniac.</v>

300
00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:09,713
<v ->For goodness' sake. (sighs)</v>

301
00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:11,862
Then do it.

302
00:17:11,862 --> 00:17:15,362
(upbeat music continues)

303
00:17:18,820 --> 00:17:20,233
<v ->The next one, please.</v>

304
00:17:21,818 --> 00:17:23,564
(men laughing)

305
00:17:23,564 --> 00:17:25,520
(lift rattling)

306
00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:26,874
(people chattering)
<v Man>Hoo-ee!</v>

307
00:17:26,874 --> 00:17:27,740
(people laughing)

308
00:17:27,740 --> 00:17:28,870
<v ->There was a dining room</v>

309
00:17:28,870 --> 00:17:32,460
in the Peterhof Palace which had no doors.

310
00:17:32,460 --> 00:17:35,550
You could only access it via a lift.

311
00:17:35,550 --> 00:17:36,923
But that was not enough.

312
00:17:39,940 --> 00:17:42,384
Food also would appear, as if by magic.

313
00:17:42,384 --> 00:17:44,760
(people applauding)
(man laughing)

314
00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:47,010
Yes, it was quite fun.

315
00:17:47,010 --> 00:17:50,218
But such things couldn't fulfill a person.

316
00:17:50,218 --> 00:17:51,880
(bright music)

317
00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,410
I found my escape in books.

318
00:17:54,410 --> 00:17:56,390
First, it was novels.

319
00:17:56,390 --> 00:17:59,493
I devoured one after the other until I was bored.

320
00:18:06,610 --> 00:18:09,676
Then I went on to history books.

321
00:18:09,676 --> 00:18:12,343
(gentle music)

322
00:18:14,077 --> 00:18:18,077
"It is good to live in distress, it's like a coiled spring."

323
00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,213
He was so right. Good Montesquieu.

324
00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:27,263
He was so right.

325
00:18:28,180 --> 00:18:30,980
It was so soothing to think about something more

326
00:18:30,980 --> 00:18:33,333
than powder puffs and court gossip.

327
00:18:36,315 --> 00:18:41,315
(globe rumbles)
(gentle music continues)

328
00:18:41,460 --> 00:18:44,770
There were many gifted thinkers in Petersburg.

329
00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:48,550
Geniuses of mathematics, philosophy and astronomy.

330
00:18:48,550 --> 00:18:49,720
<v Man>Grand Duchess.</v>

331
00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:51,930
<v Catherine>Peter the Great had a gigantic globe made</v>

332
00:18:51,930 --> 00:18:53,157
which was in the palace.

333
00:18:55,140 --> 00:18:56,853
<v ->Please, sit down, Grand Duchess.</v>

334
00:19:00,660 --> 00:19:02,800
The stars will just take their course

335
00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:05,033
without you even having to follow them.

336
00:19:06,820 --> 00:19:08,820
I will show you how the sky has changed.

337
00:19:09,670 --> 00:19:14,670
(wood creaking)
(dramatic music)

338
00:19:22,210 --> 00:19:24,370
<v ->Very interesting, Professor.</v>

339
00:19:24,370 --> 00:19:26,333
But I prefer to control the movement.

340
00:19:29,837 --> 00:19:32,504
(playful music)

341
00:19:36,500 --> 00:19:38,723
But who to share all of this knowledge with?

342
00:19:40,070 --> 00:19:42,713
At the table, I would be of little interest.

343
00:19:43,820 --> 00:19:45,700
<v ->You must try this delicacy.</v>

344
00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:49,240
It's called eyes awoken in the morning in sauce.

345
00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,944
An extraordinary delicacy indeed.

346
00:19:51,944 --> 00:19:55,564
(people chattering)

347
00:19:55,564 --> 00:19:57,130
<v ->Mm!</v>

348
00:19:57,130 --> 00:20:01,110
<v ->It's paradise. Simply heavenly.</v>

349
00:20:01,110 --> 00:20:03,540
A specialty from Ukraine.

350
00:20:03,540 --> 00:20:05,721
It tickles the palate wonderfully.

351
00:20:05,721 --> 00:20:06,670
<v ->Well, my love,</v>

352
00:20:06,670 --> 00:20:10,580
then try your exceptionally sensitive palate on this.

353
00:20:11,879 --> 00:20:15,280
<v ->Mm! This is definitely French.</v>

354
00:20:15,280 --> 00:20:17,280
Yum
<v Man>Perhaps it's, uh.</v>

355
00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:20,490
<v ->Has it come from Paris?
(man burps)</v>

356
00:20:20,490 --> 00:20:23,126
<v ->Ah, so very close.</v>

357
00:20:23,126 --> 00:20:24,328
(men laughing)

358
00:20:24,328 --> 00:20:27,186
The pate was delivered specially from Strasbourg.

359
00:20:27,186 --> 00:20:29,063
(woman giggles)

360
00:20:29,063 --> 00:20:30,113
<v Diner>From Paris.</v>

361
00:20:31,242 --> 00:20:36,242
<v ->Mm! Did you hear that it's said the duke quite recently,</v>

362
00:20:36,430 --> 00:20:37,930
Does she know about it?

363
00:20:37,930 --> 00:20:39,814
<v ->No, of course she doesn't.</v>

364
00:20:39,814 --> 00:20:41,625
(all laughing)

365
00:20:41,625 --> 00:20:43,422
<v ->Ah, yes.</v>
<v ->Do tell us, my love.</v>

366
00:20:43,422 --> 00:20:45,610
<v ->She really mustn't complain.</v>

367
00:20:45,610 --> 00:20:48,963
Do you know last autumn when she, um,

368
00:20:50,270 --> 00:20:52,796
with that Swedish diplomat, you know.

369
00:20:52,796 --> 00:20:55,379
(all laughing)

370
00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:00,980
<v ->What happened there didn't have much to do</v>

371
00:21:00,980 --> 00:21:04,302
with conventional diplomacy, as we have heard.

372
00:21:04,302 --> 00:21:07,135
(people laughing)

373
00:21:08,124 --> 00:21:11,710
(dramatic music)

374
00:21:11,710 --> 00:21:13,493
<v ->Obviously everyone had their fun.</v>

375
00:21:21,243 --> 00:21:25,100
It went on in the same cycle year after year.

376
00:21:25,100 --> 00:21:27,580
Balls, journeys, boredom.

377
00:21:27,580 --> 00:21:31,310
The empress ruled, my husband and I lived next to each other

378
00:21:31,310 --> 00:21:33,915
and the court made up its intrigue.

379
00:21:33,915 --> 00:21:36,748
(hooves clomping)

380
00:21:37,710 --> 00:21:40,430
The young court, as Peter's entourage was called,

381
00:21:40,430 --> 00:21:43,520
was often away on trips and hunting parties.

382
00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:44,900
(energetic music)

383
00:21:44,900 --> 00:21:47,973
In 1752, something surprising happened.

384
00:21:49,603 --> 00:21:52,610
(born blaring)

385
00:21:52,610 --> 00:21:54,453
Or had I only waited long enough?

386
00:22:00,339 --> 00:22:02,936
(rifle fires)

387
00:22:02,936 --> 00:22:06,066
(dramatic music)

388
00:22:06,066 --> 00:22:07,830
Do we know each other?

389
00:22:07,830 --> 00:22:11,893
<v ->Sergei Saltykov, your faithful servant, Grand Duchess.</v>

390
00:22:13,790 --> 00:22:14,797
<v ->Sergei (speaking in foreign language).</v>

391
00:22:15,900 --> 00:22:19,270
The name Saltykov has an impressive ring to it at court.

392
00:22:19,270 --> 00:22:21,610
<v ->I assure you, my forbears have served the emperors</v>

393
00:22:21,610 --> 00:22:22,813
for many centuries.

394
00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:27,057
And as such I can also be of service to you.

395
00:22:28,841 --> 00:22:32,170
(dramatic music continues)

396
00:22:32,170 --> 00:22:34,170
<v Catherine>What kind of man was this?</v>

397
00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:38,670
I was 24 years old and yet nobody had ever looked

398
00:22:38,670 --> 00:22:39,843
at me like that.

399
00:22:39,843 --> 00:22:43,176
(upbeat dramatic music)

400
00:23:04,717 --> 00:23:09,430
(upbeat dramatic music continues)

401
00:23:09,430 --> 00:23:13,093
It was whispered about day in, day out at court.

402
00:23:20,270 --> 00:23:21,903
Now I could understand it.

403
00:23:24,138 --> 00:23:25,312
(upbeat music)

404
00:23:25,312 --> 00:23:27,962
(pickle crunching)

405
00:23:27,962 --> 00:23:28,840
(heart beating)

406
00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:31,263
The consequences couldn't be ignored for long.

407
00:23:36,264 --> 00:23:40,097
<v ->Argh! Not the long one, the short one, fool!</v>

408
00:23:45,954 --> 00:23:47,360
(gentle music)

409
00:23:47,360 --> 00:23:52,360
Now, my dear, what has brought you to me?

410
00:24:00,290 --> 00:24:03,490
<v ->Some news which should make you happy, Your Majesty.</v>

411
00:24:03,490 --> 00:24:06,921
I'm, I'm expecting the heir to the throne.

412
00:24:06,921 --> 00:24:10,139
(dramatic music)

413
00:24:10,139 --> 00:24:11,889
<v ->Heir to the throne?</v>

414
00:24:13,090 --> 00:24:13,923
<v ->Yes.</v>

415
00:24:16,287 --> 00:24:19,370
(Elisabeth laughing)

416
00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:24,930
<v ->Your child will be the one,</v>

417
00:24:24,930 --> 00:24:27,763
regardless of who its father is.

418
00:24:29,175 --> 00:24:32,258
(Elisabeth laughing)

419
00:24:34,010 --> 00:24:36,233
Go, child. Maria!

420
00:24:37,910 --> 00:24:39,523
Bring Sergei to me.

421
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:45,901
(Elisabeth claps)
(Elisabeth laughing)

422
00:24:45,901 --> 00:24:49,480
God, up in Heaven. (faintly speaking)

423
00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:50,480
<v ->You called for me?</v>

424
00:24:52,540 --> 00:24:54,613
<v ->Mission accomplished, my dear.</v>

425
00:24:58,001 --> 00:25:01,443
(giggles) It shall not harm you.

426
00:25:04,950 --> 00:25:07,853
<v ->Should you require my service again. Any time.</v>

427
00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,150
<v Catherine>I only learnt about everything much later on.</v>

428
00:25:12,150 --> 00:25:14,853
I had really believed that he was the love of my life.

429
00:25:16,835 --> 00:25:19,347
(suspenseful music)

430
00:25:19,347 --> 00:25:22,230
(Catherine gasping)

431
00:25:22,230 --> 00:25:26,403
On the 21st of September, 1754, the labor started.

432
00:25:28,010 --> 00:25:29,473
<v ->I smell wonderful tea.</v>

433
00:25:35,740 --> 00:25:38,540
<v Catherine>I awaited the delivery with dread.</v>

434
00:25:38,540 --> 00:25:41,460
Countless women had died in childbirth.

435
00:25:41,460 --> 00:25:43,303
The doctors were charlatans.

436
00:25:45,168 --> 00:25:49,000
(Catherine panting)

437
00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,370
The midwife had first been sent to the empress.

438
00:25:52,370 --> 00:25:53,470
<v ->And?</v>

439
00:25:53,470 --> 00:25:54,854
<v ->It's still going on.</v>

440
00:25:54,854 --> 00:25:57,354
(foot stomps)

441
00:25:59,316 --> 00:26:04,316
(Catherine groaning)
(suspenseful music continues)

442
00:26:04,889 --> 00:26:07,370
(Catherine yelling)

443
00:26:07,370 --> 00:26:08,470
It's gone on too long.

444
00:26:09,632 --> 00:26:12,632
(Catherine yelling)

445
00:26:19,916 --> 00:26:22,916
(Catherine yelling)

446
00:26:27,918 --> 00:26:30,418
(baby crying)

447
00:26:35,447 --> 00:26:38,816
(baby shrieking)

448
00:26:38,816 --> 00:26:40,166
<v Catherine>It was a boy.</v>

449
00:26:41,640 --> 00:26:44,290
I only held him for a few seconds.

450
00:26:44,290 --> 00:26:47,370
Paul was taken straightaway to the empress's residence,

451
00:26:47,370 --> 00:26:48,770
where he would also grow up.

452
00:26:49,831 --> 00:26:52,664
(dramatic music)

453
00:26:54,010 --> 00:26:55,913
Others would determine his life.

454
00:26:56,770 --> 00:26:58,030
As for mine,

455
00:26:58,030 --> 00:27:00,903
I vowed then that only I would determine my life.

456
00:27:03,438 --> 00:27:06,855
(upbeat dramatic music)

457
00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,763
For Peter, Paul was unquestionably his son.

458
00:27:12,710 --> 00:27:15,363
As long as the successor to the throne was secured.

459
00:27:18,310 --> 00:27:20,460
<v ->I wonder who the boy actually looks like.</v>

460
00:27:21,770 --> 00:27:22,643
<v ->Probably me.</v>

461
00:27:23,490 --> 00:27:27,300
<v ->Hmm. Yes, but the eyes are clearly mine.</v>

462
00:27:27,300 --> 00:27:29,280
<v ->There you go, dear husband,</v>

463
00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:32,310
we are actually a happy little family.

464
00:27:32,310 --> 00:27:34,980
<v ->Hmm, that is quite true,</v>

465
00:27:34,980 --> 00:27:37,885
especially if everyone can go their own way.

466
00:27:37,885 --> 00:27:39,683
(ominous music)

467
00:27:39,683 --> 00:27:42,263
And you have finally done your duty for the family.

468
00:27:43,730 --> 00:27:44,763
<v ->Is that a threat?</v>

469
00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:49,803
<v ->Threat? I would never do that, Highness.</v>

470
00:27:50,940 --> 00:27:54,613
<v ->All in good time, my dear Peter, all in good time.</v>

471
00:27:55,510 --> 00:27:56,423
Sit straight, boy.

472
00:27:57,580 --> 00:27:59,210
<v ->I would rather play.</v>

473
00:27:59,210 --> 00:28:02,850
(upbeat dramatic music)

474
00:28:02,850 --> 00:28:06,690
<v ->Then go. Peter was right.</v>

475
00:28:06,690 --> 00:28:09,740
He and the court could treat me how they wanted.

476
00:28:09,740 --> 00:28:12,210
They had distanced the boy from me long ago.

477
00:28:12,210 --> 00:28:14,640
I might as well have never seen him.

478
00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:16,090
But I didn't really miss him.

479
00:28:20,236 --> 00:28:22,986
(balls cracking)

480
00:28:24,009 --> 00:28:26,340
(people clapping)

481
00:28:26,340 --> 00:28:27,173
It's your turn.

482
00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:33,860
Sergei was soon sent away abroad,

483
00:28:33,860 --> 00:28:35,723
and he moved on to the next affair.

484
00:28:37,917 --> 00:28:41,084
<v Soldier>To the left! Forward, hut!</v>

485
00:28:42,500 --> 00:28:44,750
<v Catherine>But I had learnt my lesson.</v>

486
00:28:44,750 --> 00:28:48,630
After that, it took a long time to give my heart again.

487
00:28:48,630 --> 00:28:50,140
Maria, who is that?

488
00:28:50,140 --> 00:28:52,204
But many received my favor.

489
00:28:52,204 --> 00:28:54,515
<v Soldier>Present arms!</v>

490
00:28:54,515 --> 00:28:57,348
(dramatic music)

491
00:28:59,566 --> 00:29:02,800
(balls clacking)

492
00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:03,850
<v ->You don't know him?</v>

493
00:29:05,380 --> 00:29:08,670
That's Grigory Orlov with his brother.

494
00:29:08,670 --> 00:29:12,543
<v ->Orlov. Have him come to me.</v>

495
00:29:12,543 --> 00:29:16,000
(balls cracking)

496
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:20,230
<v ->Um, what shall I tell him is the purpose of his audience?</v>

497
00:29:20,230 --> 00:29:21,943
<v ->I will tell him when I meet him.</v>

498
00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:24,670
<v ->Grigory wasn't scared of anything.</v>

499
00:29:24,670 --> 00:29:28,140
Not of an affair with me and with many others.

500
00:29:28,140 --> 00:29:31,720
And I decided that men can be used very sensibly.

501
00:29:31,720 --> 00:29:35,040
You only have to tell them where and how.

502
00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:37,373
My lords, let's continue.

503
00:29:38,850 --> 00:29:41,253
Who else would like me to show them how to play?

504
00:29:42,494 --> 00:29:45,380
(sultry music)

505
00:29:45,380 --> 00:29:49,460
Hey. Let me show you how it's done. (giggles)

506
00:29:49,460 --> 00:29:52,530
Grigory Orlov was a wonderful lover.

507
00:29:52,530 --> 00:29:55,163
And I now also knew precisely what I wanted.

508
00:30:04,510 --> 00:30:08,600
Erotic paintings, snuffboxes.

509
00:30:08,600 --> 00:30:10,843
It was a common practice all over the court.

510
00:30:11,860 --> 00:30:14,103
We had our toys, and we had our fun.

511
00:30:15,176 --> 00:30:18,531
(sultry music continues)

512
00:30:18,531 --> 00:30:22,190
(Catherine moans)

513
00:30:22,190 --> 00:30:24,773
Grigory wouldn't be the last man in my bed.

514
00:30:27,590 --> 00:30:29,313
I never made a secret of it.

515
00:30:29,313 --> 00:30:30,146
(whip slaps)

516
00:30:30,146 --> 00:30:32,700
Over the years I introduced 21 men officially

517
00:30:32,700 --> 00:30:36,143
as my favorites at court. (giggles)

518
00:30:36,990 --> 00:30:39,830
So many, that was fewer than the number

519
00:30:39,830 --> 00:30:41,690
of mistresses my male colleagues

520
00:30:41,690 --> 00:30:44,283
on European thrones wore out in one year.

521
00:30:46,870 --> 00:30:50,403
What is this prudishness? We are all only human.

522
00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:53,780
And I believe that none of my favorites

523
00:30:53,780 --> 00:30:55,293
had the time to regret me.

524
00:30:58,200 --> 00:31:01,190
Likewise, if I became weary of them,

525
00:31:01,190 --> 00:31:02,833
I compensated them royally.

526
00:31:03,907 --> 00:31:06,610
(whip slaps)
(sultry music continues)

527
00:31:06,610 --> 00:31:07,760
They were all worth it.

528
00:31:12,171 --> 00:31:15,004
(dramatic music)

529
00:31:16,470 --> 00:31:17,810
<v ->Dear God.</v>

530
00:31:17,810 --> 00:31:19,480
<v Catherine>I had been at the emperor's court</v>

531
00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:20,510
for 18 years.

532
00:31:20,510 --> 00:31:22,233
<v ->Take me to your (faintly speaking).</v>

533
00:31:23,401 --> 00:31:25,523
(dramatic music continues)

534
00:31:25,523 --> 00:31:28,370
Empress Elisabeth kept getting ill several times,

535
00:31:28,370 --> 00:31:30,740
but then would recover each time.

536
00:31:30,740 --> 00:31:33,283
But now it seemed serious.

537
00:31:38,115 --> 00:31:40,710
(instruments clicking)

538
00:31:40,710 --> 00:31:43,210
(blood drips)

539
00:31:46,210 --> 00:31:47,310
<v ->It's nearly the end.</v>

540
00:31:52,318 --> 00:31:57,318
(keys clinking)
(dramatic music continues)

541
00:31:59,980 --> 00:32:01,920
<v Catherine>It was a tense time.</v>

542
00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:05,450
Everyone tried to gather as much information as possible

543
00:32:05,450 --> 00:32:07,260
in order to have the best position

544
00:32:07,260 --> 00:32:09,781
in the event of a change of government.

545
00:32:09,781 --> 00:32:11,947
(keys clinking)

546
00:32:11,947 --> 00:32:14,590
(lock clicking)

547
00:32:14,590 --> 00:32:16,130
The small boy, Ivan,

548
00:32:16,130 --> 00:32:18,830
who Elisabeth had once locked in the dungeon,

549
00:32:18,830 --> 00:32:20,820
had become a young man,

550
00:32:20,820 --> 00:32:25,045
who hadn't had a single day of freedom in 21 years.

551
00:32:25,045 --> 00:32:27,422
(dramatic music continues)

552
00:32:27,422 --> 00:32:32,422
<v ->Czar, Czar.
(water drips)</v>

553
00:32:35,590 --> 00:32:37,380
<v ->Does he know who he is?</v>

554
00:32:37,380 --> 00:32:40,813
<v ->No. He only knows that word.</v>

555
00:32:46,626 --> 00:32:49,709
(suspenseful music)

556
00:33:04,890 --> 00:33:06,390
<v Catherine>Peter also kept up to date</v>

557
00:33:06,390 --> 00:33:08,140
with Ivan's condition.

558
00:33:08,140 --> 00:33:10,270
<v ->Don't worry, there's no danger, he's mad.</v>

559
00:33:10,270 --> 00:33:11,360
<v Catherine>He prepared himself</v>

560
00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:13,170
to finally assume the throne

561
00:33:13,170 --> 00:33:14,430
for which he had been summoned

562
00:33:14,430 --> 00:33:16,687
from Germany nearly two decades ago.

563
00:33:17,548 --> 00:33:21,130
(dramatic music)
(bells ringing)

564
00:33:21,130 --> 00:33:23,760
Empress Elisabeth had become famous amongst the people

565
00:33:23,760 --> 00:33:25,110
for her piety.

566
00:33:25,110 --> 00:33:27,433
Rightly so because she sincerely believed.

567
00:33:29,486 --> 00:33:30,670
(Peter coughing)
Peter could never

568
00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:33,693
really reconcile himself to the Orthodox beliefs.

569
00:33:35,040 --> 00:33:37,340
Therefore, spirituality was an important factor

570
00:33:37,340 --> 00:33:38,830
of power in Russia.

571
00:33:38,830 --> 00:33:40,723
I knew that it could not be ignored.

572
00:33:41,922 --> 00:33:44,589
(bells chiming)

573
00:33:46,210 --> 00:33:48,263
Did it play a role in what I thought?

574
00:33:49,130 --> 00:33:50,840
Peter made plans,

575
00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:52,610
but I would have been the last person

576
00:33:52,610 --> 00:33:53,803
he would have betrayed.

577
00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:58,040
Because who said that I would still be at his side

578
00:33:58,040 --> 00:34:00,398
if he ascended to the throne?

579
00:34:00,398 --> 00:34:03,731
(gentle dramatic music)

580
00:34:07,383 --> 00:34:12,228
<v ->(giggles) Fire! (laughs)</v>

581
00:34:12,228 --> 00:34:14,100
(cannon fires)
(Elisabeth gasps)

582
00:34:14,100 --> 00:34:15,600
<v Maria>He wants to see you.</v>

583
00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:16,700
<v Catherine>Who?</v>

584
00:34:16,700 --> 00:34:19,850
<v ->The Grand Duke, Peter, your husband.</v>

585
00:34:19,850 --> 00:34:23,423
<v ->I know who Peter is, Maria. But why does he want me?</v>

586
00:34:24,290 --> 00:34:27,083
<v ->He's keeping up to date with young Ivan's condition.</v>

587
00:34:28,130 --> 00:34:30,760
And he's been keeping a lady lover,

588
00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:32,390
an impossible person named-

589
00:34:32,390 --> 00:34:35,133
<v ->Elisabeth Vorontsova, I know.</v>

590
00:34:36,250 --> 00:34:38,260
You mustn't believe that you are the only one

591
00:34:38,260 --> 00:34:39,963
who brings me news, my dear.

592
00:34:41,130 --> 00:34:42,483
I have learnt my lesson.

593
00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:46,370
She apparently loves his soldier's games.

594
00:34:47,209 --> 00:34:48,964
(Elisabeth giggles)
(soldier thuds)

595
00:34:48,964 --> 00:34:51,631
(playful music)

596
00:35:02,570 --> 00:35:06,386
(Elisabeth laughing)

597
00:35:06,386 --> 00:35:09,800
(Peter laughing)

598
00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:12,763
<v ->Where is the blasted general? Come.</v>

599
00:35:14,500 --> 00:35:16,067
You must see this.

600
00:35:16,067 --> 00:35:19,400
(gentle dramatic music)

601
00:35:22,467 --> 00:35:25,467
(Elisabeth giggles)

602
00:35:27,990 --> 00:35:29,553
<v ->You called me for this?</v>

603
00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:32,290
<v ->But she was guilty.</v>

604
00:35:32,290 --> 00:35:34,850
And according to military law deserved nothing less

605
00:35:34,850 --> 00:35:36,813
than the highest penalty.

606
00:35:36,813 --> 00:35:38,480
(gentle dramatic music continues)

607
00:35:38,480 --> 00:35:40,580
<v ->What did she do?</v>
<v ->Do?</v>

608
00:35:40,580 --> 00:35:43,423
This here, she climbed the walls, and there.

609
00:35:46,240 --> 00:35:47,690
The situation is quite clear.

610
00:35:54,810 --> 00:35:57,480
The penalty is the same for all those who defy

611
00:35:57,480 --> 00:35:59,963
the future emperor's orders, I'm afraid.

612
00:36:01,020 --> 00:36:03,460
In Russia, there is only one who makes the orders,

613
00:36:03,460 --> 00:36:04,660
and that is the emperor.

614
00:36:05,516 --> 00:36:08,183
(ominous music)

615
00:36:10,534 --> 00:36:12,310
(Elisabeth giggling)

616
00:36:12,310 --> 00:36:13,220
<v ->Or the empress.</v>

617
00:36:16,100 --> 00:36:18,514
(Elisabeth shrieks)
(Peter chuckles)

618
00:36:18,514 --> 00:36:19,640
(mellow music)

619
00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:24,400
On Christmas, 1761, Empress Elisabeth died.

620
00:36:24,400 --> 00:36:26,610
I didn't really mourn her death.

621
00:36:26,610 --> 00:36:29,263
She controlled my life too much for my liking.

622
00:36:30,130 --> 00:36:32,370
But I had learnt a lot from her

623
00:36:32,370 --> 00:36:36,180
because she also showed me how far one can go as a woman,

624
00:36:36,180 --> 00:36:39,343
and that too much sentiment for a throne is dangerous.

625
00:36:40,930 --> 00:36:43,388
<v ->Long live Emperor Peter.</v>

626
00:36:43,388 --> 00:36:46,888
(mellow music continues)

627
00:36:52,590 --> 00:36:54,020
<v Catherine>My husband was now ruler</v>

628
00:36:54,020 --> 00:36:56,450
of the biggest kingdom in Europe.

629
00:36:56,450 --> 00:36:59,306
With all of the power that this title brought with it.

630
00:36:59,306 --> 00:37:04,223
(fireworks popping)
(bells ringing)

631
00:37:04,223 --> 00:37:07,056
(dramatic music)

632
00:37:08,770 --> 00:37:10,980
Peter made peace with Frederick the Great

633
00:37:10,980 --> 00:37:14,052
and ended the Seven-Year War with Prussia.

634
00:37:14,052 --> 00:37:18,840
(soldier clattering)
(wind whooshing)

635
00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:20,650
He had big plans and approached it

636
00:37:20,650 --> 00:37:25,650
with a decisiveness that I would not have expected of him.

637
00:37:26,190 --> 00:37:28,000
<v ->It doesn't matter whether any Russian interests</v>

638
00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:29,183
are in play in Denmark.

639
00:37:30,380 --> 00:37:32,003
This is about my interests.

640
00:37:36,650 --> 00:37:38,030
Stand down.

641
00:37:38,030 --> 00:37:39,820
(dramatic music)
(boots clicking)

642
00:37:39,820 --> 00:37:42,403
<v ->And I stood in the way of these interests.</v>

643
00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:46,333
If he sends me to a convent, I would be fortunate.

644
00:37:47,260 --> 00:37:48,253
Peter loathes me.

645
00:37:49,663 --> 00:37:52,363
<v ->Because he knows that he can't hold a candle to you.</v>

646
00:37:53,204 --> 00:37:55,704
<v ->And what use is that if I have to take the veil?</v>

647
00:37:56,840 --> 00:37:59,663
It's not certain that I will survive the next few weeks.

648
00:38:01,140 --> 00:38:04,840
Peter has bestowed the Order of Catherine on Vorontsova.

649
00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:07,020
What can that mean other than he wants to marry her

650
00:38:07,020 --> 00:38:07,963
and get rid of me?

651
00:38:11,570 --> 00:38:13,320
<v ->And what if you get ahead of him?</v>

652
00:38:14,469 --> 00:38:17,136
(ominous music)

653
00:38:21,076 --> 00:38:24,330
(upbeat music)
(water splashing)

654
00:38:24,330 --> 00:38:26,090
<v Catherine>It was at the time of the White Nights,</v>

655
00:38:26,090 --> 00:38:27,913
in the year of 1762.

656
00:38:28,830 --> 00:38:30,960
Peter had been in power for six months,

657
00:38:30,960 --> 00:38:32,860
and yet, he still hadn't been crowned.

658
00:38:35,600 --> 00:38:38,040
He didn't understand that the people revere the crown

659
00:38:38,040 --> 00:38:39,663
and not the one who wears it.

660
00:38:43,490 --> 00:38:45,793
His mistake was my chance.

661
00:38:47,820 --> 00:38:51,930
I had endured the Romanovs and their arrogance for 18 years,

662
00:38:51,930 --> 00:38:55,560
and now they wanted to discard me like a moth-eaten dress.

663
00:38:55,560 --> 00:38:57,112
It was time to act.

664
00:38:57,112 --> 00:39:00,226
(cat meows)

665
00:39:00,226 --> 00:39:01,840
(dramatic music)

666
00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:04,780
If I have learnt one thing in all of these years,

667
00:39:04,780 --> 00:39:06,350
it is that you need strong allies

668
00:39:06,350 --> 00:39:08,810
if you want to achieve something.

669
00:39:08,810 --> 00:39:11,360
Grigory Orlov and his brothers scoped the situation

670
00:39:11,360 --> 00:39:14,330
in the military for me.
(coins clinking)

671
00:39:14,330 --> 00:39:16,430
(fist thuds)
<v ->Remember where to take it.</v>

672
00:39:17,280 --> 00:39:19,320
<v Catherine>A bit of pressure here,</v>

673
00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:21,770
a nice little sum there.
(coins clinking)

674
00:39:21,770 --> 00:39:23,833
And the number of my followers grew.

675
00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:31,060
<v ->It is done.
(bells ringing)</v>

676
00:39:31,060 --> 00:39:32,780
<v Catherine>The church expected me to protect it</v>

677
00:39:32,780 --> 00:39:35,256
from threatened expropriation.

678
00:39:35,256 --> 00:39:38,210
(powerful music)

679
00:39:38,210 --> 00:39:39,800
What had I to lose?

680
00:39:39,800 --> 00:39:42,670
If I did nothing, I would be nothing.

681
00:39:42,670 --> 00:39:44,233
So instead, I acted.

682
00:39:51,355 --> 00:39:54,022
(door thudding)

683
00:40:00,300 --> 00:40:01,520
<v ->Now is the time.</v>

684
00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:03,330
<v Catherine>What, already?</v>

685
00:40:03,330 --> 00:40:04,530
<v Alexei>Now or never.</v>

686
00:40:05,750 --> 00:40:07,250
<v ->You sound like your brother.</v>

687
00:40:08,390 --> 00:40:10,743
<v ->Yes, and he has always been right.</v>

688
00:40:12,090 --> 00:40:14,090
<v ->Maria, I want to get dressed. Quickly.</v>

689
00:40:16,101 --> 00:40:18,851
(dramatic music)

690
00:40:23,166 --> 00:40:25,790
(Catherine sighs)

691
00:40:25,790 --> 00:40:30,790
My dear, I am about to ascend to the Russian throne.

692
00:40:30,890 --> 00:40:32,940
I would hardly do that in such an outfit.

693
00:40:34,970 --> 00:40:39,020
Get me, get me

694
00:40:39,020 --> 00:40:40,793
a Guards uniform. Now!

695
00:40:43,620 --> 00:40:45,350
(gentle music)
(water splashes)

696
00:40:45,350 --> 00:40:49,430
Peter had moved back into his favorite Peterhof Palace

697
00:40:49,430 --> 00:40:52,360
and celebrated the Peter and Paul festival.

698
00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:53,870
He didn't have the slightest idea

699
00:40:53,870 --> 00:40:55,503
of what was brewing against him.

700
00:40:59,339 --> 00:41:03,256
(Peter and Elisabeth laughing)

701
00:41:05,196 --> 00:41:07,529
(cork pops)

702
00:41:09,180 --> 00:41:12,560
<v ->And now, my dear Elisabeth, the Prussian era</v>

703
00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:13,393
is dawning.

704
00:41:16,178 --> 00:41:20,519
Hup!
(both laughing)

705
00:41:20,519 --> 00:41:24,264
(powerful music)
(hooves clomping)

706
00:41:24,264 --> 00:41:25,281
<v Soldier>Move aside.</v>

707
00:41:25,281 --> 00:41:29,586
<v Soldier>Make way for the true empress.</v>

708
00:41:29,586 --> 00:41:30,590
<v Soldier>Make way!</v>

709
00:41:30,590 --> 00:41:32,190
<v Catherine>It was dawn when we arrived</v>

710
00:41:32,190 --> 00:41:34,100
with the Izmaylovsky Regiment,

711
00:41:34,100 --> 00:41:36,093
in front of the Towers of Petersburg.

712
00:41:38,471 --> 00:41:40,343
<v Soldier>Make way!</v>

713
00:41:40,343 --> 00:41:43,176
(hooves clomping)

714
00:41:44,609 --> 00:41:47,424
(soldier marching)
<v ->And halt!</v>

715
00:41:47,424 --> 00:41:50,624
(hooves clomping)

716
00:41:50,624 --> 00:41:51,541
<v ->Soldiers!</v>

717
00:41:54,170 --> 00:41:55,490
<v Catherine>Now I had to succeed</v>

718
00:41:55,490 --> 00:41:57,483
in getting the Guards on my side.

719
00:41:58,430 --> 00:42:01,557
I had never spoken in front of such a crowd before.

720
00:42:01,557 --> 00:42:04,320
(horse whinnies)

721
00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:06,500
The hour has come to protect our country

722
00:42:06,500 --> 00:42:08,033
from the greatest dangers.

723
00:42:09,150 --> 00:42:10,993
Our church is in danger.

724
00:42:12,010 --> 00:42:14,750
An unwelcome foreign belief comes to take the place

725
00:42:14,750 --> 00:42:16,920
of our old religion.

726
00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:20,150
Our honor is in danger.

727
00:42:20,150 --> 00:42:23,000
It has been trampled on by the conclusion

728
00:42:23,000 --> 00:42:24,160
of a peace agreement

729
00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:26,123
with our deadly enemy, Frederick II.

730
00:42:27,135 --> 00:42:28,106
(couple moaning)

731
00:42:28,106 --> 00:42:29,902
(couple giggling)

732
00:42:29,902 --> 00:42:32,229
<v ->What is it? What is it?</v>

733
00:42:32,229 --> 00:42:33,490
What is it?

734
00:42:33,490 --> 00:42:37,160
(suspenseful music)

735
00:42:37,160 --> 00:42:40,460
<v ->The peace with Frederick, that is only the beginning.</v>

736
00:42:40,460 --> 00:42:43,140
<v ->Our country risks being conquered,</v>

737
00:42:43,140 --> 00:42:45,640
yes, and being sacrificed.

738
00:42:45,640 --> 00:42:46,473
<v ->I'll send armies</v>

739
00:42:46,473 --> 00:42:50,080
to fight against Denmark, against Denmark.

740
00:42:50,080 --> 00:42:54,530
<v ->It is your bravery on which our country now depends,</v>

741
00:42:54,530 --> 00:42:59,046
it is your loyalty on which my power depends.

742
00:42:59,046 --> 00:43:00,986
(Elisabeth giggling)

743
00:43:00,986 --> 00:43:04,010
(Peter chuckling)

744
00:43:04,010 --> 00:43:05,887
There is only one way.

745
00:43:05,887 --> 00:43:08,554
(both laughing)

746
00:43:12,900 --> 00:43:16,400
<v ->You, my dear, I will make.</v>

747
00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:17,853
<v ->And this is my duty.</v>

748
00:43:18,871 --> 00:43:22,960
(sighs) With the help of God and also the sincere desire

749
00:43:22,960 --> 00:43:26,620
of our loyal subjects to ascend the throne.

750
00:43:26,620 --> 00:43:31,123
<v ->I will make you the Empress Of Russia.</v>

751
00:43:32,600 --> 00:43:36,082
<v ->As the absolute and the one true leader</v>

752
00:43:36,082 --> 00:43:39,165
(Elisabeth giggling)

753
00:43:41,370 --> 00:43:42,263
of Russia.

754
00:43:43,624 --> 00:43:48,624
(soldiers chanting in Russian)
(soldiers cheering)

755
00:43:55,787 --> 00:43:58,370
(somber music)

756
00:44:00,552 --> 00:44:03,040
But no one came to Peter's aid.

757
00:44:03,040 --> 00:44:05,390
No one came to give him advice or told him

758
00:44:05,390 --> 00:44:07,750
how he could avoid catastrophe.

759
00:44:07,750 --> 00:44:09,790
Those loyal to him left him when they heard

760
00:44:09,790 --> 00:44:11,833
of my appearance in Petersburg.

761
00:44:20,063 --> 00:44:22,896
(Catherine sighs)

762
00:44:25,718 --> 00:44:29,135
(somber music continues)

763
00:44:29,990 --> 00:44:33,003
In just one day, I had changed Russia's fate.

764
00:44:34,620 --> 00:44:36,540
I had really done it.

765
00:44:36,540 --> 00:44:39,310
I, Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst,

766
00:44:39,310 --> 00:44:41,283
had defeated the great Romanovs.

767
00:44:44,533 --> 00:44:49,533
(somber music continues)
(boots thudding)

768
00:44:52,130 --> 00:44:54,240
When Peter realized how things were,

769
00:44:54,240 --> 00:44:56,760
he was completely deflated.

770
00:44:56,760 --> 00:44:58,040
He wrote to me assuring me

771
00:44:58,040 --> 00:45:00,850
that he wouldn't do anything more against me.

772
00:45:00,850 --> 00:45:03,030
He just wanted to go back to Germany.

773
00:45:03,030 --> 00:45:05,660
<v ->You are hereby arrested in the name of the empress.</v>

774
00:45:05,660 --> 00:45:07,880
<v Catherine>Could he have been serious?</v>

775
00:45:07,880 --> 00:45:10,883
Or was he trying to lull me into a false sense of security?

776
00:45:15,337 --> 00:45:18,170
(dramatic music)

777
00:45:25,770 --> 00:45:29,427
So, as long as Peter was alive, there was a threat to me.

778
00:45:29,427 --> 00:45:32,094
(ominous music)

779
00:45:38,407 --> 00:45:41,157
(metal clinking)

780
00:45:46,160 --> 00:45:49,333
A few days later, I received a letter from Alexei Orlov.

781
00:45:52,357 --> 00:45:54,540
"Empress, there has been a disaster,

782
00:45:54,540 --> 00:45:57,340
blows were exchanged with Duke Fyodor at the table.

783
00:45:57,340 --> 00:46:01,031
We weren't able to separate them, and thus he was no more."

784
00:46:01,031 --> 00:46:02,898
(suspenseful music)

785
00:46:02,898 --> 00:46:05,315
(head thuds)

786
00:46:06,150 --> 00:46:10,050
I never ordered Peter's death, honestly.

787
00:46:10,050 --> 00:46:12,985
But didn't I have to know that it had happened?

788
00:46:12,985 --> 00:46:15,000
(ominous music)

789
00:46:15,000 --> 00:46:18,117
Exactly as in the case of the deplorable Ivan,

790
00:46:18,117 --> 00:46:19,650
(exciting music)

791
00:46:19,650 --> 00:46:22,660
who was sadly killed when my opponents wanted

792
00:46:22,660 --> 00:46:24,103
to free him from his cell.

793
00:46:25,195 --> 00:46:27,945
(powerful music)

794
00:46:43,440 --> 00:46:46,274
I didn't ponder over these things for long.

795
00:46:46,274 --> 00:46:47,167
(crowd cheering)

796
00:46:47,167 --> 00:46:50,560
On the 23rd of September, 1762,

797
00:46:50,560 --> 00:46:53,470
I was crowned empress in Moscow.

798
00:46:53,470 --> 00:46:56,020
Many had expected that I would only rule vicariously

799
00:46:56,020 --> 00:46:56,913
through my son.

800
00:46:57,800 --> 00:47:01,220
But I would not play the role of court scenery any longer.

801
00:47:01,220 --> 00:47:03,830
No, it was my throne
(people applauding)

802
00:47:03,830 --> 00:47:05,103
and it was my crown.

803
00:47:05,958 --> 00:47:08,625
(bells ringing)

804
00:47:10,390 --> 00:47:13,069
(dramatic music)

805
00:47:13,069 --> 00:47:14,960
I recorded my memory of everything

806
00:47:14,960 --> 00:47:17,510
that happened in my memoirs.

807
00:47:17,510 --> 00:47:20,873
Or perhaps it was how I wanted to have it remembered.

808
00:47:22,570 --> 00:47:24,463
I have learnt to act like a man.

809
00:47:25,440 --> 00:47:28,873
With one difference, I have done it better.

810
00:47:30,110 --> 00:47:31,410
Because I was a ruler

811
00:47:31,410 --> 00:47:34,450
such as Russia and Europe had never seen.

812
00:47:35,796 --> 00:47:38,546
(powerful music)

813
00:48:05,528 --> 00:48:09,111
(powerful music continues)

814
00:48:34,191 --> 00:48:37,858
(powerful music continues)