Original subtitles

SOLFERINO, LOMBARDY - JUNE 1859

Your Majesty?

From the front?

TELEGRAM

He is not injured.

They advanced to Solferino a few days ago. There was a battle there.

This cannot be.

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty?

I suggest, Highness, we make a strategic retreat to the south.

A day's journey, no more.

The southern flank at Piacenza has not yet seen battle.

Within three days, we'll be ready to attack again.

The French troops have also been significantly weakened

in recent days.

For Austria, Highness, this war can still be won.

Have we not already lost the war?

Ten thousand of our men have fallen out there.

In a single day.

Many more wounded will be coming to Vienna.

-We need more beds for them. -Mm-hmm.

Tea, Your Majesty.

Unfortunately, Your Majesty,

the convalescent homes are full, and so are all the hospitals.

I see.

Then the churches must be opened for the wounded.

All of them.

And our castles throughout the Empire. And…

Your Majesty?

Will you please take this down?

Everything belonging to the imperial family,

the Hofburg and Laxenburg,

are to be opened to treat the wounded.

Further losses are inevitable, Your Majesty,

but it's the price of victory.

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty.

To meet you at this time is a blessing in itself.

Soon you'll be in good hands.

Austria will triumph.

Will she not?

Promise me that we will win.

Will you promise me that?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, this is my husband.

He has been missing since Magenta.

There is hope that he will return. Wounded soldiers come back daily.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Please help us. I beg you.

Why does the Emperor fail to put a stop to this misery?

My son is serving with him in Lombardy.

I want him to come home.

I have the utmost faith in my husband.

We'll see our sons and husbands very soon.

Help us, Your Majesty.

THE EMPRESS

His Majesty the Emperor.

I said, His Majesty the Emperor.

Show restraint, Konstantin.

What you are about to do warrants the utmost respect.

Even that of the French.

Ah, the Emperor.

What a joy it is to meet you.

Your Majesty.

Please have a seat.

You must try this veal Marengo with a little Chablis.

A very fine vintage.

You wished to see me?

Your Majesty, I've come to negotiate an armistice.

So you were on the battlefield that night.

You can be proud of your men.

They fought like rabid lions.

I am very proud of my men.

I hear you're sleeping poorly, Your Majesty.

Do you hear the voices of your dead at night?

Apparently, you don't hear them.

It's not your fault, Your Majesty.

It was your first campaign as commander.

So until the next campaign!

I gladly accept this victory.

We must discuss the terms first.

Needless to say, Lombardy must return to France.

And along with that,

I'd say…

Venetia.

No!

For an armistice, you must pay the price.

The price is Lombardy!

Then we will gladly continue fighting. If that is the extent of your offer.

My men are fighting for their homeland.

What do yours fight for?

A united Italy?

That was but a pretext to break up the Habsburg Empire.

How many soldiers will you sentence to death

before your people take to the streets?

We both want to put an end to all the fighting.

I thought that you were the man who sued for peace at any price.

It seems I'm not that man any more.

If you want this to end once and for all,

you have to give me something of far greater substance.

But for now, my dear,

you have an armistice.

MINISTRY OF WAR

Josef Gruber, killed in Magenta.

Eighteen years old.

Martin Gröll,

20 years old.

I could reply to some too, Your Majesty.

Thank you. But this is my role.

Another telegram from the front.

Has something happened?

The Emperor and Napoleon have agreed to an armistice.

A godsend for me.

I am so happy.

That's wonderful news.

He's coming home.

Yes.

I must tell the children.

That is our army.

And this is the French, our adversary.

And we will face them in battle until we have beaten them.

You see?

Her Majesty the Empress.

Good morning, Mother.

There's an armistice. Napoleon and Franz came to a truce.

-And of that you are certain? -Yes.

-Mama. -Now, come here.

Is Father coming home?

Yes, my darling.

He's coming home soon.

So, all is good.

We expect the Emperor before midnight.

Do not forget the frame.

Fresh flowers please, everywhere. Without delay!

Is the food on its way?

It is indeed.

Well, well, my dear brother.

I honestly could not have…

I was unaware you were still welcome at the palace.

I didn't know you drank champagne, brother.

I have a taste for it.

Ludwig.

What a pleasure, Your Imperial Highness.

Our mother has summoned us here to welcome the Emperor home.

And you do that with lemons, of course.

They are a gift for your august mother.

From our lemon grove.

We grow three different varieties.

My wife really is an expert on them.

Indeed, there are some who say she's obsessed.

Yes, I amuse myself while my husband does all the important work.

Last week he christened two fishing boats, Ludwig.

It seems that your life in Trieste is agreeable.

Such a short summer, but my, how you've grown.

The summer was short.

But the years have been very long.

We'll talk again soon.

Attention!

Your Imperial Highness.

Your Imperial Highness.

It is good that you are here.

The family must present a united front at this time.

Let's dissemble.

It's not a problem.

You're allowed to be joyful that your son has returned.

For a mother, this is a cause for joy.

For Austria, though, it is not.

You should still be happy.

We have lost the war.

Attention!

Let me look at you.

It suits you.

Where are the children?

I thought it best that I put them to bed.

Present arms.

Stand easy.

Mother.

Majesty.

This defeat will not define you.

Not if we get to work immediately.

Your Majesty.

We were most keen to welcome you back home.

Your Majesty.

Theo.

This is Prince Konstantin of Hohenlohe, my adjutant.

Your Majesty.

It is my greatest honour.

Would you like to eat something?

No, I want to receive my entire family in the council chamber.

Napoleon and I have put an end to months of combat.

And Lombardy will now be in his dominion.

We will formally sign the treaty in Verona to secure the peace.

Do you think it was wise to give up?

They say our army could still have won.

It takes bravery to surrender. So many of our men have come to harm.

It was for the realm.

Those brave men died for the Empire.

Yes, Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The defeat at Solferino.

What happened to the army there, it must have been horrific.

It's vital for you not to term this a defeat

in front of the nation, is that clear?

The Emperor decided upon an armistice, and Austria… will never be overthrown.

That's quite right.

In the morning, I'll appoint a new cabinet to discuss how we proceed.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Majesty, if you so desire,

we would be honoured to give you our assistance.

Tell me, is that why you bring lemons?

I beg your pardon. I will wait.

Do you require accommodation for the night, Colonel?

No.

I require long-term quarters here at the castle.

I see.

In what capacity, Colonel?

On the front, I took care of all personal matters

pertaining to His Majesty.

But here in Schönbrunn, that is my role, Colonel.

Find a suitable room. Close to His Majesty.

If that's possible.

-Yes, Colonel. -See to it then, would you?

Father!

You look very different.

It's very late, my little one. You must sleep now.

What has happened to your hair, Father?

Do you like it?

-So, who is this then? -Giraffy.

Nice to meet you, Giraffy.

Do you know why giraffes have such long necks?

It's because their heads are so high.

Do you have to go back to the war, Father?

No.

No, I'm staying with you.

Did you see the children?

Yes.

Are you all right?

It's just a headache.

Franz. Franz. Franz.

It's me. You are all right.

You were just dreaming.

You're back home with us now.

What were you dreaming about?

We need someone with more experience.

This post carries the utmost responsibility.

-I agree, Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Appoint the lieutenant. I know him well.

Good morning, Your Majesty.

And I want this man there tomorrow. Count von Rechberg.

Because he has extensive diplomatic experience.

And his Prussian connection will be useful.

And your other recommendation?

Anton von Schmerling, he is a very good choice, I think.

A sharp mind and highly experienced in the field of justice.

-For the new cabinet? -Yes.

What can I do for you, Elisabeth?

Could you excuse us for a moment, please?

Certainly, Your Majesty.

I'll telegraph the gentlemen now.

Are your headaches getting any better?

A little better. Thank you.

And now I have to get back to work.

Tonight, shall we have supper?

Just you and I?

Yes, why not?

Good.

She's to become the new reader.

And she's so… Hungarian.

Elisabeth wants the court to be a lot more diverse.

I'm sure you know what they say about Hungarians?

They wash very rarely.

-Mm-hmm. -That's nonsense.

This young girl comes from a good Hungarian family.

Don't make a sound.

I know what muttering to yourself implies.

And I am a psychic. I know when someone has a secret that they're keeping.

I assure you, I didn't mean to eavesdrop.

-Hmm. -Hmm.

Prince Konstantin of Hohenlohe.

A prince!

I am honoured.

I'm Countess Charlotte von Stubenberg.

And this is Countess Pauline von Bellegarde.

You were with the Emperor in Solferino, Colonel?

We heard such terrible things.

If it took a war campaign

for me to meet such charming women, then it was worthwhile.

Your Majesty.

Charlotte, the Emperor and I will dine alone tonight.

Yes, Your Majesty.

We wanted to introduce you now to a prospective new reader.

Ida Ferenczy.

Your Majesty, it is my… Oh!

I beg your pardon, Highness.

I'll help you.

You've brought rather a lot of books with you.

I wasn't sure which ones to bring.

Don't worry.

What is that?

The pleasure is all mine, Ida.

Please take care of it.

Wild creatures need looking after here.

-Take her to her chamber, will you? -Of course, Your Majesty.

I'll see you tomorrow. And you can read.

People say the Hungarians will be the downfall of Austria.

Not this Hungarian, Pauline.

Thank you kindly.

You scared the Empress, you hear me?

You have to behave. No!

We're in Vienna, and no one likes us here.

"The Emperor ends his courageous army's successful battle."

Send that to every newspaper, and not a word of surrender.

Now will you stop being continually upset, Margarete.

Your brother will be home soon.

I know.

But his leg's been amputated.

Well, just think how bad it could've been.

He's alive.

Her Imperial Highness Archduchess Marie Charlotte.

Please.

Your Imperial Highness, would you grant me a moment?

It must please you greatly to have your three sons here at home.

I'm rather busy today, Marie. What can I do for you?

I…

We…

We'd like a new duty, a role of great weight and responsibility.

Is that so?

In Lombardy, your son and I built something very special.

I had a say in affairs of state.

I just order the gardeners in Trieste.

Well, I'm not sure what I can do for you.

Please.

You and I… we are so alike.

It was, not least, your failure in Lombardy

that put us in this position.

Have you learned nothing from that?

Bring progeny into the world.

That is long overdue.

It is not that easy for everyone.

You have simply not tried everything.

I've matters to attend to.

Scorning Maximilian and me, time and time again,

will be something that you one day will regret, I assure you.

I will let you know, should that day ever come.

Franz?

I waited for you.

Forgive me, I lost track of time.

You look wonderful.

The last days out there must've been unbearable for you.

Do you want to tell me about it?

Please, Elisabeth, give me some time.

Get off.

No!

Get off!

I thought that's what you wanted.

Open the door!

-Your Imperial Highness. -Maximilian.

Maman?

Are these all new?

What do we know about them?

That one looks like he's about to faint.

And who's the other one?

Her Majesty the Empress.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

His Majesty the Emperor.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Good morning.

Please.

The most pressing matter first.

The peace treaty with Napoleon.

Minister von Rechberg will be our negotiator.

It is my great honour, Your Majesty.

Gentlemen.

Your Imperial Highness.

I look forward to working with you.

I will not make any concessions, do you hear me?

We have not capitulated, and our subjects must know that.

I will conduct the negotiations with rigour and with great determination.

Good.

As of today, Mr von Schmerling here is the Minister of the Interior.

Please.

Thank you kindly, Your Majesty. Your Imperial Highness.

To be honest…

…things don't look promising for the Empire's unity.

The secession of Lombardy has awakened resistance in other places.

And naturally, in one portion of our empire in particular.

Yes, Hungary.

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

The people are once again demanding a constitution and representation.

I will refuse them.

No concessions to Hungary.

The hardships of war are brutal.

And when their people are no longer hungry,

then I'm sure the call for a constitution will end.

Your Majesty, may I give you my view?

These calls for popular representation,

it will be just the start, and it will never be enough.

I'll put an end to it.

I have to agree with the Archduke.

I am of the view that we grant some concessions to the Hungarians.

My suggestion

is that you appoint a Hungarian to your cabinet.

-Who, though? -Irrelevant.

Summon a parliament.

Call it a people's council,

where Hungarian envoys can discuss all their concerns.

It will keep them occupied.

The Hungarians want their constitution.

So let a Hungarian delegation work on it.

It will take years.

And, last but not least,

pardon the leaders of the 1848 revolution.

Kossuth, Teleki,

Andrássy?

It will appease the Hungarians.

Despite them not really getting anything at all.

But they will all dine upon the crumbs.

Mmm.

That is disgraceful.

I like this one. What's his name again?

You really should endeavour to tour the Empire once again, Your Majesty.

Despite tensions across the realm,

the populace holds the Empress in high regard.

It's because they sense I yearn for what's right for them.

I can't go around putting on an act for the people.

No one asked you to do that.

Do you think it's right what this man is suggesting?

Carry on the same way?

Change nothing?

Now is the time to project strength.

Strength?

I saw how the people here suffered because of the war.

I opened my eyes and ears to what it is they need.

-We must… -Be silent!

You were here.

You were not at the front!

You have not seen anything of war!

I want to hear nothing more from you.

Your Majesty!

You look very pale.

You've been like this for weeks. I'll call the doctor again.

No doctor.

Is Mother back?

No doctor.

It would scare the children.

-Prepare my carriage, Theo. -Very well, Your Majesty.

-Franz? -Maximilian.

Are we going to the hunting lodge?

I just want to get away from here.

I have an idea for where we could go. We wouldn't be disturbed.

What makes you think I need any help from you?

I know you want to escape for a little while.

I know where the tunnels are.

He can come along too.

If he can find a sense of humour.

Is that possible?

Of course, Your Imperial Highness.

Carriages, Theo.

Whoa!

Whoa!

What is this place?

The residence of Count Nussbaumer.

He's obscenely rich and richly obscene.

He's famous for his annual

masked ball.

No, the Emperor should not attend such an event.

The Emperor will not be attending it.

This year, the theme is "On the Hunt."

I thought it'd take your fancy.

Colonel, you can have this one.

Hmm.

Enchanté!

A glass of champagne, gentlemen?

Yes, thank you.

Where is Marie tonight?

Marie is preparing to leave me

if something positive doesn't happen very soon.

Let's drink to them.

To our wives who always complain.

Mm-hmm.

I thank you.

Is that you, Archduke?

The Archduke? No, I can't stand him. Terrible fellow.

How delightful!

Now, come here, come here, come here.

Now you look very familiar to me.

My good friend Field Marshal Fox and his adjutant general.

Yes, yes, I'm sure… I'm sure I've seen you before somewhere.

Dear Count, my friends have come straight from the front.

-Ah. -They're in urgent need of distraction.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course. I understand completely, gentlemen.

Tickets for the tombola drum?

They each cost 15 Kreuzer.

And what can one win?

You?

Mmm.

Oh dear, has someone asked you that already tonight?

No, only you.

The Count's been big game hunting in Namibia.

Grand prize is a lion cub, sir.

A lion cub? Six tickets, then.

Thank you.

For you.

A "sweet reward"?

That was you, Konstantin, wasn't it?

Ah, there you are. Come with me.

-No. I'm sorry, I can't. -Oh, come on.

Hands off. No.

Now come on, girl.

It's under control. The matter's settled.

-Forgive me, I didn't mean to… -Will you excuse me?

So…

Now that's out of your system.

Have more champagne, will you?

I need to get some fresh air.

Leave him be.

Do not let your noble heart get broken, dear prince.

I beg your pardon.

My brother depends on you now.

But he will tire of you.

Not many people stay close to him for very long.

I do not wish to be your brother's friend. I serve the Emperor.

And the Empire.

Naturally.

Excuse me.

-What is your name, if I might ask? -Terese.

Terese.

I didn't mean to scare you just now.

Trust me, you didn't.

You've just come back from the war. Is that true?

Yes.

Many men from my district were there too.

They didn't all return home.

I thank you for all you've done for us and our empire.

Is there something wrong?

I don't know, it…

-No matter where I go, I can't get away. -Away from what?

People.

Come with me.

Are we allowed in here?

The Count is too drunk to even notice me.

You are not like these people.

Neither are you.

Do you do this often?

Sell tombola tickets?

My father has long worked as a blacksmith for the Count.

He was looking for young women to serve at the festival.

And during the day?

I help out in the workshop.

You're not spoken for?

No man has ever asked me so many questions.

Forgive me, I…

I didn't mean to be so forward.

If you tried to kiss me, that would be forward.

Oh dear.

I don't know why I said that.

Maybe due to that man earlier.

Tell me, why haven't you taken off your mask?

Would you have minded if I'd tried to kiss you, Terese?

No.

Where's Father?

Is he working again?

Yes, there's much to do.

Your Majesty.

The carriage awaits, Your Majesty.

Is it really you?

Your Majesty.

I am sorry.

I must leave now.

Not a word.

To anyone.

Now, have you understood?

Good.

That cannot be true.

Margarete says she saw it with her own eyes, Charlotte.

Margarete. I am not certain that we can really trust that woman.

But why would the Countess make up such a horrible story?

Perhaps because opium tends to cloud her mind?

And we can't be certain it was the Emperor she actually saw.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

What was the Emperor seen doing?

Pauline, what did Margarete tell you?

The Emperor and his brother got rather drunk at a party.

That is all.

Pauline, is that all?

Margarete has claimed that the Emperor has slept with another woman.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I did not want to tell you.

They are merely rumours, Your Majesty.

Perhaps you should talk to him.

Majesty. I heard you were upset.

-May I offer you some advice? -Can I stop you from doing so?

You really need to appreciate that your husband is in a weak mental state.

You must respect that and make allowances.

And he can show complete contempt for me, can he?

If you cannot soothe your husband,

then he must take comfort from outside his marriage confines.

I will not live like that.

Elisabeth, the life of which you have been dreaming

will never come true for you.

Now, get out of my way.

What will happen to me now?

Maximilian?

I wanted to do him a good turn.

Your only talent, the only thing which you can do well,

is drag other people down to your level.

Get back to your stinking doghouse.

Her Majesty the Empress.

Is it true?

Did you really spend the night with another woman?

Say something.

Yes.

I don't know you any more.

I understand you're angry, but what did I do to you?

You've been suffocating me.

I do not want pity.

And I do not want help of any kind.

Nothing!

Elisabeth?

What's wrong with you?

Theo! Theo, get the doctor!

Where are you?

Where are you hiding?

I suspect that it's hysteria.

I concur, my dear colleague, that is very likely.

What is that exactly?

A state of acute nervous agitation due to severely increased mental strain.

A purely female phenomenon.

That cannot be. Do men not also suffer from nerves?

-Never. -Rarely.

It must be hysteria.

Her concern about the Emperor has been a great strain on Her Majesty.

Breathing is difficult for me.

Do you think I'm imagining it?

Dr Fritsch, what are your thoughts on the matter?

Your Majesty.

I disagree with my colleagues.

I fear it's a complex lung condition.

A lung condition without a cough?

-That is ridiculous. -There is no such thing, I assure you.

I've been studying this same condition for some time.

And it nearly always manifests with a shortness of breath.

Mental and physical stress certainly exacerbate it.

And it affects men just the same as women.

What are you doing here? Did we not get rid of you?

I had him summoned.

Tell me your thoughts, Dr Fritsch.

The cold and damp here are bad for your lungs.

It seems you are not getting enough oxygen,

and as a result you've got weaker.

I recommend a change of climate.

Dry heat and some sea air.

How can I do that?

A summer retreat? But she is the Empress!

I don't know everything about this condition, Your Highness.

But if you don't leave this place for a time,

it will consume you.

If the doctor advises it, then you should listen to him.

I will not leave the children alone.

The children are in good hands with me. You know that.

Why is it you can be loving with them and not with me?

They demand nothing of me.

They want love from you.

Do you want to be rid of me?

No, I just want you to get well again.

Maybe some distance would do us good.

Good.

Then I'll go.