Original subtitles

- I want to confess! - After Mass. They're waiting for me.

- No, now! - No, please...

- When? - After Mass.

Now, I said!

Well?

I don't know... Tell me what to do.

Help me. I'm not a Catholic.

In that case, my son, see me after Mass.

- I want to confess! - Calm down.

I don't want any scandal. This is the house of God.

I don't care about God!

I want to understand. I want to talk.

I just killed a man.

Someone from this town?

I don't know... I don't think so.

A stranger?

Yes. Well... no I know him.

I've always known him.

- You've been drinking! - Listen to me! It's your duty.

Why did you kill him?

I'll tell you everything...

...from the beginning.

Franz von Löwenstein.

William Wilson.

It's from Italy. It must be from your mother.

Attention!

Break ranks.

Silence! Stop that!

It was Wilson!

Wilson!

Down.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

- Who's that? - The new boy.

- What's your name? - Wilson. William Wilson.

- What's your name? - William Wilson.

- His name was the same as yours? - Exactly the same.

- A coincidence. - Absurd!

Power can't be shared.

Suddenly, I had a rival.

A rival, or rather a companion who surpassed me in everything,

...but who watched me from a benevolent distance.

He infuriated me,

...but I was also extremely curious about him.

Wilson!

Good God!

Wilson! You again, as usual!

We were both expelled.

It took me a long time to forget.

My son, this childhood incident obviously continues to haunt you.

- Before you leave here... - Let me finish!

Several years later I entered medical school... out of curiosity.

Gentlemen, let me remind you that a doctor is also a sorcerer.

We seek life deep below the surface.

And now I have the pleasure of realising before you...

...in corpore vili,

...the age-old dream of priests,

...poets and philosophers.

To be precise, I am going to open up a human heart.

If we were dealing with a live body,

...we'd proceed in the following way.

Moving laterally from the sternum, between the sixth and seventh ribs,

...we'd find the tip of the heart.

However, in this case, we shall section...

...all the sub-auxiliary ribs on the left and the right, as far as the sternum.

Then we will separate the diaphragm...

...and fold back the rib cage,

...revealing the contents of the thoracic cavity.

The heart, gentlemen, is a hollow muscle,

...composed mainly of a firm ventricular mass...

...and a flatulent auricular mass.

This pump,

...which gives forth as much as it receives,

...is regarded as a symbol of courage and generosity.

Does Mr Wilson have something to say?

No? Then we may continue.

Thank you.

Even in dealing with a corpse,

...always make sure...

...that your instruments are clean.

It is said, gentlemen,

...that the heart is the seat of the emotions, the passions.

Indeed. But experience shows that...

...it is the seat of our cares,

...our sorrows.

Its only generosity lies in the suffering it gives.

So, when we have cut the ribs, separated the diaphragm...

...and folded back what is commonly called the rib cage,

...we can free our patient of the source of her ills.

The doctor is a benefactor.

We will thus bring her relief.

Along with the heart...

No!

...we'll remove despair and the pain of love.

Gentlemen, we shall restore her to original purity,

...the peace of paradise lost.

Even if it's a living person,

...make sure your instruments are perfectly clean.

Here, cover yourself!

Cover yourself.

Did the girl die?

Forget about the girl! It's him.

You see?

I had to leave the university.

I joined the Austrian Army to go to war.

But no one makes war any more.

The garrison here is infamous.

Because of me!

I know all about the debauchery.

Those poor women.

All was well...

...until last night.

Stop. It's Wilson!

So you recognise me?

I'm flattered.

But we were many that night.

It was dark, and you were very busy.

Good evening, Mr Wilson.

- Is that Wilson? - Be careful.

This Wilson is certainly not the lover you dream of.

He's made his reputation from men...

...not from us.

He likes parades, the theatre, stage props.

He needs an audience.

But in a tête-à-tête, he puts on a poor show.

- Have you met him before? - No... and I have no wish to.

I don't like wasting my time.

- Are you referring to me? - You... you.

You must think you're the only man on Earth, Wilson.

Are you sneering at me?

Are you threatening me?

I'm challenging you.

Ace.

She loved cards. But I'd always been good with cards.

I decided to teach her a lesson.

Figure.

200.

Double.

I'll see you.

Ace, jack.

Wilson has lost.

Are you sure?

Ace, king.

I thought you were bluffing.

The bluffer with smoke and mirrors...

...is you, Wilson.

The card player resembles the lover.

He gets tired. No staying power, my dear.

Figure.

Ace.

Will you accept my watch? It has three jewels.

To see you, my dear.

Ace, king.

Draw.

The game continues.

Figure.

Figure.

Ace.

Pour me a drink while I collect.

From then on, she lost inexorably until morning.

Ace.

All of it.

I'll see you.

Top card?

Top card.

Count it up, please.

Thank you.

Add 1,000 to that.

4,000 thalers, plus 1,000...

- I can't pay you, Wilson. - In that case, it's simple.

I propose double or nothing.

It's your last chance. If you win, you'll owe me nothing.

And if I lose?

You'll still owe me nothing.

But you'll be mine.

How? Under what conditions?

Whatever conditions I choose.

Decide quickly. It's 6:00am.

I accept.

Ace.

King.

Cards on the table now, that's the rule.

Jack.

Your luck is returning.

No. I was wrong!

You've lost, Giuseppina!

Where? When?

Here. Now.

We shall leave you both.

On the contrary, gentlemen. Please stay.

Your turn.

Well?

You want something else.

He wants something else, Giuseppina.

May he?

Madam, you owe this man nothing.

He cheated.

Here is the proof.

All the cheat needs to do is distract the other's attention.

Simply empty a glass...

...light a cigar...

...or take out his watch.

Who are you, sir?

Wilson knows who I am.

Take your jacket and your watch and get out of here.

Wilson, I demand your resignation.

You will leave town today.

We all like a bit of fun, but a cheat is a disgrace to our uniform.

You no longer exist for us.

Wilson!

Wilson!

This is the end of your trailing me around.

This is the end of your hounding me.

This is the end of your torturing me. It's over!

Over!

Wilson!

Wilson...

You shouldn't have killed me.

Without me, you no longer exist.

It's the end of the world.

The end of hope.

If I die, you die too.

My son, you've relieved your soul...

...by telling me of your nightmares.

Promise the Lord never to drink again.

Drunkenness makes a beast of a man.

One knows not what one says or does.

You don't believe me?

Yes, I do, but be reasonable.

Get some sleep. Tomorrow you'll forget it.

You'll be ashamed and you'll ask God's forgiveness.

Give up your debauchery.

Seek the chaste love of a good wife.

You'll suffer hallucinations no more,

...for that's what they are.

They are born of pride...

...and only turn you in upon yourself.

You fool! You don't believe me.

To hell with you!

The plane kept hovering above the airport,

...seemingly unable to decide to land.

It was my first trip to Rome,

...and I didn't speak Italian.

My job as an actor often had me travelling,

...but this time was different. I was worried, on edge.

For a moment, I even had the absurd hope...

...that the plane wouldn't land but would take me... home.

It was not to be.

The airport's invisible nets had caught the plane...

...and were dragging it helplessly towards the ground.

Attention, please.

TWA announces the departure of flight 203 to New York.

There he is! Toby Dammit!

A smile, please, Toby.

Stop it!

Disgraceful. What an idiot! I'll kick him back all the way to England!

Are you hurt?

No, I am all right.

They send them all here...

I am Father Spagna.

Do I need to tell him anything else?

Follow me, please.

There's always so much walking to do in airports.

It's the first Catholic Western.

Christ's return to the desolate prairie.

It responds to a secret wish in every man's heart.

A new manifestation of Christ.

Our Saviour appearing in a tangible presence.

Christ is alive in all of us, of course.

Yet, this presentation of Him, so clear, so obvious...

...may seem a desperate gamble.

Blasphemy, almost, I agree.

But an artist like yourself,

...whether a believer or not,

...will understand that structuralist cinema...

...can recapture sublime poetry through primal images,

...eloquent in their very poverty,

...syntagmatic, as my friend Roland Barthes would say.

Something between Dreyer and Pasolini...

...with just a hint of John Ford, of course.

As long as it reflects the torments of our culture...

...and the decadence of capitalism,

...Italian Westerns are a committed art form!

In Lukacs' terms,

...we want to create characters rooted in history, sociologically speaking.

For example, our two outlaws represent anarchy.

The busty girl is the illusory refuge from rationality.

The prairie is beyond history...

...and buffalo meat, man's struggle for subsistence.

It will be in colour.

Harsh colours and crude costumes,

...to harmonise the prairie with the biblical landscape.

Piero della Francesca and Fred Zinnemann, so to speak!

It's an interesting idea. You'll fit in nicely.

Just let your heart speak.

Yes, the Ferrari...

You'll get the Ferrari after the show.

I can't hear you.

Are you going to a funeral?

Keep moving!

Stop the car! I have to speak to him.

1,000 lira. Your hand. I see wealth and joy.

Curiosity is only human but you can't change destiny.

I won't do it.

Our guest star tonight is an English actor...

...who needs no introduction.

You will all remember his last film.

He's now here in Rome to make a film,

...a Western version of the Redemption!

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Toby Dammit.

You've never been to Italy before?

What brought you here?

Do you use LSD or other drugs?

Why?

What do you like most in life?

What do you despise most?

Some say you've lost your public. Is that true?

How did critics like your Hamlet?

Was your childhood unhappy?

I've heard you can't stand criticism...

...and that you have a violent temper.

Are you neurotic?

What is amiss in your life, Mr Dammit?

Is it true you've done unsavoury jobs?

Do you know Italian cinema?

Why do you think you're popular with men and women?

Why hadn't you visited Italy sooner?

Do you think you're witty?

Do you believe in God?

What about the Devil?

How interesting! Have you seen him?

Does he look like a goat, a bat or a black cat?

He's doing rather well. Very strong!

With a face like mine, I can do anything I wish.

Did you see that?

He never stops.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Italian Oscars presentation ceremony.

First, I wish to thank the celebrities from show business,

...politics and the arts who are here tonight.

I also wish to thank the Minister of Culture for this telegram.

Here's to my producer.

Allow me to shake your hand. Bravo. And God bless Italy!

Mr Dammit, my name is Spinelli but I'm known as D'Artagnan.

I do voice imitations. I'm a poet, a philosopher, a writer...

Can't I even say hello to a friend?

Excuse me, Mr Dammit.

This is my daughter Elisabeth. She sings, dances, acts.

- Smile, Elisabeth. - How are you?

Is she a virgin?

She's a child, Mr Dammit, believe me.

Lombardi. Production.

They're about to present the Golden Wolves.

We've got a little time after the fashion show.

Usually everyone does a little something before the awards,

...a little poetry maybe.

Not the actresses of course.

A bit of Shakespeare, perhaps. But keep it short.

Make it snappy...

The boss is right.

Shakespeare's a winner, in small doses.

I'm now proud to present the highlight of the collection:

..."Queen of Sheba".

The big premiere!

"The Cathedral of Fashion".

"Roman Fashion" and "Humiliation".

"Lady Hamilton".

You're on, Mr Dammit.

Follow me, you'll wait together with the other presenters.

Give us a hand, please.

I'm your stand-in. Could I have a photo with you?

Take a picture of us.

Yes, the three of us!

I know London very well. I've been there twice.

I'm delighted to be your stand-in. I did Tomas Milian too.

I'm a stuntman too.

Thank you!

I'll take 20 prints.

When did you go to London?

Oh, I wish I could live there. The underground is great.

And the English are the politest people in the world!

Plus, their cinema is so much better than ours.

You'll be more comfortable over here...

What do you need?

No, you've had enough.

Later on, if all goes well.

You shouldn't drink so much.

I am the painter Stagni.

I won the prize for best screenplay...

...for "Drag Your Old Bones Home". Have you seen it?

I'm delighted to meet you. I'm an admirer of yours.

- Sit down, darling. - Poor thing, he's almost blind.

Hello, do you remember me?

My magazine is doing a special edition.

It will be about the ancient pagan gods.

You've been chosen to represent the young Greek god, Mars.

Eight full page photos.

Almost completely naked.

Can I look forward to it?

Bravo!

And now for the moment of truth.

But first let me thank our distinguished jury...

...who have selected the winners of the highest award.

A Golden Wolf to Marilù Traversi,

...whose generous nature was revealed in her very first film.

A Golden Wolf to the waltzing twins,

...Lion and Tiger.

Come up to the microphone.

Tell the audience how you feel about this unforgettable moment in your life.

I'm overcome with emotion.

All I can say is... thank you.

- And you? - I'm overcome with emotion.

All I can say is... thank you.

I'm overcome with emotion.

All I can say is... thank you.

Bravo! Bravo!

Now, let's hear it for the woman who has won everyone's heart.

Your favourite actress and mine.

A Golden Wolf to Annie Ravel.

Hello...

And now, please forgive me...

...if my voice trembles a bit more than usual,

...but how can one not be thrilled...

...to introduce our guest of honour...

Yes, you've guessed it.

An artist who for so many years has devoted his life...

...to bringing us laughter and joy,

...who has made us laugh till we cried,

...with the enthusiasm of a truly great artist.

How do you stay so young?

Would you like to say a few words or would you rather mime for us?

Don't ask too much of me. Believe it or not, I've got a cat's eye!

I will take care of you.

I understand you. I've known you all your life.

You won't be alone any more...

...because I'll be with you always.

Whenever you put out your hand, you will find my hand.

You are no longer an outcast, no longer a fugitive.

No more loneliness. No more selfishness.

We will share a life...

...of serenity and devotion.

The life we've both been longing for.

You lacked faith, but you kept your trust and found me.

I am the one you were waiting for,

...and I am here with you.

Forever.

And now we have another surprise in store for you tonight.

One of cinema's great gods.

Ladies and gentlemen, Toby Dammit!

Come on up, Mr Dammit.

Make way, please!

Let's give a hand to welcome, Toby Dammit,

...the great English actor who has contributed so much to British film...

...and who has come to honour our Italian cinema.

It gives me great pleasure to present...

...this token of our esteem to Toby Dammit,

...whose Shakespearean performances are as immortal...

...as the great bard himself, one of the world's greatest poets,

...second only to our great Dante.

Congratulations.

Here are the keys. It's ready to go.

Come back, Mr Dammit!

Where is he going? Toby!

What's got into him? Fool!

He's crazy. Where does he think he's going?

The bridge is down. You have to make a detour.

Come back! You have to turn off at the mill.

I'm dying to get across!