All language subtitles for Salome (1953) [WEB-DL 720p]

The day of judgement approaches.

The Lord will reward the righteous
and smite the wicked.

King Herod and Queen Herodias
are doomed, for they live in sin.

- They are not wed.
- But, master, they are.

Not under the Law of Moses.

Herod has broken
the Seventh Commandment.

He has taken another man's wife.

And Herodias is equally guilty.

For she lives in adultery,
scorns our God-given law.

The hand of the Lord will
fall upon the King and Queen.

They will suffer his wrath,
but be calm, my friends.

Righteousness shall rise
like a mighty river.

Truth shall be clear as crystal. Repent.

Cease to do evil. Learn to do good.

Relieve the oppressed. Seek righteousness.

For His love will be with you
as a morning dew.

And you shall blossom like a rose.

What did you learn, my dear Counsellor?

Your Majesty, the Baptist has
returned from the wilderness.

He speaks more viciously
against you than ever before.

How many listen to his poison?

Many. Not only the rabble,
but men of means now follow him.

You must stop him
or he will begin preaching in the city.

Micha, wait here. I will see the King.

Yes, Majesty.

Your Majesty, the Queen.

Tell her I have retired.

I remember when you could not retire
without coming to me.

You wished to see me?

How rare to get so quick an audience
with Your Majesty.

It is late. I'm tired.

Not too late and not too tired
to be waiting for another.

Very well. I am waiting for another.

And your wife is the intruder.

I thought we were long past that.

I know you are.

Why did you come? What is it you want?

The Baptist is back.
And this time you must silence him.

He calls me an adulteress.

No matter what is between us,
he threatens the House of Herod.

I want him destroyed.

He is harmless.
What he says is of no consequence.

Many fill your prisons for saying less.
Yet you allow a madman to preach treason.

You must put an end to him. Stop him!

- Let me alone. I said go!
- Stop him before it's too late.

I warn you.

It must be his death or it will be ours.

Ezra, you heard?

Everything, sire.

She descends upon me like a plague
of locusts every time the Baptist appears.

She knows what will happen to me
if harm befalls him.

And she asks for his death.

Yet I cannot let him denounce me.

Lift not your hand against him.

But he preaches sedition.
I cannot allow that.

Remember the prophecy.

Remember when your father,
Herod the Great, was King of Judea.

Three wise men came out of the East,
proclaiming a child had just been born,

who would grow up to be the Messiah.

- I do not need reminding.
- In your heart, you do.

Never forget the deed of your father.

The old man, he was seized with terror

that the Messiah would
some day dethrone him.

I know, I know.
Why must you hound me with it?

So that you will not follow
in the path of your father.

Remember the punishment
of the Lord upon him

for the blood he shed.

The innocent blood.

Remember the strange illness
that came over him,

the unbearable pain that befell him.

His mind and body became
his own torture chamber.

Your father suffered agony,
agony without relief.

Enough. Enough.
I can still hear him screaming.

You are trying to shield
the Messiah from me.

I do not know if John was the Messiah.

Many people think he is.

It is written the Messiah
will first appear as a prophet.

But there are many prophets in the land.

The Messiah is the prophet and no other.

He was born in my father's time
and now he tries to depose me.

I know him for a great prophet,

a holy man.

Harm him, and what happened to your father
will happen to you.

You will die in agony as he did.

If only he would not preach
against the throne.

If word reaches Rome
that I tolerate treason.

What was it
the illustrious Julius Caesar wrote?

"I came, I saw, I conquered."

How easy his task was.
All he had to do was to win battles.

I must maintain peace.

That is the impossible legacy
I have inherited.

And I dare not indulge myself
in the grand illusion,

make war in order to keep peace.
I do not have the forces.

We are already stretched
thin across the world,

stretched almost to breaking point.

I must keep the conquered in place
by other methods.

Well, to the business of the day.

Pontius Pilate,
Commander of the Ninth Legion.

Hail Caesar Tiberius.

Hail.

Pontius Pilate, I appoint you
Governor of our Eastern Provinces.

You will find unrest and agitation,

which could lead to trouble
in your new post.

We need peace in the East.

That is of great military importance.

There will be peace.

I cannot spare you any soldiers.
I need them to maintain order in Africa.

I am depending upon your reputation.

This time, use it like a glove,
not as a spear.

The great Caesar flatters me.

Not nearly enough in view
of your accomplishments in Britain.

You will sail tomorrow night

to convey my felicitations
to King Herod in Galilee

and inform him taxes are doubled.

From there you will proceed to Jerusalem.

That will be your headquarters.

Caesar commands, I obey.

Hail Caesar.

Petitioner for Senator Marcellus Fabius.

Hail Caesar.

A petition from my nephew Marcellus?

Why does he not present it himself?

Senator Marcellus Fabius grieves.

Urgent business in the forum

makes it impossible for him
to present this petition in person

for the favourable consideration
of the Mighty Caesar.

Proceed.

"To Caesar Tiberius,
Most Generous of Emperors.

"I humbly solicit your imperial permission
to marry the Princess Salome of Galilee.

"I cast myself on your royal forbearance

"and ask that you grant
a special dispensation."

Scrivener.

To Senator Marcellus Fabius.

My beloved nephew.

In answer to your petition
that you be permitted

to marry the Princess Salome...

Marcellus, why do the gods
favour you above all men?

To present you with so divine a gift
as Salome?

What does he say, Marcellus? Tell me.

"Remember the law, learned Senator.

"A Roman may marry only a Roman.

"And I need not tell you
the Princess Salome is held in ill repute."

"Ill repute?"

Because I enjoyed life here?

I knew I should not have petitioned Caesar.
It has only made everything worse.

If you love me,
you will not let him stop us.

You know I want you with me, always.

But not enough to disobey Caesar.

Why are you so afraid, Marcellus?

What can he do?

Take away your possessions?

- If so, let him.
- He can do worse than that.

- He can deprive me of my...
- Of your precious Roman rights.

They mean more to you than I do.

I'm only being practical, Salome.

I could not ask you to marry me
if I had no more status than a slave.

I would join you as a slave.

- But as a Roman, I...
- Salome, wait.

This is for you.

"From Emperor Caesar Tiberius
to Princess Salome of Galilee.

"You have incurred our imperial displeasure

"by presuming to exceed your status

"as a barbarian."

"You have tried our hospitality
beyond our patience.

"Know, therefore,
you are banished from Rome."

Banished?

"You will sail on a galley
leaving tomorrow night.

"You will be given safe escort home
to Galilee."

But I have lived in Rome since
I was a child.

- Everything that means home is here.
- I know.

So I...

I am banished from Rome

to make certain that Caesar's nephew
marries a Roman,

- not a barbarian.
- Please, it is difficult enough.

Is it, Marcellus?

How difficult if you can
let me go so easily?

There will come a time
when my word will be law, then...

Then the Princess of Galilee
will reject your petition.

- Please.
- Do not touch me.

I am a barbarian.
Do not defile your hands.

My noble Roman

with a heart of pure marble.

You all come out of the same quarry.

Make way for His Excellency Pontius Pilate.

Make way. Make way.

Claudius.

- Under your command again, sir.
- I thought you were stationed in Galilee.

I was in Rome on leave, sir.

Happy to have you with me again,
Commander.

Like old times in Britain.

- Any more wounds since then?
- No, not one, sir.

You will find your new post quite different.

I hope what I have learnt about Galilee
and the people after five years

in the diplomatic service
will be useful to you.

Serve me half as well as you did in Britain
and we'll keep those barbarians quiet.

Captain Quintus, sir.

We must cast off immediately, sir,
or lose the tide until morning.

- Sail. I am ready.
- There is still one passenger missing.

- What passenger?
- Princess Salome.

- And who may she be?
- King Herod's stepdaughter.

We have orders from Caesar
to transport her home.

Why is she not here?

I follow orders and I expect others to.
I wait for no one, least of all a woman.

Perhaps there's one woman
worth waiting for.

- No woman.
- Not even that one?

Princess Salome, His Excellency Pontius...

What impudence.

Claudius, show me to my quarters.

Your quarters have just been invaded, sir.

Pull that oar harder. Pull harder.

Shall we find quarters below deck, sir?

No, I have no stomach
for the perfume of galley slaves.

I'd rather camp up here.

To give up your quarters
to a Princess of Galilee

is diplomacy of high order, sir.

Protocol dictates
that you go one step further.

Present yourself to the Princess.

Welcome her personally
the first night aboard.

Protocol dictates? I'm a governor.
I dictate.

Then allow me to relieve you
of an unpleasant duty.

- I will present your compliments.
- I shall send none to her.

It's possible the Princess did not realise
she had taken your quarters.

Perhaps I could persuade her
to relinquish them.

- Perhaps? Order her out.
- Yes, sir.

Keep the beat. Keep the beat.

You there, put your weight into it.

The Governor wishes...

The Governor wishes
to extend his official greetings.

As for taking his quarters,
I must ask you...

Another gallant Roman.

Governors, senators,
commanders, all alike.

Men of iron made to rule.
All heartless liars.

You know Caesar banished me.

And yet you come to greet me officially,

as a Roman of pure blood to a barbarian.

What else, unofficially?

I assure you, my intentions were...

I am not interested in your intentions.

All I want is no Roman near me.
No Roman anywhere near me.

I will remain in this cabin
for the remainder of the journey.

I want nothing to do with any of you,

and I expect that courtesy to be returned.

I will have your wish carried out.

All Romans onboard will avoid you.

On no condition
will any Roman speak to you,

not one word onboard ship

or on the overland journey home.

Well, Commander?

I regret to say that I could do nothing, sir.

- Did you order her out?
- In the name of Your Excellency.

- And she still refused to go?
- She ordered me out, sir.

Did she, Claudius?

The most important man in Galilee

who knows just how to handle
these barbarians.

I'm afraid the Princess
is beyond diplomacy, sir.

However, I shall not give up the struggle.

Put your weight into it.
You there, pull harder.

I hope your mistress
is in a better humour this morning.

Sir, the Princess would like
to take a bath.

My permission is not necessary for that.

Sir, her bathtub has been put away
with her other possessions.

The Princess requests you to send it to her
with enough water to bathe in.

- The ocean is full of water.
- No ocean water.

- Drinking water? You can tell her...
- Allow me to handle this, sir.

Ocean water.

- Did you not tell the Commander...
- I did tell the Commander.

Remind him I do not want a Roman in here.

I can bathe without his supervision.

Tell him to leave.

Sir, the Princess wishes you to leave.

Now, get out.

Pull that oar harder.
You there, pull harder.

Faster.

You there, back there. Harder.

Water.

Water.

Put your weight into it.

Keep the beat.

Water.

Water.

Water.

I wish you were as concerned
with my comfort, Commander.

- Why waste a slave?
- Why not? The world's full of them.

Land ho!

Land ho!

Tell your mistress the litter is ready.

I will not be shaken in that, that...

Inform her it is the only litter
I could find.

Tell the Roman I would rather walk than...

Instruct your mistress to lean forward.
She will be shaken less.

Also, tell her not to drink so much water.
It will make her ill.

I baptise you with water.

He that cometh after me is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.

He will baptise you with the Holy Ghost,
with fire.

- What is it?
- A meeting of some kind, sir.

Their leader was sprinkling water
on their heads.

Well, cut them out of the way.
I intend to camp on the other side.

Yes, sir.

We are here to hallow the name of the Lord.

Let your faith be your shield.

Tyrants of Rome!

Those who live in hatred and strife
shall vanish from the universe!

The day shall come when Roman spears
shall be turned into dust!

Silence that traitor.

The stormers shall be consumed.

And all the evildoers shall be destroyed!

The enslavers of the world
shall soon be broken on the wheel

- of the...
- Don't kill that man!

Go on, quick. Get away from here.

- You sent for me, sir?
- Yes.

I am informed
that you countermanded my order.

Why?
I said that traitor was to be silenced.

Sorry, sir. I did not hear your order.

That man the guard almost killed
was John the Baptist, a prophet.

His death would stir up the populace.

Then the rabble-rouser has lived too long.

Sir, heed my advice. I know these people,

how they regard a holy man.
They will not tolerate harm to a prophet.

Why court trouble?

Caesar commanded us to keep the peace.

Let me help you keep it

until you become familiar
with the nature of the enemy.

- Who was that?
- The Commander.

What is that singing?

The religious people
on the other side of the Jordan.

Strange.

It is like I have never lived here at all.

Claudius.

- I did all I could to stop them.
- I know.

Pilate, the new Governor,
is a ruthless soldier.

You must not speak against Rome
where your enemies can hear you.

I can no longer retreat into the wilderness.
Next, I will preach in the city.

No, it is too dangerous.
Wait until you have more followers.

There is no time to wait.
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

The people must know that there is hope.

John, stay out of the city.

- You will have no protection.
- The Lord will protect me.

How?

Will He send a thousand swords
to guard you?

Claudius, in time you will learn
to put all your faith in the Lord.

I know it will come, even as it came to you
after many years of killing,

that the way of the conqueror is wrong.

If I could reach more Roman hearts.

If they were as open as yours is
to the horror of slaughter and slavery.

You'll reach no one by inviting death.

And you embrace it by speaking in the city.

When I do, do not risk your life for me
as you did today.

If Rome learns you follow me,
you will end on the rack.

You taught me a man must serve his faith.

Yes, but there are many ways to serve.

Never with a sword.

Now go before you are missed.

Stay. It's deadly. Do not move.

Why are you so bitter against all Romans?

- Because I know what a Roman is.
- Tell me.

A heartless shell of a man ruled by Caesar.

You condemn every Roman
because Caesar banished you?

- Do you know why he did?
- No matter why.

Because I loved a Roman once.

But he chose Caesar instead of a barbarian.

I would make no such choice.

And I would not love a Roman ever again.

- It's a Roman caravan.
- Prepare to receive them.

Your Majesty,
Princess Salome is in the caravan.

My daughter?

Make all preparations to welcome her.

I am to attend your needs.

Take me to your king.
I will convey your message.

- Your Majesty.
- My dear Commander,

- welcome back to Galilee.
- I am very happy to be here.

I trust you relaxed properly in Rome.

I shall enjoy hearing of your conquests
as if they were my own.

You must give me an account in detail,
my dear Commander. In detail.

I have nothing to recount
that would be of interest to Your Majesty.

- You came back with an escort befitting...
- Befitting a new governor. Pontius Pilate.

- Pilate?
- He is now the Governor of these provinces.

I bring you his felicitations
and his request for an audience

at your earliest convenience.

At his convenience, no doubt.

What an undeserved honour,
Caesar sending so great a soldier

to govern our poor provinces.
To what do we owe this favour?

I'm sure the Governor Pilate will
prefer to enlighten you himself.

He has enlightened me
regarding his taste in women.

Pilate conquers supremely.
A jewel like that, incredible.

Who is she?

Princess Salome.

My stepdaughter?

- Salome.
- Mother.

What a heaven-sent surprise.

Let me look at you.

Why, just yesterday you were the child
I sent to Rome.

You are just as I remember you, Mother.

Come, you must be exhausted.

Why did you not dispatch word
that you were coming?

I would have sent
the Palace Guard to meet you.

Although your escort would do honour
to a Roman emperor's daughter.

I knew that when you came home
it would be with the best

that Rome could give.

I knew that only in Rome
would you find happiness.

No, Mother.

I made the mistake
of wanting to marry a Roman

and Caesar banished me.

A daughter of the Herods
banished from Rome?

Mother, forgive me.

- What is it?
- Your Majesty,

the King requests an audience.

Tell His Majesty...
No, wait, I will tell him.

Take the Princess to her room.

I will present you to the King later.

This is the first time in years
you have entered my chamber.

I came to welcome your daughter.

After all, I have not seen her
since she was a child.

And you cannot wait to see
what a difference the years have made.

I can imagine the difference, my dear.

I know it is useless to assure you,
but only my sense of duty brings me here.

- Certainly not your duty as my husband.
- Where is she?

- I have other matters to attend to.
- She is indisposed.

Convey my regrets.

And I suggest
that you do not keep her indisposed

for the dinner tonight
in honour of the new Governor.

Your Majesty's trusted counsellor.

I have just learnt that Caesar
has appointed a new governor.

- The King told me.
- Well?

Does it seem strange to you
that my husband should come in here?

- Why? I only meant that...
- No need to spare me, my dear Counsellor.

We have no secrets from each other.

The King did not come to see me,
but my beautiful daughter.

- Beautiful?
- Like no other.

A rare beauty in the palace.

- Micha?
- Your Majesty.

I wonder, should beauty be wasted
or used for a purpose?

Strange.

The identical question crossed my mind.

Would you say that
I have done everything I could

to protect my daughter from the King?

Well, you could do no more.

Sending her to Rome
to keep her far from the King.

And now that she is near him,
and his appetite has grown much keener...

Much keener, Your Majesty.

Could her return
not be used to my advantage?

It is quite within the realm of possibility.

Your Majesty, may I suggest,
for your sake,

that you lose no time
in using that advantage.

Yes, Micha.

Why is the Princess not here?
Her absence is an insult.

- Felicitations from Caesar Tiberius.
- Your Excellency.

Your Majesty, this is my daughter.

I remember the child.

The blossom does justice to the bud.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Or should I say,
the radiant flower that bloomed in Rome,

beautiful beyond my expectations?

Is Your Excellency ready to dine?

Splendid. As tasty as anything in Rome.

You have not eaten anything, my dear.
You know,

I owe your mother an enormous debt.

She sent you to Rome
when you were a child.

We shall have all the pleasure
of becoming acquainted now.

After Rome,
I'm afraid you'll find life very dull here.

Of course, I shall do
my feeble best to amuse you.

Like hunting?

Boating?

I'll order a royal barge
from the Egyptians.

Your Majesty need not trouble.
I will find ways to make the time pass.

I'll help you.

Yes, Captain?

We have no secrets before His Excellency,
the Governor. What is it?

Your Majesty, the Baptist is in the city.

Word is about that he will speak
in the marketplace tomorrow.

The Baptist?

Was that not the rabble-rouser
who was in our way at the River Jordan?

Yes, sir.

Have you any orders, Your Majesty?

No. Let him speak.

So, you allow troublemakers to speak out?

Your Excellency, he is a peaceful man.
He causes no trouble.

He is a menace, Your Excellency.
He threatens...

The Queen exaggerates the importance
of a simple preacher.

He denounces the House of Herod
in the name of religion.

Your Excellency will agree,

anyone who scorns the throne
should be silenced.

This man says nothing against us.

He speaks against Rome. I heard him.

Rome nails every traitor to a cross,
crucifies them by the thousands,

so that the rabble may know their master.

And yet you let a traitor speak out.

Your Excellency, I am king here.

Thus far, I have ruled
without adding to Caesar's troubles.

Where else does sedition lead?

The Baptist is harmless.
Nobody listens to him but a few beggars.

If I were to stop him, the word would spread
that I interfere with religion.

That will inflame the people.

You must allow me to keep order
in my own way.

Very well. Keep order your way.
But no one is to speak against Rome.

That is my responsibility.

And yours alone.

Should you be unable
to cope with any disturbances,

the Commander here will report it to me.

I start early tomorrow for Jerusalem.
I must retire.

So, you would even enlist
the Romans against me?

- To save us both.
- You mean, to save yourself.

We were speaking.
What were we speaking about, my dear?

If Your Majesty will excuse me,
the journey was exhausting.

Remember, you march early.

Commander.

You have been here for many years.
I'm sure nothing has escaped you.

Who is this John the Baptist?

- A prophet.
- A prophet?

But why is my mother so afraid of him?

And the King, he seems just as terrified.

What is happening here?
Why does he denounce them?

I understand he preaches a new religion.

My mother says he scorns the throne.

He speaks of a different world
founded on justice and mercy.

Justice and mercy.

Strange words from a Roman.

Those are the words of the Prophet.

As you say,
nothing escapes a man in my position.

The truth about him
certainly appears to have escaped you.

Claudius!

You were supposed
to meet me for final instructions.

Must she always take precedence over me?

No such danger.

I shall arrange for your departure
immediately, sir.

Princess, Princess.

Princess, please do not go
to the marketplace. It is dangerous.

- Is the guide here?
- He is waiting at the terrace.

Come.

Run to and fro through the streets,
searching the great plains for one man

who seeketh the Lord.

For verily I say unto you,

the Heaven of which I speak
can be found here on Earth

if we live like children of God

and not like beasts of prey
as those that rule you now.

People of Galilee,

Herod is an alien king!

He is descended
from a desert tribe of heathens!

He was not born in the faith
of our fathers.

Though he may profess to believe,

he makes a mockery
of the Lord's Commandments.

Rulers who do not observe the laws of God
can only bring disaster to the people.

Pay the House of Herod no tribute!

Do not let them proceed to new crimes,

or misery and destruction
shall fall upon thee,

and not a stone of thy house
shall remain unmolested.

For as certainly as all rivers
rush to the ocean,

the day of justice shall come,
for the cup of despair brims over.

Iniquity sits upon the throne!

The King has forsaken the people
for wine and harlots!

And the Queen lives in sinful luxury
with no heart for the afflictions of the poor.

- Her wickedness and her evil...
- You will not say that of the Queen.

- I will speak against sin!
- She has done nothing.

- She is an adulteress!
- That is a lie. A lie.

She has turned from her husband
to marry his brother.

She scorns the law that was given to us.

The law. Words!

She has harmed no one.

She has brought injury to all the people.

By placing herself above the law,
she has destroyed the equality of justice!

- I will have you silenced.
- Daughter of Herodias!

Yes, I am her daughter.

Heed me, Galileans.

Do not visit the sins
of one generation upon another.

Daughter of Herodias,
I know your heart speaks for your mother,

but let it not blind you
to the evil of her ways.

Though you are of her flesh and blood,
your soul is your own.

Abide not her wickedness.

Where have you been dressed like that?

At the marketplace.

I heard the Baptist speak.

How I hoped you would never hear him.
He has made my life a misery.

Why does the King
allow him to humiliate you?

He's afraid to stop him.

Afraid?

But why should the King be afraid of...

Because of a prophecy made in the time
of his father, Herod the Great.

What prophecy?

"If a king of the House of Herod
harms a messiah,

"he will die in agony."

The King thinks the Baptist is the Messiah.

He fears if he harms him,
he will die in terrible pain like his father.

That a king could believe such things

and permit anyone to speak against you.

And call for my death.

No, Mother.
He did not incite the people to harm you.

He calls me an adulteress.

There is only one punishment
for this crime,

- to be stoned by the people.
- Stop.

But you are innocent.

I have broken a senseless law
and for that they want me to die.

Mother.

Mother, leave this place.
I will go with you anywhere.

I cannot leave Galilee.

But what is to keep you here? The King?

Not the King, the throne.

The throne. What does it matter
when your life is in danger?

The throne is more than life to me.

It is the legacy I leave you, my daughter.

You will be the next queen.

The throne will be yours,
but only if I guard it for you.

I will suffer anything
so that you may inherit it.

I will endure a loveless marriage,
humiliation by a madman,

even stoning.

Therefore, Rome may expect
the following yield in taxes.

From the Province...

I did not mean to disturb you.

We will continue later.

I'm sorry for my rudeness last night.

Then you no longer hate all Romans?

Not all Romans.

What is it?

Tell me.

How much do you love me?

What is the measure of love?

What is asked of another
and what is granted.

Anything.

- One favour.
- Anything you ask.

- Is that a promise?
- Yes.

Help me save my mother.
Arrest the Baptist.

That I cannot do.

- Why not?
- I cannot interfere.

- You can stop him.
- I can do nothing.

I could report it to Pontius Pilate,
but arrest him?

I have no such authority.

You mean you do not want to use it.

You're late, my dear Counsellor.

My daughter has already informed me
of what was said in the marketplace.

Did she also inform you
that the Baptist will speak again tonight?

Even now they are gathering to hear him.

He'll rave until the stones
are hurled against me.

What else can happen
when the people see he's not punished?

If no retribution comes,

the rabble can only regard it
as a token of the King's approval.

I fear so, Your Majesty.

He must be stopped tonight.

Then will your daughter persuade the King?

She cannot be rushed into Herod's arms.

It'll take time and there is no time.

Micha, you will silence him.

Your Majesty, I must remind you.

The assassination of John the Baptist may...

The King will suspect you
and in his anger he may...

It is a risk I must take.

The desperate can only survive
by taking desperate measures.

Your Majesty.

The crooked paths shall be made straight,
and the rough ways shall be made smooth

so that we shall receive
the salvation of God.

The day has come when men must cease
to march from one evil to another

and know not the Lord.

It is true we live in times of violence,
when men are turned against each other.

But since the same God is our father,

and we have the same destiny,

we are all brothers.

And that is our great hope,
that humanity will prevail.

When men see that hatred and fear
are the mutual enemies of mankind...

Guards!

Guards!

Guards!

An assassin tried to kill
John the Baptist.

Arrest him and take him to the King
and he will reward you.

Speak up, wretch,
while you still have a tongue.

Your loyalty is commendable.

Place it at the service of your king
and you will be repaid with your life.

Who hired you?

I asked you to be present

because your ear is keener than mine
to palace intrigue.

Whom do you suspect?

Your Majesty,
I couldn't even venture a guess.

Not one?

It must be somebody close to the throne,
very close,

who knows what the Prophet's death
must mean to me. Do you agree?

Perhaps it was thought a service,
not an injury to Your Majesty.

Then help me reward my loyal servant.
Have you no recommendation?

If I knew, I would reward him myself.

Well, wretch. Still dumb?

Perhaps the rack
will oil the hinges of your tongue.

Out with him.

It is late and I'm tired. If that is all?

That is not all.

It was your hand behind that dagger.
Yours and yours alone.

- It appears you think I had good cause.
- If you ever try to harm him again...

You threaten me?

You will learn that I am king here.
I command who lives and who dies.

And the Prophet must live.

- Why? Because you are mad?
- Mad, am I?

You let him bring the House of Herod
down on our heads.

I will bring it down on yours
if you do not get out of my sight.

Now, get out!

She will murder him, I know it.

She will hire assassin after assassin
until one of them strikes him down.

- You must protect him, sire.
- How?

She will contrive his death.

And when the Messiah dies
at the hands of a Herod,

I will die.

What am I to do? Am I to wait like a lamb
for my own slaughter?

Why does the Prophet visit me
with worse than the tribulations of Job?

Why does he preach against me, too?
What harm have I done him?

Does he not know I want to protect him?

Wait, yes,

I will have him brought
before my ministers.

Would you try a holy man?

Is a prophet above the law he upholds?

This Prophet has spoken
against his sovereigns.

Let him answer for his treason.

Sire, to what end?
Would you sentence him?

Bring the prophecy to pass?

I have found a way at last
to make the Prophet come to terms with me.

To what terms
can a prophet come with a king?

You will see.

Captain, have John the Baptist
brought before me in the morning.

Sire, what are you doing?
What is your intention?

You will learn tomorrow.

Release the Baptist!

The Baptist has done no wrong!

He has committed no crime!

Down with the House of Herod!

Mother.

Release the Baptist. Free him!

He has committed no crime!

I cannot believe it.

- Forgive me for last night.
- Forgive you?

You had him arrested.
You knew what it meant to me.

Thank you.

You have been brought here
to answer charges of treason.

- Who bears witness against me?
- The people of Galilee.

I see no one here of the people.

You see my ministers
who represent the people.

They accuse you of arousing the people
to overthrow the House of Herod.

I do not speak for violence.
Only evildoers must resort to force.

You call for violence
by denouncing the throne.

I call upon the people
to pay no tribute to iniquitous rulers.

Then you would have
another king in my place?

Yes.

One who would rule with godliness,
with justice and mercy.

You admit allegiance
to someone other than His Majesty?

The one I acknowledge
is above all kings on Earth.

Then he's mightier even than Caesar?

He is the King of Kings.

He will make all the Caesars
and the Herods tremble.

He will raise the yoke from the oppressed,
right all wrongs,

bring a day of judgement
upon the evil masters of the world.

And who is this King of Kings?

He is the Messiah.

But you are the Messiah.

You then are the king
who sets himself above me.

He does not declare himself the Messiah.

Elder, I have never told the people
I am the Messiah,

only that the Lord has sent me
to awaken the conscience of mankind

to the coming of the Holy One.

Many people who hear you denounce me,
say you are the Messiah.

Then I have failed him who follows me,

for I have not prepared the way
as I should have done.

What is your judgement?

Your Majesty, he acknowledges a king
higher than you.

He is guilty of treason.

You are twisting his words
to suit your purpose.

What is the recommendation
of my ministers?

- He must be punished like all traitors.
- He must die.

- To the cross with him.
- To death.

- He must die.
- Death to the traitor.

- Take him to the cross.
- We must be rid of him.

My judges have
pronounced sentence upon you.

You pronounced it.
The guilt is yours and yours alone.

You have made a mockery
of justice by trying a righteous man.

Enough.

Hear me, your religious counsellor,
before it is too late.

You know that you were not born
in the faith of our people.

Do not offend them by committing sacrilege
against what they hold sacred.

You have already turned
their hearts against you

by breaking the Law of Moses.

Do not turn the hand against you
by murdering a holy man.

Enough, I said.

I will pray for you.

Pray for them, Elder,

for the Lord is beside me.

You have heard the judgement
of my ministers.

- If you plead for mercy and if I grant it...
- I will plead for your soul.

Generation of vipers!

Do what you will with me,

but a day of judgement is coming
that will swallow up all evildoers.

Vengeance will be the Lord's.

Clear the room.

Do not touch him. Get out.

You see how your enemies
are arrayed against you,

and the Queen would assassinate you.

All in power stand to murder you
were it not for me.

Have you tried me
to prove your friendship?

Yes. I am your only protector.

I, and I alone, can save you now.

All I ask is that you do not denounce me
before the people.

You cannot buy silence with my life.

Say what you will outside of Galilee.

Promise me never to return
and I'll set you free.

- My mission is here.
- Then speak only of religion.

Leave the House of Herod to itself.

I cannot,

for it stands on a foundation of sin.

And I have been ordained to root out sin,
offer repentance to all who will listen.

I offer it to you now.

Return to God.

How?

Give up the throne.

No, that I cannot do. It is my life.

I speak of a life everlasting.
Seek repentance.

I will not give up the throne.

And I cannot allow you
to preach against me any longer.

I will place you under guard here
in the palace where you can do no harm.

Guards.

You will find no peace in my imprisonment.

Only the Lord can ease
the terrible burden of evil on your soul.

Take him!

Elder, what has happened to our Prophet?

- What has the King done with him?
- Will he harm him?

- He has imprisoned him.
- We will free him.

Abide in peace.
Nothing will be gained by violence.

Your Majesty,
this is more than a suggestion.

Peace must be maintained.
I demand you release the prisoner.

This does not concern Rome.

Whatever threatens the peace
concerns Rome.

The peace is not threatened.

Every minute you keep the Baptist

increases the danger
of bloodshed and disorder.

There is less danger now.

You removed this man from his followers.

I will treat him well.

He can have anything he desires.
Anyone can see him, anyone.

He is still your prisoner.
The people will rise.

I will put them down.

Commander, you have no authority
to force his release.

Saddle three horses.
We leave for Jerusalem immediately.

- Claudius.
- Why does the Princess call the Roman?

- Where is he going?
- Does that matter?

I found him more of a friend
than anyone here.

My dear, in what way have I been remiss?

You allowed a madman
to inflame the people against my mother.

The Commander had him arrested.

Is that what he said?
The lying dog of a Roman.

Claudius wanted me to free him.

Free him?

The Roman pleaded, ranted, threatened,
did all he could to make me release him.

It was I who ordered him arrested.

I'm sorry to disillusion you, my dear.

I lost my illusions about Romans long ago.

Splendid.

To be a realist is the beginning of wisdom.

And the wise know that nothing matters
except to find pleasure in the present.

How little I've seen of you
since your return.

I've hardly had a chance
to welcome you home.

For the homecoming of a princess.

Your Majesty is most generous.

Please wear this at the banquet
in the honour of my birthday.

I should be giving His Majesty a gift,
not receiving one.

Your presence will be
the most precious gift of all.

Let's see if the artisan
has done justice to your beauty.

No silk nor spun gold can compare.

Your Majesty, I cannot wear this.

Why not?

It is more fitting you give it
to the Queen.

It is mine to give as I wish.

Not mine to accept.

Then wear it for me.
Let it be a token between us,

that you may know how much...

How much you please me.

Allow the Queen to please Your Majesty.

Am I to be denied what I want above all,

one woman
with whom I can find forgetfulness?

Your Majesty takes much for granted
even though he is king.

And he forgets the Queen is my mother.

Why should you want to interfere?

Herod has good cause
to imprison this rabble-rouser.

The arrest of John the Baptist
may have serious consequences.

It might start a rebellion that would
spread throughout the Provinces.

You must order his release.

Claudius, as a Roman, I would expect you
to ask for his execution.

Your Excellency,
we've served together for many years.

May I speak frankly?

I never thought you spoke otherwise.

Rome cannot go on as it has,
ruling with a sword and the whip.

If we are to survive, we must recognise
that a new force is coming into the world.

New force?

The religion of this prophet,
it will bring hope to the conquered.

It will bring peace to all men

by teaching every man how to live
at peace with his neighbours.

This faith will march across the world

and win men
where Rome could only conquer them.

Caesar is the only faith possible
for a Roman.

I believe the religion of this prophet
will surge over the Earth.

Become his protector,
and you would achieve immortality.

Yes, immortality. Think of it.

Your name will be inscrolled
on the pages of history.

Your name will ring down through the years.

Pontius Pilate,
the first champion of a new religion.

Immortality...

In a few years from now
we shall all be dust and forgotten,

no matter what we do here.

The name of Caesar will live on.
But Pontius Pilate? Never.

The God of the Baptist is eternal.

Ally yourself with Him
and your name will never die.

A new religion
that will march across the world.

A God that is eternal.

You've been here for years.
And I, only a few weeks.

Yet I already know this country
better than you.

It's ridden with prophets.

Right here in Jerusalem,

there's a carpenter that even claims
he's the Son of God. Yes.

They call him a Man of Miracles.

Miracles?

They say he can make the lame walk,
the blind see.

And if the rabble in Jerusalem wish
to believe such idiotic nonsense, let them.

But I will not tolerate anyone

denouncing Rome
under the cloak of religion.

And this, your prophet does.

- Your Excellency...
- Claudius.

How can you ask for his release,
knowing that he's a traitor?

I cannot understand a valiant soldier
and a brilliant officer turning to treason.

I've found a greater loyalty than Rome.

Humanity.

Were I not your friend,

had we not fought many battles together,
shared many dangers in the field,

were I not mindful
of how bravely you served me and Rome,

I would be compelled
to execute you for treason.

However, I must relieve you of your post.

I will not place you under arrest,
but I cannot permit you to return to Galilee.

You will stay here in Jerusalem

until we have word of a galley
leaving for Rome.

Yes, Your Excellency.

Claudius.

I'm sorry, Claudius.

- Claudius.
- The last remains of the Ninth Legion.

Come. Join us.
We are on our way to my villa.

No, wait. Tell me,

do you know this carpenter
who claims to be the Son of God?

You mean the Man of Miracles?

The great healer who cures everything
just by touching you?

They say he turned water into wine
at a wedding in Cana.

Imagine the money he would save us.

- Come with us.
- Wait. Where's he now?

I heard he went to Bethany.
Why? Do you want to see him?

Bethany?

I can see.

I can see.

I can see.

I can see. I can see.

I can see.

I can see.

Down with the House of Herod!

- Free the Baptist!
- The Baptist has done no wrong!

Release the Baptist!

The Baptist must go free!

Down with the House of Herod!

The King is a heathen!

What is it, Your Majesty?

My affectionate subjects
helping us celebrate the event of my birth.

They seem quite threatening
in their affections, Your Majesty.

Let us go on with the feast.

Down with the House of Herod!

Death to the Queen!

The Queen is an adulteress!

Death to the Queen!

Your Majesty,
I've never seen the rabble in such a mood.

The stupid fools.

They will soon learn how I reward
those who threaten.

Death to the Queen!

Micha, stand back.
They'll break into the palace.

They'll stone me.

Nothing but my death will satisfy them.
Micha, go quickly. Try to pacify them.

- Down with the House of Herod!
- Salome.

Careful! A stone raised may strike you.

Mother, we cannot stay here.

We must stay here.

If I let that rabble depose me,
you will be next.

Your life means more to me than...

I will not let them deprive my daughter
of her heritage after all I've sacrificed.

- Listen to them. And you speak of...
- I speak of your future.

My child, your destiny.

- The rabble is nothing without a leader.
- Free the Baptist!

If I could make the King destroy the Baptist
before it is too late...

There is a way, yes, yes.

One possible way to save the throne.

Salome, you alone could accomplish it.

But what can I do?

Prevail upon the King
to destroy the Baptist.

But how can I?

You can persuade him.

How?

With your matchless beauty.

Dance for him tonight.

Dance for him?

Mother, you know a woman
who dances for the King

becomes his possession.

Yes, I know the custom.

- You would have me give myself to...
- For the throne, yes.

The Baptist must go free!

Release the Baptist!

The King is a heathen!

Romans! Romans!

Heathen! Roman heathen!

Why are you crying?

Take me away from here.
Claudius, please take me away.

- Do you really want to leave?
- Yes. Yes.

There's something I want you to hear.

Something you must know about me.

- Then we can go away together.
- What is it?

Come with me.

Where is the Princess?
You keep her from me.

Command her to appear.

Command her yourself.

I bear strange tidings.
Such strange tidings.

While in Jerusalem, I heard them speak
of a prophet who performs miracles.

If true, this would be great tidings.

I heard them say this prophet
brings sight to the blind, heals the sick.

That he fed thousands of the poor

with no more than
a few loaves of bread to divide.

I went to Bethany
where I was told he had gone.

Just outside Jerusalem,

I saw a procession such as I have
never seen following one man.

The lame, the halt,
the blind followed him.

Those whose backs
were bent from years under the yoke,

those whose heads were bowed
from years of shame, they followed him.

And many who were sceptical,
who came to scoff at him,

they too followed him.

I joined this procession.

We followed him to a tomb

where lay a man called Lazarus,
four days dead.

The sister of Lazarus, who believed,

had begged him
to raise her brother from the dead.

I heard him say to her,

"I am the resurrection, and the life.

"He that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live.

"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me,
shall never die."

He said that, I heard him.

And then he went to the tomb,

and while others rolled back the stone,
he raised his head and prayed.

He said, "Father, I thank thee
that thou hast heard me,

"and I know that thou hearest me always,

"but because of the people that stand by,

"I said it, that they may believe
that thou hast sent me."

And when he said this,
he cried out in a loud voice,

"Lazarus, come forth."

And Lazarus came out of the tomb.
I saw him.

I saw a man who had been dead four days,
walk out of his grave.

All of us fell on our knees.

And then he told Lazarus to remove
the shroud and rejoin the living.

And what had been a corpse
became a man again.

Not only did I see Lazarus
raised from the dead,

but I spoke to him.
I talked to him myself.

The one who called him back from the grave

was named Jesus.

My kinsman, Jesus.

The Messiah.

When I baptised him,
I heard a voice from Heaven, saying,

"This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased."

I spoke to this Jesus.
I told him that you were imprisoned.

He said he would come to Galilee.

I shall never see Jesus again.

I will free you before he gets here.

I do not fear death.

All my life
I have been surrounded by wickedness.

I have lived by false standards.
I've held myself unaccountable to anyone.

And I have known evil.

For the first time,
I see there is good in the world.

To see good is to be awakened to the Lord.

Know that my blessings follow both of you,
all your days on Earth.

Go in peace.

Go.

How can you possibly save him?

I still command the Palace Guards.

But Herod's soldiers fill the palace.
You cannot.

It is the only way.

No.

- There is a more certain way.
- How?

I will dance for the King.

And I will make him free the Baptist.

- Dance for the King? Do you realise...
- He will never possess me.

No.

No, I will not have you dance for him.
Prepare to leave.

I will free the Baptist
and then come for you.

- Rebecca, come with me.
- Yes, Princess?

I have orders
from His Excellency the Governor.

Release him.

I can only release the prisoner
by orders of His Majesty the King.

I'd give half my kingdom.

No, give me the head of the Baptist.

Guards!

Guards!

Away!

My mother,

that I should be of your flesh and blood.

I never want to look upon your face again.

Listen, do you hear?

I could open the gates
and let the populace tear you apart.

I could run my sword through both of you.

But that would make too quick an end.
No. Live. Live in torture.

May the blood of the man you murdered
rise in your throats to choke you.

Ezra.

Ezra!

...be with us, God of Mercy, be with us.

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them

which despitefully use you,
and persecute you.

That you may be the children
of your Father which is in Heaven,

for He maketh his sun
to rise on the evil and on the good,

and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall possess the Earth.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst
for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called
the children of God.

Blessed are they who suffer
persecution for justice sake,

for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.