Original subtitles

Synced & corrected by QueenMaddie www.addic7ed.com

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This way, your majesty.

Do you know who I am?

Do you know who you are?

Ruler...

I am Lord...

of all Russia...

cousin of Emperor Peter.

You stole the crown from him.

You should... give it back.

One morning...

I heard... birds...

sing..

In my brain.

Great honor.

What is?

Her Majesty paying us a visit at Schlusselberg.

Prisoner Number One.

Obviously someone very important.

I've heard rumors.

Obviously.

- Don't listen to rumors. - Your majesty,

Thank you. I've seen enough.

The lieutenant will take you back to the boat.

I've seen you before...

Your Majesty.

Lieutenant Mirovich. With the guard here.

Yes, you made requests for money to my office several times.

And we told you to stop.

I'm sorry if I offended, Your majesty, I...

I can assure you it was never my...

It's a mistake to ask rich people for money.

How do you think they got rich? By giving it away?

Your Majesty.

Did you appoint Lieutenant Mirovich

to guard Prisoner Number One?

I'm not sure I was responsible

for his appointment, Your Majesty.

I don't trust him.

Your Majesty, I've been looking at your speech

and on pages 12 and 13,

- I have made some revisions. - Revisions?

This is my speech, Minister Panin, not yours.

I've been working on this for years.

You know how important it is to me.

All I feel, Your Majesty, is that some of it...

That some of it... is too liberal.

I'll be the judge of that.

What would Your Majesty like me to do with these?

Well, I can think of a place I would like you to put it,

but I'm not minded to be vulgar.

So give it back to Minister Panin.

Maybe he can nibble on it for his tea.

He's always been very good at eating his own words.

Yes, Your Majesty. Count Orlov.

Don't you remember that young man?

- Mm? - Lieutenant Potemkin.

He was with us on the day of the coup,

when we took your husband from the throne.

Peter allowed himself to be deposed,

like a child being put to bed.

She eats men alive.

You know that?

Sounds like an interesting proposition.

Let's listen.

When I first came here from Germany,

many years ago,

I did not even speak the language.

I had little knowledge of the beauties

of the Russian Church,

and even less of the courage and the strength of its people.

But I fell in love with this country,

its spirit,

its passion,

its soul.

But in these more enlightened times,

I believe we need laws...

that everyone respects and obeys.

The rich and the powerful,

as well as the poor and dispossessed.

And so...

something needs to change.

Slavery does not have to be a Russian institution.

That didn't go down well.

I'm afraid I tried to warn your mother.

All of the audience here own serfs.

Most of them have thousands.

Russia's not ready for change.

Is it right for a rich man to own another human being,

which is still the case in this country?

Look at Orlov.

The man who put her on the throne,

and now wants some of it for himself.

I believe in reason.

I believe in progress.

And when the indomitable Russian people

fight for these things,

and fight to gain a new empire

in which they will be universally acknowledged,

then Russia,

your Russia,

my Russia,

our Russia,

will be truly and eternally great.

She just got out of that one.

Patriotism. Always good.

You helped her get rid of her husband, Peter III, correct?

And now she thinks she can do what she likes, but...

does she have a right to the throne,

and what did you... get out of it?

And? What are you saying?

I'm saying she's a usurper.

Now, suppose there was a man with a legitimate claim

to be the Emperor of Russia,

I believe that man is a prisoner at Schlusselberg.

Present arms.

Well, they didn't seem

to enjoy that very much, did they?

Not so much.

My son came late and looked bored.

Yes, well, he wants your job, doesn't he?

"She took the throne, we can take it from her,"

that's what they think.

We're not going to let them do that.

The army remains loyal to us.

Why was Mirovich outside causing trouble?

I told you he can't be trusted.

I honestly have no idea, Your Majesty.

And I can see that it makes him...

potentially a risk, as far as the...

very important person he was guarding.

Oh, well, that's a colossal understatement.

Well, if you say you didn't know,

you didn't know.

But my son must never be told about this.

Of course not, Your Majesty,

- this is between... - You and I.

And let us make sure it stays that way.

May I...

make a suggestion?

I'm afraid since the coup your position is vulnerable,

and anyone, however mad,

even with a distant claim to the throne, is a great risk.

Therefore, can I suggest an order

that states clearly that if there is

any attempt at an escape,

Prisoner Number One...

is to be killed?

I know it goes against your liberal principles, but...

it comes from me. You had no idea it was in place.

It's for your own protection.

We cannot risk a challenge to your throne.

"Divorce is possibly as old as marriage,

although I suppose marriage is a few weeks older."

Voltaire.

- Oh, you're working. - Mm.

I just passed Count Orlov in the corridor, looking glum.

Oh. My fault I suppose.

- Men. - Men.

And what are you doing?

I was thinking of wasting your time...

if that was all right.

Your Majesty.

What about the girls' college?

Yes. Yes, that's done.

- That is approved. - Thank you.

- Approved. - Don't mind me.

- Your Most Imperial - Don't worry, I won't.

Your Majesty, the Turkish ambassador

has sent a strong note to us, if we stray

- into their territory... - Fire and death,

and the wrath of Allah. Take absolutely no notice.

Of course, Your Majesty.

Auntie, aren't Christians supposed to turn the other cheek,

especially when people are trying to kill them?

Ah. Your Majesty Peter? Still dead?

'Fraid so!

I came to tell you I saw the most gorgeous man.

Oh. Where?

In the courtyard round the corner.

If he's still there. He may have been snapped up.

Oh, there's always another gorgeous man around the corner.

How long have you got?

Long enough.

That's Lieutenant Potemkin.

I saw him first.

I don't think that's strictly true.

Anyway, who is the Empress of Russia?

You are, Your Majesty.

I think we should inspect him more closely.

Lieutenant Potemkin!

Are you lost?

I was once, Your Majesty, but not now.

What are you looking for, the office of the palace guard?

The gentleman of the bedchamber?

It was you...

Your Majesty, you.

Well. Here I am.

My regiment said I was to report to your private office.

Thomas Dimsdale has arrived, Your Majesty.

I have to go.

Dimsdale being the doctor that inoculates against smallpox?

Well, you're very well informed. Yes.

Yes, I'm thinking of trying it.

It's a risk, but then life's a risk, isn't it?

From...

what I've heard, the evidence supports your choice.

I'll enjoy speaking with you again,

but now, as usual, I'm busy.

The Countess Bruce will look after you.

I obey.

Lieutenant Potemkin.

What about him?

You're right, it was the day of the coup.

When I rode out in front of the troops,

he bent down, and he picked up something I'd dropped.

He did.

A sword knot for your sabre.

Yes!

He obviously has a talent for picking up things.

We should invite him to the dinner.

You have an objection to that?

How could I? It's not as if we're married, is it?

Don't let's have this conversation again.

We've had it so many times. You know it's impossible.

I'm not asking to marry you.

Well, what are you asking for, then?

Recognition.

Gratitude...

for what we did for you.

You know you have that.

But in public.

Public and private are two completely different things.

- Your life is lived in public. - Thanks to you.

That wasn't the deal.

I can't do this.

I'm sorry, I just can't.

How's my big brother?

Do you mind?

Can I not have a little romance?

Oh, is that what this is?

What do you think I get at home, Alexei?

Can I talk to you for a minute?

I'll just be a moment.

How's it going with her?

Well, she's not the most exciting girl

- I've screwed in the last... - With her.

- Is that any business of yours? - It's politics.

You fuck it up with her, what happens to us,

and all that we've worked for?

She's never going to marry me.

All right? God knows I've tried.

We put her there. Without us...

and our armies, she's nothing.

She owes us, Grigory, and she knows it.

Use that.

Does it matter what I wear?

Does she care a damn that I'm reaching 19?

Does she love anything apart from power?

She loves a lot of things, Your Excellency.

A lot of men.

She's a very clever and well-read woman, sir.

As you know,

she came here when she was 15, taught herself Russian by...

Sleeping with a lot of Russian men.

That'll do...

for the service, I'm sure.

Where is she?

With the Orlovs, probably.

Murdering my father has made them close.

They kick him off the throne, then she becomes Empress,

and then they kill him. On her orders, probably.

Now she's terrified they'll kill her

unless she's sufficiently grateful.

We do not know that anyone killed your father,

- Your Highness. - No.

There's an official explanation.

You probably drafted it.

"Hemorrhoidal colic", wasn't that it?

Terminal piles. My God, I hate her.

You do not hate her.

She is your mother. You love her.

Although sometimes, of course, you hate her.

This is only natural.

One day, you will succeed her.

No ruler lasts forever.

One day soon.

How soon?

Mother.

Your Majesty.

Is that suitable for your coming-of-age ceremony?

It is not to your taste?

He's about to become a man...

- If you'll let me, Mother. - ... not a head steward.

Look, I just want you to be...

Be someone of whom I can be proud.

You understand?

Um...

Ah. That one.

Oh, God.

It's not me you're interested in.

I thought I expressed a great deal of interest.

Oh, Lord. I'm interested again.

No, she is the one you want.

You're clever.

She likes clever men.

Madam, I'm a lieutenant of no great import.

All I have is a liberal education,

and a great fucking interest...

... and she is the Empress of Russia.

Precisely. She is the one you want.

Yes, but the higher one climbs,

the more visible one's arse.

So that could... come to my advantage, I'm told.

Huh?

I have good reason for wanting you to go to this dinner,

and make a good impression.

The more she likes me, the better for you, yes?

Where do I come into all this?

You come in...

Right here.

Why is my son so unattractive?

It may be something to do with his father.

The Emperor Peter was the ugliest man east of Berlin.

Yes, and now Paul wants to be emperor too...

The moment he was born,

my mother in law took him away from me.

She left me on the floor, bathed in my own blood and sweat.

From that point on, I really... Oh, I never saw him.

Lieutenant Potemkin, looking very smart.

Who are you trying to impress?

Is something troubling Your Majesty?

That's Lieutenant Mirovich.

What's he doing here? Do you know him?

Yes, he's a drinker and gambler.

He owes money everywhere.

Seems in a hurry to leave.

The army is dangerous.

If they think they put you in power, Your Majesty,

they'll always think they can take it away.

Are you implying Her Majesty's soldiers

are disloyal, Lieutenant?

I'm saying anyone can be manipulated.

Does the man know your son?

- Oh... - Sorry, Lieutenant,

is this any concern of yours?

What was Lieutenant Mirovich doing here?

Praying, I assume, Your Majesty. I really do not know.

Would you tell my son I wish to speak with him

after the ceremony?

Well, Lieutenant, we must pray too.

Yes, we must.

Sir.

We should keep our eye on Lieutenant Potemkin.

He's dangerous.

... the Son do nothing of himself

than that which he seeth his Father do.

When we come to man's estate,

we listen to the wisdom of our fathers,

and claim what is ours by right.

A prosperous and peaceful life, health and salvation,

and, in all, the best help give, Lord, to your servant Paul.

And keep him for many years.

We wait here til night comes.

Check your weapons.

I was 16 when they married me to your father.

I didn't know that men and women were any different

under their clothes, if you understand what I mean!

I brought myself up so I'm afraid I think that

that maturity is just...

It's a decision that we make.

Is it?

Oh. You two are always in each other's company.

Are you hatching some conspiracy?

We were not.

- We were... - Not? Not...?

Oh. Not, not, not, not. Not what?

- Hmm? - I... I...

I think our conversations may have touched on the fact that,

at certain stages, some thought that when...

Paul reached his majority, perhaps he might, um...

Yes? Might? Might what?

Many people had envisaged, Your Majesty, that...

that you would act as regent

until Paul obtained his majority, after which...

He would, um...

Yes, what?

Take more responsibility, Your Majesty.

So many people want the Russian throne.

They die trying to get it,

and sometimes they die trying to hand onto it.

People will tell you lies about what you are, Paul.

But remember, you are the son of Peter III.

You are the heir to the Russian throne.

One day.

Never forget that.

Now you've reached your majority,

I think you should get married.

- Yes, Mother. - Aww.

Why don't you run along and think about beautiful women?

Has he been speaking with the army?

How much does he know about

what's going on at Schlusselberg?

Nothing. I swear it, Your Majesty.

You never talk about the succession!

Or about power sharing. Do you understand me?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I want responsibility for the boy.

That's all, Your Majesty.

I have always been loyal to you,

ever since we put his father from the throne.

Always loyal.

I want you to find out

everything that's going on at Schlusselberg.

I want to know about this Mirovich.

I do not employ you to foster my son's illusions about himself,

but to protect me from those who wish me harm,

and there are many.

Quiet.

Ah. So...

To my son on his birthday

in the expectation of wisdom!

- To Paul. - To Paul.

Now, you may have noticed there is an empty chair.

I have invited one of the brightest and best

of our young men, and he's late!

Ah, bon appétit!

Lieutenant Potemkin, at last.

I am so sorry to be late, Your Majesty.

Well, you look quite ravishing.

Coming from the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,

that is indeed a compliment.

No, no, no, no.

Before you sit down,

everyone has to say something amusing,

and we hear that you are very amusing.

What shall we say in such illustrious company

to raise a laugh?

When I first came to this country,

a long, long time ago, I knew nothing about it,

but I fell in love with its people,

their passions, their soul,

the indomitable Russian spirit,

and yet this country must change.

Slavery is not a Russian institution.

Only then can your Russia, my Russia,

our Russia,

become truly and eternally...

... great.

Very good.

The history of women, Your Majesty,

is the history of the worst tyranny in the world.

That of the weak over the strong.

But in the end, Lieutenant,

the strong have the last word, don't they?

Don't men rule the world?

Well, I'll beg your pardon, Count Orlov,

I believe all of us here in Russia

are governed by a woman.

No one at my table is punished for making jokes.

The only crimes are stupidity,

gnawing things...

and yawning!

Grigory.

She's fucking with you.

So is he.

You know who he is!

Free him!

Shh. Shh. Easy does it.

Free him! Free him!

- Orders are orders, Lieutenant. - No! No, no!

He was Ivan VI, rightful ruler of Russia.

My orders are from Empress Catherine.

Catherine the usurper!

So...

You like this boy?

What on earth

is that supposed to mean?

You made it fairly obvious.

Look, I can talk to whoever I choose,

in whatever manner I choose.

Do you know what I hold in my hand?

Absolute power.

Do you have any understanding of what that means?

Well...

It can mean nothing at all.

May I remind your Majesty

that when we put you on the throne...

Now you mind your language very carefully, Grigory.

Remember who I am now.

Have you forgotten?

You would do so at your peril.

We killed your husband.

I know who killed my husband.

I have it in black and white,

in your bloody brother's handwriting.

Are you holding that over my head?

Still?

Because you do that, you watch, and you wait,

and then you move against people.

Everything I do is wrong, isn't it?

So, I yawn.

Sometimes, dinner with you can be a bit fucking dull!

You're running out of friends.

What are you thinking about?

Gherkins.

What does any Russian think about

when he makes love?

Gherkins, of course.

Seriously... Stop, stop.

Seriously.

Seriously, Lieutenant, what are you thinking about?

I never know.

I'm thinking about her.

The Empress, of course.

I enjoy spending time in her company.

The fact that she happens to be

the most powerful woman in the world

is entirely incidental?

Yes.

Oh.

Are you looking for Countess Bruce,

Your Majesty?

Uh, yes. Yes, I was,

but... maybe it's best...

- ... not to disturb her. - There! There!

Unless, of course, you like that sort of thing.

I'm a married woman, Your Majesty. I've nothing to do with that...

Would you tell her that she and Lieutenant Potemkin

are invited to play cards tomorrow night?

The lieutenant made a most favorable impression.

Yes, Your Majesty.

They wanted you to see it had been done, Your Majesty.

Violence is disgusting, but...

No one else knows?

Mirovich is under guard.

He knows they were under orders to kill Ivan.

I am afraid everyone will assume that...

it came from you.

Anyone with a claim to the throne is a danger to me.

Even this...

poor deranged creature.

- Even... - Your son. Your Majesty?

Paul is easily led.

There are unscrupulous people in Russia.

Fortunately, I am one of them.

So as you know.

We could offer Mirovich

a last minute pardon on the scaffold,

on the condition that he does not say anything

about the death of this gentleman.

"We"? Are you suggesting that I offer him a pardon?

It is obviously important to show firmness.

A public execution does that, but...

I also know that you are inclined to be merciful.

Hm. Not always.

Ask the girl who does my hair.

Showing mercy would be popular, Your Majesty.

It could be so.

I am inclined to mercy where I can be.

I hope by now, I...

understand the way your mind works, Your Majesty.

So do a lot of people.

Put your money down, gentlemen.

Bets on, bets on. Quickly.

Ah, you all lose.

It seems everyone knows everything nowadays.

The Archbishop has somehow found out

about the death of Prisoner Number One.

If he starts talking...

I've had him sent away before he does.

I think the English had the right idea

in the 16th century:

Getting rid of senior clergy and major nobility

- at the same time. - Well, Lieutenant.

Not only good-looking but clever, too.

I'm lucky to have found you.

For those in power must learn to be criminal.

What is any kingdom but

a great piece of highway robbery, after all?

Saint Augustine?

Yes.

He reads as well!

But will you fight for Her Majesty,

and not just feed her smart remarks?

Isn't a war with the Turks coming any day now?

Will you fight for the Empress?

To the death...

Your Majesty.

May I make a suggestion

- about this Mirovich? - No.

You may leave us, Grigory.

The rest of you can go, too.

I want to speak to Lieutenant Potemkin, alone.

Tell me.

- About? - Mirovich.

Your judgement of him was accurate.

He has done something very foolish.

Well, I know nothing about that affair, Your Majesty,

and I certainly will not raise his name in conversation.

Oh, I like you, Lieutenant.

You know, Panin has offered him a pardon;

that was the minister's idea, not mine.

And why would he do that?

Well, the danger is, you see,

a man who is about to die may say anything he wishes.

He may throw around wild accusations on the scaffold.

So... Minister Panin has led him to believe

that he is to expect a last minute reprieve

- on the scaffold... - Mm-hmm.

... in order to buy his silence.

But I mean, if you pardon him anyway, what...

Very good, Lieutenant.

If Mirovich is allowed to live, there's always a risk.

Always there to be used by your enemies,

to challenge your claim to the throne.

Quite.

I must say, I suspect Minister Panin's

sudden enthusiasm for a show of mercy...

The truth is I'm running out of people I can trust, Lieutenant.

Do you know...

I have never passed a sentence of death.

I always wanted to be a merciful, liberal ruler.

Must be a very difficult decision.

Mm.

But one that, in the end, only you can make.

Potemkin.

The coming man.

Well, success at court

is the quickest route to failure, I am told.

I hear you play billiards.

Very badly.

Then let us play for money.

A thousand. If you can sink it.

I tell you what.

If you give me thousand now,

if I miss I'll give it straight back,

plus an additional thousand. If I sink it, you give me five.

Five thousand.

What's so funny?

It's funny is it?

What do you gentlemen take me for? Hm?

Just another ambitious young man

who's come to court to make his money,

to lie and deceive and flatter his way to power?

Huh?

Yes, you think I want to shine, eh?

The way the rest of you guys shine.

Like rotten wood.

Well, there you have it. You owe me five thousand.

If you're men of your word, that is...

Boys, boys, boys, boys.

Huh?

Fuck off.

Oh, You've done it now.

You've killed the bastard.

He's better off dead.

You... Did you both kill the Emperor Peter?

Or was it just you, Alexei?

All right... All right. Get off.

A lively crowd, Your Majesty.

Yes. Yes, they are.

Our friend isn't showing much concern, is he?

He isn't.

I am glad Your Majesty has seen fit

to show mercy in this instance.

Did I say that was what I'd done?

By the grace of God, we, Catherine II,

the Empress and the autocrat of all Russia,

have uncovered a conspiracy to put an illegitimate

pretender on the throne, and have no hesitation

in ordering the supreme penalty for this hideous crime.

This is a mistake!

I was assured I would be pardoned!

This is a mistake!

I was assured I would be pardoned!

She murdered our true emperor!

You all know she did!

- No! No! - You're the traitor!

What have you done?

I spoke to him myself.

I never told him anything.

What are you doing?

Isn't it obvious? I'm writing.

What about?

Ideas about equality for everyone under the law.

They're just ideas at the moment, but...

It feels like something has changed.

Between us...

I will always love you...

but it is over between us.

Why?

Because you have fallen out of love with me,

and you don't have the courage to say so.

Oh, I know all about those girls you screw,

even if I choose not to comment on it,

because I still care for you.

But you want something I cannot give you.

You want power.

Is that a bruise on your face?

Have you been fighting?

This fucking thing...

Pushes my tits out too far.

Can't go to the ball.

Your Majesty!

Splendid you look!

Your Majesty, so nice to see you.

How do we look, Your Majesty?

I think one of you looks like a lesbian,

and I'm not quite sure which one!

I'm looking for Potemkin.

Too much rouge on this side.

Engorgement not quite right.

I can't let her see me like this.

Well...

I think your neckline may be too low, but...

I can't... Like this?

You poor thing.

You really are in love with her, aren't you?

I'm a woman, Auntie, and I'm pregnant.

How could that happen?

You should get rid of that fool.

Whatever you're paying for his jokes is too much.

You can have my head whenever you need it, Auntie.

I keep a spare head.

I kept this one from my last job.

Oh, didn't she like your jokes?

You handsome bastard.

I am Victor Heinrich Emanuel, the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt

- Your Majesty. - Mm.

I hear you look for a wife for Prince Paul.

I have three attractive daughters...

- Yes, very beautiful. - This is my wife...

Very beautiful.

Lieutenant Potemkin!

I should have killed him.

I'm not going to ask who did this to you.

And let us not think about revenge.

Yet. Come.

You know, we'll do great things together.

And don't worry, you will have your day.

They will not go unpunished.

And you will blossom.

But not yet,

'cause the Turks are preparing for war.

We need men like you.

Now, let's celebrate new beginnings.

I want something Russian!

Synced & corrected by QueenMaddie www.addic7ed.com