All language subtitles for CHAHINE Youssef - Al Massir (Destiny - 1997 - Separate Eng Subs)

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Languedoc - 12th century

Joseph, my son!
Take your mother and go!

"By order
of the Holy Church of Languedoc,

"the Tribunal of the lnquisition

"sentences the heretic
Gerard Breuil

"to be burnt at the stake,
along with all his writings,

"for straying
from the way of Our Lord

"and translating
the work of the heretic Averroes."

DESTINY

Joseph...

your mother is dead.

Calm down.

Go... I'll take care of everything.

Andalusia - 1 2th century

Long live Caliph Mansur!

Long live Caliph Mansur!

Long live the victor of Alarcos!

You praise him,
like these infidels?

I have orders:
flatter him until he bursts.

Join in!

I'll give you 5 dinars.

Are you joking?
This book comes from Baghdad!

The Caliph would pay
1 00 dinars for it!

He'd bargain with a wretch like you?

I'll buy it.

If I don't buy it for
the Caliph's library, he'll slay me.

I need it for my studies.
I can barely

afford it.

For your studies?

Then take it. It's yours.

I'll let you have it
for 7 dinars.

All I have is five.

You've earned it, wretch.

Where can I find Averroes,
the High Judge?

He's my teacher.
I'll take you to him.

Wasting such blue eyes on a boy...

how unfair!

Eat! You're all skin and bones!

There's enough for an army!

She complains that I'm stingy

but she feeds
the whole neighborhood.

If it weren't for me,
you'd all look like him!

Our eyes would turn blue?

Don't take another bite.
Manuela will put a curse

on anyone
who doesn't taste her biscuits.

She's challenging me again?
Go get my date bread.

Just one bite
and she'll turn green with envy.

- Take it to her.
- I'm no delivery boy!

I'm the son of the Caliph!

As modest as his father.

Tell on me then, Uncle!

If I were your father,
I'd disown you!

I'm going dancing!

Unbelievable! The Caliph's
son wants to be a dancer!

We call this culture?

At his age, I could dance
for three days straight!

Come to the inn, Blue Eyes,
or they'll stuff you till you burst.

I should stay.

I'm warning you...

they go to bed when the sun sets.

Abdallah, you forgot these.

I'll lock you in a dungeon
filled with books!

Finally...

Is Your Highness sick?

Do I have to be sick to see you?

Let's play.

- At this hour?
- I can't sleep.

I've been back from the war
for four days.

Where were you?

What's wrong?

It's my sons, Nasser and Abdallah.

They're failures.

You're finally thinking about them!

They're vulnerable.

What do you expect of them?

What do you want them to be:
thinking men or lackeys?

I've run circles around
the Spaniards.

- We're talking about your sons.
- You're obsessed!

You're the one who's worried!

All that interests Nasser
is horses and girls.

And Abdallah is beyond all hope.

If I lock him in his room,
he escapes.

I threaten him...

I even beat him,
but it's hopeless.

He slips away.

Give him real responsibilities.

You treat him like a mere servant.

All he's good for
is gypsy dancing.

If you saw how he danced...

Dancing!

My son, a dancer!

And what if he's happy dancing?

When my daughter disagrees with me,

she just blurts out:
"You're wrong!"

Instead of being
our children's enemies,

Iet's try to persuade them.

Childish soul-searching
pales in comparison

with the reality of Conquest!

Checkmate.

All the better!

You see? I'm unbeatable!

Goodnight.

Stay and learn to play.

If I don't get to bed,
I'll collapse.

- You're like Abdallah!
- We both love life!

Don't... I'm scared.

No... We want each other.

It's simple...

Get dressed.
Help me to stay chaste.

That's ridiculous.

I'm hiding our relationship
from Manuela.

Lying to my own sister!

Did you tell anyone?

I want to tell the whole world!

Abdallah loves Sarah.
He's wild about her.

Too bad she doesn't...

No, I love you too.

Terribly...

Mere words...

If Manuela finds out,
she'll kill me.

- She trusts me.
- And you're betraying her.

It's not my fault...
It's the Devil.

He's a naughty boy...
a dirty little rascal.

Every time we meet, I feel

it's going to be the last.

The son of the Caliph
and a poor gypsy girl...

You may think I'm strange...

but that's just the way I am.

Soad!

At your service.

They're staring at Abdallah.

When you're a Caliph's son,
people stare.

You're worried sick,
as if he were your own son.

I'd take a son like him any day,
faults and all!

He's sulking.

He won't speak to anyone.

Get him to dance. He's dying to...

The son of the Caliph?

You're all out of your minds!

He's had too much to drink.

Quiet, please!

I have a poem.

Loving you is a slow death.
My heart grieves.

And when my torment
becomes unbearable,

I invoke my woeful heart and shout:

"Why pine away
for someone who ignores you?

"Why care for so uncaring
a creature?

"You, prisoner of pride
and vanity."

Such depth in so few words...

It's by Abu Nawas.

It's amazing!

You're so young...

and already a genius!

Stay with us a while.

Share your learning with us.

What does "prisoner of pride" mean?

It's sort of what happens
when your heart is sort of...

It comes from deep inside.
Sort of.

I'm overwhelmed.

I'll never attain
your level of insight.

Only a true thinker

can appreciate such verse.

You're a born poet.

Every word you say is like...

A pearl!

A string of pearls!

A Caliph's son
mixing with commoners!

You're modesty itself!
People like you are rare.

God keep you for your people.

If only you could spend
all night with us...

The night is still young.

We can wait.

Hear me, lovers of life.

Hearts are ablaze

in the bonfire of love.

If the moon hid itself,

a thousand other moons

would light up the night.

They'd open the way

for a thousand paths
to the impossible.

Even if you're late,
rosy sunrise,

source of life,
we know you'll come back.

You'll dazzle our eyes
and brighten our souls,

and you'll make us
masters of our destiny.

We'll dance as we please.

And our dreams will dance
deep in our hearts...

Jezebel!

We defy life with song.

We defy life with song.

Our hearts keep the beat.

Our voices sing the tune.

Our feet

stomp to the rhythm.

Make haste.

The road we must travel is long...

and we have no other.

Every step we take
is a burning torch

guiding us on our way.

We will not go astray.

Dawn comes, lighting our way

to a shimmering day.

Dawn comes, lighting our way

to a shimmering day.

And if attacked,

our dreams fight back.

Resist! Fight!

And vanquish!

We must remain
masters of our destiny.

- Let's go.
- Not without him.

The Caliph's son?

I have orders.

They said:
"Don't come back without him."

- He'll slip away.
- You think so?

Here he comes.

Poet!

- Will you join us?
- Why not?

You won't be disappointed.

Say you're sorry! Say it!

How can l? You're gagging me!

Hearts are ablaze...

Let's go pray

so God will forgive us
for last night's excesses.

What excesses?

Dancing? I love dancing.

Of course. Dancing is wonderful.

You sway your head

invoking the name of the Lord.

Your soul follows the rhythm...

O God, you command us
and condemn us to silence.

Let us be content
with whatever you bestow on us.

He who joins us

will attain bliss
and obtain redemption.

He who spurns us

will be forever damned.

Obeying our Emir

is our supreme desire.

Obeying our Emir

is our supreme desire.

Bless us!

Emir, bless us!

Is anything wrong?

No, I'm fine.

A lazy fool learns two verses
of the Koran and passes himself off

as a purveyor of divine truth.
Is this man pious?

A true understanding of these texts

requires years of reflection,
research and labor.

If we believe
these self-proclaimed geniuses,

we disregard this Koranic verse:

"In the name of Allah the merciful:

"The ignorant man, whose vain words
lead astray from the way of God

"and take it in mockery will be
met by a humbling chastisement.

"True is the word
of Almighty God."

No one can claim
to know the whole truth.

Not even Caliph Mansur?

The lmam Malek said,
pointing to the Prophet's tomb:

"Every man can be questioned
except for him who lies here."

The lmam EI Chafei said:

"A true opinion can seem false

"and a false opinion, true."

Averroes outsmarted him.

Borhan is inept.

Be patient.

Borhan is craftier than you think.
You'll see.

The Koran is clear.
Are you inciting us to doubt it?

The Prophet said:

"If your quest leads to truth,
you will have two parts.

"If it leads to error, one part.
All quests are rewarded."

"Lord, increase me in knowledge."

Knowledge? What about faith?

Are you contesting God?

He outsmarted him again!

Averroes said: "Revelation
can be interpreted only by study."

We should have answered:

"The Text allows no
interpretation."

If you're so clever,
answer him yourself

and get your own flock of admirers.

We have to silence Averroes.

We must coerce the Caliph
into forbidding him to teach.

There's no use bickering.

We'll take the necessary measures.

"Be patient as the Messengers
possessed of constancy."

They leave the mosque one by one,

pretending your lesson bores them.

It's surely a ruse
plotted by an invidious mind.

I should "plot"
a little song for them...

Careful.
Your song could cost you your life.

What happened?

Not now...

Everyone, out!

A pretty girl like you
taking care of the laundry.

And not of you?

I'm ready and willing
to help you discover

the pleasures of this world.

The nerve of you!

Son of a Caliph or not,
if you keep at it, I'll slap you!

I'll throw you in jail
and tickle you to death.

Brute!

He'll be on his feet
in a week or so.

For the time being,
he needs to rest.

Good going, Nasser.

Removing the knife
would have killed him.

Did you see who attacked him?

He was about twenty...
with a crazed look in his eyes.

- Why didn't you catch him?
- And leave Marwan?

Smart thinking!

My horse kicked one of them
in the face.

I'd recognize the hoof-print.

Do something
or every philosopher will perish.

Marwan, a philosopher?

His songs belittle my father.

It's your father's fault.
He's giving the fanatics free rein.

If I were in charge, I'd show you!

I can just see you
on the throne.

Over there. Get off my "throne".

Marwan!

Shut the gates.

I'm looking after my husband now!
Understand?

The security of the Almohad dynasty
has never been so threatened.

Where have you been,
High Judge Averroes?

And you, governor of Cordoba?
And you, the crown prince?

The country is foundering.

After all we've done,
who would dare protest?

People are exploiting religion

and you're letting them.

They're the only ones we hear
in the mosques.

You'd be heard
if you were as eloquent as these

men of faith.

Merchants of faith, if you ask me.

Whether they rant on
about Arab victories

or about religion, they're only
defending their interests.

Stop philosophizing.
We're talking about one man.

- It's not...
- Nasser!

Find the assailant
and have him executed.

It's not a man, but a movement
gnawing away at your authority.

No movement in the world
can shake my throne.

These barbarians
are jeopardizing our culture.

What are you waiting for?
Go execute my sentence.

Have the assailant interrogated.

He may tell us
what's ailing our country.

The country isn't ailing.
It's in fine shape.

The danger is real.

They're a menace to the whole realm,
not just Andalusia.

They've indoctrinated
thousands of young people.

By magic?

I think the assailant
was manipulated by conspirators.

Let the law decide.

Show in the commander
of the cavalry.

In my opinion...

You have opinions now?

Opinions, positions...

Convictions, too.
A lot more than you think.

Why not take my throne from me?

Turn my people into a dance troupe!

If my ideas bore you,
I'll go elsewhere.

Find a mosque
and speak your heart out!

Why not?
I have a mouth...

You do.
It's a brain you don't have.

God help you.

- What?
- God bless you.

High Judge!

Does he deserve to die?

The Caliph's moods
have replaced our laws.

Go kill the boy.
Obey your father's orders!

His Highness
demands blind allegiance.

- Maybe I should...
- You decide.

If I were you, I'd think it over.

Think hard.

This is only the beginning!

My son!

My child!

Why arrest him?
Anyone could have done it!

Where are you taking him?

Did you attack Marwan
because of his poems?

- I've never read them.
- Why then?

If God lets me live,
I'll stab him again.

He's the enemy of God.

- You didn't dress your wound.
- It's a sin.

Who told you
Marwan is an enemy of God?

Good Muslims don't sing.

He's stark-raving mad.

He repeats like a parrot
without understanding.

How do they kill all feelings
in these boys

and turn them into criminals?

He has a brother
who escaped from the sect.

He tried to kill him too.

I'd like to meet the brother.

I'll get him.

No... Iet's go to his house.

They made my head spin with flattery.
I believed them...

"You're so smart... so unique...

"Every word you speak is a pearl.
Show us the way...

"Let's go spend a few days
in the desert.

"If we meditate together,
we'll be as one.

"Nothing will ever tear us apart."

Then they began to wear us down.

Praying until dawn,
marching through the desert...

endlessly...

in the burning sun.

Not knowing
where we were going, or why...

Our feet burnt by the sand.

"It purifies the soul
and strengthens the will."

In fact, it shattered our wills.

We became slaves to the Emir's will.

I was instructed to tell people

that they had become impious,

that they had to regain
the path to Truth.

Follow my advice
and you'll see the way.

Just like our Emir, who sees all,

past, present and future...

One day,
he saw me steal from my mother

and stick my finger in her eye.

He shouted:
"You shall deliver the world

from the enemies of God!"

He guides my weapon.

Every throat I cut

takes me one step closer
to Paradise.

Yesterday

he had a vision:
I was dressed in white,

on my way to Paradise.

Everything I'd ever longed for

was laid out before me.

That can only mean

that I'm very close

to being delivered.

How about me?

We chose you, didn't we?

I shouldn't tell you this...

The Emir had a vision of you
ruling over Andalusia

with all of us at your feet.

We are your true family.

Flee those
who are in the clutches of the Devil.

Open your heart
and tell me all about yourself.

All right?

All right.

What does your son do?

Nothing at all! Everyone
says he's a good-for-nothing!

He should find a job!

You find him one!
You know lots of people.

You're an important man.

What can he do?

He never liked studying.
He likes giving orders.

Make a soldier out of him!

Someone told him:
"Learn a few verses

and you can order people around."

Who wants to keep on being
a good-for-nothing?

Does murder make you
good for something?

- Answer me.
- Stop harassing him!

Has he lost his tongue?

He's been silent for a month.
When he does talk, he says:

"I'll make you rich,
you and all the neighbors!"

Then he goes back to bed
and he sleeps. And sleeps!

Once thoroughly exhausted,

you're ready to obey any orders.
If they say

"Kill your father," you do it.

And if you get caught,
they're the first to turn on you.

What do you think, Sheik Riad?

Can someone regain his dignity
by stabbing a poet?

The only right way
is the way of the Lord.

Had Marwan lost his way?

Marwan is old enough
to know right from wrong.

"Evil is self-evident."

Can these three children
tell good from evil?

It's up to the High Judge to decide.

God says:
"He who smites shall be smitten."

If they are executed,
they'll say they're martyrs

on the way to Paradise.

It's better that they enjoy
their lives on earth!

"For this world,
act as if you were eternal,

for the next,
as if you must die tomorrow."

He's a child!

What does he know

about death and eternity?

Quiet! Listen to the judgement.

Revelation is destined
only to those endowed with Reason.

That is, mankind.

Divine law combines
Revelation and Reason.

It consists in determining
causes and effects,

means and ends.

Revelation encompasses Reason
and Reason encompasses Revelation.

Certain children
confuse religion and ignorance.

Certain adults turn ignorance
into a religion.

Our young defendants
were led into perdition.

Without realizing it,
they were forced astray.

In its great equity,
lslam refuses

to condemn an unsound mind.

The High Court abstains
from capital punishment

and sentences the accused
to five years in prison.

"God shall not be questioned,
but they shall be questioned."

He deserved to die.

Is our house so terrible?

There's plenty to eat and drink.

We all help each other.

But no. He wants everyone
to obey him and call him "Emir".

My son, the frog,
wants to be a prince.

What's the joy in giving orders?

The judge won't change his mind,
will he?

I trust Averroes.

From your mouth to God's ears!
Long live Averroes!

May God illuminate your way
with His heavenly light!

You're madmen talking about reason!

What more do you want?
The boys confessed.

You flouted my authority
by sparing him.

The country is going to the dogs!

Didn't I order him to be killed?

Listen to me, brother.
The boy is only eighteen.

Fate saved Marwan
by averting his knife.

Marwan has forgiven him.

Marwan?

Since when is Marwan a judge?

How can I protect you?

They weren't responsible
for their acts.

Sheik Riad says otherwise.
So does the Council of Theologians.

I decide
what's in the country's interest.

Not Sheik Riad. Not you.
Me.

You refuse all advice?

The Council agrees with me.

They're very unhappy
with your verdict.

The Sheik is scheming...

The same old hallucinations...

Maybe.

As long as I'm Judge,
my conscience will guide me.

Even if I lose face?

Brother,
your dignity is not in question.

You've always been merciful.
Think of the lives at stake.

I won't go back on my word.

This time, tragedy struck
the sons of your citizens.

Next time,
it may strike your own sons.

- I can protect them.
- Lucky for them.

But don't forget:
Your citizens are your sons too.

- Where is Saad?
- The brother?

I found him a job.

If you can't hide him, I will.

How beautiful!

Our city must be...

the envy of the whole world.

Why did that idiot Emir of yours
send Borhan to my house?

One more blunder
and I'll cut off his funding.

Better yet... his head.

- I have a request.
- I paid you.

Three "suicides"...
I've had to shut some mouths.

I have a favor to ask.
I can be of use to you.

Speak.

I want to become a judge again
and regain my lost honor.

Averroes branded me
a common thief.

You were stupid.

He caught you accepting bribes.
He's alert.

I'm not after his position.

I just want to be a judge again.

Why are you aiming so low?

You could take his place.

You have a pretty face.

Your beard is reason enough
for me to give you his job.

By resigning,
you accuse my father.

He's your best friend.

You refuse him the benefit
of the doubt you give to criminals.

How can your father ignore
what's going on?

Those boys were bound
hand and foot

and hanged in nooses
made of their clothes.

It's their custom!

When they're caught,
they commit suicide!

No, they were "suicided"
so they can't talk!

The sects are all over.

Not in my courts!

That would be the death
of Andalusia.

The Caliph is not above the law.

He too is accountable for his acts.

Decadence is gnawing away
at kingdoms everywhere.

Lies and corruption
have replaced justice and morality.

There's more at stake
than a few dead boys.

Our culture, whose source is lslam,
is threatened.

My father is protecting it!

He built you a library!

He had you analyze Aristotle!

You wrote your commentaries
thanks to him!

And thanks to him,
my mother had me! Say it!

Here's my resignation.

You're not through with me yet.

I knew it.
Averroes would never abandon us

and leave Sheik Riad
to do as he pleases.

He expected a death sentence
from you.

It was in his interest.

And you outfoxed him.

- Three boys were killed!
- Every cloud has a silver lining.

What do you mean?

Forget my father.
Let's keep an eye on Sheik Riad.

Get up.

Get up and pray.

There's the east.

Get up!

Die, but die pure.

Marwan asked you here
because he loves you.

He's been waiting for you all week.

Why didn't you come?

My only duty
is to avoid the Demon.

Who is the Demon? Me? Marwan?

Or his assailant?

If you were pure,
you'd know who attacked him.

Thank God, there are serene people
who see clearly.

What do these geniuses say?

The true culprit is in the palace.

Your father?
The Caliph doesn't need mercenaries.

Are you crazy? Your father!

"Darkness swallows up stray souls."

Your father?

"Abandon all Evil
and you shall be saved."

God keep you.

Abdallah!

Manuela,
you're the only person I still love.

Don't make me hate you.

What's gotten into him?

He's running away from me.

Because I'm pregnant.

With Abdallah's child?

The Caliph's son? Woe betide us!

Sarah's carrying Abdallah's child.

That explains his behavior.

When his father learns
a gypsy will inherit the throne,

he'll slit the baby's throat!

If he came back, then he loves you.
That's all that counts.

He's crazy. She'd best forget him.

I'll never be able to forget him!

Neither will l.
We're the ones to blame.

We brought them together.
It's not Sarah's fault.

Or Abdallah's.

I'll raise the child myself.
No one will know a thing!

Are you moving, Joseph?

I'm looking for a safe hiding place.
You never know...

This is his life's work.

The house of the High Judge
isn't safe enough?

You must have a special place
where you keep your valuables.

You mean my jewels?
I've never had any!

Averroes is poor?

He spends everything
on his books and students.

Come here...
Put them in the cellar.

Put them behind the sacks of flour.

Take this.

Aristotle!

Even without gallows...

You're driving me crazy
with your gallows!

One more word
about criminals and executioners

and I'll send the lamb next door!

- I'll let you starve!
- Let's talk about happiness.

Come sit next to me.

Come here, my love...

What is happiness?

At daybreak,
after I prepare your tea,

I go back to bed and the rest
of the world can go to hell.

It's pure bliss...

What else?

When Salma was born, she didn't
even cry. I thought I'd die!

Then she started gurgling.
I looked at her. She was so pretty...

Gorgeous!

Salma, here we are!
I've brought Marwan!

It's been ages!

Marwan's back!

I'm fine, thank God.
It's good to see you all again!

You're back on your feet...

Manuela is grateful
for all you've done.

How is my queen doing?

Nasser, you behaved like a true hero.

Sing your song
to your heart's content,

for we can still sing.

And we'll keep on singing

day in, day out,
for the rest of our lives...

No, come back!

Come on...

What a catastrophe!

- Take shelter!
- All my books... destroyed!

All your books are here.
None are missing.

They're all here.

Your "Commentary on Aristotle"...

A little messy, but intact.

My "Aristotle"...
I can't believe it.

You're the best!

How did you guess?

Son of a witch!

All this for a bean-pole
who saves some books!

I save his life
and what do I get? Nothing!

A book is worth a hundred lives.

Maybe not for me...
but for Averroes.

- This is getting serious.
- Maybe Joseph forgot a lamp.

No, this is Sheik Riad's doing.

Before, he just wanted
to distract us.

Now he'll use arson and murder
to silence us.

How evil!

A pure man like you cannot imagine
that others can stoop so low.

You're pure too.

Even I have a hard time
believing it.

Sheik Riad craves power
for power's sake.

If my suspicions are founded,
he should hang ten times.

He's the richest man in the land.
What more could he want?

Power...

He'd do anything for it.
He's driven by hunger...

Does my father know?

I sincerely hope so.

Sheik Riad is loyal.
Don't be ridiculous.

He has always stood by my side.

You gave him a lot of land
in return.

Does he want all Andalusia?

I need him.

People respect him.
Let me rule my country.

And get rid of Averroes?

Sheik Riad, the man you accuse,

opposes the fatwa
that the Council demands.

They want to burn
all of Averroes' books.

This one above all.

"The lncoherence of lncoherence."
I've read it.

You understand their dismay.

So that's why they set fire
to his library.

They all seem to agree with Ghazali.

He's a great thinker
and Averroes says he's wrong.

What if Averroes is right?

He's too sure of himself.

He lacks modesty.

He insists on calling me "brother".

Where did he get that from?

Are we related now?

I had no idea.
Your uncle is his latest dupe.

My uncle loves him.

That may be our downfall.

Do you realize
what a fatwa means?

The annihilation
of all of Averroes' works.

As if he never existed.

What are you making?

A basket.

So Sheik Riad's protecting me?

From which fatwa?

The one he recommended
to the Council.

- You knew about it?
- Of course.

And you didn't tell us?

It's a sword
hanging over our heads...

- My father will intervene.
- No, he won't.

This is all so sad...

The two of you were so close.

Sheik Riad has spoiled that now.

This is the logical consequence
of my acts.

I have to accept it.

This fatwa threatens
more than your books.

Your life is danger.

We all have to die someday.

I'd rather die in bed,
surrounded by weeping women.

Lots of flowers
and a stately funeral...

But what's the difference
if I die in a street?

That's suicide!

- What's wrong with him?
- Nothing!

He confronts hardships
that would topple a mountain!

Only I can understand him.

Get back to your work.

How many students has he had?

He's educated at least one son
in every family.

He's taught a lot and given much.

With one hundred students,
we can recopy his work in two weeks.

Two copies of each book.

Nasser...
are there rumors in the palace?

- Let's make...
- Three copies of each!

Manuela, Sarah and I
will work day and night.

Manuela?
This is supposed to be a secret!

Manuela outrivals
you and your ancestors!

She's educated!
She swears in 5 languages!

I'll take a copy to France.

- It's too dangerous!
- It's to save my uncle's work.

I was thinking that...

Is Blue Eyes predicting
the future again?

Forget France!
I'll take them to Marrakesh.

Everyone's a relative there.

Joseph wants to help
and you give him a hard time!

I'm starting now.

I know his work by heart.
I'll dictate.

I'll do these with Manuela and Sarah.

If you so much as blink,
I'll hang you from the minaret.

Understood?

Uncle, Averroes must know nothing
of our voyages.

From me? My lips are sealed.

Wisdom guides
the virtuous theologian

in his study
of what we call "syllogism".

And divine law
guides the philosopher

in his study
of what we call "reason".

Reason is the study of divine law.
Philosophy is the study of wisdom.

Everything that has been deduced

from divine law
is subject to interpretation.

No devout Muslim can doubt this.

Reason is the sister of divine law.

The supposed conflict between them

is a malicious invention.

Taste this.

Why are you wearing all that?

Have you caught cold?

Aunt Zeinab,
I want you to know...

you're like a mother to me.

Not now.

Taste this.

Your blue eyes tell me
you're leaving.

You're going home?

My heart tells me
you'll soon be back.

I'll put aside
a jar of dates for you.

I'll be back... I promise.

It's safer if you travel by night.

It's best
if I mix with the crowds.

If my father had done that,
he'd still be alive.

You're like a brother.

But... I'm in love
with someone else.

With Nasser.

My country is full of ignorance
and misery, but I love it.

I have to go pass on to them
what I've learned here.

Come what may?

You really do love Averroes.

I'm not the only one...

This is a letter for him.

That's his most important book.
Have a safe trip.

Tell your people

that what we Arabs respect most
is loyalty.

And tell your people
that what we Christians respect most

is honesty.

The best moments of my life
were those I spent with you.

But what can be better

than saving books
that will enlighten mankind?

Your benevolence and kindness
have overwhelmed me.

After everything I've learned,

I couldn't risk
your forbidding me to go.

This decision comes from deep
within me. It is entirely mine.

If you won't forgive me,

at least be indulgent.

You said: "Wherever we are,
knowledge is a homeland

and ignorance, a foreign place."

I promise to return
to the land of humanism

and of love.

Your son, Joseph.

Manuela thinks
that Abdallah has joined a sect.

They've been stalking him.

They nabbed him at the inn.

He kept going to the desert
and coming back covered with sand.

He told me to mind my own business.
Now he's gone again.

Does Marwan know?

Marwan was half-dead
and Abdallah told him to pray.

He told me:
"The real culprit is in the palace."

I said:
"Your father? You're crazy!"

And you kept quiet?

I thought he was avoiding Sarah.

What for? What a bunch of idiots!

Marwan, I need to see you.

Did you know about Joseph?

Yes, I did.

He can save your books if he wants.
We all can.

Stay seated.

What would a member of a sect
be learning

in his third week of training?

How to handle arms.

Where would that happen?

Wait for the water to settle!

What are you doing?

The more water, the more you see.

If he knew
you were improving his invention,

Alhazen would roll over in his grave.

I'm here to find Abdallah.

That's all.

It won't be easy to get in there.

If you see him there,
come tell me.

Get some rest. We'll keep watch.

Are you crazy?

Here?

Instead of sitting around...

Iet's make a baby.

If we were able to,
Abdallah would worry us less.

So then, let's just make love.

Say yes
and I'll get Abdallah back.

It'll help me concentrate.

You filthy brute!

Worse than the gypsies!

You're obsessed.

Hands off
or I'll scratch out your eyes.

And I'll pull out your hair...

Get it?

Now you try.

Wait until you hear
someone shout "His Grace!"

Then get a good look.

He only shows his face
once a year.

Marwan, get up!

Abdallah's there! I saw him!

His Grace!

An angel...

There are a lot of them.

Protect the Emir!

Have them move back!

Get back!

I want him on my horse.

Can't you hear?
Get him on the horse!

Abdallah!

Tie his hands behind his back.

Go join the others.

You too.

Stand up!

We're respecting
our agreement with Sheik Riad.

We attack in two weeks.
We expect Cordoba to be ready.

No fighting. No resistance.

Everything is in place.

Sheik Riad will seem
the perfect patriot.

I trust him implicitly.

Why would he risk losing what
he's strived for all these years?

The battle will allow us
to eliminate Mansur.

- And his heirs?
- His sons?

One babbles with the philosophers,
the other eats out of our hands.

And the philosophers?

By the time they're understood,
we'll be in power.

- You're well-informed.
- With all due modesty...

Smuggling books... What decadence!

Where were you?
The whole palace is looking for you!

"The infidels and blasphemers
will burn in Hell."

Then to hell with all of us!

Why were you with those fanatics?

You've made a mess of your life.

- You have no right to question me.
- But I am.

Answer me!

You want to kill Marwan?

Why not kill me?

Or our father?

Kill him.

"They'll suffer shame in this world
and a mighty chastisement in the next."

Out of my house, you lout!

- Madwoman!
- Go away!

He's the crown prince!

Does that allow him
to hit his brother?

This is my house! I pay the tithe.
So get out!

Who is he?

Just the crown prince.

Welcome to our humble home.

He's not welcome at all!

Why not?

He's a brute
who hits his brother!

Your brother hits you all the time.

He's a brute too!

- Even your father. Look.
- Mother, not now.

Stay put or you're dead!

He'll stay here
until he's back in shape.

You may be a son to me,
but none of your tricks.

Be a good boy.
I'll make you some saffron rice.

We'll celebrate.
He'll sing and dance like before.

Averroes was right.

Things are never as simple
as they seem.

Your assailants were like him.

He's a criminal too.

He should be punished.

He's your brother.

Where was he hiding all this hate?

Those lunatics unleashed it!

They're experts at instilling hate.

Go ask Averroes.

He knows their methods now.

And he says
to fight hate with hate?

The Christians
are pushing us into the sea.

You're busy playing
with the gypsies

while I'm here all by myself

building the greatest fleet
in history.

- This time, it's serious.
- No more than any other time!

Your lack of foresight
makes you an unworthy prince

and an unworthy human being.

And you consider yourself
a worthy father?

I'll forgive you.
They're not your words.

Averroes has managed
to turn you against me.

They kidnapped Abdallah
and shattered his will.

You told me
he joined them willingly.

They'll make a man of him.

- They'll make a criminal of him.
- Keep him under guard.

What else can I do for you?

Take us seriously.

I don't eat the food of sinners.

You've become too skinny.

- Your heart...
- My heart is my business.

Stomp on it, if you want.
But be careful...

I'm in it.

God alone is in my heart.

But God is love.

Our Emir eats only a date a day.

But you said he was an angel.

You and I are mortals.
Or have you become an angel?

Eat. You're skin and bones.

"To withstand God's ordeals
is a virtue."

Your brother is right.

They've hardened your heart.

Bon appetit!

Sing your song
to your heart's content

for we can still sing.

And we'll keep on singing

day in, day out,
for the rest of our lives.

And if ever one day

they try to break you,

stand up tall

Iike the proud palm tree

reaching up to the sky.

Don't let them beat you.
Don't let them break you.

Don't let them scare you.

Be like a dream,
blossoming in the desert.

Sing your song
to your heart's content,

for we can still sing.

Only dancing can bring
him back to us.

Your song,
resounding amongst mankind,

will make the night's heart
beat with joy

and heal the wounds
of the innocent.

Will you dance?

I will too.

Despite myself, I'll dance too.

Despite myself... despite myself...
I'll dance too.

Until your dream
is entwined with mine...

despite myself, I'll dance too.

Soon enough,
you'll be dancing in hell!

Maybe. But look at you.

You've made your hell on earth!

Get off your horse.

Kneel down and beg for mercy.

Perfect.

Marwan!

All infidels will meet
the same fate.

We shall purge society
of the vile Mansur.

The country will now live according
to the precepts of God, his Prophet,

and his successor.

You're faced
with the choice of a lifetime.

If you want to,

take my horse, follow them.

I wish it had been you
who delivered the mortal blow.

To die by your hand...

what bliss...

He's dead!

Murderer!

I'm to blame for Marwan's death.

How presumptuous!

He alone decided to die.

For him, saving you was a duty.

- I'd never have thought...
- Thought?

You let others
do the thinking for you.

If you want a shoulder to cry on,
a word of warning:

I'm neither Marwan, nor your father.

- Marwan wasn't my father.
- He chose to be.

That's far more noble
than giving life.

He taught you to love life.

And he paid the price.

My real father never cared about me.

Every man has his limits.

Your father can't give
what he hasn't got.

You're no longer a child.

You're responsible for your choices.

You're too old to whine:
"Mother hit me, Father neglected me

"and he preferred my brother.

"I hate the whole world
so I'll accuse it of being impious."

That's too easy.

Too easy to justify
the laziness, hatred and jealousy

you carry within yourself
by blaming it on others.

Do you aspire to greatness?

You'll reach it
by doing something for others.

What's impious
is reveling in your hatred.

That's heresy!

- I want to spread God's word.
- Whose do I spread? The Devil's?

You?

Spreading God's word?

How presumptuous.

You're so hollow, you repeat
whatever nonsense you're told.

Learn a poem and a Koranic verse
and you're a poet and scholar?

What do you know
about medicine and astronomy,

about mathematics and chemistry...

about philosophy?

Do you know enough about love...

about truth...

about justice...

to claim to be able
to spread God's word?

Answer me!

Why do I keep on writing?

My ideas don't reach
anyone anymore!

Why should I wait for them
to burn my books?

I'll burn them myself!

It's every man for himself!

Let them burn!

Keep out of it!

I'm not an animal!

Animals have more heart

than you and your sect!

Do you understand?

Zeinab!

I was worse with him than they were.

God forgive me.

You kicked me out of your house...

And I'll do it again.

Do you want me to leave?

Nasser was Marwan's best friend.
He's come to console you.

You were all so handsome...

Three suns which merged into one...

Nasser...

Joseph...

and Marwan.

I've come to thank you
for the joy you gave him.

Thanks to you,
not only Marwan, but all of us

Iearned about the joy of life.

Still here?

You're not with your "friends"?

Marwan had to die?

- Nasser!
- How can you allow him here?

Marwan always looked after Abdallah
like a son.

Can't we forget? Can't we forgive?

Console him.
He's lost his father... Marwan.

Sing your song
to your heart's content,

for we can still sing.

Nasser!

Don't let yourself
be blinded by hate.

Saving this one book
was worth all the risks.

Read me something from it.

I'm going back.

You're resigning,
like a lowly employee?

Go, if you want to.

No one is indispensable to me.

I'll find ten others like you.

It's my father who appointed you.

I inherited you from him.

In that case, I may go...

You may not!

You're a commoner now.
You're subject to my whims.

Dismissed!

All this fuss
over the death of a cockroach.

They claim responsibility
for Marwan's death

and menace their enemies
with the same.

They undermine justice
and your authority.

Riad rules the streets.

Are you sure it's Sheik Riad
who rules the streets?

Or is it you?

Why not?

I'm not interested in power.

But you're interested in glory.
In immortality.

Living on for posterity.

Don't worry.
Sheik Riad knows his limits.

Let's hope so.

Show me a man
who is not a slave to his pride.

His place is in my heart.

You hate me.

I hate ignorance and vanity.

- You think I'm vain?
- I think Sheik Riad is.

No need to fear.
I'm more clever than he is.

Sit down.

Such is politics.

Politics without morality
is doomed to failure.

Don't you see? The political
situation decides for us.

Our conscience should decide.

If I didn't owe you some respect,
I'd destroy you.

Destroy me rather than
both yourself and the country.

I won't write anymore.

Then they've won.
They've broken you

and severed you from Mansur.

Had I stayed with him, I'd have
ended up hating him or myself.

If you could hate him,
you wouldn't be grieving.

A friend who is spurned seeks
revenge. He despises himself

for the love he once gave.

It's just me and you.

I esteem neither your politics
nor your company.

I'm not thrilled about yours either.

Go console your friend
in his fall.

- Providence is on his side.
- And not on mine?

I thought
no one was indispensable to you.

Can we really expect...

Can we expect
a man to be a great strategist,

a great leader
and a good, loving father?

We ask nothing of your father.

He is what he is.
We must make our own way.

My way is...

to Egypt.

Tomorrow at dawn.

Now that's a decision!
You better stick to it.

- You agree?
- I agree if the decision is yours,

if you put your father behind you,
if you forgive Abdallah

and if you say you love me
as I love you.

You're in love with Joseph.

The day he left, you stared
into his eyes from the roof.

My mother likes his blue eyes too.

I saw you kiss him!

He's the one who kissed me.

When you leave, I'll go to
the roof and stare at you.

Will you?

Swear to God that you'll marry me.

- Another decision!
- I'll tell your father.

- He knows I love you.
- You told him?

- My mother did.
- She knows?

Everyone knows but you.

Go. When you come back,
my trousseau will be ready.

I'll go faster than my shadow.

Father will refuse
your trip and our marriage.

- I demand both.
- Or nothing at all.

We'll stand up to him.

The two of us... together.

What are you waiting for?

Someone's permission?
Joseph would have...

Let them burn my books!
Someone else can write them!

Great thinkers don't grow on trees!

Too bad. Such is my destiny
and that of the nation.

I'm scared, but I'm letting him go.

You write books to incite people,

to rouse them, to make them think!

We have a right to take a stand
and share the risks!

She sounds just like her father!

Thank God
she looks like her mother!

Quiet! My husband is gorgeous!

I have to take responsibility
for my decisions.

Exactly.

Besides, I'm the Caliph's son.

I'll make myself respected.

No one will be able to stop me.

He's already proved his worth.

Salma and I are for.

He and I are against.

Are we?

How about me?

Salma and Nasser are for.
You and Abu Yehia are against.

I've always played fair.

I'm with them.
That makes three against two.

Isn't that right?

You're always right, my love.

Go... No one can deprive
the world of wisdom.

God keep you.

I'll do our children proud.

As soon as we have some.

Where are they?

Here and there.
They're approaching Guadalquivir.

They're a stone's throw away.
Where did we go wrong?

After Alarcos,
we wasted our fighting forces

in futile battles.
Our army has suffered.

Nothing I do is futile.

Sire...

The enemy is here
and we jabber away.

How about the enemies within?
They're undermining your power.

Your friend Averroes warned you.

If you mention his name again,
I'll throw you in jail!

Go ahead. You're the Caliph.

People bow,
even when you fart!

It's Averroes who divided
the nation!

He just happens to resign
when the enemy attacks.

He just happens to send my son
God knows where.

And the enemy happens
to read his books!

Do they contain military secrets?

Ideas belong to all of mankind.

Our kingdom was born of an idea.
Ideas will live on

Iong after you
and I fall into oblivion.

I'll win this battle.
It's his ideas that will perish.

Ideas have wings.
No one can stop their flight.

I can!

I'll have all his books burnt!
I'll banish him!

It'll be the end of Almohad culture
and all of Andalusia.

I am Andalusia!

Not him!

Open the doors!

Show Sheik Riad in.

Can you rally the people?

Of course.

How long will it take?

A day... a moment...

They're waiting for you.

Ever since our glorious Saladin
- God bless his soul -

set Jerusalem free,
unifying Arab people the world over,

Christians have sought revenge.

Their one wish
is to destroy our empire

which has enlightened the world
for over six centuries.

They want Andalusia to sink back
into misery and ignorance.

They'll burn our homes, kill our
children. They want our blood.

Can we let

the enemy take back the land

which our forefathers turned
into a paragon of civilization?

Can we?

God has given us a leader

even more glorious than Saladin!

Our mentor is pure.
He is courageous

and inspired.

Mansur the Victorious!

Commander of the believers
of Andalusia!

We are your soldiers,
Victorious One!

Glorious believers...

The world will soon know that
Paradise is for the pure of heart...

What happened, Sheik Riad?

You left during my speech.

It is you who inspires the people.

You and you alone.

Whatever you say
arouses their enthusiasm.

They hung upon your every word.

There's no use
talking about land and honor.

Just tell them

it's God's will.
Every one of them will obey.

You're a real saint.
And a clever one at that.

For foundering
in the ocean of illusion

and obscuring the people's
judgement,

the Caliph forbids
the following people from teaching

in schools and mosques.
Furthermore, the Caliph orders

that their books be burnt in public

and that they be banished.

It's Averroes!

Are you hurt?

Al-Razi, only you
can be entrusted with this.

I don't always agree
with what Averroes says,

but under such circumstances

it is my duty to save these books.

My father has great respect
for Averroes, but...

He ordered these books burnt
and their author banished.

It will soon take effect.

I learned of this yesterday.

Sheik Riad has won.

Run back to Averroes.

If he sees his books burn

without knowing they've been saved,

he'd die.

"Commentary on Aristotle
by Averroes of Andalusia"

"The lncoherence of lncoherence"

Subjective, conflicting
interpretations of divine law

which assert their veracity
above all others

have torn the country apart.

We are all to be held responsible
for these rifts,

for these schisms.

Tell her she's wrong!

No, your mother is right.

Everything stays but the bench.

Take the cupboard
while you're at it!

Remember?

Life is so cruel with us.

Leaving everything...

We've been through worse.
As long as we're together...

we'll pull through.

Tell me...

Do you remember this bench?

Of course I do.
I thought you'd forgotten.

Our first night...

On the bench... God forgive you!

Thank God, you're safe.

Nasser's back.

I want him docile

or I want him dead.

Meeting like this is a true
blessing.

Indeed.

I'm going to betray
one of Sheik Riad's secrets.

The Spaniards want peace.

Who wouldn't?

"If they incline to peace,
incline to it."

They want us to reduce the army
and give out some gifts

to pacify the people
and make them amenable.

Trade will thrive.
We all stand to profit from it.

What does the Caliph
of Andalusia think?

My father is the Caliph
of Andalusia.

Al-Mansur.

He's given enough.
He deserves a long rest.

I've been trained to kill you.

From behind?

Go ahead...

Won't your hand obey?
Do it.

I could have
if they'd reached my heart.

But they only played with my mind.

Who's "they"?

Those you wish to please
by burning his books.

Justice is done!

Too late.

I know your books are safe in Egypt.

Of course...

Abdallah almost killed me.

Sheik Riad has sided with
the Spaniards.

I was offered your throne.

They lost.

I'm ready to fight now.

So am l.

Heaven has answered your prayers,
Sheik Riad. Enter.

Not thwarting Averroes' plans

would have been disastrous.

He can do us no more harm.

Now that we are unified,
we can confront the enemy together.

You and your sects
will go to the front line.

As a shield.

An example for those willing to die
in the name of lslam.

Victory or death...
both lead to Paradise.

- I'm not a warrior.
- Come now!

Your eloquence alone
gets the masses marching!

Have you nothing to say, Sheik Riad?

Who'll run the country?

No one. It will run itself.

- The philosophers can do no more harm.
- I'm an old man.

Don't underestimate yourself!
You're in fine health!

I know my dream will come true.

I saw you leading the army,
charging with the troops,

dressed in white, a sword in hand.

- I've never held a weapon.
- Now's your chance!

The mettle of a warrior
is apparent only in battle.

- Sword against sword.
- Take mine.

We know that the enemy
is gathering near Jaen.

Get your men ready.
We attack at daybreak.

We're attacking them at Jaen?

That's what our new "general"
will tell them.

- We'll attack at Alarcos.
- Perfect.

Sire...

Averroes' books are safe.

I took a copy of each to Egypt.

Thank God.

That was a wise thing to do.
Thank you.

May I tell him?

We set off in an hour.

I won't be long.

Will you restore him his honors?

I accused him of treason.
Shall I contradict myself now?

What made you fall into your
own trap?

Vanity.

The books! They're safe!

Sarah, Manuela,
his books are safe in Egypt!

That's Aunt Zeinab!

Move away!
We have to congratulate him!

- I'll marry you when I come back.
- No, now!

Wait.

I'll be back.

Just a moment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

A thousand thanks...

Ideas have wings.
No one can stop their flight.

Subtitles: Andrew Litvack

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