Original subtitles

WINNER OF THE SILVER LION

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 1957

WHITE NIGHTS

From the Story by FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY

Story and Screenplay by SUSO CECCHI D'AMICO, LUCHINO VISCONTI

Directed by LUCHINO VISCONTI

The producers hereby acknowledge Cinecitt�

for its exceptional technical contribution to this film.

You're almost home.

Just cross the canal and you're there.

Let's take the bus. He's sleepy.

If it's still running.

See you tomorrow.

Listen, I want to thank you again.

Oh, no, it was our pleasure. Right, Maria?

Of course.

If we go again, and it's nice weather, we'll invite you.

Let him get acclimated to the city.

He'll find better ways to spend his days off.

Hurry, the bus is here.

Wait, wait!

What are you doing?

Hungry, aren't you?

Come here.

Ah, you found something.

Go on, get it.

Good evening.

You scared me!

Hop on! There's room for you in the middle.

Come on, blondie. We'll snuggle up tight.

Will you leave her alone?

Where'd this idiot come from?

Come on, blondie, come with us.

What does this jerk want?

I'll show you! This young lady is with me!

You'll show us what? Get lost!

Scoundrel! Come back here.

Now you're running, you cowards!

- What's the matter? - Nothing!

See how they ran away?

They like to bother people.

What idiots.

But if you hadn't run away just now on the bridge,

none of this would have happened.

I don't know you. Please leave me alone.

I don't know you either. Allow me to accompany you.

Those two scoundrels might come back.

I feel it's my duty.

Please don't trouble yourself. I don't live far.

Can't I walk with you?

No, thank you. Better not.

You don't think I'd bother you too?

Yes, because just a few minutes ago you -

Perhaps I -

It may have looked that way, but actually -

I realized right away you were crying.

It was enough to break my heart.

And I thought - forgive me for saying this -

I thought -

All right, I'll be honest.

At first I approached you because,

well, I thought it might be nice to -

Then I realized you weren't -

Of course not.

Now, will you let me walk you home?

You can trust me.

No, I won't leave you here alone.

Come now.

Let's go.

There are so many stories of brokenhearted people who -

I hope you have no such intention.

Such a young girl,

and so pretty.

You're a foreigner, aren't you?

Where are you from?

Well, what are we going to do?

Will you tell me what you're doing here and why you were crying?

I live nearby. Over there.

That's why you were crying?

I live close by too, right over there,

but I'm not crying about it.

Midnight already.

The day has flown by.

I spent the entire day in the country.

With my supervisor and his family. Nice people.

Boring, but nice people.

It's the first time since being transferred here

that I've spent time with anyone.

It was nice.

But with them I never said a word all day.

Then, once I was alone again,

I felt like talking, like being with someone.

I was in a good mood. I wanted the day to end well.

Then I saw you.

If you'd like, you can walk me home now.

Why don't we get a drink?

There must be a bar still open.

It's too late.

I'm sorry if I've ruined your evening.

What are you saying? I've enjoyed it.

I had nothing better to do.

I told you, I wanted company,

and I got lucky.

I'm sorry. I'm terribly shy.

With girls, I mean.

I'm not used to - I never know how to talk to them.

The women I know -

Women like shy men.

And so do I. - Really?

But don't tell me that,

or you'll make me lose my shyness.

And then there goes my advantage.

What advantage?

You said women like shy men, and that you do too.

Good night to all.

Well, this is it.

So soon?

I'm sorry. Do you really have to go?

I'll come back tomorrow night.

The same place we met tonight.

Perhaps we'll meet... if nothing happens before then.

I'll be waiting.

I just wanted to say I'll be there tomorrow night at 10:00.

Yes, at 10:00.

That's just great.

Aren't you going to work today?

You know what time it is?

After 8:00!

Just look at this room.

Here's your coffee, piping hot.

It's got to be good, because I just made it myself.

It's 8:00. Wake up!

Just look at him.

I heard you come in last night.

You were whistling and singing.

You could have woken everyone up.

The doctor isn't feeling well. I'm leaving. The hot water's there.

Hurry or you'll be late! They'll end up firing you!

I don't have time to waste.

I'm coming, Doctor.

Yes, Doctor, they called. Your urinalysis, of course.

I don't think it's anything. I'll be right with you.

I'm coming!

Hello? Hotel Aurora.

I told you, we don't need anyone. I don't have time to waste.

Maria, clean thoroughly this morning. Under the beds too.

Mr. Mario, are you up? Are you washing?

Where did you go yesterday? The mountains?

Some walk that must have been.

Now I know why you sleep late. Colonel!

Maria, come air out this room.

I have to do everything around here!

Excuse me, sir. A guest is calling me.

- Can you do me a favor? - Still not dressed?

- Can you get these cleaned and pressed? - I'm too busy.

Impossible. - But it's for tonight. Please!

You'll have to pay extra. No, I'm not talking to you, sir.

I'll change when I get back from work. And my white shirt too.

- You'd better shave tonight, too. - All right.

No, sir, not you. Maria, come get this suit.

What'll you have?

Who's frightening the pigeons?

Boys, time for bed.

What are you doing in there?

Get out!

You'll frighten the hens, and they'll stop laying. Out!

I'm sorry, I was looking -

Looking for something in the chicken coop at this hour?

No, I have an appointment here.

With someone who lives here?

No.

Then you'd better go, because I can't wait.

I have to lock the street door.

Could I stay here a moment?

Someone was following me and -

Please don't be offended.

There's no reason to be.

I may be too bold,

but you could've simply told me if you didn't want to see me.

No, don't take offense.

I made a mistake last night.

I behaved like a child.

All day I asked myself what you must have thought of me.

That I'm a girl who makes dates with strange men.

That's what you thought, right? - I didn't think anything.

Yes, you did.

And you were right to think it.

But since it's not the case,

the simplest way to prove it was not to meet you.

But you showed up at the place and time we agreed on.

But I had to.

Apparently not to see me!

So please accept my apologies, and good night.

I see nothing wrong in your keeping me company now.

What?

We should get to know each other and become friends.

You're really something.

Can I help it if we met by chance?

If I have no one to introduce me and vouch for my character?

I can tell you're a gentleman.

But if I agree to meet you, you'd be right to think -

That you were just meeting me. All right, I won't think anything.

- Are you angry with me? - No, of course not.

You really don't think ill of me?

Everything's all right, then.

We can take care of the rest.

My name is Natalia.

And now, quick, tell me all about yourself.

Who you are, what you do.

Tell me your story,

and it'll be as if we've always been friends.

I don't have a story.

Then how have you lived until now?

I just have.

You must have someone, a family.

Even a tiny one, like mine.

Just an old grandmother - old and nearly blind.

All the others ran off.

First my father,

so long ago I can't even remember him.

Then my mother ran off

with someone who wasn't my father.

Then my grandmother got scared I might do something of the sort.

Since she's nearly blind and can't run after me,

she'd take a safety pin

and pin my skirt to hers.

- What? - Really.

- What are you talking about? - It's true.

I don't believe it.

It's true.

Honest.

But don't laugh at my grandmother.

I love her just the same.

But we weren't talking about me.

You were supposed to tell me who you are, what you do,

how you live, who you live with -

There's plenty of time for that.

Why don't we decide where to go first?

It's too late for a movie. We couldn't talk there anyway.

Why don't we go -

I thought you'd caught on.

I have to go back there.

I'm expecting someone.

I thought you'd understood.

That's why I said you shouldn't think -

But if you'd like to keep me company -

Of course. I'd be honored.

I'd like nothing better. So here we are.

May I ask whom we're waiting for

and at what time this person might deign to come?

There's no set hour.

Perfect. I hope he takes his time.

We'll have time to get soaked. It's about to rain.

No, it won't rain.

It's humid. It always is at night.

Last night, for instance.

I came back after you and I had said good night.

It was so humid, I thought for sure it would rain...

but it didn't.

Careful.

Your grandmother's not very strict

if she lets you stay out all night by yourself.

- She doesn't know a thing. - Ah, great!

Poor Grandma.

She'd be so disappointed if she knew.

But that's enough crying over other people's pain.

I have to think of myself,

perhaps even cry for myself.

Do you think he might not come?

Listen, miss, I -

I'm not crazy.

Don't worry.

I can explain everything, if you wish.

My story is very common.

My grandmother is a foreigner.

You see, we -

Let's not even talk about the rice. It was horrid.

And the meat was inedible.

We're not from here. We're of Slavic descent.

I think we were even rich once,

because my grandfather was a rug merchant.

After he died, our family began repairing rugs.

There's not much left of our old house.

We have lots of rugs,

but they're no longer ours.

People bring them to us for repair.

It's hard work,

and it's done only for the more valuable rugs.

We rent out an upstairs room in our house.

One day a new tenant moved in.

- There was another before him? - Of course.

That one left, and the new one moved in.

We couldn't get by without lodgers.

Giuliana had brought him over.

She's one of our workers who also cleans for us.

Now she lives...

in the room upstairs.

The new tenant was not from around here.

He was a foreigner.

Come in, sir.

Since money appeared to be no object,

Grandma hadn't asked for references.

Only when he arrived

did Grandma become suspicious.

Is he young, Natalia?

I didn't want to lie, so I said,

"He isn't exactly young,

but he's not old either."

Is he handsome too?

My God, what next?

Now I even have a handsome tenant.

In my day it wasn't like this.

What are you doing? Hurry!

Go to my room and get the rent ledger.

Go, go!

I'd forgotten about the safety pin.

I was so ashamed that, once outside the room,

I burst into tears like an idiot.

From that day on,

each time I heard a noise in the hall, I thought I'd die.

I would think,

"It's him."

One morning...

certain he wasn't at home...

on the pretext of housekeeping, I went up to his room.

Good morning.

How's your grandmother?

I see you like my books. If you're interested, take them.

I've read them all.

They help me get to sleep. It's become a habit.

Take them. They're entertaining.

Wait. Take these too.

Besides, you must have lots of time to read.

I don't know how you can stand to spend the whole day

shut up inside.

You're a nice girl.

It's a shame to see you locked away like this.

It seems impossible in this day and age that a girl -

Don't you ever go anywhere?

To the movies? Out for a stroll?

Would you go out with me sometime?

This evening, perhaps?

All right?

Don't you want to,

or won't your grandmother let you?

If it's the latter, then it's simple: Don't ask.

We'll sneak out.

All right, let's speak of it no more,

if that's how you feel.

But if I were you,

I'd think about it.

At first Grandma didn't like the idea of him lending me books,

suspicious as she was of everyone and everything.

She made me read them to her,

one by one, out loud.

For days I read of stranglers,

policemen, international spies.

Grandma was transfixed by stories

that I could barely understand,

distracted as I was by my own thoughts.

You're reading very badly, Natalia.

I can't understand a thing.

He tightened the noose and...

then what?

I was tired and nervous.

He hardly ever left the house anymore.

I rarely saw him.

I heard him pacing back and forth in his room, until one day-

Who is it?

It's me.

I brought you more books.

That's most kind. Thank you.

What are you making?

A rug.

I also came to find out what you'd decided.

Decided? What's to be decided?

I had asked the young lady to ask you

if we might go out one night.

What?

I'd like to invite you and the young lady

to the opera, for instance.

Giuliana too, of course.

How wonderful!

They're performing The Barber of Seville.

How marvelous!

The Barber of Seville?

It's my favorite!

That night,

my life was decided.

We didn't say a word...

but for me it was as if we had said it all.

That we'd love each other forever.

That we'd never leave each other.

Never.

Not even for one day.

But the next day, Grandma told me

he had terminated his lease...

and would be leaving.

What could I do?

I was wild with despair.

I told him I'd run away with him,

that I wanted to live with him,

because without him, my life was nothing.

Try to understand, Natalia.

It's because I care about you that I've been avoiding you.

You understand?

I can't marry you right now.

I'm in some serious trouble that I can't tell you about.

I've been forced to agree to go away for a year.

But I love you, Natalia.

I love you. I swear it.

I love you.

We went out and walked around for hours.

We came here too.

Listen to me, Natalia.

I've told you already.

I have to be gone for a year.

I can't keep you bound to me.

I don't want you to be unhappy on my account.

Consider yourself a free woman.

When I return in a year's time...

if you still love me...

I swear we'll be happy together.

In a year I'll be here...

waiting for you,

at this same hour.

You'll still love me...

and I'll be yours forever.

He left the next morning.

And I'm here waiting for him.

What an absurd story!

I may be naive - fine.

But I'm not that naive.

You expect me to believe -

I don't expect you to believe anything.

I told you my story -

a common story, I know.

All girls have - - All girls what?

You mean all girls are crazy?

What's so strange about it?

Are you telling me you've waited for a man for a year

and you've had no word from him?

Yes. So what?

Where did he go? To the moon?

I don't know. What does it matter?

What do you mean?

Why hasn't he been in touch? Wherever he is, he could write.

We agreed we wouldn't write. I think I told you that.

Of course. Wise decision!

So you don't know where he went.

You don't even know what he does!

Of course not!

Are you quite sure he exists?

Listen, let's get out of here.

- You think I'm crazy! - I don't want to catch cold.

Come on, let's go.

You think I'm crazy!

I don't know what to think!

How could you be so naive? - You're wrong!

I'm a man, and I can tell you he's never coming back!

You're wrong!

He has come back.

In fact, he's in town now. - So where is he?

I even know where he's staying.

I found out today from Giuliana. - Then he's nothing but a scoundrel!

Perhaps he's trying to find out whether I still -

Don't start again, please!

Be good.

Did I hurt your feelings?

I was just kidding.

But this is all so alien to me, to my way of thinking.

I'm not saying -

I mean, if I can help you in any way -

I didn't think there were girls like you left in the world.

You might as well have told me you believe in fairy tales.

- It's raining. - Yes, but it'll stop soon.

Let's hope so.

When you fell in love, you went and told him.

And that's fine. But then -

What would you have had me do?

You shouldn't have let him leave...

or you should have insisted on going along,

or just faced the fact it was over.

People say they'll wait. I'd have said the same thing.

When you didn't mean it? I don't believe it.

You want to seem worse than you are.

But you're a good and honest man.

I'm glad we've become friends.

So am I.

Give me some advice.

Me? What do you want me to say?

I'd go find him and talk to him.

You'd do that for me?

Me? No, leave me out of this.

But even if you didn't go,

you could write him a letter.

No, I couldn't do that.

It would be like throwing myself at him.

There are different kinds of letters.

You need to clear things up

instead of pining away for him.

You should set a date to meet.

Tell him you just want to know -

You should make the first move and see if he -

Really? What would you write?

It's not hard. It's simple.

Dear...

...sir.

Very good. "Dear sir."

Better yet...

"Kind sir."

As you wish.

"Kind sir...

excuse me for writing to you,

but you must forgive" -

- Formal, right? - Yes, but don't say "excuse me."

"Forgive my impatience."

You're right.

"Forgive my impatience...

but for a whole year...

I've been waiting..."

No. "I've been sustained

by a joyous hope."

That's good too.

Are you sure that's all right?

- You're the one writing it. - Yes, it's very good.

"Now you are back...

and your intentions may have changed...

where I am concerned."

"In which case..."

Well, simply that it's best to clear things up

and terminate the relationship - and set a time and place.

Tomorrow night at our usual spot, for example.

As you wish.

But now, pay a little attention to me too.

Don't tell me you want to woo me.

You're looking at me like a suitor, and you can't.

After everything I've told you, you mustn't fall in love with me.

Besides, you may not get the chance.

We may never see each other again.

Even if we're only friends, must we talk only about your woes?

Let's talk about mine as well. - Do you have some?

But I could.

I'll mail it.

But not like that. Copy it nicely first, and then -

You know what? Let's meet tomorrow night.

Give it to me then, and I'll see it gets delivered.

Really?

A friend can do a friend a favor.

Thank you.

Here.

What's this?

The letter.

But this is written - You'd already -

Yes, but it's just like yours.

Will you really deliver it?

Yes, don't worry.

If a problem should arise, I'll let you know.

The first time we met,

you didn't think you'd end up playing my older brother.

Are you disappointed?

Be kind.

Good night.

Don't come with me, please.

Why not? Wait! When will I see you?

Tomorrow.

I'll be either ecstatic or desperate.

In either case, you'll find me unbearable.

Wait!

- Thank you for everything. - Wait.

What frightful weather!

Did you catch a cold?

Want an aspirin?

I feel sick too. Maybe it's the weather.

You need a hot footbath. I'll send up some hot water.

No, please, it's just -

You see?

Shall I have these ironed?

No, I won't be needing them anyway.

- See, you don't feel well. - I'm fine.

Set the coffee down.

Put the water in the bowl and bring it here.

Actually, yes, have those ironed. I'm going out on the town tonight.

Unlike every other night, right?

I don't even know what I did those other nights.

Wash all these, and do a good job.

He's gone and caught a cold.

Cover up, or it's hopeless!

What a headache I've got!

It's no use unless it's scalding hot.

A little coffee will do you good.

The other nights...

I must've dreamed those other nights.

Dreamed them?

Drink it while it's hot.

There are some strange people in this city.

If they'd told me -

Stop behaving like a child. It'll do you good.

I'll be there in a minute.

Keep your feet in the water. I'll send more up soon.

What is it?

What do you want? You know I'm not feeling well.

Maria, what is it?

It's not my concern anyway.

Should I feel remorse?

Remorse.

I want to have fun tonight.

What remorse?

A toy to amuse your children.

This toy is legal, as the officer here can attest to.

Three hops - one, two, three.

Take one home to amuse your children.

If you don't have children, amuse your wife.

If you're not married, thank the Lord and buy one anyway.

Now you're the one who's running away.

Me? No. Why?

Yes, you are. I saw you earlier.

I, on the other hand, am very glad I ran into you.

All day I've been afraid of meeting you,

of you coming to the house.

I was afraid you'd tell me things didn't go well.

But now -

Are you angry with me?

Is something wrong?

No, it's just that... I didn't see you.

Don't lie.

I love this street!

Don't you?

I like it because...

I don't know why.

Which way are you headed? - Me?

That way.

This evening, if you'd like, I could walk with you for a while.

I have plenty of time.

Grandma sent me out on business.

Giuliana's at home. She can put Grandma to bed.

Besides, at home time passes so slowly.

If you only knew all the things I did today to pass the time.

I washed the windows of every room in the house -

I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have an appointment.

- Is that why you were avoiding me? - Yes. In fact, I'm late.

I really must go. Good night.

Of course. Don't let me make you late.

I've caused you enough trouble.

When did you deliver the letter? This morning?

Do you know if he was there?

I think so.

I'm so happy.

Listen -

Come with me. - Where?

Anywhere. You said you had time.

Yes, until 10:00.

Exactly. That's what I meant.

What about your appointment?

I'll go later... or I won't go at all.

And you won't go to yours.

There's something I have to tell you.

No, don't say it. Please.

It's what I think it is, right?

You're trying to tell me not to kid myself.

No, not exactly.

Well, sort of.

I've already told myself that,

but I haven't been able to convince myself.

But tonight

I have the feeling everything will be fine.

I'm so sure of it...

that I even got dressed up.

Do I look nice?

Then all you have to do is trust your instincts,

and there may indeed be a happy ending.

Just not the one you envisioned.

But what counts is the end result, right?

Now, where shall we go?

What about your appointment?

Forget about that.

You're so kind and so nice...

that I...

I love you.

Almost as much as I love him.

They're such good dancers.

Can you dance like that?

I can dance.

I can't.

I used to come here often.

Not exactly here,

since I only transferred here two weeks ago.

But places like this.

Your grandmother...

keeps you pinned to her skirt.

My parents were just the opposite. Go away!

As a child I went to boarding school, and then I lived with relatives.

At home I was just one more mouth to feed.

Then I went into the service, and then I got a job.

One year here, one year there - you meet a lot of people.

You meet, you separate, and then you start all over.

I used to think that was the secret to a happy life.

Perhaps I'm getting older, but I don't like that anymore.

I'd like to make some friends and keep them.

Someone -

I don't come to places like this anymore.

I like to walk around by myself, lost in thought.

So you're a dreamer too.

Well, you know how it is.

The imagination boils over, like water in a coffee pot.

But it's a mistake, because you end up believing

there's something real and tangible in your dreams,

and you neglect life and reality.

This reality right here!

Let's dance.

- I can't dance. - It doesn't matter. Let's try.

I can't dance either.

I don't know how.

Let's give it a try!

Let's try together now.

This is just like walking.

Now I too can say

that I've been dancing.

Now I too can say that I've been happy.

Gina, call your father! It's well after 10:00!

Let me go!

Come on, Natalia.

Natalia, listen to me.

I have to talk to you.

What? I can't hear you.

Listen, Natalia.

Listen, I... I...

I love you, Natalia!

Go away.

He won't come if you're here. Go away.

He's not coming at all! Don't you see?

Forget your ghosts from the past!

What counts is that you and I -

Go away!

Go away! I don't want him to find me here with you!

I was never unfaithful to him! It's not true!

You're crazy, you know that?

When I think of all the time I've wasted listening to you,

I could slap myself!

If they're not tramps...

they're crazy - certifiable!

That scoundrel was right.

He had his fun, and then he -

Hey, handsome!

Always in a hurry and always alone.

Leave me alone!

I don't bite, you know.

I was just saying that if you're all alone,

you could spend some time with me.

Sure, why not? Good idea!

Better with you than - Let's go.

Come on, let's go.

You're crazy! Slow down!

Where shall we go?

Wherever you want.

How about that way?

Come on.

Could you slow down a little?

Look at that. I twisted my heel.

I'll make you pay for that, you bad boy.

You're nice, you know.

And handsome.

I like you, you know.

Fine. Now where are we going?

I always go over there.

Careful, it's slippery.

What? Don't you like it here?

No, it's just that -

I'm not in the mood. I'm sorry.

Hey, wait a minute.

What's the matter with you?

What do you want? I didn't do anything to you.

He's taking advantage of me because I'm all alone!

Cut it out!

Come back here!

- What did you do to her? - Nothing.

He took advantage of me!

The coward didn't go with me

because I have no one to defend me!

If she's screaming, you must have done something to her.

I never laid a finger on her!

What are you doing?

Stop screaming!

Let him go!

- Stop it! - Let me go!

Leave him alone!

What did he do to you?

Cowards! You were all in on this.

And you get out of here while you can.

It's not my fault.

Don't show your face around here again.

No matter what I do, I can't win!

You were right.

He didn't come.

Forgive me for insulting you earlier.

I guess we both had a tough night.

You would never have behaved like this, would you?

I have a confession to make.

I threw that letter away.

You understand?

I didn't deliver it because -

Because I love you.

I fell in love with you at first sight.

I couldn't.

You...

Yes, I did.

So nothing has changed.

Are you happy?

You can go on hoping.

You can write to him again.

Everything will be fine. You'll see.

Try to forgive me.

You'll forgive me when you're happy again, won't you?

What were you thinking, to trust a man like me?

I even told you: Never trust anyone.

Especially a man in love.

Now cheer up.

Natalia, I don't know what to do. I'm guilty.

I ask your forgiveness. I'll try to make amends, all right?

I care for you so much that I want you to be happy.

This time I'll really go. I'll explain -

No? Why?

What difference does it make if I do tomorrow what I didn't do yesterday?

Exactly.

What difference does yesterday or today make?

What matters is that he didn't come.

I'm glad you didn't deliver

that letter.

I thank you for sparing me...

this final humiliation.

I told you not to trust the judgment of a man in love.

You're such a little girl.

Nothing I said counts,

because I was thinking only of myself.

I told you not to believe in fairy tales.

Then I started to believe my own fantasy.

I felt like you felt

when you went to him with your little valise.

I've loved him for a whole year.

I've never been untrue.

Not even in my thoughts.

But it all means nothing to him.

May God be with him.

I want to forget him.

I still love him, but it'll pass. It has to.

Because now I see the truth, how he tricked me.

Whereas you...

It will pass.

It has to pass.

I'm such an ordinary, insignificant man.

No, that's not it.

I can't even say what I want to say.

It's true.

I thought if you somehow stopped loving him,

then I'd be sure to find a way

to make you fall in love with me.

But why am I talking about this?

Natalia, one day, even if it's far in the future -

Yes.

I'd like that.

If in spite of everything,

you feel that your love -

That's exactly what I'm trying to say.

If you really think you love me as much as you say,

then I swear to you that my gratitude -

But it's not just pity

you feel for me, is it?

You love me a little, don't you?

Right now I don't know.

But perhaps down the road?

Yes, perhaps one day.

You must be patient.

Let's let some time go by.

Of course. That's all I ask.

If you think you could, I'll wait as long as you like.

I'm so happy, Natalia,

because now I'm certain, Natalia. You see?

Come, Natalia.

Come with me.

You'll make me fall!

- Get in the boat. - But it's not ours.

Go on, get in.

We can't. It's not ours.

It doesn't matter.

I want to take you somewhere.

What are you doing, darling?

Did you notice you just called me darling?

- Don't you like it? - Of course I do.

Where are we going?

I want to show you something.

Once, passing over a bridge,

I saw couples passing beneath it, and I thought,

"When I have a fianc�e,

we'll come here and we'll be all alone."

Here we are.

All alone?

It's because we're not engaged yet.

When we are, there won't be anyone here

to disturb our peace.

All right, I'll speak no more of it until you want to.

But I have to tell you this at least.

I'm very poor.

But I do have a job.

And I can improve.

What I'm trying to say is

with you at my side, I will improve.

I wish I could make you fall asleep...

like the character in the fairy tale,

who'll only wake up on the day she is to find happiness.

It'll be like that for you too.

One day you'll wake up

and find that it's a lovely day.

The sun will be shining,

and everything will be fresh and clean.

What once seemed impossible will seem simple and natural.

Don't you believe me?

I'm sure of it.

And it'll be soon.

Perhaps even tomorrow.

Natalia, look at the sky.

It's wonderful.

What's happening?

It's snowing.

It's snowing!

It's snowing!

What more could you ask? It's snowing!

Believe me!

I swear to you, I'm a new man.

Believe me, I'm a new man.

I have faith now.

I understand it all now, even if I can't explain.

You see?

I used to think this city was bleak and sad, but it was me!

Now it's all shining and bright!

We only have to want it.

Something inside me just has to want it...

and the girl I love will become my bride.

All dressed in white.

It's stopped.

No, not yet!

Just think.

The whole city is asleep. They don't know a thing.

Soon they'll start to wake up.

They'll open their windows and say -

What a lovely day.

You'll say it too.

Yes.

Really, Natalia?

Come.

Let's go.

What is it?

Who is it, Natalia?

It's him!

I was fooling us both.

For a moment I thought that you and I -

God knows I'm grateful for what you've done.

Try to forgive me. I'll be forever grateful to you.

Go to him.

You mustn't feel remorse.

I was wrong to make you doubt him.

Go to him.

God bless you for the moment of happiness you gave me.

Even a moment's worth can last a lifetime.