Original subtitles

This film is based on a script by Carl T. Dreyer and Preben Thomsen

...after Euripides' drama MEDEA. Carl T. Dreyer never realized his script

This is not an attempt to make his film, but due with reverence,

a personal interpretation and homage to the master. (Lars Von Trier)

Medea!

What seeks Aigeus in these hospitable wastes?

l am bound for the oracle

But tell me about you and Jason

Promise me that l may always seek refuge in your country!

You know you may

How serious you look

You know you may, Medea

Jason built his vessel Argo and sailed to Colchis to fetch the golden fleece

which he won with the help of Medea, the beautiful and wise,

who gave him her love

Her love has now turned to hatred

Jason betrays Medea and the two sons she has borne him

Together they fled form Colchis and arrived in Corinth as outlaws

Medea left her distant country

Jason left her here

The king!

Long have we waited

l am coming

We will go on ahead. Come when you are ready

Our city has prospered. Our ships have brought us riches...

from distant ports

We have won respect and admiration

The gods have shown us favour...

and you have shown us the way

l thank you for agreeing to transfer the burdens of state...

to this young man

lt would be wise now to give him even more authority

Even more responsibility

l am convinced he will meet the demands placed upon him

l believe the gods have anointed him and sent him to us...

to perform great deeds

Jason!

What have you to say?

Thank you, Creon, and all of you for the trust you show in me

lt is not good for one man to rule alone

Neither is it good when the masses assume power

The state is a ship, Creon her captain...

you, her trusty crew

l shall do my utmost to be a good helmsman

l know my responsibility to you and every citizen, rich or poor

l will teach your people to live in peace...

even if the price is death with dignity

To prove my faith in Jason, l shall bind his fate to mine...

and to our country, by giving him my daughter in marriage

Jason and Glauce will be your future king and queen

Tonight, the wedding contract shall be sealed

Hear me, Medea!

King Creon has summoned the elders to his palace

They speak of Jason and Creon's daughter

Answer me, Medea, or laugh! Jason is worth no more

You had many words for the elders, and yet now none for me!

- Glauce... - lt is only my name

Your name means ''nymph''

What is your promise to this nymph?

To treat her as a woman. The woman l love

Your queen?

Glauce!

How soft your lips! How warm your mouth!

My beloved!

What of Medea? She is still here...

Does it matter?

Medea and Glauce cannot both remain here

Are you afraid of her?

No, l fear not Medea, though they say she's dangerous

Then let her be. You are the one l love

Give me proof that Glauce is the one you love

No, Jason. Not until my father exiles Medea tomorrow

l too shall see her tomorrow

Tonight you must sleep in there

Would l were dead!

Death would bring peace

My life is as empty as this bed...

that we used to share when l was still of use to him. He was my all

Why must women bear so much?

Wordlessly submissive in body and deed?

What rights have women?

A man may seek new friends. She has nobody but him

He claims she enjoys security while he lives on the battlefield

- You'd rather be a man? - Yes...

Even in times of war?

l'd rather bleed behind a shield than bearing a man's children

You are a stranger here, like me: but you have me

l no longer have the man l helped

l was but his prey

l long to return to my native land!

l long for my mother, my sisters, everyone

l long for revenge

Creon is on his way

Medea...

you must leave the country

l banish you and your children

l shall not return to the palace until the city gates close behind you

Are you afraid of me, King Creon?

Yes

Why?

You are wise. You know the evil arts

You can harm people

Whom?

My daughter

Me. Jason

l will have to take the necessary steps

l am too weak to oppose you, and neither have you wronged me

Whom to give your daughter to is your decision

Let me remain here! l shall cause no trouble...

if you let me remain in my house

No, Medea. You must leave at once

Why?

My daughter takes precedence over you

And my children?

You love yours... and l, mine

There is no greater sorrow than love

Leave of your own accord, or my men will send you across the border

All l ask is one single day, King Creon

For the sake of my children

l grant you that one day

But if you are still here tomorrow, your life is forfeit

You have your day

Use it!

Yes, use it...

And hope for good fortune

Good fortune!

Yes!

Shall l let him in?

l married her for your sake

For your sake?

To secure your future and the children's

Your pride is your misfortune, Medea

And your pride, Jason...

is your good fortune

My weakness and blindness lead to me encourage your vanity

You want it to look as if l have left you

You are betraying your own children!

l have thought about it but it is too late

Have you really thought about your children?

Women are not the only ones to think about their children

Have you really thought about it?

lf only men could have children without the agency of women!

You do not deny yourself, King Jason...

You have forgotten much that l remember

You yearn for your young wife's embrace

Enjoy your good fortune! l wish you a marriage you will remember!

Tell Medea we are passing by

Tell her we sail tomorrow!

What did you ask the oracle?

A demon has made us childless

- What was the oracle's reply? - Who understands such words?

- Perhaps l'd understand - That's why l rode by today

The vagueness of the oracle requires the wisdom of Medea

What was the oracle's reply?

Keep the wine in the bag ''until you get home''

We're coming!

The boys were chased out of town

What's the matter, Medea?

My children and l are being sent to exile

Why?

Jason has cast me off

For another woman?

He has married Creon's daughter

He has broken his oath to you?

His only ambition was to be the king's son-in-law

Can Jason really be so hungry for power and yet so cowardly?

Yes

l know a cure for childlessness

lf l may sail with you tomorrow, l promise you children

My house is always open to you

You have my word

We sail at high water

No man will accept childlessness. Glauce will hear no children

- What are you going to do? - Fetch Jason! No, wait...

- What is your plan? - l trust you, you are a woman

- Make no more enemies! - l will have no more enemies

Don't torture yourself! Think of your future!

l know my future

Think of your children!

They are the ones l'm thinking of

What do you want?

Forgive my words spoken in bitterness

l see now that it was l who was hard and relentless

So you have seen sense...

Yes, l have changed my mind. Why not be friends?

Did we not live together in love and understanding?

By marrying Glauce you gain sufficient power and wealth

to secure the future of our children and l

- lt is only wisdom - So is your change of heart

How stupid of me not to have helped you realize your plan!

But we women can be stupid, sometimes

Do you remember, Jason?

That question is always on your lips

Now for the last time. Do you remember, Jason?

Whore!

l know you, Jason!

You have sold yourself to her

Your body was enough for her!

When l see myself l understand you, Jason

l will leave. But of our sons?

Can't they stay with you?

Can't you persuade Creon?

l will try

But l don't think it will work

Let them stay with you!

lt will be easier for me if l know you have them

- l will try, but... - Get Glauce to ask her father

Yes, l can persuade her

lt will work if you do as l say

Do what?

Let our sons bear this gift to her

Go with them

Yes, l will

What is the gift?

Your bridal crown, Medea!

Mother, she kissed us!

- Me, too - Please let's stay!

We'll stay with you Mother, won't we?

With your father

- And the gift? - She liked it

Good

What are you going to do, Medea?

l am thinking of the children... and myself

How?

l had hoped they would sprinkle dust on me when l was dead

Then take them with you

By their death l can strike their father

Where is Medea?

- Not here - And the boys?

Not here. She took them

Glauce has been poisoned

The king went to help her, and he, too, was scratched

Medea killed them

Mummy...

Mummy, why are we here?

Quiet, now...

Jason!

Jason, where are you?

Will you not follow your queen to the grave?

l know what has to happen

Where are they?

- What will you hang from the branch? - Something which l love

Help me, mummy

Human life is a journey in the dark where only a god can find the way

That which nobody dares believe, God can make happen