Original subtitles

TV Channel Russia presents

''Moskino' Production Company

Supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

Supported by Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation

present

MOSCOW. THE KREMLIN. 1547.

IVAN IV (THE TERRIBLE)

Rome was in the land of Italians.

Half of the world was under the Roman rule.

Metropolitan Ioasaph used to say

that the Roman Empire fell, for it was full of heretics.

- That's true. - And the crown of earthly princes

was brought to Constantinople, here.

And they called it The Second Rome.

But Byzantium fell conquered by the Ottomans.

And then your grandfather said:

Moscow is The Third Rome,

and there will be none other.

It was founded by your grandmother.

- My Grandma? - Yes, your grandma Sophia.

Maria Andreeva as Sophia Paleologue

Evgeny Tsyganov as Ioann III

Nadezhda Markina as the Grand Princess

Pyotr Zaichenko as the Metropolitan

Boris Nevzorov as Grigory Mamonov

Giuliano Di Capua as Ivan Fryazin

Director of Photography Denis Alarcon Ramirez

Art Director Evgeny Kachanov

Costumes by Natalya Saltykova

Make-up by Anastasia Esadze

Edited by Igor Litoninsky

Music by Artem Vasilyev

Produced by Ekaterina Zhukova, Maria Ushakova

Directed by Alexei Andrianov

SOPHIA

Episode One

But Byzantine Empire fell conquered by the Ottomans.

In 1453 the Turks sezied Constantinople

and killed the Emperor Constantine XI Paleologue.

His brother Thomas Paleologue with his family,

first fled to Corfu, and then to Rome.

When he died, the Holy Pope became the children's guardian.

Cardinal Bessarion was assigned to mentor

the Byzantium throne heirs Andreas and Zoe.

Wonderful, Your Highness.

ROME, 1467.

I only hear flattery from you.

No flattery. Half of our soldiers don't shoot that well.

Zoe! Spare me a moment of your time.

You disappoint me.

It's beneath a Byzantine princess to mingle with servants,

let alone handle a weapon.

I just made a try.

I'm sorry, Your Grace.

Never forget your roots.

Simplicity and humility -

such must be the virtues of the future Empress.

They suit you much more.

You are right.

- Sit down. - Thanks you, I'm not tired.

You will be, if you stand for a portrait.

Who needs my portrait?

MOSCOW, 1470.

Italian emissaries from His Eminence Pope Sixtus IV

have arrived from Rome.

Zoe,

a damsel,

the daughter of Thomas, brother of

the Basiåus Constantine Paleologue.

His Eminence Pope Sixtus IV

offers her for marrying.

A human face painted as a holy image.

Your Highness, 'tis to be hidden away.

- From whom? - People will grumble on seeing this.

Don't ruin your life, Your Highness.

I can hide it in the stables, if you wish.

How is it possible, without seeing the bride?

- Maybe she is ugly? - Or has a hunchback?

And will be a disgrace!

Did you hear they don't kiss holy images?

And they give their babies away to be nursed by she-wolves.

Like some old matron, you have gossip on your mind

instead of the country's good.

What good can there be from her?

Her dynasty ended. It's over. She is no use.

She's got no gold, no land, no servants. Nothing!

The Holy Pope offers six thousand ducats

as a dowry for the bride.

Don't you pull my leg!

Fryazin, where are you? Tell us in plain language how much is that?

Fifty grivnas.

Fifty grivnas!

I gave twice as much for my younger daughter.

Fine! Shall we punch them in their Italian mugs?

They've no business doing here!

You oafs.

All you can think of is gold.

For one thousand grivnas,

you'd marry off your Prince to just anyone.

You don't see the main thing.

The Pope wouldn't push her forth

if he didn't have a certain plan.

He wants to install the uniate.

He wants the whole Russ to bow down to him.

And the bride

is just an instrument of his plan.

Think hard, Ivan Vasilyevich.

The bride is offered with a purpose.

Burn down that image!

- Burn it! - A witch!

Kick out those emissaries! Reject the offer!

Enough!

This is to be decided through God's will

and through your Prince's word.

And I'll tear out the tongue of any recalcitrant.

I am still in my power.

Grand Princess!

Grand Princess!

Oh, what is going on?

My Nastya could be a nice match for the Grand Prince.

I would give away everything for this to happen,

Hundred times as much as offered by the Pope.

I remember about your daughter. The decision is up to the Prince.

I thought we had a deal.

I don't remember applying my seal anywhere.

You're acting bearish, Grigory.

Your Highness!

So, Father, have you seen the Romans?

I have. Them horned daemons.

They came to steal your happiness.

What are you talking about?

What are you dressed up for?

- We need to go to the church. - You need to get married!

Your father can't sleep peacefully.

Here.

Go home!

ROME.

Water isn't too hot, Signora?

You are so beautiful!

No one needs my beauty, only my title.

Your beauty is a good complement to your title.

Wealth is a good complement, while I have none.

You can't enter here.

- How dared you, Andreas? - As if I didn't see my sister naked.

What do you want?

I found a match for you. Prince Caracciolo.

He is young and rich. You'll like him.

I didn't ask you to.

Take it easy, I'm trying to save you.

You don't want to go to Muscovy, do you.

- To Muscovy? - Yes, to Muscovy.

I've heard the Pope has already sealed your fate.

I'm not going to any Muscovy.

Ask the cardinal. They say the Moscovian Prince is good-looking.

And quite generous.

Did he propose to me?

Why no one told me?

I don't know, sister.

But I'm sure you won't like it in Muscovy.

Why so?

They're savage illiterate people living in earth holes.

And the Prince is ferocious, beheading people right and left.

Nonsense. They are Orthodox.

Laura.

As if Orthodoxy is an argument.

For me - it is.

You forgot what our father bequeathed to us?

To keep the faith.

Faith is good, but there are more important matters.

- Like money? - Like money, which we don't have.

You will marry Caracciolo.

I promised that to him.

And if I won't?

Then they'll kill me. I have huge debts.

But Caracciolo will settle everything

if I marry you off to him.

You are what? Selling me?

Sister, there should be some use in having you.

Everything will be my way all the same.

The Grand Prince of Moscow Ioann is widowed and looking for a bride.

We'll have him to marry Zoe and convert to the Uniate faith.

That would be great. But why would he want to marry Zoe?

The poor thing has nothing but the title to offer.

The title is what he will find attractive.

He has expanded his lands and is full of ambitions,

ambitions of a sovereign and not of a Prince.

The more so. Zoe wouldn't be the best option.

Allow me to disagree.

There are not so many eligible Orthodox brides around.

Then Prince Ioann shouldn't know

that Zoe has converted to the Uniate faith.

Your Eminence, thank you.

You know very well what cause I serve.

The cause of uniting and strengthening the land of Russ.

I made this oath kissing the cross.

Therefore, to strengthen the Great Throne of Moscow

and the peace of mind of all Orthodox people,

I'm taking for wife Zoe Paleologue

from the dynasty of the Constantinopolitan basileuis.

Such is my will.

If you have anything to say, speak up.

No one will say anything.

They are all afraid.

What are you afraid of, Grigory Ivanovich?

It's not me I am worried about, Your Highness.

I am afraid a strife may happen.

I'll be off, and in the meanwhile keep being afraid.

Freyr, you are the one who knows Italian better than any of us.

- Yes. - Then go to Rome

and bring Princess Zoe to Moscow.

Grand Prince, I'm just a mint master,

my craft is to make coins for the treasury.

- You're afraid? - No. I detest cold.

I won't get that far. I'll die from cold.

I'll give you my fur coat.

Come on, Freyr.

Here!

It's for the good of the country.

You've said a mouthful, Fyodor Davydych.

You go with him, too. To observe all ceremonies.

Why me, Grand Prince? I have enough affairs to attend to here.

I entrust my bride to you. Or do you have anything against it?

My daughter read to me from the Scripture today:

Seven angels' trumpets sounded

and seven seals of a book were loosed...

And the mother of harlots showed herself.

The Romans are bringing the mother of harlots

to marry her off to our prince.

And we all will be devoured by the locusts...

The emissaries are leaving, and you hurry up, too, my friend.

Don't let the Roman daemons set themselves loose.

You don't know what you are asking for.

It's not me asking, but all Orthodox people.

It means high treason.

I am the chief sword-bearer of the Grand Prince.

What sword-bearer are you

if you refuse to help him?

It's you I'm asking because only you will have the courage to.

Stop the beardless ones.

God will pardon us for these doings.

Maybe, but the prince will have my bones crunched.

Hurry up and Godspeed.

What's going on?

I'm not sure what it is.

Fyodor Davydych, what happened?

A familiar birdie chirping.

Be on guard.

Hush...

Let's go!

We go away.

You failed to accomplish such a simple task.

I'm sorry, Grigory Ivanovich. I'm no good murderer.

Is it so? Not a murderer?

To stop a devilish plan you call it a 'murder'?

Remember, you took our side.

God is gracious,

maybe they won't reach us.

We can't know God's provision whether they will or not.

But we should be ready

for the arrival of the guests...

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Senors, you can't enter here!

What's going on?

Your Grace, Russian envoys demanding an audience.

But you were to tell them I'm not here.

They won't leave until they talk to you.

Your guard suddenly felt unwell.

Your Grace, we are sorry

for gate crashing, but we have been waiting all day long.

We were kept out like some serfs. Translate.

The Pope changed his mind: he won't give away Zoe

to be Prince Ioann's wife.

What do you mean - 'changed his mind'?

It took you too long to answer.

We came as fast as we could.

I'm sorry. It can't be helped.

Such is the will of His Eminence.

- What is he saying? - They changed their mind.

They say: leave without the Princess.

What do you mean - 'changed their mind'?

Translate:

we aren't going to leave without Princess Zoe.

We'll stay here until she is given to us. Translate.

The envoy refuses to leave without the Princess, Your Grace.

Excuse me. But try to understand.

You won't be able to find a better match for the Princess

than Ioann of Muscovy.

His Eminence knows best

what's right for his protegee.

Undoubtedly, Your Grace is right, as you always are.

But if only you could explain to the Pope

that the union with the Grand Prince Ioann of Muscovy

would be a great advantage for His Eminence personally,

as for the entire world and for the Holy Church.

What did you say?

I will try to arrange for another audience.

He will try to arrange for another audience.

But you should promise the Pope whatever he asks for.

Certainly. We will promise him just anything.

Yes, yes. What did he say now?

Ioann, the Grand Prince of Muscovy

and the pious Christian, asks to receive all this

as a token of utmost reverence towards the Holy See.

We cannot but laudate

such a generosity of your master.

Does he agree, on marrying Zoe,

the princess of the Paleologue Dynasty,

to convert to the Greek Catholic Church

and to accept us as his Spiritual Father?

...and to accept him as our Spiritual Father.

- Yes, he agrees to that. - And there is something else.

There is something else.

Our will is the following:

in case of our approval of the union between Zoe Paleologue

- and Prince Ioann of Moscow... - ...in case of the wedding...

...we demand you begin hostilities to the north of Tavria

so as to jeopardize the northern borders

of Sultan Mehmet's dominion.

This condition is not open for discussion.

Does the Grand Prince of Muscovy agree to that?

What is he babbling?

He wants us to start a war against the Turks.

Maybe he wants to sleep on my stove bed, too?

Maybe he does. Ask him.

Very well.

Translate: the Grand Prince agrees to that.

I can't promise such things on behalf of the Grand Prince.

We'll beat the Turks, Your Eminence, we will!

We ourselves are sick and tired of them!

The Grand Prince of Muscovy agrees to that.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Your Grace, please!

I'm begging you!

I can't go to Muscovy!

Please. What about my daughter?

Get up, my dear.

Yes, I am guilty.

She was begotten in a sin

and it is my perdition.

Please don't separate me from my daughter.

We all have to pay for our sins.

Get up.

- But my little girl... - She'll be taken care of.

And you need to be with Princess Zoe

while she gets around to Muscovy.

- Then you'll come back. - Yes, Your Grace.

Go and say goodbye to your daughter.

You'll see her again. I promise.

- I'm leaving to Muscovy tomorrow. - Why?

To reign.

You're getting married?

To the Grand Prince of Muscovy.

My congratulations, Your Highness.

I'm so scared, Pietro.

Muscovy is so far away.

I will pray for your good fortune.

It's a pity you aren't coming along.

Maybe I'll up and come. Not tomorrow, but later.

Pietro! Guards!

Let go! What are you... Let go!

Guards!

There are more of them coming. Run, Signor Caracciolo!

Let go!

It's not what you're thinking. I wanted to save you.

Oh, my God!

That wretched family! Like brother, like sister.

They disgraced my family, the family of Caracciolo!

Revenge upon the Paleologues!

And my family will shower you with gold.

It will be my honor, Your Highness.

Oh, my God...

He...

- ...died because of me. - Calm down, Your Highness.

There was so much blood...

Did you see the attackers? Their faces?

No, I didn't.

Hopefully, the guards will find them. Calm down.

I will pray for the poor Pietro's soul...

It's time for you to leave.

You are entrusted with a great mission.

Remember that.

On June 24, the Day of John the Baptist,

Princess Zoe's caravan

containing 100 carriages and 150 horses

left Rome and crossed Italy.

Passing Siena, Bologna and Nuremberg,

the caravan at last reached the seaport of Lubeck.

To bypass the dangerous Lithuania, they embarked on a ship.

They were tossed around in the Baltic Sea.

On the 12th day they came ashore Kolyvan.

The rest of the road to Moscow they covered in the sleighs -

via Pskov and Veliky Novgorod, amidst the frost and blizzard.

The trip took up seven months.

Bad news coming from the borders near the Horde.

Khan Ahmat is gathering an army.

Means soon he will attack us.

What do you think, Fyodor Vasilyevich?

We'll pay a ransom as we did before.

The boyars will help.

The treasury is empty of money.

We've been left without gold since the Novgorodian campaign.

Maybe we should ask Grigory Ivanych Mamonov.

Methinks he'll find a rouble or more.

Grand Prince, a messenger from the Byzantine princess.

Bring him in.

The Roman princess is coming

together with seven dozen priests. They're all beardless.

The main one, the Legate, wears a red cassock.

They enter churches and don't kiss icons.

And instead of a blessing sign they poke at people like this.

What about the Princess?

She doesn't kiss icons either?

She crosses herself in an Orthodox fashion and kisses icons.

She even made the Legate to kiss the image of The Virgin.

- Does the Metropolitan know? - No. First thing I came to you.

Very well.

- Go and have some rest. - Yes.

Your step-mother is coming.

With seventy priests. Thinks she is all so important.

If you fall at odds with her, it'll make me sore, you see?

Yes, Father.

Harken!

The trumpets of seven heavenly angels sounding! Metropolitan!

Protect us, O Lord.

She is nigh, the harlot and her Roman daemons.

They'll be here soon.

In front their chief daemon is carrying the Latin cross!

- The cross? - Protect us, Vladyka.

We are your flock, supplicating for your help.

- Where is the Prince? - He knows!

Go to him and let him know:

should they carry the Latin cross through this gate,

your metropolitan this very moment will leave through the opposite one.

- Can't enter! - Can't enter!

Can't enter!

MOSCOW, 1472.

Your High-ness.

...ness...

What's wrong, my lady?

The snow. It's so painfully white!

I'm sorry.

- What's this noise? - I don't know.

My lady, please don't go out, it might be dangerous.

My lady!

- Break up! - Give way!

I'm bringing the Prince's bride!

Give way, now!

It's impossible, Fyodor Davydych.

Who are you

to thwart the Prince's decree and order me about? Go hence!

I'm the chief sword-bearer. The Metropolitan ordained me to.

It is his will not to let them into the city.

Take that!

Witch!

Witch!

Take away the cross, Senor Antonio.

We haven't even entered the city and are already hated.

Don't you touch me!

That idiot!

We are to go on now.

Give way!

Give way, the Prince is coming!

- How do I look? - Wonderful.

Oh, my God!

Is it such a Roman tradition to keep the groom waiting?

This Roman girl disrespects our customs.

No, take it away.

And this here, my lady.

No, of course not.

My lady, what about this one?

Freyr!

Zoe Paleologue,

The Porphyrogenitos daughter of Thomas,

the own brother of Constantine Paleologue,

the Basileus of Constantinople.

The betrothed bride of Ioann, the Grand Prince of Muscovy.

Well, how do you do, Zoe Fominishna.

How do you do, Your Highness.

You speak Russian?

Only a few words. Princess Zoe hopes

that you, Grand Prince, will teach her the rest.

Meet my mother Maria Yaroslavna.

The mother of the Grand Prince.

My son Ivan.

And you already know Fyodor Davydych.

Grigory Ivanovich, like this we won't finish till Christmas.

[speaking Italian]

Princess Zoe asks for your permission to present this throne to you.

Therein her ancestors used to sit.

I'm afraid to break it.

Afraid for a good reason. You belong here.

Moscow throne is a lot sturdier.

[speaking Italian]

Princess Zoe says that you are right saying so.

Each good in his own place.

The Papal Legate, special emissary

of His Eminence Pope Sixtus IV.

That very legate who was holding the Latin cross?

Yes, Metropolitan Philipp.

Nikita, bring some hot mead and eatables.

Metropolitan Philipp of Moscow.

I've brought a personal message

from His Beatitude Pope Sixtus IV.

- I'll bring snacks in a jiffy. - Wait, Nikita.

I can't read what's written here.

Partake of this strong mead.

You need to warm yourself.

It's from the Secretariat.

It is said here that the Pope respects you

and that we serve to the One and Only God.

And that the emissaries, the princes Khromyi and Fryazin,

on behalf of the Grand Prince,

gave a guarantee in writing that the Prince of Muscovy

will embrace the Greek Catholic faith. God forbid.

How can it be?

Who knows how it can be.

I didn't promise them anything!

But your emissaries did!

They were told to bring the bride, and so they did.

You know what, Ivan Vasilyich.

I'm not going

to crown for marriage an Orthodox prince and a Catholic girl.

- You'll do this! - I won't - even if you behead me!

As long as I am your spiritual father,

I won't suffer such an infidelity happen!

Why infidelity? She's an Orthodox Christian!

- Did she say that to you? - She doesn't speak Russian!

Some bride! Doesn't speak her future husband's language!

What are you afraid of?

I am afraid, Ivan Vasilyich,

that soon you will come to me saying:

"Forgive me, Metropolitan, I'm not with you anymore,

praying to Virgin Mary

"not in my own language, but in my wife's."

Tightly said.

The grand prince of Muscovy can't decrease in his faith.

My faith was that you would help me in this affair.

So be it, I will handle this.

Ask her what's her faith.

[speaking Italian]

She was baptized into Orthodoxy with a name Zoe.

Tell her that tomorrow she will be baptized anew.

[speaking Italian]

She doesn't understand why.

For my peace of mind.

[speaking Italian]

Why don't you trust her?

Trust grows from deeds.

And like this? Will you believe me?

Tomorrow she will be baptized and will take a new name.

[speaking Italian]

Grand Prince, if she refuses to, will you marry her?

If she refuses, I will send her back home

with all her chests and boxes!

Godynya, the son of Mikhail,

the chief sword-bearer of the Grand Prince

and his acolytes Danilka Khlynov

and Syomka Khvost,

on learning about the approaching caravan of Zoe,

the bride of the Grand Prince of Muscovy,

arbitrarily came out to face her

and wouldn't let her enter the city, brandishing their weapons.

For this demoniac folly,

the sword-bearers Danilka and Syomka

and the instigator Godynya Mikhailov

are to be beheaded.

People! Listen!

We came out to chase away the Romans.

I stood up for our faith, and for this - to be beheaded?

Moreover,

Godynya Mikhailov will be specially honored

to die through dismemberment!

Farewell and forgive me if I've wronged anyone.

Syomushka!

Then me, too, Ivan Vasilyevich!

Cut off my head, too!

I will stand up for our faith like them!

Go ahead, do it.

The Princess is asking to stop the execution.

She agrees to be baptized.

You brought your bride here, Ivan Vasilyevich.

For her to see an entertainment you prepared for her!

She came begging me to spare their lives.

[speaking Italian]

She is begging humbly.

Look at her!

Yesterday you wouldn't let her into the city.

But today she saved your heads!

Pardon them!..

Translated by Svetlana Chulkova

Subtitles by Smirnov Sergey (mykstery), 2017/10/14