Original subtitles

Jeanne Vaubernier was the illegitimate child of a monk

and a cook.

She was born to live in the obscurity of simple folk.

Plebeians, commoners.

That is, she came from nothing.

But aren't girls who come from nothing ready for anything?

Her mother, Anne, raised her alone.

She worked as a maid for Mr. Dumousseaux,

a charitable and kindly man.

Fond of the child,

he saw to her education.

He satisfied her thirst for knowledge

and honed her manners by inviting her to his salon.

Intelligence.

Comprehension.

Reflection.

Thoughts.

Reason.

Wit.

Judgment.

Complicity.

Understanding.

Discernment!

Thanks to Mr. Dumousseaux, who bore the cost,

Jeanne was sent to Sainte-Aure convent.

He most likely wanted to spare her

the eventual debauchery that often befalls common girls.

Come.

Jeanne grew up.

Convent life became too confining for her.

But books opened the world to her.

She soon discovered

the unsettling sway of eroticism.

Jeanne!

Child of Satan!

I'll teach you to read those books!

Lower your eyes!

Yes?

Expelled from the convent, Jeanne was no longer a child.

Fearing that her husband

could not resist temptation for long,

Madame Dumousseaux dismissed Jeanne and her mother,

for an alleged theft she did not commit.

But what good is innocence

if others harbor guilty desires for you?

The two young women decided to head to Paris,

capital of all hopes and all dangers.

How long will this last?

Undress.

No.

Jeanne, I beg of you,

undress.

I don't get it. You always do.

It's my body.

Maybe you should leave us?

Excuse me?

Go for a walk in the garden. It's splendid.

Shortly thereafter,

Jeanne was hired as a reader for Madame de La Garde,

a widow who lived with her two sons.

She introduced Jeanne to great literature

and soon Jeanne rivaled the wit

of the aristocratic elite.

Insolent.

Insolent.

Brazen.

Impertinent.

Anyone?

Bold.

Audacious.

Nice one.

Boorish. Jeanne?

Sassy.

After all I've done, I find you in bed with my sons?

Leave, you harlot!

Shame on you!

Thanks to libertinage,

Jeanne discovered how to become a woman

while remaining free.

Years went by.

Jeanne learned to use her charms

to seduce wealthier and wealthier lovers.

She quickly made a name for herself as a courtesan.

In a cloud of pink satin, Adelaïde.

Look at that black silk crepe.

A white corset!

As soft as an angel!

Girlish!

My dear, how are you?

Monsieur du Barry!

Mademoiselle!

- A pleasure. - For me!

Excellent.

Like it?

Jeanne.

Jean.

An angel from heaven.

Madame Labille told me about you.

And I must say she didn't lie.

Where have you been all this time?

I've been waiting.

Nothing scares you.

I already make you laugh.

You don't believe me.

No.

What can I do to persuade you?

I can offer you a place to live.

My mother makes the deals.

I have nothing against your mother,

but right now,

my life is at stake.

So is mine.

Let's share.

- So? - Agreed.

Good.

- That pleases me. - Deal done.

Mr. du Barry,

with all due respect...

I appreciate you, Count.

The Duke is telling you so.

Me too.

Go on.

You know, we send women to the King's bedchamber.

I know.

Not one has ever captured his attention.

Indeed.

So now...

the King must meet Jeanne.

But as if by chance.

You're betting on chance.

Yes, on chance.

He'll think he made the choice himself.

Here she is.

Where were you, honey? I was waiting.

Helping Adolphe with his essay.

I pay tutors for that.

Some things can't be bought, du Barry.

Du Barry?

Who's here tonight?

The usual. Writers, poets,

the Maréchal de Richelieu...

Come, I need you.

Some high-class courtesans, Mademoiselle Legrand,

and...

the Countess de La Rena.

You couldn't resist?

Shall we discuss your lovers?

My lovers participate in our expenses.

Your mistresses, not one cent.

That was the deal.

You're not elegant enough

to spare me seeing them.

Richelieu wishes to introduce you to the King.

"The King, the King", it's an obsession!

You're free to leave.

I stay for your son.

Jeanne, my dear.

I love you.

Maybe not how you'd like but I love you.

This isn't love.

Really? So what is it?

Since you know, tell me!

I may not know what love is,

but I know it's not this.

Good evening.

My heart's desire.

Adolphe!

Delicious wine!

Good evening, gentlemen.

King's Cake.

I know it's one of your favorites.

What's wrong?

Something's in my mouth.

Not to be droll, but I think that's often the case.

How refined.

Mouth full.

Our King has a nice face.

Why are you still here?

You said I should get some rest.

Yes, you're right.

It's important to get rest.

But you mustn't break engagements without telling me.

I'm talking to you.

Why are you such an adamant reader?

Getting any rest? Get some more!

Get some rest!

You are and always will be

an ignorant whore!

You're the only person I see in the morning.

I see others in the afternoon.

Careful, a well-turned lie is a declaration of love.

Isn't a life change in order?

And go where?

And with whom?

I can't leave his son.

Adolphe.

Du Barry wants me to introduce you to the King.

He mentions it day and night.

Jeanne...

what life do you want?

A life of curiosity.

A life where we take time to live,

drink, eat, write, read.

People like me never have time for anything.

My mother's a cook.

So either I live a life like hers.

Or a life of harlotry.

I prefer harlotry.

Turn around.

The King!

For my brother, sentenced to death.

Sire.

- "We shall define..." - Period.

Sorry. "Feudal."

"And feudal."

Madame?

Sir.

His Majesty wishes to see Madame.

Very well.

When?

Now.

If Madame is available.

Give her an hour.

I'm ready now.

How so?

I'm ready.

No, Jeanne.

Not like that. Change dresses, do your hair!

Anne, tell her.

He's right, change your dress.

Be gracious... you know how.

You have it all.

- Don't be afraid. - I'm not.

What's that?

This is the custom. No one must see you.

Jeanne.

When will you be back?

Soon.

Have you had many partners?

What do you mean by many?

More than one?

One at a time, yes.

Most of the time.

Are you encountering any discomfort in the female matrix?

I don't understand.

Does it itch down there?

No.

You know, every day I anoint my...

love mound with precious oils.

No burning sensation during micturition?

When you pee.

No.

I fear I must examine you more thoroughly.

Please.

All right.

Spread your legs.

More.

She is worthy of the royal bed.

Good.

Sir...

I do suggest quarantining her for a few days,

should a venereal disease appear.

Thanks, we'll leave it as is.

Now what? You get a taste first, right?

Everyone says you get a taste.

I must teach you the procedures now.

All right.

Always talk like that?

Like what?

With that haughty air.

But this is Versailles, Madame.

I cannot speak to the King like that.

I don't think he brought you here to speak.

So go on.

Teach me Versailles procedures.

How will you curtsey to the King tonight?

Arms higher.

Perfect.

Do I touch him first?

Let him guide you.

But...

Is he difficult to satisfy?

No, he is ardent.

You won't need a thousand strategies to rouse his senses.

But...

Must I say something particular?

Your emotions will speak for you.

The one thing you must remember

is never to turn your back to the King.

If the King stands before you

and you wish to turn away,

you must do like this...

Joking?

Absolutely not.

No one may turn his back to the King.

Except the Dauphin.

- You hear? - Yes!

But...

What if I skip the tiny steps?

His Majesty will see you lack grace.

And?

He is very attuned to grace.

Me too.

Do you find something amusing?

Yes, you're the spitting image of a 6-franc coin.

I am honored, Your Majesty.

Champagne?

May I?

Yes.

You like it?

No.

Solid gold?

Yes.

And your name is engraved on every fork and spoon?

I think so.

It's the gold that interests you?

Look behind.

There.

The statue.

Yes.

Is that gold too?

I'm sorry, Majesty.

I'm sorry, but I can't do it.

Do what?

Those tiny backward steps. I'm sorry, I can't.

What sign are you?

I don't know.

I don't believe much in astrology, Majesty.

Your Majesty.

So will you let me?

Let you?

Not to take those tiny steps.

Thank you, Majesty.

It's you.

As a child?

Please...

can you let down your hair?

Yes, Majesty.

Madame?

Will you please get dressed?

Immediately.

I need my dress.

Follow me.

Come.

Please wait here.

Sire!

It is time!

Majesty!

Your first doctor.

Majesty,

the first visitors.

The royal family.

Majesty!

The grand officers.

Majesty.

Your toilette.

Majesty,

the wigmakers.

Ladies and gentlemen, the King's levee is over.

The royal family may take leave.

The Dauphin.

Same routine every day?

Yes.

Same people saying the same things?

Close your eyes.

Open.

Should I?

I'd like you to stay here in Versailles.

How about you?

Of course.

See you shortly.

Excuse me.

Who's that with the King?

The heavyset one next to the King

is Choiseul, Prime Minister.

He exudes nastiness.

He wants the King to bed his sister?

I don't know, Madame.

Yes you do.

The Dauphin!

So handsome!

And all those women?

The King's daughters.

Adélaïde, Sophie,

Victoire,

and the one with the shoulder hump is Louise.

The King's favorite.

Nicknamed "Last One".

Bring me some lard.

Lard!

- This one? - No! Lard!

They are the antipodes of seduction.

We never see the Queen?

She is discreet.

She suffers her husband's unfaithfulness.

Like all the queens of France.

The King admires her discretion.

Her humility, her gentleness.

All of France knows.

He cheats nonstop, at the château, the Parc-aux-Cerfs.

The Queen cares about her children, religion.

She is overwhelmingly distrustful of luxury

and of people who...

manage money poorly.

Your hood, fast! Sit back.

It's best to leave.

Coachman!

The Queen, Marie Leszczyńska,

died after 43 years of a reign both discreet and lackluster.

It was Jeanne's turn to reign.

But mourning and mores distanced her from Versailles

in a secret apartment.

Sire,

your daughters.

They know you are here.

The dress.

Come.

Hello, my daughters.

Father...

A vile rumor has Versailles abuzz.

As usual.

They say you spend every night with a...

My dear daughters,

your father does,

at times,

see a lady friend. It's true.

But...

she is married...

and has a son.

That creature has no title. She's not married!

Her hawker has a son.

She's an ignoramus.

I disagree.

You've made us the laughing stock of Versailles.

Father, our mother just died. Show some dignity.

This visit is over.

Father?

I will not accept that

you make her one of your favorites while we mourn.

Nor will we.

Sire,

Choiseul just discovered Jeanne's origins.

He will not let a girl from the gutter mix with your entourage.

That young woman is my entourage.

Yes, Sire.

I want to be by her side

when the sun rises,

and when it sets.

That's all.

Yes.

So you know what must be done.

Quickly.

Yes, Sire.

To be received officially at Court,

Jeanne could not remain without husband or title.

Jean du Barry accepted to marry her

for a substantial sum of money.

Count du Barry,

do you take as your wife Jeanne Bernier...

Vaubernier.

Jeanne Vaubernier, here before me.

I do.

Mademoiselle Jeanne Vaubernier,

do you take as your husband

Jean du Barry, here before me.

I do.

I now declare you husband and wife.

Adolphe, the rings.

No kiss from the bride?

And that is how Jeanne became the Countess du Barry.

Grand canal, petit canal,

Trianon, woods, flower patch, French garden,

l'Orangerie.

Castle, 600 water jets, 200,000 trees.

Bravo.

Who lives at Court, bottom to top?

Servants, officers, courtiers, royal family.

When does His Majesty cross

the Hall of Mirrors to the chapel?

- 6 o'clock. - No.

It's when you met the King,

remember.

And when he met me.

Indeed.

I'd say at 9:45?

Good guess.

Because Mass is at 10.

Good.

The rest of the day?

11 am, Council of Ministers. 1 pm, he dines

in his room

with someone from his family, or alone.

And he spends the afternoon hunting

or napping.

Supper?

Supper is at 6 pm.

When there are no events at the opera.

And when the courtiers are invited to help themselves,

they can take only small amounts

once the food-taster has tasted

the King's forty dishes.

Who eats standing and who eats seated?

Dukes and Duchesses sit, Counts and Countesses stand.

You've progressed.

They'll be watching me eat?

Even standing is a privilege for a courtier.

Now let's work on the three farewell curtsies.

This is very important.

You'll be judged severely the day you are presented.

I am the King. Look at me.

Not in the eyes. Above all,

never look the King in his eyes.

Good.

What did I just say?

Eyes down.

Or else?

Or else,

it will be perceived by the Court as arrogance.

Pride.

Or, on the contrary, as an invitation.

An invitation?

To?

Well...

an invitation.

- To do what? - An invitation to...

You understand.

- No. - Yes.

To philander.

You make me laugh.

May I express this feeling?

One does not show feelings at Court.

Next.

Imagine this is the train of your dress.

Step back to the door.

You walked on it.

Come forward. I am the King of France.

Everyone is watching you.

- Any news? - None.

She won't be long.

The King is impatient.

Pretty women keep men waiting.

Majesty, may I bring in the Countess du Barry?

Do so.

The Countess Jeanne

du Barry!

Finally.

What temerity!

Ladies and gentlemen,

be seated for the gift offered by His Majesty

to the Countess du Barry!

A gift?

My days and my nights Know little rest, and much worry

I die of languor My heart is afire

I'm in love but Heaven sees

nary a happier lover.

My God!

Thank you.

What's your name?

Zamor.

How exotic!

Welcome.

Thank you.

Don't be afraid.

Don't be.

- Welcome, Zamor. - Thank you.

Bow before the King.

Bow.

The shame!

Madame, your apartments.

This is your home.

I'll introduce you: hair, makeup, valets,

intendant, chambermaids.

Go on.

What are you doing?

Protected by the King's love,

Jeanne imposed on Versailles her affinity for simplicity and the arts.

This benefited many artists and poets.

She knew the Dauphin had to be married

and that, somewhere in Austria,

an eleven year old named Marie-Antoinette

was waiting to be introduced to him.

Fortunately for her,

Jeanne was now first lady of the castle.

But for how long?

The King could take another girl at the Parc-aux-Cerfs

and dismiss Jeanne at the slightest misstep.

Marvelous.

What a divine mystery.

Is something wrong, Madame?

Only the stars interest you, Majesty.

I adore you when you're angry.

Wrong. You adore me all the time.

That's true.

I love you, Madame.

No, Majesty, you do not love me.

Not knowing me excites you.

But I do know you.

She's dressed like a man!

I hope you'll always remember your friend.

I'm not the Queen!

Not yet.

At her first official outing,

Jeanne appeared triumphantly arm in arm with the King.

For once, at the French Court

one woman did away with custom, crinoline and powdered wigs

and dressed like a man.

You've reached the rank you wanted

but I can't help fearing for you.

If the King grows tired of you?

Far from the case.

Don't act so proud. Pride can do you in.

Jeanne... the Parc-aux-Cerfs manor!

I know. He doesn't go there anymore.

The manor still exists. That means what it means.

No, it means nothing.

La Pompadour had it built to divert his lustfulness.

With you, no need to divert it elsewhere?

Exactly.

Not like others.

If you're so irresistible, why doesn't he marry you?

We'd need to get our marriage annulled.

The clergy would oppose it.

His great-grandfather married his mistress.

Why can't he do the same?

I worry about Zamor the most.

All he has is me.

You need property, a house in your name.

Don't fret over the Negro.

His name is Zamor.

Thank you.

Louveciennes.

Jeanne finally had a place of her own

where she could take refuge with her beloved King,

where others could not impose their rules.

It hurts.

Be strong.

You may come in.

Have a seat.

Where is he from?

Chandernagor. In Bengal.

An Indian Negro?

This Negro comes from Africa, but by way of India.

I think he was sold several times.

And now he lives in France.

Her dress is rather pretty.

It's striped.

She looks like curtains.

He lives in France now.

I've made him my page.

Come now, a page is white.

A page is noble.

It is not necessary to be noble

to reside at the Court.

Right?

Right?

- He's now my servant. - You mean slave?

No.

It's obvious that Nature destined them to servitude.

In America, this Negro would harvest sugar cane!

Here he serves tea and chocolate.

That's it.

Expect no more of them.

He himself is incapable of expecting more.

Like all God's creatures, he's capable of salvation.

Louise?

Are you teaching me catechism now?

We don't look alike, yet he's my brother in Jesus Christ.

Yours too.

Yours too.

- And yours. - I agree.

She agrees.

A biscuit?

Louise...

Here.

He's black with a pink tongue, like ours.

I didn't see.

Is it good?

Yes?

I saw it! A little pink tongue.

I must leave you.

My sisters.

Let's sing.

We'll take the score.

It's over.

It's over.

They're mean.

Devastated by the scandal, Louise left Versailles,

ceased being a princess, renounced her privileges

and became a nun.

But the King had a soft spot for his last one.

Her departure plunged him into depression.

Sire, the Countess du Barry.

Very well.

Follow me, please.

I need to be alone.

Is it Louise's fate that distresses you so?

I need to work.

My respects.

Excuse me?

My respects?

Yes.

My respects.

Who was in his bed last night?

Madame de Brèche.

She comes often. Her husband is a musician.

The King has other mistresses?

You are the King's favorite.

But his tastes change.

The allure of the unknown.

If I am falling from grace,

please tell me right away.

I'll disappear.

You're starting to see

the King's dark side.

You must remain dignified and brave.

And I'm sentenced to be faithful?

Your behavior must be above suspicion.

The King will hear each detail,

extravagantly distorted by your enemies.

La Borde was right.

Jeanne had no reason to worry.

She was still the Favorite.

Despite mocking her striped dresses and masculine attire,

ladies of the Court imitated her

as eagerly as they'd maligned her.

Look.

That...

is the du Barry style.

Jeanne spent four happy years in Versailles with the King,

who slowly regained his lust for life.

Zamor grew up and, thanks to Jeanne,

became a sensitive, learned young man.

But it was for Adolphe, now introduced at Court,

that Jeanne felt boundless love.

Worried about his future,

she arranged his marriage to an upper-class girl

with whom he'd fallen in love.

Enough, Adolphe.

Stop.

Better, but...

But it was another wedding that caused a stir.

The Dauphin, heir to the throne,

was finally marrying young Marie-Antoinette of Austria.

The future Queen's arrival,

meticulously planned by Choiseul, had the Court in a frenzy.

Jeanne was threatened.

Look at her skin.

My God, white as milk...

Louis?

Can you speak German?

No.

But...

I can teach you.

Maybe later?

Mercy?

Madame, the Dauphine is hungry.

When will she be served?

Once the King arrives.

Of course.

Thank you, Mercy.

His Majesty the King.

And the Countess du Barry.

In white.

Wearing white!

Victoire!

Her hair is down!

How awful.

How dare they?

In front of the girl.

Who is that beauty?

Strumpet.

The creature we must eliminate.

We count on you to banish her.

I fear I must leave!

Look!

I do not wish to.

Scandalous that the King decides to introduce the creature

to the Dauphine.

Unworthy of his most Christian Majesty!

But tonight we celebrate

the end of the creature.

Du Barry feels no affection or hate for anyone.

One cannot govern with a character like that.

Look.

This du Barry

has something La Pompadour never had.

She is big on the thing.

What thing?

The thing between our legs,

dear lady.

My dear niece,

you must use your influence to get that horrible woman

chased away from the Court.

The more you ignore the creature,

the more the kingdom will love you.

I told my father what my respect for him allows.

But he's stubborn.

Maybe your words will have more sway.

He loves you so!

I love him too.

The creature is not allowed to speak to you

as long as you don't speak to her first.

You know that. Do you?

In that case...

I declare myself her rival.

Thank you, Majesty.

Madame, Adolphe fought a duel.

It's bad. A carriage is waiting.

Jeanne never recovered from the death of Adolphe,

that darling son she had not borne.

Comfort and luxury now seemed insipid and futile.

She understood that the only wealth she cared about

was the King's love.

The future Queen had still not spoken to her.

This weakened Jeanne's position in the Court.

Stop!

Let's start over.

Don't get rattled by their ridiculous banter.

Yes, Majesty.

I'll do everything in my power

to make the Dauphine see reason.

Good.

The Dauphine will speak to you tomorrow.

At 4 o'clock. In the game room.

It will happen like this.

I'll give you a signal.

A look, a word, a sign.

Then the Dauphine will come by my side

and tell you something.

Casually.

Don't expect anything poignant.

The Dauphine prefers to keep it...

casual.

I understand.

That will be perfect.

I wish Adolphe were here.

He'd have been so happy for me.

And now,

I ask one of you to name a card.

Name a card, any card.

Queen of spades.

Queen of spades.

Usually...

a card starts to rise.

Ladies and gentlemen, it can be nothing other than

the queen of spades.

Thank you very much.

A card, Madame.

Ace of hearts.

A heart like mine!

Thank you, everyone.

It's time for our music lesson.

The King!

Majesty, I...

The union between France and Austria is at stake.

You must accept.

Just one word.

Poor Mercy.

He tried so hard.

I think Mercy is right

and you're wrong, Adelaïde.

Sophie.

What an idiot!

Majesty,

Madame la Dauphine

wishes to invite Your Majesty

to a performance where she plays a shepherdess.

Charming.

A shepherdess.

Will Your Majesty honor us with your presence?

No.

May I know why?

The desire.

The desire, of course.

The desire.

Well, Majesty,

my respects.

There are a great many people today at Versailles.

But...

Why?

She spoke to you.

What got into you? Why?

She's running!

She spoke to me!

She spoke to me!

She spoke to me.

She spoke to me!

She's happy.

Yes, she seems happy.

9 words from a princess' pretty mouth

saved Jeanne from disgrace.

The royal family finally deigned to recognize her.

The lovers' bliss might have lasted, but alas,

the stars the King so loved to observe

decided otherwise.

I think we must tell him.

Good luck, Duke.

A third bloodletting is necessary.

They want a third bloodletting.

Yes?

Yes, Sire.

Where is Jeanne?

She's here.

Jeanne?

Yes?

I'm thirsty.

No.

I want Vichy water.

Vichy water.

Thank you, Zamor.

It's smallpox.

Does the King know?

Telling him would kill him.

You're in danger, Madame.

Should he die, the royal family will chase you out.

Prepare your belongings.

No.

A simple relapse, no more.

At 64, smallpox is serious.

We mustn't tell the King.

I agree. It would weaken him.

Let us in.

Madame,

smallpox is contagious.

I want to see my grandfather.

I've been ordered to protect you.

This is grotesque.

No.

It's Versailles.

Bring me a mirror.

A mirror!

Show me

the state I'm in.

I'd like...

to confess.

Sire,

to prove that you've repented,

you must renounce the scandal.

I'm afraid of Hell, Jeanne.

I owe it to God

and to my people.

You must withdraw.

You must withdraw.

Light the candle.

Félicité,

can you see if the candle is still lit?

Yes, it is.

To the convent! It's all she deserves.

What a relief! See her leaving?

Good riddance!

She's coming back!

The creature's coming back!

Unthinkable.

I wish to say a last farewell.

No.

Get involved!

Say something.

You already said your last farewell.

Let her in.

Yes, Sire.

I'll accompany you.

I love you.

Finally.

Here you are.

I love you too, Jeanne.

So much.

Jeanne.

My love.

Thank you, Sire.

You were always good to me.

Zamor, please.

You'll be fine.

See you.

I absolve you of all your sins.

The King bid I tell you he asked forgiveness from God

for having aggrieved Him

and for the scandal he brought on his people.

If God heals him,

he will show repentance,

support for the religion

and relief for his people.

Take care of her,

La Borde.

Yes, Sire.

You are my friend, La Borde.

The King is dead.

The King is dead!

Long live the King!

Long live the King!

I'm devoted to you.

Jeanne was condemned for being - to Church and Monarchy -

sin incarnate.

She was locked in a convent for a year.

Louis XVI had her set free,

on the condition that she never approach Versailles.

Jeanne moved to Louveciennes

and lived there for 15 peaceful years.

Then came the Revolution,

sweeping away old-world privilege, reshuffling the cards.

Nobles ceased vain quarrels, and, in the face of adversity,

Marie-Antoinette offered Jeanne her friendship.

In those troubled times, everyone had to choose a side.

Zamor sided with the Republic and, out of distress or spite,

denounced his former mistress.

That she was a commoner changed nothing.

In the eyes of the citizens,

Jeanne had betrayed her origins long ago.

Louis XVI was guillotined on January 21, 1793.

Marie-Antoinette, on October 16th.

And Jeanne on December 8th.

Her last words on the scaffold are said to be:

"Just one more minute, Mr. Executioner.

"I loved life too much to have it taken away like this",

before raising her eyes one last time to Heaven.

I could never have made this film (or the previous ones)

without the light of my friend Hervé Temime.

He was my pillar. This film is for him.

Subtitles: Andrew Litvack

Subtitling: Hiventy by TransPerfect