Original subtitles

(♪ WAGNER: Elegy for Piano in A Flat Major)

(♪ Discordant piano chords echo)

Yes, Father, I am listening.

Do not be proud of the honor

to which we are called today...

(♪ Distant bugle)

...fear it.

From now on, the path to salvation

will be all the more difficult for you.

Yes, Father.

Learn to be humble.

Humility is the greatest gift I can wish for you.

Listen to others,

the wise and experienced men around you.

Try to learn from them.

Remember, a truly great man

is small within himself

and cares nothing for renown.

Yes, Father.

You know the anguish I used to feel thinking of this day.

But I am not afraid anymore.

For some time now, I've felt at peace

and I realize how I must use my power.

It seems so simple, so beautiful.

I can invite truly wise men to come to me.

Great geniuses, great artists.

And I can humbly ask for their help.

They will create the monuments of my reign.

Isn't that what the rulers did in ancient times?

And I will become a better man.

With the help of God.

In fear of God.

Serving God.

Now, make an act of contrition.

(Ludwig) O God, I am heartily sorry...

(Priest recites absolution in Latin)

There is something that justifies how I feel

as I begin to conduct with you today

this difficult and painful inquiry

which aims at establishing if our King

is still, in our opinion

fit to rule our bereaved, ill-fated

despised, ridiculed and tormented Bavaria

without betraying the unwavering trust of his people.

What I am referring to

is that I am one of the few.

One of the very few ministers who has been in office without suspension

since March 1864.

Since the day when, full of illusions and hopes, we all applauded

our prince as he was crowned and ascended to power.

(♪ Military band starts playing)

The Secretary of the Treasury.

And now the ambassadors.

Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Prussia and Austria.

Excuse me, Your Highness.

- His Majesty is almost ready. - Very well.

- Only two more minutes - Thank you.

Thank you.

Your Majesty, the King would like to see you.

Thank you.

Champagne.

All right.

I would like to remind my illustrious colleagues of our astonishment when

during the first meeting convened by His Majesty, we were told that

the only necessary and urgent thing that needed to be done

was tracing immediately Maestro Wagner

and trying everything in our power to convince him

to move to our country.

What is all this?

These are the reports on the police officials

I sent to find Mr Wagner, Sire.

Police? Why did you employ the police?

I am not a detective, Your Majesty.

And Mr Wagner is difficult to find.

He is not in Munich, not in Vienna, not in Neuchâtel.

But he was in all those places

up to a few moments before the arrival of our officials

who went to look for him.

As Your Majesty can see from report number four

we have word that Mr Wagner is traveling to Stuttgart.

But I am waiting for confirmation.

Confirmation? From whom? From some other policemen?

I thought I had made myself clear.

I don't wish to arrest Wagner

In all humility, I want to beg him to honor me with a visit

because I am convinced

that the presence of a great poet and composer like Richard Wagner

could be of invaluable help and prestige for us.

It is not a police official who should be sent to deliver my invitation.

The maestro is surely, and rightly, incited -

that is why he doesn't wish to be found.

If my information is correct,

it is not our police officials Wagner is fleeing, Your Majesty,

it is his creditors.

Nonsense!

If Wagner is in Stuttgart, I will go personally

and offer my apologies and my invitation.

I must remind Your Majesty that our Foreign Minister

most warmly urges Your Majesty to visit Bad Ischl.

Not only are the Emperor of Austria and the Empress Elisabeth there,

but also the Crown Prince of Prussia, the Tsarina and...

Does our Foreign Minister fail to realize

that our friendship with Richard Wagner is far more important

than alliance with all the crown heads on holiday at Bad Ischl?

I am afraid he does not realize that, Sire.

Try to explain it to him, and tell him know that

I won't move from here until Richard Wagner has been found!

If that is the case, Sire, I promise to solve the problem myself.

- It is only a question of price. - Let's not make any further mistakes.

Wagner will be given a letter from me and a gift.

I should perhaps have been more explicit, Sire,

I agree. A gift is required.

Now, as for Your Majesty's visit to Bad Ischl, we will...

It has been a long time since we last met, mon cousin.

Sometimes I have doubts about my future as an Empress.

So, as you can see, I am considering a new career

as a circus rider.

Have you changed?

i>Ma

Mon cousin... How long has it been since we saw each other?

Five years...

No, more. Five years and six months.

You have a very good memory.

(Chuckles)

Grazie. À demain.

I am sorry I could not be at your coronation, but I was...

Where was I? Let me think.

Your ambassador said you were ill in bed.

That's not true. I was going to come,

but the thought of meeting all my relatives

made me change my mind.

- The same happened to me today - Really?

I was about to go for dinner when I heard you were here

- Who told you? - My aide-de-camp. He knows everything.

He knew you were not going to attend tonight's official dinner...

...with the excuse of being ill, as usual.

He also knew where you were.

So... I came here looking for you.

I suppose you pretended to be ill as well.

Yes, you have changed, indeed. You are much more handsome.

The most handsome king in Europe.

(Laughs)

That's not much of a compliment, though.

Did you come to greet me or to spy on me?

I don't know.

Both.

And you gave me an excuse to avoid the dinner.

I am not used to official gatherings yet

I suppose it takes training. But you, too.

Oh, with me things are different.

I escape whenever I feel like it under everyone's nose.

But you know, it's true.

People have been telling me you look more and more like me.

- Do you not think, mon cousin? - I do not know

I would like to, though.

- Would you? - Why not?

I would like it, too.

You can return to the inn, Countess Ferenczy. I have an escort.

- Very well, Your Majesty. - Am I right?

- I do not want to go home right away. - As you wish.

- I am your hostage. - Of course.

Changes can be deceiving.

New places, new faces,

new habits to learn.

In other words,

there was enough to make someone like me feel content.

At the beginning, I did not even miss my family.

I was occupied. I had a husband to love,

before I realized that he did not know what to do with my love.

He was looking for love elsewhere.

And I had a mother-in-law to win over,

before I realized that she is actually a hateful woman.

She even denied me the right to raise my children.

My own children - entrusted with tutors, generals and priests -

became strangers to me.

Then, all of a sudden, you discover that...

the house you've been living in is just a gloomy, sinister palace.

You start wondering why you've spent the last ten years trapped there.

How awful.

You feel betrayed,

like a moth that's drawn to a house by the lights

but gets trapped inside.

I suddenly realized it all,

as though I'd woken up from a long sleep.

My illness was the sorrow.

Then one day I left.

Madeira, Corfu...

Greece...

Italy.

Ah, Italy.

Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn

I still protect myself by running away.

They say I am eccentric.

But they said that even before,

when it became clear I hated that prison Hofburg.

When it became clear I really could not bear a husband

always in uniform always going to war.

Whatever I do or say, they criticise me.

So why shouldn't I do as I please?

Everyone has always spoken to me about you with great admiration.

Yes.

When I visit the hospitals, the wounded soldiers cheer me and cry.

I carry off official visits very well.

I only have to be beautiful and charm someone.

Just as you are supposed to do here.

Whom are you to charm? The Tsar?

I hear they want you to marry his daughter.

I have heard that too.

But... I don't want marry yet.

- I am only 19 - I was 16 when I married.

Now they say I was too young, that's why I soon became bored.

They say I have many lovers, even among my footmen!

What do you think? Is it true?

I think all men must fall in love with you.

You are very kind, but not an answer.

Is it true or not?

I have never heard it said.

You won't answer. All right.

I shall ask you another question.

Is what they say about you the truth?

What have they said to you?

- You never have had a woman. - I am a Catholic.

(Laughs) Is that the reason?

They also say that you like to be alone...

That despise the people around you.

That you go riding at night.

They call you "The Moonlight Lover".

I do the same.

But I don't believe I am Siegfried.

I never thought I was Siegfried.

Not till tonight.

Do you know the only time Siegfried feels fear?

When he first meets a woman.

- Thank you. - Gentlemen.

- Ma cousine - I don't like her.

Who?

The Tsarina. You shan't marry her. I forbid it.

I obey.

You may call and command me, I shall always obey.

Careful. I might take you seriously.

No, you always joke with me.

You don't understand.

You are very handsome, but not very quick witted.

That is why I need you.

Ha, apparently not. You are leaving tomorrow.

I must.

If it stops snowing, in three days we will have a full moon.

I will be alone.

We can go riding in the night. Will you come with me?

What is your pressing business in Munich?

Who is waiting for you there?

I shall ask our secret service.

You are keeping something from me.

When I took over the secretariat

and became aware of the seriousness of the situation,

I was horrified.

I sent a memorandum to the King, who was away from Munich,

telling him that a single performance of Tristan

cost more than the maintenance of an entire battalion.

I received no reply.

For pity's sake! This house is not good enough for me at all.

It has to be furnished throughout.

The curtains need changing. I need a new piano.

And the replacement furniture I want hasn't arrived yet from Vienna.

But you're lacking anything. I think it's too beautiful.

Too beautiful? What could that be, eh? Nothing!

Nothing can be "too beautiful" in the place I'm going to work.

Am I supposed to be an outcast sleeping on a straw mattress?

I detest everything mediocre, less than the best.

I must have the best if I am to work.

I need even more: security.

Uncertainty about the future destroys my nerves.

I become ill. I'm unable to write a single note.

What's the use of dreaming

about performances of my works when I'm dead?

I want my music performed now,

when I say, as I say.

Of course. But now this isn't a dream, it's a marvellous reality.

It's a reality? No, you're right, it is marvellous.

There's this house, my stipend,

and Tristan about to go into rehearsal.

Poor Tristan, he has waited six years.

And soon we will have the theater I have always dreamed of.

The King has given me a free hand.

I've written to Semper. Yes, he'll be down here with the plans.

He's going to have his work cut out for him.

We must start engaging the singers for Tristan at once.

Do you think Mayer will be free?

(Dog whines)

- If not, who would you...? - I hope he isn't free.

Another singer might be better.

For some time now he's, er...

Forgive me, but are you sure there will be no objections to me?

After all, Munich has some quite able conductors.

If someone is brought in from outside... Well, there could be objections.

I have no objections and that's all that matters.

The King has given me a free hand, I told you.

He embraced me and almost knelt at my feet when I first met him.

I was moved.

Deeply moved.

A strange boy.

I need to present you to him.

If he ever comes back - he said he'd be away

only two or three days, and that was three weeks ago.

The court authorities take advantage of his absence. They stop paying bills.

"The King must authorise the payments," they say. It's grotesque.

(Dog whines)

He is like a young god descended from Olympus,

but he is surrounded by stupid, suspicious boars - a pack of them.

I won't make a single friend there.

You must come and stay with me.

(Bellows)

(Makes playful animal noises)

(Gasping for breath)

So, that's decided, isn't it?

Come upstairs. I'll show you the rest of the house

- You don't mind, do you? - No, of course I don't.

But the children will disturb you.

Nonsense. The house is large, they won't be a nuisance.

Another child will soon be here.

(Kisses)

Can you not smell the fragrance of the night?

Enchanting our souls with such sweetness

Drifting upon us mysteriously through the air

My questions melt away as I yield to its spell

The same magic drew me to you, my dear

On that wondrous day when our eyes first met

No more would I hunger for answers

My eyes saw you, and my heart...

My heart understood

I like poetry, I understand it,

but I wouldn't miss the music so much.

But the beauty of Wagner's poetry is in the music.

And the beauty of his music is in the poetry.

One cannot exist without the other

and from this powerful fusion a new language is born

that everyone can understand anywhere in the world.

A language that can even spread ideas.

I cannot explain it, but I know...

I know that the best thing you can do for your people

is to enrich their minds.

Mon cousin, what do you want to make of your Bavaria?

A nation of musicians?

(Laughs)

Are you making fun of me?

It is a very important matter, at least for me.

To Wagner I owe my strength,

my willingness to do something in life

to be useful to somebody in the world

even if he has the modest role of an intermediary.

I owe all of this to him. As I owe to you.

What do you owe me?

I owe you the happiness of the past few days.

I spent them looking forward to seeing you again.

Pure and utter bliss.

Promise me to always help me and not to abandon me.

- Will you promise me? - Yes.

You are like a child, Ludwig. And a crazy one too.

We all are in our family, including me. I am sure about this.

Promise me you will never leave me. Only this.

That I will always be able to see you if I need to,

even if only for a moment.

A moment all for myself.

Very well. But how can this happen?

You are in Munich, I am in Vienna.

I will go everywhere you are.

You never visit me... but I know you often go to Possenhofen.

Am I right?

From now on, I will...

I know when you have to come here -

for Wagner's Tristan,

the opera that we have decided to stage.

He has been waiting for six years.

I promised him that he would stage it.

You must come and see it.

It is wonderful.

You will understand everything I have been trying to tell you.

You will also understand me

and what's happened to me over the past few days.

Then you will share a moment with me

and you'll be able to say,

"Now I understand."

Do you know where I'll wait for you?

Hmm?

Remember five years ago,

the Island of Roses?

The flag high on the yard means, "I am waiting for you."

Remember?

Come.

You have to promise me.

Tristan...

is like an ocean of harmonious sounds

where you can abandon yourself

as though in someone's arms.

Please stay.

Elizabeth.

Sophie.

- Where have you been? - When did you all arrive?

Late. Countess Ferenczy said you were in bed and did not want to be disturbed.

She said it was your wish.

And you listen to countess Ferenczy? She is stupid.

Yes, I did not feel too well.

(Both laugh)

- So to speak. - Where have you been? Tell me.

I could not sleep, so I went out for a ride.

- On your own? - Of course.

Well, with the groom. Is that all right?

Let's go, help me to undress.

You look very well.

- You are very pretty - Really?

And in the next few days here,

you will have to be even prettier than usual.

Why is that?

- Somebody is eagerly waiting for you. - For me?

He delayed his departure for 15 days, can you imagine?

- Just to see you. - Who are you talking about?

Who is he?

Who would you like him to be? Eh?

I do not know.

He is handsome, he is a king. He will be your husband

- Who is he? - Ludwig.

Yes, that's right, our cousin.

- Ludwig. - (Laughs) Ludwig.

Her Majesty regrets,

she is not well this morning and will not go riding.

Her Majesty asked me

to invite Your Majesty to dine with her this evening

at 7 o'clock in her private apartments.

Thank Your Majesty for me, Countess Ferenczy.

I shall be delighted to accept.

My horse!

(Heels click)

- Ma tante - Your Majesty.

Marie. Kärl-Teodor.

(Click of heels)

- Your Majesty. - Sophie.

Matilde.

Nenè.

Maximilian.

(Click of heels)

I wasn't aware you had come to Bad Ischl with your whole family.

Your Majesty knows Elisabeth and her whims.

Suddenly, she missed her brothers and sisters

and we all had to rush to cheer her up.

- You look very well, ma tante. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

The air is good in Bad Ischl.

I have not heard from your Mother for a long time. How is she?

(Click of heels)

Mon cousin.

One of my couriers was going to Schlossberg

and I knew that in a greenhouse there...

Oh.

Mmm. What a lovely scent.

Sophie, smell them.

Oh, yes. Wonderful

- I haven't seen you for a long time. - It is a pleasure to be back.

- How have you been? - Fine, thank you.

There has not been such a brilliant gathering at Bad Ischl

for many years, I believe.

Elisabeth tells me the Tsarina is here

and the Crown Prince of Prussia.

The Emperor will join us in a few days.

- N'est-ce pas, Elisabeth? - Yes.

Yes, Franz sent me a telegram. He will be here as soon as possible.

Quite a family reunion, isn't it?

Your Majesty was right to mention the matter to Elisabeth.

Sophie's presence here will seem just a normal holiday.

- Sophie? - Yes.

Sophie adores Wagner's music almost as much as you, mon cousin

I am sure the two of you have many things to talk about.

Unfortunately, I must put off that pleasure.

I only came here to say goodbye.

I must be in Munich tomorrow morning.

I leave tonight.

And now, ma tante, will you excuse me?

(Clicks heels)

Ludwig.

Thank you for the happiness of these last few days.

I will be expecting you,

even if you never gave me your promise.

(Ludwig) You must come. When you hear Wagner's opera,

you will understand everything I have been trying to say.

You will understand me, too.

What's happened to me these past few days...

You must come. You must!

The staging of Richard Wagner's Tristan

in June 1865

cost a fortune to the State.

To that unwise spending, we should add the King's personal expenses

to receive in an adequate way Empress Elisabeth

who instead decided not to attend.

And in doing so, she signalled to everyone her disapproval.

(♪ WAGNER: "Tristan & Isolde", Liebestod)

I hate having anyone wait for me.

And I hate to disappoint people,

arousing false hopes.

I had no hopes. You didn't come to the theater

and I was sure you wouldn't come here.

It was a triumph.

You should have seen it.

The audience applauded for hours, it seemed.

When Wagner appeared on stage, he said...

I wish I could remember the exact words.

He said, "Like Tristan and Isolde who drink..."

- How much did it all cost? - What?

Everything - Wagner, the conductor,

the conductor's family,

a house for Wagner, for the conductor, for his family.

Why do you ask me this?

What does it matter? It was a triumph.

A triumph(!) Triumphs are quickly forgotten.

Royals may have aroused the fiercest criticism,

but here criticism started even before the triumphs.

You, of all people,

worry about the malicious criticism of the public?

Yes, when it is deserved.

What is your ambition?

To go down in history thanks to Richard Wagner?

Like my mother-in-law with her ridiculous painters?

If your Richard Wagner is as great as you say,

then he doesn't need you.

Your pathetic friendship

only gives you the illusion of having created something.

Just as I give you the illusion of love.

You cannot stay alone.

You want me to be your impossible love

to justify yourself somehow.

You need help I cannot give you.

Marry.

Marry Sophie.

But... I have never loved another woman than you.

Love is a duty also.

And your duty is to face reality.

Forget your dreams.

Rulers like us have nothing to do with history.

We are only a display.

History will forget us.

Unless someone makes us seem important by assassinating us.

(♪ Plays delicate, lyrical waltz from "La Périchole" by Jacques Offenbach)

That's the music the German people like, not mine.

Not a day goes by now

without some attack on me in the Munich papers.

Stop reading them.

I shall give orders to keep the newspapers away from you.

You should forbid me to leave the house as well.

People insult me in the street.

I really would like to keep you prisoner,

because then I would know you were working -

for yourself and for me.

Sometimes I wonder if my strength will last.

I must, at least, have faith in you.

I think sometimes it's life itself I fear.

Or life as it was before I met Your Majesty.

Now, as Your Majesty can see,

we've done away with the boxes - the house is like an amphitheater.

The audience is one ideal community with no divisions or rank.

And the orchestra is well below the stage.

But I can show you that more clearly in another drawing.

And the lighting is entirely new.

The spectator will be able to concentrate on the stage.

We must be able to plunge the house into total darkness.

How many seats will there be?

1,500. .. Yes, perhaps 1,700.

Semper will go into all that later.

I should like to have at least 2,000,

but the cost...

No doubt they'll finally decide on a much smaller theater,

or cancel the whole project.

Why do you say that?

Because that's the way it will end, I feel sure.

Just think of the talk the performance of Tristan caused.

I can imagine the comments

when the construction of a new theater is announced.

They'll all behave as if they're being robbed.

They will want to arrest me.

It's impossible to work for such and ignorant public.

Great thinkers have always acknowledged

the importance of music to a nation.

But here, they talk only of waste of money.

They count every pfennig.

This much for the tenor, for the soprano, the orchestra.

Such criticism isn't censure. They have another paramount.

It's bloody stupidity!

Forgive me, Sire, but Tristan's success gave me such joy.

Such hope.

Now these vulgar attacks are ruining everything.

They're affecting Your Majesty too.

You are troubled, sad, without enthusiasm.

I? No, no, that's not it.

How can you think that?

If you weren't here with me, I would be in despair.

You, my salvation.

My only comfort.

I am putting all my strength into the building of this theater.

All of my love.

Forgive me for disturbing you, but it is getting dark

and poor Fanny did not dare come and light the lamps.

She asked my help.

Oh, no, you must forgive us.

- May I have the honor of serving tea? - Yes, thank you.

How are you today, Maestro?

- Were you able to rest a bit? -Mmm.

- Milk, Your Majesty? - Thank you.

- Have you been unwell? - No, no. Nothing.

Why wasn't I informed?

Thank you.

- I could have waited until tomorrow - I am quite well.

That is not true.

Anyone with sensitive nerves like me has their ups and downs.

I have had headaches for years.

This was not just a headache.

I don't see why His Majesty shouldn't know the state of your health.

Please,

I want you to tell me the truth about the Maestro's illness.

I have told you the truth.

No!

No.

Well... I can speak as a someone who has lived in daily communication

with the Maestro only for a short time,

but my impressions are the same as my husband's,

who is the Maestro's great friend and collaborator.

It's true, the Maestro has always suffered from nervous strain,

but recently it has got worse.

In addition to his headaches, he has insomnia, and...

Well, I'm quite concerned.

But I think medicine can do little in such cases.

The real reason for the anxiety must be found and eradicated.

I've told him not to worry about those scandal sheets. They're not worth it.

Forgive me, Sire, but it is not that criticism which upsets Maestro.

It's not the uncertainty of the theater project either.

He is worried about the future.

About his inability to settle a painful situation

which has haunted him for too long.

Some debts made in the past... Forgive me, dear Maestro.

His Majesty asked for my opinion, I must give it to him honestly.

All those worries are past now.

- I am here. - Of course, Your Majesty!

But... I must admit that the Maestro is right.

When one is a guest,

one cannot enjoy absolute security.

But the Maestro is not a guest.

He receives a stipend like any collaborator.

Like the most valued of collaborators.

Of course. Why are we discussing such things?

Because they are things you mention often and think of constantly.

- Why not explain them to His Majesty? - Madame von Bülow!

One of these days I must meet Madame von Bülow privately.

She will become my ally.

She will tell me how I can set my friend's mind at rest.

Please, please stay. I know the way.

Give me the pleasure of feeling I'm at home here.

I will see His Majesty out.

I can tell you now what the Maestro needs.

The request he means to send to Your Majesty in a letter, I believe,

so my husband told me.

The Maestro would like to have at his disposal a sum

that would allow him to settle his old debts

and feel confident about the future.

Otherwise, he would prefer to leave Munich.

Oh, no! No... no.

He would require 200,000 gulden.

- 200,000? - Gulden.

Part of the amount could be given him in cash

and the rest in the form of interest in monthly payments.

I would have to ask for a loan from the State Treasury

And it would have to be approved by Pfistermeister and Von der Pfordten.

I will send the Maestro an answer.

(Large door closes)

They promise you heaven and earth,

swear eternal friendship and love, and then what?

Are these the great patrons of art?

This half-witted boy, the latest lunatic in a family of lunatics.

He will give you everything you want, I know he will.

Oh, my darling. My darling.

Darling, Cosima.

(Papers rustle)

(Ludwig) What sort of a country is this?

A nation of policemen?

Pfistermeister used the police

to invite my guests who are then followed -

spied on by the police.

And the letters my guests write and receive,

are brought to me like trophies.

It's outrageous. It's outrageous!

These are normal precautions, Sire.

In this instance, they're all the more excusable since Wagner is a foreigner.

With a record as a revolutionary.

If Richard Wagner weren't an artist

he would be a saint.

His genius has a moral, purifying quality.

His art enlightens.

It is an antidote to the evils and corruptions of our society!

Richard Wagner's name will go down through centuries.

Because art is truth.

What remains of an artist

is not his weaknesses, which may shock you, but his work.

Your Majesty is right, of course.

But, if I may say so, it would be very dangerous

to allow the guardians of law and order to make exceptions.

Their point of view is different from ours.

For them, Richard Wagner is simply a man

who squanders the taxpayers' money

Madame von Bülow is not a muse,

but an adulteress.

And her husband is a contemptible opportunist

who pretends not to know about the relationship

between his own wife and Wagner

in order to keep his position.

Oh slander! Slander! Slander!

No, it's the truth.

As these letters clearly show.

And Your Majesty must realize this.

Wagner's detractors are perhaps insensitive to questions of art,

but they are not liars.

Mr Wagner and the Bülows

are in Your Majesty's antechamber.

They would like to be received with the greatest urgency.

(Faintly) No.

No.

(Scrunches paper)

Show them in.

(Door opens)

His Majesty the King will receive you at once.

Thank you.

Your Majesty advised me

to ignore what the newspapers wrote about me.

The criticisms, attacks, insinuations, the daily insults of the local press...

I have followed Your Majesty's advice.

I have borne everything and I have remained silent.

I would continue this silence if it concerned only me.

But now it is something that does not only concern me.

Your Majesty, an article has appeared in the Volksbote

clearly stating that my wife is the mistress of Richard Wagner.

I have challenged the editor to a duel.

All this is very serious, Sire.

Yes, it is.

It is indeed.

But we are all in this plot together.

Maestro von Bülow knows everything about his wife,

but pretends not to for fear of having to give up

the profitable and distinguished position

of conducting her lover's operas.

And I, who also knows everything,

because my friend Wagner hides nothing from me.

I...

his adviser, his friend.

Especially such an important fact

which affects not only his private life,

but also public opinion.

I...

a friend, admirer and confidant,

naturally want to help my beloved artist.

It is a hateful slander, Your Majesty. It's unforgivable. Unforgivable!

Only Your Majesty can help us and wipe it away.

If Your Majesty were to write a letter to Mr von Bülow,

a simple letter expressing esteem and friendship.

Once that letter was published in the newspapers...

Lohengrin does battle to defend Elsa,

but it is easier to fight a duel than to write a letter.

If it pleases Your Majesty, I have prepared a draft.

"My dear Mr von Bülow,

"having had occasion to appreciate fully

"the noble and generous gifts of your most esteemed wife..."

All right. All right.

I understand.

I will copy it and have it delivered tomorrow.

Doesn't Your Majesty wish me to read the rest?

No, that's not necessary

I am sure it will do very well.

Sire, my gratitude.

It is no more than my duty.

Wagner knows how highly I value true friendship.

(♪ Discordant piano)

His Majesty the King has instructed me

to order you to leave Munich as quickly as possible.

Here is His Majesty's message.

"My dear friend,

"much as it grieves me, I must ask you to carry out

"the request made by Minister Lutz.

"My love for you will endure forever.

"And I beg you to keep forever your friendship for me.

"I could not act otherwise.

"Until death, yours faithfully, Ludwig."

Do not say anything.

I can state that His Majesty, the King of Bavaria

has been afflicted by a certain mental instability

since 1866,

on the eve of our unfortunate participation in the war of that year.

The position taken by our sovereign against the government,

which proposed to maintain our alliance with Austria,

gave rise to much discontent among the people.

His Majesty is not here.

His Majesty is waiting, Your Highness.

(♪ Music box plays)

(Knocks on door)

(Ludwig) Come in.

Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Otto is here.

Are they angry?

They are waiting for me. They think you aren't here.

Let them wait.

We have to go back to Munich tonight.

And then tomorrow...

Tomorrow I leave for the front again.

Do you mind it very much?

Yes, yes, I mind.

I mind the filth and the smell.

And the screams of the soldiers in the hospitals

when they operate without chloroform because the supplies have run out.

What should they want me to do this time?

Come back to Munich.

You are the King.

Ludwig...

We are losing the war.

Look!

The four quarters of the moon.

Remember when we were children we went fishing at night.

Yes. And you were furious because I caught more than you did.

Because I was the King

I did not want this war.

I want everybody to know! They must realize that.

Yes.

(♪ Music box continues to play)

What is wrong?

Oh, I don't know.

My eyes sting.

It must be because I can't sleep anymore.

When I sleep, I dream that I can't sleep,

that I can't close my eyes,

and I lie there asleep,

but it's as if I were awake.

My eyes are wide open and they sting.

You are not well.

Why don't you stay here with me at Berg?

I can't.

You know that.

I have to go back.

It would be dishonorable towards our allies too.

They are our relatives, after all.

Our Prussian enemies are relatives also!

(Stops music box)

We do everything in the family -

fight wars,

marry,

beget children.

And it's all incestuous and fratricidal.

- And we never know why. - You are the King,

if you didn't want the war, you should have forbidden it.

I did.

I'm doing everything possible to make my view clear.

As far as I am concerned, the war doesn't exist.

Tell the generals

the King does not know the war exists.

(Door opens)

(Door closes)

(Ducks begin to quack in the distance)

Who is there? Who is it?

It's me, Sire, Volk!

Why aren't you at the castle?

Who gave you permission to come out?

I thought Your Majesty wouldn't require me, so I...

A groom on duty is forbidden to leave the Royal apartment.

Don't you know that?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Nevertheless, you came here. And you left your post.

I couldn't sleep.

(Guard shouting commands)

Aren't you afraid that the sentries will catch you?

I can hear them coming.

I hide in the bushes.

- Can you swim? - A little, Sire.

But I never go where I can't touch the bottom.

I come from the mountains.

- Are you cold? - Yes, a little, Sire.

Here... Take this.

Help me.

Help me, help me.

I beseech you.

Help me.

(Footsteps approach)

(Man) A matter of the greatest urgency and importance!

(Knocks on door)

Captain Dürckheim asks to be received by His Majesty.

Come in!

We have been defeated, Sire.

We have surrendered.

- Did you suffer many losses? - No.

We did not have many casualties.

The enemy outnumbered us and our troops became demoralised.

Continuing to fight would have led to a useless massacre.

I am glad it's over, and that it lasted such a short time.

Seven weeks, Your Majesty.

And they seemed an eternity to those who lived through them.

Do you have any news of my brother, Otto?

He Prince has come back to Munich. He is very depressed.

You are very fond of my brother, aren't you, Dürckheim?

Yes, Sire.

Very fond.

Otto will be your king one day.

Very soon.

Because I...

His Highness Prince Otto is terribly unhappy.

He is so young.

And yet he seems to have burned his youth away without having lived it.

His ambitions were stifled by disappointments.

And he is filled with a sadness and fear.

He lives in a state of lonely anguish.

He never sleeps more than two hours a night.

He never rests.

He has looked for happiness...

...in what is impossible.

He wants security

in what is outside the rules.

Why shouldn't he?

The world around us is intolerably petty.

Men dream only of material security,

and are prepared to give their lives to achieve it.

I want to be free.

Free to seek happiness in the impossible.

But unlike my brother,

I try to suit my actions to my ideas.

That's why I abandoned this stupid war I was unable to prevent

I am not a coward!

I hate falsehood.

I want to live in truth.

Forgive me, Sire.

Allow a very ordinary man to express an opinion.

Your Majesty says you want to live in truth.

But I think what you mean is

you want to live as a free man

following only your own tastes and instincts.

Without hypocrisy or lies.

Am I right?

In my opinion, the truth doesn't have anything to do

with this search for the impossible.

When freedom is a privilege of the few,

it does not have anything to do with real freedom,

the same freedom that belongs to every man

and that each of us has the right to hold on to.

We live in a world

where there are no innocents,

where nobody has the right to judge anybody.

I am speaking as a friend.

The generosity that Your Majesty showed me

when we were both younger emboldens me now

to speak frankly,

from one man to another.

I am a soldier who was left alone on the battlefield

at a time of danger and bitterness.

But I feel neither contempt nor rancour

for the king who abandoned me.

Instead, I feel great pity.

My king thinks he has made a brave decision,

but he is mistaken if he thinks he can find happiness

outside the rules and the duties of men.

Those who love life cannot afford to search for the impossible.

Instead, they have to tread cautiously.

This is true even for a sovereign.

Even for a sovereign,

because the great power that a monarch has

is limited by the boundaries of the society of which he is part.

What man could follow him beyond those boundaries?

Who?

Certainly not the poor and weak

whose overriding concern is to find security.

Not just material well-being, but also moral.

The same security Your Majesty was talking about with such contempt.

The only people following him

will be the ones who see freedom

as a quest for pleasure without any moral boundaries.

No.

No, you surely do not want this.

Being followed only by low-down servants

opportunists and con artists.

No, I do not believe it. Your Majesty cannot like such creatures.

Who would take advantage of his generosity and would try to deceive him.

Why would a young person, with his whole life ahead of him,

not be tempted to find a different reason to live?

Even if it is difficult because it is the one of common people

who accept mediocrity.

It takes a great deal of courage to accept mediocrity

when you are someone who strives for ideals beyond this world, I know.

But it is the only way to be saved from a terrible loneliness.

- I must speak to my mother. - Her Majesty is still asleep.

Wake her! Go on.

Go! Quickly.

Her Majesty the Queen is awaiting Your Majesty.

I beg your pardon for waking you up at this hour,

but there was something I had to tell you immediately.

I have decided to marry.

Oh, Ludwig.

I was sure this would be good news for you.

Aren't you even going to ask me who the woman of my choice is?

I was waiting for Your Majesty to inform me.

I have complete faith in Your Majesty's judgement.

I want you to go at once

to Possenhofen

and ask Duchess Ludovica for the hand of Princess Sophie.

Sophie will be the ideal wife for you.

I have invited Father Hoffman to come here.

Please, receive him at once.

And I want you to communicate my decision to him.

And I want him to accompany you to Possenhofen,

since Princess Sophie is a Catholic.

- Er, Ludwig... - Goodbye, Helen.

(Bell rings)

- Oh, Your Majesty. - My dressing gown, quickly! Quickly!

Yes, Ma'am.

Quickly!

As soon as Father Hoffman arrives, he's to be shown into my room.

Yes, Your Majesty.

But Father Hoffman is here!

Your Majesty.

- What has happened? - Have you seen my son?

Yes, just now as he was leaving.

But he didn't say a word to me. He seemed very...

Happy.

He is beside himself with joy.

Ludwig is going to marry.

He wished me to tell you.

And he wants you to come with me

to ask for the girl's hand.

Now, this is correct because the princess is Catholic

and the request of a Protestant mother would not be enough.

He means to marry?

Princess Sophie, the sister of Elisabeth.

Isn't this wonderful news?

Father, I feel like I am waking up from a nightmare.

A nightmare you have not helped me much with, truth be known.

- Please, take a seat. - Thank you.

It must be a great relief.

I hope...

that His Majesty has found a stable balance.

It's just that...

a lot of young men struggle to find balance within themselves.

- An inner harmony. - He has found it.

What matters is that he's found it and is getting married.

I'm surprised that His Majesty has never mentioned his intentions to me.

I was saying that I hope that he has weighed this up carefully

before arriving at his decision.

Because...

this choice does not only involve him,

but also his spouse who, with the blessing of the Lord...

Enough, Father Hoffman!

What matters is that they get married,

and that the wedding is celebrated as soon as possible.

This is exactly what we all hoped for.

- Am I right? - Of course. It is a relief for all of us.

And for the country.

We will probably need a papal dispensation,

given the close relationship between the two.

Of course.

I am sure there will not be any problems.

- Their parents are cousins too. - Exactly.

Some believe that's why

the Wittelsbach and Hohenzollers families

have had so many cases of anomalies.

But as far as I know, young Sophie enjoys good health.

And His Majesty the King has never given us any reasons to worry.

We should mention certain timidities and indispositions of His Majesty

so that Sophie can help him and be understanding.

Like her sisters,

Sophie will quickly learn that a woman in her position

does not only have rights and privileges, but also duties.

Many duties.

My dear.

- Sophie, are you happy? - Yes, indeed.

Sophie is really very beautiful, no?

Yes.

These family reunions, Dürckheim, are very, very tiring.

All my best wishes.

I... Well, I... I'm very, very pleased.

Oh, thank you, Otto.

Bravo, Otto. You are always so sweet.

- Elizabeth. - Sophie.

- Nenè, Matilde, ma tante... - Elisabeth!

- My dear child. - Maman.

I am very pleased too.

Congratulations, mon beau-frère.

My dear, dear Otto, you are always so sweet.

Everybody is pleased.

And the station looked beautiful, all decked with flags.

Father.

You didn't believe I would come? I didn't think I would either.

Everything is always so complicated.

I've been told ma tante, that a great deal of work

will be done here in the residence.

So the old residence will become new too.

Who will see to it all? Sophie, assert yourself.

But Sophie isn't like me.

I can only say whether I like something or whether I dislike it.

I really must drink something hot, excuse me.

(Chattering begins)

Thank you. I'll do it.

Forgive me, but I'm terribly thirsty.

We are not going to live in the residence.

- You aren't? - I mean, only for a short while.

As little as possible. Until the new house is ready.

(Brief silence)

(Chattering resumes)

What is all that?

Something I have been thinking about for a long time

I would like to build a castle.

Remember the Graswang and Ettal?

Above Oberammergau.

And there is another place I like almost as much.

Perhaps even more.

Herrenchiemsee. I haven't decided yet.

We could go there tomorrow, on horseback.

You remember Bad Ischl?

It's not a tiring ride. Not at all.

And you could give me your advice.

Tomorrow, I will not be here, unfortunately. I'm going on to Zurich

I only stopped to see Sophie

and to give both of you Franz's congratulations.

And my own, of course.

(♪ Sings in German)

(Singing off key)

(Straining for a high note)

With the wedding approaching, His Majesty gave the go ahead

to the building works for his damned castles.

I was in charge of making the King experience certain things

that he was thought to be totally new to.

It was all so complicated.

They told me so many things about you.

They recommended you.

Who did?

Your Majesty sent his aide-de-camp to the theater

to invite me for dinner

and I suddenly found myself at the center of a grand State affair.

Closed carriage, curtains down.

I was taken to a place full of offices.

And then?

Do you want to know? Are you curious?

Thank you.

There were some gentlemen.

I think one of them was sent by the Archbishop.

A very indiscreet person.

And another one was sent

by Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

Oh, my God, Your Majesty!

Are things always so complicated when a king wants to make love?

For us actors it is much simpler. A gaze is all we need.

A sign like this.

They told me this too -

that you are very shy.

(Laughs gently)

Then they asked me all sorts of questions.

- Even about my health. - They did?

It was indecent. Really!

And they warned me to be... discrete.

Except with them, of course.

(Laughs)

They want to know what happened.

Will you tell them?

With Your Majesty's permission,

I'd love to lie to them.

They're too curious.

Too nosey!

We... could make love

and say we didn't. Hm?

Or we could not make love,

and say we did.

Hmm?

Yes, we mustn't disappoint their curiosity.

We must tell them things that will horrify them.

That you beat me, for example.

- Will they believe you? - Your Majesty, I am a great actress.

The funny thing is that you will go to them anyway

and tell them everything that hasn't happened between us.

No, no!

No.

- That's what they pay you. - No.

- And that's what you'll do. - No! No!

- No, Your Majesty. No! - Yes.

No, no, no...

I am certain.

And why shouldn't you?

After all, if you don't today, others will tomorrow.

(Sobs)

Do you think I do not know what's going on around me?

I know.

I am surrounded by people who observe everything I do.

Not to protect me, but to ruin me.

I don't understand how they will achieve their aim.

But I know

this is their aim.

All I can do is watch

fascinated,

while they move, silent and cautious.

It is as if I were watching them

set up their gallows on which they will hang me.

No. No, Your Majesty.

It's not true. Please, Your Majesty...

Go now.

And make them pay you.

Make them pay you handsomely.

Go, madame.

(Screams)

- Ha ha, prostitute! - Your Majesty! Please!

(Bell rings)

Help me! Help me! Help me, please. Please.

Please...

(Sobbing)

Your Majesty...

(Sobbing continues)

Help Madame von Buliowski out and send her home.

(Wails) Your Majesty!

The jewels that the queens of Bavaria have been wearing for 700 years.

But I will give you a better present.

It is a secret, you cannot tell anybody.

I will introduce you to Richard Wagner.

Our engagement is more exhausting than a military campaign.

It's a real torment

which Sophie undergoes without making any complaint.

She is the perfect fiancee.

And she loves your music very much.

Do you know what she is afraid of at the moment?

She is afraid that I will ask her to sing for you.

Oh...

She is afraid of your criticism,

not only as a singer, but also as a fiancée.

She has the notion that by asking you to meet her,

I was submitting her for your approval.

- When will you come back? - Soon, Sire, soon.

And not at night in secret.

I shall return with my wife and my new opera for the new theater.

It will repay me for so much bitterness.

So much loneliness.

Sophie is sweet.

She's pretty and docile.

For the first time

I have seen true love for Your Majesty in someone's eyes.

I have decided to postpone the wedding

a month,

perhaps two.

I wish the wedding day were past.

I can already hear the crowds yelling,

the banquets, the ceremonies,

here and in the church.

It is a nightmare.

It keeps me awake at night.

My aunts, uncles,

my cousins from all over Europe

the kisses, the hand-shakes,

congratulations.

And embraces.

You can open your heart to me, Sire.

My affection for you is just the same as the day you called me to Munich,

rescuing me from poverty,

and welcoming me with open arms - I have not forgotten that.

I came here at once now

because I realized Your Majesty needed me.

Forget all the things that have happened.

One can betray friends, even lie to them,

but still love them.

Be magnanimous, try to forgive.

I know that no one will give you the advice I could, because...

whatever I say comes from a very deep, very sincere feeling.

What is depressing you, my friend?

I understand many things,

but I cannot help if you don't ask me to.

Bon voyage.

Adieu.

My name is Richard Hornig.

I have been in His Majesty's service for 10 years.

I entered the King's household very suddenly,

when His Majesty in one of his moments of anger,

chased his footman Volk away

and I was ordered to take his place.

In all my years of serving the King, I have never betrayed his trust.

And I have no intention of doing so today.

Besides,

nothing in the King's behaviour

differs from what everyone used to consider

behaviour worthy of a sovereign's dignity.

(Bell clangs repeatedly)

Wait here.

Take this!

- Can you hoist this flag? - Yes, Your Majesty.

- Good. Very good - I used to do this in the Army.

This is the first time I have seen you.

I have only been in service a few days, Your Majesty.

- What did you do before? - I worked on a farm, sire.

Taking care of the horses.

Light the fire.

At once, Your Majesty.

Take off your gloves!

- What are you waiting for? - Has Your Majesty any orders for me?

You can sleep here tonight, if you want.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Elsa?

What "Elsa" are you talking about? Who is this "Elsa"?

I am Elsa.

Ludwig doesn't even like my name.

He has never called me Sophie.

It's been Elsa from the very beginning.

Like the heroine of Lohengrin.

But all lovers change the names of their fiancées.

Lovers?

We've always know that Ludwig is a bit extravagant.

Yes, I know.

But I am in love with him.

And it makes me suffer

when he leaves me all alone at the ball they gave in our honor.

Never asking me to go outwith him.

Coming to see me less and less often.

So I spend all day shut up in the house for fear of missing one of his visits.

Then, when he does come, he hardly speaks to me.

Sometimes he comes and spends the night outside the gate

and leaves a bunch of flowers for me

without a note or anything,

as if he were putting them on a grave.

And I do feel dead. Dead and buried.

I felt dead when he insisted on introducing me to Wagner.

Everyone looks at me with pity. Just pity.

Well, it's your fault too.

Why do you stay shut up in the house

waiting till he condescends to visit you? Go out!

Go on with your normal life.

Go to the theater if you feel like it. Travel and enjoy yourself!

Show him that you are an independent person

with many interests of your own.

That will attract him. Make him want you!

He doesn't want me.

He doesn't care a thing about me.

And you know that very well.

Why, why didn't you tell me he was in love with you?

No!

No.

What makes you say such things? It's not true. It's not true!

It is true. People have told me.

But I had already realized it by myself.

Too late, unfortunately.

And if you want the truth, they told me that you knew.

Who? Who told you that? Don't ever say that, you silly child!

(Sobbing)

Come...

Come, look at me.

Don't believe the nonsense people tell you.

I'm not the one you must fear. Not I.

Nor any other woman.

Ludwig...

The danger with Ludwig, if anything...

It happens to many young men, didn't you know that?

To all, I think, when they are so young and so sensitive.

Most of the time, they get over these things with help.

I am very fond of Ludwig.

Perhaps, because we are very much alike, not only physically.

He has many faults, many qualities.

He is very vulnerable.

You can save him, Sophie. You must!

But you have to be very strong.

Be close to him.

Don't allow any further delays of the wedding.

If he doesn't speak, then you must speak.

If he neglects you,

then give him the impression that you neglected him first.

I shall tell our father to write to Ludwig and set the date immediately.

No more postponements.

I do not want to marry Sophie.

- It is too late - No, it is not too late!

And it wouldn't be the first time an engagement was broken.

A king cannot give scandal.

He cannot expose himself to horrible and justified criticism.

They will be merciless!

And this is the reason why I should be merciless towards Sophie?

The Lord will be merciful to her. Leave it to Him.

I am deceiving her.

You knew that from the beginning.

She isn't marrying me out of sheer ambition.

- I hadn't realized that... - If Sophie loves you,

you can only rejoice.

She loves me now,

but she will come to hate me, as I will hate her!

What entitles you to such presumption?

How can you claim to know what the Lord has in store for you?

You are asked only to marry her

and to have children.

Listen to me, Ludwig.

When the devil sends temptations,

they must be turned back against him.

They must be used to honor God.

In the darkness of a room,

aided by the image of sin itself,

you will realize

that the warmth of one body is the same as another's.

Father, you are teaching me something new.

Your people want you to be one of themselves.

More powerful, more privileged, touched by divine providence,

but still one of them.

If you insist on being different, they will never forgive you.

Never!

Wagner... was driven from Munich

because he is a genius.

That was what made him a foreigner.

He was different.

Ludwig, you are one of the Lord's favored because

you are more exposed to sin than others.

And so you can prove more than the others can

your love of God.

I know from your own lips that until now

you have always had the strength to resist temptation,

to reject sin.

Yes.

I want you to tell me if this is still true.

(Ludwig) Yes

I ask you this as if in the holy sacrament of confession.

I daresay that calling off the engagement with Princess Sophie

marked the beginning of our misfortunes.

From that inauspicious day, our King lost his interest in State affairs.

Despite everything that was going on in the world, His Majesty

seemed interested only in building all of those castles

in which nobody would ever live.

To make matters worse, Prince Otto was getting more and more ill

and the Queen Mother sought comfort in the Catholic religion.

(Priest speaks in Latin)

(Continue speaking in Latin)

Our heart is filled with joy, Your Majesty.

How painful for a mother - he did not want to be caressed.

On behalf of our Provincial Father too,

I would like to express my contentment

for Your Majesty's decision to attend this ceremony

compensating partly for the King's absence

and the deepest sorrow that is caused by

seeing him living more and more in seclusion.

Lately, I have been visiting him frequently

to ask him about his health.

Very often His Majesty refuses to see me.

Remember His Majesty in your prayers.

I never forget our beloved King in my prayers.

But I must say that it's a source of great embarrassment to me

and profound dismay,

having to explain the King's position to his Catholic subjects.

Sadly, we are on the verge of a war that, at best,

will result in Prussian forces becoming triumphant in Europe.

And we may hope that the course of these earthly events which,

as the Lord knows, are totally alien to us,

will encourage us to keep on strengthening

the sacred bonds with the mother church

and the Holy Pope.

But our King is not helping matters.

If God, in his eternal mercy

accepted me as His humble servant,

I am sure that He will help us.

I have faith.

It's useless for you to wait, Father. His Majesty will not receive you.

Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother sent me here.

Prince Otto is very ill.

His Majesty is ill too. His teeth are troubling him.

No, believe me, Father, it's a waste of time waiting.

Count Holnstein is with His Majesty now.

He arrived early this morning from Versailles,

where His Majesty sent him on an important mission.

He had to wait six hours.

Forgive me, tell His Majesty I was here.

And tell him the reason.

I cannot wait any longer.

I must see His Majesty the King.

I will take sole responsibility for this.

(Silence)

(Silence continues)

When did you get here?

At eight o'clock this morning,

and I have been waiting out there since,

as Your Majesty knows very well.

I am ill.

Chloroform is the only thing that helps me get any sleep.

- Does the smell bother you? - Not at all.

Shall I ask someone to open the window?

I am so cold.

Take a seat.

Thank you, but I must go tonight.

- Really? Where to? - To Versailles

I have spoken to Chancellor Bismarck

and I must give him an immediate answer.

What is this?

Who wrote it?

I... I don't understand.

It is the letter you should write immediately

to the King of Prussia.

I ought not to say this,

but the Chancellor himself dictated it to me himself.

I am expected to write this?

You copy it and sign it,

then I will deliver it as quickly as possible.

What?

What?

I am to ask Wilhelm to do me the favour

of accepting my kingdom as a gift?

No.

You are asking the future Emperor

of the great, new Germany,

to admit Bavaria as part of the Federation of Allied States.

This is not an alliance.

It means handing the country over to them.

Becoming slaves.

Worse than slaves!

We'd be putting ourselves in the most humiliating position imaginable.

No! No!

I can do anything, but not this!

Slavery?

Humiliation?

I don't understand.

People become slaves when they are defeated, taken prisoner.

Defeat is humiliation - the inevitable fate of Bavaria,

if the country doesn't join the Alliance.

With one sneeze the great, new Germany

could blow the kingdom of Bavaria off the map.

We must face facts, Sire.

Bismarck's advice is sound.

It would have been wiser if you had written the letter even before.

Your uncle, King Wilhelm, would certainly have valued it more.

But write it now,

before he is proclaimed Emperor in spite of us.

This is the psychological moment.

And...

there would be financial advantages too.

Yes,

Bismarck led me to believe that you can count on that.

No.

Not now at least.

I won't.

I couldn't.

I can't!

No, I can't! I can't! I can't!

I can't!

No, I can't... I can't...

It's almost five o'clock.

If I can leave Munich by nine?

We all know that there is no other solution.

We can at least spare ourselves the effort of talking about it.

If it is true that there is no other solution,

if my government feels there is no other solution,

let the government take this step.

If I were to tell Your Majesty

what the government would like to do at this moment,

Your Majesty would not hesitate to write this letter.

But I won't use such methods.

All I say is this.

Your Majesty needs a personal alliance.

An alliance among people of the same blood, the same nobility.

An alliance that would bring many advantages,

some of them immediately.

(Shouting and bawling)

(Frenzied cries continue)

Let go of him!

But, Your Majesty...

(Bawling stops abruptly)

(Whispers) Otto... Otto.

Otto.

Don't you recognize me?

It's me, Ludwig.

(♪ Orchestra plays Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll")

(Wagner) Happy birthday, my dear.

Happy Christmas!

Happy everything!

This is my present for you, and for him.

No one has ever had such a beautiful present.

Our best wishes, Madame Wagner.

Best wishes from all of us, from the whole world.

(Rattling...)

(Rattling stops)

Play it once more, please.

For the purpose of this difficult inquiry

in order to understand the problem and ascertain a solution,

I suggest that my colleagues visit all of His Majesty's castles,

of which only Linderhof Castle has been occupied by him

on an occasional basis.

I would also like to remind you that Wagner, who left Bavaria long ago,

has still been a burden on our finances.

When his new theater in Bayreuth was opened in August 1876

with his famous Tetralogy, it was only because of

the financial support that with his renowned greediness,

Wagner was able to obtain from our naive King.

He had no money, but he made no efforts to economise.

On the contrary, he went on spending, giving money away -

large sums for a valet with a handsome face or a slim figure,

or an actor whose voice had caught his fancy.

A glooming peace this morning with it brings.

The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head.

Go hence, to have more talk

of these sad things.

Some shall be pardon 'd, and some punished

For never was a story of more woe

than this of Juliet

and her Romeo.

Mr Kainz, congratulations!

A great success!

Bravo, I am happy. I am very happy!

Thank you. Thank you very much.

(Applause continues)

- Thanks to you all, very, very much. - Congratulations.

- You were marvellous. - No, you were marvellous!

(Clanking of stage machinery)

Mr Kainz, from His Majesty the King.

Good evening.

I have a message for you, from His Majesty.

And this.

His Majesty the King had instructed me

to wait upon the young actor Kainz, bringing him a gift

and an invitation to spend three days at Linderhof castle.

Good evening.

(Cascading water)

(Hoarse, trumpeting bird cry)

(Rasping bird cry)

(Clears throat)

Allow me to give you a piece of advice, Herr Kainz,

for your own good.

You see, the King expected to meet Romeo,

not Herr Joseph Kainz.

It was Romeo he invited to Linderhof.

If you can manage to be Romeo, or Didier,

one of your heroes in other words,

then you are sure to be a success.

(Melodramatic voice) Knee!

before each of these crosses

and shed hot tears,

repenting the crime you have committed.

If you can then pass happily through the horrors

and dangers of the road.

If the mountain does not rain avalanches down on you

from its icy peaks,

you will reach a bridge

covered with spray as light as dust.

If the bridge does not break

beneath the weight of your sin,

if you leave it behind you,

you will see a black opening

yon, in the cliff before you.

Daylight

has never penetrated there.

Pass then,

through that black gap

that will lead you to a radiant, smiling valley.

But you must move through it quickly,

since you are not allowed to linger

where peace reigns.

Oh, Rudolph!

My royal ancestor!

This is how

your descendant must enter the territory

of your empire

And thus, as you climb,

you will reach the heights of the Gottardo

where the eternal lakes are filled

with waters which fall from heaven.

There, you will bid farewell to German soil.

Another river will lead you on its rapid course to Italy

your promised land.

I will take you to the very places

where your characters suffered and lived.

We will follow William Tell's footsteps through Switzerland.

And then...

And then to Italy.

Yes...

Italy especially.

No!

No, later. We will talk later.

Be Didier again.

Be silent. I could have...

(Ludwig laughs)

Ah, be silent.

I too for my misfortune could have been born a woman.

(Chattering in German)

But...

if he who addressed me was an honest man,

full of an idiot's sense of honor,

if, by chance,

I had happened to meet a heart still full of illusions...

Rather than not say to that honest man, "I am thus."

Rather than receive him joyously,

Rather than not warn him myself that my chaste, pure eye

was mere falsehood.

Rather than be so false, treacherous, debased,

I would have preferred to make my grave with my own finger nails.

Go on.

You would laugh heartily

if you could see yourself

as my heart, that strange mirror, saw you.

You were right

to break it.

My lady,

you were there.

Innocent, pure, chaste.

Oh, woman!

What wrong was ever done you

by this man of sweet and profound heart?

He who loved you for so long

on his knees

before you.

You will become my great friend.

I will make you the sole star of my theater.

You will play the greatest dramas of all the world...

of all time.

All the other actors will be envious and jealous.

You must expect that, but you mustn't fear it.

You will be under the King's protection.

The King will protect you and will spare you suffering and worry.

But you...

you must be loyal to me.

I want only your loyalty.

Everyone hated Wagner too.

I forced him on the whole world.

But Wagner

betrayed my trust.

I... I was that man with a heart still full of illusion.

And ever since, I have been searching for a true friend.

And now... now I have found him.

We shall leave very soon.

We shall always travel. If they will not allow me...

Who could prevent you from doing anything?

You are the King, and the Master.

To be King is not always easy.

Erm... Why not abdicate?

What?

(Speaks French)

You must never address me that way again!

Never again, never!

I'm...

I am very tired, Your Majesty.

May I retire and sleep for a few hours?

Sleep?

The sleigh is ready, come! I will show you my true realm,

my mountains under the sun's first rays.

A world of our own.

Pure and uncontaminated.

Think of your soul, Didier,

not of your body.

(Sleigh bells jingle)

(Kainz) 'The mountaintops thunder.

'The little bridge trembles.

'But the hunter fears not the dizzying path.

'Boldly he strides over the icy peaks

'where spring never shines,

'where no bough is green.'

(Gentle snoring)

You snored.

That is the poem I wanted to hear from you.

The south wind has risen... Come, recite!

No,

I can't.

I don't feel up to it.

I hate being a buffoon acting by command.

I am an artist!

Please, just this once. I beg you.

- No, I cannot. - I order you!

I cannot!

It is beyond me, I'm worn out.

We have been traveling for a week.

I feel as if I haven't slept the whole time.

My memory fails me.

If you are tired, then rest.

(Bell clangs)

Mr Kainz declared

that the letters written to him by His Majesty the King

almost daily

during the brief period of their friendship,

were stolen from him.

Mr Kainz is a liar.

Mr Kainz sold, and at a high price, the King's letters

just as he sold a number of presents he had received from His Majesty.

He sold the letters in Switzerland

to an agent of mine.

These letters are in my possession.

I believe these letters are the most undeniable evidence

that His Majesty the King is not in possession

of his mental faculties.

I bore everything I could

as a loyal servant of the kingdom and the State

from a despot who knew no restraint

in satisfying his whims.

Reluctantly, I sent funds to Wagner in Bayreut.

I watched Linderhof being built

and, clenching my teeth, the castle of Neuschwanstein.

But in the autumn of 1877

when I realized that His Majesty had firmly determined

to start building Herrenchiemsee,

then I resigned.

(Horse-drawn carriage approaches)

(Carriage door opens and closes)

(Distant laughter echoes)

(Pendulum clock ticks, echoing in an empty room)

Why is that black veil on the piano?

I've heard about that.

The King ordered it to be put up for Wagner's death.

That was long time ago.

(Laughter echoes around the room)

(Drill sergeant shouts commands in German)

(Shouting continues)

Osterholzer!

I can't... I can't see her.

I can't receive her. Go!

You will tell her I am ill.

I'm suffering.

I'm suffering very much.

I want no one's pity. Nobody's!

Go! Go, Hornig, and tell her...

(Gasping) ...that I am sorry.

I will come to visit her as soon as I am better.

Naturally, Neuschwanstein is at her disposal,

if she cares to stay, for as long as she likes.

I cannot see her.

- Tell His Majesty I am here. - His Majesty is ill, he cannot see you.

His Majesty says that the castle is at Your Majesty's disposal

for as long as you wish.

We are going back to Possenhofen.

Elisabeth...

(Sobbing) Elisabeth!

And then he began to cry.

He had sent us out of the room,

but we could still hear him.

He was crying and shouting,

"Elisabeth! Elisabeth!"

(Ludwig sobs) 'Elisabeth...

'Elisabeth!'

(Laughter)

Karl!

Now it's your turn.

(Shouts of joy and wild laughter)

(♪ Cheerful folk dance)

(♪ Folk band plays ballad)

(♪ Feeble singing)

(♪ Singing peters out)

(♪ Accordionist plays unaccompanied)

Who did you put in charge of conducting this inquiry?

Count von Holnstein, Highness.

The Count has always been very close to His Majesty.

His advice is therefore very helpful for us

I have always distrusted favorites.

And ex-favorites have to be regarded with even more suspicion.

What part does Colonel Dürckheim play in all of this?

He has been close to Ludwig since he was young.

Highness, we thought it would be better

to keep this situation as confidential as possible

due to the decisions we may have to make

should our King be declared incapable of ruling.

As Your Majesty may know,

in spite of the King's eccentricity

and the recent excessive spending on his empty castles

the people still love Ludwig very much.

Moreover, it is in the interests of some people to have a king

who does not rule.

Are you saying that Colonel Dürckheim is one of these people too?

No, not at all. We have great respect for Colonel Dürckheim.

I feel the same way as you.

So, I am sure you gentlemen will not mind

if I want to hear his opinion on the matter.

I also think it is more fair if we hear him while you are present.

(Hand bell)

Call Colonel Dürckheim.

(Heels click)

(Heels click)

The Cabinet of Ministers, represented by Count Törring here

is offering me the regency of Bavaria in case it becomes necessary

to make our King Ludwig II abdicate.

From what I hear, it is clear that he is not of sound mind.

Please, Colonel, take a seat.

Obviously, I would only accept the regency if there was a medical report

confirming this necessity.

I very much appreciate your impartiality, Colonel.

I know that on many occasions

you showed loyalty to the King.

So, I would like to know your opinion

I am the first one to admit that over the past few years His Majesty

has shown less and less interest in State affairs.

Loneliness gave him shelter,

but are we sure

that his lack of interest is not just a façade?

Maybe his eccentricity is only a way to show to himself

and to the whole world

the privileges he has the right to allow himself?

I apologize, Your Highness, but this is my opinion.

The King's private life is as eccentric

as his own Government wanted it to be.

Before putting an end to the excessive spending for his castles

this was regularly approved by the Treasury.

Somebody must have wanted to keep the King occupied in his follies.

Somebody who has been very close to the King in the past few years

and who has had a bad influence on him.

He was appointed by the Government.

Forgive me, Your Highness,

but Colonel Dürckheim seems to be accusing

our Government of plotting against the King.

Your words, not mine.

It is my duty to answer honestly to His Majesty's question.

I realize the seriousness of what I said,

but the proof is in the fact that some measures have been considered

before making any attempts to help the poor soul, if I may say so.

Our King is going through a crisis.

How many years has this crisis been going on, Colonel Dürckheim? Eh?

Let us look at the facts.

Obviously, the Government tried to be very understanding

because it wanted to prevent a scandal before it was too late.

If there will be one.

We are carrying out a detailed inquiry.

Colonel Dürckheim will be interviewed

and he will repeat what he said to us in private.

And maybe there will be others

who, like him, may think that the Government's responsibilities

are much heavier than the King's.

In this case, dear Pfistermeister,

our only option will be to resign and go to see a doctor.

Because if the King is judged to be of sound mind,

then we must be crazy!

I am Professor Bernard von Gudden,

Director of The Psychiatric Institute of Munich.

After the investigation of the mental condition

of His Majesty the King,

this commission has reached the following conclusions.

His Majesty is in an advanced stage of a mental illness

familiar to all experts as "paranoia".

Since this illness impedes the exercise of free will,

it does not allow the Sovereign

to concern himself with the government of his realm.

This impediment will last for the rest of his life.

(Babble of conversation)

Cin cin!

(Chattering continues)

What? What? What, Osterholzer?

Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, listen to me!

If that groom manages to warn the King our mission could be compromised.

We cannot wait until tomorrow, we must act now.

Hesselschwerdt!

How far is it from Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein?

It's right there.

You need only 15 minutes by carriage, even with this rain.

Gentlemen, we must go at once.

Remember, every minute is precious.

(All agree)

They have come to arrest the King.

They came from Munich. It's a plot.

I managed to escape. They don't know I'm here.

- "They" who? - The men came in three carriages.

Tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, they are going to come up here.

Your Majesty's orders are to be disregarded.

That's what Count von Holnstein said.

Von Holnstein?

Here in Neuschwanstein?

I don't know, Your Majesty.

(Coachmen shouting)

(Thunder bellows)

(Roaring thunder)

Von Holnstein.

- Did you say von Holnstein? - Yes, Your Majesty.

And who else is with him?

I recognized cabinet minister Crailsheim,

Professor Gudden,

Hesselschwerdt.

What do they plan to do?

(Yells) I'll have them all arrested! All! All!

Mayr! Mayr!

I want them to be lashed until they bleed!

I want their eyes put out!

I want them shot. I'll shoot them myself with my own hands!

Hurry! Hurry...

Call the guards, Mayr.

Have them all arrested! Go!

Halt!

Take another step and I will shoot!

We must accompany the King to Schloss Berg.

(Lock clunks)

What do you want?

His Majesty has been deposed by the Council of State.

And His Royal Highness Prince Luitpold

has assumed the regency.

Tell the soldiers to put down their arms and have the gates open.

We have orders from the King

to open fire on anyone who attempts to approach.

I have with me an official document which declares the King insane.

I am authorized to read it to you.

(Gunshots)

- They're under orders. - Holnstein, how are you going to...

- You are making matters worse! - They won't believe it.

Surely there must be some way of convincing them?

(Osterholzer) They have arrested them all.

Good.

You, Mayr, fetch me the key to the tower.

At once!

If necessary, we'll climb up there. I can defend myself better.

Or jump,

if they try to seize me.

Anything rather than what they have in mind -

to keep me alive by killing me, like my brother?

No, I will not allow them to do it.

Quickly, the key!

The key... We don't have it, Sire.

Find it! Find it at once! Go!

Go!

(Thunder rumbles)

Colonel Dürckheim.

Dürckheim, I have had that delegation of conspirators arrested.

I approve Your Majesty's action,

but the Council of State has made that declaration.

The people must be roused up against it.

We will accompany Your Majesty at once to Munich.

I believe we can count on the Army.

Your Majesty will speak to the soldiers and officers stationed at...

Your Majesty, we haven't a moment to lose.

- We must reach Munich. - Munich?

Munich.

Not even a team of elephants

could drag me to that city I hate.

Sire...

That is the only hope of saving the situation.

Unless Your Majesty prefers to leave the country?

We could try to cross into the Tyrol over the border,

but afterwards, it would be very difficult to be called back.

The Army, the people ask for nothing better, I believe,

than to rush to Your Majesty's support.

But this help must be asked to them.

They must be won over. Only Your Majesty's presence...

No! No...

No.

And no.

Does Your Majesty prefer trying to leave the country?

I am ready to help.

I don't feel like traveling.

And besides, what would I do in the Tyrol?

Make them leave me alone.

I have always done everything I could to be useful to Your Majesty.

In the past I have failed.

I failed today.

You can be very useful to me.

Very.

I want some poison.

Get me some poison.

You only have to go to the pharmacy in Kempten.

But go, go at once.

Your Majesty,

I came here to save you,

not to help you die.

The King's orders.

(Knocks)

By order of the King,

these gentlemen must remain under close surveillance.

They are not to leave these rooms under any condition.

And they are to receive neither food nor drink. Nothing.

I think there is no hope for us.

Munich is far.

We are all in a trap.

I order you to send this message to the Prime Minister.

"Extreme speed is necessary. We are in mortal peril.

"The King has ordered us to be put to death!

"We need help as soon as possible."

I want to know if you have informed the Supreme Command

of the liberty taken in...

Colonel Dürckheim, I hope you are aware

of the grave responsibility you have assumed.

It will have irreparable consequences for you.

Without examining our instructions

you have allowed Baron Crailsheim, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

- Count Törring... - By His Majesty's orders

you are all free.

Do your duty.

May I give you some advice?

Act cautiously.

His Majesty...

must be protected against himself.

(♪ WAGNER: Elegy for Piano in A Flat Major)

Do you believe in the immortality of the soul, Weber?

Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, I do. But...

So do I.

I believe in the immortality of the soul

and the justice of God.

I have read many things about materialism.

It will not satisfy a man.

He will not be reduced to the level of an animal.

Take this.

Drowning

is a fine death.

There is no mutilation.

But to jump

from a height...

This too.

I will write a letter.

If this watch should return to the Royal Treasury

because of my death,

they should refund

25,000 gulden.

Your Majesty.

(Footsteps)

Your Majesty!

I have the key.

The key to the tower.

Mayr, Mayr!

I misjudged you.

(Wails)

Your Majesty,

I have never had to perform such an unpleasant duty.

Four analysts have expressed their opinion

on Your Majesty's health.

As a result of their decision

His Highness Prince Luitpold has assumed the regency.

I have been ordered to take Your Majesty to Schloss Berg

this very night.

Berg...

My loyal Sauer.

(Heels click)

(Heels click)

(Heels click)

(Heels click)

(Sardonic laugh)

Please.

It has begun raining again.

It will never stop.

Never.

(Distant rumble of thunder)

(Thunder continues to rumble)

Your Majesty should eat something now.

- What do you think I should eat? - Anything.

You can eat anything you want, Your Majesty.

No knives. An odd way to lay the table.

Only one dessert fork.

Am I supposed to start with the dessert?

I am not hungry. I want to sleep.

Of course, Your Majesty.

Wake me up at midnight.

I will take a walk,

then I will eat.

Your Majesty is expected to follow a more regular schedule from now on.

Of course.

Sleep at night, eat at set times

and with regards to going out- maybe in the future.

Soon I will ask them myself to grant you permission, Your Majesty

I would like to rest now, and to be left alone.

If it's possible.

Of course, Your Majesty.

(♪ Music box plays)

(♪ Music box repeats tune again and again)

(Footsteps approach)

(Footsteps stop)

He has behaved with truly regal courtesy

and with perfect discipline.

No sign of restlessness.

His answers are always to the point.

In all sincerity, I do not feel I can refuse His Majesty.

Give him one concession.

He keeps asking for permission to go out and stroll in the park.

It is not raining now, but... look at those clouds.

It's going to rain again any minute.

Apart from any other consideration, it wouldn't be hard for a physician

to advise against a walk in the rain.

His Majesty has a very strong constitution.

Naturally, I shall advise him to wait until the weather improves,

but if he insists

I am prepared to go with him myself,

rather than refuse him again.

Yes, I will accompany him myself.

You have been seduced, Professor Gudden. Be careful.

(Thunder rumbles)

There is nothing more beautiful and fascinating than the night.

They say the cult of the night, of the moon

is a maternal cult.

The cult of the sun, of daytime...

is a masculine myth, therefore paternal.

However, the mystery,

the greatness of night

for me lies in

the infinite, sublime kingdom of the heroes.

Which is also the kingdom

of reason.

Poor Dr Gudden!

Forced to study me from morning to night, from night to morning.

But I am an enigma.

I want to remain an enigma,

forever.

To others

and also to myself.

(Heels click)

Excellent.

- Delicious. - I'm tempted to have some more.

It is half past seven.

He said he would not stay out more than an hour.

- What time did they leave? - I saw them. It was before six.

Send someone to look for them. They must have gone by the lake.

Get some torches, quick!

Who went with them?

They were alone. Professor Gudden did not want

any nurses accompanying them.

- His Majesty seemed very calm today. - How crazy! So irresponsible!

Dr Müller, do I have to teach you that crazy people can be clever too?

Go, quick! As soon as you find them,

send someone to inform us. Quick!

So?

Count von Holnstein.

(Rain covers dialogue)

(Men speaking German)

Wire Munich at once. Say: "The King has disappeared."

I am going to look for him too.

If I find them, I'll fire a shot in the air to let you know.

(Shouting)

(Constant tapping)

(Distant gunshot)

(Gunshot)

(Men shouting)

(Distant shouting)

(♪ WAGNER: Elegy for Piano in A Flat Major)

The King committed suicide.

In order to do that, he had to kill Dr Gudden.

Take the bodies to the castle, immediately!

The last original composition for piano by Richard Wagner

unpublished until today, is presented for the first time in this film.

Special thanks to those who, with their efforts and enthusiasm

made it possible to restore the original version

of Luchino Visconti's Ludwig.