Original subtitles

TV Channel Russia

Written by Arif Aliev Art director Vladimir Menshov

Directed by Alexandr Baranov, Ramil Sabitov Camera - Maxim Shinkorenko

Production Designers Sergey Vorobjev, Sergey Onipenko

Music by Nikolai Rostov

Make-up Artists Marina Dedova, Ilona Levitskaya

Leading Editor Nadezhda Tarnovskaya

Leading Producer Alexei Kublitsky

Producers - Alexandr Akopov Ekaterina Efanova, Natalia Shneiderova

Empress Elizaveta I - Yulia Aug

Grand Duke Pyotr Fyodorovich, Emperor Peter III - Alexandr Yatsenko

Count Bestuzhev - Vladimir Menshov Count Lestocq - Konstantin Lavronenko Count Razumovsky - Alexandr Lazarev (Jr.)

Prince Saltykov - Rinal Mukhametov Captain Orlov - Sergey Strelnikov

Princess Johanna - Isabel Schosnig Count Shuvalov - Nikolai Kozak General Apraksin -Vitaly Kravchenko

Jemma - Elena Shamova Pimen - Ivan Dobronravov Matrena - Svetlana Korchagina

Prince Ponyatovsky - Aleksei Vorobyev Brekdorf - Maxim Kerin Betskoy - Kirill Rubtsov

Frederick II - Hartmut Krug Mardefelt - Vitus Eisenach Chetardie - Patrick Roullier Rollin

Nanny of Tsar Ivan VI - Valentina Talyzina

With Marina Alexandrova as Ekaterina II

EKATERINA

Excuse me, Your Majesty; there’s an urgent message.

Empress Elisabeth has declared war on Prussia.

I asked not to disturb me on trifles when I'm playing music.

Maestro - Bach. Allegro.

Alexei Petrovich, don't you think this peacock bears a striking semblance to Ponyatovsky?

Why bringing them together, Ekaterina and this brainless Pole?

You know very well it's England standing behind him.

Your Majesty, Russia has an abundance of enemies and a deficit of friends.

That's why a friendship of Her Highness with the future King of Poles I consider favorable for Russia.

And his connections with England may become a trump card we'll be hiding in our sleeve.

Well, Count, I was wrong to consider you a banal intriguer. Time to bestow a king's status upon you.

There's a letter for Your Highness.

What an uneven handwriting?

It's from the Polish prince.

Let's see whether my guess is right.

I love you. I'll come at 7 in the afternoon waiting near your doors until you bless me with your attention.

Clear and laconic. What a childish behavior.

Pyotr Fyodorovich, in Elizaveta Petrovna's will it is written that after her death

Pavel Petrovich shall ascend the throne. - Not you.

So, it's Pavel.

I anticipated something like this. May you be mistaken?

Alas, no.

Under whose regency will Pavel reign?

I don't know. I hope Elizaveta Petrovna will live a long life.

I pray for her good health.

But who’s the regent?

I can't believe it will be Bestuzhev.

That awful old Bestuzhev.

Or maybe my wife Ekaterina? Or maybe you?

In this case, you will be in no danger.

What if Pavel ascends the throne?

Then it will be the end. Then what am I for?

Don't think about it. - How can I not think about it? I’m not a hero.

Not everyone can be strong and brave.

I'm begging you - help me, save me.

I can’t, Pyotr Fyodorovich, I absolutely can't do this.

If you don't help me, I will write to Frederick.

I'm against the war, I'm for the alliance of Russia and Prussia against all of Europe.

Should I become the Emperor, I'll declare war against Denmark.

Why Denmark? Russia and Denmark have always been allies.

Russians have never warred against the Danes.

I know the Danes; my mentor was Danish.

They are cruel and sly. They should be all destroyed.

You wanted me to be sincere? Very well.

Your declaration is half-baked.

I would even call it outrageous.

Guided by such thoughts, one may bring awful tribulations upon Russia.

This is what Elizaveta Petrovna bore in mind fearing to pass the crown to you. Sorry.

Her Highness does not receive visitors.

What do you want, Your Excellency?

Report I'm here, Mio Panna.

Her Highness would hardly agree to talk to the author of such a bold letter.

My lady does not want to see you.

You follow your passions and not your reason.

You have nothing to fear?

Not always. But today I've lost my head.

You are amusing.

Why are you silent?

Why talk when we may…

May I?

Should I reign,

would you keep me from making mistakes?

Not only me.

There are some statesmen whose advice even the Empress herself heeds.

And one more thing, Pyotr Fyodorovich.

Please reconcile with Ekaterina Alekseyevna. Pavel is your son.

Can't you feel this?

Yes, I can feel that you're right. I felt something of the sort the other day.

But I will not reconcile with her.

Good morning, Your Highness.

I ordered breakfast for just one person.

I didn't dare without your permission…

Don't worry, our guest will partake of something.

Arina, there is something I’ve never asked you about.

Then ask me.

Does Count Shuvalov know everything I do?

You're very kind to me, Your Highness. How did you guess?

You can tell Count Shuvalov what you find necessary.

I myself answer for my deeds.

My dear friend, wake up.

Have some coffee to feel refreshed.

Why would I need coffee? I am refreshed.

Like a cucumber.

My darling Cucumber.

Who spent the night with Her Highness?

He didn't mention his name.

Of course, did you expect a report from him?

How did Her Excellency address him?

“My dear friend”. “My darling Cucumber” in the moments of passion.

So what should I write in my report?

“Mr. Cucumber”? It is an extraordinary occurrence.

After Count Saltykov, Her Highness did not spend a night with anyone else.

Yes, Sir. It's been long since she slept with a man.

So what should I write down?

Grand Duke Ponyatovsky, Polish Prince Stanislaw Augustus.

Why didn't you report then?

You said not to report about trifles but only if there is some conspiracy, something presenting danger.

That Polish boy is three years younger than her.

Well, such is woman's nature.

This boy serves to the British ambassador. What did they talk about, verbatim?

Your Majesty, I dared to disturb you on a very important matter.

Ekaterina Alekseevna is having a liaison with Grand Duke Ponyatovsky -

It is yet unknown if it has been his own initiative or the will of the British Ambassador Williams.

Listen, I absolutely do not care whose initiative it was.

Shall we stop it or let it go on?

Alright, Count, let’s proceed like this: let’s make no haste.

We shall learn their true intentions.

If situation demands it,

we shall send Williams home.

And Ponyatovsky as well.

And of the girl we can always take care.

Matryona!

Pimen!

Lord, I missed you so much!

How is your service?

It depends. Listen, I need to tell you something about Ekaterina Alekseyevna.

It's very important. Remember my every word and warn her without delay.

What happened?

The Empress threatens to lock Her Highness in a convent, they are spying on her. She needs to…

Am I interrupting? Pimen, get back to your post.

Is Her Majesty calling for me?

God forbid. But she might at any moment. On the double, I say!

What was he going to tell you?

Nothing special, Your Honor.

Has this man of yours lost his mind?

Babbling out State secrets, it calls for a term in prison. Or even worse.

So, what did he want to tell you?

Yes, poor, poor Pimen.

But I can forget about this if you come to my chamber tonight.

Do you know where my chamber is?

Will you come or not?

What for?

You'll see.

Very well. I will mention your invitation to Ekaterina Alekseyevna.

I hope she will let me come.

You witch. I will remember that...

Your Highness, the Grand Prince is here.

Ask him to wait for a minute.

Pardon me, Pyotr Fyodorovich, I was asleep.

There is no need to apologize; after all, we are man and wife.

I came to talk to you about Pavel.

Is he alright?

We were having a drill together today, and I saw inclinations of a military leader in him.

Yes, but I'm afraid his mentors won't develop his endowments.

He is surrounded by some old hags, French at that.

They will raise him not as a man, but as a pantywaist.

Do you think that Pavel does not receive the due upbringing as the future Emperor?

Exactly.

Then talk to Elizaveta Petrovna. Try to persuade her.

In fact that's why I came. You talk to her.

For some reason she is more fond of you than me.

You're mistaken

In any case, we should talk to her together

as Pavel's parents.

If you wish so.

Good night.

I haven’t thought your husband is such a caring father.

Don't discuss my family matters with me.

Your Majesty.

Take a seat, my dear.

I’ve been waiting for a while, my dear.

I thought you would guess it yourself, but...

Then let me give you a hint of what I mean.

Prince Ponyatovsky Stanislaw Augustus.

He calls himself the future King of Poland.

A loafer, a posture, and your lover.

Tell me, my dear, have you forgotten that you have a husband?

My husband has entirely forgotten that he has a wife.

It seemed to me, you did not care either how I fared.

I don't care.

- Anyway, he's off on his journey already.

Who?

Your Count Ponyatovsky.

I see.

Have you imagined that I will bear with all this?

But I bear with a lot of things.

You’ve taken away my son, but still I smile at you.

I bow to you and say sweet words.

You have taken away everything from me. My life is meaningless. And it’s your fault.

I only intended to put you to order.

In return, I heard accusations in a most impossible tone.

Get out of my sight, my dear.

I wish you all the best too, Your Majesty.

Maybe I should send her away to a convent. She is too impudent.

We should reconcile them.

And it's time for Pyotr Fyodorovich to take up military service.

A war is on, My Lady.

Stay seated.

It fits you. Look how handsome you are.

Pyotr Fyodorovich, I don't understand why are you displeased?

I made you a Premier Major;

I commissioned you with the Imperial Guard of Izmailovsky Regiment in the position of Platoon Commander.

I kindly thank Your Majesty.

But my status entitles me to command a battalion.

Why did you decree it in your own way?

Pyotr, dear,

it is not the Poteshny (toy) Regiment, but a real one.

Let you learn to command over a platoon at first.

You will serve together with your wife.

That's all. Go away.

I don't understand, are you glad or not?

I'm glad, Auntie, very glad.

In the regiment, we issue commands in Russian.

The soldiers don't know German.

Put it down, Brekdorf.

The guardsmen obey directly to the Platoon Commander,

that is to you,

and to the Regiment Commander, that is to me.

I will need to acquire a lot of skills.

And here you practice fencing skills, right?

Yes, Sir.

Would you like to examine it?

Lieutenant Grigory Orlov, you’re under arrest!

Stop it!

Atten-tion!

What's going on here?

He is under arrest.

On whose order?

On the order of Count Shuvalov, the Chief of the Imperial Secret Police.

Grigory Orlov visits damsels and ladies…

- So? - Several of them. Frankly, quite many of them.

So what?

A damsel turned out to be Count Shuvalov's mistress.

Lieutenant Orlov tried to challenge Aleksandr Ivanovich to a duel.

- Well… - Imagine a lieutenant challenging a general.

Was there a duel? - There wasn’t one.

Grigory thumped Shuvalov on the head not knowing who he was.

And Shuvalov ordered his men to cripple Grigory, but Grigory’s brothers interfered.

So, there was a fistfight.

Is Count Shuvalov the innocent party?

The army is first of all about discipline and subordination.

She’s just a mistress, not a wife. For how long has Lieutenant Orlov been in the regiment?

He was enrolled 7 years ago.

He gave a good account of himself and enjoys respect.

For a zealous service, he has efficiency decorations.

Then why is he still a lieutenant?

Not enough years in grade. But you have the right to promote him.

Prepare the epaulets of... a Staff Captain. Am I right?

Your Highness, I'm afraid he won't need them anymore.

Nobody easily returns from Shuvalov's dungeon.

Pyotr Fyodorovich, we shall find a way to save the lieutenant!

I don't know.

How can we save him?

I know how.

Alexei Petrovich!

Can I be of any help, Ekaterina Alekseyevna?

Yes, you can.

Yesterday a staff captain of our regiment was arrested.

The troops, including our regiment, are leaving on a campaign tomorrow,

and assistant of the platoon commander has been thrown into the dungeon, and on no charges at that.

Count Shuvalov won't be slow in making up charges.

Yes, I suspect some petty vengeance being the case.

What a base act and bad temper.

I would offer you to turn to Stepan Fyodorovich, for he is the Commander in Chief.

If you manage to persuade him, the staff captain will be released at once.

Is Count Apraksin in Petersburg?

Yes, he attends the Council. But he’ll be leaving for Narva today; make haste.

Stepan Fyodorovich...

Ekaterina Alexeyevna, I'm too old to run; my vivacious days are over.

But you're right, every minute is precious.

Count Shuvalov drags to the rack everyone he catches in his spiderweb.

Dear friend, hurry up.

I would gladly end on the rack for such a look…

Stepan Fyodorovich – sadly, I can see no grounds for Orlov’s release.

What other grounds do you want?

Most substantial ones.

Tomorrow this officer will go to the war in order to protect Her Majesty and his native country.

And you, Count, will return in the rear.

They will use bullets and sabers against him, and you will be amusing leisure with your mistress.

Why all this criticism? Why say such things?

To wake up your conscience.

What do you need the knife for?

Ah, there's an interesting trick, Stepan Fyodorovich.

You make incisions on the man's arms and legs,

and then you pull off the skin like a stocking.

What are you going to do?

Once upon a time, a count comes to his mistress.

She's lying naked, and officer's boots are sticking from under the bed.

The count takes the straight razor and sharpens it against his belt.

"Count, what are you going to do?" "If those boots are empty, I'll shave."

Release Staff Captain Orlov immediately.

Bow down, brat.

Hello, Petersburg! I’m free!

Come on!

It's a salute in Your Highness's honor.

We should make it a tradition, to shoot salvos at noon.

Didn't I tell you not to drink toasts to all relatives?

And I kept saying to lay off the drink!

Did you? -I did!

Shut up, damn your mother! - She’s your mother too, Brother.

Gentlemen!

Brothers, here she is, my Empress!

Is Grygory in love again? - Bite your tongue.

Please, accept gifts from ladies of the Court.

Thank you, Your Highness, - From the very heart.

God will be your protector on the battlefield.

May God help you.

You're my savior.

Ekaterina Alekseyevna, please meet my brothers.

Thank you, Your Highness, for our Grishka!

I'd have throttled him if he died on the rack.

And all of you are the Orlovs?

Fully rely upon us, Your Highness.

Get up and choose your presents.

- Go get your gifts.

And you...

promise that you will come back alive. I will be waiting for you.

Your Highness, I can't promise you that,

it's not in my power.

Do you remember that I’ve saved your life?

So now it belongs to me.

You have no right to die.

Ekaterina Alekseyevna,

it would be utterly foolish of me to die now, on the verge of my happiness!

But war is war, it kills at random.

It kills foolish and clever ones,

cowards and braves, because war is like this.

Our regiment leaves tomorrow morning.

Farewell, Your Highness.

Spring, 1757.

Empress Elizaveta Petrovna orders her army to move toward Russia’s western borders.

War breaks out in Europe, with Russia facing off against Prussia.

The Russian Army is in disarray.

We are waging the war successfully:

we have annexed Saxony, seized Prague, and now France is withdrawing its troops.

We should use this opportunity to sign a treaty with England against Russia.

How are the things about England?

The English need an excuse.

If we find good enough grounds, the whole Europe will join our spread to the East.

What do you suggest?

To demand the release of the former Emperor Ioann Antonovich with all his family.

They are of German blood.

We shall put forward an ultimatum:

to immediately release the legitimate Emperor Ioann Antonovich from the fortress.

Let him take the place he is entitled to by the right of birth.

I'm afraid, Ioann Antonovich won't live long after the ultimatum.

Don't be afraid.

The murder of Ioann Antonovich will be good grounds to destroy the imperial dynasty.

We shall try and execute the Romanovs.

There are not so many of them left:

the Empress, Pyotr Fyodorovich, and his son Pavel.

The tree has withered.

Pyotr Fyodorovich remains your devotee.

If he ascends the throne, Russia will become a long-standing ally of Prussia.

No exceptions for anyone.

Because of irregular delivery of provision and fodder,

Apraksin can't continue hostilities in Prussia.

The road is destroyed along dozens of miles both ways.

He can't reach Koenigsberg.

The longer the war is, the more means will be spent.

Isn’t it true?

Do you understand we should finish the war by autumn?

A letter from King Frederick.

He is seeking peace?

It's an ultimatum!

That rogue!

He demands that we release Ioann Antonovich from Schlusselburg.

But we shall state categorically that Ioann Antonovich died in his infancy.

We'll invite the ambassadors and will show them his grave.

We'll bring Duke Anton Ulrich to Petersburg together with his family,

and he will announce that his son died seventeen years ago.

And he should refuse to return to his homeland.

I'm more interested how Frederick came to know about where we keep our secret prisoner.

Investigate into this.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

I am indifferent to the ultimatums of this impudent sodomite.

God is my witness, I did not want this to happen.

But I have no other choice.

Ioann Antonovich has to die.

Nanny, my dear Nanny...

We observe all procedures in silence.

The prisoner didn't hear from us a single word uttered.

How do you communicate then?

By gesturing, Your Majesty, and urging him

like a dog, only without saying his name.

Sometimes we punish him when he disobeys, but we inflict no bodily damage.

What would be Your Majesty's orders?

Carry on with your duty.

You will report to me directly; I'll warn the secretary.

Should someone else ascend the throne, you'll start reporting to that person.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Is there a doctor? - Yes.

- Be quick! - Your Majesty...

There is no need of a doctor. Take me home.

Simeon.

What? What is it, my Lady?

I'm here, My Lady. What is it?

The Holy Annointing...

Bring Father Simeon.

Your Highness,

you are summoned to the Council.

Can it be that I'll hear the glad tidings today?

Am I the Emperor? Say “yes”.

I can't go against the truth. You are not the Emperor.

But hasn't my aunt died?

Your Highness, you worry me.

Or maybe you know something that I don't know?

Though, you can't know anything because you were asleep.

I'm the Emperor! She is dead!

I'm the Emperor!