Original subtitles

SUPPORTED BY THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

RUSSIA 1

Make way!!! Stop!

Oh, sorry, sorry,

We did not mean to frighten you.

Good afternoon, fantastic pani.

Good afternoon.

Tell me please, why don't you ride with me in this um, what is it called...

In this, carriage without horses, what is it?

- Self-running carriage. - Self-running carriage.

Would you like to drive?

I would.

You are looking at me as though I were already naked.

Yes. You are already naked. Go on!

Hey, hey, let's ride.

Hey, hey, pan! Faster!

Faster, faster.

That way!

King of Poland Stanislaw the Second.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

I can hardly breathe for all the emotions.

Time has no power over you.

Beautiful.

Attractive.

Magical.

Stanislaw Augustus, this is not a date.

Have mercy, your Majesty.

I want to lay a wreath on Anna's grave.

I still grieve for her.

What is the Russian nickname for our daughter?

It is painful for you to remember, forgive me.

In my castle there is a room

which is an exact copy of the one I lived in here.

A kiss embraces.

I am so happy that my heart misses a beat.

[Russian Song]

It's good that it is a girl.

I'll decorate her with the order of St. Catherine for the christening.

I won't survive two consecutive deaths.

Why didn't you write me? Even a letter.

- You have forgotten who I am and who you are. - Forgive me.

I know you are negotiating with the Turks.

I know what you are promising them and what they are promising you.

Let me explain it. I am a king, but in my country every nobleman can refuse obedience.

I must gloss over contradictions.

Unlike you I am not an absolute monarch. Poland has a long border with Turkey,

let them have Podolia, Volyn

I will give up those lands for the sake of peace.

Podolia and Volyn are Russian lands

and it is only through a misunderstanding that they are not part of the Russian Empire.

I won't let either the Poles or the Turks decide their fate.

And as for the Turks, they have no business in Europe at all.

- I agree, Your Majesty. - And something else.

If you lie to me or try to outwit me.

I'll take your crown and turn your throne into a toilet seat in my lavatory.

And Stanislaw the Second will be Poland's last king.

I'd ask you not to present yourselves to the Empress in such huge numbers.

Damn you, let them wait here. Open up.

My Empress. Katyusha

I feared you did not want to disappoint me.

I received the letter from a Lieutenant

but it was all soaked in blood.

It's not your blood.

He is on his deathbed now.

- Who? - Lieutenant Potyomkin.

Let me have a good look at you.

Oh my God, Grigory! I won't let you go away any more.

Who are these people?

Your subjects, Empress.

Nomads, Gypsies.

Their music sounds merry but it

conceals sadness. It gets to your soul.

Grigory!

What childish surprises!

With this very sword I was almost, A trophy.

Just a bit more and.

That would have been it.

I was scared of losing you.

Your Majesty, if I am in the way permit me to retire for a time.

Grigory Grigorievich, I must finish an important talk.

- With whom? - With the king.

This king? Forgive me Your Majesty, I did not recognize you without the crown.

Seen anything like it?

Two blades.

Where is the jalman?

No jalman. No scratches from a direct blow.

Want me to give it to you?

Though it is no use giving such presents to you.

You won't even unsheathe it or will cut yourself.

Let me inform you, Count, that a Pole

is born with a sword in his hand.

- Do you mean he emerges with a sword... - Grigory Grigorievich.

Stanislaw August, you'll receive a million rubles in gold

and you can spend it anyway you like.

But if need be, the Polish army

should immediately rise against the Turks.

Dumb with joy. He expected to get hold of a hundred thousand.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

In the war with the Ottoman Empire Poland will stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia.

You should not have believed him. He's a traitor.

Grigory, I am so happy!

Quicker!

I like it here in Russia.

I could stay longer. Go, go!

And he threaten me with a sabre.

You Excellency, let me reprove you.

You bared your sword in her Majesty's presence, which is a crime.

You are calling me a criminal?

No, I am merely drawing your attention.

And when I become Emperor, will you still be drawing my attention?

I know that Stepan Ivanovich was a dance teacher in his youth.

When I become the Emperor, I'll have him resign

and he'll get back to his lessons.

More energy, guys!

Did I get it right?

Count Orlov will become the Emperor?

Dance, Stepan Ivanovich.

Dance.

You let your chance slip.

You could have been King of Poland and Russia now

and would not have to beg for rubles.

Have them feed and wine these merry people. Follow me!

And now I am serious. If you betray us with the Turks,

if you team up Russian regiments will slice Poland into bigos.

Do you like bigos, King? You do.

As for me, cabbage makes me nauseous.

If you do a little something against Russia,

I'll personally come to Poland and strangle you.

I invite you.

Take your million and get lost

while the Empress has not changed her mind.

- Your Majesty. - Will he be Emperor?

It will be the end of Poland. And of Russia.

We are both worried about the future triumph of Count Orlov,

so I beg you, find the time to meet and talk.

He is nothing like you, dear.

Cabbage slug.

I know the reason. You are jealous.

I was before,

now it's dead and buried.

And you, you are the only one.

We've been together for eight years. God is protecting us.

After we wed, I'll declare Alexei heir to the throne.

We'll do it together.

And what about Pavel?

There can't be two heirs.

No. I'll send him abroad to study to become wise and healthy.

He is somehow inert.

God forgive me be gracious with me.

As if Elizaveta Petrovna switched him

I haven't seen him for two years. Perhaps my son is dead and she...

What are you?

...switched him with a servant's son.

What are you saying?

What are you talking about?

He does not look like me. Forget it.

Let's forget the anxiety

I am afraid I am tired after the journey, Empress.

So you were a dance teacher, I did not know about it.

Just a small episode of my youth, why do you need to know?

Did you forgive?

What do you mean?

Did you forgive count Orlov?

I am sorry, I wasn't clear. I mean will you be able to forgive him one day?

I happened to be a witness.

Now imagine what will happen when he becomes emperor.

Yes, a coward. Though he is a home executioner.

Adam Vasilievich, you promised me to record the talk with count Panin.

- So much to do. - Oh, really?

Sometime I'll sit down and put it to paper.

Though I've forgotten a lot.

Well, almost everything.

I can't, my eyes have dimmed.

Don't take it to heart. It's my fault, I said unnecessary things to you.

I shouldn't go away for long.

- I shouldn't let you go.. - I'll see you in the evening, Empress.

Till evening.

- Your Majesty. - Dress me up.

In a quarter of an hour Mr. Sheshkovsky will deliver report about the secret expedition.

Spare me.

I am sorry, when will the Empress be ready?

Do you need help, Your Excellency?

Hey you.

- Be seated. - Your Excellency.

Tell me, how he is.

I am afraid this night will be his last.

Are you crazy? You are a healer.

You sure know some lotions, leeches.

I don't dare, Your Excellency.

You should dare. Risk it.

And what if he dies? You'll throw me into the fortress?

I don't want to be held responsible.

Hold on, don't shout, I'll take all the responsibility.

I know only old wives' remedies.

Give him Dutchman's-pipe to drink, cut around the wound,

apply more John's-wort lotion, rub his legs with vinegar.

And the fever is good, the fever kills the sickness.

That's the treatment for peasants, for commoners. Rich people are different.

Back in the Grishnyaty village a gentleman went to the lake to swim,

cut his foot on ling and died two days later. No treatment worked.

It's because he was rich!

As for the peasants' children, they run barefoot and are never sick.

He is not rich, he is on salary.

I'll settle it with Rodgerson, he won't object.

How much is the mare?

No, gentleman, this horse is not for sale. It's a pedigree animal, it costs a lot.

Name your price.

- Your Majesty. - Don't joke with me.

I am not joking. I rushed things a bit.

I am bargaining for this horse for you. Isn't it a beauty?

One can ride this horse to the wedding or coronation.

Ride this mare? What will people say about such an emperor?

All right, we'll buy her to breed.

We'll sell trotters throughout Russia.

Something unseemly has happened to me.

For the first time in my life I have no desire,

as if I were dead. I am frightened.

What if we crossbreed her with your Holstein? And we will develop a new breed!

Let's call it “The Orlov Breed”. The Orlov Trotter!

Orlov because we are the Orlovs,

Because he runs as fast as the eagle flies.

Do you hear me? I made a fool of myself.

I don't know what to do.

It can happen to anyone.

- I am telling you, it's the first time. - An accident.

Abstaining is harmful.

You didn't even break the fast in Valdai. Girls in Valdai were all fire and flames.

You'd better exercise your flesh.

That's true. Let's go to the parlor.

To Praskovia Yurievna's place.

Let's swing, brother.

St Petersburg will be chewing the rag for a week.

At her place guests gather only late in the evening.

And chewing the rag is not what we need. Don't forget, you are going to try the crown on.

It's best to do it quietly, at Lavinia's.

She makes rickety old men bounce like stallions.

You'll get better. Cheer up, brother!

Ho-ho! I'll ride a Holstein horse to the coronation.

You may call him an Orlov trotter if you like.

The mare is useless.

Do you intend to breed her? Have you lost your touch at all, brother?

Brother? What is it, brother?

I don't feel pain if I touch it, but it hurts to move my head.

I almost fainted twice I felt dizzy.

Let's walk.

What a bad luck! Ah! What's the reason to complain? Let's go to Lavinia!

Grigory, girls will heal you!

King Friedrich is coming from Prussia, a sodomite will rule Russiañ.

He will make people eat unclean food and come into the church backwards and sacrifice their first-borns.

The heir to the throne has gone weak in the head.

He is on his deathbed.

The empress has taken the monastic vows.

- After the burial of her son... - Stepan Ivanovich.

- That's enough! - Shall I start the search?

In the Tavern in Veliky Novgorod in Goncharny street

an imposter pretending to be

emperor Peter the Third demonstrated

the marks from the noose on his neck

and as a proof he permitted to insert fingers into the wound.

He said disbelievers wanted to put to death the Russian tsar

but God did not let them.

He tempted everyone to come together and throw the treacherous German woman in prison.

To call oneself nit-wit, jester

and dead at that. I don't understand.

The traditions of false royalty are strong in Russia.

Capture him and ask why he is a fool and whence he comes from.

It's unlikely that he is alone.

Why where there no imposters when Elizaveta Petrovna ruled?

She ascended to the throne after a coup.

She sent to prison the lawful emperor, a year-old child.

Elizaveta Petrovna was the daughter of Peter the Great.

A bastard child.

Exceptions were made for her.

Elizaveta Petrovna had no children.

And I am the mother of Peter the Great's great grandson.

It was me who continued the ruling line of the Romanovs, not her.

Elizaveta Petrovna was very cautious.

She did not execute anyone during twenty years of her rule.

Of course some people were tortured to death, died on the rack.

But not a single one was executed.

Your position is less solid, Your Majesty.

I am aware of my position, Nikita Ivanovich.

Do you think I am blood thirsty?

Your Majesty, I am your humble servant.

Just say it! Say what you wanted to say.

In the last century Russia almost perished in the strife.

I think you'll have to consider enthroning Pavel Petrovich.

I can't believe it.

Things are not so..

Your Majesty, you can very well rule as the Empress-mother.

In essence nothing will change, but we'll placate the people.

I won't do it and you know why.

But it is an option that I think is worth discussing.

I refuse your offer without discussion.

Forgive me, I must retire for a couple of minutes.

Where is Count Orlov?

- He did not tell me, he left. - Where to?

- He does not check in or out. - Find him.

I need him. Find him this minute.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Enough. Leave me alone.

At least tell me that you love me.

Want me to lie?

Whisper in my ear, nobody will overhear.

Succes d'amour?

Tomorrow If you dream painstakingly.

The woman is always to blame.

I won't take the money. For a solid hour I was doing my best.

Look me in the eyes.

I won't talk.

You won't.

- It is dangerous to quarrel with lovers. - It is dangerous to go to bed with them too.

And what if I get the inglorious sickness?

I was wrong to follow your advice.

I should have stayed home.

I would have had some broth and gone to bed.

- Wait till tomorrow, you might get better. - It'll be too late tomorrow.

She will think that instead of counting the days before our

meeting I indulged in dissipation from Poltava to Valdai.

Brother!

Oh, brother. I feel so bad.

Isn't the cause of my condition that blow by murza, the son of a bitch?

You received so many blows to the head before...

How many times were you wounded?

In the battle of Zorndorf - three bullets,

a shell-shock, a Dragoon pierced you

with a lance and you did not even stop fighting.

I was a fool.

If you were a fool then, than on Wild Field you were a jackass,

you rushed forward with no reconnaissance.

If you had kicked the bucket, they would have placed

your dried-up body in the Kunstkamera with the tag “Fool” attached.

Yes, brother. My life is in shambles.

The Empress is your son's mother.

It is more important than everything else.

Go, tell her that you miss your son and want to see him. Suggest going together.

Believe me, she, she'll forget about the bed.

How can I miss him if I saw him only a couple of times as a baby.

- Is it far? - Somewhere past Gatchina.

He lives with Shkurin, her former valet.

The boy has a bad reputation.

Weak, not tender. He is seven years old but he does not talk. I am not going.

Grigory!

Oh, brother.

I am not destined to become Emperor, I'll breed trotters.

Stop it!

People will say: that very Count Orlov who could become...

but eventually became a nobody.

Here.

- What is it? - Love potion.

Powerful. But can be used only once.

Drink it up.

Exceptionally disgusting.

Your Highness Say “aaaa”.

The tonsils are inflamed.

We have a fencing lesson in the open air I'll lose my job.

If His Highness gets complications it'll be me who will lose the job

Luka, get the armor and the sabre ready.

Next exercise is called Italian cross.

Slower. Semyon Andreevich.

All right Let's leave it for the future.

Let's review the double cutting strike.

But not in assault but in defense.

Ready?

Start First, second...

Glory to his Majesty! Victory!

I demand a ransom.

Your Highness, I resign myself to you.

I'll tell Count Panin that you got an excellent mark in fencing.

Semyon Andreevich, you tell me very little about my father.

What would you like to know, Your Highness?

For instance, why is he not buried in the imperial shrine?

All the Romanovs after Peter the Great were buried in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.

But he was buried at Lavra.

But why, Pyotr the Second rests in peace in Moscow.

Because he died of smallpox and they were afraid to bring him here.

Your Highness, certain topics were indicated as forbidden to me.

I understand.

I'll act as your matchmaker with a sword.

My arm will be firm.

Let me show you something.

You've bought a ring. Isn't it imprudent to spend money ahead of time?

I know what I am doing, Pyotr Pavlovich.

Then why hold back? Let's go!

Oh, no. I've sent a letter to Count Sheremetev. I am waiting for the reply.

Sofya Stepanovna, what is your relationship

with King Stanislaws's advisor?

With Krzysztof?

What is your relationship with Krzysztof Pjecky?

Flirting. I helped him to order a self-running carriage.

Mr. Krzysztof is amiable, but foolish.

He wants to get rich in Poland, to manufacture carriages.

He invites Kulibin to come with him.

- Really? - What are you so pleased about?

I am sick of Kulibin,

he is always begging for money to spend on some foolery.

Think of a way to make the cannon-ball fly two kilometers and hit the target.

It's a simple task, isn't it?

He took the money, thought it over for a year and came up with a solution.

He flies a leather ball into the sky attached to a string.

Dance, Stepan Ivanovich!

May I leave?

Where was Count Orlov?

- In Lavinia's parlor. - With whom?

- I don't know. - Then find out.

Find out, Sofya Stepanovna!

Simple and clear laws will be passed in Russia

and they will remain intact till Doomsday.

Everyone will abide by them:

Orthodox Christians and Muslims, those living in Tatar steppes

and on the black soils of Novorossiya, Muscovites and Siberians.

We are working!

Your Majesty, Count Orlov.

Grigory, I needed you at the conference. Count Panin was impudent.

Grigory.

I don't want to rush things, but I want a baby.

Ah, my Empress!

- Grigory! - Ekaterina!

My Empress! Katyusha!

I haven't asked, are things settled with the synod?

Not yet. We'll go together.

I won't be able to restrain myself

and will say something impudent.

Keep silent. I will do the talking.

What is the use of standing still? And gritting my teeth?

Archbishop Gavriil is our benefactor.

Sure, sure...

Let's call on lieutenant Potyomkin.

I prayed for him, I don't know if he is alive.

Where is he?

I left him in the palace, his wound is serious.

Whether he is alive or not, his status does not allow him to be in the palace.

A brave officer, but no luck. He is thirty and still only a lieutenant.

I offered him a post.

Empress. Dead men do not need posts.

Your Majesty. He is feeling worse.

But still fighting.

For a warrior death is a girlfriend.

He seeks a date with her.

To die in battle or of wounds is a glorious end.

It's stuffy here. Let's go.

Empress.

Your Majesty, Count Razumovsky is awaiting an audience.

Call him.

- Kirill Grigorievich. - Your Majesty.

- Sit down, please. - Thank you.

Kirill Grigorievich, I have a small favor to ask.

All ears.

- You've got two sons. - Yes.

I'd love it if they made friends with Pavel Petrovich.

Empress, my good-for-nothing boys won't teach him anything sensible.

No need, they are not expected to spend their time sitting inside.

When they were children I locked them up in the library, I hoped that out of boredom

they'll pick up a book. Not in the least.

They managed to play rough inside.

That's exactly what I need.

Pavel Petrovich is often sick lately,

but for an heir health and liveliness are top priority

I intend to send him to Tsarskoye Selo.

But he needs friends.

Could your sons join Pavel Petrovich?

Your Majesty, it's an honor.

Thank you.

Won't light?

It's wet.

Bei-effendi,

I can't light your pipe.

Shall we make a stop?

It has been raining for a week.

The presents will get wet and the load needs drying.

The trip is taking us too long as it is.

I hate Russian roads.

Either cold or rain.

Or boredom.

Where are we?

Far away, Your Excellency.

Far from where?

From the place.

What place?

Where you will be kind enough to have a rest and where we will change the horses.

What is the town called?

It is not a town, a station.

A station. And when will there be a town?

Sometime.

The border of the Ottoman Empire shall be here,

And let the Russians live further North.

What did you say?

I want to smoke badly.

Come on, Prometheus.

Your Majesty. Unconscious, feverish.

Tell me about the treatment.

I am doing my best but...

George, do you want to be rich?

I am sorry, Your Majesty

but it is not going to happen this time.

The wound is inflamed, it can't be sewed.

And we can't let him bleed because the blood

will get thick and the blood flow will stop.

I tried to cool him - no use.

Though there is still hope, Your Majesty.

He is unconscious but not restless,

his face is serene and calm.

He has calmed before his death.

But do something!

You should have awakened him.

He must be hearing angels' voices, getting ready for ordeals.

Grigory Alexandrovich, do not leave us.

There is a whole long life ahead of you.

If you don't cure my wounds

the loss of life will be easy.

Ovid was talking

about love wounds, Grigory Alexandrovich.

Are you still committed to your passions?

Or did you overcome this disease?

Oh, it's all in the past!

Don't you have a pack of cards in your frockcoat's pocket?

Well, it is not for games. Just to keep my hands busy.

And what if count Orlov usurps power?

Then, he will do whatever he wants? And nobody will stop him.

I don't want to believe in bad intentions of Grigory Grigorievich.

But brothers Orlov killed the Emperor, anointed of the Lord.

They beat his head in. Ruthless barbarians!

I hope that synod will not give permission to their marriage?

After all the reforms the church became weaker.

I can only help you with my prayers, Your Excellency

I don't ask for other help, Your Eminence.

And what can you do for the church?

Pavel Petrovich was raised in reverence for faith.

But he believes that it would be too hard for him to lead the church.

The Emperor has to deal with a mundane life

and he has to leave all the church affairs to Patriarch.

Are you talking about patriarchate restoration in Russia

once Pavel Petrovich becomes the Emperor and you become a regent?

I beg you, help me!

With a prayer.

Do you propose to pray with you?

Count Panin proposed to make Pavel Petrovich the emperor.

Pardon me, what impudence?!

Pavel Petrovich is the Emperor

and I am the Empress mother.

He said it openly to my face.

Nikita Ivanovich has gone off the deep end?

It is not like him, usually he spins intrigues in the shadows, like a spider.

He says my position is precarious.

That impostors do not show up without a reason.

That many people are dissatisfied,

violence breaks out on the outskirts.

He is cunning, he talks smoothly.

It goes in one ear and out the other But it never amounts to anything.

Yes, but there is truth in what he says.

Do you doubt me?

Empress,

I am always the winner. In war, in love, in everything.

Should I lose, I'll die instantly because I can't live otherwise.

You are surrounded by cowards, swindles, turtles.

Elagin is a Mason, he wears a fur-coat in summer,

Panin eats enough for three, Sheshkovsky is a dancer,

Olsufyev is like an autumn leaf in the wind.

Give me power.

I'll drive them all away. Except for Panin.

He shall go to the fortress, he is dangerous.