Original subtitles

Your Excellency.

Anything new, lieutenant?

I'm going up with a heap of papers, as you can see.

So you're saying that you are going up and I'm going down?

Lead me out of here. I'm not going to the shipyard.

That's a beautiful ship. Sturdy.

Our new flagship, Your Majesty.

Well done, well done.

We've reduced porthole windows, increasing hull strength in the process.

The Turks have heavy 60-pound cannons.

Such cannon balls could give us a hard time if they hit the target.

But these cannons make their ships slowly.

Now, we've chosen 40-pound cannon sand reduced their number from 80 to 66.

And we will be victorious! Want to know how?

I am impressed, Alexei Grigorievich.

You are very driven, it is a pleasure to listen to you.

I think Grigory Grigoryevich is not coming.

Alexei Grigoryevich made a bold decision:

Our ships' maneuverability will increase greatly.

We'll be able to fight even when the wind is weak.

You did not tell me you knew how to build ships.

- Congratulations, Alexei Grigoryevich! - Happy to serve, Your Majesty.

Where is the letter?

- No! - Get your hands off!

Where is the letter?

Where?

That letter is sealed.

They brand you on the forehead and sentence to hard labor for less.

Don't dramatize.

People live in those labor camps somehow.

Here, you've earned it.

The situation is graver than we thought.

Has the commanding officer been assigned?

No, not yet.

There's no reason to worry yet.

The wedding will take place before Grigory departs with the fleet.

The Synod will agree, I've made sure of that. There will be no problems.

But what if Her Majesty has reconsidered?

I don't know.

She's ordered to take down the portrait of Alexei Grigoryevich.

Why?

Hot punch, ladies and gentlemen!

Your Excellency.

Come with me, brother!

Pavel Petrovich is just a boy. He is in love.

Pyotr Kirillovich...

...is just a boy he is in love as well.

And I am just trash.

I've never loved anyone.

And I don't deserve mercy.

Sofya.

Kulibin is waiting for you to ride with him...

I'm not riding anymore.

- What's wrong with riding? - Nothing wrong.

I'm starting a new life.

Thank you for your time, Nikita Ivanovich.

I'm sorry. I have been unfair to you before.

Well, our differences are in the past, Grigory Grigoryevich.

I'm glad we could come to an agreement.

Your new appointment will benefit Russia.

If it wasn't for you, there would be no appointment.

That letter...

Allow me to explain myself, Nikita Ivanovich.

Me and Her Majesty go a long way back.

Thanks to me she's on the throne.

And only thanks to me.

I am also the father of her son.

Some lowly penniless lieutenant will not destroy our relationship.

I've grown a bit distant lately.

Me and her are both very busy.

Naturally, by the end of the day you get tired and

want to spend some time alone.

But my feelings get more and more intense as our separation draws closer.

This letter means nothing.

But I appreciate...

I offer you my friendship.

The Orlov brothers can be reliable allies.

I have a coachman named Vlas.

He is ready to do anything asked of him.

Anything.

Let us drink to Her Majesty's well-being.

- To Her Majesty. - To Her Majesty.

I'm certain this day will mark the start of a strong friendship.

What is it she's unhappy with? What?

Grigory, you are respectful towards the Empress.

But you treat advisers and ministers as a village tyrant treats his servants.

You've humiliated Sheshkovsky, made him dance,

made fun of Elagin bragged that you would become emperor

and drive Olsufyev out, along with everyone else.

Grabbed the King of Poland by the lapels.

You are right, brother. I should not have grabbed him.

Jealousy clouded my mind, that's all.

Trash as he is.

King Stanislaw has a crown on his head and is considered God's anointed.

The Poles say 'king by the grace of God', not anointed.

Mark my word, he will lose his crown and die in some ditch.

To hell with him.

By the way, do you know how they say 'hell' in Poland? Cholera.

- I'm afraid we may lose, brother. - No.

I haven't thought about it before.

But I am now certain that I love her.

I do. That letter doesn't mean a thing.

I myself don't always say what I mean when I write letters.

Sometimes you mean to write one thing, and end up writing the opposite.

Her Majesty can give Potemkin any position.

Make him rich, elevate him to the top and make him thankful to her for the rest of his life.

People are not like that, brother.

They get used to anything!

Turn a beggar into a rich man, and he'll boast that he was born rich.

You are overcomplicating things. She is a woman.

What does a woman need from a man? Power and authority!

I grew weak, and she let Potemkin into her thoughts.

But I am strong now, my weak health is in the past.

I will become emperor, defeat the Turks and return victorious.

Let it be so, brother.

Just imagine, for the first time in Russian history the emperor will lead the fleet.

Personally smash the enemy in the southern seas,

enter Constantinople, liberate the Hagia Sophia.

Russia has had many rulers.

The Wise, the God-Loving,

The Terrible, the Great.

And now it will have Grigory the Brave.

Until that happens, Potemkin remains a danger.

- No. - Yes.

Why don't we play pool?

Your Excellency.

I speak on behalf of Count Orlov, Grigory Grigoryevich.

His Excellency invites you to play pool and discuss some important matters.

Do you wish to write a note or..?

Tell him I'll come.

Gentlemen, His Excellency has an important meeting.

- Just three strikes. - I kindly ask you to leave.

Kindly tell me where to go, please?

Your Excellency.

Lieutenant.

It's captain now.

Her Majesty has promoted you. Congratulations.

I was given this rank at the request of Count Betskoy.

Shall we play pyramid, captain?

It's a simple game, helps one gather one's thoughts.

- The cue ball is yours. - Let the captain be first.

What do you say if we play for money?

I bet 100 rubles, for the sake of light excitement.

I'm afraid I'll have to pass.

I live modestly.

Give all my time to the service.

Why did you call for me, Your Excellency?

You don't have 100 rubles? Don't be shy!

What about your estate income? Or is you estate steward pocketing the money?

I sold my estate to repay debts.

Debts take a true passion for gambling.

Those were my father's debts. He passed away when I was young.

I've depended only on myself ever since.

We've already heard about your rise from cornet to lieutenant.

What else have you achieved?

I was given a gold medal at the university for my diligence in the study of sciences.

In my new position...

In respect of sciences, I bet 100 rubles on the captain's behalf.

- I do not need your help. - We'll lend you the money, then.

Write a loan note.

How is your service going? You do not regret moving to St. Petersburg?

I don't.

Not bad.

My turn.

He'll miss.

You must have forgotten all about your squadron.

While they roll in mud, catch fleas and battle the Crimeans,

you mingle in a noble society.

He goes to the gulf with Her Majesty, writes her letters.

- Foul! - Clear shot.

But I saw a foul. A penalty!

Playing with you is...

Wasting money. By the way, what is your loan note secured with?

The honest word of a poor man or your mother's pension?

Now, don't offend our fleet-footed captain.

I've heard that Her Majesty herself has promised to cover his expenses.

That's going too far. I demand that you answer for your lies.

If you manage to bed her, you'll win yourself a fat prize.

Tut-tut.

Attacking a superior?

Alexei Grigoryevich, fill in a form for a penal battalion.

Answer the challenge.

Game!

You lost without scoring a point.

He glares like a tiger,

but he's just a small kitten.

A duel between a captain and a general-in-chief?

You'll be demoted and deprived of your noble rank by the end of the day.

A penalty shot, captain.

Catch it, and I won't demand my 100 rubles.

- He's awake, but very weak. - Can he walk?

No, Your Excellency.

- Grigory Alexandrovich. - Your Excellency.

The situation is worse than I thought.

They've opened a case.

Witnesses say that you started the fight.

There was nothing I could do.

Go to Her Majesty, ask for mercy.

I've lost an eye.

My skull and ribs are broken.

Am I to ask her to take me in again and take care of me?

You don't want to ask her.

I must fight the Orlovs.

First Grigory, then... as is the God's will.

Grigory Alexandrovich, there will be no such duel.

Even if you find a madman who agrees to be your second.

You will be arrested or, more likely, killed during the arrest.

- Let them. - Let them what?

They'll disgrace you, spit on your name after you're dead.

Go to the field army, to Volynia.

I'll arrange all the necessary documents. Write the Empress while you're on the road.

You need to get dressed.

I'm not asking whether you can stand up.

You must leave right away.

I will get on my feet.

Sheshkovsky has already been informed.

He may help you, or he may ruin you.

I don't know whose side he is on.

- Thank you, Ivan Ivanovich. - For what?

I am weak and vulnerable. I spent one third of my life in exile.

I've decided to dedicate the remainder of my days to something useful.

It is me who must thank you, Grigory Alexandrovich.

So many new beginnings in such a short time, always nagging at me to do something.

I would not have done it alone.

I've lost everything. Including my honor.

You are mistaken. You still have your honor.

It's not a button.

I will sew it in place.

There's no time, Grigory Alexandrovich, we must go.

Your Majesty.

Where is the city of Lutsk located?

In Volynia, Your Majesty.

This is where our advance guard is located.

Captain Potemkin informs me he has been transferred to the field army.

He says that he insisted on it.

Your Majesty! The most gracious Empress!

I write to you with trembling and heartbeat.

Our meeting, all minutes, that I spent with you are always in my heart.

There she goes...

I've heard a new anecdote.

The Golitsyns hired a Frenchman tutor, and he turned out to be...

Grigory Grigoryevich, I am not interested in your anecdotes.

I'll keep quiet, then.

There will be no more spontaneous meetings.

I ask you to inform me of your visits before head.

Shall I leave?

Allow me to spend at least one night with you for the sake of pleasure and health?

I'll follow your every whim. Command me, my goddess!

Grigory Grigoryevich, don't grimace, it doesn't suit you.

I hope you will be kinder to me tomorrow, Your Majesty.

Hooray to the Empress!

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Andrei Kirillovich.

Long live Your Imperial Majesty.

A striking change, it warms my heart.

But there is blood and battle ahead, will you manage?

You will soon hear of my deeds, Your Majesty.

I will be waiting.

Your Imperial Majesty, I beg to report!

Go ahead.

The fleet is preparing for an expedition to the Mediterranean.

The crews are working according to their role on the ship and the schedule.

The fleet is commanded by the General-in-Chief, Grigory Orlov.

Thank you.

Gentlemen.

I have decided to grant the request for help of Poland's lawful King,

Stanislaw the Second, in his fight against the rebels.

By my decree,

General-in-Chief Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov assumes command of a musketeering company.

Suppress the rebels.

Russia needs an independent and united Poland.

Everyone can go.

Get out!

I do not understand your decisions, Your Majesty.

I don't see why you want to destroy me.

Have you forgotten that it was me who put you on the throne.

Grigory Grigoryevich, you know that I hate accusations.

Focus on preparations for the campaign.

To hell with Poland.

General-in-Chief Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov.

Take command of the fleet.

Your Majesty, but I am lieutenant general.

I've promoted you.

What kind of a dirty trick is that? Your Majesty!

I did not know.

Believe me, I am not messing with you.

Congratulations, brother...

Grisha! Grigory!

Denmark has finally agreed to let our fleet into the North Sea.

- Good job. - It was easy.

The Danes are now ready for anything to spite the Swedes.

Was there anything else?

Yes. I've scheduled a meeting with the teachers at two o'clock in the afternoon.

I would ask you to spare a couple of minutes.

Cancel the teachers.

I've decided to send Alexei Grigoryevich abroad.

I see.

A pity, the boy has just settled in and befriended Pavel Petrovich.

He started talking, Your Majesty!

- I talked to him. Maybe... - The decision has been made.

Excuse me, Your Majesty, but why such a rushed departure?

To study.

Maybe he'll smarten up a bit.

How much time do we have?

- To gather his things? - Yes.

Two days.

Alexei Grigorievich.

Alexei Grigorievich!

Do you have a favorite doll?

He's also quiet all the time, but he understands everything.

Do you want it, as a memento? Please.

Her Majesty has decided to send you abroad. To study.

Tell her I don't want to be the emperor.

You are a smart boy, Alexei Grigorievich.

I want to stay.

It is a long way to England.

You'll be riding a big ship.

The Baltic Sea, then the North Sea,

The English Channel.

Though the French call it La Manche for some reason.

Will the empress come see me off?

I am afraid not.

let us talk as adults.

You know that solitude is a punishment.

If a person is lonely, they must question themselves what they've done wrong.

I've lived a long, long life.

Although I do not have a family or kids.

But I should not complain.

I lived as I wanted to, and had everything I needed.

But no one has ever loved me.

No one, ever.

I even know why.

Because I've never loved anyone myself. And I've been punished for that.

The Empress will come see me off.

I'll kiss her and tell her...

'I love you, mother'.

She will be surprised and will not send me off to England.

Blessed is he who believes, my boy.

Your Majesty, Grigory Grigoryevich has sent me.

He asks for permission to see you.

Tell him there will be no more private meetings.

I also won't read any of his letters.

Why hasn't Her Majesty ordered to gather your toys?

I thought there would be a dozen chests full of junk.

- She has not been here. - Not to worry.

She will come to see you off...

Are you waiting?

Life will be different when I become emperor.

Totally different.

And I will come back.

I'll make you a Chancellor when you come back.

I will be a good student. I will make a good Chancellor.

I will be sad and miss you.

I want you and Sofya Stepanovna...

...to be my family.

It's time to go. It's time, Alexei Grigorievich.

Your Majesty, you haven't told me, you haven't asked my opinion.

What would you have said?

Something. I don't want to look back.

You showed no interest in your son.

- There were reasons. - No, there weren't.

He is my son. My only son!

I would ask you not to raise your voice.

Excuse me.

What else are you unhappy with?

Nothing.

Let it be as it must.

You've never been so accepting before.

Let me walk with you.

You may stay.

But I won't be talking to you. I want to be silent.

- Your Highness. - Your Excellency.

- Has the wedding day been approved? - No.

How much longer do we have to wait, Your Highness?

A wedding requires two people.

I am an Archpriest, not God Almighty.

I'm thinking there will be no wedding.

Troops, align your formation!

Those on the flanks, hold the line!

I said hold the line!

I'm weak from a cold.

I should drink some grog, or I'll soon be confined to bed.

The Poles will say that the Russian commander has failed to make it to the battlefield,

because of a runny nose.

Your Excellency, brigadier Suvorov at your command.

How much longer until Warsaw?

According to the master plan, we have another six days of travel.

We are starting to lag behind the schedule.

We've covered 660 km in twenty days, against the planned 640.

I know! I made the plan myself.

Shall we raise the regiment and continue the movement?

We'll depart in the morning.

A few more hours in a wet carriage, and I'm going to get really sick.

Me, and some fifty more people.

Four have gotten sick during the trip.

I personally picked musketeers from three regiments, and I have experience.

I can see by their appearance and poise whether

a warrior will cope with all the hardships or become a burden.

What does my appearance tell you?

I did not pick you, Your Excellency, the Empress did.

Who is this Suvorov? Why is he acting like that?

A capable officer, he made a mark in the war with Prussia.

I made a mark as well. I got what was due and moved on.

And I don't brag with decade-old achievements. What is it?

Your grog, Your Excellency.

Light up a pipe as well.

I don't see any outstanding abilities.

All I see is unjustified self-confidence and pedantry.

I doesn't take much effort to follow the plan and regulations to the letter.

If he makes even the slightest slip,

I'll toss him into the penal battalion.

We'll march on in the morning. The commander is not feeling well.

But there is no reason to change the master plan, Your Excellency.

The commander may stay with the firing squad.

He'll get better and catch up with us in the evening.

If the commander stays, it will cause an extremely dangerous confusion of morale.

But Count Orlov is the hero of Zorndorf.

He was wounded three times and did not leave the battlefield.

The more comforts and privileges, the less courage.

What about the Russian's march to Poland?

What about the Russian's march to Poland? Count Orlov became seriously ill and was called back to St. Petersburg.

Count Orlov became seriously ill and was called back to St. Petersburg.

I am not surprised.

The hero of Zorndorf grew soft in the Empress's bed.

I won't denounce him, though, it could be the old wounds.

But maybe he got less lucky.

Brigadier Suvorov was appointed the commanding officer.

I've heard that surname before.

Wasn't he the one who stopped me at the Battle of Kullberg?

Yes, it was him, Your Majesty.

He rushed to the rescue and struck the left flank.

He was captain then, but he commanded his troops like a general.

Thank God Russia and Prussia are on the same side now.

Russia is Prussia's ally in what benefits us, not them.

The Ottoman Empire has put up a huge army and the world's largest fleet.

Russia cannot exist in its current form, it will shrink to the size of Moscovia.

But the Turks will strain themselves as well.

Two stupid nations will free the living space for us, the Germans.

Where do you prefer to draw the border between the Ottoman Empire and Prussia?

From Warsaw to the Black Sea. This will be the land of the German Reich.

Prussia will have to wage war on France, Russia and Poland.

What are the Poles like in battle?

Suvorov defeated the corps of hetman Olbrychski and the French colonel De Fort.

The Russians had 40 dead, while the Poles had 3,000 dead and 2,000 captured.

And they have this man serve in the rank of brigadier...

I would have made him a field marshal long ago.

This could have been dumb luck or the enemy's weakness.

A couple more such lucky accidents and Suvorov will crush all the enemies of King.

Will we help the Russians, Your Imperial Majesty?

Let's wait and see what Empress Ekaterina offers us.

I did not say you could sit down.

You did not fulfil your promise.

- I tried to end the relationship. - But I didn't.

Can I tell Pavel Petrovich about the child?

Pavel is a child himself, I doubt he will have any paternal feelings.

Let me leave. You've offered this yourself.

And now I cannot let you go.

Your child could be used against me abroad.

What about Alexei Grigorievich?

You let your own son go and you are not worried about him.

He's just an ordinary child with an ordinary destiny.

Thankfully, I haven't made the mistake of making him an heir.

I want my child to have an ordinary destiny as well.

For him to just live happily.

Alexei Grigorievich is the son of a former German princess

and Russian count, there is no royal blood in him.

Yet your son continues the Romanov dynasty.

Why do you think it's a son?

- It could be a daughter. - It doesn't matter.

I'm begging you, please, please forgive me.

I will accept any punishment.

I will give birth to this child even in an exile or in prison. I will give birth!

Do it if you want to.

But you must break up with Pavel Petrovich.

Today.

Sofya Stepanovna! I've been waiting for you!

Why are you avoiding me?

We must end our relationship.

There is no future for us.

You are an heir to the throne, and I am a lady in waiting.

We have nothing of our own and depend fully on the Empress's temper.

I am pregnant.

I know.

I can guess.

Don't.

It will be different once we legitimize our relationship.

Peter the Great married a woman of dubious origin and even more dubious conduct,

and their children continued the Romanov dynasty.

Our child was conceived in sin.

- He will be born illegally. - Doesn't matter.

I will have a son!

I am certain that you are carrying a son.

Today's meeting is the last one.

I won't let go.

Because I love you.

Fool!

It was your mother who ordered me to get close to you.

Do you really think I would have fancied a boy?

Why? I don't understand.

To see whether Your Highness could continue the dynasty.

The Empress is now content...

You have confirmed the status of an heir and will soon be married to a princess.

Why did you agree, Sofya Stepanovna?

Does the Empress think I will ever forgive her?

The Empress hardly cares about such trifle things.

She has Russia's interests in mind.

That is why she sent away Alexei Grigoryevich.

Because he was a backup heir.

She kicked him out because of me!

I'll go and tell her all I think of her.

Pavel Petrovich, please, wait for your time to come.

You need to learn how to wait... You have to.

How long do I wait? Ten years?! Twenty!?

Nothing will happen to you if you do something stupid,

but you will ruin me and the child.

Grigory Alexandrovich, my friend.

I fear to know bad news about you.

God is with you and helps you.

But taking the Glory, please, donút forget about the prudence.

Take care of yourself.

God bless you for people,

who are waiting for your return.

By the grace of God, we, Ekaterina II The Empress

and Sole Ruler of Russia, Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod,

The Tsarina of Kazan...

Nikita Ivanovich,

I don't like the name Ekaterina II.

The declaration of war is an out burst of hatred and cruelty.

I can already see them mocking me in those Turkish and European coffee shops.

Adam Vasilievich has compiled a review of newspapers.

All those subtle offensive comparisons to Ekaterina I.

The French have been especially successful in that regard.

A nation of stupid jokes and caricatures!

What did you expect from those frog-eaters, Your Majesty.

It is no laughing matter to us?

We are entering a deadly war.

And I want to sign the manifesto with a different name.

Gentlemen, let me hear your proposals. Don't be shy.

I'll suggest Ekaterina the Just.

The Mother of the Nation.

Ekaterina the Kind.

Maybe Ekaterina the Orthodox?

What about Ekaterina the Benevolent?

Sounds sublime.

The Merciful!

We are going to free the nations conquered by the Turks.

So it should be Ekaterina the Liberator.

Your Majesty, I will list the names that have come to mind:

Isabella I The Catholic, Adelaide the Holy, Ekaterina de' Medici the Black Queen,

Isabella of France the She-Wolf Mary I the Bloody.

There were also the Rich, the Beautiful and the Magnificent...

Gentlemen, maybe we are looking the wrong way.

Shall we name the kings?

The Strong, the Saxon Hercules, the Iron Hand, Saint Louis Louis the Stubborn,

the Sun King, Robert the Pious, Philip the Bold...

Ivan Ivanovich.

Your Majesty.

Ekaterina Alexeevna.

You've been ruling Russia for six full years.

Peter I was nicknamed the Great after six years.

Ekaterina the Great is a solemn and fair Name.

I like it.

Your Majesty,

You are the only successor of Peter the Great.

By the grace of God, we, Ekaterina the Great,

The Empress and Sole Ruler of Russia,

Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, And Novgorod,

the Tsarina of Kazan, The Tsarina of Astrakhan, the Tsarina of Siberia,

et cetera, et cetera.

Our admonition could not stop the treacherous attack

of the Ottoman state and, having no other options left,

we declare...

...war.