Original subtitles

1856 - AT THE GATES OF VIENNA

Good morning.

Oh, no. How could this have happened?

Did you check the carriage?

Of course. I checked it this morning before leaving.

My love.

Where is Adolfo?

-How could this happen? -There he is!

-I don't get it either. -Please get back in the carriage.

Where have you been all this time, Adolfo?

He looks pale. Do you feel unwell perhaps?

I think he's sick with excitement about seeing the pretty Empress.

Let's go!

-We can carry on, Your Highness. -Finally. Let's go.

-Should I put it with the other gifts? -No.

-Our Empress awaits us! -Let's go!

Close the door!

THE EMPRESS

Here.

A warm welcome to you.

A warm welcome to you.

Good day.

How nice to see you again.

How nice to see you again.

Where's Hungarian?

Good day.

Good day.

All I need now is Italian.

Good day.

I see you, Fienchen.

A lot of guests are coming today, you know?

Is the baby doing well?

Yes, it'll be here soon. Then you'll be a big sister.

Sister or brother?

I don't know.

What do you wish for?

The Lord will send us a ruler who will save us from the darkness.

He alone is the one who decides. Not you, not me.

He alone.

I've always hated having to wait for a man.

For centuries, it has been a man on the throne, Sophie.

Chosen by God.

The woman gives life, and the man rules over it.

Without an heir to the throne, we are lost.

Napoleon had a son.

We have to show the world the Habsburgs have a future.

Our people mustn't lose faith.

You mustn't lose faith, Your Imperial Highness.

It is a big day, ladies.

The delegates are all coming to see the Empress.

Contact with the people across the empire is our Empress's highest priority.

We only have a few hours to prepare Elisabeth.

Elisabeth? You call the Empress by her first name?

May I do that too?

A few basic rules, Countess.

Firstly, we are always immaculate, but not wanton.

Décolleté here, not here.

Secondly, I oversee the Empress's court.

I'm the only one allowed to see the Empress alone.

Never let anyone see the Empress without my permission. Never.

Of course, Countess.

-And third, you have to decide. -Decide?

Lots of ladies are only here to go to balls,

to find a rich husband.

Yes, I mean you, Josephina.

That's how I was at first too, but I know better now.

Serving the Empress is my most important task.

Countess.

Only those willing to do anything for her will make it.

Ladies.

It doesn't mean you can't have some fun on the side, if you know what I mean.

No, I…

-Pardon me, Countess? -Pauline.

I don't think we'll have any issues. My court, my rules.

You little rascal.

Your Majesty.

I do beg your pardon. The Princess got away from me.

She can always come in to see me if she wishes.

Princess Sophie, it is time for your breakfast.

-She can have breakfast with me. -Yes.

Your Majesty, that will ruin the entire schedule.

Your Majesty?

The midwife is here.

-Please get my husband. I need him. -Certainly.

The delegations from distant Bukovina and Dalmatia

have confirmed their visit too.

The Hungarians confirmed too?

Yes, Your Majesty. They all accepted your invitation.

We both know for whom all those people endured this long journey.

Not because of me.

Not because of me either.

Your Majesty, the Empress wishes to see you.

I'll be right there.

I hear a strong heartbeat. In three to four weeks, it will be time.

And now for the most important question of all.

Isn't that right?

His Majesty The Emperor.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

I wanted you to be here.

Please carry on.

And you can say that for certain?

Mrs Pfudel has delivered more than 2,000 children.

More than 30 kings, dukes, princes, and a pope.

She's never been wrong.

We used to say if the mother is glowing during the pregnancy,

her cheeks rosy, her hair shiny, she will have a boy.

If, however, she is pale, her hair colourless and dry, it will be a girl.

Because girls take away their mother's beauty.

Those are old wives' tales!

It is the heart rate and the shape of the belly, you see?

-What will it be? -Look forward to an heir to the throne.

There is little doubt.

She is never wrong?

Never.

Ready for all of your guests?

How lovely to see you again.

The pleasure is all mine.

Thank you for making the long journey.

No, I don't do such indecent things.

Everything okay?

He's kicking me.

My son.

Behave in there, you hear?

Once you're out in a few weeks, we'll talk man to man.

Now let your mother be.

Whoa.

Let's go.

Ado, let's go.

Give this to my secretary for review, so it's ready for the cabinet tomorrow.

-Certainly, Minister. -Thank you.

He's gone.

You really should have it cleaned. It has moths.

I'm so tired of having to hide you.

I find it exciting.

By now, you must know me well enough to know

I am not the right man for this sort of thrill.

For someone who fought in the revolution, you sure are faint-hearted.

The revolution was nothing compared to this affair with you.

As you know, I didn't engage in any street fighting.

I was more interested in the discourse regarding jurisprudence

in my political reading club and…

But you are still trying to improve the empire.

From your desk.

-Yes. -Yes.

You're right.

No, not now!

Nothing can come between us.

Excuse me, Minister. The Empress is looking for Countess Apafi.

-Except her. -How do they know I'm here?

-I'll pass that on. -No, shh!

Thank you, Minister.

Everyone knows you're here.

Even the chambermaids wonder why you haven't made it official.

No, Leontine, that was a joke.

Only my valet knows. No, do stay.

-Your Majesty. -Your Imperial Highness.

I have heard the good news.

I'd like to show you something.

My gift for the baptism.

I remember the first time I saw you in this uniform.

A uniform won't make him a good ruler.

No. The grace of God will.

I hope I was able to live up to the expectation.

You are still young.

Let's wait until the child is born and can walk.

Where were we, Theo?

Look who's coming.

Excuse me, where are you going?

To Her Majesty The Empress.

No one can see the Empress.

She sent for me.

Or do you want to forbid her from seeing me?

No.

Who are you, then?

Well, that is a good question. Who are you really?

No one actually knows, do they?

Well, my name is Pauline von Bellegarde. It is my first day.

Very pleased to meet you, Pauline. I'm Leontine von Apafi.

You only see the Empress on Tuesdays, and only if I allow it.

-She wishes to see me. -So what?

Charlotte, please make an exception.

Today is such an important day for Elisabeth.

Just this once.

I govern the Empress's affairs.

Trouble with Hungarian again?

Leontine.

There you are at last.

I heard the good news. The midwife says it's a boy.

I just hope she's right.

What if it's another girl?

Then we'll raise a gang of smart, little women.

If it is a boy, then we'll travel.

There's so much I want to do in this empire.

I know.

I told you not to run off!

I am so sorry, Your Imperial Highness.

Look what you've done, Princess Sophie.

It was a gift from the Pope to Maria Theresia.

You must learn to behave!

I am so very sorry.

-Fienchen, what happened? -Mummy.

Did you hurt yourself?

Everything's okay, my darling.

-It's just an old vase. -I just wanted to play.

She ran away again, Your Majesty.

This is our home,

not a prison.

She's allowed to run around freely.

I agree with you entirely, Elisabeth.

I think we'll find a new job for you.

You heard Her Majesty.

Off you go now.

How do you feel, Elisabeth?

I feel splendid.

I know the reception this evening was your idea,

but are you sure it isn't a bit too much for you?

I'm worried about the boy.

I want to speak to the people in our empire.

I want to listen to them.

I'm their Empress.

Once she's given birth to the boy, I'll take over.

Of course, Your Imperial Highness.

I will mould the next emperor.

Then she can travel and "listen to the people" as much as she wants.

The further away, the better.

And what will we do if it is a girl after all?

The Lord won't disappoint me this time.

I sometimes wonder if it's all God's will, if He's steering it all.

-Do you not? -Do you have a better idea?

No, Your Imperial Highness.

Well, then.

All these languages give me a headache.

Look, the delegation from Dalmatia.

They say Dalmatian men are the most handsome.

I would need a man who satisfies my mind.

No such man exists.

Your Imperial Highness.

But look at that. One of them even has a moustache.

Your Imperial Highness.

If I may introduce my three daughters. Josephine, Alexandrine, and Wilhelmine.

Yes.

Oh my God.

Dear Countess. You look splendid. The highest position at court suits you.

Yes, move on.

-The poor wretch. -Yes.

Three daughters truly are a burden, especially those three.

It's a burden how much he lusts after you.

Impressive celebration, Bach.

Trying to show off how united the empire is?

The Emperor's popularity has increased immensely.

Due to your administrative reforms?

I think it has more to do with the pretty Empress.

You're confusing me now.

Aren't you the Empress, von Bach?

His Majesty The Emperor.

Her Majesty The Empress.

Your Majesties, honoured guests.

Representatives, from all parts of our holy empire,

from all hereditary lands and crown lands, have travelled here to pay their respects

to His Majesty The Emperor and Her Majesty The Empress.

The hereditary land of Bohemia shall present itself first.

Good day.

Welcome to Vienna.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

May God protect the divine Empress.

The Crown Land of Bukovina.

The delegation from the Crown Land of Dalmatia.

Thank you.

The delegation from the hereditary land of Hungary.

-You invited the Hungarians too? -Your Majesty.

I did not invite anyone at all.

-It is such an honour. -Thank you.

Welcome to Vienna.

-You speak Hungarian? -It's a very unique language.

Disgusting.

The delegation from the hereditary land of Lombardy-Venetia.

Count Giuseppe Marino.

We are greatly honoured, Your Majesties.

We are from Milan,

and I bring you the best from our vineyards.

-Come. -Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

The Italian people must be free! We will no longer be silent.

-Help us, Empress! -Don't touch her!

Freedom for Italy! Down with Austrian terror!

Freedom for Italy!

Hear us out, Empress! The Lombards are oppressed!

-You must help us! Your Majesty! -Out with him!

Empress, help us!

After him!

Stop him!

Elisabeth, no!

Stay back!

Elisabeth, stop!

Stop the Empress!

Elisabeth!

Get away from there. How could this happen? Take him away.

One of the guards said he was a Lombardian rebel.

-Why are they rebelling in Lombardy? -What?

-Did he want to harm the Empress? -Stop whining. All of you!

The Empress needs us now. She will be here any moment.

Get some fresh clothes.

Your Majesty. We are so happy nothing happened to you.

-I want to see my daughter. -That's blood!

Don't stand around like a swan, Pauline! Get the Empress some tea.

-Where is Fienchen? -She's been taken to safety, Your Majesty.

Elisabeth?

Please leave at once.

Leontine?

Can you find out if the young man is still alive?

Who is he?

Adolfo Tadini had been your secretary for a year.

And you knew nothing of his political views?

I swear on my life, Your Majesty.

I knew nothing. I didn't know this.

-I beg you, please believe me! -Stand up, please.

Please escort the Count out.

-Question him tomorrow morning. -Yes, Your Majesty.

But I didn't know. I didn't know anything.

A cut-out tongue. What's this supposed to mean?

The people there want to say something but aren't allowed to.

What is the situation in Lombardy-Venetia, von Bach?

The calls for political autonomy and liberation from Habsburg rule

and occupation have never ceased entirely since the revolution.

But in recent years,

there's been no hint of an organised independence movement.

That person acted alone, Your Majesty.

I'm certain of it.

Nevertheless,

I'll order an increased military presence in Lombardy immediately.

That will do.

I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. Your Majesty, may I?

Our immediate neighbour, the Kingdom of Piedmont,

has long wanted to unite all Italian-speaking regions,

the Kingdom of Sicily, Modena, Parma, Tuscany and so on,

creating one big empire under the leadership of Piedmont.

And this is supposed to include our Lombardy-Venetia.

Have you ever heard such nonsense? What is this country to be called?

Italy.

The Lombards have been part of Austria for over 150 years.

They are loyal to the Emperor.

Are they?

Piedmont's prime minister, the Count of Cavour,

railed against the Habsburg Empire at the peace conference in Paris.

He said oppressed Lombards had to be freed from Habsburg rule.

And why am I just now learning about this?

We were focused on the peace negotiations with St Petersburg. This was secondary.

Today's incident has shown you judged this wrong.

Lombardy is part of our empire. That is still your responsibility, Bach.

But not Piedmont.

Gentlemen.

How did the other major powers react to Piedmont's demands?

Our position in Europe has been bad since the Crimean War.

France and England are hostile towards our empire.

That's outrageous! We sent 300,000 soldiers to stop the Russians.

But we avoided a battle.

Victory over Russia is therefore credited to Emperor Napoleon alone.

The opinion in Paris was, a man who doesn't fear war.

I don't fear war either.

But I prefer peace.

We must speak with Emperor Napoleon.

It would be good to have him on our side.

Emperor Napoleon does not speak to Austrian diplomats.

"Emperor Napoleon," the sound of it alone!

One is born an emperor. One doesn't declare oneself as such.

The old rules of politics don't matter to Napoleon.

We must show him how important he is to us.

By sending a family member to him directly.

Your Majesty, you can't possibly go to Paris yourself.

No. Of course not.

TRIESTE AUSTRIAN PROVINCE

Your Majesty, dear Brother,

this is letter 85.

But who counts such things?

I just read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

It is about a scientist who creates a person in his image.

But then Frankenstein rejects his creature because it scares him.

The monster then proceeds to only do horrible things.

Allow me to quote the monster,

"I am evil

because I am unhappy."

Imperial Highness.

I always have to vomit on my birthday.

Shall I ask your guests to excuse you?

Out with the old, in with the new.

Cheers.

For he's a jolly good fellow Which nobody can deny

For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow

Which nobody can deny

I thank you all.

-Thank you, Ivan. -Make a wish, Your Highness!

I wish for good health.

-Stimulating acquaintances. -Oh, yes!

A fountain of wine that never runs dry. And a palace bigger than this one.

And then I wish for…

a huge wave to come from the sea…

and swallow all this up.

Starting with me.

Did you congratulate him on his birthday? Your brother?

We have bigger problems now, don't you think?

He's suffered enough.

It was high treason.

The punishment is death.

He never would have succeeded. Because I wouldn't have allowed it.

It's not about whether he'd have succeeded or not.

He attempted it.

I'm going to bed.

Forgiveness isn't a feeling, Franz.

It's a choice.

-Your Imperial Highness! -Leave me!

Leave me.

I'm even too cowardly for that.

Alexander?

Did you see the Empress?

She'd like to know how the young man is doing.

He succumbed to his injuries.

Can you tell me what else you know about him?

I sometimes feel like you're using me.

The Empress asked me to find out.

I don't want this any more. These secret meetings. It's not right.

Is that the Catholic in you talking?

Do you think you'll go to hell because of me?

Marry me.

I want to show the whole world that we belong together.

Leontine,

I want to meet your family.

I'll think about it.

What's stopping you from saying yes?

You have my dress.

None of it belongs to you!

What did you do with the real Countess Apafi?

You are scum.

Sleep, my darling.

Close your eyes.

The good Lord is in the light As He is in the darkness

He is in everything that there is

He is in our kisses

Sleep tight.

I'm so sorry about what happened today.

-We shot him. Just like that. -Not just like that.

He tried to flee.

He was unarmed, was he not?

He threatened us.

I was afraid for you.

He didn't mean any harm. I know that. He was desperate. Didn't you see that?

Yes, and desperation gives rise to hate. I experienced that.

What if he had harmed you?

Our family.

But he didn't.

What you just said to Fienchen…

What was that?

It's a poem.

Heinrich Heine?

I know he's still forbidden here.

Don't tell on me.

My father sent it to me.

Who else?

Is he kicking again?

Elisabeth?

The midwives!

The Empress needs the midwives!

The midwives!

The Empress needs the midwives.

Come. Quickly.

Faster!

-My glasses! -I've got them.

Did something happen?

Your Imperial Highness.

-Is something wrong with the child? -The contractions have begun.

-The heir to the throne is on his way. -But it's still far too soon!

Nature takes its course, Your Imperial Highness.

Let it be known that we should pray. In the court chapel.

-Certainly, Your Imperial Highness. -Everyone in the palace shall pray!

Not now.

It is the Empress. She's in labour.

Get out of there! The Empress needs me. The Empress needs me now!

Oh, God.

-Don't you think we're disturbing? -We're here for emotional support.

It's tradition.

If Your Majesty would lie down, it would help things.

I have to move around.

Thank you.

-Can the child be born this early? -It's only a few weeks. I'm not worried.

The sun may only rise once over a woman in labour. You know that.

It's only been a few hours.

Massaging the lower back helps open the cervix.

The cervix was open wide enough two hours ago.

But why don't we see the head?

What can I do?

Tell me what I can do.

Something isn't right. The pain is different from last time.

Can't you give her something for the pain?

In England, they give women chloroform during childbirth.

-Not in the Habsburg Empire. -Bearing the pain is our divine duty.

Get the doctor.

Your Majesty, with all due respect, there's no need.

Get the doctor.

He is worth it, Elisabeth.

-Maybe it's the umbilical cord. -God help us.

May I ask you to lie down, Your Majesty?

Maybe we should sing something soothing.

Yes. But please, do it outside.

My umbilical cord was around my neck. The midwife cut it with a letter opener.

Please leave the room.

Only Dr Fritsch and the midwives stay.

Please.

Lie down.

Hold this, please.

-Is something wrong with the child? -I can see the head.

You're doing very well, Your Majesty.

-I fear the uterus is damaged. -We can still save the child.

-What did you say? -The child has to come out immediately.

Get the forceps, Mrs Pfudel.

Hurry up. We have no time to lose.

You're doing very well, Your Majesty.

-Hold this, please. -Yes, right away, Doctor.

I need more light.

Keep going, Your Majesty, keep going!

You're getting close.

You're doing great.

One more push.

Keep going!

Yes. Very good, Your Majesty.

Here he comes.

Clean the child off.

We must try to stop the bleeding.

Elisabeth, you did it.

You did it.

Your Majesty, please go over to your child.

What about my wife?

I implore you. Go.

We need towels. Bring more towels!

More towels!

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

It's a girl.

Try to keep her awake.

Your Majesty?

Can you hear me?

Your Majesty, can you hear me?

Your Majesty.

Your Imperial Highness! A telegram!

Your Imperial Highness!

A telegram from Vienna.

It's from your brother.

Subtitle translation by: Kristopher Brame