Original subtitles

Lord,

let your word bring light in this dark hour.

You receive Princess Sophie

as you shall, one day, unite us all in your kingdom.

We have faith in this, Father,

at this difficult time.

No.

No!

Your Majesty, please.

Elisabeth.

-No. -You have to let go, please.

No.

Don't touch me!

You didn't believe me when I said we shouldn't leave her alone,

that she wasn't better yet!

You wanted me for yourself when she needed me.

That is enough.

Is this how you want to pay your last respects to the Princess?

You are behaving like a monster.

-You are the monsters! -Pull yourself together, Elisabeth!

I've pulled myself together for you for years!

To be enough for you!

I left my daughter alone for you.

I can't forgive you for that.

She was the only good thing we ever had together.

THE EMPRESS

KINGDOM OF BAVARIA, 2 MONTHS LATER

Your Majesty, wait!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please wait!

Don't lose her.

Your Majesty!

The Countess of…

Elisabeth!

It doesn't feel right to just leave.

Don't you worry.

I'll manage fine.

Your Royal Highness, the way the Empress is behaving scares me.

You make sure that your foot heals quickly.

What should I tell the Archduchess when she asks me how the Empress is?

That she's recovering exceptionally well and will be back home in the near future.

-But she is… -Goodbye. Depart.

Get up, Elisabeth.

I beg of you.

Damn it, get out of bed now. Please.

You must eat something, Elisabeth.

Your siblings would love to see you.

They're worried.

General Gyulai's telegram is alarming.

There has been much rioting this last week.

And attacks on Austrian soldiers.

The situation in Lombardy-Venetia has not improved. Quite the contrary.

Do you doubt the abilities of my son's Viceroy?

With all due respect, three quarters of his budget

are being used to equip schools and to restore churches and libraries.

Archduke Maximilian took measures that are welcomed by the Lombardy people.

It's just window dressing!

Otherwise, the riots would end, and Garibaldi wouldn't have new followers.

I think the Archduke's measures need some more time.

I think the Archduke's measures have already wasted far too much time.

It must be clear who is in charge in Lombardy,

Archduke Maximilian or General Gyulai.

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty?

Gentlemen, if you would excuse the Emperor and me.

His Majesty will comment on the matter tomorrow.

Franz, I know how much you're suffering.

Not only did you lose your daughter, you also lost your wife.

But every painful end is also a new beginning.

Did you cry?

I mean, in the last weeks.

Did you cry over her once?

The Empire needs a leader.

So pull yourself together.

He isn't doing well, my mother writes.

Franz is brave, but grief covers him like snow.

And where is Elisabeth?

No mention of her.

I can't imagine losing a child.

I saw my little sister die.

She was four. I was seven.

She had a rare illness.

No one knew what it was, and then…

Then she was dead.

My mother was so sad, I thought she'd never come back.

And you?

I sat with her every day and tried to cheer her up.

All I wanted was to make her laugh again.

And you still want that today.

We're looking ahead, you hear?

We will have children.

A whole lot of children.

We'll have a big family.

Our own family.

Your Imperial Highness.

What's playing at the court theatre this week?

Here.

This week, Shakespeare is playing.

A performance every evening.

No.

Nothing with mad kings, please.

A Midsummer Night's Dream?

"A woodland farce with love and magic."

Announce the Emperor's attendance for tomorrow evening.

The people must see him, and he must see the people.

Very well, Your Imperial Highness.

The Emperor cannot be allowed to neglect his duties

just because his wife believes it is appropriate to surrender to despair.

Is there any news from the Empress?

Nothing, unfortunately.

Then we'll begin the process.

Have you made the enquiries?

Of course, Your Imperial Highness.

Therese of Saxony-Altenburg and Alexandra of Denmark.

Therese is considered uncomplicated.

That is the bare minimum.

Marrying an Emperor is more than the Altenburgs deserve.

They say Alexandra is talkative, but very healthy.

As long as she produces an heir to the throne,

she can babble all she wants.

Your Imperial Highness, is everything okay?

I sometimes feel like the earth is moving under my feet.

Where were we?

Don't you think the Empress will return?

She is not the Empress we need.

She never was.

My dear wife…

Scratch that.

My dear spouse,

I must tell you that…

Don't look at me like that, Theo.

What can one say?

Let's forget about it.

That will be all.

Your Majesty.

Bring me a cognac.

Mimi, two hours of French after we eat.

Do I have to today, Mother?

Of course you have to.

You know exactly why.

Je m'appelle Max.

Formidable, Max.

You see, Mimi?

Elisabeth.

Your Majesty.

-How nice. -There you are, finally.

-The dumplings are very fresh. -Thank you.

The calves were slaughtered yesterday.

Just coffee for me, please.

Coffee for me too, please.

Where is Father?

Is he not back yet?

Your siblings were looking forward to finally seeing you.

They say Father lives with the wayfaring people.

-On the other side of the lake. -What nonsense, Mimi.

Your father is still travelling for business.

Sit up straight, Max.

Elbows off the table.

Eat your liver dumplings so you'll be ready for bridal season.

Liver gives you strong bones and shiny hair.

Next summer, it'll be time for Mimi.

The bigger royal families have already made enquiries about her.

But I will only marry the man I really love.

Like Elisabeth.

Love doesn't happen for everyone, Mimi.

Now eat your dumplings.

Go on.

Where is Fienchen now?

Mapperl, shh.

Mother said that she's in heaven.

That's right.

Little Sophie…

is an angel now.

-The good Lord is watching over her. -No, he isn't.

He isn't.

Elisabeth, please.

Where is she then?

She's lying in a wooden coffin in a crypt.

There is no heaven.

Elisabeth, stop it.

There is no God, and there are no angels.

No one is watching over us.

Don't listen to her. She doesn't know what she's saying.

Stop her.

Your Majesty, it's supposed to snow later.

Please. The Duchess is worried.

You will not return to the forest.

People are already talking. "The Empress has rabies," they say.

When you couldn't stand me back then, you always sent me out into the forest.

-You're behaving like a madwoman. -Well, then I am mad.

And you always knew that.

We've all lost children.

That's life.

I cannot go on without her.

I understand that.

But you have to control your emotions.

I can't.

But you have to.

What about your husband?

You're his wife. He needs you.

And what about your little girl? Gisella?

She's better off without me.

Stay here.

You have to eat something.

My Oberon!

What visions have I seen!

Methought I was enamoured of an ass.

There lies your love.

How came these things to pass?

O, how mine eyes do loathe his visage now!

Silence awhile.

Robin, take off this head.

Titania, music call,

and strike more dead than common sleep of all these five, the sense.

Your Imperial Highness.

I heard you wished to speak to me.

Baroness von Sina, I'm delighted to see you.

You look radiant. Marriage suits you.

Allow me to express my condolences on the death of Princess Sophie.

Please convey this to the Emperor too.

I could use your help, Baroness.

As you probably know, the Empress is in Bavaria.

And it is unclear when she will return.

And you want me to bring her back?

The Emperor needs the comfort and the warmth of a woman.

I am sure you'll find someone suitable, Your Majesty.

Baroness, we both know Elisabeth is not the only woman

who meant something to the Emperor.

My husband would not approve of this conversation.

Your Imperial Highness.

This would not be for me, Baroness, but for the Empire.

What's the difference?

Your Highness, for the reception with the Milan society,

I thought either the blue dress, with its exotic quality,

or the light, simple one.

As I understand it, you and the Archduke want to look more inconspicuous

and closer to the people, don't you?

It's not about the dress. It's about the woman wearing it.

The blue one.

Go get a pad.

We should have you take more salt baths this month.

It helped my mother. And three raw herrings every evening.

You can eat the herrings yourself.

I want to see a doctor.

Of course.

Excuse me.

Good evening.

You shouldn't be out, signora. The curfew.

Do you have a cigarette?

Please.

Yes. All right.

Long live a united Italy!

You know, Your Highness, we haven't seen the inside of the villa in 30 years.

Well, now I'm here.

You're very generous, thank you.

We don't have enough to take care of the poor.

For the past few months, we've been taking care of the hospitals, Sister.

We are very grateful for that.

But poverty leads to discontent among the youth.

We should leave the planning of new infrastructure

to the Lombards themselves.

Put the power back in the hands of the Lombards.

I think that's a good idea.

To His Imperial Highness, the Archduke's health.

-Raise your glasses! -Raise your glasses!

Raise your glasses! Let's drink to that!

It's all just a bribe!

Shh.

Pardon?

The wine.

This food.

You're just adorning the facade, but behind it, everything's the same.

Seize him!

Wait.

Just because you learned Italian doesn't mean you can fool us.

They will go to war with the rebels!

-Everyone knows that. -No.

We'll make Lombardy so stable that the revolts will end.

There won't be a war against the rebels, good sir.

Last week,

700 soldiers were forced to enlist in the Austrian army.

Young men.

Children.

Is that your idea of prosperity and peace?

There must be some misunderstanding.

I ordered no sort of forced enlistment.

But he did.

You must inform me before taking such action.

His Majesty The Emperor put me in charge of the army.

I'm worried about the state of security.

All our work is for naught if we don't coordinate our actions.

With all due respect,

since you are spending our money on church renovations and almshouses,

I cannot rely solely on regular Austrian soldiers.

-We need more soldiers. -No!

We must win the trust of the people here.

Pull the foundation away from Garibaldi. More soldiers will do the opposite.

Last week, I lost five of my men, Your Imperial Highness.

Murdered in cold blood by rebels.

A revolution is coming our way.

And what do you do?

I myself will take over supreme command of the troops.

Elisabeth!

Where are you going?

I'm going to Father.

Mother says Father completely lost his mind last summer.

That's why I want to see him.

I can't stand being with Mother.

I can't believe she already wants you to marry next year.

You're only 15.

Mother says it's the best age.

Europe is full of unmarried heirs to the throne now.

Or she just doesn't want me to end up like Helene.

Didn't Mother tell you?

Helene fell madly in love a few months ago.

And he loves her too.

But they're not allowed to be together.

Why? Who is he?

His name is Anton of Thurn and Taxis.

They're a small family,

no land, no money.

But Helene didn't care.

She wanted to marry Anton no matter what.

She begged Mother on her knees.

Until Mother asked our cousin for permission.

-And then? -The King said no, of course.

Anton's social standing is far too low for us.

Helene cried for weeks.

First the thing with Franz and now this.

I think Helene should be allowed to marry the man she really loves.

Like you and Franz.

In good times and bad. That's what you vowed to one another.

Those are just words, Mimi.

They don't mean anything.

-But a love like the love we imagined… -There is no such love.

Go back to the house.

Don't wait for me tonight.

The Foreign Minister, Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty, I shall excuse you. -Have him come in.

Your Majesty.

Thank you for receiving me unannounced.

I must speak to you about the situation in Milan.

You want me to cut off my brother's funds. Isn't that right?

Three more Austrian soldiers were murdered last night.

General Gyulai needs all the financial resources to ensure our safety.

My brother says he needs all the financial resources.

And I put my trust in him.

May I?

Your Majesty, I'm sorry I have to say this, but…

Speak.

Your brother

is wasting the money on big parties.

He's playing statesman.

But what does it accomplish? Nothing.

I think he wants to create a legacy of his own.

But it's endangering the security of Habsburg,

and I cannot allow that.

Your Majesty.

It wouldn't be the first time

your brother only had his own interests in mind,

and not the empire's.

I simply can't stand

when others take advantage of the hard times you're going through.

Tell the assembly I put you in charge.

You decide on this matter.

I thank you, Your Majesty.

Go now, please.

Go.

Your Majesty, can I help you?

Get out.

Out!

And stay there.

And, therefore, financial support

for cultural and social initiatives will be cut for all of Lombardy-Venetia.

Did His Majesty actually agree to this?

For the benefit of the generous and comprehensive build-up

of the local army.

No.

I will speak to the Emperor myself.

He has to make this decision, not you!

He put me in charge of this matter.

Gentlemen, this meeting is concluded.

-Since when do you conclude meetings? -Since the Emperor put me in charge.

And since when have you been so interested in a comprehensive military build-up?

-That's not your responsibility at all. -Neither is it yours.

Excuse me.

Your Imperial Highness!

You cannot allow the Foreign Minister to put on such airs.

It is negligent!

Don't tell me what I must and mustn't do.

Prepare two telegrams.

For General Gyulai and Archduke Maximilian.

-Get them out before tonight. -Yes, sir.

And bring me something to drink.

Cognac.

Everything seems to be fine, Your Imperial Highness.

The regular bleeding indicates

that you're fertile.

I told you. Everything will be fine.

Your Imperial Highness, may I have a word?

I just wanted to tell you

that the man's semen can be inadequate for a pregnancy.

Between the two of us, Doctor.

I've already been responsible for a pregnancy or two.

Oh, really?

All the better then.

Well, then.

And since then, no infectious diseases?

Influenza, gonorrhoea,

syphilis?

No.

A telegram has arrived.

From Vienna.

Thank you, Doctor.

Your Imperial Highness.

From your brother.

What's wrong?

He has cut off all our funds.

All the money from Vienna will go to Gyulai and the army.

He can't do that.

What about all our plans?

All our ideas?

I was childish enough to think he'd believe in me for once.

What bullshit.

It isn't over yet.

Go to Vienna. You must talk to him.

Of course, it's over!

Don't be so naive.

You're leaving?

If you want to plan how to move forward, I'll be there for you.

Thank you for your loving compassion.

The father of my children doesn't wallow in self-pity.

It's repulsive.

His Majesty will recover, Your Imperial Highness.

Give him time.

I must say, it even breaks my heart when I think of little Sophie.

She was so clever.

Like you.

She even bore your name.

Is that not fateful?

Are you drunk?

Just one glass.

Really.

The whole mood weighs on your soul.

The Countess is done.

-No, I wanted to try some pâté… -Please go.

Your Imperial Highness.

Clear the other dishes away too. Clear it all away. I will dine alone.

Very well.

And send for the Interior Minister.

No pâté for Margarete.

Good evening.

It looks as if at least one of us had a good day.

Countess von Lamberg. This is a surprise at this late hour.

-May I offer you something? -Please.

Finally, someone you can have fun with.

The whole palace is like a cemetery.

I really am very glad

we finally have this so unexpected opportunity.

What is there to celebrate?

We're building up arms to secure Lombardy.

The Emperor

put me in charge.

Well, well.

So you're on your way up.

Just like you.

But isn't it more of a sad occasion?

That there could be war?

War doesn't have to be a terrible thing for all of us.

Your Imperial Highness.

Forgive me. I didn't mean to disturb your dinner.

How could you dare to speak to me like that?

Your Imperial Highness?

Just now. In front of the entire assembly.

Count Buol shamelessly seized control of the matter.

Then meet him in a bar and beat each other up like peasants do!

Not at my cabinet table.

Excuse me for a moment.

-Your Imperial Highness. -Baroness of Sina.

So you've changed your mind?

He is an old friend who's suffering.

Maybe he needs someone to talk to.

To talk to?

Certainly.

Whatever he needs.

Your Imperial Highness.

Were you eavesdropping, Minister?

The door was open.

Was that Baroness of Sina?

-If you have an opinion, then out with it. -Me?

I have never had an opinion in all my life.

I beg your pardon for my behaviour at the assembly.

And I wish you a peaceful evening.

Minister.

Your Imperial Highness?

Would you like to dine with me?

With you?

Forgive me.

I mean,

the two of us together?

I would be honoured.

I had honestly hoped for more stimulating conversation from you, von Bach.

I tend to disappoint at social events.

There was a time when you were afraid of me.

That was always so nice.

What happened to that?

First you want stimulating conversation, and now I am to be frozen with fear again.

What do you want from me?

I don't know exactly.

To the good old days.

And don't you worry.

I am still very afraid of you.

Another glass of wine, Your Imperial Highness?

Your Majesty?

Your Majesty?

It's me.

I'm sorry.

I'm here.

Everything's okay.

I miss you so much.

I am here.

I missed you so much.

I love you.

Elisabeth.

Elisabeth.

Is it very painful?

You have to completely surrender to the pain, then it passes.

Elisabeth?

What are you doing here?

I wanted to see where you are, Father.

I'm here.

You always said you wanted a circus.

And everyone said I was crazy.

These people, Father… Do you pay for all of this?

I make sure they have food to eat and a roof over their heads.

Actually, they're the ones

keeping me alive.

You didn't write to me.

Not a letter, not a card.

Would that have helped?

People are saying that you no longer eat.

It helps no one if you starve, you know?

Or do you want to die?

Is that it? Did you leave Vienna to die a miserable death here?

I can't return to Vienna, Father. I…

They want me to just carry on.

And him? Does he want that too?

Stop it once and for all, Elisabeth.

Stop trying to change the world.

The world out there is lost.

-I don't know where I should go. -Then stay here.

Take a look around.

All those who belong nowhere are at home here.

And everyone can be who they want to be.

Free.

Crazy.

And people like us.

Did you hear that?

My daughter will stay with us for a while.

I thought your daughter was the Empress.

Where are you going?

Where are you going, Elisabeth?

Something happened to you a few months ago.

What was it?

Nothing I'm aware of, Your Imperial Highness.

Does it have to do with Countess Apafi's disappearance?

Does anything get past you?

-Ever? -No.

So, did she break your heart?

I'm not as soft as you think, Your Imperial Highness.

I can bear a lot.

But I hate being deceived.

I don't think you're soft.

Please.

You've made it more than clear over the years.

I actually believe

that if this palace should crumble to pieces,

you are one of the few who would survive out there.

You don't need much

because you came with nothing.

Don't worry.

You will find a nice woman.

I know the question I'm about to ask will earn me two weeks in prison.

Four.

Four weeks in prison for all personal questions.

What was the question?

Who takes care of you, Your Imperial Highness?

I don't need a shoulder to cry on.

I know.

To despair is a luxury I cannot afford.

Even if I wanted to.

Good night.

-Forgive me, I didn't mean to… -Thank you for this lovely evening.

Mummy.

Mummy.

I've missed you so.

I miss you so.

Don't cry, Mummy.

Where is my stone?

Daddy has your stone.

-Daddy has your stone. -Elisabeth!

Elisabeth.

Elisabeth.

Come. Come on.

Come.

Have you been awake long?

What is it?

The doctor asked me yesterday if I've had diseases.

There are infectious diseases that can make a man infertile.

Two years ago, before I met you…

I had syphilis.

I thought I'd got through it fine, but…

If it's true…

If I can't give you any children…

will you still stay with me?

Sleeping in the forest. Who does such a thing?

It wasn't the first time.

You always ran around in the woods.

You always ran away.

Don't put that on me.

Because you didn't want me here.

You pushed me away.

Nothing about me was ever right.

I've never told you this, but…

when you were born, you had teeth.

Here in the front.

Two teeny-tiny pointy teeth.

That's very rare, the doctor said.

For someone to be born with teeth.

You are stronger than you think.

Stronger than the others.

I should've protected her.

You don't need to forgive Franz.

You need to forgive yourself.

Is there any soup left?

Yes.

Mimi, get the bone broth.

I have to go back home.

Good morning, Your Majesty.

Was someone here?

Your Majesty?

It was as if Elisabeth was here.

No one was here.

Prepare the carriage.

I'm going to Bavaria.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Mother.

A letter from the King.

-He's allowing Helene to marry. -What? Why?

Elisabeth wrote to him.

"And it is, therefore, with great joy

that I comply with the Empress's explicit and heartfelt wish

and allow Helene to enter into the union that her heart desires".

That's wonderful.

Wonderful!

Stop!

Whoa.

Why are we stopping?

There's another carriage, Your Majesty.

We cannot pass.

It's so quiet in the palace without our daughter.

Being without her is unbearable.

And being without you…

just makes it all even worse.

Can you forgive me?

There's nothing to forgive.

What is that?

-Are you hurt? -No.

The Emperor is still reluctant to use the military.

The chance to strike the Habsburgs has never been better, Your Majesty.

He lost his daughter, Prime Minister.

He's in mourning.

Have you no heart?

I will help you unite Italy.

But I certainly won't wage a war of aggression.

Franz Josef must declare war on you.

In other words, on Piedmont, not vice versa.

France can intervene as your saviour.

And what happens

if Emperor Franz Josef does not declare war?

He's known for being a dove.

Believe me.

There will be a war.

And he will start it.

Subtitle translation by: Kristopher Brame