Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula (2000) - full transcript

A warlord must fight a bloody battle in order to regain his kingdom.

Romania.

For years, the Ottoman Turks
have occupied my country,

enslaving the Romanian people.

Collaborating with the Turks
are traitorous Romanian nobles,

a privileged class of men
who seek profit...

...at the expense of
their fellow countrymen.

Hungary, fearing further
Turk aggression, has raised an army...

...of Romanian patriots
to drive the Sultan's forces out.

Our commander, Prince Vlad Dracula,

feared by his enemies,

who know him as "Vlad Tsepesh,"
Vlad the Impaler,



yet beloved by his own people.

And he has returned
to battle the Turks...

...and crush those nobles
who support them.

Hurry up!

Vlad Tsepesh is coming!

Hurry up! Vlad Tsepesh is coming!

Hurry up, hurry up!

Hurry up!

Hurry up, god damn it!

You are a traitor to your people.

And a thief.

I...

I didn't...

These are now yours.



No!

No!

No!

No! No!

I've sent you messages.
Disregarded them.

Father Stefan,
I am fighting a war.

You cannot ignore the Church.

We shall see.

If the Church denounces you,

when you die they will drive
a steel spike into your heart...

...as one of the godless.

And neither your son,
nor his sons nor his sons,

will ever be accepted as
Prince of Romania by the people.

Thus, I recommend a morsel
of humility with the Church.

You've never met
these men before.

They only know you by reputation,
as Vlad Tsepesh, Vlad the Impaler.

You must tell your story
honestly and completely,

if you expect absolution
from the Orthodox Church.

But I don't expect it!

They know the Pope
helped finance this campaign.

I am fighting to free their country
from Turk tyranny!

These men ought to thank me,

not question my methods
or allegiances!

Prince Vlad Dracula,

having performed many cruel
and unspeakable deeds,

is charged with conspiring and
colluding with the Papacy in Rome...

...and of abandoning
the eternal world of Orthodoxy.

In converting his own faith...

...to join in matrimony
a Roman Catholic woman,

he has forsaken the truth
and the light...

...and accepted darkness.

My views on the
Roman Catholic Church...

...are no secret.

The Pope and the Sultan
stink alike.

Vlad Dracula,
in the event of your death,

would you want your son
to succeed you?

Of course.

Then he will need our
protection, not the Pope's.

For without our blessing,

he will never become
Prince of Romania,

and your dynasty will end.

We have questions
that you will answer.

Where were you born?

My father's house...

...Castle Drakul,
in the region of Transylvania.

We are particularly interested
in the circumstances...

...of your birth.

I know what you are implying.

You needn't waste your time.

I've heard the folk tales.

Who first told you
these stories? Your mother?

Hardly. My mother died
of fever when I was two.

And your father?

My father was in charge
of my education.

If I was destined
to be the Anti-Christ...

...I'm sure he would
have mentioned it.

I could do no wrong
in my father's eyes.

Good, Vlad.

It was not the same with
my brother Radu, however.

Come on, Radu! Come on!

Fight! Be a man!

Come on, Radu!
You are not a baby anymore!

Finish him, Vlad. Finish him!

One day, my father
gave me his ring...

...that commemorated his induction
into the Order of the Dragon.

Wear this always.

It will keep you from harm.

If anything ever happens to me,
see King Janos in Hungary.

He is a friend.

Why did your father assume
something might happen to him?

The Turkish Sultan
was demanding his yearly tribute.

10,000 ducats and 500 young boys.

As Prince of Romania,
my father was refusing.

He was leaving for Târgoviste
to meet with our country's nobles,

and convince them
to unite against the Sultan.

I remember asking...

Is that possible?
To unite the nobles?

Many have made separate
arrangements with the Sultan.

They profit.

But their people
are no better off than slaves.

Greed...

...is a force more powerful
than any army.

As long as we are forced
to pay tribute,

we will never truly be free.

Vlad, while I'm away,

you must look after Radu.

He is weak, but he is your brother.

Guard and protect him
with your life.

I promise, Father.

No!

After what seemed
like days of travel,

we finally arrived
at the Turkish camp.

For the first time in my life,

I saw the world
naked and unbridled.

It terrified me.

Do you know who I am?

The Sultan Mehmed.

Do you know why you are here?

Because our father
refused to pay tribute.

Precisely.

When he relents, you may be
returned to Romania.

Meanwhile, you have
no reason to fear me.

You will be allowed
to keep your Jesus.

You will be also taught Islam,

and many other useful things.

The Sultan's immediate
interest in Radu...

...was quite obvious.

This one.

You are a very lucky boy.

When history will be written,

I will be placed
alongside Alexander,

Caesar, and Hannibal.

No!

I saw less and less
of my brother after that.

One night, he came to me in tears.

Father's dead.

Who... Who told you that?

The Sultan.

- He's lying!
- No.

Vlad, it's hideous!

What? Radu?

He was murdered.

Buried alive.

I told Radu...

...that if Father was dead,

they would have no reason
not to kill us.

But your father had been murdered,

supposedly by Romanian nobles,

because your father Vlad Drakul...

...refused to accept the nobles'
compliance with the Sultan.

Yes.

And yet the Sultan...

...let you live.

I... made myself live.

They starved me, they beat me,
they tortured me...

They threatened to blind me...

...unless I surrendered
myself to the Sultan.

And then one day,
as if by miracle,

your suffering ended.

I was given a horse and supplies,

and ordered back to Romania.

But instead,

as my father had
instructed me years ago,

I decided to seek help
from King Janos of Hungary.

As I left, I made three vows:

to avenge my father's murder,

to unite my country...

...and to liberate Radu
from the Sultan.

Tell King Janos that Vlad,
son of Drakul, is here to see him.

Give him this.

Your father was a politician
to the marrow.

Unfortunately,

he ended up being
all things to no people.

Do you know who killed him?

Such is the nature of
politics in the Balkans,

one never really knows
who one's enemy is.

- Aside from the Turk, that is.
- Your Majesty.

Aside from the Turk,
your real enemy...

...are the Romanian nobles
who aid the Turkish Sultan.

These are the same men
who murdered my father.

How can you be so sure?

So sure it was the nobles?

Because had my father
fulfilled his mission,

it was them who had
everything to lose.

And your mission?

Is it one of a patriot
or of a vengeful son?

Both.

You see, he wasn't just
murdered, Your Majesty.

They say he was buried alive.

King Janos... help me!

With your support,
I can make Romania strong.

Come!

We should not be discussing such matters
on an empty stomach.

Oh, young man,

where did you learn
your table manners?

If you're asking about my origins,
I was born in Transylvania.

- Romania.
- I know where it is.

I am Romanian.

You are Romanian?

Yes.

Of noble class?

Aron, like your father,

wishes the Turk driven
from his country.

I've offered him sanctuary,
and he has accepted.

Where is the boy's father?

My father is dead.

Murdered.

Your father was Prince Vlad Drakul?

Yes.

He was a great man,

but his vision was utopian...

...unpractical in these
cursed times.

What Romania needs is a savior.

Aron, what news of the Messiah?

The Messiah?

You haven't heard these tales
from Romania?

This man who's going
to save us all from the Turk?

- No, Your Majesty.
- In religious matters...

...I rely on my daughter
for information.

And you, Lidia?

No, Your Majesty.

But when I get to Brăila,
I will inquire.

Why are you going to Brăila?

I'm entering the nunnery.

Why?

Are you allowing this?

It's what she wishes.

Perhaps you would let him...

...dance with your daughter.

Oh, well...

It's been so long
since my daughter danced,

I'm afraid she's forgotten how.

Then I sure think
she's met her match.

I doubt if Vlad Dracula
ever learned.

Unless of course, he had lessons
in the Sultan's prison.

Indulge me, Vlad,

before she renounces
the world forever.

You had never known another woman,

and yet you were sure
at that moment...

...you were meant to spend
your life with this one?

Not just my life.

All eternity.

Don't go to the nunnery.

Your place is with me.

You're mad, aren't you?

I knew the moment I saw you...

...as if God himself ordained it.

Or the devil.

Surely he was the one
who loosened your tongue.

To win your heart...

...I will accept help
from any source.

Will you walk with me?

I will walk with you.

You've given me back my life.

Vlad Dracula,

after considering your request,

I have decided to grant it,

and bestow upon you
money and arms.

I order you to raise an army
of your fellow countrymen,

and to wage battle against the Turk
and all who supports him.

Thank you, Your Majesty.
I will not fail you.

I must remind you, young man,

your own father...

...he tried and failed.

He once told me...

...greed was a stronger force
than any army.

But I've learned there is
another even greater force.

- And what's that?
- Fear.

- Stop! Stop!
- Give me your money!

You! Let him go!

Thank you.

Not that I needed it.

You needed it.

Are you hungry?

Bread!

We've got fresh bread!

Mercy! Mercy!

I've done no wrong!

I've done no wrong!

Mercy! Mercy!

Thank you.

Tell me,

who is that man?

Prince Karl.

Whatever happened
to the old Prince,

Vlad Drakul?

What happens to every
Prince of Romania:

killed...

...by those who would benefit.

Come.

Those people,
what was their crime?

They committed no crime.

Then why?

Because that is the way
things are done here.

Take him away.

Not any more.

Friend...

...talk like that
will get you killed.

What is your name?

Bruno.

Bruno.

Come with me.
We have much to discuss.

What do you want?

Guards!

Tell me.

Whatever you wish, it's yours.

I'm the Prince,
and can make it so!

Guards!

Who are you?

Guards!

No. Please, no.

I lived here once.

I am Vlad Dracula,

son of the great Prince Vlad!

And in the name of my father,

I hereby reclaim
the throne of Romania!

My only allegiance...
is to you, the people!

My will is to end
Turkish oppression...

...and the betrayal
of those who benefit!

What I do will bring
justice and freedom...

...to all Romanians, now!

You priests,

you're privy to
the thoughts of your flock.

What do the people say of me?

Not the common man,

people of wealth and influence.

What do they say?

They respect you.

In spite of my friendship
with the King of Hungary?

A Papist?

No man of property
speaks ill of me?

Not in our experience.

You.

What did you hear?

I have heard that you...

...are a man who is vindictive.

And you believe that?

I believe what I see.

A skeptical priest!
How refreshing.

Then you must have seen God
with your own eyes.

I have known God.

And did He speak to you?

Tell me, what did God say?

God speaks through the prophets,

and the prophets have said...

...that a man will come again...

...who will deliver peace.

- A Messiah.
- Or...

...an Anti-Christ.

One who is only cloaked in peace,

but who will deliver terror.

What is your name, Priest?

Stefan.

You're the one from Snagov, yes?

I shall come by the monastery
tomorrow for a visit.

I wish to continue
this conversation.

As for you others,

my sacred mission is
to bring order to Romania.

There must be security
for all in my land.

If you do not support me
in my endeavors,

you do so at your risk.

You say what you think.

I respect that in a man.

Is that why you came here today,
to tell me that?

No.

My father is buried
here at Snagov.

Do you know who murdered him?

There's an old Latin saying:

"The more allegiances..."
- "The more enemies."

May I give you some advice?

You are Romanian.
You are Orthodox.

If you wish our support,

end your allegiance with the King
of Hungary and the Pope.

My father's grave...

...if you would.

It's one thing to kill a man,

but why bury him alive?

They weren't just killing a man.

They wanted to crush an idea.

"They"?

The nobles, then.

My friends.

Aron,

I want you to organize...
a celebration,

to be held here at my home.

Invite your friends.

Every man of title.

And what are we celebrating,
Your Highness?

The birth of justice.

Prince Dracula's
first state occasion.

Won't it seem odd
if the princess isn't there?

The surgeon won't allow it.
And wives are not attending.

Besides...

...the talk will be of treaties
and taxations.

Cannot bear
for you to be bored.

Then you should never
leave my side.

No.

What? What is it?

I can feel him.

I have been thinking...

...about the fate of my land.

And I wanted to
ask you all something.

How many princes...

...have you lived under
in your lifetimes?

How many? A simple question.

You, Andrei.

How many princes of Romania
have you known?

Uh... five?

And you, Bordeaux?

Many.

Too many.

And how do you explain that?

It's the way of
the world. Instability.

And whose fault is that?

The people? Human nature?

The princes themselves?

I will tell you what I think.

You.

You are the reason.

Your greed,

your disloyalty, your corruption.

You might as well
be agents of the Turks!

And now, that is all
going to end!

What?

You betrayed us!

You've just answered
my next question!

I was about the ask the murderers
of my father to rise!

What are those noises...

- Princess?
- Call the surgeon!

I'm having my baby!

You have a son.

Hello, my son.

Your name is Vlad.

He was eager to see you.

- Vlad?
- Yes, my love?

Last night, I heard...
terrible cries.

- Terrible cries?
- Yes.

The sounds of men in pain.

You were dreaming.

- It was so real.
- Lidia, it was a dream.

All that happened here last night
was a state dinner.

You believe me, don't you?

Of course I do.

As I gazed into my son's eyes,

I knew I had acted justly,

that he had been born
into a better world,

purged of the villainy that
had destroyed his grandfather.

What proof did you have
these nobles murdered your father?

These were evil, corrupt men.

Do you deny that you returned...

...to this place of execution?

No.

Do you deny you dipped your bread
into the blood of the nobles?

What's the matter?

Vlad Dracula, what's the matter?

I have heard
these stories so often,

I'm starting to
believe them myself.

Tell me these rumors
are not true!

Rumors? What rumors?

What have you heard?

That you bury condemned men
to the waist...

...and behead them.

Who told you that? Your father?

No!

Did he also tell you
that I cut the breasts off...

...adulterous women and force
their infants to suck...

- ...their blood?
- No! He didn't tell me that!

Of course he didn't.

I just invented it.

Do you not trust me?

Lidia,

I do nothing unjust.

Grave news, My Prince.

The Turkish force
is invading Romania.

Aron's estate is under attack.

Where is Aron?

He's gone.

Gone?

Gone.

He didn't stand and fight?

He didn't defend
his people and his land?

Are you really surprised?

I found them, My Prince!

This is no place for a fight.

This is a place for a fight.

Take prisoners! Take prisoners!

Hello, my brother.

What shall I do with
this one, My Prince?

You're gonna kill me, aren't you?

You've been a traitor
to your own people...

...and to the memory
of your father!

I never betrayed our father!

Besides, if it wasn't for me,
you'd still be in that prison,

rotting.

You have that much influence?

Even as a boy?

Especially... as a boy.

What if I told you
you could live...

...if you came back home?

If you renounced your
allegiance to the Sultan?

You don't understand.

I'm happy where I am.

We will defend our borders
against all raids.

There will be no more tribute.

Tell your Sultan that.

You know you cannot win.

The next time we meet in battle,
I will kill you.

Doesn't have to be
this way, my brother.

This is exactly the way
it has to be.

He had the Sultan's trust.

He could have escaped easily.

Maybe he didn't want to escape.

No! He betrayed me and his people
because he was weak!

Do you really believe...

They're all weak.

What?

They are all weak.

My father, Vlad!

What is to become of him?

When he is found,
justice will be done.

It was his duty to defend
his land and his people.

My love,

I've never asked you for anything,
but this I beg of you!

Swear to me no harm
will come to my father!

Please!

If you love me,
you'll swear to that!

On the life of our child,

I swear,

no evil will befall your father.

What is it?

Where is he?
Where did you see him?

What is it, my dear?

You look like you need
a drink of water.

This goblet is made of gold!

Yes.

Why does that astonish you?

And no one has tried to steal it?

No.

It belongs to all of us.

He brought peace...

...and the sword.

They say he's the Messiah.

- The Messiah?
- Oh, yes.

His coming was foretold
by the priests.

At the moment of his birth,
the Virgin wept bloody tears.

Then perhaps he's the devil.

No, he's not.

He's neither god nor devil.

But he's certainly more than a man.

His wine cellar...

...is stocked with the blood
of his enemies.

Have you never heard of...
Vlad the Impaler?

You must be a stranger to Romania.

Yes, I am.

Father!

Why are you still here?
Why haven't you left the country?

One needs money
to bribe customs agents.

- I had nowhere else to turn.
- Here.

It's not enough?

No...

...I don't want to expose you
to his vengeance.

Did you really run, Father?

Yes.

No!

Oh, God, no!

- I know that man!
- Lidia, stop!

I must stop this!

Vlad, no! No!

Vlad, you swore! You swore!

Let him go.

Goodbye, my child.

I love you.

I swore to make a better
and just world,

fit for our son to live in.

Why did you lie to me?

I never lied to you.

Only a monster...

...would allow what I saw
in that square today.

Would a "monster"...

...have let your father go free?

You didn't have
to kill that sentry!

- That man was asleep on duty!
- So you had him killed?

Believe me,

the next sentry...
will not fall asleep on duty.

This is madness.

Have you considered
the cost of this justice?

The cost on your immortal soul?

My soul, my life,
whatever the cost may be...

- ...I am willing to pay.
- And what about our son?

Will your methods die with you?

Because I will not let you corrupt him!

- You are a monster!
- No.

I truly don't know you at all.

Don't touch me!

- Lidia!
- Please!

- You're a monster!
- You're not in your right mind.

Lidia, stop!

- Lidia!
- You... You...

Call the surgeon now!

The Princess is not well.

Vlad, come.

Yes, Father.

You're cold.

Lidia...

...you cannot go on like this.

Get the Princess a blanket, please.

Welcome to Romania, gentlemen.
What can I do for you?

The fact is, Vlad Dracula,

you've ignored all previous
diplomatic overtures.

So, we...

Radu!

Have your men take off their hats.

It is our custom
never to remove them at court.

Oh, I see.

Vlad? What do you think
of this custom?

I would like to speak
to my brother alone,

if you don't mind.

Vlad, this is your uncle, Radu.

Radu is a good friend
of the Turkish Sultan.

They call him Radu "the Handsome."

Radu, this is my son.
My successor.

I have no design
on your throne, Vlad.

Why have you come back?

I told you eight years ago,
no more tributes ever.

Romania is now free
and will remain so.

The Sultan grows weary
of your impertinence.

If it continues, he will attack.

Unlike you, I didn't submit
to the Sultan's whims...

...when I was a child.
Why should I now?

So we understand one another?

- No more warnings.
- Understood.

Let's hope this will have
strengthened your customs,

and keep them in your land
where they belong!

- Mother?
- We're leaving this place.

Do you hear them?

Quickly.

Vlad, come.

- No! No!
- Take the boy.

What do you hear?

- Cries!
- Cries?

Of the dead!

Begging you for mercy!

I am sending you
to the nunnery in Brăila.

It is best for you,
and best for our son!

No! I cannot leave you
alone with him!

When your mind is calm
you will be permitted to return!

No!

It was not a banishment.

It was done out of love.

No one here denies...

...that you are a devoted husband
or a loving father.

Perhaps even more
loving, I suspect,

than your own father was to you.

Who could say?

- Ready?
- I am.

Shoot.

For some time
life went on quietly,

until one day I was called
to the Danube.

There.

Look at that.

What I could do with such an army.

There must be
100,000 men out there.

Which means we are
outnumbered 10 to 1.

"My darling, Lidia,

you are my first thought
in the morning,

and my last at night.

Know that you are in my heart,
always and forever.

We've engaged the Turk,

and have begun our great
and noble fight.

Our men fight
with bravery and honor.

But they are many...

...and we are few.

In the year 431 Before Christ,

Pericles eulogizing
over Athenian soldiers...

...slain in combat with
the Spartans wrote:

'It is for our country
that these men die nobly in battle,

thinking it right
not to be deprived of her,

just as each of her survivors
should be willing...

...to toil for her sake.

And so, we will persevere...

...to the very end.'"

You need me to
look after Vlad now?

No. I sent for you because
I want your forgiveness.

You are so... pure... and so good.

But you must understand...

...that everything
I've done in my life...

...I know I was meant to do.

Without you, I am so lost.

I never stopped loving you.

He's not dead!

My Prince...

...rise now!

Wake up!

We need you!

Take a message to the princess.

Bruno,

have I not told you
I was indestructible?

Your men actually believed...

...that you had returned
from the dead?

Some of the weaker minded, yes.

You were dreaming.

Lidia, listen to me now.

We must go away tonight.

The Turkish army will be here.

I have come back...

...for you and Vlad.

We must leave the castle
before daybreak.

You're dead.

What?

You've risen from the dead.

No, they thought.

- They thought I was.
- Your soul...

...unable to enter Heaven...

...or Hell.

Do you hear them?

Hear what?

The voices.

Voices?

They're calling to us.

I love you.

Lidia!

Lidia!

Lidia, wait!

Lidia!

No!

No!

Please.

Lidia.

Come walk with me.

I will always walk with you.

No!

Lidia!

No!

My Prince, what are you doing?

She killed herself, Bruno.

That means her soul...
is in danger,

therefore a mirror...

...can steal it.
Is that not what they say?

I did not know
you were a believer.

She was.

She was.

The Turks are
rolling out the cannon!

We must go!

People say I'm a savior.

I could not even save my own wife.

I'm going to trust you
with my son's life.

It is my honor, My Prince.

Come now.

She has gone.

Could the river have taken her?

It's not strong enough.

Now I need you to be strong for me.
Can you do that, Vlad?

Yes, Father.

I'm going to get help.

But I will come back.
I will come back.

- You understand?
- Yes, Father.

Yes?

I... begged to see you.

I know where the Impaler is going.

And I know how to stop him
once he gets there.

Who are you?

My name is... Aron.

I once owned property
in this country.

A man of privilege?

Is that why you wish
to hurt Vlad Dracula?

That...

...and he destroyed... my daughter.

Arrange to have this intercepted.

So,

once again, Romania is under
the Sultan's thumb.

Your Majesty, I beg of you...

- ...give me your support.
- My support?

You come here asking
for my support?

These are in your hand, I believe?

No...

...I never signed these
documents. What are they?

Promises to your brother, Radu...

...to wage war against my kingdom.

- These are forgeries.
- Was this also...

...foretold at your birth?

That you would stab your
one and only ally in the back?

I never wrote these letters!

Blood is thicker
than water, Vlad Dracula!

- No! No!
- Remove him!

I never signed these letters!
I never saw these papers!

These are forgeries!

And how many years passed...

...in the dungeons of
King Janos of Hungary?

I'm afraid I lost count.

The light, it... bothers your eyes?

Too much time in the dark.

I'm sorry to have to tell you...

...that is a sickness
of the blood.

Your father suffered from it.

And I'm sad to say...

...it worsens with age.

So,

are you ready to become
Prince of Romania again?

What?

When you were arrested,

you said those papers
were forgeries.

Well, I have recently discovered...

...that your allegations
were correct.

A mutual acquaintance
the guilty party.

Your father-in-law.

However...

...there is...

...one...

...small condition for my support.

You must marry my daughter.

She's a Roman Catholic, as am I.

If you... convert,

the Pope has pledged
to send money...

...to help you regain
your princedom,

in the name of
the Holy Roman Church.

Of course,

the Orthodox priests
will curse you for it.

You have a moment
to make up your mind...

...and consider the situation
as it presents itself.

And how did the situation...

...finally present
itself, Prince Vlad?

I accepted the Pope's money...

...never his religion.

You swear that to be the truth?

Yes.

I need an answer.

Whose banner I fight under...

...is of no concern to me.

I will take that as "yes."

My Prince!

- Bruno.
- At last!

You have returned!

How could you raise
so many men so quickly?

You are their hope.

You have always been there.

This is nothing!
Many more are coming!

How's my son?

You will be very proud of him.

Tell me. Tell me everything!

Radu has been Prince...

...ever since your
arrest in Hungary.

The first thing that he did...

...was give the nobles
back their estates...

...and privileges.

He made Aron his chief advisor.

It was as though everything
for which we had fought...

...disappeared in a moment.

How strong is the Turk force?

After Radu took control,

the main army returned
to Constantinople.

The garrison remains.

Good.

We attack tonight.

Or did you have other plans?

And so you've
come back to Romania...

...with the Pope's
blessing and support?

The people do not care
about these things.

They all rallied
to my side at once.

The Messiah... returned.

I am no Messiah.

What news of your brother?

For all I know,
he's fled to the Sultan.

Why would your brother
give up so easily?

Perhaps he fears me,

as all of you seem to.

We all have reason to fear you.

- Why?
- Because of the sheer...

...magnitude of your atrocities.

Skinning people alive,

forcing mothers to devour
their own children!

According to your own census,
you killed over 100,000 people.

Forgeries and lies.

Do you deny that you murdered
your own people?

Those who broke the law
were punished!

They were Romanian!
They were Orthodox!

You are now a Papist.

We all live under the same God.

All but the godless.

I will leave theology
to the theologians.

I have far more pressing business.
I have yet to see my son.

I await your decision.

- Father?
- My son.

I'm sorry.

Do you regret it, Father?

Do I regret what?

Mother always said...

...you should have left
vengeance to God.

That was never for me to judge.

Time will tell.

Vlad...

...this is now yours.

Sit, Father.

The priests have deliberated?

- Yes.
- Their decision?

The Orthodox Church
has denounced you.

Thank you, Father.

Thank you for all that
you've done on my behalf.

Do you understand the consequences
of excommunication?

My immortal soul unredeemed,

doomed to remain
"incorrupt and entire."

Neither in Heaven, nor in Hell.

Your only salvation...

...is to renounce Catholicism.

What good would that really do...

...if I should abandon
the Roman Church and repent?

Then the Pope and Hungary
will withdraw their support.

And I will be driven out
of my own land.

It's almost ironic, isn't it?

Two days ago,
I win the great battle,

and just now, with the utterance
of one single word...

...excommunication...

...I lose the war.

What if I were to lead you
to your brother?

Why, Father?

Because if he joined you,

instead of serving the Sultan,

together you would
no longer need Hungary...

- ...nor Rome.
- I have tried.

After you humiliated him?

After you defeated him,
how could he capitulate?

But time has a remarkable way
of softening the pride of youth.

And not only did you spare him,
but he spared you twice.

He's your blood. He will listen
to what you have to say, if...

...you say it in peace.

I have no idea where he is.

He's been given sanctuary
in my monastery in Snagov.

By whom?

By the very same priests
who condemned you.

They plan to turn him over
to the nobles at daybreak...

...who will then smuggle him
out of Romania.

What would you do, Father?

What choice would I have?

How many men are with him?

He's alone.

Why aren't you afraid?

Why aren't you begging for your life
like any other man?

Because he isn't
like any other man!

And I knew that from the moment
he was delivered unto this world.

God save me, had I one moment
alone with you,

I would have strangled you
in your crib.

You!

You murdered my father!

Because if your father...

...was unable to pay
the Sultan's ransom...

I'd be put to death!

For God has said to the prophets,

there will come an Anti-Christ
that will promise peace...

...but deliver only Apocalypse.

My fight was never with God.

It was with you.

All of you.

That is why you are doomed, Vlad.

Because you fight all of us.

You fight your own blood,

your own people,

and your own church.

Because you are the Anti-Christ...

...and then you are doomed.

Vlad!

Lidia!

Your father went to
the monastery at Snagov.

Alone.

Why?

I would imagine for your sake.

Prepare the bath...

...with honey and spice,
as my soldiers will return for the body.

And then?

Then it will be delivered
to the Sultan,

who wishes to behead it himself.

Beheaded?

Yes. As you wish.

I want him buried
inside this chapel.

Your father was denounced
by this Church!

He cannot be buried
in this monastery.

Or you die with him.

Goodbye, Father.

I wanted to thank you, Father.

You have doomed me
to wander the earth,

incorrupt and entire.

You've given me eternal life.

Will you walk with me?

I will walk with you.