De flyvende djævle (1985) - full transcript
A family of trapeze artists dream of accomplishing the Quad, the most difficult quadruple somersault, for which a $250,000 prize has been offered. Their dream of making the Quad gets sidetracked.
Whoa!
[laughing]
Come on in,
come on in!
[overlapping chatter]
Okay, on three!
Watch out!
One, two, three!
Hey!
No, Mory, no!
One, two, three, oh!
Mory!
[laughter]
Mory!
[overlapping chatter]
[shouting and laughter]
Aah!
[splashing]
♪♪
[grunting]
[audience applauding]
♪♪
[emcee]
The Flying Devils...
are now going to make
a second attempt.
The fantastic, the daring,
the incredible
triple somersault--
a feat accomplished
by very few in the world!
He's possessed.
He's crazy--
absolutely crazy.
[man]
Did you say
something?
No.
[emcee]
Ladies and gentlemen,
absolute silence,
please.
Absolute silence.
[grunting]
Break!
[audience applauding]
[emcee]
The Flying Devils!
Mory Ventura!Bravo!
Lazlo Hart!
[knocking lightly]
Lazlo, I want you
to meet Nina Rosta.
She's a journalist
from Rome.
Ah. A pleasure.
My pleasure.
Miss Rosta wants to
use you in a story
she has been doing
on the dying art
of the circus performer.
Well, Miss Rosta, we are
very busy right now--
Extremely busy.
Didn't Mr. Seidenbaum
tell you?
This was our last show.
We are on our way
to America.
Maybe you would
like to come
to our engagement
party tonight.
We are giving a
little press conference.
No, I'm sorry.
I made already
other plans.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Uh, Miranda and Max.
Hello.
Good evening.
Well?
Well...
Um, good luck for
the engagement party.
Thank you.
[overlapping chatter]
Please, please,
please, please.
Thank you.
I wish to toast our
newly engaged couple--
my beautiful daughter
and her husband-to-be--
my protege, my friend,
my colleague, my friend.
Together, we shall do
the quad.
May the gods lay their
protecting hands upon you.
And a little bit of advice
for the future--
my dear Mory,
stay away from gambling,
which leads to poverty,
women who lead you
to ruin,
and liquor,
which leads you to death.
[laughing]
[camera shutter clicking]
Three cheers for Miranda
and Mory!
Long may they live!
Hip, hip, hip...
[all]
Hurrah!
Hip, hip, hip...
[all]
Hurrah!
Hip, hip, hip...
[all]
Hurrah!
Mory, how does it feel
to leave Europe?
Fine, fine.
Um...
Just fine.
First, we are going
to Las Vegas.
Uh, Caesar's Palace--
that's it.
Is a quadruple
somersault possible?
Just you wait.
You will see.
Is it true that
Bert Lancaster will pay
$1/4 million to the troupe
that does the quad
if it is recorded
during the performance?
Yes.
Is it the $250,000
that attracts you?
Maybe.
Maybe to
a certain extent.
But the glory,
gentlemen-- the glory.
How do you compare
Mory Ventura
with your old partner
Tony Wilde?
Tony was great,
real great.
But Mory will be
greater-- much greater.
But is Tony Wilde behind these
very ambitious American plans?
Las Vegas is the product
of a collaboration
between myself
and Oscar Seidenbaum.
[crackling and booming]
[Lazlo]
Let thy face shine over us
and protect us from
illness and accidents,
from division and poverty.
Bless also my soul
in heaven and protect Tony
from all the evils
of the world in America,
and thank the good Lord that
we are not like the Corellis,
lacking both talent
and a classic fire.
Keep thy protecting hand
over us
now and forever and ever,
amen.
[blowing]
Good night.
Let's all get
to sleep.
The first think I'm gonna
do when we get to America
is buy a car-- an American
one-- my Cadillac.
What do you think
they do there at night?
In America?
Yeah.
[sighing]
In America, you can do
whatever you want,
any time of the day
or night.
Do you think she
does it?
The girl at
the ice cream stand?
[laughing]
Do you mean the one with
the really big things?
Yes.
[laughter]
[pounding]
[Lazlo]
Go to sleep!
No Las Vegas?
Why not?
Because the timing
isn't right.
This is exactly the time
when we should go!
You are not billing me
to hold truce!
Why have you changed
your mind so suddenly?
Because I suddenly decided
$20,000 is too much money
to risk on you.
But it's just a loan!
I guarantee you will
get it back!
What do we do now?
There are a lot of
touring circuses left.
[laughing]
Running around.
Really?
Look, Lazlo's
the greatest catcher.
The greatest of them
all, you know?
[Oscar]
Probably.
How much money have
you been making of me
over the years?
And you from me.
Do you remember, Oscar?
In the old days...
Tony...
Maria, God bless her.
What a troupe.
And we'll be greater--
much greater!
When we have achieved
the quad,
we'll be the greatest!
Please take your hands
off my desk.
[Oscar]
Would you be so kind
as to close the door?
[whistling]
[laughing]
A present for you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Did I make a mistake
or is this
the boat to America?
A slight detour
and for a commitment--
14 days at the
Cirque Du Ver in Paris.
We might have some time,
if you are there
on Thursday.
Okay, see you
in Paris, then.
Thank you.
♪♪
[Miranda]
Why must it be tonight?
[Mory]
Why not?
It will be fun.
It's our only night off
this week,
and you promised to
take me out, Mory.
You should have said
something to him.
Yeah? Like what?
Yeah? Like what?
He can show his old movies
without us.
Remember how much
Papa does for us.
Are you going to talk
to him, Mory? Yes or no?
Hurry up!
She'll be here soon!
He comes off at a speed of over
100 kilometers per hour
when he leaves the trapeze.
He has one second and
a half to spin around
three and a half times
in utterly not longer
than this time on here.
Incredible.
[Lazlo]
Then he has to stop at exactly
the right moment.
To do that,
he has to open up,
and the rest
is my problem.
I see he is only
semiconscious.
You do this simply
through bold force,
high up-- at the most,
15 centimeters
matching for errors.
As it was, he hit me
in the face.
Right in the face.
Do you see?
[gasping]
Eh, do you see?
But didn't it hurt?
Sure, it hurts.
He broke my nose.
And what is the most
dangerous moment?
The problem is to stop
the spin,
to come out
of the rotation.
You have to figure
that out.
Oh, thank you.
Please.
Mm-hmm.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oh!
Oh!
How stupid!
[laughter]
No, no, it's all right.Excuse me, excuse me.
[camera shutter clicking]
Hup!
Yeah, let him get
close to you.
Here, roll over.
Okay, fine.
Yep. Can you do
another hop down?
Just hop down.
One minute, okay.
Oh, okay.
Yeah.
That's nice.
One more time.
One more time,
please.
Yeah, then a big smile.
Come on.
Give us a big smile.
Yeah, that's beautiful.
Yeah, hold that,
hold that.
That's fine.
Thanks a lot.
Then I want a picture
of all of you.
Okay, action for complement,
come on.
Smile, smile.
One, two, three.
Oh, hold that, hold that!
Thank you.
Thank you all.
That's enough.
When you do the quad,
you can drink this,
and it will taste
very good.
Thank you.
We thank you.
And give my best
to Mr. Seidenbaum
when you see him.
Oscar Seidenbaum
no longer exists.
What?
To me.
Why not?
Differences.
His age is getting to him.
He's losing his judgment.
That's a pity.
Life will go on
without Oscar Seidenbaum.
Well, good-bye.
Oh, good-bye.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
And this is
a farewell present.
[gasping][laughing]
Johnny,
are you ready?
[Johnny]
Any time.
Ciao. Good-bye.
Thank you.
Well, then, good-bye.
And thank you
for the perfume.
Oh, a pleasure.
Good luck.
Good luck.
[Lazlo]
That's it!
[speaking French]
Hello.
Hello.
I've been watching you
for a long time.
Still have an interest
in working in the USA?
In America? Yes!
Is there still a chance?
Yes, for you.
We could set you up
with The Flying Corellis.
What the hell
is going on here?
What is this?
He asked me if
I was interested
in flying with the
Corellis in America.
Hey! Okay!
All right, Laz!
Aah!
Stop!
Stop!
Aah!
Aah!
Stop!
Hold it!
It's finished.
I told him!
I told him!
Look, I would never go!
It's okay.
[groaning]Stop!
Stop! Aah!
[clattering]
You! Get out! Go on,
get out of here!
Get out! Get out!
Get out, you swine!
But he was trying
to steal my--
Get out!
You are fired!
Understand? Fired!
We shall be leaving
these lousy halls
with great pleasure!
Never again will I set
foot inside this place!
Get out, get out, get out!
Do you hear that,
you perfumed whore?
[P.A. announcement in French]
[motorcycle revs]
Hey, so you're
joining the show, huh?
We are the show!
Just like you
were in Paris, huh?
[laughing]
You know that guy?
You know what he did?
He laid out the boss
in Paris.
He hit him!
He's a screwball.
Mory! Mory! Mory!
Mischa! Superstar!
So, little Mischa,
we meet again, huh?
Yes.
Are you well?
You're so big now.
And you are still
with Rashid, yeah?
Yes.
And you're still with the
same hairdresser, huh?
[laughter]
Hello.
Hello.
Welcome.
Well, we have been
thinking about a contract,
but only up to Christmas.
We usually offer
two weeks at a time.
I see, I see, yes.
There were certain other
conditions, which my--
You can take over
the Corelli contract.
How much were
the Corellis getting?
$1,000 a week,
without expenses.
$1,000?
But then, there are
other possibilities.
You can sell programs
and candy,
take tickets and such.
I see-- Well, to get back
to more important things,
what are your possibilities
for practice?
Why?
We are in a heavy training
period now.
Having trouble
with the act?
No, no, no.
About our new act.
The quad!
Well, the nights
are always your own.
Well, my friends,
I'm very happy to
have you with us.
[crowd applauding]
♪♪
[crowd applauding]
♪♪
The sensational,
the fantastic,
the incredible
Flying Devils!
♪♪
[crowd applauding]
♪♪
[crowd applauding]
[motorcycle revving]
Come on, let's go!
This is a show, baby!
[emcee]
Ladies and gentlemen,
what you are
going to see now
is the most dangerous act
you have ever seen.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the globe of death
and Los Ovidados!
[motorcycles revving]
Look at that!
I wish I had
a motorbike like that.
Aren't they
beautiful Mory?
Mory?
They are.
Beautiful.
The team is ready,
darling.
Okay, thanks.
Come on.
[Lazlo]
Higher up!
It's your turn!
Higher up!
I tell you that!
I told you 100 times!
How old is your sister?
Where is your mind?
18.
18 already?
Such a waste.
[Mory]
Oh, God, my hands.
[laughter]
I can't take
any more of this.
It's really impossible
to learn, I know.
Come on, and get higher up
with the turn this time!
Okay?
Yeah.
Sure?
Yes!
If you're gonna do it,
you've got to listen,
you bastard!
Have you been
to Australia?
I told you!
I fucked a kangaroo once.
That was enough.
[laughter]
[spitting]
[Lazlo]
Try it!
[laughter]
Go to the back!
[laughter]
Max?
No.
Come on.
No.
Come on.
Come on.
[laughter]
Max, now it's your turn
to come up.
Okay, come on.
Come on, break.
[laughing]
Thanks.
Mmm!
It feels good.
Where's Lazlo?
Um, uh, I don't know.
[laughing]
Ah.
Yeah.
Pretty nice, huh?
[laughing]
[exhaling]
Hey, listen to this.
Come on.
[woman moaning sensually]
[laughing]
[woman murmuring
in foreign language]
Huh? Huh?
He has it under his bed.
You can't do that.
He can.
Sometimes he has more
than one at the same time.
[animals yowling]
I don't believe it.And always different ones.
He does it nearly every day.
Really?
Sometimes several times
a day, and at night too.
Please, what does it
sound like when you do it?
It sounds like...
when you saw wood,
only it's heavier.
[Lazlo]
That's got to stop now!
[animals yowling]
Shut up, damn it!
Shut up!
Shut up,
damn it! Shut up!
Are you crazy?
Are you out of your mind?
They are dangerous!
They sure as hell are
when you don't feed them!
They sure aren't
getting enough to eat!
Is that so?
I know that!
Did you learn that
up on your trapeze?
Feed them and they
will shut up!
It's a full moon!
They are horny as hell!
Full moon?
Full moon? Are they?
We have to sleep!
Do you think you can
interfere with nature?
You stupid ox!
[silence]
You see? You see?
All you have to do is
show them who's the boss.
Even your tigers
understand that.
[yawning]
♪♪
[crowd applauding]
Are you trying to scrape
together Miranda's dowry?
What do you mean, dowry?
Ain't they gonna
get married?
They will, but not before
we're finished with the quad.
But they could
get married anyway.
No, they can't.
Why not?
Because when people
get married,
they usually get children.
So? You have one more
in the family.
And one less in the air.
Oh, I really don't know.
What do you think?
Well, I think this
is good.
That's very good.
This one is.
Hmm?
This is the one
I like the best.
I don't know.
[laughing]
Take them all.
They're yours.
Thank you.
[woman]
Well, if it isn't Nina!
Hello!
Oh, hello!
How are you?
Heinz, how are you?
What are you doing here?
I'm here on a job.
How nice!
Are you coming
to the Bestmans' party?
I don't know yet.
Perhaps.
You simply have to come,
darling.
It will be sensational.
We're all going down
to Portofino
and Sebastian's house--
it's fabulous!
Meg and Greg are coming down
from London.
You just have to come.
Um, this is
Mory Ventura.
Hi.
And this is Gabriela
and Heinz Cappozi.
Nice to see you.Pleased to see you.
Hi. Thank you.
[Nina]
Mory's a trapeze artist.
You don't say.
That's simply fascinating.
A trapeze artist!
It must be frightfully
dangerous.
But you do have
a safety net?
Oh, yes,
we always have a net.
But isn't it
terrible to fall?
Um, well, not if you know
what you're doing.
It's-- it's okay.Ah, I see.
You must fly down.
[laughter]
How long are you going
to be in town, darling?
[Nina]
I don't know yet.
Now we're leaving
the two of you alone.
We'll come and watch you
someday. Bye-bye.
So long.
Good-bye.
Good-bye, Nina.Good-bye.
Nice seeing you.
Take good care of yourself.Thank you. You too.
Bye-bye.
Good-bye.
[laughing]
[grunting]
Tony is coming.
He's come to Europe
to recruit people
for Ringling Bros.
God damn, that boy!
Tony!
Yeah.
This is the end of all
these crummy jobs.
Now we get nice hotels.
No more traveling.
In the states, they
appreciate people like us,
and Tony understands that.
Oscar, Gavin,
and the whole bunch,
they can all go to hell!
Pfft!
[laughing]
Where have you been?
Uh, at the dry cleaner's.
Why didn't you take
the basket with you?
It's full!
Stop nagging
and listen to me.
Tony's coming!
Tony Wilde?
The one and only!
[slapping]
[laughter]
[crowd applauding]
[crowd applauding]
[emcee]
The Devils!
[crowd applauding]
♪♪
Ladies and gentlemen,
silence, please.
The Flying Devils
shall now attempt
that which no one
has done before--
the fantastic,
incredible--
the quadruple somersault.
Silence, please,
ladies and gentlemen.
[claps]
Huhh!
Hahh!
Break!
[groaning]
[woman screams]
[crowd ohing]
♪♪
[crowd applauding]
Al Roche is
a little asshole--
just because he slept
through the matinee.
God damn it.
Poor Mischa.
Now he's been up there
half an hour.
If he falls now,
Al Roche will kill him.
We should go over there and
beat the shit out of him.
Some day when we're not
too busy.
Mory didn't even have
a stepfather.
He had nothing.
What does he have now?Everything.
It's eight years
since I saved him.
Why don't you
save Mischa too?
I can't save
the whole world.
And besides, he'll never
be a great flyer.
And if you don't get
a new safety net soon,
he'll be hanging up there
on the trapeze all alone.
Huh? Ah.
This one's a riot.
Remember Strassburg,
the fat one?
Two tons of fun.
[groaning]
Okay, high double.
I'll see you.
[laughing]
All in all, that'll
be 2,500 marks.
Yeah?Go get them, then.
Where?
Where?
How the hell should
I know where?
You'll get that
on the 28th.
Why the 28?
Because that's when
I meet Tony-- Tony Wilde.
From Ringling Bros.
And?
He has money.
He owes me,
so it's no problem.
[sighing]
The 28th.
And as for you,
it'll be 500 marks.
[exhaling]
God damn it, you two.
Okay, you have one more
week to get the money.
I'm just
too fucking nice!
But there'll be interest,
and I decide how much!
15,000 for a net?
Last time it was 14,000.
[man]
But you must understand
that the market can
go up day by day.
Does it cost 1,000 more
each time you ask?
It's the common
market, you know.
Mr. Hart? Mr. Hart?
Hello? Hello?
Are you there?
Hello!
[banging]
[snapping fingers]
[banging]
[snapping fingers]
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
What the hell are you
looking at?
What's so fucking funny?But he was just going to--
He was just going to do
nothing at all!
Stay away from my daughter!But he was
just going to help me.
If I see you hanging around
my daughter one more time,
I am going to give you
a beating
you'll never forget!
Daddy, what's wrong?
Come on! Come on!
[crying]
Let's go! Up, up!
♪♪
Hi.
Put this on.
Shit!
[emcee]
And now, ladies
and gentlemen...
I'm sorry, Lazlo,
okay?
From now on,
the afternoons
will be devoted
to practice.
Shit, shit, shit!
The incredible
Flying Devils!
[crowd applauding]
The Flying Devils!
[birds singing]
How much is an Aston Martin?
Who's he?
[laughing]
It's a car.
No kidding? Come on,
enjoy your food.
You never know when
you'll get it again.
Ah, life should
always be like this.
Mory asked how much
an Aston Martin costs.
I am not
a goddamn car salesman.
[laughing]
Well, what about all the
money we've made so far?
Everything costs money.
Mory said we want to
make our own decisions.
Take it easy,
take it easy.
When I meet Tony Wilde,
everything will
get taken care of.
You'll see.
Yeah.
Then we can get
the new safety net
and our insurance.
[gasping]
[Lazlo]
Oh, come on! Come on,
Max! Stop it!
Now we have to think
of our future.
Now we have to start
thinking for each other,
how we want things to be.
Yeah.
Smell it.
Do you like the perfume?Yeah.
Laz!
Finally, Tony!
Finally, after
all these years.
Hey.
[laughter]
You can still hold me?
You and the whole world.
[laughter]
What are you drinking
these days?
Only champagne,
but today I take a soda.
[laughter]
Terry Ann, another
double whiskey, huh?
Well, Laz,
how are the kids?
Fine, just fine.
And Miranda,
she's going to be
as beautiful as Maria,
huh?
That's what they tell me.
The last time I saw
a picture of her,
she was a carbon copy,
just like that time
in Greece.
Yeah.
You remember?
Yeah, we were sensational.
Maria-- she got
200 red roses.
Not us, who had just
done the triple, no!
And old
Oscar Seidenbaum.
[laughter]
He used to send her
flowers every night, yes?
He could have been
her father.
[laughter]
How's-- uh, how's
he doing now?
He's starting to fall apart,
screwing everything up,
including the world's
biggest contract.
Hey, Mory Ventura.
Yeah?
I hear he's something
special, huh?
I picked you up once too.
That you did.
And now you're
sitting here,
next to me, Mr. Big
from Ringlings.
I'm not exactly Mr. Big.
I am sitting here, yeah.
What's the situation
at Ringlings?
It could be better.
Things are difficult
for circuses everywhere.
Even back home.
The Corellis went a long time
without anything permanent.
What are they doing?
They're working for our
red unit down in San Diego,
but I was not the one
that booked them, okay?
But you must have been
in Europe to recruit them.
Yeah, sure, but--
but times are hard.
Don't you need
a sensational act?
Take it easy, Laz.
We are at the top now.
We are alive now!
A sensational aerial act
will always find work.
Remember that, Laz.
So, we meet again.
Lunch will be at 12:00.
Our guests are waiting
for us in the dining room.
Guests again today.
Shit.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
After all these years,
Tony, not now.
We were going to talk.
Laz, I'm sorry.
I'm rea--
You can't go!
You can't leave me!
Please don't leave me,
Tony! Not now! Not now!
What can I say, Laz?
Let me go, huh? Come on.
Not again.
Listen to me.
Not one more time.
If anyone appreciates you,
it is me.
You have to help us!
You'll get plenty of work,
believe me!
I have big plans for you.
Now, just take it easy, Laz.
Trust old Tony!
I have to look
at our schedule.
Now, Laz.
Hey, Laz, we'll fix
something-- don't worry.
We'll fix something.
Hey, this is for you,
old boy.
[laughing]
It was made for you!
Now you can practice
for things to come.
It looks nice on you--
the hat.
[rain falling]
Wow!
[horn honking]
[tires squealing]
[Miranda]
Did you get
the new flyers?
They cost 38 marks.
Then we have to use
the old ones.
Come here and help us.
Hello, Mory!
Superstar!
There are so many holes to
fix before Papa comes back.
[groaning]
Run to skin a chicken!
[laughter]
[clucking
like a chicken]
[playfully groaning]
What's that?
A hat--
a real American hat.
What?
From Tony. And this
is just the beginning.
What did he say?
He has something for us,
something big!
When do we go?
We have to give him
a chance first.
He couldn't know that
we could leave now.
What did he really say?
He will work things out
for us.
As soon as Tony has worked
things out for us.
What was it like, meeting him
after such a long time?
[laughing]
Tony?
Like we just saw
each other yesterday.
Mischa.
Thank you, sir.
Yes, sir?
[growling][kids screaming]
♪♪
You know, I don't think
it's very funny.
What the hell
are you doing?
You could be his mother!
Leave us alone!
What right do you have
to break up a family,
a troupe, to jeopardize
our existence,
to jeopardize our goals?
Watch out! Don't try
to steal my fire!
♪♪
Why are you
in such a bad mood?
I'm not in a bad mood.One second!
Did somebody upset you?
Please tell me.
There's nothing to tell.
And you were so cold
to Papa.
What's gotten into you?Nothing. I told you.
Use your stomach!
[Lazlo]
You are kicking up too soon!
But where are you
during the days?
Come on, concentrate now!
Come on!
Mr. Hart, would you mind
coming down for a minute?
Whew!
Did you eat lunch
with this man today?
Yes.
And where did you
eat lunch, then?
In the repair trailer.
It took you long enough
to remember.
Can anyone confirm that?
Uh, yeah, I can.
Have any of you
seen this girl?
Look, I told you--You shut up!
We already heard
from you.
Any of you
recognize her?
No.
[woman]
So, release my employees
and please leave the circus.
As you were.Good night, gentlemen.
Where are you going?
Uh...
The dry cleaner's again?
Yeah.
Aah!
Where are you going?
So you were going to have your
little secret with him here?
You can't fool me.
I know you're reaching,
sniffing
after hunting on some boy.
Aren't you ashamed?
It's disgusting,
it's filthy!
I think you should have
a seat.
Please.
Don't try to chase him
anymore.
You'll never see him again.
Stop following us!
Thank you.
This boy has
a great future with us.
What could you offer him?
Yeah, what could I
offer him?
I think you should
have your soup
before it gets cold.
It's delicious.
Isn't it?
Yes, it's good.
You know, um,
I've been thinking
about your quadruple
somersault.
I'm beginning to
understand its fascination.
Do you follow
a traditional pattern
or are they your ideas?
It's off and on.
How do you get them?
Well, I get them like, um,
a gambler gets lucky.
Or like an artist
gets his inspiration.
Maybe.
Aren't you an artist?
I am a performer.
What's the difference?
I don't know.
Thank you.
Anyone who creates
is an artist, right?
Maybe.
What do you want to do
up on your trapeze?
I want to be the greatest.
But also to give the public
something they never
experienced before.
Exactly.
Isn't that what art
is all about?
Yeah, I guess so.
Shall we taste this now?
This is-- mmm!
Really good.
Surprised, huh?
[laughing]
But isn't the traveling
a bit tiresome?
You get used to it.
I'm going away
next week myself.
America.
Canada.
Where?
Montreal.
I will be away
for three months.
Montreal?
Well, that should be
exciting, yeah?
And where did
your journey start?
In Stara Zagora.
In Stara what?
In Bulgaria.
We traveled with a bear--
Mom, Dad, and I.
But then the war came
and it was a big mess.
Those damn Nazis
destroyed everything.
But after the war,
I made money-- big money.
Cigarettes, nylon stockings,
shoe polish.
Whatever you wanted.
Thanks.
You know what you want.
The past 40 years,
nobody has been able
to tell us what or which
what to do.
[laughing]
And the trapeze swing
the same way
anywhere in this world,
and there's only
one law I obey.
And what's that?
The law of gravity.
And that's how you break.
[laughing]
Shall we continue this
somewhere else?
No, I don't think
we shall, Mr. Hart.
Can I have the check,
please?
No, no, allow me.
No, I was the one
who ordered.
And I was the one
who enjoyed it.
No, I couldn't accept it,
Mr. Hart.
Sure, you can.
Well, if you insist.
I don't insist.
I just decide
to pay the check.
Thank you.
Good luck at the port.
[exhaling]
♪♪
[bell tolling]
Wake up, darling.
What's wrong with you?
My stomach hurts.
Papa.
We have to go to church,
for Christ's sake.
I'll come after the sermon.
Come on, let's go.
[bell continues tolling]
[organ music playing]
♪♪
[whispering]
[speaking Latin]
♪♪
[laughter]
[laughing]
Do like the Romans do.
Lemon?
Lemon.
Pepper.
Pepper? Me too.
No, enough,
enough, enough!
Enough? Right.
Mmm!
Mm-hmm!
That's delicious,
isn't it?
You don't like it?
I prefer fish and chips.
[laughter]
♪♪
It's been a miracle,
how you drank my potion
and've not been bewitched.
Never before-- never has
any man resisted this drug
once it passed his lips.
What?
Odysseus and his men landed
on this very beach.
Over on that mountain,
there was the palace of
the guard of Circe.
They had just reached
the shore
when Circe turned them
into squealing pigs.
But it didn't succeed
with Odysseus,
and they became lovers
and they all lived
together in happiness.
Forever?
No, not forever.
'Cause the most
beautiful stories
are always the shortest...
unfortunately.
♪♪
Hup!
Okay.
Where were you today?
You never came to church.I went swimming.
[crowd applauding]
Swimming?
Without me?
Huh!
[crowd applauding]
So she's the one
who is going to inherit
everything you have?
Yes.
[crowd applauding]
She'll be a wealthy
young woman.
Does she know?No. Just my lawyer.
And now you.She's going to need it.
She'll never make much
of a trapeze artist.
[crowd applauding]
No. Just like her mother.
Well, Mrs. Altenberg,
I will consider
taking the motorcycles
to the Andilles in France,
to Duchess Corleone,
and the big cast
to Luc Neve.
And The Flying Devils?
I'm interested in
the young Ventura,
but I don't want anything
to do with their pa.
He belongs in a cage.
Without all four of them,
there is no deal at all.
[crowd applauding]
[Arno]
So, wasn't it today?
Or did you forget?
An agreement
is an agreement, right?
And a debt is a debt,
isn't it?
Mr. Hassan didn't sing
about some innocent
little girl, did he?
Who wasn't
all that innocent
when it came down
to the business.
Mr. Hassan didn't
try to be smart
up there in Germany,
did he?
[muffled groaning]
Those German police,
they were not
too friendly.
[muffled groaning]
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter]
What's going on
over there?
Nothing.
Am I disturbing you?
Oh, not at all.
Come in. Sit down.
Do you know where I can
find Tony Wilde?
No.
I have to reach him.
It's important.
The last I heard of him,
he was in Paris.
I have called all over Europe,
everywhere, and, uh--
What's the problem,
Mr. Hart?
To make a long and boring story
as short as possible--
Get to the point, Mr. Hart.
I need a small loan--
2,500 marks.
I'm very sorry, but this
time, I can't help you.
I must have 2,500 tonight.
Me too, and a lot,
lot more.
But it's a short-term loan.
There are no longer any
possibility for loans,
be it short or long-term.
What happened?
There will be no more
performances in my tents.
I've sold you to others.
To Botas?
Circus of Faith.
Where are they now?
In Salerno.
Then I will be back
where I started.
I wish I could
start over, Mr. Hart.
♪♪
I want to go with you,
Mory, forever.
But you can't.
Not yet.
But I want to.
When you're small, you can't
make your own decisions.
When can you?
When you grow up
and you have money--
lots of money, then
no one can tell you
what to do or where to go.
Hey, I was like you once.
Then, when I was 12,
Lazlo came along
and bought me.
Why can't you buy me?
We'll fly together
one day, Mischa.
We'll have enough
money-- I promise.
We'll fly together.
I promise.
Hello.
Here's your money.
Your 2,500.
Punctual business
agreements--
I like that.
Double it,
on the table.
Okay.
Over or under 6?
Over.
[dice rattling]
Sorry.
Wait.
I want a chance
to win it back.
Over.
So...
[laughing]
You get the death sentence
for this kind of thing.
You know that?
But I owe you one, so I'll
give you two more days,
and then we're even.
But if you don't
have the money by then,
I'll cut your stomach
wide open,
and I promise you
that no one will ever be
able to close it again.
[laughing]
A glass of ruby port,
please.
Oscar, are you here?
As you can see.
Oscar,
where is Tony Wilde?
In America.
He was in Europe.
He was.
He couldn't handle
the job.
Tony?
He's gotten soft.
Didn't you meet in Paris?
They called him back
before that.
But he had something big
for us.
I'm sure.
That Gavin boy is running
everything now.
Oscar...
Oscar, help me.
How much is it this time?
2,500 marks.
Peanuts, really.
I see.
But it means life
or death for me now.
And for me?
Ask whatever you want.
I want an evening
with Miranda.
You heard me.
But she's just a child.
I want her dressed like Maria
was in Veltgerstein,
in that dress I bought
for her in Salzburg.
Do you still have it?
She will be made up
like Maria.
If everything works out
to my satisfaction,
Miranda will come home
with an envelope.
But your schedule--
7:00.
[vomiting]
This is the way it was
in those days,
and then, we thought
it looked good.
Of course, I think
it does now.
Oscar has strange ideas...
but I think we can do him
this little favor.
It's only Oscar, and
you'll get a fine dinner.
Believe me--
luxury, I bet.
Oscar is a man of means.
I want to talk with Mory.
Oh!
Mory!
Just one corner!
Mory!
Yeah?
What sort of evening
is this?
Why aren't you coming?
Oscar didn't invite me.
But you are my fiance.
Well, Lazlo said.
My Miranda,
this is all just
a part of the job.
If you only knew
how many jerks
I had to
have dinner with...
If you only knew.
Cheers, mate.
Salud.
Cheers.
Those guys, they know
how to get paid millions.
Millions-- millions
just to kick a ball.
It's a crazy world.
Yeah, crazy.
When do we reach Salerno?
Tomorrow night,
if we drive like hell.
How long are we
gonna be there?
Just two days.
Why?
Just wondered.
Now, boys, let's have
a good time tonight.
If Miranda can go out,
so can we.
Go easy on the drinking.
You have to talk louder.
I can't hear you.
What?
No, you have to promise--
not just "maybe."
Look, I'll be waiting
for you there from 2:00.
♪♪
I sat in
a blooming wheat field
in the Steiermark
of my childhood.
I saw the white clouds
floating across the heavens,
slow motion,
and I dreamed that I would
conquer the world,
I would fly an airplane.
I would hover in the sky.
I would be a bird,
I would be free.
That was the year
I could run.
That was my last year
of happiness.
I was seven years old.
The only green
was the Schiller family
and the flower of it
was your mother, Maria.
There I stood,
with two small children
who had lost their mother--
a terrible accident.
She lived her life
for the trapeze.
She gave everything,
and when she didn't have
any more to give,
she gave her whole life.
We can never forget that,
because it's for her sake
that we are going to succeed.
Mory...
[background chatter]
Mory?
[background chatter]
I would like to see you happy.
Really happy.
To see you live
a good life.
But I do.
My dear Miranda, this is not
what you were born for.
You remind me so much
of your mother,
and it just mustn't
end the same way.
She wouldn't listen
to reason
and paid a big price
for it.
Poor Maria.
Her life could have been
so different--
both hers and mine.
Your life can't be that way--
not like Maria's.
But you cannot protect
yourself from accidents.
I brought this in
Klagenfurt at Schuster's.
I never had a chance
to give it to her.
Leave this life.
Why can't you understand
what's best for you?
You could have everything--
a life of comfort,
a life you could control.
No more begging.
Why do you say no?
Why do you say no?
My heart burns
as it always does.
I just want to
see you happy.
I'm not prepared,
do you understand?
[laughing]
I'm sorry.
[sighing]
Accident?
What kind of accident
are you talking about?
Maria didn't die
in an accident.
She was used to the limit
by your father.
She could not take much.
Her illness was neglected.
There's no room in your
father's world for weakness.
Now I know
why they call you--
Yes, yes, I know, I know.
As soon as they see me
limping up,
they expect disaster.
Papa has done everything
for us.
[laughing]
For himself, you mean.
You can't talk that way
about my father.
It's about time you find out
what life is all about.
That's just what
I'm starting to do.
That's good.
What do you think
this is a payment for?
This is 2,500 marks.
Well, I'll tell you.
This is what
your dear father thinks
that a night with his
beloved daughter is worth.
Take the envelope home and
see if he doesn't ask for it.
[dog barking]
Miranda...
you shouldn't be
waiting up for us.
Oh!
[laughter]
By the way,
did Uncle Oscar...
have anything for me?
[envelope rustling]
[bottle clattering]
Miranda.
[bell tolling]
[Lazlo]
Now you've had
a chance to see
what the world is like,
how people try
to have a good time
and half the world,
you just see the answer.
Don't you think
that we're going fast
and all this trouble and
discomfort is coming to an end?
Stop sulking.
I think I'm gonna be sick.
There isn't time.
Open the window....
[vomiting]
Just think how you were
at the party last night.
And this is
the thanks I get?
[thunder rumbling]
It's always the same.
You have to take
the bad with the good.
Same old shit!
Just wait until we get
to the States.
Just wait? Just wait?
I'm sick of waiting.
This way, we'll never
get to the States.
We'll never get anywhere.
Soon, we will be
in a big hotel suite
with room service
and orange juice,
and you will buy yourself
a Cadillac in Nevada
and you will do
anything you want.
Lazlo's full of talk, Max.
That's all it is-- talk!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Max.
Have you got-- have you
got any money?
Why?
I need it.
Uh, I have to buy
a present.
A good day, then.
This will cheer her up.
She has been so sad lately.
Thanks.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks, man.
♪♪
[whispering]
[drum roll]
[cymbals crashing]
[drum roll]
Aah!
[crowd ohing]
[grunting]
[cymbals crashing]
[crowd applauding]Max!
Max! Max!
Okay?
[overlapping chatter]
Back.
More to the right.
No, not that way.
More to the right.
Jeez.
The right.
[man speaking Italian]
It's not even plugged in.
Are you crazy?
Jesus Christ!
Well, plug it in!
[birds chirping]
Where is Mory?
I don't know.
Screw it!
Yeah, yeah, come on.
Miranda!
Where were you the night
before yesterday?
With Arno.
Be careful.
I'm worth
2,500 German marks.
Handle me with care.
[chatter in distance]
[radio broadcasting news]
[knocking on door]
Yo!
[speaking Italian]
Um, no.
No, thank you.
[radio playing music]
♪♪
[emcee]
And now, ladies
and gentlemen,
the globe of death--
Los Ovidados!
The most dangerous act
in the world!
Arno Barrero
and Giuseppe Paches.
[speaking in Italian]
Arno, stop!
You can't--
Relax,
you have until tomorrow--
but with interest.
3,000 even, okay?
[emcee]
Arno Barrero...
[engines revving]
Arno!
[Arno screaming]
God!
[clattering]
[baby wailing]
[crowd applauding]
Jesus fucking Christ.
[crowd applauding]
[manager]
What happened?
[Arno]
What happened?
The goddamn
fucking motor died--
that's what happened,
asshole.
Get out of the way!
[overlapping shouting]
Okay.
[thunder rumbling]
[whistle blowing]
[yelling in Italian]
Come on, come on!
Get over here!
Hold the line!
[men shouting]
Watch out!
Hold it!
Jesus! It's gonna rip!
It's gonna rip!
[men shouting]
[screaming]
[loud crash]
[thunder rumbling]
Arno.
[music playing]
♪♪
Okay, so take off
your blindfolds.
Well!
[laughing]
What do you think?
Daddy, it's so nice.
Miranda, come on,
come on.
Here. Come on, here.
So, Mory,
this is your car.
Aren't you happy?
Yeah, sure. It's great.
It's no white Jaguar,
but-- but, Mory,
let's get to that little
stuff between you and me.
Let me tell you,
she is nothing more
than a gaudy girl.
She's a journalist.
Ah, the white Jaguar,
the nice clothes,
the big sunglasses,
and all the rest
of the junk she uses,
and which
impress you so much.
Do you think it's for free?
No, I am sorry.
She's no more than
a shopworn adventuress
whose better season is over.
And tomorrow,
or maybe even today...
[engine starting]
she's-- she's
taking off to Spain
and forgetting America.
Leaving?
And do you think
she'll go alone?
Mory?
♪♪
[doorbell ringing]
I'm looking for Miss Rosta.
Wait a minute, please.
Yes. Can I help you?
Yes. I'm looking for
Miss Rosta.
Miss? My wife will
be here soon.
Uh, no. No, I mean
the journalist.
Yes, she'll be here
very soon.
But, uh, you're welcome
to come in and wait.
Please.
No.
[horn beeping]
[crashing]
Oh, my God. Mory!
You're a damn whore!
Mory.
Oh, Mory.You-- you tricked me.
You said you'd come,
but you just wanted
to be rid of me.
Oh, no, no, no.
I just couldn't
bear to say good-bye.
You're going away.I'm not going.
I'm taking this trip
because I thought
it would get me
over you.
Don't touch me!
How could I be so stupid?
Take it
as a souvenir!
Mory, but I--
Put it on your Jaguar!
Mory!
Mory!
But what can we do?
Nothing.
[distant chatter]
[whistle blowing]
[distant cheering]
[whistle blowing]
[fanfare playing]
Now, get the hell
in there!
Play the fanfare once again.
You second-class people
in a third-class act!
[emcee announcing
in Italian]
So you finally decided
to join us, you traitor!
You Judas!
You've been chasing
after your journalist
friend, haven't you?
Your Nina?
Your high-priced whore?
Just you wait.
Nina.
Tonight,
you'll get a beating
you'll never forget!
[emcee announcing
in Italian]
♪♪
[claps]
[drum roll]
[grunting]
[cymbals crashing]
Mory!
♪♪
Yes!
[crowd applauding]
We did it!
We did it!
Did you see?
Did you see it?
No. What happened?
You missed it?
I was outside.
Miranda.
We just created
a world sensation!
Really?
The incredible quadruple!
We just did the quad,
and you--
and you weren't even there.
Aren't there
supposed to be
four of you
up on the trapeze?
That's what I pay for
and that's what
the audience pays for.
Anyway,
this is for Miranda.
[emcee announcing
in Italian]
I still can't believe
you didn't see it.
I'm sorry.
I can't explain everything,
'cause I-- I-- I--
I don't know why,
but I didn't do
anything to hurt you.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Why tonight, Mory?
Why tonight?
I have no idea
what happened.
But you did it.
Lazlo!
Oh, I must say,
you did really do
the quadruple!
You saw it?
Yes.
But I am not sure
I saw it.
Pity you did not film it.
My children.
This came for you.
Mory.
Mory, today you have
given me
the greatest gift
possible.
You have performed
a miracle.
And now I am going
to give you
my most precious
possession--
my daughter Miranda.
You will get married
at last
and live together
in a big room.
Go and kiss your bride.
Kiss your bride.
Max, get the bottle
of champagne.
Everything will be okay.
I promise.
Don't worry about me.
I'll be all right.
Really.
I'll be all right.
[kiss]
[Max]
Look! They have wired
the cork on.
It won't be easy.
[laughing]
[laughing]
I-- I'm just gonna get
some fresh air, okay?
Oscar Seidenbaum is dead.
Oscar?
[cork popping]
[Lazlo]
Pour faster!
[laughter]
Mory, we are ready now!
Mory!
[horn honking]
Mory!
[quiet chatter
and laughter]
Mory!
Mory!
[gates rattling]
Mory! Mory!
[somber music playing]
♪♪
[song ends]
[new song begins]
♪♪
♪ Please don't
leave me now ♪
♪♪
♪ I can't make it through
somehow ♪
♪♪
♪ I can't conceive
of going it alone ♪
♪♪
♪ Not now while my confidence
has been thrown ♪
♪♪
♪ Honey, I thought
I was strong ♪
♪ But I'm not
♪♪
♪ Please don't take
advantage of ♪
♪ My state of shock
♪♪
♪ Please unlock your heart
♪♪
♪ Just when I thought all my
battles were over and won ♪
♪♪
♪ Was the time
when I realized ♪
♪ I'd start to decline
from now on ♪
♪♪
♪ Hold on