Kampf um Rom II - Der Verrat (1969) - full transcript

FIGHT FOR ROME
PART II

Victorious Goths of King Theodoric
are chasing the Roman legions

to the gates of Rome.

- Rome, at last!
- Future capital of the Goths, sire.

No, Hildebrand.
Just a garrison.

Teodoric established the capital of
the kingdom of the Goths in Ravenna,

and for the 32 years the peace
flowered

but with his death
the feud for the throne began

Gothic people must stick together,
we mustn't divide our kingdom...

...for my successor...

...I designate...



Her Royal Highness, The Queen!

Amalasunta and Matasunta,
daughters of Theodoric

competed for the crown.

Amalasunta was elected
and become Queen of the Goths,

but as long as her sister
was near

she felt that her rule
was threatened

so, the Queen banished Matasunta
to the Bolsena Island.

Aspa, my sister'll pay for this,
I swear!

Meanwhile Rome closely observed
the progress of events.

Although unable to act by force,
Cethegus - Rome influential patrician

resourced to activities in
the realm of diplomacy

and the Queen proclaimed
him a prefect of Rome.

The Queen is the one that thinks
he deserves this rank.

Without asking advice of
the Crown Council, first?



I'll ask, when I'll need advice.

You have my permission
to re-establish Praetorian Guard.

My Queen, it would be an armed force
under the Roman command!

I understand your worries and respect them.

May I propose that you send someone
to Rome to check on my activities?

Duke of Dacia,
will you undertake this task?

I serve my Queen whenever she'll send me,

on the battlefield,
or on the streets of Rome.

But Cethegus played double game,
and in Byzantium

together with the Empress Theodora
wove plot against the Goths.

It's a matter of great importance
for both Rome and Byzantium.

The Goths became a serious problem.

Allow me to propose an alliance between us.

And Rome will got all the profits,
while Byzantium will got only burdens.

Cethegus and Byzantine general Narses
made a secret deal

and Rome was not alone
in the fight against the Goths.

The fight for Rome will take place
exclusively beetween us.

My plan will only hasten the flow of
events.

Only the Emperor can decide about your
plan.

On this point,
I agree with you completely.

You are the real Byzantine Emperer,
general.

In the court of Queen of the Goths
no one suspected anything.

Mission to supervise the Roman
activities was entrusted to Totila,

and on its first day Totila accidentally
made acquaintance

with the daughter of Cethegus,

the fiercest enemy of the Goths.

Don't be afraid!

Julia!

Allow me to introduce you to Totila,
Duke of Dacia,

emissary of our Queen.

I thought that nothing can beat
the beauty of Rome,

but now I see how very wrong was I.

However, unrest among
the Goths was raising,

dissatisfaction with the Queen
activities escalated

and the Crown Council decided to
take matters in their hands.

We crowned the wrong Queen,

she does everything what Cethegus
suggests to her, she'll destroy our land.

He dreams of powerful Rome,
and she is helping him to realise it.

- Your worlds mean treason!
- No!

It's the only possible salvation.

Matasunta will be crowned as Queen.

But Cethegus was able to make his move
before the Goths Council,

he gained confidence of Matasunta and
allowed her to take the revenge.

Matasunta prepared death
in torment for her sister.

Help me!
Open the door!

No one will help you,
no matter how loud you'll scream.

Cethegus is on his way to Rome.

The Council learned about murder and
decided to give the crown to Vitiges.

Matasunta was in love with the Vitiges,
but when he rejected her,

her love turned to hate.

Byzantium sent an army to Rome
to support it in fight with the Goths

and Cethegus did what exactly
could be expected from him:

- betrayed his Byzantine allies.

He ordered his Praetorians to destroy
the Rome Gothic garrison

and when the Byzantine army
reached the gates of Rome

Cethegus didn't allowed them
to get into the city.

Welcome at the gates of Rome!

I bring you greetings from my Emperor,

we came here to deliver you from Goths.

We deeply appreciate that,
but the Rome is already free.

The Gothic garrisson was defeated
and disarmed by my army.

- It's a treason, Cethegus!
- I'd rather call it a circumspection.

So I'll defeat the Goths myself,

while you'll be hiding
behind the walls like a rat.

Byzantine army fought with the Goths
without the Romans help

and was defeated by the army of
Vitiges.

Through the fire!
Follow me!

Remains of Byzantine army
took refuge in the city

closely chased by the victorious
Goths

and only a bunch of scattered
soldiers managed to get in.

- Bring water!
- Lift him!

Welcome in Rome!
You are safe here.

Now we'll settle the accounts!

Soldiers of Byzantium!
Increase your efforts!

Fight under my command,

and I will avenge the dishonor,
that befallen on you.

Accept my command and we'll banish
enemy from the gates of Rome.

- Will you go with me?
- Viva, Cethegus!

The most difficult hour has come.
A fight for Rome.

FIGHT FOR ROME
Part II

THE BETRAYAL

Dignified Emperor, you ordered to summon
me?

I'd like to know how are your affairs,
general.

You're most generous, my Emperor.
Rheumatism is ruining my back...

I'm not interested in your health, but
in condition of my army. The one in Italy,

which is at the moment under
command of Cethegus, a Roman,

who used it to defeat Belizarius.

What wasn't our intention,
Dignified Emperor.

but now it's Cethegus who has
to spend money on them,

so we can save on that, don't we?

I like to save money, Narses,
but I don't like to loose the battles.

If the Goths will attack again,
which I'm sure will happen soon,

than you'll take command
of the byzantine army.

Dignified Emperor we have to take
advantage of Belizarius defeat

and convert it to our victory.

Thought it was a defeat
that shouldn't happen.

If I'm not mistaken it was the
Empress who suggested

Belizarius for a commander in that
campaign.

Narses!

What's cooking inside that
cunning brain of yours?

Dignified Emperor, I am fully aware of
the risk that I'm taking

- and I'm not expecting graditude.
- And what are you expecting?

There are two possibilities:

First - that the Empress couldn't
outsmart Cethegus,

and the second - that she didn't
wanted to.

In both you're in the same danger.

Please allow me to check
if Empress who so easy

gave your army under Cethegus command

will equally easy take it away from him.

Your boldness is stunning, Narses.

Vitiges has to make the attempt on
Rome at last.

Our soldiers are starting to loose
patience.

Have you lost your mind, Teia?
How you want to force that walls?

Maybe there's some other way.

Rome has a sewer system.

- Do you know its localisation?
- It's probably where in other cities.

So you don't have a plans?

You were in Rome for six months but
all you saw was your lover eyes.

Give me a rest with Julia.

- I'm trying to forget her.
- And can you?

No.

So conquer the Rome
and take her as a captive.

No, I don't want to have her that way.

I'll force her father to sign peace.

- Give us food!
- We're hungry!

Citizens of Rome!

- I'm asking you for some more patience!
- We want food!

I'm a citizen of Rome, too.

Father, please allow me to
go amongst people!

I don't demand love from you,

only a patience and loyalty.

And not for me, but for Rome.

I'm a loyal servant of Rome,

not of its enemies!

Give us bread!

I won't serve the cowards!

Does Rome must fall

becouse you cowards
have empty stomaches?!

Well then. Open the city gates.

Go and crawl before your enemies!

They'll fill your stomaches!

And then they'll run you like cattle
to their camp!

And they'll despise you as I despise.

Go! Open the gates!
Rome doesn't need you anymore!

I don't like that siege takes so long.

- So let's attack at last!
- Cethegus still has a strong position.

Romans still trust him.

They can defend for a long time.

Why don't we send to
him a peace proposition?

Cethegus is proud, but he is rational man.

- Let me go!
- No!

No way. Rome is a
too dangerous place for you, Totila.

Not only for him. Charm of Rome
is more dangerous than it's sword.

We have only one choice: to attack.

As you said, my Queen.

If we don't conquer Rome now,
it could be a long and hard war.

So either we propose a peace
or we'll attack.

Let's vote!

I'm for attack.

- So am I.
- Let's attack!

- Totila?
- I'm also for attack.

- But you have doubts, Totila.
- Thats true. I love... Rome.

But I'll fight with you.

So it's decided.

In three days time at dawn
we'll attack the Rome.

We'll attack the northern gate,

and at the same time we'll make
diversion at the southern one.

Aspa, so there's where
you spend your free time.

Are you longing for Rome?

My mother lives there.

I havn't seen her since I was a child.

You'd like to visit her but you can't
becouse, all of the city gates are closed.

That won't be a problem -
there are secret entrances.

Guarded.

The one of which I know is ungarded, and

behind the walls is quarry from which
you can enter a underground tunnel.

Where does this tunnel leads?

It ends near my mother house,
close to her winery.

Come!

I think that you should go.

You're giving me permission, my Queen?

Do you think that your mother
could lead you to Cethegus?

There are no patrician houses where
my mother would be unknown,

and the reason for building tunnel was
to allow rich men visit her unnoticed.

Listen!

Cethegus will recognise this ring,
he will know who sends you.

- From where do you got this ring?
- From my Queen.

I have message for you, prefect.

What message?

King Vitiges decided to attack Rome
in three days time from northern gate,

at the same time they'll attack from
south, but it will be only a diversion.

Why the Queen of Goths is betraying
her nation and her royal husband?

- Queen Matasunta hates Vitiges.
- Why?

My Queen shares with him only a crown,

and another woman shares his bed.
- What woman?

A peasants daughter,
with whom he was married earlier.

Go back to your Queen and return her
that ring with my sincere gratefulness,

and tell her that she can
be sure of my loyalty.

Syphax!

Take care that she safely
returns to camp.

I know the way, prefect.
I was brought up �n Rome.

Call the officers of the guards here.

Come with me, I need to talk with you.

Romans are strenghtening the northern gate,

they're assembling additional defences
and fetching barrels of tar,

and they're deploying
archers at southern gate.

- I smell treason!
- Strong words, Teia!

Only one of us could betray,

becouse only we knew the plans of attack.

It wasn't anyone of us!
But how prefect could learn about it?

We planned attack in secret,
and he can't read our thoughts.

Do you have any suspects, if so speak!

First I'd like to check the guards
posts outside the city walls.

I'd do anything to find a traitor!

How did you manage to get there?
Has anybody saw you?

No, I have to talk with you. I need
to know where could I find you later.

In your tent, Totila.
I'll be waiting for you there.

What did you say, Julia?
In my tent?

I'm going with you, now.

I love my father but my
place is at your side.

- It's impossible, Julia!
- But why?

Matasunta would kept you as a captive.

We have to get you out of Rome,
but later.

Why the war have to part us?

It's our fate.

Escape duke, someone is
watching us! We were betrayed!

You have to understand that despite
our frienship I can't let you go free.

You're too valuable prize.

Tomorrow I'll show you to citizens of Rome,

this time as my prisoner,

and from Rome will it'll mean your death.

Take him!

Let him go free!

or if you don't father, I'll kill myself!

Let him go!

Our next meeting Totila will be your last,

you can believe me!

We'll see again soon.
I promise.

- Hey, handsome!
- Come along!

Yesterday Aspa was seen crossing a
Tiber in a boat. She was with a man.

Aspa is a beautiful girl.

Right. It was me who was with her.

- So we'll start tomorrow at dawn!
- High time.

Aligern!

I have a special mission for you.
Come with me!

We have to enter the Rome secretly,
and disguise into Romans uniforms.

Come!

Drag 'em over here!

Come!

Come on!

They're also marching along the
western wall, prefect.

Send some reinforcements there!

Attack from the south is just a diversion.
Main assault will be here.

But we'll have too many weak points, if
we concentrate main forces only here.

- Deploy Byzantines there, then.
- We can't trust them.

Do not worry, they hate Goths
more than us.

We'll welcome them with enthusiasm!

They'll be suprised!

At attention!
Light the wicks!

Soldiers!
Forward!

That way!

Fire!

Fire!

Centurion, where are you taking your men?

You're going in wrong direction!
Are you deaf?

Traitors in the city, prefect!

They tried to open the eastern gate,

but they were killed before
they've succeeded.

Open that gate, immidiately!

- But, prefect...
- Didn't you hear my order?!

They'll think that their people opened it.

We'll prepare a suprise for them!

Open the gate!

Gate is open!
Aligern succeeded!

- Follow me, soldiers! Follow me!
- We were betrayed!

Stop! Here! Follow me!
- Get back, soldiers!

Catch, you dogs!

Get back!
Back!

Open the gate!
The king is wounded!

Lets carry him into the camp.

What are you doing here?

Who are you?

Who allowed you to take care of the king?

I'm not caring a king,
but Vitiges, my husband.

So it's you who stole him from me,

and for your sake I was humiliated.
I, the Queen!

Get out or I'll order to whip you!

You won't find anybody here
who will let even the

one hair of the legitime wife of the king
to be touched,

and please, don't talk so loud!
The king is seriously wounded.

A lost battle is a terrible
thing for us all.

Not for me.
I'm delighted of it!

Do you hear me Vitiges?
Your defeat is my victory.

I defeated you, not Cethegus!

Cethegus was only a tool in my hands.

Now you're a man without home.
A king without crown.

I'll drive you out of my
kingdom like a rabid dog!

- My revenge will be...
- Shut up!

It's all over.
The king is dead.

You have won,

but not yet, till you live, a brave queen
who killed her own king,

you'll be afraid of me,
and for a good reason.

Becouse I'll avenge
the death of my husband.

You stupid peasant whore!
You think that I won't manage with you?

I drove Vitiges into a trap,
and you I'll kill with my bare hands.

He was a modest man who wanted to
live for his country and for his family.

He was a great king.

Don't allow the Romans to take his body.

No, I won't.
We are departing todays night.

I'd like to take him with me.

Order to put him on the stretcher
attached to the two horses.

- As you wish, my Queen.
- I'll take him home.

You are smarter in love games
than in waging war.

That friend of yours, Cethegus
became too independent.

And what of Belizarius?

You knew who did you take for your wife,

and you even liked it.

Yes, you're right.

But I'm speaking about your
judgement in relations with men,

not about your weakness to them.

Ask Narses in!

He was to be a commander
in that campaign, but...

but you did what you wanted,
and now we have results

- a powerful Rome.
Narses!

You'll take over the command
of our forces in Italy.

Dignified Emperor, I'm afraid that the
time isn't right yet for that.

You have our permission, general,
for a... withdraval.

I thank you, Dignified Emperor
for his favour.

- Cethegus, prefect of Rome?
- Yes, it's me.

I'm general Herubindus.

Her Royal Highness Empress Teodora
expressed a wish to meet you.

- It's very urgent matter.
- Please give her my excuses,

but our current situation makes a
long trip to Bizantium quite impossible.

Dignified Empress is at the moment
at her summer residence,

on island Helioterra, on Adriatic sea,
it's not so far from Rome.

A fair wind and fast ship will make
this journey a pleasant excursion.

Yes, a fair wind...

...that's what I need.

Thank you, general.

My liege, as soon as she reached
her summer residence,

she summonned Cethegus there.

It's a dangerous game that
my bishop is playing.

He's playing with fire, I must say.

Dignified Emperor!

The Empress will receive him in that
secluded place completely alone.

No one could overhear them.

If no one can overhear them,

than why all this fuss,
for Lords sake?

But, my liege...

It's not my business whom my wife
invites for a chat, and not your either.

It's not a matter of friendly chat, but a
matter of a conspiracy against the state.

Rome and Byzantium are friends.

Cethegus isn't our friend.
He wants to make

the Rome the mightiest world power.

Rome is still in danger,

and the Goths are still it's enemies.

Cethegus won't dare to
plot against Byzantium,

not yet.

I'm in jeopardy, Cethegus.

A state that is quite ordinary
for you, I'd say.

I fought long and hard, to become what I
am.

But you managed to survive.

Well said. So far, yes.

I know how to deal with men,

with the fool and the wise,the weak
and the strong - with all of them!

and always they were more
afraid of me than I of them.

But now?!

A midget is threatening me.

Narses is the power that stands
behind the Emperor,

but his ambitions are reaching higher.

He won't stop before he
take over the whole rule.

And what do you expect me to do,
Your Highness?

Kill Narses!

- In suitable moment.
- Now!...

...will you fulfill my wish?

Please forgive me.

What changed you so greatly, Cethegus?

What changed us all?

I'm still a woman.

Who's charm I still can't forget,

I wish it would be the only thing.

Leave, Cethegus!

I hope that fair winds will speed
up your departure.

Farewell, Your Highness!

I want you to stand up.
Here, before me!

Did you write that letter?

- It looks like.
- So please read it to us!

I ask for not to be obliged to reply
in presence of the whole court.

- It was my distinct wish.
- Read us your letter!

- It's not my letter!
- Read it!

It's a letter adressed to you.

It's full of compliments,

I adress you as the fairest of the wise.

Don't you agree with that description?

Dignified Emperor, I share the
worlds admiration for the Empress,

but that's all,
besides I don't share anything with her!

And if it's a conspiracy,
I have nothing to do with it!

A conspiracy, general?

Dignified Empress we could together
rule

not only Byzantium but the whole
world.

You shouldn't share the throne
with that mason and learned lawyer.

You shouldn't waste your beauty at his
side.

My meaningless life would get a
reason,

if I, Narses,
would give him a quick death.

And the seal, my liege,
look at the seal!

It's also forged.

I think that I have a proof for that.

A proof?

If I'm not mistaken in this city
lives a certain Amet

who's fame equals only
for his lack of scruples.

Does that man is known to you, Teodora?

Fetch the forger here!

Your Highness?

Noble sirs! Your presence here is not
needed anymore.

Guards!

- How much do you got, Amet?
- Five golden pieces, Your Highness.

What do you think, Narses, five
golden pieces for a byzantine general?

I thought that I'm worth a bit more.

Five golden pieces!

Right price for a forgery,

but it's an insult as
a price of someones head.

Does she... came to you in person?

Does Teodora came to you herself?

Yes, my Emperor.
And she gave me the gold herself.

- Execute him.
- No!

On the spot!

I havn't loved even my Lord
as much as that woman.

In regards to your war services,

you deserve something more
than only Emperors gratitude,

you deserve to get some rest.

That's why, the Emperor decided to take
over

the command of Byzantine
troops stationed in Italy,

and to increase theirs amount.

What's the use of more Byzantines in Rome?

That letter is signed by general Narses,

no doubt, as evidence
that we're still friends.

It could be a very costly friendsip,
prefect.

We defeated the Goths ourselves.
Byzantines came a bit too late for that.

Why don't drive them back, through sea?

We can't afford another war.

The last already cost us too much.

Citizens of Rome wants peace.

Unless we manage to find another way
to turn them against Byzantines.

But how?

Taxes, my friends!

Nothing angers people more
than too high taxes.

We'll let the Byzantines to collect taxes,

and to squeeze the people like lemons,

and the Romans will repay them
with escalation of hate.

We don't have anything more!
How we'll manage?

We act on behalf of an Emperor.

Hurry up, pay up!

Miserable bunch!

Take that and the cow too!
Move along!

- I've already paid!
- Scram, filthy peasant!

Dirty pigs!
Under the Goths rule we were better!

We must thank the Lord that you
recovered after so many years, Atalvin.

Many brave people, your father amongst
them, gave their life in fights.

When I learned that Vitiges was my
father, I started to look for you.

I want to fight along with you.

You'll have a chance, soon.

We are planning to strenghten our forces.

Assign me some mission.
I won't dissapoint you.

My parents are dead,
now I belong to you.

We cannot lead an open fight.

Totila is helping peasants to fight
with byzantine tax collectors.

Romans soon will cease to be our enemies.

They're starting to claim openly

that they'd prefer to live
under the king Teodoric rule.

We have to take advantage of that.

I think that my Corsican
lancers will arrive soon.

Problem is that we don't have the
money to pay them, prince Furius.

We don't have riches anymore.

Rome become a poor city.

Rome doesn't need to pay.

My lancers will maintain themselves.

It's a very generous offer.
What do you expect in exchange?

You have a charming daughter, Cethegus.

I'd like to marry her.

Never and for anything
I won't force her to marriage.

But you can convince her.

What do you propose?

Three thousands of lancers and a fleet.

It's a rich dowry.

Speak with her yourself, prince,

but don't expect too much.

- Becouse she still love Totila?
- It can be, Furius.

Have a patience.

I love my daughter as much I love the Rome,

maybe even more,

- but I won't allow Totila to marry her.
- You're giving me hope.

Thank you.

- Away!
- Let me go!

Thank you!

If not you,
I'd loose my head.

Keep it.
Man has only a one.

Who are you?
A Goth - that's obvious.

We hate byzantines equally as you.

Won't you tell me your name?

- I'd like to see your face.
- No, it's not necessarry.

Maybe someday you'll repay me in kind.

- Let's go!
- Forward!

Prince Furius!

It's a long time since you visited Rome.

Did you forget where we live?

I pay my visits only there
where I'm expected.

My father always welcomes you.

I was not talking about your father.

Today I came to see you, Julia,

and I'd like to explain you why.

Yesterday I was nearly killed...

You fought with some rival?

With a rival, Julia?!
A band of bizantines marauders

almost cut my head off, but luckily
for me a group of Goths arrived.

Their leader was very brave.
He saved me.

Awesome!
Who was he?

He didn't want to present himself.

He was fair haired, medium height
and expertly throw a lance.

I think that I know who he was!

I'd like you to be mistaken Julia, but...

I thought that all Goths are in the north.

No, not all. Some of them
are still in the south.

But, Julia...

you know that Duke of Dacia is dead.

But I want to ask you about something,
can you imagine that...

I can not talk to you any longer,

but I like to know one thing.

How is it that Goths
are never caught?

They stay hidden in the woods.
They are safe there.

And they're becoming
stronger and stronger.

Soon they will be a threat to Rome again.

Thank you with all my heart!

- Father!
- You're so cheerful, my daughter.

Yes. Prince Furius paid me a visit.

He convinced me that Totila is still alive.

He saved prince Furius live.

Father!

Why can you at least try to understand us?

I'm deeply moved by your feelings,

but do you expect me to jump of joy

becouse my daughter wants to
share her bed with a barbarian?

You have no right to
preach me moralities.

You slept only with those women
who you could exploit to your plans.

Julia!
You forgot yourself!

I sacrified my whole life to Rome.

That's why my personal feelings
become unimportant to me,

exept the feelings toward you, my daughter.

But you don't do much to earn them.

Rome, only the Rome!
What is that Rome?

And if you love the Rome so much
why the Romans hate you?

You brought on people war, suffering,
hunger...

Are they the proofs of your love to Rome?

Under the Goths rule people were happy,

content and have their stomaches full.

Yes, full stomaches!

Has Rome to be inhabited
by fat pigs and mob?

You asked me what is Rome.

It's a spiritual force that created the
culture which the whole world envies us.

But these primitive people are trying to
destroy this culture,

and to force us to obedience.

These primitive people of Goths.

And that my daughter stands
on the side of the barbarians,

is completely above my understanding.

Yes, I'm on their side!
Those barbarians are my future

and I won't let you to destroy it.

I've never destroyed anything,

I foresee the progress of events and I
try to realize my plans according to that.

Father, you can't tell me about
your expectations all the time.

My dear Julia, a man is
either a leader or a follower.

It's a choice determining his life.

And if you meet somebody who thinks the
same?

Everybody must be aware that only
one can win and all the others loose.

But it mustn't always be so!

Yes,

it must be.

There can't be a compromise here.

Totila! A Roman woman entered our camp.

She is not like our women.
She seems to be of noble birth.

- A Roman woman here?
- Go and see yourself.

I know who she is.
It's Julia, daughter of the Prefect.

Julia come to visit us!

There's no reason for anxiety.
Like you've never seen a Roman woman!

I welcome daughter of the Prefect of Rome!

I'm happy to see that rumors of
your death proved to be false.

- Do you bring me a message from
your father? - No, duke.

Please!

Julia!

From now I will never leave you!

Can you whithstand the life we are living?

In hiding? To hunt and be hunted?
To live in the open?

Everything!
If I'd only be at your side.

She couldn't escape without
help from some traitors.

Everybody in this city is against me.

I can bear anything but no treason!

I'll crucify my enemies!

Your enemies or enemies of Rome?

If I'm not mistaken such
punishment is forbidden,

already from some time, since
the Constantin the Great, I think.

Then I'll reintroduce it.

- Mercy!
- Spare us, prefect!

- Don't let my son die!
- He's not a traitor!

- Don't be so cruel!
- Have mercy!

- Have mercy!
- Mercy! Mercy!

Every citizen of Rome must understand
what punishment awaits traitors!

The Goths are our enemy,

and everybody uniting with
enemy will be crucified!

I think that this summer our
hopes will be fulfilled.

Teia has an army in the north...

...and I have one in the south.

Almost half of my soldiers are Romans.

Now even Neapol turned its back to
Cethegus.

Soon he will have the whole
Italy against him.

With the Viking fleet of king Harald at
our side, we can be sure of the victory.

Then we will be a one kingdom again.

And we will need a king.

Only one is worthy of that position.
You, Hidebrand!

I already declined you once,
and I'm not becoming any younger.

He's right. We need a young king.

- You must be a king!
- No it's impossible, Teia!

You know that I want to marry a Roman.

So maybe your sons will live in peace
and don't have to fight.

Become our king, Totila,
and lead us to victory!

So you came from Byzantium
with empty hands, general?

What worth are all those promises
that help will arrive soon?

When? Tomorrow,
in a week time or maybe in a month?!

Goths army is marching on Rome,
and I'm alone here to defend the city.

Don't worry!
Totila won't dare to attack.

He still remember the last defeat,
even if it happened long time ago.

This time a danger
threathens Rome from inside.

I carried a things too far in favour
of Emperor and Byzantium.

Citizens of Rome hates me as much
as your tax collectors!

General Narses offers you
a command over his southern army.

On one condition:

He, general, will remain
a commander in chief.

I don't have much choice.

Please tell the general that it's a honour
for me to serve under his command.

Goths army is powerful.

I see amongst them lot of Romans -
cowards who joined the enemy, a mob.

I only hope that Narses army
won't be too late.

It won't be too late for him,
but for Rome it will.

But, prefect!
He's our only hope.

And he hopes
to become the savior of Rome.

We won't defend the city.

Let Totila delude that he
conquered Rome without a fight.

Meanwhile we'll go to Narses
and prepare our final victory.

It'll be our suprise.

Have weapons ready at hand!

You still don't trust Romans, Teia?

No!

- Down with Cethegus!
- Open the gates!

Silence!

What do you want?

- We...
- Silence!

Do not let them pass!

We signed the treaty with the Goths.
Open the gates!

Totila!

Cethegus escaped to general Narses.

Byzantines will attack,
or my name isn't Teia!

So we will defend.

A Viking fleet of king Harald
will arrive here soon.

King Harald will keep his word,
he loves Goths,

Teodoric was like a father to him.

It's strange how these people
loves us and our country.

Warm sun,
always blue sky...

Maybe the Vikings will stay here with us.

Already want to leave us, Totila?
This feast is in your honour.

The king has many duties, including
the ones he owes to his wife.

Why there's no absolute happiness?

This fight will be the last.

I won't allow you to go without me.

But I'll be back very soon.

We'll part only for couple of days.

No, we won't part at all!

I'm a Queen and my place is at
my husbands side. I'm going with you!

You have the virtues of the both Goths
and Romans, Julia:

courage, love, resoluteness.

So it's decided: I'm coming with you!

Once you said to me that our
happines will last forever.

But what if that eternity
will last only a couple of days.

That's why I don't want to be without you
even for a second.

This time we will win.
An our happiness will be absolute.

If only I could believe that...

I'm thinking about my father being
relentness.

That's him who must find his way to us

and one day he'll find it.

Even Cethegus isn't strong enough,
to bear the loss of both: the Rome...

...and his belowed daughter.

I need to discuss some matters
with you before the battle.

- Do you have a new proposition for me?
- No, our old agreement is still valid,

but I'd like to improve it.

Maybe I'll be able to help
you win this battle,

I have a good plan.

Follow me!

I'll wear that armour tomorrow,

it gives a good protection on the
battlefield.

I'll wear a white cloak and open helmet,

and maybe a garland of roses
as a symbol of victory.

Don't forget that flowers are also symbol
of death.

You always see everything
in dark colours, Teia.

We will win this battle.

- Stop! What do you want?
- Let me pass! I want to talk with Totila.

Prince Furius!

Greetings, your Highness!

We havn't seen each other for a long time.

What brings you at the such late hour?

I didn't want anybody to see me.

I want to fight with my lancers
on your side against byzantines.

Your offer makes our victory even more
inevitable.

Your lancers are the best in the world.

They can decide course of
battle for either of the sides!

You don't trust my words, count Teia?

I don't trust anybody who wears sword,
Furius!

It's an offer from a friend.

We esteem it and accept with graditude.

Please sit down.

I'll show you our plan of the battle,

and then we'll decide where
is the best to deploy your lancers.

We'll fight the Byzantines
in the open field.

Tell me Cethegus:

You came just to watch
the battle or to fight in it?

I came to decide of our victory.

And how many soldiers have you
brought with you?

I'll answer that question
when my forces arrive.

But I gather that they are not too
numerous.

Those are the forces that defeated Vitiges

and without which general Belisarius
couldn't withstood the Goths.

Byzantium hasn't forgotten that,

but sometimes a reminder is neccessary.

Belizarius made a grave mistake.

Sooner or later everybody
makes such mistake,

even you or me.

But your mistake is to
under apreciate your allies.

Your tactics of delaying havn't
bringed us much benefits so far,

but at the moment it partly
coordinates with my plans.

Tomorrow you'll conquer the Rome,

and then...

Yes, and then it'll remain
to be seen who'll win our game.

But we have to win the battle first.

- Surely, you don't doubt it?
- I don't have any doubts

- only in concern with you.
- You're very kind. Thank you.

May I ask you for the last favour,

as a friend?

Please leave Totila...

...to me to deal with.

With pleasure.

Forward!

Totila!

Forward!

Narses!

Stop!

Furius betrayed us.
He attacked us from the back.

Scoundrel! I knew it!

Look - the one in white cloak is Totila.

But I only want to turn his attention on
me.

I will pay you for that, you treachorus
dog!

I waited long for that moment!
Come, Julia is the prize!

Totila!

Totila!

Julia!

Don't let him fall in the hands of
Romans. Get the king to safety.

Totila, come here!

Where are you?

Totila!

Take a king away!
I'll distract Cethegus.

Totila!

Don't escape, coward!
Totila!

Stop, you coward!

You won't escape me, Totila!

King Totila's fallen in battle.
We need a new King.

Teodoric, Vitiges and Totila,

only one can became a fourth king:

Count Teia.

For the sword of Teodoric I ask you:

Are you ready to become our king?

- I'm ready!
- Teia!

We lost the battle,

and if someone wants to surrender to the
enemy he can go!

I will continue fighting,

but everyone who will follow me should
know that it will be the last fight.

King Teia is right.

Yes! He's right!
Teia!

You won our game, Narses.

Tomorrow you'll enter the Rome,

and you can exploit the city like
your courtesan.

Yes, our game ended so early.
Much earlier than I excepted.

Your vanity make you a poor competitor.

Yes, I said vanity.

That vain and and overgrowth ambitions...

...and excessive pride.

Now everything is only
the matter of survival.

Asking for something more
would be a folly.

Where others have failed
and left only powder and dust

there I come to sweep the dirt.

In Rome we have street sweepers for it.

A matter of survival was
always my principle.

So was the Teodora's.

Very true.

And where's she now?

I hope that she has found satisfaction.

Well, now we might give a deal of thought

what would happened if
it was I who had lost...

...and you were now in my place.

Am I not right?

General!
May I ask you for a moment?

I'm awaiting an answer, Cethegus.

The Goths has chosen count Teia
for their new king.

The new king sends you the message
that he'll continue fighting.

Tell from me the new king of Goths
that he lost his mind.

A fight will mean the end for his people.

Tell him

that I want all Goths
to leave this country.

and if they leave I'll grant
them a safe passage,

it's my ultimate offer.

Too proud to respond me!

That way with the last battle
on Ravine of The Goths,

the tragedy of Goths,
which started long ago

by their migration to the south
- ended.

General Narses, who admired the great
bravery of Goths, granted to those

who surviwed a safe passage back
home.

They said farewell to the Italian
sun

and with the body of their last king
went back to their northern homeland.

A fleet of a Viking king Harald!

They're coming to take us!

THE END