L'Innocente (1976) - full transcript

THE INNOCENT

- Very good, Mr. Hermil
- Thank you.

- Your carriage is here, Sir Hermil
- Thanks.

We'll continue tomorrow...
I'm sorry...

- It's late, I must go.
- Alright. Until tomorrow.

- Goodbye
- Goodbye

Ready?

On guard

- I don't understand...
What were you were saying?

I said that for me it's a myth that
English men are cold...

It's pure invention.



- Really?
- You seem to be very knowledgeable about it.

Good evening

He said no, right away.

Isn't Ms Sperati
singing tonight?

- No, next Tuesday
- That's a pity, I won't be there

- They say she's admirable.
- As a singer or as a woman?

I know nothing about opera.

If our Princess knew how few of
her guests come for the music.

She knows it very well.

It's her way of inflicting
penance for our sins.

You come here to court
Countess Teresa Raffo,

you get 1 Mozart, 2 Schubert
and 4 Liszt as penance.

Good evening Countess.

Good evening.



- Pity you've arrived so late.
- It's my fault, Princess, only mine.

I have no doubt.

- You've missed a Mozart and a beautiful Liszt.
- I'm sorry.

Come and sit near me.

She plays Chopin extremely well

Come along darling.

I wanted to thank you,
Princess.

I'm afraid I
have to leave.

It's a pity you're
leaving so soon.

She is an extraordinary pianist.

Yes, I think so too.

Goodbye

Where are you going?

I don't want to stay
here if you're with her.

- I didn't know you would come
- Yes, I know

Farewell. Enjoy yourself.

- Teresa, please
- Are you leaving with me?

I can't, don't
you understand?

You come out
with me now,

or this is the last
time you ever see me...

The last time,
and I speak seriously

Beloved Tullio

You wouldn't allow the most
beautiful of our guests to leave, would you?

It is not up to me, Prince.

My evening
does not end here.

Will you tell Count Egano
that I am waiting for him?

I will, Countess.

It's fine,
here he is.

My dear Stefano!
I want to leave early

Come, Tullio

Let's go in before that
fanatic starts another piece.

My wife gets offended
if I'm not in the room.

After all, it takes so
little to please her.

- I'll come for you later.
- What?

No, I will
send the carriage.

I won't be back.
I'm not feeling well.

- I'll come with you.
- Don't complicate matters. I will see you later.

Come in.

As you can see I
know you quite well.

I was sure you'd come.

I chose to wait for you,
before going out again

rather than risking finding
you here when I got back.

Give me back my keys.

Be reasonable.
I couldn't leave with you.

For once my wife asked me to
accompany her to her best friend's concert.

Why didn't you tell
me you'd be there?

I went because I
knew you'd be there.

It's time we faced this situation.
Don't you agree?

For months, the charmer that you are,
has skillfully succeeded

in preventing me from
seeing how things really were.

- So I took the initiative.
- Initiative?

Seeing what?
That I am married?

You always knew that.

- Of course.
- So?

But from
what you say

the relationship with your
wife is only a formal one.

- Exactly.
- That's not true.

And it's obvious
when you're together.

You're just like all the bourgeois
husbands in this world, my dear

They swear to their lovers
that they've rejected their wives

and tell their wives
they don't have a lover.

I won't accept
such pettiness.

I am a free, liberated
woman and I act accordingly.

Just like you.

Are you jealous
of her?

I won't share a man
with another woman.

Not even with his wife.

You are not sharing
me and you know that.

All I think of is you.

You're part of me.

I feel your presence constantly,
it's persistent.

Even hostile.

I'm going out with Egano...

You go to your wife.
Leave me.

No, I won't leave you.

You're staying with me.

You're still awake?

You said that
you weren't well...

How silly of me,
I was worried

I waited by the
window for your return.

Do you know what I was doing?
I was writing to you

But since you're here...

Tomorrow I leave for Florence,
I don't know how long for.

This time it's serious,
I had to tell you

You're leaving forever?

Well, forever is
such a big word

Listen, Giuliana,
even though...

I've never spoken
to you about it,

I'm sure that,
at some stage

some compassionate
souls must have

informed you of
my infidelities.

I didn't tell you myself

because they were
insignificant affairs

and because of the pact

we agreed to
when we got married.

Love is only
there while it lasts

then it's replaced
by respect, affection

friendship,
common interests...

If all that is possible,
of course.

And I assume
that it is our case

since you've
peacefully accepted

the situation between
us for quite some time.

As you said, they were
insignificant affairs.

That's why I
tried to ignore them,

- For me, marriage...
- Yes, our marriage had...

to be protected
at all costs. Correct?

And you are right.
You've been wonderful.

Even if my
love for you...

has faded...

as it inevitably happens,

the affection and respect I
have for you have only increased.

I'm fond of you
and respect you...

like...

like a beloved sister

without whom I
could no longer live.

Of course, you have
every right to leave me...

but I will suffer
greatly if you abandon me.

Will you stay
with me and help me?

How? In
what sense?

By tolerating me...

You'd help me to
face a situation...

which according to our
society's standards...

would surely
be criticised

- The woman I now love
- Teresa Raffo

Yes, Teresa

- She is a widow,
she's free.

So what prevents you from going with her,
if that's what you want?

I said I love her but I
didn't mention marrying her.

She's a sensual woman.

Beautiful.

I desire her.

No woman has ever
succeeded in seducing me...

like she does.

What is this?
I arrive and they leave?

Anyone home?

Federico

- Tullio
- Federico

I have three days
leave and you all leave?

No, only me.

- Lucky that you're here.
- Where are you going?

Truly... How many days off
have you got?

Three, three and half,
to be precise.

Listen...I...

I am in a lot
of trouble...

or misfortune,
if you prefer...

I'm leaving
Giuliana by herself.

I don't want to impose

but I'd feel better
knowing you're with her.

Wait. I'd like to spend
my three days in Rome

but not with
my sister-in-law

- She's adorable, but...
- No, do as you please.

I only need to
know you're around.

I mean, if before
going out...

You could just
visit her and say hi

tell her your
plans for the evening.

Giuliana will be happy.
This is a very delicate time for her.

Very delicate.

Does anyone else live here?
The house looks so big.

Enlighten our friend,
or she'll be disappointed.

I promised to show her one
of Rome's finest homes...

But I'm not saying it isn't...
It's beautiful... But...

No, it's not.

This villa was
built for my mother.

She wanted
lots of greenery,

even in the city.

My father did his best
to please her, but...

when he died, she returned to Badiola,
the house in the country...

where it's much greener.

Then my brother got married
and came to live here with his wife.

I kept these three rooms,
to be more independent.

So it's not
the main house.

Yes, it is.
I assure you.

Federico!

Federico!

Giuliana, what happened?

What's wrong?

Giuliana, come on!
Giuliana.

That's it. Help me.

- Call the governess.
- Right away, sir.

She didn't faint.
She took something.

Are you alone
in the house?

No. No. They've already gone
to bed. I was too...

Forgive me.

I was depressed and took
something to help me sleep.

But instead of relaxing

I became terribly anxious...
Terribly afraid.

I didn't want to stay alone.

- I'm here, how
are you feeling?

- It's nothing,
such a silly thing.

- Do you feel better now?
- Yes.

I'm sorry to bother you.

Lie down a bit longer.

This is Filippo D'Arborio,
the writer.

See what important
friends I have?

Ulderico Guinigi

and Miss Elviretta,
my sister-in-law Giuliana

- Hello.
- My apologies.

I ruined your dinner.
Please continue.

You mustn't be
alone this evening.

Come on.

Tell us when
you're ready for bed.

Or sleep here. You'll
be lulled by our voices.

- When we were boarders...
- You went to school together? Where?

I was poor.

My parents couldn't
afford my studies.

I paid my way by
tutoring younger pupils.

Federico was
one of them.

And I always fell asleep.

That's right.

He'd fall asleep as
soon as I started talking.

He says the tone of
my voice is to blame.

I'd be very pleased if now...

you managed
to sleep too.

Breakfast is served.

What a beautiful scent.

Are they tuberoses?

At this time of year!

How did you find them?

You're so sweet.

I'm here and I shall wait.
Stefano Egano

How dare he? The idiot!

You shouldn't read
other people's letters

You are being silly...

If I wanted to be with him,
I wouldn't be with you now.

I promised Egano I would
see his horses race at Cascine

but instead I am here with you

So what are you
complaining about?

I was hoping to see you
at the race yesterday.

My horses won prizes.

There are too many people,
I'm afraid of crowds.

They're racing in the
steeplechase tomorrow.

I have entered two horses.

I can get you seats
at the finishing line.

I'm afraid that won't
be possible for me

In case you
change your mind...

I can assure you the Countess
won't change her mind

- I'd like her to tell me herself
- I'm telling you.

If you change your mind

I'm at your disposal.

Very well.

Egano's friends say that
he has returned to Rome.

And so has she,
apparently.

She has broken
up with Tullio.

You have done
well to come.

Let the tongues wag.

Don't let them pity you.

Never accept the role of the
betrayed and abandoned wife.

You are here to
disprove that.

I hoped to be here on
time to tell you not to come

because Teresa's coming.

But my train was late.

He's come back. Did
you know about his duel?

And while I fought with some
idiot in Florence, she left.

I must see her again.

She's treacherous,
elusive and a liar.

The moment you think she's all yours,
she escapes

She's already
pursuing other desires.

I must find the strength
to break it off with her.

And you must help me.

- What can I do?
- I don't know. Many things.

Convince me not
to see her again.

Nobody can convince you,
least of all, me.

That's not true, you see...

the most dangerous thing for me is

that my frustration
is making me feel so unhappy.

But at the same time
I feel alive, awake...

It's the first time
I'm in such a situation.

It's true... One can sell his soul
in exchange for youth

and then finds himself
unconditionally in love, with no defence.

You talk as if
I never existed

You're right,
I'm being unfair.

I'm sorry. Be
patient with me.

As you would be
with a sick person.

Someone who indulges
in his own illness.

- Was it you singing?
- Yes

- Are you going out?
- Yes.

- Where are you going?
- To Di-Castro's auction.

I can't pin my veil.
Will you help me, please?

Do you have a new perfume?
What is that?

Crab-apple.
It's an English perfume.

'The Flame'

'To Giuliana Hermil, my 'Ivory
Tower' I humbly dedicate my book.

Filippo D'Arborio'

- Aren't you going out?
- Do you know D'Arborio?

Yes

When did you meet him?

When your brother was here.

- Have you read it?
- Yes, I skimmed through it at the Club.

A mediocre writer,
don't you agree?

No

His style is so pompous,
so emphatic.

It's quite unbearable

How can you say that?

He has an extraordinary style.
It's enchanting, just like music.

You cannot judge
an artist like him

having read only a
few pages at the Club.

You take it to heart!

He may be a great
writer but he's ill-mannered.

You must
give me that.

His inscription is
not only emphatic

but also uncalled for,
if one considers

it's addressed to a
lady he only met once.

I saw him again
after our first meeting.

Are you taking
the carriage?

No, I'd rather walk.

See you later.

Now as you've
all seen

4500 Liras and
4500 Liras twice.

Congratulations
Countess Raffo.

Thanks.

Now there's a fabulous
dove-shaped pin

in pink diamonds
and rubies

Value estimated at 5000 or 6000.
I'll start at 1000.

1000, 1100, 1400, 1600...

1600, 1800, 2000,
2200 for the Lady

2200, 2400,
2600, 2800, 3000...

3000, 3500 at the back.

4000 right at the front,
4500 for the Lady

5000 here. I
feel the room heating up

Good evening,
Mr. Hermil.

6000, going 6000...

6000, 6500, 7000,
7500, this is welcome

8000, 8500, 9500,
10000 over there

10100, 11000

Selling at 11000
going once, going twice.. sold!

Now for auction a
beautiful fashionable bracelet,

practically new...with more
than one hundred diamonds

and sapphires,
mounted in platinum

Estimated 10000.
Start with 1000

1000 Liras, 2000 Liras

- Good evening Madam
- Good evening Emilio

- Is Mr Tullio in?
- No, Madam, he went out.

Tell the kitchen
I've already eaten.

- Good night
- Good night, Madam

I've spent endless nights outside here,
looking up at your windows.

I know, I saw you once.

And you didn't call me?

Why are you
so cruel to me?

You are one of those
men who make women suffer.

You're selfish.
Proud.

Despotic.

A domineering lover.

If you knew how
hard it's been

to resist calling you.

But I succeeded.

And you had to come
looking for me today.

But I didn't come
looking for you today...

I went there by chance.

- That's not true
- It is, I swear.

I haven't left the
house for days on end.

My wife said she was
going to the auction, so...

Your wife was there?

She wasn't there,
I assure you

I had nothing to do today either
so I got there early.

And I'm usually
late wherever I go.

I saw every single
person who walked in.

Oh God, I'm ruined.

So your wife
lies to you.

Perhaps she
has a lover.

I'm sorry.
I'm only joking.

I only saw those who
were already there.

I didn't see the
people who arrived later.

I didn't even see you.

- Good evening, Sir
- Is my wife back?

Yes, an hour ago,
but she left again.

She went to catch the
8:30 pm train.

She said that she was
going to visit your mother.

I believe she left
you a note in the study.

Sir Hermil I'll be
with you shortly.

You're the only
punctual man in Rome.

Let me introduce you to
Mr Filippo D'Arborio.

- I'm Tullio Hermil.
- D'Arborio

Shall we do a
sparring match?

- Yes, with pleasure.
- Please.

Blades in line. Salute

Mask...

Gentlemen, on guard

Gentlemen, start

I'd like your opinion...

Who would you like
next to you at the table?

On your right the Princess of Fondi.
And on your left?

It's up to you.

- Do you like that book?
- No

I do, very much.
I also like the author.

I invited him this evening,
but he is not in Rome

D'Arborio?

He'll get in touch as
soon as he gets back.

I'll organise another dinner.
I'd like you to meet him.

- I've met him, thank you
- What's wrong with you?

- Are you in a bad mood?
- Not at all

Then, will you approve
my seating arrangements?

Don't forget we must give the
Dampierres an answer by tonight.

What are you saying?
Are we going to Paris or not?

You're the one
who's been invited.

I'll go if
you come too.

What else do
you want to do?

D'Arborio's dinner, trips...

You're a bachelor
again...

and so...

and I'm taking
advantage of it.

I am sitting here

the Ambassador on my right,
and I've put Dampierre on my left.

- Is this all right?
- Yes, it is.

I have put Dampierre
next to me.

So I can tell him we'll be
going to Paris next week.

All right.

Thank you.

Tullio!

- How are you, Giuseppe?
- Well, thanks

- Tullio, my dear Tullio.
- Mother, how are you?

You are all alike,
you arrive all at once

when we least
expect you

- How's Giuliana?
- She was hoping to see you too.

Come. Come.

- Elvira, where's Madam Giuliana?
- In the garden

Go and tell her
Mr Tullio is here.

Yes, my lady.

How does Giuliana
spend her days?

- Well, luckily she has some friends, so...
- Friends?

Her friends from Rome
are staying with the Torrigiani.

Giuliana says that
they are likeable persons.

At least she keeps
herself occupied.

I never go out,
I never see anyone.

I told her to
invite whoever she wants

but she doesn't want to
disturb me so she'd rather go out.

It will be a beautiful surprise
for her to find you here

Here's Giuliana.

- You look very well
- I wasn't expecting you.

To be honest, I
wasn't planning on coming.

I was already at the station,
with a ticket for Paris.

But then I saw a train to here
and changed my plans.

I knew that Tullio was a little crazy,
but not to this point.

Wait

Do you mind if we occupy a
room in the left wing too?

Tullio reads at night
and I wake up very early.

So we'd rather
have separate rooms.

As you wish, there
are plenty of rooms.

Take those to the
left wing please

- Would you like some?
- No, thanks

Thanks

Did you go to Villa Lilla?
- No, I haven't.

- Why is that?
- I haven't been there.

We will have to speak
about Villa Lilla...

There's a former
English diplomat,

who fell in love with it
and who'd like to buy it.

We could sell it at
an excellent price.

I'm against selling it
but we could rent it.

With all the money
we spent to renovate it.

When you were newlyweds,
you said you'd spend

six months a year there.

I never believed you.

If we rent it

we would cover the
maintenance expenses, at least

Uninhabited houses
deteriorate before their time.

Well, think about it.
It's not for the money.

To me, it will
always be your home.

Mother is right,
we should at least go and see it.

If you're free tomorrow,
we'll go to Villa Lilla.

Welcome Sir Tullio.
Welcome Madam.

Hello, Callisto

Give a drink to the horses
and some hay.

I've been airing the house
for the last fifteen days.

I knew you were
at the Badiola.

I've been waiting for
the weather to improve.

Very good Sir.

You should listen
to your mother

and rent it.

Yes, it would be the
most reasonable thing to do.

The English diplomat
would look after it well.

But the idea
upsets me.

Doesn't it
upset you?

You seem just as
hesitant and fearful

as you did when we came
here for the first time.

The same flowers were blooming.
The same scent.

Yes, it was
the same season

Let's try to be
two new people...

who meet here
for the first time.

It's up to
us to try.

If we do
not succeed

we sink back into
unhappiness and misery.

It's not possible,
don't torment me

Why not?

You've been my wife, my sister
but you've never been my mistress.

It's different, you know.
Very different.

No embarrassment,
no false modesty.

No holding back.

Love is all this.
Especially all this.

And I have
never taught you.

It's my fault.

I was wrong.

Tell me that you want
to make love with me,

Tell me you want to.
Ask me.

Ask me, ask
me my love.

I was getting worried,
I wanted to send someone.

How are you?
- Well.

- You want me to accompany you?
- No, thanks

Hello,
mother

Giuliana is not well, I wanted to sleep
at Villa Lilla but she did not want to

- She is ill?
- Nothing serious...

a light malaise,
perhaps she has caught a cold.

You're so right. It's a
shame to leave Villa Lilla empty.

But no English diplomats.

We'll go and live there,

at least some
months of the year

- But...
- Yes, I know you don't believe me

But you'll see.

It was so beautiful
there today...

The smell of
the lilacs...

Maybe that's why
Giulana got ill.

It was a such a
heady perfume.

I'll tell her to stay in bed.
It would be wiser.

And I'll call the doctor.

I wanted him to come last week,
but Giuliana refused.

Tell Giuseppe to take the
carriage and go to Dr Milani.

I'd be most grateful
if he came tonight.

Calm, calm, mother,
you are exaggerating.

Giuliana is fine

It was nothing serious.
There's no need to worry.

Giuliana forbid me to tell
you until she was sure.

But, as there's
no doubt now,

So I'll tell you...

so you won't be as
silly as you were today

by taking her out
in the carriage.

Giuliana
is pregnant.

- Pregnant?
- Yes

- She told you?
- No, no... I worked it out.

She has had many malaises,
like today.

Nausea, dizzy
spells, you know.

So I asked her and she
said she hoped she was.

But she wanted to be
sure before telling you

She didn't want to disappoint you,
of course.

I've begged
her so many times

to see the doctor because she won't
listen to my advice.

I've told her to look after
herself but she won't listen.

She should be in
her third month.

But don't betray me.
Wait for her to tell you

She made
me promise.

I am so happy!

I have yearned
for this moment!

Now she must
be careful.

The first months are
the most dangerous

for her
most of all.

She's so frail

our dear, dear child.

Goodnight mother.
I'm going upstairs

so if she wakes
up I'll hear her.

You'll wait
for the doctor?

If Giuseppe had found him,
he'd be here by now.

- If you need anything
- No, thanks, goodnight.

Tullio...

Don't leave.
I'm afraid of being alone.

What have you taken?
A sleeping pill?

Tullio.

Have you
slept here all night?

- What happened?
- You asked me not to leave you alone.

I did?
When?

You do not remember?

No.

I took a
sleeping pill.

Maybe I took
more than usual.

Since when do you take sleeping pills?
Does the doctor know?

Yes

Show me what
you take.

I don't remember
where I put it.

Wait

I think...

I must have finished it,

and thrown out the bottle.

Is what my mother
told me true?

That you're pregnant?

Yes, it's true.

I wanted to tell you.

I tried to yesterday
at Villa Lilla.

Is that why you left Rome?

Yes. But I
didn't know then.

- And he followed you.
- Followed me? Who?

It was all over
before I came here.

Before I knew
that I was...

like this

I had found the strength
to overcome my confusion.

I was very lonely.
Very sad.

I'm not justifying myself
or accusing you.

I'm desperate.
Desperate.

But I come last.
What about you?

The same right
applied to you as to me.

We were two friends,
two free people.

You could too.

It wasn't to claim a right.
I never felt I had one.

I swore eternal fidelity to you,
in front of God.

It was different
for you.

But for me...

There is one thing
that I want to know

And it is uniquely
important

I'm no longer interested
in our past life together.

But I've changed a lot
in these last few days.

- And yesterday at Villa Lilla
- No, please.

No, let me finish.

Yesterday I
found you again.

And I believed you'd
like to start from scratch.

For a moment I felt
that all I'd been through

was nothing but a dream,
a nightmare.

It was you and I,
like when we just got married

Are you being
sincere?

Nobody must
suspect anything, understand?

Why?

Do you want me
to stay with you?

Yes

Seeing you're awake...

I came all the way
here to tell you that

I am enrolled in the
international championship

I need some lessons.

So I won't discredit the family.

- Coming down?
- I'll be with you right away.

- Hello, Giuliana
- Hello, Federico

Touché,
Bravo

Why don't you take my
place in the championship?

You still fence beautifully

I'll make more of an
effort now. Ready?

Careful, boys.
Don't hurt yourselves.

Stop it.

What are you doing?
Are you crazy?

We're off the board.

I want a return match.

Not now,
I am tired

That's enough boys.

The doctor is with Giuliana.

If you want to talk to him,
you'd better see him.

All is good

But he wants Giuliana to
stay in bed a few days.

It's safer.

Anyway, he'll tell you.

Go up.

No, I am sweating.
I want to change.

I'd keep him waiting.
Apologise for me.

It's no use pretending
I don't know anything.

As you can imagine,
mother told me already

I am really happy.

That way she'll stop
nagging me to marry.

The heir is guaranteed.
Congratulations

May I congratulate
Giuliana too?

No, leave
it for now.

Better Mother had kept quiet.
Giuliana is not well

She may lose the child

But the doctor said...
Didn't you hear?

Even last time
Giuliana got pregnant...

soon after we
got married,

the doctor said
everything was fine

but it wasn't.

If you leave abruptly...

without the doctor's consent,
my mother would be so upset.

So you'd better
stay a few more days.

I'll go to Rome to make arrangements
with Dr Magli.

I'll have to give
him some details.

How many
months ahead are you?

I finished the second one
a few days ago.

I don't think there's
any danger at this stage...

if one takes the
necessary precautions.

I don't understand.

You're not thinking
of keeping it, are you?

Last time you lost it
through natural causes

and this will help
cover up for this one.

I'm referring to the
family who know you're pregnant.

I know what to
say to Dr Magli.

But I can't.

- What can't you?
- I can't.

Why not? Are you
afraid or don't you want to?

I can't because
it's a crime.

A crime.

How could you
think that I...?

But you're quite
happy to give my name

and my family's
affection to a stranger

Isn't that a crime?

Why won't
you answer me?

I said that I want
to help you.

I love you and I bear no
grudge for what you have done.

I am grateful to you,
very grateful, but...

But what?

You have said
it's all over.

That you want to
put it behind you.

So it's not true.

Because if it were so,
how could you and I...

Yes, I admit
it's impossible.

I must leave you.
It's over between us.

Listen, Giuliana, the real
crime is the one you want to commit.

First you torment
yourself with remorse

but then you forgive
yourself from that sin

and torment yourself
about the consequences

and the absolution
is a life sentence...

but not only for you. Can't you
see how absurd your behaviour is?

I am an atheist.

But that doesn't mean
I don't have moral problems.

On the contrary, I'm
aware of the consequences.

Because God doesn't decide
what's right or wrong for me

I assume my
responsibilities.

You see, I
know that my sins

if I've committed any

can't be redeemed
through repentance

or by punishment.

I am a free man

Earth is my only country.
I have no other destination.

My story begins
and ends here.

I don't have
a hell to fear

or a heaven
to hope for.

I believe we can
only count on ourselves.

What I'm proposing
isn't an easy way out.

My solution faces

the truth of existence.

It doesn't seek
refuge in faith

or in a god created
by our imagination

who, in another life,
grants rewards or penances.

If I could
think like you...

have your self-assurance...

You could live your life freely,
to the fullest...

without fear.

Think it over carefully.
It's entirely up to you.

I'll go to Rome
to make the arrangements.

You'll join me as
soon as possible.

I need a favour.

You must let me meet your
friend Filippo D'Arborio

Do I have to come
to Rome for that?

Send him an invitation.

He'll be delighted to come.
We're good friends.

Besides, he'll rush
here to see Giuliana again.

They met one evening at my
house and he was love struck.

I don't even want to tell
you how much I teased him.

I don't want to invite him.
I want to...

It must be a
chance meeting.

You invite him
and I'll just turn up.

It is a delicate matter
which I cannot explain to you

It's also my fault.

We didn't expect
you in this heat.

And since the house
needed a thorough cleaning

including the carpets

So I thought...

Put the house in order.

My wife will be
arriving next week.

- Who is in the house?
- The cook, Virginia, Alfredo...

Any further orders, sir?

What is that?

Ah yes, I need someone
to deliver a letter.

I will send the coachman
or I can go myself, if you like.

You may leave.
I'll call when I'm ready.

Well?

I'd have joined you,
as I said in my letter.

Not even for a moment
I thought that you'd return so soon.

You're contradicting yourself.

You knew I would.

In fact today you sent your
butler to my home, not to Paris.

I hadn't heard from you,
so before leaving...

Did you expect
me to believe

that you'd
join me in Paris?

No.

You see?
I did well to come here.

Contrary to common belief

I believe truth is
never said to one's face.

There are too
many factors which

intervene in our
intimacy, so...

one usually ends up
not understanding anything.

Understanding what?

That you're over it,
my dear.

Quickly, in fact.

Very quickly.

It's not pleasant for a
woman to be abandoned.

There are those
ready to pity her

and I don't want that.

There are those who
question her charm

and I don't
want that either.

You sent me a note when I
was already on the train

saying that you had
serious family matters.

Oh, come on now!

Not even a mere clerk
would resort to that.

I really believed a
catastrophe had occurred.

I wanted to go to Paris,
yes, to have fun.

And when I arrived
there, I didn't even unpack.

I came straight back

thinking that if you
had such serious problems,

you might want
me by your side.

My friends
will surely laugh

when I tell
them the story

of my fall.

What are
you saying?

Shall we still
dine together?

As you wish

No compliments.

Please, Teresa...

You're the only person in the
world to whom I may tell my story one day.

I hope that this
will be our last day.

Good Evening

Here

Thank you

Thank you

Here. Let's go

Thank you

Good evening.
Excuse me.

My brother Federico.
Countess Raffo

Countess.

Osvaldo said
you were here.

I'm terribly upset about,
I mean, rather...

I looked into that matter
but couldn't find my friend.

I last saw him
before going to camp.

I didn't even know
he'd gone to Africa.

In Africa, to do what?

Right now he's in
hospital in the isolation ward.

His condition
is very serious.

A disease he
caught there.

Perhaps, Countess, you
know this friend of mine too.

Filippo D'Arborio,
the writer.

We've met.

I am one of
his admirers

I've been told
he's between life and death.

The truth is that
they know nothing

about tropical diseases,

and they don't
know how to treat him.

Too much sad
news this evening

I am sorry to be the
bearer of this.

I'm truly sorry.

Drop in to see me
when you get home.

I'm staying out late.

Nevermind, I'll wait.

Very well.

Good night.

You know what?

I'm suffering
less than I thought.

One day I might listen
to what you have to say.

What's wrong?

- Nothing
- What do you mean?

- Nothing.
- The door was open.

You told me to
come at any hour.

Ah yes, I wanted...

I wanted to know which
hospital D'Arborio is in.

In the Policlinico,
in quarantine.

No one is allowed
near him.

Now you must tell me
what you want from him.

When you asked
to meet him

I thought you suspected
something between D'Arborio

and Teresa Raffo.

It's plausible...

since all the ladies in
Rome are in love with him.

Besides, your
lovely Teresa Raffo,

no offence meant,
of course,

isn't the type to
refuse a flirt.

But no, I found out they
barely know each other.

You saw it yourself.

She didn't
know he was ill.

And so? What are
all these mysteries?

I can't tell
you anything

It's an issue
that concerns

a friend.

Well, I'm going to bed.
It's dawn.

Can you at
least tell me

when he left for Africa?

I'll find out,

but tell your friend
to leave him in peace.

D'Arborio is ill, very ill.

He is a man who
deserves respect

He is not only a great
writer but an angel as well

He's the only person
who makes me feel ashamed...

or almost.

Why?

If you think about it,
you might realise why.

We're intelligent,
we've studied.

We've travelled.

We enjoy ourselves so much,
we're so rich...

and then?

- What's all this nonsense?
- I don't know.

Goodnight.

At what time are we
going to the Club?

You owe me a
return match.

I don't know.

I don't know what
will happen tomorrow.

- It depends
- Goodnight

Good morning.

Mrs. Giuliana sent me to
get her lighter clothes.

It's hot at the
Badiola now too.

Didn't she say she
was coming to Rome?

No, Sir.

I'm sorry, I
almost forgot.

It's from
Madam Giuliana.

I also have to do a few
things for your mother.

I hope I'll be
able to leave tonight.

If you have any orders...

No, it's Ok.
I'll get there before you.

I can't do
what you asked.

I'd rather leave.
Get out of your life.

I can't commit a crime.

- I spoke to...
- To whom?

With my confessor.

Did he tell you to leave?

No, but he agrees.

I hope that my family will
give the child their name.

And why not
its father's?

No, he must
never know.

Do you really
mean that?

Do you realise what will
happen if you leave me?

It's not the scandal
I'm worried about.

But your situation
as a single mother

Who, to save her child
deprives it of a father.

If I were sure
that your decisions

stemmed only from your
moral and religious convictions

If I felt you were
mine and mine alone

I could stand anything.

Children belong to whoever
educates and raises them.

FILIPPO D'ARBORIO IS DEAD

Maria, did
my wife call?

No, Sir, but she asked me
to wake her at 9 o'clock.

Wait a minute.

You can go.

May I?

Good morning, Madam.
It's 9 o'clock.

Come in.

I have been up for a while.

Good morning

What's the weather like?

It's sunny.

Have you seen it?

FILIPPO D'ARBORIO IS DEAD

I was told in Rome
that he was seriously sick.

I told you, right?

How strange.

I would have sworn
I told you about it.

A tropical disease he
contracted in Africa.

Why won't
you look at me?

What are you thinking?

Why torture yourself?

Here is the doctor

I'll show him in.

- Good evening Doctor.
- Good evening. Is the midwife here?

Yes she is.

This way, Doctor.

- Is the doctor here?
- I'm here.

- Come quickly.
- I have something to tell you.

And I'll do so in the
presence of my mother.

Last time you
examined my wife

you said we may be
faced with a choice.

Let it be clear,

and I take full
responsibility

that, should this
unfortunate situation arise

we want the
mother saved.

I sincerely hope...

that we won't be
faced with this choice.

But I'm grateful to you

for taking full
responsibility.

- As you know, the Catholic religion...
- I know.

It's an immoral and criminal precept.
But it doesn't concern me.

Come doctor.

Breathe

Good, long breaths.

Another long push.

Very good, very good.

Mr. Tullio!
Mr. Tullio!

Mr. Tullio! Mr. Tullio

Here's is your boy.

He's already
opened his eyes.

They're both safe
and sound. We made it.

Congratulations,
he's a beautiful baby.

All has gone well,
Sir Tullio.

You may go in now
to see Mrs Giuliana

but do not let anybody
else enter the room.

She's going through
some brief crisis.

She's well
but very weak.

It is nothing,
do not worry.

Yes, she's had a strange
psychological reaction.

She won't
see the child.

She's crying.

Isn't he beautiful?
God bless him.

Raimondo. Grandma's
Raimondo.

Isn't he the world's
most beautiful baby?

Look at his eyes.

Please don't cry in front of
your uncle, treasure.

He's so good. He
just eats and sleeps.

Look at his hands.

He'll be tall.
Isn't he gorgeous?

He's just like
all other babies.

I can only
tell foals apart.

- You should see Zara's
- What?

He's a splendid silvery grey.
But babies...

You're just saying
that to make me angry.

What do you
know about babies?

When you were born you were ugly,
red and wrinkled.

You weren't like him.
He's beautiful.

Tell this to Tullio instead of
being silly

You must say: Tullio your son is a
little ray of sunshine.

- Must I be the one?
- Yes

Nurse, shut the windows.
It's cold today.

- Right away Madam.
- Today is not a nice day.

Are you scared I'll say to Tullio
and Giuliana the foal is better?

Don't worry, Mother.

I'll tell them I've
never seen such beauty

and that I'll be
proud to be his godfather.

What's wrong?

You joke about it.

But I am desperate.

Desperate.

What are you saying?

You have no idea!

I'm not upset
with Giuliana.

Even the doctor said...

...it's a reaction to stress.

But your brother...

So strange!

Before he was worried for her,
and that's understandable,

but now that
all has gone well

they never
see the child.

As if he didn't exist.

They don't
even mention him.

The only thing your
brother told me is

if we want a baptism,
it must be private.

No reception,

nothing.

You scared me for a
moment! Is that it?

You know that
Tullio isn't religious.

He has his own ideas.

We'll celebrate
some other time.

- Is that what upsets you?
- Yes, a lot.

And above all

they keep to their room,
by themselves. They're hostile.

But no,
this is good news

We won't have to
bother with the party

and Tullio and
Giuliana are so in love

they forget
they have a son.

Perk up, all
will go well

Tullio will
come into church...

as he did for
his wedding.

Right?

And Raimondo?

Is it decided? Will
they call him that?

Your crazy husband is
really upsetting Mother

You shouldn't have come to church

and hide in a corner

I asked mother and nurse

to join us for some champagne

to calm her down.

It's champagne,
not holy water!

Come in.

Oh! Good,
come, come

No, not here,
in the other room.

Giuliana mustn't get tired.
You may go.

Let's go, Federico.

Do you really
not want us here?

Why don't you come?

The doctor said
you can move a bit.

I think it
would do you good.

Come on, make
an effort.

- Hurry up Federico
- For me

Go, go. I'll
see you later.

Let's have a nice
Christmas to please mother too.

Try to come up
with something.

Do not count on me,
I won't be here

Really, you're not
staying for the festivities?

Mother said that...

I am sorry to disappoint
her but I have changed my mind.

I can't make it

I'm sorry but I don't
like the atmosphere here.

I love you all, but I
have my problems too.

And I want to spend
my holidays in peace.

I will celebrate
elsewhere.

Has he eaten?

I hoped to
find him awake.

Will he be
warm enough?

His little
hands feel cold.

Shall we put
his mittens on?

No, no, Madam,
do not worry

He's nice and warm.

Don't worry.
He won't wake up.

It is soothing for
children to hear our voices...

knowing they're not alone.

You go to bed too
Nurse, goodnight

Goodnight, Madam.

I've been watching
you cuddle him at night.

Go during daylight.

Why don't you tell the
world how much you love him?

Don't lie.

Have the courage
to speak the truth.

I went in because
I thought someone called.

It has happened before.

It's like they're calling me
to tell me something is wrong.

That's not true.

I've seen you sneak
out in the dark before.

Trying not
to make noise.

What's wrong
with that?

You do the
same thing.

Nurse told me.

It's true, it's true.

But it's not
the same thing.

I try to discover your
secret by watching you

I try to force
myself to forget

but I can't, I can't.

And I damn the day I
accepted this torture.

And you've changed.

You're happy now.

That's why I can't
stop looking at him.

And you don't care
that I'm suffering.

You love him.

And by loving him,
you're loving his father.

You know that's
not true.

I even wanted him to
die when he was born.

It's awful
but it's true.

His presence
distresses me, too.

Yes, I despise him...

...for the pain
he's causing you.

I can't see you like this.
Why do you not believe me?

I swear I despise him.

Is that what
you think?

Yes, because he
has come between us.

I would like
you and I to...

Take me away.

We will be happy
away from here.

We'll leave after Christmas.
I promise.

Mother is waiting downstairs.
We're going to mass.

- Your cape, Madam.
- Fine. I will wait for to you here

Won't you
wear my present?

It does not seem the right event,
it is too opulent.

Nonsense.

It pleases
the peasants..

...to see their
masters well dressed.

The bells have already
rung twice Madam!

We must hurry.

It's Ok.

Good evening.
Good evening.

Nanny, you can go
to mass if you want.

I'll stay here.

Thank you, Sir Tullio.
I will go.

The baby is
fast asleep anyway.

Goodnight, Sir. Tullio.
Merry Christmas

Goodnight.

Giuseppe, serve
supper immediately.

Of course, Madam...
Immediately

Yet another Christmas
has passed

And we'll be leaving.

You promised

After Christmas.

When are we leaving?

Whenever you want,
tomorrow if you want.

Madam!

What is it?

Come. The child
isn't breathing.

My God!

Doctor, quick.

He's not breathing! He's not breathing!
He's not breathing!

He's not breathing
anymore Doctor.

Oh my God,
my God, my God!

I don't want to. I do not want
you to go in there

Why not?

Stay with me,
I am so afraid.

Come with me.

Come with me.

Mr. Hermil,
Mr. Hermil!

No! It can't be!
It can't be!

Is he dead?

Yes

Get off, get off me,
don't touch me!

I am not your
accomplice.

Be quiet, Giuliana,
I beg you.

I beg you.

- You did it
- Quiet. You knew all along.

It's your fault!
I hate you.

No, you said
you hated him.

No, I wanted to
save him from you.

I did my utmost
to save him.

But what are
you saying?

Yes, everything I did
with you was to save him.

Only to save him.

Now, for the
rest of my days

I will have to live
with this mark on my soul.

My God, help me!

May you be as
unhappy as I am, Tullio.

You're lying to yourself.

You've always wanted him to die.

Listen to me, not even for a moment...

...did I want to get rid of him.

Because I loved him,
my poor baby...

I only pretended to hate him.

You must know that

so you'll understand
it's truly over.

I loved and always will
love that baby's father.

To the end
of my days,

I can but hate you.

Hate you.

And despise you.

Women have the
extraordinary capacity

to adapt the reality

to the romantic ideals
of the worst literature.

My wife's adventure
with Filippo D'Arborio lasted...

but a fleeting
moment.

Just like many
of your friends

who fell for the
fashionable scribe

who had the misfortune
to contract a disease

which sent him
back to his maker.

That's all.

I'm only sorry that I
helped to contribute elements

to this appalling
second rate novel.

You don't
really believe

that you caused the
death of that innocent?

You see,
it's strange..

But newborn babies have an
extraordinary resistance.

The cold didn't
kill it.

So don't feel
any remorse.

He must have
died because...

No, that does not
have any importance

As far as
I'm concerned

it's the intention
that counts.

And there are no
doubts about my intentions.

I knew with full clarity
what I was doing.

I feel no remorse and
I'm not justifying myself.

I'm not touched by
man's justice because...

no court on Earth would
sit in judgement on me.

Have I bored
you? Sorry.

It's still early.

We can still spend
some time together.

That would give
me great pleasure.

I like your home.

I've tried to picture
it so many times,

but never
succeeded.

It's strange,
you know,

because it
resembles you.

It really does.

- With all your beauty.
- And my ugliness.

What is there
that's ugly?

I want you
to tell me.

There's no rush.

I have to look
carefully...

and think about it.

- Will you offer me a drink?
- Of course.

So? Have
you decided?

What is there in
me that's ugly?

Now I'll tell you.

Let me drink
first.

I shouldn't.
I drank a lot at dinner.

But you've
plunged me...

into such melancholy.

Let's do it in order.

You asked me before what I
thought about what you told me

Now I'll tell you.

I believe you're even
more in love with your wife.

So much in love
that you're pitiful.

That's not true.

I admit that my last
experiences with her

have been intoxicating.

Both murky and morbid,
if you like.

Only the pure ones are
capable of such excess

Think of the
life of ascetics.

You're in
love with her.

And for the first
time you feel defeated.

Your two rivals
cannot be vanquished

because they're dead.

Poor Tullio.

What nonsense are you saying?

If there's a loser in
this mournful story

it's my wife.

She, who has decided to live
among the ghosts of the graveyards,

instead of living
her life freely.

And who obstinately
refuses to believe

that our problems should
be solved here on earth

and not in a
hypothetical afterlife.

I instead am
here with myself

Without illusions,
without regrets.

The day I no longer
have a taste for life...

feel no curiosity...

I would end it all.

Those are the
things one says.

But there comes a time
when one ceases to live

and begins
merely to exist.

But we don't realise it

and we are unfortunate
enough to do so,

our hopes turn
to eternal life.

That is not my case,
I swear.

What do you know?

You're always so
sure of yourself.

But no one knows
what the future holds.

Not even you.

Less than
a year ago

you spent your
nights beneath my windows

crazy with
desire and jealousy.

And I

committed all kinds of
follies to smother my love for you.

I wonder
why you men

raise us up
with one hand

and drag us down
with the other.

Why won't you let
us walk by your side?

As one being
next to another?

A woman next to a man.

Nothing more,
nothing less

Of course

if I decided to
live by your side...

Live by my side?

But I don't love you anymore,
my darling.

You are a monster.

Not because of
what you've told me tonight.

After all,

that's just the natural
conclusion to everything.

You are the most attractive man
I ever held in my arms.

But, if one day I
became aware

that I am in
control of my life.

I wouldn't want to
feel unworthy of it.

Now leave me
alone Tullio.

What would happen
if I slept here?

Are you tired?

Maybe I had too
much to drink.

Don't sleep.
I beg you.

Impossible.

I'm tired.

Do not sleep,
please.

I want to show
you my conclusion.