Quest for the Mighty Sword (1990) - full transcript

"Quest for the mighty sword"
closed captioned

This man has been found
guilty of rape.

He accepts
prince ator's sentence.

[ Horn sounds ]

My son.

I saw my death
last night in a dream.

An eagle flew
above my bed.

You will learn
that men are powerless

against the will of the gods.

That is why I wanted you
here with me today--

on the day of justice.



The condemned have appealed
to the justice of the gods.

Prince ator has
accepted their plea.

He will spare their lives

if they can overcome
the divine power

of the sword of
the sacred graal

in combat.

Thorn, you gave me this sword
to bring justice to men.

Grant that it will
once again guide my arm.

Ohh! Auggh!

When Thorn wills it,

he will return to reclaim
this sword--

either this sword
or my life.

Justice is needed
more among men

than among gods.



So remember, son,

whatever happens,

this sword must
belong to ator.

Thorn: Ator!

I recognize you, Thorn.

Here I am.

I'm ready.

Before my people...

Before my own son...

I will not dishonor myself
by surrendering my sword!

No!

Do not kill ator,thorn!

He has shown wisdom
in all his doings,

and he has never offended you.

He has always
respected your will,

and he has tried
to create justice
among the akili.

You'll pay for this,
dejanira!

Ha ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha!

You will be imprisonedby fire until a mortal arrives

and has the strengthto break through the flames.

But on that day,

you will lose the divine powerthat Thorn granted you,

as punishment for havingpreferred a mortal to him.

Poor dejanira.

She's still servingher sentence,

paying the price

for having allowed herselfhuman feelings.

What mortal would
have the strength

to overcome
Thorn's fire?

The man who willbe rendered invincible

by the divine swordof the sacred graal.

That sword belongs to me.

My father left it to me!

No, ator, not yet.

Grindel has hiddenthe two fragments of the sword.

And he will doeverything he can

to break the promisehe gave to your mother, sunn.

You--

you are grindel,
aren't you?

So, you know me.

In that case,why are you afraid?

Am I so ugly?

No.ha ha ha ha!

On the contrary,you find me disgusting!

All women find the verysight of US repugnant.

That is why wehave no children.

No, you wouldn'thave cried out

if I had been a handsome,blond prince.

Ha ha ha ha!

Especially now thatyou are a widow!

I am sunn,
Princess of the akili,

wife of ator.

Not any longer,my dear sunn.

Not any longer.

Now you are merely a woman.

What do you wantfrom me?

I have brought you
the sword of the sacred graal.

Why bring it to me?

Only you can forge it
and bring back its magic power.

Its power is no use to me.

I have my own power.

It is for my son.

You must re-forge it
and give it to him
on his 18th birthday.

And why must I do that?

Because it is
destined so.

Anyway, don't you regret
not having any children?

Raise him as you would
your own son.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

But what aboutthe conception?

The act of conceptionhas not been carried out.

At least as faras i'mconcerned.

Ha ha ha ha!

Besides, I am entitledto ask you something in return.

No, if you want to know,

I never ask for anything.

I takewhat I want!

Can I do anything elsefor you?

Yes. You can help me die.

Death and beautyare unsuitable companions.

Beauty soon fades
in a widow.

And the law does not allow
that a princes's wife

outlive her husband.

The laws of menhold no sway in my cave.

It is also
the law of my heart.

As you wish,

but at least allow me to makeyour parting from this world

a sweet one.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Caw! Caw!

Caw! Caw!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha!

Are you sure I put in
all the right ingredients?

Caw! Caw!

With this,

death will come to youlike a sweet dream.

Now I would like to be
alone with my son.

Soon I will have
left this world forever.

Soon I will be
joining your father.

We will watch over you together.

From now on, old grindel
will take care of you.

And when the sword
becomes yours,

you will make the world ring
with your exploits.

Now sleep, my child...

My son.

Ha ha ha ha!

Grindel gave heran erotic potion

instead of poison.

And for that onehideous embrace,

the gods condemned your motherto eternal madness.

Grindel...

I'll kill him!

Rest assured, ator,

your revenge
is not far off.

So my motheris not dead.

No.

She wanders aimlessly
throughout eressea,

condemned to
repeat her sin
eternally

in the most vile
and depraved places.

Why are youtelling me all this?

Because you have
been chosen by fate

to accomplish
great things.

You must return
to middle world.

The path lies
to the east,

but it has been lost.

You must find a way

so the akili can
return to their home.

Don't worry, go on.

Nephele:
I will come back.

Caw! Caw!

I knew it!

His head in the clouds,

alwayswith his head
in the clouds!

And the nets are empty.

Now what am I goingto bring the giant animals

for their supper, eh?

Your giants
will eat well today.

Good. I'm pleased, ator.

Here, take this.
Drink it.

It will give younew energy.

I'd prefer water
from the river.

I have a surprise for you.

[ Crow caws ]

Soon you will be eighteen.

But I wanted to fulfill
my promise in advance.

Here is the sword
of the sacred graal.

[ Grindel laughs ]

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

So, that's what
you would have done

if you had the real sword.

I learned long ago

that the race of man
was not to be trusted.

Since men came
to this world,

they have created
nothing but evil

and destruction
in our land!

You're like all men, ator.

And when the moment comes

for me to relinquish
the sword,

I'll know what to expect.

Dejanira!

It wasn't just a trick.

I wanted you to see
dejanira in the flesh.

I have neverseen anything so beautiful!

And she remains imprisoned
by Thorn's fire.

You are the only mortal

who can overcome
the divine flames.

Where does Thorn keep her?

When you have the sword,

I'll show you
where she is.

[ Clang of hammer
on anvil ]

Ohh!

Ha ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha!

Ohh!

I'm going to kill you--

I don't trust youto be left alone anymore.

You will regain your sight

when I come back.

Unh!

[ Crow caws ]

Caw! Caw! Caw!

[ Crow caws ]

Ha ha ha ha!

Get up, beast!

There's work to be done!

I think I'll leave youin the dark a little longer.

That way we'll avoidany nasty surprises.

Grindel!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Here--right in the middle.

Caw! Caw! Caw!

Caw! Caw! Caw!

Nephele!

Nephele! Where are you?

Do you recognize
this sword?

This is the sword
of the sacred graal!

It will put an end
to dejanira's punishment!

Nephele!
Keep your promise!

Nephele: Follow the path to the east.

Remember, ator.

Every human, every animal,

and every plant
may conceal Thorn.

Not even the sword
is enough to defeat

the king of the gods.

I understand that now.

What must a mortal doto free his love?

You must free the treasure
of the kingdom of the west

and offer it to the gods.

I'm ready.

Nephele: My journey
ends here, ator.

Yours is still long,
but you must travel it alone.

And never rely
on the gods to help you.

Look at the remains--

that's what's left of those
who tried to steal the treasure

of the kingdom of the west.

You still have time
to escape your destiny.

You know
I can't escape.

Dejanira is
my destiny.

The treasure is kept
in the inner cave.

But first
you must overcome
ider and erec.

They're almost
invincible.

One attacks
with his sword,

and the other defends
with his shield.

But if you can
separate them,

perhaps you can
defeat them.

Goodbye, ator.

I know I won't
see you again,

but who will show me the roadthat leads to dejanira?

Your heart...

And the glow of
Thorn's barrier of fire.

[ Clatter ]

You are not real,my love...

But soon you will be free.

Great and powerful gods!

I offer you
the richest treasure

in all the lands
of the west!

Ator.

Yes...

I am ator.

Son of prince ator,

who you once tried
to save from Thorn.

Now I'm here to save you.

From now on,

you will no longerlive forever like the gods.

You will live and die
like a mortal!

[ Explosion ]

It is the wrath of Thorn--
we must go!

I may have lostsome of my immortality,

but I brought secretsfrom the gods with me.

You realize thornwill give US no peace.

Love cannot be
destroyed by force.

When we reach the middle world,
Thorn will stop chasing US.

And it will never have to fear
his magic tricks and deceit.

And man's tricksand deceits?

At least man's tricks
are predictable.

[ Exotic music plays ]

I'’ll decide when the game is finished

of course, why didn'’t
you say so.

I just did.

Okay... okay,
I heard you.

It'’s all your fault, you bring bad luck

It's not
possible!

It's not
your day.

It was you who
insisted on playing.

I'm sorry,
but no money,
no dice.

Wait--

I'll bet the girl!

She's mine,
I paid for her!

She's a good beast--
look!

I'm sorry, I only
play for money.

No disrespect to you.

Pick up those dice!

Leave him be!

Thanks, friend.

It's real easy
to play the hero
with that.

Get out!
Out of here!

Get out!

Every time
you come here,

you bring trouble!

It's not her fault!

Not her fault?!

Couldn't you
have helped her?

I couldn't.

You just sat there.

You will understand why,later, ator.

Couldn'’t you have helped her?

I couldn'’t

you just sat there.

You will understand why later.

Who is he?

He is ator,

lord of the akili.

His father,
also called ator,

was given
the great sword of graal

in order that ator
might bring justice

to his people

and lead them back to their homein the middle world.

He will be mine.

You disappeared.

You shouldn'thave been afraid.

Why did you defend me?

They were hurting you.

That's part of
my profession.

Don't humiliate yourself.

I have to repay you
for what you did.

What do you thinkyou're doing?

I have to pay with
the only thing I have.

Please--

please.

I don't want anythingfrom you.

Why do youhumiliate yourself?

Because that is the punishment
the gods have inflicted on me.

When doesthis punishment end?

When a man looks at me
not as a woman,

but as a mother.

What is your name?

I am ator,prince of the akili.

Mother?

You knew.

Yes, ator.

I know the secretsof the gods.

But now that I am mortal,i am not allowed to reveal them.

Now your punishment
is over, mother.

At last you're
at father's side.

Beyond the swamps liesthe kingdom of the east,

and further on liesthe path we seek.

Do you really think
a world can exist

which is subject
to gods different
from our own?

Even if such a thingwere possible,

only the nameswould be different.

Gods are the same everywhere.

[ Grunting sounds ]

Do you want to stop
and rest a while?

We can rest whenwe get out of here.

What are you afraid of?

The swamps are the hiding placeof the evil spirits.

They are the spiesof the gods.

I'm not afraid, ator.

I just don't like it here

because I don't likebeing spied on.

Let's go.

Where were you?
I was waiting for you.

Dinner is ready.

Ha ha ha ha!

Well, after what happened
back at the tavern,

I wanted to
repay you.

You don't seem the type
to repay his debts.

I've never had a debt before.
I'm a cheat, remember?

Ha ha ha ha ha!

But there's one thing
I regret.

What?

Well, that I don't
owe you anything anymore.

We'd have never gottenout of that swamp alive.

No, that's not
what I mean.

It's just that, well,

I don't have a reason
to follow you anymore.

Then stop following US.

Join US...
If you want.

Where are you going?

To the east.

Why?

To find the path back
to the middle world.

Aaah!!!

[ Dejanira screams ]

Ator, they were
hagen's men--

soldiers from
the kingdom of the east.

You know no one is supposed to
enter when I'm here, hagen.

The importanceof the news I bring you

forces me to disobeyyour instructions.

I hope so--
for your own sake.

It concerns dejanira.

She has falleninto our hands.

What did you say?
In whose hands?

If anyone has
lifted a finger
on her,

I'll hold you
personally responsible.

We have done our best,your majesty.

Where is she?Here.

What? Here?
In my castle?

Oh, hagen, I don't know
what I'd do without you.

Take me to her at once.

If you'll permit me,your majesty,

I suggest you prepare yourselfproperly for the encounter.

As you know,the first impressionis the one that counts.

I suppose you're right.
What shall I do, hagen?

[ Woman screaming ]

Aaah!

That's enough for today.

[ Bell rings ]

I don't want those screams
to disturb dejanira.

Why were you so anxious
for me to appear so proper?

That's what you said,
wasn't it?

Are you afraid dejanira
won't love me?

It's only right.

Dejanira is noordinary woman.

It won't be easyto persuade her togive herself to you.

Besides--

all I want to do
is see her.

You can hide me.
Let me see her, hagen.

Now do you understandwhy even a god

wanted to marry her, hagen?

I want all of my subjectsto be present at our wedding.

Start makingthe preparationsimmediately.

Everything will be
as you wish, your majesty.

But we have
all the time
in the world.

We must make her
forget ator first.

It won't be easy.

Ator again? I thoughti told you to kill him!

Ator? Where isator?

Your majesty.

Be carefulwhat you say, hagen.

Choose your wordscarefully.

I'm not under your spell,like my brother.

Ator will be yours,
Princess,

just as dejanira
is prince Gunther's.

Don't forget, Gunther--

until ator is mine,

you won't lay a fingeron dejanira.

Ator will do
everything he can

to get dejanira back.

Don't worry--

he'll be here soon,
verysoon.

Now, with your permission...

Well, they seemrelaxed enough.

There's onlytwo guards.

Ator: Dejanira!

Ator, my love!

We didn't want to start
until you arrived.

There is no need
for weapons.

It has all been
a terrible mistake.

Prince Gunther wants
to apologize to you.

It is a great honor for
my master to receive ator,

prince of the akili,
in his castle.

Tales of your deeds
have even reached
our kingdom.

Enter, ator, and be seated
at prince Gunther's table,

so that he may repay you.

Gunther's unfortunate sister,
the Princess grimilda,

has been kidnapped
by an enemy.

Our soldiers
thought they found her

when they saw dejanira.

I can assure you
they have already paid

for their unforgivable mistake.

So everythinghas been settled?

My master is ready to
Grant your every request

if you will forgive
the misunderstanding.

We need suppliesfor a few days.

You are as modest
as you are brave.

At dawn my servants
will have everything
waiting for you.

I need them now.

Your...mastershould not be insulted.

We have far to go.

Under the circumstances,
your wish is my command.

You're a genius.

You're an absolute genius,hagen.

I don't know how to thank you

for finding sucha brilliant solution

to our problems.

I ask only to
serve you still more,
my prince.

I want to lift
the burden of government

from your shoulders

so that you can serenely
dedicate yourself

to the beautiful dejanira
and to your works of art.

Your wish shallbe granted, hagen.

You know I haveno taste for politics.

And anyhow, every rulerneeds a hidden accomplice.

Right, hagen?

Your majesty.

Your life, my death--
what can we do?

Those are the rules.

[ Chuckling ]

Is he alwaysunderfoot?

What do you mean?

Skiold saved our lives,

then risked his own
to free you.

The honor of his deedsshould be reward enough.

This doesn't
sound like you.

And your eyes are
strangely cold.

Did something happen
in Gunther's castle?

No, no, my love,

it's only that I wantto be alone with you.

Yes, but it's not
up to US.

Skiold's our friend,
we can't ask him to leave.

That would be wrong.

Skiold?

Skiold!

Skiold!

Skiold!

Why?!
Why, why, why?!

Perhaps it is stilltoo soon, my prince.

You must be patient.

I'd do anything for her.

I'd dedicate
my whole existence to her.

Bring her to me
immediately!

Bring her in!

Release her!

How can you
do this to me?

Why do you want to
break my heart?

I didn't need proof--

it was hagen's idea
to test you.

Wasn't it, hagen?

But hagen was right,
because you tried to escape,

which is proof you'd betray me
if you had the opportunity.

Dejanira, swear you'll
never try it again.

I'll give you
everything I have.

I'll even give you
my throne...

In exchange for
a little love.

Ha ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha!

Take her away!

Take her away!

Only art never betrays.

Look at them, hagen.

My works of artnever try to run away from me.

They're always therewhenever I want them.

They let me touch them,caress them.

Always the same,always smiling.

Dejanira will neverleave me, either!

You'll see, hagen!

You're different.

Something in you
has changed.

Are you saying youdon't love me anymore?

Oh, no.

Can a river stop flowing?
Can the moon stop shining?

Not loving you
would mean not living.

Not even the hounds of hell
could steal my heart from you.

You're wrong, ator.You are mistaken.

Because I have stolenyour heart from dejanira.

Even if only for one night,

you have been mine,body and soul!

You have given yourself to me--

grimilda, Princess of
the kingdom of the east!

Look at me, ator.

You'll pay for this!

Skiold: No!
She's not worth it.

Let her live--it will be
a worse punishment.

You knew.

Dejanira would neverhave spoken to me like that.

We have to hurry.

Dejanira may be
in danger.

I think that dejanirahas nothing to fear for now.

She's been kidnappedfor love.

That's all the more reason
to hurry!

Are you quite certain
of your decision,

your highness?

She will be mine forever.She will never escape me.

And she shall be happy,

because with my own hands

I'll make hereternally beautiful.

And she shall havepride of place,

as her beauty deserves.

Very well, your majesty.

Everything is ready.

Bring her in!

[ Bell rings ]

Leave US alone.

What are you doing, you idiots?!Tie her up first!

No!

Now out of here,
all of you!

[ Gong sounds ]

Let's...

Remove this helmet.

Nothing must spoilthe perfection of your face.

I won't be ableto sculpt your soul,

but it doesn't matter,because that belongs to ator.

But your body will be mine.

Don't be afraid,you'll be marvelous--

you'll be my...Masterpiece.

But statues can't speak.

How will I be able
to answer your questions?

I know, curse you,that statues can't speak!

I wanted a real queen--

you force me to do this.

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Aah!

Skiold--

take this...

You might need it.

Aah!

Aah!
Aaaah!!!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Aaah!

Aaaah!!!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ator is coming!

[ Dejanira screams ]

You will never kill me!

I will become a statue...

A work of art...

A masterpiece--forever!

No, not me!

No! No!!!

Ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha ha!