Twice-Told Tales (1963) - full transcript

Throughout the ages, the
heavens have unleashed their fury...

to make man tremble in
the presence of the unknown.

And as man has witnessed
the power of nature's elements...

so have some men
sought desperately in this...

infinite power the secret of why
they are born and why they will die.

While the very ground on which
they walk, the earth that will bury them...

remains to mock their existence.

My dear Carl, only
the vicissitudes of a lifetime...

a long lifetime vicissitudes that
we have shared almost as brothers...

could've brought me
out on a night such as this

to drink a toast to your birthday.



Of course, if you'd been more considerate...

you might've been born in better weather.

Well perhaps, perhaps the
next time I am born Alex, I'll...

I'll make it a day in spring when
everything else is being born also.

Then here's to both of our next birthdays...

so that we may share an eternity
of the friendship we have known.

Excellent port Carl, excellent.

Worthy of a man who has made life
give him full measure in 79 years.

Full measure?

Oh, how lonely the years
would've been without you Alex.

Only one other person could've
driven the loneliness from my life.

But, what will be will be.

- Alex?
- Yes?

I wonder, my old friend...



- could you do me a favor?
- Yes, of course Carl.

Should I not be here
for a rendezvous with my...

my 80th birthday,
could you please bury this with me?

- A withered rose?
- Yes, well...

not very much to show
for all those years, is it?

But to me, this rose is worth
more than all the world's treasures.

Sylvia gave it to me almost 40 years ago.

Was to wear it on my wedding night.

Excuse me, there's something I must do.

Sylvia, time has come again.

Another milestone has been reached.

I drink to your infinite patience.

Wait for me Sylvia.

The time cannot be much longer
when I will join you there.

Oh Carl, Carl, if you
only knew how wrong it...

was never to have
married because of a memory.

My dear Alex, perhaps I
was capable of loving only once.

And if fate decreed that Sylvia
should die on the eve of our wedding...

Alex, has man ever been able to control fate?

Why not?

Nothing ever stopped me from living
exactly the kind of life that I wanted.

That all depends on what one
wants from life Alex, now, you...

you always needed to be surrounded
with laughter and gaiety, music.

Music is good for the soul.

And nothing melts a lady with
more dispatch than the sob of a violin.

Oh Carl, Carl, what a waste.

Many women other than Sylvia would've
loved you and now there would be children...

Oh no, Sylvia shared everything with me.

Her face filled my dreams,
her warmth gave me courage...

her memory gave me life itself. You, you
think I'd allow another woman to intrude?

But it is not right to live with a ghost.

It was close, was
you with your talk of ghosts.

Oh, I apologize, I, I promise that
I won't bring such lightning again.

The rain is stopping.

I suppose you're
going to blame that on me too.

Alex, look.

That door hasn't been opened in 38 years.

Come my friend, let's see
what damage may have been done.

Carl, Carl, do you think
we ought to go in there?

Afraid of dust and meaningless bones Alex?

You're a doctor, you're used to these things.

Well, as a doctor I can tell
you you're not so far removed...

- from dust and meaningless bones yourself.
- Yeah.

Light the candles Alex please.

Two coffins?

The one that is
fallen is Sylvia's, the other is mine.

You wanted to take your
memories even to the grave, eh?

Water dripping down,
storm must've cracked the ceiling.

Come, come help me put the coffin right.

- Sylvia?
- Oh no Carl, it can't be.

Not after all these years, she would
be dust, that's all that would be left.

Yes, I know.

But it is Sylvia, we both know that.

- Just as beautiful.
- Oh, Carl, Carl, Carl...

put the lid back on the
coffin and let's get out of here.

I'm a doctor Alex,

- I have to know what preserved her body.
- In this I couldn't assist you.

Perfect, perfect.

Flesh is firm, no decomposition.

But why?

Isn't the air in here.

- This vault isn't a vacuum.
- Carl please, let's...

- Alex.
- Yes?

Alex.

Look.

It's still wet as though
water is been dripping on it.

But, of course.

It rained hard tonight and there would
be seepage from the hill above.

No, no Alex, to cause a groove such as this,
water would've had to drip on this coffin...

for a great number of years.

38 years perhaps.

You mean, ever since
Sylvia was put in here, eh?

Yes.

The coffin is wet inside.

The water must've seeped in
through that hole and kept it saturated.

Oh Carl, you can't believe
that just plain water would...

- keep Sylvia looking...
- I didn't say it was just plain water.

Old age is catching up with you, I say
that we go inside and finish our wine, now.

Well Alex...

I thought that my enthusiasm
for research gone a long time ago.

And now and now here
is a challenge that tells me I...

I'm, I'm still alive enough to be curious.

Impossible, simply impossible.

This liquid absolutely defies analysis.

It looks like water.

Taste like water, but it isn't water.
At least, not as man knows it.

You can drink that if you like, I
need something more familiar, whiskey.

Extraordinarily high mineral content.

Sulfur and it practically no bacterial count.

Could it be that this liquid
is some sort of strong germicidal?

If so, what could be in the
earth above the crypt to make it so?

Alex...

could this be some sort of virgin spring?

A liquid so pure that...

very fundamental structure is unknown?

If you've found anything as pure as that in
this sinful world, you are indeed a genius.

I have known such purity only once before.

Sylvia.

Takes such a purity to make a man forget
all other women for as long as he lives.

Now Carl, now that you know
what you don't know about that stuff...

- you mind if we get out of this unholy room?
- Just, just a moment.

There's, there's just
one other test that I must make.

Now what are you going to do with that?

Well, we've seen that this liquid
can preserve the illusion of life.

- Now let us see if can restore it.
- Restore life?

- Yes.
- You're not serious.

It's only an experiment Alex,
are you too old for curiosity?

Alex, you see? It's alive again.

A fragrance as sweet
as the day Sylvia gave it to me.

- You realize what that means?
- No.

No, I'm not sure that I want to know what it
means. Carl, this is the work of the devil.

The devil? He wouldn't have
anything to do with such happiness.

- What do you talking about?
- Alex...

suppose I were to drink some
of this liquid and become young again.

Carl, you're out of your mind.

Don't you see Alex, that
you could drink some too and...

we'll have another life of such friendship.

I'd hardly call that
the work of the devil Alex.

Do you think it's a possibility?

Well, I, I'll be the first to try.

Oh no, what if it should
turn out to be some sort of poison?

You saw the second coffin in the crypt.

My old friend I...

trust you'll make all necessary arrangements.

I'll pray for you.

To Sylvia...

who either brought us
eternal youth or just eternity.

- Well, do you feel anything?
- No.

Carl it, it only
works on things like flowers.

Carl? Carl, Carl, what is it?

Seems I...

I feel faint, feverish.

Carl.

Alex, first look.

My, my face.

Alex...

Tell me, tell me what you see.

Carl, I can't believe it,
you could be your own son.

I can't wait to have you join me.
Come, drink the liquid Alex..

Hurry, hurry.

- Hurry, my old friend.
- Yes, I am hurrying.

Oh, you remember what a
fine figure you cut in your youth?

Tall, handsome, my old friend,
you had the grace of a panther.

I did, didn't I?

Now you shall have it again, drink, drink.

Oh, by George, you didn't
walk into a room you glided in.

When you twirled your cloak about you...

I used to think you were the
most magnificent thing I ever saw.

Did you really?

- Oh, I begin to feel it now.
- The fever?

Good, good, you're
going back through the years.

Oh, this dizziness...

Oh, Carl.

- Perhaps the liquid and whiskey don't mix.
- Oh, nonsense, nonsense.

You're simply going back to your youth the
same way that you left it, full of whiskey.

The liquid is taking effect.

Young again, I'm young.

Oh Alex, you've done it.
Oh, let me feel your grip.

Alright, here.

Oh, it's like iron. Oh, what a
night of miracles this is been.

What if it wears off Carl? What if the
liquid doesn't give us youth permanently?

Well look, we can drink some more.

After all, it's been dripping
in the crypt for almost 40 years.

- It could go on dripping forever.
- What a wonderful way to be young.

- All we have to do is to be thirsty.
- Thirstiest old coots in the world.

Thirstiest as young coots.

You know, I can't wait to see the expression
on the townspeople's faces when they see us.

Sylvia.

Oh, if only Sylvia could see us.

Sylvia? Yes, of course.

- Alex, but perhaps she will see us.
- What?

Carl, what are you saying?

Why shouldn't Sylvia have
a chance to share in our miracle?

But you can't give her the
water, a dead person can't drink.

Of course not, but there are ways.

Carl, Carl, I beg of you, you
don't try to bring back the dead.

Alex, you said it yourself,
a chance to live our lives over.

- If I could have that marriage to Sylvia...
- Marriage? Carl, you couldn't.

Alex...

I devoted one lifetime to Sylvia,
I'm perfectly willing to devote another.

How are you going to do it?

Oh, seems that even the fates
are conspiring to help us.

A few years ago, a
certain Dr. Pravaz, a Frenchman...

invented a singular instrument.

Oh, what is it do?

My patients seem to object
being jammed by it, but...

- I'd say it's quite effective.
- Carl, wait.

I'm not sure that
I want to be a part of this.

Alex, we three were inseparable.

Should Sylvia come back...

so I'm sure that she wanted you to be there.

You must stay.

But perhaps you will be going too far.

I mean, people are meant to grow old and die.

Sylvia never had a chance to grow old.

Perhaps this will give to her.

- I thought I saw her finger move.
- No, I saw nothing.

Look, is trying to breathe.

Sylvia, come back to me, breathe.

She's breathing normally. Sylvia...

Sylvia, it's Carl, Carl Heidegger, I'm here.

I'm waiting for you.

Carl?

Oh, it's alive again, she remembers my name.

Her eyes, look her eyes opening.

She can see again. Oh,
the Lord infinite mercy.

Carl, is everything ready for the wedding?

The wedding?

Always so absent-minded.

Have you forgotten? Our wedding is tomorrow.

Your wedding 38 years ago,
the last thing she remembers.

What is it you say? 38 years?

Sylvia, it's difficult to explain.

- What do you mean, wedding of 38 years ago?
- Sylvia...

And this rag?

- Why am I dressed this way?
- Sylvia, be calm.

Just, just listen please.

- If this is some hideous prank...
- No Sylvia, no, its...

just that something very strange is happened.

Sylvia...

Have you no recollection
of the sudden illness that struck...

you on the night we were to be married?

That was just a few hours ago.

I was feeling weak
and tired, but I'm all right now.

You died Sylvia.

You've been dead for 38 years.

Dead? 38 years?

He's insane.

You died Sylvia, been dead for 38 years.

1859?

- Alex, tell me he's mad.
- No Sylvia, it's the truth.

I haven't changed.

And both of you,
the years haven't changed you either.

Well, that's thanks to a miracle that
was made known to us this very evening.

- What are you talking about?
- Please, come sit down.

This evening, we found a peculiar liquid
dripping from the ceiling of your crypt.

And after testing it, we learned that it
had the power to restore eternal youth.

And since you'd been preserved by it, we
were able to bring you back to the living.

Carl...

is this true?

Oh, it's as true as heaven and earth my love.

I can stay alive?

- Forever?
- Oh, forever.

Oh darling, if you only knew how
much I've loved you all these years.

How I've cherished your memory and
could dream of no other woman but you.

- You never married?
- There's never been another woman.

Then, we can still be married,
as if nothing had happened.

Nothing can stop us now.

Darling, I saved your wedding dress.

- Did you?
- I'll get it for you.

May I get something for you?

Would you care for some wine?

Is it good wine Alex?
Such as we had yesterday?

- That yesterday of 38 years ago, of course.
- Please, Sylvia.

- When we had our final argument.
- Sylvia please, he'll hear you.

Don't let him know, it would break his heart.

And what of my heart Alex?

You had no conscience about that, did you?

- I loved you, you know that.
- Love?

To take all a woman has to offer
and then refuse to marry her.

Is that your idea of love?

You know how I felt about
marriage from the beginning.

I loved you, but I wanted to be free.

You gave yourself to me, are you
trying to say that I seduced you?

That you would've been happy
marrying him in spite me?

I wanted to be your wife,
not just another woman.

If only you had loved me enough.

Isn't it love enough that
a man would murder for you?

Murder?

You know why you became ill so
suddenly the night before your wedding?

I poisoned you.

You think I wanted to see you
in the arms of another man?

But you insisted on mocking me, by going
ahead with your spite marriage to Carl.

You forced me to do what I had to do.

All right Alex.

Maybe I was wrong
to have that much pride but...

we could be married now.

We've been given another chance.

Oh, we can't make the same mistake again.

How can I tell Carl?

He's lived like a monk all these
years, holding onto your memory...

as if it were something sacred.

I've never destroyed the illusion for him.

I don't know if I could do it now.

All I know is...

I don't want to live
again if I can't have you.

Tell him the truth.

You must Alex please.

I'll try.

Sylvia, look Sylvia, look.

As white and pure
as the day you first tried it on.

Put it on my dear, a
new future begins for us tonight.

- Go my dear.
- Carl...

couldn't this wait until tomorrow?

I've done nothing else but wait.

No, no, no, there'll be no more wasted years,
no more wasted minutes, life is too precious.

Go my dear, put it on. I want to see you
as lovely and radiant as you should be.

Then we'll burn all this in the fireplace
with all the other memories of the past.

As my best friend Alex...

you must give the bride away
tomorrow at our wedding.

Well, it's so late, must we discuss it now?

Well, you don't seem
very enthusiastic about our wedding.

What do you expect? I just
haven't grown used to all this, yet.

- Carl.
- Yes?

- There's something I must say to you.
- Yes?

It's about Sylvia.

What is it you want
to say to me my old friend?

That you ruined my life once?
That you're about to do it again?

You heard?

Or is it that you're
trying to tell me that you...

turned Sylvia into little more than a harlot?

Carl. Carl.

Carl don't, use reason.

Carl.

Carl.

Forgive me, I...

Carl, Carl, we were such good friends.

The water doesn't last.

Sylvia.

Oh, no.

You've stopped.

Don't stop, damn you. Don't stop, I need you.

You've taken Carl and Sylvia away from me.

You left me nothing.

You left me nothing.

Nothing.

Man's dream of eternal youth...

An illusion that begins
with the first awakening of his mind...

and lasts until the moment
when he goes to his final rest.

Only a dream perhaps, but what
would life be without our dreams?

Among the most beautiful
and wonderful of the lord's creations...

are the things that grow from the earth.

It is strange indeed, that the
verdant green of grass and leaf...

the myriad colors
and fragrances of flowers...

all meant to be solace to the soul of man...

can be so distorted that
their very essence become evil...

their only use, death.

Mistress Rappaccini.

I must apologize if I frightened you.

But after seeing you down
there for the past three days...

I was lost, I had to find out your name.

Fortunately, my landlady
is an understanding woman.

I'm Giovanni Guasconti.

How do you do Mr. Guasconti?

- Now, if you'll forgive me...
- Oh, but wait, I wanted to talk to you.

- What is it you wish to say Mr. Guasconti?
- Well I...

Oh, this is my first time in
Padua, I'm going to the university.

- I'm from Naples.
- I've read about Naples.

Oh, it's much bigger than
Padua and has a beautiful bay.

In the sun, it glistens like a necklace that
should be hung around a pretty girl's neck.

May I come down there
and tell you more about it?

No, no I...

I'm sorry.

I must bring this package
to the house immediately.

When can we talk again?

Signore, I have brought you fresh bedding.

Being my landlady doesn't give
you the privilege of spying on me.

I, I, I felt responsible. I...

I told you her name.

Well then tell me
why she acted so afraid of me.

I can only tell you what I know.

In the 20 years that they
have allowed me to live here...

I have never seen
a visitor go into that house.

Why?

Make of it what you will.

You will study chapters 3, 4...

and 5.

Hope you do better
this time, now off with you.

- Professor.
- Ah, my young friend Giovanni.

You get to look more
like your father every day.

- You have some question about the lesson.
- No sir, it's...

Quite personal, about a girl.

Oh?

One minute I think I'm in love with her,
the next minute, I say to myself...

But how can it be Giovanni? I've never
even been close enough to hold her hand.

And you think this is a problem
an old science professor can solve?

You've lived in Padua all your
life, you might know the family...

the name is Rappaccini.

- This girl is called Beatrice?
- Then you do know her.

I've never seen her, no one had.

Except you apparently.

This is crazy.

20 years ago, the girl's father, Giacomo
Rappaccini taught science in this very room.

There were many who thought he was destined
to be the greatest scientist of our century.

Then suddenly,
he gave up his career, everything.

He locked himself inside his house
and no one is seen him since.

- But what of Beatrice? Surely she...
- She may have been the cause of it.

No one really knows.

All that the people of Padua have
learned is that after the girl was born...

Rappaccini's wife deserted
him, ran away with another man.

That was when he left the university and
locked his door in the face of the world.

Come, come, there
are plenty of other girls in Padua.

Oh, thank you
professor, you've been very kind.

What's the matter father?
Has it grown too strong for you?

The radiation from the acid's heat
is exceeded even my expectations.

Nevertheless, you know
that I could destroy it if I wished to.

But then I would die.

- And you don't want to lose us both, do you?
- Beatrice...

You fail to see the humor Father.

The infusion will take three blooms.

You will get them.

We share the same life my friends,
only you're the more fortunate.

You don't have to think.

Lizabetta did well, these are fine specimens.

Your daughter is a fine
specimen too, is she not Father?

A specimen of the most
deadly thing that was ever given life.

The day will come when you will thank me.

How long would it take for me to die
if these infusions didn't take place?

- My only concern is with your life.
- No matter.

The only difference in being dead
is this house is bigger than a grave.

10 seconds and the potency is correct.

Shall we give the
poor creature a burial Father?

We could inscribe on its gravestone,
it died that Beatrice Rappaccini might live.

Never understand how fortunate you are
that none of the world's sin can touch you.

- As it touched my...
- I do not wish to hear her name.

Of course not, lock it from your mind
as you've locked us from the world.

The world?

What is this sudden
picture you have of the world?

A stupid boy on a
balcony? Is that what you see?

I see a human being who can laugh...

and think of me as a woman...

not death.

Good morning.

Good morning.

What a wonderful way to greet
the day, seeing such loveliness.

We better not talk very long today.

You're going to be late
for your class at the university.

Let's see now...

for the past month you and I have discussed
philosophy, history and world events...

and all from my window.

You know what I dreamed last night?

That you invited me down there and I
thought I was dead because it was heaven.

It isn't, is it?

I think it must be heaven
to be able to go to the university.

Giovanni, you're going
to be late, you know you are.

All right my remote Princess, I'll go.

Now, hold onto that until I see you again.

- Oh signore.
- I have use for this key.

Oh, no one is allowed to go in there, no one.

I won't tell them that you so
generously opened the gate for me.

I'll tell them I dropped in from
the sky like an avenging angel.

No signore, you mustn't.

Giovanni, don't, don't.

The insect will still have the poison on it.

Poison? I saw the butterfly die, burned.

What is it? What happened?

Giovanni, you had no
right to come in the garden.

If you kept that kiss I threw you
from my window this morning...

then I have every right.

Here, these are for you.

Thank you Giovanni, but I can't.

You know, the closer I get,
the more beautiful you are?

Don't come closer please.

- Don't ever come closer.
- Ever?

Please.

Put the flowers on the bench.

Now, leave the garden.

- My father doesn't want anyone to...
- But why not, my dear?

Have I ever prevented you from having guests?

Father.

You should introduce me to your young friend.

- I'm your neighbor sir, Giovanni Guasconti.
- My pleasure sir.

I see that you find my, my garden attractive.

- Your garden has many attractions sir.
- Giovanni please.

Please, leave now.

But tomorrow is Easter Sunday.
Surely, you can go to church with me.

No, I've tried to tell you.

But of course you can go to church
with him my dear, why shouldn't you?

Did I say something to offend her sir?

Young ladies are sometimes very
difficult to understand Mr. Guasconti.

- Perhaps tomorrow she'll...
- Yes, perhaps.

- Good day.
- Good day sir.

Did you feel very superior
Father making a fool of us both?

Under the circumstances,
I thought I was most kind.

You see? I even brought your flowers to you.

Strange seeing flowers
that weren't meant to kill.

Well, here take them my dear, after all,
he brought them to you with his own hands.

He held them and now you hold them.

Very pretty sentimental thought, is it not?

Giovanni, Giovanni.

Giovanni, I must talk to you.
Please come down, I'll open the gate.

Giovanni, I had to talk to you.

Then let's talk in town, they'll
be celebrating for the holidays.

No. I can't go, there's no place I can go.

Haven't you realized that by now?

This isn't a prison
Beatrice, that gate is open..

Oh Giovanni, if it were only true.

That's why I must talk to you.

Forget me Giovanni, forget you ever saw me.

Is that why you called me
down here? To tell me to forget you?

Oh, why should I? I couldn't
forget you if I wanted to.

We must both forget Giovanni.

- Beatrice, I don't...
- No further.

Listen to me, you must listen.

You saw the butterfly
die when it touched that plant.

- Yes.
- You would die if you touched me.

What kind of nonsense is that?

- Why should you and that plant...
- This is what you must understand.

Do you expect me
to believe such ridiculous...

It's the truth.

Let my hand touch yours.

Will I die?

Are you telling me that if I, if I should
kiss you I'd fall dead as that butterfly did?

Yes, as air is your life so is poison mine.

This is the way I've been ever since I was
born, since my father made me what I am.

Your father?

We're both his creations, the plant and I.

He used its poisons to change
the chemistry of my blood.

- I refuse to accept such a...
- Oh, How can I make you understand?

Wait.

Wait.

See that lizard Giovanni? Watch it.

Watch the poor creature die.

You still want me Giovanni?

Does it still seem so pleasant
to want me in your arms?

In god's name, why is your father done this?

So that I can never sin as my mother did.

So that no man can ever touch me with evil.

Now you know.

Beatrice.

- Beatrice, Beatrice.
- No, no.

Beatrice, you tried to kill yourself.

You tried to take your own life.

Oh. I want to die.

Oh please, let me die.

Beatrice child, I only wanted
to protect you from trouble.

I never wanted to see you hurt.

Did you think I would never need
a man's love or his strength?

But all these years we've had together...

it can't be ended because of that boy.

You blame him? Are you so insane
that you don't know what you've done?

But to take your own life because of him?

You think I won't try again?

You won't always be around to stop me.

It was right to awaken me Giovanni,
never have I seen anything like this.

The acid is eaten away
every organ of the lizard's body.

What kind of a monster is this Rappaccini?
Is this what he has come to call science?

He tried to warn me, keep me away.

How can I help her sir?

- Perhaps it's impossible.
- It is.

Patience, patience Giovanni.
There are many things I can try.

It will take time.
Now go home, try to get some sleep.

No.

Please, is nothing you can do here.

If there's any hope
at all, I'll let you know at once.

Yes sir.

And so, unfortunately
Beatrice couldn't be here.

She was quite upset by what happened.

I had to give her
something to make her sleep.

But then perhaps it's just as
well that we talk by ourselves.

When I realized how serious things
were between the two of you...

I wanted you to have an explanation.

An explanation or a hopeless
apology for what you've done to her?

You think my knowledge is so little
that I cannot undo what I have done?

You think I would've brought you here
to offer my daughter's hand in marriage...

if I did not think you could be married?

- If that is the truth...
- Beatrice wants you.

- Her happiness is my only concern.
- Sir, it is mine too.

Good, then shall we drink on that?

- Are you sure Beatrice will be all right?
- Yes.

I don't know what
your experiments were but...

if it had to do with
making her immune to poison...

You need not concern yourself.

The greater feat Giovanni, would've
been to make the human mind...

immune to the poison of evil,
rather than the poison of chemistry.

To the only two men who
will ever be in my daughter's life.

Sir, an hour ago, I felt as if the world
had been pulled out from under me.

Now the world is back where it should be.

Whatever else you learn in
your life Giovanni, remember this...

there is no more potent force, nothing
can drive a man harder or faster...

to success or destruction
than the love of a woman.

Think I, I didn't get much sleep last...

What is this thing? What are you doing?

It's already done.

What?

You wanted Beatrice, didn't you?
Well, you can have her now.

You understand that Giovanni?

As long as you both shall live, there can
never be anyone else for either of you.

There will be no evil in your lives, no sin.

- What are you saying?
- Go to her Giovanni, touch her.

Take her in your arms.
Kiss her, make her your wife.

Make her your wife. Nothing can harm you now.

You changed me.

You stand alone, the two of you,
against all of the foul things in this world.

Oh, why don't you thank me Giovanni?
Or are you speechless with happiness?

You've made me the same thing she is.

Is what you wanted, didn't you?

Holy wedlock that no man could put asunder?

You're out of your mind, insane.

You had no right, you had no right.

You'll come back Giovanni.

There's nowhere else you can go,
you'll have to come back Giovanni.

There's no place you can go, you come back.

This terrible thing that Rappaccini
is done to you and his daughter.

Oh, it's so complex Giovanni.

Are you telling me that you cannot help us?

I'm not sure.

I have said the problem is complex.

What Rappaccini is succeeded in doing is
converting the poisonous China tree of India.

So that the plant's own juices manufacture
a strange solution of hydrocyanic acid.

That's what my blood is become?

- That is what I hope it is become.
- What you mean?

We know that to touch the plant means death.

However...

I have managed to find an antidote which will
destroy all effects of the acid's radiation.

- Professor?
- Under a microscope.

But how do I know
what it will do to you Giovanni?

It would take years of testing
to find the result on the human system.

Years? Every hour is a thousand years.

Beatrice and I have no time.

Give it to me.

Giovanni, can my conscience let you have it?

Can your conscience refuse me?

No please, put it there.

Whatever happens sir,
we will always be in your debt.

May god go with you.

Beatrice, Beatrice.

Beatrice.

There's no need to stay away
from me now Beatrice.

What are you saying?

You still don't know
what happened last night?

- You see, I'm still alive.
- Giovanni.

That was your father's answer to us.
He couldn't change you, so he changed me.

Oh no, Giovanni I didn't want that.

I'd known...

Now we're both, we're both locked in.

- We're both prisoners.
- No, we can escape.

Professor Baglioni
made this, it's an antidote.

He said it could counteract the poison.

- If it will really free us?
- Pray Beatrice.

- No.
- Quickly, give it to me.

No, wait.

- Giovanni.
- Beatrice.

Oh, Giovanni.

The fool, poison was his life, like yours.

- It could only kill him.
- You've murdered him.

But you wanted him, I gave him
to you, you could've been together.

Then, we will be.

Beatrice, Beatrice, Beatrice.

Beatrice, Beatrice.
I only wanted to give you happiness.

How could you give me
something you don't have yourself?

You can only give me hate.

Giovanni.

Giovanni, wait for me.

I'll always love you, wherever I...

Giovanni.

Where does evil begin and where does it end?

Can the eye of man really discern the fine
line that separates sanity from madness?

If not, can there be a judge so wise...

that he can measure a man's
reasons for the sins he commits?

The House of the Seven Gables
began its existence in a year of terror.

It was in 1691 that mass
hysteria gripped New England...

and innocent people were executed as witches.

Yes, it was a time of horror and blood.

And left a mark on the house that
was not to be forgotten for more than...

150 years.

So you've finally dared to come back.

This is my wife Alice, my sister Hannah..

Gerald, are you sure we
have a right to intrude here?

Intrude?

This is as much my house as it is
my sister's, is that not so Hannah.?

Your absence of 17 years
makes me question that right.

Would you please
take these up to the second floor?

My feet took me this far, but they're not
taking me one step further into this house.

- Why did he say that?
- The man is an idiot, he's means nothing.

I wouldn't be too sure Gerald.

Don't you think the whole town
knows a male Pyncheon has returned?

I'm afraid we'll have to
carry these up ourselves.

- You will occupy your old room?
- Yes.

If it's possible two rooms might be better.

Gerald is a light sleeper,
he doesn't like to disturb me.

Very well, you may have
the guest room next to mine.

Hannah., if our being here
is a great inconvenience to you...

I can only say my brother
made a great mistake in returning.

- Hannah.?
- Yes?

May I ask why?

You really don't know, do you?

Whatever Gerald's reason for
coming here to live, the decision was his.

It isn't the first of his
mistakes I've had to accept.

What is it?

Oh, I feel cold suddenly.

There's no draft here.

It's a strange kind of cold.

I, I think I'll feel better in the morning...

when I can look out the
window and see the garden...

the arbor, the old well.

How did you know what's outside that window?

The garden is there, isn't it?

Yes, it's there.

Oh, I don't know how I knew
about the garden, Gerald never told me.

Hannah., how could...

Afraid of a bloodstained chair Gerald?

Or does it hold too much knowledge of our
illustrious male ancestors who died in it?

Don't look forward to my early death Hannah..

I have no intention of
honoring the chair with my corpse.

He didn't either.

You're a fool.

Has any man in our
family ever died otherwise?

Then, I shall be the first not to,
I will not be frightened away Hannah..

When I get what I want from this
house, then I'll leave and not before.

Do you think you can outwit a ghost?

Are you so immune
to death that you can defy a...

- curse that is ruined the family?
- I'll stay alive as long as is necessary.

You don't have a choice, the man
buried under this house won't wait.

Go back to your books of demons and
witchcraft, they're your only companions.

Why not? It wasn't the dead who
gambled away the family fortune.

And now that you've bankrupted us...

you think you can come back
here and take what is rightfully mine?

Yours?

You assume a great deal, my dear sister.

You'll never find that vault Gerald, I've
searched this house from top to bottom.

Just as every Pyncheon
is searched it for 150 years.

The ghost won't let you find it.

It isn't where you
look for it Hannah., it's how.

Now, let us see if a dead man can stop me.

- Where's Gerald going?
- He didn't say.

But if you want Gerald to
live, get him out of this house.

- To live?
- Do you see those bloodstains?

That was his blood, it ran from his lips.

The date is on his
gravestone, March 17th, 1691.

The very first night he lived in this house.

The Pyncheons are cursed.

Every male member of
the family is died the same way.

And unless Gerald leaves, he too
will die with blood on his lips.

Since we both live here now...

you can at least tell me who
you're expecting to come here tonight.

- You find out when he gets here.
- What are you hiding Gerald?

I saw you run out of
the house this afternoon.

If it's about finding the vault I'm
entitled to know what you're doing.

Are you ought to entitle
to meddle in my private affairs?

You had no right to tell Alice
about the bloodstains on the chair.

How long do you think
you can hold back the truth?

Perhaps your visitor isn't coming.

Time is long past when the Pyncheons could
give orders and everyone had to obey.

You finally decided to join us, is your
empty room so much better company?

- Somebody is coming.
- What do you say?

- There's no one out there.
- His name is Jonathan Maule.

Jonathan Maule? Is he the one you expect?

Yes and if you have any
objections, I don't care to hear them.

Who told you Jonathan Maule
was coming here tonight?

Nobody told me.

He's here. Jonathan Maule has come.

She's right, he's here.

How could you know about
a man named Jonathan Maule?

- Have you ever met him?
- No, I haven't.

Hannah., how could I know he was coming?

- How?
- You couldn't know.

Unless something in this house made you know.

- Mr. Pyncheon?
- Yes, you got my note?

I returned home late from my business.

- I heard music outside.
- Yes, my wife was playing.

We can talk in the study Mr. Maule.

Mrs. Pyncheon...

that music, where did you learn it?

I...

I never played it before.

I never even heard it before.

Mr. Maule?

I'm sorry.

Forgive me for barging in
this way, I was just surprised.

We can talk now Mr. Maule.

- Miss Pyncheon.
- I never expected to see you in this house.

I never expected to be invited.

Have a seat Mr. Maule.

I am not disregarding
the long unpleasantness...

that is existed between our families sir.

But I always say that...

good whiskey is better than
oil to toss on troubled waters.

And so, your health sir.

It's not like a Pyncheon to ask
a Maule to pass the time of day.

No, of course not, not unless
they both had something to gain.

Our ancestors would say
the Pyncheons did all the gaining.

We live in an enlightened age Mr. Maule.

A family feud that began in
1690 can scarcely affect us.

What is it you want Pyncheon?

I would like to make a trade with you sir.

For generations, your family is been
in possession of certain information.

Are you referring to the
vault that's hidden in this house?

Precisely sir.

Your ancestor was the architect of this
place, he would've known where the vault is.

Didn't your sister tell you that she tried
to find out what I know 10 years ago?

I presumed she had, but I have a
different proposition to make sir.

The House of the
Seven Gables, for your information.

What are you offering me Pyncheon?

A decayed tomb, built on land
that was stolen from my ancestors?

The courts settled
that issue 150 years ago sir.

Courts that the Pyncheons controlled.

If I did know where the vault is,
you couldn't get it out of me at any price.

My family has suffered enough from the
curse that was put on them by a Maule.

Have you tray to explaining that
to the man buried in your cellar?

I say that the curse is
finished, the past stays in the past.

Does it?

The curse said that the
Pyncheons would've blood to drink.

Are you so sure now
that the past stays in the past?

- Mrs. Pyncheon.
- Mr. Maule please.

You seemed to understand something
about the music I was playing tonight...

more than I understand myself.

The music is very old.

The only time I ever heard it was when I
was a child and my grandmother played it.

And still, I know it.

I seem to know many
things I shouldn't know...

and always when a strange,
cold chill comes over me...

as if it was possessing me.

I knew your name before I heard it.

I could sense that you were
at the door before you knocked.

Then, what you want
from me is an explanation.

Mr. Maule, if there is
one please, I must know.

How can I explain my own impressions tonight?

When I got your husband's
note I wasn't going to come here.

But something kept coming to
my mind compelling me to come.

Mrs. Pyncheon...

I swear that while I was still in my own
home, I could see you playing that music.

It was your face, the very dress you're
wearing, the way your hands moved the keys.

I knew you as though
I'd known you since I was born...

or even before that.

Yes, I think I felt the same way myself.

We never met before tonight.
What's happening to us Mr. Maule?

You know, there is
a curse against this house.

Hannah told me something.

Did she also tell you that the man who
spoke that curse against the Pyncheons...

Matthew Maule, is buried under the house?

Last night...

my door opened but there was nobody there and
yet someone or something, came into my room.

I could feel that was there.

And when it was gone, I found this.

A locket.

But this painting it's, it's of you.

No, I don't know who she is
and I don't know what the locket means.

I wasn't going to meet
you out here like this...

but something drove me
to it so I could give it to you.

Then, perhaps it has the answer for us.

I don't know what that answer can be.

I'm not to sure that I want to know.

I'm going to leave here.

I'm going to forget that the
House of Seven Gables ever existed.

Alice.

Alice?

Alice.

Alice, I want to talk to you.

Gerald, we've nothing to talk about.
All I want to do is get out of this house.

You'll leave when I tell you.

Gerald, I can't stand anymore.
I feel as if I'm losing my mind.

Please don't try to stop me.

I'm going to leave
first thing in the morning.

Alice, you are my wife, you'll do as I...

Nora.

Nora.

Nora.

Nora.

Matthew, you come.

- After all these years of waiting.
- Nora.

You called me Matthew.

Why, there...

There was another man here, he...

he'd a leather apron, of a blacksmith.

Matthew Maule had
his blacksmith's forge here.,

Near this well before the House
of the Seven Gables was built.

What did he want of me?

Why did, why did he have me
come down to the garden?

Perhaps because he knew I'd be here.

I said to you that I felt as if I
might've known you before I was born.

Now I think it was long before that.

I think what we feel
might've begun 150 years ago.

- Was the locket supposed to tell us that?
- I believe so.

Alice, was your grandmother's
name Holbrook, Deborah Holbrook?

Oh, how did you know that?

I got nothing but go trough old papers
and records since you gave me the locket.

Alice, the girl
in the locket is Nora Holbrook.

Matthew called me Nora.

Nora Holbrook was the girl Matthew
was to marry before he was hanged.

He was condemned as a witch
by colonel Jeffrey Pyncheon...

because Pyncheon wanted this
land, the land we're on right now.

Oh then, why is Matthew's grave there?

When Pyncheon wanted the house built...

he was forced to use the
only architect in town, Matthew's brother.

Oh, this was superstitious times Alice.

Pyncheon defied Matthew's curse, despite
the brother wanting to make it come true.

The curse has come true.

- Alice, that music you played.
- Yes?

Was music Nora Holbrook wrote for Matthew.

Can't you understand?

Matthew was hanged before he
and Nora could realize their love.

But that love didn't die with Matthew.

He wants it to live again, through us.

Jonathan...

we can't have that love.

Why we've been drawn together this way
if we aren't supposed to love each other?

Are you about to do
something you'll regret Gerald?

- Get out of my way Hannah..
- I saw them from my window.

Then you know why I'm going to kill Maule.

Kill the one chance
you have of finding the vault?

Can you be so blind that you
haven't realized that they are the key?

They? You're insane.

I want my share of the
money, I'll not let you spoil it.

- Am I supposed to let him take away my wife?
- You can't eat pride.

When you find the vault, then you
can do whatever you want, not now.

I'm still Gerald's wife.

Please leave now.

- Alice...
- We won't see each other again.

All right.

I only wish that I'd the right to
speak for my own love, not Matthew's.

Nora.

Nora.

Nora.

Why did you come down here?

- I can't tell you.
- Why not?

Did Jonathan Maule send you down here?

- No.
- Don't lie, he told you where he vault is.

Why, that's not true.

Shall I force you to tell
me the truth Alice? What is it?

Are you ready to open doors to
Jonathan that you've kept locked from me?

Gerald.

Who can be in the house?

What is it Alice? The ghost of Matthew Maule?

Why?

Is he been conjured up out of his grave
by Jonathan to come between you and me?

- Is that what he wants?
- I told you to leave this house.

You brought back
Matthew Maule, you and no one else.

If I'm the one you want Maule,
then here I am, I'm waiting.

Destroy me if you can, because
if you don't, I'll get what I want...

and then you will have lost.

Get some water Gerald.

- It is blood.
- Some water...

What did you expect Gerald?

The water is from Maule's well, the plaster
in these walls is mixed with that water.

Did you expect anything else
but blood from Matthew Maule?

But I'm still here Hannah..

I haven't tasted blood yet.

This is the extent of Maule's revenge...

he can't stop me from finding that vault.

It's moving.

You mind if I watch Gerald?

Then I can be sure
we'll share whatever you find.

That old deed to the land
in Maine is in the vault,

it'll be worth millions.

More than enough for both of us.

His arm, it's gone.

Matthew Maule was a
blacksmith, a man with two arms.

Jonathan sent Alice down here, the...

the secret to the vault must be in his grave.

The portrait in the study and this arrow,

it could mean a lever was
concealed there, you were right Hannah..

Jonathan Maule and my wife were the
key, they wanted the deed for themselves.

Are you satisfied now Hannah.?

A Pyncheon has outlasted the Maules.

- Are you sure you will be that Pyncheon?
- This says that I will.

Or do you have some ambitious
notion concerning yourself?

The power of the curse was never
directed against a Pyncheon woman.

I shall be quite content to share the new
fortune with you, as long as you live.

You seem very confident my dear sister.

It was you who told me my natural
companions are witches and demons.

What do I have to fear?

Shall we go upstairs
Gerald and share our victory?

Why not? It's a night for celebration.

But I intend to celebrate it alone.

You killed her,
your own sister, in god's name.

Where would you run Alice? To the police?

You want me hanged as a murderer
so that you can go to Jonathan, is that?

He told me not come back
in this house, he know it was evil.

He told me what was here,
let me go Gerald, let me go.

Yes of course my dear wife,
I'll let you go to Jonathan.

On second thought, suppose we compromise
and I give you to a different Maule?

Gerald.

Gerald.

Alice.

Alice.

Alice.

Alice Alice.

Alice.

The last Pyncheon is died, curse is ended.

Thus did the House of
the Seven Gables come to its end.

Destroyed by the decay of greed and hate
that had corroded its very foundations.

It was the time now
for Matthew Maule to find peace.