Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story (1987): Season 1, Episode 3 - Part III - full transcript
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
She's gone.
She ran off with him.
You know, I am under a curse, Bourrienne.
Like a fragment of rock..
...launched into space.
I want everything out of here now.
Hm?
Everything.
Everything that reminds me of her.
[clatters]
[horse snorts]
[groans]
[carriage door shuts]
[horse neighing]
[horse snorts]
Bonaparte?
Bonaparte!
Bonaparte!
I know you're here.
I know you are here.
You're here. I know you are.
'Open the door, please.'
'Please.'
I beg you.
Forgive me for my crimes.
Whatever you think they are, forgive me.
You go away.
[sobbing] I did not deceive you with him.
Not again. I didn't.
'Charles means nothing to me.'
'It's you I love.'
No. You go away.
[sobbing] No.
No.
Mother, don't cry.
You leave me.
[Josephine crying] 'No.'
'No.'
'No.'
[banging doors]
'Open the door. Please.'
You have no shame.
No, I have no shame.
I will leave you.
No.
No. I won't let you.
I love you.
Mother!
Mother.
Oh, Eugene.
Father!
Father, it's me! Your son.
Open the door!
'Let us in!'
'Open the door, father!'
- Papa, please! - 'Father!'
'Please open the door!'
'Please! Let us in!'
Let us in! Now, now!
Father!
[melancholic music]
The last of the Swiss guard made a stand here.
The mob tore them limb from limb.
Pigs.
From my hiding place under the eves I watched
while they brought the King Louis.
Queen Marie Antoinette and their small children
out onto the balcony
so that the mob could throw
human excrement at them.
The day of reckoning will come.
The monarchy must be restored.
I consecrate my life to that.
[instrumental music]
Where are we going?
Oh, to the royal palace.
I didn't think you liked museums.
I like the palace.
- Very much. - Hmm.
(D'Enghien) 'The Corsican. Bonaparte.'
A dangerous man.
A very dangerous man.
And the main salon. For entertaining guests. Hm?
The great.
The powerful.
The accomplished.
One's peers, the crowned heads of Europe.
You sound like a Royalist, Bonaparte.
For recreation, let me show you the piece de resistance.
[sighs] A room to be dreamed of.
[Napoleon chuckles]
You mustn't.
Come.
What dreams one could dream in a bed like this.
Hmm.
Not here.
Why not?
It's our bedroom.
[laughs] What are you talking about?
It's our house.
Well, I'm too young, Barras says
to be a member of the directory, so..
'...Barras and his friends are being replaced..'
...by a consulate..
...and this will be the residence
of the First Consul..
...your husband.
When will this happen?
As we speak.
(Napoleon) I've sent a squad of soldiers
to arrest our friend Barras.
And others have been sent to reason
with the Council of Elders.
So..
...the government's now completely under my control.
[Napoleon laughs]
[speaking foreign language]
The palace is now closed to the public.
[chuckles] What?
What?
Where are we going?
Let's go announce to all the people
that an heir has been conceived.
(male #1) 'Move along, now!'
'Everybody out!'
'First Consul's orders.'
The palace is closed to the public.
Our guests are leaving.
- 'Keep moving.' - 'Move along now.'
Everybody out.
Move along.
I must leave France, Drummond.
If I should be discovered, it could spell disaster
for the Royalist cause.
You and the Marquis
will have to conduct our affairs without me.
And you must prevail.
If we're to restore the monarchy..
...Bonaparte must die.
[indistinct chattering]
- 'Take your positions.' - 'Sir.'
[intense music]
Someone you know, Marchand?
(Marchand) 'Yes. Someone I knew a long time ago.'
'Duc d'Enghien.'
I am afraid.
No.
Nothing in the world can harm you now.
You're Bonaparte's wife.
No one would dare.
[indistinct chattering]
Good evening.
[orchestral music]
An altered hemline here, a more modish bodice there
rose on the cheeks, and I believe
Monsieur Aubert's ecstatic, except
I think I'm pregnant again.
By Monsieur Aubert?
Um...probably.
[chuckles]
Oh, Therese, you're so lucky.
[music continues]
[indistinct chattering]
Monsieur First Consul.
- Good evening. - How do you do?
Good evening.
More wood on this fire
and pile it high.
Some of the ladies here are wearing so little clothing.
'They must be chilly.'
Josephine.
I wanted to greet our guests.
You haven't said "Hello" to Therese.
Come.
- You were rude to her. - I don't want her here.
The woman is an embarrassment to respectable people.
Four children.
No real idea who any of the fathers are.
- You are too severe, Bonaparte. - Enough now.
Citizen Talleyrand is here.
Talleyrand?
Citizen Talleyrand is welcome and Therese is not?
He is not your friend, Bonaparte.
Well, he's no one's friend but Talleyrand's
but I need him, he is skilled.
Without his help, I would not be First Consul.
You and I would not be living in this palace.
Be gracious.
(Josephine) Citizen Talleyrand.
Citizeness.
Uh, Madame First Consul.
'Sire.'
May I present Madame..
Grant.
- Enchanted...but hot. - Yes, sire.
Suddenly it seems quite..
...intemperate.
But if the ladies insist on nakedness, a fire's needed.
I'm so hot, I could take my clothes off right here.
Shall we?
Please wait till foreign minister and I are gone.
Foreign minister.
Have I seen you somewhere before?
Not unless you do a lot of shopping.
[music continues]
Excuse me.
I don't think, guests are allowed
to bring animals to the palace.
Pooh.
It's my brother's palace.
I'm Louis Bonaparte.
[growls]
(Hortense) 'He doesn't like you.'
Our dogs don't like Bonapartes.
Don't let my brother hear you say that.
Pooh!
[indistinct chattering]
This person is charming.
This person has her charms, yes.
My most acceptable wife.
- I would say. - Wife?
Why, it is unseemly for the Foreign Minister of France
to have nothing but mistresses, hm?
In the interest of international propriety.
Imperative.
I would say.
A wife?
As you say, sire.
Forgive my hesitation.
The heat seems to have muddled me.
Yes, well, for a more clement climate
I would recommend a more decorous feminine apparel.
As always, I shall most certainly see
that your recommendations are circulated, sire.
Will you..
...marry me, mademoiselle?
[chuckles]
You do like a little joke, don't you?
[chuckles] Yes.
Nevertheless..
I don't suppose you'd like to dance with me?
No.
I've danced with Bonapartes before.
I'm not here tonight as a teacher.
I beg your pardon?
(Josephine) 'Hortense.'
This is my mother.
Well, then you are..
Hortense.
Well, I'm your brother-in-law.
Oh, once removed.
Good.
[growling]
[barks]
We can't dance with the dog.
Well, I'll take the dog. Give him to me.
[window glass shatters]
[guests exclaiming]
- 'What was that?' - 'What was that?'
(female #1) 'Oh, my goodness.'
[indistinct chattering]
Ah, the fleur-de-lis.
Royalists.
They're my old predecessors.
Well, the English Union Jack would be a fitting symbol.
'Since it is the English that are behind them.'
Supporting them, financing them, goading them on.
It's always the damned English.
Go, search the grounds.
"Well, death to the tyrant, Bonaparte."
Musicians!
Play!
[orchestral music]
At last..
...fresh air.
Who could have thrown it?
Perhaps the..
...hand of God.
I'm joking, of course.
- 'You men, check the garden!' - Yes, sir.
'The rest of you, scour the grounds.'
[indistinct chattering]
- Yes, sir. You heard him. - Come on, let's go.
[organ music]
Excellent, huh?
The bishop will tell the archbishop
the archbishop will tell the cardinal
and the cardinal will tell the pope.
What would he tell him?
That the First Consul of France
wishes a reconciliation
with the Church of Rome.
A concordat.
- You have the power to do that? - No. Not yet.
Soon.
Must come now, no?
My mother was right.
In the eyes of the Vatican and their friends here
you're no more than my concubine.
You were courageous, as always.
(Josephine) 'It would be nice to see'
Hortense and..
...your brother Louis..
...married in a church.
He's proposed to her.
- They want your blessing. - Louis and Hortense?
She's openly rude and antagonistic to him
at every meeting.
That's because she loves him.
[chuckles]
- Women. - Hm!
She's too young.
Besides, he's too immature.
Our blood, Bonaparte.
Yours and mine.
They have my blessing.
Thank you for the gift of Hortense.
[laughing]
Are your agents reliable, Fouche?
Western Europe, you know that.
They served the Bourbons and the Republic..
...and more than once, the Austrians and the Prussians..
...with the consent of the governmental consent, of course.
Of course, but do they serve the First Consul?
They follow my orders.
Oh, really?
And what do they sniff on the wind?
A Royalist plot simmering.
'It's hard to tell who, what, or where the real leaders are.'
Royalists die well under torture.
Concentrate on the First Consul's
official public appearances.
'For example, he's to dedicate a memorial'
to casualties of the Italian campaign
and there's a premiere of a Haydn work at the opera.
'I'll let you know of others.'
[indistinct chattering]
Your wife is charming, citizen.
- Who? - Your wife.
Oh! Oh, yes, yes. Of course.
'Uh, your wife, your wife is charming, too, Fouche.'
She's not my wife, she's my mistress.
'I don't have a wife.'
Then you are
doubly blessed, citizen.
[baby crying]
[dog barking]
[intense music]
Whoa.
We'll take the delivery from here.
Take care.
There's enough gunpowder in this cart
to blow up the whole square.
As intended.
Take up your post
where you can see Napoleon Bonaparte's carriage
approaching from Rue Dax.
Signal when you do..
...and I'll light the fuse.
Oh, God.
No, Marie, I want the opera thing.
- We're going to the opera. - And we're late.
What's keeping you?
I'm hurrying as fast as I can.
And where is your husband?
He detests opera.
If that were an excuse, I'd stay home, too.
Do you realize, papa, that
now that I'm married to Louis
you're both my papa and my brother-in-law?
Oh, well, then both of them are going to be late, hm?
Why don't you go ahead? We'll catch up.
- Well, perhaps I will. - 'Please do.'
The new opera is called "The Creation."
And I'll wager Herr Haydn created "The Creation"
in less time than it takes this woman to create her face.
Go!
Women are saints.
[door closes]
Ah, Louise. Perfect.
[instrumental music]
(male #2) 'Attention!'
We'll go on ahead.
Hyah!
[intense music]
Young woman.
My wheel is loose.
I must find someone to repair it.
Would you hold the reins?
'I'll only be a moment.'
So much, sir?
The cart is very important to me, my dear.
Thank you, sir.
You're very pretty.
God bless you.
[music continues]
[music continues]
Make way for the First Consul!
Make way!
[intense music]
Faster! We're late!
Hyah! Hyah!
[cheering]
[intense music]
[explosion]
[screams]
Oh, Hortense.
[wailing]
Over here!
(male #3) 'Boys, spread out!'
[women crying]
[indistinct chattering]
Oh, what happened? What is he..
- Are you alright? - 'Are you alright?'
Hortense is hurt. She's cut.
[crying]
They'll pay.
Every one of them.
I swear it.
'They will pay.'
(Fouche) 'Who's your leader?'
Tell us and you'll die quickly.
[screaming]
Who's your leader?
Who is your leader?
If he doesn't need a tongue, then tear it out.
You fool.
[Drummond screams]
[instrumental music]
- How is she? - She's asleep.
Her cuts are surface. She'll be alright.
May I?
You know, I wonder..
I just wonder who of your aristocratic friends
from the old days has the most stature with his peers.
Bonaparte, I don't want to talk about.
- They've suffered enough. - Why, you misunderstand me.
I'm not seeking to punish anyone here after talk.
That is, to reason with such a person, no?
I mean, I've to convince them
they work against their own interests
with acts of terror, hm?
They delay their repatriation.
Believe me, I seek understanding here, not retribution.
I just wonder who in the hearts of your friends
have been most respected.
Well, the most highly regarded..
...seems to be..
One hears the-the Duc d'Enghien
spoken of in those terms.
The Duc d'Enghien?
Yes.
Bonaparte, where are you going?
What are you going to do?
Bonaparte!
I want the Duc d'Enghien.
Now, where is he?
He is not on French soil.
Any attempt to apprehend him
'would be an act of military aggression.'
Where is he?!
Fouche.
Uh, Citizen Talleyrand is right, general.
'He Is in Ettenheim, in Baden.'
A German state just across the border.
He has sanctuary under the protection
of the Prince of Baden.
I don't give a damn.
You'll arrest him.
At the very least, a crime.
[intense music]
I protest.
This is an illegal act.
We have a special case here.
The Duc d'Enghien has asked
to give his own execution commands.
Permission has been granted
as he is a former ranking officer in the army.
I never liked it.
'They usually lose their nerve.'
'You're the best marksmen in the battalion'
'which is why you've been assigned this duty.'
'Be alert.'
What we don't want here is a badly wounded man.
What we want..
...is a dead man.
Ready!
Aim.
De Villeforte.
Traitor!
Fire!
[gunshots]
Recover!
You double-crosser! You tricked me!
Yes, he murdered 25 innocent people.
He didn't care if he murdered you and Hortense to get to me.
I won't allow anyone to threaten me, or mine. It's not my nature.
Besides, it's bad politics.
(Josephine) 'Talleyrand says your execution was worse than a crime.'
'It was a blunder!'
Royal houses of Russia, of Austria and Prussia
have-have formed a coalition against you.
And Sweden.
Is that good politics?
Please, I've united Europe..
[scoffs]
...if only for the moment.
Besides..
...it was a good start for what I have in mind.
They call you "The upstart."
What do they matter?
'They're only kings and queens.'
I'll teach them not to patronize an emperor.
What? What are you saying?
I've decided to declare myself emperor.
Why?
And why not?
Who deserves the crown more than I?
Well, sending out these lily-livered miscreants
sitting on the thrones of Europe now.
'Huh? What have they done?'
'To deserve the right? To rule?'
Their blood's as pale as cologne.
They're foolish from inbreeding.
Listen, I've proved my right with might.
Now, I wanna set that right. They stand against me.
I brush 'em aside.
Put my own kings and queens on their thrones.
Dear God.
[chuckles] He will approve.
Listen. We made a concordat with Rome.
The pope himself will attend our coronation
my little empress.
I am afraid.
Oh, you mustn't be. I'll let no harm come to you ever.
Listen, do you realize..
...you're the mother of the heir
to the throne of France.
You should look for a place in the country.
I mean, princes need fresh air and sunshine
as much as their subjects.
Bonaparte, what if I cannot?
No, no, no. You will.
'Cause we'll make it a priority.
Listen, the keystone to the stability of royal
or imperial power is an heir.
And a ruler, however powerful, well, he is considered no more
than a passing phenomenon, as long as he has no heir
so we'll make it our first priority.
But if I could not..
...would you still love me?
I don't love you now.
You know that.
You're my obsession.
My addiction.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chattering]
[chattering continues]
Now, where could she be?
She asked for a private audience with the pope.
It's rather more religious than necessary, I would say.
Perhaps a special prayer for the empire, Napoleon.
Napoleon is too informal
under the circumstances now, Bourrienne.
Of course, when others are around.
At all times, Bourrienne.
Yes, sire.
You mean, you're not married by the church, empress?
No, Your Holiness.
What's to be done?
There is only one thing to be done.
We must marry you, at once.
'First, the wedding, and then the coronation.'
I now pronounce you man and wife.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
I feel no more married than I did before.
[organ music]
[music continues]
In the name of God, the Father
God, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I crown you--
I crown myself..
...Napoleon, the first
Emperor...of France.
[indistinct chattering]
And you, I crown..
...the Empress..
...Josephine.
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
- May I speak, sire? - Speak.
What about me, am I to have nothing
just because my husband is dead?
Who gave him the syphilis that killed him?
Fishwife.
Oh, I may be..
...but I'm going to be a queen.
Is she, Napoleon?
Sire?
No, she is not.
Well, then why is she?
Because she's married to a king.
I'm to be the King of Holland.
Am I not, Nap..
- Sire. - 'Louis gets Holland.'
And I have to settle for
a disease-ridden place like Naples.
You'll abide by my decisions in these matters.
I'll see to it that you girls are
at least princesses..
'...somehow.'
Lucien?
(Lucien) I want nothing from you.
You've betrayed France, and the revolution for a crown.
Betrayed them?
I gone out to fight the enemies of France.
The Austrians had put royalty back on the throne!
We have our own, Napoleon I.
Lucien!
What about my husband?
He can be a princess' husband.
And a general?
What are you, Gian Paulo? A captain?
Gian Carlo, sire.
I'm a lieutenant, sire.
You'll be a major.
Why not a general?
He can be a general and come to Austria with me to fight.
'Would you like him to come to Austria with me to fight?'
Thank you very much, sire.
I've always wanted to be a major.
A colonel.
(Napoleon) 'Alright, go, all of you, please.'
Now!
I want to be alone with my wife.
At least, we know who'll be the next
emperor of France, don't we?
Her son.
I doubt that, Pauline.
Please call upon me, Nabouglione before you leave.
That is, if your wife doesn't mind.
Yes, I will try.
As it is, I'll be up all night every night with paperwork.
Try.
[dramatic music]
[birds chirping]
Then I can be my fault, it must be.
- No, my son. No. - Why?
She has conceived before, mama.
I have no such proof.
Don't lie to me. Was their something in my childhood?
- No. - What? An illness? A fever?
No.
Why, the old affliction does not leave me?
Your father suffered that, and I bore eight of you.
If I could know for sure.
Well, there is a way.
How?
Pauline has a young friend.
'Healthy, pure girl.'
Maybe if she were to conceive..
...you could be certain.
[intense music]
[dramatic music]
Where's your friend Claudine, the virgin?
She couldn't wait forever, mama.
This is her younger sister, Georgette.
Are you a virgin?
Well, I think so.
We'll see.
Over there.
I feel like I'm a cow up for auction.
And there is only one buyer
but he is the emperor of France.
Bonaparte?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
I saw her.
Coming from the guest apartments.
You were making love to her, weren't you?
- Yes. - How dare you?
Writhing around naked with some other woman..
...like a pair of barnyard animals.
I hate you!
How dare you dictate to me?
You are a pig.
I am the Emperor of France.
A fornicator, an adulterer and a sneak!
And I have the right to answer all your complaints
with an everlasting I.
You think that anything you take into your head--
You ought to agree to anything I take into my head.
You think the laws of morality do not apply to you?
They don't!
A fine tribute to your revolution.
I am this revolution!
That's why you want a place in the country, isn't it?
For me! So you can have your freedom from me!
'For your women.'
You hate me.
You don't love me.
[clatters]
- Don't touch me. Get off me. - Please listen to me.
- No, no. - Listen..
I'm afraid it's my fault we have no child of our own.
- I had to find out. - No, it is my fault.
- The girl is nothing to me. - Oh, I know it is.
I had an accident in Plombieres.
I didn't tell you.
What accident?
What accident?
A fall.
A fall.
Well, the young woman in Egypt didn't fall.
Oh, what are we going to do? What are we going to do?
I can't let you go.
My darling.
Oh, my darling.
What?
What?
I've made myself an emperor.
'I decreed.'
I will decree an heir.
Hortense and Louis, huh.
If her baby's a boy, I'll declare him my heir.
It's our blood.
Could you?
It's our blood. You said it. It's our blood.
It's our blood.
Oh, Hortense's baby.
Hortense's baby.
Oh, my Josephine.
What was she like?
That girl, what did she do?
Shh.
Did she do the things I do?
Shh.
[instrumental music]
Oh!
(Napoleon) Once again, the royal houses of Europe
are aligned against me.
They threaten to take back the territory
we have placed under the protection of the French.
I'm committing 73,000 troops
to fight the enemy at Austerlitz.
[explosions]
Halt!
Fire!
Fire!
[gunshots]
[gunshots]
[dramatic music]
[coughing]
Why, they've come to surrender.
To the upstart.
[instrumental music]
Charles-Napoleon or Napoleon-Charles?
Uh, Napoleon II.
[chuckles] Someday.
Oh, I changed the wet nurse.
The baby's appetite should improve.
Don't you think, mama?
Well, yes, I'm sure it will, darling.
[laughter]
They're celebrating.
His brother, the King of Holland has had a boy.
And now our emperor has an heir.
[chuckles]
The Duc d'Enghien was right.
I am the traitor.
I was a traitor to my class..
...my blood..
...my kind.
And now my revolution has an emperor all of its own.
[chuckles]
Ah, what traitors we can be
and with what ease.
Do you know what's the matter with you, Marchand?
You read too much.
[bell tolls]
[crying]
My baby.
My baby.
Please, don't.
Hortense.
You're a queen. You're a queen.
Behave like one.
[footsteps thumping]
[drum rolls]
Prussia. Must be Prussia.
No, this is Poland.
We're going to fight the Russians in Poland.
Huh?
Well, they have all banded together against us, sergeant.
All these royal houses of Europe.
You see, our revolution made people
of property and high birth fear us.
Made them desperate.
Desperate men take desperate measures.
If they weren't such fools they might realize we're just
another empire like all the rest.
But why aren't they cheering?
Because they're Poles.
Would you cheer Poles marching into Paris?
Uh, they'll never make it to Paris.
They trusted God. Huh?
They should have put their faith in artillery.
[drum roll continues]
[horse neighing]
I am Napoleon Bonaparte. What is your name?
Maria Walewska.
I would like to be your friend, Maria Walewska.
Will you be mine?
This is my husband, Excellency. Count Walewska.
You honor us with your presence, sire.
Your house is charming, Count Walewska.
Guess it has the feel of France about it, hmm.
We Poles have always admired your culture.
'Occasionally to a fault'
but we have never yet been disenchanted.
I hope we never shall be.
If you admire horse flesh..
...lieutenant, perhaps you would care to see our stables.
We breed here.
Thank you.
You'll forgive us?
- 'Through here?' - 'Yes..'
Would you care for some champagne?
It's French.
No, thank you.
Now, what is all this about, nonetheless?
Now, why have you and I, so obviously
been left alone together?
It's about patriotism, General Bonaparte.
You've conquered Poland.
You go to Warsaw to dictate the terms of the peace.
We would like you to be generous to Poland.
In return, we will be generous to you.
Hmm.
But in what way, Madame Walewska?
After our chance meeting
I told my husband I thought you found me attractive.
- You told him that? - Yes.
Why, your husband seems a most, uh, vital man for--
(Maria) 'He's 70..'
...and he is.
And I love him or I would not have married him.
Well, I do..
[chuckles] ...find you attractive.
He'll be here for the winter.
We have a house in the mountains.
'You could be comfortable there.'
And I would do everything in my power to make it enjoyable.
Well, you are direct.
I believe I would like that glass of champagne
Madame Walewska.
Maria.
[festive music]
[laughter]
I give up!
Please!
Please, stop it!
I surrender.
Please don't.
I don't want this.
I accepted the possibility of having a child
but I didn't count on falling in love with you.
It's sad to be in love with someone
who's in love with someone else.
A scientific principle.
No two things can occupy the same place
at the same time.
Well, love isn't a thing, it's an idea.
All the more real.
So what will you do?
My husband will declare the child his own.
We've already discussed it.
We'll have a brand new life in our lives.
And you and I..
...we'll never see one another again for as long as we live.
A spring snow can fall for days.
We could be buried here.
They say it warms you after a time.
I am so glad that you..
...are having our child.
So am I.
[instrumental music]
Josephine, I have to confess
you've won me over to roses
after a lifelong devotion to tulips.
These yellow ones..
These yellow ones are perfection.
Is something wrong? Are you alright?
The rumors are going around Paris
about Bonaparte and that woman.
The Polish girl.
They're rumors, dear.
'Just rumors.'
I wrote to Eugene..
...insisting on the truth.
'He could not lie to me.'
Oh, Therese, Bonaparte is in love with her.
I know he is. I can feel it.
Why else would he be coming back just now
but to tell me?
Oh, Therese, you are my friend.
What would you do?
Go away.
Don't wait for a man to bring you bad news.
Go anywhere. It doesn't matter.
Just make him miss you and then he'll follow you.
- Yes. - Hm.
Anyway, what makes you think that this particular woman..
Therese..
...she's 17.
[instrumental music]
In love?
Well, you underestimate your husband.
Forgive me.
It is you who must forgive me.
The Polish woman, Maria Walewska is with a child.
I am the father.
I must have an heir. The crown must have continuity now.
And France must be taken seriously
'by other nations.'
But surely that child cannot be your heir.
No.
But it does give you proof, doesn't it?
Yes.
You are going to divorce me, aren't you?
When?
When?
As soon as possible and it must be in public.
Since royal births, deaths and divorces
are best done in full view of history.
What will happen to me?
Josephine.
What will I do without you?
You will never be without me, ever.
This will make no difference between us, none.
[music continues]
(Napoleon) '"Before God and this company'
"I ask petition..
"...for a bill of divorcement.
We take these actions.."
Well..
God alone knows what this awful resolve has cost me.
I have courage for it only because it serves France.
And I have only gratitude to express..
...to my wife.
[crying]
"Devoid now..
"...as I am..
"...of all hope of bearing a child for France..
"...I..
"...with a full..
...heart.."
[crying]
[melancholic music]
"With a full heart
"and serene in the knowledge
"that I am performing an action
that will benefit the state."
I've been through your list of requirements for a bride.
She must be of an old throne
not a more recent one.
Yes. Ours is fresh enough.
Her family must have alliances
with already strongly-allied nations.
Gets rid of the Italians.
More than a few of the German states.
She must be sweet..
...kindly..
...sensual..
...cheery and diverting?
You...you are very demanding.
No, I'm spoiled.
Well, my choice is, uh, Marie Louise of Austria.
She's a Hapsburg. She's quite attractive, I'm told.
That is, if you like lively 18-year-old princesses.
Guess the commitment's already been made.
(male #4) 'Presentez armes.'
Whoa.
I'm Princess Marie Louise, sire.
[instrumental music]
Come.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[baby crying]
[laughing]
Oh.
Napoleon II.
He's a fine boy.
Yes.
Oh.
Oh.
There you are.
I'm so proud of both of you.
I really must go.
Where are you going?
To fight a war.
To the last war. Hmm.
Why, after this..
...no one..
...no one will ever challenge us..
...ever again.
You're not going to fight papa again, are you?
No.
Why, we're going to fight the Russians.
Oh.
That's alright then.
Hmm.
[intense music]
(Napoleon) I retreat now..
...from Moscow.
After months of repeated victories..
...the Russian winter..
...has become my enemy.
I entered Russia with 450,000 men.
And I leave now..
...with 40,000.
(male #5) 'Artillery forward!'
- 'Load up!' - 'Prepare to fire!'
Fire!
[explosions]
[gunshots]
[explosions]
[explosions]
[screaming]
[horse neighing]
[explosion]
[screaming]
[explosion]
It was just after I divorced your mother that I knew.
I knew I had lost what was most..
...well, precious to me..
And gained the whole world.
Well..
We must get back to Paris and find a way to turn the tide.
Or we shall lose the whole world to boot.
[groans]
Marchand!
I'm here.
You will be alright.
I'll get you back.
[coughs]
It's too late.
Too late. Leave me.
Go back over the bridge.
No!
Go on.
Don't lose the others.
[horse neighing]
Do me a favor, sergeant.
No.
[coughs]
For a comrade, sergeant.
A favor..
...Marchand.
[melancholic music]
I'll get the sniper for you.
Up in the trees.
Can you see him?
Watch him fall.
[gunshot]
[horse neighing]
[melancholic music]
[instrumental music]
It's hard to believe.
'There's not a French uniform among them.'
Every country in Europe smelled the blood of France
on the steppes of Russia.
Now they want a taste of it for themselves..
...like wolves.
The occupying forces won't address themselves
to the subject of your disposition, sire
until you abdicate the throne.
Well, I'm sure you have something for me to sign
in that regard.
As it...happens.
Now, what do they want to do with me?
Shoot me?
Hang me?
There is a body of opinion on both sides, sire.
Also...exile.
Where?
A rather rocky, rainy, rat-infested island
'in the South Atlantic called St. Helena'
for which the English had been unable to find a proper use
until now.
Well, if you have any influence with the new rulers..
...and I'm sure you will..
...you vote for shooting first.
I'll try my best, sire.
General.
So, Talleyrand..
...what will you do now?
I? Uh..
I am going to divorce my wife.
(Josephine) 'St. Helena?'
What do the English want to do? Kill him?
If he is sent there, he will surely die.
- I sympathize, but-- - Not St. Helena.
It is a place fit only for wharf rats
monsoons and-and Englishmen.
But they want their revenge.
Well, damn the English!
[coughing]
Are you alright?
Well enough.
And spring will see me..
...fit again, I'm sure.
Exile, yes.
Alright.
And there is a place.
Elba. It's a small island near Corsica.
His homeland.
A miniature version of Corsica.
I was on a ship once that ran aground off Elba.
Lovely for the length of a long morning
'and then you have seen'
all there is to see of Elba.
And there is never anything to do.
But isn't that..
...punishment enough?
I'll never see him again.
Not in this life, I know it.
Josephine.
Forgive me.
Ah! My make-up is askew.
I over-layered it for our meeting.
I...for whatever good it might do
I wanted to look my best for you.
I have always found you the most desirable of women.
You know that.
If that is the price for your influence..
...I would pay it...gladly.
I'll do what I can.
But there's no need for a bribe.
Indulge me, please.
Let me for once in my life do something
that is not solely in my own
self interest.
Thank you.
And good day.
The...other door
if you will.
I am about to receive
the occupying forces.
I'll do my best for General Bonaparte
and for you, I promise.
And wherever they decide to send him
I shall try to arrange a last meeting for the two of you.
Though in all candor I can't hold out
much hope for such a concession.
No man in history has ever made
so many enemies.
[melancholic music]
Say farewell for me.
[instrumental music]
Will I see you again, father?
Well..
...arrangements must be made now.
[chuckling]
Hey, don't you worry about me.
'We will see each other again.'
You're my son.
So where is she, hmm?
She's upstairs.
She's not feeling well.
Well, I'll go cheer her up.
[sighs]
Please forgive the way I look.
I've been under the weather all winter.
Well, it's spring again.
You've got to get up, get out.
Put some roses back in these cheeks.
You know what your biggest problem is, Bonaparte?
Hmm?
You have too much energy.
[chuckles]
That's true.
Sometimes, even I find it offensive.
[chuckles]
Come and sit down with me.
Tell me all your news.
- How is your son? - Mm. He's wonderful.
He's a fine boy.
A spanking good health.
Is he going to be a soldier?
No, I don't think so. He's too tall for the soldier.
You know he's got that Hapsburg height.
[chuckles]
He's too good a target.
'I want him to be a mathematician.'
'You know, like me.'
I think I love the mathematics of the artillery.
Well..
...it's good training for an emperor.
- Will he go with you too, Elba? - 'Not right away, no.'
His mother's taken him to Vienna, just for a while.
Just as well.
Give me some time to get some things that I need to do there.
You know, I'm, uh, I'm building a road.
A real road. A real, modern road.
There's none there now. The people, they need it.
I'll get them prospering before they even know it.
Yes.
That road's gonna span the entire length of their island.
So...won't take too long to build
'cause the island's only ten kilometers.
[laughing]
Oh!
I shall have my empire there.
I shall be Napoleon I, Emperor of Elba.
I'll get musicians to play "The Marseillaise."
Some bones to pick with those historians.
They're so stupid.
They really believe there was a Europe before me.
Perhaps someday you'll come to visit. Hmm?
[sighs] Yes.
I would like that very much.
Good.
Just let me know when you feel up to it.
Give me something to look forward to.
Josephine.
My Josephine.
You're tired.
I gotta go.
Forgive me.
Never.
Come, no goodbyes.
No goodbyes.
You know, I do have a confession to make to you.
Yes.
It was for all these years..
...you know I lied to you.
I said, I was obsessed with you.
I was.
I still am, but..
'...I lied.'
Because I said I didn't love you.
And I do.
I love you.
I have..
...loved you.
And I will.
Always.
[mellow music]
Atten-hut!
Presentez armes!
[music continues]
(male narrator) Josephine died as Napoleon Bonaparte
began his exile on the island of Elba.
He died seven years later
on May 5th, 1821 at the age of 51.
His last words were..
"France, the army.
"At the head of the army..
...Josephine."
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
She's gone.
She ran off with him.
You know, I am under a curse, Bourrienne.
Like a fragment of rock..
...launched into space.
I want everything out of here now.
Hm?
Everything.
Everything that reminds me of her.
[clatters]
[horse snorts]
[groans]
[carriage door shuts]
[horse neighing]
[horse snorts]
Bonaparte?
Bonaparte!
Bonaparte!
I know you're here.
I know you are here.
You're here. I know you are.
'Open the door, please.'
'Please.'
I beg you.
Forgive me for my crimes.
Whatever you think they are, forgive me.
You go away.
[sobbing] I did not deceive you with him.
Not again. I didn't.
'Charles means nothing to me.'
'It's you I love.'
No. You go away.
[sobbing] No.
No.
Mother, don't cry.
You leave me.
[Josephine crying] 'No.'
'No.'
'No.'
[banging doors]
'Open the door. Please.'
You have no shame.
No, I have no shame.
I will leave you.
No.
No. I won't let you.
I love you.
Mother!
Mother.
Oh, Eugene.
Father!
Father, it's me! Your son.
Open the door!
'Let us in!'
'Open the door, father!'
- Papa, please! - 'Father!'
'Please open the door!'
'Please! Let us in!'
Let us in! Now, now!
Father!
[melancholic music]
The last of the Swiss guard made a stand here.
The mob tore them limb from limb.
Pigs.
From my hiding place under the eves I watched
while they brought the King Louis.
Queen Marie Antoinette and their small children
out onto the balcony
so that the mob could throw
human excrement at them.
The day of reckoning will come.
The monarchy must be restored.
I consecrate my life to that.
[instrumental music]
Where are we going?
Oh, to the royal palace.
I didn't think you liked museums.
I like the palace.
- Very much. - Hmm.
(D'Enghien) 'The Corsican. Bonaparte.'
A dangerous man.
A very dangerous man.
And the main salon. For entertaining guests. Hm?
The great.
The powerful.
The accomplished.
One's peers, the crowned heads of Europe.
You sound like a Royalist, Bonaparte.
For recreation, let me show you the piece de resistance.
[sighs] A room to be dreamed of.
[Napoleon chuckles]
You mustn't.
Come.
What dreams one could dream in a bed like this.
Hmm.
Not here.
Why not?
It's our bedroom.
[laughs] What are you talking about?
It's our house.
Well, I'm too young, Barras says
to be a member of the directory, so..
'...Barras and his friends are being replaced..'
...by a consulate..
...and this will be the residence
of the First Consul..
...your husband.
When will this happen?
As we speak.
(Napoleon) I've sent a squad of soldiers
to arrest our friend Barras.
And others have been sent to reason
with the Council of Elders.
So..
...the government's now completely under my control.
[Napoleon laughs]
[speaking foreign language]
The palace is now closed to the public.
[chuckles] What?
What?
Where are we going?
Let's go announce to all the people
that an heir has been conceived.
(male #1) 'Move along, now!'
'Everybody out!'
'First Consul's orders.'
The palace is closed to the public.
Our guests are leaving.
- 'Keep moving.' - 'Move along now.'
Everybody out.
Move along.
I must leave France, Drummond.
If I should be discovered, it could spell disaster
for the Royalist cause.
You and the Marquis
will have to conduct our affairs without me.
And you must prevail.
If we're to restore the monarchy..
...Bonaparte must die.
[indistinct chattering]
- 'Take your positions.' - 'Sir.'
[intense music]
Someone you know, Marchand?
(Marchand) 'Yes. Someone I knew a long time ago.'
'Duc d'Enghien.'
I am afraid.
No.
Nothing in the world can harm you now.
You're Bonaparte's wife.
No one would dare.
[indistinct chattering]
Good evening.
[orchestral music]
An altered hemline here, a more modish bodice there
rose on the cheeks, and I believe
Monsieur Aubert's ecstatic, except
I think I'm pregnant again.
By Monsieur Aubert?
Um...probably.
[chuckles]
Oh, Therese, you're so lucky.
[music continues]
[indistinct chattering]
Monsieur First Consul.
- Good evening. - How do you do?
Good evening.
More wood on this fire
and pile it high.
Some of the ladies here are wearing so little clothing.
'They must be chilly.'
Josephine.
I wanted to greet our guests.
You haven't said "Hello" to Therese.
Come.
- You were rude to her. - I don't want her here.
The woman is an embarrassment to respectable people.
Four children.
No real idea who any of the fathers are.
- You are too severe, Bonaparte. - Enough now.
Citizen Talleyrand is here.
Talleyrand?
Citizen Talleyrand is welcome and Therese is not?
He is not your friend, Bonaparte.
Well, he's no one's friend but Talleyrand's
but I need him, he is skilled.
Without his help, I would not be First Consul.
You and I would not be living in this palace.
Be gracious.
(Josephine) Citizen Talleyrand.
Citizeness.
Uh, Madame First Consul.
'Sire.'
May I present Madame..
Grant.
- Enchanted...but hot. - Yes, sire.
Suddenly it seems quite..
...intemperate.
But if the ladies insist on nakedness, a fire's needed.
I'm so hot, I could take my clothes off right here.
Shall we?
Please wait till foreign minister and I are gone.
Foreign minister.
Have I seen you somewhere before?
Not unless you do a lot of shopping.
[music continues]
Excuse me.
I don't think, guests are allowed
to bring animals to the palace.
Pooh.
It's my brother's palace.
I'm Louis Bonaparte.
[growls]
(Hortense) 'He doesn't like you.'
Our dogs don't like Bonapartes.
Don't let my brother hear you say that.
Pooh!
[indistinct chattering]
This person is charming.
This person has her charms, yes.
My most acceptable wife.
- I would say. - Wife?
Why, it is unseemly for the Foreign Minister of France
to have nothing but mistresses, hm?
In the interest of international propriety.
Imperative.
I would say.
A wife?
As you say, sire.
Forgive my hesitation.
The heat seems to have muddled me.
Yes, well, for a more clement climate
I would recommend a more decorous feminine apparel.
As always, I shall most certainly see
that your recommendations are circulated, sire.
Will you..
...marry me, mademoiselle?
[chuckles]
You do like a little joke, don't you?
[chuckles] Yes.
Nevertheless..
I don't suppose you'd like to dance with me?
No.
I've danced with Bonapartes before.
I'm not here tonight as a teacher.
I beg your pardon?
(Josephine) 'Hortense.'
This is my mother.
Well, then you are..
Hortense.
Well, I'm your brother-in-law.
Oh, once removed.
Good.
[growling]
[barks]
We can't dance with the dog.
Well, I'll take the dog. Give him to me.
[window glass shatters]
[guests exclaiming]
- 'What was that?' - 'What was that?'
(female #1) 'Oh, my goodness.'
[indistinct chattering]
Ah, the fleur-de-lis.
Royalists.
They're my old predecessors.
Well, the English Union Jack would be a fitting symbol.
'Since it is the English that are behind them.'
Supporting them, financing them, goading them on.
It's always the damned English.
Go, search the grounds.
"Well, death to the tyrant, Bonaparte."
Musicians!
Play!
[orchestral music]
At last..
...fresh air.
Who could have thrown it?
Perhaps the..
...hand of God.
I'm joking, of course.
- 'You men, check the garden!' - Yes, sir.
'The rest of you, scour the grounds.'
[indistinct chattering]
- Yes, sir. You heard him. - Come on, let's go.
[organ music]
Excellent, huh?
The bishop will tell the archbishop
the archbishop will tell the cardinal
and the cardinal will tell the pope.
What would he tell him?
That the First Consul of France
wishes a reconciliation
with the Church of Rome.
A concordat.
- You have the power to do that? - No. Not yet.
Soon.
Must come now, no?
My mother was right.
In the eyes of the Vatican and their friends here
you're no more than my concubine.
You were courageous, as always.
(Josephine) 'It would be nice to see'
Hortense and..
...your brother Louis..
...married in a church.
He's proposed to her.
- They want your blessing. - Louis and Hortense?
She's openly rude and antagonistic to him
at every meeting.
That's because she loves him.
[chuckles]
- Women. - Hm!
She's too young.
Besides, he's too immature.
Our blood, Bonaparte.
Yours and mine.
They have my blessing.
Thank you for the gift of Hortense.
[laughing]
Are your agents reliable, Fouche?
Western Europe, you know that.
They served the Bourbons and the Republic..
...and more than once, the Austrians and the Prussians..
...with the consent of the governmental consent, of course.
Of course, but do they serve the First Consul?
They follow my orders.
Oh, really?
And what do they sniff on the wind?
A Royalist plot simmering.
'It's hard to tell who, what, or where the real leaders are.'
Royalists die well under torture.
Concentrate on the First Consul's
official public appearances.
'For example, he's to dedicate a memorial'
to casualties of the Italian campaign
and there's a premiere of a Haydn work at the opera.
'I'll let you know of others.'
[indistinct chattering]
Your wife is charming, citizen.
- Who? - Your wife.
Oh! Oh, yes, yes. Of course.
'Uh, your wife, your wife is charming, too, Fouche.'
She's not my wife, she's my mistress.
'I don't have a wife.'
Then you are
doubly blessed, citizen.
[baby crying]
[dog barking]
[intense music]
Whoa.
We'll take the delivery from here.
Take care.
There's enough gunpowder in this cart
to blow up the whole square.
As intended.
Take up your post
where you can see Napoleon Bonaparte's carriage
approaching from Rue Dax.
Signal when you do..
...and I'll light the fuse.
Oh, God.
No, Marie, I want the opera thing.
- We're going to the opera. - And we're late.
What's keeping you?
I'm hurrying as fast as I can.
And where is your husband?
He detests opera.
If that were an excuse, I'd stay home, too.
Do you realize, papa, that
now that I'm married to Louis
you're both my papa and my brother-in-law?
Oh, well, then both of them are going to be late, hm?
Why don't you go ahead? We'll catch up.
- Well, perhaps I will. - 'Please do.'
The new opera is called "The Creation."
And I'll wager Herr Haydn created "The Creation"
in less time than it takes this woman to create her face.
Go!
Women are saints.
[door closes]
Ah, Louise. Perfect.
[instrumental music]
(male #2) 'Attention!'
We'll go on ahead.
Hyah!
[intense music]
Young woman.
My wheel is loose.
I must find someone to repair it.
Would you hold the reins?
'I'll only be a moment.'
So much, sir?
The cart is very important to me, my dear.
Thank you, sir.
You're very pretty.
God bless you.
[music continues]
[music continues]
Make way for the First Consul!
Make way!
[intense music]
Faster! We're late!
Hyah! Hyah!
[cheering]
[intense music]
[explosion]
[screams]
Oh, Hortense.
[wailing]
Over here!
(male #3) 'Boys, spread out!'
[women crying]
[indistinct chattering]
Oh, what happened? What is he..
- Are you alright? - 'Are you alright?'
Hortense is hurt. She's cut.
[crying]
They'll pay.
Every one of them.
I swear it.
'They will pay.'
(Fouche) 'Who's your leader?'
Tell us and you'll die quickly.
[screaming]
Who's your leader?
Who is your leader?
If he doesn't need a tongue, then tear it out.
You fool.
[Drummond screams]
[instrumental music]
- How is she? - She's asleep.
Her cuts are surface. She'll be alright.
May I?
You know, I wonder..
I just wonder who of your aristocratic friends
from the old days has the most stature with his peers.
Bonaparte, I don't want to talk about.
- They've suffered enough. - Why, you misunderstand me.
I'm not seeking to punish anyone here after talk.
That is, to reason with such a person, no?
I mean, I've to convince them
they work against their own interests
with acts of terror, hm?
They delay their repatriation.
Believe me, I seek understanding here, not retribution.
I just wonder who in the hearts of your friends
have been most respected.
Well, the most highly regarded..
...seems to be..
One hears the-the Duc d'Enghien
spoken of in those terms.
The Duc d'Enghien?
Yes.
Bonaparte, where are you going?
What are you going to do?
Bonaparte!
I want the Duc d'Enghien.
Now, where is he?
He is not on French soil.
Any attempt to apprehend him
'would be an act of military aggression.'
Where is he?!
Fouche.
Uh, Citizen Talleyrand is right, general.
'He Is in Ettenheim, in Baden.'
A German state just across the border.
He has sanctuary under the protection
of the Prince of Baden.
I don't give a damn.
You'll arrest him.
At the very least, a crime.
[intense music]
I protest.
This is an illegal act.
We have a special case here.
The Duc d'Enghien has asked
to give his own execution commands.
Permission has been granted
as he is a former ranking officer in the army.
I never liked it.
'They usually lose their nerve.'
'You're the best marksmen in the battalion'
'which is why you've been assigned this duty.'
'Be alert.'
What we don't want here is a badly wounded man.
What we want..
...is a dead man.
Ready!
Aim.
De Villeforte.
Traitor!
Fire!
[gunshots]
Recover!
You double-crosser! You tricked me!
Yes, he murdered 25 innocent people.
He didn't care if he murdered you and Hortense to get to me.
I won't allow anyone to threaten me, or mine. It's not my nature.
Besides, it's bad politics.
(Josephine) 'Talleyrand says your execution was worse than a crime.'
'It was a blunder!'
Royal houses of Russia, of Austria and Prussia
have-have formed a coalition against you.
And Sweden.
Is that good politics?
Please, I've united Europe..
[scoffs]
...if only for the moment.
Besides..
...it was a good start for what I have in mind.
They call you "The upstart."
What do they matter?
'They're only kings and queens.'
I'll teach them not to patronize an emperor.
What? What are you saying?
I've decided to declare myself emperor.
Why?
And why not?
Who deserves the crown more than I?
Well, sending out these lily-livered miscreants
sitting on the thrones of Europe now.
'Huh? What have they done?'
'To deserve the right? To rule?'
Their blood's as pale as cologne.
They're foolish from inbreeding.
Listen, I've proved my right with might.
Now, I wanna set that right. They stand against me.
I brush 'em aside.
Put my own kings and queens on their thrones.
Dear God.
[chuckles] He will approve.
Listen. We made a concordat with Rome.
The pope himself will attend our coronation
my little empress.
I am afraid.
Oh, you mustn't be. I'll let no harm come to you ever.
Listen, do you realize..
...you're the mother of the heir
to the throne of France.
You should look for a place in the country.
I mean, princes need fresh air and sunshine
as much as their subjects.
Bonaparte, what if I cannot?
No, no, no. You will.
'Cause we'll make it a priority.
Listen, the keystone to the stability of royal
or imperial power is an heir.
And a ruler, however powerful, well, he is considered no more
than a passing phenomenon, as long as he has no heir
so we'll make it our first priority.
But if I could not..
...would you still love me?
I don't love you now.
You know that.
You're my obsession.
My addiction.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chattering]
[chattering continues]
Now, where could she be?
She asked for a private audience with the pope.
It's rather more religious than necessary, I would say.
Perhaps a special prayer for the empire, Napoleon.
Napoleon is too informal
under the circumstances now, Bourrienne.
Of course, when others are around.
At all times, Bourrienne.
Yes, sire.
You mean, you're not married by the church, empress?
No, Your Holiness.
What's to be done?
There is only one thing to be done.
We must marry you, at once.
'First, the wedding, and then the coronation.'
I now pronounce you man and wife.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
I feel no more married than I did before.
[organ music]
[music continues]
In the name of God, the Father
God, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I crown you--
I crown myself..
...Napoleon, the first
Emperor...of France.
[indistinct chattering]
And you, I crown..
...the Empress..
...Josephine.
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
- May I speak, sire? - Speak.
What about me, am I to have nothing
just because my husband is dead?
Who gave him the syphilis that killed him?
Fishwife.
Oh, I may be..
...but I'm going to be a queen.
Is she, Napoleon?
Sire?
No, she is not.
Well, then why is she?
Because she's married to a king.
I'm to be the King of Holland.
Am I not, Nap..
- Sire. - 'Louis gets Holland.'
And I have to settle for
a disease-ridden place like Naples.
You'll abide by my decisions in these matters.
I'll see to it that you girls are
at least princesses..
'...somehow.'
Lucien?
(Lucien) I want nothing from you.
You've betrayed France, and the revolution for a crown.
Betrayed them?
I gone out to fight the enemies of France.
The Austrians had put royalty back on the throne!
We have our own, Napoleon I.
Lucien!
What about my husband?
He can be a princess' husband.
And a general?
What are you, Gian Paulo? A captain?
Gian Carlo, sire.
I'm a lieutenant, sire.
You'll be a major.
Why not a general?
He can be a general and come to Austria with me to fight.
'Would you like him to come to Austria with me to fight?'
Thank you very much, sire.
I've always wanted to be a major.
A colonel.
(Napoleon) 'Alright, go, all of you, please.'
Now!
I want to be alone with my wife.
At least, we know who'll be the next
emperor of France, don't we?
Her son.
I doubt that, Pauline.
Please call upon me, Nabouglione before you leave.
That is, if your wife doesn't mind.
Yes, I will try.
As it is, I'll be up all night every night with paperwork.
Try.
[dramatic music]
[birds chirping]
Then I can be my fault, it must be.
- No, my son. No. - Why?
She has conceived before, mama.
I have no such proof.
Don't lie to me. Was their something in my childhood?
- No. - What? An illness? A fever?
No.
Why, the old affliction does not leave me?
Your father suffered that, and I bore eight of you.
If I could know for sure.
Well, there is a way.
How?
Pauline has a young friend.
'Healthy, pure girl.'
Maybe if she were to conceive..
...you could be certain.
[intense music]
[dramatic music]
Where's your friend Claudine, the virgin?
She couldn't wait forever, mama.
This is her younger sister, Georgette.
Are you a virgin?
Well, I think so.
We'll see.
Over there.
I feel like I'm a cow up for auction.
And there is only one buyer
but he is the emperor of France.
Bonaparte?
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
I saw her.
Coming from the guest apartments.
You were making love to her, weren't you?
- Yes. - How dare you?
Writhing around naked with some other woman..
...like a pair of barnyard animals.
I hate you!
How dare you dictate to me?
You are a pig.
I am the Emperor of France.
A fornicator, an adulterer and a sneak!
And I have the right to answer all your complaints
with an everlasting I.
You think that anything you take into your head--
You ought to agree to anything I take into my head.
You think the laws of morality do not apply to you?
They don't!
A fine tribute to your revolution.
I am this revolution!
That's why you want a place in the country, isn't it?
For me! So you can have your freedom from me!
'For your women.'
You hate me.
You don't love me.
[clatters]
- Don't touch me. Get off me. - Please listen to me.
- No, no. - Listen..
I'm afraid it's my fault we have no child of our own.
- I had to find out. - No, it is my fault.
- The girl is nothing to me. - Oh, I know it is.
I had an accident in Plombieres.
I didn't tell you.
What accident?
What accident?
A fall.
A fall.
Well, the young woman in Egypt didn't fall.
Oh, what are we going to do? What are we going to do?
I can't let you go.
My darling.
Oh, my darling.
What?
What?
I've made myself an emperor.
'I decreed.'
I will decree an heir.
Hortense and Louis, huh.
If her baby's a boy, I'll declare him my heir.
It's our blood.
Could you?
It's our blood. You said it. It's our blood.
It's our blood.
Oh, Hortense's baby.
Hortense's baby.
Oh, my Josephine.
What was she like?
That girl, what did she do?
Shh.
Did she do the things I do?
Shh.
[instrumental music]
Oh!
(Napoleon) Once again, the royal houses of Europe
are aligned against me.
They threaten to take back the territory
we have placed under the protection of the French.
I'm committing 73,000 troops
to fight the enemy at Austerlitz.
[explosions]
Halt!
Fire!
Fire!
[gunshots]
[gunshots]
[dramatic music]
[coughing]
Why, they've come to surrender.
To the upstart.
[instrumental music]
Charles-Napoleon or Napoleon-Charles?
Uh, Napoleon II.
[chuckles] Someday.
Oh, I changed the wet nurse.
The baby's appetite should improve.
Don't you think, mama?
Well, yes, I'm sure it will, darling.
[laughter]
They're celebrating.
His brother, the King of Holland has had a boy.
And now our emperor has an heir.
[chuckles]
The Duc d'Enghien was right.
I am the traitor.
I was a traitor to my class..
...my blood..
...my kind.
And now my revolution has an emperor all of its own.
[chuckles]
Ah, what traitors we can be
and with what ease.
Do you know what's the matter with you, Marchand?
You read too much.
[bell tolls]
[crying]
My baby.
My baby.
Please, don't.
Hortense.
You're a queen. You're a queen.
Behave like one.
[footsteps thumping]
[drum rolls]
Prussia. Must be Prussia.
No, this is Poland.
We're going to fight the Russians in Poland.
Huh?
Well, they have all banded together against us, sergeant.
All these royal houses of Europe.
You see, our revolution made people
of property and high birth fear us.
Made them desperate.
Desperate men take desperate measures.
If they weren't such fools they might realize we're just
another empire like all the rest.
But why aren't they cheering?
Because they're Poles.
Would you cheer Poles marching into Paris?
Uh, they'll never make it to Paris.
They trusted God. Huh?
They should have put their faith in artillery.
[drum roll continues]
[horse neighing]
I am Napoleon Bonaparte. What is your name?
Maria Walewska.
I would like to be your friend, Maria Walewska.
Will you be mine?
This is my husband, Excellency. Count Walewska.
You honor us with your presence, sire.
Your house is charming, Count Walewska.
Guess it has the feel of France about it, hmm.
We Poles have always admired your culture.
'Occasionally to a fault'
but we have never yet been disenchanted.
I hope we never shall be.
If you admire horse flesh..
...lieutenant, perhaps you would care to see our stables.
We breed here.
Thank you.
You'll forgive us?
- 'Through here?' - 'Yes..'
Would you care for some champagne?
It's French.
No, thank you.
Now, what is all this about, nonetheless?
Now, why have you and I, so obviously
been left alone together?
It's about patriotism, General Bonaparte.
You've conquered Poland.
You go to Warsaw to dictate the terms of the peace.
We would like you to be generous to Poland.
In return, we will be generous to you.
Hmm.
But in what way, Madame Walewska?
After our chance meeting
I told my husband I thought you found me attractive.
- You told him that? - Yes.
Why, your husband seems a most, uh, vital man for--
(Maria) 'He's 70..'
...and he is.
And I love him or I would not have married him.
Well, I do..
[chuckles] ...find you attractive.
He'll be here for the winter.
We have a house in the mountains.
'You could be comfortable there.'
And I would do everything in my power to make it enjoyable.
Well, you are direct.
I believe I would like that glass of champagne
Madame Walewska.
Maria.
[festive music]
[laughter]
I give up!
Please!
Please, stop it!
I surrender.
Please don't.
I don't want this.
I accepted the possibility of having a child
but I didn't count on falling in love with you.
It's sad to be in love with someone
who's in love with someone else.
A scientific principle.
No two things can occupy the same place
at the same time.
Well, love isn't a thing, it's an idea.
All the more real.
So what will you do?
My husband will declare the child his own.
We've already discussed it.
We'll have a brand new life in our lives.
And you and I..
...we'll never see one another again for as long as we live.
A spring snow can fall for days.
We could be buried here.
They say it warms you after a time.
I am so glad that you..
...are having our child.
So am I.
[instrumental music]
Josephine, I have to confess
you've won me over to roses
after a lifelong devotion to tulips.
These yellow ones..
These yellow ones are perfection.
Is something wrong? Are you alright?
The rumors are going around Paris
about Bonaparte and that woman.
The Polish girl.
They're rumors, dear.
'Just rumors.'
I wrote to Eugene..
...insisting on the truth.
'He could not lie to me.'
Oh, Therese, Bonaparte is in love with her.
I know he is. I can feel it.
Why else would he be coming back just now
but to tell me?
Oh, Therese, you are my friend.
What would you do?
Go away.
Don't wait for a man to bring you bad news.
Go anywhere. It doesn't matter.
Just make him miss you and then he'll follow you.
- Yes. - Hm.
Anyway, what makes you think that this particular woman..
Therese..
...she's 17.
[instrumental music]
In love?
Well, you underestimate your husband.
Forgive me.
It is you who must forgive me.
The Polish woman, Maria Walewska is with a child.
I am the father.
I must have an heir. The crown must have continuity now.
And France must be taken seriously
'by other nations.'
But surely that child cannot be your heir.
No.
But it does give you proof, doesn't it?
Yes.
You are going to divorce me, aren't you?
When?
When?
As soon as possible and it must be in public.
Since royal births, deaths and divorces
are best done in full view of history.
What will happen to me?
Josephine.
What will I do without you?
You will never be without me, ever.
This will make no difference between us, none.
[music continues]
(Napoleon) '"Before God and this company'
"I ask petition..
"...for a bill of divorcement.
We take these actions.."
Well..
God alone knows what this awful resolve has cost me.
I have courage for it only because it serves France.
And I have only gratitude to express..
...to my wife.
[crying]
"Devoid now..
"...as I am..
"...of all hope of bearing a child for France..
"...I..
"...with a full..
...heart.."
[crying]
[melancholic music]
"With a full heart
"and serene in the knowledge
"that I am performing an action
that will benefit the state."
I've been through your list of requirements for a bride.
She must be of an old throne
not a more recent one.
Yes. Ours is fresh enough.
Her family must have alliances
with already strongly-allied nations.
Gets rid of the Italians.
More than a few of the German states.
She must be sweet..
...kindly..
...sensual..
...cheery and diverting?
You...you are very demanding.
No, I'm spoiled.
Well, my choice is, uh, Marie Louise of Austria.
She's a Hapsburg. She's quite attractive, I'm told.
That is, if you like lively 18-year-old princesses.
Guess the commitment's already been made.
(male #4) 'Presentez armes.'
Whoa.
I'm Princess Marie Louise, sire.
[instrumental music]
Come.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[baby crying]
[laughing]
Oh.
Napoleon II.
He's a fine boy.
Yes.
Oh.
Oh.
There you are.
I'm so proud of both of you.
I really must go.
Where are you going?
To fight a war.
To the last war. Hmm.
Why, after this..
...no one..
...no one will ever challenge us..
...ever again.
You're not going to fight papa again, are you?
No.
Why, we're going to fight the Russians.
Oh.
That's alright then.
Hmm.
[intense music]
(Napoleon) I retreat now..
...from Moscow.
After months of repeated victories..
...the Russian winter..
...has become my enemy.
I entered Russia with 450,000 men.
And I leave now..
...with 40,000.
(male #5) 'Artillery forward!'
- 'Load up!' - 'Prepare to fire!'
Fire!
[explosions]
[gunshots]
[explosions]
[explosions]
[screaming]
[horse neighing]
[explosion]
[screaming]
[explosion]
It was just after I divorced your mother that I knew.
I knew I had lost what was most..
...well, precious to me..
And gained the whole world.
Well..
We must get back to Paris and find a way to turn the tide.
Or we shall lose the whole world to boot.
[groans]
Marchand!
I'm here.
You will be alright.
I'll get you back.
[coughs]
It's too late.
Too late. Leave me.
Go back over the bridge.
No!
Go on.
Don't lose the others.
[horse neighing]
Do me a favor, sergeant.
No.
[coughs]
For a comrade, sergeant.
A favor..
...Marchand.
[melancholic music]
I'll get the sniper for you.
Up in the trees.
Can you see him?
Watch him fall.
[gunshot]
[horse neighing]
[melancholic music]
[instrumental music]
It's hard to believe.
'There's not a French uniform among them.'
Every country in Europe smelled the blood of France
on the steppes of Russia.
Now they want a taste of it for themselves..
...like wolves.
The occupying forces won't address themselves
to the subject of your disposition, sire
until you abdicate the throne.
Well, I'm sure you have something for me to sign
in that regard.
As it...happens.
Now, what do they want to do with me?
Shoot me?
Hang me?
There is a body of opinion on both sides, sire.
Also...exile.
Where?
A rather rocky, rainy, rat-infested island
'in the South Atlantic called St. Helena'
for which the English had been unable to find a proper use
until now.
Well, if you have any influence with the new rulers..
...and I'm sure you will..
...you vote for shooting first.
I'll try my best, sire.
General.
So, Talleyrand..
...what will you do now?
I? Uh..
I am going to divorce my wife.
(Josephine) 'St. Helena?'
What do the English want to do? Kill him?
If he is sent there, he will surely die.
- I sympathize, but-- - Not St. Helena.
It is a place fit only for wharf rats
monsoons and-and Englishmen.
But they want their revenge.
Well, damn the English!
[coughing]
Are you alright?
Well enough.
And spring will see me..
...fit again, I'm sure.
Exile, yes.
Alright.
And there is a place.
Elba. It's a small island near Corsica.
His homeland.
A miniature version of Corsica.
I was on a ship once that ran aground off Elba.
Lovely for the length of a long morning
'and then you have seen'
all there is to see of Elba.
And there is never anything to do.
But isn't that..
...punishment enough?
I'll never see him again.
Not in this life, I know it.
Josephine.
Forgive me.
Ah! My make-up is askew.
I over-layered it for our meeting.
I...for whatever good it might do
I wanted to look my best for you.
I have always found you the most desirable of women.
You know that.
If that is the price for your influence..
...I would pay it...gladly.
I'll do what I can.
But there's no need for a bribe.
Indulge me, please.
Let me for once in my life do something
that is not solely in my own
self interest.
Thank you.
And good day.
The...other door
if you will.
I am about to receive
the occupying forces.
I'll do my best for General Bonaparte
and for you, I promise.
And wherever they decide to send him
I shall try to arrange a last meeting for the two of you.
Though in all candor I can't hold out
much hope for such a concession.
No man in history has ever made
so many enemies.
[melancholic music]
Say farewell for me.
[instrumental music]
Will I see you again, father?
Well..
...arrangements must be made now.
[chuckling]
Hey, don't you worry about me.
'We will see each other again.'
You're my son.
So where is she, hmm?
She's upstairs.
She's not feeling well.
Well, I'll go cheer her up.
[sighs]
Please forgive the way I look.
I've been under the weather all winter.
Well, it's spring again.
You've got to get up, get out.
Put some roses back in these cheeks.
You know what your biggest problem is, Bonaparte?
Hmm?
You have too much energy.
[chuckles]
That's true.
Sometimes, even I find it offensive.
[chuckles]
Come and sit down with me.
Tell me all your news.
- How is your son? - Mm. He's wonderful.
He's a fine boy.
A spanking good health.
Is he going to be a soldier?
No, I don't think so. He's too tall for the soldier.
You know he's got that Hapsburg height.
[chuckles]
He's too good a target.
'I want him to be a mathematician.'
'You know, like me.'
I think I love the mathematics of the artillery.
Well..
...it's good training for an emperor.
- Will he go with you too, Elba? - 'Not right away, no.'
His mother's taken him to Vienna, just for a while.
Just as well.
Give me some time to get some things that I need to do there.
You know, I'm, uh, I'm building a road.
A real road. A real, modern road.
There's none there now. The people, they need it.
I'll get them prospering before they even know it.
Yes.
That road's gonna span the entire length of their island.
So...won't take too long to build
'cause the island's only ten kilometers.
[laughing]
Oh!
I shall have my empire there.
I shall be Napoleon I, Emperor of Elba.
I'll get musicians to play "The Marseillaise."
Some bones to pick with those historians.
They're so stupid.
They really believe there was a Europe before me.
Perhaps someday you'll come to visit. Hmm?
[sighs] Yes.
I would like that very much.
Good.
Just let me know when you feel up to it.
Give me something to look forward to.
Josephine.
My Josephine.
You're tired.
I gotta go.
Forgive me.
Never.
Come, no goodbyes.
No goodbyes.
You know, I do have a confession to make to you.
Yes.
It was for all these years..
...you know I lied to you.
I said, I was obsessed with you.
I was.
I still am, but..
'...I lied.'
Because I said I didn't love you.
And I do.
I love you.
I have..
...loved you.
And I will.
Always.
[mellow music]
Atten-hut!
Presentez armes!
[music continues]
(male narrator) Josephine died as Napoleon Bonaparte
began his exile on the island of Elba.
He died seven years later
on May 5th, 1821 at the age of 51.
His last words were..
"France, the army.
"At the head of the army..
...Josephine."
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]