Rasputin and the Empress Page #7

Berlin is on the telephone

now, awaiting our decision.

What possible

choice have we?

Your majesty, I don't see

how we can turn our backs now.

We are pledged

to protect Serbia.

Paul:
Surely.

We're also pledged to protect

Russia, your Excellency.

I have seen

Germanys army.

With all respect to your ministry, sir,

We are not prepared.

[Men talking]

You're not in the best

position to know, colonel.

[Men talking]

Gentlemen, the consequences

of whatever we may decide here

are more than I can face

without the help of God.

I wish to be alone

for a moment.

My son...

I know everything that's in your heart.

It is very heavy.

Because you're not

in the will of God.

Why do you want to

bow to the Kaiser?

Why do you say that?

Your eyes are

full of it.

My son, if you

follow this course,

it will be the end

of Russia.

You know the Kaisers

ambitions in the East.

This is the first step.

The next, the Turks will

close up the Black Sea.

Father, I need your spiritual advice

more than your political opinions.

But you yourself

have told me,

A gun is pointing

toward Russia.

I felt that something

led me here.

Besides healing Aloysha, Ive

been ordained to save his throne.

Be firm, and it will

endure forever.

Tell the Kaiser that you remain

the protector of the weak,

that you are

still the Czar.

Paul:

Out of the way.

Forgive this interruption, your majesty,

but circumstances

justify it.

Your foreign minister has just received

another demand

from Berlin,

and you are

with the man

Whose advice has created the situation,

the man that was

undermining your government.

What is the meaning

of this?

Your majesty, this man

wishes Russia to go to war.

This means the destruction

of your country,

the end of

your dynasty.

Your advisers will

tell you otherwise

because they no longer

are your advisers.

All the people

devoted to you,

all the people loyal to you are gone.

These men are

his creatures.

There are limits to

my friendship, prince.

No, no, my son.

You must hear him out.

If I am all he accuses me of

being, I don't deserve your trust.

Let us have the truth.

I say that he is

plunging us into war,

but you must decide.

By what right do you burst in here

with these reckless accusations?

By the same right, sir, that

I went to his flat last night

and tried to kill him,

the right every man has

to protect his country

against her enemies.

You did what?

Sir, I was hoping today you'd

be signing my death warrant,

that Id be dead,

but so would he,

And the nightmare of this holy

leech would be over forever.

Yes. Yes, he

tried to kill me.

Why didn't you

come to me?

With all your burdens?

If God sent me here

to save Aloysha,

surely he can

protect me.

You knew Aloysha's life depended on him.

And they could play their

little game undisturbed.

Isn't that it?

Sir, you know

I love Aloysha.

Why do you

want him to die?

I don't,

but Id rather see him dead

than what you've made him.

Above everything

on earth,

I love my son.

I thought

you did.

Oh, sir,

in all sincerity,

it was as much for Aloysha

as for Russia.

I have never questioned

your sincerity.

I do, your sanity.

I have been swayed

by many influences,

but one influence

has never swayed me...

Attempts to assassinate my

advisers, my family, or myself.

Your resignation

is accepted.

Well, what are you waiting for?

God moves

in a mysterious way.

You wouldn't have

believed me.

He had to reveal

himself.

Now you know

your enemies.

Go, my son.

Protect holy Russia.

[Band playing]

Chevalier guards.

Man:
Attention!

Alix, am I right

in going?

Yes, my dear.

Yes, but taking over

the entire command...

The responsibility

frightens me.

Others are better

trained for war.

I have no stomach

for the slaughter.

But you must remember

what father Rasputin said.

It is only you who can

give Russia courage.

Yes.

You'll write to me

when you can?

Every day.

Look out

for Metchnikoff.

Our friend

doesn't trust him.

I used to think all the

men around me were loyal...

before he opened

my eyes.

Had to be done,

Nicky.

I know.

Ever since, I haven't

liked the taste of my heart.

[Knock on door]

Yes?

It's 9:
30,

your Majesty.

I'm coming

immediately.

Good-Bye, beloved.

Not yet, Alix.

Fight well,

my emperor.

Alix dear.

Fear God...

and no one else.

[Man shouting]

Hurry back to me.

[Trumpet call sounding]

[Whistle blowing]

[Engine chugging]

Tell me, Aloysha, how does

your father sit in this chair?

Does he put

his elbows on it,

or does he sit

like this?

You better not let papa

know you sat in his chair.

He'd be terribly upset.

Rasputin:
There are a

lot of people in Tobolsk

who'd like

to see me now.

I was hungry

and cold there.

Come here,

my child.

Come here.

Come here.

You seem afraid

of me lately. Why?

Aloysha, go and find

your sister.

Take... Take Anastasia

with you.

I want to see

Olga, too.

No, no. There's something

I have to tell you first.

Rasputin:

Well, go on!

What is it, father?

I heard you went to the

hospital the other day.

Yes, father.

What did you

see there?

Mother and I

talked to a boy.

The first day he was at the

front, he lost both his hands.

Oh.

And he was so brave

and beautiful.

Do you like

beautiful boys?

I don't know

what you mean.

That's all right.

It's perfectly natural for

a girl to think of boys.

You must never be

ashamed of life, my dear.

Never.

I don't want to be

rude, father,

but I haven't done

my lessons,

So if you have

anything to tell me...

I've got something

for you...

a little locket...

[Kiss]

A holy image

to wear

around your neck.

Father, I don't know

if I should.

Ah, you see, you

are afraid of me.

No, father.

Yes, you are,

and you mustn't be.

Your mother wouldn't

like that, would she?

No.

No. Well, then you must

be a lot nicer to me.

Now...

you put this

around your neck...

and every day you wear

it, you'll be blessed.

Wear it next to your warm little heart.

It's beating

so fast.

You know...

it reminds me

of a little bird

I once held

in my hand.

It was so afraid

Id hurt it,

but I didn't.

That's all I wanted to say to you.

Thank you, father.

Maria, it's

your bedtime.

Both:
Good night,

father.

Good night,

my little doves.

[Creak]

[Creak]

Aah!

[Whimpering]

Maria.

Darling,

what is it?

Oh, Natasha.

My darling,

what's the matter?

I don't know.

I felt as if

someone touched me.

What was it?

Nothing. It was

just a bad dream.

You look

so frightened.

No. You go

to sleep again.

Close your eyes.

I'll be here

if you want me.

Good night,

my lamb.

Good night, Tasha.

I love you.

I love you.

Get out!

Where are you

going?

The empress!

Open your eyes!

Now... can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

You're so far away,

Natasha.

You are so far away.

You're whirling

up in the sky, Natasha.

Up in the sky!

And there's nothing

to remember anymore.

Nothing to remember.

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