The Red Violin

Well.

No. Do it again.

Very good.

Exquisitely worked.

You've crafted a jewel, my boy.

Perfect for a courtesan or priest...

to pluck after supper

In other words...

this violin will never bear my name.

Put your anger into your work, my boy.

Stay with me and learn.

US$ 1 million. US$ 1,600 million.

US$ 1,600 million.

Bid to you all now.

US$ 1,650 million.

US$ 1,650 million.

US$ 1,675 million.

Is that a bid, Sir? Don't be shy.

All right, then I'll take it.

US$ 1,700 million.

US$ 1,725 million. 1,725.

US$ 1,750 million. Thank you.

The bid is US$ 1,750 million.

- US$ 1,775 million on my left.

- Mr. Morritz.

- Please don't let me forget this.

- Was that a bid, Sir? No?

US$ 1,775 million on my left.

Against the telephone now.

Against you, Sir.

US$ 1,775 million.

US$ 1,810? US$ 1,810 million.

US$ 1,850. US$ 1,875 on my left.

In the room. US$ 1,900.

US$ 1,920. In the room.

Yes, I got you, Sir. US$ 1,940.

Not yours, ma'am. Neither of yours.

US$ 1,940 million.

I'll take ten. Do you want back in, Sir?

Is that a yes? No?

The Stradivarius now

at US$ 1,940 million.

US$ 1,950 on my left.

Down to you two. US$ 1,950.

Not yours, Sir? Not yours?

US$ 1,950 million.

All done, then?

Fair warning.

I'm selling now at US$ 1,950 million.

And... sold to the lady on my left.

The last sale of the evening,

lot number 72 on the turntable there.

The star of the night, and...

Where is she?

The last violin

of Nicolo Bussotti, 1681.

A masterpiece of the Golden Age.

And if she will give us the pleasure...

Here she is now, lot 72...

the so-called "Red Violin".

And this time, the last order bid

is at US$ 250,000.

A lot of interest here, of course. Now

let's open, and who will start us off?

US$ 260,000.

Good evening, Mr. Ruselsky.

Madame?

- Cesca, can you still see the future?

- Are you all right? Sit down.

Did you call me?

I was in the garden.

- I can come here, can't I?

- Of course.

- This is part of my house.

- Of course, Madame.

I have some new amulets

and bones for you.

If your husband spits on them,

it will help.

Are you hungry?

- Don't eat that, it's fish.

- So?

Your child will be slow to learn.

There it is.

I also have some stones for you,

and a key...

...to wear around your neck.

- My husband is tired of spitting.

Spitting's what men are good for.

A father's saliva is

the best thing he can give.

Cesca, tell me my child's future.

- I can't do that.

- Don't worry about my husband.

No, it's not your husband...

I'm simply not able to do it.

I see.

Until the baby is born,

your humors are one.

However...

...I can read your future.

- No, I told you, I'm scared.

Come on, Madame.

Five cards.

It's only the future.

What if it's bad?

I'll pretend not to see it.

Tell me everything.

The Moon.

You'll live a long life, full and rich.

There's... a travel ahead.

I see a long journey.

Nicolo.

Leave us.

Close the door.

What is it? Why do you come here

in your condition?

- I know I'll find you here.

- What is it?

- I talked to Cesca.

- And?

- She read my future.

- Cesca! Dear God!

And the birth, she said,

will be very difficult and painful.

They always are.

This is no prediction!

- We are talking about me!

- Why do you listen to Cesca?

She is our servant. I have an excellent

midwife, an astrologer, a doctor.

They'll all be there.

It will be perfect. I know.

- How do you know?

- I know.

Nicolo...

I'm so old to be having a baby.

This is a violin.

- It's different.

- I still have to varnish it.

- But there's something...

- It's perfect.

Everything else is just junk,

worthy of a peddler or the trash heap.

But this is my masterpiece.

I made it for our son, Anna.

Our son will be a musician.

He'll live for music.

He'll bring us pride...

and beauty to the world, my love.

- Nicolo...

- I wanted to...

to surprise you, but you see,

I can also make predictions.

It's too big for a baby.

He'll grow.

- My child will come in the full moon.

- Come to bed.

You're jealous of our relationship.

Me and the moon.

No, I'm not jealous.

I know you'll come back.

Master, a boy is asking for you.

- Tell him to go away.

- The doctor sent him.

I think you'd better come.

- Your wife, Sir... The doctor...

- What is it?

She's not well.

She's having the baby.

Get out.

Get out! Leave me alone,

for God's sake!

US$ 1,650 million.

US$ 1,675 million.

Is that a bid, Sir? Don't be shy.

Alright, then I'll take it.

- US$ 1,700 million.

- Excuse me, Mr. Ruselsky.

The Stradivarius now

at US$ 1,725 million.

Paul? US$ 1,750.

US$ 1,775 on the left.

Against the telephone now.

Against you, Sir.

US$ 1,775 million. US$ 1,810.

US$ 1,810 million.

US$ 1,850. US$ 1,850.

US$ 1,875.

- US$ 1,900.

- Son of a b*tch!

US$ 1,920 in the room.

Yes, Sir, I got you.

- He knows nothing!

- Who?

- Morritz!

- US$ 1,940 million.

- US$ 1,950 on the left.

- He's cheated me.

All done, then?

I'm selling now at US$ 1,950 million.

Sold to the lady on my left.

Now, ladies and gentleman, the last

sale of the evening, lot number 72.

The star of the night.

Where is she?

The last violin

of Nicolo Bussotti, 1681.

A masterpiece of the Golden Age.

If she will give us the pleasure.

And there she is. Now, lot number 72,

the so-called "Red Violin".

The last order bid is

at US$ 250,000.

Who will start us off? US$ 260,000.

Good evening, Mr. Ruselsky.

You must clean the violin every day.

Care for it well.

This is your violin for as long as

you're with us at the orphanage.

Well...

a curse hangs over you, Madame.

Danger to those who come

under your thrall.

And there will be many...

many.

It is a powerful card, the Hanged Man.

I see danger...

infirmity and disease.

I'm sorry, but what kind I can't say.

There are many kinds of sickness.

These roads, Brother Christoph!

You've no idea what I've endured.

And why such haste?

What is so urgent that it couldn't

wait until my next visit?

- We have a boy, Sir.

- You have many boys!

This boy is a miracle. You'll see.

Vienna swarms with miracles.

Not like him. We felt

you should see him at once.

- Does he speak French?

- No, Sir. Unfortunately.

All your students should learn French.

It's the language of music.

It hones the ear and elevates the mind!

Monsieur Poussin,

this is Kaspar Weiss.

What violin is this?

I haven't seen it before.

- We've had it for 100 years.

- Far too big for him.

Look at his hands.

He should play on a child's violin.

Even Mozart... God rest his soul...

played in Versailles

on a child's violin.

No shame in that.

Wouldn't you like

a smaller instrument?

He seems to manage.

Let him try.

Play, my boy. Play.

I see.

Monsieur Poussin?

We're prepared

to offer a small sum...

to help him in his study.

They say you're a good boy...

well-mannered and clean.

Glad to hear it.

But you don't like vegetables.

Is that so?

- Yes, Sir.

- What don't you like?

Carrots, Sir. And beans

and cabbage and...

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