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Baron de Breteuil: NAPOLEON WROTE
THAT "MILITARY BLUNDERS AND DOMESTIC CATASTROPHES
FANNED THE FLAMES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION."
BUT THE COUP DE GRACE WAS A CURIOUS PALACE SCANDAL
INVOLVING A WOMAN OF NOBILITY DENIED,
A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY,
AND THE MOST MAGNIFICENT STRING OF JEWELS
IN ALL OF EUROPE.
THIS NOTORIOUS INTRIGUE CAME TO BE KNOWN AS...
L'AFFAIRE DU COLLIER.
[BELL TOLLS]
JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.
WE HAVE ASSEMBLED HERE TO BRING JUDGMENT ON YOU
AND THE OTHER DEFENDANTS
AS INSTRUCTED BY HIS MAJESTY LOUIS XVI.
BEFORE READING THE RECORD OF YOUR INTERROGATION,
DO YOU CARE TO MAKE REMARKS TO THIS JUDGING BODY?
I DO.
IF I REACHED FOR ANYTHING THAT SHONE BRILLIANTLY,
IT WAS THE VISION OF A HOME DENIED ME
AND A SENSE OF PEACE I HAVE NEVER KNOWN.
IN THE EYES OF GOD AND THE WORLD...
I WANTED MY LIFE TO BE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
Breteuil: THE NAME VALOIS FIRST BECAME KNOWN TO ME
MANY YEARS AGO.
RETRACED 5 GENERATIONS, IT WAS SAID,
YOU WOULD COME UPON A KING.
FROM THIS NOBLE LINEAGE, THERE WOULD EMERGE
ONE WHOM I AND ALL OF FRANCE WOULD COME TO KNOW:
JEANNE SAINT-RéMY DE VALOIS.
[SQUEALING IN DELIGHT]
JEANNE.
DARNELL VALOIS WAS A REFORMIST,
A RARE CHAMPION OF THE COMMON FOLK,
AND THE VALOIS NAME HAD BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESISTANCE,
AN ASSOCIATION ONE COULD ILL AFFORD
IN THOSE TUMULTUOUS DAYS.
[HORSEMAN CALLS OUT]
WHO ARE THEY, FATHER?
[WOMAN SCREAMS]
Officer: BRING HIM OUT!
[WOMAN SCREAMS, SOLDIERS SHOUTING]
[GUNSHOT] DARNELL!
[2 MORE GUNSHOTS]
Breteuil: THE MONARCHY BELIEVED THE VALOIS NAME
WOULD BE BURIED WITH THE YOUNG GIRL'S FATHER.
BUT THE MONARCHY WOULD PROVE TO BE WRONG.
THAT WINTER HER MOTHER'S BROKEN HEART GAVE OUT,
AND IN AN INSTANT, JEANNE WAS AN ORPHAN.
AND I WOULD CROSS PATHS WITH THAT DAMAGED YOUNG WOMAN
MANY YEARS HENCE.
JEANNE SAINT-RéMY DE VALOIS
GREW UP ALONE
AND ACCOMPLISHED IT QUICKLY.
VOWING TO RESTORE HONOR TO THE VALOIS NAME,
SHE SET HER SIGHTS ON THE ONE PERSON
SHE FELT COULD MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT:
THE QUEEN OF ALL FRANCE,
MARIE-ANTOINETTE.
[SINGS PLAISIR D'AMOUR IN FRENCH]
THE QUEEN IS IN FINE VOICE TONIGHT.
THE ROLE OF TEMPTRESS SUITS HER.
NO DOUBT IT IS A ROLE OUR ANTOINETTE HAS PLAYED BEFORE.
[LAUGHS KNOWINGLY]
[SINGING IN FRENCH]
WHO MIGHT THAT INTERESTING LITTLE TART BELONG TO?
SHE GOES BY THE NAME LA MOTTE.
COUNTESS, NO LESS.
CLAIMS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF VALOIS.
HMM. WHAT IS TO BE GAINED BY SUCH AN ASSERTION?
PERHAPS QUITE SIMPLY IT IS THE TRUTH.
THE TRUTH. WHAT A NOVEL APPROACH.
I'M TOLD SHE OWES HER POSITION
TO A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.
HER HUSBAND COMES AND GOES AS HE PLEASES...
WITH WHOMEVER HE PLEASES.
THE POOR DEAR.
HER DRESS WALKS THE CUSP OF FASHION...
2 SEASONS AGO.
HER EYES, THOUGH... VERY EXCITING.
BE MINDFUL OF WHOM YOU CAME WITH TONIGHT.
AS IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO FORGET.
[ROYAL FANFARE PLAYS]
[COURTIERS APPLAUD]
BRAVA, MAJESTY!
MAJESTY.
IT WAS AN EVENING OF TRIUMPH, YES?
BRAVA! MAJESTY!
OHH!
THERE'S NO NEED TO WORSHIP AT MY FEET.
[COURTIERS LAUGH]
I'VE ONLY HAD A FAINT, MONSIEUR.
YOU NEED NOT REVIVE ME FROM THE DEAD.
Breteuil: IN MY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CROWN,
I HAD WATCHED THEM COME AND GO...
YOU AGAIN.
I HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE
TO MAINTAIN YOUR DISTANCE FROM HER MAJESTY.
Breteuil, voice-over: AMBITIOUS ARISTOCRATS
TROUNCING ONE ANOTHER
IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ROYAL FAVOR.
FORGIVE ME, HOUSE MINISTER.
I WAS OVERCOME BY THE STRAIN
OF AN IMPORTANT MATTER.
BUT SHE WAS DIFFERENT.
ONE I BELIEVE THE QUEEN WOULD FIND OF INTEREST.
YOU AND ALL THE REST.
I HAVE SOUGHT A PROPER AUDIENCE,
BUT ALWAYS I AM TURNED AWAY.
HER MAJESTY DOES NOT CARE TO KNOW YOU.
I WILL HEAR THAT FROM HER OWN LIPS.
MINISTER BRETEUIL, THIS INCONVENIENCE
IS NOT WORTHY OF YOUR ATTENTION.
ALLOW ME TO ATTEND TO THE COUNTESS.
SEE THAT YOU DO.
[TAPS FLOOR WITH STAFF]
Breteuil: STEP ASIDE, PLEASE.
I AM RETAUX DE VILETTE,
YOUR ESCORT BY COMMAND.
[LIVELY MUSIC PLAYS]
Man: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE QUEEN OF DANCE...
ANTOINETTE.
* ANTOINETTE AND MADAME CAMPAN *
* TOGETHER THEY DID SUP *
* TAKING TURNS, THEY DEEPLY DRANK *
* FROM EACH OTHER'S LOVING CUP *
* IN THE HAY, SHE PASSED THE DAY *
* WITH BONNERVILLES AND FRANK *
* HOW DO YOU THINK TO DO? WE CRY *
* WITH A WINK SHE DID REPLY *
Retaux: IT NEVER WORKS, YOU KNOW.
LITTLE PLOYS TO GARNER THE QUEEN'S ATTENTION.
WHAT IS ON THE PAPER YOU WERE SO EAGER TO PRESS
INTO OUR SOVEREIGN'S REGAL PALM?
HAS THIS CLAIM OF HERITAGE BEEN AUTHENTICATED?
THE KING'S MINISTER OF TITLES REFUSES TO SEE ME,
BUT I KNOW THE TRUTH.
MY FATHER'S ESTATE WAS USURPED BY THE ROYAL FAMILY.
I WISH TO PETITION FOR ITS RETURN.
BY ACCOSTING ANTOINETTE?
NO. BEING A WOMAN,
THE QUEEN WILL BE MORE SYMPATHETIC TO MY SITUATION.
ONCE SHE LEARNS OF THE INJUSTICE MY FAMILY HAS ENDURED--
[RETAUX LAUGHS]
PLEASE FORGIVE ME, COUNTESS,
IT IS SO FRESH AND NEW AND NAIVE.
IT'S REMARKABLE HOW QUICKLY YOU'VE MADE YOURSELF TIRESOME.
WHOA!
Retaux: DE LA MOTTE?
I WAS FAMILIAR WITH A NICOLAS DE LA MOTTE
IN THE CAVALRY.
Jeanne: THANK YOU.
ALTHOUGH, AT THE TIME, HE WAS NO COUNT.
THEN AGAIN, IT'S NOT UNCOMMON
FOR PEOPLE TO BUY SUCH TITLES.
WHAT YOU SUGGEST IS INSULTING.
IT'S EVEN LESS ATTRACTIVE COMING FROM A COMMON GIGOLO.
WELL, I FANCY MYSELF QUITE UNCOMMON IN THAT RESPECT.
YOU'VE COME TOO FAR.
THE COUNT IS BAD-TEMPERED.
IF I CALL OUT, HE WILL COME.
AND DO WHAT?
MOST LIKELY, SEPARATE YOU FROM THE BELOVED TOOLS OF YOUR TRADE.
HOW DISAGREEABLE.
HE'S BACK, THEN?
I SAW HIM NOT A WEEK AGO IN RAMBOUILLET.
STRANGE, THOUGH. HE SEEMED QUITE ENSCONCED
IN THE COMPANY OF AN ACTRESS FROM THE COMéDIE.
YOU INSERTED YOURSELF IN THIS SITUATION, MONSIEUR.
HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO TAKE LEAVE OF IT?
HAVE YOU ANY SUGGESTIONS?
FIND A USE FOR YOURSELF ON MY BEHALF. QUICKLY.
AT COURT, THE TRICK TO OBTAINING YOUR DESIRES
IS TO FIRST KNOW WHAT EVERYONE ELSE DESIRES.
AND YOU HAVE SUCH KNOWLEDGE?
IT'S MY SECOND GREATEST TALENT.
Breteuil: THE ENTRY OF THE YOUNG COUNTESS INTO COURT
WAS TO COINCIDE WITH ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT ARRIVAL.
IT WAS AN AMAZING EXTRAVAGANCE,
A GLORIOUS TRIBUTE TO THE VANITY OF MAN.
THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF MY LIFE.
ITS COMBINED WEIGHT IS NO LESS THAN
2,800 CARATS.
WELL, MONSIEUR BOHMER,
IT IS A MARVEL.
[BOHMER CHORTLES]
THANK YOU.
MONSIEUR BASSENGE AND I
HAVE PUT OUR VERY SOULS INTO THE PIECE.
AND EVERY LIVRE YOU POSSESS, I'LL WAGER.
NATURALLY, WE INCURRED SOME DEBT
IN THE PURCHASE OF THE STONES.
WELL, I'M SURE YOU'LL HAVE NO TROUBLE FINDING A BUYER.
OUR SINGLE GREATEST HOPE HAS ALWAYS BEEN
THAT IT WOULD FIND ITS PLACE WITH YOU.
HMM. HOW CURIOUS.
IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THE PIECE
WAS ORIGINALLY DESTINED FOR MADAME DU BARRY.
SEE TO HER NEEDS.
MADAME DU BARRY?
THAT TROLLOP MY HUSBAND'S GRANDFATHER MAINTAINED.
WELL, I, HEH-- WELL...
I PRAY THAT THE WHISPERS ARE MERE COURT GOSSIP.
OTHERWISE, DU BARRY'S RECENT BANISHMENT FROM COURT
WOULD FIND YOU WITHOUT A BUYER.
IF YOUR MAJESTY WOULD PERMIT,
WE ARE...FOGGY
ON THE EXACT ORDER OF EVENTS.
IF HER MAJESTY WOULD TRY THE NECKLACE ON...
PERHAPS, HEH...
IT IS A PHENOMENON.
[CHUCKLING]
STILL I DECLINE.
WE ARE THE APPOINTED JEWELERS TO HER MAJESTY.
OUR REPUTATIONS WILL BE SHATTERED
IF WE'RE FORCED TO SEEK OTHER BUYERS.
I DID NOT COMMISSION THIS NECKLACE.
I DO NOT WISH TO ACQUIRE IT.
I NEED EXPLAIN MYSELF NO FURTHER.
I-- SHH. NO.
NO, NO. SHH.
YOUR MAJESTY.
MAJESTY.
YOUR MAJESTY.
MAJESTY. MAJESTY.
YOU HANDLED THAT QUITE BRILLIANTLY.
DON'T YOU THINK I TOLD--
[BOTH JEWELERS ARGUING]
[LAUGHING]
HE'S NOT GOING TO SEE ME. I'VE TRIED.
WHY SHOULD TODAY BE ANY DIFFERENT?
BECAUSE THE MINISTER OF TITLES' AUNT IS...
AN ACQUAINTANCE.
I AM AWARE OF YOUR PRESENCE.
I CAN HEAR YOU THINKING.
THANK YOU FOR SEEING ME.
YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
PLEASE, MINISTER, TELL ME.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED MY PETITION?
IT IS UNUSUAL, MADAME,
FOR YOU TO COME HERE ON YOUR OWN BEHALF.
IN MY EXPERIENCE,
WOMEN DO NOT POSSESS THE...
TEMPERAMENT FOR NEGOTIATIONS.
IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR ME
TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER WITH THE COUNT DE LA MOTTE.
THE COUNT IS IN RAMBOUILLET.
IN ANY EVENT, IT IS MY LINEAGE I WISH TO HAVE AUTHENTICATED,
NOT HIS.
IT IS MY FAMILY'S HOME I WISH RETURNED.
MMM. YOUR PETITION PLACES ME
IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.
YOUR FATHER WAS PRONE TO STIRRING UP PARLIAMENT.
HE SPOKE OUT AGAINST POVERTY AND TYRANNY.
YOUR FATHER WAS A TREACHEROUS LIAR.
HE WAS A MAN WHO ONLY WANTED TO BETTER THE WORLD AROUND HIM.
IF THERE WERE MORE LIKE HIM AT VERSAILLES--
FORGIVE ME. I--
HE RAILED AGAINST THE MONARCHY.
THAT WILL NEVER BE TOLERATED.
MONSIEUR...
YOU OF ALL PEOPLE
KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOD-GIVEN NAME
AND A HOME IN WHICH IT CAN FLOURISH.
IT DEFINES US.
[SIGHS]
NO DOUBT YOUR REQUEST COMES FROM THE HEART,
BUT THERE ARE HIGHER CONSIDERATIONS.
I IMPLORE YOU, MINISTER.
IF I HAVE NO LEGACY TO PASS ON,
THE NAME OF VALOIS DIES WITH ME.
IN THE EYES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY,
THAT WOULD NOT BE AN UNFAVORABLE RESULT.
THIS ROYAL OFFICE
WILL NOT GRANT YOUR PETITION.
IT NEVER WILL.
I CAN'T ACCOMPLISH WHAT I CAME TO DO.
PROPER CHANNELS BE DAMNED.
Breteuil: THE ROYAL FAMILY
HAD BEEN WELL AWARE OF THIS MEETING.
BY CRUSHING THE HOPES OF THE COUNTESS,
THEY SOUGHT TO END THE VALOIS LEGACY
AND ALL THAT IT STOOD FOR.
Retaux: IT'S REALLY QUITE SIMPLE, COUNTESS.
TO INFLUENCE SOMEONE LIKE THE MINISTER OF TITLES,
YOU MUST FIRST HAVE INFLUENCE.
HENCE, LESSON ONE:
THE BENEFACTOR.
OH, PERFECT. LE MARQUIS DE FAVRAS.
A MOST GENEROUS MAN
WITH A MOST GENEROUS APPETITE...
FOR YOUNG MEN.
[JEANNE LAUGHS]
LE COMTE DE BLONDE,
KEEPER OF THE ROYAL SEALS.
WEALTHY, POWERFUL,
AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY PURSUES
ANY AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE FEMALE GENDER.
FOR WHAT REASON, I CANNOT IMAGINE.
HE IS AS VIRILE AS AN EMPTY SAUSAGE SKIN.
Jeanne: HMM. AND HIM?
AH, YES, PIERRE CHARRON.
HE HAS KILLED 4 MEN IN DUELS,
LOVES A STAG HUNT,
AND DESPITE HIS OVERT FLIRTATIONS,
MAINTAINS BUT A SINGLE LOVER...
HIS BENEFACTOR,
THE MARQUIS DE FAVRAS.
LECHERS AND PARASITES.
IS THAT ALL THERE IS TO BE HAD?
WELCOME TO COURT.
HMM.
HERE, APPEARANCE IS EVERYTHING,
AND I MEAN NO OFFENSE, COUNTESS, BUT...
YOURS IS LACKING.
YOUR MANNER OF DRESS AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
MUST IMPROVE.
PLAINLY SAID, YOU NEED MONEY,
AND TO OBTAIN IT, YOU NEED TO FIND FAVOR
WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS IT.
Woman: RETAUX, MY PRECIOUS!
AH! LOOK HO!
3 SENSUAL SIRENS OF THE SEA.
[ALL LAUGH GIRLISHLY]
HOW LONG DO YOU INTEND TO SUFFER
THE WHIMS OF OLD WOMEN?
SUFFER?
I BRING JOY INTO THE HEARTS OF VENERABLE LADIES.
WHY, I'M OFTEN--
[LAUGHING]
YOU EVADE THE QUESTION, MONSIEUR.
I SHALL STOP SUFFERING THE WHIMS OF OLDER WOMEN
WHEN...
WHEN SOMEONE MORE INTRIGUING ENTERS MY WORLD.
AM I TO SUPPOSE YOU HAVE NO ONE YOU CARE FOR NOW?
THERE WAS ONE.
THE SELF-PROCLAIMED DUCHESS DE VOSSI.
IN TRUTH, A COURTESAN OF THE HIGHEST STATURE.
SHE ENTERTAINED ONLY THE NOBLE ELITE IN HER BED OF PLEASURES.
MOTHER.
SHE...
TAUGHT ME THE INTRICACIES OF COURT LIFE.
FROM THE NOBLEMEN THAT CAME TO OUR ROOMS,
I OBSERVED POLISHED MANNER AND WIT SUPREME.
WHO CAN SAY? ONE OF THESE DROOLING FOPS
BOBBING PAST US NOW COULD WELL BE MY FATHER.
AN AMUSING THOUGHT, AT BEST.
HOW SKILLFULLY YOU PLAY THE ROGUE.
YET EVEN YOU CANNOT MASK
SUCH IMPENETRABLE LONELINESS.
ARE WE THAT MUCH ALIKE, COUNTESS?
[CHOIR SINGS IN LATIN]
NEXT LESSON:
ALWAYS BE CERTAIN TO CHOOSE A BENEFACTOR OF NOBLE MEANS.
FOR INSTANCE,
LOUIS DE ROHAN, CARDINAL OF ALL FRANCE
AND BLOOD PRINCE OF THE INFAMOUS HOUSE OF ROHAN.
HIS EMINENCE IS A DEBAUCHER OF LEGENDARY PROPORTIONS.
HIS PARTIES ARE LAVISH, ORGIASTIC AFFAIRS.
Jeanne: HMM.
AH.
THEY'VE ARRIVED.
ONE HOUR LATE AS REQUIRED BY ROYALTY.
THIS SHOULD BE ENTERTAINING.
CORPUS DOMINI NOSTRI
JESUCRISTI CUSTODIA
IN VITUM ETERNUM. AMEN.
CORPUS DOMINI--
WHY SUCH CHILL BETWEEN THE CARDINAL AND THE QUEEN?
YEARS AGO, WHILE ON A RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGE,
ROHAN BEDDED HALF THE AUSTRIAN COURT.
HE JESTED ANTOINETTE'S MOTHER, THE EMPRESS,
HAD BEGGED HER TURN.
WORD OF THIS SLANDER GOT BACK TO ANTOINETTE,
AND SHE'S NEVER FORGIVEN HIM,
DESPITE HIS DESPERATE EFFORTS TO HEAL THE RIFT.
WHAT NEED HAS HE OF HER APPROVAL?
HE WISHES TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF RICHELIEU
AND BECOME PRIME MINISTER.
AND ANTOINETTE BLOCKS HIS PROGRESS.
AT EVERY TURN.
Retaux: IT'S ALL RIGHT. COME OUT, MY DEAR.
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE COLLEEN.
THIS LOVELY LADY IS A MAIDSERVANT
IN THE QUEEN'S PRIVATE COURTS.
I HAVE COME JUST AS YOU REQUESTED, MONSIEUR.
THEY WOULD CUT MY HANDS OFF
IF I WERE CAUGHT TAKING THESE.
BUT MONSIEUR DE VILETTE
WAS SO HEARTFELT IN HIS REQUEST
I COULD NOT REFUSE HIM.
NOW, COUNTESS, UNBEKNOWNST TO HER MAJESTY,
YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME HER CLOSEST CONFIDANTE.
[DIRECTLY] MY CURIOSITY ABOUT YOUR EMINENCE...
[PROVOCATIVELY] MY CURIOSITY ABOUT YOUR EMINENCE...
Guests: OH, TOO BAD.
A RARE MISS, YOUR EMINENCE.
[HOUNDS BARK]
YOU DISTRACTED ME.
THEN I HAVE FULFILLED MY OBLIGATION AS A WOMAN.
I'M UNFAMILIAR WITH YOU, MADAME.
YOU ARE RIGHT TO ASSUME I HAVE INTRUDED.
MY CURIOSITY ABOUT YOUR EMINENCE OVERCAME MY SENSE OF FORMALITY.
OH.
WHAT COULD IGNITE SUCH...CURIOSITY?
I HAVE HEARD IT SAID
YOU ARE A MAN OF COPIOUS DESIRES.
SOME DESIRES RUN DEEPER THAN OTHERS.
[MUSKET SHOT]
I ACCOMPANY THE QUEEN MOST DAYS AT VERSAILLES.
THESE ARE THE LETTERS SHE HAS WRITTEN TO ME
WHEN I WAS ABROAD.
WHY BRING THEM TO MY ATTENTION?
THE DAMAGED FEELINGS BETWEEN YOU AND ANTOINETTE
ARE WELL KNOWN, BUT OLD WOUNDS MAY BE HEALING.
THE QUEEN HAS SAID AS MUCH?
IT IS INTUITION ON MY PART, I CONFESS,
BUT I DO FEEL WITH SUBTLE PERSUASION
YOU COULD MAKE PROGRESS WITH HER MAJESTY.
AND YOU WILL APPLY THESE GENTLE PRESSURES
IN RETURN FOR...WHAT?
YOUR EMINENCE'S GRATITUDE IS ALL I REQUIRE.
AND...
YOUR PATRONAGE FROM TIME TO TIME.
HEH.
YOUR OFFER IS COMPELLING...
BUT I MUST DECLINE.
YOU'RE MOST LIKELY A FRAUD.
THE COURT IS RIDDLED WITH THEM,
AND A MAN OF MY OFFICE IS OFTEN A TARGET.
THAT YOU SHOULD DOUBT MY VERACITY
IS INDEED A HURTFUL BLOW.
OHH. I'VE UPSET YOU.
[SIGHS]
ABEL, PLEASE, LEAVE US.
I WISH TO OFFER A WORD OF COMFORT IN PRIVATE.
I WAS WRONG TO COME HERE. I--I SEE THAT NOW.
YET YOU ARE HERE.
[DOOR CLOSES]
I CANNOT BE COMFORTABLE
IN THE PRESENCE OF A MAN WHO DOUBTS ME.
IN TIMES OF DOUBT...
PRAYER IS THE ANSWER.
KNEEL BEFORE ME.
I WILL REST MY HANDS ON YOUR SHOULDERS,
AND WE'LL PRAY TOGETHER.
I RESPECTFULLY DECLINE, YOUR EMINENCE.
I AM THE CARDINAL OF ALL FRANCE.
IF THE CARDINAL OF ALL FRANCE...
[SLIDES PILLOW AGAIN]
WISHES YOU TO PRAY WITH HIM...
YOU'LL DO SO.
COME.
YOU'LL NOT HOLD BACK.
PRAY DEEPLY...
AND WITH CONVICTION.
[GASPS] YOUR EMINENCE...
NO, I...
I--
WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?
ANTOINETTE'S CHAMBERS.
SHE DOES THE EMBROIDERY WITH HER OWN STITCH.
AH. I'VE NOTICED THEM.
AH.
A REMINDER OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.
WAIT.
UH, MAYBE...
MAYBE THERE IS A WAY--
A MEANS BY WHICH WE CAN VERIFY YOUR CLAIM.
Rohan: IT SO HAPPENS I'VE TAKEN UNDER MY PATRONAGE
AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN.
HE IS GRAND MASTER OF THE ILLUMINATI,
THE GERMAN MYSTIC ELITE.
HE'S AN ACCOMPLISHED ALCHEMIST AND MESMERIST
WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE CONQUERED DISEASE AND DEATH
SEVERAL TIMES OVER.
HIS VISIONS AND PROGNOSTICATIONS
HAVE PROVEN ACCURATE TIME AND AGAIN.
COUNT CAGLIOSTRO,
WE ARE HONORED.
I SENSE THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME,
QUERIES THAT CONCERN LOVE, FATE, EVEN BETRAYAL.
BUT THESE ANSWERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
I'M DRAWN TO A FACE THAT'S NEW.
YOU SEEK AN ALLIANCE WITH THE CARDINAL, YES?
I AM CERTAIN MANY PEOPLE BRING FAVORABLE OFFERS
BEFORE HIS EMINENCE.
BUT YOUR ALLIANCE IS WHAT CONCERNS US TONIGHT...
COUNTESS DE LA MOTTE.
[CHORTLING]
I HAVEN'T SPOKEN A WORD ABOUT YOU TO THIS MAN.
HE TRULY IS A MARVEL.
OR PARTICULARLY WELL-INFORMED.
YOU DOUBT MY ABILITIES.
I SENSE SUCH TURMOIL WITHIN YOU.
I SENSE FEAR AS WELL.
I AM NOT AFRAID.
IN FACT, THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE DELIGHTFUL EVENINGS
I'VE SPENT IN A CATACOMB.
[GUESTS CHUCKLE]
EARLY ON...
YOU LEARNED TO HIDE WHAT YOU FEEL.
YOU'VE HAD GREAT LOSSES IN YOUR LIFE.
SHALL I GO DEEPER?
I DOUBT THERE IS A PERSON IN THIS ROOM
WHO HAS NOT LOST SOMETHING
OR SOMEONE THEY FEEL CANNOT BE REPLACED.
YOU WERE TAKEN IN BY STRANGERS,
THEN CAST ASIDE.
ALWAYS YOU'RE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN,
LONGING FOR THAT WHICH WAS TAKEN FROM YOU.
STILL...
THAT'S NOT WHAT HURT MOST.
I SEE YOU...
HOVERING OVER A COLD GRAVE...
WISHING IT WERE YOUR OWN,
BUT IT WAS NOT.
WAS IT, COUNTESS?
A GRAVE...
DUG FOR YOUR MOTHER'S COFFIN.
HAVE I GONE FAR ENOUGH?
[SIGHS, CLAPS HANDS]
WELL, THEN...
WHO'S NEXT?
OH, THAT'S WORKING SPLENDIDLY.
SMOOTH AND EVEN, MONSIEUR.
A JOB DONE WITH CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
IS A JOB THAT ENDURES.
AHH.
YES, MAJESTY.
IF HE DIRECTED GOVERNMENT THE WAY HE DIRECTS A TROWEL,
FRANCE WOULD RULE THE WORLD.
MAMAN, MAMAN, WATCH ME.
OH, THEY ARE SUCH A COMFORT TO ME,
A WONDERFUL DISTRACTION.
I HEARD THERE WERE MORE DISTURBANCES
IN THE MARKET DISTRICT.
A SMALL GATHERING OF MALCONTENTS.
Woman courtier: MAJESTY.
HOW SMALL A GATHERING, HOUSE MINISTER?
NEARLY 200.
NO DOUBT MY NAME WAS USED IN VAIN.
ARRESTS WERE MADE, NATURALLY.
Courtier: MAJESTY.
WHY DO THE PEOPLE HATE ME?
IT WASN'T ALWAYS SO.
YOUR MAJESTY IS NOT THE SOURCE OF THE ANIMOSITY.
YOU'RE MERELY A SYMBOL TO AIM IT AT.
HMM.
YOU SHOW FANTASTIC AUDACITY IN SEEKING ME OUT.
THOUGH, I KNEW YOU WOULD.
DID YOU DENOUNCE ME TO THE CARDINAL?
I TOLD THE CARDINAL THAT, DESPITE YOUR TROUBLED PAST,
I DID SENSE AN OPPORTUNITY.
IF YOU'D LIKE MY VISIONS OF YOU TO REMAIN POSITIVE,
YOU MUST SHARE IN WHAT YOU GAIN FROM THE CARDINAL.
I ADMIT I WAS CAUGHT OFF-GUARD
BY THE INTIMATE DETAILS YOU KNEW ABOUT MY LIFE.
AND THEN I REALIZED,
THE MARQUISE BOULLANVILLERS,
A CHARITABLE WOMAN WHO TOOK ME IN AS A CHILD,
SHE WAS VERY SUPERSTITIOUS.
MAGICIANS AND MESMERISTS
OFTEN ENTERTAINED IN HER PARLOR.
WHAT IS THAT TO ME?
A PERSON OF YOUR... COLORFUL NATURE
MAY HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY INTO HER HOME.
IN THE COURSE OF YOUR PROGNOSTICATIONS,
YOU MAY HAVE ASKED HER A FEW QUESTIONS.
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO TRADE SECRETS IN FRONT OF THE CARDINAL,
KEEP IN MIND I HAVE HIS CONFIDENCE.
KEEP IN MIND AS WELL
THE COURT IS FULL OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU
WHO'D TEAR YOU TO PIECES...
IF I FED THEM ENOUGH LIES.
BE CAREFUL.
I'VE DONE THIS... A LONG TIME.
THAT IS PRECISELY WHY I WILL DO IT.
I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
KEEP THE CARDINAL INTERESTED IN ME,
AND YOU WILL SHARE IN THE REWARDS.
BUT REMEMBER THAT OUR FATES WILL NOW BE JOINED AS ONE.
I SENSE A SURPRISING ALLIANCE ON THE HORIZON.
LONG LIFE, COUNTESS.
Retaux: TO LOUIS DE ROHAN, CARDINAL OF FRANCE.
IT HAS COME TO MIND IN RECENT MONTHS
THAT THE SILENCE BETWEEN US HAS GONE ON FAR, FAR TOO LONG.
[WOMEN MOAN PASSIONATELY]
Woman: OHH! MY GOD!
UHH!
EXCELLENCY,
JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS...
Rohan: "AN APOLOGY
"WOULD SEEM THE PROPER STARTING POINT
IF WE ARE TO MEND DAMAGED FEELINGS."
A PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF ROHAN APOLOGIZE?
IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE.
FOR YEARS YOU HAVE ANGUISHED
BECAUSE ANTOINETTE HAS NOT GIVEN YOU A LOOK OR A WORD.
YOU NOW HOLD IN YOUR HAND A LETTER FROM HER
OF THE MOST AFFABLE NATURE.
YES, WELL...
I SUBMIT ANTOINETTE'S LOATHING OF ME
HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT MORE THAN AN IRRITATION.
YOU NEED NOT SUFFER ANYMORE.
IF I WERE TO ACQUIESCE,
WOULD THE REPLY BE DELIVERED BY YOUR OWN HAND?
IT WOULD REACH HER MAJESTY NO OTHER WAY.
VERY WELL.
A NOTE OF CREDIT WILL BE ADVANCED TO YOU
IN THE SUM OF, SHALL WE SAY, 5,000--
20,000 WOULD SEEM MORE APPROPRIATE.
ARE YOU ATTEMPTING TO BARGAIN WITH ME?
NOT LONG AGO, A YOUNG WOMAN,
MUCH LIKE YOURSELF,
ATTEMPTED TO EXTORT MONEY FROM ME.
YES, SHE CAME FORTH WITH CLAIMS
OF HAVING EXPERIENCED SOME...
MISTREATMENT AT MY HANDS.
HER ACCUSATIONS WERE, OF COURSE, UNFOUNDED.
SHE WAS THE NIECE
OF THE CAPTAIN OF MY PRIVATE GUARD.
AND ONE NIGHT,
HER UNCLE SLIPPED INTO THIS YOUNG WOMAN'S ROOM
WITH A VERY SHARP BLADE.
HE SLIT THE POOR GIRL
FROM HER GENITALIA...
TO THE DIMPLE ON HER PRETTY CHIN.
AND DO YOU KNOW WHY A MAN WOULD DO SUCH A THING
TO HIS OWN KIN? HMM?
BECAUSE I TOLD HIM TO.
NEVER TEST MY GOOD NATURE...
COUNTESS.
I MUST ASK THAT YOUR EMINENCE BE MINDFUL
I CAN SHATTER THIS FRAGILE CORRESPONDENCE
AS EASILY AS I FORMED IT.
[CHUCKLING]
[BREATHING HARD]
[SHARP EXHALATION]
Breteuil: THE CARDINAL'S THREAT
INSPIRED A RENEWED FLOW OF COMMUNICATIONS
FROM ANTOINETTE.
Retaux: "DEAREST CARDINAL ROHAN..."
Breteuil: IN TIME, HIS EMINENCE MADE CLEAR HIS WISH
TO MEET THE QUEEN IN PRIVATE.
Rohan: I'M VERY ANXIOUS FOR RECONCILIATION.
Jeanne: "MY EARNEST CARDINAL..."
Breteuil: FOR THE HOPEFUL COUNTESS
AND HER RESOURCEFUL DEVOTEE,
KEEPING THE CARDINAL AT ARM'S LENGTH
DREW THEM EVEN CLOSER.
Rohan: YOU MAY COUNT ON MY DISCRETION...
Breteuil: YET, AS ROHAN'S CORRESPONDENCE
WITH THE QUEEN GREW MORE...INTIMATE,
Rohan: YOUR DEVOTED CARDINAL...
Jeanne: YOUR DEVOTED QUEEN...
AAAAAH!
[CHEERING]
THOSE ON THE STREETS OF PARIS
SAW HER MAJESTY IN A FAR DIFFERENT LIGHT.
BURN HER ALL UP!
ANTOINETTE RESPONDED BY CLOISTERING HERSELF
BEHIND THE GILDED GATES OF VERSAILLES.
[COURTIERS APPLAUD]
ENCHANTING, MAJESTY.
SUBLIME.
PERFECT, YOUR MAJESTY.
Breteuil: IN THAT PRIVILEGED ASYLUM,
THERE'S LITTLE WONDER THAT THE QUEEN FAILED TO NOTICE
A BURGEONING THREAT IN HER VERY MIDST.
Mme. Briffault: ISN'T THAT THE COUNTESS DE LA MOTTE?
WHAT CAN HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT SUCH A TRANSFORMATION?
Mme. Pomfre: I'VE HEARD THAT ANTOINETTE
HAS TAKEN THE LITTLE COUNTESS UNDER HER WING.
MONSIEUR DE VILETTE INFORMS ME
THAT THEY'VE BECOME EVER SO CLOSE.
Jeanne: IN THE BEGINNING,
IT WAS MY INTENT TO SIMPLY USE YOU.
A CONFESSION.
Retaux: THIS IS A FRAGILE MOMENT.
Jeanne: YET SOMEWHERE ALONG THE JOURNEY,
I HAVE COME TO RELY ON YOU.
I HAVE NEVER FELT THAT WAY ABOUT ANYONE.
[CLINK]
HEH HEH.
Jeanne: NICOLAS?
HOW DARE YOU?
IT IS SELDOM A MAN GETS TO WATCH HIS WIFE MAKE LOVE
FROM... QUITE THAT VANTAGE POINT.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.
GO BACK TO YOUR ACTRESS.
UPON HEARING OF YOUR CHANGE IN FORTUNES,
MY AFFECTIONS REKINDLED.
IN A BLINK, SHE SEEMED DRAB AND COMMON,
WHEREAS [SNIFFS] YOU WERE ONCE AGAIN
MY REASON TO LIVE.
I'VE MISSED YOUR TOUCH.
NICOLAS...
DO NOT DO THIS.
TO WHAT DO YOU REFER, MY CHERISHED?
LET'S SORT THIS OUT IN SOME OTHER FASHION.
WHAT HAPPENED, RETAUX?
DID YOU GROW WEARY OF PLOWING YOUR WAY
THROUGH ALL THE OLD WOMEN AT COURT?
IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN, I SUPPOSE.
[GUNSHOT]
FORGIVE ME, MADAME.
I--I HEARD A NOISE,
AND I TOOK THE GUN FROM YOUR BAG.
ROSALIE, YOU'VE JUST SHOT MY HUSBAND.
OH, GOD.
Nicolas: OHH! GOD DAMN!
OH, DAMN, ARE YOU DIGGING FOR POTATOES? GO EASY!
I DID NOT TELL YOU
HOW TO GET THIS PROJECTILE WHERE IT IS.
DO NOT PRESUME TO TELL ME HOW TO GET IT OUT.
OH! GOD DAMN!
IT IS LODGED IN THE FLESHY TISSUES.
MADAME, THERE'S A GENTLEMAN HERE TO SEE YOU.
[PICKING OUT A TUNE]
Jeanne: HOW LOVELY.
MONSIEUR BASSENGE.
MADAME.
TO WHAT DO I OWE THE HONOR?
[NICOLAS CRIES OUT]
OH, DEAR. ONE OF THE MENIALS IS HAVING A TOOTH DRAWN.
OOH, IT'S NEVER A PLEASANT PROCEDURE.
NO.
Nicolas: OH, GOD! OH!
PLEASE SIT. WILL YOU TAKE A GLASS OF PORT?
OHH, THAT'S VERY KIND. THANK YOU.
MY PARTNER, MONSIEUR BOHMER, COULD NOT JOIN ME.
HE HAS TAKEN TO HIS SICKBED
OVER THIS MATTER ABOUT WHICH I WISH TO SPEAK.
OH, I PRAY HIS DISCOMFORT IS NOT SERIOUS.
THIS BURDEN HAS LEECHED THE VERY WILL TO LIVE
OUT OF A FORMERLY ROBUST MAN.
IF IT IS WITHIN MY POWER TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION,
YOU MAY RELY ON ME.
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION
THAT YOU MAY HAVE INFLUENCE WITH ANTOINETTE.
ON CERTAIN ISSUES.
THEN I'D LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE
OF A RATHER LUCRATIVE PROPOSITION.
Bassenge: I MUST ASK YOU KEEP THIS IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
OH! OH, MY LADY.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE
IS FOR YOU TO REINTRODUCE THE IDEA OF THE NECKLACE
TO HER MAJESTY.
IF A BARGAIN WAS STRUCK,
YOU COULD BE ASSURED OF A GENEROUS COMMISSION.
A VERY GENEROUS COMMISSION.
PLEASE, COUNTESS, WON'T YOU HELP US?
THE INTEREST ALONE ON WHAT WE PAID FOR THE DIAMONDS
IS RUINING US.
Breteuil: AND SO, THERE WAS A FATEFUL MEETING.
THE COUNTESS BORN BY THE GRACE OF GOD
AND THE NECKLACE
FORMED BY THE HAND OF MAN.
ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER COULD DO LITTLE HARM,
BUT TOGETHER...
IT WAS FANTASTIC, WASN'T IT?
YES. THAT NECKLACE COULD VASTLY IMPROVE
A PERSON'S SITUATION IN LIFE.
ARE WE NOT ALREADY BLESSED WITH A BENEFACTOR?
ROHAN?
NO, JEANNE, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS IDEA.
A CHARMING FELLOW
ONCE TOLD ME SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
THE WAY TO GET WHAT YOU DESIRE...
IS TO FIRST KNOW
WHAT EVERYONE ELSE DESIRES.
THANK YOU.
Jeanne: THE JEWELERS KNOW ONLY THE QUEEN
CAN RELIEVE THEM OF THEIR GLIMMERING CREATION.
THEN WE HAVE OUR BENEFACTOR
LOUIS DE ROHAN, CARDINAL OF ALL FRANCE.
HE DESIRES THE ONE THING
HIS WEALTH CAN'T ACQUIRE--
THE PRIME MINISTERSHIP.
BUT WHAT HE DOESN'T REALIZE
IS THE QUEEN SECRETLY DESIRES THE NECKLACE.
SO...
IF ROHAN COULD SOMEHOW MAKE THE TRANSACTION POSSIBLE,
THE JEWELERS WOULD HAVE A HOME
FOR THE NECKLACE WITH THE QUEEN.
BRILLIANT, BUT ONE TINY FLAW.
THE QUEEN DOES NOT DESIRE THE NECKLACE.
SHE TURNED THE JEWELERS DOWN UNEQUIVOCALLY.
HMM...YOU REALLY MUST KEEP ABREAST
OF CURRENT EVENTS, MY LOVE.
IT WOULD SEEM HER MAJESTY
HAS HAD A CHANGE OF HEART.
WHY DOES ANTOINETTE
WISH TO OBTAIN THIS BRUTISH TRINKET...
IN SUCH SECRECY?
THESE ARE SENSITIVE TIMES.
SUCH AN EXTRAVAGANCE
COULD CAUSE FURTHER UNREST AMONG THE PEOPLE.
THEN WHY ENSNARE HIS EMINENCE
IN SUCH A VENTURE?
ANTOINETTE SEEKS A DISCREET INTERMEDIARY.
SOMEONE WHO CAN BE A FIRM GUARANTEE
TO THE JEWELERS SHOULD SHE BE FORCED BY...
CIRCUMSTANCES TO DEFAULT ON HER PAYMENT.
AHEM...
I BEG YOUR PARDON, YOUR EMINENCE.
MADEMOISELLE SUBUR HAS ARRIVED FOR HER...
RELIGIOUS TUTORIAL.
ESCORT HER TO MY PRIVATE CHAPEL.
I'LL...
BE ALONG MOMENTARILY.
OH!
WELL...
YOU'VE IMPROVED YOUR POSITION
WITH THE QUEEN.
HELP HER ACQUIRE THIS NECKLACE,
AND THE PATH TO THE PRIME MINISTER'S POST
WILL BE A SHORT ONE.
I'VE GROWN EXCEEDINGLY TIRED
OF TREADING THAT PATH ON MY HANDS AND KNEES.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY?
Cagliostro: I DO SENSE AN OPPORTUNITY.
STAY THE COURSE.
NO.
NO!
I'VE DENOUNCED MY OWN CHARACTER IN WRITING.
I'VE PAID YOU EXORBITANT AMOUNTS
TO EXERT YOUR INFLUENCE,
YET MY EVERY REQUEST HAS BEEN IGNORED.
UNLESS I MEET HER MAJESTY FACE TO FACE,
OUR...
ARRANGEMENT...
IS OVER.
NOW, IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME,
AN EAGER YOUNG MIND AWAITS.
Jeanne: DON'T YOU SEE?
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MAY NEVER COME AGAIN.
WITH THE NECKLACE, I HAVE A CHANCE
TO TAKE BACK WHAT WAS--
Beggar: A FEW COINS, SISTER?
I HAVE A CHANCE TO GET MY HOME BACK.
IT'S ALL I EVER WANTED.
JEANNE, IF I COULD BRING IT BACK FOR YOU,
I WOULD, BUT, HONESTLY,
I DO NOT...
IF THE CARDINAL WISHES TO MEET THE QUEEN,
HE SHOULD MEET THE QUEEN.
HA HA HA!
YOU'RE NAUGHTY!
Retaux: ALL RIGHT.
LET'S SAY WE CONVINCE ROHAN
TO ACT AS GUARANTOR FOR THE NECKLACE.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN NO PAYMENT IS MADE BY ANTOINETTE?
I SHOULD IMAGINE THE STORMY EYE OF ROHAN
WILL TURN OUR WAY.
YES, AND SHIT WILL RAIN UPON US
IN BIBLICAL AMOUNTS.
PERSONALLY, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN BEING ITS CATCH BASIN.
NOR AM I.
BUT TO IMPLICATE US
WOULD EXPOSE HIS OWN PART IN THE SCANDAL.
DON'T YOU THINK HE WOULD PAY OFF THE JEWELERS
TO COVER UP THE AFFAIR?
YES, I'M SURE HE WOULD.
THEN HAVE BOTH OUR THROATS CUT
IN SOME DARK AND DISAGREEABLE PLACE.
HMM...
YES, I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT UNPLEASANT EVENTUALITY.
BUT I FEEL WE COULD PERSUADE HIM
THAT FORGIVENESS IS HIS ONLY RECOURSE.
Retaux: AND WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE
WE DO ABOUT NICOLAS?
HE COULD BETRAY US.
YES, BUT NOT IF WE BRING HIM INTO THE FOLD.
AS HYPOCRITICAL AS IT SOUNDS...
HE MAY EVEN BE OF HELP TO US.
PLEASE.
Jeanne: I'LL SPEAK WITH HIM ALONE THIS EVENING.
HE'LL BE MORE RECEPTIVE.
Retaux: OH, YES, I'M SURE HE WILL BE.
I KNEW SOMETHING GRAND WAS AFOOT.
[SNICKERS]
YOU CAN REST ASSURED I'LL BE AN ASSET
TO THIS VENTURE.
YOU CAN BEST HELP BY SHOWING RESTRAINT.
IT WILL BE IMPORTANT IN THE DAYS TO COME
THAT ALL SEEMS NORMAL IN THIS HOUSEHOLD.
I LIKE THAT PART VERY MUCH.
WHAT ROLE DOES THE GIGOLO PLAY, THOUGH, HMM?
WILL HE BE AN OUT-OF-TOWN COUSIN?
RETAUX WILL DO HIS PART.
YOU NEED ONLY CONCENTRATE
ON NOT BEING YOURSELF.
DON'T BE ANGRY WITH ME.
I AM THE WAY I AM.
YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I...
OUR MARRIAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ARRANGEMENT.
YOU NEEDED A TITLE TO GAIN ACCESS
TO THE ROYAL COURT.
YOU TOOK ME ON BECAUSE I BOUGHT YOU THAT TITLE.
I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE THAN A STEPPING STONE IN YOUR EYES.
NO, I SAW SOMETHING WORTHY IN YOU
AT ONE TIME...
EVEN GALLANT.
I WANTED NOTHING MORE THAN TO MAKE IT
A REAL MARRIAGE.
PERHAPS WE COULD HAVE THAT NOW.
OH...
BUT YOU SEE...
NOW IT IS AN ARRANGEMENT.
Breteuil: ALL THAT REMAINED
WAS TO SECURE THE FINAL CONSPIRATOR.
THE PERFECT MAN FOR THE JOB
WAS DISPATCHED WITH HASTE.
HOW DO YOU DO?
ARE YOU ALONE?
NOT NOW.
[CHUCKLING] NOT NOW.
I HAVE A PROPOSITION FOR YOU.
Rohan: THIS IS A LITTLE MORE INTRIGUE
THAN I BARGAINED FOR. SHH!
THE KING IS IN PARIS.
IT HAS TO BE TONIGHT.
OH!
YOU ARE TO WAIT HERE.
I MUST CONFESS,
I AM NERVOUS.
MY GOD, I'M SHAKING.
GIVE HER MAJESTY TIME TO GAZE UPON YOU.
IF SHE FEELS THE MOMENT IS RIGHT,
SHE WILL SIGNAL.
I UNDERSTAND.
BE READY TO FLEE AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.
SAY ONLY WHAT WE'VE REHEARSED, NOTHING MORE.
AND HAVE CONFIDENCE.
IT IS ONLY ACTING, ISN'T IT?
YES, BUT IT MUST BE CONVINCING.
PSST!
WE HAVE THE GROVE TO OURSELVES.
EXCELLENT!
IS THAT NECESSARY?
YES, IT IS NECESSARY.
SEE, THE WOUND ON MY ASS IS BARKING
LIKE A PACK OF HOUNDS.
AND YOU DESERVE IT.
FORGIVENESS...
IS A ROSE WITHOUT THORNS.
IF I HAVE OFFENDED YOUR MAJESTY,
I HAVE SUFFERED FOR IT.
THIS...
THIS IS NOT NECESSARY.
I REMEMBER YOUR FIRST DAY AT VERSAILLES.
YOU WERE A YOUNG GIRL OF 14...
WITH SWEET ROSEBUD LIPS.
I WAS A YOUNG BISHOP THEN,
AND WELL-LIKED.
I FELT THEN THERE WAS A CONNECTION
BETWEEN THAT YOUNG GIRL AND THAT YOUNG MAN.
IT TRANSCENDED CURIOSITY.
I REMEMBER.
Courchamps: HA HA HA!
Madam Campan: GET AWAY, YOU DIRTY BOY!
[GIGGLING]
SOMEONE'S IN THE GARDEN!
WHAT?!
THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE IN THE GARDEN!
[MADAM CAMPAN LAUGHING]
WE MUST GO! NOW!
OHH!
WHAT WAS THAT?
[GUARDS' VOICES IN DISTANCE]
Courchamps to Guards: INTRUDER ON THE GROUNDS!
OH!
SHH!
Courchamps: FOLLOW ME!
THIS WAY!
Girl: COME ON!
Nicolas: I SAY WE SEPARATE.
YOU GO THAT WAY.
Courchamps: YOU THERE!
STAND FAST WHERE YOU ARE!
Courchamps: COME BACK!
Nicolas: STOP FOR NOTHING!
COME ON, THERE'S A TRAIL THROUGH THE MARSH!
HE PASSED BY HERE, I'M CERTAIN!
YOU LOT, SEARCH THE BANK!
CONFOUND YOU, BASTARDS!
YOU'VE ATTEMPTED TO DECEIVE ME, COUNTESS.
DECEIVE YOU?
[LAUGHS]
NOW, DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME.
YOUR MAJESTY.
OHH!
MM-HMM.
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO.
ANTOINETTE IS SECRETLY IN LOVE WITH ME.
DENY IT IF YOU WILL,
BUT DON'T ASK ME TO PLAY THE FOOL.
Rohan: MY DEAREST ANTOINETTE,
OUR MEETING AT THE GROVE OF VENUS
WAS, FOR ME,
LIKE THE END OF AN EPIC JOURNEY.
TO HEAR FROM HER MAJESTY'S OWN LIPS SUCH WORDS...
Breteuil: AND SO,
A BARGAIN WAS STRUCK.
JEANNE INFORMED THE CARDINAL
THAT THE QUEEN INTENDED TO PAY FOR THE NECKLACE
IN 2 MONTHS' TIME,
ON THE DAY OF THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION.
AS GUARANTOR,
THE CARDINAL WAS AT RISK FOR A CONSIDERABLE SUM.
WHEN CONCERN CREPT IN,
THE CARDINAL SOUGHT A HIGHER POWER.
Cagliostro: YOU WISH TO ASCERTAIN
IF THE RISK IS WARRANTED?
Rohan: YES.
Breteuil: CAESAR HAD DREAM INTERPRETERS,
HANNIBAL UTILIZED STARGAZERS AND SOOTHSAYERS.
GREAT MEN OF DESTINY
HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED THOSE WHO COULD SEE
BEYOND THEIR OWN GRAND VISION.
Cagliostro: BEHOLD.
I GAZE INTO SANCTIFIED WATERS.
I SEE A WOMAN.
SHE PLACES AN OBJECT AROUND YOUR NECK.
IT IS MADE OF GOLD.
Breteuil: CAGLIOSTRO SPUN A DIVINE PROGNOSTICATION.
Cagliostro: DID MY VISION
HOLD MEANING FOR YOU?
THE SEAL OF THE PRIME MINISTER
IS PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF A MEDALLION.
A MEDALLION OF PURE GOLD.
LONG LIFE, MY FRIEND.
DID ALL GO WELL?
I WAS BRILLIANT...
OF COURSE.
[THUNDER]
FROM THE QUEEN.
IT IS A DISPATCH FROM HER MAJESTY.
THE ITEM OF INTEREST IS TO BE TURNED OVER
TO HER MESSENGER FOR DELIVERY.
DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THIS MAN?
HIS NAME IS ARGILLE.
HE ATTENDS THE QUEEN'S CHAMBERS.
MAY I?
I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS OBJECT
TO THE SUM OF ONE MILLION GOLD LOUIS.
I ASK YOU AGAIN,
DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THIS MAN?
ANSWER CAREFULLY.
YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
MONSIEUR ARGILLE IS NOT WITHOUT FAULTS.
YET, WHEN IT COMES TO HIS DEVOTION
TO THE WOMAN HE SERVES,
NO ONE CAN COMPARE.
YOU'LL NO DOUBT REAP UNTOLD REWARDS
FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
Breteuil: TO JEANNE,
THE WHOLE OF THE NECKLACE WAS NOT AS GLORIOUS
AS WHAT ITS PARTS COULD YIELD.
IT WAS...
A MEANS TO AN END.
AND THOUGH I WILL NOT JUSTIFY
THE ACTIONS OF THE YOUNG COUNTESS,
I LATER CAME TO UNDERSTAND HER REASONING.
WHO DOES NOT ASPIRE TO TAKE BACK
WHAT WAS TAKEN FROM THEM?
WHO DOES NOT DREAM OF RETURNING HOME?
WELCOME.
THANK YOU.
JEANNE?
YOU PROMISED TO TAKE ME FOR A RIDE TODAY.
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?
[SCREAMING]
Rohan: "MY DEAR, WAYWARD COUNTESS,
"IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL WEEKS SINCE MY MEETING
"IN PRIVATE WITH HER MAJESTY,
"AND STILL I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD.
"YOUR CONTINUED ABSENCE FROM PARIS
"HAS PUT ME ILL AT EASE.
"WHEREVER IT IS YOU MAY BE,
"I TRUST THAT YOU ARE SPENDING YOUR TIME
FURTHERING MY CAUSE."
"WITH THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
"NEARLY UPON US,
"I MUST INSIST THAT YOU CORRESPOND SOON,
AND APPRISE ME OF HER MAJESTY'S CURRENT DISPOSITION."
"UNTIL THEN, I SHALL ATTEMPT TO KEEP
"MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS AT BAY
"WITH MY DAILY DUTIES
"OF PROVIDING THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE
WITH SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE."
Tailor: FOR THE EVENING.
Nicolas: BROCADE, IS IT?
THE FINEST.
VERY NICE.
WHAT ELSE? I'LL SEE IT ALL.
EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING.
WITH YOUR EYES.
AND, OF COURSE...
YES. IS THIS ELEGANT VISION YOUR DAUGHTER?
YES, COUNT, MY ELDEST.
YOU'RE VERY LOVELY, MY DEAR.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED...
LIFE IN THE THEATER?
THE SITUATION HERE WAS THAT THE PLASTERER
COULDN'T REACH THAT HIGH EDIFICE.
SO, I DESIGNED A SYSTEM OF PULLEYS
BY WHICH HE COULD BE ELEVATED.
FASCINATING, YOUR MAJESTY.
IT'S STUNNINGLY RESOURCEFUL.
COMPLIMENTS OF BOHMER AND BASSENGE,
COURT-APPOINTED JEWELERS.
IT IS A BEJEWELED AMULET,
A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOUR PATRONAGE
THESE MANY YEARS.
HMM...
THAT JEWELER HAS BEEN GRINNING
LIKE A JACKAL ALL AFTERNOON.
NOW THIS.
"MADAME, WE ARE AT THE PINNACLE
"OF HAPPINESS WITH OUR ARRANGEMENT.
"WE TAKE GREAT SATISFACTION IN KNOWING
"THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATION IN THE WORLD
WILL ADORN THE MOST EXEMPLARY OF QUEENS."
I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO MAKE OF IT.
OH, I THINK ONLY ONE EXPLANATION
WILL SUFFICE.
[WHISTLING]
MONSIEUR BOHMER HAS GONE QUITE MAD.
Breteuil: HER MAJESTY WAS AT TIMES
CONVENIENTLY NAIVE,
AND I WANTED TO COUNT THE INCIDENT
AS JUST ANOTHER ACT OF A WELL-BRED FOOL.
BUT IN A GROWING CLIMATE OF UNREST,
NO ONE COULD BE TRUSTED.
DEBAUCHERS AND WHORES IN FINE SILK.
THE KING
AND THAT FOREIGN HARLOT ANTOINETTE
DRAINED THE LIFE'S BLOOD OF OUR NATIONAL CHARACTER
WITH THEIR EASY WAYS.
[UNDER BREATH] OH, GOD.
QUITE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT THIS MORNING, YES?
YES. DESMOULINS SPEAKS
WITH SUCH FIERY PASSION.
FIERY PASSION HAPPENS TO BE
THE VERY ATTRIBUTE I HOLD MOST DEAR.
[CHUCKLES]
PARDON ME, MONSIEUR.
YES?
I WASN'T BOTHERING THE MADEMOISELLE,
I ASSURE YOU.
A FEW OF THE MERCHANTS HAVE INFORMED ME
THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELLING DIAMONDS.
WELL, I-I'M A LICENSED BROKER
OF PRECIOUS STONES.
I TRADE FREQUENTLY HERE AND IN AMSTERDAM.
THEN MONSIEUR WOULDN'T MIND
PRODUCING CREDENTIALS TO THAT EFFECT.
OF COURSE.
OH. YOU KNOW,
THEY'RE IN MY ROOMS AT THE HOTEL.
IF YOU CARE TO ACCOMPANY ME THERE,
WE CAN CLEAR UP THIS MATTER
IN QUICK FASHION.
I THINK WE SHOULD, MONSIEUR.
VERY WELL.
A STRIKING OUTFIT. VERY SHARP.
OHH!
[WHINNYING]
Gendarme: GENDARMES!
STOP THAT MAN!
[GRUNTING]
SAINTED MOTHER OF JESUS! [GASPS]
I NEARLY SOILED MYSELF.
CLEVER TO RUN BACK HERE.
THAT WAY THEY CAN HAVE US ALL IN ONE NEAT BUNDLE.
SHUT UP!
SHUT UP OR I'LL CUT
THAT CONTEMPTIBLE TONGUE.
GET OFF ME!
Jeanne: NICHOLAS.
YOU'VE HAD A SCARE
AND I KNOW YOU'RE UPSET,
BUT YOU MUST MAINTAIN YOUR TEMPER, PLEASE.
YOU WON'T SELL DIAMONDS IN PARIS ANYMORE.
AGREED?
SAY IT!
AGREED.
WE MUST LEAVE THE COUNTRY WHILE WE CAN.
ONCE THIS AFFAIR UNRAVELS,
ROHAN WILL HAVE OUR HEADS STAKED
TO HIS CHAPEL GATE.
LET US NOT FORGET
THE CARDINAL'S LETTERS TO THE QUEEN.
THIS ONE PROCLAIMING HIS LOVE FOR ANTOINETTE
WOULD BE PARTICULARLY DAMAGING.
AND SUPPOSE AT THAT TIME
THE CARDINAL DOESN'T GIVE A GOD DAMN?
WE'VE LAID OUR PLANS.
NOW WE MUST TRUST IN THEM.
Breteuil: JEANNE WOULD NOW HAVE TO ENTER
INTO A NEW ARRANGEMENT WITH THE CARDINAL.
PATRONAGE TO BLACKMAIL.
Jeanne: COLLEEN?
LISTEN CAREFULLY.
THE CARDINAL IS ABOUT TO FIND OUT
THAT HE WAS THE VICTIM OF A FRAUD.
WHEN HE DOES, HE'LL WANT BLOOD,
BUT HE'LL BE TOLD,
SHOULD ANY HARM COME TO US,
THESE LOVE LETTERS TO ANTOINETTE
WILL FIND THEIR WAY TO THE HOUSE MINISTER.
IT'S ALL BECOMING FAR TOO DANGEROUS.
I WILL NOT BE PART OF THIS ANY LONGER.
I'M SORRY TO HEAR THAT, COLLEEN.
I WANTED TO PROPERLY THANK YOU
FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT TASK.
YOUR TRUSTED SERVANT, COUNTESS.
Jeanne: "DEAR MONSIEUR BOHMER,
"I AM A CONCERNED FRIEND WHO WRITES IN HASTE
"TO WARN YOU OF AN IMPENDING PLOT
"INVOLVING YOURSELF, CARDINAL ROHAN,
"AND A PARTICULAR DIAMOND NECKLACE.
"IT IS MY BELIEF THAT ANTOINETTE HAS NO INTEREST
IN THE NECKLACE..."
Bohmer: "AND WHEN CARDINAL ROHAN REALIZES THIS,
HE WILL NO LONGER STAND AS GUARANTOR."
Breteuil: THE COUNTESS OBSERVED MONSIEUR BOHMER
TO BE A MAN OF NERVOUS DISPOSITION.
SHE FELT SURE HE WOULD HEAD STRAIGHT TO CARDINAL ROHAN.
ONCE THE MIGHTY CARDINAL REALIZED HE'D BEEN DUPED,
HE WOULD PAY OFF THE JEWELERS
TO AVOID PUBLIC HUMILIATION.
HYAH! HYAH!
Breteuil: HISTORY WOULD HAVE PROVEN HER PLAN SOUND,
HAD A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL'S NAGGING SUSPICIONS
NOT COME INTO PLAY.
GIVE WAY! WE HAVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS!
ARE YOU DEAF?!
GIVE WAY, I SAID!
MINISTER BRETEUIL.
WHAT AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE.
YOU HAVE BEEN ACTING STRANGELY, JEWELER.
I ACT NO DIFFERENTLY THAN I ALWAYS HAVE.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING IN SUCH A HURRIED FASHION?
I HAVE A PRESSING ENGAGEMENT WITH A CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT.
URGENT RENDEZVOUS? SECRETIVE CLIENTELE?
I HAD NO IDEA
YOUR POSITION WAS SO FRAUGHT WITH INTRIGUE.
[CHUCKLES]
YOU WILL NEVER FIND A MORE CLANDESTINE PROFESSION.
I'M FASCINATED, MONSIEUR BOHMER.
I WANT TO LEARN MORE.
MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
WHAT BETTER OCCASION
THAN THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW PRIME MINISTER?
DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE?
WHY ELSE WOULD THE KING AND QUEEN SUMMON YOU
IN SUCH AN IMPROMPTU MANNER?
IT IS AN HISTORIC DAY FOR THE HOUSE OF ROHAN.
EXTREMELY HISTORIC, YOUR EMINENCE.
YOU LOOK TROUBLED, YOUR EMINENCE.
NOTHING MUST MAR THIS DAY.
I WANT MY MIND CLEAR AND FREE
TO ENJOY WHAT I HAVE SO COURAGEOUSLY EARNED.
THERE'S SOMETHING WE MUST DO.
MAY I ASK UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS
THIS STATEMENT WAS MADE?
A VERBAL INTERROGATION
HERE IN THE PALACE.
IT LASTED ALL OF A MINUTE
BEFORE MONSIEUR BOHMER
GUSHED FORTH WHAT HE KNEW
LIKE A RUPTURED WATER GUT.
DO YOU DENY YOUR PARTICIPATION
IN THIS AFFAIR?
NO, YOUR MAJESTY.
DO YOU DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING
IN THE COURT JEWELER'S STATEMENT?
I DO NOT.
THEN YOU ADMIT THAT YOU USED THE QUEEN'S GOOD NAME
TO ACQUIRE THIS NECKLACE FOR YOUR OWN GAINS?
FOR MY OWN GAINS?
I MOST VEHEMENTLY DENY IT, YOUR MAJESTY.
[GASPS]
HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE THAT I WOULD CHOOSE YOU
TO ACT AS MY EMISSARY?
YOU, TO WHOM I HAVE NOT ADDRESSED A WORD
IN NEARLY 10 YEARS.
DO YOU NOT REMEMBER, YOUR MAJESTY?
HMM?
YOUR BEHAVIOR SHOWS
SOMETHING FAMILIAR TOWARD THE QUEEN
I DO NOT CARE FOR.
COUNTESS.
LEAVE US.
I BESEECH YOU, MAJESTY,
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NAME OF MY FAMILY,
HUSH THIS MATTER UP UNTIL--
Breteuil: THE KING HAS GIVEN HIS INSTRUCTIONS.
LEAVE THE CHAMBER, CARDINAL ROHAN.
IT WAS THE COUNTESS.
YOU SEE, SHE--
LEAVE THE CHAMBER.
[VENDOR SPEAKING FRENCH]
HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME?
WHAT MANNER OF INSULT IS THIS?
THE KING HAS ORDERED YOUR ARREST.
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
I ADVICE YOU NOT TO MAKE A SCENE, YOUR EMINENCE.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
Breteuil: WHAT THE COUNTESS HAD SO DARINGLY CONCEIVED
NOW BEGAN TO UNRAVEL AT A FRIGHTENING PACE,
AND THOSE OF DUBIOUS CHARACTER
WERE QUICK TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES.
I HEARD NEWS IN PARIS.
ROHAN HAS BEEN SENT TO THE BASTILLE.
REST ASSURED,
HIS CELL WILL BE THE BEST THEY HAVE TO OFFER.
HE HAS MOST CERTAINLY IMPLICATED US.
THEY MAY COME--
I DO NOT INTEND TO LEAVE.
THE NAME IS SPOKEN WITH RESPECT AGAIN,
AND I WILL NOT DIMINISH THAT BY RUNNING AWAY--
TO FIERY HELL WITH THE NAME.
IT WILL DO YOU LITTLE GOOD IN THE KING'S PRISON.
THEN GO, RETAUX.
I HAVEN'T ASKED YOU TO STAY.
PLEASE TELL ME, MADAME,
CONSPIRACY WAS NOT ALL THAT HELD US TOGETHER?
SAVE YOURSELF. I WANT YOU TO.
WHO WILL PROTECT YOU IF I GO?
NICOLAS?
IF IT COMES TO IT, HE WILL GIVE YOU UP
TO SAVE HIMSELF.
YOU NEEDN'T CONCERN YOURSELF WITH NICOLAS.
NICOLAS!
HE'S TAKEN HIS LEAVE. LET HIM GO. PLEASE.
NO.
JEANNE. STAY AWAY.
PLEASE. YOU MUST NOT REMAIN HERE.
COME AWAY WITH ME NOW.
WHAT IS THERE IN A NAME THAT IS WORTH YOUR LIFE?
TELL ME, JEANNE!
I CANNOT SEE THE REASON.
IT ONLY MATTERS THAT I SEE IT.
PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND.
JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.
YOU HAVE THE HONOR, MONSIEUR.
Breteuil: AS THE WILDFIRE OF GOSSIP SPREAD,
THE PEOPLE WERE QUICK TO BELIEVE
THAT ANTOINETTE, THE CARDINAL,
AND THE NECKLACE WERE JOINED AS ONE
IN A SALACIOUS CIRCLE OF LUST AND DECEIT.
THIEVES OF A KIND, THE TWO OF YOU!
I THINK NOW ONLY ONE ACTION CAN SET THIS RIGHT.
THE CASE MUST BE TRIED IN OPEN PARLIAMENT.
THAT WOULD BE A GRAVE MISTAKE.
IT IS WITHIN THE KING'S SOVEREIGN RIGHT
TO PASS JUDGMENT ON THIS MATTER.
WHY PLACE IT IN LESS SYMPATHETIC HANDS?
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE NOW ONLY RESPECT
THE JUDGMENT OF PARLIAMENT!
IF PARLIAMENT CONVICTS ROHAN
AS THE SOLE PERPETRATOR OF THE CRIME,
MY NAME WILL BE ABSOLVED.
AND IF THEY ACQUIT HIM?
IS IT NOT TANTAMOUNT
TO SAYING THAT YOU ARE GUILTY?
HIS MAJESTY IS CORRECT.
YOU COULD NOT BE TRIED, OF COURSE,
BUT THE GUILT WOULD FALL TO YOU ALL THE SAME.
PUBLIC VINDICATION, HOUSE MINISTER.
I WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS.
YOUR THOUGHTS, HOUSE MINISTER?
THE QUEEN OFFERS UP A SWEET PLUM BEFORE RAVENS.
PRAY NONE TAKES A BITE.
Breteuil: JEANNE'S ARREST FUELED THE HYSTERIA
SURROUNDING THE NECKLACE CONSPIRACY.
JEANNE! THERE SHE IS!
SOME SAW THE COUNTESS AS A CUNNING OPPORTUNIST,
OTHERS AS AN UNWITTING PAWN OF THE MONARCHY.
Cagliostro: "DEAREST COUNTESS,
"BEFORE THE WICKED EYE OF SUSPICION TURNS MY WAY,
"I THINK IT IS IN MY BEST INTEREST
"TO MAKE A HASTY DEPARTURE.
"I DO WISH YOU A POSITIVE OUTCOME
"IN THE TRIAL THAT LIES AHEAD.
"HAVING SAID THAT,
"IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT I NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN.
"FAREWELL, COUNTESS,
FOR FRANCE HAS SEEN THE LAST OF COUNT CAGLIOSTRO."
Breteuil: THE COUNT'S HASTY DEPARTURE
TOOK HIM NO FURTHER THAN HIS OWN FRONT DOOR...
[GRUNTS]
WHERE WAS PROMPTLY ARRESTED
AND DELIVERED TO HIS NEW ACCOMMODATIONS...
THE BASTILLE.
D'aligre: ON THIS, THE 22nd DAY OF MAY, 1786,
THE MATTER OF THE CROWN VERSUS CARDINAL LOUIS DE ROHAN
AND JEANNE SAINT-REMY DE VALOIS,
COUNTESS DE LA MOTTE, WILL COME TO TRIAL.
Jeanne: IF I REACHED FOR ANYTHING
THAT SHINED BRILLIANTLY,
IT WAS THE VISION OF A HOME DENIED ME
AND A SENSE OF PEACE I HAVE NEVER KNOWN.
IN THE EYES OF GOD
AND THE WORLD,
I WANTED MY LIFE TO BE AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
De Marce: HOW WAS IT THAT YOU ENTERED INTO THIS ARRANGEMENT?
Jeanne: THOUGH I HAVE BEEN SHROUDED IN THE BASTILLE,
I AM AWARE OF POWERFUL FORCES AT WORK AGAINST ME.
THE CARDINAL SUGGESTED
YOU WERE IN COLLUSION...
...A RUSE, TO HIDE YOUR TRUE INTENTIONS.
I CAN THINK OF NO MISDEED
TO ACCOUNT FOR MY ARREST.
TRICKERY IS HIS ONLY GIFT,
AND HE USED IT IN CONCERT WITH JEANNE DE LA MOTTE
TO MANIPULATE ME.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
Breteuil: DAILY REPORTS TO HER MAJESTY
BECAME A RITUAL,
AND PRESSURE FOR A FAVORABLE OUTCOME
A ROYAL OBSESSION.
SHORTLY AFTER I RELINQUISHED THE NECKLACE TO THE COUNTESS,
COUNT DE LA MOTTE VISITED A BROKERAGE.
MY INVESTIGATORS TELL ME
THAT HE SOLD TO THE OWNER 4 DIAMONDS OF QUALITY.
CARDINAL ROHAN, WE MUST HAVE PROOF OF YOUR CHARGES.
CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY TANGIBLE EVIDENCE?
Rohan: YES.
THE LETTERS FROM THE QUEEN.
THE COUNTESS MUST HAVE FORGED THEM SOMEHOW.
WELL, PRODUCE THEM THEN.
I AM...
I AM UNABLE TO DO SO.
IT WAS THE DAY OF THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION.
THE DAY WHEN THIS HORROR BEGAN.
I ASSUMED I WAS TO RECEIVE THE PRIME MINISTERSHIP,
AND TO PROTECT HER MAJESTY,
I ORDERED THE LETTERS TO BE BURNED.
IT WAS ONLY AFTER MY ARREST
I REALIZED THAT I HAD DESTROYED THE ONLY EVIDENCE
THAT COULD CLEAR MY NAME.
IF I MIGHT BE ALLOWED MORE TIME, I'M SURE I COULD GATHER--
DID YOU PRESUME
THAT WHILE YOU SAT IDLE IN THE BASTILLE,
I WAS IDLE AS WELL?
YOUR VEIL, PLEASE.
[COURTIERS MURMUR]
CARDINAL ROHAN,
IS THIS THE WOMAN YOU ENCOUNTERED
IN THE GROVE OF VENUS?
YES. YES, I'M CERTAIN OF IT.
MADEMOISELLE,
STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE.
NICOLE LEGUAY D'OLIVA.
A COMMON STREET PERFORMER?
HAS THIS BECOME PUBLIC?
REGRETTABLY, YES.
THE NEWS SHEETS ARE HAVING A DAY OF IT.
ROHAN AND THE COUNTESS DE LA MOTTE
MUST SUFFER FOR THIS.
DO NOT FAIL ME, BRETEUIL.
Breteuil: ALTHOUGH REVEALING THE QUEEN'S IMPERSONATOR
APPEARED TO AID THE CARDINAL'S CAUSE,
IT WAS NOT WITHOUT FORETHOUGHT.
BY DOING SO,
I WAS ABLE TO EMPLOY
ONE MORE BIT OF SKULLDUGGERY.
AREN'T YOU CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW WE FOUND NICOLE D'OLIVA?
ONE OF YOUR CO-CONSPIRATORS WAS ARRESTED
AT THE ITALIAN BORDER.
HE WILLINGLY INSTRUCTED US ON WHERE TO FIND THE IMPOSTER.
HE HAS MADE US AWARE OF YOUR FRAUDULENT NOTES,
WRITTEN TO CARDINAL ROHAN IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN.
FURTHERMORE, HE HAS STATED
THAT WHEN THE CARDINAL REALIZED THE NOTES WERE FORGERIES,
HE WILLINGLY FELL IN WITH YOUR PLANS
TO STEAL THE NECKLACE.
WHO IS THIS PERSON?
NO, NO, NO. WAIT!
THIS IS A RUINOUS LIE!
THIS IS A TREACHEROUS MACHINATION, BRETEUIL!
WHO IS THIS PERSON?
WHY ARE THEY NOT IN ATTENDANCE?
HE HAS EXPRESSED A DESIRE NOT TO SEE YOU.
DURING A TRIAL, IS IT NOT MY RIGHT
TO CONFRONT ANY ACCUSER?
MY LOVE.
MY DEAR COUNTESS.
IF I'D KNOW I'D BE RECEIVING,
I MIGHT HAVE DONE A LITTLE SOMETHING WITH MYSELF.
WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?
I HAVE IT ON GOOD AUTHORITY NICOLAS MADE IT TO AUSTRIA.
HE'S BEYOND THEIR REACH.
THEY PRACTICED HUMILIATIONS UPON ME
I COULD NOT ALLOW TO CONTINUE.
PERHAPS A MAN LESS VAIN WOULD NOT HAVE RELENTED.
EVERYONE GIVES IN AT THE LAST.
FORGIVE ME, JEANNE.
[SOBS] FORGIVE ME,
OR I CANNOT LIVE WITH MYSELF.
I LOVE YOU, RETAUX.
THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN ENOUGH.
I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY.
THE HOUSE MINISTER VISITS THE BASTILLE.
SURELY NOT A SOCIAL CALL.
OH, HEH HEH.
BEFORE THE SENTENCES ARE RENDERED,
YOU WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SIGN A CONFESSION.
IMPLICATE CARDINAL ROHAN TO THE CRIME
IN A CLEAR MANNER.
I WILL NOT.
IT WOULD SEEM TO BE YOUR ONLY CHANCE FOR SALVATION.
YOU HAVE AN ENGAGING SMILE, COUNTESS.
THOUGH NOW SEEMS A CURIOUS TIME
TO MAKE USE OF IT.
I WAS JUST THINKING HOW STRANGE IT IS, YOUR MAJESTY.
OF ALL THE TIMES I HAVE SOUGHT YOU OUT,
IN THE END IT IS YOU WHO COMPLETE THE EFFORT.
I MERELY FELT COMPELLED
TO LOOK UPON THE ARCHITECT OF SUCH CHAOS.
IT MUST BE YOU.
ROHAN IS NOT CLEVER ENOUGH.
THAT IS FOR PARLIAMENT TO SAY.
STAY WHERE YOU ARE, BRETEUIL!
YOU HAVE DAMAGED MY REPUTATION
AND I MEAN TO KNOW WHY.
SPEAK THE TRUTH FOR ONCE.
WHAT DISSERVICE HAVE I EVER DONE
THE LIKES OF YOU?
YOU IGNORED ME.
TO OFFER A WORD OF ADVICE
WOULD HAVE COST YOU BUT A FEW SPENT BREATHS,
AND IT WOULD'VE MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.
IF IT COULD BE,
NO DOUBT I WOULD'VE TRAVELED A FAR DIFFERENT PATH.
YOU MUST NOW CONSIDER THE BROADER CONSEQUENCES
OF THIS MATTER.
IF YOU WEAKEN THE MONARCHY,
YOU UNDERMINE THE ENTIRE NATION.
YOU WEAKENED YOURSELVES
LONG BEFORE A DIAMOND NECKLACE BECAME THE ISSUE.
I'VE SEEN WHAT I CAME TO SEE.
YOUR MAJESTY?
I DID NOT SET OUT TO HARM YOU.
[BELL RINGING]
AS CONCERN THE CHARGES OF THEFT AND CONSPIRACY,
THE DECISIONS RENDERED BY THIS BODY OF JUDGES
SHALL BE CARRIED OUT THIS DAY
WITHOUT HESITATION OR APPEAL.
COUNT CAGLIOSTRO.
YOU ARE HEREBY ACQUITTED
ON THE GROUNDS OF INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
YOU ARE TO BE CONSIDERED EXONERATED
BY THIS BODY OF JUDGES.
A WISE AND A JUST DECISION.
MARC ANTOINE RETAUX DE VILETTE.
BY THE COURT OF FRANCE,
YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY,
AND ARE HEREBY CONDEMNED
TO BANISHMENT FOR LIFE
FROM THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE.
ALL OF YOUR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS
ARE TO BE FORFEITED TO THE KING.
THE JUDGMENT OF PARLIAMENT IS FINAL.
JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED.
CARDINAL LOUIS DE ROHAN,
GRAND ALMONER OF FRANCE
AND BLOOD PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF ROHAN...
THIS BODY OF JUDGES...
ACQUITS YOU ON ALL CHARGES WITHOUT REPRIMAND.
YOU ARE HENCE TO BE CONSIDERED
COMPLETELY EXONERATED.
ORDER, PLEASE.
[TAPPING FLOOR WITH MUSKET]
JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.
YOUR VERDICT HAS BEEN RENDERED...
BUT WILL NOT BE READ AT THIS TIME.
YOU ARE TO BE DETAINED HERE IN THE CONCIERGERIE
UNTIL INFORMED OTHERWISE.
Breteuil: THE COUNTESS' VERDICT WAS DELAYED
BY ORDER OF THE KING HIMSELF.
HIS MAJESTY NOW FEARED THE PEOPLE,
AND HOW THEY MAY REACT WHEN TOLD OF JEANNE'S FATE.
MEANWHILE, ROHAN'S VINDICATION
SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO VERSAILLES.
[SOBBING] THEY VINDICATE ROHAN TO CAUSE ME ANGUISH.
IT IS AN AFFRONT TO MY WOMANHOOD!
DO NOT DO THIS TO YOURSELF, I BEG YOU.
PARLIAMENT HAS TOLD THE WORLD
IT DOESN'T BELIEVE MY CHARACTER FREE OF SCANDAL.
I WILL GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT.
I WILL LIVE HERE QUIETLY
IN MY DISGRACE.
IT'S WHAT THEY'VE ALWAYS WANTED!
Breteuil: THOUGH ANTOINETTE WAS NOT ON TRIAL,
THE PEOPLE SAW HER AS GUILTY OF EXCESS, GREED,
AND WORST OF ALL,
INDIFFERENCE.
COUNTESS.
IT'S TIME.
JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.
YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES.
Breteuil: BEFORE HER SENTENCE WAS READ,
THE COUNTESS WAS ALLOWED TO ADDRESS THE COURT
ONE LAST TIME.
WHATEVER FATE AWAITS ME,
IT CANNOT COMPARE TO THE PAIN THAT I--
WHEN ALL YOU HOLD DEAR IS TAKEN,
AND YOU HAVE NOTHING LEFT,
RISK IS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE.
AND WHEN A RAY OF HOPE CAME INTO VIEW,
I REACHED FOR IT
WITH ALL MY MIGHT.
I REALIZE--
I REALIZE NOW THAT IT IS TOO LATE.
THAT HONOR DOES NOT LIVE IN A NAME.
IT COMES FROM WHAT YOU CARRY IN YOUR HEART.
[LASHINGS CRACKING]
Breteuil: "V", VOLEUR.
THE MARK OF A THIEF.
[PRIEST SPEAKING LATIN]
Breteuil: AND SO ENDED THE LIFE OF MARIE-ANTOINETTE.
I DID NOT WITNESS THE QUEEN'S DEMISE,
AS I HAD LONG SINCE FLED THE HORRORS
OF THE NEW REGIME,
AND THOUGH A MYRIAD OF RUMORS CIRCULATED
AS TO THE EVENTUAL FATE OF THE YOUNG COUNTESS,
THE TRUTH WAS RATHER COMMON AND SAD.
SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALPETRIERE,
A WOMEN'S PRISON OF THE MOST HORRIBLE CONDITIONS,
WHERE SHE LANGUISHED FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS.
"WE HEARD RUMORS FROM THE OUTSIDE,
"BUT HAD NO IDEA OF THE VAST CHANGES TAKING PLACE.
"IT WAS NOT UNTIL I EFFECTED MY ESCAPE
AND REACHED THE SAFETY OF ENGLISH SOIL..."
Breteuil: IT WAS THERE, IN ENGLAND,
SHE PUBLISHED HER MEMOIRS,
AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT,
FOUND THE ACCEPTANCE THAT HAD ELUDED HER
FOR SO MANY YEARS.
Sir Hargrave: A REMARKABLE ACCOUNT.
THANK YOU.
BUT HOW SAD THAT YOU'RE SEPARATED
FROM YOUR HOME.
WILL YOU EVER RETURN TO FRANCE, MADAME?
I SHOULD LIKE TO SOMEDAY.
Breteuil: JEANNE SAINT-REMY DE VALOIS,
THE WOMAN WHO HELPED TOPPLE A MONARCHY,
NEVER RETURNED TO FRANCE.
SHE DIED IN A FALL
FROM THE WINDOW OF A LONDON HOTEL.
SOME CLAIMED IT WAS AN ACT OF REVENGE
BY AGENTS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
THE TRUTH WAS NEVER KNOWN.
CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS.
CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--