*CREDITS*
Matushka !
I'm coming, I'm coming !
What are you doing ?
Where have they put my stockings ?
- Your stockings, sir ? - What the fuck is he doing here ?
- We are working ! - What ?! Out !
- You go. - Your Majesty.
Where are they ?
They're here. Here !
Soup. Yes, how does one get soup on ones stocking ?
By eating soup in bed.
Come here !
I'm still hungry...
Stop !
Come on. The council meeting ! Come on. We're late !
I was thinking.
We need a place to live.
- This is not enough ? - No, no, a home. A home !
- This is home. - Well...
A house is not a home. A home is not a palace.
A palace... and this is something I can be quite sure of...
is not a house.
Matushka, a word ! Please ! In private ?
In private. If there is such a thing in this place...
It's the council, Grishenka. Buttons will be done up.
Someone's starting to sound like my wife.
Some people say that I am your wife.
You could do that to call them to order.
Or shoot them possibly ?
You mustn't think they hate you. They don't hate you.
I won't let them hate you.
Oh yes, Poor little lap dog, eh ?
Little lap dog's going to make a speech.
Yes. I'm Minister Panin.
Yes, I'm going to talk about Europe.
And in particular these Germans over here on our Western front.
Our allies who keep us safe. But then I look at Russia, Matushka.
I look down south and I see Crimea
The Black Sea... vast tracts of empty land.
That we should be laying claim to.
- Crimea. - Yes.
That's always been a Russian dream.
A port in the Black sea, we could build a naval fleet.
A fleet that would make us great.
A great nation.
But do you think that's realistic ?
- Yes ! - I mean, really ?
Yes, of course.
Well, we must be very diplomatic.
Well I'll be very devious, yes, yes.
No, no, but I know Mr Panin loves the Germans.
As does your son, the Grand Duke.
Yes, I'll be diplomatic, I'll be duplicitous...
All most important qualities in a statesman, Count Potemkin.
Count Potemkin wishes to speak about foreign policy.
Yes, I'm sure some of you already know my feelings on these matters.
Yes, we were just discussing the Crimea...
Is Your Majesty prepared for another Turkish war ?
Well we won the last one, if I recall.
If the Foreign Minister is so worried about Europe's reaction,
perhaps he might find other alliances...
It is obviously a very risky idea Your Majesty... As Minister of War..
Foreign policy is a most delicate and sensitive matter.
I am sure Your Majesty agrees
that our alliance with Germany is of vital importance.
- Europe is the thing. - Is it ?
- Is it the only thing ? - It certainly is important.
- It is. - Well of course, it is a factor.
But Count Potemkin's proposals are very interesting.
Thank you, Peter.
So, I am going to circulate a note from Peter Zavadovsky
that I want us to study in detail.
I would draw your attention to number four.
Now this is in relation to the election
of Governor Generals in the provinces.
You will see at number four we have General Kamensky
who has been suggested. Now I propose...
- Why didn't you support me in there ? - It wasn't the right time.
Please, when is the right time ?
Our future lies in the Crimea.
With a port on the Black Sea we become a major power.
It is my dream as well as yours.
But you think the French, the Germans and the English
will let us get away with it ? I doubt it.
Yes !
The whole of the land to the south can be ours.
We take it, they will want to join us.
- Well, you may be right. - But what ?
You don't want to lose me, you don't want me to go off to war. Is that it ?
I do love you. You know that.
It's a great adventure, Matushka.
Tired of adventure ?
No one is asking me to go on an adventure.
No, I stay here in the palace, and I write and I write and I write.
I'm a graphomaniac... permanently in committee.
I want to run.
I can't stand a life without adventure.
- You don't like your apartments here ? - They were Orlov's.
And Vasilchikov's before that. No I don't like my fucking apartments.
What am I to you ? Am I just someone that's supposed to... what ?
Stand behind your chair at dinner, huh ?
Take you upstairs after the brandy
and give you a good fucking ? Is that what I'm here for ?
Am I just the favourite ?
- I hate that word ! I can't stand it. - No, no ! Look.
- You know. You know what you are. - No, I don't know what I am.
If I can find a way to make your idea work... we will do it.
That's my woman !
Come on.
Something worrying you, Andrei ?
- Do I look worried ? - Yeah.
Why should I be worried ? Your wife is having a baby ! It's wonderful !
I want you to always, always be my best friend.
You are part of our family.
Of course, Your Excellency.
Paul.
Of course, Your Excellency.
I have finally done something to please my mother.
I've given her a baby !
A child ! An heir !
Will it look like me ?
- That's my only worry. - I'm sure it will.
I hope it does.
And we would like extend a warm welcome
to the ambassadors of the French and the German nations
who are bound to us both as partners and as Europeans...
Europe, Europe, Europe... That's all he goes on about.
Somebody needs to remind him that we are Russian.
I need to speak to Paul. I must find him.
Yes now he's going to give you an heir I suppose he must be spoken to.
Yes, you know how important that is to me.
Succession. Of course. Only too well.
If the man comes to power, I'm a dead man.
Oh don't exaggerate, you're being ridiculous.
I'm not a natural courtier. I never will be. I'm Russian.
Look at them. No, look at them, look at them !
Waiting for me to trip over my own cock.
And dressed to kill. Literally. Should've worn my bear skin.
- Don't be like this. - Don't be like what ?
- They're arguing...
I think Potemkin wants to push her to let him invade the Crimea.
You heard him in the Council.
So he can fight another Turkish war and distinguish himself.
But she won't let him.
Disagreeing about politics. Very dangerous for Potemkin.
Madam is all about politics.
Do you think she even likes men ?
She eats them and spits them out. Look at my poor brother.
Potemkin almost certainly can't satisfy her.
I am told that she requires her men in teams of twelve.
They do it in relays. And only trained athletes need apply.
A grandchild is what I want most in this world.
I am glad you are happy mother. And happy you are glad !
Natalia !
Yes, a grandchild. What a bond !
And who cares who the father is ?
The hypocrisy of family !
Is yours any different ?
Your Majesty. The German Ambassador has arrived.
What am I doing here ? I'm wasting my time.
Grigory, Grigory...
If it is this Crimea business that is making you so angry...
- I will find a way. I always do. - Who gives a fuck about Crimea ?
- You think I care about the Crimea ? - All Europe cares about Crimea.
Some of them can even find it on a map.
It's more than that and you know it !
Who is that boy up there ? Why is he always hanging around ?
- Because she likes him. - Leave us, Fool.
- Peter. Peter Zavadovsky - You know he is not important to me.
- It's Peter now. Peter ! - Where are you going ?
I'm going to get drunk. With him.
- You have more vodka, Fool ? - I never leave home without it.
That's why I don't have a home.
It is the mother we never had, Matushka.
No, you come back here ! Grishenka, you come back here right now !
Where the fuck am I ?
Fuck...
Mother... She's...
She's in labour...
- What's going on ? - It's the Crown Princess.
- How long ? - Too long, Your Majesty, too long...
How is she ?
The Crown Princess is experiencing some difficulties...
No, Her Majesty. How is the Empress Catherine ?
She is watching, Your Excellency. By the bedside.
She asks that only immediate family be present.
It's me, it's her. It's hopeless.
- She has this new assistant... - Zavadovsky ?
He is no threat to you. You're the one she loves.
- It's complicated. - It shouldn't be complicated.
That's the point. Love should be simple, or it isn't love.
Why are you talking like a schoolgirl ?
Because that's how she makes me feel. Like a schoolgirl.
She never listens to my ideas
and I'm not prepared to sit around and be her lap dog.
- And so you argue. - So it seems.
She can't bear arguments.
Well she's fucking good at them. She always has things to do.
Well tell her you have things to do as well. She'll understand that.
I don't... that's the point.
You're ambitious and in the end
she doesn't like people who stand and wait.
Being yourself is the only way you will hold on to her.
What are you doing ?
- A quick one ? - We shouldn't. I love her.
A quick one wouldn't hurt anyone.
You're a terrible woman.
Does she have any chance ?
And the baby ?
Oh Paul.
She died.
And the baby died too.
Very sorry.
They've opened her body up.
It was a boy.
A healthy boy.
I wanted to see it.
Him.
I wanted to see him.
Come here.
I'll come and see it with you.
Do you want to do that ?
Am I part of your life ?
If you want to be.
I can't be if you won't let me be.
Backwards and forwards. And round and round and round in circles.
That's how we go. What is the point of it all ?
I guess there comes a moment in any affair...
"Any affair" ? Is that all we are ?
You can't go on.
You can't continue. You don't know why.
We do things and we don't know why we do them.
You reach a wall and you can't see beyond.
And we've reached that point, have we ? Well you choose a fine time to tell me.
In a sense I don't think we will ever reach that point.
I never want to leave you. I...
... may have to.
We all have to learn how to die.
Yes.
Yes, poor Natalia.
- Was she... - I meant us, Grishenka.
Well, I have to go. You can come if you want.
- It's the judgement of God. - Your Excellence...
I'm being punished... I'm a bad person.
- You mustn't... - A mother punishes her husband.
A son punishes his mother for what he thinks that she did to his father
and then the curse goes down the family
and misery gets passed on from generation to generation...
I have been speaking to the doctors, Your Excellency.
You may see the body of your son, should you so wish.
My son...
I longed for this child.
I know he is not a child
because he is not here.
He didn't even drawn breath.
My son...
There is so little time.
Let us at least try to love one another.
I'll try.
Love is so important don't you agree ?
But so difficult to sustain.
And so to the question of alliances...
And put that in italics !
All of it, Your Majesty ?
No, not all of it. Or indeed all of it !
"Alliances" is the bit she wants in italics.
"Alliances".
It's the way she says it.
You can tell when she is speaking in italics ! That is extraordinary !
Yes well it's...
It's very important to be sensitive to the nuances of her voice.
You do it, Peter. Let him copy out your version.
Bezborodko... would you leave us, please. Peter... you stay.
"Stay !"
You were speaking in italics Your Majesty ! I spotted it !
No ! I'm afraid I wasn't.
So where do I think Russia should be in the world ?
What do the people want us to be ?
Are we going to continue to defer to the Europeans
or move south towards the Crimea ?
That's rather good isn't it ? I wonder who wrote it ?
Well you did, Your Majesty.
Well. Perhaps I can help rewrite it.
- Peter, leave us. - Oh, please.
Your Majesty.
How is your secretary ?
I'm sorry, which one ?
The good-looking one. Peter.
You trust him, do you ?
We can't go on like this.
- Like what ? - Like this !
This is... You have infinite choice. And I have got none.
I have power... yes. It may look as if I can simply do as I please but,
you know it isn't like that.
You don't need to crawl on your hands and knees to Panin.
And his unstoppable desire to suck the German cock...
You haven't read the rest of what I've written.
I don't need to hear the rest of the thing.
- Will you just listen ! - Please, indulge me.
I'll hear the rest of the thing. Come on, yes.
"The Moslem tribes in the Crimea and in the whole of the area to the north"
"are utterly divided and have no love for the Turks."
"It is possible we could bring them into the Russian empire"
"without the use of force."
- That might be true. - You see.
We agree Grishenka.
I'm for expansion. I'm for empire.
I'm all for telling the Germans and the French and the English to fuck off.
I'm a Russian patriot. With a German head.
What I don't want is another war.
And you think we can take the Crimea without a war ?
The French and the English have other worries.
The Germans will never act alone.
You would need someone...
Who could talk to the tribes.
Yes.
Would be gone a long time.
We will always have each other, Grishenka.
Don't get too fond of that boy.
Him ? Oh don't be...
No, please.
No matter what happens to either of us. In bed or out of it.
We will always have each other. Won't we ?
Are you giving me permission to stray ? I don't want to be given permission.
New beginnings, Matushka.
You go.
And you do what you have to do.
With my blessing.
No !
But you write. Will you please just write. Write. Write. Write.
Atten-hut !
So Prince Potemkin's soldiers are headed south.
What of it ?
I have to say, Your Majesty, that I am worried.
You are worried, Minister. It is noted.
What else are you worried about ? The drainage system in the Ukraine ?
Whether or not to tax root vegetables ? The price of bread in Novgorod ?
It is my job to worry, Minister. Not yours.
Work ! Work ! That's what life is all about.
Did you wish to discuss anything else with me ?
I am obviously thinking about the Prince, Your Majesty.
He's suffered a blow. But...
He's getting stronger.
As you know I am very close to him and I was thinking...
I think it's time he got married again. Where's that list ?
There is a list of suitable princesses.
With respect, Your Majesty...
They're arranged in order of suitability.
Start with number one and work your way down to number twenty five.
One or two of them are German, as it happens.
Some wonderful things have come out of Germany, Your Majesty.
Yourself included.
Do it. Go. The boy needs to move on.
I don't want to get up.
It has never been easy between us, I know... I understand that.
You don't understand.
I met someone who actually loved me and now she's...
she's dead.
- You must eat. - No !
Oh come on, get a grip !
- Now, I understand how you feel. - Do you ?
- I am trying to. I really am. - I don't feel you do.
Your wife is dead, and your son is dead.
It's time to move on.
Where are we going ?
To face up to things.
No, this is her room. Why have you brought me here ?
I want to show you something.
No, do not touch that. That is her private drawer. Get out !
Get out !
She kept things in here she didn't want you to see.
Letters.
Letters from your "best friend" Count Razumovsky.
With whom she was having an affair.
And who in all probability is the father of the dead child.
How dare you say such vile things to me ?
You're lying. You're lying.
I'm telling the truth. I'm sorry for it.
Read.
Or are you too frightened ?
No. One should never be frightened of facing the truth.
This is his handwriting. Do you recognise it ?
- The bastard. - Nothing in love is forever, Paul.
Death and distance have a way of interfering.
It's not a sin to fall in love again when the one you love is gone.
My darling... where are you ?
I have not heard from you and I am worried that...
- No, not now. - Your Majesty.
Does anyone know what this is ?
- It is the Treaty of St. Petersburg. - Yes, it is.
It led to our alliance with that nasty little man Frederick II of Prussia
who once referred to me in private...
although I hear everything, as "a cunt."
But it seems we are still tied to our alliance with him.
Do either of you know why ?
- Foreign policy, Your Majesty ? - Get out ! Get out !
Get out ! Get out !
Until we secure Crimea, Your Majesty...
it may be dangerous to... move on.
Yes you are quite right, Peter. Good. You've been listening to me.
Yes, move slowly. You're quite right.
I'm so sorry I was unpleasant.
Things weigh on me sometimes.
I am always grateful to serve Your Majesty.
You may go.
Oh Prince Potemkin has...
Prince Potemkin has been away too long.
I am sorry.
You know how much that I...
That you...
What respect I have for him.
- Prince Potemkin. - Yes. He is an extraordinary man.
He is.
But he is not here. And you are.
Yes, Your Majesty.
So... rub my shoulders ?
Lower.
Come... come round to the front.
You may do whatever it is you think I want.
No...
Lock the door. People are always bothering me.
You know, you are the best secretary I have ever had.
There are one or two outstanding candidates.
This is the daughter of the Grand Duke of Wiesbaden-Gleiwitz.
God. What a boot !
A marriage is a great opportunity for you, Your Excellency.
From what I hear Potemkin is trying to convince the Crimean Tatars
to join the Russian empire.
And unsurprisingly not having much success.
Your star will rise...
Princess Sophia of Wurtemburg.
Apparently she has good childbearing hips.
I am so glad you are pleased with Princess Sophia of Wurtemburg.
She will make Prince Paul a wonderful wife.
She is a warm and wonderful human being.
And German.
She is also German.
Please don't think this is going to make me feel more kindly
towards other Germans, Panin.
Our alliance with Germany and the rest of Europe is a delicate business.
Especially if we are embarked on an adventure in the Crimea.
She misses him. Unfortunately.
What's he doing in the Crimea exactly ?
No-one knows.
I think he has told her he will somehow manage to annex it.
Without a fight. Which he won't.
I saw Zavadovsky go upstairs by the back route to do her last night.
Oh the "back route"...
Many, many congratulations, sir.
Aren't things easier without One Eye ?
I am sure he will end up killing every Tatar in Crimea.
Unless they kill him first.
I have not heard from you for what seems an eternity.
I know what you are doing is dangerous
but I beg you to let me know what is happening.
It is true, I am to blame for not having written you,
my most merciful lady and generous mistress.
I shall soon be able to tell you the whole story of my adventures.
It isn't finished yet, but we are close.
I swear in the name of the One God and the Prophet Mohammed
to serve and sacrifice my life and my soul for the Empress Catherine...
I managed somehow to persuade
the entire Tatar elite to take the oath of allegiance to you.
I congratulate you upon your acquisition of the Crimea.
I can't tell you happy and excited I am. And how I long to see you.
My darling, our dreams for Russia are finally coming true.
For all this I thank you...
But I am missing you terribly !
A letter for Her Majesty !
The Grand Duchess has just given birth... to a son
whom I call Monsieur Alexandre.
I am besotted with this infant.
It's a pleasure to see him sprawl on his rug,
and he is beginning to show singular intelligence for a child of his age.
I can make of him what I want.
What Sovereign has ever compiled such a brilliant epoch as you ?
The lands upon which others merely glanced,
you have bound to the Russian sceptre.
This new border promises Russia peace, Europe envy, and the Ottomans fear.
Take up this trophy
and order your historians to prepare more paper and ink.
I will build a new city here in your honour,
and a port to the open sea that we always dreamed of.
- What are you going to call it, sir ? - Grigory.
No, I'm not going to call the town Grigory.
You may call me Grigory. Because I like you.
Nobody would want to live in a town called Gregory.
The sewers would be overflowing. It would be all brothels and bars.
But this will be a colossal city.
It will live forever.
We'll have wide streets and boulevards.
We'll have art and cathedrals
and orchards and music on every corner.
Mozart.
Of course we'll have Mozart. Yes.
You love her very much.
I do. From the first moment I saw her.
When I was nothing. And that will never change.
Affection that refuses to be altered by circumstances.
They called this town Akhtiar. The White Cliffs.
But we shall call it Sebastopol.
The Imperial City.
The Empress's City.
All for the glory of Catherine.
Oh, how I miss you !
Come home.
Come home to me. Now.
- You did it. - Yes. Yes, I did.
They said you would never do it and you did.
And you have a German daughter-in-law...
just to show them what a good European you still are.
Let them all think that.
But tonight we are celebrating you.
But I must soon return, my work there is just starting.
Let's enjoy tonight. There is nothing sweeter
than the sounds of a party fading into the distance.
Not if you are walking away from it with the right person.
I did it all for you, my love.
She's enjoying her child.
She's very respectful. She has learned Russian.
And she has good childbearing hips.
- I hate her. - Of course you do.
Go on. Go on, I'll stay here. The sight of me might start him off.
The little boy...
I'm surprised by how much I love him.
How much he means to me.
It's never the children, Matushka. It's what we do to them.
Too late for us.
Go on, go. Go. Go, go ! Go on.
Hello !
Are you coming to see me ? Yes, you are.
Where are you taking him, mother ?
I'm not stealing him, darling.
Maria understands, don't you ?
We can be friends now, can't we ? Now you've given me a son.
Grandson. He's your grandson. He's my son.
When do we get him back, Mother ?
In five years. When he has reached the age of reason.
That was a joke.
So, what about the Turks ? Are they going to let us keep Crimea ?
I somehow forgot to ask them.
Prince Potemkin has thought all this through very carefully, Peter.
Of course.
I do... I do think about things, you know.
In politics, Peter, there are always a certain amount of unknown factors.
It is never a good idea to try and discover them.
- The future will happen. - All we know is we have Crimea.
The only other issue is...
Where next ?
My little munchkin... south ? We should go south ? Yes !
Matushka !
I've had an idea !
Oh please ! Another one ?
Where do I belong in all of this ?
Please ? What is my purpose here ?
I have no idea.
If you do not wish to be here, you can always leave.
Fine.
I will !
Your trousers.
- He was getting very tedious. - Yes !
I want the Ministry of War.
You shall have it. We don't need any of them any more.
Oh look at you. Every button in place.
And, Matushka, what about your son ? The Grand Duke.
From now on Prince Paul can do as he is told.
How about a diplomatic tour ? He can visit the Austrian Court.
Good idea. Let's do this.
So. First... we would like to thank Alexei Orlov
for his loyal service at the Ministry of War.
And his post will now be given to Prince Potemkin
in acknowledgement for his great work in the Crimea.
Bravo !
Count Orlov, did you have something to say ? Before you leave ?
No, Your Majesty.
And now I want to signal a major change
in our foreign policy, away from Europe and...
- May I say something, Your Majesty ? - Yes, please do.
With respect...
we may have fooled a few savages into giving away the Crimea
and, in the course of time
someone else may well fool us into giving it away again.
- But... - We gained the Crimea.
- Which makes us more powerful. - And your point is ?
I really must say...
What must you say ? What is your point ?
My point is that my foreign policy
has always developed on a secure network of alliances in Europe
particularly in Germany.
An adventure in the Crimea has put those alliances in danger.
What is your definition of a "secure network of alliances" ?
It is one which... a system which...
A system, which you have devised, for your own convenience.
There is no such thing as a "secure network of alliances" in politics.
You should know that after watching me work.
I...
- I... - Yes ?
You had another point ?
I really do not see how I can proceed if you insist...
If we are following a policy with which you disagree,
there is only one course for you.
I...
I do not wish to resign, Your Majesty.
I know you have poisoned my son against me.
There may be nothing I can do about that now.
But know this... I will never forgive you.
I do not wish to resign...
But...
I...
I suppose I must do so.
A principled decision.
Accepted.
And we thank you for your loyal service all these years.
Your Majesty...
I do not want to go on a state visit to the Austrian court.
This is a scheme of Potemkin's, isn't it ?
To do with his adventures down south. Well, I'm not going.
This man has taken control of the whole court !
You will go. And you will leave my grandson with me.
I will not go ! I will not !
That will be your old tutor. He has just resigned.
He will need money. Yes ?
What use are you to me if you cannot help me ? What use are you to anyone ?
You know, what you need in retirement, Nikita Ivanovich, is a hobby.
I suggest you acquire one. Soon.
Now, remember ! Charm ! At all times !
The Emperor Joseph is sparkling company !
And we need his support for what we are doing in the Crimea.
So.
Don't worry, darling. I will take good care of him.
Just as your grandmother looked after you.
I hardly ever saw you.
Well, we survived, didn't we ?
- Well, back to work. - Yes...
I will also have to leave soon too.
Back down south. Building our empire.
I don't want you to be lonely.
There's a man I would like you to meet. Alexander Mamonov.
Perhaps he can keep you company while I'm away.
But I will insist you visit me when the work is complete.
I suppose if we can't live together,
we'll have to learn how to live with others.
But without jealousy.
Because jealousy is disgusting. It is...
- Pointless. - And demeaning.
Your Majesty. It's my pleasure...
Very nice to meet you.
2 YEARS LATER
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
I wouldn't worry about it, really.
I can't believe it.
It's never happened before.
No ?
- Welcome aboard, Prince Potemkin. - Let's get this show on the road.
I'm sorry.
Really. Really, don't worry about it.
You're here.
- Why didn't you say ? - I didn't want to bother you.
I'm here now !
I've been getting it all ready. All ready for you.
Stop it.
So ! Let's to the Crimea...
Row !
Your Majesty.
We'll sail down this river, we'll reach the Black Sea,
and then we'll show everyone a New Russia !
She's cheered up then.
Can't live with him. Can't live without him.
Your Majesty.
- Thank you. - Prince Potemkin.
Thank you.
I think Mamonov is fucking her.
Well, what are you going to do about that ?
Fifty lashes !
You're a monster ! You are, you're a terrible monster.
You use people up and throw them away when you're finished with them.
Fifty lashes... you're outrageous.
You're terrible, Matushka, you're a monster.
That is not a very nice thing to say about someone.
Especially someone you say you love.
Oh but I do love you.
I'll always love you.
Even when there isn't anymore me or anymore you.
I will still love you.
Does it upset you ?
Oh no, not especially.
But this... this...
This is what we were meant to do.
Make Russia great.
We never had any choice in the matter.
You are the one.
You are. There was only ever you.
Wherever you are. Wherever I am.
From the first time I saw you.
Love has to do with the soul.
Me. You.
There.
Here.
Now.
My love.
What are you doing here ?
There is something I want to show you.
Come on ! Come on...
What do you taste ? What do you taste ?!
Salt !
We are not on the river, we are on the sea !
And what do you think is around the next headland ?
Of course you don't know, come on !
Good morning boys, good morning !
Close your eyes, come on ! Close them. Don't ! Come on !
Right there... Keep them closed...
Now. There !
The reason we have travelled down river.
Sebastopol, Matuskha !
Our window into the Black Sea.
I have built you, like I promised, a Russian naval Fleet.
For you and Russia to take our Empire across the sea,
to Byzantium !
I've done all of this for you !
For only you ! This is how I love you.
*CREDITS*