Dresden 1756, shortly before the outbreak of the Seven Years' War. The Prussian envoy learns by accident of a secret treaty between Saxony, Russia and Austria. At once he sends a major as a messenger to the king. Frederick reacts with cunning and out-maneuvers his opponents during a concert.
The Flute Concert of Sans-souci
- what if they see us? - the night is discreet
- and what if they hear us? - the violins are playing fortissimo
what about my husband?
he's sitting at the gambling table, winning
you haven't been in Dresden long, young man?
no madame
you've arrived straight from Paris?
yes madame
did you have any affairs in Paris?
no madame
so you had!
yes madame
you'll take me home now
we'll have a cup of chocolate
yes madame
then you'll tell me all about your Paris adventures
but...what will Mama say?
what about your Mama? she's dancing inside with the Spanish stagione's dancer
come along
you are the correspondent of the Daily Courrant?
yes sir, I am making a tour of the German cities for our paper
is that so?
what will you write about Dresden?
that its prime minister, count Brühl is Europe's most generous host
that he owns 200 lackeys and 635 snuff boxes
and that he wears all his coats just once.
you know count Brühl personally?
no, but I think he's a great diplomat
why so?
if a prime minister gives a masked ball in August...
and invites all Europe's envoys to this ball...
then he must be a very skillful diplomat.
why?
because the heat will force the gentlemen to take off their masks earlier than they intended.
you are attaching a far too great importance to a harmless masquerade
count Brühl adores amusements
and hates the king of Prussia
his politics...
you are imagining a political intrigue against Prussia behind a harmless summer ball
no no, he hates Frederick II
and this hate dictates each of his actions
and you won't report anything about the count's beneficial accomplishments for his country?
our paper only publishes articles based on the truth
play the menuet galant B.
menuet galant
good evening, field marshall
do you know why count Brühl asked us here at this hour?
I don't
but it isn't hard to guess
who's missing?
our host
his excellency, the Imperial count von Brühl
I welcome you, gentlemen
and I thank you for coming
you can be assured that I wouldn't have spoiled your amusement if it hadn't been of the utmost importance
you must excuse my being late, I was detained by an English journalist
since when do you give interviews, your excellency?
since I learned that one can hide a lot by talking
besides, that newspaper reporter had no idea he was talking to me
it had been count Brühl
he thought I hadn't noticed that it had been him
but he gave me a very revealing interview
lately, my secret negotiations with the ambassadors of Austria, France and Russia...
have attracted a lot of interest in Potsdam.
and I don't want them in Potsdam to have any idea
that we are negotiating...
and what about.
your excellency
my private secretary Menzel
the dispatches from Vienna
the deciphered copy. the original has been filed.
his excellency, the Austrian chancellor lets me know...
that the treaty between France, Austria and Russia has finally been signed
the allied powers have agreed to attack the kingdom of Prussia without any delay...
should Prussia start war with one of the allied powers.
They have asked Saxony to join that alliance.
I don't have to tell you, my allied gentlemen...
that Saxony will answer to that appeal.
should the kingdom of Prussia attack...
the sly fox in Potsdam would think twice before...
one ought to lure the fox out of his hole
the Austrian chancellor writes about that too:
the bordering state of Saxony should find a pretext
to start war with Prussia
such a pretext is easily found
what about Mecklenburg-Schwerin?
why pretexts? haven't we reasons enough?
Silesia
you see. we can prepare everything with leasure
the philosopher of Sans-Souci hasn't a clue
he builds operas and picture galleries
for brilliant conversation at this dinner table
Menzel
take this document and go
by the way...
it's not without a certain piquant charm
that we have come to our agreement against Prussia right under our beloved Prussian envoy's nose
Maltzahn is on the ball too?
he stands near the buffet and tells anecdotes about his great king
and when the king came to Halberstadt one day
to his amazement they didn't fire any salute.
the indignant king asks the mayor about it
this was the mayor's answer:
your majesty
unfortunately we couldn't fire the salute, for three reasons:
the first reason: we don't have any cannons
to this the king replies:
that first reason is so weighty, that I can dispense with the other two
excellent
don't you have any other anecdotes, excellency?
do tell us
I'll be back in a second
your excellency
do you have something for me, Menzel?
copies of the dispatches from Vienna, your excellency
deciphered?
as usual, the old code
what's his price?
a much as your excellency cares to give
that ought to be sufficient
it's most important that Potsdam learns nothing about this until we have finished our military preparations
it would be a grave mistake to take off one's mask too early
take off your masks!
my ladies, I'm sorry
I must go
Lindeneck, will you play a game of piquet with me?
at your service, your excellency
with pleasure, Lindeneck
be careful, Lindeneck
keep absolutely quiet
I have the document hidden in my left sleeve
at your command, excellency
I'll slip it to you after my first trick
is the courier relay service ready?
yes your excellency?
- how many horses? - eight horses
from the city's border, via Meißen, Mühlberg, Torgau, Korwitz, Jüterborg, Luckenwalde
Trebbin, Potsdam
nine of spades, careful
now
I'll hand over the game to the count
- I must profit by the occasion - but be careful
So, Lindeneck?
the Prussian envoy's musician plays piquet instead of the flute?
his king in Potsdam mustn't hear about it
what the count says is very true, Lindeneck
hand over the cards to him and look after the ladies
- here you are, count - thank you, musician
I'll gladly take over the game
off you go, Lindeneck, one ought to profit by the hours till morning
yes, your excellency
what game did Lindeneck declare?
how do you like tonight's ball, your excellency?
amusing and diverting, as always at the palais Brühl
but you haven't danced
I preferred to chat
is that so? what about, if one may ask?
about fashion, love, the theatre, society
about anything
except politics
but that's politics too
not talking about politics
after midnight. quick. my coat
God's speed
good luck, major
one sees his excellency more in the company of musicians than of diplomats
I find intercourse with them more harmonious
that's possible
but for our real life, I find them superfluous
those musicians
again you've won
you're in luck, your excellency
not luck, just courage
will you give me a chance to get even?
but of course, count
let's play eight rounds, if you like
good
eight rounds
that was the first round, count
again you've won
so to speak, by galloping
seven rounds more
I hope you aren't tired already, your excellency?
not at all, count
I'll sit through those seven rounds
jack of spades
by the way
I have been told about a lonely rider
who has been observed for some months between Dresden and the Prussian border
there surely must be more than one rider
the peasants are convinced that this rider has the devil inside
his horse is said to fly
why should one need a horse that can fly?
perhaps in order to deliver messages of highest importance from one place to another
but that ought to very important messages, count
but the strange thing is...
the peasants firmly claim that this devilish rider...
was attached to the Prussian envoy in Dresden.
but surely the Prussian envoy ought to know about that?
besides, I wouldn't know what messages of highest importance the Prussian envoy might send across the border
that he would need a flying rider for it
isn't that true, count?
but we're at peace
at deep peace
of course
you have to follow suit, count (deal the correct card colour- reveal your intentions)
- I beg your pardon? - if I remember correctly, you must have another club
pardon, your excellency
my mistake
I almost would have committed an error
hey, border guard
that damned musician
again in the early hours
I went to bed late, there had been a wedding at the mayor of Trebbin
here, my papers
keep that old scrap of paper
it's falling apart from so much use
because you've rubbed your greasy fingers on it too often, border guard
I'll teach you some new tunes next time, you...
Sans Souci ("without worries")
Friedersdorff
have it deciphered
how long?
eight hours, your majesty
half an hour longer than the last time
at your command, your majesty, in Korwitz, at the fourth relay post,
the stable boy had been late
if this happens again, the guy will make the relay service by foot, with a sack of turnips on his back
at your command, your majesty
tired?
yes, from dancing, your majesty
so they are still dancing in Dresden?
yes your majesty
go home now
and stay with your wife for a week
yes your majesty
count Finkenstein
the minister
what's the news, Finkenstein?
your majesty, the Russian envoy demands an audience
show him in
Envoy, what's the reason for the audience?
get off that chair, woman
sire, I have a complaint against the Berlin newspaper
have you been insulted in person?
what is easier than to slander the great?
it's about an article that has just appeared in one of the newspapers privileged by your majesty
the article is called "The history of the Roman Emperors"
you can resume the whole article in one sentence:
how does that sentence go?
one murders another
and was himself murdered by another
but that refers to the Roman emperors
and you are the envoy of Russia
the article secretly alludes to Russia
all you have to do, is replace "Roman" with "Russian"
and the whole is revealed as insolent criticism of the Russian state of affairs
healthy criticism can be very instructive, envoy
I ask you have the anonymous author punished as an example
I can only punish to incite ambition
not to humiliate the punished person
besides, there is a decree guaranteeing the freedom of speech to the Berlin press
go ahead, Finkenstein
his majesty had expressly ruled in the year '40
that the local newspapers would have unlimited freedom of speech
all the same, I ask his majesty, I even demand...
go on, envoy
I repeat that the article is an open attack against Russia
and in the interest of the good relations between Russia and Prussia...
one moment, envoy
... and Saxony. The Russian council of war intends to attack Prussia with 80.000 men. The distribution of the conquered provinces...
what were you saying, envoy?
in the interest of the good relations between Russia and Prussia...
I appeal to your majesty's understanding, and...
and urgently request to curtail future attacks in the newspapers
yes yes
in the interest of the good relations
My cabinet council will inquire into this case
Please remember me to your august sovereign the Empress
and assure her of my constant admiration
now Russia, Austria and France are against us
two crowned queens have joined forces with an uncrowned queen
read this, Finkenstein
those are the latest dispatches the flying musician brought from Dresden
The conquered Prussian provinces shall be distributed according the to secret treaties: East Prussia will fall to Russia, Silesia to...
Ask Winterfeldt, Schwerin, Retzow und Zieten to come here
good morning, Franz
??? buonis
the flute doesn't sound pure
your majesty, the flute has been made out of the finest wood
I myself drilled the holes
but she doesn't sound pure all the same
if your majesty allows me
the flute sounds pure
but she doesn't sound pure
if a sovereign could bear to hear the truth...
then your majesty would immediately know that it isn't the flute's fault
what did he say? I cannot bear the truth? out with the truth!
I have told your majesty many times that you are to place the flute on the table after playing
and not slip it under your arm
since your majesty doesn't want to listen...
the flute sounds impure
but he still isn't right, Quantz. it's not my fault, it's the flute's
Blanche
if you desire me...
oh do not hide from me... oh
where shall I visit you?
where shall I find you?
you who fills me with immortal desire
what does this sighing mouth convey?
what does this eye express?
this is Herr Kent, an acquaintance of mine
a good acquaintance. he reads me Klopstock's poems
it's so boring being alone
I am delighted to meet my charming acquaintance's husband
the honour is all mine, Herr ...
Kent, if you please
Kent of the Berlin Porcellain Manufacture (KPM)
with Wilhelm Caspar Wegely in...
in the Neue Friedrichstraße
you know...
and that's where we met
in the manufacture (porcellain shop)
it had been a most charming meeting
Madame enters the shop one day
by accident I find myself in there too
you must know I am not working as a salesman for Wegely
speaking just among ourselves
so there I stand
Madame is in deep conversation with the apprentice about a coffee set for 4
the apprentice says that he has only a set for 5 persons
Madame only needs a set for 4 persons
because she only invites three lady friends to her afternoon coffee
and...
and then I step forward
introduce myself
and propose to become the 5th guest at the next coffee gathering
so that the coffee set would serve its purpose
and thus...
and thus we met
through the coffee set
I am delighted that you find the time to entertain my wife during my absence
with greatest pleasure
only Madame regrets that you are away on business so often
well I shall take my leave now...
I still have to...
that is I...
you permit
I thank you
Madame, I thank you for the invitation
bonjour, Monsieur
again, bonjour Monsieur
I am all surprised that you already have come back today
I only expected you tomorrow
I haven't cooked or prepared anything
there is nothing in the kitchen, no meat...
no eggs, no vegetables...
say, where is the coffee set...
you bought in the manufacture?
would you like to see it?
in the cupboard
beautiful, isn't it?
very pretty
really
very pretty
listen, if I ever see that porcellain peddler in here again...
then he'll go out of the window himself
you're a tyrant
you won't grant me the slightest pleasures
what am I to do all alone, and you with your Dresden envoy
I am not allowed to speak to another person
you won't allow me the slightest distractions
don't cry, I didn't mean it like that
who knows how you amuse yourself in Dresden, and I am not even allowed to have coffee
you want to lock me up so that no one can see me
and you indulge in your passions
Aunt Charlotte always said that you're a suspicious character
leave Aunt Charlotte out of this
but all's well, I am here, I am staying, I have eight days leave
eight days and eight nights, Blanche
Blanche, look what I brought you
you brought me something?
what did you bring me?
close your eyes
open your eyes
how beautiful
real rubies
they will go beautifully with my new dress
and the fact that I'm staying eight days with you...
you're not pleased about that too?
I am
he is right, Quantz. It's not the flute's fault, it's my own
- I don't think they could hold out... - I agree
the Austrians have formed an alliance with the Russians and the French
they want to have Silesia
and a few more provinces
shall we let Austria attack us?
or shall we attack ourselves?
Retzow?
what does he think?
you majesty had promised at the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle...
not to undertake any attacks.
promised... promised
he who is drawn into European politics can hardly keep up his high principles
the Empress has signed the treaty too, but still she conspires against us
the Empress is a woman
but that's the madness of it!
it's well known how much I respect all ladies
but I am forced to open war against them
those three first ...
you don't have to cough, Finkenstein, I know what I'm saying
those three first .... ladies of Europe
join forces and mercilessly fight a man...
who ought to be completely indifferent to them.
so, Retzow, what does he advise?
as much as our Prussian troops have proven themselves in war, I do not advise to set them against an overwhelming enemy force right now.
that is my opinion, your majesty
he had been talking with my brothers
tell my brothers, general...
if our enemies force us into war...
we're not to ask how many they are...
but where they stand!
if we hold on, we'll soon have all Europe against us, your majesty
the attacker isn't the one who fires the first shot
but he who plans to attack his neighbor
we'll never be able to prove that, sire
is that so?
Finkenstein, show the dispatches from Dresden to the gentleman
you wanted proof, Retzow
is that proof enough?
again about Silesia
Silesia, fiddlesticks!
this war will be about self-defence or complete destruction
now that we know what count Brühl really thinks...
how that gentleman does nothing but scheme and lie
I have no other choice but to disarm the Saxon troops
isn't it a shame that a peaceful people will have to suffer just because of a single man's ambitions
but we need an absolutely certain proof that the allies plan an attack on Prussia
I don't think these documents are sufficient proof
they are talking about a plan, not about a decision
I ask your majesty to consider that
but the Austrians have asked Brühl to find a pretext for war!
and I am sure Brühl has already found that pretext
the document is certain to be already on its way to Vienna
we must get hold of that document
it'll justify us in the eyes of Europe
Friedersdorff
Rataplan rataplan rataplan
he loved to go to war
rataplan rataplan rataplan
why mustn't this happen
first comes the omlett
and only then comes the bed, unfortunately
off you go, peel some potatoes
he lay below the slipper (steht unter dem Pantoffel - was dominated by his wife)
and peeled the potatoes
if your highness pleases, dinner is served
s'il vous plait, monsieur
après vous, madame
c'est gentil de votre part, monsieur
- N'est-ce pas, madame? - oui
does Madame Lindeneck know on what mission her husband is in Dresden?
no your majesty
the major strictly obeys the order to keep silent about it
good. all women gossip
very well your majesty
by the way, how long has Lindeneck been married?
hardly a year
and he's seen his wife only the half of it
yes, your majesty
and what does madame say about it?
I think she had imagined her marriage to be different, and...
what is it, Freedersdorff?
I mean, she...
out with it
I have been told, madame is about to...
forget about conjugal fidelity.
is that so?
- is she pretty? - Madame Lindeneck is very pretty, and...
and there is a young fop in the porcellain manufacture...
he is to forward my letters to my Berlin address
and I'll be back here next week anyway
carry my luggage upstairs again
I am staying
the baron is staying
carry the suitcase upstairs
when I used to sit with Voltaire at this table, Maitre Noel's pâtés had been tastier
did he fear the great philosopher's criticism more than mine?
one should call Voltaire back, your majesty
so that the pâtés will be tasty again, is that it?
I'd rather eat bad pastries
I am certainly right about this
what's all that excitement, gentlemen?
what are you quarreling about?
about marriage
an important topic nowadays
it's absurd, but count Alvarotti thinks women have as much right to infidelity as men have
and who grants men the right to infidelity, baron Pöllnitz?
but that's a natural law, your majesty
marriage is a contract which can only be dissolved if both parties agree to it
but as long as this contract is valid it must not be broken
neither by the husband, nor by the wife
Madame stands all alone
you know whom I mean
he cares little about the wife
his king comes first for him
so she's pretty, Friedersdorff?
very pretty
- has he seen Madame Lindeneck? - I saw her once on her Sunday walk
she's charming
Lindeneck must be in Dresden by now
if he rides back tomorrow...
he could only be here tomorrow evening
remind me of Madame Lindeneck tomorrow
very well your majesty
I've been informed accurately
that alleged musician had been away since the night of the ball and only returned this morning
but you cannot seriously believe, my dear count, that this Lindeneck can ride the distance Dresden Potsdam and back in under 24 hours?
I think he needs even less than 24 hours
then he would have to fly
one should think so
and what would be that flying musician's mission?
is that so hard to guess?
espionage
that's it
espionage
Lindeneck
I am sorry to wake him up
at your command, your excellency
I'll ride
if this job is done, he'll get a month's leave, I promise
if only count Brühl would let us in peace
I'm afraid, Brühl would not refrain just because of you, Lindeneck
he ought to listen to my wife's complaints
perhaps he'd change his mind then
off you go, Lindeneck, it's about Vienna
Menzel has done a good job this time
at your command, your excellency
your excellency, an emergency order was issued at the border
they are searching for the flying musician
but then you can't go
they won't catch me, your excellency, I'll ride
we cannot risk this, too much is at stake
- what else can we do? - another must ride, who is less suspicious
give me those documents
I am at your disposal, your excellency
this document is of the utmost importance to the king
it must be in Sans-Souci today at all price
your excellency, give me those documents, I'll ride
he stays, the courier rides
how does the relay service function, major?
your excellency, I must ride!
but I don't doubt your courage, Lindeneck
if if I sent you, that would be risking too much
explain to the courier about the relay service
eight horses
Meißen, Mühlberg, Torgau, Korwitz, Jüterborg, Luckenwalde, Trebbin
the position?
the first inn of each hamlet
the pass?
sans-souci
your excellency, may I have the documents
here you are. don't forget, you are riding for Prussia
we'll invite a few attachés of the embassies to lunch, you'll attend
then no one will search for the flying musician on the roads
understood?
at your command
he'd rather sit on his horse?
on the way to Potsdam, is that it?
but he'll return to his wife in time
what is madame his wife doing?
she sits at home
and...
I expect you tonight at 7 o'clock. A carriage will fetch you. Do come, no one will see you. Kent
such insolence
let me tell you an anecdote which has an error of logic in it
the marriage ceremony between the duke of Clandel and the princess of Navarre is being held in the church of Notre Dame
everyone laughs about the marriage because the duke is 70 and the princess 20
the priest ties the couple's hands with the veil and asks the question of the sacrament
at this moment
the duke suddenly realizes the great injustice he is about to commit to bind the young princess to himself
he is seized by an incredible excitement
he wants to shout out "no"
but before he can utter one word
he drops dead.
where is the error of logic in this anecdote?
the duke of Clandel would never have married in Notre Dame
because his lineage has been extinct since the 11th century
and the church of Notre Dame had been built 100 years later
I beg your pardon, my dear vicomte but that's not the correct answer
you could replace Notre Dame with any other church
the story is improbable because the cardinal has to ascertain the couple's agreement to the marriage, before he binds the couple's hands with the veil
no my dear baron, but that isn't the correct answer either
but I'll tell you, gentlemen
where the error of logic lies in this story
how could anybody have known that the senile duke was going to say no
if he had dropped dead before he could open his lips?
gentlemen, may I tell you a story now?
a friend of mine writes me from Potsdam
he's in love with a young woman
who is left alone by her husband all the time
the young lonely woman is very pretty
and unfortunately true to her husband
all my friend's efforts have so far been in vain
the young wife is unwavering
remains unwavering
and will eternally be unwavering
gentlemen
is there an error of logic in that story?
no
there is not one error of logic, there are three!
because a pretty woman is not unwavering
does not remain unwavering
and will not remain unwavering eternally.
especially if her skin is as white as her name
Frau ...
count
I must ask you to give me that letter
how dare you
but Lindeneck?
what's the matter?
I must ask you again to give me that letter
your excellency, please take that presumptuous fool off my back
I'll order Lindeneck to apologize to you at once, count
stable boy
major? you here?
I'll ride the relay
major, the documents
ah yes, the documents
and he definitely thinks that madame will come?
would I have prepared the dinner with so much care otherwise?
then take care that no one will see madame on the stairs
everything's been taken care of
when shall I send the carriage?
it's now half past seven
so now is the time to go
at your service
mount your horses. the spy is riding towards the border
border guard
Halt!
madame
madame, the carriage
coming
junk
don't you feel anything?
coachman
innkeeper
has the coachman gone crazy?
coachman, halt
but we've passed the inn
coachman
why doesn't he stop?
stop the carriage
why doesn't he stop?
innkeeper
I want to get out
coachman, I want to get out
you mustn't drive on
I want to get out
you are all fools!
utter stupid fools. I want the carriage back here in 5 minutes
otherwise... I'll forget who I am!
may I help you to get out, madame?
but I...
let me take your hand, madame
but I don't know what...
I didn't want to come here
I want to go home
I have taken the liberty to have Madame brought here to have supper with her
if it would suit Madame
where might Madame be running to?
well I... but I had been...
invited somewhere else
yes yes I know
but all the same I took the liberty to arrange things otherwise
unless it is disagreeable to you to have supper with me, madame?
your majesty
I hope you'll find my food just as tasty...
as the food at the inn.
certainly, your majesty
because I don't like it when...
when my officers' wives forget about their duties
while their husbands are on duty in my service
doesn't Madame understand?
but I only wanted to...
the major von Lindeneck is one of my most reliable officers
and it would be delightful if his wife were just as reliable as he is
then he shouldn't leave me alone so much, your majesty
I can explain that too, madame
there's an officer...
he plays the lute like a troubadour
and he sits on his horse like a Pandour hussar
that officer once exchanged his sword with the lute
and stayed a good soldier in spite of it
and that officer...
is your husband, little wife
he's now riding from Dresden to Potsdam
because he can ride like no other of my officers, day and night
he rides the flying relay service
from one saddle to another, eight hours or even more
always sitting straight in his saddle and...
thinking of his wife
- from Dresden to Potsdam in one night? - in one night
many horses, but only one rider
but then he must arrive very soon
he will
that's why I asked you here, little wife
to save your husband from disagreeable surprises
your majesty
otherwise, I wonder where the major Lindeneck would have found his wife ?
I think I owed that small service to my officer
didn't I, madame?
supper is served
if you please
leave the other partridge in the pot, perhaps Madame will come after all
but certainly, baron
Madame is nowhere to be found, seems to have completely disappeared
then I'll have the other partridge as well
with pleasure
yes, my dear madame, everyone who loves had better look after himself
he shouldn't sacrifice everything to his passion
one mustn't soften, otherwise one wouldn't be able to suppress such a passion
a passion leading to foolishness one will have to regret later on
Madame doesn't drink?
à votre santé
did Madame understand me?
how does your majesty mean?
I mean what I said about foolishness
yes yes, I totally agree, your majesty
one shouldn't behave with foolishness
- then we agree, don't we? - perfectly, your majesty
how do you like my casserole?
delicious, your majesty
a secret recipe of the royal kitchen?
not a secret to you, madame
you take one half of Turkish wheat
one half of Parmesan cheese
you add the juice of squeezed garlic
then you bake it in butter till a hard crust forms
about as thick as this finger
no, not like my finger
more like that one
I didn't know your majesty knew so much about cooking
men know much more about cooking than women
why have all the famous chefs been men, not women?
your majesty, I have a secret too
that's impossible!
the coffee cake
if your majesty would come to visit me for a cup of coffee
no, better not
why not?
then my husband would throw another coffee set out of the window
he doesn't like it if strange gentlemen have coffee with me
he's terribly jealous
but he wouldn't be jealous because of me
but why not
especially of your majesty, I'm sure of it
really?
why do you think so?
because your majesty isn't such a woman-hater...
as people always say.
are the people saying that?
of course
that is, only those who don't know your majesty
I think your majesty can be very charming with women
that's very kind, madame
I think your majesty are like a....
like an old uncle, you were going to say, weren't you?
like an uncle?
who is delighted to have made the acquaintance of such a charming niece
your health, my dear niece
your health... your majesty
- pardon, I... - you just finish your champagne
for the time being you don't have to be afraid
Madame will excuse me for a minute
have it deciphered
how long?
7 1/2 hours, your majesty
half an hour less than last time
yes, your majesty
tired?
I ask him, is he tired?
no your majesty
he may ask for a favour
I ask for the permission to leave, your majesty
why the hurry?
why doesn't he stay here? have supper with me. he must be hungry
I don't want to eat, your majesty. I want to leave
what the devil, might he be longing for his wife?
she'll wait
if you please, your majesty, I'm not so sure
if she'll wait any longer
a wife must wait till the husband comes home, basta!
and what if she doesn't?
then he should chase her away
that's what I'm going to do as soon as I know if she has an affair with another
what if she has an affair?
what, for instance, would he do with the man who...
who had been together with his wife tonight?
all alone
I'd beat him to pulp!
really?
go in there
there's somebody waiting for him inside
Blanche
your majesty, the Austrian and Russian envoys demand an immediate audience
what do they want?
they ask for a personal audience
I think they know about our military preparations
an audience is impossible right now
your majesty, I cannot send the envoys away
do as you see fit, Finkenstein
I couldn't possible see the envoys until I know about the contents of those Dresden documents
it will take at least an hour to decipher those documents
then the envoys will have to wait that long
but what am I to tell them?
tell them I don't have the time
I have some other business to attend to
but that would make those gentlemen suspicious
Finkenstein
tell my sister that I ask her and her ladies to the concert room
as well as the marquis d'Argent
Pöllnitz
Winterfeldt and Quantz
tell them I am busy performing in a concert
that won't make the envoys suspicious
no it won't
where did he get that scar?
at Hohenfriedberg, your majesty
where did he fight?
in the duke of Bevern's regiment
it's better at home...
isn't it?
and even if it were a hundred times better at home, we'll have to march out again
we'll have to defend ourselves
otherwise you'll soon have no longer a home on this soil
how is our mother?
she's afraid you're overexerting yourself, sire
tell our mother my principle to always overexert myself has remained unchanged
my profession demands hard work
it is not necessary that I live, but it is extremely necessary that I work hard
I ask the generals to come to the parole room
excuse me, gentlemen
my mistake
within four weeks the armament of the allied forces will be complete. The attack will start at the same time from France, Austria, Russia and Saxony...
Bötzow
your majesty
the duke of Brunswick's and the duke of Bevern's regiments are to stand ready
tell Seydlitz to come
the area west of the Havel river is to be closed off by the guard within a perimeter of a half-day's march
is that clear, Seydlitz?
at your command, your majesty
world history will speak of this concert
Finkenstein
to the Austrian and French envoys
declarations of war at once
gentlemen
the Austrians have appointed generals
and their army has received the marching order
My envoy in Vienna has asked the empress and queen
whether she had made a pact against me with France and Russia
the empress answered no.
the treaty exists all the same
and has been signed in Versailles
this means war
Against all principles of war
I'll attack enemy forces five times stronger than our own
I must do it, otherwise all is lost
if we keep waiting with our fingers crossed, we'll be crushed to death
there's not a moment to be lost
the glory of Prussia's arms and my people's welfare make me act like this
and will guide me until my death.
subtitles serdar202