THE ALCHEMIST'S WILL
Cluny National Museum of the Middle Ages
The physics conference will come to an end tomorrow
at the Grand Hotel.
Eminent international scientists
have been debating the nuclear force.
As you may know,
absent this year
was Professor Jiracek who died recently.
He will be paid homage by his daughter, Dr Katerina...
Hello.
Sweet dreams!
About time!
I'm freezing.
Poor old fuzzy-wuzzy, was he getting cold?
Lay off, Sara. We've got work to do.
- I've seen that before. - So has everyone.
We could never sell it.
Yeah, you're right.
It's in here.
Let's see what we've got.
Slam it, sweetie.
Sure, I'm good at that.
You did it.
One down...
two to go.
Good. Let's go.
Hold on.
Let's confuse the cops a bit.
That should do it. Let's make tracks.
So it's obvious
that a charged pi meson decays into two other particles,
a neutrino and a muon.
But a kaon has many decay modes...
- Well, professor? - What?
Riveted by your colleagues' discoveries?
Katerina Jiracek.
Katerina.
Yes, I know. I've grown.
How's Jiroslav?
He couldn't make it.
You got his letter?
I have it right here.
Not now. Come to the house later.
I've something important to show you.
Later, professor.
Don't forget the letter.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm delighted to introduce
Dr Katerina Jiracek.
Professor Hasek exaggerates. Nature still has secrets...
It seems nothing was stolen.
Why break into a museum to smash an old tablet?
Maybe it's a cult thing.
Incredible!
Come and see this.
Look.
No!
I don't believe it!
Didn't expect this.
We'll have to improvise. Cover me.
Stand clear!
Peek-a-boo!
You, out!
Don't shoot.
Well done, captain.
It's only lead.
More lead.
That's the fifth load of lead we've picked up lately.
Captain Blake?
For you, from Paris.
From Inspector Pradier.
Father was very ill.
I'm sorry, Katerina.
- When did he die? - Three weeks ago.
It was a happy release.
He was a good man.
Before he died he left me a great secret.
What?
Part of a book by Nicolas Flamel.
- The alchemist? - That's the one.
This book, written in three parts
by "Abraham the Jew",
solves the Great Mystery.
- Of the Philosopher's Stone? - That's it.
These old houses are always draughty.
It looks like Hebrew but it's even older.
It might be Aramaic.
Flamel tried to translate it for years but never succeeded.
Then he went on a pilgrimage
where a learned Jew gave him the key.
I don't think he'll help us, six hundred years later.
I hoped you'd help me.
You're an expert on old languages.
I do what I can but this is beyond me.
This text could tell us how to transform matter.
Change base metal into gold? One of the oldest dreams.
The Philosopher's Stone also gives eternal life.
I'll believe that when I see it.
Modern physics has proved we can change matter.
We can turn lead into gold,
but it's not profitable.
But do you really think
these tablets hold the key to eternal life?
You have father's letter?
Yes. But I'm afraid some of it isn't too clear.
"My dear Philip, blah blah blah..."
A bit about the book.
"The time will soon come..."
...when it must be returned to its true owner.
The 3 parts must be united.
I have one section,
the second is hidden in the Cluny museum,
the third rests beneath the feet of John, Felix and Ivan.
I dare not write more clearly. I rely on you...
"Please guard my secret
"and my Katerina.
"Farewell, my friend."
It's all very mysterious.
Who is it to be returned to? Why now?
It's late. I must be going.
You could stay here.
It's a big house and I'm a bit nervous.
In that case,
I'd love to keep you company.
This certainly is a draughty house.
Good evening, Colonel Olrik.
Good evening.
Cluny?
Went like a charm. I'm a pro, you know.
Of course. And now?
I have it under control.
Good. Then we can go ahead.
But beware, colonel...
I beg your pardon?
Keep our bargain or you'll regret it.
Blake.
Good to see you.
How are you, Pradier?
Any clues?
At first glance it looks like vandalism.
Then why call me?
Look.
The Yellow Mark?
The Yellow Mark is back!
He terrorised London, now Paris is his prey.
Exclusive pictures and an interview with Inspector Pradier.
What were you thinking of?
I wanted
to throw them off the scent.
Well, it worked!
It did work.
They don't know where to turn.
They're not as dumb as you think. But so what!
Let's move on to phase two.
We're all going to be rich beyond the dreams of avarice.
Yeah but, boss, that guy...
Trust me. We'll use him as long as it suits us.
I don't like it, boss. He's scary.
Stop worrying.
I can handle him.
Welcome to Prague.
The Old City over there, Jewish quarter on the left,
the New Town on the right.
It's beautiful.
And the river is the Vltava, isn't it?
Yes. That's the Charles Bridge.
The Charles Bridge! That's it!
- Sorry? - I have it!
Come on.
What do you have?
John, Felix and Ivan.
Your father's letter.
I understand.
May I introduce Ivan,
John of Matha and Felix of Valois.
Saints?
Yes. I'll bet the second part of the book is hidden here.
You're probably right.
- Hold it. - What?
I know that man.
Which one? The ape?
That's the one.
A friend?
Not really.
We mustn't lose him.
I'd like to know what Sharkey's doing here.
Who's the girl?
No idea. But if Sharkey's here Olrik can't be far away.
Excellent thinking.
Olrik landed in Prague yesterday.
From the look on your face, old man,
they could have been watering your whisky!
By the tartan of clan MacGregor, Francis!
Is there anyone you don't know?
Olrik is stealing lead and I want to know why.
- There's no point. - So it would seem.
But he doesn't waste his time.
He leaves nothing to chance.
Why would Sharkey take an interest in statues and a dead alchemist?
And where does the Yellow Mark fit in?
It may be just a trick.
The oldest in the book.
Is someone playing the fool?
I've no idea.
It's very clear.
It all fits.
Don't you see?
What's the Philosopher's Stone supposed to be able to do?
Change lead into gold.
That useless old lead could be turned into gold.
It's twisted enough.
It links up beautifully.
The desecrated grave in Paris was Nicolas Flamel's.
The tombstone in the letter.
They're looking for the Philosopher's Stone.
She's right.
We must lock up our tablets and find the others quickly.
No time like the present.
The Certovka.
Also called "the Devil's Flood".
How nice.
The tablets must be
well hidden.
At Cluny they had to smash the stone.
I hope it's different here.
I'd hate to damage them.
My father wanted us to find the book.
It can't be too hard or he'd have left more clues.
He couldn't put them inside the statues.
Maybe in the plinth?
How old are they?
The statues? From 1714.
But the bridge is older.
From the 14th century.
Back to Flamel again.
What did he say in his letter?
"Beneath the feet of John, Felix and Ivan."
The book isn't in the statues.
It's underneath them.
Maybe even under the bridge.
Give me some light.
- Let me. - Don't be silly.
Be careful.
Stubborn Scot!
I heard that.
Made it.
This looks promising.
Please be careful.
There's a stone missing.
If I can just reach it...
I'm nearly there.
There's something inside.
There!
I've got it!
Good for you, professor!
Let go of me, you filthy little...
As energetic as ever.
And you, as cowardly as ever!
That will do. Give Sharkey the package.
Slowly, professor.
No!
Philip!
Sharkey!
That's enough.
Sharkey.
My fuzzy-wuzzy!
Let him go.
The woman's a fool.
You, over here.
Let her go.
I won't follow you.
You're in no position to negotiate.
And don't try to play the hero.
Are you all right?
You had me worried.
Oh, my head.
- Katerina? - Olrik took her hostage.
It's all my fault.
I shouldn't have let her come.
She's not in danger.
In Olrik's clutches? I hope you're right.
He only has two of the tablets.
We have the third.
- He'll want to trade. - Probably.
I found this on the bridge.
A business card?
Olrik must have dropped it.
Lasco F. Millena.
Odd name.
I'll pay him a visit tomorrow. Discreetly.
Olrik's won the first battle, but the war's not over yet.
- Excuse me, sir. - Yes?
Who does that house
belong to?
That's the devil's house!
He's right.
That's what we all call it.
Everyone in Prague knows it.
They say it's where Dr Faust lived.
The man who tried to make a bargain with the devil.
I've heard of him.
Before that, an alchemist lived there.
An alchemist? Nicolas Flamel?
No, that wasn't the name.
He was English. Edward Kelly.
Is it open to visitors?
No, unfortunately not.
Someone lives there?
No. At least, they say not.
But don't believe it.
There's someone hiding in there.
You've seen him?
Not exactly. But things go on in there.
Things?
Things that... aren't kosher.
Thank you. You've been very kind.
A pleasure.
What can it mean?
What's this?
That's rather odd.
What about this one?
Yes, that's fine.
I'll be there.
Yes, alone.
Good evening, professor.
I'm delighted to see you without your friend Blake.
Get to the point.
You brought what I wanted?
Good.
Come here.
Closer! Hand over the briefcase.
No chance. Let Katerina go first.
You can trust me.
Trust you? I'd have to be mad.
You'll be together soon.
What the...
Philip!
Blake.
Haul his sidekick inside.
I'll handle this.
There, take that!
Stop, that's enough.
Captain Blake,
come down
or I shoot your friend.
I won't warn you again.
Come down or he's dead.
Don't shoot, I'm coming.
Farewell, Captain Blake.
Missed him!
Oh, my!
Your tights are lovely!
It's lucky for you the boss wants you conscious.
Enjoy your meal!
I propose a toast: to the future!
The untrammelled future!
Come, Katerina. Don't you like the dress?
- It suits you. - Spare me your flattery.
As you wish.
Sharkey.
You've a mind of your own.
I like that.
I have some fabulous plans.
If you knew how fed up I am with all this globe-trotting.
I'll settle here.
My family's lived here for centuries.
I'll be able to renovate it.
So you care about older values?
You're a sentimentalist.
You don't know me, Katerina.
No one on earth knows me.
You'd play the lord of the castle?
With your gorilla and his moll?
Why not? No.
I'll have the castle but also something beyond price:
I'll have time!
Understand?
I'll have all eternity before me.
Gold is nothing compared to eternal life.
Give me time and I'll build an empire.
That's what I offer.
Eternal life and an empire to reign over.
Eternity? With a maniac like you?
I could never stand it.
Perhaps you're right. Eternity's a long time.
- Longer than you think. - Millena!
I believe you have something to give me.
Really?
The book doesn't belong to you.
It belongs to whoever holds it. It's mine.
You're mistaken. You may regret it.
Threats? I'm not at all impressed.
I'm not Sharkey.
You don't frighten me.
It is not me you should fear, believe me.
We're getting nowhere.
Even Flamel must have needed a translator.
And who says he figured it out?
It's only a legend.
What about the metal?
And the man I saw last night, Millena?
That proves nothing.
Why, of course!
You can decipher it?
The book? No.
Lasco F. Millena.
Yes?
I thought it was an odd name.
What do you mean?
I know what Millena means.
Look!
Nicolas Flamel!
Of course. It was obvious.
The man I saw last night was Nicolas Flamel?
I think so.
If only Blake were here, he could tell us more.
He was looking... That's it!
I have it!
What are you talking about?
Just before Olrik called me,
I noticed something.
Look. You see that?
Someone scratched
some lines.
You're right. We must try to match them up.
That's the real message.
These two.
These fit, too.
Here's another one.
Another...
These two look right together.
Yes, well done, Katerina.
And the last one fits in here.
There we are!
I've seen that on an old etching.
It stands for something simple,
like sulphur and antimony.
Good Lord!
It's spreading.
How are you getting on?
Not at all. We're baffled.
Could such a puzzle stump the man who built the Swordfish?
You need linguists.
A pity. I was looking forward to working with you.
If you can't help me, I'll have to dispense with your company.
Deeply though it pains me.
We've known each other so long
I've grown quite fond of you.
How very kind!
As you for, Katerina,
I couldn't face life without your charming company.
You're a thug!
You flatter me.
Sharkey.
If Your Eminence would return to his suite...
Cold, isn't it?
Night night, sleep tight!
Boss!
By the tartan of clan...
Francis!
Not glad to see me?
I'm sorry.
An English skull is as hard as a Scot's!
That's more like it.
Let's get moving. We must find Katerina.
Where is she?
In a room in the other wing of the castle.
I hope it's cheerier than this one.
Congratulations, Sharkey.
That was a stroke of pure genius.
It just happened, boss.
Just happened? I don't think so.
Bring me some lead bars.
OK, boss.
There, got it!
Katerina? It's Mortimer.
Philip. Captain Blake.
Thanks. My skull wouldn't have stood up to that.
So Millena is Nicolas Flamel?
That's what we think.
He'd be over 600 years old.
I shudder to think what Olrik could do in 600 years.
It's up to us to stop him.
Gently now.
Go on!
It worked! It's gold!
It's gold! Pure gold!
By the tartan of clan MacGregor!
How did they do it?
I want to know how it works.
We're the richest men in the world.
No. Wait a second.
I want to try something.
Boss!
I know what I'm doing.
Wonderful!
The energy flooding through me.
I feel eternal life.
Stop!
Go no further.
Mortimer, you're in time to help me celebrate.
And dear old Captain Blake as well.
My worst enemies come to witness my supreme achievement.
How appropriate.
I won't let you do it, Olrik.
You won't shoot me.
Not in cold blood.
Don't be too sure.
In a few seconds I'll be immortal. Immortal!
Shoot, Philip, shoot!
Olrik has met his fate at last.
The book grants immortality only to the pure at heart.
He shouldn't have forgotten that.
The time is come.
The book must be returned to its first and rightful owner.
To the fallen angel who wished to give knowledge to mankind.
Lucifer.
Yes, the Prince of Darkness himself.
Farewell.
This bar is our only evidence that we didn't dream it all.
And shaky at that. I wonder if we weren't being conned.
By whom?
This bar was changed from lead to gold.
I've analysed it. It's pure gold.
All right, I give in.
Can't you stay for a few days?
They're waiting for me at Scotland Yard.
Enjoy your holiday.
I'm in good hands.
Look out for Olrik's ghost. I'm sure he'll haunt us yet.
Now we can pick up your visit where we left off.
Subtitling by TVS - TITRA FILM