01x01 - The Marriage Proposal

[bunniefuu]

TV Channel Russia
presents

"Moskino' Production Company

Supported by the Ministry of
Culture of the Russian
Federation

Supported by Defense Ministry
of the Russian Federation

present

MOSCOW. THE KREMLIN. 1547.

IVAN IV [THE TERRIBLE]

Rome was in the land
of Italians.

Half of the world was
under the Roman rule.

Metropolitan Ioasaph used to say

that the Roman Empire fell,
for it was full of heretics.

- That's true. - And the crown
of earthly princes

was brought
to Constantinople, here.

And they called it
The Second Rome.

But Byzantium fell
conquered by the Ottomans.

And then your
grandfather said:

Moscow is The Third Rome,

and there will be none other.

It was founded
by your grandmother.

- My Grandma?
- Yes, your grandma Sophia.

Maria Andreeva
as Sophia Paleologue

Evgeny Tsyganov
as Ioann III

Nadezhda Markina
as the Grand Princess

Pyotr Zaichenko
as the Metropolitan

Boris Nevzorov
as Grigory Mamonov

Giuliano Di Capua
as Ivan Fryazin

Director of Photography
Denis Alarcon Ramirez

Art Director
Evgeny Kachanov

Costumes by
Natalya Saltykova

Make-up by
Anastasia Esadze

Edited by
Igor Litoninsky

Music by Artem Vasilyev

Produced by Ekaterina Zhukova,
Maria Ushakova

Directed by
Alexei Andrianov

SOPHIA

Episode One

But Byzantine Empire fell
conquered by the Ottomans.

In 1453 the Turks
sezied Constantinople

and k*lled the Emperor
Constantine XI Paleologue.

His brother Thomas Paleologue
with his family,

first fled to Corfu,
and then to Rome.

When he died, the Holy Pope
became the children's guardian.

Cardinal Bessarion was assigned
to mentor

the Byzantium throne heirs
Andreas and Zoe.

Wonderful, Your Highness.

ROME, 1467.

I only hear flattery from you.

No flattery. Half of our
soldiers don't sh**t that well.

Zoe! Spare me a moment
of your time.

You disappoint me.

It's beneath a Byzantine
princess to mingle with
servants,

let alone handle a weapon.

I just made a try.

I'm sorry, Your Grace.

Never forget your roots.

Simplicity and humility -

such must be the virtues
of the future Empress.

They suit you much more.

You are right.

- Sit down.
- Thanks you, I'm not tired.

You will be, if you stand
for a portrait.

Who needs my portrait?

MOSCOW, 1470.

Italian emissaries
from His Eminence Pope Sixtus IV

have arrived from Rome.

Zoe,

a damsel,

the daughter of Thomas,
brother of

the Basiåus
Constantine Paleologue.

His Eminence Pope Sixtus IV

offers her for marrying.

A human face painted
as a holy image.

Your Highness,
'tis to be hidden away.

- From whom? - People will
grumble on seeing this.

Don't ruin your life,
Your Highness.

I can hide it in the stables,
if you wish.

How is it possible,
without seeing the bride?

- Maybe she is ugly?
- Or has a hunchback?

And will be a disgrace!

Did you hear they don't
kiss holy images?

And they give their babies away
to be nursed by she-wolves.

Like some old matron,
you have gossip on your mind

instead of the country's good.

What good can there be
from her?

Her dynasty ended.
It's over. She is no use.

She's got no gold, no land,
no servants. Nothing!

The Holy Pope offers
six thousand ducats

as a dowry for the bride.

Don't you pull my leg!

Fryazin, where are you? Tell us
in plain language how much is
that?

Fifty grivnas.

Fifty grivnas!

I gave twice as much
for my younger daughter.

Fine! Shall we punch them
in their Italian mugs?

They've no business doing here!

You oafs.

All you can think of is gold.

For one thousand grivnas,

you'd marry off your Prince
to just anyone.

You don't see the main thing.

The Pope wouldn't push her forth

if he didn't have
a certain plan.

He wants to install the uniate.

He wants the whole Russ
to bow down to him.

And the bride

is just an instrument
of his plan.

Think hard, Ivan Vasilyevich.

The bride is offered
with a purpose.

Burn down that image!

- Burn it!
- A witch!

Kick out those emissaries!
Reject the offer!

Enough!

This is to be decided
through God's will

and through your Prince's word.

And I'll tear out the tongue
of any recalcitrant.

I am still in my power.

Grand Princess!

Grand Princess!

Oh, what is going on?

My Nastya could be a nice
match for the Grand Prince.

I would give away everything
for this to happen,

Hundred times as much
as offered by the Pope.

I remember about your daughter.
The decision is up to the
Prince.

I thought we had a deal.

I don't remember
applying my seal anywhere.

You're acting bearish, Grigory.

Your Highness!

So, Father, have you
seen the Romans?

I have. Them horned daemons.

They came to steal
your happiness.

What are you talking about?

What are you dressed up for?

- We need to go to the church.
- You need to get married!

Your father can't
sleep peacefully.

Here.

Go home!

ROME.

Water isn't too hot, Signora?

You are so beautiful!

No one needs my beauty,
only my title.

Your beauty is a good complement
to your title.

Wealth is a good complement,
while I have none.

You can't enter here.

- How dared you, Andreas? - As
if I didn't see my sister naked.

What do you want?

I found a match for you.
Prince Caracciolo.

He is young and rich.
You'll like him.

I didn't ask you to.

Take it easy,
I'm trying to save you.

You don't want to go
to Muscovy, do you.

- To Muscovy?
- Yes, to Muscovy.

I've heard the Pope has already
sealed your fate.

I'm not going to any Muscovy.

Ask the cardinal. They say the
Moscovian Prince is
good-looking.

And quite generous.

Did he propose to me?

Why no one told me?

I don't know, sister.

But I'm sure you won't like it
in Muscovy.

Why so?

They're savage illiterate people
living in earth holes.

And the Prince is ferocious,
beheading people right and left.

Nonsense. They are Orthodox.

Laura.

As if Orthodoxy is an argument.

For me - it is.

You forgot what our father
bequeathed to us?

To keep the faith.

Faith is good, but there are
more important matters.

- Like money? - Like money,
which we don't have.

You will marry Caracciolo.

I promised that to him.

And if I won't?

Then they'll k*ll me.
I have huge debts.

But Caracciolo will
settle everything

if I marry you off to him.

You are what? Selling me?

Sister, there should be
some use in having you.

Everything will be my way
all the same.

The Grand Prince of Moscow Ioann
is widowed and looking for a
bride.

We'll have him to marry Zoe
and convert to the Uniate faith.

That would be great. But why
would he want to marry Zoe?

The poor thing has nothing
but the title to offer.

The title is what he will
find attractive.

He has expanded his lands
and is full of ambitions,

ambitions of a sovereign
and not of a Prince.

The more so. Zoe wouldn't
be the best option.

Allow me to disagree.

There are not so many
eligible Orthodox brides around.

Then Prince Ioann shouldn't know

that Zoe has converted
to the Uniate faith.

Your Eminence, thank you.

You know very well what
cause I serve.

The cause of uniting and
strengthening the land of Russ.

I made this oath
kissing the cross.

Therefore, to strengthen
the Great Throne of Moscow

and the peace of mind
of all Orthodox people,

I'm taking for wife
Zoe Paleologue

from the dynasty of the
Constantinopolitan basileuis.

Such is my will.

If you have anything
to say, speak up.

No one will say anything.

They are all afraid.

What are you afraid of,
Grigory Ivanovich?

It's not me I am worried about,
Your Highness.

I am afraid a strife may happen.

I'll be off, and in the
meanwhile keep being afraid.

Freyr, you are the one who knows
Italian better than any of us.

- Yes.
- Then go to Rome

and bring Princess
Zoe to Moscow.

Grand Prince, I'm just
a mint master,

my craft is to make coins
for the treasury.

- You're afraid?
- No. I detest cold.

I won't get that far.
I'll die from cold.

I'll give you my fur coat.

Come on, Freyr.

Here!

It's for the good
of the country.

You've said a mouthful,
Fyodor Davydych.

You go with him, too.
To observe all ceremonies.

Why me, Grand Prince? I have
enough affairs to attend to
here.

I entrust my bride to you. Or do
you have anything against it?

My daughter read to me
from the Scripture today:

Seven angels' trumpets
sounded

and seven seals of a book
were loosed...

And the mother of harlots
showed herself.

The Romans are bringing
the mother of harlots

to marry her off to our prince.

And we all will be devoured
by the locusts...

The emissaries are leaving, and
you hurry up, too, my friend.

Don't let the Roman daemons
set themselves loose.

You don't know what
you are asking for.

It's not me asking, but
all Orthodox people.

It means high treason.

I am the chief sword-bearer
of the Grand Prince.

What sword-bearer are you

if you refuse to help him?

It's you I'm asking because only
you will have the courage to.

Stop the beardless ones.

God will pardon us
for these doings.

Maybe, but the prince will
have my bones crunched.

Hurry up and Godspeed.

What's going on?

I'm not sure what it is.

Fyodor Davydych, what happened?

A familiar birdie chirping.

Be on guard.

Hush...

Let's go!

We go away.

You failed to accomplish
such a simple task.

I'm sorry, Grigory Ivanovich.
I'm no good m*rder*r.

Is it so? Not a m*rder*r?

To stop a devilish plan
you call it a 'm*rder'?

Remember, you took our side.

God is gracious,

maybe they won't reach us.

We can't know God's provision
whether they will or not.

But we should be ready

for the arrival of the guests...

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Senors, you can't enter here!

What's going on?

Your Grace, Russian envoys
demanding an audience.

But you were to tell them
I'm not here.

They won't leave until
they talk to you.

Your guard suddenly felt unwell.

Your Grace, we are sorry

for gate crashing, but we have
been waiting all day long.

We were kept out like
some serfs. Translate.

The Pope changed his mind:
he won't give away Zoe

to be Prince Ioann's wife.

What do you mean -
'changed his mind'?

It took you too long to answer.

We came as fast
as we could.

I'm sorry. It can't be helped.

Such is the will
of His Eminence.

- What is he saying?
- They changed their mind.

They say: leave
without the Princess.

What do you mean -
'changed their mind'?

Translate:

we aren't going to leave
without Princess Zoe.

We'll stay here until she is
given to us. Translate.

The envoy refuses to leave
without the Princess, Your
Grace.

Excuse me. But try
to understand.

You won't be able to find
a better match for the Princess

than Ioann of Muscovy.

His Eminence knows best

what's right for his protegee.

Undoubtedly, Your Grace
is right, as you always are.

But if only you could explain
to the Pope

that the union with the Grand
Prince Ioann of Muscovy

would be a great advantage
for His Eminence personally,

as for the entire world
and for the Holy Church.

What did you say?

I will try to arrange
for another audience.

He will try to arrange
for another audience.

But you should promise the Pope
whatever he asks for.

Certainly. We will promise
him just anything.

Yes, yes. What did he say now?

Ioann, the Grand
Prince of Muscovy

and the pious Christian,
asks to receive all this

as a token of utmost reverence
towards the Holy See.

We cannot but laudate

such a generosity
of your master.

Does he agree, on marrying Zoe,

the princess
of the Paleologue Dynasty,

to convert
to the Greek Catholic Church

and to accept us as his
Spiritual Father?

...and to accept him
as our Spiritual Father.

- Yes, he agrees to that.
- And there is something else.

There is something else.

Our will is the following:

in case of our approval of the
union between Zoe Paleologue

- and Prince Ioann of Moscow...
- ...in case of the wedding...

...we demand you begin
hostilities to the north of
Tavria

so as to jeopardize
the northern borders

of Sultan Mehmet's dominion.

This condition is not
open for discussion.

Does the Grand Prince
of Muscovy agree to that?

What is he babbling?

He wants us to start a w*r
against the Turks.

Maybe he wants to sleep
on my stove bed, too?

Maybe he does. Ask him.

Very well.

Translate: the Grand Prince
agrees to that.

I can't promise such things
on behalf of the Grand Prince.

We'll beat the Turks,
Your Eminence, we will!

We ourselves are sick
and tired of them!

The Grand Prince
of Muscovy agrees to that.

In the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Your Grace, please!

I'm begging you!

I can't go to Muscovy!

Please. What about my daughter?

Get up, my dear.

Yes, I am guilty.

She was begotten in a sin

and it is my perdition.

Please don't separate me
from my daughter.

We all have to pay
for our sins.

Get up.

- But my little girl...
- She'll be taken care of.

And you need to be
with Princess Zoe

while she gets around
to Muscovy.

- Then you'll come back.
- Yes, Your Grace.

Go and say goodbye
to your daughter.

You'll see her again.
I promise.

- I'm leaving to Muscovy
tomorrow. - Why?

To reign.

You're getting married?

To the Grand Prince of Muscovy.

My congratulations,
Your Highness.

I'm so scared, Pietro.

Muscovy is so far away.

I will pray for
your good fortune.

It's a pity you aren't
coming along.

Maybe I'll up and come.
Not tomorrow, but later.

Pietro! Guards!

Let go! What are you...
Let go!

Guards!

There are more of them coming.
Run, Signor Caracciolo!

Let go!

It's not what you're thinking.
I wanted to save you.

Oh, my God!

That wretched family!
Like brother, like sister.

They disgraced my family,
the family of Caracciolo!

Revenge upon
the Paleologues!

And my family
will shower you with gold.

It will be my honor,
Your Highness.

Oh, my God...

He...

- ...died because of me.
- Calm down, Your Highness.

There was so much blood...

Did you see the attackers?
Their faces?

No, I didn't.

Hopefully, the guards will
find them. Calm down.

I will pray for the
poor Pietro's soul...

It's time for you to leave.

You are entrusted
with a great mission.

Remember that.

On June 24,
the Day of John the Baptist,

Princess Zoe's caravan

containing 100 carriages
and 150 horses

left Rome and crossed Italy.

Passing Siena, Bologna
and Nuremberg,

the caravan at last reached
the seaport of Lubeck.

To bypass the dangerous
Lithuania, they embarked on a
ship.

They were tossed around
in the Baltic Sea.

On the 12th day they came
ashore Kolyvan.

The rest of the road to Moscow
they covered in the sleighs -

via Pskov and Veliky Novgorod,
amidst the frost and blizzard.

The trip took up seven months.

Bad news coming from the borders
near the Horde.

Khan Ahmat is gathering
an army.

Means soon he will attack us.

What do you think,
Fyodor Vasilyevich?

We'll pay a ransom
as we did before.

The boyars will help.

The treasury is empty of money.

We've been left without gold
since the Novgorodian campaign.

Maybe we should ask
Grigory Ivanych Mamonov.

Methinks he'll find a rouble
or more.

Grand Prince, a messenger
from the Byzantine princess.

Bring him in.

The Roman princess
is coming

together with seven dozen
priests. They're all beardless.

The main one, the Legate,
wears a red cassock.

They enter churches
and don't kiss icons.

And instead of a blessing sign
they poke at people like this.

What about the Princess?

She doesn't kiss icons either?

She crosses herself in an
Orthodox fashion and kisses
icons.

She even made the Legate
to kiss the image of The Virgin.

- Does the Metropolitan know?
- No. First thing I came to you.

Very well.

- Go and have some rest.
- Yes.

Your step-mother is coming.

With seventy priests.
Thinks she is all so important.

If you fall at odds with her,
it'll make me sore, you see?

Yes, Father.

Harken!

The trumpets of seven heavenly
angels sounding! Metropolitan!

Protect us, O Lord.

She is nigh, the harlot
and her Roman daemons.

They'll be here soon.

In front their chief daemon
is carrying the Latin cross!

- The cross?
- Protect us, Vladyka.

We are your flock, supplicating
for your help.

- Where is the Prince?
- He knows!

Go to him and let him know:

should they carry the Latin
cross through this gate,

your metropolitan this very
moment will leave through the
opposite one.

- Can't enter!
- Can't enter!

Can't enter!

MOSCOW, 1472.

Your High-ness.

...ness...

What's wrong, my lady?

The snow.
It's so painfully white!

I'm sorry.

- What's this noise?
- I don't know.

My lady, please don't go out,
it might be dangerous.

My lady!

- Break up!
- Give way!

I'm bringing the Prince's bride!

Give way, now!

It's impossible,
Fyodor Davydych.

Who are you

to thwart the Prince's decree
and order me about? Go hence!

I'm the chief sword-bearer.
The Metropolitan ordained me to.

It is his will not to let them
into the city.

Take that!

Witch!

Witch!

Take away the cross,
Senor Antonio.

We haven't even entered
the city and are already hated.

Don't you touch me!

That idiot!

We are to go on now.

Give way!

Give way, the Prince is coming!

- How do I look?
- Wonderful.

Oh, my God!

Is it such a Roman tradition
to keep the groom waiting?

This Roman girl
disrespects our customs.

No, take it away.

And this here, my lady.

No, of course not.

My lady, what about this one?

Freyr!

Zoe Paleologue,

The Porphyrogenitos daughter
of Thomas,

the own brother
of Constantine Paleologue,

the Basileus of Constantinople.

The betrothed bride of Ioann,
the Grand Prince of Muscovy.

Well, how do you do,
Zoe Fominishna.

How do you do,
Your Highness.

You speak Russian?

Only a few words.
Princess Zoe hopes

that you, Grand Prince,
will teach her the rest.

Meet my mother
Maria Yaroslavna.

The mother of the Grand Prince.

My son Ivan.

And you already know
Fyodor Davydych.

Grigory Ivanovich, like this
we won't finish till Christmas.

[speaking Italian]

Princess Zoe asks for your
permission to present this
throne to you.

Therein her ancestors
used to sit.

I'm afraid to break it.

Afraid for a good reason.
You belong here.

Moscow throne
is a lot sturdier.

[speaking Italian]

Princess Zoe says
that you are right saying so.

Each good in his own place.

The Papal Legate,
special emissary

of His Eminence
Pope Sixtus IV.

That very legate
who was holding the Latin cross?

Yes, Metropolitan Philipp.

Nikita, bring some hot mead
and eatables.

Metropolitan Philipp of Moscow.

I've brought a personal message

from His Beatitude
Pope Sixtus IV.

- I'll bring snacks in a jiffy.
- Wait, Nikita.

I can't read what's
written here.

Partake of this strong mead.

You need to warm yourself.

It's from the Secretariat.

It is said here that the Pope
respects you

and that we serve
to the One and Only God.

And that the emissaries,
the princes Khromyi and Fryazin,

on behalf of the Grand Prince,

gave a guarantee in writing
that the Prince of Muscovy

will embrace the Greek Catholic
faith. God forbid.

How can it be?

Who knows how it can be.

I didn't promise them anything!

But your emissaries did!

They were told to bring the
bride, and so they did.

You know what,
Ivan Vasilyich.

I'm not going

to crown for marriage an
Orthodox prince and a Catholic
girl.

- You'll do this! - I won't -
even if you behead me!

As long as I am
your spiritual father,

I won't suffer such
an infidelity happen!

Why infidelity?
She's an Orthodox Christian!

- Did she say that to you?
- She doesn't speak Russian!

Some bride! Doesn't speak
her future husband's language!

What are you afraid of?

I am afraid, Ivan Vasilyich,

that soon you will come
to me saying:

"Forgive me, Metropolitan,
I'm not with you anymore,

praying to Virgin Mary

"not in my own language,
but in my wife's."

Tightly said.

The grand prince of Muscovy
can't decrease in his faith.

My faith was that you would
help me in this affair.

So be it, I will handle this.

Ask her what's her faith.

[speaking Italian]

She was baptized into Orthodoxy
with a name Zoe.

Tell her that tomorrow she
will be baptized anew.

[speaking Italian]

She doesn't understand why.

For my peace of mind.

[speaking Italian]

Why don't you trust her?

Trust grows from deeds.

And like this?
Will you believe me?

Tomorrow she will be baptized
and will take a new name.

[speaking Italian]

Grand Prince, if she refuses to,
will you marry her?

If she refuses, I will send her
back home

with all her chests and boxes!

Godynya, the son of Mikhail,

the chief sword-bearer
of the Grand Prince

and his acolytes
Danilka Khlynov

and Syomka Khvost,

on learning about
the approaching caravan of Zoe,

the bride of the Grand Prince
of Muscovy,

arbitrarily came out
to face her

and wouldn't let her enter the
city, brandishing their weapons.

For this demoniac folly,

the sword-bearers
Danilka and Syomka

and the instigator
Godynya Mikhailov

are to be beheaded.

People! Listen!

We came out
to chase away the Romans.

I stood up for our faith, and
for this - to be beheaded?

Moreover,

Godynya Mikhailov will
be specially honored

to die through dismemberment!

Farewell and forgive me
if I've wronged anyone.

Syomushka!

Then me, too,
Ivan Vasilyevich!

Cut off my head, too!

I will stand up for our faith
like them!

Go ahead, do it.

The Princess is asking
to stop the execution.

She agrees to be baptized.

You brought your bride here,
Ivan Vasilyevich.

For her to see an entertainment
you prepared for her!

She came begging me
to spare their lives.

[speaking Italian]

She is begging humbly.

Look at her!

Yesterday you wouldn't
let her into the city.

But today she saved your heads!

Pardon them!..