Boudica: Queen of w*r (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(thunder booms)

(centurion shouting orders

in Latin)

(armor clanking)

(whispered prayers)

Forward!

Go! (shouts order in Latin)

(terrified screams)

(heavy breathing)

(seagulls cry)

(footsteps)

(sword zings)

(Neros guard)

Suetonius Paulinus,

Commander of the 14th Gemina

and the 20th Valeria Victrix!

As Praefectus Castrorum

in charge,

what did you have your men do?

I advanced in triplex formation,

cohorts One to Four.

Three and Five in support.

Auxiliary cavalry on flank.

And...

What did these cult leaders

of Mona do

when they beheld

your invasion forces?

Chanting as if

in some sort of trance.

Even when facing

the 14th Gemina Legion,

these experienced Celt

fighting men... kneeled?

Trusting that

their religious leaders

would offer them salvation

against your sword.

Yes. It appears that way, Dominus.

You slaughtered them?

As is my duty to Rome.

The Celt Cucullus believe

in the Furies,

women warriors that symbolize

vengeance and rebirth.

They believe that

a woman warrior

will somehow be their salvation

and end the Roman occupation

of Britannia.

They must not...

find their savior.

As Augustus,

Ive issued a strict decree,

forbidding women from holding

a position of influence,

martial, judicial, or otherwise.

We dont need another woman

like my mother.

This decree must

be upheld verbatim.

And under thr*at

of severe punishment.

Especially in the tribes

of the island Britannia.

Your Majesty.

(retreating footsteps)

(rooster crows)

(birds sing)

(moans softly)

(dog barks in distance)

(horse whinnies)

(moans pleasantly)

(exhales)

(horse whinnies)

- Uh!

- (both laugh)

You scared me.

(sighs)

So help me, I love you more

with each day that passes.

I know you have made me

the luckiest man alive.

And you, my king,

have made me the proudest

mother, wife, and queen.

(moaning and kissing)

Let me take you, right now.

- Like old times.

- (gasps)

Minds groggy...

Neither asleep...

nor awake.

Mmm... Youre definitely awake.

Whatever we do this morning,

my noble, brave,

and oh-so-worthy

king of the Iceni,

we do it for an audience of, uh,

several servants...

(giggles)

A half dozen guards, and...

Two curious little girls.

(twins giggling)

Theyre awake, arent they?

- Yeah.

- (both laughing)

(gasps)

Good day my king.

May I join you for breakfast?

You and the entire fort,

dear Ciaran!

Cmon. Make yourself at home.

I traveled through the night

(exhales) And Im hungry.

Hungry. Hes hungry!

Im hungry!

(makes munching noise)

Im gonna eat your bones!

Arrrgh!

How goes it in Camulos?

We welcomed a new procurator.

Catus Decianus.

Should I be concerned?

Hes a Roman.

Spoiled by Africa,

and he hates it here.

Hell transfer home at the

first sign of insurrection.

Lets hope.

(twin girl laughing)

Sorry, Ciaran.

My offspring have the

savage blood of the Ancients

running through their veins.

Like their mother.

(Boudica)

Your "offspring"...

is the daughter of a king.

A very intelligent and

quick-witted daughter,

who will serve as a great

queen one day.

(knocking)

(Tutor)

Mornin.

(Boudica)

Ah! Latin study, girls!

(tutor) Good morning, girls.

Are we ready for class?

(Boudica) Yes... Hey!

(twins giggling)

Little savages.

We earn money to pay

a Roman tutor

to teach our daughters

the language of our occupier,

so they might understand

how to navigate a future...

A future where

their fathers rule

will be a distant memory

of an old colony.

Well, we must change,

if we dont want to be

left alone in the cold like...

Barbarian Brigantes.

Well, I love my barbarian wife.

(Boudica exhales)

You have king-like things

to discuss with brave Ciaran,

my love, and I have

a cosmetics session.

And then Im taking

the girls to the market.

Well come find you.

Promise me you always will.

I promise.

Sit down. Come on.

Eat this. No waste in here.

(cosmeta) We import

fashionable cosmetics

from Germania, Gaul,

and fabled Serica.

Some are so expensive and rare,

the Emperor himself chokes when

he pays for his wifes bill.

(gasps)

Excess hair is not considered

fashionable at all this season.

(brief gasp)

(cosmeta)

Rouge for the cheeks,

red ocher, imported from Belgium

and ground against mortar stone

into the finest powder.

The color of your tunic

is so beautiful.

Where did you find it?

From the Oppida,

outside of Roman security lines.

It was cheap there.

(Boudica)

Should we go?

(twins giggling)

(birds sing)

(indistinct conversation)

Oh, excuse me.

Were looking for the Oppida.

Down there.

Thank you.

(distant voices)

What?

Whats the matter with you?

We should not go there.

This is not a place for you.

Were safe,

the Romans are everywhere!

Look what they do to thieves.

These are not criminals,

theyre Christians.

Oh.

(Bre)

Christians dont mix well

with other religions,

so the Romans crucify them.

We should go back.

Ill buy a bolt

of that material,

then we can hurry back.

All right?

Come on.

Ah, yes.

What other colors do you have?

(Aife) Nodens,

god of dogs and hunting,

forbidden by Emperor Claudius.

One

of the divine personifications

in the Imperial Cult.

The gods only granted man

the gifts of intelligence,

virtue, and fidelity.

(fruit seller)

Some fresh fruit?

(Bre) If the Imperial Cult

was so virtuous,

why did they m*rder

all the Druids?

(quietly) Hey!

Change the subject please.

(lively conversation)

(Aife) Look,

Trinovante warriors.

(raucous laughter)

Boudica.

(Trinovante warriors laughing)

Stop that talk!

This is Boudica.

(Bre)

Why are they kneeling?

And what does Boudica mean?

She was a Trinovante queen.

(Bre)

Mothers an Iceni queen?

(Rosmerta)

Your mothers a Trinovante

who became an Iceni queen.

To these people, that marks her

more powerful than

the Roman Emperor.

Shes like a god to them!

Did your sl*ve just speak ill

of the Emperor?

She meant nothing by it.

Shes a servant, not a sl*ve.

Are you something special

to these joke barbarians?

Vagrants who get fat

on Roman tributes.

(Boudica) It appears you know

more than I, sir.

I dont know who they are.

Come along, children.

Your sl*ve made

a disparaging remark

about the Emperor.

(Boudica) Im sorry.

A queen can afford some wine.

Or the Roman auxiliary

can hear about your slaves

rebellious nature.

Youve really gone too far now!

We have to find your father!

Youre not going anywhere!

Find a legionarius!

(screams)

Aaargh!

(gasps)

(shouts in Germanic language)

(gasps)

Go!

(Prasutagus) Do you want

to know what I did today?

I stood in front of

a room full of centurions

and had to swear that my wife

was a civil and gentle soul.

A wonderful mother,

who just simply loves to weave.

I said and did

nothing to provoke them.

I promise.

(deep sigh)

I negotiated

and bargained more today,

and with more passion,

than Ive had to do in years.

It was really quite thrilling.

However...

I do not wish to do it again,

so we will send

servants into town

next time you want

something special.

Like a blue robe.

At least for the

next year or so.

Tell me, what does it mean?

Boudica...

Mm-hm?

She was a Trinovante legend

before the time of the Druids.

A fierce goddess.

A proud warrior people

that were too...

stubborn to negotiate.

And some believe

she will come again,

to free us from the Romans.

Why me?

(softly) My love.

(deep sigh)

You and I were married

when we were young.

You have a proud lineage.

Theres barbarian blood

that drives your heart,

and they can see that.

Its impossible to hide

it from those people.

Because they look at you

and they see

what you have

achieved with your life.

It incites them.

Fills them full of hope.

Is that a bad thing?

It might scare the Romans

is all that I am saying.

So I wish for you to stay here

and avoid town and barbarians,

at least for a few weeks.

Of course.

Of course. (exhales)

Youre gonna have

to keep me prisoner.

Mmm.

(Boudica)

Ugh! Savages!

(twins giggling)

You monsters! Aah!

Dont k*ll me!

Ha ha ha!

Wheres the honey mead

you promised me, then?

(Prasutagus chuckles)

Then you wanted

to wash away the taste

of that shitty Roman wine

youve been drinking?

If it gets me drunk,

Ill drink it.

(Boudica laughing)

So, finally, Ive found my three

most fierce warriors!

How are you boys

intimidated by our skill?

(twin) Ugh!

Get him!

Oh, gotcha!

Raargh, thats what you get

for fighting a king!

(hearty laugh)

Ill be back

at the Crannog, my liege.

You can take my wild daughters

with you.

- I want to speak with my queen.

- This way.

Whats the matter with him?

(Prasutagus sighs)

When a man fights in a w*r

and loses his family, his home.

Ends up with nothing...

Laughter and the sword

cease to go hand in hand.

Shouldve seen

the way that woman

used her sword.

She was...

she was so impressive.

She att*cked...

(laughs)

without hesitation.

(exhales)

Im not sure I want my daughters

to be Trinovante Brigante, though.

Fighting. Never trusting anyone.

None of them

live very long lives.

(sighs) To be able

to defend oneself...

Hm!

(laughs)

Cannot be a bad thing.

You...

You clearly have

Trinovante blood in your veins.

Use that ferocity

in a thoughtful way.

Not in a bloodthirsty one.

(Boudica)

Mm-hmm.

Use it to be the

best queen possible.

Ha!

(laughing)

(Boudica shrieks)

Come get me!

If you want to be a warrior

a Trinovante warrior.

- Mmm.

- (Boudica moans)

Then lets go home.

Because I have something

to give you.

Its not really a gift from me.

Its part of the dowry

given by your father,

when I asked for

your hand in marriage.

At the time I didnt really

know what to do with it,

but recent events have proven...

It may well be possible

to leave your origins behind

but I think your origins

will never leave you.

Hmm.

(Bre)

What is it, father?

Protected for centuries

by the ancient Druids,

the Queen of the Furies...

Boudica.

(small gasp)

Thank you, Father.

My king.

It is said that

the ancient smiths

used forgotten magic

from the mountain mists

to forge blades like this.

If you look closely,

youll see how the color changes

with the flickering fire.

As if the God spell

of the Earth itself

is woven within its bronze.

I love it.

(Prasutagus) Perhaps

we rest the blade for now.

(gasps)

Mother!

What are you staring at?

I dont know.

A premonition, perhaps.

(small laugh)

Good things, I hope?

(orders being shouted in Latin)

The Romans are here!

(orders being shouted)

Legions, attention!

Make way for our

most esteemed procurator,

Catus Decianus!

Legion! Outward!

(distant barking)

My lord, this day the Iceni

welcomed you here.

To our lands.

Today, we pay tribute

to the Empire.

Come. Go with us inside.

(twins reciting in Latin)

Iurat capillos esse,

quos emit, suos.

Fabulla: numquid illa,

Paule, peierat?

Well done! They pleased you, no?

Dare I presume to ask

whether they have Roman tutors?

(Boudica) They do.

I knew it!

I told you, Maximus,

I told you that they had

Roman tutors for their children.

When I was in Africa,

I witnessed a dancing monkey

that had been taught

by a Roman tutor.

They really are

the best in the world.

They can teach anybody

the basics of culture.

Even these barbarian children.

How long do you intend to grace

us with your presence, my lord?

A year.

Maybe two.

(guffaws)

Well leave in the morning.

You need only feed

my small entourage

from your supplies for tonight,

and, uh, my pay convoy

on the ides of each third month,

en route to Fallbrook Forest.

Dont worry,

my brittunculi friend.

We havent come

to clean you out.

Well, youre welcome to stay

as long as you wish.

It is an honor to host you.

So, tell me, Prasutagus...

You built this fort yourself?

No, it is a holding

handed down within my family.

I have merely

improved upon it, and...

will continue to maintain

it for our next generation.

Then your family

stole it from someone.

Bought it, traded, or won it.

- (burps)

- My ancestors had a reputation

for avoiding v*olence

when necessary.

And I try to uphold

the same tradition.

My king is the personification

of the civilization

in this land.

Solid, bed-rock foundation!

Arable land that you till

and keep fertile with manure

of the beasts that graze here.

And, uh, soil that

does not hold damp,

with the elevation water run-off

and down-hill mitigation.

And the view?

Well, unimpeded from all sides.

I warrant that on a clear day

you can see all the way

to the Watling road.

You are correct.

Its no wonder that this fort

has been so sought-after

this last millennium.

My British king.

We serve you well here, Lord.

Yes.

Yes indeed, you do.

(shouting commands)

Were going to have to be

very well-behaved Britons.

This officious bastard could

royally f*ck us if he chooses.

We have to be smart about this.

We make ourselves indispensable.

You are... (clears throat)

Right. Of course.

Now, ready the guards to leave.

Well run raiding parties

for a few days.

Round up any bandits,

cattle thieves, undesirables,

and well send those

to Catus Decianus as a tribute.

Knowing these lands

are dangerous

might temper his desires

to settle here.

Youre a wise man, my lord.

(Prasutagus)

Ill ride with the party.

Exercise will do me good.

I have such a thirst

for you, woman!

A dryness in my soul

that only you can quench.

(twins)

Mother, Father!

Oh, school is over?

Yes.

I need to take

a good look at you.

Now you need to promise me

that you will always stay

by your mothers side.

Promise?

(twins) Promise.

All three of you, stay warm.

I promise.

And I need you to know

that I love you.

And I always will.

I love you too.

(twins laughing)

(thunder rumbles)

(sentry) The men are back!

Close the gate!

(groaning)

Aaargh!

(no audio)

(Boudica sobbing)

(gasping)

Long live the

Queen of the Iceni.

(commands being shouted)

(heavy footsteps)

(indistinct shouting)

All hail Caesar Augustus Nero!

Hail, Catus Decianus.

Please join us.

I shall not stay...

I feel my presence

weighs heavily on the mood

of the locals.

(Boudica laughs gently)

You read too much

into simple curiosity.

Did you receive my tribute?

Yes. I did.

And I thank you.

You have bequeathed

half of your holdings

and lands to me.

Tis a most

generous acquiescence.

Im glad

his lordship is satisfied.

Oh, I have not said that.

As a woman, Rome cannot

and will not

recognize you as queen.

No female is recognized

as worthy

of any position

of governing power.

To do so is a rebuke

against Rome,

Senate, and Empire!

And a personal indignity

to the Emperor.

(loudly)

To try and bribe me

into turning a blind eye

to this wanton ridicule,

this perversion of our laws,

is a crime!

One that begs

to be punished to the full.

I dont understand you.

Well then let me make it simple

for your barbarian brain

to ingest...

I shall not be taking half

of your holdings and lands.

All of your kingdom.

And you will be flogged.

A fate shared by your children,

while you watch.

Oh, you look to Ciaran!

The man who told me

where you husband would be

the day he was k*lled.

Roman gold will make a convert

of the weak and covetous.

(Catus Decianus)

Stand... down!

(Boudica)

No, please!

(screaming)

(Catus Decianus)

Appointed by the Empire,

bequeathed

by the Emperor himself,

my word is law

as if spoken by Nero!

(frantic screaming)

Henceforth, all land

and properties

owned by Prasutagus of Iceni

are mine!

Hail Nero.

(growling)

Aaaaah!

(gasping and grunting)

Dont you dare touch her!

Noooo! Aaaaah!

(Boudica cries in anguish)

(Catus Decianus)

This was a gift from Nero.

One holds it into fire

then pushes it onto the face

of any misbehaving sl*ve,

thus branding them his property.

N. R.

Nero Rex Dramus.

A-Although, in your case,

the N. R. could stand for

Nec Regina.

Queen no more.

Any disruptive brittunculi

looking to you

will see this mark, laugh,

and be reminded

of your falsehood.

(screaming)

Ohhh...

(Boudica gasps)

The illicit smell

of burning flesh.

(grunting and groaning)

(gurgling cry)

(owl hoots)

(breathing heavily)

(terrified whimpering)

(Cartimanda)

Shh, shh, shh.

Quiet. You must come with us.

(panting)

(Boudica gasping)

die here.

We have to keep moving.

(moaning)

(cries in pain)

(sighing)

Mmm... Girls?

Girls?

Where are my daughters?

Where are my daughters?

Shhh.

(liquid pours)

Were they hurt?

Where are my daughters?

(breathing heavily)

Woah, woah, woah.

(gulps)

Ugh! Oh, I forgot.

Ohhh.

I cant understand

what happened.

You must bring them.

You must bring them, I...

I want to hug them.

- (moans)

- Where are my children?

We... are your children, Boudica.

(groaning)

(sighs)

I need to see my girls.

(twins giggling)

- There you are, Mother!

- Mother, darling!

Oh! Babies!

(gasps) My babies!

Im so sorry!

Im so, so sorry.

I couldnt protect you.

You know...

I fought so hard.

I tried everything.

Its all right, Mother.

(Bre)

Were here with you now.

For your mouth.

- What?

- For teeth.

(Boudica groans)

(Aife) She says a warrior

must be able to bite.

(Bre) She stole it from

the mouth of a dead centurion.

Ohhh...

(gasps) So happy.

You must eat.

She is a warrior.

And a soothsayer.

She says that

you are to be queen.

That your task is

to k*ll the Romans.

(Bre) We are here

to help you, Mother.

My babies.

My babies!

You must eat.

(exhales)

What are you learning?

We learn how to use weapons.

Must a Trinovante woman fight?

A Trinovante woman

can do anything.

Best of all, they fight.

Can I spend some time

with you, my dears?

It feels like

Ive seen nothing of you.

(Boudica) Mmm...

- Im sorry Ive disturbed you.

- You havent.

Is there anything I can get

for you, my queen?

Ive got everything

I need right now.

But thank you.

(exhales)

Shes looked after you well.

She is our friend, Mother.

Where are her children?

The Romans k*lled her children.

She had daughters. Like us.

These people want you

to be their queen.

They say youre chosen.

Its an honor.

Oh no, I wasnt chosen.

I was double-crossed

and betrayed,

and my people let this happen!

No, they mean that

Catus chose you.

When he branded you.

No, this...

Its a mark of humiliation.

To the Trinovante,

you have been anointed.

It is our duty

to bring the tribes together.

To k*ll the Romans.

Do you remember what

Catus ordered his men to do?

In front of your friends,

your family?

Oh I do, I do.

Im sorry.

Im really, really sorry.

You were the Queen of Iceni.

Are the Queen of Iceni.

These people need you now

more than ever.

You really have no choice.

(grunts)

(sword trainer) Wait!

Ill show you.

Neck, under the arm.

Wrist.

Stomach will stop,

but it wont k*ll.

This is where most

wear their armor thickest.

Neck, under the arm,

under the armor.

Thesell be your targets.

Show me.

Neck!

- Ooh! Wah!

- Yes.

This is for you.

(Boudica gasps)

Where did you get this?

Catus gave it to a Roman.

I k*lled him.

And now it is yours again.

(Boudica sighs)

Dont cry, Mother.

We cant show weakness.

(sword trainer)

Bronze is the metal of the past.

It wont hold an edge.

Heavy and unwieldy.

More dangerous to its owner

than its enemy.

(Boudica) Not this blade.

Not to me.

(Wolfgar) Whos using

my training area?

Youre the Iceni queen thats

come to save us, arent you?

(sword trainer)

They call her Boudica.

- Thats a bold name.

- I did not choose it.

I see the brand on your face,

and Ive, uh, seen

what a cat-of-nine-tails

does to a mans back.

But how does that qualify you

to lead the Trinovante?

Why should you be leader

and not me?

Im just Boudica.

I fought as an auxiliary

for the Romans.

So I know how they train,

how they tool up,

how they fight.

How they think.

Now Im a deserter,

marked for death.

As are all my men!

But Ive returned...

to lead my people

out of Roman bondage.

So youd best step aside.

(chuckles)

Is that what youre going

to challenge the Romans with?

Bronze was good,

when that was all we had.

Iron...

Thats the way

of modern warfare.

May I?

By the gods,

its ugly in the hand,

heavy, imbalanced.

Theres no life to it.

Thats why we dont use

bronze anymore.

Let me do you a favor!

Huh!

(laughing)

What?

What? I did you a favor!

Where is she?

That blade was sh*t.

Any real warrior

would know that.

Theres strong currents

in there.

Strong enough to hold a man

down and drown him.

(sighs) Now I feel responsible.

Should I go in?

Whats so interesting?

Maybe this sword chooses

who it performs for.

How did you reshape the blade?

This is how I found it.

This should be interesting.

I was an archer in Armenia,

tracker for Galba in Spain,

swordsman for Rome.

In all of my years

living by the sword

Ive never seen anything

like this before.

Our people asked

the gods of the land

to provide us a leader,

and now they have!

Queen Boudica...

Kneel.

Accept me,

and my men,

as your loyal servants.

(clap of thunder)

I was happy being

a collaborator,

and a wife.

Now...

those two girls are...

the only trace

of the old me. (sighs)

You think I can do this?

Youre the only one who can.

Yeah.

(crackling fire)

Forged

by Catuvellauni craftsmen...

before the time

of the Trinovante

or the Iceni.

The symbol of your royalty...

stolen by the invaders from Rome

and returned to you now.

Do you choose

the royal torque, Boudica?

(whispering)

Put it on.

You must choose it.

Its yours.

In the name

of the four kings of Kent,

Queen Boudica!

(The Trinovante)

Boudica!

I am Boudica.

You are my people.

We are in a time

of extreme peril.

We fight for our freedom!

(The Trinovante) Yes!

Honor!

Yes!

The Romans fight for pay.

We know that the Romans are paid

on the ides

of every third month.

In two days time,

Catus Decianus

will lead a pay convoy

from Londinium to Venonis

and then to Eboracum.

That will lead him straight

through Fallbrook Forest.

Where we shall ambush him.

Catus Decianus has

a centurie of 80 men,

Batavian auxiliaries marching

with him at all times,

along with mounted Equites

and Galician mercenaries.

He will destroy any ambush

you set. Any ambush.

(Boudica)

Its a perfect setup.

The Romans have been plundering

our gold for 20 years!

I think its time

to take it back.

(The Trinovante)

Yes!

We must plan a w*r!

Wolfgar, if youre not

behind me in Fallbrook Forest,

I will fight Catus alone.

But I will fight him.

Youre as mad as a March hare.

No. Im as clear-headed

as Ive ever been.

I need to know

if you are with me.

Give me my sword.

Thank you.

Was I the only one who saw that?

Our world is...

full of signs.

She must be the one.

(Boudica sighs)

You dont approve, huh?

Your silence speaks volumes.

You ask a lot

of a simple people.

When opportunity

presents itself,

we must seize it.

And Catus in the forest

is an opportunity.

Did I do wrong?

You should not act so willfully.

They call me queen.

And then they question my plan.

Its OK. Well do this

on our own, girls.

Look behind you, Mother.

What they say about you

cannot be more true.

We have chosen you as our queen.

Boudica!

(The Trinovante)

Boudica! Boudica!

(commands being shouted)

(Ciaran)

Step off the road, brittunculi.

Who the f*ck are you talking to?

Halt!

You, peasant...

You were dead.

Im your queen.

Or has your ambition

blinded you?

(quietly)

My queen.

I dont know how

or why youre here,

but you must leave now.

I am queen,

and Id like to speak

to your regent,

Catus Decianus.

If you dont go now,

he will crucify you this time.

Send word.

The queen of the Iceni

wishes to parlay.

If you dont tell him,

hell have you whipped like me.

(laughs)

I guarantee you that.

Hm.

(Boudica)

Take a good look!

If you live to have children,

theyll ask about me.

(Catus Decianus)

Where is this brittunculi queen

who would dare stop my cohort?

Well... Speak, she-dog.

Im upset you dont

recognize me, dear Catus,

or has time been

so unkind to me?

She is clearly insane.

Remove and pillar her head

and dont stop us

on such trivialities again!

Im Queen Boudica

of the Iceni and the Trinovante,

the Celts, the Saxons,

of the northern Britons!

I am the wife

of King Prasutagus.

And it will take

a lot more than your blood

to cleanse the foulness

you inflicted

on me and my daughters!

Catus Decianus.

Yeah. Come closer,

and have a good look at my face.

Something you remember?

Bou-di-ca.

Nec Regina!

Your scar has healed.

My men prefer to train

with live targets!

Perhaps I shall grant them

that privilege.

Now, my children.

What witchery is this?

(roaring)

(insect buzzing)

(breathing heavily)

He was hiding in the woods.

Aaah! (panting)

Hail, Queen Boudica!

You traitor!

You traitor! Traitor!

Traitor!

You were supposed

to protect him.

(Boudica screaming)

Enough! Its over!

Its over.

We won the day.

Its over.

We won the day.

Boudica, my queen.

Its over.

Its not over

until every Roman has gone.

My queen?

We ride for Camulos.

Governor Paulinus is still

biding his time in Rome.

The last Ive heard,

his Gemina Legion

was mopping up Druids

in Anglesey, so...

The timing is perfect.

It will need a blessing

from the Druid council.

Youll see to it.

Youre serious.

And I suspect a little mental.

My queen.

But w*r favors the possessed.

Where are you going?

I reckon Im going

to the Druid council

to try to find a reason for a...

Celtic Trinovante invasion

of Camulos.

You are indeed.

Yeah.

When you drink from the skull

of Catus Decianus,

your victory is complete.

Its a tradition.

There has of late

been a succession of ill omens

for the Roman occupation force.

Where they predict

misfortune for Nero,

they promise fortune

for Brittania.

And her queen...

Boudica.

The council supports your cause.

Us.

Theres nothing

we cannot achieve.

Youre staring at me.

You have your hand on my knee.

(Wolfgar) Oh.

(sighs)

Twenty years of k*lling enemies

and chasing their wives.

Forgive me, my queen.

Youre forgiven.

But if you ever

touch me like that again,

Ill k*ll you

before your little man

has had a chance

to raise himself.

By god, woman,

if I didnt already have

two wives...

You have

a way with words, Wolfgar.

(Wolfgar groans)

No one would judge us.

Two warrior leaders,

a man and a woman,

forged together

like charcoal and iron

to become steel

in the furnace of w*r.

I am the wife

of King Prasutagus.

Please leave.

(Wolfgar groans)

Youve come far, Queen Boudica.

Life is impermanent.

Transitory.

We all die.

You. Your daughters.

What do my daughters have

to do with this?

Theyre in your mind,

as you survived.

They did not.

No. Theyre here.

Like snowflakes in the air.

So beautiful to watch.

Snatch one in your hand.

And when you look...

It will be gone.

Like goosebumps,

the first breath of winter.

They will always be

with you, Boudica.

As spirits.

Love what you can.

Never forget

what it is that you love.

As it defines you.

(faintly)

I want to die.

You will.

But first, you must lead

your army again.

The Druid council have

sanctioned your ride to Camulos.

What if I refuse?

Youre free to do as you wish.

There are no rules

in this world.

Except what death has put there.

Queen. You must rest.

Tell me...

Do you see them?

Do you see my daughters?

Theyre... good girls.

They behave well.

Theyve been waiting for you.

No, I asked, do you see them?

See them?

We see them

in our hearts, Queen.

(twin)

You need to wake up, Mother.

If you att*ck Camulos,

the Romans will come after you.

They will send archers

to destroy you.

I will k*ll whoever they send.

And find where they live

and k*ll their families.

You must do it, Mother.

For us. For Father.

This would not have happened,

had I not chosen to be queen.

It was never

your choice, Mother.

But if I wasnt a queen,

we would still be together.

You look so real.

I can feel you.

I can smell you.

But I know youre not.

We are here with you, Mother.

You must get ready.

Its time.

The Romans m*rder*d men,

women, and children

when they occupied

the town of Camulos.

They made it

a retirement settlement

for the senior centurions.

Do you want

to forgive and forget?

We go home, live another day?

f*ck them.

Hail. Thats my queen.

(cheering)

Go!

Youll make

a handsome centurion,

Ivan. (laughs)

You know I dont like that sh*t!

Boudica.

We met them on their ground.

(laughing)

He was a man ahead of his time!

Boudica!

Beautiful retribution.

Its not over.

But its a start.

(blacksmiths hammer clanking)

(soldier groaning in pain)

Why arent they celebrating?

To bear pain.

Tribute to the victory.

To whom?

Marco.

By cutting your mark

into their cheek,

they pay tribute

to you, my queen.

Roman soldiers

have their stigma,

now your men have theirs.

What?

Do they know what it means?

(chuckles)

Who gives a sh*t?

They cant read Latin.

Or any other language,

for that matter.

But what matters

is that its your mark.

Theyre your army now.

What are you doing?

The Romans take pride

in their unit formations,

and my men take great pleasure

in relieving the silks

from the defeated.

These are the units

youve crushed.

The spoils of w*r, my queen.

Its not nearly enough.

Boudica!

(commands being shouted)

(panicked breathing)

Hold the line!

Hold the line! Dont break!

Charge!

(soldiers roaring)

Hold the line!

(Paulinus)

The rioting is getting closer.

Its dangerous

for you to be here.

(Nero)

Why do my people protest?

The w*r in Europe was costly.

Your people need a victory.

Its not my fault.

Its the fault

of that awful woman.

They were your laws!

Your orders that

caused the insurrection.

And now Boudica

and her army seem unstoppable.

My dear Paulinus...

Im a musician, not a warrior...

Rome has forsaken me.

Come with us.

How will I defend myself?

Were not here to do you harm.

I have...

only to appear and sing

to have peace once more

- in Gaul.

- No!

(Nero groans)

Then I shall give Rome

the victory that you could not.

Prepare the troops to move.

We sail in the morning.

They are sending reinforcements

that we cannot defeat.

Our army needs to recuperate.

We will return in the spring

with more men from the north

to bolster your ranks.

What should my men think

of you leaving?

You should send them

home as well.

Because now

the time has come to retreat.

I cannot lose, you know that!

Why not finish what we started?

You could become stronger

Briton king before you.

I dont ask my men

to fight in the winter.

Your men should not either.

(Aife) When your men wake

to learn that he has left them,

cause upset.

(Bre) He loves you,

but you have rejected him.

So he leaves.

Lay down with him.

He will stay.

(Bre) He would be king,

you could be queen.

Together, you would defy fate

and destroy Romes armies.

I can love only one man.

What do your daughters say?

(clears throat)

It is our swiftness

that destroyed the Romans.

Move decisively

and we can end this occupation.

But it will be without me.

Youll be sending

exhausted men to slaughter.

I can order you to stay.

Or...

have you k*lled.

You could.

But you wont.

(deep sigh)

(Wolfgar)

Be sure to take everything.

Dont leave anything behind.

I cast no judgment.

We will see each other

again in the Earrach.

When the snow has melted.

Youre the empress

of the land...

the sky...

the moon.

But you will always be...

my queen.

Get yourselves ready!

I want us moving by sunlight.

Who did they send against me?

As we speak,

the great General Gaius Paulinus

marches on his way

to Watling Street to meet you.

Then...

We will welcome him.

(Paulinus) Well use their

overconfidence to divide them.

But these are not soldiers

that come to offer battle.

Theyre amateurs.

And we, gentlemen,

are professionals.

Eyes held high in pride

are less able to see

the uneven ground ahead.

(shouting to horse in Celtic)

(men cheering)

Boudica! Boudica!

(chanting)

Boudica! k*ll them all!

Boudica! k*ll them all!

I do not come...

I do not come to boast

of a great ancestry,

nor to recover my kingdom.

Im here to assert

the cause of liberty!

(Celt warriors) Yes!

From the pride

and arrogance of the Romans,

nothing is sacred!

The vindictive gods

are now at hand.

(thunder rumbles)

Look around!

See your brothers and sisters!

And view our numbers.

Behold how our tribes

come together

to draw the avenging sword.

On this spot...

- We must conquer!

- Yes!

Or die with glory.

There is no alternative!

(cheers roar)

(chanting)

Boudica! k*ll them all!

att*ck!

(horse whinnies)

Aaaaaaah!

Infantry, split the line!

Auxiliary...

Hold...

Hold!

Check your bearing!

Archers, forward!

Archers...

pull!

Turn the chariot over!

Turn it over!

Draw...

Draw... Loose!

Fire!

Fire!

Keep it coming, lets go.

Lay into them. Wipe them out!

Ask your daughters

for help, Boudica. Now!

Girls!

(panting)

Are you going to help us?

The time for fighting

is over, Mother.

Then what?

Its time for you to join us.

What do they say?

After all weve been through,

want to die cowering.

I go where you go.

On my command.

On your word, my queen.

Lets go.

(screams)

(Wolfgar)

Boudica!

Aaaaah!

(Wolfgar)

Boudica!

Boudica!

You are, and you always will be,

my queen!

No!

Time to be a wife

and mother again.

To love and to cherish.

(Aife) Today,

your name in sacrifice

is more important

than your victory in battle.

Its time to go, Mother.

Yaaaah!

(sighs)

(twin giggling)

("Gettasay,"

Alexa Raquel Casciato)

You dont

You dont

You dont

You dont

You dont

You dont

You dont

You dont,

You dont

(dramatic music playing)