The winter of 1862 was an unusually happy time of my life.
The war was over...
Even the expedition against Gen. Garibaldi had come to an end.
Italy's budding kingdom, united once and for all, no longer paid me to kill.
but only to train others to kill and be killed, when the need arose...
Mother, the horses!
Moreover, I had met Clara.
AH love affairs begin with a look.
Clara's was gentle and sad.
There's something indecent about relating a happy love affair.
Perhaps because such stories repeat themselves.
And few people have never loved, or loved so little...
as to ignore their content.
- I could never be a child. - You grew up in a hurry.
I was married off at 16.
Have you eaten, handsome?
I'm sorry, I keep revealing my stupidity to you.
You're experiencing the happiness you were denied at 15..
- Thanks to you. - My love...
Bye, kitty!
I'll undress you. I'll be your orderly.
Alright.
I am your orderly!
Well?
No!
Close your eyes.
No!
I said don't look.
We lost all so much time before we met...
before we even knew we existed!
I'd have given you my youth, intact.
Button up!
Don't make be come there!
What is it?
“Captain Giorgio Bachetti... “
“You are hereby transferred to the 4th Frontier Brigade. “
“Report for duty at your new post within two days. “
Love of my life, now we're so far from each other.
Yesterday, in the park, I knew your effort in hiding your tears away from me...
I have something to confess to you.
In the voyage that set me apart from you...
even I have cried.
Good night, gentlemen.
Crying is no sign of weakness.
Even Eff! was, it'd be a sweet and divine weakness.
I'm proud to agonize over you.
What saddens me most is that with me at your side,
you were happy and had abandoned yourself“.
I fear that in your loneliness...
you may renew the bonds! helped you sever.
No, Clara, don't condemn yourself.
Ignore the laws of men.
Heaven has imposed upon lovers. more generous and just laws.
They redeem the sentiments of a woman
who sacrifices her good name for the man she loves.
Adultery can restore to a woman the rights...
nature gave her, and society and marriage have denied her...
Comfort me. Banish my fears of losing you.
Every night, I'll think about you.
H! come and see you every time I'll get a leave.
We 'It meet again in the little room where we were so happy...
My heart will beat again on yours...
The rememberance of the many pleasures received from your beauty...
and from your body make this separation so terrible.
And now, farewell.
Forgive these confused thoughts, but t write as {fin a dream.
I want to be near you, to die at your feet.
I won't live anywhere else.
Now hear my oath: AH I'll live for is you.
I shall forget all other creatures.
You will be my religion.
Captain Bachetti was with our forces in Crimea.
At Sevastopol, he rescued a soldier pinned down...
by the Russian infantry's fire.
He rode back, towards the enemy.
He put the wounded man on his horse, and carried him back to camp
- A faithful rendering of the event, captain? - Yes...
but I didn't take him back to camp..
Just to my batallion which was ﬂeeing the Russian cavalry.
- Honor before glory. Am I right, Doctor? - Yes.
Yes, Demosthenes said it even better to someone...
criticizing him for having ﬂed from the Macedonians, he said...
“A soldier who runs away...“
can still be a hero in another battle. “
Indeed. The Captain is now here amongst us.
- What's new in the civilian world? - You see, Colonel...
Here we live in exile...
far from life, from ideas, from everything.
We live among ourselves. Colonel...
You dined in our mess last night, didn't you?
No, when I got here it was closed.
Mess is good for those with an uncultivated palate.
Come eat with us in my quarters. Do you accept?
I've set up a small mess of our own.
But ifs hard to cook good food here.
In mountain soil vegetables especially grow up dispirited.
Yet I can provide a decent meal.
At my age, the need for fairly good meal is imperative.
You'll enjoy the company and the conversation. Am I right, Doctor?
Absolutely! Remember Captain...
that no officer has ever set foot in...
the realms of subtlety and irony.
Besides me, a mediocre doctor fast forgetting what little he knew...
you'll meet Major Tarasso...
who could belly laugh at his mother's funeral...
having first eaten her and washed her down with his customary gallon of wine.
Captain Rivolti: the blandest of officers.
He is best described by not saying anything about him.
He only comes to life at billiards.
Lt. Baggi, our veterinarian.
No horse has ever complained about him.
I've added vinegar to the meatloaf, but there's no nutmeg.
He professes culinary skills... he never gets to demonstrate...
due to the eternal lack of the proper ingredients.
!didn't have many contacts, in one year I've only received one letter.
Even to that one I didn't have to answer to, it was sending me here!
You can always send a thank you note!
- That's Mrs. Fosca's place. - She's my cousin.
I have no family, neither does she, so she lives with me.
Poor dear, her health is precarious and it worries me greatly..
She stays in bed 7 days a week.
She's no better today.
She eats like a sparrow.
How come Minghetti kept Detta Rovere as head of the War Department?
- We were together in Atessandria in '21. - Did t ever tell you about...
when I was in Alessandria?
Our commander caught his young wife ﬂirting with his aide-de-camp!
He just stayed there, ﬂabbergasted!
- The lady screamed and fainted, or pretended to. - Major!
The general shouted to the aide-de camp: “You're kissing my wife!“
The poor fellow, the wife in his arms, blurted out: ”Yes, Sir, general... ”
but only with the tip of my tongue!“
He was made cavaliere for 'domestic merits'.
And as he found Del Bo ve sounding in dialect...
he began signing Cavaliers Del Bue (ox).
Line up! By the one in front!
Keep your distances!
Captain, ready to march! Do you want to inspect the men?
No, it's enough just to hear you, to know I can trust you completely.
- Thank you, Captain, Sir! - Go.
Forward march!
Get going!
My Clara, during the mindless fatigues of military discipline,
an art that destroys any thought by physical strain,
and any propensity of the soul by violence,
I take refuge in my memories of you, of your voice,
in the words you have written and those I'll write to you.
I call out your name. Clara! Clara!
I went in that studio with my son, on his birthday.
But the real reason was that! wanted my portrait made so t could send ft to you.
You see? I'm smiling for you.
But I had to restrain my heart,
who'd have wanted to make my eyes cry.
She loves to read. I can't find her enough books.
Don't you have some romances to lend her?
Sure. I brought some. I'll gladly be of service to your cousin.
I hope they'll appeal to her.
Be sure of that! She's even read my military handbooks!
Colonel, I'll get them before she comes down.
She'll stay in bed today also, take them to her in the afternoon.
The trick is to turn the breadstick, so it softens but doesn't crumble.
Captain, now you've begun...
getting used to this remote place from ideas and everything.
- Do you miss the city a lot? - Life is quite different there.
You see hundreds of faces on the street.
And at least half of them have rosy, red lips that are kissable!
That's more of the Captain's age.
- As for us... - I totally disagree!
Seasoned wood burns better than green!
Risotto without marrow is no risotto.
A woman's heart is more vulnerable to
a hussar's charge than a foot soldier's gait.
Yes, because a six-legged animal outpaces one that has two.
Don't be alarmed. It's my cousin.
It's nothing, it'll be over in a few minutes.
I can't do a thing for her, but a doctor is always expected to run to the patient.
You'll get used to it, it happens often.
Amazingly, its the first time its happened since you got here.
She's got every conceivable disease.
An unique phenomenon, as far as I'm concerned.
I can't even diagnose all her ills, let alone their origin.
I didn't know a human voice could utter such terrifying sounds.
Nervous fits. “Hysterical“ is the more fashionable word nowadays.
That creature is prone to constant irritability.
She's very nervous.
The slightest conﬂict is enough to bring on those fits.
Her cousin doesn't seem unduly worried.
He's resigned to it. Nothing can be done for Fosca.
- Is her life in danger? - I doubt it.
She's so weak, her body hasn't the energy to produce a fatal illness.
- A strange thing to say. - Why?
Every victory, even death's, is the result of a struggle.
In Fosca, all those diseases compensate each other.
She's not in danger, unless something...
upsets the balance.
Fragile but miraculous.
If she's so sick, why is her place always set at the table...
as if she could suddenly cure? - There are breaks in her illness.
She may come down and join us for a meal without warning.
She lives here alone.
Could she be, or have once been...
- The Colonel's mistress? - Yes. - No, I don't think so.
In fact, I'm sure she hasn't been.
- Is she young? - She's 29. - Beautiful?
You'll meet her soon. Decide for yourself.
The colonel is waiting for you, captain, Sir.
We'll take care of it, you have the best horse in the regiment.
- He's in his office. - I'll go in my room.
As a matter of fact, no, he's in his house.
Nice!
Have you been looking for me?
Yes, she has already finished them.
Fosca is a bookworm. She reads as we breathe.
She said that If you'll wait a moment, she'll come thank you herself.
I'm honored to await her.
This work... never a moment's rest.
"Julie you La Nouvelle Heloise"
"Heavenly powers, since I have a soul forpain, give me one for joy. "
"Tortured passions offer
a disturbing pleasure to replace happiness. "
Mrs. Fosca is very sorry, but she's not well and can't come down to see you.
Please give her my regards.
I'll teach you to ride. Time you learned!
- Give me your left leg. - Yes, captain, Sir.
Where are you going? After a fall, one must remount instantly.
- I can't make it. - Yes you can! Keep your heels together and loose.
Mount.
- Ready? - Yes, but slowly.
- That's it! Sit up! - I can't make it.
“Among the Italian patriots that have run to the help of'
“the Polish rebels against the Russian supremacy... “
“Lt. Nullo of Bergamo, fell heroically in battle. “
“He had already been one.. “ - Good day! - Good day, captain!
"Of the 1,089 red shirts of Giuseppe Garibaldi... "
Enough.
I wanted to meet you...
and thank you personally for the books you've sent me. - Thank you.
I loved Rousseau's romance,
for the beauty of the soul and the virtues he describes.
I'm delighted.
The passages you underlined were among the most beautiful,
but, also... the saddest.
Yes, I can recognize unhappiness.
I've got a lot of experience.
In fact Rousseau was virtuos only in his books.
He even put 5 of his children out for adoption in a Paris poorhouse?
Is it true that my cousin accuses me of being an excessive reader?
- He said reading was your passion. - I read to forget...
to learn of the joys society metes out to the fortunate.
My only salvation is escaping reality,
inventing new lives for myself, dreaming a lot.
To understand why I must adhere to this rules...
ifs enough to look at me.
- I'm mad to drag you into a discussion like this. - No!
I realize that with one like me, one can venture fearlessly...
on the most slippery of paths.
- Have you visited the castle? - What castle?
You've been here for days, without opening your eyes.
- You dream, like me? - Sometimes.
They're only ruins, that's why they're beautiful.
My cousin promised to take me there this afternoon.
Would you like to come with us?
'Will you honor us?
I really don't know, ma'am...
I'll come with pleasure.
Oh, my God!
How can t express in words the ugliness of that poor wretch?
Her deformity haunted like a bad omen
that site of military stupidity...
where exertion could defeat idleness but not boredom.
Take this saddle!
The south is still infested with bandits...
who lurk in the mountains and attack our troops from behind..
Banditism needs to be studied, not just repressed.
It's rooted in the abysmal social conditions of the rednecks...
and ifs fueled by the arrogance of the landowners"
They aren't just bandits, but peasants, women, old men...
boys, Bourbon soldiers, still loyal to Francois llnd.
No, they're bandits!
- Captain. - Colonel? - Can you take care of my cousin?
Yes, with pleasure.
I can walk alone. My cousin still treats me like a child,
even if years go by.
His last trip, he brought me paper figures to cut out.
I'm grown up... even though I like paper and scissors.
- I frightened you yesterday. - No.
I'm terribly sorry, but unfortunately, it happens without warning..
Now you seem cured.
No. Sickness is a normal state for me.
We've even called Garibaldi a bandit!
- That funeral has upset you. - I'm not afraid of dying, I swear,
even if I don't have much time left.
I'm afraid of the trappings of death. The body borne aloft...
the funeral procession, being hemmed in by four boards... covered by earth!
Today I visited a castle. While walking,
immersed in my selfish love for you, I was feeling my soul filled by you.
Your first letter was in my pocket. I was touching it!
tread your words with my fingers, though I knew them by heart.
And they echoed round my head among those walls...!
Those are harmful thoughts. Chase them away. Look around you.
Look at the mountains,
the snow, the light!
Just being ailve, seeing, breathing,
makes life a supreme joy.
Absolute happiness doesn't exist, nor does absolute unhappiness.
I think there's a sure path... common to us all...
to be happy.
- Which one? - To love...
- You mean affection, friendship, fondness? - No.
I mean love, the union of two souls living the same life.
Having the same thoughts, the same desires!
Love... is a... privilege state that makes everything beautiful,
noble and pure.
When you love, everything reminds you of the one you love.
Even nature, animals...
the people you're with.
- What's the matter? - I don't feel well.
- Let's turn back. - Your hand is shaking!
I am feverish.
- Colonel! Doctor! - It's nothing, I'm always feverish.
The lady is tired. She wants to go home!
Perhaps, ifs because the foolish things I said.
- Either you're incredibly naive or incredibly cruel. - I'm sorry.
To speak to me... of happiness, of love, like that...
I'm sorry. I didn't realize. Sometimes I talk irresponsibly.
- I've said inconsiderate things. - No, its that I'm alone.
To them, we 're the bandits. That's why we need a law.
A law against banditry would be like a law against poverty...
or injustice... - Order first, then justice.
My cousin loves me, but doesn't understand me. The others are vulgar.
- They're soldiers! Forgive me. - No.
They're polite. But behind my back, they make fun of me.
They say I'm capricious, talkative and sarcastic.
Sarcasm, a trait not liked in a man, is unbearable in a woman.
Let alone an ugly woman!
You're different, I know.
When I first saw you, I thought you might...
tolerate me without deriding me.
- Please, Captain, don't reject me, too. - But...
- Don't refuse me your compassion! - No, but... - Can we meet again?
- So I can tell you more of myself, of my life? - Ma'am... - 'Will you allow me?
- I have nothing! - I assure you of my trust and friendship.
- I'm happy to have you as a friend. - The law's been proposed by MP Pica.
- By Di Negro, the minister. - It was Pica, I'm sure.
Captain, can you tell us...
Idiot!
I've been an idiot, a teenager!
My trust and friendship? From me?
And why? Am I a doctor maybe?
A priest? A relative? No!
My tongue should be cutout, like in Turkey.
I'm sorry for her. But I intend to go back on my word!
I'll sever this bond before ifs too late.
What bond, anyway?
I feel queasy inside, frightened.
Yes, frightened.
Don't look at me like that, stupid!
Attention! Forward march!
- Captain, we're 3 hours from the garrison. Should we go back? - No.
- The men may eat their rations - Yes, sir!
Butte!
Canto!
At your orders, Captain, sir.
Installed in the opera box
the General told his orderly...
to wake him at the end of Act I, so he could applaud.
The act ended, but even the orderly had fallen asleep.
- The dashing Captain. Tireless as ever. - We haven't seen you in 3 days.
- I was out with my regiment, Sir. - My cousin looked for you often.
- I'm sorry. Give her my respects. - You'll give them to her in person.
We'll all go out in my carriage.
I just got a new pair of horses. I showed them to the Major.
If I didn't despise horses, I'd call them superb.
I'll be there in half an hour.
Months ago, I applied for a new pair, but they only had bays or piebalds.
At last I found the pair I wanted.
You'll like them too, Fosca. Shouldn't be long now, excuse me.
- Santino! - At your orders, sir. - Well? Are we ready?
- Immediately! - Useless! Can't trust anyone.
I'd better deal with it myself.
You look well. In fine fettle.
Giorgio!
Where have you been? I've looked for you. You've made me suffer so much!
Giorgio! Oh my God!
I don't understand. You feel ill?
Beret, greatcoat and sword.
Won't be a couple of minutes...
What is it, Fosca?
Nothing. A splitting headache.
I won't come with you.
I feel ill... I feel ill...
The slightest thing...
Even my new horses can set her off.
I can't leave her alone. We'll go out some other time.
Santino! At your orders, sir!
- Unharness the horses. - Right away.
This makes me depressed, and taciturn in the mornings.
- Then I'll avoid you afternoons and evenings. - I'll only have a coffee.
- Must be the pressure. What can I take? - I don't know.
- I don't know. Get a check-up in town. - Some doctor!
- Anyone up there? - No one. You can eat in peace.
Captain!
Shall we go up together?
Look what Fosca has done for all of us.
"Haven't you understood or are you avoiding me?"
"You had granted me your friendshiip. I'll confess you a secret. "
"I've noticed as soon as you've arrived here. "
"I've spied on you but I couldn't make myself get down from my room. "
"Every time I got ready and then gave up coming to dinner. "
"I was afraid, I was ashamed of you. I was afraid you'll not like me ay all. "
"Am I that ugly?"
Left hand, trot!
"The day I came down and appeared before you for the first time... "
my heart raced so, it almost ﬂew out of my chest. "
"I would have traded the rest of my life to be beautiful for one hour. "
Gallop!
Come on!
"I would have traded the rest of my life to be beautiful for one hour. "
Come on!
"If I've deared discuss things with you that no woman does... "
with a stranger it's because my appearance... "
"exonerates me from ulterior motives. ".
"My deformity has this one advantage. "
"Don 'I lake that away from me. You're a kind person. Be kind to me, loo. "
He waited hours under his lover's windows...
where he awaited for her appearance.
He walked up and down, while his coachman slept.
Why didn't you answer my letters?
One day, his coachman said: “I don't have much of a life, but neither have you!“
Doctor, why do you always put that gold coin on the table...
and then you put it back in your pocket? Why?
For 30 years, I've put it on the table of the officers I eat at.
The first meal where no one talks about horses or women...
I'll leave it for the other guests. -At my table...
no one will take it.
My home-town was famous for its wine.
The only lawyer had made the local inn his study and home..
To anyone who needed advice, he'd say: "Let's hear his opinion. "
He 'd fill his glass and say: "This is my young clerk. "
- Aren't you hungry, captain? - Yes.
Colonel, I've got letters that urgently require my presence in town.
I must ask you for an at least five days leave.
Had you asked in my office, I'd have said no. You've been here for only a month.
- But one can't say no to a guest.
- Will you leave tomorrow? - Yes.
- Tomorrow at this hour, you'll be in the arms of some cutie! - Yes.
A month is a long time! Did I ever tell you about lieutenant De Rio?
He only thought of that!
- When will you return? - I have a 5 day leave.
'Will you think of me?
Thinking of my work, of my superiors, of your cousin, I'll also remember you.
- Have mercy on me, Giorgio. - Please, they can hear you.
Goodbye.
Despise me. I don't mind, if I can go on seeing you!
Have pity. One can love an animal. Why not me?
Get up, Madam.
Calm down.
'Up-
- I'll write you from town. - Really? - Yes, begining tomorrow.
Tomorrow. I promise.
- Go, they may notice. - They'll notice how happy I am.
Please!
Thank you for your mercy.
The lovers!
If I catch you!
The lovers!
Stop, lady!
You've disrespected a Captain of the young kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont!
- Mercy! What's my punishment? - The 1841 code prescribes ﬂogging...
up to 1,800 lashes. -You'll hurt me! Wouldn't you settle for 1700?
Depends on your behavior. Let's see.
"My dear friend. I'm writing as promised.
Listen calmly to what I'm about to say.
I cannot love you because I'm desperately in love...
and am desperately loved in return.
Now you know I can never be your lover and not even a friend.
Friendship is not possible between us, as it never is between a man
and a woman who have engaged in love conversations. "
How beautiful you are!
"Suppose the woman I loved was you, Fosca, how would you judge me...
if! betrayed you for another? You'd despise me.
So would the one who loves me now.
And would you, Fosca entrust your love to a despicable man?
I must be cruel to be fair.
It is essential that we end instantly what never began.
I shall need your help. I can't avoid your house.
Do so that I might meet you openly and shake your hand without fear.
Only thus can we avoid trouble for us both.
No other relationship between us is possible.
Let me say your own words:
You're a kind person. Be kind to me, loo. "
MY love!
Thank you!
Till soon!
Say it again.
“He died. As motionless, the last sigh exhaled...
remains the oblvious mortal remains...“
Take it away!
- Good day, Madam. - Good day, captain.
- Just got back? - Yes. I wanted to know at once if you got the letter...
that I sent you from town and if you read it.
I read it.
- Am I allowed to shake your hand. - We never ceased being on good terms.
I'm deeply ashamed of what happened here before you left.
Why? There's no need.
You're a very sensitive person...
but you see, in the end, good sense prevailed.
You're so tolerant.
- Was your leave pleasant? - Yes, very.
Admit that you only left to visit my rival.
You don't need deep intuition to guess that.
- You'll go back to her? - As soon as possible. - If you get another leave.
- Why shouldn't I? - I could have it turned down.
I'll speak to my cousin.
Place more value on your dignity. Don't offend your own pride.
We deal with our pride as best we can.
- Do you really love that woman? - I wrote you...
Insanely!
- Is she beautiful? - Very.
- Is she kind? - An angel.
- Why don't you marry her? - She already is.
- And you respect her? - Yes. Respect has nothing to do with love.
That's not true, but it doesn't matter.
Lets stop torturing each other. It's humiliating and unworthy of us.
When you're kind and gentle, you're dear to me.
When you're sarcastic, you don't mean anything to me.
I told I had ﬂaws that were unbearable in a woman...
other than ugliness, of course.
I'm sorry for you and everyone else, I'm neither kind nor gentle.
Our situation is clear. I hope there'll be no more talk about us two,
on a personal level, I mean.
We nurture the same hopes.
- Maybe we should avoid each other from now on. - That may be best.
I have things to do. You may go.
His name was Machiavello.
Before I mounted him, he knew what mood I was in.
If I was joyful, he was joyful. If I was pondering, so was he.
He died of pain the day my mother died.
He had a soul, too.
Rovani said: “No, I'm not the guy you're thinking at. “
Giuseppe Rovani is also a very talented writer.
He has written poetry, critical works, stories, a couple of romances.
His father-in-law said: “Its not him that writes, but that stupid girl of mine“.
“He only dictates. “
- Another one. - The Major is relentless.
How many writers would do better to have their books written by their wives?
Doctor, come, quickly!
- She hasn't come down in 20 days. - She's never been so ill.
Yes, her state has suddenly worsened.
As has the quality of our meals
I must urgently talk to you of a matter that concerns you.
I'll get to the point.
You know that right now, Signora Fosca's health is critical.
Last night, she told me what happened between you.
That woman is dying for you, dashing captain!
- Dying? For me? - Yes.
- Isn't she ill? - Beg your pardon?
I said: It must be her illness!
That, too. Both things at once.
She didn't have long to live, anyway.
But the passion she developed for you and the suffering brought by your refusal...
will hasten her death.
You come here to speak to me. of passion, of death.
That is not my responsibility. I don't see what I can do for that woman.
You must go to Fosca. This very evening.
My room adjoins hers. I'll let you in.
She asked me to speak to you. There's no other way to save her.
I'm not much of a doctor.
But I know when someone has lost the will to live.
No! Never!
This is blackmail. Do you realize what you're asking me?
Would you do it, doctor?
No.
I and the other officers here are vulgar, primitive types.
You've listened to our conversations You know of our tastes, and how we talk.
But Fosca is cultivated,
and a delicate, subtle mind.
The day you came, I told myself: Fosca will love him.
You're handsome... and sensitive.
Woe to he who is born with that blemish as original sin.
I await you tonight in my room.
Looking at my obsessions?
- What must I do? - Speak to her.
comfort her.
- Must I promise to love her? - In the most convincing way.
- It's terrible! - I can imagine.
The Colonel is expecting me for our card game. Wait for a few minutes...
before going into Fosca's room.
Remember, you're a brave man, decorated in battle.
'Will you forgive me for asking you to come?
I won't forgive you that it took you so long.
I'm asking you to make a big sacrifice, I know. You feel pity for me.
But tonight I want to delude myself.
- Don't look at me. I'm ugly! - Your kindness makes you beautiful.
You value such beauty?
- Above any other kind. - Don't lie to me.
It's enough for me to know you find my heart good, in love.
And yours, Giorgio?
I shouldn't have told you not to lie. Lie to me, please!
I'm sorry, Giorgio!
Take those lilies of the valley.
Kiss them.
Open the shutters.
Wider!!
Moonlight is more becoming.
- Giorgio! -The countryside is lovely from here.
Giorgio, come here.
- For tonight can we be close? - As you wish.
- Sit here. - As you wish.
Call me on my name.
- Fosca. - Say “Fosca and Giorgio“.
- Fosca and Giorgio. - “Giorgio and Fosca.
Giorgio and Fosca.
What an unexpected joy: you here, saying our names.
- I could die happy right now. - You'd be happier alive.
Only if you'd love me.
- 'Will you stay till morning? - As long as you wish.
- Is it tiring to speak? - A little.
Rest your head on my pillow.
Shall we sleep?
Give me your hand.
Handsome!
You're so handsome!
You're both so beautiful!
You don't know what ifs like for a woman not to be beautiful!
Being an ugly woman is the worst of tortures.
There's no comparable agony in a man's life.
Even a deformed, unloved man has thousands of compensations.
Society is lenient towards him.
If he can't obtain love, he can fall back on ambition.
A woman can't escape from the life planned for her. Never.
She has to please to be loved...
and for that she needs beauty.
Is she tall?
- Who? - Her...
- Don't punish yourself. - Is she tall?
- Your height. - Her hair?
- Black. - Like mine?
No.
Yours is lovelier.
- Do you have sisters? - Yes. Why?
- Do you ever kiss them? - Yes. - Kiss me like you kiss them!
Not that way, Giorgio! Kiss me as you kiss her.
Like her!
Now, go. We won't meet again, until my health is back.
The doctor might think... I'll write you.
Leave me something of yours! Your handkerchief.
Go now!
Go away! I feel my sickness coming on!
I must scream! They'll come.
Go!
- It's the Captain's lucky night. - Yes.
It's the Captain's lucky night! 15 to 3.
Really his lucky night! - It's at least 20 to 3.
You look very pale.
Is her illness so serious?
Did I really have to visit her the other night?
Your doubts could insult me, young man.
You're suggesting I'm a pimp, not a doctor.
A more amusing profession than mine,
but not the one I chose.
She'd already be dead without you.
And now, in a few days, she'll be cured.
12 to 27.
39 lo 3.
May I?
Ff lotto! Fu...
He made filotto!
It really is the captain's lucky night.
43 to 3.
She was shunned by other children and unloved by adults.
It's cruel but that's how it is: ugly children aren't easily caressed.
Fosca did not improve with age, but she was healthy...
and had a youthful grace.
After my uncle died, I still visited Fosca and her mother.
Once, I brought along a young man I'd met at my club.
A Venetian count...
whose conversation dazzled everyone.
Especially Fosca. One month later they got married.
- Signora Fosca has been married? - Yes, for about three hours.
The groom was no count, but a scoundrel riddled with debts.
He disappeared the same day with Fosca's dowry, a huge sum in cash.
Fosca got sick, lost weight. and became as you've seen her.
Fosca's mother died within a few days...
heart-broken.
I spent months looking for that man. He had ended up in a Dalmatian jail.
He'd already been married... three times.
Poor and alone, I look my cousin to live with me.
Had to.
I'd introduced her to the man responsible for her misfortunes...
and mine.
Life raced by with lightning speed.
And now here I am.
In a couple of years, I'll be retired.
A scribbler, about to be pensioned off.
Besides what's the point of being in uniform behind a desk?
No excitement, nothing! It's almost grotesque.
Once I was young... and handsome like you.
But I was never brave.
A pity!
Its a pity to grow old without any memories.
A scribbler.
I told you all about Fosca, Captain so you can better understand
how grateful I am to you.
You are very patient with her. Your company does her good.
Every favor you do her, is a favor to me.
Your attitude towards Fosca makes me admire you even more, makes me...
envy you.
It pains me to leave you, Fosca. especially when you're so well...
but there's a lot of things I've to do. Captain, will you keep her company?
- I'm on duty. - To hell with that. I'll fix it.
Stay here.
You wanted to get away.
- I was riding out with my squadron. - That's not true.
It is.
Would you sit at the writing table, please?
- Why? - I want to dictate a letter. Does it bother you?
No.
Write the date.
15th November 1863.
My love...
my beloved Fosca...
it's to me, since you deny me what you accord others.
Have you written it?
My beloved Fosca...
"Yesterday, my husband said I had a grey hair.
I pulled it out. H's the one I've sent you in this envelope.
When did it turn white? Perhaps the day you left?
Why don't you answer? Why are you here?
I needed to be alone.
It's from Clara!
Yet you're not happy.
I was. Until a moment ago.
You want to push me...
like it was an accident?
Don't be unfair!
You know I have moments of sadness, when I seem mean...
but you know I'm not. - That's why you want to get away.
- You think I don't notice your agony? - What happened? You're cut.
I hadn't noticed... it's those bushes. Why did you want to be alone?
- To think. - About her?
No! About nothing. Don't you ever want to be alone to think?
- Only when I want to cry.. - Maybe I wanted to cry, too.
Why would you cry? I torture you, don't I? Answer!
- Giorgio, am I boring you? - Leave me alone!
I want to be alone!
Colonel! Doctor!
A thought...
A thought?
I've understood it!
She wants to drag me down into the grave with her.
Doctor...
Doctor!
Now I know why...
whenever we're alone she hugs me, kisses me...
with her death cold lips.
Those arms pull at me, draw me in...
suffocate me!
They are like icy tentacles!
Never leave us alone together!
No
I watched you wither by the day, I thought you'd manage to cut short...
that liaison.
Go ask my orderly for my white pipe.
Your fever is insignificant. But you, too, are in danger.
I can't tell you what to do, but I must warn you of the dangers.
It's Fosca's life or yours. Decide.
- A month ago, you told me what to do. - I'm also telling you now.
Leave that woman. Go away.
- Last time you said the opposite. - I thought it was the right thing!
How could I know you were so sensitive? So fragile of mind and heart!
Maybe I should have thought of it. So I made a mistake!
I erred. I don't only have good ideas.
Every day I forget something new.
What will happen to Fosca if I leave? - What did you say?
What did I say? I don't know.
That woman is eating you alive...
and you...
I'll tell you this in confidence:
if passion drives Fosca to lose all control...
If Fosca, taking advantage of your condition...
I mean if... if...
Her senses, her organs her nervous system...
her weak heart especially...
couldn't withstand the experience of love...
that is so consuming so vital to a normal woman,
let alone Fosca...
at almost 30, and in her physical condition.
It would almost certainly be fatal to her.
- Does she know that? - Yes.
She also knows her life is almost over.
Exchange what's left of her life for the joy of being a woman, at least once...
would seem a reasonable bargain to her.
I'll put you on sick leave. You need the care of a hospital.
You leave tomorrow.
Major, I couldn't find the white pipe.
Why?
We're getting off at the next station!
You've cost me 40 days' leave! I'm sick, too!
I only wanted to follow you to town, like a stranger,
without even speaking to you. -That's the reasoning of a capricious child!
- You, in a big town! - I have a little money.
I can live in the same town as you, on the same street as you.
No one can prevent me! I'll follow wherever you go.
Thank you.
- What do you want from me? - Nothing.
This will make me love you?
- No matter: I love you. - I don't! My heart feels nothing for you!
Your heart, If I was less ugly, if I could fix this nose,
this mouth, this face, if I had some meat on these breast-bones...
you'd love me. It's nothing to do with your heart!
- More reason to leave me alone! - Why? We all must deal with our pain.
I needed a goal for what's left of my life, and I've found it - You!
I'm wholly devoted to you.
When I've smothered you under the weight of my feelings...
when I've followed you step by step, wherever you go, like your shadow...
when I've died for you, you'll be compelled to love me!
Kill me! We'll both be freed instantly.
Calm down.
Sit.
I'll do what you want.
Calm down.
- Shall I unpack, sir? - No, I'm leaving tomorrow.
Captain.
She led you back like a lamb.
Fosca told me of your rail road adventures.
She wants you to know the episode has no consequences.
- Her cousin hadn't found the letter yet. - I'm glad for her...
and for him. You told her I was leaving today?
- I said for two days. Good thing I lied. - No, I'll be away for two days.
Why? You have 40 days sick leave.
I only need a few hours in town. I'll be back the day after tomorrow.
- I promised her that. - Forget your promise.
Impossible. I can't...
You must be transferred permanently.
I've got a friend at General Headquarters. I'll send him a dispatch today.
Then you'll be ordered to leave. Fosca can't stop that.
- Have you thought of... - I'm thinking of you!
Since you're incapable of it.
That woman's presence is developing in you a destructive urge...
that is consuming you and that I don't understand.
It's my duty to help her.
No one can help Fosca.
You, as I've already said, can hasten her death.
And since when do you discuss orders from superiors?
Have a good trip..
- Are we leaving, Antonio? - Whenever you say, Sir.
Go!
You won't be back.
Today, I knew we'd never see those places again.
Why? We love each other.
I can't give you up.
For that poor wretch, I only feel pity.
- That can be stronger than love. - She's a monster!
Maybe ifs a nobler love.
She needs you.
Don't you need me?
I need you to be happy, she, to survive.
I'm beautiful. That should be enough.
Christmas is in a week.
That's the gift I'll give my husband.
I've had those figures since childhood.
This is my favorite, maybe because it's the ugliest.
I could imagine how he must have suffered in his village...
Kids mocking his deformity.
I'm neither a Turk, nor a Catholic. Just an honest man,
But I like to celebrate Christmas properly, with my closest friends.
- My thanks to all of you. - You must specially thank the Captain,
who has returned to spend Christmas with us in his regiment.
Tonight we'll have at dinner all the better halves of our colleagues"
- Even the beautiful Emma? - Yes. - Good!
Great. Not only our stomachs, but our aesthetic sense will also feast.
What is it?
Put it in... Wait, this one's from the War Department.
We've got cock with trufﬂes.
For me, as many tortellini as I have years, 58.
- It's a tradition. - When we met, he was at 35 tortellini!
- Of all his old vices, only eating remains. - With you, dear.
The War Department has a surprise for us.
You're transferred to the town depot and you have to report immediately for duty.
Transferred? To town? How? I don't understand.
No! Don't abandon me!
Giorgio, my love!
No, my love! You promised me, Giorgio!
No! Don't leave me, Giorgio!
- Fosca, calm down. - No, Giorgio. No!
Giorgio! You can't leave, my love!
No, my love!
Captain, wait for me in your quarters.
You have basely abused
my trust.
I don't know why you have deluded and took advantage of my cousin...
like a scoundrel.
Please don't speak. Words can't repair the damage.
I want satisfaction of another kind.
What do you mean?
- We'll fight. - Fight? A duel?
Is the brave Captain afraid?
Tell him! it's not your responsibility!
Go ahead, say it!
- How you were forced..., how you had to... - No!
Nothing was forced on me.
I'm at your disposal.
It's my first duel...
but I hate those foolish duels that end with a scratch.
One of us must die.
Gentlemen! if soldiers, for once would use their intelligence...
it wouldn't such a disaster!
At 7 am, at the old castle. I'll provide the weapons.
My cousin mustn't know of this duel.
If you don't tell her, she won't know.
This silly duel could have been avoided.
Your attitude was a kind of provocation.
Of course, I'm indirectly responsible for what happened,
ever since... I encouraged you to go to Fosca's room.
Tonight I'm going back there. I must see her.
You must tell her I'm coming and let me into her room.
- You want to see that... woman? it's absurd! - That woman...
“That woman“... risked humiliation for me,
risked ridicule.
She endured my rejection, my anger!
She surrendered her pride, her self-respect for me..
It's easy to love when one is loved.
But she, though spurned...
loved me more than anyone...
and I love her, too.. - Impossible. - Go ahead, be surprised. I love Fosca.
- Whatever you said, I didn't hear it. - It's your doing!
You may have forgotten how to cure diseases, but you've induced mine...
so don't pretend you can't hear me - I can't hear you!
I love Fosca!
Does it go against the rules? Against nature?
You say you forget something every day.
Today, forget your aesthetic sense.
I love her. And I want to tell her before I abandon her.
Tomorrow, however the duel ends,
I'll be gone..
I love you.
You love me like you love other women? Like you love Clara?
More.
- Be mine, Giorgio! - No!
We can't.
- You can't! - An hour, a moment with you!
More happiness than I ever hoped for. To die loved, is to have lived.
And I fainted in the Doctor's arms.
At that moment, t received the legacy of that sad affair...
As if Fosca's illness had been transmitted to me.
For 5 years, it has gnawed at my soul...
and my body.
I relish the havoc that time, little by little...
is playing with my memory.
- Fosca? - She died 3 days after that night. She died happy.
Thank you.
The Doctor sent me Fosca's hair. On her deathbed...
she'd cut it off for me.
A jolly story.
Very jolly! What did you hope to do? Change the eternal laws of nature?
What an absurd tale!
It would make sense if Fosca... had been a beauty, and Giorgio like me..
Everyone would have understood that passionate affair.
But like this...
Giorgio and Fosca! What an absurd story!